Belgium's forward Romelu Lukakus scores during the friendly football match between Belgium and Luxembourg at the Fenix Stadium, on May 26, 2014 in Genk. PHOTO : AFP
Lukaku, who had an excellent season on loan with Everton from Chelsea, scoring 15 goals in the Premier League, was joined on the scoresheet by Tottenham Hotspur’s Nacer Chadli and VfL Wolfsburg’s former Chelsea attacking midfielder Kevin de Bruyne.
The game was also notable for the first appearance in the Belgian colours by Adnan Januzaj, the Manchester United teenager who had been coveted by several other countries for whom he was eligible to play before he finally opted for the ‘Red Devils’ in late April.
Januzaj did not disappoint after he replaced playmaker Eden Hazard displaying some nice deft touches. However, he will face far sterner examinations come the finals in Brazil.
Japan struggle to win against Cyprus
Defender Atsuto Uchida spared Japan’s blushes with a 43rd-minute winner as the Asian champions struggled to a uninspiring 1-0 win against Cyprus in their final home World Cup warm-up Tuesday.
Japan, who looked heavy-legged after a punishing training camp last week, face Ivory Coast in their opening game at the World Cup in Brazil on June 14.
Right-back Uchida broke the deadlock in Saitama when he stabbed home a loose ball after Shinji Kagawa’s close-range effort had been blocked, registering only his second goal in 66 internationals.
“It was nice to score coming back from injury,” said Uchida, who celebrated his strike by sprinting to the touchline to hug Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni.
“I wanted to show gratitude to the people who stuck by me when I was hurt.”
Brazuca to be fitted with cameras
The Brazuca balls to be used in the upcoming World Cup will incorporate six built-in HD cameras, capturing a 360-degree view of the on-field action, according to NDTV.
The Sialkot-made balls will give technology a whole new meaning in the mega event, involving a new structural innovation with a unique symmetry of six identical panels alongside a different surface structure that will provide improved grip, touch, stability and aerodynamics on the pitch.
Around 600 players from 30 professional and national teams in 10 countries were used during a thorough testing process that took over two-and-a-half years.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 28th, 2014.
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