Heroes of the FIFA World Cup – El Salvador 1982
During El Salvador’s civil war, between 1977 and 1989, the national team qualified for the 1982 FIFA World Cup in Spain. It was one of the greatest sporting moments in Latin America history, considering that at the time of war ES had one of the worst Olympic systems in the Western Hemisphere. Few stadiums existed and much of the nation’s infrastructure had been devastated.
Heroes of the FIFA World Cup – Bolivia 1994!Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia’s second largest city, was home to the Tahuichi Aguilera Soccer Academy, one of the world’s most popular soccer academies. Tahuichi’s work was difficult due to many problems in the country, from military coups to extreme poverty. Nonetheless, this sports school made history when it won the World Championships in 1978 and 1982.
Heroes of the FIFA World Cup – Haiti 1974Despite several problems in the Island, in 1974, the Haitian squad ranked among Latin America’s finest teams, along with Brazil and Argentina, as well as Uruguay and Chile. In that time, the world’s first black republic qualified for the X World Cup in Munich (West Germany).
African SoccerIn late 1968, Guinea, a former French colony in West Africa until 1958, finished tenth in the men’s soccer at the Games of the XIX Olympiad in the United Mexican States. Eleven years later, by 1979, this French-speaking nation, one of the world’s ten poorest nations, qualified for the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Tokyo (Japan).
FIFA World Cup – Interesting Facts!For the first time, West Germany hosted the global tournament in July 1974. Historically Germany had been competitive in soccer. Under the leadership Franz (“Kaiser”) Beckenbauer, the host country-which never finished below sixth place since 1954– won the X FIFA World Tournament. Outside of the Berlin Olympics (1936) and the Munich Games (1972), this event was the largest ever held in Germany.
Soccer Facts!Latin America, from Mexico to Argentina, has hosted the FIFA World Cup six times: Uruguay (1930), Brazil (1950), Chile (1962), Mexico (1970 & 1986), and Argentina (1978). However, it has won the international title nine times: Uruguay (1930, 1950), Brazil (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002), and Argentina (1978 & 1986).
European Soccer – Interesting Facts!Ferec Puskas, one of the most brilliantly shining stars of the football history, participated twice at the World Cup. He competed for Hungary in 1954 and then played for Spain in 1962. Puskas also took part in the Games of the XV Olympiad in Finland in 1952, where the Hungarian squad won the gold medal. From 1945 to 1962, he scored more than 750 goals. On the other hand, Hungary is the most successful squad in the men’s soccer event at the Summer Games, having won gold three times.
Italian Teams Vs English Teams in the UEFA Champions League – Clash of TitansThe drawing for the first knockout round of the UEFA Champions League has decided that two Italian teams will meet two English teams. Those teams are Chelsea vs Inter Milan and Manchester United vs AC Milan. It is interesting to see the games because all four teams have a long tradition and great reputation in the UEFA Champions League.
Manchester United FC is Every Football Player’s Dream ClubManchester United FC (Football Club) is one of the greatest football clubs in the world. An English Premier League football club, the home ground of MU is at Old Trafford in Greater Manchester. Manchester United FC was formed in 1878 as Newton Heath and in 1892 the club joined the Football League.
The FIFA World Cup is the Most Prestigious Soccer Tournament in the WorldThe first soccer match ever recorded in history was between England and Scotland in Glasgow in 1872. This was followed by the British Home Championship that was started in 1888 and at this point in time, the popularity of the sport remained within the United Kingdom only.
Aerobic Fitness Helps Soccer Players to Provide High PerformanceSoccer is one of the most competitive sports in the world and requires players to be completely fit physically and mentally. It is demanding game because the winner is decided within 90 minutes and sometimes games can stretch for 120 minutes as well. In order to perform well in soccer game, players need to follow strict exercise and training schedules.
David Beckham is Not Just Another Soccer Player, He is the PlayerBorn as David Robert Joseph Beckham, he is one of the most successful midfielders that the world of football has ever seen. Born in Leytonstone, London, England, Beckham was born to Ted Beckham (Kitchen Fitter) and Sandra Georgina West (hairdresser). Soccer attracted him from a young age as he started playing at the Ridgeway Park in Chingford even as a child.
