Asian Cup raises $333,000 for flood victims

Asian Cup raises $333,000 for flood victims


Ticket revenue from the Asian Cup semi-finals raised around $330,000 for flood victims in Australia, Sri Lanka and Thailand, competition organisers revealed today. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and Qatar Football Association (QFA) had earlier announced that money from ticket sales would go to help people affected by devastating floods in the three countries.

Tournament director Tokuaki Suzuki said organisers would now seek to transfer the money to an organisation capable of distributing it to victims. "There is an organisation for the flood victims and we will communicate with them to distribute the money," he said, without specifying the name of the organisation.

The Asian Cup semi-finals saw Japan beat South Korea 3-0 on penalties after a 2-2 draw following extra time, while Australia thrashed Uzbekistan 6-0. A joint statement by AFC president Mohamed Bin Hammam and QFA chief Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Bin Ahmed Al Thani earlier this week said the flooding had been tragic.

"Our thoughts and wishes go to all those who suffer in our fellow Asian nations of Australia, Thailand and Sri Lanka, recently struck by flooding and national disasters," it said.

"It is the joint decision of the AFC, the QFA and the organising committee of the Asian Cup to offer the proceeds of the semi-final matches of the AFC Asian Cup to a disaster relief fund in order to help those affected. Our condolences are offered to those who have lost their loved ones during these tragic events."

Recent flooding across Australia has wrought unprecedented damage with at least 22 people dead, while more than one million people have been affected by monsoon floods in Sri Lanka, with some 43 people perishing. In Thailand, thousands of people were affected by floods in the south this month.

>Colombia's Rozo daring to dream

Colombia's Rozo daring to dream


It was Olympic Games founder Pierre de Coubertin who first expressed the notion that, “It’s not the winning but the taking part that counts.” A noble sentiment, without doubt, but try telling that to Ricardo Rozo, whose Colombia side have zero intention of making up the numbers when the FIFA Women’s World Cup Germany 2011™ kicks off in June.

“We’re an ambitious team,” he told FIFA.com shortly after the draw was made in Frankfurt. “When we take part in a competition, we go there to win. No sportsman or woman goes into a World Cup without thoughts of winning it being at the back of their minds.”

Such candour is refreshing given the cautious line usually trodden by coaches and players alike, particularly since Colombia will be making their maiden appearance in the global showcase this year. In fact, Rozo’s comments could almost seem reckless considering the esteemed company Las Cafeteras will be keeping in Group C.

Barring their route to the last eight are two-time winners and three-time Olympic gold medallists USA, traditional women’s football powerhouses Sweden and a Korea DPR team featuring several of the talents who triumphed at the 2006 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup and 2008 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
We’ll be playing three finals and we can win all three, even if the match against USA will undoubtedly be the most difficult.
Ricardo Rozo, Colombia coach.

Despite the standard of Colombia’s opponents, Rozo was being neither foolhardy nor arrogant when he outlined his dreams of lifting the trophy. “It’s a very tough group, but above all it’s very competitive,” he said. “There are no small teams and each game is certain to be hotly disputed. If everyone can beat everyone else, that means Colombia can win all three matches.”

Perhaps, but according to that logic they could also end the group stage without a single point. “Obviously, but I don’t think that’ll happen for a second,” added the former Millonarios player, who began his association with women’s football in 2000. “Our goal is to win as many points as possible to get out of the group. We’ll be playing three finals and we can win all three, even if the match against USA will undoubtedly be the most difficult.”

Rozo has yet to elaborate a plan to defeat the Stars and Stripes, untouchable at the top of the FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Ranking for the last three years, but he knows precisely what he will tell his players. “We respect their quality, their history and their titles, but there’s no question of going out on the pitch with fear in our stomachs,” he said. “We’re an organised, disciplined and talented team. That’s enough for us to win any match. And even though the draw was difficult for us, ask the other sides in the group if they’re happy to be playing Colombia.”

FIFA.com did exactly that and, sure enough, no one will be taking Rozo’s charges lightly. “Colombia caused an upset in South America so we’ll have to be wary of them, especially since their players are quick and possess good technique,” explained Korea DPR coach Kim Kwang Min.

“The Colombians will be taking part for the first time in the World Cup but they’re without doubt the most-improved team of the last few years,” added Sweden coach Thomas Dennerby, whose side will pose the South Americans’ first challenge in Group C. As for USA boss Pia Sundhage, she believes “Colombia’s talent and technique more than make up for their inexperience. Above all, we mustn’t underestimate them.”

Should he need further encouragement, Rozo can also point to his experience at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in 2010, when his tournament newcomers looked clear candidates to leave Germany after the group stage. “Nobody expected anything from us and, with Germany and France in our group, people thought we’d get eliminated in the first round, but we went on to reach the semi-finals,” he recalled with pride.

A year on from that memorable run, he and his players are now plotting to progress even further, with 17-year-old captain Yorely Rincon likely to prove pivotal again after shining in the qualifiers. Indeed, as De Coubertin put it: “Success is not a goal in itself but a means of aiming higher.” This time, surely even Rozo would agree with that.
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Roma see off Juve to book semi spot

Roma see off Juve to book semi spot
(AFP) Thursday 27 January 2011
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AS Roma booked a Coppa Italia semi-final against Inter Milan after a 2-0 win at Juventus achieved with second-half goals from Montenegrin Mirko Vucinic and Rodrigo Taddei.

Vucinic bagged the opener after 65 minutes by taking a pass from Daniele De Rossi in his stride and Taddei then produced an acrobatic finish for the clincher in time added on.

Palermo will face AC Milan in the other semi over two legs on 20 April and 11 May after badboy Antonio Cassano celebrated his return to his former club Sampdoria on Wednesday to help Milan run out 2-1 winners.

Brazilian striker Pato struck twice - Sampdoria's new signing Massimo Maccarone getting the hosts' goal - to give Cassano some revenge against the club, who effectively sacked him earlier this season for disparaging remarks made about their president.

Holders Inter prevailed 5-4 on penalties away at Napoli after the match had finished 0-0. Palermo on Tuesday became the first side to reach the last four when they edged Parma, also 5-4 on penalties.

Speed: Wales' quality is very strong

Speed: Wales' quality is very strong


Gary Speed’s managerial career, considering it is less than six months old, has already taken plenty of twists and turns. It began when he was thrust into the breach at English Championship side Sheffield United following the sacking of their previous manager three games into this season, and took a major development when he was approached by Wales last month.

Having made 85 appearances for his national team – more than any other Welsh outfield player – the chance to become manager was impossible to resist, and Speed is currently preparing for his first match in charge on 8 February. That game will see his side face off against the Republic of Ireland in the opening game of the Nations Cup, which also includes Scotland and Northern Ireland.

With a tricky, and no doubt emotionally charged, UEFA EURO 2012 qualifier against England to follow, Speed has plenty of tough challenges to negoiate in the early part of his reign. But as the former midfielder told FIFA.com, he has high hopes for his emerging side.

FIFA.com: How did it feel to get the call to manage your national side?
Gary Speed: I was very excited obviously. I had a job at Sheffield United which I was very keen to carry on and do well at, but once the call came I found it very difficult to turn down. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so I’m determined to grab my chance with both hands and do as well as I can.

Was it difficult to part company with Sheffield United, considering you had only just taken the job on?
Absolutely. It’s obviously come at the wrong time as I would have liked to stay on there and make my mark with them. But as I’ve said, once the opportunity had come along and both parties had agreed compensation, it was something I couldn’t turn down.

How are you finding the new challenges of international management?
Very good. I’ve spent a lot of time in the office getting ready for the first game, getting my staff sorted and making sure everything is in place for when the side gets together ahead of the game against Republic of Ireland. One of the best parts of the job is being able to go out and watch games, so I’ve been busy seeing plenty of games, monitoring the players. I’ve been really enjoying that side of things.

What’s your assessment of Wales' current quality and potential?
The quality there is very strong. I’ve got to pick 23 or 24 players for the first Nations Cup game and it’s going to be hard to do that because there are at least 29 to 30 players who will be knocking on my door looking for a place in the squad. So in that respect it’s good for me.
It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so I’m determined to grab my chance with both hands and do as well as I can.
Wales manager Gary Speed on his new job

Was it a blow to have Craig Bellamy step down as captain so early into your tenure?
He won’t be available for some games and I think that was a major factor in him stepping down, but ultimately it was the sensible thing to do. Craig more than anyone knows his body, his own mind and what he wants, but if we can get the best out of Craig in the games that really matter, that’s the main thing. In regards to a new captain, I think we will play it by ear for the time being and we will look to have a permanent captain in place in time to face England. There’s no rush.

There’s a lot of potential in your squad, with the likes of Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey, Joe Ledley and Wayne Hennessey amongst others. Where can that take you?
I think the squad is of an age where potentially they could be together for the next ten years, so it’s important we get the players mentioned on the pitch more often than not. That will obviously create a team spirit and get the crowd behind us. That’s why I think the England game will be so important as it’s a new start and if we do get any sort of result it will show the fans that we are on our way back up, and with players like Bale and Ramsey in the team we’ll only have a better chance of doing so.

How big is the upcoming England game in regards to EURO 2012 qualification and the fact it’s against another local rival?
I think even if we win all our games we wouldn’t be guaranteed qualification, so I think we need to take the game on its merits. It’s England at home so it’s a massive game and I think everyone’s looking forward to it. With us losing the first three games I think the pressure is off us somewhat and more on to them, which we can hopefully take advantage of.

Your first four games are against your nearest geographical rivals. Do you think this will be a help or a hindrance?
I think it will be a help because we aren't going to have much time with the players before these matches and because of the nature of them it should allow us to plan more for future games against teams less well known to us, so in that respect I think it’s a good thing. Obviously we’ll be getting to know each other over the next four games and hopefully we’ll go into the qualifying matches in September hitting the ground running having had time to plan for them in a bit more detail.

