The FIFA Weekly Issue #37

ISSUE 37/2015, 18 SEPTEMBER 2015

ENGLISH EDITION

Fédération Internationale de Football Association – Since 1904

BORUSSIA MONCHENGLADBACH

THE EVERGREEN NIGERIA ENYIMBA ON COURSE FOR THE TITLE

TONI POLSTER TRIUMPH AFTER EMPTINESS

MONGOLIA FUTSAL BRINGS GREAT EXPECTATIONS W W W.FIFA.COM/ THEWEEKLY

THIS WEEK IN THE WORLD OF FOOTBALL

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Borussia Monchengladbach Even in times of crisis, Monchengladbach fans like to reminisce about the glory days of Netzer and Weisweiler – but what lies ahead?

Alan Schweingruber paid a visit to the club on the Lower Rhine currently competing in the Champions League.

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P ortugal Mexico’s Jesus Corona made a remarkable debut for Porto by scoring a brace against Arouca. Fans are now clamouring for a title after years of stagnation.

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Toni Polster The former striker reflects upon Austria’s decisive 1989 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against East Germany. “Despite my three goals, a great feeling of emptiness washed over me.”

North and Central America 35 members www.concacaf.com

South America 10 members www.conmebol.com

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Iceland The national team are celebrating success thanks to the Urvalsdeild’s crucial role in developing players.

(Pictured: Patrick Pedersen)

The Evergreen Our cover image was taken in Borussia Park’s Nordkurve (North Stand) on 11 September 2015. Monchengladbach lost 3-0 to Hamburg that evening.

The FIFA Weekly app FIFA’s magazine The FIFA Weekly is published in four languages every Friday and is also available free of charge on smartphone and tablet. http://www.fifa.com/mobile 2

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FIFA Club World Cup

FIFA U-17 World Cup

10 – 20 December 2015, Japan

17 October – 8 November 2015, Chile

FA of Iceland / ksi, Mark Leech / Offside

Mareike Foecking

THIS WEEK IN THE WORLD OF FOOTBALL

Europe 54 members www.uefa.com

Africa 54 members www.cafonline.com

Asia 46 members www.the-afc.com

Oceania 11 members www.oceaniafootball.com

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Mongolia The national football association have made a virtue of necessity in this cold country by focusing on futsal.

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Stephan Lichtsteiner “With the qualities we have at our disposal, winning the EURO is a possibility for us,” says the Swiss international in an interview.

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Laurence Griffiths / Getty Images, MFF

History On 10 September 1985, Scotland coach Jock Stein passed away moments after the final whistle of a crucial FIFA World Cup qualifier.

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Š 2015 adidas AG. adidas, the 3-Bars logo and the 3-Stripes mark are registered trademarks of the adidas Group.

# B E T H E D I F F E R E N C E

UNCOVERED

Past and present T

he number of clubs with a rich history is growing due to the simple reason that football as we know it is getting older. Sheffield Football Club was founded on 24 October 1857 and since then many more sides have formed – and continue to form – across the globe. The teams that existed at the start of this development are now shrouded in an aura of tradition.

Borussia Monchengladbach are one such a club, but not only because of their age. Founded in 1900, the Bundesliga outfit and current Champions League participants enjoyed one of their most successful eras in the 1970s, when players such as Jupp Heynckes, Berti Vogts, Gunter Netzer and Rainer Bonhof were influential figures. Back then the ‘Foals’ were on a par with Bayern Munich for many years.

What happened to that rivalry, and what became of Borussia? Our writer Alan Schweingruber paid a visit to Monchengladbach to find out. Å

Mario Wagner / 2Agenten

Perikles Monioudis

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BORUSSIA MONCHENGL ADBACH

Pfeil / imago

Borussia legends From left: Berti Vogts, Jupp Heynckes, Gunter Netzer, Rainer Bonhof and Christian Kulik, pictured in October 1971.

REMEMBERING THE SEVENTIES 6

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Borussia Monchengladbach once played on an equal footing with Bayern Munich.

The club revel in those Seventies glory days to this day, as Alan Schweingruber writes.

Photos by Mareike Foecking.

BORUSSIA MONCHENGL ADBACH

Borussia in crisis A desolate Tony Jantschke after the 3-0 defeat by Hamburg in September 2015.

I

t can only be a matter of minutes before Lucien Favre steps tentatively from behind the door and hastily greets one or two members of the assembled throng before taking his seat politely beside director of sport Max Eberl. Once there, he will glance around at the 30 or so journalists and photographers who have gathered here this morning and wait until the press officer signals the start of the conference.

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such details, Lucien Favre might take this idea one step further still, asserting that an entire system can fail to function if even a single element is out of place. After all, this is the approach the Swiss coach has taken with each of the six teams he has coached in his career to date, overseeing Echallens, Yverdon, Servette and Zurich in his homeland before taking the reins at Hertha Berlin and Borussia Monchengladbach in Germany. While his rise has been a remarkable one, the predictions made about his prospects along the way have occasionally become somewhat overblown. When starting out as a young coach in western Switzerland, Favre quickly attracted attention with his innovative training techniques. No player ever spent a minute standing around on the pitch without having a clear task to complete.

Everything was coordinated. As word spread around the country, football experts travelled west to see Favre’s renowned training methods for themselves, returning home with tales of a new Ottmar Hitzfeld in the making.

While Favre is not yet the next Hitzfeld, he is heading in the right direction after leading Borussia Monchengladbach to the Champions League in sensational style during his fourth season in charge. This achievement is made all the more impressive by the fact that the club were in danger of being relegated to Germany’s second tier as recently as the spring of 2011.

When asked about Favre’s potential, Borussia’s director of sport Max Eberl replies: “None of us are planning to let him go anywhere, but if you’re asking about his qualities as a coach, then yes, he has the potential to coach a worldclass club.” Indeed, Chelsea briefly showed an interest in the 57-year-old before re-enlisting the services of Jose Mourinho in 2013.

Support from above Borussia’s sole fan club, Marientreue 1900, get into position well before each match.

It soon becomes apparent that attending this event at Borussia Monchengladbach on an empty stomach would be a rookie mistake, and that it would be far preferable to get some exercise early in the day and eat a big breakfast before stopping by. As the smell of baked potatoes and roasted meat wafts through the room, those in attendance try to concentrate on devising important questions to ask Lucien Favre during his time on the podium. Are Borussia coming back down to Earth with a bang after their fantastic third-place finish last season?

Can the team snatch anything from a Champions League group in which they face Manchester City, Sevilla and Juventus? Should Gladbach continue to aim for the upper echelons of the table or lower their sights instead?

At that moment, Lucien Favre emerges from the fitness room immediately adjacent to 8

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Images from the past are displayed on every level of the arena as if to say: “Look, this is how it’s done!

This is how you win matches!” the media centre. Just as expected, he nods a greeting towards a few waiting members of the press corps as he makes his way to the podium, casts a quick glance around the room, sits down beside the press officer and adopts a thoughtful expression.

It is widely acknowledged that the smallest details can sometimes make the difference in a situation. As a perfectionist obsessed with

Chasing away the gloom Of course, such speculation is now a thing of the past, and Favre’s key topic of conversation with those gathered in the catacombs of Borussia Park this morning is upcoming opponents Hamburg. He gazes past the microphone into the distance in his usual quirky way as he reflects on HSV, revealing the extent of his meticulous preparations with each comment. One wonders whether a similar scene is unfolding in a Hamburg press room, and if so, whether it would have been more beneficial for local reporters to travel to Monchengladbach to glean vital information about their own team. It seems there is virtually nothing Favre does not know about his side’s next opponents. “He’s a real artist,” club chairman Rolf Konigs later remarks.

