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January/February 2013

FIFA Ballon d’Or highlights | Confederations Cup draw review | A key year on and off the pitch | Global glory for Corinthians | ’s indoor maestros | near the fi nish line | Tackling concussion head on | A world of development | The rise and rise of Cape Verde Record man Fourth year on top for Messi emirates.com Tomorrow brings us all closer To new people, new ideas and new states of mind. Here’s to reaching all the places we’ve never been.

Fly Emirates to 6 continents. EDITORIAL

Celebrating the best

Dear friends of football,

The year 2013 has only just got under way, but already we have celebrated the fi rst highlight of the year, with the successful staging of the latest FIFA Ballon d’Or gala in Zurich providing an uplifting start to what promises to be a very exciting year. In an age when newspapers and other media are frequently fi lled with negative stories, we should cherish the fact that, in the world of sport at least, there is still a desire to celebrate positive achievements and praise those players who have excelled beyond even the expectations of their peers. That has certainly been the case for , who has further cemented his reputation as one of the best players of all time after winning the FIFA Ballon d’Or for an unprecedented fourth year running. As Messi himself reminded the gala guests, however, individual achievements are only possible in football with the support of your team “The latest FIFA Ballon and it was fi tting that strong team efforts were also refl ected among the d’Or gala provided an the night’s other sporting awards – with picking up the FIFA World Coach of the Year for Men’s Football award in uplifting start to what recognition of his side’s EURO 2012 triumph, and USA striker and former head coach winning the FIFA Women’s World promises to be a very Player of the Year and FIFA World Coach of the Year for Women’s Football awards, following on from the Americans’ victory in last year’s Women’s exciting year” Olympic Football Tournament. As well as highlighting spectacular feats – such as the stunning goal that earned Miroslav Stoch this year’s FIFA Puskás Award – the gala also gave us the chance to honour those who have upheld our game’s most important values. The bestowal of the FIFA Fair Play Award on the Uzbekistan Football Federation for the exemplary conduct of its teams in 2012 was just such a moment. I was similarly delighted to hand this year’s FIFA Presidential Award to – a man who has put his heart and soul into football during a remarkable career that has seen him excel as a player, as a coach and as an administrator. With the awards ceremony over for another year, we can now look forward to seeing which stars will shine brightest in 2013 – a year which will also be very important for all of us at FIFA. As always, there are plenty of competitions to look forward to. An obvious highlight will be Brazil’s staging of the FIFA Confederations Cup 2013, with the traditional curtain-opener to next year’s FIFA ™ involving no fewer than four former world champions for the fi rst time in its history. The Confederations Cup is just one of six senior and youth tournaments taking place during the next 12 months, however, with Morocco’s hosting of the fi rst FIFA Club World Cup on African soil and Tahiti’s staging of the fi rst World Cup in Oceania among other “fi rsts”. We can also look forward to more stars of the future emerging on to the scene at the FIFA U-20 and U-17 World Cups in and the UAE respectively. It only remains for me to wish all FIFA World readers success in achieving whatever goals you have set for yourselves in the coming year.

For the Game. For the World.

Joseph S. Blatter

FIFA WORLD I JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 3 Around the world

Another fi ne Messi Corinthian conquest decisions and that referees would continue ’s Lionel Messi made yet more Brazilian giants Corinthians took club to have the fi nal say. “We must ensure history in January when he was voted the football’s most prestigious title back to that when the ball goes into the goal, world’s best player for a record fourth South America in December after beating the referee gets that information. The straight year. The 25-year-old FC European champions Chelsea 1-0 in the technology won’t change the speed, value star picked up the FIFA Ballon d’Or in fi nal of the FIFA Club World Cup. The side or spirit of the game, so there is no reason recognition of another highly impressive from São Paulo became only the second to be against this technology.” For more 12 months in which he scored a staggering club to lift the trophy twice – matching on the FIFA Club World Cup 2012 and the 91 goals for both club and country. Messi FC Barcelona’s achievements in 2009 deployment of GLT, see our tournament saw off competition from Barcelona team- and 2011 – and the fi rst ever from South review starting on page 42. mate Andrés Iniesta and 2008 FIFA World Player of the year , with “Big Phil” back for Brazil the Real and star fi nishing Brazil have reappointed as runner-up for the second year running. as their national team head coach with Spain’s national team coach Vicente del barely a year and a half to go until the Bosque won the FIFA World Coach of the country’s hosting of the 2014 FIFA World Year award after leading the Spanish to Cup. Scolari, who led Brazil to victory at their third consecutive major title at UEFA the 2002 FIFA World Cup™ in Japan/Korea, EURO 2012. The women’s football awards was appointed by the Brazilian Football were meanwhile dominated by the USA’s Confederation at the end of November, Olympic gold medal-winning national shortly after the dismissal of his predecessor side – with striker Abby Wambach being America to do so. The Brazilians, who Mano Menezes. Scolari will be supported named FIFA Women’s Player of the Year booked their place in the fi nal with a by another World Cup-winning coach, and the team’s former coach Pia Sundhage 1-0 win over African champions Al-Ahly, with Brazil’s USA 1994 head coach Carlos collecting the FIFA World Coach of the Year also ended a run of fi ve years in which Alberto Parreira having been appointed as award for women’s football. For more on the competition had been won by the the team’s technical coordinator. the FIFA Ballon d’Or 2012, see our review European representatives. beginning on page 12. Over the starting line The FIFA Club World Cup also made history with the fi rst-ever in-competition usage of goal-line technology (GLT). Following July’s decision to incorporate GLT into the Laws of the Game, two systems were deployed by FIFA at the Japan tournament, with the aim of selecting the system which will be used at this year’s FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2014 FIFA World Cup™. FIFA Secretary General Jérôme Valcke described the introduction of GLT as “a kind of revolution”, but reiterated that the technology would apply only to goal-line

4 FIFA WORLD I JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 Inside this issue

42

6 12 48

VIEW NEWS FOCUS SUMMARY

6 12 42 58 , Still the best Corinthians Associations Mönchengladbach, Messi wins fourth straight crowned All change in and Goma FIFA Ballon d’Or São Paulo side end Europe’s new plans for the EURO Striking images from the Club World Cup dominance world of football 20 60 Reunions and fi rst 48 Men’s ranking meetings Kings of the court Spain fi nish top for fi fth Excitement in store after Brazil rule world year running Confederations Cup draw once more 62 30 54 Women’s ranking An important year Island warriors USA a golden year Savouring the highlights The surprising rise of of 2013 football in Cape Verde 64 Archive 34 Stretching out with Talking heads Concussion discussions at the home of FIFA

FIFA WORLD I JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 5 VIEW

Twists and turns Brazil star Falcão goes for the spectacular during his team’s FIFA Futsal World Cup semi-fi nal meeting with (below); FSV Mainz right back Zdeněk Pospěch and Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Juan Arango throw some interesting shapes during a December encounter.

6 FIFA WORLD I JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 FIFA WORLD I VIEW 7 A passion for playing Football provides a welcome distraction for young people living in Goma, the capital city of Congo DR’s confl ict-riven North Kivu province.

8 FIFA WORLD I JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 FIFA WORLD I VIEW 9 Letters to FIFA A selection of comments from the FIFA World and FIFA.com mailbags

November/December 2012 Indian football reboot Russian host cities India defi nitely seems to be a sleeping It’s great to see already unveiling giant in world football, with talent its host cities for the 2018 FIFA World developing as we speak and more just Cup. It seems the country’s plans are

Qualifying twists and turns | FIFA Ballon d’Or nominees | Referees start 2014 journey | Turkey’s U-20 ambitions | Russia’s 2018 host cities | Šuker’s new challenge | waiting to be discovered. With the help progressing quickly. I hope the weather FIFA Club World Cup preview | FIFA Confederations Cup draw | French teens rule in Baku of the new academies and the support holds and that the fans can enjoy a Whole new ball game? Going in to bat for Indian football of FIFA, the country appears to have an good show of in 2018. extremely bright footballing future. Axel Gaijin (Canada) FIFA.com user (USA) I am confi dent Russia will be well I have cheered for India as the national prepared and well organised for the team celebrated its past three victories 2018 World Cup. This is a unique at the Nehru Cup and had high hopes opportunity for Russia to prove to the after each victory that the fortunes of world it can pull off this huge event. November/December issue Indian football would change. However, Good luck! nothing happened – until now. I’m FIFA.com user (Spain) thrilled to see a fresh-looking Indian team with a new coach and tactics, who are breathing new life into the Indian game. This is the start of a new beginning. Vishi Sinha (India)

Referees aim for Brazil I’m glad that referees are being trained by FIFA to adopt best practices in order In the run up to 2018, I am looking to maintain the standards needed for forward to seeing more articles about this global profession. As with most the Russian host cities. It’s a chance to careers, to reach the pinnacle requires fi nd out more about this country and to hard work and if you don’t have a see more of Russia than just system that tries to produce the best, alone. you will not yield the best. FIFA.com user (France) FIFA.com user (Nigeria) Hope in Rwanda It’s heartening to read about the FIFA Centre in Kigali, where young people can learn how to resolve confl icts peacefully in a country which has seen so much trouble. We Let us hear your views, either on what you all need to keep an open mind and have read in FIFA World, or in regard to respond positively to changes in our anything else in the world of international football. You can contact us via e-mail at communities. After all, ignorance is the feedback-fi faworld@fi fa.org or by writing breeding ground for hatred, violence to FIFA World, FIFA-Strasse 20, P.O. Box, and war. CH-8044, Zurich, . FIFA.com user (South )

10 FIFA WORLD I JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 Singing the blues opponents in the U-17 tournament. success in winning the men’s FIFA U-20 Congratulations to the French team We were witness to some spectacular World Cup in 2009. Mama Africa is on winning the FIFA U-17 Women’s play and some superb goals. I wish with you girls! World Cup! It’s exciting to see how all the young ladies success in their FIFA.com user (Italy) women’s football in is on the future endeavours and would like to rise following the senior team’s fourth- offer my congratulations on a thrilling place fi nishes at both the FIFA Women’s competition to all the national teams – World Cup 2011 and at the 2012 winners and losers! Olympics. The question now FIFA.com user (USA) is whether they can go on to win the senior Women’s World Cup? The Ghanaian U-17 women’s team Matilda (Jordan) has represented Africa so well with their run to the semi-fi nals of the I really enjoyed the show of FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup! Their comradeship even among the performances also built on ’s

Avoiding knock-outs Football has been teaming up with other sports to tackle concussion. For more, see page 34.

FIFA WORLD I VIEW 11 12 FIFA WORLD I JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 No stopping Messi Lionel Messi was crowned as the world’s best player for a record fourth consecutive year at January’s FIFA Ballon d’Or gala – with Spain coach Vicente del Bosque, former USA women’s coach Pia Sundhage and American markswoman Abby Wambach among the night’s other winners.

By Mark Ledsom, Zurich

There was more than a slight sense of déjà club and country, the modest star insisted vu in Zurich’s Kongresshaus on 7 January that he owed it all to his team-mates. as another glittering FIFA Ballon d’Or “I want to recognise my colleagues gala reached its climax with Argentinian from Barça and would also like to thank superstar Lionel Messi heading up the steps my friends in the Argentina team,” said to collect the night’s main prize. Messi, after once again fi nishing ahead But despite having been crowned as of 2011 runner-up Cristiano Ronaldo, with the world’s best male player for a record- Barcelona team-mate and 2010 runner-up breaking fourth consecutive year, the Andrés Iniesta this time in third place. 25-year-old FC Barcelona forward showed “I would like to thank you in particular, no signs of complacency as he embarked Andrés. It’s a proud moment to be here on his latest acceptance speech. at your side today and an honour to train “To tell the truth this is really unbelievable, and play with you.” and to get this award for the fourth year Looking back on a year in which he also running, it’s astounding,” Messi told the became a father for the fi rst time, Messi gala audience, before struggling for words fi nished his speech by thanking “my family and adding, “sorry, I’m so nervous”. and friends and, fi nally, very specially, my Messi’s on-stage stumbling was wife and son who is the most beautiful in marked contrast to his sublime thing I ever got … Thank you.” performances on the pitch in 2012 – a year in which his opponents must have Reign of Spain longed for some sign of nervousness As well as being the last award winner to from a player now known as much for be called up onto the stage, Messi was his phenomenal goal rate as his already also among the fi rst of the evening, with long-admired and passing skills. the player’s exploits during 2012 also Eye on the prize: Lionel At the end of a calendar year in which earning him a well-deserved place in the Messi stares at the FIFA Ballon d’Or trophy shortly he amazed fellow professionals and fans FIFA FIFPro World XI unveiled at the start before the start of the gala. alike with his record haul of 91 goals for of the ceremony.

FIFA WORLD I NEWS 13 World’s media still Messi-merised

Lionel Messi may have made brilliant football told FIFA World. “Reporting on his win this year is news of Messi, especially since he always exceeds look easy over the past few years, but fi nding even easier than last year – precisely because he’s expectations. I’ll be writing about how strong new superlatives to describe his accomplishments the fi rst player to win for a fourth time in a row. he is as a footballer to break such a record.” is an increasingly diffi cult task for the world’s I’ll be saying that, in the eyes of the public, this While Messi and eventual Ballon d’Or runner-up sportswriters. As the Argentinian superstar win really reinforces the idea of the ‘Messi era’”. Cristiano Ronaldo were at pains to downplay picked up his fourth consecutive FIFA Ballon Ramiro Martín from the Argentinian Football talk of a personal rivalry between them during d’Or, FIFA World spoke to some of the journalists Association’s offi cial magazine AFA Revista was the press conference that preceded the gala, and reporters in the Zurich Kongresshaus media also confi dent that the news of Messi’s latest the journalists in attendance insisted that the centre to see how they were covering the record- achievement would be eagerly lapped up back competition between the two great players was breaking news. home. another key aspect of the Messi story. “I’m not sure whether people might tire of “In Catalonia, we of course have a lot of seeing Messi win award after award, but they will supporters of Messi and FC Barcelona, and just never tire of seeing what he does on the pitch,” “In the eyes of the because he’s a Real Madrid player, Cristiano pointed out World Soccer magazine columnist Ronaldo provides a natural counterpoint to Messi, Keir Radnedge. “As for getting a new angle public, this win really which heightens the tension between them – at on a story like this, you just focus on adding least in the public imagination. People love to up all those awards – that’s the headline that reinforces the idea of read all about that,” said Diari ARA reporter everyone expects.” the ‘Messi era’.” Natalia Arroyo. On a night in which Messi was also named “Apart from the line that Messi has done alongside fellow Ballon d’Or nominees Andrés Diario AS Madrid reporter something that no-one else has done before, Santiago Giménez Iniesta and Cristiano Ronaldo in an entirely I’ll certainly be talking about that rivalry between Spanish-based FIFA FIFPro World XI, the Spanish him and Ronaldo,” agreed CNN sports anchor media were certainly not struggling to fi ll their Pedro Pinto. “In particular, I’ll focus on how each column inches. “Messi may have been in Spain for many makes the other play better, and pushes the other “Even though our paper concentrates on Real years, but he is still Argentinian and we have a to do better. For me, the fresh aspect is how Madrid, news about Messi always sells well,” sense that he belongs to us as a nation,” Martín fortunate we are to be alive at this time to see Diario AS Madrid reporter Santiago Giménez explained. “The public never loses interest in these two fantastic players going head to head.”

Media interest in Messi shows no sign of abating.

14 FIFA WORLD I JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 Scottish singing star Amy Macdonald thrills the gala audience; the FIFA President congratulates Wambach on her win as USA team-mate gets ready to present the trophy.

In clear recognition of the current strength of the Spanish league and Spanish national team, all 11 players in the “dream team” team, because they have an outstanding her habit of inspiring her players through play their club football in (see full way of behaviour,” Del Bosque told the music, former USA coach Pia Sundhage team list below) with six members of Zurich audience, following a year in which picked up the award in recognition of the Spain’s UEFA EURO 2012-winning squad his team succeeded in winning their third Americans’ gold-medal triumph at last also featuring in the line-up, which was consecutive major international title. “We year’s Olympic Football Tournament – and determined following a poll of 50,000 want to win, of course, but we also want promptly burst into song. professionals from around the world. to protect and take good care of football “There are so many people I want to and convey the best ethical behaviour.” thank, especially the team’s coaching and medical staff, but especially for the “This is really Sundhage on song players, I’ve only got one thing to say,” The recipient of the FIFA World Coach Sundhage announced, before turning to unbelievable … to of the Year for Women’s Football award FIFA Women’s World Player nominees win this award for the also paid tribute to her players, but in a Abby Wambach and , and fourth year running, it’s much more unusual manner. Known for hammering out a verse of Bob Dylan’s astounding.” Four-time FIFA Ballon d’Or winner FIFA Ballon d’Or 2012 – the winners Lionel Messi

FIFA Ballon d’Or: Lionel Messi (41.6%) FIFA FIFPro World XI: “The fact that we all play in the Spanish Cristiano Ronaldo (23.7%) , , Gerard Piqué, league shows that we are doing things Andrés Iniesta (10.9%) , Marcelo, , Hernández, Andrés Iniesta, Lionel Messi, right,” insisted Spain and Barcelona FIFA Women’s World Player: , Cristiano Ronaldo defender Gerard Piqué. “Personally, it’s Abby Wambach (20.7%) FIFA Puskás Award: a great honour for me to be sharing a (13.5%) Alex Morgan (10.9%) Miroslav Stoch place with players as important as Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi and Iniesta.” FIFA World Coach of the Year for FIFA Presidential Award: Franz Beckenbauer Spain’s current supremacy in international Men’s Football: Vicente del Bosque (34.5%) football was then further highlighted as José Mourinho (20.5%) FIFA Fair Play Award: national team head coach Vicente del (12.9%) Uzbekistan Football Federation Bosque was called up onto the stage to FIFA World Coach of the Year for collect the FIFA World Coach of the Year Women’s Football: for Men’s Football award. Pia Sundhage (28.6%) Norio Sasaki (23.8%) “It is an honour for me to represent Bruno Bini (9.0%) Spanish football and the Spanish national

