quarta-feira, 3 de agosto de 2016

Na véspera de estreia, seleção nigeriana está presa nos EUA por erro de pagamento

4 horas atrás

Mikel, do Chelsea, é o mais experiente do grupo que está preso nos EUA (Clive Mason/Getty Images)

A Nigéria sempre é uma força nos torneios de futebol com limite de idade, como é a disputa do esporte nas Olimpíadas. Mas pode ser que eles não estejam no Brasil para a estreia da competição.
Neste momento, os nigerianos estão presos em Atlanta, nos Estados Unidos, sem ter como voar para Manaus, onde são esperados para seu primeiro jogo, contra o Japão, nesta quinta (4), às 22h (horário de Brasília).
Isso acontece porque a empresa aérea que faria o transporte não recebeu o pagamento completo da taxa a partir do governo nigeriano, que é responsável pela reserva dos voos dos atletas do país.
Segundo um atleta não identificado, eles foram instruídos a ficarem prontos para viajar para o Brasil a qualquer momento, mas que tem ouvido a mesma frase desde a última semana.
Curiosamente, os nigerianos estão presos na cidade em que conquistaram seu único ouro olímpico no futebol, em 1996, quando passaram pelo Brasil na semifinal.
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Gonzalez: Costa Rica's best is still to come

Russia 2018

Gonzalez: Costa Rica's best is still to come

(FIFA.com) 01 Aug 2016

Ronald Gonzalez the coach of Costa Rica looks on

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Few people can discuss the state of play in the Costa Rican international set-up more authoritatively than Ronald Gonzalez. It was his knack for developing young talent that laid the foundations for the current Ticos side, the most successful in the country's history.
Gonzalez led Costa Rica to a historic fourth-place finish at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Egypt 2009, where the team included current full internationals such as Marco Urena, Bryan Oviedo and Cristian Gamboa. He was also at the helm for the next edition, Colombia 2011, where they performed very creditably before falling to the hosts in the Round of 16. Joel Campbell and Yeltsin Tejeda were among those involved on that occasion.
"The work done with those two groups has really paid off. It was all about influencing their character and personality," the 45-year-old San Carlos native told FIFA.com in an exclusive interview. "They are players who had what it takes and who have ultimately become not just professionals, but integral figures on and off the pitch. They had the raw materials back then, it was just about moulding them a bit and convincing them of their potential."
Gonzalez's secret? Having himself walked the walk – he achieved big things when his own playing career was in its infancy – he has subsequently been able to talk the right talk, finding the formula to instil in his charges the maturity that he showed as a youngster, when he did not let his success go to his head. Not after becoming Costa Rica's very first goalscorer at the U-20 World Cup at Saudi Arabia 1989, nor when, a year later, he earned himself an even bigger place in the history books at the 1990 FIFA World Cup Italy™, as the youngest Costa Rican to feature and score in the senior showpiece.
"It's always a great joy to look back at all those achievements. The support from my family and my team-mates was very important in keeping my feet on the ground. They always guided me; I never felt I was better than anyone or different because of what I'd accomplished," he said.
The former defender went on to play in Yugoslavia, Austria and Guatemala in addition to winning several titles while with Saprissa. In his last season before hanging up his boots, he was part of the team that claimed bronze at the FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2005. Soon afterwards, he became a coach and made an almost instant splash with his aforementioned accomplishments at U-20 level. "All the experiences I gained stood me in very good stead," he added. "I hadn't been coaching for long because they were some of my first adventures in the dugout, but being able to draw on those moments helped me."
Building on Brazilian memories
Time passed and those two youth generations nurtured by Gonzalez meshed in the senior ranks. So it was that the FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014™ came around and he had great expectations. It is safe to say that these high hopes were more than fulfilled.
"I felt very proud to be Costa Rican, because my national team were in the mix and I could see that the lads had kept improving over the previous five years. I was away in Mexico with Saprissa for pre-season and it was a little tough to communicate because we were travelling from one place to another, but after the World Cup I congratulated most of them," said the man who has also coached the Purple Monster, as Saprissa are nicknamed, and Guatemalan outfit Comunicaciones to glory.
Their exploits in Brazil provide very pleasant memories, but time never stands still in football and Costa Rica are already looking ahead to their next challenge: Russia 2018. On this note, next month they will wrap up their fixtures in the fourth round of CONCACAF qualifying against Haiti and Panama, on 2 and 6 September respectively. Sitting at the summit of Group B with a three-point lead over the Panamanians, they have every reason to feel confident: the top two will move through to the final stage, the Hexagonal.
"They're looking very good to me and the slightly more seasoned players, like Keylor Navas and Bryan Ruiz, are complementing the rest well. They offer that extra bit of experience. That combination is going to serve the team really well," Gonzalez said.
That is not to say that everything is absolutely rosy when it comes to Costa Rican football. As a youth football specialist, Gonzalez harbours concerns about what will happen when the current batch of stars have to hand over the baton.
"We're going through a tough time at youth level right now," he said. "We've stopped making it to international competitions. We've got to bide our time – this generation are going to have to stick around for longer. A good plan needs to be devised so we can return to the youth World Cups and then enable the players to make the step up to the senior squad."
Nevertheless, Gonzalez remains highly optimistic about Russia, where the present golden generation will bid to add to the history they have already made. As he put it in his parting words: "I think the best is still to come. They're united and have conviction. They've achieved great things as a group and are on the right track. I'm sure they'll reach the final Hexagonal round and will be serious contenders."