The Gladbach coach seems very relaxed this morning. Although he does not enjoy an informal meal of meat and potatoes with the journalists as Max Eberl does so well, he seems to enjoy the attention nonetheless. Favre feels at home here, just as Borussia are happy to be able to call upon the services of the man who rid the club of the dreary

BORUSSIA MONCHENGL ADBACH

Sven Simon, Werek / imago

Borussia old and new Coaches Hennes Weisweiler (top left, 1964-1975) and Lucien Favre (bottom left, 2011 – present). Borussia Park (top right) and the Bokelbergstadion in 1975 with Berti Vogts and Weisweiler (bottom right).

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BORUSSIA MONCHENGL ADBACH

CREATIVE IN CRISIS Monchengladbach’s predicament is reminiscent of Dortmund’s slump last season. When clubs are in crisis, not all ideas are helpful.

Spies at Bayern In t im e s o f c r i s i s , i t d o e s n o t t ake mu c h f o r t h e m o o d t o t ur n .

Mu c h o f i t d e p e n d s o n e x p e c t a t io n s . F o r B a y e r n Munic h, w innin g t w o g am e s in a r ow in l e s s t h an c o nv in c in g f a s hio n i s c au s e f o r c onc e r n, and a big c r isis a t t he c lub c an pr o du c e le ge ndar y t ale s .

W hil e We r d e r B r e m e n w e r e s a t i s f i e d w i t h f ini s hin g 10 t h l a s t s e a s o n , f o r B a y e r n t h a t w o ul d h a v e b e e n e n o u gh t o d i s c u s s d i s s o l v in g t h e c lub a t t h e n e x t g e n e r al m e e t in g . F o r t un a t e l y, t h e y

d i d n o t d o t h a t a f t e r a t ur b ul e n t s e a s o n in 1992. Tur b ul e n t in t h a t f ir s t Jup p H e y n c ke s w a s in e x p li c ab l y s a c ke d an d r e p l a c e d b y t h e i n e x p e r i e n c e d S o r e n L e r b y, w h o w a s l a t e r r e p l a c e d b y E r i c h R ib b e c k . Tur b ul e n t al s o b e c au s e t h e c lub ’s m an a g e m e n t c am e up w i t h s o m e e x t r a o r din ar y wa y s o f t r y in g t o g e t t h e t e am b a c k o n t r a c k , in c lu d in g e m p l oy in g a p r i v a t e d e t e c t i v e t o f in d o u t w hi c h p l a y e r s w e r e s p e n d in g t im e a t ni gh t c lub s (t h e r e w a s a c ur f e w f r o m 11 o’c l o c k) .

Coaches burning kits C lub s t hr e a t e n e d b y r e l e g a t i o n c an al s o r e s o r t t o im a g in a t i v e m e a sur e s dur in g di f f ic ul t p e r io d s . 2. Bun d e s lig a sid e F S V Fr ankfur t enjoyed a par ticularly creative training session in May w h e n c o a c h To m a s O r al p u t t h e p l a y e r s t hr o u gh a c ar w a s h in t h e h o p e t h a t i t w o ul d c l e ar t h e ir h e a d s . A n o t h e r g o o d e xam p l e i s Ru d i G u t e n d o r f i n 1968: t h e f i r s t t h i n g h e d i d a f t e r t a k i n g o f f i c e a t S c h alke 0 4 w a s b ur n t h e k i t s .

Alan Schweingruber

Bayern misery Troubled Bayern still managed a 3-0 victory over Monchengladbach in 1991. Pictured are Munich’s Manfred Schwabl (left) and goalkeeper Toni Schumacher, on the right is Martin Max of Monchengladbach.

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Eissner / Kicker / imago

S o m e t hin g p e c uliar h ap p e n e d w h e n B o r u s sia M o n c h e n gl a db a c h f ini s h e d t r a inin g t h e d a y a f t e r t h e ir 3 - 0 d e f e a t a g a in s t H a m b ur g . F i f t y B o r u s s i a f an s w e r e w a i t in g f o r au t o gr ap h s b e hin d a b ar r i e r a t t h e s t a d ium c o m p l e x . A l t h o u gh t h e f an s w e r e d e j e c t e d , t h e a t m o s p h e r e w a s p e a c e f ul un t il a b l a c k minib u s p ull e d up an d s i x r ow d y H am b ur g sup p o r t e r s s t um b l e d o u t o f t h e v e h i c l e , t h r o w i n g t h e i r b l u e s c a r v e s i n t o t h e a i r. I t w a s s u c h a r an d o m an d un c all e d - f o r a c t t h a t e v e n t h e p e r p e t r a t o r s t h e m s e l v e s l o o ke d p u z z l e d , a s i f t h e y d i d n o t k n ow w h a t t h e y w e r e d o in g t h e r e . A t t h a t p o in t a s e c ur i t y gu ar d t ur n e d up an d r e s t o r e d c alm a t t h e B o r u s s i a - Par k .

BORUSSIA MONCHENGL ADBACH

Eberl in the stadium Fans remain unfailingly loyal to the former defender.

atmosphere that lingered here throughout the Nineties and Noughties. The senior side seemed to live from hand to mouth for what seemed like an eternity during that period, with eleven coaches taking the helm in a 12-year period before Favre arrived. It is hardly surprising, then, that when club officials announced the appointment of this not entirely conventional coach in February 2011, a significant portion of the Monchengladbach faithful greeted the news with dismay.

After all, at that point Favre was an out-of-work boss from Switzerland who had been dismissed

by Hertha Berlin some 17 months earlier. While it would be harsh to blame those Gladbach fans for not seeing the merits in the appointment at the time, the events of the past few years may mean they now regret their initial reaction to the news.

The relationship between Favre and Borussia Monchengladbach over the past four years

Eberl in the office The club’s director of sport sits below an image of Klaus Fichtel and Jupp Heynckes.

“Expectations have risen quickly. I knew there was a chance we’d have a difficult start to the season.”

Director of sport Max Eberl

can be summarised as follows: a little of Favre has rubbed off on Gladbach, and a little of Gladbach has rubbed off on Favre. As director of sport Eberl puts it: “Like any relationship, it has taken time. We have become far better acquainted and learned more about each other. We still bicker every now and again, but that’s normal.

The most important thing is that we come to an agreement and think along the same lines.”

Powerful images in black and white It is not always easy to be a present-day Borussia fan. The heady days of the Seventies are still a popular topic of conversation in Monchengladbach, particularly when the team are on the kind of poor run of results they are currently experiencing. The Foals started the latest Bundesliga campaign with three straight defeats, with the fourth loss following just a day after the press conference as Hamburg won 3-0 to leave Gladbach at the bottom of the table. Four days later came another 3-0 reverse, this time to Sevilla in their opening Champions League group match. As ever, the walls of Borussia Park are swathed in powerful images of immortals such as Gunter Netzer, Jupp Heynckes and Berti Vogts. Tackles, goals and, above all, ­celebrations are brought to life in black-andT H E F I FA W E E K LY

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Talking tactics Hennes Weisweiler (left) and Bayern’s Rainer Ohlhauser during a coaching course in 1970. Below, Lucien Favre’s team at a training session in 2015.

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BORUSSIA MONCHENGL ADBACH

white on almost every level of the arena as if to say: “Look, this is how it’s done! This is how you win matches!” Coach Hennes Weisweiler also appears in many of these images, and the road leading to the stadium is even named after him. With Monchengladbach winning five league titles, two UEFA Cups and a DFB Cup in the Seventies, there is no shortage of photos to choose from.

“Where do I see us in the long term?

Somewhere between third and eighth.”

Defender Tony Jantschke

At times last season it felt as if the club had recaptured the spirit of those good old days. For Gladbach fans, the period between August 2014 and May 2015 was like a dream but, unlike those that come to an abrupt end just as things get exciting, Borussia’s seemed never-ending. The team picked up points wherever they went and were unassailable at home. The rise of these upstarts was even welcomed by league rivals keen for someone other than just Wolfsburg to provide Bayern Munich with a little competition.

Borussia reinvigorated the Bundesliga and did it with an ease that ultimately took them all the way to Europe’s most prestigious club competition. Now the freshly made flags around the stadium read: “On, on, on to the Champions League!” While the banners’ upbeat message is well intentioned, it also seems a little hypocritical given the team’s current league position, like someone who feels obliged to enter into the party spirit on New Year’s Eve despite feeling apprehensive about the year ahead. Which emotion do Gladbach fans feel more strongly: the excitement of a European adventure or the fear of relegation?

