Germany edge past Algeria to set up quarterfinal clash with France

July 1, 2014

Germany edgePorto Alegre, Jul 1: The opening goal of the Porto Alegre contest came two minutes into extra-time when Schuerrle directed a lovely backheel flick into the far corner.

A delightful goal from Andre Schuerrle and a counter-attack converted by Mesut Oezil carried a sloppy Germany into the World Cup quarterfinals on Monday, 2—1 in extra-time against Algeria.

The opening goal of the Porto Alegre contest came two minutes into extra-time when Schuerrle directed a lovely backheel flick into the far corner. Oezil decided the tie in the 120th minute after Schuerrle’s shot was cleared from the line.

Algeria managed a consolation through Abdelmoumene Djabou but could not stop Germany reaching the next round.

Germany meet France, who needed two late goals to dispatch Nigeria earlier on Monday, in Rio de Janeiro on Friday in the quarterfinal.

Germany beat France in memorable semi-finals 1982 and 1986 after losing the first meeting for third place in 1958.

The game was a rematch of one of the World Cup upsets from Spain 1982 when Algeria secured a 2—1 group stage win over West Germany in Gijon. An earlier victory in a 1964 friendly put them in the rare position of holding a 100 per cent record over their opponents with two wins out of two.

That proud record came to an end despite a heroic effort against more illustrious opponents. It was a moment of true quality from Schuerrle, making the most of the slightest space on the edge of the six—yard box, which first separated the teams.

Germany never looked like losing the lead and substitute Christoph Kramer could have made things safe even before Oezil lashed home the eventual winner, capitalizing when Schuerrle was denied by a goal-line clearance as he looked to complete a break away.

In the dying seconds Djabou converted a cross by Sofiane Feghouli at the back post but there was no chance to seriously threaten an equalizer.

Days after Algeria’s famous win in 1982, the Germans played out a mutually convenient 1—0 result with Austria in the final group match which ensured both European sides progressed while the North—Africans were eliminated.

On this occasion the Algerians could have no complaints of foul play; they were good, just not quite good enough.

Coach Vahid Halilhodzic made five changes from the starting eleven named in the final group game against Russia, and his side flooded forward on the break at every opportunity.

Feghouli and Faouzi Ghoulam shot off target early on from good positions either side of Islam Slimani having a spectacular header disallowed, correctly, for offside.

Throughout the game the Algerians attempted to exploit the intentionally high line held by the Germany back four which resulted in Manuel Neuer making several spectacular clearances as a sweeper.

Loew had to shuffle the starting 11 as Goetze replaced the injured Lukas Podolski, and Shkodran Mustafi came in at full-back as Jerome Boateng moved to central defence in place of flu-victim Mats Hummels.

Bastian Schweinsteiger was preferred to Sami Khedira alongside Philipp Lahm in defensive midfield and it was he who had Germany’s first shot of the game after 12 minutes, forcing Rai’s Mbolhi to palm the ball high in the air.

This was a rare attempt by Germany in the first half though and it was only after the break that Joachim Loew’s side began to pick up — even if they were still short of the form required to be contenders for the title.

Lahm had an effort tipped away, one of his final actions in midfield before moving to full—back for the injured Mustafi. The switch, which facilitated Khedira’s introduction into midfield, certainly did not weaken the German team.

In a flurry of late pressure, Thomas Mueller had a powerful header saved and Schuerrle had his rebound attempt blocked, before Mueller poked wide after superbly controlling the ball in the box.

Algeria reached extra-time but were visibly tiring. Their resistance lasted only two minutes beyond the regulation 90 as Schuerrle broke the deadlock to the relief of the Germans.

There was late drama as Oezil and Djabou exchanged strikes in the 120th minute but Germany had done just enough to move on.

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News Network
April 28,2020

Chennai, Apr 28: Former Karnataka batsman J Arun Kumar was on Tuesday appointed coach of the USA cricket team and listed earning a Test status, by his own admission a "far-fetched" thought at the moment, among his long-term goals.

Jak, as he is known in the cricketing circles, has worked with the Karnataka team for several years and as batting coach with IPL franchise Kings XI Punjab.

"... Following an exhaustive recruitment process, former first class Ranji Trophy and IPL player and coach, J Arun Kumar, had been identified as the preferred candidate for the next men's head coach," USA Cricket chief executive Iain Higgins said on its website.

The CEO added, "He travelled to the USA to meet support staff, selectors and players at a talent camp in Houston and to continue those discussions with us.

"I'm delighted to say that we have subsequently reached agreement with Jak that he will take up the role and be permanently based in the United States as and when his working visa has been obtained."

