Match Highlights : Brazil Vs New Zealand (FIFA Women's World Cup)

Mancini Ready To Return For Roma

Roma winger Amantino Mancini has declared that he is ready to return after a spell out through injury.

The 27-year-old Brazilian has yet to play for Roma this season but has confirmed ahead of trip to Reggina on Sunday that he is raring to go.

“I have a large desire to return and show how much I am worth,” the ex-Venezia star announced.

“It is true that this year there is a lot of competition for places but I fear no one. The key to playing well is to play with continuity.”

Mancini was in scintillating form last season as Roma finished second in Serie A, won the Coppa Italia and reached the quarter-final of the Champions League. His most memorable moment was the sensational goal against Olympique Lyon in the first knockout round when he bamboozled defender Anthony Reveillere with a series of step-overs before firing the ball into the top corner of the net.

Despite these outstanding performances last term, Mancini’s place in the Roma team is far from assured as the Giallorossi have signed French international Ludovic Giuly and Azzurri wideman Mauro Esposito to compete with Mancini and Rodrigo Taddei for the spots on the Roma wing.

Fiorentina, Palermo move for Lulinha

Fiorentina and Palermo are chasing Corinthians starlet Lulinha.

Palermo sports chief Rino Foschi admitted yesterday that he was battling Fiorentina rival Pantaleo Corvino for the same "South American target".

La Nazione says the player in question is 17 year-old Lulinha, who captained Brazil at the U17 World Cup last month in South Korea.

Ronaldo steps up rehab at AC Milan

Ronaldo is stepping up his rehab at AC Milan's training HQ.

The Brazilian, who is suffering from muscular injuries, was at Milanello in the morning ahead of the rest of the first team squad. Ronaldo's day yesterday had him doing physiotherapy, work in the gym and then later in the pool.

Juan Skipped Brazil Friendly For Roma

Brazilian international Juan decided to skip the friendly against Mexico to avoid the risk of getting injured ahead of a very important period for his new club Roma.

Brazilian defender Juan has not yet made his debut with his new club Roma, but has already shown his attachment to the Giallorossi cause in the way he handled himself while on international duty with the Seleçao.

The five-times world champions were facing Mexico in a friendly in Boston.

Following the injury sustained during the warm up session before a summer friendly against Juventus, the plan was to have him play 45 minutes of the match against the Mexicans.

However, during Tuesday's training session, he had already felt a pain to his left calf and at that moment he decided it was best not to risk playing against the Mexicans.

"It's better not to take any risks. There's no problem, actually it's better this way because from this Sunday my new team have an incredibly tough run of matches," he allegedly told the Seleçao coach Dunga.

Clearly, this decision shouldn't be seen as a lack of commitment by Juan to his national team, but as a sign of great professionalism and awareness from a highly coscientious player.

Adriano again photographed partying

Inter Milan striker Adriano has again been photographed playing it up at a local nightspot.

Tuttosport says Adriano was flashed all across the Star TV magazine this week celebrating the reopening of a favourite nightclub by acting as DJ.

Inter, meanwhile, insist the Brazilian had permission to attend the function.

Ronaldinho admits: I feel tired

Barcelona ace Ronaldinho missed training yesterday after arriving late from his commitments with Brazil in the United States.

"I do feel tired," admitted Ronaldinho upon touching down, "but every game I play I feel better and I am happy to be back home (in Barcelona)."

Ronaldinho is aware of Barca president Joan Laporta's furious attack on international friendlies and added: "I can understand the complaints, but it's something for the leaders to resolve. I hope they can find a solution soon."

Brazil still looking for a target man

RIO DE JANEIRO, Sept 13 (Reuters) - Brazil are still searching for an out-and-out striker to replace Ronaldo despite scoring seven goals in their two friendlies this week.

Coach Dunga says that Sunday's 4-2 win over the United States and Wednesday's 3-1 defeat of Mexico have cleared many doubts from his mind and given him more confidence for the World Cup qualifiers, which start next month.

But his quest to find a suitable replacement for Ronaldo, who has not been picked since the World Cup and is injured, has so far been fruitless.

Afonso's third goal against Mexico in Boston was the only one of the seven in the last four days to have come from a pure striker.

Of the other six, one was an own goal, two were from defenders Lucio and Kleber, two were from attacking midfielders Ronaldinho and Kaka and the other a penalty converted by midfielder Elano.

Russian-based Vagner Love and Afonso, who plays for Dutch club Heerenveen and was barely known in Brazil when he was called up for the first time earlier this year, have been the most recent candidates.

