The 81-year-old, who won the World Cup twice as a player in 1958 and 1962 before becoming the first man to also win the title as a coach in 1970, said he was optimistic that 2002 World Cup winning coach Scolari could do a good job, but now was the wrong time to get rid of Menezes.

Menezes, 50, replaced Dunga after the 2010 World Cup finals and had come under pressure because of Brazil’s failure to win last year’s Copa America and their loss to Mexico in the London Olympics final before he was fired last month.

“I like Scolari as a friend and he will be working with Carlos Alberto Perreira and I have faith in them to do well,” Zagallo said at the Maracana Stadium. “But it was not the right time for the CBF to sack Mario Menezes.

“Things were getting better, all the Brazilians felt the same way. But it is the CBF’s responsibility and they took that decision but for me it was not the right time.

“Now, with 18 months to go the team is in the hands of two experienced coaches and although there is always uncertainty, I would think that Scolari thinks like me and is only thinking of winning the World Cup and would not be fearful of losing.”

Zagallo was meeting members of the international media at the Maracana, which will be the venue for the 2014 World Cup final, also said he was delighted that Santos striker Neymar had decided to stay in Brazil and learn his trade.

“Neymar is a great player, but he is a boy, he is 19 years old, and he lacks people he can look up to,” said Zagallo.

“He needs someone beside him, he still needs to learn.

“Another boy, Pele, had … players to inspire him such as Garrincha, Vava, Nilson Santos and even Zagallo, who is with you now,” he said laughing in reference to the 1958 World Cup-winning team that included a then 17-year-old Pele.

Zagallo, still a revered figure in Brazilian soccer, said he was delighted to be speaking at the Maracana, which has had a $US440 million refurbishment for the finals, as he first played there as a 16-year-old.

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World Cup – Zagallo: Brazil wrong to sack Menezes

World football supremo Sepp Blatter on Sunday said Russia was well ahead of schedule towards hosting the 2018 World Cup, despite the huge task of realising a project costing almost $20 billion.

Blatter said one day after FIFA and Russia unveiled the final list of the 11 Russian host cities that Russia’s “new approach” was more efficient than that of South Africa in 2010 or Brazil, which will host the 2014 edition.

“We are one year ahead of schedule. This is a new approach for organising World Cups,” the FIFA president told reporters alongside Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko.

“With this approach we have already come so far, six years before the start,” he said.

After a bid championed by President Vladimir Putin, Russia was in December 2010 awarded the right to host the World Cup in a hugely controversial decision which was bitterly criticised by beaten rivals, including England, as tainted by corruption and vote-selling.

But Blatter emphasised the historic nature of hosting the event for the first time in eastern Europe, saying FIFA had decided to skip the “traditional houses” of western Europe.

He said that after winning the right to host the World Cup in 2010, the South Africans were “just dancing” with joy and had to be told by FIFA to get to work.

Brazil, meanwhile, has expressed confidence that it is ready “but that is not exactly the case,” Blatter said.

“The Russians started to work so hard right from the start. It is a different approach. I am very happy.”

The 11 Russian cities that will host matches extend from the Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad on the borders of the European Union to Yekaterinburg in the Urals, three time zones and 2,500 kilometres (1,500 miles) to the east.

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Blatter hails Russia progress in $20 bn World Cup

Should the United States bid again for the right to host a FIFA men’s World Cup after falling short in its effort to host the 2022 tournament, it appears that it will run into a familiar foe in the bidding process.

Mexico will bid to host the 2026 World Cup and the opportunity to become the first nation to host three World Cups after doing so in 1970 and 1986, according to Reuters.

“Mexico was a great host in ’70 and ’86, so we are indeed going to fight (for the right),” Mexican football federation president Justino Compean said. “We want to have a World Cup (again). There will be a strong competition with the United States. Mexico’s football infrastructure keeps growing, and that World Cup can be feasible for Mexico.