Arun Kumar was also in charge of a fledgling Puducherry team before quitting in February owing to differences with the association officials.

The COVID-19 pandemic has however prevented a prompt departure for the United States.

"Of course, the COVID-19 crisis has now presented some challenges around the scope of the role in the short/medium term, but we look forward to completing all of the arrangements and to welcoming him more formally in due course," Higgins said.

Arun kumar, who scored over 7,200 runs in first-class cricket and over 3,000 runs in List 'A' games, had guided Karnataka to a treble for two successive seasons -- Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy and Irani Cup -- in 2013-14 and 2014-15.

Delighted to get the role, the 45-year old said he has a vision for USA cricket, including making it a Test-playing nation.

"The first thing is based on my visa and when the coronavirus situation will end in the US, so it's all based on that. At what time my visa will be approved, that's when I will be heading there.

"There are long, mid and short-term goals and my vision obviously will be that the USA in the coming years will be one of the Test playing nations.

"It's a far-fledged goal, but yes, that's the vision and as of now the short term will be World Cup league.

"We will have to be the top side in that and then go to the next level," Arun Kumar told PTI in an interaction.

He further said the immediate aim is to get the team together after a bad run in Nepal.

"Priority is to get the team together, we had a bad run in Nepal, so obviously the team is on little down slide, so we will get up and the immediate short-term goal is to get in touch with players.

"This lockdown gives us time to actually know each other, although we are spread out in different parts of the country, and it is gives us time to connect better and work on certain mental and tactical aspects of the game," he added.

Arun Kumar had been in the US briefly some time ago and had met some officials, selectors and players at a camp in Houston.

"I met some officials, selectors and players at a talent camp in Houston and got an insight of what I can expect in the future and based on those we have designed a pathway for junior to senior cricket and women's cricket.

"It is a work in progress," he said.

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News Network
June 20,2020

Melbourne, Jun 20: If 15 teams can be allowed to enter Australia for the T20 World Cup then fans will not be stopped from watching live action from the stadiums, Cricket Australia's interim CEO Nick Hockley said on Saturday.

Hockley replaced under-fire Kevin Roberts, who recently got the boot from Cricket Australia, which is grappling with financial woes.

Different possibilities are being worked out for the T20 World to go ahead as scheduled later this year and one of them is to host the tournament before empty stands in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.

However, Hockley said crowds will be allowed, though, hosting 15 teams with players, officials and support staff is "complex" as of now, hinting that probably the ICC flagship event could be pushed back.

"The reality is, and we've got much more understanding about this in recent weeks, is crowds are most likely to come back before international travel. Our biggest challenge is getting 15 teams into the country," Hockley told cricket.com.au when asked if he would like to see the World Cup proceed without fans.

"If I compare it with the prospect of a bilateral tour, you're talking about bringing one team in and then playing individual matches. But the prospect of bringing 15 teams in and having six or seven teams in one city at the same time, it's a much more complex exercise."

When specifically asked whether crowds would be permitted by the time borders have opened to the point that 15 teams will be allowed to travel to Australia, Hockley replied in an affirmative.

"That's the current thinking, yes."

Hockley said it came as a shock when he was asked by Cricket Australia to replace Roberts.

"I've had very mixed emotions. I was very shocked to be asked. I didn't see it coming at all, so I probably haven't had time yet to process it. I feel very sad for Kev (Roberts). On the other hand, I feel this is a massive privilege to be asked, it's a massive responsibility and a massive opportunity even if it's only for the next few months," he said.

Hockey did not commit when asked if he would like to assume the role full time, but he did say that he would quit as CEO of the T20 World Cup Organising Committee.

"My approach throughout my entire career has been to focus on doing the best job I can with what I've been tasked with, and the future will look after itself. And I'll continue the same approach.

"That's (T20 World Cup) been a real priority over the last 48 hours. We're reasonably well progressed and we will be appointing an interim because you just can't do both," he said.

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News Network
February 18,2020

New Delhi, Feb 18: Skipper Virat Kohli has become the first Indian to reach the 50M followers mark on social media platform Instagram. Kohli, who is breaking cricketing records with each passing match, has a great social media following.

The 31-year old has so far made 930 posts on the platform and his social media posts continue to enthrall fans worldwide. Overall, Instagram's official account has the most number of followers and it is followed by Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, who has 200M followers.

In terms of Indians with most number of followers, Bollywood actor Priyanka Chopra is on the second spot with 49.9 followers while Deepika Padukone is on the third place with 44.1 followers.

Last year, Kohli had become the most successful Indian Test captain, surpassing Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Currently, Kohli is in action against New Zealand and his side would take on the hosts in the two-match Test series, slated to commence from February 21.

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