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Last Updated 11 Aug 2010
Next Release 15 Sep 2010
Ranking Team Pts
Aug 10 +/- Ranking
Jul 10 +/- Pts
Jul 10
1 Spain Spain 1883 0 Equal 0
2 Netherlands Netherlands 1659 0 Equal 0
3 Brazil Brazil 1524 0 Equal -12
4 Germany Germany 1464 0 Equal 0
5 Argentina Argentina 1288 0 Equal -1
6 Uruguay Uruguay 1152 0 Equal 0
7 England England 1125 0 Equal 0
8 Portugal Portugal 1062 0 Equal 0
9 Egypt Egypt 1053 0 Equal 0
10 Chile Chile 988 0 Equal 0
11 Italy Italy 982 0 Equal 0
12 Greece Greece 975 0 Equal 0
13 Serbia Serbia 969 0 Equal 0
14 Croatia Croatia 968 1 Up 0
15 Paraguay Paraguay 961 1 Up 0
16 Russia Russia 956 1 Up 0
17 Switzerland Switzerland 940 1 Up 0
18 USA USA 931 -5 Down -38
19 Slovenia Slovenia 917 0 Equal 0
20 Australia Australia 911 0 Equal 0
21 France France 890 0 Equal 0
22 Norway Norway 878 0 Equal 0
23 Ghana Ghana 874 0 Equal 0
24 Ukraine Ukraine 870 1 Up 0
25 Mexico Mexico 853 -1 Down -19
26 Côte d'Ivoire Côte d'Ivoire 843 0 Equal 0
27 Slovakia Slovakia 829 0 Equal 0
28 Turkey Turkey 810 0 Equal 0
29 Denmark Denmark 785 0 Equal 0
30 Nigeria Nigeria 773 0 Equal 0
31 Czech Republic Czech Republic 769 0 Equal 0
32 Japan Japan 768 0 Equal 0
33 Algeria Algeria 759 0 Equal 0
34 Gabon Gabon 755 0 Equal 0
35 Sweden Sweden 747 0 Equal 0
36 Republic of Ireland Republic of Ireland 734 0 Equal 0
36 Colombia Colombia 734 3 Up 9
38 Israel Israel 733 -1 Down 0
39 Peru Peru 726 -1 Down 0
40 Cameroon Cameroon 710 0 Equal 0
41 Scotland Scotland 699 0 Equal 0
42 Romania Romania 697 0 Equal 0
43 Bulgaria Bulgaria 672 0 Equal 0
44 Korea Republic Korea Republic 651 0 Equal -9
45 Burkina Faso Burkina Faso 646 0 Equal 0
46 Honduras Honduras 627 0 Equal -17
47 Venezuela Venezuela 592 0 Equal 0
48 Belgium Belgium 589 0 Equal 0
49 Latvia Latvia 579 1 Up 0
50 Bolivia Bolivia 577 3 Up 7

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Van Marwijk: Belief is crucial

Van Marwijk: Belief is crucial
(
His players describe him as being close to them and ready to listen, and after spending half an hour in the presence of Bert van Marwijk at the Dutch Football Association (KNVB) headquarters, it is easy to see why. “I like to be surrounded by people who want to improve,” the Netherlands coach told FIFA.com less than two months after leading his side to the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ Final.

Before taking the Oranje reins, Van Marwijk carved out a solid reputation in his homeland. His first coaching experience came at Maastricht in 1982, and after spending four years there he took on another five posts before being appointed by Feyenoord in the summer of 2000. The Rotterdam side provided him with an excellent platform and in 2002 he masterminded their UEFA Cup triumph, earning himself a move to Borussia Dortmund two years later. Van Marwijk failed to clinch any trophies with the Ruhr outfit but the experience proved invaluable, and after returning to Feyenoord he claimed the Dutch Cup in 2008 in his final campaign before replacing Marco van Basten.

With his charges soon to begin their UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying campaign against San Marino, Van Marwijk sat down with FIFA.com to discuss his philosophy on the game and coaching work, South Africa 2010 as well as the upcoming qualifiers.

FIFA.com: Bert, you are about to contest two important EURO 2012 qualifiers soon after losing the FIFA World Cup Final. How do you switch from one tournament to the next?
Bert van Marwijk: I've been feeling it out. When you get knocked out of a World Cup in the group stage or the last 16, the players want to play as quickly as possible again so they can move on. It’s a different situation when you lose in the Final. We had a friendly against Ukraine two weeks ago, which came too soon. The players had only had three weeks of holidays. They’d only had a week of training and the World Cup was still on their minds, so I played a B team. I told the players it wasn’t a preparation game but a chance to prove themselves. The motivation will start to come, though. It was too early before. It’s impossible to be motivated so soon after losing a World Cup Final, but the moment is right now and my players will be focused on the EURO.
When your opponents say afterwards that they felt you were almost unbeatable, I take that as a huge compliment.
Bert van Marwijk on the Netherlands' 1-0 defeat by Spain in the South Africa 2010 Final

What is the secret to your approach, given that you have turned this team into a machine for securing wins?
There are two factors in football: the technical and tactical side, and then the mental side. The question you have to ask yourself is if you believe in something. From the very first day, I tried to instil the feeling that we had to believe in our chances of winning the title in South Africa, and that when you believe it, you can do it. I told my players we had a mission. The Netherlands have always been able to beat anyone in a one-off match, but there we had to do it over six weeks.

What methods did you use to reach that goal?
A good team is one in which everyone is able to tell the truth. The players don’t need to all be friends - they need to accept that while respecting everyone else’s qualities. You need to have the guts to be honest. From the start, I spoke about stability. I love creative and attacking football, but the first step was to defend as a team. When you manage that, you allow your opponents fewer chances and that gives everyone on the team more confidence, as well as belief in their team-mates. The players understood my message from the very first day and they showed that in my first match on the bench. That was against the same Russia side that beat us at EURO 2008 and we played a very solid game. There was plenty of discipline and I saw our obvious potential that evening.

Looking back, do you think the Netherlands really showed their true selves in the Final against Spain on 11 July?
My team was different in the Final, it’s true. We weren’t ourselves in the first half, but you have to understand that it was the first time all of them had played in a World Cup Final. They were very nervous and that explains the very physical style and the fouls, because we were coming late into tackles. Spain had already won a EURO with pretty much the same team, so they were more used to this kind of occasion. We played more freely in the second half, as happened against Brazil in the quarter-finals. My regret is that we had to wait so long.

Did you still believe you could win towards the end?
After the match, the Spanish players told us that, in the second half, they were really afraid they were going to lose the Final. That says a lot about our strength. I was 100 per cent sure we were going to penalties because, after the red card, I felt that something had clicked in our minds and that Maarten Stekelenburg was having a great night. So I was optimistic. Spain deserved their triumph and they’re a fabulous team to watch, but we could have won it. We missed two one-on-one chances through Arjen Robben, and just lacked a finishing touch.

Was it frustrating to see your players struggle in the first half without being able to intervene?
We spoke about the pressure in our preparations for the match, but despite that it weighed heavily on us. That’s the beauty of top-level sport: you can’t control emotions like that, even when you try to anticipate them.

Would you agree that you have made the Netherlands more direct and pragmatic?
You have to take into account that this sport is changing, that the ingredients of the game are better, the players are faster, the play too, and that there’s less space on the pitch. During our preparations, we played three warm-up matches and scored 13 goals while conceding two. Our football was attractive. Then, in the World Cup, we came up against opponents who waited for us to make mistakes without really attacking. It’s more difficult to be constantly creative when space is very tight and you have much less time to execute things. You have to look at football differently and develop a different notion of creativity. You need more patience and you need to wait for the right moment, because your opponents are on the lookout for the slightest error. You have to adapt to the changes in football. In the semi-final, we won 3-2 but we could have scored five. Everyone praised our attacking play then. When your opponents say afterwards that they felt you were almost unbeatable, I take that as a huge compliment.
I teach the players to never feel satisfied with what they’ve achieved and to never feel like they’ve already made it. You lose when you become arrogant like that.
Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk

You spoke earlier about stability being an essential factor. Will we see the same team with the same strengths during the qualifiers for EURO 2012?
Stability on the pitch is the key. The players have to know each other 100 per cent. My philosophy is to get the ball to feet and be creative. In addition to that, however, I also teach the players to win, to never feel satisfied with what they’ve achieved and to never feel like they’ve already made it. You lose when you become arrogant like that. I had to instil that attitude: to stay focused on our mission and see only the next step to climb. That mustn’t change during the qualifiers, but I’m aware that it won’t be easy.

During the FIFA World Cup, you explained that you were using methods learnt in the Bundesliga. What did you mean by that?
My style of play has been my philosophy since the start. My beliefs haven’t changed. After that, you always learn from your different experiences. In Germany, I learnt how to win a match even when you’re not playing well or how to get a draw on an off-day, knowing that going after victory could result in defeat. But the Germans could also learn from the Netherlands. You know, the difference between Spain, Germany, England and ourselves is that in the three other teams, almost all the players play in their national championship. They have the same calendar and the same training styles. In my case, I have to deal with players from Italy, Spain, England, Scotland and so on – and I have to do it our way, with our own philosophy.

Ecuador's fishermen get in line

Ecuador's fishermen get in line


One sight that leaves a lifelong impression is watching the fisherman of Ecuador playing football on the beaches alongside the Pacific Ocean. It is after long hard nights fishing and facing the elements you can observe the artisan fleet heading homeward bound for their fishing villages and ports along the thousand kilometers or so of Ecuadorian coastline. They come ashore with their catches of sea bass, dorado and fresh sole that later on will be served up as part of exotic menus and dishes around the country. Once the fishermen’s work is done and the boats pulled onto the beaches it’s time for football, making use of the wide and long beaches as their natural football pitches. A couple of markers are placed on the sand as goal posts, afootball is positioned in the centre and the game is on. Amazingly there are literally hundreds and even thousands of fishermen doing the very same thing all along the coastal region of Ecuador, every single day.

