FUTEBOL AMAZONENSE,EM QUEDA ?

Walker Bahia Marques,EX-FAF. Boto fé em você,JOAQUIM ALENCAR. O nosso futebol está morto. Curtir · Responder · 1 · 22 de fevereiro às 19:20 Joacy Medeiros Alves Joacy Medeiros Alves:WEX-PRESIDENTE DA F A F. É muito triste saber que o Futebol Amazonense vai Esportistas Amazonenses, o que está acontecendo com o futebol do AMAZONAS ?incompetência absoluta ?

PRESIDENT F I F A GIANNI INFANTINO

Gianni Infantino

(FIFA.com) 26 Feb 2016

© Getty Images

Full name: Giovanni Vincenzo Infantino
Place of birth: Brig, Switzerland
Date of Birth: 23 March 1970
Marital status: Married to Lina Al Achkar Infantino, 4 children (Alessia, Sabrina, Shanïa Serena and Dhalia Nora)
Education: University of Fribourg
Mother tongue: Italian/French/(Swiss-)German
Other languages: English/Spanish/Portuguese/Arabic
Biography:  
Before being elected FIFA President, Gianni Infantino was the UEFA General Secretary since October 2009, having joined the organisation in 2000. He led a team of over 400 staff which has helped further strengthen both national team and club football in Europe and UEFA's role as a respected and credible international governing body. 
At the helm of UEFA’s administration and together with the Executive Committee, he has intensified UEFA’s work to provide a democratic and sustainable environment for European football. This has been achieved through initiatives such as Financial Fair Play, improved commercial support and an increased role in the decision-making process for Member Associations of all sizes, and the development of UEFA's competitions at every level of the game – including the exponential growth of the UEFA Champions League and the expansion of the UEFA European Football Championships. 
Gianni led the fight against social ills and threats to the integrity of football in Europe, including all forms of racism and discrimination, violence and hooliganism, and match-fixing. 
Professional activities 
•     Joined UEFA in August 2000
•     Appointed Director of UEFA’s Legal Affairs and Club Licensing Division in January 2004 – led UEFA’s work in fostering close contacts with the European Union, the Council of Europe and governmental authorities
•     Promoted to Deputy General Secretary before becoming General Secretary in 2009
•     Appointed to the 2016 FIFA Reform Committee in August 2015
•     Worked as Secretary General of the International Centre for Sport Studies (CIES) at the University of Neuchâtel prior to joining UEFA, having previously been an adviser to a variety of football bodies, in Italy, Spain and Switzerland

F I F A

FIFA Congress approves landmark reforms

(FIFA.com) 26 Feb 2016

© Getty Images

FIFA’s Member Associations have today approved a package of landmark reforms that pave the way for significant improvements to the governance of global football, including a clear separation of commercial and political decision-making, greater scrutiny of senior officials, and commitments to promoting women in football and human rights.
The reforms were supported by 179 of the 207 Member Associations present and eligible to vote at the Extraordinary Congress in Zurich. The Congress will also elect a new FIFA President.
The reforms were based on proposals made by the 2016 FIFA Reform Committee and the subsequent recommendations put before the Congress by the Executive Committee in the form of draft FIFA Statutes. They represent an essential step towards the modernisation of FIFA’s institutional culture in key areas such as the clear separation of political and management functions, term limits, the disclosure of individual compensation, greater recognition and promotion of women in football and a commitment to enshrining human rights in the FIFA Statutes. Furthermore, they include statutory principles of good governance for member associations and confederations, such as compulsory annual independent audit reports as well as independent judicial bodies to ensure a separation of powers on all levels of football structures.
“We stand united in our determination to put things right, so that the focus can return to football once again,” said Acting FIFA President Issa Hayatou. “The hard work of restoring trust and improving how we work begins now.”
“This will create a system of stronger governance and greater diversity that will give football a strong foundation on which to thrive. It will help to restore trust in our organisation. And it will deter future wrongdoing.”
The main aspects of the approved reforms have been incorporated into an amended version of the FIFA Statutes. A summary of the approved reforms is available here.
In accordance with art. 29 of the current edition of the FIFA Statutes, the statutory amendments passed today will come into effect for the members 60 days after the close of the Congress.

COMING UP: FIFA President Infantino's first press conference

FIFA.com and FIFA’s YouTube channel are streaming the Extraordinary FIFA Congress live from the Hallenstadion in Zurich. The streaming will will cover the entire Congress, as well as the press conference following it.
A complete media package about the Congress is also available on FIFA.com, including the agenda, comprehensive information on the reforms that have today been approved by the Extraordinary Congress, and an FAQ on the election for the office of FIFA President. The reforms have been enshrined in the new draft FIFA Statutes and the FIFA Governance Regulations.

