Bay Ledger News Zonebill@blnz.comtag:www.blnz.com,2009:topics/soccertag:www.blnz.com,2009:2013/03/22/World_hopefuls_stay_focused_before_e761

With just over a year to go until the World Cup, some of Europe's leading nations are hoping to take a major step towards sealing their places in the finals in Brazil in a busy week of qualifying.

2013-03-22T04:01:25ZAFP Global Editionby Andy Scotttag:www.blnz.com,2009:2013/03/22/Glimmers_hope_Strachans_Scotland_Maloney_7f44

Shaun Maloney revealed he is relishing life under new Scotland manager Gordon Strachan as the squad prepare for their World Cup qualifier against Wales.

2013-03-22T03:51:40ZAFP Global Editionby Alistair Watsontag:www.blnz.com,2009:2013/03/21/Woodward_backs_Warburton_lead_Lions_8bc0

England World Cup-winning coach Clive Woodward believes Wales' Sam Warburton should captain the British and Irish Lions on their forthcoming tour of Australia.

2013-03-22T03:04:30ZAFP Global EditionBy Staff Reportertag:www.blnz.com,2009:2013/03/21/After_Boateng_Italy_looks_long_9f6f

It took a defiant gesture to reignite the debate on one of Italian sport's biggest demons, but the fight to rid football of racism in Serie A could be just beginning.

2013-03-22T02:26:23ZAFP Global Editionby Justin Davistag:www.blnz.com,2009:2013/03/21/Croatia_Serbia_meet_first_time_50e3

Croatia and Serbia's footballers play each other for the first time since independence on Friday, in a highly charged tie given wider significance by political, cultural and historical ties and fresh memories of war.

2013-03-22T01:59:28ZAFP Global Editionby Lajla Veselicatag:www.blnz.com,2009:2013/03/21/Struggling_China_boss_needs_Becks_c028

China boss Jose Antonio Camacho will hope a sprinkling of stardust from the visiting David Beckham will rub off on his team as he fights for his job in Friday's crunch Asian Cup qualifier with Iraq.

2013-03-22T01:55:03ZAFP Global EditionBy Staff Reportertag:www.blnz.com,2009:2013/03/21/Pressure_England_Marino_game_says_1724

England captain Steven Gerrard admits that his side will be "on a hiding to nothing" when they tackle Group H whipping boys San Marino in their latest World Cup qualifier on Friday.

2013-03-22T01:48:45ZAFP Global Editionby Tom Williamstag:www.blnz.com,2009:2013/03/21/Balotelli_levels_Italy_draw_with_215b

Daniele De Rossi sparked Italy's fightback and Mario Balotelli scored a superb second-half equaliser as the Azzurri battled to a 2-2 draw against Brazil in a friendly on Thursday.

2013-03-21T23:23:21ZAFP Global EditionBy Staff Reportertag:www.blnz.com,2009:2013/03/21/Capello_plays_down_Chelsea_link_b845

Russia coach Fabio Capello insists he has had no contact with Chelsea after being linked with a move to the Premier League club.

2013-03-21T21:29:01ZAFP Global EditionBy Staff Reportertag:www.blnz.com,2009:2013/03/21/Wales_boss_Coleman_backs_Bale_8299

Wales star Gareth Bale has "a very good chance" of playing in Friday's 2014 World Cup qualifier against Scotland at Glasgow's Hampden Park, according to manager Chris Coleman.

2013-03-21T20:54:14ZAFP Global EditionBy Staff Reportertag:www.blnz.com,2009:2013/03/21/Kenya_rage_Nigerian_World_school_8c6e

Kenya lashed out at African champions Nigeria on Thursday after they were forced to prepare for their weekend World Cup qualifier on a primary school pitch.

2013-03-21T20:07:52ZAFP Global EditionBy Staff Reportertag:www.blnz.com,2009:2013/03/21/Croatia_coach_vows_spectacle_with_cabb

Croatia coach Igor Stimac on Thursday promised a spectacular World Cup qualifier with former foe Serbia as the visiting team arrived in Zagreb amid tight security.

2013-03-21T19:01:00ZAFP Global EditionBy Staff Reportertag:www.blnz.com,2009:2013/03/21/Time_drain_swamp_racism_Boateng_17f3

AC Milan midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng -- lauded for walking off the pitch to protest abuse by fans -- on Thursday called for an end to racism in the sport, likening it to a virulent disease that blighted the game.

2013-03-21T18:34:05ZAFP Global Editionby Jonathan Fowlertag:www.blnz.com,2009:2013/03/21/Former_boss_Dyke_chairman_bcab

Former BBC director general Greg Dyke is set to become the new chairman of the Football Association, the English game's governing body announced Thursday.

2013-03-21T18:28:43ZAFP European Editionby Julian Guyertag:www.blnz.com,2009:2013/03/21/Hodgson_will_wait_see_Ferdinand_44eb

England manager Roy Hodgson says he will "wait and see" on Rio Ferdinand's international future after the Manchester United defender's withdrawal from the squad.

2013-03-21T18:00:31ZAFP Global Editionby Tom Williamstag:www.blnz.com,2009:2013/03/21/FIFA_lifts_friendlies_Iraq_25f9

FIFA lifted a ban on international football friendlies in Iraqi stadiums on Thursday, permitting matches in Baghdad for the first time since the 2003 US-led invasion, an Iraqi football official said.

2013-03-21T17:39:15ZAFP Global EditionBy Staff Reportertag:www.blnz.com,2009:2013/03/21/Bosque_hints_that_Valdes_Villa_8d28

Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque has given a strong indication that the Barcelona duo of Victor Valdes and David Villa will start the World Cup qualifier with Finland on Friday.

2013-03-21T17:35:52ZAFP Global EditionBy Staff Reportertag:www.blnz.com,2009:2013/03/21/Marino_cling_pride_England_loom_6d9d

San Marino manager Giampaolo Mazza admits that his primary objective for Friday's World Cup qualifier against England is to see his players avoid humiliation.

2013-03-21T17:27:11ZAFP Global EditionBy Staff Reportertag:www.blnz.com,2009:2013/03/21/Croatia_coach_Stimac_vows_spectacle_5d8c

Croatia coach Igor Stimac on Thursday promised a spectacular World Cup qualifier with former foe Serbia as the visiting team arrived in Zagreb under tight security measures.

2013-03-21T17:11:07ZAFP Global EditionBy Staff Reportertag:www.blnz.com,2009:2013/03/21/chief_says_McManaman_should_have_5603

English Premier League chief executive Richard Scuadmore insisted Thursday the Football Association should have charged Wigan's Callum McManaman for a 'horror' tackle on Newcastle's Massadio Haidara.

2013-03-21T16:59:17ZAFP Global EditionBy Staff Reporter