Cesc out for three weeks

Cesc out for three weeks


Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas is set to be out of action for up to three weeks with a hamstring injury, the Premier League club announced today.

The Spanish midfielder is now doubtful for the clash with the Gunners' London rivals and Premier League leaders Chelsea on 3 October.

Fabregas, 23, suffered the injury as he netted a freak goal at Sunderland on Saturday, when the ball was kicked into him by Anton Ferdinand and it looped back into the goal.

"Arsenal Football Club have confirmed Cesc Fabregas will be out for two to three weeks," a statement read.

"The Spanish midfielder gave the visitors an early lead at Sunderland on Saturday but then picked up a hamstring injury...the extent of the injury was discovered after a scan on Monday afternoon."

Fabregas joined Theo Walcott, Robin van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner on Arsenal's injury list.

Ghotbi: Iran are building towards 2014

Ghotbi: Iran are building towards 2014


Iran were just eight minutes away from a place at the 19th FIFA World Cup™. However, an equaliser by Korea Republic’s Park Ji-Sung ultimately denied them – and snatched Korea DPR – a ticket to South Africa.

It was a bitter blow, but rather than mope in self-pity, Afshin Ghotbi has focused his charges on trying to atone for that heartbreak. Team Melli have already made good headway, winning all six of their friendlies in 2010, including away victories over China PR and the Taeguk Warriors in their last two outings. The former assistant coach of Korea Republic, who led Persepolis to the Iran Pro League title in 2008, has consequently had his contract renewed until after next year’s AFC Asian Cup.

That is a competition Ghotbi is determined to win. Another goal is to mastermind Iran’s qualification for Brazil 2014. The 46-year-old sat down with FIFA.com to discuss those two targets and his emerging stars ahead of the West Asian Football Federation Championship, which will begin on Friday.

FIFA.com: How do you rate the progress Iran have made over the past year?
Afshin Ghotbi: Iran have undergone a transformation, with a host of new talents combining with some veterans to inspire the national team to return to being one of Asia's best. We have improved our defense with tactical organisation and discipline, and this changed mentality, coupled with our pace and prowess in attack, has contributed to our good results so far this year. Our recent wins are just the beginning of the team’s bright future.

The current Team Melli looks rather different from the side that played in Asia’s final qualifying round for South Africa 2010, with several veterans having made way for new faces...
Having gone within eight minutes of qualifying for the World Cup, we thought it was time to build a new team. With the injection of new blood, there is competition for every position and the team has the perfect balance between youth and experience, with the average age of the team under 25 years old.
With each match we are building towards 2014. We hope an Asian Cup title will give Iranian football the confidence to live up to its true potential on the global stage.
Afshin Ghotbi

Ali Daei and Mehdi Mahdavikia were inspiration leaders for Iran. Who is going to follow in their footsteps?
We have different players providing leadership in various forms, but Javad Nekounam has proven to be a superb captain, providing the team with a role model both on and off the field.

Who are Iran's best prospects?
Iran has an enormous pool of promising talents. Ehsan Hajsafi, Karim Ansarifard and Milad Zanidpour, to name a few, represent the new generation of players who have a bright future.

Your aim is to win the AFC Asian Cup. Do you see it as a chance to revive Iran’s footballing fortunes?
Definitely, yes. Football plays a huge role in Iran and triumph at the Asian Cup would provide inspiration for Iranian people across the world.

What do you think of your group opponents, namely Korea DPR, Iraq and United Arab Emirates?
There are no easy opponents anymore in international football. The gap between Asian countries gets narrowed down with each competition, so we can take nothing for granted.

Do Ali Karimi and Hussein Kaebi have a chance of making it into your squad for the Asian Cup?
The doors are open to all players exhibiting the right form at club level, discipline on and off the field, and understanding of team spirit.

After the Asian Cup will come qualifying for Brazil 2014. How will you prepare the team for it?
With each match we are building towards 2014. So, we have already started the process. We hope an Asian Cup title will give Iranian football the confidence to live up to its true potential on the global stage.

Jeddi: We must improve the Tunisian league

Jeddi: We must improve the Tunisian league


New Tunisian Football Federation (FTF) President Ali Hafsi Jeddi visited the Home of FIFA in Zurich today to meet with FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter. “We saw each other during the World Cup in South Africa and agreed to meet again in Zurich to talk about Tunisian football,” explained the businessman, who headed his country’s national football league (LNF) before being elected FTF President in May.

Speaking with FIFA.com, Mr Jeddi came across as both affable and enthusiastic as he discussed giving football fresh impetus in Tunisia.

FIFA.com: Mr Jeddi, what subjects came up in your meeting with President Blatter?
Ali Hafsi Jeddi: We spoke about the promotion of football in Tunisia in general. More specifically, we mentioned the Goal II project, a technical centre for referees in Tunis, and its financing. This new centre will make it possible for referees to meet up, work together and go through videos. We also touched on the 2015 U-17 and U-20 World Cups, which we would like to bid for. President Blatter encouraged us to do precisely that. If we could get to host one of those events, it would enable us to work in the medium- and long-term on youth football.
We touched on the 2015 U-17 and U-20 World Cups, which we would like to bid for. President Blatter encouraged us to do precisely that.
Ali Hafsi Jeddi, President of the Tunisian Football Federation

After qualifying for three consecutive FIFA World Cups™ (1998, 2002 and 2006), Tunisia missed out on South Africa 2010 and it seems that the Tunisian top flight is struggling a little too. How do you explain that?
Tunisian football has been suffering a little for the last three years. We need to work on two main areas: improving youth training to raise the standard of youth sides, and increasing the quality of our national championship. At the moment, we don’t have enough locally-based players who can contribute to the national team. There are few big clubs in Tunisia – perhaps two in total – and we need more than that to lift the general standard. Also, to have a good league you need good men in black, which is why we need this centre for referees.

As things stand, Tunisia have made a difficult start to qualifying for the CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2012...
It’s true that we’ve started off fairly badly in the qualifiers, with a loss to Botswana and a draw with Malawi in particular. Next up for us are two away games – Togo in October and Botswana in November – and we absolutely have to take four points.

And yet Tunisia still boast plenty of talented players...
Yes, we have some very good players and youngsters coming through. Players like Fahid Ben Khalfallah and Issam Jomaa are key figures and on a different level to most in terms of technique. We need other players of the same calibre to progress. To do that, we need to work with a longer term perspective, thinking more about the future than right now.

