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The Bangladesh Football Federation has refused to accept a part of the Sylhet BKSP from the government and has been weighing up an offer of a businessman, who expressed his interest to donate a piece of land to the BCB Nazmul Alam Zona, a businessman of Domar, Nilphamari, on Monday offered three acres of land to the BFF to build the football academy. The offer came just a day after the BFF’s refusal to accept the government’s proposal.
   BFF president Kazi Salahuddin wrote to the National Sports Council on Sunday that the federation was not in a position to accept the government offer. ‘I thanked the NSC for the response to our plea, but actually with the half of the infrastructure it is not possible to run a football academy, the requirements art far more bigger, so the BFF has turned down the government’s offer,’ said Salahuddin.
   Salahuddin, however, was upset with the development. ‘What can I do except to rely on the own initiative. I will try to chalk out a plan to get the land and raise a fund for the purpose,’ said the BFF president.
   When Salahuddin was thinking about the next step ahead Zona arrived as the saviour. The businessman from the border town categorically stated that he was ready to provide three acres of his own land for the construction of the football academy.
   ‘I am a football fan and in the newspapers I read that the BFF is looking for a land to build a football academy.
   I own a good portion of land and am ready to provide the land for the football academy if the federation wants,’ said Zona.
   ‘I have been hearing about the requirement of the land for a long time. Football in Bangladesh needs an academy to go ahead, I am ready to serve the nation with my little contribution,’ said the man from Chilahati.
   ‘Let’s look forward to building the academy at Chilahati, I have discussed the matter with the local MP who has supported the idea. An academy means development in the area as the infrastructure like roads, electricity will be improved with the construction of the academy,’ said Zona.
   Shahidur Rahman Chowdhury Shantu, the technical director of the BFF, said the offer has just been placed. ‘The BFF will assess the offer and review the other aspects but it is indeed a unique offer and is very motivating to look forward to,’ said the former star goalkeeper.

Title contenders Dhaka Abahani won group D with a 3-0 drubbing of Muktijoddha in the Citycell Federation Cup at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Monday to set up a thrilling quarter-final clash with Sheikh Russell.
   In the other match of the day, Chittagong Abahani also sealed a last eight berth by defeating Bangladesh Police 2-1 at the same venue.
   On a virtually unplayable ground due to the heavy rains before and during the match, Abahani saw all their efforts stopped in the opposition box as Muktijoddha jammed their defence with nine players.
   Abahani fielded their new Ghanaian forward Sherif Deen Mohammed with compatriot Awudu Ibrahim but the poor condition of the field was the major hurdle in their attacking intentions. After a barren first half midfielder Pranatosh broke the deadlock in the 51st minute. The hardworking midfielder headed in an Awudu Ibrahim free-kick at the near post.
   Substitute forward Enamul scored the second in the 70th minute and Sherif Deen Mohammed scored his first goal in Bangladesh from the penalty spot on 77 minutes. Abahani finished their group campaign with maximum nine points. Muktijoddha earned four but fell behind Chittagong Abahani who sneaked through on goal difference.
   Chittgaong Abahani forward Shakhawat Rony put his team ahead in the
   45th minute and Masud Alam doubled the margin in the 48th minute. Bisheshwar of Police reduced the margin in the 60th minute.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board dismissed the reports that the country may skip the Asia Cup next year as England refused to change the schedules of the already announced Test and day series.
   A section of Pakistani media quoting unnamed sources of Pakistani Cricket Board said the Asian Cricket Council wants to hold the tournament in April-May next year without Bangladesh.
   The report said Bangladesh have prior international commitments which they are unable to change now meaning the country could very well be out of the competition. The BCB officials laughed off the reports and said it has no basis at all.
   ‘As the report came I talked to the Asian Cricket Council today and they assured me that everything is in order,’ said Nizamuddin Chowdhury, the acting chief executive officer of the BCB.
   He said that the Asia Cup will be held from June 15 to 25, not in April-May when there will be the Indian Premier League and the ICC World Twenty in West Indies. ‘I guess no top team would be interested to play in the Asia Cup during the time,’ said the BCB official.
   The top executive of the BCB said Bangladesh will play two Tests from May 27-31 at Lord’s and from June 4-8 at Old Trafford before playing the Asia Cup. They will then return to England for the three one-dayers to be played on July 8, 10 and 12 at Trent Bridge, Bristol and Edgbaston. The tour programme has been confirmed by both the ACC and England.