FIFA WORLD I NEWS 15 “If Not For You” to loud applause from all here in this award. I wish I could share FIFA World Cup™ where they currently the Zurich audience. it with everyone I worked with, but that’s head their group. “That’s the best thing I could do, in order impossible, so I’ll keep it!” It was then time to announce the winner to be myself,” a grinning Sundhage later of the FIFA Puskás Award for the “most told FIFA World as she left the ceremony, still Beckenbauer honoured beautiful goal” of the year as voted for clutching her trophy. “Singing is something Prior to the unveiling of the year’s best male by more than fi ve million visitors to FIFA. I do to say thank you and I thought it was and female players, a trio of other awards com, FIFA on YouTube and francefootball. appropriate tonight especially with Alex were handed out in quick succession, fr. Created in memory of Hungarian legend and Abby there in front of me. starting with the FIFA Presidential Award. Ferenc Puskás, the 2012 award went to “Everything we went through as a team Usually given out to people or Fenerbahçe’s Slovakian winger Miroslav in 2012, and the football we played – it’s organisations who have made a signifi cant Stoch, whose impressive fi rst-time volley contribution to the game either on or off from outside the area during a Turkish the pitch, the award this year went to Süper Lig match against Gençlerbirliği FIFA Ballon d‘Or winners someone who has done both. garnered a whopping 78 per cent of votes (Prior to 2010 known as FIFA World Player “With this award, we recognise people cast for the three shortlisted goals. of the Year) who have excelled as players, coaches or organisers, but it’s a rare thing to Grateful Wambach 2012 Lionel Messi (ARG) come across people who have combined As the gala approached its fi nale with 2011 Lionel Messi (ARG) football skills with strong leadership and the crowning of “King” Messi, there was 2010 Lionel Messi (ARG) management capabilities,” prefaced still the important matter of choosing 2009 Lionel Messi (ARG) FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter, before a “queen” from the three candidates 2008 Cristiano Ronaldo (POR) 2007 Kaká (BRA) revealing that this year’s Presidential shortlisted for the FIFA Women’s World 2006 (ITA) Award was going to former FIFA Executive Player award. 2005 (BRA) Committee member Franz Beckenbauer. In a tight fi nish, indicative of the growing 2004 Ronaldinho (BRA) “I have received quite a few awards number of stars in the women’s game, 2003 Zinédine Zidane (FRA) over the decades, but getting the FIFA USA striker Abby Wambach clinched the 2002 Ronaldo (BRA) Presidential award is something unique, award with just over 20% of the votes 2001 Luis Figo (POR) and I would like to thank the President cast to fi nish ahead of Brazilian fi ve-time 2000 Zinédine Zidane (FRA) for keeping me in mind for this honour,” winner Marta (13.5%) and Wambach’s 1999 (BRA) said Beckenbauer, one of only two men national team strike partner Alex Morgan 1998 Zinédine Zidane (FRA) to have won the FIFA World Cup as both (10.9%). 1997 Ronaldo (BRA) a player and a coach before also going “Winning any individual award is a total 1996 Ronaldo (BRA) on to head ’s successful hosting product of the kind of team that you play 1995 (LBR) of the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ (see also for,” said Wambach, who played a key 1994 Romario (BRA) 1993 (ITA) Franz Beckenbauer Q&A opposite). role in the USA’s latest Olympic triumph, 1992 (NED) The FIFA Fair Play Award also picking up the Golden Ball as the 1991 Lothar Matthäus (GER) demonstrated that fair play and sporting best player of the competition as well as success are not mutually exclusive, the adidas Golden Boot for her fi ve goals at with the trophy being awarded to the the tournament. “I’ve never scored a goal FIFA Women‘s World Player Uzbekistan Football Federation (UFF) in without receiving a pass from my team- of the Year winners recognition of its national and club teams’ mates, so I truly believe this is a refl ection 2012 Abby Wambach (USA) exemplary behaviour on the pitch during of what our whole team has achieved. 2011 (JPN) 2012. “So this is for my team, and also for all 2010 Marta (BRA) The Uzbeks accumulated more Fair Play the fans out there who continue to inspire 2009 Marta (BRA) points over the course of the year than me and the team to keep winning games 2008 Marta (BRA) any other nation in their confederation and playing as hard as we can.” 2007 Marta (BRA) – with points being awarded for positive Taken together with Messi’s speech 2006 Marta (BRA) play, conduct on and off the fi eld and the shortly afterwards, the crowning of the 2005 (GER) behaviour of supporters, and deducted best female player and re-crowning of 2004 Birgit Prinz (GER) for the number of red and yellow cards the best male player brought a fi tting 2003 Birgit Prinz (GER) received in matches – and still managed to conclusion to a night when individual 2002 (USA) enjoy sporting success, particularly in the accomplishments were certainly feted but 2001 Mia Hamm (USA) Asian qualifying competition for the 2014 team spirit and modesty still prevailed.

16 FIFA WORLD I JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 Q&A

Franz Beckenbauer player and as a coach and then FIFA Presidential brought the tournament to your Award winner homeland as head of the 2006 LOC. How do you explain all that success? The bestowal of this year’s FIFA Presidential There always has to be a bit of luck Award on German legend Franz involved and I’ve certainly had that Beckenbauer presented FIFA President during my life. As a player, especially Joseph S. Blatter with the rare opportunity back then in the Sixties, you know to honour a man who has made a huge that it only takes one serious injury contribution to the game as a player, as and that’s the end of your playing a coach and as an administrator. Shortly career. Then, as a trainer, I got the before stepping up to receive the award, job coaching more or Beckenbauer spoke to FIFA World about less by accident after the team was his latest honour, his incredible football knocked out in the group stage of Euro career and his future plans… ‘84. And when I was head of the LOC for 2006, we only won the right to host FIFA World: You’ve received many the tournament very narrowly. honours during your long sporting career. What does it mean to you Does one particular moment in to pick up the FIFA Presidential your career stand out more than all Award? the others? Franz Beckenbauer: Well, it’s always I think that day in July 2000 when Mr something special to get an award, Blatter opened the envelope and said lot more money in the game now, and but to get one like this from the FIFA that Germany would host the 2006 that’s always going to attract some President is really the top. I have known FIFA World Cup, you can’t get any crooks, illegal gambling, corruption, Mr Blatter for almost 40 years now better than that. When you’re a player that sort of thing. But I believe FIFA has and we have done so many things or a coach, World Cups are something all of that under control. Even if there together during that time. I remember that come around every four years, but will still be isolated cases now and particularly when I was chairman to win the right to host a World Cup in again, I think football has never been of the 2006 FIFA World Cup Local your own country and then be able to healthier than it is now. Organising Committee and we of help organise it, that’s something that course had a lot of meetings with the only happens once in a lifetime – if at And what are your future plans? FIFA President, and he gave us lots of all… That’s one problem with these lifetime important instructions on what we had awards. I’m still at an age when I don’t to do. Our friendship really grew out of Football has obviously changed a believe that I’m so old, but then you those days and I’m glad he is still here lot since your playing days, but do get a lifetime achievement award and because under his presidency football you think it’s still fundamentally it starts to sound like you’re near the has developed massively. The game has the same game? end! I hope I still have a few good years never been more important or more Well, it’s still 11 against 11, of course, ahead of me, though! I’ve stepped interesting than it is now, and that but everything around the game is back from most of my football duties certainly has something to do with his very different now. It’s faster, more with FIFA, UEFA and the German presidency. professional and the differences in Football Association so I can spend the condition of the pitches and the time with my family, but I’m still doing The award is for your state of the stadiums today compared commentary work and helping out on achievements in three very to when I started playing is almost the FIFA Football Committee. So I’m still different areas, as someone who unbelievable. Of course not all the a little on the scene and happy to keep won the FIFA World Cup as a developments are positive. There’s a my hand in in that way.

FIFA WORLD I NEWS 17 A prolific year

It says something of the lofty standards As the current season got under sights, few will be betting against a fi fth which Lionel Messi sets himself that the way, there was again no let-up by the FIFA Ballon d’Or title for Messi in just under player could freely acknowledge ahead of Argentinian, with Messi’s continuing a year’s time. the latest FIFA Ballon d’Or gala that 2012 form not only putting paid to Müller’s “I don’t know how many Ballons d’Or was “probably not my best year so far”. long-standing goal record, but also I’m going to get in the future,” Messi Making reference to his club’s relatively helping Barcelona build a seemingly shrugged as he left Zurich with ball number low trophy haul during the year – with insurmountable lead of 11 points over four in his hands. “For now I just want to Barcelona’s solitary Spanish Cup title in nearest rivals Atlético Madrid going into enjoy the moment before getting back to May falling well short of their astonishing the Spanish winter break. work on winning more titles and awards.” collection of six titles in 2009 – Messi Having for years faced questions about was at pains to repeat his belief that club his apparent inability to perform as well for honours matter much more than individual Argentina as he does for Barcelona, Messi accolades. also managed to shoot down such doubts While typical of the 25-year-old last year – scoring a dozen times for his Argentinian, such a statement could not country and fi ring the Albiceleste to the defl ect from the fact that Messi’s individual top of the South American qualifying displays during the last 12 months were on group for the 2014 FIFA World Cup™. just as high a level as in previous years, if With World Cup qualifi cation and not higher. further club glories now fi rmly in his Already established as one of the world’s most dangerous players in front of goal – or in virtually any other part of the pitch – Messi went goal-crazy in 2012. Scoring a staggering 91 times for club and country during the calendar year, the diminutive striker famously overhauled Gerd Müller’s 40-year-old tally of 85 goals (scored for Bayern and West Germany in 1972) as well as breaking a clutch of other records. After becoming the fi rst player to score fi ve goals in a UEFA European Champions League match in February, Messi went on to overtake his own record (shared with ) of 12 goals in a single Champions League season. His eventual haul of 14 goals in the competition saw him crowned as top scorer for a fourth year running and also put him level with José Altafi ni’s all-time record from the 1962-63 season of the old European Cup. While Barça had to settle for second place behind old rivals Real Madrid in La Liga, it wasn’t for lack of trying by their star player. Messi’s 50 league goals during the campaign set a new domestic record and also helped him overtake another Barcelona legend, César Rodriguez, as the Catalan club’s all-time leading goalscorer.

18 FIFA WORLD I JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 Bridging the generations

While plenty of the winners at the FIFA “The team that won the 1999 FIFA Ballon d’Or 2012 were eager to pay tribute Women’s World Cup had a big impact to the debt they owed their team-mates, on the growth of the women’s game in the American shooting star Abby Wambach USA and they helped set up the system that went even further at the Zurich ceremony has allowed our current team to thrive,” by also dedicating her award to the USA the 32-year-old striker told FIFA World. teams of the past and the future. “Mia, in particular, has been a great Fast approaching Mia Hamm’s record mentor to me, not only when I got to play tally of 158 international goals, Wambach alongside her but in all the years since. emphasised the trail-blazing role that the Just to have been on the same team as earlier generation of American players her was a huge honour and I couldn’t be played in the sport’s development and prouder to be following in her footsteps explained how she herself now hoped to and hopefully also paving the way for inspire the next generation to come. Alex Morgan to go on and break all the records that I set.” Describing Morgan as the ying to her yang, Wambach singled out her young strike partner for particular praise, and said that the 23-year-old had breathed new life into her own career. “Her skill set is so different from mine,” Wambach explained. “Where I’m strong in the air and at holding up the ball, she’s able to use her young, athletic legs to pull defences apart and leave me wide open in spaces. To be honest, it’s extended my career because it’s become so much more fun scoring goals.” The partnership has certainly paid off for the USA, with Wambach and Morgan combining for 55 international goals during 2012 (with Morgan actually edging Wambach by 28 goals to 27). And while Wambach will clearly be happy to hand over the reins to the next generation of American stars one day in the future, she shows no sign of letting go just yet – particularly with one major international trophy still eluding her… “The second you step down off that podium, you start training for the next thing and for us the next big thing is qualifying for the 2015 World Cup. For me, the next couple of years will be important to stay healthy and do all I can to help my team win games and if I’m doing that, I know that I’ll be helping my team get better, so that eventually we can be holding that top prize at the World Cup.”

FIFA WORLD I NEWS 19 Draw paves way for historic clash of champions December’s Offi cial Draw for the FIFA Confederations Cup 2013 produced a number of tantalising group-stage matches, further whetting the appetite for a tournament set to feature no fewer than four FIFA World Cup™-winning teams.

By Alejandro Varsky, São Paulo

20 FIFA WORLD I JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 Even before December’s draw in São Paulo, this year’s FIFA Confederations Cup was already shaping up to be one of the most eagerly anticipated editions yet, with the eight-team competition involving four current or former world champions for the fi rst time in its history. Bringing together the reigning world champions, the hosts of the next FIFA World Cup and the champions of the six continental confederations, the Confederations Cup invariably boasts a strong and varied line-up of teams. June’s edition had already been boosted, however, by the guaranteed presence of fi ve-time world champions Brazil as tournament hosts. Then came the added bonus of four-time World Cup winners Surprise Oceania champions Tahiti will be making their Confederations Cup debut. qualifying for the event as UEFA EURO 2012 runners-up (due to the fact that European champions Spain had already secured their a 0-0 group-stage result on home soil in “I just can’t picture it at the moment, Confederations Cup place as the reigning 2001 followed by a 2-2 draw, again in the though I’m pretty sure it won’t be your world champions). group stage, in Germany four years later. average game,” Zaccheroni said of his “In this FIFA Confederations Cup, we Completing Group A, CONCACAF team’s match-up against Italy. “I’m also will have teams with no fewer than 12 FIFA champions Mexico will also take fond very curious to see how we’re going to World Cup wins between them: one for Confederations Cup memories into their do in this group in general, because the Spain, two for , four for Italy and 19 June encounter with Brazil in – three other sides are all above us in the fi ve for Brazil,” FIFA President Joseph S. having won two of the sides’ previous three world ranking. But the team has been Blatter reminded the 950 guests invited to meetings in the competition, including the improving and our players have picked up the draw ceremony at São Paulo’s Anhembi dramatic 4-3 home-soil victory in the fi nal more experience abroad.” Convention Centre on 1 December. “So it of the 1999 edition. is clearly not just a rehearsal competition “We certainly won’t be coming along New territory in Group B for the FIFA World Cup. It’s an authentic just to take part, but to get through to the While none of the teams in Group A festival of champions.” next round and go for the title, just like will need too much introduction, the we did in Mexico in 1999,” Mexico coach tournament’s other quartet will be on Familiar faces in Group A José Manuel de la Torre insisted following less familiar ground – not least because the The President’s words were soon borne the São Paulo draw. “But what happened identity of the African representatives will out as the draw itself got under way, with against Brazil back then is history. We only be revealed on 10 February following Group A quickly throwing up a tantalising pulled it off then because we prepared the completion of this year’s Africa Cup of reunion between Brazil and Italy in what well, but this time our group-stage rivals Nations competition in . will be a repeat of the fi nals of the 1970 have nine world titles between them.” While likely Group B favourites Spain and and 1994 FIFA World Cups™ – both of Italy’s game against Japan in on Uruguay have crossed paths on a total which ended in victory for the South 19 June has meanwhile been lent added Americans. signifi cance by Japan having Italian national Brazil will also be hoping that history as their head coach. As Draw results: repeats itself in their tournament-opening well as offering Zaccheroni his fi rst shot at match against Asian champions Japan, coaching a team against his home nation, Group A Group B Brazil Spain a team they have played nine times in it will be only the third meeting between Japan Uruguay total without ever having lost a game. the two sides – with an 8-0 romp by Italy Mexico Tahiti The Asians may, however, be bolstered during the quarter-fi nals of the 1936 Italy African champions* by the fact that the only two draws they Olympics having been balanced out more have managed against the Brazilians both recently by a 1-1 friendly draw in *To be determined following completion of CAF Africa Cup came at the FIFA Confederations Cup, with 11 years ago. of Nations on 10 February

FIFA WORLD I NEWS 21 of eight occasions – ending in three Spanish Cup campaign in on 17 participants no longer in the running for victories and fi ve draws – surprise Oceania June against the newly crowned African a place at the 2014 FIFA World Cup™, qualifi ers Tahiti will be lining up against champions, before turning their thoughts the Tahitians are planning to enjoy their both teams for the fi rst time, and indeed to taking on the Spanish world champions moment in the global spotlight. preparing for their fi rst-ever participation at ’s legendary Maracanã “It’s amazing for us to be playing against in a senior FIFA football tournament. stadium three days later. the best teams in the world,” coach Eddy Having exceeded all expectations when For the representatives of a tiny nation Etaeta enthused. “We are just a small they won the OFC Nations Cup last year, of less than 300,000 people, it sounds country going up against seven world- the Tahitians will open their Confederations like a daunting prospect. But as the only class sides and I think our players are not

A benchmark for Scolari

Brazil’s new coach Luiz Felipe Scolari was one of the last-minute additions to the Offi cial Draw’s guest list, having only been confi rmed in the position two days before the draw was made. Replacing Mano Menezes, whose two-and-a-half year spell as Brazil coach had been terminated six days earlier by the Brazilian Football Association (CBF), Scolari now faces the challenge of turning around a national team whose recent performances have failed to live up to Brazil’s ever-high footballing expectations. “Big Phil” has prior experience in this regard, of course, having stepped in to take charge of the Seleção during their diffi cult qualifying campaign for the 2002 FIFA World Cup™ – and famously leading them on to win the tournament. Having begun his fi rst tenure as Brazil coach just after the FIFA Confederations Cup 2001, Scolari says he is happy to be able to incorporate the competition into his preparations this time around, especially since his team will have no other competitive games prior to the start of the 2014 FIFA World Cup™. “Because we haven’t had to take part in the South American qualifi ers, we are out of the routine of playing in competitive matches, which means “This is a very important this is a very important competition for us,” Scolari told FIFA World at the São Paulo draw. competition for us because we “The Confederations Cup is incredibly important to us, because by then it’ll are out of the routine of playing have been two-and-a-half years since we tackled a really strong tournament. It will give us a benchmark and show us how well prepared we are.” in competitive matches.” Brazil are already the most successful team in the history of the Confederations Cup, having won three of the eight editions held to date, including the most recent two, and a third successive title would certainly help restore confi dence among the home team’s fans. their history and their home advantage, they will be the key rivals to beat For those outside the country, talk of Brazil’s footballing “slump” is being in this competition.” taken with a pinch of salt. While the national team slipped to an all-time Further pressure came from no less a fi gure than the President of the low of 14th in October’s FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking, that fall is at least Brazilian Republic, Dilma Rousseff, whose speech at the draw declared partially explained by the recent lack of competitive matches. that “we have many responsibilities, and one of them is to play a beautiful The quarter-fi nal exit from the Copa América in 2011 (following a disastrous game that will honour Brazil’s history as fi ve-time world champions. For us, penalty shoot-out against Paraguay in which the Brazilians missed every winning the Confederations Cup at home is an obligation.” spot-kick) was certainly a low point, but the much talked-about “failure” Unsurprisingly, as he works on his long-term plan for his “new old” job, to win gold at last year’s Men’s Olympic Football Tournament tended to Scolari was looking to defl ect questions on how his team will fare at the overlook the fact that the South Americans at least made the fi nal for the Confederations Cup, and instead focus on the tournament’s value to his fi rst time since 1988. team going forward. “Journalists in Brazil keep asking me about their current football crisis, “As long as we play our game and show some quality, we won’t get down which I fi nd very strange,” said Uruguay coach Óscar Tabárez following the about losing a match at the FIFA Confederations Cup and missing out on draw. “If you look at the players they have, everywhere you look there’s the title for some reason,” the Brazil coach insisted. “The draw was great, a footballer of outstanding quality. I can’t understand why anyone would because we got a hard group, and that’s what we wanted. The Brazilian think they aren’t good.” player becomes more focused when confronted with diffi culties and strong Spain coach Vicente del Bosque was in full agreement, insisting in São rivals, and this competition is a chance for us to get a clearer picture of who Paulo that “Brazil are an international powerhouse. With their players, we’re going to take to the World Cup in 2014.”

