Football

2009 Summer Deaflympics Football Competition
Even after a month after the Summer Deaflympics in Taipei, I am still overwhelmed by the overall effect it has had on everyone. The Opening and Closing Ceremonies were of the highest standard and something that I will never forget.

The Summer Deaflympics Football Competition was an immense success from day one to the last day. Minor, yet expected, teething problems were quickly resolved on the first day and the Summer Deaflympics Football Competition brought out the best from many countries involved. The only major disappointment was Nigeria’s withdrawal from the men competition 24 hours before the first match which meant it was too late to organise a replacement.

The major rebuilding work on the four pitches at YingFeng Sport Park produced a good quality grass surface while the Municipal Stadium pitch was affected by the opening ceremony being covered for eight days. After some extensive work by the Organising Committee, the final pitch was good enough for both the women and men football finals.

Summer Deaflympics Women Football Competition
The women football competition involved Denmark, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, Russian Federation, Thailand and United States.

United States, the reigning 2005 Summer Deaflympics Champions, scored 11 goals and conceded no goals in their two group matches while Russian Federation, the 2008 World Champions scored 36 goals and conceded two goals in their three group matches.

The women semi finals were contested by United States against Great Britain while Russian Federation met Germany in a rematch of last year World Deaf Football Championships Final. In a hard fought match, United States edged Great Britain by two goals to one in normal time. In the Russian Federation-Germany semi final, Russian Federation went 3-0 up in the first half only for Germany to stage a magnificent fight back to equalise 3-3 by the 65th minute. Julia Muller was the hero for Germany with her second goal in extra time to make it 4-3 for Germany to progress to the Summer Deaflympics Women Football Final.

The Women Final, between United States and Germany was a hard fought tactical game in the first half producing no goals. United States stepped up a gear in the second half with a break through goal on the hour. Germany, in their attempt to equalise, threw more into the attack, left them vulnerable at the back, conceded three more goals before the final whistle. It was Reagan Anders’ third (1-basketball and 2-football) Summer Deaflympics gold medal for United States. Many congratulations to United States, Germany and Russian Federation who won the women football gold, silver and bronze medal respectively.

Summer Deaflympics Men Football Competition
The men football competition involved Argentina, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Iran, Ireland, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Russian Federation, South Africa, Spain, Ukraine and United States.

The group stages certainly threw some surprises, perhaps the biggest shock with the 2005 Summer Deaflympics Champions, Great Britain being knocked out by a single goal difference. France made it though despite being bottom of group B on the final day of the group stages with their first win against South Africa. Ukraine and Russian Federation made an early claim for the Summer Deaflympics crown recording the most points and superior goal difference than any other countries.

The men quarter finals, semi finals and final produced no extra time or penalties which were a bit of a surprise! In the quarter finals, France went through against Ireland with the only goal coming from Jeremy Peltier while Germany won 6-2 against Argentina in a bad tempered match which saw the referee wave several yellow cards and a red card. The other two men quarter finals resulted in Russian Federation overwhelming United States 5-0 and Ukraine edging out Iran by a single goal coming from Makar Bukin.

The men semi finals: Ukraine overpowered an injury depleted France with four goals to nil and Russian Federation, after going a goal down against Germany, scored four on the trot before Germany scored a late consolation to make it 4-2.

Russian Federation having previously won the Summer Deaflympics Football Competition at Malmo (1973) and Cologne (1981) started the final slightly stronger than Ukraine going a goal ahead on the half hour only for Ukraine to score a couple of goals before half time to make it 2-1. In the second half of the men final, it was pretty even with some chances being missed by both sides. Ukraine scored again to make it 3-1 with a goal from Vitaliy Solovey which turned out to be the winning goal before Russian Federation scored again to make it 3-2.

Many congratulations to Ukraine, Russian Federation and Germany who won the men football gold, silver and bronze medal respectively.

Note of thanks
I would like to thank Tony Clews for being such an excellent Assistant Football Technical Director with his calmness, positive suggestions and hard work throughout the Summer Deaflympics football competition. I also would like to thank Po-Hai Shih, the Sports Liaison Officer for his tireless efforts to ensure a smooth Summer Deaflympics Football Competition.

Po-Houng Lee and Wu-Hsiung Liu, the two FIFA Representatives, along with Jhang Jin Bo, the Match Commissioner also had a major contribution to the success of the Summer Deaflympics Football Competition of which I am also thankful for. I also would like to thank Anita Mao for her patience, kindness and excellent translation during our stay in Taipei.

What next?
Tony Clews and I will work on a number of issues, improving some procedures for world deaf football in 2010, e.g. a new improved match recording system, a new world deaf football ranking system and new guidelines for hearing referees.

It has now been confirmed that the 2011 World Deaf Futsal Championships will be held at Örebro, Sweden (5th-11th November 2011) while the 2012 World Deaf Football Championships will be held in Ankara, Turkey (10th-21st July 2012).

Invitations are open for all countries to make a bid to host the 2015 World Deaf Futsal Championships and the 2016 World Deaf Football Championships. The deadline for both World Championship bids is 30th June 2010.

If you are interested in hosting either Deaf World Championships, please view - www.deaflympics.com/about/index.asp?DID=543 and look under WC2. BIDDING.

As always, yours in football

Christof NIKLAUS
ICSD Technical Director - Football