England cricket star Andrew Flintoff and football legend Gary Lineker dove for cover when Taliban insurgents attacked a British military base in Afghanistan, they were quoted as saying Monday.
   The sports stars were at Kandahar air base to hand out Pride of Britain awards for the Daily Mirror when they got a taste of incoming rocket fire at Kandahar air base, they told the London tabloid.
   ‘I thought it was a wind-up but then I saw everyone dive to the floor. It was scary,’ said Flintoff, 31.
   On crutches following knee surgery, the Lancashire all-rounder had to join service personnel in scrambling for cover under the dining room tables.
   ‘I’ve seen things over the past few days that will live with me forever,’ the former England captain said.
   ‘It’s been humbling and has put my life into perspective. I play cricket for my country—but then you come here and meet people of 18 fighting for their country.’
   After the rocket attack alarm was sounded, the all clear was given 30 seconds later.
   Former Everton, Barcelona and Tottenham striker Lineker had a second scare when a military plane he was travelling in lost one of its four engines and had to return to base.
   ‘I expected it to be tough but I didn’t expect the environment I’ve discovered,’ said the 48-year-old former England captain.
   ‘The other thing that strikes you is the age of some of them on the front line. I’ve a son who’s just turned 18 and the fact there are kids out there the same age as him really makes you think.’
   Britain has more than 9,150 troops in Afghanistan, largely battling Taliban insurgents in southern Helmand province.

Carlo Ancelotti has warned Manchester United that the destiny of the Premier League is in Chelsea’s hands after the Blues went back to the top of the table with a 2-0 win over Liverpool.
   Ancelotti’s team took advantage of United’s 2-2 draw against Sunderland by over-powering the Reds at Stamford Bridge thanks to second half goals from Nicolas Anelka and Florent Malouda.
   Chelsea are two points clear of second placed United and six points ahead of Liverpool, leaving the title momentum firmly with the west Londoners going into the international break.
   Ancelotti admitted he was surprised to see United drop points at Old Trafford and he is convinced Chelsea can win the title if they remain focused on their own game.
   ‘Their result was a surprise for sure but we want to stay concentrated on our own season,’ Ancelotti said.
   ‘This season depends only on us. We’re top of the table and we prepare for the next game with concentration and determination.
   ‘It was three points against a very good team and I’m happy. Our aim is to lose only one game. We’ve lost that. I’m satisfied, for sure, when we win. But also when we play well.’
   Despite a third defeat in just eight league games this season, Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is refusing to write off his side’s title hopes.
   ‘This year the top sides will lose games but you have to try to improve and we will try to win against Sunderland next,’ he said.
   ‘When the teams at the top of the table drop points and you win, it is better, but we have to keep winning games and stay as strong as possible and see what happens.
   ‘It is my opinion you will see top sides losing more games this season. It is good for the Premier League.’
   Elsewhere on Sunday, Arsenal underlined their determination to end the club’s four-year wait for silverware with an eye-catching 6-2 demolition of Blackburn at the Emirates Stadium.
   Arsene Wenger’s side remain six points behind Chelsea but they have a game in hand and, with Cesc Fabregas in superb form, the Gunners boss sees no reason why they shouldn’t make a strong title challenge.
   ‘There is a real togetherness about the team. They are enjoying themselves and playing some wonderful football. I think we are strong,’ Wenger said after goals from Thomas Vermaelen, Robin van Persie, Andrei Arshavin, Fabregas, Theo Walcott and Nicklas Bendtner destroyed Rovers.
   Across London, West Ham substitute Junior Stanislas scored a stoppage time equaliser to rescue a 2-2 draw against 10-man Fulham, who had South African midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi sent off on his first start.
   At Goodison Park, Everton were held to 1-1 draw against Stoke as Toffees midfielder Leon Osman cancelled out Robert Huth’s opener for the visitors.
   On Saturday, Manchester United needed a stoppage time own goal from Anton Ferdinand to salvage a 2-2 draw with the Sunderland.
   Darren Bent had given Sunderland the lead before Dimitar Berbatov equalised.
   Kenwyne Jones looked to have won it for Sunderland when he punished goalkeeper Ben Foster’s mistake, but Kieran Richardson was sent off in the closing moments and then Ferdinand deflected Patrice Evra’s shot into his own net.
   Tottenham were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw at Bolton, Burnley defeated Birmingham 2-1 to maintain their unbeaten record at Turf Moor, while struggling Hull beat Wigan 2-1.
   At Wolverhampton, a first half goal from Hassan Yebda gave bottom team Portsmouth a 1-0 win and ended their seven-match losing run.

