Brazil's Football Leaders Confirm Attendance at Soccerex Global Convention

Soccerex is delighted to announce that following an official invite from visiting senior Soccerex delegates the Federação Paulista de Futebol (FPF) President and FIFA Executive Committee member, Marco Polo Del Nero will be attending the Soccerex Global Convention alongside the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) President and 2014 LOC Chairman, José Maria Marin, who will be speaking at the opening ceremony in Rio de Janeiro, 24-28 November 2012.

José Maria Marin is the former governor of São Paulo and previously president of the FPF. He was the Vice President of the CBF representing the South Eastern region from 2008-2012 before becoming CBF president in March 2012, in the same month he was named Chairman of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Organising Committee. Marco Polo Del Nero became president of the FPF in 2003 with a clear aim of strengthening the relationship between league clubs and the State of São Paulo. In 2007 he was inducted as a member of the Executive Committee of the Confederation of South American Football. Most recently he was appointed to the FIFA Executive Committee as one of only three South American representatives and became Vice President of the CBF representing the South Eastern region.

Speaking on his involvement at Soccerex, CBF President and 2014 LOC Chairman, José Maria Marin said: “I am excited to be participating in the opening ceremony of my first Soccerex event, and look forward to exploring a Convention that has already made such a significant impact on our football business. It is a very important moment in our sporting history and events like this will help Brazil to lay the foundations for an excellent World Cup.”

Commenting on the announcement, Soccerex CEO Duncan Revie said: “I am so pleased that these two senior figure heads in Brazilian Football have accepted our invitation to the Soccerex Global Convention in Rio de Janeiro. Mr Marin and Mr Del Nero are vital for the development and success of football in Brazil and the forthcoming FIFA World Cup. Their attendance at the Convention is a huge honour for us and confirms the event as the world’s leading football business event.”

The Soccerex Global Convention is a five day business event consisting of a comprehensive seminar line-up, a number of networking opportunities, a two-day football festival and a packed exhibition which is already close to selling out.

Held in a purpose-built venue within the Forte de Copacabana, with panoramic views of both the famous Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, the exhibition is a hub for business activity; as one of the main components of the convention it provides a platform for leading suppliers from around the world to showcase the latest industry products and services to delegates.

Originally appeared here

Brazil 2014 World Cup preparations on track say organisers

In less than one year Brazil will play to host to the Confederations Cup football tournament, the traditional warm-up event for the World Cup, which will take place in the country in 2014.

By next June organisers need to have six stadiums ready for the two-week event, as well as the surrounding infrastructure and communications network in place.

There have been some voices of criticism about the preparations, including from former football legend Romario, a 1994 World Cup winner-turned-politician.

But the man in charge of delivering the two events is confident that everything is on track.

"We are really in a good position, we are moving forward well - I am talking not only about the World Cup, but also the Confederations Cup next year," says Ricardo Trade, operations director of the 2014 World Cup local organising committee.

We want to show that our country can receive far more visitors than it does at present”

"We are closely monitoring how work is progressing in the stadiums in the 12 [World Cup host] cities; and we are very confident about the work programme in these cities.

"We are also closely liaising with Fifa, as they are helping us to build these stadiums for the two events, and producing constant feedback and monitoring reports on progress so far."

Mr Trade - who estimates the World Cup will inject 112.8bn reais (£36bn; $56bn) into the Brazilian economy by 2014 - says city, state, and, increasingly, federal authorities, are also working closely with event organisers.

"They are all working to improve the infrastructure of our cities and of our country for the World Cup and Confederations Cup," he said.

"It is not our role, but we are monitoring the infrastructure progress in each city, as well as at the stadiums".

Mr Trade estimates that some 22.4bn reais (£7bn: $11bn) is being invested in World Cup infrastructure projects, such as the stadiums, roads, airports and public transport.

Ricardo Trade, operations director of the 2014 World Cup local organising committee Mr Trade says there is constant scrutiny of the stadium development programme

On the actual running of the World Cup, he is also in frequent talks with Fifa and the operators of the 12 stadiums "to ensure that this complex structure functions correctly".

Mr Trade is looking to establish common policy across the dozen venues in the areas of hospitality, medical services, marketing, the press, TV, security, accreditation, technology, transport, logistics and cleaning.

The organisers' relationship with Fifa in the past has been somewhat rocky, with the world football governing body having raised concerns about delays in stadium renovation.

           

WORLD CUP 2014 VENUES

    Belo Horizonte (CC 2013)

    Brasilia (CC 2013)

    Cuiaba

    Curitiba

    Fortaleza (CC 2013)

    Manaus

    Natal

    Porto Alegre

    Recife (CC 2013)

    Rio de Janeiro (CC 2013)

    Salvador (CC 2013)

    Sao Paulo

However, last month Fifa sounded more emollient when it reported on the progress of work in the stadiums, the roads, and the airports.

"There is still a lot to do but we are on the good track, and there are currently no stadiums in the red," said Fifa.

