Didier Drogba on Friday announced his retirement from international soccer with the Ivory Coast. The 36-year-old, who rejoined Premier League giant Chelsea from Turkey’s Galatasaraylast month, made 104 appearances for his country, scoring 63 goals. His final appearance came during the Ivory Coast’s last-gasp 2-1 defeat to Greece in the World Cup group stage on […]
ivory coast
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Toure Pledges Man City Stay
Yaya Toure on Friday vowed to remain at Manchester City as he called for an end to the speculation regarding his future that began immediately following Manchester City’s Premier Leaguetitle win in May. At the time, Toure’s agent, Dimitri Seluk, claimed that the club had disrespected his client by forgetting his 31st birthday. Over the […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Greek Win Marks End of an Era for Ivory Coast
Greece is once again improbably through to the second phase of a major competition after beating the Ivory Coast, 2-1, in Fortaleza on Tuesday. Giorgios Samaras’ 93rd-minute penaltymost certainly spells the end of the African giant’s golden generation featuring Didier Drogba, Soloman Kalou and possibly Yaya Toure, who are all on the wrong side of […]
Posted inSoccer America Confidential, Story
Colombia is cruising and Greeks make history
By Mike Woitalla (@MikeWoitalla) Colombia continued its brilliant run with a 4-1 win over Japan to finish first inGroup C while Greece became the tournament’s biggest underdog — along with Costa Rica – to reach the second round, thanks to a 2-1 win over Ivory Coast. Here’s what we think about the latestknockout round qualifiers. […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Toure: Man City Would Not Let Me Visit My Dying Brother
Yaya Toure has once again put himself at odds with his club, Manchester City, after claiming that the club did not grant him leave during City’s Premier League title celebrationtour to visit his sick brother, Ibrahim Toure, who died of cancer last week. In an interview with France Football, the three-time African player of the […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Colombia's Rodriguez Exuding MVP Form
If FIFA were to give out the Golden Ball (awarded to the World Cup’s most valuable player) after just two matches, Colombia’s James Rodriguez just might be the favorite to takehome the prize. The AS Monaco, who scored the third goal and helped set up two others in Colombia’s 3-0 win against Greece last week, […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Thursday's Winners & Losers
[BRAZIL 2014] Luis Suarez was hoisted by his teammates after one of the greatindividual performances at a recent World Cup, scoring twice for Uruguay to beat England, 2-1, and gain revenge against a country in which he is considered a villain. There was also perhaps the bestindividual goal of the tournament from Ivorian Gervinho in […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They're Saying: Serey Die
”My life has always been difficult. It’s true, I thought about my father who died in 2004. I also thought about my tough life — I didn’t think that one day I would be here, playing. This emotionoverwhelmed me and I am a very emotional person. I fought [back tears] but I couldn’t.” — Ivory […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
England faces Italy with expectations tamped down
[WORLD CUP PREVIEW: Saturday] Saturday’s marathon features four games. The marquee game is a Euro 2012 rematch between a young England squad chosen by RoyHodgson and Italy, which has also infused its team with new players. For a look at England-Italy, plus Colombia-Greece, Uruguay-Costa Rica and Japan-Ivory Coast. SOCCER AMERICA’s free e-eletters: SIGN UP Colombia […]
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Group C Preview: Los Cafeteros have edge on Les Elephants and Blue Samurai
By Mike Woitalla Colombia returns to the World Cup for the first time in 16 years with a collection of talent that rivals its teams of the 1990s – even if it lostworld-class scorer Radamel Falcao to injury. Ivory Coast is Africa’s highest-ranked team. Japan is the only one in this group ever to reach […]