Reliance Mobile Test Championship

	Team	Matches	Points	Rating
1	India	32	3957	124
2	South Africa	30	3672	122
3	Australia	35	4054	116
4	Sri Lanka	31	3574	115
5	England	39	4102	105
6	Pakistan	21	1744	83
7	New Zealand	29	2337	81
8	West Indies	29	2224	77
9	Bangladesh	19	255	13
Developed by David Kendix			Last Updated: Sun, Jan 10, 2010

Reliance Mobile ODI Championship

	Team	Matches	Points	Rating
1	Australia	39	5080	130
2	India	45	5524	123
3	South Africa	26	3085	119
4	New Zealand	25	2789	112
5	England	33	3606	109
6	Pakistan	28	3012	108
7	Sri Lanka	39	4163	107
8	West Indies	21	1589	76
9	Bangladesh	32	1727	54
10	Zimbabwe	32	823	26
11	Ireland	6	152	25
12	Kenya	14	28	2
Developed by David Kendix			Last Updated: Mon, Jan 11, 2010

For the Reliance Mobile ODI Rankings predictor please click here.

everything has been taken by ICC-cricke.com

Wandering Adu eyes Greek revival

Only a few years on from being touted as the long-awaited saviour of American soccer, Freddy Adu is heading for his third loan spell in three seasons, this time with mid-table Greek outfit Aris Thessaloniki. The move is seemingly a long way from the creative attacker’s meteoric rise to prominence as a precocious prodigy destined to someday make it in a big way.

Born in Tema, Ghana, young Fredua Koranteng Adu was noticed early in the USA after arriving with his mother through an immigration lottery. At the tender age of just 14 - after representing the USA with distinction at both the FIFA U-20 and U-17 World Cups in 2003 - Adu became one of the youngest American professional athletes in history, turning down offers from some of Europe’s top sides to sign a Major League Soccer contract in 2004.

“I try to not think about what everyone is saying about me,” he told FIFA.com in late 2003, already engulfed by a soccer-inspired mainstream media whirlwind not seen in the USA since the country hosted the FIFA World Cup™ in 1994, or Pele's arrival at the New York Cosmos in 1975.

It can be the right thing or the wrong thing (going abroad) depending on the individual situation; it’s something to think through.

USA star Landon Donovan

What followed for fresh-faced Adu, who was tagged “the biggest signing in the history of MLS” by commissioner Ivan Gazidis, was a succession of disappointments at club level, at least relative to the media circus that buzzed around him. He scored 11 goals in 90 appearances at DC United and eventually moved on to Real Salt Lake in 2006, playing 11 times and scoring twice before a much hyped move to Europe finally took shape.

His first port of call was Portuguese heavyweights Benfica, signing on just two months after his 18th birthday for a reported $2m. He failed to shine under the bright lights of Lisbon, averaging only 20 or so minutes per game. Adu never once made a starting appearance, scoring just twice in 11 outings.

In 2008, he was loaned out to Monaco in the French top flight, and he again failed to earn a starting place and saw his playing time shrink even more. After a return to Benfica, Adu was shipped off yet again, this time to cross-town Belenenses. While with the Portuguese top-tier basement dwellers, he managed briefly to break into the first team before injuries and inconsistency again took their toll.

It seemed to be the case of a wildly talented youngster touted too early, possibly losing his way in the pitiless world of international football. His newest assignment, on loan in Greece, will give Adu – still only 20 – one more opportunity to gain regular first-team action in Europe. “A lot of thought and research went into this move (to Aris),” reported Adu, who turned down an offer to join up with English Premier League outfit Hull City, on his much-followed Twitter page.

At Aris, Adu will be joining up with Eddie Johnson, another once-promising US striker who is now 25 years old. After moving to Fulham in England from Major League Soccer, he failed to make an impact at either Craven Cottage or during a loan spell at Cardiff City, and he is also looking for a revival in Greece. The pair were team-mates at the FIFA U-20 World Cup UAE 2003, where the Americans went all the way to the quarter-finals and Johnson finished the tournament as top scorer.

