Babel set to move to Hoffenheim from Liverpool

LIVERPOOL, England (AP) - Liverpool says Netherlands winger Ryan Babel will fly to Germany on Tuesday to complete a transfer to Bundesliga club Hoffenheim.

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish had said earlier Monday that Babel "is staying here" after talks between the player and Hoffenheim had reportedly broken down over personal terms.

But a later statement on Liverpool's website reported that Babel is set to agree to a move.

The two clubs agreed a fee last week for Babel, who has struggled to receive first-team football at Anfield over the past two seasons.

Babel would be a replacement at Hoffenheim for Senegal striker Demba Ba, who says he is joining English team West Ham on loan for the rest of the season.

  

Argentina U20 defeats Chile 3-1

AREQUIPA, Peru (AP) - Argentina defeated Chile 3-1 on Monday in South American qualifying for the Under-20 World Cup, leaving Chile at risk of not reaching the second round.

Facundo Ferreyra scored in the 57th and 67th to put Argentina up 2-0 in the Group A game. Alejandro Marquez pulled a goal back for Chile in the 68th before and Claudio Mosca made it 3-1 to Argentina in the 73rd.

Argentina has 10 points to lead five-team Group A and is already guaranteed of a spot in the second round. Chile has three points from three matches and has one game remaining against Venezuela, which was to play host Peru later Monday.

Brazil leads Group B with seven points and has also advanced to the next round.

The top three teams in each group qualify for the second round, in which all six teams play each other once, with the top four advancing to the U20 World Cup later this year in Colombia. The top two also qualify for the 2012 London Olympics.

The second round begins Jan. 31.

  

Tevez left out of Argentina squad to play Portugal

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) - Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez and several other first-choice players have been left out of the Argentina squad to play Portugal on Feb. 9 in a friendly.

In addition to Tevez, coach Sergio Batista omitted Atletico de Madrid forward Sergio Aguero and defenders Martin Demichelis of Malaga and Gabriel Heinze of Marseille.

Also missing was Real Madrid's injured forward, Gonzalo Higuain.

Barcelona star Lionel Messi, who won FIFA's best player award for the second straight season, was selected Monday for the match in Geneva.

Squad: Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmar), Mariano Andujar (Catania). Defenders: Javier Zanetti (Inter Milan), Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City), Nicolas Pareja (Spartak Moscow), Nicolas Burdisso (Roma), Ezequiel Garay (Real Madrid), Marcos Rojo (Spartak Moscow), Nicolas Otamendi (FC Porto), Gabriel Milito (Barcelona). Midfielders: Esteban Cambiasso (Inter Milan), Fernando Gago (Real Madrid), Lucas Biglia (Anderlecht), Jose Sosa (Napoli), Angel Di Maria (Real Madrid), Enzo Perez (Estudiantes), Javier Mascherano (Barcelona), Ever Banega (Valencia), Javier Pastore (Palermo). Forwards: Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli), Diego Milito (Inter Milan), Nicolas Gaitan (Benfica), Juan Manual Martinez (Velez Sarsfield).

  

Zarate banned for 3 games; Gimenez suspended for 2

MILAN (AP) - Lazio striker Mauro Zarate has been banned for three matches for hitting an opponent in the face with the ball in an altercation following a 3-1 loss at Bologna in Serie A on Sunday.

Bologna forward Henry Gimenez was banned for two games by the Italian league on Monday for his role in the skirmish.

Also, Bari was hit with a 12,000 ($16,000) fine for raucous fan behavior during a 2-0 loss to Napoli, while Genoa was fined 5,000 ($7,000) for its fans' behavior during a 0-0 draw at Chievo Verona.

  

Chelsea wins 4-0 at Bolton in Premier League

BOLTON, England (AP) - Didier Drogba scored a wonder goal Monday in Chelsea's 4-0 victory at Bolton, ensuring the defending champions win back to back Premier League matches for the first time since October.

Drogba unleashed a swerving 33-yard drive that dipped past goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen in the 11th minute at Reebok Stadium.

Teammate Florent Malouda side-footed home from a tight angle in the 41st, and Nicolas Anelka's left-footed strike in the 56th meant all three Chelsea starting forwards had scored.

Brazilian midfielder Ramires hit his first goal for the club in the 74th minute.

Chelsea, which beat Blackburn last week, has won consecutive matches for the first time since defeating Wolves on Oct. 23 and then Blackburn seven days later.

