WARM UP: JAPAN 1 - ENGLAND 2

 

England needed two late own goals from Japan defenders Marcus Tanaka and Yuji Nakazawa to gain victory in their final World Cup warm-up match in Graz.

 

England were stunned on seven minutes when Japan surged ahead as Marcus Tulio Tanaka converted Endo's corner with a timely low drive that flew past David James.

 

Frank Lampard saw a penalty saved early in the second period. But Tanaka levelled matters when deflecting in a cross from Joe Cole and then Nakazawa suffered the same fate from a centre by Ashley Cole.

 

BOLA BOYZ     WORLD CUP

 

WARM-UP: HUNGARY 0 - GERMANY 3

 

Germany put in a convincing performance in their World Cup warm-up match against Hungary on Saturday night, winning 3-0 in Budapest.

 

Lukas Podolski put them ahead with a penalty in the fourth minute and only a string of saves from Gabor Kiraly prevented them from leading by a greater margin at the break.

 

Goals from Mario Gomez and Cacau in the second half gave the result a more realistic feel as a dominant Germany came away with a morale-boosting victory a week before they jet out to South Africa.

 

BOLA BOYZ     WORLD CUP

RIO DETERMINE TO WIN WORLD CUP

 

Rio Ferdinand admits England are heading to South Africa with the sole intention of taking top prize.

 

The Three Lions are considered to be among the favourites at this summer's World Cup, but have gone 44 long years since they last tasted international glory. Their last two appearances at football's showpiece event have seen them fall at the quarter-final stage, with massive expectations amounting to nothing.

 

Ferdinand, as national skipper, is determined to ensure there is no repeat of those failings this time around and insists anything less than victory should be considered a failure.

 

 

BOLA BOYZ  MAN UTD

 

WARM-UP: SPAIN 3 - SAUDI ARABIA 2

 

Substitute Fernando Llorente rescued Spain with an injury-time winner in their World Cup warm-up match at Innsbruck. Osama Hawsawi gave Saudi Arabia a shock lead and although David Villa and Xabi Alonso scored to turn things around, Mohammed Al-Sahlawi's 74th-minute goal appeared to have denied the European champions.

 

However, Athletic Bilbao striker Llorente netted a minute into time added on to save the blushes of Vicente Del Bosque and his team - tipped by many to challenge strongly for glory in South Africa.

 

BOLA BOYZ     WORLD CUP

PARK SET TO RETIRE AFTER AFRICA 2010

 

South Korea captain Park Ji-sung has revealed that the upcoming World Cup in South Africa could be his last.

 

The 29-year-old Manchester United midfielder is aiming to help South Korea emulate their semi-final appearance at the 2002 World Cup in his third tournament for his country, but reckons it will be important to blood young players in the future.

 

As the most high-profile player in the South Korea squad, Park admits that he is feeling the weight of expectation on his shoulders.

 

BOLA BOYZ  MAN UTD

 

WARM-UP: USA 2 - TURKEY 1

 

The United States came from behind to claim a morale-boosting victory over Turkey in their final match before heading to South Africa for the World Cup.

 

Arda Turan opened the scoring after 27 minutes for the visitors in front of more than 55,000 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. But Jozy Altidore netted just before the hour mark to level things up and Clint Dempsey struck the winner 15 minutes from time.

 

The US have one more warm-up game, against Australia in Roodepoort, before opening their Group C campaign against England.

 

 

BOLA BOYZ 

WARM-UP: SLOVAKIA 1 - CAMEROON 1

 

Eyong Enoh scored late on to earn a draw for Cameroon in their friendly with fellow World Cup qualifiers Slovakia in Klagenfurt, Austria.

 

Kamil Kopunek's fifth-minute goal put the European side in front. But Enoh, who plays his club football in Holland with Ajax, brought the Indomitable Lions level with eight minute to play.

