What was 2009's best moment? (AA)

What was 2009's best moment?
(FIFA.com) Tuesday 22 December 2009
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What a year it's been for football!

As well as exciting conclusions to national leagues, plus clubs' domestic and continental cup competitions all over the world, 2009 has also witnessed the FIFA Confederations Cup, 32 teams qualify for South Africa (and the Final Draw), plus the FIFA U-20 and U-17 World Cups respectively.

Exciting new talents have emerged, great and important goals have been scored, both on the pitch - and on the sand as Brazil won their fourth FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup crown in a row.

We've also seen Lionel Messi and Marta recently crowned as the year's best male and female players respectively - and the Argentinean was celebrating on Saturday 19 December as Barcelona lifted the FIFA Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi.

These were of course the stories that grabbed all the headlines, but maybe you have your own special memory from 2009. Was it a certain club winning promotion or a title, or perhaps an epic derby victory for your favourite team? Or did your hero score a classic goal that will live long in the memory of all those who saw it? Share your experiences and emotions with your fellow FIFA.com users and give us your answer to the following question:

Tension, drama and surprises; the year had it all in footballing terms. Fans from all four corners of the globe certainly got their money's worth as the beautiful game proved just how beautiful it can really be. So, what we want to know is:

What was your favourite footballing moment of 2009?

Remember that comments should always be in English, respectful of others and made in the spirit of fair play. We look forward to hearing from you.

Volunteers excited for 2010

Volunteers excited for 2010
(LOC) Monday 6 July 2009
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South Africa's 'unsung heroes' came out in their numbers for one last time as volunteers from across South Africa rejoiced at their significant contribution to South Africa and the success of the FIFA Confederations Cup.

Although it was a time to celebrate as volunteers from the four host cities attended 'thank you' lunches over the weekend, next year's 2010 FIFA World Cup™ was definitely on their minds.

With volunteer applications opening on 20 July, the selfless FIFA Confederations Cup volunteers are more than willing to come back for Africa's first FIFA World Cup. With 15,000 volunteers now required, they are encouraging their fellow South Africans to sign up as well.

"The only thing I can say is, please apply, you will have such a great time and will definitely not regret the choice. During my time as a volunteer I gained a lot of experience having to deal with people from different cultures and backgrounds. I have since gained a lot of confidence from this," said Violet Letsoalo who worked as a spectator services volunteer.

For Roshan Bhana, who worked in the accreditation department, being a volunteer is all about serving his country and he hopes other South Africans will put their hands up and become volunteers on 20 July. "Individuals make this country, to serve your country selflessly is the best thing that you can do. I would recommend it to anyone. Being part of the tournament was extraordinary."
When people ask me what will be the difference between this World Cup and the one in Germany I tell them it will be the people.
Dr Danny Jordaan

Tshidiso Ntshabele cannot stress enough how important he feels it is for his fellow South Africans to sign up as volunteers for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

"Africa as a continent proved to the whole world that what we can do and I am very proud of myself for the contribution I have made," said Ntshabele who hopes to be a volunteer again next year.

For the man at the helm of the 2010 FIFA World Cup campaign, Dr Danny Jordaan, the volunteers have shown the world what South Africa, and indeed Africa, is all about.

"It is those that have less that give more and those that have nothing give the most. If you go around the country you will see this spirit of community and this is the essence of what kind of South Africa we want to build from this. This country will be great if more people like you continue to do this, to contribute to the success of the country," said Jordaan who attended both the Johannesburg and the Tshwane/Pretoria volunteer lunches.

For Jordaan it is the volunteers, as the public face of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, that will make the tournament a huge success.

"When people ask me what will be the difference between this World Cup and the one in Germany I tell them it will be the people. In Germany there was a programme to teach the volunteers to smile, I said we do not need that. When we are born, we are born with a smile."