After all, Borussia’s namesakes in Dortmund proved last year that a top-two finish one season cannot necessarily prevent a period in the lower reaches of the table a few months later.

Halfway house Later the same morning, Tony Jantschke makes himself comfortable under a blackand-white image of Netzer. The right-back was discovered by Borussia scouts at a tournament nine years ago while still playing for FV Dresden Nord, but as he takes a seat in the club’s communications office, he exudes the air of an old hand who has been defending for this club on the Lower Rhine all his life. “While there’s no doubt that the Champions League is fantastic, we’ve got to adjust

Four matches, zero points Fans leave the stands shortly before the end of Gladbach’s 3-0 loss to Hamburg.

our expectations; things have shifted a little,” the 25-year-old says. When asked where he sees Gladbach in the long term, he replies: “Somewhere between third and eighth.”

Sporting director Max Eberl shares a similar view. Inspired by the Asterix and Obelix books he read as a child, he says: “I see Borussia as a small Gallic village that always has to stand up for itself against the big boys. We’ve done that so well in recent years that fans have raised their expectations. I knew there was a chance we’d have a difficult start to the season.”

It is not always easy to be a present-day Borussia fan. Having camped at the summit of the sport for several years in the 1970s, the club have since settled in a picturesque cabin halfway down the slopes where they feel very much at home. All that remains now is for results to pick up again. Å

Bundesliga standings after four matches 1.

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Team Borussia Dortmund FC Bayern München VfL Wolfsburg Eintracht Frankfurt Schalke 04 Werder Bremen Hertha BSC 1. FC Köln FC Ingolstadt 04 FSV Mainz 05 SV Darmstadt 98 Hamburger SV Bayer Leverkusen FC Augsburg TSG Hoffenheim Hannover 96 VfB Stuttgart Borussia Mönchengladbach

MP 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4

W 4 4 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 0 0 0 0 0

D 0 0 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 3 0 0 1 1 1 0 0

L 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 0 2 2 3 3 3 4 4

GF 15 12 6 12 6 6 5 8 2 6 4 7 3 2 3 4 5 2

GA 3 2 2 6 5 6 5 9 4 4 3 9 5 5 7 10 12 11

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P 12 12 8 7 7 7 7 7 7 6 6 6 6 1 1 1 0 0 13

TALK ING POIN T S

O N

T H E

Por tugal: Primeira Liga

Je s u s C o r o n a’s i m p r e s s i ve d e b u t Annette Braun is a staff writer on The FIFA Weekly.

Porto are almost unrecognisable from last season.

The majority of the squad left the club over the summer, including Colombian striker Jackson Martinez, who was the league's top scorer for three consecutive years and now plays for Atletico Madrid.

Francisco Leong / AFP

However, coach Julen Lopetegui views the wholesale departures in a positive light, as the interest big clubs showed in his players proves that the 2014/15 season was not as bad a campaign as some would think – despite ongoing criticism of the side’s failure to win the championship.

I N S I D E

Nevertheless, the only thing that matters in the Portuguese metropolis is lifting the Primeira Liga title, and they have not done so for two years.

That is not good enough at Porto, a fact not lost on their marquee summer signing, Iker Casillas. “We haven't won a trophy for two years and the fans only expect the best from the club,” said the goalkeeper, who joined after spending 25 years at Real Madrid.

Porto have started the new season well, collecting ten points from their first four games to sit at the league summit. In the last round of matches they beat Arouca 3-1 in a game in which Jesus Corona struck twice. The Mexican only joined the club at the end of the summer transfer window, and his brace crowned a successful debut appearance. Porto’s second Mexican recruit, Miguel Layun, likewise adapted to his new surroundings quickly and had an impressive first outing for the Blue-and-Whites.

Sporting Lisbon and Benfica are hot on Porto’s heels, however. On Matchday 4 Sporting defeated Rio Ave 2-1 and now also have ten points, while record champions Benfica are in third place with nine after hammering Belenenses 6-0. Kostas Mitroglou and Jonas each scored twice before Nicolas Gaitan and Talisca added gloss to the scoreline.

The first heavyweight showdown of the season will take place on Matchday 5 when Porto host Benfica: the champions from 2011-2013 against the 2014 and 2015 winners.

Could the match set an early course for the 2015/16 title race?

Portugal is gripped by “O Classico” fever regardless, with the northern Dragons from the traditionally blue-collar city of Porto determined to get the better of the southern Eagles from the glamorous capital. When­ ever these two arch-rivals meet, there is always far more than just three points at stake. Å

Celebration time Jesus Corona scored twice to fire Porto to a 3-1 win over Arouca.

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Unwavering support Enyimba fans have a reason to celebrate.

E ny i mb a o n c o u r s e fo r t h e t it l e Mark Gleeson is a Cape Townbased journalist and football commentator.

Only once before has a Nigerian club won four Premier League championships in a row.

Iwuanyanwu Nationale were, at the height of their prowess, a powerful force, not only in the country and region, but also in the pan-African club competitions. The Owerri-based club were champions from 1987 to 1990 but those halcyon days have long gone, the club having since changed its name to Heartland FC. After three successive titles in 2012, 2013 and last year, Kano Pillars had a chance this year to also go into the record books by matching Iwuanyanwu Nationale’s past dominance but as the current campaign heads towards its conclusion, it looks likely Iwuanyanwu’s feat will remain unique. With nine games left, previously all-conquering 16

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Pillars finds themselves 12 points adrift of the leadership and down in sixth place.

Instead it is Enyimba who are on course to mark a landmark of their own by extending their record number of league titles to seven. Sunday’s 2-0 derby win over struggling Dolphin from nearby Port Harcourt kept Enyimba well clear at the top of the standings as they remain on course for their first title since 2010.

The club from Aba, who have enjoyed healthy state support and boast a passionate fan base, have won six championships since their first in 2001 and are the only Nigerian club to win the continent’s top club prize, the CAF Champions League.

Their latest league win last weekend was executed with the efficiency that has marked their entire season and keeps them four points ahead of second-placed Warri Wolves, seven clear of third-placed Wikki Tourist and eight points ahead of fourthplaced Sunshine Stars. It is Enyimba’s title to lose.

The return of veteran Kadiri Ikhana, who in his first stint with the club took them to the Champions League title in 2003 and was

named Africa’s best coach, has characterised the return to winning ways. The former international, now in his mid-60s, has had a colourful career on the bench with a myriad of jobs over the last two decades across the Nigerian club spectrum but seems to have a Midas touch when it comes to Enyimba.

Pillars are still hoping to challenge but their season was blighted in mid-stream when the team was attacked by armed robbers, with national team striker Gambo Mohammed shot in the shoulder. They were travelling to a domestic match when their bus was held up in a roadside hijacking and were also stripped of valuable belongings. The shock of the incident has weighed heavily since and taken much of the spirit out of the squad. Å

Pius Utomi Ekpei / AFP

Nigeria: Professional Football League

I c e l a n d : U r v a l s d e i l d ( E l i t e L e a g u e)

T it l e i n s i g ht fo r Ha fna r f jordu r Perikles Monioudis is chief editor of The FIFA Weekly.

Icelandic football is at an all-time high after the national side recently secured a maiden qualification for a major tournament, UEFA EURO 2016 in France, with two games to spare. This is the sort of story often described as a fairytale, yet Iceland’s success has few elements of fantasy about it, coming rather as a result of the players’ hard work and performances in every training session and match.

The overwhelming majority of the Iceland team ply their trade abroad. Forwards Kolbeinn Sigthorsson (Nantes), Johann Gudmundsson (Charlton) and Alfred Finnbogason (Olympiacos), midfielders Birkir Bjarnason (Basel), Aron Gunnarsson (Cardiff City) and Gylfi Sigurdsson (Swansea City), and defensive stalwarts Ragnar Sigurdsson (Krasnodar), Kari Arnason (Malmo) and Ari Skulason (Odense) are all key figures for top sides in major European leagues.