Speedy strikes and a Uruguayan wanderer

The Week in Numbers

Speedy strikes and a Uruguayan wanderer

(FIFA.com) 06 Jul 2016

Poland's forward Robert Lewandowski (L) celebrates after scoring

Seconds, minutes and years… they all feature as FIFA.com’s latest stats review takes you to Argentina, Brazil, Canada, El Salvador and, of course, France.
100 seconds is what it took Poland’s Robert Lewandowski to score the second-quickest goal in UEFA EURO history on Thursday – Russia’s Dmitri Kirichenko netted the fastest after 68 seconds against eventual champions Greece in 2004. Renato Sanches equalised for Portugal to become, at 18 years and 317 days, the third-youngest player marksman in EURO history behind Johan Vonlanthen and Wayne Rooney. The Portuguese then won a shootout to ensure the Poles went home despite not trailing for a single minute in France.
50 years had passed since a Frenchman won his maiden cap in an international tournament until Sunday. The Italian-sounding Gabriel de Michele was the previous at the FIFA World Cup™; the Cameroon-born Samuel Umtiti was the latest at EURO 2016. The Barcelona new boy, 22, celebrated his debut by completing each of his 77 passes against Iceland. It was a game in which France became the first team in EURO history to score four first-half goals, and Olivier Giroud made it nine strikes in his last nine starts for his country.
11 seconds is all it took Juan Cazares to knock his Atletico Mineiro team-mate Robinho off fourth spot in the list of the Campeonato Brasileiro’s fastest-ever marksmen on Thursday. The 99-times-capped Brazil international scored for Santos against Sao Caetano after 12 seconds in 2003, and he was involved in the move which saw a breathtaking flying back-heel from Fred set up the Ecuador midfielder. The quickest goal in Campeonato Brasileiro history was conceded by Atletico in 1989, with Nautico’s Nivaldo responsible after eight seconds.
10 countries have now been called home by ‘The Madman’ after Sebastian Abreu made El Salvador his new home. The former Uruguay international, famed for Panenkaing La Celeste into the South Africa 2010 semi-finals, began his career in his homeland in 21 years ago, before going on to play in Argentina, Spain, Brazil, Mexico, Israel, Greece, Ecuador and Paraguay. The 39-year-old Santa Tecla striker has some way to go to break the world record, however – German goalkeeper Lutz Pfannenstiel was based in 25 nations and is the only man to have played professionally in all six FIFA confederations!
5 minutes of stoppage time: that was on the clock when Toronto FC scored against Vancouver Whitecaps to win the Canadian Championship on away goals. Toronto-born, Merseyside-raised Will Johnson got the title-clincher with his maiden goal in the tournament. It gave Toronto a record fifth Canadian Championship, two more than nearest rivals Montreal Impact.

Quick hits
11 seconds was all it took Cristian Pavon to net Boca Juniors’ fastest-ever goal in the Argentinian professional era.

6 consecutive shootouts is what Germany have won in major tournaments.

Veja as musas que farão falta nas Olimpíadas do Rio

Algumas atletas do esporte mundial não vão poder mostrar seus talentos nas Olimpíadas 2016, no Rio de Janeiro, seja por suspensão, corte, desclassificação ou desistências. Mas além disso, os Jogos também vão perder grandes nomes à musas da Rio-2016.
Confira fotos de atletas que não vão estar presentes, mas que batem um bolão!