22 FIFA WORLD I JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 really quite aware yet what we will face most of it if we want to grow and also Draw briefs at the Confederations Cup. But we’ll be develop our young players.” out to represent our region the best we An added attraction for the visiting team Tickets in demand possibly can.” coaches is the chance that the tournament The high level of interest in this year’s affords to familiarise themselves with Brazil, FIFA Confederations Cup has been Key test to work on their logistical preparations for confi rmed by early ticket sale fi gures While at least seven of the eight contenders their potential World Cup campaigns and for the event. On the eve of the draw in will be harbouring genuine title ambitions check out other peculiarities of the host São Paulo, the tournament’s organising of lifting the Confederations Cup trophy country that might give them an edge committee revealed that more than in June, the tournament is also clearly in 2014. 132,795 tickets had already been snapped up during the VISA pre-sale viewed by the participating coaches as Perhaps the most compelling advocate phase – compared to 10,000 at the a unique opportunity to test out their for this aspect of the Confederations Cup same stage prior to South Africa 2009. players and ideas ahead of the main event is Spain coach Vicente del Bosque, who A record 186,032 requests were then one year later. speaks fondly of his team’s experiences placed during the fi rst 24 hours of the “When I fi rst took charge of the team [in at the 2009 edition – even though they public ticket sales phase which was due 2006], it was hard to get an international ended with a shock semi-fi nal defeat at to run until 15 January, with a random match with high-level opponents, which the hands of the USA. draw set to decide which applications is why we value opportunities like this, “Despite the result, the opportunity are successful. A final first-come, where we can play against the best in the to play in South Africa a year before the fi rst-served sales phase will begin on world,” said Uruguay coach Óscar Tabárez, World Cup helped us a lot,” Del Bosque 15 February for any remaining tickets. who in 2011 led the Celeste to their fi rst insisted. “It meant that when we returned, Copa América title in 17 years. we were familiar with the surroundings. Testing times “Now that we have won the right to be We knew where we were going, which The importance of the FIFA here, playing in a world-class tournament, hotels to stay in, where to train. It was Confederations Cup as an organisational our expectations are high,” he added. really great, an enriching experience that test for next year’s FIFA World Cup™ “We have the desire to go even further, defi nitely contributed to our winning the was emphasised ahead of the draw by and we’re prepared to put in the hard title the following year.” Brazilian Football Association President work required.” Del Bosque’s account makes clear José Maria Marin. Speaking in his Despite having cruised through the most that June’s two-week showdown could capacity as chairman of the Brazil 2014 recent round of CONCACAF World Cup provide some important lessons for all Local Organising Committee, Marin said qualifi ers – winning all six matches to book those taking part – in terms of what they his team would be using the 2013 event their place in the fi nal stage – Mexico are encounter both on the pitch and off it. to test out “every area of operations, another team keen to test themselves While the coaches turn their thoughts to such as transport, security, accreditation, against leading teams from further afi eld squad compositions, team formations, technology, catering and media services. From [the draw] onwards, the attention in a competitive setting. training regimes and logistical issues, focused on Brazil will increase every day, “For us, this tournament will help us fi nd however, the supporters can sit back and we’ll be ready.” out what level of football we are playing,” and relish the prospect of some mouth- De la Torre told FIFA World. “Yes, it will watering football in this true festival of New balls be challenging, but we have to make the champions. FIFA Partner adidas used the opportunity of the São Paulo draw to present the new Offi cial Matchball for the FIFA Confederations Cup 2013. Presented to the draw delegates by two-time FIFA World Cup winner , the new ball is known as Cafusa – a name created from a combination of three Brazilian passions: carnival, football and samba. Boasting a vibrant colour scheme incorporating elements of the Brazilian fl ag, Cafusa is only the second ball to Italy booked their have been specifi cally created for a FIFA place in Brazil after reaching the fi nal of Confederations Cup. UEFA EURO 2012.

FIFA WORLD I NEWS 23 Posters, sponsors and mascot namings While São Paulo’s staging of the FIFA Confederations Cup draw ensured that all eyes in December were on the 2013 tournament, there has also been no let-up in preparations for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™. FIFA World rounds up the latest developments…

Tour complete Before heading to the São Paulo draw, FIFA Secretary General Jérome Valcke completed the final leg of his 2012 inspection visits to all 12 World Cup host cities. Accompanied by Local Organising Committee Management Board members Ronaldo and and the Brazilian Minister for Sport, Aldo Rebelo, Valcke checked on the progress of the stadiums in Rio de Janeiro and Curitiba before visiting the Arena de São Paulo – whose location in the city’s Eastern Zone is being used to accelerate an ambitious urban regeneration programme. “It’s incredible in a city this size to be able to travel from the centre to the stadium in just 19 minutes,” said Valcke after taking the metro to the arena. “It’s a great stadium, and an amazing project overall.”

Meet Fuleco The Offi cial Mascot of the 2014 FIFA World Cup now has a name, following the completion of a three-month poll among the Brazilian public. The teenage armadillo will be known as Fuleco™ – a fantasy word derived from the words “futebol” and “ecologia”– after more than 1.7 million people (48% of the total votes cast) opted for the name.

Poster parade of the tournament sites. As diverse and city. The posters offer an instant visual tour The World Cup’s host cities have set out colourful as the locations they represent, of some of the many attractions awaiting their stalls with the launch of the offi cial the 12 designs were all unveiled on the supporters next year, from the rainforests posters which will be used to promote each same day at a series of events across the and wildlife of Manaus and Cuiabá to the

24 FIFA WORLD I JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 6=AB17BGA/:D/2=@ The host city posters 12 June – 13 July 2014 have been designed to celebrate the diversity of modern-day Brazil.

6=AB17BG;/

6=AB17BG4=@B/:3H/ 12 June – 13 July 2014

–  474/B; –  474/B;  –

beaches of Fortaleza and Recife or the modern architecture of Salvador, São Paulo and Brasilia. “As well as giving fans around the world a fl avour of Brazil’s regional culture, the posters mean a lot to the people living in the host cities because

they illustrate their pride at staging the –  474/B; 2014 FIFA World Cup,” Joana Havelange, Executive Director of Planning, told FIFA World following the launch.

Apex on board FIFA’s line-up of sponsors for the 2014 FIFA World Cup neared completion following the signing up of Apex-Brazil as the tournament’s fi fth sponsor in the National Supporter category. As the offi cial promotion agency for Brazilian trade and investment, Apex-Brazil plans to use the FIFA Confederations Cup 2013 and 2014 FIFA World Cup as platforms to showcase the country’s investment potential. “We truly have a common goal – to focus the eyes of the world on the strength of this unique country,” said FIFA Marketing Director Thierry Weil as the deal was announced. With the tournaments’ top two sponsorship tiers long since fi lled, there is now just one remaining slot in the Remaking a legend: November’s inspection visit included an update on the construction National Supporter category. work at Rio’s famed Maracanã stadium.

FIFA WORLD I NEWS 25 Japan close in on Brazil qualifi cation

26 FIFA WORLD I JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 Asian champions Japan moved an important step closer to 2014 FIFA World Cup™ qualifi cation in November thanks to a 2-1 away win over . A further win against Jordan in March would now be enough to see Japan through to Brazil as the tournament’s fi rst qualifi ed team.

Aiming to make their fi fth consecutive qualifi cation, but insisted there would be appearance at the FIFA World Cup™ fi nals, no complacency until the job was done. Japan have made sure of at least a place “We shouldn’t sit back as we still have in next year’s Asian qualifying play-off, three remaining games to play,” Zaccheroni with November’s win over Oman assuring told the post-match press conference, “but the Blue Samurai of a top-three fi nish in collecting three points here was one of Asian qualifying Group B, no matter what our objectives today, so I’m glad that we happens in their remaining qualifi ers. did that and have made our position in Automatic qualifi cation looks a far more the group much better. Now we want to QUALIFIERS likely outcome for Japan, however. A win decide our qualifi cation in the next game in Jordan on 26 March would already be against Jordan.” enough to see the team through to Brazil Jordan will, of course, be desperate 2014 with two games to spare, while even to take all three points for themselves in State of play – AFC a draw could prove enough if Group B’s March after suffering a 1-0 defeat against second-place team are also held to Iraq in November’s other Group B match. Group A Played Points a draw by Oman in the day’s other match. Although now bottom of the group, the Uzbekistan 5 8 Although ultimately undone by Japan Jordanians remain fi rmly in contention for Korea Republic 4 7 Iran 5 7 in their November meeting, the Omanis Brazil due to the tight positioning of the Qatar 5 7 certainly showed their potential against four teams below Japan – with Jordan just Lebanon 5 4 the runaway group leaders, bouncing one point behind Australia, Iraq and Oman back from a fi rst-half Japanese opener to in what is looking increasingly like a race Group B Played Points equalise through an Ahmed Mubarak free for second and third place (see “State of Japan 5 13 kick with 13 minutes remaining. Unbeaten play – AFC”). Australia 4 5 in their two previous fi nal-round home Iraq 5 5 Oman 5 5 matches, the West Asians seemed on Uzbeks on the up Jordan 5 4 course for an unlikely draw until the 89th The race to qualify from Asian Group A minute – when German Bundesliga-based is meanwhile shaping up into an even forward Shinji Okazaki scored to grab all tighter contest than in Group B, with a three points for a Japan side who have single point dividing leaders Uzbekistan State of play – UEFA* now won four and drawn one of their fi ve from fourth-placed Qatar. fi nal-round games. Chasing what would be their maiden Group F Played Points Russia 4 12 “I’m pleased I was able to score because appearance at a FIFA World Cup™, 4 7 I didn’t do much else for the whole of the the Uzbeks moved top of the group in Portugal 4 7 match,” the Stuttgart striker told reporters November as a historic 1-0 win in Iran 4 3 afterwards. “We kept chipping away and lifted them above previous leaders Korea Azerbaijan 4 2 found a way to win in the end. We weren’t Republic – although the Koreans still have Luxembourg 4 1 in control today so I hope we can dominate a game in hand. A 71st-minute goal from to beat Jordan next time.” Ulugbek Bakaev was enough to secure Group H Played Points Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni was Uzbekistan’s first-ever win over the Montenegro 4 10 4 8 also a happy man, after seeing his charges Iranians, who enjoyed plenty of possession 3 5 take another big step towards automatic during the encounter, but failed to Moldova 4 4 carve out many goalscoring opportunities. 3 2 Already preparing for the 2022 FIFA San Marino 4 0 World Cup™ as tournament hosts, the Qataris revived their hopes of also making * shows only groups which played matches Partying late: Japan’s Shinji Okazaki in November. The full European standings celebrates his 89th-minute winner their bow at the 2014 edition with another can be found at www.fi fa.com/worldcup against Oman. single-goal victory, in their case away to

FIFA WORLD I NEWS 27 find fast Now available inthemobile AppStores. Download the f50 game andchallenge your friends.

© 2013 adidas AG. adidas, the 3-Bars logo and the 3-Stripes mark are registered trademarks of the adidas Group. Lebanon. Struggling to make much impact After conceding a shock fi fth-minute against the defensively minded home team goal – only the second of the campaign during the game’s fi rst half, ’s for the Azerbaijanis – Michael O’Neill’s side were fi nally rewarded with a quarter of team wasted several great scoring chances an hour remaining when striker Sebastián before fi nally grabbing a late, late equaliser Soria beat Lebanon goalkeeper Abbas through David Healy in the sixth minute Hassan to the ball, before hitting a cool of added time. fi nish from more than 20 metres out. The biggest celebrations, however, The result put Qatar three points clear will surely have taken place in Israel and of bottom side Lebanon and into a three- Portugal, whose national teams now share way tie with Korea Republic and Iran just a four-point lead over Northern Ireland beneath Uzbekistan. as they continue their pursuit of group leaders Russia. Advantage Montenegro While Asia was the only football Joy of hex confederation with a full programme November also saw the draw take place for of World Cup qualifi ers taking place in the fi nal six-team “hexagonal” round of November, two European matches were qualifying for the North & Central America also held. and Caribbean (CONCACAF) region, with Montenegro’s relatively straightforward a number of mouth-watering ties already Uzbekistan’s Azizbek Haydarov leaps for 3-0 win over the tiny state of San Marino set to take place during the opening round the ball during the 1-0 win in Tehran that lifted his team to the top of Asian qualifying was not perhaps the most earth-shattering of matches on 6 February. Group A. of results in itself, but it has set up a Bidding to make their seventh tantalising situation at the top of European consecutive World Cup appearance, then we will also qualify for Brazil in 2014.” qualifying Group H, where Montenegro regional heavyweights the USA will begin After winning every one of their matches now lead former world champions England the fi nal stage with a potentially tricky trip in the previous qualifying round, fellow by two points (see “State of play – UEFA”). to Honduras, taking the Stars and Stripes to CONCACAF heavyweights Mexico will March could now prove to be a highly the same Estadio Olimpico ground where resume their campaign with a home match significant month in the group, with their Canadian neighbours’ Brazilian dream against Jamaica, while Central American England and Montenegro both playing away ended in a crushing 8-1 defeat. giants Costa Rica are set to take on matches on 22 March (against San Marino “We’ve got to go to places like Panama, neighbours Panama in Panama City. and Moldova respectively) before going Costa Rica and Honduras with the mentality The top three fi nishers from the region’s head-to-head in Podgorica on 26 March. that you are spot-on once you get on the fi nal round will qualify automatically for the In Group F, meanwhile, Northern Ireland fi eld,” USA coach Jürgen Klinsmann said World Cup fi nals, while the fourth-placed failed to capitalise on their impressive 1-1 of the fi nal round, which will see every team will play off home and away against draw away to Portugal in October when team play each of their rivals in a home- either New Zealand or New Caledonia – they were themselves held to the same and-away league format. whose battle for top honours in Oceania’s scoreline in November’s home tie with “I think if the players are aware of that, qualifying competition is set to reach an Azerbaijan. as they were in our last two or three games, exciting climax in March.

CONCACAF fi nal-round fi xtures

Wednesday, 6 February: Mexico v. Jamaica, Honduras v. USA, Panama v. Costa Rica Friday, 22 March: Jamaica v. Panama, Honduras v. Mexico, USA v. Costa Rica Tuesday, 26 March: Mexico v. USA, Panama v. Honduras, Costa Rica v. Jamaica Tuesday, 4 June: Jamaica v. Mexico Friday, 7 June: Jamaica v. USA, Panama v. Mexico, Costa Rica v. Honduras Tuesday, 11 June: Mexico v. Costa Rica, Honduras v. Jamaica, USA v. Panama QUALIFIERS Tuesday, 18 June: USA v. Honduras, Costa Rica v. Panama Friday, 6 September: Mexico v. Honduras, Panama v. Jamaica, Costa Rica v. USA Tuesday, 10 September: Jamaica v. Costa Rica, Honduras v. Panama, USA v. Mexico Friday, 11 October: Mexico v. Panama, Honduras v. Costa Rica, USA v. Jamaica Tuesday, 15 October: Jamaica v. Honduras, Panama v. USA, Costa Rica v. Mexico

FIFA WORLD I NEWS 29 An exciting prelude

2013 promises to be an important and exciting year for FIFA, with highlights including six senior and youth tournaments, the completion of FIFA’s governance reforms and the climax of the qualifying competition for next year’s FIFA World Cup™ in Brazil.

By Jennifer Davies, Zurich

As football fans around the world start ticking off the days until the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™, it is easy to overlook the fact that 2013 will also be a signifi cant year for the sport – not least as the one in which the fi nal line-up of teams taking part in the Brazilian extravaganza is revealed. Currently, only Brazil themselves have a guaranteed place at the fi nals as tournament hosts, but the next 12 months are set to determine which of the 120 remaining contenders will be joining the Selecão in the 32-team fi eld for world football’s most prestigious event. Asian champions Japan will already have the opportunity to secure their ticket to the fi nals in March (see our latest qualifying round-up on page 27), but for many of the other hopefuls it will prove a nerve- jangling year – with the last continental and intercontinental play-offs to determine the fi nal 11 places only taking place in November. Seven top teams will meanwhile have an early opportunity to visit Brazil in June as the country plays host to the year’s “As well as providing Brazil with the Ronaldo has particularly fond memories main senior team competition: the FIFA opportunity to stage a major event before of the Confederations Cup, having won Confederations Cup 2013. the World Cup, the Confederations Cup it with his Brazilian colleagues in 1997 Already well-established as an important is also a competition the players enjoy a after scoring a hat-trick in the team’s organisational test for the World Cup hosts lot,” commented Brazil LOC Management fi nal 6-0 demolition of Australia. The in the year prior to the main event, the Board member and former playing Brazilians are also well aware, however, Confederations Cup has also developed legend Ronaldo at the November media of the Confederations Cup “jinx” in which in recent editions into a prestigious conference in which the tournament’s six no Confederations Cup champion has yet tournament in its own right. host cities were confi rmed. managed to win the subsequent edition

30 FIFA WORLD I JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 Morocco is now going to be the fi rst African country to stage the FIFA Club World Cup,” Confederation of African Football Secretary General Hicham El Amrani told FIFA World in his capacity as Secretary General of the Morocco 2013 Local Organising Committee. “Welcoming the world’s leading teams to Morocco will be a fantastic opportunity to showcase North African football, and it has already helped boost interest in our current domestic season, since the eventual Moroccan league champions will also be given a place in the tournament.”

Straddling continents Turkey is another country that will be hosting its fi rst-ever FIFA tournament in 2013, in its case the FIFA U-20 World Cup. Taking place from 21 June to 13 July, the competition is set to straddle two continents – with the Arena located in Europe and the remaining stadiums spread across the country’s larger Asian landmass – prompting the Local Organising Committee to promise a diverse festival of football which will draw on the fl avours of both continents’ cultures. Brazil (left) will be chasing their third straight Confederations Cup title in June, while the Among the teams who have already sand is set to fl y once more at September’s FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. booked their places for Turkey 2013 are a strong sextet of European sides, including of the World Cup – a trend which the champions Spain successfully coming two-time U-20 world champions Portugal eventual winners of the 2013 tournament through last year’s European qualifi ers and the 1999 tournament winners and will of course be keen to buck. along with Ukraine and the . reigning U-19 European champions Once the FIFA Confederations Cup and Spain. Asian champions Korea Republic New hosts FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup champions are meanwhile preparing for their 13th While the FIFA Confederations Cup 2013 have been crowned, attention will switch appearance at the fi nals, securing their will see Brazil putting on a FIFA tournament to club football and the tenth edition of place at the head of the Asian quartet with for the seventh time in the country’s history, the FIFA Club World Cup. a record 12th win at November’s AFC U-19 the year’s two other senior tournaments Here too, new ground is set to be Championship. will both be staged by fi rst-time hosts. broken, with the appointment of Morocco Another generation of teenage stars will First up are Tahiti, whose hosting of the as tournament hosts ensuring an African also be provided with a global platform FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in September debut for club football’s annual global in 2013, as the host will mark another important chapter in the showdown. the FIFA U-17 World Cup from 18 October growth of this increasingly popular form of With the 2012 edition only just to 8 November. Unlike Tahiti, Morocco football – with the tournament in completed, there are still quite a few and Turkey, the UAE are relatively “old set to herald the competition’s fi rst-ever months to go before the line-up for the hands” when it comes to hosting FIFA stop-off in Oceania. 2013 tournament starts taking shape, but tournaments. Following on from the FIFA Following on from previous editions in excitement is already mounting in the host U-20 World Cup in 2003, the FIFA Beach South America, Europe and Asia, the 2013 country itself. Soccer World Cup 2009 and the contest is already certain to include some “Following South Africa’s success FIFA Club World Cup in 2009 and 2010, of the sport’s biggest names, with reigning in hosting the fi rst FIFA World Cup on this will be the fi fth FIFA event to be staged world champions Russia and European African soil in 2010, we’re thrilled that in the West Asian country.

