Dutch stun Mexico with late rally

Netherlands produced an astonishing late comeback to rescue their World Cup dream and deny Mexico a first quarter-final in 28 years. 

Substitute Klaas Jan Huntelaar scored the decisive goal from the penalty spot in injury time after Arjen Robben was fouled by Mexico captain Rafael Marquez.

They had equalised in the 88th minute through Wesley Sneijder's thumping strike from the edge of the penalty area and with extra time beckoning, Robben won Louis van Gaal's side the spot-kick that took them into the quarter-finals.

Costa Rica beat Greece on a penalty shootout to reach the quarter-finals.

 

Costa Rica beat Greece on a penalty shootout to set up a quarter-final tie against the Netherlands.

Brazil edge past Chile in shootout

Brazil secured a dramatic shootout victory over Chile to reach the quarter-finals and keep alive their dream of winning the World Cup on home soil. 

QPR goalkeeper Julio Cesar saved from Mauricio Pinilla and Alexis Sanchez before Gonzalo Jara hit a post with the decisive spot-kick to prompt wild celebrations inside Estadio Mineirao.

David Luiz and Marcelo had converted their efforts for Brazil, but with Willian and Hulk missing, it fell to the hosts' star striker Neymar to step up under intense pressure and nervelessly slot what proved the winning kick.

Rodriguez volley inspires Colombia win

Colombia will play Brazil in the quarter-finals of the 2014 Fifa World Cup after two goals from James Rodriguez sealed victory over Uruguay. 

Rodriguez, 22, opened the scoring in spectacular fashion with a volley from 25 yards which crashed in off the bar.

Uruguay, without the suspended Luis Suarez, were poor throughout and fell further behind after the break.
Rodriguez finished off a wonderful team move with a close-range shot for his fifth goal of the tournament.

Uruguay finished strongly and had chances to reduce the deficit but Maxi Pereira's half-volley from close range was straight at the onrushing goalkeeper David Ospina who later saved a long-range strike from Edinson Cavani.

Luke Shaw: Man Utd expected to sign defender after medical

Southampton and England defender Luke Shaw is expected to sign for Manchester United following a medical, reports BBC Radio Solent.

United made a bid of £27m for the 18-year-old left-back in May, but the offer was rejected.
It is believed a fee has been agreed, and Shaw has undergone a medical.

Shaw became the youngest player to feature at the 2014 World Cup when he played the full game in England's 0-0 draw with Costa Rica on Tuesday.

Earlier on Thursday, United confirmed the signing of Spain midfielder Ander Herrera, 24, from Athletic Bilbao for a fee believed to be £29m.

Nicklas Bendtner to leave Arsenal after 10 years at end of this month

Nicklas Bendtner will leave Arsenal when his contract expires at the end of this month, the club have confirmed. 

Bendtner, 26, made 171 appearances and scored 47 goals after joining the Gunners from Copenhagen in 2004.

The Danish international striker also had loan spells at Birmingham City, Sunderland and Juventus.

He was fined by Arsenal in March for making an unauthorised trip home to Copenhagen, with his final appearance for the club coming on 2 February.

World Cup 2014: Algeria want Germany revenge for 1982 exit

Coach Vahid Halilhodzic insists Algeria have not forgotten the furore around their 1982 World Cup exit as they prepare to meet Germany in the last 16. 

A 1-1 draw against Russia on Thursday earned Halilhodzic's side a place in the knockout stages for the first time.

West Germany's controversial victory over Austria 32 years ago allowed both teams to progress at Algeria's expense.

"We have not forgotten," Halilhodzic said. "Everybody has been talking about Algeria and Germany from 1982."

Algeria competed at the World Cup finals for the first time in Spain in 1982, and caused an upset in their opening group game with a 2-1 win over West Germany - then the European champions.

They finished with two wins and a defeat from their three matches, which they completed before West Germany and Austria met in the final group game.

A 1-0 win for the Germans would take both sides through at the expense of Algeria, and that was how the match turned out.

Algerian officials launched a protest, claiming the match was fixed, but the allegations were never proved and the result stood. However, as a result of the controversy, the final round of World Cup group fixtures now kick-off at the same time.

Halilhodzic said. "Thirty-two years ago is a long time. I am very proud of what we have achieved tonight and we deserve to be here.

"I think Algeria played a heroic match and our qualification for the second round is perfectly deserved."