“FIFA is always more demanding with all the structures that are needed. The great competitor (for 2026) is the United States, which has great resources, great stadiums, triple the population we have and all that counts.”

The 2014 World Cup is slated to take place in Brazil, which will host the event for the second time in its history. Russia won the right to host the 2018 tournament, and Qatar was selected to host the 2022 event, beating out the bid from the United States amid controversy of alleged bribery and corruption involving members of FIFA’s executive committee.

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Mexico to bid for right to host 2026 FIFA World Cup

Today marks three years to go until the start of the tournament, which England won the right to host back in 2009. The organising committee for the competition, England Rugby 2015 (ER 2015), are determined to take the event across the country and have set their sights on taking the host nation up to a big stadium in the north for one of their warm-up games, or possibly even a group match.

“Those are options that are under consideration and are being discussed with the RFU,” ER 2015 chairman Andy Cosslett told a press conference. “There is a tremendous appetite for making sure this World Cup gets to as many corners of the country as we can take it.”

He added: “Taking it out of the traditional rugby strongholds, where we are fighting the battle against Premier League football teams, is a priority.

“The RFU are very supportive of that. We haven’t come to a final conclusion yet, but I think you will find there are a fair few northerners (at the RFU) like (England head coach) Stuart Lancaster and (chief executive) Ian Ritchie so I am sure that we can do the right thing.”

England have played two internationals at Old Trafford before – in 2009 against Argentina and 12 years earlier when they took on New Zealand in Sir Clive Woodward’s second game in charge.

Next month a 20-strong long list of potential stadia will be whittled down to between 10 and 12 for the tournament. Concerns have been raised that too much emphasis is being placed on hitting a 100million profit target by taking the matches to bigger-capacity football stadia like Old Trafford, Elland Road and Villa Park.

Only two rugby club grounds, Leicester’s Welford Road and Gloucester’s Kingsholm Stadium, were included in the original bid for the competition due to the low capacity of other top-flight rugby stadia.

ER 2015 chief operating officer Ross Young tried to play down fears the traditional heartlands of rugby were being overlooked, but conceded that any stadium used in the competition must be able to help deliver the body’s overall target of raising 100million.

He said: “There is always a desire to include at least one rugby club, but it all has got to fit properly. You have to put the right games in the right venues.”

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England may hit the road for World Cup

Defending World Cup holders should qualify automatically for the next competition, Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso, part of the Spain squad that won the 2010 tournament, said Tuesday.

“Logically, as in many competitions and sports, the champion has the right to defend their title. FIFA does not allow for it but I think it is sufficiently important and fair that the winner have the right to qualify,” he told a news conference ahead of Spain’s friendly Friday against Saudi Arabia.

World Cup holders stopped getting automatic entry in the next competition at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

In making the changes to the rules, football world governing body FIFA argued that the four years between competitions was a long time for any team to retain its strength.

After taking on Saudi Arabia in Pontevedra in northeastern Spain, the 2008 and 2012 European champions will face Georgia in Tbilisi on September 11 in their opening qualifying match for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

“I think many of us are in a fortunate position where we are part of a group that has made history, but we are aware of the future that lies ahead. We don’t want to rest on our laurels,” said Alonso.

“We want to win more trophies. When the time comes when we stop winning we will face up to it in the best possible way,” the 30-year-old added.

Alonso, who was outstanding as Spain retained their European title earlier this year, welcomed the return of David Villa, Spain’s all-time leading scorer, to the national team after an eight month absence due to injury.

“It is great news for us. Villa brings much bite, he is a threat to the defence of our rivals, he creates a great deal of uncertainty,” he said.

Last week Spain coach Vicente del Bosque included Villa in his squad for the matches against Saudi Arabia and Georgia.

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Alonso backs automatic World Cup qualification

Barcelona defender Dani Alves is determined to prove that Barcelona is still the greatest team in world football.