Is the anticipation growing for the opening Nations Cup game against the Republic of Ireland?
Yes, I’m really excited now. I’ve done a lot of work in the last few weeks so I’m looking forward to getting the lads together, flying over to Ireland and hopefully putting on a good show.

What are your views on the tournament? Do you think it’s a positive thing for all the teams involved?
Yeah I think so. I think it’s a lot better than normal friendlies, certainly. We’re playing against teams we know, it’ll be contested to a high level, it’ll be competitive and against good teams who want to perform. So in that respect it’s perfect.

What are your hopes for the Nations Cup and EURO 2012 qualification?
Obviously we are going to go out to win the Nations Cup, that’s why we are in it. We’re going to go and give it our best shot and hopefully get some good results. EURO 2012 has got off to a bad start in the group but all we can do is try and get as many points as we can from the next five games and, if we don’t qualify, hopefully get into a higher pot for qualification in 2016. Plus, with there being 24 teams in the tournament it gives us an even better chance of qualifying. There’s certainly a lot of motivation for us to play well in the remaining games.

Do you see qualifying for 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ as a possibility?
Definitely. It’s not going to be easy by any stretch of the imagination but that is certainly our aim. Not only that we want to be challenging at a higher level. I’m not saying we’re going to qualify for every tournament, I want to qualify for at least one, but beyond that we want to consistently compete and we’re looking to put the structure of players together to allow us to do that.

Finland look to the next generation

Finland look to the next generation


With thousands of lakes, hundreds of tiny islands and vast forests which seem to go on forever, Finland is famed for its fascinating scenery. It is one of the least densely populated areas in Europe and has a population of only 5.3 million, but with world-class players such as Jari Litmanen and Sami Hyypia, it has shown in recent years that it can hold its own in footballing terms.

However, given the fact that the country’s 39-year-old all-time top scorer Litmanen and defensive lynchpin Hyypia, two years his junior, are very much in the twilight of their international careers, it is clearly time to tackle the weighty challenge of a changing of the guard.

There is uncertainty at the top too, after Finland coach Stuart Baxter announced his departure last November. It was former international goalkeeper Olli Huttunen who oversaw the 8-0 win over San Marino in a recent UEFA EURO 2012 qualifier and, though ex-U-21 boss Markku Kanerva is now at the helm, it is only on a caretaker basis until a permanent successor to Baxter can be found.

It does not take an expert to see that Finland is entering a critical phase in its footballing development. The weight of expectation has been firmly placed on the shoulders of the next generation, even though no real stars are as yet emerging. And despite the fact the Finns have never qualified for the finals of a FIFA World Cup™ or a EURO, they lack nothing when it comes to ambition. However, lofty aims alone are not enough, with Finland already defeated by Moldova, Hungary and the Netherlands in Group E of EURO 2012 qualifying, with their only three points to date coming from said thrashing of San Marino.

Finland were therefore in desperate need of pick-me-up, and one came along at just the right time. When the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking was updated in January, the Finns found themselves four spots higher, despite not having played or registered any points the previous month. With Zambia, FYR Macedonia, Uganda and Estonia all losing points, Finland climbed from 83rd to 79th

This will provide a glimmer of hope for the Finns who last year suffered their biggest drop in the history of the Ranking, those aforementioned qualifying reverses sending them plummeting no fewer than 22 places. Yet they are still a long way off their highest position to date, which was 33rd spot back in March 2007.

The challenge now is to find a crop of youngsters who can follow in the footsteps of Litmanen, currently plying his trade for his local club FC Lahti after starring for Ajax, Barcelona and Liverpool in his heyday, and Hyypia, who also played for Liverpool and is currently a rock at the heart of the Bayer Leverkusen defence.

With Hyypia recently named as Finland's footballer of the year for the ninth time, equalling Litmanen's record in the process, it is clear that these two players have sizeable boots to fill. Much hope now rests on the shoulders of Mikael Forssell, the well-travelled 29-year-old striker who is currently riding high in the Bundesliga with surprise packages Hannover 96. Though the evidence of his hat-trick against San Marino is encouraging, is the former Chelsea and Birmingham City front-man ready to grasp the nettle and spearhead Finland’s next generation?

Van der Sar to hang up gloves


Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar will retire from football at the end of the season. The 40-year-old former Holland international moved to Old Trafford from Fulham in 2005 and helped the Red Devils to three Premier League titles and UEFA Champions League glory in 2008.

Quoted on the website of his management agency, www.sport-promotion.nl, he said: "It is now time to pay attention to my family." Van der Sar has been contemplating hanging up his boots since his wife Annemarie collapsed with a brain haemorrhage in December 2009.

"I cannot really identify a time when it [the decision] happened,'' said the former Ajax man. "Let's just say that it was playing on my mind from the moment Annemarie had her stroke.

"She has fought back from it. We decided on another year in England and thus to stay at Manchester United. But, once engaged in the season, the thought of saying goodbye started to gnaw a bit more emphatically."

United goalkeeping coach Eric Steele believes Van der Sar will go down alongside former Red Devil Peter Schmeichel as one of the club's greats following his decisive penalty save from Nicolas Anelka in the Champions League final shootout against Chelsea in May 2008.
He has been a fantastic servant.That penalty save in Moscow has elevated Edwin alongside Peter [Schmeichel].
Manchester United goalkeeping coach Eric Steele on van der Sar's decisive UEFA Champions League final penalty save in 2008

Steele told Radio Manchester: "Edwin will retire at the end of the season. It has been a mutual decision between the manager, the team and Edwin. He has been a fantastic servant. I was very lucky. I worked alongside Peter Schmeichel at Villa and I worked with Edwin for two and a half years. That penalty save in Moscow has elevated Edwin alongside Peter."

Van der Sar admitted it had not been an easy decision but he feels the time is right. He added on www.sport-promotion.nl: "One minute you're out. The next, you question it again. I thought about stopping, maybe a year ago. It is a difficult process. After a defeat, I thought differently than after playing a few good games in a row.

"My age played no role. I am 40 years old, but I still feel fit. And then the decision came suddenly. Do not ask me how or why, but suddenly you know. That was sufficient. The time has come to devote greater attention to my family - although they have never complained. Everyone in the family has indeed always had to focus on me, but we have also had a lot in return."

The announcement will come as no surprise to United boss Sir Alex Ferguson. "We are planning for this being his last season," he said last month. Given his vast experience, Van der Sar is bound to be an attractive proposition as a coach, and has been linked with a role in Ferguson's backroom staff. "Edwin is a player who would be of interest in terms of his knowledge and standing in the game," added the Scot.
I am 40 years old, but I still feel fit. And then the decision came suddenly. Do not ask me how or why, but suddenly you know.
Edwin van der Sar, Manchester United goalkeeper



Having stated on numerous occasions his regret at not bringing in Van der Sar as an immediate replacement for Schmeichel when the Dane retired in 1999, Ferguson will want to avoid being similarly exposed this time around. Denmark international Anders Lindegaard has already been brought in from Aalesund, while Schalke's Manuel Neuer continues to be linked with an Old Trafford move.

Van der Sar started his career with Ajax in 1990 and enjoyed nearly a decade of success in Amsterdam. He picked up four Eredivisie titles and three Dutch cups on the domestic front and savoured European success with a UEFA Cup win in 1992 and Champions League glory three years later.

Two years at Juventus followed before a switch to Fulham in 2001. He soon established himself as one of the most reliable keepers in England and attracted the attention of United in 2005. Van der Sar was charged with the task of filling the boots of Schmeichel, who left Old Trafford in 1999 after a wonderful spell at the club which ended with a Champions League victory.

Mark Bosnich, Massimo Taibi, Raimond van der Gouw, Fabien Barthez, Roy Carroll and Ricardo had all tried and failed to command the United defence in the same manner as Schmeichel before Van der Sar arrived between the posts.

Van der Sar retired from international football after UEFA EURO 2008 and, although he briefly returned to help out Oranje coach Bert van Marwijk in two 2010 FIFA World Cup™ qualifiers a few months later, he hung up his gloves for good after that with a national record 130 caps to his name.

Liverpool reject Chelsea's Torres bid

Liverpool reject Chelsea's Torres bid
(PA) Friday 28 January 2011
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Liverpool have rejected a Chelsea bid of £35m for striker Fernando Torres, according to The Times. The Stamford Bridge side, who were linked with a move for the striker in the summer, have been told in no uncertain terms that the 26-year-old is not available.

"Chelsea have made a bid for Fernando which has been turned down," a Liverpool spokesman told the newspaper. "The player is not for sale."

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is a known long-time admirer of the Spain international but has been unsuccessful in past attempts to lure the player away from Anfield and Liverpool are determined to fend off any new interest.

There has been much speculation about Torres' future but it began to grow after the club finished seventh in the Premier League. He returned to Merseyside as a FIFA World Cup™ winner but, with Chelsea seemingly prepared to make a bid, he insisted his commitment to the Reds was the same as when he signed in 2007.

However, his - and the club's - early-season form did little to dispel those rumours as the striker cut a frustrated and agitated figure on the pitch as Liverpool endured their worst start to a campaign since 1953/54. Matters were not helped when it emerged a £50m buy-out clause had been inserted into his contract - which runs until 2013.

But since the appointment of Kenny Dalglish to replace Roy Hodgson nearly three weeks ago Torres has looked a rejuvenated player and in his last four matches has scored three times - which would have been four had he not had an effort against Fulham on Wednesday wrongly ruled out for offside.

Owners Fenway Sports Group, who took over the club in October, are keen to invest in the squad to ensure the likes of Torres can satisfy their desire for success with Liverpool. To that end they are still trying to negotiate a deal with Ajax for Uruguay forward Luis Suarez.

The Dutch club's coach Frank de Boer has set a Saturday deadline for an agreement to be reached but with the asking price still a sticking point it could yet go right up to the close of the window on Monday. Suarez is keen on a move to Liverpool and reports in the Netherlands claimed he feels "cheated" Ajax have not reached a compromise.

