Current Fever...SM..

Stoke City 3 - 2 Birmingham

Wed, 10 Nov 2010 02:15:40 -0500

Stoke survived another impressive comeback by Birmingham to bring their losing run to an end in a dramatic game at the Britannia Stadium.

The Potters, who had been defeated in their last four Barclays Premier League fixtures, took a deserved first-half lead through Robert Huth and looked home and dry when Ricardo Fuller made it 2-0 in the 71st minute.

The Blues, as they had done on Saturday against West Ham, swiftly erased the deficit thanks to Keith Fahey and Cameron Jerome, but Dean Whitehead netted five minutes from time to win the contest.

The much-needed victory lifted Stoke above Birmingham in the table to 15th, with the Blues sliding down to 17th.

It had appeared the three points would be secured in a comfortable manner by the mid-point of the match after an opening period the hosts had dominated.

Stoke were soon on the front foot as their wingers began to impose themselves, Matthew Etherington aiming a cross at Kenwyne Jones’ head and the ball falling to Jermaine Pennant, who produced an even better delivery that the Trinidad and Tobago striker nodded wide.

Pennant then floated another delightful ball into the danger zone from the right but Ben Foster was able to claim it.

Potters fans protested for a penalty moments later when Foster collided with Danny Higginbotham as the goalkeeper rushed out to push the ball away, but referee Mark Clattenburg waved play on and Fuller saw his attempt deflect off target.

The home side continued to send crosses into the Birmingham box, with Jones heading wide again and Foster just managing to keep Huth at bay.

A defensive mix-up for the Blues saw Fuller slipped in, but Foster was alert once more and came out to take the ball off the Jamaican’s toe.

The England stopper looked less assured soon after as he flapped near his goal-line at a Rory Delap long throw, although he did appear to have Huth leaning against him.

Whitehead collected a knock-down in the 37th minute and attempted to unleash a shot that hit a defender and went for a throw.

Delap hurled it into the box again but this time Foster confidently fisted it away.

Another Delap throw led to a corner three minutes before the break which Jones rose to meet powerfully, Foster tipping the header over the bar.

But two minutes later Stoke’s pressure finally paid off as they took the lead through their skipper Huth.

Fuller’s drilled shot from the edge of the box ricocheted off a couple of Birmingham players and Huth was there to lash the ball in off Foster.

It could have got worse for the Blues before the interval but Foster saved a shot from Delap and Fuller got in the way of a Huth header before Clattenburg blew for half-time.

The hosts maintained the tempo after the break as Etherington chipped the ball into the path of Fuller, whose touch let him down with Barry Ferguson looming, and Huth headed a corner wide.

Huth was on hand again to meet Pennant’s free-kick but could not get the direction right and then Etherington swung in a dangerous ball which nobody could get on the end of.

Birmingham looked more potent moments later as Jerome cut into the box and hit a low shot which Begovic got down to save, and they went the closest to date when Roger Johnson saw the Bosnian keeper tip his bullet header over.

Suddenly Stoke’s lead was looking vulnerable, with Craig Gardner firing a free-kick at Begovic.

Birmingham then almost equalised as a scramble saw Higginbotham hit his own post and Gardner’s shot blocked on the line.

Within seconds, though, it was Stoke who had the ball in the net, Fuller twisting and turning before producing a wonderful strike into the top corner.

The points looked safe for Stoke, but only three minutes later Blues substitute Fahey pulled one back after a mistake by Higginbotham.

Alex McLeish’s side had come back from 2-0 down in their last game and before Stoke knew what was happening, they had repeated the trick as Jerome glanced Sebastian Larsson’s cross past Begovic.

It had taken the Potters only five minutes to throw away a two-goal lead and they looked shell-shocked.

Their opponents smelt blood and Gardner fired one in which Begovic dealt with.

But in the end, it was the hosts who emerged triumphant from the game’s crazy climax as Etherington’s cross slipped between the legs of Scott Dann and Whitehead pounced, prodding home to seal victory.

Internazionale 1 - 1 Brescia:Eto'o saves Inter with disputed penalty

Sun, 07 Nov 2010 02:51:00 -0500

A controversial penalty rescued Inter Milan from their second defeat of the week as they salvaged a 1-1 draw against struggling Brescia at the San Siro.Andrea Caracciolo put the visitors in front in the 14th minute, but Samuel Eto’o equalised from the spot in the 73rd minute after appearing to slip inside the penalty area and fool the referee into giving a penalty.