In Ecuador you can find organised beach football competitions throughout the year being played in the main coastal cities, but one very important thing is missing, everybody has been playing under local rules, far away from the rules and regulations set up by FIFA for Beach Soccer. Recognising that this needed to be addressed the Ecuadorian Football Federation requested the presence of FIFA instructors to correct and align Ecuador’s Beach Soccer during a coaching course organized from the 16 to 20 of August in Guayaquil.
Imagine what we will be able to do and how far we can go once we have organised beach soccer in the country.
Francisco Acosta, General Secretary of Ecuador's FA.

The Ecuadorian Football Federation’s general secretary, Francisco Acosta commented: “We have been aware that many people play soccer on our beautiful beaches, all over the country, and that it was time to bring this under the federations’ jurisdiction and in turn under the FIFA umbrella. This is a great opportunity for many young players living in the coastal regions of Ecuador, just last year we missed out through a late goal to make it to the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Dubai, imagine what we will be able to do and how far we can go once we have organised beach soccer in the country.”

It is through the FIFA Beach Soccer course that the FEF have placed certain short and medium term objectives; the first objective is to organize an Ecuadorian beach soccer championship under FIFA rules. Ecuador is also in line to host the South American Beach Soccer championship in the city of Manta scheduled for December 2011.

Ecuador can already boast a FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup referee, Gonzalo Villavicencio, who officiated at the last event in Dubai. There is also a regulation-size beach soccer pitch in the city of Guayaquil, in the past it had mostly been used for beach volleyball, but its future is booked to host beach soccer seminars and teaching clinics to spread the Beach Soccer word.

Two FIFA instructors Bolivar Montero from Costa Rica and Hector Petrasso from Argentina arrived in Guayaquil keen to exchange experiences and conduct the first ever FIFA Beach Soccer course in Ecuador. The course programme covered all the important topics to enable the participants to understand the history, rules, technical aspects, goalkeeping, tactics, systems, free kick situations and event organisation. This, of course, was apart from the referees classes going on simultaneously in the classroom and on the pitch in Guayaquil.

The participants came from the coastal provinces of El Oro, Esmeraldas, Santa Helena, Los Rios and Guayas to gather knowledge and the know how to take back home and pass this on to players, coaches and referees. All of this valuable information and content is to promote and create Beach Soccer’s popularity within the country, part of FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter’s philosophy to grow the game.

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Ecuador's fishermen get in line
(FIFA.com) Monday 30 August 2010
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One sight that leaves a lifelong impression is watching the fisherman of Ecuador playing football on the beaches alongside the Pacific Ocean. It is after long hard nights fishing and facing the elements you can observe the artisan fleet heading homeward bound for their fishing villages and ports along the thousand kilometers or so of Ecuadorian coastline. They come ashore with their catches of sea bass, dorado and fresh sole that later on will be served up as part of exotic menus and dishes around the country. Once the fishermen’s work is done and the boats pulled onto the beaches it’s time for football, making use of the wide and long beaches as their natural football pitches. A couple of markers are placed on the sand as goal posts, afootball is positioned in the centre and the game is on. Amazingly there are literally hundreds and even thousands of fishermen doing the very same thing all along the coastal region of Ecuador, every single day.

In Ecuador you can find organised beach football competitions throughout the year being played in the main coastal cities, but one very important thing is missing, everybody has been playing under local rules, far away from the rules and regulations set up by FIFA for Beach Soccer. Recognising that this needed to be addressed the Ecuadorian Football Federation requested the presence of FIFA instructors to correct and align Ecuador’s Beach Soccer during a coaching course organized from the 16 to 20 of August in Guayaquil.
Imagine what we will be able to do and how far we can go once we have organised beach soccer in the country.
Francisco Acosta, General Secretary of Ecuador's FA.

The Ecuadorian Football Federation’s general secretary, Francisco Acosta commented: “We have been aware that many people play soccer on our beautiful beaches, all over the country, and that it was time to bring this under the federations’ jurisdiction and in turn under the FIFA umbrella. This is a great opportunity for many young players living in the coastal regions of Ecuador, just last year we missed out through a late goal to make it to the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Dubai, imagine what we will be able to do and how far we can go once we have organised beach soccer in the country.”

It is through the FIFA Beach Soccer course that the FEF have placed certain short and medium term objectives; the first objective is to organize an Ecuadorian beach soccer championship under FIFA rules. Ecuador is also in line to host the South American Beach Soccer championship in the city of Manta scheduled for December 2011.

Ecuador can already boast a FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup referee, Gonzalo Villavicencio, who officiated at the last event in Dubai. There is also a regulation-size beach soccer pitch in the city of Guayaquil, in the past it had mostly been used for beach volleyball, but its future is booked to host beach soccer seminars and teaching clinics to spread the Beach Soccer word.

Two FIFA instructors Bolivar Montero from Costa Rica and Hector Petrasso from Argentina arrived in Guayaquil keen to exchange experiences and conduct the first ever FIFA Beach Soccer course in Ecuador. The course programme covered all the important topics to enable the participants to understand the history, rules, technical aspects, goalkeeping, tactics, systems, free kick situations and event organisation. This, of course, was apart from the referees classes going on simultaneously in the classroom and on the pitch in Guayaquil.

The participants came from the coastal provinces of El Oro, Esmeraldas, Santa Helena, Los Rios and Guayas to gather knowledge and the know how to take back home and pass this on to players, coaches and referees. All of this valuable information and content is to promote and create Beach Soccer’s popularity within the country, part of FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter’s philosophy to grow the game.
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ECUMATADOR
31/08/2010 at 01:51
ECUMATADOR (Ecuador)
Great article. It makes soo happy to see The FEF take intrest in beach soccer. It's going to be a great 2011 for Ecuador!!!
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Victor: I want to earn my Brazil place

Victor: I want to earn my Brazil place


The last 14 months have provided a steep learning curve for Victor Leandro Bagy. As part of Brazil's triumphant FIFA Confederations Cup South Africa 2009 squad, the man voted the best goalkeeper in his country in each of the last two years fully expected to realise the dream of a lifetime and represent the five-time world champions at the recent FIFA World Cup™. However, the Gremio No1 was left bitterly dissapointed when coach Dunga omitted him from the squad, a decision that provoked an angry reaction from the 27-year-old in the press.

Yet barely a month and a half later, Victor was back in the international fold as part of new coach Mano Menezes’s revamped Seleção. Time, it seems, has healed the wounds caused by missing out on a trip to South Africa, and the man from Santo Anastacio is focused on the future, as he told FIFA.com: “Yes, of course I was annoyed and disappointed, but that only made me work even harder. And now I think justice has been done. I don’t think I’ve been called up by accident.”
He wants to put a smile back on the fans’ faces and get back that sense of joy that Brazilian football has always had.
Victor on new Brazil coach Mano Menezes

However, that note of irritation is the only evidence of Victor’s disappointment. A new era in Brazilian football has brought about a more relaxed attitude on the part of the goalkeeper. Despair, it seems, has given way to patience and maturity.

“When the last squad was announced, I got my hopes up again, but when I saw that Jefferson and Renan had been called up, I took it badly as I thought that the coach was only going to name two keepers. And then I remembered.”

Victor’s more circumspect approach bore fruit, as he started the game against USA, becoming the first keeper of the Menezes era. It was a symbolic achievement perhaps, but no less significant for that as Brazil begins the countdown to staging the next FIFA World Cup.

The experienced shot-stopper, however, is well aware that the Europe-based players were not considered for selection. Both Julio Cesar, Brazil’s undisputed first-choice between the sticks over the last four years, and Gomes, who was initially called up for their training camp in Spain only to withdraw due to injury, will provide stiff competition for the coveted goalkeeper’s jersey. It is no surprise, then, that Victor is refusing to get carried away.

“To be the first starting keeper is important and that gives me confidence. But there is a long way to go,” he said. “I know what Julio Cesar means to Brazilian football. He’s a world-class goalkeeper and you only have to look at how many caps he has won to see that. But I want to earn my place in the squad alongside him and the other keepers.”

As much as Brazilian fans were surprised by Victor’s exclusion from Dunga’s squad, his return has raised few eyebrows. After all, it was Menezes who signed him for Gremio in 2008, just before the coach left to take up the reins at Corinthians.

So, despite never having worked directly with the 48-year-old, Victor had good reason to be optimistic. The mutual respect between the pair was evidenced further by the extra responsibility the latter was given, in spite of being almost as new to international football as novices like Ganso, Neymar and David Luiz.

“It’s a young team and I was probably one of the most experienced players there,” he said with a smile. “I know I haven’t been in the team for a long time, but I've been around a bit more than most! Because of that, it was my job to talk a lot, to help the defenders with their positioning and to make sure that everyone stayed calm. I could also pass on to the others the things I'd learned with the national team before in terms of group atmosphere, training and dealing with expectations, which is what Mano asked me to do."
I know what Julio Cesar means to Brazilian football. He’s a world-class goalkeeper. But I want to earn my place in the squad alongside him.
Victor

Victor was less forthcoming when asked to compare the old and the new Brazil, but he seems perfectly in tune with the philosophy of the former Corinthians coach. “He has a different way of going about things," the Gremio keeper said.

"With Dunga, it was all about discipline and keeping our shape. With Mano, it’s about changing things, giving young players a chance. He wants to put a smile back on the fans’ faces and get back that sense of joy that Brazilian football has always had, and he made it clear to us that that’s what he wants us to do.”

For now, Victor is happy to look back at his display against USA, and to have made an immediate impression on the new coach. As regards his future with the A Seleção, however, he is taking nothing for granted. “In football, you always need to keep a high profile and be consistent - and that means at your club as well," he remarked. "Whether or not you get picked for the national team depends on what you do with your club side."

Time will tell whether or not Victor’s disappointment back in May will be the springboard for a glittering international career, but he is certainly that little bit wiser for it.

