Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
JULY 2017
ENGLAND
WIN THE
WORLD
CUP! Under-
20 squad
celebrate in
South Korea
EYEWITNESS
Confederations
Cup Special
The full story from Russia
UNDER-21
TALENT
Plus
PLAYER
Germany lift BIOGRAPHY
European crown
|| FERNANDO SANTOS Q&A
|| GARCIA REPORT FALLOUT
MARCELO
|| ARGENTINA SEASON ROUND-UP Brazils attacking gem
July 2017
22
FEATURES THE WORLD THIS MONTH
People in the news...on and off the pitch
4 In pictures
10 From the editor
15 Jim Holden Totti and Terry say goodbye
16 Jonathan Wilson no more full-backs
18 Keir Radnedge No to Uruguay 2030
20 Headliners Serie A and organised crime
21 Ins & outs people on the move 26
EYEWITNESS
26 Confederations Cup
34 Northern Cyprus
TALENT SCOUT 38
38 Under-20 World Cup
FACE TO FACE
56 Fernando Santos
WOMENS FOOTBALL
56
60 Euro 2017 preview
ARCHIVES
62 July 1961
40 Player biography
Marcelo
THE GREAT MATCHES
82 Brazil v Sweden, 1958
Exclusive
subscription
offer.
46 World Cup 2018 See page 8
The qualifying campaign Follow worldsoccermag Like World Soccer Magazine
WORLD SOCCER 3
T O S O H
4 WORLD SOCCER
ARGENTINABoca Juniors players
celebrate winning the title after the
final match of the season, against
Union at the Bombonera Stadium
WORLD SOCCER 5
THE WORLD THIS MONTH
BRAZILZe Roberto of
Palmeiras grimaces during
a game against Fluminense
RUSSIARyan Thomas of
New Zealand and Hector
AUSTRALIA...Tim Cahill of Australia Herrera of Mexico clash
prior to the friendly against Brazil during their Confederations
at the Melbourne Cricket Ground Cup group game
6 WORLD SOCCER
IN PICTURES
WALES Kieran
Smith (left) of Bala
Town battles against
Vaduz in the Europa
League qualifiers
HOLLANDAustrias Katharina
Schiechtl is outnumbered in a
friendly against Holland
WORLD SOCCER 7
Subscribe today from just
22.99
SAVE
30%
UP TO
+ y extras
Monthl e for
v
Exclusi ers.
subsc r i b
,
e today
and jo
Subscrib from your m
re
in R
nm
e w
free to g
et
ards for icked offers,
. Hand
agazine prizes.
issable
p
m o d u
even ys an s
giveawa /reward
unique c cer.com
r ld s o
t wo
wards a
Join Re
YOUR DETAILS:
Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms: Forename:
Surname:
Email:
Address:
Postcode:
Home Tel. No: (inc area code)
Mobile:
Date of Birth: Q
D Q
D Q
MQM Q
YQY Q
YQY
GIFT SUBSCRIPTION:
Please ll out to give more than one subscription, please supply address details on a separate sheet.
Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms: Forename:
worldsoccer.com/rewards QQ
M M QQ
Y Y
Signature: Date:
(I am over 18)
Name of Bank:
Address of Bank:
Postcode:
QQQQQQQQQQQQQQ
Instruction to your Bank or Building Society Please pay Time Inc. (UK) Ltd Direct Debits from the account detailed
on this Instruction subject to the safeguards assured by the Direct Debit Guarantee. I understand that this
instruction may remain with Time Inc. (UK) Ltd and if so, details will be passed electronically to my Bank or
Building Society.
Signature: Date:
(I am over 18)
*22.99 payable by 6 monthly Direct Debit. This price is guaranteed for the rst 12 months and we will notify you in
0330 333 1113 advance of any price changes. Offer closes 31st July 2017. Offer open to new subscribers only. Please allow up to
six weeks for delivery of your rst subscription issue (up to eight weeks overseas). The full subscription rate is for
1 year (13 issues) and includes postage and packaging. If the magazine ordered changes frequency per annum, we
will honour the number of issues paid for, not the term of the subscription. For full terms and conditions, visit www.
Quote code: 11ZK magazinesdirect.com/terms. For enquiries from the UK please call: 0330 333 1113, for overseas please call: +44 330
333 1113 (lines are open Monday- Saturday, 8am- 6pm UK Time) or e-mail: help@magazinesdirect.com. Calls to 0330
Monday to Saturday from 8am to 6pm (UK time) numbers will be charged at no more than a national landline call, and may be included in your phone providers call
bundle. We will process your data in accordance with our Privacy Policy (www.timeincuk.com/privacy). By providing
your information, you agree to be contacted by Time Inc. (UK) Ltd, publisher of World Soccer and other iconic media
brands, with information about our goods and services and those of our carefully selected third parties. Please tick here
The Rewards scheme is available for all active print subscribers of magazines published by Time Inc. (UK) Ltd, free of if you do not wish to receive these messages: by email and/or SMS by post and/or telephone about carefully selected
charge. Digital subscribers also get access as long as the subscription has been purchased directly through the publishers at third party goods and services.
magazinesdirect.com. For full terms and conditions visit mymagazinerewards.co.uk.
SWITZERLAND
To the uninitiated observer, Englands performances this
summer world under-20 champions, European under-21 Leak forces FIFA
semi-nalists, European under-17 nalists, Toulon
tournament champions suggest a nation with a ne to finally publish
generation of young players emerging. Garcia report
Clearly, something positive is happening at the national
football centre, St Georges Park. Yet The contentious Garcia Report into the
scandal-scarred 2018/2022 World Cup bid
how many of the successful under- How many process reveals a tawdry tale of greed, power
20 side will be given a chance in of Englands and arrogant self-entitlement among the men
the Premier League this season successful running the game.
FIFA published the report after an attempt to
and gain the experience needed under-20 side keep it under lock and key was pushed to the
to benet Englands senior side? will be given point of ridicule by its leak to German paper Bild.
American lawyer Michael Garcia was
In contrast, Germany won the a chance in appointed as FIFAs first ethics investigator in
Confederations Cup (page 26) and the Premier 2012 with a brief to examine events which led
Euro Under-21s (page 72), both with up to the World Cup awards to Russia and Qatar
League? by the executive committee in December 2010.
severely depleted squads. In Russia, Subsequently FIFA published only a summary,
they were captained by a 23-year- by then ethics judge Hans-Joachim Eckert, and
Garcia quit in anger in 2014.
old, Julian Draxler. Eckert and Garcias deputy and then
Englands star man in Korea, Dominic Solanke (page successor, Cornel Borbely, were sacked from
66), left Chelsea for Liverpool this summer having never their ethics chamber roles at the behest of
president Gianni Infantino at the May 2017
played for the rst team. He is just one of many talented FIFA Congress in Bahrain.
players, from all around the world, whose progress stalled Hence the first significant act undertaken
by new investigator Maria Claudia Rojas and
at a Premier League club. Germany have adjudicatory chief Vassilios Skouris was to order
shown that developing immediate publication of the 430-page report.
The full report vindicates Eckerts assessment
talent is more about that no firm case for direct corruption can be
attitude than money. It levelled against any bidder.
is a lesson that English Certainly several bids (including but not
only Qatar), pushed the bids flabby rules
football is yet to learn. to the limit; others (Australia and England)
fell over themselves in humiliating attempts
to accommodate the demands of notorious
Gavin Hamilton, Editor
Sacked...Hans-Joachim
Eckert (left) and Cornel
Borbely (right)
10 WORLD SOCCER
GLOBAL FOOTBALL INTELLIGENCE
WORLD SOCCER 11
THE WORLD THIS MONTH
es
w av
On the g hes m akin
RADAR
oac
dc
an
Sp
otl rs
igh t pl aye
on th e
SAUL Niguez
(Spain)
The Atletico Madrid midfielder was
irresistible at the European Under-21
Championship, scoring with an acrobatic
bicycle kick against Macedonia, finishing
a memorable solo run with a searing shot
against Portugal and putting Italy to the
sword with a hat-trick in the semi-finals.
Germany, though, found a way to keep
him quiet in the Final, so in the end he had
to make do with the consolation prize of
a runners-up medal and the Golden
Boot as the tournaments top scorer.
Dubbed Hurricane Saul by Iberian
daily Marca, he is an all-terrain marvel.
Non-stop and ubiquitous, he is organiser,
passer, runner, grafter and marksman.
An Atletico regular for the past three
seasons, he will not be easily prised away
from the Rojiblancos. On retuning from
the Euros, he agreed a five-year contract
extension, tying him to the club until
2026 and now has a whopping 150m
release clause. Which is bad news indeed
Solo...Saul is about
for the likes of Barcelona, Manchester to open the scoring
City and Manchester United. against Portugal
12 WORLD SOCCER
GLOBAL FOOTBALL INTELLIGENCE
I like to get
drunk. I am a
power drinker
Newcastle United owner,
Mike Ashley
Diego SOUZA
(Brazil)
Scored the
fastest goal in
HEROES VILLAINS
the 103-year
history of the CLAUDIO OSCAR
Brazil national BRAVO The former Chelsea midfielder was handed an
team, scoring The keeper eight-match ban and fined 4,625 by the Chinese
after 11 seconds was the hero Football Association for his part in a mass brawl
of their friendly of Chiles during a game between his team, Shanghai SIPG,
against Australia. semi-final and Guangzhou R&F. According to the referees
win in the report: Oscar offended opposing players in an
Julian Confederations immoral manner, leading to a massive brawl which
DRAXLER Cup when he
Saviour...Chile keeper Claudio Bravo
has had a very bad influence on the Chinese Super
(Germany) saved all Leagues reputation.
The 23-year- three Portugal penalties in the shoot-out that
old captained a followed a 0-0 draw in Kazan. Brawl...Oscar (on ground)
second-string
national squad to ANTE VUKUSIC
victory at the The former Pescara and Croatia striker, who
Confederations now plays his club football with Tosno in Russia,
Cup in Russia. revealed that he played for a number of years with
just one lung functioning. Italian doctors thought
Elson HOOI (Curacao) that he had a back problem, but when he moved
The diminutive attacking midfielder-cum- to the Russian club they realised everything was
winger won the tournament MVP award fine with my back, but I had a lung problem. He
at the Caribbean Cup after scoring two says: The doctor told me it is a miracle how I was
goals in the Final and winning Gevaro able to play for several years with only one part of
Nepomucenos penalty in the semi-final. my lung functioning. The 26-year-old has since
Formerly on the books of NAC Breda undergone surgery on his right lung, leaving him LUCAS FONSECA
and currently a free agent having out of action for three months. In a Brazilian league game against Flamengo, the
struggled to settle at club level, he Bahia centre-back cleared the ball before crashing
recently told Dutch media that he is Bet...Davide into Flamengos Paulo Guerrero. As Guerrero
seeking a move back to the Eredivisie. Nicola (left) turned, Fonseca fell to the ground with an
exaggerated backflip, claiming he had been
Jeremy fouled when there was minimal contact between
TOLJAN the players. Having been shown a yellow card six
(Germany) minutes earlier, he was rightly given a second one
The jet-heeled by referee Igor Junior Benevenuto and promptly
Hoffenheim left the field.
right-back was
one of the stars KLEBER
of Germanys The Coritiba captain was
European handed a 15-game ban
Under-21 after swinging his left
triumph, playing a key role in building his DAVIDE NICOLA arm into the face of
countrys attacks on the right flank. Crotones coach completed a 1,300km bike Bahia defender Edson,
ride, travelling the length of Italy, after promising for which he was given
Dominic his players that he would do so if they avoided a yellow card. Later,
SOLANKE relegation from Serie A. He made the deal in April, when the pair clashed
(England) when his side looked certain to go down, having again, he seemed to spit
Voted player of won just three of their 29 games. However, after in the Bahia mans face,
the tournament winning six of their last nine matches, they avoided and was promptly shown
as England the drop by two points. a red card. Banned...Kleber
won the world
under-20 title HUDDERSFIELD TOWN GONZALO JARA
in South Korea. Back in the English top flight for the first time The Chilean defender somehow managed to
Prior to the since 1972, the club rewarded loyal supporters escape with a yellow card rather than a red in
tournament, by offering season tickets for their forthcoming the Confederations Cup Final despite the
the Chelsea Premier League campaign at just 100 to anyone referee using VAR to review his elbow assault
stiker was snapped up by Liverpool, who has held one since 2009. on Germanys Timo Werner.
moving to Anfield in a 3m deal.
WORLD SOCCER 13
THE WORLD THIS MONTH
GERMANY
Won the
European
Under-21 title
and crowned
Confederations
Cup champions
in the space of
three days.
IRAN
Became the
third team to
secure a place
at next years
World Cup
finals, alongside
host nation
Russia and
Brazil.
ENGLAND
UNDER-21s
Kept up a long-
held English
tradition when they
lost to Germany
1
CRISTIANO RONALDO on penalties in the
Portugal v Russia Euro semi-finals.
Begins and finishes a crisp,
flowing team move by steering
home a far-post header beyond RUSSIA
The Confederations
the Russian keeper.
Cup hosts were
beaten by Portugal
2
JHON CIFUENTES and Russia and
Ecuador v El Salvador failed to make it
Produces a spectacular out of the group
near-post volley following a cross stage.
by Pedro Velasco.
2 JAMAICA
Beaten by Curacao
in the Final of the
3 5
LUIS SOLIGNAC BRUMA Caribbean Cup,
Chicago Fire v Saint Louis Portugal U21s v Spain U21s two years after
A clever backheel flick loops Hits a volley into the far their amazing
over the Saint Louis goalkeeper and corner from the edge of the area. run to the Final
into the far corner during a US of the CONCACAF
Gold Cup.
6
Open Cup tie. SUNIL CHHETRI
India v Kyrgyzstan
4
LORENZO PELLEGRINI Runs half the length of the
Italy U21s v Denmark U21s pitch, plays a return pass with a
4 Bicycle kick from 12 yards team-mate, then finishes with a low
into the far bottom corner. shot in an AFC Asian Cup qualifier.
14 WORLD SOCCER
THE WORLD THIS MONTH GLOBAL FOOTBALL INTELLIGENCE
Jim
HOLDEN
AT THE HEART OF THE GAME
WORLD SOCCER 15
THE WORLD THIS MONTH
Jonathan
WILSON
TECHNICALLY SPEAKING
16 WORLD SOCCER
GLOBAL FOOTBALL INTELLIGENCE
1
AN AGRICULTURAL
APPROACH
Juventus striker Moise Kean
could leave the Serie A side next
year because they cant afford
to buy his dad some tractors.
According to Biorou Kean, his
son could walk away on his 18th
birthday in February after the club
broke a contractual promise. Dispute...Juve failed
Juventus offered a contract to provide tractors
up on the left but Tarcisio Burgnich of 700,000-a-year, which was
3
effectively a man-marker in a fine, says Kean Snr. The problem ANYONE FOR TENNIS?
right-central position an entirely is they had also promised me Former Italy and Milan
unattacking right-back, balanced some tractors for my agricultural defender Paolo Maldini
by having Jair or Angelo Domenghini business in the Ivory Coast, but recently teamed up with tennis
shuttling back from a right-wing now they say there is no budget coach Stefano Landonio to
position as a tornante (a returner). for them. compete in an ATP Challenger
That is pretty much how Dani Alves I own several hectares of Tour event in Milan.
played in this year's Champions land in the Ivory Coast which I Maldini, now 49, won 126 caps
League Final, with Andrea Barzagli would like to cultivate with rice Deal...Juves
and lifted the Champions League
as his Burgnich. and corn. Moise Kean in his career and was partnered in
Increasingly, though, both full-
backs tend to get forward, or one will
be so attacking that he plays almost
as a midfielder. Look at a heat-map
of Alves when he was at Barcelona
and was only in the loosest sense a
defensive player. His job was to
support Lionel Messi.
