Powell: I may coach in men's game

Powell: I may coach in men's game
(PA) Thursday 10 December 2009
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Hope Powell, who guided the England women's team to the final of the UEFA European Championship in the summer, has revealed she would consider coaching in the men's game.

Powell was linked with a move to take over at Grimsby after the final against Germany and has admitted she would take the right job if it was offered. "If an opportunity presented itself that I fancied, I'm going to look at it," Powell told the Guardian. "It doesn't mean I'm going to take it, though," she added.

Powell felt there was little difference between coaching women and men, adding: "It's just football to me.

"I think the scrutiny for the first female that does this - and one day I'm sure it will happen, whoever it might be - the press will be phenomenal. And if they failed it would be, 'Well there you go, that's why a woman shouldn't be in men's football', and if they did OK it would be a really difficult position for that person to be in. Really tough.

"It's funny isn't it because nobody ever questions men in women's football, never."

Iwabuchi, Japan's young livewire

Iwabuchi, Japan's young livewire
(FIFA.com) Friday 11 December 2009
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Long considered one of Japanese football’s finest prospects, Mana Iwabuchi is fast becoming a shining star in women’s football. FIFA.com turns the spotlight on the precocious forward who has been voted AFC Women’s Youth Player of the Year for the last two years.

“My strengths are my pace and dribbling skills, so unsurprisingly my hero is Lionel Messi. One day I’d like to play for Barcelona,” says Iwabuchi. “I’m also a fan of Atletico Madrid’s Sergio Aguero. As for female players, I admire Marta,” adds the 16-year-old, who like her role models is short in stature (1.53m) but lightning fast.

At the FIFA U-17 Women World Cup New Zealand 2008, Iwabuchi put in a series of outstanding performances, helping Japan to reach the quarter-finals and winning the adidas Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player. This was the first time a Japanese player, male or female, had picked up the prestigious award, and it represented a milestone for the East Asian nation.
My strengths are my pace and dribbling skills, so unsurprisingly my hero is Lionel Messi. One day I’d like to play for Barcelona
Japan forward Mana Iwabuchi.

During the tournament in New Zealand FIFA.com featured a story on Iwabuchi, entitled 'Japan's Mana from heaven' which brought the world’s attention to the youngster for the first time. However, observers of women’s football in Asia had already spotted her emerging talent when she led her team to the final of the 2007 AFC U-16 Women’s Championship in Malaysia.

At this year’s edition of the AFC U-19 Women's Championship in China, she was handed the No10 shirt and went one better, leading Japan to the title and scooping the Most Valuable Player award in the process. That recognition was only fitting, after she scored the only goal of the semi-final against Korea DPR and then fired the winner with three minutes to go against Korea Republic in the final.

Looking back at the event, Iwabuchi says, “Our manager had to scold us because of our inconsistency. There was also a time, against North Korea for example, when all he had to do was tell us to stick to our game plan and we would prevail.” She takes pride in her individual accolade but is quick to pass on the praise: “I think I got the award due to the fact that our team won the title, so I consider this as team effort. I’m really happy about it.”

Freedom the key
For young Mana, one of the key factors behind her emergence has been the “freedom to play”. Reflecting on last year’s FIFA U-17 Women World Cup, she says, “Our brief was to feel free to express ourselves, and that applied to both the team and the individuals. I really enjoyed being part of that group.”

Iwabuchi revealed that the U-20 side was encouraged to decide on their own objective for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Germany 2010 and that the collective decision was “to aim to win a medal. We have become confident because we won the title in Asia, so we are looking forward to next year.”

Looking ahead, the teenager is at pains not to get ahead of herself: “First I’d like to get my strength up to a par with other players, then become a mainstay of the Japan team and perform well at the Olympics. Sure, I dream about playing abroad, but I’m not in a hurry. I’d like to go overseas but only when I’m confident enough. I’d like to turn out for Barcelona.”

Iwabuchi is not the only rising star in women’s football in Japan. Natsuko Hara was the 2005 AFC Women’s Youth Player of the Year and, though still only 20, has played for Japan at every age level. Hara and Iwabuchi both play for NTV Beleza in the L.League, the women’s equivalent of the J.League. Much is now expected of this gifted duo and an improvement on the top-four finish Japan achieved at the Beijing Olympics should not be discounted at the next Women’s Football Tournament in London come 2012.

Women's round-up: December 2009

Women's round-up: December 2009
(FIFA.com) Wednesday 23 December 2009
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On Monday evening in Zurich, the player many consider to be the finest exponent of the women's game made history by winning a record fourth consecitive FIFA Player of the Year award. The star in question was of course Marta, who told FIFA.com after the ceremony that "it was truly an historic moment".

In our latest roundup from the women's game, you can catch up on our pick of the news stories from December, find out which trophy Marta and her team-mates held aloft this month, and discover some of the countries to watch at the FIFA Women's World Cup 2011™ to be hosted by reigning champions Germany.

Club football
Brazil: Santos celebrate
After securing victory in the Copa Libertadores, Santos have added the Copa do Brasil to their trophy cabinet. The club which boasts both Marta and her no less feted Seleção team-mate Cristiane defeated Botucatu 3-0 in the final, with the FIFA World Player scoring twice and her strike partner grabbing the other. It was a welcome turnaround in Marta's club fortunes, the 23-year-old having managed no better than a championship runners-up medal with former club Los Angeles Sol in the United States' WPS league.

Germany: Frankfurt no longer setting the standards
With such established players as Birgit Prinz, Nadine Angerer and Kerstin Garefrekes as well as the new star of Germany's forward line Dszenifer Marozsan, everyone expected Frankfurt once again to make the running in this year's Bundesliga. To everyone's surprise, however, the first half of the season has seen Turbine Potsdam and 2001 Duisburg emerge as the main title aspirants, the latter securing 10 wins and two draws to remain unbeaten thus far in the championship. Things have gone from bad to worse for the three-time UEFA Cup and seven-time Bundesliga winners, who were dumped unceremoniously out of the German Cup last Saturday, slumping to a 3-0 defeat in Potsdam, for whom Fatmire Bajramaj is emerging as the new darling of the crowds.

USA: Atlanta pick up Bachmann
WPS outfit Atlanta Beat pulled off the transfer deal of the year when they signed Swiss international Ramona Bachmann. The 18-year-old attacker has been a leading player on the European stage for a while now and had spent the last two seasons at top Swedish club Umea IK, helping them to an impressive haul of silverware in both domestic and continental competitions. "I really believe that the WPS will be the best women's football league in the world in 2010," said Bachmann on the official website of her new club. "Atlanta Beat are looking to become the best team in the world and, since it is my aim to become the best player in the world, it's an honour for me to play with them."

National teams
Europe: Sorting the best from the rest
12 teams are taking unbeaten records into the New Year in the European qualifiers for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2011, including a number of surprise packages who will also be hoping to make the play-offs, namely Belarus, Scotland, Hungary, Spain, Russia and Finland. In three of the eight groups, things could hardly be closer, particularly as only the winners will qualify. Poland and the surprisingly strong Hungarians are neck and neck, as are Spain and England and Italy and Finland. France, Norway, Denmark and Sweden meanwhile have all but booked their play-off places in what appear to be less daunting groups.

For more information on qualifying for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2011, please click on the corresponding tournament link in the right-hand menu bar. You will then find "Matches" as well as "Groups and Standings" in the left-hand navigation.

South America: Brazil underline their superiority
The FIFA World Cup runners up and double Olympic silver medallists will need every advantage they can muster if they are to go one step further at the forthcoming FIFA Women's World Cup in Germany. One thing they will not be short on though, is confidence. Just a few days before Marta was voted best women's footballer of the year, she and her Brazilian team-mates cruised to victory in the international women's football tournament in Sao Paulo. They defeated Chile, Mexico and China PR in the four-team competition, and then beat Mexico in the final 5-2 in front of no fewer than 25,000 fans in the Pacaembu Stadium, with Marta bagging a hat-trick.

The quotes
"What's really incredible is seeing so many people looking so delighted. Women's football has become unbelievably popular in Brazil. It's actually become a reality."
Brazil's Marta after their victory in the final in Sao Paulo

"Football has become the number one sport for girls and women."
Germany coach Silvia Neid talking about women's football in her country

Tejedor taking Chile forward
(FIFA.com) Thursday 14 January 2010
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It was two and a half years ago when coach Marta Tejedor left her native Spain and set up home nearly 9,000 kilometres away in Chile. The South Americans were about to host the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2008 and needed an experienced hand not just to take the team into the tournament but to develop a structure for the women’s game there virtually from scratch. It was a challenge the intrepid Tejedor could not refuse.

“The project ties in perfectly with my beliefs and interests and I love the idea of helping women’s football to grow and evolve in a country that is doing so much to promote it,” she tells FIFA.com. “I’m also very passionate about football and I love to compete. There are so many things about this project that appeal to me.”

Tejedor’s new charges did not enjoy much luck on home soil against the world’s best, losing all three of their games in the finals. Even so, they still managed to do a nation proud. “I think the biggest impact the tournament made was at a social level,” explains Tejedor, who holds a degree in Physical Education and obtained her official coaching badge in Spain in 2000, achieving top marks in her year.

“Women’s football is widely accepted today and is an integral part of most clubs, schools, universities and other sporting institutions. Lots of women have taken up the game and the whole process of them coming into football has been accepted as something completely normal, with no barriers being put up or prejudices being shown.”

The Chile coach is well aware that her adopted country is only at the beginning of a long process that will not bear fruit for some time yet. With more and more resources at her disposal, however, she is working hard to bring about real and lasting changes.

With no competitive matches to prepare for in 2009, Tejedor and her colleagues focused their attentions instead on forming the core of the sides that will represent the country in the year ahead, travelling from one end of the country in search of the best players. “The challenge for 2010 is for one of the teams to qualify for a World Cup,” she says.

Major strides
Significant progress has been made in Chilean women’s football over the last two years, as a delighted Tejedor explains. “At club level the women’s first division has consolidated itself, with more and more teams taking part at different age groups. Everton also competed in the Copa Libertadores and finished fourth overall, and the Chilean Cup has just come into existence, with teams from all over the country taking part.”

Understandably, there is still room for improvement. “We need to bring more young players through,” she reveals. “There still aren’t many opportunities for young girls in Chile and if we’re going to get into the elite then we need to start working with players from the age of eight or nine.”
Lots of women have taken up the game and the whole process of them coming into football has been accepted as something completely normal.
Marta Tejedor

So how can that development be achieved? Tejedor believes she knows the answer. “We have to make society see women’s football as something perfectly normal, which would automatically lead to women taking up the game in numbers. We also need to get the clubs involved and keep on improving resources.”