The result edged Inter to within three points of league leaders Lazio, who face city rivals Roma tomorrow. However, after losing 3-1 to Tottenham on Tuesday, it was another poor result which will only increase the pressure on coach Rafael Benitez.

Michele Arcari had to be alert to thwart the first moment of danger in the fourth minute as he pushed Wesley Sneilder’s free-kick away.

Brescia made it clear they were not looking to just defend a point with the lively Caracciolo taking his second chance of the game to put the visitors in front in the 14th minute.

He was a bit fortunate with a rebound off the inside leg of Walter Samuel, but his commitment was rewarded with his fifth career goal against the Nerazzurri as he placed his shot past Luca Castellazzi before Lucio could get in a covering tackle.

Inter tried to respond with Coutinho shooting over and Goran Pandev’s shot deflecting off the hip of Gaetano Berardi to go wide.

Eto’o had a cross deflected onto the face of the crossbar before he set up Pandev, who shot over the crossbar.

The home fans were beginning to get frustrated, but Eto’o was doing all he could to create openings - and he won a penalty in the 73rd minute.

Berardi was adjudged to have fouled the Cameroonian, who seemed to be slipping over anyway inside the penalty area.

The referee, who had already waved away several half-hearted appeals for a penalty from the Inter striker, this time ruled in favour of the striker and pointed to the spot.

Eto’o stepped up to place the penalty into the bottom left-hand corner before racing back to the centre circle, getting a piece of Berardi’s mind as he passed the Brescia defender who had been accused of fouling him.

The Nerazzurri threw everybody forward in search of a winner, but they were unable to find one.

Liverpool v SSC Napoli - UEFA Europa League

Sat, 06 Nov 2010 03:12:54 -0400

Liverpool v SSC Napoli - UEFA Europa League

AC Milan 2 - 2 Real Madrid

Thu, 04 Nov 2010 04:58:03 -0400

Substitute Pedro Leon struck an injury-time equaliser against AC Milan to send Real Madrid through to the last 16 of the Champions League and preserve the Spanish club`s unbeaten record under coach Jose Mourinho.Milan replacement Filippo Inzaghi looked to have consigned Madrid to defeat after netting twice in the second half to help the Italian outfit overturn a 1-0 deficit, given to Madrid by Gonzalo Higuain on the stroke of half-time.

However, with Mourinho set to suffer a losing return to San Siro where he enjoyed so much success with previous club Inter Milan, Leon popped up in the fourth minute of additional time to drill in the equaliser.

The result means nine-times European champions Madrid are guaranteed a place in the knockout stages even though they lost their 100% record in Group G.

Both sides had chances during an entertaining opening period, although it was in-form Madrid - with 10 wins from 13 competitive games under Mourinho this season - who looked much the more likely scorers for large periods.

In the opening 10 minutes the visitors went close through Higuain and Pepe and then, after Kevin-Prince Boateng fired straight at Iker Casillas for Milan, Madrid had four more decent efforts in quick succession.

Xabi Alonso fired a 30-yard volley just wide, Angel Di Maria hit the outside of the post when he perhaps should have done better before Andrea Pirlo produced two goal-saving headers one after another to deny Higuain and Di Maria.

Sami Khedira then headed a corner against the post, although it would not have counted as referee Howard Webb had spotted a foul.

Madrid were looking in total control but Milan`s star-studded attack were not without threat either and Casillas did superbly to deny Zlatan Ibrahimovic after the on-loan Barcelona striker had been put clean through by Boeteng.

Ibrahimovic had another chance in the 36th minute after being put in by Ronaldinho`s clever chip, but the Swedish hitman`s lob over Casillas - whose had recklessly charged out to the edge of the area - landed harmlessly away from goal and Madrid could breath again.

The Spanish giants were back on the attack soon after that with another Alonso thunderbolt being unconvincingly saved by Christian Abbiati.

Mourinho`s side deserved a goal for their first half efforts, and they got the breakthrough they had been looking for right on the stroke of half-time.

