Football

College football star chooses rugby over NFL

He had captained the Washington Huskies to the national championship playoffs, and had an opportunity that most players can only dream of.

But not Wooching. Ever since he was a kid growing up in Hawaii, this burly, tattooed linebacker had harbored dreams of a different kind.

"My passion was rugby," the 23-year-old tells CNN. "The first time I picked up a ball ... that's when my love for the game started, and ever since then it's just been gaining.

Fencibles share with Pacific Islands

Among those associations set to benefit from the gift is the Vanuatu Football Federation, whose Technical Director Peter Takaro was on hand in Auckland to receive the donation from Fencibles youth club captain Jeannine Melville.

Takaro was delighted with the generous gift, and is looking forward to sharing the uniforms with Vanuatu clubs and players in need of equipment.

Leaders Chelsea extend advantage

Antonio Conte's team looked in danger of a third draw in four league games when Fernando Llorente cancelled out Cesc Fabregas's early goal but Pedro and Diego Costa secured victory, producing a clean sweep of goals by Spanish internationals.

Chelsea, beaten only once in 20 matches in all competitions, have 63 points from 26 matches, with Manchester City, who are not in action this weekend, on 52 from 25.

Tottenham Hotspur could trim the gap to 10 points if they beat Stoke City at home on Sunday.

Vanuatu top clubs draw even

Hosts Malampa Revivors were the first to get on top when they shocked Erakor 3-2 at Luganville Stadium, Santo on 28 January.

The visitors were almost able to snatch a draw after being awarded a penalty kick but captain Brian Kaltack missed his opportunity, allowing Malampa to claim the victory.

The two sides met again at Luganville Stadium on 30 January, but this time the Port Vila Premier League champions made the most of their opportunities to reverse the previous match’s score and secure a 3-2 win.

Football returns to Aleppo after five years of war

Local side Al-Ittihad beat their city rivals Hurriya 2-1 on Saturday.

There has been no professional football in Aleppo since it was divided between the army and rebel forces in 2011.

But the government regained complete control of the city last month in a major offensive.

The grass was brown and weathered from the winter cold, and the stadium had clearly been damaged by the war's bombing campaigns - but the atmosphere was like any local football game elsewhere.

Clement appointed Swansea boss

Clement, 44, has been assistant manager at Bayern Munich to Carlo Ancelotti, with whom he also worked at Chelsea, Paris St Germain and Real Madrid.

In his only managerial job, however, the Englishman lasted less than a year at Championship (second tier) Derby County, who sacked him last February.

Swansea were reported to have interviewed him before appointing Bradley in October.

The American was dismissed just before Christmas, having won only two of his 11 games since taking over from Francesco Guidolin.

Vanuatu voted Jamie Vardy best footballer on the planet ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo

Vardy played an instrumental role in Leicester's unbelievable EPL title win for 2015/16, scoring 24 goals, leading to the Vanuatu Daily Post, responsible for the nation's vote, rating him ahead of Real Madrid superstar Ronaldo.

Overall, Vardy finished eighth in the Ballon d'Or standings, with Ronaldo picking up the award for a fourth time ahead of rival Lionel Messi. 

Vardy has this season helped Leicester through the group stage of the Champions League, where they will face Spanish side Sevilla in the round of 16.

Ronaldo wins Ballon d’Or

Respected publication France Football named the 31-year-old forward as its player of the year on Monday, Ronaldo claiming the accolade ahead of arch-rival Lionel Messi of Barcelona.

Ronaldo enjoyed a glittering 2015-16 season with club and country, lifting the Champions League with Real Madrid and finally ending his wait for international honours, as Portugal triumphed at Euro 2016.

The former Sporting CP player won his first Ballon d'Or at Manchester United in 2008, before collecting the prize again at Madrid in 2013 and 2014.

 

USA football coach sacked

Klinsmann was under contract through 2018 but his future with the team had been in doubt after a pair of recent losses left their hopes of qualifying for the next World Cup in serious peril.

"Today we made the difficult decision of parting ways with Juergen Klinsmann, our head coach of the U.S. Men's National Team and technical director," U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati said in a statement. "We want to thank Juergen for his hard work and commitment during these last five years.

Alcohol ban looms for 2022 World Cup

The Qatari government will uphold the ban on alcohol in all public places during the tournament, with a booze ban in stadiums also likely.

People can get a drink at a licensed hotel, restaurant or bar while local residents need a permit to buy takeaway alcohol.

Qatari officials have previously said the half a million fans expected to attend the tournament would be allowed to consume alcohol in designated zones, but that now appears unlikely.