[WORLD CUP 2014 QUALIFYING] Mohammed Kasola‘s goal in the 83rd minute gave Qatar a 2-2 tie with Iran and sent it throughto the final round of World Cup 2014 qualifying in Asia. The final day appeared to be a formality for the Qataris, but Bahrain beat Indonesia, 10-0, to make up a deficit of nine […]
world cup 2014
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Antigua & Barbuda on talent search
[WORLD CUP 2014 COUNTDOWN] Longshot Antigua & Barbuda, the USA’s first opponent in World Cup 2014 qualifying, begins its preparations with a friendlyagainst Trinidad & Tobago’s Soca Warriors Wednesday at Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Grounds in St. John’s. The Benna Boys have brought in five players from England, including NottinghamForest’s Dexter Blackstock, and could bring […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
USA will face Scotland and Antigua & Barbuda in Florida
[DATEBOOK] Florida is no longer represented in MLS, but it remains an important state for international action. The U.S. national team will face Scotland on May26 in Jacksonville and then return to Florida two weeks later for its World Cup 2014 qualifying opener against Antigua & Barbuda in Tampa. The Scotland game will be the […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Another hitch in Brazil 2014 preparations
A congressional commission in Brazil has delayed a vote on a key World Cup bill, handing another setback to FIFA and local organizers trying to speed up the country’s preparations for the2014 tournament. The law that wasn’t passed would put in place the final commitments made by Brazil’s federal government when it bid to host […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Blatter: Everything will be 'wonderful' in Russia
How bad are preparations going for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil? FIFA President Sepp Blatter says Russia, which won’t host until 2018, is farther along thanBrazil, which has only two years left to get everything ready. “The tournament organization in Brazil is not as good as in Russia, even though there is little more […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They're Saying
“Alcoholic drinks are part of the FIFA World Cup, so we’re going to have them. Excuse me if I sound a bit arrogant but that’s something we won’t negotiate.” — FIFA general secretaryJerome Valcke, stating in no uncertain terms that the Brazilian government will have to back down from its no-beer policy at sporting events […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Blatter to take charge of Brazil 2014 mess
With plans for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil in a continuing state of flux and embattled Ricardo Teixeira, the head of the Brazilian soccer federation andlocal organizing committee, on a “leave of absence,” FIFA president Sepp Blatter says he will make Brazil 2014 a “personal dossier.” The problemswith Brazil 2014 cover a wide variety […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They're Saying
“I’ve really got a female starting at center back. Can you imagine that in England or Spain?” — Thomas Rongen, coach of American Samoa’snational team whose backline for its historic 2-1 win over Tonga in World Cup 2014 qualifying included Johnny Saelua, who is believed to be the firsttransgender athlete to compete in a World […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Rongen gets win in American Samoa opener
[WORLD CUP 2014 QUALIFYING] Coached by former U.S. under-20 national team coach Thomas Rongen, American Samoa beatTonga, 2-1, to open play in World Cup 2014 qualifying in the Oceania zone. The result is a major improvement from the results in qualifying four years ago: 15-0, 12-1, 7-0 and 4-0, all losses. Ramin Ott and 17-year-old […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
USA opens World Cup 2014 qualifying in June
[DATEBOOK] The USA will begin its quest to qualify for the 2014 World Cup on June 8, 2012, when it hosts tiny Antigua & Barbuba in the opening game of thesemifinal round in the Concacaf region. Also in Group A are Guatemala and Jamaica. The six-game schedule consists of three double fixture dates, one of […]