 

BOLA BOYZ     WORLD CUP

VIDIC APPEALED TO FANS

 

Stand-in Serbia captain Nemanja Vidic had to plead with his country's rioting fans during the second half of their 1-0 defeat to New Zealand.

 

It was a dismal Saturday afternoon in Austria for Serbia as trouble erupted in the second half of the World Cup warm-up match, with their fans launching burning flares, bottles and missiles onto the pitch.

 

Several supporters invaded the turf and had to be hauled away by security before Manchester United centre-back Vidic, standing in for Dejan Stankovic as skipper, appealed for calm over the microphone as the match officials and New Zealand team prepared to abandon the match.

 

There was a several minute delay to the second half as a result of the commotion before the match resumed.

 

BOLA BOYZ  MAN UTD

 

FERGIE TO FIND HIS SUCCESSOR

 

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson 'will be the key' to selecting his successor at Old Trafford, says chief executive David Gill. Ferguson has been at the helm of United for 23 years, helping them to 34 trophies including 11 League titles and two European crowns.

 

Gill insists United will seek Ferguson's advice on a successor when the Scot decides to end his long reign, but is adamant the 68-year-old has made no suggestion of retiring anytime soon. Gill revealed when Ferguson does stand down, he will form a selection panel with Sir Bobby Charlton and the club's owners to find a suitable replacement.

 

 

BOLA BOYZ   ARSENAL   MAN UTD   CHELSEA   LIVERPOOL   SOCCERTALK

 

TORRES BELIEVES GERRARD IS CRUCIAL

 

Fernando Torres believes Steven Gerrard is one of a select group of players capable of dominating the World Cup. The Liverpool midfielder is currently struggling with a calf problem, raising fears over his involvement for England in South Africa.

 

The Three Lions will be desperate to have the influential midfielder available, as his experience and determination could be crucial. His Anfield team-mate Torres feels England should be praying Gerrard pulls through, as he is integral to any hope they have of securing global glory.

 

He rates the Liverpool skipper among the world's best and believes he could single-handedly lead Fabio Capello's men to glory.

 

BOLA BOYZ     WORLD CUP

 

ARGENTINA HAS NO FEAR

 

Javier Mascherano claims Argentina will fear nobody at this summer's World Cup despite their recent troubles. Diego Maradona's side scraped through qualifying, with their passage to South Africa far from convincing.

 

They are, however, always a dangerous proposition and will be given the utmost respect by their rivals. Mascherano feels Argentina are deserving of a standing among the World Cup favourites and insists they are in confident mood heading into the tournament.

 

BOLA BOYZ     WORLD CUP

MOURINHO TO LEAVE MILAN FOR MADRID

Inter Milan have confirmed they have reached an agreement over compensation for Jose Mourinho and he is now expected to be presented as the new manager of Real Madrid on Monday.

 

Madrid sacked Manuel Pellegrini on Wednesday and outlined their intention to replace him with Mourinho once both they and the Portuguese had negotiated his release from Inter.

 

The two clubs had been struggling to reach a compromise as Inter were insisting they must be paid the full €16 million due to them under the terms of Mourinho's contract.

 

However, an agreement, reported to be worth €8 million, has been reached after a meeting between Real president Florentino Perez and his Inter counterpart Massimo Moratti in Milan.

 

BOLA BOYZ     WORLD CUP

 

MESSI AWARE OF ENGLAND CAPABILITIES

 

Argentina forward Lionel Messi believes England are among the leading contenders to lift the World Cup in South Africa this summer. Many people's favourites for the tournament are Spain and Brazil, but the 22-year-old puts Fabio Capello's side in the same category.

 

Messi was a little more coy about his own side's chances. Messi has had another stellar season with Barcelona, winning another Spanish title under Pep Guardiola and playing at a consistently high level which has seen him hailed as one of the greatest players in history.

 

There is still a feeling in Argentina, however, that he does not reproduce that form at international level. Messi tries not to pay too much attention to that.

