East Bengal signs Kiwi World Cupper
Kolkata: East Bengal announced the signing of New Zealand’s World Cupper Leonida Christos “Leo” Bertos as their marquee player on Sunday. The 32-year-old attacking midfielder has been roped in by last season’s I-League runners-up on a two-year contract, the club’s media officer said. It is not yet known when Bertos will join the squad but the club think-tank wants to play him in the CFL Premier Division beginning on August 10. Previously, East Bengal had three more World Cuppers in Majid Bishkar of Iran, Emeka Ezueogo of Nigeria and South African Macdonald Mukansi. Bertos, who becomes their second foreigner after Ranti Martins in the upcoming season, played all the three matches for New Zealand in Group F of the FIFA World Cup 2010 – vs Slovakia (1-1), vs Italy (1-1) and vs Paraguay (0-0) – as they finished unbeaten. Bertos began his club career with Wellington Olympic in 1997 and later played for English clubs Barnsley, Chester City, Rochdale and Scarborough before joining Wellington Phoenix as he has scored 35 goals at the club and youth level. He made his debut for New Zealand in a friendly vs Iran in October 2003 and won 52 caps for his country. He provided the assist that enabled Rory Fallon to score the winner vs Bahrain in the double-legged playoff match that helped New Zealand qualify for the World Cup in South Africa. (PTI)
Walcott to miss start of the season
LONDON: Arsenal forward Theo Walcott will miss the start of the Premier League season but should be back in full training by the end of August and playing again soon afterwards, manager Arsene Wenger said. The 25-year-old England international ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during an FA Cup third-round tie against Tottenham in January and missed the rest of the season and the World Cup. “We expect him to be back in full training at the end of August,” Wenger was quoted as saying on the BBC website. “Theo has a good basis, which is what he’s working on now,” added Wenger, who also predicted that Walcott’s return to contention would be “very quick” once he was back in full training. When Walcott suffered the injury Arsenal said he would be out of action for at least six months. However, the club has for some time accepted that he would not return before the start of the season on August 16. Walcott himself is positive over the prospects for his return to action for the Gunners. “Things are looking really good and I have worked very hard for the last five months now,” he told Arsenal’s website. “The most important thing is getting the strength back and it has pretty much nearly healed – it is just about building up that stability and strength again.” (Reuters)
Brazil eye Dunga as Scolari successor
Rio de Janeiro: Brazil could appoint former coach Dunga to replace Luiz Felipe Scolari as national team boss, media reports indicated on Saturday, despite ex-Corinthians coach Tite being considered the long time favourite. The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) earlier confirmed it will unveil its choice of Scolari’s successor on Tuesday at 11 a.m. (1400 GMT) in western Rio and a clutch of Brazilian newspapers said Dunga, 50, would return for a second spell. Front-runner, at least until Saturday, was believed to be Tite, full name Adenor Leonardo Bacchi, who oversaw wins in the Copa Libertadores and FIFA Club World Cup, at Chelsea’s expense, in 2012. (AFP)
Man United adds Hernandez for US tour
CARSON (USA): Manchester United have added Javier Hernandez to their roster for the team’s preseason tour of the US. Relegated to a reserve role for much of last season, Chicharito will join the Red Devils before their exhibition against the Los Angeles Galaxy on Wednesday at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, the team’s first match under new manager Louis van Gaal. Hernandez played for Mexico in the World Cup, appearing in all four of El Tri’s games and scoring against Croatia. The 26-year-old forward has 59 goals in four seasons at United. United are missing Robin van Persie, Marouane Fellaini and Adnan Januzaj following the World Cup, and Michael Carrick is expected to be sidelined for the first two months of the season following left ankle surgery on Thursday. Manchester United also play Roma on July 26 in Denver; Inter Milan three days later in Landover; and European champions Real Madrid on August 2 in Ann Arbor. (AP)
Foreign players abandon Ukraine clubs
Kiev: At least seven foreign players for two top Ukrainian football teams have refused to return to the country as tensions mount after the Malaysia Airlines crash, media reported on Sunday. Six players for champions Shakhtar Donetsk players and an Argentine with Metalist Kharkiv are too worried for their safety, the reports said. The six Donetsk players refused to fly back to Ukraine after their side were beaten 4-1 by Lyon in a friendly Saturday in the French town of Annecy, ITAR-TASS news agency said. It named five of the players as Brazilians Alex Teixeira, Fred, Douglas Costa, Dentinho and Argentine Facundo Ferreyra. “I don’t want to give any comments for the moment,” Shakhtar general manager Sergei Palkin was quoted as saying by Tribuna information site. (Reuters)