Soccer News Headlines - Yahoo! News

Soccer-Australia fans celebrate World Cup entry with Sydney party

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 02:24:52 -0400

By Michael Sin SYDNEY, June 19 (Reuters) - Australia's soccer team celebrated with hundreds of fans at a victory party in Sydney on Wednesday after eking out a nervous win over Iraq that sealed their ticket to the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil. Their victory drew bleary-eyed fans young and old to Sydney's Customs House, all draped in green and gold, keen to meet the players, who were welcomed with wild cheers and applause and threw bright yellow soccer balls into the crowd. ...

Soccer-Costa Rica beat Panama to solidify qualifying spot

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 02:04:00 -0400

June 18 (Reuters) - Bryan Ruiz and Celso Borges scored second-half goals as Costa Rica earned a 2-0 win against Panama on Tuesday to maintain their hold on a place for an automatic qualifying place for next year's 2014 World Cup finals. The United States, who beat Honduras 1-0 earlier on Tuesday, lead the six-team group in the final round of qualifying from North, Central America and the Caribbean (CONCACAF) on 13 points from six games. Costa Rica have 11 points from six matches while Mexico are in the third and final automatic place with eight points from six games. ...

Altidore scores, US beats Honduras 1-0

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 01:22:18 -0400

SANDY, Utah (AP) — No amount of tight defense could keep Jozy Altidore from doing what he does best.

Soccer-Korea coach Choi stands down, search for successor begins

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:35:18 -0400

SEOUL, June 19 (Reuters) - The Korea Football Association has confirmed Choi Kang-hee's exit as coach of the national team and begun the search for a replacement to lead the side at the 2014 World Cup. South Korea reached their eighth consecutive World Cup finals by finishing runners-up in Group A of Asian qualifying but only secured their place on goal difference after losing 1-0 at home to Iran on Tuesday. Choi took over in December 2011 and said at the time his only mission was to get the team to Brazil and that he would step aside after qualification. ...

Soccer-Altidore winner keeps U.S. on course for Brazil

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:31:13 -0400

June 18 (Reuters) - The United States maintained their push for a 2014 World Cup berth with a third straight victory in the final round of CONCACAF qualifying after Jozy Altidore's late strike saw off a stubborn Honduras 1-0 in Utah on Tuesday. Altidore's 73rd minute goal was the difference between the teams at Rio Tinto Stadium as the home side were rewarded for their domination to complete a trio of June fixtures with a 100 percent record after wins over Jamaica and Panama. The U.S. ...

Soccer-Platini praises Israel as Spain take spoils once again

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 21:00:01 -0400

By Ori Lewis JERUSALEM, June 19 (Reuters) - Israel came in for warm praise from European soccer's supremo Michel Platini as the Euro Under-21 soccer championships ended with Spain thrashing Italy 4-2 to retain the title. "The stadiums were wonderful and well organised, the pitches excellent and the atmosphere in the stadiums was great with many families with young children attending. That is exactly the type of tournament that I like to see," Platini told a news conference. ...

Soccer-Japan coach singles out Pirlo for special attention

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 20:32:17 -0400

(Fixes dateline, no change to text) By Andrew Downie RECIFE, Brazil, June 18 (Reuters) - Japan must close down Andrea Pirlo if they want to defeat Italy and prolong their participation in this year's Confederation Cup, coach Alberto Zaccheroni said on Tuesday. Juventus' Pirlo controls the Italian midfield and his partnership with Mario Balotelli is the big threat to the Asian champions in Wednesday's Group A game, Zaccheroni said. "We are going to focus on Pirlo and Balotelli but not exclusively, as they have great players all over the field," the 60-year-old Zaccheroni said. ...

Soccer-Kagawa the dangerman for Japan, says Italy's De Rossi

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 18:22:17 -0400

RECIFE, June 18 (Reuters) - Italy midfielder Daniele De Rossi picked out Japan's Shinji Kagawa as the dangerman for his side ahead of their Confederations Cup match on Wednesday. "I only know three or four Japanese players and the most talked about is the one that plays for Manchester United, Kagawa, he is the star," De Rossi told reporters on Tuesday. "I think they are well organised and I think that means they will be dangerous." The Italians made a winning start on Sunday when goals from Andrea Pirlo and Mario Balotelli secured a 2-1 win over Mexico in Rio de Janeiro. ...