World Cup 2014: Nigeria miss training in money row

The Nigeria squad at the World Cup have missed a scheduled training session in a row over money. 

The players are demanding the bonus payment promised to them for reaching the last 16 in the tournament.

They were due to train in Campinas on Thursday but missed their bus because they were in a meeting. Officials later confirmed training had been cancelled.

Nigeria are scheduled to play France in the knockout stages on Monday having finished as runners-up in Group F.

However, it is not clear whether they will travel to Brasilia on Friday as expected.

It is not the first time the Super Eagles have made a stance over money - last year they arrived late for the Confederations Cup in Brazil.

Luis Suarez bite: Uruguay striker loses backing of gambling firm

Uruguay striker Luis Suarez has lost one of his financial backers after he was banned for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini. 

Online gambling firm 888poker said it had "decided to terminate its relationship" with "immediate effect".

The Liverpool player, 27, was handed a four-month ban by governing body Fifa after being found guilty of biting Chiellini during a World Cup match.

Suarez cannot play for either club or country until the end of October.

He misses the rest of the 2014 Fifa World Cup in Brazil.

Uruguay will play Colombia in the last 16 on Saturday after qualifying from Group D behind Costa Rica.

Suarez joined 888poker as a worldwide ambassador shortly before the World Cup, and produced several video diaries for the website during the tournament, including one after his two goals in the 2-1 victory over England.

Nigeria through despite Messi double

Lionel Messi scores twice as Argentina win a thriller against Nigeria, who also qualify from Group F despite the defeat.

Carlos Vela: Arsenal to net £12m after passing on buy-back option

Arsenal will receive £12m from Real Sociedad after passing on the option of re-signing Carlos Vela, who has signed a four-year deal with the La Liga side. 

The 25-year-old Mexico international joined Sociedad on loan in 2011 but Arsenal retained a buy-back option when he signed permanently in 2012.

The fee will give Sociedad exclusivity on Vela who has scored 47 goals in 126 matches for the club.
The striker said on the club website: "I've always said this is my home."

In a club statement, Sociedad confirmed: "Real Sociedad have reached an agreement with Arsenal FC which will allow Carlos Vela to continue at the club on a permanent basis.

"The player meanwhile, has signed a contract extension which ties him to Real Sociedad for the next four seasons. The player's previous contract was due to expire in June 2016. The Mexican striker has now formally signed his new contract."

In September 2010 he was suspended for six months after an allegation he and Mexico team-mate Efrain Juarez held a party at the team hotel.

Soon after serving his suspension, Vela announced he would refuse to participate at the 2011 Concacaf Gold Cup and also said he did not want to be selected for the 2012 Olympics tournament, which Mexico won.

Alexander Buttner signs for Dynamo Moscow from Man Utd

 

Dynamo Moscow have signed Manchester United left-back Alexander Buttner for an undisclosed fee.

The Dutchman, 25, has already joined up with his new club, although some technical details need to be resolved before the contract is finalised.

Buttner joined United from Vitesse Arnhem in 2012 but made only 13 Premier League appearances in two seasons.

"I want to play in the Champions League and win trophies. Dynamo are building a very strong team," Buttner said.

"I am sure that we will be good enough to try to win the league title this season."

Dynamo Moscow will play in the Europa League after finishing in fourth in the Russian league last season.

United's new boss, Louis van Gaal, has extended the contract of France left-back Patrice Evra, 33, while the club has been linked with England left-back Luke Shaw, 18.

Meanwhile, Van Gaal's first new signing is likely to be midfielder Ander Herrera from Athletic Bilbao.

Hodgson hopeful for England's future

England boss Roy Hodgson is confident the side have a bright future with their new crop of young players. 

With his team eliminated from the World Cup, Hodgson made nine changes to the starting XI for the final game against Costa Rica, which England drew 0-0.

That gave them their only point of the campaign in Brazil, as they finished bottom of Group D.

"I take positives - this was a banana skin. To get that display was great since for many it was new," he said.

"I am pleased at least to have given the fans something to cheer about in terms of our performance."

Six players aged 24 and under started against Costa Rica, whose surprise wins over Uruguay and Italy saw them top the group.

The England coach added: "We had nine players without any World Cup experience. There was only James Milner and Lampard [with experience], until Wayne Rooney and Gerrard came on.

