The FIFA Weekly Issue #11

ISSUE 11/2015, 20 MARCH 2015

ENGLISH EDITION

Fédération Internationale de Football Association – Since 1904

A tribute to goalkeepers

Hey, Keeper!

SLOVAKIA AS TRENCIN AND RELATIVE AGE BIAS

USA FLYING START TO MLS SEASON

TONI KROOS “WHAT LEADERSHIP MEANS TO ME” W W W.FIFA.COM/ THEWEEKLY

THIS WEEK IN THE WORLD OF FOOTBALL

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North and Central America 35 members www.concacaf.com

Solid support Most keepers end up in goal because they were told to go there as children. Nonetheless, many mature quickly and develop unique personalities. Alan Schweingruber reports on the game’s distinctive and often daring goalkeepers.

South America 10 members www.conmebol.com

“I think about the World Cup almost every day” As she prepares to travel to this summer’s Women’s World Cup in Canada with the Netherlands, Vivianne Miedema is happy to be compared with compatriot Arjen Robben.

S epp Blatter National teams from Bhutan, Timor-Leste and Brunei have achieved positive results recently.

In his weekly column, the FIFA President says: “These smaller but ambitious footballing nations strongly hint at the vast untapped footballing potential in Asia.”

Turning Point Frenkie Schinkels was almost destroyed by the death of his wife in a car accident – until his seven-year-old daughter brought him to his senses and told him: “Now we have to stick together.”

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Toni Kroos In an interview with The FIFA Weekly, the midfielder explains why he struggles to label himself as a leader.

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USA New York City have now played their first MLS home match.

(Pictured: David Villa)

Hey, Keeper!

Our cover image shows German goalkeeper Bert Trautmann (1923–2013), who played for Manchester City for 15 years. This photo was taken during a friendly against FSV Frankfurt in 1953.

The FIFA Weekly Magazine App The FIFA Weekly Magazine is available in four languages and also on your tablet every Friday. http://www.fifa.com/mobile

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FIFA Women’s World Cup 6 June – 5 July 2015, Canada

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Keystone

THIS WEEK IN THE WORLD OF FOOTBALL

Europe 54 members www.uefa.com

Africa 54 members www.cafonline.com

Asia 46 members www.the-afc.com

Oceania 11 members www.oceaniafootball.com

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Australia A team from New Zealand are currently leading the Australian A-League.

(Pictured: Alex Rodriguez)

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AS Trencin The Slovakian club are setting a new trend by relying on ‘late-born’ players.

(Pictured: Peter Cogley)

Blue Stars/FIFA Youth Cup

FIFA U-20 World Cup

FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup

FIFA U-17 World Cup

13/14 May 2015, Zurich, Switzerland

30 May – 20 June 2015, New Zealand

9 – 19 July 2015, Portugal

17 October – 8 November 2015, Chile

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USA and Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard

Almost alone

Bianca Litscher / sukibamboo.com

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t is said that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, and this principle certainly applies to football. If a striker is unable to score goals, or a midfielder cannot understand how the game is unfolding, a team is left unable to function properly – even when the other players are prepared to make up the deficit.

Although the goalkeeper also forms part of this chain, he is not just any link; he is the last man and a team’s final defence of their gaping goalmouth. He is consequently endowed with certain privileges, such as being able to handle the ball within the penalty area – not to mention the fact that keepers are practically untouchable inside the six-yard box.

This unique position has given rise to a fair few shot-stoppers who allow themselves some individual freedoms out on the pitch, a trend that leads many observers to regard them as slightly eccentric.

Outfield players know the feeling well: if their formidable goalkeeper suffers an injury on match day and is replaced by his less naturally talented deputy, their sense of solid support evaporates only to be replaced by the concern that every error made in their own penalty area will lead to a goal for the opposition.

But, as we have already said, that is how outfield players think. Turn to page six to discover a goalkeeper’s view of the world. Å Perikles Monioudis

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Joe Hart The Manchester City keeper tips the ball over the bar.

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GOALKEEPERS

Typical goalkeepers Strong-willed, brave and daring: goalkeepers are always interesting characters. We take a closer look at every team’s last line of defence.

Jan Kruger/Getty Images

Alan Schweingruber

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oalkeepers cannot afford to lose focus even for a moment during a match, as any loss of concentration could have disastrous consequences for their team. They do not have the luxury schoolchildren sitting next to a classroom window have, namely the freedom to stare into the distance and daydream. Imagine a dozy keeper quietly humming away, picturing himself back in the changing room singing along to funny songs, when suddenly a big, lumbering striker bursts into the penalty area. Imagine, then, that the forward manages to outfox the defenders and rifle the ball into the net to equalise at 1-1, with the keeper standing too far forward and out of position . That would be a catastrophic mistake and it would no longer matter whether he had played well before then because the victory would have slipped out of his team’s grasp.

There are many reasons why youngsters want replica shirts of Lionel Messi or Mario Gotze. They dribble so elegantly and score

wonderful goals: who wouldn’t want to emulate them? Goalkeepers, on the other hand, do not enjoy the same kind of adulation. As the last line of defence they only indirectly contribute to their side’s goals, leaving others take the limelight. Goalkeepers are preventers. They occasionally perform their role spectacularly with an outstanding save, but

“If all you ever do is repair the damage then at some point you might well lose the plot.”

Jean-Marie Pfaff

that does not change their essential contribution as stoppers. And yet when they concede a goal then everyone, from fans to journalists and former keepers, starts pointing the fin-

ger. The only person with a more thankless task in professional football is the referee.

It is therefore hardly surprising that young fans prefer Messi and Gotze shirts to Thibaut Courtois and Joe Hart ones. Yet in order to maintain a steady supply of custodians to fill the void when the older generation retire, potential outfield players are sometimes converted into goalkeepers at an early age. They mature quickly and soon cannot imagine doing anything else.

Personal defeats Veteran goalkeepers often describe themselves as ’typical’ custodians, which is an interesting assertion considering the majority of keepers do not choose to play in the position themselves. Even today, the less talented and agile children are put between the posts, allowing the quicker and more cunning ones to play outfield. Others, who consciously decided to become goalkeepers, did so after following their fathers’ advice, or after hearing their parent’s heroic stories of playing in goal 20 years previously. Everton and USA national team custodian Tim Howard recalls his path into goalkeeping thus: “I first played in goal when I was ten. I

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LEV YASHIN

DINO ZOFF

Soviet Union, born 1929, died 1990. Yashin was a sporting all-rounder and played ice hockey, basketball, tennis, water polo and chess before becoming a footballer. He was goalkeeper for Soviet Union between 1954 and 1970 and was awarded the Ballon d’Or in 1963. To date he is still the only custodian to have received the prize.

Yashin also won the Soviet domestic cup as goalkeeper for the Dynamo Moscow ice hockey team in 1953.

Italy, born 1942. Zoff was national team keeper from 1968 to 1983, and made 330 consecutive league appearances for Juventus without missing a single game. Nicknamed “Dino Nazionale”, he is the oldest player ever to win the World Cup, having done so in 1982 aged 40. Zoff was renowned for being a perfectionist and later coached Italy for two years, before stepping down after losing the 2000 European Championship final to France.

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GOALKEEPING LEGENDS

GOALKEEPERS

was put there because I was the tallest member of the team and I loved my new role straight away.”

Goalkeepers not only mature quickly, they do so very intensively as they have to learn to deal with personal setbacks every week. Even games that end in a draw, such as the one mentioned at the start of this article, are viewed as personal defeats by many keepers. Nevertheless, if a young goalkeeper manages to establish himself in a big team over a number of years and regularly plays competitive matches, then it is clear that he developed character early on.

Gianluigi Buffon aged eight Back row, second right: Italy’s No1 when he was still an outfield player at Canaletto.

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The 140-kilogram man Players of a more timid nature may be able to survive as wingers, but they are almost non-existent in the goalkeeping business.

Keepers have to rely on themselves and are therefore strong-willed and daring. And given a large group of such people, it is only natural that a truly unconventional character, in terms of personality more than technical ability, should emerge from time to time.

