Henry vs Spurs, Messi vs Man City – The FIFA 14 Demo Has Arrived: Features, Trailer & More

It’s finally arrived: the FIFA 14 demo was launched earlier this week and you now get the chance to try out EA Sports latest creation ahead of the games official launch on the 27th September.

The demo is available to download now for Xbox 360 for Xbox LIVE Gold members, PlayStation 3 and for PC on Origin (it will be available to Xbox LIVE Silver members on September 17th).

While the demo is limited to just one stadium and 8 teams, you will be given the chance to play at the famous Camp Nou as FC Barcelona, AC Milan, Manchester City, Paris Saint Germain, Tottenham Hotspur, Borussia Dortmund, New York Red Bulls, Boca Juniors or as one of FIFA’s Ultimate Teams.

That means that while Arsenal fans may not be able to try out their latest signing Mesut Ozil in Arsenal colours just yet, they will be able to control club legend Thierry Henry and his NY Red Bulls team against Tottenham Hotspur and see if they can get one over their north London rivals.

Man City fans will get the chance to see their summer signings in full flow and test them against the irrepressible Lionel Messi – who features on the games front cover – as well as Brazilian sensation Neymar by challenging Barcelona in their own back yard.

Game Features

Here is a quick run-through of the key features of FIFA 14 including some improvements on last years version.

Pure Shot

This year, players have the intelligence to adjust their stride and approach angle to find the best position for ensuring the hit the back of the net.

Precision Movement

Players movement is even more lifelike as they plant, cut, pivot and shift around the pitch with the agility and explosiveness of real footballers.

Real Ball Physics

Realistic ball physics now determines the trajectories of balls during the game, which will enable players to strike the ball with power from distance or drill low rising shots with more accuracy.

Protect The Ball

You can now better protect the ball from opponent players to control play through midfield and dictate the tempo of the match.

Teammate Intelligence

Players are now even more intelligent meaning they make better decisions – therefore delivering tighter, smarter marking and improved run-tracking.

Ultimate Team

Create your ultimate dream mate with the choice of 40 legendary players – including Pelé – to see how they fair alongside today’s stars. Football legends will be randomly included in Gold Packs or available via the transfer market beginning with the launch of the Xbox One.

Co-Op Seasons

Play with a friend online against two other online friends anywhere in the world in 2v2 ranked online play. Plus, Match Day has been expanded to Seasons and Co-op seasons, completely connecting fans playing online to the football season for the world’s top leagues.

Global Transfer Newtwork

Become a professional scout as you search for the ‘next Messi’ around the globe. There is a new hub which delivers easier navigation, fewer interruptions and live scouting reports.

I Will Return To France – Arsenal’s Midfielder Hints At A Return To France

Mathieu Flamini has hinted he could return to Marseille in the future. The midfielder re-joined the Gunners this summer after spending the last five years in Italy with AC Milan, the club he left Arsenal for, but has refused to rule out a return to France to the club he started his career with.
Flamini joined Arsenal in 2004 from Marseille and then left the Gunners on a free transfer before returning to the club in August. The 29-year old has now announced the possibility he could complete the homecoming with a return to Marseille.
“You should never say never. I did my apprenticeship there. Of course it’s the club of my heart.”“I’ve always stayed close to it, because I’m in contact with Jose Anigo, someone who knows me very well. But there’s never been anything concrete in terms of a potential return up to now.”Despite his look towards the future, the midfielder is still very much focused after starting his second spell at the club and has targeted ending the club’s run of now silverware.
“It’s an important season for me and Arsenal. Our ambitions are clear, as the arrival of Mesut Özil proved… to fight for the title and compete in the Champions League. We want to win trophies. The club has waited for them for too long.

Arsenal Focus - Excitement builds ahead of Ozil debut at Sunderland

It is all Arsenal fans have been talking, more or less swooning, about since the transfer window slammed shut two Monday nights ago. Mesut Ozil, the world class Germany international, has signed for the Gunners from Real Madrid.

Now, finally, after what has seemed like an interminable international break (particularly if you are an England follower), Ozil is set to make his first appearance for the club. The Stadium of Light will play host to the 24-year-old’s maiden game, as struggling Sunderland welcome an Arsenal side that have recovered from that opening-day defeat to Aston Villa to take four consecutive victories.

Arsene Wenger looked as delighted as his supporters when introducing Ozil at the club’s training ground on Thursday afternoon. However, any previous intentions to keep his new superstar on the bench for the trip to Wearside look to have been shelved following the injury suffered by Tomas Rosicky on international duty as well as Jack Wilshere’s poor performance for England in Ukraine.

Ozil looks set to slot straight into the Arsenal midfield alongside the ever-impressive Aaron Ramsey and Mathieu Flamini. The returning Frenchman may find himself under pressure from Wilshere but after his combative performance helped the Gunners to that crucial victory over Tottenham a fortnight ago, it is difficult not to see him lining up against Sunderland.

The rest of the side appears to pick itself with Olivier Giroud looking to keep up his record in scoring in every league match so far this season. With Ozil now supplying him with bullets as well as the widemen Santi Cazorla and Theo Walcott, the charismatic Frenchman will be confident of more success against a Sunderland team that shipped three at newly-promoted Crystal Palace in their last encounter.

At the back, Thomas Vermaelen has returned to full training. The regular back four of Bacary Sagna, Per Mertesacker, Laurent Koscielny and Kieran Gibbs will hardly be quaking at the prospect of facing a Sunderland attack lambasted by manager Paolo Di Canio for their efforts in the Palace defeat.

However, the key to all the excitement and optimism is Ozil. Can the man nicknamed “the king of the assist” during his time in Spain tailor his skills to the Premier League?

Quite simply, the most expensive foreign import in Premier League history is simply too good not to be a success in England. Of course, he is no longer playing with Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Angel Di Maria but the likes of Giroud, Walcott, Lukas Podolski as well as Cazorla were far from frugal in front of goal even prior to the arrival of Ozil.