Castrol Index: Lucio's late charge

Castrol Index: Lucio's late charge
(FIFA.com) Monday 29 June 2009
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Lucio's love affair with the FIFA Confederations Cup is fast becoming one of world football's great romances. This was the Brazil centre-half's fourth Festival of Champions - only Dida has played in more - and scoring a dramatic winner to seal lift his first trophy as Selecao captain provided a climax almost too perfect to be true. That, however, wasn't to be the end of Lucio's South Africa 2009 story.

Instead, he today receives an honour that, though far from undeserved, is sure to be unexpected: winner of the FIFA Confederations Cup Castrol Index. This innovative system, which uses the latest technology to objectively analyse and rank player performances, had been dominated by Spain's front two from the first round, with Lucio nowhere to be seen in the top 20 until the final round of group matches.

Even then, he entered at No16, and his subsequent progress was only sufficient to see him climb five places to 11th after the semi-final win over South Africa. So how did he emerge as South Africa 2009's statistical king, seeing off the likes of long-term leader David Villa and adidas Golden Ball winner Kaka?

The answer, according to Castrol Performance Analysts, is that the Brazil captain produced one of the performances of the tournament against USA, one that ranked alongside Giuseppe Rossi's rescuing of Italy against the Americans and Fernando Torres' one-man demolition of New Zealand at the top of the statistical standings. Lucio's ‘score' of 1551 from the final ended up hefty enough to inch him ahead of team-mate Kaka, whose Castrol rating was adversely affected by some lax defensive moments, including his failure to track Landon Donovan's run at USA's second goal.

Dempsey denied as O Fabuloso climbs
Despite earning plus points for some impressive creative play, Kaka actually dropped a place, slipping to third behind the Americans' South Africa 2009 talisman, Clint Dempsey. Outstanding against both Egypt and Spain, the Fulham midfielder was found by Castrol to be USA's second-most effective outfield player in the final behind Landon Donovan, outscoring Kaka and only losing out on top spot due to Lucio's inspirational display.

The Brazil captain earned credit throughout the tournament for his impressive attacking endeavours and saved the best for last, with his bullet header completing a stirring comeback started by the deadly Luis Fabiano. The tournament's top scorer climbed from tenth to fifth on the back of his final heroics and may well have threatened Lucio but for the damaging legacy of a poor showing against USA during the group stage.

With names such as Torres, Maicon, Capdevila and Aboutrika all featuring prominently, the Castrol Index's top 20 offers a statistical representation of South Africa 2009 that, for many, will fit closely with what they witnessed on the pitch. Some, of course, will wonder why their own particular favourite does not feature, and perhaps the most obvious absentee is the tournament's adidas Golden Glove winner, Tim Howard.

The USA keeper made 33 saves during the tournament, almost twice as many as his nearest rival, but he also conceded more goals than any other keeper and his overall score paid the price for a disappointing opening showing against Italy. Castrol ranked Howard as South Africa 2009's second-best keeper, behind Mohamed Kassid, the Iraq No1 whose outstanding displays ensured the Asian champions conceded just one goal during their three matches.

Have Your Say
Castrol have named their top player. But who is yours? Just click ‘Add your comment' to share your views with the world.

Colombians crowned, leaders topple

Colombians crowned, leaders topple
(FIFA.com) Monday 29 June 2009
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On a weekend dominated by an incident-packed finale to the FIFA Confederations Cup 2009, there was also plenty of domestic action to enjoy around the globe. In Colombia, fans of Once Caldas celebrated winning the Apertura title, while there was less to savour for the leaders in Brazil, United States and Paraguay, who all failed to pick up three points. This was in contrast to the Japanese top tier, where leaders Kashima Antlers are looking ever more assured. FIFA.com brings you the pick of what went on in Planet Football.

Brasileirao: Leaders lose out
A hat-trick from Ecuador's Luis Bolanos helped Porto Alegre outfit Internacional back onto the victory trail with a 3-0 home win over Coritiba. The three points took them level with leaders Atletico MG, who remain ahead only on goal difference after their defeat against Barueri. Vitoria eased to a 4-1 win over Santo Andre to move into third spot, while the matchday's Paulista derby between Palmeiras and Santos ended 1-1.

