Former Brazilian striker Ronaldo has accepted an offer to lead the Brazilian 2014 world cup organising committee. Ronaldo who holds the record of having scored the most goals in world cup finals history, will be confirmed in his new role today.

Ronaldo who recently retired after admitting that the injuries he had sustained over the course of his career had taken a toll on his fitness is regarded as one of the all time best out and out strikers in the game.

Euro 2012 qualifying began in August 2010, with 51 nations vying to be part of next Juneís tournament in Poland and Ukraine. Of course, only about half of those teams entered with realistic hopes of qualifying or making the playoffs, and less than half of those teams have a legitimate chance to make a serious run at the title.

Irish striker Shane Long has set his sights on forcing his way in Ireland's starting line-up for the crucial Euro 2012 play-off games against Estonia.
Long was a surprise ommission for the decisive group match with Estonia in Dublin last week, which saw Ireland secure a runners-up spot.

After a 6-0 win at home to Andorra on Tuesday, Russia qualified for their third European Championship in succession. Russia finished the campaign with 23 points from seven wins, two draws and a loss. The Republic of Ireland earned second place after a nervy 2-1 win over Armenia in Dublin. [read more]

How 'stupid and suicidal' Trap silenced bigmouth Dunphy

I know a few Irish fans who aren't happy with the way Giovanni Trapattoni has them playing. Too obsessed with playing for a draw, they say. But if he gets a draw in Estonia next month and follows it with victory in Dublin that takes the Republic to the Euros, you won't hear a word said against him.

By Alan Duffy

Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni collapses with joy on hearing the play-off draw

I think it's fair to say that the Irish have been paid back with interest for that infamous Henry handball in the World Cup qualifiers in 2009.

Irish eyes were smiling last night as the Rep. of Ireland beat Armenia in controversial fashion at the Aviva with a 2-1 win which guaranteed them a play-off spot for next years Euro 2012 Finals in Poland and Ukraine.

The turning point in the game came mid-way through the first half when Armenian keeper Roman Berezovsky was sent off for hand ball despite pictures showing the ball hit his chest and not his arm, to add insult to the Armenian camp Irish striker Simon Cox admitted he controlled the ball with his arm accidentally.

Gratis bum shot via The Spoiler.

Alcohol is not merely a constituent of a good party. Rather, it's the party's host.

Shay Given knows this, which is why he issued a call to the Republic of Ireland fans before last night's Euro 2012 qualifier vs. Armenia to hit the booze. Shay apparently felt that a wee dram or ten might help the faithful blow the roof off the stadium and simultaneously propel the team to victory.

By Chris Wright

Valeri Aleksanyan of Armenia, fox in the (Armenian) box...

We'll have more on the rest of the shenanigans that dogged this game shortly.

Video: Kistengang

So after thinking this was a red against Ireland...paying attention works...it appears UEFA is making up for FIFA's earlier faux pas in the Ireland-handball controversy department by sending off Armenia's keeper for a perfectly legal play in an ultimately meaningless game, as Ireland will finish second (Russia v Andorra for the top spot enough said).

Despite their fate of a second-place finish and playoff game already assured what with Russia being simply scheduled against Andorra and all Ireland still has a right to be aggrieved by yet another controversy in a palm-based situation during a qualification decider. One which may result in UEFA's typical stance of "we didn't see nuthin' the referee is always right" and thus a suspension.

Rep.of Ireland captain Robbie Keane get's over missing Ireland's crucial Euro 2012 qualifier with Armenia tonight with a spot of Karaoke at Gibney's in Malahide, Keane was also joined by former Republic full-back Gary Kelly at the Malahide pub.

Too Keane on karaoke Republic of Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni attempts to keep opponents Armenia guessing over his team selection were scuppered by Robbie Keane's burning desire to break into song. Trapattoni was publicly claiming that Keane was in contention for a place despite struggling with an adductor muscle injury.

