Germany preparing for speedy challenge against Ivory Coast at World Cup
TORONTO, June 19 : Germany are expecting a challenging foot race in their next World Cup match against a speedy Ivory Coast side, coach Julian Nagelsmann said on Friday.
Ecuador Sport News
'We are not Germany': Ecuador coach urges caution ahead of Curacao clash
KANSAS CITY, Missouri, June 19 : Ecuador coach Sebastian Beccacece sought on Friday to distance his team from Germany's 7-1 demolition of Curacao, urging focus and respect ahead of a must-win World Cup clash against the Caribbean side.
Ecuador under pressure to rebound against Curacao at World Cup
KANSAS CITY, Missouri, June 18 : Ecuador face Curacao in Kansas City on Saturday knowing that even at this early stage of the World Cup, the stakes are already rising sharply for both sides after opening-day defeats.
Ivory Coast's Elye Wahi denied entry to Canada at World Cup amid betting probe
Ivory Coast striker Elye Wahi, who is under investigation for alleged betting-related offences, has not been authorized to travel to Canada for his team's next World Cup match against Germany, the Ivorian soccer federation said on Thursday.
World Cup formations, explained: A look at how coaches are setting up their squads
GUADALAJARA, Mexico: It’s number-crunching time when it comes to formations at the World Cup. Every team start with a goalkeeper in front of the net, but then it’s up to the 48 coaches to try to arrange their lineups to optimize their players and match up effectively with opponents. On paper, the lists may look more like area codes, phone numbers or lottery combinations: 4-4-2, 5-3-2, 4-2-3-1 and so on. But it’s all about how coaches set up their 10 field players, with some of them focusing more on attacking, others on containing a tough opponent or maybe trying to capitalize on the talent of a star player. Coaches tend to have preferred formations, but it’s not unusual for them to change them depending on opponents or even during matches to secure a lead or reverse a deficit. Coaches frequently start a match with one scheme and finish it with another. Here’s a look at the nine formations used in the opening matches of World Cup group play, according to FIFA’s match reports, and what they mean: The traditional (4-4-2) Four defenders, four midfielders and two forward. That was used by 12 of the 48 teams involved in the first 24 matches at the World Cup.
Ivory Coast's Elye Wahi denied Canada visa amid spot-fixing allegations - ESPN
Ivory Coast striker Elye Wahi, who is being investigated into suspected spot-fixing, has not been authorized to travel to Canada for his team's next World Cup match against Germany, the Ivorian soccer federation said Thursday.
Ivory Coast forward Wahi to miss Canada trip over lack of travel authorisation
June 18 : Ivory Coast forward Elye Wahi will not travel to Canada for this weekend's World Cup clash with Germany because his authorisation to visit the country had not yet been obtained, the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) said on Thursday.
Wahi denied Canadian visa for Ivory Coast World Cup clash with Germany
ABIDJAN: Forward Elye Wahi will miss Ivory Coast’s second World Cup match against Germany after he was denied a visa to enter Canada, the Ivorian federation said on Thursday. “The administrative authorizations necessary for his entry into Canadian territory have not been obtained at this stage,” the Ivorian federation (FIF) said, adding that he would not be able to “travel with the delegation to Canada” for Saturday’s match in Toronto. The FIF gave no reason for his visa refusal. Wahi is the second World Cup player to be denied entry into Canada after Ghana’s Thomas Partey, who is facing rape charges in Britain. Several media reported on Thursday that Wahi had been questioned by French police over suspicions of spot-fixing in a Ligue 1 match while he was playing for Nice. The case revolves around a yellow card which Wahi picked up in a 0-0 draw with Metz in mid-May, after betting authorities had noticed an unusual volume of bets being placed on the 23-year-old being booked. The French football league (LFP) announced on Wednesday that it had lodged a complaint to police for “facts which could constitute sporting fraud and organized corruption.” Born in France, Wahi switched allegiances to the African nation in March and started in the Ivory Coast’s opening 1-0 Group E victory over Ecuador on Sunday. The Elephants final group stage match is against Curacao in the United States on June 25.