Bradley signs new USA deal

Bradley signs new USA deal


USA coach Bob Bradley has signed an extension to his contract with the US Soccer Federation which would appear to end any prospect of him succeeding Martin O'Neill as manager of Aston Villa.

The 52-year-old has agreed a new deal which runs until the end of 2014 after reports circulated that Villa's American owner Randy Lerner could be prepared to offer him the chance to manage in the Premier League.
The agreement with Bradley, who guided the US team to numerous achievements including finishing in first place in their group at the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ for the first time in 80 years, will keep him at the helm through the end of 2014.
Statement from US Soccer.

A statement on ussoccer.com read: "US Soccer has agreed to a contract extension with US men's national team head coach Bob Bradley. The agreement with Bradley, who guided the US team to numerous achievements including finishing in first place in their group at the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ for the first time in 80 years, will keep him at the helm through the end of 2014."

Bradley's men were knocked out of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in the Round of 16 by Ghana. He led the team to the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup and to the final of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa, where the team lost to Brazil.

Just over a week ago Bradley told BBC Radio Five Live: "I'd be honoured to have a conversation with Randy Lerner. I've had no contact with him. There have been talks with my representatives to find out the situation."

Schalke swoop for Huntelaar, Jurado

Schalke swoop for Huntelaar, Jurado


Klaas Jan Huntelaar has become the first big-name player to move clubs on the final day of the current transfer window after joining Bundesliga club Schalke from AC Milan, with the club also today confirming they have signed Jose Manuel Jurado from Atletico Madrid.

The Netherlands international, 27, has made a €13m switch to Gelsenkirchen - joining former Real Madrid team-mate Raul, who signed earlier this summer. Schalke boss Felix Magath told Bild newspaper: "Negotiations were tougher than expected. I am happy to have Klaas Jan. He will help us."

Huntelaar has failed to fully establish himself at first Real and then Milan since leaving Ajax in January 2009, scoring 15 goals in 50 appearances in that time. But he was prolific during his time in Amsterdam, finding the net 80 times in 104 games after joining from Eerste Divisie side AGOVV Apeldoorn.

"Klaas Jan wants to continue his career at Schalke. Schalke and Milan have agreed on a transfer fee of about €13 million," read an article on his personal website, klaasjanhuntelaar.com "It is true I never wanted to leave Milan but that changed when Zlatan Ibrahimovic came from Barcelona," he said.

Schalke have moved to liven up their side after losing their opening two Bundesliga games of the season.

Jurado move
Schalke have also agreed a fee with Atletico Madrid for Jose Manuel Jurado. Atletico confirmed following Monday night's 4-0 win over Sporting Gijon that they had agreed to sell the playmaker. No details of the deal were announced but Spanish media are reporting that Schalke will pay around €13m for the 24-year-old, who opened the scoring against Sporting at the Vicente Calderon.

An Atletico statement said: "Atletico Madrid have reached an agreement with Schalke for the transfer of Jose Manuel Jurado to the German team. The agreement between the two teams was closed on the night of 30 August.

"In the coming hours he will leave for Germany, where he will be presented by Schalke. Atletico Madrid want to thank him for his professionalism and dedication during the years he has been at the Vicente Calderon. We also wish him the best in this new stage of his career."

Jurado came up through the ranks at Real Madrid before moving across town to Atletico in 2006. He spent the 2008/09 campaign on loan at Real Mallorca before returning to Atletico last season, when he helped the Rojiblancos win the UEFA Europa League - the club's first trophy in 14 years - and reach the final of the Copa del Rey.

Speaking after the Sporting match, Jurado said: "I know that I'm leaving my home, my friends, but there are times in life when you cannot say no. I'm a little sad because this is my home and I've been treated very well here. I give thanks to my team-mates and all the staff at the club because they've been phenomenal with me. I hope that it will be a 'see you later' rather than goodbye. I hope Atletico Madrid continue like they have been doing and have lots of luck this season."

Van der Sar: I’m exceeding expectations

Van der Sar: I’m exceeding expectations
(

Edwin van der Sar has given up worrying about how long his career will continue. The goalkeeper will celebrate his 40th birthday in October, by which time he hopes to be well on the way to another fine season for Manchester United.

When he arrived from Fulham in a cut-price deal, it was supposed to be a stop-gap for Sir Alex Ferguson, who was still struggling to find an adequate replacement for the legendary Peter Schmeichel. Now in his sixth season, Van der Sar remains as reliable as ever, with Ben Foster becoming the latest to abandon the quest to battle with the veteran Dutchman by leaving Old Trafford for Birmingham City this summer.

Age must catch up with Van der Sar eventually. But on recent evidence, there is plenty of life in the former Ajax man yet. And he certainly is not naming the day when he hangs up his gloves for the last time.

"I don't worry about when that day arrives," he said. "I am now exceeding my own expectations, so it doesn't bother me. When I was younger I thought maybe I would finish in my mid-30s. But that is a normal time to be thinking about it when you are younger and for players at this level.
When I was younger I thought maybe I would finish in my mid-30s. Coming to Old Trafford probably gave me a new lease of life.
Edwin van der Sar

"That would have been the obvious time to finish, but I only came to United late in my career and maybe that is why I am still enjoying it. Coming to Old Trafford probably gave me a new lease of life."

With each passing season Ferguson must question why he allowed Van der Sar to join Juventus in 1999 when he was first giving serious thought to making the keeper a Red Devil. Of all Schmeichel's successors, he is the one who has come closest to matching the great Dane's extraordinary achievements, a feat Ferguson is quick to acknowledge.

"The club have to be happy," Van der Sar said. "If they are not happy with the quality you are producing then there is no need to keep on going. I broke two fingers in pre-season last year and then got another knee injury later on, but every time I was fit I was picked again, so that was a good sign for me.

"It proved he still had confidence in me and my qualities and ability. It is always nice when you work hard to get back and then the first opportunity to put you back in the team, he does it. It is important to know he has that faith."

Mixed emotions
Although Van der Sar retired from international duty after UEFA EURO 2008, there was some talk that Bert van Marwijk might call on him again for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™. As it turned out, the man who won a record 130 caps for the Oranje watched the tournament at home, desperately wanting the Netherlands to overcome Spain in the Final while knowing there would have been a nagging knot in his stomach if Giovanni van Bronkhorst and his men had prevailed.

"You make a decision in life, sometimes you go back on it and sometimes you stay with it," he reflected. "I would have been really happy if Holland had won the World Cup, but I suppose then I would have missed something on my list. But I have achieved a few other things, so I cannot complain."

An idol bids final farewell

An idol bids final farewell


The football world was in mourning on Monday following the announcement of the death of Argentinian legend Francisco Varallo, the last survivor of the Final of the 1930 FIFA World Cup Uruguay™. Known affectionately as Cañoncito during his playing days, Varallo had celebrated his 100th birthday last February.

After making his first division debut with Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata, the Argentinian goalscorer forged his reputation as a deadly finisher with Boca Juniors and the national side. He scored a total of 190 goals for Los Xeneizes, setting a club record that was only recently surpassed by Martin Palermo. The biggest disappointment of his career, however, was that defeat to host nation Uruguay some 80 years ago.
In these grief-filled moments I can take immense pride from the fact that a character such as Francisco Varallo, whom we shall never forget, represented the football family with such dignity.
Joseph S. Blatter on Francisco Varallo

“The news that Francisco Varallo is no longer with us fills us with great sense of loss, both for his qualities as a person and an ambassador for our beloved sport,” commented FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter. “In these grief-filled moments I can take immense pride from the fact that a character such as Francisco Varallo, whom we shall never forget, represented the football family with such dignity.”

Varallo, who was only 20 when he was called up by Argentina coach Juan Tramutola to represent his country at Uruguay 1930, scored a goal against Mexico in the group phase and nearly missed out on the Final because of injury. “I tested my fitness on the morning of the game and decided to play,” he recalled years later. “I wasn’t going to miss it for anything in the world.”

Though Argentina led the Uruguayans at half-time, Varallo and his team-mates were powerless to prevent their neighbours from coming back in the second half, the hosts running out 4-2 winners. “We came up short and we lacked a little steel,” said Pancho in an interview with FIFA.com back in 2005. Five years on from that enlightening rendez-vous, the much-loved centenarian has finally taken his leave of us, taking with him a valuable piece of footballing history.

Holders Inter held in Bologna

Holders Inter held in Bologna


Champions Inter Milan were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw away to Bologna in their opening match of the 2010/11 Serie A season on Monday. In a game delayed due to Inter's UEFA Super Cup commitments in Monaco on Friday, the Nerazzurri took 45 minutes to wake up and then despite bombarding Bologna's goal in the second period, they could find no way through.

If playing last season's treble winners wasn't tough enough already, Bologna's preparations were thrown into disarray on the eve of the match when president Sergio Porcedda sacked coach Franco Colomba and temporarily replaced him with youth team boss Paolo Magnani. But the hosts showed remarkable resilience, not least from goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano, who made a number of crucial saves, including one with his head.

Although Inter changed coaches in the summer - Rafael Benitez replacing the Real Madrid-bound Jose Mourinho - the starting XI in a 4-4-3 formation came straight from the Portuguese's mould. However, Inter failed to sparkle and only reached something resembling their own high standards after the interval.

Benitez paid tribute to Viviano's performance but lamented his team's lack of freshness. "He did very well with his head, with his hands, with everything," joked Benitez. "In the beginning we had control, we did well but then they had some chances on the counter-attack, but in the second half we did everything we'd spoken about beforehand.

"We're lacking physical condition and then (Bologna) worked well in defence, they were organised and it wasn't easy to find space, but I'm happy with the reaction of my team in the second half," the coach went on. "We hope to do better in future, we're at the beginning and everyone needs to understand that we must have more of the ball. We had some chances, we showed that even away we wanted to win. We had control, we did everything we could but we lacked freshness."
In the beginning we had control, we did well but then they had some chances on the counter-attack, but in the second half we did everything we'd spoken about beforehand.
Inter Milan boss Rafa Benitez

Inter had a scare on 14 minutes as Marco Di Vaio played a crossfield ball over the top that both centre-back Lucio and goalkeeper Julio Cesar went for. Lucio got in a weak clearance that went back across goal and left Julio Cesar stranded, but with an empty net to aim at Henry Gimenez lofted his shot hopelessly over the bar.

