Women's round-up: April 2010(FIFA.com) Thursday 29 April 2010 Print Email my friend Share
In our latest monthly look at the major events in women’s football, FIFA.com reflects on the start of the WPS season, developments on the road to Germany 2011 and a legend's return to the international arena.
Club Football
Gold Pride, Sky Blue set WPS pace
All eyes have been on the early pace-setters since the second WPS season kicked off on 10 April, with reigning champions Sky Blue FC and Marta’s Gold Pride locked together at the top of the standings on six points apiece. Gold Pride, who also boast the likes of Christine Sinclair, Solveig Gulbrandsen and Camille Abily, lead the table by a single goal and have the psychological advantage of having beaten Sky Blue 3-1 in a match that witnessed Marta’s first goal of the season and a brace from Sinclair. The California outfit are far from invincible, however, as an opening day 2-0 defeat to Saint Louis Athletica proved. England’s Eniola Aluko scored both goals in that match, and the Nigeria-born striker has been making the early running in the top scorer stakes along with the likes of Sinclair, Ramona Bachmann and international colleague Kelly Smith.
Gunners' double vision
While the title challenge from Arsenal’s men may have collapsed over the past month, the Gunners women look to be closing in on a fifth successive league and cup double. A 2-1 win at Doncaster Belles has left Laura Harvey’s side five points clear of Chelsea with three games in hand, while third-placed Everton – who have played the same number of fixtures as the leaders – lie three points further back. The Toffees' best hope of silverware now lies in the FA Women’s Cup final, although it is opponents and old foes Arsenal – who disposed of Chelsea 4-0 in the last four – who will start as firm favourites.
Frankfurt make Potsdam wait
Turbine Potsdam’s seemingly inexorable march towards the Frauen-Bundesliga title faltered for the first time on Sunday when third-placed 1. FFC Frankfurt inflicted the reigning champions’ first defeat of the season. A 2-1 triumph in this clash of Germany’s female titans briefly revived the victors' slim hopes of reclaiming the championship, although a win for Bernd Schroder’s Turbine yesterday means that they can now only be caught by second-placed FCR 2001 Duisburg, who are five points behind. Frankfurt have been boosted by the return of vastly experienced German international Ariane Hingst, who was also set to take her place in Silvia Neid’s squad for the friendly against Sweden before that match fell victim to the volcano-induced disruption in Europe. Turbine, meanwhile, are going for glory on two fronts, having booked their place in the UEFA Women's Champions League final in Getafe, where they will face either Umea or Lyon.
National teams
Road to Germany continues
Qualifying for the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ has reached the halfway stage in Europe, with most of the continent’s traditional big guns looking well placed to qualify for September’s play-offs. Scotland, still with a 100 per cent record after four matches, are offering a threat to Denmark in Group 3, while Poland and Hungary are jostling for Group 4 pole position with the Netherlands currently leading Norway in Group 2, albeit having played two more matches. Spain also hold a three-point advantage over England, although the key result of the past month was a 1-0 win for Hope Powell’s side over their Iberian rivals that left the Three Lionesses needing just two more wins to secure first place in Group 5. Sweden, Russia and France remain firmly on course to reach the play-offs, while Italy and Finland – who drew 1-1 earlier on 31 March - are battling it out in the most closely-contested of all the group races. Europe will take a back seat in the coming month, however, with Africa and Asia set to finalise the process of determining their 2011 participants.
USA relish old rivalries
Having underlined their FIFA Women’s World Cup credentials by lifting the Algarve Cup last month, USA continued their build-up to Germany 2011 with back-to-back friendly wins over regional rivals Mexico. The first instalment of the double-header ended in a comfortable 3-0 win for Pia Sundhage’s side in San Diego, with Amy Rodriguez and Shannon Boxx on target before Lauren Cheney rounded off the win with her fifth international goal of 2010. Then, three days later on a snow-covered pitch in Utah – the first time USA’s women have ever played in such conditions – a solitary Abby Wambach proved sufficient to secure victory. Now, having seen off one old foe, the Americans will turn their attention to another, with world champions Germany set to arrive on 22 May for a friendly at Cleveland Browns Stadium as these dominant female forces meet on American soil for the first time in seven years.
Draws whet the appetite
Dresden Castle provided a spectacular backdrop for the draw for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Germany 2010, which pitted the hosts against Costa Rica, Colombia and France. The holders, USA, were left to face three very different football styles against Ghana, Switzerland and Korea Republic, while it was widely agreed that Brazil – drawn against former champions Korea DPR, Sweden and the ever-improving New Zealand - had been handed the toughest section. Attention now switches to Trinidad and Tobago, where the draw for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup will take place in six days’ time on Wednesday 5 May. As always, check in with FIFA.com to find out who will be facing who in the second edition of this fledgling tournament.
Development
The undoubted highlight of the past month in women’s football development was a Com-Unity seminar staged in Lesotho. Centred on communication – the role of the media in women’s football, women’s football promotion and its communication strategy – and aimed at the entire women's football pyramid, from associations to clubs, coaches and players, the seminar was punctuated by a girls’ football festival involving around 40 players. April also witnessed four courses take place in American Samoa, Jordan, Guinea-Bissau and Samoa, while Cameroon and Burundi played host to two women’s football consultancies.
The stat
344 – Kristine Lilly extended her own world record haul of international appearances, adding caps number 343 and 344 by playing in USA’s two recent victories over Mexico. The 38-year-old’s return to the international fold also enabled her to become the first female player in history to represent her country across four different decades. The US legend, who will turn 39 in July, won the first 15 of her caps in the 1980s, added 176 during the 1990s, 151 between 2000 and 2009, and has now claimed two in 2010, with more seemingly set to follow.
The quote
"It was competitive in Brazil and also when I played in Sweden. But without a doubt, the WPS is the best league in the world."
Marta relishes the challenge of a second WPS season
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Eriksson: Revenge not an issue
Eriksson: Revenge not an issue
(PA) Saturday 1 May 2010
Getty ImagesCôte d'Ivoire coach Sven-Goran Eriksson is relishing the chance to face Portugal in the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ this summer but insists there will be no feeling of revenge as he prepares to meet his old foes.
Portugal defeated Eriksson's England on penalties in the quarter-finals at Euro 2004 before doing the same two years later in a controversial FIFA World Cup contest which saw Wayne Rooney sent off.
Côte d'Ivoire kick off their World Cup campaign against Portugal before facing Brazil and North Korea and, while Eriksson recognises the importance of their first match, he claims he will not be thinking of his England days.
"Brazil is favourite to win the group and second should be us or Portugal or North Korea on paper," Eriksson said. "But that's on paper. "But the first match for us is really important. There's no sense of revenge, this time it can't be penalty shoot-outs that's for sure. I'm looking forward to that but first we have to start the preparation and it's still far away. But it's important."
To go through would be a success from a group like that. If we can reach the quarter-final I think everyone should be thinking it's a great success from an African team.Eriksson on being drawn in a tough group this summer
Despite being drawn in the so-called 'group of death' Eriksson insists a quarter-final spot is their target and is not even considering failing to progress from their pool. "To go through would be a success from a group like that,' he said. "If we can reach the quarter-final I think everyone should be thinking it's a great success from an African team, for the Ivory Coast. That's the first target.
"I don't know if finishing third would be a failure. But I haven't thought about that. We have to work, to believe we can pass the group and go further of course," he continued.
Eriksson left his job as England coach at the end of the 2006 FIFA World Cup after the Football Association decided not to renew his contract but he still looks back with fondness at his time in charge. And the 62-year-old is confident this could be the year his former charges live up to their billing as one of the tournament favourites.
"England have good chances. Absolutely," said Eriksson. "They have a very experienced team. Most of the players have been in big tournaments like the World Cup before. You have Wayne Rooney who is coming from a great, great season and he is an extremely important player. So I think they have a great chance of reaching the semi-final and why not the final?
So I think they have a great chance of reaching the semi-final and why not the final?Eriksson on England's chances in South Africa
"We had a good chance in the last World Cup and I think we should have done better than we did but they have maybe an even better chance because players like (Rio) Ferdinand, (Steven) Gerrard, (Frank) Lampard, Rooney, Ashley Cole...they have more experience now, (they are) more mature than they were four years ago," he said.
"I was extremely happy for five-and-a-half years to have that job and very very proud. Regrets? Losing the last World Cup on penalty shoot-outs, but that's history. It was a great time, fantastic."
(PA) Saturday 1 May 2010
Getty ImagesCôte d'Ivoire coach Sven-Goran Eriksson is relishing the chance to face Portugal in the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ this summer but insists there will be no feeling of revenge as he prepares to meet his old foes.
Portugal defeated Eriksson's England on penalties in the quarter-finals at Euro 2004 before doing the same two years later in a controversial FIFA World Cup contest which saw Wayne Rooney sent off.
Côte d'Ivoire kick off their World Cup campaign against Portugal before facing Brazil and North Korea and, while Eriksson recognises the importance of their first match, he claims he will not be thinking of his England days.
"Brazil is favourite to win the group and second should be us or Portugal or North Korea on paper," Eriksson said. "But that's on paper. "But the first match for us is really important. There's no sense of revenge, this time it can't be penalty shoot-outs that's for sure. I'm looking forward to that but first we have to start the preparation and it's still far away. But it's important."
To go through would be a success from a group like that. If we can reach the quarter-final I think everyone should be thinking it's a great success from an African team.Eriksson on being drawn in a tough group this summer
Despite being drawn in the so-called 'group of death' Eriksson insists a quarter-final spot is their target and is not even considering failing to progress from their pool. "To go through would be a success from a group like that,' he said. "If we can reach the quarter-final I think everyone should be thinking it's a great success from an African team, for the Ivory Coast. That's the first target.
"I don't know if finishing third would be a failure. But I haven't thought about that. We have to work, to believe we can pass the group and go further of course," he continued.
Eriksson left his job as England coach at the end of the 2006 FIFA World Cup after the Football Association decided not to renew his contract but he still looks back with fondness at his time in charge. And the 62-year-old is confident this could be the year his former charges live up to their billing as one of the tournament favourites.
"England have good chances. Absolutely," said Eriksson. "They have a very experienced team. Most of the players have been in big tournaments like the World Cup before. You have Wayne Rooney who is coming from a great, great season and he is an extremely important player. So I think they have a great chance of reaching the semi-final and why not the final?
So I think they have a great chance of reaching the semi-final and why not the final?Eriksson on England's chances in South Africa
"We had a good chance in the last World Cup and I think we should have done better than we did but they have maybe an even better chance because players like (Rio) Ferdinand, (Steven) Gerrard, (Frank) Lampard, Rooney, Ashley Cole...they have more experience now, (they are) more mature than they were four years ago," he said.
"I was extremely happy for five-and-a-half years to have that job and very very proud. Regrets? Losing the last World Cup on penalty shoot-outs, but that's history. It was a great time, fantastic."
صدمة فى لبنان بعد قتل شاب مصرى والتمثيل بجثته
صدمة فى لبنان بعد قتل شاب مصرى والتمثيل بجثته
01/05/2010
قال القنصل المصرى فى بيروت كريم السادات إن السفارة المصرية تتابع مع السلطات اللبنانية التحقيقات فى حادث قتل شاب مصرى والتمثيل بجثته فى بلدة كترمايا بإقليم الخروب فى لبنان على خلفية اتهامه بقتل أربعة لبنانيين من أسرة واحدة.
وأشار القنصل المصرى إلى أن التحقيقات كشفت دخول الشاب القتيل محمد سليم مسلم دخل إلى لبنان بطريقة غير مشروعة، حيث يعيش مع والدته المصرية المتزوجة من رجل لبنانى.
وكان العشرات من أهالى حى «كترمايا» هاجموا الشاب وسحلوه بسيارة فى أرجاء القرية وقاموا بقتله، ومثلوا بجثته ثم علقوه على عمود كهربائى فى إحدى الساحات الرئيسية بالقرية أمام جميع سكانها، وذلك بعد اعتقاله للاشتباه فى قيام بقتل أربعة لبنانيين من عائلة واحدة بعد رفضها ارتباطه بإحدى بناتها.
من ناحيته قال القنصل كريم السادات فى اتصال هاتفى مع «الشروق» إن هناك السفارة تتابع الإجراءات ساعة بساعة مع كل الوزراء المعنيين ومديرية الأمن الوطنى فى العاصمة اللبنانية. وأضاف: «نطالب الدولة اللبنانية بالقيام بما يستلزمه الأمر من إجراءات، التى من شأنها إحقاق العدالة وتطبيق قواعد القانون بما يتناسب مع جسامة الأفعال التى ارتكبت فى حق القتيل».
فى الوقت نفسه أدان وزير الداخلية والبلديات اللبنانى زياد بارود جريمة كترمايا، وقال: «ليس مقبولا أن يأخذ الشخص حقه بيده، حتى ولو كان ذلك ردا على جريمة مروعة، وافهم غضب الناس فى كترمايا، لكن مواجهة الجريمة يكون بالقانون والقضاء، وما حصل مع القاتل، هو جريمة بالمعنى القانونى».