Giants humbled and reawoken

Giants humbled and reawoken


In FIFA.com’s latest statistical review, we reflect on a week in which Vasco da Gama stumbled, Saint-Etienne returned to the Ligue 1 summit, Spartak Moscow delivered a lesson in efficiency, Asia excelled in Trinidad and Tobago and Dimitar Berbatov continued his spectacular resurgence.
64

years stand between Berbatov’s brilliant hat-trick against Liverpool on Sunday and the last Manchester United player to put three past the club’s biggest rivals. Former England international Stan Pearson was the Red Devils’ last treble-scorer in this fixture back in 1946, and it says everything about the different eras in which these feats were achieved that Pearson scored his hat-trick at Maine Road because of bomb damage to Old Trafford. For Berbatov, who described Sunday as his “best day in a United shirt”, this was his first Premier League hat-trick since scoring four times for Tottenham Hotspur against Reading in December 2007.
28

years and seven months after they last topped the Ligue 1 table, Saint-Etienne made a long-awaited return to the summit with a 3-0 win over Montpellier on Saturday. Les Verts, the last of whose ten French top-flight titles came back in 1981, had not held pole position since 20 February 1982, when they beat Lyon 1-0 in the Derby du Rhône, a fixture that will this Saturday celebrate its 100th instalment. Key to Saint-Etienne’s rise has been the prolific form of winger Dimitri Payet. The 23-year-old, who had never managed more than four goals in any of his previous campaigns, now tops the Ligue 1 scoring chart with six goals from as many games, having claimed a first-ever career hat-trick in last month’s 3-1 win over Lens.
21

Brasileirao games without defeat was the impressive sequence that came to a sudden end for Paulo Cesar Gusmao on Sunday. Internacional were the team to end the Vasco da Gama coach’s run, which had begun back on 9 May, while he was still in charge of Fortaleza outfit Ceara. Gusmao’s success continued during the initial stages of his tenure at Vasco, who went into the weekend’s meeting on the back of 14 league matches without defeat. However, despite dominating the first half, O Gigante da Colina came unstuck two minutes after the restart when Andres D'Alessandro – who was making his 100th appearance for Inter – teed up Edu for the game’s decisive strike.
5

of the last six finals at FIFA women's youth tournament have included at least one Asian representative. However, Korea Republic and Japan – who will battle it out for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup crown on Saturday – are newcomers to this advanced stage. Korea DPR have traditionally been the most successful Asian nation in these underage tournaments, winning the inaugural U-17 showpiece in New Zealand and also reaching two U-20 finals, winning one and losing the other. The upcoming Port of Spain showdown is the first all-Asian final witnessed at a FIFA tournament since the North Koreans crushed China 5-0 in a rain-drenched finale to the 2006 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Russia. For the world's most populous continent, there will be the hope that this success at youth level translates to the senior FIFA Women's World Cup, a tournament in which Asia's representatives have made only one, unsuccessful, final appearance thus far.
3

points were taken from Marseille’s Velodrome by Spartak Moscow on Matchday 1 of the UEFA Champions last Wednesday – despite the Russians’ players not managing a single shot on target. Ultimately, a match in which Spartak coach Valery Karpin said his keeper had earned a mark of “11 out of ten” was settled by an own goal from l’OM’s unfortunate Cesar Azpilicueta. This snatched victory was in stark contrast to the win secured by Real Madrid, who racked up a remarkable 35 efforts on goal – a competition high in week one – en route to beating Ajax 2-0. Real’s arch-rivals enjoyed an equally one-sided triumph, with Barcelona central midfielders Sergio Busquets and Xavi completing more passes – 128 and 120 respectively – than the entire Panathinaikos team beaten 4-1.

Arsenal through after extra time, Everton out

Arsenal through after extra time, Everton out


Samir Nasri scored two penalties in extra-time to help Arsenal to a 4-1 victory over north London rivals Tottenham in the third round of the Carling Cup.

Henri Lansbury had given the Gunners the lead in the first half at White Hart Lane, but Robbie Keane equalised just after the interval. However, Nasri succeeded where Tomas Rosicky had failed at Sunderland, firing home two convincing spot-kicks after he had been brought down by Sebastian Bassong and Marouane Chamakh pulled back by Steven Caulker. Andrey Arshavin completed the scoring.

Everton crashed out in London, beaten 4-3 in a penalty shoot-out by League One strugglers Brentford after a 1-1 draw. Jermaine Beckford and Phil Jagielka failed from 12 yards for David Moyes' men. Full-back Seamus Coleman had earlier fired Everton into a sixth-minute lead but the Bees drew level with a header from Gary Alexander in the 41st minute.

Bolton boss Owen Coyle endured a miserable evening on his return to former club Burnley, Wade Elliott scoring the only goal for the home side. Coyle was predictably abused all night by the Turf Moor faithful, who saw Elliott's 45th-minute volley pushed out by goalkeeper Adam Bogdan only for referee Mark Clattenburg to award the goal on the advice of his linesman.

New signings on target for Birmingham

Birmingham enjoyed a comfortable passage into the next round after scoring three goals in four first-half minutes to beat MK Dons 3-1 at St Andrews. Alexander Hleb, Nikola Zigic and Craig Gardner put the result beyond doubt by the 28th minute, with Dons substitute Aaron Wilbraham deservedly bagging a late consolation for the League One side.

Tamas Priskin and Gareth McAuley gave Ipswich a 2-1 victory over Millwall at the New Den. Priskin struck his third goal of the season in the 23rd minute and defender McAuley doubled the lead before the break. Steve Morison pulled one back in the second half but Ipswich held off a late onslaught to reach the fourth round for the first time in eight years.

Championship outfit Swansea also joined the last-16 line-up as a hat-trick from former Chelsea winger Scott Sinclair accounted for League One pacesetters Peterborough at London Road. Craig Mackail-Smith scored Peterborough's goal in their 3-1 home defeat.

First-half goals from Michael Morrison and Lloyd Dyer saw Leicester advance at the expense of 10-man Portsmouth. A late Liam Lawrence goal set up a tense finale at Fratton Park following Richard Hughes' straight red card, but Leicester held on.

Stoke heading for next round

Headers from Danny Higginbotham and Kenwyne Jones secured Stoke's 2-0 victory over Fulham at the Britannia Stadium. Higginbotham gave the Potters the lead in the 23rd minute, arriving at the far post to convert Matthew Etherington's corner and Jones wrapped up the win with his third goal in three games 11 minutes from time.

Nigeria international Victor Obinna gave West Ham their first victory over Premier League opposition this season with a 2-1 win at Sunderland. The 23-year-old struck 14 minutes after the break after Sunderland's record signing Asamoah Gyan had earlier cancelled out Frederic Piquionne's opener for the visitors.

Wolves were given a scare by Notts County but came through 4-2 after extra-time at Molineux. Former West Brom striker Lee Hughes put Notts County ahead in the 57th minute, but a penalty from Nenad Milijas seven minutes from the end of regulation time forced the extra 30 minutes - after County defender Liam Chilvers had been sent off for hauling back Christophe Berra.

Substitute Steven Fletcher put Wolves ahead for the first time two minutes into the added period, and Kevin Doyle gave them breathing space by making it 3-1. Kevin Smith replied for County but Doyle scored again with a minute remaining to remove any doubt.