  

Bilbao downs Hercules 3-0 in Spanish league

BILBAO, Spain (AP) - Athletic Bilbao moved into the Europa League positions in the Spanish league on Monday after beating Hercules 3-0 at home.

Defensive midfielder Javier Martinez extended his scoring run to three games by putting Bilbao in front with a header in the fifth minute.

Fernando Llorente doubled the lead with a header in the 59th, and strike partner Iker Muniain capped the win five minutes later.

Bilbao's eighth win in 11 games at San Mames stadium lifted the team into sixth place for the first time since week one.

Promoted Hercules, which was limited to a pair of chances by Nelson Valdez, remained 12th, five points above the relegation zone.

Martinez rose above the defense to nod David Lopez's corner into goal, giving the Basques control of the game from the start.

Llorente made it 2-0 with a header from Andoni Iraola's cross for his 12th goal of the season, fourth best in the league, as Bilbao looked even more purposeful after halftime.

Bilbao's continued pressure soon helped the team steal possession near the Hercules area. The 18-year-old Muniain didn't waste the opportunity, instead coolly firing past the goalkeeper with his left foot.

Hercules showed its worst side with a very tame performance. The team is the only one to beat Barcelona in the league this season, but this is the fifth game Hercules has lost by the score of 3-0.

Hercules defender David Cortez should have received a second yellow card before the 20-minute mark after a hard tackle on Muniain, but the referee mistakenly booked Matias Fritzler for the foul.

Barcelona leads the standings with 55 points, four ahead of second-place Real Madrid. Villarreal is third on 42 points, Valencia fourth on 40 and Espanyol fifth on 37.

  

Appeals panel uphold coach Sathia’s six-month ban

PETALING JAYA: The Kelantan FA (Kafa) have been dealt a cruel blow with the loss of the services of coach B. Sathianathan (pic) for the new season, which kicks off on Saturday.

The Red Warriors are getting ready for their season-opening Charity Shield match at the Shah Alam Stadium against Selangor, which also counts as a Super League fixture.

But yesterday, the FA of Malaysia (FAM) appeals committee upheld the decision of the disciplinary board to suspend Sathianathan for six months with immediate effect.

This means that Sathianathan, who led Kelantan to a historic Malaysia Cup victory last year, cannot be involved in any FAM activities until July 24.

A disappointed Sathianathan said he would leave it to Kafa to decide on his future.

“I will seek a meeting with the management to know what lies ahead for me with the team,” he said.

In fact, Sathianathan was supposed to attend a pre-match (Charity Shield) meeting at the Wisma FAM in Kelana Jaya yesterday. But Kafa informed him about the suspension and he had to stay away from the meeting.

FAM general secretary Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad confirmed that the appeals committee, led by chairman Ganarajah Ayathurai, upheld the disciplinary board’s decision to suspend Sathianathan.

“The appeals committee had put on hold the decision until their meeting today and a decision has been made to uphold the DB decision,” he said.

Last October, Sathianathan received a rude shock barely hours before the kick-off of the Malaysia Cup semi-final second-leg match against Kedah in Kota Baru when he learnt about the suspension.

The disciplinary board meted out the punishment on Sathianathan for touching on FAM policy matters in the media.

Sathianathan sat out the match but received a reprieve for the final against Negri Sembilan when the suspension was temporarily lifted after he filed an appeal against it.

Sathianathan had questioned the FAM’s competitions committee’s decision to play Perlis’ home match in the Super League against Terengganu on July 27 in Kuala Terengganu as Stadium Utama in Kangar had been booked for other activities.

By letting Terengganu play hosts, Sathianathan felt that it gave the Turtles the added advantage. At that time Kelantan and Terengganu were in a neck-and-neck race for the runners-up spot behind Selangor.

Meanwhile, T-Team coach Che Ku Marzuki was also suspended for six months for the same offence. However, he will be free to coach again in April as his suspension began last October.

  

Rovers tame West Brom to leap into seventh spot

LONDON: Blackburn Rovers leaped from 12th to seventh in the congested Premier League table following a comfortable 2-0 home win over West Bromwich Albion on Sunday.

A bizarre headed own goal by Gabriel Tamas and a scorching drive by David Hoilett took Blackburn to 31 points. The next nine clubs are separated by only five points, including West Brom in 15th place, three points above the relegation zone.

Manchester United, who thrashed Birmingham City 5-0 on Saturday, lead with 48 points, two ahead of Arsenal. Manchester City are third on 45 with champions Chelsea fourth on 38.