Stay-or-go debate
“It depends on the player and the situation. Going abroad can be a great move for an American player, but it really depends on the circumstances,” USA coach Bob Bradley told FIFA.com during last June’s FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa, where Adu spent the entire tournament – as the US roared to the final – watching from the bench. “The last thing you want is for a player to leave somewhere where he’s playing regularly and go somewhere where he plays less.”

Landon Donovan, who is currently on loan in England with Everton, echoed his coach’s sentiments, saying: “It can be the right thing or the wrong thing (going abroad) depending on the individual situation - it’s something to think through.”

Adu and Johnson will be aiming to put in good performances at their new club in order to get themselves back in the reckoning for a place in Bradley’s USA squad for South Africa 2010. Adu made his debut for the national team in 2006 at the age of just 16, a move seen by some as an attempt to keep him from playing for Ghana. Since then he has figured only sporadically and made just 15 appearances for the Stars and Stripes.

Johnson, too, has gone off the radar, missing the FIFA Confederations Cup and figuring only occasionally in USA’s qualifiers for the 19th FIFA World Cup. Both Adu and Johnson will be well aware that another young US attacking star, Charlie Davies, is unlikely to recover from injuries sustained in a recent car accident in time to take part in the global showpiece. A turn of fortunes, a spot of regular playing time and a few goals on Greek shores might well be enough for a plane ticket to South Africa.

THIS INTERVIEW IS TAKEN FROM FIFA.COM

"Zizou, you are a legend!" The cry comes from an overexcited young boy in the midst of a crowd gathered at Sun City, one of South Africa's most popular tourist destinations, to watch Zinedine Zidane play in a five-a-side tournament. The French icon appears relaxed and unfazed as eager fans try to squeeze past his four bodyguards for a photo or an autograph. He grins, but says little. "That's Zizou", his aide quips, "he never says much."

Since retiring from the game, Zidane has kept his public appearances to a minimum, and interviews have been even rarer. Yet despite his withdrawal from the limelight, the former Real Madrid midfielder remains as idolised as ever by football fans the world over, for whom memories of his elegant brilliance remain vivid.

South Africa's affection was certainly reciprocated when Zizou chatted exclusively to FIFA.com, with the three-time FIFA World Player taking the opportunity to compliment the 2010 FIFA World Cup hosts. The former France captain also offered his assessment on the prospects for African nations at next year's finals, reflected with fondness and pride on France 1998, and gave his take on Les Bleus' current difficulties.

FIFA.com: Having now spent some time in South Africa, what are your impressions of the country and its people?
Zinedine Zidane: This is a very beautiful country. I have to say I'm impressed and so far I'm enjoying myself here. I'm sure that people are going to love being here. The thing is, not many people (from outside the continent) have been to Africa; for many it will be a new and completely different experience.

Of course, you yourself are of Algerian descent. How do you feel about the fact that the FIFA World Cup will be staged on African soil for the first time?
It's great for African football that we have the World Cup here. For me, it's an exciting period and an opportunity for Africa to show the rest of the world what it is capable of doing. I think this World Cup will be the best opportunity for African teams to prove to the rest of the world their capabilities. One of the things that will be to their advantage is that they will be playing on home soil - that should be a motivation in itself. What I know is that, for every player, to appear in any World Cup is an honour. However, when the event is on home soil, it brings a fantastic feeling. And from our time in France (in 1998), we saw what playing the tournament at home means. The atmosphere from your own supporters just adds more flavour and gives more motivation to the players.

I didn't know that this event had so much power to influence society, but from our experience (in 1998) I think we all saw what it can do.

Zidane on the power of the FIFA World Cup

What do you think this FIFA World Cup will mean to the South African people?
Hosting the World Cup is a special moment for any country and I'm sure South Africans will embrace the tournament. The thing about the World Cup is that it brings happiness to the supporters and I would urge South Africans to enjoy it, enjoy every moment of it because it's something they might not experience again in their lives. I'm sure this is going to be a fantastic and a new experience for many people in the country.

