Football - Sport bulletin

Football

FOOTBALL - FIFA News 13 Oct, 2022

USA retain top position in the FIFA World Ranking of Women

Sports Bulletin Report Islamabad: United States of America (USA) retained their top position in the latest FIFA Women’s World Ranking, which will be used to determine the seeding for the Draw for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023. The Draw will be held in Auckland (New Zealand) on 22 October, with the Draw for the Play-Off Tournament taking place eight days earlier on Friday 14 October. The three teams at the top in the August 2022 ranking are still there, with one slight change in the order. Though USA (1st, -) remain out front, Sweden (2nd, plus 1) have jumped into second place at the expense of Germany (3rd, minus 1). England (4th, -) and France (5th, -) complete the top five. There is plenty of movement below them. After their 2-0 defeat of USA on Tuesday, Spain (6th, plus 2) climb two places, while Netherlands (8th, minus 2) drop two. No fewer than nine teams between 11th and 20th changed positions, among them Belgium (20th, minus 1), who suffered the biggest points drop in the whole ranking (minus 32.46). Newly qualified for the intercontinental play-offs for Australia & New Zealand 2023, Portugal (23rd, plus 4) were the highest climbers in the Top 50 with a rise of four places and 54.19 points. However, nobody made more progress in the October ranking than Estonia (96th, plus 10), who leapt ten places into the top 100, while Bangladesh (140th, plus 7) rose seven themselves. Two new teams have joined since the publication of the previous ranking in August: Syria (157th) and Pakistan (160th). This takes the total number of FIFA member associations now included in the women’s ranking to 187. FIFA has 211 member associations in all. The following ten teams have qualified for the play-off tournament: Portugal (23rd), Chile (38th), Chinese Taipei (40th), Thailand (41st), Papua New Guinea (50th), Paraguay (51st), Haiti (56th), Panama (57th), Cameroon (58th), Senegal (84th) Leader USA (unchanged) Moves into top 10 None Moves out of top 10 None Matches played in total 133 Most matches played Tanzania, Bangladesh, Bhutan (5) Biggest move by points Portugal (plus 54.19) Biggest move by ranks Estonia (plus 10) Biggest drop by points Belgium (minus 32.46) Biggest drop by ranks Kazakhstan (minus 11) Newly ranked teams Syria, Pakistan Teams that are no longer ranked None

FOOTBALL - Int News 07 Oct, 2022

Pakistan to participate in the Street Child Football World Cup 2022

faisal ISLAMABAD:-Muslim Hands Pakistan Under-16 Street Child’s Football team will take part in the Street Child Football World Cup 2022, which will kick-off from October 7 in Doha, Qatar. While indulging the details the Country Head of Muslim Hands, Syed Zia Al-Noor flanked with Special Assistant to Prime Minister Shiza Fatima Khawaja and team captain Mohammad Junaid, told reporter in a press conference at national Press Club on Thursday that 10 players and 3 officials would visit Qatar to represent the Pakistan in an international soccer fixture. “Pakistan has taken part in the previous two events and our players earned 3rd and 2nd positions respectively in 2014 and 2018, “he added. Responding to a question head of the Muslim Hands further disclosed that 28 teams from different 25 countries would take part in the 3rd edition of Street Child Football World Cup 2022. “14 boys’ teams and as many as 14 girls’ teams will be the part of the mega Under-19 football showpiece, “he maintained. To another question regarding the team selection Zia Noor said, “We picked up the boys on merit. We do not have a selection committee, as the all responsibilities are on the shoulders of Coach Abdul Rasheed, who is the best coach in Pakistan. There is no player in the team from Baluchistan, as the four players were in the training camp and they could not maintain their place in the last selected guys, “he said. “They are selected after trials from the established football academies after which they are trained in the main football academy of Mirpur Azad Kashmir. I hope this team will make the nation proud by showing good game skills”. On this occasion, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Shiza Fatima Khawaja said, “Pakistani athletes have made the name of Pakistan famous all over the world despite limited resources. The green flag can hoist all over the world and Pakistani children are our pride and national asset. Sports are an important means of improving the character of children, hopefully the Pakistani children will return with victory in the Street Child Football World Cup starting from October 7 in Qatar”.

