Paraguay won their second straight penalty shootout to defeat Venezuela and book their spot in the Copa America final.As they did in their quarter-final against Brazil, Paraguay defended grimly for 120 minutes in their semi against Venezuela, holding on for a 0-0 draw before claiming a 5-3 victory in the shootout.
They were reduced to 10 men 13 minutes into extra time when Jonathan Santana received his second yellow card, and Venezuela will be devastated to not have capitalised on the numerical advantage.
Goalkeeper Justo Villar was the hero for Paraguay in the shootout, making the all-important save from Franklin Lucena before Dario Veron smashed home the final spot kick.
The win gives Paraguay the unique achievement of reaching the final without winning a match in regular time, having had three draws in the group stage and two shootout victories in the knockout stages.
Playing in their first ever semi-final at a major competition, Cesar Farias’ Venezuela side took some time to settle as Paraguay enjoyed the better of the early exchanges at the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas in Mendoza.
Martin Caceres put in a dangerous cross which only just missed the waiting Lucas Barrios, before Veron powered a pinpoint header towards goal which Venezuelan goalkeeper Renny Vega did well to save low to his left.
Neither side was providing much going forward, but the match came to life 10 minutes before half time when Venezuela had a goal disallowed for offside.
Oswaldo Vizcarrondo thought he had put his side in front when his bullet header found the back of the net, but the ball took the tiniest of deflections of Salomon Rondon, who was standing in an offside position.
The near miss only spurred Venezuela on though, with Alejandro Moreno hitting the crossbar with a header only minutes later.
There was little action after the break though, with both sides seemingly happy for the match to go to extra time and penalties.
Venezuela were inches from taking the lead in the fourth minute of extra time when Miku deflected Rondon’s long-range effort past Villar, only for it to come back off the inside of the upright.
Paraguay received another blow when Santana received his second booking for a robust challenge on Rondon, but they held on to send the match to penalties.
Venezuela had never taken part in a competitive penalty shootout before and it showed, with Villar saving Lucena’s tame penalty to send Paraguay into the final.
They will meet Uruguay in Sunday’s final in Buenos Aires.
There are three FA Cup third round replays to look forward to tonight, giving you some excellent betting opportunities. All three ties see Premier League teams up against Championship opposition, as Stoke City travel to Cardiff, Manchester City host Leicester City and Wolves are home to Doncaster. If you’re a new bet365 customer then you can claim your £200 FREE BET right now, but what are the hot tips for this evening’s FA Cup matches?
The tie at the Cardiff City Stadium is a tough one to call, after the original fixture ended 1-1. These are the sort of matches in which Craig Bellamy likes to make a name for himself, and odds of 2/1 for him to score anytime during the match aren’t too bad. As for the result itself, Cardiff are well priced at 7/4 to win.
The Manchester City v Leicester tie looks like a foregone conclusion, and odds of 1/3 on for City to win aren’t exactly great value. If you’re looking for a decent bet then the correct score market may well be the route to go down, and with City likely to score goals, it may be worth plumping for Roberto Mancini’s men to win 3-1 at 9/1.
Completing the line-up tonight is Wolves v Doncaster. This is a fixture that’s hard to call. The original tie ended 2-2 and you can get odds of 14/1 for that to happen again tonight. With all of Doncaster’s last six containing at least three goals, it looks like a sure thing that there will be more than 2.5 goals at Molineux, for which you can get odds of 8/11.
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Tonight’s Tip: With Wolves in the Premier League relegation zone and Mick McCarthy focused on survival, why not back a Doncaster win at 9/2?
The best myths in football are born on the terraces as large groups of fans engage in a fascinating game of ‘Chinese Whispers’. It all begins with a simple and perhaps mildly interesting fact that quickly snowballs and makes every effort to distance itself from all truth and reason. You can’t help but accept the ramblings of your fellow man as genuine facets of knowledge, that is until the day you decide to share this information, when it suddenly dawns upon you that there is very little evidence to back up such a wild claim.
Commentators are the main culprits nowadays, each dipping into their book of folklore at every available opportunity. My personal favourite is the phrase ‘you’re always most vulnerable after you’ve scored’, which seems to be based purely on the fact that on occasion teams have scored directly after one another. It’s a flimsy argument but because it rings true once in a while, people will purposely try to convince you that it’s an unwritten rule in the game.
