Association football (Soccer) Books

Book SynopsisText in Arabic. At just 19, Kylian Mbappé became a world champion twice over. The Paris Saint-Germain F.C. superstar is said to be equally matched to some of the greatest football superstars of our time. Simply put, he is a phenomenon. This stunning biography follows his meteoric rise to fame including rare images and exclusive interviews collected by the journalists of France Football. It traces the ascent of this raw talent to superstardom showing how he aspired to achieve everything hed ever dreamed of, setting no limits to the boundaries of his success.

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Book SynopsisText in Arabic. When Qatar won its bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, it was the ultimate sporting miracle for a young and ambitious nation. But the critics were quick to judge, saying that Qatar, with no football history of its own, didnt deserve the chance to host the biggest football tournament in the world. In Journeys on a Football Carpet, Qatar-born journalist and author Matthias Krug sets out to debunk that myth by sharing the fascinating inside story of the countrys football evolution over the past six decades. From its earliest football days towards becoming the epicenter of the football world in 2022, Qatar has realized the Maroon sporting philosophy: No dream, no matter how big, is impossible.

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Book SynopsisA major in-depth biography of Sven-Goran Eriksson – the first foreign manager of the England football team – which chronicles his time in the hot seat, from taking over from Kevin Keegan, the story of the 2002 World Cup Finals in Japan and South Korea, through to the 2004 European Championships.Trade Review‘A thorough and methodical biography … ’ FourFourTwo ‘A perceptive and thorough analysis of the man and his style’ The Observer

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Book SynopsisSince England’s famous 1966 World Cup victory, Alf Ramsey has been regarded as the greatest of all British football managers. By placing Ramsey in an historical context, award-winning author Leo McKinstry provides a thought-provoking insight into the world of professional football and the fabric of British society over the span of his life.Trade Review'McKinstry's book is a near masterpiece of biographical investigation’ Daily Mail 'Delivers the goods…McKinstry's great merit is his ability to debunk some of the myths surrounding Ramsey' Spectator 'An outstanding biography' The Sunday Times ‘Magnificent…an eloquent and empathetic book’ Glasgow Herald ‘The first truly comprehensive biography of England’s greatest manager’ Irish News 'For those interested in just how much our national game has changed and just how shabbily Ramsey was treated by the establishment, it is truly enlightening.' Derby Evening Telegraph 'McKinstry never shies away from Ramsay's nastier side, and his mistakes. Without passing judgement, he manages to paint a very well-rounded picture of a man who evoked strong feelings from those who knew him.' Cambrian News ‘This summer, football enthusiasts should not dare pack a bucket and spade without taking Leo McKinstry’s commanding biography of England’s first, best and by far most interesting manager.’ The Oldie

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Book SynopsisThe beguiling story of one boy’s dream to play in goal, that most British of positions, culminating in the moment when he faces the mighty Zico …Trade Review‘Witty and acutely observed, it is the story of post-war Britain told through the eyes of a North London boy brought up on the tradition of goalkeeping legends.’Daily Mail ‘More than football… woven together with skill and style.’Independent ‘Well written, charming, funny.’Sunday Times ‘There are times when words are worth a thousand pictures… invigorating history, but the football too is excellent’Glasgow Herald

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Book SynopsisThe incredible true story of a a football team in the United States made up of refugee children.Trade Review‘Remarkable … Like all good books about sport, this is about much more than sport …This is a marvellous story, all the more moving for being written straight by a talented reporter.’ Mike Atherton, The Times ‘“Outcasts United” succeeds so emphatically because, just as the Fugees are so much more than a football team, this is much more than a sports book … a dense and unjudgmental portrait of America in the 21st century (and a vital primer to African and colonial history in the last one).’ Tim Lewis, Observer ‘Mufleh – a heady mixture of Brian Clough, Alex Ferguson and Martin Luther King – has wrought an astonishing transformation in the boys and their families, becoming not just a coach but a surrogate parent and stand-in social worker. St John’s expertly told account has been described as “heartwarming”, as if Mufleh has solved all the problems of multiculturalism at a stroke. Not yet, she hasn’t, but she has proved the truth of another football cliché: sometimes it is, indeed, more than just another game.’ Chris Maume, Independent

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Book SynopsisThe history of modern British football can largely be written through the stories of Jack and Bobby Charlton. Both were in the World Cup winning team of ‘66, and each has remained deeply involved in the game ever since.

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Book Synopsis‘Resilience can give you strength to keep moving forwards when you are caught in the rain or a storm, and keep you continuing on your journey through life. And it is a strength which resides in everyone.’

