Grafite future at Wolfsburg uncertain

Striker Grafite will meet with Wolfsburg boss Felix Magath this week before deciding on whether to make a move to the United Arab Emirates.

The 32-year-old Brazil international, who was the top scorer in Hamburg's 2009 German Bundesliga title success, is considering a reported two-year deal to join Dubai-based club Al Ahli.

The striker's agent Pascal Carbon revealed a deal was likely to happen, however, a last round of meetings with Magath will take place before a final decision is made.

"We are planning to have one more chat with Felix Magath, afterwards we are going to make a decision on the future," Carbon told Sport 360.

"I think the transfer will be going through in the new week."

Grafite scored 28 goals and was named German Footballer of the Year when the Wolves won the 2009 Bundesliga title.

Last season Grafite, who has been capped four times by Brazil, managed just nine goals as Wolfsburg narrowly avoided relegation.

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Forest's McKenna set to join Hull

McKenna's first goal for Forest was against his old club Preston in 2009 Nottingham Forest midfielder Paul McKenna is set to join Championship rivals Hull City on a two-year deal.

The 33-year-old joined the Reds from Preston in July 2009 after spending 17 years at Deepdale.

McKenna has since made 78 appearances in two years with the City Ground club, scoring three goals.

Forest, who have offered new deals to striker Robert Earnshaw and midfielder Guy Moussi, are believed to be happy to let McKenna go on a free transfer.

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West Ham sign up Abdoulaye Faye

Faye made only 16 appearances for Stoke last season Sam Allardyce has made his first signing as West Ham manager by securing Stoke defender Abdoulaye Faye on a free transfer.

Senegal international Faye, 33, was informed by the Potters he would not be offered a new contract this summer.

He will arrive at Upton Park when his current deal expires at the end of this month.

Allardyce has signed Faye on two previous occasions, having taken him to Bolton and Newcastle.

The centre-back is relishing the prospect of linking up with the former Blackburn boss once again as the Hammers bid to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

"I am very happy to be here at West Ham - this is a great club, a big club and I cannot wait to get started here," Faye told the club website.

"For me to come here was no problem, I had other clubs' offers, but I was happy to come here.

"People may ask why, as the team are in the Championship, but I am excited at the challenge to help get the team back to the Premier League, where I think the club belongs."

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Andreas Granqvist joins Genoa

FC Groningen captain Andreas Granqvist has joined Genoa on a four-year deal, the Eredivisie club have announced.

The 26-year-old Swedish defender, who had a year remaining on his contract at Euroborg, makes the move for a fee of two million euros.

Granqvist spent three seasons with Groningen, making 116 appearances, and is now looking forward to a new challenge in Serie A.

"I've known all of this season with Groningen that I wanted to join a bigger league," he said. "The club understood this.

"Along with the Premier League, I regard Serie A as one of the best leagues in the world.

"I'm very happy with my transfer to Genoa. I think this is a club that suits me just fine and will allow me to develop further.

"I've had three fantastic years with FC Groningen, though. The people at the club, the coaches, my team-mates, I want to thank them all very much for my time at Euroborg.

"Finally I want to thanks the FC Groningen fans for their unconditional support. They're great!"

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Cesc will not request Barca transfer

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas insists he will not force a move to La Liga giants Barcelona.

Speculation has been arife over Fabregas' future this summer, especially with the 24-year-old making no secret of his desire to one day return to the Nou Camp.

Arsenal team-mate Bacary Sagna further fanned the flames on Tuesday by declaring that he was aware of Fabregas' wish to join Barcelona this summer.

However, the Spanish international has now come out and insisted that he will not hand in a transfer request.

"I am an Arsenal player," Fabregas said, according to The Guardian.

"I have been very happy for eight years and I am very happy. I am not thinking about football now, just about my holidays."

Still, Fabregas refused to definitely rule out a move away from the Emirates Stadium.

"I am not going to talk about any team - but I can't say no to anyone because you never know what could happen in the future.

"I have values and after all I have done in eight years here, I am not going to say a word that would ruin everything. I have always acted with discretion.

"Everyone sees things in a different way but these decisions, not everything depends on the player.

"If I said anything else it would be a lie, it would give rise to speculation that is not true."

Fabregas did admit that winning titles remains at the forefront of his ambitions, and conceded that moving to Barcelona would offer him an excellent shot at silverware.

"Barcelona are the best team in the world and going there guarantees titles. But I owe myself to Arsenal."

Fabregas, who won both Euro 2008 and the 2010 FIFA World Cup with Spain admits to being frustrated at the lack of success in the past few seasons at the Emirates Stadium.

"Any player who says he is not frustrated at not winning titles is lying.

"There is a good team and a good manager and one of the most faithful fan bases in Europe. With those I believe we can make progress and one day win an important trophy.

"I am ambitious. [But] I have not spoken to the manager.

"He is the boss, he makes decisions and I don't know if they want to sell me or not."

While Fabregas has stopped short of outrightly declaring he wants a transfer to Barcelona, the lack of a statement of his desire to stay is bound to worry all involved at Arsenal.

Fabregas has made over 300 appearances for Arsenal, but only has an FA Cup final victory in 2005 to show for his time at the Emirates, although he was unlucky to miss out on the UEFA Champions League the following year.

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Leonardo may leave Inter, Bielsa contacted (Reuters)

* Leonardo linked with PSG sporting director role

* Ex-Argentina and Chile boss Bielsa contacted by Inter

FILE - In this May 22, 2011 fi…
AP - Jun 15, 6:36 am EDT

(adds details, quotes)

MILAN, June 15 (Reuters) - Inter Milan coach Leonardo may leave and former Argentina boss Marcelo Bielsa has been contacted about possibly replacing him, the Serie A club’s president Massimo Moratti said on Wednesday.

Leonardo, who only took over at Inter in December before his side missed out on a sixth straight Serie A title when ex-club AC Milan won the scudetto, has been linked in the media with a sporting director job at another former team Paris St Germain.

“I believe there has been a first contact with Bielsa, but not by me,” Moratti told reporters having denied the rumours on Tuesday.

“Leonardo has coached with a lot of desire and passion but his aspirations for the future are not certain.

“It suits him to follow his dream and for us to look for a new coach. But it could well be that Leonardo changes his mind and we do too.”

Brazilian Leonardo led Milan to third place in Serie A in the 2009/10 season in his first job as a coach having been a director at the Rossoneri.

He left after clashing with Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi over tactics while there were also reports he wanted to spend more time with his children in Brazil.

Italian football was stunned when he suddenly reappeared as coach of Milan’s great rivals Inter in December after Rafael Benitez was sacked after just half a season in charge.

Inter, who won the treble under Jose Mourinho in 2010, struggled with Benitez as boss and improved under Leonardo but his tactics were criticised when losing to Milan in Serie A and Schalke in the Champions League quarter-finals as holders.

Argentine Bielsa has been out of work since leaving as Chile coach in February.

The 55-year-old, whose unconventional methods have found fame, bossed Argentina from 1998 to 2004 but failed to win a major trophy.

His only experience in Europe was a short spell with Spain’s Espanyol in 1998.

PSG, where Leonardo played in 1996-97, were recently bought by Qatari investors and reports in France have said Leonardo has held talks about reviving their fortunes as a sporting director.

(Writing by Mark Meadows; Editing by Justin Palmer

To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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Leonardo considering leaving Inter for PSG (AP)

MILAN (AP)—Inter Milan is in touch with Argentine coach Marcelo Bielsa as a possible replacement for Leonardo, who has been linked to a move to Paris Saint-Germain.

Inter President Massimo Moratti announced the moves on Wednesday following days of speculation that Leonardo might leave the Serie A club to take up a general director post at PSG.

FILE - In this May 22, 2011 fi…
AP - Jun 15, 6:36 am EDT

Moratti said Leonardo had “a lot of good will and passion” as coach, but added that “this certainly isn’t his aspiration for the future.”

“It’s best that he follow that aspiration and that we look for a new coach,” Moratti said on Inter’s website. However, he added, “it’s always possible that Leonardo changes his mind, and so do we.”

Gazzetta dello Sport said on Wednesday that Leonardo went to Doha for talks with officials of Qatar Sports Investments, which recently acquired a 70 percent ownership stake in PSG. The report said a decision on Leonardo’s future might come as soon as Thursday.

Moratti said there had been preliminary contacts with Bielsa, a former coach of Argentina and Chile, though he wasn’t directly involved. He had previously denied any such contacts.

Inter won the Italian Cup this season.

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One-man-band Ricki Herbert rolls up sleeves

SAM WORTHINGTON

No assistant coaches, no physio, no worries for Ricki Herbert, with the Wellington Phoenix coach vowing to roll up his sleeves and take a more hands-on approach this preseason.

A lean Phoenix squad and staff returned to the training paddock this week after three months off with plenty of time to prepare for their A-League opener on October 9.

Just 14 players are on the books, with Herbert hoping to lock in six more by the end of August.

