FIFA confirms Ghana's berth for 2010 World Cup finals

ACCRA, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- World soccer governing body FIFA has officially confirmed the qualification of the Black Stars of Ghana for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

The Black Stars beat the Desert Hawks of Sudan 2-0 last Sunday at the Ohene Djan Sorts stadium in Accra to move to 12 points, seven more than closest rivals the Eagles of Mali with two games to go.

FIFA General Secretary, Jerome Valcke confirmed the participation in a letter addressed to the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and copied to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Organizing Committee for the FIFA World Cupon Monday.

"After two years of disputed and exciting preliminary competition in Africa, the Black Stars reached yesterday the necessary points to be crowned with success in these hard-fought qualifiers.

"We are pleased to warmly congratulate the GFA and its national team for brilliantly qualifying as the first African team for the final tournament of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa, next to South Africa, the hosts.

The General Secretary reminded the GFA to get in contact with the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee, South Africa in order to further advance in the logistical preparations of the tournament for the Black Stars.

Valcke added that his outfit is looking forward to a continued smooth cooperation with the Ghana Association.

The Stars next play Benin in Cotonou on Oct. 10 before wrapping up against Mali in Accra on Nov. 14.

Ghana was the only African team to reach the last 16 in their maiden attempt three years ago at the Germany 2006 World Cup.

Toni may move if still benched in Bayern

Italy's Luca Toni reacts during their Confederations Cup soccer match against Egypt at Ellis Park in Johannesburg June 18, 2009. (Xinhua/Reuters File Photo)

BERLIN, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Italian international Luca Toni will ponder a move if he is still on bench at Bayern Munich, the striker has said, noting that he aims to keep form for next year's World Cup.

Toni claimed that he needs to play to keep his chances intact of representing his country at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, Monday's edition of German sports magazine Kicker reported.

Toni is set to return to training from Achilles tendon problems. But the Bundesliga top scorer in 2007-2008 season could find it hard to make the starting lineup under new Bayern coach Louis van Gaal, given the likes of Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery, Miroslav Klose, Ivica Olic and Mario Gomez on Munich's squad.

"Up to now the team was happy that I am here. If that is no longer the case I will consider a move," Toni told Kicker.

"If I have to take a place on the substitutes' bench I will take this place. But I know my value and a lot of (other) clubs know my strength. So I will have to reconsider if I don't get a chance to play. After all, the World Cup is coming up," he added.

The 32-year-old joined Munich in 2007 from Fiorentina of Italy and has scored 38 goals in 56 Bundesliga appearances for the German top club.

Tickets for Mexico-Honduras duel sold out

MEXICO CITY, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- The tickets for the do-or-die World Cup qualifier between Mexico and Honduras on Wednesday were sold out, ticket office management told Xinhua on Monday.

The officials from the Azteca Stadium, the venue of the duel, said that all the tickets of the 115,000 seats were sold out a couple of days ago.

Furthermore, the tickets for the match of Mexico vs. United States were also sold out.

The tickets were released on Aug. 19, costing from 11 U.S. dollars to 37 dollars. However in the resale nearby the stadium the cheapest tickets were sold by 30 dollars.

Mexico-Honduras match has generated great expectations after Mexico whitewashed Costa Rica 3-0 on Saturday. Honduras upset Mexico 3-1 at home in their first leg.

Currently, the leader of the North and Central America and Caribbean region general board is Honduras with 13 points, followed by the United States also with 13 points, and Mexico with12 points.

The North and Central America and Caribbean Football Confederation (CONCACAF) provides three tickets for the World Cup South Africa 2010.

Beckham may seek Premiership return

LA Galaxy's David Beckham warms up before a friendly soccer match against Barcelona at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California August 1, 2009.(Xinhua/Reuters File Photo)

LONDON, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Former England captain David Beckham said through a BBC radio interview on Monday that he may seek a Premiership return to keep his World Cup hope alive.

The 34-year-old soccer icon, who is under a five-year deal with LA Galaxy of the United States' Major Soccer League, managed to spend five months on loan with Serie A's AC Milan last year.

The American season shuts down between November and March, and Beckham told BBC that he has several options for a return to the English Premier League.

"Everyone knows I will be planning to come back to Europe," he said. "I don't know (if it will be in England), there are a few options, put it that way."

