World Cup update : summary
Switzerland beat Spain 1-0
Chile beat Honduras 1-0
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World Cup Update : Uruguay vs S.Africa : 3 vs 0
Uruguay beat South Africa 3-0 in their World Cup Group A match on Wednesday thanks to two goals from Diego Forlan including a penalty after the host nation’s goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune was sent off.
Forlan opened the scoring when he blasted a stunning right-footed shot from well outside the penalty area which dipped beyond the reach of Khune in the 24th minute.
South Africa were always chasing the technically superior Uruguayans as the hosts sought in vain to build on the point they earned against Mexico in the opening match.
In a dramatic second half, Khune was sent off after catching Luis Suarez with his boot as the
Uruguayan striker tried to round him and substitute ‘keeper Moeneeb Josephs was unable to stop Forlan’s confident spot-kick.
Alvaro Pereira completed the scoring to wrap up a comfortable victory for the South Americans.
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Benitez is out
After six seasons in charge, Benitez has agreed to relinquish his position as manager having agreed a settlement package with the Merseyside club.
The Anfield outfit endured a disappointing season in the Barclays Premier League last term, finishing in seventh place and failing to qualify for the Champions League.
Managing Director Christian Purslow and Club Ambassador Kenny Dalglish have been asked by the Board of Directors to begin a formal search to identify and assess potential candidates for the managerial position.
Chairman Martin Broughton told the club’s official website: “Rafa will forever be part of Liverpool folklore after bringing home the Champions League following the epic final in Istanbul but after a disappointing season both parties felt a fresh start would be best for all concerned.”
Rafael Benitez said: “It is very sad for me to announce that I will no longer be manager of Liverpool FC. I would like to thank all of the staff and players for their efforts.
“I’ll always keep in my heart the good times I’ve had here, the strong and loyal support of the fans in the tough times and the love from Liverpool. I have no words to thank you enough for all these years and I am very proud to say that I was your manager.
“Thank you so much once more and always remember: You’ll never walk alone.”
During his tenure, Benitez’s oversaw the club’s Champions League final victory over AC Milan in 2005.
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World Cup 2010 official ball criticised
Stars from England, Brazil and Italy have joined forces to criticise the controversial new ball to be used in the World Cup, but the developer insists there will be no cause for concern once the tournament gets underway in South Africa.
The Adidas ‘Jabulani’ ball has caused concern at training camps across the globe as the world’s best players try it out ahead of the start of the World Cup on June 11.
It is believed to have an unpredictable swerving movement which makes its hard for goalkeepers and strikers to anticipate its direction in flight.
England goalkeeper David James says the ball is “horrible”, Brazil forward Luis Fabiano calls it “weird” and Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon fears its “unpredictability” could ruin the World Cup.
However, Dr Andy Harland, who developed the ball at Loughborough University’s Sports Technology Institute in England, said much of the criticism was due to the unfamiliar effects arising from teams playing at altitude as part of their pre-World Cup training.
“I’ve seen nothing that’s concerned me,” he told Sky Sports News. “This ball has been around since December and been used since then around the world with very few comments.
“Teams have gone to altitude and you’ve seen comments come out in those circumstances.
“We’ve said all along it would affect the ball, but it should be said whichever ball you play with at altitude is going to be affected.”
The ball is billed as the roundest ever made, a quality which would make it less stable in the air if not for a series of grooves on the surface designed to reduce aerodynamic problems.
Harland said not one team had contacted him to discuss the ball and added he was not surprised by the criticism.
“It’s not entirely unexpected,” he said. “Before every tournament players come out and voice their opinions.
“There are no secrets about this ball. The ball is designed to allow the very best players in the world to exhibit their skills.”
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Benitez leaving Liverpool at last?
Liverpool have offered coach Rafael Benitez a three million pounds (4.5 million dollars) deal paving the way for the Spaniard to leave the club in the summer, The Times newspaper reported on Wednesday.
The report said the club’s board had proposed the deal to ease Benitez out after a disappointing season that saw the five-time European champions place seventh in the Premier League, missing out on lucrative Champions League qualification.
Benitez would normally be entitled to 16 million pounds in compensation for leaving early, having signed a five-year contract only in March of last year.
But with reported debts of 351 million pounds, Liverpool will not be able to manage that much and hopes of a compromise appear to be founded on the belief that the coach might walk if the club will not commit to major summer investment on new players.
The Times reported that the proposed budget for new blood will be just 15 million pounds — far short of what Benitez says he needs to take the club that he led to Champions League glory in 2005 to a higher level.
The paper added Benitez could be tempted to move to the post at freshly-crowned European champions Inter Milan after Jose Mourinho’s switch to Real Madrid.
