Watch Hungary vs Netherlands Live Streaming UEFA Euro 2012 Qualifying

Hungary

VS

Netherlands

Date/Time:	Mar 25, 2011, 20:30(GMT)
Competition:	UEFA Euro 2012 Qualifying
Live/Repeat:	Live
Venue:	Puskás Ferenc Stadion (Budapest)

Live Streaming HERE.

Dutch Snub For Van Nistelrooy As Robben Returns To The Squad.

Ruud Van Nistelrooy has been snubbed by Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk ahead of the home and away Euro 2012 Qualifiers against Hungary.

Van Nistelrooy still has a chance of making the cut if Huntelaar fails to be fit in time.

Veteran striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy has been dropped out of the Dutch squad by Bert van Marwijk for the upcoming matches against Hungary. However it seems like the former Real Madrid and Manchester United striker might get a second chance, depending on Klaas Jan Huntelaar's fitness

Schalke striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar is struggling to be fit for next Friday's clash against Hungary in Budapest and the return fixture four days later in Amsterdam. Despite Ruud Van Nistelrooy being overlooked in selecting the original squad, van Marwijk hinted that Van Nistelrooy could get the call if Huntelaar fails to be fit in time.

He said: ''I spoke with Ruud and he knows that he is in the picture for the Euro 2012 finals but that doesn't mean I will invite him for every match. But if the situation changes Ruud will be the first to know.''

On Huntelaar, Van Marwijk added: ''Klaas Jan will be in Noordwijk on Monday and then we will see if he is ready for both matches.''

One bright news for Holland is the return of Arjen Robben for the first time since last summer's World Cup. Robben has struggled with injuries this season but made a return into the Bayern Munish squad recently. His impressive displays has now led to Van Marwijk inserting him back into the Dutch fold.

''Robben is one of the best strikers in the world so it's obvious I am glad he is back,'' added Van Marwijk.

Holland squad: Vorm (FC Utrecht), Boschker (FC Twente), Ten Rouwelaar (NAC); Boulahrouz (Stuttgart), Emanuelson (AC Milan), Heitinga (Everton), Maduro (Valencia), Mathijsen (Hamburg), Pieters (PSV Eindhoven), Ron Vlaar (Feyenoord), Van der Wiel (Ajax); Afellay (Barcelona), Van Bommel (AC Milan), Janssen (FC Twente), Nigel de Jong (Manchester City), Strootman (FC Utrecht), Sneijder (Inter Milan), Van der Vaart (Tottenham); Elia (Hamburg), Huntelaar (Schalke), Kuyt (Liverpool), Van Persie (Arsenal), Robben (Bayern Munich).

Watch Luxembourg Vs France Live Streaming Euro 2012 Qualifying

Luxembourg

VS

France

Date/Time:	Mar 25, 2011, 21:00(GMT)
Competition:	UEFA Euro 2012 Qualifying
Live/Repeat:	Live
Venue:	Stade Josy Barthel (Lëtzebuerg (Luxembourg))

LIVE STREAMING HERE.

Luxembourg Vs France: Patrice Evra Determined To Make Things Right Again

Patrice Evra has admitted that he will forever 'live with the scar' of his role in France's dismal showings in last summers FIFA World Cup although he is determine to make up for it.

Evra is determined to do make things right again with the Les Bleus

The Manchester United left-back was the captain of France during last summer's World Cup where they were massively hit some internal crisis within the team. He was then subsequently suspended for five games following his role in France's overwhelming scene of indiscipline.

However, the French defender was finally called up by Laurent Blanc last week after a nine-month exodus from the French National Team. While Evra insisted that he will forever be ashamed of that incident in South Africa, he is determined to do his best for the Les Blues from now onwards.

''You can ask anyone, I was a good captain,'' said Evra.

''Besides, I have been very well received (back into) the group. Until the World Cup, I had always behaved well. I do not think any of you had heard that Evra was creating problems.

''I think I shall always live with that scar, but I want to go ahead and build a new story, much better than the previous. I want to be a solution, not a problem.''

'I do not want my supporters not want (to view) me as has been written. I want to be seen as someone who wants to invest for the future. As a single player, without status.''

Confirmation of Evra's recall to Blanc's squad was followed by a meeting between the two, which the United defender claimed was ''a beautiful and frank discussion''.

Watch Slovenia vs italy Live Streaming Euro 2012 Qualifying

Slovenia

VS

Italy

Date/Time:	Mar 25, 2011, 20:45(GMT)
Competition:	UEFA Euro 2012 Qualifying
Live/Repeat:	Live
Venue:	Stadion Stozice (Ljubljana)

LIVE STREAMING HERE.

