Review 2004
January: Continental hopes and Olympic dreams
From: FIFA
January marked the start of FIFA's Centennial celebrations, with the unveiling
of commemorative coins ahead of their entrance into circulation later in the
year. For the confederations, it was to be a year of continental tournaments,
and Asia led the way in Chongqing on January 15 with the draw for its showpiece
event, the Asian Cup. In Africa, meanwhile, supporters geared up for the Cup of
Nations, which kicked off in Tunisia on January 24.
Two issues dominated proceedings in Tunisia, the first being the release of
internationals by their mostly European clubs, a subject on which the FIFA
President made his feelings very clear, and the second the question of players'
nationalities. The new FIFA ruling on the latter bore its first fruits on
African soil, with the cases of Frederic Kanouke, Lamine Sakho and Momo Sissoko
notable examples.
The Olympics may have still been a distant dream, but the qualifiers were well
underway and Argentina and Paraguay became the first countries to book their
places for Athens, with teams in Africa and the North, Central American and
Caribbean Zones soon to find their own representatives. In the women's section,
Angola surprised everyone by making it to the last four, only for Nigeria to
re-establish supremacy. One country not taking part as the new year began,
though, was Guatemala, suspended by FIFA for consistent government interference
in the national game.
FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking
There were few changes to the top 50 in the first ranking of the year, although
Bahrain, the most improved team of 2003, climbed up to the highest place in
their history - 63rd.
2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™
There were no qualification matches in January, but the road to Germany had
already started on three continents in 2003: South America in September, Africa
in October and Asia in November.
Key dates:
- January 9: The Guatemalan federation is suspended by FIFA
- January 15: Draw for the Asian Cup, China 2004
- January 19: Launch of the television series "The Beautiful Century: 100
years of FIFA", the first event of the Centennial celebrations
- January 24: Start of the African Cup of Nations, Tunisia 2004
- January 27: Argentina and Paraguay are the first nations to qualify for
Athens 2004
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※ 編輯: larcism 來自: 61.228.130.157 (01/01 16:47)