2014 FIFA World Cup (Belgium vs United States): Belgium Advances to Quarters to Face Argentina

Belgium wins and through to the next round to face Argentina on Saturday (July 5). 

Belgium's Kevin De Bruyne scored the first goal of the match. CreditImage by Marcos Brindicci/Reuters

Last match of the Round-16 was played today between the United States and Belgium at Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador. Belgium advances to the quarter-finals after beating the United States 2-1 in extra time.

Though Belgium won against the United States; but the soccer fans will never forget the heroics of the U.S. goalkeepper - Tim Howard, who kept on defying the Belgian attack throughout 120 minutes of the match. Howard had 16 saves, the most by any goalkeeper in the last 5 decades.
 
Kevin De Bruyne scored for Belgium in the 93rd moniute of the match to put them up 1-0 versus the United States in extra-time. Just before the finish of fir
st half of extra time Romelu Lukaku doubled the Belgian lead.  

Two minutes later, the last U.S. substitution, the 19-year-old Julian Green powered a shot into Belgium’s net to cut the lead to one.  

Belgium was lucky to survive in the dying moments of the second half of regular time when the U.S. forward Chris Wondolowski sent a shot barely over the crossbar, which could easily be said the cleanest chance for the team USA.  

Earlier today, Argentina emerged as victorious in its Round of 16 match against Switzerland, 1-0, in a dramatic extra-time encounter  when Lionel Messi passed to Angel Di Maria for the winning goal just two minutes before finishing the second half of extra time.  

Now all eight group winners make it through to the quarter-finals, which will start from July 4 after the two days' rest. Schedule is as follows:  

Friday July 4/5  

France v Germany 9:00 pm PST
Brazil v Colombia 1:00 am PST  

Saturday July 5/6  

Argentina v Belgium 9:00 pm PST
Holland v Costa Rica 1:00 am PST  

Source:  

fifa.com  

goal.com

US Open Final: Serena Williams Lost the Match and Temperament -- Watch Video Williams Arguing with Chair Umpire

NEW YORK - Serena Williams, winner of 13 Grand Slam titles and the hot favorite coming into the match, lost her cool with chair umpire during US Open Final against Australian Samantha Stosur. Cool, calm and composed Stosur beat Williams 6-2, 6-3. 

Serena Williams Arguing with Chair Umpire During Final of US Open 2011

According to details; during Sunday's U.S. Open final, Serena Williams lost her temperament with a chair umpire, who penalized her for celebrating before a point was concluded. 

While trying to avoid a break point at the start of the second set Sunday night, Williams smashed a forehand that she celebrated with her well-known style screaming "Come on!" 

The chair umpire was of the view that Williams screamed at the same time when Stosur was trying to reach the ball and the American’s act might distract the concentration of Stosur; therefore umpire awarded the point to Australian, setting Williams off on a series of insults directed at the official.

Serena continued making derogatory comments to the chair umpire long after this clip ended. She said "you're nobody" and "you're ugly on the inside" and much, much more between games and even between points within a game. The fact is the chair made the CORRECT call. Serena's behavior was utterly classless and an absolute disgrace. She is incredibly self-centered and gets ugly and abusive if things don't go the way she wants.

Watch the video below:

US Open 2011 Women's Quarter-final Updates: Samantha Stosur and Serena Williams Through to Semi-final

NEW YORK - US Open 2011: Women’s Quarter-finals Updates

US Open 2011: Women’s Quarter-finals Updates

The day didn't prove to be very lucky for the Russians in US Open 2011 Women's Quarterfinals.

In the first quarter-final Australian number one Samantha Stosur outclassed Russian tennis star Vera Zvonareva by 6-3, 6-3 in straight set and reached in to semi-finals of US Open 2011. 

In the second quarter-final former world number one and three times US Open champion Serena Williams crushed Russian sensation Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the quarterfinal of 2011 US Open here at Flushing Meadows in New York, United States. The final score line was 7-5, 6-1.

China's Li Na looking for new heights at US Open

NEW YORK: French Open champion Li Na is reaping the rewards after her determined, yet unorthodox path made her the first player from Asia to win a Grand Slam title.

China's Li Na looking for new heights at US Open

With Li's popularity growing, companies in her homeland China and companies who want to tap that vast market have hopped on the bandwagon.

Since her 6-4, 7-6 (7/0) victory over Francesca Schiavone in the Roland Garros final, carmaker Mercedes-Benz has signed a deal to make Li their first "global ambassador".

They join luxury watchmaker Rolex and ice cream manufacturers Haagen-Dazs, along with sporting goods giants Nike, a longtime sponsor who got a boost in China from her success.

"She has captivated a country," Max Eisenbud, Li's agent at IMG, told Sports Business Journal. "We could do 25 deals."

