Germany coach Joachim Loew refused to criticise his players for again easing off in the second half of their World Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan.
A 4-1 win took Germany a step closer to qualifying for the 2014 World Cup, but after leading 3-0 at the interval they risked throwing the match away as their low-ranked opponents pulled a goal back, hit a post and had a shot cleared off the line.
Loew said: “They have important Bundesliga games at the weekend and Champions League matches next week so possibly they were thinking about that.
“But we still created a lot of chances against very deep-lying opponents.”
US frustrate Mexico at Azteca
A battling United States held Mexico to their third straight draw in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying, grinding out a goalless stalemate in a tense encounter at the Azteca Stadium on Tuesday.
The result was only the second time the US have earned a point from a qualifier at the Azteca and the gutsy display with an injury-hit squad took the US to four points from their three games.
Panama top the standings on five points from three games with Costa Rica second in the table, ahead of the Juergen Klinsmann-coached US on goal difference.
Serie B to have player salary cap
Italy’s Serie B will introduce a player salary cap next season in a bid to save cash-strapped clubs from extinction.
“It was unanimously decided that contracts starting from July 1 must be standardised with a fixed and variable element each not exceeding €150,000 gross,” a Serie B statement said after a meeting between club owners on Tuesday.
Italy’s second tier sides have long suffered from low crowds, dilapidated stadiums, reduced television income and a lack of transfer income with the top flight Serie A teams often preferring to look abroad for new recruits.
‘Joniesta’ shines
Welsh coach Chris Coleman said the national side had uncovered another gem following the sparkling performance of midfielder Jonathan Williams in the last-gasp 2-1 defeat by Croatia in World Cup qualifying on Tuesday.
Wales already boast one of world football’s hottest properties in Gareth Bale, who Coleman joked could soon be shunted from the headlines by 19-year-old Williams.
“In the next couple of trips you will be asking me about Johnny as much as you do about Gareth,” said Coleman.
The diminutive midfielder, who plays for Crystal Palace, is nicknamed ‘Joniesta’ in reference to Barcelona playmaker Andres Iniesta.
Defoe ‘not father’ of baby boy
England and Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe is not the father of a baby born to his ex-girlfriend last month, his representatives said yesterday.
The 30-year-old last year had a brief relationship with Anne-Marie Moore, who gave birth to a son Joshua-James in February.
However, after a DNA test, it has been revealed Defoe is not the father, a spokesman for the player told reporters.
He said: “Jermain vowed to support the mother after she claimed she was expecting his child but DNA test results have proved that the baby is not his.
“He will be making no further comment.”
Japan irked by laser beams
The Japan FA will complain to FIFA that two of their players were targeted by laser beams from the crowd during their shock loss to Jordan in a World Cup qualifier.
A draw in Tuesday’s match in Amman would have been enough for the Blue Samurai to become the first team to qualify for the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil but Yasuhito Endo missed a second-half penalty as the Asian champions crashed to a 2-1 defeat.
According to reports, a laser trained on Endo when he was preparing to take the penalty while keeper Eiji Kawashima was also targeted at the King Abdullah International Stadium.
“We will make a complaint,” Kyodo quoted JFA chief Kuniya Daini as saying.
Suspended ref still makes FIFA list
Tunisian referee Slim Jedidi, suspended by the Confederation of African Football last month after an error-strewn performance at the Africa Cup, has been retained on FIFA’s shortlist for next year’s World Cup.
Jedidi is among seven prospective World Cup referees from Africa named by FIFA to attend a seminar in Casablanca from April 27-30.
Jedidi, 42, was suspended indefinitely after the Nations Cup semi-final where he sent off Burkina Faso’s Jonathan Pitroipa and denied a legitimate looking penalty claim but handed a dubious spot kick to opponents Ghana at Nelspruit, South Africa, on February 6.