"I have had an incredible career so far...But if we reach another World Cup and I play some part, it will be up there with all the other achievements I've had in my career," added the former Manchester United striker.

Keeper Enke unfit for Germany's World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan

BERLIN, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- German Football Federation (DFB) announced Monday that national team goalkeeper Robert Enke was unfit for Wednesday's World Cup Group Four qualifier against Azerbaijan.

The 32-year-old Hannover goalie had an infection and was ordered to undergo medical tests, according to the DFB.

"I am bitterly disappointed," said Enke. "But I feel I am not fully fit and I cannot take such a risk in a World Cup qualifier."

His place in Germany's starting lineup is likely to be taken by Rene Adler.

Germany are now leading the Group Four with a point ahead of runners-up Russia.

Malouda out of squad, Henry denies criticising coach

French national soccer team's midfielder Florent Malouda (L) vies with defender Sebastien Squilacci during a training session, on September 06, 2009 in Clairefontaine, southern Paris, one day after France's World Cup 2010 qualifying football match against Roumania.(Photo/AFP)

PARIS 鈥?1998 World Cup winners France's increasingly fraught qualifying campaign for next year's finals deepened on Monday when captain Thierry Henry denied he had criticised coach Raymond Domenech in front of the rest of the squad.

Squad-mate and fellow 2006 World Cup finalist Florent Malouda also revealed that he had only learnt he was not even among the substitutes for last Saturday's qualifier with Romania at the Stade de France when he entered the dressing-room and he saw there was no shirt for him.

Henry's denial - Le Parisien claimed on Monday that in Friday's team meeting the Barcelona star had publicly slammed Domenech - and Malouda's clear displeasure at the manner in which he learnt of his non-selection will do nothing for morale as they head for a crucial qualifier with Group Seven leaders Serbia on Wednesday.

Henry was forced to clarify what had gone on on Friday on the eve of the 1-1 draw which left the French four points adrift of the Serbs with just three matches remaining and in danger of having to go through a play-off to progress to South Africa.

"Nothing happened on Friday evening," protested Henry to French TV station TF1.

"There was a discussion between the squad and the coach as is usual.

"It was a constructive discussion... which must stay between the players and the coach.

"I did not question the coach's qualities. There was never a clash between us," added Henry, who was quoted by Le Parisien as telling Domenech that the players had no idea where they were to play and lacked any direction.

Henry, who scored France's goal in the Romania match, insisted the camp was a happy one, something clearly not in Malouda's vocabulary.

"I saw when I entered the dressingroom that there no shirt had been prepared for me," the Chelsea star - who has enjoyed distant relations with Domenech having criticised him - told RTL radio station in an interview recorded on Sunday but only broadcast on Monday.

"I deduced from that that I was in either the starting line-up or the substitutes bench, that is how I came to learn of it.

"I was surprised, I thought at the very least I would feature at some stage.

"However, it is important to support ones friends, even from the stands, one has to get over one's disappointment.

"One is powerless to do anything sitting in the stands, one has fleas in ones pants, but that is how it is, it is the choice of the coach.

"It is a delicate matter to discuss, and is not an agreeable experience to live through, but it is important not to think about it too much, even if it is disappointing."

(Agencies)

Capello thanks Bilic for team-talk

LONDON, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- England boss Fabio Capello has thanked Slaven Bilic for providing the team-talk ahead of their World Cup qualifier and will simply tell his players to remember what the Croatia manager has branded them.

Capello's men can qualify for South Africa with victory against the side that denied them a place at Euro 2008 - but there is the added incentive of proving Bilic wrong after he stirred up the mind games this week, English website Sportinglife.com said.

Bilic has suggested that England have lost their "Englishness" under Capello, which the Italian feels has motivated his squad.

"Thank you Mr Bilic," Capello said. "It is the best. I have no need to motivate my players after this. It's fantastic assistance."

Instead of a moving speech to rally his players towards eight wins from eight Group Six qualifiers, Capello's message will be simple.

"You have to remember what Bilic said," he said.

Capello has also warned Bilic that his side has improved since their 4-1 win in Zagreb last season, when Theo Walcott scored a hat-trick and gave England their momentum for the rest of the campaign.

"In Croatia we played very well and won 4-1," he said. "We played a lot of good games for qualification and won seven games, improving in every game."