Mirandinha: Gazza taught me all the swear words! © LOC Pay a visit to the Memorial to Ceara Football at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza, Ceara state – one of the star attractions at the first 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ stadium to be opened – and among the trophies, photos and videos featuring the messages and stories of local ex-players, you will come across the shirt of an English football club. The jersey is a gift from one of the employees at the Castelao, who works from an office on the same floor and who broke off from preparations for this Sunday’s Clássico-rei derby meeting between local giants Ceara and Fortaleza to chat to FIFA.com. The man in question is none other than Mirandinha, who starred for A Seleção on a tour of the UK and subsequently became the first Brazilian to play in English football when he signed for Newcastle United from Palmeiras in 1987. Though the striker returned to his native country two years later, he maintains strong ties with the Magpies. Now a manager at the Arena Castelao, which will stage three games at the upcoming FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013, Mirandinha keeps a close eye on his beloved Newcastle and still goes to watch them whenever he can. Discussing his time in England and more, including the recent influx to the Premier League of Brazilians, whom he believes have an easier time of it than he did, the he gave an exclusive and enlightening interview. FIFA.com: How did your move to England come about? Mirandinha: Newcastle had been watching me for some time. It all started thanks to a Palmeiras fan who was studying in the city on an exchange and staying at the house of a businessman with links to the club. I played for Palmeiras at the time and this Brazilian guy started to speak about me. He showed them magazine and newspaper articles about me and they started to take an interest. I was called up for the national team for the Stanley Rous Cup against England and Scotland, which gave Newcastle the chance to watch me. I played well in both games, scoring in the draw against England and setting up one of the goals in the 2-0 victory over the Scots. When I got back to Brazil, Newcastle made an offer to Palmeiras. I’d been close to joining America of Mexico, and that deal was more or less done. Newcastle insisted though, and they signed me. I go to England whenever I can. I love the club and the city of Newcastle, and I left behind a lot of friends there. They’ve always treated me really well and the fans always give me a very warm welcome. Mirandinha The style of play there was a little different to what you had been used to in Brazil, wasn’t it? It wasn’t the same. Back then most English clubs played a long-ball game. Luckily for me, Newcastle weren’t so ‘English’. They didn’t hit so many high balls, which helped me. They played a kind of game similar to mine, with a lot of pace to it. Though the style of play was totally different to Brazil, I think the biggest problem I had when I arrived was the language, because I couldn’t speak English. Was it hard to learn and did you have any help from the club? The club had an English player who’d lived in Portugal and he interpreted for me when I got there. They did away with the translator in my second season though, and I managed to fend for myself. One person who helped me a lot was Paul Gascoigne – he taught me all the swear words! Unfortunately I’ve lost contact with him and we haven’t spoken for three years, since his health started to worsen. I always try to see him when I go to England though. Do you go back to Newcastle a lot? I go to England whenever I can. I love the club and the city of Newcastle, and I left behind a lot of friends there. They’ve always treated me really well and the fans always give me a very warm welcome. They still call me Mira, just like they did when I was playing. That’s special. When I’m not there I’ll watch the games on TV. I really suffered when Newcastle were relegated, but I was delighted when they went back up to the Premier League and followed it up by having a very good season. I think they can do even better, especially with such loyal supporters, who’ve never turned their back on the team, even when things weren’t going well. There are many more Brazilians playing in England today. Who is the pick of them as far as you are concerned? I like David Luiz of Chelsea a lot. He’s got a lot of quality and he’s one of the best central defenders in the world. Oscar, his team-mate at Chelsea, is doing a great job too despite the fact he doesn’t always start games. He’s definitely got a big future ahead of him. They’re fortunate in that they’re playing a very different and much easier game than the one I came across in my day. There are high-class players from all over the world everywhere you look now and they’re playing on perfect pitches. When I was there I even had to play on artificial pitches, like the one at Luton Town. The culture of English football is completely different today. What does your work at the Arena Castelao involve? I work as a manager for the teams that come and play here, taking care of everything to do with the pitch, the dressing rooms and the delegations. On matchdays I arrive at the stadium at nine in the morning and stay right till the end of the day. I’ve got the master key for the stadium (laughs). I really enjoy the job and being able to play a part in the Castelao project, which is a source of pride for all of us. We know how happy people are with the stadium. I never had the opportunity to participate in the World Cup as a player but I’m going to be taking part in one right here. We’re also looking forward to the FIFA Confederations Cup. Your office is right next to the memorial to Ceara football, a project you were directly involved in. Tell us about your role in it... I took a lot of inspiration from the experience I had at Newcastle, from the way that English clubs treat footballing idols. I think that’s something we can improve on in Brazil, and I hope that