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Fifa investigating drone at France training - Deschamps
Jun 14, 2014 10:33:00 PM
World football's governing body are looking into an incident which has irritated the France camp ahead of their World Cup opener
By Matheus Harb in Porto Alegre
Fifa has opened an investigation into a drone which spied on a France training session, according to Les Bleus boss Didier Deschamps.
The unmanned machine appeared over Deschamps and his players as they went through drills at their team base in Ribeirao Preto prior to their departure for Porto Alegre.
Speaking ahead of France’s World Cup opener against Honduras on Sunday, Deschamps claimed the game’s governing body were looking into who was behind the stunt.
"Apparently drones are used more and more," said Deschamps.
"It’s not up to me, Fifa handles this and has been carrying out an inquiry; we don’t want any intrusion into our privacy. It’s very hard to fight this these days."
It is an unnecessary distraction for a France squad displaying the kind of unity which was sadly lacking on the ill-fated trip to South Africa four years ago which saw the squad go on strike.
Deschamps was asked about the events in Knysna but refused to make comparisons.
"You shouldn’t mention South Africa," he added.
"We’re now in another World Cup, we’re in Brazil, and were not going to be judged by what we did four years ago. It’s wonderful to have a good atmosphere here. We have the France supporters behind the team."
The Arsenal star has praised the quality of the forward but insists there will be no set game plan to mark him out of the game
Germany will be making no special plans to thwart Cristiano Ronaldo in their World Cup opener against Portugal, according to Lukas Podolski.
The two teams go head-to-head on Monday night at the Arena Fonte Nova, with Ronaldo poised to start after recovering from the injury problems that have blighted his preparations for the tournament.
The 29-year-old almost single-handedly fired Portugal to the competition with a stunning hat-trick in the second leg of their play-off clash with Sweden and has since won the Champions League with Real Madrid.
But, with Germany tipped by many as potential winners, Podolski is insistent that Joachim Low's men have not prepared any special measures in a bid to keep him shackled.
He told reporters: "We're preparing for Portugal and not for a player.
"Cristiano Ronaldo is of course an exceptional player and a danger to us. But we also have players of great quality. If we can find our stride then we will win the game."
The Arsenal star, who was named the best young player at the 2006 World Cup, could start in place of the injured Marco Reus on Monday, after the winger was ruled out of the tournament.
Germany will hope to avoid the same fate as Spain, who were stunned 5-1 by Netherlands after being named among the favourites, and Podolski says that result serves as a warning.
He said: "We're focused on our group - we are not automatically through. Portugal are a tough opponent. But we want to make a statement and record a good result."
The heat in Brazil has been a major talking point in the pre-competition build-up, with temperatures soaring in the country, and Podolski has urged his team-mates to be streetwise.
"It could be 50, 55 or 70 degrees. We have to be smart because you cannot run up and down the pitch all game long in that heat. But we are prepared and focused."
Joel Campbell: I’ll think about Arsenal after the World Cup
By Robin Bairner
Jun 15, 2014 12:05:00 AM
The 21-year-old striker produced an incredible display, scoring one and setting up another in his side's shock win over Uruguay
Joel Campbell has insisted that isn't considering his Arsenal future at the moment but will remain concentrated on Costa Rica's World Cup campaign.
The striker, who turns 22 later this month, came to the forefront as his side shocked Uruguay 3-1 in their World Cup opener, but after spending the last three seasons on loan away from the Emirates club his place in their side is debatable.
"Of course I have to go back, because I have a contract with Arsenal, but the most important thing just now is my country and the World Cup," he explained, having scored an equaliser for his side early in the second half before setting up their third.
Despite a fine individual display, he was eager to praise his team-mates’ contributions: "Today was excellent for me, but it would have come to nothing without the contribution of my colleagues. Everyone lived up to their responsibilities. I tried to do my best to score goals and my colleague supported me.
"We have to take one step after another. We have difficult matches ahead, but this will give us impotence."
Costa Rica face Italy next in Group D before facing England as they seek to qualify for the last 16 for just a second time.
The 59-year-old said his side were forced to pay for their mistakes and insisted they can bounce back from their opening World Cup defeat
Greece coach Fernando Santos refused to brand his side's 3-0 defeat to Colombia on Saturday as a "tragedy" but merely a "setback".
Pablo Armero, Teofilo Gutierrez and James Rodriguez were on target to ensure Greece's World Cup campaign got off to a miserable start in Belo Horizonte.
The Euro 2004 champions were not completely bereft of chances, with Theofanis Gekas hitting the crossbar from six yards out for a chance to pull a goal back when the South Americans were 2-0 up.
The defeat dents Greece's hopes of making it out of a World Cup group for the first time, but Santos insists all is not lost.
"It's not a tragedy," he told reporters. "It is a setback that complicates the situation.