Arsenal have certainly come an extremely long way from the club in crisis they were following that dispiriting collapse at home to Villa. Ironically, they sit in the top four ahead of the trip to Sunderland. With several favourable-looking fixtures ahead as well as the beginning of the Champions League in mid-week, it is an exciting time to be an Arsenal fan.

Arsenal visit Sunderland

Paolo Di Canio's appearance and every subsequent touch was unsurprisingly booed during his generous turnout for Steve Harper's testimonial match at St James' Park on Wednesday. Unless Sunderland's results improve quickly, it's a sound he might start hearing on home turf too. 

One point from the first three games of the season is a miserable return so far, but a slow start shouldn't be wholly unexpected with so many new players brought in at once. 

By the end of the transfer window the newcomers count stood at 14, with nine already having played a part. Two more are likely to be involved here, with Ki Sung-Yueng and Fabio Borini loaned in from Swansea and Liverpool respectively. 

If they get their debuts against Arsenal they'll do well to upstage the new man in the Gunners ranks, with German midfield maestro Mesut Ozil set for his Premier League bow. 

At £42.5 million, Arsene Wenger's only major signing of the summer cost well over twice as much as all of Sunderland's put together! 

His abilities are well known, as are his assist statistics over the last five years (see below), and there seems to be genuine disbelief amongst some at Arsenal that they've got him AND some at Real Madrid that he was allowed to leave. 

Olivier Giroud - the club's only currently fit senior striker and in fine goalscoring form - must have a permanent grin at the thought of service from Ozil in addition to the help he already gets from Santi Cazorla and Theo Walcott. 

What a contrast to the Arsenal mood from just four weeks ago after their opening-day defeat to Aston Villa. What a difference a signing makes - even before he's played! Sunderland's mood very much depends on how soon their signings can gel, and how well they tackle their next seven home league games - Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United, Newcastle, Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham. Seven points would be magnificent. 

Head-to-head




• Sunderland's only win in their last 19 league meetings with Arsenal came at the Stadium of Light in November 2009, when Darren Bent scored the decisive goal.



• The Black Cats have only scored two first-half goals in the 24 Premier League meetings between the clubs and have never been ahead at the interval.



• However, they did beat Arsenal 2-0 in the fifth round of the FA Cup in February 2012.




Sunderland




• Sunderland's two Premier League goals this term have both been headers, meaning they have already matched their tally of headed goals in the 2012-13 season.



• The Black Cats won two of their first three games under Paolo Di Canio, but since then have claimed three points from seven league matches (D3, L4).



• They have won only two Premier League games at the Stadium of Light in 2013 (against West Ham in January and Everton in April).



• After taking on Arsenal, Sunderland have home games against Liverpool, Manchester United, Newcastle, Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham. Last season the Black Cats collected five points from those corresponding seven fixtures.




Arsenal




• The Gunners have won six successive Premier League away games for only the second time. It is their best form since winning their final eight away matches in the 2001-02 season.



• Olivier Giroud has yet score a Premier League goal outside of London, with 12 of his 14 strikes netted at the Emirates Stadium.



• Only Fulham (21) have allowed their opponents more shots on target in the Premier League this season than Arsenal (17).



• The Gunners have conceded two goals in the final 15 minutes of Premier League games this season - as many as they let in during the entire 2012-13 season.

De Gea always learning

David De Gea says there is not one particular lesson he has learnt in his time as a Red so far which has helped him grow as a player and person, but the experience as a whole.The Spanish goalkeeper has enjoyed a year to remember so far, with a Barclays Premier League title medal, a place in the 2012/13 PFA Team of the Year and a tournament victory with Spain’s Under-21s at the European Championships all achieved in 2013.
The 22-year-old has already come a long way in his two seasons at Old Trafford during which time he has established himself as the Reds’ no.1 and one of the best keepers around.
The man himself says he can’t pinpoint one particular thing which has contributed to his rise to prominence, adding that everything about life at United has enabled him to improve and continues to every day.
“It’s more about all the things you learn rather than one individual thing. It’s an on-going process as well, especially when you come to a club from another country. The whole thing is a great experience,” he told ManUtd.com.
“At first, everything is new. The football, the culture and how people live… it’s about learning how things work at the club and getting to know your team-mates. The whole package has been a lesson for me.
“The support I have had from everyone at the club has been fantastic. First of all you have to have the belief in yourself and self-confidence, but that is enhanced once your team-mates and people within the club show their confidence in you and their support.
You have to be 100 per cent focused in every game at United,” he added. “For 70/80 minutes you might not have to make a save but then suddenly you might be called upon to make an important stop. You have to be ready all the time. You must concentrate and focus your mind on the game and nothing else throughout the 90 minutes.”
De Gea also hailed the influence of his team-mates and the way he was made to feel at home from day one.
“It’s a top dressing room and a great one to join,” he said. “Everyone in the squad helps you a lot and the settling-in process is made a lot easier by the fact that there is such a warm atmosphere here. All the players welcome you.

Woods and USA make Brazil

Chris Woods is another Manchester United man to have booked a place at the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil.The Reds' goalkeeping coach is part of the USA backroom team and works closely with his former Everton colleague Tim Howard, who is the country's No1. The States clinched qualification with a 2-0 triumph against Javier Hernandez's Mexico while Shinji Kagawa (Japan) and Robin van Persie (Netherlands) are also safely through to next summer's global event.
Woods, who arrived at Old Trafford in the summer with new boss David Moyes, is to continue at international level under former Spurs striker Jurgen Klinsmann.
When asked by Inside United if he is staying in the role, he replied: "Yes, I really enjoy it. It gives me an opportunity to see other players in different parts of the world. So it can be a form of scouting, too!
"Jurgen Klinsmann is good to work with and it's enjoyable.
"You're not together day-in and day-out, that's the main difference with international football