Adebayor seeks fresh star

Adebayor seeks fresh start

Emmanuel Adebayor hopes to have put a turbulent 12 months behind him after completing what he described as a dream move to Real Madrid. Adebayor was presented at the Bernabeu today after joining Madrid on loan until the end of the season from Manchester City, with the Spanish giants having the option to buy the 26-year-old in the summer.

The switch, which will see Adebayor help cover the loss of long-term injury victim Gonzalo Higuain, comes after a difficult 2010 for the former Togo captain both professionally and on a personal level. He initially proved a massive hit at City following his £25m move from Arsenal 18 months ago, but Adebayor's star faded after Roberto Mancini replaced Mark Hughes as manager.

What a difference a year makes
Away from the pitch, Adebayor was scarred by tragedy last January after the Togo team bus was attacked by terrorists during the African Nations Cup in Angola. Speaking today, Adebayor admitted his start to this year could hardly have been more different to 12 months ago.

"My dream has come true to be able to play football again at the highest level, especially with Real Madrid," he said. "After Arsenal, when I went to Man City, don't get me wrong, it's true that I had an up and down time, and I was nearly dead as well on the way to the African Nations Cup.

"I was a little bit traumatised by all those kinds if things and it was a very difficult moment for me and today all those kinds of things are behind me. 2010 started very badly for me, but 2011 started very well by signing a contract with Real Madrid.

"Hopefully there's a lot of good coming my way, so I have to praise God that I'm still alive and I get the chance to wear the white shirt of Real Madrid. I'm very honoured and very, very happy to join this club. And for all that has happened over the last six months today I'm more comfortable, more relieved and I'm very happy."
My dream has come true to be able to play football again at the highest level, especially with Real Madrid.
Emmanuel Adebayor, Real Madrid striker

When asked what went wrong for him under Mancini at City, Adebayor added: "I'm a footballer and what I need is to play football, to be out there on the pitch. What went wrong with Mancini and Manchester City? I don't think there's a lot of things wrong. Right now he's lost confidence in me. He doesn't have any confidence in me any more and he has decided to choose other players.

"So for me I'm very happy to be back again on the football pitch with Real Madrid and the chance to play football again."

Madrid were forced to enter the transfer market when Higuain was recently ruled out for up to four months after undergoing back surgery, leaving coach Jose Mourinho with Karim Benzema as his only senior striker.

In line to shine
With Higuain absent for a significant period and Benzema struggling to impress, Adebayor has the chance to push his claims for a permanent switch to Madrid over the next few months. However, the former Arsenal forward, who scored 19 goals in 43 games for City, is not looking too far ahead. He said: "At the moment I'm here for six months and I'm very honoured, and happy and grateful to wear Real Madrid shirt.

"The most important thing for me is to enjoy myself here and everybody is making me feel at home. I'm going to talk to the boss (Mourinho) to see how I can help the team win things. I'm a player who loves challenges, and who came here to achieve a lot of things. It's not going to be easy but I'm here to help the team achieve things."

He added: "I'm here to learn. Players never stop learning. I will learn and from then I will have to improve my game. I have to score goals, I have to create goals, I have to make things happen. I have to pay back all the people who have confidence in me by playing well on the pitch. Football isn't just about scoring goals - it's about attitude and what you can achieve and how you can help your team win games."

Adebayor en route to Real

Adebayor en route to Real


Emmanuel Adebayor's stormy time at Manchester City came to at least a temporary close tonight when he joined Real Madrid on loan for the remainder of the season.

The Spanish club announced on their website this evening that they have reached agreement with City for Adebayor to move to Madrid on loan, with "a unilateral option" for them to purchase the 26-year-old in the summer.

Their statement read: "Real Madrid CF and Manchester City FC have reached a deal that will see Emmanuel Adebayor play on loan for the former club. The player will remain at Real Madrid until the end of the current season, at which point the club hold a unilateral option to purchase the player."

City confirmed tonight they had agreed to loan Adebayor and the striker would travel to Madrid for a medical tomorrow (Wednesday).

Initially a massive hit following his £25million move north from Arsenal 18 months ago, scoring in his first four games for City, Adebayor's star faded after Roberto Mancini replaced Mark Hughes as manager.

By the end of last season it had already become apparent that the striker could no longer command a regular place for the Blues. Things got no better this term and, although he scored a UEFA Europa League hat-trick against Lech Poznan on October, the arrival of Mario Balotelli had shunted Adebayor further down the pecking order and he openly spoke of his desire to move elsewhere.
Real Madrid CF and Manchester City FC have reached a deal that will see Emmanuel Adebayor play on loan for the former club.
Real Madrid club statement

Monaco expressed a firm interest but were unable to come up with the necessary finance, leaving the way clear for Real, once Jose Mourinho overcame some reservations amongst the Bernabeu hierarchy over his desire to bring Adebayor - who would be available for the UEFA Champions League - in as cover for Gonzalo Higuain, who is expected to miss the remainder of the season with a back injury.

The move is the second high-profile striking departure in the past six months following Robinho's move to AC Milan. Undoubtedly, the high point of Adebayor's time at City - during which time he scored 19 goals in 43 games - was his first appearance against Arsenal last September when he raced the length of the field to celebrate in front of the Gunners supporters after scoring City's third goal.

However, that day saw the best and worst of Adebayor's character as he incurred a three-match ban for raking his studs down the side of Robin van Persie's face.

Adebayor's time in Manchester has already been scarred by tragedy as the Togo team bus was attacked by gunmen during last year's CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Angola, leaving the coach driver dead. It triggered Adebayor's decision to retire from international football - a move that Mourinho no doubt welcomes as he plots glory in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League.

As the loan is specifically to cover Higuain's absence, it is debatable whether a permanent transfer will follow but it would appear highly unlikely Adebayor will appear for the Blues again.

Goal king Berbatov salutes gritty United

Goal king Berbatov salutes gritty United
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Dimitar Berbatov hailed Manchester United's mental strength after his brace helped Sir Alex Ferguson's side come from two goals down to beat Blackpool 3-2 at Bloomfield Road.

Blackpool went into the break 2-0 up on Tuesday thanks to goals from Craig Cathcart and DJ Campbell, but United produced another of their famous late comebacks as Berbatov and Javier Hernandez ensured the leaders remain unbeaten in the Premier League this season.

"We have the mentality that we can win even when we are 1-0 or 2-0 down," said Berbatov, who took his tally to 20 for the season with 19 coming in the Premier League. "We are always confident that if we can score one, we can score even more. The first half was not so good for us but we overcame that obstacle and in the second half we had a very good game.

"It was hard in the first half because it is not a friendly ground and the pitch is not the same as at Old Trafford. The ball bobbles around and Blackpool played well and scored some goals and could have had more, but we said we could do it."
We have the mentality that we can win even when we are 1-0 or 2-0 down.
Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov

United were all at sea until Ferguson replaced Wayne Rooney with Hernandez with the clock winding down and that proved to make a huge difference as United turned the game on its head in the space of 15 minutes. "The substitutions did change the game," added Berbatov, who has scored 13 goals in his last ten appearances.

"Giggs has experience and his cross was excellent and Chicharito just wants to score goals, but it was the team-spirit that won the game. I hope this is not the best football of my career. I hope the best is still in the future ahead of me in a Manchester United shirt. We now have to move on until the end of the season and finish on the top but we cannot underestimate the other teams."

Ferguson admitted United rode their luck in the first half but he was impressed with the way they hit back to move five points clear of Arsenal at the top. "The first half we were battered and we couldn't handle Charlie Adam, his corner kicks are worth ten million pounds," he said. "We changed it at half-time, brought on Ryan Giggs, started to penetrate and, in the end, ran out deserved winners."

Zaccheroni: Confidence

Zaccheroni: Confidence was key


Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni has saluted his players' nerve and the reflexes of goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima after they beat Korea Republic 3-0 on penalties to reach the final of the AFC Asian Cup.

The Blue Samurai, who are gunning for a record fourth continental title, had been leading 2-1 with a minute to play in extra-time on Tuesday, before Hwang Jae-Won lashed home a dramatic equaliser to take the game to a shoot-out. It was Japan who held their nerve from 12 yards, however, with Yuto Nagatomo the only Japanese player who failed to find the net as Zaccheroni's side swept into Saturday's final against Australia.

Kawashima had been criticised for a wobbly display in the 3-2 quarter-final win over Qatar, but he stepped up to the mark by saving penalties from South Korean pair Koo Ja-Cheol and Lee Jong-Rae, with Hong Jeong-Ho shooting wide. "Before the penalties I told the players to forget the goal we conceded at the end. I told them to take their penalties with confidence," said Zaccheroni.

"There are no goalkeepers who don't make mistakes. They don't exist. A few days ago I told Kawashima that I have faith in him, and I told him the same thing Tuesday. He did more than I expected."
Before the penalties I told the players to forget the goal we conceded at the end. I told them to take their penalties with confidence.
Alberto Zaccheroni

Kawashima said that he was simply doing his job. "Over 120 minutes, every player worked really hard so I was thinking that when it came to penalties, it was going to be my time to work," the 27-year-old Lierse goalkeeper told the tournament website. "I saw that everybody's head was down and the atmosphere was a bit strange because we had conceded the goal so close to the end of the game. But I knew it was not finished so I just focussed on the penalties."

Keisuke Honda put Japan 1-0 up in the shoot-out, despite having seen a penalty early in extra-time saved by Korea Republic goalkeeper Jung Sung-Ryong. His blushes were saved on that occasion when substitute Hajime Hosogai reacted sharply to thrash home the rebound and put Japan 2-1 up, but the CSKA Moscow playmaker admitted he was relieved to find the net in the shoot-out.

"Everyone can mis-hit a penalty. But I was determined to put it away when I took the first kick in the shoot-out. I was glad it went in," Honda told Japanese media. "The result is all that counts. And it made me feel that I've still got what it takes."