وقال الوزير فى تصريح لمحطة «أو.تى.فى» اللبنانية إن «رد الفعل أعطى صورة سيئة عن البلد، لا أفهم هذه الطريقة التى تم التعاطى بها»، مضيفا: «هناك خطأ حصل من قبل قوى الأمن الداخلى فى سوق هذا المتهم إلى مسرح الجريمة»، لافتا النظر إلى أن «الموضوع أصبح قضائيا بالدرجة الأولى، ولنا كل الثقة بالقضاء لمعالجة هذا الأمر».
أما وزير العدل اللبنانى محمد نجار فقال إن الصور التى تم بثها لحادث التمثيل بجثة الشاب المصرى كشفت عن هوية 10 أشخاص على الأقل سوف تتم ملاحقتهم قضائيا لأن الجريمة التى كان محمد سليم مسلم متهم فيها مهما كانت همجية لا «يمكن أن تكون أساسا قانونيا لردة الفعل الجماعية التى حصلت والتى ستنعكس سلبا على صورة لبنان فى العالم وستحطم ما تبقى من هيبة القضاء والقانون والأمن فى لبنان».
فى الوقت نفسه قال القنصل كريم السادات إن السفارة تحاول جمع المعلومات حول الشاب محمد مسلم، الذى تبين انه دخل لبنان بطريقة غير قانونية «وهو ما سيفتح ملف المصريين المقيمين بشكل غير شرعى فى لبنان وذلك على نحو سلبى. وأوضح ان القتيل غير مدون لدى الدوائر الرسمية، وهو ما يعوق التعرف على كثير من التفاصيل بشأنه.
وأضاف السادات أن مسئولا من السفارة ومحامية تم تعيينها لمتابعة القضية لم يتمكنا من الحصول على معلومات كافية من مركز الشرطة الذى تتبعه كترمايا. وقال: «اتصلنا بوالدة القتيل التى تقيم على مقربة من المكان الذى وقعت به الجريمة وأبلغتنا أن ولدها جاء إلى لبنان بدون جواز سفر وأقام معها». وبحسب المسؤول المصرى، فإن الوالدة مطلقة من والد القتيل، وهى لا تعرف عنه شيئا حاليا ولم تتمكن السفارة المصرية من الوصول إليه سواء فى مصر أو لبنان.
وقال السادات إن المدعى العام اللبنانى أعلن أن القتيل لا يزال مشتبها به، لكنه أشار فى السياق ذاته إلى أن نتائج تحليل الحمض النووى أثبتت أن الدماء التى وجدها الأمن على قميص القتيل هى دماء القتلى اللبنانيين الأربعة.
وأشار القنصل المصرى إلى وجود معلومات «غير مؤكدة» تشير إلى اتهام القتيل فى جريمة سابقة تتعلق باغتصاب طفلة لم تتجاوز تسعة أعوام. وقال السادات إنه تم التحفظ على الجثة فى مستشفى «بعبدة» الحكومى لحين استكمال التحقيق والتحاليل.
وفيما يتعلق بإجراءات تسليم الجثة، قال القنصل إن السفارة تدعو والد المجنى عليه إلى التقدم بطلب يحدد فيه إذا ما كان يرغب فى تسلم جثة ولده ودفنها فى مصر أو تسليم الجثة لوالدته فى لبنان لدفنها هناك. وأضاف أنه فى كل الأحوال لن يتم شىء قبل انتهاء السلطات من التحقيقات.
01/05/2010
قال القنصل المصرى فى بيروت كريم السادات إن السفارة المصرية تتابع مع السلطات اللبنانية التحقيقات فى حادث قتل شاب مصرى والتمثيل بجثته فى بلدة كترمايا بإقليم الخروب فى لبنان على خلفية اتهامه بقتل أربعة لبنانيين من أسرة واحدة.
وأشار القنصل المصرى إلى أن التحقيقات كشفت دخول الشاب القتيل محمد سليم مسلم دخل إلى لبنان بطريقة غير مشروعة، حيث يعيش مع والدته المصرية المتزوجة من رجل لبنانى.
وكان العشرات من أهالى حى «كترمايا» هاجموا الشاب وسحلوه بسيارة فى أرجاء القرية وقاموا بقتله، ومثلوا بجثته ثم علقوه على عمود كهربائى فى إحدى الساحات الرئيسية بالقرية أمام جميع سكانها، وذلك بعد اعتقاله للاشتباه فى قيام بقتل أربعة لبنانيين من عائلة واحدة بعد رفضها ارتباطه بإحدى بناتها.
من ناحيته قال القنصل كريم السادات فى اتصال هاتفى مع «الشروق» إن هناك السفارة تتابع الإجراءات ساعة بساعة مع كل الوزراء المعنيين ومديرية الأمن الوطنى فى العاصمة اللبنانية. وأضاف: «نطالب الدولة اللبنانية بالقيام بما يستلزمه الأمر من إجراءات، التى من شأنها إحقاق العدالة وتطبيق قواعد القانون بما يتناسب مع جسامة الأفعال التى ارتكبت فى حق القتيل».
فى الوقت نفسه أدان وزير الداخلية والبلديات اللبنانى زياد بارود جريمة كترمايا، وقال: «ليس مقبولا أن يأخذ الشخص حقه بيده، حتى ولو كان ذلك ردا على جريمة مروعة، وافهم غضب الناس فى كترمايا، لكن مواجهة الجريمة يكون بالقانون والقضاء، وما حصل مع القاتل، هو جريمة بالمعنى القانونى».
وقال الوزير فى تصريح لمحطة «أو.تى.فى» اللبنانية إن «رد الفعل أعطى صورة سيئة عن البلد، لا أفهم هذه الطريقة التى تم التعاطى بها»، مضيفا: «هناك خطأ حصل من قبل قوى الأمن الداخلى فى سوق هذا المتهم إلى مسرح الجريمة»، لافتا النظر إلى أن «الموضوع أصبح قضائيا بالدرجة الأولى، ولنا كل الثقة بالقضاء لمعالجة هذا الأمر».
أما وزير العدل اللبنانى محمد نجار فقال إن الصور التى تم بثها لحادث التمثيل بجثة الشاب المصرى كشفت عن هوية 10 أشخاص على الأقل سوف تتم ملاحقتهم قضائيا لأن الجريمة التى كان محمد سليم مسلم متهم فيها مهما كانت همجية لا «يمكن أن تكون أساسا قانونيا لردة الفعل الجماعية التى حصلت والتى ستنعكس سلبا على صورة لبنان فى العالم وستحطم ما تبقى من هيبة القضاء والقانون والأمن فى لبنان».
فى الوقت نفسه قال القنصل كريم السادات إن السفارة تحاول جمع المعلومات حول الشاب محمد مسلم، الذى تبين انه دخل لبنان بطريقة غير قانونية «وهو ما سيفتح ملف المصريين المقيمين بشكل غير شرعى فى لبنان وذلك على نحو سلبى. وأوضح ان القتيل غير مدون لدى الدوائر الرسمية، وهو ما يعوق التعرف على كثير من التفاصيل بشأنه.
وأضاف السادات أن مسئولا من السفارة ومحامية تم تعيينها لمتابعة القضية لم يتمكنا من الحصول على معلومات كافية من مركز الشرطة الذى تتبعه كترمايا. وقال: «اتصلنا بوالدة القتيل التى تقيم على مقربة من المكان الذى وقعت به الجريمة وأبلغتنا أن ولدها جاء إلى لبنان بدون جواز سفر وأقام معها». وبحسب المسؤول المصرى، فإن الوالدة مطلقة من والد القتيل، وهى لا تعرف عنه شيئا حاليا ولم تتمكن السفارة المصرية من الوصول إليه سواء فى مصر أو لبنان.
وقال السادات إن المدعى العام اللبنانى أعلن أن القتيل لا يزال مشتبها به، لكنه أشار فى السياق ذاته إلى أن نتائج تحليل الحمض النووى أثبتت أن الدماء التى وجدها الأمن على قميص القتيل هى دماء القتلى اللبنانيين الأربعة.
وأشار القنصل المصرى إلى وجود معلومات «غير مؤكدة» تشير إلى اتهام القتيل فى جريمة سابقة تتعلق باغتصاب طفلة لم تتجاوز تسعة أعوام. وقال السادات إنه تم التحفظ على الجثة فى مستشفى «بعبدة» الحكومى لحين استكمال التحقيق والتحاليل.
وفيما يتعلق بإجراءات تسليم الجثة، قال القنصل إن السفارة تدعو والد المجنى عليه إلى التقدم بطلب يحدد فيه إذا ما كان يرغب فى تسلم جثة ولده ودفنها فى مصر أو تسليم الجثة لوالدته فى لبنان لدفنها هناك. وأضاف أنه فى كل الأحوال لن يتم شىء قبل انتهاء السلطات من التحقيقات.
Monday, April 19, 2010
European Leagues review
European Leagues review(FIFA.com) Monday 19 April 2010
The title tussles in both England and Spain took another unforeseen twist at the weekend as defeat for Chelsea at Tottenham Hotspur and Barcelona’s goalless draw at neighbours Espanyol allowed the teams leading the chase to close the gap at the top.
Roma, Bayern Munich and Marseille all fared better with the finishing line now firmly in sight, but in each case their closest pursuers also came out on top to keep the suspense alive.
FIFA.com casts a glance back over the last few days of action in Europe’s most prestigious championships, where the sprint for the tape is very much on.
Premier League: Chelsea chastened, United on a high
Uncertainty reigns in England with three games to go, but only two teams can now realistically hope to lay their hands on the crown. The race for honours took an unexpected turn on Saturday as pacesetters Chelsea suffered a 2-1 reverse at Tottenham, with their London rivals surging into fourth spot thanks to a dramatic last-gasp win for Manchester United. Paul Scholes’s injury-time decider sunk neighbours Manchester City at Eastlands to drop Roberto Mancini’s men to fifth and leave the Red Devils a solitary point shy of the Blues.
The front two now lie comfortably clear of Arsenal after the Gunners shipped three late goals at Wigan Athletic to come away with a surprise 3-2 loss. In the lower reaches, promoted side Burnley were undone 2-1 at Sunderland and Hull City drew 0-0 at Birmingham City, leaving both in bad shape and favourites to join Portsmouth in the second tier next term.
Top three: Chelsea (77 points), Manchester United (76), Arsenal (71)
Bottom three: Hull City (28), Burnley, (27), Portsmouth (15)
Top scorers: Wayne Rooney (26 goals), Didier Drogba (25), Darren Bent (23)
Weekend stat: 3 – Wigan registered as many goals in the final ten minutes against Arsenal as in their last six matches.
Ligue 1: Marseille maintain momentum
The 33rd instalment of games in France was marked by Marseille taking another significant stride towards the Ligue 1 title that has eluded them for the past 18 years. The Mediterranean side almost fell short at second-bottom Boulogne, but a Taye Taiwo penalty in added time earned them a priceless 2-1 success to stay five points clear. They can probably stop worrying about two more of their rivals too, after champions Bordeaux and third-placed Lyon drew 2-2 in wine country.
Auxerre remain the club closest to Marseille after they masterminded a 4-1 success at Lorient, while Lille reinvigorated their hopes of contesting European football next term by overcoming Monaco 4-0 and climbing to fifth. Les Dogues are now hot on the heels of Montpellier, who boast just one point more and could only draw 1-1 with Toulouse as their end-of-season struggles continue.
Top three: Marseille (68 points), Auxerre (63), Lyon (59)
Bottom three: Le Mans (28), Boulogne (24), Grenoble (16)
Top scorers: Mamadou Niang (15 goals), Nene, Kevin Gameiro (both 14)
Weekend stat: 6 – Like all good champions, Marseille have thrived under pressure at the business end of the campaign, putting together a run of six consecutive victories and claiming four of those wins by a single goal.
La Liga: Barça out of breath
Nothing looked like stopping Barcelona last weekend as the Catalan juggernaut put eternal rivals Real Madrid to the sword, but Josep Guardiola’s scintillating side were brought to a halt at the home of their city neighbours. Despite lying 13th in the standings, Espanyol held the Spanish and European champions to a goalless stalemate on Saturday that ratcheted up the title tension, with second-placed Real hauling themselves to within a point on Sunday after goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuain inflicted a 2-0 setback on Valencia in third.
Beaten 2-1 at relegation-threatened Valladolid in midweek, Sevilla returned to winning ways by disposing of Sporting Gijon 3-0, though they could lose fourth spot again when Mallorca, in fifth, host Osasuna on Monday. A place lower than the islanders, Villarreal remain on course for a UEFA Europa League berth after winning 2-1 against an Atletico Madrid side that has now lost its last three encounters.
