The United States have done the impossible to beat Egypt 3-0 and advance to the semi finals of the 2009 Confederations Cup in South Africa.

While all eyes were on Egypt as the African champions had the best chances to advance, Charlie Davies showed the first signs of a possible American revival scoring for 1-0 after 21 minutes.

Michael Bradley s low shot made it 2-0 four minutes after the hour and Clint Dempsey headed home for 3-0 eight minutes later.

Beating Egypt by three goals was enough for the USA to finish ahead of the Africans in this group, and as Italy lost 0-3 to Brazil, the Americans jump from fourth to second place and advance despite losing their two first games.

As a result, the USA play their semi final against European champions Spain nex…

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has warned Australian and Chinese football authorities over their players bad behaviour after fining them for a brawl at an under-19 women s game this month.

The Australian and Chinese teams, and the (China Football Association), have been given stern warnings to ensure that these offences are not repeated in future matches, AFC said in a statement late Thursday.

The AFC also imposed fines totalling 12,000 dollars over the brawl at the AFC U-19 Women?s Championship 2009 match played in Wuhan, China, on August 3.

Australia s Jessica Seaman was suspended for four matches and fined 3,000 dollars after she was found guilty of violating the AFC disciplinary code, AFC said.

Seaman was sent off for violent conduct during …

Borussia Dortmund will not re-sign Henrikh Mkhitaryan from Manchester United, according to CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke.

The Armenia international moved to Old Trafford in August for a reported £26.3million fee, but has struggled to make any impact under Jose Mourinho due largely to injury problems.

Dortmund bought back Shinji Kagawa from United in 2014, while Nuri Sahin and Mario Gotze have rejoined the club in recent seasons after difficult spells away from Signal Iduna Park.

But Watzke, when asked by Kicker if he would consider a move to bring back Mkhitaryan, replied: No.

He continued: Any intelligent player should consider in advance what kind of environment they are moving to.

When you are playing in surroundings where things are working for y…

Juventus great Gianluigi Buffon would be unsurprised if Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo signed for the Serie A champions.

Ronaldo, 33, is linked with a stunning €100million switch from Madrid to Juve, with the deal reportedly close to completion.

The Portugal international s arrival would come after Buffon s departure, the former Italy goalkeeper having signed with Paris Saint-Germain.

Buffon, who made more than 500 league appearances for Juve, said Ronaldo joining the club would come as no surprise.

I wouldn t be surprised to see Ronaldo at Juventus, he told Sky Sport on Monday.

It would make me happy because it is what the Juventus world needs, to find new idols and adore them.

Buffon confirmed his Juve exit in May, having been t…

What the papers say

Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola is hopeful of holding on to striker Dominic Solanke despite interest from Tottenham. The Evening Standard reports that Iraola expects the 26-year-old to stay at the club after the transfer window has closed.

Albania striker Armando Broja remains in the sights of Fulham, who are considering a late move before the deadline, according to the Standard. But the Daily Mail says they are reluctant to meet Chelsea’s £50million asking price for the 22-year-old.

Brighton are in talks with Tottenham about Spanish winger Bryan Gil, reports the Standard. They are keen on taking the 22-year-old on loan.

Crystal Palace are also weighing up a late loan deal, according to the Daily Telegraph. They are keen on Ivory Coas…

(GSM) Cristiano Ronaldo is confident Real Madrid can turn around their Champions League tie with Olympique Lyon and avoid elimination from the competition at the last-16 stage for the sixth successive year.

Real were handed a 1-0 defeat in the first leg in France after Lyon midfielder Jean Makoun struck a brilliant 25-yard drive past Iker Casillas just after half-time.

Los Blancos failed to reach the high level of their last La Liga matches and it could have been worse for Manuel Pellegrini s team with the hosts hitting the post in the first half through Cesar Delgado and creating a number of other chances.

Despite Real s disappointing display Ronaldo is adamant this is not the end of the tournament for the Spanish giants.

In football anything is possib…

Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola applauded his team s defensive cohesion on Wednesday after they edged past Bayer Leverkusen to the DFB Pokal semi-finals.

After the quarter-final tie in Leverkusen ended scoreless through 120 minutes, Bayern s five penalty takers all converted, while goalkeeper Manuel Neuer saved Josip Drmic s opener for the hosts to give the Bavarian visitors victory.

Leverkusen dominated the match with 12 shots to five, although both teams finished with three efforts on target, but Guardiola claimed his team produced a better defensive performance than in their previous meeting with Roger Schmidt s men.

In December, Bayern won 1-0 in Munich but Guardiola claimed he had spent a lot of time drilling his team in dealing with Leverkusen s counter…

The agent of Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola, Josep Maria Orobitg, says he remains in the dark over his client s future with the Bundesliga champions.

Guardiola s contract expires at the end of the season with Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge confirming recently that discussions would be held after the culmination of the first half of the Bundesliga campaign.

But Orobitg acknowledged Guardiola s future could lie elsewhere, amid rumours of interest from the likes of Premier League sides Chelsea and Manchester City.

Not even I know what Pep s intentions are, he told TZ.

We ve had some intensive talks in the past few days, but when it comes to things like this, he s very private.

He will make up his mind entirely based on his own impressions.