TheSoccerMania

Italy's camp relatively tranquil this time around

2008-05-28T15:28:00.001+08:00

ROME (AP) - Two years ago, Italy prepared for the World Cup with a match-fixing scandal engulfing the national game.

The biggest distraction in training for this year's European Championship so far came when two scantily clad women invaded the Azzurri's practice field in Florence.

"Compared to when we prepared for the World Cup, there's a different feeling in the air. There's more respect for this team, which is also now more knowledgeable and responsible," goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon said Tuesday.

"And as far as the public's opinion, I see more serenity and participation. Only the hunger for victories and the desire to surprise are the same as two years ago."

In the 2006 training camp, there were public calls for coach Marcello Lippi to resign and for Fabio Cannavaro to give up the captaincy due to their associations with Juventus, the team at the heart of the scandal. Buffon, another Juventus player, also faced criticism.

But Lippi, Cannavaro and Buffon didn't budge, and their leadership provided the backbone for Italy's fourth World Cup title, with some unexpected help from Fabio Grosso and Marco Materazzi.

"What I, Cannavaro, Grosso and Materazzi did at the World Cup will be difficult to repeat, but we're here to try, hopefully with help from the rest of the team," Buffon said.

At the World Cup, the only goal Buffon allowed in seven games during regular play was an own-goal by Cristian Zaccardo, who has since been dropped from the team.

Cannavaro earned the Golden Ball award for his performance at the tournament in Germany. Materazzi tied for the team lead with two goals after taking over for the injured Alessandro Nesta, and goaded Zinedine Zidane into head-butting him. Grosso was decisive against Australia and Germany before converting the final kick of the penalty shootout in the final against France.

Italy will face France again at Euro 2008, in the final group game June 17. The two soccer powers also met twice in qualifying, with France winning in Paris and the teams drawing 0-0 in Milan.

"It's an infinite game of chess between us and the French," Buffon said. "We're both attentive and never leave ourselves unguarded, looking for the opponent's weak point - just like in chess."

The Azzurri's opening games are against the Netherlands on June 9 and Romania four days later.

"All the opponents in the group are strong. In some senses, the European Championship is more difficult than the World Cup," Buffon said. "In a competition like this (with 16 teams as opposed to 32 at the World Cup) there can always be surprises, like (1992 champion) Denmark and Greece in the past."

Italy drew against Denmark in its opening game at Euro 2004, which was won by Greece.

The Azzurri are attempting to become only the second team to win a World Cup and European Championship back-to-back after France, which pulled off the double in 1998 and 2000.

"We're starting off this competition as the favorite," Buffon said. "It's definitely not going to be easy."

America draws Liga de Quito in first-leg semifinal

2008-05-28T15:26:00.000+08:00

MEXICO CITY (AP) - Mexico's America drew Ecuador visitor Liga Deportiva de Quito 1-1 in the first leg of their Copa Libertadores semifinal on Tuesday.

America's Enrique Esqueda headed in the tying goal on a pass from midfielder Federico Higuain with less than 20 minutes to play, soon after Liga went ahead through Luis Bolanos in the 63rd.

The second leg is next Tuesday in Quito, where Liga can draw 0-0 and advance to the finals for the first time.

Most of the 100,000-plus spectators wore America's yellow and blue but had to put up with a first half dominated by Liga.

America goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa made key saves on shots by Damian Manso and Bolanos to preserve the scoreless first half.

The Eagles took just one shot, by Alejandro Arguello in the 39th, but it went wide.

America came out fighting in the second half, starting with a wide shot by Esqueda in the 49th and a free kick by Salvador Cabanas that was saved by goalkeeper Jose Cevallos five minutes later.

In the other semifinal on Wednesday, defending champion Boca Juniors host Fluminense.

Terry to captain England against the United States

2008-05-28T15:25:00.002+08:00

LONDON (AP) - John Terry will captain England in its friendly against the United States.

England coach Fabio Capello, who spoke in English, made the announcement Tuesday, a day before the match at Wembley Stadium.

Capello said he made the decision before last Wednesday's Champions League final, where Terry missed the penalty kick that could have won the trophy for Chelsea over Manchester United.

"When I said to him that he would be the captain, he was very, very happy," Capello said. "It is very important to be a leader and John Terry is a leader."

Terry was named as England's permanent captain by former coach Steve McClaren when David Beckham relinquished the role after the 2006 World Cup.

However, Capello has preferred to experiment with the captaincy role since being appointed in December. He will decide on a permanent choice before World Cup qualifying starts in September.

Steven Gerrard led England in Capello's first game in charge against Switzerland in February, a 2-1 win, and Rio Ferdinand was captain for the 1-0 loss to France in March.

England coach Capello breaks dour demeanor

2008-05-28T15:23:00.001+08:00

LONDON (AP) - He laughed, he smiled, he cracked jokes.