For teams that play a radical
press-and-possess game, which is
how Pep Guardiola likes his sides
to operate, that is natural; after all,
they spend most of their time in the
opposition half. They defend not as
individuals but with coalitions that pin
their opponent back.
But attacking full-backs arent just
a preserve of Guardiola. They are Game, set and match
everywhere now and its hard to think ...Paulo Maldini
of a high-class full-back these days
who isnt attack-minded which in the doubles by Landonio, who is
turn perhaps explains the return of a three years younger and was once
back three. ranked 975 in the world.
When full-backs get forward, the However, the pair only got as
back four is often a back two. Adding far as the first round where they
an extra man to the defensive line, were soundly beaten 6-1, 6-1 by
particularly when that line is then Dutchman David Pel and Tomasz
Feline confident
protected by two midfield holders ...pundit Achilles Bednarek from Poland.
as was the case at Chelsea this
2 4
season is a logical reinforcement. PSYCHIC DUTIES WORLD CUP MOVIE
The result is an apparent paradox Ever since Paul the Jose de la Paz Herrera
by which a back three is more Octopus predicted results Ucles, better known as
defensive than a back four but the at the 2010 World Cup in South Chelato, made history 35 years
issue is really one of terminology. Africa, no tournament is complete ago when he became the only
unless it has a psychic animal to Honduran-born coach to take his
choose a winner of each match. Movie man... country to the World Cup finals.
The recent Confederations Cup Chelato Although they finished bottom
kept up the tradition with Achilles of their group, they did draw with
the cat and Nika the polar bear. hosts Spain in Valencia and took
Results were mixed to say the a point off of Northern Ireland.
least, with Achilles predicting a Now 77, he has made a film,
Russia win against New Zealand, called Historia de un Trienio de
while Nika managed to get Oro, to be screened in cinemas
Germany beating Australia correct. throughout Honduras, telling the
Pushing up...Giacinto Facchetti But how do they pick a draw? story of his achievements.
WORLD SOCCER 17
THE WORLD THIS MONTH
Keir
RADNEDGE
THE INSIDER
18 WORLD SOCCER
GLOBAL FOOTBALL INTELLIGENCE
WORLD SOCCER 19
THE WORLD THIS MONTH
20 WORLD SOCCER
GLOBAL FOOTBALL INTELLIGENCE
CONCACAF
San Jose Earthquakes sacked
coach Dominic Kinnear and
replaced him with CHRIS LEITCH. End...Alvaro Arbeloa
AFRICA EUROPE
South Africas all-time top scorer Former Real Madrid and Spain
with 32 goals, BENNI MCCARTHY full-back ALVARO ARBELOA
was named coach of Cape Town announced his retirement after
City, replacing ERIC TINKLER who making just three Premier League
joined SuperSport United. appearances for West Ham United
last season before being released
ASIA in May. The 34-year-old won
the World Cup, two European
Record...Corentin Tolisso Ex-Ukraine international SERHIY Championships, two Champions
REBROV stepped down at Dinamo League crowns and La Liga.
Bayern pay record fee Kiev and replaced Christian Gross at
AFC Champions League quarter- ASIA
Bayern Munich signed Lyon midfielder finalists Al Ahli of Saudi Arabia.
CORENTIN TOLISSO for a Bundesliga record fee German coach ULI STIELIKE Dismissed...
of 41.5m. For all the summer moves in Europes WANG BAOSHAN replaced was sacked by South Korea after a Uli Stielike
top five leagues go to www.worldsoccer.com Sven-Goran Eriksson as coach of 3-2 defeat by Qatar in the World
Chinese second-tier side Shenzhen. Cup qualifiers.
WORLD SOCCER 21
Brian
GLANVILLE
THE VOICE OF FOOTBALL
22 WORLD SOCCER
Greaves, the
noble goalscorer
Recently football writers have been
picking their ideal England teams across
the years and they have somewhat
surprised me. One of those had the
essentially left-footed marauding left-half
Duncan Edwards deployed at right-back!
Nor would I have made Alan
Shearer one of my choices. In the season
when England, on home ground, had a
sustained and somewhat shaky run in the
European finals, he had until then had
a barren season with England. When he
did at last get off the mark at Wembley
against Switzerland in the finals it was
with a goal that was patently offside.
Nor, much though I liked and admired
him, would I have put Jimmy Greaves, for
all his goals, in my team. The truth is that
he had a dismal 1962 World Cup in Chile of the Bank of England at Roehampton. Class...Jimmy Greaves Brian. Sheer nobility.
when I remember him saying to me that On Sundays, he would play for fun in goal I thought then and still do that he
there was so much violent play that for a team called Tennis All Stars, out at should have been picked for the Final. Not
people were afraid of getting killed. Abridge in Essex. Goodness knows he instead of Geoff Hurst, who had come in
In 1966, I thought he was desperately must have been in a state of high tension with much elan when Greaves was injured
unlucky. His basic modesty and decency at Roehampton, but, referring to a match playing against France, but in place of
was wonderfully shown on the Friday my little Chelsea Casuals Sunday club had Roger Hunt who had never impressed me
before the World Cup Final, when the played at Abridge, he actually said: We at international level and who would miss
England players trained on the ground must have another game next season, a couple of clear chances in the Final.
+)& &'')") QFRUSRUDWHG &7)UDPH IRU
LQFUHDVHG VWDELOLW\ HQKDQFHG
)RU VXSHUE GRPLQDQFH
EDOO VHQVH RI WRXFK DQG
RI WKH EDOO XQGHU
LPSURYHG W
DQ\ FRQGLWLRQ
$&#*) #)#&
7KH ELJ LQQRYDWLRQ KHUH LV
XQGRXEWHGO\ WKH &7)UDPH $ FRPELQDWLRQ RI VWDELOLW\
7KH LPSURYHPHQW LQ IHHO LV DQG H[LELOLW\ SURYLGHG E\
QRWLFHDEOH PDNLQJ WKH 5HEXOD D WKH LQFRUSRUDWLRQ RI Q\ORQ
JUHDW FKRLFH IRU SOD\HUV ZKR VHH LQ WKH UHDUIRRW DQG 738 LQ
D ORW RI WKH EDOO FRQWUROOLQJ WKH WKH IRUHIRRW
JDPH ZLWK LQWHOOLJHQW WRXFKHV
DQG SLQSRLQW SDVVLQJ
+)& &'')") QFRUSRUDWHG &7)UDPH IRU
LQFUHDVHG VWDELOLW\ HQKDQFHG
)RU VXSHUE GRPLQDQFH
EDOO VHQVH RI WRXFK DQG
RI WKH EDOO XQGHU
LPSURYHG W
DQ\ FRQGLWLRQ
$&#*) #)#&
7KH ELJ LQQRYDWLRQ KHUH LV
XQGRXEWHGO\ WKH &7)UDPH $ FRPELQDWLRQ RI VWDELOLW\
7KH LPSURYHPHQW LQ IHHO LV DQG H[LELOLW\ SURYLGHG E\
QRWLFHDEOH PDNLQJ WKH 5HEXOD D WKH LQFRUSRUDWLRQ RI Q\ORQ
JUHDW FKRLFH IRU SOD\HUV ZKR VHH LQ WKH UHDUIRRW DQG 738 LQ
D ORW RI WKH EDOO FRQWUROOLQJ WKH WKH IRUHIRRW
JDPH ZLWK LQWHOOLJHQW WRXFKHV
DQG SLQSRLQW SDVVLQJ
The Confederations Cup provided a dry run for next years World
Cup with some surprises along the way
F
ootball, in the run-up, had been almost
an afterthought at the Confederations
Cup. In fact, it turned out to be a decent
competition for what is almost certainly
its last stand as no one envisages a
doubly disruptive further staging in
December 2021 in Qatar.
Germany coach Joachim Low, a mite
arrogantly, had suggested he and his
team (on-field and off-pitch) had little
to learn. Australia and New Zealand
were expected to be competitive but
modest, while Portugal depended on
Cristiano Ronaldos mood. Meanwhile,
the right of African champions
Cameroon to send a team was
under question after a
governance row
which left Chile
WORLD SOCCER 27
eyewitness
and Mexico as obvious joint favourites. had been the subject of strong previous Mexico in Kazan. Victory would have lifted
Hosts Russia were no ones favourites; disciplinary charges. This time the the hosts into the semi-finals and they
not even their own supporters after warning appeared to work, although raised fans hopes after snatching a
dismal group-stage exits at the 2014 fans back home may take no notice. 25th-minute lead through Samedov.
World Cup and Euro 2016. Ronaldo collected another man of Mexico responded through Nestor Araujo
In the event the tournament generated the match award as Portugal beat Russia and Hirving Lozano, and they were
some pleasant surprises, partly through 1-0 to take over the group leadership. Interest...Vitaly already heading safely for the semi-finals
the Russian fans who turned out in force Portugal were a class better than their Mutko (left) and when Russia were reduced to 10 men by
Stanislav Cherchesov
for their own team and, occasionally, hosts for much of the match but their the expulsion of Yuri Zhirkov.
threw their enthusiastic backing behind failure to convert commanding first-half Cherchesov, having succeeded Leonid
Chile, Mexico and Cameroon. Not that it possession into more goals left them Slutsky after the failure in France two
did them much good in the end. vulnerable to a late supporter-inspired years ago, insisted that speculation about
With FIFA president Gianni Infantino Russian surge. his future was the stuff of dreams. He was
talking of wanting to pull the agenda Unfortunately Cherchesovs men proud of his team for doing as much as
back to football, secretary-general Fatma lacked the necessary precision in and they could in the circumstances. The task
Samoura, organising president Vitaly around the penalty box, and they fell to ahead was all about continuing to work
Mutko and CEO Alexey Sorokin took up an eighth-minute Ronaldo header which as we have been and connecting the
the theme ahead of a tournament which punished sloppy defending. It was a day sporting dots.
included the full deployment of anti- to forget for Igor Akinfeev on his 100th Akinfeev is a better keeper than he
discrimination monitors. appearance in goal. looked in the Confederations Cup, but
Mutko, also president of the Russian New Zealand duly lost their second Russia need a central defender who can
Football Union, had more reason than game 2-1 to Mexico and they finished attack crosses, not duck out of the way
the rest to take a particular interest in the bottom of Group A after crashing 4-0 like Viktor Vasin and Fyodor Kudryashov.
host team with their new coach in former to table-toppers Portugal. Ronaldo Meanwhile, midfield duo Denis Glushakov
goalkeeper Stanislav Cherchesov and scored his 75th international goal with and Aleksandr Golovin played below
only nine players from the squad who a 33rd-minute penalty and collected a potential, as if scared to go forward.
flopped at the Euro finals. third man of the match award. That was Cherchesov could point to some injury
On cue, in Group A, they delivered a hardly surprising though, as FIFA threw absences as an excuse but the prospects
2-0 victory over New Zealand in the open voting via the internet and he has of having a competitive team by next
Opening Match in the new Krestovsky a higher social media following than any Man of the match... year appear remote. Fans and media are
Cristiano Ronaldo
Island stadium in Saint Petersburg. other player on the planet. (left) takes on Viktor putting their faith in what they believe
Russian president Vladimir Putin and a Russia duly faded after losing 2-1 to Vasin of Russia to be a World Cup tradition of a friendly
VIP guest list which included Pele saw
the hosts claim what proved their sole
success courtesy of a first-half own goal
from Michael Boxall and a close-range
28 WORLD SOCCER
Russia
first-round draw for the hosts. VIPs...(from left) Pele, Gianni Infantino and Vladimir Putin through James Troisi, their Asian Cup
In Group B, Germany and Chile match-winner, only for La Roja to claim
justified their favourites labels even their semi-final slot through Pablo
though the world champions brought Rodriguezs equaliser.
something of a scratch squad. Most Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou
of the seniors were allowed a summer defended his attacking formation and
holiday for a change while the under-21s thought his players would gain massive
were contesting their own European belief from the experience as they
Championship in Poland. continue in pursuit of a place at a fourth
Julian Draxler was the sides playmaker successive World Cup. They go to Asian
and captain, with senior-level support Group B leaders Japan in August for a
from Emre Can and Jonas Hector. Draxler, potentially decisive match.
Lars Stindl and Leon Goretzka struck for Chile regrouped for the semi-final
a 3-2 opening win over Australia despite against Portugal. Both teams had early
handling errors from goalkeeper Bernd chances in both halves before the game
Leno which gifted goals to Tom Rogic and went, goalless, into extra time.
Tomi Juric. Goalkeeper-captain Claudio Bravo
Chile opened with a 2-0 win over made excellent saves from Andre Silva
Cameroon thanks to late goals from and Ronaldo then capped his triumphant
Arturo Vidal and Eduardo Vargas after evening with brilliant stops to deny
second-half substitute Alexis Sanchez Ricardo Quaresma, Joao Moutinho and
made all the difference. He provided the Nani. Chiles Vidal, Charles Aranguiz and
left-wing cross from which Vidal headed Sanchez thrashed home their spot-kicks.
Chile in front in the 81st minute, then he This was a remarkable turnaround in
raced clear in stoppage time before fortunes for the 34-year-old Chilean
Vargas scored number two. Shkhodran Mustafi to become Chiles 38- captain who had endured a highly
Germany and Chile subsequently goal, all-time top scorer. criticised and confidence-shredding first
surged within sight of the semi-finals The world champions were fortunate season in the English Premier League at
with a 1-1 draw in Kazan. The Germans not to fall further behind when a drive Manchester City after arriving from
gifted the South American champions from Eduardo Vargas thumped against Barcelona last August.
an eighth-minute breakthrough when the bar, but they capitalised on the Chile just about deserved to emerge
Sanchez punished a lazy clearance from escape to equalise before half-time as winners of a tight game, if only
when Stindl topped off a fine team because they were desperately unlucky
move featuring Can and Hector. in hitting both post and bar minutes
In group terms, Cameroon and before the end of the extra 30 minutes.
Australia proved to be their own worst A repeat of their 1-1 group draw with
enemies by sharing a 1-1 draw, while
Germany stepped up to top the group
by accelerating in the second half in
Sochi to beat the African champions
3-1. Cameroon ended up with 10 men
after the expulsion of right-back Ernest
Mabouka, albeit only after the video
assistant corrected Colombian referee
Wilmar Roldan who had initially
dismissed Sebastien Siani.