BY ADAM SERRANO

Robbie Keane has picked up an injury that force him to miss one of the most important games in the Los Angeles Galaxy's season.

Ireland head coach Giovanni Trapattoni ruled Keane out for Ireland's vital EURO 2012 Qualifer against Armenia on Tuesday due to a adductor muscle injury that the forward picked up in a 2-0 victory over Andorra.

Ireland skipper Robbie Keane is being given every chance to prove his fitness ahead of Tuesday night's Euro 2012 showdown with Armenia in Dublin.
The 31-year-old Dublin born striker is a major doubt for the game at the Aviva Stadium which will decide Ireland's Group B fate as they attempt to secure a play-off berth.

With Germany, Italy, Holland, England, Spain and hosts Poland and Ukraine already qualified their are still 9 places remaining in the Euro 2012 Finals, so which teams have their own destiny in their own hands and who have to rely on others to keep their Euro 2012 dreams alive.

England became the seventh team to qualify for EURO 2012 on Friday on a night when Russia and Greece took huge steps towards joining them and the likes of Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina ensured top-two finishes.

Last month holders Spain and former European champions Italy, the Netherlands and Germany ensured their finals berths alongside co-hosts Poland and Ukraine, and to that number can be added England after their 2-2 draw in Montenegro settled Group G.

Kevin Doyle's 10th international goal set Ireland on the road to a comfortable victory in Andorra as Giovanni Trapattoni's men completed the first half of their European mission.
Doyle's seventh-minute strike gave Ireland an advantage they never threatened to surrender and when defender Ildefons Lima deflected Aiden McGeady's shot into his own net 13 minutes later, the points were effectively safe.

Good draw for England in the Euro 2012 as they have been drawn against Ukraine, France and Sweden. It is by now way an easy group for England, but considering who England could have been drawn against, Fabio Capello cannot be too upset.

In every tournament there is a proverbial "Group of Death" and Euro 2012 is no exception.

Note: There is a print link embedded within this post, please visit this post to print it. | Subscribe: Predictions

On this week's predictions we feature important qualifiers for the European Championships taking place in Poland-Ukraine next summer as well as some World Cup 2014 qualifiers from South America and Asia.

With just two matches left in the qualifying process for the 2012 European Championships, the Republic of Ireland remain in with a very real chance of getting to their first major tournament since the 2002 World Cup.

Thierry Henry and France's controversial- and undeserved- win meant heartbreak for the Boys in Green in the 2010 World Cup play-offs.

Three Key Matches In Final Round Of Euro 2012 Qualifying - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

After more than a year of matches, the group stage of UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying is down to its final two matchdays. Co-hosts Poland and Ukraine, reigning European and world champions Spain, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands are all set for next summer's tournament, but by Tuesday evening, we'll know who the other six automatic qualifiers are, along with the eight sides who'll duke it out in two-legged playoffs in November for the final four spots.