Top three: Barcelona (84 points), Real Madrid (83), Valencia (59)
Bottom three: Tenerife (32), Valladolid (29), Xerez (27)
Top scorers: Lionel Messi (27 goals), Gonzalo Higuain (25), David Villa, Cristiano Ronaldo (both 20)
Weekend stat: 6 – Barcelona’s sixth draw of the Liga season ended their sequence of seven straight triumphs.
Serie A: Roma refuse to stumble
The most recent round of games in Italy was littered with high-stakes contests, kicking off on Friday with Inter Milan’s 2-0 triumph over seventh-placed Juventus. That result took the Nerazzurri back to the summit ahead of Roma, but the capital side responded with a 2-1 derby success against rivals Lazio. Mirko Vucinic helped himself to a double as the Giallorossi advanced a little further down the road to the Scudetto.
For their part, AC Milan dropped even further out of the running after they fell 2-1 to Sampdoria, in fourth, a setback that surely knocked them out of the race once and for all. As for the winners of that game, they now look favourites to sew up the final UEFA Champions League berth and will look to maintain their lead over Palermo, Napoli and Juve, who also have Europa League spots to compete for.
Top three: Roma (71 points), Inter Milan (70), AC Milan (64)
Bottom three: Atalanta (34), Siena (30), Livorno (26)
Top scorers: Antonio di Natale (24 goals), Diego Milito (19), Fabrizio Miccoli (16)
Weekend stat: 24 – Roma have gone 24 matches without defeat, winning 18 of those and drawing the other six to build up a real impetus with four fixtures remaining.
Bundesliga: Bayern in top gear
As statements of intent go, Bayern Munich’s 7-0 defeat of Hanover was decidedly ominous. Louis van Gaal’s men have entered the final straight in peak condition and thrilled their fans with an Arjen Robben hat-trick and two goals apiece for Ivica Olic and Thomas Muller. Second-placed Schalke refuse to fade from view, though, having seen off Borussia Monchengladbach 3-1, and they now have five matches in which to attempt to overtake the leaders.
Behind the front two, disappointment was the order of the day for Bayer Leverkusen, who said a final farewell to their title hopes with a 2-1 loss at Stuttgart. That left them nine points off the pace and, to make matters worse, they also surrendered third spot to Werder Bremen, 4-2 victors at Wolfsburg. At the opposite end of the table, a single point separates Nuremberg, Bochum, Freiburg, and Hanover, all of whom will be desperate to avoid accompanying a Hertha Berlin side seemingly destined for relegation.
Top three: Bayern Munich (63 points), Schalke (61), Werder Bremen (54)
Bottom three: Freiburg (28), Hanover (27), Hertha Berlin (23)
Top scorers: Edin Dzeko (20 goals), Stefan Kiessling (19), Kevin Kuranyi (18)
Weekend stat: 20 – Bayern put in a performance worthy of champions as they dismantled Hanover 7-0 for their biggest Bundesliga victory in 20 years.
Elsewhere
Glasgow Rangers are on the brink of glory in Scotland and need just one more win to guarantee their 53rd league crown, and their second in succession, after they overcame Hearts 2-0. Second-placed Celtic kept them waiting another weekend at least as they earned a late 3-2 victory over Hibernian.
The wait is over for Anderlecht, on the other hand, as they celebrated their 30th Belgian title by downing closest challengers Club Brugge 2-1. After two years on top for Standard Liege, the Brussels giants reacquainted themselves with success to confirm their standing as the country’s most titled team.
The title tussles in both England and Spain took another unforeseen twist at the weekend as defeat for Chelsea at Tottenham Hotspur and Barcelona’s goalless draw at neighbours Espanyol allowed the teams leading the chase to close the gap at the top.
Roma, Bayern Munich and Marseille all fared better with the finishing line now firmly in sight, but in each case their closest pursuers also came out on top to keep the suspense alive.
FIFA.com casts a glance back over the last few days of action in Europe’s most prestigious championships, where the sprint for the tape is very much on.
Premier League: Chelsea chastened, United on a high
Uncertainty reigns in England with three games to go, but only two teams can now realistically hope to lay their hands on the crown. The race for honours took an unexpected turn on Saturday as pacesetters Chelsea suffered a 2-1 reverse at Tottenham, with their London rivals surging into fourth spot thanks to a dramatic last-gasp win for Manchester United. Paul Scholes’s injury-time decider sunk neighbours Manchester City at Eastlands to drop Roberto Mancini’s men to fifth and leave the Red Devils a solitary point shy of the Blues.
The front two now lie comfortably clear of Arsenal after the Gunners shipped three late goals at Wigan Athletic to come away with a surprise 3-2 loss. In the lower reaches, promoted side Burnley were undone 2-1 at Sunderland and Hull City drew 0-0 at Birmingham City, leaving both in bad shape and favourites to join Portsmouth in the second tier next term.
Top three: Chelsea (77 points), Manchester United (76), Arsenal (71)
Bottom three: Hull City (28), Burnley, (27), Portsmouth (15)
Top scorers: Wayne Rooney (26 goals), Didier Drogba (25), Darren Bent (23)
Weekend stat: 3 – Wigan registered as many goals in the final ten minutes against Arsenal as in their last six matches.
Ligue 1: Marseille maintain momentum
The 33rd instalment of games in France was marked by Marseille taking another significant stride towards the Ligue 1 title that has eluded them for the past 18 years. The Mediterranean side almost fell short at second-bottom Boulogne, but a Taye Taiwo penalty in added time earned them a priceless 2-1 success to stay five points clear. They can probably stop worrying about two more of their rivals too, after champions Bordeaux and third-placed Lyon drew 2-2 in wine country.
Auxerre remain the club closest to Marseille after they masterminded a 4-1 success at Lorient, while Lille reinvigorated their hopes of contesting European football next term by overcoming Monaco 4-0 and climbing to fifth. Les Dogues are now hot on the heels of Montpellier, who boast just one point more and could only draw 1-1 with Toulouse as their end-of-season struggles continue.
Top three: Marseille (68 points), Auxerre (63), Lyon (59)
Bottom three: Le Mans (28), Boulogne (24), Grenoble (16)
Top scorers: Mamadou Niang (15 goals), Nene, Kevin Gameiro (both 14)
Weekend stat: 6 – Like all good champions, Marseille have thrived under pressure at the business end of the campaign, putting together a run of six consecutive victories and claiming four of those wins by a single goal.
La Liga: Barça out of breath
Nothing looked like stopping Barcelona last weekend as the Catalan juggernaut put eternal rivals Real Madrid to the sword, but Josep Guardiola’s scintillating side were brought to a halt at the home of their city neighbours. Despite lying 13th in the standings, Espanyol held the Spanish and European champions to a goalless stalemate on Saturday that ratcheted up the title tension, with second-placed Real hauling themselves to within a point on Sunday after goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuain inflicted a 2-0 setback on Valencia in third.
Beaten 2-1 at relegation-threatened Valladolid in midweek, Sevilla returned to winning ways by disposing of Sporting Gijon 3-0, though they could lose fourth spot again when Mallorca, in fifth, host Osasuna on Monday. A place lower than the islanders, Villarreal remain on course for a UEFA Europa League berth after winning 2-1 against an Atletico Madrid side that has now lost its last three encounters.
Top three: Barcelona (84 points), Real Madrid (83), Valencia (59)
Bottom three: Tenerife (32), Valladolid (29), Xerez (27)
Top scorers: Lionel Messi (27 goals), Gonzalo Higuain (25), David Villa, Cristiano Ronaldo (both 20)
Weekend stat: 6 – Barcelona’s sixth draw of the Liga season ended their sequence of seven straight triumphs.
Serie A: Roma refuse to stumble
The most recent round of games in Italy was littered with high-stakes contests, kicking off on Friday with Inter Milan’s 2-0 triumph over seventh-placed Juventus. That result took the Nerazzurri back to the summit ahead of Roma, but the capital side responded with a 2-1 derby success against rivals Lazio. Mirko Vucinic helped himself to a double as the Giallorossi advanced a little further down the road to the Scudetto.
For their part, AC Milan dropped even further out of the running after they fell 2-1 to Sampdoria, in fourth, a setback that surely knocked them out of the race once and for all. As for the winners of that game, they now look favourites to sew up the final UEFA Champions League berth and will look to maintain their lead over Palermo, Napoli and Juve, who also have Europa League spots to compete for.
Top three: Roma (71 points), Inter Milan (70), AC Milan (64)
Bottom three: Atalanta (34), Siena (30), Livorno (26)
Top scorers: Antonio di Natale (24 goals), Diego Milito (19), Fabrizio Miccoli (16)
Weekend stat: 24 – Roma have gone 24 matches without defeat, winning 18 of those and drawing the other six to build up a real impetus with four fixtures remaining.
Bundesliga: Bayern in top gear
As statements of intent go, Bayern Munich’s 7-0 defeat of Hanover was decidedly ominous. Louis van Gaal’s men have entered the final straight in peak condition and thrilled their fans with an Arjen Robben hat-trick and two goals apiece for Ivica Olic and Thomas Muller. Second-placed Schalke refuse to fade from view, though, having seen off Borussia Monchengladbach 3-1, and they now have five matches in which to attempt to overtake the leaders.
Behind the front two, disappointment was the order of the day for Bayer Leverkusen, who said a final farewell to their title hopes with a 2-1 loss at Stuttgart. That left them nine points off the pace and, to make matters worse, they also surrendered third spot to Werder Bremen, 4-2 victors at Wolfsburg. At the opposite end of the table, a single point separates Nuremberg, Bochum, Freiburg, and Hanover, all of whom will be desperate to avoid accompanying a Hertha Berlin side seemingly destined for relegation.
Top three: Bayern Munich (63 points), Schalke (61), Werder Bremen (54)
Bottom three: Freiburg (28), Hanover (27), Hertha Berlin (23)
Top scorers: Edin Dzeko (20 goals), Stefan Kiessling (19), Kevin Kuranyi (18)
Weekend stat: 20 – Bayern put in a performance worthy of champions as they dismantled Hanover 7-0 for their biggest Bundesliga victory in 20 years.
Elsewhere
Glasgow Rangers are on the brink of glory in Scotland and need just one more win to guarantee their 53rd league crown, and their second in succession, after they overcame Hearts 2-0. Second-placed Celtic kept them waiting another weekend at least as they earned a late 3-2 victory over Hibernian.
The wait is over for Anderlecht, on the other hand, as they celebrated their 30th Belgian title by downing closest challengers Club Brugge 2-1. After two years on top for Standard Liege, the Brussels giants reacquainted themselves with success to confirm their standing as the country’s most titled team.
Olympiacos claim Champions League
Olympiacos claim Champions League berth(PA) Monday 19 April 2010
Olympiacos secured their place in the qualifying rounds of next season's UEFA Champions League as they beat Aris Salonika 2-1 to secure second place in the Super League.
The hosts went 1-0 up after 33 minutes through Michal Zewlakow but their task got tougher six minutes later when Rafael Urko was sent off. Aris levelled through Antonio Calvo's penalty, but parity lasted just two minutes before Olympiacos were awarded a spot-kick of their own, which Enzo Maresca levelled. Aris also finished the game with 10 men as Carlos Arano saw red 10 minutes after the break.
The result meant PAOK Salonika could not leapfrog Olympiacos into second, but they did all they could by beating Ergotelis 4-1. PAOK leapt out of the traps and were 4-0 up inside half an hour thanks to goals from Olivier Sorlin, Zlatan Muslimovic, Bruno Cirillo and Thanassis Papazoglou.
Half-time substitute Christos Chrissofakis pulled one back a minute after the restart, but the result proved irrelevant for both clubs, with PAOK having to settle for the consolation prize of a place in the UEFA Europa League. They are joined by Aris and AEK Athens, who beat Asteras Tripoli 2-0 with goals from Rafik Djebbour and Pantelis Kafes, while champions Panathinaikos won 1-0 at relegated Giannina thanks to Gabriel's second-half strike.
FC Xanthi secured their place in the Super League for another season by winning 4-2 at Iraklis, condemning Levadiakos to the drop. Xanthi let a two-goal half-time lead slip, but Mauro Poy (70) and Nathan Ellington with a 79th-minute penalty settled the visitors' nerves. That meant Levadiakos were relegated despite their 2-1 win at Larissa.
Elsewhere, Atromitos beat relegated Panthrakikos 3-1, while Kavala and Panionios drew 1-1.
Olympiacos secured their place in the qualifying rounds of next season's UEFA Champions League as they beat Aris Salonika 2-1 to secure second place in the Super League.
The hosts went 1-0 up after 33 minutes through Michal Zewlakow but their task got tougher six minutes later when Rafael Urko was sent off. Aris levelled through Antonio Calvo's penalty, but parity lasted just two minutes before Olympiacos were awarded a spot-kick of their own, which Enzo Maresca levelled. Aris also finished the game with 10 men as Carlos Arano saw red 10 minutes after the break.
