“Stephen Appiah (born December 24, 1980) is a Ghanaian international football midfielder and captain of the Ghana national team. With the Ghana national team, he has played at the 1995 FIFA U-17 World Championship, the 1997 and 1999 World Youth Championships, the 2004 Olympic tournament, and the 2006 World Cup, where the team reached the second round.” Wikipedia, Stephen Appiah profile: 10 Things you need to know about the imminent Tottenham signing (Mirror), YouTube

Brian Glanville on Beckham’s England record (World Soccer)
“As non events go, David Beckham’s 109th cap for England, thus notionally at least overhauling the proud record of Bobby Moore, must be high or if you prefer it, low – on the list.”

Europe’s fight for World Cup places hots up (AFP)
“Europe’s fight for 13 World Cup places hots up on Wednesday with seven months to go before the end of qualifying for South Africa 2010. Nine group winners and four runners up from a two-leg play-off slot into place at the momentous, 32-nation football jamboree from June 11 to July 11 next year, the first finals to be held in Africa.”

Order retained as European powers show intent (The Age)
“WORLD Cup winner Italy, European titleholder Spain, France, Germany and the Netherlands showed the soccer fraternity on Saturday that the established nations were only getting stronger. Less than 15 months before the start of the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa, European top nations gave a lesson to the rest in cup qualifying games.”

Formidable Italy hold all the aces (Irish Times)
“ITALY v REP OF IRELAND: JOURNALISTS ON these sorts of trips are rarely happier than when managers start bandying metaphors about in answer to questions ahead of big games and, to the delight of the assembled press, there were a few flying about at yesterday’s pre-match press conferences in the San Nicola stadium.”

Preview – Brazil v Peru (sambafoot)
“After Sunday’s disappointing 1-1 draw in Ecuador, Brazil head home to continue to their World Cup qualifying campaign against Peru on Wednesday.”

Bafana Crash to Portugal (Kick Off)
“If Joel Santana had not realised how much work lies ahead before the 2010 World Cup kicks off, he will most certainly know after his Bafana Bafana side were taught a footballing lesson by Portugal at the Stade Olympique de la Pontaise, Lausanne, Switzerland on Tuesday night.”

Nigeria: Super Eagles Needs Foreign Coach Now – Babayaro (allAfrica)
“Former Golden Eaglets’ goalkeeper, Emmanuel Babayaro, believes that the Super Eagles now needs a foreign technical adviser to steer the ship of the team to safety after a sloppy start in the final phase of the 2010 World Cup qualifier against Mozambique last weekend.”

Nigeria: Pressure Now on Us – Shittu (allAfrica)
“Nigeria’s Danny Shittu has admitted the Super Eagles will face criticism back home following their goalless draw in Mozambique on Sunday. The result in Maputo leaves Nigeria two points behind early Group B pace-setters Tunisia in the 2010 World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.”

 In Defence of International Week (World Cup Blog)
“I’ve heard a few complaints about the international break this week. Chris at Studs Up called it ‘a necessary evil’, while Travis at Arsenal Offside has branded it ‘the interlull.’ But me? I love it. I genuinely look forward to international week. Maybe not when it’s just friendlies, but when it’s World Cup qualifiers from all around the world… what’s not to like?”

Ferguson/McGregor on Scots bench (BBC)
“Barry Ferguson and Allan McGregor will be substitutes for Scotland’s World Cup qualifier with Iceland after a breach of team discipline.”

Victory leaves Aussies on cusp (FIFA)
“Australia are on the verge of reaching for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa after a 2-0 victory over Uzbekistan. The Socceroos, on top of the Asian Zone’s Group 1 with 13 points, will become the first team to qualify if Bahrain and Qatar, both on four points, draw their match in Manama later today.”

Korea Republic snatch derby win (FIFA)
“A late goal from substitute Kim Chi-Woo gave Korea Republic a vital win over Group 2 rivals Korea DPR in their 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa qualifier in Seoul.”