 

BOLA BOYZ    WORLD CUP

 

LAHM IS CAPTAIN GERMANY

 

Philipp Lahm has been confirmed as Germany's new captain, although he will not be leading the team out for their friendly international against Hungary on Saturday.

 

Lahm will wear the captain's armband in South Africa due to the injury-enforced withdrawal of Michael Ballack while Bastian Schweinsteiger has been named as vice-captain.

 

Although Lahm will wear the captain's armband, Low expects Schweinsteiger to be more at the centre of the action, purely due to his position on the field. He therefore is a more natural successor to Ballack.

 

Miroslav Klose, the man with the most caps in Low's squad, missed out on the captaincy due to the fact he has not played many games this season for Bayern.

 

BOLA BOYZ     WORLD CUP

 

ESSIEN IS OUT OF WORLD CUP

 

Ghana will need a tactical rethink for the World Cup after losing Michael Essien, described by coach Milovan Rajevac as arguably the best player in the world in his position. Chelsea midfielder Essien was ruled out of the June 11 to July 11 tournament in South Africa on Thursday after failing to recover from a knee injury.

 

Essien picked up the injury during the African Nations Cup in Angola in January, where the Ghanaians reached the final even though he played only 45 minutes for them. Rajevac said several other players were battling to be fit for Ghana's World Cup Group D opener against his native Serbia in Pretoria on June 13.

 

 

BOLA BOYZ   CHELSEA  SOCCERTALK

 

OBI MIKEL IS READY FOR ACTION

 

John Obi Mikel is 'fit' and will join the rest of his Nigeria team-mates on Friday, a spokesman for the country's football federation has announced.

 

The Chelsea midfielder has been in doubt for this summer's World Cup after undergoing a recent operation to repair a torn meniscus in his knee.

 

But Nigeria Football Federation media officer Idah Peterside has revealed a medical team from the Super Eagles that visited Mikel's London club to determine how long he would be out have returned with encouraging news.

 

 

BOLA BOYZ      SOCCERTALK

 

FRIENDLY: HOLLAND 2 - MEXICO 1

 

A brace from Robin van Persie saw Holland step up their World Cup preparations with a 2-1 friendly win over Mexico on Wednesday.

 

The Arsenal striker opened the scoring after 17 minutes in Freiburg before doubling the Dutch lead shortly before half-time.

 

Manchester United new-boy Javier Hernandez pulled one back for the Mexicans after the break but they slipped to a second defeat in the space of a week, having gone down 3-1 against England on Monday.

 

 

BOLA BOYZ      SOCCERTALK

 

FRANCE 2 - COSTA RICA 1

 

Mathieu Valbuena marked his debut for France with the winning goal in a 2-1 friendly victory over Costa Rica.

 

A battling win for Les Bleus will have done little to silence those critics already writing off Raymond Domenech's side ahead of this summer's World Cup.

 

They fell behind in their latest outing to an early effort from Carlos Hernandez but hit back through Franck Ribery.

 

It looked for a long time as though an inspired performance from goalkeeper Keylor Navas would secure an unlikely draw for Costa Rica, but Valbuena struck seven minutes from time to spare France's blushes.

 

 

BOLA BOYZ      SOCCERTALK

 

TORRES TO BE READY FOR SPAIN OPENER

 

Fernando Torres is hoping to be fully fit for Spain's World Cup opener against Switzerland next month.

 

The Liverpool striker underwent surgery in April after suffering torn cartilage in his right knee and was subsequently ruled out of the end of the Premier League season, leaving him in doubt for the finals in South Africa this summer.

 

But the 26-year-old, who also underwent a knee operation in January, insists his recovery is on track and is optimistic about his chances of playing in Spain's opening match on 16th June.

 

 

BOLA BOYZ   ARSENAL   MAN UTD   CHELSEA   LIVERPOOL   SOCCERTALK

 

FRIENDLY: PORTUGAL 0 - CAPE VERDE 0

 

Portugal's World Cup preparations began with a shock goalless draw against African minnows Cape Verde. Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani, Ricardo Carvalho and Deco were among those selected in a strong starting XI by Carlos Queiroz but Portugal were unable to break down Cape Verde's stubborn resistance.