The result meant PAOK Salonika could not leapfrog Olympiacos into second, but they did all they could by beating Ergotelis 4-1. PAOK leapt out of the traps and were 4-0 up inside half an hour thanks to goals from Olivier Sorlin, Zlatan Muslimovic, Bruno Cirillo and Thanassis Papazoglou.
Half-time substitute Christos Chrissofakis pulled one back a minute after the restart, but the result proved irrelevant for both clubs, with PAOK having to settle for the consolation prize of a place in the UEFA Europa League. They are joined by Aris and AEK Athens, who beat Asteras Tripoli 2-0 with goals from Rafik Djebbour and Pantelis Kafes, while champions Panathinaikos won 1-0 at relegated Giannina thanks to Gabriel's second-half strike.
FC Xanthi secured their place in the Super League for another season by winning 4-2 at Iraklis, condemning Levadiakos to the drop. Xanthi let a two-goal half-time lead slip, but Mauro Poy (70) and Nathan Ellington with a 79th-minute penalty settled the visitors' nerves. That meant Levadiakos were relegated despite their 2-1 win at Larissa.
Elsewhere, Atromitos beat relegated Panthrakikos 3-1, while Kavala and Panionios drew 1-1.
Cabore stuns Al Sadd
Cabore stuns Al Sadd(PA) Monday 19 April 2010
Five-time Crown Prince Cup winners Al Sadd were knocked out of the semi-finals of this year's competition after they were beaten 1-0 by Al Arabi on Sunday.
Brazilian striker Cabore scored the only goal four minutes after the hour mark to steer his side to secure his side's place in the final.
Al Arabi will meet the winners of the match between Al Gharafa and Qatar SC, who will meet today, in the final on Saturday 24 April.
Five-time Crown Prince Cup winners Al Sadd were knocked out of the semi-finals of this year's competition after they were beaten 1-0 by Al Arabi on Sunday.
Brazilian striker Cabore scored the only goal four minutes after the hour mark to steer his side to secure his side's place in the final.
Al Arabi will meet the winners of the match between Al Gharafa and Qatar SC, who will meet today, in the final on Saturday 24 April.
Poor start continues for Toronto
Poor start continues for Toronto(PA) Monday 19 April 2010
The Colorado Rapids handed Major League Soccer rivals Toronto FC their third defeat in four games with a 3-1 win in Denver on Sunday.
Conor Casey converted a 24th-minute penalty, which was awarded after the referee saw a handball as Toronto defender Adrian Cann slipped in the box under pressure from Omar Cummings. The Canadian visitors were back on level terms in the 58th minute after Colorado keeper Matt Pickens felled Sam Cronin, allowing Dwayne De Rosario to score his second penalty in four days after grabbing the winner against the Philadelphia Union on Thursday night in Toronto.
The Rapids, though, regained control through a Jeff Larentowicz goal in the 71st minute, the Colorado midfielder curling a right-footed free-kick through the Toronto defensive wall and past keeper Stefan Frei. And the three points were secured six minutes from time when Casey was fouled in the box by Maksim Usanov, the USA international striker scoring his second spot-kick of the match to hand Colorado the victory.
The Rapids now have two wins, a draw and a loss after their opening four games of the season while Toronto have one victory and three defeats
The Colorado Rapids handed Major League Soccer rivals Toronto FC their third defeat in four games with a 3-1 win in Denver on Sunday.
Conor Casey converted a 24th-minute penalty, which was awarded after the referee saw a handball as Toronto defender Adrian Cann slipped in the box under pressure from Omar Cummings. The Canadian visitors were back on level terms in the 58th minute after Colorado keeper Matt Pickens felled Sam Cronin, allowing Dwayne De Rosario to score his second penalty in four days after grabbing the winner against the Philadelphia Union on Thursday night in Toronto.
The Rapids, though, regained control through a Jeff Larentowicz goal in the 71st minute, the Colorado midfielder curling a right-footed free-kick through the Toronto defensive wall and past keeper Stefan Frei. And the three points were secured six minutes from time when Casey was fouled in the box by Maksim Usanov, the USA international striker scoring his second spot-kick of the match to hand Colorado the victory.
The Rapids now have two wins, a draw and a loss after their opening four games of the season while Toronto have one victory and three defeats
Battling back from the brink
Battling back from the brink(FIFA.com) Friday 19 March 2010
"You say to yourself: ‘I don’t smoke, I don’t drink, I live a healthy lifestyle and I’m a top-level athlete’ – and then all of a sudden someone tells you you have cancer. Your whole world collapses around your feet.” Carlos Roa is unlikely to ever forget hearing the news that heralded the darkest period of his career, but although the Argentinian goalkeeper was back competing in top-flight football just a year later in 2005, he is by no means the only player to have suffered a serious personal trauma. Far from being immune, football is just as vulnerable to the vicissitudes of life as any other pursuit, and when ill fortune strikes we cannot help but be reminded that it is just a game.
“I was told I had cancer a few weeks after my child was born,” recalls Cardiff City midfielder Stephen McPhail. “My wife was devastated and I was more worried about the people close to me than about myself. The ordeal put football in perspective for me and forced me to look at life in a new way.” The 30-year-old went as far as hiding his diagnosis from his team-mates over a period of three matches at the end of 2009. “That allowed me to forget it, which is what I needed.” Following treatment, the Republic of Ireland international eventually returned to action in February.
Like Roa and McPhail, many other professional footballers – and some of the finest talents in the game – have overcome a life-threatening illness. In each case, the most important contest they have faced has been the battle to conserve life itself. Many have been able to pick up their careers where they left off and others hope to soon do likewise. Some, however, have been obliged to hang up their boots, satisfied at least that they have completed the road to recovery.
Triumphant returns
The encouraging news for players grappling with illness is that football boasts more than its fair share of fairytales, as both Ivan Klasnic and Nwankwo Kanu would doubtless testify. The first and only player to have battled his way back following two kidney transplants, Bolton striker Klasnic helped himself to a pair of goals just two weeks after returning to competitive action with Werder Bremen. As for Premier League stalwart Kanu, now at Portsmouth, the 33-year-old’s playing days seemed to be over when he underwent open-heart surgery in 1996, yet he defied all expectations by becoming one of Nigeria’s most successful players ever, so far plundering 53 strikes in the English top flight.
Former Bulgarian international Luboslav Penev will know exactly the kinds of emotions his fellow forwards must have gone through – both at their lowest ebb and after their triumphant comebacks. A year on from missing the 1994 FIFA World Cup™ during his fight against testicular cancer, he won the Spanish double with Atletico Madrid. In a similar vein, former Argentinian international Hugo Morales quickly made his mark again too, firing a last-minute winner for Lanus in his first match back following a delicate operation and seven months of treatment for cancer. “I never gave up because I love football too much,” says ‘Higuito’. “When the coach told me I’d be on the bench, I said to the team doctor that I’d come on and make the difference. The San Lorenzo supporters clapped me, which was fantastic. The goal was a magnificent gift from life and from football.”
You say to yourself: ‘I don’t smoke, I don’t drink, I live a healthy lifestyle and I’m a top-level athlete’ – and then all of a sudden someone tells you you have cancer. Your whole world collapses around your feet.Former Argentina goalkeeper Carlos Roa
In Markus Babbel’s case, it was Guillain-Barre syndrome that struck him down at the height of a successful spell with Liverpool. Paralysed at one point and consigned to a wheelchair, he was invited to give a ceremonial kick-off to a match at Anfield, but he too recovered to complete a sensational comeback in the Premier League that transformed his take on life. “I became a totally different man at that moment,” he says now. “I realised how beautiful football is as a sport and how quickly everything can end.” Now hoping to make his mark in the dugout, he recently finished a fairly encouraging stint as coach of Stuttgart, the club where he called time on his playing days.
New outlooks
For former Germany striker Heiko Herrlich, top scorer in the Bundesliga in 1995, the detection of a brain tumour in 2000 signalled more than just the end of his top-flight journey. His sole ambition was to live, but a year later he was back on a pitch plying his trade with Borussia Dortmund. While he never quite scaled the same heights as before, for three seasons he was a firm favourite with the Dortmund faithful. Now coach of Bochum, he has adopted the mantra: “When you fall down, you have to get back up immediately.”
Australian international Craig Moore would surely concur with those sentiments. Just eight days after having his left testicle removed, in fact, the Socceroos defender began training again with A-League side Queensland Roar, and in January he signed for Greek outfit Kavala with hopes of earning a FIFA World Cup place.
South Africa is sure to prove elusive to both Millwall striker Neil Harris and Hull City goalkeeper Matt Duke, in contrast, but the English duo have opted to focus on a different priority. Both testicular cancer survivors, they responded to their ordeals by founding the Everyman Male Cancer Campaign, demonstrating real generosity of spirit. Having combated the same condition away from the pitch, in an interesting twist they later found themselves pitted against each other in an FA Cup tie, won 2-0 by Duke and Co last January.
Christophe Pignol’s career as a professional footballer is sadly over, on the other hand, the Frenchman unable to plot his route back after developing leukemia in 2001. Following several years of treatment he nonetheless recovered from the disease and took up the game again at amateur level. Now involved with futsal in Marseille, he has set up an association dedicated to leukemia research.
‘A message of hope’
Early retirement was the last thing Julio Gonzalez and Diego Buonanotte wanted to hear about, meanwhile. Paraguayan marksman Gonzalez had been lethal in front of goal for Italian Serie B side Vicenza when tragedy struck for him in December 2005. He lost his left arm in a terrible car accident, but neither his appetite nor his goalscoring instincts deserted him and he currently leads the line for club side President Hayes. “The accident I suffered wasn’t as bad as all that because it helped me understand the true beauty of the world and life itself,” he says. “In the hospital, I saw people who were in a far worse state than me but I always saw them smile. Now I want to bring a message of hope to those who need it.”
Hope is a word closely linked with Buonanotte as well, since he is one of the most promising young talents in the Argentinian game. The only survivor in a horrendous car accident that took the lives of three of his friends in January, the diminutive River Plate forward has his heart set on returning to action in May. He too, no doubt, will be hungry to announce his return in emphatic fashion.
"You say to yourself: ‘I don’t smoke, I don’t drink, I live a healthy lifestyle and I’m a top-level athlete’ – and then all of a sudden someone tells you you have cancer. Your whole world collapses around your feet.” Carlos Roa is unlikely to ever forget hearing the news that heralded the darkest period of his career, but although the Argentinian goalkeeper was back competing in top-flight football just a year later in 2005, he is by no means the only player to have suffered a serious personal trauma. Far from being immune, football is just as vulnerable to the vicissitudes of life as any other pursuit, and when ill fortune strikes we cannot help but be reminded that it is just a game.
“I was told I had cancer a few weeks after my child was born,” recalls Cardiff City midfielder Stephen McPhail. “My wife was devastated and I was more worried about the people close to me than about myself. The ordeal put football in perspective for me and forced me to look at life in a new way.” The 30-year-old went as far as hiding his diagnosis from his team-mates over a period of three matches at the end of 2009. “That allowed me to forget it, which is what I needed.” Following treatment, the Republic of Ireland international eventually returned to action in February.
Like Roa and McPhail, many other professional footballers – and some of the finest talents in the game – have overcome a life-threatening illness. In each case, the most important contest they have faced has been the battle to conserve life itself. Many have been able to pick up their careers where they left off and others hope to soon do likewise. Some, however, have been obliged to hang up their boots, satisfied at least that they have completed the road to recovery.
Triumphant returns
The encouraging news for players grappling with illness is that football boasts more than its fair share of fairytales, as both Ivan Klasnic and Nwankwo Kanu would doubtless testify. The first and only player to have battled his way back following two kidney transplants, Bolton striker Klasnic helped himself to a pair of goals just two weeks after returning to competitive action with Werder Bremen. As for Premier League stalwart Kanu, now at Portsmouth, the 33-year-old’s playing days seemed to be over when he underwent open-heart surgery in 1996, yet he defied all expectations by becoming one of Nigeria’s most successful players ever, so far plundering 53 strikes in the English top flight.
Former Bulgarian international Luboslav Penev will know exactly the kinds of emotions his fellow forwards must have gone through – both at their lowest ebb and after their triumphant comebacks. A year on from missing the 1994 FIFA World Cup™ during his fight against testicular cancer, he won the Spanish double with Atletico Madrid. In a similar vein, former Argentinian international Hugo Morales quickly made his mark again too, firing a last-minute winner for Lanus in his first match back following a delicate operation and seven months of treatment for cancer. “I never gave up because I love football too much,” says ‘Higuito’. “When the coach told me I’d be on the bench, I said to the team doctor that I’d come on and make the difference. The San Lorenzo supporters clapped me, which was fantastic. The goal was a magnificent gift from life and from football.”