Slovenia covet Italy's top spot

Slovenia meet their neighbours from the west for a third time in UEFA European Championship qualifying looking to replace Italy at the top of UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying Group C.

Match background
• The sides met for the first time in a pair of EURO '96 qualifiers, with the first – in Maribor on 7 September 1994 – ending in a 1-1 draw. Fabrizio Ravanelli scored to give Italy a 1-0 win in the return fixture in Udine on 6 September 1995.

• Slovenia's record in five games against Italy reads W2 D1 L2 (W1 D1 L0 at home). All four meetings since their maiden encounter have been settled by a single goal – two 1-0 wins for each team.

• The countries last went head to head in qualifying for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Boštjan Cesar, now an AC Chievo Verona player, scored a late winner as Slovenia won 1-0 in Celje, but Cristian Zaccardo evened up the scores with the only goal in Palermo in their last encounter to date on 8 October 2005.

• Italy top Group C with ten points from their opening four games, with Slovenia lying second on seven points. A win would enable Slovenia to leapfrog the Azzurri at the summit.

Watch Serbia vs Northern Ireland Live Streaming UEFA Euro 2012 Qualifying

Serbia

VS

Northern Ireland

Date/Time:	Mar 25, 2011, 20:30(GMT)
Competition:	UEFA Euro 2012 Qualifying
Live/Repeat:	Live
Venue:	Stadion Crvena Zvezda (Beograd)

Live Streaming Here.

Serbia vs northern Ireland Match Background

Northern Ireland will look to maintain their unbeaten start in UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying Group C as they pay a first visit to Serbia since their hosts became an independent nation.

Match background
• Northern Ireland's record in ten games against Yugoslavia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the independent Serbia reads W1 D2 L7 (W0 D1 L3 away from home).

• The sides met for the only previous time in their current incarnations in a friendly game in Belfast on 14 November 2009, Danko Lazović's solitary effort earning a 1-0 win for Serbia.

• Northern Ireland's only victory against the old Yugoslavia came in their first meeting, a UEFA European Championship qualifier on 16 April 1975 in which Bryan Hamilton scored the only goal.

• Northern Ireland have visited Belgrade on two previous occasions, losing 1-0 in the return leg of the above tie in November 1975 and going down 4-1 to Yugoslavia in another UEFA European Championship qualifier on 27 March 1991, in which Darko Pančev scored a hat-trick.

• Serbia are without a win from their first two home qualifiers in Group C, while Northern Ireland have yet to lose home or away in the section.

• Serbia are staging this game behind closed doors as a punishment after serious disorder in the stands forced their 12 October qualifier against Italy in Genoa to be abandoned after just six minutes.

Watch Austria vs Belgium Live Streaming Euro 2012 Qualifying

Austria

VS

Belgium

Date/Time:	Mar 25, 2011, 20:30(GMT)
Competition:	UEFA Euro 2012 Qualifying
Live/Repeat:	Live
Venue:	Ernst-Happel-Stadion (Wien)

Live Streaming HERE.

Austria and Belgium back for more

The teams will have barely recovered from the drama of their first UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying meeting when Austria and Belgium come face to face again in Group A, this time in Vienna.

Match background
• The 13th meeting of the countries ended in a 4-4 draw in Brussels on 12 October 2010, with substitute Martin Harnik equalising for the ten-man visitors three minutes into added time. Austria had led 3-2 prior to Paul Scharner's 68th-minute dismissal but goals from Marvin Ogunjimi and Nicolas Lombaerts, in the 90th minute, then seemingly turned the tables in the Red Devils' favour.

• Austria's record in 13 games against Belgium reads W9 D3 L1 (W4 D1 L0 in Vienna).

• The nations have drawn their last three competitive games – and indeed all of their competitive fixtures. Prior to October, their most recent meetings came in qualifying for the 1980 UEFA European Championship. The first match ended 1-1 in the Belgian capital, with goalscorers René Vandereycken and Hans Krankl both going on to coach their countries. The return game in Vienna on 2 May 1979 finished goalless.

• Before that, Belgium finally ended their long wait for a first triumph against Austria on 22 March 1978, prevailing 1-0 in Charleroi. They had lost their previous nine matches against Austria, the first a 4-3 home defeat in Liege on 13 December 1925.

• Austria are unbeaten after three UEFA EURO 2012 qualifiers, and have won their last five competitive home fixtures since a 3-1 defeat against Serbia in FIFA World Cup qualifying on 15 October 2008.

