SOCCER DIGEST:SPAIN'S 4-1 defeat by Argentina underlined there is no such thing as a friendly when you are the recently-crowned world champions.
Spain manager Vicente del Bosque chose to start with a line-up including up to five squad players in Buenos Aires and watched a fired-up Argentina storm to victory.
Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain and Carlos Tevez had the hosts 3-0 up at half-time, proving perhaps that repairing damaged pride in front of your own fans after a disappointing World Cup was a stronger motivating factor for the home side.
It was the first time since August, 2000 that Spain had conceded four goals in a match, when they lost by the same scoreline away to Germany in a friendly.
“Defeats hurt, but at the same time they should be beneficial for the team,” said del Bosque.
Butler ruled out for rest of 2010
SWANSEA CITY winger Tom Butler will not play again in 2010 after undergoing a thigh operation.
The 29-year-old – who has played at senior level for the Republic of Ireland – but who is yet to feature for new Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers, has been forced to go under the knife to repair a torn muscle and will not return until the new year.
Scots apologise to Liechtenstein
THE Scottish FA apologised to Liechtenstein yesterday after their national anthem was booed by the Scotland fans before a Euro 2012 Group I qualifier.
The home side narrowly avoided their worst ever international result with a stoppage time winner from Stephen McManus ensuring a 2-1 triumph in Tuesday’s match at Hampden Park.
However, the SFA's acting chief executive George Peat has said sorry to their opponents for the abuse directed at the Liechtenstein national anthem, which has the same tune as England's anthem God Save the Queen.
Peat said: “I was embarrassed and extremely disappointed by the disgraceful behaviour of some of our supporters during the Liechtenstein national anthem at Hampden Park.
“I apologise unreservedly to our visitors for the crass reaction to their anthem, just as I did in private last night to the Liechtenstein delegation. . . last night’s behaviour does nothing to help Scotland’s image.”
Ireland planning to bounce back against Canada
THE Republic of Ireland women’s Under-17 side resume their Fifa World Cup campaign today with a Group D clash against North American champions Canada at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Port of Spain, Trinidad, at 9pm (Irish time).
The Irish girls will be eager to bounce back from their opening game against Brazil, as the South American Champions scraped a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Noel King’s side.
Canada have one eye on the quarter-finals of the competition after they overcame Ghana 1-0 in their first game of the group.
“We were obviously a little disappointed to lose the first game in what was such a close contest, but we were all absolutely delighted with the team’s performance against Brazil, in my opinion, one of the favourites for this competition,” said King.
“However, Canada cannot be underestimated under any circumstance. They are the North American champions . . . they are a formidable, strong, fit and very physical team who are well-drilled by their management team.”
REP OF IRELAND SQUAD: G Moloney (Reading), C O'Brien (Tramore), M Campbell (St Francis), J Gleeson (Tramore), J Byrne (Bealnamulla), C Grant (Kilmacrennan Cel), A Gilroy (Killala), D Gorman (Salthill Devon), Z Boyd (Montclair Thunderbolts (USA), D O'Sullivan (Wilton Utd), S Killeen (Raheny Utd), S Donnelly (Reading), R Jarrett (St Francis), T Kennedy (Finn Valley), K Glynn (Montclair Thunderbolts), A Budden (Wilton Utd), C Shine (Douglas Hall), H Scott (Reading), R Kearney (Lakewood Ath), J Maloney ( Roswell Santos (USA), E Hansberry (Strand Cel).
Villa confirm Houllier as new boss
ASTON VILLA last night confirmed the appointment of Gerard Houllier as the club’s new manager.
The former Liverpool manager has signed a three-year contract. Houllier had previously met French Football Federation president Fernando Duchaussoy to resign as his country’s technical director.
Houllier will return to Birmingham today to meet the players at the club’s training complex in Bodymoor Heath before being presented to the media at his inaugural press conference.
He will be expected to reveal who he wishes to assist him, the future role of Kevin MacDonald, currently the reserve team manager, as well as give an indication as to whether the club have promised him funds in the next transfer window.
Gary McAllister and Dietmar Hamann have been linked recently with the assistant manager’s role.
Kuyt out of action for four weeks
LIVERPOOL striker Dirk Kuyt is hopeful of being fit for the Reds’ Europa League trip to his former club Utrecht at the end of this month.
The 30-year-old injured his shoulder during training with the Dutch national team this week and was yesterday ruled out for four weeks by club doctor Peter Brukner.
That would mean Kuyt missing the trip to the Stadion Galgenwaard, where he spent five years between 1998 and 2003, on September 30th as well as matches against Birmingham, Steaua Bucharest, Manchester United, Northampton and Sunderland.
But the striker remains optimistic he will be fit for the match in the Netherlands. “I hope I will make it (for Utrecht) but it all depends on how the injury heals in the first few days.”
Birmingham midfielder Aleksandr Hleb will miss Sunday’s Premier League match against Liverpool due to a leg injury.
