Denmark beat Swedes to secure World Cup spot

Share Former European champions Denmark secured automatic qualification for the 2010 World Cup finals after beating group 1 opponents Sweden 1-0 here on Saturday.

Jakob Poulsen scored the game’s only goal in the 79th minute to keep the Danes top of the group. They now have an unassailable 21 points from nine of their ten games.

Sweden remain on 15 points with Portugal, who play Hungary later Saturday, third on 13 points.

Only group winners secure automatic qualification for the finals in South Africa next year, with the eight best group runners-up being forced into a two-leg play-off.

An emotional Poulsen, who plays for AGF Aarhus, said: “I’m happy and proud. It’s amazing, it’s the highlight of my footballing career so far.” Sat 10 Oct, 2009RSS Feed LAST 5 POSTS BY SOCCERNEWS

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Inter don´t have time to work on tactics – Vecchi Puel praises Southampton fight Buy your shoes today and check back for all new arrivals as they're added! Drogba on target as Ivorians qualify for World Cup

Share Ivory Coast on Saturday qualified for the World Cup finals following a 1-1 draw with Malawi in Blantyre, Chelsea’s Didier Drogba netting the crucial equalising goal for the visitors.

A new look for 2016, this is the Heather O'Reilly Replica jersey will be wearing as they compete for the trophy this summer. Amy Rodriguez, Shannon Boxx, Becky Sauerbrunn, Whitney Engen and Kelley O'Hara. Crystal Dunn jerseys USA The Ivorians, who have 13 points from five matches, cemented top spot in Group E, seven points ahead of Burkina Faso with just one game remaining.

Ivory Coast reach World Cup and Cameroon almost there

Share Ivory Coast qualified for the 2010 World Cup by drawing 1-1 in Malawi on Saturday and Cameroon moved closer to joining them with a 3-0 triumph over Togo.

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba scored just 120 seconds after coming on in the second half to give the Ivorian ‘Elephants’ an unassailable seven-point Group E advantage. The visitors had been rocked midway through the second half at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre when Jacob Ngwira scored his first World Cup goal to put the ‘Flames’ ahead.

Bosnia-born Ivory Coast coach Vahid Halilhodzic responded by sending on Drogba to score the goal that took the cocoa-producing west African country into a second consecutive World Cup tournament. Ivory Coast have 13 points, Burkina Faso six, Malawi four and Guinea three and attention now turns to who will finish second and third after the final fixtures next month and qualify for the 2010 African Nations Cup in Angola.

The ‘Elephants’ made an honourable first-round exit in Germany three years ago, losing narrowly to Argentina and the Netherlands before finishing with a win over Serbia-Montenegro. England coach Fabio Capello says Ivory Coast are capable of going far in South Africa next year while Chelsea boss Carlos Ancelloti claims he would coach them for free at the finals, much to the annoyance of Halilhodzic.

Apart from talismanic Drogba, Ivory Coast also started with Barcelona midfield enforcer Yaya Toure on the bench while an injury ruled out his older brother, Manchester City defender Kolo.

Resurgent Cameroon stayed top of Group A after outclassing shock 2006 qualifiers Togo in Yaounde while Gabon stayed one point adrift after beating Morocco 3-1 in Libreville. Midfielder Geremi Njitap scored at the second attempt off a penalty to give the ‘Indomitable Lions’ a half-time advantage against Togolese opponents led by reigning African Footballer of the Year Emmanuel Adebayor.

But the Manchester City striker was substituted 15 minutes into the second half after goals from Jean Makoun and Achille Emana had given Cameroon a 3-0 cushion.

Makoun netted off a pass from Inter Milan striker Samuel Eto’o, who dribbled past four defenders, and Emana beat overworked goalkeeper Kodjovi Obilale with a low drive. A Cameroon side transformed by the mid-year arrival of French coach Paul le Guen have 10 points, Gabon nine, Togo five and Morocco three and the Lions cannot be overtaken if they triumph on November 14 in Rabat.

Hicham Mahdoufi conceded an own goal on the stroke of half-time to give Gabon a lead they stretched during the second half through Eric Mouloungou and Daniel Cousin before Adel Taarabt snatched a late consolation goal. Egypt kept alive hopes of overtaking Group C pacesetters Algeria with a fortunate 1-0 victory in Zambia courtesy of a mid-second half strike from midfielder Hosny Abd Rabou.

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Coni prosecutor asks for Cannavaro let off

Share Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro looks set to be let off his failed dope test after the Italian Olympic Committee’s (Coni) anti-doping prosecutor asked for the case against the Juventus star to be dismissed.

Cannavaro failed a dope test on August 29 after he had been given a medication containing the banned substance cortisone by Juve doctors following a wasp sting that resulted in his arm swelling up.

But Coni’s anti-doping prosecutor Ettore Torri on Saturday asked the National Anti-doping Tribunal to shelve the case against the former world player of the year while reserving the right to investigate others within the club.

Following his injection, Juventus had requested that Cannavaro be given an exemption on the grounds of having taken a medication in the case of an emergency but his request was missing a document and while awaiting a decision he was subjected to the test he subsequently failed.

But Torri not only ruled out guilt on his part but also negligence in the failure to submit the right documentation on time. Cannavaro released a statement expressing his feeling of vindication.

“I’m happy that the prosecutor has asked for the dismissal of my case, taking into account my good faith and correct behaviour,” he said. “I never had any doubt that this would happen and I’m disappointed that such an event as this caused so much of an uproar.”

The Italian Football Federation (Figc) had claimed they were immediately made aware of the situation as Juventus had sent a copy of the exemption request to their doctor just before Cannavaro joined up with the national team ahead of matches against Georgia and Bulgaria on September 5 and 9.

When the news broke on Thursday about the failed test, Juventus insisted the player himself had done nothing wrong.

“In response to the news relating to an inquest opened by the anti-doping prosecutor into Fabio Cannavaro, Juventus’s medical team underlines that it acted within sanitary prescriptions and moral rules to intervene in a case of emergency following the worsening of the clinical situation as a consequence of an insect sting,” said a statement on Juventus’s website.

“In such an occasion a vital medical therapy was given to prevent potential complications, even fatal ones.”

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Portugal and Argentina struggle to qualify

In the next week there will be tragedy and ecstasy for some of the top footballing nations. Some big nations are are likely to miss out.The likes of France, Portugal and Argentina are walking the tightrope of not appearing at next years World Cup.

In European qualification usually the bigger teams qualify for the major tournaments but there always seems to one big a nation that misses out on the big showpieces. The most recent example of that being England missing Euro 2008 of course.

This time around the two best players in the world are on the verge of missing on. Two of the stars of La Liga are in very real danger of not taking part in the greatest show on earth as its been described.

Portugal England tormentors A new look for 2016, this is the Kelley O'Hara Replica jersey will be wearing as they compete for the trophy this summer. Becky Sauerbrunn, Christie Rampone, Bobby Wood, Sydney Leroux and Hope Solo. christen press authentic jersey

As an England fan I would shed no tears if Portugal failed to qualify for South Africa 2010. Manchester United star Wayne Rooney put it best by saying: “It would be nice to see Portugal not there because they have knocked us out of the last two tournaments.” Wayne explained exactly why I don’t want to see them at next years World Cup.

Love him or hate hes quality However their star player and current World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo would be a miss if the Iberians fail to qualify. How can a major tournament not miss the World Player of the Year. I don’t have a great liking for Ronaldo as a person but as a footballer his talent is indisputable. For the last three or four years he has been consistently brilliant.

Ronaldo has had a blistering start to his career at Real Madrid and people have even said that Madrid are too over-reliant on the former Manchester United star. Unfortunately for the winker his teammates are not of the same quality and have struggled in group One.

The Scandinavians of Sweden and Denmark have overshadowed Ronaldo’s side and his side now need to win their last two games to have any chance of making the World Cup. Its unlikely that they will make the automatic berth as they are currently five points behind group leaders Denmark. However they do have the advantage of the two Scandinavians facing each other later on today in Copenhagen. v Maradona struggles as Argentina boss I have mixed feeling about whether I want Argentina to qualify.

On one hand their manager Diego Maradona may be a legend in his homeland, not to mention Scotland for his hand of God goal in 1986 but in England memories are long and unforgiving. As I was only three at the time and don’t remember that incident but for some reason I still dislike Maradona. I think its the fact that he thinks just because he was a great footballer he can just wander into the one of the hardest jobs in world football.

I would miss messi One the other hand I really want to see Barcelona’s Leo Messi on the world stage. As a self-confessed fan of Barcelona I have enjoyed watching the little magician produce virtuoso performances but for his country I feel he tries to do everything himself. He simply has to win this years World Player of the Year. He finished a close second to Ronaldo in last years awards and this should be his year.

Will they qualify? Although they look like they are currently struggling to qualify I believe both of the nations will be at next years World Cup. If Sweden get beaten by group leaders Denmark then Portugal will jump up to second place in Group One with a win against Hungary at home.

Denmark look likely to qualify as group winners and Portugal will be hoping to seal a play-off place ahead of the Swedish. Portugal’s last game is at home against group whipping boys Malta. While Sweden play Albania at home. Portugal’s fate is not in their own hands at the moment much depends on the Denmark vs Sweden clash today.

Argentina are currently fifth in the South American qualification. The top four qualify automatically and fifth place goes into the play-offs. The group is very tight with Argentina a point behind fourth place Ecuador but just two points ahead of Colombia who are third from bottom.

Maradona’s side face bottom of the group Peru later on today knowing they have to win. Their last game however is against bitter rivals Uruguay in Montevideo which could prove a fatal obstacle.

A new look for 2016, this is the Becky Sauerbrunn Replica jersey will be wearing as they compete for the trophy this summer. Christie Rampone, Sydney Leroux, Caleb Stanko, Hope Solo and Bobby Wood. kelley o'hara authentic jersey When the two come face to face they could be fighting out for the fourth or even fifth place in the group. It won’t be easy but I think Argentina will scrape through.

Bahrain seek first blood against New Zealand

Bahrain will be counting on massive support from home fans and familiar conditions to draw first blood when they clash with New Zealand here on Saturday in the first leg of the final play-off for a place in the 2010 World Cup.

The second leg will be held in Wellington on November 14 and the winner of this Oceania-Asia showdown will get to play in the showpiece soccer event in South Africa next year. New Zealand’s last appearance in a World Cup finals was way back in 1982 while the Bahrainis are yet to make their debut.

Milan Macala’s team are certain to receive passionate support with the organisers having already made elaborate arrangements to see that the 25,000 capacity National Stadium is bursting at the seams on match day.

The visitors, however, received a timely boost even before making the short trip from Dubai, where they are presently training, to Manama on Friday evening with influential central defender and inspirational captain Ryan Nelsen declared fit for this crucial tie.

The Blackburn Rovers player had missed his club’s 6-2 thrashing at the hands of Arsenal in the English Premiership last week with a back injury and was doubtful for Saturday’s clash. But the team’s medical staff yesterday declared the 31-year-old fit to hand coach Ricki Herbert the luxury of choosing from a full squad.

Nelsen will be a key player for New Zealand along with Simon Elliot in midfield and Shane Smeltz and Chris Killen up front.

Coach Herbert will certainly be relying on the experience and enterprise of the seniors in the team to get the first-half of the job done before the second-leg back at home.

The combined Kiwi team have experience of professional football in England, Holland, Scotland, the United States and Australia and it’s in this area that the visitors may be holding a slight advantage. “The mood is positive and I can feel a buzz around the players,” New Zealand’s assistant coach Brian Turner said.

“This team has been four years in the making. They are now in their 20s, some of them late 20s, so there is a lot of experience, and in games like this can prove decisive.”

Bahrain too have no injury worries but the hosts will be without key defender Abdulla al-Marzooqi who is serving a four-match suspension. But Macala has not lost any sleep over it as he, for the first time in a long period, had a majority of his professional players playing in different leagues across the Gulf at his command a week in advance.

Captain and energetic midfielder Mohammed Salmeen, who missed the heart-stopping clash against Saudi Arabia which Bahrain drew 2-2 in Riyadh to win on away goals and qualify for this final play-off, is also back after serving a one-match suspension. “My players are more determined than ever to make the most of this opportunity,” said Macala.

“Both the players and fans were very upset when they lost to Trinidad and Tobago at the same stage four years ago,” said the 66-year-old Czech tactician.

A new look for 2016, this is the Whitney Engen Replica jersey will be wearing as they compete for the trophy this summer. Kelley O'Hara, Becky Sauerbrunn, Hope Solo, Christie Rampone and Sydney Leroux. mallory pugh authentic jersey “This time they are not willing to take any chances and will go all out to win this match.”

Maradona in spotlight in battle for World Cup

Argentina coach Diego Maradona will be in the spotlight as six South American countries battle for the final berths for the 2010 World Cup final starting on Saturday.

With Brazil and Paraguay already assured of their tickets to South Africa next year, Maradona’s Arge

ntina and five other teams will be vying for the two remaining automatic qualifying spots with the fifth-placed team going into a play-off. Argentina, who have been further weakened by squabbling between Maradona and general manager Carlos Bilardo, need to beat Peru on Saturday, in the penultimate qualifier.

A defeat in Buenos Aires against tailenders Peru, who are already out of the running, would not end Argentina’s World Cup dream. But it would make their task extremely difficult before their visit to dangerous rivals Uruguay on Wednesday, who could also still be looking to qualify if they draw against Ecuador at the weekend. Footballing legend Maradona acknowledged that after a disastrous qualifying campaign his job was on the line and he might quit after their must-win qualifiers.

A new look for 2016, this is the Christie Rampone Replica jersey will be wearing as they compete for the trophy this summer. Sydney Leroux, Hope Solo, Rubio Rubin, Bobby Wood and Caleb Stanko. becky sauerbrunn authentic jersey The beleaguered football legend even sought divine intervention as he pondered Argentina’s chances of reaching the World Cup finals. “The bearded one (God) saved me many times before – and I hope he will do so this time,” said Maradona.

The 1986 world champion famously dubbed his first quarter-final goal in that year’s competition the work of the “hand of God”. Argentina are five points behind third-placed Chile (27) with Ecuador on 23. Sixth-placed Uruguay (21), Venezuela (21) and Colombia (20), are also in the running for qualification.

Bolivia (12) and Peru (10), are already ruled out, but will be eager to ensure that they avoid the humiliation of finishing last in the standings. One of the two automatic qualifying spots looks certain to go to Chile, who will qualify if they beat Colombia on Saturday.

For the other, Argentina are trailing Ecuador and are just one point ahead of Uruguay and Venezuela. Maradona’s side must also be wary of Colombia who are just two points behind them.

The slightest slip up will mean Argentina fail to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1970. Argentina don’t need to be reminded of that nightmare after what has been a trying time for the team this week after Manchester City’s Pablo Zabaleta picked up a hamstring injury on Monday.

The incident revealed a simmering row between the Argentina coach and Bilardo, who Maradona reportedly blames for not travelling to England to ensure that Zabaleta was freed earlier by his English team.

And the South American press has fired up the controversy even further by claiming that referees are being put under pressure to ensure that Argentina, World Cup champions in 1978 and 1986, qualify automatically.

“The only thing that worries me is the referee,” said Peru strike Johan Fano.

But Maradona’s main worry will be the configuration of his team. The former play-maker has called up 78 players since his appointment a year ago, but is still looking for the right mix, and has given the nod to debutants Liverpool defender Emiliano Insua and Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain.