Assistant coaches Luciano Trani and Jonathan Gould, physio Adam Crump and strength and conditioning coach Paul Nancarrow have all departed.

But Herbert is relaxed, given that the spine of a competitive team is still intact, and without his assistants to lean on, is look-ing forward to getting his hands dirty.

Last season, Herbert often adopted a more managerial approach with Trani, in particular, and Gould, heavily involved during training sessions.

"If I feel that the right person is out there [as assistant coach] and we make that contact and we can get that over the line, then great," Herbert said at Newtown Park yesterday. "But I'm in no hurry, I've explained the situation to the players and I'm kind of enjoying being on the grass myself.

"Maybe that might be a sign for this year, I enjoy it, they're a great group of guys and we're going to add some new faces to it.

"We'll see what the makeup of the staff looks like but at this stage we're fine, we're comfortable."

All Whites physio Roland Jeffery is in Wellington conducting interviews for the vacant Phoenix physio position, and Herbert wants a sports scientist in place by July 1.

The Phoenix's two off-season recruits, winger Lucas Pantelis and fullback Jimmy Downey, have reported for duty with Herbert optimistic about their potential.

"Lucas is very passionate, very pleased to be here and he's played a lot of games and has captained a very good Adelaide side. And Jimmy had good experience and time with Perth, in an era when they had a very good side. So I think they're two very good acquisitions."

Those hoping for some blockbuster signings will have to wait as Herbert takes his time filling out the roster but former North Queensland defender Jack Hingert and an Adelaide-based Nigerian midfielder who goes by the name Saka are both on trial for under-21 positions.

Saka made an impression during a training game yesterday, clattering into Manny Muscat and Vince Lia, but Hingert appears the more likely prospect.

"Jack has had good experience, 29 caps for the Fury and he's very solid and safe and has done a good job. We're looking for a fullback that can play either side so we'll see.

"Saka, we've had some pretty good recommendations and he's here for a month and we'll see how he goes."

Herbert is planning to open the Phoenix's preseason campaign with a game against local opposition on July 6.

AT A GLANCE

On the books: Mark Paston, Andrew Durante, Ben Sigmund, Tony Lochhead, Jimmy Downey, Manny Muscat, Vince Lia, Tim Brown, Leo Bertos, Lucas Pantelis, Daniel, Paul Ifill, Chris Greenacre, Mirjan Pavlovic Gone: Danny Vukovic, Reece Crowther, Jade North, James Musa, Troy Hearfield, Marco Rojas, Nick Ward, Diego, Toto, Dylan Macallister

Wanted: Goalkeeper, striker, attacking midfielder (all senior), fullback, central defender, midfielder (all youth)

Kickoff: vs Gold Coast United at Skilled Park, October 9
First home game: vs Newcastle Jets at Westpac Stadium, October 16

- The Dominion Post

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Bullard wages too much for Jewell

Bullard impressed during his 16-game and five-goal spell at Ipswich last term Ipswich Town boss Paul Jewell has said the club cannot afford to make a move for Hull midfielder Jimmy Bullard.

The Tigers are eager to remove the 32-year-old, who was loaned out to Town last season, from their wage bill.

"The owners there are not prepared to let Jimmy go out on loan unless there's a huge contribution to his wages," Jewell told BBC Radio Suffolk.

"It's a deal we'd both like to do but if it's a messy deal financially you just can't do it."

Bullard has been reported to be earning £45,000 a week at the KC Stadium, with Hull's head of football operations Adam Pearson revealing in February that Ipswich had been paying almost half of the midfielder's wages throughout his four-month loan spell.

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Jimmy's got two years left on a huge deal and after hours of negotiations it's not going to happen

Paul Jewell Ipswich Town boss

In March, Bullard suggested he would be willing to take a pay cut to move to Suffolk, saying: "Finances aren't everything I'm about, football's my main prerogative."

But Jewell is not confident: "I spoke to Adam Pearson and I spoke to Jimmy at length. Jimmy was great for us and I think we were good to Jimmy.

"But finances speak at the end of the day. Jimmy's on a fantastic contract there, he's on a top Premier League contract, everybody knows that.

"He probably won't play here again. That's not through a lack of ambition, it's just through being realistic - we can't pay the money Hull and Jimmy are looking for.

"Jimmy's got two years left on a huge deal and after hours of negotiations it's not going to happen."

Meanwhile, Jewell has admitted to making an enquiry about Preston defender Sean St Ledger, but added: "It's a long way from happening.

"There's a number of players we're looking at, he's one of them, we haven't made an offer, we asked about his availability."

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AC Milan rule out return of Kaka

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has closed the door on Real Madrid midfielder Kaka returning to the San Siro outfit in the near future.

Galliani responded to ongoing speculation the Brazil international would move back to the Rossoneri this summer, after a troubled spell with Madrid in which injuries and form have hindered his career, by claiming a deal would not be possible.

"I'm 100% certain that he [Kaka] will not return," Galliani said to Gazzetta dello Sport.

"He will not join us even on loan because the problem is his high wages."

The 29-year-old joined Madrid from Milan in 2009 and is under contract with the La Liga side until June 2015.

Milan will make just one more signing this summer, according to Galliani, but it will not be Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger.

The Germany international is considered a potential target of the Serie A champions, who are looking to bring in a left-sided midfielder following the departure of Andrea Pirlo to Juventus.

"Only one player will arrive. A big name that will join us before the end of the transfer market," said Galliani.

"It's still early days and I don't want to give any clues.

"However, Schweinsteiger will not come and Kaka will not return to the club because of his high wages."

Milan have been linked with a host of top players, including Palermo's Javier Pastore and Santos star Ganso.

The Rossoneri already strengthened their defensive line last month with the arrival of Philippe Mexes from Roma and Taye Taiwo from Lyon.

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Newcastle closing in on Barnetta

Newcastle are reportedly stepping up in their chase of Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Tranquillo Barnetta.

Barnetta, one of the Swiss national team's star players was last seen in action scoring two freekicks in Switzerland's 2-2 draw with England at Wembley in an Euro 2012 qualifier.

And according to The Daily Mail, Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has seen enough to be convinced that the midfielder would be an excellent addition as the club prepares for their second season back in the Barclays Premier League.

Newcastle finished this past campaign a respectable 12th in the Premier League despite much upheaval at St James Park, with the £35milllion departure of Andy Carroll and the sacking of former manager Chris Hughton causing much unrest within the club.

However, Barnetta is reportedly ready to leave Leverkusen after seven seasons with the German Bundesliga outfit, and could be looking to try his hand in English football.

The paper further suggests that Barnetta could be available for a fee of £6million.

The wide midfielder has played in both the 2006 and 2010 World Cups, and has clocked up 59 caps for Switzerland.

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Colaco: I will prove myself

Stop-gap Indian football team coach Armando Colaco is unfazed by negative talks over his appointment.

By Derek Michael

Armando Colaco has a legacy to live up to as he takes over the reins of Indian football. He can look up to his record at the Dempo Football Club for inspiration. His man management skills have earned praises from many top players.

Colaco, however, still has the highest regard for his predecessor Bob Houghton, who took India to their first Asian Cup appearance in over 20 years. In his first interaction with reporters in New Delhi as national team boss, the Goan said "I've the highest regard for Bob, but my challenge now lies in working with what I have rather than complain about what I don't. I have the respect of the players and I am looking forward to the challenge".

Colaco will be in the hotseat for just four months as he is still under contract with Dempo. The former I-League champions have released him only for a short period. "Four months is enough to prove myself. I will try to incorporate my own style and hope everything turns out good. AIFF can give me an extension if they are happy with the outcome", he added, tongue-in-cheek.

Indian football may have taken a step back with the early departure of Houghton, but Colaco’s arrival could see a brand of football that has seen Dempo win I-League titles twice in the past three years.

Colaco has also taken Dempo to the AFC Champions League four times. The style of play employed at Dempo has won Colaco many accolades. "If my current style can bring success to Dempo, surely it can help the Indian team. It's about making small adjustments (to players’ natural style) and not tamper with it completely", added a cheerful Colaco.

The national camp for the World Cup qualifier against UAE next month starts at the Ambedkar Stadium from Thursday. Forty-two probables will go through their paces under Colaco’s watchful eyes.

India are also expected to play four international friendlies. They play Maldives (July 10) and Qatar (July 17), while 2 more games are in the pipeline with the AIFF negotiating a date with other federations.

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Manzano wants value in Aguero deal

New Atletico Madrid coach Gregorio Manzano says the club would rather see Sergio Aguero go to arch rivals Real Madrid than accept a cut-price deal with another club.

Argentine international Aguero, 23, has a €45million buy-out clause in his Atletico contract, which has put off a number of suitors with Juventus reportedly only prepared to bid up to €25million.

Real and big-spending Manchester City have the capital to match Atletico's valuation and Manzano acknowledged getting the best price was the priority.

"It is better that he [Aguero] goes to [Real] Madrid for €45million than to another team for €25million," Manzano said in 'El Larguero'. "You always have to look for the best value in the market."