You mention how special it is to play in a FIFA World Cup on home soil. Can you share your experience of France 1998 with us?
I remember one of the most touching scenes for me was seeing people hugging in the streets after we won the tournament at home; it was a great moment. Many people were in tears, they were so happy - all people, both black and white. For me, that was one of the most rewarding feelings, and I hope that might also happen in South Africa. I didn't know that this event had so much power to influence society, but from our experience I think we all saw what it can do.

Who do you think will win the FIFA Confederations Cup in June?
(Pauses) I don't know, I can't really say which side will win. I think it will be interesting. We have many good sides competing.

I'm sure you have been asked so many times about that Final against Italy at Germany 2006. Given an opportunity to do it all again, would you do things differently?
(Smiles) I don't really want to talk about that. So much has been said about that game, so much has been written about things that happened during it, but to me it's history now. It was a great game and we wanted to win it. Obviously, I would have loved to see France on the winning side, but it didn't happen.

Just before that FIFA World Cup, you had played your last-ever match for Real Madrid against Villarreal. How did it feel to walk out at the Bernabeu for the last time?
It was a very emotional moment for me. Many people who know me will probably tell you that I'm not really good at showing emotions, but that game was different. When I looked at the stands, I saw my friends and my family there. They were there to support me and that made the match even more special for me. I remember that I battled to hold back tears. The thing is, deep down you know that this is your last game of your club career and, throughout my life, I have always loved playing football.

You have clearly enjoyed a hugely illustrious career. What do you regard as your biggest achievement in football?
Winning the World Cup on home soil was great, it was a special moment and it will always rate among the biggest achievements in my career.

The French team have endured a difficult period since you retired. What do you make of their current situation?
I think its fair for people to say they have been disappointed with the results from the team, they have gone through a rough patch, but I think its unfair for some individuals to say they are a bad side. They are not a bad team at all but, as I said, they are just going through a difficult period. France still have some special players who can turn their fortunes around.

THIS INTERVIEW IS TAKEN FROM FIFA.COM

Torres: Our best is yet to come

Fresh from setting a new record at club side Liverpool, having racked up 50 Premier League strikes quicker than any other player in the Anfield outfit’s history, Fernando Torres remains as fiercely ambitious as ever. Still known as El Niño (The Kid), though he is now a father himself, the 25-year-old spoke to FIFA.com about his fine current form and his goals for the future at club and international level.

FIFA.com: Fernando, last month you were included in the FIFA/FIFPro World XI 2009. How did it feel to know that over 50,000 professional players voted?
Fernando Torres: It’s a real source of joy and satisfaction as well a huge privilege. Receiving this kind of recognition from your fellow professionals is something very special, which fills you with pride. The fact they admire what you do spurs you on to keep improving, to try and continue forming part of this XI.

What’s your verdict on 2009?
Being included in the World XI without having won any silverware makes me even more motivated. What I mean is, though collectively we’ve not had the best of luck, on a personal note the balance is right and I’m doing my job well. I have to keep that going. We just need a little more luck as a team to be able to win a trophy.

Things have not gone well for Liverpool so far this season. Is the club capable of turning things around?
Unfortunately this season is not turning out how we’d wanted, but our best is still to come. Let’s hope that we can put a string of good performances together come the end-of-season run-in and the most pivotal moments, and that we can put right what we’ve not done so well up to now. And who knows, in May we might well be talking about how good a season it’s been. We’ve still got objectives to aim for.

Though collectively we’ve not had the best of luck, on a personal note the balance is right and I’m doing my job well. I have to keep that going.

Fernando Torres on Liverpool

In that case, is there confidence in the manager and within the squad?
Of course. We’re extremely confident that we can regain the position [in the table] that we deserve and that it’s still in our hands. We’re virtually the same team that finished second in the Premier League last season and we’re going to do everything we can to improve our situation.

