Sevilla defender Sergio Sanchez cleared to play

SEVILLE, Spain (AP) - Sevilla says a doctor has cleared defender Sergio Sanchez to play again after a heart condition sidelined him nearly a year ago.

The 24-year-old Sanchez was diagnosed with the condition in January, requiring him to stop all physical activity. He then underwent an operation.

The club said Tuesday that a doctor cleared Sanchez after a recent series of tests.

Sanchez will resume training Wednesday but the doctor wants him to be checked again at the end of the season.

Sanchez says his first reaction at the news was to "cry and hug my family."

Sanchez was among a string of similar Spanish football cases following the deaths of Sevilla's Antonio Puerta and Espanyol's Daniel Jarque from heart-related problems.

  

Enrique's injury tweets anger Newcastle manager

LONDON (AP) - Newcastle defender Jose Enrique angered manager Alan Pardew by using Twitter before Tuesday's match at Tottenham to reveal that he would be out injured.

Pardew had hoped news of Enrique's hamstring setback wouldn't be discovered until the teamsheet was handed in at White Hart Lane, where Newcastle lost 2-0 in the Premier League.

But more than four hours before kickoff, the Spanish defender wrote in broken English on Twitter: "Sorry lads i have a test this morning and we decide is better dont play if no im in 100x100. Im so hungry because this game is nice to play ... my hamstring is so stiff today."

Pardew will now order his players to withhold such revelations from social networking accounts, although he accepts that "it's difficult to police" and won't impose an outright ban.

"I got a text message that the press knew," Pardew said. "Did he tweet it, did he? It's something as a club we need to look at.

Players can't be giving that sort of information out ... we need to make it as a club policy that it has to stop."

Asked if Enrique would be fit for Sunday's match against West Ham, Pardew quipped: "I'll check his tweet."

And Enrique had already provided an update for his more than 5,000 followers.

"Im sure is ok for sunday because is just stiff nothing worse," he tweeted. "Thanks everyone for your support."

Pardew's annoyance must have filtered through to Enrique as the contentious messages were subsequently deleted from his feed.

"Sorry i want to delete twetter just get me problems," he explained on his feed. "I have some followers they speak after i say something on the papers."
  

AC Milan: Ronaldinho to stay with club

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - AC Milan director Umberto Gandini says the team has no plans to part with striker Ronaldinho "for the moment."

Italian media have speculated that the Brazilian will be moving to one of several interested Brazilian sides in the January transfer window, or to another Serie A club. The speculation intensified after the team signed Italy forward Antonio Cassano from Sampdoria this month.

Gandini says Ronaldinho arrived Monday in Dubai and took part in training ahead of an exhibition match Jan. 2 against a local club.

Gandini said it was the desire of club owner and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi "that he (Ronaldinho) will play and stay with Milan for the moment."
  

Man United, City level on top of Premier League

LONDON (AP) - Manchester United relinquished its two-point lead in the Premier League on Tuesday by conceding a disputed late equalizer in a 1-1 draw at lowly Birmingham.

After seeing crosstown rival Manchester City thrash struggling Aston Villa 4-0 thanks to a hat trick by Mario Balotelli, United required a victory at St. Andrews to ensure it would be clear at the top going into 2011.

Top scorer Dimitar Berbatov's 58th-minute strike broke the deadlock, but Lee Bowyer grabbed a dramatic leveler with a minute left in normal time, bundling home from close range after Birmingham substitute Nikola Zigic appeared to handle a deep cross into the box.

The two Manchester clubs are both on 38 points, although United has two games in hand. Arsenal, which visits Wigan on Wednesday, is third, three points behind having played the same number of games as United.

Tottenham beat Newcastle 2-0 to go provisionally fourth ahead of Chelsea, which hosts Bolton on Wednesday.

As well as the handball appeal against Zigic, United also complained that the Serbia striker fouled Rio Ferdinand as he went up to challenge for Roger Johnson's ball into the box. Bowyer could also have been marginally offside, too, before sliding home his finish from four yards.