Click on the January window below to reveal my Top 12 Myths in Football
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Liverpool’s transfer policy has come in for some severe stick from naysayers the world over this summer – myself included – however, as Kenny Dalglish begins to make his own indelible mark on a squad that lacks both quality and depth, a larger picture begins to emerge; all of the targets either acquired or in the latter stages of negotiations have been pursued with one aim in mind – getting the best out of and utilising the talents of the club’s record signing, Andy Carroll.
Stewart Downing looks all but assured to complete his move to Liverpool from Aston Villa within the next few days for a fee in the region of £20m – a wholly ridiculous valuation given the player’s actual ability. Even given the inevitable inflated premium that you have to stump up for English talent it seems a tad over the mark to say the least.
However, if you factor in that Downing has had the most completed crosses in the Premier League – 135 to be exact – in the last three seasons and it’s clear why he’s being pursued so fervently.
What has become clear, despite his injury troubles after signing for the club in January, through no fault of his own may I hastily add, is that the club simply did not have the players capable of getting the best out of Carroll. There isn’t a natural winger at the club at the moment and that means you drastically limit Carroll’s sizeable impact in the air.
To put it quite simply, the club have had to reinvest nearly £100m on top of their initial outlay of £35m on the big man to ensure that they get the best out of his undoubted potential. Those are some weighty figures to carry around on your shoulders.
Charlie Adam has also signed for the club for roughly £7m despite being out of contract next summer. The club’s keenness to sign the Scot after just one year of top flight action is in part down to his superb set-piece delivery. Without Adam’s free-kicks and corners last season – which notably rendered 9 assists and 12 goals – Blackpool would have been sunk a lot sooner than the final day of the season.
Even Jordan Henderson, a player that almost everyone can agree that the club have overpaid for, represents a bargain of sorts when you factor in the reasoning behind his purchase.
While Samir Nasri can look to command a fee upwards of £20m this summer despite having just a year left on his contract and Luka Modric is caught in a tug-of-war between his current club Spurs and suitors Chelsea; a battle that’ll surely see his fee soar above the £30m mark – the salient point that Henderson has created just as many goal scoring chances in the last two seasons is worth remembering – 110 to be precise.
Henderson is still somewhat raw and has struggled for form for the second half of last season, the sheer amount of chances he’s created in two seasons in a struggling Sunderland outfit is truly astounding. There are of course, as there are with any young player, a lot of aspects to his game that need improving – however, he possesses that rare thing in an English midfielder – vision. His precise, incision like passes from the heart of midfield will have Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll chomping at the bit.
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While I have my reservations about the perceived ‘British only’ transfer policy that appears to be the order of the day at Anfield at the minute, with concerns to the club’s purchases thus far (and nearly purchased in Downing’s case), there at least appears to be an element of strong planning on behalf of the management.
The main aim has to be to get the best out of Andy Carroll; a truly terrifying physical presence when on form. The fact that Liverpool have purchased (or nearly, again) the league’s foremost set piece taker, the most accurate crosser and one it’s most intelligent and creative midfielders is worth taking notice of.
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Nobody is certain as to how Dalglish will line his Liverpool charges up this season. It could be 4-3-3, 4-5-1 or 4-2-3-1, but either way, Carroll will remain (fitness permitting, of course) the focal point of the teams attack throughout the majority of the campaign.
Liverpool’s summer purchases so far, while they may not have caught the eye in the same way that Man Utd’s have, are certainly functional and tailor-made to get the best out of the club’s most prized and expensive asset.
The plus point for Liverpool fans at least is that each of the club’s purchases thrived last season in smaller, struggling sides and each of them look capable of getting the best out of Andy Carroll, the club’s most expensive ever player. This coming campaign certainly represents a huge season for Carroll, because Dalglish has staked his entire summer transfer rebuilding programme on the success of the Geordie front man and a system tailored to his talents.
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An action packed Premier League weekend lays in store with four local derbies; Arsenal’s trip to Old Trafford, while Alan Pardew prepares for a likely baptism of fire at St James’ Park this afternoon. I get the feeling that referees will have their work cut out this weekend, and there will be yellow cards and controversy aplenty.
In the news this morning there has been a mixed bag of stories with David Dein being touted as the man to take over the FA; Kevin Keegan doesn’t understand Mike Ashley, while Roy Hodgson admits he ignored advice over Liverpool sale.
