Time ticks down for ‘Zullo worrier’

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MICHAEL Zullo says he hasn't asked Adelaide United coach Josep Gombau for any favours to win Ange Postecoglou over.

But Zullo may be worried time is running out to earn a FIFA World Cup spot given the Socceroos have one farewell clash against South Africa in Sydney in May after Postecoglou names his final 23-man squad bound for Brazil.

The Socceroos boss last week said he would consider Zullo as a World Cup defender — rather than a winger — before the Socceroos dropped a 3-0 lead to lose 4-3 to Ecuador at London's The Den on Thursday.

"You'd like to think that everyone is still a (Socceroos) chance for every position on the field,'' said Zullo.

"I don't think anything is final in Ange's squad.

"I wouldn't ask Josep (Gombau) to move me around the pitch, I just want to play in the best position for the squad where he needs me and I enjoy playing on left wing as well."

Gombau blooding Zullo as a left back in Adelaide's 5-1 thrashing over Wellington Phoenix last week may have been a coincidence after Postecoglou was adamant the door was open for the skilful dynamo.

Adelaide United's Michael Zullo is still hoping for Socceroos selection. Picture: Paul Kane.

But that defensive move has potentially given the Brisbane-born former Roar gun his best chance of playing World Cup football in Brazil.

Zullo was yesterday playing in the left back role in Gombau's "preferred XI" in a training session at Hindmarsh before Adelaide faces table-topping Roar at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.

Zullo's brilliant cross led to Adelaide clinching a season defining 2-1 win in Brisbane in January.

Jordan Elsey nailed the match winner in stoppage time after Roar was reduced to 10 men for 50 minutes when Diogo Ferreira was expelled.

Zullo said he would again subdue celebrations in his home town out of respect for his old club and large family that are Roar membership holders if the Reds claimed three points.

"It's a nice thing to do (not celebrate wins against former clubs),'' Zullo said.

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"It think when players do I really appreciate it, it's such a big game and it means a lot for the fans and I don't really want to rub it in their faces because they were so good to me while I was there. That club still means a lot to me."

But Adelaide has been bolstered for the Roar clash.

The return of brilliant playmaker Marcelo Carrusca after missing last week's clash with an adductor strain and defender Jon McKain from suspension will add creativity, strength and depth.

Ryan Griffiths is also up for selection after recovering from a shin complaint and concussion.

Sergio Cirio also appears to be 100 per cent fit after he was knocked unconscious during the Phoenix clash while Bruce Djite is unlikely to recover from an adductor injury.

But Adelaide surely won't be firing blanks in Brisbane given the club's most potent attacking trio Jeronimo Neumann (eight goals), Cirio (seven goals) and Fabio Ferreira (seven goals) should start on Sunday.

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Departing Vidic ‘to remain captain’

Manchester United's Nemanja Vidic. Source: STEVEN GOVERNO / AP

MANCHESTER United manager David Moyes has confirmed that Nemanja Vidic will remain captain until the end of the season despite Inter Milan announcing the defender will join them in the summer.

Vidic revealed he would be leaving Old Trafford after more than eight years earlier this year.

Inter Milan have now confirmed that he has signed a precontract agreement with them and will move to Italy in the summer.

There are also doubts about the long-term futures of fellow defenders Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra.

Moyes insists that Vidic's move will not affect the captaincy but said he is now keen to see what younger defenders Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans can do in the final weeks of the season.

He said: "It doesn't change but we've got a few more games to go before the end of the season and I've got some young centre-halves I want to see.

"I want them to show me what they're capable of and I'll be looking to introduce them in the last month or two.''

Moyes has been critical of the coverage of an online petition demanding that Tom Cleverley is not involved in the England squad for this summer's World Cup in Brazil.

The 24-year-old midfielder has been criticised for his performances for club and country this season.

But Moyes has been angered that a social media petition has been flagged up.

He added: "I'm surprised that the media would pick up on something on social media and make a big case of it because I think that's wrong if that's the way it's come about in the first place.