Rousseff salutes Brazil protests, cities cut bus fares

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 18:10:47 -0400

By Todd Benson SAO PAULO (Reuters) - President Dilma Rousseff on Tuesday sought to defuse a massive protest movement sweeping Brazil, acknowledging the need for better public services and more responsive governance as demonstrations continued in some cities around the country. Speaking the morning after more than 200,000 Brazilians marched in over a half-dozen cities, Rousseff said her government remains committed to social change and is listening attentively to the many grievances expressed at the demonstrations. "Brazil woke up stronger today," Rousseff said in a televised speech in ...

Optimism fading, Brazil protests put leaders on alert

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:45:20 -0400

By Paulo Prada RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - When more than 200,000 protesters took to the streets across Brazil on Monday night, they demanded a dizzying array of improvements - from halting the fast rise of prices to cleaning up government corruption. If one message stood out, it was that Brazilians are no longer willing to accept the rosy outlook that politicians in Latin America's biggest country have been painting for years. Until recently, Brazil was one of the world's most envied economies. ...

Soccer-Thiago hat-trick leads Spain to Euro Under-21 crown

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:13:07 -0400

(Adds details, quotes) By Ori Lewis JERUSALEM, June 18 (Reuters) - Captain Thiago Alcantara scored a first-half hat-trick to inspire Spain to a 4-2 win over Italy in the European Under-21 championship final on Tuesday. The defending champions had little difficulty in breaking down Italy's unusually hesitant defence as Barcelona's Thiago scored with an easy header in the sixth minute, a close-range drive in the 31st and a penalty in the 38th. ...

Soccer-Aston Villa sign giant Denmark striker Helenius

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:30:20 -0400

June 18 (Reuters) - Aston Villa have signed towering Denmark striker Nicklas Helenius from Aalborg, the Premier League club said on Tuesday. The 22-year-old, who stands 6 feet 5 inches tall, agreed a three-year contract at Villa Park after signing for an undisclosed fee. "Nicklas is a young lad but also a full international with a good goal-scoring record in Denmark and he'll prove himself in the Premier League," manager Paul Lambert told Villa's website (www.avfc.com). Helenius scored 16 goals in 33 league appearances for Aalborg last season and has played twice for Denmark. ...

Soccer-Australia, Iran and S.Korea head for Brazil

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 14:59:32 -0400

* Iran beat South Korea 1-0 away to qualify * Substitute Kennedy to the rescue for Australia * Uzbekistan and Jordan into playoff By Patrick Johnston June 18 (Reuters) - Australia and Iran booked their fourth World Cup finals appearances with nervous 1-0 victories in a dramatic finale to Asian qualifying on Tuesday. South Korea joined them and Japan in qualifying for the finals after sneaking through on goal difference and Uzbekistan and Jordan retained hope of making it five Asian sides in Brazil after taking the third spots in the groups to set up a playoff. ...

Australia, South Korea, Iran qualify for World Cup

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 14:52:40 -0400

Australia, Iran and South Korea won spots at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil on a dramatic final day of Asian qualifying Tuesday.

Soccer-World Cup success a lift for troubled Egypt

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 14:44:06 -0400

By Mark Gleeson MAPUTO, June 18 (Reuters) - The impressive run of Egypt in World Cup qualifying over the last fortnight has much more significance for the country than just moving the tournament dream a step closer, coach Bob Bradley told Reuters. "At a time when the country is looking for things that are good, this is very important," he said of Egypt's seamless progress to the last phase of African qualifiers for next year's tournament in Brazil. ...

Soccer-2014 World Cup Asian qualifying results and standings

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 14:39:38 -0400

June 18 (Reuters) - Results and standings after Tuesday'sfinal round of 2014 World Cup qualifiers in Asia. * Top two teams from each group qualify for the World Cup. * Two third-placed teams face each other in a two-leggedplayoff with the winner advancing to the intercontinentalplayoff against the fifth-placed team in South America. Group A South Korea 0 Iran 1 Uzbekistan 5 Qatar 1 P W D L F A PTS 1. Iran 8 5 1 2 8 2 16 2. South Korea 8 4 2 2 13 7 14 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3. Uzbekistan 8 4 2 2 11 6 14 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 4. ...

