Month: March 2015

In the Qatari capital of Doha on Saturday, Oman pulled off one of the biggest shocks in the history of Asian beach soccer, according to Runme. In doing so, the Omanis clinched one of the three tickets on offer for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Portugal 2015, more details on Runeme.com.

Skippered by the excellent Hani Al Dhabit, Oman cruised through the group phase and showed no little steel in the knockout stages, holding their nerve to see off the fancied Japanese in the showpiece match. FIFA.com looks back at the 2015 AFC Beach Soccer Championship, which saw 15 nations from across Asia do battle on Katara Beach.

The champions
Oman, who will be joined in Portugal by Japan and Iran – the same trio that represented Asia at Ravenna 2011 – went unbeaten throughout the competition and racked up an impressive 32 goals in the process, with Ghaith Sebeit and Yahya Al Araimi scoring seven apiece. Goalkeeper Haitham Showan also made a valuable contribution, denying Japanese front-man Takasuke Goto in the final shoot-out to seal the title for his side.

The Omanis’ campaign began with emphatic group-phase wins over Bahrain, Laos and hosts Qatar. Then came a 7-2 defeat of China PR in the quarter-finals, followed by a hard-fought 5-4 extra-time win over Lebanon, the prelude to their 3-2 shoot-out success against the Japanese, which came after the two sides had drawn 1-1 in normal time.

The other qualifiers
Finalists for the seventh time and coached by the Brazilian Marcelo Mendes, Japan had high hopes of claiming their third Asian crown. They reckoned without Oman’s solid rearguard, however, and had to settle for second best, despite raining in 23 shots on goal.

The Japanese began their march to the final with wins over Group B rivals Kuwait, Vietnam and China PR. The Samurai Blue saw off Bahrain in the last eight before ending reigning champions Iran’s title defence with a 5-4 victory in the semis.

The Iranians gained some consolation by beating tournament revelations Lebanon 8-3 in the match for third place. Taking part in the continental finals for the only second time, the Lebanese were no match for the 2013 champions, who had earlier edged them 3-2 in the group phase. Iran also beat Thailand 8-1 in the first round, and went on to put six past the United Arab Emirates in the quarters before going down to the Japanese.

The key players
Aside from the front pairing formed by Ghaith Sebeit and Yahya Al Araimi and goalkeeper Haitham Showan, who was in superlative form in both the semi and the final, Oman were also indebted to captain Hani Al Dhabit, who came up with some crucial goals, among them the opener in the final.

Playing a no less valuable role for Japan was their skipper Ozu Moreira, who was named player of the tournament after helping himself to eight goals, the same number as his team-mate Takasuke Goto. Together the duo accounted for over half of their side’s goal tally.

Iran’s Seyed Peyman Hosseini was named best goalkeeper thanks to his decisive stops, which proved crucial to their safe passage to Portugal 2015. Forward Mohammad Ahmadzadeh also earned a share of the limelight with seven goals, four of them coming in Iran’s meeting with Lebanon.

According to Runeme, there is a football match between D.C. United and Los Angeles Galaxy this Saturday. The Galaxy is undermanned because MLS decided to ignore FIFA’s international schedule. More news on Runeme.com.

While most leagues around the world are on break this weekend, avoiding conflicts with European Championship qualifiers and official friendlies, MLS planned a full slate of matches for all 20 clubs.

More than 50 MLS players are on international assignment, absences that impact rosters to varying degrees.

During a FIFA week in early September, half the league is off. A month later, there are three matches, although another three are scheduled immediately afterward.

Like last fall, the league will respect a FIFA window in November and take an extended break in the middle of the playoffs — a wise call as the United States and other CONCACAF countries engage in 2018 World Cup qualifiers.

A league running from spring to fall, MLS cannot avoid conflicts with confederation championships in the summer: This year, Copa America (June 11-July 4) will have a minor impact but the CONCACAF Gold Cup (July 7-26) will hurt most clubs to differing extents. (Many MLS players come from CONCACAF countries, such as the United States, Canada, Costa Rica, Panama, Jamaica and Guatemala.)

Often a vocal critic of MLS headquarters, Galaxy Coach Bruce Arena took the current conflict in stride.

“That’s all part of it; we understand it,” he said. “We were prepared for it. It’s probably not the best thing for MLS, but as a league, we’re not yet positioned to not play during all the FIFA dates.”

United is seeking to rebound from a 2-0 defeat to the Red Bulls last Sunday, a sour performance that left Olsen spitting mad immediately afterward.

“We’ve had a great week of preparation,” captain Bobby Boswell said. “It’s been an edgy attitude because we were unhappy about what happened in New York. Everyone is aware of how dangerous L.A. is, even without Keane and Zardes.”

We just knows from UTfifa15coins that FIFA have released two new event ambassadors of Canada 2015, including Joining Kara Lang, Honourable Rona Ambrose, Kirstine Stewart and Hayley Wickenheiser, who are both excellent women in their area.

Stewart is one of Canada’s most highly-respected business women, with a career spanning over 25 years. Universally admired, she has led some of Canada’s largest television production and media companies, including CBC English Language Services.