grounds like this and the other new stadiums that are being built can change the culture here. I contacted some former players who are big names on the Ceara football scene and recorded their stories for the memorial. It’s very important to protect this heritage. I’ve never been a vain kind of person, but I can honestly say that ex-footballers love being remembered and treated well after their careers are over. The Arena Castelao will stage a test event for the FIFA Confederations Cup this Sunday when Ceara take on local rivals Fortaleza in a derby known here as the Clássico-rei. How would you go about explaining the importance of the fixture to your friends from Newcastle or to visitors to the stadium? I’d say it’s a derby that doesn’t pale in comparison to Corinthians-Palmeiras, Newcastle-Sunderland or Liverpool-Manchester United. It’s the only topic of conversation here in the build-up to the game. People eat, sleep and drink this derby. I had the opportunity to take part in it as a player and a coach, which is far worse I can tell you. When I was playing I knew I could win the game, but when you’re a coach you always have to rely on others. I was lucky enough to be a champion with Fortaleza in both roles, and I strongly identify with the club as a result. Even so, my heart is coral pink, the colour of Ferroviario, the other big team here.

Ferguson: Dortmund are the dark horses re Sir Alex Ferguson believes Borussia Dortmund remain the UEFA Champions League dark horses - even though he thought AC Milan might spring a major surprise by beating Barcelona on Wednesday. Goals from former Portsmouth pair Kevin-Prince Boateng and Sulley Muntari proved enough to beat the overwhelming competition favourites at the San Siro, providing Barcelona with a stiff test if they are to retain an interest in the competition at the Nou Camp in three weeks' time. Bayern Munich have now been installed as favourites for the tournament, although that status is based mainly on the fact they are virtually certain to reach the last eight following their 3-1 win at Arsenal on Tuesday. Only Celtic's conquerors Juventus find themselves in a similarly advantageous position, although Paris St Germain also gained a narrower advantage from their away tie in Valencia. Ferguson, whose side entertain Real Madrid on 5 March having drawn the first leg at the Bernabeu, has watched the remainder of the ties with interest. And whilst he accepts the competition is tight, Dortmund, who, along with Real, ensured Manchester City did not make it through to the knock-out phase for the second season running, remain the side he would most wish to avoid. Their concentration is on the European Cup and their European form has been very good. Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson on Borussia Dortmund "It is a very open tournament," said Ferguson. "I fancied Milan last night. Over the last few years they have played Barcelona quite a few times but they have never been steamrollered. They have always been tight games. "I look at the AC Milan team now and they are all young lads in the team apart from Ambrosini. "Bayern have always had capable and confident teams. Last year they should have won the final and have added to their squad this year with Javi Martinez and Mario Mandzukic up front. They are going to have a chance. "But the dark horse is definitely Dortmund. "I don't think they are paying too much attention to the league. Their concentration is on the European Cup and their European form has been very good. "In addition you have got the two Spanish teams and Milan so it is a really tough competition this year. "But if we qualify against Madrid we will definitely come into the same bracket."

Ferguson: Dortmund are the dark horses Sir Alex Ferguson believes Borussia Dortmund remain the UEFA Champions League dark horses - even though he thought AC Milan might spring a major surprise by beating Barcelona on Wednesday. Goals from former Portsmouth pair Kevin-Prince Boateng and Sulley Muntari proved enough to beat the overwhelming competition favourites at the San Siro, providing Barcelona with a stiff test if they are to retain an interest in the competition at the Nou Camp in three weeks' time. Bayern Munich have now been installed as favourites for the tournament, although that status is based mainly on the fact they are virtually certain to reach the last eight following their 3-1 win at Arsenal on Tuesday. Only Celtic's conquerors Juventus find themselves in a similarly advantageous position, although Paris St Germain also gained a narrower advantage from their away tie in Valencia. Ferguson, whose side entertain Real Madrid on 5 March having drawn the first leg at the Bernabeu, has watched the remainder of the ties with interest. And whilst he accepts the competition is tight, Dortmund, who, along with Real, ensured Manchester City did not make it through to the knock-out phase for the second season running, remain the side he would most wish to avoid. Their concentration is on the European Cup and their European form has been very good. Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson on Borussia Dortmund "It is a very open tournament," said Ferguson. "I fancied Milan last night. Over the last few years they have played Barcelona quite a few times but they have never been steamrollered. They have always been tight games. "I look at the AC Milan team now and they are all young lads in the team apart from Ambrosini. "Bayern have always had capable and confident teams. Last year they should have won the final and have added to their squad this year with Javi Martinez and Mario Mandzukic up front. They are going to have a chance. "But the dark horse is definitely Dortmund. "I don't think they are paying too much attention to the league. Their concentration is on the European Cup and their European form has been very good. "In addition you have got the two Spanish teams and Milan so it is a really tough competition this year. "But if we qualify against Madrid we will definitely come into the same bracket."

