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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2014 SPORTS World Cup 2022 the ultimate goal for

LONDON: The 2022 World Cup in Qatar has been prise teams from all 34 of Afghanistan’s provinces world. “Football had a long history in Afghanistan clubs have sent 140 coaches to 25 countries in Asia, beset by controversy, but for the visionaries bring- and an eight-team tournament staged over 45 days before the destroyed everything. The FA was the Americas and Africa but it is fair to say that one ing soccer back to life in Afghanistan it represents a in at the end of the season. formed in 1922, we joined FIFA in 1948, and took of the biggest challenges in many ways was shining, magical light at the end of a very long and As well as attracting regular capacity crowds at part in the London Olympics that year. Afghanistan and our coaches are doing a brilliant dark tunnel. both the Ghazi and Kabul stadiums, the eight teams “Now we are rebuilding and it is special that educational job helping bring Afghan football back “It is an almost impossible dream, but our dream were formed in a unique way when the tournament cricket is rebuilding too. It is part of the normalisa- to life.” The Ghazi stadium returned to life as a sports is that Afghanistan, an Asian nation, takes part in an started in 2011. tion of the country and at last things are moving in arena in 2008 and the nightmares of the public exe- Asian World Cup in Qatar in eight years time,” Sayed Kate Hodgkinson, the English Premier League’s the right direction.” cutions that took place there are slowly receding. Ali Reza Aghazada, the general secretary of the International Development Manager, explained the Afghanistan were absent from FIFA and Asian Afghanistan Football Federation (AFF), told Reuters. process. “In the first season the host TV broadcaster PREMIER LEAGUE confederation congresses for years, but are now re- “It might be beyond us, we might not be able to set up an X-Factor style TV show with the general The Premier League have played a role in help- integrated into the global football family, to the make it happen, but the fact we can even talk about public voting for which players would play in which ing the sport move forward in the country by delight of Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein of Jordan, the this shows just how far we have come in a very team. That’s how they got the public involved, it organising coaching courses with Afghans. Asian vice-president on the FIFA executive commit- short space of time. “Even if we fail to make those was popular and it worked.” These are held in Dubai rather than Afghanistan tee. The Afghan federation is now benefiting from finals, just to take part in qualifying for the World Things have now moved on to such a degree for security reasons on the advice of the British FIFA grants and help from the AFC’s Asian Football Cup, and to see our sport progress and develop that Afghanistan clinched the South Asian Football Council’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Development Project (AFDP), while Prince Ali told technically would be a huge success for us after soc- Federation (SAFF) Championship last year, having Jeremy Weeks, the head coach of the league’s Reuters he was delighted the English FA had con- cer virtually died in our country.” finished runners-up in 2011. Premier Skills unit, has witnessed the astonishing tributed so much to the Afghan cause. “They have The sport has been reborn after wars, upheaval On their way to the title, they won four of their transformation these courses have brought about. helped enormously, with grass roots and women’s and the Taliban regime plunged the nation into five matches, including a 2-0 victory over six-time “We basically started with those interested in coach- football too,” he said. despair. To all intents and purposes, there was no champions India in the title decider in Kathmandu, ing but otherwise with little or no idea of what “Afghanistan are doing things their way and organised soccer in Afghanistan for almost 30 years Nepal. “The scenes in Kabul after we won were like coaching meant,” he said. went out and beat India to win the SAFF title last and the national team did not play a match from nothing I have ever seen before,” said Sayed Ali “Most of the players who could play went to play year, which was amazing. It is very positive they are 1984 until 2002. Kazemi, the president of the AFF’s Youth in Iran or India, but that is changing now and they focused on Qatar 2022 as their ultimate goal. “I wish Committee. are staying to play in Afghanistan and the coaching them well, they have overcome all the threats, they UNIQUE VOTE “The war was forgotten, the Taliban was forgot- is improving all the time with dramatic impact. have survived, and that should make us all very Today there are state championships which com- ten, people rejoiced like fans anywhere else in the “Over the years a total of 27 Premier League proud.” —Reuters Casillas’s fall from grace highlights divisions at Real