The effect of this exodus is a transformation of the country’s domestic league into a production line aimed at helping talented players to take the next step, yet unable to hold onto its finest prospects. Nonetheless, that does not mean the Urvalsdeild has little to offer. Quite the contrary, in fact: in its 104th season, the league has delivered a

thrilling title race. Having garnered 45 points after 19 games, Hafnarfjordur are now within touching distance of winning the league for the first time since 2012, although second-placed Breidablik on 37 points and the country’s record champions, thirdplaced KR Reykjavik on 36 points have pushed them every step of the way.

With three games left, six-time champions Hafnarfjordur, who finished second in 2013 and 2014, are able to start dreaming of the UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds that come with the title, although their pursuers Breidablik and KR are not yet assured of UEFA Europa League qualification. Valur Reykjavik in fourth on 32 points and Fjolnir in fifth on 30 points are snapping at the latter pair’s heels. Valur are already sure of a place in the Europa League after victory in the domestic cup final crowned an impressive campaign for the side from the capital, whose 23-year-old Danish striker Patrick Pedersen is currently the league’s top scorer with 12 goals.

FA of Iceland / ksi

Pedersen netted his side’s first two goals in last weekend’s 3-2 win over Keflavik – the second a crucial penalty after the bottom side had taken a 2-1 lead. For their part, Fjolnir could only draw 1-1 at home to Stjarnan after Gudjon Baldvinsson scored a 77th-minute equaliser for the visitors. It was a first goal of the season for the veteran striker who won the league with KR in 2011 and returned to Stjarnan a month ago from Danish top-flight side Nordsjaelland. Despite lifting the first title in the club’s history in 2014, Stjarnan have found it tough going this season and sit mid-table. Their efforts in the UEFA Champions League also ended in disappointment after they suffered a 6-1 aggregate defeat to Scottish champions Celtic in the second qualifying round. Å

Goal getter Valur striker Patrick Pedersen (centre) has been proving his natural goalscoring instincts.

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THE INTERVIEW

“We’re at a very high level” Stephan Lichtsteiner is known not only for his dynamism on the pitch but also for his personality. The Switzerland and Juventus right-back discusses the national team’s new-found confidence and embracing the Italian way of life.

First of all, many congratulations on being named Swiss Footballer of the Year. Just how much does it mean to you to win this award?

Stephan Lichtsteiner: Well, it’s obviously an individual accolade. In a team sport like football, winning an award like this is not as big a deal as a title, which you win as a team.

Even so, the award is great recognition for my performances last year and in previous years. It’s always more difficult for a defender to win awards like these, which makes me even happier. It’s a great honour.

You’ve been playing in Italy for seven years now, enjoying plenty of success along the way. The Italian way of life seems to suit you perfectly.

Italy is one of the nicest countries in Europe and has everything you could wish for. You’ve got the ocean, the mountains, the lakes, great food and a fantastic lifestyle. I’m also a big fan of the mentality of the Italian people. They’re open and relaxed, perhaps more so in the south than in the north.

They’re also extremely passionate about football, which is more of a tactical game in Italy. The emphasis is placed on perfection and that doesn’t always result in the sort of spectacle we’re used to seeing in other leagues. But you can feel how much the Italians love their football. Everyone has an opinion which they’re eager to put across.

Another country that’s incredibly passionate about the game is Brazil, where Switzerland played great football during the 2014 World Cup. Would you say this ‘new’ Switzerland side has grown in confidence under the guidance of Ottmar Hitzfeld and Vladimir Petkovic?

Definitely! The Swiss national team has a lot to be proud of. Apart from EURO 2012, we’ve qualified for every major tournament since 2004. For a small country like Switzerland that shouldn’t be taken for granted.

We’re on the right track and have plenty of talented players in our squad. Hitzfeld got the ball rolling when he took over, assembling a very young squad. That group of 18

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players has largely remained intact and continued to develop. When you know each other so well it gives you confidence and self-belief. In the national team you only see each other two or three times a month, which makes it difficult to work on some of the most important aspects of the game. But if you’ve known each other for so many years, these things go a little more smoothly.

It makes everything a little easier.

Is it fair to say the team has developed a new identity?

We express our identity through the quality of our game. The youngsters play without fear and with plenty of enjoyment.

In terms of our technical ability we’re at a very high level, but as a team I feel we still have a lot to learn.

What has Vladimir Petkovic changed since he took over?

We’ve been working a little more on the tactical side of things than under Hitzfeld.

The team has improved in that area. He’s a very good coach who prepares us a little differently for games, but he’s also enjoyed plenty of success with us and I’m sure that’ll continue.

What do you think is in store for Swiss football in the coming years? Would you say there’s still room for improvement at major tournaments?

That’s difficult to predict. It always depends on who you’re playing against.

Personally, I don’t think we had a great tournament in Brazil. There were many games where we weren’t able to play our best football. We were excellent against Argentina, but apart from that I don’t think we played to our full potential. Our objective should always be to reach the last 16 at a major tournament, if not the quarter-finals.

It’s possible, but in order to do that we need a level of composure and a winning mentality that we have yet to fully develop. We need to improve and mustn’t settle for what we’ve managed to achieve so far.

If you compare the Swiss team with world champions Germany or European champions Spain, what would you say is missing from the Switzerland side?

Well, Germany and Spain are huge footballing nations with very big clubs. They have greater resources and even more quality in their ranks. They’re under pressure to win every game, which isn’t the case in Switzerland. We often go into games as underdogs, but we need to emerge from the shadows and set ourselves a new, even greater target. The EURO is a good chance to do just that. Smaller footballing countries like Denmark and Greece have already shown that lesser fancied teams are capable of winning the tournament. With the qualities we have at our disposal, it’s also a possibility for us.

Can you see yourself taking part at the 2018 World Cup in Russia?

I’m obviously just focusing on the EUROs at the moment. I’ll be 32, which is a ripe old age in football. Having said that, I’m in great form, I love training and feel I can continue playing at a high level. Psychologically I’m still highly motivated. My desire and enjoyment is as great as it ever was. Å Stephan Lichtsteiner was speaking to Trix Hammer

Name Stephan Lichtsteiner Date and place of birth 16 January 1984, Adligenswil, Switzerland Position Right-back Clubs played for 2001–2005 Grasshoppers 2005–2008 Lille 2008–2011 Lazio since 2011 Juventus Switzerland national team

Toto Marti / RDB / Blicksport

77 caps, 5 goals

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First Love Place: Iten, Kenya Date: 12 March 2015 Time: 2.13 p.m.

Photog rapher: Julien Goldstein

Presse Sports

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FOOTBALL FOR HOPE

Football for Hope is our global commitment to building a better future through football. To date, we have supported over 550 socially-responsible community projects that use football as a tool for social development, improving the lives and prospects of young people and their surrounding communities

To ďŹ nd out more, visit the Sustainability section on FIFA.com.

RU S SI A 2018

PRESIDENTIAL NOTE

1,000 day countdown in Moscow

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Getty Images

IFA World Cup™ winners Lothar Matthaus and Gianluca Zambrotta will be in Moscow on Friday 18 September together with Fernando Hierro and Alexey Smertin to attend the celebrations marking 1,000 days to the start of Russia 2018. The footballing stars will be among the guests of honour at an international tournament for youngsters under the age of 16. The event will kick-off in Red Square at 11.45am and will bring together representatives of the national teams from the last three countries to win the FIFA World Cup™; Italy, Germany and Spain, as well as Russia, the next Host Country.

Matthaus, Zambrotta, Hierro and Smertin will also be attending the ceremony to launch the Russia 2018 countdown clock, scheduled for 1.00pm on Manezhnaya Square. “Russia and its football fans deserve to host the World Cup,” said Matthaus. “I’m extremely ­excited about 2018 as I know and appreciate this country, its mentality and people. I’m sure that all efforts will be made to guarantee that supporters and visitors will be warmly welcomed in Russia.”