Eisenbud has predicted that Li's endorsements over the next three years could top $40 million, perhaps eclipsing Russian superstar Maria Sharapova as the top endorsement earner in women's sports.

Sharapova, who is also represented by Eisenbud, is estimated by Forbes to make more than $25 million annually in endorsements.

Not long after her disappointing second-round Wimbledon loss to Sabine Lisicki, IMG announced plans for a exhibition re-match between the two in Wuhan in December.

The boom in interest in Li started with her runner-up finish to Kim Clijsters at the Australian Open.

She floundered after that performance, with four straight first-round defeats.

Her tough decision to drop husband Jiang Shan as her coach and hire Denmark's Michael Mortensen, helped turn things around - and typified the no-nonsense approach Li has taken throughout her career.

It was an early foray into badminton that led Li to tennis. But her dissatisfaction with the Chinese sports system led to clashes with officialdom.

Frustrated at her inability to move past the fringes of the WTA tour she retired for two years in her early 20s and studied journalism.

Now she is the face of tennis in China, while the dry humour she displayed at Melbourne and Paris has garnered fans in the West.

The government in her native Hubei province showered her with honours and wanted to appoint her deputy head of the provincial tennis administration centre, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

Li declined, saying she was too busy playing tennis.

That's not to say she isn't pleased with her new high profile.

"Amazing," she said of her reception when she returned to China in July.

"I think because I didn't do well in Wimbledon, maybe not so many people," she said. "The day was so warm, but still I think at least a thousand people were coming just to say, 'Well done, congratulations.'

"I was feeling like, 'Wow, now I'm a star,'" she said with a smile.

Those fans who might once have thought they recognized her - but not quite remembered why - now know just who she is and what she does.

"So life was changed a little bit," Li said with another smile. "But I like it."

UFC 133 Live Streaming - - Ivan Menjivar, Johny Hendricks, Mike Brown, and Rafael Natal Registered Early Wins

UFC 133 kicked off at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia with four preliminary bouts that streamed live on Facebook, as Ivan Menjivar, Johny Hendricks, Mike Brown, and Rafael Natal all earned wins.





MMAFrenzy.com’s live recaps of the matchups are below:

Ivan Menjivar vs. Nick Pacehttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

Round 1- Menjivar is the more aggressive fighter early. Pace trying to grapple but Menjivar will have none of it and we’re back to striking. Nice outside leg kick from Menjivar. Pace attempts his own with considerably less on it. Menjivar fires an errant inside legkick that leads to a break for a groin shot. Rogan takes a moment to plug the Muay Thai cup again. Pace finally takes Menjivar down and almost immediately takes Menjivar’s back. Menjivar stands and Pace attempts a rear-naked choke. Menjivar finally works free again. Round ends in the clinch. MMAFrenzy scores the round 10-9 Pace.

Continue reading ......... Below:




HERE

VIDEO: Penalty Shootouts - - Women's World Cup: Japan Beat USA to Become the First Champion From Asia

FRANKFURT, Germany - The most spectacular Women’s World Cup final in history has produced the most surprising champion at the end.

Women's World Cup: Japan Beat USA to Become the First Champion From Asia

Japan became the first Asian nation to win the Women’s World Cup on Sunday, beating the United States in a penalty shootout after both sides were level at 2-2 after extra time.

 

The Japanese denied the U.S. team the chance to become the first country to lift the cup three times.

The Americans missed their first three penalties, and Japan went on to win the shootout 3-1 when Saki Kumagai slotted the final shot high past goalkeeper Hope Solo.

Japan was always driven by a greater purpose, hoping its success at the World Cup could provide some emotional relief for a nation still reeling from the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

It paid off.

The team displayed a banner reading “To our Friends Around the World — Thank You for Your Support” before the final, and coach Norio Sasaki inspired his players before the quarterfinal win over favorite Germany by showing them pictures of the devastation.

On Sunday, the players were even more pumped us as the match approached its climax.

In a thrilling finale, 32-year-old Japan captain Homare Sawa flicked a corner through a jumble of players and past Solo with three minutes of extra time left to equalize and set up the shootout.

“We ran and ran.We were exhausted but we kept running,” said Sawa, the top scorer in the tournament with five goals.

Japan had already scored late in regulation to force extra time, and the shootout success gave Japan its first victory over the United States in 26 games.

Japan goalkeeper Ayumi Kaihori did more than her part, saving the first penalty from Shannon Boxx with her foot and swatting the third kick from substitute Tobin Heath away with her gloves. In between, Carli Lloyd skied her shot over the bar.

VIDEO: San Jose Goalkeeper David Bingham Scored from Own Penalty Box in a Friendly Match Against West Bromwich Albion

In a friendly match between San Jose and English Premier League outfit West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday a very rare incident happened when San Jose goalkeeper David Bingham scored from his own penalty box.