Little Guam making giant strides A year can be a long time in football. And rarely has that cliché been more appropriate than in the case of Guam. The remote island nation in the north of the Pacific Ocean is used to welcoming tourists from Japan and USA, but football has rarely been in the spotlight. With very little historical pedigree on the international stage, Guam is suddenly, however, enjoying a massive growth spurt. Guam Football Association (GFA) was founded in 1975, and became a FIFA Member Association only in 1996. Historically forays into international football were rare and invariably painful for Guam. Their maiden participation in FIFA World Cup™ qualifying proved particularly agonising and began with a 19-0 loss against Iran; a then record scoreline for the world’s most enduring international football competition. Hefty defeats were common place, with the focus invariably on damage limitation. However, at the start of last year Guam appointed Gary White, an Englishman boasting a track-record of achievement with some of the globe’s smaller nations. The Southampton-born White started his international voyage with British Virgin Islands as a 24-year-old, preceding none other than current Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas in the role. There followed a lengthy and successful stint at the helm of Bahamas, helping the Caribbean nation to a massive rise in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking. And now White is intent on leaving his mark on another small nation with big ambitions. Shiny infrastructure and rapid change For much of the past century Guam has been governed by the United States, so it is little surprise that American sports have traditionally enjoyed the limelight. That is fast changing and football has recently become the most popular participation sport among the nation’s 200,000 inhabitants. FIFA’s Goal Programme provided financial assistance to help the GFA construct what White describes as a "world class facility". The national training centre houses a full-sized pitch, mini-pitches, and facilities for futsal and beach soccer. There is also an impressive accomodation complex that has hosted J.League and K-League teams. “I arrived last February and I have witnessed massive change,” White told FIFA.com. “In that period and before my time there has been huge growth and that is down to the vision and professionalism of the President Richard Lai, and the entire executive.” “The work people have done here done in recent years is extraordinary. A lot of time and effort has been put in to take the game to another level. Now we are starting to see the results on the pitch.” New horizons and fresh ambitions Guam's results might be relatively small steps but in the context of the nation’s football history they are massive strides. They recently participated in the final qualifying stage of the East Asian Football Federation Championship (EAFF), where their performances provided overwhelming evidence of remarkably rapid growth. In 2009, Guam lost 12-0 against Hong Kong. Fast forward three years to December’s EAFF and the Matao lost by a single goal against the same opponent. “Our players were in tears at the final whistle,” said White indirectly referencing the new-found ambition in the national team. Similarly, a 1-1 draw against Chinese Taipei contrasted markedly with heavy defeats in years gone by. “The first thing I did when I arrived was change the mentality to a more winning mentality and psychologically that has been huge,” White said. “We spend far more time on the tactical side and strategy. And we have a national style of playing in keeping with the modern game.” White has also introduced a form of Guamanian cultural engagement to football across all ages in the island nation. The national side adopted the moniker ‘Matao’, a traditional term that represents courage amongst the indigenous Chamorro population. Teams, both junior and senior, also perform a traditional chant (Inifresi) before each match, and even prior to training sessions. Now Guam again have the opportunity to test themselves against far-bigger and better resourced nations. Next month’s qualifiers for the AFC Challenge Cup pits Guam against India, Chinese Taipei and hosts Myanmar. On offer is passage to next year’s tournament in the Maldives, with the eventual champion to gain a berth among the continental elite at the 2015 AFC Asian Cup. Though the squad is youthful, a number ply their trade overseas including several, unsurprisingly, in the United States. Most notable is midfielder Ryan Guy who competes for Major League Soccer's New England Revolution. “We want to qualify, and we think we can do that,” said White of the looming challenge in Myanmar. “That would be the next step in our progression. We have a ten year plan to progress, and we are going to Myanmar to win it and again that comes back to our new mentality. If we have success, it gives the youngsters role models and something to aspire to.”