Aguero is thought to prefer a move within Spain and has hinted at the possibility of a move to Real Madrid, but Manzano admits the door is still open for the player to change his mind.

"The player is ours at the moment and I would love to coach Kun Aguero," said Manzano. "He would be received with open arms."

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Fabregas happy to stay at Arsenal

Fabregas last appeared for Arsenal on 24 April Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has stated he is happy to stay with the Gunners and added no decision has been made about a move away from the club.

The 24-year-old Spain midfielder has long been linked with a return to boyhood team Barcelona.

"I am an Arsenal player. I have been very happy for eight years and I am very happy," he said.

"There have been no decisions. It doesn't always depend on the player and at the moment I don't know anything."

Fabregas added: "You can never say never in this life as so many things happen that you can never predict.

"But I am very happy where I am. Anything else would be speculation that is untrue."

Spanish media have reported that European champions Barca would need to pay around €40m [£35.2m] to secure Fabregas's services.

He moved from the Catalan club to London in 2003 at the age of 16, and is seen by many as a natural replacement for Barca playmaker Xavi, who turned 31 in January.

But Fabregas believes any decision on his future will be made by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

"He is the boss, the one who makes the decisions - you should ask him," Fabregas said.

"But I was injured at the end of the season and I haven't seen him for about six weeks."

Fabregas won the 2010 World Cup with Spain, but his only major honour with the Gunners came in 2005, with victory in the FA Cup - Arsenal's last trophy.

And the midfielder did admit his frustration at the repeated failure to bring silverware back to the Emirates, but recognised the club's future looks bright.

"A player who is not frustrated at not winning titles is either lying to himself or lacks ambition," he commented.

"But there is a good team and a good manager and one of the most faithful fanbases in Europe. With those I believe we can make progress and one day win an important trophy."

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Pressure on Ukraine, says Pearce

Group B: Ukraine U21 v England U21Venue: Herning Stadion, DenmarkDate: Wednesday, 15 JuneKick-off: 1945 BSTCoverage: Listen on BBC Radio 5 live, live text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobiles and live on Sky Sports England face the Czech Republic in their final group game on Sunday England Under-21 manager Stuart Pearce says Ukraine will be under more pressure when they meet in the European Championship on Wednesday.

England drew 1-1 with Spain in their opening Group B game in Denmark, while Ukraine lost 2-1 to the Czech Republic.

"Everyone's going into the second group games with slightly different mentalities," said Pearce.

"Ukraine are probably under a touch more pressure, knowing they've probably got to win both remaining matches."

Pearce insisted that his side deserved their opening-game draw, which came courtesy of Danny Welbeck's late equaliser after Spain had dominated for long periods in Herning.

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If spirit and confidence are anything to go by then England go into Wednesday's match against Ukraine in good shape. Jack Rodwell is worthy of a starting place and will hope success here in Denmark can be the highlight of what has been an injury-hit season. He and England will hope Herning is where they deliver to keep alive their hopes of reaching the semi-finals

Ian Dennis Radio 5 live senior football reporter Follow Ian Dennis on Twitter

"As a team we defended very well," said Pearce. "I know which team was going to go on and win the game when it went to 1-1.

"I ask the question: how many other nations would've thrown the towel in? Maybe in the 87th minute, when they're losing 1-0 and the opposition are keeping the ball very well.

"But we didn't. In fact, we went and got a goal and then, after that, we had two good chances to go and get another goal.

"The game against Spain just enhanced that, it buoyed me up more than anything to be honest."

England employed captain Michael Mancienne - usually a defender - in midfield in the opening game, with Tom Cleverley playing on the right.

However, Pearce could hand Everton midfielder Jack Rodwell a start against Ukraine after he impressed from the bench against the Spanish.

"If I need to freshen it up, I have got players there to step in and give the team a lift," added Pearce. "They're all telling me they're ready.

"The players will know on Wednesday morning what the team is.

"We've worked on one or two tactical things but we've worked on that as a squad of 22 players, not as an 11 at this moment in time.

"Whoever plays will do us proud, whoever captains the team will do the same."

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Gullit baffled by 'bizzare' dismissal

Ruud Gullit admits he has been left bemused by the events surrounding his dismissal as coach of Russian side Terek Grozny.

The former Chelsea and Newcastle boss was relieved of his duties after just five months in charge on Tuesday following Terek's 1-0 defeat at Amkar Perm, which left them third from bottom in the Premier Liga with three wins from 13 games.

Terek president Ramzan Kadyrov, who is also the Chechen leader, had warned Gullit that defeat would result in his axing after complaining the 48-year-old had been more concerned with "thinking about bars and discos".

And the Dutchman, who claims he found out about his sacking from the Dutch media, finds the situation slightly comical.

"This is all such a crazy story," he told AD Sportwereld.

"I don't know if I've been fired, but I've already said goodbye.

"I really have to laugh. I knew this was no ordinary country and no ordinary football league. But it's all been too bizarre for words.

"First the president threatens me, then we lose by a last-minute own goal and then I find out from Holland that I'm fired.

"What can I do other than see the humour in it all? I knew I would be dismissed even if we'd won."

However, the former Holland international has no misgivings about accepting the role in the first place.

"I have no regrets. At least my presence put Terek Grozny on the map - nobody had ever heard of the club," Gullit added.

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Iraqi football elections delayed until Saturday (AP)

BAGHDAD (AP)—Iraqi Football Association officials say they are delaying elections slated for Thursday until Saturday following the death of a longtime Iraqi club manager.

Najeh Hamoud, the deputy secretary of the IFA, told The Associated Press on Wednesday about the delay.

He and other Iraqi football officials said the date was changed because many of the federation members would be attending funeral services on Thursday for a club manager from the northern province of Dohuk who died Tuesday.

Hamoud said FIFA, football’s international governing body, approved the date change.

FIFA did not respond to requests for comment.

This is the second time the elections have been delayed this month.

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Gardner's Blues future is unclear

Gardner made 14 appearances for the England Under-21 side Birmingham City midfielder Craig Gardner has admitted his future at the club is uncertain after Alex McLeish's resignation as manager.

The 24-year-old was top scorer with 10 goals in his first full season as City were relegated from the Premier League.

"Everything is up in the air at the moment. I'm unsure exactly what is happening behind the scenes and what the board are thinking," he said.

"At the end of the day, like every player, I have to think of my career."

Lifelong Blues fan Gardner signed from city rivals Aston Villa for £3m in January 2010.

But despite their Carling Cup victory over Arsenal in February and their subsequent qualification for Europe, following Birmingham's relegation on the final day of the 2010/11 season, Gardner has been linked with a £5m move to Sunderland.

The man who brought the midfielder to St Andrew's, Alex McLeish, is now the subject of a bitter battle between Villa, who want to interview him for their managerial vacancy, and the Blues, who have accused their rivals of "tapping him up".

Gardner believes McLeish's departure is a big blow, admitting: "It's a sad loss for Birmingham and it's not a good start to the summer.

"For me, Alex McLeish was great. He showed a lot of faith in me, signing me from Villa, and my career moved forward from there.

"The club needs to bring in a manager with the kind of credentials and experience Alex McLeish has. Someone like that would fit the bill."

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Lyon close to firing coach Claude Puel (AP)

PARIS (AP)—Lyon and Claude Puel have failed to settle their differences during a mediation session, likely ending the coach’s tenure at the French league club.

Puel and Lyon officials met in Paris under the supervision of the French league juridical commission on Wednesday. The head of the commission, Andre Soulier, said both parties failed to agree on a common future and that the club is now entitled to end its relationship with Puel.

Soulier said the juridical commission “ratified the divorce decision between both parties.”

Lyon hasn’t won any silverware since Puel took over from Alain Perrin, who led Lyon to the league and French Cup double in 2007-08.

Puel has a year left on his contract.

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Fifa called to investigate Blazer

Blazer's bribery claims have engulfed football's governing body Concacaf general secretary Chuck Blazer has been questioned by Fifa's ethics committee after complaints were made against him by Caribbean associations.

Blazer sparked the investigation that led to the suspension of fellow Fifa members Jack Warner and Mohamed Bin Hammam on bribery charges.

The complaint is related to remarks Blazer is alleged to have made in a meeting in Zurich in May.

"I am confident of a positive resolution," said Blazer.

The official complaint was made in a letter to the committee signed by 11 heads of Caribbean federations.

The complaint is related to Blazer's behaviour at a Concacaf meeting before last month's Fifa Congress and does not refer in any way to the bribery issues currently under investigation by world football's governing body.

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[Blazer] discriminated against certain members of the Concacaf through his contemptuous and denigratory words since all the persons who were singled out were of a specific race

Extract of letter sent by Caribbean federations to Fifa

The letter said Blazer made "statements of contempt and slander that served to impugn the integrity, discriminate against and infringe upon the personal rights" of Concacaf members.

