Lothar MATTHAEUS

Lothar MATTHAEUS
Matthaus: The record hunter

Lothar Herbert Matthaus, to give the former Germany international his full appellation, was born in the Bavarian town of Erlangen in March of 1961. His football success story began at the age of just nine, and is still being written today.

It was in the tranquil town of Herzogenaurach, where the sports manufacturer adidas is headquartered, that 'Loddar', as he is known by the German tabloid press, first joined the local football club of the same name. Few would have guessed at the time that the ambitious young talent would go on to become one of the best players of his generation. Even the man himself was not entirely convinced. Despite his burgeoning talent on the pitch, the teenage Matthaus completed an apprenticeship in interior decoration after leaving school, though it quickly became apparent that his true calling was the beautiful game.

First professional contract
Matthaus was first called up to the West Germany U-21 squad at the age of 18, with hindsight an important milestone in his career that placed him in the shop window for a host of professional clubs. In the summer of 1979, the impressive young midfielder signed for Borussia Monchengladbach, one of that decade's most successful clubs.

Matthaus, always a confident character, refused to be overawed by the big names surrounding him and impressed then-coach Jupp Heynckes from the start. The Bavarian soon became one of the first names on the Foals' team sheet, leading the Lower Rhine club into the UEFA Cup final in his first season, though they were eventually defeated by fellow German outfit Eintracht Frankfurt.

His consistently good performances at club level saw the dynamic youngster picked for the Germany squad for the 1980 UEFA European Championship in Italy, where he made his senior international debut in a 3-2 win over the Netherlands. As an unused substitute, Matthaus would celebrate his first major title with Die Mannschaft after victory in the final against Belgium, but his finest hour in a German shirt was still ten years away.

Ever-reliable
In the following seasons Matthaus established himself as a key performer for both Gladbach and the national team, and although trophies at domestic level were hard to come by, he was a fixture in coach Jupp Derwall's Germany teams.

Again part of the team which travelled to the 1982 FIFA World Cup™ in Spain, Matthaus had to make do with a bit part role with Paul Breitner ahead of him in the pecking order, just as Bernd Schuster had been two years earlier.

Changing times
Matthaus' real heyday began in 1984 and coincided with a move to Bundesliga heavyweights Bayern Munich. Under the tutelage of legendary coach Udo Lattek, he finally made the attacking midfield role his own and led the Bavarian giants to the title in his first season at the club. The young man from Erlangen grew in stature with every passing season, becoming one of the world's most sought-after players as he clinched the double in his second season at the Olympiastadion.

The same year, Matthaus travelled to Mexico 1986 as one of the key members of Franz Beckenbauer's Germany squad, playing a vital role in midfield alongside Felix Magath as the Germans reached the Final. The journey ended there, however, with Argentina running out 3-2 winners and consigning the Europeans to a second successive defeat in the ultimate match.

Named an honorary captain of the German national team in 2001, Matthaus was first given his country's armband in 1987. Beckenbauer placed his full faith in Matthaus, and he was repaid handsomely with yet more top class performances.

Success in Italy
After winning his third Bundesliga title with Bayern in 1987, the 1.74m No10 revealed his intention to join Italian club Inter Milan. With the experienced Giovanni Trappatoni at the helm, it was here that Matthaus developed into an international superstar in what was at the time the best league in the world. True to form, Matthaus won the Scudetto in his first season, but it was one year later that the German icon's greatest moment finally arrived.

At the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy, the energetic playmaker captained his team to the title in spectacular fashion and was subsequently honoured with the German Footballer of the Year, European Footballer of the Year and World Footballer of the Year awards. One year later, he became the first-ever recipient of the FIFA World Player award.

Injury woes
Following a long absence due to a cruciate ligament tear, Matthaus rejoined Bayern in 1992, celebrating his Bundesliga return in September of the same year. In line with his diminishing pace and increasing experience, his role in the team changed from attacking midfield to libero at both club and international level. Under his old mentor Beckenbauer, the new master at the heart of the Bayern defence celebrated yet another championship in 1994, though he suffered disappointment that summer at USA 1994 as Germany crashed out at the quarter-final stage to surprise package Bulgaria.

Matthaus' injury troubles continued to shadow him throughout the following year with an Achilles tendon tear keeping him out of action for several months in 1995, leading to many experts predicting a premature end to his illustrious career. They could not have been wider of the mark.

Iron will and last days
Thanks to his consummate discipline and will to win, the German star eventually recaptured his old form and played a major role in Bayern's UEFA Cup triumph in 1996. Matthaus was to miss Germany's triumph at EURO 1996 in England after a difference of opinion with then coach Berti Vogts, but two years later, the current Azerbaijan boss recalled the veteran star for France 1998 at the ripe old age of 37. After setting a new record of 25 FIFA World Cup appearances, Matthaus' final bow on the biggest stage came in a 3-0 quarter-final defeat to Croatia.

His last major international tournament ended in disappointment at EURO 2000 in Belgium and the Netherlands, where the Germans failed to reach the knockout stages. A 3-0 defeat to Portugal in their final group game brought an unceremonious denouement to Matthaus' 20-year career in the national team, with whom he amassed a record 150 caps and took part in five FIFA World Cups. In September 2000, Matthaus finally hung up his boots after a brief stint in the USA with the NY/NJ Metro Stars.

New challenge on the touchline
Matthaus' first tried his hand at coaching in the 2001/02 season with Austrian club Rapid Vienna, before taking charge at Partizan Belgrade at the end of the season. After winning the championship with the Serbian side and leading them into the UEFA Champions League, Matthaus was offered his first managerial post at international level with Hungary, though failure to qualify for Germany 2006 meant his contract was not renewed.

A short-lived spell at the helm of Brazilian club Atletico Paranaense followed, but Matthaus soon returned to Europe to work as former boss Trappatoni's assistant at Red Bull Salzburg. His most recent coaching role was with Maccabi Netanya, but after leaving the Israeli outfit at the end of the 2008/09 season, the German legend is now waiting for the right opportunity to return to the game.

Thomas learning his trade

Thomas learning his trade
(FIFA.com) Wednesday 31 March 2010

Make a list of the Honduran players currently plying their trade in Europe and the first names that spring to mind will be Wilson Palacios, David Suazo, Maynor Figueroa and Julio de Leon. Yet, there is one other Catracho export who is making a name for himself in one of the most competitive leagues in the world and is seemingly poised to join that select band.

The man in question is Hendry Thomas, a reliable defensive midfielder who has impressed the English Premier League’s demanding fans since joining Wigan Athletic in June last year. And with the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ looming ever closer, the 25-year-old international will soon have the chance to introduce himself to an even larger audience.

Given Thomas’ footballing lineage, it is no surprise to see him forging a successful career in the game. A cousin of the free-scoring Suazo, he can also count two other professional footballers among his relatives: Maynor Suazo and Allan Lalin.

Precociously talented as a youngster, Thomas made his debut in the Honduran top flight for Club Deportivo Olimpia at the age of only 16. After turning 23 he was given a trial by French first division outfit Toulouse, only for his lack of experience to prevent him being offered a contract.

Thomas would learn from the setback, however, as he recently explained. “I felt awful when that happened to me. I didn’t want to go back to Honduras and I wanted to give up football. My family rallied round though, and they convinced me to keep going.”
Every week we come up against great players but as soon as the whistle blows you have to be professional and get on with the job of competing against them.
Hendry Thomas on playing in England.

Yet that was not the end of Thomas’s travails. A serious knee ligament injury threatened to cut short his career and it was only when he had overcome that obstacle that his luck began to change. At the end of last season Wigan strengthened their ties with Honduran football by spending £1.75m to bring Thomas to the DW Stadium, where he would join compatriots Palacios and Figueroa.

The move was the fulfilment of one of the midfielder’s biggest dreams. “It’s amazing,” he says. “This is a dream come true for me. Every week we come up against great players but as soon as the whistle blows you have to be professional and get on with the job of competing against them.”

Since his arrival in Lancashire, Thomas has successfully bridged the gulf in class between the English and Honduran leagues, gaining the confidence of Latics coach Roberto Martinez and earning a place in the starting XI. “The game is much faster here and I struggled with that at first,” he said recently. “I’ve got used to the way they play here though and I feel great now.”

His Spanish coach is delighted to have him around. “He’s a kid who has come on really well,” commented Martinez enthusiastically. “I can honestly see him succeeding at a big team in Europe. He has a lot of qualities.”

A move to one of the continent’s giants could come around sooner rather than later if Thomas shines with La Bicolor in South Africa. The Wigan man hopes to do just that but is keen not to get too far ahead of himself.

“We need to take each game as it comes,” he said. “We don’t want to go and try and win the second match before we’ve even played the first. We’re not outsiders but we can’t go there just thinking about Spain. Chile and Switzerland are strong teams too and we need to show them respect.”

It is that kind of maturity that has impressed Martinez so much during Thomas’s short but productive career with the northerners so far. Having seen the Honduran close up in one of the most testing leagues in the world, he knows perhaps better than anyone that the 25-year-old could be poised for even greater things following his South African adventure.

Okazaki, Japan's lethal weapon

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Okazaki, Japan's lethal weapon
(FIFA.com) Wednesday 31 March 2010

By any standards, Shinji Okazaki's rise to prominence has been meteoric. He debuted just 18 months ago and since then the 23-year-old has already accrued 16 goals at a strike rate of better than a goal every other game.

Last calendar year proved memorable for Okazaki who scored 15 times for Samurai Blue, including firing the momentous goal against Uzbekistan which sealed qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™. His scoring tally also earned him extra recognition after being named as having the year's top international goal tally by the Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS).

Japan have perhaps found a retort to critics of their goal return in the diminutive striker, perhaps their most promising forward since Kazuyoshi Miura. But for Okazaki, his new status just adds to his motivation for more goals. “I do not think I’m the team’s ace striker. But in terms of improving my skills, feeling pressure is perhaps not a bad thing,” he said.