 

 

BOLA BOYZ    SOCCERTALK

 

FRIENDLY: AUSTRALIA 2 - NEW ZEALAND 1

 

Australia secured bragging rights over neighbours New Zealand with a 2-1 victory in a pre-World Cup friendly for both nations at the MCG Stadium. The Socceroos were widely expected to run out comfortable winners over the Kiwis, who will be competing in only their second finals next month, but a host of injuries made matters much more competitive than first thought.

 

Despite the 'friendly' nature of the fixture, the notoriously competitive streak of the Australians came to the fore in a lacklustre display by the home side that saw them earn three yellow cards, including a horror tackle by Blackburn's Vince Grella that should have seen him instantly dismissed. Substitute Brett Holman grabbed the winner in the dying seconds to give the Socceroos a victory that, on the whole, was undeserved after the visitors played some enterprising attacking football.

 

BOLA BOYZ    SOCCERTALK

 

BALLACK SAYS NO TO MIRACLES

 

Michael Ballack insists his World Cup dream is over, despite being approached by 'wonder-healers' who claim they could cure him within a fortnight.

 

The Germany captain was ruled out of the South Africa finals after suffering serious ankle ligament damage in Chelsea's FA Cup final win over Portsmouth just over a week ago.

 

Germany doctor Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt said it would take up to eight weeks for the 33-year-old to fully recover but several other doctors have claimed to have trialled ground-breaking treatments which could have Ballack back on his feet within two weeks.

 

That would mean the former Bayern Munich performer would be fit for his country's opening World Cup fixture against Australia in theory, but the Chelsea midfielder is not holding his breath.

 

 

BOLA BOYZ   CHELSEA  SOCCERTALK

 

FRIENDLY: SOUTH KOREA 2 - JAPAN 0

 

South Korea overcame Japan 2-0 in Saitama as both sides continued their preparations for the World Cup. Manchester United's Park Ji-sung and Monaco's Park Chu-young were on target for South Korea, who have been drawn alongside Argentina, Greece and Nigeria in Group B this summer.

 

Japan meanwhile, who play England in Austria on Sunday, face Cameroon, Demark and Holland in Group E of the South Africa tournament.

 

Korea can count on the quality of Park Ji-sung and he opened the scoring in the sixth minute, lashing the ball into the bottom left corner from the edge of the penalty area after a bustling run. Park Chu-young came off the bench and won the penalty which he coolly fired into the bottom left corner for the clinching goal at the end of the second half.

 

 

BOLA BOYZ   ARSENAL   MAN UTD   CHELSEA   LIVERPOOL   SOCCERTALK

 

FRIENDLY: ARGENTINA 5 - CANADA O

 

Liverpool's Maxi Rodriguez scored twice as Argentina continued their preparations for the World Cup with a 5-0 victory over Canada.

 

Diego Maradona named a strong starting XI, with only Lionel Messi missing from the team that is expected to take to the field in Argentina's World Cup opener.

 

Messi was rested after a long season with Barcelona but his absence was not felt as Argentina swept aside their limited opponents.

 

 

BOLA BOYZ   ARSENAL   MAN UTD   CHELSEA   LIVERPOOL   SOCCERTALK

FRIENDLY: ENGLAND 3 - MEXICO 1

 

England picked up a victory in their last game on home soil before the World Cup with a 3-1 triumph over Mexico at Wembley.

 

Fabio Capello continued his excellent record as Three Lions boss but despite goals from Ledley King, Peter Crouch and Glen Johnson, the Italian will want an improved overall performance against Japan in Austria on Sunday.

