Soccer Sports News & Betting

Paris Saint-Germain suffered its first defeat of the season Sunday with a 2-0 loss at Monaco to drop to fifth place in the French league.

South Korea midfielder Park Chu-young outpaced the PSG defense to beat goalkeeper Gregory Coupet with a diagonal shot in the 86th before Nene sealed the win with a low strike from the edge of the box in the 89th.

Also, Cedric Hengbart helped Auxerre beat Nice 2-0 and end his teams scoring drought in the league, and Rennes edged Saint-Etienne 1-0 to move into sixth place.

PSG was down to 10 men in stoppage time after Benin playmaker Stephane Sessegnon was sent off in the 90th for planting his studs in Adrianos leg.

Monaco climbed to seventh place with nine points from five matches while PSG, which has 10 points, missed an opportunity to join Lyon and Bordeaux at the top of the league.

Eidur Gudjohnsen made his French league debut with Monaco. The Iceland forward was signed in late August from Barcelona. His best move was a low drive from the edge of the box that went wide in the 42nd.

PSG had the first scoring chance in the 16th as Brazilian fullback Ceara crossed the ball for Ludovic Giuly, whose header was blocked by goalkeeper Stephane Ruffier.

But from that moment, Monaco was the most threatening side.

Monaco replied in the 24th with a lob from defender Djimi Traore that sailed over the bar. Three minutes later, Park fed Brazilian midfielder Nene inside the box with a chipped pass, but Gregory Coupet quickly came off his line to punch away the ball.

The PSG goalkeeper saved a 25-meter shot from Alejandro Alonso in the 31st.

PSG fought back in the second half. Giuly beat the offside trap in the 47th but hit his diagonal shot inches wide of the post.

Referee Laurent Duhamel suspended play in the 76th for about three minutes, fearing injuries in the crowd after some supporters had set off firecrackers.

Auxerre was the only team that failed to score in any of the first four rounds, but Hengbart finally opened Auxerres account with an overhead kick from a pass by Mali defender Adama Coulibaly in the 31st.

Romania international Daniel Niculae doubled the lead in the 78th with a low shot after a cross from Hengbart. Auxerre earned its first win of the season to move out of the relegation zone with four points while Nice dropped to 18th place.

In Rennes, Moussa Sow pulled the ball back for Sylvain Marveaux who fired home in the 62nd. Saint-Etienne nearly equalized in the 78th but Boubacar Sanogos header crashed against the bar.

The winning goal resulted from a long spell of domination for Rennes in the second half. Saint-Etienne goalkeeper Jeremie Janot stopped a volley from Guinea forward Ismael Bangoura in the 53rd before palming away a close-range header from Sow in the 60th.

Saint-Etienne fell to 19th place with just three points.

On Saturday, defending champion Bordeaux beat Grenoble 1-0 to keep the top spot in the league.

Lyon edged Lorient 1-0 to join Bordeaux on 13 points at the top of the league.

Also Saturday it was: Le Mans 1, Marseille 2; Montpellier 1, Lens 0; Valenciennes 1, Boulogne 1; Nancy 0, Toulouse 0; Lille 1, Sochaux 0.

Sporting Braga continued its perfect start to the Portuguese league season with a 2-1 win at Maritimo on Sunday that moved it back to the top of the standings.

Myeong Zes 83rd-minute penalty proved the winner as Braga rallied from an early deficit for its fourth straight win.

Miguel Angelo put the hosts ahead in the eighth minute before Joao Pereira equalized for Braga in the 40th.

Benfica rolled over Belenenses 4-0 and Sporting needed a late goal to secure a 1-0 win over Pacos Ferreira.

Javier Saviola scored in the first half and Oscar Cardoza, Javi Garcia and Ramires Santos added the rest in the second period as Benfica made it 12 goals from its last two games.

Braga leads with 12 points, while Benfica joined FC Porto on 10 points after the four-time defending champions 4-1 win over Leixoes on Saturday.

Sporting has seven points after striker Liedson da Silva - recently called up to Portuguese national team - scored in the 81st minute.

In Sundays other games, Olhanense beat Academica 2-1 and Setubal and Leiria played to a 0-0 draw.

On Saturday, Rio Ave improved to eight points with a 2-0 win over Nacional while Guimaraes beat Naval 3-0 on Friday.

