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
International Football
Two Moroccan football players lost at sea, says club official
![](https://www.sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Abdellatif-Akhrif.png)
Two Moroccan players from top-flight soccer side Ittihad Tanger have been missing at sea since Saturday after strong currents drifted their small yacht, a club official said on Sunday.
They were in a group of five players from the club who went cruising off the northern city of Tangier when strong currents and heavy winds drifted their yacht away as they were swimming in deep waters, club deputy president Anass Mrabet told Reuters.
“Three players have already been rescued on Saturday, while research is still ongoing for the missing Salman Harraq and Abdellatif Akhrif,” he said.
The players did not have buoys on them when they jumped from the small yacht to swim, he said citing recounts by rescued players.
While Akhrif, 24, is already a full member of the squad, Harraq, 18, was about to move up to the senior team this year, Mrabet added.
Ittihad Tanger have been in the Moroccan top flight since 2015 and won the league title for the first and only time in their history in the 2017-18 season. However, they have struggled in the lower half of the standings in recent years.
-Reuters
International Football
FIFA launches ‘Football Manager’ World Cup with $100,000 in prize money
![](https://www.sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/arsene-wenger.jpg)
FIFA will host its first ever FIFAe World Cup of Football Manager this year to crown the best virtual manager on the highly-popular video game, world soccer’s governing body said on Thursday.
FIFA is partnering with Sports Interactive, the developers of the game that has sold millions of copies and has also been used by several football clubs to scout players and opponents thanks to its extensive database.
Players will compete for $100,000 in prize money in the final event from Aug. 29 to Sept. 1.
“This competition requires participants to demonstrate a profound understanding of football strategy and tactics,” said former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who is the ambassador for the esports event.
“Success demands not only mastery of game mechanics but also in-depth football knowledge, making this format a fascinating blend.”
FIFA said in the inaugural year of the event, selected member associations will be invited to be represented at the final event.
Member associations from all six confederations are expected to be invited while players can sign up on FIFA’s website.
-Reuters
International Football
Former Italy international Roberto Baggio robbed at gunpoint
![](https://www.sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/baggio.jpg)
Former Italy international Roberto Baggio was assaulted and robbed at gunpoint at his home in northern Italy while watching his country’s match against Spain in the Euro 2024 tournament on Thursday, local police said.
Burglars broke into Baggio’s house near Vicenza, hit him on the head with a gun butt and locked him and his family in a room while they stole jewellery, watches and cash, daily Il Corriere della Sera reported. It said he suffered a deep wound.
“Luckily, the violence I suffered only resulted in a few stitches, bruises and a lot of fear. Now it is to overcome the fear,” Baggio was quoted as saying by Italian news agency ANSA.
Baggio, 57, played for clubs including Juventus (JUVE.MI), opens new tab, AC Milan and Inter Milan. He also played 56 times for Italy, scoring 27 goals, and is widely seen as one of his country’s all-time greats.
After the robbery, Baggio, widely known as the “divine ponytail”, was treated at a local hospital where he received stitches for the head wound, Italian media reported.
Italy lost to Spain 1-0 on Thursday and now must avoid defeat by Croatia to guarantee progression in the tournament.
-Reuters
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