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World Cup Daily: Okocha unhappy while USA hero dreams big

| 17.06.2014

Just when we thought the World Cup couldn’t get any more exciting, Nigeria and Iran proved us entirely correct with the kind of game best enjoyed by lovers of drying paint.

In The Headlines

We weren’t the only ones left disappointed after the first 0-0 of the competition, with Nigeria World Cup hero Jay-Jay Okocha lambasting Stephen Keshi for failing to get it right.

“Keshi should be held responsible for the way the team played… he did not bring anything new to the table,” he said “His changes were poor. He took out Moses and brought in Ameobi. I think that was a wrong change.”

While we oppose anyone having a go at our Shola, it’s still difficult to disagree with his assessment of the Super Eagles, who now face a tough task to qualify.

The same goes for Portugal, who are in danger of repeating their 2002 capitulation after losing 4-0 to Germany in a game that featured three Thomas Muller goals, a spot of theatrics from the Bayern man and a red card for Pepe.

Paulo Bento was part of the Portugal team that lost in 2002 and he will be wary OF a repeat, with Jurgen Klinsmann’s men primed to progress after John Brooks, who dreamt of scoring the winner against Ghana…scored the winner in a 2-1 win over Ghana.

Here’s a video of that 3-2 win over the other Selecao to whet the appetite.

The England Camp

One of the big stories of the day came with the chilling words of Luis Suarez who announced he would be fit for their clash with the Three Lions and that Uruguay’s opponents should be very, very afraid.

“I know all the players in the England squad, I know some of them because they are teammates or rivals,” he told Ovacion Digital.

“They have defensive deficiencies and we can take advantage of them.”

Daniel Sturridge didn’t want to hear it though, instead calling on England to give up it’s obsession with all things Suarez. Good luck with that.

Injury List

Jozy Altidore’s  year went from bad to worse with the Sunderland striker picking up a hamstring injury in USA’s victory over Ghana that could end his World Cup early.

Clint Dempsey was also left bloodied after a wince-inducing kick to the face but looks set to continue.

Germany’s Mats Hummels also picked up a knock against Portugal, though the problem is unlikely to mean the end of his time in Brazil, unlike Fabio Coentrao, who fears his World Cup may be over. Hulk is still a doubt for Brazil while Samuel Eto’o may miss out for Cameroon.

Fan Watch

There was a presidential feel to proceedings yesterday, with the victors from Group G both congratulated in a series of bizarre images and messages.

Germany’s Angela Merkel went as far as visiting Die Mannschaft’s locker room after the game while President Barack Obama took to Vine to cheer on Klinsmann’s boys with the words “Go Team USA.”

Here’s hoping David Cameron doesn’t follow suit.

And In Other News

Fredy Guarin may have failed to find a starting place for Colombia but that hasn’t stopped the Inter Milan man from keeping squad morale up with a few rather interesting pranks.

The latest one involves teenage defender Eder Balanta who is at the heart of some rather silly spoon-based antics in a new video posted on YouTube. But if it can help Los Cafeteros to a first second round appearance in 24 years then I am all on board!

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Author

Jack Beresford

Jack Beresford is a content writer with over five years of experience in writing about sport and betting, including a two-year spell with Axonn Media. Contributes articles to HereIsTheCity and Lad Bible, while previous credits include Bwin, FTB Pro, Bleacher Report and the QBE rugby. Avid follower of tennis, rugby union, motorsport and football, Jack also writes about poker for Cardspiel.com alongside Guardian journalist Dominic Wells.