Di Maria charged in from the left wing and threaded a superb disguised pass into fellow Argentinian Higuain, who collected possession by the penalty spot before sliding his shot past the unprotected Abbiati.

That was Madrid`s 700th goal in the European Cup, comfortably becoming the first club to reach the milestone.

Madrid were back on the attack at the start of the second half with Cristiano Ronaldo bringing a flying save out of Abbiati in the 47th minute with a dipping 25-yard shot.

However, just when the Primera Division outfit looked to have the match under complete control, Milan equalised out of the blue through veteran Inzaghi, who took advantage of some poor defending from Madrid to net his 45th champions League goal.

Pepe made a mess of trying to clear a through-ball, allowing Ibrahimovic to break down the left and then Casillas could only parry the Swede`s cross up into the air, allowing the predatory Inzaghi the easy task of heading home from close range.

That was in the 68th minute, and 10 minutes later the 37-year-old netted what looked like being the winner.

The Italy international looked just offside as Gennaro Gattuso played a pass over the top, but the flag stayed down and Inzaghi got to the ball just before Ricardo Carvalho and Casillas to slide the ball in.

Massimiliano Allegri`s men must have felt that was enough to sentence Madrid to defeat, but the visitors refused to give up and Leon latched onto fellow replacement Karim Benzema`s neat pass before drilling his shot through Abbiati`s legs, sparking wild scenes in the Spanish side`s camp.

Spartak Moscow 0 - 2 Chelsea

Wed, 20 Oct 2010 02:40:25 -0400

Chelsea banished the memories of their 2008 Champions League final defeat in the Luzhniki Stadium with an impressive victory over Spartak Moscow.First-half goals from Yuri Zhirkov and Nicolas Anelka gave Chelsea the momentum to secure a win that now puts them three points clear at the top of Group F.

Victory over the Moscow side at Stamford Bridge in a fortnight’s time will guarantee the English champions a first-place finish in the group.

The Blues, who lost on penalties to Manchester United in a heartbreaking final two years ago, returned in style to kill off the challenge from the group’s only other unbeaten side.

The English champions had plenty of possession in the opening exchanges but it was Spartak who engineered the first opportunity of the game in the 11th minute.

A superb run through the heart of the Chelsea defence by Sergei Parshivlyuk saw him supply a perfect pass to the unmarked Dmitri Kombarov.

The Spartak winger had time and space to pick his spot but sent his left-foot shot high over the bar from the edge of the penalty area.

In the 14th minute Petr Cech was Chelsea’s saviour when an outstretched right leg prevented Welliton’s volley from sneaking in at the near post.

But Chelsea’s response was immediate with Salomon Kalou finding Florent Malouda on the edge of the Spartak penalty area but the France international’s shot was just wide of Andriy Dykan’s left-hand upright.

Chelsea went in front in the 23rd minute when John Obi Mikel’s long ball was knocked into the path of Zhirkov, who fired a 25-yard volley into the roof of the net.

It was Zhirkov’s first goal for the Blues and arrived just hours after the former CSKA Moscow man had pledged to live up to his £18million price tag.

Michael Essien had the chance to make it two for the Blues in the 31st minute but he elected to cross the ball instead of shooting from an acute angle.

Anelka then whipped the ball off the toes of Marek Suchy but his attempted cross was deflected for a corner which Chelsea failed to capitalise on.

Chelsea were dominating the game in midfield and the home side had little to show for their efforts.

Anelka squandered another chance in the 37th minute when he latched onto a poor pass and ran clear of the Spartak defence.

But the France international, usually so clinical in one-on-one situations with the goalkeeper, lost control of the ball and Dykan was able to prevent Chelsea adding to their lead.

However, Anelka made up for his mistakes with a second goal for the Blues in the 43rd minute.

The Chelsea striker collected the ball after a driving run by Essien and then turned the Spartak defence inside out before placing a low shot under Dykan to score his 50th goal for the club.

Spartak began the second half in much brighter fashion but Ari sent the ball high over the bar from the edge of the penalty area in the 47th minute.

In the 48th minute, Aiden McGeady, who had been relatively quiet in the opening half, forced a corner for the home side with a dangerous 20-yard drive.

Cech dealt with another McGeady effort easily as the Blues coped with the Spartak onslaught.

