Mr Live Wire has not seen so many disappointed faces in yellow jerseys since the 2015 General Elections. For the fourth straight tournament, perennial World Cup favourites, Brazil, failed to navigate their way to the final, as the five-time champions tumbled out in the quarters after a 2-1 loss to …
Read More »Sputnik 2018: Neymar strikes as Brazil KOs Mexico, Samurai Blue fall on swords against bullish Belgium
Now that’s more like it! After Sunday’s forgettable fare, the Russia 2018 World Cup burst to life once more today as Brazil bested Mexico 2-0 while Belgium staged a monumental recovery to kayo Japan 3-2 in the Round of 16 competition. Brazil, the five-time World Cup champions, and Belgium, who …
Read More »Sputnik 2018: Katastrophe! Neuer nightmare as Neymar’s Brazil samba in German tears
In the city of Brasilia, fireworks went off, residents jumped up and down at malls and drivers honked their car horns. And the Brazil team had not even stepped on to the field yet! The Germans call it schadenfreude, which roughly translates to the enjoyment of another’s misfortune. And not …
Read More »Sputnik 2018: Pacifier for Neymar but C/Rica goes to time out, Mr Musa melts Iceland and “Magic Dwarf” flattens Serbia
Pre-tournament favourites, Brazil, secured their first win of the Russia 2018 World Cup this afternoon and there was a goal for gifted talisman, Neymar, too, as the South American giants shot down Costa Rica 2-0 in St Petersburg. The result left the “Samba Boys” requiring only a draw against Serbia …
Read More »Maylee Attin-Johnson: Brazil’s the best bet for 2018 W/Cup title; but don’t write off Germany just yet
“There are those who argue that this year’s team may well be the most balanced Brazilian teams we have ever seen, with strengths up front, in midfield, in defence and between the uprights… “[But] I believe Germany pose a significant threat to their title aspirations.” Former Trinidad and Tobago Women’s …
Read More »Ball is Life (Video): De Silva on Brazil’s W/Cup chances, Ronaldo de Lima and T&T’s development dilemma
Trinidad and Tobago two-time World Youth Cup midfielder Sean De Silva on our local youth development dilemma, Ronaldo de Lima inspiration, Tony Kroos’ control and dancing around his dad with the “Samba Boys”—in the third edition of Wired868’s five-part series, “Ball is Life!”
Read More »Cliff Bertrand: Going South!? If Neymar doesn’t do it in Russia, then Messi will
“Grouped with Costa Rica, Serbia and Switzerland, the Samba Boys will, I expect, put everybody else on the back-foot by the time the group stage is over. And then go on to beat all comers because they have a little matter of a big 2014 7-1 embarrassment to settle. “… …
Read More »Amiel Mohammed: “Ich liebe Die Mannschaft;” Low’s Germany as ready as they always are
“On the heels of their great 2014 triumph, much of the German leadership rode off into the sunset, leaving many wondering if that mass exodus would be fatal. But since Lahm, Schweinsteiger, Podolski and Mertesacker all left with medal in hand, Hummels, Muller and Kroos have stepped into their massive …
Read More »“Allez, les Bleus!” says Walcott, “mais attention aux Brésiliens!”
“”…talent alone does not make you the team to beat; it never has, it never will. And although I am very excited to see what Deschamps’ brigade of young attacking talent will do on the world’s biggest stage, when I look at France’s unpredictability at recent World Cups, I simply …
Read More »Valentino Singh: Tite’s Seleçao to make all the noise in Russia
“Under former coach Dunga, the team lacked the samba rhythm for which the Brazilians had become known; the players seemed full of skill and ability but cohesion was non-existent. “What a transformation the current head coach has effected. “The man who guided Corinthians to the domestic, continental and world titles …
Read More »Shaka Hislop: Brazil, says my head, Argentina, says my heart, Achtung! warns experience
Who I’d like to see win the World Cup and who I think will win are two completely different things. I’d like to see Argentina win it. For Leo Messi. To take his rightful place on the “best ever” shortlist, Messi, who, in my opinion, is the best player of …
Read More »Moscow 2018 Countdown: Kings go forth as Champions League exits; Brazil to samba for the tsars
Now that Manchester City have officially sealed the title in England and Real Madrid have put Liverpool in their place and reasserted their dominance in Europe—with more than a little help from Judas Iscariot in the red goal—all eyes turn to Russia. It is time to crown the real kings. …
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