News
Kashima beats Kobe to stay top in the J-League (AP) Second friendly in Italy abandoned after players fight (Reuters) Barcelona release Mexico captain Marquez (Reuters) Malaysia, Indonesia propose southeast Asia league (Reuters) Batista might win Argentina job with good results (AP) Argentina, Brazil to start series of friendlies (AP) Khedira joins Real Madrid from Stuttgart (Reuters)
Takuya Nozawa scored twice as Kashima Antlers defeated Vissel Kobe 3-0 to maintain top spot in the J-League on Saturday. Nozawa's header in the eighth minute gave Vissel a 1-0 lead and he doubled it with a left-footed drive from 14 meters in the 31st minute. Marquinhos sealed the win with his sixth goal of the season in the 76th minute.
Catania's match with Greek side
Iraklis was abandoned because of players fighting, the second
pre-season friendly involving a Serie A club to be halted
because of violence in two days.
Mexico captain Rafael
Marquez, who has been strongly linked in the media with a move
to New York Red Bulls, has reached a deal with La Liga champions
Barcelona that releases him from his contract.
Malaysia and Indonesia
are proposing the formation of a trans-national soccer league
in southeast Asia to help revitalise the club game in the
region, according to Malaysia's Sports Minister Ahmad Shabery
Cheek.
Interim coach Sergio Batista's future with the Argentina team will be on the line in upcoming friendlies against Ireland and World Cup champion Spain. Julio Grondona, president of the Argentina Football Association, hinted Friday that Batista could get the job permanently if Argentina wins both matches -- at Ireland on Aug.
Argentina and Brazil have agreed to play two friendly matches annually, using only players based in the local leagues. Julio Grondona, the president of the Argentine Football Association, and his Brazil counterpart Ricardo Texeira made the announcement Friday in the Argentine capital. Each country will get an annual home game, although no specific details were announced about scheduling.
* Midfielder agrees five-year deal with Real Madrid