Vagner Love was the regular striker in the Copa America but managed only one goal while Robinho, who tends to play down the flanks, carried the team through the tournament by scoring six.

Vagner Love again looked out of his depth when he started against the Mexicans on Wednesday.

Afonso has also struggled and, although he broke his duck on Wednesday in his sixth Brazil outing, he quickly followed up his goal by blasting another effort high and wide in a manner which a Sunday league player would have been ashamed of.

Olympique Lyon striker Fred has been plagued by injury and Brazil are otherwise surprisingly devoid of world class players for the position.

On Wednesday, Dunga briefly gave Kaka the role, though it is unlikely he would want to deprive his side of the AC Milan player's explosive bursts from midfield.

Dunga has already hinted that he could offer Ronaldo, who is expected back in action within a month, the chance of a comeback at the age of 31.

But as long as the goals keep coming, Dunga is unlikely to lose too much sleep over the problem.

Ronaldinho and Kaka, who both sat out the Copa America at their own request, have returned to the side refreshed and revived, the former producing two of his best Brazil performances.

"These two games have been excellent for observations and, of course, have left me with a lot more certainties," said Dunga, whose team face Colombia in Bogota on Oct. 14.
"The team showed a lot of personality. They were playing better..."

I've beaten Mexico again, says Brazil coach Dunga

RIO DE JANEIRO, Sept 13 (Reuters) - Brazil coach Dunga was glad to put the record straight after his team beat Mexico 3-1 to avenge a 2-0 Copa America defeat less than three months ago.

Brazil had lost their previous two games against the Mexicans -- 1-0 at the
Confederations Cup in 2005 followed by their Copa defeat in June when Dunga was in charge -- and had won only once in their last seven meetings.

"Now we've put an end to that story," Dunga told the Brazilian Football Confederation's Web site (http://cbfnews.uol.com.br) after Wednesday night's match.

"I beat them as a coach, just as I always beat them when I was a player. Once, we thrashed Mexico 5-0 in Miami," he said, apparently referring to the 4-0 win in a friendly in 1997.

Dunga, sent off for dissent in Boston on Wednesday, faced Mexico five times as a player, winning four and drawing one.

Match Highlights : Mexico Vs Brazil (Sep 12, 07)

Dunga says Brazil can improve ahead of World Cup qualifying

SAO PAULO, Brazil: Despite Brazil's friendly victory over the United States, manager Dunga said there is still room to improve before the team begins World Cup qualifying next month.

Dunga said he was satisfied with Brazil's performance in the 4-2 victory against the Americans in Chicago on Sunday, but admitted the team has to get better before the qualifying opener against Colombia on Oct. 14.

"We need to improve in all sectors, we need to start playing better as a group," Dunga told the Brazilian soccer confederation Web site late Sunday night.

Dunga said the lack of time to train together keeps the team from reaching its full potential. Brazil had only one training session before facing the United States, and it will have only another one before the friendly against Mexico on Wednesday in Boston.

The match against Mexico will be Brazil's last before the South American qualifying tournament begins.

"We don't have a lot of time to practice," the former player said. "In soccer, group unity can only be achieved with a lot of repetition."

Brazil won four of its seven friendlies this year, losing only to Portugal. The five-time world champions also won the Copa America, beating Argentina 3-0 in the final.

The Brazilians allowed an early goal to the United States at Soldier Field on Sunday, but rallied behind performances from Ronaldinho, Robinho and Kaka.

Kaka said Brazil is on the right track ahead of qualifying, adding the team likely will take advantage of the extra time it will have together in the coming months.

"We will practice for almost a week before the matches," he said. "That should improve the team's condition."

Ronaldinho also was upbeat, saying the team will be able to continue its progression with Dunga in command and that he will become even more comfortable with the manager.

"I'm feeling well, having a better understanding of what Dunga wants," Ronaldinho said.

Match Highlights : U.S.A Vs Brazil (Sep 9 07)

Brazil Beats U.S. 4-2

CHICAGO (AP) — Brazil overcame a tentative start, shimmying and weaving around defenders and getting a go-ahead goal on Ronaldinho's free kick late in the second half to rally past the United States 4-2 in a wide-open exhibition game Sunday.

It was the fifth straight defeat for the United States, its longest losing streak since 1994, and the Americans dropped to 1-12 against Brazil, a five-time World Cup champion ranked No. 1 in the world.

Carlos Bocanegra put the Americans ahead in the 21st minute off a Landon Donovan corner kick, but Brazil tied it with an own-goal off defender Oguchi Onyewu in the 33rd following a shot by Kaka. The South American champions went ahead when Lucio headed Ronaldinho's corner kick in the 53rd.

