World Cup Qualifying Preview: Dreaming of Deutschland

World Cup Qualifying is winding down and this weekend sees crucial qualifiers
set to be played across the globe. By weekend's end we will more than likely
know more of the 32 qualifiers for next year's World Cup in Germany...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17387
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Messi tries again as Argentina face Paraguay

Teenage striker Lionel Messi, sent off after less than two minutes of his
Argentina debut last month, is hoping for better luck in Saturday's World Cup
qualifier away to Paraguay...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17386
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World Cup qualifying (Euro) Group 6 Preview: Wales v England

After the predictably apocalyptic response to England's thrashing in Denmark,
the axe is waiting to fall on Sven and his players if they don't get it right
against Toshack's evolving Dragons...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17385
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World Cup Qualiying Preview: USA v Mexico

One of the most anticipated matches of the weekend takes place in Columbus,
Ohio, when the United States and Mexico butt heads. The winners secure passage
to Germany...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17384
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World Cup qualifying: Last chance for Bahrain and Uzbekistan

On the global stage, the meeting of Bahrain and Uzbekistan may not be one that
causes many ripples, but there will be more than a few hearts racing in Tashkent
on Saturday evening as the two nations meet in the Asian zonal World Cup
playoffs...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17383
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World Cup qualifying: Trinidad out to avenge Guatemala thumping

Former Trinidad & Tobago captain Russell Latapy has come out of international
retirement at the age of 37 in a bid to help the Caribbean islanders qualify for
their first World Cup...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17382
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World Cup Qualifying (Euro) Group Five Preview: Italy target qualification

The Azzurri could be edging closer to the World Cup with a positive result in
Scotland...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17381
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African World Cup Qualifying Preview: Group A

With two more World Cup qualifying matches to be played, only one point
separates each of the top three teams in Group A. Togo top this group with
seventeen points, followed by second-placed Zambia with sixteen points and
Senegal with fifteen...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17380
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African World Cup Qualifying Preview: Group B

If they had been dreaming of playing in the World Cup finals, then the time has
finally come for the Black Stars of Ghana to prove that they are capable of
qualifying and make it through to football's most prestigious tournament. But
will it be that easy? Certainly not, at least, no team should be underrated
now...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17379
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African World Cup Qualifying Preview: Group C

Dubbed as the group of death, the race is far from being complete in Group C
with the likes of Ivory Coast, Cameroon and Egypt, even though there are only
two more matches remaining. Ivory Coast top this group with nineteen points,
trailed by Cameroon with seventeen points and Egypt with thirteen points...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17378
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African World Cup Qualifying Preview: Group D

As the race for the 2006 African Nations Cup and World Cup finals draws nearer
to a close, new faces have been posing threats to African powerhouses throughout
the qualifying campaign for the sole spot that would lead them to the World Cup
finals...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17377
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African World Cup Qualifying Preview: Group E

Tunisia and Morocco have already qualified for the 2006 African Nations Cup
finals in Egypt, but two more qualifying matches would determine who among the
two will qualify for the 2006 World Cup finals...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17376
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African football digest

A digest of recent football stories from around Africa...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17375
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Viduka new Australian skipper

Striker Mark Viduka has been appointed Australian skipper for Saturday night's
Oceania World Cup qualifier against the Solomon Islands at Aussie Stadium in
Sydney...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17374
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Brazilians and Argentines clash in Copa Sudamericana

The next round of the Copa Sudamericana will include two passionate knockout
matches as Brazilian and Argentine clubs come head to head...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17373
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Copa Sudamericana: Brazilian fratricide sees Libertadores champs eliminated

The second leg of the first phase of the Copa Libertadores' baby brother saw
Brazilians knocking out Brazilians to reach the grudge stage against
Argentineans in the last sixteen of the tournament...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17372
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Scots bid to slow Italian stroll to World Cup finals

Italy face back to back away games in Scotland and Belarus over the next five
days, when two wins still enable them to confidently book their flights to
Germany next June...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17371
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Sydney FC score first win against NZ Knights

