Belgium boys on the rise

When World Cup quarterfinalists Belgium last qualified for the tournament in 2002, the current squad were a disparate gaggle of schoolboys poised unknowingly on the brink of global stardom.
Source: AFP | 2014-7-4 23:38:01

Donovan slams Klinsmann’s tactics after knockout

Landon Donovan, the United States’ record scorer who was left out of the World Cup squad, has criticized coach Jurgen Klinsmann’s tactics during their campaign which ended with a 2-1 second-round extra-time defeat by Belgium.
Source: Reuters-Global Times | 2014-7-4 23:33:01

Messi film depicts his tough route to the top

A documentary portraying Lionel­ Messi's tough route to the top was given a first screening in Rio on Wednesday.
Source: AFP | 2014-7-3 21:48:03

Feds probed over illegal ticketing

Brazilian authorities investigated Wednesday whether ­members of the Brazilian, ­Argentine and Spanish soccer federations were involved in the illegal sale of World Cup tickets after police dismantled a scalping gang.
Source: AFP - Reuters | 2014-7-3 21:48:02

Former World Cup ref's prison term reduced by 1 year

A Chinese soccer referee jailed since 2010 for taking bribes has received a one-year reduction in his prison term for "good behavior", a Beijing court said on Wednesday.
Source: Xinhua | 2014-7-3 13:22:18

World Cup drama grips fans stateside

Belgium broke US hearts with two extra-time goals in a 2-1 World Cup win Tuesday, but the Americans depart soccer's global showcase having garnered a raft of new fans back home.
Source: AFP | 2014-7-2 23:43:01

Shades of 1999 for emotional Hitzfeld

Ottmar Hitzfeld said an emotional goodbye to his Swiss team and soccer Tuesday as he quit the sport after a dramatic World Cup loss to Argentina and following the death of his brother.
Source: AFP-Global Times | 2014-7-2 20:08:02

Man of the day

US goalkeeper Tim Howard saves a shot by Belgium in a Round of 16 match in Salvador, Brazil during the FIFA World Cup on Tuesday (Brazilian time). Photo: IC
Source: IC | 2014-7-2 20:08:01

Extra time drama

Argentina scored in the 118th minute to beat Switzerland and Belgium clung on to defeat the US in another heart-stopping period of extra time to reach the World Cup quarterfinals amid more extraordinary drama on Tuesday (Brazilian time).
Source: Reuters-Global Times | 2014-7-2 20:03:01

FIFA admits match-fixing concerns

FIFA secretary-general Jerome Valcke has admitted concern at match fixing in international football.
Source: Xinhua | 2014-7-2 10:11:39

World Cup 2014: Bolivian leader sides with Uruguay, Suarez

Bolivian President Evo Morales Tuesday expressed his solidarity with Uruguay and its embattled footballer Luis Suarez, who was ousted from the Brazil World Cup for biting an Italian rival on the field.
Source: Xinhua | 2014-7-2 10:05:00

World Cup round of 16: Belgium 2; United States 1 - final result

Belgium 2; United States 1 - final result
Source: Xinhua | 2014-7-2 10:04:36

De Jong out of World Cup due to groin injury

Nigel de Jong will be out for two to four weeks and will miss the remainder of the World Cup, the Dutch football association KNVB announced on Tuesday.
Source: Xinhua | 2014-7-2 9:53:26

Cameroon soccer fed to investigate fixing claims

Cameroon are to investigate claims that seven of their players­ were involved in match-fixing at the World Cup, the country's soccer federation ­FECAFOOT said on Monday.
Source: Reuters | 2014-7-1 23:58:01

France win gives coach dilemma

While Antoine Griezmann's introduction gave France the edge in their World Cup last-16 tie against Nigeria, it left coach Didier Deschamps no closer to knowing his strongest attacking­ configuration.
Source: AFP | 2014-7-1 23:58:01

Man of the day

Algeria’s goalkeeper Rais Mbohli makes a save in the Round of 16 match against Germany in Porto Alegre, Brazil during the 2014 World Cup on Monday (Brazilian time). Photo: AFP
Source: AFP | 2014-7-1 20:18:01

Africa’s hopes smashed

Germany posted an extra-time victory over Algeria while France defeated Nigeria to extinguish ­Africa’s World Cup hopes on Monday (Brazilian time) and set up a titanic quarterfinal showdown between the two European rivals.
Source: AFP-Global Times | 2014-7-1 20:13:01

Two extra-time goals put Germany into top eight at World Cup

Germany met unexpected challenges from Algeria before two extra-time goals from Andre Schurrle and Mesut Ozil sent the three-time champions into a ninth successive World Cup quarterfinals here on Monday.
Source: Xinhua | 2014-7-1 11:19:32