Some of Chile’s brightest hopes have already attracted attention from the leading powers in the women’s game. Valentina Lefort and Maria Jose Rojas have been given scholarships by a university in California, where they are currently studying, and Yessenia Lopez will be moving next year from Everton to Santos of Brazil.

The talent is there
Encouragingly, the rising standard of the domestic league has also attracted foreign players, much to the national coach’s satisfaction. “It’s very interesting to see that players from other South American countries are coming to the Chilean league, which makes it more attractive and improves the quality of the game here.”

2009 was an important year for women’s football in Latin America, with the staging of first women’s Copa Libertadores, a landmark for the sport in this part of the world. “It’s a real source of motivation for the national leagues here and it provides an excellent opportunity to assess the level of development across the continent,” comments Tejedor. “In my view there are six countries who have come on a lot and are leading the way at this moment in time: Brazil, who are way ahead of the rest, Colombia, Paraguay, Chile, Argentina and Ecuador. Some of these countries have very young players, and that shows they have a lot of potential for the future.”

Though content at what she has achieved so far, the Spaniard still has some very lofty ambitions to fulfil. “My dream is to take the full national team to the London Olympics in 2012. Sporting achievements aside, however, I’m happy at just being able to offer as much as I can to a cause that I identify with totally and utterly: the development of women’s football in Chile.”

Women's round-up: January 2010

Women's round-up: January 2010
(FIFA.com) Thursday 28 January 2010
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In our first review of the news and events in women’s football in 2010, FIFA.com looks back on a month in which some familiar names and the odd emerging star caught the eye.

Club Football
WPS wheeling and dealing
As the WPS aims to build on the successes of its first season, its clubs have been busy adding more high-profile names to their star-studded rosters. For Marta’s Los Angeles Sol, that has meant recruiting Danish duo Julie Rydahl Bukh and Cathrine Paaske-Sorenson and the talented Czech Pavlina Scasna. Sol’s changes haven’t been confined to the pitch either, with Charlie Naimo last week appointed acting head coach as the club completes an ownership transition. However, while events in LA have inevitably caught the eye, the biggest WPS event of the past month was undoubtedly the league’s annual Draft. Tobin Heath was the top pick and heads to Atlanta Beat, while the Boston Breakers landed Olympic gold medalist Lauren Cheney as some of the game’s top young talent graduated to the professional arena.

Gunners gaining ground
Sunderland continue to lead the FA Women’s Premier League, but the Wearsiders’ lead is looking increasingly fragile after Arsenal closed the gap to just four points with a 2-1 win over Chelsea last weekend. Due to postponements enforced by UEFA Women’s EURO commitments last year, the Gunners still have six games in hand, while Everton – 13 points behind but with nine games in hand – will also be hopeful of mounting a late charge. Arsenal morale was certainly lifted a couple of weeks ago when they dumped Sunderland out of the FA Cup with a 4-1 win in which rising Scottish star Kim Little scored a hat-trick.

Mid-season boost for Turbine
The Frauen-Bundesliga may be in the midst of its winter break, but leaders Turbine Potsdam still contrived to continue their winning habit. The Brandenburg outfit, who top the table on goal difference, emerged triumphant for a third year in succession in the German Indoor Championship, which has become a traditional event. Turbine also found time to dip into the transfer market, signing Japan international Yuki Nagasato, while relegation-threatened SC Freiburg strengthened their squad with the addition of former Sky Blue duo Mele French and Kelly Parker.

National teams
Japanese joy
Viewed in some quarters as potential dark horses for next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup, Japan reaffirmed their credentials earlier this week by claiming the Bicentennial Cup in Chile. Overcoming a formidable field of rivals that included the hosts, Denmark and Colombia, the Nadeshiko clinched the title on Monday with an emphatic 3-0 win over Argentina in which Manami Nakano, Kozue Ando and Asami Yamaguchi were all on target. For Norio Sasaki’s side, it represented the perfect morale-booster ahead of hosting the East Asian Championship next month, with the AFC Asian Cup to follow two months later in China.

Finns change coaches
A new era has begun in Finland with the appointment of Andree Jeglertz as successor to the long-serving Michael Kald. The Finns reached their first two major tournaments under Kald, who led them to the semi-finals of the UEFA European Women’s Championship in 2005 and then to the quarter-finals of the same tournament last summer. Jeglertz has a hard act to follow therefore, but the 37-year-old has already proved his ability in club football, guiding Umea to consecutive UEFA Women’s Cup titles and winning four Swedish titles in succession.

U-20 jigsaw takes shape
New Zealand became the ninth team to secure their place at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Germany 2010 with a dominant display at the OFC U-20 Women’s Championship. With 16-year-old Rosie White in sparkling form, the Junior Ferns won 8-0 against American Samoa and the Cook Islands before sealing qualification by putting 11 unanswered goals beyond Tonga in the deciding fixture. White, who managed nine goals in three appearances, walked away with the tournament’s Golden Boot and Golden Ball awards and reaffirmed her status as one of the female game’s rising stars. The next Germany 2010 participants will be decided later today, when Canada face Mexico and USA clash with Costa Rica in the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Under-20 Women's Championship.

Development
On the development front, FIFA has begun the new year as it ended the last one: on an extremely positive note. Included in the activity that took place last month were two consultancy missions in south-east Asia - first in Cambodia, then in Laos – which continued the good work of FIFA projects held in the region during 2009. Elsewhere, Namibia again found itself at the centre of FIFA’s focus as it hosted technical and refereeing courses, with participants from the women’s national league as well as the federation’s ‘Galz and Goals’ programme. FIFA will continue to support the promotion of girls’ football in Namibia with a special Grassroots programme during 2010.

The quote
"He is such a good man. I have known him for seven seasons and he has always treated me like a son. He treats everyone with such respect and everyone loves him for that. He's a big help for us here, and he truly deserves this award for what he has done here over the years, for what he has done for the Ladies team, and for the man he is,” Cesc Fabregas pays tribute to Vic Akers after the former Arsenal Ladies manager was awarded an OBE in the British Queen’s New Year’s honours list.

Makukula chasing Portugal return

Makukula chasing Portugal return
(FIFA.com) Thursday 28 January 2010
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Currently thriving on Turkish soil in the latest adventure of his nomadic footballing career, Portugal forward Ariza Makukula is back among the goals and determined to force his way into national coach Carlos Queiroz’s plans for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™.

The son of former Zaire international Kuyangana Makukula, a skilful left-sided player who spent five years in Portuguese football, Makukula junior was born in Kinshasa, in what is now Congo DR, and gained his first taste of the European game with Vitoria Guimaraes in Portugal. Once there, his performances earned him national team recognition with the Selecção das Quinas’ U-21 side, with Makukula taking Portuguese nationality shortly afterwards.

By the age of 19 he was on the move, however, joining Spanish outfit Salamanca where, in the 2001/02 season, he enjoyed one of his most prolific campaigns with a return of 20 goals from 38 matches. By now a regular with Portugal’s U-21s, two seasons with French club Nantes followed before a return to Spain to don the shirt of Valladolid.

Eight goals in 18 games for the tall, physically powerful frontrunner caught the eye of Sevilla, though Makukula’s stint in Andalusia was not a happy one. Serious injury severely restricted his playing opportunities and, after a loan spell at Gimnastic Tarragona, he was on his way back to Portugal.

Storming start
It would prove to be a wise decision. Ahead of the 2007/08 season Maritimo signed the striker on loan, with Makukula one of the star performers of the first half of the Portuguese top-flight campaign. Seven goals and a series of sparkling displays for the Madeira club earned him a senior national-team call-up in October 2007, with the player scoring within 20 minutes of coming on as a substitute on his debut: a 2-1 UEFA EURO 2008 qualifying win in Kazakhstan. Having won the first of four senior caps to date, the goal-getter’s rich vein of form earned a permanent switch to Lisbon giants Benfica come January 2008.

The Estadio da Luz was not a happy hunting ground for the well-travelled attacker, however, with just two goals in eight games to show from his first half season in Os Encarnados' colours. Opportunities were even more scarce come 2008/09, leading to a January 2009 loan switch to England’s Bolton Wanderers, though goals once again proved elusive despite the change of scenery.

An upturn in fortunes would finally arrive after joining Turkish outfit Kayserispor, where Makukula has powered his way to 14 goals in just 16 games. With his team flying high in fourth place in the top flight and buoyed by his scoring exploits, the sharpshooter has stated a return to Portugal duty is “a realistic dream”, despite having yet to be selected during Queiroz’s time at the helm.

And though there are plenty of players vying for contention at the sharp end of the Portuguese attack, nobody has yet made the Selecção das Quinas’ No9 shirt their own with South Africa 2010 fast approaching. An experienced goalscorer with the physical presence to trouble any defence, might make Makukula a smart bet for a place on the Portugal plane this summer.

Cabanas's condition improves

Cabanas's condition improves
(PA) Friday 29 January 2010
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The doctor treating Paraguay international Salvador Cabanas has revealed the swelling on his brain has gone down.

The Club America striker was shot in the head in Mexico City during the early hours of Monday morning following an incident in a city bar. Dr Ernesto Martinez Duhart told a press conference that, although Cabanas remains in a serious condition, there has been a slight improvement.

"Salvador remains delicate, but there are improvements. The new study indicates that the swelling is beginning to subside," said Dr Duhart in an update posted on Club America's official website. "The signs are more stable, this was the best day since he arrived."

Cabanas was transported to an intensive care unit at a local hospital after the incident and was rushed into theatre where doctors made an attempt to remove the bullet lodged in his skull before deciding it would be too dangerous. Cabanas is one of Paraguay's top players and was part of their FIFA World Cup™ squad in Germany four years ago.

The 29-year-old is a prolific goalscorer and was expected to lead Paraguay's attack in South Africa this summer. Sunderland manager Steve Bruce recently revealed he was interested in bringing the striker to the Premier League.

Cabanas, who has scored over 100 times in the Mexican top flight, has netted 18 goals in 24 matches this season.

Ahn's golden moment

Ahn's golden moment
(FIFA.com) Thursday 28 January 2010
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Every footballer goes through ups and downs during their career. Some even undergo the rollercoaster ride in the duration of a single match. For Ahn Jung-Hwan, that particular match proved to be the turning point of his nomadic career, as he scored a memorable golden goal for Korea Republic against Italy at the 2002 FIFA World Cup™.