"I will talk with my players, we will look at our mistakes to correct the situation and in the next two matches we will present ourselves better.
"Congratulations to Colombia, they were the better team and fairly won 3-0. We had opportunities, we had effort but we paid for our mistakes."
Greece will hope to turn their World Cup fortunes around when they face Japan on Wednesday before clashing with Cote d'Ivoire on June 24. The European nation's upcoming opponents face each other at 03:00CET on Sunday.
By Robin Bairner in Fortaleza
Jun 14, 2014 11:49:00 PM
The coach cast doubt on whether the Liverpool forward would be fit to return on Thursday, after missing out on their shock 3-1 defeat to Costa Rica
Uruguay boss Oscar Tabarez says Luis Suarez is a major doubt to be fit for their crucial World Cup clash with England on Thursday.
The Celeste were stunned by Costa Rica on Saturday, falling to a 3-1 defeat after Edinson Cavani had given them the lead in the first half.
Despite Suarez warming up on the sidelines in the second half, he was not sent on to help save the day as Uruguay's defence crumbled and the goals started piling in for the Concacaf nation.
Tabarez claims the Liverpool striker demanded to be part of the squad, despite not being fit to play, and the coach has doubts he will fully recover to feature against the Three Lions from the start.
"Luis Suarez is no longer injured, because he wouldn’t have been a substitute if he was," he said. "He has gone through the phases that we have foreseen in his recovery and we will have to see if he can find fitness.
"As we said from the beginning, if he meets the challenges, we will see how he can get into the team - and at which point. For us, he is a key player. He has great potential and has a lot to contribute to the team.
"We need him to reach a point where he can play in a match. It was he who demanded to be on the bench, not watching from the stands. It would have been very difficult for him to play though.
"He was a serious doubt, you need to have a certain fitness level - you need to be able to reach the highest standard. There were certain concerns over his fitness and it was very improbable that he would play. We will see about England."
Costa Rica's win over the 2010 World Cup semi-finalists was one of the biggest shocks of the Brazil competition and Tabarez was under no illusions how important beating England is if they want to reach the knockout stage.
"Costa Rica took advantage of the opportunities they had in the second half," he said. "It was a very tough blow.
"But we did not underestimate Costa Rica. We conceded goals that we do not usually concede, but we have to accept the result. We will have to recover in the next game."
As the Three Lions' bench celebrated Daniel Sturridge's first-half equaliser against Italy in Manaus, the 50-year-old dislocated his ankle and was stretchered off
England physio Gary Lewin suffered a dislocated ankle during The Three Lions' World Cup opener against Italy.
As Daniel Sturridge equalised for The Three Lions, the physio was caught amongst the celebrations on the bench and fell to the ground.
The incident caused the game to be held up as a stretcher was called to take Lewin away for further assessment.
England will be keen to take full advantage of Costa Rica's shock 3-1 win over fancied Group D side Uruguay, with Sturridge's equaliser cancelling out Claudio Marchisio's opener in Manaus.
Uruguay are England's next opponents, on Thursday.
England 1-2 Italy: Balotelli heads Azzurri to victory
Jun 15, 2014 12:54:00 AM
Claudio Marchisio and Mario Balotelli sandwiched a Daniel Sturridge strike to give Cesare Prandelli's men all three points from their opener against Roy Hodgson's charges
Italy made the perfect start to their World Cup campaign, beating Group D rivals England 2-1 in Manaus on Saturday.
Labelled as the 'rumble in jungle' heading into the match, Italy continued their domination over England thanks to goals from Claudio Marchisio and Mario Balotelli at the Arena Amazonia.
Daniel Sturridge had England on level terms at half-time, after cancelling out Marchisio's 35th-minute opener within two minutes.
But Balotelli repaid the faith shown in him by coach Cesare Prandelli, popping up to head home the winner five minutes after the break as England were left with just two wins in their past 12 international meetings against Italy.
The Azzurri are back in action against Costa Rica on Friday, while England face Uruguay a day earlier.
Roy Hodgson made just one change from the team that stuttered to a goalless draw against Honduras in their final warm-up match, with Raheem Sterling free from suspension to replace Adam Lallana in midfield.
It was a different story for Italy, who were forced into two changes.
Captain Gianluigi Buffon failed to overcome an ankle strain and was replaced by Salvatore Sirigu in goal, while full-back Mattia De Sciglio also dropped out through injury and Matteo Darmian took his place in the starting XI.
Up front, Prandelli decided to stick with wayward striker Balotelli, despite Ciro Immobile's hat-trick display against Brazilian club Fluminense midweek.
Much had been said about the weather in Manaus leading into the match but conditions did not affect the early exchanges as both teams pressed forward.
