November: Futsal and women’s football take centre stage

A busy line-up for the end of the year meant that there was no time to get bored. The FIFA U-19 Women’s World Championship Thailand 2004 kicked off on November 10, with the FIFA Futsal World Championship Chinese Taipei 2004 taking over on November 21.

In Thailand, the German team led by Anja Mittag rounded off an excellent competition by overcoming China in the Final to take the title. Magical Marta’s Brazil were beaten to the bronze by the United States. In Chinese Taipei, meanwhile, Brazil, Argentina, Italy and Spain made up the last four as the event reached its closing stages.

The identities of the six nominees – three men and three women – for the FIFA World Player award were revealed. Mia Hamm, Marta and Birgit Prinz (for the women) and Thierry Henry, Ronaldinho and Andriy Shevchenko (for the men) were to find out on December 20 which of them got to take home the coveted prize. The one and only GOLEO VI, the Official Mascot of Germany 2006, also made a much-anticipated television appearance. Romania’s Adrian Mutu was in no mood to join the party however, as he began a seven-month ban for doping offences.

Australia was in mourning at the death of Australian football icon Johnny Warren, as was Lesotho at the passing of Thabo Makakole, President of the Lesotho Football Association. A special exhibition, “100 years of Planet Football – FIFA 1904-FIFA 2004”, opened in Lausanne to mark 100 years of FIFA.

FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking

With more than 150 matches played in October, the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking showed considerable movement. Australia were the biggest movers, leaping up 15 places to return to the Top 50 after 18 months in the wilderness. In Europe, Ukraine put in the best performance, climbing 13 places thanks to a draw with Greece and a win over Georgia. Despite losing 5-4 to Antigua, Montserrat finally managed to move up from the foot of the table, leaving Guam to bring up the rear.

2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™

November 17 was a big day in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, particularly in Asia where the first round drew to a close. China failed to make it through to the FIFA World Cup finals for the second time in succession despite an incredible 7-0 win over Hong Kong. The unfortunate Chinese were pipped to the post on goal difference by Kuwait, who scored one goal more. Iran, Uzbekistan, Japan, Kuwait, Korea DPR, Bahrain, Korea Republic and Saudi Arabia all went through to the second stage. In the CONCACAF Zone qualifiers, Jamaica and Honduras were both knocked out, while in South America, Brazil saw their unbeaten run come to an end as they lost 1-0 to Ecuador. The loss saw Brazil pushed off the top spot by Argentina.

Key Dates:
November 10: Start of FIFA U-19 Women’s World Championship Thailand 2004
November 12: Adrian Mutu receives seven-month ban for doping offences
November 13: The Official FIFA World Cup Mascot is revealed
November 21: Start of FIFA Futsal World Championship Chinese Taipei 2004
November 29: The six nominees for the FIFA World Player of the Year award are revealed
November 30: Draw for the final stage of the Preliminary Competition for the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™ in the CONCACAF Zone

Look back on the year that was: