Benzema shoots down Brazil

SOCCER DIGEST:KARIM Benzema gave France a 1-0 win over 10-man Brazil in a friendly at the Stade de France last night. The Real Madrid striker netted the winner in the 55th minute following a cross from Romas Jeremy Menez. Brazil were reduced to 10 men when Hernanes was sent off in the 40th minute.

Italy substitute Giuseppe Rossi struck nine minutes from time to salvage a 1-1 draw against Germany after Miroslav Klose’s 16th-minute goal looked to have handed them their first win over Italy in 16 years.

Lionel Messi set up the opening goal for Angel Di Maria and scored from the spot to give Argentina a 2-1 win over Portugal with Cristiano Ronaldo replying.

The Netherlands beat Austria 3-1 in Eindhoven with goals from Wesley Sneijder, Klass Jan Huntelaar and Dirk Kuyt, while Spain beat Columbia 1-0 thanks to a late David Silva strike.

Bale looks major doubt for Milan tie

GARETH Bale has emerged as a major doubt for Tottenham Hotspur’s Champions League tie against AC Milan at the San Siro next Tuesday after suffering a setback in his rehabilitation from a back injury. The Wales international has carried the problem for some weeks and the club sent him to a chiropractor last month, as they feared it was the early stages of sciatica.

The club hope that Bale will report for the next training session and feel fine but the level of concern is such that good news is unlikely.

ARSENAL'SJohan Djourou believes he could be fit to face Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday as it has emerged that the knee injury he suffered at Newcastle United last Saturday is nothing more than bad bruising.

The Arsenal defender sparked fears that he might be out for weeks when he was forced off in the 4-4 draw, after taking a bang to a knee.

Fingal on brink of collapse after cancelling contracts

SPORTING Fingal are on the brink of collapse after the club cancelled all of their players’ contracts yesterday. The FAI confirmed the club had pulled out of the Setanta Sports Cup, with UCD being parachuted in to meet Lisburn Distillery in the opening game on Monday.

Abbotstown will continue talks with the club today when a decision may be made on whether they can continue as an Airtricity League club.

Club licences for the coming 2011 season, which starts on March 4th, will be issued after the Independent Licensing Committee meets on Sunday.

The club, who won the FAI Cup in 2009 and played in the Europa League last season, was launched just three years ago tomorrow.

In a brief statement last night the club said: “Sporting Fingal FC is disappointed to be unable to participate in the 2011 Setanta Sports Cup competition.

“Due to ongoing negotiations with regard to FAI licensing matters, it is Sporting Fingal’s intention to make a statement in relation to the club’s position during the coming days.”

Speculation had been rife in recent weeks concerning the club’s financial viability following the ending of benefactor Gerry Gannon’s backing at the end of last season. Gannon was one of the first developers to have their loans transferred to Nama.

On a day of intense talks yesterday, the club’s 13 players had their contracts cancelled.

Hicks goes to High Court

FORMER Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks has applied to the British High Court to lift orders preventing him from launching a massive damages claim in the US courts over the sale of the Premier League club. The Texan believes he was the victim of an “epic swindle” when the club was sold against his wishes to New England Sports Ventures. The sale went ahead after Mr Justice Floyd granted anti-suit orders which prevented Hicks taking action in the Texas courts.

Russia, Slovakia pipped by minnows

ALL five of the Republic of Ireland’s Group B rivals went down to friendly defeats last night, with Russia and Slovakia suffering at the hands of minnows Iran and Luxembourg respectively.

Russia suffered an embarrassing 1-0 defeat to Iran in a scrappy clash played in the United Arab Emirates. Mohammad Reza Khalatbari scored a last-minute winner then got sent off for celebrating.

Luxembourg’s Portuguese-born striker Daniel da Mota scored twice as they stunned Slovakia 2-1 after the visitors had taken the lead through Erik Jendrisek.

Matthew Mbuta scored the game’s only goal as Macedonia went down 1-0 at home to Cameroon in Skopje, while Andorra took the lead through Josep Ayala before losing 2-1 away to Moldova.

Armenia went down 2-1 at home to Georgia, their goal coming from an Edgar Manucharyan penalty.

King won’t rush Doyle’s decision

REPUBLIC of Ireland Under-21 manager Noel King will not be pressurising American-born striker Conor Doyle on his international future after he impressed on his debut in yesterday’s 0-0 friendly draw against Cyprus in Larnaca.

The Derby County player caught the eye after his half-time introduction but the game finished goalless. Texas-born Doyle is also eligible for the USA and King admitted his long-term future was yet to be decided.

“I’ve discussed the issue with him and will not be putting pressure on,” said King.

“There’ll be no decision on my side in the short term. I said it was great to see him and that I’d be making no promises to any player. He appreciated that and it is now a matter of taking the time to get the right decision for him and for us.”

Over the 90 minutes, the hosts had the best chance to take victory after being awarded a penalty after 55 minutes, only for Ian McLoughlin to save from Charalambos Dimosthenous.