Honda, the man of the match, praised Zaccheroni for instilling confidence in him but said the team's victory would count for nothing if they did not follow it up by prevailing in the final. "I think we conceded the (last) goal due to our lack of freshness," said Honda.

"But we out-fought South Korea in the penalties in such a tough situation and this match showed everyone that we have grown so much in this tournament. Every match has been very tough and we have come through some close battles. We have come this far and it won't mean anything if we don't come home with the trophy."

Zaccheroni: Confidence was key

Zaccheroni: Confidence was key


Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni has saluted his players' nerve and the reflexes of goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima after they beat Korea Republic 3-0 on penalties to reach the final of the AFC Asian Cup.

The Blue Samurai, who are gunning for a record fourth continental title, had been leading 2-1 with a minute to play in extra-time on Tuesday, before Hwang Jae-Won lashed home a dramatic equaliser to take the game to a shoot-out. It was Japan who held their nerve from 12 yards, however, with Yuto Nagatomo the only Japanese player who failed to find the net as Zaccheroni's side swept into Saturday's final against Australia.

Kawashima had been criticised for a wobbly display in the 3-2 quarter-final win over Qatar, but he stepped up to the mark by saving penalties from South Korean pair Koo Ja-Cheol and Lee Jong-Rae, with Hong Jeong-Ho shooting wide. "Before the penalties I told the players to forget the goal we conceded at the end. I told them to take their penalties with confidence," said Zaccheroni.

"There are no goalkeepers who don't make mistakes. They don't exist. A few days ago I told Kawashima that I have faith in him, and I told him the same thing Tuesday. He did more than I expected."
Before the penalties I told the players to forget the goal we conceded at the end. I told them to take their penalties with confidence.
Alberto Zaccheroni

Kawashima said that he was simply doing his job. "Over 120 minutes, every player worked really hard so I was thinking that when it came to penalties, it was going to be my time to work," the 27-year-old Lierse goalkeeper told the tournament website. "I saw that everybody's head was down and the atmosphere was a bit strange because we had conceded the goal so close to the end of the game. But I knew it was not finished so I just focussed on the penalties."

Keisuke Honda put Japan 1-0 up in the shoot-out, despite having seen a penalty early in extra-time saved by Korea Republic goalkeeper Jung Sung-Ryong. His blushes were saved on that occasion when substitute Hajime Hosogai reacted sharply to thrash home the rebound and put Japan 2-1 up, but the CSKA Moscow playmaker admitted he was relieved to find the net in the shoot-out.

"Everyone can mis-hit a penalty. But I was determined to put it away when I took the first kick in the shoot-out. I was glad it went in," Honda told Japanese media. "The result is all that counts. And it made me feel that I've still got what it takes."

Honda, the man of the match, praised Zaccheroni for instilling confidence in him but said the team's victory would count for nothing if they did not follow it up by prevailing in the final. "I think we conceded the (last) goal due to our lack of freshness," said Honda.

"But we out-fought South Korea in the penalties in such a tough situation and this match showed everyone that we have grown so much in this tournament. Every match has been very tough and we have come through some close battles. We have come this far and it won't mean anything if we don't come home with the trophy."

Ruud GULLIT

Ruud GULLIT
Gullit: The Netherlands’ Black Tulip

Ruud Gullit’s eventful and highly successful career as a player and coach has taken him from Haarlem to Milan, London, Los Angeles and, most recently, the Chechen capital of Grozny.

On the pitch the multi-faceted “Black Tulip” played a starring role in the Netherlands’ 1988 UEFA European Championship win and was no less influential in helping Arrigo Sacchi’s legendary AC Milan become European club champions on two occasions. Off it he has performed a number of high-profile roles, from passionate and innovative coach, to TV pundit, reggae singer and the president of his country’s recent joint bid with neighbours Belgium to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup™.

“I love trying my hand at things, making discoveries and, more than anything else, having fun,” the extrovert Dutchman once remarked. Yet no matter what ventures await Gullit in the future, he will always be remembered for his mastery of the ball and, with his dancing dreadlocks, the distinctive presence he cut on the field of play. Unpredictable yet reliable with it, he has made an indelible mark on the game.

Libero with an eye for goal
Learning the tricks of his trade in the streets of Jordaan, the Amsterdam suburb where he was born and brought up. After playing for local team DWS, the young Gullit signed his first professional contract with Eredivisie side Haarlem at the age of 16.

A colleague of the Koeman brothers, Edwin and Ronald, in the national youth team, the talented teenager forged a reputation as a goalscoring libero in his three seasons with the club, scoring an average of one goal every three games.

That record prompted Dutch giants Feyenoord to come in for him. Joining up with Johan Cruyff among others, Gullit showed his remarkable versatility on the big stage, slotting seamlessly into a more advanced playmaking position despite measuring in at over 6’1”. In scoring 40 goals in 101 appearances during his stay, he made a sterling contribution to Feyenoord’s 1984 league and cup double.

Voted Dutch Player of the Year that season, the dreadlocked phenomenon quickly moved on in search of a fresh challenge, signing for domestic rivals PSV Eindhoven. Such was the impact he would make over the next two seasons that he became a truly global star of the game.

The scorer of 54 goals during a hugely productive spell at the Philips Stadion, Gullit collected two more Eredivisie winners medals, not to mention another Player of the Year accolade and the 1987 Ballon d’Or.

His prodigious skills and good looks demanded an even bigger stage, which was presented to him that same year when he completed a big-money move to Italian aristocrats AC Milan.

An undisputed star with his new club, the free-spirited Gullit was also working wonders for the Netherlands. The crowning moment of his international career came at the 1988 European Championships in Germany, when he skippered the men in orange to their first major trophy, heading their opening goal in a 2-0 victory over USSR in the final.

Milanese magic
His hunger for silverware unsated, he formed a high-class triumvirate with compatriots Marco van Basten and Frank Rijkaard, a childhood friend of his from Amsterdam, and set about the task of conquering Italy and Europe with Milan.

Inspired by the blueprint laid down by Ajax in the 1970s, Rossoneri coach Sacchi fashioned a side that had no equal. Their 1989 European Cup triumph came in spectacular style, Gullit and Co dishing out a memorable 5-0 defeat to Real Madrid in the semi-final at the San Siro before putting four unanswered goals past Steaua Bucharest in the final, the flamboyant Dutchman scoring two of them.

That European title was successfully defended the following year, with Bayern Munich and Benfica their respective victims in the semi-finals and final.

Gullit’s exertions had begun to take their toll, however. Exhausted after a hard season, he made little impression at the 1990 FIFA World Cup Italy, and when Marseille ended Milan’s continental reign in 1991, Sacchi’s formidable empire started to crumble. Further disappointment came a year later when Denmark ended the Netherlands' European Championship defence in Sweden with a shock penalty-shootout win in the semi-finals.

New ventures
Increasingly sidelined at Milan, a flagging Gullit sought fresh inspiration by decamping to Serie A adversaries Sampdoria, rediscovering his powers to such an extent that Silvio Berlusconi was moved to lure him back to the San Siro.

The return was but a fleeting one, however. Within a matter of weeks, the Dutchman was back in Genoa and in among the goals again. Another new challenge presented itself in 1995, when he brought an end to a distinguished eight-year association with Italian football by signing for Chelsea, then a mid-table Premier League side with designs on reaching the big time.

In between times he played his last game for his country, a feud with national coach Dick Advocaat causing him to withdraw from the team in the build-up to USA 1994.

Filling the vacancy created by Glenn Hoddle’s appointment as England boss, Gullit took over as player-coach at Stamford Bridge, leading the Blues to FA Cup in 1997. Despite taking the ambitious Londoners to fourth place in the table, he was sacked the following season and decided to end his playing career.

After a single campaign in the Newcastle United hotseat, he resigned in August 1999, disenchanted with the game and vowing never to take another coaching position. Former employers Feyenoord persuaded him to change his mind in 2004, with a further managerial stint with Los Angeles Galaxy following in 2007, Gullit leaving both jobs within 12 months.

Having since devoted his energies to the unsuccessful Dutch-Belgian bid to host the FIFA World Cup, Gullit has just embarked on another adventure, moving to Chechnya to become the coach of Terek Grozny. A surprise destination perhaps, but as his career trajectory shows, Gullit has made a habit of doing the unexpected.

Nat LOFTHOUSE

Nat LOFTHOUSE
Lofthouse: A lion, a legend remembered

"He was a leader, he had fantastic ability in the air and he was strong, but he was also a talisman. I always felt he was the one who was in charge, he was the leader. I'm really sorry, and anybody in this part of the world will be very sorry, he isn't with us anymore because he was a fantastic credit to the game."

Those are the words of Sir Bobby Charlton, remembering his former England team-mate Nat Lofthouse, who died on 15 January at the age of 85.

In many ways, however, his achievements have been wrongly overshadowed by those of his contemporaries. Six years after his retirement, England won the FIFA World Cup™ and the names of Charlton, Banks and Hurst became more prominent in the public’s mind than that of Lofthouse.

A Footballer of the Year in 1953, he would often work a shift down a mine on a Saturday morning before heading off to play for Bolton Wanderers in the afternoon. Possibly the best comparison between Lofthouse and a modern-day striker would be Alan Shearer: a physically imposing, strong, old-fashioned centre forward.

Lofthouse earned his nickname ‘The Lion of Vienna’ through a typical brave moment on the pitch - scoring a goal for England in a 3-2 victory against Austria in 1952 despite being elbowed in the face, tackled from behind and finally brought down by the goalkeeper.

This robust nature was in evidence again during the FA Cup Final of 1958, the pinnacle of his club career. Five years earlier he had played and scored in the ‘Stanley Matthews Final’ against Blackpool, but ended up on the losing side. This time, however, Bolton were favourites going into a match against a Manchester United side that had been ravaged by the Munich Disaster some three months earlier.
I always felt he was the one who was in charge, he was the leader.
Sir Bobby Charlton on Nat Lofthouse.