This wasn't how English soccer fans expected to see national team coach Fabio Capello.

Especially since he was finally speaking in English.

On the eve of his third game in charge since he took over in early January, Capello spoke English for the first time at an official news conference rather than his native Italian on Tuesday.

A successful coach with a stern demeanor when he's on the bench or conducting training sessions, Capello had been using a translator at previous interviews. He ran into trouble in the past at Real Madrid when he used a wrong word in Spanish and was attacked in the media.

Another Italian, Giovanni Trapattoni, has already been speaking in English since taking over as Ireland coach.

Capello at last decided to trust his command of the language when facing the media at England's training camp. He had translator Danny Tartaglia by his side just in case when he spoke ahead of Wednesday's friendly against the United States at Wembley.

Although Tartaglia occasionally prompted him, Capello did an impressive job as he answered questions on why he chose Chelsea's John Terry as captain, where he plans to use Wayne Rooney, and what tactics he wants England to play.

After giving the captain's armband to Liverpool's Steven Gerrard for his first game in charge, a 2-1 victory over Switzerland, and to Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand for the 1-0 loss to France, he has handed it to Terry.

The Chelsea captain was in tears after his club's penalty shootout loss to Manchester United in last week's Champions League final. His miss with the title in his grasp effectively handed the advantage back to United.

Terry was inconsolable and Capello said he has experienced such emotion himself.

"The emotion is very strong," he said. "It's not easy to stop. It's impossible sometimes. I had the same emotion two or three times.

"Yes, I cried once in Milan. It was a private situation on the pitch. After the last game (saying farewell to Milan). Good memories."

Capello said he has moved the captaincy among players from the traditional powerhouses of English soccer. But he ran into difficulties at Arsenal, which frequently fields lineups without any English players.

"We have had three captains - Liverpool, United and Chelsea. Now Arsenal, it's impossible," he said, drawing laughter from the reporters.

Capello, who has won multiple titles at club level with AC Milan, AS Roma, Juventus and Real Madrid, says he's also trying to find the right role for Manchester United striker Rooney.

The powerfully built forward is usually at his best when he's attacking from deep and running at defenders rather than being the target man inside his opponents' penalty area.

"He plays leftwing, rightwing, centerforward. He's versatile," Capello said. "His position is better as the second striker. One plays up front and the other plays behind.

"Rooney's potential is very, very big. He said to me: 'I have to score more goals. I have to stay more in front of goal.' He has won a lot but not enough."

Capello said he would try to get his team to impose traditional English strengths against the Americans but add a little more of what he wants to see.

"It's very important in this game to play with big confidence and a very English spirit," he said. "Sure they are not as fresh as the USA players, who have just started their season, but I think we need to play with spirit and intensity. We have to play quick and strong and pressing a lot."

England's failure to qualify for next month's European Championship means that its stars will be watching the games on TV rather than being out in Austria and Switzerland. But Capello refused to be drawn on why England failed to qualify and said he was interested only in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

"I don't like to speak of the past. I speak of the future," he said. "I think we will qualify for the World Cup."

Grant refused offer to stay as director of soccer

2008-05-28T15:22:00.001+08:00

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) - Fired Chelsea manager Avram Grant rejected an offer to remain with the club in his former position as director of soccer.

"I understand the proposal, but personally it wouldn't be the right thing to do at this stage," he said Tuesday.

Chelsea fired the 53-year-old Israeli on Saturday, three days after the Blues lost the European Champions League final to Manchester United on penalty kicks.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich brought Grant to the club as director of soccer in July 2007, before promoting him to manager two months later when Jose Mourinho left.

"There are no problems with Chelsea. I am speaking with them directly and not through lawyers," Grant said.

"I wish them good luck and I will go my own way. Chelsea was a great period in my life, really great. I enjoyed it, professionally it was an amazing experience."

Surprised Schuster to move for Hleb

2008-05-28T15:21:00.000+08:00

Real Madrid boss Bernd Schuster hopes to secure the services of Arsenal's Alexander Hleb after overcoming the surprise of his availability.

Midfielder Hleb is expected to leave The Emirates in the summer after failing to settle into life in the capital since moving to north London from Stuttgart in 2005.

Serie A side Internazionale were thought to be leading the race for Hleb's signature, however Real boss Schuster has confirmed the club's intention to land the Belarusian - who has struck three goals last season.

"There are a couple of positions that we can improve and that needs to be strengthened to have the necessary balance," Schuster told AS.

"Over the past two months we have had a plan and we know what we want, but now Hleb has been added.

"We did not know he could leave Arsenal but in recent days it has been more positive. We were surprised that he might leave there."

Crew investigating fan's racial remark

2008-05-28T15:20:00.000+08:00

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - The Columbus Crew MLS soccer team is investigating a racial slur made by a fan toward New England Revolution players that was captured on camera and posted on the video-sharing Web site YouTube.