Round: Fellaini fits just right

Marouane Fellaini has all the physical and mental attributes to bring something new to the United midfield, according to assistant manager Steve Round.The Belgian midfielder’s move from Everton has seen him team again with Round and Reds boss David Moyes following five years working under the pair at Goodison Park.
Having worked extensively with Fellaini at close quarters, Round is certain the 25-year-old’s skills and abilities will complement those of his new team-mates.
“He will add some real physical presence to us in midfield, some strength, and he scores goals,” Round told MUTV.“He’s a player that will get regular double figures, and he is maybe a player that we didn’t really have in the middle of that midfield.
“We have some very good footballers – Michael Carrick is an unbelievably good passer, Tom Cleverley is busy, lively and links play, Anderson will drive forward with the ball, dribble and create.
“Maybe we needed that bit of presence and authority that can sit in the middle of the pitch and dominate a game from that perspective. It gives a nice blend and balance to mix the midfield up.”
Round also feels the former Standard Liege player’s strength of character will help him make the adjustment to life in the Old Trafford spotlight.
“He’s a very strong character, with very good self-belief,” Round adds. “It won’t daunt him to play at this level and he is mentally very tough.

“When a player comes to Manchester United, they have to have the correct mentality to survive here. It’s not enough to be good every so often, you have got to be good every minute of every day.
“Ryan Giggs has said it’s not enough to be good in training, you’ve got to be good with every pass. Not every so often but every pass.  Marouane will rise to that, he’ll love that challenge.

“He’s earned and deserved the right to be here. He’s progressed every single year as a player, to the stage where the manager, the staff and the board here feel that he deserved the opportunity to play at this level

Sir Alex tickets now on sale

Tickets for several special evenings with Sir Alex Ferguson are now on sale as the manager prepares for his new book's 24 October release.

The eagerly-awaited autobiography will be officially launched by publishers Hodder & Stoughton at a press conference in London on 23 October, on the eve of its publish date. A series of "in conversation with" events open to the public will then take place, including a new date added in Preston, Lancashire.

The full tour schedule is now as follows:

Monday 28 October – 19:30 at The Lowry Theatre, Salford
Hosted by Dan Walker, best known for presenting BBC 1’s Football Focus. Box office: 0843 208 6000, thelowry.com. Tickets are on sale now, priced at £40 which includes a signed book.

Tuesday 29 October – 19:30 at The Clyde Auditorium, Glasgow
Hosted by BBC Scotland’s sports presenter Dougie Donnelly. Box Office: 0844 395 4000, ticketsoup.com. Tickets are on sale now, priced at £40 which includes a signed book.

CHELSEA TV EXCLUSIVE: TERRY PRAISES ETO'O ADDITION

John Terry believes the arrival of Samuel Eto'o can only serve to strengthen Jose Mourinho's squad as we chase glory on four fronts.

Speaking exclusively to Chelsea TV, the Blues' skipper, an ever-present in our Premier League campaign thus far, expressed his delight at having a striker he has played against on numerous occasions added to the group.

'He's looked really sharp in training so far, and so has Willian,' Terry explained. 'You speak to them and they talk about how the intensity of their training (in Russia) is a lot different to how it is here, so for sure it will take them a few weeks to get their full fitness, but once they do they'll both look very good.

'I said to him (Eto'o) thank god you're here because I've had so many battles against him. He's such a threat, he's obviously a few years older but he still looks very sharp and hungry. He's got an eye for goal and I think he'll be a good addition, he was welcomed straight into the squad.'

The international break has afforded some of our Under-21s' the chance to train alongside Terry, and the rest of those first team squad members that didn't go away, under the watchful eye of Mourinho.

The 32-year-old was encouraged by some of the performances of the younger players, and with so many matches on the horizon, believes they should be aiming to become a part of Mourinho's plans.

'We have a lot of games coming up and, looking at the Swindon one, I said to them it's maybe an opportunity to impress the manager and maybe get on the bench or start in those kind of games.

'When they come over they can be intimidated, but it's important they express themselves and give themselves the best opportunity for these games.

'Nowadays you have to be exceptional to break through; the talent's there, it's just about whether they have the hunger or not, and hopefully they have.

UNDER-21S PREVIEW: FINDING A BALANCE

Dermot Drummy is confident our Under-21s can maintain their current form and make it three straight victories when we take on Norwich City at the Electrical Services Stadium tonight, a game which can be seen live on Chelsea TV.

The young Blues started the season in disappointing fashion, losing 4-2 at home to Tottenham Hotspur, but since then have bounced back impressively.

A 4-1 away win at Southampton was followed by the 5-1 victory against Leicester City at Stamford Bridge, and Drummy has been pleased with the reaction of his players.

'The only thing that was poor against Tottenham was that we let them play and stop our game, and you have to give credit to them to a point, but to win the next two games without what I would call our senior players was pleasing,' he tells the official Chelsea website.

'The dynamics of the team are working how I want them to be. I want the players to be hungry and to have to fight for their places; I don't want anybody to just feel like they can get into the team because of their status.'

Our attacking play over the course of the last two matches has been particularly impressive, with Islam Feruz and Isaiah Brown providing a real threat in the final third, aided in no small part by the creativity of players such as Lewis Baker, Jeremie Boga and John Swift in midfield.

Drummy expects us to create opportunities against the Canaries once again, but feels it shouldn't be to the detriment of our defensive responsibilities.

'I think we'll always score goals because of the way we play and the quality of players we have,' he explains. 'But when teams sit off us we need to break them down without leaving ourselves too open, which we did against Leicester.

'We are adventurous and we do play creative football, but looking at the bigger picture, there are times when we need to be able to lock the game up.'

While we will undoubtedly approach the game in positive spirits, the visitors are more than capable of posing their own threat.

The Norwich academy got the better of our Under-18s over two legs in the FA Youth Cup final last season, but Drummy, while expecting a tough encounter, believes his side can benefit from having spent the international break training with the first team.