"The back four were completely new to this and our keeper [Ben Foster] hadn't played for a long time. We limited Costa Rica to almost no chances."

England's best opportunities of the match fell to Liverpool striker Sturridge, who headed over from close range and then curled fractionally wide of the far post.

"We created good goal chances, but we didn't take them," said Hodgson. "Another day we could have won the game by one or two goals because we did have a clear dominance in the play after the first 15 to 20 minutes." 

Lampard, who won his 106th cap, also thought England should have taken all three points.
"It was the end of a disappointing tournament, obviously," he said.

"We should have won the game as we had the chances. We played some nice stuff, in bits.

"It was a difficult game for us to approach and I thought we did as well as we could but it was a shame not to get the win to take home."

World Cup 2014: Volker Finke wants to stay as Cameroon boss

Cameroon coach Volker Finke brushed off questions about his future in the aftermath of his side's World Cup exit. 

The Indomitable Lions lost all three of their group matches, ending with a 4-1 thumping by Brazil on Monday.

German Finke, 66, said: "I have my contract and am doing my job. Those are the essential things."

He has a year left on his contract and plans to "focus on the Africa Cup of Nations", with qualifying starting in September for next year's tournament.

"Cameroon have missed the last two Nations Cups," he said. "We qualified for the World Cup and now we are disappointed because we were unable to win a match.

"It doesn't feel good but now we need to focus on qualifying for Morocco in 2015."

Tchanile Tchakala appointed new Togo coach

 

Togo have appointed Tchanile Tchakala as the new national team coach on a six-month contract. 

The 46-year-old Togolese replaces Frenchman Didier Six, who he was assistant to for the past two years.

Tchakala's task will be to lead the team to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, with qualification starting in under three months.

His first competitive match in charge will be the Group E tie away to Guinea on 5 or 6 September.
Togo will also face Ghana in Group E, along with the winner of a play-off between Uganda and Equatorial Guinea.

Tchakala was a player in the German league between 1992 and 1995 and took his coaches badges in Germany.

His first coaching roles came with Togolese sides Maranatha and Dyto FC and JST of Niamey in Niger.

Tchakala's elder brother Bana Tchanile is also a former national coach but was banned from football for three years after taking a team masquerading as the national side to play a friendly fixture against Bahrain in 2010.

Nigeria set for make or break match

Argentina may already be assured of their place in the next round, but there's still plenty at stake for Alejandro Sabella's side as they take on familiar rivals Nigeria.

Defeat would mean the Super Eagles usurp them and win the group, almost certainly leaving Argentina with a tricky game against in-form France in the last 16, potentially followed by a quarter-final with old foes Germany.

A point would ensure the South American side top Group F, probably setting up a knockout game against either Switzerland or Ecuador. But the two-time champions will be eager to end the group stage with a third successive win and, if at all possible, an improved performance.

Sabella's side have been indebted to two pieces of Lionel Messi magic in laboured victories against Bosnia-Hercegovina and Iran.

Messi, who celebrated his 27th birthday on Tuesday, has so far been the only member of the much-vaunted "Fantastic Four" to shine in Brazil.
 
Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain and Angel Di Maria will have to raise their game if the Argentines are to justify their status as pre-tournament second favourites.

The Super Eagles need a point to go through, while their result will be irrelevant if Iran fail to beat Bosnia-Hercegovina.

They have plenty of World Cup history against the Argentines - this is their fifth World Cup campaign, and the fourth time they have faced the South American heavyweights.

They have lost all three previous meetings but only by a single-goal margin. And given the Super Eagles are the only side yet to concede a World Cup goal in Brazil, it could be another frustrating 90 minutes for Argentina and their army of supporters.

                        MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• Nigeria have lost all three previous World Cup encounters with Argentina, all of which were in the group stage.
• They were also defeated by Paraguay in the group stage of the 1998 World Cup, meaning they have lost all four of their World Cup games against South American opposition.
• Including friendlies, the Super Eagles have won just one of six games against Argentina. That was a 4-1 victory in Abuja, when the visitors fielded an unfamiliar line-up.
• Argentina also beat Nigeria in the final of the 2005 Under-20 World Cup and the gold-medal match at the 2008 Olympics.