One goal from Hoffenheim midfielder
Kerem Demirbay and two from Timo
Werner provided Low with his 100th win
in his 150th game since stepping up
to succeed Jurgen Klinsmann after the
2006 World Cup finals.
Not so happy was Cameroons Belgian
boss Hugo Broos. Besiktas centre-
forward Vincent Aboubakar was the best Equaliser...Mexicos Germany was then set up for the Final
of a talented but disjointed team who Hector Moreno (no15) when Lows men, who had been
heads home against
may not be returning to Russia next year. Portugal improving from game to game destroyed
Broos, presumably with nothing to lose Mexico 4-1 in Sochi.
from honesty, thought the outcome no They had their place in the Final
surprise. He considered Cameroon to secured after only eight minutes following
be living off past success and added: At a double strike by Leon Goretzka. Werner
the 2003 Confederations Cup, we had scored a third early in the second half
players with Real Madrid, Inter Milan before the match reached a lively climax
and Liverpool. Not any more. There is a with an exchange of further goals from
lack of pitches and infrastructure in the Marco Fabian who plays his club
country so it is impossible to train good football in Germany for Eintracht
footballers for modern football. Frankfurt and Armin Younes.
Chile took second place after a nervy Germany, even below full strength
1-1 draw against Australia, for whom Tim and whatever the result of the Final,
Cahill was making a 100th appearance. had demonstrated impressive, cautionary
The Socceroos led in the 42nd minute strength in depth.
WORLD SOCCER 29
eyewitness
30 WORLD SOCCER
Russia
and American video assistant Jair right-back Ernest Mabouka for a foul
Marrufo confirmed the spot-kick, on Emre Can. Yet Mabouka was only
converted by Michael Milligan. Then dismissed after nearly four minutes
Mexico had what would have been a third of confusion after the VAR corrected
goal against Russia, by Hector Moreno, Colombian referee Wilmar Roldan for Red...Ernest Mabouka incident and the decision. Finding a way
disallowed for offside by the video initially having sent off Sebastien Siani, of Cameroon is sent to keep fans informed in a timely fashion
off against Germany
assistant but went on to win 2-1 anyway. despite checking his decision. on advice of the VAR is also important.
Further confusion arose in the semi- Even the eventual correction He said: Its important to say that
finals when Chile had a justifiable penalty demonstrated that the VAR does not clear mistakes were not missed. But
claim shrugged off by Iranian referee necessarily end controversy because communication is crucial. It must be
Alireza Faghani after Vargas was felled Cameroon coach Broos, German boss short and clear. Not too long, as everyone
by Jose Fonte. Rashvan Irmatov, the Joachim Low and Can himself also saw [with Cameroon]. We have to admit
screen man, allowed the game to run on. questioned whether it was even a red that was not good.
Whether he was acting on orders to rein card offence. Busacca also considered it essential
in the interference or whether Faghani FIFAs head of refereeing, Massimo to tighten up on the time between an
decided to strike back on behalf of the Busacca, conceded subsequently that Disallowed...Hector incident and the review. This meant
man on the pitch remained a mystery. the credibility of the VAR system was Morenos goal for match officials could not await the next
Mexico against
Oddly there was another unremarked being harmed by the time taken over Russia is ruled out break in play, partly also because other,
penalty incident in the other semi-final reaching decisions. The Swiss former by the VAR complicating incidents might occur in the
when Germanys Timo Werner was meantime.
pushed in the back as he ran through on He said: If a referee doesnt whistle
goal. Ref Nestor Pitana waved play on as then, in principle, the game should be
if nothing had happened. Mexico might stopped immediately [on the order of the
even have protested about offside when VAR] when there is a clear mistake. We
Werner scored Germanys third, minutes will never be perfect but we will achieve a
later. Again, no one raised a query. reduction in mistakes. Technology is a big
The semi-final non-incidents raised tool for prevention of errors.
a suspicion that the VARs had been This is not in doubt. The key issues
reined back after dominating the group now are speed of intervention and the
games and reaching a confused climax balance of power between referee and
in particular in Germanys 3-1 defeat of VAR...and, of course, whether IFAB
Cameroon. The African champions ended should be despatched to the dustbin
up with 10 men after the expulsion of of football history.
WORLD SOCCER 31
eyewitness
32 WORLD SOCCER
Russia
Winners look
ahead to 2018
Germany carried off the Confederations
Cup and are now favourites to become
only the third nation in World Cup
history to win the global prize twice
in succession.
Italy achieved the double in 1934 and
1938, while Brazil managed it in 1958
and 1962. That Joachim Low has all the
tools and the talent at his disposal to do
likewise is beyond doubt.
On the weekend that Germany
triumphed in Russia, the country also
won the Euro Under-21s in Poland.
Low said: We know Germany are
always favourites no matter what the
tournament. But just because you win
the Confederations Cup and the
European Under-21s its no guarantee
of being world champions again.
Security...fans are In the World Cup there are many
checked before the more competitive teams and you have to
opening game do so much in just four weeks so we will
need to deal with that. We dont have a
problem being favourites but for any
tournament you have to perform at 100
DOPING AND BRIBING DOMINATE THE AGENDA per cent all the time so well try our best
to do that next year.
Chile dominated the first 19 minutes at
WORLD SOCCER 33
eye
witness Steve Menary reports
NORTHERN CYPRUS
34 WORLD SOCCER
standards rise both on and off the field Heartbreak...
in the four tournaments they have Abkhazia lost on
penalties in the
organised so far. semi-finals
In Junes ConIFA Euro 2017 in Northern
Cyprus, most games were close apart
from an 8-0 battering inflicted by the
hosts on South Ossetia, some of whose
players spent the previous evening in
a nightclub in the upmarket Acapulco
complex where the teams stayed. of games in the Hungarian top flight and Seamus Sharkey from League of Ireland
I was surprised, I thought that the the Austrian Bundesliga and won more side Sligo Rovers featured for the Isle of
standard would be down but its not, than a dozen caps for Hungary. And he Mans representatives, Ellan Vannin.
says Csaba Csizmadia, captain of Szekely was not the only professional player at the The tournament was won by Padania,
Land, a team of players from Romanias tournament. Abkhazias squad included who beat the hosts 4-2 on penalties after
Hungarian-speaking minority. four players from the Russian league and a 1-1 draw in Nicosias Ataturk Stadium.
Csizmadia is well placed to gauge Daur Kvekveskiri, a striker with Serbian And although the event cost the Northern
the standard, having played hundreds top-flight club Napredak Krusevac, while Cyprus football federation 600,000 they
WORLD SOCCER 35
eyewitness
36 WORLD SOCCER
NORTHERN CYPRUS
WORLD SOCCER 37
WORL
UNDER D
-20S
WORDS: Nick Bidwell
edition of the Copa America, and feet and is in his element in one-on-one
Adalberto PENARANDA runner-up at the Under-20s. situations. Versatile forward who is able
to play out wide on either ank or
Age 20 (31.05.97), winger, The next step through the middle.
Watford (Eng) & Venezuela As a non-EU citizen he does not have
the documentation to play in the Weaknesses
In a sentence Premier League, so a temporary He is guilty at times of playing to the
The poster boy of his countrys best- posting is on the cards again. gallery, holding onto the ball too long
ever generation of footballers, he is and spoiling the ow of an attack.
a typical South American blend of Strengths Requires much more clarity in his
determination and fantasy. Quick, powerful and bold, he has clever decision-making.
3
the door,
he broke
THINGS YOU DIDNT
it down.
KNOW ABOUT
Watford PENARANDA
owner Gino
Pozzo: Hes O Early in 2013, at the age of 15, he was one of
several young Venezuelans who were invited to
not been have a trial at Real Madrid. Despite looking the
affected by part, administrative difficulties scuppered a
the huge possible transfer.
expectations O Two years ago, he and Deportivo La Guaira
which hes team-mate Charlys Ortiz were shot in an
attempted robbery. He suffered a minor injury
subject to to his thigh, while Ortiz had to have surgery to
in South have a bullet removed from his rib area.
America. O In December 2015, his two goals for Granada
against Levante made him the youngest player
The story to score a brace in La Liga history, at 18 years
and 185 days.
so far
A native of
the western city of El Vigia, he cut his
teeth with junior teams in the Merida
region before joining the academy of top-
ight outt Real Esspor, who were then
refounded as Deportivo La Guaira, and
where he made his rst-team debut at
16. For the last couple of years he has
been on a European walkabout, either
shuttling around the network of clubs run
by the Pozzo family (Udinese, Granada
38 WORLD SOCCER
TALENT SCOUT
Age 19 Age 20
Santiago MELE (06.09.97), Diogo GONCALVES (06.02.97),
goalkeeper, Fenix forward, Benfica
& Uruguay & Portugal
Helped his side to Like Luis Figo and
a fourth-place Cristiano Ronaldo,
finish, not only he wears number
keeping five clean seven and has all
sheets but also the raw ingredients
saving three of a top wide man:
consecutive kicks speed, balance,
in a shoot-out win dribbling ability
against Portugal in and an eye for
the quarter-finals. goal.
Age 20
Issa DIOP (09.01.97), LEE Seung-woo
defender,
Toulouse Age 19
& France (06.01.98),
Tall, physically midfielder,
imposing and Barcelona (Spa)
strong in the air, & South Korea
Toulouse coach A pupil for many
Pascal Dupraz says years at Barcas La
he wants to make Masia academy,
the centre-half his the wing wizard
captain but may displayed energy,
have to let him go, creativity and
with Monaco said sharpness in
to be interested. front of goal.
WORLD SOCCER 39
Marcelo PLAYER
BIOGRAPHY
THE LONG
HAUL WORDS: Tim Vickery & Sid Lowe
The Brazilian has played in Madrid for the past decade and
won the Champions League three times, but its taken him
a long time to gain the trust of his national side
A
t a recent event at the HQ win over Paraguay at the end of March, a Philippe Coutinho planted forward to
of the Brazilian FA, in the result that sealed Brazils place in next Paulinho, who played a sublime backheel
presence of such luminaries years World Cup with four games to go. into the space behind Paraguays
as Fabio Capello and Marcelo The move, a stunning four-man right-back space, in part, that opened
Bielsa, national coach Tite gave a lecture combination, lost nothing in comparison up due to the crossfield movement of
which paused to show three Brazil goals. with the memorable moments from Neymar and there was Marcelo,
Two of them came from the much-loved 35 years ago. one-on-one with the keeper, to
side of 1982 and were full of bewitching Wide on the left, Neymar passed score with a delightfully
midfield elaboration. square and looped round. Marcelo subtle little chip.
The third was the final goal in a 3-0 passed square and burst ahead. It was a
40 WORLD SOCCER
Timeline
N OV 13 , 2 0 0 5 SEP 5, 2006 N OV 15 , 2 0 0 6 JA N 7 , 2 0 07 M AY 18 , 2 0 0 8
Replaces Lino at Scores on his After just 30 games Real coach Fabio Collects his first
half-time for his international debut with Fluminense, Capello hands silverware with Real
Fluminense debut for Brazil in a 2-0 he signs for Real him his debut in a Madrid as they win
in a 2-0 defeat at win against Wales Madrid. 2-0 win away to La Liga for the
Vasco da Gama. at White Hart Lane Deportivo La Coruna. 31st time.
in London.
WORLD SOCCER 41
BIOGRAPHY
magnificent piece of football. And to unexpected defeat. And while he has the consequence of a player fighting for
extraordinarily, more than a decade after only been sent off once for the senior his place at club level and striving to deal
his splendid goalscoring international national side, there has occasionally been with the Real Madrid memory of Roberto
debut, it was the first time Marcelo had a brittle air about him, especially when Carlos a huge act to follow. But it may
found the back of the net for Brazil in the team are losing. also serve as a comment on the value
a competitive game. Perhaps many coaches have of international friendlies.
The teenage left-back scored a wondered whether he really could be Subsequent events would seem to
screamer against Wales at White Hart trusted in the toughest circumstances. belie any impression that playing for
Lane when making his debut back in And then there are the questions and Brazil is not high on his list of priorities.
September 2006. But even though that doubts about his commitment to the Going into the Confederations Cup
was before right-back Dani Alves made cause. Although it was Dunga who in 2013, things had finally looked to
his senior international bow, Marcelo has handed him his debut, the national be turning around for Marcelo on
less than half the number of caps of his coachs attempts to foster a quasi- the international stage. He won a place
Brazil team-mate. Indeed, before Tite military discipline in the ranks meant in the starting line-up on the eve of the
took over last year, it is striking how few a left-back with a hairstyle inspired by tournament and in a warm-up friendly
competitive games Marcelo actually rapper Lil Wayne was hardly likely to against England he replaced Filipe Luis
played for his country. fit in and Marcelo was hardly used in at half-time and kept his place for a 3-0
With the exception of a win against France.
single World Cup qualifier National coach Scolari
in 2009 after which he reflected after those two
was immediately dropped games that on home
and another in 2015 ground Brazil would
after which he was again be forced to take the
immediately dropped initiative, making it more
his competitive Brazil important to have a full-
career is limited to the back such as Marcelo
cycle under Luiz Felipe who was capable of
Scolari, taking in the making an attacking
Photo: Kieran Galvin/REX/Shutterstock
left-back slots went to Filipe Luis and in London the following year. Marcelo was warning signs. At 1-0, Pedro was slipped
Geferson. For last years Copa Centenario part of the first-team set-up but pulled in behind Marcelo and only an almost
the chosen pair were Filipe Luis and out of the match with a back pain. Yet impossible David Luiz clearance off the
Douglas Santos. it seems not to have been a genuine line prevented the equaliser. And at 3-0
There almost seems an air of anyone complaint. Marcelo apparently sent an Marcelo gave away a penalty, which
but Marcelo in some of these call-ups, e-mail reporting and commemorating Sergio Ramos put wide.
but what could explain such treatment the fact back to Real Madrid but His defensive deficiencies had been
being dished out to a player who has inadvertently and disastrously copied exposed, but in the wake of such a
spent a decade at Real Madrid? in the Brazilian coaching staff! triumph it hardly seemed to matter.
There are two strong explanations, Menezes later confirmed the story in In retrospect it seems clear that the
and the first concerns doubts about the a TV interview, pointing out; "For me and Confederations Cup win merely set Brazil
players temperament. for Brazilians the national team is the up for the fall a year later. They read too
Marcelo first came to prominence in a most important thing. I want the players much into it, with Scolari declaring that
Brazilian age-group side in 2005. During to feel this. the hard part had already been done,
that years Under-17 World Cup in Peru We had a time when we had to put since he had found his team. When the
he achieved the noteworthy feat of up with players reluctant to be called up, squad assembled for the 2014 World
receiving two straight red cards. Both passing messages. If I let this go at the Cup, Scolari's experienced co-ordinator
times in the opening game against start of my time in charge, then its not Carlos Alberto
Gambia and the Final against Mexico it going to end well. Parreira said that
happened when Brazil were going down Marcelos lapse may well have been Brazil already had
42 WORLD SOCCER
Marcelo
the semi-final, when the left-back Thrashed...Germany celebrate goal number five
appeared to be absent without leave.
It may well had been better if Marcelo
had been absent for the vital second
goal, when he ran uselessly behind the
line, playing the Germans onside without
defending. For the third goal he was not
sufficiently tight to block a cross coming
in from his flank. And by the sixth he
seemed to have given up altogether.
