Ghana coach Claude Leroy blamed English referee Rob Styles for his side’s defeat in their friendly international against Mexico here at Fulham’s Craven Cottage ground on Wednesday - but he acknowledged his side had paid for not taking their chances.

The Black Stars were the better team for most of the game, and led 1-0 through Michael Essien’s 55th-minute strike, but a terrible error from substitute goalkeeper Patrick Antwi gifted Mexico a equaliser, before a hotly disputed 88th-minute penalty gave Mexico the victory.

Premier League giants Chelsea announced a mini-Asian tour on Thursday but said they may have to cancel the Malaysian leg if their Israeli coach Avram Grant is not allowed into the country.

Malaysia does not have diplomatic ties with Israel and its citizens — including Grant and midfielder Tal Ben Haim — must obtain special permission to travel here.

The Football Association of Malaysia told a press conference that tour organisers would raise the issue with the foreign ministry in order to obtain clearance for the pair.

Germany striker Mike Hanke has been banned for two matches after his dismissal after only five minutes against Duisburg last weekend.

The 24-year-old, who has won 12 caps for Germany, was sent off after a violent clash with Duisburg’s Romania defender Iulian Filipescu and a German Football Federation disciplinary committee gave him a two-match ban on Wednesday.

The Bundesliga game ended in a 1-1 draw.

Source:Soccer News

South Korea were frustrated by stubborn North Korean defending on Wednesday as their much-anticipated World Cup qualifying showdown ended in a goalless stalemate.

The South, despite fielding top stars such as Manchester United’s Park Ji-Sung, failed to convert a series of chances in the Cold War clash which was moved from Pyongyang in a row over flags and anthems.

A frustrated Park said a lack of composure in the opposition penalty area cost his side.

On the first floor of his villa, 30 kilometres from Munich, Germany and Bayern Munich striker Lukas Podolski has set up an office where his most treasured sports memorabilia are kept.

The 22-year-old - voted the best young player at the 2006 World Cup - has already scored 24 goals for his country in 45 appearances and is set to be one of the stars of this summer’s Euro 2008.

His office contains two glass display cabinets filled with items like the boots in which he scored three goals for Germany when his side finished third at the 2006 World Cup.

Dutch international Arjen Robben on Monday denied suggestions of a crisis at Real Madrid after the Spanish side lost its second straight league match over the weekend.

“The defeat was a disappointment but we played really well and I don’t think there is a crisis. What we have to do is remain strong and be conscious of what awaits us,” the 24-year-old striker told a news conference.

The defending champions saw their lead over nearest rivals FC Barcelona shrink to four points after losing 3-2 to Valencia at home on Sunday.

Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish has thrown down the gauntlet to his forwards after revealing that Scotland striker James McFadden will be out for two weeks.

The 24-year-old underwent surgery on his knee on Saturday morning and will now miss Birmingham’s home match against Manchester City and their away game against Premier League relegation rivals Wigan Athletic.

It is a major loss for Birmingham, who in McFadden’s absence slumped to a 2-1 defeat against Reading at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday that left them just a point above the bottom three.