Forward Kheli Dube scored in the 89th minute of a 1-0 win Saturday night in Columbus. Video from a camera pointed at the field shows Dube, who is black, celebrating with teammates. An off-camera voice can be heard shouting and using a racial epithet while bottles and streamers are thrown at the players.

"We appreciate the energy and support we receive from our fans and understand that emotions run high during games," the Crew said in a statement. "But there is no excuse for the reprehensible behavior exhibited by the fan heard in the video clip."

A statement from Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber said that the league is investigating incidents during the match.

Manchester United sells Pique to FC Barcelona

2008-05-28T15:18:00.001+08:00

MANCHESTER, England (AP) - FC Barcelona completed the signing of Gerard Pique from Manchester United on Tuesday.

The 21-year-old defender returns to the Camp Nou stadium four years after moving to Man United. He agreed to a four-year contract, with Spanish media reporting the transfer was €5 million (US$8 million).

"It's a dream to return to Barcelona. When I left I thought it would be very complicated to return and now the dream has come true," Pique said.

Pique came up through the ranks of Barcelona's youth system - alongside players such as current striker Bojan Krkic and Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas - before Man United signed him in 2004.

The Spain under-21 player made the Red Devils' first team this season after spending the last one on-loan at Spanish club Zaragoza.

Playing time was hard to come by for Pique, who scored two goals in 23 games with United.

"Although Pique enjoyed his most prominent Old Trafford season during 2007-08, the long-standing central defensive partnership of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic meant his route to regular first-team action was blocked," United said.

Pique was a part of Man United's Premier League and Champions League winning teams this season.

"They are experiences I hope to repeat in the jersey of Barcelona," Pique said.

Pique is new coach Pep Guardiola's second offseason signing in two days.

On Monday, Barcelona paid Sevilla €14 million (US$22.1 million) for Seydou Keita, with the Mali midfielder agreeing to a four-year deal.

Barcelona is also interested in signing Uruguay under-21 defender Martin Caceres.

"We had received an offer from Barcelona, but it wasn't to Villarreal's complete liking and we have told Barcelona so," Villarreal president Fernando Roig told Efe on Tuesday. "If we cannot reach a deal, the player is Villarreal's."

The 21-year-old Caceres has also attracted attention from Spanish champion Real Madrid after his first season in Spain, spent on-loan at Recreativo Huelva.

Guardiola moved from reserve-team coach to replace Frank Rijkaard after Barcelona's second straight season without a trophy.

Barcelona's third-place finish was its worst in five years and it was knocked out in the Champions League semifinals by eventual winner Manchester United, though Pique did not feature in the two-legged series.

Defensive midfielder Edmilson left for Villarreal on Friday to begin what is expected to be an exodus of players, likely to include Ronaldinho, Deco and Samuel Eto'o, all of whom were key players when Barcelona won the 2006 Champions League.

AC Milan has expressed interest in signing Ronaldinho, Eto'o and fullback Gianluca Zambrotta.

Howard vows to 'fight' England

2008-05-28T15:17:00.000+08:00

USA goalkeeper Tim Howard feels a win at Wembley is a possibility and has warned England not to expect an easy ride on Wednesday night.

Bob Bradley's American troops take on Fabio Capello's England in a friendly and Everton stopper Howard said: "We step on the field expecting to win, we are not a pushover by any stretch of the imagination.

"We're going to fight them, and give as good as we get.

"It won't be a situation like we are a deer in the headlights. We won't be awed by the size of the game, we have something to prove as a team and we're up for the challenge.

"It was a surprise to me they (England) didn't qualify. When you set out an England XI it's probably one of the better teams in the world. For them not to qualify was a shock to everybody.

"England lives for football so the fact that there won't be a tournament for them this summer is disappointing.

"Two of the teams were in the Champions League final and it's a major surprise they didn't qualify but football doesn't wait for anyone."

France beats Ecuador 2-0 on Gomis debut

2008-05-28T15:15:00.001+08:00

GRENOBLE, France (AP) - Bafetimbi Gomis scored twice in his international debut to help France beat Ecuador 2-0 in a friendly match on Tuesday.

The Saint-Etienne striker entered as a second-half substitute and his two goals gave him a claim for a place in France's European Championship squad when coach Raymond Domenech announced his squad Wednesday.

The 22-year-old Gomis scored his first in the 58th, collecting the ball with his back to goal, turning his marker and hitting a powerful shot into the top left corner from just inside the penalty area.

The second he converted from Nicolas Anelka's cross from the left with a powerful volley in the 85th.

Domenech used the match to evaluate several fringe players before selecting his final squad for the June 7-29 European Championship in Austria and Switzerland.

"I will learn things from what I've seen and I will give my answer. There are some plus and some minus points," Domenech said. "I don't think I'll sleep very well tonight. I think of the seven that will be left out."