Giants humbled and reawoken

(FIFA.com) Wednesday 22 September 2010


latest statistical review, we reflect on a week in which Bayern Munich and Vasco da Gama stumbled, Saint-Etienne returned to the Ligue 1 summit, Spartak Moscow delivered a lesson in efficiency and Dimitar Berbatov continued his spectacular resurgence.
64

years stand between Berbatov’s brilliant hat-trick against Liverpool on Sunday and the last Manchester United player to put three past the club’s biggest rivals. Former England international Stan Pearson was the Red Devils’ last treble-scorer in this fixture back in 1946, and it says everything about the different eras in which these feats were achieved that Pearson scored his hat-trick at Maine Road because of bomb damage to Old Trafford. For Berbatov, who described Sunday as his “best day in a United shirt”, this was his first Premier League hat-trick since scoring four times for Tottenham Hotspur against Reading in December 2007.
28

years and seven months after they last topped the Ligue 1 table, Saint-Etienne made a long-awaited return to the summit with a 3-0 win over Montpellier on Saturday. Les Verts, the last of whose ten French top-flight titles came back in 1981, had not held pole position since 20 February 1982, when they beat Lyon 1-0 in the Derby du Rhône, a fixture that will this Saturday celebrate its 100th instalment. Key to Saint-Etienne’s rise has been the prolific form of winger Dimitri Payet. The 23-year-old, who had never managed more than four goals in any of his previous campaigns, now tops the Ligue 1 scoring chart with six goals from as many games, having claimed a first-ever career hat-trick in last month’s 3-1 win over Lens.
21

Brasileirao games without defeat was the impressive sequence that came to a sudden end for Paulo Cesar Gusmao on Sunday. Internacional were the team to end the Vasco da Gama coach’s run, which had begun back on 9 May, while he was still in charge of Fortaleza outfit Ceara. Gusmao’s success continued during the initial stages of his tenure at Vasco, who went into the weekend’s meeting on the back of 14 league matches without defeat. However, despite dominating the first half, O Gigante da Colina came unstuck two minutes after the restart when Andres D'Alessandro – who was making his 100th appearance for Inter – teed up Edu for the game’s decisive strike.
3

points were taken from Marseille’s Velodrome by Spartak Moscow on Matchday 1 of the UEFA Champions last Wednesday – despite the Russians’ players not managing a single shot on target. Ultimately, a match in which Spartak coach Valery Karpin said his keeper had earned a mark of “11 out of ten” was settled by an own goal from l’OM’s unfortunate Cesar Azpilicueta. This snatched victory was in stark contrast to the win secured by Real Madrid, who racked up a remarkable 35 efforts on goal – a competition high in week one – en route to beating Ajax 2-0. Real’s arch-rivals enjoyed an equally one-sided triumph, with Barcelona central midfielders Sergio Busquets and Xavi completing more passes – 128 and 120 respectively – than the entire Panathinaikos team beaten 4-1.
2

goals from their first four matches, and none in their last three, have left Bayern Munich with the worst goalscoring record in the Bundesliga. This miserable recent run represents the first time in 12 years that the Bavarian giants have gone three games without scoring, and continuing the streak away to Hoffenheim this evening would set a new club record. While Bayern have never scored so few goals at this stage of a Bundesliga campaign, their hosts are on a roll, and go into tonight’s match on the back of an eight-match unbeaten run – the best in their history. At the other end of the table, Felix Magath’s Schalke are in even worse shape than the champions. Having embarked on a headline-grabbing summer spending spree, the Gelsenkirchen outfit have begun the season with four straight defeats, and none of the last 12 teams to have endured such a poor start has finished the campaign higher than 11th.

Which Europeans shone the brightest?

Which Europeans shone the brightest?


Forty-six UEFA EURO 2012 qualifiers took place in Rounds 1 and 2. FIFA.com wants to know which players impressed you most in those matches?

Simply click 'Add your comment' to share your view with fans from across the world, remembering to keep your posts clean, respectful, on-topic and in English.

Kawashima: Change for the better

Kawashima: Change for the better
(

As Eiji Kawashima explained following the FIFA World Cup™: "After we got knocked out, I realised I could only improve if I started playing in a tougher league.” Now, two months on, the former Kawasaki Frontale goalkeeper is back with his Japanese international colleagues having made the move to promoted top-flight Belgian outfit Lierse. It may be too soon to prove or disprove his theory, but the 27-year-old was in imperious form as he helped Japan defeat their FIFA World Cup™ conquerors Paraguay 1-0 in a friendly on Saturday, a result which gave new coach Alberto Zaccheroni the perfect start to his reign.

The second Japanese custodian to pursue his career in Europe after Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi – who spent time with Portsmouth and Nordsjaelland – Kawashima is keen to make the most of his new start in Belgium after two previous trips to the Old Continent yielded no more than training time in Italy. The switch has left him needing to adapt to life alone in Lier in the Belgian countryside, but he also finds himself under pressure to cement his starting place in the national team. Superb against England in a FIFA World Cup warm-up game, that performance lifted him ahead of Seigo Narazaki in the pecking order and earned him the gloves for what proved to be an impressive personal showing on South African soil.

Currently preparing to face Guatemala in Zaccheroni’s second test as coach, the polite and affable No1 agreed to share his thoughts with FIFA.com.

FIFA.com: As a goalkeeper, how did it feel to be beaten on penalties in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16?
Eiji Kawashima: When it happened, it was a horrible feeling and a huge disappointment. I’d stopped two penalties in warm-up matches before the World Cup, so I was confident. I really thought I could save at least one. I was optimistic, but in the end they scored all of them and we were eliminated. We need to forget that, though, and in my case I already have. I never look back. This is a new start.
We played in an attractive and disciplined manner and we showed ourselves in a positive light, but now we have to be even more aggressive. That’s the key.
Eiji Kawashima on Japan

Following your performances in South Africa, do you think Japan have made a definitive step up to becoming one of the world’s leading teams?
We’ll find out in the near future. What’s certain is that we proved to the whole world that we know how to play football. We played in an attractive and disciplined manner and we showed ourselves in a positive light, but now we have to be even more aggressive. That’s the key. We’ve grown in confidence and the foundations are solid, so given that we have to be able to advance. But I’ll say it again: we need to be more aggressive. We came in for a lot of criticism before the World Cup. People were hard on us. Our campaign changed things and everyone was pleased with our results and how we played. That puts even more pressure on us because now we have to please people even more, and that could be difficult.

Does the arrival of a new coach mean all the players begin on the same footing again?
Competition always exists, but it’s good that everyone feels they still have to prove themselves to secure their place. That’s a good thing for the team, and it’s good for me as well. It makes us stronger. In personal terms, I need to concentrate on what I have to show I can do. I also speak a little Italian, so hopefully that’ll help me communicate well with the coach.

What tactical benefits are you expecting an Italian coach to bring?
I’m expecting him to provide us with more aggression. We played a different style of football to the other teams during the World Cup – more disciplined but less aggressive. In Italy, I learned very quickly that tactics are primordial, especially in defence. The coach will bring us a new way of looking at things and maybe a new system as well. I’m sure it’ll all be for the good of Japanese football.

Is it essential to retain stability at the core of the team?
You can’t always play with the same starting XI. The change in coach can only have a positive impact on our team unity and desire to work, which were already huge. This squad has always worked well together, with tremendous desire. We need to learn from the World Cup and continue to make teamwork our chief quality.

Turning to your own situation, how have you adapted to life in Belgium with Lierse?
The club were interested in me before the World Cup. As for me, I wanted to come to Europe: that was my ambition. It was also important to really feel wanted; I wouldn’t have come just for the sake of it. Lierse were able to show me that they really wanted me and despite some tough results for the moment [five defeats in five games], I’m very happy with the decision I made. We’ve arrived from the second division so it’s not going to be easy, but it’s a fantastic experience. All we need now is to transform that into good results.