"There was a handball, a foul on the center back - if the referee can't see it, what chance have we got?" Ferguson said. "I think it's terribly harsh ... we didn't deserve that."

United was lackluster in the first half at St. Andrews as Birmingham suffocated the visitors with its high-tempo pressing game.

Wayne Rooney, still without a goal in open play this campaign, cut a frustrated figure stuck out on the left wing, and the only real hint of a goal came when Ryan Giggs' misdirected cross was touched on to the post by Birmingham goalkeeper Ben Foster.

The second half was a different story as United looked much more threatening. Three minutes after breaking the deadlock, the in-form Berbatov - who has a league-high 14 goals for the season - dragged a shot against the post from 20 yards.

"We worked really hard but I think we deserved to get a point at the end," said Bowyer, whose side provisionally climbed out of the bottom three.

Balotelli, who started in place of rested top scorer Carlos Tevez, converted penalties in the eighth and 55th minutes to open and round off the scoring in City's convincing victory at Eastlands.

The Italy striker's other goal came from a tap-in from close range in the 27th minute, after center back Joleon Lescott had made it 2-0 with a fine header from a corner in the 13th.

Reports in the British media suggested Tuesday that Balotelli wants to leave City after failing to settle in Manchester following his 24-million-pound ($37 million) offseason move from European and Italian champion Inter Milan.

The 20-year-old striker has been in and out of City's starting lineup and had only scored twice in the league - both coming at West Bromwich Albion in November - before Villa's welcoming defense arrived at City of Manchester Stadium.

"I think that's normal," City manager Roberto Mancini said, when asked why Balotelli was struggling to adapt. "He is 20, it's his first time away from (Italy) and he's missing his family."

Tottenham had to grind out a win with 10 men for the second time in three days after Younes Kaboul was sent off in the 65th minute for an attempted head-butt on Cheick Tiote.

Aaron Lennon had given Spurs the lead in the 57th, and Gareth Bale eased any nerves by scoring the second with a low shot in the 81st following a rapid counterattack.

Blackpool beat Sunderland 2-0 away, Blackburn won 3-1 at West Brom and Fulham defeated Stoke 2-0 away. Everton drew 1-1 at second-bottom West Ham.

Liverpool hosts Wolves in Wednesday's third match.
  

Birmingham holds United to contentious 1-1 draw

BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) - Lee Bowyer scored a contentious 89th-minute equalizer Tuesday to give Birmingham a 1-1 draw with Manchester United, which stays unbeaten but now only leads the Premier League on goal difference.

Bowyer tapped the ball in from close range after Nikola Zigic had appeared to use his arms to control a cross from Roger Johnson.

Zigic also looked to have fouled defender Rio Ferdinand in the aerial challenge, while Bowyer was close to being offside.

"He wasn't offside, definitely not," Birmingham manager Alex McLeish said. "It does look as if it came off Zigic's arm, but I don't think he plays it deliberately off his arm ... it's a melee. It would have been harsh to be penalized as deliberate handball. In other words, I don't care." Man United manager Alex Ferguson saw the incident differently.

"It was handball, there was a foul on the center half ... he went right through the back of him (Ferdinand)," Ferguson said. "If the ref can't see that, what chance have you got?

"That's where we expect them (Premier League officials) to get a referee who sees that. If you can't see that, what chance have you got? We deserved to win the game, we were the better team."

Dimitar Berbatov had given United the lead at St. Andrews, starting and finishing a move in the 58th minute to collect a season-high 14th goal.

Receiving possession in Birmingham's half, Berbatov flicked the ball to Darron Gibson before receiving the return pass inside the area and drilling it beyond Johnson and inside the near post.

United is unbeaten in 18 matches but only leads Manchester City by virtue of having scored six more goals, although it has played two games fewer. Man City beat Aston Villa 4-0 earlier Tuesday.