Inter were creating little of note with Esteban Cambiasso volleying over and Kenya international McDonald Mariga dragging a shot from the right well wide of the far post. Bologna again threatened on 41 minutes as Di Vaio crossed for Gimenez but the 24-year-old Uruguayan took an age to bring the ball down and then fired over. Late on in the half Wesley Sneijder dipped a free-kick just over the bar but Inter had failed to impose themselves on the first period.

After the break the champions started to turn the screw as Goran Pandev headed a Diego Milito cross straight at Viviano who then plunged to his left to keep out a rasping Sneijder drive. On 73 minutes Viviano made a stunning one-handed save to keep out a Sneijder free-kick and then moments later the stopper saved Bologna again. Substitute Coutinho crossed to Samuel Eto'o who came flying in to volley goalwards from two yards out but the ball cannoned off the unwitting Viviano's head, onto the bar and away to safety.

Despite being given a remarkable six minutes of stoppage time to try to find a winner, Inter could find no way through. Their bitter city rivals AC Milan head the table after their 4-0 thumping of newly-promoted Lecce on Sunday.

Masina: We can surprise Ghana

Masina: We can surprise Ghana
(FIFA.com) Tuesday 31 August 2010
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Ghana’s impressive recent FIFA World Cup™ exploits have created an aura of near-invincibility ahead of the Black Stars beginning their 2012 CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign this weekend.

Most, certainly, would expect Ghana’s next opponents, lowly-ranked Swaziland, not to be relishing an an opening Group I fixture against the continent's leading side in Mbabane this weekend. As is is, however, the mood in the Swazi camp has been upbeat ahead of this vital encounter.

Dennis Masina is probably one of the most well-known faces in the Swaziland line-up. Since leaving his native land to ply his trade in South Africa, the midfield maestro has become one of the key figures in the Isihlangu Semnikati (King’s Shield) line-up, having represented his country since 1999. According to the 28-year-old, the Swazis, while respectful of their opponents, are not going to be overwhelmed by the Black Stars' star-studded line-up.

"Of course Ghana is a big team in Africa and we respect them a lot,” Masina told FIFA.com. "They have some of the best players in Africa at the moment. I think it’s going to be an interesting match for us, but we are really motivated for this encounter. We have to be confident when playing them as they are a tough side with lots of skilful and talented players."
With some hard work and maybe a little bit of luck, we can achieve the impossible. We are not scared of anyone.
Dennis Masina

Ghana are ranked 23rd in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking, the Swazis 111 places further back down at 134. It is this disparity that, on paper, would appear make the outcome of this match a foregone conclusion. However, the underdogs are hoping for a different script. The Swazis have been forced to regroup following the departure of their coach, Shakes Mashaba, who returned to South Africa to resume duties as the country’s U-23 coach.

The Isihlangu Semnikati , however, moved swiftly to replace Mashaba with Musa Zwane. And while the odds might be stacked against them, Masina said they are looking forward to a match in which they are unburdened by expectation. “It’s going to be a big mission, but we are happy to be underdogs for this match. We have a group of hungry players who know what this game means to us and our country,” Masina added.

As they continue their preparations in the quiet streets of Mhlume Country Club, the Swazi players are well aware that few will give them a chance of upsetting the Black Stars. But that is exactly what Masina is dreaming of. “Sure, we can cause an upset," he said. "In football, a lot can happen in 90 minutes. So, to be fair, I don’t think we can underestimate ourselves. With some hard work and maybe a little bit of luck, we can achieve the impossible. We are not scared of anyone, we respect all opponents equally."

For Masina, this will be a special occasion as he makes his return to international football, having endured his fair share of run-ins in the past. He is also eager to rewrite history for his national team, who are yet to make an appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations despite numerous attempts to qualify. Grouped with Ghana, Congo and Sudan, they face an uphill battle this time around to claim the solitary spot up for grabs in Gabon/Equatorial Guinea in 2012. But Masina and his team-mates are evidently unafraid of such challenges.

Forlan lifts Atletico top in Spain
(PA) Tuesday 31 August 2010
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Diego Forlan struck twice as buoyant Atletico Madrid started their Primera Division campaign in impressive fashion with a 4-0 win against Sporting Gijon on Monday.

A near-capacity crowd crammed into the Vicente Calderon to see if Atletico could build on a memorable few months that has seen them win the UEFA Europa League, the European Super Cup and reach the final of the Copa del Rey.

And the Rojiblancos supporters headed home happy after seeing their side record an ultimately convincing victory with Jose Manuel Jurado netting early on and Forlan adding two more in the 40th and 64th minutes. The scoring was completed in injury-time when substitute Simao Sabrosa curled home a brilliant goal.

Quique Sanchez Flores' men could have scored even more goals as well, but there was also evidence of their old defensive frailties as Sporting created a number of chances of their own in an entertaining match. After a celebration to mark Friday's 2-0 European Super Cup win over Inter Milan at the start of the match, Atletico needed just 11 minutes to open the scoring. Jurado, who is being linked with a big-money move to Schalke, was the goalscorer as he drilled a shot into the far corner of the net.

That was just the start Atletico would have been hoping for, but they were fortunate still to be holding that advantage half an hour later as Sporting cut open the home defence on several occasions. Miguel de las Cuevas, David Barral and Carmelo all had more than one effort each, but a mixture of good goalkeeping from David De Gea and poor finishing let Atletico off the hook.

After another good save by De Gea in the 37th minute, Atletico immediately broke down the other end for Forlan to make it 2-0. It was Sergio Aguero who did all the work with a mazy dribble into the area that looked set to net him a wonder goal. The Argentinian was finally tackled but, agonisingly for Sporting, the ball fell perfectly for Uruguayan FIFA World Cup™ star Forlan to slot into an empty net from five yards out.

Atletico never looked back after that and might even have increased their lead further before the break with Jurado and Forlan going close. Sporting briefly threatened at the start of the second half with Carmelo being denied by De Gea's feet, but Forlan made sure of the points in the 63rd minute when he tapped home Tomas Ujfalusi's cross.

Atletico had further opportunities to increase their lead before finally managing to add a fourth right at the end through Simao. The Portuguese winger's superb 20-yard effort flew into the far top corner to put the icing on the cake for the delighted Atletico players and their fans.

Who had the best long-range shot?

Who had the best long-range shot?
(FIFA.com) Tuesday 3 August 2010
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The ability to hit a ball from distance is a major asset in football.

FIFA.com wants to know which player had the best long-range shot you’ve ever seen, be it live or on video.

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

Sweden celebrate successful bow

Sweden celebrate successful bow
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Some days you can be forgiven for just wanting to stay in bed. Particularly if you have just been knocked out in the quarter-finals of the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup 2010. However, this was certainly not the case with Sweden captain Emilia Appelquist.

"Today isn't a day for moping in bed - quite the opposite in fact," she said following her side's 2-0 last-eight defeat to Colombia on Saturday. "The atmosphere in the squad was very good. We just didn't have a very good day.

"We had a lot of fun. The tournament has been a great experience for all of us and we got a lot further than I think anyone would have expected," she continued. Indeed, after picking up seven points from three matches to top Group B, Calle Barrling's young side left highly-fancied Korea DPR and Brazil in their wake during a thoroughly positive FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup debut.

Unlikely strike duo
An Antonia Goransson brace saw the Swedes come back from 1-0 down to beat New Zealand in their opening match, before the Scandinavians drew 1-1 with Brazil. In the subsequent battle for first place, Sweden again came from behind to conquer 2006 champions Korea DPR by the odd goal in five.

Goransson played her way into the hearts of the cheering crowds with some exciting attacking displays alongside Sofia Jakobsson, with the former making a remarkable transition from wide player to striker at the tournament. "At the beginning it was a bit strange because Antonia normally plays on the wing, but we've built up an understanding," Jakobsson told FIFA.com in an exclusive interview. "Yes, it did surprise me that I was picked up front," agreed Goransson.

Acrobatic throw
The unlikely strike partners were unable to prevent Sweden's quarter-final exit, the 2-0 defeat to Colombia proving their only defeat and the only match in which they failed to score. "We lost the game in the first 25 minutes," said coach Barrling shortly after the match. "We weren't aggressive enough in defence, and when we did manage to get hold of it, we lacked the necessary prowess in attack. Colombia proved themselves to be tough opponents and they deserved the win.

One of the highlights of Sweden's Germany 2010 journey was Kristin Karlsson's acrobatic throw-ins, which involved a spectacular somersault to rival that of Brazilian defender Leah. "It's another great addition to women's football that makes it fun for the spectators to watch. It's also an excellent way for us to effectively turn a throw-in into a cross and cause a stir in the opposition defence," said Goransson.

Sweden impressed many observers with their exciting tactics, talented individuals and unshakeable team spirit. Fans will now be looking forward to seeing how many of the young Scandinavians can make it into their senior side for next year's eagerly anticipated FIFA Women's World Cup 2011, also on German soil.

Moratti: Maicon staying with Inter

Moratti: Maicon staying with Inter


Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti ended weeks of speculation on Monday by stating that Brazilian full-back Maicon will not be following former coach Jose Mourinho to Real Madrid.

The 29-year-old had been coveted by the Spanish giants all summer but the two sides had failed to come to an agreement on the player's value. And having earlier in the day suggested he didn't know what was going on, Moratti was more decisive in the afternoon.

"Maicon is staying at Inter," he told reporters. "He was wanted by other clubs, as were other players. They consider him good, so good that, perhaps, I was convinced to not sell him. I've taken Maicon off the market."

But it seems that Maicon's commitment to the club jersey, with which he and Inter won the treble last season, played a significant role in keeping him in Milan. Maicon has been excellent in pre-season and has shown no signs of desiring a move.