Big game: Competition revelations Barueri continued their fine start with an impressive 4-2 victory over high-flying Atletico MG. Having thrown away a two-goal lead in the space of just four minutes, Barueri showed great character to fire two late goals and clinch the win.
Headline-grabber: Though there was atmosphere aplenty for the Flamengo-Fluminense derby, with the duel between former Brazil front-men Adriano and Fred adding extra spice, goals and good football were both in lacking in a 0-0 stalemate. Making his farewell appearance for Flu was Thiago Nieves, who leaves the Carioca club for a Middle-Eastern adventure.

American Major League Soccer: Swings and roundabouts
Toronto FC wasted a great opportunity to move top of the Eastern Conference when falling to a 3-0 defeat at Real Salt Lake, a situation which reigning champions Columbus Crew took full advantage of. Crew, who beat New York Red Bulls in last year's MLS final, defeated the Red Bulls 1-0 to move into second spot in the East, behind DC United but ahead of Toronto on goal difference.

Big game: Los Angeles Galaxy bounced back from two consecutive defeats to beat Western Conference leaders Houston Dynamo 1-0 and breathe life into their hopes of reaching the MLS Cup. Todd Dunivant scored the only goal of the game.
Headline-grabber: Seattle Sounders ended Colorado Rapids eight-game unbeaten run with a 3-0 home win to keep them in third place in the West and just three points behind Dynamo.

Japanese J-League: Antlers in cruise control
Kashima Antlers continued their steady drive towards the title when picking up their sixth successive win away to bottom side Oita Trinita. Though closest pursuers Albirex Niigata and Urawa Red Diamonds also won, Antlers' 2-1 success keeps them seven points clear at the top.

Big game: An 89-minute goal from Chong Tese, his seventh of the season, earned Kawasaki Frontale a 1-0 win at Montedio Yamagata and keeps them in fourth spot, eight points behind Antlers.
Headline-grabber: Gamba Osaka battled back from a run of three league games without scoring and their dramatic midweek elimination from the AFC Champions League with a hard-fought 2-1 win at Yokohama F Marinos. The three points takes them into fifth place.

Ghanaian Premier League: Under pressure
Reigning champions Asante Kotoko eked out a 1-0 win over bottom-placed Saint Mirren and, with four rounds to play, are provisionally just one point behind leaders Hearts of Oak, whose game against All Stars was postponed due to inclement weather. Heart of Lions, for their part, moved within two points of top spot with a 1-0 victory over AshantiGold SC.

Big game: King Faisal Babes dropped two important points when they were held 1-1 at home by Berekum Arsenal, though the visitors' effort was only the third goal the Babes have conceded at their Golden City Park stadium all season.
Headline-grabber: Asante Kotoko forward Alex Asamoah remains atop the scorers' standings after firing the winner against St Mirren: his 14th goal in 24 appearances so far this campaign.

Elsewhere
Once Caldas, winners of the Copa Libertadores in 2004, claimed their third Colombian league crown when completing a 5-2 aggregate win over Junior in the Apertura 2009. Holding a 2-1 lead from the first leg at home, the Manizales outfit won 3-1 in the return in Barranquilla thanks to goals from Alexis Henriquez, Alex Sinisterra and Dayron Perez. Haider Palacio it was who scored for the home side. The team coached by former Colombia coach Javier Alvarez will now take part in the 2010 edition of the Libertadores.

Over in Paraguay, Cerro Porteno were denied the opportunity to clinch the title with a match to spare when going down 3-0 at home against closest challengers Libertad. El Ciclón still have their fate in their hands, however, as they hold a two-point lead over Los Gumarelos going into the final matchday.

And finally to China, where leaders Beijing Guo'an and second-placed Shandong Luneng were held to 1-1 draws by Guangzhou Yiyao and Changsha Ginde respectively. Henan Jianye were the biggest beneficiaries, with their away win over Qingdao Jonoon taking them within two points of top spot.