With Spain, on the other hand, things are going extremely well, with La Roja winning all ten of their 2010 FIFA World Cup™ qualifiers. In your opinion, what was the highlight of the year for the national team?
I think that the most positive thing was how we bounced back after losing in the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup. In a way, that defeat did us good by helping us realise that the road to the World Cup wasn’t going to be easy, but that we had to stay on track. And what better way to do that than winning ten games in a row in qualifying. We’ve now recovered any confidence that we may have lost that day against the United States. What matters is we’re heading into the World Cup unbeaten and we want to finish it that way, without losing to anybody.

Do you think that defeat against USA has made you stronger?
I think that the squad’s always has its feet on the ground. Humility is the hallmark of this Spanish national side. But we’ve realised that anybody can have a bad day and that a bad day puts you out of the World Cup. That was made very clear to us at the Confederations! But we now know what we have to do so it doesn’t happen again. South Africa 2010 is our big chance and we don’t want to waste it.

We’ve realised that anybody can have a bad day and that a bad day puts you out of the World Cup. That was made very clear to us.

Torres on the lessons of Spain's defeat to USA

Spain have been drawn in Group H for South Africa 2010 alongside Switzerland, Honduras and Chile. How do you rate your group rivals?
As I was saying, the defeat against the USA taught us that any team can make life hard for you. You have to have a lot of respect for every opponent. Our goal is to take each game as it comes and finish top of the group. Whoever we face in the Round of 16 will be fearsome, whether we finish first or second, because there are some of the best teams in the world in Group G. But if you want to be world champions you have to be ready to take on any national side.

Your winning goal in the final of UEFA EURO 2008 clinched Spain’s first trophy at senior level since the 1964 European Championship. Can you see yourself repeating the feat in a few months’ time?
We all dream of winning another final, particularly at a World Cup which is what every footballer aims for. I think that at one time or another we’ve all pictured ourselves being photographed lifting the World Cup. Let’s hope that it happens this time round. We know it’s difficult, but we’re going to give everything we’ve got because we’re in good form and we may not find ourselves in a situation like this again.

Pele has said that the current Spain side reminds him of the Brazil team which triumphed at Mexico 1970. What is more, that Seleção also went into the FIFA World Cup finals after winning all their qualifying matches.
When a football legend speaks, you just have to listen. It’s an added motivation for us. However, that’s also a warning shot for our opponents and will make them more defensive against us. Let’s hope that once the World Cup is over we can say that Pele was right.

What’s your wish for 2010?
Just as every year, my wish is that we’re lucky with injuries. Not just me, but all my team-mates too because there are some very big matches coming up and that way we’ll be competing on a level playing field. If that’s the case, may the best team win.

THIS INTERVIEW IS TAKEN FROM FIFA.COM

Maradona: It's a dream come tru

In the eyes of many, Diego Maradona is the greatest player ever to have graced the game. Having acquired huge popularity the world over and cheated death a few short years ago, the 48-year-old legend is enjoying life again at the helm of his beloved Argentina.

Now a doting grandfather, Maradona sat down with FIFA.com for a typically frank chat about his battle against adversity, playing for and coaching La Albiceleste, Lionel Messi, Fidel Castro and much more. Part two of this interview, in which the legendary No10 gives his views on Pele, Brazil and his duels against A Seleçao, will be published shortly.

FIFA.com: Diego, you have been in the Argentina job for nine months now. Has it been a bit like becoming a father?
Diego Maradona: A bit, yes. I've only had the boys together for a month and a half in all that time, so I really don't get much chance to work and spend time with them. It was great when I came into the job but now I have to start getting some things through to those 25 little heads, such as what they need to do on and off the pitch. I've been through all that and that's why I'm giving the squad the benefit of my experience.