The meeting came after Blazer gave a dossier to the ethics committee containing allegations of bribery relating to a meeting in Port of Spain, Trinidad, between Caribbean federations and Asian soccer chief Bin Hammam.

A Caribbean football source told Reuters the meeting spilled over into a row over who should take over as acting president after Warner was suspended, during which Blazer told some Caribbean officials they faced investigation.

The letter of complaint continues: "The statement of Mr Blazer flouts the principle of a person being innocent before being proven guilty."

It says Blazer "violated the personal rights" of Captain Horace Burrell, the president of the Jamaican Football Federation - Blazer blocked him becoming active vice-president of Concacaf.

It also alleges Blazer "discriminated against Capt Burrell and certain members of the Concacaf through his contemptuous and denigratory words since all the persons who were singled out were of a specific race".

Bin Hammam and then Concacaf president Warner were subsequently suspended by the ethics committee pending a full investigation.

Blazer claims that Warner and Bin Hammam paid Caribbean delegates $40,000 (£24,250) each to vote for Bin Hammam in his failed bid for the Fifa presidency.

The Fifa investigation gets under way on Wednesday, with Caribbean representatives being interviewed by Fifa investigators in the Bahamas.

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Quinn dismisses Gyan speculation

Gyan joined Sunderland from Stade Rennes for £13m in August 2010 and scored 11 goals in his debut season on Wearside Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn has described reports that Asamoah Gyan's availability has been circulated to other clubs as 'embarrassing'.

The 25-year old striker's name was reportedly on a list of players sent out by a north east agency.

"The suggestion is embarrassing," Quinn told the club website.

"I hope our fans would be smart enough to realise that this is probably some way of attempting to destabilise our relationship with one of our players."

Quinn added: I'm sorry that our fans have to read the endless speculation that appears in the press at this time of year.

"Normally we don't comment on any of it as there's so much. For instance, we've been linked to over 40 players in the last month or so alone."

Continue reading the main story Gyan has played top flight football in Italy with Udinese, France with Rennes and England with SunderlandGyan scored on his Black Cats debut against Wigan, and his Ghana debut against SomaliaThree is Gyan's lucky number; he wears that shirt for Ghana, but has 33 at Sunderland as three was already taken by Kieran Richardson

Gyan, who joined Sunderland in August 2010 at a fee in excess of £13m from French side Rennes, scored 11 goals in his debut season on Wearside.

The Black Cats have already sold England international midfielder Jordan Henderson to Liverpool for £20m earlier this month.

Meanwhile boss Steve Bruce is looking to strengthen the squad, notably in striking areas following the £24m departure of Darren Bent to Aston Villa in January, and the return of loan striker Danny Welbeck to parent club Manchester United.

Among the names linked with Sunderland are South Korea striker Ji Dong-Won and Liverpool forward David Ngog.

"What I can say is that we are in a number of meaningful negotiations to bring players in and when there's anything definitive to report it will be on our club website for our fans to read," Quinn added.

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Maxi Rodriguez eyes Argentina return

Liverpool winger Maxi Rodriguez could be on his way back to Argentina after admitting he has always wanted to return to boyhood club Newell's Old Boys.

The 30-year-old came through the youth set-up to play three first-team seasons for the Rosario-based side before moving to Espanyol in 2002.

"When I left here, I knew I was coming back," Rodriguez told Argentinian newspaper La Capital.

"The president [William Lorenzo] called me and I said yes. Now it depends on the contract I have in Liverpool, maybe that can be loosened a little."

Despite a successful end to the campaign with Liverpool, scoring two hat-tricks as he hit seven goals in three matches, Rodriguez is likely to be only a fringe player next season.

As manager Kenny Dalglish looks to freshen up his squad and bring in younger players Rodriguez's age is likely to count against him and, as one of the club's higher earners, owners Fenway Sports Group would prefer to get better value for money from new signings.

However, the player would have to take a significant drop in salary in order to return to his homeland.

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Rodriguez hints at Liverpool exit

Rodriguez joined Liverpool from Atletico Madrid in 2010 Liverpool winger Maxi Rodriguez could be on his way back to his boyhood club Newell's Old Boys in Argentina.

Rodriguez revealed he had said yes in principle to a move back home.

The 30-year-old came through the youth set-up to play three first-team seasons for the Rosario-based side before moving to Espanyol in 2002.

"The president [William Lorenzo] called me and I said yes. It depends on the contract I have in Liverpool, maybe that can be loosened a little."

Despite a successful end to last season's campaign with Liverpool, when he scored two hat-tricks as he hit seven goals in three matches, Rodriguez is likely to be only a fringe player next season if he stays.

As manager Kenny Dalglish looks to freshen up his squad and bring in younger players, Rodriguez's age could count against him.

Midfielder Charlie Adam, 25, and winger Stewart Downing, 26, are said to be on Dalglish's wish-list.

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Moratti: Leonardo could leave Inter

Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti has revealed coach Leonardo could leave the club this summer.

Leonardo has been linked with the sporting director role at Paris Saint Germain, with Gazzetta dello Sport  claiming on Wednesday the Brazilian held talks in Doha with executives from Qatar Sports Investments, which owns a 70% share of the French club.

Moratti initially denied the rumours, but has now made a U-turn and confirmed Leonardo could be on his way out after just six months in charge.

"Leonardo has coached with so much willingness and passion," Moratti said on the club's official website, www.inter.it. "But it's certainly not his ambition for the future.

"It best thing is that he follows his aim and that we look for a new coach.

"It could be that Leonardo changes his mind and so will we."

Moratti only on Tuesday denied reports that Inter had approached Chile coach Marcelo Bielsa as a possible candidate to succeed Leonardo in the Nerazzurri hotseat.

But he has now confirmed the club has been in touch with the former Argentina boss.

Moratti added: "I believe there has been a first contact with Bielsa, but not from me."

Leonardo, who replaced sacked Rafael Benitez at the helm in December, led Inter to a runner-up finish in Serie A and the Coppa Italia title.

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Fabregas 'frustrated' with not winning at Arsenal (AP)

MADRID (AP)—Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas says he is “frustrated” with not having won titles with the English club.

According to Spanish media reports, Fabregas said at a publicity event on Wednesday that “any player who says that he is not frustrated with not having won titles is lying. I am ambitious.”

(FILES) This file picture take…
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Arsenal has not won a major trophy in six seasons.

The 24-year-old Fabregas is again the focus of transfer rumors linking him with his boyhood club Barcelona.

The Spain midfielder says “Barca is the best team in the world and going there guarantees titles,” adding that Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger makes all decisions on transfers.

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Vaughan bids to keep Wales place

David Vaughan has won 25 caps since his debut in the United States in 2003 David Vaughan insists he wants to remain in the Premier League in a bid to keep his Wales starting place.

The 28-year-old midfielder ended his three-year stay at relegated Blackpool after turning down a contract offer at Bloomfield Road to become a free agent.

Vaughan has been linked with Premier League moves to Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion as he wants to continue being a regular in the Wales midfield.

"The last 12 months I have played more regularly for Wales," said Vaughan.

"That has been good and if I want to continue that I have to be playing as high as I can on a weekly basis."

Vaughan has won eight of his 25 Wales caps in the last 12 months, having established himself as a top-flight player in Ian Holloway's Blackpool midfield alongside Charlie Adam.

Former Real Sociedad player Vaughan impressed for Blackpool in the Premier League despite their relegation to the Championship and was named as the club's player of the year.

But Vaughan, who has started five of the last seven Wales internationals, faces tough competition to remain in Gary Speed's midfield.

Vaughan is up against captain Aaron Ramsey, Jack Collison, Joe Ledley, David Edwards, Joe Allen and Andy King for a place in the centre of Wales' midfield.

"I enjoyed my first season in the Premier League," said Vaughan.

"It was something new to me and I enjoyed playing against some of the best players in the world and that is something I want to continue next season.

"A couple of clubs have shown an interest."

Vaughan, who made 116 appearances for the Seasiders, began his career at Crewe Alexandra but joined Blackpool from Spanish side Real Sociedad in August 2008.

He then helped Holloway's men win Premier League promotion for the first time in 2010.

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West Ham 'close to signing Nolan'

By Paul Fletcher
BBC Sport Liverpudlian Nolan joined Newcastle in January 2009 from Bolton Newcastle captain Kevin Nolan is set to rejoin former boss Sam Allardyce at West Ham, BBC Sport understands.

The 28-year-old is still in Newcastle ahead of a medical but it is expected he will soon be reunited with his former Bolton manager at Upton Park.

Magpies team-mate Joey Barton wrote on Twitter: "Just on my way to Ascot, feel sick.

"Great player, leader, captain, person, trainer and mostly a friend for life. Devastated to see him SOLD."

Barton also hinted on the social networking site that he along with team-mates Jose Enrique and Jonas Gutierrez could be set to leave the club, writing "#mejoseandjonasnext".

Enrique has yet to respond to the club's offer of a new deal, while Barton's agent claimed earlier this week that his player would not be offered a new contract.

