3-5-2 FOOTBALL

FA CUP: SELANGOR 2(3) - ATM 2(2) Selangor qualified to the second round of FA Cup after beating ATM in the penalty shootout. The highly-contested match was witnessed by an amazing turnout at the Shah Alam Stadium . Irfan Bakti's men fought valiantly after a slow start and eventually emerged as winners. ATM drew first blood in the 7th minute with Marlon Alex James' strike. Left winger Venice Ephie's cross was flicked on by Affize and an unmarked Marlon just needed a touch to put the ball to the back of the net. While the home side was still looking for the right tune, the visitors added a second goal. This time Affize's deflected shot went pass Norazlan after a swift counter attack by the Gladiators. Selangor came out in the second half with a much better performance which led to a goal in the 53rd minute. Solihin made a good run down the right flank and had his cross found substitute Afiq Azmi 's head, who made no mistake. Afiq Azmi found the net...

Xabi Alonso fears he may have broken a rib after describing Nigel de Jong's challenge in the World Cup final as 'one of the worst tackles' he has suffered. Holland midfielder De Jong was fortunate not to be sent off in Sunday's Soccer City showdown after a kung-fu style kick into Alonso's chest in the first half. The Spain ace was able to continue playing before being replaced by Cesc Fabregastowards the end of normal time, but he was unhappy with De Jong's tackle. Reigning European champions Spain have now become the third side, after West Germany and France, to hold both tournaments at the same time. No country has ever managed three on the trot, which will be Spain's task in two years' time at Euro 2012, and they have already been installed as favourites to complete a memorable hat-trick. Alonso accepts there is plenty of work ahead of his team-mates before then, but the raw talent is certainly there. BOLA BOYZ    WORLD CUP      LIVERPOOL   ...

Nicolas Anelka says the tension between the France squad and their coach at the World Cup was like a 'timebomb waiting to explode'. The Chelsea frontman was sent home from the tournament following his bust-up with boss Raymond Domenech, which provoked the rest of the 23-man party to strike in support of the forward. The disruption saw Les Bleus lose their final group game against South Africa 2-1, a defeat which ended their World Cup campaign. The French media have suggested that some members of the squad were pressurised to participate in the strike, but 31-year-old Anelkais adamant the players were united in their revolt. Les Bleus midfielder Jeremy Toulalan admitted on Sunday that the strike was a unanimous decision and that the whole squad should be punished, and Anelka praised the Lyonplayer's stance on the issue. BOLA BOYZ    WORLD CUP      CHELSEA   Anywhere… Everywhere… We'll Deliver! - NOBLE STAR

Spain's World Cup hero Andres Iniesta insists he was always confident his side could lift the trophy, despite enduring a turbulent season. Midfielder Iniesta, who netted the extra-time winner for Spain in Sunday's World Cup final against Holland, was plagued by a thigh injury last term and only returned for Barcelona at the end of the campaign. The 26-year-old then aggravated the problem during Spain's friendly win over Poland ahead of the South Africa tournament and was sidelined once again as Vicente del Bosque's side lost 1-0 to Switzerland in their opening group match. But Iniesta, who reappeared to play a key role in Spain's first World Cup triumph, claims he never doubted his side could land the world title. Iniesta admits he has trouble putting into words how it felt to score the crucial goal for Spain that ensured their "priceless" win. Up until Sunday, Iniesta's most celebrated goal was an injury-time strike against Chelsea at Stamford Bridg...

Holland midfielder Mark van Bommel insists that Howard Webb 'affected' the World Cup final. Spain secured the title with Andres Iniesta scoring the only goal of the game just moments from the end of extra-time. But with a record 14 yellow cards and one red card handed out to Holland's Johnny Heitinga, Van Bommel insists the Englishman played his part in the outcome of the game. Both Van Bommel and his midfield partner Nigel De Jong were considered lucky, by some, to even finish the match, but the Manchester City man felt Webb had a bad game. Arjen Robben had also hit out at referee Howard Webb, insisting he was not strong enough to handle the World Cup final. Former Chelsea star Robben believes he suffered a gross injustice when Spanish defender Carles Puyol, who had already been cautioned, held him back in his attempt to race through when the match was still goalless. BOLA BOYZ    WORLD CUP     3-5-2 FOOTBALL   Anywhere… Everywhere… We'll Deliver! - NOBLE S...

Spain captain Iker Casillas admits that the achievement of winning the World Cup will take time to sink in. The Real Madrid goalkeeper lifted the trophy as the European champions sealed a 1-0 extra-time win over Holland. Later, he was announced to be the Best Goalkeeper of the tournament to receive FIFA Golden Gloves. Casillas now concedes that it will be some time before the players can truly appreciate the significance of their 'historic' win. Casillas, largely the quieter of the two keepers, made one tremendous save in normal time when he denied Arjen Robben after the Bayern Munich star raced clear. Anywhere… Everywhere… We'll Deliver! - NOBLE STAR   Not enough FOOTBALL ??? Click HERE!

Germany starlet Thomas Muller has been rewarded for an excellent World Cup campaign by being named the tournament's best young player. Muller's five goals in South Africa saw the Bayern Munich attacker finish with the Golden Boot and beat Andre Ayew and Giovani dos Santos to the young player award. The 20-year-old, who had missed the semi-final defeat by Spain through suspension, was a key figure in Germany finishing third in the World Cup. He scored a brace in the last 16 thrashing of England, opened the scoring in the quarter-final mauling of Argentina and repeated the trick in the third-placed play-off win over Uruguay. Muller emulates compatriots Franz Beckenbauer and Lukas Podolski in winning the award and admits it is a 'huge honour'. However, Muller revealed he will leave South Africa with one regret after Germany were denied a place in the Soccer City final by eventual champions Spain. BOLA BOYZ    WORLD CUP     3-5-2 FOOTBALL   Anywhere… Everywhere… We...