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	Osieck backs McDonald
ST GALLEN, Switzerland Sept 2 AAP – New Socceroos coach Holger Osieck has thrown his support behind recalled striker Scott McDonald before Australia’s friendly against Switzerland on Friday night in St Gallen.

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A-League preview for Round 5

SYDNEY, Sept 2 AAP – – Preview of round five of the A-League (all times AEST):

Mariners but Perez drama behind them

SYDNEY, Sept 2 AAP – Central Coast have backed down from threats of legal action but called for an overhaul of regulations following Patricio Perez’s controversial A-League ban for simulation.

Troubled Jets call for support

SYDNEY, Sept 2 AAP – Newcastle Jets chief executive John Tsatsimas has urged the people of the city to show their support for the embattled A-League club when they host Brisbane Roar on Sunday.

New boss brings out nerves in Socceroos camp

ST GALLEN, Switzerland, Sept 2 AAP – Captain Lucas Neill says there is a nervous edge to the Socceroos camp before Friday’s opening night under Holger Osieck against Switzerland in St Gallen.

Spurs seal van der Vaart transfer

LONDON, England, Sept 1 AFP – English Premier League club Tottenham were allowed to sign Rafael van der Vaart from Real Madrid on Thursday after their last-ditch move for the Dutch playmaker on deadline day.

Crouch injury another blow for Capello

LONDON, Sept 1 AFP – Fabio Capello suffered another injury blow on Wednesday as Peter Crouch was ruled out of the Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Switzerland with a back injury.

Legal action looms over AL bans

Perez was said to be “doing it tough” after finally overcoming a niggling injury that forced him to miss the first three games of the season, only to be banned following a blistering 35-minute display.

Ballack to stay Germany captain

BERLIN, Sept 1 AFP – Germany coach Joachim Loew has decided that veteran Michael Ballack will remain his first-choice captain despite being left out of their first two Euro 2012 qualifying games, Bild reported Wednesday.

McKay aims for goals, Asian Cup

BRISBANE, Sept 1 AAP – Brisbane Roar skipper Matt McKay hopes his red-hot A-League form will reap plenty of goals and a Socceroos berth at January’s Asian Cup.

Clubs scramble for deadline day moves

LONDON, Aug 31 AFP – Liverpool signed defender Paul Konchesky from Fulham, while Sunderland smashed their transfer record to land Asamoah Gyan and Birmingham made a surprise swoop for Barcelona midfielder Alexander Hleb on the final day of the transfer window.

Schwarzer staying at Fulham

Fulham manager Mark Hughes said the south-west London club had been determined to hold onto Schwarzer.

Robinho signs for AC Milan

ROME, Aug 31 AFP – Brazilian star Robinho signed for Serie A giants AC Milan on Tuesday on a four-year contract from English Premier League side Manchester City where he had an unhappy two year spell.