You say to yourself: ‘I don’t smoke, I don’t drink, I live a healthy lifestyle and I’m a top-level athlete’ – and then all of a sudden someone tells you you have cancer. Your whole world collapses around your feet.Former Argentina goalkeeper Carlos Roa
In Markus Babbel’s case, it was Guillain-Barre syndrome that struck him down at the height of a successful spell with Liverpool. Paralysed at one point and consigned to a wheelchair, he was invited to give a ceremonial kick-off to a match at Anfield, but he too recovered to complete a sensational comeback in the Premier League that transformed his take on life. “I became a totally different man at that moment,” he says now. “I realised how beautiful football is as a sport and how quickly everything can end.” Now hoping to make his mark in the dugout, he recently finished a fairly encouraging stint as coach of Stuttgart, the club where he called time on his playing days.
New outlooks
For former Germany striker Heiko Herrlich, top scorer in the Bundesliga in 1995, the detection of a brain tumour in 2000 signalled more than just the end of his top-flight journey. His sole ambition was to live, but a year later he was back on a pitch plying his trade with Borussia Dortmund. While he never quite scaled the same heights as before, for three seasons he was a firm favourite with the Dortmund faithful. Now coach of Bochum, he has adopted the mantra: “When you fall down, you have to get back up immediately.”
Australian international Craig Moore would surely concur with those sentiments. Just eight days after having his left testicle removed, in fact, the Socceroos defender began training again with A-League side Queensland Roar, and in January he signed for Greek outfit Kavala with hopes of earning a FIFA World Cup place.
South Africa is sure to prove elusive to both Millwall striker Neil Harris and Hull City goalkeeper Matt Duke, in contrast, but the English duo have opted to focus on a different priority. Both testicular cancer survivors, they responded to their ordeals by founding the Everyman Male Cancer Campaign, demonstrating real generosity of spirit. Having combated the same condition away from the pitch, in an interesting twist they later found themselves pitted against each other in an FA Cup tie, won 2-0 by Duke and Co last January.
Christophe Pignol’s career as a professional footballer is sadly over, on the other hand, the Frenchman unable to plot his route back after developing leukemia in 2001. Following several years of treatment he nonetheless recovered from the disease and took up the game again at amateur level. Now involved with futsal in Marseille, he has set up an association dedicated to leukemia research.
‘A message of hope’
Early retirement was the last thing Julio Gonzalez and Diego Buonanotte wanted to hear about, meanwhile. Paraguayan marksman Gonzalez had been lethal in front of goal for Italian Serie B side Vicenza when tragedy struck for him in December 2005. He lost his left arm in a terrible car accident, but neither his appetite nor his goalscoring instincts deserted him and he currently leads the line for club side President Hayes. “The accident I suffered wasn’t as bad as all that because it helped me understand the true beauty of the world and life itself,” he says. “In the hospital, I saw people who were in a far worse state than me but I always saw them smile. Now I want to bring a message of hope to those who need it.”
Hope is a word closely linked with Buonanotte as well, since he is one of the most promising young talents in the Argentinian game. The only survivor in a horrendous car accident that took the lives of three of his friends in January, the diminutive River Plate forward has his heart set on returning to action in May. He too, no doubt, will be hungry to announce his return in emphatic fashion.
Broken dreams on world stage
Broken dreams on world stage
(FIFA.com) Friday 19 March 2010
A broken dream. You could see it on the face of David Beckham as he left the San Siro pitch on Sunday evening, fighting back the tears after the sudden snap of his Achilles tendon. With a lengthy spell on the sidelines duly confirmed, Beckham’s hope of closing his international career by appearing at his fourth FIFA World Cup™ finals has been shattered.
The England midfielder’s misfortune, which spells another setback for his coach Fabio Capello, and will deny South African spectators the chance of seeing one of world football’s biggest names in June, is a familiar tale. Just as each world finals produces heroes, so it also gives us hard-luck stories of players cruelly denied an opportunity to shine on the greatest stage.
England fans, who have also seen Michael Owen’s faint prospects of claiming a place at South Africa 2010 scuppered by injury, are no strangers to nervously scanning medical bulletins in FIFA World Cup years. 2006 brought the saga of Wayne Rooney’s metatarsal, while in 2002 it was Beckham’s. Both were eventually passed fit to play though in 2002 coach Sven-Goran Eriksson did miss the injured Steven Gerrard and Gary Neville.
Whether they would have made a difference in that year’s quarter-final defeat by Brazil is doubtful. Indeed, their South American opponents had to shrug off an arguably greater loss en route to winning a fifth world crown.
Training fun turns sour
The Seleçao captain Emerson suffered a dislocated shoulder on the eve of their opening fixture against Turkey, after taking over in goal during a light-hearted training match. The mood turned sour, however, when the then Roma midfielder landed awkwardly, injuring his shoulder. The fall would rule him out for four weeks – in effect the entire tournament – though the deep regret will surely have lasted much longer.
Another player forced to sit out Korea/Japan 2002 was Spain’s Santiago Canizares who, unlike Emerson, really was a goalkeeper. His reflexes were evidently sharper in the penalty box than the bathroom, however, with the keeper cutting a tendon in his right foot with a shard of glass after dropping a bottle of aftershave at the team’s training base in Andalusia.
The longstanding deputy of Andoni Zubizarreta, Canizares had been preparing for his first taste of FIFA World Cup action but instead Spain coach Jose Antonio Camacho had no option but to throw a 21-year-old Iker Casillas in at the deep end. As history records, the Real Madrid man seized his chance with both hands and has not looked back since.
Nor was that to be the last lamentable story ahead of the 2002 finals. China PR’s most capped footballer, Li Ming, missed his country’s first appearance on the big stage because of an injury sustained in the build-up.
Holders France, meanwhile, went into their doomed title defence without Robert Pires and Christian Karembeu, Pires’s absence being a particular blow given he had just earned the Footballer of the Year prize in England.
Ayala absence
Argentina, like France, made a surprise first-round exit from Korea/Japan and in their case were hindered by the loss of captain Roberto Ayala. The defender made the trip to Asia but was consigned to the bench for all three group games after picking up an injury in the warm-up for the opening fixture against Nigeria.
Ayala was not the first Albiceleste captain to suffer this fate, although the national team’s campaign had a notably happier ending on the previous instance. In 1986, Argentina’s totemic defender Daniel Passarella, who eight years earlier had captained his country to their first world title, was stricken with a virus that led to weight loss and lengthy period of repose.
Passarella chose to remain with the squad in Mexico and helped nominate the new captain – not a difficult task with the inspirational Diego Maradona to call on – and the rest is history as the South Americans captured their second world crown.
Yet Passarella’s misfortune was nothing compared to that of another Argentinian legend, Alfredo di Stefano, who failed to grace football’s flagship event despite representing three different counties. In 1950 his native Argentina refused to take part for political reasons, while in 1954 the ‘Blond Arrow’ was declared ineligible after being capped for a second country, Colombia. After subsequently taking Spanish citizenship, Di Stefano helped La Roja qualify for Chile 1962, only to be ruled out of the finals because of a muscle injury.
Fast forward to Korea/Japan 2002, where Germany finished runners-up despite missing defender Jens Nowotny and midfielder Sebastian Deisler. Nowotny, an ever-present in qualifying, was injured playing for Bayer Leverkusen in the UEFA Champions League semi-final while playmaker Deisler broke his leg in a friendly against Austria that May.
Deisler suffers
Nowotny at least had the consolation of appearing at the finals on home soil four years later. By contrast fate continued to conspire against Deisler, who in March 2006 suffered a serious knee problem that denied him a place in Jurgen Klinsmann’s eventual bronze medal-winning squad.
France striker Djibril Cisse does not need telling that lightning can strike twice. 20 months after sustaining a serious fracture in his left leg when playing for Liverpool, he broke his other leg in his country's final warm-up match against China PR prior to their departure for Germany in May 2006. Cisse had already missed out on the UEFA EURO 2004 finals because of a suspension, leading to comparisons with former France forward Jose Toure, who was denied a place at the 1984 European and 1986 world showpieces by injury.
Of course, one man’s pain is another man’s gain and French football history offers an outstanding example of the silver lining. Before jetting off to Sweden in 1958, France lost leading forwards Thadee Cisowski and Rene Bliard, a double blow that opened the door to a certain Just Fontaine. Installed as the new first-choice striker for Les Bleus, he seized his opportunity in style, writing his name in the tournament record books with an unsurpassed 13 goals.
So while David Beckham joins the likes of Brazil’s Anderson and Portugal’s Bosingwa in revising his plans for June, there will be others dreaming anew of stepping out of the wings and taking centre stage in South Africa in less than three months’ time.
(FIFA.com) Friday 19 March 2010
A broken dream. You could see it on the face of David Beckham as he left the San Siro pitch on Sunday evening, fighting back the tears after the sudden snap of his Achilles tendon. With a lengthy spell on the sidelines duly confirmed, Beckham’s hope of closing his international career by appearing at his fourth FIFA World Cup™ finals has been shattered.
The England midfielder’s misfortune, which spells another setback for his coach Fabio Capello, and will deny South African spectators the chance of seeing one of world football’s biggest names in June, is a familiar tale. Just as each world finals produces heroes, so it also gives us hard-luck stories of players cruelly denied an opportunity to shine on the greatest stage.
England fans, who have also seen Michael Owen’s faint prospects of claiming a place at South Africa 2010 scuppered by injury, are no strangers to nervously scanning medical bulletins in FIFA World Cup years. 2006 brought the saga of Wayne Rooney’s metatarsal, while in 2002 it was Beckham’s. Both were eventually passed fit to play though in 2002 coach Sven-Goran Eriksson did miss the injured Steven Gerrard and Gary Neville.
Whether they would have made a difference in that year’s quarter-final defeat by Brazil is doubtful. Indeed, their South American opponents had to shrug off an arguably greater loss en route to winning a fifth world crown.
Training fun turns sour
The Seleçao captain Emerson suffered a dislocated shoulder on the eve of their opening fixture against Turkey, after taking over in goal during a light-hearted training match. The mood turned sour, however, when the then Roma midfielder landed awkwardly, injuring his shoulder. The fall would rule him out for four weeks – in effect the entire tournament – though the deep regret will surely have lasted much longer.
Another player forced to sit out Korea/Japan 2002 was Spain’s Santiago Canizares who, unlike Emerson, really was a goalkeeper. His reflexes were evidently sharper in the penalty box than the bathroom, however, with the keeper cutting a tendon in his right foot with a shard of glass after dropping a bottle of aftershave at the team’s training base in Andalusia.
The longstanding deputy of Andoni Zubizarreta, Canizares had been preparing for his first taste of FIFA World Cup action but instead Spain coach Jose Antonio Camacho had no option but to throw a 21-year-old Iker Casillas in at the deep end. As history records, the Real Madrid man seized his chance with both hands and has not looked back since.
Nor was that to be the last lamentable story ahead of the 2002 finals. China PR’s most capped footballer, Li Ming, missed his country’s first appearance on the big stage because of an injury sustained in the build-up.
Holders France, meanwhile, went into their doomed title defence without Robert Pires and Christian Karembeu, Pires’s absence being a particular blow given he had just earned the Footballer of the Year prize in England.
Ayala absence
Argentina, like France, made a surprise first-round exit from Korea/Japan and in their case were hindered by the loss of captain Roberto Ayala. The defender made the trip to Asia but was consigned to the bench for all three group games after picking up an injury in the warm-up for the opening fixture against Nigeria.
Ayala was not the first Albiceleste captain to suffer this fate, although the national team’s campaign had a notably happier ending on the previous instance. In 1986, Argentina’s totemic defender Daniel Passarella, who eight years earlier had captained his country to their first world title, was stricken with a virus that led to weight loss and lengthy period of repose.
Passarella chose to remain with the squad in Mexico and helped nominate the new captain – not a difficult task with the inspirational Diego Maradona to call on – and the rest is history as the South Americans captured their second world crown.
Yet Passarella’s misfortune was nothing compared to that of another Argentinian legend, Alfredo di Stefano, who failed to grace football’s flagship event despite representing three different counties. In 1950 his native Argentina refused to take part for political reasons, while in 1954 the ‘Blond Arrow’ was declared ineligible after being capped for a second country, Colombia. After subsequently taking Spanish citizenship, Di Stefano helped La Roja qualify for Chile 1962, only to be ruled out of the finals because of a muscle injury.
Fast forward to Korea/Japan 2002, where Germany finished runners-up despite missing defender Jens Nowotny and midfielder Sebastian Deisler. Nowotny, an ever-present in qualifying, was injured playing for Bayer Leverkusen in the UEFA Champions League semi-final while playmaker Deisler broke his leg in a friendly against Austria that May.
Deisler suffers
Nowotny at least had the consolation of appearing at the finals on home soil four years later. By contrast fate continued to conspire against Deisler, who in March 2006 suffered a serious knee problem that denied him a place in Jurgen Klinsmann’s eventual bronze medal-winning squad.