Nigeria

• Victory against Bosnia-Hercegovina gave Nigeria their first win in 10 World Cup games (W1, D3, L6).
• They attempted 20 shots (including blocked efforts) against the Bosnians, although 14 were from long range.
• Joseph Yobo is set for his 100th cap - and will become the first Nigerian to reach the landmark.
• The Super Eagles are the only side who have yet to concede at this tournament. They have gone 221 minutes without conceding a World Cup goal since South Korea's Park Chu-Young scored against them in 2010.

Argentina

• Argentina have won 11 of their last 14 World Cup group games (D2, L1), scoring 27 goals and conceding just five.
• They have won four of five World Cup games against African opposition. Their only defeat was their first match in that sequence, a 1-0 loss to Cameron in 1990.
• Lionel Messi has scored 22 goals in his last 22 games for Argentina.
• Messi had just one touch inside the penalty area against Iran.

World Cup 2014: Ivory Coast coach Sabri Lamouchi steps down

Former France international Sabri Lamouchi has stepped down as Ivory Coast head coach after the African side failed to reach the knockout stage of the World Cup.

The Elephants lost 2-1 to Greece in their final Group C game on Tuesday, a result which meant they finished third with their opponents taking second. 

Lamouchi's contract ran until the end of the World Cup.

"I'm deeply disappointed for the players," said the 42-year-old.

Ivory Coast needed just a draw to ensure they took second place, meaning they would join Colombia in progressing to the last 16.

They were were just seconds away from achieving that when Georgios Samaras earned a controversial penalty, which the Celtic forward converted to send Greece through instead.

"The Ivory Coast is a great football nation and this was a cruel game, a cruel game," Lamouchi lamented.

"After so much hard work and so much sacrifice, all of us and everyone in the Ivory Coast is very sad."

Lamouchi, a former Auxerre and Monaco midfielder who also had spells in Italy with Parma and Inter Milan, was appointed Ivory Coast head coach in May 2012 in what was his first managerial role.

He was in charge when they reached the quarter-finals of the African Cup of Nations.

Luis Suarez 'bite': Uruguay striker faces lengthy ban if found guilty

 

Uruguay's Luis Suarez faces a lengthy ban that would force him to miss the rest of the World Cup if found guilty of biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini. 

Fifa, football's governing body, has opened disciplinary proceedings against the striker following Uruguay's 1-0 group win on Tuesday.

Chiellini claimed Suarez bit him on the left shoulder, but Suarez said the defender "bumped" into him.

Suarez, 27, could be banned for up to 24 matches or two years.

Mexican referee Marco Rodriguez took no action following the incident, but Fifa can still punish Suarez.

Radio 5 live's Richard Conway, who is in Brazil to report on the World Cup, said: "Fifa will want to deal with this quickly so attention can once again return to matters on the pitch.

"Given that spitting at an opponent carries a minimum tariff of six games, you would expect biting to carry a ban in excess of that.

"That gives you the benchmark many people are working on and would mean his World Cup would be over."

Former Liverpool midfielder Jan Molby expects Suarez to be banned for the rest of tournament.

The Dane told the Liverpool Echo  newspaper: "I'm sure Fifa will make an example out of him. Obviously, his World Cup is over and I would expect Fifa to give him a long international ban."

The longest ban in World Cup history is eight games, handed out in 1994 to Italy defender Mauro Tassotti for breaking Spain's Luis Enrique's nose with his elbow during the second half of their quarter-final.

Uruguay face Colombia in the last 16 on Saturday after finishing second in Group D behind Costa Rica.

Suarez and the Uruguayan Football Association have until 21:00 BST on Wednesday to respond to Fifa.

Suarez's actions have already received widespread condemnation.
 
Last season, he helped Liverpool to a second-placed finish in the Premier League, winning the Golden Boot with 31 goals in 33 games.

He was named player of the year by both the Football Writers' Association and Professional Footballers' Association.

Liverpool have not made any comment on the latest incident and will let Fifa deal with it before deciding on any action.

               Luis Suarez's controversies

July 2010: Handles the ball on the line to deny Ghana a winner in the last minute of extra time in the World Cup quarter-finals. Asamoah Gyan misses the resulting penalty and Uruguay win the shootout to reach the semi-finals.

November 2010: Given seven-match ban for biting PSV Eindhoven's Otman Bakkal on the shoulder while playing for Ajax.

December 2011: Given eight-match suspension and fined £40,000 for racially abusing Manchester United's Patrice Evra.

February 2012: Refuses to shake hands with Evra at Old Trafford and is described as a "disgrace" by United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

April 2013 : Suarez apologises for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic. Gets 10-game ban.