Launching pad
Among his 16 international goals, Okazaki singled out the match-winner against Uzbekistan last June as the turning point of his playing career. Only nine minutes into the decisive match he latched onto Kengo Nakamura’s pass to ensure Japan’s qualification with two games to spare.

“That was the best moment and the goal was the most important for me while all the other goals pale into insignificance,” Okazaki said, “I entered the match under great pressure but I proved I could deliver in big games. I felt I have grown up after that game.”

Indeed, the goal became a shot in the arm for the Shimizu S-Pulse hitman, who turned the remaining year into a personal goal-spree, scoring eight times in just four matches, including hat-tricks against Hong Kong and Togo. With Okazaki scoring freely, Japan won ten of their 15 matches in 2009 with two draws. However, it was one of their three losses - a 3-0 defeat against the Netherlands - which troubles the young striker most.
Every opponent is tough but if we prepare perfectly, we can reach our goal.
Japan forward Shinji Okazaki

Japan created good chances in the opening half, with both Okazaki and Nakamura close to breaking the deadlock. But the tide turned on 69 minutes when Arsenal forward Robin van Persie put the Netherlands ahead with further strikes from Wesley Sneijder and Klaas Jan Huntelaar blowing out the winning margin.

The lopsided scoreline left many sceptical about Japan’s prospects in the 2010 FIFA World Cup where they will again take on the Europeans in the Group E game on 19 June, but Okazaki thinks differently. “Despite the loss, I have the confidence that I could do something against the big teams. Actually I had several scoring chances throughout the 90 minutes and the outcome would have been totally different had I converted any of them.”

Okazaki has continued his prolific international form in 2010, opening the scoring in their 2-0 win over Bahrain in the qualifying for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup. With the FIFA World Cup just around the corner, pressure is mounting on Japan who have set their sights on a semi-final goal, however Okazaki seemingly feels no pressure.

“It doesn’t matter to me whether we could win matches in the World Cup,” says Okazaki. “My job is scoring goals. Every opponent is tough but if we prepare perfectly, we can reach our goal.”

UEFA Champions League review

UEFA Champions League review
(FIFA.com) Wednesday 31 March 2010
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Arsenal and Barcelona played out a pulsating 2-2 draw in their UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg at the Emirates Stadium. The four-goal spectacular sets up what should be a thrilling return match at the Camp Nou next Tuesday.

In the evening’s other first-leg tie Inter Milan did just enough to see off a resilient CSKA Moscow side, with Diego Milito scoring the only goal of the game. Despite failing to snatch an away goal, the Russians remain well in contention for a semi-final slot.

The results
Arsenal 2-2 Barcelona
Goals: Theo Walcott 69, Cesc Fabregas 85 pen (Arsenal); Zlatan Ibrahimovic 46, 59 (Barcelona)

Inter Milan 1-0 CSKA Moscow
Goal: Diego Milito 65

Goal of the night
Arsenal 0-1 Barcelona (Zlatan Ibrahimovic 46)

The second half had only just started when Gerard Pique collected the ball and advanced to the halfway-line. Looking up, he clipped a fine pass over the top of the Arsenal defence and into the path of Ibrahimovic, who lobbed the bouncing ball over the top of Gunners keeper Manuel Almunia and into the back of the net.

The key moments
A Catalan steamroller: It was one-way traffic in the first half hour of a spectacular game at the Emirates. Brimming with invention and ideas, the reigning European champions bewildered Arsenal with their movement off the ball, earning 70 per cent possession during a 30-minute masterclass. The only reason why Barça’s spellbinding opening failed to yield any goals was the Gunners’ Spanish custodian Manuel Almunia, who pulled off a string of superb reflex saves, several of them from point-blank range. French midfielder Samir Nasri then raised the siege by orchestrating some clever counter-attacks, and though he came close to a surprise opener for the hosts, the match remained goalless at the end of a magnificent first half.

Inter grind it out: Following an evenly balanced first 45 minutes between a well-drilled CSKA outfit and a stale-looking Inter team, the other quarter-final in Milan took on an entirely different complexion after the restart. Whatever Jose Mourinho said at the break evidently had an effect as I Nerazzurri pressed in search of the opener. It duly arrived shortly after the hour mark. Surging into space, Wesley Sneijder set up Diego Milito, who shrugged off the attentions of Sergei Ignashevich before striking the ball low past Igor Akinfeev from the edge of the area. Having finally broken the shackles, Inter exerted even more pressure only for Akinfeev to defy them with some world-class stops. Deciding to run down the clock in the closing stages, the Milan giants conserved their energy for next week’s trip to Moscow, where they can expect a stern examination from the lively Russians.

Lightning strike: Barcelona’s quick thinking at the start of the second half did not just catch the Gunners rearguard by surprise. There were still several empty seats around the Emirates when Ibrahimovic gave the visitors the lead from Pique’s long ball, an unexpected variation on their habitual short-passing game. The Swede’s smart finish triggered another dizzying spell of play, with Victor Valdes quickly forced into action by Nicklas Bendtner’s bullet header. Back came Barcelona, though, and with an hour gone, Xavi took his turn to unlock the home defence, his neat chipped pass teeing up Ibrahimovic to thump home his second of the evening.

Arsene Wenger’s side stuck to their task though. Inspired by the introduction of the speedy Theo Walcott, they chased down every loose ball. It was the substitute who got them back into the game, outpacing Maxwell and beating Valdes with a low shot. Dropping a gear for the first time in the evening, Barcelona began to give away possession and were punished when Carles Puyol was sent off after bringing down Cesc Fabregas in the box. Fabregas converted coolly from the spot to restore parity. Hobbling badly at the end of the game, the Arsenal skipper will miss the second leg through suspension, as will Puyol and his central-defensive partner Pique.

FIFA World Cup™ contenders
England coach Fabio Capello will have enjoyed seeing Theo Walcott spring off the bench and revitalise a fading Arsenal. Also in the stands at the Emirates was France boss Raymond Domenech, who had cause for concern when William Gallas was stretchered off just before the break, and cause for celebration at a probing display by Samir Nasri.

While Barcelona’s raft of Spanish internationals looked in fine fettle in London, the Serbian duo of Milos Krasic and Dejan Stankovic had less of an influence on events at the San Siro.

Coming up

How is your team shaping up?

How is your team shaping up?
(FIFA.com) Tuesday 2 March 2010

One-hundred days is all that remains until the 2010 FIFA World Cup gets underway. FIFA.com wants to know how your team’s preparations for the tournament are going.

Have they been achieving positive results? Have they been delivering convincing performances? Do they have any injury doubts for the competition? Are there any other areas of concern?

So, it’s over to you. Give it some thought and be sure to share your views with countless football enthusiasts the world over.

Simply click ‘Add your comment’ to join the discussion, remembering to keep your comments clean, respectful, on-topic and in English.

Gilberto Silva: Brazil are ready

Gilberto Silva: Brazil are ready
(FIFA.com) Monday 29 March 2010

Despite a career that has featured triumph at the 2002 FIFA World Cup™, English Premier League and FA Cup, plus victory in the 2007 Copa America and FIFA Confederations Cup 2009, A Seleção stalwart Gilberto Silva has not been immune to criticism in recent years. Yet it is the simplicity with which he plays the game, a quality that means his contribution in central midfield is often underestimated, that makes him such a vital cog in Dunga’s Auriverde machine.

Charged with screening his defence, winning the ball back and supplying Brazil’s creative talents, the 33-year-old Panathinaikos star’s excellence in that role, allied to the experience garnered at two editions of world football’s biggest event, could prove vital to the Canarinha’s bid for a sixth global crown come South Africa 2010. FIFA.com spoke to the midfielder on a range of issues including his midfield partner Felipe Melo, his playing philosophy and a possible return to former club Atletico Mineiro.

FIFA.com: Gilberto, your starting place in the Seleção side went virtually unquestioned since Korea/Japan 2002, that is until this FIFA World Cup qualifying phase just past. What do you think happened?
Gilberto Silva: Listen, I’m a player who always tries to keep the game simple, but that’s not always what the fans are looking for. To be honest though, I don’t let it bother me. It doesn’t matter to me if whoever’s giving me a score out of ten in the paper doesn’t notice my contribution. When they give me grief, I think back to the start of my career when I was breaking into the Seleção and everybody doubted what I’d be able to bring to the team. I see that as an extra motivating factor, although of course sometimes it gets on my nerves. Especially as it’s my own country we’re talking about, because outside Brazil I’m incredibly well-respected and people value what I do.

However, it seems that victory at the FIFA Confederations Cup 2009 proved crucial in silencing the critics. Did everything really change after your performances in South Africa?
Yes, the Confederations Cup was very important. Some people questioned what I was doing there, because I’d not been playing much at Arsenal. Some couldn’t comprehend how I was first-choice for the national team while I wasn’t starting for my club. Anyhow, I tried to react positively to the criticism and it only made me work even harder in South Africa.

Did Brazil boss Dunga ever take you to one side to talk about the pressure you were under and what you were going through at club level?
Dunga’s a coach who is always very open with us. And anyway, I was perfectly aware that not being first-choice at Arsenal wasn’t doing my cause any good, which is why I looked to change clubs. As things stood, with me spending a lot of games on the bench, I knew that my place in the Seleção could be in danger. Deciding to make the switch to Greek football was important for me and I don’t regret it. Even though it’s a less high-profile league [than the English Premiership], I knew that I needed to be playing every week. But, above all that, Dunga was always very open and he would have been totally free to tell me he thought I shouldn’t be playing [for Brazil].

At the moment, not only are you a starter but you are also a key leadership figure within the squad, correct?
The great thing is that the leadership role came about naturally, without anyone having to force the issue. The lads who break into the national squad now tend to look to those who know the situation best, like me, Lucio or Kaka, for example. There’s no doubt that it’s a big responsibility but it’s a good type of responsibility. It’s also good to know we have that role.

