International Friendly: Japan - Bulgaria Japan will step up preparations for their World Cup qualifiers and Confederations Cup campaign by taking on Bulgaria on Thursday.
The fixture will be Alberto Zaccheroni's last chance to take a look at his squad ahead of crucial qualification meetings with Australia and Iraq and the opening Confederations Cup fixture against Brazil on June 15.
Japan head into the game at the Tokyo Stadium in good form having won four of their last six fixtures, though they suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Jordan in their last outing.
Category: News Views: 1194 Added: SkyDate: 29.05.2013 - 22:33
International Friendly: Italy v San Marino Cesare Prandelli has named a strong squad for the fixture, with his side preparing to face the Czech Republic before heading out to Brazil to participate in the Confederations Cup.
However, Giacomo Bonaventura of Atalanta and Cagliari pair Michael Agazzi and Marco Sau have also been included, and could make their international debuts in Bologna.
Italy will be keen to put an end to their rece
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Category: News Views: 812 Added: SkyDate: 29.05.2013 - 22:32
Montpellier complete Bakar deal Montpellier have confirmed the signing of forward Djamel Bakar on a four-year contract following a free transfer from Nancy.
The 2012 Ligue 1 champions endured a disappointing campaign this past season, finishing ninth in the table, well off the pace of runaway winners Paris Saint-Germain, whom they beat to the title last term.
The loss of Olivier Giroud to Arsenal played a big role in the Stade de la Mosson outfit's downturn in form, with 30-year-old striker Souleymane Camara and attacking midfielder Younes Belhanda finishing the season as joint top scorers with 10 goals each.
Montpellier are in the midst of a rebuilding project, with Rene Girard - who guided them to the first French crown in their history - replaced b
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Category: News Views: 701 Added: SkyDate: 29.05.2013 - 22:30
Ribery committed to Bayern Franck Ribery has quashed speculation he is set to leave UEFA Champions League winners Bayern Munich.
The France international has been in terrific form for the Bundesliga champions in 2012-13, scoring 11 goals in 42 appearances to put them on the brink of claiming a treble trophy success when they take on Stuttgart in the DFB-Pokal final.
That form has seen Ribery linked with a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid, but the 30-year-old says he wants to end his career in Bavaria.
"I really hope to continue," he told RMC. "I want to finish my career here. It's been six years, I feel good and I'm having fun.
Category: News Views: 665 Added: SkyDate: 29.05.2013 - 22:29
Hughton excited by Van Wolfswinkel The Dutch forward agreed a deal to join the club from Sporting Lisbon in March, and will meet up with his new team-mates when pre-season training begins.
And former Newcastle manager Hughton says he is looking forward to seeing the 24-year-old up close.
"That is something that we have been looking forward to from the day we signed him and he is player that even though we had signed him and he had to complete his season at Sporting Lisbon, he still managed to score goals," Hughton told Sky Sports News.
Category: News Views: 664 Added: SkyDate: 29.05.2013 - 22:27
Padelli signs for Torino Torino have confirmed the signing of goalkeeper Daniele Padelli from Udinese for an undisclosed fee.
Padelli made just nine appearances in Serie A for Udinese last season, the most recent of which came in a 5-2 victory over Inter on the final day of the season.
The club have acted swiftly to sign a new shot-stopper, with Jean-Francois Gillet potentially facing a lengthy ban after he was implicated in a match-fixing scandal which is alleged to have taken place during his time at Bari.
Former Italy Under-21 international Padelli began his career with Sampdoria, before enjoying loan spells with the likes of Liverpool, Pisa and Bari.
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Category: News Views: 711 Added: SkyDate: 29.05.2013 - 22:25
Clarke praises West Brom transfer policy West Brom head coach Steve Clarke has supported the club's cautious approach in the transfer market.
The Scot believes that the prudence shown towards player recruitment has worked for the Hawthorns outfit, and feels that continued Premier League football is proof that they have taken the right direction.
Clarke also suggested that the club will continue to take a sensible approach to signings, as he prepares his transfer planswest brom, for next season."There has been year-on-year improvement for the club over the last few years and that's all we try to do," Clarke told the Express and Star.
"We will try to improve again next season.
"There is no reason to doubt that what we're doing is correct because yea
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Category: News Views: 644 Added: SkyDate: 29.05.2013 - 22:24
Corini leaves Chievo Chievo have announced that they have opted against renewing manager Eugenio Corini's contract.
