FIFA football

Rnk	Team	Pts	+/- Pos
	1	Spain	1611	0
	2	Germany	1459	0
	3	Portugal	1259	1
	4	Argentina	1208	3
	5	England	1196	-2
	6	Netherlands	1141	2
	7	Uruguay	1140	-2
	8	Italy	1106	-2
	9	Colombia	1102	13
	10	Greece	1029	1
	11	Croatia	1023	-2
	12	Russia	1014	1
	13	France	1011	2
	14	Brazil	1001	-2
	15	Switzerland	983	5
	16	Côte d'Ivoire	951	0
	17	Chile	948	-3
	18	Denmark	944	-8
	19	Mexico	925	2
	20	Ecuador	902	-3
	21	Sweden	859	-3
	22	Czech Republic	837	-3
	23	Japan	818	0
	24	Algeria	802	4
	25	Korea Republic	776	2
	26	Norway	764	8
	27	Mali	759	5
	28	Republic of Ireland	757	-2
	29	Bosnia-Herzegovina	740	1
	30	Belgium	723	10

source:fifa.com

© AFP

Al Ittihad and Al Ahli set up an all-Jeddah AFC Champions League semi-final after they secured their passage in vastly different circumstances on Tuesday.

Two-time champions Al Ittihad had to rely on Fahad Al Muwallad's 78th-minute deflected strike to send them through 5-4 on aggregate against Chinese champions Guangzhou Evergrande.

Al Ahli were far more comfortable as they romped to a 4-1 second-leg success over Sepahan and progress after the opening tie was goalless.

Evergrande, coached by former FIFA World Cup™-winning boss Marcello Lippi, had been minutes away from qualifying after Lucas Barrios (19) and a 35th-minute Dario Conca penalty cancelled out Al Ittihad's 4-2 first-leg lead.

That would have been enough to send the Chinese through on away goals but Al Muwallad popped up late, following a rare attack from the Saudi side, to rob the hosts.

"Football can be very cruel at times and unfair," said Lippi. "We have worked all year to become better and to reach our objectives and we came to the ACL with one objective. But I believe we should have passed this round.

"We played well and had plenty of chances to score. Unfortunately we have been eliminated and I want to thank the players for their efforts in this game, they have been playing like a team."

Ahli in control early
Al Ahli's hopes of going through were boosted by the dismissal of Sepahan goalkeeper Reza Mohammadi on 27 minutes.

Victor Simoes converted the resultant penalty before Amad Al Hosni added a second on 25 minutes.

A Kamel Al Mor own goal two minutes later gave the Iranian side brief hope but Al Hosni grabbed his second in first-half injury time before Abdulrahim Jaizawi confirmed the win on 69 minutes.

A third Saudi side, Al Hilal, will attempt to reach the last four on Wednesday when they will attempt to overturn a 1-0 deficit at home to Ulsan Hyundai.

In the other quarter-final Uzbekistan's Bunyodkor are in the box seat having drawn 2-2 at Adelaide United in the first leg.

source:fifa.com

© Getty Images

Jose Manuel de la Torre had barely completed five years as a head coach when, with the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ qualifying campaign looming, he was handed the Mexico reins ahead of candidates with considerably more experience. But, as well as the three domestic trophies he had conquered in a very short space of time, it was his modern approach to the game that earned him this much-coveted opportunity. 

And the 46-year-old tactician has not disappointed those who appointed him to take charge of El Tri. Indeed, he has enjoyed the best start by a coach in the history of the Mexican senior side, overseeing victories in his first ten competitive matches. 

“In general terms, the Mexican game is in a strong and healthy state," said Javier Aguirre, who ledMexico at Korea/Japan 2002 and South Africa 2010. "The senior team are also thriving under Chepo de la Torre, who’s doing great work with them. Overall, the outlook is very positive.”

There’ll always be competition for places, and it’s great when it's really difficult for the coach to pick the team. 