England’s World Cup qualifier against Ukraine on Saturday is to make history by being the team’s first international to be shown live in cinemas and on the Internet but not on TV, media group Perform said.
   With England already qualified for next year’s World Cup finals in South Africa, major television stations such as the BBC and Sky have opted against buying the rights to screen live coverage of the match being played in Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine.
   Irish satellite broadcaster Setanta had been due to cover the match live but the group’s British arm went bust in June.
   Fans not travelling to the Ukraine can still see the game live at Odeon cinemas across England and over the Internet for a fee of between 5.0 and 12 pounds (5.5 and 13 euros, 8.0 and 19 dollars).
   ‘Saturday’s Ukraine versus England FIFA World Cup 2010 qualifying game will make history as the first England international to be broadcast exclusively over the Internet and in cinemas across the UK,’ said Perform, which will stream the game live over the Internet.
   ‘Millions of people around the world follow live sports online and this shows a real sign of the times—we’re extremely excited to be involved in this landmark event,’ Perform executive chairman Andrew Croker said in the group’s statement.

Bangladeshi ICC panel umpire Nadir Shah will conduct the ICC Intercontinental Cup four-day match between Zimbabwe and Kenya and will also stand in all three matches of the ODI series between the two countries.
   The four-day Intercon-tinental Cup fixture will be held at the Kwekwe Sports Club from October 8 to 11. The one-day internationals will be played on October 14, 16 and 18 at the Harare Sports Club. Nadir left for Zimbabwe on Sunday night.

The Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis at a meeting on Monday decided to defer the upcoming Premier Twenty20 League by at least four days, said the officials.
   The league was scheduled to start on October 10, but CCDM secretary Iqbal Yusuf said all 10 members present at the meeting demanded the deferral of the league and the decision was made accordingly.
   The report from the grounds committee was not favourable to start it on the due date, he said.
   ‘Grounds officials said it would not be possible to make the ground ready before October 14 after today (Monday)’s rain,’ said Yusuf.
   The official said they have decided to defer the First Division League also. The second-tier league, which was due to start on October 9, will now begin on October 20.

The four-day match between the Bangladesh ‘A’ team and Maharashtra Cricket Association ended in a draw after the play of the fourth and final day was washed out by rain at Pune on Monday.
   The third day’s play was also washed out by rain.
   Earlier on Saturday, the MCA had scored 45 for one in their second innings when the bails were drawn for the second day after making 329 in the first innings. The visiting Bangladesh ‘A’ team in their first innings were bundled out for a paltry 81 runs in just 29.1 overs.

Bangladesh lost to title favourites Japan 6-0 in their second Group E match of the AFC U-16 Championship in the Bacolod City, Philippines on Monday.
   Japan, who thrashed the hosts Philippines 12-0 in their first match, took the lead in the 12th minute through Minamino Takumi. The Bangladeshi boys fought hard to keep the scoreline to 1-0 at the interval.
   However, their resistance broke down in the second half as Miyamura Tetsuro scored the second goal in the 48th minute and added another two in the 72nd and 74th minutes. Bangladesh conceded four goals in the last 18 minutes as Hayakawa scored a brace on 77 and 82 minutes.
   Bangladesh, who drew goalless with Indonesia in their first match, play Chinese Taipei in their third match on Thursday.

