By whatever means the Dutch think they can knock Brazil out of the World Cup, getting physical would not be a good idea. This is a big Brazilian team, the tallest, strongest and most physical in memory.
Its defenders will be taller and clearly bigger man to man than their Dutch counterparts in Friday’s quarterfinal game in Port Elizabeth. And if Mark van Bommel has notions of roughing up Kaká the way he did little Leo Messi in the Champions League last year, he might consider two things: the referees in this World Cup have been consistently hard on that kind of play, and Kaká is one of eight Brazilian starters (and 13 on the 23-man roster) who stand above 6 feet.
Indeed, Kaká has already been forced to miss a game during this tournament for what might euphemistically be termed getting his retaliation in first. A man of silky skills, Kaká has added steel, as anyone playing under Coach Carlos Dunga must.
Dunga was tough as a player. As a coach, he is unequivocal: stand up and fight for the right to play or he will select someone who will.
Brazil’s muscle has been growing for more than 40 years. Some might ascribe this to Dunga, 46, but he is a mere disciple — an extreme one perhaps — of a toughening-up process that dates to 1966. It was then that Pelé, the greatest player of them all, was battered out of the World Cup in England. First the Bulgarians kicked him, then the Portuguese. The Brazilians never forgot that in the Portugal game it was a British referee, George McCabe, who allowed the rough play that hobbled Pelé and led to Brazil’s being eliminated in the group stage.
Long before Dunga was a player, Brazil dispatched trainers and coaches to study physical preparation at the German sports institute in Leipzig. The Beautiful Game that fans know and love — and hope for from Brazil from time to time — gives way to emulating Europeans, sacrificing flair for method.
Dunga was the anchor of perhaps the most structured Brazilian team to be world champion, in 1994. He watched Brazil win the trophy again in 2002, but lose in the quarterfinals in Germany four years later.
That was when he came in as coach. His work is evident in the way Brazil performs now, a style that is so athletic that many former Brazilian players are Dunga’s foremost critics. The former star Socrates has called the new Brazil “an affront to our culture.”
Socrates was a tall, thin midfielder who appeared to walk on stilts when he played in the 1980s. He was elegant and languid in his movements, but his type would never get near the Brazil of Dunga.
It is not simply a question of height. The members of Dunga’s team — with the exception of the recently repatriated winger Robinho and the reserve defender Gilberto Melo — play for clubs in the rugged leagues of Europe. Goalkeeper Júlio César, right back Maicon and central defender Lúcio, the team’s captain, helped Inter Milan win the Italian League, the Italian Cup and the Champions League in May.
César, playing at this World Cup in a back brace to protect a recent injury, is game-tested and among the few first-rate goalkeepers Brazil has produced. Boys in Brazil prefer to play offense. Even some defenders, like Lúcio and Maicon, love nothing better than to stride out of their defensive positions and counterattack.
Dunga does not deny them the right, provided they observe the safety-first ethic of his game plan. This, moreover, must be the first Brazil seleção, the national team, that strives to win matches on set plays like corner kicks rather than simply off the flow of the game.
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Showing posts with label FIFA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FIFA. Show all posts
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Soccer - Brazil not losing any sleep over goalless draw
Brazil's stalemate with Portugal was the first World Cup group game since 1978 they have failed to score in and the first in 12 years they have not won although coach Dunga is unlikely to lose any sleep over it.
Already assured of a place in the last 16, Brazil were on Friday without suspended playmaker Kaka, rested Robinho who had complained of muscle fatigue and were also missing the injured Elano, who scored in each of their first two games.
Even so, they dominated an often petulant, bad-tempered match against their former colonial masters, who themselves needed a point to absolutely guarantee they would qualify from Group G and showed little appetite for adventure.
Robinho, who forgets the problems that have dogged his club career when he puts on a Brazil shirt, has been one of their liveliest players here but Nilmar proved an able replacement.
The Villarreal striker, who has the impressive tally of eight goals in 15 internationals, was twice close to opening the scoring in the first half and his close control and speed made him a constant nuisance for the Portuguese rearguard.
The absence of Kaka was more keenly felt, especially after he set up two goals in the 3-1 win over Ivory Coast last Sunday when he appeared close to returning to his best.
Kaka's explosive bursts from deep in the midfield, vision and clinical finishing, often from long distance, make him one of Brazil's most feared players, even when he is not fully fit.
DUNGA FRUSTRATED
After Brazil's sixth goalless draw of his nearly four years in charge, coach Dunga again expressed frustration at the way opponents shut up their defence when they play his side.
"All teams take extra care when they face Brazil, there was nothing unusual about Portugal's tactics," he said.
It was a rather odd complaint from Dunga, who is himself much more comfortable when Brazil -- who had scored in every World Cup group match since their 0-0 draw with Spain in 1978 -- can play on the counter-attack.
Under Dunga, Brazil's best results have come away from home, where their opponents are forced to come out and attack.
Their World Cup qualifying campaign included 4-0 wins in Venezuela and Uruguay, a 3-0 win in Chile and a 3-1 win in Argentina while home results included goalless draws against Venezuela, Argentina, Bolivia and Colombia.
For all their lack of imagination, Brazil at least proved they are difficult to break down and only once looked in danger but were let off when Raul Meireles fluffed a chance. They have won 18 of their last 21 games and are unbeaten in nine.
Portugal never looked like a team who won their last game 7-0 and their performance had fear written all over it. But they are in the last 16 for the second World Cup in a row even if a chorus of jeers drowned out the vuvuzelas at the end.
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Already assured of a place in the last 16, Brazil were on Friday without suspended playmaker Kaka, rested Robinho who had complained of muscle fatigue and were also missing the injured Elano, who scored in each of their first two games.