Although, as far as chances were concerned inside the opening 20 minutes, both sides were limited to long-range efforts, with Sterling, Jordan Henderson and Antonio Candreva trying their luck from distance.
England did come close to breaking the deadlock in the 23rd minute, albeit fortuitously, when Danny Welbeck's low pass across the penalty area deflected off Andrea Barzagli and just narrowly wide of the far post with Sturridge lurking.
However, it was Italy who opened the scoring courtesy of Marchisio 11 minutes before the half-time interval after a well-executed short corner.
Candreva passed to Andrea Pirlo on the edge of the box and the veteran midfielder let the ball run through to Marchisio, who fired a low shot past goalkeeper Joe Hart from 25 yards.
The Italian's lead was short-lived as their lack of pace in defence was exposed two minutes later.
After a swift counter-attacking move, Wayne Rooney was freed on the left and delivered an inch-perfect cross for Sturridge to convert on the half volley.
England and Italy went into the break on level terms but it took the four-time world champions just five minutes of the second half to restore their lead, this time thanks to Balotelli.
Candreva was in the thick of the action again, beating Leighton Baines to pick out Balotelli at the back post and the AC Milan striker leapt highest to nod home his first international goal since October last year.
Rooney had a great chance to restore parity and net his first World Cup goal, however, he fluffed his lines inside the penalty area on the hour-mark.
Hodgson introduced midfield trio Ross Barkley, Jack Wilshere and Adam Lallana in search of an equaliser but it was Italy that came closest to a late goal with Pirlo hitting the crossbar with a free-kick in stoppage time, as they emerged triumphant in just their second World Cup clash against England.
The striker assisted Daniel Sturridge's goal but looked otherwise out of sorts on the left, and then right, of a front four - missing a golden chance to earn England a point
England manager Roy Hodgson has launched a staunch defence of Wayne Rooney’s performance during his side’s defeat to Italy in their World Cup opener.
The Manchester United star provided the assist for Daniel Sturridge’s equaliser but was otherwise out of sorts stationed out on the left wing and missed a golden chance to earn England a point when he dragged his shot from 12 yards narrowly wide.
Rooney has now gone nine World Cup matches without scoring a goal but Hodgson insists he still has a vital part to play ahead of a must-win encounter against Uruguay on Thursday.
"I think it's very harsh to say he didn't look comfortable on the left," Hodgson told the BBC when it was suggested Rooney struggled on the wing.
"I thought he actually did very well and set up our goal with a fine piece of play. We know we can play Wayne in many different positions and I think he has to be pretty satisfied with his performance.
"It's looking for things to suggest he didn't do well in that position because I think he did."
Hodgson stressed England were unlucky to end the game empty-handed, and praised the efforts of his other attacking talents Danny Welbeck, Daniel Sturridge and youngster Raheem Sterling.
He continued: "Raheem Sterling was very, very dangerous throughout the game. The front players in the first half; Sturridge I thought was excellent right the way through.
"Welbeck had some very good moments and Steven Gerrard and Jordan Henderson did exactly what I expected of them.
"It's a bit tough at the moment to accept we've lost the game because, especially in the second half, there were so few shots on our goal. Joe Hart has had a pretty quiet evening really and yet in the end we find ourselves having lost it.
"We know we played against a good team, we know Italy will be there or thereabouts so to take them so close gives us great confidence that going forward we can do well against Uruguay and Costa Rica and still progress in the tournament.
England now face a Uruguay side who also lost their opening group game - a 3-1 reverse to Costa Rica - but Hodgson has backed his players to take heart from their performance heading into Thursday's clash.
"We are a bit down-hearted and sad the game didn't go our way. We were hoping for a perfect start. I've got great confidence we can do well enough in the next two games to qualify," he concluded.
The coach was pleased with the way that his team stifled the Three Lions' attackers but hopes in future World Cup matches that his wide players can be better utilised
Cesare Prandelli believes England have one of the best attacks at the World Cup and was thrilled to see Italy defeat them 2-1 on Saturday.
The Three Lions started stronger but the Azzurri took the lead - Claudio Marchisio striking from distance after a set piece routine straight out of the training ground.
England responded with a Daniel Sturridge goal before half-time, but Mario Balotelli's header early in the second half gave all three points to the four-time world champions.
Prandelli was proud that his Italy team held off Roy Hodgson's attackers, whom he considers to be among the greatest in the tournament, for most of the match and was thrilled to see his tactics pay off in Manaus.
"Our logic was that we don't have players who are explosive and as powerful as England so we had to enhance the abilities of our players," the trainer said.
"They have technical players who are very good, in the first half we had better position, we could've been better in defence but this is the way to go.
"We thought that we would line up with Daniele De Rossi, Marco Verratti and Andrea Pirlo in the centre of midfield to try to have the numerical superiority.