Paulo Cézar, o genial polêmico craque Caju

Paulo Cézar, o genial polêmico craque Caju

Autor: José Renato - 14/12/2015   2 comentários

Paulo Cézar Lima nasceu em 16 de junho de 1949 na favela da Cachoeira, em frente ao cemitério São João Batista no tradicional bairro carioca de Botafogo. Sua roda familiar incluía sua mãe, Dona Esmeralda, conterrânea do Rei Pelé, empregada doméstica, e sua irmã, mais velha, Célia Maria. Seu pai, marceneiro, morreu quando ele ainda tinha apenas um mês de nascido. O futebol surgiu em sua vida por meio dos jogos que costumava participar nas quadras do quartel da polícia militar e no campo do Botafogo, onde passou a atuar na equipe infantil, que ficavam perto da sua casa. Aos 11 anos foi convidado para jogar futebol de salão no Flamengo, onde ganhou o apelido de Pelezinho. No rubro negro, fez uma grande amizade com Fred, filho de Marinho Rodrigues de Oliveira, ex-jogador e técnico do Botafogo, o que mudaria de forma marcante seu futuro. A família de Fred praticamente o adotou, e tão logo Marinho foi convidado para treinar a seleção de Honduras, Paulo Cézar, com o consentimento da mãe, se mudou com a nova família para Tegucigalpa. Marinho logo assumiu o papel de pai adotivo e passou a exercer forte influencia em sua educação. Em meados de 1966, após passar por Colômbia e Peru, onde juntamente com Fred, foi convidado para se naturalizar, Paulo César voltou com a família para o Brasil. Levado por Marinho ao Flamengo, foi dispensado pelo técnico Flávio Costa. Na semana seguinte, no entanto, ganhou uma oportunidade no Botafogo do técnico Admildo Chirol. Logo no primeiro coletivo, em janeiro de 1967, teve atuação soberba, atuando pela equipe titular, deixando boquiaberta toda comissão técnica do time principal, e muito aborrecido o técnico do juvenil, Zagallo, que preferia contar com sua participação na equipe alvinegra que buscava o hexacampeonato da categoria. Foi necessária a intervenção de Gerson junto à diretoria para que Paulo Cézar fosse mantido na equipe principal. Jogando como ponta esquerda em um ataque formado também por Rogério, Roberto e Jairzinho, sua habilidade e rara visão de jogo, logo se tornaram imprescindíveis para o Botafogo. Em sua primeira competição oficial, a Taça Guanabara daquele ano, na partida final frente ao América, em 20 de agosto, marcou três gols, na vitória por 3 a 2, conquistada na prorrogação, após empate em 2 gols durante o tempo regulamentar. Em seguida voltou a ser campeão, desta vez do campeonato carioca, com o Botafogo que venceu 15 das 18 partidas que disputou. Ainda naquele ano estreou na seleção brasileira, em 19 de setembro, na vitória por 1 a 0 frente ao Chile, em partida amistosa, realizada em Santiago, que também marcou a estreia do Zagallo como técnico da seleção. Já o ano seguinte, de 1968, foi de afirmação para Paulo Cézar, que conquistou o bicampeonato da Taça Guanabara e do Campeonato Carioca, bem como a Taça Brasil, cujas finais aconteceram apenas em 4 de outubro de 1969. Sua presença passou a ser constante na seleção brasileira. Com apenas 20 anos de idade, foi convocado para a seleção brasileira que disputaria a Copa do Mundo de 1970. Era o décimo segundo jogador daquela equipe espetacular. Logo na estreia, em 3 de junho, na vitória por 4 a 1 frente a Tchecoslováquia, entrou no lugar de Gerson, que houvera se contundido. Titular nas vitórias frente a Inglaterra, 1 a 0, e Romênia, 3 a 2, também atuou na partida contra o Peru, 4 a 2. Campeão mundial continuou brilhando na equipe alvinegra, até que em 1971, se deixou fotografar com a faixa de campeão carioca antes do final da competição. A surpreendente queda de rendimento da equipe da Estrela Solitária e a ascensão do Fluminense, fez com que o titulo ficasse com a equipe das Laranjeiras e Paulo Cézar, embora tivesse sido artilheiro da competição com 11 gols, passasse a ser criticado pelos dirigentes alvinegros, sobretudo pelo presidente do clube, Altemar Dutra de Castilho que o culpou pela perda do titulo. Ainda disputou pelo Botafogo a primeira edição do campeonato brasileiro em 1971, quando a equipe chegou ao triangular final com o Atlético Mineiro, que foi o campeão, e o São Paulo, o vice. O clima pesado no Botafogo, o levou a mudar de ares e no começo de 1972 estava de volta ao Flamengo, desta vez como atleta profissional. Sua estreia com a camisa rubro negra aconteceu em 8 de janeiro, justamente frente ao antigo clube, seu time do coração, o Botafogo no empate por 1 a 1 em partida amistosa. Viveu um grande ano na Gávea, conquistando a Taça Guanabara e o Campeonato Carioca, no ano do Sesquicentenário da Independência. Além do sucesso em campo, Paulo Cézar costumava chamar a atenção por seu estilo de vida. Gostava de sair à noite, embora não bebesse e fumasse, e costumeiramente se apresentava com carros luxuosos e roupas bem extravagantes. Também não fugia de uma boa polemica, cobrando dirigentes e se posicionando sobre quaisquer assuntos. Além disso, passou a pintar o cabelo de caju, segundo ele apenas um efeito do sol carioca, o que fez com que passasse a ser conhecido como Paulo Cézar Caju. Já em 1973, conquistou novamente a Taça Guanabara e foi vice-campeão carioca, perdendo a final para o Fluminense em 22 de agosto por 4 a 2. Durante o campeonato brasileiro, no entanto, sofreu com a má campanha da equipe rubro negra, até que na derrota por 2 a 1 para o Grêmio, em 28 de outubro, no estádio do Maracanã, quase foi agredido pela torcida, que destruiu seu carro. Aborrecido, deixou acertada sua contratação pela equipe francesa do Olympique de Marseille, antes da Copa do Mundo de 1974, deixando sua apresentação oficial apenas após o termino da competição. Por conta disso, a imprensa alegou que Paulo Cézar tivesse evitado entrar em bolas divididas durante a Copa do Mundo disputada na Alemanha. O fato é que Paulo Cézar, com 25 anos, titularíssimo daquela seleção, atuou muito mal nos dois empates sem gols, contra Iugoslávia e Escócia, e perdeu a posição de titular. Deslocado para o meio campo, voltou à equipe na segunda fase, no entanto, ficou muito aquém daquilo que se esperava dele. Atuou no futebol francês, juntamente com Jairzinho, por pouco mais de um ano, sendo vice-campeão francês da temporada 1974/1975 e campeão da Copa do França em 1975. Ainda na França foi assistir a uma partida do Fluminense que disputava um torneio em Nice, quando acabou conhecendo o presidente tricolor Francisco Horta, que não perdeu a chance de convidá-lo para voltar ao Brasil e fazer parte da Máquina Tricolor, uma das maiores equipes da historia do clube, liderada por Rivellino. Com a camisa tricolor, foi bicampeão carioca, duas vezes semifinalista do campeonato brasileiro e voltou a ser convocado para a seleção brasileira que se preparava para as eliminatórias da Copa do Mundo de 1978. As confusões, no entanto, não foram deixadas de lado. Em 17 de setembro de 1976, a delegação carioca que estava na Paraíba para enfrentar o Treze, em partida válida pelo campeonato brasileiro, acabou se envolvendo em uma confusão com os torcedores paraibanos e no meio do tumulto, Paulo Cézar aplicou uma rasteira em um jovem. O atacante acabou sendo preso e passando a noite no II Batalhão de Polícia Militar, sendo posto em liberdade na manhã seguinte, após o pagamento de fiança. Embora estivesse muito bem nas Laranjeiras, no começo de 1977, Caju acabou sendo envolvido juntamente com Gil e Rodrigues Neto em uma troca pelo lateral esquerdo botafoguense Marinho Chagas. De volta ao time de seu coração, Paulo Cézar fez parte da equipe que alcançou a incrível marca de 52 jogos sem perder, uma das maiores invencibilidades da história do futebol brasileiro. Apesar disso, as conquistas não vieram e após brigar com o presidente Charles Borer, preferiu permanecer os últimos três meses de seu contrato sem atuar, nem receber, do que voltar a vestir a camisa alvinegra. Já seu sonho de disputar sua terceira Copa do Mundo acabou ainda nos vestiários da vitória brasileira por 1 a 0 frente a seleção peruana em 10 de julho de 1977, em partida realizada na cidade colombiana de Cali, que praticamente garantiu a vaga brasileira para a Copa da Argentina. Aproveitando a presença do presidente da CBD, atual CBF, o almirante Heleno Nunes, Paulo Cézar passou a reivindicar uma premiação maior aos jogadores. Ao ser ignorado pelo dirigente, se dirigiu a ele afirmando que ele deveria estar cuidando de seus navios e armas, pois de futebol não entendia nada. Oficialmente foi afastado por problema no joelho direito, mas de fato, jamais voltou a vestir a camisa da seleção brasileira. O ano de 1979 começou em um novo clube, o Grêmio de Porto Alegre, onde foi recepcionado de forma calorosa pelos torcedores gaúchos que lotaram o aeroporto em sua chegada as terras gaúchas. Em campo correspondeu com as expectativas, sendo campeão gaúcho com uma campanha espetacular, com 10 pontos a frente do rival Internacional que acabou na terceira colocação, atrás ainda do Esportivo de Bento Gonçalves. Aos 30 anos, embora os torcedores e dirigentes quisessem mantê-lo por lá, a saudade das praias cariocas acabou sendo maior, e ele acabou sendo envolvido em uma troca com o goleiro Leão, indo para o Vasco da Gama, o único grande carioca onde ainda não tinha atuado. Não foi bem na equipe da Cruz de Malta, muito embora tenha sido vice-campeão carioca de 1980. Durante sua estadia em São Januário, chegou a ser negociado como o Barcelona de Guayaquil, mas não aguentou mais de dois dias na Colômbia. Cansado de jogar futebol, resolveu passar férias, longe da bola, na França. No segundo semestre de 1981, aceitou o desafio de atuar no futebol paulista, cuja imprensa costumava criticá-lo de forma impiedosa. Contratado pelo Corinthians, estreou no clássico frente ao São Paulo em 25 de outubro, na derrota por 2 a 0. Atuaria apenas mais três vezes pela equipe paulista, sem grande destaque. No começo de 1982, recebeu a ligação de seu amigo Carlos Alberto Torres para atuar na equipe norte- americana do California Surf. Apenas passeou pelas terras de Tio Sam e logo estaria de volta à França, onde passou a atuar, a pedido de um amigo, em uma equipe da terceira divisão, o AS Aix. Tinha a certeza de que tinha parado de jogar futebol e seguiu por novos caminhos, não tão promissores, o das bebidas e das drogas, mais especificamente cocaína. Em julho de 1983, no entanto, recebeu a ligação de Antônio Verardi, supervisor do Grêmio, o convidando para disputar a final do Mundial Interclubes no final do ano frente à equipe alemã do Hamburgo. Ciente de seus problemas, os dirigentes gremistas prepararam Paulo Cézar para esta partida. Deu certo, em 11 de dezembro de 1983, a equipe gaúcha conquistou o Mundial ao vencer os alemães por 2 a 1, com dois gols de Renato Gaúcho. Esta foi sua ultima partida como profissional. Paulo Cézar Caju foi um jogador genial, um dos maiores talentos da história do futebol brasileiro e que não deixou de aproveitar a vida da forma que quis, ignorando as criticas e sempre deixando claro suas posições frente a dirigentes e jornalistas. O futebol de hoje sente muito a falta de jogadores como ele.

Craque “di lá” ou Dicá.

Craque “di lá” ou Dicá.

