Liverpool full-back Martin Kelly has spoken of his respect for colleague Daniel Ayala, despite the fact that the young Spaniard is in direct competition with him for a place in the team.
Both 19-year-olds have represented their countries at youth level and both have now played for Rafa Benitez's first-team, but Kelly insists that their relationship is positive. Click to continue reading...

The Egyptian ambassador to Algeria was recalled by Cairo as the soccer feud between the two countries has now escalated into a full scale diplomatic row.

It is also believed that Hosni Mubarak himself called the Algerian ambassador, Abdel Qader Hadja hours before the recall of the Egyptian envoy, to voice his grievance over the assaults on Egyptian citizens who went to Khartoum to support the Egyptian team.

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It is one of the biggest rivalries in all of Spanish football.� � But this season Atletico Madrid will receive more punishment� for fans involvement in� the derby then the 3-2 loss the reeling club has already suffered.� In the second half of the match Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini was struck in the side of the face by an object flung from the stands.

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In honour of today's Algeria vs Egypt showdown in Sudan, had planned on putting together a Top 10 Biggest International Rivalries post. But halfway through I realized it wasn't a great idea. Your own national team's rivalry will always feel bigger than anyone else's, so why include some in a Top 10 but not others?

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With football heavyweights France, Portugal and Russia looking to seal their place in South Africa you would be a fool to discount the action in Europe. But tonight in Omdurman, the largest city in Sudan, Egypt and Algeria clash in the day's most explosive tie.

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With football heavyweights France, Portugal and Russia looking to seal their place in South Africa you would be a fool to discount the action in Europe. But tonight in Omdurman, the largest city in Sudan, Egypt and Algeria clash in the day's most explosive tie.

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On the pitch and among the fans, Celtic and Rangers may be the fiercest of football rivals.� When it comes to the business end of things, namely the mission to maximize their financial potential by fleeing the Scottish Premier League, the Old Firm pair are partners in crime.� Like any good rivalry, Celtic and Rangers need each other.

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As a result of their dramatic 2-0 win on Saturday (the crucial second goal was scored in injury time), Egypt will meet Algeria for a third time on Wednesday in Sudan: whoever wins goes to South Africa. To describe this game as 'a local rivalry' is an understatement: the Algerian team bus was attacked at the weekend and both sides ending up blaming each other the Algerians blamed Egyptians who had been wound up by satellite TV broadcasts (insert Fox News joke here), the Egyptians claimed that it was arranged by local Algerians to make them look bad.

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A fierce North African rivalry was intensified in Cairo last night as Egypt threw themselves a World Cup lifeline in the most dramatic fashion. With five minutes of injury time on the clock, Emad Metaab popped up to head the ball into the Algerian net and produce the only result ... Click to continue reading...

A fierce North African rivalry was intensified in Cairo last night as Egypt threw themselves a World Cup lifeline in the most dramatic fashion. With five minutes of injury time on the clock, Emad Metaab popped up to head the ball into the Algerian net and produce the only result ... Click to continue reading...

Although there were four big play-off games in Europe for us all to watch along with numerous friendlies, possibly the biggest game of the day was held in Cairo between Egypt and Algeria.

A rivalry that goes back to 1989, the intensity leading up to the game today reached fever pitch only a few days ago when the Algerian team bus was attacked by fans with rocks.

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England and Argentina have one of the most intense rivalries in world football, surely the only classical cross-continental footballing rivalry. Being two of the most passionate footballing nations in the world, and much more closely associated than many know (indeed, the English brought football to Argentina in the 19th century! Click to continue reading...

The 4th biggest game in the world this weekend is Egypt v Algeria, for a spot in the World Cup. (#1 & #2 are MLS semifinals, and #3 is USA friendly, of course.) And this game is an insane rivalry.
The winner of this game goes to the World Cup, while the loser goes home.
Violence has always played a part and this time is no difference. Click to continue reading...

The season has got to end sometime. And for the Seattle Sounders, the script could have had a better ending on a dream season -- one that would have culminated hoisting the MLS Cup in front of the Sounders faithful at Qwest Field on November 22. Unfortunately for the Emerald City, it was not to be, as Brian Ching and the Houston Dynamo had other plans.

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Well it is arguably the greatest rivalry in all of league football, so you knew when Manchester United faced off against Chelsea that it would go right down to wire and the two powerhouse clubs did not disappoint over the weekend.� The match would have many of the staples to any classic match between the two squads: many near goal scoring chances, a tight match throughout the competition, the� late winner, and a perturbed Fergie who once again has screamed foul at the officials.

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So it feels like only a day ago I was previewing this round and then it was all over. Oh that's right, because I did only preview it on Saturday. But anyway, it might have been one short-sharp round with all the games over in a matter of hours - but what a round. Goals everywhere - and not just from one team as in last week's game - and interesting results for the top-six. Click to continue reading...

The two top sides in the Premier League in recent years, United and Chelsea have unearthed a rivalry that has been fought on all fronts. While geographical location may not play a part in their feelings towards each other, the chance to establish themselves at the top is the main motivation for success. Click to continue reading...