France striker Djibril Cisse does not need telling that lightning can strike twice. 20 months after sustaining a serious fracture in his left leg when playing for Liverpool, he broke his other leg in his country's final warm-up match against China PR prior to their departure for Germany in May 2006. Cisse had already missed out on the UEFA EURO 2004 finals because of a suspension, leading to comparisons with former France forward Jose Toure, who was denied a place at the 1984 European and 1986 world showpieces by injury.
Of course, one man’s pain is another man’s gain and French football history offers an outstanding example of the silver lining. Before jetting off to Sweden in 1958, France lost leading forwards Thadee Cisowski and Rene Bliard, a double blow that opened the door to a certain Just Fontaine. Installed as the new first-choice striker for Les Bleus, he seized his opportunity in style, writing his name in the tournament record books with an unsurpassed 13 goals.
So while David Beckham joins the likes of Brazil’s Anderson and Portugal’s Bosingwa in revising his plans for June, there will be others dreaming anew of stepping out of the wings and taking centre stage in South Africa in less than three months’ time.
Tunnel visions raise a smile
One of football’s principal rules is that a game lasts 90 minutes, with all the action of interest sandwiched between kick-off and the referee’s final whistle. In theory, anyway. In reality, every match gets under way long before the clock starts, as the players mingle in the corridor that leads to the pitch, before likewise ending on their route back to the dressing rooms. FIFA.com now recalls some of the legendary stories and myths surrounding incidents that took place even before the teams crossed the white line.
Call it intimidation, pressure or downright scare tactics, but provoking opponents in the tunnel has long been a strategy employed to eke out a psychological advantage in the run-up to a game. When the players in question also happen to be the captains of two Premier League heavyweights and neither are known as shrinking violets, then the reverberations are enough to shake the stadiums walls.
That was the case at Arsenal’s former stronghold, Highbury, when the famous marbled halls were rattled by the aftershocks of an altercation between Patrick Vieira and Roy Keane as fellow title contenders Manchester United came to town. Rushing to the aid of his team-mate Gary Neville, who was exchanging a few choice words with Vieira, Keane pointed to his opposite number and then to the end of the narrow corridor as he warned: “I’ll see you out there. Shut your mouth, you. Every week you pretend you’re a nice guy.” That animated discussion has gone down in Premier League history, and although Vieira went on to open the scoring, it was the Red Devils who came out on top with a 4-2 success at the home of their rivals.
That tale no doubt rings true for another French player, defender Basile Boli, who was also renowned for his committed approach to the game. Before an encounter with Nantes during the 1980s, the Auxerre centre-back was entrusted with the task of keeping prolific Yugoslavian striker Vahid Halilhodzic quiet. “I won my match in the tunnel,” explained the future UEFA Champions League winner a few years later. “We were side by side in the tunnel and I said to him: ‘You’re a dead man.’ I scared the hell out of him and he did nothing all match.”
Intimidation is an integral part of football in South America too, and nowhere more so than Uruguay. La Celeste’s reputation as a team that never shies away from a challenge was cemented in the away dressing room at the Maracana ahead of the deciding match of the 1950 FIFA World Cup™. Fully aware that they were massive underdogs and overwhelmed by the 203,850 Brazil supporters who had come to watch them lose, Uruguay’s players were readying themselves to be undone by the Seleçao.
I won my match in the tunnel. We were side by side in the tunnel and I said to him: ‘You’re a dead man.’Basile Boli on the secret to keeping Vahid Halilhodzic quiet
Obdulio Varela saw things differently, however. “Don’t think about all those people and don’t look up,” the team captain ordered his compatriots before they took to the field. “The match will happen down here, on the ground, and if we win nothing will happen. Matches are won with guts and feet.” When the final whistle blew, it was Uruguay who were crowned world champions, while the whole of Brazil wept.
A few days previously, however, it was Brazil who benefitted from a pre-match incident, when Yugoslavia’s best player Rajko Mitic had the misfortune to walk into a girder and cut his head open. That left the European side starting with ten men against the hosts, and by the time their star striker could enter the fray with his head in bandages, they had already conceded a goal to Ademir and were heading for a 2-0 reverse.
Stadium corridors can clearly be dangerous places, and half a century after Mitic’s malaise, Scottish midfielder Michael Stewart failed to heed the lesson. Sent off against Hamilton Academical, the Hearts captain made the rash decision to vent his anger by kicking the tunnel wall, only to slip and end up writhing in pain on the ground. Hearts were also involved when a referee sparked amusement in the stands by electrocuting himself on his earpiece during a match against Celtic. Thankfully, no lasting damage was done.
As for Celtic themselves, the history of the Glasgow giants was indelibly marked by a tunnel episode on their way to becoming the first British club to win a European trophy. Up against 1964 and 1965 European and world champions Inter Milan in Lisbon, Celtic looked to be major outsiders ahead of the 1967 showpiece. "There they were, all six-footers with Ambre Solaire suntans, Colgate smiles and sleek-backed hair," recalled the team's star winger, Jimmy 'Jinky' Johnstone. "Each and every one of them looked like the film star Cesar Romero. They even smelled beautiful! And there's us lot - midgets! I've got no teeth, Bobby Lennox hasn't any, and old Ronnie Simpson's got none, top or bottom. The Italians are staring down at us and we're grinning back up at them with our great gumsy grins. We must have looked like something out of the circus!"
Unperturbed, Bertie Auld opted to respond with a stirring burst of melody. The midfielder launched into the club anthem, the Celtic Song, and his team-mates followed suit, to the general surprise of the Nerazzurri. "You should have seen the expressions on the Italians' faces," chuckled captain Billy McNeill. "I think they thought they were playing a pub team!" The Serie A titans were left stunned after the final whistle too as the scoreboard told of a 2-1 victory for their Scottish opponents, and the legend of the Lisbon Lions was born.
English side Liverpool have now won Europe’s most prestigious prize five times and have long been recognised as giants of the continental game. One of the most enduring facets of their aura is the ‘This is Anfield’ sign that greets players in the tunnel just before they head out on to the pitch. Designed to faze visiting teams, it also serves to motivate the Reds themselves, with tradition dictating that each player touch the inscription for good luck. Beaten 3-1 by Liverpool at Anfield after having triumphed 1-0 at home in 1977, Saint-Etienne were perhaps persuaded by that experience to install a sign of their own, and the tunnel of their Stade Geoffroy-Guichard home now boasts the message 'Ici c’est le chaudron' (This is the Cauldron).
The Italians are staring down at us and we're grinning back up at them with our great gumsy grins. We must have looked like something out of the circus!Jimmy Johnstone on the culture clash in the Lisbon tunnel before the 1967 European Cup final
Former St-Etienne youth prospect Gregory Coupet is another player with a tunnel story, as he owed his lengthy and successful stint with local rivals Lyon to an incident behind the scenes. The current Paris Saint-Germain custodian was in fact recruited by OL in 1997 as a replacement for Pascal Olmeta, his predecessor having been sacked by the club following a clash in the tunnel with team-mate Jean-Luc Sassus.
Nowadays, Lyon are more likely to stand united than divided in the corridors of a stadium. After their excellent recent draw at Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League first knockout round, the French club’s Argentinian duo Lisandro Lopez and Cesar Delgado made a point of reminding Real defender Sergio Ramos of his pre-match prediction. “Hey, you, didn’t you say you’d win 3-0?” they asked. In the wake of Lyon’s 1-0 home leg win, the Spanish international had indeed foreseen a straightforward success for his side at the Santiago Bernabeu, but while he was forced to eat his words, he nonetheless treated his giddy opponents to a different take on the moral of the story. “You have to know how to lose but you also have to know how to win,” he told them.
Better known for his exploits with the ball at his feet, Los Merengues legend Alfredo Di Stefano could also impress away from the action. Heading into a European Cup meeting with Nice at Madrid’s old Chamartin stadium in 1960, his colleague Rial was determined to wipe out their 3-2 away-leg setback and told Di Stefano of his hunger to “win big”. The Blond Arrow replied: “First, we’re going to eat. Only after that will we think about chocolate.” Real won the match 4-0, having consumed both main course and dessert.
A few years later, Di Stefano was seeing out the twilight of his career at Espanyol. Less influential on the pitch, he could nonetheless still make waves in the tunnel and did just that during a fixture against Levante in 1964/65. Sent off, he treated Levante’s technical secretary Ramon Balaguer to a loud slap that echoed through the Estadio Vallejo as he trudged back to the dressing room.
Another Argentinian to have served the Espanyol cause, Pablo Cavallero had a friend who was a fan of the Dutch striker and then Barcelona marksman Patrick Kluivert. Ahead of a Barcelona city derby he asked Kluivert if they could swap shirts after the game, and made a point of repeating his request during added time. As the final whistle blew, Cavallero chased the former Ajax star down the tunnel to remind him of his promise. “Honestly, I was a bit embarrassed but once again I asked him: ‘Patrick, Patrick, your shirt!’” recalled the former Periquitos goalkeeper afterwards. “He gave it to me and just as I was about to take mine off to exchange it, he said: ‘No, no. that’s OK; keep it.’ I doubt he even knew my name.”
Kluivert’s predecessor at the Camp Nou, Romario, could be just as dismissive – even of his own team-mates. Ahead of his Liga debut, the Brazilian international was offered some friendly words of advice by goalkeeper Andoni Zubizarreta but took none too kindly to the lessons on offer. “Wait, you’re going to teach me how to score goals?” asked O Baixinho. Some 90 minutes later, Barça were toasting a 3-0 victory earned courtesy of a Romario hat-trick.
That irreverent approach has spectacularly backfired on occasion, though, as Brazil’s women’s team discovered during the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup final in Shanghai. The Auriverde's bout of dancing and singing in the tunnel ahead of the showpiece encounter clearly irritated final opponents Germany, giving the Europeans another source of motivation as they geared up for a 2-0 success.
Lastly, while there is always plenty happening in the tunnel, it is always wise to choose the right moment before making it your destination. Former UEFA President Lennart Johansson found that out to his enormous chagrin after leaving his seat in the 90th minute of the 1999 Champions League final. Heading down to hand Bayern Munich the trophy, with the Bundesliga side leading 1-0 at the death, he passed Bobby Charlton in the bowels of the Camp Nou and told the Manchester United icon: “I’m sorry.” By the time he had left the tunnel again, United were winning 2-1 and about to clinch victory thanks to a pair of strikes in added time.
Call it intimidation, pressure or downright scare tactics, but provoking opponents in the tunnel has long been a strategy employed to eke out a psychological advantage in the run-up to a game. When the players in question also happen to be the captains of two Premier League heavyweights and neither are known as shrinking violets, then the reverberations are enough to shake the stadiums walls.
That was the case at Arsenal’s former stronghold, Highbury, when the famous marbled halls were rattled by the aftershocks of an altercation between Patrick Vieira and Roy Keane as fellow title contenders Manchester United came to town. Rushing to the aid of his team-mate Gary Neville, who was exchanging a few choice words with Vieira, Keane pointed to his opposite number and then to the end of the narrow corridor as he warned: “I’ll see you out there. Shut your mouth, you. Every week you pretend you’re a nice guy.” That animated discussion has gone down in Premier League history, and although Vieira went on to open the scoring, it was the Red Devils who came out on top with a 4-2 success at the home of their rivals.
That tale no doubt rings true for another French player, defender Basile Boli, who was also renowned for his committed approach to the game. Before an encounter with Nantes during the 1980s, the Auxerre centre-back was entrusted with the task of keeping prolific Yugoslavian striker Vahid Halilhodzic quiet. “I won my match in the tunnel,” explained the future UEFA Champions League winner a few years later. “We were side by side in the tunnel and I said to him: ‘You’re a dead man.’ I scared the hell out of him and he did nothing all match.”
Intimidation is an integral part of football in South America too, and nowhere more so than Uruguay. La Celeste’s reputation as a team that never shies away from a challenge was cemented in the away dressing room at the Maracana ahead of the deciding match of the 1950 FIFA World Cup™. Fully aware that they were massive underdogs and overwhelmed by the 203,850 Brazil supporters who had come to watch them lose, Uruguay’s players were readying themselves to be undone by the Seleçao.
I won my match in the tunnel. We were side by side in the tunnel and I said to him: ‘You’re a dead man.’Basile Boli on the secret to keeping Vahid Halilhodzic quiet
Obdulio Varela saw things differently, however. “Don’t think about all those people and don’t look up,” the team captain ordered his compatriots before they took to the field. “The match will happen down here, on the ground, and if we win nothing will happen. Matches are won with guts and feet.” When the final whistle blew, it was Uruguay who were crowned world champions, while the whole of Brazil wept.