The Russian side had little guile in attack and Chelsea were more than comfortable to let the home side have possession in the midfield.

Kombarov brought a save from Cech in the 59th minute as the home side continued to search for a way back into the game.

Ibson thought he had reduced the deficit for Spartak in the 63rd minute but his shot was tipped over by Cech who then kept out another effort from the same player moments later.

Chelsea were under the hammer but they had so far managed to repel the home side, with captain John Terry, who missed the crucial penalty two years ago, in outstanding form.

In the 72nd minute, Essien shot wide from 10 yards when a goal seemed certain.

But Spartak continued to drive forward and Cech dived low to claim a long-range effort from Ari in the 81st minute.

Chelsea held on to maintain their perfect record in Europe this season.

Bangladesh vs New Zealand 5th ODI Live Stream Highlights | ODI...

Mon, 18 Oct 2010 01:23:45 -0400

Bangladesh vs New Zealand 5th ODI Live Stream Highlights | ODI Series October 2010

AC Milan 3 - 1 Chievo Verona

Sun, 17 Oct 2010 06:08:43 -0400

AC Milan moved to the top of Serie A thanks to a 3-1 win over Chievo, but they were made to work hard for all three points.Alexandre Pato scored twice against the run of play in the first half to set the Rossoneri on their way to the top.

An own goal from Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the 71st minute gave Chievo hope, but Robinho ended their dreams in stoppage time with his first goal for Milan sending them above Lazio into first place.

Chievo made it clear they were not just making up the numbers as they made a bold start to the game with Kevin Constant, a surprise inclusion in their midfield, particularly lively. They did most of the attacking from start to finish, but fell behind to Milan’s first counter attack in the 16th minute.

Clarence Seedorf started the attack from deep in his own half and he sent Luca Antonini forward down the left. The Milan full-back passed the ball wide to Ibrahimovic, who picked out Pato at the far post and the Brazilian volleyed the ball back across Stefano Sorrentino into the opposite corner of his goal.

Pablo Granoche should have done better with a header from eight yards after being found by Constant’s cross in the 24th minute before an excellent team move in the 28th minute culminated in Constant shooting straight at Abbiati, who made an instinctive save to deny him. The ball fell back to Constant, who was denied again by the Milan goalkeeper.

Chievo were continuing to pose the greater threat, but a quick free-kick from Ibrahimovic sent Pato through to double Milan’s lead against the run of play on the half-hour mark.

Sorrentino then denied Pato a hat-trick with a good save on the stroke of half time. Chievo continued to believe in their chances of getting back into the game and substitute Cyril Thereau tested Abbiati with a curling 30-yard shot which was tipped over the crossbar.

They finally got the goal they deserved in the 71st minute when Sergio Pellissier flicked a corner on with his head and the ball took a deflection off Ibrahimovic’s shoulder to divert into the top corner of the goal.

Gelson Fernandes nearly levelled three minutes later with a shot wide of the post from the edge of the penalty area, but the Flying Donkeys ran out of steam.

Robinho pounced with the Chievo defence stretched to round Sorrentino and stroke the ball in for his first goal for the Rossoneri in stoppage time to seal the 3-1 victory.

Malaga CF vs Real Madrid (1-4) All Goals & Full Highlights...

Sun, 17 Oct 2010 05:54:32 -0400

Malaga CF vs Real Madrid (1-4) All Goals & Full Highlights 2010

Iceland 1 - 3 Portugal :Ronaldo revives qualification hopes

Wed, 13 Oct 2010 03:19:00 -0400

REYKJAVIK (Reuters) - Cristiano Ronaldo scored from an early free kick as rejuvenated Portugal continued their Euro 2012 qualifying revival with a 3-1 win over Iceland on Tuesday.New coach Paulo Bento has overseen back-to-back wins since replacing Carlos Queiroz last month, putting Portugal back into contention in Group H after starting their campaign with a draw against Cyprus and a defeat to Norway.

“The only negative thing from the game was conceding another goal from a dead ball situation, as we had done against Denmark on Friday,” Bento said.

“But we have to highlight that in an adverse moment, when Iceland levelled, our team reacted well, continued to control the game and earned a deserved win.”