 

 

BOLA BOYZ   ARSENAL   MAN UTD   CHELSEA   LIVERPOOL   SOCCERTALK

ALVES BELIEVES KAKA WILL HIT TOP FORM

 

Barcelona full-back Daniel Alves has rebuffed suggestions his Brazil team-mate Kaka is unfit ahead of this summer's World Cup. Brazil are favourites to win the tournament for a sixth time in South Africa but talisman Kaka has endured an indifferent first season with his club Real Madrid.

 

The former AC Milan star moved to the Santiago Bernabeu in a 59 million deal last summer but a persistent thigh injury has hampered his form. However, Kaka has received the backing of his compatriot Alves, who has no such concerns as Dunga bids to join an elite band of individuals to win the World Cup as both a player and a manager.

 

 

BOLA BOYZ      SOCCERTALK

CROUCH HAS DONE ALL HE CAN

 

England striker Peter Crouch believes he has done everything he can to make sure he is on the plane to South Africa. Boss Fabio Capello is set to trim down his preliminary 30-man World Cup squad to 23 by 1st June.

 

Crouch, currently involved in the England training camp in Austria, is one of five strikers in the squad, which some believe may be trimmed down to four for the finals. The Tottenham striker feels he has done everything possible for club and country this term to justify his selection in the final party.

 

This includes scoring the decisive goal which secured UEFA Champions League qualification for Spurs, while on the international stage the beanpole striker took his goal tally to 20 in just 37 internationals with his double against Egypt at Wembley in England's last international in March.

 

 

BOLA BOYZ   ARSENAL   MAN UTD   CHELSEA   LIVERPOOL   SOCCERTALK

MESSI INJURY NOT SERIOUS

 

Argentina have played down injury fears surrounding Lionel Messi after the forward took a knock to the knee in training. Messi has linked up with the Argentina squad as Diego Maradona steps up his team's preparations for next month's World Cup, but he was given a scare on Friday.

 

Barcelona star Messi was forced to cut short his involvement in training after hurting his knee and there were quickly concerns about the severity of the problem. However, Argentina have moved swiftly to play down any suggestions that it is a serious complaint that could jeopardise Messi's involvement in South Africa.

 

BOLA BOYZ   ARSENAL   MAN UTD   CHELSEA   LIVERPOOL   SOCCERTALK

INTER MILAN IS CHAMPION OF EUROPE

 

Diego Milito was overcome with emotion after his two goals handed Inter Milan their first European Cup win in 45 years with a 2-0 win over Bayern Munich, and the striker's first continental trophy of a career that has blossomed in the past year.

 

Milito struck twice in the Bernabeu as Inter defeated Bayern to claim the Treble with a deserved victory in the Champions League final. The brace took Milito's tally for the season to 30, ensuring his first season at the club following a move from Genoa has been wildly successful.

 

Focus will now turn to Mourinho's future after he became only the third coach in history to win the European Cup with two different teams, following in the footsteps of Ernst Happel and Ottmar Hitzfeld. Inter forward Goran Pandev certainly hopes the club retain the services of the self-titled 'Special One'.

 

BOLA BOYZ      SOCCERTALK

RONALDO CAN'T DO MIRACLES

 

Cristiano Ronaldo has called on his Portugal team-mates to be at their best, stating that he alone can not win them the World Cup this summer. The Real Madrid winger and Portugal talisman goes into the tournament in outstanding form after scoring 33 goals in 35 games for his club and with a nation's hopes firmly pinned on him to deliver.

 

Ronaldo is now without doubt his nation's most important player, with inspirational figures such as Luis Figo and Rui Costa retired and the ageing legs of the likes of Simao and Deco not hitting the standards they once were.

 

BOLA BOYZ   MAN UTD  SOCCERTALK

SEVILLA BEAT ATHLETICO TO WIN KING'S CUP

 

Sevilla claimed their second King's Cup triumph in four years when Diego Capel's early strike and a late breakaway goal from Navas fired them to a 2-0 win over Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.

 

In a bad-tempered match at a rowdy Nou Camp stadium in Barcelona, winger Capel pounced on a loose ball on the edge of the penalty area in the fifth minute and smashed a left-foot shot past David De Gea.