Even so, they dominated an often petulant, bad-tempered match against their former colonial masters, who themselves needed a point to absolutely guarantee they would qualify from Group G and showed little appetite for adventure.
Robinho, who forgets the problems that have dogged his club career when he puts on a Brazil shirt, has been one of their liveliest players here but Nilmar proved an able replacement.
The Villarreal striker, who has the impressive tally of eight goals in 15 internationals, was twice close to opening the scoring in the first half and his close control and speed made him a constant nuisance for the Portuguese rearguard.
The absence of Kaka was more keenly felt, especially after he set up two goals in the 3-1 win over Ivory Coast last Sunday when he appeared close to returning to his best.
Kaka's explosive bursts from deep in the midfield, vision and clinical finishing, often from long distance, make him one of Brazil's most feared players, even when he is not fully fit.
DUNGA FRUSTRATED
After Brazil's sixth goalless draw of his nearly four years in charge, coach Dunga again expressed frustration at the way opponents shut up their defence when they play his side.
"All teams take extra care when they face Brazil, there was nothing unusual about Portugal's tactics," he said.
It was a rather odd complaint from Dunga, who is himself much more comfortable when Brazil -- who had scored in every World Cup group match since their 0-0 draw with Spain in 1978 -- can play on the counter-attack.
Under Dunga, Brazil's best results have come away from home, where their opponents are forced to come out and attack.
Their World Cup qualifying campaign included 4-0 wins in Venezuela and Uruguay, a 3-0 win in Chile and a 3-1 win in Argentina while home results included goalless draws against Venezuela, Argentina, Bolivia and Colombia.
For all their lack of imagination, Brazil at least proved they are difficult to break down and only once looked in danger but were let off when Raul Meireles fluffed a chance. They have won 18 of their last 21 games and are unbeaten in nine.
Portugal never looked like a team who won their last game 7-0 and their performance had fear written all over it. But they are in the last 16 for the second World Cup in a row even if a chorus of jeers drowned out the vuvuzelas at the end.
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Monday, June 21, 2010
Mulling Kaka replacement
With progress to the FIFA World Cup™ last 16 already assured, Brazil's reserves have the chance to shine in their final group match against Portugal.
Monday was a rest day for the most part for the first eleven, as coach Dunga instead put the remainder of the squad through their paces in the knowledge that he now has two reasons to shuffle his pack and investigate his men's strength in depth. That is because wins over Korea DPR and Côte d'Ivoire have propelled Brazil through the opening phase but also because star midfielder Kaka has inadvertently done Dunga a favour.
By getting himself a red card against Côte d'Ivoire, the Real Madrid superstar will have to sit out the Portugal encounter come what may. His opening showing against the North Koreans in a fairly hard-fought 2-1 win was not quite what fans have come to expect of a former FIFA World Player of the Year and there had been indications that he would not necessarily keep his place with some players talking up the skills of the likes of Julio Baptista.
Kaka did improve against Côte d'Ivoire with a neat assist, but his sending off for pushing Abdelkader Keita means Dunga must shake things up anyway - though with six points in the bag, he can afford to do so. "We are not sure who will replace Kaka for the next game, we will think about it over the next few days," Dunga said.
Although Dunga - to the horror of some former players and many fans - has reined in the samba style in his four-year tenure, to date he has nonetheless been handsomely rewarded both in the CONMEBOL Copa America and the FIFA Confederations Cup here last year.
Former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson, currently in charge of Côte d'Ivoire, feels Brazil look like champions. "You need to be almost perfect to beat Brazil. In every way they are good, they are very good," opined Eriksson.
Read more:
Monday was a rest day for the most part for the first eleven, as coach Dunga instead put the remainder of the squad through their paces in the knowledge that he now has two reasons to shuffle his pack and investigate his men's strength in depth. That is because wins over Korea DPR and Côte d'Ivoire have propelled Brazil through the opening phase but also because star midfielder Kaka has inadvertently done Dunga a favour.
By getting himself a red card against Côte d'Ivoire, the Real Madrid superstar will have to sit out the Portugal encounter come what may. His opening showing against the North Koreans in a fairly hard-fought 2-1 win was not quite what fans have come to expect of a former FIFA World Player of the Year and there had been indications that he would not necessarily keep his place with some players talking up the skills of the likes of Julio Baptista.
Kaka did improve against Côte d'Ivoire with a neat assist, but his sending off for pushing Abdelkader Keita means Dunga must shake things up anyway - though with six points in the bag, he can afford to do so. "We are not sure who will replace Kaka for the next game, we will think about it over the next few days," Dunga said.
Although Dunga - to the horror of some former players and many fans - has reined in the samba style in his four-year tenure, to date he has nonetheless been handsomely rewarded both in the CONMEBOL Copa America and the FIFA Confederations Cup here last year.
Former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson, currently in charge of Côte d'Ivoire, feels Brazil look like champions. "You need to be almost perfect to beat Brazil. In every way they are good, they are very good," opined Eriksson.
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Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Brazil to play friendly against Tanzania on June 7
The Brazilian Confederation of Soccer (CBF) announced on Tuesday that the country's national team will face Tanzania on June 7 in a friendly.
It will be the team's last warmup before the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
The friendly will be held in Tanzania's capital city Dar Es Sallam.
With the friendly confirmed, the CBF is attempting to finalize one more friendly to take place on June 2 or June 3, possibly against Zimbabwe.
However, timing and negotiations have dragged, preventing an agreement to be finalized.
The CBF has avoided the possibility of facing any of the other 31 national soccer teams that will play in the 2010 World Cup. The entity denied an invitation from the host nation, South Africa for this reason.
Brazil will debut in the 2010 World Cup against DPR Korea on June 15 at the Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg.