Ronaldo’s third minute strike after a foul on Carlos Martins in front of the Icelandic box was not as powerful as his usual trademark efforts, but keeper Gunnleifur Gunnleifsson was slow to react and let the ball go in to his right.

“I chose where I wanted to place the ball and thankfully scored the goal that paved the way for the win,” said Ronaldo.

“We’re happy, we can breathe a little as we remain in the fight to qualify,” he added.

Iceland tried to use their aerial advantage and were rewarded on 17 minutes when Heidar Helguson headed in from a corner.

Portugal were ahead again 10 minutes later, however, with Raul Meireles unleashing an unstoppable shot from 30 metres.

Substitute striker Helder Postiga took advantage of Gunnleifsson’s fumble from a Ronaldo cross in the 72nd minute to net his first international goal in over two years with a simple tap-in to make it 3-1.

Portugal sit in second place on seven points, two adrift of Norway and one ahead of Denmark, both of whom have a game in hand.

Italy Vs Serbia Match Suspended - Fans Brawling & Riots...

Wed, 13 Oct 2010 02:50:00 -0400

Italy Vs Serbia Match Suspended - Fans Brawling & Riots Starting In Italy - Euro 2012 Qualifier

Ukraine 0-2 Brazil: Pato stars at Pride Park

Tue, 12 Oct 2010 02:55:53 -0400

Brazil made it three wins out of three under new coach Mano Menezes when an excellent performance from Alexandre Pato saw them secure a 2-0 win over Ukraine on Monday night.

Menezes led Brazil to friendly wins over United States and, on Friday, Iran, before completing a hat-trick of victories at Derby County’s Pride Park. They are yet to concede a goal since a change of regime.

Barcelona right-back Dani Alves opened the scoring after 24 minutes. AC Milan team-mates Pato and Robinho linked up well before the latter swung in a deep cross to Alves, who was lurking at the far post to send a deflected volley back across goal and in off the far post.

Excellent footwork from Pato saw the striker find space and smack a shot against the post after 35 minutes, but in the second half the Milan star did find the back of the net when spinning seven yards from goal and firing home.

Despite a gutsy performance from Ukraine, the Selecao showed greater strength at the back and flair going forward to extend their winning run under Menezes to three matches

Japan vs Argentina Report

Sat, 09 Oct 2010 02:17:06 -0400

Alberto Zaccheroni’s Samurais claimed an important victory against Sergio Batista’s Argentina. Albiceleste’s coach lost more than a victory as the defeat came with the bitterness of Diego Milito, Esteban Cambiasso and Mario Bolatti’s injury.

“I’m really happy, this game was very important for us. I told my players before the match that if they believed in themselves, they could make it. And they proved I wasn’t wrong” stated Zaccheroni.

Shinji Okazaki score the winning goal early on th 18th minute of the game. Makoto Hasebe shot against Sergio Romero’s goal, and the Argentinean goalkeeper left the ball bouncing inside the box. Okazaki caught it and send it straight into the net, giving the hosts a decisive advantage.

Argentina was close from finding the equalizer with Lionel Messi, but Barcelona’s star felt isolated in the offense: Andres D’Alessandro could not communicate properly with the rest of the team. Gonzalo Higuain replaced Diego Milito when the first half was almost over, but nothing changed.

As the game started Messi warned the hosts with a brilliant interaction with Diego Milito. Messi’s shot went slightly away, but the hosts could not ignore the endless attack possibilities of the Albiceleste squad,

Japan’s players understood Zaccheroni’s strategy perfectly: The japanese retired to their own area to wait for Argentina to attack, then the hosts would take advantage of the speed of their wingers to catch Argentina’s defense off guard. Yasuhito Endō and Takuya Honda became more dangerous as the minutes went by, building strong links with team’s strikers.

“Do not judge me for the results. I’m winning 2-1 if that’d be the case. I believe we’re growing, judge me for my work, not for the outcome of a game” stated Sergio Batista. Carlos Tevez was a shadow in the offense and we had to wait for the last minutes of the game to see Javier Pastore on the field instead of D’Alessandro.

The presence of Palermo’s star strengthened Argentina’s ball flow, doing what inter’s midfielder could not to with Lio Messi.

Ezequiel Lavezzi and Angel Di Maria came too little too late to have a real impact on the game: Argentina’s ultra offensive formation could hardly worry Japan’s defense, a team strong for their team play.