The Taeguk Warriors went on to reach the last four of the tournament on home soil, the greatest achievement of any Asian side at the world’s premier event. And, ironically, the epic win over Gli Azzurri signalled an end to Ahn’s playing career in Serie A. Eight years on, FIFA.com takes a closer look at the moment that shook one peninsula and silenced another.

The summary
18 June 2002, Daejeon World Cup Stadium, Daejeon, Korea Republic
Korea Republic 2-1 Italy aet
Scorers: Vieri (ITA) 18’, Seol (KOR) 88’, Ahn (KOR) 117’
Korea Republic: Lee Woon-Jae; Choi Jin-Cheul, Hong Myung-Bo (Cha Doo-Ri 83), Kim Tae-Young (Hwang Sun-Hong 63); Song Chong-Gug, Yoo Sang-Chul, Kim Nam-Il (Lee Chun-Soo 68), Lee Young-Pyo; Park Ji-Sung, Ahn Jung-Hwan, Seol Ki-Hyeon
Italy: Buffon; Iuliano, Maldini, Panucci, Coco; Zambrotta (Di Livio 72), Zanetti, Tommasi; Del Piero (Gattuso 61), Totti, Vieri

The stakes
Korea Republic had arrived at the tournament with one simple goal: to win a FIFA World Cup match. By the time they faced the Italians in the Round of 16, Guus Hiddink’s side had already overachieved, having beaten Poland and Portugal in the group stage to reach the second round. It seemed the Taeguk Warriors had nothing left to win or lose. However, Hiddink had different ideas and, as he insisted throughout the tournament: “We are still hungry.” Still, few could understand why the Dutchman travelled to Suwon to spy on the Round of 16 match between Spain and Republic of Ireland instead of preparing for the encounter with the Italians two days later.

For their part, Italy desperately needed to get back on track following lacklustre performances against Croatia and Mexico in Japan, as well as acclimatising to their new surroundings in Korea. However, confidence was building in the Italian camp. Francesco Totti even told the press: “One goal will be enough to beat the Koreans.”

The story
Even before the national anthems were played, the Italians were greeted not only by an intimidating atmosphere, but also a giant card display spelling out ‘AGAIN 1966’ – a cruel reminder of Korea DPR’s stunning victory over Italy in England 36 years earlier.

With first-choice centre-halves Fabio Cannavaro and Alessandro Nesta ruled out, Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni gave Francesco Coco and Mark Iuliano their first starts at the finals while left-back Christian Panucci moved into the centre to partner Paolo Maldini. The reshuffle, however, seemed to backfire within the first five minutes as Panucci pulled down Seol Ki-Hyeon inside the area. Ahn Jung-Hwan stepped up to convert the resulting penalty, only to see his low shot brilliantly parried away by Gianluigi Buffon.

Italy went on to take the lead, as expected, in the 18th minute, when Christian Vieri rose higher than Korean defenders to direct his header into the top corner of the net following Totti’s corner from the left. The Italians then sat back and attempted to lock the door, but the Taeguk Warriors launched a series of attacks, with Ahn twice coming close to equalising as half-time approached.

After the hour-mark, Hiddink took a gamble on attacking football by bringing a trio of forwards, while his counterpart Trapattoni replied by calling Alessandro del Piero and Gianluca Zambrotta back to the bench. With six forwards now united in attempting to break the catenaccio, Korea Republic finally got their reward with only two minutes remaining, as Seol latched on to Panucci’s attempted clearance and drilled the ball low into the corner to send the crowd wild.

The Koreans picked up in the extra time where they had left off in the second half, and to make matters worse for the Italians, Totti received his marching orders after picking up a second yellow card. And then, with a penalty shoot-out just three minutes away, came the golden goal, Ahn heading a cross from Lee Young-Pyo just inside Buffon’s left-hand post.

The star
A clinical forward, Ahn Jung-Hwan was initially famous for his deadly right foot before he gained national stardom thanks to a rare header against the mighty Italians. Ahn scored his third FIFA World Cup goal against Togo at Germany 2006, becoming Korea Republic and Asia’s all-time top scorer at world football’s showpiece event.

They said
“It’s true that winning goals last in your memories. Besides, it was a World Cup goal and something like that is not forgotten easily.” Korea Republic forward Ahn Jung-Hwan

“We could and should have won this game, but we just couldn’t do it.” Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni

What happened next…
Korea Republic went on to beat Spain on penalties to reach the semi-finals, where they went out narrowly 1-0 to Germany. Unfortunately for Ahn, he was released by Perugia in acrimonious circumstances shortly after his heroics against Italy. He went on to continue his career in Japan, France, Germany, Korea Republic, and then recently in China PR, to become one of the most travelled players in South Korea’s history. Italy, meanwhile, bounced back from their disappointing campaign at Korea/Japan 2002 to win their fourth FIFA World Cup at the following edition in Germany.

Ghana and Egypt set final date
(FIFA.com) Thursday 28 January 2010
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Day 19 - Egypt will try for their third consecutive CAF Africa Cup of Nations in the final against Ghana on Sunday after beating eight-man Algeria 4-0. The Black Stars outlasted Nigeria 1-0 behind a goal from Asamoah Gyan to reach their first continental final in 18 years.

A close opening half hour in Benguela gave way to a Pharaohs' rout as Algeria’s Rafik Halliche was sent off for a second yellow card after giving away a penalty to open the scoring. Two more red cards for the Desert Foxes and three more goals for their regional rivals came in the second half as the Egyptians have now extended their record number of CAN matches without defeat to 18.

Hassan Shehata’s men will take on a young Ghanaian team that has impressed with their organisation in Angola despite being without many members of their first team, including midfielder Michael Essien, through injury. The Black Stars have now recorded three 1-0 wins on the trot after giving the two-time African champion Super Eagles the same knockout blow they did two years ago.

Egypt have already won six Cup of Nations trophies, more than any other country, while Ghana will be trying for their fifth continental crown on Sunday in Luanda’s 11 November Stadium. Nigeria and Algeria will battle for third place in Benguela the day before.

Ghana and Egypt set final date

Ghana and Egypt set final date
(FIFA.com) Thursday 28 January 2010
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Day 19 - Egypt will try for their third consecutive CAF Africa Cup of Nations in the final against Ghana on Sunday after beating eight-man Algeria 4-0. The Black Stars outlasted Nigeria 1-0 behind a goal from Asamoah Gyan to reach their first continental final in 18 years.

A close opening half hour in Benguela gave way to a Pharaohs' rout as Algeria’s Rafik Halliche was sent off for a second yellow card after giving away a penalty to open the scoring. Two more red cards for the Desert Foxes and three more goals for their regional rivals came in the second half as the Egyptians have now extended their record number of CAN matches without defeat to 18.

Hassan Shehata’s men will take on a young Ghanaian team that has impressed with their organisation in Angola despite being without many members of their first team, including midfielder Michael Essien, through injury. The Black Stars have now recorded three 1-0 wins on the trot after giving the two-time African champion Super Eagles the same knockout blow they did two years ago.

Egypt have already won six Cup of Nations trophies, more than any other country, while Ghana will be trying for their fifth continental crown on Sunday in Luanda’s 11 November Stadium. Nigeria and Algeria will battle for third place in Benguela the day before.

World Leagues preview

World Leagues preview
(FIFA.com) Friday 29 January 2010
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The Argentinian Clausura will commence on a weekend in which engrossing, high-stakes battles unfold in Brazil, Mexico and New Zealand. With the title races continuing apace in Qatar, Malaysia and Morocco, FIFA.com previews the pick of the forthcoming action outside Europe.

Argentinian Clausura: The big kick-off
The last seven Argentinian league campaigns have yielded seven different champions, and the upcoming Clausura campaign, which begins today, oozes unpredictability. Apertura holders Banfield will open their account at River Plate, who are determined to put a disastrous 2009 behind them, while Newell’s Old Boys and Independiente, second and fourth last time out, meet in Rosario.

Elsewhere, Boca Juniors visit Argentinos Juniors in a battle between Diego Maradona’s former clubs, Atletico Tucuman entertain San Lorenzo, and Velez Sarsfield are at home to Colon.

High stakes: Racing Club and Rosario Central will begin the campaign towards the bottom of the relegation zone. Both will, therefore, be eager to hit the ground running.
Players to watch: Surplus to requirements at Velez, Santiago Silva spent 2009 on loan at Banfield and duly fired them to Apertura glory. Many expected the Uruguayan to sign a permanent deal with El Taladro, join River or head to Europe, but he ultimately returned to El Fortín. Silva’s shootout with 37-year-old Esteban Fuertes could be central to the Velez-Colon outcome.

Brazilian State Championships: Derby Sunday
Ituano, the surprise leaders of the Paulistao, are at home to a Santo Andre side nine places but only two points to their rear, but the competition’s major attraction takes places at the Pacaembu. There, Corinthians and Palmeiras, third and second in the standings and fierce enemies, will collide. With Ronaldo out, Dentinho will carry O Timão’s chief goal threat, while O Verdão will entrust Cleiton Xavier with inspiring them to victory. Fourth-placed Santos will host Oeste, as Sao Paulo, in sixth, travel to Sertaozinho.

Over in Rio de Janeiro, Vasco, in-form and atop of Group B in the Taca Guanabara, visit Friburguense, while third-placed Botafogo entertain America.

High stakes: Fluminense and Flamengo, level on points at the top of Group A in the Taca Guanabara, will do battle at the Maracana.
Players to watch: Will the Fluzão frontline of Maicon and Fred, or O Mengão’s Vagner Love-Adriano attack, come out on top?

Mexican Clausura: 100 versus zero
Guadalajara will take the only 100 per cent record into Matchday 3, when cross-city rivals Estudiantes Tecos, the only side on zero points, pay them a visit. With Javier Hernandez, 21, having scored four times in Chivas’s opening two games, much pressure will rest on the shoulders of veteran centre-back Juan Leano.

Group 2 leaders America will look to pay tribute to striker Salvador Cabanas, who was shot on Monday, by winning at home to Indios, who prop up Group 1.

High stakes: Monterrey will host Cruz Azul in a repeat of December’s thrilling Apertura 2009 final, which the former won 6-4 on aggregate.
Players to watch: America forward Daniel Montenegro will carry an added burden in the absence of Cabanas, while Indios look to Honduran playmaker Emil Martinez for inspiration.