 

World Cup 2014: Godfrey Oboabona gives Nigeria boost

Nigeria defender Godfrey Oboabona says he is ready to return to training after an ankle injury. 

The 23-year-old missed the victory over Bosnia-Hercegovina after being taken off on a stretcher in his side's World Cup opening game draw against Iran.

"I am ready to resume training and the medics have given me a clean bill," said Oboabona, 23.

Oboabona could face Argentina and replace Joseph Yobo, who needs one more game to reach the 100-cap milestone.

"It's good news that I will reach that milestone but what is uppermost in my mind is for the team to win and for us to advance to the next stage," said 33-year-old Yobo. "The rest will be a bonus,"

FIFA World Cup Fixtures 24th June 2014

  Greece v Ivory Coast 21:00 

  Japan v Colombia 21:00 

  Costa Rica v England 17:00

  Italy v Uruguay 17:00
 
 

Ghana FA president Kwesi Nyantakyi to sue Daily Telegraph

 

Ghana Football Association president Kwesi Nyantakyi is to sue the Daily Telegraph newspaper over its claim he agreed for the national team to play in matches others were preparing to fix. 

The allegations came after a joint undercover investigation by the paper and Channel 4 programme Dispatches.

Nyantakyi told BBC World Service "the contents of the publication are not wholly true".

The GFA has also called in the police to investigate the allegations.

Nyantakyi told BBC Sport he has sent a seven-page response to both parties and is also considering taking legal action against the Channel 4 show.

The undercover investigation identified two people, one who was described as a licensed agent of world governing body Fifa and the other a Ghana club official, who allegedly said they could fix friendly matches involving the national side, who are currently involved in the World Cup.

None of the claims involve matches at the World Cup. The report claimed that Nyantakyi had agreed for Ghana to play in two proposed matches after the World Cup.

Strongly rejecting the claims, Nyantaki said: "I have not agreed to any match-fixing deal involving the GFA.

"I was given a draft contract which I indicated to their agent that I hadn't read and I also had some issues with it and so it will be premature for anybody to say the GFA is at fault."

When news of the undercover investigation first broke on Sunday, the GFA issued a statement saying it had called in the police to investigate two people for alleged misrepresentation.

A statement from the GFA said: "The Ghana Football Association has requested the Ghana Police Service to investigate two persons for misrepresenting the GFA with an attempt to defraud.

"The two were also allegedly filmed claiming that they would bribe GFA officials to ensure that the contract is signed.

"We wish to state that the GFA did not sign the contract as we waited for the response from the legal committee and that the two gentlemen did not make such corrupt offers to the GFA or its officials.

"We wish to assure the public that we will not tolerate such misrepresentations and we will seek strong sanctions against such individuals if such claims are found to be true."

The GFA added the matter had been reported to Fifa and the Confederation of African Football.

Ghana have drawn with Germany and lost to the United States so far at the World Cup but could still qualify from Group G if they beat Portugal on 26 June.

England make nine changes for Costa Rica

Eliminated England have made nine changes to the side that lost to Uruguay for their final World Cup Group D match against Costa Rica. 

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has been omitted, with Daniel Sturridge the lone striker.
Ben Foster replaces Joe Hart in goal, while James Milner, Frank Lampard, Ross Barkley, Jack Wilshere and Adam Lallana are brought into midfield.

Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Luke Shaw come into the defence.

Of the 11 players that Hodgson selected for England's defeats by Italy and Uruguay, only Sturridge and centre-back Gary Cahill have kept their places.

West Brom keeper Foster, 31, is set to make his first competitive appearance for the national side since the 3-0 win over Belarus in 2009.

Cahill is the only one of the four defenders playing in front of Foster who has appeared in the tournament so far while 18-year-old Shaw will make his competitive debut.

Lampard, who is to captain the side in the absence of Steven Gerrard, will win his 106th cap, while Milner's start will be the Manchester City midfielder's first appearance at these finals.

Barkley, Wilshere and Lallana have all featured off the bench but this will be a first start in a major tournament for all three.

Costa Rica, who need only a point to guarantee winning the group, will rest several first-team regulars.

Joel Campbell and Bryan Ruiz are among those expected to miss out, with Marcos Urena starting up front.

World Cup 2014: Brazil join the party but how long will they stay?