Local strikers were over exhausted by the efforts of the first half. Ryoichi Maeda brought new energy to Japan’s offense, and as soon as he entered the field he run over 60 yards with the ball and shot against Romero’s goal, who could control the ball easily. Japan was closer from scoring the second goal than Argentina from finding the equalizer.

“It’s important to recognize the Japanese played an excellent game, constantly forcing our midfielders to act under pressure. We made some mistakes as we started our attacks and they took advantage of this.” added Batista.

Argentina will be taking on Brazil next month while the Japanese face Korea in only a few days. America’s biggest clash will surely define Batista’s future, for unless he makes some radical modification in his scheme it’s unlikely the Gauchos will be able to defeat the Brazilian monsters.

Argentina vs Japan 0-1 - HD All Goals & Full Match...

Sat, 09 Oct 2010 02:13:23 -0400

Argentina vs Japan 0-1 - HD All Goals & Full Match Highlights - International Friendly - 08/10/2010

Cricket Bangladesh vs New Zealand 1st ODI Oct 5, 2010 Highlights

Thu, 07 Oct 2010 10:45:08 -0400

Cricket Bangladesh vs New Zealand 1st ODI Oct 5, 2010 Highlights

Victoria Beckham: David and I are 'Soulmates'

Thu, 07 Oct 2010 02:39:00 -0400

What affair rumors? David Beckham is currently combating some pretty awful cheating rumors, but Victoria says they’re “closer than ever.” They’ve presented an extremely united front despite the tabloid claims, and Vicki says they’re “soulmates,” reports Us magazine.

In fact, Victoria can’t stop gushing about her man. She said he’s pretty close to perfect — even when he wakes up. “He never looks like s—t in the morning. Never,” she said. “So he’s sitting there sending his e-mails, all ripped. Not an ounce of fat on him. And I thought, you done good, girl. I sure wasn’t thinking of his high-pitched voice.”

They’ve been married for over a decade and have 3 sons together, but it still amazes the fashionista that her husband’s so darn hot. “I was getting out of the shower, and I just stood there looking at him,” she said. “He was all tan. Has all those tattoos, which I love. Hadn’t done his hair. He just naturally looks good all the time.”

The love seems to be very alive. “We were at a party the other day at my mum’s house and I was sitting on his lap. We’re very affectionate,” she said. “And I looked at him and thought after being married for 11 years! We were the only couple who were even near each other at that party. We’re soul mates.”

Neymar intent on joining Chelsea in 2011

Wed, 06 Oct 2010 02:00:51 -0400

Brazilian starlet Neymar has reiterated his desire to join Chelsea from Santos, hinting that his failed summer transfer should go through in 2011.Neymar was expected to arrive at Stamford Bridge in the summer but Santos rejected an offer for the 18-year-old striker. Neymar insists he has no issue with his current club but that he has his mind made up about a move to the Premier League champions.

“It would be great to get the chance to play for Chelsea. I feel excited about it,” Neymar told the Sun. “To play for Chelsea would be an honour. Everything they have to offer is attractive to me. They have big players, they are in big competitions, they have a strong squad and I like the way they play.

“Top players want to be part of something like that. I’m no different. But I’m happy at Santos. If I left it wouldn’t be because Santos isn’t a good place to be but only because the Premier League is a higher level. It wasn’t the right time for me to go in the summer but I will be much better prepared for it by next year.”

Bangladesh deny New Zealand in one-day opener in Mirpur

Tue, 05 Oct 2010 08:18:10 -0400

First one-day international, Mirpur:

Bangladesh 228 (49.3 ovs) bt New Zealand 200-8 (37 ovs) by nine runs (D/L method).Bangladesh claimed first blood in the five-match one-day international series against New Zealand with a nine-run win under the Duckworth-Lewis method.

The Tigers chose to bat first in Mirpur and 58 from 51 balls from Shakib Al Hasan helped them to 228 all out.

Brendon McCullum then fired seven fours and two sixes in 61 in 45 balls and put on 53 in seven overs with Jesse Ryder.

But rain intervened after 15 overs with the Kiwis on 85-4, and set a revised 210 from 37 overs they made only 200-8.