When they do they are truly unforgettable. Take William Foulke for instance, who was born in 1874 and died in 1916. An out-

BERT TR AUTMANN Germany, born 1923, died 2013. In 1949 Trautmann joined Manchester City, a move which lead to 20,000 people protesting his signing in England due to the fact he was a former German paratrooper. Trautmann was voted as England’s Player of the Year in 1956 and earned legendary status after going the distance in the cup final against Birmingham that same year, despite breaking his neck during the match as a result of the foul pictured above.

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Onl y fr ee spir i t s need appl y

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h a t m a k e s g o a lk e e p e r s s t r o n g i s t h eir f r e e s pir i t a n d r e f u s a l t o c o n f o r m t o a n y k in d o f bluepr in t . S ome k eeper s gi v e t heir idio s y nc r a s ie s f r e e r ein t o e n s ur e t h e y r e m a in a s r e l a x e d a s p o s s ib l e a n d s t e p o n t o t h e pi t c h f e e lin g p o s i t i v e, f or min g h a bi t s t h a t r a n ge f r om m er e f oible s t o f ull blo w n s uper s t i t iou s r i t u a l s .

F or ex a mple, B a r c elon a s ho t- s t opper M a r c - A ndr e t er S t egen u s e s a ne w p air o f glo v e s f or e ac h m a t c h . T his c ould c r e a t e a huge c ollec t ion o f per s on a l ac c e s s or ie s w h e n y o u c o n s id e r t h a t a p r o f e s s io n a l a t hi s l e v e l pl ay s be t w een 5 0 a nd 70 g a me s a y e a r. L uc k il y f or t he 2 2 - y e a r- old ’s f in a nc e s , he c ur r en t l y m a k e s c on s idera b l y f e w er a p p e a r a n c e s t h a n t hi s , o nl y o c c a s io n a ll y depu t is ing f or t he c lub’s f ir s t- c hoic e k eep er C l audio B r a v o.

A beer at intermission At hle t e s o f t en p ay c lo s e a t t en t ion t o w h a t t hey do in t he build - up t o a g ame s o t h a t t hey c an r ec r e a t e it a s f ait h f ull y a s po s sible in f u t ur e i f ev er y t hing goe s well – a quir k t h a t s eem s t o be e v en mor e c ommon in ic e hoc k ey t h an in f oo t b all. In one r a t her amu sing ex ample,

FABIEN BARTHEZ France, born 1971. Barthez was France’s No1 between 1994 and 2006 and was part of the country’s golden generation that lifted the 1998 World Cup and the 2000 European Championship. The Frenchman was famed for his speed and frequently spectacular saves. Today he is a Ferrari race car driver and last year took part in the Le Mans 24 hour race, among others.

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NHL c en t r e S idney C r o s by al w ay s r e f r ain s f r om c alling his mo t her on g ame d ay s, h av ing s u s t ained injur ie s im m e di a t el y a f t er m a k in g t h e c a ll on s e v er a l pr e v io u s oc c a sion s . B u t le t u s r e t ur n t o t he s ubjec t o f go alk eep er s, w ho h av e a p ar t ic ul ar l y v it al r ole in ic e hoc k ey a s t he onl y member s o f a t e am t o r em ain on t he ic e f or t he en t ir e g ame. P elle L indber gh, w ho t ended go al f or t he P hil adelphia F l y er s be t ween 1982 and 198 5, in sis t ed on dr ink ing t he S wedis h beer P r ipp s a s a good luc k c h ar m be t ween ev er y per iod o f pl ay, al w ay s dr ink ing it f r om a gl a s s w it h ex ac t l y t wo ic e c ube s in it . He al s o wor e t he s ame or ange t- s hir t under his t e am jer s ey f or ye ar s .

When you’ve got to go…

T his is s ue c ould e a sily be f illed f r om c over t o c over wit h t a le s o f t he per s on a l r i t u a l s s por t s people u s e t o help t hem per f or m a t t heir be s t , bu t A r gen t inian c u s t odian S er gio Goyc oc he a c an l ay c l aim t o a p ar t ic ul ar l y un s a vour y t r adit ion. He wa s onc e f or c ed t o r elieve him s el f on t he pi t c h be f or e a pen a l t y s hoo t- ou t onl y t o pr oduc e s ever al ou t s t anding s ave s – a per f or m anc e t h a t in spir ed him t o ur in a t e on t he go alpo s t s be f or e ever y s ub s equen t s e t o f s po t- k ic k s he f ac ed. I t is al s o wor t h men t ioning

JOSE LUIS CHIL AVERT Paraguay, born 1965. During his playing days, Chilavert was considered the custodian with the keenest eye for goal in the world. He scored a total of 62 goals for his clubs over the course of his career, notching a further eight for the national team. The three-time World Goalkeeper of the Year had a fiery temperament and was handed a 13-month ban in Argentina after hitting a supporter.

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standing performer for Sheffield United and England, his most distinguishing feature was his weight: 140 kilograms. Once, the great man even took the liberty of manhandling an opposition player into a puddle before sitting on him. Paraguayan goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert is another such example.

After a game, the hot-tempered custodian once spat in Roberto Carlos’ face when offered a handshake. Then there is Colombia’s Rene Higuita, who liked to be involved in his teams’ build-up play and whose most famous moment was the ’Scorpion Kick’ he performed at Wembley, volleying the ball back into play with an acrobatic leap. Coaches are said to have become exasperated with him.

Belgium’s Jean-Marie Pfaff, who donned his gloves for Bayern Munich from 1982-1986, began on the path into goalkeeping as a child. "When I was a kid they put me in goal because I’d eaten too many chips," he said.

Pfaff would later explain goalkeepers’ eccentricities thus: "If all you do, game after game and year after year, is repair the damage and try to make amends for your team-mates’ mistakes, then at some point you might well lose the plot. Goalkeepers need a thick skin.

It varies from person to person how they let

GOALKEEPERS

off steam." Pfaff’s predecessor at Bayern, Sepp Maier, was not averse to the odd slapstick number, and once dived to catch a runaway duck that had entered the pitch, providing amusement for the entire stadium.

Acting up Goalkeeper Banguera pretends to be unconscious.

Dibyangshu Sarkar/AFP, imago, Keystone/AP/Dolores Ochoa

t h a t t his bi z a r r e h a bi t w a s no t bor n on a s m a ll - t o w n pit c h on t he A r gen t inian P amp a s bu t a t a p ac ked s t adium in I t al y – in t he qu ar t er- f in als o f t he 1990 Wor ld C up.

M a x im o B a n g u e r a a d d e d hi s n a m e t o t h e li s t o f f r ee - s pir it ed S ou t h A mer ic an go alk eeper s in p ar t ic ul arl y c r e a t i v e f a s hion l a s t w eek end . A f t er c ommi t t ing a

f oul w hile pl ay ing f or E c u ador ian side B ar c elon a in t he C op a L iber t ador e s, he l ay on t he pit c h f eigning unc on s ciou s ne s s in t he hope o f av oiding a r ed c ar d. T he r e f er ee s aw t hr ough t he 29 - y e ar- old ’s am a t eur dr am a t ic s, w ai t ing p a t ien t l y un t il t he p a r a medic s a r r i v ed be f or e giv ing B anguer a his m ar c hing or der s . sca

Cut off from the squad Goalkeepers who try to describe what it is like to play in their position usually end up going around in circles. It is like a father trying to explain the indescribable feeling of being a parent to his son, who nods along in agreement but has no idea what their dad is talking about. "Goalkeepers are a species unto themselves," Maier said in an interview with German newspaper ’Suddeutsche Zeitung’ two years ago. "I noticed that when I became a goalkeeping coach. We didn’t have much contact with the rest of the team."

Goalkeepers have trained independently of the bulk of the squad for a couple of decades now, undergoing tailor-made regimes focusing on take-off power, orientation, coordination, space management, timing, throwing technique, reactions, ball skills, stamina and speed. Many people are still surprised that goalkeepers have good fitness levels, an attribute normally needed by players in the

RENE HIGUITA

WILLIAM FOUL KE

Colombia, born 1966. Higuita earned global fame for his “Scorpion Kick”, but was also a regular goalscorer for his teams. He played for a total of 12 clubs and was Colombia’s No1 between 1987 and 1999. He played a major role in his country’s exit from the 1990 World Cup after losing possession outside his penalty area against Cameroon in the Round of 16.