New Zealand Football Championship: Duel of the giants
It is the fixture in the NZFC: Waitakere United versus Auckland City in a duel between the only champions in the competition’s history. Fittingly, they are level on points at the top, although the latter have two games in hand. United will hope Fijian forward Roy Krishna is at his irresistible best, while City will look to the in-form Jason Hayne.

Otago United and Team Wellington, third and fourth respectively, will square off, as Canterbury United, in fifth, travel to second-bottom Hawkes Bay United.

High stakes: Third-bottom Youngheart Manawatu and tailenders Waikato will collide looking to ease their wooden spoon fears.
Players to watch: Otago’s Stu Kelly and Greg Draper of Wellington have both been among the goals recently.

Elsewhere
Al Sadd and Al Gharrafa are level on points at the Qatari Stars League summit, and they will be expected to make light work of the bottom two on Saturday. The former, who boast Brazilians Felipe, Leandro and Afonso Alves, are at home to tailenders Al Shamal, while the reigning champions, for whom Younis Mahmoud stars, make the trip to Al Siliya.

Super League Malaysia pacesetters Selangor will be tested at fourth-placed Perlis. Terengganu, in second, welcome mid-table Kuala Lumpur.

The Moroccan Botola enters its second half with DH El Jadida, three points clear out in front, at home to fifth-placed OC Khouribga. WAC Casablanca, in second, are away to basement side JS Massira, while reigning champions Raja Casablanca host HUS Agadir in a scrap between third and fourth respectively.

World Leagues preview

World Leagues preview
(FIFA.com) Friday 29 January 2010
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The Argentinian Clausura will commence on a weekend in which engrossing, high-stakes battles unfold in Brazil, Mexico and New Zealand. With the title races continuing apace in Qatar, Malaysia and Morocco, FIFA.com previews the pick of the forthcoming action outside Europe.

Argentinian Clausura: The big kick-off
The last seven Argentinian league campaigns have yielded seven different champions, and the upcoming Clausura campaign, which begins today, oozes unpredictability. Apertura holders Banfield will open their account at River Plate, who are determined to put a disastrous 2009 behind them, while Newell’s Old Boys and Independiente, second and fourth last time out, meet in Rosario.

Elsewhere, Boca Juniors visit Argentinos Juniors in a battle between Diego Maradona’s former clubs, Atletico Tucuman entertain San Lorenzo, and Velez Sarsfield are at home to Colon.

High stakes: Racing Club and Rosario Central will begin the campaign towards the bottom of the relegation zone. Both will, therefore, be eager to hit the ground running.
Players to watch: Surplus to requirements at Velez, Santiago Silva spent 2009 on loan at Banfield and duly fired them to Apertura glory. Many expected the Uruguayan to sign a permanent deal with El Taladro, join River or head to Europe, but he ultimately returned to El Fortín. Silva’s shootout with 37-year-old Esteban Fuertes could be central to the Velez-Colon outcome.

Brazilian State Championships: Derby Sunday
Ituano, the surprise leaders of the Paulistao, are at home to a Santo Andre side nine places but only two points to their rear, but the competition’s major attraction takes places at the Pacaembu. There, Corinthians and Palmeiras, third and second in the standings and fierce enemies, will collide. With Ronaldo out, Dentinho will carry O Timão’s chief goal threat, while O Verdão will entrust Cleiton Xavier with inspiring them to victory. Fourth-placed Santos will host Oeste, as Sao Paulo, in sixth, travel to Sertaozinho.

Over in Rio de Janeiro, Vasco, in-form and atop of Group B in the Taca Guanabara, visit Friburguense, while third-placed Botafogo entertain America.

High stakes: Fluminense and Flamengo, level on points at the top of Group A in the Taca Guanabara, will do battle at the Maracana.
Players to watch: Will the Fluzão frontline of Maicon and Fred, or O Mengão’s Vagner Love-Adriano attack, come out on top?

Mexican Clausura: 100 versus zero
Guadalajara will take the only 100 per cent record into Matchday 3, when cross-city rivals Estudiantes Tecos, the only side on zero points, pay them a visit. With Javier Hernandez, 21, having scored four times in Chivas’s opening two games, much pressure will rest on the shoulders of veteran centre-back Juan Leano.

Group 2 leaders America will look to pay tribute to striker Salvador Cabanas, who was shot on Monday, by winning at home to Indios, who prop up Group 1.

High stakes: Monterrey will host Cruz Azul in a repeat of December’s thrilling Apertura 2009 final, which the former won 6-4 on aggregate.
Players to watch: America forward Daniel Montenegro will carry an added burden in the absence of Cabanas, while Indios look to Honduran playmaker Emil Martinez for inspiration.

New Zealand Football Championship: Duel of the giants
It is the fixture in the NZFC: Waitakere United versus Auckland City in a duel between the only champions in the competition’s history. Fittingly, they are level on points at the top, although the latter have two games in hand. United will hope Fijian forward Roy Krishna is at his irresistible best, while City will look to the in-form Jason Hayne.

Otago United and Team Wellington, third and fourth respectively, will square off, as Canterbury United, in fifth, travel to second-bottom Hawkes Bay United.

High stakes: Third-bottom Youngheart Manawatu and tailenders Waikato will collide looking to ease their wooden spoon fears.
Players to watch: Otago’s Stu Kelly and Greg Draper of Wellington have both been among the goals recently.

Elsewhere
Al Sadd and Al Gharrafa are level on points at the Qatari Stars League summit, and they will be expected to make light work of the bottom two on Saturday. The former, who boast Brazilians Felipe, Leandro and Afonso Alves, are at home to tailenders Al Shamal, while the reigning champions, for whom Younis Mahmoud stars, make the trip to Al Siliya.

Super League Malaysia pacesetters Selangor will be tested at fourth-placed Perlis. Terengganu, in second, welcome mid-table Kuala Lumpur.

The Moroccan Botola enters its second half with DH El Jadida, three points clear out in front, at home to fifth-placed OC Khouribga. WAC Casablanca, in second, are away to basement side JS Massira, while reigning champions Raja Casablanca host HUS Agadir in a scrap between third and fourth respectively.

World Leagues preview
(FIFA.com) Friday 29 January 2010
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The Argentinian Clausura will commence on a weekend in which engrossing, high-stakes battles unfold in Brazil, Mexico and New Zealand. With the title races continuing apace in Qatar, Malaysia and Morocco, FIFA.com previews the pick of the forthcoming action outside Europe.

Argentinian Clausura: The big kick-off
The last seven Argentinian league campaigns have yielded seven different champions, and the upcoming Clausura campaign, which begins today, oozes unpredictability. Apertura holders Banfield will open their account at River Plate, who are determined to put a disastrous 2009 behind them, while Newell’s Old Boys and Independiente, second and fourth last time out, meet in Rosario.

Elsewhere, Boca Juniors visit Argentinos Juniors in a battle between Diego Maradona’s former clubs, Atletico Tucuman entertain San Lorenzo, and Velez Sarsfield are at home to Colon.

High stakes: Racing Club and Rosario Central will begin the campaign towards the bottom of the relegation zone. Both will, therefore, be eager to hit the ground running.
Players to watch: Surplus to requirements at Velez, Santiago Silva spent 2009 on loan at Banfield and duly fired them to Apertura glory. Many expected the Uruguayan to sign a permanent deal with El Taladro, join River or head to Europe, but he ultimately returned to El Fortín. Silva’s shootout with 37-year-old Esteban Fuertes could be central to the Velez-Colon outcome.

Brazilian State Championships: Derby Sunday
Ituano, the surprise leaders of the Paulistao, are at home to a Santo Andre side nine places but only two points to their rear, but the competition’s major attraction takes places at the Pacaembu. There, Corinthians and Palmeiras, third and second in the standings and fierce enemies, will collide. With Ronaldo out, Dentinho will carry O Timão’s chief goal threat, while O Verdão will entrust Cleiton Xavier with inspiring them to victory. Fourth-placed Santos will host Oeste, as Sao Paulo, in sixth, travel to Sertaozinho.

Over in Rio de Janeiro, Vasco, in-form and atop of Group B in the Taca Guanabara, visit Friburguense, while third-placed Botafogo entertain America.

High stakes: Fluminense and Flamengo, level on points at the top of Group A in the Taca Guanabara, will do battle at the Maracana.
Players to watch: Will the Fluzão frontline of Maicon and Fred, or O Mengão’s Vagner Love-Adriano attack, come out on top?

Mexican Clausura: 100 versus zero
Guadalajara will take the only 100 per cent record into Matchday 3, when cross-city rivals Estudiantes Tecos, the only side on zero points, pay them a visit. With Javier Hernandez, 21, having scored four times in Chivas’s opening two games, much pressure will rest on the shoulders of veteran centre-back Juan Leano.

Group 2 leaders America will look to pay tribute to striker Salvador Cabanas, who was shot on Monday, by winning at home to Indios, who prop up Group 1.

High stakes: Monterrey will host Cruz Azul in a repeat of December’s thrilling Apertura 2009 final, which the former won 6-4 on aggregate.
Players to watch: America forward Daniel Montenegro will carry an added burden in the absence of Cabanas, while Indios look to Honduran playmaker Emil Martinez for inspiration.

New Zealand Football Championship: Duel of the giants
It is the fixture in the NZFC: Waitakere United versus Auckland City in a duel between the only champions in the competition’s history. Fittingly, they are level on points at the top, although the latter have two games in hand. United will hope Fijian forward Roy Krishna is at his irresistible best, while City will look to the in-form Jason Hayne.

Otago United and Team Wellington, third and fourth respectively, will square off, as Canterbury United, in fifth, travel to second-bottom Hawkes Bay United.

High stakes: Third-bottom Youngheart Manawatu and tailenders Waikato will collide looking to ease their wooden spoon fears.
Players to watch: Otago’s Stu Kelly and Greg Draper of Wellington have both been among the goals recently.

Elsewhere
Al Sadd and Al Gharrafa are level on points at the Qatari Stars League summit, and they will be expected to make light work of the bottom two on Saturday. The former, who boast Brazilians Felipe, Leandro and Afonso Alves, are at home to tailenders Al Shamal, while the reigning champions, for whom Younis Mahmoud stars, make the trip to Al Siliya.

Super League Malaysia pacesetters Selangor will be tested at fourth-placed Perlis. Terengganu, in second, welcome mid-table Kuala Lumpur.

The Moroccan Botola enters its second half with DH El Jadida, three points clear out in front, at home to fifth-placed OC Khouribga. WAC Casablanca, in second, are away to basement side JS Massira, while reigning champions Raja Casablanca host HUS Agadir in a scrap between third and fourth respectively.