 

It was a fifth domestic cup success for the Andalucian club, winners in 2007, and ended their season on a high after they finished fourth in La Liga and qualified for the Champions League.

 

BOLA BOYZ      SOCCERTALK

CHAMAKH IS THE NEW GUNNERS

 

Arsenal have signed Morocco's 26-year-old striker Marouane Chamakh on a long-term contract from Bordeaux. He also held talks with Liverpool and Arsenal's north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur but set his heart on playing at The Emirates having followed the club as a youngster. Arsenal did not disclose the length of the contract.

 

Chamakh, who played 293 games and scored 79 goals in eight years with Ligue 1 side Bordeaux, joins on a free transfer at the end of his contract with Bordeaux. He scored 10 goals in Ligue 1 last season having netted 14 times in the previous campaign when he helped Bordeaux win the French title ending Olympique Lyon's seven-year reign.

 

Born and raised in France, Chamakh decided to play for the country of his parents and has played 53 times for Morocco, scoring 27 goals. He was part of the side that lost 2-1 to host nation Tunisia in the 2004 African Nations Cup final.

 

 

BOLA BOYZ   ARSENAL

VILLA JOINS BARCA

 

David Villa has completed his move to Barcelona, signing a four-year contract at the Nou Camp after passing his medical on Friday. Barca paid Valencia €40m to secure their first capture of what is expected to be a summer lavish spending for the La Liga champions.

 

Villa, top scorer in Spain's triumphant Euro 2008 campaign, is now relishing the challenge that lies ahead. He has scored 107 goals in 166 league matches for Valencia after first establishing himself with Real Zaragoza, and is hoping goals will continue to fly in his new club.

 

 

BOLA BOYZ   ARSENAL   MAN UTD   CHELSEA   LIVERPOOL

SIR ALEX TO GIVE WORLD CUP STARS ENOUGH REST

 

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that many of the club's World Cup stars will miss the start of next season as he gives them some much needed rest. United could have up to eight key players returning from South Africa this summer, including star striker Wayne Rooney and three of Ferguson's first-choice defence in Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra and Nemanja Vidic.

 

Ferguson's announcement of the planned recuperation period comes following a review into why the club suffered so many injuries at Old Trafford during the 2009-2010 season. The inquest, which included a series of consultations with the club's medical staff, concluded that several players were being overworked because of the gruelling demands of club and international football.

 

 

BOLA BOYZ      MAN UTD

BABEL'S INJURY WORRY

 

Netherlands winger Ryan Babel left training on Friday with an apparent injury to his right hamstring.

 

There was no immediate word on the severity of the Liverpool forward's injury, which was reported by Dutch media attending the training session in Austria.

 

Babel missed the 2008 European Championship after tearing ankle ligaments on the eve of that tournament.

 

 

BOLA BOYZ   LIVERPOOL

SVEN WARY OF THE KOREANS

 

Ivory Coast coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has said that Group G rivals North Korea could be a tough proposition for his side at the World Cup.

 

The North Koreans - appearing at their first World Cup tournament since 1966 - are very much an unknown quantity, but despite the fact that Eriksson is coming up against Brazil and Portugal in the group, he has his eye on the underdogs.

 

Eriksson also insisted that Chelsea striker Drogba would be crucial to his side's hopes of progressing in the competition, due to the goal threat he possesses.

 

 

BOLA BOYZ

MARADONA RUNS OVER MAN

 

Argentina coach Diego Maradona yelled insults at an injured cameraman after accidentally running over his leg following his World Cup squad announcement.

 

Driving a Mini to a news conference on Wednesday, the 1986 World Cup winner was surrounded by newsmen but one was hit and he fell to the ground. According to a Reuters witness, Maradona's car then rolled over the lower part of his leg.

 

"What an asshole you are," Maradona shouted from the car. "How can you put your leg there where it can get run over, man?"