FIFA WORLD I NEWS 31 The most prominent of these will be the 63rd FIFA Congress, taking place in Mauritius in May, at which FIFA’s members will be asked to approve the remaining amendments to the FIFA Statutes envisaged in the two-year governance reform “road map”. Following on from the initial reforms approved at last year’s FIFA Congress in , a working group has been collecting feedback from FIFA’s members via the six confederations on the remaining topics – including the future composition of the FIFA Executive Committee, the possible introduction of age limits and/or limited terms of offi ce for offi cials, and changes to the manner in which FIFA World Cup hosts are determined. A draft document is due to be submitted to the FIFA Executive Committee at its meeting in March, and subsequently to the May Congress in order to conclude A youthful 75: the Blue Stars/FIFA Youth Cup has been going for three quarters of a century. the reform process. FIFA’s efforts to tackle match-fi xing and other threats to the integrity of the game will also be stepped up in 2013 with In what will clearly be a busy year for Off the pitch the planned introduction of a telephone youth football, a special anniversary will Besides the many sporting titles to be and e-mail-based hotline service allowing also be celebrated when the Blue Stars/FIFA decided in 2013, the year also promises people to report any suspicions of wrong- Youth Cup competition is staged in May for plenty of “action” when it comes to FIFA’s doing. In addition, FIFA’s Security Division the 75th time. First organised in 1939 and off-the-fi eld activities. will extend its educational partnership held without fail every year since then, the Zurich tournament is one of the longest- running youth football competitions in the world. United’s youngsters have been the most successful participants to date, winning the trophy a staggering 18 times to put them well ahead of local side Grasshopper Club Zurich, who are currently second in the competition’s all- time ranking with a total of six wins. While men’s senior and youth competitions will dominate the landscape in 2013, the year will also see a number of qualifying events take place for next year’s FIFA U-17 and U-20 Women’s World Cups in Costa Rica and Canada. Several of the world’s top women’s senior teams will also be setting out on the journey to qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™, with August marking the start of the European qualifi ers. The last of FIFA’s “20 Centres for 2010” are due to be inaugurated this year.

32 FIFA WORLD I JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 with INTERPOL, with several national and regional workshops on corruption FIFA calendar 2013 prevention due to take place in the Americas, Europe and Asia in the coming 7 January FIFA Ballon d’Or gala, Zurich 19 January – 10 February Africa Cup of Nations 2013, South Africa weeks and months. 6 February Fixed date for international friendly matches FIFA’s Member Associations & 11-15 February FIFA committee week Development Division is also facing a busy 1-3 March IFAB Annual General Meeting, Edinburgh 12 months as it continues to extend existing 10 March CAF Congress, Marrakech 18-21 March FIFA committee week development programmes and roll out new 20-21 March FIFA Executive Committee meeting, Zurich ventures. Among the new projects being 22-26 March Fixed date for international competition matches worked on this year is an ambitious player 8-9 May 75th Blue Stars/FIFA Youth Cup, Zurich registration scheme, which has the long- 24 May UEFA Congress, London 28 May FIFA Executive Committee meeting, Mauritius term aim of creating a globally compatible 30-31 May 63rd FIFA Congress, Mauritius system in which member associations 4 June Fixed date for international friendly matches around the world can register the details 7-11 June Fixed dates for international competition matches of all players in their respective territories 14-18 June Fixed dates for international competition matches – allowing for greater accuracy in assessing 15-30 June FIFA Confederations Cup 2013, Brazil 21 June – 13 July FIFA U-20 World Cup 2013, Turkey the number of footballers playing in each 26-29 June FIFA Football for Hope Forum, Belo Horizonte region, as well as helping to protect the 7-28 July CONCACAF Gold Cup 2013, USA integrity of competitions, for example by 8 August Fixed date for international friendly matches minimising the possibility of cheating in 6-10 September Fixed dates for international competition matches 18-28 September FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2013, Tahiti age competitions. 30 September – 4 October FIFA committee week FIFA’s Medical Department will also be 3-4 October FIFA Executive Committee meeting, Zurich using the year to build on previous successes 11-15 October Fixed dates for international competition matches and launch new health-related projects. In 17 October – 8 November FIFA U-17 World Cup 2013, UAE the former category, FIFA’s “11 for Health” 13 November AFC v. CONMEBOL 14 November CONCACAF v. OFC programme is due to be introduced in Brazil 15-19 November Fixed dates for international competition matches during the Confederations Cup and further 20 November AFC v. CONMEBOL & OFC v. CONCACAF rolled out across French-speaking Africa 2-6 December FIFA committee week – taking the programme’s combination 4-5 December FIFA Executive Committee meeting, Salvador de 6 December Final Draw for the 2014 FIFA World Cup™, Salvador de Bahia of health messages and football activities 11-21 December FIFA Club World Cup 2013, Morocco to children and teenagers in countries suffering from low rates of life expectancy. A new educational initiative promoting – and the last of these are scheduled to for stadium managers aimed at ensuring 11 steps to prevent sudden cardiac death open their doors by the end of this year. that tournament venues are run in the (SCD) is also set to be launched in 2013, While FIFA’s CSR activities will continue most effi cient and sustainable way possible. running alongside the global provision of to support communities in Africa and Fittingly, as thoughts turn to 2014, one portable automated external defi brillators indeed all over the world, a pivotal moment of the fi nal highlights of 2013 will also (AEDs) to member associations, as approved in June will see attention starting to switch take place in Brazil when Salvador stages by the FIFA Congress in Budapest. from the legacy of the 2010 FIFA World the Final Draw for the FIFA World Cup. Cup to the legacy surrounding the 2014 Bringing together the Brazilian hosts and Social services edition. During the Confederations Cup, those as-yet unknown 31 qualifi ers, the Three years on from the 2010 FIFA World FIFA will once again organise a Football for draw will fi nally reveal the routes that the Cup™ in South Africa, FIFA’s Corporate Hope Forum – this time in Belo Horizonte – teams will have to navigate if they are to Social Responsibility (CSR) Department where up to 200 international experts and make it all the way to the winner’s podium is meanwhile expected to complete the practitioners of sports-related social work at the following year’s big event. main legacy campaign bequeathed to will meet to share their experiences and The months ahead from now until then Africa in recognition of the continent’s discuss new ways of improving the lives of will clearly bring many moments to savour. fi rst-ever staging of the tournament. The the world’s most-disadvantaged citizens. From new FIFA tournament hosts and new “20 Centres for 2010” campaign set out to The CSR team will also be stepping up champions to new World Cup stadiums create 20 Football for Hope Centres across its activities in relation to the FIFA World and new off-the-field programmes, Africa – combining sporting facilities with Cup’s environmental programme, with 2013 it promises to be a packed but perfect health, education and life skills training seeing the start of the training programme prelude to 2014.

FIFA WORLD I NEWS 33 Heading in the right direction New recommendations on the treatment of head injuries in sport are due to be published in the coming months following two days of expert discussions at a FIFA-hosted conference on concussion.

While the danger of serious head injuries far and to lay down “best practices” based chair of the FEI Medical Committee and can be readily understood by medics and on the latest research available. a major contributor to the fi rst three lay people alike, the potential risks of less “Our objective is to prepare the most conferences, Ferrell was instrumental obviously dramatic knocks to the head up-to-date knowledge related to the in introducing changes to the FEI rules are all too often underestimated. When diagnosis, the appropriate treatment and, on mandatory protective headgear, but it comes to sport in particular, the heart most importantly, the preventive measures tragically lost his own life in a polo accident can literally rule the head, with a player’s to avoid concussions in sports,” FIFA’s last year. desire to stay on the pitch sometimes Chief Medical Offi cer, Professor Jiri Dvorak, confl icting with the best course of medical told delegates at the opening of the two- A consensus to act treatment. day gathering co-sponsored by FIFA, the Like the FEI, most of the participating With this in mind, more than 150 doctors International Olympic Committee (IOC), sports organisations had amended their and other representatives from more than a the International Ice Hockey Federation rules of play, equipment or methods of dozen gathered at FIFA’s (IIHF), the International Rugby Board (IRB) assessment over the last decade as an Zurich headquarters in November to discuss and the Fédération Equestre Internationale outcome of the discussions in previous the best methods of dealing with sports- (FEI). “With such powerful partners, we are forums, the fi rst of which took place in related concussion. Following on from sure to make a big impact,” Dvorak added. in 2001. three previous meetings over the past 11 In a poignant reminder of the importance In a series of presentations given by years, the fourth International Consensus of the conference, FIFA’s Chief Medical doctors and scientists from the various Conference on Concussion in Sport was Offi cer then called for a minute’s silence governing bodies in attendance, delegates convened to assess the progress made so in memory of Dr Craig Ferrell. The former at the 2012 conference received an update

34 FIFA WORLD I JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 on the main changes introduced in those the Zurich conference that their bodies sports since the 2009 publication of their have, since the last concussion conference, last consensus statement in the British approved mandatory baseline testing at Journal of Sports Medicine (BJSM). professional level. Among the positive developments noted Another common problem cited by was the widespread adoption of the Sport several delegates was the surprising lack Concussion Assessment Tool-2 (SCAT2) of eyewitnesses to concussion cases. – a touchline assessment “checklist” Despite taking place in crowded stadiums, recommended for general use three years moments of impact are often missed by ago and now so popular that it is even all but the players involved – and they are available as a free online app. frequently too disorientated or confused Other widely adopted recommendations to report what happened accurately. from the 2009 report include rules One possible solution already used in preventing the return to play (RTP) of an American football, and presented at the athlete on the same day that he or she has conference by National Football League been diagnosed with concussion, along (NFL) concussion consultant Dr Richard with rule changes or stricter enforcements Ellenbogen, involves the use of so-called of existing rules on a sport-by-sport basis. “observers” who follow the action, both Professor Dvorak outlined the steps taken When it came to football, Prof. live and on-screen, from a high vantage by football to reduce concussions. Dvorak said that the recommendations point in the stadium. These observers are of previous concussion conferences had then able to send instant information to the helped persuade the International Football touchline medics, helping them to make Association Board to bring in red cards more thorough assessments. methods, such as the SCAT2 app, could for incidents which were likely to cause continue to improve the situation on local concussion, most notably the use of the Major League to Little League playing fi elds. Dr Laura Purcell, a specialist elbow against an opponent’s head. While innovative measures are clearly in sports medicine for the Canadian “This has led to a signifi cant decrease being taken to deal with concussion in Paediatric Society, reminded participants in concussions,” said Dvorak, pointing to the professional game, questions remain however that the SCAT2 was not intended a 50% reduction in such cases between as to how well they are fi ltering down to for use on under-tens since children are less the 2002 and 2010 FIFA World Cups™. the grassroots level. In an ideal world, a able to articulate their symptoms. doctor would be on hand at every game to “In reality, the best thing we can do Diagnostic diffi culties make such calls, but Prof. Dvorak reminded for the safe future of sports is to develop As well as taking stock of the many the conference that the majority of sports, a range of youth-specifi c tools to assess improvements since the last conference, including football, involve huge numbers young athletes,” Purcell concluded. the medics were understandably keen to of amateur matches taking place without Taking the debate on how best to emphasise the amount of work that still the medical resources made available at protect young players a step further was lies ahead. the higher level. NFL head injury expert Dr Robert Cantu, One recurring theme was the diffi culty For youth and amateur-level sports, it who argued in favour of an outright ban doctors still face in recognising the was widely felt that mobile assessment at youth level on tackling in American symptoms of concussion, particularly in apparently “milder” cases. Several federations stated their theoretical interest Concussion in a nutshell in “baseline” testing – in which all athletes undergo tests to determine their regular Precise defi nitions of concussion vary, but experts generally agree that it involves an injury-induced parameters which can then be compared alteration in mental function or level of awareness which may or may not involve a loss of con- sciousness, and can occur without obvious damage to brain structures. with the readings after a suspected Sufferers will often feel temporarily dazed or mildly confused, while some will not even realise concussion – but it was also noted that that they have a concussion. Memory of events just before or after the injury may also be lost. such programmes can be prohibitively The effects of a concussion typically last less than six hours, although some sufferers may experience expensive. post-concussion syndrome for a week or two after their injury, with symptoms including headaches, North America’s National Hockey League a spinning sensation, light-headedness, fatigue, poor memory, inability to concentrate, irritability, (NHL) and the FEI are already playing a depression and anxiety. pioneering role in this area, however, with The most serious cases can also lead to impairments in thinking or symptoms that persist for months or, in rare cases, years. their respective representatives telling

FIFA WORLD I NEWS 35 football, heading in football and body- of protective equipment and the other on of the conference, with Toronto-based checking in ice hockey. attempts to extend the recovery period for neurosurgeon Prof. Karen Johnston arguing “Children under the age of 14 are players who suffer concussion. that severely affected concussion patients particularly vulnerable to brain injury and In both areas, the effect of such changes needed access to a wide range of services should not play contact sports as they are can often be counter-intuitive with several – including not only medical help but also currently played,” Cantu said, adding that associations warning that helmets, padded psychiatric, legal and educational support. the lack of reliable data linking head injuries headgear and other forms of protective “A lot of doctors are used to working in in youth to adult brain trauma gave even equipment could change the nature of their a bubble, where they just treat the injury more reason to be cautious. sports for the worse – by giving athletes a of the patient,” Johnston pointed out. The lack of consensus in regard to this false sense of security that could actually “Whereas very often we see athletes who, particular argument was highlighted, increase the likelihood of concussion. in addition to their head injuries, may also however, by the contrary opinion of another Reporting on a move by the IRB to bring have major issues around getting back to NFL representative, Dr Stan Herring, who in recommended three-week “time outs” their working and sporting lives.” countered that bans on certain types of for concussed players, which was intended Following the two days of deliberations play among young players would prevent to give more time for injuries to be assessed, involving all the conference delegates, them from learning how to reduce the Dr Rafferty said the measure had actually more than 30 world leading experts from risk of injury in such situations. “Teaching made some athletes reluctant to report the organising sporting federations stayed youngsters good playing skills that keep those injuries because they did not want to on for a third day in which the various the head away from danger is more useful miss out on their team’s subsequent games. fi ndings and opinions were summarised than hampering play with new rules,” Refl ecting a general desire among the and worked into a draft paper. Once fi nal Herring suggested. conference delegates for more research feedback has been given by the Zurich Speaking for football, Prof. Dvorak and public education on concussion, NHL delegates, it is this paper that will be agreed that young players must be representative Dr Willem Meeuwisse published in the British Journal of Sports encouraged to fi rst master their football pointed out that even the concept of Medicine – with the aim of setting the skills before attempting to head the ball, “time outs” for concussed players had agenda for sports-related concussion and also pointed out that a number of proven ineffective in a large number developments for the next four years. studies had yet to show any proven link of cases. Meeuwisse said that rest and “This conference has expanded both our between heading the ball and suffering time away from the fi eld had not led to knowledge and the debate on concussion,” brain damage in later life. improvements in up to a third of athletes Prof. Dvorak concluded after the forum. in a wide range of sports and that research “What we have learned here will provide Good intentions into alternative methods of treatment was critical information for the future as well as The scale of the challenge faced by sports therefore necessary. forming the basis for our new Consensus doctors in this fi eld was also demonstrated The need to consider the “wider Statement on Concussion, due to be by two further discussions, one on the use picture” was another common theme published early next year.”

American football was one of more than a dozen sports represented at the Zurich conference.

FIFA WORLD I NEWS 37 Emblem excitement FIFA briefs Russian venues for Canada 2015 The venues for the opening match, semi- fi nals and fi nal of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ have been approved, Canada captain following December’s meeting of the played a starring role at the event, FIFA Executive Committee in Tokyo. fi ring in a goal to set off a colourful Moscow’s will stage fi rework display. Another highlight was both the opening match and the fi nal, a short fi lm produced specifi cally for the as well as one of the semi-fi nals, with emblem launch, in which young Canadian the FIFA World Cup Stadium in Saint footballer Sofi a Graziani travelled to Petersburg set to host the other semi- to collect a ball from Steffi fi nal. The Saint Petersburg stadium was Jones, President of the Local Organising also confi rmed as one of four venues for the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2017, Committee for the tournament’s 2011 along with Moscow’s Spartak Stadium edition in Germany. and the FIFA World Cup Stadiums in Just like the launch event itself, the Kazan and Sochi. emblem has been designed to refl ect the breadth and diversity of modern Canada, Interactive record with an abstract interpretation of the The latest edition of the FIFA Interactive country’s fauna and fl ora, sky, mountains World Cup has once again smashed and cityscapes merging into the famous records in terms of player participation, with more than 1.6 million video gamers maple-leaf motif of the Canadian fl ag. taking part in the tournament’s fi rst “From coast to coast, the FIFA Women’s three qualifying “seasons” from October World Cup Canada 2015 will showcase to December. That fi gure exceeds the the best women footballers from around 1.3 million players who were involved in the world,” Local Organising Committee the whole of the 2012 edition – which Chief Executive Offi cer Peter Montopoli itself set a new record for the world’s declared at the emblem launch. “We are largest online gaming tournament. The Launched with a bang: Christine Sinclair proud to unveil the Canada 2015 Offi cial FIFA Interactive World Cup 2013 is made conducts the emblem unveiling Emblem and offi cial look that will help us up of six online seasons, running until 1 April, along with fi ve live “territory welcome the world and its game to our showdowns” in England, Germany, great nation in 2015.” France, Spain and Italy. The best players The next edition of the FIFA Women’s Speaking in a video message recorded from qualifying will go on to join World Cup™ took further shape in for the event, FIFA President Joseph S. defending champion Alfonso Ramos at December, with the diversity of host nation Blatter praised the scale and ambition of this year’s Grand Final in Madrid. Canada celebrated at the launch of the the Canadian tournament – with the 2015 2015 tournament’s Offi cial Emblem. edition set to expand the previous 16-team Match-fi xing bans The unveiling of the Offi cial Emblem competition into a 24-team extravaganza. Life-time bans from football have been imposed on 41 players from Korea for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015 “The emblem of a competition is an Republic as the result of a domestic proved to be a trans-Canadian affair, with important step on the road to the fi rst match-fi xing investigation dating back live events across the vast nation testifying game,” Blatter said. “It symbolises and to the middle of 2011. The bans, which to the tournament’s ambitious “coast-to- conveys the values of a country and were extended globally by FIFA, follow coast” concept. represents the beat of the host country’s on from similar sanctions handed down Hosted by the Canadian Soccer heart with all its history and emotions. by the K-League and the Korea Football Association and broadcast live on national “Organising the FIFA Women’s World Association disciplinary committees to television, the emblem launch involved an Cup with 24 teams for the fi rst time in 2015 ten other players in June 2012. Twenty- offi cial unveiling in – attended will give a greater international dimension one of the players involved in the latest sanctions will have the opportunity by national team head coach John to this competition and I’m convinced that to return to the game after probation Herdman and his players – with further the diversity of the Canadian population periods of between two and fi ve years, live link-ups to the fi ve other tournament will be a great support to all the teams and as a result of having turned themselves venues of , , , will add once again a special atmosphere in during a voluntary reporting period. and Moncton. to the tournament.”

38 FIFA WORLD I JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 A world of difference FIFA’s ongoing football development activities have been put fi rmly on the map with the launch of a new online “globe” that allows users to see exactly where and how world football’s governing body allocates its development funds.