Clint Dempsey then tied the score for the 17th-ranked Americans in the 73rd but Ronaldinho, a two-time FIFA player of the year, put a ball over the defensive wall two minutes later, easily beating goalkeeper Tim Howard. Elano converted a penalty kick in injury time after Michael Bradley pulled down Julio Baptista.

The U.S. team, champions of North and Central America and the Caribbean, held its own early.
Bocanegra scored off the first U.S. corner kick. Donovan — perhaps taking a few lessons from Los Angeles Galaxy teammate David Beckham — played the ball into the penalty area and the ball bounced off Bocanegra's chest and past goalkeeper Doni.

It was just the seventh goal in 51 international appearances for Bocanegra, but two have been against Brazil. The last time the teams met, Bocanegra put the U.S. team ahead in a 2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup match in Miami, but Brazil rallied to win 2-1 in overtime.

Brazil tied it with some jogo bonito — beautiful play. Robinho brought the ball down and passed to Ronaldinho, who made a pass that split the defense. Kaka shot from about 10 yards and goalkeeper Tim Howard batted the ball out, but it bounced off Onyewu's chest and rebounded back into the net.

Lucio then put Brazil ahead with only his third international goal. After a poor clearance by Bocanegra gave a corner kick to Ronaldinho that went to the far side of the penalty area, where Lucio had broken free unmarked and headed it in from an angle.
Heath Peace's blistering 25-yard shot was saved by Doni in the 68th, and the Americans complained when Josh Wolff was pulled down and there wasn't a call.

Dempsey then tied it when he one-timed a right-footed shot from the middle of the penalty area off a pass from Steve Cherundolo. But a foul by Bocanegra created the free kick for Ronaldinho, whose ball went over the wall as two Brazilians and second-half sub Bobby Convey moved their heads. With the sun in his eyes, Howard didn't appear to see the kick.

Afonso had nearly put Brazil ahead in the ninth minute, when he took a long pass from Ronaldinho, trapped the ball with his chest and beat Onyewu and Howard only to have the ball hit a post.

Robinho put in a nice display in first-half injury time, getting around two defenders in a corner, running along the end line and getting past Onyewu only to fall and earn a yellow card for diving.

Inter Milan chief Paolillo: Adriano can make it

Inter Milan chief Ernesto Paolillo says management are convinced Adriano can recapture his best form.

Adriano hit a hat-trick in yesterday's bounce game against Inter's primavera team and Paolillo said: "For the full recovery of the player, both parties must work as one.

"The club must make available everything it has to help the player, while the player, himself, must work hard.

"If Adriano continues his training, as he is now, I'm sure he will rise above this current crisis."

Pato delighted to get AC Milan No7 shirt

Alexandre Pato admits he is honoured to be wearing Andriy Shevchenko's old No7 AC Milan shirt.

There was some talk of Milan retiring the No7 after Sheva left for Chelsea two years ago, but

Pato has now be handed the coveted number and said: "I am honoured to take the shirt of Shevchenko. The No7 is truly the most important number in Milan's history.

"I want to do great things with Milan, though I know to do this I will have to work hard.

"I am happy with my first week here. I try to follow closely the instructions in training and I know I have a lot to improve."

Wenger, Mourinho back AC Milan's Kaka for Ballon d'Or

AC Milan midfield ace Kaka deserves to win this year's Ballon d'Or says Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho and Arsenal's Arsene Wenger.

Mourinho said: "For me, there are six, seven, eight players who would be worthy winners.

However, if the quality of the player, his fair-play and the success obtained with his own team are taken into consideration, I would give this recognition to Kaka."

Wenger also said: "When you consider that 2007 does not have any serious international tournament, then the Champions League is the most important competition.

"So it would be logical to award the Ballon d'Or to a player of AC Milan and Kaka seems the ideal candidate to me."

Spurs launch mega bid for Corinthians starlet Lulinha

Tottenham are chasing Corinthians teenage sensation Lulinha.

The attacking midfielder, 17, will play for Corinthians today against Parana after captaining Brazil in the U17 World Cup in South Korea.

Lulinha already boasts a long-term Nike contract and counts on Wagner Ribeiro as his agent. Ribeiro took Kaka to AC Milan and Robinho to Real Madrid and has already fielded interest from Tottenham.

Globoesporte says Spurs failed with a recent £10 million bid for Lulinha, who is ready for today's debut.

"I am ready to play from the start," said the midfielder. "I want to show the country the true Lulinha."

Pato Scores on Rossoniro Debut