Read it here:
It will be the team's last warmup before the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
The friendly will be held in Tanzania's capital city Dar Es Sallam.
With the friendly confirmed, the CBF is attempting to finalize one more friendly to take place on June 2 or June 3, possibly against Zimbabwe.
However, timing and negotiations have dragged, preventing an agreement to be finalized.
The CBF has avoided the possibility of facing any of the other 31 national soccer teams that will play in the 2010 World Cup. The entity denied an invitation from the host nation, South Africa for this reason.
Brazil will debut in the 2010 World Cup against DPR Korea on June 15 at the Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg.
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Sunday, May 23, 2010
World Cup 2010: Brazil must deal with favorites label
Having been a part of three World Cup teams himself, Brazil manager Dunga knows all too well the expectations that come with being a member of Brazil's national team.
They are expected to win every time they take the field, and when it comes to the World Cup for the five-time champions, anything less than winning the tournament is viewed as a failure.
"We have to learn to live with the favorites' tag," Brazil midfielder Kaka told FIFA.com. "We must not let it turn into something negative, as it has done in previous years."
In fact, Brazil nearly lived up to its own lofty expectations over the past four World Cups, reaching the final three times and winning the competition twice.
They were beaten by France in the 1998 final on French soil, but they will be out to redeem themselves after a poor showing in 2006 saw them eliminated at the quarterfinal stage, again by France.
Dunga came under some pressure for an inconsistent showing in the CONMEBOL region of World Cup qualifying that saw his team win just nine of its 18 matches.
However, they still managed to finish on top of the group, with Chile and Paraguay close behind, and they are now focused on getting back to where they belong, the final of the World Cup.
Like any other year, Brazil is one of the favorites on paper with a talent- laden roster that includes world-class goalkeeper Julio Cesar, as well as talented fullbacks Daniel Alves and Maicon.
Ronaldinho was a surprise omission from Dunga's roster, which will leave the role of creative midfield playmaker to Kaka, while gritty veteran Gilberto Silva brings a physical presence to the midfield.
Luis Fabiano has established himself as the team's top scoring threat up top, and he will get help from the talented but seemingly inconsistent Robinho.
Brazil will feel it's the better team against anyone it lines up against, and rightfully so. But the big question that always must be answered is how well they handle their own expectations.
After all, anything less than a sixth title is unacceptable.
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They are expected to win every time they take the field, and when it comes to the World Cup for the five-time champions, anything less than winning the tournament is viewed as a failure.
"We have to learn to live with the favorites' tag," Brazil midfielder Kaka told FIFA.com. "We must not let it turn into something negative, as it has done in previous years."
In fact, Brazil nearly lived up to its own lofty expectations over the past four World Cups, reaching the final three times and winning the competition twice.
They were beaten by France in the 1998 final on French soil, but they will be out to redeem themselves after a poor showing in 2006 saw them eliminated at the quarterfinal stage, again by France.
Dunga came under some pressure for an inconsistent showing in the CONMEBOL region of World Cup qualifying that saw his team win just nine of its 18 matches.
However, they still managed to finish on top of the group, with Chile and Paraguay close behind, and they are now focused on getting back to where they belong, the final of the World Cup.
Like any other year, Brazil is one of the favorites on paper with a talent- laden roster that includes world-class goalkeeper Julio Cesar, as well as talented fullbacks Daniel Alves and Maicon.
Ronaldinho was a surprise omission from Dunga's roster, which will leave the role of creative midfield playmaker to Kaka, while gritty veteran Gilberto Silva brings a physical presence to the midfield.
Luis Fabiano has established himself as the team's top scoring threat up top, and he will get help from the talented but seemingly inconsistent Robinho.
Brazil will feel it's the better team against anyone it lines up against, and rightfully so. But the big question that always must be answered is how well they handle their own expectations.
After all, anything less than a sixth title is unacceptable.
Read more:
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Obama Lobbies FIFA for U.S. to Host Soccer World Cup
President Barack Obama lobbied the head of soccer’s international governing body today to bring the World Cup to the U.S. during a meeting at the White House.
The president also received a personal invitation from Sepp Blatter, head of world governing body FIFA, to attend next year’s tournament in South Africa, a trip in which Obama has expressed interest, according to a White House statement.
“We’ll use the opportunity of the meeting to advocate for the United States to host the World Cup in either 2018, or 2022,” Josh Earnest, deputy White House press secretary, said before the discussion between Obama and Blatter.
The international tournament is held every four years. The host for the 2014 World Cup will be Brazil. Blatter said in an interview yesterday that he expects a “big fight” over the chance to host the next championship.
At last month’s G-8 summit in L’Aquila, Italy, Obama said it was his “goal” to travel to South Africa next June to attend the World Cup.
According to details today’s meeting released by the White House, Obama thanked Blatter for the invitation to the World Cup and for a gift of soccer balls for the president’s two daughters.
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said no final decision has been made about Obama attending the World Cup, though he suggested that many of the president’s senior staff want him to make the trip.
“Scheduling has warned me against accepting unilaterally invitations to visit South Africa,” Gibbs said.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601079&sid=amSIiXAydsOM#
The president also received a personal invitation from Sepp Blatter, head of world governing body FIFA, to attend next year’s tournament in South Africa, a trip in which Obama has expressed interest, according to a White House statement.
“We’ll use the opportunity of the meeting to advocate for the United States to host the World Cup in either 2018, or 2022,” Josh Earnest, deputy White House press secretary, said before the discussion between Obama and Blatter.
The international tournament is held every four years. The host for the 2014 World Cup will be Brazil. Blatter said in an interview yesterday that he expects a “big fight” over the chance to host the next championship.
At last month’s G-8 summit in L’Aquila, Italy, Obama said it was his “goal” to travel to South Africa next June to attend the World Cup.
