Oman Observer

TOKYO — Mexican powerhouse Pachuca face six-time African champions Al Ahly of Egypt at the Club World Cup here today with vengeance and Manchester United’s scalp on their mind. Pachuca, reputed for their attacking football, went home gutted after squandering many chances in a 1-0 loss to another African outfit, Tunisia’s Etoile Sahel, in their Club World Cup...

TOKYO — The English Premier League plans to help develop professional football clubs in Asia through ‘twinning’ partnerships, AFC President Mohammed bin Hammam said here yesterday. The scheme is part of an agreement on co-operation between the world’s leading football league and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), which could give English clubs,...

WARSAW — Poland may host the 2012 European Championship on its own if Ukraine does not complete its Kiev stadium on schedule, UEFA President Michel Platini was quoted as saying by Polish media yesterday. Daily Dziennik reported that Platini also played down speculation Germany could step in to host the tournament instead.

ZURICH — European Footballer of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo is one of five players shortlisted yesterday for the 2008 Fifa World Player awards. The newly-crowned Ballon d’Or winner will face competition from last year’s winner Kaka of AC Milan while Barcelona pair Lionel Messi and Xavi and Liverpool striker Fernando Torres have also been nominated for the award,...

MANCHESTER — Manchester United are set to find out on Monday whether they will be deprived of the services of Wayne Rooney for a Champions League second round tie which could pit them against either Real Madrid or Inter Milan. Rooney was fortunate to escape a red card over an incident Wednesday’s 2-2 draw with Aalborg in which he appeared to trample...

Beckham to go on Dubai tour with AC Milan

MILAN — David Beckham said he will go on AC Milan’s tour of Dubai during Serie A’s winter break but again reiterated he would be returning to Los Angeles Galaxy once his short loan spell is over. Beckham, who is joining Milan to keep his fitness up and stay in the England picture during the US close season, will not be able to play officially for the Rossoneri until January.

RIO DE JANEIRO — Brazilian striker Ronaldo said he wanted to excel at new club Corinthians though explained patience would be needed as he got back to match fitness. The 32-year-old 1994 & 2002 World Cup winner & European footballer of the year in 1997 and 2002 has not played officially this season though appeared in Morocco in a UN-organised match in November.

LONDON — Chelsea have issued a stern reminder to players with ambitions on leaving the club prior to the end of their contract by declaring the club will decide who will be transferred and when. The statement comes in the wake of speculation that Brazilian defender Alex had demanded a move away from Stamford Bridge during this January’s transfer window.

JOHANNESBURG — South Africa says it will be ready to host the Confederations Cup, which kicks off in six months time, in
a test run for the 2010 World Cup which is expected to inspire the entire continent. “We can’t fail,” said Danny Jordaan, head
of the local organising committee for the games. “Our responsibility is to be an agent of change for Africa,” he said.

Russian professional sports teams feel the pain from global crisis

MOSCOW — The global financial crisis has forced many of Russia’s professional sports teams to trim costs, bringing to a
halt a spending spree that was fuelled by soaring oil and gas prices over the past few years. Many of the country’s top clubs
in soccer, ice hockey and basketball are owned or sponsored by individuals or companies which have made their money...