Real Madrid’s ‘Galacticos’ crashed to their first defeat of the season losing 2-1 at title rivals Sevilla on Sunday as Barcelona opened a three-point lead at the summit.
   Real were aiming to make it a perfect six wins and join Barcelona on maximum points, but instead Sevilla underlined their own credentials with a fifth straight win to move level on points with Real.
   ‘We played really well and are on a roll at the moment,’ said Sevilla striker Luis Fabiano. ‘If we continue playing like that we can compete with Real and Barca at the top.’
   Sevilla were good value for the win and could have won more convincingly had it not been for Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas.
   Jesus Navas headed Sevilla ahead on 33 minutes and the hosts should have scored more but for two wonder saves from Casillas.
   Pepe headed home a fortunate equaliser on 49 minutes from a set-piece before Brazilian Renato netted with yet another header after 66 minutes following a great ball from the impressive Navas.
   ‘We knew we would lose at some stage,’ said Real midfielder Kaka. ‘We were beaten by a good team and we need to improve some things.
   ‘It was an intense game in which we created chances but we made mistakes from set-pieces and got punished.’
   It was a first defeat for Real boss Manuel Pellegrini who had won all seven of his matches in charge at home and abroad.
   Real and Sevilla both trail Barcelona by three points after the champions beat Almeria 1-0 on Saturday for a sixth successive league win, matching a club record set in 1991 and 1998.
   Real had lost Cristiano Ronaldo, scorer of five league goals already this season, to an ankle injury so captain Raul came in.
   Sevilla fielded Real old boy Alvaro Negredo who had a point to prove after Madrid sold him for 15 million euros in the summer.
   The hosts bombarded Real with crosses and should have scored in the fourth minute but Abdoulay Konko failed with a header.
   Sevilla got the goal they merited on 33 minutes with Fernando Navarro clipping a cross in and Navas took advantage of Marcelo’s lack of awareness to bullet in a header.
   With half-time approaching Casillas pulled off a miraculous save to stop a header from Renato.
   It stopped Sevilla going into the break with a psychological two-goal cushion and Casillas pulled off another unbelievable reflex save from Diego Perotti 90 seconds into the second half.
   Sevilla should have been 3-0 up but Real made them pay with Pepe heading a 49th minute equaliser after some woeful defending.
   The goal lifted Real who came back into the game but Renato glanced in a header on 66 minutes to deflate Casillas and Madrid.
   In other matches, Serbian striker Nikola Zigic came back to haunt old club Racing Santander, coming off the bench to score a 60th-minute winner as Valencia won 1-0 at El Sardinero.
   Zigic replaced the injured David Villa on 56 minutes and took just
   four minutes to make an impact and push Valencia up to fifth.
   Zigic scored 13 goals in 19 games on loan at Racing last season and did not celebrate the goal out of respect for the Racing fans.
   It was a first win in four for Valencia although the injury to Villa is a concern.
   Villa limped off holding his hamstring and is likely to miss Spain’s 2010 World Cup qualifier against Armenia next Saturday although the European champions have already qualified for the finals.
   Elsewhere, Villarreal and their new coach Ernesto Valverde were still waiting for their first win of the season after a frustrating 0-0 draw with 10-man Espanyol.

AC Milan coach Leonardo was literally left speechless by his team’s dire 1-1 draw at 10-man Atalanta on Sunday.
   Having screamed and shouted at his struggling side from the touchline, he lost his voice, leaving assistant Mauro Tassotti to face the post-match media inquisition.
   Had Brazilian Leonardo faced the press he would have had to fend off uncomfortable questions about his team’s deficiencies for the fourth match in a row.
   The statistics make sorry reading.
   In their last four matches in Europe and at home they have drawn twice and lost twice, scoring just one goal - that was on Sunday against 10-man Atalanta.
   The former European champions have only two wins in seven league matches and one solitary goal at home.
   And this is a team with the likes of Pato, Ronaldinho, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Filippo Inzaghi and Marco Borriello, not to mention the creative elements of Andrea Pirlo and Clarence Seedorf.
   Against Atalanta, Milan fell behind after some defensive uncertainty allowed Simone Tiribocchi to open the scoring midway through the first half.
   About 10 minutes before the interval Ivan Radovanovic was dismissed for a stupid second bookable offence, leaving his team to fend off Milan for almost an hour with a numerical disadvantage.
   That they got to within seven minutes of doing so owed more to Milan’s ineptitude as an attacking unit than any great heroic defensive display – in truth, Atalanta had very few close shaves.
   But despite substitute Ronaldinho saving the day for the seven-time European champions, centre-back Alessandro Nesta, who provided the defence-splitting pass, was scathing after the game.
   ‘Have we bounced back? This was a game we had to win. They had 10 men, we have to be humble and understand that,’ he said.
   ‘Problems are resolved when you win. Was it bad luck? What bad luck? There was too much confusion in our attacking play, we lost the ball and were hit on the counter-attack.
   ‘We’ve lost the right distances (between the lines) and we have to find them. All we need to do now is just start getting results.’
   That is proving much easier said than done this season in which Milan have found the net only four times in seven league matches and a paltry six times in nine games in all competitions.
   But Nesta insisted the blame should not lie at Leonardo’s feet.
   ‘It’s a difficult moment but we’re right behind Leonardo. You win and you lose all together. It’s not one single person’s failure,’ he said.
   Tassotti admitted the pressure was getting to Milan and claimed they had never fully recovered from their humbling 4-0 defeat and footballing lesson at the hands of city rivals Inter in their second game of the season.
   ‘We have pressure on us coming from inside and we’re paying for that psychologically,’ he said.
   ‘We conceded a goal from their first shot. That’s one area we have many problems, that’s clear, but I don’t think we were that bad once they went down to 10 men.
   ‘We showed we could play against Siena and then Marseille (two of their three wins this season). (But) the derby defeat hit us hard and we’ve lost our way a bit.’