Berbatov had almost made it 2-0 in the 61st minute, making room despite being surrounded by defenders on the edge of the box and poking a shot that struck the left post.

United winger Ryan Giggs' dipping first-half strike was touched on to the post by goalkeeper Ben Foster in the only other chance of note.

Spurs beats Newcastle despite Kaboul's sending off

LONDON (AP) - Tottenham overcame Younes Kaboul's sending off to secure a 2-0 victory over Newcastle on Tuesday and provisionally dislodge Chelsea from the Premier League's top four.

Kaboul was dismissed for an attempted head-butt on Cheick Tiote in the 65th minute shortly after Aaron Lennon had put Spurs in front.

Despite Newcastle enjoying a man advantage, Gareth Bale completed a speedy counterattack in the 81st to double Tottenham's lead.

"It was hard out there," Spurs manager Harry Redknapp said. "They've played a five-man midfield and their three central midfielders are very strong and aggressive.

"They've got an extra man every time you play through midfield. There was no space to play, so it was difficult. We had to be patient. We're a small side, so you have to pass through teams. They spoilt it and made it difficult."

Not only did it complete a second successive victory for Spurs in the league, where they are unbeaten in their last eight matches, but it came two days after also defeating Aston Villa with 10 men.

"I'm disappointed with Younes, you can't do that and he knows that - he's sorry for what he did," Redknapp said. "You need to keep disciplined ... and make sure you don't go down to 10 men, but to play again with 10 men we kept the ball great."

Spurs are two points ahead of Chelsea, but their fifth-place London rivals are still to play Bolton on Wednesday.

"It's going to be hard getting into the top four this year, tougher than last year," Redknapp said. "(Chelsea) had a bad run, but when Frank (Lampard) and (Michael) Essien get back fit, you'll see a different Chelsea. I wouldn't write them off."

Newcastle, which has lost three of its last four matches, dropped to 12th in the standings.

"We were disappointed with our quality," Newcastle manager Alan Pardew said. "We had a game-plan to disrupt their play, but we lacked that quality in the final third.

"The difference between the sides was the electric pace that Spurs have in their side, which can undo your discipline as a back four. You want that directness in your team."

The tone for a physical and scrappy encounter was set early on at White Hart Lane with challenges from imposing Newcastle forward Andy Carroll, who came closest when a header from Jonas Gutierrez's cross that went over after 25 minutes.

From the home side, there was a half volley from Roman Pavlyuchenko that was blocked by diving goalkeeper Tim Krul and Rafael van der Vaart had a free kick tipped over, but the best chances came on the stroke of half time.

Van der Vaart skewed a free header wide of the target, while Pavlyuchenko's nodded effort was pushed by Krul on to his left post and it hit the other but there was no Spurs man to connect with the loose ball.

Spurs did find the target in the 57th, with Lennon picking up ball from Kaboul, shifting to edge of the area and sending a low shot into the net from a tight angle via a slight deflection off James Perch.

Both Kaboul and Gutierrez had been booked at the start of the second half and tensions boiled over on the pitch and the touchline after Spurs went in front.

Alan Smith was furious that Anthony Taylor booked him for a challenge on Bale and he bellowed abuse at the Spurs wide man.

And from the 65th minute the home side played with 10 men after Tiote's challenge on Kaboul prompted the Spurs defender to express his fury with an attempted head-butt on the Newcastle man.

Redknapp responded to Kaboul's dismissal by replacing a striker - Pavlyuchenko - with a defender - Sebastien Bassong, formerly of Newcastle.

But when Van der Vaart was brought off in the 71st, the Netherlands playmaker was replaced by another striker: Peter Crouch.

Such positivity from Redknapp was nearly rewarded with 15 minutes remaining when Lennon struck wide from the same spot where he had previously scored.

And the second did come shortly afterward when Luka Modric released Bale to accelerate through the Newcastle defense and cut past Steven Taylor before netting his 10th goal of the season.