Unlike Lucio, however, it seems that you are not much of a talker on the pitch...
I am, I really am. Even so, I think that the role us leaders in the squad have goes over and above footballing matters. The personal side counts too. Once a game is over, you find yourself dealing with each player’s emotions: talking to them, cheering them up, even telling them off if need be. Especially when you’re involved in a month-long tournament, which seems like such a long time but which passes really quickly. I think that it has to do with the way I am: I try to be everybody’s friend and respect people’s differences. Just as I mentioned that I try to keep things simple when I’m playing, I try to do the same in life too.

This will be your third FIFA World Cup finals. What did you learn from each of the two previous editions?
The two situations were very different. In 2002 players like Cafu, Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos were our leading men, and I was fortunate enough to win a place in the team and play all the way through to the Final. Then in 2006, with more experience under my belt, I didn’t begin the tournament as a first-choice starter but I was back in the team by the end. Appearing at that World Cup was important, even though I didn’t play in all the games. In any case, I’ve experienced both sides of the coin, with victory in 2002 and our loss in Germany, which was hugely frustrating. I think that experience is valuable.

Your experience should also prove valuable to your central midfield partner Felipe Melo, who only broke into the national squad just over a year ago.
The partnership Felipe and I have today is really important. He’s the same age (26) as I was when I broke into the national squad in 2002: he’s a young player and one who’s more suited to pushing on and joining the attack. I think that we form a well-balanced midfield duo. Felipe has earned his place in the team. People normally act quite shy when they first get called up to the Seleção, but he was very calm from the beginning and things went really well. He seized his chance. And that’s what the Brazilian national team is like: you’ve got to be ready whenever the opportunity arises because you may only get one chance. That’s what happened to me when I went to the 2002 World Cup. It’s hard enough getting into the Seleção, but staying there is even tougher.

Do you feel that Felipe Melo, a midfielder who is keen to push forward as well as carrying out his defensive duties, is a good example of what is expected in that position nowadays?
That’s the way it’s worked out. To be honest, particularly in Europe, that’s been key for every midfielder, even attacking ones - everybody has both offensive and defensive duties. But even in a team with as much quality as the Seleção, I don’t think we can have midfielders flying forward at every opportunity. Football is like being in a band: everybody has their part to play. One might focus on scoring goals, another on stopping them. That’s how Brazil have found the ideal blend, because each player carries out their role with distinction.

What is your verdict on the group Brazil have been drawn in at South Africa 2010? Given your time in the English game, you will already know many of the players you will take on in Group G.
If you compare it to England or Spain’s groups, for example, I think it’s justified to call ours “the Group of Death”, but this team’s already lived through a lot of adversity and is ready to face this situation. I know a lot of the Portuguese players and particularly the Ivorians, who I played alongside at Arsenal. In fact, Kolo Toure and [Emmanuel] Eboue have been giving me loads of stick, joking around and saying that Côte d’Ivoire are going to beat Brazil. (Laughs) But of course they respect us, that’s just what it’s like at the World Cup: everybody wants to beat Brazil.

There has been a wave of Brazilian players returning to their homeland. Is there a chance that you could one day go back to Atletico Mineiro?
(Chuckles) Well, I’ve got a year and a half left on my contract with Panathinaikos, but after that who knows? I’ve always had a lot of affection for Atletico and I still follow their results. I’ve got a lot of respect for the fans and the people at the club and they respect me too. But you can’t force these things, we’ll see what happens once my contract runs out.

Who is your country's key player?

Who is your country's key player?
(FIFA.com) Tuesday 30 March 2010
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FIFA recognises 207 men’s national teams from all corners of the globe. No matter which one of them you support, FIFA.com would like to hear who your nation’s most important player is.

Is he a long established member of the side or a newcomer into it? An attacking player, as is usually the case, or a goalkeeper, defender or defensive midfielder?

Perhaps it’s an obvious choice; maybe it’s not. Whatever the case, be sure to share your opinion with countless fellow fans the world over.

Simply click ‘Add your comment’ to join the discussion, remembering to keep your comments clean, respectful, on-topic and in English.

Inter's unsung heroes

Inter's unsung heroes
(FIFA.com) Monday 29 March 2010
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Labelled 'water-carriers' in cycling or the 'engine room' in rugby, in football they are the players who operate in the shadows with low-key, hard-working performances. Balance and toil are the qualities they bring to the table, and few men contribute those vital elements better than Inter Milan and Argentina duo Javier Zanetti and Esteban Cambiasso. FIFA.com takes a closer look at a pair of players more used to grafting away than grabbing headlines.

Mention Inter to most fans of the game and the players who first come to mind are usually strikers Samuel Eto'o and Diego Milito or playmaker Wesley Sneijder. Brazilian goalkeeper Julio Cesar and South American centre-backs Lucio and Walter Samuel frequently get a mention too, as do the likes of Maicon, Ivan Cordoba and veteran defender Marco Materazzi.

Rarely, however, does captain Zanetti come in for individual accolades, despite his 674 appearances for the Nerazzurri and rave reviews from his peers. For his Juventus and Italy counterpart Fabio Cannavaro, for example, the 36-year-old is “an incredible player and a perfect captain”.

As for Cambiasso, who seems to channel both Fernando Redondo and Bernd Schuster with his style of play, “he will be the next captain of Inter when Javier decides to quit,” according to club President Massimo Moratti.

Club symbol
Javier Adelmar Zanetti first arrived in Milan in 1995, having made the move from Argentinian outfit Banfield. Since making his Serie A debut in a 1-0 victor over Vicenza on 27 August 1995, he has seen 14 coaches and hundreds of players come and go without his place in the first XI ever coming under scrutiny. Instead, he has become nothing short of a symbol of the club as the years have passed.

“He’s an exemplary athlete, a rigorous professional and an example for the youngsters,” says Tarcisio Burgnich, a fellow Inter legend. “If today’s players knew how to take care of themselves the way he does, club treatment rooms would be less crowded.” Difficult as it is to believe when watching him in action, Zanetti will turn 37 less than a month after the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™. In addition to being a first-rate skipper whose words are listened to religiously in the dressing room, Pupi boasts the ability to shine at right-back, left-back or in defensive midfield.
He’s a great player as well as a generous one, whose also very intelligent tactically. He’s ready to take the captain’s armband.
Javier Zanetti on Esteban Cambiasso

He likewise possesses a rare vision for the game for a player in such a withdrawn role. “Zanetti is better than all the rest of us put together,” stated none other than Diego Maradona shortly after taking over as Argentina boss. “He’s a great guy and positive for the squad, to whom he talks all the time, and he also knows exactly how best to use his experience.”

Team-mate Cambiasso, known as El Cuchu, began his European adventure at Real Madrid, where he spent two seasons in the youth ranks. Initially shown the ropes at Maradona’s first club, Argentinos Juniors, the then 15-year-old’s career began to take off when Real scouts approached his parents with an offer. “I’ve been working for 60 years and have nothing in front of me,” explained his father Carlos, himself a former professional footballer. “You don’t have the right to let a chance like this go begging.”

Ten years later and the holding midfielder with a penchant for getting forward could already point to an impressive raft of titles, though the 29-year-old has so far missed out on global success at senior level after claiming the FIFA World Youth Championship in 1997. “He’s a positive guy who helps all his team-mates with his words, his legs and his lungs,” says Zanetti. “He’s a great player as well as a generous one, whose also very intelligent tactically. He’s ready to take the captain’s armband.”

A glimmer of hope
Almost any other FIFA World Cup contender would find a way to slot both Zanetti and Cambiasso into their starting line-up for this summer’s showcase, but Maradona has yet to add to the latter’s 46 caps and seems set on pursuing different options in defensive midfield. “It’s not easy to stay at the top in a country like Argentina, where new talents are coming through all the time,” says Zanetti, the most-capped Argentinian player of all time with 136 appearances under his belt.

The two men nonetheless appreciated Maradona’s presence in the stands during the second leg of their UEFA Champions League first knockout round contest with Chelsea. “Maradona knows what I can bring to the national team, both on and off the pitch,” says Zanetti. “The national team is very important to me. I won’t lose hope because football has taught me that you have to believe right up to the end.”

Should those hopes bear fruit and Cambiasso and Zanetti find themselves on a plane to South Africa, both would no doubt start dreaming of the chance to take a rare step out from the shadows.

Gilberto Silva: Brazil are ready

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Gilberto Silva: Brazil are ready
(FIFA.com) Monday 29 March 2010

Despite a career that has featured triumph at the 2002 FIFA World Cup™, English Premier League and FA Cup, plus victory in the 2007 Copa America and FIFA Confederations Cup 2009, A Seleção stalwart Gilberto Silva has not been immune to criticism in recent years. Yet it is the simplicity with which he plays the game, a quality that means his contribution in central midfield is often underestimated, that makes him such a vital cog in Dunga’s Auriverde machine.

Charged with screening his defence, winning the ball back and supplying Brazil’s creative talents, the 33-year-old Panathinaikos star’s excellence in that role, allied to the experience garnered at two editions of world football’s biggest event, could prove vital to the Canarinha’s bid for a sixth global crown come South Africa 2010. FIFA.com spoke to the midfielder on a range of issues including his midfield partner Felipe Melo, his playing philosophy and a possible return to former club Atletico Mineiro.

FIFA.com: Gilberto, your starting place in the Seleção side went virtually unquestioned since Korea/Japan 2002, that is until this FIFA World Cup qualifying phase just past. What do you think happened?
Gilberto Silva: Listen, I’m a player who always tries to keep the game simple, but that’s not always what the fans are looking for. To be honest though, I don’t let it bother me. It doesn’t matter to me if whoever’s giving me a score out of ten in the paper doesn’t notice my contribution. When they give me grief, I think back to the start of my career when I was breaking into the Seleção and everybody doubted what I’d be able to bring to the team. I see that as an extra motivating factor, although of course sometimes it gets on my nerves. Especially as it’s my own country we’re talking about, because outside Brazil I’m incredibly well-respected and people value what I do.