With the British public backing the underdogs of United, Lofthouse opened the scoring before adding a controversial second by barging United goalkeeper Harry Gregg over the line, an action which he later admitted to have been a foul.

That was one of 255 goals that Lofthouse scored for Bolton in just 452 games. It's a statistic that could have been even more impressive had the start of his professional career not been delayed by the start of the Second World War. On top of that, he scored 30 goals for his country in just 33 appearances - by some distance the best goals-to-games ratio of any leading England striker.

Lofthouse also featured in the 1954 FIFA World Cup in Switzerland, scoring twice in a 4-4 draw with Belgium and once in a 4-2 defeat by Uruguay in the quarter-finals. “We had some great players and we felt we had a chance of winning the tournament, but I don’t think we were too disappointed,” he later recalled. “Obviously we went there to win but the sport was different then, you accepted it better and the people accepted it better. If they won you’d shake their hand and say, ‘All the best to you’. It’s a different game today.”

Lofthouse was as remarkable a person as he was a footballer, and unwaveringly loyal to his hometown - he was born, grew up, lived in, played for and died in Bolton. Following his retirement in 1960, he served as assistant trainer, chief coach, caretaker manager, manager (twice), scout, administrative manager, executive manager and president for his beloved club.

The East Stand of Wanderers’ Reebok Stadium is named after him and while Bolton's loyal fans will never forget his exploits, neither should the football family as a whole. Today, his funeral takes place at Bolton Parish Church, with thousands - including representatives from a variety of British clubs - expected to pay their respects to a lion, a legend of the English game.

Osieck salutes 'fantastic' Socceroos

Osieck salutes 'fantastic' Socceroos

Australia coach Holger Osieck has warned upcoming AFC Asian Cup final opponents Japan that his defence is rock solid as they look forward to one of the biggest games in their history. The Socceroos set up a showdown with the East Asian giants by emphatically hammering a shell-shocked Uzbekistan 6-0 in their semi-final yesterday, to give themselves a crack at some silverware for the first time ever.

The skilful and mobile Japanese await them at Al Khalifa Stadium on Saturday after beating Korea Republic 3-0 in a nail-biting penalty shoot-out, which following a 2-2 draw after 120 minutes. The Germany-born Osieck knows Japanese football inside-out, having coached J.League stalwarts Urawa Red Diamonds to the AFC Champions League title in 2007, and he believes his team have the tactics to go all the way in Doha.

"The secret [against Uzbekistan] was the way we set ourselves up on the pitch," he said. "We were well structured, we had a great shape, we played high, we tried to create.

"All the boys have done well and I'm very happy with the way our team has developed in the tournament. I'm full of praise and credit for them. What they did against Uzbekistan was fantastic."
All the boys have done well. What they did against Uzbekistan was fantastic. The more we play together, the better we become.
Holger Osieck

While the scoreline pointed to their attacking prowess, Osieck focused on his defence, marshalled by captain Lucas Neill. With veteran Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer between the posts, they have conceded just once in five games, against Korea Republic in the group stage.

"It's a result of our structure," said the 62-year-old. "The entire team works well defensively. We are very compact and the defence starts with the strikers, they close the opponents down and we are very well-structured behind them.

"When the opposition dribble into midfield, they run into a wall. We win the ball and we play our game. It sounds simple but it took some time to get the structure together. The more we play together, the better we become."

They were far too good for the Uzbeks, who came into the game in impressive form but capitulated under the early pressure. Galatasary forward Harry Kewell got the opener on five minutes, rifling a left-foot drive into the bottom right-hand corner after a neat exchange with Matt McKay. Reigning Asian Player of the Year Sasa Ognenovski doubled their lead 11 minutes before half-time, when he emphatically buried a shot from 12 yards out.

Neill upbeat
David Carney put the game beyond doubt on 65 minutes and when Uzbekistan forward Ulugbek Bakaev was sent off soon after, the match was effectively over. Australia started running riot, with Brett Emerton getting a fourth, Carl Valeri a fifth and Robbie Kruse a sixth as the shell-shocked central Asians went to pieces.

It was their biggest victory since beating the Solomon Islands 7-0 in 2005, and the biggest win by any team at the Asian Cup since 2000. Neill insisted that the ease with which they dispatched Uzbekistan would not make them complacent against Japan, who have won the title three times before.

"Players are going to have confidence now in front of goal, and at the other end we're one goal [conceded] in five games now, so we're going to be hard to break down too," he told reporters. "We can't ask for any more going into a final."

Asian landmarks and a league of nations

Asian landmarks and a league of nations

FIFA.com’s latest statistical review reflects on a week that witnessed records crash in England, Spain and Australia, and included milestone moments for Messrs Totti, Park, Schwarzer, Berbatov and Messi.
250

goals in all competitions was the Roma landmark reached by Francesco Totti in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Cagliari. The 34-year-old, who hadn’t scored a league goal at the Olimpico for eight months, was on target from the spot – his 51st penalty conversion in 64 attempts – as Roma clinched their seventh successive home win over the Sardinians. Totti is now just ten goals from realising his ambition of surpassing Roberto Baggio’s Serie A tally and moving into the league’s top five all-time scorers. The defeat he helped inflict on Cagliari, who haven’t beaten I Giallorossi in Rome since 1968, also included a second own goal in three games from defender Max Pellegrino. Another player who endured a weekend to forget was Lecce loanee David Di Michele, who continued his zero per cent success rate from the spot this season, missing his third penalty of the campaign in a 1-1 draw with Fiorentina.
100

caps was the milestone reached by Park Ji-Sung in yesterday’s AFC Asian Cup semi-final against Japan. The Korea Republic midfielder, who made his international debut in 2000, became the eighth Taeguk Warriors player to reach the century-mark, although he remains 36 appearances short of his country’s record caps-holder, Hong Myung-Bo. One player who will set a new national benchmark before the tournament’s conclusion is Mark Schwarzer. The Australia keeper picked up his 87th cap against Uzbekistan yesterday, equalling the record of Alex Tobin, who played alongside Schwarzer on the latter’s debut 17 years ago. The 38-year-old is now set surpass his former team-mate by lining up between the sticks when the Socceroos square up to Japan in Saturday’s final.
22

different nationalities, a new Premier League record, were represented on the field during Blackburn Rovers’ 2-0 win over West Bromwich Albion on Sunday. England contributed three players, France, Scotland and Sweden two apiece, while Austria, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, Congo, Congo DR, Croatia, Czech Republic, Grenada, Nigeria, Northern Ireland, Norway, Paraguay, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, USA and Wales all boasted a solitary ambassador. Elsewhere in England, Dimitar Berbatov became just the third player - after Alan Shearer (twice) and Ruud van Nistelrooy - to score three hat-tricks in a single Premier League season. It was also a weekend to remember for Darren Bent, whose £24 million move to Aston Villa last Tuesday took his tally of transfer fees to £53 million. The Villa new boy scored the winning goal on his debut against Manchester City on Saturday - with his very first shot.
14

consecutive La Liga victories was the club record streak equalled by Barcelona on Saturday. The Catalans, whose record 28-match unbeaten run in all competitions had come to an end against Real Betis in the Copa del Rey three days earlier, got back to winning ways with a comprehensive 3-0 defeat of Racing Santander. The victory included yet another personal milestone for Lionel Messi, who scored his 107th La Liga goal to become Barcelona’s joint-third all-time leading scorer in Spain’s top flight, moving level with Samuel Eto’o and edging closer to Ladislao Kubala (131) and César Rodríguez (195). Pedro also continued his fine scoring form, cementing his status as Barcelona’s leading marksmen in 2011 with his seventh goal from his last five league appearances.
2

players helped themselves to hat-tricks as Adelaide United set a clutch a host of new A-League records with an 8-1 victory over North Queensland Fury on Friday. Marcos Flores and Sergio van Dijk both claimed trebles, the first team-mates to do so in an individual A-League match, as the Aussie title hopefuls registered the biggest margin of victory in the division’s history. The Reds also became the first A-League side to score more than six goals in a single game, with Iain Ramsay and captain Travis Dodd also on target in a win that reduced the gap on leaders Brisbane Roar – unbeaten since 12 September – to just four points.

Blatter makes Russia visit

Blatter makes Russia visit


FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter has made his first visit to Russia since the country was named as hosts of the 2018 FIFA World Cup™ on 2 December 2010. Blatter was accompanied on his three-day stay in St. Petersburg by Angel Maria Villar-Llona and Senes Erzik, who are FIFA and UEFA vice-presidents as well as members of FIFA’s Executive Committee.

During an official ceremony on Sunday 23 January in St. Petersburg which was attended by many media representatives, Blatter, together with Vitaly Mutko, Russia’s Minister of Sport, Tourism and Youth Policy and Sergei Fursenko, the President of the Football Union of Russia, signed the Declaration of Appointment, formally confirming the status of Russia as the hosts of the 2018 FIFA World Cup™ and the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup. Alexei Sorokin, CEO of Russia’s 2018 Bid Committee, acted as Master of Ceremonies.

During the ceremony, the FIFA President said: “Football is more than kicking a ball. Football has a unique socio-cultural dimension worldwide. Football connects people. Football has no borders. FIFA’s decision to award the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups™ to countries and regions which never had the chance to host FIFA’s flagship event so far goes exactly along with this philosophy. I am sure there will be a great cooperation between FIFA and Russia.”

Mutko responded in agreement: “Today’s ceremony marks the kick-off of our preparation work towards the organisation of the 2018 FIFA World Cup™. We did tremendous work during the bidding process because we wanted to host this great event so much. Therefore, we are very pleased and thankful that FIFA elected Russia. We will do our best to host the greatest-ever FIFA World Cup. We’re looking forward to welcoming people from around the world in our country.”

On the eve of the ceremony, the FIFA President met with Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who thanked FIFA on behalf of all football and sports fans of Russia. "We share the same vision as FIFA that football plays a big role in society,” said Mr. Putin. “We are hopeful that the FIFA World Cup will be very positive for our country. We will build not only stadiums but also a large transportation network. When it comes to the organisation of the event, we look forward to receiving the support of the FIFA experts.”