New dawn for Kenya as centre opens

New dawn for Kenya as centre opens
(

In the dusty and impoverished streets of Mathare in Nairobi, Kenya, dreams were mended and nurtured as the youth of the township celebrated the opening of the Mathare Football for Hope Centre today. The facility has brought a new sense of hope and belief to the youth of this area – a place where young people are confronted with so many social challenges.

The Mathare Football for Hope Centre will be run by the Mathare Youth Sports Association (MYSA). This is the first centre to be opened outside South Africa. The inaugural centre was opened in Khayelitsha township, in the outskirts of Cape Town last year as part of the '20 Centres for 2010' campaign initiated before the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, a programme to build centres around Africa that will address some of the challenges faced by the continent, including education and public health.

For Silas Lukale the opening of the Mathare Football for Hope Centre has greater significance. Born in poverty-stricken area of Kayole, just a stone’s throw away from Mathare, Lukale is hoping that the Centre will empower many others like him and help to improve their lives.

"The reality is, when you come from here (Kayole), opportunities are very scarce. Sometimes there is a will, but without opportunities that doesn’t really help. I believe this will create such opportunities, it will inspire many people my age to start dreaming beyond their current circumstances. We are extremely excited about this centre and we are looking forward to visiting it on regular intervals," he told FIFA.com, minutes after playing an exhibition match at the new astro-turf pitch at Mathare.
We believe that football is a powerful tool to communicate our message and that is where this centre will play a vital role.
Bob Munro, chairman of the Mathare Youth Sports Centre

Unemployment, crime, illiteracy, HIV/Aids and poor sanitation are just some of the many challenges facing the community in this area, where the average income is less than a dollar a day.

FIFA Head of Cooperate Social Responsibility, Federico Addiechi, heralded the opening of the centre. "This marks a new era not only for Kenya but for the African continent. FIFA made a commitment to the African continent to open these centres and today sees the realisation of that promise. This Centre is for the youth of Mathare. We certain that this place will be used to continue achieving positive change in this environment. I must say that there is no better deserving organisation to host this centre than MYSA, they have done a lot of good work for the Kenyan youth for the past two decades and we hope that this centre will further strengthen their work," Addiechi said.

Chairman of MYSA, Bob Munro, was upbeat about the possibilities that will be created by the Mathare Football for Hope Centre. "For the last 24 years, MYSA has provided hope to many young people. We believe that football is a powerful tool to communicate our message and that is where this centre will play a vital role."

Streetfootballworld project manager Jan Coetzee said: "We are proud to be associated with this project and this initiative to change lives. After seeing the enthusiasm in our centre in Khayelitsha, I think we now see the value out of these centres." The programmes at the centre will include the training of young people, educating youngsters about the link between sport and the environment and aiming to reduce instances of disease by organizing clean-up groups in the slums.

The world unites in fair play and respect

The world unites in fair play and respect


Once more, FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter is urging footballers around the world to show fair play and respect, as FIFA is holding its 14th annual FIFA Fair Play Days during the official international matchdays, from 3 to 7 September 2010, and is calling for fair play on and off the pitch.

FIFA recognises the fundamental role of fair play and respect in sport and the need to apply them to all sporting activities, including children’s activities. “Children need strong values to grow up with, and football, being a team sport, makes them realise how essential discipline, respect, team spirit and fair play are for the game and for life," explained President Blatter.
Children need strong values to grow up with, and football, being a team sport, makes them realise how essential discipline, respect, team spirit and fair play are for the game and for life.
FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter

"FIFA’s Fair Play campaign involves much more than simply promoting fair play on the pitch during a competition. FIFA is committed to encouraging fair play in society too, beginning with our future – with children."

The fair play principles of world football’s governing body will be the focus of attention once again over the coming days, in dozens of stadiums around the world in the race to score points in national and international games. “I expect players, officials and fans to set a perfect example of fair play,” emphasised Blatter.

He added that it was even more important in vital matches such as these to uphold the values of fair play. “These matches must epitomise fair play,” underlined the FIFA President. "They should encapsulate the sporting, moral and ethical principles for which FIFA has always stood and leave a lasting impression."

In Europe, UEFA will join FIFA in promoting the Fair Play Days in official games via its 'Respect' campaign.

Stars unite to promote Fair Play

Stars unite to promote Fair Play
(

Fair play is at the very core of football, which is why FIFA is doing everything in its power to preserve it. Since 1997, Fair Play Days have been an annual event each autumn and this year they took place across the world from 3 to 7 September. Football's world governing body asked all member associations, leagues and clubs to join forces both on and off the field in order to promote this spirit.

This was achieved in a variety of ways, including through FIFA Fair Play flags and video clips in stadiums, as well as via team captains speaking directly to fans to emphasise its importance.

But for the people in the frontline - the players, coaches and directors - what exactly is fair play? FIFA.com went around the world to ask what it means to them and why it is so important. A selection of their responses can be found below, listed alphabetically.

Craig Bellamy, Wales captain
Fair play in football is the only way. Playing as a professional for many years, I know the importance of playing the game by the rules - and that applies in every part of the game. The whole game must be built on mutual respect for your opponent. In that way, the game can flourish and fans can see the best of the best.

Joseph S. Blatter, FIFA President
FIFA’s Fair Play campaign involves much more than simply promoting fair play on the pitch during a competition. FIFA is committed to encouraging fair play in society too, beginning with our future – with children. Children need strong values to grow up with, and football, being a team sport, makes them realise how essential discipline, respect, team spirit and fair play are for the game and for life. I expect players, officials and fans to set a perfect example of fair play.
FIFA is committed to encouraging fair play in society too, beginning with our future – with children. Children need strong values to grow up with, and football, being a team sport, makes them realise how essential discipline, respect, team spirit and fair play are for the game and for life.
Joseph S. Blatter, FIFA President

Bob Bradley, USA coach
Fair Play speaks to the highest ideals of football and how it can serve as an example to people around the world. Respect for opponents, respect for referees and respect for the game are an essential part of the sport, and we strongly support FIFA’s efforts to promote Fair Play.

Rachel Buehler, USA women’s co-captain
When you really get back to the basics, Fair Play is what sports are all about. It’s about being on a team and creating relationships with people, whether it be your teammates, your coaches or your opponents. The game at the highest levels is very competitive, and winning is obviously very important, but when you think back to when we were kids and why we started playing, it was to get some exercise, learn some life lessons, learn how to treat people well and deal with adversity. Even though the stakes are higher as professionals, we hope these foundations of the game never change.

Fabio Capello, England manager
Football inspires people all around the world and that passion comes from the game being played in the right way, with the right atmosphere. Everyone plays to win, but how we react in every situation is very important. We all share the same passion for the game, and we have to respect each other at all times. It is important to remember that younger people watch football, and we are role models to the next generation. Since I have been in England, the Respect programme has had a positive impact on the game, and we have to continue to do all that we can to encourage both respect and fair play in the game.
Football inspires people all around the world and that passion comes from the game being played in the right way, with the right atmosphere.
Fabio Capello, England coach

Alex Frei, Switzerland captain
Fair play shouldn’t only exist during the fair play events of FIFA and UEFA. The Swiss national team supports all events regarding fair play in football and we feel that it is important not only to talk and to promise but first of all to act in a fair way, even when there are no special events such as this one.