England, born 1874, died 1916. A fan favourite at Sheffield United, Foulke weighed 140 kilograms. The Englishman started out playing cricket and only moved on to football at the age of 20. He played in the legendary 1901 FA Cup final against Tottenham Hotspur in London, when 114,000 fans crammed into the stadium to watch.

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attacking third of the pitch. Goalkeepers were not always in such good shape, though: it is hard to imagine Italy’s Dino Zoff in a race with Marco Tardelli and Bruno Conti. Goalkeepers usually trained with the rest of the squad until well into the 1980s, but were often left standing around during the sessions.

Six kilometres per game Two areas of fitness were seemingly undervalued for a long time: the physical potential a person trained to have quick reactions is able to reach, and the equally important synergy between body and soul. Former Germany goalkeeper Oliver Kahn used to lose up to three kilograms per match, and not because he was running great distances. Professional goalkeepers usually cover approximately six kilometres per game (an outfield player typically runs between 10 and 13 km), but Kahn - famed for his will to win - would focus so intently that it would cause weight loss.

Maintaining concentration at such a high level is extremely draining. Goalkeepers have to be ready at all times and must also be able to bridge the periods when they are not involved. In a match against Schalke in

March 2014, Manuel Neuer - the embodiment of a modern goalkeeper - had his first touch of the ball after 27 minutes. It was a backpass from a team-mate, a token gesture so that he was not completely left out.

Tim Howard provides another example of just how intense the levels of concentration required are. The American has had Tourette’s Syndrome since birth and occasionally has twitches in his arms and neck.

However, when an opposition player approaches his goal during a match and Howard is forced to focus, the twitches disappear.

“The doctors can’t explain why [that happens],” Howard said. “It’s like my level of concentration is stronger than the Tourette’s is.”

Goalkeepers, like strikers who are similarly expected to produce a moment of magic in an instant, face especially difficult psychological challenges, and training in that 12

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Bianca Litscher (www.sukibamboo.com)

Oliver Kahn used to lose up to three kilograms per game.

GOALKEEPERS

area can be extremely helpful. For example, in Switzerland it is widely known that handball goalkeepers, who are put under enormous pressure, seek out advice from extreme mountain climbers. What exactly is fear? What is responsibility? The rhythm of handball may be different, as more goals are scored and a single goal does not carry the same weight as in football, but if a keeper gets caught up in a negative circle of thoughts - for instance after conceding three preventable goals - then his self-confidence could be affected. Having somebody to talk to is hugely valuable for a goalkeeper, and there are few athletes with the ability to maintain their focus on the essentials as well as experienced mountain climbers, who frequently face life-or-death situations when on a rock face.

As fearless as Planicka There are, then, numerous skills that a custodian must possess in order to have a successful career. In addition to those considerable job requirements, ambitious goalkeepers aiming for the very top need to have a high pain threshold. Keepers touch the ball an average of 40 times per game and are usual-

Planicka broke several ribs, his collarbone and once even played on until the final whistle with a broken arm. ly involved in a couple of rough aerial challenges too.

Young goalkeepers are warned not to follow in the footsteps of Frantisek Planicka.

The Czechoslovakian, who was born in Prague in 1904, seemingly played without consideration for his own well-being and broke several ribs, his collarbone, an arm and frequently sustained finger and head injuries. Incidentally, when Planicka, nicknamed the “Cat from Prague”, broke his arm in the 1938 World Cup quarter-final against Brazil, he played on until the end of the game, which even went into extra-time. It turned out to be his final international appearance, as Planicka was subsequently forced to retire. Å

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FR ANTISEK PL ANICK A Czechoslovakia, born 1904, died 1996. Planicka made his breakthrough at the 1934 World Cup, where Czechoslovakia finished as runners-up thanks to his displays between the posts. Nicknamed the “Cat of Prague” due to his acrobatic style, Planicka suffered several injuries. He played under a false name at the start of his time at Slavia Prague because his former side SK Bubenec initially refused to release him.

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USA: Major League Soccer

V i l l a l i g ht s t h e w ay JordÍ Punti is a novelist and the author of many football features in the Spanish media.

Elsa / Getty Images

New York is a welcoming city. For more than a century and a half, it has been opening its arms to people from all over the world, who are drawn to it by the promise of fulfilling their dreams. The players of New York City FC would have felt much the same way last weekend, when they played their very first home MLS match, in the auspicious setting of the Yankee Stadium, a temple of American sport.

I N S I D E

The new kids on the block are battling it out with New York Red Bulls for the affections of the Big Apple’s soccer fans, and could not have made a better opening play for their heart. Facing off against New England Revolution on matchday two of the season and watched by a crowd of more than 43,000, NYC eased to a 2-0 win, inspired by former Spain international David Villa, whose face is everywhere across town.

Looking as sharp as ever and leading the line with characteristic shrewdness, Villa shot his side into an 18th-minute lead, playing a neat one-two with Ned Grabavoy before jinking into the penalty area and clipping the ball home. The scorer turned provider with seven minutes ­remaining, bursting into the box and ­squaring the ball to give Patrick Mullins the easiest of finishes.

Delighted with what they saw on the pitch, the club’s fledgling fans even tried out some chants, albeit with very modest results. Yet while it takes more than one game to build up a loyal following, NYC are heading in the right direction.

Attention elsewhere in the opening exchanges of the MLS season has been focused on player departures and arrivals, with many asking how the Red Bulls and Los Angeles Galaxy will respectively shape up without Thierry Henry and Landon Donovan. Attempting to fill the void created by their retirements are 25 foreign imports, the most high-profile of which are Brazil international Kaka and Italian forward Sebastian Giovinco, who are on the respective rosters of Orlando City SC and Toronto FC. As is the case with Villa, much will be expected of them in the coming months. Å

Almost unstoppable David Villa (left) shrugs off the challenge of Kelyn Rowe.

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Voice from above Marco Streller (left) exchanges opinions with Stéphane Besle (lying down).

R ites of spr i ng Sarah Steiner is a staff writer for The FIFA Weekly.

A week prior to the official meteorological start of spring the Swiss Super League finally awoke from its winter slumbers. Until the most recent round of matches, the fixtures since the mid-season break had offered little by way of excitement and incident. However, the gloves came off when Basel met St. Gallen, providing a great advertisement for Swiss domestic football and serving up an entertaining afternoon for the crowd.

The meeting between FCB and the oldest club in continental Europe left Basel boss Paulo Sousa distinctly not amused, even though the course of the season so far should have served as ample warning to his troops. Apart from mighty Real Madrid, only the aforementioned St. Gallen had defeated Basel twice this season and Sousa 16

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explicitly highlighted the danger before the game: “They’re physically and mentally very strong.” But the Swiss champions are misfiring at present and there was a certain sense of inevitability when FCB failed to bounce back with a win after a sobering Champions League exit against Porto. As it was, Basel ended up grateful for a point.

In a match with chances galore at both ends, Basel led twice but St. Gallen levelled on both occasions. On 69 minutes the men from the east of the country could even have taken the lead from the spot, but the 17,457 crowd saw super sub and regular penalty-taker Roberto Rodriguez, who had only entered the fray a few moments previously, miss his team’s golden opportunity.

It all proved too much for FCB captain Marco Streller. The former Swiss international, a German Bundesliga winner with Stuttgart in 2007, recently announced he is to retire at the end of the season. “I’ll passionately fight for my team until the very last second,” the 33-year-old declared, and he literally did just that in a frantic last few minutes against St. Gallen. Having been caught in the face by an elbow from

Stéphane Besle in a tussle for possession, Streller shoved his opponent, sent him to the deck with a trip and delivered a lengthy tirade to the prone figure.

Basel goalscorer Davide Calla made no secret of his disappointment afterwards: “When we’ve taken the lead twice, we should be going on to win.” His team-mates would do well to follow that advice when they contest the domestic cup semi-final on 8 April, as FCB once again face St. Gallen, and on that occasion a point will not be an option.

Although Basel are in a minor slump ­following a recent 4-2 defeat to Young Boys and their second draw of the second half of the season against St. Gallen, their direct rivals at the top of the table have failed to exploit the situation. Young Boys had 70 minutes to find a win against ten-man bottom club Aarau but were still held to a 1-1 draw, while FC Zurich contrived to lose 1-0 at home to Sion. Champions Basel thus retain their seven-point lead, meaning any club with designs on the league crown will require a vigorous spring awakening very soon. Å

Gian Ehrenzeller / Keystone

Switzerland: Super League

Australia: A-League

We l l i n g to n ’s jou r ney David Winner is a London-based author and journalist. His books on football include ’Brilliant Orange’ and ’Dennis Bergkamp: Stillness and Speed’.