Are you enjoying it?
It's hard. I enjoyed things more when I was playing but I'm making sure I fulfil my responsibilities. Everybody knows I've been through some difficult times but I managed to pull myself together, and here I am in charge of the Argentina team. It's a dream come true.

Is it tougher than you expected?
It's tough for the reasons I've just mentioned. You're always on the phone, trying to find out how the players are. Every day I meet with the coaching staff to find out how (Lionel) Messi, (Sergio) Aguero, Maxi Rodriguez and everyone have been doing in training, to see if Jonas Gutierrez has been playing. It's more about logistics than actually watching them, but that's just the way things are. I know for sure that the Brazil game will be the key to qualification. Then we're off to Paraguay, where we've also got a great chance of winning. God willing, I'll have them all together for 20 days before the World Cup and that's when we'll lay the ground work to give ourselves the best possible chance of becoming world champions.

Let's look back at your time in charge. How many interviews have you given since taking over?
A lot. But I try not to go on too many programmes. A coach has to know when to be seen. Just because I'm Maradona and the national coach doesn't mean I have to be everywhere and please everyone. The players are the real stars. They're the ones who should come out and do the talking.

He's a living legend and there's no one in the world with his charisma. No one, not even the Pope!

Diego Maradona on Fidel Castro.

Are there any particular questions you get tired of hearing?
When are we going to see Maradona's influence on the team? It's totally unfair to expect to see the Maradona style when I only get the guys together two days before each game. You have to make the most of what you have, and do and undo things in three days flat. The players travel a long way and they need time to relax and stretch their legs. You can't do much work with them before a game and I can't give them double training sessions. They'd be destroyed if I did that. I just try to get things through to them bit by bit and I see myself as more of a coach than a technical director.

What about the things you have not been asked but which are important to you?
The togetherness of the team. We had a terrible result in Bolivia and they stuck together. Whenever you lose like that there are always a few players who blame each other, but the opposite happened here. We got even stronger as a team, we had a meeting on the plane and took heart from that. We played a great game in Ecuador and should have been two goals up in the first half. We let that chance slip and I hope we don't do the same against Brazil.

Is it true you wake up at night with ideas in your head and have to write them down?
Yes, it is. Free-kicks, corner kicks, etc. For example, I want the team to press a lot more up front, to compress the space between defence, midfield and attack. And when we lose the ball we need to be on top of the other team straightaway. There's one thing Argentina need to make the most of and that's the fact we're much better in possession than anyone. Maybe Brazil have got what we have, but Italy and Germany don't. Perhaps Spain have had it lately too, especially with Xavi, who can lose a couple of guys and put (David) Villa or (Fernando) Torres though. There aren't many more though. If we press hard, there's no escape for opposing sides.

Have you been watching a lot of football?
All the time.

I tell the players that 30 days of sacrifice just to kiss that cup is nothing in a man's life. It's like touching the sky.

Maradona on winning the FIFA World Cup.

Who have you seen recently? Has anyone surprised you?
No one's surprised me really. Teams are the way they are. Milan are struggling, Inter have kept it together, Madrid are going to change a lot with Kaka. He's going to give them an extra dimension, though I don't understand why (Fernando) Gago's not been playing. They should play him but he's still one of my first-choice players all the same. I've also seen my friend Ciro Ferrara's Juventus side. They're doing well, playing a typically Italian game: really tight catenaccio at the back, then they give it to (Alessandro) Del Piero and he spreads it about. As for our guys, (Diego) Milito looks to me to be in great form and El Kun (Sergio Aguero) too.

And Messi?
I haven't seen him lately. I tried to call him but it's easier talking to Obama than Lio (laughs). I've heard he's having a good pre-season and that's great to know.

Are there any players who have surprised you recently?
Felipe Melo has been a great find for Brazil and Hulk of Porto has also made a big impact. I'm intrigued by Ronaldinho too. He's looking fit again but he's lost that explosive power he had. I'd love to see him do his feints again and get away from people. I hope he gets that back, but only after he plays us of course.