Soccer-Jordan's World Cup dream alive as win sets up Uzbekistan playoff

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 14:28:51 -0400

June 19 (Reuters) - Jordan's hopes of a first World Cup finals appearance remain alive after they beat Oman 1-0 at home on Tuesday to book a qualifying playoff against Uzbekistan in September. Striker Ahmad Ibrahim scored the winning goal in the 57th minute, stooping low to head home a cross from Khalil Bani Ateyah that drew wild celebrations at the King Abdullah Stadium in Amman. The victory, in the last of the Asian group stage matches, meant Jordan leapfrogged Oman into third place in Group B on 10 points, one ahead of Paul Le Guen's side. ...

Soccer-Alcantara hat-trick leads Spain to Euro Under-21 crown

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 14:02:19 -0400

JERUSALEM, June 18 (Reuters) - Captain Thiago Alcantara scored a first-half hat-trick to inspire Spain to a 4-2 win over Italy in the European Under-21 championship final on Tuesday. The defending champions had little difficulty in breaking down Italy's unusually hesitant defence as Barcelona's Alcantara scored with an easy header in the sixth minute, a close-range drive in the 31st and a penalty in the 38th. Italy briefly lived in hope when Genoa forward Ciro Immobile chipped calmly over Spain goalkeeper David De Gea in the ninth minute to equalise at 1-1. ...

Soccer-Blatter should stay on as FIFA president - Valcke

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:54:19 -0400

RIO DE JANEIRO, June 18 (Reuters) - FIFA president Sepp Blatter's chances of remaining in office after 2015 have increased dramatically after FIFA secretary-general Jerome Valcke urged him to stay in the job. Valcke was asked if he would be standing as FIFA president and after laughing off that suggestion by saying he had a World Cup to organise, he said Blatter should change his mind about stepping down. "Why change a winning team, a good team?," Valcke told a news conference. ...

Soccer-Uzbekistan win but miss automatic spot for Brazil

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:46:53 -0400

* Iran, South Korea grab automatic qualifying places * Uzbekistan finish third on goal difference (Adds quotes, details) June 18 (Reuters) - Uzbekistan rallied to beat Qatar 5-1 in Tashkent on Tuesday but came up two goals short of securing their first appearance in a World Cup after Iran's win in South Korea sent both those teams to Brazil. Uzbekistan were pushed into third place in Asian qualifying Group A, behind Iran and South Korea, and will have to rely on the playoff route to make it to next year's showpiece event. ...

Soccer-Queiroz has last laugh as Koreans turn on departing Choi

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:26:57 -0400

June 18 (Reuters) - South Korea booked another World Cup finals appearance on Tuesday but there was little celebration in Ulsan, with angry fans, media and Iran coach Carlos Queiroz taking aim at departing counterpart Choi Kang-hee. Iran claimed an upset 1-0 win to top Asian qualifying Group A, leaving Korea to claim the runners-up spot on goal difference after an anxious wait on the pitch for news of Uzbekistan's 5-1 triumph over Qatar. ...

Soccer-Barca's Puyol to have further knee surgery

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:22:52 -0400

MADRID, June 18 (Reuters) - Barcelona defender Carles Puyol is to have surgery on his right knee to remove a cyst which will keep him sidelined for three to four weeks, the Spanish champions said in a statement on Tuesday. The 35-year-old Spain international, who will undergo the procedure on Wednesday, has suffered a string of injuries over the last year, including two operations on the same knee, a fractured cheekbone and a dislocated elbow. ...

French footballers' underage prostitute trial adjourned to 2014

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:16:39 -0400

PARIS (Reuters) - The trial of French football stars Franck Ribery and Karim Benzema over claims they paid for sex with an underage call girl was adjourned for procedural reasons on Tuesday until 2014. Benzema, a Real Madrid striker, and Ribery, a Bayern Munich winger, are to be tried on charges of paying Zahia Dehar, a prostitute-turned-fashion muse, for sex in 2008 and 2009, when she was only 16, then 17 years old. Neither footballer showed up in court on Tuesday. The pair, both players in France's national squad, have been under investigation since 2010 over the affair. ...

Iran 'in heaven' as soccer team qualifies for 2014 World Cup

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 12:33:47 -0400

By Zahra Hosseinian and Marcus George DUBAI (Reuters) - Tehran's streets were filled with young revelers for the second time in four days on Tuesday after the Iranian national soccer team qualified for the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil with a win over South Korea. "I feel like God is answering all of our prayers at once," 24-year-old Nasim said by phone from Tehran. "First a new, different president - and now the World Cup. We're beside ourselves with happiness. ...