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book Synopsis

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisThe first systematized analysis of FIFA and of the politics of world football. Much of the material is based on original research and is drawn from unique interviews and never-cited documentary sources. An accessible introduction to the contest for control of world football.Trade Review"I feel quite convinced that your book will arouse the interest of many readers and I have no hesitation in congratulating you in advance on its success." Dr Joao Havelange, FIFA President "An academic study, but a gripping one, because the story they tell is an extraordinary one. Independent Sunday Magazine "Insightful..." Total Sport "Interesting and extremely well-researched study of the history and workings of this shadowy organization..." When Saturday Comes "A fact-filled study of the history, ambitions and motives of the organisation behind the world's most popular sport. Highlights include chapters on Fifa's role in the choice of the host nation and their influence over television coverage and commentators." Independent on SundayTable of ContentsPreface. 1. Introduction: FIFA and the contest for world football - an interpretive and conceptual framework. Part 1. FIFA and its Expanding Football Family: Background and Context. . 2. FIFA, Europe and South America: foundations and contradictions in the football family. 3. FIFA: an organizational and institutional analysis. 4. FIFA and its partners: media and markets. 5. FIFA's World Cup Finals: getting the event. Part 2. FIFA and the Collapse of Empire. 6. FIFA and Africa. 7. FIFA and Asia. 8. FIFA and the former Soviet Union. 9. FIFA's final frontier - USA '94. 10. Conclusion: who rules the peoples' game?. Afterword: FIFA and the Future of World Football. Appendix: VISION for the Future Governance of Football. Notes. Bibliography. Glossary. Index.

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewThe World Cup, occurring every four years, always brings about the publication of numerous histories and encyclopedias. This one, by sports writer Dunmore, author of Historical Dictionary of Soccer, comes in response to the summer 2014 event in Brazil. Still, the scope exceeds that one event, covering every World Cup from 1930 on. Most of the volume consists of alphabetically arranged entries focusing on players, coaches, stadiums, and event hosts and summaries of the performance of every country that has participated in a World Cup. The information contained in this volume is mainly of the quick-and-dirty variety; the text is unadorned by photographs, and there are no cross-references or further readings following the entries. There is, however, an excellent final bibliography of about 30 resources on World Cup history. Perhaps the most useful aspect of this encyclopedia is its ‘Tournament Recaps,’ which gives a succinct summary of each World Cup followed by a user-friendly chart of game results and round-by-round progression toward the champion of each event. This section is preceded by a valuable, six-page introduction offering an overview of the entire history of this now hugely popular sporting phenomenon. Best suited for public libraries, the volume also will appeal to academic readers at institutions that support soccer programs…Summing Up: Recommended. All readers. * CHOICE *Libraries gearing up for the 2018 World Cup may find this concise volume a helpful addition for soccer enthusiasts of all ages. * Booklist *This encyclopedia is a necessary and thoroughly engaging companion to the sport that so many around the globe have come to adore. Prefacing the alphabetical entries is an excellent and concise history of the tournament. . . .Within the entries are fascinating facts and exciting moments from games worth reliving, such as American hero Landon Donovan’s dramatic late goal against Algeria in the 2010 tournament, or French legend Zinedine Zidane’s notorious red card received during the 2006 final. The book’s encyclopedic format makes it easy for readers to track the ebbs and flows of a favorite player or home team. Including a number of appendixes to chart individual tournament award winners, the book offers entertaining, generous information about 'the beautiful game' and its crowning tournament. * American Reference Books Annual *Table of ContentsChronology Introduction Tournament Recaps THE ENTRIES A TO Z Appendix A:The FIFA World Cup: Dates, Hosts, Winners and Runners-Up Appendix B: The Golden Ball Appendix C: The Golden Shoe Appendix D: The Golden Glove Award Appendix E: The Best Young Player Award Appendix F: FIFA Fair Play Trophy Bibliography About the Author

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Book Synopsis'Take a minute to slip into the mind of one of the world's greatest soccer players and imagine a stadium around you. Picture a performance under the lights and mentally play the perfect game.'Technique, speed and tactical execution are crucial components of winning soccer, but it is mental toughness that marks out the very best players - the ability to play when pressure is highest, the opposition is strongest, and fear is greatest. Top players and coaches understand the importance of sport psychology in soccer but how do you actually train your mind to become the best player you can be?Soccer Tough demystifies this crucial side of the game and offers practical techniques that will enable soccer players of all abilities to actively develop focus, energy, and confidence. Soccer Tough will help banish the fear, mistakes, and mental limits that holds players back. Soccer psychology consultant Dan Abrahams shares the powerful techniques that have helped him develop reserve team players to become international players, and guided youth team players from slumps to first team contracts.Covering the mental triumphs of some of the world's leading players - Soccer Tough will help you become the best player you can be. Soccer Tough is for amateur and professional players of all levels, as well as coaches. This book explores how the best soccer players in the world think and gives the reader step-by-step ways to do the same.

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