Oh boy Oh boy Oh boy! Brazil 1 - Germany 7 (World Cup semi-finals)

Woh! What a semi-final defeat for the Brazilian team in the 2014 World Cup semi-finals!

Brazil 1 - Germany 7

The goals..

Brazil's coach, Scolari: The Worst Day of My Life..

While Germany's Joachim Low says We need to remain humble.

Will we see another similar upset in today's match or rather tomorrow's match? Argentina vs Netherlands next.

Who are you rooting for?


You may also want to read these:
- FIFA World Cup 2014 - Opening Ceremony, Facts and Schedule
- Another fun day at the World Cup
- 2014 World Cup Results Update
- World Cup - Semi-finals

Image sources:
- fifa.com
- livescore.com

Google doodle for Brazilian Leonidas da Silva

In the sports of football (soccer), Brazil has produced many great talents. Google today honours one of Brazil's greats with a Google doodle.

Today marks the 100th birthday of Leonidas da Silva.

According to Wikipedia..

Leônidas da Silva was an association footballer and commentator. He is regarded to be one of the most important players of the first half of the 20th century. He played for Brazil in two World Cups, and was the top scorer of the 1938 World Cup.

Born: September 6, 1913, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Died: January 24, 2004, Cotia, São Paulo, Brazil

He was known to have perfected the "Bicycle Kick" and used it in a number of games. Most famous of all, he used it on 13 November 1948, in the massive 8–0 victory over Juventus. The play (and the goal) was captured in an image (below) and is regarded to be the most famous picture of the player. In the 1938 World Cup, he also used the bicycle kick, which delighted the watching spectators. When he did it, the referee was so shocked by the volley that he was unsure whether it was within the rules or not. - Wikipedia

Source

46 Places to Go in 2013 - NY Times

Holiday-seekers practically have the world at their feet, what with budget airlines and budget hotels plus a million free seats on AirAsia.

There is a whole lot of places to explore in every corner of the world, from one list of hot spots that CNN suggests on their Top travel destinations for 2013 to more recommendations by New York Times in their The 46 Places to Go in 2013. Let's take a look at this countdown.

Topping the list of 46 places is Rio de Janeiro - because the world will be there in 2014, for the World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Click on image to enlarge it..

That must be Christ the Redeemer on the top left, illuminated, statue of Jesus of Nazareth. According to Wikipedia, it is considered the largest Art Deco statue in the world and the 5th largest statue of Jesus in the world.

Coming in at second place is Marseille, the second largest city in France. An ancient port town on the Mediterranean, it has become a vibrant ethnic melting pot. Marseille is also home to an increasing number of contemporary art and avant-garde performances.

Nicaragua comes in third. The article says it's eco and the food is good. Enough said.

..then Accra in Ghana while Bhutan comes in at fifth spot.

6 Amsterdam
7 Houston
8 Rossland, British Columbia
9 New Delhi
10 Istanbul

11 Singapore (yes, Singapore at 11th) - Spot green shoots in a financial capital.
15 Mongolia
16 The Big Island, Hawaii
17 Philippines - A surfing and beach destination goes luxe.
20 Ningxia, China
27 Changbaishan, China
28 Porto, Portugal
30 Koh Phangan, Thailand - A party island goes upscale and family-friendly.
31 Kalpitiya, Sri Lanka
33 Bangkok - Still the party city of Asia but for a more sophisticated crowd.
42 Mergui Islands, Myanmar - Live-aboard diving in a remote archipelago.
44 Washington, D.C.
45 Casablanca, Morocco
46 Paris

No Malaysia. Even Sri Lanka makes the list, no offence. Surprisingly, Japan doesn't either.

For the full list and why you would want to be in these places, visit NY Times' The 46 Places to Go in 2013.


Image source: NY Times

Brazil celebrates Carnival - Feb 17 to 21

While Argentina is going through the worst train disaster in 40 years, Brazil just concluded their famous annual carnival. It was Samba and glam time as Brazil celebrated Carnival where Samba school dancers took to the streets of Rio de Janeiro.

Fancy Feathers
A reveler from the Vila Isabel samba school dances on the first night of the annual Carnival parade in Rio de Janeiro's Sambadrome on Feb. 20, 2012. Carnival, the biggest and most popular celebration in Brazil, happens in the days leading up to Easter, running all over the country from February 17 to 21.

Sequined Sambadrome
The Imperatriz samba school parades on the first night of the annual Carnival parade in Rio de Janeiro's Sambadrome, Feb. 19, 2012.

Samba Steps
Dancers from the Mocidade samba school perform during the first night of Carnival parade at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro on Feb. 20, 2012.


More images on Time.com

Rio de Janeiro three buildings collapsed in downtown

Oh dear! Looks like the Year of the Dragon is not starting well for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, just when they are gearing up for the soccer World Cup finals this year and the 2016 Olympics Games.

(The Guardian) - Three buildings collapsed on Wednesday night in the Brazilian city, killing at least two people with as many as 20 still missing. The buildings are thought to be commercial, and are located near the city's historic Teatro Municipal. One man described the incident as like watching the twin towers collapse on 9/11. More on The Guardian..Rio de Janeiro buildings collapse, leaving at least two dead


Source: Guardian.co.uk

(Reuters) - Two buildings collapsed in downtown Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday, in the latest incident highlighting the failure of authorities to improve the city's infrastructure amid preparations to host soccer's World Cup and the Olympics.

Rescue crews pulled four people alive from the debris, with no dead bodies found by midnight, City Mayor Eduardo Paes told reporters at the site. More on Reuters..Two buildings collapse in Rio de Janeiro


Source: Reuters.com

(Wall Street Journal) - SÃO PAULO, Brazil—Brazilian investigators searched for clues Thursday to explain the deadly collapse of three buildings in downtown Rio de Janeiro the night before, which killed at least three people and left piles of rubble at the heart of a city preparing to host soccer's 2014 World Cup finals and the 2016 Olympic Games.

With plumes of dust still rising over the disaster scene, rescuers with dogs searched for some 18 people authorities say may be still trapped among the debris. Bulldozers scooped chunks of concrete to be carried away by dump trucks.

The collapse occurred after 8:30 p.m. Wednesday in the city center, adjacent to the Municipal Theater—the nearly century-old beaux-art-styled building where U.S. President Barack Obama addressed Brazil's elites during a visit last year. More on Wall Street Journal..Buildings Collapse in Rio de Janeiro, Killing Three


Source: WSJ.com