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Italy drops Del Piero and Inzaghi for Georgia

ROME: Italy coach Roberto Donadoni has left World Cup-winning strikers Alessandro del Piero and Filippo Inzaghi out of his 22-man squad for Saturday's Group B Euro 2008 qualifier against Georgia in Genoa.

Del Piero's omission was on the cards after his lacklustre performance in midfield in last month's 0-0 draw against France and his subsequent declaration that he only wanted to play for the Azzurri as a striker.

The Juventus captain started his side's 1-1 draw at Fiorentina on the bench on Sunday.

But Inzaghi's failure to feature in the list was a surprise. The fact that the AC Milan forward is still seeking his first Serie A goal of the season probably influenced Donadoni's decision.

Striker Alves keen to move on after seven-goal spree

ROTTERDAM, Netherlands: Brazilian international Afonso Alves underlined his scoring credentials when he hit seven goals for Heerenveen on Sunday to set a Dutch first division record.

The striker, who wants to join a more high-profile club, hopes his effort in a 9-0 thrashing of Heracles Almelo would have been noted by some of Europe's elite.

"I needed to score to find my form again, so now I can focus on the future with confidence," Alves told RTL4 television.

The 26-year-old striker registered a hat trick between the 10th and 18th minutes and added four more goals within nine minutes in the second half. Alves had hoped his status as top scorer, with 34 goals, in the Dutch league last season would attract interest from the more glamorous clubs on the continent.

Denis gets first call-up for Argentina

BUENOS AIRES: Independiente striker German Denis received a call-up by Argentina for the first time on Sunday when coach Alfio Basile named his squad for this month's World Cup qualifiers.

Denis has scored 15 goals in 13 games for the Argentine championship leaders, included six braces.

Until this season, the 26-year-old had had an undistinguished career with unfashionable Buenos Aires club Arsenal and Los Andes and provincial side Colon.

Denis was one of seven domestic league players named by Basile on Sunday to add to the 18 foreign-based players he named last month.

Argentina begin its 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign at home to Chile on Saturday and will play away in Venezuela three days later.

Ten Cate's move to Chelsea negotiated by clubs

ROTTERDAM, Netherlands: Ajax Amsterdam coach Henk Ten Cate said on Sunday the Dutch club and Chelsea were in negotiations over his move to Stamford Bridge.

"There has to be a solution between Ajax and Chelsea," Ten Cate said on RTL4-television.

"If that doesn't happen I will stay with Ajax and otherwise there is a chance I will leave."

Ten Cate has been linked with an assistant coach position at the Premier League club, and according to media reports is set to sign a three-three contract.

RTL4 also quoted a Chelsea spokesman as saying an official announcement would be made on Monday.

(China Daily 10/09/2007 page23)