ROBBEN OUT FOR FOUR WEEKS

Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben has been ruled out for four weeks after suffering an injury while on international duty with Netherlands.

The winger limped off midway through the first half against Iceland and is now set for a month on the sidelines as he recovers.

Arjen #Robben will be out for four weeks after picking up an injury on international duty.#GetwellsoonArjenpic.twitter.com/RmhVTBq19z— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) September 4, 2015

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BAYERN MOVE CAN KICK-START MY BRAZIL CAREER - DOUGLAS COSTA

 Brazil international Douglas Costa hopes his quick adaptation to life with Bayern Munich will kick-start his international future.

The former Shakthar Donetsk man joined the German champions this summer and has instantly impressed in the Bundesliga, grabbing two assists and one goal in three league starts in the absence of injured France international Franck Ribery.

And the 24-year-old is now targeting a starring role for Brazil as he seeks to break into the first team during September’s Chevrolet Brasil Global Tour double-header with Costa Rica and USA.

“I have to grab this opportunity,” Douglas Costa told reporters in New Jersey.

“When I arrived at Bayern everyone spoke about Arjen Robben and Ribery, but I have done my job. Here is no different. Of course Neymar is a great player, but I want my place.”

With Neymar suspended for Brazil’s first two World Cup qualifiers in October, and with Oscar having withdrawn from the squad through injury, Douglas Costa is a strong contender to graduate to a regular starting berth with the Selecao. He has 9 caps for Brazil, but just one arrived as a starter.

The former Gremio forward went on to put his fine start to life in Germany down to new coach Pep Guardiola, whose style Douglas Costa believes is proving a perfect fit.

"Guardiola is a coach who likes to play on the attack, and so do we,” he said. 

“We have lot of possession. You can see it in our games, this great possession, always on the counter, attacking with pace. I think this suits my characteristics".

“Guardiola has left me 100% at ease in the team. He asks me to get forward, which is what I always do, he hired me to do that. I have filled the gap, since Ribery is injured.”

Douglas Costa went viral last week with his lambreta trick against Leverkusen, attracting criticism for some quarters for showboating.

But he says it was pure improvisation in order to get out of a tight situation and has vowed to continue dazzle fans with his creativitiy.

“It was improvisation,” he said. 

“When Mario Gotze ran with the ball and passed to me, I had nowhere to go. 

“This has always been my football. And I will do that whenever I get the chance.” 

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JUVENTUS WANTED TO SIGN ME - PASTORE

Paris-Saint Germain midfielder Javier Pastore has revealed that Juventus tried to sign him during the summer, but insists he has no intention of leaving France.

Serie A champions Juve have been forced to re-build their squad following the departures of Carlos Tevez, Arturo Vidal and Andrea Pirlo, with the likes of Mario Mandzukic, Sami Khedira and Hernanes all arriving in Turin.

Pastore has revealed he too was a target of Massimiliano Allegri, who was long linked with signing a No.10, though neither the Argentine playmaker nor PSG were keen for him to move to Italy.

And the Argentina international - who signed a new deal at Parc des Princes in June - is now looking forward to helping the Ligue 1 champions improve, and praised the arrival of international team-mate Angel Di Maria from Manchester United.

"I was approached by Juventus,” he toldESPN Radio. "But Paris Saint-Germain never had any intention of selling me, and I had no intention to go away and to leave France.

"Since I arrived the team has grown a lot, every year quality reinforcements come in.

"[Angel] Di Maria for example, I’m pleased with his arrival, we understand each other well on the pitch. He’s an incredible player who can make the difference by himself."

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I DIDN’T KNOW IF I WOULD GET ANOTHER BRAZIL CHANCE - KAKA

Kaka admits he was worried he wouldn’t get another chance with Brazil.

The 33-year-old was a surprise inclusion in Dunga’s squad for this month’s Chevrolet Brasil Global Tour double-header with Costa Rica and USA, having not appeared for the Selecao since October 2014.

And the former Fifa World Player of the year says he is ready to grab his unexpected second chance with both hands.

“I didn’t not know if I would get another chance in the squad,” he told reporters in New Jersey. 

“But I knew that if the chance came I would have to be prepared. And I am.

“I'm fine physically. It has been a long time since I had physical problems,” added the veteran, whose time with Real Madrid between 2009 and 2013 was dogged by persistent injury.

“I feel confident technically and I am prepared for these games. If I have a chance to play you will see how much I can still contribute to the national team.”

The 2002 World Cup winner went on to insist captain Neymar, who will miss October’s two World Cup qualifier through suspension, is a special talent who needs the full support of his country.

“Neymar is such a talented player. He has shown fantastic growth and development and has a very promising future. 

“He is a gem that needs to be well looked after because players like him are very rare.”

Kaka will hope to make his Brazil return on Saturday when the Selecao meet Costa Rica at Red Bull Arena.

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I'D PICK MESSI OVER RONALDO & HAZARD CAN WIN BALLON D'OR - WILLIAN

Chelsea midfielder Willian would pick Lionel Messi over Cristiano Ronaldo and believes that team-mate Eden Hazard is capable of winning the Ballon d'Or.

Belgium winger Hazard has faced criticism from Blues boss Jose Mourinho after a slow start to the 2015-16 campaign and revealed on Wednesday that he does not believe he'll ever be a true goalscorer like La Liga stars Messi and Ronaldo.

But Willian is convinced that Hazard is capable of one day being crowned the best player in the world, and is adamant that international compatriot Neymar will also come into contention for the Ballon d'Or award.

When asked who he would pick for his team out of the former Lille star Hazard and Barcelona sensation Neymar, Willian told Goal: "Both of them! They are players of great quality. Although they have different styles, in my opinion.

"Both are very skilled and have a lot of quality, but I think their styles are a little different. But I would choose both of them in a game to play in my team, for sure.

"I think so [Hazard and Neymar can win the Ballon d'Or]. They are two great players. I think it depends on them, but they have great potential to reach that level. So I think if they continue to develop, continue to grow, certainly they will have everything to achieve this award."

And quizzed on who his preferred choice would be out of Ronaldo and Messi, Willian added: "Oh my, only one!?. I choose Messi."

Willian also spoke of his admiration for former Barcelona playmaker Ronaldinho, insisting the Brazilian is his idol in football and that he thinks, in his prime, the 35-year-old was a better player than both Messi and Ronaldo.

"Ronaldinho is the biggest idol in football for me. I like him a lot. I've met him, but I never got to say that he is my idol. In my opinion, I think that Ronaldinho, at that time [between 2003 and 2005], was bigger than Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

"Of course, Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi make a lot of goals, but what Ronaldinho used to do was unbelievable. He used to be amazing on the field, and also scored a lot of goals. As his fan, I think he stopped [playing at the top level] a little early.

"If he continued to play [like earlier in his career] he would certainly be three, four, five times in a row the best player in the world. He was two times [the best player in the worl]), and then I don't know what happened, but if he wanted to continue that way, he would certainly be five times in a row the best in the world."

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ROBBEN LIMPS OUT OF NETHERLANDS - ICELAND CLASH

Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben has limped out of Netherlands' Euro 2016 qualifying clash against Iceland with a suspected groin injury.

Robben, named captain in Danny Blind's first competitive match as Netherlands' manager, appeared to break down without contact from the opposition, before being withdrawn clutching his groin, after 32 minutes

The former Chelsea and Real Madrid winger has a chequered history with injuries and could now miss the Netherlands' crucial qualifying match against Turkey on Sunday, with Luciano Narsingh the most likely to deputise.

Depending on the severity of the injury, the 31-year-old's absence could also be felt by Pep Guardiola's Bayern Munich side, adding to the German champions' fitness worries, with France winger Frank Ribery already sidelined.

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VALDES INCLUDED IN MAN UTD'S PREMIER LEAGUE SQUAD

Goalkeeper Victor Valdes has been included in Manchester United's Premier League squad despite seemingly being frozen out at Old Trafford.

The former Barcelona man was left out of United's pre-season tour of the USA after angering Louis van Gaal by refusing to play in an Under-21 match last season.

The Spain international was then stripped of his squad number and has not been included in the matchday squad for any of the Red Devils' six games this campaign.

Despite being linked with Besiktas, he remains with the 20-time English champions, though he was left out of their Champions League group stage squad.

Despite that, he will be available to play domestic football should Van Gaal require him this season after being named as one of 21 players registered to play in the Premier League.

He is joined by fellow goalkeepers Sergio Romero, Sam Johnstone and compatriot David de Gea, who himself is yet to make an appearance this term but could be reintroduced into the fold after his move to Real Madrid fell through.

Manchester United's Premier League squad in full

Goalkeepers: David de Gea, Sam Johnstone, Sergio Romero, Victor Valdes

Defenders: Daley Blind, Matteo Darmian, Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo, Chris Smalling, Antonio Valencia, Guillermo Varela

Midfielders: Michael Carrick, Marouane Fellaini, Ander Herrera, Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata, Morgan Schneiderlin, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Ashley Young

Strikers: Will Keane, Wayne Rooney

The likes of Memphis Depay, Anthony Martial, Luke Shaw and James Wilson are not included as clubs are not required to name players under the age of 21.

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New Super Eagles goalkeeper Carl Ikeme ready to challenge Vincent Enyeama

Newly invited Carl Ikeme is ready to challenge Super Eagles captain and number one goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama for the number one spot in Nigeria national team.

