Strakosha optimistic about Albania U19

U19 representative selector Albania, Photo Strakosha, is optimistic that kuqezinj teenagers can qualify for the U19 European Championship.   Albanian youth are assigned to the group with Italy, Belarus and Belgium, with the first qualifying match Rossoneri develop today against Italy.   And former goalkeeper and captain red and black hopes to succeed to line up in one of two positions in front of the group. "I can not hide the fact that these guys want to achieve success and move the group, can not conceal that every man when put in order before we reach the top of his profession. What is it fine for the moment that I know. Need to think and lead 19-year-olds, "said Strakosha Albanian Guild.

Rooney unworried by claims of not starring for England since Euro 2004

Yet the 26-year-old still has to hear talk that he has failed to star for England since his tournament debut as a teenager at Euro 2004. ROONEY LATEST 25/1 Wayne Rooney is 25/1 with PaddyPower to be the Premier League's top goalscorer "I am a confident person. When I look back at previous tournaments, I know I can do better," Rooney told the Times of India. "But going into the next game, I always feel I am going to play well and am confident. I wouldn't let the previous tournament or previous matches distract me whether I am playing for England or United." The two goals against San Marino were the first of the season for Rooney, who is yet to get off the mark for Manchester United in 2012-13. However, with the arrival of Robin van Persie at Old Trafford, the forward is being deployed in a deeper role and is happy to let his team-mates do the scoring. "I am not thinking about that as long as we keep winning, we have got players who can score goals for us as well as myself," he stated. "If it comes, it comes. If not, as long as we are winning, I'm not really concerned about it." The build-up to the international break has been surrounded by discussions over social media and the FA's recently introduced code of conduct. Rooney himself has five million followers on Twitter and understands what comes with making comments online. "[Twitter] brings a sense of responsibility," the England man continued. "It is not something I went on to see how many followers I could get but it is incredible. There are some people on there who don't like you and follow you but the amount of support you get is fantastic. "Twitter is a good way for the fans to see a different side of you and away from football. I don't try and get involved, you do get a bit of stick on it but I try and leave it and not get involved. You obviously know everything you put on there is seen by everyone who follows you and it will be in the newspapers the next day so you have to be careful."

Strootman is the leader of the new generation, says Kuyt

The PSV midfielder became his country's youngest skipper ever in a competitive match, and the Fenerbache forward sees the 22-year-old as the natural leader of his generation. "Strootman is the leader of the new generation, someone who can still further develop as captain. He regularly speaks up on the pitch, both at PSV and with Netherlands," he told. "He will now get the chance to become more dominant off the pitch as well with Oranje. This benefits his development and it is a reward for his good performances." Kuyt then looked ahead to Tuesday's match against Romania, and stressed that a tough game awaits Netherlands. "Games like the one against Andorra are always difficult. I prefer Romania. Those are the matches that really matter. "Both teams have won their opening three games, and we can take a big step toward the World Cup. We'll play in a new stadium in front of 55,000 people. "I never expected Romania to beat Turkey. I know the Turkish players and they won't be in a good mood. They have a good team, but I've been told Romania have a great generation as well. "It will be a great match." John Heitinga, meanwhile, felt Netherlands should have scored more in Friday's win over Andorra, and added the European minnows got a good result. "They defended in numbers and it's never easy to create something against a team like that. We made a good start and could have scored a few more with a bit more luck. "Their only goal is to sit deep and defend in an attempt to prevent a big loss. They lost 3-0, but will see it as a good result. We, on the other hand, were hoping for a bigger win." The Everton defender then looked ahead to the match against Romania, and expects a difficult game. "The match versus Romania will be a completely different matter. It will be a nice game. "However, we just want to secure qualification as soon as possible, and want to make it six points from two games this month."

Prandelli satisfied with 'tough' Armenia victory

The Azzurri took the lead through Andrea Pirlo but Henrik Mkhitaryan levelled the scoring, though second-half goals from Daniele De Rossi and Pablo Osvaldo ensured three points for the Euro 2012 finalists. The Italy boss admitted his team struggled at times against the unfancied opposition but deserve credit for fighting to a triumph on Armenian soil. "We struggled to get things going at times, but overall I'm satisfied," Prandelli told reporters after the match. "I can't say this enough: this is a tough group. But we played a great game and showed some character." Prandelli's side face Denmark on Tuesday and sit top of Group B after three games, on seven points after wins over Malta and Armenia and a draw against Bulgaria. The Italian coach also complained about the Armenian goal, adding: "When two players collide heads, you stop play. The referee didn't do it and that's why I protested."

We controlled the game and never let our opponents feel comfortable, says Del Bosque following Spain's 4-0 victory over Belarus

An early goal from Jordi Alba set the world and European champions on their way to victory in Minsk, with Pedro scoring a fine hat-trick to make the score 4-0 by the final whistle. As often happens, Spain dominated possession during the game, and this control was something that Del Bosque highlighted when speaking to journalists after the match. "We played well and controlled the match. They [Belarus] could not play to our level, and never felt comfortable on the pitch," the trainer told RFEF's official website. "It was a good game, very complete. The players felt very comfortable from the beginning, linked well, played with depth, and recovered the ball well. The talent and quality of our players did the rest." When asked about the performance of Pedro, he said: "He's playing very well for his club. Pedro is fresh, dynamic, and has important offensive aggressiveness that breaks the mould slightly, and allows us to play on the front foot." Sergio Ramos was substituted in the 70th minute for Raul Albiol, while David Silva also made way for Andres Iniesta in the second half, despite the Manchester City attacker enjoying a decent game. "Sergio had a small knock, and though he did not have to come off, a change was preferable, though he wanted to keep playing. Silva had a card and I wanted to distribute the playing time between Silva and Andres Iniesta," Del Bosque explained. Spain face France in their next World Cup qualifying game on October 16, and Del Bosque was full of praise for their next opponents ahead of the match. "It will be a very difficult game because France have an extraordinary squad. They have strength in depth in attack, and have very good players elsewhere who are calm but with physical power. "It will be a difficult game," he added.

Pepe: Cristiano Ronaldo is an idol for many

The prolific attacker was unable to help the Seleccao to a good result in Friday's World Cup qualifier away against Russia as they were beaten 1-0, but the defender has nothing but positive words for the 27-year-old. "Cristiano is a point of reference within Portuguese football. He is an idol for a lot of people and a perfect professional," Pepe stated to RTP. "I hope that he will make many more appearances for Portugal. The way he plays for Real Madrid and for the Seleccao, he is the best in the world, both as a player and as a human being." The centre-back then looked back at Portugal's loss versus Russia, and stressed that they deserved better. "Portugal were the better team and got plenty of chances to score. Russia were fortunate and scored early in the game. "Everything is still open in our group, though. We have to continue to work hard to achieve our goal." Portugal sit second in Group F at the moment with six points from three games.

England and Spain score more goals

England's representative has not allowed a surprise in Group H game against San Marino earning a score of 5-0.Goals series began Captain Wayne Rooney with a realization of the penalty spot (35 '). Two minutes later Danny Welbeck doubled the lead (37 ')In the second part, the captain of England in this match marked the second personal goal (70 ') and to wonder again after two minutes Welbeck reacted to increase the lead to 4-0 (72').The final result put Arsenal footballer, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (77 ').Top of the 4-0 victory marked by Spain within the Group I, as a guest of Belarus Barcelona winger Pedro Rodriguez scored Het trick (20 ', 69 and 72'), while the first goal scored another footballer blaugran, Jordi Alba (12 ').