In a rare Sunday when none of the big four were in action, Blackburn hogged the limelight in the week they extended the contract of manager Steve Kean to 2013.

They dominated from the start and only good goalkeeping by Boaz Myhill kept them at bay.

However, he was left helpless after 41 minutes when defender Gabriel Tamas, attempting a straightforward clearing header, sent the ball in the opposite direction and into his own net.

More poor defending just after the restart gave Hoilett time and space on the edge of the box and the 20-year-old Canadian lashed a fierce drive beyond Myhill.

West Brom improved and their best chance should have come midway through the half when Peter Odemwingie was brought down in the box, only for the free kick to be given outside.

“It was clearly a penalty, it could have got us back into the game but we don’t seem to be getting clear decisions in the last couple of weeks,” West Brom boss Roberto Di Matteo told Sky Sports after his sixth defeat in seven games.

“We have to work on our mistakes and improve and we need to get some points under our belt.”

Kean, who took over after the controversial sacking of Sam Allardyce in December, was delighted with his side’s attitude.

“The togetherness of the team, the spirit, the atmosphere around the training ground has been fantastic, that tightness of the group really pleased me,” he said.

  

Uruguay hotshot Suarez enthusiastic about move to EPL

LONDON: Uruguayan World Cup star Luis Suarez is enthusiastic about the possibility of a move to England as speculation mounted of a transfer to Liverpool here on Sunday.

Ajax striker Suarez told The Sunday Times in an interview that he had initially believed his style of play would not be suited to the physical rough-and-tumble of the Premier League.

But the 23-year-old – who infamously committed a goal-line handball which saved his country from World Cup elimination at the expense of Ghana last year – told the paper he had been inspired by the success of Carlos Tevez.

“(England) is a league that attracts me, a country where the football is really good,” Suarez said.

“Alongside the Spanish League, it is the best in the world. In England you have a lot of clubs with aspirations to become champions and they are also very strong in the Champions League at the European level.

“I used to think that English football was not my style. But I saw Tevez play at Boca and Corinthians and I never imagined that he would play in the Premier League.

“When I see the way that Tevez plays there I think I can be a big name in England. It’s because of the energy, and the spirit they put into the game in England. Now, I think it’s a kind of football that suits me.”

Although multiple reports have linked Liverpool with a move for Suarez, the club’s boss Kenny Dalglish has refused to be draw on possible transfer targets since taking over from Roy Hodgson earlier this month.

  

Report: Qatar investment group still interested in Devils

LONDON: An investment group controlled by the Qatari royal family held secret discussions last month with the owners of Manchester United over a possible takeover of the English club, a report said on Sunday.

The Sunday Times said the talks faltered because the Glazer family, who own United, asked too much from Qatar Holding, who were unwilling to pay more than £1.5bil (US$2.4bil).

However, the paper said that football sources believe Qatar will return with a higher offer because they want the club to help boost their profile ahead of the 2022 World Cup Finals in the Gulf emirate.

A source close to the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) said on Jan 16 that the Qatari royal family was not looking to invest in a European football club despite rumours to the contrary. 

  

QPR maintain five-point lead after win over Coventry

LONDON: Queens Park Rangers maintained their five-point lead at the top of the Second Division on Sunday after coming from behind to defeat Coventry 2-1 at Loftus Road.

With Cardiff maintaining the pressure on the leaders with a 4-2 win over Watford on Saturday, QPR went into the match desperate for a win to keep their promotion-chasing rivals at arm’s length.

Coventry looked to be intent on spoiling the script, however, when Marlon King put the visitors 1-0 up after 25 minutes.

But a superb individual effort from Adel Taarabt put QPR back on level terms on half-time before loan signing Wayne Routledge popped up with the winner on 79 minutes.

The win was the perfect response to Cardiff’s 4-2 defeat of Watford on Saturday.

Norwich climbed to third place, level on points with Cardiff, after a 2-1 win at Sheffield United.

Paul Lambert’s Norwich were second-best for much of the first half at Bramall Lane, but they took the lead through Andrew Crofts’s 61st-minute goal. Ched Evans levelled in the 69th minute before Crofts struck again in the 80th minute.

Fourth-placed Swansea needed a last-gasp penalty to snatch a 1-1 draw against Barnsley. 

