Football news

Former Japan defender Naoki Matsuda died yesterday, two days after collapsing with a heart attack during training.

His death, aged 34, was announced by his club Matsumoto Yamaga of the Japan Football League, the country’s third-tier division, where he moved from J-League first-division Yokohama Marinos at the start of this year.

Matsuda fell into a coma after a warm-up run in training in Matsumoto on Tuesday . He was rushed to hospital, where he was diagnosed with a cardiopulmonary arrest and put on life support.

Goodwillie seals Rovers move

Scottish international striker David Goodwillie has signed for Blackburn Rovers from Dundee United on a four-year contract.

The 22-year-old, who had been a target of Scottish champions Ran-gers, is thought to have cost Rovers £2 million.

“I think it’s a massive stage to further my career and there’s no better place to play than the Premiership,” said Goodwillie, who made his debut for Dundee United aged 16 and scored his first goal for them shortly before he turned 17.

“Growing up you want to play in the Premiership and I’m really grateful to have that opportunity.”

Chivas stun Barca 4-1 in friendly

Marco Fabian scored twice in two minutes to lift Mexican club Chivas of Guadalajara to a stunning 4-1 victory over Barcelona in their friendly late Wednesday.

The European champions led at half-time through David Villa’s third-minute strike but Chivas hit back with a burst of three goals in 12 minutes in the second half.

Barcelona’s visit drew 70,080 to Sun Life Stadium, home of the NFL’s Miami Dolphins – a record for a football match in South Florida.

The 20-year-old Fabian admitted it was a thrill to score two goals against a side of Barcelona’s stature.

“This is a dream come true, to score not one but two goals against a great team like Barca,” he said.

“Life goes on, but this is something I will cherish.”

Neymar to stay at Santos this year

The president of Santos is adamant his star striker Neymar will not leave the club until next year at the earliest.

Luis Alvaro De Oliveira has admitted to holding talks with his counterparts at Barcelona and Real Madrid, Sandro Rosell and Florentino Perez, regarding the 19-year-old who is under contract with Santos until 2014.

“Rosell has asked me about Neymar, but we do not want to sell him, at the earliest, until next year,” De Oliveira said.

“Neymar is not only wanted by Real Madrid, he is of interest to Bar-celona, Chelsea, Juventus, Paris St Germain. It is normal.

“There will always be dialogue, but we want Neymar to fulfil his contract with Santos.”

City stars need to focus – Cantona

Eric Cantona has called on Manchester City’s disaffected players to concentrate on their careers rather than worry about where they are living.

Mario Balotelli this week echoed City team-mate Carlos Tevez’s much publicised discontent at life in Manchester, claiming it is not a great place to live.

“They don’t like the place?” the former Manchester United forward laughed. “It depends on where they come from. If they come from Milan, maybe. Also it depends why they have come.

“I had a great time here and a great time in the city but the most important thing for me was to play for the best club in the world, with the best players in the world.

“I was a professional player. I didn’t try to find a city to enjoy it.”

Tevez allowed extended break

Carlos Tevez will miss the Community Shield on Sunday after Manchester City manager Roberto Man-cini agreed to extend the South American’s summer holiday.

Tevez was due at Eastlands yes-terday, and that was eagerly anticipated given the speculation about his future which followed the announcement he wants to leave.

It had started to become apparent that the Argentinian striker would not be in Manchester but sources from both sides have now confirmed Tevez is in receipt of official documentation from City stating his actual training date is next Monday – August 8.

It means Tevez will miss Sunday’s encounter with his former club Manchester United at Wembley.

No bids for Amauri

Juventus striker Amauri has not received any concrete proposals from Italian clubs, his agent has indicated.

Despite persistent speculation linking the Brazil-born striker with the likes of Parma, Genoa, Milan and Fiorentina, there seems to be greater interest in him from foreign clubs.

“The transfer market still has some time to run and we’re looking for a solution that suits him,” Giampiero Pocetta, Amauri’s agent, noted.

“Interest from Milan? That’s fantasy football, there has been nothing official from them.

“I haven’t had any real offers from Italian sides, but I can confirm that we have concrete offers from other clubs abroad.”