Germany coach Joachim Loew will stay in his post to lead a national team overhaul after the current world champions crashed out in the group stage at the World Cup in Russia, the German Football Federation (DFB) said on Tuesday.

Loew’s contract runs until 2022, having been extended for two years in May. But his side’s shock exit in Russia after defeats to Mexico and South Korea and a solitary win over Sweden had sparked speculation about whether he would keep his job.

“We are all firmly convinced that with Jogi Loew, we have a national coach who will analyse (the situation) very precisely, take the right steps and lead our team back on the road to success,” DFB president Reinhard Grindel said in a statement.

Grindel said Loew would present his analysis of what went wrong before the team’s next international on Sept. 6 against France for the newly created Nations League.

The most successful German coach ever?

The 58-year-old has been in charge for 12 years, having taken over after the 2006 World Cup. In 2014 he led Germany to their fourth World Cup title.

He had previously been an assistant to his predecessor Juergen Klinsmann from 2004-2006.

Loew has been in charge for 165 matches, winning 108, more than any other Germany coach and in the process leading his country to at least the semi-finals in all major tournaments.

Until a few years ago his team were an indomitable attacking force, and their 7-1 demolition of Brazil in the 2014 World Cup semi-final was considered a remarkable achievement.

But they managed just two goals in their three group matches in Russia to exit the tournament in shame, leaving German fans, used to much greater success, bitterly disappointed.

‘Grateful for the chance to rebuild’

Loew said he was “very grateful for the confidence that the DFB continues to place in me.”

“My disappointment is equally big, but I want to start the reconstruction with all my strength. I will now analyse everything with the team, we will have talks and (I) will draw my conclusions prior to the season start in September.”

Germany’s first-round World Cup exit was its earliest in 80 years. The international careers of several of its 2014 champions, including Mesut Ozil, Sami Khedira and Jerome Boateng, remains in doubt.

REUTERS

Nigerian police said they have rescued the father of national soccer team captain John Obi Mikel after he was kidnapped for the second time in seven years.

Mikel has been playing in the World Cup in Russia, although Nigeria failed to make it out of the group stage.

Police in the southern state of Enugu said in a statement they had rescued the father, named as Pa Michael Obi, along with his driver unhurt in the Egede-Udi forest at around 2.30 p.m. (1330 GMT) on Monday following a “gun duel”.

“They were rescued hale and hearty,” said the police in the statement, adding that both victims had been reunited with their families.

Kidnapping for ransom is a common problem in parts of Nigeria, particularly in the Niger Delta region, the country’s oil production heartland which neighbours Enugu state.

Kidnapped before crucial match against Argentina

Mikel told Britain’s Guardian newspaper that he had been told his father had been kidnapped and would be killed if he reported anything just hours before he captained Nigeria in their game against Argentina on June 26.

Argentina won that match 2-1, eliminating Nigeria from the World Cup.

The police statement said the abductors demanded a ransom of 10 million naira ($32,700).

Police said Mikel’s father and driver had been travelling from the central city of Jos when they were taken from the Markurdi Enugu road.

“Operatives acting on intelligence information swooped on the kidnappers where a gun duel ensued,” police said in the statement, adding that the abductors had abandoned their victims in the forest.

It is the second time Mikel’s father has been abducted. He was kidnapped in 2011 in central Nigeria and later freed, although authorities declined to comment on how he was released.

REUTERS

Mikel John Obi was told that his father had been kidnapped and would be killed if he reported anything – just hours before he led Nigeria into their final World Cup group phase tie against Argentina.

The Nigeria captain received the shocking news as he travelled on the team bus to the stadium in St Petersburg last Tuesday. A family member called him and told him that he had to call the kidnappers on a designated number. When Mikel did so, he was ordered to pay a ransom.

Mikel has told the Guardian that he could not confide in anyone at the Nigerian Football Federation – partly because he did not want to be a distraction before the game – and how he asked himself whether he had the strength to play.

Pa Michael Obi was abducted in south-east Nigeria as he travelled to a funeral along the Makurdi-Enugu expressway from Jos. The police in Nigeria were able to secure his release but Mikel said he was tortured during a week-long ordeal and is currently receiving emergency treatment in hospital. It is the second time that Mikel’s father has been kidnapped, with the first one being in August 2011.

© Getty SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA – JUNE 26: Lionel Messi of Argentina argues wirth Referee Cuneyt Cakir during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group D match between Nigeria and Argentina at Saint Petersburg Stadium on June 26, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)© Mike Kireev/NurPhoto via Getty Images John Obi Mikel of Nigeria national team and Enzo Perez of Argentina national team during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group D match between Nigeria and Argentina on June 26, 2018 at Saint Petersburg Stadium

Mikel tried to put the trauma to one side and he played the 90 minutes against Argentina. Nigeria lost 2-1 to a late Marcus Rojo goal to exit the tournament. A 1-1 draw would have seen them qualify for the last 16.

“I played while my father was in the hands of bandits,” Mikel said. “I had to suppress the trauma. I took a call four hours before kick-off to tell me what had happened.

