Football

Miss World contestants bring glamour to Confederations Cup draw

Johannesburg - This weekend's Confederations Cup draw in Johannesburg will draw on the input of some of the world's most beautiful women, world football body FIFA announced Friday.

Eight contestants in the Miss World competition that takes place in South Africa in December will assist FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke in the draw to determine two groups for the eight-team championship.

"Hosting as prestigious an event as the Miss World competition again underlines South Africa's ability to stage major global events. And as for the beautiful contestants assisting me on Saturday, it's certainly a draw I will be looking forward to more than most," Valcke said in a statement.

South Africa happy as Confederation Cup draw will favour hosts

FootballJohannesburg - South Africa football fans are eagerly awaiting Saturday's draw for next year's Confederations Cup as they know that the draw will favour the hosts.

Bafana Bafana have been placed into Group A, but as one of four seeded teams, will face just one of either Italy or Spain and they can't be drawn into a group with Brazil.

South Africa's two other two opponents will be drawn from Iraq, New Zealand and the US.

The other group will see Egypt, Brazil and then either Italy or Spain and one of Iraq, New Zealand or the US competing in the June

Arsenal's Walcott out for three months after shoulder surgery

England warm up for Croatia with Andorra winLondon- Arsenal and England winger Theo Walcott will be out for around three months after he underwent surgery on his injured shoulder on Thursday.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger confirmed the 19-year-old had undertaken the surgery, after dislocating his right shoulder in training with England on Tuesday night.

Wenger has been critical of the number of friendly internationals in the calendar, but did not blame the FA for the injury to one of his key players.

Slovak football official charged over corruption

Bratislava - The former second-highest official in the Slovakian football federation SFZ is to face trial for corruption, the country's general prosecution service confirmed Thursday in Bratislava.

Munich out to beat Cottbus ahead of duels with leaders

Hamburg - Indifferent Bayern Munich have Bundesliga history on their side when they host Energie Cottbus while the omens are not good for TSG Hoffenheim.

Munich have won all five previous home games against the bottom side Cottbus and hope to complete the half dozen on Saturday after throwing away a 2-0 lead for the third time this season in a 2-2 draw at Borussia Moenchengladbach last weekend.

Hoffenheim, meanwhile, travel to Cologne for a meeting of promoted sides. Cologne were the only team to beat Hoffenheim twice last season in the second division.

Leaders Bayer Leverkusen are also not assured of winning at Arminia Bielefeld, having beaten them only once in their last seven league dates and last won there in 1999.

Chelsea and Liverpool continue tit-for-tat battle

London - Chelsea and Liverpool will each be looking to maintain momentum this weekend as they continue their tit-for-tat battle at the top of the English Premier League.

Eight points clear of Manchester United in third and ahead of Liverpool on goal difference, Chelsea host struggling Newcastle United while Liverpool entertain Fulham at Anfield.

Chelsea have won seven out of seven away from home, but they have struggled slightly at Stamford Bridge, finding it harder to break teams down who come simply to defend.

They will be without the suspended Didier Drogba against Newcastle on Saturday, but that should not hamper them too much as Nicolas Anelka, who has scored eight goals in his past five games, will again lead the line.

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