Statement on Haiti situation

Statement on Haiti situation
(FIFA.com) Friday 22 January 2010
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FIFA is in contact with CONCACAF and the Fédération Haïtienne de Football (FHF) and currently assessing how the FHF was affected by the terrible earthquake. FIFA was informed that members of the Haitian football family lost their lives and that the headquarters of FHF have been completely destroyed.

In a letter sent to the FHF the FIFA President has assured FIFA's support for the people of Haiti. FIFA has sent an initial contribution of USD 250'000. Additional forms of support are currently being discussed.

Who was the player of the decade?

Who was the player of the decade?
(FIFA.com) Tuesday 19 January 2010
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Few would argue that the 1950s belonged to Alfredo Di Stefano, the 1960s to Pele, the 1970s to Johann Cruyff or Franz Beckenbauer, and the 1980s to Diego Maradona.

But if a handful of contenders can lay caim to being the player of the 1990s, then debate over who was the best player of the last decade is even more wide open.

Its first half was illuminated by, among others, FIFA World Player of the Year recipients Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho, while Fabio Cannavaro, Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi seized the prestigious award thereafter. The likes of Gianluigi Buffon, Iker Casillas, Xavi, Pavel Nedved, Steven Gerrard, Andriy Shevchenko and Samuel Eto’o also excelled over the course of the past ten years.

So, it’s over to you: Who was the player of the last decade? Simply click 'Add your comment' to make your opinion known, remembering to keep your posts clean, respectful, on-topic and in English.

Honduras beat USA in tuneup

Honduras beat USA in tuneup
(AFP) Sunday 24 January 2010
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Honduras defeated the USA 3-1 last night in a friendly football match between two teams bound for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ in June.

Honduras had goals from Jerry Palacios, Roger Espinoza and Carlos Pavon, who converted a penalty in the 19th minute. Clarence Goodson scored the lone goal for the USA in the 70th minute.

The crowd of 18,626 at the Home Depot Center in California was largely pro-Honduras, and they were delighted by Palacios's header off a cross from Pavon, as well as Espinoza's crisp strike.
The match just didn't go our way this time.
Jonathan Bornstein of the USA on facing Honduras

The hosts were a man down for much of the match, after defender Jimmy Conrad was ejected by Mexican referee Benito Archundia in the 17th minute for his second yellow card.

"It's tough to fight back, especially a man down," said Jonathan Bornstein, the closest to a regular in the US lineup. "The match just didn't go our way this time."

For the USA, the match was the conclusion of a 19-day training camp that featured a largely US-based talent pool trying to play their way on to the South Africa 2010 squad. Ten players from a similar camp in 2006 made the final FIFA World Cup squad for the US.

The Americans, preparing for a sixth consecutive FIFA World Cup appearance, will face England on 12 June in their opener in South Africa and also face Slovenia and Algeria in first-round matches. Honduras, which qualified for the first time since 1982, will open 16 June against Chile and shall also face Spain and Switzerland.

New Zealand reach Germany 2010

New Zealand reach Germany 2010
(FIFA.com) Monday 25 January 2010
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New Zealand have secured their spot at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Germany 2010 with a spectacular triumph at the OFC U-20 Women’s Championship.

An emphatic 11-0 victory over Tonga in the deciding fixture at Auckland’s North Harbour Stadium capped an impressive tournament from the Junior Ferns, who scored 27 goals over their three matches to ease past their continental rivals. The Kiwis had earlier beaten American Samoa and the Cook Islands by an identical 8-0 margin, and captain Anna Green – a survivor of the team who went so close to reaching the knockout stage at the last FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup – spoke of her delight at booking a return ticket.

“It’s an awesome feeling to qualify,” she said. “My goal is now to lead this team to at least a place in the quarter-finals at the World Cup in Germany.”

The star of the tournament was rising star Rosie White, who walked away with Golden Boot and Golden Ball awards after scoring five goals against the Tongans to take her tally for the tournament to nine.

As coach Tony Readings said: “Rosie White is the obvious standout. I also thought Chelsea Wood played well at the back coming in for her first game. But I’ve been pretty happy with most of the them, if not all of them, over the course of the three games.”

New Zealand have become the ninth team to qualify for Germany 2010, joining UEFA quintet England, France, Germany, Sweden and Switzerland and the AFC trio of Japan, Korea DPR and Korea Republic.

Robinho set for City exit

Robinho set for City exit
(PA) Monday 25 January 2010
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Robinho struck what is likely to prove his farewell goal in English football in Manchester City's 4-2 success at Scunthorpe in the fourth round of the FA Cup, and seems to be heading back to Brazil whether Roberto Mancini likes it or not. The Italian was predictably coy when grilled after his side's Glanford Park win over the future of the £32.5m man, who told a Brazilian radio station he is leaving on a loan move to Santos.

"Hopefully in the end Robinho will stay here," said Mancini. "In the next day the situation can change, but at the moment he stays here and I am very happy for him."

However, Mancini added tellingly: "I think one player can stay in a squad only if he is happy, if he wants to play every game and if he wants to work every day. That is most important because the players and manager must be happy."

Earlier, Robinho had told Brazilian radio station Radio Bandeirantes: "What's important is to be happy. The directors all agree that it's better to send me out on loan. It would be exceptional to return to Santos."
The directors all agree that it's better to send me out on loan. It would be exceptional to return to Santos.
Manchester City's Robinho

Robinho scored the goal which finally put paid to the Championship side's challenge when he lofted home City's fourth in the 85th minute, after a square pass from man of the match Martin Petrov. But in a performance which summed up his City career, the Brazilian was a passenger for long periods, his only previous intervention of note the flurry of step-overs which led to him setting up Petrov's third-minute opener.

City looked like they might enjoy an easy afternoon at that point, but Scunthorpe stormed back with Cliff Byrne hitting the post before Paul Hayes hit home a richly deserved 29th-minute equaliser.

Despite Nedum Onuoha's goal on the stroke of half-time, which was followed by a blistering 35-yard strike by Sylvinho on the hour, the home side were still not finished and struck back through captain Byrne's close-range effort in the 69th minute.

Robinho calmed nerves and led Mancini to express hope for his side's FA Cup run. But he warned: "The FA Cup is very difficult. Every game will be hard and the next game against Stoke will be a difficult game."

Scunthorpe manager Nigel Adkins described City's counter-attacking quality as "like the Red Arrows" but added: "I'm pleased for the players who have worked hard and made it an entertaining cup tie.

"We all had a belief that there was a giant-killing in the offing but it just wasn't to be. We got off to a bad start but credit to the players they didn't buckle. They came out in the second half and gave it a right good go."

Ronaldo protests innocence

Ronaldo protests innocence
(PA) Monday 25 January 2010
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Cristiano Ronaldhas insisted that he did not mean to hurt Patrick Mtiliga after leaving the Malaga defender with a broken nose in an incident that saw the Portugal international sent off for the second time in less than two months.

Ronaldo, who earlier in the match had scored both of Real Madrid's goals in their 2-0 win, was shown a straight red card in the 70th minute of the Primera Division encounter at the Bernabeu after his swinging elbow caught Mtiliga in the face as he tried to escape the attentions of the Denmark international. Mtiliga left the pitch trying to stem the bleeding from his facial injury and was immediately replaced.

Ronaldo, who was also sent off against Almeria in December after picking up two late bookings, said after the game: "It was not my intention to injure Mtiliga. I'm very sad for what happened but calm.
I wouldn't want to injure anybody. I'm not that type of person. I'm not a bad person.
Cristiano Ronaldo

"Those who understand football know that my intention is always to play the ball. I learned in England not to deceive the referees. This is not a red card here or in anywhere in the world and I'm not asking for protection. I've seen worse things in other games. I didn't mean to injure the lad. It was bad luck to hit him on the nose because he's only 1.70m and if he had been taller I would have struck his chest."

The former Manchester United winger, as a minimum, will now sit at next week's testing trip to fifth-placed Deportivo La Coruna, where Madrid have not won in the league since the 1992/1993 season. "I always want to play and these things make me angry. I've spoken with Mtiliga and he told me that I didn't need to apologise because he doesn't believe I hurt him intentionally," Ronaldo added.

"I wouldn't want to injure anybody. I'm not that type of person. I'm not a bad person. I only want to shine by playing football. Now I'm going to be angry when I get home because I won't be able to play through suspension."

Black Stars shine, Elephants tumble

Black Stars shine, Elephants tumble
(FIFA.com) Sunday 24 January 2010
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Day 15 - The heart of the host nation was cruelly broken on Sunday as Ghana beat Angola to become the first side into the semi-finals of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations. But the emergence of a solid young Ghanaian side was overshadowed by a shock win for Algeria over hot favourites Côte d'Ivoire in a thriller in Cabinda later in the day.

Angola saw their dreams of a home triumph in the Nations Cup shattered by a 16th-minute beauty from Asamoah Gyan. Even though there were several gilt-edged chances for Angola after that, Ghana held firm to reach the semi-finals for a second successive tournament. They will face the winner of Monday’s match between Nigeria and Zambia in Luanda on Thursday.

A dramatic late burst of goals between two FIFA World Cup™-bound teams in Cabinda produced a thriller as the Ivorians took the lead twice, but Algeria ended up surprise victors. The Desert Foxes fought back from an early goal to equalise before half-time, but a wonder strike from Kader Keita seemed to seal it for the Elephants in the final minutes, only for Algeria to equalise again. Then just two minutes into extra time, they snatched the lead for the first time and held on for a sensational result. For their reward, Algeria will meet the winner of the Egypt and Cameroon match in Benguela on Thursday.

Results
Angola 0-1 Ghana (Gyan 16’)
Côte d'Ivoire 2-3 Algeria a.e.t. (Kalou 4’, Keita 89’; Matmour 40’, Bougherra 90+1’, Bouazza 92’)

Goal of the day
Angola 0-1 Ghana, Asamoah Gyan (16’)
Ghana legend Abedi Pele had predicted before the game that if Asamoah Gyan played he would prove the match winner. Injury concerns have hung over him for yet another tournament and indeed he went off during Sunday’s match against Angola as he felt the twinge of his troubled hamstring. But by then Gyan had already provided the shock to the Angolan nation with a simple angled shot that crept wide of goalkeeper Carlos Fernandes for the only goal of the match at the November 11 Stadium in Luanda. While the final touch was perfectly placed, what made the goal special was the pass down the centre from midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah that left the defence sliced open. His ball had a perfect weight for Gyan to run on to, and his finish sent Ghana into the last four.