Autor: José Renato - 01/02/2016   Nenhum comentário

Oscar Sales Bueno Filho nasceu no dia 13 de julho de 1947 na cidade de Campinas. O filho mais velho de “Seo” Oscar, que “tocava” algumas pequenas obras da prefeitura da cidade, e da dona de casa Elvira passou toda a sua infância batendo bola na rua. Foi neste tempo que ganhou o apelido pelo qual passaria a ser conhecido no futebol. Certo dia, ele e um de seus irmãos, Walter, jogavam uma partida, quando um rapaz perguntou ao outro, qual deles era o Oscar, o “di lá” ou o “di cá”? Daí surgiu, Dicá. Há outra versão que ele seria sempre o escolhido para jogar no time “di cá” e não no “di lá”. Que possamos ficar com a versão que mais gostarmos. O começo no futebol foi defendendo as cores azul e branca do clube do bairro onde morava, o Santa Odila Futebol Clube, que tinha o pai, Oscar, como técnico, fato que acabaria por lhe causar problemas. Sua habilidade em dar dribles e fazer jogadas de efeito logo chamou a atenção de muitos que costumavam se acotovelar para vê-lo atuar, ainda que ele tivesse apenas 14 anos. Apesar disso, alguns dos meninos, com quem atuava, e, sobretudo, seus pais passaram a reclamar com “Seo” Oscar, pai de Dicá, que ele driblava demais. Preocupado em não passar a impressão de estar, indevidamente, o protegendo, não foram raras as vezes que o pai resolveu colocá-lo no banco de reservas. Retraído, o menino Dicá sempre acatava, sem reclamar, ainda que todos soubessem que ele era o melhor do time. Este tipo de comportamento acabaria por marcar a sua carreira. Certo dia, quando ainda dividia o seu tempo de bola, com os estudos e o trabalho em uma tapeçaria, ao saber que um dos olheiros da Ponte Preta fora observá-lo, atuou bem abaixo de sua capacidade, o que acabaria por atrasar um caminho que já estava traçado, o de ser jogador de futebol. Passaram pouco mais de dois anos e desta vez, além da Ponte Preta, seu maior rival, o Guarani também demonstrou interesse em contar com Dicá. A dúvida sobre o que seria melhor para ele foi resolvida por uma questão simples, o amor de seu pai à Ponte Preta. Desta forma, em 1965, com 17 anos, passou a fazer parte da equipe juvenil da Macaca. Sua estreia na equipe principal, comandada pelo técnico Sidney Cotrin, aconteceria em 27 de agosto de 1966, no empate em 2 gols frente ao Nacional, em partida realizada no estádio Nicolau Alayon, válida pelo campeonato paulista da primeira divisão, equivalente a atual A2 da competição e em muitos outros estados a segunda divisão. Seu primeiro gol como profissional aconteceu em 16 de outubro daquele ano, na goleada por 6 a 1 frente a Esportiva de Guaratinguetá, no estádio Moisés Lucarelli. Aliás, naquele dia, marcou duas vezes. Um pouco antes disso, no dia 27 de setembro, ainda como juvenil, foi campeão da Liga Campineira de Futebol, marcando 2 gols na goleada pontepretana de 6 a 1 frente a Mogiana. Com a chegada do técnico Cilinho em 1967, Dicá passou de vez a equipe principal e chegou a ser vice-artilheiro na temporada, por conta de outra qualidade onde era quase insuperável, a sua precisão nas cobranças de falta. Seu chute era sempre certeiro, exigindo muita atenção dos arqueiros adversários. Ainda que já fosse considerado um dos melhores meio-campistas do estado, foi em 1969, que Dicá teve seu primeiro grande ano, com a conquista do título paulista da divisão intermediária, o que valeu a Ponte Preta uma vaga para a divisão especial, com uma equipe que fez história com jogadores de grande qualidade, como os meio-campistas Roberto Pinto, sobrinho de Jair da Rosa Pinto e Teodoro, que depois se destacaria no São Paulo e do lateral esquerdo Nelsinho Baptista. O ano de 1970 seria ainda mais promissor. Inicialmente com o técnico Zé Duarte, com quem subirá de divisão, e posteriormente com Cilinho, que o substituiu após uma derrota para a Ferroviária por 5 a 0, sem a presença de Dicá, a Ponte Preta conquistou um incrível e surpreendente vice-campeonato, tendo o meio campista sido escolhido como a grande revelação da competição. Após quase ter sido negociado com o Corinthians, Dicá permaneceu na Ponte Preta, que ainda naquele ano se tornou a primeira equipe do interior do país a participar de uma competição de âmbito nacional, o Roberto Gomes Pedrosa, conhecido como Taça de Prata, que foi vencida pelo Fluminense. Após a disputa do campeonato paulista de 1971, Dicá foi emprestado ao Santos de Pelé, comandado pelo técnico Mauro Ramos de Oliveira, o capitão campeão mundial em 1962. Sua estreia, ao lado do Rei, aconteceu durante excursão a América do Norte, em 24 de julho, no empate por 1 gol frente a equipe mexicana do Monterrey. Participou de boa parte das partidas santistas no campeonato brasileiro, em sua primeira edição, ainda assim, sem ter empolgado tanto, os dirigentes santistas acabaram achando alto o valor do passe estipulado, na época Cr$ 500 mil (quinhentos mil cruzeiros). Seu caminho de volta para Campinas estava aberto e era o que ele mais desejava. De volta a Ponte Preta, onde continuou sendo o principal jogador da equipe, depois do campeonato paulista de 1972 Dicá foi novamente negociado, desta vez em definitivo, para a Portuguesa, clube que participaria do campeonato brasileiro e que vivia um grande momento, ainda mais pela inauguração oficial de seu estádio no Canindé, em 9 de janeiro daquele ano, em amistoso frente ao Benfica. Dicá chegou a equipe para ser titular e sua estreia aconteceu no dia 13 de setembro, na derrota por 1 a 0 para o Santa Cruz em partida realizada no Parque Antarctica. A derrota logo na estreia, ainda mais em São Paulo, caiu feito uma bomba no clube, cujo presidente, Dr. Oswaldo Teixeira Duarte, reunido com a diretoria, depois do jogo, decidiu dispensar vários de seus titulares em um episódio que entrou na história do clube como a Noite do Galo Bravo. Com uma equipe bem mais enfraquecida, a campanha da lusa foi pífia naquela competição e Dicá que fora contratado como a grande esperança da equipe, acabou sendo marcado por isso. Em 1973, o surgimento de Eneias na equipe do Canindé trouxe ótimos ventos para a Portuguesa, que comandada pelo técnico Oto Gloria, chegou a conquista, dividida com o Santos, do título paulista daquele ano. Ainda que tivesse atuado em algumas partidas, Dicá foi preterido por Oto Glória que sempre deixou clara a sua preferência pelo combativo Basílio ao cerebral Dicá que passou a ser figura frequente do banco de reservas. Não foram poucas as vezes que era chamado para entrar em campo apenas nos minutos finais. Ao que parecia o menino que aceitava de forma passiva o pai colocá-lo no banco de reservas no pequeno Santa Odila, continuava a acatar as ordens do técnico sem reclamar. Mesmo depois da saída de Oto Glória do clube, Dicá jamais voltou a ser aquele jogador que fora na Ponte Preta, ainda que em 1975, tenha recuperado a condição de titular e tenha sido importante para a equipe que chegou ao vice-campeonato estadual, ao perder o título na decisão por pênaltis frente ao São Paulo (naquele dia, Dicá perdeu a sua cobrança). Por conta disso, foi com uma alegria sem fim, que recebeu a notícia de seu pai, sobre o interesse da Ponte Preta em contratá-lo para a disputa do campeonato brasileiro de 1976, o seu primeiro defendendo a camisa da equipe campineira. Aos 29 anos, Dicá estava em casa novamente e com ela a alegria de voltar a jogar em alto nível. Em 1° de setembro de 1976, na primeira rodada da competição, lá estava ele como titular da Ponte Preta no empate por 1 a 1 frente ao Corinthians. A equipe de Campinas fez uma boa campanha e teve Dicá como um de seus grandes nomes. Mal sabia que 1977 seria ainda melhor. Com uma equipe fantástica, talvez a melhor de sua história, e novamente com um velho conhecido como técnico, Zé Duarte, a Macaca que contava com os promissores e futuros atletas titulares da seleção brasileira em Copa do Mundo, Carlos e Oscar, fez uma campanha maravilhosa, chegando ao seu segundo vice-campeonato estadual e tendo como melhor jogador, o mesmo que se destacara em seu primeiro vice, em 1970, Dicá. Coube a ele, na segunda partida das finais frente ao Corinthians, em 9 de outubro de 1977, no estádio do Morumbi, marcar o primeiro gol, uma falta batida com perfeição, da épica vitória pontepretana por 2 a 1, que levou a decisão do título para uma terceira partida, que viria a ser vencida pelo Corinthians, por 1 a 0, com o gol de Basilio, aquele mesmo que ganhara a posição de Dicá na Portuguesa. Não sairia mais da Ponte Preta onde sempre foi titular e principal atleta da equipe, enquanto atuou, que sob sua liderança voltaria a ser vice-campeonato paulista de 1979 e 1981, quando perdeu para o Corinthians e São Paulo, respectivamente e semifinalista do campeonato brasileiro de 1981, na melhor colocação da equipe campineira na competição. Sua despedida oficial aconteceu em 26 de janeiro de 1986, em partida amistosa realizada no estádio Moises Lucarelli frente à equipe suíça do Grasshoper. Naquele dia, a Ponte venceu a partida por 2 a 0, com um dos gols sendo marcado por Rivellino. Dicá, talvez tenha sido o maior batedor de cobranças de falta no seu tempo, também um dos jogadores mais habilidosos e que por um capricho do futebol conseguia mostrar o melhor do seu futebol sempre que atuava no time de seu coração, a Ponte Preta, onde é considerado o maior jogador de sua história e o maior artilheiro, com 154 gols marcados em 581 jogos oficiais. Se a Seleção Brasileira não teve Dicá, azar da Seleção.