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Houllier apology fails to ease Villa turmoil – Daily Telegraph
It’s a Dein deal for FA job – Sun
Wenger shrugs off Evra barb – Sky Sports
Ancelotti told he will not be sacked despite Chelsea’s slump – Guardian
Ferguson: ‘Sir Matt helped me survive’ – Daily Telegraph
Keegan: I still don’t get Ashley – Sun
Anichebe angers Moyes after snubbing new three-year deal – Daily Mail
Tottenham interested in Inter Milan right-back Davide Santon – IM Scouting
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I ignored board over sales, says Hodgson – Guardian
Euro 2012: 16 teams from every corner of Europe competing for the ultimate prize in Football. Well, after the World Cup of course…and the Champions League…and Domestic Trophies. It seems that after the craziest season ever in English Football, the much maligned European Championships is about as desiring as Alex McLeish and his exciting brand of football. With most International players finishing a 40+ game season, it seems foolish to expect them to be at their best for a tournament that has lost its importance in recent years, especially for England after the disaster of 2008.
Tottenham Hotspur therefore, can be delighted that Younes Kaboul and Kyle Walker will miss the tournament through knee and toe injuries respectively. Of course, the omission of Walker from the England Euro 2012 squad will not help in Ukraine, especially with Glen Johnson having no cover at right back but for selfish reasons, Harry Redknapp and the Spurs faithful will be considering the injuries a blessing in disguise.
Firstly, the omission of both Kaboul and Walker from their respective countries squads allows the Spurs defenders to rest up. With the PFA Young Player of the Year playing an impressive 48 games in all competitions this season and Younes Kaboul playing 41, the two will now have the chance to recuperate and gather their energy levels, whilst others play another month of fast-paced competitive football. Younes Kaboul’s injury is a recurrence of a past knee problem. If chosen in his national Squad, the situation with the Frenchman’s injury could be aggravated and become reminiscent of Tottenham’s ‘man with one knee’ Ledley King. By staying at home and working through their injuries, Kaboul and Walker will be raring to go at the start of next season.
The European Championships is a platform for all players to put themselves in the shop window. With the whole of the continent watching, young talents have the chance to show their talents and raise their profiles with some of the bigger European clubs. Tottenham fans are aware of the abilities of Walker and Kaboul, especially this season where both players have stepped out of the shadows and become regulars in North London. If their performances for their countries match their performances during the regular season, then bids from the ‘Elite’ clubs would undoubtedly come flooding in. Spurs can now sit back and relax in the knowledge that two of their brightest stars will not be able to parade their abilities in front of the cameras again this season.
It could be argued that playing in an International tournament can be detrimental to the development of a player. The flak that England’s players received when returning home from the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, was brutal. Although the tournament was a shambles and we were lucky to even escape our easy group, the players did not deserve the negative press that they received when returning to England. If a similar problem arises in this tournament and England once again fail to deliver, the squad will face a barrage of abuse from fans and media alike. For a young player like Kyle Walker, this negativity would deter him from his confidence and his form for Tottenham would distinguish as a result. Younes Kaboul would also have been in a similar position should he have made the French Squad. Les Blues were the only team in the 2010 World Cup that made England’s campaign look successful. Failure to qualify from their group, followed by divides between ethnicities at their training camps and bust ups between Captain Patrice Evra and Coach Raymond Domenech, made South Africa 2010, France’s worst ever International tournament. Although a change of coach has seen an improvement in the fortunes of the men from across the channel, the expectation of their supporters are as demanding as England’s. Should the squad implode as it did two years ago, Younes Kaboul would return to London downbeat and drained.
Whilst everyone in the country will enjoy watching the European Championships this Summer, Tottenham fans will have the biggest smiles, knowing that two of their form players are recuperating from injury and will return next season with their energy levels at maximum.
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A relieved Argentina booked their place in the Copa America quarter-finals with a 3-0 win over Costa Rica on Monday.Two goals from Atletico Madrid forward Sergio Aguero and one from Angel di Maria helped Sergio Batista’s side secure second place in Group A.
They will now meet the second-placed side in Group C – one of Chile, Uruguay or Peru – while Costa Rica could still progress in third if other results go their way.
Argentina came into the match in Cordoba under pressure after failing to win their opening two games of the tournament on home soil.
Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez, together with Ezequiel Lavezzi and Ever Banega, paid the price for the team’s failure to fire in the opening games by dropping to the bench.
Aguero and Real Madrid’s Di Maria and Fernando Gago came into the side at Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes, a decision that bore dividends for Batista.
While the two men who ply their trade in the Spanish capital were the names on the score sheet, it was Barcelona star Lionel Messi – the scapegoat for Argentina’s toothless displays in their first two matches – who was the driving force in a comprehensive victory.
