Bayern supremacy rules the roost
26 Dec 2013 5:37 AM IST
European champions Bayern Munich claimed its fifth title of the year last week when they lifted the Club World Cup with a 2-0 win over Raja Casablanca. The Bavarian giants had few problems against the Moroccan champions as they grabbed both goals inside the opening 22 minutes from Brazil centre-back Dante and midfielder Thiago.
Bayern had earlier won the Bundesliga, Champions League and German Cup under Jupp Heynckes while under Pep Guardiola, it won the European Super Cup before winning the Club WC title. Bayern’s lone blip was losing the German Super Cup to Borussia Dortmund in July.
Earlier this month, the World Cup 2014 draw was unveiled but FIFA’s seeding system and draw procedures triggered controversy once again because under those rules, Belgium, Uruguay, Colombia and Switzerland were all seeded higher than more famous teams like Portugal, Italy, France, England and the Netherlands. After the draw, as many as three groups, B D and G, appear to be the most difficult. Group B comprise world champions Spain, the Netherlands and Chile while Group D boasts three former World Cup winners in Uruguay, England and Italy. Group G consists of Germany, Portugal, Ghana and the US.
Football fans across the globe were shocked when legendary Manchester United coach Alex Ferguson announced his retirement in May. Ferguson ended his 26-year career with 13 EPL titles, five FA Cups and two UEFA Champions League trophies. Apart from his excellent coaching skills, Ferguson was also known to be a a brilliant talent developer who churned out stars like David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ryan Giggs, Eric Cantona, Gary Neville, Paul Ince and Bryan Robson, among others. Ferguson’s memoir My Autobiography, released on 24 October, also turned out to be a bestselling sports book in many countries.
Soon after Ferguson’s retirement, one of his most famous students, David Beckham, too bid a teary farewell to the game. The 38-year-old former England captain made his final appearance for Paris St Germain in French League on 16 May. Meanwhile, Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi of Argentina, Real Madrid heavyweight Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal and Bayern Munich’s French midfield giant Frank Ribery have been short-listed by FIFA for the world player of the year award. For three years in a row prior to 2013, the award went to Messi while Ronaldo pocketed the coveted crown in 2008.
Messi also led from front to help Barcelona win the La Liga title, scoring a whopping 46 goals. Ronaldo too had his moments in 2013, scoring a brilliant hat-trick to pip Sweden in the World Cup qualifier play-off tie to help Portugal seal its place in next years FIFA WC to be held in Brazil. Ribery also had a fabulous season with five-star Bayern Munich. The winner of Ballon d’Or will be named in Zurich on 13 January, 2014.
Bayern had earlier won the Bundesliga, Champions League and German Cup under Jupp Heynckes while under Pep Guardiola, it won the European Super Cup before winning the Club WC title. Bayern’s lone blip was losing the German Super Cup to Borussia Dortmund in July.
Earlier this month, the World Cup 2014 draw was unveiled but FIFA’s seeding system and draw procedures triggered controversy once again because under those rules, Belgium, Uruguay, Colombia and Switzerland were all seeded higher than more famous teams like Portugal, Italy, France, England and the Netherlands. After the draw, as many as three groups, B D and G, appear to be the most difficult. Group B comprise world champions Spain, the Netherlands and Chile while Group D boasts three former World Cup winners in Uruguay, England and Italy. Group G consists of Germany, Portugal, Ghana and the US.
Football fans across the globe were shocked when legendary Manchester United coach Alex Ferguson announced his retirement in May. Ferguson ended his 26-year career with 13 EPL titles, five FA Cups and two UEFA Champions League trophies. Apart from his excellent coaching skills, Ferguson was also known to be a a brilliant talent developer who churned out stars like David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ryan Giggs, Eric Cantona, Gary Neville, Paul Ince and Bryan Robson, among others. Ferguson’s memoir My Autobiography, released on 24 October, also turned out to be a bestselling sports book in many countries.
Soon after Ferguson’s retirement, one of his most famous students, David Beckham, too bid a teary farewell to the game. The 38-year-old former England captain made his final appearance for Paris St Germain in French League on 16 May. Meanwhile, Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi of Argentina, Real Madrid heavyweight Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal and Bayern Munich’s French midfield giant Frank Ribery have been short-listed by FIFA for the world player of the year award. For three years in a row prior to 2013, the award went to Messi while Ronaldo pocketed the coveted crown in 2008.
Messi also led from front to help Barcelona win the La Liga title, scoring a whopping 46 goals. Ronaldo too had his moments in 2013, scoring a brilliant hat-trick to pip Sweden in the World Cup qualifier play-off tie to help Portugal seal its place in next years FIFA WC to be held in Brazil. Ribery also had a fabulous season with five-star Bayern Munich. The winner of Ballon d’Or will be named in Zurich on 13 January, 2014.
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