Link: Veja as musas que farão falta nas Olimpíadas do Rio

Ait-Atmane: We’re ready to get results

Men's Olympic Football Tournament

Ait-Atmane: We’re ready to get results

(FIFA.com) 03 Aug 2016

The 23-year-old Algerian midfielder Rachid Ait-Atmane

Brazil has occupied a very special place in Algerian hearts since 26 June 2014 and the draw that Les Fennecs (The Desert Foxes) played out with Russia in Curitiba at the last FIFA World Cup™. The point the north Africans secured that day took them through to the second round of the world finals for the first time, and their supporters will long remember the exploits of Islam Slimani, Yacine Brahimi, Sofiane Feghouli and Co in that momentous campaign.
Thanks to their second place at the Africa U-23 Cup of Nations Senegal 2015, the Algerians are set to make a speedy return to Brazil at the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament Rio 2016. The squad their Swiss coach Pierre-Andre Schurmann will take there is almost entirely home-based, the only exceptions being Baghdad Bounedjah, Haris Belkebla and Rachid Ait-Atmane, who respectively play their club football in Qatar, France and Spain with Al Sadd, Tours and Sporting Gijon.
Schurmann selected the trio for their overseas experience and ability to guide their younger team-mates. Having played 20 matches in La Liga last season, 18 of them starts, and come up against the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona in the process, Ait-Atmane will certainly have plenty to pass on to his colleagues in Rio. Setting out his objectives for the Olympics, the Algeria star said: “When I play with the national team, I make the most of every moment, which is why I’m so happy to be playing in such an important competition as the Olympics. We’ll be going there to represent Algeria as best we can.”
A repeat performance?
Algeria have a testing assignment ahead of them at Rio 2016, where they will take on Argentina, Portugal and Honduras in the group phase. On paper at least, Les Fennecs will not start out as favourites to progress. That is nothing new for them, however, having found themselves in the same position at Brazil 2014, when Belgium and Russia were tipped to progress from Group H, with Korea Republic also expected to push them for points. Yet, Slimani and Co had other ideas, joining the Belgians in the next round.
Ait-Atmane is hopeful he and his team-mates can spring another surprise on Brazilian soil. “Argentina are a strong side but they don’t have their best players this time,” he said. “We all know how passionate they are about their football. You get young Argentinian players coming through in every tournament. With Brazil being right next door, they’re going to have a lot of supporters cheering them on too. Portugal’s youngsters always shine in continental and international competitions. As for Honduras, I don’t know that much about them. I’d prefer not to say anything about them and see them for myself on the pitch.”
In preparing for Rio, the Algerians have already had a number of training camps, including one in the mountains in Tikjda. Following friendlies a few months ago against Palestine, Korea Republic and a double-header against Iraq, Les Fennecs headed off to the south of Spain to take on Valencia and Granada.
Results did not meet the fans’ expectations, however, with the Algerians recording a solitary win in seven games, drawing two and losing the other four. Yet despite that meagre return, Ait-Atmane remains hopeful about their chances: “We played those friendlies to prepare for Rio. Results aside, it was important to make progress and work together as a unit, because we don’t play with each other very often. We absolutely have to tighten up in defence before the start of the tournament.”
He added: “We’re not bothered about the results because they don’t mean anything. We tried to win every game but, at the end of the day, it’s not the result that counts.” Following the matches against Iraq and the two Liga sides, Ait-Atmane believes Algeria’s preparations for Rio 2016 are now complete: “We played four games and I think that’s all we needed before setting off for Rio. We’re ready to go and get some good results.”
Club and country
With Nabil Bentaleb’s international prospects having fallen away after a string of injuries and a lack of opportunities at Tottenham Hotspur, and Medhi Lacen having retired over a year ago, Ait-Atmane will be looking to kick on and break into the full Algeria team in the months to come. His chances of doing that will depend on his ability to impress in Rio and catch the eye of new Fennec coach Milovan Rajevac.