Liverpool announced its most lucrative shirt sponsorship agreement early Monday after signing a four-year deal with Standard Chartered Bank.

The British banks branding will appear on jerseys from July 2010, replacing Danish beer brand Carlsberg, which has sponsored the 18-time English champions since 1991.

Financial details werent disclosed, but it is believed to be worth 80 million pounds ($134 million).

The sponsorship opportunity attracted a huge level of interest from a wide array of globally recognized brands, Liverpool managing director Christian Purslow said. In Standard Chartered we believe we have the ideal partner to move forward and help develop our global ambitions for the club.

It is a real sign of the progress we have made at Liverpool that we have been able to secure the largest ever commercial deal in our history.

The cash injection will provide a big boost to American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr., who bought Liverpool in 2007 and had been surprised by the clubs inability to exploit its global status by generating money through commercial deals.

Liverpool is British footballs most successful club, having won the English championship 18 times and the European Cup five times. But the Carlsberg deal Hicks and Gillett inherited only brought in around seven million pounds each year.

We are excited to be working with such a famous global brand as Liverpool Football Club for the next four years, Standard Chartered group chief executive Peter Sands said. We see many opportunities to continue growing our business, particularly as Asia, Africa and the Middle East are emerging from the global downturn more quickly than the West.

This sponsorship will drive a step change in brand recognition in our key markets and will provide an additional catalyst for our business growth.

Standard Chartered Bank, which is listed on both the London and Hong Kong stock exchanges, had been trying to sponsor Liverpools rival Manchester United before the Premier League champions completed a deal in June with Chicago-based insurance broker Aon Corp.

England coach Fabio Capello has given a strong indication that David Beckham will make it to a fourth World Cup, hailing the former captains ability to bring the squad together.

The 34-year-old Beckham made his 114th international appearance as England routed Croatia 5-1 on Wednesday to qualify for next years tournament with two games to spare. Beckham is 11 games shy of the English record for appearances, held by goalkeeper Peter Shilton.

He is always with us because for me he is one of the most important players, Capello said Thursday. He is good in the group. He is good in every moment during the training. Some players are important for the position and morale of the group.

But to make Capellos cut, Beckham will have to leave Major League Soccers Los Angeles Galaxy in January to rejoin AC Milan or find another top European club. Capello said Beckham must stay fit during MLSs offseason.

If Beckham avoids injury or a deterioration in form, he could take Shaun Wright-Phillips place on the 23-man roster. Theo Walcott and Aaron Lennon are Capellos speedy options on the right flank, but Beckham provides a different threat with precision crosses and free kicks.

Having been left out of Italys squad for the 1978 World Cup, Capello knows the pain of missing out on a major tournament.

I played the qualification for the Argentina World Cup, but I didnt go to Argentina, he recalled. I wasnt injured. I just wasnt good enough, and I heard on TV that I was not in the squad.

While English players speak of fearing Capello, the man himself tries to dispel the image. He doesnt even mind players complaining to him about why they arent being selected.

My door is always open, Capello said. Three players asked me why I didnt play them during this year, I explained why. I respect the players. The players respect me. This is very important.

One player whose starting spot is unlikely to be threatened is Wayne Rooney. In his 21-month tenure, Capello has seen the Manchester United strikers hot temper subdue, and he scored the fifth goal in Wednesdays rout of Croatia.

Rooney was ejected during the quarterfinal loss to Portugal at the 2006 World Cup.

After his marriage he is more mature, Capello said. He is not the same player who sometimes made some terrible tackles.

But in South Africa, Rooney wont be able to spend much time with Coleen, whom he married in 2008. The wives and girlfriends of players were seen as a major distraction at the 2006 World Cup, with defender Rio Ferdinand later calling it a circus.

Unlike former coach Sven-Goran Eriksson, Capello will limit the WAGs to a day with the players after each match.

If they do not want to come for the day, Capello said, then they should stay home.

From his own bitter personal experience as an Italy midfielder, Capello knows there will be little time for relaxing.

In 1974 we arrived as one of the favorites, Capello said. But at the World Cup we played Poland, Argentina and Haiti and then went home.