Substi-tute Ronaldinho popped up seven minutes from time to salvage a point for AC Milan in a 1-1 draw at 10-man Atalanta on Sunday but that might not be enough to save coach Leonardo from the chop.
   Meanwhile, the last unbeaten record in Serie A disappeared as Juventus were beaten 2-0 at Palermo to drop to third in the table.
   Milan may have come from behind to earn a draw but their hosts played almost an hour with 10 men and it took the seven-time European champions 45 minutes to break down their lowly opponents with a numerical advantage.
   It was also only Milan’s fourth goal in seven league matches in which the struggling giants have managed just two wins.
   In Europe and at home they have failed to win in their last four matches, a bleak statistic which has piled the pressure onto Leonardo.
   But centre-back Alessandro Nesta insisted the Brazilian boss should not be blamed for the club’s woes.
   ‘These are two points dropped. We put our heart into this match but if it seemed as if we weren’t trying it’s because we’re not working well. We’re not managing to cover all areas of the pitch,’ he said.
   ‘It’s a difficult moment but we’re right behind Leonardo. You win and you lose all together. It’s not one single person’s failure.’
   Atalanta deservedly took the lead on 21 minutes as Simone Padoin’s cross from the right caused confusion in the Milan backline.
   Centre-backs Nesta and Giuseppe Favalli were both drawn to Cristiano Doni at the neat post, leaving Simone Tiribocchi free behind them as Ignazio Abate had failed to cover from right-back.
   When Doni missed the ball it fell to Tiribocchi, who had time to pick his spot and beat Marco Storari in the Milan goal.
   Serbian midfielder Ivan Radovanovic then made the hosts’ hopes of holding out for victory look decidedly tougher as he was sent off six minutes before the break for a needless second booking, pulling Pato’s shirt when the forward was practically on the halfway line.
   Milan were expected to come out firing after the break as Leonardo replaced French midfielder Mathieu Flamini with Ronaldinho.
   The former European champions did fashion an early chance as Thomas Manfredini over-committed himself in trying to reach an Andrea Pirlo cross leaving Pato free to shoot from 10 yards but Consigli came to the rescue, making a point blank stop.
   Atalanta then survived a double scare 17 minutes from time.
   Following a slick Milan passing move, Consigli saved well from Ronaldinho before Pato’s volleyed follow-up bounced into the ground and over the goalkeeper, only to come back off the bar.
   Milan played much of the second half just in front of Atalanta’s penalty box and the 10 men finally cracked on 83 minutes when Nesta lifted the ball over the backline and Ronaldinho volleyed home in one brilliant movement.
   Juve could have gone top if they had won in Sicily but that never looked likely in a game in which they were clearly second-best.
   First half goals from Brazilians Edison Cavani and Simplicio within five minutes of each other gave Palermo a deserved 2-0 lead at the break after dominating the first half.
   Juve’s Brazilian playmaker Diego came closest for the visitors, hitting the woodwork with a free-kick.
   Sampdoria failed to take back top spot from Inter Milan, who beat Udinese 2-1 on Saturday, as they were held to a 1-1 home draw by Parma.
   Francesco Totti scored a brace in AS Roma’s 2-1 victory over Napoli that saw him move level with former Argentina, Roma and Fiorentina striker Gabriel Batistuta in eighth place on the all-time top Serie A goal-scorers’ list.