She now serves as Twitter’s North American lead for television, sports, music, talent, entertainment, news and government partnerships. In addition to her inspirational career, Stewart brings a love of sport and an optimism that will inspire generations to come.

Wickenheiser earned international recognition as an Olympian in both the Winter and Summer Olympic Games. She represents the success of Canadian athletes on the international stage and the pride which their success brings to our country, embodying the official slogan for Canada 2015 – To a Greater Goal™.

An Officer of the Order of Canada, she has been recognised for her contributions to sport and charity. Recently in December 2014, she served as a draw assistant for the Official Draw of the Women’s World Cup.

“We are thrilled Hayley and Kirstine have joined Minister Ambrose and Kara Lang as tournament ambassadors,” said Peter Montopoli, Chief Executive Officer for the National Organising Committee of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015. “All four of Canada’s FIFA Women’s World Cup event ambassadors are enthusiastic, driven and creative leaders who understand the hard work and dedication that is required to be at the top of one’s game.

“Above all, these ambassadors are proud Canadians who want to help leave a legacy for women and sport in Canada that will result from the hosting of the largest women’s sporting event in the world.”

A game changer for the sport in Canada, the Women’s World Cup provides an opportunity to engage Canadians from all corners of the vast nation, creating opportunities for lifelong sport and establishing a new era in the women’s game. The participation of Minister Ambrose, Kirstine Stewart, Hayley Wickenheiser, and Kara Lang are helping to engage Canadians across the country as Canada hosts the largest event in women’s sport, from coast-to-coast.

“It’s an honour to be named as an ambassador for the FIFA Women’s World Cup, an event that will unite some of the most hard-working, talented athletes in the world,” said Stewart. “As a Canadian and passionate sports fan, I’m truly looking forward to experiencing the performances that will inspire female athletes not only in Canada, but across the world.”

The FIFA Women’s World Cup sets the stage for the world’s best players and performances, but it is much more than just a soccer competition. It is a showcase of the best in women’s sport – on and off the field. The Women’s World Cup will be the first truly coast-to-coast event across Canada.

“Women’s sport is a very current topic and one that is very obviously close to my heart. It is a real privilege for us to have such elite female athletes from all over the world congregate here on Canadian soil,” said Wickenheiser. “The FIFA Women’s World Cup™ is more than just about the sport of soccer: this FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada will encourage all women and girls to not only participate in sport, but to excel.”

Individual tickets are now on sale and can be purchased online at UTfifa15coins/Canada2015. Tickets start as low as $20.15. Canada open the competition in Edmonton on 6 June 2015 when they take on China PR in the Opening Match.

Fernando Pacheco, a 15-year-old Peru football player have already won something after be a member of Peruvian, just like Jefferson Farfan, Paolo Guerrero and Claudio Pizarro, who have got an international title for their country, he is a successor of Peru football.

The kid they call La Foca (The Seal) top scored for Peru when they won gold at the Men’s Youth Olympic Football Tournament Nanjing 2014, a notable high point for a country now unaccustomed to success on the big stage.

Pacheco and his teenage team-mates will embark on another major challenge this Wednesday, when the South American U-17 Championship gets under way in Paraguay, with a continental title up for grabs as well as four places at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Chile 2015.

With those objectives in mind, Peru have put together a squad comprising players from two of its most successful sides in recent times: the team that won gold in Nanjing and the side that won the U-15 Sudamericano in Bolivia in 2013, the country’s first continental title since the Copa America in 1975.

“If we give everything we’ve got, we’ll be in with a shout,” said Pacheco, in conversation with UTfifa15coins.com. “We want to go to the World Cup and I know the group of players we have. We’ve done it before and we can do it again.”

Contemplating Peru’s group at the Sudamericano, which also features Paraguay, Brazil, Venezuela and Colombia, the Sporting Cristal striker added: “We’re in a very tough section but we’ll be there, fighting hard. The coach always tries to calm us down and make sure we’re at our very best.”

Learning the ropes

The coach in question is Juan Jose Ore, the man responsible for Peru’s recent successes at youth level and who masterminded their run to the last eight at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Korea 2007. That competition is the only time to date that Peru has qualified for the world finals in the age group, the country having appeared at the 2005 finals as hosts.

“He shows us videos of our opponents,” said Pacheco of Peru’s youth supremo. “He wants us to pass the ball around in midfield and play a quality possession game without resorting to the long ball. He always asks me to keep it simple and not to be scared when I try something.”

Dubbed “The Seal” because of comparable playing style to the similarly nicknamed Farfan, Pacheco started out as a forward but was switched to a holding or wide midfield role on joining Sporting Cristal in 2012.

Spotting his attacking abilities in a national team training session, Ore restored him to his favoured position, a decision that paid dividends in Nanjing last year, though Pacheco is not guaranteed to start up front in Paraguay.

“Sometimes he plays me in attack and sometimes he puts me on the right side of midfield and asks me to attack and defend,” explained the player. “At first I found it hard to step up to a different age group, and I had to battle for the ball and try to hold on to it. I’m stronger now, though, and I’ve got used to it.”