Brazil appeared to suffer a complete
emotional collapse, but Marcelo had
special reason to do so. Three days Marcelo in 2013, and always after the
before the game, his grandfather had matches. When I really miss him I bring
died and Marcelo had lost one of the him over to Madrid. He loves analysing
most important people in his life, and the my matches and in his mind Im always
most important influence on his career. the man of the match and I very rarely
Marcelos is not a favela story. He make a mistake!
comes from one of Rio de Janeiros Even Pedro might have struggled to
prestigious neighbourhoods, but, find something good to say about his
even so, there were limitations and grandsons performance in that 2014
his grandparents played a huge role World Cup semi-final. But maybe Russia
in bringing him up. 2018 will have a happier ending. He now
When I was doing badly in school, has a Brazil coach who clearly believes in
he recalls, my nan would cut all my him, and one capable of fielding a side
footballs with a knife. sufficiently compact to protect the space
Behind her back, granddad Pedro behind the left-back when he goes on
would buy me another one. one of his dangerous attacking surges.
And when Pedro saw that his grandson And the player also seems to be in the
was blessed with real talent, he dedicated form of his life. By general consensus,
himself to the cause. A win on the lottery last season was the best of Marcelos 11
allowed him to buy a car, which he used campaigns at Real Madrid.
to ferry the youngster around to training At the start, he recalls, I thought to
sessions, especially at the youth facility myself, am I really good enough to be
of the Fluminense club, in Xerem, some here? Is all of this really true?
Any such doubts
have surely now
At the start I thought to myself: Am been banished and
I really good enough to be here? Is he clearly belongs.
all of this really true? It hardly seems
plausible that 10
Marcelo on joining Real Madrid
years have passed
since Marcelo Vieira
way out of the city. da Silva Junior arrived in Spain. It is hard,
When Marcelo once thought about too, to imagine a time now when he
giving up and getting involved in normal wasnt here, and yet it also feels like it is
adolescent escapades, he received some only relatively recently that he has been
sound advice. truly recognised. But nothing arouses
Youre going to keep running your suspicions in football like players who
entire life, said his granddad. If youre seem to commit the cardinal sin of
one hand on the trophy. Start...as a youngster not running after a ball youre going actually enjoying it.
The story of the next few weeks is one with Fluminense to be running after a job, and youre Yet at not even 30, Marcelo has won
of overblown confidence shrivelling in the going to get tired. more games for Real Madrid than any
face of harsh reality which began when The hard work and sacrifice began to other foreign player.
Marcelo scored an own goal in the first pay off in late 2005 and early 2006 Marcelo might never have come to
few minutes of the opening game against when Marcelo broke into the Fluminense Madrid at all and he might not have
Croatia, inadvertently turning a cross first team. He made such an impact that stayed either, at least not in the short
from the right past his own keeper. Real Madrid quickly came running, and term. Sevilla thought they had him signed
And it ended in that scarcely credible the vast Atlantic Ocean put no distance up until the call came from the Santiago
epidemic of between him and granddad Pedro. Bernabeu. When he got there he was
German goals in We still talk almost every day, recalled a slim, skinny 19-year old. He looks
WORLD SOCCER 43
Marcelo
44 WORLD SOCCER
BIOGRAPHY
Marcelo the numbers game
47
2006 2011 2012 2012 2017
v Wales v Mexico v Bosnia v USA v Paraguay
GIANLUIGI
BUFFON
SERGIO
MARCELO
RAMOS
DAVID LEONARDO
LUIZ BONUCCI
CAPS
NGOLO
KANT THIAGO
PAULO
DYBALA
HONOURS
Confederations Cup: 2013
LIONEL
Club World Cup: 2014 2016
MESSI
Champions League: 2014 2016 2017
UEFA Super Cup: 2014 2016 CRISTIANO EDINSON
La Liga: 2007 2008 2012 2017 RONALDO CAVANI
Copa del Rey: 2011 2014
Supercopa de Espana: 2008 2012
OLYMPIAN
LUCKY NUMBER...
Olympic Bronze Medal Silver Medal
5 7
se e
se
ue
as
eag
on
Champions L
and
Marcelo
t he
wa
de
s
a
pa
lm
r
a to
Re fe
ar, ver
e y
This y one
2005 2006 200607 200708 200809 200910 201011 201112 201213 201314 201415 201516 201617
60 60
55 55
50 53 50
50
45 47 45
43 44
40 40
41
39
35 35
34
30 32 30
25 25
20 20
18 19
15 15
10 12 10
5 5
6 5
4 4 4 3 4 3
2 1 2 2
FLUMINENSE 0 0 REAL MADRID
GAMES GOALS
WORLD SOCCER 45
WORLD CUP
QUALIFIERS
With less than a year to the World Cup finals,
there is no margin for error on the road to Russia
ARGENTINA
Sampaoli handed long-term contract and
instructions to revive the national side
H
ow beautiful it is to
Skipper...
be near what one Lionel Messi
admires from afar,
said Jorge Sampaoli
on his appointment as Argentinas latest
national coach. Negotiations between
the AFA, Sevilla and the 57-year-old had
been a long, drawn out affair. But once
concluded, Sampaoli was brimming with
patriotic pride and quoting local folk
singer Jose Larralde.
The song Sampaoli referenced
is about the son of a gaucho, the
historic and mythological figure of the
Argentinian countryside. Quoting that line
was just one of the cultural references
linking Sampaoli to his home country. He
has lyrics from Argentinian rock bands
tattooed on his arm and has spoken of
his admiration for the former presidents
Nestor and Cristina Fernandez, as well coaching ladder in Peru and Ecuador
as Che Guevara. before guiding Universidad de Chile to
Yet he remains something of back-to-back league titles and the
an outsider to the nations football Sudamericana Cup with an attractive
community. He has never coached a top brand of football. Having established his
team in his homeland or played for one name in Chile, he was the logical
something he shares with his captain, replacement for Claudio Borghi with their
Lionel Messi. national team, and at Brazil 2014 La Roja Pride...patriotic qualification for Russia 2018. Having
Jorge Sampaoli
Sampaolis presentation gave him an defeated reigning champions Spain and inherited a team that is fifth in the South
opportunity to America group a position that would
lay out who he secure a play-off berth against a team
was and what
In Argentina there is also the expectancy laid upon from Oceania his first competitive
he wanted his the current generation of players and coach to match is a difficult trip to Uruguay
national team to deliver silverware in late August.
be. His language In Argentina there is also the
was steeped in patriotism, with almost knocked out hosts Brazil expectancy laid upon the current
references to the national flag and before losing on penalties. The following generation of players and coach to
colours. He spoke of building a team that year he lifted the Copa America as hosts deliver silverware, assuming the finalists
respected the tradition of Argentinian Chile won their first-ever major trophy. from Brazil 2014 make it to Russia.
football, that supporters related to and, His season in European football at The loss at the Maracana by Germany
true to his style, that would aim to take Sevilla ended in disappointment, with was the first of a trilogy of Final defeats
control of games. Champions League elimination at the for Argentina in recent years. The second
Sampaolis coaching CV is impressive. hands of Leicester City and a somewhat was to Sampaolis Chile in the Copa
He has won domestic league trophies, acrimonious departure, but his track America and then again to Chile, this
continental club titles and international record stands up. time under the watch of Juan Antonio
silverware outside his homeland. With Argentina, Sampaoli has various Pizzi, in the Copa Centenario.
After starting out in the lower leagues challenges ahead of him. Many fans have little patience with
in Argentina, he made his way up the First he must steer Argentina to some members of a group of players that
WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS
ARGENTINA
failed to win a title. Indeed, it is widely national team is evidently over. perhaps what is needed after a
viewed in that negative logic in Argentina The games against Brazil and conservative and underwhelming short
as three failures, rather than the Singapore offered little to go on, but spell under Edgardo Bauza.
achievement of reaching three Finals Sampaoli has been in part chosen for his Friendly...Angel One of the conditions, and delays, in
in such a short space of time. trademark high-octane attacking football. Di Maria in action reaching an agreement between the AFA
A longer-term challenge involves An injection of energy and ambition is against Singapore and Sampaoli was the length of contract,
planning and implementing a changing of with the AFA reluctant to cede to the
the guard. Sampaolis first squad list to coachs demand of a deal that runs until
face a depleted Brazil side and Singapore the 2022 World Cup.
in friendly matches was perhaps more In recent years the turnover of
informative than those games themselves national coaches has matched that of
1-0 and 6-0 wins respectively. AFA presidents. Julio Grondona passed
Javier Mascherano, who missed the away in 2014 after over three decades at
matches through injury, was named the helm. Then came interim presidents
among the defenders, so he is set to play Luis Segura and Armando Perez, and the
for his country where he does for his recently appointed Claudio Chiqui Tapia
club, which opens up a position in and all unveiled new national coaches.
midfield. Mauro Icardi also featured on The AFA presidential seat now appears
the list. The Internazionale striker missed secure for Tapia. The question is whether
the first matches under Sampaoli through that brings stability to the national coach.
injury, but his on-going omission from the Joel Williams
WORLD SOCCER 47
WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS
SOUTH AMERICA
A
year ago, after their first six
games, Uruguay and Ecuador
topped South Americas
World Cup qualification table
with 13 points each. After a third of the
competition, they already had half the
number of points that historically have
been enough to go through.
Twelve months and eight games later,
neither look so healthy. Uruguay have
picked up 10 more points but dropped
to third in the table, while Ecuador have
acquired just seven more and slumped
to sixth, outside even the play-off place.
So, with four rounds to go, both are
getting anxious especially as next up
is heavyweight opposition.
At the end of August, Ecuador travel to
Brazil, who have cruised to qualification
with eight consecutive wins and who have
yet to be beaten at home in qualification.
Meanwhile, Uruguay face a crunch game
at home to Argentina, who are down in
fifth but appear revitalised under Jorge
Sampaoli and have had Lionel Messis
suspension overturned. Defeat in that
game could well leave the Uruguayans
in fifth place and looking anxiously over
their shoulder. but Uruguay had more shots. The Emerging...Ecuadors experimented with Matias Vecino
Junes friendlies were, therefore, vital essentially reactive game plan is one that John Cifuentes takes anchoring a 4-1-4-1 formation. But still
on El Salvador
as the two sides looked to regroup. highlights the need for efficient defence the team struggled, with the centre-
Uruguay were understrength for their yet Uruguay have started to concede backs frequently exposed by quick, long
matches against the Republic of Ireland too many goals. After three consecutive balls played up to aggressive, mobile
and Italy. Luis Suarez and Diego Godin defeats in qualification (nine goals opposition strikers. Tabarez, then, will
were injured, and then Edinson Cavani against) they went down 3-1 to the go through an anxious few months
pulled up after 10 minutes of the opening Republic of Ireland and 3-0 to Italy. pondering on the personnel and shape
game. But even bearing in mind that they One of the long-term symbols of the of his side to take on Argentina.
were without their three big names there Tabarez team is little defensive midfielder Uruguay have largely stuck to the
is still cause for concern. Egidio Arevalo Rios, who in his mid-30s is group of players that has won the trust of
The side coached by Oscar Tabarez close to the end of his international their coach. The last newcomer to start a
has little margin for error. He is fond of career. Tabarez dropped him for the last
a statistic from his teams run to the 2010 World Cup qualifier, against Peru, but With four rounds to go,
World Cup semi-finals: in every game brought him back to face Ireland. He was
the opponents had more possession, out again against Italy, where Uruguay
both are getting anxious
especially as next up is
heavyweight opposition
game in World Cup qualification was
Matias Vecino in March last year. Against
Ireland and Italy there were caps for
people who have been on the fringe of
the squad for a while, and even a recall
for defender Martin Caceres, but no new
faces were brought in.
Ecuador took a different approach. The
team that started the campaign so well
under Gustavo Quinteros was dependent
on a handful of stand-out players. The
problem is that too many of them have
since been struggling for form or fitness.
The idea of the friendlies in the USA,
against Venezuela (1-1) and El Salvador
Own goal...Uruguays Jose Maria Gimenez (out of picture) beats his own keeper, Fernando Muslera (3-0), was to have a look at other
48 WORLD SOCCER
WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS
SWEDEN
A
fter a decade and a half
Dramatic...Ola
of depending on Zlatan Toivonens winner
Ibrahimovic, Sweden might be
in a transitional period but
no way are they suffering because of it.
Courtesy of a last-gasp 2-1 win
at home to France in Solna, Sweden
currently occupy pole position in Group A
albeit on goal difference and have to
be confident of their first World Cup finals Sweden keeper Thomas Ravelli, one of
since 2006 in Germany. the heroes of their spectacular third-
Although the visitors dominated for place finish at USA 94. Weve gone back
long spells, the Swedes simply refused to to that idea of the unit. It reminds me of
buckle, and three minutes into stoppage the Iceland approach, putting the
time they delivered an amazing coup de emphasis on heart and enthusiasm.
grace, with Ola Toivonen scoring from France coach Didier Deschamps takes
long range after a miscued clearance a similar tack, saying: The Swedes have
from keeper Hugo Lloris. It later emerged moved forward as a result of Zlatans
that Toivonens pre-match preparation retirement. They are a well-oiled machine
had involved persuading the team and the two front men [Toivonen and
psychologist to give his Marcus Berg] make for
boots a pep talk. good combination.
To win this type of Andersson is riding a
match is fantastic, said new wave of emerging
Sweden midfielder Jimmy talent. A number of the
Durmaz, who got his sides under-21 squad which
equaliser his first goal became European
for the national team in champions in 2015
options and an obvious place to three years. We knew we central defender Victor
start is the Guayaquil clubs, Barcelona would have to make the Lindelof, left-back Ludwig
and Emelec, who have been doing so most of the chances which Augustinsson, schemer
well in the Libertadores Cup. came our way. The team Oscar Hiljemark and
With centre-back a real problem played really, really well. Pressure...a free-kick striker John Guidetti are now making
position, Dario Aimar of Barcelona We did a good job breaking on them from Emil Forsberg their presence felt at senior level,
could be a classy alternative, while quickly. The crowd got right behind us, replacing Ibrahimovic and the old guard,
club-mate Pedro Velasco was given and even late in the game we were still which includes keeper Andreas Isaksson,
a chance at right back another running strongly. All of us kept believing. and midfielders Kim Kallstrom and
position which has become a Janne Andersson, who succeeded Erik Anders Svensson.
headache. And from Emelec, Ayrton Hamren as coach a year ago, has not Arguably the most impressive of the
Preciado is in the recent tradition of rung the revolutionary changes; the old next generation is RB Leipzig attacking
strong, quick and direct Ecuadorian values of 4-4-2, athleticism, rigour and midfielder Emil Forsberg. Top of the
wingers. Even more welcome is the set-piece strength continue to hold sway. assist charts in last seasons Bundesliga,
emergence of Jhon Cifuentes, who is But what is different is the democratic the 25-year-old has made remarkable
in terrific domestic goalscoring form vibe in the ranks. Rather than Zlatan and progress of late and, liberated by the
with Universidad Catolica. He marked 10 others, a collective enterprise has abdication of King Zlatan, has turned
his first international start with a emerged. Without the omnipotent Ibra, into an element the Swedes cannot
glorious volley to open the scoring it probably was the only way to go. do without.
against El Salvador, announcing The responsibilities within the side are Beaten...France Forsberg is too modest to blow his own
himself as an interesting option for much more shared out, says former keeper Hugo Lloris trumpet, but Janne Andersson has no
the remaining World Cup qualifiers. such qualms, declaring: Everyone can
Enner Valencia also managed see how his game has been evolving.
to get on the scoresheet, but short Hes been making steady improvements
of confidence he looks a shadow of across the board. Hes a little quicker,
the player who scored 11 goals in 11 a little stronger, a little more assured on
games either side of and during the the ball. Tactically, hes coming along too.