The diminutive forward had a hand in creating the numerous chances Argentina spurned in the first half, with Real Madrid centre-forward Higuain frequently culpable.
Struggling to gain possession and trapped in their own half for much of the opening exchanges, Costa Rica rode their luck and somehow looked set to reach the half-time break with the deadlock intact.
But a minute into first-half injury time, Gago struck a drive that Costa Rica goalkeeper Leonel Moreira was unable to hold, and Aguero was on hand to tuck home the rebound for 1-0.
It took Argentina just seven minutes of the second half to breach Costa Rica’s defences again, with a carefully measured Messi pass setting up Aguero, who duly guided the ball beyond Moreira.
And it was Messi again who could take much of the credit for the third, finding Di Maria in space for the former Benfica man to smash home at the near post.
The win represents a considerable improvement on the Argentina’s earlier displays, but Batista will need his side to produce again against tougher opponents in the last eight.
Newcastle United front man Andy Carroll is confident he can form a potent partnership with Wayne Rooney in the England side.
The Magpies sensation has impressed in the Premier League this term after helping the club land the Championship title in May and his performances were rewarded when Three Lions manager Fabio Capello called him into the squad for the recent friendly clash with France.
Despite Les Bleus winning the friendly 2-1, Carroll was one of England's stand-out players and, although he had concerns about making the step up, he now wants to retain his place in the team.
"Wayne is a great player so to have people talking about me and him playing up front for England means a lot," he said.
"I definitely think we could form a decent partnership. The way we both play I reckon we'd go well together.
"I knew I was capable of playing for England. In my head I wanted to step up and I knew I could do it. Now I've played one game, I have to try and keep my place in the squad.
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"Turning up at the England hotel was good. The rest of the lads were there and I just walked in all normal, like – as if I should be there. We had a bit of banter and that was that."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
FA general secretary Alex Horne has insisted that the governing body have a plan in place to find the next England manager, and although they have not yet contacted anyone, a replacement will be named in the near future.
Tottenham’s Harry Redknapp is the overwhelming favourite for the job, but West Brom boss Roy Hodgson has also emerged as a potential candidate.
Despite there being less than two months until the Three Lions will compete in Euro 2012, Horne has stated that a rushed decision will not be made.
“We haven’t approached anybody and have approached no club,” the executive told BBC Sport.
“We continue to work on it, very quietly. We’re waiting until the tail end of the season. We’re not far away.
“What we’ve done as an FA is clearly set up all our plans.
“We know exactly what we’re doing between now and our first game against France [at Euro 2012], and we just need to slot a manager in, giving that individual enough time to get used to the set-up,” he concluded.
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Sepp Blatter has invited opera singer Placido Domingo to join former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger on a ‘council of wisdom’ at FIFA.In a surreal turn to the recent turmoil at world’s football’s governing body, FIFA President Blatter announced the recruitment of 70-year-old Spanish tenor Domingo to his reform program.
He will join 88-year-old Kissinger and former FBI chief Louis Freeh as part of Blatter’s promised anti-corruption initiatives.
“These gentlemen are more or less advisers, they are not the experts but advisers,” Blatter told CNN, after initialling forgetting Domingo’s name in the interview.
“I have also contacted the Spanish singer … help me with the name.”
Promoted by the interviewer, Blatter said: “Placido Domingo will be part.”
“He is happy, he is proud that he is part – as Kissinger also. People say he is an old man, but he is a wise man.”
“What they should be also is the kind of council of wisdom – which my executive committee would not like because they think they are the council of wisdom.”
Blatter also revealed that he does not consider it necessary for FIFA to launch an investigation into Qatar’s bid for the 2022 World Cup.
An enquiry had been mooted after an email was released in which FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke suggested the gulf state had ‘bought’ the tournament.
But Valcke claims the comments were a casual reference to Qatar’s financial strength in the lobbying process and not an allegation of corruption.
After earlier hinting that the bid could come under scrutiny, Blatter has dismissed calls for action.
“I don’t know why we should go in (to an investigation) – then we shall (have to) go to all (bids),” Blatter said.
“I don’t know why we should open something because somebody has said something towards Qatar.”
The 75-year-old Swiss did leave the door open for the FIFA’s independent committees to investigate the bid if they see fit.
“If this committee of solutions or the ethics committee have the impression that they should do something then let them take the decisions.”