Man Utd capture 14-year-old Cofie

Manchester United have beaten Liverpool and Chelsea in the race for 14-year-old Burnley striker John Cofie and agreed an undisclosed fee with the Clarets. Burnley rejected a reported £250,000 bid from Liverpool for Cofie this week.

But the German-born Ghanaian refused to return to training with the Clarets and they agreed he could leave Turf Moor.

Burnley have inserted a 25% sell-on clause in the deal, which also gives them first refusal on any loan deal and a future friendly match with United.

It will be three years before Cofie can sign professional terms at Old Trafford and the friendly game will take place within 12 months of that.

Cofie was signed by the Clarets last summer after he was spotted at a youth tournament in Germany.

Ballack eager to stay at Chelsea

Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack has reiterated his desire to stay at the club in the wake of Avram Grant replacing Jose Mourinho as manager. Ballack, 31, is currently sidelined with an ankle injury and has been linked with a move to Real Madrid.

But he told German TV: “I feel very happy here and would like to end my career here.

“Although, if I am still fit when my contract runs out [in 2010], why should I not play on for another two years?”

The exit of Mourinho also saw striker Didier Drogba’s future at Chelsea questioned with rumours he could move to AC Milan.

But he followed Ballack’s lead by dispelling any rumours of a possible departure from Stamford Bridge.

“Chelsea is my destiny today,” he said. “I do not want the adventure to change.

“Milan? What a good club. But I have spoken to nobody.”

source:bbcsports

England Women face tough US test

England will face the United States in the quarter-finals of the Women’s World Cup on Saturday. The US beat Nigeria 1-0, courtesy of a first-minute goal from Lori Chalupny, to top Group B and set up the showdown.

Chalupny’s shot was deflected in off Ulumma Jerome after she latched on to a Abby Wambach flick-on from a long throw in the first minute.

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.

China women triumph over Denmark

Xiaoli Song scored a brilliant winner as host-nation China grabbed a dramatic 3-2 victory over Denmark in their opening game of the Women’s World Cup. Li Jie fired China ahead with a curling free-kick and Bi Yan’s shot looped in off Denmark defender Cathrine Paaske Sorensen to make it 2-0.

Denmark replied through Anne Dot Eggers Nielsen’s header and Paaske Sorensen nodded them level late on.

But there was still time for Song to win it with a spectacular 25-yard shot.

source:bbcsports

Brazil 5-0 New Zealand

Brazil coasted to a 5-0 victory over New Zealand in their first match in Group D of the Women’s World Cup. Brazil were on top throughout and took the lead when Daniela’s shot looped over Jenny Bindon and into the net.

Cristiano added a second with another powerful effort into the top corner before Daniela’s drive hit the bar.

Cristiano set up Marta to score a third with a precise finish and Renata Costa smashed home a fourth before Marta’s superb solo goal completed the rout.

source:bbcsports

England 2-2 Japan

England were denied an opening Women’s World Cup win as Japan stole a 2-2 draw with the last kick of the game. Aya Miyama put Japan ahead with a free-kick before Kelly Smith turned the game on its head with two goals.

Smith held off two defenders to level, and England looked on course for victory in Shanghai as the Arsenal striker struck from close range.

But England were thwarted as Miyama struck with a second free-kick from an identical position deep in injury time.

Bierhoff hits out at Chelsea over Ballack treatment

Germany manager Oliver Bierhoff has accused Chelsea of denying Michael Ballack permission to participate in an adidas promotional campaign.

Chelsea denied the suggestion tonight but by then Bierhoff had already gone public in his condemnation of the London club.

‘That is not how you treat a Germany player and in particular our captain,’ said Bierhoff.

‘He is regarded highly throughout Europe and I am astonished by the way Chelsea have acted.’

Bierhoff was puzzled by Chelsea’s stance given the club also have a sponsorship deal with adidas.

‘It is absolutely not right that they act like this with us and adidas, who are also their partners, but it seems they have different methods at their club,’ added Bierhoff.

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.

Nigeria 3 - 0 Germany

Penalties. One word, but one which brings so many memories of jubilation and despair. For the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria, they will look back fondly on the spot-kicks taken at the final of the FIFA U-17 World Cup Korea 2007, but for Spain the emotions may be too painful to recall. Some might say that a penalty shoot-out is no way to settle a match, let alone a FIFA final, but on the evening absolutely nothing could separate these two teams.

This was a match that was played not with a fear of losing, but rather a longing for glory. Both sides pressed for victory, with only the woodwork and some excellent goalkeeping ensuring a 0-0 scoreline after 120 minutes. It was the first-ever goalless draw in the final of the competition, leading to its fourth penalty shoot-out.

Nigeria, winners of the very first event back in 1985, were playing in their fifth final and this was their third trophy. That it is in their hands tonight is down in no small part to the goalkeeping heroics of Oladele Ajiboye, who saved from both Fran Merida and Iago as Yemi Tella’s side secured a 3-0 shoot-out success. Matthew Edile, Daniel Joshua and Ganiyu Oseni all successfully converted their spot-kicks and with Spain substitute Asier Illarramendi dragging his effort wide, the destination of the trophy was decided.