"Tom Cleverley is a fantastic young player who is developing all the time, he's a great trainer and he's first out and does his best every day in training. He never gives it less than that.

"That's why Tom will succeed and that's why I'm surprised it's been picked up on.''

United have had to wait a week and a half for a match following their 2-0 Champions League defeat at Olympiakos.

Moyes admits there have been positives and negatives to the break and he has been eager for the chance to put right the failings in Athens.

He said: "It's allowed some players to get games. Darren Fletcher got a game for Scotland, Chicharito, Shinji Kagawa, people that have not featured as much as they or we would like.

"But it's also been a hindrance because we were off the back off a bad performance and a bad result at Olympiakos and we wanted to put that right much sooner but the way the league and the fixtures had worked out we didn't have a game.''

With United in seventh place and 12 points off the Champions League places ahead of the trip to West Brom, Moyes has written a letter to season-ticket holders thanking them for their support.

He believes the United fans have made a tough campaign easier to endure.

Moyes said: "The club is built on a fantastic supporter base throughout the world not just here in Manchester. Manchester United are supported everywhere.

"I saw that when I went on tour and more importantly I'm seeing it a lot at Old Trafford. I'm seeing it a lot and the supporters understand the difficult period we're in and they're really backing the players.

"If you're a football supporter you understand what loyalty is so if you follow a football club passionately you follow them whether it's doing badly or doing well and sometimes it takes stronger supporters to support the club when it's not going well.

"It's easier when you're winning and I think at the moment the Manchester United supporters realise there are some changes taking place and that their time will come again.''

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Daly’s brother joins the Nitro Circus

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DALY Cherry-Evans will only reveal this yarn on the proviso no one tells 'Tooves'.

After all, given how the Manly coach reacts to a dropped ball at training, imagine knowing his marquee halfback, a Dally M favourite no less, was almost killed on a halfpipe over summer?

"Actually, it wasn't that bad,'' Cherry-Evans laughs, chatting now with T he Daily Telegraph at a Manly skate park. "Back home in Mackay, we've got a big wooden halfpipe in the backyard, belongs to my younger brother.

"So when I went home over Christmas, I had a crack. Got on one of those little scooters and . . . yeah."

Darcy Cherry-Evans (R) with famous brother Daly. Source: News Limited

Less than a metre away, little brother Darcy, 17, is shaking his head.

"I tried to tell him what to do,'' he grins. "But Daly, he wouldn't listen.

"He came down flat on his back but thankfully there was no real damage done. Just took the wind out of him."

Darcy Cherry-Evans performs tricks in Manly. Source: News Limited

While he may not have the profile of his Manly, Maroons and Kangaroo sibling, Darcy Cherry-Evans - the youngest of five kids - is now looking to make his own leap to professional sports, as a scooter rider.

Already the Queensland teen is doing well enough to have been spotted by talent scouts for Nitro Circus, the famed, travelling stunt show led by American motorsports daredevil Travis Patrana.

Darcy Cherry-Evans. Source: News Limited

"And that would be great to be a part of,'' the Mackay rider says. "Obviously it's tough; a couple of years ago I broke my ankle fairly badly - tried a front flip onto the ramp and, instead, came down on my ankle, snapping it. But it's what I want to do."

With a show in Brisbane on May 15, the younger DCE has been invited to trial for a place among the Nitro acrobatic stars riding motorcycles, BMX bikes, skateboards, scooters, even roller blades.

"Eventually, my goal is to become professional and make a living from riding the scooter,'' Darcy continues. "I've put in a lot of effort to get this far but we'll see what happens in May and take it from there."

Darcy Cherry-Evans (top) and famous brother Daly. Source: News Limited

And as for big brother?

"Um, no more scooters,'' he smiles. "There was a time, growing up, where I was right into the BMX bikes, the skateboards and stuff, before rugby league eventually took over.

"But now, I'm just really proud of Darcy and what he's doing. I know first hand it's a lot harder than it looks."