For the first time ever, Wellington Phoenix have reached the top of the A-League table.

Playing with grit and style, the New Zealand-

ers shook off the effects of a 5,300 kilometer journey to beat former leaders Perth Glory at nib Stadium in Perth on Saturday.

The home team, who led the table by seven points in early January, have now failed to win in eight attempts. With six games of the regular season to go, five teams are in contention for top places. The other three are Sydney FC (who thrillingly beat Brisbane Roar 5-4), Melbourne Victory (who have a game in hand) and Adelaide United.

On Saturday, Phoenix made light of the absence of striker Nathan Burns and midfielder Alex Rodriguez as Roy Krishna,

the only Fijian ever to play in the A-League, scored both their goals in a 2-1 win. The result – and the Phoenix surge this season – add to the impression that New Zealand, traditionally a rugby-playing power, is also becoming a force in football. Three months ago, remarkably, semi-professional Auckland City finished third in the Club World Cup. Wellington, the traditional also-rans of the A-League, have been transformed this season by Scottish coach Ernie Merrick who joked after the game that his players’ lofty new status would give them “nosebleeds”.

Merrick himself should be fine, though.

He won Premierships and Grand Finals with Melbourne Victory and his family background surely equips him to keep his balance in high places: his mother was a circus acrobat. The Perth-Wellington fixture is known as the ’distance derby’ because the two cities are almost as far from each other as London and New York. But whatever stress is imposed by the Phoenix and Glory travel arrangements pales by comparison with the ordeal inflicted on Western Sydney Wanderers.

The reigning Asian champions have won only two A-League matches this season – and it’s not hard to see why. Their coach Tony Popovic said this week that no A-League team should ever again have to undergo the sort of fixture congestion and exhaustion his players are currently experiencing.

Paul Kane / Getty Images

When, last November, against all expectations, they won the AFC Champions League in Saudi Arabia, the men from Parramatta had just three days to recover before hurtling to Wellington with their next game in Perth. A few weeks later they flew to Morocco for the Club World Cup.

Long trip Wellington Phoenix’s Roy Krishna (front) made a 5,300 km trip before firing both goals in his side’s 2-1 win over Perth Glory.

The club is now in the middle of playing seven games in 20 days. Last Wednesday they managed to beat Melbourne City 3-2 but two days after that faced Melbourne Victory and lost 3-0. This week they are due to play Newcastle three days after a crucial Champions League match in Seoul, South Korea.

No wonder they’re called The Wanderers. Å

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C O U N T D OW N T O C A N A DA 2015: 78 DAY S T O G O

imago

Eyes on the ball Vivianne Miedema won last year’s Women’s U-19 European Championship with the Netherlands and also finished as top scorer.

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“I think about the World Cup almost every day” Vivianne Miedema plays her club football for Bayern Munich and wears the number 10 shirt, just like her fellow Dutch star Arjen Robben. Miedema now aims to emulate Robben and shine for the Netherlands at a World Cup.

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ayern Munich have had a good return on investment from Dutch attackers in recent years. Arjen Robben is the latest in a series of top-class players from the Netherlands at the club, and he is currently scoring almost at will, having helped the Bavarians collect title after title.

Yet suggestions that his achievements might have had something to do with Bayern’s decision to sign a Dutch forward for their women’s team last summer would be wide of the mark. Vivianne Miedema’s transfer to Munich was very much down to her own performances over recent months.

The 18-year-old scored 39 times for SC Heerenveen in 2013/14 to finish as top scorer in the BeNe League, and she was equally as unstoppable for the national team. At the U-19 European Championship, she also took the top goalscorer’s crown with six strikes, netting the winner in the 1-0 victory over Spain in the final.

“I don’t play like men do” The 5’8 striker has laced her boots for Bayern in the Bundesliga since the start of the 2014/15 campaign and has already scored five goals in 11 outings. Such a tally, combined with the fact she wears the No10 shirt, have led to inevitable comparisons with her compatriot Robben. “Yeah, I get that a lot,” she said, laughing. “But Arjen plays very differently to me. It’s really cool to be compared to him but, as a woman, it’s a bit strange always being compared to a man. I’m Vivianne Miedema and I don’t play like men do.”

Nevertheless, watching her in action it is difficult not to draw parallels with fellow Dutch attacker Robin van Persie, who is equally clinical in front of goal. Indeed, Miedema, who is a self-proclaimed fan of Dutch first-division side Feyenoord, has long been an admirer of Van Persie. “I’ve always looked up to him and wanted to be a striker just like him,” she said, before ex-

78 DAYS TO GO

plaining that she also owes her two-footedness to the frontman: “I’ve always been right footed but he’s a left-footer. That’s why I started trying to do everything with my left too. Van Persie’s the player I’ve picked up the most from by watching him.”

Three goals to reach the finals Miedema’s ability to play off either foot helped her find the target 16 times during qualification for the Women’s World Cup, making her the leading scorer once again. In the decisive playoff tie against Italy, she scored all three of the Netherlands’ goals in a 3-1 aggregate victory – a 1-1 draw in the first leg and a 2-1 win in the return fixture - helping them reach the finals of a World Cup for the first time ever. And now, Miedema’s eyes light up and her smile becomes even broader at the mere mention of the tournament.

“I think about the World Cup almost every day,” said Viv, as she is known by her teammates, even if she is cautious about setting the bar too high in Canada. “I want to be fit and really want to play there. I’m not going to say that we’ll end up being world champions but we have a good chance of going beyond the group stage. From there we’ll see how far we can go.”

Overcoming teething problems The Netherlands face China PR, New Zealand and Canada in Group A, but it is the prospect of playing against the hosts that really excites Miedema: “It’ll be great. I think and hope there’ll be a lot of spectators there and that there’ll be a fantastic atmosphere. Games like that are the reason you play football in the first place. I’m really looking forward to it.”

At Bayern, Miedema has been busy laying the foundations for future success, and despite some initial problems as she adapted to the Bundesliga, she is convinced she made

the right choice – especially in terms of her development: “I’m learning a lot of different playing styles and that’s really good. I’m a lot fitter than I was last year. I’m stronger, quicker and have more stamina too.” Nevertheless, she is also well aware of the areas of her game she can still improve upon: “I’m terrible at defending.”

Her main task in Canada, however, will be at the other end of the pitch, just like it was for Robben at the 2014 World Cup, where he led the Netherlands to a bronze medal.

Miedema would surely have nothing against helping her country to a similar achievement this summer, even if it would invite further comparisons with her countryman. Yet perhaps her performances could even lead to a reversal of roles, where Robben is compared to her. Å Marius Achatz

FRANCE TO HOST THE FWWC 2019 The FIFA Executive Committee has awarded the hosting of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019 to France. France's successful host country bid was announced on March 19, 2015, at a short ceremony at the Home of FIFA in Zurich.

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First Love Place: Pristina, Kosovo Date: 24 July 2014 Time: 5.32 p.m.

Photog rapher : A nd re w Testa

Panos Pictures / VISUM T H E F I FA W E E K LY

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QATAR

PRESIDENTIAL NOTE

Presidential Visit Sepp Blatter paid a visit to His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Qatar and spoke with him about the 2022 World Cup.

Flying high in the Himalayas

G Meeting at Al-Bahr Palace FIFA President Blatter and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

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Ahmad Alemadi

IFA President Blatter paid a visit to His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani , ahead of the Executive Committee meeting. During the meeting at the Al Bahr Palace, HH the Emir of Qatar provided an update on the country’s preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the development of football in the region and the ongoing labour-rights reform efforts which aim to ensure the welfare of migrant workers. Within this context, the FIFA President also discussed with the Emir mechanisms in Qatar to ensure the welfare and rights of all workers. A further discussion point was the envisaged move of the 2022 FIFA World Cup staging period to November/December, as well as other related matters.

