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Maldini to play on in search of ninth European Cup final
MILANELLO, Italy: AC Milan captain Paolo Maldini confirmed on Wednesday he will play on for one more season in a bid to reach a ninth European Cup final.
The 38-year-old is set to play in his eighth final against Liverpool next Wednesday and he denied suggestions he might bring his retirement forward if Milan are victorious and the one-club man picks up a fifth winners' medal.
"It is incredible. It is unbelievable to play games like this at the age of 38," Maldini told Reuters at Milan's training ground.
"My life has been not very normal. I want to play one more year to maybe have the chance to play the ninth final."
Maldini, who recently played in his 600th Serie A match, will be remembered as one of the greatest defenders. The former Italy captain is still not bored of soccer despite making his debut for Milan back in 1985.
Bradley handed US coaching position on permanent basis
MIAMI: Bob Bradley was named the permanent coach of the United States soccer team on Wednesday after five months as interim boss.
The 49-year-old Bradley was handed the job on a temporary basis in December after former coach Bruce Arena stood down following the 2006 World Cup finals.
"I'm proud, excited and honoured to be named coach of the US national team," Bradley told a news conference.
Since being in charge of the US team Bradley has enjoyed wins over Mexico, Ecuador and Denmark.
"Our goal is clear: to build a team capable of being successful in the 2010 World Cup. We are off to a very good start, and I am looking forward to the challenging road ahead," said Bradley.
U.S. Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati, who before December had talked with former Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann about the vacancy, said Bradley had signed a long-term deal to guide the team into the 2010 World Cup finals.
Harrington calls for European 'World' Tour
ADARE, Ireland: Irish Open pre-tournament favorite Padraig Harrington called on Wednesday for the European Tour to turn itself into a world tour in order to compete more effectively with the US PGA Tour.
Harrington was talking to reporters about the Open taking place at a new course near Limerick, but quickly turned his attention to the Tour, urging the European competition, which he described as the "mother tour", to amalgamate with others.
The Irish professional who spends much of his season in America, was asked whether the PGA Tour, which has dangled the carrot of a lucrative Fedex Cup to run alongside its schedule this season, was trying to steal European Tour players.
He answered: "I would say encourage. They definitely have made the effort to make it easier for international players and to encourage them to play, which has strengthened their tour.
"Europe are the number two tour. The European Tour has to become the World Tour.
"The only way it's going to compete with the US is to evolve with the South African, Australian, Asian and the Japanese tours.
(China Daily 05/18/2007 page23)
