Cannavaro makes surprising UAE switch

Soccer Betting Lines

06/02/2010 - Rome, Italy (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Veteran Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro has shocked the football world by agreeing to a two-year deal to join the defending United Arab Emirates League champions, Al Ahli.

The 36-year-old defender has represented his country on more than 130 occasions and captained Italy to World Cup glory four years ago.

"We announce that we have signed 2006 FIFA World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro for two years," said Abdullah Al Nabooda, chairman of Al Ahli's board of directors, on the club's the official website.

"This deal with a player like Cannavaro is one of the most important deals for us because he's a player with great experience and talent, while he's also a leader on the field as he led Italy to win the 2006 FIFA World Cup title."

Cannavaro, who has already announced his intention to retire from international football after the World Cup in South Africa, added: "I'm happy to sign for Al Ahli.

"I always thought of moving to live in Dubai as I love it and I have achieved my dream by moving to Dubai and playing for one of its big clubs like Al Ahli."

(Courtesy of sportbox.tv)

Sporstbook Soccer Betting News

<< Maloney takes home GM award
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Phoenix's Don Maloney was honored with the inaugural General Manager of the Year Award on Wednesday. Maloney, in his third season as general manager in Phoenix, built a Coyotes team that had a league-

<< Villa puts value on Milner
Birmingham, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Aston Villa have reportedly told Manchester City that they will not sell James Milner for less than $45 million. Last month the former Newcastle and Leeds United midfielder was linked wi

<< Redknapp expects Cole departure from Chelsea
London, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp does not expect to sign Chelsea and England midfielder Joe Cole this summer but believes the out-of-contract player will be leaving Stamford Bridge. Redknapp work

<< Ice Box heads Belmont field of 12
Elmont, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Kentucky Derby runner-up Ice Box has been installed as the 3-1 morning-line favorite for Saturday's running of the $1 million Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park. Neither Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver

<< Harper seems headed for our nation's capital
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft gets underway on June 7th, with the Washington Nationals holding the top pick for the second straight year. It is just the second time since the inception

Guti's move to Blackburn could still happen >>
Blackburn, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - It is still possible for Guti to join Blackburn this summer, according to the Real Madrid midfielder's agent. Sam Allardyce has expressed an interest in the player and it has been confirmed

Pirates activate P Taschner >>
Pittsburgh, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Pittsburgh Pirates activated pitcher Jack Taschner from the 15-day disabled list on Wednesday. Taschner had been on the DL since May 18 with tightness in his left hamstring. Prior to his stint on t

West Ham undergoes roster turnover >>
London, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - West Ham have offered Luis Boa Morte a new contract but have released Ilan and Mido, while Mexico international Guillermo Franco revealed last week that he had played his last match for the Hammers. Boa M

Boateng set for City switch >>
Manchester, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Hamburg's Germany international defender Jerome Boateng believes he will sign for Manchester City before the World Cup begins. City have been in talks with the Bundesliga club since the end of

Arsenal vows to retain Fabregas >>
London, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Arsenal have rejected Barcelona's offer for their captain Cesc Fabregas and insist he will remain at the Emirates Stadium until his contract expires in five years' time. The Catalan giants confirmed on W

Big 12 Conference betting odds

Work left to do: Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, Kansas State

Texas joins Texas A&M and Kansas as locks after getting league win No. 11. Texas Tech greatly helped its own hopes and crippled OK State's with the two-point win Saturday. Is K-State the last reasonable hopeful? Could be an elimination match in Stillwater on Tuesday, at least for the Cowboys.

Work left to do:

Texas Tech [18-11 (7-7), RPI: 44, SOS: 12] A critical two-point win over OK State leaves the Red Raiders with Baylor and at Iowa State left. Get both and the Red Raiders likely are good to go. Get one and there could be some interesting comparisons with a K-State team that could finish two or three games "ahead" of them in the standings but doesn't have any of the quality wins Texas Tech has. Not a lot in nonconference play (against Arkansas in Little Rock being the best win, by far) to lean on.

Oklahoma State [18-9 (5-8), RPI: 50, SOS: 35] Still without a road win, the Cowboys now need to win two on the road just to get to .500 in conference play. It's hard to recall a team (OK, other than Clemson) falling so precipitously from lock status to almost certainly out of the NCAAs at this point. There are wins to be had in the last three, including a very big home game against K-State on Tuesday, but this team is reeling. Can you tell the pressure to win is getting to them with the way the final possession played out at Texas Tech? There are some good nonconference performances to lean on, specifically beating Missouri State and Syracuse on neutral floors and Pitt in OK City, but if the Pokes don't right this very, very soon, that won't be enough.

Kansas State [20-9 (9-5), RPI: 56, SOS: 96] It pays to be in the Big 12 North. The nine league wins are Colorado (twice), Missouri (twice), Iowa State (twice), Baylor, Nebraska and (a good one against) Texas. That helps explain the middling computer profile. The win over USC is nice, but the nonconference leaves a lot to be desired. The game at OK State in Stillwater on Tuesday is huge, as it could KO the Cowboys and leave K-State with a home date against Oklahoma with which to work.