Defenders outdoing strikers
Forteleza: Colombia's James Rodriguez, Brazil's Neymar, Germany's Thomas Mueller and France's Karim Benzema came into the World Cup quarterfinals with a combined 16 goals. So with all that scoring ability on the pitch for Friday's two games, of course the goals were coming from defenders. Mats Hummels (in pic) gave Germany a 1-0 win over France, then Brazil's Thiago Silva and David luiz put Brazil up 2-0 against Colombia. Rodriguez went on to score in the 2-1 loss, though his goal came on a penalty.
UPlIFTING SWISS FANS
Aboard Swiss Air Flight lX093: Disheartened Swiss fans returning to Zurich after their country's 1-0 World Cup loss to Argentina could at least take comfort in one parting treat — they were flying home with their beloved team. Faces perked up at the departure gate moments before boarding when coach Ottmar Hitzfeld and his players strode in. Some stopped to sign autographs and briefly mingled with fans still sporting the team's red paraphernalia. On board, the players were greeted with champagne and a Swiss-decorated football was draped in a team scarf. Swiss flags were placed inside the cabin and each player's name appeared on his designated business class seat. Fans quickly snapped selfies with the players, and once everyone was seated, the captain of Swiss Air flight lX093 — even before announcing the duration and altitude — welcomed the team aboard and said the country was proud of their valiant effort against the heavily favored Argentines.
Frowning upon fRED
Sao Paulo: A new poll published on Friday makes it official: Fans feel that striker Fred is the worst player on Brazil's World Cup squad. The respected Datafolha polling group says that for 21 percent of the close to 3,000 people questioned, the Fluminense forward is the Brazilian team's worst player. Nine percent said striker Hulk, and 6 percent said defender Dani Alves, who was removed from the starting lineup for Fridays' quarterfinal against Colombia. No surprise: For 56 percent of the respondents, striker Neymar is the team's best player. Goalkeeper Julio Cesar is a distant second with 10 percent. Datafolha questioned 2,857 people, and the poll has a margin of error of two percentage points.
KlINSMANN'S PICKS Brazil
Sao Paulo: No way is Jurgen Klinsmann (in pic) going against the home side Brazil in this World Cup. The US coach believes the Selecao are making quite a run at their sixth World Cup championship, even if his homeland of Germany is still in the tournament while the Americans head home. "Brazil is the No. 1 name to mention because of their talent and their home advantage and the energy they bring into this tournament," Klinsmann said. "There are other teams that will be difficult to beat. Germany will be difficult to beat. Holland will be difficult to beat." Germany and Brazil would meet in the semifinals in they both win Friday.
EXTRA, EXTRA
Forteleza: Taking advantage of the huge Colombian crowd accompanying the national team at the World Cup in Brazil, Colombia's main newspaper handed out free copies of its daily to fans arriving for Friday's quarterfinal match against the hosts. Youngsters dressed in the Colombian colors — blue, yellow and red — were giving away a special edition of the "El Tiempo" newspaper at traffic lights outside the Arena Castelao in the northeastern city of Fortaleza. The newspaper says it's the first time in its 103-year history that it's being published in another country. The edition being handed out in Brazil has 12 pages of coverage about the Colombian team and the World Cup in general. Colombia has one of the biggest fan bases in Brazil, packing stadiums and host cities everywhere the team has played. Colombians were the majority in the crowd in each of the team's first four matches.
FIFA warns Nigeria
Rio de Janeiro: Nigeria could be suspended by FIFA after the country's football federation leaders were removed from office and its president was arrested on returning from the World Cup. FIFA warned Nigeria's government on Friday it must reinstate the federation's executive committee by Tuesday or risk a ban. "FIFA has also taken note of the detention of NFF President Aminu Maigari carried out by representatives of the Department of the State Security Service," the governing body said in a statement. The turmoil follows Nigeria's 2-0 loss against France in the second round on Monday. Nigeria's government also reacted aggressively after the Super Eagles' 2010 World Cup exit. Then, state President Goodluck Jonathan threatened to shut down the national team for two years before FIFA intervened. FIFA rules protect its 209 member federations from government interference, and a suspension bars teams and officials from taking part in international matches and meetings.