However, it seems that victory at the FIFA Confederations Cup 2009 proved crucial in silencing the critics. Did everything really change after your performances in South Africa?
Yes, the Confederations Cup was very important. Some people questioned what I was doing there, because I’d not been playing much at Arsenal. Some couldn’t comprehend how I was first-choice for the national team while I wasn’t starting for my club. Anyhow, I tried to react positively to the criticism and it only made me work even harder in South Africa.

Did Brazil boss Dunga ever take you to one side to talk about the pressure you were under and what you were going through at club level?
Dunga’s a coach who is always very open with us. And anyway, I was perfectly aware that not being first-choice at Arsenal wasn’t doing my cause any good, which is why I looked to change clubs. As things stood, with me spending a lot of games on the bench, I knew that my place in the Seleção could be in danger. Deciding to make the switch to Greek football was important for me and I don’t regret it. Even though it’s a less high-profile league [than the English Premiership], I knew that I needed to be playing every week. But, above all that, Dunga was always very open and he would have been totally free to tell me he thought I shouldn’t be playing [for Brazil].

At the moment, not only are you a starter but you are also a key leadership figure within the squad, correct?
The great thing is that the leadership role came about naturally, without anyone having to force the issue. The lads who break into the national squad now tend to look to those who know the situation best, like me, Lucio or Kaka, for example. There’s no doubt that it’s a big responsibility but it’s a good type of responsibility. It’s also good to know we have that role.

Unlike Lucio, however, it seems that you are not much of a talker on the pitch...
I am, I really am. Even so, I think that the role us leaders in the squad have goes over and above footballing matters. The personal side counts too. Once a game is over, you find yourself dealing with each player’s emotions: talking to them, cheering them up, even telling them off if need be. Especially when you’re involved in a month-long tournament, which seems like such a long time but which passes really quickly. I think that it has to do with the way I am: I try to be everybody’s friend and respect people’s differences. Just as I mentioned that I try to keep things simple when I’m playing, I try to do the same in life too.

This will be your third FIFA World Cup finals. What did you learn from each of the two previous editions?
The two situations were very different. In 2002 players like Cafu, Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos were our leading men, and I was fortunate enough to win a place in the team and play all the way through to the Final. Then in 2006, with more experience under my belt, I didn’t begin the tournament as a first-choice starter but I was back in the team by the end. Appearing at that World Cup was important, even though I didn’t play in all the games. In any case, I’ve experienced both sides of the coin, with victory in 2002 and our loss in Germany, which was hugely frustrating. I think that experience is valuable.

Your experience should also prove valuable to your central midfield partner Felipe Melo, who only broke into the national squad just over a year ago.
The partnership Felipe and I have today is really important. He’s the same age (26) as I was when I broke into the national squad in 2002: he’s a young player and one who’s more suited to pushing on and joining the attack. I think that we form a well-balanced midfield duo. Felipe has earned his place in the team. People normally act quite shy when they first get called up to the Seleção, but he was very calm from the beginning and things went really well. He seized his chance. And that’s what the Brazilian national team is like: you’ve got to be ready whenever the opportunity arises because you may only get one chance. That’s what happened to me when I went to the 2002 World Cup. It’s hard enough getting into the Seleção, but staying there is even tougher.

Do you feel that Felipe Melo, a midfielder who is keen to push forward as well as carrying out his defensive duties, is a good example of what is expected in that position nowadays?
That’s the way it’s worked out. To be honest, particularly in Europe, that’s been key for every midfielder, even attacking ones - everybody has both offensive and defensive duties. But even in a team with as much quality as the Seleção, I don’t think we can have midfielders flying forward at every opportunity. Football is like being in a band: everybody has their part to play. One might focus on scoring goals, another on stopping them. That’s how Brazil have found the ideal blend, because each player carries out their role with distinction.

What is your verdict on the group Brazil have been drawn in at South Africa 2010? Given your time in the English game, you will already know many of the players you will take on in Group G.
If you compare it to England or Spain’s groups, for example, I think it’s justified to call ours “the Group of Death”, but this team’s already lived through a lot of adversity and is ready to face this situation. I know a lot of the Portuguese players and particularly the Ivorians, who I played alongside at Arsenal. In fact, Kolo Toure and [Emmanuel] Eboue have been giving me loads of stick, joking around and saying that Côte d’Ivoire are going to beat Brazil. (Laughs) But of course they respect us, that’s just what it’s like at the World Cup: everybody wants to beat Brazil.

There has been a wave of Brazilian players returning to their homeland. Is there a chance that you could one day go back to Atletico Mineiro?
(Chuckles) Well, I’ve got a year and a half left on my contract with Panathinaikos, but after that who knows? I’ve always had a lot of affection for Atletico and I still follow their results. I’ve got a lot of respect for the fans and the people at the club and they respect me too. But you can’t force these things, we’ll see what happens once my contract runs out.

UEFA Champions League preview

UEFA Champions League preview
(FIFA.com) Monday 29 March 2010
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Bayern Munich-Manchester United and Arsenal-Barcelona provide the pick of the first-leg ties this week as the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League begin. The Bavarian giants take on the English champions in a repeat of the legendary 1999 final, while the Gunners will be out to avenge their 2-1 defeat to the Catalans in the 2006 showpiece.

The week’s engagements also include the all-French match-up between Lyon and Bordeaux, while Inter Milan will put their impressive European record to the test against CSKA Moscow.

With the competition’s top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo unable to add to his tally of seven goals following Real Madrid’s elimination, a posse of six players with four goals have the chance to overtake him in the coming weeks. That group includes the in-form Lionel Messi, the scorer of a brace in the last round against Stuttgart.

The fixtures
Tuesday 30 March (return legs on 7 April)
Lyon-Bordeaux
Bayern Munich-Manchester United

Wednesday 31 March 2010 (return legs on 6 April)
Arsenal-Barcelona
Inter Milan-CSKA Moscow

Match of the day
Bayern Munich-Manchester United, Allianz Arena, 20.45

This meeting between two titans of the European game revives memories of their heartstopping 1999 final, when United stole the continental crown through late goals by Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Bayern earned revenge two years later by knocking Sir Alex Ferguson’s side out at this stage of the competition en route to winning the trophy for the last time. Since then, the Germans have fallen in the last eight on four occasions.

The English champions have been in excellent form away from home this season and are looking to reach the semi-finals for the fourth time in a row. Wayne Rooney’s has superbly shouldered the club's main goalscoring burden since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, helping the Manchester giants climb to the top of the Premier League, a position they retained at the weekend with a comfortable 4-0 win at Bolton Wanderers. With Chelsea set to visit Old Trafford on Saturday, a game sandwiched between their showdowns with Bayern, United’s season is about to enter a vital phase.

Bayern face a similarly decisive few days. Beaten 2-1 at home by Stuttgart on Saturday, Bayern relinquished their Bundesliga lead to Schalke, who provide their next league opponents in Gelsenkirchen next weekend.

The other matches
Revenge on the menu: The reigning European champions limbered up for this reprise of the 2006 final with a narrow 1-0 win at Mallorca at the weekend, a notable triumph achieved with a much-changed side. Unbeaten away from home in Europe so far this campaign, the Catalans will have to make do without the injured Andres Iniesta and will be looking to Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic to provide further signs of his growing understanding with Lionel Messi.

For their part, the Londoners will need to pick themselves up after conceding a late equaliser at Birmingham City on Saturday, a goal that has severely dented their championship aspirations. Arsene Wenger’s charges have been impressive at home in the Champions League this season, however, scoring 16 goals in five consecutive wins at the Emirates. All in all, it promises to be quite a game between two of the continent’s most entertaining sides.

French pride at stake: For the first time in the history of the competition two French sides will be facing off in the last eight. Champions at home for seven straight seasons, Lyon have failed to progress beyond the quarter-finals in three attempts. Unbeaten at home and improving with every game, as their classy performance against Real Madrid in the last round showed, Les Gones are determined to break new ground at the expense of the side that ended their recent domestic supremacy.

Yet Bordeaux have been equally impressive in Europe this year, having gone unbeaten to date and winning their last seven games, five of them without conceding a goal. Laurent Blanc’s side have slightly lost their way on the home front in recent weeks, however, and went down 3-1 to Marseille in the League Cup final at weekend.

CSKA size up Italian job: Inter served notice of their European ambitions by ousting the formidable Chelsea in the Round of 16. Strangely though, their Serie A form has taken an untimely dip, a fact illustrated by Saturday’s 2-1 reverse at Roma, a result that saw their lead over I Giallorossi cut to a single point. Aside from a string of poor league results, Jose Mourinho will also be concerned at the frequency with which his defence has been caught out for pace, not to mention the fact that all four of his rearguard are on yellow cards.

Looking to exploit those defensive uncertainties will be CSKA’s combative Czech striker Tomas Necid and their nimble Japanese midfielder Keisuke Honda. Worryingly for the Italians, the Moscow side should be fresh and full of running. The new Russian season has only just begun, with CSKA earning a 2-1 win at Anzhi Makhachkala to move fourth in the table after three games.

Player to watch
Barcelona’s visit to the Emirates Stadium will be a special occasion for Thierry Henry, the top scorer in the history of the London club with 226 goals in 369 appearances between 1999 and 2007. “If I do play I’ll be giving it my all,” he said. “I am mentally ready but it’s going to be weird to run out on the pitch wearing a different shirt. It’s like Xavi leaving Barça one day and coming back to the Camp Nou with another team.”

The stat
3 - The number of times Inter coach Jose Mourinho has taken a team to the quarter-finals. The Portuguese achieved the feat with Porto in 2004 and with Chelsea in 2005 and 2007. On each occasion his teams won through to the last four.