West Ham draws 1-1 with Everton in Premier League

LONDON (AP) - Relegation-threatened West Ham took its unbeaten run in the Premier League to three matches by picking up a point from a 1-1 draw with Everton on Tuesday.

An own goal by Tony Hibbert in the 16th minute gave the Hammers a fortuitous lead but Seamus Coleman volleyed in an inch-perfect cross from Australia midfielder Tim Cahill to draw midtable Everton level three minutes before half time.

There were few clearcut chances in a low-quality second half at Upton Park but it was another solid display by West Ham, which has improved in recent weeks to lift some of the pressure on manager Avram Grant.

The home side remains second from bottom but is now two points clear of Wolverhampton Wanderers, which has two games in hand.

West Ham moved off the bottom of the league on Sunday thanks to a 3-1 win at Fulham, its first away victory of the campaign.

Carlton Cole scored twice in that game but the England striker was relegated to the bench for the Everton game, with Nigeria forward Victor Obinna recalled.

With Obinna prominent, the Hammers started the better but needed a slice of luck to take the lead. Robert Kovac's spectacular overhead kick was heading back into the danger area before it took a wicked deflection off Hibbert, the ball spinning past wrong-footed 'keeper Tim Howard and into the net.

Obinna was just off target in the 20th when he went round Mikel Arteta with a clever nutmeg before smashing a left-foot shot that flew wide of Howard's post.

Grant had to reorganize when left back Herita Ilunga was forced off injured in the 34th. Jonathan Spector came on in place of Ilunga but the United States defender was partially at fault for Everton's goal.

Spector got drawn into the middle when Cahill collected the ball on the left and his cross to the far post was volleyed in by the unmarked Coleman.

West Ham captain Scott Parker chipped just wide moments before half time and Cole, on as a substitute, screwed a finish off target from 10 yards in the 71st after good work by Luis Boa Morte and Freddie Sears.

Cahill's shot on the turn was saved in the 80th by Robert Green, who then beat out a header by Marouane Fellaini as Everton finished the stronger.

Raja’s charges game for tense showdown

MALAYSIA will not be intimidated by the volatile Indonesian fans in the second-leg final of the Asean Football Federation (AFF) championship at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta tonight.

Coach K. Rajagopal said that his young team would have full concentration on the battle on the pitch and he was optimistic that with a 3-0 cushion from the first leg, they would succeed in the campaign to win the Suzuki Cup.

“We are not here to play for a draw. If we can get one goal more, it will heap more burden on Indonesia,” said Rajagopal in front of a packed media at a pre-match conference at The Sultan Hotel yesterday.

However, there are concerns over the “tense” situation ahead of the final match of the tournament.

Just a couple of days ago, a group of unruly supporters rioted and damaged several facilities at the stadium vicinity because they could not get tickets for the match.

The AFF issued a stern warning to the All-Indonesian Football Federation that the second-leg final might be held on neutral ground if there was more of such crowd violence.

There are also fears of retaliation by the Indonesian fans against the behaviour of their Malaysian counterparts in the first-leg match in Bukit Jalil on Sunday, sparking off reactions that Malaysia won the game unfairly.

Rajagopal tried to clear the air over the incident in Bukit Jalil when play was stopped for six minutes after Indonesian goalkeeper Markus Harison complained against fans using laser beam lights to shoot at his face to distract him.

“This matter has gone out of proportion and one has to portray sportsmanship when they lose and not make excuses,” he said.

Rajagopal added that Indonesia coach Alfred Rield was professional and said that the turning point of the first-leg match was the mistake of his defender, which resulted in Malaysia scoring the first goal through Mohd Safee Sali in the 60th.

“He (Riedl) offered no excuses for the defeat. Neither did I when we lost to Indonesia 1-5 (in the opening group match at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on Dec 1).

“I accepted it and took the heavy defeat like a man,” he said.

“I am sure our goalkeeper encountered the same problem then when we lost to Indonesia but we did not complain.