One continued infrastructure worry though is the state of progress on upgrading Brazil's airport network, essential in such a large country and one where there is no established rail network.

Of 13 terminals being upgraded, 10 are unlikely to be completed by June 2014, a government-backed Institute for Applied Economic Research report said this spring.

"As I mentioned, this is not our responsibility, but we are confident they will be ready on time," asserts Mr Trade.

Meanwhile, World Cup legend Romario has criticised the finances around the tournament, and also questioned whether the capital Brasilia needs such a huge, 75,000 seater stadium.

The former forward, now a member of Brazil's Chamber of Deputies, says the arena will never see a big football game again after 2014.

Romario in action for Brazil in the 1994 World Cup final Romario has been asking questions about the staging of the World Cup

"It is not my position to talk about Romario, he is a very important guy," says Mr Trade.

However, he says that a lot of "good stadiums" have been built in Brazil that were not used only for football, but for other sports and activities too.

"Maybe that is the solution they will use here," Mr Trade says.

And he insists that organisers are "not going to abandon stadiums" after the World Cup, but that they will be taken over by operating companies after the 2014 event.

In Rio, where the finals of both the Confederations Cup and World Cup will be hosted, he says there is the "challenge" of renovating the iconic Maracana stadium, "a major part of the country's football heritage".

'Not just Rio and Sao Paulo'

At another World Cup host city, Belo Horizonte, they are digesting the lessons learnt on a recent visit to study the operations of the London Olympics.

"I was very impressed by the work of the volunteers," says the city's World Cup executive co-ordinator Flavia Rohlfs.

Flavia Rohlfs of the Belo Horizonte World Cup organising committee Flavia Rohlfs has been in London to study how the Olympic Games operated

"They were everywhere and I liked the way they were constantly asking people if they were OK."

The city has not posed any problems for Fifa when it comes to the preparation of their stadium, and Ms Rohlfs says work is also progressing well on transport preparations.

A three-line bus rapid transit (BRT) system is being build, and two new roads.

The city's main international airport is being upgraded to handle more passengers, as is the secondary airport in order to handle more charter and domestic passengers.

And Mr Trade says that tourism across the entire country can flourish during the World Cup

"We want to show that our country can receive far more visitors than it does at present," he says.

"We want people to visit not just Rio and Sao Paulo, but all 12 cities."

Original article:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19255581

Can Brazil Win A Major Tournament Again?

Brazil reserves the singular accolade of being the world’s greatest nation when it comes to football having achieved five World Cup triumphs. Over the years, the country has produced greatly skilful footballers in the likes of Pele, Garrincha, Zagallo, Zico, Socrates, Romario, Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho and Kaka. However, in recent times, question are being asked if Brazil can ever win a major tournament again.

Over the last three major tournaments, Brazil have failed to deliver and as such people are beginning to wonder if truly the Samba boys can actually deliver. With history against European countries – having not won the World Cup outside of Europe – Brazil were clear favourites to win the World Cup in South Africa but to the dismay of the fans worldwide, they crashed out of the tournament due to a dismal performance against Holland in the quarter-finals.

At the back of a disappointing performance at the World Cup, Brazil headed for the Continental tournament (The Copa America) last year in Argentina and also crashed out in the quarter-finals stage. Brazil came into the London Olympics hoping to break their Olympic jinx and paraded a set of new generation stars such as Neymar, Oscar, Marcelo, Rafael and Hulk. They came into the tournament as favourites alongside Spain to clinch Olympic gold. With Spain’s elimination in the first round, it was seen as Brazil’s to lose. They blasted their way into the final scoring an average of three goals in each game.

When it all mattered most; in the final against Mexico they lost 2 – 1 in a game which they were overwhelming favourites. With a goal down and a team parading such talent and quality it could have been easier to turn the tie round but they failed miserably. It was a performance the Brazilians will want to forget pretty soon as they lost a golden opportunity to win an Olympic Gold medal for the first time - a laurel which has eluded them over the years.

Further revelation showed the team claimed to have been under immense pressure but that is child’s play compared to what they will be facing when the nation host the World Cup in two years time. The last time they hosted the World Cup was in 1950 and on reaching the final with only a draw needed to win the trophy, they lost 2-1 to Uruguay in one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history.

With the Confederation Cup coming up next, it will serve as a preparatory avenue to boost their confidence should they win it and present an atmosphere that includes support from the home crowd in advance to what the World Cup will be like. If there is a team that can break Spain’s recent domination in world football, it is Brazil. Spain are still favourites to win the World Cup in 2014 barring any injury or loss of form on majority of the European Championship winning squad.

For the Samba boys, new Brazil wonder kid Neymar will definitely be the star to watch, by then he will be 22 and may have gained some experience in Europe if he moves to Europe before the World Cup. Oscar and Lucas Moura are another two exciting prospects and it remains to be seen if Oscar’s Chelsea adventure will be a success. Thiago Silva; regarded as one of the best central defenders in the world; will be 29 then and at the prime of his career, so also is Chelsea’s David Luiz.