Iran beat South Korea as both sides reach World Cup

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 12:17:38 -0400

* Iran win 1-0 in Ulsan to qualify for Brazil finals * Koreans also through on goal difference over Uzbekistan (Adds quotes, details) June 18 (Reuters) - Iran qualified for the World Cup finals on Tuesday after another resolute defensive display helped them snatch a 1-0 away win over South Korea, who also booked a place in Brazil. Forward Reza Ghoochannejhad was Iran's hero, latching on to an error by defender Kim Young-gwon to score the winner in the 60th minute with the visitors' only real chance of a one-sided match in Ulsan. ...

Soccer-Ethiopia face points deduction after admitting error

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 11:35:44 -0400

* Ethiopia face likely three-point penalty for ineligible player * Could still qualify for 2014 World Cup * World Cup door reopens for South Africa and Botswana (Adds detail, background) By Aaron Maasho ADDIS ABABA, June 18 (Reuters) - Ethiopia soccer officials have admitted fielding an ineligible player in a World Cup qualifier and are resigned to being stripped of three points, potentially handing South Africa and Botswana a 2014 lifeline. ...

Soccer-Nikolov leaves Frankfurt to make American dream come true

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 11:26:21 -0400

BERLIN, June 18 (Reuters) - Goalkeeper Oka Nikolov is leaving Eintracht Frankfurt after almost 20 years to make his dream of playing in the United States come true, the Bundesliga club said on Monday after releasing him from his contract. The 39-year-old Macedonian, who had only recently extended his deal to 2014 with Frankfurt after joining in 1994, had asked to opt out of his contract after receiving several offers from American clubs. ...

Adidas sets new soccer sales goal in World Cup year

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 11:16:13 -0400

By Keith Weir HERZOGENAURACH, Germany (Reuters) - German sportswear maker Adidas AG forecast record sales for its soccer business in 2014, aiming to retain market leadership in the sport ahead of U.S. rival Nike Inc in a soccer World Cup year. Adidas and Nike dominate a market for soccer kit - replica shirts, balls and boots - estimated to be worth around 5 billion euros ($6.7 billion) annually. "It is a battle between us and Nike, not only in Brazil but the whole football world," Adidas CEO Herbert Hainer told reporters at a news conference at the company's headquarters in southern Germany. ...

Soccer-Pearce loses England U-21 job after European failure

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 11:07:07 -0400

June 18 (Reuters) - England's early exit from the Under-21 European Championship has cost Stuart Pearce his job as manager, with the Football Association saying on Tuesday they would not renew his contract. Pearce's team lost all three of their group matches in Israel and scored just once, from the penalty spot. FA chairman David Bernstein said it was time for a change. "I'd like to thank Stuart Pearce for his hard work," Bernstein said in a statement on www.thefa.com. "Nobody can doubt his commitment to the job throughout his time as Under-21 coach. ...

Soccer-Ethiopia admit fielding ineligible player in World Cup qualifier

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 10:49:23 -0400

(Corrects spelling and title of Ethiopian soccer official) ADDIS ABABA, June 18 (Reuters) - Ethiopia soccer officials admitted they fielded an ineligible player in a World Cup qualifier against Botswana by mistake and said on Tuesday they would not appeal any FIFA disciplinary rulings made against them. "We have evaluated the situation and we came across the issue that we made a mistake," Sahilu Gebremariam, president of the Ethiopian Football Federation, told Reuters. "We accepted the allegation that this was inappropriate. There won't be an appeal from us being lodged. ...

Soccer-Iran beat South Korea as both qualify for World Cup

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 10:20:36 -0400

June 18 (Reuters) - Iran produced a resolute defensive display to beat South Korea 1-0 away in Ulsan on Tuesday as both sides booked a place in the World Cup finals in Brazil. Reza Ghoochannejhad scored the winner in the 60th minute to ensure Iran topped Group A of World Cup qualifying Asia and take one of the two places on offer. Korea joined them as runners-up after they edged Uzbekistan, 5-1 winners over Qatar on Tuesday, on goal difference. (Reporting by Patrick Johnston in Singapore, Editing by Mitch Phillips)

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Tue, 18 Jun 2013 10:08:24 -0400

Soccer-I know what I'm doing, says Socceroos coach Osieck

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 09:42:12 -0400

By Nick Mulvenney SYDNEY, June 18 (Reuters) - Holger Osieck has taken quite a bit of flak during Australia's World Cup qualifying campaign and it was as much with relief as euphoria that the coach greeted the win that sent the Socceroos to Brazil on Tuesday. A lacklustre campaign that featured only two wins from seven matches before the 1-0 victory over Iraq at Sydney's Olympic Stadium has tested the relationship between the German and Australia's soccer fans and media. ...