"The most important role was the Brazilian full-back's behaviour during these weeks," added Moratti. "Also for his character, the behaviour he's shown during this period, all these things were fundamental."

New Inter coach Rafael Benitez was keen to keep the former Monaco player on his books.

"Maicon is without a doubt a good player who made a difference in many matches last season," said Benitez. "He's an important player for us, we know Real Madrid are interested in him but, I repeat, he's important for us. He's here and right now we think that he wants to win, as the whole team does, together."

Inter's evergreen club captain Javier Zanetti, also pleaded with his South American team-mate to stay with the club. "We hope Maicon will stay with us, he's the best full-back we have and also in the world. If he stays it will be very important for us," he said.

World Leagues review

World Leagues review
(FIFA.com) Monday 9 August 2010
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The pacesetters made no mistake in Brazil and Mexico this weekend, but the leadership did change hands in Japan and Korea Republic. With opening-round matches in Argentina and Australia, and the race for the play-offs continuing in the USA, FIFA.com reflects on the latest developments.

Argentinian Apertura: Giants make different starts
Estudiantes and River Plate both snatched last-gasp 1-0 wins as the new season got underway. A penalty from Los Pincharratas veteran Juan Sebastian Veron saw off Newell’s Old Boys, while a classic piece of Ariel Ortega invention enabled teenage striker Rogelio Funes Mori to nod home and sink Tigre.

Boca Juniors and San Lorenzo drew away to Godoy Cruz and Gimnasia respectively, while Clausura holders Argentinos Juniors lost 2-1 at home to Huracan.

Big game: Santiago Silva’s powerful first-half header settled an entertaining game between title aspirants Velez Sarsfield and Independiente in the former’s favour.
Headline-grabber: Juan Morales popped up at the back post to stab home an 89th-minute equaliser on his debut for newly-promoted Quilmes against his former employers Colon.

Brasileirao: Top two pull away
Goals from Mariano and Emerson inside the first 20 minutes, and some admirable saves from Fernando Henrique thereafter, helped ten-man leaders Fluminense win 2-1 at Gremio, who duly sacked coach Silas. Corinthians remained one point behind Muricy Ramalho’s side with a deserved 1-0 defeat of Flamengo, a delightful feint and finish from Elias separating Brazil’s two best-supported teams.

Ceara and Cruzeiro, fourth and fifth going into Round 13, will be disappointed with goalless draws at home to rock-bottom Atletico Goianense and Gremio Prudente respectively, though a point was enough for O Vozão to usurp the inactive Internacional from third.

Big game: Goias struck a late equaliser to deny Palmeiras a first win since the return of Luiz Felipe Scolari in a battle of out-of-sorts sides.
Headline-grabber: Guarani attacker Mazola scored one, set up another and tormented Avai throughout a 4-1 rout that ended a sequence of five winless matches and pushed O Bugre up to ninth.

Mexican Apertura: Santos and Monarcas shine
Santos Laguna maintained their 100 per cent start to the campaign with a rousing 3-0 win at Pachuca in Round 3, Christian Benitez headlining the fixture with a brace that took his tally to five goals in three games since his return from a loan spell at Birmingham City. Monterrey are just two points adrift of Santos in Group 1 following a 2-1 success away to Atlante.

Puebla assumed control of Group 3 thanks to a 3-1 victory at Tecos, while Pumas and Cruz Azul are a point shy of the new section leaders after the former beat the latter 2-0.

Big game: A Dario Gandin volley from outside the box was enough for Necaxa to down troubled Atlas on their travels and put their first victory on the board.
Headline-grabber: Miguel Sabah’s clinically-taken hat-trick propelled Monarcas to a 6-0 thrashing of Queretaro that took them on to maximum points from two outings.

Major League Soccer: TFC, Rapids improve play-off chances
Toronto FC climbed inside the play-off qualification places with a 2-1 reverse of Chivas USA, Nana Attakora-Gyan and Chad Barrett on target for the Canadians. Defeat would have dropped Colorado Rapids out of the overall top eight, but an own goal from San Jose Earthquakes goalkeeper Jon Busch secured Gary Smith’s side a first win in eight attempts.

Inspired by a Jeff Cunningham double, FC Dallas consolidated their place in the play-off zone with a 3-1 defeat of ten-man Philadelphia Union. Neither Chicago Fire or New York Red Bulls were able to produce a goal despite the collective talent of Thierry Henry, Juan Pablo Angel, Freddie Ljungberg, Nery Castillo and Rafa Marquez – the latter two making their MLS debuts.

Big game: A 1-1 draw left Kansas City Wizards six points outside the play-off berths and Real Salt Lake five behind Western Conference pacesetters Los Angeles Galaxy.
Headline-grabber: Defender Pat Phelan nodded home his maiden MLS goal at the age of 25 to bank New England Revolution a 1-0 victory over DC United that threw them a play-off lifeline.

K-League: Trio tied at the top
A solitary Eninho goal proved enough for Jeonbuk Motors to overcome and overtake FC Seoul, the leaders going into Round 15, and the reigning champions were joined by two other teams on points at the summit. Jeju United overwhelmed Gwangju Sangmu 4-0 to assume pole position on goal difference, while Yoon Bit-Garam’s winner earned Gyeongnam a 2-1 success at Busan I’Park that moved them into third.

Pohang Steelers, who finished third in December’s FIFA Club World Cup, beat Seongnam 2-0 for their first win in 13 matches – one which thrust them up three places to tenth and dropped their victims to sixth.

Big game: Gangwon were just nine minutes away from their third victory of the season, which would have lifted them level on points with second-bottom Daegu, but Jose Ortigoza’s equaliser sent Ulsan Horangi up to fifth, three points off the pace.
Headline-grabbers: An industrious, inspirational performance from Shin Young-Rok – and two goals from Baek Ji-Hoon – helped Suwon Bluewings inflict a third straight 3-2 defeat on Incheon United and take the visitors to ten points from their last four games.

Elsewhere
Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory shared six goals in their pulsating A-League curtain-raiser. The Sky Blues held a two-goal cushion before a spirited fightback had the Victory ahead with five minutes remaining, but Shannon Cole’s excellent free-kick ensured the defending champions a share of the spoils against the side they beat on penalties in last season’s Grand Final.

Gold Coast United goalkeeper Glen Moss and his Brisbane Roar counterpart Michael Theoklitos proved impregnable as the opening round’s concluding contest ended goalless, leaving Central Coast Mariners as the only team on three points.

Shimizu S-Pulse replaced Kashima Antlers as J.League leaders by edging the reigning and record seven-time kings 2-1, a scrappy Takuma Edamura goal settling the contest. Meantime a last-gasp Marcus Tulio Tanaka header snatched Nagoya Grampus a 1-0 win at FC Tokyo that moved them into second.

Giggs and co hungry for silverware

Giggs and co hungry for silverware
(PA) Monday 9 August 2010
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Ryan Giggs has revealed Manchester United's failure to land a major trophy last term has fuelled an even greater hunger for success at Old Trafford this season.

Although United did collect the Carling Cup by beating Aston Villa in February, they failed to retain their English Premier League title and slipped out of the UEFA Champions League courtesy of a quarter-final defeat to Bayern Munich.

At 36, Giggs has no need to worry about one barren season, having already assured himself of a place in the pantheon of British football greats. But the veteran Welshman confirmed the desire for trophies is even greater now, having spent the summer going through what went wrong last spring.

"There is always that hunger, even if you are defending things," said Giggs. "But there is probably that added bit of determination because you don't want to go through another summer like this one again where we did not win the league.When you do not win the league, it is always hard. Now the challenge is there for us again. We do have to improve but if the squad stays fit and we get a bit of luck, we always fancy ourselves."

United will at least start the new campaign in confident mood thanks to their Community Shield triumph over Chelsea at Wembley. The Red Devils do still seem over-reliant on their older players, with both Paul Scholes and Edwin van der Sar outstanding in the win over Chelsea.
Javier is a goal-poacher. His overall movement and ability to find space is really good. Hopefully he can get a lot of goals this year.
Sir Alex Furguson on new signing Javier Hernandez

But it appears Antonio Valencia and Nani can improve on encouraging campaigns last term, while new boy Javier Hernandez has made a very positive impression since he linked up with Ferguson's squad on their pre-season tour of North America.

There was nothing smooth about the Mexican's goal - United's second - as his mis-hit shot flew in off his face - but Giggs views Hernandez as a major plus in United's quest for honours. "Javier has the extra quality that makes a difference," he said. "Towards the end of last season we needed that player who could come off the bench and change a game.

"Now we have strengthened and hopefully that will give us an edge," the manager went on. "Javier is a goal-poacher. His overall movement and ability to find space is really good. Hopefully he can get a lot of goals this year. He has started pre-season really well and I am sure he will be a great player for us."

United fans would have left Wembley with far more optimism than they arrived given the lack of transfer activity at Old Trafford. Although Ferguson distanced himself from talk of a bid for German FIFA World Cup™ star Mesut Ozil, his presence at Fulham on Saturday to watch the outstanding midfielder in action seemed significant.

Should Ozil end up at United before the 31 August transfer deadline, the Red Devils will really fancy their chances of making an impact this term, with Giggs admitting that for all Manchester City's money, Chelsea will once again be the team to beat.

"The Community Shield does not have a direct bearing on what is going to happen over the coming months but it does send out a marker," said Giggs. "Chelsea are a good team and at times we made them look ordinary. The Premier League is going to be tougher than ever this season.

"You could see that last year with all the teams that were competing for fourth place - and now City are right there with all that money," he went on. "It is going to be interesting to see how it all works out but I am still of the opinion that if we finish above Chelsea we will have a great chance."

Carragher defends under-fire Capello

Carragher defends under-fire Capello
(PA) Monday 9 August 2010
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Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has defended Fabio Capello after the England coach's tactics and approach at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ came in for more criticism.

The Italian attributed the last 16 exit to tiredness and the mindset of the players, although he admitted he is unsure how to fix the problems. Carragher, who retired from international football for a second time having come back to play for Capello in South Africa, defended the national team boss, however.

