CONFEDERATIONS CUP: TAHITI 0 URUGUAY 8

Brazilian fans again screamed and cheered for Tahiti every step of the way, even as Uruguay pumped in goal after goal to beat the South Pacific islanders 8-0 Sunday and reach the Confederations Cup semifinals.
The Uruguayans, who started without strikers Diego Forlan, Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez, will play Brazil in the semifinals Wednesday in Belo Horizonte.

Tahiti, a team of mostly amateurs that drew boisterous support from the Brazilian fans for the third straight game, was outscored 24-1 at the tournament. But when the match ended, the Tahitian substitutes walked onto the field carrying Brazilian flags, drawing another massive round of cheers.
When they unfurled a large green-and-white banner that said "Obrigado Brasil," or "Thank You Brazil," the cheers resumed.
Abel Hernandez scored a first-half hat trick and added a penalty kick in the second half. Suarez scored two goals and Diego Perez and Nicolas Lodeiro had the others.
Tahiti goalkeeper Gilbert Meriel stopped it from getting worse by saving a penalty from Andres Scotti in the 50th minute. One minute later, Scotti was sent off with a second yellow card.
Hernandez's first goal came on a header 79 seconds into the match at the Arena Pernambuco. It is the fastest in the history of the World Cup warmup tournament, according to FIFA.
Hernandez added a second goal in the 24th, and Perez tapped in the third after his header had hit the post in the 27th. Hernandez made it 4-0 in first-half injury time. In the second half, Lodeiro scored in the 61st, Hernanzdez's penalty kick came in the 67th and Suarez added the seventh in the 82nd and the final goal in the 90th.
Tahiti managed to create a few chances. Perhaps the best came when Marama Vahirua, the team's only professional player, shot at Uruguay goalkeeper Martin Silva in the 34th for an easy save.
Earlier in the half, Tahiti defender Teheivarii Ludivion was given a yellow card in the eighth minute for bringing down Matias Aguirregaray, the first caution the team received at the tournament. He was sent off for a second yellow in the 59th.
The Tahitians, who qualified for the tournament by winning the Oceania Nations Cup, have been adopted by the Brazilian public.
Completely outplayed in previous loses to Nigeria and Spain, the islanders still play an attractive, attack-minded soccer despite the huge gap in ability with the other teams in the group.
Meriel, who dived to his left to stop Scotti's penalty and then scrambled to control the loose ball, was the third different goalkeeper to start for Tahiti in its three matches.
Xavier Samin played in the 6-1 loss to Nigeria in the opening match last Monday, and Mikael Roche was in goal for the 10-0 drubbing against Spain on Thursday.

CONFEDERATIONS CUP: ITALY 2 BRAZIL 4

Neymar scored his third goal in three matches and Fred added two others as Brazil beat Italy 4-2 and finished on top of Group A of the Confederations Cup on Saturday.
Substitute defender Dante opened the scoring from close range in first-half injury time, but Italy equalized through Emanuele Giaccherini's swift breakaway in the 51st. Dante looked just offside for his goal.
Neymar scored in the 55th with a well-placed free kick shot into the top corner of the net as Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon could only watch, and Fred added to the lead from inside the area in the 66th before Italy pulled closer again with a Giorgio Chiellini goal in the 71st.

