Barca secure another win

Yokohama - Spanish powerhouse Barcelona made it two wins out of two on their Asian tour Tuesday with a 1-0 win over Japan's former J-League champions Yokohama in Tokyo. Mexican striker Giovanni Dos Santos secured the win in the 75th minute, beating Yokohama keeper Tetsuya Enomoto after a pass from Cameroon's Samuel Eto'o. The teenager had nearly put the Spanish ahead just moments before, missing a golden chance from close range. "It was physically difficult because of a long trip and jetlag, but we overcame it. We tried to put pressure with our aggressive attackers and we won," said Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard. "Previously we drew with Yokohama 1-1 and 3-3. Today, my players had a strong feeling to win this time. I think we played better than we did in Beijing." The fans got what they wanted, and in the first half the three mega-stars, Ronaldinho, Eto’o and Henry, teamed up for the first time. Giovani Dos Santos replaced the Frenchman at half time and once again suggested that he also deserves consideration for the first eleven with his insatiable desire to score rewarded with the winning goalMan-of-the-match winner Dos Santos said: "I don't know why I won the... award ahead of Ronaldinho, Henry and Eto'o. But I was able to play well because of them. They are great players and it's difficult to catch up with their level"I want Barcelona to win as many titles as possible this season. I'll do my best to help the team to win. My career has just started and I believe I can do more," added Dos Santos.

BARCA MAKE WINNING START TO TOUR

Ronaldinho delighted Chinese fans by scoring with a trademark free kick in a 3-0 win for Barcelona over Beijing Guoan on Sunday
Mexican youngster Dos Santos opened the scoring after eight minutes before Iniesta doubled the lead two minutes before the hour mark.
The Brazilian, probably the most popular player in China, had twisted his ankle in training on Saturday but he came on for the second half in place of new signing Thierry Henry
The Brazilian, probably the most popular player in China, had twisted his ankle in training on Saturday but he came on for the second half in place of new signing Thierry Henry
"I was satisfied with the game," Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard told reporters. "We weren't able to play our best but the team accomplished what they wanted to."
Barcelona face J.League outfit Yokohama Marinos on Tuesday before rounding off their tour against a Mission Hills Invitation XI, a team made up of players from Kitchee and Happy Valley, in Hong Kong three days later.

Royston Drenthe desperate to join Madrid

Royston Drenthe is set to take Feyenoord to the court of arbitration to secure himself a move to Real Madrid.Reports emanating from Holland claim the Dutch Under 21 international has enlisted the help of lawyer Harro Knijff to try and win a move to Real.Harro Knijff, who supported Ronald and Frank de Boer when they had a similar case against Ajax in 1998. The 20-year-old has just signed a contract until 2011 with the Rotterdam club but is now eager to move to Spain. Real are leading the chase to sign the exciting winger with Chelsea and Barcelona also credited with an interest in Drenthe. "I can confirm that I am busy preparing the request for an arbitration case," Knijff told Sportweek magazine. Feyenoord do not want to lose their prize asset and the club's general manager Peter Vogelzang has expressed his disappointment at Drenthe's stance. But there is every chance Drenthe will go once a club meets Feyenoord's undisclosed valuation."Feyenoord only wants to sell Drenthe if we get an offer that is as high as we think Royston Drenthe is worth to us."

Maradona Goal V England 1986

Maradona Goal V England 1986

MAN UNITED win Community Shield

Edwin van der Sar was the hero as Manchester United captured the Community Shield with a 3-0 penalty shoot-out win over Chelsea at Wembley. With the two sides tied 1-1 after 90 minutes, following goals from Ryan Giggs and Florent Malouda, van der Sar saved from Claudio Pizarro, Frank Lampard and Shaun Wright-Phillips to give Wayne Rooney the honour of striking the winning kick following successful conversions from Rio Ferdinand and Michael Carrick. The Community Shield may be dubbed a curtain-raiser but much of the encounter brought back unhappy memories of the tedious FA Cup final between the two sides at Wembley last season. Despite spending a reported £47m on some new blood over the summer, Ferguson included eight of the players who began that final and none of his new signings in his starting line-up. The Blues were without regular captain John Terry, following the news that the centre-back has been ruled out for up to a month with a knee problem, and Lampard, who was greatly restricted throughout, was handed the skipper's armband.It made for a disjointed second half, which almost inevitably ended with penalties, Rio Ferdinand, Michael Carrick and Rooney scoring theirs to give United first blood.There are sure to be tougher - and more compelling - tests ahead.

Alexandre Pato Signs For Milan

AC Milan have now confirmed that they have won the race to sign Brazilian starlet Alexandre Pato nicknamed 'The Duck'. from Internacional di Porto Alegre.The 17-year-old also had offers from Chelsea, Real Madrid and Internazionale - but he and his father have opted for Milan. However, there is a twist to the tale in that 17-year-old cannot feature in official games for the Rossoneri until January.Said the club on their website: "The great talent Alexandre Pato will train with Milan and will be able to play the friendly matches starting from the 3rd of September 2007. From January 2008, he will be eligible for competitive games."