'Norwich are a decent academy, which we saw in last season's Youth Cup,' he says. 'They like to counter because they've got the quick Murphy twins (Jake and Josh), but we've got enough to unlock the door.

'I think it could be crucial to get a goal to open them up and then if they come out and play we can hurt them even more.

'The boys, after training with the first team, have been able to go away and start preparing for what will be a tough game against Norwich, and we want to put in a winning performance.'

Tickets for the game, which kicks off at 7.05pm, are available on arrival at the stadium, priced £3 for adults and £1 for juniors and seniors, with Chelsea and Aldershot season ticket holders gaining free entry on production of their season tickets.

PRE-MATCH BRIEFING: EVERTON V CHELSEA - PART ONE

Nineteen days after our last league fixture, Chelsea return to the north-west again. Club historian Rick Glanvill and club statistician Paul Dutton get set for September's first challenge…

TALKING POINTSSaturday evening's return to club action pits Jose Mourinho against Roberto Martínez, another manager (like Steve Bruce and David Moyes already this season) who is no novice to the Premier League but will face the Blues for the first time with his current club.

Against Chelsea to date, Martínez has one win and one draw stacked up against six defeats, including the famous 8-0 of 2010, when tactical novelty was undone by a red card. Those games were with Wigan, where he delivered the club's first major silverware in the FA Cup last season on a very tight budget. Despite his reputation for expansive football, though, the Spanish manager's league record is not so impressive.

At Swansea between 2007 and 2009 he earned promotion from League One and ended eighth in the Championship. From 2009 he steered Wigan to 16th in successive top-flight campaigns, then 15th and finally 18th - and relegated.

Nine-times English champions Everton, who presently lie 15th and could slip as low as 18th before the 5.30pm kick-off, have expectations above those of the lowly Latics but with a similarly tight purse-string. Since switching to Merseyside, Martinez has posted three successive draws in the league, including two 0-0s. Visitors Chelsea, who recently held Man United to the same scoreline at Old Trafford, were the only team from the capital with the recipe to beat Moyes's Toffees last season.

KEY STATEverton's only home Barclays Premier League defeat last season was against Chelsea in December.

Having counted the players out and counted them back in again, we can set the stress of international games and the inevitable injuries to one side until mid-October, returning to the relative bliss of domestic football.

One traveller in particular deserves congratulations. New England caps centurion Frank Lampard joins 10 other current or former Chelsea players to have reached that international milestone. 

MOURINHO CONFERENCE LIVE THIS AFTERNOON

The official Chelsea website offers the opportunity to watch Jose Mourinho's media conference this afternoon (Friday) by streaming it live.

The manager will be speaking to broadcasters and the press ahead of the return to league action at Everton, with the conference beginning at approximately 1.30pm. If you click on this live conference link, it will be streamed directly to your device.

Juve's training complex is approved

Turin city council has approved Juventus's plan for a new multi-million dollar training complex to be built next to their new ground, the ANSA news agency reported on Friday.

The cost of the development in the Continassa area will be split between the club and the council. The new headquarters are to include football pitches, a cinema, spa and houses.

In June, the Serie A champions announced they had bought 180 000 square metres of the area from the council at a cost of €11.7 million.

The new Juventus Stadium was opened in 2011 after being built on the site of the old Stadio Delle Alpi.

There has since been a surge in the number of fans attending games and the venue has been hailed as the model to follow in a country where most stadiums are owned by local authorities and rented to clubs.

Since moving to the new ground Juve have won two consecutive Serie A titles and are already joint top of the table with four other clubs after two matches this season.

Kaka love affair 'never' over for Milan

Dozens of delirious AC Milan supporters took to the streets of the city late Monday to herald the return of Brazilian midfielder Kaka following his arrival from Real Madrid.

Kaka was one of Real's most expensive signings in 2009 when the club paid Milan €65 million for him after a highly-succesful six-season spell with the Rossoneri.

After being left on the sidelines under Jose Mourinho, Kaka's chances of more regular first team action at the Santiago Bernabeu faded further when his former coach at Milan, Carlo Ancelotti, took over the 'Galacticos' for the new season.

With Brazil hosting the 2014 World Cup, Kaka launched a plea to leave Real and the Spaniards allowed the 31-year-old to return to his former club on a free transfer.

Kaka was met by dozens of fans upon his arrival at Milan-Linate airport on Monday, a scene that was repeated when he met club vice-president Adriano Galliani late on Monday.

At the Giannino restaurant, a favourite haunt of AC Milan and its players, were dozens of fans noisily convened to celebrate Kaka's arrival.

The player sipped Champagne and was presented with a cake adorned with the words 'Some love affairs never end'.

Kaka, who has signed a two-year contract, was delighted to be back.

"I really wanted to come here and now I'm back I am so happy. I've returned home!" said the Brazilian, who took a significant pay cut to facilitate his move to the San Siro.

Kaka's first spell at the Rossoneri, from 2003 to 2009, coincided with his rise to prominence that culminated in him winning the 2007 Ballon d'Or after leading Milan to the Champions League title that year.

Coach Massimiliano Allegri on Friday said: "He's versatile, and his technical attributes would be a big plus to the team."

Although brought in as a replacement for playmaker Kevin-Prince Boateng, who was sold to Schalke 04 last week, it remains to be seen how Allegri slots Kaka into his system.

Kaka began his previous spell at Milan playing just behind striker Andriy Shevchenko, but went on to occupy the main striker's role as well as variously changing position in Ancelotti's preferred 4-3-1-2 system.

Allegri usually deploys a 4-3-3 formation with Mario Balotelli in the central striker's role flanked by, for example, Robinho and Stephan El Shaarawy.

Asked if he had already spoken tactics with Allegri, Kaka replied: "It's been such a frenetic few days that we haven't had time to talk about anything.

"I've not even heard from the president, Silvio Berlusconi. But I know the whole club wanted me here. For me, that's enough.

"We'll do wonderful things together.