Neymar scored twice in a man-of-the-match display as Brazil rediscovered their attacking flair to overwhelm Cameroon and qualify for the World Cup knockout stage. 

The 22-year-old produced two brilliant first-half strikes either side of a Joel Matip equaliser, with Fred and Fernandinho assuring their side of a place in the last 16 as winners of Group A.

Standing between the hosts and a place in the quarter-finals are Chile, and Brazil can approach that meeting in Belo Horizonte on Saturday with renewed belief that they are serious title contenders.

Unconvincing performances against Croatia and Mexico raised concerns about the hosts - and worries remain over their defence - but with Neymar at their disposal, anything is possible.

Ander Herrera: Man Utd set to sign Athletic Bilbao midfielder

Manchester United are close to completing a deal to sign midfielder Ander Herrera from Athletic Bilbao. 

The Old Trafford club failed in an attempt to buy Herrera, 24, on transfer deadline day last summer.
New United boss Louis van Gaal has revived the transfer, which could be completed as early as Tuesday.

Herrera, part of Spain's Olympic squad in 2012, would become Van Gaal's first signing since he replaced David Moyes as manager.


By Simon Stone BBC Sport 

World Cup 2014: Fifa unfair over fixtures - Louis van Gaal

 

Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal has accused Fifa of "playing tricks" with the fixture schedule at the World Cup.

Hosts Brazil played before the Dutch in the first two games but are in action after them in the final group round, which Van Gaal claims is unfair.

"Fifa plays these tricks. It's not a good thing," said Van Gaal who team could face Brazil in the last 16.

"It's not fair play. I think at a World Cup the host country always has an advantage."

The winners of Brazil's Group A play the runners-up in Group B on Saturday, while the second-placed team in Group A meet the Group B winners the following day.

Brazil lead Group A and need a draw against Cameroon - who are already out having lost to Croatia and Mexico - to reach the last 16. 

If the hosts win Monday's late game at 21:00 BST, they will top the group while a draw or defeat will leave them waiting on the result of Croatia and Mexico, who play at the same time, with the former needing a win and the latter only a draw to progress.

The Group B games kick off at 17:00 BST and the situation is a little less complicated in Sao Paulo. Both the Netherlands and Chile are already through but a draw is enough for the Dutch to top the group, which could please Van Gaal who admits he wants to avoid Brazil in the first knockout round of the tournament.

"If I were allowed to choose, I'd rather not play against Brazil, although Croatia or Mexico aren't bad opponents either," he said.

However, Brazil manager Luiz Felipe Scolari insisted: "We have to play to qualify, not pick and choose our opponents. It was Fifa who chose the kick-off time.

"Some people expressed a view that we were going to choose who we were going to play. Those sorts of comments are either stupid or ill-intentioned."

Incoming Manchester United manager Van Gaal also criticised the referees at the competition, who he said had awarded two "unjustified" penalties against his side in the opening two victories against Spain and Australia. On both occasions the opposition scored, forcing the Netherlands to come from behind to win.

"We have seen at this World Cup that we conceded a penalty on two occasions that was unjustified, that was incorrect - at least in my opinion," he said.

"On two occasions we get a penalty. There is no country that has experienced something like that, so perhaps this referee [Bakary Gassama of Gambia] will do a better job. I'm just hoping that Fifa has carried out a good selection procedure."

Keshi annoyed by criticism

Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi has slammed critics for being quick to condemn his team.

Keshi was especially critical of comments credited to some ex-internationals who he believes should know better, having played the game at the highest level themselves.


He, however, assured that he will not relent at ensuring that he gets the team in the right mood for the championship, but said the players are gradually finding their feet.

"The annoying thing is that they get criticised unnecessarily back home," Keshi said at a press conference following Nigeria's 1-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina at the World Cup.

"When that comes from the man on the street you can understand but when people who should know like ex-footballers criticise the team, I don’t enjoy it at all.

"But the players have showed that they are good enough for the World Cup but they are yet to play to full potential."

Man Utd: Antonio Valencia signs new three-year contract

#

Manchester United winger Antonio Valencia has signed a new three-year contract, with an option to extend to June 2018. 

The Ecuador player, 28, moved from Wigan to Old Trafford in June 2009.

Assistant manager Ryan Giggs said: "I am delighted he has committed his future to the club."

 Valencia said: "I am so happy to have signed a new deal and am looking forward to working with Louis van Gaal." 

