Ardiles: Argentine championship leaders Independiente handed Osvaldo Ardiles his second defeat in four days since taking over as coach of lowly Huracan. Striker German Denis scored twice, taking his tally to nine goals in eight games, as Independiente beat injury-hit Huracan 3-0 in Tuesday night's games.

Catalonia friendly: The United States are waiting to hear if Spanish soccer authorities will allow a friendly against Catalonia to go ahead next month. The US had agreed to play the Catalan regional side in a friendly at Barcelona's Nou Camp on Oct. 14 but as the Catalans are not members of FIFA, the match must be endorsed by the Spanish FA.

Petrovic: China is poised to appoint former Yugoslavia international Vladimir Petrovic to guide its national team through qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup finals, local media reported. The Serbian's appointment came on the recommendation of compatriot and former Red Star Belgrade team mate Ratomir Dujkovic, who last year was made coach of China's Olympic team.

Austria: Euro 2008 co-hosts Austria extended their miserable run of form with a 2-0 friendly defeat at home to Chile on Tuesday. The match in Vienna, part of a four nation tournament involving fellow Euro 2008 co-hosts Switzerland and Japan, was Austria's eighth without a win and leaves them still chasing their first victory of 2007.

Schalk Burger: South Africa flanker Schalk Burger will not play at this year's World Cup again unless his team reach the semi-finals. Burger was banned for four matches at a disciplinary hearing that ran into the early hours of yesterday morning after he was found guilty of a dangerous tackle on Samoa scrumhalf Junior Polu in South Africa's 59-7 victory on Sunday. A team spokesman said they would appeal against the verdict.