Adidas aims for 2013 soccer sales to match previous year

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 09:09:36 -0400

HERZOGENAURACH, Germany (Reuters) - - Sportswear company Adidas is aiming to maintain soccer sales at around 1.7 billion euros ($2.3 billion) in 2013 despite the absence of a major international tournament this year, CEO Herbert Hainer told a news conference on Tuesday. Adidas said earlier that it expected sales from its soccer division to reach 2 billion euros next year when Brazil hosts the World Cup. ($1 = 0.7492 euros) (Writing by Keith Weir, 44 20 7542 8022)

Soccer-Kennedy's late header sends Australia to Brazil

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 08:56:39 -0400

(Adds more quotes) * Substitute makes difference in 1-0 win over Iraq * Australia reach World Cup finals for fourth time By Nick Mulvenney SYDNEY, June 18 (Reuters) - Substitute Josh Kennedy's dramatic goal seven minutes from time sent Australia to the World Cup finals for the fourth time on Tuesday, ending a nervous night for 80,523 rain-soaked fans packed into Sydney's Olympic Stadium. Six minutes after coming on as a substitute for Tim Cahill, Kennedy rose alone in the middle of the penalty area to head Mark Bresciano's cross past the dive of Iraq goalkeeper Noor Sabri and into the net. ...

Adidas sees record soccer sales in World Cup year 2014

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 08:25:12 -0400

HERZOGENAURACH, Germany (Reuters) - German sportswear group Adidas expects record sales from its soccer division of 2 billion euros ($2.7 billion) in 2014 when the World Cup is played in Brazil, the company said on Tuesday. That figure is an increase on sales of more than 1.7 billion euros from the division in 2012, company officials said. Adidas is a sponsor of the World Cup and will supply match balls, kit for referees and volunteers in Brazil. ...

Soccer-Newcastle confirm Kinnear as director of football

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 07:29:50 -0400

(Adds details, quotes) LONDON, June 18 (Reuters) - Newcastle United ended the mystery over Joe Kinnear's appointment as the club's director of football by announcing he had signed a three-year deal two days after the former manager said he had been handed the role. A statement on the club's website (www.nufc.co.uk) said Kinnear would be in charge of all football-related matters and would report directly to the club's board, with manager Alan Pardew reporting to Kinnear. "The board are pleased to welcome Joe back to the club," managing Director Derek Llambias said. ...

Soccer-Australia beat Iraq 1-0 to qualify for 2014 World Cup

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 07:25:27 -0400

SYDNEY, June 18 (Reuters) - Australia left it late but beat Iraq 1-0 to become the second country to qualify for the 2014 World Cup finals in front of 80,000 rain-soaked but euphoric fans at Sydney's Olympic Stadium on Tuesday. Substitute striker Josh Kennedy headed the ball home seven minutes from time to give the Socceroos the win they needed to secure second place in Asian qualifying Group B and the ticket to Brazil that goes with it. ...

Soccer-Bittencourt leaves Dortmund for Hanover

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 06:57:23 -0400

BERLIN, June 18 (Reuters) - Teenage prospect Leonardo Bittencourt has left Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund after agreeing on a four-year deal to join Hanover 96, the Bundesliga clubs said on Tuesday. As part of the deal, Dortmund retain an option the buy back the attacking midfielder when his contract at Hanover expires. The 19-year-old German, who joined Dortmund from Energie Cottbus in 2012, made five league appearances last season, scoring once, and also played one game in the run to the Champions League final. ...

Soccer-For all its riches, AS Monaco faces taxing times

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 04:52:47 -0400

By Keith Weir LONDON, June 18 (Reuters) - Soccer club AS Monaco is living up to the principality's reputation for big spending as it prepares for its return to the French first division next season. Bankrolled by Russian owner Dmitry Rybolovlev, the club has signed coveted Colombian striker Radamel Falcao as part of a 120 million euro ($160 million) investment to try to regain a place among Europe's elite despite attracting only a few thousand fans to home games at the Stade Louis II. ...