Milito set for Inter after injury

Inter Milan striker Diego Milito says he is close to completing his comeback from injury after scoring in a friendly on Saturday.

The Argentine, out of action since suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury during Inter's Europa Leaguewin over CFR Cluj in February, netted in a 2-2 draw with Swiss side Lugano.

"I hope soon to be back at my best, be well and able to help the manager when he needs it. The worst has passed, there's not much time left til I return," the 34-year-old told the Serie A club's television station.

"It was brilliant scoring again, it's the greatest joy for any attacker. But more than that, it was good just to get some minutes out on the pitch."

Milito has scored 73 goals for Inter and is a fans' favourite because of his exploits during their treble success in 2010, when under the guidance of Jose Mourinho they won the Serie A title, the Italian Cup and the Champions League.

He scored six goals during their successful Champions League campaign, including two against Bayern Munich in the final.

Czech coach quits after Italy loss

Czech coach Michal Bilek has resigned following his side's 2-1 loss to Italy in a World Cup qualifier that all but ended the country's chances of reaching next year's finals in Brazil.

The Czechs have endured a stuttering qualifying campaign under Bilek, beating only Malta and Armenia as they struggled to find the net for a majority of their Group B games.

"I have not met the goal we have set for ourselves and... I offer my resignation," Bilek said in a statement.

Bilek was never popular with fans due to a string of unconvincing results and conservative tactics but he did gain some success when he guided the Czechs to the Euro 2012 quarterfinals in Poland and Ukraine.

The former midfielder, who scored 11 goals in 35 internationals and played at the 1990 World Cup, took over four years ago after the side failed to qualify for the 2010 World Cup finals.

Despite some initial problems, Bilek ensured the Czechs kept up their record of qualifying for every European Championship since the Czech Republic and Slovakia split in 1993.

In Tuesday's match against Italy in Turin, it looked as if the Czechs might pull off an upset and keep their World Cup hopes alive after they took a 1-0 lead into the second half.

However, two goals within three minutes secured qualification for the hosts and left the Czechs four points adrift of Bulgaria, who occupy second place in the group.

Sitting on nine points from eight matches, the Czechs must win their last two games away to Malta and Bulgaria to have any chance of a securing a playoff spot for finishing second.

The Czech FA indicated that it would select one of Bilek's assistants to lead the side for the two remaining qualifiers before a permanent coach would be installed.

Balotelli grabs winner and headlines

Italy qualified for next year's World Cup with two games to spare on Tuesday but almost inevitably it was volatile striker Mario Balotelli who grabbed the headlines.

Balotelli missed a host of easy chances in Italy's 2-1 win over Czech Republic in Turin and could easily have been sent off, although he did slot home the winning penalty.

Those misses and a rash challenge on Tomas Sivok capped a first half to forget, with some among the Juventus Stadium crowd whistling the forward in exasperation at his antics.

"I was trying to get the ball and didn't even see the player, so for me it wasn't even a yellow," Balotelli said. "I hit him but I didn't do it on purpose."

He even risked a second yellow after reacting to a foul in the second half, and it was only the measured actions of referee Jonas Eriksson that stopped him getting into another unnecessary confrontation.

"At times you react because they go too far, at other times you manage to control yourself. You always try to control yourself, but it's not easy when you're out on the pitch."

Balotelli had missed Italy's nervy 1-0 win over Bulgaria on Friday after being sent off in the reverse fixture with the Czechs in June and has frequently been warned that he will be a target for provocation.

RACIST ABUSE

As Italy's most prominent black player, he has been the subject of intense media focus and frequent bouts of racist abuse from opposition fans, who use his outlandish behaviour as an excuse for chants such as "there are no black Italians".

Monkey chants have also been an increasing feature in Italian stadiums.

In a country struggling with deep economic problems, immigrants and minority groups are being targeted, and many want to see Balotelli act as an ambassador for non-white Italians, and see him as to blame for the insults.

He attracted negative headlines again this week when he missed a meeting with Cecile Kyenge, Italy's Congolese-born Minister of Integration who has been the target of racist abuse by Italy's far right.

Last week in Rome three mannequins dripping in fake blood were left outside a municipal building she was due to visit, with signs nearby reading "Immigration is the genocide of peoples. Kyenge resign!".

Balotelli's no-show was deemed a snub by some critics.

"I am not interested in what people say," said Balotelli, who was plainly irritated when the subject was brought up.

"I've already met Minister Kyenge, I will see her again in future and it was not a mandatory meeting. I was asleep, as were many other players in the squad, but nobody mentioned any of them.

"There's nothing in it and I think it's stupid that people want to make an issue of it.

Ozil reveals why he joined Arsenal

Mesut Ozil said the trust shown in him by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was the key reason he joined the north London club from Real Madrid on the final day of the transfer window.

Arsenal smashed their transfer record to sign the Germany international for 42 million pounds ($66.42 million) and the playmaker was quick to insist it was not a step backwards despite widespread surprise that the Spanish giants agreed to let him go.

"The most important thing was (the manager's) plans for me and what he thinks about me," Ozil, who created 92 chances for his teammates at Real last season, told reporters at his first news conference since his switch.

Speaking in German through a translator, Ozil said Arsenal provided the perfect environment for him to improve.

"I had a good time at Madrid and had good moments there," he said. "You can see the reaction of the (Real) players and fans that they didn't understand (why I left) but this is football and you have to look ahead.

"I want to continue developing here and I feel that I'm at the right club. I know how successful Arsenal have been. I know the step here is the right one.

"Many young players came here and got better. I'm happy to play under a great coach. I have a new task here, we have big goals and will work very hard to reach those goals."

Ozil is in line for a Premier League debut at Sunderland on Saturday, especially as Wenger will be without Tomas Rosicky who was injured in midweek playing for the Czech Republic.

Wenger, who said the process of bringing Ozil to north London had been "complicated", said the 24-year-old would become one of the leaders in the team.

"He has a style of play that will integrate with our style of play because his game is based on movement and technical ability. He has all the attributes to be one of our leaders.

