JOHANNESBURG - Germany and England go head to head for a place in the WorldCup quarterfinals on Sunday, both trying to ignore the hype that alwayssurrounds their soccer matches.Both sets of players are concentrating fully on the second-round game inBloemfontein rather than the history of one of the sport's greatest rivalries.Since England's contentious 4-2 extra-time win over Germany in the 1966
By ANDREW DAMPF AP Sports WriterJOHANNESBURG - While teams from Europe and Africa have struggled at this World Cup, FIFA doesn't plan to alter its qualifying breakdown for future tournaments. 'There is no discussion about slots for the future, we have 32 teams,' FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke said Saturday.Of the 13 European teams that started this World Cup, only six made it to the final
BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa - The South African police officer in charge ofsecurity at the Germany-England match has promised a 'no nonsense' approach tocrowd trouble and said relaxed alcohol laws could make his job harder.Lt.Gen.Amon Mashigo says riot police, water cannons and helicopters willbe on standby for the World Cup knockout match Sunday. Alcohol sales won't be restricted in Bloemfontei
GEORGE, South Africa - Japan coach Takeshi Okada may have to overhaul histactics to beat a scrappy Paraguay team and take the Asian nation to the WorldCup quarterfinals for the first time.Japan's three group games were against attack-minded teams, but the matchagainst Paraguay on Tuesday offers a different tactical challenge.Okada said Saturday the South Americans have mental strength and techni
ROME - Italy's World Cup players have returned home after their early exitin South Africa, amid indifference from fans and a few insults.Players who landed at Rome's Leonardo da Vinci airport Saturday morning werelargely ignored.A small group of fans shouted 'Shame on You!' as thefootballers and coach Marcello Lippi walked in the terminal. Other players traveled on to Milan's Malpensa, where vi
Fifa are considering further trials into the use of additional assistant referees, with a view to potentially using them at the 2014 World Cup.Uefa experimented with the use of assistant referees behind the goals during 2009/10 Europa League. One thing we are discussing is two additional assistants, said Fifa secretary general Jerome Valcke. This is to support referees to make decision-making ea
England manager Fabio Capello says his only selection dilemma for Sunday's last 16 clash against Germany is who will partner John Terry at centre-back.Defender Ledley King returned to full training on Saturday meaning Capello's 23-man squad are all fit and available. I have to decide who will play with John Terry, said Capello. Matthew Upson played well, Jamie Carragher played well and King play
Relegated Hull City could be set to name Nigel Pearson as their new manager, reports BBC Radio Humberside.Talks are understood to have taken place with the Leicester City manager and a deal agreed in principle.The much respected 46-year-old former Middlesbrough centre-half has a year left to run on his current deal.But talks with Leicester chairman Milan Mandaric about a new contract have not com