Grupo A PT PJ G E P GA GP DF Alemania 24 8 8 0 0 28 5 23 Turquía 14 8 4 2 2 11 8 3 Bélgica 12 8 3 3 2 16 11 5 Austria 8 8 2 2 4 12 16 -4 Azerbaiyán 7 8 2 1 5 9 21 -12 Kazajstán 3 8 1 0 7 5 20 -15 Grupo B PT PJ G E P GA GP DF Rusia 17 8 5 2 1 10 4 6 Irlanda 15 8 4 3 1 11 6 5 Armenia 14 8 4 2 2 17 7 10 Eslovaquia 14 8 4 2 2 6 8 -2 Macedonia 7 8 2 1 5 6 9 -3 Andorra 0 8 0 0 8 1 17 -16 Grupo C PT PJ G E P GA GP DF Italia 22 8 7 1 0 16 1 15 Serbia 14 8 4 2 2 12 10 2 Estonia 13 9 4 1 4 13 13 0 Eslovenia 11 9 3 2 4 10 7 3 Irlanda Del Norte 9 8 2 3 3 8 8 0 Islas Feroe 4 10 1 1 8 6 26 -20 Grupo D PT PJ G E P GA GP DF Francia 17 8 5 2 1 11 3 8 Bosnia-Herzegovina 16 8 5 1 2 11 7 4 Rumania 12 8 3 3 2 10 6 4 Belarús 12 9 3 3 3 6 5 1 Albania 8 8 2 2 4 6 10 -4 Luxemburgo 4 9 1 1 7 3 16 -13 Grupo E PT PJ G E P GA GP DF Holanda 24 8 8 0 0 34 5 29 Suecia 18 8 6 0 2 26 8 18 Hungría 18 9 6 0 3 22 14 8 Finlandia 9 8 3 0 5 15 14 1 Moldavia 6 8 2 0 6 8 15 -7 San Marino 0 9 0 0 9 0 49 -49 Grupo F PT PJ G E P GA GP DF Croacia 19 8 6 1 1 16 5 11 Grecia 18 8 5 3 0 10 4 6 Israel 13 9 4 1 4 11 11 0 Georgia 10 9 2 4 3 6 7 -1 Letonia 8 8 2 2 4 7 10 -3 Malta 1 8 0 1 7 4 17 -13 Grupo G PT PJ G E P GA GP DF Inglaterra 17 7 5 2 0 15 3 12 Montenegro 11 6 3 2 1 5 3 2 Suiza 8 6 2 2 2 10 8 2 Bulgaria 5 7 1 2 4 3 12 -9 Gales 3 6 1 0 5 3 10 -7 Grupo H PT PJ G E P GA GP DF Portugal 13 6 4 1 1 15 7 8 Dinamarca 13 6 4 1 1 9 4 5 Noruega 13 7 4 1 2 7 6 1 Islandia 4 7 1 1 5 3 9 -6 Chipre 2 6 0 2 4 5 13 -8 Grupo I PT PJ G E P GA GP DF España 18 6 6 0 0 21 5 16 República Checa 10 6 3 1 2 8 5 3 Escocia 8 6 2 2 2 7 7 0 Lituania 5 7 1 2 4 3 9 -6 Liechtenstein 4 7 1 1 5 3 16 -13 Gracias por tu visita Estadísticas de Fútbol

Calendario Eliminatorias Eurocopa 2012
Viernes 7 de octubre de 2011 Azerbaiyán vs Austria Grupo ATurquía vs Alemania Grupo ABélgica vs Kazajstán Grupo AArmenia vs Macedonia Grupo BEslovaquia vs Rusia Grupo BAndorra vs Irlanda Grupo BIrlanda Del Norte vs Estonia Grupo CSerbia vs Italia Grupo CBosnia-Herzegovina vs Luxemburgo Grupo DRumania vs Belarús Grupo DFrancia vs Albania Grupo DFinlandia vs Suecia Grupo EHolanda vs Moldavia Grupo ELetonia vs Malta Grupo FGrecia vs Croacia Grupo FGales vs Suiza Grupo GMontenegro vs Inglaterra Grupo GChipre vs Dinamarca Grupo HPortugal vs Islandia Grupo HRepública Checa vs España Grupo ISábado 8 de octubre de 2011 Liechtenstein vs Escocia Grupo IMartes 11 de octubre de 2011 Alemania vs Bélgica Grupo AKazajstán vs Austria Grupo ATurquía vs Azerbaiyán Grupo AIrlanda vs Armenia Grupo BMacedonia vs Eslovaquia Grupo BRusia vs Andorra Grupo BItalia vs Irlanda Del Norte Grupo CEslovenia vs Serbia Grupo CAlbania vs Rumania Grupo DFrancia vs Bosnia-Herzegovina Grupo DHungría vs Finlandia Grupo EMoldavia vs San Marino Grupo ESuecia vs Holanda Grupo ECroacia vs Letonia Grupo FGeorgia vs Grecia Grupo FMalta vs Israel Grupo FBulgaria vs Gales Grupo GSuiza vs Montenegro Grupo GDinamarca vs Portugal Grupo HNoruega vs Chipre Grupo HLituania vs República Checa Grupo IEspaña vs Escocia Grupo I Gracias por tu visita Estadísticas de Fútbol