Magpies skipper Nolan is currently recovering from surgery on an ankle injury but is expected to be fit for the start of pre-season training.

He scored 12 goals in the Premier League last season and 18 during the 2009-10 campaign as Newcastle won promotion back to the top flight.

Nolan joined Newcastle for a fee of £4m in January 2009 from Bolton, for whom he made almost 300 appearances after joining as a schoolboy.

The Magpies skipper had been in talks with the Tyneside club over a new contract, but negotiations broke down after the two parties could not agree on the length of an extension.

It is thought that the Hammers, who were relegated from the Premier League, made an initial offer of £1.5m for Nolan.

The former England Under-21 international, who was the Football League player of the year in 2010, had a close relationship with recently recruited Hammers boss Allardyce at Bolton.

Allardyce was appointed at the start of the month and made his first signing on Tuesday with the capture of defender Abdoulaye Faye on a free transfer from Stoke.

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Chelsea still chasing Palermo's Pastore

Chelsea are still pursuing Javier Pastore but face competition from Barcelona and Real Madrid, Palermo have confirmed.

The Argentina star has caught the eye of the managerless Blues as they look to add a creative force to their midfield, with Tottenham's Luka Modric another reported target.

Palermo are aware of Chelsea's interest in 22-year-old Pastore, but claim La Liga giants Barca and Real are also gunning for his signature.

"Chelsea, Real Madrid and Barcelona want Pastore," Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini was quoted as saying in The Sun.

"I told his agent to see what market there is for the player and he has probably spoken to some clubs.

"At the end of the week we will meet to shed a bit of light on the future of the player."

Zamparini has slapped a €50million (£44m) price tag on Pastore, who is contracted at Palermo until 2014, and is thought to be unwilling to sell him to a rival Serie A club.

However, Palermo's asking price will be met by at least one club, according to the player's agent.

"Zamparini has said at which price he would be willing to sell Pastore and I believe without a doubt, that he will be sold on those figures," Pastore's agent Marcelo Simonian told Gazzetta dello Sport.

Pastore joined Palermo in 2009 from Huracan for 19million euros and was the team's leading scorer in Serie A this season with 11 goals.

He is under contract with Palermo until June 2015.

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Lazio determined to keep Lichtsteiner

Lazio president Claudio Lotito insists that Juventus target Stephan Lichtsteiner is not on the market.

Reports in Italy claim that Juve are close to acquiring the Switzerland international, who is under contract with Lazio for a further season.

However, Lotito told Gazzetta dello Sport: "The player is not on the market.

"He has a buy-out clause of 12million euros but has not asked to leave for Juventus.

"We have a good rapport with the player,.

"Should he ask to leave and if the conditions are there, we would try to make him happy."

The 27-year-old full-back joined Lazio from Lille in the summer of 2008.

Juve are looking to strengthen their defensive line, which was one of their main weaknesses last term.

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Former Portugal striker Nuno Gomes to leave Benfica (Reuters)

LISBON, June 15 (Reuters) - Former Portugal striker Nuno Gomes is set to leave Benfica after spending a total 12 years at the club, the player said on Wednesday.

“I was informed that Benfica will not renew my contract,” Gomes said in a statement. “I am now free to analyse offers”.

The UEFA Europa League Trophy …
Getty Images - May 18, 2:08 pm EDT

Media reports in Portugal have linked the striker with a move to Europa League runners-up Braga.

The 34 year-old is the Portugal national side’s fourth top goalscorer with 29 goals from 77 appearances. He joined Benfica in 1997 and played almost 300 matches for the club, scoring over 100 goals and winning two Portuguese league titles.

He impressed at Euro 2000, scoring four goals as Portugal reached the semi-finals, and earned a move to Fiorentina, where he spent two seasons before returning to Benfica.

The striker has struggled of late to find a place in Benfica’s starting lineup, with Paraguay’s Oscar Cardozo and Argentine Javier Saviola keeping him out.

He was on the bench for most of last season but still scored five goals in seven appearances. (Reporting by Daniel Alvarenga; Editing by Brian Homewood; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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McLeish set to meet Villa owner

McLeish, who quit Birmingham by e-mail, has been linked with Aston Villa Alex McLeish has interrupted a holiday to hold talks with Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner, BBC Sport understands.

McLeish resigned as manager of local rivals Birmingham City on Sunday.

A Villa statement said on Tuesday: "The club understands that Alex McLeish is a free agent. We therefore intend to interview him imminently."

Responding to Villa's announcement, Birmingham released their own statement, accusing their neighbours of "tapping up" McLeish.

The 52-year-old Scot resigned as manager of the Blues on Sunday 12 June, one month after narrowly missing out on securing the club's Premier League status.

Continue reading the main story Joined Aberdeen in 1976Spent 15 years with the Dons, playing under Sir Alex FergusonWon 77 caps for ScotlandManaged Motherwell, Hibs and Rangers in ScotlandGuided Gers to domestic treble in 2003Became Scotland manager in January 2007, beating France 1-0 in Paris later that yearJoined Birmingham in November 2007, saw them relegated in 2008 but brought them back at the first attemptGuided Birmingham to Carling Cup triumph in February 2011, but Blues were relegated on final day of the season

Although Birmingham's board were going to retain McLeish, they added the caveat that they expected him to achieve promotion once again but he opted to move on.

The St Andrews club are unhappy with any move to employ their former boss, with their statement claiming that Villa's announcement to proceed with an interview was "a contempt of Premier League and FA rules".

It added: "The club feel this will taint football and give the game and the footballing authorities a bad name if this is allowed to materialise. We will lodge a formal complaint as there is now not the slightest doubt remaining about this tap-up attempt.

"This conduct, if condoned, will open up floodgates and set a very bad precedent. It is also an attack against the intelligence and integrity of not only the Villa fans, but most importantly our fans who are badly let down after relegation."

However, Villa, who have been without a permanent boss since the end of April when Gerard Houllier suffered ill health, believe they have taken fans' feelings into account.

"In deciding to interview McLeish, the board has taken his tenure at our local rivals and the strong emotions associated with this very seriously," the Villa statement added.

On 10 June, Wigan manager Roberto Martinez turned down the chance to manage Villa, having been given permission to talk to the Midlands outfit by his club.

Steve McClaren, now in charge at Nottingham Forest, and former Fulham boss Mark Hughes are two others who have been linked with the position.

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Gullit is sacked by Chechen club

Gullit spent only five months in charge of Terek Grozny Ruud Gullit has been sacked as manager of Russian side Terek Grozny.

The Dutch legend, 48, was appointed in January, but had been told by club president Ramzan Kadyrov that Terek must win at Amkar Perm on Tuesday.

After a last-minute goal condemned them to a 1-0 defeat, Kadyrov told Interfax: "Gullit will no longer train Terek. Under him, the team have played exceptionally poorly this season."

The result leaves Terek lying 14th in the 16-team Russian Premier League.

"I don't think it would have mattered if I had won or lost," said Gullit, who has also had spells in charge of Chelsea, Newcastle, Feyenoord and Los Angeles Galaxy.

Continue reading the main story Raf Saakov,
BBC Russian Service sports correspondent

In Chechnya, football is more than just a sport. It's a matter of national pride, and of enormous political importance.

Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov is not only head of the restive republic - he is also president of Terek Grozny FC. He doesn't shun using football to promote himself and his vision of a post-war Chechnya.

And questions are being asked about how much people like Ruud Gullit are being paid - and how one of Russia's poorest republics can afford stars of his calibre.

On his arrival in Chechnya he was given the target of taking Terek to a top-eight position in the league by mid-season, but managed only three wins in 13 games in charge.

In a statement on the club's website before the Amkar Perm game, Kadyrov, who is also the Chechen president, said he was "extremely dissatisfied" with Gullit's performance.

"Considering all this, Ramzan Kadyrov is presenting Ruud Gullit with the task of bringing back three points from Perm," continued the statement.

"In the event of the opposite outcome, Gullit will be dismissed from the position of head coach."

Gullit, a former world player of the year and one of the most successful players in the history of Dutch football, signed an 18-month contract when he joined Terek.

The Russian government had invested significant political hopes in the Chechen team's sporting success, in an attempt to move forward after two decades of ruinous conflict with the breakaway region.

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World Cup 2014 qualifying begins

Rio de Janeiro will host the full World Cup draw in July Qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil will get under way on Wednesday with Trinidad hosting a preliminary match between Montserrat and Belize.

With 31 spots up for grabs at the tournament, the first of 832 qualifiers will be played in the Caribbean because of Montserrat's ill-equipped stadium.

Montserrat are ranked 202nd, 30 places below their opponents, and coached by 46-year-old Londoner Kenny Dyer.

"It's not easy trying to get players but there's national pride," Dyer said.

The two teams are competing in a first-leg match in Couva, hoping eventually to progress from the North, Central American and Caribbean (Concacaf) region.

Dyer, whose team haven't played a competitive match since October, told BBC Radio 5 live: "We've got players who work in McDonald's, accountants, a few full-time professionals, policemen.