Brazil was furious with Uzbek referee Ravshan Irmatov, who appeared to blow his whistle for an Italy penalty but changed his mind and gave a goal when it went in the net a second or so later.
Italy almost tied it when an 80th-minute header by Christian Maggio went off the crossbar, and Mario Balotelli just missed with a right-footed shot a few minutes later, but Fred sealed the victory from a Buffon rebound in the 89th, another goal that looked offside.
Brazil ended with nine points, three more than the Italians. Mexico and Japan had already been eliminated. Brazil needed at least a draw to win the group and likely avoid a matchup with World Cup champion Spain, which leads Group B.
"Brazil is ready for the semifinal," Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said. "We've made it with a team with good technical and tactical quality and with a lot of confidence."
Italy coach Cesare Prandelli was pleased with some of his team's performance. "In the second half we played great. I'm very pleased with what I saw, the way we reacted and had desire to attack deep. Of course, against squads like these you always risk something and if you make a mistake you let in a goal.
"Matches like these make you grow and if we face Spain we'll try to play our game," he said.
The result keeps Italy winless against Brazil in 30 years, since the second round of the 1982 World Cup in Spain. In six matches since, Brazil has won four and there were two draws.
Brazil had also beaten Italy 3-0 the group stage of the 2009 Confederations Cup, when it eventually won its second straight title -- and third overall -- in the warm-up competition. Brazil hasn't won any significant title since then.
The teams had met only four times since the 1994 World Cup final in the United States, with two victories by Brazil and two draws, including a 2-2 result earlier this year. It was the first time the teams played in Brazil.
Brazil took control in the first few minutes but it didn't take long before Italy leveled the match at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador.
"We feared Brazil a little in the first half and you can't do that against a team like Brazil," Prandelli said. "In the second half we played in a different way. We showed personality and we are satisfied with how the team reacted. I'm happy with the way the team fought back and tried to make it difficult for Brazil."
Dante, who replaced injured starting defender David Luiz in the 34th, put Brazil ahead with a left-footed shot off a rebound from a difficult save by Buffon following a header by striker Fred. Buffon dived to his left to make the stop, but Dante was in position to sidefoot the ball into the net. Dante appeared to be narrowly offside after Fred's header from the free kick taken by Neymar.
Italy equalized with Giaccherini's powerful shot into the far corner after receiving an acrobatic pass by Balotelli as he was hit by Dante outside the area. Giaccherini had come on in the 26th to replace injured midfielder Riccardo Montolivo.
Neymar found the net from the free kick after he was fouled just outside the box following a nice run past Italian defenders. Buffon began going to his right and couldn't get back after Neymar fired the shot away from the wall instead of going over it.
"Neymar can be decisive and that's what happened with the free kick," Scolari said. "He had many good quality opportunities but the key thing was when he realized Buffon was taking a step to the side. Only those geniuses who have a notion of what is happening in the match can do that."
Neymar was replaced in the 69th to a standing ovation by the nearly 50,000 fans packing the Arena Fonte Nova. The recently signed Barcelona player was chosen the man of the match for the third match in a row.
Fred took advantage of a long pass by Marcelo and scored his first goal with a firm left-footed shot into the top of the net after battling with Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini inside the area.
Chiellini pulled Italy closer with a shot from near the penalty spot after a corner kick taken by Antonio Candreva, and after the missed chances by Maggio and Balotelli, Fred found the net again off the rebound of Buffon's save after a shot by Marcelo in a breakaway.
Italy also lost Ignazio Abate because of an injury just 30 minutes into the match.
The teams started without some of their most important players. Italy couldn't count on midfielder Andrea Pirlo because of a strained right leg muscle, while Brazil was without defensive midfielder Paulinho because of a left ankle sprain. The Italians also missed Daniele De Rossi, who was suspended with two yellow cards.

CONFEDERATIONS CUP: MEXICO 2 JAPAN 1

Javier Hernandez cemented his status as Mexico's leading striker Saturday, sending his team home from the Confederations Cup on a high note by scoring twice in a 2-1 victory over Japan in their final Group A match.

With seven goals in his last eight games for Mexico, the 25-year-old Manchester United striker has now climbed up his country's all-time scoring leaderboard to third spot, which he shares with retired forward Luis Hernandez.
After struggling to threaten in the first half at the Mineirao Stadium, Hernandez met Andres Guardado's cross in the 54th minute and headed in again in the 66th from Giovani Dos Santos' corner.
Shinji Okazaki pulled one back for Japan in the 86th and Hernandez won a penalty in stoppage time, but his weak effort was saved and he sent the follow-up against the crossbar.

BALOTELLI TO MISS SEMI FINAL

Forward Mario Balotelli will miss Italy's semifinal vs. Spain in the Confederations Cup due to a strained thigh, handing the team another major injury complication before facing the World Cup holder.
The Italian Football Federation made the announcement Sunday following medical tests on Balotelli's left quadriceps.
The injury occurred during Italy's 4-2 loss to Brazil on Saturday.