Cada selección nacional tiene su apodo, y las 53 que son miembro de la UEFA hacen un alarde de la diversidad cultural de Europa. Los colores de las camisetas y las referencias históricas aparecen de modo brillante. ¿Cómo le dicen a cada una?
Albania: Kuqezinjte (Rojinegra, en albanés)
Alemania: Die Mannschaft (El Equipo, en alemán)
Andorra: La selecció tricolor (la selección tricolor, en catalán)
Armenia: Azgayin havaqakan (Equipo Nacional, en armenio)
Azerbaiján: Odlar yurdu komandasi (Equipo de la Tierra del Fuego, en azerí)
Austria: Das Team (El Equipo, en alemán-inglés), Die Rot-Weiss-Roten (Los rojo-blanco-rojos, en alemán)
Belarús: Nacionalnaya sbornaya (Equipo Nacional, en bielorruso)
Bélgica: Les diables rouges o Rode Duivels (los diablos rojos, en francés o en flamenco)
Bosnia-Hercegovina: BH Representacija (Selección de BH, en bosnio) o Zuto-Plavi (los azul y amarillos, en bosnio)
Bulgaria: Lavovete (Leones, en búlgaro)
Chipre: Galanolefki (los blanquiazules, en griego)
Croacia: Vatreni (Ardientes, o llenos de fuego, en croata)
Dinamarca: Danish Dinamite (Dinamita danesa, en inglés)
Escocia: The Dark Blues (los de azul oscuro, en inglés)
Eslovaquia: Narodny Tim (Equipo Nacional, en eslovaco)
Eslovenia: Reprezentanca (Selección, en esloveno)
España: La Furia o La Roja
Estonia: Sinisargid (los azules, en estonio)
Finlandia: Sinivalkoiset (los blanquiazules, en finés)
Francia: Les Bleus (los azules, en francés)
Gales: The Dragons (los Dragones, en inglés)
Georgia: Jvarosnebi (Cruzados, en georgiano) o Erovnuli nakrevi (Selección, en georgiano)
Grecia: To Peiratiko (el Barco Pirata, en griego) o Ethniki Ellados (Selección Griega, en griego)
Holanda: Oranje (la Naranja, en flamenco)
Hungría: Valogatott (Selección, en magyar)
Inglaterra: Three Lions (Tres Leones, en inglés)
Irlanda: The Boys in green (los Muchachos de verde, en inglés)
Irlanda del Norte: Green and White Army (Ejército verdiblanco, en inglés)
Islas Feroe: Landslidid (Equipo Nacional, en feroés)
Islandia: Strakamir Okkar (Nuestros muchachos, en islandés)
Israel: Nivheret Hatchelet (la selección celeste, en hebreo)
Italia: La Nazionale (la Selección, en italiano) o Azzurri (azules, en italiano)
Kazakstán: Kazakhstanskie barsy (Leopardos de las nieves, en ruso)
Letonia: Izlase (Selección, en letón)
Liechtenstein: Nati (abreviación de Nationalmannschaft, Equipo Nacional, en alemán)
Lituania: Rinktine (Selección, en lituano)
Luxemburgo: D'Leiwen (los Leones, en alemán)
Macedonia: Creveni Lavovi (Leones rojos, en macedonio)
Malta: Kavallieri Ta Malta (Caballeros de Malta, en maltés) o IT-Team Nazzjonali (Equipo Nacional ,en maltés)
Moldavia: Selectionata (Selección, en moldavo)
Montenegro: Sakoli (Halcones, en serbio)
Noruega: Landslaget (Equipo Nacional, en noruego)
Polonia: Bialo-czerwoni (Rojiblanca, en polaco) o Polskie Orly (Águilas polacas, en polaco)
Portugal: Seleçao das Quinas (Selección de los Escudos, en portugués)
República Checa: Cesti Ivi (Leones checos, en checo) o Narodni Tym (Equipo Nacional, en checo)
Rumania: Tricolorii (Tricolores, en rumano)
Rusia: Sbornaya (Selección Nacional, en ruso)
San Marino: La Serenissima (La Serenísima, en italiano)
Serbia: Orlovi (Águilas, en serbio)
Suecia: Blagult (Azul-amarilla, en sueco) o Kronors (Coronas, en sueco)
Suiza: Nati (abreviación de Nationalmannschaft, Equipo Nacional, en alemán)
Turquía: Ay Yildiz (el equipo de la Luna y la Estrella, en turco)
Ucrania: Sbirna (Selección, en ucraniano)
Apodos de todas las selecciones de la FIFA Todas mis notas en Periodismo de fútbol internacional