The Brazilian is not fazed by last season’s disappointments and is keen to remind people that Barcelona remains the current World champions, having won the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan last year.

Were still the team to beat because were the best team in the world,” he told the club’s official website. “Were the ones that have the logo on our shirts that distinguishes us as world champions.”

Last season saw the La Liga title slip from Barcelona’s grasp to its archrival Real Madrid, but Alves has warned Los Blancos he is hungrier than ever for domestic success.

Im as eager as ever. If we lost the last Liga title its because we werent as good as the team that finished first. There are no excuses in this club, we have to improve.

Its all the same to me if were defending a title or trying to win it. Im comfortable knowing that the team is competitive, that we have the capacity to fight for all of the titles.

The attacking right back, who has represented Brazil on 55 occasions, is also confident that La Blaugrana will get off to a good start under the guidance of new manager Tito Vilanova.

Pep left us in good hands. There will be continuity to his work. Im sure that the athletic project will be reinvigorated and that the players will be eager to do important things.

Alves went on to say he believes that Barcelona will challenge for honors on all fronts and that he has faith in the ability of his teammates.

The team is ready and starting off on the right foot gives you more confidence for the rest of the season. Its difficult to find the right balance if you start with doubts.

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Dani Alves: Barcelona still the team to beat

MANCHESTER, England

Japan advanced to the men’s Olympic soccer semifinals Saturday with a 3-0 win over a short-handed Egypt team after goals from Kensuke Nagai, captain Maya Yoshida and Yuki Otsu.

Nagai scored in the 14th minute after midfielder Hiroshi Kiyotake stripped the ball off a defender near the halfway line, turned and ran down the right before firing in a hard cross just inside the penalty area.

Nagai chested the ball down and turned around Egypt goalkeeper Ahmed Elshenawi and defender Saadeldin Saad, who collided and sprawled to the ground. Nagai slotted into an empty net.

But Nagai hurt his leg during the goal and had to be taken off on a stretcher. He tried to come back but was taken out in the 20th minute, with forward Manabu Saito coming on.

For Japan’s second goal, Yoshida was unmarked and scored on a header in the 78th minute from a free kick. Japan’s third came in the 83rd with another header, this time from Otsu, after a cross.

Egypt’s best chance came in the 77th, when a dipping shot from midfielder Mohamed El Neny appeared to be going in but Japan goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda dived to his right and made the save.

The Baby Pharaohs saw more of the ball after the first goal and started creating problems for the Japanese with better build-up and dangerous balls into the box.

Right back Ahmed Fathi sent a low cross in for forward Emad Meteab, but he sent his shot wide from near the 6-yard box in the 30th. Fathi sent in a similar cross in the 36th that Japan defender Hiroki Sakai had to back-kick over his own crossbar.

Egypt was reduced to 10 men in the 41st when Saad was sent off for fouling Saito just before he entered the penalty area as the last man in a goal-scoring opportunity.

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Olympic Soccer: Japan reaches Olympic soccer semifinals

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Japan advanced to the men’s Olympic soccer semifinals Saturday with a 3-0 win over a short-handed Egypt team after goals from Kensuke Nagai, captain Maya Yoshida and Yuki Otsu.

Nagai scored in the 14th minute after midfielder Hiroshi Kiyotake stripped the ball off a defender near the halfway line, turned and ran down the right before firing in a hard cross just inside the penalty area.

Nagai chested the ball down and turned around Egypt goalkeeper Ahmed Elshenawi and defender Saadeldin Saad, who collided and sprawled to the ground. Nagai slotted into an empty net.

But Nagai hurt his leg during the goal and had to be taken off on a stretcher. He tried to come back but was taken out in the 20th minute, with forward Manabu Saito coming on.

For Japan’s second goal, Yoshida was unmarked and scored on a header in the 78th minute from a free kick. Japan’s third came in the 83rd with another header, this time from Otsu, after a cross.

