Thoughts on Caniggia, Kahn, Al Ahly...

The latest international mailbag is also the last one for a while as I’m soon to be on Winter Olympics duty. So without further delay...

Howdy Phil, I really do think that the mercurial, speedy Caniggia should be a given for that final striker spot that Bielsa has yet to fill. After all Caniggia is one of the greatest strikers that Argentina has seen in modern times and his recent stay with both Dundee and Rangers is emblematic of his superb brilliance and great inside forward/wing wizardry!
-- Pantero Negro, Alpharetta G.A.

You aren’t related in some way to Claudio are you? Bielsa would have to be related also to pick him for World Cup 2002.

This topic has been chewed up, but it’s nagging me. I believe that Oliver Kahn was much the better player at his position, than either Zidane or Figo were at their respective positions. Also, considering by how much he won the international award of best goalkeeper, I doubt that either Figo or Zidane would similarly pull away from their respective competition. I’m not dumping on those two; they are among the very best in the world. However, Khan was instrumental in Munich winning their three trophies this year (domestic champion, Champions League, Toyota Cup), and Munich beat Madrid both at home and away (and in five out of the last six games), also due to Kahn’s fantastic skills. Just because Munich had a fabulous year doesn’t automatically qualify Kahn for the trophy, but he should have been voted best player because he made it possible to win these competitions —- something to be expected from the world’s best player, and a string of accomplishments in 2001 neither Figo (Real Madrid) nor Zidane (Real Madrid/Juventus) can claim. I think the goalie got stiffed.
-- Marc Simony, New York

Oliver Kahn was worthy of a top three position in the voting. Few people could disagree with the fact he was an essential part of Bayern Munich’s success. But if I’ve said it once I’ve said it a thousand times, the glamor positions -– rightly or wrongly -– inevitably get most, if not all, of the plaudits. Goalkeepers and defenders, integral as they are to a team’s success, invariably miss out. No amount of lobbying is likely to change the thought processes of a lifetime.

Phil, Quick question about the MLS now that the league has been reduced can it really sustain a playoff system, would it not be better to have outright champions and maybe with the leagues of US, Mexico and Canada (if they have one) try and start some Champions League style of competition? I live in Dallas, but I'm from Scotland, and went to one of the Dallas Burn games, I was surprised how good the game was, although I thought the refereeing standard was very low, but then some things never change.
-- Craig Robertson, Mckinney TX

The Americans are used to playoffs that exclude so few teams in the first place, so I can’t see any drastic change. It would be intriguing to see the CONCACAF regions come together in a kind of Champions League contest for the region, if only to add some international spice for MLS followers.

Dear Phil, As an addition to what posted in 9/1/2002 about adding Al Ahly of Egypt to the top 10 list. Ahly is rated 4th in the world from the local and continental achievements. Ahly was also rated from the top 10 teams regarding fans number that contain more than 75 million Egyptians, Arabs and Africans.and just for the record the Champions League final game played on 21st of December was witnessed by more than 100,000 fans in the stadium and i had the chance to be one of them in a trip from Canada to Egypt just for the game. I believe such team deserve some appreciation.
-- Raed Rafeh, Montreal, Canada

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Dear Phil, regarding my friend Amr Fahmy's request of putting great Ahly club on the top 10 clubs in the world, and your reply, I would like to add, the following:

1 -- AHLY is the highest percentage winning local league in the world "29 out of 43."

2 -- Ahly ranked 2nd in the world of winning continental titles, seven titles.

3 -- Ahly 3rd percentage winning local cup "31 out of 64" Ahly played last August against Real Madrid, titled World Team Of The Century, to celebrate our title being African Club of The Century, hammered them 1-0, played a great match, which all media monitored and announced birth of a great team playing great football. I think monitoring European, American football, isn't justice, as African football will is now of the best, my reference is France, World Champions, having 8 out of 11 players of African origins.
-- Mohamed Sarhan, Egypt

Hi Phil, love this column. My question is about African football. What do you think the chances are, of one African country making it to the semis in this years World Cup? What is your opinion of the quality of players produced by South Africa who play their soccer in some of the best leagues in Europe like McCarthy, Fortune, Radebe, Fish, Nomvete etc.
-- Sudashin Pillay, Johannesburg ,South Africa

It’s one of the most wide-open World Cup finals in some time. After favorites Argentina and France, it is difficult to predict. Brazil, England, Portugal and Italy will all like their chances. By taking gold in the last two Olympics, Nigeria and Cameroon have shown African nations can go all the way in a major tournament. But this is the biggest of all and I’m yet to be convinced the time is right for a semifinal appearance for an African nation on this grand stage. South Africa produce quality players. They wouldn’t be playing abroad if they weren’t talented. But the day South Africa discovers a world class player or two is the day its ambitions can move from qualifying for a World Cup to reaching the latter stages of the finals. That day hasn’t yet arrived.

Hi Phil, I'm a huge soccer fan and a Galatasaray fanatic. I think English League soccer is the most exciting soccer in the world and many people would probably agree with me. My question for you is how come they can't carry their success to Europe. Usually its all Spanish and Italian teams making the most impact in the Champions League and the Uefa Cup. What do you think about my questions? Do you agree with my with me or not? Thank you.
-- Tekin Onal, Pennsylvania, USA

No, I categorically disagree. Yes, Spain have had tremendous success in Europe in recent times. They are top of UEFA’s club rankings and rightly so. But Italy have been in the European doldrums in recent seasons, while Spain, England and Germany have had their way. Last season, Germany’s Bayern Munich won the Champions League beating Valencia of Spain in the final. Italian sides failed miserably. No Italian team reached even the Champions League quarterfinals. Three British teams and three Spanish teams did, along with one apiece from Germany and Turkey (your very own Galatasaray).

England’s Liverpool beat Spain’s Alaves in the UEFA Cup final. If memory serves me right, Italian sides were shut-out of the quarterfinals there as well. England’s recent trophy success (Manchester United won the Champions League in 1999) saw them gain an extra place in the Champions League for next season. This season, Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal are all in the second group phase of the Champions League. Lazio of Italy embarrassingly fell at the first hurdle to French strugglers Nantes. It would appear to me the exciting English style is working pretty well in Europe, with only Spain doing better.

Hey Phil, I enjoy the column and the show... I have a thought and a question regarding Paraguay during the World Cup. I really feel they could make a nice run, especially since their draw isn't that rough. If they can make it to the second round (beating out South Africa and Slovenia), they'll stay in Korea and avoid Argentina, France, Brazil, England, and another dangerous team, Japan. The toughest teams to beat on the Korean side of the second round would probably be Spain and Italy. And who can guarantee anything with Spain? With Maldini at the helm, I think Paraguay could make it a long way, possibly to the semis or even the final. After all, there always seems to be one surprise team that makes the final four. what do you think?
-- Sunil Anders Kapoor. Houston, USA, but currently residing in Niigata, Japan

A solid argument, but if Maldini takes Paraguay farther than he did Italy in 1998, I’ll be tempted to show my bottom in the streets of Asuncion.

Hello Phil, I am a die hard Manchester United fan and I just have a question for you, which English Club do you think plays the "best" football. By that I mean the most eye catching with nice passing. I have heard people say that Liverpool are the best but I think that is so not true, all they do is boot the ball up all the time. Manchester United is by far the best team to watch, maybe Arsenal closely behind them.
-- Olaolu, Lagos, Nigeria

In full flow, Manchester United.

Hi Phil, This is the first time I visit your mailbag. Good stuff. One remark though, I think that you, your colleagues and readers over estimate English football. Someone wondered why Fowler wasn't sold to the Spanish League, or the Italian league. Well, the reason is, he is not good enough to play there. It's obvious. He is slow and lacks in talent. As do Liverpool (Owen and Berger are the exception), to answer the questions about their "recent" bad form. About Man Utd's chances in Europe, I may have to regret it later, but I think that they do not stand a chance. True, Veron, Beckham and Nistelrooy are great, but what about Blanc, Barthez, Neville, Brown and company? That is not a defense that will carry you to the title. Take care and Shalom!
-- Gil, Tel Aviv, Israel

I guess we’ll never know about Fowler in Spain or Italy as he’s committed his future to the English game. But I believe you underestimate his goal scoring abilities. United’s defense hasn’t been the greatest this year, but has improved on that recent run of eight successive wins. Still, you have to fancy Real Madrid above United and all the other would-be Champions League challengers this year.

I'm a regular reader of your 'bag and I have a question to submit. What is wrong with the Australian soccer team, is it simply FIFA discriminating against us because of geography? It seems we have all the elements for a world class team... a strong midfield, defense, and attack, and of course a superlative goalie in Scwarzer. So, why is it we can't seem to buy qualification?
-- Nathan Wall, Wagga Wagga, Australia

The problem isn’t the team but the qualification system itself. Australia plays a succession of minnows, crush them and then suddenly has to raise its game to another level for a fiercely-contested playoff against a South American team with fanatical followers. Put the Oceania teams in with the Asian sides and let them qualify from there. It would be much fairer.

Portugal has a strong squad to this World Cup. What is your opinion about their chances of being champions, Phil?
-- Humberto, Fortaleza

The first round draw was kind to Portugal. Once into the knockout phase, they have the class and skill to worry any team. But for a late twist of fate against France in Euro 2000, they could be heading into the finals as European champion. They are the most dangerous outsiders.

I try, Phil, I really do, to give you something other than soccer to talk about. Not that there's anything wrong with the beautiful game, but all football and no, well, anything else must make Phil a dull boy. Or at least Phil's job a drudgery. Anyway, let's see if we can stir up some controversy. What's your readers' take on the "goon" theory of (ice) hockey as practiced here in Canada? Here is a quote from a piece by Don Cherry, former NHL coach and the foremost proponent of neanderthal sporting values in my home and native land: "If you looked cross-eyed at Gretz, Semenko would bury you -- that's why for 10 years Gretzky was never hurt." The sentiment as I understand it is that hockey players can be intimidated into playing at less than their utmost because they are afraid some meathead will punch them in the face. Never mind there are rules against that; it's the unwritten rules that matter. So it seems to me there are two possibilities here: either hockey players are cowards, or the goon theory is false. Remember, this isn't me talking here, I'm interpreting Don Cherry. I would have thought it would be a much more effective play to take the shot in the face and score on the power play while Semenko was in the penalty box. How many times would they send him out on the ice if that kept happening?
-- Brady Sylvester, Red Deer, Alberta, Canada

You are nothing if not persistent, Brady. I appreciate you thinking of me. Let’s see if any of the soccer lobby are tempted to join in the discussion. And shock, horror... here comes another non-soccer question.

Phil, I want to put you in a spot. If you consider their best playing seasons or years, who amongst Borg, Connors, McEnroe, Lendl, Becker, Edberg, Agassi and Sampras , would you choose as the best. I personally would vote for McEnroe of 1984, although I must say Connors of 1974 was pretty awesome as well. Also had McEnroe met Sampras at their peak at Wimbledon and US Open who would you pick?
-- Roshan, Negombo, Sri Lanka

It is nigh on impossible to compare players from different eras. McEnroe at his best still wouldn’t have the booming service power we see nowadays, nor would he have that high-tech equipment. That given, you have to go Sampras at both Wimbledon and the US Open. As for the best single year, how about one in which Borg won the French Open then turned right round and won Wimbledon as well. Staggering stuff. He did it for three years in succession from 1978-80. In 1980 he was also runner-up at the US Open, so I’ll select that year. This kind of Grand Slam achievement means more to me than long unbeaten runs in other events. McEnroe won Wimbledon and the US Open in 84 and was runner-up at Roland Garros, so that’s a fine selection too.

Not a question just a friendly thanks for all the good coverage of football on CNN.

-- Stuart Mcalister, jarrow

Thanks Stuart. We are happy to oblige. Plus, I love the sport –- even though I joke about the lack of questions on other topics in this mailbag.

Indeed, thanks to everyone for the questions. The mailbag will return after the Olympic Winter Games and a small vacation, essential for recovery after the rigors of Salt Lake City. Until the next time...