Memorable Moments
Keita classic not enough
Abdelkader Keita has hit a few long-range thunderbolts before in the colours of Côte d'Ivoire but never with such accuracy as the last-minute strike that seemed to seal up the match against Algeria for the Elephants. Coming on as a substitute for the impressive Salomon Kalou, Keita ran with it diagonally along the edge of the penalty area until he suddenly unleashed a 30-metre drive to the top left corner that gave Algeria’s Faouzi Chaouchi no chance. It seemed a worthy winner for the quarter-final tie, but within minutes Algeria were level again.

Nightmare misses
Young Angola striker Manucho missed three perfect chances to turn around Sunday’s quarter-final tie against Ghana. He did well to slip his marker and find space at the back post to meet Flavio’s 30th-minute cross, but with the rest of the goal at his mercy his header was directed too close to Ghana goalkeeper Richard Kingson. Just before half-time came an even worse miss from close range as Flavio flicked the ball back, and Manucho, albeit in the process of losing his balance, contrived to blast well over the top. He might well have redeemed himself a quarter of an hour from the end with another header, but this time he powered it just over to the despair of the capacity 50,000-person crowd.

Things fall apart
Once Algeria had taken the lead for the first time against the Ivorians, with substitute Hameur Bouazza scoring from his first touch of the ball, both sides seemed to lose shape, and the match was full of chances. In the second half of extra time, Algeria had several great opportunities in quick succession to extend their 3-2 advantage. Abdelkader Ghezzal should have bulged the net from a cross from the left, but he failed to connect, and then Hassan Yebda just got under a near-post header, while in between, a goalmouth scramble had Côte d'Ivoire's defence in disarray.

Sporting touch
Although he might have been entitled to rant on about missed chances and the superior enterprise of his team, there was a dignity in defeat for Angola coach Manuel Jose. He congratulated Ghana first on their win and for reaching the semi-finals, then the Angolan people for their staging of the tournament. Only then did he ascribe the missed opportunities to a night of "poor luck."

Disappointment for the “Sea of Red”
Although Angola gave as good as they got and came so close to scoring numerous times against Ghana, the thousands of Angolans leaving November 11 Stadium had nothing but heartbreak written on their faces. It was the same people who only two hours earlier had made Luanda one of the centres of world football for the evening, covering the stadium in a boisterous sea of red and yellow. They danced, sang passionately, cheered enthusiastically every time their side launched an attack, and even spurred their side on when they seemed done for. But ultimately, it was an evening of what could have been for the nation and the team that was hoping to join in among the continent’s elite for the first time in a CAN semi-final.

The stat
9 - The number of days that Côte d'Ivoire went without a match at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations before Sunday’s quarter-final. They had drawn with Burkina Faso to open the tournament and then beat Ghana to make sure of top place in Group B, but their final group match did not happen because of the early withdrawal of Togo.

What they said
“I’m very proud to be the coach of this team. They gave everything they had and fought to the end. Ghana had one chance, and they scored a goal. We played very well, but the only thing that was missing was goals. We are out of the competition, but I’m very proud of this team.” Manuel Jose, Angola coach.

European Leagues review

European Leagues review
(FIFA.com) Monday 25 January 2010
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Inter Milan consolidated top spot in Italy by beating arch-rivals AC Milan as the title contenders emerged victorious in Spain. Elsewhere, Bayer Leverkusen continue to set the pace in Germany, while cup upsets unfolded in England and France. FIFA.com brings you up to date with the latest developments across Europe.

La Liga: Barça impress, Real recover
Barcelona gave yet another demonstration of their quality with a comfortable 3-0 victory at Valladolid, their goals coming from Xavi, Daniel Alves and Lionel Messi. That put the pressure on Real Madrid to respond and they did so, prevailing 2-0 over Malaga via a Cristiano Ronaldo double, which lifted them back to within five points at the top. Valencia, on the other hand, had to settle for a 0-0 draw away to relegation-threatened Tenerife, while Mallorca drew 1-1 at Espanyol.

Deportivo La Coruna’s 3-1 win over Athletic Bilbao left them in fifth, ahead of Sevilla, who downed Almeria 1-0 after Alvaro Negredo struck the only goal. Getafe beat Atletico Madrid 1-0 in their derby, while Villarreal thrilled their fans at El Madrigal by consigning Zaragoza to a 4-2 reverse.

Top three: Barcelona (49 points), Real Madrid (44), Valencia (39)
Bottom three: Tenerife (17 points), Zaragoza (14), Xerez (8)
Leading scorers: Lionel Messi (15 goals), David Villa (14), Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Gonzalo Higuain (both 11)
Weekend stat: 49 – Having amassed 49 goals and 49 points, Barcelona remain unbeaten with a tally of 15 wins and four draws that has them looking well-placed to defend their title.

Bundesliga: Bayer rise to Bayern challenge
Just as they did last week, Bayern Munich enjoyed a mere 24 hours at the Bundesliga summit, this time rising to the top with Saturday’s 3-2 success at Werder Bremen. It was not enough to keep them there, though, as Bayer Leverkusen had the last say a day later, winning 3-0 at Hoffenheim. Less effective were Schalke, who led Bochum 2-0 before being held to a 2-2 stalemate that cost them second place.

Borussia Dortmund’s 1-0 win over Hamburg lifted them above Ruud van Nistelrooy’s new club in the standings, meaning that they now find themselves two points shy of Ruhr neighbours Schalke in fourth. As for 11th-placed Stuttgart, they continued to work their way up the table by overcoming Freiburg 1-0, while champions Wolfsburg remain a shadow of the side that claimed the crown last term, losing 3-2 at home to Cologne in their most recent outing.

Top three: Bayer Leverkusen (41 points), Bayern Munich (39), Schalke (38)
Bottom three: Hanover (17 points), Nuremberg (13), Hertha Berlin (10)
Leading scorers: Stefan Kiessling (12 goals), Kevin Kuranyi (10), Lucas Barrios, Edin Dzeko (both 9)
Weekend stat: 112 – Franck Ribery played for the first time since 3 October, celebrating his return to the fray after 112 days out with a 22-minute cameo.

Serie A: Inter make derby statement
Top faced second in Italy on Sunday, and leaders Inter Milan emerged victorious, beating closest rivals AC Milan 2-0 to take a significant step towards retaining their Serie A title. The other high-profile game over the weekend ended in a 2-1 success for Roma over Juventus, an outcome that consolidated the capital outfit’s grip on third spot and relegated the faltering Bianconeri to sixth.

Napoli occupy fourth place, meanwhile, having won 2-0 at Livorno, and behind them Palermo swept Fiorentina aside 3-0. At the opposite end of the table, 17th-placed Udinese went down 3-2 at home against Sampdoria, despite a 13th effort of the season for Antonio di Natale, and that left them a solitary point clear of the relegation zone after third-bottom Catania defeated Parma 3-0.

Top three: Inter (49 points), AC Milan (40), Roma (38)
Bottom three: Catania (19 points), Atalanta (17), Siena (13)
Leading scorers: Antonio di Natale, Diego Milito (both 13 goals), Francesco Totti, Alessandro Matri (both 10)
Weekend stat: 9 – Inter finished with nine players against AC Milan after losing both Wesley Sneijder and Lucio to red cards, but I Nerazzurri still came out on top to move nine points clear.

Elsewhere
Domestic cup action took centre stage in England and France and the upset of the weekend belonged to Colmar. Indeed, in the round of 64 in the French Cup, the fourth-tier club eliminated Ligue 1 high-flyers Lille on penalties. Monaco also made waves by coming back from behind to down Lyon 2-1 to reach the last 16, but elsewhere the favourites all justified their billing, with the likes of Bordeaux, Paris Saint-Germain and Saint-Etienne advancing.

In England, Arsenal suffered the same fate as Manchester United and Liverpool in the previous round when they were denied progress by Stoke City, who subjected the Gunners to a 3-1 away loss. The only so-called ‘big four’ team safely through to the fifth round are Chelsea, in fact, after they despatched Preston North End 2-0, while Leeds United – who claimed the scalp of Manchester United last time out – remain involved courtesy of a 2-2 draw at Tottenham Hotspur.

The Red Devils nonetheless made the most of their early elimination to take the reins in the Premier League, four-goal Wayne Rooney powering them to a 4-0 dismantling of Hull City. Sir Alex Ferguson’s men hauled themselves two points above Arsenal and Chelsea in the process, though their London rivals possess one and two games in hand respectively.

Elsewhere
In Turkey, the situation at the top is still every bit as tight as it was, with Fenerbahce first after seeing off Denizlispor 3-1 and their fierce Istanbul rivals Galatasaray just one point back following their 1-0 defeat of Gaziantepspor.

Finally, in the Netherlands, Ajax took maximum points against champions AZ, triumphing 1-0, but remain third in an Eredivisie table currently ruled by PSV.

Low: We've made real progress

Low: We've made real progress
(FIFA.com) Monday 18 January 2010

In football-obsessed Germany, rarely has a national coach been as popular as Joachim Low, a native of the Black Forest who celebrates his 50th birthday on 3 February. His expertise from the dugout and personal elegance are the ideal attributes for the top job in a country which has won the FIFA World Cup™ three times, where knowledge and proficiency are valued above all other qualities, but which has always demanded idols with personal charisma and a strong personality.

The former forward, fondly nicknamed Jogi, remains the all-time leading scorer for Freiburg, although his playing record for his country amounts to just four U-21 appearances. His skill as a coach is more highly regarded. As Jurgen Klinsmann’s assistant, Low was widely acknowledged as the brains of the operation. His meticulousness and tactical wisdom have earned him a reputation as a guru of the game, while his highly fashionable dress sense and natural charm make him a perfect figurehead in a media-intensive world.

Above all else, Low is hungry for success. He succeeded Klinsmann after Germany 2006, with a brief to develop the national team’s newly-acquired attacking instincts. He frequently refers to 'possession quotas', by which he means the interval between a player receiving a pass and releasing the ball. During his time in charge, this measure has decreased significantly for Germany, leading to a much higher tempo.

Low’s Germany are now aiming to play attractive and successful football in South Africa. The nation currently lying sixth on the FIFA/Coca-Cola-World Ranking will travel to the 2010 finals with their customary ambitious targets. While on a visit to Cape Town, Low met FIFA.com for an exclusive interview.

