IT looks like we are relying on Brazil’s Samba stars to put some pizzazz into this World Cup after the Netherlands, the team tipped by many to provide the most entertaining football in the tournament, needed an own goal to edge Denmark in their opening game and failed to reach the heights expected of them.

TONY MOWBRAY refuses to give up on the Europa League, despite a goalless draw at Hamburg which last night left his Celtic side needing a miracle to qualify from Group C.

TONY MOWBRAY last night warned his Celtic players they face being sold in January if they fail to improve on their recent displays.

CAPTAIN Darren Fletcher admitted Scotland should have had a World Cup play-off spot wrapped up long before last night’s defeat to Holland ended any hope of reaching next summer’s finals.

JERMAIN DEFOE’S second-half double allowed England to come from two goals down at the break to snatch a draw in their friendly against Holland last night.

MANCHESTER CITY midfielder Stephen Ireland bemoaned a series of missed chances after Mark Hughes’ side crashed out of the UEFA Cup at the quarter-final stage last night.

Hamburg 3 Manchester City 1

Hamburg 3 Aston Villa 1

Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill fielded a virtual second-string side for the UEFA Cup group clash away to Hamburg.

RYAN BABEL’S international future has been plunged into doubt after he was axed from Holland’s team for Saturday’s Euro 2008 qualifier with Romania for oversleeping.

ENGLAND boss Steve McClaren was thrilled by his team’s performance despite a late goal denying them victory over Holland in Amsterdam.

Republic of Ireland manager Steve Staunton named his strongest possible line-up for the Lansdowne Road friendly against Holland.

Ruud van Nistelrooy has been omitted by Holland coach Marco van Basten from his squad for next Wednesday’s friendly with the Republic of Ireland in Dublin.

NICOLAS ANELKA has missed the World Cup cut for a third time as France coach Raymond Domenech named his 23-man squad for this summer’s tournament in Germany.

AZ Alkmaar 0 Middlesbrough 0

AZ: Timmer, Jaliens, Mathijsen, De Cler, Landzaat, Arveladze, Van Galen, Perez, Sektioui, Steinsson, Schaars. Subs: Buskermolen, Huysegems, Vlaar, Zwarthoed, Meerdink, Ramzi, Koevermans.