The retired stars will also be signing autographs and putting on masterclasses at the Football Park which will be opening its doors in Red Square on the day the 1,000 day countdown begins, an event which particularly excites Zambrotta. “I’m curious to see football played in such an unusual and amazing place as Red Square,” he smiled. “It’s a brilliant idea!”

The Football Park is set to provide fans with an unforgettable journey through the world of football. Visitors will be able to study the history of the World Cup, learn about Russia’s plans for 2018 and take part in football-themed interactive games. While the park is open, the 2018 FIFA World Cup Trophy will be on display to the public. Å tfw

1990 world champion German football legend Lothar Matthaus.

Help through football

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he images of refugees streaming into Europe are dumbfounding and deeply moving, especially when one considers their fates as individuals, rather than viewing it as a political issue. It is impossible to turn a blind eye.

Football can play a very important role in this situation. I do not mean the financial donations the football community has made over the past few weeks as much as the sense of hope our sport can restore, the solidarity it fosters and the joy it provides. Clubs and associations, among others, have demonstrated that by inviting immigrants to their games and even getting them to join in. My compliments!

For instance, this summer the football pitches at the Home of FIFA in Zurich were used by ‘FC International Zuri’, a local initiative to help integrate asylum seekers, in preparation for the Swiss Street Soccer Championship. In Valais the Sepp Blatter Foundation is supporting the ‘Forum Migration’, through which immigrants are given the opportunity to play football. The idea behind it is a simple one: together we can build a better future, but everyone must start with themselves.

Ultimately, these measures only fight the symptoms and are, geopolitically speaking, a drop in the ocean. For all the charity and emotional, urgent action being taken, problems are shifted by migration but not solved.

The most sustainable help takes hold where the causes lie – in the affected countries themselves – and in this regard FIFA is carrying out pioneering work. We have made 800,000 USD available to the Jordanian association in order to construct football pitches for Syrian refugees in camps. Above all, our Goal Programmes and diverse development projects all over the world ensure that football offers people support even in times of crisis and war. Every day we give approximately 600,000 USD back to the game in the form of social aid, both on and off the pitch. Programmes such as ‘Football for Hope’ and ‘Football for Health’ only really take effect where football stops and real life begins. In other words: football’s impact extends far beyond the boundaries of any playing field or stadium walls – provided we continue to live with solidarity, togetherness and respect away from the pitch too.

Best wishes, Sepp Blatter T H E F I FA W E E K LY

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FUTSAL

Focused Mongolia’s futsal national team (in red kits) are preparing to launch their qualifying bid for the Asian Championship.

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FUTSAL

Success through futsal For most of the year it is too cold to play football in ­Mongolia. That is why the country’s national association is pinning its hopes on futsal, with a first milestone set to be reached in November, writes Diego Zandrino.

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ne of football’s most formidable adversaries is of course the climate, and there can be few better examples than Mongolia. Landlocked between China and Russia in central-east Asia, its winters can last up to seven months and generate temperatures as low as -45 C°. In fact, Ulan Bator has a lower annual mean temperature than any other capital city in the world.

MFF

Strategic planning However, these climatic challenges have not discouraged the Football Federation of Mongolia (FFM), which has been working diligently since its re-establishment in 1997 to develop the game in its country. The project has at its core a long-term strategic plan, in which futsal has a key role for the simple reason that it can be played all year round.

Futsal in Mongolia was given a significant boost in 2011, when, with the assistance of FIFA’s Goal Projects 3 and 4, the country’s first futsal arena was inaugurated. Since then, and with the continued backing of FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), the FFM has held six futsal courses in Mongolia, laying the foundations for both the organisation of tournaments and the national team infrastructure.

Historic moment In that context, Mongolian futsal will celebrate a very significant milestone this November, when it hosts the Eastern Zone Qualifiers of the Asian Futsal Championship. At the tournament, China PR, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong and Korea Republic will vie with the hosts for two berths at the final phase of the continental championship, which in turn will decide the AFC’s five representatives at the FIFA Futsal World Cup Colombia 2016.

“Developing football and futsal in a measured way is one of the priorities of our strategic plan for 2012-2022,” said Mongoljingoo Sodgerel, a member of the FFM’s Department of Development and International Relations. “With this goal in mind, it would be immensely beneficial if we could compete at a Futsal World Cup. And while we envisage a good performance in the qualifiers for 2016, we expect to see the results for the 2020 edition. We have a generation of talented youngsters, and we’re doing everything in our power to ensure they continue developing.”

Hosting a qualifying tournament for the Asian Futsal Championship will leave behind a legacy.

Sustained development The national team was still in its infancy in 2011 when Mongolia first participated in the preliminary round of qualifiers for a Futsal World Cup. On that occasion they lost their two games against Korea Republic (5-1) and Hong Kong (3-0), finishing bottom of their group on the road to Thailand 2012. The decision not to take part in the qualifiers for the 2014 Asian Championship was not so much a step backwards as a means of allocating resources with a view to the future.

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FUTSAL

Sunny outlook for Colombian futsal arenas The mood was good in the four proposed host venues for the FIFA Futsal World Cup Colombia 2016™ after they received a positive interim report from a FIFA delegation.

Ibague keen to keep promises The visit began in the city of Ibague, where a new mini stadium is being built for the event, with Yarza commenting: “I would like to thank the ­m ayor for all the efforts being made, but work needs to be carried out at a faster rate to ensure that the city can host the event. I am sure that Ibague will do everything it can to step up construction work and have

everything ready in time for the deadline on 1 June. It is very important for FIFA to have Ibague – and not just the country’s major cities – as a venue for the Futsal World Cup.” Making a pledge to FIFA, the city’s mayor, Luis Rodriguez, said: “Despite only having a short period of time in which to complete the arena, we are not going to pass up this opportunity to host an event of this importance. We have already secured the resources we need to fulfil our commitment and we will do so by conducting a very professional job on behalf of the people of Ibague and Colombia.” The delegation then moved on to Bucaramanga, where it received a warm welcome from a group of young players from Deportivo Real Bucaramanga, the reigning national futsal league champions. “A city that is home to a team that has won the league champion­s hip twice deser ves to host this World Cup,” said Yarza, raising a smile on the faces of those present.

Following a visit to El Coliseo del Bicentenario, the FIFA Event Manager voiced his praise for the work being undertaken: “We have made a few changes in operational areas, the kind of modifications that need to be made for a tournament of this importance. We are very pleased, nevertheless, and we congratulate Coldeportes (the Colombian Ministry of Sport) and the mayor’s office for taking steps to ensure that the process for upgrading El Coliseo is under way.”

A positive overall verdict Yarza was also impressed by what he saw in Medellin and Cali, stating: “We saw that there is a lot of interest in the cities, that the people are doing a professional job and that the facilities are of a high quality. Obviously, some modifications need to be made and work carried out at the stadiums in terms of timber work, lighting, dressing rooms and in the T V and media areas. Let’s not forget that the image and name of the Colombian host cities will be promoted in more than 200 countries for a whole month during the competition.”

Asked about the situation with regard to El Pueblo ­A rena, LOC Chairman Cobo revealed his understanding of the main points of the inspection visit. “It’s understandable that expectations and requirements should be higher there than at the other arenas. After all, it is the venue for the final of the World Cup, it will be the home of the national team and there will be two groups based there, which means there will be eight teams playing there in all.” Yarza offered a message of optimism as he bade farewell to ­C olombia: “We sensed it before we came, but thanks to this visit we are even more secure in our minds that Colombia is perfectly well equipped to stage the Futsal World Cup and has the right structures in place for the participating teams and for the fans.” Å Diego Zandrino

Satisfied Jaime Yarza believes Colombia’s host venues are on the right track.