What they said
“There’s no such thing as tiredness when you’re in the final straight. That’s something we were more likely to feel in the first half of the championship, when the memories of what we’d just achieved were still fresh.” Barcelona coach, Josep Guardiola

Have your say
Can CSKA Moscow pull off the shock of the quarter-finals?

Capello wary of confident Spain

Capello wary of confident Spain
(PA) Monday 29 March 2010

Fabio Capello has pinpointed Spain's strengths ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa, believing their confidence makes them hard to beat.

The European champions are the bookmakers' favourites to win this summer's competition and Capello can understand why they are highly fancied to make an impression. He explained in an exclusive interview with the nation's Gol Television: "Spain have a confidence, a system of play that makes it difficult to beat them - and they don't rely on one player to score the goals."
He is like a bull, he's strong, he started playing at 16 with Everton and now he's matured and ready for all the games.
England boss Capello on Wayne Rooney

Asked who else has the potential to win the World Cup, Capello continued: "Brazil I think are a team who are very difficult to beat and Argentina have improved a lot since they qualified. Us, and as always the Germans and Italians. Another team who are very good are Holland, they are young, have good players and could be a danger. But I have a lot of confidence in my team. "

Capello has been impressed by the form of James Milner and Wayne Rooney during the current campaign. "This season the player who has improved most has been Milner. He's played three or four games for us and forms part of the national team," the Italian boss said. "Rooney has scored a lot of goals this season. He's also scored a lot of goals with us but this season he's been impressive. I hope he maintains the same form until South Africa. He is like a bull, he's strong, he started playing at 16 with Everton and now he's matured and ready for all the games," he went on.

England prepared
On England's preparations, Capello said: "We are preparing very well. "We have managed to find a very good site in South Africa and beforehand we are going to Austria to a place I know very well and have been to with Real Madrid and Roma - and for this I think that it will be a good build-up. But the most important thing is that our good players are physically well because they are the players who make the difference."

Capello admits the Achilles injury which will keep David Beckham out of the competition is a blow - but confirmed the veteran could still play a part in the dressing room. "We've had the problem of Beckham being injured, he's an important player for us because he is a player who is always ready to play," he said. "He's willing to play 10 minutes, 15 minutes or half-an-hour. He's a very important player in the dressing room. He's a player who is a symbol and that's why he was a very, very important player. We've asked him if he wants to come with us to South Africa, he could be with us there. It depends on him and the how tendon is."

The Italian also refuted claims midfielders Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard cannot play in the same England team. "I think that good players can always play together but it depends a lot on the form of everyone because in the national team you need to play those who are in the best shape," he said. "They are important players, they are very good, and for that reason I think they can play together because a lot of the time they can decide a game."

French clash, Brazilian flavour

French clash, Brazilian flavour
(FIFA.com) Monday 29 March 2010
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Though the UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie between Lyon and Bordeaux will be classed as an all-French affair, the fact that no fewer than six Brazilian players are expected to take the field for Tuesday’s first leg at the Stade Gerland confirms a prevailing trend at Ligue 1’s top clubs. Indeed, the encounter between reigning champions Bordeaux and Lyon, winners of the previous seven titles, illustrates just how French football’s faith in samba stars has been repaid.

Les Gones’ remarkable dominance over the past decade was due in no small measure to the influence of Brazilian trio Juninho Pernambucano, Sonny Anderson and Cris. And the latter, made captain upon Juninho’s departure in summer 2009, still has two countrymen for company in the shape of Michel Bastos and Ederson. Over in Les Girondins’ camp, Fernando’s signing in 2005 helped open the door for the subsequent arrivals of Wendel, Jussie and Henrique, all of whom played their part last season in the club’s first league crown in ten years.

“It’s good to meet up with the Brazilian lads again. We know each other and get on well, but once the game’s under way we all fight in our own corners,” midfielder Wendel told FIFA.com ahead of a tie which guarantees one Ligue 1 club a place in the final four of the Champions League. “It’s going to be interesting. Both teams have a tradition of bringing in Brazilian players. It’s important to see that in Europe.”
We’re used to taking on teams from other countries with different styles and different languages, but against Bordeaux everything will be similar.
Lyon's Cris on facing Bordeaux



Luck of the draw?
“Playing against a team from the same country (in the Champions League) will be strange,” said Lyon skipper Cris. “We’re used to taking on teams from other countries with different styles and different languages, but against Bordeaux everything will be similar.”

“I didn’t want to be drawn against Lyon, I would have preferred Inter Milan,” chipped in Fernando. “The charm of the Champions League is in coming up against different teams, and we know Lyon well. The game’s going to be very much in the French style: fast and hard-hitting. I think that it’s the easiest draw the two teams could have had because we’ve both got a 50-per cent chance of going through.”

The stats would appear to back up Fernando’s claim, with Lyon’s greater experience of eight consecutive seasons in the elite club competition counterbalanced by Bordeaux’s confidence from a run of seven victories in a row. In historical terms, the pair are also extremely well-matched, given Les Girondins have won 32 of the teams’ meetings to Les Gones’ 31.

The big time awaits
Despite Lyon’s serial Champions League sorties in recent seasons, they are still to break through the glass ceiling of the quarter-finals. But having avoided the likes of Inter, Barcelona and Manchester United, coach Claude Puel’s charges will feel that Laurent Blanc’s side are distinctly beatable, especially after Lyon knocked out big-spending Real Madrid to reach this stage.

Moreover, in ending the hopes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Co at the Santiago Bernabeu, Lyon showed themselves capable of performing in the most adverse of situations. “Lisandro [Lopez] doesn’t speak much French, but he asked me to pass a message on,” said Cris, looking back at the 1-1 draw in Madrid which sealed a 2-1 aggregate success. “He said that they (Real Madrid) were a bit too mouthy and that really spurred us on. Our squad are doers, not talkers. We can see in each other’s eyes that we all want to do our bit.”

Though Les Gones are still in a rebuilding phase following the end of the “Juninho era”, players like Jean II Makoun and Miralem Pjanic, scorers against Los Blancos, hint at a positive future. “We’ve got versatile players and more options (than before). That’s why we’re on the right track. We’ve laid the foundations in order to go as far as we possibly can (in the Champions League). We’re much better prepared,” added Cris.

And the fact the tournament’s final will be held at the site of one of the club’s most historic results is an extra motivating factor. “Yes, we are dreaming of reaching the final and going back to the Bernabeu. That’s a lucky hunting ground for Lyon,” said midfielder Ederson.
We’ve got the right to dream of playing in the final at the Bernabeu. But I still think Barcelona and Manchester [United] are the favourites.
Fernando on Bordeaux's chances in the Champions League

Experience and stability
Over in the Bordeaux camp, the club’s unbeaten run to the last eight of the Champions League has been a shock to many, even the Girondins players themselves. “A seven-match winning streak this campaign is a real surprise. The fact we’re more experienced has made the difference. In previous years we’ve been beaten heavily by Chelsea [4-0 in 2008/09] and Liverpool [3-0 in 2006/07] but we’re not in awe of anybody now,” said Fernando.

“We’re really pleased. This is the result of work put in over the last two years or more,” added his team-mate Wendel. “Of course the arrival of [Yoann] Gourcuff and [Laurent] Blanc gave the team added impetus, but we’ve got players who’ve been here for the last four or five years and that’s a real plus.”

Despite their performances in this year’s competition, there are still sizeable obstacles to both teams’ trophy ambitions, as Fernando admitted. “We’ve got the right to dream of playing in the final at the Bernabeu. But I still think Barcelona and Manchester [United] are the favourites,” he said.

Tevez magic spurs City

Tevez magic spurs City
(AFP) Monday 29 March 2010
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Carlos Tevez scored a hat-trick as Manchester City moved up to fifth in the English Premier League table with a 3-0 victory over ten-man Wigan at Eastlands on Monday.

The visitors matched City until they had Gary Caldwell sent off ten minutes after the restart. And then Tevez rolled in three goals in just under a quarter-hour to take his tally to 25 for the season and 21 in 19 appearances. City are now two points behind fourth-placed Tottenham, who still have to travel to Eastlands but it was not a comfortable evening for Roberto Mancini's side.
We played better in the second half and after the sending off it was too easy. The sending off probably changed the game.
City boss Roberto Mancini

"It was an important win, it wasn't easy and it was difficult in the first half because Wigan played very well and there was no tempo from us," said City manager Roberto Mancini after the match. "We played better in the second half and after the sending off it was too easy. The sending off probably changed the game."

Wigan began strongly and started particularly well defensively, with Titus Bramble pulling off a fine block from Emmanuel Adebayor after Tevez' cross. But City carved them open thanks to Maynor Figueroa's slip, which allowed Shaun Wright-Phillips to break into the box and cross. Tevez's volley was blocked at full stretch by Wigan's goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic, filling in for the ill Chris Kirkland.

Wigan were finding it easy to contain the hosts and threatened themselves when Hugo Rodallega broke quickly and pulled back for Paul Scharner, whose shot flew wide from just outside the area. Rodallega also went close after he was picked out by a cross-field pass from Mario Melchiot. The Columbian striker cut in from the left and hit a shot that was pushed wide by goalkeeper Shay Given.

Tevez almost broke the deadlock after skipping past a weak challenge from Melchiot and clipping a looping shot that landed just the wrong side of the post. Scharner was first to react when a free-kick from Wigan's Marcelo Moreno hit the wall but the Austrian's low drive was tipped wide by Given.

Moreno also scooped a shot over the bar as Wigan broke quickly through Rodallega. Mohamed Diame set up another counter-attack for the visitors, sending Rodallega into space but Scharner shot well over the bar.