Talavera: Mexico aiming for another gold

Men's Olympic Football Tournament

Talavera: Mexico aiming for another gold

(FIFA.com) 03 Aug 2016

These days, the mere mention of the Olympic Football Tournament is enough to bring a smile to the faces of Mexican football fans. The tournament has been a source of huge national pride since the 2012 Games in London, where El Tri took home gold following a memorable victory over Brazil in the final. That triumph, now recalled in the country with a mixture of nostalgia and fondness, has gone down as one of Mexican football’s finest hours.
Four years on, a new generation of young Mexicans are setting off to Brazil with the aim of repeating the trick. Bolstered by the presence of three veterans with FIFA World Cup™ experience, the squad has one shared goal: to recreate the magic of that unforgettable afternoon at Wembley Stadium in 2012.

“Our aim is to bring home another gold medal.” That was the message coming from Alfredo Talavera, one of squad’s older heads, who spoke to FIFA.com just hours before the start of the Rio 2016 Men’s Olympic Football Tournament.
The goalkeeper, who will turn 34 in September, is more determined than most to enjoy his Olympic experience to the full. The tournament comes as Talavera’s own career reaches new heights, and he knows as well as anyone just what it takes to be given such an opportunity. He arrived on the international scene relatively late but, since receiving his first call-up for El Tri in 2011, he has often had to settle for a substitute’s role. Rio 2016 will be his first tournament as Mexico’s undisputed first choice goalkeeper.
“I can’t wait,” beamed Talavera, who hails from the small town of La Barca in the west of Mexico. “The Olympic Games are not something you get to experience every day. I travelled to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, but I didn’t get the chance to play. Now that I’m here, I just want to make the very most of this opportunity. I plan to enjoy myself – responsibly of course, but I want to have fun.”
Talavera is aware that his role will also involve passing on the fruits of his experience to the youngest members of an extremely talented squad, and that his contribution off the pitch will therefore be just as important as his on-field performances. The player himself is perfectly happy to assume these responsibilities: “You talk about your experiences, try to underline the importance of enjoying the moment. Sometimes we forget that it’s only a game,” he admitted. “We have to enjoy it. Just like when we were kids, only with more maturity. If we manage to do that, the results will take care of themselves.”
High hopes
The start of the tournament is when players let their imaginations run wild, as they run the tournament through in their heads and dream of glory. These are dreams in which they raise the trophy aloft or, in this case, climb to the top step of the podium with tears of pride in their eyes, a medal hanging from their necks and the national anthem playing in their ears. Dreams such as these are particularly vivid for El Tri, as memories are still fresh of that afternoon in London four years ago.
Does this put added pressure on the 2016 squad? “We’re not looking at it like that. We just have to give it our all, be disciplined, and we know that the results will come. As defending champions, we know what it takes. We don’t see it as a burden. We’re dreaming of making that journey again,” he explained.
Having won the gold medal at London 2012, the Mexicans now arrive in Rio as one of the favourites. El Tri’s fans certainly have high expectations for their team at this year’s tournament, something the goalkeeper, who plays his club football for Toluca, is well aware of. And Talavera is certainly not about to shy away from the challenge. “Our aim is to win a medal, and hopefully it will be gold,” he reiterated. “We’ve prepared really well, we’ve worked hard and now, with the tournament approaching, it’s just down to the little details. We’re very excited.”
Mexico will play their first match on Thursday 4 August against Germany, in Salvador de Bahia. Talavera, his country’s third choice goalkeeper at the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil, is not daunted by the identity of the opposition. “It’s a very strong team with well-renowned, experienced players. To win, we will have to be tactically very disciplined, and aggressive if the match goes that way. We like to keep the ball so, if they let us play our game, then great. But we’ll be able to adapt if that’s not the case.”
With matches against Fiji (7 August) and Czech Republic (10 August in Brasilia) to follow, the keeper was sounding a positive note as we wound up our interview: “We’ve got a lot of quality, and a good blend of youth and experience. We have guys at the back like Cesar Montes and Carlos Salcedo, or Hirving Lozano, who had a really good Copa America. Then there are others like Oribe Peralta, who was part of the team that won the gold medal in London. We’re heading out there with the intention of doing things right, and we can’t wait for the tournament to get underway.”

MARAVILHA !

Veja as musas que farão falta nas Olimpíadas do Rio

LANCE!

Fora de Campo 10 horas atrás

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Algumas atletas do esporte mundial não vão poder mostrar seus talentos nas Olimpíadas 2016, no Rio de Janeiro, seja por suspensão, corte, desclassificação ou desistências. Mas além disso, os Jogos também vão perder grandes nomes à musas da Rio-2016.Confira fotos de atletas que não vão estar presentes, mas que batem um bolão!