Sharp-shooters Wayne Rooney, Nicolas Anelka and Craig Bellamy spearhead a legion of star names determined to salvage battered reputations in Euro 2008 qualifiers today.
Rooney returns to the England side to face Macedonia at Old Trafford having served out a suspension imposed for his World Cup quarter-final red card.
Meanwhile, Anelka, whose football odyssey has now taken him to humble Bolton, is in line for a shock recall to the French side for the trip to Scotland.
PHOTO: AP
Bellamy will skipper Wales for the first time in Cardiff against Slovakia with the backing of coach John Toshack that the fiery attacker will put aside his bad-boy image and lead his country to an opening win.
Elsewhere, in today's 22-match bumper program, World Cup winners Italy have plenty to prove as they take on Ukraine looking to bounce back from their defeat to Group B rivals France last time out.
Spain are also under fire having lost 3-2 to Group F minnows Northern Ireland.
PHOTO: AP
Rio Ferdinand believes Rooney will emerge from his slump as England look to build on their 100 percent record against Macedonia in Manchester.
But he is without a goal for club or country since the opening day of the season in August.
The 20-year-old has surprisingly failed to score in a competitive international match since hitting two in England's 4-2 win against Croatia in Lisbon during Euro 2004.
Anelka too has plenty to prove.
The 27-year-old could start against the Scots in Glasgow after injury sidelined Sydney Govou and Louis Saha.
Anelka last played in France's friendly loss to Slovakia in March and missed out on the squad which reached the World Cup final.
"He deserves it, he never gave up," Arsenal defender William Gallas said of Anelka. "He's adapted well to his club [Bolton] and is performing well."
Anelka has 31 caps and has scored seven goals for France.
Scotland top Group B on goal difference from France with both teams having won their opening two games.
Liverpool striker Bellamy finds himself in the spotlight as he prepares to skipper Wales for the first time.
The 27-year-old will be in court early next week, in between Wales's two qualifiers that includes a visit from Cyprus on Wednesday, on assault charges.
It is the latest incident in a controversial career that has seen him fall out with team-mates, managers and fans off the field while being dogged by red cards on it.
But Toshack is standing by his decision to hand Bellamy the armband in the absence of injured Ryan Giggs.
"I am not so sure that Craig's on-field record is too much of a problem," Toshack said. "It's not something I have considered or felt the need to think about with regard to making him captain. But his desire in the red jersey cannot be questioned."
World Cup winners Italy are second from bottom of Group B with just one point from two games but midfielder Andrea Pirlo insists the world champions will come through today's crucial test against Ukraine in Rome.
Pirlo was at the heart of the Italy team at the World Cup, and believes the team is looking like world-beaters once again despite a draw against lowly Lithuania and defeat to France.
"This is the real Italy, the Italy that won the World Cup, and we will show it on Saturday," Pirlo said.
Spain are also feeling the pressure after their 3-2 loss to Northern Ireland left them third from bottom in Group F.
They face group leaders Sweden in Stockholm with the home side boasting a perfect record from two matches.
Spain coach Luis Aragones has dropped veteran Real Madrid star Raul Gonzales placing his faith in David Villa and Fernando Torres.
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
NO DOUBT: Spurs star Wembanyama was unanimously selected as NBA Rookie of the Year, winning all 99 votes to become the first Frenchman to capture the honor The Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night produced a dominant defensive display to seize a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series against the Denver Nuggets with a 106-80 road victory. The third-seeded Timberwolves harassed Denver relentlessly to claim a second straight win over the NBA champions as the series heads back to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Friday. Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards scored 27 points apiece, but the star of the show was Minnesota’s suffocating defensive effort, which knocked Denver out of their stride almost from the tip-off. The Timberwolves finished with 11 steals and 12 blocks, in sharp contrast to
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Madrid Open final with a grueling three hour, 11 minute victory in the Spanish capital. Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points in total, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time. “Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek said. Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career, and ninth at
One of Malaysia’s top soccer clubs has pulled out of today’s season-opening Charity Shield after a spate of assaults, including an acid attack, on players in the country. It leaves the kickoff of Malaysia’s season this weekend under a cloud following the unprecedented acts of violence against players, which have left the country shocked and angry. Authorities said they have imposed tighter security, but Selangor said that they would not play in the showpiece curtain-raiser against Malaysian Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) citing “a series of criminal incidents and recent threats.” Selangor and Malaysia winger Faisal Halim is in intensive care