Barcelona captain Carles Puyol celebrated a glorious 10 years of service with the Spanish giants as the European champions beat Almeria 1-0, lapping up the plaudits from team-mates and his coach.
   Puyol, 31, could not have envisaged such a distinguished career when he made his debut back on October 2, 1999 in a 2-0 league win over Valladolid.
   Since then Puyol has played 449 official games for Barcelona lifting three league titles (2005, 2006, 2009) and two Champions League titles (2006, 2009) as captain.
   ‘To have played for so many years with Barca and to have won so many trophies is a dream,’ said Puyol. ‘I hope to win a lot more and to continue giving everything to the team, just like I have since day one.’
   Puyol, a Euro 2008 winner with Spain, has led by example since Frank Rijkaard appointed him captain in 2004 and has stood the test of time with few injuries and a strict training regime affording him such a long career.
   ‘We have lived through times that have not been as good as they are now, but he has always been there to support his team-mates and is always trying to raise their morale,’ said goalkeeper Victor Valdes.
   ‘He is an example when it comes to diet and fitness because he takes care of the details of looking after himself.
   ‘He has some very good habits because despite being 31 he never has dropped his level of play.’
   Gerard Pique said Puyol had helped him to improve and saluted the leadership qualities of his defensive partner.
   ‘I am proud to have him as my captain because he always deserves to wear the armband,’ said Pique.
   ‘He helps me a lot and knows exactly what his role is and how the team works so he guides the defence.’
   Puyol’s future is currently up in the air as he ponders a contract offer from Barcelona who want him to stay on despite signing Ukraine international centre-back Dmitry Chigrinsky for 25 million euros in the summer.
   Coach Pep Guardiola wants Puyol to end his days with the club but accepts it is a difficult decision to make.
   ‘I want to pay my congratulations to Carles because it is not easy to be with a club of this size for so long,’ said Guardiola.
   ‘The club want him to stay but he has been here a long time and it is his decision whether he stays or not.’

Italy coach Marcello Lippi on Sunday named a 24-man squad for this month’s decisive World Cup qualifiers against Republic of Ireland and Cyprus.
   World champions Italy travel to Dublin on October 10 where a draw will see them qualify for next year’s World Cup in South Africa.
   However, if they lose, they still have a chance to qualify if they beat Cyprus in Parma on October 14.
   Lippi welcomes back AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso to the squad following injury while there were also recalls for defenders Salvatore Bocchetti of Genoa and Fiorentina’s Alessandro Gamberini.
   Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro was also selected even though he will be suspended for the game in Dublin.
   Squad
   Goalkeepers: Gigi Buffon (Juventus), Morgan De Sanctis (Napoli), Federico Marchetti (Cagliari);
   Defenders: Fabio Cannavaro, Giorgio Chiellini, Fabio Grosso and Nicola Legrottaglie (all Juventus), Salvatore Bocchetti (Genoa), Alessandro Gamberini (Fiorentina), Davide Santon (Inter Milan), Gianluca Zambrotta (AC Milan);
   Midfielders: Mauro German Camoranesi and Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Gaetano D’Agostino and Simone Pepe (Udinese)(Udinese), Daniele De Rossi (AS Roma), Rino Gattuso and Andrea Pirlo (AC Milan), Angelo Palombo (Sampdoria);
   Forwards: Antonio Di Natale (Udinese), Alberto Gilardino (Fiorentina), Vincenzo Iaquinta (Juventus), Fabio Quagliarella (Napoli), Giuseppe Rossi (Villarreal/ESP).

Reports emanating from Spain suggest that members of the Real Madrid squad have urged colleague Cristiano Ronaldo to ‘start diving’ in order to take advantage of the physical treatment he has received since his move to the Spanish first division.
   Ronaldo has been in sparkling form since his record transfer move from Manchester United during the summer, netting five goals in five Liga appearances so far this season.
   However, according to the publication Marca, the Portuguese international has been instructed to go down under challenges more easily and to follow the example set by certain members of Barcelona’s squad.
   A source close to the squad is quoted as saying, ‘Ronaldo has been told to learn from Barcelona players Lionel Messi and Daniel Alves.
   ‘When they are fouled, they go down like they are shot.’
   Ronaldo was involved in a penalty incident during Los Blancos’ Champions League clash with Marseille at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday evening.
   The 24-year-old went down under a crunching challenge from defender Souleymane Diawara but replays suggested that the Senegalese international got a slice of the ball.

