Marquez in great shape at 5th WC
MOSCOW: Mexico defender Rafael Marquez is feeling "in great shape" after becoming only the third man in history to play at a fifth career World Cup. The 39-year-old came on in the 74th minute of Mexico's 1-0 win over Germany on Sunday, following in the footsteps of Germany's lotthar Matthaeus and fellow Mexican Antonio Carbajal. "I feel in great shape for the rest of the tournament," said Marquez, adding about Mexico's victory that "back home no one thought that we could pull this off. We have a pessimist culture in Mexico, but we have a tough mentality." Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio brought Marquez on to make Mexico's defensive tactics more robust. Playing as captain in a defensive midfield role, he made some tough tackles on German players as Mexico successfully defended its lead.
Brazilians grumpy after draw
RIO DE JANERIO: Disappointment and frustration swept over Brazilians who gathered at public squares, bars and parks across latin America's biggest country to watch their national team end up with a 1-1 tie in their opening World Cup match. In Rio de Janeiro, thousands jammed the downtown Maua Square to watch Brazil's game with Switzerland on large TV screens. People cheered wildly when Brazil made it 1-0. But the mood started declining into glumness once Switzerland scored the equalizer and Brazil failed to get in another goal. People watching the game in Sao Paulo, Belo Horizonte and other cities in soccer-mad Brazil expressed similar feelings of disappointment.
Costa Ricans pessimistic after loss
SAN JOSE: Costa Rican media and fans have expressed pessimism on their football team's chances at the World Cup following the 0-1 defeat to Serbia. The local daily la Nacion headlined its digital edition with "Costa Rica loses 0-1 against Serbia and the illusion of qualifying for the second round in Russia 2018 goes out." The critics had seen Serbia as the team in Group E that would be easiest to defeat. "The next rivals are Brazil and Switzerland, more powerful players than the Serbs," it said. Digital news site CRHoy.com wrote that "Serbia turned off the Tico illusion at the World Cup with a goal," stating that Aleksandar Kolarov's 56th minute strike had left Costa Rica "on the ropes". Fans were equally pessimistic on social media, stating that the Costa Rican team had shown little creativity in attack.
Kvist hopes to return at WC
COPENHAGEN: The Denmark midfielder who sustained two broken ribs and a punctured lung after a hard collision with Peru's Jefferson Farfan says he is doing better and hopes to return at the World Cup. William Kvist posted a video on Facebook from the hospital in Saransk to say he was travelling home Monday for further checks. He said there is "tiny opportunity" we would return to the Danish squad, adding "we will get a long way." Denmark beat Peru 1-0 on Saturday in its opening game and next plays Australia in Group C. Denmark coach Ake Hareide said after the game that if Kvist has a fractured rib, "he's out of the World Cup for sure."
Kolarov dedicates goal to official
SAMARA: As Serbia celebrated their 1-0 victory over Costa Rica in the World Cup on Sunday, the celebratory mood briefly turned somber. Captain Aleksandar Kolarov was named man of the match for his game-winning goal from a free kick early in the second half. But his thoughts turned to Goran Bunjevcevic, sporting director of the Serbian federation, who had a stroke last month and required emergency surgery. Koralov dedicated both the win and his goal to Bunjevcevic. "He's had some health problems. We want to relay this message to him and his family that we are 100 percent behind him," Koralov said. Bunjevcevic, 45, played for the national team from 1998-2003, appearing in 16 matches. A defender, he played for Tottenham from 2001-06.
Elshenawy declines award
ST PETERSBURG: An Egypt team official has confirmed goalkeeper Mohamed Elshenawy declined to receive a player of the match trophy at the World Cup for religious reasons. The trophy, an artistic red goblet, is sponsored by Budweiser. Islam prohibits the consumption of alcohol. Egypt team director Ihab leheta on Sunday said that Elshenawy said a "few words" and posed for photos in a brief ceremony, but didn't take the goblet. He said there was no policy or set of regulations for members of the all-Muslim squad regarding their dealings with sponsors or prizes linked to alcohol. "It is up to each one," he said.