Soccer Digest: Richard Dunne has committed his future to Manchester City until 2007, convinced the club will become top-10 regulars under Stuart Pearce.
The Republic of Ireland international finally signed the contract extension he had been promised by Kevin Keegan, the man who threatened to sack him two seasons ago after Dunne famously turned up for training in a "dishevelled" state. With supreme irony, it is Keegan who ended up being first out of the door, quitting two months ago.
Dunne is hoping Pearce will be handed the job of cementing the Eastlands outfit firmly in the top half of the league. "When you speak to the lads in the dressingroom, Stuart is definitely the players' choice," said the former Everton defender. "We know we will never win the league but there is no reason why we can't be competing to get in the UEFA Cup on a regular basis. Over the remainder of this contract, I would like to see us become an established top-10 club.
Uefa Cup semi-finals
Sporting Lisbon kept on course to reach the UEFA Cup final on their home ground after a 2-1 victory against AZ Alkmaar in the first leg of their semi-final at the Jose Alvalade Stadium. The Portuguese team took a lead into the second leg thanks to a spectacular 25-yard strike from Chile international Mauricio Pinilla 10 minutes from time.
AZ grabbed the lead as midfielder Denny Landzaat scored what could prove to be a vital away goal in the 36th minute. The lead lasted a matter of seconds for the Dutch side though as the pacy Cameroonian striker Roudolphe Douala took advantage of a lucky deflection to drive a shot past AZ goalkeeper Henk Timmer.
In the night's other semi-final first leg, Parma were held to a goalless draw by CSKA Moscow at the Ennio Tardini stadium.
Morrison may move
Birmingham striker Clinton Morrison is considering his future at the club after falling down the pecking order at St Andrews. The Republic of Ireland striker has one year left on his contract but may have to cut his losses in his quest for regular first-team football.
"I just want to have my chance to show what I can do," said the 25-year-old, who has seen his opportunities limited following the transfer-window loan signing of Deportivo La Coruna's Walter Pandiani. "The manager has spoken to me and he says he wants me to sign (a new contract) and that I am part of his plans. But I will have to see what happens."
Hiddink eyes Kezman
PSV Eindhoven coach Guus Hiddink has admitted he will give thought to the possibility of bringing Mateja Kezman back to the Champions League semi-finalists. The Serbia and Montenegro striker moved to Chelsea from PSV for £5million last summer but has spent most of his time on the substitutes' bench.
Kezman (26) has said he would be interested in returning to the Philips Stadion and, while Hiddink believes the matter should be given further consideration, he also hinted the hitman was speaking out of frustration.
"I am not saying it is not an option to approach Mateja, but it is first a question of clear thinking by all parties," he said. "Of course, we know Kezman very well. He has enormous energy and he cannot let it loose at Chelsea at the moment. Therefore it is very tempting to immediately look towards the club where he had big success."
Ireland claim victory
Following Tuesday's 0-0 draw against Sweden yesterday goals from Emeka Onwublko and Terry Dixon ensured the Republic of Ireland Under-16s a 2-0 victory over Sweden at Whitehall. Onwublko opened the scoring with a powerful drive in the 17th minute and eight minutes into the second half, Dixon made it 2-0 with a left foot strike from 25-yards that gave goalkeeper Niklas Ronn no chance.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Redmond (Cherry Orchard); Callaghan (Millwall), Spillane (Norwich City), Breen (Belvedere), O'Toole (Tottenham Hotspur); Onwublko (St Kevin's Boys), Burgess (Kingdom Boys), Arter (Charlton Athletic), McDermott (Cherry Orchard); Dixon (Tottenham Hotspur), Murphy (Arsenal). Subs: Byrne (Belvedere) for Dixon, Lyons (Crystal Palace) for Murphy, Day (MK Dons) for Burgess, Hutton (Tottenham Hotspur) for Onwublko (all 58 mins), Cahillane (Belvedere) for McDermott (67 mins), Fitzgerald (Shelbourne) for Arter (75 mins).
Ibrahimovic banned
Juventus striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic will miss his club's title showdown with AC Milan next month after a two-match suspension was confirmed yesterday. Juventus launched an appeal after the Sweden international was banned using television evidence. The cameras appeared to show Ibrahimovic elbowing Inter Milan's Ivan Cordoba earlier this month. Ibrahimovic will miss Sunday's home game against Bologna and the crucial meeting with Milan at the San Siro on May 8th.
In brief . . . In the Uefa Under-19 European Championship Qualifiers Ireland, who are already eliminated, play Serbia today in Serbia and Montenegro. Robbie Savage will not play for Blackburn against his old club Birmingham this weekend because of a gentleman's agreement made at the time of his transfer. Roy Carroll is willing to sign a new contract with Manchester United - providing Alex Ferguson does not bring in even more competition during the summer. The German Football Association, DFB, yesterday agreed to prohibit football betting for everyone involved in the professional game. Wolves manager Glenn Hoddle is hoping discussions over a new contract will be completed before the end of the season.