He has also recalled up Pablo Aimar to try and help Lionel Messi work some miracles for Argentine. Uruguay, who play Ecuador on Saturday, will have every incentive to win as they can still grab fourth spot in the group and an automatic finals berth.

“We’re all dreaming of going to the World Cup. We have to get through these two matches to make it happen,” said coach Oscar Tabarez. “It’s difficult but not impossible.”

Chile look assured of their spot in the World Cup for the first time since 1998 in France, and can qualify directly if they beat Colombia on Saturday and if Ecuador or Argentina lose.

Colombia need to win against both Chile and Paraguay to be in with a chance of making the fifth-place play-off against the fourth-placed Central American zone team.

Ecuador, meanwhile, are also dreaming of qualifying for their third consecutive World Cup finals. But they must beat Uruguay on Saturday, a result which would practically assure them the play-off spot and take a point from Chile in Santiago next week.

A new look for 2016, this is the Sydney Leroux Replica jersey will be wearing as they compete for the trophy this summer. Hope Solo, Bobby Wood, Christian Pulisic, Caleb Stanko and Rubio Rubin. whitney engen authentic jersey Venezuela have a difficult task to qualify for their first World Cup. They first need to beat Paraguay and four days later topple Brazil.

MLS Review: Dempsey hat-trick inspires Sounders, Cole completes Galaxy comeback

Seattle Sounders recorded an overdue 3-1 win at Orlando City thanks to Clint Dempsey’s hat-trick in MLS on Sunday.

A day after Sebastian Giovinco’s hat-trick for Toronto FC, Sounders star Dempsey also walked away with a three-goal haul as Seattle ended their three-match winless run.

Dempsey scored twice in the first half and completed his hat-trick after the interval to snap Orlando’s 17-game home unbeaten streak.

The Sounders – second-bottom in the Western Conference – appeared destined for their 13th defeat of the season after Sebastian Hines turned in Kaka’s corner in the seventh minute. Follow Major League Soccer ✔ @MLS

Leave the Deuce this loose and this is bound to happen. #ORLvSEA #SoccerSunday 7:46 AM - 8 Aug 2016 2019 carli lloyd jersey 39 39 Retweets 89 89 likes Seattle responded within seven minutes, Dempsey teed up by Tyrone Mears for the equaliser and the United States international put the Sounders ahead in the 37th minute.

Follow Major League Soccer ✔ @MLS .@JmoSmooth13 to @clint_dempsey. Probably should get used to that. #ORLvSEA #SoccerSunday 8:09 AM - 8 Aug 2016

74 74 Retweets 173 173 likes Dempsey sealed the victory one minute into the second half, when Jordan Morris squared the ball to the 33-year-old for a simple tap-in, silencing the home crowd, who saw substitute Julio Baptista hit the crossbar with 20 minutes remaining.

Follow Major League Soccer ✔ @MLS Not a replay. @clint_dempsey's third. #ORLvSEA #SoccerSunday 8:36 AM - 8 Aug 2016

50 50 Retweets 141 141 likes carli lloyd jersey 2019 The rare home defeat left Orlando outside of the Eastern Conference’s top six, though they have a game in hand compared to New England Revolution, while the Sounders are eight points adrift of the play-off spots in the west.

Ashley Cole equalised in the 90th minute as LA Galaxy completed a stunning comeback to draw 2-2 with New York Red Bulls. Follow LA Galaxy ✔ @LAGalaxy

GET IN, @TheRealAC3! 11:31 AM - 8 Aug 2016 63 63 Retweets 118 118 likes The Red Bulls were cruising at 2-0 thanks to second-half goals from Gonzalo Veron and Sean Davis. But the Galaxy refused to surrender, with Cole earning a draw for the home side after Mike Magee pulled a goal back 10 minutes from time.

Reigning MLS Cup champions Portland Timbers, meanwhile, accounted for Sporting Kansas City 3-0. Follow Major League Soccer ✔ @MLS

That's #️⃣11 for @fanendo on the season. #PORvSKC 6:19 AM - 8 Aug 2016

33 33 Retweets 106 106 likes
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