TIQUINHO,UM CRAQUE DO SEU TEMPO !

O Campeão Mundial Tiquinho.

Autor: José Renato - 18/02/2016   Nenhum comentário

Onofre Aluísio Batista nasceu no dia 7 de janeiro de 1959 na cidade do Rio de Janeiro. O pequeno menino que corria pelas ruas próximas a sua casa tinha cerca de 10 anos quando ingressou na categoria dente-de-leite do Botafogo. Com um pouco mais de um metro e meio e apenas trinta e seis quilos, era considerado por muitos, um “tiquinho de gente”, daí surgiu seu apelido Tiquinho. Atacante com pouca intimidade com a bola, que jogava pelo lado esquerdo, Tiquinho chamou atenção por ser muito rápido, o que fazia dele quase imbatível na corrida. Não era incomum que aparecesse sozinho tendo apenas o goleiro a sua frente. Com apenas 14 anos, em 11 de junho de 1973, marcou os dois gols da vitória do Botafogo, por 2 a 0 frente ao Dínamo de Kiev, na final do torneio mundial juvenil, realizada na cidade francesa de Croix. Ainda que não fosse uma competição oficial, por conta da participação de grandes equipes, dentre as quais Ajax, Benfica e Milan, sua conquista deu ares de ser um título mundial juvenil. Tiquinho passou a ser considerado como uma grande joia da equipe da estrela solitária. Em 1975, aos 16 anos, se profissionalizou. Ainda que não fosse titular do Botafogo, costumava atuar em partidas amistosas. No dia 9 de março, marcou o primeiro gol do estádio José Américo de Almeida Filho, o Almeidão, na capital paraibana, João Pessoa, na vitória por 2 a 0 frente ao Botafogo local. Em outubro foi convocado pela primeira vez para a seleção brasileira olímpica, comandada pelo genial Zizinho, que viria a conquistar a medalha de ouro nos jogos pan-americanos da cidade do México. Seu começo foi devastador, marcando gol logo na estreia, frente à seleção da Costa Rica, na vitória brasileira por 3 a 1, no dia 14. De volta ao Botafogo, estreou no campeonato brasileiro, com a equipe já eliminada, marcando um gol na vitória por 2 a 1 frente ao Guarani de Campinas, em 29 de novembro, e mais dois, no triunfo alvinegro por 2 a 0 contra o Nacional de Manaus no dia 4 de dezembro. O ano de 1976 começou de forma ainda mais promissora para o atacante que logo em janeiro voltou a ser convocado para a seleção olímpica que disputaria o Torneio Pré-Olímpico realizado em Recife. Tiquinho atuou em duas partidas, frente o Uruguai e Argentina, e foi, novamente, campeão. Ainda muito jovem chegou a ser testado na equipe titular, no entanto, a camisa alvinegra parecia pesar muito e por conta disso os dirigentes botafoguenses resolveram emprestá-lo ao Treze da Paraíba que iria disputar seu primeiro campeonato brasileiro naquele ano. Acreditava-se que aqueles poucos meses seriam o suficiente para que o futebol promissor do atacante voltasse a brilhar e ele pudesse assumir a posição de titular no ataque carioca. Ledo engano. Tiquinho chegou a ter dificuldades até mesmo para conseguir a titularidade na fraca equipe paraibana que, sob o comando do técnico Laerte Dória, fez uma campanha pífia, abaixo das expectativas, com sete derrotas consecutivas e a penúltima colocação na classificação geral de uma competição que contou com 54 equipes. De volta ao Botafogo, dono do seu passe, Tiquinho trazia consigo algo ainda pior que seu mau desempenho em campo. Havia muitas histórias de suas aventuras fora dele, que costumeiramente envolvia farras com mulheres e muita bebida. Os dirigentes botafoguenses acreditavam que o jovem atacante de 18 anos ainda poderia “voltar aos trilhos” e fazer um grande ano em 1977. Infelizmente não foi o que aconteceu, aliás, muito pelo contrário. Enquanto o Botafogo formou uma grande equipe que permaneceu invicta por 52 partidas, o futebol de Tiquinho parecia minguar. Para piorar, os problemas extracampo se intensificaram e tornaram quase que rotineiros. Quando não faltava aos treinos, chegava à sede do Botafogo em condições precárias, muito por conta da bebida. Após um ano de clara e surpreendente decadência, período em que vestiu a camisa alvinegra carioca em apenas 4 oportunidades, a diretoria do clube perdeu a paciência com o atleta, que acabou sendo transferido para o Ceará em 1978. Era muito difícil imaginar como um atleta tão jovem e vencedor já parecia estar em evidente decadência. Ainda que não tenha mostrado um futebol primoroso no Vozão, Tiquinho foi o protagonista de um fato que fez dele um dos maiores nomes da história do clube. No dia 20 de dezembro de 1978, no estádio do Castelão, foi dele o gol da vitória por 1 a 0 do Ceará frente ao arquirrival, Fortaleza, aos 45 minutos do segundo tempo e que garantiu, à equipe alvinegra, o tetracampeonato estadual. Até os dias atuais, a narração do gol, em que pese o bom posicionamento de Tiquinho na área, que se limitou a ser um chute fraco em direção do gol já vazio, costuma ser repetida a exaustão nos momentos que antecedem as partidas do Ceará. Inegável afirmar que Tiquinho seja um dos grandes ídolos da torcida alvinegra. Inconsequente em suas atitudes e sendo “goleado” pela bebida, este foi o seu grande e derradeiro momento na equipe cearense onde ficou até 1980. A partir daí começaria uma vida cigana, praticamente nômade, ficando pouco tempo nas equipes por onde passou, dentre elas, Remo, Fortaleza, novamente Ceará, até chegar ao futebol amazonense, onde voltou a ser campeão, em 1982, ao defender, novamente, as cores de uma equipe alvinegra, no caso o Rio Negro, em uma conquista importante que deu fim a uma sequência de seis títulos consecutivos do rival, o Nacional, onde também atuaria em 1985, após passar pouco tempo no Marília. Ao que parecia sua carreira encerrara no interior paulista. Em 1988, com 27 anos de idade, Tiquinho foi flagrado bêbado nas arquibancadas do estádio Carlos de Alencar Pinto, em Fortaleza, durante amistoso do Ceará. Exalando cheiro forte, repetia em alto e bom som para centenas de torcedores que tinha sido campeão mundial com 14 anos, algo que ninguém acreditava. No ano seguinte, voltou a ter uma chance no futebol defendendo o River do Piauí. Sua estreia aconteceu no clássico contra o Flamengo, o chamado Rivengo, no dia 14 de maio de 1989. Aos 30 minutos do primeiro tempo, mostrou que sua contratação tinha valido a pena, ao marcar o gol de empate de sua equipe. No intervalo da partida, no entanto, quando o técnico do River, o ex-meio-campista Caçapava o procurou para dar orientações, o encontrou já com roupa de passeio e o questionou: “Quem mandou você trocar de roupa?”. Tiquinho, sem titubear, respondeu: “Entrei e já marquei meu gol, o que o senhor quer mais?” e deixou o vestiário. O River acabou vencendo a partida por 2 a 1 e, posteriormente, conquistaria o titulo piauiense daquele ano, o terceiro título estadual de Tiquinho, que atuou apenas esta partida. Tiquinho é um triste exemplo de um talento que foi jogado fora por clara falta de acompanhamento de alguém que pudesse orientá-lo. Infelizmente acabou vencido por uma companheira que esteve ao seu lado durante toda a sua vida, a bebida.