According to details today’s meeting released by the White House, Obama thanked Blatter for the invitation to the World Cup and for a gift of soccer balls for the president’s two daughters.
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said no final decision has been made about Obama attending the World Cup, though he suggested that many of the president’s senior staff want him to make the trip.
“Scheduling has warned me against accepting unilaterally invitations to visit South Africa,” Gibbs said.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601079&sid=amSIiXAydsOM#
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Brazil looks to overcome Ecuador hoodoo
Brazil will attempt to score their first FIFA World Cup™ qualifying goal in Ecuador when the teams meet at high altitude in Quito on Sunday.
The five-time world champions, second in the ten-team South American group, have a dismal record in the Andean country, having failed to hit the target in three previous qualifying visits. A 0-0 draw in tropical Guayaquil in 1993 was followed by 1-0 defeats in Quito in 2001 and again in 2004.
Coach Dunga said the chance to improve Brazil's poor record in Ecuador was an added incentive. "Every time there is a taboo to be broken or something to be conquered, it adds a little extra," he said. "We're going to play to win and gain points to help us qualify. It's always good to know the statistics, but we have to do our job."
Although Brazil are second in the South American group and well-placed to qualify, they are six points adrift of leaders Paraguay and have looked far from impressive in the qualifiers. They have been held 0-0 by Argentina, Bolivia and Colombia in successive home matches and went into the five-month break in the competition at a low ebb last October.
Since then, a 6-2 win over Portugal and an impressive 2-0 defeat of Italy in friendlies have lifted the pressure on Dunga. Playmaker Kaka is doubtful with a foot injury and striker Adriano has an ankle problem.
Ecuador, who had never played at a FIFA World Cup before qualifying in 2002 and 2006, are sixth in the table with 12 points, one behind fifth-placed Uruguay. Key midfielders Edison Mendez and Antonio Valencia have both been passed fit for the game which is crucial to their hopes of a third successive appearance.
Ecuador, who have depended heavily on their form in Quito in the past, have already dropped four points in home games and cannot afford another slip-up. The top four teams qualify for South Africa 2010 and the fifth play off with the fourth side from CONCACAF for another place.
Coach Sixto Vizuete is in confident mood, having said his team are stronger collectively than Brazil and that their opponents are afraid of playing at altitude.
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=1041661.html#brazil+looks+overcome+ecuador+hoodoo
The five-time world champions, second in the ten-team South American group, have a dismal record in the Andean country, having failed to hit the target in three previous qualifying visits. A 0-0 draw in tropical Guayaquil in 1993 was followed by 1-0 defeats in Quito in 2001 and again in 2004.
Coach Dunga said the chance to improve Brazil's poor record in Ecuador was an added incentive. "Every time there is a taboo to be broken or something to be conquered, it adds a little extra," he said. "We're going to play to win and gain points to help us qualify. It's always good to know the statistics, but we have to do our job."
Although Brazil are second in the South American group and well-placed to qualify, they are six points adrift of leaders Paraguay and have looked far from impressive in the qualifiers. They have been held 0-0 by Argentina, Bolivia and Colombia in successive home matches and went into the five-month break in the competition at a low ebb last October.
Since then, a 6-2 win over Portugal and an impressive 2-0 defeat of Italy in friendlies have lifted the pressure on Dunga. Playmaker Kaka is doubtful with a foot injury and striker Adriano has an ankle problem.
Ecuador, who had never played at a FIFA World Cup before qualifying in 2002 and 2006, are sixth in the table with 12 points, one behind fifth-placed Uruguay. Key midfielders Edison Mendez and Antonio Valencia have both been passed fit for the game which is crucial to their hopes of a third successive appearance.
Ecuador, who have depended heavily on their form in Quito in the past, have already dropped four points in home games and cannot afford another slip-up. The top four teams qualify for South Africa 2010 and the fifth play off with the fourth side from CONCACAF for another place.
Coach Sixto Vizuete is in confident mood, having said his team are stronger collectively than Brazil and that their opponents are afraid of playing at altitude.
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=1041661.html#brazil+looks+overcome+ecuador+hoodoo
Friday, February 13, 2009
Friendly demonstrations of sheer skill
Playing for points is one thing, putting on an exhibition of the skills of soccer quite another. In London, in Marseille and in Seville this midweek there were so-called friendly international games that left packed audiences in no doubt about who are the modern masters of the sport.
With goals from Elano and Robinho, with a stunning reminder of how great Ronaldinho can still be if he has the desire, Brazil eclipsed Italy, 2-0, in a friendly match before an audience of 60,000 at Arsenal's London stadium. It was samba on a frigid night.
The game featured the same color combination - one team in golden yellow, the other in blue - as with Australia and Japan. Yet so fluid was the Brazil display, so appealing to the eye, that it looked like a different game, on a different planet, from the dull stalemate played out in Japan.
Television brings as many of the games to us as we have time to consume. When Brazil shows off like this, on a pitch that is world-class to complement the flair of its players, we wonder why Dunga, the present Brazil national coach, constrains his men on other occasions. Italy had almost a full squad of its finest players, yet couldn't come near to disrupting Brazil's rhythm.
The French suffered similar problems with Lionel Messi. He carried his Barcelona club form into Argentina's 2-0 victory in Marseille, and after Messi scored a marvellous solo goal, the home crowd of Frenchmen stood in applause to his talents. Diego Maradona - his countryman, coach and, in his time, fellow genius - praised Messi's quality, but also his work ethic.
In Seville, Spain demonstrated just why it won Euro 2008, and why England was not even in that tournament. A goal on the ground by David Villa, and one in the air from substitute Joseba Llorente, showed England what finishing is all about.