Mention the word FIFA and most people “A lot of people are perhaps not aware of the new PERFORMANCE Programme aimed will think of the FIFA World Cup™ or the fact that football development is listed in at helping member associations to further perhaps one of the other tournaments the FIFA Statutes as the organisation’s fi rst professionalise various aspects of their organised by world football’s governing objective,” said FIFA’s Director of Member administrations. body. What they are probably less aware Associations and Development, Thierry A simple mouse click on one of these of is the vast number of projects carried Regenass, following the launch. “Now that triangles takes the user to a more detailed out by FIFA to support and develop the the Development Globe is online, we hope breakdown of FIFA’s development activities game – from grassroots to elite level – in that more and more people will be able to within the chosen territory, including a each of its 209 member associations. see that FIFA’s work extends far beyond timeline for each project undertaken and With this in mind, FIFA’s Communications organising competitions.” a bar showing how each association has Division has come together with the Hosted on the FIFA.com website, the allocated the funds that it has received. Member Associations and Development Globe is designed as a 3D tool which The Development Globe can be used in Division to create the FIFA Development users can rotate and zoom in on to conjunction with the individual association Globe. This online tool is designed to show discover which development projects pages on FIFA.com to obtain additional where, when and how over USD 1.2 billion have taken place in particular territories. information on the development have been spent around the world since the Different coloured triangles are used to programmes in a particular territory of introduction of large-scale development differentiate between technical support interest. By selecting an association name projects, such as Goal and the Financial projects (such as refereeing or coaching from the pull-down “Associations” menu Assistance Programme (FAP), 14 years ago. courses), development projects (including on the website’s front page and then the construction clicking on “Development Activities”, users of new pitches or can obtain a detailed list of all completed training facilities) and pending projects, including the names and activities of the contractors and auditors involved. contained within Updated in “real time” via a direct link to the Development Division’s project database, the globe application is intended to make information on FIFA’s development activities more easily understood and readily accessible than ever before. To try out the FIFA Development Globe for yourself, head to the “Football Development” page found under the “About FIFA” section of FIFA. com, or click on the link on the FIFA World web page www.fi fa.com/fi faworld.

FIFA WORLD I NEWS 39 © 2012 Visa Inc. All Rights Reserved. ONE2ONE

FIFA World: Welcome to Zurich, what goes on around it too. There Fabrice. How are you? are people like the medical staff at Fabrice Muamba: Physically I’m in football matches doing amazing jobs, good shape. I’m allowed to exercise and I think what happened to me has now and I’m getting better every highlighted the fact that everybody single day. I’m still on medication, but should be trained to use these AED hopefully I can get back to living a machines. Personally, I’m grateful this normal life as soon as possible. happened as it has raised awareness of cardiac arrests and of how people in football can work together. I can’t “When I heard about control what happened, but the outcome has been a very good one. Piermario Morosini, that’s when it really hit It’s been widely reported that you home” continued to work hard at school, even after beginning your football career as a youth player at the Your quick recovery has been age of 14. Now that you’ve been described as nothing short of forced to retire prematurely from miraculous by doctors, the press the game, do you think that extra and the public. Did it seem that academic work is going to pay off? way to you? Well, my father always told me, Well, I didn’t realise quite how “Studies fi rst, football after”, and I’m Fabrice Muamba fortunate I had been until about a glad I followed his advice! I enjoyed Former Bolton player month after my collapse, when I heard playing the game and my parents about the Italian footballer Piermario always told me that I could play as long Morosini, who tragically died after as I prioritised my education fi rst. When also suffering a sudden heart attack. I started to play professionally, though, I thought, “Wow, this is bigger than I I couldn’t fi nish university – so perhaps Fabrice Muamba made headlines around expected” and that’s when it really hit now is the time. One thing that’s the world last year, albeit in a way he home. You’re not really aware of the certain is that I want to learn different would never have wished for, after seriousness of what’s happened to you aspects of the game. And after an suffering a sudden cardiac arrest while until you hear of a fellow professional experience like mine, you believe playing in a televised FA Cup match. Kept in the same situation who didn’t make anything is possible. alive thanks to the immediate medical it. attention he received, the 24-year-old What else have you taken away has since retired from the game on the One of the reasons you’re here from this experience? advice of his doctors, but hopes to use his today appears to be the fact The main thing is that you have to experience to raise awareness of cardiac that the medics at Bolton had treasure your life. And you also have health issues among footballers and the access to an automated external to be aware of these important general public. Having already agreed to defibrillator. We understand health issues and, if you have a heart support the “11 for Health” programme you’ve now lent your support condition, make sure you see a doctor run by FIFA’s Medical Department, to FIFA’s plan to equip all of to have it monitored. It’s your life, so Muamba paid a visit to FIFA’s Zurich its member associations with please make sure you get a medical headquarters in November where he met defibrillators? check-up to make sure you are in the with FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter and Yes, since my heart attack, I’ve right condition in body and mind to be talked to FIFA World about his future realised that football is not only about able to participate in whatever sport plans. what happens on the pitch, but also you choose.

FIFA WORLD I NEWS 41 FOCUS Corinthian spirit restores South American pride

42 FIFA WORLD I JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 Brazilian club Corinthians defeated European champions Chelsea at the FIFA Club World Cup in December in one of the most tightly contested fi nals of recent years.

By Alejandro Varsky,

They may not have displayed the all- As Guerrero readily admitted, he was up his trophies. “It’s diffi cult to win these conquering fl air of FC Barcelona 12 months not the only one. Cássio proved particularly awards as a goalkeeper, so I’m going to previously, and their total goal tally of indispensable in the Corinthians goal, enjoy it even more.” two goals in the entire competition was especially against Chelsea, as he kept out certainly less than any of the previous a string of shots from Victor Moses, Gary Brazilian supremacy winners had managed, but Corinthians’ Cahill and . The 25-year- As well as putting themselves on a par resolute and effi cient brand of football saw with Barcelona as the only multiple winners them crowned as club world champions for of the FIFA Club World Cup, Corinthians a record-equalling second time, while also “Today, I can say that I maintained the perfect record of Brazilian taking the trophy back to South America was important, that I did clubs against English opponents in the after fi ve years of European dominance. competition by matching that 1-0 win by The São Paulo side, whose victory in the my job.” their city rivals São Paulo over inaugural tournament back in 2000 began Corinthians’ goal hero seven years earlier. The win also continued a sequence of three straight triumphs by an impressive showing by Brazilian Brazilian clubs during the competition’s teams, with Corinthians, São Paulo and early years, owed their latest win to the old’s heroics later earned him the adidas Internacional having been responsible for same exemplary team spirit that saw Golden Ball as the best player of the all four of South America’s victories to date them go unbeaten en route to last year’s tournament – the fi rst time that the honour – compared to the three countries (Italy, title – a run in which had gone to a goalkeeper since the 2005 England and Spain) who have contributed Corinthians conceded a mere four goals edition in which another Brazilian stopper, European victors. in 14 games. Rogerio Ceni, repeatedly frustrated the best While Chelsea would gladly have joined This time around, the side unable to efforts of Liverpool during Benítez’s fi rst that list of winners purely for the honour breach their defences were Chelsea, a tilt at the title. “It was a big surprise, but a of being crowned club world champions, team making their maiden appearance at good one!” beamed Cássio after picking the team’s desire to win was no doubt the FIFA Club World Cup, but coached by a trainer, in the form of Rafael Benítez, who was making a record third appearance at the event, following his run to the fi nal with Liverpool in 2005 and his success with Inter in 2010. If the 2012 tournament was about any one individual, however, it was surely Paolo Guerrero, the Peruvian international who joined Corinthians after their Copa Libertadores triumph but then almost missed the Club World Cup campaign with a knee injury. “I was very scared when I got injured, but thank God I recovered in time,” Guerrero told FIFA World after scoring not only the decisive goal against Chelsea, but also the strike against Al-Ahly in the semi-fi nals that fi red the Brazilian club into the fi nal. “Today, I can say that I was important, Guerrero the hero: Peruvian striker Paolo Guerrero scored both of Corinthians’ goals at the that I did my job.” tournament.

FIFA WORLD I FOCUS 43 accentuated by their patchy form in the champions Monterrey 3-1 in the semi- “That’s what you expect from Brazilian run-up to the tournament which had seen fi nals, but were unable to fi nd a way past clubs, so we knew what they were going them jettison coach Roberto Di Matteo the Brazilians in the fi nal once Guerrero’s to bring. It’s disappointing to come all this and then bow out at the group stage second-half header had put the South way and not win it.” of the latest Champions League edition, Americans in front. After missing out on the opportunity marking the earliest exit ever by a reigning “They were very well organised,” to join Pep Guardiola as the only coach champion. acknowledged Chelsea captain Frank to have won two Club World Cup titles, The London side had looked sharp Lampard, whose appearance in the fi nal Benítez also expressed his disappointment enough in their opening game in Yokohama followed an injury lay-off of nearly two – while also noting some positive aspects as they brushed aside CONCACAF months. for his team.

Positive headlines lift Hiroshima

Sanfrecce Hiroshima’s fi fth-place fi nish at the FIFA Club World Cup 2012 for Sanfrecce. The team’s only overseas player, Mikić signed for the club in was not quite enough to match the semi-fi nal appearances of fellow 2009 and plans to stay in the city until at least the end of his playing career. Japanese clubs , Gamba and “People wouldn’t believe how friendly the locals are here, and the true in recent editions, but it was a joyous achievement for a team whose sense of peace you feel walking through the city’s streets. I live right by home city is still known internationally for the atrocities it suffered more the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and what happened on that day than half a century ago. is of course a part of Hiroshima’s identity. Infamous as the site of the fi rst atom bomb drop in 1945, Hiroshima “But we are proud that, as footballers, we can also let the world know has worked hard in the intervening decades to rebrand itself as a “City of about the city’s new identity. We want to use our performances on the Peace”. Following the success of winning their fi rst Japanese J.League title pitch to showcase what Hiroshima has to offer and also to state at every in November, the city’s football team are hopeful that Hiroshima will also opportunity that what happened to the city back then can never be allowed start to be associated with sporting prowess. to happen anywhere again.” “I was born and grew up in Hiroshima, and some members of my mother’s family died on the day of the bombing, so the sad story of the atom bomb has been part of my entire life,” Sanfrecce midfi elder Koji Morisaki told FIFA World following his side’s closing win over Asian champions Ulsan Hyundai. “The atom bomb story has been part “That history runs deep, but we are proud that we can also let the world of my family’s entire life, but we are know about the good side of Hiroshima. We know it will take time to achieve this, but that’s why we were so eager to take part in this tournament and proud that we can also let the world go as far as possible.” One foreigner who is already well aware of the progress made by Hiroshima know about Hiroshima’s good side.” since 1945 is 33-year-old Croatian Mihael Mikić, who plays on the right wing Sanfrecce midfi elder Koji Morisaki

Sanfrecce’s players celebrate a goal sumo-fashion.

44 FIFA WORLD I JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 “We had at least four clear chances, and to do that in a fi nal against a good team means a lot to me,” the former Valencia, Liverpool and trainer

“It’s very diffi cult for us when most of our players are not professional, but I think the gap was not that big in the end.” City captain

told reporters after the match. “There were positives for the players too, with Lampard coming back and improving Blues and blonds: Chelsea’s players refl ect after the fi nal whistle (top); Ulsan Hyundai’s Lee his match fi tness, and some of our other Keunho and ’s Hwang Seokho vie for the ball during the all-Asian battle for fi fth place. players learning what it means to play a top South American team or to play in another country with another atmosphere. We had “too much respect” to their opponents in performance by a Mexican club at the possession and good counter-attacks, but that game, according to Monterrey-born competition, with Necaxa having also we just had to take those chances.” striker Aldo De Nigris, the Mexicans picked come third in 2000. themselves up with a pulsating 2-0 win The Rayados’ campaign was made all Bronze for Monterrey over African representatives Al-Ahly of the more impressive by the injury which As Chelsea came to terms with their defeat in the bronze-medal match. ruled out Chilean striker in the fi nal, Monterrey were celebrating The win was a marked improvement just before their opening game. César a third-place fi nish after bouncing back for Víctor Vucetich’s side in comparison Delgado and 19-year-old Jesús Corona from their own setback against the English to their fi fth-place fi nish at the 2011 proved more than worthy deputies, team in the semi-fi nals. Having shown edition and also equalled the best-ever however, scoring fi ve of their team’s six

FIFA WORLD I FOCUS 45 goals at the tournament, including both fourth on their fourth appearance at the Al-Ahly idol Mohamed Aboutrika, who strikes against Al-Ahly and all three of the global showdown. The Egyptian side’s came off the bench to score his side’s goals in the Mexicans’ opening 3-1 win involvement was given added poignancy winning goal against Sanfrecce. The neat over Ulsan Hyundai. by the still-vivid memories of last year’s fi nish gave Aboutrika his fourth goal in “Third place is a very good result for us,” Port Said stadium tragedy in which at least four appearances in the competition – Delgado told FIFA World. “We didn’t have 79 supporters died. Arriving in Japan with lifting him joint top of the all-time scorers a bad tournament at all, and the game we the stated intention of honouring those list, alongside Lionel Messi and the 2009 lost was against the best team in Europe. fans, Hossam El Badry’s team immediately edition’s top scorer, Denilson. So we can go home satisfi ed.” lived up to that pledge with a 2-1 victory over local favourites Sanfrecce Hiroshima Battling amateurs Al-Ahly pride to ensure African involvement in the Despite only having been founded in Although unable to match TP Mazembe’s semi-fi nals. 2004, New Zealand’s Auckland City shock run to the fi nal of the FIFA Club “Our most important goal was to came to the latest FIFA Club World World Cup 2010, nor their own third- spread happiness for the people in Egypt, Cup as one of the competition’s most place fi nish in 2006, Al-Ahly could also especially for the families of those fans experienced participants – equaling Al- take considerable pride in finishing who died in Port Said,” said 34-year-old Ahly’s achievement in making their fourth appearance at the event. As the only team to include amateur Results players in their ranks, the Oceania representatives were unable to reproduce Play-off for quarter-fi nals their surprise fi fth-place fi nish in 2009 6.12 Sanfrecce Hiroshima v. Auckland City 1-0 but were far from humiliated during their narrow 1-0 defeat against Sanfrecce in the Quarter-fi nals 9.12 Ulsan Hyundai v. Monterrey 1-3 tournament’s opening match. 9.12 Sanfrecce Hiroshima v. Al-Ahly 1-2 “It’s very diffi cult for us to face a high- Awards: class team like Sanfrecce when most of our Match for fi fth place players are not professional,” pointed out 12.12 Ulsan Hyundai v. Sanfrecce Hiroshima 2-3 adidas Golden Ball and Toyota Award veteran City skipper Ivan Vicelich. “I think Cássio (Corinthians) the gap was not that big in the end, but Semi-fi nals of course it’s a huge difference when [our 12.12 Al-Ahly v. SC Corinthians 0-1 adidas Silver Ball 13.12 Monterrey v. Chelsea 1-3 (Chelsea) opponents] can bring in big players from all over the world, using budgets much Match for third place adidas Bronze Ball bigger than what we have in New Zealand.“ 16.12 Al-Ahly v. Monterrey 0-2 Paolo Guerrero (Corinthians) A member of the New Zealand national team that stunned the world with its Final FIFA Fair Play Trophy unbeaten run at the 2010 FIFA World 16.12 SC Corinthians v. Chelsea 1-0 Monterrey Cup™, Vicelich insisted that Auckland had acquitted themselves well in their latest foray onto the world stage. “I think we improved our game compared to previous editions and were able to play some good football,” he added. “And besides, it’s always good for the competition to have a local team involved in the fi nal stages.”

Mixed fortunes for Asia That magnanimous comment was of course in reference to Sanfrecce, who secured their Club World Cup place only 12 days before the tournament kick-off when they Luiz, Cássio and Guerrero (left to right) receive their adidas awards. clinched their fi rst-ever Japanese J.League title in late November.

46 FIFA WORLD I JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 Spearheaded by Hisato Satō – whose season highlights also included awards for Goal-line technology being the J.League’s top scorer (with 22 goals) as well as its most valuable and its debuts in Japan fairest player – the local champions went on to suffer a 2-1 defeat against Al-Ahly in The Chelsea fans who travelled to Japan for the latest edition of the FIFA Club World Cup would the quarter-fi nals, but rallied to take fi fth no doubt have been familiar with the old saying about London buses – that you wait ages for one to turn up and then three come along at once. place following a 3-2 win in their all-Asian A similar phenomenon seemed to be playing out when it came to the historic deployment of meeting with Ulsan Hyundai. goal-line technology (GLT) at the December tournament, with plenty of goal-line controversies occurring in the years spent waiting for reliable enough systems – but not a single incident to be seen once the technology was installed. “We had possession and Barring one moment in the fi nal when a Chelsea effort squirmed along the Corinthians’ goal line good counter-attacks, without ever appearing to actually cross it, the match balls in Japan were all emphatically “in” or “out” but never stopped to linger in between. but we just had to take Nevertheless, the combined 720 minutes of in-competition use of the two licensed systems (Hawk- Eye and GoalRef) have provided plenty of data and fi rst impressions ahead of the technology’s those chances.” planned adoption at other FIFA tournaments. Chelsea coach Rafael Benítez The Japan premiere also provided an important chance for the tournament’s referees to familiarise themselves with the systems – which are designed to support the match offi cials while always leaving the fi nal decision up to them – as well as allowing the companies involved to demonstrate their solutions to the media and to players. “It was great to get the opportunity While the performance of the two systems used in Japan still has to be fully evaluated, FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter made use of initial feedback to declare that “referees, players and to play in the Club World Cup and take ourselves are satisfi ed with the results during this competition” and repeated FIFA’s intention to on the champions of Asia,” said Satō, have the technology at both the Confederations Cup and next year’s FIFA World Cup™ in Brazil. whose solitary strike against Auckland “There have been no critical decisions so far,” Blatter added at a media conference held prior to and brace against the Koreans saw him the tournament’s fi nal two matches. “For the time being, we can only say it works and that the fi nish level with Monterrey’s Delgado as referees are happy to have this help, because they know now that if there is a confl icting situation the tournament’s top scorer. they will get the accuracy to say if it was a goal or not.” There was less for the reigning Asian champions to cheer, however, as Ulsan bowed out in sixth place, with a record of played two, lost two, although coach Kim Ho Gon still found reasons to be cheerful. “It was a fantastic experience for us,” insisted Kim, whose team had only wrapped up their maiden continental title one month prior to their arrival in Japan, “and I now expect us to come back stronger and better prepared next year.” Whether it’s Ulsan Hyundai or not, the Asian champions at the tenth edition will no longer have home advantage on their side, with the FIFA Club World Cup 2013 set to make its African debut in a little less than a year’s time. Morocco will be the hosts on that occasion, meaning that Africa will also have two representatives taking part for the fi rst time. The new location will also offer a shorter journey next time around for Europe’s representatives as the “Old Continent” bids to regain its The goal-line systems send an instant signal to the referee’s watch as soon as the ball former supremacy at club football’s global crosses the line. summit.

FIFA WORLD I FOCUS 47 Brazil celebrate fi fth futsal crown Brazil were crowned world futsal champions for a record fi fth time in November, successfully defending their title with a pulsating 3-2 win over old rivals Spain.

