AFDP, Chevrolet, One World Play Project, AFC and FFAV Donate 44,520 One World Futbols to children throughout Vietnam

 In an effort to demonstrate that all things are possible through play, the Asian Football Development Project (AFDP), Chevrolet, Football for All in Vietnam (FFAV), the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and One World Play Project is distributing 44,520 footballs to children in 26 cities/provinces in Vietnam.

The initiative aims to enable greater participation by schoolchildren in football. These children are aged 6-15 and belong to 168 existing FFAV school-based football clubs as well as clubs in 210 primary and secondary schools and Social centers in Thua Thien Hue province, Vietnam. They all come from disadvantaged communities, orphanages, ethnic minorities, street children and social centers for handicapped children.  

"AFDP is thrilled to continue its support for Vietnamese football and FFAV, especially after the success of our first collaboration which reached out to primary and secondary schools across all provinces," AFDP Chairman Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein commented. "This year, AFDP returns to Vietnam to join One World Play Project and AFC to give thousands of children the opportunity to experience the joy of football, regardless of their age, gender or background," Prince Ali said.

“The act of play is a fundamental human need that transcends cultures and impacts all ages,” said Mr. Gaurav Gupta, Managing Director of GM Vietnam (Chevrolet Vietnam).  “Through our partnership with the Football for All in Vietnam (FFAV) and One World Play Project, Chevrolet is fuelling ingenuity and imagination for children and adults alike, driving home that through play we can turn possibilities into realities.”

The donation is part of a three-year partnership with One World Play Project and its official sponsor Chevrolet that pledges to place 1.5 million One World Futbols with youth in war-stricken zones, refugee camps, disaster areas, and other underprivileged communities around the world.

The ultra-durable One World Futbol represents a breakthrough in technology for a recreational, multi-sport ball. Designed to outlast any other inflated ball available today, the One World Futbol never needs a pump and never goes flat – even when punctured, making it ideal for use in harsh environments such as disaster areas, refugee camps, conflict zones and other disadvantaged communities where a traditional inflated ball doesn’t last.

“Play enables hope, opportunity and optimism in the most dire of situations. While the ball technology is unique, the real magic is not in the ball, it is what happens when children are empowered to play,” said Mr. Stephen Sonderman, Asia Director of One World Play Project. “The ball is a tool that unlocks the human potential. Thank you to our founding sponsor, Chevrolet. Through our collaboration, we are fulfilling our mission to maximize the power of play and transform lives.” 

Mr. Anders Krystad, FFAV Director, also shared at the event: “FFAV will continue to develop Thua Thien Hue province as a best practice for grassroots football in Vietnam. These footballs together with our web based tool Secrets to Sports (S2S) and a number of qualified instructors will help us complete our educational package to provide an effective outspread of our activities.”

AFDP lent its support to FFAV for the first time in 2013 through the donation of 3000 footballs to be used in a number of grassroots football activities across Vietnam, mainly at primary and secondary schools in Thua Thien Hue province that have no FFAV clubs yet, enabling them to start football activities and hopefully clubs in the near future. 

Change of dates for the Soccerex Asian Forum 2015 following CONCACAF Congress rescheduling

Following the decision by the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) to bring forward their congress to April, Soccerex CEO Duncan Revie released the following statement:

“The aim of the Soccerex Asian Forum is to promote the development of football and football business in Asia, through providing a platform for the whole world of football to gather in Jordan. The rescheduling of the CONCACAF Congress meant that it would be very difficult for many of the decision makers from this important region, and the industry worldwide, to attend the Asian Forum. We have long enjoyed a good working relationship with CONCACAF and were delighted to welcome a significant CONCACAF delegation, led by President Jeffrey Webb, to two of our events in 2014. 

With this in mind, following discussion with our partners, we have taken the decision to move the Asian Forum back a few weeks to the 3rd & 4th May 2015. The event will still be held at the same fantastic location on the banks of the Dead Sea and will continue to be hosted in conjunction with the Asian Football Development Project”.

The rescheduling means the Soccerex Asian Forum will now take place just two days after the AFC Congress in Bahrain draws to a close. The close proximity of the Congress in both date and location – Jordan is just a short flight from Bahrain – means that a significant AFC presence is expected at the Asian Forum. 

Premier League: Swansea saca un punto vs Sunderland gracias a Sung-Yueng Ki

Australia gana la Asian Cup 2015 tras derrotar( 2-1) a Corea del Sur

Australia gana la Asian Cup 2015, tras ganar la final( 2-1) a Corea del Sur

Australia se coronó campeona de Asia por primera vez en la historia en un torneo que parecía predestinado que ganaran desde el primer momento. Un torneo mayúsculo, excepcional, todo sea dicho, que ha llegado a su fin con la victoria de la anfitriona por 2-1 frente a Corea del Sur tras 120 minutos de auténtico espectáculo futbolístico.

Como el certamen asiático en su conjunto, la final estuvo a la altura de las expectativas, un estadio abarrotado con casi 80.000 almas que querían presenciar cómo los Canguros se coronaban campeones de un continente al que ‘pertenecen’ desde hace apenas 9 años. A la tercera Copa Asia fue la vencida y,tras dos finales consecutivas, Australia ya puede presumir de ser la única selección del mundo en haber conseguido ser campeona en dos continentes diferentes: Oceanía (última vez en 2004) y Asia (2015).