2014 World Cup. "Hes an extraordinary player in lots of
If Ecuador are to make it to 2018 senses. He has a freewheeling role. Hell
they will need that kind of form from make runs, hes busy and quick and has
their main striker, and if Valencia much to offer in the box.
is unable to do it then Quinteros is Just the sort of player for a new,
now aware that he can count on a exciting chapter for Sweden.
replacement with plenty of potential. Nick Bidwell
Tim Vickery
WORLD SOCCER 49
WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS
SERBIA
U
nbeaten in their first six
matches on the road to
Russia and level on points
with the Republic of Ireland
in Group D, Serbia are proving to be
a tough nut to crack under coach
Slavoljub Muslin. Needless to say, they
are a totally different proposition to the
disjointed and dysfunctional side which
failed to produce the goods in their last
three major qualifying campaigns: Euro
2012, World Cup 2014 and Euro 2016.
On taking over from the sacked
Radovan Curcic in May last year, Muslin
attributed those disastrous results to
the poor attitude of the players and
promised a reinvigorated mindset. And
thats exactly what he has brought about,
restoring unity, sense of purpose and
work ethic to the squad. The Serbs
always had the deep reservoir of talent,
with some 50 of them currently earning
a living in the top-five European leagues.
All it required was for someone to shake
them out of their slumbers.
Drawn in a very competitive group
that features three Euro 2016 finalists
(Wales, Republic of Ireland and Austria)
the Serbs resilience has been there for
all to see these past few months, twice
scoring late equalisers both the work of
striker Aleksandar Mitrovic to earn vital
draws against Wales, edge out Austria his two spells in charge of Red Star, this Dedicated...Dusan making another seven. If anyone
3-2 in a see-saw encounter in Belgrade time Muslin seems to be making all the Tadic gets away from represents the newly ascendant Serbia
Joe Ledley of Wales
and bounce back from a one-goal deficit correct calls. it is him. So dedicated to the cause, he
to win 3-1 in Georgia. They are a side His decision to go with a fluid 3-4-2-1 even refused to leave the pitch after
that will not be denied. system suits his players and he has breaking his nose in Wales last year.
We have the ability, I think, to beat constructed his starting XI around a solid Its is incredible to think that Tadic was
anyone, says the 63-year-old Muslin, a core of English-based know-how: veteran declared surplus to requirements by
Curcic only last year. Tadic swore he
We have the ability, I think, to beat anyone...weve would never play for Serbia as long
as Curcic remained in charge and
our destiny in our own hands national-team director Savo Milosevic
Serbia coach Slavoljub Muslin responded by labelling him self-centred,
Correct call... saying: We dont have room for
former Red Star Belgrade defender defenders Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea) Slavoljub Muslin individuals who think they are Gods
or midfield holder who has been in and Aleksandar Kolarov (Manchester
charge of no fewer than 18 different City); engine-room enforcers Nemanja
clubs in France, Belgium, Russia, Ukraine, Matic (Chelsea) and Luka Milivojevic
Cyprus and Bulgaria. Weve not lost a (Crystal Palace); brilliant Southampton
game in qualification and weve our attacking midfielder Dusan Tadic; and
destiny in our own hands. Newcastle United striker Aleksandar
Weve some very good players. In Mitrovic, who was the sides top scorer
our group theres no team with more in qualification with five goals.
quality than us. We can finish first. For Tadic, Serbias Footballer of the Year
us, every game is important. We need to for 2016, is the undisputed leader of
be fully concentrated and make sure we the pack. At the age of 28 he is in the
eliminate individual errors. I want us to be prime of his footballing life and, though
even more efficient. The pressure is on us nominally stationed on the right flank,
to keep it going but thats part of the job. he is allowed to blaze a trail hither and
Very much a divisive character during thither, scoring four goals in Group D and
50 WORLD SOCCER
WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS
SWITZERLAND
S
witzerland coach Vladimir Loyal...Vladimir 2014, Petkovic has fostered a close-knit,
Petkovic has something of the Petkovic has club-like group and it shows in his sides
stood by players
card sharp about him. Even if who have been understanding and collective discipline on
dealt a poor hand, he regularly out of favour for the pitch. Caps have to be earned the
scoops the jackpot. their club sides hard way and its no coincidence that he
During the past year or so, the 53- rarely indulges in one-hit wonders who
year-old Bosnian has had to contend with are picked in a blaze of publicity and
one selection headache after another: then promptly discarded.
star names struggling for their best form Previously in charge of Young Boys
(midfield holder Granit Xhaka, defender and Lazio, among others, Petkovic has
Ricardo Rodriguez and forward Xherdan turned out to be a much better choice
Shaqiri); long-term injuries (strikers Breel than any Swiss pundit or fan initially
Embolo and Josip Drmic); and several would have imagined. When news first
players out of favour at club level. But broke of his appointment, the general
ever the pragmatist, Petkovic has held it feeling was that he could not possibly
gift. Not that he would remain in exile for all together, steering the side to six wins match the net worth of some of his
long, being restored to his rightful place out of six in Group B, including the scalp forebears in the job. Not as thorough
as soon as Muslin checked in. of European champions Portugal, who or organised as Roy Hodgson. Not as
I almost felt like crying when the were swept aside 2-0 in Basle. revered as Swiss legend Kobi Kuhn.
whole stadium began chanting my name, Not bad at all for a team sporting a Not as decorated as Ottmar Hitzfeld,
said Tadic after scoring a fine volleyed cluster of top-flight bench-warmers: a Champions League winner with both
winner in the victory over Austria last Stephan Lichtsteiner is no longer a starter Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich.
October. Its not so important who at Juventus; Fabian Schar rarely features With many in the Swiss media
supplies the goals and assists; what for Hoffenheim; Johan Djourou was sneeringly depicting him second choice
matters is winning. Tactically were doing persona non grata at Hamburg; Valentin because Marcel Koller was not interested
well and we can only get better. Stocker faded from view at Hertha Berlin; in the position, Petkovic was not expected
With Muslin mainly preferring senior while Admir Mehmedi and Haris Seferovic to last long. Some three years and 30
citizens to youth, the youngsters who are in and out at Bayer Leverkusen and games later, he is more secure than ever.
triumphed at the 2015 World Under-20 Eintracht Frankfurt respectively. Statistically he is the best Nati coach of
Championship are, for the most part, Yet as far as Petkovic is concerned, all-time, with an average of 1.93 points
an unused commodity. Muslins latest what counts are performance levels for per game. But, above all, he has changed
squad contained just two of those gold the national team and as long as those the mentality of the Swiss.
medalists understudy goalkeeper players deliver in red-and-white, he will What we are aiming to do in the rest
Predrag Rajkovic and midfielder Mijat continue to pick them. of the campaign is to maintain the
Gacinovic while other key under-20 Since taking over in the summer of momentum weve built up, he said after
alumni such as Benfica winger Andrija a 2-0 win in the Faroe Islands in June.
Zivkovic, newly acquired Valencia We need to keep up the standards of
schemer Nemanja Maksimovic and our first six fixtures and to make sure that
Lazio playmaker Sergej Milinkovic- we dont have to rely on the results of
Savic will have to wait their turn. others. The most pleasing part of this
Muslin argues that too many of the game was that we were in control
under-20 heroes moved abroad too throughout. We dominated and didnt
Still going
early. Again, he may just be right. allow them a single chance. My team
strong...Swiss
Nick Bidwell skipper Stephan deserves the utmost respect.
Lichtsteiner Nick Bidwell
WORLD SOCCER 51
WORLD CUP QUALIFYING
ASIA
SCRAMBLE IS
BECOMING CLEARER
T
he Asian race to Russia is
becoming clearer. With two
games remaining, three of
the four automatic spots are
still up for grabs and five countries are
in the hunt.
The penultimate round takes place
on August 31 with the last matches on
September 5. That will leave the two
third-placed nations to face each other
in October for the right to take on
CONCACAFs fourth-placed team
in a final showdown in November.
Iran can sit smugly and watch the
action unfold. Under Carlos Queiroz they
went undefeated in eight Group A games
without conceding a single goal. A first
back-to-back World Cup spot was
clinched in June with a 2-0 win over
Uzbekistan that sparked a night of
celebration on the streets of Tehran.
Such domination of Group A means
that Group B is far more exciting, with
three continental powerhouses chasing
two spots. And its tight Japan are top
with 17 points, one more than Saudi
Arabia and Australia.
Japans next game is at home to
Australia in the same Saitama stadium
where the pair met at the penultimate
round four years ago. On that occasion
the hosts clinched a place in Brazil with Clash...Australias sufficient. Only a win will secure a sixth with a win at home against bottom-team
a 1-1 draw in front of 60,000 delighted Brad Smith (left) successive World Cup; anything else will Thailand in September because Japans
challenges
supporters. The fans will be there once Mohammed Al Breik leave much in the air. next game is in Saudi Arabia.
again but this time a point will not be of Saudi Arabia Japan have not been quite as fluent Before hosting Japan, the Saudis
as they usually are, despite their pole who are looking for a first World Cup
position, but then the same can be said spot since 2006 head to Abu Dhabi.
of their opponents. The United Arab Emirates still have a
Australia ended a run of three draws theoretical chance of taking third and, on
with a slightly fortuitous 3-2 win over their day, have the talent to beat anyone
Saudi Arabia in Adelaide in June and in Asia, though they lack the consistency
defensive frailties the kind of which to make that happen regularly.
were later seen at the Confederations Defeating the Saudis and damaging
Cup have intensified the debate about their rivals dreams of Russia would help
52 WORLD SOCCER
WORLD CUP QUALIFYING
IRAN
A RECORD-BREAKING
QUALIFICATION
I
ran booked their campaign. They
place in Russia qualified without
as winners of a single defeat,
Group A with conceding no goals
two games in hand. in more than 1,000
So, in a country minutes, and faced
where football and an average of just
politics are both one shot on target
prominent in peoples per game. They have
daily life, it was no topped the FIFA
wonder that two days rankings in Asia
after the qualification for four years and
success, the national Queiroz has claimed:
team was invited to In Asia the only side
the presidents office. Skipper...Masoud Shojaei (left) that can beat Iran, is
You changed the Irans reserve team.
heartbeat of 80million Iranians during From the side that started against
90 minutes of football, said the newly Argentina in Brazil, only Jalal Hosseini
re-elected president, Hassan Rouhani. and Masoud Shojaei, now captain,
Now you have the chance to create started against Uzbekistan a few weeks
history. Lets get ready to go beyond the back and the average age of the side is
group stages of the World Cup for the around 25. Saeid Ezatolahi and Sardar
first time. Azmoun, who are both under 23, are
Rouhani also mentioned Irans definitely ones to watch.
memorable performance against Now 64, Queiroz has put so much
Argentina in Brazil 2014. During that into the job and those who know him
tournament he posted a photo of well say he is a tough, stubborn man.
himself on social media, watching the Although he usually has the full
game while wearing the national team support of the public, he has faced
shirt rather than the usual clerical robe. criticism from some within the football
A few hours after meeting the federation and a section of the media.
are far from comfortable as seen by Acrobatic...Qatar President, national coach Carlos But with two World Cup qualifications
the dismissal of coach Uli Stielike in June. defender Mohammed Queiroz sat in front of the media and and a 72 per cent win ratio, he is the
Kasola attempts a
That came after a third defeat in the spectacular shot explained his plans for the future, most successful coach in the history of
last five qualifiers proved unacceptable against South Korea saying: Iran have reached the World Iranian football which makes things
to the Korean FA, which is are hoping for Cup four times before and have gone much harder for his critics.
a ninth successive finals appearance. out after the group stages every time. During Irans campaign for Russia
South Korea travelled to Qatar with the If we dream of going to the next 2018 there was a picture which was
chance to move four points clear of round, we must act differently. Russia constantly repeated at times of Irans
Uzbekistan but fell to a 3-2 defeat. 2018 is a short term target. Our long victories of Queiroz, on one knee on
Bottom of the group, Qatar have now term target is Qatar 2022. the touch line, bending down, pumping
scored six goals in their eight games with Iran may have been lucky in avoiding his fists in celebration.
five coming against Korea. Japan and Australia, being drawn Its now engraved in the folklore of
Stielike, in trouble since Koreas against an underperforming South Iranian football now as the country look
first-ever competitive loss to China in Korea in the qualifying stage, but forward to next summer.
March, was soon on his way and there nothing was left to luck during their Adel Ferdowsipour
were no complaints from fans bored of
rigid tactics, defensive issues and a lack Iconic...
of creativity in attack. Carlos
Queiroz
Korea have appointed Under-20
World Cup coach Shin Tae-Yong for the
remaining two qualifiers. First up is a
home game with Iran, followed by what
could be a winner-takes-all showdown
in Uzbekistan in September.
Uzbekistan are desperate to qualify
for a first World Cup but, as in the past,
they have not managed to take
advantage of the failings of others and
have lost four of eight games so far,
scoring just six goals. Against Korea in
Tashkent, however, only one may do.
John Duerden
WORLD SOCCER 53
WORLD CUP QUALIFYING
GROUPS AND FIXTURES
GROUP A GROUP E
P W D L F A Pts P W D L F A Pts
DR Congo 2 2 0 0 6 1 6 Egypt 2 2 0 0 4 1 6
Tunisia 2 2 0 0 3 0 6 Uganda 2 1 1 0 1 0 4
Guinea 2 0 0 2 1 4 0 Ghana 2 0 1 1 0 2 1
Libya 2 0 0 2 0 5 0 Congo 2 0 0 2 1 3 0
54 WORLD SOCCER
WORLD CUP QUALIFYING
GROUPS AND FIXTURES
Close...Japan (in
blue) and Australia
Oct 8: Lithuania v England; Slovakia v Malta; Oct 6: Croatia v Finland; Kosovo v Ukraine;
Slovenia v Scotland. Turkey v Iceland.
Oct 9: Finland v Turkey; Iceland v Kosovo;
GROUP G Ukraine v Croatia.
P W D L F A Pts
Spain 6 5 1 0 21 3 16 O The 9 group winners will qualify for the nals;
Italy 6 5 1 0 18 4 16 the 8 runners-up with the best record (against
Albania 6 3 0 3 7 8 9 the countries nishing1st, 3rd, 4th & 5th in the
Israel 6 3 0 3 9 12 9 respective groups) will be paired in 4 play-offs,
Macedonia 6 1 0 5 8 13 3 the winners of which will also qualify for the nals
Liechtenstein 6 0 0 6 1 24 0
OCEANIA
Sep 2: Albania v Liechtenstein; Israel v O 0.5 nals places available
Macedonia; Spain v Italy.
Sep 5: Italy v Israel; Liechtenstein v Spain; 3rd round
Macedonia v Albania.
