Record man Fourth year on top for Messi - Cloudinary
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
January/February 2013 FIFA Ballon d’Or highlights | Confederations Cup draw review | A key year on and off the pitch | Global glory for Corinthians | Brazil’s indoor maestros | Japan near the finish 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 first 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 filled 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 Lionel Messi, 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
“The latest FIFA Ballon achievements are only possible in football with the support of your team
and it was fitting that strong team efforts were also reflected among the
d’Or gala provided an the night’s other sporting awards – with Spain coach Vicente del Bosque
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 Abby Wambach
and former head coach Pia Sundhage 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
exciting year”
awards, following on from the Americans’ victory in last year’s Women’s
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 Franz Beckenbauer – 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 World Cup™ involving
no fewer than four former world champions for the first 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 first FIFA Club World Cup on African soil and Tahiti’s staging of the
first Beach Soccer World Cup in Oceania among other “firsts”. 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 Turkey 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 fine Messi Corinthian conquest decisions and that referees would continue
Argentina’s Lionel Messi made yet more Brazilian giants Corinthians took club to have the final 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 Barcelona European champions Chelsea 1-0 in the technology won’t change the speed, value
star picked up the FIFA Ballon d’Or in final 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 first ever from South review starting on page 42.
mate Andrés Iniesta and 2008 FIFA World
Player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo, with “Big Phil” back for Brazil
the Real Madrid and Portugal star finishing Brazil have reappointed Luiz Felipe Scolari
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 final 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 five 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 first-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
Bangkok, Still the best Corinthians Associations
Mönchengladbach, Messi wins fourth straight crowned All change in Chile 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 first 48 Men’s ranking
meetings Kings of the court Spain finish top for fifth
Excitement in store after Brazil rule world futsal year running
Confederations Cup draw once more
62
30 54 Women’s ranking
An important year Island warriors USA cap a golden year
Savouring the highlights The surprising rise of
of 2013 football in Cape Verde 64
Archive
34 Stretching out with
Talking heads Alcides Ghiggia
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-final meeting with Colombia (below); FSV Mainz right back Zdeněk Pospěch and Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Juan Arango throw some interesting shapes during a December Bundesliga 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 conflict-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 definitely seems to be a sleeping It’s great to see Russia 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 football in Russia in 2018.
extremely bright footballing future. Axel Gaijin (Canada)
FIFA.com user (USA)
I am confident 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 find out more about this country and to
hard work and if you don’t have a see more of Russia than just Moscow
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
Football for Hope Centre in Kigali,
where young people can learn how to
resolve conflicts 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-fifaworld@fifa.org or by writing breeding ground for hatred, violence
to FIFA World, FIFA-Strasse 20, P.O. Box, and war.
CH-8044, Zurich, Switzerland.
FIFA.com user (South Sudan)
10 FIFA WORLD I JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013Singing 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 France is on the future endeavours and would like to
rise following the senior team’s fourth- offer my congratulations on a thrilling
place finishes at both the FIFA Women’s competition to all the national teams –
World Cup 2011 and at the 2012 winners and losers!
London 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-finals of the
I really enjoyed the show of FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup! Their
comradeship even among the performances also built on Ghana’s
Avoiding knock-outs
Football has been teaming up with other sports to tackle concussion. For more, see page 34.
FIFA WORLD I VIEW 1112 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 finishing 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 first time, Messi
gala audience, before struggling for words finished his speech by thanking “my family
and adding, “sorry, I’m so nervous”. and friends and, finally, 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 first of the evening, with
long-admired dribbling 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 13World’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 finding even easier than last year – precisely because he’s expectations. I’ll be writing about how strong
new superlatives to describe his accomplishments the first player to win for a fourth time in a row. he is as a footballer to break such a record.”
is an increasingly difficult 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 official magazine AFA Revista was the press conference that preceded the gala,
and reporters in the Zurich Kongresshaus media also confident 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,” because he’s a Real Madrid player, Cristiano
pointed out World Soccer magazine columnist
“In the eyes of the 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.” Natalia Arroyo.
the ‘Messi era’.”
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 fill 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 2013Scottish singing star Amy Macdonald thrills the gala
audience; the FIFA President congratulates Wambach
on her win as USA team-mate Hope Solo 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 La Liga (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 Alex Morgan, and
much more unusual manner. Known for hammering out a verse of Bob Dylan’s
fourth year running, it’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%) Iker Casillas, Dani Alves, Gerard Piqué,
Andrés Iniesta (10.9%) Sergio Ramos, Marcelo, Xabi Alonso, Xavi
league shows that we are doing things
Hernández, Andrés Iniesta, Lionel Messi,
right,” insisted Spain and Barcelona FIFA Women’s World Player: Radamel Falcao, Cristiano Ronaldo
defender Gerard Piqué. “Personally, it’s Abby Wambach (20.7%)
Marta (13.5%) FIFA Puskás Award:
a great honour for me to be sharing a
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:
Spain’s current supremacy in international Men’s Football: Franz Beckenbauer
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 Pep Guardiola (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 five 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 significant Stoch, whose impressive first-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 finale 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 Fabio Cannavaro (ITA) Award was going to former FIFA Executive Player award.