"I would never criticise Fabio because he has done too much in the game and if he stopped being a manager tomorrow he would go down in history as one of the great managers," said the 32-year-old. "I always find it hard when players criticise managers because we've never been managers ourselves.
Obviously the World Cup didn't go well but the players have to look at themselves and say we didn't perform as we can
Jamie Carragher

.

"We all realise what comes with playing for England - it's massive - and when something goes wrong everyone jumps on it," he went on. "Obviously the World Cup didn't go well but the players have to look at themselves and say we didn't perform as we can."

Carragher, whose club-mates Steven Gerrard and Glen Johnson have been retained in a new-look squad for Wednesday's friendly against Hungary, said he felt Capello was justified in keeping some of the big names like John Terry and Frank Lampard.

"There are still five or six top players we have got," he said. "They get a lot of criticism but they are some of the top players in the world and that is why they are still there."

Herbert: South Africa was massive for us

Herbert: South Africa was massive for us
(FIFA.com) Monday 9 August 2010
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Few coaches in world football can have enjoyed so many unexpected highs over the past 12 months as New Zealand and Wellington Phoenix mentor Ricki Hebert. Qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ on a memorable night in Wellington last November, in a front of a record national football crowd, ended an agonising 28-year wait for the All Whites to appear on the world stage.

Herbert, a veteran of New Zealand’s showing at the 1982 FIFA World Cup, knew his team were capable of surprising the world and the Kiwis didn’t disappoint in South Africa. New Zealand remained unbeaten across their three group matches against Slovakia, 2006 world champions Italy and quarter-finalists Paraguay. Though the three draws meant elimination, the achievements of Herbert’s All Whites will surely go down as a defining moment in New Zealand football history.

Just prior to South Africa 2010, the former Wolverhampton Wanderers man took his Wellington side into the play-offs of the Australian A-League – the first New Zealand club to achieve such a feat. The Phoenix ultimately fell one match short of the championship decider but record domestic crowds were a testament to the team’s success.

Three key achievements in New Zealand football and former tough-tackling defender Ricki Herbert has been a common thread in each. FIFA.com spoke with the Auckland-born Herbert about the All Whites achievements at South Africa 2010, if they can build on the success and whether Wellington Phoenix can maintain their momentum on the domestic front.

FIFA.com: Has it sunk it yet what you achieved at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, being undefeated and the only team to do so?
Ricki Herbert: I think so, but it is a really proud achievement for the country and no one can ever take away that. I think globally it has put New Zealand firmly on the map. I think that is what has excited the public back home, and not just the sporting people, that a team has gone and exposed New Zealand in a very positive way.

Do you think that you can build on this success which perhaps wasn’t the case after the 1982 FIFA World Cup?
That is part of the reason that I am staying. Not only me but I think there are a lot of integral people that need to continue on. If we make another World Cup in four years, then great. If we don’t then I think the profile is not just going to disappear and we are pushing pretty hard to make sure that it doesn’t.

What are some of the major positives in modern New Zealand football that can be built on following the 2010 FIFA World Cup as opposed to the situation following Spain 1982?
Grassroots has always been there. For me it is we have a really competitive and progressive professional team. The national team needs to come out and play again soon, the Phoenix will be on deck shortly, so that interest, momentum and fan base stays there, whereas in 82 it all disappeared.
There is a lot belief there (within the team). We are not saying we are going to beat them all but there is a real confidence that we can step on the pitch and do something.
New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert on his team's confidence

Are you optimistic for the All Whites’ performances in the future given there may be a couple of retirements?
Yes I am. I think we are in a very stable position. I would that 75 per cent of the team at least, will be there for the next World Cup.

Is there some young talent coming through from the national youth ranks?
There are some boys coming through. I wouldn’t say we have great depth but I think the national team will be fine for the next four years at least.

Is there one highlight from South Africa 2010 that stands out for you?
Scoring with 30 seconds to go against Slovakia kind of started the whole campaign for us. To draw against the Italians was obviously a great result for us. I think to be the only team unbeaten is a milestone that will always be there and no one can take that away.

Did you get any feedback from the players about adapting to the standard at the FIFA World Cup?
I think over the last four years we have pitted that team against a lot of big countries including some of the best countries from across the world. There is a lot belief there. We are not saying we are going to beat them all but there is a real confidence that we can step on the pitch and do something.

Moving onto your role as Wellington Phoenix coach... Has the preparation for the upcoming A-League season been hindered by a number of the players’ involvement in the 2010 FIFA World Cup?
We have rested some of the national team players. Most of them played against Boca Juniors (in a recent friendly) to test them physiologically and competition wise to see where they were at and if that was the benchmark then I am pretty happy. There was always going to be a disruption.

Are you optimistic of keeping the momentum going from last season’s record achievements?
This year will be interesting as I think the demands will be a lot more and with more travel for us. I’m sure we can be in the finals again.

Has this year felt different as a result of New Zealand’s achievements at South Africa 2010?
It has been massive at home, it has been incredible. A few weeks ago we had 10,000 people in Hamilton against Brisbane (for a friendly). Across the country everyone wants the Phoenix to play there now.

FIFA makes donation to stadium disaster victims

FIFA makes donation to stadium disaster victims
(FIFA.com) Thursday 5 August 2010
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FIFA has made a donation of USD 150,000 to the victims of a stampede at a match between Côte d’Ivoire and Malawi at the Stade Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan in March last year. The disaster left 20 people dead and 130 injured.

A ceremony was held this Tuesday at the headquarters of the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) in Abidjan, with the parents of the deceased each receiving a donation of USD 6,250 from FIFA.

“As a gesture of solidarity FIFA would like to empathize with the grief of the victims of this terrible accident, which has plunged entire families into mourning,” said Kablan Sampon, FIFA’s Head of Development for West Africa.
As a gesture of solidarity FIFA would like to empathize with the grief of the victims of this terrible accident.
Kablan Sampon, FIFA's head of development for West Africa

World football’s governing body also awarded USD 5,200 to a young man handicapped for life as a result of the disaster, with FIFA vice-president and AFC President Mohammed Bin Hammam also handing over a total of USD 20,800 to help him find specially adapted accommodation.

Victims suffering less severe injuries each received a payment of USD 156. “This is merely a donation,” said FIF President Jacques Anouma. “It is nothing more than that because nothing can ever take away the pain. I sincerely hope that 29 March 2009 is a date that will never be forgotten.”

The Ivorian FA and the national government have already made compensation payments to the victims of the tragedy.

IFAB approves additional assistant referee experiment

IFAB approves additional assistant referee experiment
(FIFA.com) Wednesday 21 July 2010
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The Technical Sub-Committee of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) approved several requests from member associations and confederations to implement the experiment with two additional assistant referees during the 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 seasons at a meeting held today, Wednesday, 21 July 2010 in Cardiff, Wales. The full list of approved requests can be found below.

At a previous Special Meeting of the IFAB held in Zurich on 18 May 2010, the Board had reviewed the experiment with two additional assistant referees that was carried out in the 2009/2010 UEFA Europa League, and had decided to continue the experiment until the 126th IFAB Annual General Meeting in 2012, but not to limit it to a single confederation. Therefore, confederations and member associations wishing to conduct this experiment were invited to inform IFAB of their interest for a decision to be taken at the meeting of the Technical Sub-Committee in Wales.

Four basic criteria had been established in order to approve the experiment:

1. The experiment must be conducted in member associations’ professional leagues and competitions or at confederation level (club competitions only).

2. The experiment must be completed in time to allow a decision to be taken in 2012.

3. The additional costs incurred by conducting such an experiment must be covered by the relevant league, member association or confederation.

4. It is mandatory for all matches in the applicable competition to be officiated with two additional assistant referees.

Based on these criteria, the following requests were approved, provided that the protocol established by the IFAB for the experiment is followed:

Asian Football Confederation (AFC): AFC President’s Cup 2010 (24-26 September)

Confederação Brasileira de Futebol (CBF): Campeonato Baiano de Futebol Feminino 2010 (Sept-Dec 2010), Campeonato Carioca de 2011

Federación Mexicana de Fútbol Asociación (FMF): Torneo Clausura 2011, Torneo Apertura 2011 and Torneo Clausura 2012

Fédération Française de Football (FFF): Coupe de la Ligue 2010/2011 (League Cup)

Union des associations européennes de football (UEFA): UEFA Champions League 2010/2011 and 2011/2012, UEFA Europa League 2010/2011 and 2011/2012, and UEFA Super Cup 2010 and 2011.

Also approved, but pending confirmation of the specific competitions, were official competitions of the Federação Baiana, the Federação Paulista and Federação Pernambucana in Brazil.

Finally, FIFA and the Technical Sub-Committee confirmed that goal-line technology will be on the agenda of the next Annual Business Meeting of the IFAB in October 2010.

A . Jarolim: We're determined to qualify

Jarolim: We're determined to qualify
(FIFA.com) Monday 9 August 2010
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Czech Republic qualified for the FIFA World Cup™ for the first time since the break-up of the former Czechoslovakia in 2006. At the tournament in Germany, then 27-year-old David Jarolim was a valued member of the squad, without ever achieving regular playing time under coach Karel Bruckner.

Four years down the line, the midfielder’s personal status has undergone a transformation, but so have the national team’s fortunes - not, however, for the better. Following Bruckner’s departure in June 2008, no fewer than three coaches - Petr Rada, Frantisek Straka and Ivan Hasek – tried their luck at reviving the side, yet to no avail. After failing to emerge from their group at UEFA EURO 2008, the Czechs came up short in qualifying for South Africa 2010, finishing behind neighbours Slovakia and Slovenia in their pool.
It's a new start for all of us. We’re totally motivated and determined to qualify for the European Championship.
Czech Republic's David Jarolim

The coaching reins have now been passed to Michal Bilek, a former Czechoslovakia international and member of their Italy 1990 squad. The 45-year-old took up the challenge of guiding Czech Republic into calmer waters last October.

