Glasgow (AFP) – Scotland assistant manager Mark McGhee expects a strong response as his team look to bounce back from an embarrassing draw to Canada in a crucial World Cup qualifier against Slovenia. Gordon Strachan's side trailed to the Canadians before Steven Naismith's equaliser gave them an unconvincing 1-1 draw at Easter Road on Wednesday. […]

Dublin (AFP) – Seamus Coleman has warned Wales star Gareth Bale that the Republic of Ireland are capable of shutting him down in Friday's vital World Cup qualifier. The Republic's attempts to subdue Real Madrid forward Bale will form a major part of the Group D leaders' game-plan in Dublin. Having seen his team snuff […]

Changsha (China) (AFP) – Yu Dabao struck in the first half as Marcello Lippi's China stunned South Korea 1-0 to keep their slim World Cup hopes alive on Thursday. The Beijing Guoan forward's header ensured China's first win of in the final qualifying group — and only their second victory over the Koreans in 32 […]

Estoril (Portugal) (AFP) – UEFA director of competitions Giorgio Marchetti on Thursday rejected the idea of a European Super League made up of the continent's top clubs, but said the format of the Champions League could evolve. "If the Super League is a competition for an elite, closed, then it's not our competition," said Marchetti […]

London (AFP) – The billionaire former chairman of US entertainment giant the Walt Disney Corporation is in talks to buy English fourth-tier club Portsmouth, the south coast side has confirmed. Following a report in The News, Portsmouth's local newspaper, that American media mogul Michael Eisner was looking to complete a takeover, the Portsmouth Supporters Trust, […]

Singapore (AFP) – China's cash-rich Super League needs to work on improving local talent as well as dipping into its deep pockets to attract top foreign players, the La Liga chief said Thursday. Javier Tebas told AFP he was "not worried at all" about the best La Liga players being tempted by lucrative salary offers […]

San Francisco (AFP) – Veteran coach Bruce Arena believes a tougher mental approach can help the United States reignite their 2018 World Cup qualification campaign on Friday as the Americans prepare to face Honduras in a must-win tie in California. Arena, who replaced sacked coach Jurgen Klinsmann in November, is targeting six points from Friday's […]

Milan (AFP) – He's known as the 'Rooster' with the insatiable appetite for goals, and Albania coach Gianni Di Biasi, for one, will be hoping Italy sensation Andrea Belotti goes hungry on Friday. "I would have preferred it if there was a foreign striker on top of the Serie A scoring charts right now," De […]

London (AFP) – Gareth Bale's Wales hope to recapture the spirit of Euro 2016 when they attempt to revive their flagging World Cup qualifying campaign against Ireland in Dublin on Friday. Having stunned Europe by reaching the semi-finals of last year's European Championship in France, Wales trail leaders Ireland by four points after four games […]

Dortmund (Germany) (AFP) – Lukas Podolski signed off his Germany career in style on Wednesday smashing home the winning goal with his trusty left boot to seal a 1-0 friendly victory over England. It was only fitting that the Galatasaray forward, who joins Japan's Vissel Kobe next season, should claim his 49th goal on his […]

Zurich (AFP) – Palestinian and Israeli football officials were involved in "heated" talks Wednesday as FIFA attempted to mediate complaints that Israeli clubs are illegally playing in the occupied West Bank, a source told AFP. Palestinians argue that the presence of six Israeli football clubs playing on land containing settlements seen as illegal under international […]

London (AFP) – Joe Ledley could miss Wales's World Cup qualifier against the Republic of Ireland if his pregnant wife Ruby gives birth to the couple's third child earlier than expected ahead of Friday's match in Dublin. Joe and Ruby Ledley are already the parents of two daughters, with their third child expected a few […]

Estoril (Portugal) (AFP) – UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin vowed on Wednesday to reform the transfer system to stem the talent flow towards the richest clubs. "We'll develop something akin to tax on luxury goods or limits on squad size," Ceferin said on the sidelines of a UEFA congress in Portugal. "This would be done to […]

Dortmund (Germany) (AFP) – Sami Khedira will miss Germany's friendly international with England on Thursday as the Juventus holding midfielder has a swollen ankle, his football federation said on Wednesday. "We decided to rest Sami for the England game, but it really is just a precaution," Germany assistant coach Marcus Sorg said. The 29-year-old will […]

Doha (AFP) – A simmering spat between the Qatar and Iran coaches broke out into the open on Wednesday ratcheting up tensions 24 hours ahead of a crucial World Cup qualifier. Jorge Fossati and Carlos Queiroz clashed over alleged comments made by the former Real Madrid coach ahead of the qualifier in Tehran last September […]