Monday October 15, 2007
Brazil limp to goalless draw
Brazil struggled to an uninspiring goalless draw away to Colombia in their opening match of the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign on Sunday.
Draw has Germany booking the bus for Austria
LONDON: Germany have become the first country to win a place at Euro 2008 with a 0-0 draw in Ireland, while World Cup finalists Italy and France still live in fear of losing out to Scotland.
Good luck comes in threes for England
ENGLAND strolled to a 3-0 victory against a limited Estonia side at
Wembley, with Wayne Rooney scoring in a competitive England game
for the first time since Euro 2004.
Sunday October 14, 2007
Germany first to qualify as England win again
Germany became the first country to win a place at Euro 2008 with a 0-0 draw in Ireland today, while World Cup finalists Italy and France still live in fear of losing out to Scotland.
Keeping the faith
He's the understudy to the world's best shot-stopper - but Aussie
Jess Vanstratten is just biding his time, Matthew Hall writes.
Has Avram found a military solution to Chelsea's blues?
CHELSEA'S pampered stars face a new regime under coach Avram Grant. The former Israeli national team boss has offered the vacant position of fitness coach to Avi Moyal, a former Israeli marine. Moyal's personal website boasts of time as a platoon commander in a "terror demolition unit" which fought in Lebanon. Moyal, an expert in the martial art krav maga, has also run self-defence courses in Israel for taxi drivers and parking inspectors and has been a bodyguard for Madonna and Michael Jackson. So he should fit right in at Stamford Bridge.
Now is the time to blame coaches
YOU might not have noticed, but this past week another junior national team failed to clear the first qualification hurdle for a FIFA tournament - in this case, the Under 20 Young Matildas.
Saturday October 13, 2007
Situation critical for fancied nations
PARIS: World champions Italy, France, England, Scotland and Spain are among the Euro 2008 hopefuls facing key qualifiers on Saturday as the scramble for next year's tournament enters its most crucial phase.
Friday October 12, 2007
Aloisi found guilty but free to play
Wellington Phoenix captain Ross Aloisi has been found guilty of
violent conduct but will be free to play in Sunday's A-League match
at Newcastle.
Rising stars stay grounded at Roar
Staying grounded won't be a problem for Queensland Roar's rising
stars Michael Zullo and Robbie Kruse.
Mariners lose Osman for season
A-League leaders Central Coast have suffered a blow with defender
Matthew Osman ruled out for the rest of season with a knee injury.
Germany says politics has no role in sports
Germany's government says that politics should play no role in
sports after an Iran-born player on Germany's under-21 national
soccer team declined to travel to Israel for a match.
Dida handed UEFA ban
AC Milan goalkeeper Dida has been suspended for two UEFA matches and Celtic fined 60,000 Swiss francs ($56,500) by European football's governing body today following incidents at last week's Champions League game in Glasgow.
Rude end to De Vanna's fairytale
FROM World Cup hero to pumping petrol for a living: come-downs don't come any more humbling than Matildas striker Lisa de Vanna's crash back to earth.
Thursday October 11, 2007
What's the fuss: Owen
England striker Michael Owen says he is fully fit to play in his
country's upcoming Euro 2008 qualifiers and totally perplexed at
all the fuss over his recent hernia operation.
Hiddink to stay on as Russia's coach
Former Socceroos boss Guus Hiddink will extend his contract as
Russia coach through to 2010, the Dutchman said today.
Rise of the Phoenix gives crowds a boost
GROWING concern about the quality of football hasn't halted the A-League juggernaut - after the completion of the first round of fixtures, crowds have risen 17 per cent on last year.
Pope meets Italian soccer team
Pope Benedict XVI greeted a third division Italian soccer team on Wednesday, praising the club for signing on to a program by a Christian sports organisation that seeks to promote ethics in soccer.
Wednesday October 10, 2007
Socceroos to get ready for Asia at Top End training camp
DARWIN has firmed as the most likely choice as a training and testing base for the Socceroos during the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign.
Tuesday October 9, 2007
UEFA to investigate Dida theatrics
UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against AC Milan and their goalkeeper Dida following the Brazilian's controversial substitution during last week's Champions League defeat at Celtic.
Adelaide striker Djite to miss four weeks with ankle injury
Adelaide United striker Bruce Djite is likely to be sidelined for four weeks with an ankle injury.
Corica suspended for two matches
Veteran Sydney FC midfielder Steve Corica will serve a two-match suspension after receiving a red card in his side's 1-0 A-League loss to reigning premiers Melbourne.
Great Scott - it's five on the trot
WHAT a week for Scott McDonald. Things started going right for
Celtic's Australian striker two Saturdays ago when he bagged a
hat-trick in their 3-0 win at home to Dundee United in the Scottish
Premier League.
Griffiths breathes thigh of relief after flashpoint
A YELLOW card has turned into a get-out-of-jail free card for Newcastle player Joel Griffiths, who has avoided serious penalty despite angrily lashing out and striking a linesman during an A-League match.
Monday October 8, 2007
Celts go Down Under to return to the top
Celtic rounded off a memorable week by returning to the top of Scottish Premier League courtesy of another late winner by Scott McDonald.
