Xavi named world's best playmaker

The International Federation of Football History & Statistics has named the Barça midfielder the best playmaker in the world for the fourth year in a row

Leo Messi and Andrés Iniesta are second and third behind Xavi

Yet another accolade for Josep Guardiola's team at the start of 2012. Three FCB players, Xavi, Messi and Iniesta, top the list of the best playmakers in the world according to the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS). Xavi is number one for the fourth consecutive edition.

Members of the media and football experts from 81 countries voted for the impeccable performances of the Barcelona number 6, making him the runaway winner with 232 points, while Messi got 147, and Iniesta 110.

Barça dominant There is further representation for the club in the form of Cesc Fàbregas, who is tenth with 15 points. That means Barça has no fewer than four players in the top ten, followed by rivals Real Madrid with three – Özil, Cristiano Ronaldo and Xabi Alonso.

Xavi and Messi will be presented with awards for finishing first and second in the IFFHS classification at the FIFA Ballon d'Or 2011 ceremony, for which they are also in the running for the player of the year award along with Cristiano Ronaldo, to be held next January 9 in Zurich.

The 2011 classification:

1. Xavier Hernández Creus, 'Xavi' (ESP/Barcelona) 232 points
2. Lionel Messi (ARG/Barcelona) 147
3. Andrés Iniesta (ESP/Barcelona) 110
4. Mesut Özil (GER/Real Madrid) 59
5. Cristiano Ronaldo (POR/Real Madrid) 47
6. David Silva (ESP/Manchester City) 31
7. Wesley Sneijder (HOL/Inter Milan) 22
8. Xabier Alonso, 'Xabi' (ESP/Real Madrid) 19
9. Diego Forlán (URU/Inter Milan) 17
10. Cesc Fàbregas (ESP/Barcelona) 15
11. Andrea Pirlo (ITA/Juventus) 15
12. Franck Ribéry (FRA/Bayern Munich) 10
13. Bastian Schweinsteiger (GER/Bayern Munich) 9
14. Luka Modric (CRO/Tottenham Hotspur) 8
15. Frank Lampard (ENG/Chelsea) 5
16. Javier Matías Pastore (ARG/Paris Saint-Germain) 5

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Arthur Irawan, the Son of Indonesia, retracing the Spanish.

RCD Espanyol has become a reference in recent years in football for young players and the proof of this is the number of players who have reached the Major team last season, plus many of them represented Spain at different levels.

In the increasingly competitive football, the search for young talent has crossed the border and the training of young players to become the future elite players has been a key factor in future development of football.

The latest addition to RCD Espanyol is Arthur Irawan, young pearls Indonesia. Arthur began playing football in Jakarta since he was 8 years old as a young child in general and attract the attention of Manchester UTD at a young age but Arthur's family chose to pursue education. The challenge now, according to coach, is to see how the players can adapt to the needs and style of European football's elite.

It is clear that a developing country like Indonesia, in terms of football, has produced several Spanish La league clubs who change their views in an area where there is still a long way in the development of basic soccer. Arthur has been selected for Espanyol. And finally, Arthur Irawan has decided to follow the philosophy of Espanyol's youth system to try and make the final leap to European football's elite.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RCD_Espanyol

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Ready for Retaliation Against Malaysia

Indonesia hosts will challenge defending champion Malaysia in the final round sports party South East Asia on Monday. Both teams during this feud, adding a fierce duel gold medal.

Indonesia will try to reply to kakalahan 1-0 win over Malaysia in their final group game last week, in front of an audience estimated at 90,000 in the Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta.

The home team qualified for the finals after a 2-0 win over Vietnam in the semifinals on Friday, through attacking game that brought them victory in the three group matches.

Malaysia appear less convincing in the spring, with only a 1-0 win over Myanmar, but they've experienced beat hosts in the previous game at once silenced the home crowd hostile to them.

Supporters of Indonesia may be the determining factor. The last report, the Malaysian team are very worried about their safety and has asked Indonesia to provide police escort from their closest hotel to the stadium.

Much is at stake, with the host is determined to secure the football gold for the first time in two decades and thwart their nemesis second consecutive title. Vietnam beat Malaysia to win gold at the SEA Games 2009 in Laos.

"Malaysia is very strong team. We've lost to them. What we need to do is remain vigilant and work closely as a team," said Bonai told AFP Sunday. "If we do that, I believe we can win."

Hostilities between the two countries has increased following the victory of Malaysia over Indonesia in the final of the AFF Cup last year. Malaysia coach Ong Swee Kin has vowed to win on Monday night. State media said "this is the last hurdle for us to defend our gold medal."

Troops in the match unbeaten in Group A with three wins and a draw, giving them 10 points. One ahead of Indonesia who won three parties to have lost only once.

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