FOOTBALL - Clubs & Schools 03 Oct, 2022

New Yorkers win Urtasker Football Championship Trophy title

SPORTS BULLETIN REPORT Islamabad: A fundraising football championship for flood affectees in Pakistan organized by Urtasker in collaboration with Leisure Leagues and World Group. Football lovers saw a fantastic football championship final, as the New Yorkers seized the moment and won the 7th Urtasker Football Championship on penalty kicks. A 2-1 win on penalties against Urtasker Hawks was enough for New Yorkers to clinch the title in the championship. There were 12 pool matches among eight teams, and the qualifiers played in the semifinals and final. The other teams included; Pindi Badshah, Black Panthers, Digital Squad, Jhelum Stallions, Markhor, and Urtasker United. CEO Urtasker Zeeshan Riaz said: “These events are imperative for improving mental and physical health. I thank to Leisure Leagues and World Group for joining and promoting the football game in Pakistan and letting the young players showcase their talent in team management, execution, and planning. He vowed to arrange more athletic events to encourage the sports culture in Pakistan”.

FOOTBALL - Int News 15 Sep, 2022

Socca World Cup: Green Shirts play 3-3 draw against Marritius

SPORTS BULLETIN ISLAMABAD:-ISF Socca World Cup 2022 is in full swing at the Mazsa Ter Square of Budapest, Hungary with more than 40 nations competing. This is the third edition of the small sided World Cup with Pakistan placed in Group G amongst football giants like Mexico, Ireland, Scotland and Mauritius. Mauritius emerging as one of the promising sides in the world cup shares the group G with Team Pakistan. In a stellar showdown today, Mauritius was given a tough time by Pakistan players, who didn’t look minnows in any way in their second group game of the Six-a-side Socca World Cup underway in Budapest, Hungary. According to information made available here, team green took the lead right off the foot with Hamza Ibrahim Khan scoring the first goal in the first minute of kick off. Pakistan players keeping their aggressive attacking style intact continued to lead as the second goal was scored by Shabban Hussain making the score-line 2-0 against Mauritius. By the conclusion of the first half, the score-line showed as 3-1 with Pakistan leading them game. In the second half, the match saw a lot more aggression from both sides, a few yellow cards and some heated exchange of arguments. Mauritius scored two more goals in the second half of the match bringing the score-line to 3-3. From team Pakistan, Hamza Ibrahim Khan scored 2 goals while Shabban Hussain scored a single while for Mauritius, M.Soobye, J.Sarah, J.Ernest scored a goal each. The final score settled at 3-3 making the match a draw between the two sides and 1 point each being awarded in the league table. Head coach Gohar Zaman said: Pakistan’s participation in three back to back Socca World Cups and this could have been a great win for us but this was football is all about, anything can happen till the last minute. This is the first breakthrough for team green in getting a point in the league table since the last two world cups and is a moment of praise for the country and time to reflect and come back stronger.

FOOTBALL - National 02 Sep, 2022

Federation politics hits badly football standard: Fatima Ansari

Khurran Shahzad Awan ISLAMABAD:-National football player Fatima Ansari has said that the federation politics and bickering in the Pakistan Football Federation’s management were the main causes of decline soccer standard in the country and the game of football totally ruined at the domestic level. While talking to this reporter over her mobile from Karachi she added that the parallel bodies of the national federation also destroying the football at grass-root level. “We don’t have the qualified coaches. All foreign coaches left the Pakistan due to our quarrels and internal fights. Female players have abilities to excel at international level but they need international standard facilities including coaches, “she added. “I live in Karachi and this large city has only two standard clubs for the female player rest of clubs are just in papers. We don’t have any coach, who could guide us during the training sessions. As the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) was banned by FIFA all activities of the score stopped in all over the country and there was no guardian of the football players especially for the girls. Now, the ban has been lifted and government should take step to revive the football activities, “she maintained.