But the difference was in passing, awareness, movement. Even David Beckham, who earned another cheap cap as a second-half replacement and who was lucky to stay on the pitch after a wild tackle and a yellow card for dissent, came close to acknowledging that England had been outclassed.
On the night when he equaled the record of 108 appearances for England, Beckham also learned that American soccer is running out of patience with his feckless attitude. He is contracted to the Los Angeles Galaxy, but he wants now to break that contract so that he can play a higher grade of soccer, with AC Milan.
Don Garber, the commissioner of the Major League Soccer, on Wednesday gave an ultimatum to Beckham and Milan: Make the Galaxy an acceptable offer and take him, or send him back to California. The deadline Garber gave is Friday.
Ancelotti rules out Chelsea
Carlo Ancelotti of AC Milan says he has no intention of becoming Chelsea's manager, The Associated Press reported from Milan.
The London club fired Luiz Felipe Scolari on Monday, and has hired Russia coach Guus Hiddink as his replacement until the end of the season. Ancelloti has been considered Chelsea's top choice to take over full-time. "The only club that has made a move to sign me has been Chelsea," Ancelotti was quoted Thursday by La Stampa as saying. He added, "I am not thinking about leaving."
http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/02/12/news/CUP.php
With goals from Elano and Robinho, with a stunning reminder of how great Ronaldinho can still be if he has the desire, Brazil eclipsed Italy, 2-0, in a friendly match before an audience of 60,000 at Arsenal's London stadium. It was samba on a frigid night.
The game featured the same color combination - one team in golden yellow, the other in blue - as with Australia and Japan. Yet so fluid was the Brazil display, so appealing to the eye, that it looked like a different game, on a different planet, from the dull stalemate played out in Japan.
Television brings as many of the games to us as we have time to consume. When Brazil shows off like this, on a pitch that is world-class to complement the flair of its players, we wonder why Dunga, the present Brazil national coach, constrains his men on other occasions. Italy had almost a full squad of its finest players, yet couldn't come near to disrupting Brazil's rhythm.
The French suffered similar problems with Lionel Messi. He carried his Barcelona club form into Argentina's 2-0 victory in Marseille, and after Messi scored a marvellous solo goal, the home crowd of Frenchmen stood in applause to his talents. Diego Maradona - his countryman, coach and, in his time, fellow genius - praised Messi's quality, but also his work ethic.
In Seville, Spain demonstrated just why it won Euro 2008, and why England was not even in that tournament. A goal on the ground by David Villa, and one in the air from substitute Joseba Llorente, showed England what finishing is all about.
But the difference was in passing, awareness, movement. Even David Beckham, who earned another cheap cap as a second-half replacement and who was lucky to stay on the pitch after a wild tackle and a yellow card for dissent, came close to acknowledging that England had been outclassed.
On the night when he equaled the record of 108 appearances for England, Beckham also learned that American soccer is running out of patience with his feckless attitude. He is contracted to the Los Angeles Galaxy, but he wants now to break that contract so that he can play a higher grade of soccer, with AC Milan.
Don Garber, the commissioner of the Major League Soccer, on Wednesday gave an ultimatum to Beckham and Milan: Make the Galaxy an acceptable offer and take him, or send him back to California. The deadline Garber gave is Friday.
Ancelotti rules out Chelsea
Carlo Ancelotti of AC Milan says he has no intention of becoming Chelsea's manager, The Associated Press reported from Milan.
The London club fired Luiz Felipe Scolari on Monday, and has hired Russia coach Guus Hiddink as his replacement until the end of the season. Ancelloti has been considered Chelsea's top choice to take over full-time. "The only club that has made a move to sign me has been Chelsea," Ancelotti was quoted Thursday by La Stampa as saying. He added, "I am not thinking about leaving."
http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/02/12/news/CUP.php
Thursday, February 12, 2009
London bears witness as Brazil outshine Italy
Such was the volume of the wildly excited and high pitch screams echoing around the Emirates Stadium that you could have been forgiven for thinking a boy band were about to take centre stage.
Samba style: Brazil celebrate Elano's opening goal
Westlife, Take That or the Backstreet Boys would have felt quite at home amid the 60,077 fanatics in attendance on this chilled North London night and all present created the sort of carnival atmosphere this stadium has not been used to during a campaign when the resident team have fallen from the lofty perch.
In a season when this impressive venue has lacked some soul when it is bursting full with increasingly frustrated Arsenal fans, the followers of Brazil and Italy brought it to life in a grand manner.
Clearly, the novelty value of seeing two of the world's iconic international sides going head-to-head clearly helped to heighten the expectation for London-based supporters who may not have believed their national heroes had come to perform before them, yet the jovial nature exuded by all was an example of what this great game should be about.
Football loving Brazilians and Italians worshiped together and only battled to sing louder than one another. While it would be tough to inject regular Premier League football attendees with the enthusiasm and passion displayed by those present for this game, it was a delight to share the experience with them.
It was also refreshing to sit through two national anthems celebrated with the sort of gusto and respect England fans are always keen to ignore. Internationals at Wembley are generally marred by jeers for the opposing musical rallying call, yet Italy's familiar signature tune and Brazil's up tempo number were toasted by all.
The game itself had to be special to live up to the pre-match euphoria, but it more than satisfied the appetite as it quickly clicked into gear. Brazil are only allowed to play this game in the beautiful manner and even though the method of the Azzurri is often less eye-catching, their quality can be equally captivating.
We were given an idea of just how high pitched the volume level would rise to greet the first goal when Fabio Grosso saw his effort incorrectly chalked off for offside in the fourth minute. The Italy full-back looked to have timed his run perfectly and produced a fine finish before his celebrations were cut short by the misplaced flag from the English official.
