A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Klinsmann the USA's new coach
FORMER Germany World Cup winner and manager Juergen Klinsmann was named United States coach yesterday, the US soccer federation said.
Klinsmann, who took over one day after Bob Bradley was sacked, became the first foreign-born coach to lead the US since Bora Milutinovic, who was in charge from 1991 to 1995.
“We are excited to have Juergen as the head coach,” said US Soccer president Sunil Gulati.
“He is a highly accomplished player and coach with the experience and knowledge to advance the program.”
Waterlooville step into breach
NON-LEAGUE minnows Havant Waterlooville have landed a glamour friendly against Spanish La Liga side Real Betis tomorrow after Portsmouth were forced to cancel the clash.
Pompey are stuck in America after a catering truck collided with their plane last night, forcing their flight home from their pre-season tour to be cancelled.
As a result, the Pompey squad and coaching staff will not arrive back in Britain until Sunday so the Hawks, who play in the Conference South, have stepped in.
The clash will take place at their Westleigh Park ground and will kick off at 6.30pm.
Pompey chief executive David Lampitt told the club website, www.portsmouthfc.co.uk: “Unfortunately events outside of our control have conspired against us and we have been left with no choice but to cancel this match.
Foster secures a loan move to WBA
WEST Brom have signed Birmingham goalkeeper Ben Foster on loan for the season with Boaz Myhill going in the opposite direction.
Foster’s arrival follows the sale of Scott Carson to Turkish club Bursaspor, with Birmingham taking Myhill to provide competition for Colin Doyle following the departures from St Andrew’s of Foster and Maik Taylor.
Foster, who earlier this year ruled himself out of England duty, will not return to Birmingham during the season as the deal prevents both clubs from recalling their keepers during the loan.
West Brom head coach Roy Hodgson said: “We are very happy that the deal to bring Ben from Birmingham has gone through. He was always the goalkeeper that we targeted as our number one choice for the season.”
N'Zogbia moves to Aston Villa
ASTON Villa have completed the signing of winter Charles N’Zogbia from Wigan on a five-year contract.
The club confirmed on their website yesterday that the 25-year-old France international had passed a medical and would be available for next Wednesday’s pre-season fixture against Championship side Derby at Pride Park and for the August 6th date with Braga in Portugal.
Uefa reduce ban on Mourinho
REAL Madrid coach Jose Mourinho was given an incentive to behave himself when Uefa slightly eased his five-match European ban, imposed for his sending-off against Barcelona, at an appeal yesterday.
Uefa said that the final two matches of the ban would be suspended, meaning that the Portuguese would only serve them if he reoffended in a probationary period of three years.
A €50,000 fine was maintained on Mourinho, who was ordered from the touchline during the stormy Champions League semi-final first leg which his side lost 2-0.
After the match, he implied that Barcelona received favourable treatment from Uefa and made disparaging remarks about his opposite number Pep Guardiola.
The Portuguese has already served one ban in the return leg of the semi-final, meaning he effectively has two matches left, which will be served in the group stage of the 2011/12 competition.
Mourinho left Uefa headquarters without waiting for the verdict after spending six hours at the hearing.
Paraguay hand top job to Arce
GERARDO Martino, who steered Paraguay to the last eight at the 2010 World Cup and the 2011 Copa America final, resigned yesterday and will be replaced by former Paraguay defender Francisco Arce.
“I am no longer the coach of the Paraguayan national team as of today,” said Argentine Martino, who took Paraguay further than they had ever reached at the World Cup finals in South Africa.
Arce, who won more than 60 caps between 1995 and 2004, said he would attempt to improve Paraguay with a more attacking game which Martino had found hard to implement.
Weekend's Fixtures
Today
Asia Trophy Final – Aston Villa v Chelsea.
Asia Trophy Third/Fourth Place Play-Off – Blackburn v Kitchee.
Scottish Premier League (3pm unless stated) – Inverness CT v Hibernian; Kilmarnock v Motherwell; St Johnstone v Rangers (noon); St Mirren v Aberdeen.
Friendlies (3pm unless stated) – Arsenal v Boca Juniors (4.20); Barcelona v Manchester Utd (6pm); Birmingham v Everton; Brighton v Tottenham; Bristol City v West Brom; Burnley v Sunderland; Celtic v Inter Milan (4.30); Ipswich v Wolverhampton; League of Ireland XI v Manchester City (2.00); Sheffield Wednesday v Stoke (1.00); Leicester v Real Madrid (5.15).
Tomorrow
Scottish Premier League – Hearts v Dundee Utd (3.00).
Friendlies – Arsenal v Red Bull New York (4.20); Celtic v League of Ireland XI (2.00); Inter Milan v Man City (4.15); Leeds Utd v Newcastle Utd (2.00).