MADRID: When Iker Casillas triumphantly hoist- ed the Henri Delaunay Cup aloft in Kiev after Spain claimed a second consecutive European crown in 2012, he could scarcely have believed that within two years he would be roundly whis- tled by fans at Real Madrid’s Bernabeu stadium. Born and bred in the Spanish capital and a product of the club’s academy, goalkeeper and captain Casillas has been singled out by some supporters following a stuttering start to La Liga. They first vented their anger during Saturday’s 2-1 home defeat to city rivals Atletico Madrid after Casillas was beaten at a corner by a Tiago header and the whistling continued dur- ing Real’s thumping 5-1 victory over FC Basel in Tuesday’s Champions League Group B opener. To be sure, there were plenty of fans in the giant arena who clearly still worship “Saint Iker” Liverpool’s English midfielder Steven Gerrard (right) celebrates in this file photo. and immediately the whistles rang out they were generally drowned out with warm Liverpool face challenge applause. Casillas was also given an ovation when he to revive fluent form produced one of the miraculous saves that earned him his moniker and in recent years LONDON: Without the departed Luis Suarez and However, Liverpool clearly face a struggle to underpinned Spain’s glorious six-year run at the injured Daniel Sturridge, Liverpool returned to find their former fluency with the more static, if top of the world game. Nonetheless, he remains under a cloud and the Champions League with a win but face a chal- statuesque, Italian at centre-forward in lieu of the SPAIN: Real Madrid’s goalkeeper Iker Casillas stops the ball in this file photo. lenge to recover the free-scoring form that put swift incisive scissor-cutting combinations pro- under pressure from Real’s new keeper Keylor them back among the European elite. vided by Suarez and Sturridge at their best. Navas, who starred for Costa Rica at the World Madrid where fans celebrate the club’s titles to but has become a target for fans who are clearly A last-minute penalty converted by captain Suarez, who scored 31 Premier League goals, and Cup finals in Brazil while Casillas had a torrid mark his decade and a half in the first team. unhappy with his form and perhaps blame him, Steven Gerrard, after Dani Abalo had levelled for Sturridge, who netted 21 times, revelled in time as holders Spain failed to make it past the at least in part, for the downfall of Mourinho. Bulgarian champions Ludogorets, following an angled running and sharp-passing interplays, group stage. Exactly why some Real fans have HERO STATUS Christian Panucci, who had a three-year stint exquisite 82nd minute opener by Mario Balotelli, often involving Brazilian playmaker Philippe lost faith in Casillas - local media has been full of So how could a player who has spent his playing with Casillas at Real in the late 1990s, gave Anfield reason to cheer on Tuesday. Reality, Coutinho and roaming 19-year-old England conspiracy theories - is difficult to fathom and entire professional career with Real and helped defended his former team mate and noted that however, soon quelled any fears of uncontrolled winger Raheem Sterling. piling blame on the keeper for the club’s poor win a host of trophies lose his untarnished hero it was not the first time the home fans at the optimism as manager Brendan Rodgers and Without the Uruguayan’s movement and pre- start in La Liga is manifestly unfair. status in so little time? Bernabeu had criticised one of their own. Gerrard both called for improvement if any cision, Liverpool’s attack appeared predictably But as well as the division among the sup- The beginning of his fall from grace can be dreams of the club’s halcyon days in Europe are to focused on Balotelli’s dependable but less expan- porters, there has been a steady stream of traced back to a fractured hand he suffered WHISTLES INTO APPLAUSE be revived. sive leadership which made it more difficult for reports of dressing room splits and Casillas’s when Real defender Alvaro Arbeloa accidentally Club legends including Alfredo Di Stefano “We are not yet at the level we were last sea- the midfield to find moving targets with their team mates and coach Carlo Ancelotti were less kicked him during a King’s Cup game at Valencia and Zinedine Zidane were targeted when results son, but we will get there,” said Rodgers. “It was a passing. As The Daily Telegraph’s match report than proactive in coming to their captain’s in January 2013. were not deemed satisfactory, while even cur- great night in the end because we won. put it: “In Sturridge’s absence, the onus was on rent top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo has felt the Ludogorets played very well and to get the win Balotelli to provide forward impetus, but the car- defence. It is hard not to conclude that all is not Then-coach Jose Mourinho brought in Diego was very important.” “We did OK, but it wasn’t tographers will not need protective gloves when well behind the scenes at the world’s richest Lopez as what most assumed would be a tem- wrath of supporters on occasions. better than OK,” said Gerrard. “There’s a lot to handling the Italian’s