Football news

Cristiano Ronaldo said he was ready to answer the call for Portugal in Saturday’s World Cup qualifier at home to Hungary and Malta next Wednesday after missing Real Madrid’s first Liga loss of the season at Seville with an ankle injury.

“I have recovered well. We’ll see how things go but I think I’ll be fine,” Ronaldo said.

The Portuguese currently stand third in Group One, five points behind leaders Denmark and two adrift of Sweden, while Hungary are level on points with Carlos Queiroz’s side, rendering a win imperative ahead of an expected three points in their final game against Malta.

“These are decisive matches which we must win,” observed Ronaldo, who said that team spirit was “fantastic” despite his country’s inconsistent showing to date.

Home town Suweon honours Park

Manchester United star winger Park Ji-Sung presided at a ground-breaking ceremony yesterday for a sports complex named after him in his South Korean home city.

The Park Ji-Sung Football Centre in Suweon, just south of Seoul, will be completed in May next year and offers two playing fields, a clubhouse, a clinic, a museum and a library. The centre plans to run a training programme initially for children aged between six and 13 and later for older players.

“I started playing and spent most of my youth here,” Park said.

“I hope that the centre will help many young players grow physically and mentally through football and encourage them to enjoy the sport.”

Everton striker arrested over drugs

Everton striker Jose Baxter was released on police bail after he was arrested for possession of cannabis and fake cash.

Baxter, 17, and two other men, aged 29 and 34, were arrested on Monday.

Centre forward Baxter made his professional debut for the club on the first day of last season as a substitute.

The appearance made him Everton’s youngest ever senior player, aged 16 years and 191 days.

This season he has represented the team twice in the Europa League.

Robson start date confirmed

Bryan Robson will begin work as Thailand coach next week after signing a four-year contract, the FA of Thailand has confirmed.

The 52-year-old replaces Peter Reid and will arrive in Bangkok tomorrow before beginning work the following day.

Robson’s first task will be to guide Thailand to a place in the Asian Cup finals in Qatar in 2011, starting with home and away games against Singapore next month.

Thai FA president Worawi Makudi is confident Robson is capable of continuing the successful work started by Reid.

“I studied his profile before I decided to approach him to become Thailand’s coach. He fits the bill perfectly,” Worawi said.

Hughes hails red hot Bellamy

Mark Hughes believes Craig Bellamy can provide the firepower to shoot Manchester City into the Champions League after the striker’s goal earned a 1-1 draw at Aston Villa.

Bellamy hit his fourth goal of the season to cancel out former City defender Richard Dunne’s opener for the hosts.

Hughes’s side are now fourth in the table heading into the international break and the City boss is convinced they can stay there if Bellamy maintains his scintillating start to the campaign.

“He is playing out of his skin at the moment,” Hughes said.

“It doesn’t matter what position I use him in, he is still having a positive impact on the game and it was the same tonight.

“He is playing with great confidence. He always thinks he is the best player and most of the time he has been.”

Under-fire Leonardo rallies his troops

Milan coach Leonardo admits he and his team are going through “a difficult time” but believes the experience will make them stronger.

The Rossoneri’s poor start to the Serie A campaign, which saw Milan claim just nine points in seven games, has put Leonardo in the hot seat.

He said: “We are going through a difficult time and it is up to us to turn this around. But willingness is something this team never lacks and that is something positive.”

Leonardo has no intention to throw in the towel just yet.

“I am the Milan coach,” he said.

“I was given this opportunity and I will continue. I absolutely have no intention to step down.”

Bruce takes a look at Zenden

Boudewijn Zenden has joined Sunderland on a week-long trial. The former Barcelona, Liverpool and Marseille man has been offered the chance to impress on Wearside by Black Cats boss Steve Bruce.

Zenden, 33, is a free agent after leaving Marseille at the end of last season.

The player’s father and agent, Pierre Zenden, said: “Sunderland want to examine over the next two weeks Boudewijn’s physical state.

“Boudewijn has kept himself fit and trained six days a week. Sunderland are looking at a short-term way of strengthening their midfield and Boudewijn is a serious candidate.”