Fernando Torres pulls out of Spain squad after injury

Tue, 05 Oct 2010 02:08:00 -0400

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has pulled out of Spain’s squad for the Euro 2012 qualifiers against Lithuania and Scotland.The decision follows the 26-year-old’s withdrawal with a groin strain just 10 minutes into Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat to Blackpool on Sunday.

The extent of the injury has yet to be confirmed by Liverpool.

“We had no awareness there were any problems in the groin area,” said Reds manager Roy Hodgson.

“It happened early in the game, which came as a surprise to us.

“I don’t know if it happened during the course of the game when he stretched for the ball. I don’t really know.”

Barcelona forward Pedro and the Sevilla winger Jesus Navas have also dropped out of the Spain squad for the Group I games, leading coach Vicente del Bosque to call up four replacements.

In-form Primera Division pacesetters Valencia have provided two of the newcomers, striker Aritz Aduriz and winger Pablo Hernandez, with the other two coming from second-placed Villarreal - playmaker Borja Valero and his fellow midfielder, Bruno Soriano.

Spain, the reigning world and European champions, play Lithuania in Salamanca on Friday before travelling to Glasgow to take on the Scots four days later.

Torres only recently returned to action for his club following a groin strain picked up in the World Cup final against the Netherlands in July.

The former Atletico Madrid player has yet to find form this term following a stop-start season last year that saw him overcome both a groin injury and knee surgery.

Torres, who joined Liverpool in 2007, still finished top scorer with 22 goals last season despite being restricted to 32 appearances in all competitions.

His withdrawal from the Spain side to face Lithuania on 8 October and Scotland on 12 October may come as a relief to his club manager, however.

Hodgson appealed to Spain coach Vicente del Bosque not to call up the striker for the Euro 2012 qualifier against Liechtenstein and a friendly in Argentina at the beginning of September.

Torres did feature in the match against Liechtenstein scoring twice in a 4-0 win.

But the striker has only found the back of the net once for his club this term and Hodgson will be eager to see him return to form.

Liverpool sit in 18th place in the Premier League table after making their worst start to a season for 57 years.

Real Madrid v Deportivo La Coruna [6-1]-La Liga

Mon, 04 Oct 2010 02:07:00 -0400

Yesterday evening could not have gone much better for Real Madrid. Just minutes before they kicked off against Deportivo, a collective roar went up among the majority present at the Bernanbeu as news reached them that Barcelona, their fierce rivals and the favourites to win La Liga, had been held at home by Mallorca.

And there were plenty more cheers over the 90 minutes that ensued. Indeed, a Cristiano Ronaldo double, efforts from Mesut Ozil, Angel Di Maria and Gonzalo Higuain, and an own-goal from Ze Castro earned Los Merengues an uplifting 6-1 victory over their visitors.

The result left Real third in La Liga, two points behind leaders Valencia and one above Barça. It also compounded the growing feeling among Madridistas that, with Mourinho presiding over a star-stacked squad, the club’s colossal spending over the past two years is set to be vindicated with the sport’s biggest prizes in 2010/11. The Portuguese coach is nevertheless refusing to get carried away.

“We are not the best team in the world yet because we beat Depor 6-1,” he said. “We are still under construction, and neither the result nor the applause of the fans makes me think our work is done.

“The work continues. I am very calm. We have a lot to do and a lot of work. I have the confidence of my president and I have the confidence of the board.”

Since assuming the Real reins in the summer, Mourinho has stressed that he is the man to end Barcelona’s two-season reign of La Liga. He has, however, been the subject of criticism, which he addressed following his team’s rout of Deportivo.

“If you have doubts about a coach who has won what I have then you have to explain what qualities a coach should have to have the right to work in your country,” he said. “You have to tell me if I have to have won three Champions Leagues and seven domestic league titles.

“I have two Champions Leagues and six domestic league titles. Is that enough to have the right to work here? If so, great. I’ll continue with my work.”

Real will return to action away to Malaga following the international break, while Barcelona will host Valencia.

Real Madrid Vs Deportivo La Coruna All Goals [ 6-1 ] HD ...

Mon, 04 Oct 2010 01:51:32 -0400

Real Madrid Vs Deportivo La Coruna All Goals [ 6-1 ] HD 03.10.2010