Blues edge through, Ajax outed on penalties place this evening in the UEFA Europa League, following six games that wrapped up earlier today. To start, Viktoria Plzen beat Serie A title hopefuls Napoli for the second time in a week to book their place in the last-16 for the first time. Plzen cantered to a 3-0 win in Naples last week and they completed a professional performance over two legs with a 2-0 victory tonight thanks to strikes by Jan Kovarik and Stanislav Tecl. Next up for Plzen is Fenerbahce, for whom Cristian Baroni's first-half penalty was enough see off ten-man BATE Borisov 1-0. With the scores goalless after the first leg, BATE's hopes were hit by the dismissal of Dmitri Baga, while Cristian's spot-kick was enough to see Fener scrape through. Steaua Bucharest dumped Dutch giants Ajax out in a penalty shoot-out to set up a last-16 clash with Chelsea. Ajax had won the first leg 2-0 but Iasmin Latovlevici's excellent first-half goal put Steaua ahead on the night and Vlad Chiriches struck from long range to force extra time. It was no less than the Romanian side deserved and following a goalless extra-time period, Latovlevici netted the winning penalty after Lasse Schone and Niklas Moisander had missed for Ajax. A Jamie Carragher error proved costly as Liverpool were edged out of the competition on away goals despite a 3-1 win on the night against Zenit St Petersburg. The veteran defender, making his 150th - and now last - European appearance, gifted Zenit's star forward Hulk a goal that gave the Russians a 3-0 aggregate lead. Liverpool responded as top scorer Luis Suarez fired in two free-kicks and Joe Allen struck from close range but Hulk's away goal was decisive as the tie ended 3-3. Substitute Eden Hazard saved Chelsea's blushes as his late goal secured a 1-1 home draw with Sparta Prague and a 2-1 aggregate win. Hazard netted in the final moments of the contest after David Lafata had earlier wiped out Chelsea's first-leg advantage as he fired in from close range after 17 minutes. Benfica saw off Bayer Leverkusen 3-1 on aggregate in their encounter in Portugal. Benfica held a 1-0 lead from the first leg in Germany thanks to Oscar Cardozo's goal, and their lead was doubled when Ola John found the net after an hour. Andre Schurrle equalised for Leverkusen on the night with 15 minutes to go, but Benfica restored their two-goal cushion two minutes later through Nemanja Matic. Benfica next play Bordeaux who progressed after a 2-1 aggregate win over Dynamo Kiev. A solitary goal by Cheick Diabate shortly before half-time was enough to guide Bordeaux through after the first leg in Ukraine ended 1-1. Anzhi Makhachkala set up a last-16 tie with Newcastle despite a 1-0 loss at Hannover. Trailing 3-1 from the first leg, Hannover threw everything they had at the Russians but only had Sergio Pinto's 70th-minute goal to show for it as Anzhi squeaked through. Lastly, Levante are through to a tie with Rubin Kazan after a 1-0 win at Olympiacos. The Spanish side held a 3-0 lead after the first leg and duly wrapped up a 4-0 aggregate win thanks to Obafemi Martins' early strike.