The federation said that Balotelli would continue to be monitored in the hope that he can return for Italy's next match - either the final or the third-place game.
Italy faces Spain on Thursday then the final and third-place games are scheduled for June 30.
Balotelli has been the Azzurri's most explosive player in the tournament so far. He scored the winner in Italy's 2-1 victory over Mexico, converted a penalty in the 4-3 win over Japan and set up a goal for Emanuele Giaccherini in the loss to Brazil.
Also, Balotelli has started as Italy's lone true forward in each match thus far. Alberto Gilardino would seem to be the logical replacement if Italy coach Cesare Prandelli sticks with the single-striker lineup. Or he could use several forwards such as Stephan El Shaarawy, Sebastian Giovinco, Alessio Cerci or Alessandro Diamanti.

A few other Italy players are also injured.
Key playmaker Andrea Pirlo was expected back for the semifinals after missing the Brazil game with a muscle problem although he only performed a brief, light running session Sunday before being accompanied off the practice pitch by team trainers.
Also, midfielder Riccardo Montolivo underwent a cerebral scan after a knock to the head against Brazil although the tests were negative. Still, he will be evaluated over the next few days.
Meanwhile, fullback Ignazio Abate was sent home after dislocating his right shoulder.
Spain routed Italy 4-0 in their last meeting, last year's European Championship final.

LIVERPOOL FINALLY SEAL ASPAS DEAL

Liverpool have confirmed the signing of striker Iago Aspas from Celta Vigo on a long-term contract for an undisclosed fee.

The 25-year-old, who scored 12 goals for the Spanish club last season, passed his medical at Melwood on Sunday.

Liverpool, who revealed last week they had reached an agreement in principle to sign Aspas, are reported to have paid around £7.7m for the forward.
He is the club's third signing of the summer after agreeing a deal for Man City defender Kolo Toure and completing the capture of Luis Alberto from Sevilla on Saturday.

RODGERS: WE WILL KEEP SUAREZ

Brendan Rodgers insists Liverpool are in complete control of the situation regarding Luis Suarez and it is up to the club to decide if the Uruguayan striker will be sold.

The 26-year-old has repeated his desire to leave Liverpool in several recent interviews in his homeland, blaming the British media for making his life impossible in England.
Liverpool have insisted the striker, who was last season's second top scorer in the Premier League with 23 goals, is not for sale.

"It's quite simple, the club is in complete control of the situation," Rodgers told Talksport when asked about Suarez, who is currently on international duty at the Confederations Cup in Brazil.
"I will always listen to players. I always work closely with players and always listen to their point of view but the biggest word is with the club.
"We're in a situation where we've got a player who we don't want to lose. We're trying to build something here and he's a very important part of that and because of the type of player he is, he will always give his best."
Suarez, who signed from Ajax in January 2011, received a 10-match English domestic ban for biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic towards the end of last season while the previous campaign he received an eight-game suspension for racial abuse.

Despite Suarez's difficulties in England, Rodgers insists he is relaxed with the situation and is hopeful the striker with stay at Anfield.
"Sometimes interviews get put out there and highlighted but parts of Luis' interviews have been about how much he loves Liverpool, but of course that doesn't get highlighted," Rodgers added.
"It's something that happens. I'm quite relaxed about it.
"What I know is that the support Luis has had from the people here in Liverpool, the city and the football club, has been phenomenal and I know he feels that and respects that."

SWANSEA: NO CALL FROM ARSENAL FOR WILLIAMS

Swansea City chairman Huw Jenkins insists that he has "not had one call from anybody" about defender Ashley Williams.

According to Goal, Arsenal had agreed personal terms with the centre-back and were in the process of negotiating a fee but the Swans supremo claims that nobody has spoken to him about the Wales captain.

"While there seems to be constant speculation about Ashley Williams, I can honestly say that I have not had one call from anybody about him," Jenkins declared to the South Wales Evening Post.

"There have been all sorts of stories in the press about what is happening with Ash but I have never heard anything from anyone."

Swansea value Williams at approximately €14 million, while Arsenal, who have beaten off Liverpool for pole position to sign the defender, would rather pay between €9-12m.

MACARI: MAN UNITED WANT ROONEY HAPPY AND FIT

Former Manchester United star Lou Macari is unworried by talk of Wayne Rooney leaving the club but feels that he must work to get back into top condition.