FIFA.com: Joachim, you’ve been to South Africa a number of times in the build-up to the FIFA World Cup, and you’ve got to know Johannesburg and Cape Town quite well. What are your impressions?
Joachim Low: Cape Town is fascinating, a fabulous city with an unbelievably beautiful setting: the ocean, the mountains and a terrific atmosphere. The people here are open, friendly and multicultural. Johannesburg is obviously rather different, but South Africa 2010 will be a tremendous World Cup.
Germany always approach tournaments aiming to go as far as possible. We definitely boast the quality to go a long, long way.
Joachim Low on Germany's chances at South Africa 2010

What’s your plan for Germany in the run-up to the tournament?
We began making preparations at an early stage, and also commissioned analyses of the contrasting micro-climates and altitudes affecting the matches in South Africa. We’ve talked it all through and worked hard on that aspect. But the World Cup starts for real now. We can finally step up our preparations because we know who we’re playing against and where.

Looking back briefly to 2009, it was an eventful year with a happy ending for Germany, wasn’t it?
My verdict on the year is positive. We came through our World Cup qualifying group undefeated and we beat the Russians twice. They were very strong opponents, so our victory away to them was a real highlight.

So you’re fully satisfied?
Between times there were a couple of matches where we fell short of peak performance. It’s pretty normal for a national team when there’s nothing really decisive at stake. But all in all, the team’s come on well and played some good football. When it really mattered, we were highly disciplined, and our quality was very high – there was some really excellent football at times. So we’re basically well set. We have a good team with a lot of experience.

In which particular areas have Germany improved most in recent years?
I believe we’ve made real progress tactically. We started the process with Jurgen Klinsmann in 2004. We made a few changes and tried a different direction. We gave a very good account of ourselves at the 2006 World Cup – we were very, very good at times actually. Then we made the EURO 2008 final, and now we’ve come through World Cup qualifying undefeated. So I do believe there’s been improvement, especially from younger players like Lukas Podolski, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Philipp Lahm and Per Mertesacker, all of whom now have 50 or 60 caps. They’re still at a good age for footballers, but they’re experienced as well. So, overall, I reckon we’ve developed well as a team.

Germany were third at the last FIFA World Cup and runners-up at UEFA EURO 2008. Can you win South Africa 2010?
Germany always approach tournaments aiming to go as far as possible and preferably reach the final. That’s the way it is. Obviously, there are five or six other nations - Brazil, Italy, France and England to name a few - who will also feel they have a realistic chance of winning it. We definitely boast the quality to go a long, long way, as we showed at the EURO. We’ll do everything in our power to do just that.

You face Serbia, Ghana and Australia in Group D. That’s not going to be easy, is it?
The group is tough, very tough. Serbia and Ghana have some exceptional players. Australia are a good team too, and they’ll be totally fired up against us. We have a lot of very hard work coming up.

Who was the player of the decade?

Who was the player of the decade?
(FIFA.com) Tuesday 19 January 2010
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Few would argue that the 1950s belonged to Alfredo Di Stefano, the 1960s to Pele, the 1970s to Johann Cruyff or Franz Beckenbauer, and the 1980s to Diego Maradona.

But if a handful of contenders can lay caim to being the player of the 1990s, then debate over who was the best player of the last decade is even more wide open.

Its first half was illuminated by, among others, FIFA World Player of the Year recipients Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho, while Fabio Cannavaro, Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi seized the prestigious award thereafter. The likes of Gianluigi Buffon, Iker Casillas, Xavi, Pavel Nedved, Steven Gerrard, Andriy Shevchenko and Samuel Eto’o also excelled over the course of the past ten years.

So, it’s over to you: Who was the player of the last decade? Simply click 'Add your comment' to make your opinion known, remembering to keep your posts clean, respectful, on-topic and in English.

Mazzarri guiding Neapolitan climb

Mazzarri guiding Neapolitan climb
(FIFA.com) Tuesday 19 January 2010
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Napoli have turned their season around after a worrying start, going from relegation candidates to serious contenders for a UEFA Champions League place in the space of three short months. Now lying fourth in Serie A following a club-record run of 13 games without defeat, including seven wins and six draws, the southerners are finally tapping the potential of a side packed with talent and coached by the unconventional Walter Mazzarri.

Another key figure in the Neapolitan revival has been president Aurelio de Laurentiis, who saved the club from bankruptcy and has opted for a policy of gradual development rather than extravagant spending. His judicious dealings in the transfer market led to the arrival of Slovakian attacking midfielder Marek Hamsik and the Argentinian twosome of Ezequiel Lavezzi and German Denis for a total outlay of less than €20m. The successors of the Ma-Gi-Ca triumvirate formed by Diego Maradona, Bruno Giordano and Careca some 20 years ago, it is no surprise that the carefully assembled trio are now catching the attention of some of Europe’s biggest clubs.

Success has not come easy for the men in blue, however, with the president having struggled to find a coach able to fulfil his lofty ambitions. Roberto Donadoni’s failure to build on the foundations laid by previous incumbent Edoardo Reja had De Laurentiis casting his net once more in search for the right man.

He appears to have found him in Mazzarri. When the 48-year-old slipped into the hot-seat on 18 October, Napoli were struggling in 15th place with only seven points to their name. “It was time to move on to a second phase,” said the president when unveiling his new appointment, a free-thinker who has been reluctant to outstay his welcome in his previous managerial posts.
This team still hasn’t realised what it’s capable of. I’m convinced we can grow quickly and achieve even bigger goals in the future.
Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri

A hard-working midfielder in his playing days, which began with him being hailed as the new Giancarlo Antognoni, Mazzarri turned out for 12 teams in all before going into coaching in 1996. He seems certain to surpass that tally in his managerial career, having held the reins at nine different clubs already. Intriguingly, he has yet to be sacked, moving from one post to another of his own volition, in an ongoing search for new experiences and adventures.

The nomadic tactician has imposed his tactical philosophy at the Stadio San Paolo, opting for a three-man defence and asking his well-staffed midfield to press high up the pitch. “We want to neutralise our opponents’ attacks by doing what Barcelona do,” he has said, revealing the secret of his side’s success.

Mazzarri has also demanded that his players fear their opponents and remain humble at all times, a call that seems to have been heeded, with Napoli having climbed their way up the table in quietly confident fashion.

The leaders of this unassuming but solidly constructed pack are international goalkeeper Morgan de Sanctis, forward Fabio Quagliarella, who is staking a claim for a place in Italy’s squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, and captain Paolo Cannavaro, the younger brother of Fabio. The Neapolitans also have a sprinkling of young stars on their books, among them midfielder Luca Cigarini, while full-back Andrea Dossena has just arrived from Liverpool.

Yet as far as Mazzarri is concerned, this is only the beginning. “This team still hasn’t realised what it’s capable of," he said. "We’re still making schoolboy mistakes, but that’s understandable when you look at the average age of the squad. We need to look very hard at ourselves without searching for easy excuses, and I’m convinced we can grow quickly and achieve even bigger goals in the future.”

Given Napoli's current rate of progress, Mazzarri’s lofty targets could be fulfilled sooner rather than later.

Two-goal Tevez haunts United

Two-goal Tevez haunts United
(AFP) Tuesday 19 January 2010
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Carlos Tevez, whose move across Manchester was the source of so much controversy, made the difference as City claimed a 2-1 win over United in the rivals' League Cup semi-final first leg on Tuesday.

Ryan Giggs's first derby goal since 1996 handed United the lead but Tevez, whose decision to reject United and sign for their wealthy neighbours in the close season was accompanied by such ill feeling, scored twice, taking his tally to 13 goals from his last 11 games. Tevez was always destined to play a pivotal role in this semi-final, one way or another.

Sure enough, when Craig Bellamy was held back by badly beaten United full-back Rafael five minutes before the interval, it was the Argentinian forward who was handed the responsibility of converting from the penalty spot, one he gleefully accepted with an emphatic finish. Tevez's gesture to former team-mate Gary Neville, sat in his customary position on the United bench, told the defender to be silent and was sweet revenge for the City man having endured a half of baiting and abuse from visiting supporters.

The penalty cancelled out Giggs's early opening goal, which came from United's first attack of note. Patrice Evra found Antonio Valencia on the right wing. Bellamy appeared to have stifled the danger with a challenge on the winger but Valencia slipped past the City man and took advantage of Vincent Kompany's failure to cut out the cross.

A near-post touch from Wayne Rooney took the ball away from City keeper Shay Given and Giggs was well placed to convert into an open net from practically on the goalline. The second half winner was vintage Tevez although it was again the result of poor defending from United, something that has happened with alarming regularity for Sir Alex Ferguson's team this season.

Bellamy's 64th minute cross from the left-wing caused panic in the visiting defence following a weak punched clearance from Edwin van der Sar. Pablo Zabaleta did a good job of keeping the ball live, chipping back into the area for Kompany to cross and find Tevez who headed in from close range.

Overcoming history
The overwrought pre-match build-up from City was perhaps understandable. Since they last appeared in a major semi-final, of the 1981 FA Cup, a total of 54 different league clubs have reached the last four of one or other of the two major domestic knockout competitions.

United seemed in the mood to ruin City's planned party but City's response to falling behind was spirited with Shaun Wright-Phillips steaming to the right-hand by-line, delivering a perfect cross with which Tevez failed to connect from six yards. United started the second half the brighter, looking to regain control of the tie, but their failure to deal with City's corners was increasingly apparent, starting, in the 57th minute, when Evra had to make a timely block to stop Micah Richards shooting in following a Bellamy flag kick.

United responded, with Rooney crossing for Giggs whose header drew an amazing save from Shay Given, falling backwards and almost in his own net, and the England forward then sending a dipping shot rising over the bar from distance. But, after conceding the second, things might have got worse for United with van der Sar being forced into a solid, diving save to keep out a Wright-Phillips blast following a neat pass into the area from Bellamy.

United would dominate the closing proceedings however and Rooney's one-two with substitute Michael Owen in the 77th minute played him clean in on goal where Given made a fantastic block, Owen then steering the loose ball goalwards where Nedum Onuoha made a simple clearance. Two minutes later Rooney was again City's tormentor with a twisting run into the area and an audacious shot which Given tipped over. United pressed until the end with Valencia missing a far post volley from an Evra cross and Given saving well once again to deny Rooney.

Cubillas: I'd change nothing

Cubillas: I'd change nothing
(FIFA.com) Tuesday 19 January 2010
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Few players have contributed as much to their country’s footballing history as Teofilo Cubillas has for Peru. Nicknamed El Nene (The Kid), he was the leader of the golden generation that won the Copa America 1975 and performed with distinction at Mexico 1970 and Argentina 1978. To round off a distinguished career, the legendary attacking midfielder also inspired his nation to qualification for Spain 1982, their last appearance at the FIFA World Cup™.