"Some players are seeing each other for the first time. It's about team spirit and camaraderie.

"We all know where we are and how low-ranked Montserrat is. Playing international football doesn't come to everyone, so the players blessed with the ability will come in and grasp it.

"It's a big ask, but it's about 90 minutes and we can play well."

Despite Montserrat being among a number of Caribbean Football Union members targeted in an ongoing Fifa investigation into bribery, Dyer, who started coaching Montserrat in 2008, insisted his players remain focused.

"There is no distraction," stated Dyer, who played youth football for Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, as well as competing professionally for Maidstone United and in Cyprus.

"There's only one thing on their minds and that's training and getting the right result."

Montserrat was devastated when the Soufriere Hills volcano erupted in 1995, one year before gaining Fifa membership.

In three World Cup qualifying campaigns, they have never won a match nor played on a home ground.

Europe's 53 teams, including defending champions Spain, will find out who they face in qualifying when the draw takes place on 30 July, while their groups begin in September 2012.

Concacaf's strongest teams, including the United States and Mexico, get going in June 2012.

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Suwon reach FA Cup last-eight

South Korea FA Cup holders Suwon Bluewings progressed to the quarter-final of the 2011 edition with a hard-fought derby win over city rivals Suwon City Hall.

Oh Jang-eun scored the only goal of the game after 27 minutes to give the double AFC continental champions a place in the next round.

The competition winner also books a place in the 2012 Asian Champions League.

K-League champions FC Seoul won 1-0 at second-tier team Busan Transport Corporation courtesy of a goal from Server Djeparov at the end of the first half.

Last year's Asian Champions League winners Seongnam Ilhwa also made the last eight courtesy of a 2-0 win at Incheon United, while 2009 victors Pohang Steelers defeated Ulsan Mipo 1-0 thanks to a first-half goal from Mota.

K-League leaders Jeonbuk Motors lost 2-1 at home to Busan I'Park while Ulsan Horang-I won 2-1 against the visiting Sangju Sangmu.

Elsewhere, Chunnam Dragons defeated Jeju United 1-0 while Gangwon FC eliminated Daejeon Citizen after a penalty shootout.

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Cardiff bid for Mackay rejected

Malky Mackay replaced Brendan Rodgers as Watford boss in June 2009 Cardiff City have had an official approach for Watford manager Malky Mackay rejected by the Hornets.

However, Hornets owner Laurence Bassini said he still has to consult the board.

"I rejected the approach and hope our fans understand that I now need to consult [chairman] Graham Taylor and the board of directors," he said.

Former Newcastle boss Alan Shearer revealed on Wednesday that he had held "unsuccessful" talks with Watford's Championship rivals Cardiff.

While Bassini was quick to reject Cardiff's initial approach, the further discussions to be held among the Watford hierarchy suggest that the matter is not closed.

"The need to discuss this matter with members of the board is paramount," Bassini added.

"We don't want Malky to leave Watford and we will do everything in our power to keep him at Vicarage Road.

"We should remember that Malky committed his future to Watford as recently as March, when he signed a new three-year contract."

Cardiff have been searching for a new manager since ending Dave Jones' six-year reign on 30 May.

Another former Newcastle manager, Chris Hughton, ex-West Brom boss Roberto Di Matteo, St Johnstone's Derek McInnes and ex-Barnsley boss Mark Robins have all been linked with the vacant Cardiff job.

Chief executive Gethin Jenkins and director Alan Whiteley have led Cardiff's search, while chairman Dato Chan Tien Ghee has arrived from Malaysia to complete the deal for Jones' replacement.

Watford chairman Graham Taylor has previously admitted that "Malky is linked with virtually every job that comes up" and the Hornets are well aware the former Scotland defender is in demand.

Mackay replaced Brendan Rodgers in the Vicarage Road hotseat in June 2009 after the current Swansea boss departed to Reading.

In his first managerial job Mackay has earned a reputation for playing competitive and attractive football on a modest budget.

The 39-year-old guided the Hornets to 14th in last season's Championship.

With less than two months to go until the start of the new Championship season - and fixtures announced on Friday, 17 June - Cardiff have recognised the need to appoint a new manager as quickly as possible and have moved for the man they want, much to Watford's chagrin.

Whoever takes over at the Cardiff City Stadium will face a hefty rebuilding process at the club, with 12 players having left including last season's top scorer Jay Bothroyd and fellow striker Michael Chopra.

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French switch for Fall

Last updated: 10th January 2011  

SKY SPORTS ON SKY
There's more live football on Sky Sports than ever before, including the Barclays Premier League, UEFA Champions League, Clydesdale Bank Premier League, England away Euro 2012 qualifiers and La Liga. With four live Sky Sports channels, as well as Sky Sports News, you'll never miss a moment on Sky. Click here for more.The agent of Dieylani Fall claims his client has agreed a deal which will take him to Auxerre.

The Senegal international was tipped to be on the move in January, having outgrown current employers Jaraaf de Dakar.

He undertook a trial spell with Auxerre in September 2011, during which the French outfit took up the option of a six-month priority period in which to negotiate a deal.

They have now opted to make their move, with it reported that Fall will pen a four-and-a-half-year contract upon his arrival.

"It's done. Dieylani Fall has signed a contract with AJ Auxerre and I'm happy to announce it," the 21-year-old's representative Thierno Seydi was quoted as saying by APS.

Fall played an instrumental role for Jaaraf in their 2010 title-winning campaign, with his exploits in his homeland having helped to raise his profile around the world.

He will now be hoping to follow in the footsteps of Mame Biram Diouf, Henri Camara and Papa Bouba Diop, who have all enjoyed productive careers in Europe after learning their trade at Jaaraf.

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Algeria coach steps down

Check out the latest from the written press with all the gossip and speculation from today's newspapers.

Nick Knight saw a window broken at Lord's, but not the stalemate between England and Sri Lanka.

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US looks to wrap up quarterfinal spot (AP)

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP)—The United States needs a strong showing against tiny but tenacious Guadeloupe to advance in the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

“It would be nice to cruise through the group and be able to put your feet up,” goalkeeper Tim Howard said after Monday’s training session at Livestrong Sporting Park. “It doesn’t always happen that way.”

Saturday’s 2-1 loss to Panama, its first group-stage defeat, left the U.S. in second place, tied with Canada on points but ahead on goal differential.

United States midfielder Clint…
AP - Jun 13, 7:28 pm EDT

Regardless of the outcome of the early match between Canada and Group C leader Panama, a victory will guarantee the U.S. a quarterfinal berth. Under some circumstances, the U.S. would advance even with a 1-goal loss.

If Canada and the U.S. both win Tuesday, three teams will have six points each and all three will advance. But the third-place finisher will have to face Group A winner Mexico, which dominated its first three matches, in the quarterfinals.

With so much on the line, Panama coach Julio Dely Valdes insists his team won’t ease up against Canada.

“We’ll look at it the same as any other game,” Dely Valdes said through a translator. “We want to win it and we want to be first in the group. This is a process, and you always want to win it.”

While Panama is riding high going into the last group game, U.S. midfielder Landon Donovan said the Americans have to put aside the disappointment of Saturday’s loss.

“If you want to be one of the teams standing at the end, it’s a marathon,” he said. “You have to be careful not to get caught up in one result, one way or the other, in a group stage.”

No matter the result of the early match, U.S. coach Bob Bradley said his team has to focus on avoiding a repeat of its slow start against Panama.

“We’re going out with mentality to win this game,” Bradley said. “Our response after a game we weren’t satisfied with is important.”

The U.S., 22nd in the most recent FIFA rankings, is a heavy favorite against Guadeloupe, a small French possession in the Caribbean. Guadeloupe is not a FIFA member and competes only at the regional level.

That said, Guadeloupe—unlike the other two last-place teams in group play — has not been a pushover, with a goal differential of only minus-2 despite playing a man down for much of its first two games.

“We’re frustrated,” said midfielder Stephone Auvray, who plays for Sporting Kansas City in Major League Soccer. “If we had played a full team in one of those matches, things could be different now. Hopefully, tomorrow we’ll be able to do it.”

Guadeloupe’s determination and its strong history in the Gold Cup— including a run to the semifinals in 2007—certainly has the Americans’ respect.

“It’s not going to be an easy game,” U.S. forward Clint Dempsey said. “They want to win and they have a good team.”

Still, the U.S. does have a recent history of clutch performances in the last round of group play.

Two years ago in the Confederations Cup, the Americans needed—and got—a 3-0 win over Egypt to get out of the group stage on their way to a runner-up finish. Last year, the U.S. drew in its first two World Cup matches before Donovan’s late goal against Algeria gave it the points it needed to move on.

“Our teams have always come back really well,” Bradley said, “from games when we haven’t been at our best.”

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Pienaar suffers new injury

Last Updated: June 2, 2011 9:32pm

Pienaar: Doubtful for South Africa's game against Egypt due to knee problem

Steven Pienaar has given Tottenham a fresh concern after picking up a knee problem while on international duty.