By Thomas Schanze, Bangkok

Special things tend to happen when Brazil win over Spain in 1996 the only occasion winning a penalty shoot-out after the old and Spain lock horns in the close setting on which either team had managed to adversaries had ended extra time tied at of a futsal arena, and the fi nal match of secure victory by a margin of more than two goals apiece. the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2012 proved to one goal. Four years later, a penalty shoot-out be no exception. In 2000, the Spaniards rallied from seemed to be once more on the cards as Going into the 18 November showdown, 3-2 down with fi ve minutes remaining another fascinating encounter unfolded the pair had already met three times in the to triumph 4-3, only for the Brazilians in Bangkok’s loud and colourful Indoor fi nals of previous editions – with Brazil’s 6-4 to edge an even closer contest in 2008, Stadium Huamark. Just as in 2008, extra

48 FIFA WORLD I JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 time was coming to an end. And, once incredible 16 goals without reply past Following a tricky opening draw with again, the scores were level at 2-2. Panama to exactly match Russia’s earlier Asian heavyweights Iran, Spain progressed This time, however, a moment of thrashing of the during through the rest of the competition in individual brilliance prevented the need for the group stage. similar fashion to Brazil. Topping their group penalties. With just 19 seconds remaining, It was only in the quarter- and semi-fi nals after straightforward wins in their next two Brazilian defender Neto jinked the ball past that Brazil started to be tested. Taking games against Panama (8-3) and Morocco Spain’s Brazil-born midfi elder Fernandão on arch-rivals Argentina in the last eight, (5-1), they also eased through the round of near the halfway line, surged along the they found themselves 2-0 down at half- 16 with a 7-1 victory over their Thai hosts. wing with one further touch of the ball time but managed to turn things around While the Brazilians faced their fellow and then slammed a shot past goalkeeper – following more goalscoring heroics from South Americans in the quarter- and and into the Spanish net. Neto and Falcão – to eke out a 3-2 extra- semi-fi nals, the Spanish took on fellow “Honestly, that was the last bit of energy time victory. Europeans. In the fi rst of those matches, I had,” said Neto, who also scored the against Russia, they also matched Brazil opening goal of the match fi ve minutes in coming from behind to win 3-2 – into the second half. “I think that both “It was a dream fi nal, although Spain were able to do so without teams were already mentally preparing and it showed that in extra time. The semi-fi nal against Italy for penalty kicks, but I thought ‘Why not also showed parallels to Brazil’s last-four have one last go at getting something?’” futsal you have to keep meeting with the Colombians, with the That “something” turned out to be a believing in yourself Spanish tied at 1-1 with just over ten cruel denouement for the Spanish, who minutes remaining, before a fl urry of goals had taken the lead midway through the right until the end.” from Alemao, Lozano and Lin fi red the second half after scoring twice in the space Brazil coach Marcos Sorato favourites through to the fi nal. of 61 seconds. The lead held until the last Given the remarkably similar routes fi ve minutes of regular time, when veteran that the two sides had taken to reach Brazil star Falcão unleashed a ferocious Facing further South American the deciding match, the closeness of the long-range strike to level the scores once opposition in the semi-finals, in the encounter was perhaps to be expected. again. surprising shape of tournament debutants And although it did not erase the pain A further opportunity presented itself to Colombia, the Brazilians were pegged 1-1 of his side’s defeat, Spanish coach José the South Americans deep in extra time at half-time but again grew stronger as the Venancio López could at least see the silver when they were awarded a penalty with game wore on, eventually booking their lining behind the country’s third fi nal defeat a minute and a half remaining, but Juanjo place in the fi nal with a 3-1 win. to Brazil. spread himself well to turn the shot wide with his right foot. That looked like being enough to set up a repeat of the previous edition’s shoot- out decider, until Neto intervened with his dramatic winner to earn Brazil their fi fth Futsal World Cup title from the seven tournaments held to date.

A perfect run “It was a dream fi nal, and it showed that in futsal you have to keep believing in yourself right until the end,” said Brazil coach Marcos Sorato after watching his charges register their seventh straight win of this year’s fi nals. Clearly starting as they meant to go on, the Auriverdes had cruised through the group stage with comfortable wins over Japan (4-1), Libya (13-0) and Portugal (3-1). The South Americans then seemed to take the round of 16 literally, fi ring an Fernandão of Spain struggles to fi nd a way past Brazilians Neto and Ari during the fi nal.

FIFA WORLD I FOCUS 49 “We could have won, but that’s just the they were such good ambassadors for fared even better, topping their way it is in sport,” he said after the fi nal Colombian futsal,” Fonnegra said following group ahead of more established rivals whistle. “My players gave everything and the game against Italy. “We hope to be Czech Republic and Egypt, before fi nally I’m grateful for that.” back in four years’ time!” succumbing to a narrow 2-1 defeat at the hands of round-of-16 opponents Bronze for Italy Mixed fortunes for fi rst-timers Argentina. As well as producing the same winners and Colombia were not the only debutants to “Taking part in this World Cup and same losing fi nalists as the 2008 edition, make their mark on 2012, with coming top of our group was a great the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2012 saw the fellow newcomers Panama and Serbia experience for us,” refl ected Serbia coach same side fi nish in third place, with Italy also catching the eye with their runs to Aca Kovacevic. “We were almost ready making it onto the podium for a third the round of 16. to make the next step, but this was not consecutive time. our time.” Bouncing back from their late “I told my team they Nor was it the time for Mexico and capitulation to Spain in the semi-fi nals, Kuwait, who joined Morocco in a trio of the Squadra Azzurra needed plenty of could hold their heads newcomers leaving the tournament after patience against Colombia in the match up high on leaving the the group stage. While the Mexicans and for third place, before eventually winning Moroccans left Thailand without a point the encounter 3-0, with all three goals hall, as they were such to show for their efforts, the Kuwaitis had coming in the second half. good ambassadors for the consolation of a closing 4-3 win over “Naturally, we are very satisfi ed with Egypt, however, to give them cause for fi nishing third at this tournament,” said Colombian futsal,” optimism in the future. Italy coach . “It is Colombia coach Arney Fonnegra following his team’s fourth-place fi nish important for us – and a source of great Thai fi ghters pride – to know that we were the second- Another team causing plenty of excitement best European team after Spain. There While Panama were given a harsh in Thailand were, of course, the hosts. are some great teams here that haven’t lesson in futsal supremacy by the eventual Playing a refreshingly attacking game, and managed to fi nish as highly as we have.” champions once they reached the knockout cheered on by their enthusiastic home Despite their ultimate defeat at the stage, they acquitted themselves well in the fans, the Changsuk (“War Elephants”) hands of the Italians, Colombia’s Cafeteros group stage and especially in their opening improved upon their group-stage exits were clearly the surprise package of the game – when they managed to turn a 3-0 at the three previous Futsal World Cups, Thailand event – with not even the players defi cit against fellow debutants Morocco with an opening-day 3-1 win over Costa themselves having reckoned on a top-four into an emphatic 8-3 victory. Rica proving just enough to secure a place fi nish on their tournament debut. in the fi nal 16. A place in the semi-fi nals certainly looked Spain turned out to be one obstacle a distant dream after the team’s opening too many for Vic Hermans’ team, as they 5-2 defeat by , but an 11-3 win crashed out of the tournament 7-1, although over the Solomon Islands coupled with the the noisy celebrations that greeted Kritsada Solomons’ subsequent shock win over the Wongkaeo’s late consolation goal were a Guatemalans proved enough for the South fi tting reminder of the party atmosphere Americans to progress from the group as generated throughout the competition by runners-up. the passionate home supporters. Taking a more defensive approach in The never-say-die attitude of the the knock-out stage, Arney Fonnegra’s Solomon Islands team was another team reaped the immediate reward of a highlight. Having lost all of their matches stunning 2-1 win over ten-time AFC futsal on their tournament debut in 2008, the champions Iran in the round of 16, before Oceania champions got off to another eliminating Ukraine 3-1 in the quarter- terrible start this time around with their fi nals. While they were unable to outfox 16-0 thrashing at the hands of Russia. either Brazil or Italy in their last two games, After faring little better in their next the newcomers were understandably game – the 11-3 defeat to Colombia – delighted with their fourth-place fi nish. the Islanders then produced one of the The Thai team thanked their fantastic fans “I told my team they could hold their following their round-of-16 exit against biggest upsets of the group stage, when heads up high on leaving the hall, as Spain. they beat Guatemala 4-3 to end the

50 FIFA WORLD I JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 Central American heavyweights’ hopes of progressing. Tournament lit up by Adding to the fairy-tale feel was the nature of the winning goal – kicked into stars old and new an empty net from the opposite end of the pitch by 16-year-old Solomon Islands keeper Anthony Talo, as the Guatemalans, trailing 3-2 at the time, desperately pressed forward in search of an equaliser. “This was my fi rst World Cup, so I never even dreamed that I would score here,” said the teenager after becoming only the fi fth goalkeeper, and easily the youngest, to score at a FIFA Futsal World Cup. “Our team is so happy to fi nish in this way and it was a real team effort. It shows that we can compete at this level, and this gives us something to build on for the future.”

Not at their best In a tournament where so many unfancied teams exceeded expectations, there are always bound to be a number of “bigger” While futsal is fundamentally a , the fast nature of the game, its dependence upon teams who failed to live up to their pre- close ball control and the large number of goalscoring opportunities also combine to create an tournament billings. arena in which individual stars can also grab the limelight. As former Futsal World Cup semi-fi nalists, The FIFA Futsal World Cup Thailand 2012 provided just such a platform for a number of stars, Iran had been widely tipped as possible dark both old and new, with the Brazilian and Spanish fi nalists by no means the only teams to impress. horses. Following their promising opening Newcomers Colombia, for example, owed much of their impressive run to the semi-fi nals to draw with Spain, however, the Asian giants their 30-year-old goalkeeper, Juan Lozano, who provided his team with a vital sense of security at looked unconvincing in their subsequent the back, seeming to grow in stature as the tournament progressed. His team-mate Andres Reyes also made a name for himself, with his trickery on the court thrilling the fans and often driving his narrow wins against Morocco (2-1) and opponents to distraction. Panama (4-3), making their eventual For the Thai hosts, 23-year-old attacker Suphawut Thueanklang put in a number of stand-out elimination by Colombia seem, in hindsight, performances, prompting the team’s Dutch coach Victor Hermans to predict that “the world will a little less surprising. hear a lot more about Thueanklang in the future”. Current Asian futsal champions Japan Two Italian World Cup debutants were also singled out for praise with proving a were unable to do any better, conceding constant threat upfront – and fi nishing as the tournament’s second-highest scorer with eight goals – six goals in a disastrous fi rst half against while his team-mate picked up the adidas Golden Glove as the best goalkeeper. “I am totally stunned,” Mammarella declared, after a string of fi ne performances not only in their round-of-16 opponents Ukraine, and terms of saves, but also in regard to his play-making abilities. “It is great to have won this award, eventually going out 6-3. and something special to have fi nished ahead of goalkeepers of the calibre of Tiago and Juanjo.” Three-time semi-fi nalists Russia fi nished Russia’s Brazilian-born striker Eder Lima was another to show his class in Thailand. The 28-year-old up with the tournament’s leading scored nine goals to help his team reach the quarter-fi nals, making his mark on the world stage by goalscorer in their ranks, thanks to the claiming the adidas Golden Boot ahead of Fortino and Brazil’s Fernandinho. nine-goal haul (seven of them against In the fi nal, Fernandinho’s team-mate Neto was the key man in Brazil’s victory over Spain, scoring the Solomon Islands) of São Paulo-born twice to take his individual Thailand tally to seven goals – a haul made all the more impressive for the fact that Neto plays as a defender. His contribution to the team’s success in all areas saw the pivot Eder Lima. Their hopes of another Brazilian rewarded with the adidas Golden Ball for the tournament’s most valuable player. top-four fi nish were dashed, however, by The Silver and Bronze Balls meanwhile went to two completely different types of player – Spain’s the misfortune of meeting Spain in the Kike and Portugal’s Ricardinho. Whereas Kike was the Furia Roja’s talisman in his fourth World Cup, quarter-fi nals. Ricardinho was perhaps the most impressive man in the tournament when in possession of the ball. The last eight also marked the end of the The “new faces” who made a name for themselves in Thailand will of course be well known to their road for a Portugal side who had seemed opponents when the world’s best players reconvene for the FIFA Futsal World Cup’s 2016 edition, destined for the semi-fi nals after marching which might make it harder for them to shine again in four years’ time. If so, another generation into a 3-0 lead after just 11 minutes of eager young players will of course be happy to take up the gauntlet.

FIFA WORLD I FOCUS 51 against quarter-fi nal opponents Italy – only FIFA Futsal World Cup Thailand 2012: Results to lose 4-3 in extra time. Group A “We were very upset to go out like 01.11 Ukraine v. Paraguay 3-3 that,” striker Cardinal admitted afterwards. 01.11 Thailand v. Costa Rica 3-1 “Overall, it was a good tournament for us, 04.11 Paraguay v. Costa Rica 3-6 but we were hoping for more.” 04.11 Thailand v. Ukraine 3-5 07.11 Costa Rica v. Ukraine 1-6 Hosts praised 07.11 Paraguay v. Thailand 3-2 Group F When it came to the staging of the 03.11 Guatemala v. Colombia 5-2 Group B 03.11 Russia v. Solomon Islands 16-0 tournament, the Local Organising 02.11 Panama v. Morocco 8-3 06.11 Colombia v. Solomon Islands 11-3 Committee (LOC) had to deal with one 02.11 Spain v. Iran 2-2 06.11 Russia v. Guatemala 9-0 major challenge when it was confi rmed 05.11 Morocco v. Iran 1-2 09.11 Solomon Islands v. Guatemala 4-3 that the new Bangkok Futsal Arena would 05.11 Spain v. Panama 8-3 09.11 Colombia v. Russia 0-2 not be ready in time to host matches. 08.11 Iran v. Panama 4-3 Originally intended as the setting for the 08.11 Morocco v. Spain 1-5 Round of 16 tournament fi nal, as well as two quarter- 11.11 Paraguay v. Portugal 1-4 Group C 11.11 Ukraine v. Japan 6-3 fi nals, both semi-fi nals and the match for 01.11 Libya v. Portugal 1-5 11.11 Spain v. Thailand 7-1 third place, the venue suffered construction 01.11 Brazil v. Japan 4-1 11.11 Iran v. Colombia 1-2 delays and narrowly missed out in its race 04.11 Portugal v. Japan 5-5 12.11 Italy v. Egypt 5-1 to be ready for the competition’s fi nal 04.11 Brazil v. Libya 13-0 12.11 Brazil v. Panama 16-0 stages. 07.11 Japan v. Libya 4-2 12.11 Russia v. Czech Rep. 3-0 Organisers succeeded, however, in 07.11 Portugal v. Brazil 1-3 12.11 Serbia v. Argentina 1-2 reallocating the matches among Bangkok’s Group D Quarter-fi nals other venues, with the Indoor Stadium 02.11 Italy v. Australia 9-1 14.11 Argentina v. Brazil 2-3 a.e.t. Huamark stepping in to host the last four 02.11 Argentina v. Mexico 5-1 14.11 Colombia v. Ukraine 3-1 games – including the sensational fi nal in 05.11 Australia v. Mexico 3-1 14.11 Portugal v. Italy 3-4 a.e.t. front of a sell-out crowd. 05.11 Argentina v. Italy 2-3 14.11 Spain v. Russia 3-2 Indeed, the 160,000 fans who 08.11 Mexico v. Italy 2-5 fl ocked to the tournament’s 52 matches 08.11 Australia v. Argentina 1-7 Semi-fi nals produced an average attendance of 3,094 16.11 Italy v. Spain 1-4 spectators which was the third-best in Group E 16.11 Brazil v. Colombia 3-1 03.11 Czech Republic v. Kuwait 3-2 the competition’s history, beaten only by 03.11 Egypt v. Serbia 1-3 Match for third place Guatemala 2000 and Brazil 2008. 06.11 Kuwait v. Serbia 2-7 18.11 Italy v. Colombia 3-0 “I would like to say a big thanks to 06.11 Egypt v Czech Republic 7-2 Thailand,” FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter 09.11 Serbia v Czech Republic 2-2 Final said at the tournament’s closing press 09.11 Kuwait v. Egypt 4-3 18.11 Spain v. Brazil 2-3 a.e.t. conference. “It is known as the ‘Land of Smiles’ and the hospitality here has adidas Silver Ball certainly been exceptional. I would also like Awards: Kike (ESP) to pass on my thanks to [LOC Chairman] adidas Golden Ball adidas Bronze Ball Suwat Liptapanlop and his team; they had Neto (BRA) Ricardinho (POR) a big challenge and managed it well.” Certainly, the bar has been set high for adidas Golden Boot the next hosts of the FIFA Futsal World Eder Lima (RUS) Cup, with six countries (France, Iran, adidas Silver Boot Colombia, Puerto , Spain and Czech Rodolfo Fortino (ITA) adidas Bronze Boot Republic) all currently in the running to Fernandinho (BRA) stage the 2016 edition. The successful bidders are due to be selected by FIFA’s adidas Golden Glove Executive Committee in March, at which Stefano Mammarella (ITA) point the biggest question will once again be whether anyone can stop the Brazilians FIFA Fair Play Trophy next time around. Argentina

FIFA WORLD I FOCUS 53 Cape Verde’s long-suffering fans are fi nally preparing to bang the drum at the Africa Cup of Nations. Cape of new hope Cape Verde’s shock qualifi cation for this month’s CAF Africa Cup of Nations – as the smallest-ever nation to reach the tournament – marks a dramatic turnaround in fortunes for a country which has spent decades losing its best players to other national teams.

By Mark Gleeson and Pierre Eklund

Just as this edition of FIFA World comes With the total population of their just try to take it all in and savour the out, Cape Verde’s national football country only around six times bigger than moment,” beams Antunes, whose Blue team are due to be making their long the capacity of Soccer City, coach Lúcio Sharks (as Cape Verde’s national team are dreamed-of debut appearance at the Africa Antunes and his players could certainly known) are set to be the smallest minnows Cup of Nations – beginning their campaign be forgiven a sense of surrealism as they yet to compete in Africa’s continental with no less a fi xture than the 19 January step out onto the same pitch where Spain finals – even smaller than Equatorial opening match against tournament hosts and the Netherlands contested the 2010 , whose qualifi cation for the 2012 South Africa at ’s Soccer FIFA World Cup™ fi nal. “It will be a huge edition came automatically as tournament City Stadium. honour for our small country, but we will co-hosts.