Now-retired boss Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed at the end of the season that the England forward had submitted a transfer request, with Arsenal and Chelsea among the teams interested in offering him an exit.

But Macari told talkSPORT: "I don't know what there is to discuss. Speculation at this time of the year is what we expect but that's not to say that Wayne is going to be leaving Old Trafford.
"He was probably a little bit unhappy about the amount of times he was taken off last season but I was at most of the games and it’s difficult to say the manager's decision to substitute him was wrong.

"You have to fight to get back to your very best and we all know how good Wayne can be, his Premier League goalscoring record is up there with the best of them and he's guaranteed to score you goals.

"I think United would want to keep a fit and happy Wayne Rooney in his best condition but that's the big question: Is he in his best condition and the right frame of mind and does he want to get back to the form he showed when he first arrived at the club?

"I think the power is with [new manager] David Moyes now. I don't think he'll be that desperate to keep Rooney if he’s not willing to get back into the right condition.

"Moyes is an experienced manager and knows players have to be focused on the job and be fully committed. No matter who you are, if you're not in the right frame of mind you're not going to be staying at Old Trafford.

"I think it depends on Moyes and Rooney sitting down and, if they do, the assurances will have to come from Wayne that he’ll get back to his best, otherwise he might continue to be second best to Robin van Persie."

LEONARDI: CASSANO TALKS IN ADVANCED STAGE

Parma managing director Pietro Leonardi has revealed the club's negotiations with Inter over Antonio Cassano are close to completion.

Genoa president Enrico Preziosi acknowledged on Saturday that his club have lost the battle to sign the forward, leaving the way clear for the Gialloblu to finalise the deal.

According to FcInternews.it, Leonardi was relaxed about the prospect of Cassano joining the club, hinting there were only a few remaining issues to resolve and that an agreement had been reached with the Nerazzurri.

"There's not much to talk about, the operation has started and we are quite confident," the 49-year-old Italian was quoted as saying.

"But as is normal in these situations you have to put together all the components. Certainly there is a willingness on the part of everyone to arrive at the conclusion.

"I am not aware that Genoa might disturb the deal: we with Inter, from a corporate standpoint, have reached an agreement on everything and I do not think you want to sell the same player twice.

"The deal is quite advanced. We're working, we need calm. But there is a lot of confidence even though we have not yet reached an agreement, depends on many factors."

Parma celebrates its centenary this year and Leonardi was keen to position the deal for Cassano, who has scored nine times in 39 games for Inter, as a present to the supporters.

"Why are we after Cassano who is 30-years-old and not a young person?" Leonardi continued.

"I think Cassano is an absolute talent who I have always wanted to work with. I do not want to hear about alternatives.

"Of course I would be happy if everything goes ahead and are very confident. However, there are sensitive issues that I can not reveal."

JESE SLAMS MOURINHO

Jese Rodriguez has slammed Jose Mourinho for not giving him enough opportunities to shine at Real Madrid, claiming that he deserves a more prominent role.

The 20-year-old winger is considered one of los Blancos' brightest prospects but, despite making 38 appearances and scoring 22 times for the reserves last season, did not turn out once for the senior team.

And Rodriguez believes that the Chelsea manager overlooked the club's youngsters during his three-year reign at the Bernabeu.

"Maybe last year club thought that they don't need to have more youth players and Mourinho thought he needed to sign players from outside the club," he told AS.

"I think maybe I deserved more opportunities. Anyway this was what Mourinho thought and he isn't here now, so let's what will happen in the future and what the new coach thinks."

Rodriguez went on to say that he thoroughly enjoys the atmosphere at the Santiago Beranbeu and that he hopes to learn from the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo.

"[Alberto] Toril, as with [Aitor] Karanka, has been instrumental in my career thanks to his work this season and has taught me a lot training with me every day.

"I have a very good relationship with all the first team players - Sergio Ramos, Iker Casillas, Alvaro Morata, Xabi Alonso. I've spent the most time with Ramos.

"I look up to Cristiano Ronaldo in the dressing room. It's impossible not to. He's one of best players in the world and I have a lot to learn from him."