 

Paramedics ran to the scene to attend to the cameraman who was taken away for further treatment.
 

BOLA BOYZ   ARSENAL   MAN UTD   CHELSEA   LIVERPOOL

ENGLAND IS MILNER'S PRIORITY

 

James Milner is content to put his club future on hold until after the World Cup but admits he does not know if he will still be at Aston Villa next season.

 

Milner insists he is focused 100% on helping England achieve glory in South Africa. But the midfielder is in demand after an outstanding season, with Manchester City tabling a £20million bid for the 24-year-old which was instantly rejected by Villa.

 

He is due to hold talks over a new contract but is adamant his priority is helping Fabio Capello's side in South Africa - assuming he is part of the final 23-man squad. 

 

 

BOLA BOYZ   ARSENAL   MAN UTD   CHELSEA   LIVERPOOL

MESSI CAN DEAL WITH PRESSURES

 

World Player of the Year Lionel Messi says that he can deal with the pressure of spearheading Argentina's World Cup challenge in South Africa this summer. Messi insists he is ready to hit the heights at international level after years of criticism for failing to recreate his Barcelona form for Argentina. Messi smashed 47 goals in all competitions to help Barcelona retain the Spanish title this season and goes into the tournament as the player everyone is keen to see.

 

 

BOLA BOYZ   ARSENAL   MAN UTD   CHELSEA   LIVERPOOL

HENRY DENY RED BULLS DEAL

 

Barcelona forward Thierry Henry has rejected stories that he has agreed in principle to sign a contract with Major League Soccer side New York Bulls.

 

Henry, who seems certain to leave Barcelona this summer after a disappointing season with the La Liga champions, was widely reported in the US media on Monday to have already agreed to put pen to paper.

 

It was suggested that Henry will sign for the Red Bulls after the World Cup, with Henry in the French squad for the tournament in South Africa. But Henry wants to concentrate on the World Cup before considering his next move in club football.

 

BOLA BOYZ   ARSENAL

BENAYOUN MAY BECOME CHELSEA'S NEW TARGET

 

Chelsea are considering making a move for Liverpool midfielder Yossi Benayoun, with the Israeli international touted as a possible replacement for the out of contract Joe Cole. Cole is apparently no nearer to resolving his contract dispute with owner Roman Abramovich, and the feelers are already out to find a suitable replacement, though Benayoun could even be recruited if Cole stays. There are ample suitors for Cole, but he would like to stay at Stamford Bridge if he can come to an agreement over new terms.

 

However, a list of possible replacements has been put to manager Carlo Ancelotti and the Israeli is highly thought of by the Italian coach, who has now a much clearer picture of the players in the Premier League after his first season in charge of the club. He is also clearer about what is needed to improve the team that won the Double, but fell short in the Champions League.

BOATENG APOLOGISED TO BALLACK

 

Portsmouth midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng has apologised to Michael Ballack for the challenge which ruled the Germany captain out of the World Cup.

 

Boateng, who will represent Ghana - an opponent of Germany in the group stage - at the World Cup this summer, told Germany's Sport Bild magazine that he had already offered his apologies several times to Ballack.

 

"All I can do is apologise," said Boateng, who is the half-brother of Germany international Jerome Boateng.

 

"I was just too late and I hit him straight on"

 

"It looked stupid. I apologised to him twice on the field and now for a third time.

 

"I am sorry. It was not intentional."

 

Ballack is still letting the realisation sink in that he is going to miss the World Cup due to the ankle injury he picked up from the tackle.

BOLA BOYZ  CHELSEA

BARCELONA WIN LA LIGA

 

Barcelona retained their Primera Division crown as they thrashed Real Valladolid 4-0 at home amid a carnival atmosphere at the Nou Camp. After an uncharacteristically rocky start from Barca, nerves were settled when Luis Prieto inexplicably turned the ball into his own net under no pressure in the 27th minute.