Sydney FC have won their first match of the inaugural A-League competition,
defeating the New Zealand Knights 3-1 at North Harbour Stadium...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17370
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Mexican Torneo Apertura 2005: Matchweek 6 Wrap

Defending champions America continue to dominate the Mexican league, extending
their undefeated streak to 23 league games. Cruz Azul humiliated city rivals
Pumas UNAM, at their own stadium, and now trail America by only one point.
Meanwhile, Azcargota's debut with Chivas was ruined by Matias Vuoso...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17369
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Korea: K-League- Minnows swim to surface

The second stage of the K-League is barely a week old, but is shaping up to
follow the first in providing fans in South Korea with an exciting and open
title race...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17368
________________________________
Queensland and Adelaide unable to break the deadlock

Queensland Roar outpointed Adelaide United for long periods tonight at Hindmarsh
Stadium, but failed to deliver the knockout blow in a tense scoreless draw...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17367
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Argentina's Boca Juniors struggle but win the Recopa

Boca Juniors lost 2-1 against Once Caldas, but were still crowned Recopa
Champions after winning the two-legged final 4-3 on aggregate...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17366
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50th anniversary of European Cup

On the afternoon of September 4 1955, Joao Martins scored the opening goal for
Sporting Lisbon against Partizan Belgrade in a match that finished in a 3-3 draw
and changed the face of European club football...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17365
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We face tough task, says Solomon Islands coach

Solomon Islands coach Ayrton Andrioli said he would have liked five months,
rather than four weeks to prepare his players for the biggest match of their
lives against Australia on Saturday night...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17364
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Aussies in Europe under threat

The employability of Australians in European football is under threat as FIFA
renews a bid to restrict foreign players at clubs...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17363
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World Cup qualifying (Euro) Group One Preview: Make or break time for Romania

Group One could be a two-horse race after Saturday's matches, as Romania's hopes
of qualifying hang by a thread...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17362
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World Cup qualifying: Turkey aiming to beat Denmark in race for playoff

Fatih Terim has set his sights on securing Turkey a place in the World Cup
qualifying playoffs, with the fight for second place in Group Two hotting up
against Denmark on Saturday...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17361
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World Cup qualifying: France taking nothing for granted against Faroes

France, in an upbeat mood since the return of inspirational playmaker Zinedine
Zidane, will not take anything for granted when they host the Faroe Islands in a
World Cup qualifier...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17360
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Viduka ready to be Australia's spearhead

As the dust settles on the shake-up, striker Mark Viduka believes it's all
starting to come together for Australia's World Cup campaign - and his own role
in it...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17359
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World Cup qualifying: Time to deliver, says Romania skipper Chivu

Romania skipper Cristian Chivu said only a victory would do against the Czech
Republic on Saturday to revive their slim hopes of qualifying for next year's
World Cup finals...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17358
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Asian confederation warns big clubs over exploitation

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has warned European clubs to stop
exploiting Asian markets for financial gain...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17357
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Australia's last World Cup hurdle set to be revealed

Will it be a trip to strife-torn Colombia, our 2001 nemesis Uruguay, or a
journey into the relative unknown of Paraguay or Chile?

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17356
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World Cup qualifying: England out to make amends against Wales

Battered pride and a private tirade from Sven-Goran Eriksson will be driving
England forward when they face Wales in Saturday's World Cup qualifier...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17355
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World Cup qualifying: Time to heal wound, says England's Ferdinand

Defender Rio Ferdinand says England will be out to heal the open wound of their
rout by Denmark when they face Wales in Saturday's World Cup qualifier...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17354
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World Cup qualifying: Wales manager Toshack wary of wounded England

Wales manager John Toshack fears that England's recent defeat in Denmark has
made his job even tougher as he prepares for the World Cup qualifier against
Sven-Goran Eriksson's side on Saturday...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17353
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US and Mexico meet in race to qualify first

With their places in the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany virtually assured,
CONCACAF powers the United States and Mexico meet on Saturday with bragging
rights at stake...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17352
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US: MLS Preview- MetroStars v Kansas City

