Cameroon vs Paraguay

Cameroon news:

The imposing qualification African’s zone playoffs against Tunisia, the mixture of experienced and talented players, but especially the tradition that “Lions” have,  are elements which justify a certain optimism for the upcoming World Cup .

Cameroon makes their debut on 13 of June against Mexico for the first group, which is  completed by  Brazil and Croatia. They are one of the most experienced teams of Africa. They have seven appearances in the final phase of the World Cup, but they have not succeed something special in recent years. Volker Finke is the head coach on their bench. His most important incumbency was as a coach of Freiburg.

On Monday night in Skopje they defeated 2-0 without Samuel Eto’o in the lineup. They lost the experienced center forward Webo due to injury. Despite initial concerns,  it was proved that the injury of Fenerbahce’s  forward was not serious. Although, in today’s game he will not take any chances.

The main stage of preparation takes place in Austria. The program includes two more friendly matches, one in Germany and a second one in the capital Yaoundé against Moldova on 7 of June. It was originally scheduled to play at home against Guatemala, but Guatemala postponed the game for safety reasons.

Paraguay news:

After four consecutive appearances in the final stages, Paraguay will see this year’s World Cup on television. They completely failed in South American’s qualifiers  where they finished in last place, even below Volivia.

They invited six players from the domestic league champion, Cerro Porteno. Paraguay have too many new faces to the selection. Those who play in the league of Mexico are missing. They are not few and by this time of the year they are on vacation.

On Sunday they complete their  friendly matches in Nice against France. They prepare the group that will take part in the Copa America, which will be held next summer in Chile.

Cameroon vs Paraguay : No previous matches.

The painful tradition for Holland keeps well. We will go in this World Cup with a long break. Rafael Van Der Faart will not be able to offer his services to the team.

The midfielder of Hamburg suffered an injury in the tibia in yesterday’s workout  at Portugal and the tests showed the seriousness of the problem obtained by the 30 year old and lead him  to exclusion from the 23 selected players  for the planet’s  top football  rendezvous.

Van der Faart who was present in both previous two World Cups and was the most experienced player for the Dutch technical team for Brazil, having 109 entries, was expected to be among the 23 selected players for Luis Van Gaal. He had made his debut in the national team in 2001 when Luis Van Gaal was sitting on the bench for Holland.

This is the third loss due to injury for the 2010’s finalists after Gregory Van Der Wiel and Kevin Strootman and he will be replaced either from the leader of Eindhoven Georginio Wijnaldum  or young Feyenoord’s  ace Tonny Vilhena.

Flamengo vs Bahia

Flamengo news:

The first half gone for Flamengo while they were trying to adapt to their coach’s directions (0-1 in 23′ minute), they played better in the second half but that was not enough. Sao Paolo took advantage of a counterattack in 91′ and sealed their fair win. Flamengo had a chance when the ball hit the post.

This was a negative debut for the new coach, with many problems in all major lines, goalkeeper Felipe was the weak link without doubt.”We were below our capabilities”, Ney Franco said.

Bahia news:

The away match against Sport will be held on 4 of June, which was postponed due to episodes at Recife.

In the last game for the league they drew 1-1 against Vitoria at Salvador’s derby. They have been more active in the first half, created good chances but the goal came against them when the opponent scored in the 39′ minute. They were decisive in the second half, they came out on the attack and fought to the end, avoiding defeat in the 91′ minute.

Generally they have made a good start, relying mainly on the good work they do in the inhibitory part of their play.

Coritiba vs Internacional

Coritiba news:

Unable to react to Cruzeiro crosses,  they were losing 2-1 at halftime, although in between they had equalized with Alex’s header. They equalized for a second time with Neto’s header in 55′ but subsequently they suffered heavy pressure, the opponent had a great chance when the ball hit the post and finally scored 3-2 in 69′.

They were left with the good  impressions but  they have complained about two penalties.

Internacional news:

They were inattentive to the final attempt , they could not find the goal that would give them the win at “Santa Catarina”.

They were hardly threatened and played with more players from the 43′ minute, but D’Alessandro was limited and this cost them creatively.

Internacional did not manage to win but they stayed on the top of the league.

Lazio vs Bologna

Lazio news:

Generally, Lazio started the derby ideally against Inter Milan taking the lead just in the second minute of the match. They were betrayed quickly from the mistakes of their defense. They found to lose 3-1 at the end of the first half. After this defeat they definitively lost any hope to claim the expense in Europe.

“We conceded 3 identical goals” Edoardo Reja claimed and continued saying “We believed in the expense in Europe but we did not managed that. Injuries and punishments cost us, as well as the failures we had in our home matches”.

Bologna news:

With their performances in the second round they were heading quickly for relegation. That was confirmed by the recent home defeat to Catania, even if they were playing with an extra player from the 29′  to the 84′ minute of the match.

“I am deeply sad” Davide Ballardini claimed. He considers crucial period for the team’s relegation, the period of January: “The other teams bought from 3 to 12 players. We  required 4 – 5  transfers but unlikely this, Diamanti left the team. “

Chievo vs Inter

Chievo news:

They found it difficult enough but finally they managed to win Cagliari thanks to Dainelli’s goal in 72′ minute. They secured their position in Serie A in relation with Livorno’s and Bologna’s defeats.

Eugenio Corini was very happy and congratulated his players for their success. The team’s  management determined reduced ticket prices for the match against Inter Milan in order to attract more fans and celebrate the happy end of the season.

Finally, Corini was delighted at press conference. “This was the second rescue for the team having me on the bench and i am very happy about that. “

Inter news:

They were losing to Lazio from the very first minutes but they quickly scored three goals up to the end of the first half. The final score (4-1) secured them mathematically in fifth place and gave them the ticket for the Uefa Europa League for the next season , after an absence of one year.

Emotion was prevailed for the great captain’s last goodbye, Javier Zanetti, who experienced unprecedented glorification from everyone in the stadium.

Walter Mazzarri abstained from the press conference. He was replaced by Piero Auzilio. The athletic director confirmed that Mazzarri will be on the bench of Inter Milan for the next season. He also made known that team will not renew Samuel’s and Cambiasso’s contracts.

All eyes were on Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal on Saturday as his side drew 1-1 at home to Ecuador.

Van Gaal has been the subject of intense speculation linking him with the vacant manager’s position at Manchester United. He is the clear front-runner to succeed David Moyes.

He was insistent that his focus remains solely on the Netherlands until his future is cleared up in an official capacity. However media reports claim Man United could confirm his appointment within the next days.

Robin van Persie pulled the Dutch level just before halftime after Jefferson Montero put Ecuador one up early on.

Van Persie and company were wasteful in front of goal as the hosts’ World Cup warm-up got off to a stuttering start.

Ecuador capitalised on that let-off in the 9 minute when Veltman failed to cut out Caicedo’s defence-splitting pass. Montero coolly slotted past Jasper Cillessen.

Caicedo was forced off with an innocuous injury and things got even worse soon after as Van Persie equalised.

The Man United player brought down Jordy Clasie’s long ball on the chest and smashed past the helples Banguera 8 minutes before the break.

Netherlands should took the lead just after the hour mark. Unfortunately Van Persie failed to connect properly with Patrick van Aanholt’s low cross right in front of goal.

Van Aanholt presented with a chance of his own in the closing stages, but the Chelsea-owned full-back’s finish was tame.