Stielike: South Korea gave new coach Uli Stielike a winning start to his reign with a 2-0 victory over Paraguay yesterday, with Kim Min-woo and Nam Tae-hee scoring in the first half. Former Germany international Stielike was hired in September to replace Hong Myung-bo, who resigned following Korea’s woeful World Cup campaign.

Marica out: Striker Ciprian Marica has been ruled out of the Romanian squad for the Euro 2016 Group F qualifiers against Hungary today and Finland three days later because of a foot injury. Marica’s injury is a big blow for Romania coach Victor Piturca, as the 29-year-old forward is the current team’s top scorer with 25 goals in 72 internationals.

A-League: Melbourne Victory kicked off their A-League season in style yesterday with a 4-1 rout of Western Sydney Wanderers at the Etihad Stadium. Matthieu Del-pierre opened the scoring and Besart Berisha’s spot-kick put the hosts two up, with Leigh Broxham’s strike all but sewing things up within half an hour. Mark Bridge pulled a goal back for the visitors but any hopes of a comeback were quashed when Archie Thompson bagged a fourth for Melbourne.

Boyd: Kris Boyd has been spared a two-match ban after the head-butting charge laid against the Rangers striker was ruled not proven. The Ibrox frontman was issued with a notice of complaint by new Scottish FA compliance officer Tony McGlennan after clashing with Hibernian defender Jordon Forster last month. But he has now been cleared to play after the judicial panel decided there was not enough evidence to suspend the 31-year-old.

Barkley: Everton midfielder Ross Barkley, who has not played yet this season because of a knee injury, will start training next week, the club said yesterday. “He’ll be like a fresh, new player for us,” said Everton manager Roberto Martinez. “From Monday I want him to be part of it and in probably a couple of weeks we should be able to see Ross in the squad.”