• AFC Champions League

Asian sides kick-start long road to Japan 2016

(FIFA.com) Monday 22 February 2016

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A little over two months since Guangzhou Evergrande and Sanfrecce Hiroshima impressed in December's 2015 FIFA Club World Cup, during which both sides reached the last four, a total of 32 Asian teams enter this season's AFC Champions League aiming to claim the title, and thus the right to represent the continent at the global showpiece at Japan 2016.

Eleven top-ranked Asian countries are represented, with the quota based on their respective performances on the continental stage over the past four years. Of course, the most notable are defending champions Guangzhou Evergrande, who clinched their second title last year under the guidance of Luiz Felipe Scolari. Also attracting attention are five former winners - Al Ittihad, Al Ain, Jeonbuk Motors, Pohang Steelers, Gamba Osaka and Urawa Red Diamonds - while traditional powerhouses like Al Hilal, Pakhtakor and Bunyodkor head into the group phase with renewed ambitions. Join FIFA.com as we preview this season's competition.

Reinforced Chinese contenders
Guangzhou have been the most successful side over recent years following clinching the Asian title twice in just four years. Inspired by the Chinese champions, their fellow C-League participants have spared little in acquiring top-quality star-players as they have targeted domestic and continental success. Jiangsu Suning, previously known as Jiangsu Sainty, are arguably the biggest-spenders after signing a Brazilian trio in former Chelsea star Ramires, Alex Teixeira and Jo, as well as luring Australian international Trent Sainsbury from PEC Zwolle.

Also raising eyebrows through their big-name acquisitions are Shanghai SIPG, who brought in Elkeson from Guangzhou to form a formidable imported line-up alongside Dario Conca and Asamoah Gyan. The reinforcement made an immediate impact as Sven-Goran Eriksson's charges routed Thai giants Muangthong United 3-0 to seal their maiden AFC Champions League appearance. Shandong Luneng added their eye-catching foreign line-up with Brazilian defender Gil and, not to be outdone, Guangzhou inked a high-profile deal with former Atletico Madrid striker Jackson Martinez.

Heavyweights with renewed ambitions
Yet the Chinese hopefuls' credentials will come under serious scrutiny from their group opponents. Pitted against Jiangsu are none other than K League holders Jeonbuk, who have fixed their sights on success on both the home and Asian arena. Under former Korea Republic coach Choi Kanghee, the 2006 Asian champions have left no stone unturned with the high-profile signings of Brazilian forward Ricardo Lopes and towering Australian midfielder Erik Paartalu. FC Seoul, meanwhile, lured back Dejan Damjanovic to enhance their firepower, while Suwon Bluewings will look to their new Brazilian signing Hygor and U-23 star-striker Kwon Changhoon.

With their third-place performances in December's FIFA Club World Cup still fresh in mind, Sanfrecce Hiroshima are expected to lead the J.League quartet as they aim to become the third Japanese side to get their hands on the Asian trophy. Having successfully moulded his unfancied side into one of J.League's top teams, coach Hajime Moriyasu is confident that they can compete against Asia's best. Shouldering the goal-scoring tasks is 21-year-old Takuma Asano who was on target 14 times last season in all competitions, while new acquisition Peter Utaka is expected to continue his prolific form.

Despite narrowly losing out to Guangzhou in the semi-finals last season, Gamba Osaka are hoping for improved play heading into this year's competition. Captained by evergreen Yasuhito Endo and with Takashi Usami spearheading the attacking-line, the 2008 champions are undisputedly among the pre-tournament favourites. The same can be said of Al Hilal, who stormed to the last four only to lose out to Al Ahli. The 13-time Saudi champions will look to in-form marksman Nasser Al-Shamrani and Korean defender Kwak Taehwi as they seek to build on last year's performances.

Despite failing to progress beyond the group phase last year, Uzbek duo Pakhtakor and Bunyodkor enter the tournament with renewed hopes. Likewise, Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC are carrying the A-League banner, while Al Ain must put their disappointing Round of 16 exit behind them if they are to recapture the Asian laurels. Having sealed their return with a play-off victory against Al Wehdat, Al Ittihad are desperate to rebuild their lost credibility.

Enticing match-ups
Guangzhou open their title-defence in a champions derby against Pohang at home while in another game, Urawa Red entertain Sydney FC in what is anticipated to be one of the hardest groups. Shanghai SIPG welcome Australian champions Victory and the section's two heavily-experienced sides - Suwon Bluewings and Gamba Osaka - do battle in the opener with the Japanese visitors taking heart from their winning form against K League sides last season.

Old acquaintance meet again as hosts Pakhtakor and Al Hilal square up against each other in Tashkent in what is their fifth Asian meeting, with the Saudi visitors seeking to build on their undefeated record with three wins and a draw. Bunyodkor arrive at Al Nassr with a score to settle, meanwhile, having first drawn and then lost to the hosts as they crashed out of the group stage last year. Elsewhere, having opened their 2010 campaign with a 1-0 away win at Hiroshima, Shandong are hoping to emulate their old feat against the Japanese hosts this time around. The Chinese enter the re-meeting with bolstered confidence after eliminating Adelaide United in the play-off, but the hosts can take heart from their 3-2 victory at Shandong six years ago.

Players to watch
Several stars who excelled during last year's campaign head into this edition hoping to continue their brilliant form. The most notable is Ricardo Goulart, who finished as the tournament’s Most Valued Player and top-scorer as Guangzhou prevailed. Having scored the final and tournament winning-goal against Al Ahli for Guangzhou last year, Elkeson is definitely among the players to watch in his third Asian competition although this time he represents Shanghai. Ghanaian international Gyan has increasing expectations to live up to after finishing the tournament top-marksman with Al Ain in 2014 and of course, both star-imports Martinez and Ramires are both motivated to prove themselves on their Asian debut.

Group stage matchday 1:
February 23 & 24
Group A: Lokomotiv Tashkent-Al Ittihad, Sepahan-Al Nasr
Group B: Lekhwiya-Zob Ahan, Al Nassr-Bunyodkor
Group C: Pakhtakor-Al Hilal, Tractor Sazi-Al Jazira
Group D: Al Ain-El Jaish, Al Ahli-Nasaf Qarshi
Group E: Jeonbuk Motors-FC Tokyo, Becamex Binh Duong-Jiangsu Suning
Group F: Sanfrecce Hiroshima-Shandong Luneng, Buriram United-FC Seoul
Group G: Melbourne Victory-Shanghai SIPG, Suwon Bluewings-Gamba Osaka
Group H: Guangzhou Evergrande-Pohang Steelers, Urawa Red-Sydney FC

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FÚTBOL FEMININO !

CONCACAF's four players to watch

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When USA and Canada embark on their adventure to Rio 2016 at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament, they will both be doing so with confidence. The two sides’ London 2012 semi-final was unforgettable. Both nations ended up on the podium—USA finished with gold and Canada with bronze. Abby Wambach and Christine Sinclair helped their respective teams to glory in London, but there’s a clear theme existing in both sides now and that is the exuberance of youth.

There’s a new generation in USA and Canada coming through that football fans should be excited to watch develop. FIFA.com looks at two players from each team that shone brightly at the CONCACAF Olympic Women’s Qualifying Tournament, which ended on Sunday with USA defeating Canada 2-0 in the final. These players may not have stepped fully into the world football spotlight yet, but are sure to play vital roles on their teams for many years to come.

USA
Lindsey Horan

She may only be 21-years-old, but Lindsey Horan has already shown characteristics of a seasoned professional. Her boldness can be found in her decision-making on the pitch, but also in her decision to move overseas to play for Paris Saint-Germain at the age of 18. The decision clearly paid off as she scored 46 goals in 58 appearances for PSG. At the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Canada 2014, Horan led the line for USA in a forward role, scoring three goals in four appearances. During the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament, Horan showed her versatility as she played a more deep-lying midfield role for the senior side. Her technical ability showed throughout the tournament and she worked effectively with Morgan Brian, who’s just one year Horan’s senior. This, it seems, is a midfield duo the football world should start getting used to. Horan capped off her strong tournament performance with a goal in the final against Canada, running on to a lobbed pass from Becky Sauerbrunn and leaping to head in the opening goal of the match.