Craig Bellamy replaced Wright-Phillips at the break and immediately made a difference. And as the hosts played with greater intensity, Adebayor had the ball in the net after Stojkovic could only fumble from Tevez's powerful shot. Rodallega should have opened the scoring eight minutes after the restart. City failed to deal with Caldwell's long, straight clearance, with the ball hitting the back of Pablo Zabaleta's head, but Rodallega dragged wide.

Caldwell off
Ten minutes into the second period, Wigan saw Caldwell sent off for a challenge on Tevez. Still though it was Wigan pressing, with Moreno curling a shot narrowly wide and Rodallega just failing to get a touch to Maynor Figueroa's cross.

Finally City were able to exploit the extra space, with Patrick Vieira hooking over the top for Tevez, whose shot was deflected wide by Bramble. Vieira himself had a low strike held by Stojkovic as City increased the pressure. But they finally made the breakthrough thanks to poor goalkeeping from Stojkovic.

Vieira clipped the ball over the top and the Serb rushed out but failed to make any challenge and Tevez rolled the ball into the net. They doubled the lead soon after when Adam Johnson fired a cross to the far post that was flicked on by Vincent Kompany and Tevez found the corner of the net.

Tevez then completed his hat-trick when he broke clear, beat the challenge of Figueroa and found the corner of the net with a precise shot.

Podolski: We're contenders for gold

Podolski: We're contenders for gold
(FIFA.com) Monday 22 March 2010

Any player whose presence at the first training session of a new season prompts a turn-out in excess of 20,000 fans is obviously a bit special. On 25 June 2009, Lukas Podolski ended a three-year absence from the RheinEnergie Stadium and reappeared in the colours of his beloved Cologne. An extraordinary wave of euphoria gripped the city: 'Prince Poldi' was back in his palace after a luckless three-year exile in Munich.

The left-footed forward could have had his pick of big-name clubs in Germany and elsewhere, but the call of home was the strongest of the lot. Podolski followed the call of his heart and returned to his footballing roots. He simply wanted to go home and open a new chapter in his life with partner Monika and their son Louis.

It has not been an easy transition for the man capped 70 times by Germany, but one thing is clear: the roguish grin is back on the player’s face, and there is a lightness and ease to his performances which was often lacking in Bayern colours. FIFA.com caught up with the 24-year-old to discuss the Bundesliga, Joachim Low and his country’s chances at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™.

FIFA.com: Lukas, you have been back in Cologne for some nine months now. What are the main differences between life in the Rhineland and in Munich?
Lukas Podolski: The atmosphere, and all the goings-on at and around Bayern Munich, is obviously on a completely different scale to what we have here at Cologne. I’m back home again now and feel really good about it. I understand the people, the mentality and the club so well.

Looking back at your time in Munich, what do you miss most about the Bavarian capital?
I had a good time in Munich, but there’s basically nothing there which I don’t have here in Cologne. I’m just delighted to be back here in the city and at the club. But obviously it’s a shame I can't see as much of our many friends that live in and around Munich.
The first World Cup in Africa will be a new and thrilling experience. I’m looking forward to the fabulous atmosphere created by the local people too.
Germany's Lukas Podolski

Cologne are having a reasonable campaign with a place in the lower mid-table region of the Bundesliga. What is your assessment of the season so far, and what can the team achieve in the remaining weeks?
I reckon we can be basically satisfied with the season. The team’s been more settled and has grown together since Christmas. But we’re a long way from securing our top-flight status yet. We need to pick up points quickly and make sure we have nothing more to do with the relegation battle as soon as possible.

From a personal point of view, you have had good phases and then spells where it has not worked out, although your form has picked up again of late. Why the inconsistency?
It wasn’t entirely easy to start with. I arrived as a newcomer to the team, and we had a new coach. You have to come together as a unit first and feel your way towards doing things automatically on the field of play. I’ve also been unlucky with injury, but I’ve been fully fit for a while now and I’m hitting my stride.

You always appear relaxed and happy in public. How do you cope with the pressure of returning to Cologne as an idol?
I don’t actually think it’s that bad. At the club, the spotlight tends to be on me because I’m a current international. I can cope with that and I really don’t think it’s much of a burden. I just focus on my football and in any case, I have no influence over how the media chooses to portray me.

Whenever you join up with the Germany squad, you seem to be in sparkling form both on and off the field. Is that an illusion, or would the national team actually be the perfect 'club' for you?
I feel just as good with the national team as I do here in Cologne. It’s always a pleasure when I’m with the Germany squad, and it’s always a pleasure when I come back here to Cologne.

Some people feel you always manage to find that little bit extra in the Germany shirt. How do you deal with fighting on behalf of a million locals for Cologne, when for Germany you have 82 million people rooting for you?
I’m always highly motivated. I go into every match, for both club and country, aiming to win. Obviously, representing your country at a World Cup is very special, knowing you have an entire nation behind you.

You rate as a utility man for the national team and fill whatever role the coach hands you, but what’s your favoured position and where do you fit in as one of the younger players?
Where I end up playing isn’t the most important thing for me. I’ve played on the left and at centre-forward for the national team, against good opposition too. I have enough experience now to know what I have to do in a given position.

Joachim Low has been your coach since the last FIFA World Cup. How would you describe him as a person and as a coach? What is he like and what is his contribution to Germany’s success?
Jogi Low is an experienced coach. He’s seen plenty in his time, and he’s a figure of great authority. He and his staff are meticulous, but they’re approachable for younger and older players alike. And he’s good at getting his playing philosophy across. He and all the coaching staff have made a significant contribution to our good recent results.

We are well into the build-up to South Africa 2010, and the battle for places in Germany's forward line is hotting up. How do you plan to cement your place in the starting line-up?
I want to put myself forward, and prove I can do a job for the coach, simply by doing well for my club. In any case, I don’t have to play up front, I can also play on the left. Versatility can hardly be a disadvantage.
If we play to our potential and work hard as a team, we’re contenders for the Trophy. But form on the day is a factor.
Lukas Podolski on Germany's hopes at South Africa 2010

Germany face Serbia, Ghana and Australia in their group. How would you assess your opponents?
It’s far from being an easy group. The first job is to stand your ground against all these teams. There are no easy opponents these days, and especially not at the World Cup. But I’m convinced that if we play to our potential, we’ll qualify from our group and could go far.

Germany finished third at the 2006 FIFA World Cup and runners-up at UEFA EURO 2008, so the sequence calls for first place at the next major tournament. Can Germany go all the way in South Africa?
As I’ve said, if we play to our potential and work hard as a team, we’re contenders for the Trophy. But form on the day is a factor, and you always need a little bit of luck. There are a number of teams to watch.

Who do you regard as favourites for the trophy?
I actually don’t think there’s one country you can call favourites. There are several teams with real potential: Spain, Brazil, Argentina and France too.

You were named the best young player at the last tournament, but what are your personal goals for this summer?
I’d like to play every game, deliver the goods and perform well against the best the world has to offer. But individuals count for less. The vital thing is to work hard for the team and succeed as a team.

In general, what are you expecting from the FIFA World Cup in South Africa?
The World Cup in 2006 was a bit special. It was my first World Cup, it was at home, and the atmosphere was just unbelievable. The first World Cup in Africa will be a new and thrilling experience. I’m looking forward to the fabulous atmosphere created by the local people too. We had a foretaste of that at the Confederations Cup.

Name your club's all-time best XI
(FIFA.com) Tuesday 23 March 2010
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FIFA.com wants to hear what you would pick as the best XI in your club's history.

So, have a good think and let’s hear which goalkeeper and ten outfield players make your line-up.

Feel free to share your formation with us – and countless fans from across the world – too.

Simply click ‘Add your comment’ to join the discussion, remembering to keep your comments clean, respectful, on-topic and in English.

Reflections on the English patient

Reflections on the English patient
(FIFA.com) Tuesday 23 March 2010

Throughout the past 18 years of his professional career, David Beckham has constantly been front page, as well as back page, news. However, even the England midfielder might have been somewhat taken aback by the response to his Achilles injury, sustained in AC Milan’s last-gasp 1-0 win over Chievo nine days ago.

A ruptured tendon has ruled him out of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, much to the chagrin of the 34-year-old and football fans worldwide, who were hoping to see him on the sport's grandest stage. Ironically, the injury occurred while Beckham was on loan at the Italian club, with the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star hoping to prove his fitness to Fabio Capello ahead of the tournament.

First to comment on the injury was Milan coach Leonardo: “Beckham’s injury makes us all feel bad, as he is such a nice lad. The goal so late to put us within a point of the leaders was wonderful, but we cannot celebrate. He already told me when he left the pitch that it was a serious injury. When the tendon breaks, everything comes away and the muscle starts to rise. I felt great pity for him.”

Beckham's Rossoneri team-mate Ignazio Abate echoed the Brazilian’s words: “Seeing him suffer like this is horrible, and it has hit the team hard," reflected the right-wingback.
It's difficult to comprehend because you play all your life to take part in World Cups and they only come around every four years, yet it is taken out of your hands.
Gary Neville on the injury that has ruled David Beckham out of South Africa 2010

Another Italian who was quick to offer his support was England coach Capello. "I am very sad for David that he has suffered this injury,” he said. “He is a great professional and has worked very hard to be ready for the World Cup, so missing it will be a big blow. I spoke with him to offer my support but we have still asked him to come to South Africa with us.”

Gareth Barry, his fellow Three Lions midfielder, welcomed Capello’s offer, as he feels that the veteran free-kick specialist's inspirational qualities will serve the team well at South Africa 2010. "He helped me when I had the big absence from making squads," said the Manchester City midfielder.

"When he speaks to you, he gives you more encouragement. He knows the right way to speak to people, and when to do it. I've been in a lot of squads with David, I know him well. He's a good bloke to have around.”

Across the divide in Manchester, his former United team-mate and best friend in football, Gary Neville, believes that he will come back at the highest level once again. “He has done so much to be part of this World Cup, and he has been part of all of England's qualifying games and all the squads," said the right-back.

