SportMate™ 2010 Special Edition

FIFA.com look?s at some this past week?s most interesting comments, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic on joining AC Milan, Cesare Prandelli on Antonio Cassano, David Villa on Lionel Messi and Sergio Batista on Spain.

FIFA.com chatted to teenage playmaker Douglas Costa about life at Shakhtar Donetsk, his character and playing style, and being part of Mano Menezes?s Brazil squad.

Belarus won 1-0 in France as Portugal were held 4-4 by visiting Cyprus, while Italy's Antonio Cassano, Fernando Torres of Spain and England talisman Wayne Rooney inspired victories.

Although Korea DPR's coach is quick dismiss assertions that his defending U-17 champions are favourites here at T&T 2010, he spoke to FIFA.com in confident mood.

Shortly before La Albiceleste?s friendly with La Roja, FIFA.com spoke to the interim coach about Diego Maradona, familiar faces and his future in the role.

Fernando Torres insists he is feeling better all the time after continuing his quest for full fitness with a brace of goals in Spain's 4-0 win over Lichtenstein.

Melbourne Heart secured their first-ever A-League victory today as Nick Kalmar's early strike sealed a 1-0 win over North Queensland Fury at AAMI Park.

Jermain Defoe expressed his relief at cancelling his groin operation after bagging his first England hat-trick in last night's 4-0 UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying win over Bulgaria.

Jeju United battled back from a goal down to secure a 2-1 win over Ulsan Horangi today and move to the top of the K-League, as former leaders Seongnam Ilhwa were held to a draw.

Michael Dawson was today ruled out of action for up to eight weeks after spraining left knee ligaments and a left ankle ligament during his full England debut.

Florent Malouda says France's players must harness the "hatred of defeat" as they try to regroup after their shock defeat against Belarus in their UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying opener.

Rabah Saadane has resigned as Algeria coach following his side's disappointing 1-1 draw with minnows Tanzania in their 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier yesterday.

Uganda outclassed Angola 3-0 in Kampala and Algeria were held to a 1-1 draw by Tanzania as the 2012 CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualifying competition kicked off.

Germany and Korea Republic will be fancied to find a way through a tricky Group B at Trinidad and Tobago 2010, where South Africa and Mexico stand in their way.

Holders Korea DPR take on Nigeria in the opening contest of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Trinidad and Tobago. Join FIFA.com for a preview of all the opening-day action.

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Shinji Kagawa scored the only goal as Japan beat Paraguay 1-0 today in their first game since the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Michael Dawson has been ruled out of England's upcoming UEFA EURO 2012 clash with Switzerland after injuring a knee during the 4-0 defeat of Bulgaria.

The Mathare Football for Hope Centre has been opened with a view to helping the township's people improve their lives.

Substitute Zhu Jianrong's last-minute strike handed Qingdao Zhongneng a much-needed victory over Chongqing Lifan at Qingdao Tiantai Stadium.

Former Manchester City striker Robinho says he feels at home at new club AC Milan, a team he claimes has "Brazilian blood".

Germany coach Joachim Low is looking forward to taking on Azerbaijan at home on Tuesday after his side opened their UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying campaign with a 1-0 win over Belgium.

Estudiantes came from behind to win 2-1 at Godoy Cruz and claim a share of top spot in the early Apertura standings, as Colon Santa Fe claimed their first victory of the campaign.

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli praised his fledgling team and claimed they were on the right path following their 2-1 win against Estonia.

Filip Holosko's stoppage-time strike ensured Slovakia made a winning start to their UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying campaign at the expense of 10-man FYR Macedonia this evening.

Croatia cruised to a comfortable 3-0 win over Latvia in the opening game of their UEFA EURO 2012 Group F qualifying campaign.

Laurent Blanc's first competitive match as France coach ended in a shock 1-0 defeat to Belarus, dealing an early blow to their UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying bid.

Fernando Torres scored twice as Spain won 4-0 in Liechtenstein, while Scotland were held to a goalless draw away to Lithuania in their Group I opener.

Jermain Defoe hit a hat-trick as England romped to a 4-0 victory over Bulgaria in their opening UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying game at Wembley tonight.

Miroslav Klose struck in the second half to give Germany a 1-0 win over Belgium in tonight's UEFA EURO 2012 qualifier.

Italy survived a scare as they came back from a goal down to escape from Tallinn with a 2-1 victory over Estonia in UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying Group C.

Scotland failed to capitalise on their territorial advantage in their UEFA EURO 2012 opener in Lithuania as Craig Levein's competitive debut as manager ended goalless.

Pontus Wernbloom's first international goals helped Sweden launch their bid to reach the UEFA EURO 2012 finals with a comfortable 2-0 home victory.

Roma striker Mirko Vucinic enhanced his soaring reputation by firing Montenegro to a 1-0 win over Wales in their opening UEFA EURO 2012 qualifier tonight.

Moldova capitalised on Finland defender Sami Hyypia?s first-half red card, scoring two unanswered goals after the break to make a successful start to their UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying campaign.

Danko Lazovic set Serbia on their way to a comfortable 3-0 victory over the Faroe Islands in their opening UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying match in Torshavn.

Pavel Pogrebnyak scored a goal in each half to earn Russia a 2-0 victory away to Andorra in their UEFA EURO 2008 curtain-raiser.

Turkey made a perfect start to life under Guus Hiddink by confidently beating Kazakhstan 3-0 in their opening UEFA EURO 2012 European Championship qualifying match.

Former USA forward Brian McBride, who has spent the last two years with the Chicago Fire, will retire at the end of the 2010 season.

The Republic of Ireland made a flying start to their UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying campaign with a gritty 1-0 win in their Group B opener against Armenia.

FIFA.com takes a look at hosts Trinidad and Tobago, who seem to be hitting their stride at just the right time under legendary Norwegian tactician Even Pellerud.

Goals in each half from Andranik and Mohammad Gholami helped Iran beat China 2-0 in a friendly at Zhengzhou Hanghai Stadium.

An ankle injury has ruled Karim Benzema out of France's opening UEFA EURO 2012 qualifier against Belarus, though the striker is still hopeful of being fit to face Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Paul Scholes has admitted at Christmas last year he thought he would have retired by now.

The veteran Manchester United star is currently one of the most talked about players

Massimo Moratti has refused to rule out the possibility of Jose Mourinho regaining the Inter Milan reins in the future, but pledged his full support to current Nerazzurri coach Rafa Benitez.

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has said that he is pinning his hopes on Sampdoria's talented forward Antonio Cassano.

Frank Lampard believes Chelsea?s veteran players have years at the top left in them. The midfielder has also discussed his ambitions and the influence of manager Carlo Ancelotti.

Goals from Rostyn Griffiths and Daniel McBreen earned Central Coast Mariners a 2-0 win at home to Melbourne Victory that lifted them third in the A-League.

Inter Milan teenager Philippe Coutinho has played down comparisons to Ronaldinho, said Wesley Sneijder deserves this year's FIFA Ballon D?Or and tipped Robinho to prove a great signing for AC Milan.

Andrey Arshavin has discussed how his playing style has changed since moving to England, while Thomas Vermaelen has stressed the need for Arsenal to address their defensive frailties.

Algeria, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa and Zambia will get their qualifying campaigns underway with easy home games, while Congo DR and Senegal will collide in the pick of the weekend?s fixtures.

Juventus coach Luigi Del Neri is more than satisfied with the make-up of his squad, despite the sale of Brazilian midfielder Diego to Wolfsburg.