Diego Maradona completed his squad with nine home-based players on Sunday for Argentina’s final World Cup qualifiers against Peru and Uruguay.
   Inter Milan striker Diego Milito has had to pull out with a muscle strain, the Argentine Football Association said on its website (www.afa.org.ar).
   Argentina are in fifth place in the South American group needing wins at home to Peru next Saturday and away to Uruguay on October 14 to ensure they remain on course for next year’s finals in South Africa.
   The top four in South America qualify automatically, while the fifth-placed nation plays off against the fourth-placed CONCACAF team.
   Squad
   Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar), Mariano Andujar (Catania), Diego Pozo (Colon de Santa Fe);
   Defenders: Emiliano Insua (Liverpool), Martin Demichelis (Bayern Munich), Gabriel Heinze (Olympique Marseille), Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City), Nicolas Pareja (Espanyol), Rolando Schiavi (Newell’s Old Boys), Nicolas Otamendi (Velez Sarsfield), Fabian Monzon (Boca Juniors);
   Midfielders: Javier Mascherano (Liverpool), Mario Bolatti (Huracan), Luis Gonzalez (Olympique Marseille), Jonas Gutierrez (Newcastle United), Angel Di Maria, Pablo Aimar (both Benfica), Enzo Perez, Juan Sebastian Veron (both Estudiantes), Federico Insua (Boca Juniors);
   Forwards: Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid), Carlos Tevez (Manchester City), Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli), Martin Palermo (Boca Juniors).

Hamburg blitzed rock-bottom Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin 3-1 in the German capital on Sunday, but still missed out on regaining top spot from new leaders Bayer Leverkusen.
   Berlin had confirmed Friedhelm Funkel as their new coach on Saturday, following last week’s sacking of Lucien Favre, and the ex-Eintracht Frankfurt boss took immediate charge.
   ‘We started very well, we were competing well and took the lead, but all of those three goals were unbelievable,’ said Berlin captain Arne Friedrich.
   ‘We just could not recover from those set-backs.’
   But the Germany centre-back said Funkel is the man to lead Hertha out of trouble.
   ‘He makes a positive impression.’
   Hertha got off to a dream start after nine minutes when Germany defender Arne Friedrich headed home a cross from Patrick Ebert at the far post from four metres out.
   It sparked a long run of celebration at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium, but the delight was shortlived.
   Hertha’s Brazilian defender Kaka headed into his own net on 24 minutes and Hamburg added to the home side’s misery when midfielder David Jarolim scored a great goal from 25 metres out on 38 minutes.
   Barely a minute later ex-Bayern Munich midfielder Ze Roberto scored with a long-range effort to make it 3-1 at the break.
   Hertha failed to make any impact in the second-half and the result leaves Hamburg second in the table on goal difference behind Leverkusen.
   Earlier, Werder Bremen strikers Claudio Pizarro and Aaron Hunt both netted to seal a 2-0 win at VfB Stuttgart which lifted their side up to fourth.
   Bremen have only lost one game all season and Thomas Schaaf’s men were rarely troubled by Stuttgart who are now 13th.
   ‘We took another step forward today, the team played well and concentrated from first minute to last on what they had to do,’ said Bremen coach Schaaf.
   ‘We had a bit of luck with the early goal, but that is what you need.’
   Werder got off to the perfect start when Germany squad member Marko Marin beat Stuttgart defender Stefano Celozzi and swung in a cross to the far post which ex-Chelsea forward Pizarro headed home on three minutes.
   Hunt made sure of the three points when Germany midfielder Mesut Oezil spotted a huge gap in the Stuttgart defence.
   Oezil floated his pass and Hunt drove his shot into the bottom right corner on 51 minutes past Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann.