"It's difficult to comprehend because you play all your life to take part in World Cups and they only come around every four years, yet it is taken out of your hands. I think everyone feels for him, but knowing David, I have no doubt he will rehabilitate himself in a professional manner, work as hard as he possibly can and I'm sure he will be back playing football at the highest level within a few months.”

However, United and England legend Sir Bobby Charlton is not so certain: “It could be the end of his career. I sincerely hope that it isn't, but it's a possibility. He will be really disappointed now because he will not get another opportunity to play in a World Cup. But David is a big lad and you never know what will happen.

"He might come back and start playing again, but he has a serious injury and you cannot speculate on the outcome. My international career ended on the pitch for England when we lost to West Germany in the World Cup in 1970, but David's looks to have ended a different way and I'm sure that is something that he will regret, if this injury does mean he has played for England for the last time.”

In the USA, his Los Angeles Galaxy coach Bruce Area has vowed the club’s full support as he begins his rehabilitation. “Injuries are an unfortunate part of our game and they are even more disappointing when they happen to a player who was so close to realising his dream of representing his nation at this summer's World Cup,” he said. "We will give him our complete support to make sure that he is able to get himself back to full health before he returns to the field."

And Landon Donovan, the player who publically fell out with Beckham in 2009, offered his support. “First and foremost, we (the Galaxy) are devastated for David. Those of us in the locker room know how much it meant to him to give himself a chance to play in the World Cup. Now that is gone."

Beckham has also been backed by some of the world’s leading figures. FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter expressed his regret that the injury "may prevent you from playing in a fourth FIFA World Cup, which would be a record for an England player, and particularly for the physical pain you must be in at the moment."
We are devastated for David. Those of us in the locker room know how much it meant to him to give himself a chance to play in the World Cup.
Landon Donovan on the reaction of the Los Angeles Galaxy players to David Beckham's injury


British Prime Minister Gordon Brown also emphasised in a letter what a tremendous ambassador Beckham is for English football, and wished him well in his recovery, while the nation’s Poet Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy, also wrote a verse entitled ‘Achilles’ about his setback. “He is almost a mythical figure himself, in popular culture,” said Duffy. “People like Beckham in their public lives are stories the rest of us follow.

"The whole point of Greek myths is the combination of triumph and tragedy. In many ways he’s very human, and the interesting thing about taking ordinary people with a particular talent and making them into heroes is when they are seen at their most human. The most tragic image was him being unable to walk and crying on the side of the pitch. You just thought how all the money in the world and private planes can’t sort this. It was a very moving moment.”

Beckham himself was typically statesman-esque. "I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their messages of support, they mean a lot to me. The operation was a success and I'd like to thank Doctor Orava and all the medical staff who looked after me during my time in Finland. I'm feeling positive and now concentrating on getting back to full fitness over the coming months."

Sevilla dismiss Jimenez

Sevilla dismiss Jimenez
(PA) Wednesday 24 March 2010
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Sevilla have fired coach Manolo Jimenez following their 1-1 Primera Division draw with Xerez on Tuesday.

Xerez, the bottom club in La Liga, netted an injury-time equaliser at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium to leave Sevilla without a win in their last seven competitive matches. During that run Sevilla were knocked out of the UEFA Champions League by CSKA Moscow 3-2 on aggregate after losing the second leg of their last 16 tie 2-1 at home.

The draw with Andalusian rivals Xerez leaves Sevilla in fifth place in La Liga, a point behind fourth-placed Real Mallorca, who play Racing Santander today.

A statement posted on the Sevilla website last night read: "The Sevilla board have this evening dismissed Manolo Jimenez. Wednesday's training will be led by Ramon Tejada, pending the board making a definitive decision about the future coach of the team."

Jimenez has also led Sevilla to the final of the Copa del Rey, where they will face Atletico Madrid, but that was not enough to save him. Club president Jose Maria Del Nido came out in support of Jimenez following last week's Champions League exit, when sections of the Sevilla support called for the coach's head after the second leg.

Del Nido said: "He will continue until the end of the season because he has a contract and because he has our trust. There is no debate about him amongst the board."

However, a 2-0 defeat at struggling Espanyol at the weekend left Jimenez under more pressure, and tonight's draw against a Xerez side that were eight points adrift of safety proved the final straw.

Jimenez had been a long-serving coach of the club's reserve side, Sevilla Atletico, when he was promoted to take charge of the first team in October 2007 following the resignation of Juande Ramos. The Seville-born 46-year-old, a former Spain international who spent 14 years at the club during his playing days, inherited a side that had won five trophies in two years under Ramos - two UEFA Cups, the Copa del Rey, the European Super Cup and the Spanish Supercopa.

Prior to that, Sevilla had picked up only four pieces of major silverware in their history, with the most recent being the Copa del Rey crown they won back in 1948. In his first season in charge, Jimenez led Sevilla to a fifth-place finish in La Liga, and last year he guided them to third spot and a return to the Champions League.

In Europe this season, Sevilla cruised through the group stages of the Champions League, picking up 13 points from their six Group G matches to finish four points clear of second-placed Stuttgart. Sevilla then recorded a promising 1-1 draw away to CSKA in the first leg of their last-16 tie, but with the chance to make it through to the quarter-finals for the first time in their history, they slumped to defeat in the return meeting at home.

Tejada, the man who will take charge of training following Jimenez's departure, is the coach of Sevilla Atletico. Sevilla are away to Villarreal this weekend.

Queiroz: The doors are wide open

Queiroz: The doors are wide open
(FIFA.com) Tuesday 23 March 2010

Carlos Queiroz is wrapped up in the excitement that only the FIFA World Cup™ can deliver: the Portugal coach is finally poised for involvement in the sport's showpiece event.

He is, however, intimately familiar with the tournament's host nation, South Africa. Queiroz, indeed, spent two years at the helm of Bafana Bafana, guiding them to qualification for Korea/Japan 2002 before resigning before the competition began. With less than 100 days to go until the big kick-off, FIFA.com caught up with the Mozambique-born 57-year-old to discuss A Selecção das Quinas's qualification campaign and preparations for the 19th edition of the FIFA World Cup.

FIFA.com: Carlos, how are Portugal’s preparations going for the tournament?
Carlos Queiroz: Were moving forward. Presently we are just putting all the details in place and trying to create the right harmony. There’s just a little bit of concern with one or two issues: for example, how the players will come to the camp, how they are going to start training, when to travel. To prepare the team with different stages involved is difficult.

With little time remaining until kick-off, what is the most important work left to do?
At this moment, I would say it is to pray for the players not to become injured - that’s the most important thing. Because once you have a clear picture about the situation of your team and views regarding the future, it’s important that everyone is in good shape when it's time to deliver.
We have a pool of around 40 players that we are observing. But the doors are wide open. We are always ready to call up the best players, those that are ready to deliver everything for the country.
Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz

There was a dramatic turnaround in form in the second-half of the qualifiers, with Portugal scoring eight goals without reply in their last four games and then beating Bosnia-Herzegovina in the European Zone play-offs. What do you think caused this change?
Without question it was belief. We always believed that Portugal were moving in the right direction. It was my clear impression that the first two or three results were not a testament to the quality of the team. So the most important thing was to believe that we were moving in the right direction.

What has impressed you most about South Africa’s preparations for the FIFA World Cup?
I think it's been great. For all of us that are familiar with this kind of event, we know that prior to a big tournament like this sometimes people with a lack of knowledge become anxious, frustrated or nervous. Those of us that are familiar with the organisation and structure, we know that when it's time to deliver everything will be in place.

Having lived in South Africa and experienced local conditions, how important do you think they will be to your campaign?
For me, I am especially keen to bring in the experience that I collected when I was South Africa’s coach. I met the people and experienced the structure. I also became familiar with South Africa's winter environment. I still have some memories and concerns that I’m trying to put in place to make sure Portugal don’t have any surprises.

Are there any specific Portuguese players that have impressed you recently?
We have presently a pool of around 40 players that we are observing and following very carefully. The foundations of the team will not change much. But of course the national team doors are wide open. We are always ready to call up the best players, those that perform well and are ready to deliver everything for the country.

Champs Estudiantes claim vital win

Champs Estudiantes claim vital win
(PA) Wednesday 24 March 2010
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Reigning Copa Libertadores champions Estudiantes claimed a crucial 2-0 win over Bolivia's Bolivar to stay in contention in Group 3.

Goals by Jose Ernesto Sosa and Mauro Boselli helped the Argentinian side to a hard-fought victory after Bolivar keeper Carlos Arias kept his side in the game in the first half. Sosa finished a move with Juan Sebastian Veron five minutes into the second half to open the scoring and Mauro Boselli doubled the lead 13 minutes from time after Marcelo Carrusca crossed from the left.

Estudiantes climbed to second with seven points from four games, two below leaders Alianza Lima and one above their next opponents, Juan Aurich. The eight group leaders and the best six runners-up progress to the last 16.

"It was difficult, but we had at least 12 or 14 opportunities to score. We played a great game and got a deserved win," Veron told Fox Sports. "Before the goals, we were doing the right things and this win is useful to stay alive. Now we are second. It's up to us."

Meanwhile in Paraguay, Libertad and Peruvian giants Universitario played out a 1-1 draw. A long-distance strike from Victor Hugo Ayala put Libertad ahead in the 55th minute, but Luis Alberto Ramirez - who played for Libertad last year - equalised with only four minutes remaining.

The two are level on eight points at the top of Group 4, five above Argentinian side Lanus. Ayala said: "We thought we were going to win, we wanted to win in order to lead ahead of the next round, but they levelled the game."

Kaka still striving for brilliance

Kaka still striving for brilliance
(FIFA.com) Tuesday 23 March 2010

Few people would dispute Kaka’s enduring status as one of the leading players in the world. The highly gifted Brazilian has made a bigger impression than most on the global stage in recent years and is now bringing his talents to bear for Real Madrid as they set about relieving Barcelona of the league crown they won last year.

