Sunday, August 3, 2008

Dutch take ING Cup in Beijing warm-up

Dutch footballer Urby Emanuelson, pictured in 2005. The Netherlands boosted their Olympic hopes by taking the ING Cup here on Saturday after a 1-1 draw with Ivory Coast, but the African footballers showed they could be a team to fear in Beijing.(AFP/File/Fabrice Coffrini)
AFP - Sat Aug 2, 4:30 PM ET

HONG KONG (AFP) - The Netherlands boosted their Olympic hopes by taking the ING Cup here on Saturday after a 1-1 draw with Ivory Coast, but the African footballers showed they could be a team to fear in Beijing.

Liverpool floor Rangers in Ibrox friendly

Liverpool's Spanish forward Fernando Torres, pictured in April 2008. Rangers were convincingly beaten 4-0 by a classy Liverpool side in a friendly match at Ibrox on Saturday.(AFP/File/Paul Ellis)
AFP - Sat Aug 2, 2:35 PM ET

GLASGOW (AFP) - A classy Liverpool comprehensively swatted Rangers 4-0 in a pre-season friendly at Ibrox on Saturday.

Ronaldo saga destabilising Real, says van Nistelrooy

Manchester United's Portuguese striker Ronaldo, seen here in May 2008. Real Madrid's Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy believes that the constant speculation over the future of Cristiano Ronaldo has had an unsettling effect on the team.(AFP/File/Paul Ellis)
AFP - Sun Aug 3, 6:21 AM ET

LONDON (AFP) - Real Madrid's Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy believes that the constant speculation over the future of Cristiano Ronaldo has had an unsettling effect on the team.

Anelka hits four as Chelsea thrash AC Milan

Nicolas Anelka (R) of Chelsea fights for the ball with Matheiu Flamini of Milan in the bronze game of the pre-season's Russian Railways Cup tournament in Moscow. An impressive four-goal rout by Nicolas Anelka helped English Premier side Chelsea thrash Italian giants Milan 5-0 in a pre-season Railway Cup tournament.(AFP/Alexander Nemenov)
AFP - 45 minutes ago

MOSCOW (AFP) - An impressive four-goal rout by Nicolas Anelka helped English Premier side Chelsea thrash Italian giants AC Milan 5-0 in Sunday's pre-season Railway Cup tournament here.

Foreigners get the boot from Malaysian teams: report

Malaysian national football team poses for a group photograph before a match in Kuala Lumpur, in 2007. Malaysia will not allow any foreigners to ply their trade in the domestic league from next season in a drastic attempt to improve the quality of young homegrown players, a news report said Sunday.(AFP/File)
AFP - Sun Aug 3, 3:06 AM ET

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) - Malaysia will not allow any foreigners to ply their trade in the domestic league from next season in a drastic attempt to improve the quality of young homegrown players, a news report said Sunday.

Rio expecting Rooney to star this season

Man Utd's Wayne Rooney sets himself up to score against Kaizer Chiefs' goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune during a friendly match at Loftus Stadium in Pretoria, last month. Rio Ferdinand believes that his United and England team-mate Rooney will step out of Cristiano Ronaldo's shadow and be the star of Old Trafford this season.(AFP/File/Alexander Joe)
AFP - Sun Aug 3, 6:29 AM ET

LONDON (AFP) - Rio Ferdinand believes that his Manchester United and England team-mate Wayne Rooney will step out of Cristiano Ronaldo's shadow and be the star of Old Trafford this season.

Drogba ready to pen new Chelsea deal

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, pictured in March 2008. Drogba has said he is ready to sign a new contract at Chelsea.(AFP/File/Carl de Souza)

AFP - 2 hours, 45 minutes ago
LONDON (AFP) - Ivory Coast international striker Didier Drogba said Sunday he was ready to sign a new contract at Chelsea.