Sports Briefs

■ SOCCER

Scots favor George Burley

The next Scotland coach was expected to be named yesterday, with George Burley favored to get the job. The Scottish Football Association (SFA) said on Tuesday that the interview panel asked to name a successor to Alex McLeish had decided on a preferred candidate. The SFA board will be asked to ratify the decision yesterday. Burley, who is manager of Southampton in England's League Championship, has emerged as the new favorite ahead of Motherwell's Mark McGhee, Celtic assistant coach Tommy Burns and former Rangers and Liverpool chief Graeme Souness. The Scots have been looking for a new coach since McLeish quit in November to join Birmingham City in the English Premier League.



■ SOCCER

Iraq to host games in Dubai

Iraq host its three World Cup qualifying matches in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The decision to play the third-round games in the Gulf state was taken at Iraq's request, FIFA said on Tuesday. Iraq's national team has not played an international match in its country since the 2003 US-led invasion. Iraq is in the Asian region's Group 1 along with Australia, China and Qatar. Two teams from each of the five groups will advance to the next round. Iraq will play their home games against China on Feb. 6, against Australia on June 7 and against Qatar on June 22.



■ SOCCER

Washington to host match

Anguilla's World Cup qualifier against El Salvador will be played in Washington on March 26 because the Caribbean island does not have a stadium that meets FIFA's new requirements on safety, security and quality. The opener of the two-leg series will be played on Feb. 6 in San Salvador. The winner advances to a second-round matchup with Panama. FIFA previously said the Dominican Republic, US Virgin Islands, Montserrat and Surinam will not be allowed to host World Cup qualifiers.



■ SOCCER

Manos to name manager

Real Zaragoza were to present Javier Irureta as their new manager yesterday. The former Deportivo La Coruna head coach replaces Ander Garitano, who resigned on Tuesday citing personal reasons after only eight days in charge. Garitano had replaced the fired Victor Fernandez. The 59-year-old Irureta, whose last job at Real Betis saw him resign in December of the 2006-2007 campaign, signed a contract to see out the remainder of the season. In seven seasons at Deportivo, Irureta led the club to their first league title in 2000, a Copa del Rey trophy in 2002 and five consecutive years of Champions League soccer, including a 2004 semi-final appearance when they lost 1-0 on aggregate to eventual champions Porto.



■ RUGBY UNION

Marco Bortolami injured

Italy Marco Bortolami will miss at least the first two games of the rugby Six Nations tournament because of an eye injury. Bortolami, Italy's captain until last week, suffered a fracture near his left eye this weekend while playing for his club Gloucester, and will be out for at least four weeks, the Italian Rugby Federation said on Tuesday. Italy open the Six Nations against Ireland on Feb. 2 in Dublin, and play England eight days later. Bortolami was to be examined by a specialist in Milan to see if he needs surgery, but could be back in time for the Feb. 23 game against Wales.