“I was emotionally distraught and I had to make the decision about whether I was mentally ready to play. I was confused. I did not know what to do but, in the end, I knew that I could not let 180 million Nigerians down. I had to shut it out of my head and go and represent my country first. I could not even inform the coaches or NFF staff and only a very tight circle of my friends knew.

© FIFA via Getty Images Mikel John Obi played in Nigeria’s defeat to Argentina despite concerns over his father’s safety.

“I was told that they would shoot my dad instantly if I reported to the authorities or told anybody. I also did not want to discuss it with the coach [Gernot Rohr] because I did not want my issue to become a distraction to him or the rest of the team on the day of such an important game. As much as I wanted to discuss it with the coach, I could not.

“Thankfully, my father was safely released on Monday afternoon. I thank the police authorities for their rescue efforts and the support I’ve received from friends and family members. Unfortunately, my dad is now in hospital receiving emergency treatment as a result of the torture he received during his capture.”

Culled from MSN Sports

Brilliant Neymar has helped Brazil win its tough battle in the 2018 World Cup last 16 against Mexico as the Selecao nears its dream of a historic sixth title in the prestigious tournament.

The Brazilians beat Mexico 2-0 in Samara, Russia, on Monday with a goal and an assist by Neymar, both in the second half.

Brazil was on low key in the first half of a match that saw the Mexicans pegging the five-time World Cup champions back and creating several half chances.

However, Neymar started a brilliant move in Mexico’s box where he finished a fine cross from Willian into the net. The world’s most expensive player then set up another goal in the 88th minute, crossings for Firmino who tapped the ball home.

Brazil’s opponent in the quarter-finals, the seventh successive for the South Americans in the World Cup, would be known later on Monday when Belgium and Japan face each other in the other game of the round of 16.

Mexico, however, extended its drought of reaching the round of eight as the last time it went through was on their home soil in 1986.

The Brazilians hope their fine run in the current World Cup could pay for their miserable performance in 2014 when they were knocked out of the title race with a historic 7-1 defeat to Germany in the semifinals.

The 2018 World Cup’s round of 16 ends on Tuesday as Sweden faces Switzerland and England takes on Colombia.  The tournament started on June 16 and will close on July 15 with the final in Moscow.

Source: Presstv

Croatia came back after conceding in the opening minute to earn a World Cup quarter-final berth after edging Denmark 3-2 in a penalty shootout after the two sides drew 1-1 in the round of 16 match on Sunday.

They could have wrapped up the result five minutes from the end of extra time but Luka Modric had his penalty saved by Kasper Schmeichel.

However, the Croatia captain returned to bravely take one of the post-match kicks as goalkeeper Danijel Subasic save three of Denmark’s efforts to set up a quarter-final meeting with Russia on Saturday.

It was Modric’s sublime pass that put Ante Rebic through on goal, before being brought down by Mathias Jorgensen, and offered Croatia a chance to win just before the lottery of the shootout. But Schmeichel made a smart save to keep the 1-1 stalemate intact through two hours of at times pedestrian football.

Two chaotic goals in the opening four minutes made for a rollicking start at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium. However, it proved a false dawn as the spectacle faded with both sides choosing caution as their priority given the rare chance to reach the last eight at a World Cup.

Jorgensen took all of 57 seconds to breach the Croatia defense at the end of a long throw-in by Jonas Knudsen, stabbing at the ball with his left foot as he took it off team mate Thomas Delaney.

Croatia goalkeeper Danijel Subasic got a hand to Jorgensen’s toe-poke but effectively deflected the ball across his own line.

There was an element of comedy to the fourth-minute equalizer for Mario Mandzukic as Denmark’s early advantage quickly disappeared.

A kick across the Danish defense was firmly hit away by Henrik Dalsgaard but straight into the face of team mate Andreas Christensen, creating a pinball effect that saw the ball fall for Mandzukic, who then expertly turned it into the net from close range.

The anticipated influence of Christian Eriksen for the Danes and Croatia’s Modric held out hopes of more mouth-watering action but their craft was only evident in patches.

Eriksen did shave the top of the woodwork just before halftime with a speculative effort while, at the other end, Ivan Rakitic forced a smart save from Schmeichel.

After the interval, the chances were even more sparse although Croatia did up the tempo towards the end of regulation time only to run into a resolute Denmark defense.

In extra time, Knudsen’s long throws proved the most dangerous attacking weapon but eventually it was penalties that delivered a winner.

Source: Presstv

Beginning with the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and a thrilling Last 16 encounter on Saturday, where France have beaten Argentina 4-3, to reach the Quarterfinals of the Tournament.

Kylian Mbappe was the Star of the French Victory, as he scored 2 goals, and also Earned a Penalty for his Side. The explosive 19-year-old netted France’s 3rd Goal in the 64th minute, and Sealed the WIN 4 minutes later, with a cool finish.

Benjamin Pavarr also netted a fine strike for France, after Antoine Greezmann’s 13th Minute Penalty had opened the Scoring. France will next play the Winners of the game between Portugal and Uruguay in the Last 8.

