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World Cup
Football 2006 Germany |
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All roads will lead to Germany
from Friday 9th June to Sunday 9th July for the greatest show on
earth. Whether you're on the field or in the stands, football is
a thrilling experience. A fascinating blend of courage and skill
that leaves the players exhilarated, the spectators spellbound.
A game of sudden upsets and unexpected comebacks, of dogged
persistence and spectacular wins. Yes it all boils down to
unrehearsed drama. In sports nothing is greater than a World
Cup. But there is also nothing more strenuous which the young
Germans will have to learn to live with the enormous pressure of
being World Cup hosts. All said and done, German fans will be
hoping that home advantage will help them win the title,
although they know that German football has not made the best of
appearances lately. |
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I interviewed a few renowned persons
well versed with the game to share their views of the
forthcoming World Cup in Germany and this is what they had to
say:
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From 9th June all
roads will lead to Germany to witness the FIFA World Cup which is
the most spectacular event in the world wherein countries who have
worked very hard and qualified are going to contest tooth and nail
to uphold the supremacy of their country. Thirty two countries
have qualified and will play as per the draw and contest the final
on 9th July, which will be D-day for football. |
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Brazil has already won the World Cup five times and are hot
favourites to win the trophy in Germany. England and Germany are
strong contenders and will leave no stone unturned to win the
final. Ultimately, it will be the survival of the fittest. FIFA
has worked very hard to prepare the referees and assistant
referees who will supervise the matches. The referees will be
judged on their fitness, courage, impartiality, whereas assistant
referees will be tested with their ability to penalize off-sides
correctly. -
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Alex Vaz Former FIFA Referee and FIFA Referee Instructor
and the only Indian referee to supervise two Pre-World
Cup Football Tournaments |
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The World Cup is
one event I look forward to every four years. It's one month of
pure joy and excitement. The World Cup is going to be a very
exciting one. I am eagerly waiting for it to commence. It's a
World Cup with a galaxy of stars. It's a World Cup where FIFA's ad
money of keeping the game simple and cheap has paid off. This year
we will hear names of countries which we never thought existed!!!
Will the host or Europe keep the trophy or will South American
teams walk away with it? Will the World Cup see Spain, the home of
Real Madrid and Barcelona, etc. make it at least to the semis?
What I like about the World Cup is the sheet spread of the game,
the number of countries participating in the qualifying round and
the finals. The emerging countries are closing the gap between
them and the traditional powers making the game all the more
exciting.
- Diago D'Costa: Football Analyst |
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During the World Cup, football fans will be able to follow their
selected match seated in an inflatable armchair in the shape of a
giant football while partaking of small cheese snacks, also shaped
like footballs, from a dish designed to look like a football
stadium. What's more is that a doormat for the house with the
design of the local football stadium… or a pie shaped like a
football… or a bikini in the colours of a World Cup team! There is
something for everyone and no limit to the imagination and fantasy
of football article manufacturers as the World Cup approaches.
Footballs are also appearing on the aircrafts of Germany's
national carrier Lufthansa. - Ireno Vaz
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The greatest
sporting show on earth will begin in June 2006. Once again Brazil
one of my favourites, will be strongly followed by host Germany,
Italy and Argentina and many other European and Latin American
countries. With the last World Cup 2002 throwing up some surprises
it will also be interesting to see which Asian country will excel
this time around. Asia is having four representatives namely South
Korea, Japan, Iran and Saudi Arabia all of which are immensely
talented and can give the Europeans and South Americans a run for
their money. Though football is a team game, individuals do
matter. Great things are expected from stars like Adriano, Ronaldo,
Ronaldinho, Zidane, Henry Thierry, Wayne Rooney and Michael Owens
not forgetting David Trezeguet, Luis Figo and Numo Gomez.
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| Recent Coach of the Maharashtra team for the Santosh Trophy
2005. Played for Central & Indian Railways. Presently coaching BMFC |
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Looking Ahead & Beyond
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Football Update in India |
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There is nothing
sweeter than success. The National Football League is hotting up
and will reach a feverish pitch by mid May. Top clubs in the
country like East Bengal and Mohun Bagan from Kolkata, Mahindra
United of Mumbai and Sporting Clube de Goa are strong contenders
to lift the 10th NFL title. Which team will fall at the final
hurdle? While East Bengal and Mohun Bagan have lifted the title
earlier, Mahindra United have had their best season this year.
Every match is now crucial for a better position and placing on
the NFL table. |
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AIFF pushes India to go professional |
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After 10 long
years of experimentation with the National Football League, the
All India Football Federation is looking ahead and will take
another step towards professionalizing the whole set up in a
couple of years. At the Football House Delhi after a two-day
workshop on club development, Asian Football Confederation
Secretary Peter Velappan strongly felt that clubs have certain
obligations and in future they will have to sign a contract to
play in the AIFF Pro-League which will begin from the 2007/08
season. NFL is a competition for professional clubs and it
should be run by professionals in a professional manner. Hence
we need to revamp the NFL and launch it as a new brand. All this
augurs well for Indian football in the future. |
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This long-term
plan is to make India a super power in football in Asia. Indian
clubs should keep out foreign players for at least five years to
nurture home talent and become the feeder line for the national
team. It is pertinent that AIFF will have to start at the
grassroots, developing players at the age of 5 or 6 and then
taking them forward year by year. It is heartening to learn that
the clubs are very positive about the future and are moving in
the right direction. More importantly, India should groom home
talent rather than rely on foreigners |
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