“We took the defeat graciously and bounced back to enter the final.

“It is unfair to accuse us now (of winning the first-leg final unfairly) and call us all kinds of names when we beat them on a level playing field.”

He hoped everyone concerned would put the matter to rest and let the two teams get on to play the game to decide the Asean champions.

“Let’s focus on the game. It’s all about entertainment and I hope there is no outside interference,” said Rajagopal.

Malaysia will not have the services of two players for the match. Midfielder Mohd Amirulhadi Zainal and rightback Mahali Jasuli are out on suspension and Rajagopal said that there were capable replacements in the team for the duo.

“We have managed to cope with a whole lot of injury problems with 10 key players not available for this tournament. I have other options to play in the team,” said Rajagopal, who is expected to start with Mohd Ashaari Shamsuddin in midfield and Mohd Sabree Mat Abu at rightback.

Indonesian team manager Andi Darusallam Tabusalla hoped the fans would behave and show sportsmanship.

“This is football and we are here to play football, not anything else,” said Andi.

The warm-up session for the Malaysian team yesterday was disrupted because a large group of fans turned up near the training venue (Senayan C).

They opted to train at a new venue but had to call it off after getting stuck in a traffic jam. They returned to work out at the hotel grounds.

Malaysia are bidding to win the AFF title for the first time since the tournament’s inception in 1996.

The young team have given gallant shows since the opening defeats by Indonesia. They drew 0-0 with Thailand and defeated Laos 5-1 in the other group matches.

Rajagopal’s boys went on to eliminate defending champions Vietnam 2-0 on aggregate in the semi-finals before handing Indonesia their first defeat in the tournament.

Indonesia had in previous matches beaten Laos (6-0), Thailand (2-1) and the Philippines (1-0 in both legs of the semi-finals).

Indonesia have also not won the Asean title before.
  

Subahan reminds players of failure in 2004

TEAM manager Datuk Subahan Kamal has warned the Malaysian players not to take Indonesia lightly when the two teams meet in the Suzuki Cup second-leg final in Jakarta tonight.

He reminded them of Malaysia’s failure in the semi-finals of the 2004 championship (then for the Tiger Cup) when they were beaten 3-5 on aggregate by Indonesia.

Malaysia won the first-leg match 2-1 in Jakarta but were then beaten 1-4 on home ground in the return match.

Subahan added that the boys were in high spirits after scoring a stunning 3-0 win over Indonesia in the first-leg final in Bukit Jalil on Sunday.

“What we did to Indonesia in our home match, they are capable of doing the same at their home here,” warned Subahan yesterday.

He added that the players had to be cautious because Indonesia would come charging at them from the first whistle.

“They need three goals to drag us into extra time.

“They have already beaten us here (1-5) in the group match.

“It is important for our boys not to crack and concede an early goal,” said Subahan.

“The players’ mental approach has to be strong.

“They are bound to use all tactics in the book to break us down. We have to be firm and not to be intimidated by their fans.”

Lifting the Suzuki Cup tonight will be one for Malaysia to cherish as they have not emerged as champions in the series since the inaugural tournament in 1996.

Indonesia went into the final against Malaysia as the favourite after a 100% win record in five matches. They are now the underdogs to win the Cup tonight.

Indonesia will miss suspended live wire Okto

INDONESIA will be without a live wire for the second-leg final match against Malaysia tonight.

Okto Maniani (pic), who has an electrifying pace to trouble any defence, is out on suspension. And team manager Andi Darusallam Tabusalla said that it was a pity to lose a player of his calibre for a crucial match in which Indonesia have to make up a 0-3 deficit.

“There is nothing we can do about it. Okto cannot play because he has to serve suspension,” said Andi at the pre-match conference yesterday.

Okto was among the scorers in Indonesia 5-1 rout of Malaysia in the opening Group A match in Jakarta on Dec 1.

The nippy Okto, who has the same playing style as former Indonesian star Ellie Aiboi, was unlucky to pick up a second booking in the first-leg final in Bukit Jalil on Sunday.

