Brazilian Samba to take on colonial Portugal

Brazil the favorites to this year’s World Cup will be clashing in against Portugal another favorite to clinch the title today. The colonial masters Portugal will be facing 5 times World Cup champions later today, and it goes to see who makes it to the finals this year.

With Italy suffering a miserably defeat yesterday by Slovakia 3-2, and being the second favorites after France to go back home after loosing the group clashes. We are really not in to stomach any more upsets in this tournament. There have been one to many, and it’s good to know that Brazil and Portugal rank 1st and 2nd respectively in their Group G. Brazil needs only a draw to advance into the next round since they’ve gathered 6 points after defeating North Korea 2-1, and later Ivory Coast by 3-1.

Portugal too need only a draw to take them to the next round as their journey so far in Group G has been undefeated. They initially drew 0-0 with Ivory Coast, and then a stunning 7-0 against North Korea.
The third in line is Ivory Coast and if they have to make it to the next rounds, Portugal will not only have to draw or win this game, but Ivory Coast will have to win handsomely.

Brazilian ace player Kaka who was shown the red card against Ivory Coast and hence will be missing today’s game said, “Brazil are going all out to win another important match- it is important to ensure top spot.” He went on to say, “ I know a draw will leave us top but a victory is good for confidence.”

After Portugal’s 6-2 defeat against the Brazilians back in 2008, Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz is hoping that his side would avenge their defeat. Mozambique born Queiroz who was also Sir Alex Ferguson’s assistant said, “We don’t want the Brazilians to score against us this time – it is a question of honor. We must not do Ivory Coast any favors in terms of letting it go down to goal difference.”

Even he Portuguese midfielder Tiago said, “We want to finish on top of what is a very strong and difficult group in the final match, our destiny is in our hands. We are going into the match with Brazil with the intention of winning and finishing top of our group.”

Robinho Runs Back To Brazil

Talks are that Robinho has gone back to Brazil to take care of personal matters. Brazil Manchester City manager Mark Huges warn Robinho to slow down and wait to go back. Robinho decided to take an unauthorized leave from the club and go back.
Robinho and Kaka, Robinho international teammate, was not picked and sent back to Brazil. Rumor has it Robinho might of went back due to Kaka not making the pick. Robinho had said he was not worried about Kaka that Kaka had done it to himself and Robinho was ready and willing to play for Manchester City.
Robinho had mention he was very happy with the team, the fans, and the coach and willing to put himself in the best position to make it to the top as a player.
Huges now said that once Robinho gets back they will finish the talks this weekend and he will know how Huges feels about the unauthorized leave from the team.

Robinho arrested for sex assault

Manchester City’s Brazilian star Robinho has been arrested following allegations of a sexual assault.

Robinho is a suspect in an incident at a Leeds nightclub on January 14. After his arrest, he gave a DNA sample, was photographed and finally released on bail.

An 18-year-old woman claims that she was sexually assaulted and police have been speaking to the Brazilian international as part of their investigation of the case.

Robinho has denied the accusations. His spokesman, Chris Nathaniel, released a statement : “We can confirm that Robinho met the police today, as pre-arranged and as part of a criminal investigation.

“He (Robinho) strenuously denies any allegation of wrongdoing or criminality and is happy to cooperate with the police if required further.”

Robinho has been in trouble with his club also lately, as City contemplate punishing him for deserting the team’s training camp last week to fly to his homeland Brazil.

Robinho escapes punishment

Manchester City’s Brazilian star Robinho has escaped any punishment for abandoning the team’s training camp and going back to Brazil last week.

Robinho was expected to be fined after he left the Tenerife training camp without seeking permission from the club officials to attend to a family matter in Brazil. But the former Real Madrid and Santos man was not reprimanded in any way by manager Mark Hughes when he returned to Manchester yesterday.

Instead, the coach pulled him apart for a few quite words before resuming training in perfect harmony and happiness with the rest of the squad. There had been speculation that Robinho was frustrated at the club’s failure to sign his fellow countryman Kaka from AC Milan, and that was why he had decided to leave for brazil as a protest.

Either way, now the matter has been cleared up and Robinho is expected to play in the game against Newcastle on Wednesday.

Robinho will return: Hughes

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes has responded to rumours that Brazilian striker Robinho may be on his way out after leaving the team training ground. Hughes told the club’s official website that the decision to return to Brazil was taken without his permission, and that he has spoken to the player and will meet them back at Manchester next week.

“Robbie left without permission, he felt that he had personal things that he needed to attend to.

“He made the decision to leave the camp, and go back to Brazil. That was not with my permission, and the situation at the moment is not really practical to get him back here, so he will be back at the weekend ready to train when we are back in Manchester at the first available opportunity.”

He continued: “Once he is back, I will sit down with him and explain my feelings, and decisions will be made after that. He has rung me, and he understands that we need to address this – and we will. Then we will move on.

“He obviously felt that there were certain things that he needed to address back home, and so, wrongly, he made that decision to go back to Brazil.

“But he will be back at the weekend, then we will make sure that he knows my feelings and I am sure we will get a more detailed explanation from Robbie.”

Zabaleta wins it for City

Manchester City have been in the news this week about their bid for AC Milan’s Kaka, but they were back on the field today to take on an in-form Wigan.

After a goalless first half, the deadline was broken by Argentine defender-turned-midfielder Pablo Zabaleta, as he volleyed home after Robinho’s cross was only partially cleared by the Wigan defence.

City lost captain Richard Dunne soon after that, as he was sent off for a kick on Amr Zaki, but they held on for an important three points, and move up 4 places to 11th in the League table.

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