"We did have it at times but we need to improve in vertical play, because Antonio Candreva and Claudio Marchisio were always in the right position.
"We balanced our game because England are a very strong team, four or five players have an amazing ability to sprint. In 90 minutes you can't be perfect and there were a few moments we were caught out.
"Teams change and they evolve; England play differently than 20 years ago. Up until a few years ago they played long balls and headers, but now they are very good, not just one on one but they play incisive passes.
"We knew because England changed a lot, that they play a version of 4-2-3-1 and they have one of the strongest attacks at the World Cup. That's why I am satisfied because we played a really great team."
Italy will hope to continue with their winning ways when they face Costa Rica on Friday before coming up against Uruguay on June 24.
Regardless of what happens for the rest of the tournament, they have already picked up more points in this World Cup than they did in the entirety of the last competition four years ago.
Cote d'Ivoire 2-1 Japan : Gervinho & Bony head home to deny Honda hammering
Jun 15, 2014 3:52:00 AM
The AC Milan man had put Alberto Zaccheroni's men into the lead but two nodded goals in the second half sealed a comeback, inspired by Didier Drogba's substitute arrival
Second-half headers from Wilfried Bony and Gervinho completed a Cote d'Ivoire comeback as they defeated Japan 2-1 on Saturday.
Keisuke Honda put Alberto Zaccheroni's men into the lead with a wonderful finish, controlling the ball in the box with his first touch then hammering into the top corner at the near post with his second touch.
Sabri Lamouchi's team were profligate in the first half but Didier Drogba's arrival in the second half sparked the Elephants into life and quickfire headers midway through the second half turned the scoreline on its head.
Full-back Serge Aurier created both goals with impressive crosses from the right with Bony and Gervinho taking advantage, although the latter benefited from poor goalkeeping from Japan's Eiji Kawashima.
Saturday's game was the first time Cote d'Ivoire have won their opening fixture at a World Cup as the African nation look to claim a maiden berth in the knockout stages in their third consecutive appearance at the global tournament.
The shock in the two starting line-ups was the absence of captain Drogba from Cote d'Ivoire's XI, after he failed to recover from a thigh strain suffered at training on Wednesday.
Bony took Drogba's spot up front, while coach Sabri Lamouchi made two other changes to the XI that began Cote d'Ivoire's 2-1 win over El Salvador with Kolo Toure - who had struggled with malaria before the tournament - and Max Gradel being replaced by Didier Zokora and Yaya Toure.
Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni recalled Makoto Hasebe after the captain recovered from a knee injury to make just his third appearance for club or country this year.
Hasebe started as one of two holding midfielders alongside Hotaru Yamaguchi, while Yuya Osako got the nod in Japan's most troublesome position: centre forward.
Of the four strikers in Zaccheroni's squad, Osako was the only one yet to have scored for Japan in 2014 but started at the point of their attack ahead of Shinji Okazaki, Yoshito Okubo and Yoichiro Kakitani.
Okazaki started on the right wing, while Okubo and Kakitani were named on the bench.
Cote d'Ivoire had 59.7 per cent possession in the first half with the Africans starting stronger, as Bony received the ball in the box before his shot was deflected past the post in the sixth minute.
But Japan edged their way into the game and in the 16th minute they hit the front.
Yuto Nagatomo collected a throw-in and fed Honda on the edge of the box, and the Milan man slipped away from Toure and fired a thunderous strike into the top corner.
Atsuto Uchida could have made it 2-0 five minutes later but the full-back's powerful drive was parried by Boubacar Barry, before Cote d'Ivoire's goalkeeper was almost chipped by Honda.
While the Elephants had more of the ball, they generally struggled to break down Japan's well-organised defence and their best opportunities came on the counter-attack.
After Toure and Arthur Boka just missed the target with free kicks, Gervinho got free on the break in the 34th minute only for a scrambling Maya Yoshida to block his shot with a sliding challenge.
Honda slalomed through the opposition defence soon after only to watch his deflected shot loop over the bar, while Ivory Coast had a couple of half chances to Salomon Kalou and Boka but were unable to beat Kawashima.
After a frantic first half, the second started slightly slower but in the 57th minute Cote d'Ivoire had a penalty claim ignored after Toure's drive into the box ended with a stumble following Yoshida's sliding challenge.
Drogba was brought on in the 62nd minute for Serey Die and almost created a goal immediately with a back-heel to Gervinho before Japan's defence scrambled the ball clear.
But Cote d'Ivoire fans did not need to wait long for an equaliser with Bony getting between Yoshida and Masato Morishige to nod Aurier's fine cross past Kawashima in the 64th minute.
A cross from Aurier set up Ivory Coast's second goal soon after but Kawashima would have been unhappy with his effort, failing to stop Gervinho's header despite getting two hands to the ball at the near post.