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Davids warns Del Piero on manager move

Speculation emerged in February that Alessandro Del Piero could take over as player-manager of struggling Sydney FC. Picture: Brett Hemmings Source: Brett Hemmings / Getty Images

JUVENTUS legend Edgar Davids has warned Sydney FC star Alessandro Del Piero not to expect to stroll straight into management when he finally hangs up his boots.

Speculation emerged last month that the 39-year-old Del Piero could take over as player-manager of struggling Sydney FC next season, with reports indicating that the Italian had declared his willingness to take the job if the axe falls on current boss Frank Farina.

But Davids knows first-hand how difficult the transition from pitch to dugout can be after quitting his first posting with English Conference side Barnet in January, and the Dutchman has urged his former team-mate to take his time as he considers his next career move.

"I know him very well, but Alessandro Del Piero knows himself better than anyone else," Davids said on Friday in Tokyo, where he is on business as a Juventus ambassador along with club president Andrea Agnelli.

Juventus legend Edgar Davids (right) with Alessandro Del Piero. Davids knows first-hand how difficult the transition from pitch to dugout can be. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: News Corp Australia

"Only he can answer the question if he is going to stop or if he is going to play. It's his own decision. But he can be a great asset for a team, in a management position or whatever.

"But you also need to get some experience, because you can't stop one day and then be a manager the next day. He's bright and very intelligent, so he knows when the time is right and only he can answer the question if he wants to be a manager somewhere."

Del Piero is set to play for the A-League All Stars against Juventus when the Italian champions visit Sydney on August 10.

Several European clubs have achieved commercial success by signing players from the Asian market, and Agnelli admitted that Juventus were interested in doing the same.

"If you want to put a spotlight onto a team from a different country, having a player coming from that country is the easiest way forward," he said.

"I think Japan, especially in the recent years since 2010 onwards, has started again to deliver some fantastic talent. You could think about (Keisuke) Honda and (Shinji) Kagawa, and I think (Yuto) Nagatomo at Inter Milan is a superb left-back, so we are looking at that."

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A game for league’s dinosaurs

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GEEZ, old leaguies must love March.

Sitting at home in front of the box, can of Resches atop their oxygen tank, as the season gets underway just like, years ago, it played out all year - tough, intense, groggy.

A night where blokes are more likely to finish in hospital than on highlights reels.

And, sure, we know things will change as the weeks go by.

Sonny Bill Williams finding his flick, Adam Reynolds his feet ... and how you stop Greg Inglis with a month of footy under his belt is anyone's guess?

Rabbitohs fans celebrate. Source: Getty Images

But for now, as players search for rhythm, for cohesion and confidence, the dinosaurs can pull those dentures from the bedside table and smile.

Immersing themselves in games where Steedens get spilled, passes miss the mark and players shake those little birds from around their melons. Games that, all up, contain more crunch than your kid's breakfast cereal.

Take Roosters prop Frank-Paul Nuuausala, on Thursday night ushered from the field late in the first half -- shaking away the mist as he went - after a solid collision with Luke Burgess.

TAKE PART IN OUR SUPERCOACH CHALLENGE!

Sonny Bill Williams of the Roosters is tackled. Source: Getty Images

Then seconds before halftime, when defending Souths red zone, it was Burgess who suffered a knock . . . stumbling backwards before eventually falling over completely as a sweeping play moved passed him.

And in between?

Well, Ben Teo was penalised for a shoulder charge that sat Sonny Bill Williams on his arse. Sam Burgess charged like a waterfront restaurant. And young Rooster Dylan Napa, he went about business as you'd expect a hulking redhead intent on proving his worth.

Playing for a Cup named after a hero of the 1960s, Ron Coote, both teams acted accordingly.

It was promising, if not pretty. Willing, if not exactly well-oiled.

South Sydney Rabbitohs fans show their support. Source: Getty Images

A night where Inglis, a superstar for whom all the early Dally M betting cash has gone, dominated with power.

While he would eventually finish with three tries, it was the first the old blokes will be talking about in the front bar this morning.

Sitting around discussing how this hulking fullback from Macksville - "that's in bloody Queensland, incidentally" - pushed through one, two, three, four Roosters to find the tryline.