The FIFA President also held individual meetings with top representatives from the Football Associations of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lithuania, Moldova, Tajikistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan during the 19th CIS and Baltic Cup – a competition involving the club champions of Russia, the CIS and the Baltic region which he has attended every edition since its inception.

“As the world governing body of football, FIFA has a mission to develop football internationally. To achieve this, it is crucial to establish and maintain a permanent dialogue with the member associations of FIFA. I feel committed and privileged to assume this responsibility,” commented the FIFA President, who also kicked-off a Russia FA-organised workshop about football development entitled: “Take the road of football” which gathered numerous associations, clubs and other football representatives from the region.

The FIFA delegation also attended the final of the 16-team tournament, which this year was contested by FK Inter Baku (Azerbaijan) and Shakhter Soligorsk (Belarus). After a 0-0 draw FK Inter Baku won a penalty shootout 6-5 to lift the trophy, with the FIFA President participating in the awards ceremony.

Real backing for Benzema

Real backing for Benzema


Real Madrid director general Jorge Valdano hopes under-pressure striker Karim Benzema will turn out to be another Gonzalo Higuain, who overcame his own slow start with the Spanish giants to become a big hit at the Bernabeu.

Benzema has struggled to impress since his big-money move from Lyon in 2009 and his match-winning strike in last night's 1-0 win over Real Mallorca was only his second league goal of the season. Benzema has found himself in the spotlight after the loss of Higuain with a serious back injury left the 23-year-old Frenchman as the only senior centre-forward available to Jose Mourinho, but Valdano is hoping for better times ahead.

"Goals are essential to strikers. A striker needs confidence and it comes with goals," Valdano told Madrid's website. "He (Benzema) had a good game and scored a goal that allowed us to take three points."
Goals are essential to strikers. A striker needs confidence and it comes with goals.
Real Madrid director general Jorge Valdano

Higuain found himself under the microscope after failing to score in his first nine appearances for Madrid following his move from River Plate four years ago. He did not have such a successful second season either until a purple patch at the end of the campaign when he scored eight goals in 11 games. Since then Higuain has netted 49 league goals in two seasons to finish as Madrid's leading scorer on both occasions, while he had struck ten times in 18 competitive games this season before being sidelined by his back problem.

Valdano added: "In the past, it was players like Higuain who had to resolve similar situations as they were heavily scrutinised, and Higuain has turned out to be a great striker for Real Madrid. We hope the same happens to Benzema."

Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas, meanwhile, wants Benzema to be left to develop in peace. Spain's 2010 FIFA World Cup™-winning captain said: "We should all just talk about football. Benzema is another player in the squad and he scored a nice goal.

"It will do him a lot of good. He should be left alone to do his job. A lot has been asked of him since he arrived, he is very young and we need to take things bit by bit."

Ballack: Dortmund are too good

Ballack: Dortmund are too good
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According to Germany captain Michael Ballack, the race for the Bundesliga title is already over as Borussia Dortmund show little sign of loosening their stranglehold on the German league.

"Top place is gone for everyone else, Dortmund are too far ahead," sighed Ballack, who made his comeback on Sunday following a four-month lay-off from a broken leg.

His Leverkusen team are second in the German league, but 11 points behind the leaders and Ballack could only watch from the bench as Dortmund demolished his team 3-1 at home ten days ago. Although the leaders were held 1-1 at home by strugglers Stuttgart on Saturday, Dortmund are on course for their first league title since 2002.

Having hand-picked his team since his arrival in 2008, coach Jurgen Klopp has nurtured several of his young stars up to the national team. Mats Hummels and Kevin Grosskreutz made their debuts for Germany just before the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, while Marcel Schmelzer and teenager Mario Goetze wore the Germany shirt for the first time last November.

"Dortmund have a young, success-hungry team with a good team spirit," enthused Germany coach Joachim Low, who picked the quartet for the goalless draw with Sweden last November. "Above all others, the way the Dortmund team plays has really impressed me. After their win in Leverkusen, they have the best chance of winning the German title."

As Bayern Munich announced their return to the title race with a 5-1 win at home to Kaiserslautern on Saturday, Klopp knows the Bavarian giants will not give up their title as German champions without a fight. "If Bayern had our lead, it would probably all be over," said Klopp, whose team face Bayern in Munich on February 26. Nevertheless, we know that a lot can still happen and we have to just stay on our path."

Impressive record
The facts speak for themselves. Dortmund have 15 wins from 19 matches, a goal difference of 31 and have only conceded 12 goals all season. They have been beaten just twice: a 2-0 defeat at home to Leverkusen on the opening day of the season and a shock 1-0 slump at Eintracht Frankfurt in December.

Schmelzer, Goetze, the son of a professor at Dortmund's Technical University, and Turkey midfielder Nuri Sahin all came up from the youth team. Neven Subotic, the towering centre half, came with Klopp from Mainz, while Grosskreutz, the fleet-footed winger, was found playing for Rot-Weiss Ahlen in the second division.

The joint top-scorers, Japan midfielder Shinji Kagawa and Paraguay striker Lucas Barrios have bagged sixteen goals between them and were plucked from Asia and South America respectively. Hummels, who has been ear-marked as a Germany star of the future, was signed from Bayern Munich in July 2009 for €4.2m, Klopp's most expensive purchase so far, and has forged a strong partnership alongside Subotic.

Using their considerable pace, Dortmund are more than capable of flooring the Bundesliga's top sides with lightning counter-attacks or creating chances either down the flanks or through the middle. Ballack has been the most prominent voice to question Dortmund's temperament if they are put under pressure, but his side's 3-1 defeat to the leaders settled that debate.

Likewise, Bayern were beaten 2-0 in Dortmund when the sides met in October and Munich are now 14 points behind the leaders. Klopp, who was overlooked for Jurgen Klinsmann in 2008 as Bayern coach, has an easy media-friendly persona and showed his talent for comedy in a spoof interview last November.

In the interview for main German broadcaster ZDF, Klopp fielded questions as though his side were bottom of the league, not four points clear at the top of the table and fresh from hammering Hanover 4-0 at home. "I don't know if I am the right man for the job," he sighed, tongue-planted firmly in cheek.

Park poised for 100th cap

Park poised for 100th cap


One of Asia's greatest players will add another accolade to his already impressive CV tomorrow when he wins his 100th cap for Korea Republic in their AFC Asian Cup semi-final against arch-rivals Japan.

Manchester United's Park Ji-Sung, who rose to prominence under Dutch coach Guus Hiddink at the 2002 FIFA World Cup™, said it meant all the more to achieve the feat at a top international event. "Obviously it will be a great honour to play my 100th game for the national team in a major tournament like the Asian Cup," said the 29-year-old.

Park, his country's most iconic sportsman, joins seven other South Koreans to have reached the landmark, but still has some way to go to better all-time leader Hong Myung-Bo, who played 136 times before retiring in 2002. Should he continue playing, his next target will be Hwang Sun-Hong, who won 103 caps.

However, Park's international future is unclear. Before the Asian Cup, he strongly hinted that he would retire at the end of the tournament to focus on prolonging his United career.
Obviously it will be a great honour to play my 100th game for the national team in a major tournament like the Asian Cup.
Park Ji-Sung

His father told Korean media it would be his last major event, and on his arrival in Doha, Park told reporters: "It will be a very special Asian Cup for me. I do not have much time left in the international game. This makes me want to win the Asian Cup more than ever before."

However, Park is so influential that Korea Republic coach Cho Kwang-Rae has been desperately trying to convince his captain to stay and help him build his current young, and very impressive, team into world beaters. Cho wants the hard-working Park to continue until the FIFA World Cup in Brazil. When quizzed by media last week, all Park had to say was: "At the moment I can't say anything. I will talk after the Asian Cup."

If he decides to quit, it will be be a huge loss not just for Korea Republic, but football on the continent in general. Park has been the most recognisable face of Asian soccer for years, ever since bursting onto the scene at the 2002 FIFA World Cup on home soil when South Korea upset the odds to make the semi-finals.

Born in Seoul, he began his career playing for Myongji University before moving to Japan with Kyoto Purple Sanga, helping them win the Emperor's Cup. He made his international debut in 2000 and when Hiddink moved back to the Netherlands after the 2002 FIFA World Cup success, Park followed him a year later.

He made 63 appearances for PSV, scoring 13 goals, and when they reached the semi-finals of the 2004/05 UEFA Champions League his talents were recognised by astute Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson, who signed him in July 2005. Noted for his exceptional fitness levels, discipline, and work ethic, Park quickly established himself in the team, becoming firm friends with Carlos Tevez and Patrice Evra.

Since then he has helped United win three consecutive Premier League titles and became the first Asian to play in a Champions League final, only to see his side lose to Barcelona in 2009. It followed his crushing disappointment the year before when Ferguson omitted him from the side that faced Chelsea in their Champions League decider despite having played every minute of the quarter and semi-finals.

He failed to even make the bench, but dealt with the setback well. Ferguson later said the decision to leave him out was one of the hardest of his long managerial career. Park has played at three FIFA World Cups, scoring in each tournament, with his 100th cap on Tuesday cementing his reputation of one of the greatest Asian players of all time.

Wenger: Van Persie vital for Gunners

Wenger: Van Persie vital for Gunners


Arsene Wenger believes a revitalised Robin van Persie can help fire Arsenal's Premier League title challenge after watching the Dutchman net his first hat-trick as ten-man Wigan Athletic were beaten 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium.

The 27-year-old took his tally to six in the last three games with a treble against the below-par Latics - and that after blasting a penalty high into the stands following Gary Caldwell's red card for pulling back Cesc Fabregas.

Van Persie has a history of promising campaigns interrupted by injury, last season undergoing ankle surgery to be fit in time for the FIFA World Cup™.

The Netherlands forward had another frustrating spell on the sidelines from the end of August until the start of November after picking up a further ankle problem, but has looked sharp on his return.