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Dean Mouhtaropoulos / FIFA via Getty Images

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n August a FIFA delegation conducted a four-day inspection visit of Ibague, Bucaramanga, Medellin and Cali, the four cities that are expected to host the FIFA Futsal World Cup Colombia 2016. “Generally speaking, the inspection was very satisfactory and productive,”said FIFA Event ­M anager Jaime Yarza, adding: “We were able to take a detailed look at the plans, both on the table and in visits to the arenas. As a result of this, we are confident that the host cities are committed and are making the modifications needed for an event of this scale, especially in Bucaramanga, ­M edellin and Cali.” The delegation also included a working group from the Local Organising Committee. Headed by LOC Chairman Rodrigo Cobo, the group closely followed every instruction given by FIFA, and the general feeling ahead of the key meeting of FIFA’s Futsal Committee on 23 September – the agenda for which includes the naming of the host cities – is positive.

FUTSAL

Centrepiece The futsal arena in Ulan Bator was constructed with the help of the Goal programme.

MFF

One aspect of that plan was a series of courses and seminars aimed at training referees and coaches. With these in place, it was then possible to organise futsal tournaments at school level for all age categories, including girls. At the same time, the FFM began staging its two official annual competitions, the Futsal Cup, featuring eight professional clubs, and the City Cup, for which 12 amateur teams compete.

In this way, the federation began to see an increase in the number of players practicing the sport outside of winter.

Rising to the challenges At national level, the FFM have continued the process began in 2011, culminating in Erdede Ochi, the then assistant coach, being promoted

to head coach. Looking ahead to the November qualifiers, Ochi was frank and realistic: “The overall standard in the region is very high, and it’d be great if we got to compete with such powerful teams as Japan, Iran, Thailand, Kuwait and Uzbekistan. In my opinion, Japan are even contenders for the world title. However, we know it’ll be very difficult to get a chance to face them, but we’ll give it everything.”

A Milestone For Sodgerel, hosting the Eastern Zone Qualifiers will leave a legacy beyond that of the team’s results: “We’re very proud to be organising the event, not just because of everything we’ve had to do to get to this point, but because the public will get to see the national team play

important matches in their own country. This will have a significant impact on football in general and futsal in particular, at all levels.” Å

MONGOLIA POPULATION: 2,953,190 (July 2014 estimate) CAPITAL: Ulan Bator PRESIDENT: Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj FUTSAL NATIONAL TEAM COACH: Erdene Ochir FIFA: Since 2001 FIFA has invested $ 2,149,843 in Mongolian football projects as part of its Goal programme. This financial support has been used for projects including the construction of a futsal hall.

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HISTORY

Chronology of a tragedy Thirty years ago, Scotland secured a momentous result against Wales that took them a step closer to reaching the 1986 FIFA World Cup. However, instead of sparking an outpouring of joy, the events at Cardiff’s Ninian Park precipitated a period of national mourning.

National service Jock Stein was in charge of Scotland’s national team from 1978 until his death in 1985.

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tion about life, death and football by Stein’s close friend, Bill Shankly.

The background By 1985, Scotland had become almost blasé about reaching the FIFA World Cup finals. The Tartan Army had, after all, marched to the global showpiece in 1974, 1978 and 1982, when Stein’s team came within goal difference of ­advancing to the latter stages at the Soviet ­Union’s expense.

However, the Scots arrived in Cardiff on the brink of elimination. Ian Rush’s solitary, match-winning goal in the corresponding fixture at Hampden meant that Wales stood within two points of securing second spot behind

Spain, and a place in a UEFA/OFC play-off.

Shorn of stars such as Kenny Dalglish, Steve Archibald, Alan Hansen and his captain, Graeme Souness, Stein knew that his side went into the match as clear underdogs.

The match Sir Alex Ferguson, Stein’s then assistant, recalled noting the strain visibly etched on his mentor’s face as kick-off approached. There was to be further fraying of nerves when, with just 13 minutes played, Wales’ early dominance was rewarded in the form of a clinically-taken goal from a future protege of Ferguson’s, Mark Hughes. The situation hardly improved at halftime when goalkeeper Jim Leighton, who had

Keystone / Press Association / SMG

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n the 1960s and 70s, as Scotland’s clubs conquered Europe and its national team reached the first of five successive FIFA World Cups™, Jock Stein had come to symbolise everything that enabled this small country to consistently punch above its weight.

Certainly, by winning the European Cup in 1967 with a team comprised entirely of players born within a 30-mile radius of Celtic Park – just one of many personal triumphs – this former miner had shown his fellow countrymen that absolutely anything was possible.

Yet it was the stresses and strains of the beautiful game that on a chilly night in Cardiff were to deal another blow to the famous asser-

HISTORY

performed hesitantly in the first half, dropped the bombshell that he had lost a contact lens during the action and had no replacement. ­Nevertheless, while the enforced introduction of Alan Rough restricted his tactical options, Stein’s words roused Scotland to a fightback that quickly had their hosts on the defensive.

With an hour gone, he also took the bold decision of replacing Gordon Strachan with Davie Cooper, entrusting the talented but unpredictable Rangers winger with unlocking a resolute Welsh defence.

Ultimately, it was from the penalty spot that Cooper was given the chance to justify his manager’s faith, and though the tension was palpable, he coolly slotted his kick low to Neville Southall’s left to haul Scotland level with nine minutes remaining.

“We’d rather be out of the World Cup and have big Jock back.”

A mourning Scotland fan

Unforgotten Celtic fans pay tribute to Jock Stein.

As the final, fateful seconds ticked down, Stein was seen to remonstrate angrily with photographers who had surrounded his dugout in anticipation of the full-time celebrations.

Then, mistakenly thinking the referee had brought proceedings to an end, he clambered to his feet to shake the hand of his Welsh counterpart and suffered a massive heart attack.

Within minutes, one of Scotland’s greatest heroes had been pronounced dead in the Ninian Park treatment room.

imago

The star Cooper’s composure may have set Scotland en route to Mexico but for the umpteenth and final time, Scotland’s star was the man who introduced him to the fray. Dedication to his job had ensured that, on the day he died, Stein opted not to take the diuretics he had been prescribed for his heart problems, as he felt they prevented him carrying out his full duties. The Scotland manager and his loved ones were to pay the heaviest of prices for his devotion.

They said “It’s not a night I want to remember,” said former Scotland midfielder and current national team manager Gordan Strachan shortly after Stein’s death. “I had thought at the time that he wasn’t at his bubbly best. He wasn’t as sparky

as usual at the dinner table. He was still able to make big decisions, though. He started out making great decisions and he went out with a great decision - taking me off! We were 1-0 down and the man he replaced me with went on to score the equaliser. Some say people worshipped big Jock, but it’s better than that. People loved him.”

“I didn’t shed a tear until I had flown from Cardiff to Glasgow and set out on the drive to Aberdeen,” said Sir Alex Ferguson, former Manchester United manager and Jock Stein’s then assistant. “On the way up, I pulled into a lay-by and just broke down... For people like myself, Jock was the precursor of all the deeds and challenges we needed to aim at. He would never take the praise himself. It was always about the players and how great the team were.

That magnanimity tells you everything about him. For any man seeking to further his education in football, Jock Stein was a one-man university.”

What happened next ...

A band of 12,000 Scottish fans had travelled to Cardiff and, as news spread and Ferguson broke the news to a disconsolate dressing room, these same fans stood silently, disbelievingly, outside

the doors of Ninian Park. One supporter, interviewed on television, summed up the prevailing emotion. “We’d rather be out of the World Cup and have big Jock back,” he said quietly to the camera.

Yet Scotland did go on to Mexico, Ferguson leading the team to a 2-0 play-off win over Australia before stumbling at a familiar first-round hurdle in the finals. Back in Glasgow, thousands lined the streets to bid a fond, tearful farewell to a national icon and bona fide legend whose name and remarkable deeds will live on forever. Å Stephen Sullivan

MATCH SUMMARY Date and venue: 10 September 1985, Ninian Park, Cardiff Match: Wales 1-1 Scotland Background: Decisive game to determine who would face Australia in the play-offs en route to the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.