Capello, who took over from Steve McClaren after the failed Euro 2008 qualification campaign, has nine months to prepare England, seeking its first major title since the 1966 World Cup. There are two more Group Six matches to play, against Ukraine and Belarus. Then there are likely to be four exhibitions, including a Nov. 14 match against Brazil in Qatar.

Its important to play Brazil because we will understand what we have to do if we play against a team like Brazil or Spain, Capello said. We have arrived at a good level. We played very well against Croatia. But we have to improve and be better at some moments, some movement with the ball and without the ball.

Former Socceroos captain Mark Viduka is reportedly quitting European football to return home to Australia.

The 33-year-old Viduka had been linked with possible moves to Portsmouth, Fulham and West Ham after Newcastles relegation from the English Premier League at the end of last season in a bid to extend his career until next years World Cup, but his agent Steve Kutner has ruled out another contract in Europe.

I can confirm that Mark will not be seeking another contract in England or Europe and is coming home to Australia to live, the London-based Kutner told SBS TV networks theworldgame.com.au Web site. Hes about to enter a new phase in his life and whether that includes playing again in Australia I am not sure.

Hes had a superb 11 years or so in the U.K. (with Celtic, Leeds, Middlesbrough and Newcastle) and hes made his mind up to now move on. Mark has other priorities now and wants to take his life in a different direction.

Australian Associated Press reported Saturday that Melbourne Victory and a new club Melbourne Heart -both in Vidukas home town - are interested in the striker but it is unknown if he will be keen to play in the A-League.

Viduka played the first of 43 internationals for Australia in 1994 and has scored 11 goals. He was Soccoeroos captain at the 2006 World Cup, the first time in 32 years Australia had qualified for the tournament.

In Germany, Australia lost to eventual champion Italy on a contentious late penalty in the second round. Australia has already qualified for next years World Cup in South Africa.

Bayern Munich striker Miroslav Klose will miss the Bundesliga match at Borussia Dortmund on Saturday because he still feels unfit after an injury layoff.

Klose scored two goals for Germany in a 4-0 World Cup qualifying win over Azerbaijan Wednesday, but played only the second half. The striker suffered an ankle injury shortly before the start of the season and has been coming off the bench for both Bayern and the national team.

Klose said Friday he would work on his fitness over the next week, possibly also missing the opening Champions League game at Maccabi Haifa.

England coach Fabio Capello has given a strong indication that David Beckham will make it to a fourth World Cup, hailing the former captains ability to bring the squad together.

The 34-year-old Beckham made his 114th international appearance as England routed Croatia 5-1 on Wednesday to qualify for next years tournament with two games to spare. Beckham is 11 games shy of the English record for appearances, held by goalkeeper Peter Shilton.

He is always with us because for me he is one of the most important players, Capello said Thursday. He is good in the group. He is good in every moment during the training. Some players are important for the position and morale of the group.

But to make Capellos cut, Beckham will have to leave Major League Soccers Los Angeles Galaxy in January to rejoin AC Milan or find another top European club. Capello said Beckham must stay fit during MLSs offseason.

If Beckham avoids injury or a deterioration in form, he could take Shaun Wright-Phillips place on the 23-man roster. Theo Walcott and Aaron Lennon are Capellos speedy options on the right flank, but Beckham provides a different threat with precision crosses and free kicks.

Having been left out of Italys squad for the 1978 World Cup, Capello knows the pain of missing out on a major tournament.

I played the qualification for the Argentina World Cup, but I didnt go to Argentina, he recalled. I wasnt injured. I just wasnt good enough, and I heard on TV that I was not in the squad.

While English players speak of fearing Capello, the man himself tries to dispel the image. He doesnt even mind players complaining to him about why they arent being selected.

My door is always open, Capello said. Three players asked me why I didnt play them during this year, I explained why. I respect the players. The players respect me. This is very important.

One player whose starting spot is unlikely to be threatened is Wayne Rooney. In his 21-month tenure, Capello has seen the Manchester United strikers hot temper subdue, and he scored the fifth goal in Wednesdays rout of Croatia.

Rooney was ejected during the quarterfinal loss to Portugal at the 2006 World Cup.

After his marriage he is more mature, Capello said. He is not the same player who sometimes made some terrible tackles.