Wenger hopes a fresh Van Persie - kept on the bench before coming on to score in the FA Cup third-round replay at Leeds United - can give the Gunners the edge as they challenge for both domestic and European honours.
Robin is now a completely sharp and fit - and strong. He looks strong mentally.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger on Robin van Persie

"Robin is an important player in our squad. He can finish, provide and the understanding with our offensive players is very good so of course, he will be very important," Wenger said. "Some players have played many games, but Van Persie has been out for a long time. Him and Fabregas had a long breather and we hope he can benefit from that."

Wenger feels Van Persie will have grown in character from an enforced spell on the sidelines. "What he has gone through has been difficult," the Arsenal manager said. "A player who is injured is fragile. He feels useless and is without his job. He is without his happiness.

"On the other hand, it has made him a lot stronger mentally because he had to fight against disappointments. This is what makes you strong in life. Robin is now a completely sharp and fit - and strong. He looks strong mentally."

Wenger feels the way his side continued to press Wigan, despite missing chance after chance as Latics goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi made a string of fine saves, shows they have grown in maturity.

"We are in a job when if you do not take your chances, you will pay for it," said Wenger, who will again rotate his side when they look to overturn a 1-0 deficit in the second-leg of their Carling Cup semi-final against Ipswich Town at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night.

"You will feel a bit guilty and what is important is that you don't have your mind on the chance that you missed, that you keep your focus on the way we want to win football," he said. "Some players carry that with them and think 'I should have scored here' and then you lose your game. On that front, I feel we have matured. We came out and wanted to play."

Wenger: Van Persie vital for Gunners


Arsene Wenger believes a revitalised Robin van Persie can help fire Arsenal's Premier League title challenge after watching the Dutchman net his first hat-trick as ten-man Wigan Athletic were beaten 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium.

The 27-year-old took his tally to six in the last three games with a treble against the below-par Latics - and that after blasting a penalty high into the stands following Gary Caldwell's red card for pulling back Cesc Fabregas.

Van Persie has a history of promising campaigns interrupted by injury, last season undergoing ankle surgery to be fit in time for the FIFA World Cup™.

The Netherlands forward had another frustrating spell on the sidelines from the end of August until the start of November after picking up a further ankle problem, but has looked sharp on his return.

Wenger hopes a fresh Van Persie - kept on the bench before coming on to score in the FA Cup third-round replay at Leeds United - can give the Gunners the edge as they challenge for both domestic and European honours.
Robin is now a completely sharp and fit - and strong. He looks strong mentally.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger on Robin van Persie

"Robin is an important player in our squad. He can finish, provide and the understanding with our offensive players is very good so of course, he will be very important," Wenger said. "Some players have played many games, but Van Persie has been out for a long time. Him and Fabregas had a long breather and we hope he can benefit from that."

Wenger feels Van Persie will have grown in character from an enforced spell on the sidelines. "What he has gone through has been difficult," the Arsenal manager said. "A player who is injured is fragile. He feels useless and is without his job. He is without his happiness.

"On the other hand, it has made him a lot stronger mentally because he had to fight against disappointments. This is what makes you strong in life. Robin is now a completely sharp and fit - and strong. He looks strong mentally."

Wenger feels the way his side continued to press Wigan, despite missing chance after chance as Latics goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi made a string of fine saves, shows they have grown in maturity.

"We are in a job when if you do not take your chances, you will pay for it," said Wenger, who will again rotate his side when they look to overturn a 1-0 deficit in the second-leg of their Carling Cup semi-final against Ipswich Town at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night.

"You will feel a bit guilty and what is important is that you don't have your mind on the chance that you missed, that you keep your focus on the way we want to win football," he said. "Some players carry that with them and think 'I should have scored here' and then you lose your game. On that front, I feel we have matured. We came out and wanted to play."

Pique: Guardiola makes us better players

Pique: Guardiola makes us better players


For a couple of years now, no discussion of the finest central defenders currently playing will have failed to include the name Gerard Pique. A product of Barcelona’s famed youth system, the classy centre-half returned to his boyhood club in May 2008 at Pep Guardiola’s behest after a spell with Premier League giants Manchester United.

Having since established himself as a key figure for Barça and subsequently the Spain side which strode to glory at the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, Pique has also earned inclusion in the FIFA/FIFPro World XI line-up for 2009 and 2010. At the FIFA Ballon d’Or Gala in Zurich on 10 January this year to collect his award, the man nicknamed ‘Piquenbauer’ spoke to FIFA.com about his phenomenal 2010, life at Barça, social networking and his interests outside of the beautiful game.

FIFA.com: How did you feel after being voted into the 2010 FIFA/FIFPro World XI?
Gerard Pique: Very happy. I know that everything happens very quickly in football, and for that reason I’m very aware of how fortunate I am and want to enjoy every minute. What’s more, the fact that it was my fellow players that voted for me is a real sign of recognition.

Including you, there are six Barça players in that World XI, five of whom are products of the club’s youth system.
The fact that five of those players came from La Masia is very important, because it means that those people who put their faith in home-grown players are now reaping the rewards. Besides which, Barcelona didn’t have to pay anything to sign them and they’re now among the best players in the world. That means a lot to the club and to the fans too, who can relate to these players because they’re home-grown.

In your opinion, what is La Masia’s secret formula?
More than anything, the footballing standards they set there, which put the emphasis on looking after the ball, never risking it, never giving it away, always choosing the right pass and perfect control. And on a personal level, it teaches you that football isn’t the be all and end all, that you also have to be honest, hard-working and a good friend off the pitch.

Do you think that having so many youth-team players in the first-team squad has been key to the club’s recent success?
Definitely, because we know each other inside-out. The fact there’s such a good atmosphere in the dressing room is a direct result of that. And in football terms, our results speak for themselves.
The World Cup Final with Spain, without a doubt. The whole country came together as one, which is quite a feat, but football has the power to do that.
Gerard Pique on his highlight of 2010

You made the unusual step of leaving Barcelona only to return later in your career. Why do you think things didn’t go as well for you at Manchester United as they are now at Barça?
I was just 17 when I joined United. I came on a lot there, by training in the first-team squad with players like Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand. I think I was too young , and barring my path were two of the best centre-backs in the world in Rio and Nemanja Vidic, who Sir Alex Ferguson rated more highly. But it was a very good experience, I still get on well with the coach and my former colleagues and I think it was a very useful period.

You then rejoined Barcelona, at Pep Guardiola’s behest. What makes him such a special coach?
The fact that he makes you understand the game. He doesn’t just give you orders, he also explains why. That makes you a better footballer because you learn the reasoning behind his instructions. That gives everything meaning.

Guardiola has also brought in new methods, such as ending the practice of players having to spend the nights before games in a hotel.
He has a different way of thinking and he’s always been consistent, in good times and bad. I love the fact that even when the team’s not winning and he receives criticism, he sticks to his guns. He’s a coach who doesn’t let what’s going on around him get to him, and he’s got a lot of self-belief.

What can you tell us about Guardiola’s tactical nous?
He’s got a lot of tactical variations up his sleeve. But however we line up, we always stick to Barça’s footballing philosophy, which revolves around keeping possession and using the ball well. Using that as a basis, we can shift things around quite a lot, setting our stall out with three or four at the back or varying the midfield line-up, because every one of us knows what he has to do. That gives us an edge.

There’s no doubt that 2010 was an unforgettable year in your career. Which was your personal highlight?
The World Cup Final with Spain, without a doubt. The whole country came together as one, which is quite a feat, but football has the power to do that and we were the ones who pulled it off. And it’s not just that, it’s also the things we experienced over there: being in South Africa for a whole month, meeting so many people and getting to know team-mates who you may not have known before but who’ve ended up becoming close friends.

Having won virtually every honour in the game by the age of 23, how do you stay motivated?
By simply remembering the moments after you’ve won something and how happy that made you feel. You try to always keep those moments fresh in your mind so you can repeat them. Winning is a lovely feeling and you miss it when you lose. That’s what motivates you.

After victory at South Africa 2010, Spain’s performances have been somewhat hit-and-miss. Why do you think this is?
Listen, in qualifying matches for EURO 2012 we’ve played really well and won all our games. The defeats came in Argentina and Portugal, against two great national sides. I think if there was ever a time to allow ourselves the luxury of losing, it’s now, since we’re world champions and they were both friendlies. That said, 4-1 and 4-0 aren’t acceptable results for us, and we’re going to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

You’re one of the most active Spain internationals when it comes to Twitter. How important are social networking services to the career of 21st century footballers?
It’s a good tool for staying in touch with your followers. I think it’s positive for them to know a bit more about you and for them to realise there’s more to you than your job as a footballer.

Staying on that topic, can you clear up a doubt we had? What does “moc, moc” mean?
(Laughs) Ah, that doesn’t really mean anything. (Laughs again) It’s an expression that me and my friends [Carles] Puyol and Cesc [Fabregas] use on Twitter which means “I’m thinking about you”. It’s also because Cesc lives over in London and sometimes it feels like he’s very far away. It’s a way of bringing us all closer and keeping in touch.

What are you like away from football?
I like to spend plenty of time with my childhood friends, the ones I’ve known all my life and the ones with whom I can be myself. Apart from that I like to go to the cinema, read, use the computer. It’s not very different from what other young people do nowadays.

Can you see yourself leaving Barcelona again one day?
It’s my home and where I’ve always dreamed of playing. They’re one of the best, if not the best, teams in the world and I’ve got some enormously talented team-mates. I’m not planning on ever leaving.

As part of the Azulgrana backline, is it easy to switch off given your team-mates often have so much of the ball?
Because we have so much of the ball, that can often be tricky. You can even find yourself shocked by the extent we end up dominating games. The problem is that other teams can then catch you unawares on the counter-attack, so you must never let your concentration waver.