Domenech must drop seven of the provisional 30-man squad - and Gomis' strikes may complicate Domenech's decision.

"He's not here by chance. He has qualities, like the other strikers have," Domenech said. "I hope he has a long career in the French team because he has the ability."

Anelka and Djibril Cisse wasted first-half scoring chances, while Carlos Tenorio and Segundo Castillo went close for Ecuador.

"They have some players of a high quality," Domenech said. "It's logical that they caused us some problems. It's better that way. We can learn from it."

Domenech chose an attack-minded team, with Hatem Ben Arfa and Samir Nasri playing behind the strikers.

Still, France had to wait until the 28th minute before Nasri's 30-meter shot tested goalkeeper Marcelo Elizaga.

A minute later, Cisse headed Anelka's cross just over.

Ecuador exploited a French midfield lapse in the 38th when Luis Antonio Valencia found space to release Carlos Tenorio toward the goal.

Tenorio rounded goalkeeper Sebastien Frey but his shot was blocked on the line by defender Lilian Thuram, who fell as he thwarted a second shot after the ball rebounded back to Tenorio.

Les Bleus, wearing red jerseys for only the second in history, threatened a minute later when the unmarked Cisse headed Ben Arfa's pinpoint cross straight at Elizaga.

Anelka headed high Nasri's cross from the right in the 42nd, and Frey saved a shot by Castillo in the 44th.

Fans in Grenoble's Stade des Alpes jeered the French team as it left the field at halftime.

Gomis almost scored within seven minutes of entering to start the second half, but dragged his shot wide off Mathieu Flamini's pass.

Ben Arfa then almost scored in the 77th, eluding two players and hitting a powerful shot from the edge of the area that forced a low stop from Elizaga.

France plays Paraguay in Toulouse on Saturday and faces Colombia at Stade de France on June 3. It opens its Euro campaign in Group C against Romania on June 9, followed by Netherlands on June 13 and Italy on June 17.

Reds warn Blues off Torres bid

2008-05-28T15:05:00.003+08:00

Liverpool have told Premier League rivals Chelsea to forget about making a summer move for star striker Fernando Torres.

Reports in Spain and England have suggested the Blues are weighing up a £50million move for the Spaniard after his superb first season in the top flight.

The 24-year-old scored 33 goals in his debut campaign after arriving from Atletico Madrid last summer.

Reports have suggested Liverpool could be willing to cash in on Torres, but a spokesman for Reds co-owner Tom Hicks has rubbished the rumors.

"It is simply beyond comprehension. There is no circumstance in which Torres will be sold," Hicks' spokesman told The Mirror.

"Why would the owners invest so much money in supporting the manager, to then undermine that support? It is ludicrous."

And Hicks himself insisted the Reds would never contemplate selling Torres. He told the Daily Telegraph: "We would never consider it."

Blatter to push 6+5 plan through FIFA congress

2008-05-27T18:41:00.000+08:00

SYDNEY, Australia (AP) - Sepp Blatter is vowing to take his '6+5' proposal to restrict foreign players in domestic leagues to the next level after getting the backing of the European confederation.

Blatter said during two days of meetings in Sydney, FIFA's executive board had unanimously agreed on a resolution to take to Friday's Congress "exploring" the implementation of the restrictive quota proposals.

"This will be more than just further talks and investigations," the FIFA president told a news conference here Tuesday.

A FIFA spokesman said the objectives of Blatter's 6+5 plan had been agreed unanimously by the FIFA executive committee, including UEFA president Michael Platini.

Blatter said he would be asking the congress, featuring representatives of FIFA's 208 member federations, to give the FIFA president a mandate to impose the same rules outside of Europe if required.

The plan aims to force soccer clubs by 2012 to start a match with at least six homegrown players, and limit the number of foreigners to five.

Blatter even wants other international sports federations to join the cause.

"The Congress shall request the FIFA and UEFA presidents together with the world of sport - including the IOC - to explore all possible means within the limits of law to implement this rule," he said.

The proposal targets some of Europe's biggest clubs and aims to restore "national identity" to the teams while reducing the drain of players from other continents.

Limits on the number of EU players in European leagues were successfully challenged under the 1995 Bosman ruling. But Blatter said having at least six players who are eligible to play for a country's national team would motivate young athletes.

The proposal faces opposition from clubs with large numbers of foreign-born players and those who want free-market rules to apply to soccer.

But Blatter said he would meet with the president of the European parliament, Hans-Gert Poettering, on June 5 in Brussels to further lobby for support.

He is proposing the stepped introduction of a 4+7 system in 2010, increasing to 5+6 in 2011 and 6+5 in 2012.

In other developments, FIFA's executive committee voted to sign the latest world anti-doping code with new World Anti-Doping Agency president John Fahey in Sydney.

Blatter defended soccer's anti-doping credentials since first signing the WADA code in 2004, saying his sport had the highest number of tests and the least proportion of positive results in 2007.

