Football news

Shunsuke Nakamura has blasted Japan for being too "fancy" in their 1-1 home draw with Uzbekistan in a World Cup qualifier.

"It's okay to play ugly sometimes," the 30-year-old midfielder said following Wednesday's draw in Saitama. "Instead of trying to pass the ball around we can use the option of sticking the ball deep into the penalty box."

Nakamura, who left the pitch with blood coming from a split lip after catching a stray elbow, called on Japan to play a more direct style in their remaining 2010 qualifiers.

"We can't afford to be so precise. Uzbekistan's defenders were getting tired just from clearing the ball. It doesn't matter if it's not pretty - we need to be more direct in front of goal."

Thai trio set for Man. City exit

Manchester City are likely to cancel the contracts of their trio of Thai players following a takeover by a United Arab Emirates consortium, the club's representative in Thailand said yesterday.

Kiatprawut Saiwaew, Teerasil Dangda and Suree Sukha, signed by City's former owner Thaksin Shinawatra, no longer figured in the club's plans, Jimmy Heosontaty told Reuters.

"The manager and new owners do not see a future for them at City," he said. "Our priority is the future of the Thai national team, so we need to find new clubs for them."

English FA probes match-fixing claim

The English Football Association said it was investigating an allegation of match-fixing in a Championship (second division) match between Norwich and Derby.

English media reported there were unusual betting patterns in Asia during the October 4 match, which Derby won 2-1.

"The FA can confirm that it is investigating an allegation regarding the match between Norwich City and Derby County on October 4. We are looking into whether there is any substance to this allegation," an FA spokesman said.

"There is no fixed time-scale to our inquiries and there will be no further comment at this time."

Roma interested in Behrami

Roma are interested in signing Valon Behrami from West Ham, the player's agent told English media yesterday.

The Switzerland international only joined the Hammers from Lazio last summer and has made an immediate impact in the Premier League.

However, West Ham may be forced to sell some of their top players to raise funds to pay Sheffield United compensation over the Carlos Tevez affair.

"Roma have enquired about Valon," Alessandro Beltrami, Behrami's agent, said. "They have given me their word that they are keen on the lad and willing to close the deal.

"However, we are just in the early stages."

Torres out for three games

Striker Fernando Torres is likely to miss Liverpool's next three matches with a hamstring strain, manager Rafa Benitez said yesterday.

Torres, who limped off early in Spain's 2-1 World Cup qualifying win over Belgium on Wednesday, is expected to be sidelined for next week's Champions League match with Atletico Madrid and Premier League games against Wigan Athletic and Chelsea.

"I am very disappointed about this because it now looks like we will lose Fernando for three very important games," Benitez said. The injury is a double blow for Madrid-born Torres, who will miss an emotional return to his former club Atletico on Wednesday.

Burdisso injury 'not serious'

The injury suffered by Inter defender Nicolas Burdisso during Argentina's 1-0 defeat to Chile in a World Cup qualifier is not as serious as initially feared.

Burdisso was involved in a sickening collision with Chile's Mark Gonzales and although he didn't lose consciousness, play had to be stopped for seven minutes.

There were fears that Burdisso may have damaged his skull but Inter doctor Franco Combi yesterday said the defender's injury was not serious.

"I spoke to Nicolas on the phone and he told me that he's fine," Combi said.

"Apparently he only has a slight headache and he is calm."

Dunga on pole in Amauri race

Brazil coach Carlos Dunga is set to secure Amauri's allegiance by calling the striker up before Italy's Marcello Lippi gets a chance to.

Brazilian-born hitman Amauri has never played for his country of birth and is set to receive an Italian passport soon.

"I will choose whichever nation calls me up first," Amauri said. "I couldn't say no to either federation because Brazil is my country and is a player's dream, while Italy is where I grew as a player and as a man."

Amauri, now at Juventus, had previously indicated that he believed Italy would win the tug-of-war for his services.

"Dunga has never spoken to me and if I were to get an Italian passport and Lippi called me I would immediately say yes," he stated.