PUMA Rugby News Archive
World Cup Round Up
June 2010
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Gil Azzurri and American Footballs
June 14, 2010Only two touches inside the penalty box before scoring. Now our football hearts might be slightly inked with Azzurri blue, but think it's safe to say that Paraguay's 1-0 lead came as a surprise. But the great World Champions weren't here to lose, and less than ten minutes into second half, De Rossi showed that he just might be a worthy ancestor of Rome (Totti), and Italy. Despite several chances the result stood tall when the final whistle blew. But biggest setback wasn't the draw for the Italians - longtime hero, Buffon went out in halftime due to a hamstring injury. Really hope it was just precaution and he's fit again soon.
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Interview with Paolo Ferreira
June 13, 2010On Drogba's importance to Ivory Coast:
Drogba is obviously so important to Ivory Coast, he scores many goals for them and he would be a loss for any team in the World if he is not fit. I know him so well from Chelsea, and have so much respect for his ability and his impact on the pitch. He is so strong. But of course they have other players who can fill in for him, and while he will be a loss for them if he doesn't play, the team is not about one player and we have to be wary of so many of their other players when we meet them. But of course I hope that he doesn?t play when we meet him, it would be much better for us!
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We Won for Africa!
June 13, 2010A perfect penalty kick and boom. The first goal from a forward in this World Cup was made. A quite ecstatic game-hero, Asamoah Gyan, tried to sum it up after the game. "It's not just for Ghana, this victory was for Africa, I hope whole Africa is behind us". Pretty sure they are, Gyan.
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First Day Summary!
June 12, 2010Goals ? Check
More than one ? Check
Were they both stunning goals ? Check
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Day Two Had It All!
June 12, 2010We should be stunned. Perplexed and baffled. But we're hardly shocked. Not when it comes to goalies and England. They're single-handedly behind some of the most impressive individual mistakes a player can make. Now we all know the goalie's situation is very, very different from the other players, his actions are almost always more important and will be closer looked at, evaluated, and judged, than anyone else on the pitch. A striker can hit seven air balls but a goalie can't afford to miss once.
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Interview with Nemanja Vidic
June 12, 2010On Serbia's Preparations:
We didn't have a great result against New Zealand, it was very disappointing and we have thought a lot about the mistakes we made, which is obviously very important to be able to improve our performances. We have been working hard to pick up our fitness, and eliminate these mistakes so we can achieve some good form in the tournament. It's much better for us to lose in the friendlies than in the World Cup!
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History was Made Instantly at the Historical World Cup
June 11, 2010Yes. It has begun. PUMAFootball went with many more crazy football aficionados and watched the game at PUMA City in New York. We all knew it was going to be epic, all they had to do was have kick-off and this World Cup was already making history. The first time ever the World Cup is being played on African soil. A symbol and message that is perhaps bigger than football itself.
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Les Fennecs are Off to Africa
June 09, 2010Leaving Germany for the flight to South Africa with the Algeria team felt momentous. The Desert Foxes all seemed to be equally focused and excited. Everyone cheered when the plane that was decorated for the occasion, cruised up to the jet way for boarding.
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Meet the Desert Fox in the Box: Algeria Striker Rafik Djebbour
June 07, 2010It is 24 years since Algeria last qualified for a World Cup and now having done so at the expense of bitter rivals Egypt, the Desert Foxes face the challenge of qualifying from a tough Group C which includes England, Slovenia and the USA. To succeed they'll need the power and goals of AEK Athens striker Rafik Djebbour. Talking exclusively to PUMAFootball following a Les Fennecs training session in Germany, the French-born forward talks frankly about the team's World Cup tactics, the dark side of football and why Wayne Rooney is a typical Algerian!
