Costa Rica Fairytale Faces Dutch Reckoning
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SATURDAY, JULY 5, 2014 45 Tears guaranteed as Costa Rica fairytale WCup reaches last 8 RIO DE JANEIRO: France take on Germany in a World Cup clas- faces Dutch reckoning sic while Colombia hotshot James Rodriguez will be aiming to make Brazil’s stars cry in desperation as the last eight countries start their battle for the title. Didier Deschamps’ France play SALVADOR: The irresistible fairytale of Costa Rica faces a day of dashed the dreams of millions of fans in Chile and Mexico. Joachim Loew’s Germany in Rio de Janeiro’s historic Maracana reckoning against Louis van Gaal’s hard, calculating Dutch side The 2010 finalists began the World Cup with a heady 5-1 rout of Stadium at 1600 GMT, renewing one of the most acute World today in the Brazil World Cup’s most unlikely quarter-final. Few reigning champions Spain, and then came from behind to beat Cup rivalries. Brazil take on Colombia in Fortaleza at 2000 GMT believed that Costa Rica, a small Central American country with an Australia 3-2. Objections surfaced over their counter-attacking having lost only two of their last 25 encounters, but with doubts undistinguished footballing record, would still be standing, espe- style after the 2-0 win against Chile, which was achieved with two in the air. Seven German players had influenza symptoms going cially after a group including Italy, England and Uruguay. Yet “Los late goals and with veteran forward Dirk Kuyt playing left-back. into test of the two biggest European names still in contention. Ticos” shocked Uruguay and Italy to top a group bracketing three And much sympathy for the Oranje evaporated when Arjen Most are expected to be fit however. Germany would normally World Cup winners, before battling past Greece on penalties after Robben, after earning the injury-time penalty that sank Mexico 2-1, be considered favorites, but after beating Portugal 4-0, including playing an hour with only 10 men. admitted diving during the last-16 tie. After a furor over those com- a Thomas Mueller hat-trick, the German machine has slowed. A Despite the talents of Joel Campbell and Bryan Ruiz in attack, it ments Robben will not expect any favors from Uzbek referee grueling extra-time win over Algeria got them a ticket to the last has been more a case of grit and organization than Latin flair with Ravshan Irmatov, who is yet to give a penalty in his eight-game eight. Loew said he does not listen to critics, but also acknowl- Jorge Luis Pinto’s side conceding only two goals so far and scoring World Cup career. But the Bayern Munich flyer’s duel against Keylor edged Thursday that: “We have not yet delivered our best possi- five. Costa Rica have already outdone their best World Cup per- Navas, one of the World Cup’s goalkeeping heroes whose one- ble performances, that is to come still.” formance, reaching the last 16 in 1990, much to the jubilation of handed penalty stop denied Greece, will be closely watched. Navas, France, on the other hand, have been one of the most pow- fans back home whose celebrations have stretched long into the who is expected to recover from a shoulder injury, can also expect erful qualifiers, scoring 10 goals in four games, three from Karim night. Whether the parties continue depends on the Netherlands, a work-out from Robin van Persie with emerging PSV Eindhoven Benzema. Coach Deschamps says his side have “no apprehen- whose hard-nosed approach and late comebacks have already star Memphis Depay likely to figure later on.—AFP sion or fear”. Their last three matches at the World Cup have pro- duced 17 goals-Germany have won the last two. Their 1982 semi-final produced one of the most controversial World Cup clashes when German goalkeeper Harald Schumacher chal- lenged Patrick Battiston leaving the Frenchman with cracked ribs, two missing teeth and cracked vertebrae. Battiston said this week he still did not think he could be friends with the German. Brazil’s tears Brazil go into their game against Colombia-appearing in the quarter finals for the first time-with coach Luiz Felipe Scolari still insisting that his team will win the World Cup, while also defend- ing the tears they have been shedding. Star striker Neymar cried when the national anthem was played in the opening game against Croatia and after his side scored a penalty shootout win against Chile in the last 16 this week. The tournament favorites had a session with the team psy- chologist this week as comments such the cry of “Enough!” by former captain Carlos Alberto rang out. Colombia have let the goals of 22-year-old James Rodriguez do the talking at this World Cup-five in four matches that the South Americans have convincingly won. His volley against