Football news

Japan and the Netherlands will battle it out in next year's World Cup, but the Dutch coach has some homework to do after failing to recognise his Japanese opposite number at a Cape Town dinner.

Japan's Takeshi Okada said he was speaking with Australia coach Pim Verbeek, a Dutchman, on the eve of Friday's World Cup draw when Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk joined and apparently mistook him for one of Japan's FA officials.

"Then he (van Marwijk) asked me who the Japan coach is and where he is. I told him, 'That's me'. Then he said, 'Is that so?'" a miffed Okada told Japanese media.

Japan have been drawn in Group E along with the Netherlands, Cameroon and Denmark.

Passarella elected River president

Argentina's 1978 World Cup-winning captain Daniel Passarella was voted president of River Plate on Sunday, taking on a third role at the club he led to league titles as a player and coach.

Passarella, 56, will succeed Jose Maria Aguilar in the club's top job from next week after winning a tight election race involving five candidates.

"The people voted for change and showed this in the ballot," Passarella said. "It was an historic vote because River's supporters showed their greatness once again with their commitment."

River are currently in the midst of one of their worst slumps, languishing in the bottom half of the Apertura championship.

Cassetti thrilled by derby winner

Roma defender Marco Cassetti described it as the "best possible feeling" after coming off the bench to score the winner in Sunday's 1-0 derby win over Lazio.

Cassetti struck 11 minutes from time to pull the Giallorossi to within one point of the top four in Serie A.

"It's the best possible feeling for a Roma player to score in a derby," Cassetti said.

"I didn't have the strength to celebrate it because I couldn't believe it. I have never scored such an important goal.

"I always believe in my team. We are gradually returning to play at the level of the past few years."

Marseille can thrash Real - Lucho

Marseille playmaker Lucho Gonzalez is confident his side could pull off the big win they need at home against Real Madrid in a Champions League decider tonight.

Marseille, third in Group C and three points behind leaders Real, need to win by at least three goals to advance into the last 16 if second-placed Milan beat FC Zurich.

"Beat Real 3-0? Everything is possible in football," Lucho said.

Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain said it was hard to imagine the Spanish giants going out after their 3-0 win over Marseille at Bernabeu in September.

"Something very improbable would have to happen for them to knock us out," he said.

Benitez positive over Mascherano

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has held "positive talks" with Javier Mascherano about the midfielder's future at the club.

Mascherano was linked with a move to Barcelona last summer but Benitez insists the player is happy and negotiations are under way about extending his current deal, which runs for another two years.

"We were talking with him and his agent a month ago about our idea and his idea," Benitez said. "He's doing really well and has come back to his best. We were really pleased to talk to him to make progress."

Benitez is also looking to tie up a new contract for goalkeeper Pepe Reina over the coming months.

Hiddink won't coach at finals

Russia coach Guus Hiddink will not lead another team at the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.

The 63-year-old, who has been linked with South Africa, Argentina and also Turkey who have not qualified for the finals, told Russian daily Sport Express: "My working relationships with my employers have always been based on the principles of plain speaking and honesty.

"And in this way I can say for sure that I haven't signed contracts with anybody, nor have I even held any talks, neither with clubs nor federations.

"I won't hide the fact that many have wanted to hold talks. But I have declined them all."

Vidic adds to United's defensive woes

Nemanja Vidic has been ruled out of Manchester United's Champions League trip to Wolfsburg, leaving Sir Alex Ferguson with a threadbare defence as his team attempt to secure top spot in Group B.

United had hoped Vidic would have recovered from the flu bug that kept him out of Saturday's win at West Ham. However, the Serbian was absent as the Red Devils checked in for the short flight to Germany yesterday, giving their manager a major headache.

His list of injured defenders includes skipper Gary Neville and Wes Brown, who both limped off at Upton Park, plus longer-term casualties Rio Ferdinand, John O'Shea and Jonny Evans.

With the Da Silva brothers, Fabio and Rafael, also sidelined, the only orthodox defender Ferguson has in his squad is left-back Patrice Evra.