El partido en sí, fuemás trabajado tácticamente que espectacular para la vistadel espectador. Stielike demostró por qué su selección llegaba imbatida e invicta a la final y Postecoglu confiaba en la eficacia goleadora de un equipo que sólo sufrió en el último partido de la fase de grupos, precisamente en una derrota frente a Corea (0-1) y en los últimos 20 minutos de la final, donde Corea decidió salir de la cueva y buscar desesperadamente el gol del empate.

Una final de infarto

Para el recuerdo quedará como‘la final de los goles en el último minuto’.Massimo Luongoadelantó a los locales en el 45’ de la primera mitad. Son Heung-Minempató para Corea en el 91’ yTroisimarcó el gol de la gloria en el 105’, justo antes de finalizar el primer tiempo de la prórroga. También será recordada por la final en la que Tomi Juric, sucesor del eterno Cahill en la delantera Aussie, luchó con el corazón en la línea de fondo y rodeado de coreanos un balón que todos daban por perdido para convertirlo en un centro que significó el gol de Troisi. En los 30 segundos que duró la jugada, se definió el estilo Postecoglu: Intensidad máxima, control de la situación por difícil que sea y, sobre todo, eficacia goleadora.

Al final, un entrenador con apellido griego dirigió una selección de Oceanía que se coronó campeona en Asia gracias a dos goles de dos futbolistas con ascendencia italiana y cuya máxima estrella es un samoano que celebra los goles como si fuera un boxeador.El fútbol es así.

HRH Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein Files Candidacy, Releases Vision for FIFA Reform

After formally filing as a candidate for FIFA President, HRH Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, President of the Jordan Football Association and Vice-President of FIFA, has today unveiled his vision for reform of Football’s world governing body.

Prince Ali presented a framework for the future of FIFA and Football founded upon a series of reform proposals to re-establish the organisation as a credible international sports federation with improved integrity, governance and transparency – ensuring that it is fit for purpose again.  His vision for change will guide his conversations over the coming weeks with National Association leaders, players, coaches, sponsors, fans and other stakeholders as he develops a detailed Manifesto.

Prince Ali officially launched his campaign, and activated his campaign website and social media platforms, after filing his proposal of nomination as a candidate, along with declarations of support in advance of the 29 January deadline.

“The campaign for the presidency of FIFA has entered a new phase, and the number of candidates signals a strong desire for change. It is vital that a genuine debate is held and a consensus is established on key issues – enabling everyone, especially fans, to trust FIFA again as we embark on a new era where world Football is governed with integrity and credibility.”  Prince Ali said.  “I want to make FIFA a first-class organisation that is worthy of a sport that unites billions of people around the globe and is rightly declared the world’s game. FIFA should function to promote Football and work in a real partnership to support all National Associations in their mission to develop the game – we must get back to focussing on those goals.”

He added:

“By improving FIFA’s governance and by making the organisation more transparent, I aim to re-build public confidence and show fans and all our stakeholders that we have Football’s best interests at heart. This means a fresh start for FIFA that involves genuine reform and also more power and resources available to all of FIFA’s Member Associations.”

Prince Ali’s vision for reform addresses three primary goals: restoring FIFA’s credibility; serving Football, protecting the game and neutralising threats; and developing the game globally.  He will build on the programme of reform with a detailed Manifesto once he has had the opportunity to share his vision with National Associations and receive their feedback. His Manifesto will also include new ideas about improving the game.

“I promise to be open and honest about my plans and reform proposals – my programme for the future will be developed by listening to the ideas of all National Associations, large and small and from every region, and exchanging views that best serves the world’s game. This approach to my election campaign reflects my approach to the FIFA Presidency – honest, open and collegiate.

AFC Asian Cup 2015: Australia a la final tras derrotar( 2-0) a Emiratos Arabes Unidos

AFC Asian Cup 2015: Los goles del Corea del Sur(2)-Irak(0)

AFC Asian Cup 2015: Qatar cae derrotado( 1-2) vs Bahrein

AFC Asian Cup 2015: Irán derrota a Emiratos Arabes Unidos( 1-0)

AFC Asian Cup 2015: China vence( 2-1) a Corea del Norte

AFC Asian Cup 2015: Uzbeskistán vence a Arabia Saudita( 3-1) y pasa de ronda

AFC Asian Cup 2015: Qatar( 0)-Irán( 1)

AFC Asian Cup 2015: Bahrain( 1)-UAE( 2)

AFC Asian Cup 2015: Irán vence a Bahrain( 2-0)

AFC Asian Cup 2015: Emiratos Arabes Unidos golea a Qatar( 4-1)

AFC Asian Cup : Uzbekistán( 1)-Corea del Norte( 0)

AFC Asian Cup : Corea del Sur( 1)-Omán( 0)

AFC Asian Cup 2015: China( 1)-Arabia Saudita( 0)

Copa de Asia de Naciones: Australia gana a Kuwait remontando( 4-1)