Emerson and Takahara up Front for Japan in Germany 2006?

In a recent interview in the Japanese press, Urawa Reds star striker Emerson signaled an interest in obtaining Japanese citizenship and playing under fellow Brazilian and current Japan coach Zico. Since moving to Japan two years ago, twenty-one year-old Emerson has been one of the top goal scorers in the J-League. Unlike Atsushi Yanagisawa and other forwards vying for a job up front on the national team, Emerson would and does not hesitate near goal. Blessed with great speed and superb touch in the box, Emerson might add what the well organized but often sterile Japanese attack so sorely lacks: goals, lots of goals. The only Japanese forward who could hold his own with Emerson, and not look awful, is Jubilo Iwata striker Naohiro Takahara, who is in second place among goal scorers in the J-League with 14 goals in 15 games. Were Emerson to pull on the blue jersey for Japan, he would be the sixth Brazilian to represent Japan in an international match.

Whither Referee Byron Moreno?

Byron Moreno, the Ecuadoran referee who got his fifteen minutes of fame by showing Italian forward Francisco Totti two yellow cards in a World Cup match in June against South Korea, is at it again. After suffering the wrath of the Italian team, coaching staff, and millions of Italian fans, he no doubt was relieved to return to the relative peace of Ecuador. However, back home in Quito, Moreno has again been accused of playing favorites and come under a rash of criticism. Playing at home in a recent domestic league match, Quito downed Barcelona of Guayaquil 4-3. However, following the end of regulation time in the second half, referee Moreno added 12 minutes of extra time. In the final three minutes of this extra time, Quito scored twice to come from behind and win.
In addition to his refereeing, Moreno is also running for office on the Quito city council, which will hold elections in October. 'Moreno Sews Up Local Votes,' was the headline in a Guayaquil newspaper the day after the match. Unable to control himself, the owner of Barcelona of Guayaquil fumed, 'There should not have been even one minute of lost time!' The same owner is now petitioning the Ecuador Football Association to have Moreno's referee license revoked. FIFA are also investigating the referee's actions.

Byron Moreno Factfile

Date of Birth: 23/November/1969
Place of Birth: Ecuador
Refereeing Career: 1996-2002

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My World - David Beckham

British Bookies in Windfall

Punters in Britain spent £61m betting on this summer's World Cup leading to a sharp rise in profits for the bookmaker William Hill, which recorded profits in excess of £13m.
World Cup Betting

'Ronaldinha' Heads For Atletico

Ronaldo's wife, Milene, will also be playing her football in Madrid following a record US$300,000 transfer from Fiamma Monza to Atletico Madrid, crosstown rivals of her husband's new club Real.
Ronaldo's former club Inter revealed that the Brazilian striker paid US$5m of his own money to compensate the Italian side for lost sponsorship. This amounts to around half his salary with Real Madrid.

Transfer Loophole

FIFA has confirmed that it will allow out-of-contract players to sign for new teams while the transfer window is closed from August 31 to January 2003. Former Glasgow Rangers player Tony Vidmar joined Middlesbrough under the new directive.
Inter have the choice of taking Steve McManaman or Santiago Solari from Real Madrid or around US$8m in cash as part of the Ronaldo deal when the transfer window reopens in January. The final decision will rest with Inter coach Hector Cuper.