Club objectives aside, Ricardo Izecson Dos Santos Leite, to give him his full name, also has the national team very firmly in his thoughts. The on-field leader of the fearsome Seleção is gearing up for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™. And as he tells FIFA.com in an exclusive interview, the genial Kaka is aiming at nothing less than victory.

Not surprisingly, the playmaker was one of the architects of Brazil’s impressive qualification campaign, one that he believes contained many high points for the men in green and yellow.
Coming up against teams like Côte d’Ivoire, Portugal and Korea DPR is a great motivation for us because it means we have to go into the World Cup at our very best.
Kaka on the challenges facing Brazil in South Africa

“It was a very long competition but it was a very positive one for us,” he explains. “We had some good spells and some not so good ones, but we were pretty consistent overall and we finished in first place. Obviously, clinching our place in the finals against Argentina made it even sweeter. But that wasn’t the only great result we had. We ended a long run without a win in Uruguay with an emphatic victory and in general it was a fantastic experience.”

Now comes the hard part, and Kaka knows as well as anyone that Brazil will have to fight hard at South Africa 2010, where they have been drawn in one of the toughest sections of all.

“It’s a very difficult group, perhaps the hardest in the whole first round,” he comments. “Coming up against teams like Côte d’Ivoire, Portugal and Korea DPR is a great motivation for us because it means we have to go into the World Cup at our very best. We’ll need to prepare really well because if we don’t, we could be in for a nasty surprise.”

Club and country
As Kaka acknowledges, coach Dunga is the reason why A Seleção are heading into the tournament in such fine fettle. “He’s a very serious, down-to-earth person who always does things the right way,” says the admiring No10.

“He has a very coherent approach on and off the pitch and the results we’ve had could not be better. We won the Copa America and the Confederations Cup and we topped our qualification group. In doing so we overcame a lot of criticism and it was his serious attitude and calmness that helped us stay relaxed. The fact that he retired from the game fairly recently also means that he knows what players want and how to deal with them.”

Asked if there are comparisons to be made between the side that flattered to deceive at Germany 2006 and the current crop, the Real Madrid playmaker has this to say: “There’s a big difference. That was a very successful team that had won a lot of things but was coming to the end of an era. There are many younger players in the team now and we’re very hungry. It’s a side with a lot to prove but I think we’re right where we need to be.”

So are Kaka and Co out to set the record straight after the failure of four years ago? “I wouldn’t put it that way,” comes the answer, “but it’s definitely a great opportunity to erase memories of last time. We reached three finals in a row between 1994 and 2002, and in that respect 2006 was sort of understandable. It was the end of a cycle for us. Several players have moved on and we’re all expecting a successful new phase to begin. Let’s hope it starts now in 2010.”

Before South Africa comes around though, the Brazilian schemer has plenty of business to attend to with Real Madrid, namely their bid to bring an end to Barcelona’s recent dominance in Spain. “Playing for Madrid is a great challenge,” he says. “I had six unforgettable years in Milan, but this is a new adventure and I need to keep on improving and looking for new goals.”

Among his club team-mates, of course, is Cristiano Ronaldo, who will be lining up against Kaka when Portugal take on Brazil in Durban on 25 June. “It’s fantastic to be playing with such terrific footballers. We’re great friends and we have a good understanding on the pitch. He’s amazingly talented and we can achieve big things together.”

Minor miracles and a magician

Minor miracles and a magician
(FIFA.com) Wednesday 24 March 2010
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This week’s statistical review focuses on the spectacular and unlikely, from Lionel Messi’s sorcery in Spain through unlikely victories for Fulham and Hertha Berlin to Independiente and Hapoel Tel Aviv’s impressive runs.
456

minutes without conceding is the miserly defensive record that has been central to Independiente's position atop of the Argentinian Clausura. Since losing 3-0 to Velez Sarsfield one month, five days and six matches ago, Los Diablos Rojos – with goalkeeper Adrian Gabbarini in superb form – have embarked on a run of tight, hard-fought victories. Racing Club (1-0), Tigre (1-0), River Plate (2-0), Chacarita (1-0) and Rosario Central (2-0) have all been disposed of to leave the Avellanda outfit two points clear at the summit, this despite a scoring average thus far of just 1.3 goals per game. With ten rounds of matches played, Independiente – whose last Clausura success came 16 years ago – are the team to catch.
14

matches unbeaten is the outstanding home record that has provided the foundation for Fulham’s eye-catching European exploits. The unfashionable London outfit made waves in the UEFA Europa League last month by knocking out the holders, Shakhtar Donetsk, and on Thursday they added the scalp of the tournament favourites, Juventus. In coming from behind to win 4-1, the Cottagers also continued their visitors’ miserable run against English opposition, with Premier League sides having curtailed Juve’s last four European campaigns. London sides have accounted for the last three of those disappointments, although the Italians’ poor discipline was just as significant a contributory factor as Fulham’s dynamic display. Juventus, who have picked up more red cards in the UEFA Champions League (19) than any other club, ended the game with nine men, this after Fabio Cannavaro and Jonathan Zebina earned the 11th and tenth dismissals of their respective careers.
10

goals in Lionel Messi’s last four games, and eight in the space of a week, have left colleagues, opponents and observers alike to search in vain for new superlatives. "I'm not sure he's human," was the view of Ander Herrera, part of the Real Zaragoza team beaten by the Argentinian’s second hat-trick in as many La Liga fixtures. Messi has now scored 34 in all competitions this season, and had claimed Barcelona’s last nine when he brilliantly won a penalty against Zaragoza, only to hand the kick to his under-fire team-mate, Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The 22-year-old’s remarkable recent run, which amounts to a goal every 36 minutes, has taken him five goals clear of countryman Gonzalo Higuain at the top of the Spanish scoring charts, an impressive feat for a player whose game is about far more than simply goals. Indeed, Messi has also claimed nine assists, more than any other player in the Spanish top flight, and has registered the division’s greatest number of completed dribbles, with 105 compared to the 85 of his nearest challenger, Gonzalo Castro.
9

points from safety and with three wins all season: it was from this position that Hertha Berlin claimed their biggest away win in 32 years, thrashing Wolfsburg 5-1. This unlikeliest of triumphs, the capital club’s most emphatic win on the road since a 5-0 defeat of Frankfurt in 1978, came about largely thanks to the clinical finishing of Theofanis Gekas. The on-loan striker, whose ten goals for Greece made him the top scorer in European Zone qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, had just three attempts on goal – and scored with every one. However, even Gekas’s 100 per cent success rate and their surprise victory over the defending champions seems unlikely to save Hertha from the drop. Friedhelm Funkel’s side remain five points adrift at the foot of the Bundesliga table and seven points from safety, and their season is set to conclude with a nightmare run of fixtures against Schalke, Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich.
6

months and 23 games have passed since Hapoel Tel Aviv last tasted domestic defeat, yet the team known as The Red Demons are still heading for disappointment in the Israeli Premier League. Reigning champions Maccabi Haifa, the league’s most successful club, have suffered three losses this season to Hapoel’s one, but they lead the standings by eight points and can retain their title this weekend with victory at home to Hapoel Petach Tikva. The secret to their success has been a lack of draws, with only one in 27 matches compared to the eight endured by their closest rivals. Barring a miracle, therefore, Hapoel’s decade-long wait for a second Premier League championship looks set to continue, while Maccabi prepare to cement their dominance with a seventh championship in the space of ten seasons.

Milan miss chance to go top

Milan miss chance to go top
(AFP) Monday 22 March 2010
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AC Milan squandered the chance to leapfrog Inter and go top of Serie A after a 1-1 with Napoli on Sunday, while Antonio Cassano's 35-yard stunner gave Sampdoria victory over a sorry Juventus.

Milan's Filippo Inzaghi's 26th-minute header cancelled out Hugo Campagnaro's 13th-minute opener in an attacking encounter at the San Siro with both sides having chances to claim all three points. "We're in a great position to fight for the title," said Milan coach Leonardo, whose side remain one point behind Inter and three above third-place Roma.

Inter, who had a 10-point advantage over their city rivals in October, were held to a 1-1 draw by UEFA Champions League hopefuls Palermo on Saturday. "I can't reproach the boys for lacking desire but a lot of things are needed to win. I don't think today's result will have a major bearing on who wins the scudetto," added Leonardo, who had lost David Beckham and Alessandro Nesta to serious injuries in the week.

Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri, whose side are seventh, five points off the Champions League places, felt his team deserved better against a Milan outfit who were bidding to go top for the first time this season. "We should have had it won by half-time but we just couldn't take our chances. We showed today that we are at the same level as Milan," said Mazzari.

Milan, who last won the title in 2004, were hit with a double blow inside the first 15 minutes. The returning Alexander Pato limped off, while calamitous defending allowed Napoli to take the lead in the 13th minute.

Verbeek to quit after South Africa
(PA) Monday 22 March 2010

Australia coach Pim Verbeek will part company with the Socceroos after the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™.

Former Korea Republic coach Verbeek was appointed in December 2007 and helped Australia reach their highest ever position of 14th in September 2009.

In helping Australia qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and next year's AFC Asian Cup in Qatar, Verbeek amassed a record of 15 wins, eight draws and four defeats in 27 matches.

"It has been a very difficult decision for me after more than two years, but it is time for me to look for a new challenge," said Verbeek. "I have enjoyed every minute of being head coach of Australia and we achieved some fantastic results including qualifying for the World Cup and the Asian Cup.

"It is a good time to make this announcement so we can now focus completely on preparing everything perfectly for the upcoming World Cup in South Africa. We will do everything right to prepare for this tournament to get the best result possible."

Australia have been drawn in Group D alongside Germany, Serbia and Ghana and kick-off their FIFA World Cup campaign against Germany in Durban on 13 June.