Former German captain Prinz retires
FRANKFURT: Former Germany captain Birgit Prinz retired from women’s football on Friday, ending a storied career that included two World Cup and five European titles. The 33-year-old Prinz had already quit the national team after Germany was ousted from this year’s Women’s World Cup by Japan in the quarterfinals. “The time has come for me to end my career as an active football player after 25 years,” said Prinz, who had been under contract with FFC Frankfurt since 2002.” Prinz became the symbol of German women’s football by making 214 international appearances, scoring 128 goals and driving the team to World Cup wins in 2003 and ’07. Similar to United States star Mia Hamm, Prinz defined the women’s game in a country where the sport had long been derided as little more than a joke. (Agencies)
Park extends Man United contract
MANCHESTER: Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-sung has signed a new contract that will keep him at Old Trafford until at least the end of the 2012/13 season, the Premier League champions said on Friday. The 30-year-old South Korean, who has made 177 appearances since joining the club in 2005, has built a reputation as a big game player able to relentlessly break up opposition attacks and send his own team mates on the offensive. “Ji has been an important player for us for a number of years now,” United manager Alex Ferguson said in a statement.The first Asian to compete in a Champions League final in 2009, Park is adored in his home country. (Reuters)
Tevez may stay at Man City: Mancini
MANCHESTER: Roberto Mancini admitted on Friday that unsettled striker Carlos Tevez could be forced to stay at Manchester City because “there isn’t a team that wants to take him”. Tevez is back training with City ahead of the new Premier League season after representing Argentina at Copa America. But the striker has made it clear he wants to leave and has been linked with a move away from the club. However, Mancini said on Friday that it appears more and more likely that Tevez could be forced to remain at City as there was no interest in the player. “I don’t know if he will stay but it is difficult for him to leave,” said the Italian at a press conference ahead of City’s opening game of the season against Swansea on Monday. “Carlos is here and there isn’t a team that wants to take him. I’m happy if he stays.”Mancini has spent around £51 million (58 million euros) in the transfer market this summer for Argentina forward Sergio Aguero, (Agencies)