Dolphins survive early Wolves scare

Dolphins came from a goal down to beat Warri Wolves 2-1 in their NPFL clash on Wednesday at Liberation Stadium.

A week after their disappointing home draw against Enyimba, Dolphins found themselves in another unfavourable position when they fell behind to an 8th minute strike by Joseph Osadieye.

They drew level on 25 minutes when Ifeanyi Egwim reacted quickly after Okiemute Odah had spilled a cross.

Isiaka Olawale's winner on the stroke of half time was a real beauty as he dribbled past Musa Kundi before unleashing a rising shot from 30 yards that beat Odah hands down.

Both teams gave a good account of themselves in the second period, but could not alter the scores.

Dolphins manager Stanley Eguma was delighted his team have been able to pick four points from their last two matches.

"Both teams played well and it is good that we have won today after drawing our last match (against Nembe City in Yenagoa). It shows we are emerging from the dark tunnel, and I hope we can keep up this form," he told supersport.com

Warri Wolves head coach Solomon Ogbeide accepted the defeat in good faith, though he pointed out they rested some players for the upcoming Federation Cup final.

"That’s football for you, its either you win, lose or draw a match, and we lost this one, but I'm satisfied that we played well," he said.

"We have an important match coming up this weekend and we decided to rest a few of our regulars, though we introduced some of them in the second half and they made an impact on the game."

Teams

Dolphins: Sunday Rotimi, Emeka Atuloma, Chidiebere Okolie, Festus Austin, Hassan Hussein (Osita Echendu 87'), Seidu Abuu (Baker Ebiabowei 80'), Isiaka Olawale, Emem Eduok, Omo Johnson, Ifeanyi Egwim Olewezi Johnson 76').

Subs not used: Austin Brown, Ambrose Onyeama, Moses Eneji, Fred Okwara.

Warri Wolves: Okiemute Odah, Goodluck Onamado, Adama Coulibaly, Monday Osagie Azubuike Egwuekwe, Musa Kundi, Freedom Omfoman (Oghenekaro Etebo 69'), Michael Egbeta, Victor Ezeman (Achibi Emenike 42'), Joseph Osadieye, Efe Yarhere (Musa Najere 55').

Subs not used: John Dosu, Bright Akpojuwewo, Kevin Iyoya, Uche Ossai.

Cards: Goodluck Onamado (Y 31'), Azubuike Egwuekwe (Y 60').

Stage set for Ozil's Arsenal career

Arsenal fans waited a long time for a big summer signing and when the club smashed its transfer record on Mesut Ozil on deadline day the international break meant another delay before they could feast their eyes on him in club colours.

The Germany international, signed from Real Madrid for £42 million, was a huge coup for manager Arsene Wenger and after scoring in a World Cup qualifier in the Faroe Islands in midweek Ozil is set for his debut at Sunderland on Saturday.

England's north east coast is a little more hospitable than windswept Torshavn but nevertheless Ozil will quickly learn about the physical demands of English football against a Sunderland side desperate to kickstart their season.

Ozil is not the only player anxious to make an instant impression for a new club as the domestic season swings back into action after World Cup distractions.

Marouane Fellaini will be eager to pull on a Manchester United shirt for the first time after his £27.5 million deadline day move from Everton.

Like Arsenal, United were quiet in the transfer window but the introduction of Belgian midfielder Fellaini will give David Moyes' side some added venom as they host newcomers Crystal Palace at Old Trafford, having managed only one win from their opening three Premier League games.

Everton will have Gareth Barry (on loan from Manchester City) in their ranks as they take on Chelsea although striker Romelu Lukaku will not make his debut because of Premier League rules on loaned players playing against their mother club.

RAISED EYEBROWS

Ozil's departure from Real Madrid in the wake of the Spanish giants' world record signing of Gareth Bale for €100 million raised plenty of eyebrows across Europe and even Arsenal's Santi Cazorla admitted being surprised he had been allowed to leave.

"I am very happy that Ozil is here. He is a spectacular player and we are very lucky that we are going to learn alongside him," Cazorla told Spanish newspaper Marca this week.

"I don't understand that (why Real Madrid sold him), he is a unique player. You will have to ask the club for reasons why they sold them, but at the same time he didn't think he was getting the opportunities he deserved.

"Luckily he has come to us."

Ozil had more assists than any other player in Europe last season and is regarded as a magician capable of unlocking the meanest defences, yet it remains to be seen whether Arsenal have the forwards to capitalise.

"I want to improve myself further and I'm looking forward to the style of play," Ozil said of his new team.

"Arsenal are well known for the strength of their technical game and their desire to play attacking football.

"I think I will fit perfectly into that."

Olivier Giroud has begun the season well for Arsenal, scoring the winner against Tottenham Hotspur in the last round of fixtures, but manager Arsene Wenger has few other natural striking options at his disposal.

He will be hoping Theo Walcott, who hobbled off for England in Ukraine on Tuesday, will be fit for the trip to Sunderland who have managed one point from their first three games.

IMPORTANT PERIOD

United take on Palace at the start of an important period for manager Moyes as he continues to try and stamp his mark on Old Trafford following Alex Ferguson's retirement.

Victory over Palace will be viewed as essential before United begin their Champions League quest at home to Bayer Leverkusen then travel to Manchester City for the derby.

Fellaini could fill a variety of roles at United but Moyes, who signed him for Everton, believes he will become a vital cog in the side, whether it be in the position vacated by Paul Scholes or further back in the engine room.

"Marouane is not someone you want to be playing against," Moyes told Sky Sports this week.

"He has attributes other people don't have. And with those qualities he has, I am sure he will be a big player for Manchester United."

With early leaders Liverpool not in action until Monday at Swansea City, Chelsea can go top with victory at Everton who have drawn all three of their matches so far.

Manchester City travel to Stoke City who have started the season well under former City boss Mark Hughes while Tottenham Hotspur are looking to bounce back from defeat by Arsenal against Norwich City.