A few days previously, however, it was Brazil who benefitted from a pre-match incident, when Yugoslavia’s best player Rajko Mitic had the misfortune to walk into a girder and cut his head open. That left the European side starting with ten men against the hosts, and by the time their star striker could enter the fray with his head in bandages, they had already conceded a goal to Ademir and were heading for a 2-0 reverse.
Stadium corridors can clearly be dangerous places, and half a century after Mitic’s malaise, Scottish midfielder Michael Stewart failed to heed the lesson. Sent off against Hamilton Academical, the Hearts captain made the rash decision to vent his anger by kicking the tunnel wall, only to slip and end up writhing in pain on the ground. Hearts were also involved when a referee sparked amusement in the stands by electrocuting himself on his earpiece during a match against Celtic. Thankfully, no lasting damage was done.
As for Celtic themselves, the history of the Glasgow giants was indelibly marked by a tunnel episode on their way to becoming the first British club to win a European trophy. Up against 1964 and 1965 European and world champions Inter Milan in Lisbon, Celtic looked to be major outsiders ahead of the 1967 showpiece. "There they were, all six-footers with Ambre Solaire suntans, Colgate smiles and sleek-backed hair," recalled the team's star winger, Jimmy 'Jinky' Johnstone. "Each and every one of them looked like the film star Cesar Romero. They even smelled beautiful! And there's us lot - midgets! I've got no teeth, Bobby Lennox hasn't any, and old Ronnie Simpson's got none, top or bottom. The Italians are staring down at us and we're grinning back up at them with our great gumsy grins. We must have looked like something out of the circus!"
Unperturbed, Bertie Auld opted to respond with a stirring burst of melody. The midfielder launched into the club anthem, the Celtic Song, and his team-mates followed suit, to the general surprise of the Nerazzurri. "You should have seen the expressions on the Italians' faces," chuckled captain Billy McNeill. "I think they thought they were playing a pub team!" The Serie A titans were left stunned after the final whistle too as the scoreboard told of a 2-1 victory for their Scottish opponents, and the legend of the Lisbon Lions was born.
English side Liverpool have now won Europe’s most prestigious prize five times and have long been recognised as giants of the continental game. One of the most enduring facets of their aura is the ‘This is Anfield’ sign that greets players in the tunnel just before they head out on to the pitch. Designed to faze visiting teams, it also serves to motivate the Reds themselves, with tradition dictating that each player touch the inscription for good luck. Beaten 3-1 by Liverpool at Anfield after having triumphed 1-0 at home in 1977, Saint-Etienne were perhaps persuaded by that experience to install a sign of their own, and the tunnel of their Stade Geoffroy-Guichard home now boasts the message 'Ici c’est le chaudron' (This is the Cauldron).
The Italians are staring down at us and we're grinning back up at them with our great gumsy grins. We must have looked like something out of the circus!Jimmy Johnstone on the culture clash in the Lisbon tunnel before the 1967 European Cup final
Former St-Etienne youth prospect Gregory Coupet is another player with a tunnel story, as he owed his lengthy and successful stint with local rivals Lyon to an incident behind the scenes. The current Paris Saint-Germain custodian was in fact recruited by OL in 1997 as a replacement for Pascal Olmeta, his predecessor having been sacked by the club following a clash in the tunnel with team-mate Jean-Luc Sassus.
Nowadays, Lyon are more likely to stand united than divided in the corridors of a stadium. After their excellent recent draw at Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League first knockout round, the French club’s Argentinian duo Lisandro Lopez and Cesar Delgado made a point of reminding Real defender Sergio Ramos of his pre-match prediction. “Hey, you, didn’t you say you’d win 3-0?” they asked. In the wake of Lyon’s 1-0 home leg win, the Spanish international had indeed foreseen a straightforward success for his side at the Santiago Bernabeu, but while he was forced to eat his words, he nonetheless treated his giddy opponents to a different take on the moral of the story. “You have to know how to lose but you also have to know how to win,” he told them.
Better known for his exploits with the ball at his feet, Los Merengues legend Alfredo Di Stefano could also impress away from the action. Heading into a European Cup meeting with Nice at Madrid’s old Chamartin stadium in 1960, his colleague Rial was determined to wipe out their 3-2 away-leg setback and told Di Stefano of his hunger to “win big”. The Blond Arrow replied: “First, we’re going to eat. Only after that will we think about chocolate.” Real won the match 4-0, having consumed both main course and dessert.
A few years later, Di Stefano was seeing out the twilight of his career at Espanyol. Less influential on the pitch, he could nonetheless still make waves in the tunnel and did just that during a fixture against Levante in 1964/65. Sent off, he treated Levante’s technical secretary Ramon Balaguer to a loud slap that echoed through the Estadio Vallejo as he trudged back to the dressing room.
Another Argentinian to have served the Espanyol cause, Pablo Cavallero had a friend who was a fan of the Dutch striker and then Barcelona marksman Patrick Kluivert. Ahead of a Barcelona city derby he asked Kluivert if they could swap shirts after the game, and made a point of repeating his request during added time. As the final whistle blew, Cavallero chased the former Ajax star down the tunnel to remind him of his promise. “Honestly, I was a bit embarrassed but once again I asked him: ‘Patrick, Patrick, your shirt!’” recalled the former Periquitos goalkeeper afterwards. “He gave it to me and just as I was about to take mine off to exchange it, he said: ‘No, no. that’s OK; keep it.’ I doubt he even knew my name.”
Kluivert’s predecessor at the Camp Nou, Romario, could be just as dismissive – even of his own team-mates. Ahead of his Liga debut, the Brazilian international was offered some friendly words of advice by goalkeeper Andoni Zubizarreta but took none too kindly to the lessons on offer. “Wait, you’re going to teach me how to score goals?” asked O Baixinho. Some 90 minutes later, Barça were toasting a 3-0 victory earned courtesy of a Romario hat-trick.
That irreverent approach has spectacularly backfired on occasion, though, as Brazil’s women’s team discovered during the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup final in Shanghai. The Auriverde's bout of dancing and singing in the tunnel ahead of the showpiece encounter clearly irritated final opponents Germany, giving the Europeans another source of motivation as they geared up for a 2-0 success.
Lastly, while there is always plenty happening in the tunnel, it is always wise to choose the right moment before making it your destination. Former UEFA President Lennart Johansson found that out to his enormous chagrin after leaving his seat in the 90th minute of the 1999 Champions League final. Heading down to hand Bayern Munich the trophy, with the Bundesliga side leading 1-0 at the death, he passed Bobby Charlton in the bowels of the Camp Nou and told the Manchester United icon: “I’m sorry.” By the time he had left the tunnel again, United were winning 2-1 and about to clinch victory thanks to a pair of strikes in added time.
Football's fervent devotees
The game of football arouses passions that defy all logic. And sometimes its loyal followers do the kinds of things that others find hard to fathom. Paying tribute to the folks who are the lifeblood of the game, FIFA.com reveals the lengths some fans will go to in order to show their love for the shirt.
The 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ is just weeks away now and fans of the 32 finalists are busy making travel arrangements so they can go and cheer their teams on. In some cases the journey will be an expensive one, although when it comes to seeing their heroes in action, diehard football followers are prepared to make major sacrifices, as FIFA.com user JDAVID83 from Colombia explains: “My father took five years to pay off the loan he took out to go to Tokyo for the Intercontinental Cup final between Atletico Nacional and AC Milan in December 1989. I think I’d do the same thing too.”
A similar case of dedication above and beyond the call of duty is provided by Li Wengang, a Chinese electrician who founded the country’s first supporters’ club in 1984. Such was his passion for football that he embarked on a pilgrimage that took him the length and breadth of China to promote the sport. Nicknamed Rossi because of his likeness to the Italian legend, his footballing odyssey has made him a national celebrity.
My father took five years to pay off the loan he took out to go to Tokyo for the Intercontinental Cup final between Atletico Nacional and AC Milan in December 1989. I think I’d do the same thing too.One devoted FIFA.com user
Argentina bore witness to another pilgrimage in 1995 when a large contingent of San Lorenzo fans walked all the way to the Basilica of Lujan to celebrate El Ciclón’s first championship in 21 years. Three seasons later it was the Virgin of Lujan’s turn to venture out as part of a procession to Racing Avellaneda’s home ground, the aim being to rid the stadium of all curses and help the team win its first league title since 1966. The virgin’s arrival was followed by a blessing, a rock concert, fireworks and a friendly match, and three years later Racing were champions again.
Mass demonstrations of support are not uncommon in the game. Fifteen years ago the fans of Celta Vigo and Sevilla took to the streets in their thousands to protest against the demotions of their clubs to the Spanish second division for alleged financial irregularities. The impressive shows of public support worked, with both teams keeping their places in an enlarged top flight.
Till death do us part
Football has always had its mystical side, as the founders of the Maradonian Church will tell you. Dedicated to Argentina’s most famous footballing son, Diego Maradona, the church celebrates its “Christmas” on 30 October, the star’s date of birth, which in its eyes also marks the beginning of a new “era”. Hundreds of thousands of followers observes its rituals and recite its very own versions of the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer. The church even performs its very own wedding ceremony.
Our next tale of footballing passion also involves a wedding. In 2003 a young Pakistani by the name of Tay Baig travelled with his friends to London for his stag party only to end up in Seville, where his beloved Glasgow Celtic were due to play Porto in the UEFA Cup Final. The only problem was, while Tay was in southern Spain soaking up the pre-match atmosphere, 1,500 guests were waiting for him to appear at his wedding back in Lahore. Fielding irate calls from his exasperated family, Tay explained that there was no way he could miss such an important game.
“They aren’t very happy,” said the wayward groom at the time. “His fiancee has to understand it,” added his supportive brother. “He’s a staunch fan and a season-ticket holder too.” Defying his family, Tay stayed on in Seville, albeit without a ticket for the final, though we do not know if his wife-to-be ever forgave him or if they ended up tying the knot.
One football fanatic who did get married was Mei Nansheng of Wuhan, China ... on a football pitch. “Maybe I wasn’t born to play the game but I’m prepared to die for it,” said Mei. And though he has not gone to that length yet, he was so disgusted by his national side’s performances and his club’s decision to withdraw from the Chinese Super League that he retired from public life to become a Buddhist monk in 2008 .
Other fans take their passion with them to the grave. In response to growing demand, many undertakers now offer coffins adorned in the colours of clubs and national teams. That option was not enough for one follower of Spanish outfit Real Betis, who before his death asked his son to take his ashes along to every home game - a request the dutiful son continues to honour. To cater for the same kind of eternal devotion, Argentinian giants Boca Juniors now offer their departed fans an exclusive cemetery where they can rest in peace.
Customised coffins aside, fans around the world have even been known to dye their hair and paint their car and house in their club’s colours, though no one can surpass Germany’s Schalke 04, who are the proud owners of a tank bedecked in their blue-and-white colour scheme.
Continuing the transport theme, Portugal nut and former national trial biking champion Osvaldo Garcia is intent on delivering the country’s flag to Carlos Queiroz and his players before their opening game at South Africa 2010 against Côte d’Ivoire. Osvaldo’s mission involves a quite extraordinary journey, however. Setting off from the town of Penafiel, near Porto in northern Portugal, on 5 April, he is hoping to ride through 18 countries to reach the team’s base at Valley Lodge, Magaliesburg, a mere 20,000 kilometres away from home.
Have your say
These are just a few examples of the allegiance the game inspires in fans around the world. Do you know of any similar examples of unstinting dedication to the cause? If so, click on ‘Add your comment’ and tell us all about them.
The 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ is just weeks away now and fans of the 32 finalists are busy making travel arrangements so they can go and cheer their teams on. In some cases the journey will be an expensive one, although when it comes to seeing their heroes in action, diehard football followers are prepared to make major sacrifices, as FIFA.com user JDAVID83 from Colombia explains: “My father took five years to pay off the loan he took out to go to Tokyo for the Intercontinental Cup final between Atletico Nacional and AC Milan in December 1989. I think I’d do the same thing too.”
A similar case of dedication above and beyond the call of duty is provided by Li Wengang, a Chinese electrician who founded the country’s first supporters’ club in 1984. Such was his passion for football that he embarked on a pilgrimage that took him the length and breadth of China to promote the sport. Nicknamed Rossi because of his likeness to the Italian legend, his footballing odyssey has made him a national celebrity.
My father took five years to pay off the loan he took out to go to Tokyo for the Intercontinental Cup final between Atletico Nacional and AC Milan in December 1989. I think I’d do the same thing too.One devoted FIFA.com user
Argentina bore witness to another pilgrimage in 1995 when a large contingent of San Lorenzo fans walked all the way to the Basilica of Lujan to celebrate El Ciclón’s first championship in 21 years. Three seasons later it was the Virgin of Lujan’s turn to venture out as part of a procession to Racing Avellaneda’s home ground, the aim being to rid the stadium of all curses and help the team win its first league title since 1966. The virgin’s arrival was followed by a blessing, a rock concert, fireworks and a friendly match, and three years later Racing were champions again.