The new deal for the former Wigan Athletic winger follows Patrice Evra agreeing a one-year extension - both decisions made by Van Gaal.

Valencia, who started in Ecuador's 2-1 World Cup victory over Honduras on Friday, added: "My time at Manchester United has been like a dream come true.

"To be the first Ecuadorian player to win the English Premier League was a very proud moment for me and for my country.

"There is great team spirit within the club and we are all determined to get back to winning ways."

Giggs added: "His contribution to the team since he joined the club in 2009 has been fantastic."

Jake Livermore: Hull City agree deal to sign Tottenham midfielder

Hull City have agreed a deal with Tottenham Hotspur for the permanent signing of midfielder Jake Livermore. 

The 24-year-old played for the Tigers on loan last season, making 41 appearances in all competitions.

Livermore would be the first summer signing for Hull, who finished 16th in the Premier League last season and reached their first FA Cup final. 

"Personal terms are being discussed and we hope to conclude the deal early next week," the club wrote on Twitter. 
Should Livermore sign, it will be further evidence of owner Assem Allam's financial backing of manager Steve Bruce.

Tom Huddlestone was the club's record signing when he joined from Tottenham for £5.25m last summer, but Allam sanctioned bigger deals for strikers Shane Long and Nikica Jelavic in January.

Bruce is looking to bolster his squad as Hull prepare to make their debut in the Europa League next season.

FIFA World Cup table as at 23 June 2014

FIFA World Cup - Group A 2014/15

POS	TEAM	PLD	W	D	L	F	A	GD	PTS
1	Brazil	2	1	1	0	3	1	2	4
2	Mexico	2	1	1	0	1	0	1	4
3	Croatia	2	1	0	1	5	3	2	3
4	Cameroon	2	0	0	2	0	5	-5	0

 

FIFA World Cup - Group B 2014/15

POS	TEAM	PLD	W	D	L	F	A	GD	PTS
1	Netherlands	2	2	0	0	8	3	5	6
2	Chile	2	2	0	0	5	1	4	6
3	Australia	2	0	0	2	3	6	-3	0
4	Spain	2	0	0	2	1	7	-6	0

 

FIFA World Cup - Group C 2014/15

POS	TEAM	PLD	W	D	L	F	A	GD	PTS
1	Colombia	2	2	0	0	5	1	4	6
2	Ivory Coast	2	1	0	1	3	3	0	3
3	Japan	2	0	1	1	1	2	-1	1
4	Greece	2	0	1	1	0	3	-3	1

 

 

FIFA World Cup - Group D 2014/15

POS	TEAM	PLD	W	D	L	F	A	GD	PTS
1	Costa Rica	2	2	0	0	4	1	3	6
2	Italy	2	1	0	1	2	2	0	3
3	Uruguay	2	1	0	1	3	4	-1	3
4	England	2	0	0	2	2	4	-2	0

 

 

FIFA World Cup - Group E 2014/15

POS	TEAM	PLD	W	D	L	F	A	GD	PTS
1	France	2	2	0	0	8	2	6	6
2	Ecuador	2	1	0	1	3	3	0	3
3	Switzerland	2	1	0	1	4	6	-2	3
4	Honduras	2	0	0	2	1	5	-4	0

 

 

FIFA World Cup - Group F 2014/15

POS	TEAM	PLD	W	D	L	F	A	GD	PTS
1	Argentina	2	2	0	0	3	1	2	6
2	Nigeria	2	1	1	0	1	0	1	4
3	Iran	2	0	1	1	0	1	-1	1
4	Bosnia and Herzegovina	2	0	0	2	1	3	-2	0

 

 

FIFA World Cup - Group G 2014/15

POS	TEAM	PLD	W	D	L	F	A	GD	PTS
1	Germany	2	1	1	0	6	2	4	4
2	United States of America	2	1	1	0	4	3	1	4
3	Ghana	2	0	1	1	3	4	-1	1
4	Portugal	2	0	1	1	2	6	-4	1

 

 

FIFA World Cup - Group H 2014/15

POS	TEAM	PLD	W	D	L	F	A	GD	PTS
1	Belgium	2	2	0	0	3	1	2	6
2	Algeria	2	1	0	1	5	4	1	3
3	Russia	2	0	1	1	1	2	-1	1
4	Korea Republic	2	0	1	1	3	5	-2	1