Monaco's money talks in Ligue 1

Promoted Monaco has already reaped the benefits of its offseason investments as it leads the standings in the French league after four rounds.

Owned by Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev, Monaco spent about 170 million euros ($226 million) to upgrade its squad, which has gelled faster than expected as Monaco and fourth-place Paris Saint-Germain are the only clubs still undefeated in the French league.

"It's a great start to the season and that was not obvious to predict since the squad has changed a lot," Monaco defender Ricardo Carvalho said. "We're still in a building process. In such a context, it's very interesting to win and rack up points."

Monaco will look to cement its status as a serious contender for a Champions League spot when it hosts mid-table Lorient on Sunday.

The successful partnership between Emmanuel Riviere and Colombia striker Radamel Falcao has significantly contributed to Monaco's rise to the top. They have scored all their team's goals.

James Rodriguez scored in Colombia's 1-0 win over Ecuador in a World Cup qualifier last week, but he hasn't found the net yet with Monaco.

PSG had a sluggish start with two draws. However, the defending champions seem to have hit their stride by winning their last two matches as Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edinson Cavani are still working on their understanding on the field.

In World Cup qualifiers on Tuesday, Ibrahimovic scored the lone goal in Sweden's 1-0 victory over Kazakhstan while Cavani scored the opener in Uruguay's 2-0 win over Colombia.

PSG needs a victory at Bordeaux on Friday to keep climbing up the standings. The Parisian club rallied to beat Bordeaux 2-1 last month in the Champions Trophy, which is a traditional curtain-raiser pitting the French league champion against the French Cup winner.

"Bordeaux is among the teams that can defend very well and be efficient in counterattacks," PSG defender Christophe Jallet said. "We know what to expect and what we must improve to create more problems for them."

Bordeaux is a potential contender for a European spot. But it sits in 15th place after a string of mediocre results.

"This match is very important for us to kickstart our season," Bordeaux defender Mariano said. "So far, our start to the season has not been good. Two losses, a draw and a win are not good enough. It will be a tough match against Paris, but it's a great opportunity to recover."

Second-place Marseille, a runner-up last season, will visit last-place Toulouse on Saturday.

Also Saturday, it's: Ajaccio v Evian; Guingamp v Bastia; Montpellier v Reims; Nantes v Sochaux; and Valenciennes v Saint-Etienne.

On Sunday, Lille plays Nice and Rennes travels to Lyon.

Derek Mensah fine after collapsing

Ghana under 20 midfielder is responding to treatment after collapsing during training for Club Africain in Tunisia.

Derek Mensah keeled over on Wednesday night while training in Tunis, two weeks after signing a three-year deal.

The 19-year old enforcer, who signed from the recently-relegated Ghana Premier League club Tema Youth, was getting ready for the start of the football season when he began developing pains in his chest.

His brother, Jude Mensah, spoke to supersport.com.

“While they were training yesterday afternoon getting to the evening, [Derek] felt some pains around the chest and he indicated it to the medical team of Club Africain, but before they could say jack he had fainted.”

Jude also reports that his brother was then sent to a Tunis medical facility specializing in cardio-related problems, where the diagnosis turned out not to be as bad as initially feared.

The former Tema Youth midfielder was part of Ghana’s under-20 national team that placed second at the African Youth Championships, but he was not chosen to be part of the team that subsequently placed third at the World Youth Championships in Turkey.

According to Jude, his younger brother had been fine and had reported no previous health problems.

“Tunisian clubs, as contrary to many countries' procedures, have two sections of medicals for players and Derek had passed both. He had even played in two friendly matches for the club for 70 minutes each,” the older Jude explained.

Derek Mensah signed for the Tunisian giants who are hoping to better their fourth-placed finish at the end of last season when the new season begins next week.

Blanc renew links with Bordeaux

Paris Saint-Germain coach Laurent Blanc returns to his old stomping ground of Bordeaux on Friday as the reigning Ligue 1 title holders look for a pre-Uefa Champions League boost.

The French capital club travel to Greece to face Olympiacos in Europe next Tuesday, but the clash with Bordeaux is the first of a hectic run of seven games in 23 days which will also see them face Monaco, Benfica and Marseille.

PSG are yet to lose this season, but draws in their opening two Ligue 1 games were followed by not entirely convincing wins against promoted duo Nantes and Guingamp just before the international break.

However, they have already had the measure of Bordeaux, beating the French Cup holders 2-1 in the Champions Trophy at the beginning of last month.

"Bordeaux are one of these teams who are capable of defending well and punishing you on the break," PSG's Christophe Jallet said this week.

"We saw that in the Champions Trophy before we turned the game around late on. We know what to expect and what we need to do better against them this time around."

It will be a special occasion for Blanc, whose three years in charge at the Stade Chaban-Delmas were highly successful, with Bordeaux winning the title, the League Cup and the Champions Trophy in 2009 before reaching the last eight of the Champions League a year later.

Now in the away dugout, he must improve PSG's rather poor record in the Gironde, where they have won just seven times in 39 previous visits.

On Friday, Blanc will again be without Jeremy Menez, who is suffering from kidney stones, and must decide whether his returning international stars, such as Sweden's Zlatan Ibrahimovic, France's Blaise Matuidi, Brazil's Thiago Silva and Uruguay's Edinson Cavani, are in condition to play.

"Zlatan came back very, very tired after playing in Kazakhstan on an artificial surface," PSG assistant coach Jean-Louis Gasset said in a radio interview, indicating that Ibrahimovic may not feature this weekend.

Marseille on the road

France's other representatives in the Champions League group stage are Marseille, who travel to bottom club Toulouse on Saturday.

Before hosting Arsenal in Europe next Wednesday, OM will be looking to get back to winning ways domestically after a 2-1 home loss to Monaco in their last outing.