Following the meeting, President Blatter had this to say: “It was important for me to have an opportunity to get the latest infor­ mation directly from the highest political authority, ahead of the Executive Committee meeting. It is encouraging to hear the Emir’s personal commitment to workers’ welfare and to get a sense of the improvements planned for all workers in Qatar. As various human-rights groups have recently noted, progress has been made already, especially with regard to the standards intro­duced by the Supreme Committee relating to 2022 construction sites, but more must be done in Qatar to ensure uniformly fair working conditions for all. This will only be possible through the collective effort of all stakeholders – from the construction companies to the authorities.

It is clear that Qatar takes its responsibility as host seriously and sees the FIFA World Cup as a catalyst for positive social change.”

The meeting was also attended by HH Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Personal Representative of HH the Emir. Å tfw

eographically speaking, Bhutan is on the roof of the footballing world: the Himalayan nation contains some of the highest mountains, most spectacular peaks and steepest inclines in the world.

Up to now, the nation’s football team also seemed to be on a slippery slope as they slid to last place in the FIFA Ranking, partly explained in demographic terms by the population of just 717,000. One of ­Bhutan’s rare tastes of success dates back to 2002: parallel to the World Cup Final between Brazil and Germany, the Asians took on Montserrat, then last in the Ranking, and won 4-0.

Two years after joining FIFA it was a first flicker of hope for the kingdom’s footballers. However, it would be another 13 years before their progress would bear fruit in an official competition.

It meant the news that reached us last Tuesday of events at Changlimithang National Stadium in the capital city Thimphu was all the more positive. In the first round of Asian qualifying for the 2018 World Cup, Bhutan upset the form book and defeated Sri Lanka thanks to a 2-1 victory in the away leg and a 1-0 success at home, some 2,300 metres above sea level: this team is flying high in the most literal sense of the term. Of course, it was only a small initial step on the road to Russia, but its symbolic importance can hardly be underestimated. The success achieved by the courageous Bhutan team demonstrates that you can play football (and win) everywhere, ­regardless of a country’s geography, size or prevailing culture.

There are other striking examples of positive developments in Asian football and strong growth at the grass roots. Timor-Leste overcame Mongolia to make the next round, and Brunei sent out a strong signal on their return to the international stage with a ­v ictory away to Chinese Taipei, although defeat in the return means World Cup qualifying is over for the nation ranked 198th in the world.

Nevertheless, these smaller but ambitious footballing nations strongly hint at the vast untapped footballing potential in Asia, the continent that is home to two-thirds of all mankind and comprises 46 national associations. It can only be a matter of time before this potential is reflected at the highest level. Bhutan have shown the way and others will follow. Warm congratulations and good luck!

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

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REL AT IV E AGE BIA S

The late-born phenomenon When the former Dutch international Tschen La Ling invested in the Slovak club AS Trencin, he installed a close cooperation with Ajax Amsterdam. But the success of Trencin also originates as well from deciphering the age bias in youth development.

Popularity boost Trencin’s attractive football is getting fans through the turnstiles.

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rencin is an unlikely place for a football revolution. The medieval city on the west side of Slovakia, near the Czech border, is host to local team AS Trencin.

With an average age of 22.3 years, AS Trencin has become famous this season for regularly fielding the youngest team in Europe. This has not come at the price of success, though: Trencin have been in the top two all season and are still hopeful of beating MSK Zilina in the race for the Slovak title.

That was a pipe dream when owner Tschen La Ling first bought the club back in 2007.

Ling, a former winger for Ajax who made 14

and then third qualifying round. Ling’s ­ ision, as he put it, was to combine “the skill v and technique of Dutch-trained players with the physical and mental strength of Slovak players.” Rookie coach Martin Sevela, a former centre-back who spent the final three years of his playing career at AS Trencin, is the man entrusted with fulfilling this plan.

“Our philosophy is to play an attractive style and to make the fans happy,” he said. “We tell the players to think about attacking football with every touch they make, to not be afraid of taking risks, and to take responsibility. They should only pass back if there are

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appearances for Holland, originally fell for the city when he bought, renovated and then sold a hotel, the Tatra. Then he bought the football club. “I liked the location and understood the environment. With my background, I knew that football is about money, players, coaches and problems. There is no magic formula to guarantee success.”

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New era endures painful start And so it proved. AS Trencin were relegated after the first year of Ling’s investment, and that forced the board to rip up the club’s existing template and start again. “That was a painful beginning for us, but it also allowed us to radically change things,” explained Robert Rybnicek, general manager, who has worked with the club for 18 years. “We developed a new philosophy and a vision for the club based on our training methods, our style of play, our recruitment choices, and development of young players. Now, we can see this is all working nicely.”

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It took Trencin three years to get out of the second division, and when they did in 2011, it was with an 18-point lead. Then, in their first three years back in the top flight, the newcomers finished fifth, third and second. Those last two finishes earned Europa League qualifying spots, but AS Trencin fell at hurdles in the second qualifying round,

no other options available.” Ling has expedited his team’s youth strength by starting a formal co-operation agreement with AFC Ajax of Amsterdam. The benefits work both ways: firstly, the exchange of players, like Trencin midfielder Stanislav Lobotka, whose first appearance for Jong Ajax was to replace Christian Eriksen in a pre-season friendly,

Tomas Somr / FK AS Trencin

Ben Lyttleton

REL AT IV E AGE BIA S

Late-born players tend to have longer careers and Ajax winger Gino van Kessel, who scored ten goals for AS Trencin last season.

“We bring a lot to Ajax as well,” Rybnicek said. “Everyone who has visited the club has been surprised by our training methods, the ability of our players, and our physical and technical strength.” There has also been an exchange of coaches and, ­c rucially, knowledge.

Born in the second half of the year There is something else going on at AS Trencin, and this is where other clubs will want to keep an eye on their methods. A look

six who were early-born, three were born in the ‘cusp month’ of June. They only have three regular and ’proper’ early-born players.

There has long been a historical age bias to ‘early-born’ players, and this is for a variety of reasons. They are the eldest in their age groups, so from a very early age, are used to being bigger, faster, stronger, and for those reasons seen as better than their peers.

It can become self-selecting: an enthusiastic but December-born six-year-old might come up against players 11 months older but in the same age group and quickly lose interest if he can’t keep up. Early-born players tend to

success stories, Harry Kane (July), is lateborn.

Ajax, and through knowledge exchange, AS Trencin too, have understood the effect of this relative age bias. Their youth player database systems have a graph which shows coaches exactly where each players fits into his age group on a relative age basis, so coaches can immediately see if the player is young or old for his age group. Any discussions they have about the player then exist in that context.

The training systems have also changed to reflect this bias. Most teams have a con-

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at the squad list reveals an interesting pattern: not just that the players are so young – the oldest outfield player, Peter Cogley, is 26 – but that most of their players are born in the second half of the year. Ten of the 16 players who have started Superliga games for AS Trencin were born between July-December, known as late-born players, while of the

play more matches from a young age, as they are more regularly picked at the expense of late-born players. The knock-on effect of that is late-born players tend to have longer ­careers, as they have fewer injuries and have more matches left in their tank. Lionel ­Messi (June) and Cristiano Ronaldo (February) are both early-born, while one of this season’s

ventional structure of Under-7s, Under-8s, Under-9s, through the ranks to Under-19s.

Ajax now has three broader age groups: 6-11, 12-15 and 16-19. That allows for collaboration in training, involving mixed age groups to help peer-to-peer learning, and mentoring programmes as well. It means that each player will have a different experience: ­ T H E F I FA W E E K LY

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The effects of ­r elative age bias even out at the age of 23 or 24.

App to map relative age bias Jamie Lawrence is a defender at AS Trencin who understands the effects of relative age bias better than most. His mother Lynne runs Montessori teaching methods around the world and his father Steve is an architect and consultant to Ajax, with two specialties: spatial development for new training-grounds, and age bias. Lawrence is a proud father but has no doubt that Jamie’s

will be a pilot tournament involving 24 amateur teams in Holland working to see if Lawrence’s plan can work. He has even developed a free mobile app to ease administrative concerns about the plan’s feasibility.

