The whistle of the referee on Saturday dashed the hope of Asian champions Iraq to reach the Confederations Cup semifinals. The match ended with a goalless draw with New Zealand.
Iraq had stood a slim chance to grab the remaining semifinal slot from Group A after the first one went to European champion Spain who collected six points in two matches and host South Africa defeated New Zealand 2-0 on Wednesday in Rustenburg.
The Asian and Oceanian champions had been the only two teams yet to win a game in the group. A win by sufficient goals could send Iraq back to the track to the semifinals.
Iraq's head coach Bora Milutinovic shouts at his team during a Group A match between Iraq and New Zealand at the FIFA Confederations Cup in Johannesburg, South Africa, June 20, 2009. The match ended with a 0-0 tie
New Zealand staged a more threatening performance and had the majority of possession in the first half. New Zealand made nine shots throughout the match, against Iraq's three.
Several good chances fell on the Oceanian champions but all slipped away. New Zealand forward Chris Killen narrowly missed the shot from inside the penalty area with little pressure on him in the 14th minute after teammate Jeremy Brockie delivered a perfect cross.
In the second half, Iraq's coach Bora Milutinovic decided to change the game by bringing on forward Alaa Abdul Zahra and Salih Sadir for Imad and Mahdi Kareem, but it didn't work.
Milutinovic has led five different squads into the World Cup finals.
The Serb did not reveal his plan after the inter-continental tournament, but he hailed the performance of his players.
"Although with little time together, the Iraqi players had excellent performance. I thank them for their support," he said.
"I hope the boys are able to play football with freedom in Iraq, bring happiness to Iraqi people. The boys have tried their best."
For next year's World Cup host, the coach called for support from everybody participating in the Confederations Cup. "South Africa deserves it and Africa deserves it," he said.
In the other Group A match, European champion Spain thrashed South Africa 2-0. The result however sent both sides into the semifinals.
The final round of Group B match will be played on Sunday in Rustenburg and Pretoria.
雅思听力填空题的解题关键:单词
雅思听力图书馆场景常考词汇
影响雅思听力理解的几个因素
雅思听力常考英美地名汇总
雅思听力中的经典小词整理(2)
雅思听力复习需要做到的四会
雅思听力中的经典小词整理(1)
雅思听力观点题的解法及应用
攻破雅思听力考试需实力与技巧相结合
雅思听力的新概念魔鬼训练法
雅思听力地图题的考点对策
雅思听力地图题常见方位词集锦
雅思听力训练的三原则和四个字
雅思阅读考试的小建议(英)
雅思听力旅游、交通、娱乐场景常考词汇
雅思听力长段落的精听步骤
浅谈雅思听力练习材料的选择
雅思听力备考需先增强语感扩大词汇量
雅思听力:动物场景解析
雅思听力答案誊写的几点注意事项
雅思听力材料:伟大的作曲家-贝多芬(视频)
结课后如何自行复习雅思听力
提高雅思听力水平的训练法宝
雅思听力高效训练方法:立体训练法
雅思听力备考方法:听力习惯篇
雅思听力高分需要学会预测方法
雅思听力备考的立体训练技巧
雅思听力材料:奥巴马就职演讲(双语字幕)
雅思听力四大题型的解题方法
雅思听力材料:伟大的作曲家(BBC纪录片)
不限 |
英语教案 |
英语课件 |
英语试题 |
不限 |
不限 |
上册 |
下册 |
不限 |