Mais um jogo do Mundial Sub-20, foi realizado no dia 03/08/2011, na cidade de Armenia-COL, onde jogaram as seleções da Croácia (10º no ranking da FIFA) e a seleção da Nigéria (39º no ranking da FIFA).
Antes desse jogo, as 2 seleções nunca haviam jogado.
O árbitro desse jogo, foi: Dario UBRIACO (URU)
O primeiro assistente do jogo, foi: William CASAVIEJA (URU)
O segundo assistente do jogo, foi: Carlos PASTORINO (URU)
O quarto árbitro do jogo, foi: Marlon ESCALANTE (VEN)
O primeiro gol do jogo, foi de Olarenwaju KAYODE, aos 25 minutos do primeiro tempo.

Mais um jogo do Mundial Sub-20, foi realizado no dia 03/08/2011, na cidade de Armenia-COL, onde jogaram as seleções da Arábia Saudita (84º no ranking da FIFA) e a seleção da Guatemala (124º no ranking da FIFA).
Antes desse jogo, as 2 seleções nunca haviam jogado.
O árbitro desse jogo, foi: William COLLUM (SCO)
O primeiro assistente do jogo, foi: Graham CHAMBERS (SCO)
O segundo assistente do jogo, foi: Martin CRYANS (SCO)
O quarto árbitro do jogo, foi: Marlon ESCALANTE (VEN)
O primeiro gol do jogo, foi de Yahya DAGRIRI, aos 17 minutos do primeiro tempo.

Vyacheslav Malafeev must feel a little sheepish when he looks at his latest Russian cap. For the 32-year-old barely deserved it.

That isn't a slight on his efforts, but merely a reflection on the game against Ireland, which saw the home side attack for the entire 90 minutes, meaning Malafeev could have had a little sleep and still kept a clean sheet.

Spoilers: Everybody came out of this set of internationals fit and unscathed and ready to take on Stoke on Saturday. Except perhaps for Martin Skrtel, though any damage he picked up is going to be of the mental variety. In any case, September's international break is over and done with, which means no more worries about Liverpool players getting injured in borderline meaningless games.

Stewart Downing was in fine form as England beat Wales 1-0 at Wembley to put themselves on the brink of qualification for Euro 2012.
The Liverpool winger capped a lively display by setting up Ashley Young's 35th minute winner.
Meanwhile, Anfield teammate Andy Carroll was introduced as a late substitute for the Three Lions.

Serbia is set to face the Faroe Islands in Group C action, while Kazakhstan heads to Azerbaijan in an exciting match-up of countries that can't qualify for next summer's European Championships. Plus there might be a couple of games that you'll be vaguely interested in because hey, it's football, which is better than nothing.

