Top Shot
Soccer Recovering Beckham set for first Galaxy start
LOS ANGELES: David Beckham, who has been hampered by an injured left ankle for the past two months, expects to make his first start for Los Angeles Galaxy in their SuperLiga semi-final against D.C. United on Wednesday.
"I think I can play at least half a game tomorrow, which is important for me," Beckham told reporters on Tuesday after a Galaxy training session at the Home Depot Center.
"It's important for the team that I at least get on the pitch and help contribute. It was good to get out on to the field today and have a bit of practice.
"This is my first time, since I arrived, to be out on the training pitch. It felt good."
Beckham, 32, has made only two fleeting appearances for the Galaxy since joining the Major League Soccer (MLS) club midway through last month.
He played for 16 minutes as a late substitute against FA Cup holders Chelsea on July 21 before making his MLS debut on Thursday at DC United, playing the final 18 minutes in a 1-0 loss before a capacity crowd of 46,686.
Two stabbed in clashes before Lazio-Dinamo match
ROME: Two Romanians were stabbed in clashes between Dinamo Bucharest and Lazio fans before Tuesday's Champions League game in Rome, the ANSA news agency reported.
One Dinamo fan was stabbed in the back and the other hit in the leg, according to the reports. Three more Romanians were injured in the clashes, ANSA said.
None of the fans was reported to be in a serious condition.
The first leg of the Champions League third qualifying round tie between Lazio and Dinamo ended 1-1.
Cassano joins Sampdoria on loan from Real
ROME: Italian striker Antonio Cassano has moved to Sampdoria from Real Madrid on a one-year loan, the Serie A side said.
"The dream has come true: Cassano is a Sampdoria player," said the Genoa club's Web site (www.sampdoria.it).
Sampdoria said it had an option to make the move permanent at the end of the season.
The 25-year-old, once rated as one of the brightest talents in Italian football, was desperate to return to Italy after an unsuccessful season and a half at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Everton leaves Tottenham searching for first points
LONDON: Everton made it two wins out of two in the Premier League on Tuesday with a 3-1 away defeat of Tottenham Hotspur who has yet to pick up a point this season.
Tottenham, pre-season tips to challenge for a top-four place, was stunned after two minutes when Mikel Arteta's flighted free kick from the right was met by a downward header from Everton defender Joleon Lescott.
Centre back Anthony Gardner headed an equalizer after 25 minutes but Everton regained the lead when Leon Osman punished more defensive uncertainty and Alan Stubbs made it 3-1 with a wickedly deflected free kick in first-half stoppage time.
Dimitar Berbatov headed against the post and Jermain Defoe's volley was well saved by Tim Howard but Andy Johnson came close to adding to Tottenham's misery in the second half.
FIFA adds prize money and extra team to Club Cup
ZURICH: FIFA has added a million dollars prize money and one extra place to this year's World Club Cup in Japan, the world governing soccer body said on Tuesday.
Japan was also awarded the 2008 competition with the bidding to host the 2009 event scheduled to start in November.
"The organising committee decided to increase the prize money by$1 million for the 2007 event, putting a total of $16 million up for grabs in Japan," FIFA said in a statement.
"The champion will take home 5 million, the runner-up will net 4 million, and 3rd place 2.5 million. fourth place will get 2 million, the two fifth-placed teams will receive 1 million and seventh place will earn $500,000."
Seven teams instead of six will take part in the competition starting on December 7.
In the three previous tournaments, known then as the World Club Championship, six continental club champions qualified, but from this year the champions of the host country will receive a spot and play the Oceania winners in the first match.
(China Daily 08/16/2007 page23)