Cubillas's individual achievements are equally impressive. Peru’s all-time top scorer with 26 goals in 81 appearances, he struck ten times in 13 FIFA World Cup matches, a haul that helped him collect the adidas Bronze Shoe in 1970 and the adidas Silver Shoe eight years later. One of the most prolific midfielders in history, his club record of 268 goals in 469 top-flight games across the world outshines those of luminaries such as Diego Maradona, Michel Platini and Ruud Gullit.

While in Peru he only ever played for Alianza Lima, he enjoyed spells with Basel in Switzerland, Portuguese giants Porto and Fort Lauderdale Strikers. Now 60, Cubillas spoke to FIFA.com about his glorious past, his current projects and what the future may hold.

FIFA.com: Teofilo, what are you up to at the moment?
Teofilo Cubillas: I’m still involved in football. I do a lot of travelling as a FIFA instructor for the Technical Study Group and with the Special Olympics, which has changed my life. It’s very special to be with people like that. I live in the US but I always go back to Peru to keep my emotional links intact and stay in touch with people. And whatever free time I have I devote to my grandchildren. I give to them what I couldn’t give to my children when I was playing.
He has made up for what he lacks in terms of physique with his innate skill and tremendous power. And he has this amazing ability to shake off his markers. He’s incredible.
Teofilo Cubillas on why he considers Lionel Messi the world's best player

You are one of The FIFA 100 (the greatest living footballers, as selected by Pele), and you have just been inducted into the CONMEBOL Hall of Fame. What does that kind of recognition mean to you?
I never expected to achieve so much recognition when I retired from the game. I’m almost embarrassed to think that I’m the only Peruvian in the FIFA 100, but I love the fact that what I achieved as a footballer did not go unnoticed.

You were part of a uniquely talented generation of Peruvian players. Do you think the current crop lack technique?
No, and I don’t think we should be going on about the great footballers that Peru once had, because we’ve got them now. Players like Claudio Pizzaro, Jefferson Farfan and Juan Manuel Vargas are all having success in Europe. The problems that the national side had in the World Cup qualifiers had nothing to do with that.

So what was the reason then?
In purely footballing terms, and this is something that also happened to Argentina, the players weren’t quite able to repeat their club form for the national side. If they had scored half the goals they get with their clubs, then we would have gone through. There were also a few administrative things that had an effect.

How do you feel about Peru failing to reach the World Cup again?
Angry and sad. It’s been 28 years now and that’s too long. If we didn’t have the players, then I’d just accept it, but we have more than enough resources. And it’s not a question of wiping the slate clean and starting anew, as they say. I can’t be doing with that. Look at Chile. They were worse off than Peru a few years ago but all it took for them was to appoint a coach and a president with the ability to turn things around. You don’t need three years to lay the groundwork and start getting results. They’ve even got several home-based players in their squad. Football is all about attitude, and if you set out exactly what you want to achieve, then you can achieve it.

Would like to become national coach one day?
In 1987 I agreed to become player-coach at Alianza Lima for four months but that was enough for me. I didn’t really like the job and though I’d love to give something back to Peruvian football for everything it has given me, I’d like to do it in a different way, maybe as president. We have the players and yet we still can’t reach the World Cup. I can’t get my head round that and I can’t accept it. So let’s see what the future brings.

Do you ever watch the FIFA World Cup matches you played in?
I’ve got all the videos but I don’t have the time to watch them. I saw the goals against Scotland in 1978 on TV a few years ago and I was lost for words when I heard the commentary. Maybe that’s why I don’t watch them. I get very emotional.

What is your happiest memory?
The opening goal against Bulgaria at Mexico 1970, a game we won 3-2. There’d been an earthquake in Peru just a few days before and news didn’t spread as quickly then as it does now. We found out just before we went out to play that 50,000 people had died. Knowing that we’d brought a little bit of happiness to the country at such a sad time was a feeling that is impossible to put into words.

Let’s come back to the present. Who is the best footballer around at the moment?
Lionel Messi. He has made up for what he lacks in terms of physique with his innate skill and tremendous power. And he has this amazing ability to shake off his markers. He’s incredible.
It was an honour that Pele named me as his successor. I played with some talented people and no-one can take that away from me.
Teofilo Cubillas

Are there any players who remind you of you?
I wouldn’t want to be like any of the players around today. I was what I am. I achieved what I could and I don’t like making comparisons. It was an honour that Pele named me as his successor, and if I could, I’d go back and be a footballer from that time again. I played with some talented people and no-one can take that away from me.

If you could, which team would you play for today?
In Peru it'd be Alianza Lima. And if I had to choose a foreign team, it would be the current Barcelona side. I’d fit in because I liked to play and bring others into the game too. I loved playing good football and doing little one-twos with Messi, Xavi, Ibrahimovic and Henry would be something else.

One last question: Is there anything you would change about your career?
Nothing. As I said on the day I retired, if I was born again, I’d choose football as my job, Alianza Lima as my team and Peru as my country.

Ghana scrape their way through

Ghana scrape their way through
(FIFA.com) Tuesday 19 January 2010
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Day 10 - Ghana beat Burkina Faso in the only game of the day at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Angola to ensure their progress to the knockout phase. The 1-0 win was secured with a goal in the 30th minute from Andre 'Dede' Ayew, who is the son of Ghanaian legend Abedi Pele.

Côte d'Ivoire, who did not play because their match with Togo was cancelled, win Group B on four points, while Ghana go through with three. In the quarter-finals, the Black Stars will face Group A winners and hosts Angola in what is sure to be a vibrant Luanda on Sunday, while the Elephants stay in Cabinda to battle fellow FIFA World Cup™ qualifiers Algeria on the same day.

Togo had withdrawn from Group B before the start of the tournament following a deadly attack on their bus in Cabinda.

Results
Burkina Faso 0-1 Ghana (A. Ayew 30’)

Goal of the day
Burkina Faso 0-1 Ghana, Andre Ayew (30’)
It was the first day at the CAN where only one goal was scored, and it was a remarkably easy one for the bandy-legged Ayew, who had a busy afternoon with his runs down the left side of the field. A swinging cross from the right looped dangerously across the Burkinabe defence and found Ayew completely unmarked just outside the six-yard box. He kept his concentration and did not have to even move his feet but rather just directed his head downward and sent the ball crashing into the back of the net. Given how stoutly Les Etalons had defended in their opening group game against Côte d'Ivoire in Cabinda, it came as a surprise how much space Ayew found.

Memorable Moments
Drama to the last
There weren’t too many chances in the match, but there was enough tension to make it a must-watch contest until the end. Ghana had to win and the Burkinabe needed a draw. It was in the closing stages that the suspense increased and there was a heart-stopping moment for the Ghanaians three minutes into second-half stoppage time. Mahamadou Kere drove a square cross for Moumouni Dagano, the marksman who was the top scorer in the South Africa 2010 qualifiers. But as Dagano looked set to swoop on the ball, Ghana goalkeeper Richard Kingson made a brave dive at the feet of the big forward and saved the day for the Black Stars.

Running like the wind
Jonathan Pitroipa got a heartfelt compliment from opposing Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac after the match and with good reason too. Pitroipa toiled tirelessly through the game down the wing, taking on defenders with his pace and causing panic in the Black Stars defence. His run in the eighth minute was the best of the lot as he cut inside from the left after outpacing the defence but just could not force the ball past netminder Kingson, who came out well for the cross.

Red means stop
It was in the 66th minute that Burkina Faso’s campaign looked to come to an end when Mamadou Tall picked up a caution for an innocuous looking challenge on Asamoah Gyan and had to go off because he had already been booked. Handicapped by the disadvantage of being a man down, Burkina Faso seemed to lose momentum in their search for the equaliser that could have put them into the quarter-finals.

The man in the stands
The image of injured Black Stars icon Michael Essien in the stands watching while his team celebrated their goal further underlined how many key players Ghana are missing at the event. Six regular starters are out for the side trying to win their fifth African title, and a further handful are battling with their fitness in the camp. As Essien will not play for the rest of the event, the young team - with many players from last year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup team (including Ayew) - have to continue to prove themselves on the big stage.

The stat
13 – The number of times Ghana have made it past the first round of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations in 17 appearances. Their only failures were in 1980, 1984, 1998 and memorably in 2006 when they lost two of three matches and went out on goal difference.

What they said
“It was a very competitive match. They kept attacking us, and they were dangerous, particularly from set pieces. In the second half, we had chances to counter-attack, but we lacked concentration in our finishing." Ghana's Serbian coach Milovan Rajevac.

Tomorrow’s matches
Benin - Egypt (20 Jan. 16:00 GMT)
Nigeria - Mozambique (20 Jan. 16:00 GMT)

Have your say
Can this young Ghanaian team go far into the tournament and maybe win the whole thing? Click on 'Add your comment' and share your opinion with other football fans from around the world.

Gerrard rubbishes bust-up rumours

Gerrard rubbishes bust-up rumours
(PA) Wednesday 20 January 2010
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Steven Gerrard has insisted he remains fully committed to Liverpool after rubbishing reports of a dressing room bust-up with Rafa Benitez.

The Reds captain has been the subject of fresh rumours regarding a move abroad this week, following claims that he confronted his manager during the FA Cup exit at the hands of Reading at Anfield last week.

But Gerrard has claimed he is as committed to Liverpool as ever. "I've heard about a dozen versions of the same rumour and they're all as daft as each other," he told the Daily Post.
I'd love to know who comes up with this kind of stuff because they must have an unbelievable imagination. Nothing happened, that's an absolute fact.
Steven Gerrard on rumours he had a changing-room bust-up with Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez

"I'd love to know who comes up with this kind of stuff because they must have an unbelievable imagination. Nothing happened, that's an absolute fact.

"But if anyone thinks this nonsense unsettles either me or the club then they're mistaken, if anything it's brought everyone even closer together because we've all had a good laugh about it.

"In the time since he's been here I've never had a problem with the manager or his staff, and certainly not at half-time in the Reading game when I was actually receiving treatment for the injury I'd picked up during the first half.

"The important thing for me now is trying to get myself fit as soon as possible so I can get back to working with the manager and the team to try and improve our situation."

Addressing reports that he might leave for any one of Real Madrid, Inter Milan or even Manchester City, Gerrard added: "All the stories about me leaving are unfounded. The fans can be assured that I am doing all I can to get back to top form and help Liverpool finish the season on a high."