Oct 6: Italy v Macedonia; Liechtenstein v Israel; GROUP A FINAL
Spain v Albania. P W D L F A Pts
Oct 9: Albania v Italy; Israel v Spain; Macedonia N Zealand (Q) 4 3 1 0 6 0 10
v Liechtenstein. New Caledonia 4 1 2 1 4 5 5
Fiji 4 0 1 3 3 8 1
GROUP H
P W D L F A Pts GROUP B FINAL
Belgium 6 5 1 0 24 2 16 P W D L F A Pts
Greece 6 3 3 0 10 3 12 Solomon Is (Q) 4 3 0 1 6 6 9
Bosnia-Herz 6 3 2 1 13 5 11 Tahiti 4 2 0 2 7 4 6
Cyprus 6 2 1 3 5 9 7 Papua NG 4 1 0 3 6 9 3
Estonia 6 1 1 4 5 17 4
Gibraltar 6 0 0 6 3 24 0 O The 2 group winners will meet in the Oceania
section play-off
GROUP C Sep 4: Armenia v Denmark; Montenegro v Aug 31: Belgium v Gibraltar; Cyprus v
P W D L F A Pts Romania; Poland v Kazakhstan. Bosnia-Herzegovina; Greece v Estonia. Oceania section play-off
Germany 6 6 0 0 27 1 18 Oct 5: Armenia v Poland; Montenegro v Sep 3: Estonia v Cyprus; Gibraltar v Sep 1: 1st leg - New Zealand v Solomon Islands
N Ireland 6 4 1 1 11 2 13 Denmark; Romania v Kazakhstan. Bosnia-Herzegovina; Greece v Belgium. Sep 5: 2nd leg - Solomon Islands v New
Czech Rep 6 2 3 1 9 5 9 Oct 8: Denmark v Romania; Kazakhstan v Oct 7: Bosnia-Herzegovina v Belgium; Cyprus Zealand
Azerbaijan 6 2 1 3 3 9 7 Armenia; Poland v Montenegro. v Greece; Gibraltar v Estonia.
Norway 6 1 1 4 6 10 4 Oct 10: Belgium v Cyprus; Estonia v O The winner will meet the 5th-placed South
San Marino 6 0 0 6 1 30 0 GROUP F Bosnia-Herzegovina; Greece v Gibraltar. American country in a play-off for a place in the
P W D L F A Pts nals
Sep 1: Czech Republic v Germany; Norway v England 6 4 2 0 10 2 14 GROUP I
Azerbaijan; San Marino v Northern Ireland. Slovakia 6 4 0 2 12 4 12 P W D L F A Pts SOUTH AMERICA
Sep 4: Azerbaijan v San Marino; Germany v Slovenia 6 3 2 1 6 3 11 Croatia 6 4 1 1 11 2 13 O 4.5 nals places available
Norway; Northern Ireland v Czech Republic. Scotland 6 2 2 2 9 10 8 Iceland 6 4 1 1 9 6 13
Oct 5: Azerbaijan v Czech Republic; Northern Lithuania 6 1 2 3 6 11 5 Turkey 6 3 2 1 11 6 11 SOUTH AMERICA
Ireland v Germany; San Marino v Norway. Malta 6 0 0 6 2 15 0 Ukraine 6 3 2 1 9 5 11 P W D L F A Pts
Oct 8: Czech Republic v San Marino; Germany Finland 6 0 1 5 4 10 1 Brazil (QF) 14 10 3 1 35 10 33
v Azerbaijan; Norway v Northern Ireland. Sep 1: Lithuania v Scotland; Malta v England; Kosovo 6 0 1 5 3 18 1 Colombia 14 7 3 4 18 15 24
Slovakia v Slovenia. Uruguay 14 7 2 5 26 17 23
GROUP D Sep 4: England v Slovakia; Scotland v Malta; Sep 2: Croatia v Kosovo; Finland v Iceland; Chile 14 7 2 5 24 19 23
P W D L F A Pts Slovenia v Lithuania. Ukraine v Turkey. Argentina 14 6 4 4 15 14 22
Serbia 6 3 3 0 13 7 12 Oct 5: England v Slovenia; Malta v Lithuania; Sep 5: Iceland v Ukraine; Kosovo v Finland; Ecuador 14 6 2 6 23 20 20
Rep Ireland 6 3 3 0 8 4 12 Scotland v Slovakia. Turkey v Croatia. Peru 14 5 3 6 22 23 18
Wales 6 1 5 0 9 5 8 Paraguay 14 5 3 6 13 21 18
Austria 6 2 2 2 9 8 8 Bolivia 14 3 1 10 12 32 10
Georgia 6 0 3 3 6 10 3 Venezuela 14 1 3 10 17 34 6
Moldova 6 0 2 4 4 15 2
Aug 31: Brazil v Ecuador; Chile v Paraguay;
Sep 2: Georgia v Republic of Ireland; Serbia v Peru v Bolivia; Uruguay v Argentina; Venezuela
Moldova; Wales v Austria. v Colombia.
Sep 5: Austria v Georgia; Moldova v Wales; Sep 5: Argentina v Venezuela; Bolivia v Chile;
Republic of Ireland v Serbia. Colombia v Brazil; Ecuador v Peru; Paraguay v
Oct 6: Austria v Serbia; Georgia v Wales; Uruguay.
Republic of Ireland v Moldova. Oct 5: Argentina v Peru; Bolivia v Brazil; Chile v
Oct 9: Moldova v Austria; Serbia v Georgia; Ecuador; Colombia v Paraguay; Venezuela v
Wales v Republic of Ireland. Uruguay.
Oct 10: Brazil v Chile; Ecuador v Argentina;
GROUP E Paraguay v Venezuela; Peru v Colombia;
P W D L F A Pts Uruguay v Bolivia.
Poland 6 5 1 0 15 7 16
Montenegro 6 3 1 2 14 7 10 O The top 4 will qualify for the nals; the
Denmark 6 3 1 2 10 6 10 5th-placed country will meet the winner of the
Romania 6 1 3 2 7 7 6 Oceania section play-off in a play-off for a place
Armenia 6 2 0 4 7 14 6 in the nals
Kazakhstan 6 0 2 4 4 16 2
KEY TO TABLES
Sep 1: Denmark v Poland; Kazakhstan v (Q) = qualied for next stage
Montenegro; Romania v Armenia. Almost there...New Zeland face Solomon Islands for a place in the play-offs (QF) = qualied for nals
WORLD SOCCER 55
FERNANDO SANTOS
56 WORLD SOCCER
WORLD SOCCER 57
FERNANDO SANTOS
58 WORLD SOCCER
Inspiration...Benfica boss Jimmy Hagan (centre)
Anything else?
The rest is about strategy. In my role, winning
is the objective, so to develop a strong collective
is important, but also while keeping the individual
creativity of the players. You cant lose sight of
that because in a lot of matches the individual
creativity will make the difference. But everything
has to be constructed within a strong collective.
WORLD SOCCER 59
Womens Football
Glenn Moore
60 WORLD SOCCER
Favourites...Frances
Amandine Henry (left) and
Linda Dallmann of Germany
Three to watch
VIVIANNE MIEDEMA (Holland)
Quick and deadly, with 39 goals in 50 international
appearances, she is the great home hope. Not 21
until the day before Euro 2017 opens, Miedema will
join Arsenal next season after three years at Bayern Munich.
WORLD SOCCER 61
ULTIMATE NEWS & RESULTS SECTION
N
O
G
W
IN
lo
CO
ba
RP
O
l
RA
Exclusive
di
TI
N
G
ar
reports from
y
our worldwide
network of
correspondents
74 72 66
JOEL NICK
RICHARDS BIDWELL
Argentina Germany
68 70
P L U S
Euro champs... 72 76
Germany
under-21s
DIARY
70 Comprehensive global news
SQUADS
76 Confederations Cup
WORLD SOCCER 65
Under-20 World Cup
JOHN DUERDEN
66 WORLD SOCCER
WORLD CUP QUALIFICATION
Re
vi
ew
composed and blew the opposition away with a fine second-half Solid...Englands
display. Dominic Solanke, who was named the tournaments Jonjoe Kenny (left)
and Josh Onomah
MVP, scored twice, with Ademola Lookman, one of five Everton keep Adalberto
players in the squad, getting the other in a 3-1 win. Penaranda of
In the Final in Suwon, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, another of the Venezuela at bay
Everton quintet, struck in the first half. After the break, Freddie
Woodman saved a penalty as England hung on to win 1-0. It
was a Final that could have gone either way but overall the
ENGLAND
SQUAD Dramatic...
Luca Vido (in blue)
heads Italys winner
GOALKEEPERS: Dean Henderson (Manchester United), Luke against Zambia
Southwood (Reading), Freddie Woodman (Newcastle United).
DEFENDERS: Jake Clarke-Salter (Chelsea), Callum Connolly winners were worthy champions, while Venezuela did
(Everton), Dael Fry (Middlesbrough), Jonjoe Kenny (Everton),
Ezri Konsa (Charlton Athletic), Fikayo Tomori (Chelsea), Kyle
their country, convulsed by political instability at home, proud.
Walker-Peters (Tottenham Hotspur). The success of the Video Assistant Review, was more
MIDFIELDERS: Lewis Cook (Bournemouth), Kieran Dowell debatable. When it worked, and overturned blatantly wrong
(Everton), Ovie Ejaria (Liverpool), Ainsley Maitland-Niles (Arsenal), decisions, it worked very well. When it didnt, it just added to
Sheyi Ojo (Liverpool), Josh Onomah (Tottenham Hotspur). the confusion, wasted time, and reduced drama and excitement.
FORWARDS: Adam Armstrong (Newcastle United), Dominic
Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Harrison Chapman (Middlesbrough),
The ABBA system of penalties, which seeks to reduce the
Ademola Lookman (Everton), Dominic Solanke (Chelsea). statistical advantage of the team that goes first, also seemed
MANAGER: Paul Simpson to rob the shoot-out of drama.
Fortunately there was plenty of excitement elsewhere.
WORLD SOCCER 67
ith the most wins and the most goals, the
Argentina fewest defeats and the second-tightest
Bocas triumph played for the club, this was not a vintage side.
As far as the local media were concerned, the 201617
Primera Division called the Torneo de la Independencia in
commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the countrys
Disappointed...River
keeper Augusto
Batalla (left) and
Bombonera celebrates title success Leonardo Ponzio
Champions...
Boca Juniors
68 WORLD SOCCER
SEASON REVIEW
games, as did Ricardo coach Nelson Vivas only defender Lucas Martinez Quarta and versatile midfielder
vi
Centurions pace and skill. Camilo Mayada were confirmed cases. But while the clubs
Despite his role in the title win, medical staff claimed the results were due to a contaminated
ew
Boca are not expected to sign batch of approved medicine, the radio presenter hosting Bocas
Centurion on a permanent title party was forced to apologise after telling fans: Whoever
basis. He is on loan from Sao doesnt jump got high!
Paulo and the price tag of River were just one of the teams who fell by the wayside
over $6million is a stumbling in the title fight. Talented 21-year-old goalkeeper Augusto
block as is the unwanted Batalla, who was close to joining Real Madrid while captain
attention off the pitch, with of the national under-20 side, had a season to forget and
accusations of domestic abuse conceded goals through misjudgement more than once.
filed against the player. There was the distraction of the Libertadores Cup for River
Able to tweak his side over Plate, as there was for Estudiantes, who put together a strong
the course of the 30-game run early in the season. After 10 games they were undefeated
season which ran parallel to and had won eight times. However, their quest for the league
the European season, unlike spectacularly derailed against Boca in a game that saw their
the old short tournaments coach Nelson Vivas earn comparisons to Bruce Banner, the
Barros Schelottos focus
is now on the Libertadores Challenge...Banfields
and equalling Independientes
Brian Sarmiento (left) Barros Schelottos focus is now
record seven wins.
and Horacio Pinola of
Rosario Central
on the Libertadores and equalling
Championship celebrations Independientes record seven wins
at the Bombonera never go
down well with River Plate Incredible Hulk. Sent off for protesting at not being awarded
followers, and things were what appeared to be a clear penalty for his team, former
even worse this season as they international defender Vivas not only left the bench he also left
became embroiled in a major his shirt behind, ripping it off dramatically and storming down
doping scandal. the tunnel with his back tattoo on display.
Contrary to early reports Less dramatic was Banfields rise under coach Julio Falcioni,
who has previously won the league title with Banfield and at
Boca. After steadily rising up the table, Falcionis side were
BEST OF unable to run the title race down to the last game. Finishing in
THE SEASON fifth place, Banfield did manage to qualify for the Libertadores
Cup, along with runners-up River, third-place Estudiantes and
Racing, who were fourth. Independientes strong campaign fell
just short and made the Sudamericana Cup, along with San
Lorenzo, Lanus, Newells Old Boys, Defensa y Justicia and Colon.
Some 29 positions below Boca Juniors were Aldosivi. Based
in the seaside resort of Mar del Plata, they won just five games
all season and were relegated with Quilmes, Atletico Rafaela
and Sarmiento.
PLAYER OF THE SEASON COACH OF THE SEASON NEWCOMER OF THE SEASON
Next season brings a new start for the league, with the
Dario Benedetto Guillermo Barros Schelotto Sebastian Driussi inauguration of the Superliga. The number of teams competing
(Boca Juniors) (Boca Juniors) (River Plate) will drop to 28, after which it will be reduced again for the
Supporters and directors The 44-year-old managed The versatile former following campaign.
alike hope the club hold the loss of Carlos Tevez Argentina under-17 striker The official line is that the new format will be a springboard
onto the leagues top scorer and off-the-field is now 21 and his
for the forthcoming distractions to win his 17 goals earned a 15m
for the league to improve. But how swiftly an improvement in
Libertadores Cup campaign. second trophy as coach. move to Russia with Zenit. resources for clubs produces an improvement in quality of
football on show remains to be seen.
WORLD SOCCER 69
JUNE 7-JULY 4, 2017
Global diary
A comprehensive record of recent events around the world
70 WORLD SOCCER
WORLD SERVICE
Mixed reaction
to Chinese deal
China under-20 side to play in German fourth tier
n a contentious development, that all the clubs in the division have reacted
the south-western section of the positively but, in truth, the reception has been mixed.
WORLD SOCCER 71
clubs from hiring coaches who
are aged over 65, Nantes appoint Euro Under-21s
Claudio Ranieri.
SOUTH KOREA: Uli Stielike is
sacked as coach two days after a DARIUSZ KUROWSKI
3-2 loss to Qatar left South Koreas
hopes of qualifying for the World
Cup in the balance.
UGANDA: Kampala City Council
Authority complete the domestic
double, beating second-tier Paidha
Germany
Black Angels 2-0 in the cup Final.
Friday June 16
POLAND: Defending champions
second-
Sweden miss a penalty and draw
0-0 with England in the opening
game of the European Under-21s. string
win title
Saturday June 17
ITALY: Parma claim promotion for
a second successive season after
being demoted from Serie A for
going bankrupt, moving up to Serie
B with a 2-0 win over Alessandria.
Depleted squad crowned
RUSSIA: The hosts kick off the European champions
Confederations Cup with a 2-0
victory over New Zealand.
ith its new 12-team format,
Sunday June 18 the 2017 European Under-21
COLOMBIA: Atletico Nacional
thrash Deportivo Cali 5-1 to
overturn a 2-0 deficit from the
away leg to win the Apertura Final.
