UPDATES
Famous for one of the new Wonders of the World, Machu
Picchu, Peru enjoyed its best years on the international
stage in the 1970's. On the local front, Alianza Lima
and Sporting Cristal carried the hopes of the nation
in Copa Libertadores. But it was tiny Cienciano from
Cusco which shocked South America by lifting the Copa
Sudamericana and Recopa Sudamericana in 2003 and 2004.
These are not the only clubs to have graced the Peruvian
scene. Check out our directory of Peruvian
teams here.
Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, Mario Kempes....household
names and super stars in different eras. Argentina has
won two World Cups and numerous Copa Americas. Copa
Libertadores has seen Argentinian clubs win regularly.
Boca Juniors, River Plate and Velez Sarsfield are just
a few sides that have made Argentinian league the envy
of South America. Check out the directory of Argentinian
teams here.
A rising force in world politics and world economy;
encompassing 1 billion people; a leader in the IT field
and the only country who refused to participate in the
World Cup because they wanted to play barefoot....India
has a rich tradition in the sport and boast in Durand
Cup, the oldest football competition in Asia. Teams
like East Bengal, Mohun Bagan and Mohammedan Sporting
are some of the oldest on the continent. Check out the
directory of Indian
teams here.
Born from the remnants of the British empire in India
, this country of approximately 180 million people has
flattered to deceive when it comes to football. In a
land where cricket reigns supreme, football has struggled
on an amateur level. Yet there is still a vibrant community
with department teams like WAPDA, Pakistan Army and
Pakistan International Airlines the stalwarts in a growing
league. Check out the Pakistani
team directory here.
Russell Crowe, Middle Earth, The All Blacks.... all
reasons why New Zealand is known in world media. Consisting
of two islands, the Kiwis have been to a single World
Cup in 82' after a glorious qualifying campaign. Waitakere
United at the World Club Championship represented Oceania
honorably but there are other teams ready to challenge
them for supremacy at the local level. Check all the
New Zealand
teams here.
Cricket, Rugby, Tennis or any other sport and you will
find Australians making a name for themselves. Now the
Aussies have their sights firmly set on trying to rule
on the soccer stage. The last World Cup showed Australia
is in the right direction. On the club level, Sydney
F.C. and Adelaide United have been flying the Australian
flag high in Asian competitions. For a complete directory
of Australian
clubs, click here.
Waitakere United are the Oceania representatives yet
again at the World Club Championship, but they won a
vibrant O-league competition against some of the rising
Island teams. KOSSA F.C. from Solomon Islands, Ba F.C.
of Fiji and ever presents Tafea F.C. of Vanuatu certainly
gave them some good competition. To check out the club
teams from all these islands, check the Oceania
directory here.
If anyone ever saw the "World Cup Final for the
Worst Teams" in 2002 between Bhutan and Montserrat,
they will remember that Bhutan won the game 4-0 to avoid
the wooden spoon. Their recent run to the semifinal
of the SAFF Cup provied further evidence of their growing
stature at regional level. Transport United have participated
in all editions of AFC Presidents Cup so far. To check
out other Bhutan
Clubs, click here.
The land of the rising sun..... Baseball and Sumo wrestling
may once have been paramount in Japanese sports circles
but soccer has started to take its place firmly among
the youth of Japan. Japan is now a force in Asia and
have been doing rather well in qualifying for successive
World Cups. Urawa Red Diamonds are the current Asian
champions and with Gamba Osaka also flying the flag
high, Japan has thrown down the gauntlet of their supremacy.
Check other Japanese
teams here.
Kuala Lumpur....One of the great cities of Asia and
capital of Malaysia. Badminton maybe big in Malaysia
but soccer is what gets the pulse racing as far as Malaysians
are concerned. The National team has never qualified
for World Cup and has been sliding downwards in FIFA
rankings. On the club stage, however, Perak and Kedah
have shown their competitiveness in the AFC Cup. Malaysia
also has a vibrant Futsal scene. Check out all the Malaysian
teams here.
Check out the continents section:
