FIFA president Sepp Blatter thanks local organizing committee, the
government of China and the Chinese Football Association on Tuesday
at a press conference for their efforts in organizing a
systematical World Cup, adding his specific impression on Monday
night's opening ceremony.
??
"It's exactly what in my heart football shall be," said the boss
who arrived Chengdu to watch the United States-DPR Korea match
which kicked off the campaign of Group B, the arguable Group of
Death of the 2007 China World Cup.
??
"Women's football is more than a sport. There's joy, pleasure,
music, dance and entertainment," he added.
??
Blatter also gave his words to the Chinese women's team, which
holds high expectations for next year's
Olympic Games football tournament on home
soil.
??
"They are good since there are only 12 teams. I think China's women
squad is prepared better than the men's team, who earned bad result
from the Asian Cup," he said.
??
The Swiss will be back home on 13 and return to China in one or two
weeks to discuss China's bid for the 2018 men's World Cup.
??
"When I come to China, I see the country has been able to organize
the Olympic Games fielding over 10,000 athletes in 28 sports, and
they are able to organize the women's World Cup. So I think they
definitely are able to organize a men's World Cup," said
Blatter.
??
"But we've not decided the hosts for the 2014 World Cup, and 2018
is too far away. There may be many contenders when it comes the day
for China to bid for the 2018 tournament, since now football is
with good profit and World Cup is on the top," he added.
??
Asked his prospect for the 2007 World Cup winners, Blatter joked
that "the team wins the one million dollars (the prize for World
Cup champions) is the team to win the final."
(Xinhua News Agency September 12, 2007)