Corini led the club to a 12th-placed Serie A finish in 2012-13 but has failed to earn an extension to his one-year deal with the Veronia outfit.
The 42-year-old, who previously enjoyed a five-year playing spell with Chievo, is now reportedly on the radar of Palermo, another of his former clubs.
The Sicilian side suffered relegation from Serie A this season, finishing in 18th place under the stewardship of Giuseppe Sannino.
Category: News Views: 581 Added: SkyDate: 29.05.2013 - 22:22
Ramage, Garvan sign new Palace deals Crystal Palace have announced that Peter Ramage and Owen Garvan have signed contract extensions at Selhurst Park.
The pair helped Palace gain promotion to the Premier League via the 2012-13 Championship play-offs, and have both penned deals which run until June 2015.
Ramage made 43 appearances at the heart of defence over the course of his first season with the London club, scoring four goals.
And midfielder Garvan, who has been with Palace for six years, was called on 32 times by Ian Holloway, also contributing four goals to the cause.
While Ramage and Garvan are now certain to be around when top-flight football returns to Selhurst Park, it remains to be se
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Category: News Views: 577 Added: SkyDate: 29.05.2013 - 22:20
Klinsmann excited by Belgium test United States coach Juergen Klinsmann is expecting to learn a lot about his team from Wednesday's clash with Belgium in Cleveland.
The two sides meet in an international friendly at the FirstEnergy Stadium, hoping to find form ahead of a run of World Cup 2014 qualifying fixtures in June.
And Klinsmann is eager to see his charges tested by opposition who are currently top of their UEFA qualification group, which also includes Croatia and Serbia.
"We want to see exactly where the players are right now, obviously we want to win this game," he said.
"Belgium is one of the best teams right now in Europe, they have very very good individual players you know big na
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Category: News Views: 631 Added: SkyDate: 29.05.2013 - 22:19
Jovetic set for Fiorentina exit Fiorentina general manager Sandro Menucci has admitted striker Stevan Jovetic is likely to leave the club.
The highly rated Montenegrin has been linked with a host of clubs including Arsenal and Serie A champions Juventus and is looking to test himself on a higher stage.
Now, Menucci says the club will need to try and find a solution which works for both the player and Fiorentina.
"Stevan would like to have a new experience and we will try to oblige, but only if you get a reasonable offer," Menucci said.
Fiorentina midfielder Alberto Aquilani has also added that he believes Jovetic will leave the club and said he can make an impact for any top te
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Category: News Views: 567 Added: SkyDate: 29.05.2013 - 22:18
Real Madrid offer would honour Bale Tottenham star Gareth Bale would consider an offer from Real Madrid "an honour", according to his agent.
After an impressive season which saw the Welsh winger notch 26 goals for Spurs, there have been plenty of reports about which clubs would vie for his services.
Tottenham star Gareth Bale would consider an offer from Real Madrid "an honour", according to his agent.
After an impressive season which saw the Welsh winger notch 26 goals for Spurs, there have been plenty of reports about which clubs would vie for his services.
The Bernabeu outfit are considered the front-runners to seal Bale's signature if he is to depart White Hart Lane. However, his agent Jonathan Barnett has stated there have been no offers as yet from the Spanish giants.
Category: News Views: 674 Added: SkyDate: 29.05.2013 - 18:57
Hodgson casts doubt on Rooney´s role England manager Roy Hodgson says Wayne Rooney's future with the national team will be in doubt if he struggles to play for his club.
Rooney slipped behind Robin Van Persie as Manchester United's preferred striker during the past season and retiring United boss Alex Ferguson revealed Rooney submitted a transfer request toward the end of the campaign.
It remains to be seen if new manager David Moyes, who coached Rooney at Everton, will retain the forward's services.
Although Rooney played 37 matches across all competitions for United in 2012/13, scoring 16 goals, Hodgson said the 27-year-old could drop out of England's starting XI if he struggles for game-time.
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Category: News Views: 725 Added: SkyDate: 29.05.2013 - 18:56
Chiellini demands end to racism Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini is desperate for the racist chanting which has plagued Serie A to be eradicated.
Racism from fans across Italy has been a major problem throughout the season, with AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri describing the country's culture as 'backward' on May 12.
Those comments came after Milan striker Mario Balotelli was racially abused during his side's clash against Roma and the referee stopped the game for a warning to be delivered via the San Siro's public address system.
Juventus player Chiellini said he was eager for the problem to be solved but also said personal insults would always be part of the game.
