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FIFA Fair Play
Goal feast strikes a blow against poverty
Zidane and Ronaldo enter the pitch before the UNDP 'Match Against Poverty' charity match in Marseille on 19 March 2007.
(REUTERS) JEAN-PAUL PELISSIER
(FIFA.com) 20 Mar 2007
Some of the biggest stars in world football assembled in Marseilles yesterday evening to contest the fourth Match against Poverty, the annual challenge game organised by close friends Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane. The two former Real Madrid team-mates are both Goodwill Ambassadors for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the yearly event is their unique way of raising money and public awareness in a bid to defeat the spectre of poverty around the world.
Following on from Basle in 2003, Madrid in 2004 and Dusseldorf in 2005, it was the turn of the Stade Velodrome in Marseilles to host one of the biggest nights in the charity football calendar. And what better place for the recently retired Zizou to make a return to the game? The French star was, after all, born and brought up in the southern French city and honed his delightful skills on its streets.
"I have retired from professional football, but as a UNDP ambassador I am fully committed to playing so I can support this great cause and contribute to this annual event with my great friend Ronaldo," declared the former French international, who said he had been training for the match for the last three weeks. "Coming to Marseilles is always special and so is this game. The important thing is that the fans and the players enjoyed themselves," he added.
The aim of the game is to focus attention on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) adopted in 2000 by the leaders of 191 countries and ratified at the UN Summit in 2005. The objective is to cut poverty by half by 2015, and reduce the impact on society of hunger, illness, illiteracy, environmental degradation and discrimination against women. The money raised from ticket sales will be used to fund projects selected by the UNDP in Asia, Africa and Latin America.
"This match is tremendously successful because we are projecting a very positive message all around the world," commented Ronaldo just before kick-off. "We love organising this game and we'd like to thank the players and the coaches who have come to support us by taking part."
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French comedian Jamel Debbouze (C) shares a joke with Julio Baptista (L) during the UNDP 'Match Against Poverty' on 19 March 2007 in Marseille.
(AFP)
Boris Horvat
The match itself
The jovial atmosphere on the pitch was reflected in the stands with the fans adding their vocal support throughout the encounter. They were urged on by French comic actor Jamel Debbouze, who provided a unique touchline commentary on some of the first-half action in his own inimitable style.
Ronaldo's white-shirted team carved out the first clear chances of the game, with Rivaldo and Baptista both hitting the woodwork with fierce strikes, and Victor Valdes pulling off smart saves from a Belleti header and another Rivaldo effort. Pernia then slammed a first-time drive from a fine Ramos cross against the crossbar.
Nevertheless, it was Zidane's side who opened the scoring when Luccin skilfully played in Robert on the edge of the area and the Frenchman saw his cross-shot diverted into his own net by defender Ronny. That was the only goal of the opening forty-five minut
Goal feast strikes a blow against poverty
Zidane and Ronaldo enter the pitch before the UNDP 'Match Against Poverty' charity match in Marseille on 19 March 2007.
(REUTERS) JEAN-PAUL PELISSIER
(FIFA.com) 20 Mar 2007
Some of the biggest stars in world football assembled in Marseilles yesterday evening to contest the fourth Match against Poverty, the annual challenge game organised by close friends Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane. The two former Real Madrid team-mates are both Goodwill Ambassadors for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the yearly event is their unique way of raising money and public awareness in a bid to defeat the spectre of poverty around the world.
Following on from Basle in 2003, Madrid in 2004 and Dusseldorf in 2005, it was the turn of the Stade Velodrome in Marseilles to host one of the biggest nights in the charity football calendar. And what better place for the recently retired Zizou to make a return to the game? The French star was, after all, born and brought up in the southern French city and honed his delightful skills on its streets.
"I have retired from professional football, but as a UNDP ambassador I am fully committed to playing so I can support this great cause and contribute to this annual event with my great friend Ronaldo," declared the former French international, who said he had been training for the match for the last three weeks. "Coming to Marseilles is always special and so is this game. The important thing is that the fans and the players enjoyed themselves," he added.
The aim of the game is to focus attention on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) adopted in 2000 by the leaders of 191 countries and ratified at the UN Summit in 2005. The objective is to cut poverty by half by 2015, and reduce the impact on society of hunger, illness, illiteracy, environmental degradation and discrimination against women. The money raised from ticket sales will be used to fund projects selected by the UNDP in Asia, Africa and Latin America.
"This match is tremendously successful because we are projecting a very positive message all around the world," commented Ronaldo just before kick-off. "We love organising this game and we'd like to thank the players and the coaches who have come to support us by taking part."
<TABLE class=textblack11px_normal id=IMGTAB height=150 cellSpacing=3 cellPadding=0 width=150 align=left summary="" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>French comedian Jamel Debbouze (C) shares a joke with Julio Baptista (L) during the UNDP 'Match Against Poverty' on 19 March 2007 in Marseille.
(AFP)
Boris Horvat
The match itself
The jovial atmosphere on the pitch was reflected in the stands with the fans adding their vocal support throughout the encounter. They were urged on by French comic actor Jamel Debbouze, who provided a unique touchline commentary on some of the first-half action in his own inimitable style.
Ronaldo's white-shirted team carved out the first clear chances of the game, with Rivaldo and Baptista both hitting the woodwork with fierce strikes, and Victor Valdes pulling off smart saves from a Belleti header and another Rivaldo effort. Pernia then slammed a first-time drive from a fine Ramos cross against the crossbar.
Nevertheless, it was Zidane's side who opened the scoring when Luccin skilfully played in Robert on the edge of the area and the Frenchman saw his cross-shot diverted into his own net by defender Ronny. That was the only goal of the opening forty-five minut