Capello hands Beckham huge lift

(PA) Monday 28 December 2009
England coach Fabio Capello has revealed David Beckham will definitely be in his 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ squad if he remains fit during his second loan spell at AC Milan. The 34-year-old has returned to I Rossoneri until the end of the season in a bid to retain his Three Lions place and add to his 115 caps - an England record for an outfield player.

And Capello has insisted that if the Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder impresses as much as he did during his first loan spell last year, then he will be on the plane to South Africa.

"Of course, if he plays well and is fit I will include him in my squad," Capello told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "I don't look at age, I pay attention to quality and David has a lot. He's serious, he's a great professional and he's crazy about the World Cup."

DPR Korea open with win

(PA) Monday 28 December 2009
Hong Yong-Jo grabbed the winner as DPR Korea beat Mali 1-0 in the opening match of the International Friendship tournament in Qatar.

The FC Rostov striker netted ten minutes into the second half to hand the Asian side a winning start to the event which also features Qatar and Iran. Hong almost scored after four minutes but shot wide when faced with just the Mali goalkeeper.

Pak Song-Chol was next to come close with a free-kick which hit the left upright. 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ qualifiers DPR Korea finally made the breakthrough after 55 minutes when Hong burst into the area from the left and fired past Soumbeyla Diakite.

Ballack expects England success

(PA) Thursday 24 December 2009
Germany captain Michael Ballack considers England "one of the favourites" to win next summer's FIFA World Cup in South Africa™.

The Chelsea midfielder believes Fabio Capello could lead England to a first major title since 1966, and admits his own nation is lagging a bit behind. "They have a great team and many players with exceptional individual class," he told the Rheinische Post newspaper. "With Fabio Capello, they now have a manager who has brought stability. That is important and the team feels that.

Del Bosque handed new Spain deal

(PA) Wednesday 23 December 2009
Vicente del Bosque has signed a two-year extension to his contract as Spain coach, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has confirmed. The organisation's president, Angel Maria Villar, announced that the former midfielder will remain at the helm until UEFA EURO 2012, regardless of what happens at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™.

Del Bosque, who turned 59 today, took over the reins of La Roja after they won EURO 2008 and has a stunning record in charge, having won 21 of his 22 matches. "What is normal in this instance is that you always renew your coach's contract when you qualify for the World Cup," said Angel Villar.

Spain finalise South Africa preparations

(AFP) Wednesday 23 December 2009
Spain will play three international friendlies in the weeks before the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ next year and will be based near Johannesburg during the tournament, the nation's football federation said on Tuesday.

The European champions will play two friendlies at home, on 29 May and 8 June, and one away on 5 June. The squad's opponents for the matches have not yet been determined.

The Spanish national team will be based in Potchefstroom, a university town about 120 kilometres south-west of Johannesburg during the tournament. They will arrive in South Africa on 10 June.