Horan has the ability to play long-range passes, but also appears to possess the football IQ to know when to pick her moments. Her cushioned-headed assist for Alex Morgan against Trinidad and Tobago in the semi-finals is just one example of many. Horan has returned stateside and recently signed with Portland Thorns, so coach Jill Ellis, along with the rest of us, will be watching her transition to the National Women’s Soccer League with keen interest. The 2016 NWSL season starts on 16 April.

Mallory Pugh
The US Soccer community has already been talking about Mallory Pugh for months, and she’s just 17-years-old, though will be 18 by the time Rio comes around. Before the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying tournament even started, the media were heavily interested in Pugh’s next career choice coming out of high school—would she choose college or go straight to the pros? Pugh opted to join the University of California, Los Angeles programme. If anyone had any doubt as to her potential and was reluctant to give in to the hype, those views were surely dispelled after she scored in her senior first match, in a recent friendly against Republic of Ireland, and after her displays during the Olympic qualifiers. Pugh started in all but one match during the tournament.

Throughout qualifiers, Pugh glided past defenders, showing a quick turn of pace and the ability to beat defenders one-on-one. In many instances, Pugh’s eye for the game was evident, playing effective passes in the final third for her team-mates.

Canada
Kadeisha Buchanan
Kadeisha Buchanan is considered one of the best defenders in women’s football, and she’s just 20-years-old. Let that sink in. Winner of the Hyundai Young Player Award at the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ on home soil last year, and more recently named to the inaugural FIFPro Women’s World XI, Buchanan has the positional sense of a veteran coupled with acceleration and strong tackling ability, which combine to make her one of the toughest defenders for any forward to play against. Coach John Herdman clearly has faith in Buchanan as he started her in every game during the tournament.

At the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying tournament, she even showed her ability to score—in the group stage match against Trinidad and Tobago when she struck from close range after a Deanne Rose backheel pass. Impressively, her first senior goal for the national team came against the Stars and Stripes in an international friendly when she was just 18. It was evident then, and it’s even more evident now, ‘Keisha’ will be striking fear in attackers for many years to come.

Ashley Lawrence
The world was introduced to Ashley Lawrence last year when she scored a crucial goal for Canada against the Netherlands to help the hosts secure a Women's World Cup last-16 berth. She has shown consistently that she’s a top performer, playing in two U-17 World Cups and captaining her country on home soil at the U-20 World Cup in 2014.

At the CONCACAF Olympic qualifiers this week, she started the tournament with a bang, scoring a hat-trick against Guyana in Canada’s opener in the tournament. Herdman’s trust in youth is exemplified when Lawrence is busy in the midfield stringing passes together from defence to attack. Now that the No10 is adding goals to her game in important matches, she is quickly making her case to being an irreplaceable force for Canada’s midfield.

O CRAQUE !

Zizou's gloomy goodbye

It wasn't supposed to end this way.
Zinedine Zidane, already a FIFA World Cup™ icon as the hero of France’s 1998 win, had been sublime in this, his final tournament. Though his 34th birthday and retirement were fast approaching, the graceful midfielder had produced performances that would earn him Germany 2006’s Golden Ball award as the edition’s outstanding player.
Even the Final, which he had confirmed would be the last competitive match of his glorious career, seemed set to provide a fitting conclusion. But while Zidane illuminated the Berlin showpiece with an audacious opening goal - a Panenka penalty past his old Juventus team-mate Gianluigi Buffon - this would not be the moment for which the match, and his contribution to it, would be remembered.
With France and Italy locked at 1-1 deep into extra time, Zizou – a man renowned for producing moments of beauty – stunned the watching world with a violent head-butt to the chest of Marco Materazzi. “It was not pretty,” he later admitted. "I ask for forgiveness from the kids who saw it.”
The immediate consequence, as this image shows, was as sad as it was just. Red carded for his moment of madness, Zidane ended his career with a long and lonely walk to the dressing room, poignantly passing by a trophy that, without him, Les Bleus proved powerless to reclaim.

AFERA BRASILEIRA !

Dani Alves: I’ll always say what I think

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Since he was very young, Daniel Alves had a sense that, one day, fame would come his way. Those in his inner circle confirm he used to continually practise his signature so as to be ready for when the time came to sign autographs. Now, at the age of 32, the Brazilian can look back on having made his dreams come true.
Or most of them at least. Well accustomed to notoriety, the Seleção and FC Barcelona right-back also has to live with the darker side to his profession. Brushes with the press, his life away from Brazil and a possible return to the club where he first made the breakthrough were all on the menu in an exclusive chat with FIFA.com, as well as the state of the Brazilian game and key factors in the success of Luis Enrique’s Barça.
FIFA.com: Dani, you’ve been living in Spain for 13 years now. How much has that impacted on your personality and what do you miss most about Brazil?
Dani Alves: It’s had a pretty big impact, of course. It was in Europe that I passed from adolescence into adulthood, and where I’ve experienced a very significant evolution both as a player and as a person. I think it was the right decision [to come here]. In Brazil what I miss most are the people, how passionate they are – how they express themselves at matches. Here we’re used to something else, a calmer way of showing your support (smiles). A more detached way, no? But you get used to it because you’re doing what you love, you don’t give it too much thought.
Brazilian players are moving abroad at an increasingly young age: is that a positive or negative trend?
It’s negative, though it’s clear that players do it out of concern for their families’ stability. Nowadays in Brazil, that stability doesn’t exist. Clubs aren’t well enough organised to keep hold of those players, which is why they leave in search of something better or a more solid career path.
There’s a sense that, perhaps due to this young talent drain, Brazilian and Argentinian football produce fewer world-class players than in previous decades. Would you agree?
I’d agree, in part. A national team is a reflection of its country’s football, and both Brazil and Argentina have earned respect for what they’ve achieved. Subsequently, though, football has evolved and we’ve fallen a bit behind. We’re in the process of trying to improve every day, fighting to be able to compete at the very highest level. But, at the end of the day, our players are in the world’s biggest leagues and it’s obvious we’d like our national team to be at the very top too.
Talking of being young in Brazil, it’s clear that you’ve always been drawn to the idea of being famous. Is it true that when you were a boy you used to practise signing autographs?
Yes! (laughs) I knew that I’d commit myself to music or football, and either of those would need me to sign autographs. I didn’t expect things to turn out as well as they did, getting to play for a big club and for Brazil… My dreams were smaller than that, but everything turned out incredibly well.
That being the case, is there anything you don’t like about being Dani Alves?
Of course. I don’t like a lot of what surrounds football (smiles). I like the sport itself, but there’s currently too much ‘tabloid-style' reporting around, and that takes a bit of the enjoyment out of the game. We’re always in the eye of the hurricane. By a certain type of press, we’re judged and pre-judged. It used to be what happened on the pitch that generated interest, now it’s what happens off it.
In that context, you appear more confrontational now than before. Why’s that?
Because I get a bit tired of it all. I enjoy talking about football much more, about what players do on the pitch. Players earn their wages, their livelihoods and their right to compete to win things out on the pitch and not off it. But then, when you express an opinion it’s frowned upon, because people are only capable of receiving praise – never criticism. Even if it’s your humble opinion, you know? But well, if I think something, whether it’ll go down well or badly, I’ll always say it. I’m a free man and free to give my opinion too.
Let’s stick to football in that case. Do you think this is the best Barcelona team you’ve been part of?
We’ve seen an incredible version of this team over the last five or six years and, when people thought we couldn’t keep it going, we’ve gone and done it again. That’s the kind of footballing stability you dream of having in your career. We’ve maintained our desire to keep competing and that takes us to where we are. You’re aware that your opponents, at the end of the day, also prepare well and might beat you, but that feeling and that desire that we have won’t be witnessed in another team for a while. It’s unique, incredible. For those who are genuinely passionate about football, Barça are worthy of admiration.
The spotlight tends to fall most on Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar, but where does Dani Alves fit in?
The cameras are drawn to them because they’re great! But as I keep saying, football is a collective game, not just about the attackers. I’d use the example of a colleague of mine, [Javier] Mascherano, who had an incredible World Cup [Brazil 2014] and could have been in contention for the [tournament’s] best player award… But the thing is, those whose job it is to “break up” the play, don’t have the same media impact. In football, I’ve always been about adapting to what’s asked of me, to what my team-mates need from me. I’m a team player. At Barcelona we all think like that, and that’s the key to our success. The press are free to choose who to talk about, but nobody here is egotistical. It’s difficult to get so many stars together and for them all to stay humble, which is why we’ve got a team to take your hat off to.
And once that comes to an end, what’s next for you? A spell in Brazilian football?
I’ve already promised that I’d end my career where I started it [at Bahia], as a way of thanking those who gave me the chance to make my name in football. I want to have a spell there before I retire, but one that’s enjoyable for me and for them too. I’ll be sure to stay in shape so that I can go back and not be a disappointment! (laughs). The idea is for it to be fun for everybody involved, and then call it a day.
And after that, from what you’ve said, it seems unlikely you’ll stay involved in the world of football, right?

