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China's Zheng called up for World Cup qualifier

Charlton midfielder Zheng Zhi is among three European-based players named in China's 25-man squad to play injury-depleted Australia in a World Cup qualifier on Wednesday, local media reported.

Zheng, along with Manchester City defender Sun Jihai, and Shao Jiayi of German side Energie Cottbus, is expected to start the match in Kunming, the Beijing News said on Monday.

"I am very happy that they are all in good shape," the paper quoted China head coach Ratomir Dujkovic as saying. "Shao and Zheng Zhi both played on the weekend, so they should be match fit."

China has set itself a target of at least a draw with Australia, which played a lackluster goalless draw with Singapore in a warm-up match on Saturday.

The Socceroos have been hit with a number of late withdrawals including Blackburn's Brett Emerton and Everton's Tim Cahill through injury.

Frings' return gives Germany boss Loew a boost

BIELEFELD, Germany: Midfielder Torsten Frings gave Germany coach Joachim Loew a pre-Euro 2008 boost as he returned from injury in Werder Bremen's 1-1 draw with Arminia Bielefeld on Sunday.

The 31-year-old has endured a wretched season blighted by knee injuries, and after five months absence Frings made his Bundesliga return in the draw with Bielefeld.

Having returned to training at the start of the month, Frings was given 80 minutes by Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf, but is not in Loew's squad for Wednesday night's Euro 2008 warm-up against Switzerland in Basel.

"I felt good, but it was clear that I was not going to be able to finish the whole game," said Frings after the draw with Bielefeld.

"I am sad that we didn't manage to win the game, because we conceded a stupid goal early on, but it was a difficult situation for us.

"We have a problem with concentration at certain parts of the season."

Green replaces injured Kirkland in England squad

LONDON: West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green replaced the injured Chris Kirkland on Sunday as England manager Fabio Capello was forced into a late change to his 23-man squad for next week's friendly international away to France.

It was the second goalkeeping change in 24 hours after Paul Robinson, back in the Tottenham side after being dropped in January, returned to England duty following an injury to Villa's keeper Scott Carson.

Kirkland was forced out with a back problem he sustained during Wigan's 3-1 Premier League defeat away to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.

He played the whole 90 minutes at Ewood Park but the discomfort he sustained early in that match has forced him out of the France game.

Wednesday's match in Paris will be Capello's second in charge of England, following last month's 2-1 friendly win over Switzerland at Wembley, since he was appointed following the team's failure to qualify for the Euro 2008 finals.

Ogilvy clings to lead, Tiger five back at storm-struck Doral

MIAMI: Australian Geoff Ogilvy clung to a two-stroke lead while Tiger Woods was five strokes back on Sunday when darkness halted the final round of the World Golf Championships CA Championship.

With nine holes yet to play, Ogilvy stood on 17-under par, two ahead of Fiji's Vijay Singh, who had nine to play, and American Jim Furyk, who had eight remaining, with Woods struggling in his bid to win his eighth event in a row.

"I'm sure he probably thinks he has a chance and we've seen him do crazy things before," Ogilvy said of Woods. "But Jim and Vijay have won a fair few tournaments and there are some pretty tough players right up there."

After 61 players were forced to complete the third round Sunday morning due to prior storms, golfers waited out a 2hr 50min weather delay before darkness fell with 24 in the clubhouse and 53 returning Monday morning for the finish.

"It was a long day," Ogilvy said. "I warmed up four times. It's no fun. It's a bit fatiguing going out, warming up, getting in the van, driving all the way out, coming all the way back."

(China Daily 03/25/2008 page22)