Julio Grondona and Pirates of the Caribbean star, Veron, presented Argentina's 2010 World Cup jerseys yesterday. So what's the verdict, futbolitas? D'ya like it enough to wear it? Also,� Veron had to be nice when they asked him what he thought of the ongoing Bilardo-Dona rivalry.

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SuperClasico Playoff Passion (AP Photo)

The game is tied at 2-2.

There will be a winner Sunday whether it's after 90 minutes, 120 minutes or penalty kicks.

And the Galaxy are giving away two pairs of tickets to the game to the person who correctly answers the trivia question: Which player has scored for BOTH Chivas USA and the Galaxy this season?

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I guess some would look at this as a continuation of the war of press releases between the United Soccer Leagues and the Team Owners Association, but nonetheless it's still news.

According to the press release the USL First Division will move forward next year without the member clubs of the TOA, though Tampa seems to be on-board with the USL despite flirting with TOA over the last few months.

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The second division rivalry between the German clubs FC Hansa Rostock and St. Pauli ended with a 2-0 victory for St. Pauli and some Hansa Rostock supporter being on the receiving end of a water cannon.
Angered by the loss on their home pitch, 500 die hard fans of FC Hansa Rostock tried to breach a police barrier and began throwing bottles and firecrackers. Click to continue reading...

A playoff win against Chivas USA - and this shot - eluded the Galaxy and goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts Sunday at Home Depot Center. (AP Photo)

So Chivas USA Coach Preki walks into the press conference after the game and virtually the first thing out of his mouth are the words:

"I guess it was a fun game for the spectators, not so much for the coaches.

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This is the game Southern California MLS fans have long awaited.

I'd like to say there's a buzz in the air, a sense of anticipation and tension and plenty of concrete expressions of the rivalry that have temporarily divided friends and families.

I'd like to say that, but it wouldn't be true.

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A much earlier blog than usual as I'm heading Londonwards this morning for the game.

There's nothing new to report in terms of the team. Wenger confirmed Fabianski's injury and said he'd be missing for "three to four" weeks, which is no doubt a blow to him. He was giving nothing away when pressed about who would play today.

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When Don Garber finally assented to allowing the Chivas USA franchise to call Los Angeles its home in 2004, it was a sacrifice.� The MLS cares about geographic expansion, and was looking to grow into Canada, the Northwest, and back into Florida.� Adding a team into a well-established market, and have that team plant itself at the Home Depot Center was not part of the long-term plan.

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Tottenham Hotspur

Position: 4th, 6-1-3 (19 points, +7 goal differential)

Recent Form: LWDWL

Away Form: 3-1-1

Last Meeting: Tottenham 0-Arsenal 0 (2/8/09)

It's here. The North London derby.

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Tottenham striker Robbie Keane has kicked off the rivalry that will be renewed this weekend as Arsenal host London rivals Tottenham Hotspurs. The Irish striker has revealed his belief that it is Tottenham, not Arsenal, that has the deeper squad. According to Keane, Tottenham are well equipped to beat the Gunners to a spot in the top four this season.

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You could have fooled us! England and Chelsea captain John Terry and Fulham's Bobby Zamora are best chums. Despite their clubs' rivalry, the pair are such good pals that they like nothing more than to escape the high life, and enjoy a spot of fishing together. Both players have revealed they use fishing to relax and help [. Click to continue reading...

Flamengo v Fluminense, Brazil

Over the coming weeks we'll be giving you the run down on the World's most passionate and fiercest rivalry in football. We start our list with two Brazilian giants.

History
Known as ‘Fla-Flu' this is Brazil's most passionate rivalry, dating back to 1911 when 9 Fluminense players quit the club to form Flamengo, which at the time was just a rowing club, any one for Pimms old boy?

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There are certains events in life that when it comes down to it, it makes you sit up and say "What's bigger than this?" For example an India vs Pakistan encounter, or the Aussie vs South Africa one. You know it coming when someone says it just a match and nothing more. Personally the latter has been a bigger one for me, but now I have given up on cricket and prefer to sit out of the NSW vs T&T kind of matches, which is exactly the opposite of what I am talking about.

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West Ham

Position: 19th, 1-2-5 (5 points, -3 goal differential)

Recent Form: LLLDL

Away Form: 0-1-2

Last Meeting: Arsenal 0-West Ham 0 (1/31/09)

London derby match against West Ham tomorrow.

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France doesn't have a lot of local rivalries like England for example, since Lyon-Saint Etienne and Lille-Lens do not really portray all the elements of the derby. However, this country has a derby between Olympique Marseille and Paris Saint Germain, a fierce rivalry that doesn't go such a long way.

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Ahead of the last meeting between Manchester United and Liverpool, Wayne Rooney claimed he hated Liverpool. The following day we got thumped 4-1 and our favourable position in the league started to look increasingly shaky and the bragging rights were lost.

So ahead of Sunday's game, another big scouse-hater has been interviewed, but he has gone for the more diplomatic approach, talking of his respect for Liverpool, whilst still acknowledging the rivalry.

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The stakes for the season-ending rivalry tilt between Real Salt Lake and the Colorado Rapids get bigger every season, and this year will be no exception.

RSL and the Rapids face off on Saturday night at Rio Tinto Stadium, and each team will be gunning for all three points, as both are among seven teams fighting for the final three playoff spots.

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