Watch Spain vs Czech Republic Live Streaming Euro 2012 Qualifying

Spain

VS

Czech Republic

Date/Time:	Mar25, 2011, 22:00(GMT)
Competition:	UEFA Euro 2012 Qualifying
Live/Repeat:	Live
Venue:	Estadio Nuevo Los Cármenes (Granada)

LIVE STREAMING HERE.

Spain vs Czech Republic Match Preview

The World Champions want to leave behind the bitterness of the last four friendly matches at Michal Bílek's expense.

Xavi will be playing his 100th game with the Fury, will he lead Spain towards a fourth consecutive European victory?

Things have gone awry for Vicente del Bosque's Spain after South Africa. Both Argentina and Portugal had an easy time against the World Champions, defeating them 4-1 and 4-0 respectively.

Weeks later, Spain failed to defeat Mexico, and even though they returned to victory against Colombia, the team showed a decayed version of itself, inaccurate and harmless.

Czech Repulic, on the other hand, is aware a victory can let them at the doorsteps of the European qualification. Lazio's Libor Kozak and goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik will be playing their first match with the Eastern National Football Team.

Reigning World and European champion Spain prepares to take on a direct rival for the next stage, will they succeed?

Carles Puyol's absence forces Vicente del Bosque to introduce a few modifications on his defensive scheme. Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos is likely to join Gerard Pique as full backs, while Joan Capdevilla and Alvaro Arbeloa lead the attack from the wings.

Bilek is confident he can surprise Spain and claim the three points, thank to Milan Baros' and Tomas Rosicky's massive firepower (Baros has scored 38 goals so far, Rosicky 20). "We must control key players as Xavi or Iniesta.. If we manage to thwart their football, they won't be able to play their game" said Czech Republic's coach.

Two world-class goalkeepers (Iker Casillas and Peter Cech) will be playing a major role in the development of the game. Czech Republic needs to sharpen its attack (three goals scored in three games in the group) without giving up many spaces in the defense. David Villa is one-goal away from leaving Raul Gonzalez behind as Spain's historic top striker.

"I've never seen such a clear favorite in my life" said Arsenal's midfielder Rosicky regarding their rival this week. Can the visitors do anything to stop Spain from securing its ticket to the next stage?

Watch Bayern München vs Inter Milan Live Streaming UEFA Champion League

Bayern München

VS

Inter Milan

Date/Time:	Mar 15, 2011, 7:45pm(GMT)[19:45]
Competition:	UEFA Champions League
Live/Repeat:	Live
Venue:	Allianz-Arena (München)

LIVE STREAMING HERE.

Bayern München vs Inter Milan Match Preview

Bayern Munich will be defending a 1-0 aggregate lead when they play host to Inter Milan in their UEFA Champions League last 16 second leg clash.

If Bayern can eliminate Inter it will allow them to exact some small revenge for last season’s Champions League final when they were beaten 2-0 by Inter. “When the draw took place and we heard we had to face Inter we were pleased because we knew it was a chance to get revenge for that final,” Bastian Schweinsteiger explained to UEFA.com.

Ivica Olic is a long term absentee for Bayern, while Mario Gomez will lead the Bayern attack. The Germany striker has scored seven goals in seven Champions Leagues this season, including a last minute winner in the first leg at Inter.

Defender Lucio should return from a muscle strain in time to play for Inter, while Esteban Cambiasso is doubtful with a thigh injury suffered during the first leg. Diego Milito and Walter Samuel are both sidelined with injury for Inter.

Watch Manchester United vs Olympique Marseille Live Streaming UEFA Champion League

Manchester United

VS

Olympique Marseille

Date/Time:	Mar 15, 2011, 7:45pm(GMT)[19:45]
Competition:	UEFA Champions League
Live/Repeat:	Live
Venue:	Old Trafford (Manchester)

Live Streaming Here.

Manchester United vs Olympique Marseille Match Preview

Manchester United will play host to Olympique de Marseille in their finely poised UEFA Champions League last 16 tie.

United and Marseille will go head to head after a hard fought 0-0 draw during the first leg in France. Goals could be scarce again if previous form is anything to go by. United have conceded only one goal in seven Champions League games so far this season, while the first leg stalemate was Marseille’s fifth consecutive clean sheet.

Nani and Michael Carrick look set to return from injury for United,
winger Antonio Valencia will also be included in the squad after a long injury layoff.

Nemanja Vidic looks likely to partner Chris Smalling in defense while Rio Ferdinand remains sidelined with injury.

Argentina international defender Gabriel Heinze will feature in defense for Marseille, and will be making an emotional return to Old Trafford after spending three successful years with the Red Devils. Heinze summarized his time at United when he told the official UEFA website, “I have so many great memories that I can’t pick one about above the rest.”