He also confirmed the temporary suspension of one ban and provisional imposing of another.

The executive committee will recommend the Congress temporarily lift FIFA's controversial ban on international matches at high altitude in the wake of heavy criticism from South America. Blatter said a package to regulate matches in "extreme conditions" will be investigated instead.

Iraq will be banned from international soccer for 12 months unless it reinstates the national soccer association and Olympic committees it disbanded last week.

The Iraqi national team is due to play Australia in a 2010 World Cup qualifying match in Brisbane on Sunday, but the match will be canceled if the government doesn't meet FIFA's Thursday night deadline to reinstate the national association.

"I'm not a betting man, but I try to be a prophet - I have a good feeling they will play in Brisbane," Blatter said.

While saying he abhorred the recent tension in South Africa, he had no concerns about the country hosting the 2010 World Cup.

South Africa has witnessed a wave of violence in recent weeks targeting foreign workers from neighboring countries that has left at more than 50 people dead. Angry mobs have accused immigrants of taking jobs and blame them for crime.

FIFA selected the United Arab Emirates as venue for the Club World Cup in 2009 and 2010 before returning to Japan in 2011 and 2012. The UAE, Japan and Australia were the only candidates.

In other decisions, the executive committee designated Mexico as the host country for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2011 and Colombia for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2011.

It also confirmed that the Trinidad & Tobago Football Federation would host the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in 2010, provided that it submitted all outstanding bid documentation in the coming months.

Deschamps in running for Blues job

2008-05-27T18:39:00.000+08:00

Former Chelsea midfielder Didier Deschamps claims he is on the shortlist to become the new Blues manager following the sacking of Avram Grant.

The 39-year-old played for the club for the 1999/2000 season when they won the FA Cup and was part of the France team that claimed both the World Cup and the European Championship.

As a manager he then led Monaco to the 2004 Champions League final before guiding Juventus back to Serie A after they had been relegated following the match-fixing scandal.

However, he resigned in May 2007 and has been out of management since but now he believes he is in the frame to become the new boss at Stamford Bridge.

Deschamps told Monaco-based radio station RMC: "Three or four managers are on the list and I am one of them.

"It would be hard to refuse Chelsea. I want to return to coaching.

"I needed to rest, but I feel capable of achieving good things now.

"Breaking back into management is complicated because there are not always the opportunities, but the Chelsea position is now free.

"I am flattered to be considered a possible candidate for the role.

"They sacked their manager not because of the results they achieved, but because of their wish to play a more attacking, attractive style of football in the next few years.

"They are a very big club, that I know well.

"We will see over the next few days how it goes but any big-name manager who is available would interest them."

Salcido believes Eriksson would have hard time

2008-05-27T18:37:00.000+08:00

MEXICO CITY (AP) - Sweden's Sven-Goran Eriksson would have a hard time adapting to Mexico if he's chosen to be the new manager the country's national team, defender Carlos Salcido said on Monday.

Reports have Eriksson, the former England manager who coached Manchester City this past season, at the top of the candidates' list to take over as manager of El Tri, which has been vacant since Hugo Sanchez was fired on March 31 after failing to qualify the under-23 team for the Olympics.

Mexican Javier Aguirre took himself out of contention last week and will return to Atletico Madrid for a third season, while Brazilian Luiz Felipe Scolari reportedly asked for more than Mexico is willing to pay.

"I would like someone who knows the Mexican league, who knows Mexicans. We are very difficult. We are different and we need a coach who can come in and let us be free," Salcido told a press conference. "If it's Eriksson, it's fine, but we don't have all the time in the world and we do not have the luxury of waiting to see what might happen."

The PSV Eindhoven defender and the rest of the Mexican squad trained Monday for upcoming friendly matches against Argentina on June 4 in San Diego and Peru four days later in Chicago. Those matches will serve as preparation for their World Cup qualifier series against Belize in mid-June.

"(Eriksson) does have the capacity, but we need to see how he adapts," Salcido said. "If he is quick, then we will not have any trouble. But it took me three-to-four months to adapt (to the Netherlands). Let's just hope that he can make it quick because the qualifying rounds are coming up."

The Mexican soccer federation selected Jesus Ramirez as the national team coach for the next four matches. Ramirez won the Under-17 world title in Peru 2005.

Andres Guardado, a midfielder for Deportivo La Coruna, thinks Ramirez isn't appreciated enough.

"They have little respect for "Chucho", he is valuable," Guardado said. "He is the coach now. He's not just window dressing. We have to support him because he will be in charge the next four games.

"If they want to bring someone else, that's another story," Guardado added. "We feel like we have a coach now. We're working on his ideas, and then we will see what happens."

Guardado refused to comment on the possibility that Eriksson might take over, but suggested that whoever the new manager is, he should hire Ramirez for advice.