The Eastern Conference playoff picture becomes clearer by the week. If the
MetroStars, who are 6 points off the pace, are to make a move, it must start
here... Alas, they run up against a KC side that's won 4 of 5...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17351
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US: MLS Preview- FC Dallas v San Jose Earthquakes

The top two teams in the Western Conference square off in The Oven this weekend,
but the heat should stay on the home side. Since the last time these sides met
two months ago, they have headed in opposite directions...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17350
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US: MLS Preview- Colorado Rapids v DC United

The Rapids are riding a 4-game unbeaten streak, quietly solidifying their
playoff spot... DC United have looked like the champions they are, though their
form hasn't always translated into results...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17349
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US: MLS Preview- CD Chivas USA v Columbus Crew

Now that New York and Dallas have seen the new and improved Chivas USA, the
new-look Goats return to the Home Depot Center for the first time since the
addition of Francisco Palencia and Juan Pablo Garcia...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17348
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US: MLS Preview- New England Revolution v Real Salt Lake

On Wednesday night Real Salt Lake got the big hurt at the hands of DC United,
5-1 to be exact...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17347
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Brazil try to keep Robinho's feet on the ground

If Robinho needed any more hype, then his first 26 minutes for Real Madrid after
his US$30 million move from Santos provided it...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17346
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Britain to enter football team in 2012 Olympics

Britain will enter a team in the 2012 London Olympic football competition and
its presence will not be detrimental to the status of the four home
associations, FIFA president Sepp Blatter confirmed...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17345
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Perth boss McMahon forced into changes

Perth Glory boss Steve McMahon has been forced into making changes for his
side's away clash with the Melbourne Victory in A-League round two action on
Sunday...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17344
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Copa Sudamericana: Cruzeiro, Internacional through to second stage

Cruzeiro and Internacional booked their places in the second stage of the Copa
Sudamericana after victories against fellow Brazilian teams...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17343
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World Cup qualifying: Mexico confident heading into US game

With a World Cup berth virtually assured, Mexico's national team are relaxed for
their qualifier against the United States...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17342
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Brazil: Santos playmaker heartily approves Kléber signing

Midfield playmaker Ricardinho commemorated the signing of left-back Kléber from
Basel (Switzerland), delighted that two-thirds of what Carlos Alberto Parreira
called "the finest left side in the world" can be reunited at the Vila
Belmiro...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17341
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English clubs' spending a windfall for Europe

A financial analysis has revealed that foreign football clubs are cashing in on
demand from top English sides for some of the world's best players...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17340
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Spain coach Aragones aims for history against Canada

Spain coach Luis Aragones will make history if his side avoid defeat in their
friendly at home to Canada on Saturday...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17339
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Spain: Deportivo La Coruna snap up Uruguayan Taborda

Uruguayan striker Sebastian Taborda signed a four-year contract with Spanish
club Deportivo La Coruna after completing a medical earlier today...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17338
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Spain: Sevilla president feels heat after Ramos joins Real Madrid

Sevilla president Jose Maria del Nido is feeling the heat from club supporters
following the sale of defender Sergio Ramos to Real Madrid...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17337
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Brazil: US$3 million Alex Dias bid rejected by Vasco

Vasco fans can breathe a sigh of relief as President Eurico Miranda rejected a
US$3 million bid from a group of French entrepreneurs eager to take the marksman
over to an unnamed French club...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17336
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Spain: Bilbao face goalkeeping crisis

Athletic Bilbao coach Jose Luis Mendilibar is facing a goalkeeping crisis just
one game into the start of the new season...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17335
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Scotland: Olivier Bernard's Rangers joy

Olivier Bernard says he has just signed for the biggest club of his career,
after penning a two-year deal with Rangers...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17334
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Makaay to miss both Dutch World Cup qualifiers

Dutch striker Roy Makaay will miss both of his country's World Cup qualifiers
over the next week because of a knee injury...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17333
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England: Premier League transfers hit 286 million pounds