There is also a competitive advantage to this knowledge: Trencin and Ajax know that talent can be missed in late-born players, so often it is advantageous to offer them longer deals. Sometimes their true value might not emerge until they are 23 or 24, which is when Lawrence says the effects of age bias even out. Back in Trencin, Ling’s vision is coming together. The average attendance is

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chances have been hampered by the fact he has an August birthday, and is therefore lateborn. “Jamie was in the same team as Harry Kane at Arsenal and I have no doubt that if Jamie was early-born, he would be an England Under-21 international by now.”

Lawrence believes that having a cut-off date for player eligibility for children engag26

ing in sport is a problem that needs solving.

Late-born children, in schools predicated on testing, are more likely to do less well in ­exams. Those age effects, as he wrote in an academic paper, The Age Advantage in Association Football, infiltrate into sporting pursuits as well: “At young ages, team managers and coaches, inadvertently or otherwise, operate a strategy of fielding the oldest possible team within the competition rules. Whilst this strategy achieves the short term aim of winning the next match a systemic disadvantage is established in that it simultaneously reduces the available talent pool.”

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But he has a solution. “I believe the way around this is to use an average-age rule based a team or squad meeting an average rule rather than a cut-off date for individuals,” he said. “That way, coaches can pick a team across the spectrum with a variety of players involved, as long as they meet the average-age cut-off.” Later this year, there

up from 700 fans to 3,000 for every home match. “You cannot even compare the style of football from then and now,” said Ling.

“We want to create something new and meaningful, to cause a small revolution. I can’t do this on my own and that’s why I’m grateful to have an ally like Robert working with me.”

Tomas Somr / FK AS Trencin

s­ ometimes being the oldest in the age category with the responsibilities that brings, and sometimes being the youngest.

Exchange programme Ajax’s Gino van Kessel (left) has scored 10 goals for Trencin, while Stanislav Lobotka has featured for Jong Ajax.

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Old hand At 26, Peter Cogley is Trencin’s oldest outfield player.

Guarantor of success Dutchman Tschen La Ling is investing in Slovakia.

For Rybnicek, the appreciation is mutual.

“We work closely together, even if it was not always easy at the start. We found a common path and my job is to adapt all the ideas into Slovak conditions.” Future plans include a new stadium, and regular European football.

Qualifying for the Europa League would be a start.

Coach Sevela believes all this is possible even with the youngest team in Europe.

“When you work with young players, you can mould them and eliminate their bad habits quickly. You can’t do that with 28-year-olds, it’s much harder.” Sevela said his team’s style

MOSES SIMON #27 Midfielder 12.7.1995

Our big dream is to one day play in the Champions League.” If they manage it with the youngest squad in Europe, then you can be sure everyone will sit up and take note. Å

Futbalový Klub AS Trenčín Founded: 1992 as TJ Ozeta Dukla Trencin Colours: Red and white Stadium: Stadion na Sihoti, Capacity: 16,000 Chairman: Tschen La Ling

of play is more important than the age of his players, though the youth teams play in the same style throughout the club, so when a youngster steps up to the first-team, he won’t be surprised by a change in formation. “They can play straightaway and we don’t have to teach them any new moves or runs before their debut, which we think is important.

Manager: Robert Rybnicek Coach: Martin Sevela Famous former players: Martin Skrtel, currently Liverpool Dusan Kuciak, currently Legia Warsaw Karol Kisel, currently Sydney FC Honours: Promotion to the top flight 2011 Third place in 2012/13

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Name Toni Kroos Date and place of birth 4 January 1990, Greifswald (GDR) Position Midfield Clubs 2007–2008 Bayern Munich reserves 2007–2014 Bayern Munich 2009–2010 Bayer Leverkusen (loan) 2014–present Real Madrid National team: Germany Major honours 2008, 2013, 2014 German championship 2008, 2013, 2014 German Cup 2013 FIFA Club World Cup with Bayern 2013 UEFA Champions League winner 2014 FIFA Club World Cup with Real Madrid 2014 World Cup winner

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Olaf Heine /Contour by Getty Images

57 caps, 9 goals

THE INTERVIEW

“Leader? Not a term I can really relate to” Real Madrid and Germany midfielder Toni Kroos gives us his thoughts on the importance of mental strength and on how being relaxed boosts on-field performance.

Toni Kroos, Last year was an extremely successful one for you. Was it also the year in which you cemented your credentials as a world-class player on the international stage?

Toni Kroos: It was certainly a special year, and above all it was an incredibly successful year. But when you achieve so much and win trophies, especially the World Cup, it always looks from the outside like you’ve suddenly played far better than you did before. I’ve never believed that, though, and still don’t now. Both the team and I were already playing at a high level; the only difference is that we had something to show for it last year. Nevertheless, I still took a step forward. After all, showing what you can do at a World Cup and then moving from Munich to Madrid isn’t easy.

So does that mean making progress in football is more of a psychological process?

The mental side of things is always important in football. When you achieve success by winning a major trophy everything suddenly just seems to come that much easier to you. But to be honest, I’ve never had any problems with the psychological side of things.

One of the attributes you are often praised for is that despite your relatively young age, you have a remarkably composed and unhurried manner out on the pitch, especially in tight situations. Where do you get that from?

I think there are two reasons for that.

One the one hand, I simply have faith in my ability in any kind of situation because I know what I’m capable of and never need to panic. On the other hand, it’s just part of my nature. I’m aware there are a lot more important things in the world than football. If you lose a game from time to time that’s just the way it goes. Before every match I know that whatever happens, the worst case scenario is that you lose a game, nothing more. Of course, that doesn’t mean I’m not focused or that I don’t want to win, but that outlook gives me a certain laid-back quality.

In Germany you were labelled a wunderkind a decade ago and earmarked as a potential future No10 in the national team. Given such huge levels of expectation, are you not now a little relieved to be a World Cup winner and playing for Real Madrid?

No, because I never put that pressure on myself – that came from other people. Of course winning major titles is an objective you set yourself when you start playing, but I never put myself under any pressure – thinking that winning the World Cup at some point in my career was a must, for example. I’d still be sitting here in just as good a mood today if we hadn’t won the World Cup. That’s not to say it wasn’t a massive achievement. As you said, I’m sitting here ten years down the line and I’m still not that old. That’s how I know it’s perfectly normal for development to happen over time and that you can’t rush it, no matter how good you are.

At the World Cup in Brazil you pulled the strings in Germany’s midfield. In concrete terms, why do you think Germany were better than everyone else?

We were a very close-knit group and we had an absolutely top-class coach who prepared us extremely well for all our opponents. And we knew we’d only become world champions if we stuck together, if we attacked and defended together as a team.

We didn’t have the kind of individual player you could just give the ball to and rely on him to score while everyone else just defended. We were all aware that everyone had to be involved in defending and that we had to play as a collective. We did that in a fantastic way and that’s why I think we were the best team last summer.

The way I play is to get into the game a lot and to see plenty of the ball, so you’re automatically more involved.

You were originally schooled as an attacking midfielder but at Real Madrid you have more of a defensive role.

At the end of the day the important thing is being able to work well in the team.

We tend to play with three central midfielders and at the moment I have the more defensive role, and have done since the beginning of the season. I very much enjoy playing there. Of course the coach sets out certain demands for playing in that position, but those coincide with my own interpretation of how to play there. So in that regard I’m delighted with how things are going.

Over the years I’ve been moving further back bit by bit, and that’s fine by me. In Madrid it’s important we have the right balance.

Normally we have a lot of very attack-minded players on the pitch, so for me it’s almost of secondary importance to get forward.

Instead, I focus on how the game is going in the middle of the park, making sure we keep our shape.

Finally, if a Ballon d’Or was awarded for something you excel at away from the football pitch, what would it be?

I think I’m a pretty good dad [smiles].

That’s also the most important thing! Å Toni Kroos was talking to Andreas Alf

To what extent did you grow into a leading role with Germany in Brazil?

That’s not a term I can really relate to, but whenever I’m on the pitch I always try to shoulder responsibility. I’ve always done that, because the position I play demands it.

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GENER AL INFORMATION Country: Tahiti FIFA Trigramme: TAH Continent: Oceania

Billy the Fish and holy Welsh champions Perikles Monioudis

A

wide range of footballing fauna is displayed on the sport’s many club badges and crests, from billy goat Hennes adorning the emblem of Bundesliga side Cologne, grasshoppers representing the Zurich team that share their name, via the swan at Swansea City and horse of Ipswich Town. Then there are the foals of Borussia Monchengladbach, the Gallic rooster of the French Football Federation, Roma’s she-wolf, the seahorses of Newcastle United, and, last but not least, the lion. The king of beasts is almost ubiquitous within the beautiful game and can be seen on players’ chests at 1860 Munich, Brescia, Millwall, Chelsea and many other teams besides.