Ikeme is an English born goalkeeper who plays for Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers but chose to play for his fatherland Nigeria.

He was handed his first call-up by Sunday Oliseh for the 2017 African Cup of Nations clash against Tanzania this coming  weekend.

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Ahmed Musa named captain for Tanzania clash, Kenneth Omeruo, Vice Captain

CSKA Moscow forward Ahmed Musa has been appointed captain of the Super Eagles side to face Tanzania with Kasimpasa defender Kenneth Omeruo named as the vice.

The changes were made due to the absence of captain Vincent Enyeama who lost his mum.

The Super Eagles will face Tanzania in their second game of the ongoing 2017 African Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Omeruo barring any last minute hitch will partner William Troost-Ekong for the game has played in all three games in the Turkish league for Kasimpasa where he is on a season-long loan from Chelsea.

Musa is already pumped for the game and has vowed to shoot down the Taifa Stars of Ttanzania.

“Playing in front of their home fans we won’t underrate them but our aim is to get the three points,” Musa told Complete Sports".

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FIFA U17: Nigeria 1 vs 1 Korea | Match Report

Nigeria U17 played a 1-1 draw with hosts Korea U17 in the
opening match of the 2015 Suwon International Youth
Football Tournament played on Wednesday.

Funsho Bamgboye’s 26th minute strike pulled the Golden
Eaglets back to level terms after Lee Sang Heon’s third
minute effort put Choi Jin-cheul’s side aside in the third
minutes.

 “I think it was a fair result though we would have loved to
win,” coach Emmanuel Amuneke said after the game.

"It was a good game for us; we created more chances in the
second half though we failed to take them."

With the result, Nigeria and Korea are jointly in second
position behind Brazil who beat Croatia 2-1 in the
tournament's opening match.

Amuneke’s wards face Brazil on Thursday while Croatia slug
it out with Croatia.

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NPFL: SUNSHINE STARS 0-0 HEARTLAND| MATCH REPORT

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Sunshine Stars suffered a huge setback in their quest to
clinch the league title as they were held by Heartland in a
Week 27 tie on Wednesday.

Both sides shared the spoils as Sunshine missed several
scoring chances to see-off the Naze Millionaires.

Evidently, the absence of Prince Aggreh who is on national
assignment affected the chemistry of the team as Tunde
Adeniji looked glum in the attack.

Towards the end of the game, the hosts gave it their best
shot but were unlucky as resolute Heartland kept their
defence with goalkeeper Iwu at his best.

The Akure outfit have now 47 points while Heartland accrued 40 points from 26 games.

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NPFL: KANO PILLARS 1-0 KWARA UNITED | MATCH REPORT

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Kano Pillars returned to winning ways from three defeats at
a stretch after piping Kwara United 1-0 in a Week 27
encounter played at the Sanni Abacha Stadium on
Wednesday.

Rabiu Ali's solitary early effort were all the Baba Ganaru's
men needed to come out of their epic run of defeat-hit and
resume their ambition to retain title.

Kano Pillars started well against their rivals as they grabbed
the lead early enough through cult-hero Ali who scored in
the seventh minute from a free kick.

The visitors struggled in the opening half to contain their
red-hot hosts who were desperately hungry to redefine their
title destiny following their recent run of poor result.

Thereafter, match-winner Ali saw another opportunity and
fired from close range and his efforts went inches wide in
the 38th minute.

In the second half, Kwara returned stronger with Abdullahi
Ibrahim sneaking past the hosts' back line but had his shot
stopped by goalkeeper Theophilus Afelokhai in the 48th
minute.

His second effort was denied again by Afelokhai in the 53rd
minute.

 Pillars held on to their slim lead and ensured their first win
in four league games. They have 40 points after 27 games
while Kwara United remain stuck on 29 points.

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EUROS 2016: REUS RULED OUT OF GERMANY QUALIFIERS

Marco Reus has been ruled out of Germany's
upcoming Euro 2016 qualifying matches after he suffered a
toe injury in training.

The Borussia Dortmund star has not represented his country
since last September's 2-1 victory over Scotland, following
an injury-plaged 2014-15 campaign and his jinx has struck
again.

Reus, who also missed out on being part of Germany's
World Cup winning campaign through injury, twice suffered
serious ankle ligament damage last year but has made a
promising start to the new season, scoring twice in three
games, helping Dortmund to the top of the Bundesliga.

Germany currently trail Group D leaders Poland by a point
ahead of their summit meeting in Frankfurt on Friday, before
Joachim Low's side travel to Glasgow to face Scotland on
Monday where they will hope to all but guarantee a place in
France next summer.

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