A brilliant freekick by Chilean international Carlos Villanueva proved the difference between Premiership side Blackburn Rovers and non-league Blyth Spartans here on Monday as Rovers ran out 1-0 winners.

As he looks back at 2008, Park Ji-sung could be forgiven for allowing himself a wry smile. It has been an incredible season for the man nicknamed ‘Three Lung Park’ in Manchester and ‘Oxygen Tank’ in Seoul. These monikers sell the player a little short but they are vast improvements on the label quickly pinned to his chest upon his arrival in England three and a half years ago. 'Park Bench’ crowed the English media. Not only has the 27 year-old dispelled notions that he is at the club for his ability to sell shirts rather than his skills on the pitch, he has ended the year with a haul of medals that most players around the world can only dream of. A trip to Park’s home in England’s north-west will reveal an English championship medal, his second in two seasons, a European Champions League medal and a FIFA Club World Cup medal. No Asian player has won even one such prize. Park picked up all three in one season. Despite a number of injuries, Park has played over 100 games for the Red Devils. It can’t be said that he is an automatic starter but he is a valued and important member of the roster. In the modern game, few players start every game and even fewer play for what is now officially the best team in the world. “I'm so happy with the way things are going this season. I enjoy playing and I've been involved a lot in the first team," he told MUTV, the club's television channel. “I need to prove what I can do and I'm going to keep doing my best." United boss Alex Ferguson is not shy of praising his players but his appreciation of Park’s intelligence, movement, his ability to use space on the pitch and create that space for others as well as his obvious determination, stamina and team and work ethic is genuine. ‘A coach’s dream’ is how the Scot refers to the South Korean. Ferguson had a nightmare choice in May in Moscow as United battled Chelsea in the final of the UEFA Champions League. Park played every single minute against Roma in the quarterfinal and Barcelona in the semifinal but the player was not selected in the roster for the final. It was a decision that did not go down to well in the Land of the Morning Calm. Such indignation may or not have reached the ears of Ferguson. Anyway, the boss felt the need to explain what happened. "It was a terrible decision to have to take," he said. "In many ways it was the hardest decision I have ever had to make because Ji-Sung had played such a great part in the previous games against Roma and Barcelona.” That’s football. Few doubted that Park would put the disappointment behind him. In the first half of the current season, the player has enjoyed a sustained run in the team. He also ended the year in fine fashion. As European champions, United travelled to Japan for the Club World Cup Championship. The English giants defeated Asian champions Gamba Osaka 5-3 and then South American winners LDU Quito in the final. Park’s professional career started in Japan and it was a sweet return. It hurt me to miss the Champions League final, so to play in the Club World Cup was great. To be called a world champion is amazing — a dream for me.” That career is now at its zenith. Even if Park never wins anything ever again in Europe and England, he will still have achieved things that others can only dream of. Despite that, the Korean media is concerned about Park’s future. "I only have one more year left on my contract and there has been no contact about a new deal yet,” Park was quoted as saying in the English press. “I want to stay here but we’ll have to wait and see. I’m not letting myself become too worried. I just want to concentrate on playing well for United and, hopefully, we’ll talk. If I play well and show that I’m an asset to the team then maybe I’ll get a new contract.” Ferguson was quick to reassure the player that he will be at Old Trafford for a while to come yet. Copyright: John Duerden & Soccerphile.com Bet with Bet 365 World Soccer News Soccer betting tips Soccer Books & DVDs Tags Soccer News soccer football J-League K-League Betting

A HUDDLE of Englishmen were waiting to board a lift at the Jockey Club in Cordoba during the 1978 World Cup when, as the doors slid open, a Scottish newspaper man nipped in fr

FIFA President Sepp Blatter has confirmed that the World Cup will definitely be held in South Africa after FIFA received assurances that all the criteria would met in time.

There will have been few MLS fans who would have heard of Darren Huckerby before he signed for San Jose Earthquakes this summer and certainly quite a few million fewer...

There is a worthwhile site out there if you want to bet on football . Sports Intensity provide free, in-depth, knowledgeable, and objective sportsbook information to the betting community. There are 3 things to know: companies for football bets are recommended after fairness and service tests, lots of uprfont info is passed on and most importantly, companies to avoid are listed. Sports Intensity is worth a look.

As a South African and a fan of football I was overjoyed when FIFA awarded my home country the rights to host the 2010 World Cup. As a football journalist with a thorough knowledge of the inner workings of FIFA and a curmudgeonly old pessimist to boot, I knew one thing for certain the moment [...]

If you’ve ever caught any clip of French football commentary (in French), chances are that you’re familiar with the rough, enthusiastic voice of Thierry Gilardi. For more than twenty years he provided commentary for French football and rugby. His voice is inseparable for me from French football in general, and in particular inseparable [...]

Andriy Shevchenko has announced to Chelsea management that he wants to return to Italy at the end of the season. Italian press claims that he met with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and that little resistance was offered to the suggestion. Former Real Madrid striker Ronaldo was the last wash-up to land on the shores of Italy, after a lackluster spell, it appears his career may be over due to injury. For Shevchenko the loss of Ronaldo leaves an opening for a cut rate return to his former club. He should have better luck there with Alberto Gilardino a world class flop and only Pato to compete with for a place. The Shevchenko's have apparently already been house hunting in their old stomping grounds. Wouldn't it be comedy to see Mourinho take over at Milan now?