For some clubs, selecting a particular species is the most natural thing in the world, as was the case when Roma opted for the she-wolf that raised the Italian capital’s founders Romulus and Remus. In other cases, mascots arrive quite by accident – like Carlisle United’s Billy the Fish.

Anyone spending a few hours wandering around England’s National Football Museum in Manchester will at some point come across a small plaque that recounts the events of 2005, when the northern city of Carlisle was afflicted by terrible flooding. The entire town was left underwater including Brunton Park, the home of Carlisle United.

According to legend, the daughter of the club’s owner went to the stadium just as the water was beginning to recede and discovered a goldfish in one of the goalmouths. She saved

it and gave it a new home in a traditional round bowl, where it lived for another five years. Having become something of a celebrity and mascot during its short life, Billy the Fish’s passing was mourned by club officials and fans alike.

That same information board at the National Football Museum also depicts a portrait of former Leeds United chairman Peter Ridsdale, who hit upon the idea of selecting fish as mascots a full four years before Carlisle’s fateful floods. “Apparently they bring you luck,” he said upon purchasing a school of tropical tiddlers for the Yorkshire side.

Nevertheless, in the sporting shark tank of professional football it seems that the much-loved lion brings the greatest success – and if all else fails, a little divine intervention is always helpful. A few days ago, the New Saints of Oswestry Town & Llansantffraid secured their ninth Welsh championship title with several weeks of the league still to play. Å

Capital: Papeete

GEOGR APHIC INFORMATION Surface area: 1,042 km² Highest point: Orohena 2,241 m Neighbouring seas and oceans: Pacific Ocean

MEN’S FOOTBALL FIFA Ranking: 164th World Cup: –

WOMEN’S FOOTBALL FIFA Ranking: 133rd World Cup: –

L ATES T RESULTS Men’s: Uruguay - Tahiti 8:0 23 June 2013 Women’s: American Samoa - Tahiti 0:4 5 September 2011

FIFA INVES TMENTS The weekly column by our staff writers

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Arsenal players try out new kids’ bikes after training.

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Ecuador players warm up before a training session.

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THERE WILL BE ATERS

NET ZER KNOWS!

What was Borussia Monchengladbach’s secret in the 1970s?

Question from @zagal 212 (Twitter)

QUOTES OF THE WEEK

“That is like asking if you love your mother or father more!”

Rafa Benitez on whether he’d prefer to win the Coppa Italia or UEFA Europa League

“One thing I’ve learned in football is that good players can win one game, five games, ten games, but just a good team can win the championship. Today we’re going to fight together, we’re going to attack together, we’re going to defend together.

Kaka delivers an inspirational dressing-room speech ahead of Orlando City’s professional debut

“We shouldn’t compare Eden to Final year at Gladbach Gunter Netzer during a photo shoot in June 1972.

ullstein

E

ven back then Bayern Munich overwhelmed everyone in the German Bundesliga. It wasn’t only because they had stars like Franz Beckenbauer, Paul Breitner and Gerd Muller, but because they had a huge infrastructure too thanks to their Olympic stadium.

Monchengladbach and Bayern were worlds apart and I’d estimate that Bayern were three times as big.

Nevertheless, Gladbach, a so-called smaller club, defined German football in the 1970s.

How did they manage that?

The secret was a strong sense of togetherness. That may sound like a cliché to some people because it is said so often now, but there was something very special in Gladbach at that time. Towards the end of the 1960s, coach Hennes Weisweiler had managed to convey his performance-oriented mindset to the team and Gladbach was the place to be for young players. Weisweiler had fantastic football knowledge and his own way of dealing with players; he was paternal, respectful. It is no

coincidence that many of his alumni subsequently developed into big figures in the game, such as Jupp Heynckes, Rainer Bonhof and Berti Vogts.

After my transfer to Real Madrid in 1973, Gladbach continued to strengthen but lost their best player ever season. Even Weisweiler left to join Barcelona in 1975. It is therefore all the more remarkable that the club managed to win another two league championships. It seemed as if Weisweiler’s spirit lived on in Gladbach for several more years.

Nowadays Bayern are once again in a league of their own and seem to be even more dominant in the Bundesliga. Gladbach will have to be patient before they win their next title, but it’s still very enjoyable to watch the sophisticated football Lucien Favre’s side play. Å

What have you always wanted to know about football? Ask Gunter Netzer: feedback-theweekly@fifa.org

Ronaldo or Messi. He will go his own way. When I see him, I see Zidane.”

Marc Wilmots on Eden Hazard

“I am not going to lie about it.

The Ballon d’Or is always in the back of my mind.

What I would need to do to win it? Win a lot of titles and score 80 goals or so in one year!”

Karim Benzema T H E F I FA W E E K LY

35

Every dream needs a kick-off.

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TURNING POINT

“My seven-yearold daughter saved me” After the death of his wife Esther in a tragic accident, Frenkie Schinkels was left with four ­children to look after and heavy debts, but his daughter helped set him back on the straight and narrow.

Manuel Tauber-Romieri

T

hey are memories I have come to terms with, but will never be able to forget.

The tragedy occurred on 5 March 1995, just a few hours before I returned home from a training camp of SV Gmund, an amateur club where I was player-coach.

Esther, my childhood sweetheart from Holland, had lost control of the car on an icy road just a few hundred yards from our home on the outskirts of St. Polten, and ploughed into a tree. She was dead.

I was left with our four little daughters, 270,000 euros worth of debt on the house and my cafe. I had no prospects and just one disposable friend, Bacardi, until help came along from a rather unexpected source. My daughter Romy, who was seven at the time, freed me from the darkness. “Now we have to stay together,” she declared, assuming the role of a surrogate mother. You have to realise – that came from a child!

Even my dad Piet didn’t hesitate for a second and came over from Holland to see me, but three months later came the next stroke of fate. In the morning I buried my drug-addicted and alcoholic mother, and in the afternoon my stepfather passed away.

Luckily I crossed paths with yet another lifesaver during my latest period of grief – an adult this time. I met Romana, who worked at the printers’ shop and who has earned my eternal respect. She basically assumed control of me and the four kids, raised them and helped me out financially, too. We also have our own son, Romario Ronaldo, who is now 18 years old.

I got back on my feet professionally after I criticised Wiener Austria on TV, which ­resulted in the Violets’ former owner Frank Stronach appointing me as chief scout and eventually as coach. The moral of the story: if you think you can do better, prove it!

Alongside current Cologne head coach Peter Stoger, I won the league and cup double.

I’m debt free nowadays – I was still 168,000 euros in the red when I started work at Austria – and I don’t have to hand out ­leaflets or clean train stations to get by anymore, like I used to. I’m very happy with ­Romana and now have five grandchildren.

As sporting director of second-division side SKN St. Polten, I want to play my part in helping the club reach the very top. On Champions League nights I work as an expert on free TV. My motto is to never give up. Å Frenkie Schinkels was talking to Andreas Jaros

Name Frenk Schinkels Date and place of birth 9 January 1963, Rotterdam Position Midfield Clubs (selected) 1982-1983 AZ Alkmaar 1983-1985 Excelsior Rotterdam 1987-1988 FK Austria Vienna 1989-1990 SK VOEST Linz 1991-1993 and 1994 VSE St. Polten National team: Austria 6 caps, 1 goal (in a 3-2 defeat against the Netherlands in Sittard in 1992) Clubs coached (selected) 2005-2006 FK Austria Vienna 2008-2009 SK Austria Carinthia 2010 First Vienna FC 1894

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

T H E F I FA W E E K LY

37

MEN’S WORLD R ANKING

Germany (unchanged) Italy (10th, up 2 ranks) Spain (11th, down 1 rank) 7 Barbados, Bermuda, Grenada, St Vincent and the Grenadines (2 matches each) Israel (up 75 points) Barbados, Bermuda (up 11 ranks each) Lebanon (down 90 points) Last updated: Lebanon (down 25 ranks) 12 March 2015

