Venezuela maintained their South Africa 2010 qualification hopes with two late goals enough to see off the challenge of a ten-man Colombia.

Brazil and Inter Milan defender Maicon will miss today's FIFA World Cup against Peru with injury and is set to be absent from club duty for several weeks.

Italy coach Marcello Lippi says their is little between his team and the Republic of Ireland ahead of the pair's South Africa 2010 match-up.

France coach Raymond Domenech and captain Thierry Henry have called on fans to be their twelve man in their South Africa 2010 qualifier against Lithuania.

Giampaolo Pazzini, David Beckham and Wesley Sonck star alongside Colombia and Ecuador in a FIFA World Cup-dominated statistical review.

Portugal eased to a 2-0 victory over the hosts of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa in a one-sided friendly in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trappatoni likened Wednesday's clash against Italy in Bari to the biblical combat between David and Goliath.

Germany coach Joachim Loew has compared Wales to a 'wounded fighter who wants to retaliate' in the build-up to Wednesday's qualifier in Cardiff.

The stakes could hardly be higher as north and south prepare to do battle in Seoul, where Korea Republic will welcome neighbours Korea DPR.

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque said he planned to make some changes to his starting line-up for the European champions' qualifier against Turkey.