Kawashima did better in the 82nd minute, parrying Drogba's free-kick away, while the striker had a shot deflected past the post soon after.
But it mattered little as Cote d'Ivoire moved into second in Group C behind Colombia ahead of their clash on Thursday, while Japan face Greece on the same day.
End to Franjic's World Cup gives McGowan Socceroos chance
Sun Jun 15, 2014 4:13pm BST
Australia's Ivan Franjic receives medical attention during their 2014 World Cup Group B soccer match against Chile at the Pantanal arena in Cuiaba June 13, 2014. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh
(Reuters) - Ryan McGowan looks set to step into the right back role for Australia after Ivan Franjic's World Cup was ended by a hamstring tear sustained in the Socceroos' 3-1 defeat to Chile.
McGowan, who more usually plays at centre back, replaced Franjic soon after halftime in Cuiaba on Friday and coach Ange Postecoglou suggested he would get the starting role against the Netherlands in Porto Alegre on Wednesday.
"Ryan is a solution, there could be a couple of different things in the way we approach things," he told reporters.
"Holland represents a different problem to Chile, so we'll have a look in the next couple of days."
Australia were largely encouraged by their battling performance against Chile but the Dutch will present a much greater challenge judging by their performance in the 5-1 win over world champions Spain in the Group B opener.
With his defence preparing to face a Dutch attack that ran rampant in Salvador, Postecoglou may end up regretting his last-minute decision to leave Luke Wilkshire, who has won 80 caps for his country at right back, out of his final 23-man squad.
McGowan has some experience of the role from his days at Hearts in Scotland but was given a torrid time by Brazil's Neymar when he lined up on the right side of the defence in Australia's 6-0 humbling in Brasilia last year.
Franjic, 26, admitted he was shattered after scans confirmed he had torn his left hamstring.
"Shattered to get the bad news that ends my @fifaworldcup but I would not change anything for the world," he said on Instagram.
"Everything happens for a reason in life and this will only make me stronger. I will be standing by the boys all the way and still believe we can progress from the group stage."
(Reporting by Nick Mulvenney in Natal, editing by Justin Palmer)
By Mark Gleeson
SALVADOR Brazil Sun Jun 15, 2014 3:28pm BST
Ivory Coast's Gervinho (L) celebrates with teammate Didier Drogba after scoring a goal during their 2014 World Cup Group C football match against Japan at the Pernambuco arena in Recife June 14, 2014. REUTERS/Yves Herman
(Reuters) - Didier Drogba proved a talismanic influence in helping the Ivory Coast to win their opening World Cup encounter but the ageing striker could be confined to a role as an impact player, coming off the bench at the tournament supposed to be his swansong.
The 36-year-old came on as a substitute, just after the hour mark, to spark a come-from-behind 2-1 victory for his country over Japan in a rain-drenched Recife on Saturday. But while Drogba, whose post-World Cup future is unclear, will be itching for a place in the staring line-up for the next game against Colombia in Brasilia on Thursday, his impact at the Pernambuco arena could well have marked his card. Coach Sabri Lamouchi was full of platitudes for Drogba after Saturday’s win but also made clear a lack of confidence in the imposing striker’s conditioning. “Part of leaving him on the bench was to do with strategy, part of it was his fitness,” Lamouchi said.
“The last time he played 90 minutes was a few months ago in Turkey and he's had an injury since then.”
Drogba’s once automatic place in the team was filled by Wilfried Bony, who repaid his coach’s faith with the equaliser after Japan had taken a 1-0 half-time lead.
Bony has been knocking on the door of starting 11 selection for a while, scoring three goals in five World Cup qualifiers. Even though the Elephants did not score until Drogba came on, they set up several chances before his entry on the back of impressive pace – provided by Gervinho, midfielder Serey Die and flying fullback Serge Aurier for Bony and frontline partner Salomon Kalou.
Yaya Toure filled Drogba’s boots as the on-field leader and pointedly did not hand over the captain’s armband when Drogba came on in the 62nd minute.
It was Lamouchi who did the unthinkable at the African Nations Cup finals in South Africa last year by dropping the two-time African Footballer of the Year because he was not fit enough.
Then, Drogba was just coming off a two-months hiatus at the end of a brief spell in China and the coach stamped his authority on the team by putting the iconic player on the bench. This time Drogba is also playing catch-up with his fitness but having made such an impact after coming on against the Japanese on Saturday, there must now be a major temptation to hand him a new role – that of super sub.
Greece coach Santos issues wakeup call for players
By Karolos Grohmann
BELO HORIZONTE Brazil Sun Jun 15, 2014 3:26pm BST
Greece's coach Fernando Santos react during the 2014 World Cup Group C football match between Colombia and Greece at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte June 14, 2014. REUTERS/Sergio Perez
(Reuters) - Greece kept up its negative tradition of conceding an early goal in their World Cup opening match when they lost 3-0 to Colombia with coach Fernando Santos urging his players to wake up and smell the proverbial Brazilian coffee.
