3/29/2008
by Phil Seery

MADRID (AFP) – Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard said he was embarrassed by his team's woeful second half showing in Saturday's 3-2 defeat by Real Betis that could have ended their title hopes.

Barca looked to be in control at 2-0 up but Betis scored three times in 14 second half minutes and the defeat leaves Barcelona four points behind Real Madrid, who have a game in hand, at the top of the Spanish first division.
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27/03/2008
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

It has been reported in the Spanish media that Barcelona have grown frustrated by Ronaldinho's off the field antics which has contributed to his poor form on the pitch and they would be willing to listen to offers for the former World Player of the Year.

Brazilian sensation, who joined Barca for £21 million five years ago, is under contract at the Catalan giants until the summer of 2010 but has a clause in his current deal which means prospective buyers can sign him for a cut-price £8.5m figure. In January, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich provisionally agreed to hand Ronaldinho a five-year deal worth £11.6m a season but the Brazilian decided to stay until at least the end of the season.
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3/27/08
By: Angelo Solomita, www.nyunews.com

When you think of Egypt, what comes to mind? Probably not sports. The same can be said about NYU, where sports take a back seat compared to most colleges. So it made for an interesting experience when the Tisch Center for Sports Management, Hospitality and Tourism Scholars Program embarked on a journey to Egypt to study sports.
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Wed Mar 26, 2008 8:32am EDT
By Alastair Himmer

TOKYO (Reuters Life!) – Japan's soccer chief has set a 2050 deadline for the country to win the World Cup.

Japan Football Association (JFA) president Saburo Kawabuchi has a bigger dream — one the 71-year-old hopes will help save lives.

In response to a wave of pre-teen suicides across the country in 2006 the JFA launched a project to help children think positively about the future in Japan's high-pressure society.

A wide range of athletes and celebrities have been enlisted to visit elementary schools throughout Japan as part of the JFA's "Kokoro no Project" (Heartful Project) program.
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Tuesday Mar 25 2008
By Marty Mercado , Football.co.uk

Venice, Valencia, and Vienna scream as the two teams take to the pitch. Rome, Rotterdam, and Rio de Janeiro roar with excitement at the opening kick-off. Cheers echo throughout Buenos Aires, Barcelona, and Bangkok as a goal is scored. Moans are heard in Milan, Melbourne, and Moscow as an opportunity for a goal is missed. Liverpool, Lyon and Lisbon sing songs of victory as the final whistle is blown while Athens, Adelaide, and Aberdeen groan in defeat. Philadelphia, Phoenix, and Portland, however, remain silent. (more…)

3/26/2008
the-afc.com

KUWAIT CITY – Kuwait came back from an early two-goal deficit to pick up their first point in Group Three of the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers with a 2-2 draw against Iran at Al Kuwait Stadium on Wednesday.

Kuwait fell behind after only two minutes as Alireza Vahedi Nikbakht gave Iran the perfect start and Seyed Jalal Hosseini doubled the advantage for Ali Daei's side a couple of minutes later.
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3/25/2008
Afshin Afshar, lastkick.com

Tomorrow Team Melli has a do-or-die game away in Kuwait City.

Everywhere on the Internet I look Team Melli fans are still debating over whether Daei was the right choice as the Head Coach; others who are criticizing him over his picks, and some are still wishing it was Clemente or Ghotbi who got the job.
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3/25/2008
the-afc.com

KUWAIT CITY – Ali Daei will look to draw upon his vast playing experience as he seeks a Group Five victory against Kuwait on Wednesday in his first competitive match as Iran coach.

The 39-year-old, who scored 109 goals in 149 international appearances for Iran, was appointed coach of the national team earlier this month, but his reign began disappointingly with a 1-0 loss in last Saturday's friendly with Bahrain in Manama.
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March 23, 2008
Matthew Hall
From: www.theage.com.au

AUSTRALIA is poised to make a sensational swoop to host the 2011 Asian Cup, while also bidding to bring the FIFA Club World Cup to Sydney in 2009 or 2010.

The Sunday Age believes Qatar – announced as 2011 Asian Cup host only last July – is reconsidering its position and officials from the Qatari Football Association have scheduled a meeting with Asian Football Confederation bosses in Kuala Lumpur on Monday to discuss the situation.
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By Martin Petty

BANGKOK, March 24 (Reuters) – Troubled Iran may have finally put their house in order off the field, but on it things are not looking good for the three-times World Cup qualifiers.

Despite having untangled themselves from months of mess, including persistent political problems and a drawn-out coaching crisis, Iran are without a win since July and have not scored in six matches ahead of this week’s World Cup qualifiers.
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