Asia World Cup qualifying: What’s next?
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Showing posts with label World Cup news. Show all posts
Showing posts with label World Cup news. Show all posts
Tuesday, 21 December 2010
ENZO BEARZOT DIES
Enzo Bearzot, the manager of the World Cup-winning Italian team of 1982, died today at the age of 83 in Milan.
Under Bearzot's guidance, Italy triumphed at Espana 82 after a dreadful start. They drew all three of their first round group games before going on to defeat Argentina, Brazil, Poland and West Germany to win the World Cup for a third time.
The manager's decision to keep faith with striker Paulo Rossi - who seemed completely out-of-sorts in the first three games - was widely criticized at the time by the Italian press, yet proved to be the turning point of the World Cup. Rossi ended up with the Golden Boot following a hat-trick against Brazil, a brace against Poland, and the opening goal against the Germans in the Final.
Bearzot became the coach of the national side in 1977 and steered Italy to a fourth-placed finish at the 1978 World Cup in Argentina.
His reign ended after the 1986 World Cup in Mexico when the defending champions bowed out disappointingly in the second round against France.
Bearzot's death today strangely falls on the same day as the passing of Vittorio Pozzo (December 21 1968), the man who managed the Italian national team to their first two World Cup triumphs in 1934 and 1938.
Thursday, 2 December 2010
JOY FOR RUSSIA AND QATAR IN WORLD CUP HOSTING VOTE
Russia and Qatar will host the 2018 and 2022 World Cup tournaments following the voting rounds today in Zurich, which left nine other bidders - England, Holland/Belgium, Spain/Portugal (2018) and Australia, Japan, South Korea and the USA (2022) - desolate at missing out.
By voting two new hosts for its showpiece event FIFA appear to be continuing with a policy of seeking to expand the frontiers of the global game.
It was not a surprise to see Russia land the 2018 tournament as they have been the favourites throughout the majority of the bidding campaign, but Qatar beating the USA in the final round of voting for 2026 is a result that few were expecting.
England endured a dismal World Cup in South Africa earlier this year, and their elimination in the first round of voting today rounds off a year to forget for the Three Lions. They secured only two of the 22 votes today; a real kick in the teeth made all the more bitter when remembered in conjunction with their missing out on hosting the World Cup in 2006 as well. They now know that the next opportunity will not present itself until 2030.
The 2022 tournament will be the first 'Middle Eastern' World Cup, and the immediate on-the-pitch factor that stands out will be the searing heat.
By voting two new hosts for its showpiece event FIFA appear to be continuing with a policy of seeking to expand the frontiers of the global game.
It was not a surprise to see Russia land the 2018 tournament as they have been the favourites throughout the majority of the bidding campaign, but Qatar beating the USA in the final round of voting for 2026 is a result that few were expecting.
England endured a dismal World Cup in South Africa earlier this year, and their elimination in the first round of voting today rounds off a year to forget for the Three Lions. They secured only two of the 22 votes today; a real kick in the teeth made all the more bitter when remembered in conjunction with their missing out on hosting the World Cup in 2006 as well. They now know that the next opportunity will not present itself until 2030.
The 2022 tournament will be the first 'Middle Eastern' World Cup, and the immediate on-the-pitch factor that stands out will be the searing heat.
Wednesday, 1 December 2010
FIFA SET FOR BIG VOTE
This time tomorrow the hosts for the two World Cups following Brazil 2014 will also be known.
In a break with tradition, FIFA are set to name the hosts for the following two tournaments - 2018 and 2022 - on one day.
That day is tomorrow. In Zurich, Switzerland, where the governing body of World Football has its plush headquarters, at around 3pm; that's when and where the results of the vote will be announced.
For 2018, a joint bid by Holland and Belgium - neither of whom has hosted a World Cup before - is considered to be the rank outsider bid. England, Russia and another joint bid (Spain/Portugal) are competing to land the prestigious task of hosting what will be Europe's first World Cup for 12 years.
Because of FIFA's continental rotation policy for hosting, the 2022 tournament must be held outside Europe, and there are five hopeful candidates. They are Australia, Qatar, South Korea, USA and Japan. It wouldn't surprise me if we saw a maiden host voted for this one.
My guess is that England or Russia will win the race for the 2018 World Cup. It's really hard to call is between these two, I think England would be the right choice at this time, but I do sense there is some antagonism towards the English bid from within FIFA, so I wouldn't be at all surprised if Russia were given the tournament. I'm expecting either Australia or Qatar to get the nod for 2022. The USA are undoubtedly in with a shout as well.
In a break with tradition, FIFA are set to name the hosts for the following two tournaments - 2018 and 2022 - on one day.
That day is tomorrow. In Zurich, Switzerland, where the governing body of World Football has its plush headquarters, at around 3pm; that's when and where the results of the vote will be announced.
For 2018, a joint bid by Holland and Belgium - neither of whom has hosted a World Cup before - is considered to be the rank outsider bid. England, Russia and another joint bid (Spain/Portugal) are competing to land the prestigious task of hosting what will be Europe's first World Cup for 12 years.
Because of FIFA's continental rotation policy for hosting, the 2022 tournament must be held outside Europe, and there are five hopeful candidates. They are Australia, Qatar, South Korea, USA and Japan. It wouldn't surprise me if we saw a maiden host voted for this one.
My guess is that England or Russia will win the race for the 2018 World Cup. It's really hard to call is between these two, I think England would be the right choice at this time, but I do sense there is some antagonism towards the English bid from within FIFA, so I wouldn't be at all surprised if Russia were given the tournament. I'm expecting either Australia or Qatar to get the nod for 2022. The USA are undoubtedly in with a shout as well.
Sunday, 13 June 2010
FIRST PENALTY GIVES AFRICA FIRST WIN
A late penalty converted by Asamoah Gyan gave Ghana a narrow victory over Serbia in the opening match of Group D.
The penalty was correctly awarded for a handball by Serbian midfielder Zdravko Kuzmanovic and is the first of the 2010 World Cup. Ghana's victory is also the first victory for an African nation at this World Cup, the first to take place on African soil.
Ghana had showed more enterprise during the game and deserved to take the three points. Serbia finished the match with ten men following the dismissal of Aleksander Lukovic for a second bookable offence ten minutes before the penalty.
The penalty was correctly awarded for a handball by Serbian midfielder Zdravko Kuzmanovic and is the first of the 2010 World Cup. Ghana's victory is also the first victory for an African nation at this World Cup, the first to take place on African soil.
Ghana had showed more enterprise during the game and deserved to take the three points. Serbia finished the match with ten men following the dismissal of Aleksander Lukovic for a second bookable offence ten minutes before the penalty.
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