"If a European who does not speak Spanish is chosen, it would be a great idea to have someone who knows us next to him," Guardado said. "It would be nice if Ramirez works for the next coach, but we do not decide, we do not make suggestions, we just do as told."

America, Liga looking to make history

2008-05-27T18:35:00.000+08:00

MEXICO CITY (AP) - No matter what happens between America and Liga de Quito, the Copa Libertadores final will have a debutante team.

After leaving behind teams from Brazil and Argentina in the previous round, America and Liga will open their semifinal series on Tuesday night at Estadio Azteca.

Both teams are in this round against the odds: America, which finished with the worst record in the Mexican Clausura, upset Santos of Brazil in the quarterfinals, while Liga eliminated Argentina's San Lorenzo.

America's Aguilas have reached this stage twice before. In 2000, they fell to Boca Juniors and two years after that, Sao Caetano took them down.

"America is playing good soccer. We are on a good streak, and we will try to extend it. We need to win two more games before the final. We can't talk about the championship before taking on the Ecuadoreans," America manager Juan Antonio Luna said.

In the other semifinal, which will start on Wednesday, Boca will face Fluminense.

America, the second-most successful Mexican club with 10 titles, won only three of 17 matches in the Clausura, was six points behind the next worst team and suffered its worst league season ever.

In appeared to be eliminated from the Libertadores at the second-round stage, losing 4-2 at home in the first leg to Flamengo. But it rallied to win 3-0 in Rio de Janeiro and then advaned past on a 2-1 aggregate score to reach the final four.

"No one bet on us. Everything we heard was criticism, and now we have this chance and we are not going to let it slip," America defender Oscar Rojas said. "America has everything to make history. We have taken a few steps and now have everything to reach the finals."

Liga reached the semifinals by prevailing on penalty kicks to subdue Lorenzo.

"This will be my first time facing America. We all know that they are a tough team. That's why they are in this round," Liga striker Claudio Bieler said.

The Ecuadoreans know how important it is to play well in the first match. So far this season, in the 12 series played in the knockout phase, the team to play away in the second leg has advanced.

"We know how hard it will be. It's a 180-minute match that will be played hard from start to finish. Everybody said America was dead, and now it's more alive than ever," Liga manager Edgardo Bauza said

Zaragoza signs Oliveira on permanent deal

2008-05-27T15:04:00.002+08:00

MADRID, Spain (AP) - Zaragoza signed Brazil striker Ricardo Oliveira to a permanent deal after having him on loan from AC Milan this season.

Oliveira agreed to a four-year contract in a deal that reportedly cost Zaragoza €10 million (US$15.75 million).

The 27-year-old forward scored 17 league goals for Zaragoza this season, but failed to prevent the team from finishing in 18th place and being relegated.

Zaragoza, which faces a loss of revenue from playing in the second-tier league, could try to make a profit by selling Oliveira on to another team.

Oliveira joined Milan from Real Betis in 2006 but failed to make an impact. He previously played for Valencia and Brazilian clubs Portuguesa and Santos. He also had a loan spell with Sao Paulo earlier in 2006.

Indian outing excites Bayern legend Kahn

2008-05-27T15:01:00.001+08:00

CALCUTTA, India (AP) - Germany's famed goalkeeper Oliver Kahn is excited to be playing in India during his farewell season as Bayern Munich makes a push into the huge emerging market.

"I don't know anything about Indian football, but have heard a lot about the country," Kahn said ahead of Tuesday's friendly between Bayern Munich and Indian club Mohun Bagan in Calcutta.

"It's wonderful to be here and experience the passion for football in India," he said.

The 38-year-old Kahn, a three-time world goalkeeper of the year, is retiring after claiming a record eight Bundesliga titles and featuring in a league record 557 matches.

Kahn's career started at SC Karlsruhe where he played his first Bundesliga match in 1987. He went on to become a regular in a few seasons before moving in 1994 to Bayern Munich, which in 2001 won the Champion League after Kahn saved three penalties against Valencia.

"I've had many great moments, winning the Champions League final against Valencia and then the Bundesliga in 2001 were very special," said Kahn.

He also won 15 other titles for Bayern Munich.

As captain of Germany, Kahn was adjudged the best player of the 2002 World Cup when he led the team to the final - the feature of his 86 appearances for the national team.

Having played professional soccer for two decades, Kahn's retirement will see him switch to the television commentary box.

"I was in the field for 20 years. I now want to leave the field, but there are several things for me to do," he said.

Tuesday's match will also mark the German club's last game under celebrated coach Ottmar Hitzfeld, before he takes over the Swiss national team.

Toni celebrates birthday with big present in mind

2008-05-27T14:59:00.001+08:00

ROME (AP) - As Luca Toni goes, so goes Italy.

That was one of the prevailing thoughts as the World Cup champions held their first full day of training for the European Championship.