  

Follow Berbatov’s example, Fergie tells strikers

LONDON: Alex Ferguson has urged Manchester United’s goal-shy strikers to take inspiration from the performances of Dimitar Berbatov after the Bulgarian centre-forward bagged his third hat-trick of the season.

Berbatov took his goals tally for the season to 18 goals on Saturday as United crushed a woeful Birmingham side 5-0 at Old Trafford.

The striker’s treble was the latest impressive contribution to United’s 21-game unbeaten run since the Premier League season began.

However, Ferguson believes that United’s other strikers must start chipping in with more goals if the club are to maintain their run.

So far Wayne Rooney has bagged only three goals this season – two from the penalty spot– while Javier Hernandez and Nani are in single digits.

“Dimitar is getting up towards that 20-goal mark, which is going to be important for us,” Ferguson told Manchester’s Key103 radio.

“It does put a certain brand mark on the team and hopefully we will get another one to that level too.

“Once you do that you know it is a substantial season.”

Berbatov’s hat-trick on Saturday saw him equal Ruud van Nistelrooy’s club record from the 2002-2003 season by scoring three hat-tricks in a season.

He is also only two hat-tricks away from the Premier League record of five scored in a season by Alan Shearer in 1995-1996.

The all-time record is held by United legend Denis Law, who struck seven hat-tricks in the old First Division in 1963-64.

“Dimitar is realising his ability,” said Ferguson. “The other players sense it too.

“They are playing their part in playing with him.

“He has special qualities. I think we are using them.” 

  

Girl talk ruled offside by TV chiefs

LONDON: A pair of British television football pundits were caught offside when they made “unacceptable remarks” off-air about a woman assistant referee officiating in a Premier League clash.

Sky Sports said presenter Richard Keys and pundit Andy Gray, a former Scottish international striker, have apologised for their comments regarding Sian Massey.

The pair commented on Massey’s appointment for the game between Wolves and Liverpool at Molineux on Saturday, when they believed their microphones were switched off.

The pair concurred that female officials “don’t know the offside rule” with Keys adding: “I can guarantee you there’ll be a big one today. (Liverpool manager) Kenny (Dalglish) will go potty.”

Sky released a statement which read: “The comments are not acceptable. They were not made on air but we have spoken to Richard and Andy and told them our views and they have apologised and expressed their regret.”

The Football Association gave their support to Massey, who crucially made a correct borderline call in the build-up to Liverpool’s first goal.

  

Wayne will get back scoring touch, says O’Shea

LONDON: John O’Shea has backed Wayne Rooney to rediscover his goal scoring touch as Manchester United attempt to move further away from the Premier League chasing pack.

United head to Blackpool for a rearranged game today knowing a win could extend the leaders’ position at the top to a commanding five points.

But while Alex Ferguson’s side look in fine form after their 5-0 demolition job over Birmingham on Saturday, which extended their unbeaten run to 22 games, Rooney’s improved performances haven’t yet been rewarded with goals.

Rooney could console himself with his role in three of Manchester United’s five goals in their drubbing of Birmingham where strike partner Dimitar Berbatov grabbed a hat-trick.

The England striker has scored just once from open play this season and missed a routine chance from close-range when he headed wide when it seemed easier to score on Saturday.

But Ireland international defender O’Shea says there’s more to Rooney than just goals as far as his team-mates are concerned.

“We know he’ll always do his best for the team,” he said. “He’ll be back on the goal trail because of the quality he’s got and the chances he’s creating for other players too.

“He’s a tremendous asset and I’m sure ones like the one he missed towards the back post against Birmingham will be flying in in no time.

Ferguson joined O’Shea in claiming there’s goals around the corner for Rooney, who has endured a troubled season on and off the pitch, amid his barren run.

“We hope the goals will come for Rooney,” said the Manchester United manager. “He deserves it. He’s playing some great football and is working his socks off.”

United will be red-hot favourites to roll over a Blackpool side, who despite being tipped to struggle, have been one of the surprise packages of the season after winning promotion.

O’Shea refuses to be complacent over the task at hand at Bloomfield Road.

“Their their home record (before Saturday’s loss to Sunderland) was fantastic so I’m sure we will be taking the highlights from that game,” he said.

“It’s going to be difficult as Blackpool will be up for this game. We know we have to focus on ourselves and take it one game at a time.”

United are sweating on the fitness of defender Rio Ferdinand, who is struggling to shake off a groin injury.

Paul Scholes, who has been absent for the last two months, is set to return while defender Rafael is also in contention after serving his one-match.

