Tweet
Sean Williams
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
CONCACAF boss Austin 'Jack' Warner said the CONCACAF family should take heart in the performance of the USA at the recently concluded FIFA Confederations Cup held in South Africa.
Warner, also a FIFA vice-president, said the USA's runner-up finish to champions Brazil should be viewed as another step in CONCACAF's journey towards the top of world football.
"Barack Obama changed the face of world power in 2008 and CONCACAF is attempting to change the dynamics of power in the world of football," said the Trinidadian on Sunday from Johannesburg after the USA gave up an auspicious 2-0 half-time lead to eventually lose 2-3 to the South American champions.
"Today (Sunday) was no failure, it was a road stop on the highway to success and CONCACAF is on the express lane in that highway," said the long-serving football administrator.
Warner noted that while the USA did not lift the trophy, they exhibited in a most profound way on behalf of the confederation that is made of associations from Central and North America and Caribbean that they can compete with the best in the world.
"While the USA did not win today, they have won in the eyes of the world. Two of their players were honoured at the completion of this tournament. They have shown that they can exert pressure on a power house like Brazil," said the president of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU).
"I would like to congratulate the US Soccer Federation and its team for its success. A CONCACAF team is runner-up in the Confederations Cup, the World Cup race is still on and I hope all teams use today's (Sunday's) game as an example. Again I wish to congratulate both teams it was an exciting and exhilarating match," said Warner.
In the group stages, the USA lost their opening contest to world champions Italy 1-3, then crumbled to Brazil 0-3, but blazed back whipping African champions Egypt 3-0 to book their spot in the semi-final. The American progressed to shock European champions Spain 2-0 in the semis, ending a 30-odd-match, three-year unbeaten run.
And in the final, the Americans looked on their way to creating a major upset against the Confederations Cup champions, Brazil, but the South Americans returned in the second half with the flair that saw them hoisting the World Cup an unmatched five times.
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport...R_CONCACAF.asp
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
CONCACAF boss Austin 'Jack' Warner said the CONCACAF family should take heart in the performance of the USA at the recently concluded FIFA Confederations Cup held in South Africa.
Warner, also a FIFA vice-president, said the USA's runner-up finish to champions Brazil should be viewed as another step in CONCACAF's journey towards the top of world football.
"Barack Obama changed the face of world power in 2008 and CONCACAF is attempting to change the dynamics of power in the world of football," said the Trinidadian on Sunday from Johannesburg after the USA gave up an auspicious 2-0 half-time lead to eventually lose 2-3 to the South American champions.
"Today (Sunday) was no failure, it was a road stop on the highway to success and CONCACAF is on the express lane in that highway," said the long-serving football administrator.
Warner noted that while the USA did not lift the trophy, they exhibited in a most profound way on behalf of the confederation that is made of associations from Central and North America and Caribbean that they can compete with the best in the world.
"While the USA did not win today, they have won in the eyes of the world. Two of their players were honoured at the completion of this tournament. They have shown that they can exert pressure on a power house like Brazil," said the president of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU).
"I would like to congratulate the US Soccer Federation and its team for its success. A CONCACAF team is runner-up in the Confederations Cup, the World Cup race is still on and I hope all teams use today's (Sunday's) game as an example. Again I wish to congratulate both teams it was an exciting and exhilarating match," said Warner.
In the group stages, the USA lost their opening contest to world champions Italy 1-3, then crumbled to Brazil 0-3, but blazed back whipping African champions Egypt 3-0 to book their spot in the semi-final. The American progressed to shock European champions Spain 2-0 in the semis, ending a 30-odd-match, three-year unbeaten run.
And in the final, the Americans looked on their way to creating a major upset against the Confederations Cup champions, Brazil, but the South Americans returned in the second half with the flair that saw them hoisting the World Cup an unmatched five times.
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport...R_CONCACAF.asp