Brazil's stirring comeback to snatch a 3-2 victory over the United States in the final was a fitting conclusion to a positive tournament played out before a passionate public, where 44 goals were scored in 16 matches that were played.

The competition saw the gap closing down between the “developed” and the “developing” football nations. The United States' stunning 2-0 win over the European champions Spain in the semi-finals, a feat the Americans almost surpassed when they led Brazil by the same score at halftime in the final.

However, Brazil showed just why they are Brazil, with three goals in the second half to retain the trophy and install themselves as early favourites to lift a sixth World Cup next year, a clear message was sent out to the other title contenders.

Luis Fabiano's brace and a thundering header from skipper Lucio completed Brazil's tally of 14 goals in five matches after Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan had threatened to give the U.S. a stunning victory in their first global tournament final.

Whether it was the incessant sound of the vuvuzela creating a surreal atmosphere in the stadiums or the fact that playing in South Africa took away home advantage for the "bigger" teams, most matches showcased keenly contested, open and end-to-end play.

After making a slow start to the competition, the U.S. played without fear against Spain or Brazil, indicating the World Cup could produce even more surprises next year.

SPAIN STUNNED

During the tournament, Spain registered a world-record equalling run of 35 matches without defeat and were favourites to reach the final, but their loss to the U.S. showed nothing can be taken for granted in their quest for a first World Cup triumph.

Fernando Torres' 11-minute hat-trick in their opening 5-0 defeat of New Zealand was among the competition's highlights, as was Egypt's astonishing fightback in their 4-3 loss to Brazil.

Egypt went one better in their next match and the 1-0 victory over world champions Italy was not only the first win for an African side against the Azzurri but also served as a warning to Marcello Lippi over the strength and age of his current squad.

The Italian coach will be more concerned about the aging side's inability to defend their title when they were humiliated days later by a rampant Brazil, who tore them apart with a three-goal burst in eight minutes either side of halftime.

The Italian manager needs to develop younger players before the finals, although 35-year-old skipper Fabio Cannavaro looks set to add to his record-equalling 126 caps for his country.

Although the opening match between hosts South Africa and Iraq got the tournament off to a slow start with a 0-0 draw, the hosts did enough to impress the likes of Franz Beckenbauer that if they found a decent striker they could do well in next year's WC.

Beckenbauer, who won the World Cup with West Germany as a player in 1974 and coach in 1990, said they could be among the favourites after playing well to hold Brazil for 88 minutes in the semi-final before eventually losing 1-0.

CONTROVERSIES

Off the pitch, the major controversy was trumpeted in by the vuvuzela, the horn blown incessantly by fans throughout matches in South Africa. International broadcasters outside South Africa have complained that it was interfering with commentaries and viewers moaned about its unremitting din, but the FIFA president said there were no plans to ban it next year.

The South African Football Federation conducted the entire tournament in a very professional manner, raising hopes that the next year’s World Cup competition promises a feast for the eyes of football connoisseurs.

The venue for the one-off November 3 final is the home ground of the semi-final 2 winners.

AFC Cup 2009 QF Draw Results

QUARTER-FINALS (September 15 and 30) QF 1 - Al Karamah (Syria) vs Al Arabi (Kuwait) QF2 - Kuwait SC (Kuwait) vs Arbil (Iraq) QF3 - Neftchi (Uzbekistan) vs South China (Hong Kong) QF4- Chonburi FC (Thailand) vs Becamex Binh Duong (Vietnam) SEMI-FINALS (October 15 and 21) SF 1 - QF 4 winners vs QF 1 winners SF 2 - QF 2 winners vs QF 3 winners FINAL (November 3) SF 2 winners vs SF 1 winners

INDIAN TEAM VISITS S.N ROY SOCCER ACADEMY
before leaving Dubai & Spain

28.06.2009 , ANIRBAN ROY (S.N ROY ACADEMY COACH) : The Indian team paid a visit to S.N ROY SOCCER ACADEMY on june 26th just before leaving for their preparatory camp (for NEHRU CUP) to Dubai and Barcelona. On one of their promotional tours,the Indian Team visited the academy to see the training of grass root level football right in the heart of the capital,facilitated by AFC vision India(Delhi). The team were shown the training methodologies and physical-mental training regime of the academy by Technical Director Mr.Tarun Roy & Arun Roy.The Team staff and the players were exagerated at the sight of kids from age group of 8-16 years training at different levels.Some players were excited on seeing as many as 70 kids at the academy under Sub Jr.,Jr. & Senior sub-groups. Goalkeeping coach Mr.Pacheco & players Subrata Pal & Arindam Bhattacharya trained the young goalkepers & gave them valuable tips under the supervision of Academy Coach Sandip Dhole.Players like Mehrajjudin,Gourmangi Singh,Clifford Miranda,Sushil Kumar,Sunil Chettri played & trained with the kids. Veteran Deepak Mondal gave the senior group the motivation to take up football as a career & applauded coach Anirban Roy for the academy's efforts. The team management including Asst.Coach Savio Medeira & Pacheco applauded the academy coaches for developing football at the grassroot level & also emphasized on Modern Training Methodology as executed by Tech.Director- Tarun Roy.The also hoped to see more budding players from Delhi evolving on the Indian Footbal scene as the likes of Sunil Chettri & Rishi Kapur in recent times. All this was followed by autograph & photo sessions of the kids with the players n staff who were overwhelmed by the response.

Surkumar Sing (Left) and Subrata Paul (Right) with S.N.Roy Soccer Academy Coach

The Team India with the Boys of S.N. Roy Soccer Academy, Delhi

Team India in front of S.N.Roy Soccer Academy, Delhi

Introduction with the future stars of S.N.Roy Soccer Academy