Okto had the pace and threatened the Malaysian defence but could not find the breakthrough in the game, which Malaysia won 3-0.

Arif Auyono is expected to come in as a replacement for Okto the second-leg match.

However, Indonesia will be counting on their Uruguay-born striker Christian Gonzales to lead the charge for goals.

Gonzales did have a couple of chances at goal in the first-leg match but failed to make them count. He also created openings for fellow striker Yongki Ari Bowo.

Indonesia have another option to play in their search for goals.

They can still count on celebrated veteran striker Bambang Pamungkas.

The five key elements

No. 1: IN SAFE HANDS GOALKEEPER Khairul Fahmi Che Mat

SINCE the 21-year-old Khairul made the first 11, Malaysia have conceded only one goal in five outings.

Mohd Sharbinee Allawee started in the opening group match against Indonesia (Dec 1), which Malaysia lost 1-5. But Khairul, playing in his first senior international tournament, had been beaten only once in the 5-1 win over Laos.

Khairul has had a successful season, having won the Malaysia Cup with Kelantan and was named best goalkeeper and young player of the year in the national football awards last month.

He was outstanding in the Malaysian Under-23 squad at the Guangzhou Asian Games last month. He showed no nerves and pulled off several daring saves in matches against Asian giants Japan (0-2) and Iran (1-3).

No. 2: IN ORGANISATION CENTREBACK Muslim Ahmad

THE Malaysian defence was rated as the weakest link at the start of the tournament.

All four key players in the backline were not available for national duty because of injuries. This thrusted the Harimau Muda (national Under-21) defender into playing the key role in the heart of defence with the baby of the squad, Mohd Fadhli Shas, who is only 19.

The flankbacks, Mohd Asraruddin Putra Omar (left) and Mohd Sabree Mat Abu (right), also lacked international experience.

But the back four have tightened their discipline in defending, especially Mohd Muslim, who is more organised and plays with an air of confidence for a rookie senior international. He has been dominant in dealing with aerial threats.

The Malaysian defence will again be in for a major test against an Indonesia side having to make up a 0-3 deficit in front of their home fans.

No. 3: IN COMMAND SKIPPER Safiq Rahim

THERE is no doubt that Malaysia’s strongest department is their midfield, who has Safiq Rahim as the general of an enterprising unit comprising Amar Rohidan (central) and flankers S. Kunalan (left) and Mohd Amirulhadi Zainal (right).

But Amirul is suspended for the match and the likely replacement is “Baby-face Assassin” Mohd Ashaari Shamsuddin.

Coach K. Rajagopal has given information to Safiq in carrying out his task in the engine room in a more defensive approach. Malaysia have a three-goal cushion and they will have shut out Indonesia right from the start in midfield battle.

No. 4: IN WIZARDRY STRIKER Norsharul Idlan Talaha

HE is a gem of a player, who has been described by coach K. Rajagopal as “special” in the national team.

Norsharul has a lot of tricks up his sleeves and has been a major threat to many teams with his flashes of brilliance inside the box. The 24-year-old Kelantan striker has used his trademark “sudden dash and burst of speed” into the box from the side lines with much success.

It was a key element in helping Malaysia win the SEA Games gold medal for the first time in 20 years in Vientiane last December. Malaysia need him to weave his magic against in the Indonesian box tonight.

No. 5: IN KILLER INSTINCT STRIKER Mohd Safee Sali

A LOT will be on Mohd Safee Sali’s shoulders to kill off the Indonesian challenge for the Suzuki Cup.

The Selangor striker, who scored a brace in the first-leg final to take his tally to four goals, will be counted on to do the damage on Indonesia again.

One goal more for Malaysia tonight should be game over for Indonesia. And Safee, who forms a lethal combination with Norsharul, has the speed and the qualities to finish them off, even from aerial challenges, to give Malaysia a first-ever AFF title since the tournament’s inception in 1996.