This is the third time Greece let in an early goal at a World Cup after conceding a second minute goal against Argentina in 1994 and a seventh minute goal in 2010 against South Korea in their group opener of their two previous appearances.
This time it was the fifth minute when Colombia struck to take the lead and finish off their opponents with two more goals in the second half.
"Some of my players have to understand there are more group games coming, this is not over," Santos told reporters. "Some of them did not seem to realise where we are and what we have to do."
The Greeks, who have never progressed past the group stage and have conceded at least a goal in every previous World Cup game, are once more with their backs to the wall early in a tournament with Japan, who lost 2-1 to Ivory Coast on Saturday, awaiting on June 19 in Natal.
A second defeat will see them almost certainly eliminated from the competition.
Santos will have to act quickly if they are to have any hopes of advancing with changes to a team that played well after falling behind but squandered several good chances to score.
Left back Jose Holebas was again the Greeks' weak link - just like two years ago at the Euro 2012 - with the Colombians in the first half alone charging 62 percent of the times down his side and just 12 percent across the other side of the pitch.
Colombia's Juan Cuadrado repeatedly left Holebas rooted on the spot, including when he charged past him to float a low cross in the box for his side to take the lead.
Santos refused to single out his player for criticism but said: "We knew Cuadrado would play like that. There were mistakes made."
Another change he could be considering is introducing Yannis Fetfatzidis from the start after the highly-skilled diminutive midfielder instantly added some badly-missing spark down the right when he came on against Colombia in the second half.
Santos could also start with striker Kostas Mitroglou, only recently back from a knee injury, after 34-year-old veteran Fanis Gekas' contribution to the game on Saturday was a solitary header onto the crossbar.
Mitroglou, Greece's top striker, was brought in late in the game but had little time to make any impact but that could change against Japan next week.
"This defeat makes things very difficult for us," Santos said. "I will talk to my players, we will study our mistakes and we will correct this situation."
"We will present ourselves in a much better state in the coming two games," said the Portuguese.
(Reporting by Karolos Grohmann, Editing by Nigel Hunt)
The Argentina great has criticised the reigning world and European champions for failing to evolve and says the rest of the world now know just how to expose them
Diego Maradona believes Spain's tiki-taka approach is dead and says their style has been exposed on the back of their 5-1 thrashing at the hands of Netherlands.
Spain were undone by the Dutch counterattack in Salvador, with Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie both scoring twice and Stefan De Vrij adding another as Louis van Gaal's side recovered from falling behind to Xabi Alonso's first-half penalty.
And Maradona believes Vicente del Bosque has been guilty of failing to heed the warnings of Barcelona's struggles this season, resulting in Friday's capitulation.
"That the Spanish team has been ageing became evident when they lined up for their opening Group B clash against The Netherlands," the 53-year-Argentina legend wrote in his column for the Time of India.
"Spain have been playing tiki-taka for quite some time now. It's a wonderful way of playing football, and fans and experts from all over the world have wholeheartedly shown their affection for this brand of game. It won them three consecutive big tournaments from 2008 to 2012.
"But [Vicente del Bosque] should have kept in mind that clubs in Europe have found an answer to Barcelona's style, which is very similar to what their national team plays. A fast-paced policy based on counterattacks has worked well against them.
"Spain have refused to change despite critics repeatedly pointing out that their style has been exposed."
La Roja suffered the worst ever defeat by a defending champion in the first game of a World Cup, and only their second loss in 55 games, prompting Maradona to praise the Netherlands for the way they went about the match.
"The Oranje once again revolutionised modern football," the 1986 World Cup winner continued.
"Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben were in great rhythm and their brilliance was too much for the reigning champions.
"The Spanish defence had no clue. Neither was Iker Casillas at his best under the bar.
"Louis van Gaal did a fantastic job with a relatively young Dutch side that gave their all against the world champions and earned an astounding victory. It should help them avoid Brazil in the second round."
The Italian lamented the lack of intensity that his side showed after a positive start against Ivory Coast, suggesting they gave their opponents too much space
Alberto Zaccheroni criticised Japan for not playing aggressively enough as they fell to a 2-1 Group C defeat to Ivory Coast in Recife.
Keisuke Honda gave the Samurai Blue a 16th-minute lead but two goals in as many second-half minutes from Wilfried Bony and Gervinho earned three points for the West Africans.
Zaccheroni expressed his frustration at the manner in which his side surrendered the initiative and felt Japan did not play with sufficient dynamism after taking the lead, simply allowing the Elephants too much time and space.
