Mido: Egypt have left Tottenham striker Mido and other European-based players out of the squad for next week's friendly against Saudi Arabia in Dammam. However national coach Hassan Shehata told reporters yesterday that they would be recalled for the World Cup qualifier against Libya on March 25. Shehata said his main concern was to stick with the same team which played against South Korea and Bulgaria "to achieve more understanding between the players". Mido, who has 34 caps, apologised last month for the lack of discipline that resulted in him being excluded from the national team since July.
Henry: Thierry Henry believes the return of strike partner Dennis Bergkamp for Arsenal can prove the catalyst the Premier League side need to overcome a 3-1 Champions League deficit against Bayern Munich today. Bergkamp missed the defeat in Germany because of his fear of flying, but will return for the game at Highbury where a place in the quarter-finals awaits the winners of the tie. "Having Dennis back will change things a lot. When he plays I play differently - whatever I do he seems to see and when I make a move he always tries to make the right pass," Henry said.
Augenthaler: Bayer Leverkusen renewed Klaus Augenthaler's contract as coach yesterday, in a clear sign of support before today's Champions League game against Liverpool. Under the terms of Augenthaler's contract, the coach could only have expected to carry on beyond the 2004-05 season by securing a place in European competition for the following campaign. That is far from certain, with Leverkusen in seventh place in the Bundesliga, but the club still decided to extend the deal to the end of the 2005-06 season.
Pennant: Arsenal midfielder Jermaine Pennant has dropped his appeal against a three-month jail sentence for drink driving, court staff said yesterday. A staff member at Aylesbury Crown Court confirmed the former England under-21 midfielder had changed his mind after saying he would appeal immediately after his sentence last week. Pennant, once tipped as one of England's brightest footballing talents, pleaded guilty to drink-driving and driving while banned after police caught him driving a Mercedes with a lamp post dragging underneath.
Lopez: Valencia are much better organised under new coach Antonio Lopez than under former boss Claudio Ranieri, club captain David Albelda said. "We have improved tactically, and we now go into games knowing much more about our rivals' style of play," the Spain international said. Lopez succeeded Ranieri last month, after the former Chelsea boss was sacked eight months into his second spell at the club, following their shock UEFA Cup exit to Steaua Bucharest. Under Lopez, Valencia's performances have improved and they have taken three points from Real Betis, and achieved creditable draws against high-flying Real Madrid and Sevilla.
Division II/III KO SFs: Draw made yesterday at the Malta FA headquarters - Qormi vs Vittoriosa; Mellieha vs Gudja. Both matches will be played at the Centenary Stadium on March 31.