Other veterans who may still be in contention come 2014 are Kaka; with his best probably behind him; he will be 32 during the World Cup and there are questions mark regarding his future with the national team, Dani Alves will probably still man the right side of defence but his performance for the Seleccao have been questionable lately as he has often failed to replicate his performance for Barcelona in the national team.

Chelsea’s Ramirez will definitely add some bite and steel to the midfield. Robinho has been drifting in and out of the team and if his performance doesn’t improve he may likely miss the cut. Gone are the days when Brazil had world class strikers like Romario, Bebeto and Ronaldo. Brazil lack a deadly centre forward in the mould of these former greats. Alexandre Pato would have fitted perfectly as a true center forward but he has spent more time on the treatment table than on the pitch.

Hulk has yet to find his rhythm for the Samba Boys. Brazil must get a reliable and consistent striker before the World Cup kicks off in 2014.

After Brazil’s defeat in the Olympics, Mano Menez may probably find himself out of a job in no distant future as he has already started receiving criticism notably from former striker Romario who has already called for his sack. They need to gets their acts together and form a winning team or winning the World Cup in 2014 on home soil may become another mirage.

Original article:
http://leadership.ng/nga/articles/32814/2012/08/18/can_brazil_win_major_tournament_again.html

Olympic soccer: Mexico stun Brazil to win gold

MEXICO STUNNED BRAZIL to win their first gold in the Olympic men’s football tournament as Oribe Peralta’s double clinched a shock 2-1 victory over the five-time world champions.

Peralta struck after just 30 seconds and the Mexican striker sealed one of the all-time great Olympic upsets when he scored again late in the second half.

Hulk got one back in stoppage-time but Mexico, playing in their first Olympic final, were deserved winners as Brazil once again failed to end their long wait for a first football gold.

While Brazil have graced the World Cup with some of the best players and most dazzling performances ever seen on football’s grandest stage, the Selecao have never managed to replicate those golden moments at the Games and this was another miserable chapter in their Olympic history.

Brazil, bronze medallists in Beijing in 2008, lost in the Olympic final in 1984 and 1988 and their failure to win gold has rankled with such a proud football nation for decades.

Mano Menezes’s team are unlikely to get a sympathetic reception on their return home after such a lacklustre display riddled with nerves and defensive blunders.

From Rio to Sao Paulo those unconvinced by Menezes had already begun to whisper that former Brazil coach Luis Felipe Scolari should be installed in time to lead the nation’s bid to win the World Cup on home soil in 2014 and those calls will get even louder after Mexico’s giant-killing act.

After sweeping to the final with five successive wins, Brazil were heavy favourites and Mexico’s chances looked even slimmer when Tottenham striker Giovani dos Santos was ruled out with a hamstring injury suffered during the semi-final win over Japan.

But the Mexicans had won three of their past five matches against Brazil, including a 2-0 friendly victory in June, and there was no sign of an inferiority complex as Luis Fernando Tena’s side made an astonishing start.

Just 30 seconds had been played when Manchester United right-back Rafael da Silva dwelt on the ball and then poked a hesitant pass towards Sandro, who was caught flat-footed as Javier Aquino stole possession.

Peralta latched onto Aquino’s pass and the Santos Laguna striker advanced unchecked before slipping a clever low shot past Brazil goalkeeper Gabriel from just outside the penalty area.

Brazil seemed shell-shocked by such a disastrous opening. It took 21 minutes for Brazil’s first shot on target and Menezes was growing increasingly frustrated on the touchline.

By the 32nd minute he had seen enough and hauled off Alex Sandro, with Porto striker Hulk sent on.

That at least gave Brazil a brief spark and defender Marcelo slashed wide after Oscar’s flick gave him a sight of goal, then Hulk surged forward and forced Jose Corona to parry his long-range strike.

Leandro Damiao was quickly onto the rebound, but Corona recovered his footing to block the striker’s follow-up.

Brazil needed more from Neymar in the second half but the Santos striker’s composure deserted him when he lashed a good chance high over the bar.

Marco Fabian should have made Neymar pay for that miss when the Mexico midfielder harried Juan Jesus out of possession. But Gabriel blocked Fabian’s first shot and from the rebound the Mexican’s overhead kick looped onto the crossbar.

Moments later Peralta saw his shot ruled out for offside, but Brazil’s defensive frailties were exposed again in the 75th minute.

When a free-kick was curled over from the right, Peralta was granted the freedom of the penalty area to power home a header that left Brazil exchanging angry recriminations.

Hulk gave them hope of a dramatic late fight-back when he burst through to drive a low shot under Corona in the first minute of stoppage-time.

And incredibly Oscar should have forced extra-time, but the Chelsea midfielder headed over with the goal at his mercy as Mexico held on.

Original article:  http://www.thejournal.ie/mexico-brazil-olympic-football-final-peralta-hulk-554961-Aug2012/