England quartet up for Fifa award

Four England internationals have made the shortlist for the Fifa world player of the year award. Wayne Rooney, John Terry, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard are among the 30 players in the running.

From that list national team coaches and captains will vote for their top three players, to be revealed at Fifa’s world player gala on 17 December.

AC Milan’s Kaka is the favourite to win the award for the first time, ahead of Barcelona’s Lionel Messi.

Chelsea have five nominees for the Fifa award, behind only Barcelona who have seven.

There are five Italian players in the final 30, including current world player of the year Fabio Cannavaro.

Brazil star Kaka, 25, is the current FIFPro world player of the year - an award voted for by 45,000 members of the players’ union.

England Women 6-1 Argentina Women

England reached the Women’s World Cup quarter-finals after comfortably beating Argentina in Chengdu. England led 2-0 after 10 minutes thanks to Eva Gonzalez’s headed own goal and Jill Scott’s speculative shot.

Catalina Perez was sent off early in the second half, giving away a penalty that was converted by Fara Williams.

Argentina pulled a goal back through Gonzalez’s free-kick, but Kelly Smith struck twice more and Vicky Exley made it 6-1 with a confident penalty.

The win meant England finished second in Group A behind Germany and they will discover their quarter-final opponents on Tuesday when the Group B matches are completed. The United States are favourites to progress along with either Sweden or North Korea.

Czech Republic 1-0 Rep of Ireland

The Republic of Ireland’s chances of qualifying of Euro 2008 look to be over after they lost against the Czech Republic despite a battling display. Marek Jankulovski fired the dominant Czechs ahead in the 15th minute.

Stephen Hunt’s introduction rallied the Irish and Kevin Doyle struck the Czech woodwork before half-time.

Hunt’s harsh sending off was a huge blow for the Irish although Paul McShane went close and Radoslav Kovac was inches away from a late own goal.

Slovakia 2-5 Wales

Craig Bellamy scored a brace and forced an own goal as Wales confounded their critics with a fine win away in Trnava. Marek Mintal gave Slovakia an early lead, controlling and firing home in one swift movement, but Freddy Eastwood equalised from Joe Ledley’s cross.

Then Bellamy scored twice in quick succession, each time racing clear from through balls by Eastwood and Ledley.

England 3-0 Russia

A Michael Owen brace helped a vibrant England to a vital win over their main Euro 2008 qualifying rivals Russia. Owen was composure epitomised as Gareth Barry’s cross fell to him 10 yards out and he sidefooted a strike in off the post to give England an early lead.

Russia’s Konstantin Zhyrianov had a goal harshly ruled out for handball before a lethal Owen powered in a shot.

England weathered a spell of pressure from Russia before Rio Ferdinand angled in a shot to complete the win.

England’s performance had Wembley rocking at the end of a game which began with tensions high as Russia led Steve McClaren’s side by a point in Group E.

Abramovich Euro cash story denied

Chelsea have dismissed reports that owner Roman Abramovich has offered Russia’s players a financial incentive to beat England at Wembley. The two nations meet in a crucial Euro 2008 qualifier on Wednesday.

And reports claimed the Russian players would receive £40,000 if they were to defeat Steve McClaren’s men.

But a Chelsea statement said: “Roman Abramovich has never offered, proposed or promised any bonuses to the Russian team to beat England.”

The billionaire Chelsea owner has close links with football back in his homeland and is reported to bankroll the salary of coach Guus Hiddink.

Euro 2008 qualifiers preview

A look ahead to Wednesday’s crucial Euro 2008 qualifying matches involving Barclays Premier League players.

England impressed in their 3-0 win over Israel on Saturday but face an altogether sterner challenge against Guus Hiddink’s Russia at Wembley. The Dutchman has claimed that all the pressure is on Steve McClaren’s men. And not without reason. England trail Russia by a point and must still travel to Moscow next month knowing that they also face a home match against group leaders Croatia. The likes of Emile Heskey, Michael Owen, Shaun-Wright Phillips and Joe Cole all caught the eye against Israel and there are reports that McClaren may opt for an unchanged team on Wednesday evening. Russia have conceded just one goal in eight games and are unbeaten.

German women hit 11 in Cup opener

Defending champions Germany began their Women’s World Cup campaign in style as they set a new record score for the tournament by crushing Argentina 11-0. Argentina keeper Vanina Correa fumbled in before a Kerstin Garefrekes volley and Melanie Behringer sidefooted home.

Birgit Prinz scored with a header and a shot before half-time, Renate Lingor smashed in, Sandra Smisek tapped in and Prinz’s header completed her hat-trick.

Smisek netted with a drive, then a tap-in, before Correa fumbled in again.

It was never a contest as Germany underlined their status as one of the tournament favourites against an Argentina side ranked 29th in the world.

Russia wary over England threat

Russia coach Guus Hiddink says he has been impressed by England’s recent form as he prepares his side to play them in a key Euro 2008 qualifier on Wednesday. England comprehensively beat Israel 3-0 on Saturday to move third behind Russia - who beat Macedonia 3-0 - and group leaders Croatia in the Group E table.

“They clearly dominated,” Hiddink told Radio 5live’s Sportsweek.

“England did a very good job against Israel, who I know have potential if you let them play.”

England won the game without key players in the form of the injured Wayne Rooney, Owen Hargreaves and Frank Lampard as well as the suspended Peter Crouch.

Emile Heskey came in to partner Michael Owen in attack while Gareth Barry played alongside Steven Gerrard in midfield.

Latvia 1-0 N Ireland

Northern Ireland’s hopes of qualifying for the Euro 2008 finals were dealt a massive blow with this defeat against Group F strugglers Latvia in Riga. The only goal of the game came on 55 minutes when Chris Baird turned a Maris Verpakouskis cross into his own net.

In the first half Keith Gillespie had a left-foot effort saved, David Healy shot straight at keeper Andris Vanins and then fired wide before the break.

Vanis saved a Jonny Evans header from Chris Brunt’s cross a minute from time.