San Jose Goalkeeper David Bingham Scored from Own Penalty Box

Bingham's 90 yard punt (82 metres) bounced over the head of his opposition tam’s goalkeeper Boaz Myhill before crossing the goal-line.

Bingham's long punt down field deceived his opposition’s counterpart Boaz Myhill - who was staring directly into a setting sun at Buck Shaw Stadium without wearing a cap.

San Jose won the match 2-1 courtesy to Bingham's moment of glory that helped his side to amazing triumph over their English opponents.

Watch below the amazing 90 yard punt by David Bingham that earned goal for his team:

PHOTOS and VIDEO - Texas Ranger Fan Falls to Death During the Match Trying to Catch the Ball

An enthusiastic Texas Rangers fan falls out of the stands in left field while trying to catch a foul ball tossed by Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton.

Texas Ranger Fan Falls to Death During the Match Trying to Catch the Ball

Without disclosing the name of the victim due to privacy issue, the man was identified as an 18-year veteran of the Brownwood, Texas fire department.

The Rangers spokesperson said the man fell about six metres. Team president Nolan Ryan didn't get into details about the accident or release the man's name.

The commentators of the game initially joke after watching the incident, ignorant of how gravely the fan is wounded. He initially survived the fall and was fully conscious and talking. Tragically, the man later died.

Texas beat Oakland 6-0.

Before jumping to the video of this sad incidence, see more pictures below:

Texas Ranger Fan Falls to Death During the Match Trying to Catch the Ball

Texas Ranger Fan Falls to Death During the Match Trying to Catch the Ball

Mexico Beat U.S. 4-2 in CONCACAF Gold Cup Final - - Goals and Highlights (Video and Photos)

PASADENA, Calif. – Mexico grabbed the CONCACAF Gold Cup on Saturday with a 4-2 victory over the United States in a hugely entertaining final played in front of 93,000 soccer fans.

Mexico Beat U.S. 4-2 in CONCACAF Gold Cup Final

The early 2-0 U.S. lead courtesy to Michael Bradley and Landon Donovan was wasted ultimately losing Gold Cup final to Mexico by 4-2. Donovan became the Gold Cup’s all-time leading scorer with 13 goals.

West Ham United's Pablo Barrera scored twice and played a key role in the victory of Mexico to claim a second consecutive CONCACAF Gold Cup. Andrés Guardado and Giovani dos Santos also scored for Mexico. This is the sixth Gold Cup title bagged by Mexico.

"There's no better moment than victory," Mexico's coach, José Manuel de la Torre, said. "Everything else is in the past now."

First watch the video of goals and highlights and then jump to the exclusive picture gallery of the winning moments for Mexico.

Mexico Beat U.S. 4-2 in CONCACAF Gold Cup Final

Mexico Beat U.S. 4-2 in CONCACAF Gold Cup Final

Mexico Beat U.S. 4-2 in CONCACAF Gold Cup Final

Mexico Beat U.S. 4-2 in CONCACAF Gold Cup Final

CONCACAF Gold Cup Final: U.S. v Mexico at Rose Bowl on Saturday June 25, 2011

CONCACAF Gold Cup Final: U.S. v Mexico at Rose Bowl on Saturday June 25, 2011

Mexico and the United States have set a final clash in the 11th edition of the CONCACAF Gold Cup competition. The final will be played at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California on Saturday (June 25, 2011).

The United States beat Panama 1-0 and Mexico thrashed Honduras 2-0 in Wednesday's semifinals, setting up another championship final between the two power teams of the CONCACAF region.

In the semifinal between U.S. and Panama, two second-half substitutes contributed to Clint Dempsey's clincher, as the Americans secured their place in the CONCACAF Gold Cup Finals with a 1-0 victory over the Canal Men.

Mexico and the United States have won nine of the 10 Gold Cups have been played since tournament got the current form in 1991 and now the two soccer superpowers of the region will face each other in this year's Gold Cup final.

Mexico is the only team to have beaten the United States in the knockout stage of the Gold Cup, with victories in 1993, 1998 and 2009. And the Mexicans have looked more dominant so far in current tournament, outplaying their five opponents by an aggregate score of 18-2.

'Family: The greatest thing in the world' - Revealed by Tiger Woods

New York – Golf’s former world number one Tiger Woods talked about his future ambitions and past regrets in an exclusive interview with CNN.

Woods, after six months of divorcing from his wife Elin Nordegren because of the sex scandal and extramarital affairs that brought golf's star to highlights of newspapers all over the world, declared that although he is dedicated to snatch back the number one spot in Golf, the most important thing in his life at the moment is his relationship with his children, Sam and Charlie.

Woods has been sharing the parenting of his two children Sam and Charlie since divorcing Elin, his wife of six years.