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	Drogba named African Player of the Year
ACCRA, March 11 AFP – Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has been named African Footballer of the Year for 2009, the second time the Ivory Coast international his won the award.

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Best odds for 2009-10 Australian A-League
SYDNEY FC	1.9
DRAW	3.5
WELLINGTON PHOENIX	4.6

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Blatter says Goal-line technology was too costly

ZURICH, Switzerland, March 11 AP – FIFA president Sepp Blatter said the introduction of goal-line technology was rejected because it was too costly and would slow down games.

Juve in Europa League boxseat, Liverpool crash at Lille

PARIS, March 11 AFP – Juventus assumed command of their Europa League last-16 tie against Fulham with a 3-1 first-leg win on Thursday, after beleaguered English giants Liverpool were beaten at Lille.

Arsenal captain Fabregas to miss Hull clash

LONDON, March 11 AFP – Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas is set to miss Saturday’s Premier League clash at Hull with a hamstring injury.

Herbert eyes win with Sydney on "downer"

WELLINGTON, March 10 NZPA – Wellington Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert believes his team hold the mental edge over Sydney FC going into Saturday’s A-League preliminary final.

Rooney breaks 30-goal barrier as United humble Milan

MANCHESTER, March 10, AFP – Wayne Rooney reached 30 goals for the season as Manchester United marched into the last eight of the Champions League with a clinical 4-0 demolition of AC Milan, to win 7-2 win on aggregate at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

Nugent saves point as Burnley end losing run

LONDON, March 10 AFP – A second-half header from David Nugent enabled Burnley to stop the rot Wednesday in giving his side their first point in five matches.

Juventus missing defensive pieces vs. Fulham

TURIN, Italy, March 10 AP – Juventus is starting to run into form under new coach Alberto Zaccheroni but will be without goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and central defender Giorgio Chiellini for its opening-leg match against Fulham in the Europa League on Thursday.

Lyon crush Madrid final dreams at the Bernabeu

MADRID, March 10 AFP – Real Madrid’s massive summer spending was all in vain as their dream of playing the Champions League final at their Santiago Bernabeu stadium was shattered by Lyon on Wednesday.

United stand up again

ADELAIDE, March 10 AAP – Adelaide United set themselves up for another fruitful Asian Champions League adventure with a model away performance and a 2-0 victory over Shandong Luneng in China on Wednesday.

Leonardo expecting United to seek KO blow

MANCHESTER, England, March 9 AFP – AC Milan coach Leonardo expects Manchester United to go for his side’s jugular in Wednesday’s Champions League clash at Old Trafford.

Arsenal turn on the style as Bendtner silences critics

LONDON, March 9 AFP – Arsenal swept into the Champions League quarter-finals as Nicklas Bendtner silenced his critics with a hat-trick in a majestic 5-0 win against Porto on Tuesday.

Pompey rock bottom while Sunderland savour victory

LONDON, March 9 AFP – Crisis club Portsmouth remained four points adrift at the foot of the English Premier League as Birmingham gained revenge on their FA Cup conquerors with a 2-1 win at Fratton Park on Tuesday.

Rangers pull further ahead in SPL

KILMARNOCK, Scotland, March 9, AFP – Rangers extended their lead at the top of the Scottish Premier League to 13 points as second-half goals from Steven Whittaker and Kenny Miller sealed a 2-0 win over Kilmarnock on Tuesday.

Bayern lose but scrape past Fiorentina on away goals

FLORENCE, Italy, March 9 AFP – Bayern Munich booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League on Tuesday despite losing 3-2 to a valiant Fiorentina in a thrilling encounter on Tuesday.