Let's talk about Maradona the man now. What is the worst thing that has ever happened to you?
The worst has already happened (pauses). I was at the bottom of the sea and my daughters pulled me out. I can get up every day now and that's an achievement when you consider that I used to go three whole days either awake or asleep. Seeing my grandson is like touching the sky. Everything else pales in comparison. It's like a penalty, a free-kick. Nothing compares to that.

And the best?
The best was reacting to it, drawing on adversity to reinvent myself as a person. I'm not saying I want to defeat adversity but when I come up against a situation, I fight as hard as I can to overcome it. I'm still in one piece today and I'm ready for whatever life has to throw at me.

You must have some amazing stories to tell. What is the most incredible situation you have found yourself in?
The craziest thing was showing Fidel Castro how I took penalties. I said to him, ‘I look at the goalkeeper. If I commit before the keeper, he saves it. If the keeper commits before me, I'll just put it on the other side.' Fidel was moving all the chairs around and he said, ‘Come on, take a penalty against me. Show me.' They brought a ball and I said, ‘This is the goal, right? You stand there, in the middle.' Just imagine. Me taking a penalty against Fidel Castro? It's crazy!

He just stood there and I scored. He kept on asking me questions after that; where I put my foot and things like that. ‘It just happens, maestro,' I told him. He came back and said it was easy, that it was just a matter of watching the keeper and that one day we'd practise penalties on a proper pitch. There he was, the guy, a real baseball fan and he picked it up straightaway. Just like that. After that we just sat there for hours talking about politics. Six or seven hours easily. I killed myself laughing with him. He's a living legend and there's no one in the world with his charisma. No one, not even the Pope!

Seeing my grandson is like touching the sky. Everything else pales in comparison. It's like a penalty, a free-kick. Nothing compares to that.

Diego Maradona on being a grandpa.

The World Cup must be a dream for you.
Yes, and meeting Mandela too. I saw the other day that he's turned 91. I always wanted to meet him but never could because something always came up here. I hope I can some time.

Maybe at the draw in December?
Possibly, but maybe we'll go earlier to see where we'll be staying. I'd love to.

Is the FIFA World Cup™ an obsession?
The World Cup wouldn't be the same without Argentina. It would be colourless.

You sound very sure about qualifying.
I'm absolutely sure. If I weren't, I wouldn't be talking to you now.

Do you remember the first time you saw the Trophy?
Of course. I saw it in some photos. When we beat Germany I was able to touch it and kiss it (pauses). We'd waited all those days at the training camp, thought about it so much, and there I was with my hands on it. It makes you so proud. It's the most beautiful thing. I tell the players that 30 days of sacrifice just to kiss that cup is nothing in a man's life. It's like touching the sky.

You have already said you know what it takes to win it.
I won it once and finished runner-up too. I was a runner-up in Rome against all expectations. Everyone said Brazil would beat us and we knocked them out. Everyone said Italy would beat us and we knocked them out too and got to the final. I always say you need luck in the World Cup, but you need to give luck a helping hand too. We had a lot of injuries in 1990 but my players know very well how to look after themselves.

It's 30 intense days. You're fully focused, thinking about nothing but the World Cup. And that's what I'm aiming for. I've been at World Cups, I've played in two finals and I know how to get there, how to handle the group, how to coach them. I know what to say to them. I know what I'm talking about. I didn't come eighth or ninth and it didn't happen to me just like that. I know something about all this.

According to your team-mates in 1986 you would not let go of the trophy after the Final.
That's right. I didn't let go of it much. We couldn't do a lap of honour at the Azteca. We tried but we couldn't. When we got back to America's training centre, where we were staying, I took the cup down to the ground and we did the lap of honour there, just on our own with our families by the side of the pitch.

You will be holding on to it if you win in 2010 as well I suppose?
No. Masche (Javier Mascherano) will have that honour. And he won't want to let go either. Mark my words. He'll be doing the same thing.

THIS INTERVIEW IS TAKEN FROM FIFA.COM