Nowadays, Jarolim appears the kind of seasoned leader Bilek is likely to turn to in the transition process. At 31, the midfielder rates as one of his country's most experienced players.

"It's hard for me to assess my role in the national team," Jarolim, who has 29 caps to his name, told FIFA.com. "We have a new coach and he’s still experimenting. It's too early to say with any certainty how my role in the national team might work out."

Jarolim and Co cannot afford the same reticence and reserve when it comes to qualifying for EURO 2012 in Poland and Ukraine, as they have been grouped with reigning world and European champions Spain. They also meet a young Scotland team determined to return to the international spotlight at long last, with Lithuania and Liechtenstein completing the Group I line-up. However, the Hamburg player does not feel he and his Czech team-mates will suffer from a lack of confidence following their inability to reach South Africa 2010.

"It's a new start for all of us," Jarolim said. "We’ve been drawn against tough opponents, especially the Spanish. That'll be an exceptionally difficult job but anything can happen in football. We’re totally motivated and determined to qualify for the European Championship."
It’s always great to be playing in Europe. We’ll miss it this season, but maybe it’ll turn to our advantage.
Hamburg's David Jarolim

However, Jarolim has suffered a frustrating time on the field of play recently. As well as Czech Republic's poor FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, Hamburg blew a promising start in the 2009/10 German Bundesliga and finished a disappointing seventh, missing out on this term’s UEFA Europa League, a competition in which they were beaten semi-finalists the previous season. The holding midfielder is thus all the more determined to lay out his credentials in the domestic league and cup this campaign.

"It's always important to be playing regularly for your club, ideally in a role with plenty of responsibility," Jarolim stated. "I’ve always taken on a leadership role with Hamburg, which hasn’t necessarily been the case for the national team. My priority now is to cement my personal position at the club so I can step up to a similar role for the national team."

The player is not convinced Hamburg’s absence from the European stage is a disadvantage: "The fact is that we made the semi-finals of a European competition two seasons in a row. That cost a lot of energy and we paid the price in the Bundesliga, although obviously it’s always great to be playing in Europe. We’ll miss it this season, but maybe it’ll turn to our advantage by the end."

Jarolim also reckons to have worked out the formula for success in the new campaign. "After 34 games, I hope we’ve finished higher up the league than last season," he said. "For that to happen, we’ll have to recapture the form we showed in the first half of last season, and play to our potential in every game. If so, we’ll be more successful than we were last time.”

O'Neill resigns as Villa manager

O'Neill resigns as Villa manager
(PA) Monday 9 August 2010
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Aston Villa have announced the shock resignation of manager Martin O'Neill with immediate effect.

O'Neill was seemingly preparing for this weekend's Premier League opener at home to West Ham United, but a statement from Villa this afternoon announced his departure. No reason has been given.

"Aston Villa can confirm that Martin O'Neill has resigned as manager of the football club with immediate effect," said the statement.

"Kevin MacDonald, reserve team manager, has assumed the role of caretaker manager and will prepare the team for the opening Barclays Premier League game of the season against West Ham on Saturday at Villa Park."

O'Neill, who has transformed the fortunes of Villa since replacing David O'Leary during the summer of 2006 with three consecutive top-six placings in the league, said: "I have enjoyed my time at Aston Villa immensely. It's obviously a wrench to be leaving such a magnificent club.
I have enjoyed my time at Aston Villa immensely. It's obviously a wrench to be leaving such a magnificent club.
Martin O'Neill

"I would like to pay tribute to the Villa players, my coaching staff and the Villa supporters for all the support and encouragement they have given both the club and me personally during my time as manager.

"I wish them all the best for the future. I will obviously be assisting the club in the immediate short-term with regard to the handover of my duties."

Villa chief executive Paul Faulkner said: "The club would like to thank Martin for the great work he has done at Aston Villa over the past four years.

"He has helped to establish the club in the upper echelons of the Premier League, has taken us to Wembley and we have also qualified for European competition for the past three seasons under his management. We wish him the best in the future."

Herbert: South Africa was massive for us

Herbert: South Africa was massive for us
(FIFA.com) Monday 9 August 2010
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Few coaches in world football can have enjoyed so many unexpected highs over the past 12 months as New Zealand and Wellington Phoenix mentor Ricki Hebert. Qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ on a memorable night in Wellington last November, in a front of a record national football crowd, ended an agonising 28-year wait for the All Whites to appear on the world stage.

Herbert, a veteran of New Zealand’s showing at the 1982 FIFA World Cup, knew his team were capable of surprising the world and the Kiwis didn’t disappoint in South Africa. New Zealand remained unbeaten across their three group matches against Slovakia, 2006 world champions Italy and quarter-finalists Paraguay. Though the three draws meant elimination, the achievements of Herbert’s All Whites will surely go down as a defining moment in New Zealand football history.

Just prior to South Africa 2010, the former Wolverhampton Wanderers man took his Wellington side into the play-offs of the Australian A-League – the first New Zealand club to achieve such a feat. The Phoenix ultimately fell one match short of the championship decider but record domestic crowds were a testament to the team’s success.

Three key achievements in New Zealand football and former tough-tackling defender Ricki Herbert has been a common thread in each. FIFA.com spoke with the Auckland-born Herbert about the All Whites achievements at South Africa 2010, if they can build on the success and whether Wellington Phoenix can maintain their momentum on the domestic front.

FIFA.com: Has it sunk it yet what you achieved at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, being undefeated and the only team to do so?
Ricki Herbert: I think so, but it is a really proud achievement for the country and no one can ever take away that. I think globally it has put New Zealand firmly on the map. I think that is what has excited the public back home, and not just the sporting people, that a team has gone and exposed New Zealand in a very positive way.

Do you think that you can build on this success which perhaps wasn’t the case after the 1982 FIFA World Cup?
That is part of the reason that I am staying. Not only me but I think there are a lot of integral people that need to continue on. If we make another World Cup in four years, then great. If we don’t then I think the profile is not just going to disappear and we are pushing pretty hard to make sure that it doesn’t.

What are some of the major positives in modern New Zealand football that can be built on following the 2010 FIFA World Cup as opposed to the situation following Spain 1982?
Grassroots has always been there. For me it is we have a really competitive and progressive professional team. The national team needs to come out and play again soon, the Phoenix will be on deck shortly, so that interest, momentum and fan base stays there, whereas in 82 it all disappeared.
There is a lot belief there (within the team). We are not saying we are going to beat them all but there is a real confidence that we can step on the pitch and do something.
New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert on his team's confidence

Are you optimistic for the All Whites’ performances in the future given there may be a couple of retirements?
Yes I am. I think we are in a very stable position. I would that 75 per cent of the team at least, will be there for the next World Cup.

Is there some young talent coming through from the national youth ranks?
There are some boys coming through. I wouldn’t say we have great depth but I think the national team will be fine for the next four years at least.

Is there one highlight from South Africa 2010 that stands out for you?
Scoring with 30 seconds to go against Slovakia kind of started the whole campaign for us. To draw against the Italians was obviously a great result for us. I think to be the only team unbeaten is a milestone that will always be there and no one can take that away.

Did you get any feedback from the players about adapting to the standard at the FIFA World Cup?
I think over the last four years we have pitted that team against a lot of big countries including some of the best countries from across the world. There is a lot belief there. We are not saying we are going to beat them all but there is a real confidence that we can step on the pitch and do something.

Moving onto your role as Wellington Phoenix coach... Has the preparation for the upcoming A-League season been hindered by a number of the players’ involvement in the 2010 FIFA World Cup?
We have rested some of the national team players. Most of them played against Boca Juniors (in a recent friendly) to test them physiologically and competition wise to see where they were at and if that was the benchmark then I am pretty happy. There was always going to be a disruption.

Are you optimistic of keeping the momentum going from last season’s record achievements?
This year will be interesting as I think the demands will be a lot more and with more travel for us. I’m sure we can be in the finals again.

Has this year felt different as a result of New Zealand’s achievements at South Africa 2010?
It has been massive at home, it has been incredible. A few weeks ago we had 10,000 people in Hamilton against Brisbane (for a friendly). Across the country everyone wants the Phoenix to play there now.

Blanc determined to revive Frenc

Blanc determined to revive French
(AFP) Monday 9 August 2010
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New France coach Laurent Blanc says he is determined to revive the national side in the wake of their dismal 2010 FIFA World Cup™.

The former Bordeaux coach - a FIFA World Cup winner in 1998 and UEFA EURO 2000 champion - takes charge for the first time in Wednesday's friendly international against Norway.

Blanc took the bold step of dropping the entire French World Cup squad after they went on strike ahead of a training session during the tournament to protest the sending home of Nicolas Anelka.

Although Blanc has hinted he will recall Anelka, who was dismissed for abusing former coach Raymond Domenech in the dressing room at half-time during France's loss to Mexico, and the other miscreants for the UEFA EURO 2012 qualifiers he is laying down markers as to how he expects his men to behave.

"When you talk to the players you have to show yourself to be determined," he said. "I am not saying that you have to prove your authority to the players - even though that must exist - but you have to show determination, be frank, lay down a few ground rules; some for now, more when we get to September," when the qualifiers start.
I am not saying that you have to prove your authority to the players - even though that must exist - but you have to show determination, be frank, lay down a few ground rules.
Laurent Blanc, France coach

Given the opportunity to give youth a chance to shine, Blanc has called up 13 uncapped players to face Norway as well as Karim Benzema, Samir Nasri and Philippe Mexes, who have been recalled after missing the FIFA World Cup cut.

And he has placed high hopes on the likes of Paris Saint Germain star Guillaume Hoarau and Jimmy Briand of Lyon. "They represent the future," said Blanc, noting that the newcomers had all shown signs of being ready to step up to the international plate and now had their chance to prove their worth.

Midfielder Lassana Diarra, another FIFA World Cup absentee and now one of Blanc's more experienced heads for Wednesday, agreed that the youngsters had to give the older heads the feeling that they were breathing down the latters' necks.