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

+/- Points

Rank Team

+/- Points

Rank Team

+/- Points

Rank Team

+/- Points

1 Germany

0 1770

55 South Africa

1

608

109 Qatar

0

300

163 Swaziland

2

106

2 Argentina

0 1577

56 Korea Republic

-2

594

110 Sudan

2

288

164 Belize

3

100

3 Colombia

0 1499

56 Turkey

-4

594

110 Cuba

4

288

164 Tahiti

3

100

4 Belgium

0 1471

58 Egypt

-1

582

112 Libya

1

281

166 Guyana

0

94

5 Netherlands

0 1415

59 Peru

0

565

113 Namibia

-2

277

167 Guam

-5

93

6 Brazil

0 1348

60 Zambia

0

560

114 Niger

4

271

168 Gambia

1

90

7 Portugal

0 1191

61 Panama

0

557

115 Mauritania

8

268

169 Bermuda

11

89

8 France

0 1180

61 Albania

2

557

116 Canada

1

266

170 Pakistan

1

88

9 Uruguay

0 1164

63 Trinidad and Tobago

-1

553

117 Liberia

-2

264

170 Laos

-9

88

10 Italy

2 1146

64 Rwanda

8

550

118 Kenya

-2

263

172 Montserrat

-2

86

11 Spain

-1 1130

65 Australia

-2

549

119 St Vincent and the Grenadines

-9

260

173 India

-2

74

12 Switzerland

-1 1126

66 Republic of Ireland

1

537

120 Lesotho

5

257

174 Sri Lanka

-1

73

13 Costa Rica

0 1095

67 Montenegro

-2

531

121 St Kitts and Nevis

-2

244

175 Yemen

4

72

14 Romania

2 1081

68 Burkina Faso

0

529

122 Moldova

-1

243

176 Turks and Caicos Islands

0

66

15 Chile

-1 1057

69 United Arab Emirates

-3

523

123 Liechtenstein

7

238

177 Comoros

-3

64

16 Czech Republic

1 1045

70 Norway

-1

522

124 Zimbabwe

-5

237

178 Seychelles

-1

60

17 England

-2 1031

71 Bulgaria

-1

501

125 Kuwait

3

231

179 São Tomé e Príncipe

-5

58

18 Algeria

0

986

72 Uzbekistan

-1

483

126 Georgia

0

225

180 Nepal

0

57

19 Croatia

0

963

72 Venezuela

7

483

126 Burundi

-2

225

181 San Marino

-1

55

20 Côte d’Ivoire

0

944

74 Uganda

2

478

128 Aruba

4

221

181 Cambodia

3

55

21 Mexico

0

935

75 Togo

0

466

128 Philippines

4

221

181 Dominica

-1

55

22 Slovakia

0

932

76 Jamaica

3

463

130 Vietnam

2

220

184 Solomon Islands

0

53 51

23 Austria

0

916

77 Haiti

1

454

131 Barbados

11

218

185 Nicaragua

-8

24 Ghana

1

887

78 Finland

-5

450

132 St Lucia

8

216

185 Timor-Leste

2

51

25 Tunisia

1

881

79 Armenia

-5

437

133 Maldives

2

214

187 Macau

1

45

26 Israel

6

880

80 Paraguay

-1

434

134 New Zealand

2

211

188 Chinese Taipei

-4

43

27 Greece

-3

872

81 Honduras

-4

433

134 Guinea-Bissau

4

211

188 South Sudan

1

43

28 Denmark

0

863

82 Guatemala

0

425

136 Luxembourg

-7

209

190 Mauritius

0

36

29 Ecuador

0

852

83 China PR

-1

423

137 Afghanistan

7

203

191 Vanuatu

0

34

30 Bosnia and Herzegovina

0

841

84 Angola

0

403

138 Kazakhstan

1

199

192 Fiji

0

30

31 Ukraine

-4

838

85 Cyprus

4

398

139 Azerbaijan

-8

198

192 Samoa

0

30

32 USA

-1

828

86 Mozambique

4

385

140 Palestine

-14

194

194 Bahamas

1

26

33 Russia

0

788

87 Estonia

-2

379

141 Tajikistan

-4

192

195 Mongolia

-1

25

34 Poland

6

778

87 Sierra Leone

-1

379

142 Thailand

1

189

196 Tonga

0

17

35 Iceland

2

776

89 El Salvador

-2

378

143 Central African Republic

2

178

197 US Virgin Islands

0

16

36 Senegal

0

772

89 Morocco

-1

378

144 Turkmenistan

3

175

198 Brunei Darussalam

0

15

37 Wales

-3

763

91 Malawi

2

376

145 Malta

4

168

199 Papua New Guinea

0

13

38 Cape Verde Islands

-3

761

92 Bolivia

0

372

146 Lebanon

-25

164

200 American Samoa

0

12

39 Scotland

-1

727

92 Benin

3

372

147 Madagascar

1

163

201 Andorra

0

8

40 Serbia

-1

709

94 Lithuania

2

364

148 Chad

-2

155

201 British Virgin Islands

1

8

41 Nigeria

1

701

95 Latvia

5

361

149 Korea DPR

3

149

201 Eritrea

1

8

42 Iran

-1

692

96 Oman

-5

356

150 Kyrgyzstan

1

146

204 Somalia

0

6

43 Northern Ireland

8

679

97 Iraq

-3

353

151 New Caledonia

2

143

205 Cayman Islands

0

5

44 Guinea

-1

669

98 Belarus

3

346

152 Syria

-2

141

206 Djibouti

0

4

45 Sweden

-1

663

99 Saudi Arabia

-1

339

153 Myanmar

-12

137

206 Cook Islands

0

4

46 Hungary

2

659

100 Tanzania

7

331

153 Singapore

3

137

208 Anguilla

0

2

47 Congo DR

-1

651

101 Jordan

-4

326

153 Malaysia

1

137

209 Bhutan

0

0

48 Slovenia

-1

649

102 Antigua and Barbuda

-3

325

156 Indonesia

2

129

49 Cameroon

-4

646

102 Ethiopia

0

325

157 Hong Kong

2

127

50 Equatorial Guinea

-1

630

104 Bahrain

-1

319

158 Grenada

-3

126

51 Mali

2

626

105 Faroe Islands

0

317

159 Curaçao

1

125

52 Congo

-3

625

106 Botswana

-1

316

160 Puerto Rico

2

119

53 Japan

2

617

107 Dominican Republic

1

310

161 Suriname

3

115

54 Gabon

4

610

108 FYR Macedonia

-4

308

162 Bangladesh

-5

112

38

T H E F I FA W E E K LY

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39

R E S U LT S O F PR E V I O U S P O L L

T HIS WEEK’S POLL

Which team will win the 2014/15 CONCACAF Champions League?

Which of these upcoming international friendly matches are you most looking forward to?

57+20+194 4%

19%

Source: Fifa.com

20%

57%

· France - Brazil · Germany - Australia · Switzerland - USA · Sweden - Iran · Netherlands - Spain · Italy - England

≠ America (MEX) ≠ Alajuelense (CRC) ≠ Montreal Impact (CAN) ≠ Herediano (CRC)

Cast your votes at: FIFA.com/newscentre

WEEK IN NUMBERS

goals have already been set up by Kevin De Bruyne this season, making him the most creative player in any of the top five European leagues. After setting up two more strikes in Wolfsburg’s most recent Bundesliga encounter with Freiburg, the Belgian surpassed Cesc Fabregas (15) and Lionel Messi (14) to lead the continent’s assist rankings.

goals in seven Australian A-League matches is the hot streak that has seen Marc Janko rewrite a series of records. The big Austrian hit a hat-trick in Sydney FC’s 5-4 win over Brisbane Roar on Sunday and, in doing so, not only broke Alessandro del Piero’s club record for a single season, but became the first player in A-League history to find the net in seven successive matches.

goals were scored by Aston Villa within 44 first-half minutes during their match against Sunderland. A remarkable performance in itself, it is all the more impressive given that it equalled the English side’s haul from their previous 14 away games, a total of 1260 minutes. What’s more, the four strikes represent 21 per cent of their entire tally for the current campaign. Photo: Ron Vlaar (l.) and Matthew Lowton.

Dimitar Dilkoff / afp, afp, Getty Images, imago

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