Mass demonstrations of support are not uncommon in the game. Fifteen years ago the fans of Celta Vigo and Sevilla took to the streets in their thousands to protest against the demotions of their clubs to the Spanish second division for alleged financial irregularities. The impressive shows of public support worked, with both teams keeping their places in an enlarged top flight.
Till death do us part
Football has always had its mystical side, as the founders of the Maradonian Church will tell you. Dedicated to Argentina’s most famous footballing son, Diego Maradona, the church celebrates its “Christmas” on 30 October, the star’s date of birth, which in its eyes also marks the beginning of a new “era”. Hundreds of thousands of followers observes its rituals and recite its very own versions of the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer. The church even performs its very own wedding ceremony.
Our next tale of footballing passion also involves a wedding. In 2003 a young Pakistani by the name of Tay Baig travelled with his friends to London for his stag party only to end up in Seville, where his beloved Glasgow Celtic were due to play Porto in the UEFA Cup Final. The only problem was, while Tay was in southern Spain soaking up the pre-match atmosphere, 1,500 guests were waiting for him to appear at his wedding back in Lahore. Fielding irate calls from his exasperated family, Tay explained that there was no way he could miss such an important game.
“They aren’t very happy,” said the wayward groom at the time. “His fiancee has to understand it,” added his supportive brother. “He’s a staunch fan and a season-ticket holder too.” Defying his family, Tay stayed on in Seville, albeit without a ticket for the final, though we do not know if his wife-to-be ever forgave him or if they ended up tying the knot.
One football fanatic who did get married was Mei Nansheng of Wuhan, China ... on a football pitch. “Maybe I wasn’t born to play the game but I’m prepared to die for it,” said Mei. And though he has not gone to that length yet, he was so disgusted by his national side’s performances and his club’s decision to withdraw from the Chinese Super League that he retired from public life to become a Buddhist monk in 2008 .
Other fans take their passion with them to the grave. In response to growing demand, many undertakers now offer coffins adorned in the colours of clubs and national teams. That option was not enough for one follower of Spanish outfit Real Betis, who before his death asked his son to take his ashes along to every home game - a request the dutiful son continues to honour. To cater for the same kind of eternal devotion, Argentinian giants Boca Juniors now offer their departed fans an exclusive cemetery where they can rest in peace.
Customised coffins aside, fans around the world have even been known to dye their hair and paint their car and house in their club’s colours, though no one can surpass Germany’s Schalke 04, who are the proud owners of a tank bedecked in their blue-and-white colour scheme.
Continuing the transport theme, Portugal nut and former national trial biking champion Osvaldo Garcia is intent on delivering the country’s flag to Carlos Queiroz and his players before their opening game at South Africa 2010 against Côte d’Ivoire. Osvaldo’s mission involves a quite extraordinary journey, however. Setting off from the town of Penafiel, near Porto in northern Portugal, on 5 April, he is hoping to ride through 18 countries to reach the team’s base at Valley Lodge, Magaliesburg, a mere 20,000 kilometres away from home.
Have your say
These are just a few examples of the allegiance the game inspires in fans around the world. Do you know of any similar examples of unstinting dedication to the cause? If so, click on ‘Add your comment’ and tell us all about them.
Two for the price of one
Math is an exact science: one plus one is two, whichever way you look at it. And anyone who has spent time on a football pitch knows how limiting having just one ‘good’ foot can be. Who at one time or another hasn’t found themselves wishing for both the poise, power and precision of Roberto Carlos’ left foot and David Beckham’s right?
The former Argentina midfielder and current coach of Argentinos Juniors, Claudio Borghi, something of an expert in his day at the rabona cross-legged trick, has admitted in previous interviews how restrictive it felt to rely on just one foot: “Doing a rabona isn’t just showboating, nor is it a mark of your quality – it’s simply you admitting loud and clear to anyone watching that your other foot is completely useless.”
This is not, however, a problem that Gallic genius Zinedine Zidane ever had to face in his career, capable as he was of unimaginable exploits with both feet. One such triumph was the goal he scored for Real Madrid in the 2002 UEFA Champions League final versus Bayer Leverkusen at Hampden Park. His left-footed volley from the edge of the penalty area that soared into the top corner of the German side’s net will remain engraved in the memory of football fans the world over for many years.
Left foot forward
It is remarkable how often naturally right-footed players score outstanding goals with their left. While sporting the colours of Juventus, Zidane provided another unforgettable example of this phenomenon in a match against Reggina, as he skipped past three defenders, surged into the box and dispatched an unstoppable left-footed shot past the opposing goalkeeper.
Of course, fans of the attacking midfielder were already well aware of his prowess in this domain – in his international debut against the Czech Republic in 1994, Zidane unleashed a ferocious bending shot with his ‘wrong’ foot, opening his account for France in the process.
The former Argentina midfielder and current coach of Argentinos Juniors, Claudio Borghi, something of an expert in his day at the rabona cross-legged trick, has admitted in previous interviews how restrictive it felt to rely on just one foot: “Doing a rabona isn’t just showboating, nor is it a mark of your quality – it’s simply you admitting loud and clear to anyone watching that your other foot is completely useless.”
This is not, however, a problem that Gallic genius Zinedine Zidane ever had to face in his career, capable as he was of unimaginable exploits with both feet. One such triumph was the goal he scored for Real Madrid in the 2002 UEFA Champions League final versus Bayer Leverkusen at Hampden Park. His left-footed volley from the edge of the penalty area that soared into the top corner of the German side’s net will remain engraved in the memory of football fans the world over for many years.
Left foot forward
It is remarkable how often naturally right-footed players score outstanding goals with their left. While sporting the colours of Juventus, Zidane provided another unforgettable example of this phenomenon in a match against Reggina, as he skipped past three defenders, surged into the box and dispatched an unstoppable left-footed shot past the opposing goalkeeper.
Of course, fans of the attacking midfielder were already well aware of his prowess in this domain – in his international debut against the Czech Republic in 1994, Zidane unleashed a ferocious bending shot with his ‘wrong’ foot, opening his account for France in the process.
Mascherano: I'm very proud
My team is Mascherano and ten others.” Those words, uttered by Diego Maradona in his first press conference as Argentina coach, highlighted the importance of Javier Mascherano to his country. The 26-year-old has been wearing the Albiceleste jersey for seven years now, and has become such an important cog in the midfield that he now sports the captain’s armband.
Along with his Argentina colleagues, Masche is now preparing for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™. With the big event approaching fast, he gave an exclusive interview to FIFA.com. On the agenda were his role as skipper, Lionel Messi’s scintillating form, Argentina’s chances of success and his dream of leading them back to the summit of world football.
FIFA.com: Javier, you have been at Liverpool for a while now. What do you make of it so far?
Javier Mascherano: It’s been fantastic and I don’t get tired of saying that. They’ve treated my family and I superbly right from day one and we don’t have any complaints. Liverpool is a lovely little city too, and it’s growing fast.
What do you enjoy most about the place?
Playing football, of course (laughs). It’s a port city with a lot of hard-working people and it’s grown a lot in the last few years. If I had to recommend places for people to visit, I’d say the best-known sights like the Beatles Museum and Anfield. It’s a lovely city.
Along with his Argentina colleagues, Masche is now preparing for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™. With the big event approaching fast, he gave an exclusive interview to FIFA.com. On the agenda were his role as skipper, Lionel Messi’s scintillating form, Argentina’s chances of success and his dream of leading them back to the summit of world football.
FIFA.com: Javier, you have been at Liverpool for a while now. What do you make of it so far?
Javier Mascherano: It’s been fantastic and I don’t get tired of saying that. They’ve treated my family and I superbly right from day one and we don’t have any complaints. Liverpool is a lovely little city too, and it’s growing fast.
What do you enjoy most about the place?
Playing football, of course (laughs). It’s a port city with a lot of hard-working people and it’s grown a lot in the last few years. If I had to recommend places for people to visit, I’d say the best-known sights like the Beatles Museum and Anfield. It’s a lovely city.
We're up for the challenge
USA's Jozy Altidore certainly cuts an imposing figure out on the pitch, thanks to a muscular 1.90m frame ideally suited to the target-man position. Indeed, it is in this role that he has proved vital to the success of the Stars and Stripes, with coach Bob Bradley expecting a great deal from the 20-year-old at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™.
Off the field, however, Altidore has recently had much to endure, including personal problems, a serious car accident involving close friend and fellow USA forward Charlie Davies, as well as the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti, where his parents hail from. Touching on all those issues and more, Altidore sat down for an exclusive interview with FIFA.com.
FIFA.com: Jozy, tell us how you felt when you saw USA had been drawn against England, Algeria and Slovenia at South Africa 2010?
Jozy Altidore: I’m excited about the group we’ve been drawn in. I think that all of us in the America agree that we’re in a group which will allow us to play our football. We’ll be up against a world force in England and two quick teams in Slovenia and Algeria, and I think these opponents really suit our style of play.
Is there any anxiety about taking on a big name like England in your first group game?
We're never scared, on the contrary, we’re really looking forward to that match. I think that we’re capable of beating anybody on our day and there’s no team in the world that can beat us easily. We’re up to the challenge and the English will realise that when we meet them. It'll be a tough match; no team can walk over us.
What lessons did USA learn from reaching the final of last year’s FIFA Confederations Cup?
That anything can happen. Nobody expected us to go so far and play such a high standard of football. But it also taught us that we can't get complacent. We were beating Brazil 2-0 (in the final), putting in an excellent performance and we felt that we had the win in the bag. Of course, you can’t do that against a team of Brazil’s calibre and we all know what the final score was [A Seleção emerged 3-2 winners]. But it was a good lesson to learn.
Your career seems to be progressing well, but how are things on a personal level?
I’ve been through a lot over the last two or three years that people don’t know about. Then came the car accident involving my friend Charlie. And just when I was trying to put that behind me, suddenly the earthquake struck in Haiti. You have to be strong and not let the sadness weigh you down. I’m still trying to get over that bad period, but I’ve got help from my family, who’ve been fantastic.
Could you expand a little on the problems you have been through in previous years?
I had family issues which stopped me from focusing completely on football and affected my performances. Things are better now and I’ve vowed to myself that this will be the year I return to the very top, taking full advantage of the World Cup. I'll be getting back to doing what I love.
Can you tell us more about Charlie Davies’s situation?
Charlie is like a brother to me. But I’m happy to see how well he’s recovered. I think he’s surprised a lot of people, not just me, and I really confident that he’s going to suprise a lot of people Hopefully he can come to the World Cup and do what we know he can do.
Off the field, however, Altidore has recently had much to endure, including personal problems, a serious car accident involving close friend and fellow USA forward Charlie Davies, as well as the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti, where his parents hail from. Touching on all those issues and more, Altidore sat down for an exclusive interview with FIFA.com.
FIFA.com: Jozy, tell us how you felt when you saw USA had been drawn against England, Algeria and Slovenia at South Africa 2010?
Jozy Altidore: I’m excited about the group we’ve been drawn in. I think that all of us in the America agree that we’re in a group which will allow us to play our football. We’ll be up against a world force in England and two quick teams in Slovenia and Algeria, and I think these opponents really suit our style of play.
Is there any anxiety about taking on a big name like England in your first group game?
We're never scared, on the contrary, we’re really looking forward to that match. I think that we’re capable of beating anybody on our day and there’s no team in the world that can beat us easily. We’re up to the challenge and the English will realise that when we meet them. It'll be a tough match; no team can walk over us.
What lessons did USA learn from reaching the final of last year’s FIFA Confederations Cup?
That anything can happen. Nobody expected us to go so far and play such a high standard of football. But it also taught us that we can't get complacent. We were beating Brazil 2-0 (in the final), putting in an excellent performance and we felt that we had the win in the bag. Of course, you can’t do that against a team of Brazil’s calibre and we all know what the final score was [A Seleção emerged 3-2 winners]. But it was a good lesson to learn.
Your career seems to be progressing well, but how are things on a personal level?
I’ve been through a lot over the last two or three years that people don’t know about. Then came the car accident involving my friend Charlie. And just when I was trying to put that behind me, suddenly the earthquake struck in Haiti. You have to be strong and not let the sadness weigh you down. I’m still trying to get over that bad period, but I’ve got help from my family, who’ve been fantastic.
Could you expand a little on the problems you have been through in previous years?
I had family issues which stopped me from focusing completely on football and affected my performances. Things are better now and I’ve vowed to myself that this will be the year I return to the very top, taking full advantage of the World Cup. I'll be getting back to doing what I love.
Can you tell us more about Charlie Davies’s situation?
Charlie is like a brother to me. But I’m happy to see how well he’s recovered. I think he’s surprised a lot of people, not just me, and I really confident that he’s going to suprise a lot of people Hopefully he can come to the World Cup and do what we know he can do.
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