Steven Gerrard, England vice-captain and Liverpool captain
Everyone loves football because of the passion and competitive edge, but it is important that everyone is able to play the game in the right way and the spirit of fair play is crucial to that. The game can't exist without respect between the players, coaches, referees, fans and everyone who is part of football. As a captain for Liverpool and also with England I've seen the way the Respect programme in this country has made a difference to the atmosphere between players and officials, and that's an important example for everyone who watches the big games. We set an example for young kids who want to play football all the time, and it's important that they can enjoy the game and play it free from pressure whilst learning the game. I fully support the FIFA Fair Play initiative.

Ottmar Hitzfeld, Switzerland manager
Fair play is the most important element on the football field and stands for respect. Respect for your own team and for the opponent, the referees, the fans and the sponsors. Everyone has their own part to play in making football popular. It is even more important that all of the people on the field know that they’re ambassadors for football and act as such.

Philipp Lahm, Germany defender
Playing for both our clubs and national team we are seen by millions of fans and are especially in the focus of children. That is why fair play is very important, not only on the field but also in our daily routine. Issues such as racism have no place in football.

Eduardo Lara, Colombia U-20 manager
Fair Play is about solidarity and honour between players and clubs, on and off the pitch. Thanks to this idea, a lot of footballers have understood that football is a game and that any rivalry on the pitch should end after the final whistle. The concept, in my opinion, helps also to unify countries in our continent, where we want football to be one family.

Joachim Low, Germany manager
The FIFA Fair Play Days are a well organised initiative to show all around the world that there’s something more important for all the international players than having success. It doesn’t matter if it is a professional player or a youth player – respect for the opponent and a good behaviour is the base of our sport.

Aaron Mokoena, South Africa captain
We fully support fair play in football and we encourage everyone else to rally behind the initiative. Although I know that a lot can happen in 90 minutes and sometimes emotions run high, we have to always remain as an example to those who pay to watch us play. It is also about respect - respect for the game and for its fans.

Pitso Mosimane, South Africa manager
Football is one of the tools we can use to impact our communities and initiate change. That is why it's important for players to lead as role models in order to have a positive influence to the up and coming generation. The behaviour of players on the field is as important as their conduct off it.
Football is one of the tools we can use to impact our communities and initiate change. That is why it's important for players to lead as role models in order to have a positive influence to the up and coming generation.
Pitso Mosimane, South Africa coach

Howard Webb, Referee for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ Final
Football plays a hugely important role in the lives of so many people. It creates emotions of happiness and despair, frustration and relief, disappointment and fulfilment. But fair play underpins everything that is good about the game, irrespective of the emotion being evoked. Unfair play has no place in the game and a genuine sense of fulfilment or happiness cannot be achieved when fair play has not been observed, irrespective of the result. As a referee, I feel proud to be a part of this wonderful sport and to assist in establishing fair play and respect on the field of play.

Sun Wen, FIFA Women’s Player of the Century
Respect is one of the basic elements in fair play. A footballer must respect not only his or her coaches and teammates, but also their rivals, referees, audiences and all of the other people involved. A player should always be aware of their status as a professional and as such, should not get involved in any disgraceful demeanors both on and off the pitch. By doing so, you gain the respect of fans and opponents alike and safeguard the spirit of fair play.

Nigel Worthington, Northern Ireland manager
Fair play is an important element in today’s game and is something that I fully support. I think it is great that the football family worldwide are focusing on the area of Fair Play in September and I trust that the up and coming qualifying games will be played in the spirit of Fair Play throughout the world.

Fan Zhiyi, Shanghai East Asia manager
To achieve fair play, you should first understand that the game is not only about competition. As a footballer, it is your responsibility to respect the rules and regulations of the game and do your best to display the ethics of the game during competition. Should we reach consensus in such regards, we can gradually do away with all kinds of violence, which has been doing harm to the game for so long.

Favourites to the fore

Favourites to the fore
(

Most of Europe’s top nations picked up the results they needed on Tuesday, during the third round of qualifying matches for UEFA EURO 2012, scoring plenty of goals in the process. Only Portugal, on the end of a one-goal loss in Norway, and Czech Republic, undone 1-0 at home by Lithuania, suffered surprise defeats.

Italy demonstrated the benefits of a more attacking style of play in their 5-0 victory over the Faroe Islands, while England’s supporters were delighted to see a lively Wayne Rooney get back on the scoresheet in their 3-1 win in Switzerland. The English now top Group G with six points from two games, earned at the expense of their two principal rivals. Germany put in a ruthless performance to beat Azerbaijan, and France got back on track by coming away from Bosnia-Herzegovina with a stylish 2-0 win.

It was a busy night all-round in Europe, with 47 goals recorded in 23 encounters.

The big game
Turkey 3-2 Belgium
Goals: Hamit Altintop (48), Semih Sentuk (67), Arda Turan (77); Daniel van Buyten (28, 69)

The second half was one of the most spectacular periods witnessed so far in Euro 2012 qualifying, with non-stop action, goals and total commitment, all played out in an electric atmosphere generated by a raucous Istanbul crowd. Encouraged by their performance in their tight 1-0 defeat by Germany the week before, Belgium came flying out of the blocks, opening the scoring in the first half through Daniel van Buyten’s well-placed header. Firm words from their coach at half-time clearly had an effect, as the Turks came out full of energy and strong running. Increasingly under pressure and visibly rattled, the Belgian defence began failing to clear the ball properly, a deficiency that led to Hamit Altintop levelling the score and then to Semih Senturk giving the home side the lead. An immediate equaliser from a second Van Buyten header, set up by rangy Anderlecht striker Romelu Lukaku, set the match up for a frantic finish. Thirteen minutes from time, Guus Hiddink’s men snatched the winner, Arda Turan’s shot deflecting off a Belgian leg to nestle in the back of the net, much to the delight of the unwavering Turkish fans.

Elsewhere
Germany put sentiment aside in Cologne, defeating Berti Vogts’ Azerbaijan 6-1, with two goals from Miroslav Klose. The Germans sit on top of Group A alongside Turkey, both teams having collected six points from two games.

The situation is not dissimilar in Group B, where Slovakia pulled off a tremendous result in Russia, Miroslav Stoch capitalising on a goalkeeping error to net the only goal of an unexpected 1-0 win. The surprise package at the last FIFA World Cup™ are joined on six points by the Republic of Ireland, who saw off Andorra 3-1.

In Group C Serbia have forward Nikola Zigic to thank for their point at home to Slovenia, his equaliser in the 1-1 draw coming a minute from the end. Slovenia had earlier taken the lead through Milivoje Novakovic. Meanwhile, Italy kept the Faroe Islands defence busy in Florence. Their 5-0 victory was notable in that their goals were provided by five different front men, including one from a resurgent Antonio Cassano.

After four consecutive defeats, France finally got back to winning ways against Bosnia-Herzegovina, in a match that will be remembered for Karim Benzema’s Zinedine Zidane-esque opener. Les Bleus, propelled by an extremely effective midfield, put in a powerful, aggressive performance that was fairly reflected in the final 2-0 scoreline. Group D currently has a slightly surprising look to it, with Belarus and Albania leading the way. The Byelorussians followed up their defeat of France by holding Romania to a 0-0 draw at home, while Albania emerged victorious 1-0 from their match with Luxembourg.