Finally, can you tell us who was your idol when you were growing up and who do you look up to in the modern game?
I remember I used to watch Real Madrid’s Fernando Hierro, who I admired despite the fact he played for our eternal rivals. And at the moment there are several players I look up to, Ferdinand and Vidic being two examples, as well as Carles Puyol, who is a great friend and an example to follow.

Pienaar seals Spurs switch

Pienaar seals Spurs switch


South Africa midfielder Steven Pienaar completed his £3million (4.1 million USD) transfer to Tottenham from Everton on Tuesday.

Pienaar used micro-blogging website Twitter to reveal that he would join Tottenham after Everton accepted an improved offer from Harry Redknapp's side and the deal was concluded just hours later.

The 28-year-old passed a medical at Tottenham's training ground before signing a four-and-ahalf-year contract. "We are delighted to announce that we have reached agreement with Everton and Steven Pienaar for the player's transfer to the Club," a statement on Tottenham's website confirmed.

Redknapp on Sunday admitted he feared interest from Chelsea would ruin his chances of signing the former Borussia Dortmund star. Chelsea had a £3million pounds bid accepted over the weekend, but Pienaar preferred to join Spurs.
To end speculation I am going to Spurs.
Steven Pienaar

He is Redknapp's second January signing, with Pienaar's international team-mate Bongani Khumalo having already penned a pre-contract agreement. Confirming his destination on his Twitter account, Pienaar said: "To end speculation I am going to Spurs. I've had brilliant years at Everton and it will always be a special place in my heart. I can also confirm I'll be jersey number 40."

Everton decided to sell Pienaar now rather than lose him on a free transfer when his contract expired at the end of the season.

Pienaar joined Everton on loan from Borussia Dortmund in 2007 and the move was made permanent the following year. He became one of the club's most influential figures and was named Player of the Year after an outstanding 2009-10 season.

Emad Mohammed keeps aiming high

Emad Mohammed keeps aiming high


No one could accuse Iraqi forward Emad Mohammed of resting on his laurels. Currently part of his country’s bid for glory at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011, a competition they won in shock fashion back in 2007, the 28-year-old front-runner still dreams of playing and scoring at a FIFA World Cup™ final tournament.

“I started out at (Iraqi side) Karbala and came up through the youth ranks before joining Al Zawraa, where I made my first-team debut back in 1998/99. Things went well for me there: I went from the youth team to the reserves before breaking into the first team,” he recalled in an exclusive interview with FIFA.com from Iraq’s Asian Cup base in Doha.

Next stop for Mohammed, at the tender age of 19, was a move to Qatari heavyweights Al Gharrafa, where he enjoyed two successful seasons before a short spell at fellow Qatar outfit Al Wakra. “I’ve only positive memories of my time here,” said the experienced international.

“The highlights included winning the championship and the Qatar Cup with Al Gharrafa. I won a top scorers’ award and we even reached the final of the Crown Prince Cup. I also played for Al Wakra and reached another cup final with them. As far as results are concerned, I had no complaints.”
My greatest ambition is still to qualify for the World Cup. I’m really determined to score at the very highest level.
Iraq's Emad Mohammed

His stint with Al Wakra was followed by another change of scenery, this time to Iran, where Mohammed shone in the colours of first Foolad and then Sepahan. “I gained a lot of experience playing in the Iranian league and learnt a lot there,” said Mohammed, now back in Iran with Shahin Bushehr after an ill-fated summer 2010 switch to Egyptian giants Zamalek.

“(The Iranian league) is a high-quality competition which suits strong and quick players. That’s why I’ve adapted well, because I’m both quick and solidly built. Over four years I’ve scored 70 goals and won a top scorers’ award, which is no mean feat. And now I’ve been in the national team for ten years, I’m hoping to keep going onwards and upwards with Iraq.”

Indeed, it was just over ten years ago in 2000 that the striker’s brace in Iraq’s AFC U-19 Championship final victory over Japan boosted his profile on the Asian football scene. Having thus qualified for the following year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup in Argentina, Mohammed and Co opened their group campaign with a 3-0 win over Canada only to fall at the first hurdle after defeats to Brazil and Germany.

“I’ve got very good memories of that period. I earned star status and a place in the national side after my performances at youth level,” said the front-man. “We then went on to play at the U-20 World Cup and I was even part of the Iraqi Olympic squad at Athens in 2004. I remember scoring a very nice goal and helping us reach the semi-finals,” adds Mohammed, referring to his strike in the 1-0 quarter-final win over Australia.

So, how much of an impact did the FIFA U-20 World Cup, the next edition of which is set to be played in Colombia from 29 July to 20 August this year, have on his career? “It’s a special competition because it brings together teams from several different continents. That was a great moment for us.

"We came up against some of the best players in the world there and who, in certain cases, were already very experienced. Kaka and Adriano were in the Brazil side and Germany also had a lot of excellent players. It was an exceptional experience from which we learned a great deal. Every player wants to take part in World Cups and I’d love to reach another one someday.”

Quick off the mark
Not only can Mohammed boast experience of the FIFA U-20 World Cup, the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament and the FIFA Confederations Cup, but he has also written his name into the record books at the FIFA Club World Cup. While playing for Sepahan at Japan 2007, the goal-getter struck the fastest goal in the competition’s history when finding the net after just three minutes of a 3-1 win over New Zealand’s Waitakere United.

“That was great. Everybody wants to be involved in the Club World Cup and I left my mark on that tournament by scoring the fastest goal,” he said. “It’s wonderful to have played and scored at these major international competitions. These are the memories which will live longest in my mind. I hope to be able to savour other similar moments before finishing my career, and what better way to bid farewell to the Iraqi fans than by taking part at the World Cup?”

If Mohammed has one regret from his time on the international stage, it is missing out on Iraq’s triumph at the Asian Cup 2007. “I was in the side during the qualifying phase, but I was having a few problems with the Iraqi FA at the time, which is why I wasn’t involved in the finals, despite being one of the first-choice players.

“Even so, it was still fantastic to see the team win a continental title. The players really rose to the occasion. I’m hoping to help Iraq defend their crown here in Doha,” continued Mohammed, who scored in his side’s 2-1 opening Group D defeat to Iran and started the subsequent 1-0 win over UAE at Qatar 2011.

However, even with 19 January’s decisive clash against section rivals Korea DPR looming large, the striker could not help but have one eye on Brazil 2014: “My greatest ambition is still to qualify for the World Cup. I’m really determined to score at the very highest level.”

City, Wolves rampant as Stoke edge through

City, Wolves rampant as Stoke edge through

Manchester City secured an FA Cup fourth round tie against Notts County with a 4-2 victory over Sven Goran Eriksson's Leicester at Eastlands on Tuesday. Carlos Tevez gave the hosts the lead in the third-round replay only for Paul Gallagher's penalty to bring Eriksson's Championship team level.

Eriksson spent a season at City before being sacked in 2008 and coached City's current boss Roberto Mancini at Italian club Sampdoria. But he had to play second fiddle this time out as David Silva laid on goals for Patrick Vieira and Adam Johnson in little over a minute before half time.

Tevez had a penalty saved after the break, the second time he has missed from the spot in 2011, and Lloyd Dyer scored a second for Leicester with seven minutes left. City, who had to withstand a late comeback in their 4-3 win over Wolves at the weekend, added a fourth through Aleksander Kolarov in the final minute.

Mancini was unhappy with his defence and said: "We must improve. We have conceded a lot of goals in the last three games, so we must be sure to work hard."
They have some better players than us, but I think we need to be proud.
Eriksson on his team's showing

Eriksson added: "We were in the game for 90 minutes at home, and 87 here, and that's good. They have some better players than us, but I think we need to be proud. We have shown in these two games we can play good football and stand up to physically strong teams."

Leicester almost took the lead early on when Andy King's shot was deflected on to the roof of the net from a Steve Howard knock-down. But City could have pulled ahead themselves when Tevez sent Johnson clean through only for the England winger to stumble in front of goalkeeper Chris Weale.

Leicester continued to press, with Gallagher's cross being flicked on by King and almost turned into his own net by Joleon Lescott. But with a quarter of an hour gone, City took the lead with another fine effort by Tevez. He received a throw from fellow Argentinian Pablo Zabaleta and beat challenges from Yuki Abe and Jack Hobbs before hitting a drive into the top corner for his 15th of the season and fourth in three games.

Leicester hit back immediately, when the impressive Dyer went down in the area under a challenge from Vieira. Former Blackburn winger Gallagher thumped the resulting penalty past Joe Hart to wipe out City's lead after just four minutes. Dyer almost added a second when he broke from halfway and had a shot deflected narrowly wide by Lescott.

But City re-took the lead eight minutes before half time when Silva's cross was blocked on the line by Souleymane Bamba and turned in by Vieira. They scored a third a minute later when Silva sent Johnson through and the winger guided a shot past the onrushing Weale and into the net.

Dyer and Franck Moussa both missed with efforts before the break as Leicester searched for a way back. City looked like they would add more goals on the break, with Yaya Toure sending Johnson into space, and Tevez eventually shooting over the bar from James Milner's pass.

Late drama
The hosts were given the chance to increase their lead further when Kolarov played through for Tevez and the striker was tripped in the area by Hobbs. But Tevez saw his penalty saved by Weale and Leicester cleared the danger. Weale was also at full stretch to deny Johnson after he was played in behind the Leicester defence by Kolarov.

When Dyer went down under another challenge from Vieira in the area, the two had to be separated after an ugly shoving match. Dyer then set up a tense finale when he produced a fine finish from Abe's through-ball to halve the deficit with seven minutes left. But after a quick break through Tevez, Kolarov drilled a low shot into the corner to score a fourth for the home team.

Elsewhere, Wolves sailed through after recording a resounding 5-0 triumph over Doncaster at Molineux. Goals from Steven Fletcher, Geoffrey Mujangi Bia, Kevin Doyle, Matt Jarvis and David Jones handed Wolves a fourth-round clash at home to Stoke, who needed extra time and a pair of goals from Jon Walters to best Cardiff 2-0.