It soon became apparent that a fixture billed as a friendly would have a cutting edge. The tackles may not have been flying quite as fiercely as they may be if they two sides are to contest the World Cup final next year, but this was to be a feisty and thrilling affair.
The first goal was not long in coming as a typically brilliant Brazil move featuring Robinho and the recalled Ronaldinho, who combined to carve open the normally rock-solid Italian defence and allowed Manchester City's Elano to score with glee.
This game can occasionally send a shiver down the spine when its most gifted exponents hit the right notes and even though they were helped by some indifferent defending, this was one of those moments.
Brazil's second goal was just as memorable. While the experienced Andrea Pirlo may not have allowed Robinho to win the ball so easily on the edge of his box if this game had points resting on it, the quick-footed brilliance of Manchester City's record signing was a sight to behold before he fizzed a fizzing left footed shot past Gianluigi Buffon.
Marcello Lippi's long unbeaten run came to an end in London
The sparkling first half showing was timely for Brazil boss Carlos Dunga, who would have noted the departure of Luiz Felipe Scolari at Chelsea on Monday with some trepidation. He has had his troubles trying to living up to expectations at the helm of a national team who don't tolerate second best, so constant success is now required to dampen down the theory that Scolari may return to try and recreate his World Cup glory of seven years ago.
Azzurri chief Marcello Lippi was the coach with all the worries at the break and his response was to unleash the towering Luca Toni from his place on the bench, along the veteran Mauro Camoranesi and ex-Manchester United starlet Giuseppe Rossi. Clearly, this veteran mastermind was not satisfied with the efforts of many he opted to name on his initial team-sheet.
Bayern Munich's Toni, in particular, had a positive impact for Italy and he had a goal struck off when he handled the ball in the build-up. He went on to miss a great chance with eight minutes to go as he nipped in front of the Brazilian defence and was denied by a fine save from Cesar and went close again in the dying minutes, but the game was lost by then.
Brazil's quality of passing and impressive work rate ensured they recorded a comfortable victory and Dunga was a content figure as he sat before an excited press pack. ''The goals we scored were well worked and Robinho was exceptional to create the second,'' stated the USA'94 World Cup winning skipper.
He also had a few good words for the recalled Ronaldinho. ''I felt he worked hard for the team and he gave us some extra options,'' was his view of the celebrated AC Milan star. ''We have great talent in this squad and Kaka still has to come back, but it's all about working it together for the team.''
Marcello Lippi was targeting a record breaking 32nd unbeaten game as Italy boss, yet found some positives despite being was denied the milestone.
''We did not start the game well and this was partly due to the fact we only had 48 hours to think about this game,'' he said. ''Brazil took advantage of our mistakes in the first half and it was difficult after that.''
It is always hard to assess the true importance of a friendly international, yet the Italy of 2009 look a long way short of the powerful champions who ruled the world three years ago. As for Brazil, they were impressive as both an attacking and defensive unit and look set to be the team to beat when the soccer world convenes in South Africa some 16 months from now.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Gilberto was shown the door by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who apparently believed he was past his prime. On this evidence, his brand of no-nonsense midfield industry is just what the misfiring Gunners have been missing this season. Robinho's fancy footwork earned him top honours from the sponsors, but Gilberto deserved credit for his less eye-catching effort.
PRESS BOX NOVELTY: Confirmation that this was a very different occasion at the Emirates Stadium was came with a packed out press room bursting with attractive female reporters. The British written press pack are generally an aging and slightly grumpy bunch, but those charged with reporting on Brazil and Italy are far more pleasing on the eye and appear to be less interested in consuming cream cakes.
BRAZIL VERDICT: The combination of Ronaldinho, Robinho and Elano was electrifying to watch at times and they also showed impressive commitment to the cause in a friendly international. The recently unemployed Scolari is not required to revive this reinvent this brilliant team just yet.
AZZURRI VERDICT: Italy boss Marcelo Lippi admitted he was frustrated by the lack of preparation time prior to a battle with the 2002 World Champions and his side lost this game with their slack first half defending.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=618026&sec=worldcup2010&root=worldcup2010&&cc=5901
Samba style: Brazil celebrate Elano's opening goal
Westlife, Take That or the Backstreet Boys would have felt quite at home amid the 60,077 fanatics in attendance on this chilled North London night and all present created the sort of carnival atmosphere this stadium has not been used to during a campaign when the resident team have fallen from the lofty perch.
In a season when this impressive venue has lacked some soul when it is bursting full with increasingly frustrated Arsenal fans, the followers of Brazil and Italy brought it to life in a grand manner.
Clearly, the novelty value of seeing two of the world's iconic international sides going head-to-head clearly helped to heighten the expectation for London-based supporters who may not have believed their national heroes had come to perform before them, yet the jovial nature exuded by all was an example of what this great game should be about.
Football loving Brazilians and Italians worshiped together and only battled to sing louder than one another. While it would be tough to inject regular Premier League football attendees with the enthusiasm and passion displayed by those present for this game, it was a delight to share the experience with them.
It was also refreshing to sit through two national anthems celebrated with the sort of gusto and respect England fans are always keen to ignore. Internationals at Wembley are generally marred by jeers for the opposing musical rallying call, yet Italy's familiar signature tune and Brazil's up tempo number were toasted by all.
The game itself had to be special to live up to the pre-match euphoria, but it more than satisfied the appetite as it quickly clicked into gear. Brazil are only allowed to play this game in the beautiful manner and even though the method of the Azzurri is often less eye-catching, their quality can be equally captivating.
We were given an idea of just how high pitched the volume level would rise to greet the first goal when Fabio Grosso saw his effort incorrectly chalked off for offside in the fourth minute. The Italy full-back looked to have timed his run perfectly and produced a fine finish before his celebrations were cut short by the misplaced flag from the English official.