Watch Manchester United vs Arsenal Live Streaming FA Cup

Manchester United

VS

Arsenal

Date/Time:	Mar 12, 2011, 11:15pm(GMT+6:00)
Competition:	England FA Cup
Live/Repeat:	Live
Venue:	Old Trafford (Manchester)

Live Streaming Here.

Manchester United vs Arsenal Match Preview

Manchester United and Arsenal will face off on Saturday with a place in the FA Cup final four on the line.

Both teams come into this game in need of the morale boost an FA Cup Quarter-Final victory can bring. Premier League leaders Manchester United have suffered back to back league defeats against Chelsea and Liverpool. In the last couple of weeks Arsenal have also suffered, having lost the Carling Cup Final to Birmingham City, and been dumped out of the Champions League by Barcelona.

Defender Nemanja Vidic will return from suspension for United, while Rio Ferdinand remains doubtful with a calf injury. Midfield pair Nani and Anderson are sidelined with injury for the Red Devils.

Striker Robin van Persie is fit to start for Arsenal, while captain Cesc Fabregas is ruled out with a hamstring injury. Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny is ruled out for the Gunners, while Alex Song, Theo Walcott and Thomas Vermaelen are all sidelined for the Gunners.

Watch Manchester United vs Arsenal Live Streaming FA Cup

Manchester United

VS

Arsenal

Date/Time:	Mar 12, 2011, 11:15pm(GMT+6:00)
Competition:	England FA Cup
Live/Repeat:	Live
Venue:	Old Trafford (Manchester)

Manchester United vs Arsenal Match Preview

Manchester United and Arsenal will face off on Saturday with a place in the FA Cup final four on the line.

Both teams come into this game in need of the morale boost an FA Cup Quarter-Final victory can bring. Premier League leaders Manchester United have suffered back to back league defeats against Chelsea and Liverpool. In the last couple of weeks Arsenal have also suffered, having lost the Carling Cup Final to Birmingham City, and been dumped out of the Champions League by Barcelona.

Defender Nemanja Vidic will return from suspension for United, while Rio Ferdinand remains doubtful with a calf injury. Midfield pair Nani and Anderson are sidelined with injury for the Red Devils.

Striker Robin van Persie is fit to start for Arsenal, while captain Cesc Fabregas is ruled out with a hamstring injury. Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny is ruled out for the Gunners, while Alex Song, Theo Walcott and Thomas Vermaelen are all sidelined for the Gunners.

Watch Barcelona vs Arsenal Live Streaming UEFA Champions League

Barcelona

VS

Arsenal

Date/Time:	Mar 8, 2011, 08:45pm(GMT)
Competition:	UEFA Champions League
Live/Repeat:	Live
Venue:	Camp Nou, Barcelona (Barcelona)

LIVE STREAMING LINK HERE.

Guardiola on the offensive against Arsenal

Josep Guardiola promised FC Barcelona "will attack" as they bid to undo a 2-1 deficit against Arsenal FC, whose manager Arsène Wenger raised eyebrows with his squad selection.

With FC Barcelona trailing 2-1 from the first leg of their round of 16 tie in London, coach Josep Guardiola promised absolute commitment from his side in the return fixture against Arsenal FC, while visiting manager Arsène Wenger kept the world guessing about his Camp Nou team selection.

Josep Guardiola, Barcelona coach
[Nicklas] Bendtner is a quality player, so is [Marouane] Chamakh, and [Robin] van Persie is also a great player. They are all good. It'll be a match with very little space in the middle and a bit more down the wings; we will have to attack carefully because Arsenal can strike on the counter.

Arsenal aren't a mentally fragile side. They are competing at the top of the table for their league title and every season they do well in the Champions League. The fact that they are at the top every season means they are a good team. When they win a first major trophy they will realise they are strong enough to win more. We will attack – you can rest assured that we will try to win and do all we can. Our target is what we have to do to beat them, that's the only important thing in this kind of match.

Arsène Wenger, Arsenal manager
I trust [Jack] Wilshere because he's good enough to play and I know when a player deserves to play or not, and that's the case with Wilshere.

For us it is the next game, and we have had a very strong run and we have done very well. It's our next game and we want to stay in the competition. If you ask any player, he will give his life to win this match. Both sides have similar philosophies and both want to win trying to play good football. For us one of the problems is to get away from Barcelona's pressure and we shall see how we can do that.

Team news
• Barcelona
With Gerard Piqué suspended and Carles Puyol injured, Barcelona will be fielding an unfamiliar central defensive pairing, though Guardiola did not reveal who they would be. Andrés Iniesta is within a booking of a match ban.