Group E has a more familiar air about it, however, with Sweden and the Netherlands leading the way on six points. The Scandinavians put six unanswered goals past San Marino, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic grabbing two of them, and Sammarinese brothers Aldo and Davide Simoncini both registering unfortunate own goals. The Dutch found the going a bit tougher against Finland, but Klaas-Jan Huntelaar’s strikes helped them to a 2-1 victory.

Goals were a little harder to come by in Group F, where Georgia and Israel played out a scoreless draw, as did Croatia and Greece. The only country sure to view those results in a favourable light is Latvia, 2-0 winners over Malta.

Fabio Capello has every reason to smile following England’s resounding 3-1 win in Switzerland. Wayne Rooney’s 10th minute opener put the Three Lions in control, before Adam Johnson and Darren Bent cemented the impressive victory in the second half. England are joined at the top of Group G by Montenegro, shock 1-0 victors over Bulgaria.

Taking into account Portugal’s build-up to their Group H clash with Norway, during which their coach was suspended and Cristiano Ronaldo ruled out through injury, their 1-0 loss – via an error from goalkeeper Eduardo – was perhaps not all that surprising.

Last but not least, in Group I, Czech Republic did not get their qualifying campaign off to the best of starts, losing 1-0 at home to Lithuania. Darvydas Sernas’ goal did the damage for the visitors, while Milan Baros missed a penalty for the hosts. Meanwhile, Scotland kept their supporters on the edge of their seats until the final seconds, scoring the winner in their 2-1 victory over Liechtenstein at Hampden Park six minutes into second-half injury time.

The stat
12 - The number of months – and matches – it took for Wayne Rooney to finally notch up his 26th goal in an England shirt.

Goal of the day
Switzerland 1-3 England
Xherdan Shaqiri (71)

Xherdan Shaqiri, Switzerland’s Kosovo-born 18-year-old, picked up the ball on the right-hand side of the Helvetian attack, drifted into the centre of the pitch and released a thunderous long-range shot past a blameless Joe Hart and into the top corner of the England net.

Forthcoming fixtures
Stand-out games from the third matchday of Euro 2012 qualifiers, scheduled for Friday 8 October, include Germany-Turkey (Group A), France-Romania (Group D, playing Saturday 9 October), Israel-Croatia (Group F, playing Saturday 9 October) and Portugal-Denmark (Group H).

Have your say
Will Sweden or the Netherlands finish on top of Group E?

Argentina stun world champs

Argentina stun world champs

Argentina handed Spain only their third defeat since 2006 after putting the reigning world and European champions to the sword with a 4-1 scoreline in Tuesday's international at the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires.

Lionel Messi and Gonzalo Higuain, two players who ply their trade in Spain, put Argentina two up inside the opening 14 minutes and Carlos Tevez made it 3-0 in the 34th minute following a costly slip by Jose Reina. Spain, who hit the woodwork three times in the match, pulled a late goal back through Fernando Llorente but Atletico Madrid striker Sergio Aguero made it 4-1 for the home side in injury time.

That wrapped up the scoring and saw Argentina, under the guidance of interim boss Sergio Batista following the departure of Diego Maradona, join USA and Switzerland as the only sides to have beaten Spain in the last 58 matches - 52 of which have seen the Iberian nation emerge victorious.

Spain boss Vicente Del Bosque made five changes to the side that started Friday's 4-0 UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying win over Liechtenstein, resting the likes of Xavi, Fernando Torres and captain Iker Casillas, and the new-look line-up soon found themselves in trouble.

Tevez gave an early warning to the visitors when he beat the offside trap to get on the end of Messi's fine through ball, but the Manchester City man dragged his shot wide of the far past with only Reina to beat. The same two Argentinians were involved four minutes later as Spain were cut open again, but this time with a different outcome. Tevez put Messi in inside the area and the Barcelona man coolly chipped the ball into the net as Gerard Pique and Reina closed in on the reigning FIFA World Player of the Year.

Tevez was heavily involved early on and in the 14th minute he helped make it 2-0 with a great pass for Real Madrid forward Higuain, who looked to have gone too wide as he rounded Reina but still found the net from a tight angle.

That was hardly the sort of start Spain would have been expecting but they settled down and were soon passing the ball around in trademark fashion. Then, in the 28th minute, they came within a whisker of pulling a goal back when David Villa hit the top of the far post with a stunning 30-yard left-footed drive. If that had gone in it would have seen Villa equal Raul's national record of 44 goals, and also given Spain a lifeline back into the match.

However, it flew away for a goal-kick and six minutes later Spain found themselves 3-0 down, and Reina nursing a very red face. There appeared little danger as Reina collected Alvaro Arbeloa's back pass but the Liverpool goalkeeper slipped as he looked set to return possession to his team-mate and Tevez nipped in to slide the ball home.
If Spain this evening did not look like the side that won the World Cup, then the way Argentina played had a lot to do with that.
Argentina coach Sergio Batista

That was a real setback for Spain just as they looked to be getting into their stride, and the European champions must have realised it was not going to be their night when Villa struck the post for a second time just before the break. The number seven's free-kick from outside the area took a deflection off new Barcelona team-mate Javier Mascherano in the Argentina wall before striking the far post.

Del Bosque made four changes at the break and Spain had Argentina on the back foot for much of the second half. Llorente went close with a header before Santi Cazorla saw his brilliant dipping volley tipped onto the bar by Sergio Romero. Romero then palmed over a Pedro Rodriguez shot as Spain continued to push for at least a consolation goal.

That goal finally arrived in the 84th minute when Pedro fed Llorente, who turned and stabbed the ball inside the far post. Spain had a half-chance to pull another goal back through Cazorla at the far post but Argentina survived that and then added gloss to the win when substitute Aguero headed home Gabriel Heinze's cross late on.

Argentina coach Batista said that the emphatic win proved that Argentina had put the crushing loss to Germany behind them. "We were sent packing from South Africa, but we could just as well have won the World Cup," he said. "If Spain this evening did not look like the side that won the World Cup, then the way Argentina played had a lot to do with that. We played the way we wanted to play."

Del Bosque said that there was no shame for Spain in losing to Argentina. "We lost with dignity and never gave up trying," he said. "Argentina were very fast up front, they move well and it was normal that they controlled the game. They hardly left us any room to play in."
Add your comment

Goalkeeper Jiang Jin of China in action

Goalkeeper Jiang Jin of China in action

JIANG Jin
Big Jiang, China's heroic goalkeeper

China goalkeeper Jiang Jin, one of the best shotstoppers Asia have produced over the past two decades, played a key role in the world’s most populous nation qualifying for FIFA World Cup™ for the first time in 2002. Still remembered for his heroics between the sticks during their successful qualifying campaign, the 41-year-old revealed it was a fortuitous accident that might have changed his own fate – and perhaps that of China.

The potentially pivotal moment occurred just prior to the away match against Oman in Asia’s qualifying final round on 31 August, 2001. China, under legendary coach Bora Milutinovic, arrived at Muscat seeking their second successive victory but Jiang Jin, whose form had been exemplary throughout the preliminary round, began suffering from a severe toothache the night prior to the match.

“The pain caused by one of my right-side teeth was so great that I had to receive some medical treatment to play,” Jiang Jin told FIFA.com in a recent interview. “But upon kick-off an idea suddenly came to my mind, being that I must dive to my right side if facing up to a penalty kick.”