W Championship in Poland meant
just two days rest between
games for the players, with
the finalists having to play
five matches in less than two weeks.
Monday June 19 I think the formula is exciting for neutrals, but
SPAIN: Florentino Perez is re- of course its not a good thing for coaches, was
elected unopposed as Real Madrid the opinion of England manager Aidy Boothroyd,
president for the next four years. whose team were beaten on penalties in the semi-
finals by Germany after a 2-2 draw.
Tuesday June 20 The tournament had started with much of the
ARGENTINA: Banfields 1-0 loss attention focused on the high-quality football of
to San Lorenzo sees Boca Juniors Spain, whose 3-1 victory over Portugal in the group
crowned champions of Argentina stage was a real feast for fans at Gdynia stadium.
for a 32nd time. Displaying impressive technical finesse, the
Spaniards won all of the tournaments individual
Wednesday June 21 prizes, with Real Betis Dani Ceballos named the Strong and able...
RUSSIA: Igor Akinfeev wins his best player, Saul Niguez of Atletico Madrid winning Germany celebrate
100th cap as Russia lose 1-0 to the Golden Boot as top scorer with five goals, and
Portugal in the Confederations Cup. Marco Asensio from Real Madrid taking the Silver but that sequence came to an end against Germany. It
Boot as the second-top scorer, with three goals and was a painful lesson that even fantastic individual skill is
Thursday June 22 one assist. not always enough for victory because football is a
CHILE: Alexis Sanchez becomes Spain reached the Final with a 3-1 victory over team game.
Chiles all-time leading scorer, Italy, which took their unbeaten run to 13 games, We knew that Spain had a lot of quality players, but
getting his 38th international goal we had our team spirit, declared Germany
in a 1-1 draw with Germany. full-back Yannick Gerhardt. Especially in
CHINA: Brazilian midfielder Oscar the first half we fought for each other.
is banned for eight games for If somebody lost the ball, another one
sparking a mass brawl while playing supported him at once.
for Shanghai SIPG by deliberately Germany won the Final thanks to a
kicking the ball at two players from first-half header from Mitchell Weiser, but
Guangzhou R&F during a 1-1 draw even after they had gone ahead they still
on Sunday. continued to press rather than just sitting
back and defending the result.
Friday June 23 In the group stage Germany had lost 1-0
ENGLAND: Mauricio Pellegrino is to Italy in a controversial game that saw
named manager of Southampton. both teams progress to the semis: Italy as
RUSSIA: Third-tier Sochi, who are group winners and Germany as the best
due to move into the citys World second-placed team. During the final few
Cup stadium after next years England miss...Germanys Julian Pollersbeck saves Nathan Redmonds spot kick minutes both sides were happy to see out
72 WORLD SOCCER
WORLD SERVICE
the game as the result suited both parties. Algerias dream of reaching the knock-out stage.
When Italy coach Luigi Di Biagio was questioned Overall victory for Germany was all the more
afterwards about possible collusion between the teams impressive as coach Stefan Kuntz was without eight key
he answered: If in 88th or 89th minute you play a ball players who were called up for the Confederations Cup
back, I dont see anything wrong. in Russia. However, the tournament was a real disaster
Earlier we tried to score the second goal, so I dont for the host nation as expectations among Polish fans
know what we are talking about? and media turned out to be totally unrealistic.
A day before the opening game, midfielder Radoslaw
The formula is exciting for Murawski declared that he believes in a gold medal.
But after losing 2-1 to Slovakia, centre-back Krystian
neutrals, but of course its not Bielik said: Our training sessions are boring. And we
a good thing for coaches play, as we train. He apologised to coach Marcin Dorna
England boss Aidy Boothroyd but did not play again. His harsh opinion seemed to be
an accurate comment on the hosts performances.
But that was not a good enough explanation for They finished bottom of their group after another 3-0
Slovakian prime minister Robert Fico, because Italy defeat to England and a 2-2 draw with Sweden, the
progressed at the expense of his country. He wrote defending champions.
an open letter to UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin, At least the hosts were praised by UEFA for the
describing the game as a farce, having no respect for tournament organisation and the fans enthusiasm.
sportsmen and comparing it to the 1982 World Cup The 21 games were watched by 244,085 people,
draw between Germany and Austria, which ended Golden Boot...Spains Saul Niguez at an average of 11,623 per game.
WORLD SOCCER 73
Caribbean Cup
NATHAN CARR
Curacao
make history
Former Dutch colony win
tournament for first time
74 WORLD SOCCER
WORLD SERVICE
WORLD SOCCER 75
CONFEDERATIONS CUP SQUADS SQUADS
SQUADS
14 James TROISI (28) 03.07.88 unattached 9 Jacques ZOUA (25) 06.09.91 Kaiserslautern (Ger) 11 Eduardo VARGAS (27) 20.11.89 Tigres (Mex) 11 Timo WERNER (21) 06.03.96 RB Leipzig
MIDFIELDERS 21 Storm ROUX (24) 13.01.93CC Mariners (Aus) 11 Nelson SEMEDO (23) 16.11.93 Benca 5 Viktor VASIN (28) 06.10.88 CSKA Moscow
23 Oswaldo ALANIS (28) 18.03.89 Guadalajara 20 Tommy SMITH (27) 31.03.90 Ipswich (Eng) 21 Cedric SOARES (25) 31.08.91 Soton (Eng) MIDFIELDERS
20 Javier AQUINO (27) 11.02.90 Tigres 4 Themistoklis TZIMOPOULOS (31) 20.11.85 PAS (Gre) MIDFIELDERS 4 Yury GAZINSKY (27) 20.07.89 Krasnodar
17 Jurgen DAMM (24) 07.11.92 Tigres 3 Deklan WYNNE (22) 20.03.95 Whitecaps II (USA) 14 William CARVALHO (25) 07.04.92 Sporting 8 Denis GLUSHAKOV (30) 27.01.87 Spartak Moscow
10 Giovani DOS SANTOS (28) 11.05.89LA Galaxy (USA) MIDFIELDERS 13 DANILO (25) 09.09.91 Porto 17 Aleksandr GOLOVIN (21) 30.05.96 CSKA Moscow
6 Jonathan DOS SANTOS (27) 26.04.90 Villarreal (Spa) 15 Clayton LEWIS (20) 12.02.97 Auckland City 15 Andre GOMES (23) 30.07.93 Barcelona (Spa) 10 Ruslan KAMBOLOV (27) 01.01.90 Rubin Kazan
18 Andres GUARDADO (30) 28.09.86 PSV (Hol) 8 Michael MCGLINCHEY (30) 07.01.87 Wellington Ph 8 Joao MOUTINHO (30) 08.09.86 Monaco (Fra) 15 Aleksei MIRANCHUK (21) 17.10.95 Lok Moscow
16 Hector HERRERA (27) 19.04.90 Porto (Por) 14 Ryan THOMAS (22) 20.12.94 PEC Zwolle (Hol) 16 PIZZI (27) 06.10.89 Benca 19 Aleksandr SAMEDOV (32) 19.07.84 Spartak
7 Miguel LAYUN (28) 25.06.88 Porto (Por) 6 Bill TUILOMA (22) 23.03.95 Marseille (Fra) 23 Adrien SILVA (28) 15.03.89 Sporting 22 Dmitri TARASOV (30) 18.03.87 Lok Moscow
11 Carlos VELA (28) 01.03.89R Sociedad (Spa) FORWARDS 10 Bernardo SILVA (22) 10.08.94 Monaco (Fra) 21 Aleksandr YEROKHIN (27) 13.10.89 Rostov
FORWARDS 7 Kosta BARBAROUSES (27) 19.02.90 Wellington Ph FORWARDS 18 Yuri ZHIRKOV (33) 20.08.83 Zenit
8 Marco FABIAN (27) 21.07.89 E Frankfurt (Ger) 13 Monty PATTERSON (20) 09.12.96 Ipswich (Eng) 18 Gelson MARTINS (22) 11.05.95 Sporting FORWARDS
14 Javier HERNANDEZ (29) 01.06.88 Leverkusen (Ger) 11 Marco ROJAS (25) 05.11.91 Mbourne V (Aus) 17 NANI (30) 17.11.86 Valencia (Spa) 11 Aleksandr BUKHAROV (32) 12.03.85 Rostov
9 Raul JIMENEZ (26) 05.05.1 Benca (Por) 19 Alex RUFER (21) 12.06.96 Wellington Ph 20 Ricardo QUARESMA (33) 26.09.83 Besiktas (Tur) 20 Maksim KANUNNIKOV (25) 14.07.91 Rubin Kazan
(all ages as of17.06.17)
19 Oribe PERALTA (33) 12.01.84 America 10 Shane SMELTZ (35) 29.09.81 Borneo (Ins) 7 Cristiano RONALDO (32) 05.02.85 Real Madrid (Spa) 7 Dmitry POLOZ (25) 12.07.91 Rostov
22 Hirving LOZANO (21) 30.07.95 Pachuca 9 Chris WOOD (25) 07.12.91 Leeds (Eng) 9 Andre SILVA (21) 06.11.95 Porto 9 Fyodor SMOLOV (27) 09.02.90 Krasnodar
76 WORLD SOCCER
RESULTS, TABLES, FIXTURES
RESULTS, TABLES, FIXTURES
Internationals
Germany 4 (Goretzka 6, 8, Werner 59, Hawsawi, Omar Hawsawi, Al Zori, Al Khaibri
Younes 90+1) (Otayf 69), Al Faraj, Al Shehri (Asiri 82), Al
Mexico 1 (Fabian 89) Jassim, Al Dawsari (Al Moasher 82), Al Sahlawi.
HT: 2-0. Att: 37,923. Ref: Pitana (Arg)
Germany: Ter Stegen - Kimmich, Ginter, Rudiger, Jun13 - Tehran, Iran
Henrichs, Goretzka (Can 67), Rudy, Hector, Iraq 1 (Kamel 72)
CONFEDERATIONS CUP Group B Stindl (Brandt 78), Draxler (Younes 81), Werner. Japan 1 (Osako 8)
Jun18 - Moscow Mexico: Ochoa - Layun, Araujo, Moreno, HT: 0-1. Att: 983. Ref: Fu (Chn)
Played in Russia Cameroon 0 Alanis, J Dos Santos (Marquez 66), Herrera, Iraq: Gassid - Salem, Ibrahim, Sulaka, Adnan,
Chile 2 (Vidal 81, Vargas 90+1) G Dos Santos (Fabian 62), Jimenez, Javier Nouri (Attwan 80), Kamel (Resan 77), Yasin
Group A HT: 0-0. Att: 33,492. Ref: Skomina (Sln) Hernandez, Aquino (Lozano 46). (Tariq 59), Abdul-Zahra, Abdul-Amir,
Jun17 - St Petersburg Cameroon: Ondoa - Mabouka, Ngadeu, Teikeu, Abdul-Raheem.
Russia 2 (Boxall og 31, Smolov 69) Fai, Siani (Ngamaleu 86), Zambo Anguissa 3rd-place match Japan: Kawashima - H Sakai (G Sakai 76),
New Zealand 0 (Mandjeck 89), Djoum, Bassogog, Aboubakar, Jul 2 - Moscow Yoshida, Shoji, Nagatomo, Endo, Ideguchi
HT: 1-0. Att: 50,251. Ref: Roldan (Col) Moukandjo. Portugal 2 (Pepe 90+1, Adrien Silva pen 104) (Konno 62), Honda, Haraguchi (Kurata 70),
Russia: Akinfeev - Samedov, Dzhikiya, Vasin, Chile: Herrera - Isla, Medel, Jara, Beausejour, Mexico 1 (Luis Neto og 54) Kubo, Osako.
Kudryashov, Zhirkov, Erokhin (Tarasov 77), Vidal, M Diaz, Aranguiz (Silva 71), Fuenzalida Aet. HT: 0-0. 90mins: 1-1. Att: 42,659.
Glushakov, Golovin, Smolov (Miranchuk 90), (Valencia 64), Vargas, Puch (Sanchez 58). Ref: Al Mirdasi (Sau) Jun13 - Bangkok
Poloz (Bukharov 64). Portugal: Rui Patricio - Nelson Semedo, Pepe, Thailand 1 (Mongkol 69)
New Zealand: Marinovic - Colvey (Patterson Jun19 - Sochi Luis Neto, Eliseu, Gelson Martins, Joao United Arab Emirates 1 (Mabkhout 90+3)
83), Smith, Durante, Boxall, Wynne, Australia 2 (Rogic 41, Juric 56) Moutinho (Adrien Silva 82), Danilo Pereira HT: 0-0. Att: 24,417. Ref: Bin Jahari (Sin)
Barbarouses (Tuiloma 61), McGlinchey, Thomas, Germany 3 (Stindl 5, Draxler pen 44, (Andre Gomes 82), Pizzi (William Carvalho 91), Thailand: Kawin - Adison, Chalermpong,
Rojas (Smeltz 71), Wood. Goretzka 48) Andre Silva, Nani (Quaresma 70). Pansa, Peerapat, Tanaboon, Mongkol (Nurul
HT: 1-2. Att: 28,605. Ref: Geiger (USA) Sent off: Nelson Semedo106. 90+4), Sanrawat, Thitipan, Siroch (Bordin
Jun18 - Kazan Australia: Ryan - Wright, Sainsbury, Degenek, Mexico: Ochoa - Layun, Araujo, Moreno, 90+6), Adisak (Wattana 90+3).
Portugal 2 (Quaresma 34, Cedric 86) Leckie, Milligan, Mooy, Behich, Luongo (Kruse L Reyes, Herrera, Marquez (Fabian 106), UAE: Naser - Sanqour (Fawzi 27), Al Kamali,
Mexico 2 (Javier Hernandez 42, 46), Juric (Cahill 86), Rogic (Troisi 71). Guardado (J Dos Santos 80), Vela, Peralta Salem, Khamis, T Ahmed, Barman, Khalil
Moreno 90+1) Germany: Leno - Kimmich, Rudiger, Musta, (Lozano 61), Javier Hernandez (Jimenez 85). (Al Khaddeim 66), O Abdulrahman, Esmaeel
HT: 1-1. Att: 34,372. Ref: Pitana (Arg) Hector, Brandt (Sule 63), Stindl (Can 78), Rudy, Sent off: Jimenez112. (Matar 73), Mabkhout.
Portugal: Rui Patricio - Cedric, Pepe, Jose Goretzka, Draxler, Wagner (Werner 57).