heat map.” Liverpool, with- club by income and that the iron control presi- porary replacement but Casillas failed to win “The Bernabeu has not changed, it’s always learn...” The former England captain, who out the goalscorers of last season, are again a dent Florentino Perez exerts over decision-mak- back his starting spot and it quickly became the same,” former Italy defender Panucci said in resigned from national service following the work in progress as Rodgers seeks a new design. ing may be counterproductive. “I am not going clear that the relationship between the captain an interview with Spanish sports daily As pub- national team’s disappointing early exit at the The cutting edge has gone, but the manager has to enter into debates, it would be stupid,” Real’s and the manager had broken down. lished on Tuesday. World Cup, had more praise for striker Balotelli, a a bigger, and stronger, squad from which to Spain centre back Sergio Ramos told reporters After Mourinho left in disgrace and returned “Sometimes it is divided,” added the 41-year- 16 million pounds ($26.11 million) recruit from AC mould a solid replacement. It may not dazzle as when quizzed about the whistling after the to Chelsea at the end of the 2012-13 season, old, now an assistant coach to Fabio Capello Milan in August. often, or have the flair of the side that finished Basel game. most expected Casillas to be restored to undis- with the Russian national team. “There are times “You have to give Mario credit,” said Gerrard. second last term, but should prove capable of “The institution comes before all else and puted number one under Carlo Ancelotti but the when the fans whistle you and you have to “It didn’t go his way for long periods, but the sign handling the dual challenge at home and abroad, we have to focus on our own work,” he added. Italian used an awkward rotation policy last term accept it. “I was surprised, for me the (Atletico) of a good goalscorer is to keep going and get a starting with Saturday’s Premier League trip to “Iker lives with it. He knows that he can’t please with Lopez playing in La Liga and Casillas in the goal is not Iker’s fault. He is a lad with the per- chance...” West Ham United. — Reuters everyone. He is not a robot and it’s normal that Champions League. Real came close to losing sonality to react and turn them (the whistles) he is affected.” Perez has not made any public the final of Europe’s elite club competition after into applause.” comment on the situation and it has long been a Casillas error gifted Atletico a first-half goal but As is so often the case in soccer, a good run of Yes or No for Celtic reported that his relationship with Casillas is Ramos saved him with a 93rd-minute equaliser results will likely put an end to the protests. If uneasy at best. before Real romped to a 4-1 victory in extra the reverse happens and fans persist in targeting The construction magnate did visit the time. Casillas appears to be Ancelotti’s first Casillas, he may seriously consider bringing an in Europa League dressing room after the Basel game to present choice in both La Liga and the Champions end to his time at the club he has represented Casillas with a replica of the fountain in central League this season, at least for the time being, since the age of 10. — Reuters PARIS: Celtic face a tough trip to Salzburg and Salzburg however are expected to qualify today, the day of Scotland’s independence from Group D. referendum, while Everton host Wolfsburg In Group C, Spurs will put their stadium Wenger asks for patience and Tottenham go to Partizan Belgrade as the delay worries out of mind as Mauricio epic quest for the Europa League reaches the Pochettino takes his side to Belgrade. A late 48-team group phase. own-goal denied Tottenham a win at LONDON: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has By the end, Dortmund had accumulated 22 shots to cope up with the pressure. Others, including Chile The pick of the round however sees hold- Sunderland at the weekend as Pochettino asked fans and critics for patience with England strik- to Arsenal’s four, prompting suggestions it was “like forward Alexis Sanchez, were anonymous on the ers Sevilla host Dutch outfit Feyenoord in called for a killer instinct against Partizan er Danny Welbeck and his team after a forlorn display men against boys” and exposing the English team’s night and laboured to make any impact. “Arsenal Group G with the pair boasting five titles Belgrade. in their 2-0 Champions League defeat at Borussia lack of a defensive midfielder to protect a fragile papered over the cracks last season,” their former between them in the competition. Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen in a Dortmund on Tuesday. defence. Captain Mikel Arteta, retained by Wenger striker and Wales international John Hartson told the Feyenoord beat Tottenham 4-2 in 1974 free, attacking midfield role has been on bril- Wenger, who takes his team to second-placed when he rejected a chance to re-sign Cesc Fabregas, BBC, adding “they could have conceded five or six... before their classic 3-2 win, at their home sta- liant form for Spurs and Sunderland boss Gus Aston Villa for a key Premier League fixture on who instead joined Chelsea, was overrun and strug- Without overreacting, it was a really woeful defensive dium, over Borussia Dortmund in 2002. Poyet described them as the best side they’d Saturday, admitted Arsenal were well beaten by a gled with his passing under pressure. The diminutive performance.” Wenger’s subdued mood suggested he The Spaniards, specialists in the competi- played this season. dominant Dortmund whose pressing game squeezed left side of Arsenal’s team - left-back Kieron Gibbs and had realised the inclusion of 19-year-old Spanish tion, beat Middlesbrough 4-0 in 2006, edged Everton face Germany’s Wolfsburg, who his team into submission and exposed all their frail- midfielders Jack Wilshere and, when not switching to defender Hector Bellerin, given his debut in the Espanyol on penalties the following season are as yet winless in the Bundesliga, and can ties. “It’s very difficult to go into any individual assess- the right, German World Cup winner Mesut Ozil - daunting Westfalenstadion, was also a gamble that and also won on penalties against Benfica last count on new signing, the Cameroon striker ment of any player because as a team we were not at appeared to lack the required power, pace and height did not pay off. — Reuters year to go into the pot as champions. This is Samuel Eto’o, coming back from injury for the the requested level,” said Wenger.”They were very, the first match-day of the round-robin phase game. very strong in midfield, yes, stronger than us in mid- with the top two from each of the 12 groups American World Cup hero Tim Howard field,” he said. “It was very difficult...” of four qualifying for the knock-out phase, sounded the battle cry for the Toffees with the Wenger, who has guided Arsenal into the where they are joined by the third-placed ‘keeper telling the club’s own website - “The Champions League group stages for 17 successive teams from the group phase of the fact that the winners get a Champions League years, was reluctant to dwell on his team’s defects Champions League. spot is a small incentive for me. Lifting that until he has seen videos of the game again, but British bookmakers feel a Celtic win is even cup would be brilliant.” defended Welbeck, a 16 million pounds transfer win- less likely than a “Yes” vote for Scottish inde- Russian league club FC Krasnodar suffered dow deadline day signing from Manchester United. pendence, a national referendum taking place an unexpected 2-0 home defeat on Sunday at “Danny will improve - we don’t have to make a prob- the same day which will massively overshad- the hands of newly-promoted Ufa ahead of lem of that,” he told reporters. “He had a very lively ow the game, with the odds heavily stacked their Europa League encounter with French first half. He had two or three good chances, but against in both cases. side Lille. couldn’t finish them. There was one obvious one... We Celtic bagged a 2-1 win over Aberdeen at Azerbaijan champions Qarabag had a have to be patient with him.” the weekend after a rocky patch without a morale-boosting 3-0 win over AZAL Baku at Welbeck wasted his easiest of three chances in the win since August 16. New boss Ronny Deila the weekend but manager Gurban Gurbanov first half when, with the score still goalless, he turned was however able to field new signings acknowledged that meeting Saint-Etienne in on to a pass from Aaron Ramsey, but steered his shot Aleksandar Tonev, Stefan Scepovic and Group F would be another story. In the other wide. It was, said one commentator, an example of Swedish striker John Guidetti, on-loan from match in the pool Inter Milan face Ukraine’s the bright movement that showed why Arsenal has Manchester City, in their morale boosting win. Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk. signed him and, at the same time, a miss that But pressure is mounting on the 1994 The final is in the Warsaw national stadium explained why United had been happy to sell him. finalists Salzburg too, as their coach Adolf Wednesday, May 27, 2015 and Poland’s repre- Welbeck scored both goals in England’s Euro 2016 Hutter has overseen three straight defeats sentative in the competition is Legia Warsaw, qualifier in Switzerland on September 8, just a week with club owner and energy drink magnate who take on Belgian newcomers Lokeren in after his transfer, but he has not scored a Premier Dietrich Mateschitz looking for a return on his Group L. Elsewhere Greek giants League goal since March 8 when Manchester United investment. Panathinaikos face Russian big shots Dinamo won 3-0 at West Bromwich Albion. His profligacy was They lost their previous manager Roger Moscow, Germany’s Borussia Monchenglad more starkly exposed either side of the interval when Schmidt and star player Senegal’s Sadio Mane bach take on Spain’s Villarreal and Napoli host Dortmund’s strikers Ciro Immobile and Pierre-Emerick to Southampton in the summer. Both Celtic Sparta Prague. — AFP Aubameyang completed rapid breakaways with clini- cal finishes. Arsenal’s English striker Danny Welbeck.