Egypt’s best chance came in the 77th, when a dipping shot from midfielder Mohamed El Neny appeared to be going in but Japan goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda dived to his right and made the save.

The Baby Pharaohs saw more of the ball after the first goal and started creating problems for the Japanese with better build-up and dangerous balls into the box.

Right back Ahmed Fathi sent a low cross in for forward Emad Meteab, but he sent his shot wide from near the 6-yard box in the 30th. Fathi sent in a similar cross in the 36th that Japan defender Hiroki Sakai had to back-kick over his own crossbar.

Egypt was reduced to 10 men in the 41st when Saad was sent off for fouling Saito just before he entered the penalty area as the last man in a goal-scoring opportunity.

Japan started off the match brightly, dribbling past defenders with ease and getting behind the back line with ease. But the Japanese failed to convert the chances until the goal. They continued to press forward in the second half, trying to take advantage of the extra man.

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Japan reaches Olympic soccer semifinals

NEWCASTLE, England (AP) — Two Colombian Olympic soccer players are out of the hospital.

Midfielder Catalina Usme suffered a knee injury and was carried off the field in the Colombian women’s 1-0 loss to France on Tuesday. An MRI showed a rupture of her right anterior cruciate ligament.

Forward Ingrid Vidal, who was substituted in the 81st minute, was taken away by ambulance two hours after the match with dehydration.

Colombia was eliminated from its first Olympic tournament after losing all three matches without scoring.

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11-06-2012 11:50 29 minutes of the first time GOOOL! EEA OF ENGLAND! Lescott! Gerrard missing snake on the right, defender of the City rises more than all shoots in the area and head to the bottom of the target Lloris: 1-0

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Tomas Brolin was a talented footballer but he was mentally weak and troubled. 

His spell at Leeds United was disastrous, and it was a joke that Crystal Palace took a chance with him. 

After all these years, Brolin admitted that he sucked, but it was planned: 

It may not sound that bad, to be a wide midfielder at Leeds, but the defensive responsibilities I had…At Leeds I was going to run up and down the right like an idiot. That wasn’t me. So I decided I was going to be p*** poor against Liverpool.

Brolin is an idiot for admitting he cheated his teammates, the club, the manager and, most importantly, the fans. 

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Top 11 Wackiest World Football Stories of the Week

All Blacks World Cup-winning captain Richie McCaw is to have surgery to remove a screw from his right foot.

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World Cup – McCaw to have op

“I could never enjoy watching a sport that I myself mastered at the age of seven,” I once heard a local radio personality explain to his listeners.

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Football in a Football World: What Soccer Means to Us

In the summer of 2010 the biggest event in sport kicks off in South Africa, the World Cup Football Finals. All of the great international teams will gather to fight for the right to take home the World Cup trophy and be crowned …

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World Cup Gifts For England Fans – South Africa 2010 — Football Shirt

The top 32 footballing countries will covene at the 2010 World Cup finals to play for the right to be world champions of the sport as the tournament draws.

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Best Likely Winners For A Memorable World Cup 2010 | Soccer

Korea Republic vs Greece 2-0 World Cup 2010 All Goals NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENTED.

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Korea Republic vs Greece 2-0 World Cup 2010 All Goals

world cup schedule printable | FootBall 2010 world cup schedule printable Right click & save traget.

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world cup schedule printable | FootBall 2010 world cup schedule …

Amidst the battle for the right to host the 2018 World Cup , England’s bid was dealt a severe blow as British paper, The Mail On Sunday decided to run a.

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How Much Corruption Is There In Football? And At A World Cup …

Shock for the German national team: Captain Michael Ballack is due to an inner band tear and partial tear of the right ankle syndesmosis for the World Cup .

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Football / captain Ballack is out for World Cup in South Africa …

MEXICO CITY, April 27 (Reuters) – Mexico striker Miguel football shirt Sabah will miss the World Cup after injuring a tendon in his right leg in a collision.

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