Rafael Benitez refused to write off Liverpool’s chances of winning the Premier League this season despite watching his side fall six points behind leaders Chelsea after a 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge.
   Goals from Nicolas Anelka and Florent Malouda condemned the Reds to their third defeat of the season and left them languishing in fifth place. Three league losses is one more than Liverpool suffered over the whole of last season and Benitez’s team looked anything but championship quality on Sunday as Chelsea overpowered them in the second half.
   However, Benitez is staying upbeat about their title prospects.
   ‘Our target now has to be the next game. Every game is important. We have to keep calm and working hard,’ he said.
   ‘This year the top sides will lose games but you have to try to improve and we will try to win against Sunderland next.
   ‘When the teams at the top of the table drop points and you win, it is better, but we have to keep winning games and stay as strong as possible and see what happens.
   ‘It is my opinion you will see top sides losing more games this season. It is good for the Premier League and it means we have to keep calm.
   ‘We drew a lot of games last season too, we will now try to win and if we have more wins than draws, we could end with the same amount of points.’ French duo Anelka and Malouda were on target for Chelsea, who climbed back on top of the Premier League table following their shock 3-1 defeat at Wigan the previous week.
   Carlo Ancelotti’s side have now opened up a two-point gap over Manchester United, who drew with Sunderland on Saturday and lie in second place.
   But perhaps more importantly, it restored the Blues to winning ways in emphatic fashion.
   Ancelotti said: ‘It was an important win. It was a difficult match. I don’t know if it was a better performance than in the Champions League against APOEL Nicosia. We did what we prepared before the game.
   ‘After this game I think we have resolved the problem from the defeat at Wigan but it was not a big problem.’
   The Italian added: ‘Manchester United’s result was a surprise for sure, but this season is about us because we are top of the league.
   ‘We can prepare for the next games with concentration and determination as we know our season will depend on it.’
   Despite the defeat Benitez said he had few complaints about the performance of his players and admitted they could simply not find a way past the Chelsea defence.
   He added: ‘The performance was not bad. We were playing a very good team in Chelsea. ‘We had some chances and you have to take them if you want to change the situation.
   ‘Our target now has to be the next game. Every game is important we have to keep calm and working hard.
   ‘I cannot blame anyone because they were all working hard and I am pleased with the team effort but disappointed with the result.
   ‘We are playing Chelsea, do you expect teams to have 20 attempts? I don’t think so. We had attacks but could not score because they are good defenders.

The secret ingredient behind soccer veteran Ryan Giggs’ evergreen displays is finally out – a regular fix of fig rolls.
   The Manchester United wing wizard has stunned pundits with his energetic performances this season, despite turning 36 next month.
   Now it is revealed that he and his team-mates boost their energy levels by scoffing the biscuity treats at half-time.
   A club source told the Sun on Sunday: ‘A lot of the players used to have Jaffa Cakes for their half-time energy fix, but that’s all changed now.
   ‘Many have switched to fig rolls. Our team of nutritionists and dieticians have identified them as the perfect interval snack for footballers.
   ‘They are high in carbohydrates, low in fat and the lads love the taste of them. They’re perfect for football.’
   Giggsy has played more than 800 games for the Red Devils since making his debut in 1991.
   Last season he was PFA Player of the Year and last week he notched his 150th goal for the Premier League champs. The source added: ‘The players have to watch everything they eat and drink.
   ‘And Ryan’s the perfect example of how to lead a pro footballer’s life.’

AS Roma captain Francesco Totti will be out for up to two weeks after suffering a knee injury during Sunday’s 2-1 victory over Napoli.
   Totti scored both goals to reach 184 Serie A strikes and join former Argentina striker Gabriel Batistuta, who played alongside Totti in Roma’s 2001 title winning team, in eighth place on the all-time top Serie A scorers list.
   Totti, 33, hurt the same knee on which he has had surgery.
   He underwent scans after the match, but those revealed no serious damage, according to Totti’s doctor.
   It means the club talisman will soon be back on the pitch and hunting down seventh and sixth places on the top scorers list, currently occupied by Giuseppe Signori (188) and Swede Kurt Hamrin (190).
   The Roma captain will probably have to wait until next season before he can surpass fifth-placed Roberto Baggio’s 205 goals.

Athletic Bilbao teenager Iker Muniain became the youngest player to ever score in the Spanish top-flight on Sunday after netting the equaliser in a 2-2 draw with Valladolid.
   Muniain came on as a substitute to score a 77th-minute leveller and at the age of 16 years and 289 days he writes himself
   into the history books as the youngest scorer in La Liga.
   The previous record was held by Xisco Nadal, currently playing for Levante, who scored for Villarreal in the 2002/03 season at the age of 16 and 353 days.
   Muniain is a local boy from Pamplona snapped up by Bilbao scouts and has been capped by Spain at under-16 and under-17 level.