Uruguay was one of the goals of the tournament, while Argentine coach Jose Pekerman has built up a quiet confidence around his squad, barely speak- ing at press conferences. “We believe in what we are doing and that’s very important in a team,” said Mario Yepes, the 38-year-old captain of a team tipped by few before the tournament. Neymar has also scored four goals however and Colombia know they face a football mountain in Fortaleza. They have never won in Brazil and their last victory against the continental giants was in 1991 in the group stages of the Copa America. Scolari still says his pre-tour- nament vow of a sixth World Cup win for Brazil will come true. “There are seven steps and we are going onto the fifth,” he said. Brazil’s supporters “want us to show them how we are going to win it.” Netherlands play Costa Rica and Belgium take on Argentina in the last quarter finals today.— AFP SALVADOR: Combination photo shows Netherlands’ forward and captain Robin van Persi (left) and Costa Rica’s forward and cap- tain Bryan Ruiz. Costa Rica and Netherlands will face in a 2014 FIFA World Cup quarter-final match today in Salvador. — AFP Ticket scandal rocks WCup quarter-final RIO DE JANEIRO: An illegal ticketing scandal tarnished the World Cup Copacabana Palace hotel,” Barucke said. A French-Algerian suspect, “With regard to ‘Operation Jules Rimet’, FIFA is fully supporting the as Germany and France geared up for a titanic quarter-final show- Mohamadou Lamine Fofana, was initially thought to be responsible local authorities in their investigations into ticket scalping and any ille- down. Police probing an international scalping syndicate said for the scam, Barucke said. “But after his arrest we realized there was gal sale of FIFA World Cup tickets,” said Weil. “FIFA and the local Thursday thousands of illegally sold tickets worth millions of dollars someone above him from FIFA with an intermediary at Match authorities will ensure that any violations will be sanctioned accord- were believed to have originated from a FIFA individual. The Hospitality,” the police official said. “We want to identify the last link in ingly,” said Weil. The developments broke as France and Germany unnamed foreign national was staying at the luxury Copacabana the chain, from the ticket touts at the stadiums, right through to those preparing to resume their fierce rivalry in Friday’s quarter-finals. Palace hotel, an official FIFA hotel during the World Cup, police com- who are above Lamine Fofona and who passed the tickets on to him.” Germany’s preparations suffered a scare on Thursday after it emerged missioner Fabio Barucke said. seven players had been affected by illness. “Seven players have some- The individual is thought to have funneled tickets to the black Millions pocketed how got light flu-like symptoms,” Loew told German ARD radio, with market with an intermediary in Match Hospitality, the official World As many as 1,000 tickets for each of the World Cup’s 64 matches the majority of those affected suffering from “sore throats”. “I hope Cup ticket agency, Barucke said. Match Hospitality also organizes tick- may be involved in the scam, which is believe to have encompassed they will all be okay,” added Loew, who is confident his side can raise eting for other major sporting events. Police made 11 arrests Tuesday three previous editions dating back to the 2002 finals. The touting their game for France. “We haven’t shown a consistent level of per- of people accused of selling tickets that may have been obtained gang could have pocketed up to $95 million per tournament, accord- formance so far,” the German coach said. “We have not yet delivered through a contact at world football’s governing body. Barucke ing to Brazil’s O Dia daily. If a FIFA official is shown to have been heavi- our best possible performances, that is still to come.” Friday’s match explained the police investigation, dubbed “Operation Jules Rimet” ly involved in the scandal it will leave another stain on the governing gives France the chance to avenge semi-final defeats to Germany in after the former French FIFA president, had been undertaken in secret body’s reputation following extensive corruption allegations sur- the 1986 and 1982 World Cups. The victor will face either hosts Brazil without contacting FIFA. rounding the vote for the Qatar 2022 World Cup. FIFA responded late or Colombia, who clash in Friday’s second quarter-final in Fortaleza. However, following the arrests “we are now calling for FIFA’s assis- Thursday with marketing director Thierry Weil saying the body was The last eight drama continues Saturday with Argentina facing tance to help us identify this FIFA person, a foreigner staying in the ready to help authorities with their enquiries.