'Four years ago, there were goalkeepers that could not deal with the ball just under the bar and now we've got a whole generation of very athletic goalkeepers, who don't let in that kind of ball.'
At the last World Cup in Russia, there was a single goalless draw, when Denmark and France failed to produce goals in a group phase clash.
"No matter how much I can respect what you did inside the pitch, those remarks about Iran culture, Iran national team and my players are a disgrace to football."
FIFA's Technical Study Group (TSG) on Friday shortlisted three players for the Hyundai Best Young Player award, which is presented to the best young footballer in this year's World Cup.
Netherlands' playmaker Wesley Sneijder has been credited with his team's opening goal in their 2-1 quarter-final victory over Brazil by FIFA's Technical Study Group.
Fans from across the globe rather than FIFA officials will determine the man-of-the-match awards at this year's World Cup in South Africa.
- England's goal in their 1-0 win over Paraguay on Saturday was confirmed by FIFA on Sunday as an own goal by Paraguay's captain Carlos Gamarra.
The choice was made by UEFA's eight-man technical study group plus one vote from fans who had named their preferred player on the organisers' website.
A European nation is set to win the World Cup for the fourth time in a row this Sunday and in doing so confirm an unprecedented dominance for the Old World over their once mighty rivals in South America.
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