I enjoy gastronomy, music and fashion, so I’ll end up involved in one of those three areas– or all three! They’re things I have a passion for, and I only do what I’m passionate about. [I feel that way about] football too, but it’s unlikely I’ll stay involved in it. There are a lot of things I don’t like about it, and I always go where I feel good and at home. I like energy to flow in a positive way, not in the direction of outside interests.

MARAVILHA !

Origins of Suarez and Messi's genius

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The penalty is a one-on-one battle between its taker and a goalkeeper… well, almost always! For on rare occasions, the man between the sticks finds himself being double-teamed!

On 14 February 2016, Sergio Alvarez found himself just such a victim. The Celta Vigo goalkeeper prepared himself to stop five-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi's spot kick, which would be no mean feat in itself. Alvarez steadied himself, but La Pulga stuttered in his run up and tapped the ball to his right. The Argentinian's Barça team-mate Luis Suarez rushed onto the trickling pass and slammed home. The Camp Nou applauded in disbelief.

The match concluded with a 6-1 victory for the Blaugrana, with Neymar explaining what happened on the pitch. "That play had been rehearsed and it was supposed to be for me," the Brazilian revealed. "The most important thing is that it worked."

Connoisseurs of the beautiful game will recall another example in December 1982, which involved a man who had also attained legendary status at the Camp Nou. Ajax were leading Helmond Sport 1-0 when Johan Cruyff won a spot-kick. The magnificent attacker stepped up to take it himself, but rather than shoot, he passed it sideways into the path of team-mate Jesper Olsen. The latter drew Helmond No1 Otto Versfeld towards him, before squaring the ball back to Cruyff, who tapped the ball into the empty net.

“That he asked me to do it was great in one way,” the former Denmark international explained to FIFA.com, "But what I had to do was the hard bit! People always ask whose idea was it, and I reply 'What do you think?' I was 21 years old, Johan was 35 when he came back from America, so it was obviously his. We probably talked about it in September of that year and we practised it a few times. There were a funny few seconds when people thought 'Is this allowed?'”

“I was totally flabbergasted,” Versfeld recalled from the opposite end of the move. “I was trying to work out what had just happened!” Cruyff added: “It was just before Christmas, so we wanted to give our supporters a gift to remember!”

Headlines spread across the world that the two-man penalty had been born that day in Amsterdam, but there were instances of it occurring a quarter-century earlier during qualification to the 1958 FIFA World Cup™.

Road to Sweden 1958
An early example of the two-man penalty came at Windsor Park on 1 May 1957 when Northern Ireland took on Portugal in a Sweden 1958 qualifying match. After leading 2-0, the Northern Irish were awarded a spot-kick in which captain Danny Blanchflower played a sideways pass to Jimmy McIlory, who found the back of the net and put the hosts further in front.

Northern Ireland goalkeeper Harry Gregg later recalled: “The referee didn’t know what to do. The crowd didn’t know what happened – it had never been seen before!" Billy Bingham, who also featured and would go on to lead Northern Ireland to two World Cups as manager, quipped: "If it didn’t go in though, what would we have said!?”

Another instance came in Brussels just a month later when Belgium faced Iceland on 5 June 1957. Towards the end of the first half, with Les Diables Rouges already leading 6-1, Rik Coppens had the chance to amplify the advantage from 12 yards. Yet instead of going for goal directly, the 27-year-old striker played a one-two with Andre Piters, which drew keeper Bjorgvin Hermannson off his line and presented Coppers with the simplest of tap-ins.

“He was a real extrovert on the pitch,” said former team-mate Theo van Rooy of Coppens. “He loved doing things to make people say ‘wow’, and the whole stadium was saying ‘wow’ that day. It’s a good job he pulled it off mind – can you imagine what they’d have said if he missed doing something like that?”

Two men who discovered what people would say when a two-man penalty attempt went wrong are Robert Pires and Thierry Henry. In the Premier League game against Manchester City in 2005, Pires grossly underhit his attempt to roll a penalty into the path of Arsenal team-mate Henry and the chance went begging. Those two Frenchman will have certainly been ungrateful to Coppens and Piters for giving them the idea!

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FUTSAL !

England look to futsal for their Messi, Ronaldo

While the historical roots of the beautiful game are often disputed, the fact that England was where the modern game really began to be shaped is never up for debate. However, when it comes to futsal, its relationship is quite different.
Compared to its Latin veterans, England were very late to the party in adopting the sport - their national team was not formed until 2003 - 73 years since the game was first conceived in Uruguay. However, the national team is out to prove their growth in the game by progressing beyond the European preliminary qualifiers for the FIFA Futsal World Cup for the first time.
The Three Lions, ranked 59th in the world, head to Israel to tackle Wales, Denmark and the hosts in their quest to reach Colombia 2016. “It's not a group of death, but we could all beat each other on any given day,” coach Peter Sturgess told FIFA.com ahead of the trip.
“It's tantalising as we just need to ensure that we turn up and perform really, really well. It's a really tight group but I think we feed off that. We have to be confident, because our current form is quite good. We're currently punching well above our weight and our recent results have been nothing short of remarkable.”
Should they top the group they will meet Ukraine, Hungary and Belgium, with Sturgess acknowledging that the next stage would be huge for English futsal. “It would be remarkable, but I do think it would be well earned,” he said.
“The England team is at the peak of the [development] pyramid and we want to use it to inspire people to engage with futsal - to play more, talk about it more, so that the whole game develops. [Qualification] would be the culmination of a decade of hard slog where we've had to overcome lots and lots of obstacles. It would be a massive pay-off for everyone.”

Russia 2018

Omari and Syria working a miracle

(FIFA.com) 17 Feb 2016

© Getty Images

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If you were asked to describe the archetypal international footballer, chances are you would picture them playing at a world-famous club and enjoying the kind of idyllic life that inspires admiration and excitement among fans.
The fact is, however, that there are many players who give just as much for their national teams as the world’s top footballers, but who lead very different lives. Only too happy to represent their countries on the field of play, their day-to-day reality can be demanding, tough and, in some cases, dangerous. On top of all that, some also have the responsibility of fulfilling the dreams of their compatriots and winning games as a means of alleviating their suffering, albeit briefly.
One man very familiar with that reality is fleet-footed midfielder Osama Omari, one of the stars of the Syria’s overachieving national team and an example of the sacrifice that playing football in times of war involves.
A harsh ordeal
There appears to be no end in sight to the Syrian conflict, the dreadful consequences of which have been impacting on the everyday lives of the country’s inhabitants, its footballers included, since 2011.
“I was 19 when the war started and doing my military service,” Omari told FIFA.com. “You’d normally be expected to do two years but I’ve had to stay on because of the situation. A lot of my team-mates have left the country to sign for foreign clubs but I can’t do that. I’ve had to turn down a lot of offers because I have to finish my military service first.”
Omari, who plays for Al-Wahda, is far from the only Syrian footballer to have had his life turned upside down by the conflict, with many of his colleagues having had to adapt to circumstances in some way or other. “The league was very strong before,” he explained. “It was very different and teams could travel to every city. Many clubs have completely disappeared though, and lots of players have suffered the consequences.
“My cousin, Omar Khribin, who is also an international, had to leave his house because it was in the middle of one of the war zones. His family is in Damascus now and he has gone to play in Dubai.”
Success in adversity
Given those circumstances, what Syria have achieved in the AFC qualifying competition for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ seems nothing short of a miracle. Despite having been drawn in a daunting Group E, the Eagles of Qasioun are on the verge of advancing to the final group phase in the Asian Zone. Currently lying second in the section, a point adrift of the mighty Japan, the Syrians can seal their place in the final round in their last two games, against Cambodia and the Japanese in March.
Impressive in themselves, the results Omari and his team-mates have achieved are even more noteworthy when you consider the obstacles facing them before they even get onto the pitch. “We’re only able to get together as a squad two days before games, in the place where we’re playing,” explained the midfielder, who scored a brilliant hat-trick in the 5-2 defeat of Afghanistan last October. “Training camps? No chance! We each train with our clubs. It’s the same process for our home games, because we can’t play in Syria.”
Then there is the travelling. Describing Syria’s odyssey to Singapore last September, Omari said: “The Syria-based players met up in Damascus and took a bus to Beirut, where we caught a plane to Qatar before flying on to Malaysia. It was there that we played the only friendly we’ve had in this whole time. Then we went on to Singapore for the World Cup qualifier. It was such a long trip.” It was one worth making, however, with the Syrians emerging 2-1 victors.
Whatever the hurdles in their way, Omari and his colleagues are determined to smash them down. Though the hardships they face have brought the team together, they are not immune to what is going on around them. “We talk about the war in the dressing room, of course we do,” he revealed. “We talk about the sadness that the Syrian people have to endure every day. We all have our own opinions, but we all know that we’re playing for our country, for the Syrian flag, regardless of ideologies.”
Excitement undimmed
The team’s togetherness on the pitch, a commodity sadly lacking in other aspects of Syrian life, has allowed them to harbour dreams of overcoming adversity and qualifying for the FIFA World Cup for the first time in the country’s history.
Contemplating that tantalising prospect and determined to make it happen, the 24-year-old Omari said: “The situation we’re going through means that we can’t have foreign coaches, with all the new ideas they can bring in. All we can do is pool the talent that Syrian football has always had with our spirit and determination. We all want the war to end as soon as possible, but for now we have to do what we can with what we have.”
With the experiences afflicting his people never far from his mind, Omari is nevertheless realistic and cautious about the task his side faces: to keep on winning despite it all.
“We don’t lack spirit or quality, but if we’re going to beat the likes of Japan, Iran and Australia in the final phase, we need to prepare better,” he explained. “We feel we can achieve something big and I hope we can do it.”
Should they go on to achieve the unlikely, Omari and his team-mates will bring long-overdue smiles to the faces of millions of their compatriots. 