Since that game, coach Elie Baup has seen France Fifa Under-20 World Cup-winning duo Florian Thauvin and Mario Lemina arrive from Lille and Lorient respectively, and it is possible that they could make their debuts for the club.

The early pacesetters are Claudio Ranieri's Monaco, who have no European commitments to worry about and who entertain Lorient at the Stade Louis II on Sunday before travelling to face PSG.

The principality club should be able to call on Radamel Falcao, who suffered an ankle injury in the win at Marseille but played in Colombia's 2-0 defeat in Uruguay in 2014 Fifa World Cup Brazil™ qualifying in midweek, while France midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia could make his debut after his recent arrival from Sevilla.

Meanwhile, Lyon entertain Rennes at the Stade de Gerland aiming to halt an alarming run of four successive defeats in all competitions.

However, OL fans will be hoping Bafetimbi Gomis features for the first time this season after returning to training following a summer-long dispute with the club.

"I am like a new signing, perhaps by default," said Gomis last week. "I will try to integrate myself as quickly as possible into my new team. I am just pleased to be back on the pitch."

Among the other games, Saint-Etienne travel to Valenciennes without injured Brazilian striker Brandao, while Nice coach Claude Puel will take his current side to face his old club Lille.

Fixtures

Friday

Bordeaux v Paris Saint-Germain

Saturday

Toulouse v Marseille

Ajaccio v Evian-Thonon-Gaillard

Guingamp v Bastia

Montpellier v Reims

Nantes v Sochaux

Valenciennes v Saint-Etienne

Sunday

Monaco v Lorient

Lille v Nice

Lyon v Rennes

Ajax head to Wits eyeing first win

Ajax Cape Town will be heading to Bidvest Stadium looking for their first win of the Absa Premiership season when they take on Bidvest Wits on Friday evening, kick-off at 8pm.

The Urban Warriors have had a stuttering start to the 2013/14 season so far, having drawn their opening match to Golden Arrows before suffering a defeat to an impressive AmaZulu side.

Now, they will have to come up against an even more in-form Wits side who sit sixth on the log and fresh off a 1-0 win over Golden Arrows.

Ajax midfielder, Travis Graham, predicts that the encounter against the Braamfontein outfit will be no easy task and that Gavin Hunt’s hunger for success gives them a cutting edge.

“I think it is going to be quite a difficult game against Wits because they have all the experienced guys like Matthew Booth who knows us. So it is going to be a challenging game for us,” said the young talent.

“What gives Wits the edge? It is their will to win. Gavin Hunt doesn’t necessarily like to play our type of football, but he likes to get the ball into the box and finish the game by scoring goals. I think that is his plan against us.”

Similar to last season, the first three points continue to elude the Urban Warriors, but Graham feels that once they have it in the bag, the positive results will begin to flood in.

“It is hard and obviously we need to get that first win. After that first win we will be more comfortable and confident so, for us as players, we have to push ourselves more and do our best,” concluded Graham.

Hunt’s steering of the reins at the university club has managed to get off to a positive start where he has added an exciting mix of promising youth in and among his predominantly experienced line-up.

Bhongolwethu Jayiya believes it is still too early to judge how their campaign will pan out, but believes having played more than Ajax already this season will give them a slight advantage.

“It is too early to say how the season will go, but it is work in progress. Time will tell, we will take one game at a time,” he says.

“We have played a few games more than Ajax so I think we will be sharper than them. And when those early opportunities come we will have to take them and grind out a result.

“Ajax are a good side and anything is possible with them. We just have to make sure we go out there, play our natural game and focus on ourselves.

“The objective is three points.

Tiote in court over licence charge

Newcastle midfielder Cheick Tiote appeared in court on Thursday charged with using a false Belgian driving licence.

Tiote is also facing charges of making a false statement to obtain car insurance and of fraud, for claiming he was in possession of a genuine Belgian licence.

Standing in the dock at Newcastle Crown Court and speaking through a French interpreter, the Ivory Coast international pleaded not guilty to the three charges.

The 27-year-old was granted unconditional bail and told his case will go to trial next month.

Tiote first played in Europe with Belgian club Anderlecht and also had a spell in Holland with FC Twente before signing for Newcastle in 2010 and emerging as one of the Premier League club's key performers.

Brazil unchanged, Mata in for Spain

Holders Brazil were unchanged for Sunday's Confederations Cup final in Rio against world champions Spain, who gave a start to Juan Mata.

Brazil are bidding for a third straight win in the competition and a fourth overall after 1999, 2005 and 2009, while world and double European champions Spain, in only their second appearance, have never won the title.

Spanish coach Vicente del Bosque, having experimented at Euro 2012 by playing without a recognised centre forward, elected to field an attacking line-up which included Fernando Torres as well as Barcelona's Pedro and also Torres' Chelsea clubmate and attacking midfielder Juan Mata.

The teams last met in competitive action at the 1986 World Cup and have only ever faced off eight times, Brazil winning four meetings and Spain two.

Teams

Brazil (4-3-3): Julio Cesar; Dani Alves, Thiago Silva (capt), David Luiz, Marcelo; Oscar, Luiz Gustavo, Paulinho; Fred, Neymar, Hulk

Coach: Luiz Felipe Scolari

Spain (4-3-3):Iker Casillas; Alvaro Arbeloa, Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos, Jordi Alba; Xavi, Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta; Juan Mata, Fernando Torres, Pedro.

Neymar wins Golden Ball award

Neymar has won the Golden Ball award as the best player of the Confederations Cup.

The Brazil striker scored in four of the team's five games at the World Cup warm-up tournament, including one in the 3-0 win over Spain in Sunday's final.

Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta was given the Silver Ball, and Brazil midfielder Paulinho was the Bronze Ball winner.

Spain striker Fernando Torres won the Golden Boot award with his five goals. Brazil forward Fred was next with the Silver Boot, also with five goals but with more minutes played. Neymar scored four goals and won the Bronze Boot.

Also, Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar won the Golden Glove award, and Spain took the Fair Play award.