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Weekly News 28 3 11
Weekly Soccer News, March 28, 2011
Germany, England impress
Thomas Mueller and Miroslav Klose both scored twice as Germany beat Kazakhstan 4-0 in Kaiserslautern to extend their lead in Group A to eight points in Euro 2012 qualifying.
England also ran out comfortable winners over neighbours Wales in Cardiff; however, Croatia conceded a late goal as they lost 1-0 in Georgia in Group F.
In Group B, Russia were held to a disappointing goalless draw by Armenia, while Ireland beat Macedonia in Dublin to pull level with Russia and Slovakia at the top of the table on 10 points.
Finally, Cyprus blew their chance of a first-ever Euro qualifying win after they missed a penalty and hit the post against fellow strugglers Iceland. The match ended scoreless.
Neymar suffers racist abuse in London
Brazil's teenage wunderkind Neymar accused supporters of racially abusing him at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday after the sprightly forward scored twice to inflict a 2-0 friendly defeat on the Scots.
Team-mate Lucas Leiva removed a banana from the playing surface shortly after Neymar had scored his second of the match.
After the game Lucas, the Liverpool midfielder, confirmed the incident, saying, "There is no more space for racism in the world. Everybody is equal today. It's a matter of respect."
However, the Tartan Army's spokesman Hamish Husband denied any suggestion of wrongdoing from the Scottish contingent. "Any suggestion of racism from Scottish fans is absolute tosh. We would not tolerate that it if existed within our ranks," he said.
US dazzled by Messi
The United States recovered from the blinding individual skills of Lionel Messi to draw 1-1 with Argentina in front of almost 80,000 spectators at New Meadowlands Stadium in New York.
Esteban Cambiasso put Argentina ahead just before half-time following more Messi brilliance despite Tim Howard saving Angel di Maria's original effort before teenager Juan Agudelo equalised for the hosts.
"You watch him on TV and you think, it's impossible. How does he do that?" Howard said of the Barca star. "And then you see that he's here for real and it's just breathtaking, even as top-level professionals, as we are.
"It's breathtaking because you can't figure out how he's doing some of these things."
Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez continue his rich vein of scoring form with a brace in Mexico's 3-1 win over Paraguay as the build up to the Copa America in July continued.
Heynckes back to Bayern – again
Bayern Munich captain Philipp Lahm has praised the club's decision to bring former manager Jupp Heynckes back to Bavaria from next season.
"I have a good feeling about Heynckes," he told the Bild am Sonntag newspaper in Germany over the weekend. "He knows FC Bayern and all of the decision-makers very well and it is certainly going to work out with him.
"Bayern Munich and Jupp Heynckes – that sounds like a winning team."
Heynckes, who will take over from Louis van Gaal, coached Bayern from 1987 to 1991 and briefly again in 2009 in a caretaker capacity in his two previous spells at the club.
Chelsea snare Piazon
Chelsea have signed Sao Paulo's attacking midfielder Lucas Piazon on a pre-contract deal, although the teenager cannot formally move to the English Premier League champions until January after he turns 18.
Piazon has not yet made his debut for Sao Paulo; however, his performances at the under-17 South American Championships have caught the eye.
He was also top scorer in the 2009 under-15 South American Championships, netting 10 goals – twice as many as his nearest rival.
The 17-year-old will join compatriots Alex, Ramires and David Luiz at Stamford Bridge.
Compiled by Marc Fox
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