Review 2004
June: Spotlight on Europe as road to Germany narrow
June saw the beginning of the UEFA European Championship in the same month the
European Confederation celebrated their Golden Jubilee. Draws for the Olympic
Football Tournaments took place in Athens as the city got ready to host the
Games, while qualifying for the FIFA U-19 Women’s World Championship was
virtually over with AFC and CONCACAF completing their fixtures.
While Greece were well on their way to shocking the world in Portugal, Canada
’s women caused a surprise of their own by edging the U.S. in qualifying for
the second women’s youth world championship. Korea Republic beat China to
claim the Asian women’s championship - but all four teams would appear in
Thailand later in the year. Back in Europe, Italy were crowned continental U-21
champions and joined by Serbia & Montenegro and Portugal as the last qualifiers
for the Men’s Olympic Tournament.
On a less euphoric note, the Kenyan Federation (KFF) was temporarily suspended
by FIFA’s Emergency Committee because of governmental interference into its
affairs. The suspension would be lifted later in the year.
FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking
With FIFA World Cup qualifiers commencing in the Oceania zone, Australia
climbed a staggering 40 places to a spot inside the top 50 (49th). Solomon
Islands (130th, up 24) and Vanuatu (142nd, up 19) also made significant leaps
in the region thanks to their performances. With South America qualifying
continuing, Brazil, helped by their victory over arch-rivals Argentina,
consolidated their position in top spot.
Women’s ranking
Ahead of the Olympic Football Tournament France, who failed to qualify, made
the most significant move inside the top ten, jumping two spots to 7th.
Outside of the elite, Nigeria (up 2 to 25) and Greece (up 4 to 53) caused the
biggest stirs.
2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™
June witnessed a whole host of qualifying matches in all confederations except
Europe. Oceania had kicked off and produced one of the biggest shocks of the
preliminaries when Vanuatu defeated New Zealand 2-4. One of the world’s
most outstanding fixtures, Brazil-Argentina, saw the world champions emerge
victorious. Heading the table, South America’s top two were well placed to
reach Germany 2006.
Key Dates:
- June 2: FIFA suspends Kenya Football Federation
- June 6: Korea Republic win Asian championship and with runners-up China
qualify for FIFA U-19 Women’s World Championship Thailand 2004
- June 7: Canada champions and USA runners-up win through from CONCACAF to the
FIFA U-9 Women’s World Championship Thailand 2004
- June 9: European U-21 champions Italy along with Serbia and Montenegro and
Portugal make it to the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament
- June 12: Kick off of UEFA European Championship Portugal 2004
- June 15: UEFA marks 50th anniversary
- June 16: FIFA initiates dialogue with representatives of Kenyan football
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※ 編輯: larcism 來自: 61.228.130.157 (01/01 17:15)