Michael McGlinchey

China's Beijing Guoan saw off a late revival to beat J-League title-holders Sanfrecce Hiroshima 2-1 and break an eight-match win drought in the AFC Champions League on Wednesday.

Leandro Domingues scored twice and created another Wednesday as Kashiwa Reysol torpedoed Australia's Central Coast Mariners 3-1 to take a firm grip on their AFC Champions League group.

Italian World Cup winner Alessandro Del Piero scored four goals for the first time in his celebrated 22-year career to spark a revival for Sydney FC in this weekend's Australia's A-League.

The Perth Glory will take on defending champions Brisbane Roar in the A League grand final after defeating Central Coast in a penalty shootout on Saturday.

China began its long qualification march to the 2014 Brazil World Cup Friday by drawing New Zealand 1-1 in a warm up friendly at home -- but did not score themselves.

New Zealand will place their trust in a blend of experience and youth when they take on Slovakia in their World Cup Group F clash here on Tuesday.

World Cup holders Italy will be expecting nothing less than plain sailing in a Group F which they are the clear favourites to win.

Teams are starting to sit up and take notice of minnows New Zealand after two credible World Cup warm-up matches, says captain and Blackburn Rovers star Ryan Nelson.

AUCKLAND (Reuters) - New Zealand have been preaching one simple message about the World Cup -- they are not going just to make up the numbers in Group F against champions Italy, Slovakia and Paraguay.

Tampa Bay midfielder Jeremy Christie on New Zealand World Cup roster. Jeremy Christie, a midfielder on the minor league Tampa Bay team in the U.S. Soccer Federation division two league, was among 23 players picked for New Zealand's World Cup roster.