The Lebanese national football advanced to the final round of 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers on Wednesday despite a 2-4 loss to the UAE.

Lebanon needed a tie or a victory against the UAE to guarantee qualification to the next round for the first time in its history.

Lebanese national Myriam Neaimeh signed with UK’s Newcastle United Women’s Football Club and spent the last few weeks training with the squad.

“I really like it here and I am pleased to join Newcastle United Women Football Club. The girls are talented and skillful,” Myriam was quoted as saying.

AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso has returned to training as he battles his way back from a serious eye injury.

Gattuso has not played since colliding with teammate Alessandro Nesta in the Serie A opener on September 9.

Chelsea defender John Terry hopes to be playing again within a month after undergoing successful knee surgery.

The 31-year-old center-half was initially ruled out for up to eight weeks last week after a knee problem picked up in January failed to heal properly.

With 100 days to go until Euro 2012, the leading candidates for the title will approach Wednesday's friendly games knowing that this will be their last opportunity to experiment until the end of the season.

Some, like Italy, Germany, and England, have had changes imposed upon them by injuries, but others, like defending champions Spain, have been obliged to re-evaluate their resources after setbacks in recent matches.

Kobe Bryant suffered a concussion and a broken nose after being struck in the face by Dwyane Wade during the 61st NBA All-Star game, the Los Angeles Lakers announced.

The Lakers said the four-time all-star MVP was officially diagnosed with a concussion after team doctors examined him on Tuesday.

Brazil, thanks to a last gasp own goal, beat gallant Bosnia 2-1 in an international friendly here on Tuesday in the five time world champions' first run out of the year.

The 2014 World Cup hosts took a fourth minute lead when Marcelo burst forward to latch onto Dani Alves' pass, the Real Madrid player then finishing off the move in style, drilling the ball low into the far corner of Asmir Begovic's goal.

Real Madrid star Mesut Ozil has said Germany must justify their status among the favorites to win this summer's Euro 2012 by beating France in Wednesday's friendly.

The 23-year-old was Germany's player of the year for 2011, but has always said the main prize that interests him is lifting the European Championship trophy in the final at Kiev's Olympic Stadium on July 1.

Well, NASCAR certainly knows how to make a prime-time impression.

Rain, fire, and Tide laundry detergent all factored into a Daytona 500 that will go down as the most bizarre in NASCAR history.

AC Milan defender Philippe Mexes on Monday picked up a three match ban for punching Juventus's Marco Borriello in Saturday's ill-tempered 1-1 draw.

The suspension was confirmed by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) which acted after reviewing video footage of the match which left Milan one point clear of Juve at the top of Serie A.