Colo Colo women break the mould Historically Colo Colo have been one of the standard bearers of Chilean football in continental championships. And while there is no shortage of facts and figures to back up that assertion, none carry more weight that their 1991 achievement of becoming the country’s first club to win the Copa Libertadores. Fast forward to November 2012 and, with one of the players from that 1991 triumph at the helm, Colo Colo once again did the club and Chile proud by winning their first Copa Libertadores Femenina. “It’s a very significant title as it underlines the club’s great impact in what is the national sport,” said coach Jose Letelier in an exclusive interview with FIFA.com. “It’s also fundamentally a social achievement, as we’re talking about an institution that has given women their place in this sport,” added the former Cacique goalkeeper. His assertion will come as no surprise to followers of this story. Indeed, in the immediate aftermath of his side’s historic triumph in Recife, where they saw off Foz Cataratas 4-2 on penalties after a 0-0 draw, Letelier made a point of putting the triumph in perspective. “This is for all Chileans and everyone working in the women’s game, from the clubs to the national team. We’re all part of this success. We want to involve everyone in this and exclude no one,” said the coach on that unforgettable November night. Key to success A brief look back at the history of this competition illustrates the magnitude of El Cacique’s achievement. In the three previous editions of the tournament, the winners had come from Brazil, the leading exponent of the women’s game in South America. Colo Colo did, however, signal their intent in 2011 when, to the surprise of many, they made it to the final of the continental showpiece. And while they only went down 1-0 to a strong Sao Jose EC side on that occasion, it raised the question of whether the team was ready to make the step up. It shouldn’t depend on whether a title is won or not, it should be about creating institutional policies that put an emphasis on this sport and help it develop in Chile. Jose Letelier, Colo Colo coach. Part of the answer can be drawn from their results during the prestigious tournament itself. Colo Colo finished their Group C campaign unbeaten, though they were pipped to top spot by Brazil’s Vitoria on goal difference. Boasting the best record of the three second-placed teams, El Cacique progressed to the semi-finals where, as fate would have it, they met Vitoria once more – given the latter had the best record of the three group winners. A thrilling 4-3 success sent the Chilean outfit through to the final, where they faced Foz Cataratas, winners of an all-Brazilian semi against reigning champions Sao Jose EC. Filling in the rest of the gaps was coach Letelier, who gave his verdict on the keys to his team’s continental triumph. “On the one hand, we assembled a group of excellent people, who were committed to what we wanted to achieve,” said the 49-year-old supremo. “On the other, the squad was mentally very strong. The players were ready to compete at such a demanding level and were determined not to let another opportunity slip by. Just think, we played the competition in Brazil, we met three Brazilian teams along the way, we didn’t lose to any of them and we took the title,” added the coach, whose team sealed the Copa when Gloria Villamayor converted the clinching penalty in the shoot-out. Looking ahead When quizzed about the far-reaching effects of Colo Colo’s success on the Chilean women’s game, Letelier preferred to err on the side of caution: “It’s hard to predict right now, since there are a lot of factors involved. "It shouldn’t depend on whether a title is won or not, it should be about creating institutional policies that put an emphasis on this sport and help it develop in Chile. That’s because as long as the resources aren’t there, it’ll be a struggle to take any successes to the next level.” In addition to his team’s Libertadores win, there have been enough encouraging signs from the women’s scene in Chile, Colombia and Uruguay in recent years to suggest the gap between Brazil and the rest is narrowing. “It’s all relative,” said Letelier, who has guided Colo Colo to five domestic championships. “The gap can narrow or widen in part due to the economic resources available, but it’ll be sustained hard work over time that decides whether teams can stay at the top. “In order to make women’s football thrive more here, both FIFA, as a global body, and CONMEBOL, in South American terms, must keep showing vision,” added Letelier, as the conversation drew to a close. “They need to keep insisting that it’s worthwhile bringing more women into football, which is such an exciting sport.”

Dembele sends Spurs through with Newcastle ( A last-gasp goal from Mousa Dembele booked Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur a place in the last 16 of the UEFA Europa League in today's afternoon match-ups as he rescued a 3-2 aggregate win over French hosts Lyon. Spurs, who now face Inter Milan, had won the opening encounter 2-1 but trailed for much of the match to a 17th-minute goal from Maxime Gonalons before a cracking drive from Dembele rescued the Londoners and saved them from an exit on away goals. Joining Spurs in the next round were fellow English travellers Newcastle United, who thanked Shola Ameobi's third European goal of the season for a 1-0 win at Metalist Kharkiv, the Ukrainians who held the Magpies to a goalless stalemate on Tyneside last week. Newcastle were under pressure for much of the match and Dutch keeper Tim Krul made several top drawer saves, before Ameobi struck on 64 minutes for a crucial away goal. In another afternoon fixture, Russia's Rubin Kazan put out holders Atletico Madrid 2-1 on aggregate despite Falcao giving the Spaniards the win by the only goal on the night. Inter, European Cup winners in 2010, went through after a 3-0 romp at ten-man Cluj for a 5-0 aggregate success. Colombian star Fredy Guarin scored a brace for Inter with Marco Benassi adding the third. Elsewhere in early action, Germany's Stuttgart won 2-0 at Belgium's Genk for a 3-1 aggregate win while Italy's Lazio defeated German rivals Borussia Moenchengladbach 2-0 with Antonio Candreva and Alvaro Gonzalez the scorers in the first half as the Romans progressed 5-3 overall.