54 FIFA WORLD I JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 Nor is size the only obstacle that Cape While not all of these “lost” players Cape Verde, but the country’s success in Verde have had to overcome. were born in Cape Verde, it still seems qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations Spread out in a horseshoe formation remarkable that so many top stars can demonstrates how things have started of 15 islands and islets and located some have such strong connections to a tiny to change. 570 kilometres off Africa’s west coast, the cluster of rugged outcrops in the Atlantic A major turning point came in April country has a punishingly arid landscape Ocean – although some believe that the 2000, following the country’s fi rst attempt which belies the “Green Cape” of its name. phenomenon may in fact be explained by to qualify for a FIFA World Cup. While Indeed, with natural grass scarce and the islands’ isolated nature. trying to work out how the team could freshwater even scarcer, Cape Verde cannot “Our kids start football at an early age do better next time, Semedo and his even lay claim to a single grass football pitch. and sometimes in diffi cult and adverse colleagues started to think about the The harshness of life on the islands, conditions,” points out long-time Cape thousands of Cape Verdeans living overseas which were originally settled by 15th century Verde Football Association President Mário and how they could entice them back to Portuguese traders as a supply point for Semedo. “It is in the personality of Cape play for the Blue Sharks. Suddenly, the passing ships and later served as a base Verdeans to fi ght precisely because of the talent drain that had been seen as a purely for slave trading, has also led to large-scale obstacles they face in their daily lives. negative infl uence in the past was being emigration over the years – to the extent “Under these conditions, qualities like considered as an opportunity – prompting that many more Cape Verdeans can now be hard work and dedication are essential, an ambitious scouting programme that found in Europe, the Americas and mainland and the recipe for our success in football encompassed not only the traditional Africa than on the islands themselves. is made up of those ingredients.” hunting grounds of Portugal and Senegal but also expat communities in France, Talents lost Talents regained Luxembourg, Switzerland, the Netherlands Among this widespread diaspora are a In the past, those ingredients clearly and the USA. striking number of top footballers who benefi ted the national teams of other Since then, Cape Verde’s reliance upon have gone on to play for their adopted countries much more than they did foreign-based players has reached a countries rather than their ancestral home. Unsurprisingly, Portugal has benefi ted most, with a long line of Cape Verdeans having chosen to pull on the red strip. At the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Manchester United’s Cape Verde-born star Nani was one of three members of the Portugal squad with roots in the tiny African country, while two other players of Cape Verde heritage (Beşiktaş midfi elder Manuel Fernandes and Málaga winger Eliseu) only narrowly missed out after making it onto Portugal’s 30-player long list for the tournament. Switzerland’s Gelson Fernandes, who scored the only goal of the alpine nation’s shock group-stage win over Spain at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, is another Cape Verde-born player, while the father of former great Henrik Larsson also hailed from the archipelago. Nearby (or at least relatively close) Senegal have also snapped up several internationals who could have turned out for Cape Verde, including current national team members Jacques Faty and Mickaël Tavares. , the Senegalese- born star who went on to win the World Cup with France in 1998, also has Cape The Blue Sharks booked their place at South Africa 2013 thanks to an impressive two-legged Verdean ancestry. qualifying victory over four-time African champions .

FIFA WORLD I FOCUS 55 Step-by-step success

While Cape Verde’s participation in the Africa Back then, Cape Verde were 182nd in the FIFA/ Liberia, Swaziland, Uganda, Burkina Faso, Cup of Nations will clearly be the main highlight Coca-Cola World Ranking and unaware that they Tanzania and Mauritius among their early scalps. of the country’s footballing history to date, there were about to embark on a gradual rise that would Two more milestones were then reached in have been plenty of other moments to savour take them to the brink of the world’s top 50. 2009, when Cape Verde won football gold at the in recent years – with the story being one of In that same year, the islanders celebrated their Lusophony Games – a tournament for countries steady and continued progress rather than the fi rst international title when they hosted and where Portuguese is spoken or where sizeable overnight success of a few fortunate results. won the 2000 edition of the Amílcar Cabral Cup, Portuguese communities live – and then went on Despite being an independent country since a tournament named after a hero of the Cape to celebrate their fi rst-ever victory over European 1975, the islands only joined FIFA in 1986, and Verdean independence movement and open to opposition thanks to a 2-0 friendly win away did not attempt to qualify for a FIFA World teams from Western Africa. to Malta. Cup™ until the preliminary competition for the Two years later, the Blue Sharks travelled to By now fi guring regularly in the world ranking’s 2002 edition. While that campaign ended in a Luxembourg to play their fi rst-ever friendly match top 100, the islanders missed out on qualifying fi rst-round elimination at the hands of , outside of Africa and managed to come away with for the 2010 FIFA World Cup but pulled off a the opening leg’s 0-0 draw in Mindelo inspired an unexpected draw after holding their European memorable result during the build-up to that Cape Verde Football Association President Mario hosts 0-0. tournament when they took on a full-strength Semedo and his colleagues to dream big. Qualifi cation for major tournaments remained Portugal in Covilhã and held their former colonial “We wanted to make ourselves the Brazil elusive in the following years, but the team pulled masters to a goalless draw. of Africa,” he recalls with a smile, almost 13 off several individual victories in Africa Cup of Last year’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifi ers then years later. Nations and World Cup qualifying matches, with fi nally saw the Cape Verdeans secure a place at the continent’s top table. After comfortably seeing off Madagascar 7-1 on aggregate in the fi rst round, Lúcio Antunes’ men managed an unlikely second-round victory over former African champions Cameroon, winning the opening leg in Praia 2-0 before completing a 3-2 overall triumph in Yaoundé. Their subsequent placing of 51st in the October 2012 FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking marked a further highpoint, and also saw Cape Verde installed among the top ten teams in Africa. Their debut appearance at the Cup of Nations – in a group that includes former champions South Africa and Morocco – may yet prove a baptism of fi re for the tiny island nation. After all they’ve achieved in the past 13 years, however, further surprises could also be in store…

Cape Verde celebrated a historic draw in 2010 against a Portugal side that included Cape Verde-born star Nani. point where not a single representative of come in the other direction – born overseas have lots of up-and-coming players from the islands’ amateur football league made and establishing themselves as footballers Portuguese and Eastern European clubs it into the squad called up in November for before being asked to play for Cape Verde. and also the very promising Ryan Mendes. a Cup of Nations warm-up match against “I think we have enough skill to take the When we were growing up, everyone in Ghana. game to our opponents, and we also have Cape Verde used to support Senegal as While around half of the current squad a good mix of generations,” says attacking they were the closest ‘big team’. Now members are based in Portugal’s top midfi elder Odaïr Fortes, a regular with that we have qualifi ed for the Africa Cup division, others play their club football in French top-division side of Nations, and Senegal have not, I hope locations as varied as France, Romania, who is keen to return to the international that their supporters will be rooting for us!” Cyprus or Angola. Some are Cape Verde- fray after missing both legs of Cape Verde’s born players, such as SC Braga striker Zé shock qualifying win over Cameroon due Home-grown hopes Luis and Lille forward Ryan Mendes, who to injury. While overseas talent scouting has clearly learned their trade on the islands before “Our captain [Nando] is 34, but is as played a large part in Cape Verde’s football making big moves abroad, while others have enthusiastic as a 20-year-old, and then we development strategy, it is not the only

56 FIFA WORLD I JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 secret to their success, as the country’s pitch at the centre and the creation of a represent bigger countries,” Pelé adds. football association has also been active regional technical centre on the island of “But I have been pleasantly surprised by in developing opportunities for the players São Vicente, which is currently being built. the talent coming through now in Cape still based on the islands. Over the past fi ve years, the association Verde, and if we continue to create a strong Working together with FIFA’s Member has also allocated more than USD 250,000 national squad then our team will be just Associations & Development Division, of its FIFA Financial Assistance Programme as desirable to play for as any other.” the country was one of the fi rst in Africa funds to the development of its senior The game’s administrators remain not only to embrace an artifi cial turf domestic competitions, with around USD realistic about the challenges they still face, support programme which has since 160,000 also being used to develop youth with the professionalisation of the domestic seen a staggering 15 pitches built across football. Six FIFA refereeing courses have league seen as one long-term goal that the islands, but also to host international also been held on the islands since 2007 as could help raise standards and also bring matches on the surface, with the Estádio part of efforts to further boost standards additional revenues to the clubs who do da Várzea in the capital Praia being used in the domestic game. lose talented players to overseas leagues. immediately after its completion to stage “When you look at how the association Despite the ongoing diffi culties, however, 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifi ers. is improving the standard of football those in charge of the domestic game “It was those pitches that fi rst made it management at home and combine that seem confi dent that the national team’s possible for us to really grow football in with the experiences that the European- qualifi cation for South Africa 2013 can Cape Verde – both in terms of the national based players are bringing back with act as a springboard for future successes. teams and also in terms of the domestic us, it can only help to develop the next “The future is very promising for Cape league,” Semedo told FIFA World. generation of young talents,” insists former Verdean football,” insists Semedo. “We’re Cape Verde have also taken full Cape Verde defender Pedro Pelé, who in the process of enlarging the development advantage of FIFA’s Goal development enjoyed a brief spell in the English Premier of young footballers at various youth levels programme, with the approval of League with West Bromwich Albion and and are constantly working on developing three projects in the space of six years still plays in the country’s lower leagues other key areas, such as coaching, helping to fund the association’s national for Hayes & Yeading United. refereeing and administration, and I believe headquarters and technical centre in “I understand why some Cape Verdeans this investment will pay off massively in the Praia, the construction of an artifi cial turf used the opportunities they had to years to come.”

Rugged and beautiful, Cape Verde’s landscape is not naturally conducive to football.

FIFA WORLD I FOCUS 57 SUMMARY

Member associations

Asia Africa North & Central America and Caribbean

Equatorial Guinea won their second African Women’s Championship title in November, beating South Africa 4-0 in the tournament final. Hosting the competition, just as they did when they won their first continental crown in 2008, the Equatorial Guineans became only the second side to win the competition without conceding a goal – matching the 1998 achievement of record eight-time champions . The Nigerians Lee Keun-ho and scooped the had to settle for their lowest-ever finish of Cuba celebrated their first-ever Caribbean AFC Player of the Year and AFC Women’s fourth place this time around, after being Cup triumph in December when they Player of the Year awards at the end of beaten 1-0 by Cameroon in the match for defeated record eight-time champions November during a glittering ceremony in third place. Trinidad and Tobago 1-0 in the tournament the Malaysian capital of . Lee, final. The 16 December showdown at the who became the first player from Korea Antigua Recreation Ground went to extra Republic to win the men’s award, put in a time after a goalless 90 minutes, but was then series of exceptional performances for club decided by a Marcel Hernández winner in the and country throughout the year, but it was 113 th minute. The win gave Cuba their first his commanding displays for Ulsan Hyundai international title since their gold medal finish during their victorious 2012 AFC Champions at the 1986 Central American & Caribbean League campaign that helped him to clinch Games Football Tournament, and also earned Asian football’s highest individual accolade them a place at the 2013 CONCACAF Gold ahead of Iran legend Ali Karimi and China’s Cup alongside the Trinidadians and losing Zheng Zhi. Japan international Miyama semi-finalists Haiti and Martinique. picked up the women’s title for a second South Sudan is due to enter a club in a year running after helping the Nadeshiko continental competition for the first time Honduran giants C.D. Olimpia completed add an Olympic silver medal at the London in February, when domestic cup winners their “centenario” year in style in December, 2012 Games to their FIFA Women’s World Al Nasir Juba take on Azam of Tanzania in clinching their 26th domestic league title Cup™ triumph of 2011. A full list of award the preliminary round of qualifying for the with a 4-0 aggregate win over Victoria in winners can be found on the AFC website. 2013 CAF Confederation Cup. South Sudan the 2012-13 Apertura final. The Lions were is FIFA’s newest member, having joined world held to a goalless draw during the away Less than a month before hosting the FIFA football’s governing body at last year’s FIFA leg on 9 December but romped to a 4-0 Club World Cup 2012, Japan staged an Congress in Budapest. The national team victory at home a week later. The win also ambitious International Women’s Club has already played four friendly matches, secured Olimpia’s qualification for the 2013- Championship, involving four top teams from including a historic 2-2 draw against Uganda 14 CONCACAF Champions League, making Japan, France and Australia. European in the side’s first-ever outing last July. them one of only two teams (along with Isidro champions Lyon won the event, although Metapán of El Salvador) to have qualified for they needed extra time – and a decisive Sonia all five Champions League editions to date. Bompastor penalty – to secure a 2-1 final win over freshly-crowned Japanese league champions INAC Leonessa. Japanese cup winners NTV Beleza took the bronze medal following a 4-3 win over Australian W-League champions Canberra United in Member associations wishing to submit news the third-place play-off. items to FIFA World can send e-mails to feedback-fi faworld@fi fa.org. Please bear in mind that items should be submitted more than a month in advance of the issue in question. www.the-afc.com www.cafonline.com www.concacaf.com

58 FIFA WORLD I JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 South America Oceania Europe

Jorge Sampaoli was unveiled as Chile’s new European football’s governing body UEFA head coach in December, becoming the third have decided to push ahead with a proposal Argentinian trainer in succession to take by President to play the 2020 charge of La Roja. The 52-year-old Santa edition of the European Championship not Fe native replaces compatriot and 1986 in the usual one or two host countries, but FIFA World Cup™ winner Claudio Borghi, in various major cities stretched across the who was dismissed in November after a run entire continent. At a meeting in Lausanne, of five defeats in a row – including three Switzerland on 6 December, the UEFA consecutive 2014 FIFA World Cup™ qualifiers. Executive Committee endorsed Platini’s “I take this job on with a huge responsibility vision of a “EURO for Europe” – declaring and obligation to take Chile to Brazil,” said that the concept would allow more countries Sampaoli, who led Universidad de Chile to be directly involved in the event, while to three successive Chilean league titles also commemorating the 60th anniversary in the past two years. Despite their recent The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) of the first European Championship in a defeats, Chile only trail fourth- and fifth- has unveiled a new format for its flagship club unique way. The Executive Committee placed and Uruguay on goal competition, the OFC Champions League, has now asked UEFA’s National Team difference with seven matches remaining. The including the introduction of a new semi-final Competitions Committee to look at the top four South American finishers will earn an stage and a more compressed tournament various organisational questions raised by automatic place at Brazil 2014, with the fifth- schedule. The group stage of the competition this new hosting proposal before reporting placed team going into a play-off against the will remain unchanged, with eight teams back to the executive. fifth-best side in the Asian qualifiers. from across the region being split into two groups of four. But while the old format saw December also saw a major surprise in only the group winners progressing to a two- Chilean club football, as C.D. Huachipato beat legged final, the revamped competition will Unión Española in the final of the Clausura see both the group winners and runners-up championship to secure their first league advance to a semi-final round. The winners title in 38 years and only their second ever. of these semi-finals will then contest the final, The small club from the port of Talcahuano which will now be played as a one-off event had been trailing 4-1 in the tie’s second at a predetermined venue – with Auckland, leg before clawing their way back to 4-4 New Zealand providing the setting for the and then winning the subsequent penalty 2013 edition. Rather than kick off in October shoot-out 3-2. Long title droughts also came or November, the group stage is now set to an end in Colombia and Ecuador as to start at the end of March, allowing for a UEFA strengthened its partnerships with the Millionarios of Bogotá and Barcelona SC shorter gap before the semi-finals and final Asian and Oceania Football Confederations in won their respective championships after take place in May. “The condensed format December by signing separate Memorandums waits of 24 and 15 years. There were less makes the competition more attractive to of Understanding with the two organisations. surprising climaxes in Brazil and Argentina, fans and sponsors as there are no lengthy The agreements include pledges to exchange with Fluminense wrapping up their second delays between each round,” OFC General information, knowledge and good practices league title in three years and Vélez Sársfield Secretary Tai Nicholas explained. “And the on matters of common interest, with UEFA clinching their third championship in four introduction of semi-finals means more teams also promising to support the AFC and OFC years. Bolivia’s The Strongest meanwhile will feature in the race for the title, extending in activities relating to education, training, lived up to their name by winning an the excitement levels for a longer period.” technical development and youth football. unprecedented third consecutive title. Auckland City have won the last two editions “Solidarity is a key value in football and it of the OFC Champions League, which also is therefore important that it is also shown determines Oceania’s representatives at the between confederations,” UEFA President FIFA Club World Cup. Michel Platini said following signing ceremonies in Tokyo and Kuala Lumpur.

www..com www.oceaniafootball.com www.uefa.com

FIFA WORLD I SUMMARY 59 FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking Spain end year on top once more

World and European champions Spain were crowned Team of the Year for the fi fth successive time in December, after holding on to the top spot in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking throughout the whole of 2012. Having spent just two months off the top in 2010, and one month in 2011, there was no shifting the Spanish at all in the latest 12-month period as they added the UEFA EURO 2012 title to their 2008 European crown and 2010 FIFA World Cup™ win. There were no new entries in December’s top ten compared to the November edition, although quite a few leading teams switched places, with Italy climbing one place to fourth and Colombia jumping three places to fi fth – their highest position in more than ten years. With six wins, one draw and just one defeat, the Colombians also made the biggest November’s 5-1 friendly win over Panama capped an unbeaten year for Spain. points climb of 2012 – earning the title Mover of the Year after gaining 455 points since December 2011 and rising 31 places. Other CONMEBOL (9), CONCACAF (3) and the OFC in total in 2012, including 257 qualifying signifi cant climbers included Ecuador (13th, (0) remained the same, CAF fi nished the year matches for the 2014 FIFA World Cup™. up 29 since December 2011), Mali (25th, up 42) with eight teams in the top 50 – an increase The January 2013 edition of the FIFA/Coca- and Central African Republic (52nd, up 77). of one – while the size of the AFC contingent Cola Ranking was due to be published on The regional composition of the top 50 dropped from four to three. 17 January, just as this issue of FIFA World meanwhile changed only slightly over the The results of 143 international matches was . An online link to the latest course of the year. While the number of were taken into account for the December standings can be found on the magazine’s teams from UEFA (27 teams in the top 50), ranking, with 900 matches being evaluated web page: www.fi fa.com/fi faworld.

