It’s a fair assessment to say that there are no longer any easy games in the soccer world. For example, four-time world champion Italy only beat the tiny Faroe Islands, which has a population of 48,000, by a score of 2-1 in a Euro 2008 qualifier on June 2. Last November, Cyprus held Germany to a 1-1 draw. And most recently, Guadeloupe held Mexico in check for 70 minutes before losing 1-0 in the semifinals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup at Chicago’s Soldier Field before more than 50,000 fans Thursday night.
The tiny French Caribbean island scored two upsets over Canada and Honduras en route to its showdown with Mexico.
Guadeloupe, which has a population of 452,776, is part of the French Republic and therefore is not recognized by FIFA, making it ineligible for the World Cup. CONCACAF however, recognizes the nation, making it eligible for Gold Cup play. Its star player, Jocelyn Angloma, is a 41-year-old midfielder who played for France and recently ended his retirement.
Despite its lack of experience in international competition, Guadeloupe has a rich soccer history. Seven of the 23 members of France’s 2006 World Cup team — including French stars Thierry Henry, Louis Saha and Lilian Thuram — all have family connections on the island.
“Guadeloupe is an island of 400,000 people whereas Mexico is powerful and has millions and millions,” coach Roger Salnot said after the loss to Mexico. “Even though this is the scenario, we still have managed to provide the experience of beautiful Guadeloupean football.”
Mexico now must face its old rival, the United States, in the final of the Gold Cup tomorrow at Soldier Field. The United States won the event in 1991, 2002 and 2005, while Mexico won it in 1993,1996 and 1998. Under new coach Bob Bradley, the U.S. team has gone undefeated in 10 matches (9-0-1).
Beckham power — David Beckham, who will begin play with the Los Angles Galaxy next month, was ranked 15th in Forbes’ Celebrity 100 rankings. Beckham and No. 2 ranked Tiger Woods were the only two athletes in the top 15. Brazilian soccer player Ronaldinho ranked 31st on the list.
China 2007 — The U.S. women’s team continues its preparation for the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup in China in September when it takes on Brazil this afternoon at Giants Stadium. In the match, the Americans will unveil gold uniforms in honor of the 35th anniversary of Title IX that will be worn at the World Cup. The game also will be a rematch of the 2004 Olympic gold medal game. The United States has several tuneup games — against Norway on July 14, against Japan on July 28, against New Zealand on Aug. 12 and against Finland on Aug. 25 — scheduled before heading to China. The Americans then will play North Korea, Sweden and Nigeria in the opening round of the World Cup.
Golden boot — Italy’s Francesco Totti won the 2006-07 European Golden Boot award after scoring 26 goals in Serie A play for Italian club Roma. He finished one goal ahead of Real Madrid’s Ruud van Nistelrooy despite playing with a metal pin in his ankle after suffering an injury at the World Cup.
Iraqis unite — Defying the religiously based violence of their homeland, Iraqi refugees of Shiite, Sunni, Christian and Arab backgrounds living in Jordan have joined to form a soccer team. The club will play in the Interreligious Peace Sports Festival in Asan, South Korea from July 1 to 11. Ali Shahan, a former Iraqi national team player, will coach the squad.
Roundup — Another American-based investor is looking to take over an English Premier League club. Daniel Williams, founder of New Jersey-based Elite Graduate Jobs, is in talks to take over Blackburn Rovers. Three teams in the EPL — Manchester United, Liverpool and Aston Villa — all are owned by Americans. …
Denis Hamlet, a member of George Mason’s Soccer Hall of Fame, now is the interim coach at the Chicago Fire after the firing of coach Dave Sarachan this week. Hamlet’s MLS career was cut short when he had a stroke in preseason play in 1997 after heading a ball.
“Hamlet is on the short list for the head coaching job,” a Fire official said. …
MasterCard and FIFA have parted ways. MasterCard, which always has been one of FIFA’s top six sponsors for the World Cup, will discontinue its sponsorship of the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups after coming to an agreement over a recent conflict. It appears FIFA is working out a deal with Visa.
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