England coach Fabio Capello praised the spirit of his side after their 1-0 win over Slovenia booked their place in the knockout stages of the World Cup finals.

Germany coach Joachim Low is confident nerves will not be an issue for his young side as they look to keep alive their World cup dream against Ghana in Johannesburg tomorrow.

Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has rejected claims that Diego Maradona was forced out of the Argentina job by player power, insisting the former boss had the full respect of his squad.

Pablo Zabaleta sees no reason why Argentina caretaker boss Sergio Batista cannot be handed the reins on a permanent basis and go on to take them to the 2014 World Cup.

Plans to build a £92m (€110.2m) stadium for England’s World Cup bid were in doubt today after campaigners won a significant victory in their bid to protect the site from development.

France striker Nicolas Anelka has warned his team-mates they cannot afford to defend the 1-0 advantage they hold over the Republic of Ireland in their World Cup play-off second leg.

Keith Andrews reckons the Republic of Ireland will have to turn to Plan B if they are to pull off a remarkable World Cup recovery in France.

Defender Patrice Evra will take nothing for granted as France attempt belatedly to book their place at next summer’s World Cup finals.

Midfielder Keith Andrews will need no extra motivation as he heads into the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup showdown with France.

Wayne Rooney vowed he would be fit for the World Cup after landing the Professional Footballers’ Association Player of the Year award last night.

Rugby great Keith Wood has urged coach Eddie O’Sullivan to take a gamble in selection for the RBS 6 Nations – but warned against making wholesale changes.

Brian O’Driscoll admits the realisation his career is entering its latter stages has made it harder to accept defeat.

Controversial former France coach Raymond Domenech has labelled Bayern Munich star Franck Ribery a ‘‘diva’’ who he “would have gladly strung him up’’ and revealed the depth of his hatred for several of his other former players.

AMONG the numerous fixes needed in Ireland’s play this week as the team flies to Auckland today ahead of Saturday’s clash with Australia is some wet-weather training with the new Rugby World Cup ball.

Nicolas Anelka has revealed his goal against Republic of Ireland in the first leg of the 2010 World Cup qualifying play-off set in motion the events that led to his outburst at coach Raymond Domenech in South Africa.

LEWIS MOODY will be on trial at Twickenham today (2.30pm) after England manager Martin Johnson insisted the Rugby World Cup captaincy is still up for grabs.

AUSTRALIA coach Robbie Deans has signed a new two-year contract and will remain in charge of the Wallabies until the end of the 2013 international season.

THE decision for Matthew Rees to undergo surgery and miss Wales’ World Cup bid has been taken in the interests of the hooker’s long-term health, according to assistant coach Shaun Edwards.

BEN FODEN has backed Mike Tindall to “show the critics he is here to win a World Cup” when England tackle Romania in Saturday’s Pool B clash at the Otago Stadium.

IRELAND are assured of a new World Cup adventure in 2011 after a six- wicket victory over Holland at the LC de Villiers Oval yesterday left the national team top of the qualifying Super Eight with a match to play and again underlined their superiority at this level.