Sports

World champions Spain host Finland, Netherlands face Estonia, Germany play Kazakhstan and England will take on San Marino.

Michel Platini also defended UEFA's decision to stage Euro 2020 across the continent and its right to question FIFA's reform process.

The 36-year-old's appointment was finalised at the last executive committee meeting of the All India Football Federation.

Sepp Blatter says FIFA totally trusts Brazil will have stadiums and infrastructure ready for the 2014 World Cup.

Galatasaray striker Didier Drogba was a shock omission when Ivory Coast named a 28-man squad for next weekend's World Cup qualifier.

Real Sociedad thrashed Valladolid 4-1 with a dizzying attacking display Saturday to provisionally move into fourth place in the Spanish league.

Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini praised his players for keeping their focus through a turbulent period for the club after they eliminated Porto.

Reading, who won promotion to the Premier League for the second time in their history last season, have struggled to kick on and lie second-bottom of the standings and four points from safety after 29 games.

Salgaocar FC defeated Sporting Clube De Goa 2-0 to top the points table while Prayag tasted their first success.

The tricky Uruguayan will be the greatest player not to win one of England's player of the year awards if he is overlooked this season, according to his Liverpool captain.

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson says striker Wayne Rooney will be offered a new contract by Manchester United before his pound 230,000-a-week deal ends in 2015.

Maynor Figueroa, Callum McManaman and Jordi Gomez scored in Wigan's 3-0 win at Goodison Park.

Flamengo goalkeeper Bruno Fernandes de Souza has been sentenced to 22 years in prison.

Liverpool last played in the Champions League in the 2009/10 season after memorably winning the trophy in 2005 and then making the 2007 final.

Modric's mediocre season at Real has raised doubts about his international place but Croatia coach Stimac says the midfielder will again be his driving force in this month's WC qualifying matches.

Goals in the second and fourth minute by Godfrey and Albino, respectively, helped the Goan club win against Pune FC