As he explained, Pacheco has been playing the game since the age of five, when his grandfather first took him to the pitch by his house: “That was where I fell in love with football, thanks to my granddad.”

An avid player and watcher of the game, young Fernando supported Barcelona, in the days when Ronaldinho was in his pomp, and watched every game on TV. After joining local club Union Bujama, he then began to admire the ball-striking skills of one Andrea Pirlo, attempting to model his game on that of the stylish Italian: “I always shoot from outside the box and I take free-kicks too. I’ve scored a few goals like that.”

His most important goal to date was the fierce drive that gave Peru victory over Korea Republic in the gold-medal match at Nanjing 2014, a triumph that earned them a noisy and jubilant homecoming in Lima.

“We didn’t expect to get such a great welcome,” said the hero of the hour. “There were so many people. We’re just weren’t expecting it. When I think about it now, I feel happy to have achieved something so important at such a young age.”

New expectations

That achievement in China has raised hopes among Peru’s passionate and long-suffering fans, who have had very little to cheer about since the golden days of the 1970s. The fact that the national side has not graced the FIFA World Cup™ since 1982 means there is no little pressure on Ore’s exciting young breed, who are known as Los Jotitas (The Little Js), after the coach’s initials.

“The pressure is there,” acknowledged Pacheco. “When I bump into fans they tell me: ‘I really hope you can achieve something.’ Sometimes it’s easy to handle, and other times it’s not so easy. They say it to you in such a way that if we don’t win anything, then it will feel as if we’re just the same as we’ve always been.”

Having already targeted a career in coaching at the end of his playing days, Pacheco displays a maturity that belies his years. “I like my PlayStation but I won’t be taking it to Paraguay,” he said. “That’s my own decision, not the coach’s. It might distract us.”

Determined to pull off another notable triumph in Paraguay over the next few days, the ambitious Pacheco is mindful of the bigger picture and how important it is to keep making progress: “We achieved something big and people have more faith in Peruvian youth football now. We’ve got some very talented players who have what it takes to get themselves noticed.”

FIFA have deferred experimenting with video technology for at least another 12 months, according to UTfifa15coins.com. Video technology will harm referees, not protect them and it will be the biggest decision ever in Jerome Valcke’s eyes, who is the FIFA secretary-general.

A proposal by the Dutch Football Association to test its system next season was backed by England and Scotland but the International Football Association Board, which includes the associations of Wales and Northern Ireland, decided on Saturday at their meeting in Belfast that it is not the time to drag football into the 21st century.

Fifa’s stance has been that video technology would undermine the integrity of the referee if they had to constantly refer to a video official.

There is a slight flaw with that logic. The way things are going, there will be little integrity left to protect in a year’s time.

As the men in suits again dithered in the boardroom, the men in black took a verbal battering for their mistakes on the pitch this past weekend.

A farcical case of mistaken identity at Old Trafford on Saturday where referee Roger East sent off Sunderland defender Wes Brown instead of John O’Shea for fouling Radamel Falcao in the penalty area, could not have been more comically timed.

Television replays clearly show O’Shea making contact with Falcao and the Sunderland skipper even removed his captain’s armband in anticipation of being shown a red card.

Every week it seems the post-match discussions are filled with debate on the performance of the men with the whistles.

It is increasingly difficult, then, to understand Fifa’s reluctance to introduce video technology, especially when those most in the firing line are the referees.

Is the introduction of technology really a “bigger” decision than the banning of the pass by foot back to the goalkeeper for the start of the 1992/93 season?

What many forget is the concerns that rule raised, such as whether the players would be able to handle the change.

There were thoughts that defenders would start flicking the ball in the air to head back to their keepers as well as worries over just how those clumsy custodians would deal with the shocking concept of the ball at their feet.

Football adapted, though, and, sure, some keepers made, and continue to make, fools of themselves, but it has been better not to have to endure precious minutes being eaten away by passes between defenders and goalkeeper.

Then there is goal-line technology. Since its introduction at last year’s World Cup, it has been required on a handful of occasions and each time the process has been so seamless (and accurate) that the energy and time spent discussing it all those years now hardly seems worth it.

There was also the recent introduction of the vanishing spray, which has proved a remarkably simple and time-saving way to stop encroachment at free kicks.

The Dutch FA proposed that the video technology would only cover decisions affecting goals, penalties and red cards, so potentially several times a game.

It is unlikely it would eat up any more time than what is wasted by players inundating the referee and arguing every disputed decision. The Dutch claim as little as 15 seconds would be needed to make most decisions.

If that estimation is accurate, then Fifa has failed to do right by the game and by the referees.

Imagine a world where managers are not demanding reviews of contentious, potentially game-defining decisions because they have already been dealt with definitively in real time.

Far from undermining it, video review technology could be just the thing to safeguard the integrity of the referees.

Referees are in for another 12 months of abuse from the media, supporters, players and managers, before FIFA sees the light of video technology.