Scorers: Hughes 13’ (Wales), Cooper 81’ (Scotland) Wales: Southall, Jones, Van Den Hauwe, Ratcliffe, Jackett, James (Lovell, 80'), Phillips, Nicholas, Thomas (Blackmore, 83'), Rush, Hughes Scotland: Leighton (Rough, 46'), Gough, Malpas, Aitken, McLeish, Miller, Nicol, Strachan (Cooper, 61'), Sharp, Bett, Speedie

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GRASSROOTS

FIFA inspiring girls and boys to play football FIFA’s Grassroots programme is the core foundation of our development mission, aimed at encouraging girls and boys around the world to play and enjoy football without restrictions. Grassroots focuses on the enjoyment of the game through small-sided team games, and teaching basic football technique, exercise and fair play.

For more information visit FIFA.com

FREE KICK

SPOTLIGHT ON

GENER AL INFORMATION Country: Papua New Guinea FIFA Trigramme: PNG Confederation: OFC Continent: Oceania Capital: Port Moresby

GEOGR APHIC INFORMATION

At the ready Perikles Monioudis

Mario Wagner / 2Agenten

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obody wishes injury upon anyone, but the sight of footballers getting hurt and having to be substituted is hardly a rare one, despite all their training and the preventative measures taken. Football is a contact sport after all.

Unfortunate incidents can affect referees too, be it with or without third-party interference. There was one such instance at the end of August in an English Continental Cup match between Arsenal Ladies and Reading Women, when one of the referee’s assistants was forced to withdraw. With no replacement immediately available an announcement was subsequently made on the PA system, addressing the 873 spectators present: “If there is a qualified assistant referee in the stadium, please can they make themselves known.”

Northumberland native Michael Oliver happened to be at the stadium, home to Boreham Wood FC, not only to watch the action but also his wife Lucy, who was refereeing the game. Oliver is the youngest person ever to have officiated a Premier League match after taking charge of the tie between Birmingham City and Blackburn Rovers in August 2010.

The 30-year-old FIFA referee promptly volunteered his services and helped his wife

by running the line in the second half, prompting chants of “There’s only one Michael ­Oliver” from the stands.

After the game Reading coach Kelly Chambers, whose side lost 2-1, said: “It was nice of him to step in and help us.” Indeed, the elite level referee was not above helping out where needed – the sign of a true sportsman. Besides, who wouldn’t willingly run to their spouse’s aid? Å

Surface area: 462,840 km² Highest point: Mount Wilhelm 4,509 m Neighbouring seas and oceans: Pacific Ocean

MEN’S FOOTBALL FIFA Ranking: 205th World Cup: No appearances

WOMEN’S FOOTBALL FIFA Ranking: 50th World Cup: No appearances

L ATES T RESULTS Men’s: Philippines Papua New Guinea 5:0 12 October 2014 Women’s: Papua New Guinea New Caledonia 1:0 16 July 2015

FIFA INVES TMENTS The weekly column by our staff writers

Since 2001: $ 3,926,179 T H E F I FA W E E K LY

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MIRROR IMAGE

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Shay Brennan (third from left) and John Aston (second from right) test their strength at Manchester United’s training ground.

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MIRROR IMAGE

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Ian Horrocks / Sunderland AFC, Getty Images

John O’Shea pictured at the KIA Training Ground during Sunderland’s tour of North America.

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NET ZER KNOWS!

Should Iceland’s success have been expected?

QUOTES OF THE WEEK

“He’s physically strong and he's a quick learner. Depay is also very loyal and will die for his fellow players.”

PSV Eindhoven coach Phillip Cocu on Memphis Depay

“What Messi does on a football field is simply unthinkable. The way he walks from side to side, and once he sees an opportunity, he simply creates magic.

Seeing him play is like watching a video game. Messi’s better with his feet than I am with my hands, but I’m trying to catch him!”

Victoria Azarenka, the former women’s world No 1 tennis player on Lionel Messi

“Kevin is just a chilled guy.

He knows how good he is, so ­s tatistics and all this kind of stuff won’t put pressure on him.”

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany on Kevin de Bruyne

Morning training in Gladbach Gunter Netzer in September 1966.

imago

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ell, no-one saw it coming but it has to be said that Iceland’s qualification for the 2016 UEFA European Championship has felt completely routine. I watched their 1-0 victory over the Netherlands on TV and there was nothing special about Iceland’s performance, yet with good organisation and spirit they have achieved something very significant.

This team has earned its place in France.

The players know each other well and many of them were part of the U-21 side that beat a German side with the likes of Mats Hummels and Benedikt Howedes in it 4-1 en route to qualifying for the 2011 UEFA Under-21 Championship. I cannot see the Icelanders progressing to the knockout stages of EURO 2016, but just taking part in such a tournament will be a great experience for the players and a proud moment for the country’s people.

On the other hand, it is a worrying time for the Dutch national team. Things have not clicked for them in recent matches and there is a very real prospect that the Netherlands

will not be at next summer’s tournament.

They will be hoping to finish in third place and qualify for the play-offs but that position is currently occupied by Turkey, whose impressive 3-0 win against the Netherlands showed that they should not be taken lightly.

What has gone wrong for the Dutch? It is difficult to judge from the outside, but what is most baffling about their sudden decline in form is the fact that the team has barely changed from the one that finished third at the FIFA World Cup™ last year. I don’t suppose the team itself knows where the problem lies Å

“I was among the first players that qualified Nigeria for the World Cup for the first time. I never thought I’d play in the World Cup. Being part of that team was special for me.

It’s something I still struggle to find the words to describe. We were privileged just to be able to watch the World Cup on telly.”

Jay-Jay Okocha, Nigerian former professional footballer

“Our body language in the first half (against Augsburg) wasn’t good and our play was much, much too slow. I hope we can improve in the future. We have to play for 90 minutes, not just 45.”

Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola

What have you always wanted to know about football?

Ask Gunter Netzer: feedback-theweekly@fifa.org

“I don’t like being benched. And I don’t want to get used to it.”

Barcelona forward Neymar T H E F I FA W E E K LY

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FIFA PARTNER

TURNING POINT

“A great emptiness overcame me” For a while, Anton ‘Toni’ Polster was booed by his own fans.

The striker responded by netting a hat-trick against East Germany to fire Austria to the 1990 FIFA World Cup Italy™.

David Payr / laif

W

hen referee Piotr Werner blew the final whistle on the deciding qualifier between Austria and East Germany on 15 November 1989, I fought back a deluge of emotions. For a start, there was the joy that the 3-0 victory would take us to Italy for the FIFA World Cup. At the same time, however, a great emptiness overcame me. Against Iceland in Salzburg a few months earlier the fans had whistled me. Back then I was the only foreign-based player in the team and I could not always live up to the high expectations placed on me. In fact, before the game against East Germany, our coach Josef Hickersberger was threatened with what would happen if I were chosen in the starting line-up. There was a bomb scare and we had to be evacuated. The pressure on me was enormous and when the final whistle went I felt as if a huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders.

I also felt a measure of satisfaction that I had dealt with the criticism and, with my hat-trick, had contributed to our ultimate qualification for the World Cup. I had fulfilled the expectations placed on me, but the whole episode got me thinking. When your own fans boo you, it hurts. I have been a football fan since childhood and as a little boy I often went to games with my dad. Whistling or booing had never occurred to me; I always wanted to support my team so they would win.

It was a strange situation. If the game at Vienna’s Praterstadion [now known as the Ernst-Happel-Stadion] had not ended well

then I don’t know if my career with the national side would have continued. As it was, I ended up captaining my country to two World Cups, being chosen as Austrian Footballer and Sportsman of the Year and setting a new goalscoring record.