Javier Hernandez on a new-look Mexico

Judging by the results secured so far, El Vasco Aguirre would appear to be correct in his optimistic assessment of De la Torre’s tenure. In the Mexican’s first tournament as national coach, the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup, his charges captured the trophy in impressive style, racking up six wins and 22 goals in the process, while conceding just four. 

Although it may not appear all that surprising at first glance, no previous Mexico coach has ever experienced a similar level of early success. Looking back at former incumbents’ records is therefore a valid method of measuring the performance of the Guadalajara-born supremo. 

Of Mexico’s last five four-year FIFA World Cup cycles, just one, during which Ricardo La Volpe led the nation to Germany 2006, has begun and ended with the same coach in control. In the Argentinian’s first ten competitive encounters, he steered his players to eight victories and two draws.

Including friendlies, De la Torre has, from a total of 23 games, recorded 17 wins, four draws and two defeats, whereas La Volpe only managed to achieve ten wins, nine stalemates and four losses from the same number of encounters.

“Nobody wins by just strolling through games," explained Chepo, making it clear that he views concentration and day-to-day work as being crucial to attaining success. "You win through putting in a lot of effort, hard work and tireless running, by knowing how to handle yourself and by making sure that these factors give you the upper hand.”

Modified mentality
De la Torre, who steered Guadalajara to the league title in his first year as a club coach and subsequently won two further titles with Toluca, typifies the new footballing mindset in Mexico. The country's national sides have now very much got a taste for victory and go into tournaments with the firm belief that they can emerge on top of the pile.

What, then, is his secret? According to the ex-international, it can be summed up by fostering a winning mentality and by putting the team ahead of the individual. “Our approach has remained the same across the board," he said. "That’s been very satisfying for everyone, from our youth teams right up to the senior side.”

“This sport is one in which 24 players take part but only 11 start, while the others must make their way to the bench or the stands," chipped in Javier Chicharito Hernandez, one of the stars of the current Mexico XI. "There’ll always be competition for places, and it’s great when it's really difficult for the coach to pick the team.” 

Having guaranteed their ticket for the final six-team Hexagonal qualifying round after beating group rivals Costa Rica on 11 September at the Estadio Azteca, El Tri’s dream of appearing at Brazil 2014 remains very much alive.

“We’re preparing non-stop, because I know it’s not going to be easy. We’ve made a firm commitment to accomplishing our main objective, which is to qualify; that’s the target,” said De la Torre, who is well aware that any slip-up caused by overconfidence, brought on by the team’s impressive start, could do serious damage to Los Aztecas’ qualification chances.

But the excellent displays thus far have raised expectations among a Mexican faithful hungry for sporting success and recognition, and which has high hopes for De la Torre’s new-look side. And going by the results his players have chalked up under his command, he is certainly on the right track.

Mexican Football Association President Justino Compean is better placed than anyone to sum up De la Torre’s effect on his country’s national side: “Hopefully in 2014 we can enjoy a nice little surprise, like the one we got from Luis Fernando Tena [coach of the Olympic team] at London 2012, and the onesChepo keeps giving us with the seniors. Let's hope we can all feel honoured to witness and play a part in Mexico taking the next step.”

source:fifa.com

Hodgson disappointed by Terry's retirement

(PA) Monday 24 September 2012

© Getty Images

England manager Roy Hodgson today expressed his disappointment at John Terry's decision to quit international football.

Terry announced his international retirement last night on the eve of his Football Association disciplinary hearing on a racism charge with the Chelsea skipper claiming the case made his position with England "untenable". The FA have denied that is the case, and Hodgson meanwhile said he was sorry to lose the services of Terry, one of his best players at  UEFA EURO 2012.

Hodgson said: "I'd like to thank John Terry for his commitment to the England team since I became manager. I am of course disappointed to lose a player of John's international experience and exceptional ability.

"I have enjoyed a good relationship with John during my time as England manager and I reluctantly accept his decision. I can also confirm that he had the courtesy to call me prior to the announcement of his retirement from the England team. I'd like to wish John well for the future with Chelsea."

source:fifa.com