International Football
FIFA offers Five Things to watch as Bahamas 2017 Kicks off
1. The experience of champions
Returning to defend the title they won on home sand two years ago, Portugal possess a host of well-known attributes. Madjer and Co are looking to become the third nation to retain the world crown, after Brazil and Russia, a surprise absentee from Bahamas 2017.
2. Brazil back on the title trail
Victorious in the four editions between 2006 and 2011, A Verdeamarela are another of the favourites for the title. Having won the South American qualifying competition with plenty to spare, the Brazilians have every intention of making Nassau the venue for their return to the pinnacle.
3. The outside bets
Though Italy have yet to lift the trophy, their proven ability to go deep into the tournament makes them a force to be reckoned with, especially with the free-scoring Gabriele Gori leading their attack. Asian champions Iran boast a seasoned and experienced squad, while Senegal excelled in a tough African qualifying competition and Tahiti have been one of the revelations of recent seasons.
4. New boys hungry for success
Host nation the Bahamas, Panama and Ecuador are all making their FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup debuts. The newly crowned CONCACAF champions, Los Canaleros are sure to pose a stern test, while the Bahamas will have the support of their fervent fans behind them.
5. Home boys Bahamas
With a superb stadium in place and a growing sense of anticipation and excitement in the street, the Bahamas are raring to go for their first appearance in a FIFA tournament. And what better way to do that than by hosting the Beach Soccer World Cup? In preparing for the competition, the hosts travelled to Europe, where, among other things, they spent several weeks with the Switzerland team, training and playing against them on several occasions.
The words
“We are delighted. The Bahamas is the perfect venue: it has a passion for sport and for tourism. We’ve built a spectacular stadium that meets all the needs of what is a very big tournament. Given the experience we had at the qualifiers and the feedback we’re getting from people, we’re absolutely convinced that the tournament is going to be a massive success from day one.”
Tournament Director Joan Cusco
Well-travelled Portuguese coach Paulo Duarte has been named as Guinea’s new coach, less than a month before their next round of World Cup qualifiers.
Duarte, 56, has twice previously coached Burkina Faso and taken charge of Gabon and Togo, while also coaching at clubs in Portugal, France, Tunisia, Angola and Saudi Arabia.
Guinea’s football federation gave no contract details when they made the announcement on Monday, but said they would be looking for Duarte to “restructure their national team”.
Guinea trail leaders Algeria by eight points in their World Cup qualifying group with four games remaining, leaving them with only a slim chance of qualification.
They play Somalia away on September 5 and then Algeria at home on September 8 in their next two qualifiers although a stadium ban means Guinea have moved their home game to Casablanca, Morocco.
-Reuters
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Veteran coach Louis van Gaal says he has been cured of cancer and is keen for a return to the higher levels of the game.
The 73-year-old announced three years ago that he was suffering from prostate cancer, but told a Dutch television talk show, “I’m no longer bothered by cancer.”
When he announced his illness, Van Gaal was the coach of the Dutch national team, but he has not worked since the last World Cup in Qatar in 2022.
“Two years ago, I had a few operations. It was all bad then. But it all worked out in the end. I have check-ups every few months, and that’s going well. I’m getting fitter and fitter,” he said.
Van Gaal, whose career has included stints at Ajax Amsterdam, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester United, reiterated a lack of interest in returning to club management but said becoming the national coach of a top-tier country could tempt him back.
He now serves as a special advisor to Ajax.
-Reuters
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In a compelling twist of football destiny, Davide Ancelotti is stepping into his own spotlight as he begins his first head coaching role at Brazilian club Botafogo—just months after parting ways with his legendary father, Carlo Ancelotti, at Real Madrid.
The 35-year-old has been appointed as Botafogo’s new manager, the club announced on Tuesday, following the sacking of Renato Paiva. Davide, who has spent the last decade working alongside his father at some of Europe’s top clubs—including Bayern Munich, Napoli, Everton, and Real Madrid—has signed a one-year deal with the Rio-based team.
This marks a significant milestone for the younger Ancelotti, whose career has long been shaped by his father’s influence, but who now faces the challenge of carving his own identity on the touchline.
The move comes shortly after both father and son departed Real Madrid at the end of last season, with Carlo taking over the Brazilian national team. Now, in a poetic alignment, father and son find themselves on different paths within Brazilian football—one leading the Seleção, the other steering the fortunes of a storied domestic club.
Botafogo’s decision to appoint Davide follows a controversial parting with Paiva, who was dismissed just days after their exit from the Club World Cup. Though he oversaw a stunning win over Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain, a 1-0 extra-time loss to Palmeiras in the round of 16 proved to be his final act after just four months in charge.
As Davide Ancelotti begins this new chapter, all eyes will be on whether the son of one of football’s most decorated managers can step out from his father’s shadow—and perhaps, in time, build a legacy of his own.
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