Blackpool manager Ian Holloway will be looking to bounce back from the 2-1 defeat against Sunderland.

But whether captain Charlie Adam plays is another thing.

The Scotitsh midfielder has been the subject of a rejected £4mil bid from Liverpool, while Aston Villa and Birmingham have also seen their offers rebuffed.

“I was thinking Liverpool and Charlie,” said Holloway. “I thought fantastic what a great club for him to go to and then when I heard the bid I thought it was disgraceful.

“I don’t think it was Kenny Dalglish that put that offer in. Mr (Damien) Comolli (Liverpool’s director of football strategy) should look at what is going on and get realistic.

“What they offered is about the price Charlie would have been worth when Kenny was last playing. Is it a destabilising tactic from the three clubs, Birmingham, Aston Villa and now Liverpool? I don’t know.” 

  

Zlatan’s strike helps Milan extend lead

MILAN: An own goal plus a late strike by Zlatan Ibrahimovic gave Serie A leaders AC Milan a 2-0 win over Cesena on Sunday to open up a four-point gap in the standings.

Cesena’s Maximiliano Pelligrino scored an own goal in first-half injury time, and Ibrahimovic doubled the lead just before the final whistle.

Milan should have won by a greater margin but Cesena’s former Milan goalkeeper, Francesco Antonioli, made a number of crucial saves.

“I got a good pass and saw that the goalkeeper was out of position, and I just tried to keep my shot low,” Ibrahimovic said.

“We have to keep our rhythm up and keep going as we have been. What we did today gives us a slight advantage, but now we have to work to extend this lead.”

Milan lead with 44 points. Napoli are next after a 2-0 win at Bari. AS Roma are third, six points behind the leaders, and Lazio are fourth with 37.

Udinese rallied to beat Inter Milan 3-1, inflicting coach Leonardo’s first loss and leaving the defending champions nine points behind their city rivals in fifth place.

Dejan Stankovic gave Inter the lead in the 16th minute and the visitors appeared to be in total control when he went close minutes later.

However, Udinese equalised soon after through Cristian Zapata and, by halftime, were leading 2-1 after Antonio Di Natale scored from a free-kick.

In the second half, Maurizio Domizzi added a third after the defence was again unable to clear the danger, snapping Inter’s run of five straight wins under Leonardo since the Brazilian took over from Rafa Benitez in December.

And it snapped Inter’s run of five straight wins under Leonardo since the Brazilian took over from Rafa Benitez in December.

“We started the match well and with the right mentality,” Leonardo said. “Unfortunately, we couldn’t come back, but it is a difficult stadium to come to and Udinese are in great form.” 

  

Fluminense go on a goal spree as Deco limps out injured

RIO DE JANEIRO: Fluminense were 2-1 down and had Deco limping off after half an hour before romping to a 6-2 rout of modest Olaria in the Carioca (Rio de Janeiro) state championship on Sunday.

The Brazilian champions were glad of the boost at Rio’s Olympic Stadium having struggled to beat modest Bangu 1-0 in their opening match of the season on Thursday.

Captain Fred, who like Deco spent the better part of last year nursing injuries, had an encouraging performance scoring two goals and laying on another.

Midfielder Marquinhos scored twice standing in for Argentine Dario Conca, Brazil’s 2010 Player of the Year who had knee surgery last month, and substitute Rodriguinho also hit two.       

But former Porto, Barcelona, Chelsea and Portugal midfielder Deco, yet to justify being the team’s highest paid player, did not appear to have overcome his woes as he came off with a left thigh injury.

There was scarce interest from fans in Flu’s match, as is generally the case when the big clubs face small teams in the state championships that open the Brazilian season in mid-summer.        

No doubt, there will be a big crowd when Fluminense clash with Flamengo with the added spice of their rivals having just signed Ronaldinho, who is expected to be fit enough for his debut next month.

> SAO PAULO: Former Brazil World Cup-winning striker Rivaldo will join Sao Paulo on loan for the Brazilian championship which starts in May, the club said.

The 38-year-old, who returned home to Brazil last year, is expected to continue as captain of modest Mogi Mirim in the Paulista (Sao Paulo state) championship until the move. He is Mogi Mirim president.

“The negotiation also includes a series of joint marketing ventures between Sao Paulo and Rivaldo,” Sao Paulo said in a statement on their website (
www.saopaulofc.net).

The move, which has yet to be registered with the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), has been agreed until the end of 2011 with an option to extend it for another year.