FOOTBALL - FIFA News 05 Aug, 2022

USA Women remain in front, Germany up to second in FIFA Ranking

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-July 2022 was a busy month for women’s football, with five major tournaments taking place across the globe. In addition to the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022, continental championships were held in Africa, South America, North America and Oceania, all serving as qualifying events for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™. Since 17 June 2022, when the FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Ranking was last published, no fewer than 221 matches have been played, generating considerable movement in the standings. And while USA (1st), recent winners of the CONCACAF Women’s Championship, remained the team to catch, the Stars and Stripes have a new pursuer in the shape of Germany (2nd, plus 3). The EURO 2022 runners-up move ahead of Sweden (3rd, minus 1), whose own European title ambitions came to an end in the semi-finals. Freshly crowned continental champions, England (4th, plus 4) moved up four places ahead of France (5th, minus 2). Drops for the Netherlands (6th, minus 2), Canada (7th, minus 1), and Spain (8th, minus 1) are the other significant changes in this edition’s Top 10. Like the Lionesses, South Africa (54th, plus 4) also moved up four places on the back of their title triumph at the 2022 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. Semi-finalists at that tournament, Zambia (80th, plus 23) are this edition’s most-improved side after surging 23 places. Nigeria (46th, minus 7), who surprisingly went down 1-0 to the She-polopolo in the match for third place, registered the biggest decline in terms of points (minus 69.33). Another notable improver in this edition is Jamaica, who achieved their highest-ever placing (42nd, plus 9), following their third-place at the Concacaf Championship. Also enjoying all-time highs are Iceland (14th, plus 3), the Republic of Ireland (26th, plus 1), Portugal (27th, plus 3) and Zambia. Four new teams have joined the Ranking since June 2022: Cambodia (120th, -), Turkmenistan (137th, -) Timor-Leste (152nd, -) and Guinea-Bissau (169th, -), giving the August 2022 edition a record-breaking 185 FIFA member associations. Leader USA (unchanged) Moves out of top 10: Matches played in total 221 Most matches played England, Philippines, Senegal (9 each) Biggest move by points Zambia (plus 89.78) Biggest move by ranks Zambia (plus 23 places) Biggest drop by points Nigeria (minus 69.33) Biggest drop by ranks Mexico (minus 10 places) Newly ranked teams Cambodia, Turkmenistan, Timor-Leste , Guinea-Bissau Teams that are no longer ranked None

FOOTBALL - FIFA News 21 Jul, 2022

Spectacular Unity Lights unveiled to mark One Year to Go Women FIFA World Cup 2023

Sports Bulletin Report Sydney (Australia):-FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura launched a series of lights across the Sydney Gadigal skyline on Wednesday evening, as part of celebrations marking “One Year to Go” until the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, with a display of the tournament’s colours on the iconic Sydney Harbor Bridge. Joined by former USA international, two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup winner and FIFA Legend Carla Overbeck, tournament CEO Dave Beeche and Chief Operating Officer (Australia) Jane Fernandez, the FIFA Secretary General ceremoniously switched on the lights to mark One Year to Go until the FIFA Women’s World Cup kicks off in Australia and New Zealand. The FIFA Women’s World Cup will take place in nine host cities in Australia and New Zealand in July 2023 and this evening each of the Host Cities joined a spectacular coordinated light show. FIFA Secretary General said: “It’s been a fantastic day of celebration across both Australia and New Zealand and I’m so happy I was able to be here and play a part in the wonderful celebration that is women’s football. I’m now honoured to help close out the day with a very special and spectacular duty…lighting up the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge in honour of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023! We are ready to go Beyond Greatness in one year’s time.”

