“The extra pounds, the new crop of hair and the unfamiliar jersey make him hard to recognize. His long career as a millionaire striker in Europe for teams like Real Madrid ended amid a knee injury and a personal scandal. Nowadays he splits $89-a-night rooms with teammates in remote Brazilian burgs with names like President Prudent.” (Wall Street)

Flashes of Inspiration Light European Night (NYT)
“The game is 66 minutes old. The coach is considering replacing Emmanuel Adebayor, who looks far from fit after a long injury. Then, out of nothing but his playful imagination, the center forward conjures an extraordinary goal.”

Warriors FIFA Rankings Plummet Further (The Zimbabwean)
“The latest FIFA rankings, released today by the football governing body, places the men’s senior soccer national team at 106 after losing 16 points from March.
At 329 points, the underachieving team is 1 400 adrift of world champions Spain, who maintained a stranglehold on the number one spot after impressive performances in the World Cup 2010 qualifiers and European friendly matches.”

Spain has record hold on top soccer spot (UPI)
“Spain, which has been rated No. 1 since last June, has opened a record lead over second-ranked Germany in the FIFA men’s soccer rankings released Wednesday.”

South American Qualifiers: statistics and curiosities after round 12 (CONMEBOL)
“The ten matches disputed in the recent double round of the South American Qualifiers for 2010, beginning with the impacting barrage of goals of Bolivia against Argentina, left an interesting statistical balance that well deserves to be reviewed. Chile’s yield out of home and the fantastic goal average of Joaquín Botero stand out.”

Stumble brings trouble for Egypt (FIFA)
“When Egypt’s star-studded side failed to overcome Zambia in Cairo Stadium in 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ qualifying, it wasn’t merely two points they lost. The shaky draw in their first test of the final round was a sudden jolt to the nerves of fervent supporters, who have seen their side falter at the final hurdle of qualifying all too often.”