La Roja ratings: Spain 0 - 2 Chile

La Roja's 2-0 loss to Chile means that, mathematically, they are unable to qualify from their group. Cronan Yu runs through the ratings.

Iker Casillas: 4

The captain was nervy throughout the whole match, perhaps the result of the previous Netherlands match. Although unable to prevent the first goal, he gifted the second with a punch right into the danger area after an Alexis Sanchez free kick.

Jordi Alba: 4

Tried to get forward as much as possible in attack to hit those first time crosses, but didn't display enough quality to do so. Aranguiz's goal could've been avoidable had he had done more to percent Vidal from passing.

Sergio Ramos: 5

Was poor in defence yet again as he failed to strike up a sustainable partnership with Javi Martinez. Also lacked discipline and at one stage, looked like losing his head.

Javi Martinez: 4

Enjoyed a decent start to the game whereby he exhibited his midfielder qualities by attempting to play out from the back and initiate attacks. After the first goal, however, he went into his shell, failed to communicate with his partner and was slow and sluggish.

Read the rest of La Roja player ratings on Football Espana

La Roja must adapt or die

As Spain prepare to take on Chile, Cronan Yu believes that Vicente del Bosque has to adapt or face an early exit.

In early December, there was a collective groan within Spain when it was announced the world champions were drawn against 2010 World Cup runners up Netherlands, dark horse Chile and Australia. And despite the group being pessimistically touted as the ‘Group of Death’, expectations were high that Vicente del Bosque’s men could produce a positive result.

However, their mauling at the hands of the Netherlands in the Group B opener by a score line of 5-1 should come as no surprise. If their 3-1 loss a year earlier in the Confederations Cup final at the hands of Brazil was the death of Spain’s golden generation, then Friday’s result was their belated burial. And the fans and media alike had had enough.


Marca ran an all-black front page following La Roja’s worst result in years. The headline, written in bold white text read: “Arreglad esto” – fix this, it demanded.

Read the rest of this piece on Football Espana

Cameroon head coach Volker Finke calls for his team to step up their performance against Croatia

Cameroon coach Volker Finke has called for his team to step up to the tough task at hand as they prepare for their do-or-die clash against Croatia in Manaus on Wednesday.

Despite a series of refereeing blunders which favoured the Africans, a goal by Mexico striker Oribe Peralta in the 61st minute saw the Indomitable Lions slump to a defeat in their opening Group A encounter in Natal.

The loss leaves them in third place ahead of their opponents, Croatia, who sit on the bottom of the ladder on goal difference.

Nevertheless, Finke is wary of the threat that Niko Kovac's men pose, and has rallied his troops to bounce back from a disappointing result.

"We must be ready to face the challenge," the German told fifa.com.

"There were positives (in the last match); we were able to create chances and played some good football.

Read the rest of this preview piece on Sky Sports Football via Press Association

A-League active support’s double edged sword

Forget the play-acting of Sergio Busquets, the bullish unrestrained antics of Pepe or even the arrogance of a certain Cristiano Ronaldo – the general consensus amongst football fans in Australia indicates that Damien de Bohun, the A-League boss who often prides himself in exhibiting strategic, forward thinking qualities, is perhaps the most hated man at the moment.

The A-League’s head honchos announced Monday that new protocols will be in place at the beginning of next season with regards to active support. The purpose is, erm, to protect the unique atmosphere which is generated by dedicated, club active supporters. They claim that it is a long term strategic move which will help in increasing the number of club memberships and also deepen fan engagement.

From the outset, it doesn’t sound at all that bad. But then again, Communism, from the outset, isn’t a bad idea either.

At first glance, it may seem justified that the FFA would bring in certain regulations. The fact is, nowadays, mainstream sports reportage on the beautiful game is much more fan orientated than football focused – the media seemingly set aside journalists to pounce on any sort of unruly fan behaviour.

Read the rest of my piece on From The Stands - an Australian football blog

Del Bosque's Spanish inquisition

Saturday's Marca headline said it all. As if speaking on the nation's behalf, the Madrid-based outlet only had enough strength to utter two words following Spain's 5-1 thrashing at the hands of the Netherlands.

"Arreglad esto" it read – fix this – the text in white juxtaposed by an unorthodox all black front page background. And if Spain are to have any chance of defending their crown, Vicente del Bosque should take notice of Marca's imperative.

La Roja's dire performance should come as no surprise. And while most optimists will unashamedly run around reminding everyone that the last time Spain lost their first group match, they went on to win the World Cup itself, things just aren't as seamless they used to be.

Following their utterly awful performance, the prospect of their World Cup campaign ending in disappointment is a real possibility.

Their loss prompted Diego Maradona to comment: “Del Bosque should have kept in mind that clubs in Europe have found an answer to Barcelona's style, which is very similar to what their national team plays.

Read the rest of this piece on FourFourTwo

Capello back at the World Cup with Russia

Fabio Capello returns to World Cup action on Tuesday as his Russia side take on South Korea.

The Italian's last taste of the big stage ended badly as England limped out in 2010 and he will be looking to amend that.

Here, Press Association's MatchStory looks at his chances.

Out of the blocks early

The Russians will be looking for a quick start for they scored a fifth of their goals in the opening 15 minutes of matches in qualifying. That was a higher proportion than all but three other finalists (Ivory Coast, Costa Rica & Holland), none of which have managed the feat in their opening matches so far.

On the flip side, the Koreans were often vulnerable early on, conceding three of their five first-half goals against inside the first quarter of an hour. This was more than any other team.