2005 Ronaldinho (BRA) Committee member Franz Beckenbauer. In a tight finish, 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 finish ahead of Brazilian five-time
2000 Zinédine Zidane (FRA) for keeping me in mind for this honour,” winner Marta (13.5%) and Wambach’s
1999 Rivaldo (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 Germany’s successful hosting product of the kind of team that you play
1995 George Weah (LBR)
of the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ (see also for,” said Wambach, who played a key
1994 Romario (BRA)
1993 Roberto Baggio (ITA) Franz Beckenbauer Q&A opposite). role in the USA’s latest Olympic triumph,
1992 Marco van Basten (NED) The FIFA Fair Play Award also picking up the adidas 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 five 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 reflection
2012 Abby Wambach (USA) exemplary behaviour on the pitch during of what our whole team has achieved.
2011 Homare Sawa (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 field and the shortly afterwards, the crowning of the
2005 Birgit Prinz (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 fitting
2003 Birgit Prinz (GER) received in matches – and still managed to conclusion to a night when individual
2002 Mia Hamm (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 2013Q&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 West Germany 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 17A prolific year I t says something of the lofty standards As the current season got under sights, few will be betting against a fifth 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 firing the Albiceleste to the deflect 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 qualification and not higher. further club glories now firmly 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 Munich and West Germany in 1972) as well as breaking a clutch of other records. After becoming the first player to score five goals in a UEFA European Champions League match in February, Messi went on to overtake his own record (shared with Ruud van Nistelrooy) 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 Altafini’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 19Draw paves way for historic clash of champions December’s Official 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
first 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 five-time world champions Brazil as
tournament hosts. Then came the added
bonus of four-time World Cup winners Italy 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 Uruguay, four for Italy and 19 June encounter with Brazil in Fortaleza – three other sides are all above us in the
five 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 final 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 South Africa.
will be a repeat of the finals 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 Recife on Uruguay have crossed paths on a total
which ended in victory for the South 19 June has meanwhile been lent added
Americans. significance by Japan having Italian national
Brazil will also be hoping that history Alberto Zaccheroni as their head coach. As Draw results:
repeats itself in their tournament-opening well as offering Zaccheroni his first shot at
Group A Group B
match against Asian champions Japan, coaching a team against his home nation,
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-finals of the 1936 Berlin 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 Saitama *To be determined following completion of CAF Africa Cup
of Nations on 10 February
came at the FIFA Confederations Cup, with 11 years ago.
FIFA WORLD I NEWS 21of eight occasions – ending in three Spanish Cup campaign in Belo Horizonte on 17 participants no longer in the running for
victories and five draws – surprise Oceania June against the newly crowned African a place at the 2014 FIFA World Cup™,
qualifiers Tahiti will be lining up against champions, before turning their thoughts the Tahitians are planning to enjoy their
both teams for the first time, and indeed to taking on the Spanish world champions moment in the global spotlight.
preparing for their first-ever participation at Rio de Janeiro’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 Official Draw’s guest list, having only been confirmed 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 difficult qualifying campaign
for the 2002 FIFA World Cup™ – and famously leading them on to win
the tournament.
Having begun his first 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 qualifiers,
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 confidence 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 figure 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-final exit from the Copa América in 2011 (following a disastrous game that will honour Brazil’s history as five-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 deflect questions on how his team will fare at the
overlook the fact that the South Americans at least made the final for the Confederations Cup, and instead focus on the tournament’s value to his
first 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 find 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 difficulties 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 2013really 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 confirmed by early ticket sale figures
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 first 24 hours of the
“When I first 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-final 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 first-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 first 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 impor tance 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, definitely 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
qualifiers – 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 final 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 afield 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 find 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 Official Matchball for the FIFA
Confederations Cup 2013. Presented
to the draw delegates by two-time
FIFA World Cup winner Cafu, 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
flag, Cafusa is only the second ball to
Italy booked their
have been specifically created for a FIFA
place in Brazil after
reaching the final of Confederations Cup.
UEFA EURO 2012.
FIFA WORLD I NEWS 23Posters, 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 Bebeto 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 Official 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 official 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/ The host city posters
12 June – 13 July
:D/2=@
2014
have been designed to
celebrate the diversity
of modern-day Brazil.
/CA
B1 7B G;/<
6=A
ly 2014
– 13 Ju
12 June
6=AB17BG4
12 June – 13 Jul =@B/:3H/
y 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 flavour of Brazil’s regional
culture, the posters mean a lot to the
people living in the host cities because
B;
474/
they illustrate their pride at staging the
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 fifth sponsor in the
National Supporter category. As the official
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 filled,
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 25Japan close in on Brazil qualification 26 FIFA WORLD I JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013
Asian champions Japan moved an important step closer to 2014 FIFA World
Cup™ qualification in November thanks to a 2-1 away win over Oman.
A further win against Jordan in March would now be enough to see Japan
through to Brazil as the tournament’s first qualified team.
Aiming to make their fifth consecutive qualification, but insisted there would be
appearance at the FIFA World Cup™ finals, 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 finish 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 qualifiers. did that and have made our position in
Automatic qualification looks a far more the group much better. Now we want to QUALIFIERS
likely outcome for Japan, however. A win decide our qualification 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 Australia 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
Korea Republic 4 7
Although ultimately undone by Japan Jordanians remain firmly in contention for
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 first-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
Iraq 5 5
in their two previous final-round home
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 five from fourth-placed Qatar.
Group F Played Points
final-round games. Chasing what would be their maiden
Russia 4 12
“I’m pleased I was able to score because appearance at a FIFA World Cup™,
Israel 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 Northern Ireland 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
Montenegro 4 10
Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni was Uzbekistan’s first-ever win over the
England 4 8
also a happy man, after seeing his charges Iranians, who enjoyed plenty of possession
Poland 3 5
take another big step towards automatic during the Tehran encounter, but failed to Moldova 4 4
carve out many goalscoring opportunities. Ukraine 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.fifa.com/worldcup
against Oman. single-goal victory, in their case away to
FIFA WORLD I NEWS 27You can also read