Premier League transfer spending has risen to STG286 million this year and lower
league English clubs are increasingly reaping the financial benefits, a survey
shows...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17332
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England: FA Cup tie finally settled after 40-penalty shootout

An English FA Cup preliminary round replay between Tunbridge Wells and
Littlehampton Town was decided after a 40-penalty shootout on Thursday, the
third-highest ever recorded in a senior match...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17331
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Lille relish Stade de France challenge

Lille, who play their home Ligue 1 matches in a stadium which holds less than
20,000 fans, are looking forward to entertaining their UEFA Champions League
rivals at the showcase Stade de France...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17330
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England: Fresh setback for Man U striker Solskjaer

Reports suggest Manchester United striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has suffered a
fresh setback in his return from a knee injury...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17329
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Brazil: Parana coach moves to Turkey

Brazilian outfit Parana have moved quickly to appoint Luiz Carlos Barbieri as
the replacement for recently-departed coach Lori Sandri...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17328
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Panama unhappy with Al Ain

The Panama Football Federation (FePaFut) have reported United Arab Emirates club
side Al Ain to FIFA for failing to release striker Luis Tejada for international
duty...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17327
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Injured Frings to miss Germany friendlies

Torsten Frings will miss Germany's friendly internationals against Slovakia and
South Africa because of an inflamed ankle...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17326
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Italy's Vieri ready to face Scots despite dizzy spells

AC Milan striker Christian Vieri is available for Italy's World Cup qualifier
against Scotland in Glasgow despite suffering dizzy spells during training...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17325
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Italy: Tommasi rejoins Roma on minimum wage

Damiano Tommasi has extended his stay in the Eternal City for another year.
Tommasi, who can be considered one of the keys to Roma's 2000/2001 Scudetto
triumph, missed the entire of last season after he ruptured the ligaments in his
knee during a preseason friendly clash against Stoke City...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17324
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Holland: Robben doubtful for Armenia qualifier

Chelsea winger Arjen Robben is doubtful for Holland's World Cup qualifier
against Armenia on Saturday with an ankle problem...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17323
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Israel have World Cup qualification hopes

An army fitness guru, a coach who inspires intense loyalty, Jewish and Arab
players who have bridged a steep ethnic divide, stars without big egos - these
are some of the ingredients of Israel's compelling drive to qualify for the
World Cup...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17322
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US coach Arena releases five for club duty

US head coach Bruce Arena released five MLS players from his World Cup camp so
they can play for their club teams over the weekend...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17321
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UEFA and Mourinho kiss and make up after Barcelona spat

Jose Mourinho has had his wish for a "clean sheet" at UEFA granted -- with
European football's governing body stating it no longer had a problem with the
Chelsea manager...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17320
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England: Middlesborough's Downing out for three months

Middlesborough midfielder Stewart Downing will be out for at least three months
after undergoing knee surgery, the Premier League club said...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17319
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Australian midfielder Stavroulakis joins Peterborough

Peterborough United have signed Australian midfielder Nick Stavroulakis on a
four-month deal...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17318
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Greece: New stadium for Panathinaikos

A lifelong dream of Panathinaikos and their fans seems set to come true
following the decision this week by the Athens Mayor Dora Bakogiannis, in
cooperation with club officials from the Greek giants, to approve the
construction plans for Panathinaikos' new stadium, which is scheduled to be
built in the wider area of Votanikos...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17317
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German goalkeepers bickering again over World Cup place

Juergen Klinsmann's new policy of keeping Oliver Kahn and Jens Lehmann far away
from each other has failed to stop their bickering, with the two goalkeepers
renewing their rivalry in print this week...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17316
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Greece: Pana's Morris misses six games for throwing shirt at referee

Panathinaikos defender Nasief Morris has been handed a six-match ban after being
sent off in the 2-0 defeat by Olympiakos Piraeus...

-> http://www.isfa.com/news/?id=17315


That's all the news for now. We'll be back with another update tomorrow...

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