Fonte, Raphael Guerreiro, Quaresma (Andre Final CONCACAF section
Silva 82), William Carvalho, Joao Moutinho Jun 22 - St Petersburg Jul 2 - St Petersburg 5th round
(Adrien Silva 58), Andre Gomes, Nani (Gelson Cameroon 1 (Zambo Anguissa 45+1) Chile 0 Jun 8 - San Jose
Martins 58), Cristiano Ronaldo. Australia 1 (Milligan pen 60) Germany 1 (Stindl 20) Costa Rica 0
Mexico: Ochoa - Salcedo (Araujo 67), D Reyes, HT: 1-0. Att: 35,021. Ref: Mazic (Ser) HT: 0-1. Att: 57,268. Ref: Mazic (Ser) Panama 0
Moreno, Layun, J Dos Santos, Herrera, Cameroon: Ondoa - Mabouka, Ngadeu, Teikeu, Chile: Bravo - Isla, Medel, Jara, Beausejour, Att: 35,040. Ref: Marrufo (USA)
Guardado, Vela (G Dos Santos 57), Javier Fai, Siani, Zambo Anguissa, Djoum, Bassogog, Aranguiz (Sagal 81), M Diaz (Valencia 53), Costa Rica: Navas - Gamboa, Waston, Acosta,
Hernandez, Jimenez (Peralta 79). Aboubakar, Moukandjo (Toko Ekambi 77). Hernandez, Vidal, Vargas (Puch 81), Sanchez. Gonzalez, Oviedo, B Ruiz, Borges, Azofeifa
Australia: Ryan - Wright, Sainsbury, Degenek, Germany: Ter Stegen - Ginter, Musta, Rudiger, (Guzman 69), Bolanos (Campbell 46), Venegas
Jun 21 - Moscow Leckie, Mooy, Milligan, Gersbach, Rogic (Irvine Kimmich, Goretzka (Sule 90+2), Rudy, Hector, (Urena 88). Sent off: Gonzalez 54.
Russia 0 79), Kruse (Troisi 65), Juric (Cahill 70). Stindl, Draxler, Werner (Can 79). Panama: Penedo - Machado, R Torres,
Portugal 1 (Cristiano Ronaldo 8) Escobar, Ovalle, Cooper (Barcenas 62), Godoy,
HT: 0-1. Att: 42,759. Ref: Rocchi (Ita) Jun 22 - Kazan 2018 WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS G Gomez (Pimentel 80), Quintero, Diaz
Russia: Akinfeev - Shishkin (Erokhin 46), Germany 1 (Stindl 41) (B Perez 75), Tejada.
Dzhikiya, Vasin, Kudryashov (Bukharov 83), Chile 1 (Sanchez 6) ASIA section
Kombarov (Poloz 68), Samedov, Glushakov, HT: 1-1. Att: 38,222. Ref: Faghani (Irn) 3rd round Jun 8 - Mexico City
Golovin, Zhirkov, Smolov. Germany: Ter Stegen - Ginter, Musta, Sule, Group A Mexico 3 (Alanis 34, Lozano 63, Jimenez 66)
Portugal: Rui Patricio - Cedric, Pepe, Bruno Kimmich, Can, Rudy, Hector, Goretzka, Draxler, Jun12 - Tehran Honduras 0
Alves, Raphael Guerreiro (Eliseu 65), Bernardo Stindl. Iran 2 (Azmoun 23, Taremi 88) HT: 1-0. Att: 38,565. Ref: Fischer (Can)
Silva, William Carvalho, Adrien Silva (Danilo Chile: Herrera - Isla, Medel (P Diaz 71), Jara, Uzbekistan 0 Mexico: Ochoa - Salcedo (Duenas 54),
Pereira 83), Andre Gomes, Andre Silva (Gelson Beausejour, Aranguiz (Silva 90), M Diaz, Hernandez, HT: 1-0. Att: 59,730. Ref: Al Kaf (Oma) D Reyes, Alanis, L Reyes, Herrera, J Dos Santos,
Martins 78), Cristiano Ronaldo. Vidal, Vargas (Rodriguez 82), Sanchez. Iran: Beiranvand - Rezaeian, Hosseini, Vela, G Dos Santos (Lozano 56), J M Corona
Pouraliganji, Mohammadi, Karimi, Ezatolahi, (Peralta 69), Jimenez.
Jun 21 - Sochi Jun 25 - Sochi Shojaei (Dejagah 70), Jahanbakhsh (Amiri Honduras: Escober - Crisanto, Johnny Palacios,
Mexico 2 (Jimenez 54, Peralta 72) Germany 3 (Demirbay 48, Werner 66, 81) 45+2), Azmoun, Taremi (Ghoochannejhad 90). M Figueroa, H Figueroa, Izaguirre, M Martinez
New Zealand 1 (Wood 42) Cameroon 1 (Aboubakar 78) Uzbekistan: Lobanov - Krimets, (O Garcia 52), Morazan, Claros (Discua 71),
HT: 0-1. Att: 25,133. Ref: Gassama (Gam) HT: 0-0. Att: 30,230. Ref: Roldan (Col) Shorakhmedov, Ismailov, Andreev (Khashimov Andino (Quioto 58), Elis.
Mexico: Talavera - Salcedo (Moreno 33; Germany: Ter Stegen - Ginter, Rudiger, Sule, 7), Afonin (Rashidov 53), O Akhmedov,
Marquez 68), Araujo, Alanis (Herrera 46), Kimmich, Can, Rudy (Henrichs 74), Plattenhardt, Shomurodov, Haydarov, Abdukholikov Jun 8 - Denver
G Dos Santos, D Reyes, Fabian, Aquino, Damm, Demirbay (Brandt 77), Draxler (Younes 80), (Masharipov 65), Sergeev. United States 2 (Pulisic 52, 62)
Jimenez, Peralta. Werner. Trinidad & Tobago 0
New Zealand: Marinovic - Ingham (Patterson Cameroon: Ondoa - Mabouka, Ngadeu, Teikeu, Jun13 - Doha HT: 0-0. Att: 19,188. Ref: Moncada (Hnd)
82), Boxall, Durante, Smith, Wynne, Lewis Fai, Siani, Zambo Anguissa, Djoum (Ngamaleu Qatar 3 (Al Haidos 25, 75, Akram Af 51) United States: Howard - Yedlin, Cameron,
(Tuiloma 58), McGlinchey, Thomas, Rojas 58), Bassogog (Toko Ekambi 82), Aboubakar, South Korea 2 (Ki Sung-yueng 62, Brooks, Villafana, Bradley, Nagbe, Pulisic,
(Barbarouses 73), Wood. Moukandjo (Guihoata 70). Sent off: Mabouka 64. Hwang Hee-chan 70) F Johnson (Bedoya 74), Altidore (Wood 83),
HT: 1-0. Att: 5,373. Ref: Perera (Sri) Dempsey (Acosta 61).
Jun 24 - Kazan Jun 25 - Moscow Qatar: Al Sheeb - Pedro Miguel, Khoukhi, Trinidad & Tobago: Jan-Michael Williams -
Mexico 2 (Araujo 30, Lozano 52) Chile 1 (Rodriguez 67) I Majid, Musa (Y Abubakar 81), Kasola, C Edwards, Cyrus, Bateau, M Williams, J Jones
Russia 1 (Samedov 25) Australia 1 (Troisi 42) Assadalla, Hassan (Kheder 62), Tabata, (S Winchester 68), Molino, Hyland (Paul 76),
HT: 1-1. Att: 41,585. Ref: Al Mirdasi (Sau) HT: 0-1. Att: 33,639. Ref: Rocchi (Ita) Al Haidos, Akram Af (Boudiaf 67). K George, N Lewis, K Jones (Boatswain 83).
Mexico: Ochoa - D Reyes (L Reyes 39), Araujo, Chile: Bravo - Isla, P Diaz, Jara, Mena, Vidal, South Korea: Kwoun Sun-tae - Choi
Moreno, Layun, J Dos Santos, Herrera, Silva, Aranguiz (Hernandez 46), Fuenzalida Chul-soon, Kwak Tae-hwi, Jang Hyun-soo, Kim Jun11 - Mexico City
Guardado (Alanis 70), Lozano, Javier (Rodriguez 46), Vargas (M Diaz 82), Sanchez. Jin-su, Ki Sung-yueng, Han Kook-young (Nam Mexico 1 (Vela 23)
Hernandez, Vela (Aquino 46). Australia: Ryan - R McGowan, Sainsbury (Wright Tae-hee 79), Ji Dong-won (Hwang Il-soo 53), United States 1 (Bradley 6)
Russia: Akinfeev - Samedov, Dzhikiya, Vasin, 72), Milligan, Kruse, Irvine, Luongo, Behich, Lee Jae-sung, Son Heung-min (Lee Keun-ho HT: 1-1. Att: 71,319. Ref: Aguilar (ESv)
Kudryashov, Zhirkov, Erokhin (Smolnikov 70), Cahill (Leckie 57), Juric (Maclaren 62), Troisi. 34), Hwang Hee-chan. Mexico: Ochoa - Salcedo, D Reyes, Moreno,
Glushakov, Golovin, Smolov (Kanunnikov 78), Alanis (Gallardo 31), J Dos Santos (Pineda 77),
Bukharov (Poloz 64). Sent off: Zhirkov 68. CONFEDERATIONS CUP GROUP B
Jun13 - Krubong, Malaysia Herrera, Fabian (Aquino 53), Vela, Javier
P W D L F A Pts
Syria 2 (Al Mawas pen 12, Al Salih 90+3) Hernandez, Lozano.
Jun 24 - St Petersburg Germany (Q) 3 2 1 0 7 4 7
China 2 (Gao Lin pen 68, Wu Xi 75) United States: Guzan - Gonzalez, Cameron,
New Zealand 0 Chile (Q) 3 1 2 0 4 2 5
HT: 1-0. Att: 4,737. Ref: Al Jeneibi (UAE) Ream, Yedlin, Acosta, Bradley, Beasley,
Portugal 4 (Cristiano Ronaldo pen 33, Australia 3 0 2 1 4 5 2
Syria: Alma - Jenyat, O Midani (Al Douni 86), Arriola (Nagbe 64), Wood (Altidore 79),
Bernardo Silva 37, Andre Silva 80, Nani 90+1) Cameroon 3 0 1 2 2 6 1
Al Salih, Ajan, Haj Mohamad, Al Mawas, Pulisic (Zusi 90+1).
HT: 0-2. Att: 56,290. Ref: Geiger (USA) Z Midani, Mobayed (Al Nakdali 63), F Youssef
New Zealand: Marinovic - Ingham, Boxall, O Top 2 in both groups qualied for semi-nals (Kalfa 80), Mardikian. Jun13 - San Jose
Durante (Smeltz 74), Smith, Doyle, Lewis China: Zeng Cheng - Deng Hanwen (Jiang Costa Rica 2 (Calvo 1, B Ruiz 44)
(Barbarouses 65), McGlinchey (Tuiloma 37), Semi-nals Zhipeng 65), Zhang Linpeng, Feng Xiaoting, Trinidad & Tobago 1 (Molino 35)
Thomas, Rojas, Wood. Jun 28 - Kazan Wang Shenchao, Wu Xi, Huang Bowen (Hao HT: 2-1. Att: 34,429. Ref: Martinez (Cub)
Portugal: Rui Patricio - Nelson Semedo, Pepe, Portugal 0 Junmin 83), Yu Hanchao, Zhang Xizhe (Xiao Zhi Costa Rica: Navas - Gamboa, Waston
Bruno Alves, Eliseu, Quaresma (Gelson Martins Chile 0 56), Wu Lei, Gao Lin. (Umana 22), Acosta, Calvo, Oviedo, Campbell,
83), Danilo Pereira, Joao Moutinho, Bernardo Aet. Chile 3-0 on pens Borges, B Ruiz, Venegas (Guzman 60), Urena
Silva (Pizzi 46), Andre Silva, Cristiano Ronaldo Att: 40,855. Ref: Faghani (Irn) Group B (Wallace 82).
(Nani 67). Portugal: Rui Patricio - Cedric, Bruno Alves, Jun 8 - Adelaide Trinidad & Tobago: Jan-Michael Williams -
Jose Fonte, Eliseu, Bernardo Silva (Quaresma Australia 3 (Juric 7, 36, Rogic 64) David, Cyrus, Bateau, M Williams (S Winchester
CONFEDERATIONS CUP GROUP A 83), Adrien Silva (Joao Moutinho 102), William Saudi Arabia 2 (Al Dawsari 23, Al Sahlawi 45+2) 90), Gonzales, N Lewis, Arcia (Hyland 46),
P W D L F A Pts Carvalho, Andre Gomes (Gelson Martins 116), HT: 2-2. Att: 29,785. Ref: Irmatov (Uzb) Molino, J Jones (C Edwards 78), Boatswain.
Portugal (Q) 3 2 1 0 7 2 7 Andre Silva (Nani 76), Cristiano Ronaldo. Australia: Ryan - R McGowan, Sainsbury,
Mexico (Q) 3 2 1 0 6 4 7 Chile: Bravo - Isla (Fuenzalida 120), Medel, Degenek, Mooy, Jedinak, Leckie, Rogic,
Russia 3 1 0 2 3 3 3 Jara, Beausejour, Aranguiz, M Diaz, Hernandez Irvine (Kruse 63), Smith (Behich 46), Juric
New Zealand 3 0 0 3 1 8 0 (Silva 112), Vidal, Vargas (Rodriguez 86), Sanchez. (Luongo 85).
WORLD SOCCER 77
RESULTS, TABLES, FIXTURES
78 WORLD SOCCER
RESULTS, TABLES, FIXTURES
80 WORLD SOCCER
RESULTS, TABLES, FIXTURES
GREAT
Brazil 5 Sweden 2
MATCHES Garrincha and a teenage Pele star as Brazil make
history and win World Cup for the first time
KEY MOMENTS
T
55min Pele flicks the ball over
he 1958 World Cup Final in extend Brazils lead, flicking the ball over Bengt Gustavsson and volleys past
Sweden set many records: the a defender inside the penalty area and Kalle Svensson. 3-1
first time a non-European team meeting the dropping ball with a first- 61min Garrinchas chip is turned
had won the tournament in time volley beyond Swedish goalkeeper onto the crossbar by Svensson.
Europe; the first occasion a Final had Kalle Svensson. 68min
been played between teams from Mario Zagallo, who worked tirelessly Sweden fail
different continents; the most goals up and down the left flank, scored Brazils to clear a
scored in a Final; the biggest winning fourth before Agne Simonsson, set up by corner and
margin; the oldest player, Nils Liedholm, Gunnar Gren, reduced the arrears with 10 Zagallo puts
to score in a Final. And then, of course, Rising star...17-year- minutes remaining. the ball
there was also the youngest player to old Pele (right) But Pele still had one final offering and home. 4-1
score in a Final, Pele. combined with Zagallo to score a fifth 80min
At 17 years and 249 days old, Edson goal as Brazil claimed the World Cup Grens pass
Arantes di Nascimento made the world sit for the first time. finds Agne
up and take notice of his incredible talent. Simonsson,
Fourth...Mario Zagallo
However, Pele wasnt the best player BRAZIL SWEDEN who beats
Coach: Vicente Feola Coach: George Raynor
on the pitch that accolade went to Gilmar from close range. 4-2
Garrincha, the little bird on the right Hamrin
90min Pele flicks the ball to
Nilton Santos
wing for Brazil, who set up the first two Bergmark Zagallo before running into the box
goals as well as hitting a post and having Zagallo and rising above the defence to
a shot tipped onto the crossbar. Gren
meet the return cross with a looping
Bellini Pele Parling
Managed by an Englishman, George Didi header into the corner. 5-2
Raynor, the host nation went ahead after
Gilmar Simonsson Borjesson Svensson
just three minutes through Liedholm, who
was 102 days short of his 36th birthday. Zito Vava Gustavsson
Orlando Peranha Liedholm
But with Garrincha on fire, Brazil were
soon back in the game and led at half-
Garrincha
time with Vava applying the finishing Skoglund
Axbom
touch from close range to two almost Djalma Santos