It soon became apparent that a fixture billed as a friendly would have a cutting edge. The tackles may not have been flying quite as fiercely as they may be if they two sides are to contest the World Cup final next year, but this was to be a feisty and thrilling affair.
The first goal was not long in coming as a typically brilliant Brazil move featuring Robinho and the recalled Ronaldinho, who combined to carve open the normally rock-solid Italian defence and allowed Manchester City's Elano to score with glee.
This game can occasionally send a shiver down the spine when its most gifted exponents hit the right notes and even though they were helped by some indifferent defending, this was one of those moments.
Brazil's second goal was just as memorable. While the experienced Andrea Pirlo may not have allowed Robinho to win the ball so easily on the edge of his box if this game had points resting on it, the quick-footed brilliance of Manchester City's record signing was a sight to behold before he fizzed a fizzing left footed shot past Gianluigi Buffon.
Marcello Lippi's long unbeaten run came to an end in London
The sparkling first half showing was timely for Brazil boss Carlos Dunga, who would have noted the departure of Luiz Felipe Scolari at Chelsea on Monday with some trepidation. He has had his troubles trying to living up to expectations at the helm of a national team who don't tolerate second best, so constant success is now required to dampen down the theory that Scolari may return to try and recreate his World Cup glory of seven years ago.
Azzurri chief Marcello Lippi was the coach with all the worries at the break and his response was to unleash the towering Luca Toni from his place on the bench, along the veteran Mauro Camoranesi and ex-Manchester United starlet Giuseppe Rossi. Clearly, this veteran mastermind was not satisfied with the efforts of many he opted to name on his initial team-sheet.
Bayern Munich's Toni, in particular, had a positive impact for Italy and he had a goal struck off when he handled the ball in the build-up. He went on to miss a great chance with eight minutes to go as he nipped in front of the Brazilian defence and was denied by a fine save from Cesar and went close again in the dying minutes, but the game was lost by then.
Brazil's quality of passing and impressive work rate ensured they recorded a comfortable victory and Dunga was a content figure as he sat before an excited press pack. ''The goals we scored were well worked and Robinho was exceptional to create the second,'' stated the USA'94 World Cup winning skipper.
He also had a few good words for the recalled Ronaldinho. ''I felt he worked hard for the team and he gave us some extra options,'' was his view of the celebrated AC Milan star. ''We have great talent in this squad and Kaka still has to come back, but it's all about working it together for the team.''
Marcello Lippi was targeting a record breaking 32nd unbeaten game as Italy boss, yet found some positives despite being was denied the milestone.
''We did not start the game well and this was partly due to the fact we only had 48 hours to think about this game,'' he said. ''Brazil took advantage of our mistakes in the first half and it was difficult after that.''
It is always hard to assess the true importance of a friendly international, yet the Italy of 2009 look a long way short of the powerful champions who ruled the world three years ago. As for Brazil, they were impressive as both an attacking and defensive unit and look set to be the team to beat when the soccer world convenes in South Africa some 16 months from now.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Gilberto was shown the door by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who apparently believed he was past his prime. On this evidence, his brand of no-nonsense midfield industry is just what the misfiring Gunners have been missing this season. Robinho's fancy footwork earned him top honours from the sponsors, but Gilberto deserved credit for his less eye-catching effort.
PRESS BOX NOVELTY: Confirmation that this was a very different occasion at the Emirates Stadium was came with a packed out press room bursting with attractive female reporters. The British written press pack are generally an aging and slightly grumpy bunch, but those charged with reporting on Brazil and Italy are far more pleasing on the eye and appear to be less interested in consuming cream cakes.
BRAZIL VERDICT: The combination of Ronaldinho, Robinho and Elano was electrifying to watch at times and they also showed impressive commitment to the cause in a friendly international. The recently unemployed Scolari is not required to revive this reinvent this brilliant team just yet.
AZZURRI VERDICT: Italy boss Marcelo Lippi admitted he was frustrated by the lack of preparation time prior to a battle with the 2002 World Champions and his side lost this game with their slack first half defending.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=618026&sec=worldcup2010&root=worldcup2010&&cc=5901
SOCCER: FIFA BOOST AFTER BRAZIL WIN
Italy gained some small consolation for its 2-0 defeat to Brazil in London Tuesday night by clinging on to fourth place in FIFA's monthly world soccer rankings, one spot ahead of Brazil.
The Italians were outplayed at the Emirates stadium after they saw a goal by Fabio Grosso disallowed, going down to goals by Elano and Robinho.
Coach Marcello Lippi, who failed to set a world record 32 undefeated run, said: ''Brazil is stronger than us now but we'll have to see in a year and a half's time,'' at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
In the FIFA standings, European champions Spain.
http://www.ansa.it/site/notizie/awnplus/english/news/2009-02-11_111333409.html
The Italians were outplayed at the Emirates stadium after they saw a goal by Fabio Grosso disallowed, going down to goals by Elano and Robinho.
Coach Marcello Lippi, who failed to set a world record 32 undefeated run, said: ''Brazil is stronger than us now but we'll have to see in a year and a half's time,'' at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
In the FIFA standings, European champions Spain.
http://www.ansa.it/site/notizie/awnplus/english/news/2009-02-11_111333409.html
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Brazil ranks second in FIFA ranking
The world rankings of men's national soccer teams were released by FIFA on Wednesday.
According to the new rankings, Argentina ranks first with 1,556 points, followed by its arch rival Brazil with 1,514.
Brazil's next match will played in London against Sweden on March 26.
Winner of the 2006 World Cup, Italy, remains in third place and Spain, Germany, the Czech Republic and France follow in order.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-03/13/content_7778620.htm
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
FIFA believes it can win the fight to keep soccer clean of match-fixing
With billions of dollars in illegal bets exchanged every year and allegations of match-fixing rife, the world's most popular sport is waging a battle to protect its integrity.