"I watched the World Cup as a spectator and it was strange - but I don't want to say more as I wasn't there, save to say the French team disappointed the French public," he said.

"You have to want to be together and want to please the fans. The match against Norway will allow the new players to express themselves and show they are capable of bringing something to the table. If they are in the squad it is because they have potential and they are going to grab their opportunity."

Ferguson hails Scholes

, coy over Ozil(PA) Sunday 8 August 2010 Print Email my friend Share

refused to confirm or deny his interest in signing Mesut Ozil following Manchester United's Community Shield victory over Chelsea. The 68-year-old was at Craven Cottage yesterday, where the Werder Bremen playmaker was in action against Fulham in a pre-season friendly.

Ferguson hinted he was an admirer of the 21-year-old - one of the best players at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ - but asked if he was interested in bringing the Germany ace to Old Trafford, he replied cryptically: "I don't know."


I think we've got a great squad. I don't need to add to it. But, as I said, there are a lot of clubs interested in him.Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson on the possibility of signing Mesut Ozil


I think a lot of clubs would be interested in Ozil. At the moment, I think we've got a great squad. I don't need to add to it - that's my opinion. I trust them. But, as I said, there are a lot of clubs interested in him."

Fergie impressed by Rooney and Scholes
Ferguson was happy with the Red Devils' performance against Chelsea, which saw them run out 3-1 winners at Wembley. But he was even more pleased with being able to give a number of his players, including Wayne Rooney, a much-needed run-out.

The England striker put his FIFA World Cup misery behind him to impress in a 45-minute cameo that saw him lay on United's opener with an inch-perfect cross for Antonio Valencia. "The making of the goal, marvellous run and first-time ball, I don't think Antonio could've missed it," said Ferguson. "It was a magnificent ball in."

Ferguson was also effusive about Rooney's half-time replacement, Javier Hernandez, who marked his debut with a bizarre goal. The Mexico striker slipped trying to turn in Valencia's cross, and ended up kicking the ball against his own face and into the net.

Salomon Kalou pulled a goal back for 2009/10 double winners Chelsea, who also came close to levelling before substitute Dimitar Berbatov sealed the win in stoppage-time. Ferguson hit out at the critics who have questioned whether the Bulgarian has lived up to his £32m price tag since joining United.

But the United manager saved the biggest plaudits to the evergreen Paul Scholes, who gave a midfield masterclass to earn the man-of-the-match award. Ferguson had to talk the 35-year-old out of retirement at the end of the previous campaign, and admitted today he had also considered putting the midfielder out to pasture.

"This time last season, he's saying to himself, 'this is my last season' - and a lot of people thought that," Ferguson said. "It came across my mind also, simply because he's had a lot of injuries in his career.

"He keeps coming back - it's not easy to do that. It's a phenomenon that he goes out there, becomes man of the match, approaching his 36th birthday. He's just an incredible footballer."

Scholes was partnered by Michael Carrick, who was a shock starter two days after Ferguson had ruled him out for two weeks with an ankle injury. "On Friday, I was certain he was out for two weeks," the Scot said.

"He came in yesterday, says he was fit, wanted to train, trained, and wanted to play. The minute he says he's fit, we had to play him, simply because he needs game time."


It's a phenomenon that he goes out there, becomes man of the match, approaching his 36th birthday. He's just an incredible footballer.Sir Alex Ferguson on Paul Scholes


Paul Scholes impressed in United's midfield, with an impressive ball in the build-up to Valencia's goal arguably the high point. The former England international told Sky Sports: "It was a good game and we're happy with the win. It's more of a pre-season friendly but it's a trophy, we've managed to win it and we're more than happy to do that.

"It's always good to beat Chelsea. They are a quality side who beat us three times last year. That's disappointing but we've got off to the right start this year. We weren't that far off last year - just one point in the league. With more determination this year hopefully we can go one step further."

However, asked if he was expecting a phone call from England coach Fabio Capello, with a view to revisiting his decision to end international career, Scholes said: "I don't think so, no."

World Leagues review

(FIFA.com) Monday 9 August 2010 Print Email my friend Share

The pacesetters made no mistake in Brazil and Mexico this weekend, but the leadership did change hands in Japan and Korea Republic. With opening-round matches in Argentina and Australia, and the race for the play-offs continuing in the USA, FIFA.com reflects on the latest developments.

Argentinian Apertura: Giants make different starts
Estudiantes and River Plate both snatched last-gasp 1-0 wins as the new season got underway. A penalty from Los Pincharratas veteran Juan Sebastian Veron saw off Newell’s Old Boys, while a classic piece of Ariel Ortega invention enabled teenage striker Rogelio Funes Mori to nod home and sink Tigre.

and San Lorenzo drew away to Godoy Cruz and Gimnasia respectively, while Clausura holders Argentinos Juniors lost 2-1 at home to Huracan.

Big game: powerful first-half header settled an entertaining game between title aspirants Velez Sarsfield and Independiente in the former’s favour.
Headline-grabber: Juan Morales popped up at the back post to stab home an 89th-minute equaliser on his debut for newly-promoted Quilmes against his former employers Colon.

Brasileirao: Top two pull away
Goals from Mariano and Emerson inside the first 20 minutes, and some admirable saves from Fernando Henrique thereafter, helped ten-man leaders Fluminense win 2-1 at Gremio, who duly sacked coach Silas. Corinthians remained one point behind Muricy Ramalho’s side with a deserved 1-0 defeat of Flamengo, a delightful feint and finish from Elias separating Brazil’s two best-supported teams.

Ceara and Cruzeiro, fourth and fifth going into Round 13, will be disappointed with goalless draws at home to rock-bottom Atletico Goianense and Gremio Prudente respectively, though a point was enough for O Vozão to usurp the inactive Internacional from third.

Big game: Goias struck a late equaliser to deny Palmeiras a first win since the return of Luiz Felipe Scolari in a battle of out-of-sorts sides.
Headline-grabber: Guarani attacker Mazola scored one, set up another and tormented Avai throughout a 4-1 rout that ended a sequence of five winless matches and pushed O Bugre up to ninth.

Mexican Apertura: Santos and Monarcas shine
Santos Laguna maintained their 100 per cent start to the campaign with a rousing 3-0 win at Pachuca in Round 3, Christian Benitez headlining the fixture with a brace that took his tally to five goals in three games since his return from a loan spell at Birmingham City. Monterrey are just two points adrift of Santos in Group 1 following a 2-1 success away to Atlante.

Puebla assumed control of Group 3 thanks to a 3-1 victory at Tecos, while Pumas and Cruz Azul are a point shy of the new section leaders after the former beat the latter 2-0.

Big game: A Dario Gandin volley from outside the box was enough for Necaxa to down troubled Atlas on their travels and put their first victory on the board.
Headline-grabber: Miguel Sabah’s clinically-taken hat-trick propelled Monarcas to a 6-0 thrashing of Queretaro that took them on to maximum points from two outings.

Major League Soccer: TFC, Rapids improve play-off chances
Toronto FC climbed inside the play-off qualification places with a 2-1 reverse of Chivas USA, Nana Attakora-Gyan and Chad Barrett on target for the Canadians. Defeat would have dropped Colorado Rapids out of the overall top eight, but an own goal from San Jose Earthquakes goalkeeper Jon Busch secured Gary Smith’s side a first win in eight attempts.

Inspired by a Jeff Cunningham double, FC Dallas consolidated their place in the play-off zone with a 3-1 defeat of ten-man Philadelphia Union. Neither Chicago Fire or New York Red Bulls were able to produce a goal despite the collective talent of Thierry Henry, Juan Pablo Angel, Freddie Ljungberg, Nery Castillo and Rafa Marquez – the latter two making their MLS debuts.

Big game: A 1-1 draw left Kansas City Wizards five points outside the play-off berths and Real Salt Lake five behind Western Conference pacesetters Los Angeles Galaxy.
Headline-grabber: Defender Pat Phelan nodded home his maiden MLS goal at the age of 25 to bank New England Revolution a 1-0 victory over DC United that threw them a play-off lifeline.

K-League: Trio tied at the top
A solitary Eninho goal proved enough for Jeonbuk Motors to overcome and overtake FC Seoul, the leaders going into Round 15, and the reigning champions were joined by two other teams on points at the summit. Jeju United overwhelmed Gwangju Sangmu 4-0 to assume pole position on goal difference, while Yoon Bit-Garam’s winner earned Gyeongnam a 2-1 success at Busan I’Park that moved them into third.

Pohang Steelers, who finished third in December’s FIFA Club World Cup, beat Seongnam 2-0 for their first win in 13 matches – one which thrust them up three places to tenth and dropped their victims to sixth.

Big game: Gangwon were just nine minutes away from their third victory of the season, which would have lifted them level on points with second-bottom Daegu, but Jose Ortigoza’s equaliser sent Ulsan Horangi up to fifth, three points off the pace.
Headline-grabbers: An industrious, inspirational performance from Shin Young-Rok – and two goals from Baek Ji-Hoon – helped Suwon Bluewings inflict a third straight 3-2 defeat on Incheon United and take the visitors to ten points from their last four games.

Elsewhere
Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory shared six goals in their pulsating A-League curtain-raiser. The Sky Blues held a two-goal cushion before a spirited fightback had the Victory ahead with five minutes remaining, but Shannon Cole’s excellent free-kick ensured the defending champions a share of the spoils against the side they beat on penalties in last season’s Grand Final.

Gold Coast United goalkeeper Glen Moss and his Brisbane Roar counterpart Michael Theoklitos proved impregnable as the opening round’s concluding contest ended goalless, leaving Central Coast Mariners as the only team on three points.

Shimizu S-Pulse replaced Kashima Antlers as J.League leaders by edging the reigning and record seven-time kings 2-1, a scrappy Takuma Edamura goal settling the contest. Meantime a last-gasp Marcus Tulio Tanaka header snatched Nagoya Grampus a 1-0 win at FC Tokyo that moved them into second.