Howard hoping U.S. have proved worth on big stage
JOHANNESBURG, June 28 (Reuters) – U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard said he hoped the American performance at the Confederations Cup has proved his team could play on football’s biggest stage.
Confederations Cup winners Brazil regain FIFA top spot
LONDON, July 1 (Reuters) – Confederations Cup winners Brazil returned to the top of the FIFA world rankings on Wednesday for the first time since August 2007 by jumping four places and knocking European champions Spain down to second spot.
Blatter gives thumbs up to Confederations Cup organisers
JOHANNESBURG, June 29 (Reuters) – FIFA president Sepp Blatter gave organisers of the Confederations Cup a mark of 7.5 points out of 10 on Monday.
Spain 0-2 USA
USA caused another sensation at the FIFA Confederations Cup South Africa 2009, beating European champions Spain 2-0 to book a place in their first-ever world final. The Spaniards controlled possession at Bloemfontein’s Free State Stadium, but the USA, losers of their first two games here in South Africa, played a brave and spirited 90 minutes [...]
Spain taking no chances against surprising U.S.
BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa, June 24 (Reuters) – Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque should select his strongest team against surprise packages the United States in the first Confederations Cup semi-final on Wednesday.
South Africa inspired by Mandela meeting
JOHANNESBURG, June 24 (Reuters) – South Africa sought inspiration for Thursday’s Confederations Cup semi-final against Brazil by meeting Nelson Mandela on Wednesday.
U.S. caught us by surprise, says Spain coach
BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa, June 24 (Reuters) – Spain were caught by surprise by the United States when the European champions lost 2-0 in the Confederations Cup semi-final on Wednesday, said coach Vicente del Bosque.
Dunga expecting tough battle against old boss Santana
JOHANNESBURG, June 24 (Reuters) – Former colleagues Dunga and Joel Santana will be sitting in adjacent dugouts when hosts South Africa face five-times world champions Brazil in a Confederations Cup semi-final on Thursday.
Brazil provide ultimate test for hosts S.Africa
BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa, June 24 (Reuters) – South Africa, seeking Brazilian inspiration to create their own samba-style team ahead of the 2010 World Cup, face the real thing in Thursday’s Confederations Cup semi-final.
USA stun Spain to make final
Spain’s long winning streak came to an end as they lost 2-0 to USA in the Confederations Cup semi-finals.
Egypt blame Cup exit on media ‘lies’ about pros
JOHANNESBURG, June 22 (Reuters) – Egypt have blamed their Confederations Cup exit on media “lies” about their players consorting with prostitutes after beating world champions Italy.
Xavi says U.S. have nothing to lose against Spain
BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa, June 23 (Reuters) – Spain midfielder Xavi said United States would have nothing to lose in Wednesday’s Confederations Cup semi-final between the two teams.
We´ve nothing to lose claim semi-finalists SAfrica
Hosts South Africa were finding it hard on Monday to get their heads around the reality that they are just one game away from the Confederations Cup final.
Adriano scores hat-trick, champions Sao Paulo lose again
RIO DE JANEIRO, June 21 (Reuters) – Brazil striker Adriano scored a hat-trick as Flamengo crushed Internacional 4-0 while Corinthians beat Sao Paulo 3-1 in their Brazilian championship derby on Sunday.
Italian media urge Lippi to phase out old guard
ROME, June 22 (Reuters) – The Italian media urged coach Marcello Lippi on Monday to reconsider his policy of basing his side on players from the 2006 World Cup-winning squad following the humiliating exit from the Confederations Cup in South Africa.