Octet complete group stage field

© Getty Images

There were goals aplenty on Tuesday as the final composition of the AFC Champions League was determined with eight play-off matches.

There were mostly clear-cut winners on the east half of the continent, while conversely four tight contests were a feature on the other side of the draw.

The headline fixture was perhaps in Australia where 2008 runners-up Adelaide United hosted ambitious Chinese outfit Shandong Luneng. In the end, the Chinese Super League side prevailed in an epic action-packed encounter that remained in the balance until the final minute.

The visitors, coached by former Brazil coach Mano Menezes, moved confidently to a 2-0 half-time advantage thanks to goals from Yang Xu and Brazil international Diego Tardelli. However, Adelaide, defending a six-year unbeaten home run in continental competition, eventually found momentum after the break.

There were countless unrewarded chances for the home side, while Shandong always looked likely to kill the game off on the counter-attack.

Adelaide’s Marcelo Carrusca missed a crucial spot-kick, before Sergio Cirio eventually pulled a goal back leaving a ten-man Shandong desperately holding on for fulltime.

“Oh my heart, oh my heart,’’ quipped Menezes after his side survived the eleventh-hour Adelaide onslaught.

Shandong will now feature in a group alongside 2015 FIFA Club World Cup participants Sanfrecce Hiroshima, FC Seoul and Thailand’s Buriram United.

There was far less drama elsewhere as Pohang Steelers and Shanghai SIPG each prevailed 3-0 over Vietnam's Hanoi T&T and Thailand’s Muangthong United respectively.

China PR star forward Wu Lei secured the headlines in Shanghai by scoring a brace and providing an assist for former Guangzhou Evergrande idol Dario Conca.

Shim Dongwoon provided the star turn for three-time Asian kings Pohang Steelers as he grabbed all three goals in their victory over Hanoi T&T. Pohang will now take their place in an all-star group alongside defending champions Guangzhou Evergrande, 2007 winners Urawa Reds and Sydney FC.

Tight margins
There were plenty of goalscoring headline-makers later on Tuesday as four matches in the west half of the continent took centre-stage.

Hamza Sanhaji was both the hero and villain as former champions Al Sadd were eliminated in Abu Dhabi. Sanhaji managed to score twice, but he missed the decisive penalty as United Arab Emirates’ Al Jazira advanced 5-4 on penalties following a 2-2 draw.

Eldor Shomurodov scored both goals to help Uzbekistan’s Bunyodkor claim a 2-0 win over UAE’s Al Shabab.

Naft Tehran’s dreams of surpassing last year’s run to the quarter-finals came to an early end, following their elimination by Qatar’s El Jaish with a 2-0 scoreline.

Perhaps the most dramatic game was in Jeddah where Jordan’s Al Wehdat momentarily looked set for a famous giant-killing at the expense of Al Ittihad. The Jordanians took an early lead, but the two-time Asian champions were in front by half-time and managed to hold on for a 2-1 victory.

“I expected a tough match, but didn’t believe it would be as difficult," said Al Ittihad coach Victor Piturca.

The AFC Champions League will commence on 23 February with the competition winner to represent Asia in the 2016 FIFA Club World Cup.

COPA DO MUNDO !

Russia 2018 Magazine: Rotor Volgograd

Wednesday, 17 February 2016

Watch the remarkable story of the now-amateur club that beat Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League and helped usher in Russian football's resurgence.

SÓ CRAQUES !

Ramos: You can’t live in the past at Madrid

© AFP

“I looked to the left and saw Zinedine Zidane, and to the right I saw Roberto Carlos,” said Sergio Ramos when FIFA.com asked him to recall his first day in the Real Madrid changing room. “That was really something.”

Eleven years have passed since then and now it is Ramos himself that newcomers stand in awe of, even if he looks away and laughs off that suggestion. The long-haired 19-year-old boy who took the train from Seville to Madrid is now captain of the team that will face AS Roma away in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16. And the player Ramos idolised to his left back then is now his coach, with Zidane set to make his European debut on the touchline.

“I was a boy from Seville with lots of hopes, ambitions and desire to get to the very top,” recalled the defender. “It took a few months before it sank in what being here meant. But I have very fond memories of all my team-mates; they treated me really well and I adapted superbly.”

There can be no doubt that Ramos reached the top. He has grown as a player, matured as a person, become a father of two and has an enviable trophy cabinet. He has taken full advantage of his 11 years at the club, yet neither fame nor silverware have changed his amicable character.

Ramos never refuses to sign autographs, greet anyone who approaches him, nor respond to questions, regardless of tensions, results or time constraints. He views everything football has given him as a privilege and is generous in giving back, despite the huge demands and pressure that come with his job.

“I’ve spent 11 years at the best club in the world and every day is a test,” the Seville native continued. “It’s not easy to cope at a club like ours. That’s why I’m proud and motivated to keep working to keep improving. You can’t live in the past here.”

Weight of history
True as that may be, his achievements must be respected, especially as he was preceded by bona-fide legends. Ramos inherited the captain’s armband at Real Madrid from Iker Casillas, who himself followed on from other big names such as Raul, Pirri [Jose Martinez Sanchez] and Jose Antonio Camacho. “And Fernando Hierro, my idol,” added Ramos, who will turn 30 in just under six weeks. “I have a very good relationship with all of those guys. And they also give great advice.

“The captain should set the example in everything and offer support in every situation, he should be there for any problem a team-mate might have,” continued Ramos, who has been named in the FIFA FIFPro World XI six times. “That means you always have to behave appropriately. You have to try to be above reproach, to be the first one to step forward and be a focal point for your team-mates.”

Ramos bears the enormous responsibility the captaincy brings with pride and a smile, and in the Spanish national team he shoulders it alongside former club-mate Casillas. Together they have experienced everything with La Roja: good and bad, harmony and chaos, success and failure.

“I was fortunate enough to be at South Africa 2010,” said the versatile defender. “There is no joy that compares to winning the World Cup. It requires huge sacrifice, it’s very difficult. You need humility, hard work and a little bit of luck too. But obviously Brazil [2014] left a very sour taste in the mouth.”

Spain’s first opportunity to make amends will arrive in just a few months at the European Championship in France. “We’re the defending champions,” Ramos said. “I’ve had the great privilege of winning it twice and I’d love to do it a third time. Some important players have retired, like Xavi and Xabi Alonso, two central midfielders who defined an era and gave a great balance to the national team. But today we’ve got a good blend of veterans and young players hungry to do big things. We can be confident with the team we’ve got but we’ll let our football do the talking.

“I’m an optimist, I’m ambitious and I like to win every day,” Ramos concluded. “Whatever I won in the past is in the past, and I’d like to add a lot more titles to my collection. I’ll have time to appreciate what I’ve done in my career when I retire.”