Working from a nondescript sidestreet in this European banking centre, Early Warning System GmbH has the task of trying to keep Asian crime syndicates and other gambling mafias around the world from fixing matches.
"More than 100 billion euros a year are bet," said Wolfgang Feldner, head of strategy for EWS. "We are responsible for matches in all different regions ... you never know where the next manipulation will take place."
In the past few months, reports have surfaced of wads of cash dangled before African players, police raids on illegal Asian betting dens and heavy, and late bets on obscure teams in low-level European leagues.
FIFA decided it had to act to protect the game from corruption after being shaken by recent match-fixing scandals in Germany, Italy and Brazil.
"That was the catalyst," FIFA spokesman Andreas Herren said. "We realized we had to be as sophisticated as the other side."
EWS, which was founded last year and hired by FIFA to look into match-fixing, has signed up more than 200 bookies and betting companies worldwide and is seeking more daily to serve as its eyes and ears, but also uses reports from journalists, police, soccer officials and players to assemble a detailed portrait of match-fixing forces.
At the 2006 World Cup - the source of more than 90 per cent of FIFA's revenue - the organization instituted a test program to make sure all 64 games in Germany were free of betting irregularities.
EWS is monitoring more than 900 qualifying matches for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, and will check the final tournament's 64 matches as well. FIFA says all 90 qualifiers played since August 2007 have been clean - but that doesn't mean the match-fixers haven't tried.
And since Asian World Cup qualifying began, the matter has taken on even more urgency. Gambling is a continental obsession and Asian soccer leagues have been battling match-fixing for years.
Last month, Interpol announced the results of a huge crackdown on illegal soccer gambling across Asia. Interpol Secretary-General Ronald Noble told a crime conference in Singapore that 430 people were arrested and 272 underground gambling dens handling US$650 million in illegal bets were shut down. More raids are being planned.
"The grey market in Asia - this is a big problem," Feldner said.
In contrast, Las Vegas bookies handled $92 million in bets for this year's Super Bowl.
Noble said illegal soccer gambling profits support a wide range of crime syndicate activities, from drug-smuggling to human-trafficking, prostitution and extortion.
Organizers at the French Open have decided to try to fight possible match-fixing by suing online gambling sites from offering bets on the clay-court Grand Slam. Yet with hundreds of professional soccer games played around the world every week, it's not a tactic FIFA or its soccer federations feel will yield any success.
"It's impossible to ban betting," said Feldner, who spent years working for the German betting company Oddset before coming to EWS.
Team sports are simply harder to fix, others say.
"The good thing about team sports is there are 22 players, four officials, two coaching staffs, substitutes - that's a high number of people you have to get at to fix a game," Herren said. "Plus, the more people you try to bribe, the more chances you have of being exposed."
But the more people you bribe, the more chances you have of the outcome you want.
"One person is not enough - you need to bribe three or four at least," UEFA spokesman William Gaillard said. "The games we have doubts about are never the big games - those are too expensive to fix. What are you going to offer a player who makes four million euros a year? It's always lower division games, maybe where two clubs have already qualified, a game that's not televised."
He should know.
UEFA recently told the European crime-fighting agency Europol it saw "unusual betting patterns" in 26 member games from 2005-07, 15 of them last year. Noble said crime lords may have made $5 million alone on one game in July 2007.
If UEFA gets a report about odd betting patterns, it shares that information with the clubs and the referees before the match and sends an observer to the game, Gaillard said. FIFA has never cancelled or postponed a match due to suspicions of match-fixing but would not hesitate in doing so, Herren said.
In this fight, it's all about the patterns.
Late bets, heavy bets, late and heavy underdog bets; high or low scoring; surprising draws; wide swings in the quality of play; odd or inexplicable referee calls - all of these can trigger monitors to take a closer look at a match.
Detlev Zenglein, in charge of competition analysis for EWS, said every case is different but patterns of manipulation are similar.
"Clearly, it's easier to lose a game than to win. From that, goalies and defenders are the more obvious targets to bribe," he said. "It also makes no sense to bet a lot of money on the favourite."
Most bets are made within four hours of a match, creating a crucial crunch time for EWS. But even volatile swings in betting do not automatically mean a game is being fixed.
"It's not always a manipulation: It can be a mistake by the bookmaker, or it can be a sporting issue. Maybe the team's top two strikers are injured and the bookmaker has not updated his odds," Zenglein said, noting that there are "lots of professional punters" on the world market, all looking for an edge.
Yet even as old-school bribery still goes on, new match-fixing tactics are evolving.
"The big market now is live betting - who scores the next goal, who gets the next yellow card. You can bet until the very end of the match," Zenglein said. "Things like goal differential is not that important on the market, but if you have a way to manipulate the match, then it's a way to earn a lot of money even if you bet on the favourite."
FIFA president Sepp Blatter has often pointed to referees as a possible weak link in the fight against match-fixing because they are the lowest-paid people on the field. Accordingly, FIFA will spend $40 million to professionalize the ranks of referees before the 2010 World Cup.
Herren said FIFA has an extensive monitoring system that evaluates referees' performances and removes those prone to error but notes that "not even the best ref is protected from making a blunder."
At the 2006 World Cup, security guards were posted outside the referees' hotel, no direct outside calls to their rooms were allowed, and FIFA doubled their tournament pay to $40,000. Herren expects refs to earn even more at the next World Cup.
Proving match-fixing, however, can be tough.
"It's easier to find abnormal betting patterns than to find abnormal players," Gaillard said. "When you don't have a smoking gun or a confession, these things are hard to prove."
http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5h2WB9VN1XpRLcrZ1mQbGbhslvBjw
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