Suarez breaks world record?
Mexico’s Claudio Suarez becomes most-capped player
Ruud’s re-awakening
- It is reported that Mexico’s Claudio Suarez became international football’s most-capped player in Chicago this evening. In a pre-World Cup friendly against Paraguay at the Soldier Field stadium, with his 174th appearance, ‘El Emperador’ is believed to have broken the record held by Saudi Arabia’s Mohamed Al-Deayea.
It proved to been a victorious night for the 37 year-old defender as the Mexicans won 2-1 in front of an enthusiastic crowd of 46,510. It was the fourth game of the so-called Real Mexican Soccer Tour of the USA.
Claudio made his international debut against El Salvador on 25 July 1992. Having played in two World Cup finals, on the prospects of making it to his third in Germany, Claudio responded: “I’m not the one who makes the decision. As a soccer player, you have hopes of playing in the World Cup but we’ll see what happens.”
Currently playing his club football with CD Chivas in the MLS, he is one of the select band of players to have played in 150 or more full international games. The others are Hossam Hassan (Egypt), Cobi Jones (USA), Adnan Al-Talyani (UAE), Sami Al-Jaber (Saudi Arabia) and Lothar Matthaus (Germany).
Among the most celebrated players to have made a century of international appearances are Cafu (Brazil), Peter Schmeichel (Denmark), Paolo Maldini (Italy), Peter Shilton (England), Luis Figo (Portugal), Marcel Desailly (France), Frank de Boer (Holland), Diego Simeone (Argentina), Kenny Dalglish (Scotland) and Steve Staunton (Republic of Ireland).
Has Claudio Suarez broken the record? See ‘Comments’ below.
- After five games on the bench, Ruud Van Nistelrooy makes a match-winning return to the Manchester United starting line-up. His goal on the stroke of half-time gives United victory against West Ham United. Although they are still nine points behind leaders Chelsea, crucially, they are now five points ahead of third-placed Liverpool. For the second time in four days, Old Trafford plays host to a record Premiership crowd as 69,522 witness the Hammers’ visit.
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- Liverpool confirm they are in talks that could lead to a takeover offer. The European champions are thought to be valued at £200million and the club statement reveals they are “continuing discussions with a number of parties regarding a potential investment of new funds”.
It is released in order to confirm they have been approached by Spanish tycoon Juan Villalonga who is believed to be heading a consortium. A former president of telecoms giant Telefonica, he received a £14million payoff when he left last year.
- Former Sunderland striker Niall Quinn is reported to be part of a group who are considering a bid to buy the struggling Premiership club. Black Cats chairman Bob Murray has already announced that he will sell his 56.8% stake, dependant on a suitable offer.
No formal talks have taken place, and reports linking horse racing magnate JP McManus with the bid are thought to be wide of the mark.
Reportedly £40million in debt, Sunderland have taken only ten points from their 31 games this season and look certain to return to the Championship in May.
- Wrexham take another huge step forward to secure their future as a consortium led by local car dealer Neville Dickens signs an agreement with the administrators of League Two club. The Dragons must be sold by 3 June or face expulsion from the Football League.
Mr Dickens was a director of the North Wales club in the 1980s. One of his garages is on land adjoining the Racecourse Ground and the administrators believe the bid is ‘in the best interests of the club’.
- Chelsea are to join forces with AEG - the group that own or operate the franchise of four clubs in the USA’s Major League Soccer.
The Premiership champions have agreed a ‘special relationship’ with MLS champions LA Galaxy. They will have first option to sign LA players while they will loan youngsters to Los Angeles club.
AEG’s other MLS franchises are Chicago Fire, DC United and Houston Dynamo. The agreement will come into effect in the summer of 2007.
- Stoke City come from behind to win a mid-table Championship at Queens Park Rangers but it’s the Potters’ on-going managerial turmoil that hits the headlines. With Jan De Koning and John Rudge already suspended, manager Johan Boskamp misses the game with flu, allegedly. The former Anderlecht boss is due to meet the club’s board tomorrow.
- A hat-trick from on-loan striker Derek Asamoah lifts Chester City off the bottom of the Football League. Mark Wright’s charges win 3-1 at Boston United to move out of League Two’s bottom two.
Have Your Say! Has Claudio Suarez broken the record? Will Ruud leave Old Trafford in the summer? Will Spanish investment be good for Liverpool and should Niall Quinn move back in at the Stadium of Light? What do you make of Chelsea’s MLS venture? What is going on at Stoke City and which two League Two clubs will drop in to the Conference?
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