Sure enough fate ensured that his perception would need to become reality, as Oman earned a penalty kick before the half-time break. Needless to say, Jiang Jin pounced to push Hani Al Dhabit’s low shot against his right post before Fan Zhiyi popped up to clear the rebound. This save proved the turning-point of the match, and arguably the qualification campaign, as China proceeded to claim three important points away from home with a 2-0 scoreline.

Inspired by the hard-fought win, Jiang Jin went on to impress in their 1-1 away draw against nemesis Qatar, and their 2-0 win over Uzbekistan where the hardy custodian was only replaced for a broken finger when his side were two goals to the good. Jiang Jin may have been ruled out for the remaining qualifiers with that injury but his significant contribution in helping China to their first-ever FIFA World Cup has been widely recognised.

Family pedigree
Born in 1968 to a footballing family, Jiang Jin inherited both talent and passion for the game from his father Jiang Yonglin, a long-standing goalkeeper with Shanghai. He was recruited by the Bayi FC (the Army Club) as a 12-year-old alongside his older brother Jiang Hong who also impressed with his shot-stopping abilities. The brothers thrived after the Chinese league turned professional in 1994, with Jiang Jin becoming Bayi’s number one, while Hong excelled between the posts with Shenzhen Pingan. Their sibling rivalry would continue right through to the international arena with both representing China in 1997.

Jiang Jin went one better eventually establishing himself as China’s first choice goalkeeper during the coaching reign of Englishman Bob Houghton. A tournament best showing at the 1998 Asian Games further cemented his place as the team’s number one. After Milutinovic took over in 2000, Jiang Jin didn’t take too long to win the confidence of the Serb tactician as he stood out in that year’s AFC Asian Cup, where he again collected the tournament’s best goalkeeper award.

Having peaked on the continental stage, Jiang Jin saw his goal breached nine times in their three group matches at Korea/Japan 2002. “We may have had a chance against the Costa Rica in the opener, but against Brazil and Turkey we were outnumbered, both technically and physically,” he said. “With the gulf that exists between us and the world’s best, we should embark on long-term build-up and youth development.”

After hanging his boots in 2007, Jiang Jin has been coaching a team consisting of the nation’s pop stars, organising benefit matches for charity while attracting fans back to the stadiums. “I hope we can reignite their interest and passion for the game and show them that this is indeed a beautiful game,” he concluded.

New dawn for Kenya as centre opens

(FIFA.com)
In the dusty and impoverished streets of Mathare in Nairobi, Kenya, dreams were mended and nurtured as the youth of the township celebrated the opening of the Mathare Football for Hope Centre today. The facility has brought a new sense of hope and belief to the youth of this area – a place where young people are confronted with so many social challenges.

The Mathare Football for Hope Centre will be run by the Mathare Youth Sports Association (MYSA). This is the first centre to be opened outside South Africa. The inaugural centre was opened in Khayelitsha township, in the outskirts of Cape Town last year as part of the '20 Centres for 2010' campaign initiated before the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, a programme to build centres around Africa that will address some of the challenges faced by the continent, including education and public health.

For Silas Lukale the opening of the Mathare Football for Hope Centre has greater significance. Born in poverty-stricken area of Kayole, just a stone’s throw away from Mathare, Lukale is hoping that the Centre will empower many others like him and help to improve their lives.

"The reality is, when you come from here (Kayole), opportunities are very scarce. Sometimes there is a will, but without opportunities that doesn’t really help. I believe this will create such opportunities, it will inspire many people my age to start dreaming beyond their current circumstances. We are extremely excited about this centre and we are looking forward to visiting it on regular intervals," he told FIFA.com, minutes after playing an exhibition match at the new astro-turf pitch at Mathare.


We believe that football is a powerful tool to communicate our message and that is where this centre will play a vital role.Bob Munro, chairman of the Mathare Youth Sports Centre


Unemployment, crime, illiteracy, HIV/Aids and poor sanitation are just some of the many challenges facing the community in this area, where the average income is less than a dollar a day.

, heralded the opening of the centre. "This marks a new era not only for Kenya but for the African continent. FIFA made a commitment to the African continent to open these centres and today sees the realisation of that promise. This Centre is for the youth of Mathare. We certain that this place will be used to continue achieving positive change in this environment. I must say that there is no better deserving organisation to host this centre than MYSA, they have done a lot of good work for the Kenyan youth for the past two decades and we hope that this centre will further strengthen their work," Addiechi said.

Chairman of MYSA, Bob Munro, was upbeat about the possibilities that will be created by the Mathare Football for Hope Centre. "For the last 24 years, MYSA has provided hope to many young people. We believe that football is a powerful tool to communicate our message and that is where this centre will play a vital role."

Streetfootballworld project manager Jan Coetzee said: "We are proud to be associated with this project and this initiative to change lives. After seeing the enthusiasm in our centre in Khayelitsha, I think we now see the value out of these centres." The programmes at the centre will include the training of young people, educating youngsters about the link between sport and the environment and aiming to reduce instances of disease by organizing clean-up groups in the slums.

The world unites in fair play and respect(FIFA.com)

Once more, FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter is urging footballers around the world to show fair play and respect, as FIFA is holding its 14th annual FIFA Fair Play Days during the official international matchdays, from 3 to 7 September 2010, and is calling for fair play on and off the pitch.

FIFA recognises the fundamental role of fair play and respect in sport and the need to apply them to all sporting activities, including children’s activities. “Children need strong values to grow up with, and football, being a team sport, makes them realise how essential discipline, respect, team spirit and fair play are for the game and for life," explained President Blatter.


Children need strong values to grow up with, and football, being a team sport, makes them realise how essential discipline, respect, team spirit and fair play are for the game and for life.FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter


"involves much more than simply promoting fair play on the pitch during a competition. FIFA is committed to encouraging fair play in society too, beginning with our future – with children."

The fair play principles of world football’s governing body will be the focus of attention once again over the coming days, in dozens of stadiums around the world in the race to score points in national and international games. “I expect players, officials and fans to set a perfect example of fair play,” emphasised Blatter.

He added that it was even more important in vital matches such as these to uphold the values of fair play. “These matches must epitomise fair play,” underlined the FIFA President. "They should encapsulate the sporting, moral and ethical principles for which FIFA has always stood and leave a lasting impression."

In Europe, UEFA will join FIFA in promoting the Fair Play Days in official games via its 'Respect' campaign.

Flu caught cold

(
League leaders Fluminense suffered a 2-1 defeat to Guarani on Sunday to give Corinthians hope of overtaking the Rio de Janeiro club.

Fluminense got off to a great start on the road as Emerson gave them the lead after 10 minutes but Baiano levelled in the 34th minute and Fabao netted the winner for Guarani with less than a quarter of an hour to go, which means Flu's lead over Corinthians is just one point, who have a game in hand.

Santos held on to third spot with a goalless draw at moved level on points with them as they won 2-0 at home to Gremio Prudente. Rafael Sobis, back at the Porto Alegre club after spells in Spain and the United Arab Emirates, put them in front five minutes into the second half and Leandro Damiao added a second (73).