Incidentally, Monday also marked Toni's 31st birthday.

"As a present I'd like to win the Euros," Toni said. "If you had told me five years ago that I would have celebrated as a world champion, training for the Euros, I would have said you were crazy. But here we are with a chance to make history, because combining our World Cup title with this European Championship would really be historic."

The only team to win the World Cup and European Championship back-to-back was France in 1998 and 2000 - with a golden-goal victory over Italy at the Euros.

With Francesco Totti retired from international play, and Alberto Gilardino - Toni's strike partner at the World Cup - in a slump and out of the team, Toni is more than ever the focus of the Azzurri attack.

Vincenzo Iaquinta also did not make the team, due to a a muscle injury.

Toni will likely have Antonio Di Natale and Mauro Camoranesi flanking him in Donadoni's preferred 4-3-3 lineup, with Alessandro Del Piero, Antonio Cassano and Fabio Quagliarella other options.

Toni's backup is the inexperienced Marco Borriello, who scored 19 goals for Genoa this season, but has only appeared twice for Italy, with no goals.

Toni scored 39 goals in all competitions this season with Bayern Munich, his first in Germany, and has 15 goals in 33 appearances for Italy. The 1.93-meter (6-foot-4) striker was a late bloomer, bursting onto the scene by scoring 50 goals over two seasons with Palermo between 2003-05.

Toni then transferred to Fiorentina and led all leagues in Europe with 31 goals in 2005-06 - the season before the World Cup. He scored twice at the tournament in Germany - Toni's first big international competition - tying Marco Materazzi for the team lead. Eight other players scored once each.

Italy's strength at the World Cup was its teamwork, with no player significantly outshining any other. If Toni is on form, that could change this time. "I'm really charged. Compared to the World Cup, I feel more sure of myself, and stronger," Toni said at Italy's training center in Florence. "I guarantee I'll give 110 percent. This could be my last European Championship and I want to win it."

Italy opens against the Netherlands on June 9, faces Romania four days later and ends group play against France on June 17 in a rematch of the World Cup final.

Toni is teammates at Bayern with France midfielder Franck Ribery, and played with Romania star Adrian Mutu at Fiorentina.

"We're in an extremely difficult group. There are no weak teams," Toni said. "Holland is among the strongest teams in circulation, Romania is there because it deserves to be, and I already told my friend Ribery that I hope to get to the last game against France without needing points.

"Franck is crazy, but he's a great player, one who can make the difference. He's like Mutu. I still talk often with Adrian, and I wished him a good Euros," Toni said.

Besides winning the Bundesliga, Toni's goals also were crucial for Bayern in the UEFA Cup and German Cup.

Toni scored twice in the last five minutes of extra time against Getafe to put Bayern through to the UEFA Cup semifinals in April, then added two more - including another in extra time - to lead his team to a 2-1 win over Borussia Dortmund in the German Cup final a week later.

"I'm going to stay (with Bayern) next year also. We're going to aim for the Champions League," Toni said. "I told management I'd like to have some Italian teammates, and I know they tried with (Gennaro) Gattuso. Now (Andrea) Barzagli would be welcome."

Gattuso recently announced he will stay with AC Milan, while Italy defender Barzagli is looking to transfer from Palermo.

For now, Toni is Italy's top export.

Mascherano called by Argentina for friendlies

2008-05-27T14:58:00.002+08:00

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) - Liverpool striker Javier Mascherano was added to Argentina's roster Monday for upcoming friendlies against Mexico and the United States, bolstering its roster for the North American tour.

Mascherano joins teammates Martin Demichelis of Bayern Munich, Real Madrid's Fernando Cavenaghi and Jonas Gutierrez of Real Mallorca, who began training Monday at the team's headquarters, the Argentine Football Association said.

Argentina faces Mexico in San Diego on June 4, four days after they play the United States in New York - all in preparation for upcoming World Cup qualifying matches against Ecuador and Brazil in mid-June.

Lionel Messi, from Barcelona and Sergio Aguero, form Atletico Madrid, were to join the team Tuesday.

Barcelona signs midfielder Keita from Sevilla

2008-05-27T14:56:00.001+08:00

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) - FC Barcelona signed midfielder Seydou Keita from Sevilla to a four-year contract on Monday.

Barcelona gave no financial details, but news reports said the club has paid the €14 million (US$22.1 million) buyout clause attached to the Mali international's contract, which had three years to run.

Barcelona has set the buyout clause of Keita's new contract at €90 million (US$142 million).

Keita, who passed a routine medical with Barcelona on Friday, enjoyed an impressive first season in Spain after arriving from Lens nearly a year ago. Acting as a midfield lynchpin, he also scored several spectacular long-range goals. He previously played for Marseille and Lorient.

The 28-year-old Keita is Barcelona's first signing since it announced this month that reserve team coach Pep Guardiola would replace Frank Rijkaard as coach after a second straight season without a trophy.