 

Pedro then doubled the Barca lead four minutes later, and a brace from Lionel Messi in the second capped the win and saw the brilliant Argentinian match Ronaldo's record of scoring 47 goals in all competitions, 34 of them coming in the league.

 

Real Madrid, who began the day only one point behind Barcelona, fell behind against Malaga as Sergio Duda scored in the ninth minute. Rafael van der Vaart equalised early in the second half, but Real could not find a winner as, drawing 1-1, they fell three points behind their arch-rivals.

 

BOLA BOYZ

BALLACK OUT OF WORLD CUP

 

Germany captain Michal Ballack has been ruled out of the World Cup after injuring his ankle in Chelsea's FA Cup final win over Portsmouth. The German Football Federation (DFB) said Ballack underwent a scan on Monday which showed that he had partially torn a ligament in his right leg. The DFB said it would be eight weeks before he could resume training. The World Cup starts in South Africa on June 11.

 

Ballack limped off with during the first-half of Chelsea's 1-0 win over Portsmouth on Saturday after a late tackle by Kevin-Prince Boateng. Boateng was born in Berlin and represented Germany at U21 level, but has switched allegiance and will play at the World Cup for Ghana, who are in the same group as Germany.

 

BOLA BOYZ  CHELSEA
 

INTER MILAN WIN SCUDETTO

 

Inter Milan were crowned Italian champions for the fifth consecutive season on Sunday, but Jose Mourinho's side had their nerves tested as Claudio Ranieri's Roma pushed them all the way.

 

With Inter still being held away at relegated Siena, Roma took a 2-0 lead against Chievo thanks to two emphatic finishes from Mirko Vucinic and Daniele de Rossi and, as things stood, were leading Inter on the clubs' head-to-head record.

 

The result means they finish two points ahead of Roma, and have the chance to win an historic Treble when they play Bayern Munich in the Champions League final. This was Inter's second title under coach Jose Mourinho, and guarantees the Nerazzurri a place in the record books as the first team to win five back-to-back league titles since Juventus achieved the feat in the 1930s.

 

 

BOLA BOYZ

MESSI BAGS EUROPEAN GOLDEN SHOE AWARD

 

Lionel Messi added the European Golden Shoe to his growing list of awards after scoring twice against Real Valladolid to finish the La Liga season with 34 goals.

 

The rankings on Euro Top Foot showed the Argentina striker had amassed 68 points, 10 more than his closest rivals Didier Drogba of Chelsea and Antonio Di Natale of Udinese who scored 29 each.

 

Messi netted Barca's third and fourth goals in a 4-0 victory over Valladolid that delivered Barca their second consecutive league title on Sunday.

 

BOLA BOYZ

CHELSEA READY TO GET TORRES

 

Fernando Torres will be the subject of a world record bid from Chelsea within days. The total package of transfer fee and salary will make Torres a staggering £130 million investment. And Soccernet has been informed that owner Roman Abramovich is personally taking control of the project to bring the Liverpool striker to Chelsea.

 

Torres has been linked with Chelsea, Manchester City, Barcelona and Real Madrid for a some time but the Blues will be first to make a concrete offer. Abramovich is ready to release the cash following a Premier League and FA Cup double this season, but he is also acutely aware he could cut an alternative deal with Liverpool in need of new players.

 

BOLA BOYZ  CHELSEA

PARREIRA CONFIDENT AFTER SOUTH AFRICA'S VICTORY

South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira hailed the significant improvement in his team's form after they thrashed Thailand 4-0 in a World Cup warm-up in Nelspruit. South Africa outplayed an under-strength Thailand team, who managed only a single shot on goal and were constantly stretched by the home team.

 

South Africa have now gone eight matches unbeaten under Parreira since he returned to the job in November, albeit low key matches with his teams mainly made up of home-based players. South Africa's foreign-based payers arrive this week to join preparations, which have already seen training camps in Brazil and Germany over the last two months.

 

BOLA BOYZ