Santos and Internacional are two of four teams locked on 31 points, along with Botafogo and Cruzeiro, who recovered from 2-0 down to win 3-2 away to Palmeiras. Two goals in the space of five minutes from Roger and Montillo brought them level by the 64th minute and Argentinian substitute Ernesto Farias grabbed the winner with five minutes left.

In the day's other matches, Atletico Goianiense recorded just their fourth win of the season as they beat Vitoria 4-1 at home, Sao Paulo twice recovered from a goal down to win 3-2 at Atletico Mineiro and Leite's last-minute goal secured a 1-0 victory for Atletico Paranaense at Avai.

Ghana, Nigeria stroll as Egypt held(AFP

) Sunday 5 September 2010 Print Email my friend Share

An opening-round curse struck Egypt again Sunday when they were held 1-1 at home by unfancied Sierra Leone in a The defending champions were rocked on 56 minutes at Cairo Stadium when Turkey-based defensive midfielder Alhassan Bangura edged the plucky west Africans in front. Defender Mahmoud Fathallah completed a pair of unlikely scorers when he equalised four minutes later, but a winning goal eluded Egypt who began with six of the team that defeated Ghana in the 2010 Cup of Nations final.

Coach Hassan Shehata had warned his team about the perils of not making a winning start, blaming their failure to reach the FIFA World Cup™ in South Africa this year on a home draw with Zambia in the first qualifier. Egypt are ranked number one in Africa with Sierra Leone 36 and the visitors lacked their best known footballer, China-based playmaker Mohamed Kallon, who is injured.

2010 FIFA World Cup quarter-finalists Ghana were rarely pressed when cruising to a 3-0 victory over Swaziland in front of a small crowd that included King Mswati at Somhlolo Stadium outside Mbabane. Andre Ayew, a son of African legend Abedi 'Pele' Ayew, gave the Black Stars a 13th-minute lead and after withstanding some early second-half pressure from the Swazis there were further goals by Prince Tagoe and Hans Sarpei. Ghana achieved maximum points without big-name midfielders Michael Essien (rested) of Chelsea, Sulley Muntari (dropped) of Inter Milan and long-serving captain Stephen Appiah (retired) of Cesena.

Nigeria, who made a humiliating first round exit from the 2010 FIFA World Cup with a solitary point from three matches, were too slick for hard-working Madagascar in the coastal city of Calabar and a 2-0 win did not reflect their superiority. The Super Eagles took the lead midway through the half when Obafemi Martins darted on to a wayward Malagasy header and fired in off the far post. Martins was the architect of the other goal in first-half stoppage time as he raced in from the left and cut the ball back for Eneramo to tap the ball past goalkeeper Kandy Rambelomasina.

Teranga Lions impress
Senegal hinted that the glory days of 2002 could be returning with a shock 4-2 victory over a Democratic Republic of Congo team with serious defensive defects having conceded six to Egypt in a warm-up. Turkey-based Mamadou Niang was the hat-trick star for the Teranga Lions after Moussa Sow had given them an early lead while Patou Kabangu hit both goals for the Leopards who trailed 3-1 at half-time. Inspired by peroxide blond El-Hadji Diouf, the Senegalese reached the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals eight years ago after finishing runners-up to Cameroon in the Nations Cup but failed to qualify for the 2010 African tournament.

Zambia boasted the widest winning margin, outclassing international rookies Comoros Islands 4-0 in Lusaka. Comoros, a group of islands off south-east Africa and competing in the qualifiers for only the second time, admitted before the game that they had little hope. Their defensive resistance lasted just five minutes before Rainford Kalaba gave Chipolopolo a lead that Fwayo Tembo and James Chamanga added to before half-time. Zambia found it more difficult to carve openings in the second half and supporters had to wait until seven minutes before full time to add to their tally, with Emmanuel Mayuka completing the scoring.

The other Group C match was the only fixture not to produce a goal, featuring Mozambique and Libya in Maputo where evenly-matched teams cancelled each other out with much of the play confined to an overcrowded midfield, with the north Africans making their competitive debut under Brazilian coach Marcos Paqueta.

Another new coach, Iffy Onuora, suffered a difficult debut as Ethiopia crumbled 4-1 at home to Guinea, leaving the east Africans poorly placed after the opening round. A late Cedric Amissi goal earned Burundi a surprise 1-1 draw in Benin and there was a similar score between Liberia and Zimbabwe with Sekou Jabateh equalising for the home team nine minutes from full time.

Gabon and Equatorial Guinea will co-host the 2012 CAF Africa Cup of Nations.

THE DAY REPLAYED

. If day one of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Trinidad and Tobago 2010 is anything to go by, the competition should be nothing short of spectacular, with the four opening games producing 21 goals and plenty of excitement.

The day got off to a colourful start with a carnival-style opening ceremony at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain, which was immediately followed by a shock as defending champions Korea DPR went down to Nigeria. In a match featuring not one but two comebacks, the Flamingoes struck early only for the North Koreans to take a 2-1 lead. The Africans saved their best till last, however, replying with two goals in a three-minute burst as the clock ticked down.

The drums were still beating as the tournament hosts took to the stage, kicking off their campaign with an emotional and much-celebrated win over Chile.

Over in Tobago meanwhile, Group B began with a bang as Germany opened their title bid with a tournament-record defeat of Mexico. In the second game of the day in Scarborough, an efficient Korea Republic side proved too strong for the willing South Africans, who were cheered on by the vociferous locals but paid dearly for missing a penalty only five minutes in.

Results
Nigeria 3-2 Korea DPR
Germany 9-0 Mexico
Trinidad and Tobago 2-1 Chile
South Africa 1-3 Korea Republic

Goal of the day
(53)

The Bantwana took a leaf out of the men’s national team’s book when they pulled level against the South Koreans with their maiden goal in the competition. After Seoposenwe had slotted home Robyn Moodaly’s precise through-ball, the South African players peeled off to the touchline to mimic the team celebration that greeted Siphiwe Tshabalala’s goal for the Bafana Bafana against Mexico in the opening game of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™.

Memorable moments

Let’s celebrate
The day’s goal feast yielded a whole host of celebratory dance routines and gestures, although none of them were quite as unusual as that of Nigeria striker Yetunde Aluko. While her team-mates kneeled down and hugged each other after every one of their three goals against the North Koreans, Aluko would sprint across and fall down by their side, as if overcome with the emotion of it all.

Somewhere over the rainbow
Filled with music and dance and taking the Trinidadian carnival as its theme, the opening ceremony set a colourful tone for what proved to be an action-packed day. Featuring fireworks, the tournament mascot and the distinctive sound of the country’s steel drum bands, the spectacular scene was capped by the appearance of a rainbow over the stadium.

The stat
9-0: Title candidates Germany sent a message of intent to the rest of the field by racking up the biggest win in the competition’s short history. Their thoroughly impressive demolition of the shell-shocked Mexicans featured hat-tricks from Lena Petermann and Kyra Malinowsky and a Lena Lotzen brace.

What they said
“This is Trinidad and Tobago’s first win in their first ever appearance in any FIFA Women’s World Cup and it’s a great day for the country. It’s going to give us a tremendous amount of encouragement and a lot of belief in the future of this sport here, although I’m not entirely happy because we didn’t play our best football,” Even Pellerud, T&T coach.