Barcelona finished third in the league - its worst placing for five years - and was knocked out in the Champions League semifinals by eventual winner Manchester United.

Barcelona is also expected to sign Manchester United defender Gerard Pique for a reported fee of €5 million (US$8 million).

AC Milan has expressed interest in signing Ronaldinho, Eto'o and fullback Gianluca Zambrotta.

Ballack ready to play for Germany

2008-05-27T14:54:00.001+08:00

PALMA DE MALLORCA, Balearic Islands (AP) - Captain Michael Ballack joined the Germany team Monday and proclaimed himself ready to play in a friendly against Belarus on Tuesday.

Ballack missed the first week of Germany's training camp on the Balearic island of Mallorca because of the Champions League final, which his Chelsea lost on penalties to Manchester United last week in Moscow.

"I am here to play immediately," Ballack said after catching up with the team that flew from Mallorca for the game in Kaiserslautern, in southern Germany. "I've put the (Champions League) loss behind me and I am looking ahead."

Germany left strikers Mario Gomez and Kevin Kuranyi and four other players behind at its training camp on Mallorca.

Tuesday's game is one of the two Germany will have ahead of next month's European Championship in Switzerland and Austria. The second is Saturday against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen.

Gomez is nursing a slight calf injury while Kuranyi was given time to rest, according to federation spokesman Harald Stenger. Coach Joachim Loew did not attend the news conference before the flight because of a tooth ache.

Midfielder Tim Borowski is fighting a cold and also stayed behind, along with defender Arne Friedrich (stomach problems) and reserve goalkeeper Rene Adler (bruised hip). Kuranyi and midfielder Simon Rolfes were given time off to rest and work on their fitness.

The team will fly back to Mallorca after Tuesday's game, before returning home for the match against Serbia. On Wednesday, Loew will cut three players from the 26-man roster.

Hiddink won't join Chelsea - Agent

2008-05-26T19:23:00.000+08:00

The agent of Russia coach Guus Hiddink insists there is "no way" the Dutchman will be taking over the vacant managerial position at Chelsea.

Hiddink is one of the favorites to succeed Avram Grant, who was sacked on Saturday night just eight months into a four-year contract.

The Dutch coach reportedly has strong links with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, who is believed to have played a key role in his appointment as Russia boss two years ago as well as helping fund his salary.

Hiddink's contract expires in the summer of 2010 and his agent, Cees van Nieuwenhuizen, insists he will honour it.

"There's no way Guus will go to Chelsea," he said in the Times.

"It's not an option and has never been. Guus is the coach of Russia and will stay until the World Cup of 2010."

AC Milan favors Eto'o signing ahead of Ronaldinho

2008-05-26T19:20:00.002+08:00

MADRID, Spain (AP) - AC Milan would prefer to sign FC Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o than his teammate Ronaldinho.

With Barcelona expected to offload both players as part of a revamp under new coach Pep Guardiola, Milan general manager Ariedo Braida said the Cameroon international's characteristics would be more suitable for his team.

"We need Ronnie less than Eto'o," Braida said Sunday. "Eto'o is a great player, but it won't be easy because I suspect we'll have to pay a lot of money. Anyway, everything is possible in soccer."

Barcelona, which has not won a major trophy since the 2006 Champions League title, would reportedly seek €40 million (US$63 million) for the 27-year-old Eto'o, a three-time African player of the year who has scored 77 league goals in his four seasons with the club.

Ronaldinho, whose star has fallen this season amid doubts about his temperament, would likely command a lesser fee. The Brazilian, a two-time world player of the year, is also a year older than Eto'o.

Milan is seeking reinforcements after failing to reach next season's Champions League, the seven-time European champion only managing a fifth-place finish in the Serie A.

On Friday, Milan vice president Adriano Galliano held talks with Barcelona officials reportedly over Eto'o, Ronaldinho and defender Gianluca Zambrotta.

Braida confirmed Milan's interest in Italy defender Zambrotta, who looks set to end a two-year stay at Barcelona.

"Now, the difference is only in terms of price," Braida said.

Milan is believed to have offered €8 million (US$12.6 million) but Barcelona is seeking €12 million (US$18.9 million) for Zambrotta, who is interested in the move.

"I'm happy in Spain and Barcelona is a great club with which you can take on great challenges, but the desire to return to Italy is always strong," Zambrotta said.

Barcelona, which is also expected to sell Portugal midfielder Deco, is close to signing Mali midfielder Seydou Keita from Sevilla and Catalan defender Gerard Pique from Manchester United.

Guardiola, who has replaced Frank Rijkaard, is also said to be interested in a host of other players, such as Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor at Arsenal and Uruguay defender Martin Caceres from Villarreal, who spent the season on loan with Recreativo Huelva.

2008-05-26T19:20:00.001+08:00