And, yes, come fulltime it would be enough. But only after the Rabbitohs cruelled as many tries as GI did defenders.

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Like when Issac Luke crossed early, only to be called back for an incorrect play-the-ball from John Sutton. And Luke Burgess, who was twice denied - first for a double movement, then later a knock on.

But what mattered was how, after the break, he returned to take his place on the field.

Part of win straight from the streets of Redfern.

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Walters reported for rough conduct

Michael Walters has been reported for rough conduct in Fremantle's practice match against West Coast. Source: Michael Dodge / Getty Images

FREMANTLE forward Michael Walters faces an anxious wait ahead of his season-opening blockbuster with Collingwood next Friday after he was reported in Thursday's practice match against West Coast.

Walters, 23, was booked deep into the final quarter for rough conduct in that he crashed with high contact into Eagles utility Brant Colledge.

The charge was laid by controlling field umpires and will be sent direct to the AFL Match Review Panel.

The panel will review limited video or television footage of the incident with the match not televised.

Walters grabs hold of Callum Sinclair at Patersons Stadium in Perth. Source: Getty Images

Walters, who booted 46 goals from his 21 games last season to sit on the borderline of All-Australian selection, is a critical small forward scoring avenue in Fremantle's hopes of a critical first-up victory over the Pies.

He was well beaten on Thursday opposed to born-again West Coast small defender Jamie Bennell as well as being shut down in stints from robust big man Mitch Brown.

Walters managed 13 possessions and only one goal and pressed well outside the forward 50m arc for more than half of his disposals.

Dockers coach Ross Lyon declared after the 19-point loss that star midfielder Nat Fyfe and lively small forward Hayden Ballantyne will play against the Pies, despite missing the final dress rehearsal outing of the pre-season campaign.

Fyfe missed with a slight knee complaint, while Ballantyne is nursing a cork in his thigh.

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Wiggins to support Froome at Tour

Chris Froome (left) and Bradley Wiggins during the 2012 Tour de France. Source: News Limited

BRADLEY Wiggins says he will be a support rider at Team Sky and his role at this year's Tour de France will be helping teammate Chris Froome win a second straight title.

Wiggins won cycling's biggest race in 2012 but was unable to defend his title after pulling out because of injury.

Froome won the 2013 Tour and will be Team Sky's main hope this year.

In an interview in Thursday's edition of British newspaper The Independent, Wiggins says "Froome's got the mantle (of leadership) now, which is good. There were a couple of times last year when Chris was really isolated and I want to be in a position that I can be there (in support) when that happens."

The Tour takes place from July 5-27.

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O’Driscoll to break Gregan’s record

Ireland centre Brian O'Driscoll will become the most-capped player in Test rugby. Picture: AFP Source: IAN KINGTON / AFP

BRIAN O'Driscoll will become the most-capped player in Test rugby after being selected in Ireland's team for Saturday's Six Nations match against Italy.

The centre will make his 140th Test appearance, beating the record he held jointly with former Australia scrumhalf George Gregan. Eight matches for the British and Irish Lions are included in O'Driscoll's total.

Jonathan Sexton has recovered from a thumb injury to keep his place at flyhalf.

The only change from the team that lost 13-10 to England at Twickenham in Round 3 sees Iain Henderson starting as blindside flanker, replacing the injured Peter O'Mahony.

Rhys Ruddock and Eoin Reddan are new faces on the bench.

Ireland is one of four teams with four points after three matches. The Irish finish the tournament at France.

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Team: Rob Kearney, Andrew Trimble, Brian O'Driscoll, Gordon D'Arcy, Dave Kearney, Jonathan Sexton, Conor Murray; Jamie Heaslip, Chris Henry, Iain Henderson, Paul O'Connell, Devin Toner, Mike Ross, Rory Best, Cian Healy. Reserves: Sean Cronin, Jack McGrath, Martin Moore, Rhys Ruddock, Jordi Murphy, Eoin Reddan, Paddy Jackson, Fergus McFadden

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Live: Aussies two wickets from win

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INSINUATIONS of ball tampering from both sides continued to blight the series, with Australia warned by the umpires about how the ball was being treated during a tense final day of the third and deciding Test.