Ireland captain Robbie Keane has admitted Tomorrow's Euro 2012 qualifier with Russia is a game 'The Boys In Green' cannot afford to lose if they are to maintain hopes of qualifying for the finals in Poland.
Giovanni Trapattoni's side were held by Slovakia last Friday in a disappointing performance in the Aviva Stadium and trail Russia by two points with three rounds of games remaining in Group B.

The international fixtures for the month of September got underway all across the globe on Friday, but no game came close to the Netherlands' match versus San Marino in terms of lopsidedness.

Playing in a Group E European Championship qualifier, the Netherlands scored nearly a dozen goals as it defeated San Marino 11-0.

La eliminatoria para la Euro 2012 a disputarse en Polonia y Ucrania le brindó el pase directo a los ganadores de grupos: Alemania, Rusia, Italia, Francia, Holanda, Grecia, Inglaterra, Dinamarca y España. Además van Suecia (mejor segundo) y en la repesca consiguieron los últimos cuatro cupos la República Checa, Portugal, Croacia e Irlanda.

Another Manchester City player is moving to La Liga with the news that Espanyol have reached an initial deal with City to take Vladimir Weiss on loan for the coming season.

The 21-year-old Slovakia international, who has had loan spells at Bolton and Rangers during the last two years, travelled to Barcelona on Monday morning in a bid to put the finishing touches on the switch.

Martin Skrtel believes Liverpool finally has a squad capable of competing at the top end of the Barclays Premier League.
The Reds have collected seven points from their opening three games and temporarily went top of the league this weekend.
Their latest victory against Bolton on Saturday was secured with record signing Andy Carroll on the bench, while a week ago Kenny Dalglish left Luis Suarez out of his starting XI for our trip to Arsenal.

Mais um jogo do Mundial Sub-20, foi realizado no dia 31/07/2011, na cidade de Armenia-COL, no Estádio Centenario, onde jogaram as seleções da Croácia (10º no ranking da FIFA) e a seleção da Arábia Saudita (88º no ranking da FIFA).
Antes desse jogo, as 2 seleções nunca haviam jogado.

Mais um jogo do Mundial Sub-20, foi realizado no dia 31/07/2011, na cidade de Armenia-COL, no Estádio Centenario, onde jogaram as seleções da Nigéria (39º no ranking da FIFA) e a seleção da Guatemala (124º no ranking da FIFA).
Antes desse jogo, as 2 seleções nunca haviam jogado.

Calendario con todos los resultados Mundial Sub 20 Colombia 2011
El equipo tricolor mexicano empezo con su peor pesadilla en los mundiales,perdiendo con Argentina, pero logro rehacerse contra los coreanos y tres fuertes disparos lograron que la esperanza verde aumente.

Viernes 29 de Julio de 2011
0 Inglaterra-Corea del Norte 0 (F)
1 Argentina-México 0 (F)
0 Austria-Panamá 0 (E)
1 Brasil-Egipto 1 (E)

Sábado 30 de Julio de 2011
0 Malí-Corea del Sur 2 (A)
4 Colombia-Francia 1 (A)
1 Camerún-Nueva Zelanda 1 (B)
0 Portugal-Uruguay 0 (B)

Domingo 31 de Julio de 2011
1 Costa Rica-España 4 (C)
1 Australia-Ecuador 1 (C)
5 Nigeria-Guatemala 0 (D)
0 Croacia-Arabia Saudí 2 (D)

Lunes 1 de Agosto de 2011
1 Egipto-Panamá 0 (E)
3 Brasil-Austria 0 (E)
3 México-Corea del Norte 0 (F)
0 Argentina-Inglaterra 0 (F)

Martes 2 de Agosto de 2011
17:00 (22:00 GMT) Bogotá.

Europe has announced the qualifying groups for the World Cup in Brazil for 2014. The winners of the nine groups automatically qualifying while the best eight runners up play a head to head to see which four will also advance to the World Cup. Group A- Croatia, Serbia, Belguim, Scotland, Macedonia, Wales Group B- Italy, Denamrk, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Armenia, Malta Group C- Germany,