Category: News Views: 667 Added: SkyDate: 29.05.2013 - 18:54
Hulk linked with Monaco switch Big spending Monaco have shown "real interest" in signing Zenit St Petersburg forward Hulk, according to the player's agent.
The 26-year-old has endured a turbulent first season in Russian football following his move from Porto in September.
And Hulk, who had a transfer request rejected in January because of UEFA regulations forbidding a player appearing for three different clubs in the same season, is said to be attracted to the ambitious project being developed in Monte Carlo.
According to the player's agent, Teodora Fonseca, the interest is mutual.
"I know people at Monaco. They have not contacted me, but there has been speculation and the interest is rea
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Category: News Views: 681 Added: SkyDate: 29.05.2013 - 18:53
Cole captaincy is deserved Cole will lead the side out by way of honouring him for reaching 100 caps, and his England and Chelsea team-mate Lampard feels it is a fitting tribute for someone he feels is one of the most consistent full-backs in the world.
It will be Cole's 102nd appearance for the national side and Lampard said: "The way Ashley has performed over those 100 caps, he is the most consistent left-back probably in world football over such a long period of time.
"It's the perfect gesture and very much deserved from England."
Category: News Views: 604 Added: SkyDate: 29.05.2013 - 18:52
Thiago plays down Manchester United links Barcelona attacking midfielder Thiago Alcantara is concentrating purely on the UEFA European U-21 Championship rather than his club future.
The Spanish playmaker has been linked with a move to English champions Manchester United but he claims to be happy at Camp Nou.
United have been linked with several moves to boost their mitdfield but, although not considered a regular started in Catalunya, Thiago is not interested in a move.
"As I live my life, I am very happy. I really enjoy being at Barcelona because my experiences have been very good," he said.
"We'll see how things are after the European Championships."
Category: News Views: 609 Added: SkyDate: 29.05.2013 - 18:49
Rodgers backs starlets to shine Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has challenged his players at the UEFA Under-21 European Championship to use it as a stage to shine.
Jordan Henderson, Jonjo Shelvey, Andre Wisdom and Jack Robinson make up the Liverpool contingent for England at the tournament in Israel, and Rodgers expects them all to come back with more experience.
"I always think going to big championships like that is great for their learning," Rodgers said.
"All these football experiences are good for them. I'm not one who is against players representing their countries."
Spain midfielder Juan Mata featured for the Under-21s for th
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Category: News Views: 602 Added: SkyDate: 29.05.2013 - 18:48
Keane slams England no-shows Republic of Ireland striker Robbie Keane has criticised England players who prefer not to play for the national side.
Ahead of what will be Keane's 124th cap for this country, the LA Galaxy forward was questioned on the recent retirements of John Terry and Rio Ferdinand, insisting nothing would ever convince him to withdraw his services to Ireland.e,
"It's very simple, I want to play for my country more than anything," Keane said.
"It still means as much to me now as when I made my debut at 18 years of age.
"I can never understand players who don’t want to play for country, it’s very hard to take in.
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Category: News Views: 579 Added: SkyDate: 29.05.2013 - 18:46
Grenier replaces Nasri in France squad Lyon midfielder Clement Grenier has been called up to the France national side as a replacement for Samir Nasri.
Nasri had been due to make his return to the national squad after a ban following Nasri's behaviour at Euro 2012.
The Manchester City midfielder swore at journalists during the tournament and was banned for three games with manager Didier Deschamps opting not to recall him once it had been served.
But fitness issues have forced Nasri to be pulled out with Grenier, who has been targeted by Arsenal, given the chance to impress in his place,
The development will come as a disappointment for Nasri, who told L'Equipe he was "very happy" to be back in the national side and wanted to show a
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Category: News Views: 708 Added: SkyDate: 29.05.2013 - 18:44
Ronaldinho tips Neymar to thrive Ronaldinho has backed fellow Brazilian Neymar to shine at La Liga champions Barcelona following his move from Santos.
Neymar, 21, finalised a switch to Barca this week, signing a five-year contract following a protracted courtship by the Catalan giants.
Ronaldinho, who played for Barca with distinction between 2003 and 2008, is confident his countryman will emulate him in excelling at Camp Nou.
"It will be wonderful to see him play for Barcelona," Ronaldinho said.
"They are a great club in one of the best leagues in the world.
"He will certainly adapt well because he is a player who h
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Category: News Views: 686 Added: SkyDate: 29.05.2013 - 18:42