"In general we started well and played dynamically in the opening stages," the 61-year-old told reporters after the game.
"As for what happened, Ivory Coast increased their strength and were able to beat us. It was true in the last 20 minutes of the first half as well, but we weren't able to attack them enough.
"We let them attack us when we should have played more aggressively. We gave their players too much space and didn't play well defensively or offensively.
"Ivory Coast won because they had space. Normally we can play quickly, but tonight we gave them too much room."
Japan now face Greece on June 19 and Colombia on June 24, with Zaccheroni insisting there is more to come from his team and they have not yet given up hope of progressing beyond the group stages.
"We have two games left and now we have to improve our morale," he continued.
"We have to play better than we did tonight, and if we can do that then we know we're capable of producing good results. The past is in the past; what's important is what's coming next.
"Normally we know what we have to do, and when we accomplish that our results are fantastic. Tonight we didn't just play an excellent opponent, but we didn't play to our standards."
Rooney should play in the centre for England, says Mourinho
By Chris Davie
Jun 15, 2014 2:29:00 PM
The Chelsea boss believes the 28-year-old would be better suited to a central role but insists England's display against Italy was their best at a World Cup in recent memory
Jose Mourinho believes Wayne Rooney is not being played in his most effective position, but praised England's performance in Saturday's defeat to Italy.
Despite getting an assist for Daniel Sturridge's equalising goal in the first half, Rooney has faced criticism for his display against Italy as well as in fixtures leading up to the World Cup.
However, the Chelsea manager says the 28-year-old's talents are wasted on the left side, insisting he would thrive in a central role.
"I don’t think it is the best position for Wayne," Mourinho told Eurosport.
"But I think many, many times players must make sacrifices for their team and I think Wayne did well.
"I think in this moment after defeat it is quite easy and it is a normal tendency to try and find the reasons for the defeat but I think it is fair to say that the reason for the England defeat was a great Italy.
"Obviously Roy was trying to play at the same time Rooney, Sterling and Welbeck with Sturridge, and to do that somebody has to play a bit more on the side and Wayne did his job.
"He got an assist for the goal with good participation in the game. But he loses a bit of his danger because he is naturally a goalscorer when he plays more in central positions."
England face Uruguay, who lost 3-1 to Costa Rica, in their second Group D fixture on Thursday and Mourinho feels Hodgson’s men can take positives from their defeat.
"England played very, very well," said Mourinho.
"I don’t remember seeing England play so well in an important competition like the World Cup.
"In the next match against Uruguay it is forbidden to lose. In my opinion the English team had a very, very good positive game [against Italy]."
The Eastern European side are preparing to play in their first ever match in the tournament but the 59-year-old insists they should not be underestimated
Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella has refused to acknowledge that his side are favourites to beat Bosnia-Herzegovina ahead of their World Cup match, stressing they must not be underestimated.
Safet Susic's men are playing in their first ever World Cup as an independent nation and kick their tournament off against the South Americans, who are one of the favourites to win it outright.
However, despite boasting players of the calibre of Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria and Sergio Aguero, Sabella insists the Eastern Europeans cannot be underestimated in their first game.
"I do not like the word 'favourite'," Sabella told L’Equipe. "So I leave it to others."
"Today, more and more teams are at the same level in football. More and more, the word 'favourite' loses its meaning. The first match is always very difficult, you play under pressure.
"We are impatiently awaiting the first match. It’s an immense joy to be in this group."
Sabella also referenced the immense travelling Argentine support gathering in Rio de Janeiro.
"I want to send a message of thanks and of appreciation to our compatriots who have come to Brazil and we will give our maximum to achieve our aim. When one wears the Argentine shirt, there is a responsibility. One must honour the shirt."
The 27-year-old was forced to stop after only 10 minutes of Sunday's session, leaving him as a concern for the Selecao's next match
Hulk limped out of Brazil training on Sunday morning, leaving the striker as a doubt to feature in the World Cup hosts’ second match of the competition against Mexico on Tuesday.
The Zenit St. Petersburg forward featured as the Selecao kicked off the competition with a 3-1 success over Croatia, though he was forced to leave his team-mates prematurely as they continued their build up for the North Americans, who they will meet at Fortaleza’s Stadio Castelao.
After taking part in training for about 10 minutes on Sunday, the forward was forced out with a thigh problem.
Although team doctors have not yet commented on the severity of the problem, there is a chance that the forward could miss the Mexico clash.
His absence would force head coach Luis Felipe Scolari to change the dynamic of the side, with some suggestions that Ramires could be drafted in as an additional body in the midfield, though Bernard, who replaced the 27-year-old midway through the second half of the opening game, and Willian would represent more attack-minded alternatives.
Hulk has won 36 caps in total for his country and has scored nine goals in those fixtures, often playing out on the right wing, which allows him to cut inside and shoot off his stronger left foot.