Rank Team +/- Ranks Points +/- Points +/- Points Rank Team +/- Ranks Points +/- Points +/- Points Rank Team +/- Ranks Points +/- Points +/- Points Nov-Dec Dec Nov-Dec Dec 11- Nov-Dec Dec Nov-Dec Dec 11- Nov-Dec Dec Nov-Dec Dec 11- 2012 2012 2012 Dec 12 2012 2012 2012 Dec 12 2012 2012 2012 Dec 12 1 Spain 0 1606 42 42 17 France 1 949 11 34 33 Romania 4 700 31 138 2 Germany 0 1437 16 92 18 Brazil -5 946 -48 -197 34 Zambia 5 697 64 258 3 Argentina 0 1290 -59 223 19 Algeria 0 887 -20 129 35 Korea Republic -3 686 -42 -66 4 Italy 1 1165 -4 83 20 Sweden 3 870 44 -21 36 Australia -3 668 -51 -183 5 Colombia 3 1164 54 455 21 -1 868 -13 221 37 Paraguay -2 666 -24 -129 6 England 0 1151 -16 -22 22 Japan 2 840 30 -44 38 Serbia 4 659 33 -116 7 Portugal -3 1144 -34 44 23 -1 821 -30 -214 39 Haiti 18 650 97 221 8 Netherlands -1 1124 -4 -241 24 2 810 32 22 40 Turkey -2 627 -12 -142 9 Russia 0 1070 -14 99 25 Mali 3 809 37 337 41 Egypt -1 615 -12 -140 10 0 1064 -14 -27 26 Chile -5 793 -60 -177 42 Bolivia 9 609 24 300 11 Greece 1 1033 29 69 27 Bosnia-Herzegovina 4 788 42 -81 Gabon 10 609 28 164 12 Switzerland 4 1004 38 106 28 USA -1 782 6 61 Republic of Ireland -6 609 -73 -255 13 Ecuador 4 999 48 365 29 Czech Republic -4 781 -25 32 45 1 606 -3 69 14 Côte d'Ivoire 1 995 21 83 30 Ghana -1 777 15 16 46 Peru -2 603 -8 -109 15 Mexico -1 994 10 128 31 Montenegro 3 756 65 171 47 Slovakia -4 595 -24 -53 16 Uruguay -5 975 -72 -334 32 Hungary -2 750 -3 85 Ukraine 8 595 20 27

60 FIFA WORLD I JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 Rank Team +/- Ranks Points +/- Points +/- Points Rank Team +/- Ranks Points +/- Points +/- Points Rank Team +/- Ranks Points +/- Points +/- Points Nov-Dec Dec Nov-Dec Dec 11- Nov-Dec Dec Nov-Dec Dec 11- Nov-Dec Dec Nov-Dec Dec 11- 2012 2012 2012 Dec 12 2012 2012 2012 Dec 12 2012 2012 2012 Dec 12 49 Slovenia 0 591 -2 -189 105 Niger 2 335 11 -26 161 Dominica -6 124 -27 24 50 Bulgaria -10 585 -42 175 106 Latvia 2 334 12 -132 162 Myanmar -6 114 -35 15 51 Panama -5 582 -27 -7 107 Congo DR -8 332 -28 78 163 Hong Kong 9 112 4 7 52 Central African Rep. 0 581 0 330 108 New Caledonia -4 330 0 214 164 Yemen -2 108 -23 -38 Nigeria 5 581 28 -46 109 Congo 6 325 16 80 165 Vanuatu 9 99 0 3 54 Libya 5 572 27 58 110 Ethiopia -8 323 -10 93 166 India 3 96 -20 -35 55 Poland -1 553 -26 61 111 Malawi -10 318 -19 -56 167 Belize -23 92 -87 -102 56 Jamaica -6 552 -34 -21 112 Liberia 2 312 0 54 168 Bangladesh 3 90 -24 -48 57 Venezuela -9 551 -49 -110 Mozambique -2 312 -6 -10 169 Chinese Taipei 7 85 -5 -29 58 Honduras -2 540 -32 -34 114 Suriname 11 311 46 57 -2 85 -36 -48 59 Iran -15 532 -79 -84 115 Antigua and Barbuda 6 293 12 -111 171 Laos 6 83 -4 -13 60 Guinea 11 527 42 91 116 3 284 -12 -98 Nepal -2 83 -33 -61 61 Cameroon 1 523 3 -65 117 Kuwait -7 281 -37 -70 173 Samoa -8 74 -50 -75 62 Sierra Leone -1 521 0 -5 118 Azerbaijan 5 277 0 -23 174 Bahamas 9 66 0 -75 63 Albania 4 518 22 68 119 Bahrain 5 275 5 -75 Guinea-Bissau 1 66 -32 -55 64 Canada -4 517 -9 62 São Tomé e Príncipe 14 275 35 248 Montserrat 9 66 0 66 65 Belarus 9 516 38 15 121 Botswana -4 274 -25 -97 177 Curaçao -16 65 -69 -81 66 Costa Rica -2 515 6 20 Namibia -4 274 -25 10 178 Swaziland 7 61 5 -14 67 Uzbekistan 2 513 23 64 123 St Kitts and Nevis -17 271 -56 -14 179 Madagascar -6 55 -51 -80 68 Trinidad and Tobago 11 507 61 59 124 Guyana -8 267 -38 -120 Mongolia 7 55 0 -51 69 Cape Verde Islands -6 498 -13 -51 125 St Vincent/Grenadines 1 266 3 96 181 Guam 0 53 -18 17 70 Austria -2 492 0 33 126 -14 264 -49 -99 182 Brunei Darussalam 5 52 0 46 71 Togo 2 491 12 141 127 Lebanon -15 259 -54 -46 Timor-Leste 5 52 0 50 72 -2 490 2 -109 128 Moldova 4 255 14 26 184 Cambodia 7 50 1 -51 73 Georgia -8 481 -18 30 129 Turkmenistan 0 254 0 90 185 Tonga -8 44 -43 -44 74 Morocco -2 466 -16 -58 130 Tanzania 4 253 16 29 186 Afghanistan -19 39 -82 -46 75 Armenia 7 457 13 -155 131 Vietnam 7 251 34 -100 US Virgin Islands 4 39 -11 -43 2 457 0 200 132 Cyprus -5 248 -10 -5 188 Papua New Guinea 7 38 0 4 77 Senegal -2 455 -16 -170 Puerto Rico -2 248 0 -61 189 Pakistan -9 37 -35 -39 78 Israel 0 454 2 -211 134 Kenya -4 246 -2 -23 190 Sri Lanka -8 36 -32 -39 79 Equatorial Guinea 16 439 42 291 Rwanda -12 246 -34 -68 191 British Virgin Islands 6 34 0 11 80 Guatemala -4 438 -29 41 136 Tajikistan 1 233 8 25 192 Cayman Islands -3 33 -18 -41 81 FYR Macedonia 2 436 5 103 Thailand 16 233 73 -29 193 American Samoa -14 30 -55 -31 82 Wales -16 435 -62 -156 138 Grenada 11 222 56 -19 194 Comoros 2 29 -7 -26 83 Finland 8 431 20 26 139 Tahiti 0 215 0 142 195 Somalia -2 27 -16 -20 84 Angola -5 428 -18 16 140 Chad -20 212 -70 24 196 Eritrea -4 24 -21 -21 Uganda 2 428 0 30 141 Gambia 1 206 20 -79 Seychelles -2 24 -15 -29 86 Estonia -2 425 -5 -130 142 Kazakhstan -2 200 0 -20 198 Macau 1 23 1 -3 87 South Africa -3 416 -14 -161 143 Barbados 10 197 39 78 199 Kyrgyzstan 1 20 0 -22 88 China PR 0 410 -14 -47 144 Syria 3 186 14 -105 South Sudan 1200MD 89 Burkina Faso 0 408 -15 -110 145 Nicaragua -9 180 -53 39 201 -3 16 -12 -12 90 Iceland 6 392 0 67 146 Malta 3 178 12 38 202 Djibouti 0 13 -4 -12 91 New Zealand 2 390 -14 119 147 Philippines -4 174 -10 38 Mauritius 1 13 0 -19 92 Iraq 5 385 -5 -55 148 Luxembourg -4 172 -7 -80 204 Andorra -1 11 -2 11 93 Dominican Republic -1 378 -28 131 149 St Lucia -3 168 -7 103 205 Anguilla 0 4 0 -5 94 Jordan -4 375 -45 -42 150 Solomon Islands -1 166 0 91 206 Mauritania 0 3 0 -1 95 Oman -9 369 -59 -39 151 Aruba 3 163 9 43 207 Bhutan 0 0 0 -6 96 Northern Ireland 4 367 11 -36 152 Palestine -4 152 -16 15 San Marino 0 0 0 0 96 United Arab Emirates 13 367 47 117 153 Faroe Islands 6 151 13 -134 Turks and Caicos Islands 0 0 0 -13 98 Qatar 6 365 35 -13 154 Liechtenstein 3 146 -1 -100 99 Korea DPR -18 361 -84 55 Singapore 9 146 19 -19 100 Cuba 41 355 157 65 156 Indonesia 9 143 19 -46 101 Sudan 1 349 16 52 157 Bermuda -22 139 -96 -171 -3 349 -34 -5 158 Malaysia 5 133 6 -21 103 El Salvador -9 348 -54 -115 159 Lesotho -1 130 -10 -30 Note: Teams inactive for more than four years 104 Burundi 24 342 87 139 Maldives 1 130 -5 32 do not appear in the table.

Team of the Year 1993 Germany 2000 Netherlands* 2007 Argentina 1993-2012 1994 Brazil 2001 Honduras* 2008 Spain 1995 Brazil 2002 Brazil 2009 Spain 1996 Brazil 2003 Brazil 2010 Spain 1997 Brazil 2004 Brazil 2011 Spain *Calculated using 1998 Brazil 2005 Brazil 2012 Spain average of 1999 Brazil 2006 Brazil best seven matches

FIFA WORLD I SUMMARY 61 FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Ranking USA cap golden year

The USA ended a successful 2012 in the same position that they began the year – fi rmly entrenched at the top of the FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Ranking. Bolstered by their latest Olympic triumph at the London 2012 Games, the Americans completed the year with 2,209 ranking points and with a cushion of 38 points over second-placed Germany. Having topped the ranking continuously since March 2008, the USA will celebrate an uninterrupted run of fi ve years in the number one spot if they remain top when the next edition of the ranking is published in two months’ time. ’s Germany had the opportunity to make up some ground on the leaders in October when they travelled to the States to play two friendly matches against the Americans, but both encounters ended in The USA enjoyed a stellar 2012 – winning their fourth Olympic gold medal in August and stalemate. The Europeans had the better of losing just one friendly match all year. the opening 1-1 draw in Chicago, but needed a late Dzsenifer Marozsán equaliser to salvage December’s biggest movers, however, Despite narrowly losing out to Russia in a 2-2 draw in East Hartford. were newly crowned African queens the play-offs for the UEFA Women’s EURO The only change in the ranking’s top Equatorial Guinea, whose home-soil win 2013, Austria were another team on the up ten involved Korea DPR re-entering at the over South Africa in November’s African in December – jumping three places to also expense of Italy. The North Koreans are up Women’s Championship was rewarded with reach their highest-ever position of 32nd. to joint ninth alongside Australia, while the a climb of eight places to their highest-ever The next FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Italians slipped one place to 11th. position of 54th. Ranking will be published on 22 March 2013.

Rank Rank Rank +/- end of +/- +/- end of +/- +/- end of +/- Rank Team Ranks 2011 Rating Rating Rank Team Ranks 2011 Rating Rating Rank Team Ranks 2011 Rating Rating 1 USA 0 1 2209 -12 17 China PR 2 18 1825 7 Austria 3 38 1622 17 2 Germany 0 2 2171 3 18 Spain -1 17 1823 -8 34 Republic of Ireland 0 29 1615 7 3 Japan 0 3 2110 0 19 Finland -1 20 1805 -14 35 Romania 1 36 1611 13 4 Brazil 0 4 2044 0 20 Russia 0 19 1791 -10 36 Argentina -3 35 1609 0 5 France 0 6 2033 12 21 New Zealand 0 24 1787 0 37 Hungary 2 34 1589 11 6 Sweden 0 5 2021 2 22 Ukraine 1 23 1780 11 38 Belarus -1 37 1576 -5 7 Canada 0 7 2006 0 23 Scotland -1 22 1779 -6 39 Wales -2 46 1575 -6 8 England 0 8 1976 6 24 Mexico 0 21 1768 0 40 Costa Rica 0 41 1568 0 9 Australia 0 10 1943 -5 25 Czech Republic 1 26 1711 -1 41 Uzbekistan 0 40 1565 0 9 Korea DPR 2 9 1943 0 26 Switzerland -1 25 1708 -14 Slovakia 1 39 1565 1 11 Italy -1 11 1931 -16 27 Belgium 1 32 1659 9 43 Chinese Taipei 0 42 1555 -1 12 Norway 1 12 1909 2 28 Colombia 0 28 1650 0 44 Serbia 0 44 1546 -2 13 Denmark -1 12 1902 -21 29 Thailand 1 30 1641 -4 45 Chile 0 45 1544 0 14 Netherlands 0 14 1895 0 30 Vietnam 1 31 1640 -1 46 Portugal 0 43 1542 0 15 Iceland 1 15 1853 11 31 Poland 1 33 1638 12 47 Myanmar 0 47 1536 13 16 Korea Republic -1 16 1843 0 32 Nigeria -5 27 1622 -53 48 Trinidad and Tobago 0 48 1500 0

62 FIFA WORLD I JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 Rank Rank Rank +/- end of +/- +/- end of +/- +/- end of +/- Rank Team Ranks 2011 Rating Rating Rank Team Ranks 2011 Rating Rating Rank Team Ranks 2011 Rating Rating 49 Papua New Guinea 0 52 1476 0 93 Solomon Islands -1 97 1195 0 Venezuela ** 75 1338 0 50 Cameroon 0 61 1467 -3 94 Palestine 1 99 1189 0 Guyana ** 88 1256 0 51 Ghana 0 50 1459 0 95 New Caledonia 1 100 1188 0 Congo ** 1238 0 52 India 0 53 1441 3 96 El Salvador 1 102 1181 0 Bolivia ** 93 1236 0 53 Iran 1 56 1431 0 97 Singapore -5 97 1180 -15 Benin ** 1187 0 54 Equatorial Guinea 8 56 1429 58 98 Luxembourg 0 101 1172 -7 Moldova ** 1177 0 55 Northern Ireland -2 54 1426 -7 99 Cook Islands 0 104 1170 0 Barbados ** 1173 0 56 South Africa 0 66 1425 13 100 Ethiopia 1 108 1163 5 Kyrgyzstan ** 1143 0 57 Bulgaria -2 55 1412 -5 101 Suriname -1 105 1159 0 Angola ** 109 1134 0 58 Jordan -1 60 1404 0 102 Honduras 0 106 1157 0 Sierra Leone ** 1132 0 59 Haiti -1 62 1397 0 103 Vanuatu 0 107 1139 0 Bahamas ** 1111 0 60 Greece 0 59 1396 11 104 Malta 1 112 1136 16 Puerto Rico ** 113 1108 0 61 Slovenia -2 63 1385 -2 105 Congo DR 1 111 1132 19 Georgia ** 119 1071 0 62 Israel -1 65 1367 -7 106 Samoa 1 110 1110 0 St. Lucia ** 1061 0 63 Croatia 0 64 1359 -5 107 Armenia 1 114 1104 1 Eritrea ** 1060 0 64 Turkey 0 67 1353 -2 108 Nepal 0 116 1095 15 Gabon ** 1031 0 65 Kazakhstan 6 76 1350 21 109 Nicaragua 0 115 1094 0 Grenada ** 1029 0 66 Hong Kong -1 70 1347 -1 110 FYR Macedonia 0 120 1078 -1 Cyprus ** 1023 0 67 Indonesia -1 68 1346 0 111 American Samoa 0 117 1075 0 St. Vincent/Grenadines ** 1008 0 68 Uruguay -1 69 1344 0 112 Guinea 1 118 1063 0 Burkina Faso ** 1003 0 Côte d’Ivoire 0 0 1344 1 113 Namibia 1 121 1017 0 St. Kitts and Nevis ** 974 0 70 Bahrain -1 74 1340 0 114 Bangladesh 1 122 988 -4 Turks and Caicos Islands ** 963 0 71 Morocco -1 72 1330 0 115 Sri Lanka 0 123 965 0 Guinea-Bissau ** 927 0 72 Faroe Islands 3 80 1325 7 116 Bermuda 1 126 950 0 Liberia ** 877 0 72 Tunisia 1 78 1325 0 117 Lebanon 1 127 944 0 Swaziland ** 863 0 74 Algeria 0 79 1320 0 118 Maldives -2 124 942 -12 Cayman Islands ** 847 0 75 Tonga 1 72 1316 0 119 Zambia 0 125 941 0 Curaçao ** 831 0 76 Guatemala 1 85 1310 0 Tanzania 0 130 941 0 Belize ** 814 0 77 Fiji 1 81 1306 0 121 Pakistan 0 128 937 3 Comoros ** 534 0 78 Estonia -6 77 1302 -26 122 Syria -1 129 927 0 United Arab Emirates * 1665 -64 79 Guam 1 83 1294 0 123 Dominica -1 131 906 0 Albania * 1424 0 Lithuania 1 83 1294 0 124 Afghanistan 0 0 899 149 Montenegro * 1154 0 81 Laos 1 86 1293 1 125 Iraq -2 132 882 0 Qatar * 1046 0 82 Egypt 1 82 1289 0 126 Mozambique -2 133 873 0 Uganda * 965 0 83 Philippines 2 87 1268 4 127 Malawi -2 134 840 0 US Virgin Islands * 885 0 Bosnia-Herzegovina 1 91 1268 1 128 Bhutan 0 0 785 -104 British Virgin Islands * 867 0 85 Malaysia 1 88 1258 2 129 Antigua and Barbuda -3 0 757 0 Lesotho * 858 0 86 Senegal -7 0 1247 -48 130 Botswana -3 135 708 0 Kenya * 816 -63 87 Tahiti 0 92 1238 0 Ecuador ** 49 1484 0 Aruba * 803 0 88 Dominican Republic 0 88 1226 0 Peru ** 51 1450 0 89 Latvia 0 94 1219 1 Paraguay ** 58 1430 0 90 Mali 0 95 1204 0 Panama ** 1379 0 91 Cuba 0 96 1201 0 Azerbaijan ** 71 1341 0 * team provisionally listed in ranking ** team inactive for more than 18 months 92 Zimbabwe 2 103 1197 6 Jamaica ** 1339 0 and therefore not ranked

Elections The following member associations have elected presidents since the last issue of FIFA World: Poland Senegal Augustin SENGHOR (re-elected) Djibouti Souleiman HASSAN WABERI Trinidad & Tobago Raymond KEE Kyrgyzstan Semetey SULTANOV

FIFA Calendar January-March 2013

19 January-10 February CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2013 6-13 March , Portugal 6 February International friendly matchday 10 March CAF Congress, Marrakesh 11-15 February FIFA meeting week, Zurich 18-21 March FIFA meeting week, Zurich 1-3 March IFAB Annual General Meeting, 20-21 March FIFA Executive Committee meeting, Zurich Edinburgh 22-26 March International matchdays

FIFA WORLD I SUMMARY 63 FIFA Archive Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 15 July 1950

At fi rst glance, you’d think that this rather on the pitch during a training session before laid-back gentleman wouldn’t hurt a fl y, but the fi nal, seemingly without a care in the appearances can certainly be deceptive. The world, it is almost as if he knew what would man in question – Alcides Edgardo Ghiggia – happen 24 hours later. Not even the injury was actually responsible for inflicting above his right eye, most probably sustained more than 60 years of pain upon a whole in the Uruguayans’ hard-fought semi-fi nal footballing nation by sealing Uruguay’s 2-1 victory over Sweden, could unsettle him. victory in the fi nal match of the 1950 FIFA After all, Uruguay had nothing to lose, but World Cup™ in Brazil, stunning hundreds of everything to gain. thousands of fans into silence and searing his For Brazil though, Ghiggia’s goal would name into the consciousness of all Brazilian signal the start of a trauma that exists to this football fans in just a matter of seconds. very day. Indeed, the match is still referred The shock occurred in the 79th minute, to by Brazil fans as the Maracanaço, which when Ghiggia gave Uruguay the lead. All of can be roughly translated as the “Blow at a sudden, with just 11 minutes left on the the Maracanã”. In 2009, after being invi- clock, the hosts had fallen behind. Nobody ted to leave his footprints in the legendary in the stadium could believe their eyes, but stadium’s walk of fame, Ghiggia said that disbelief soon gave way to the inevitability people still recognise him whenever he is in that Brazil would not win the World Cup Brazil, and that others even break down in on home soil, that they would be beaten tears, proving that Brazilian fans have never by little neighbouring Uruguay. It was a truly gotten over that defeat. tragedy played out in front of an estimated In 2014, their 64-year wait to welcome 200,000 spectators, even though the sta- the World Cup back to Brazil will fi nally be dium offi cially held “only” 174,000. over, and they want nothing more than to Legend has it that on that Sunday after- make up for 1950, almost as if the fi ve World noon, on 16 July 1950, silence descended Cups won by the Seleção since that fateful upon Rio’s famous Maracanã stadium as day have not lessened their pain. Brazil’s soon as the ball hit the back of the net. goal is still to lift the trophy in front of their It was enough for Uruguay to win their se- own fans, so will 2014 fi nally bring an end cond World Cup title after 1930, and Ghiggia to 64 years of hurt, or will another foreign was feted as the “Hero of the Maracanã” “guest” spoil the home party in the style by his compatriots back home. Lying there of Alcides Edgardo Ghiggia?

Laid back: Ghiggia relaxes in a photo taken shortly before the decisive game of the 1950 FIFA World Cup.

64 FIFA WORLD I JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 FIFA WORLD I SUMMARY 65 Coming up In the next issue of FIFA World

Better luck next time? Relaunching women’s football in the USA More than a stadium Urban regeneration in São Paulo

Kings of Africa Publication date: Continental champions crowned in Johannesburg 8 March 2013

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