Soccer
SA 11th in Homeless WC ranks
2010-12-06 16:37
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South Africa's Homeless World Cup team warms up. (www.homelessworldcup.org)
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Johannesburg - South Africa has risen four places to 11th in the Homeless World Cup soccer rankings, the organisers said on Monday.
The annual international soccer tournament aims to "beat homelessness through football" with projects in more than 70 countries, involving more than 50 000 homeless people.
"It's not only about rankings, it's also about participation and having fun as we prove yet again that sport can make a huge difference in people's lives," tournament founder Mel Young said in a statement.
The South African team has played in all eight editions of the annual tournament.
Their 11th place finish at this year's competition, held in Rio in September, was their best since placing eighth in Gothenburg in 2004.
Portugal's team, which has never won the tournament, was rewarded for consistent form over the years, including a fourth place in Rio, by rising to the number one ranking.
The Brazilians were second in the overall rankings, but topped the inaugural women's rankings after winning the women's division.
The Ukraine slipped two places to third overall.
South Africa is the second ranked African team behind Ghana (eighth) and is ahead of England (12th), Italy (16th), the United States (18th), Germany (24th) and Argentina (31st).
The ninth edition of the tournament takes place in August 2011 in Paris, France.