• Arsenal
Wenger surprised everyone by including Robin van Persie (knee) in his team, though the player will undergo further tests before it is decided whether he will play. Emmanuel Eboué misses the next match if booked, while Alex Song (knee) and Theo Walcott (ankle sprain) are out, with Wenger saying: "Walcott is at home and will watch it on TV, and hopefully he will watch us win."

Latest results
Saturday: Barcelona 1-0 Real Zaragoza
(Keita 43)
Barcelona stretched their unbeaten run at the Camp Nou to 20 matches in all competitions. They have won 18 since the 2-0 defeat by Hércules CF on 11 September.

Saturday: Arsenal 0-0 Sunderland AFC
Arsenal stretched their unbeaten league run to 11 matches (seven wins, four draws). Wenger's side are yet to concede in the opening 15 minutes of a league game this season.

Did you know?
Arsenal have won the first leg at home on 15 occasions in UEFA competition, and gone on win the tie no less than 14 times. However, their sole defeat came in the 2000/01 UEFA Champions League quarter-finals when a 2-1 home win against Spanish opponents – Valencia CF – preceded a 1-0 away reverse.

Watch Shakhtar Donetsk vs AS Roma Live Streaming UEFA Champions League

Shakhtar Donetsk

VS

AS Roma

Date/Time:	Mar 8, 2011, 08:45pm(GMT)
Competition:	UEFA Champions League
Live/Repeat:	Live
Venue:	Donbass Arena (Donets'k)

LIVE STREAMING LINK HERE.

Wily Shakhtar seek to hold Roma in check

Mircea Lucescu feels FC Shakhtar Donetsk have "enough experience" to hold on to a 3-2 lead as AS Roma come to Ukraine bidding to dazzle under new boss Vincenzo Montella.

Mircea Lucescu said FC Shakhtar Donetsk are "ready to fight" to defend their 3-2 UEFA Champions League round of 16 first-leg lead at home against AS Roma, but Vincenzo Montella believes his side have "the ambition and the ability" to prevail in his first European game as coach.

Mircea Lucescu, Shakhtar coach
The team are well prepared, we are ready to fight. The players gave their all in our latest training session and everyone is ready to play apart from Olexandr Kucher. The pitch is in excellent condition. In the past we had problems and had to play at the RSC Olimpiyskiy, but everything is very well now.

Since Vincenzo Montella's appointment Roma have changed their style. I have a feeling that the days of Luciano Spalletti are returning. We are familiar with their attacking style of play because we played against Roma five years ago in the Champions League group stage. The absence of Marco Cassetti and Jérémy Menez through suspension will not weaken Roma: they have enough top-class players to replace them.

It's very important for us to win tomorrow. Our opponents naturally want revenge, but Shakhtar have enough experience to get a proper result. We need to qualify and after that we will think about what comes next. It's too early to speak about it right now.

Vincenzo Montella, Roma coach
We have come to Donetsk with the ambition and the ability to win. Right now all of us are completely focused on Shakhtar. We will start our preparations for the derby match against [S.S.] Lazio after the Champions League game.

Shakhtar are a well-organised team. We have all had a chance to assess them from their performance in Rome. We have to make the game difficult for them. It is very important to not let them play the way they want to. I am very optimistic about our chances to win here. Roma have great potential, but we must all pull together if we are to win.

It is very important for me to achieve a unity of purpose in the team. I have a lot of enthusiasm and am trying to live up to this role. I have a good understanding with [captain] Francesco Totti. He listens to my advice and does everything I tell him to do.

Team news
• Shakhtar
Fernandinho is back in action after recovering from a broken leg, but Kucher is out with a knee problem. Dmytro Chygrinskiy, Olexiy Gay, Luiz Adriano and Răzvan Raţ are within a booking of a one-match ban.

• Roma
Menez and Marco Cassetti are serving one-match suspensions. Adriano has not played since dislocating his shoulder in January, while
Simone Perrotta misses the next match if he receives a card in Donetsk.

Latest results
Thursday: FC Sevastopol 0-1 Shakhtar
(Luiz Adriano 90+6)
Lucescu's side prevailed in their first Ukrainian Premier League fixture since 28 November, and have now won their last 13 competitive matches, and 28 of their 31 fixtures this term. Shakhtar have won all 15 of their home games this season, and 18 in a row at home in all competitions.

Friday: US Lecce 1-2 Roma
(Giacomazzi 75; Vučinić 32, Pizarro 90pen)
David Pizarro's first goal since 14 March 2010 earned Roma's seventh win in 19 away games this season. Of the 39 Serie A goals the Giallorossi have conceded this season, 25 have come in the last half-hour of games.