It was the moment that Colombia had prayed for and, when it came, the release of emotion was overwhelming. South America’s second most populous nation needed a win to make sure of their place in the last 16, even though a draw would actually have sufficed in the end because of Poland’s surprise 1-0 win over Japan.

Colombia wanted to make sure themselves and they did so when Yerry Mina rose to meet Juan Quintero’s whipped corner in the 74th minute. When the towering centre-half rises in such areas, the alarm bells ring loudly and, just as he had done in Colombia’s restorative 3-0 win over Poland in the previous game, he thumped home his header.

The result, coupled with that in the other tie, meant that Colombia advanced as the Group H winners into a last-16 showdown with England or Belgium. The delight was etched into every pore of José Pekerman’s players, who performed a team dance after the goal. Up in the stands, the great Carlos Valderrama led the celebrations.

Poor Senegal. They had dominated the first half, without managing to extend David Ospina in the Colombia goal, and their performance was marked by sound tactics, organisation and aggressive pressing – together with speed on the counterattack.

But the roof fell in on them after Mina’s goal and, in the end, they were squeezed into third place and out of the competition on yellow cards accumulated, having finished level with Japan on points, goal difference and goals scored. Two bookings was all the difference. Each of Africa’s five representatives has now exited at the group phase.

The stadium was swathed in bright yellow – it really was a Colombian takeover – and the noise was deafening from the first whistle until a sudden gasp and silence on 17 minutes. Senegal thought they had a penalty and it would have been just reward for a pacy and positive opening.

The referee, Milorad Mazic, pointed to the spot, after Davinson Sánchez had jumped into a challenge on Sadio Mané, even if the decision looked harsh in real time. Enter VAR and it quickly became apparent that, although the Colombia defender might have brushed Mané’s shin first, he clearly took the ball. To immense Colombian relief, Mazic reversed the decision.

Mané had found the space off the shoulder of Sánchez to glide on to the through-ball and it had to be said it is not always a good look for a central defender to have to dive back into a last-ditch slide tackle.

Aliou Cissé had started with Mané up front alongside the powerful and direct M’baye Niang in a 4-4-2 formation and the movement of both strikers caused problems. Mané looked to have the beating of every Colombia defender and it was an uncomfortable first half for Colombia, as Senegal imposed themselves.

In the previous round of matches, Poland had sat off Colombia and allowed them to play. José Pekerman’s team duly did and the victory was transformative. Previously, the mood in Colombia had been heavy on negativity – and that went back to before the opening group tie against Japan.

Senegal were not going to make the same mistake. Mané was electric when he had the ball and it was an exhilarating sight for the small knots of Senegal fans, one group of which stepped a couple of paces to one side and then back to the other in perfect harmony, when he tore into dangerous areas. He looked as though he would make something happen. On the other hand, there was disappointment for Senegal at half-time in the failure to create any clear-cut opportunities.

Colombia could point to a 12th minute free-kick from Juan Quintero that bounced awkwardly in front of Khadim Ndiaye, forcing the goalkeeper to push it round for a corner, but they were disjointed and strangely passive before the interval.

A hammer blow for them had come on 31 minutes when James Rodríguez was forced off. The attacking midfielder – the pin-up boy from their bolt to the quarter-finals of the last World Cup – had carried a calf injury into the tournament and he did not look fit. He touched the ball only 15 times and, when he slumped to the turf, it was in obvious frustration. He walked straight off down the tunnel.

German football fans wiped away tears of despair and disappointment in Berlin on Wednesday, as they watched their national football team eliminated from the 2018 World Cup by South Korea in their final group match of the tournament.

South Korea managed to end their tournament with glory as they eliminated the former World Cup champions with a 2-0 win.

South Korea’s first goal was initially declared offside but a VAR review sealed Germany’s fate as the referee handed a goal to South Korea after revision.

Germany’s goalkeeper Manuel Neuer’s ill-timed attack assistance backfired when South Korea managed to score its second goal and sent Germany out of the World Cup in a shock defeat.

(Source: Ruptly)

Argentina great Diego Maradona insisted he was “fine” after needing medical treatment in the wake of his nation’s win over Nigeria.

Maradona, who threatened to steal the show with his antics in St. Petersburg on Tuesday, was seen being treated by paramedics after Argentina moved into the last 16 thanks to a dramatic 2-1 victory.

© getty

Amid concerns over his health, the 1986 World Cup winner denied being taken to the hospital, and revealed he was told to leave at halftime.

Maradona, 57, wrote on Facebook that he was fine after suffering from a sore neck.

© getty

“I want to tell everyone that I am fine, that I am not, nor was I, hospitalised,” he wrote.

“At half-time of the game against Nigeria, my neck hurt a lot and I suffered a decompensation.

© getty

“I was checked by a doctor and he recommended that I leave before the second half, but I wanted to stay because we were playing for everything. How could I leave?

“I send a kiss to everyone. Thanks for the support.”

© getty

Maradona was seen dancing, celebrating and sleeping before offering middle-finger salutes to fans after Marcos Rojo’s 86th-minute winner.

Argentina will face France in Kazan in the last 16 on Saturday.

Culled from msn sports