The 29-year-old midfielder suffered the injury while going into a challenge during a South Africa training session ahead of their match against Egypt on Sunday.

Pienaar is already carrying a groin problem which may require surgery next week and Spurs will hope he returns to fitness before next season.

He has still not been ruled out of the clash with Egypt and will travel to Cairo with the rest of Pitso Mosimane's squad.

Mosimane said: "He's struggling. I will wait until the last moment to take the decision, even if it's on the day of the match."

Victory for Bafana Bafana would keep them on course for next year's Cup of Nations and almost certainly end three-time defending African champions Egypt's chances of qualifying.

Skysports.com looks at the possible successors to Mark Hughes after his Fulham departure.

We look at the career of Mark Hughes after the Welshman decided to leave his role as Fulham manager.

Ian Taylor told Sky Sports News that Mark Hughes has the pedigree for the Aston Villa job.

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Jamaica, Honduras, Guatemala advance at Gold Cup (AP)

HARRISON, New Jersey (AP)—Jamaica, Honduras and Guatemala finished the Gold Cup group stage Monday claiming three of the eight available quarterfinals berths.

Ryan Johnson scored a lucky first-half goal that bounced off the keeper’s head as Jamaica defeated Honduras 1-0 to top Group B.

The 58th-ranked Jamaica won all three of its group matches and will now play the second-place finisher in Group C—possibly the United States—on Sunday.

Jamaica routed Grenada 4-0 whi…
AFP - Jun 7, 2:16 am EDT

Honduras, which also advances as the group’s second-placed team, plays Costa Rica on Saturday.

Both teams were assured of quarterfinals berths before the kickoff, while Guatemala beat Grenada 4-0 to reach its first Gold Cup quarterfinals since 2007 as one of the best performed third-placed teams of the group stage. It will learn its opponent after Group C wraps up on Tuesday.

Johnson got the winner for Jamaica in the 36th minute after cutting across the middle of the Honduran defense. He fired a shot off the crossbar from roughly 28 yards (meters) and the ball bounced down and struck the back of Noel Valladares’ head and went into the net.

“It’s one of the strangest goals, but it’s a goal,” said Johnson. “The best thing was getting the clean sheet. We haven’t been scored on so far and I’m really happy about that.”

Valladares, Honduras’ keeper at the World Cup, got a measure of revenge in the 72nd minute when he made a diving stop on a penalty kick by Johnson. Play was delayed for a couple of minutes before the attempt because angry Honduran fans in the sellout crowd of 25,000 at Red Bull Arena littered the field with glass and plastic bottles after referee Joel Aguilar of El Salvador awarded the penalty.

“I’m satisfied with how we played,” Honduras coach Luis Fernando Suarez said. “I’m not satisfied we lost. But the way the team played. We have a lot of potential. I like what I saw today.”

Marco Pappa scored one goal and set up another for Guatemala, while Jose Del Aguila, Carlos Ruiz and Carlos Gallardo also scored.

“More than anything, this was a psychological and mental game,” Guatemala coach Ever Hugo Almeida said. “We had to score a specific number of goals. We needed three goals, but we had to take it goal by goal. We were able to manage the game and get the result we wanted.”

Guatemala lost 3-0 to Canada in its previous appearance in the Gold Cup quarterfinals.

Grenada finished last in Group B, losing all three of its games by a combined score of 15-1. It has been outscored 25-1 in two Gold Cup competitions.

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Gentle starts for Bertos, Lochhead with Phoenix

Leo Bertos and Tony Lochhead enjoyed light workouts as the Phoenix re-assembled for pre-season A-League training in Wellington today after a three-month break.

While the main body of players concentrated on ball possession and a game, midfielder Bertos and fullback Lochhead were confined to running as they rehabilitate from injuries that ruled both out of the All Whites' two games earlier this month.

"Leo is probably about two weeks away from taking part in training but Tony will be out a while longer," coach Ricki Herbert said.

"He is suffering real pain and it would make no sense to rush him back into training, especially as we have such a long time before the league kicks off."

Herbert said there would be no heavy workload for the players for the next two weeks at least.

"What we have to remember is that we've still got three or four months before the competition kicks off so we will ease them back into it.

"We've got a few trialists coming in, though two of them were held up in Australia today because of the ash cloud (from a Chile volcano) that is affecting air travel. Hopefully they will be here tomorrow.

"I'll also bring a few local players in to help with the numbers, but I think that is a good thing too - for them as well as us.

"In July we will move the programme forward fitness wise."

Herbert said he intended to play more pre-season games than in past seasons, including home and away games against A-League teams.

With new players Jimmy Downey and Lucas Pantelis in action today Herbert indicated he was in no rush to make more signings.

"We are looking at a few things and I would hope to have recruitment completed by the end of August," he said.

"The three senior positions I am looking at are a goalkeeper, a striker and an attacking midfield player.

"We also have to sign three young players and for those spots I am probably looking at a fullback, a central defender and a midfielder.

"There is no rush to sign the young players because I want to find lads who are capable of challenging for a first team spot.

"We will set the bar high this season. We've made the playoffs twice, now we have to try and win the league."

- NZPA

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New evidence of payments in FIFA bribery probe

A Caribbean football official acknowledged on Friday getting $40,000 ($NZ48,700) in cash at a meeting which is being investigated in a FIFA bribery scandal.

Suriname federation president Louis Giskus said he received an envelope containing four piles of $100 bills at a Caribbean Football Union (CFU) conference staged in Trinidad for members to meet then FIFA presidential candidate Mohamed bin Hammam.

Giskus told The Associated Press he reported the cash gift to FIFA's ethics committee after it suspended bin Hammam and FIFA's Trinidadian vice president Jack Warner pending a full inquiry into the gravest corruption crisis to hit football's world governing body.

"(Suriname's) reputation is worth more than $40,000," said Giskus, who is helping a FIFA team that includes former FBI agents investigate alleged bribery.

Giskus said he was not initially suspicious because officials typically got gifts on FIFA-related business, and Warner often handled transactions in cash.

Bin Hammam, Warner and two CFU employees are provisionally barred from duty to face accusations of paying bribes to up to 25 Caribbean voters during the Qatari's failed campaign to unseat FIFA President Sepp Blatter. All four deny wrongdoing.

Giskus said Warner invited him to the May 10-11 expenses-paid conference promising gift packages for CFU members. The meeting was announced when bin Hammam did not attend the North and Central American, and Caribbean (CONCACAF) congress in Miami one week earlier.

After hearing bin Hammam's election pitch at a Port of Spain hotel, officials were led to a lobby to receive a laptop and an envelope, Giskus said.

"The whole thing was handled by two people from the CFU secretariat we know very well because we meet and speak with them often," he said.

"When I saw that there was money in the envelope I asked what it was for. They could not explain it to me."

Giskus recalled that, in Miami, CONCACAF members were told they had enjoyed good financial results in its 50th anniversary year and Blatter had promised a $1 million "birthday present" from FIFA.

"So at the time we received the $40,000 I thought that this money had something to do with everything we had heard (in Miami)," the Surinamese official said.

Giskus said that he and a colleague counted the money and wrote down the serial numbers of the four stacks of $100 bills. He said he had "all the paperwork to prove that" the money was deposited in the Suriname federation's local bank account, where it remains.

The scandal emerged after Bahamas officials returned the cash and alerted CONCACAF general secretary Chuck Blazer, who commissioned an initial probe that found whistleblowers from three more countries who refused to accept payments. Puerto Rico, like Suriname, confessed at the FIFA Congress in Zurich earlier this month that it had accepted the payments.

Warner, who's been a FIFA executive committee member for 28 years and led CONCACAF since 1990, often dealt in cash, Giskus said.

"More than once I have received cash money from the CFU for referees in Suriname after international duties, which was sent by courier service in an envelope. Money which should have been sent by wire transfer," he said.

Giskus said he did not suspect the money came from bin Hammam, who told FIFA's ethics panel he transferred $360,000 to the CFU to meet conference costs.

"And surely I did not feel any obligation to vote for bin Hamman after receiving the money. It was clear - Blatter had already proven that he could deliver results while bin Hamman only had promises," Giskus said.

Bin Hammam withdrew from the presidential contest hours before his ethics hearing, and three days ahead of the June 1 poll at FIFA's congress which returned Blatter unopposed for a fourth and a final four-year term.

During a telephone interview with The AP, Giskus took calls from FIFA investigators gathering evidence for a full ethics inquiry expected next month.

Giskus said he gave statements in Zurich last week and does not expect to be called to interviews scheduled to start in the Bahamas on Tuesday.

FIFA investigators hope to speak with officials from around 18 CFU members who have denied being offered payments.

- Reuters

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Tim Brown gives Mexicans benefit of the doubt

HAMISH BIDWELL

All Whites captain Tim Brown has refused to condemn the five Mexican national team players suspended for taking performance-enhancing drugs.