FOOTBALL - National 17 Jul, 2022

Haroon Malik terms FIFA Connect Programme a revolutionize in Pakistan football

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE:-FIFA-nominated PFF Normalization Committee (NC) Chairman Haroon Malik has said that the ‘FIFA Connect Programme’ would not only revolutionize Pakistan football, however, it would also help in holding the elections in a free and fair manner. While addressing a press conference at the FIFA Headquarters Lahore on Saturday, flanked with NC members Saud Hashmi, Barrister Haris Azmat and Shahid Niaz Khokhar, he added: “First of all, we want to conduct the federation’s elections in a transparent manner, so that the powers can be handed over to the elected body as soon as possible”. “The first step regarding holding the elections in a fair and free manner is the registration of the clubs. FIFA's ‘Connect ID’ will ensure transparency in the process and help eliminate fake clubs. We are going to start the clubs’ registration next month,” he maintained. It is worth mentioning here that the Connect Programme provides a unique FIFA ID code for every individual (football club) that has a role in the football organisation. This code is like a digital football passport number and has the information of the history of each stakeholder. Most of the FIFA members’ system is linked up with the ‘FIFA Connect Programme’. While answering a question Haroon Malik said, “A dark era has finally ended with the continuous struggle and support of the football community, and the media also supported them in this difficult journey. Keeping in view the FIFA Charter, the Normalization Committee remained on its principal stance, while fighting a legal battle on the internal front, it also conveyed this to the government houses that in case of continuing to deviate from the rules and regulations of the international body, Pakistan's suspension might turn into a long-term ban, “he further said. “On the other hand, the NC convinced FIFA that taking any extreme step could be harmful for Pakistani footballers. However, thanks to the support of FIFA and AFC, the difficult journey is over, and now many goals are in front of the Normalization Committee,” he added. The NC Chairman revealed that not only football activities would be restored at the local level, but pragmatic steps would be initiated to ensure the participation of national teams in international events too. “This year, Pakistan will participate in the SAFF Women's Championship that will take place in Nepal while we can also host two AFC youth events. “A Disciplinary Committee will be formed to keep a close watch on irregularities in various cases so as to protect the assets of Pakistan Football Federation and the interests of the football community. The national men and women players will be provided maximum opportunities at national and international level so that they may improve their games and skills and also earn a better livelihood for their families,” Haroon Malik concluded.

FOOTBALL - FIFA News 05 Jul, 2022

FIFA Women World Cup: New Zealand to host first ever Play-Off Tournament

Sports Bulletin Report Hamilton (New Zealand):-Waikato Stadium in Hamilton North Harbour Stadium in Auckland been announced, as the host cities for the first ever Play-Off Tournament for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023. The tournament, which will be hosted in New Zealand from 17-23 February 2023, will involve 10 teams competing for the final three qualifying spots before the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand next year. Speaking of the announcement, FIFA Chief Women’s Football Officer Sarai Bareman says the new competition will provide an opportunity for more teams to play at the top level. “The decision in 2019 to expand the FIFA Women’s World Cup from 24 to 32 teams, has already had a significant impact on the wider growth and development of the women’s game. More nations now have the chance to play on the world’s biggest stage and this all starts with the Play-Off Tournament. “I cannot wait for fans to get their first taste of what to expect later next year when the Play-Off commences before the biggest women’s sporting event in the world kicks-off in Australia and New Zealand on 20 July 2023.” And in a bonus for fans, New Zealand’s Football Ferns will play three friendly matches around the event against the top-seeded team in the tournament and another high-profile guest team which is still to be confirmed. “The Play-Off Tournament and the friendlies will provide fans of all ages the opportunity to watch nations from around the world vie for the final three qualification spots as the excitement continues to build towards FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.” Patterson added that the Play-Off Tournament would be a key test event for hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup five months later. Tournament will come from Asia (two), Africa (two), North and Central America and the Caribbean (two), South America (two), Europe (one) and Oceania (one). Two nations from Asia – Thailand and Chinese Taipei – have already confirmed their participation with the remaining eight teams to qualify for the Play-off Tournament through their continental tournaments.

FOOTBALL - FIFA News 01 Jul, 2022

FIFA lifts suspension of Pakistan Football Federation

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-The Bureau of the FIFA Council decided to lift the suspension that was imposed on the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) in April 2021 due to undue third-party interference. The decision was taken after FIFA received confirmation that the normalisation committee of the PFF had regained full control of the PFF’s premises and was in a position to manage its finances. The PFF was also informed that any undue interference in its affairs or action that could hinder the fulfilment of the mandate of the normalisation committee might lead to the PFF being suspended again and/or the imposition of other sanctions provided for in the FIFA Statutes. As the deadline by which the normalisation committee was required to fulfil its mandate (30 June 2022) is now no longer realistic, the Bureau has also decided to extend the committee‘s mandate until 30 June 2023 at the latest. This will enable the latter to finally carry out the tasks assigned to it in full.