Did you know?
Shakhtar have gone through on the five previous occasions they won the first leg of a European tie away from home, including in the 1997/98 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup first round when a 3-2 victory at Boavista FC was followed by a 1-1 draw in Ukraine.

Watch Liverpool vs Manchester United Live Streaming

Liverpool

Manchester United

Date/Time:	Mar 6, 2011, 7:30pm(GMT+6:00)
Competition:	England Premier League
Live/Repeat:	Live
Venue:	Anfield Road (Liverpool)

LIVE STREAMING LINK.

Liverpool vs Manchester United: Fergie Better Not Play Mind Games On Us – Kenny

Manchester United’s Alex Ferguson is known as an expert of mind games. But despite his expertise, Liverpool coach Kenny Dalglish has warned him not to play against the Reds ahead of Sunday’s match.

Kenny Dalglish doesn't want to give in to Ferguson's mental powers ahead of Sunday's big game.

“We've both been a long time out of short trousers. It will have to be a good one to catch us out,” Dalglish told The Sun as he referred to Fergie.

“He has used psychology before in the pre-amble to matches. But he will only get sparring practice if he tries it on us.”

The Andy Carroll factor may have a great influence ahead of Sunday’s Liverpool vs Manchester United encounter in the English Premier League.

With a bit of irony, Kenny Dalglish repeated what he had told The Sun on Thursday concerning the inclusion of Carroll in the lineup:

“I am sure Fergie would love to know whether Andy will be involved on Sunday. But we don't know yet. So if he does he's a better guy than us!”

Liverpool are moving closer to a top 4 finish but there is still a lot of job left to do with Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea appearing as great challengers. In the meantime, the Merseyside Reds could also dent Manchester United’s English Premier League title hopes.

Watch Chelsea vs Manchester United Live Streaming English Premier League

Chelsea

Manchester United

Date/Time:	Mar 2, 2011, 1:45am(GMT+6:00)
Competition:	England Premier League
Live/Repeat:	Live
Venue:	Stamford Bridge (London)

Chelsea are aiming to beat Manchester United at all cost on home soil on Tuesday. But Red Devils defender Chris Smalling has warned the Blues of Man United’s goal scoring forces.

Chris Smalling is not afraid of Chelsea and he could be included in Manchester United's starting XI for Tuesday's game.

The 21-year-old defender is looking forward to Tuesday’s big showdown against Chelsea at the Bridge with a lot of confidence. The player, who displayed a brilliant performance for the Red Devils against Wigan Athletic last weekend, could be named to face the Blues in London as well.

Following his departure from Fulham, Chris Smalling stands a great opportunity to develop at the very top level and win a trophy as early as this season. In the English Premier League, Manchester United are 4 points clear of second-placed Arsenal while Chelsea are 15 points behind them in 5th position.

As of now, statistics are truly in favour of the Red Devils who have scored more than 60 goals in 27 games – with the last 4 of those coming against Wigan last Saturday. According to Chris Smalling, Manchester United’s goal machine will work itself out one more time against Chelsea on Tuesday.

“We’ve got such a good squad and they’ve got world class strikers like we have too,” Smalling told TalkSPORT.

“But, whoever we face, we will be ready. We’re off the back of a couple of clean sheets and we’ll be confident to let our boys at the front pull them [Chelsea] apart.”

Manchester United have Dimitar Berbatov leading the goals scoring chart with 19 goals whereas Nani and Wayne Rooney have made the most assists in the English Premier League this season. Meanwhile, no Chelsea player is among the 5 top scorers and assists leaders at the moment.

Chelsea vs Manchester United

Date: Wednesday, 2 Mar 2011 Time: 01:45 ( Asia/Dhaka ) Competition: England Premier League Live/Repeat: Live Venue: Stamford Bridge (London)

Spot-fixing controversy - ICC satisfied with spot-fixing verdict - Lorgat

February 6, 2011

The bans on the three cricketers should act as a strong check against corruption, says Haroon Lorgat

The ICC is "satisfied" with the verdict and punishments handed out to three Pakistan players on Saturday on charges of spot-fixing during the Lord's Test last summer. A three-member tribunal found Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir guilty of offences under article 2 of the ICC's anti-corruption code and banned them for 10, 7 and 5 years respectively. Haroon Lorgat, the ICC's chief executive, hoped that as a result of the ICC's investigation and the subsequent hearing, the game's image would improve.

In the aftermath of the sanctions, questions were raised over why no life bans were handed out to any of the players, which would've been the maximum sanction for the relevant charges. The ICC's legal team is also believed to have pushed for those.