The quintet – goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, defenders Javier Rodriguez and Edgar Duenas and midfield players Antonio Naelson and Christian Burmudez – have been suspended by their football federation after testing positive to the banned stimulant clenbuterol.

Mexico beat the Brown-led New Zealand team 3-0 in their international friendly at Denver's Mile High Stadium on June 2, running rings around the All Whites at times.

The Mexican federation did not release details about when the positive tests were returned but clenbuterol is used to treat breathing problems, which was something Brown said his team suffered from playing at Denver's high altitude.

"I'm telling you, for like 10 minutes you can't get your breath and your throat's burning. It's a horrible feeling," Brown said.

Suspicious as he is, Brown is prepared to give the Mexican players the benefit of the doubt. For now.

"You would like to think there's more to this story than them just going 'we're going to straight out cheat'. That would be my first reaction," the Wellington Phoenix midfielder said.

"We get tested all the time in the A-League, for instance, and I would've thought the odds are that you're going to get caught. It almost seems a bit silly.

"I can only assume there must be some significant advantage for them to take that risk."

All he knows for sure is that Mexico were on a different plane to the All Whites that night.

"It was interesting they didn't test us," a chuckling Brown said.

"You can out that one in the story."

Three-time Tour de France champion Alberto Contador is probably the highest-profile athlete to test positive to clenbuterol. The Spanish cyclist blamed the positive result on contaminated meat and his initial ban was overturned this year.

- The Dominion Post

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Mexican government denies clenbuterol in meat

The Mexican government said Friday its beef doesn't contain clenbuterol, hurting the defense of the five football players suspended from the national team after testing positive for the banned substance.

PSV Eindhoven defender Francisco Rodriguez and World Cup goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, defender Edgar Duenas, and midfielders Christian Bermudez and Antonio Naelson "Sinha" were removed from Mexico's Gold Cup team Thursday after the Mexican football federation said they tested positive for clenbuterol during a pre-tournament training camp on the outskirts of Mexico City.

Decio de Maria, the secretary general of the Mexican federation, and Hector Gonzalez Inarritu, Mexico's team director, blamed the positive results on eating contaminated beef. Last July, Tour de France champion Alberto Contador also tested positive for the banned anabolic agent and said he consumed the substance in tainted beef.

But the Mexico health department said Friday that cases of contaminated beef in Mexico are fewer than one in a million.

CONCACAF said a meeting of the Gold Cup organizing committee, that was scheduled Friday to consider possible actions over the players, was postponed while more information is gathered.

"The committee has asked the Mexican federation to provide more details regarding the doping tests that discovered the banned substance clenbuterol in the urine samples of five players taken during a pre-Gold Cup training camp in Mexico in May," CONCACAF said in a statement on its Website.

The Mexican football federation has asked the committee to allow it to replace the five players for the tournament.

Each team was able to bring 23 players to the Gold Cup and name 18 for each match. Ricardo Osorio was already sent home with an illness, leaving Mexico with just 17 eligible players for Thursday's victory over Cuba.

Mexico plays Costa Rica on Sunday to decide the group winner after the defending Gold Cup champion easily won its first two games, routing Cuba and El Salvador by identical 5-0 scores, but the tournament gets tougher from here.

Ochoa insisted the suspended players did nothing wrong.

"We have nothing to hide," Ochoa said. "Our conscience is clean because we haven't done a bad thing.

"It's sad these things happen," he added. "These are things that could happen in any restaurant in any location, and it happened to us when we were together in training. It is bad luck. We know this is going to be cleared up, and we're facing the situation."

Mexico defeated Cuba 5-0 on Thursday despite playing without the five.

CONCACAF, the governing body of football in the region, was to meet late Friday to decide if Mexico would be allowed to call up replacement players.

Mexico and the United States are the favorites to win the Gold Cup, which is the regional championship of North and Central America and the Caribbean.

- AP

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Bryan Robson resigns as Thailand coach

MARTIN PETTY

Former Manchester United and England captain Bryan Robson has resigned as Thailand's national coach.

Robson, capped 90 times by England, parted company with the team by mutual consent and preferred not to disclose his reasons, Football Association of Thailand President Worawi Makudi told Reuters.

"Bryan wished to resign and his contract was terminated by mutual consent but I cannot give any more details," Worawi said.

The former Middlesbrough, West Bromwich Albion, Sheffield United and Bradford City boss, dubbed "Captain Marvel" as a player, failed to make an impact in Thailand after replacing compatriot Peter Reid in 2009.

Under his guidance, the team were a shadow of the free-flowing side that Reid built and dropped 15 places to 120th in the FIFA rankings following embarrassing early exits from all international competitions.

THROAT CANCER

Robson underwent surgery for throat cancer in March and immediately resumed his coaching duties after being discharged from hospital. Worawi declined to comment when asked if Robson resigned for health reasons.

His departure comes amid strained relations between the Thailand and England Football Associations (FA), which helped recruit Reid and Robson for the Thai job.

In an address to parliament, former FA chairman David Triesman last month accused Worawi, a member of FIFA's Executive Committee, of asking for exclusive television rights for a proposed friendly between the two national teams in return for his backing for England's failed 2018 World Cup bid.

Worawi was cleared of wrongdoing by a FIFA ethics committee and threatened to sue Triesman for "groundless" accusations.

Robson is unlikely to be missed in Thailand following almost two years of dire performances which led to protests against the soccer association, with web boards inundated by comments by furious fans.

Thailand failed to reach the Asian Cup for the first time in 23 years and were bundled out of the Southeast Asian Games and the Southeast Asian championship -- competitions they have long dominated -- in the opening rounds.

Draws against struggling Laos, Malaysia and the Maldives last year turned up the pressure on Robson, but he refused to quit, saying the blame was both on him and the new-look Thailand Premier League, which he said was not co-operating with the national team.

- Reuters

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Plenty of lessons in our heavy defeats

BILLY HARRIS

OPINION: You learn more in defeat than you do in victory.

For that reason, contrary to comments emanating from the All Whites in the aftermath of their losses to Mexico and Australia, the matches were useful exercises.

It has been said that, with the benefit of hindsight, the All Whites might have been better not to play the matches, the main reason being that the list of players unavailable through injury, illness and prior engagement made it difficult to field a competitive side.

That's an excuse – and a bad one – for two 3-0 defeats.

After all, when you look through the list of absentees, it's hard to think many of them would've made much difference in Denver or Adelaide.

Jeremy Christie and Leo Bertos? Christie isn't a first choice player, and though Bertos was a regular before his injury, there is adequate cover for him, particularly in Jeremy Brockie.

Ivan Vicelich and Simon Elliot? Two players who by virtue of their age the team needs to get used to playing without.

Craig Henderson? Hasn't yet played for the All Whites.

Rory Fallon? A quality striker, but so are his World Cup colleagues Chris Killen, Shane Smeltz and the increasingly impressive Chris Wood. And if players such as Kosta Barbarouses and Marco Rojas are to come into the team as many are hoping, then that creates an unprecedented depth of attacking talent. The temporary loss of any of Fallon, Killen, Smeltz or Wood isn't a mortal blow.

Winston Reid and Tommy Smith? Two important players in South Africa, yes, but the All Whites qualified for the World Cup without them.

Tony Lochhead? As the door closes temporarily for Lochhead, who until now has owned the left back/left wingback shirt, it opens for Brockie, and his emergence as a genuine alternative to Lochhead has been one of the successes of the matches. Admittedly, Brockie can't cover for Bertos and Lochhead at the same time, which allowed Herbert to experiment with Michael Boxall and Michael Fitzgerald against Mexico.

Ryan Nelsen? Bingo. The captain remains the only irreplaceable member of the team. He is to the All Whites what Michael Jordan was to the Bulls. His presence against Mexico and the Aussies would have ensured better results.

A year is a long time in football, and if Ricki Herbert were to select his best team, from a fully fit squad, for a vital World Cup match tomorrow, his line up might be considerably different from that which took the field against Paraguay in South Africa.

It could feasibly see Glen Moss in goal rather than Mark Paston. It would certainly feature Marco Rojas. Rojas produces more attacking threat in five minutes than others do in 90, and his must be the second name, after Nelsen, in future All Whites.

It would hopefully include Barbarouses, who proved in the A-League season that when used correctly, is an outstanding talent and Michael McGlinchey, in a central midfield role.

It would possibly see Brockie oust Bertos. Bertos' mobility in either a wide midfield or wingback role is an important feature, but Brockie is a better crosser.

It could even have Boxall, who has All Whites written all over him, in for Reid. Despite Reid's goal at the World Cup, and subsequent professional contract with West Ham, many are still not convinced of his discipline and concentration.

Moss, Boxall, Brockie, McGlinchey, Barbarouses, Rojas – none of those players would weaken the All Whites, and indeed many would add to the team. They all played against Mexico and Australia, and that's why the matches, far from being unnecessary inconveniences, were actually valuable learning experiences for the next generation.

Billy Harris is a former All White.

- Sunday Star Times

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