When Piotr Werner blew the final whistle on 15 November 1989, however, I only had one thought: I wanted out. I could hardly stay on the field and I certainly could not go into the stands with the team to celebrate alongside the fans. I just looked up and thanked God for his help. Then I made for the dressing room where it was a bit calmer. There, I had the chance to get my emotions under control and digest what had happened. Eventually my team-mates began to come in and congratulate me. I gave a few interviews and then just left the stadium. It wasn’t an easy time for me but with hindsight I can safely say that it made me stronger. Å Toni Polster was speaking to Annette Braun

Name Anton “Toni” Polster Date and place of birth 10 March 1964, Vienna, Austria Position Striker Clubs 1982–1987 Austria Vienna 1987–1988 Torino 1988–1991 Sevilla 1991–1992 Logrones 1992–1993 Rayo Vallecano 1993–1998 Cologne 1998–2000 Borussia Monchengladbach 2000 Austria Salzburg (Loan) Clubs as coach 2010–2011 LASK Linz reserves 2011–2013 Wiener Viktoria 2013 Admira Wacker 2014–present Wiener Viktoria Austria national team 95 appearances, 44 goals

In Turning Point, personalities reflect on a decisive moment in their lives.

T H E F I FA W E E K LY

37

MEN’S WORLD R ANKING

Argentina (unchanged) none none 15 Cambodia, China PR, Fiji, Japan, Korea DPR, Korea Republic (2 matches each) Rwanda (up 57 points) Fiji (up 17 ranks) Northern Ireland (down 34 points) Seychelles (down 7 ranks)

Leader Moves into top ten Moves out of top ten Matches played in total Most matches played Biggest move by points Biggest move by ranks Biggest drop by points Biggest drop by ranks Rank Team

+/- Points

Rank Team

+/- Points

Rank Team

+/- Points

Last updated: 3 September 2015

Rank Team

+/- Points

1 Argentina

0 1442

55 Paraguay

3

592

109 Lithuania

-2

294

163 Timor-Leste

0

130

2 Belgium

0 1269

56 Cape Verde Islands

-6

589

110 Azerbaijan

-4

291

164 Bhutan

0

128

3 Germany

0 1248

57 Korea Republic

-3

574

111 Namibia

0

284

165 Indonesia

0

121

4 Colombia

0 1224

58 Japan

-2

570

112 Bahrain

0

281

166 New Caledonia

1

120

5 Brazil

0 1209

59 Panama

6

551

113 Cuba

6

280

166 Suriname

-1

120

6 Portugal

0 1186

60 Mali

3

550

114 Mauritania

-1

273

168 Central African Republic

1

118

7 Romania

0 1176

61 Australia

0

548

115 Benin

-1

269

169 Malaysia

-1

115

8 Chile

2 1149

62 Equatorial Guinea

0

546

116 Kenya

0

268

170 Pakistan

1

105

9 Wales

0 1146

63 Gabon

1

535

116 St Vincent and the Grenadines

-1

268

171 Chad

1

100

10 England

-2 1143

63 Guinea

-3

535

118 Botswana

3

266

172 Dominica

1

98

11 Spain

0 1122

65 Congo DR

-6

529

119 Palestine

-1

256

173 Bangladesh

-3

95

12 Netherlands

0 1054

66 Serbia

0

528

119 St Kitts and Nevis

0

256

174 Laos

3

92

13 Austria

1 1038

67 Bolivia

0

521

121 Madagascar

1

251

175 Yemen

-1

90

14 Croatia

-1 1037

68 Bulgaria

1

503

121 Syria

-4

251

176 US Virgin Islands

0

88

15 Slovakia

-1 1013

69 Norway

-1

496

123 Dominican Republic

6

248

177 Maldives

-2

82

16 Italy

0 1012

70 United Arab Emirates

0

484

124 Moldova

3

245

178 Montserrat

0

74

17 Switzerland

0 1011

71 Uganda

3

478

125 Philippines

0

241

179 Chinese Taipei

0

72

18 Uruguay

0 1002

72 South Africa

0

469

126 Korea DPR

-2

237

180 Cambodia

19 Algeria

0

955

73 Burkina Faso

-2

468

127 Kuwait

-1

235

181 Fiji

20 Czech Republic

0

940

74 Zambia

-1

464

128 Lesotho

0

227

182 Tahiti

4

61

21 Côte d’Ivoire

0

924

75 Faroe Islands

0

459

128 Belize

-5

227

182 Brunei Darussalam

1

61

22 Denmark

3

901

76 Uzbekistan

0

453

130 Afghanistan

4

226

184 Sri Lanka

-2

59

23 Iceland

1

894

77 Montenegro

0

430

131 St Lucia

0

222

185 Mauritius

-4

56

24 France

-1

893

78 Rwanda

13

426

132 Bermuda

3

220

185 Nepal

-1

56

25 Albania

-3

878

79 Togo

1

418

133 Lebanon

-3

219

187 Macau

1

49

26 Mexico

0

848

80 Estonia

-2

405

134 Burundi

-2

218

187 Cayman Islands

2

49

27 Ghana

0

827

81 Honduras

0

404

135 Swaziland

-3

213

187 Solomon Islands

4

49

28 USA

1

823

82 Iraq

3

399

136 New Zealand

-1

209

190 Comoros

-4

48

29 Ukraine

1

812

83 Armenia

5

394

137 Thailand

2

201

190 São Tomé e Príncipe

-1

48

30 Bosnia and Herzegovina

-2

811

84 China PR

-5

393

137 Aruba

0

201

192 Seychelles

-7

43

0

66

17

64

31 Scotland

1

789

85 Morocco

-3

391

139 Nicaragua

5

198

193 San Marino

-1

40

32 Russia

-1

780

86 Cyprus

-4

386

140 Tanzania

0

195

194 Turks and Caicos Islands

-1

33

33 Tunisia

1

774

87 Haiti

-3

385

141 Luxembourg

4

194

195 British Virgin Islands

-1

27

34 Ecuador

2

764

88 Angola

1

381

142 Guinea-Bissau

0

191

196 Samoa

1

25

34 Poland

-1

764

89 Sudan

-2

377

143 Gambia

-1

189

197 Vanuatu

-1

23

36 Sweden

1

756

90 Latvia

-4

366

144 Barbados

-6

186

198 South Sudan

-3

22

37 Hungary

-2

740

91 Jordan

1

356

145 Kazakhstan

-4

184

199 American Samoa

1

17

38 Senegal

1

734

92 Finland

-3

351

146 Guam

0

182

199 Tonga

-1

17

39 Costa Rica

-1

731

93 Saudi Arabia

0

350

147 Georgia

7

180

201 Eritrea

2

8

40 Iran

1

716

94 Qatar

1

347

148 Curaçao

0

178

202 Mongolia

2

6

41 Northern Ireland

-1

687

95 Mozambique

2

340

149 Turkmenistan

0

172

202 Andorra

-1

6

42 Congo

1

671

96 Malawi

2

336

150 Liechtenstein

-3

171

202 Somalia

2

6

42 Cameroon

0

671

97 Belarus

-1

335

151 Hong Kong

0

169

205 Djibouti

1

4

44 Greece

0

657

98 Libya

-4

333

152 Vietnam

1

166

205 Cook Islands

1

4

45 Slovenia

1

653

98 Guatemala

10

333

152 Puerto Rico

-2

166

205 Papua New Guinea

-4

4

46 Israel

1

635

100 Oman

-1

329

154 Guyana

-2

165

208 Anguilla

0

0

46 Turkey

-1

635

101 Niger

1

326

155 Kyrgyzstan

1

160

208 Bahamas

0

0

48 Peru

1

628

102 Canada

-1

319

155 India

1

160

49 Egypt

3

619

103 Ethiopia

-4

313

157 Singapore

-2

159

50 Venezuela

-2

613

104 FYR Macedonia

-1

305

158 Grenada

2

155

51 Republic of Ireland

-1

605

105 Antigua and Barbuda

0

304

158 Tajikistan

0

155

52 Jamaica

3

602

105 Sierra Leone

-1

304

160 Liberia

1

154

53 Nigeria

0

599

107 El Salvador

3

300

160 Malta

-1

154

54 Trinidad and Tobago

2

594

108 Zimbabwe

0

298

162 Myanmar

0

142

38

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