World Cup qualifier

Injury worry for Peru

Their star striker Paolo Guerrero left the field in the 66th minute of Flamengo's 4-1 win over Bahia in the Brazilian Serie A on Friday (NZ time), with apparent discomfort in his left hamstring.

He was pictured earlier in the match grabbing at the back of his left thigh.

A statement from Flamengo said Guerrero was set to undergo scans to determine the extent of his injury.

World Cup qualifier to be replayed after ref banned over penalty decision

Fifa says the game, which South Africa won 2-1 in November last year, will be replayed this November. It says it made the decision to order a replay after the Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld the life ban for the referee in question, Joseph Lamptey of Ghana.

Fifa found Lamptey guilty of breaching the rule relating to "unlawfully influencing match results."

Solomons police on alert ahead of All Whites game

The deputy police commissioner Gabriel Manelusi also called on the public to accept the result of today's game in the spirit of good sportsmanship.

The police operation which includes high visibility patrols in and around the capital as well traffic escorts for the All Whites, began yesterday and will continue up until their departure on Wednesday.

A 6-1 one thrashing at the hands of New Zealand during the first leg last week in Auckland means the Solomon Bonitos need to beat the Oceania champions 5-0 to move onto the next stage.

Italy 5 Liechtenstein 0: Insigne and Belotti shine in easy win

Giampiero Ventura's men rarely had to get out of first gear against Liechtenstein, who lost their 10th consecutive World Cup qualifying match despite holding firm for 35 minutes in Udine.

Insigne broke the deadlock for the hosts with his third international goal, smashing a superb volley in off the post after creating a chance for himself out of nothing.

The Napoli forward then set up the second goal for Italy shortly after half-time as reported Manchester United and AC Milan target Belotti timed his run on to the throughball to bend a clinical finish past Peter Jehle.

Defoe strikes in England stroll

The 34-year-old, back in the side for the first time since November 2013, took just 21 minutes to serve reminder of his enduring prowess in the box, but it took until midway through the second half for the hosts to double their lead, substitute Jamie Vardy's slotted finish (66) sealing victory.

England - who paid tribute before the game to the victims of the Westminster attack in London, as well as to late former manager Graham Taylor - were rarely more than workmanlike against a 107th-ranked side that predictably defended deep.

Saudis 'foiled plot to bomb football World Cup qualifier'

Militants had plotted to car-bomb a World Cup 2018 qualifying game between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in October, it says.

The authorities also say they have foiled a second plot directed by Islamic State (IS) militants to kill security officials near Riyadh.

Eight suspects have been arrested from two "terrorist cells", offficials say.

Among them are Saudi nationals, two Pakistanis, a Syrian and a Sudanese, the Saudi interior ministry says.

Iran v South Korea: Supporters asked to mourn at World Cup qualifier

Black flags will be raised in the Azadi Stadium and some terraces will be set aside for bussed-in crowds of mourners.

The match is being held on the first of two mourning days on the Shia Islam calendar.

South Korea will wear black armbands as a sign of respect for the hosts.

Some clergymen have said it would be better for Iran to forfeit the game, but it has been decided mourning will take place at the 100,000-seat stadium.

Meanwhile, Iranian officials have complained after the captain of South Korea likened Tehran to a big prison.

Chinese fans call for football head resignation after Syria defeat

Syria's 1-0 victory on Thursday shocked fans in the Chinese city of Xi'an who took to the streets.

China has said it wants to become a "world football superpower".

But the loss means the team could now miss out on a place in the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

China is ranked 78th in the world whereas Syria is 114th, just ahead of North Korea. The Chinese team faces Uzbekistan on 11 October which will decide if they qualify.

Arnautovic double denies Wales

In a battle of the two top ranked teams in Group D, Wales led twice thanks to a Joe Allen stunner and a Kevin Wimmer own-goal but Arnautovic scored two well-taken equalisers.

The result leaves four teams all on four points in the group after both Republic of Ireland and Serbia won their respective matches. 

Austria came into the clash on a 10-game winning streak in European Championship and World Cup qualifiers and had not lost a competitive home fixture since Germany beat them in 2012.