But in South Africa, Rooney wont be able to spend much time with Coleen, whom he married in 2008. The wives and girlfriends of players were seen as a major distraction at the 2006 World Cup, with defender Rio Ferdinand later calling it a circus.

Unlike former coach Sven-Goran Eriksson, Capello will limit the WAGs to a day with the players after each match.

If they do not want to come for the day, Capello said, then they should stay home.

From his own bitter personal experience as an Italy midfielder, Capello knows there will be little time for relaxing.

In 1974 we arrived as one of the favorites, Capello said. But at the World Cup we played Poland, Argentina and Haiti and then went home.

Capello, who took over from Steve McClaren after the failed Euro 2008 qualification campaign, has nine months to prepare England, seeking its first major title since the 1966 World Cup. There are two more Group Six matches to play, against Ukraine and Belarus. Then there are likely to be four exhibitions, including a Nov. 14 match against Brazil in Qatar.

Its important to play Brazil because we will understand what we have to do if we play against a team like Brazil or Spain, Capello said. We have arrived at a good level. We played very well against Croatia. But we have to improve and be better at some moments, some movement with the ball and without the ball.

Trabzonspor goalkeeper Tony Sylva was ordered by FIFA to pay ?1,1 million ($1,6 million) to his former club Lille.

Sylva left Lille at the end of the 2008 season while he had one more year on his contract. The Senegalese player left without paying compensatory damages to the French club, which referred the issue to FIFA.

This week, the highest authority of world football confirmed the legitimacy of the Lille request, Lille said on Thursday in a statement. A player having decided unilaterally to cut his contract should compensate his club employer.

FIFA has also opened a disciplinary investigation against the players agent, Lille said.

Schalke coach Felix Magath allowed Brazilian defender Rafinha to extend his home vacation and will not require him to return to Germany for Sundays Bundesliga match in Cologne.

I have allowed Rafinha to remain longer in his homeland to take care of his affairs, Magath said on Thursday.

Magath said Rafinha had been totally depressed after a 1-0 home loss to Freiburg, during which he was booed by the home fans, who thought he was about to move to another club. The report turned out to be untrue.

Magath blamed Rafinhas agent for the confusion and said the situation had been corrected.

The coach said Rafinha was expected to bring his family to Germany and I believe him when he says he wants to make a new start.

Home nations listed first
World Cup Qualifying.

EUROPE

Group One

Albania 1, Denmark 1

Hungary 0, Portugal 1

Malta 0, Sweden 1

Group Two

Israel 7, Luxembourg 0

Latvia 2, Switzerland 2

Moldova 1, Greece 1

Group Three

Czech Republic 7, San Marino 0

Northern Ireland 0, Slovakia 2

Slovenia 3, Poland 0

Group Four

Germany 4, Azerbaijan 0

Liechtenstein 1, Finland 1

Wales 1, Russia 3

Group Five

Armenia 2, Belgium 1

Bosnia-Herzegovina 1, Turkey 1

Spain 3, Estonia 0

Group Six

Andorra 1, Kazakhstan 3

Belarus 0, Ukraine 0

England 5, Croatia 1

Group Seven

Faeroe Islands 2, Lithuania 1

Romania 1, Austria 1

Serbia 1, France 1

Group Eight

Italy 2, Bulgaria 0

Montenegro 1, Cyprus 1

Group Nine

Norway 2, Macedonia 1

Scotland 0, Netherlands 1

AFRICA

Third Round

Group A

Cameroon 2, Gabon 1

ASIA

Playoff

Second Leg

Saudi Arabia 2, Bahrain 2 (2-2 aggregate; Bahrain advances 2-0 on away goals)

SOUTH AMERICA

Bolivia 1, Ecuador 3

Uruguay 3, Colombia 1

Paraguay 1, Argentina 0

Brazil vs. Chile

Venezuela vs. Peru

CONCACAF

Trinidad and Tobago 0, United States 1

El Salvador vs. Costa Rica

Mexico vs. Honduras

FRIENDLIES

China 0, Senegal 0

Iceland 3, Georgia 1

Jordan 1, New Zealand 3

Qatar 1, Oman 1

At Lisbon, Portugal

Angola 1, Cape Verde Islands 1

At Utrecht, Netherlands

Japan 4, Ghana 3