Shortly before lunch umpires Aleem Dar and Kumar Dharmasena called captain Michael Clarke over and the three had an animated, arm-waving conversation.

Dar was holding the ball in one hand and appeared to be gesturing to it, however the ball was not changed and the umpires did not penalise Australia five runs, which they must do under the playing conditions if they believe the ball has been deliberately tampered with.

MATCH CENTRE: VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS, LIVE SCOREBOARD, STATS AND COMMENTARY

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The problem appeared to be the Australians constantly throwing the ball into rough areas around the pitch and practice pitches.

Australia was struggling to close out the match on day five as South Africa hung on grimly to be 7-201 at tea trying to keep the series level at one-all.

Faf du Plessis was unable to repeat the heroics of Adelaide in 2012, when he defied Australia for seven and a half hours scoring an unbeaten century. On Wednesday he was leg before wicket to part time leg-spinner Sreve Smith for 47, made in two and a half hours.

Ryan Harris claimed the valuable wicket of AB de Villiers with the second new ball shortly after lunch, caught behind for 43 scored in five and a half hours from 228 balls.

Faf du Plessis and AB de Villiers were thorns in Australia's side. Source: Getty Images

The only wicket to fall before lunch on day five was nightwatchman Kyle Abbott. He batted for almost two hours for just seven before leaving a ball from James Pattinson which came back to hit off stump.

After the conversation between Clarke and the umpires, Ryan Harris gestured to umpire Dharmasena, with the fast bowler rubbings his hands together in exaggerated fashion.

The Australians believe that South African wicketkeeper AB de Villiers helped rough the ball up during the second Test in Port Elizabeth by constantly rubbing it in his gloves.

David Warner made the claim on Sydney radio and was fined $2900 by the International Cricket Council for making detrimental public comment. Warner was also disciplined by the Australian team hierarchy.

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South Africa levelled the series at one-all in Port Elizabeth thanks to some brilliant reverse swing bowling.

It also became a hot issue in this Test when convicted ball tamper Faf du Plessis questioned how Australia was able to generate reverse swing so quickly.

"I must be honest, I was really surprised to see the ball reverse from their side," du Plessis said after the third day. "I think it was 27 overs when the ball started reversing, especially after rain and a wet outfield (from the day before). I was really surprised by that, so … let's leave it at that."

Du Plessis was been fined 50 per cent of his match fee after he was found guilty of ball tampering in the second Test against Pakistan last October.

He was caught on camera rubbing the ball against a zip on his pocket, leading umpires Ian Gould and Rod Tucker to penalise South Africa five runs and change the ball.

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Replay: Sheffield Shield day three

James Hopes of Queensland on his way to career best figures. Source: Bradley Kanaris / Getty Images

QUEENSLAND and Victoria continued to dominate their matches while New South Wales just escaped with first innings points on day three of the ninth round of Sheffield Shield matches.

With all matches using the revolutionary pink balls under lights, much has been made of which players will be able to adjust best to the new conditions.

Fawad Ahmed has certainly done just that, with the leg-spinner claiming two wickets on Wednesday to leave Victoria just five wickets away from their first win at the MCG this season.

Tasmania went to stumps battling at 5-116.

STUMPS REPORT: VICTORIA v TASMANIA

James Hopes was the star of the show up north, with the Queensland skipper taking career-best figures as the Bulls pushed towards victory against Western Australia at the Gabba.

The Warriors went to stumps on 5-73, requiring another 322 to pull off a miracle victory.

STUMPS REPORT: QUEENSLAND V WESTERN AUSTRALIA

It was a tighter affair at Adelaide Oval, with NSW getting first innings points after eclipsing South Australia's score by just four runs thanks to a composed 71 from wicketkeeper Peter Nevill.

The Redbacks went to stumps on day three on 5-232, a valuable lead of 228 runs heading into the final day.

Relive the action in our blog below!

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