Read the rest of my piece for Press Association's MatchStory on ITV Football 

World Cup 2014 Preview: Belgium vs Algeria

Belgium will need Eden Hazard to be at the peak of his powers

Belgium arrive in Brazil with a hearty reputation to live up to.

They open up against Algeria on Tuesday having been glowingly spoken of for some months owing to the battery of stars they have around Europe.

Here, Press Association's MatchStory looks at if they can live up to the hype.

Winging it

This Group H clash could well be decided by what goes on down the flanks. Despite an mean defensive record, when the Belgians did slip up it was out wide where they were caught napping - three quarters of their goals conceded from the wings. And their opponents proved just as susceptible, conceding 71 per cent of their goals from out wide.

But, while both teams have demonstrated weaknesses in defending wide areas, they found joy in attacking them. Algeria scored half of their goals from the wings, while Belgium's 61 per cent of goals from wide is the second highest of teams in the finals, ironically behind the team they edged out into second-place in qualifying - Croatia.

Read the rest of my piece for Press Association's MatchStory on ITV Football

Russia ready to show their strength

Russia defender Vasili Berezutski believes his side have a point to prove as they continue preparations for their opening World Cup Group H match against South Korea in Cuiaba.

The last time the Russians featured in a World Cup was back in 2002, where they were dumped out of the tournament in the group stages having only accumulated three points.

Following 12 years in the abyss, the team - led by former England manager Fabio Capello - managed to finish first ahead of Portugal in qualifying by playing an exciting brand of attacking football.

The 31-year-old Berezutski, who has 78 caps to his name, has paid tribute to the impact Capello has made since taking over back in July 2012.


"We have things to prove in this World Cup," Berezutski told FIFA.com.

Read the rest of my Russia vs South Korea match preview on Eurosport (via Press Association)

Player Ratings: Spain 1-5 Netherlands

Spain's World Cup defence got off to the worst possible start, having been thrashed 5-1 against Netherlands. Cronan Yu runs through the ratings.

Starting XI

Iker Casillas – 4

San Iker had the chance to establish his name in folklore of the World Cup, having not conceded a goal in the tournament for over 400 consecutive minutes. However, against Van Gaal’s troops, the 33-year-old was helpless. Although far from his best, he showed glimpses of his past, with a few smart saves.

Cesar Azpilicueta – 4

Had very little impact on the match - both offensively and defensively. Admittedly, the Chelsea man tried to initiate attacks on the right wing, but was largely ineffective as the Oranje continued to deny him any space forward.

Sergio Ramos – 1

Vastly disappointing from the off – was slow and was poor in his marking. Was lucky the Netherlands didn’t score more as chances were aplenty for the Dutch.

Read the rest of my Spain player ratings for Football Espana

Slater: No-fear youth Socceroos' secret weapon

Former Socceroo turned football pundit Robbie Slater believes the lack of fear within Australia’s youthful line-up will prove an advantage as the squad undergoes final preparations for their World Cup campaign.

The Socceroos face an uphill battle to qualify from the ‘Group of Death,’ having been drawn alongside World Champions Spain, the Netherlands and Chile.

Slater, who is hosting the Hyundai VIP Fan Park Experience at The Star Sydney during the tournament, conceded there are weaknesses in the current crop of players.

But the 49-year-old is adamant coach Ange Postecoglou’s decision to put his faith in generation next will pay dividends in the near future.

“I think one of the strengths with young players is that you don't get fear,” Slater told FourFourTwo. “You have a lot of self-belief when you're young.

Read more of this exclusive interview from FourFourTwo

The Maracanazo: The game that changed a jersey

Brazil 1950 World Cup team. Getty images.

Such was the confidence of a maiden Brazilian World Cup victory on home soil in 1950, that the nation’s fans and media started celebrations well before a ball was kicked.

Prior to the final, the Selecao looked to be in impeccable form.

The hosts pulled off a 7-1 rout against Sweden before replicating their form in the penultimate stages of the World Cup with a 6-1 thrashing of Spain. And with that, Flavio Costa’s men entered the match as undoubted favourites to take home their first Copa do Mundo.

For Uruguay, well, things looked bleak.

A lacklustre draw against Spain in Estadio do Pacaembu was followed by a tight 3-2 win against Sweden - things weren’t looking great.

Sure, progressing to a World Cup final was and still is an achievement in itself, but the prospect of losing in an undignified manner against a rampant Brazilian side in front an additional 200,000 Brazilian citizens in a packed Maracana stadium was the stuff of nightmares.

Read the rest of this article on FourFourTwo

World Cup Squad Comparison

With the commencement of the 2014 World Cup in the offing, Campo Del Juego are giving you the chance to compare your nation's squad against the others. From average ages of the squads to the number of difference clubs that are being represented by each nation, we have your World Cup statistical needs covered.

(Courtesy of Match Story by Press Association)

Villa deal throws spotlight on A-League's growth

After just one season at Atletico Madrid it came as a shock when David Villa announced he would leave the club - which gave him another chance following his leg-break - for pastures new.

Perhaps even more surprising was the news that he would join Melbourne City, a little-known franchise in the A-League, on a 10-match loan deal before linking up with sister club New York City.

Citing the existence of an "irresistible project" that would provide the all-conquering striker with a "new challenge" at a club that dubs itself as the heart of Australia’s sporting capital, seemed a rash decision for the 32-year-old.

He had just played a crucial role as Los Rojiblancos broke the Spanish duopoly, and had helped his side to a Champions League runners up medal - why then would he leave when there was silverware to defend?

Read the rest of this piece at FourFourTwo