The tribunal also included the possibility of suspended sentences in the cases of Butt and Asif, of 5 and 2 years respectively, which means they could be out for as few as five years. Considering the ages of a couple of the players - Butt is 26 and Amir just 18 - in theory, they could return after serving their bans, though that remains a considerably distant prospect, especially given that they still have to deal with a criminal case in the UK.

"My first reaction is one of sadness at the fact that we had to go through such an ordeal but I am satisfied we have concluded it," Lorgat said at a press conference in Doha. "I'm also satisfied that the sanctions delivered are severe enough to send out a clear message that the ICC will not stop short at anything to prosecute any player found wanting in this area of corruption. I don't believe the sentences are lenient by any stretch of the imagination."

Lorgat added that he thought the sentences "will make it extremely difficult for them to return to the Test format. It is at the prime of their careers that they are faced with punishment. I don't want to speculate what may happen in future."

The tribunal's statement raised a couple of questions - answers to which will no doubt come if and when the full judgment appears. The recommendation to the ICC of a change in certain aspects of the code and sanctions left Amir and Butt - as seen in the statement of their lawyers - feeling that they could have received lower punishments than they did had the code allowed it. The implication, Amir's lawyer Shahid Karim felt, was a change to that code might benefit Amir.

But Lorgat said the ICC wasn't bound to the recommendation to change, only to consider it. "We would be open-minded to all recommendations put forward. This particular code was substantially rewritten and came into effect in October 2009. This is the first instance we have of provisionally suspending players and working through a case so whatever learnings come out of it we will consider. As far as I understand, it is not binding from a legal perspective."

The other broad concern has been the programme of education prescribed to Butt and Asif has been left under the auspices of the PCB, an administration that has only recently been given warnings by the ICC to put its house in order. But the emergence of the ICC's Pakistan task team (PTT), believes Lorgat, should help matters. "The PCB has made remarkable strides in the last few months in supporting the zero tolerance approach we espouse. We will do everything possible to support them, working together with them through the PTT."

The ICC's role in the investigation, Lorgat said, proved their seriousness in protecting the game's integrity. "It's a fact that this is a kind of incident we don't want to see in the game, but equally, with the speed with which we have got to this point, the hope is that people realised we are serious about maintaining our integrity and we will do everything to protect that. I hope as a result of what has transpired yesterday the image of the game has improved."

The spot-fixing scandal - Butt out for 10 years, Asif 7 and Amir 5

February 5, 2011

The ICC has taken unprecedented action against the three players

Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir have been banned for 10, 7 and 5 years respectively after an ICC tribunal found them guilty of spot-fixing stemming from the Lord's Test against England last year. The sanctions against Butt and Asif have five and two years suspended, which means that the trio cannot play any official, sanctioned cricket, international or domestic, for a minimum of five years, until September 2015.

The suspended sentences on Butt and Asif have been made conditional on their making no further breaches of the code and participating in an anti-corruption education programme, under the auspices of the PCB.

Butt, who was captain during the series in England, received the maximum sentence but one charge against him - of batting out a maiden over during the Oval Test - was dismissed. However, he was found to have not disclosed an approach by Majeed that he should bat the maiden over. The other charges that were upheld relate to the subsequent Lord's Test, where Amir and Asif were found to have bowled deliberate no-balls and Butt was penalized for being party to that. Amir will appeal against the decision to the Court of Arbitration Sports, but the other two players have not yet said whether they will.

The announcement on Saturday evening followed a day of deliberations in Doha between the three-man tribunal - comprising the head Michael Beloff QC, Sharad Rao and Justice Albie Sachs - the players and their legal teams and the ICC's lawyers. The three players began the day requesting the tribunal for a deferral of any verdict, in light of the statement on Friday by the UK's Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) that the players might also face criminal charges relating to the Lord's Test as the result of a separate investigation carried out by British police. The players, who continued to maintain their innocence, argued that a judgment today by the tribunal could be prejudicial to any criminal trial in the UK, but the request was rejected.

The length of the sentences may be considered surprising to the extent that at least one life ban had been predicted beforehand. Now, in theory, the 26-year-old Butt could return after five years if he complies with the conditions of the verdict. Amir, who will only turn 19 in April, could also conceivably harbour hopes of a return, though in practical terms a five-year gap from any competitive cricket makes the prospect of a return that much more difficult. The situation is most bleak for Asif, who will be 33 by the time the minimum five years are up.

It must also be noted that not until the full judgment is released will the picture become fully clear, especially with regards to the nature of the rehabilitation programme they must undertake and the role the PCB will have in that. The tribunal asked the ICC to publish the full judgment as soon as possible and it is expected to happen tomorrow. The question, however, of whether or not the full judgment may be deemed prejudicial to any criminal proceedings in the UK still looms.