Ahead of France's World Cup opener against Honduras on Sunday, the forward has lamented the loss of the Ballon d'Or nominee
France striker Karim Benzema has lamented the timing of an injury that will keep Franck Ribery from playing at the World Cup.
Although the Bayern Munich winger was initially named in Didier Deschamps' 23-man squad to travel to Brazil, he had to withdraw because of ongoing back trouble.
And Benzema admitted the absence of their star player has affected them heading into the tournament but says they can compensate for the loss.
"It's unfortunate for both Franck and us," the Real Madrid attacker told the Times of India. "He was so keen to play the World Cup, but he picked up this injury at a horrible time. When a player of his calibre is not available, you are bound to feel it.
"Injuries are part and parcel of a professional footballer's life. It was most unfortunate, especially since it involved one of our best players.
"But we are preparing ourselves in the best possible manner and we all know Franck will be with us, supporting all of us, during the tournament."
Les Bleus, meanwhile, have been handed a draw perceived to be kind, though the 26-year-old is certainly not treating France's opponents lightly.
"Well, I am aware of the surprises involved in a World Cup. Our coach, the former captain of the World Cup winning 1998 team, Didier Deschamps, has clearly defined what our roles should be during the first round and the targets we are looking to achieve at the World Cup.
"We need to qualify from the group first and for that we need to play three very, very good games.
"There are no easy games in a World Cup."
After an early exit in 2010, France are aiming for the last 16 this time around and must negotiate Switzerland and Ecuador, as well as the Central Americans, if they are to reach that stage.
Switzerland 2-1 Ecuador: Seferovic's injury-time winner gives La Nati the win
Jun 15, 2014 6:52:00 PM
The South Americans took the lead in the first half but an Admir Mehmedi header levelled the score before his fellow substitute secured the win deep into injury time
A pair of inspired substitutions from Ottmar Hitzfeld earned Switzerland a 2-1 comeback World Cup win over Ecuador in Group E.
The in-form Enner Valencia scored his fifth goal in the past five international appearances to give the South Americans the lead after 22 minutes but Admir Mehmedi levelled three minutes after coming on as a half-time substitute.
Both those goals came about as a result of poor set-peice marking, but Switzerland took the points in dramatic fashion courtesy of a clinical counter-attack deep into injury time.
Mehmedi’s fellow replacement Haris Seferovic, who last netted for his club, Real Sociedad, in November, was on hand to convert Ricardo Rodriguez's low cross to spark wild celebrations from the Swiss.
Ecuador made a high-tempo start to the match, launching attack after attack during the opening minutes but the Switzerland defence stood firm.
Their lone striker, Josip Drmic, had a sight of goal in the 12th minute, only for Jorge Guagua to make a timely challenge as the Europeans found their feet.
Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri tried their luck from outside the box - the latter's strike grasped at the second attempt by goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez, who then spilt a 19th-minute shot from full-back Rodriguez behind.
And so it was slightly against the run of play when Valencia headed home Walter Ayovi's pinpoint delivery as Switzerland's customary set-piece solidity deserted them.
Valencia has played a more forward role in the Ecuador team since the death of Christian Benitez last July and, as part of their celebrations, the Ecuador players pointed to the sky in tribute to their late team-mate.
Dominguez showed more assured handling when Valon Behrami headed Shaqiri's corner goalwards and the Ecuador goalkeeper then got a vital touch to send Gokhan Inler's low 36th-minute drive around the post.
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Ecuador looked to extend their lead two minutes before the break but Johan Djourou made a last-ditch block to deny Jefferson Montero after Felipe Caicedo had played the winger in.
Mehmedi was introduced at the resumption and Hitzfeld's decision to bolster his attack paid almost instant dividends. Just as Switzerland's marking was found wanting for the game's opening goal, Ecuador allowed the Freiburg forward far too much room to head Rodriguez's corner into the net.
Both teams refused to take a backwards step following the equaliser, Valencia remaining heavily involved as he weaved inside to ripple to top of the netting with an hour played.
Ecuador's pace on the counter-attack became an increasing threat and Diego Benaglio made a fine save after his defenders backed off the rampaging Montero, while Drmic scrambled the ball home from an offside position at the other end with 20 minutes to go.
Shaqiri drilled into the side netting with team-mates well placed inside him, while Valencia almost capitalised on a rush of blood from Benaglio, but the goalkeeper was let off the hook.
Ecuador sub Michael Arroyo erred in delaying his shot in stoppage time, allowing Switzerland to break and after Behrami had made a superb tackle to set them away, Seferovic made no such mistake when he fired home the winner with virtually the last kick.
Switzerland must tackle France in Salvador on Friday, while Honduras are next up for Ecuador later on the same day in Curitiba.
