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                        US, Germany Advance in World Cup

   by Carla Babb

   In World Cup football action in Brazil Thursday, the United States and
   Germany advanced to the second round.

   Germany beat the U.S. team 1-0 in Recife, while Portugal beat Ghana 2-1
   in Brasilia in Group G. The U.S. and Portugal both finished with four
   points, but the U.S.won the tiebreaker with a goal difference of three
   better than Portugal in the three group matches

   Germany finished first in the group with seven points. Ghana was fourth
   with one point.

   Torrential rains in Recife, Brazil, caused problems for spectators
   trying to get U.S.-Germany match.

   Ahead of the other Group G game, Ghana's football association approved
   the coach's decision to suspend two players from the team. Kevin-Prince
   Boateng was suspended indefinitely for insulting his coach. Sulley
   Muntari was also suspended indefinitely, but was ineligible for
   Thursday's game anyway after earning two yellow cards.

   Earlier, football's governing body, FIFA, banned Uruguayan player Luis
   Suarez for nine international matches and four months for biting an
   Italian player during Tuesday's World Cup match.  He was also fined
   $112,000 for the incident.

   Television replays show Suarez biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini in the
   shoulder. Officials have suspended Suarez twice before in club play for
   biting opposing players.

   Group H

   During the Group H games later Thursday, qualifier Belgium takes on
   South Korea.

   Algeria is second in the group and goes to the so-called knockout round
   with a win over Russia, but a draw or a loss would open the door to
   South Korea.

   The round of 16 begins Saturday.

   Switzerland, France and Nigeria claimed their spots on Wednesday.

   In other matches later Thursday, Korea takes on Belgium, and Algeria
   battles with Russia.

   Algeria is second in Group H and will go to the knockout round with a
   win over Russia. A draw or a loss would open the door to South Korea.


   Ghana players suspended
   Ahead of Thursday's match with Portugal, Ghana's football association
   approved the coach's decision to suspend two players from the team.

   Ghana's Kevin-Prince Boateng had to sit out due to his indefinite
   suspension for insulting his coach.  Sulley Muntari was also suspended
   indefinitely, but was out after earning two yellow cards.

   FIFA Bans Suarez

   'Earlier, football's governing body, FIFA, banned Uruguay's Luis Suarez
   for nine international matches and four months for biting an Italian
   player during a match earlier this week. He was also fined $112,000 for
   the incident.

   Television replays show Suarez biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini in the
   shoulder.  Officials have suspended Suarez twice before for biting
   opposing players.


   The single-elimination, do-or-die Round of 16 begins Saturday.

   Switzerland, France and Nigeria claimed their spots on Wednesday.
   [1]Click here to check out our World Cup site

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   [2]http://www.voanews.com/content/article/1945596.html

References

   1. http://football.voanews.com/
   2. http://www.voanews.com/content/article/1945596.html