A member of the ICC legal team told ESPNcricinfo that it is "very happy with the fact that the players were convicted." But given that the governing body was pushing for maximum sanctions, there will be at least a tinge of disappointment within the governing body.

The tribunal also recommended that the ICC make "certain changes to the code with a view to providing flexibility in relation to minimum sentences in exceptional circumstances." The lawyers of Butt and Amir later said that the tribunal would've given lower punishments had their hands not "been tied" to the code's range of sanctions.

News of the World, the tabloid that broke the spot-fixing story this summer, released a statement of its own, saying that "it is now clear to everyone in the game that corruption will not be tolerated," and added that it will continue to assist the police in any way it can.

A number of Pakistani fans waited outside the Qatar Financial Centre, some for the entire nine-hour duration of the proceedings, and gave vociferous support to the players when they eventually came out. Amir, in fact, was mobbed and had to return inside the building briefly.

Australia have an outside chance, says Steve Waugh

Six World Cup winning captains get together at an event in Mumbai

Steve Waugh, who led Australia to victory in the 1999 World Cup, has said Australia are in with a chance to defend their World Cup crown despite inconsistent results since the start of 2010. He claimed India and Sri Lanka will be strong contenders but didn't rule out Ricky Ponting's team. "Australia have an outside chance because they have matchwinners," Waugh said at an event in Mumbai. "I don't think this is a weaker Australian side.

"It's tough decision (to predict a winner). There are seven sides capable of winning but the side that has the momentum going into the quarter-final will be good. India are the slight favourites, as they know the conditions well and will have fantastic support. Sri Lanka have a very good chance too."

It might come as no surprise for Waugh to back the defending champions on a day when Australia pulled off their highest chase in ODIs, against England in Sydney. Australia had pocketed the seven-game series last week, and their dominant form in the ODIs after a humiliating Ashes drubbing only made Waugh confident about his countrymen. "Australia are still ranked No.1 in the world. In [Shaun] Tait, [Mitchell] Johnson and [Brett] Lee, they have the potential matchwinners. Their batsmen are also on top. Ricky is coming back from injury. Australian players are best when faced with adversity," Waugh said.

Austrlia's winning percentage in 2010 in ODIs had taken a beating: of the 25 matches played, spread over seven series, they won 16 and lost eight including the series defeat to Sri Lanka at home. But the return to form of seniors like Michael Clarke and Lee, along with the matchwinning capabilities of Shane Watson, makes Australia a dangerous opponent. Waugh, a two-time World Cup winner including one as captain in 1999, said Lee would be the lynchpin for Australia. Lee returned for the England series after sitting out from October 2009 due to lingering elbow injury. But Lee has not compromised on pace and so far is the highest wicket-taker in the series with 11 wickets at an average of 24 in the six matches. "Lee will be my impact player. He has amazing resilience, he is bowling back at 150kph and he loves touring India" Waugh said.

In the two World Cups held in the subcontinent (1987 and '96), Australia have won 12 of the 15 matches they've played.

Watch Australia vs Japan Live Soccer (AFC Asia CUP)

Australia vs Japan

Date/Time: Jan 29, 2011, 9:00pm(GMT+6:00) Competition: AFC Asian Cup 2011 Asian Cup Final Live/Repeat: Live

Australia vs Japan

Live Streams and TV Channels

Country	Channels
UK	British EuroSport 2
Other Countries
Australia	Fox Sports Australia

Watch Uzbekistan vs Korea Republic Live Soccer (AFC Asian Cup)

Uzbekistan vs Korea Rep.

Date/Time: Jan 28, 2011, 9:00pm Competition: AFC Asian Cup Live/Repeat: Live

Uzbekistan vs Korea Republic Live Streams and TV Channels

Country	Channels
UK	British EuroSport 2
Australia	Fox Sports Australia

General statistics

	Uzbekistan Asian Cup 2011 Qatar			Korea Republic Asian Cup 2011 Qatar
	Total	Home	Away	Total	Home	Away
Wins	6	3	3	3	2	1
Losses	2	2	0	1	0	1
Draws	1	0	1	1	0	1
Clean sheets	2	0	2	1	0	1
Avg. goals per match	1.67	1.4	2	2	3	1.33
Avg. goals conceded per match	1.44	2	0.75	1	1	1
Biggest victory	3 - 1, vs Malaysia			4 - 1, vs India
Biggest defeat	0 - 6, vs Australia			-
Average age squad	26.46			25.52
Average time first goal scored	40.71			39.60
Average time first goal conceded	49.43			48.75
Failed to score	2