Canadian Men's World Cup team head coach Holger Osieck today released the 18-man roster for the upcoming World Cup Semi-Final Round Qualifying game against Trinidad and Tobago at the Queen’s Park Oval on September 3. Kick-off is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. local time.

Midfielder Nick Dasovic of St. Johnstone replaces midfielder Paul Stalteri and is the only change from the squad which lost 2-0 to Mexico on August 15. Stalteri picked up his second yellow card of the Semi-Final Round and is suspended for the Trinidad and Tobago game.

Dasovic has had a very successful season with St. Johnstone thus far, playing in every league game for the Saints and scoring in their 3-0 win over Cowdenbeath on August 22 in the CIS Cup. The veteran Canadian national team player has been capped 45 times for his country.

Canadian Men’s World Cup Team Schedule - (subject to change)
Tuesday, August 29 – Meet in Toronto and travel to Nottawasaga Inn
Wednesday, August 30 – Training at Nottawasaga at 10 am and 4 pm
Thursday, August 31 – Training at Nottawasaga at 10 am and 4 pm
Friday, September 1 – Travel to Port of Spain
Saturday, September 2 – Training in Port of Spain at 4 pm
Sunday, September 3 – Canada vs Trinidad and Tobago, 4:00 p.m.
Monday, September 4 – Travel to Toronto and return to various clubs

CANADIAN ROSTER FOR WORLD CUP QUALIFYING AGAINST - Trinidad and Tobago

Name              				Pos      		Caps
Pat Onstad				GK			30
Mike Franks				GK			0
Jason deVos				D			27
Tony Menezes				D			17
Kevin McKenna				D			3
Mark Watson				D			61
Paul Fenwick				D/M			19
Carl Fletcher				D/M			23
Jeff Clarke				D/M			18
Richard Hastings				D/M			15
Jason Bent				M			19
Marc Bircham				M			11
Nick Dasovic				M			45
Jim Brennan				M/F			17
Martin Nash				M/F			19
Davide Xausa				M/F			19
Paul Peschisolido				F			39
Carlo Corazzin				F			46

Bjarnwe Goldbaek

The following 18 players has been nominated to the against Iceland.  Two players did not get nominated again, Per Frandsen and Steven Lustü.  Manager Morten Olsen has instead choosen Jan Michaelsen and Michael Hemmingsen.

Nominated players:  Peter Schmeichel, Jesper Christiansen, Jan Heintze, René Henriksen, Thomas Helveg, Michael Hemmingsen, Brian Steen Nielsen, Allan Nielsen, Bjarne Goldbæk, Thomas Gravesen, Morten Bisgaard, Claus Jensen, Michael Johansen, Jan Michaelsen, Ebbe Sand, Jon Dahl Tomasson, Dennis Rommedahl, Henrik Pedersen.

Bjarne's first cap was in 1987 against Germany, in a European Cup qualifier at 19years old when he came on as a substitute with Brian Ladrup. Denmark lost 1-0.

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Maik Taylor

Motherwell midfielder Stuart Elliott has capped a memorable few days by winning his first call-up to the Northern Ireland squad.

Elliott, who scored twice for Motherwell on his full debut in Saturday's 3-2 defeat at Kilmarnock, has been named in the party for next month's opening World Cup qualifier against Malta.

Boss Sammy McIlroy has been impressed by the 22-year-old since he joined the Scottish Premier League outfit from Glentoran during the summer in a deal which could be worth up to £100,000.

McIlroy feels the former Under-21 international could be a useful addition on the left side of midfield because of the injuries to Michael Hughes and Peter Kennedy.

"We are a little bit weak at the moment on the left-hand side without Hughes and Kennedy and really we've only got Kevin Horlock as a natural left-footer," he said.

"This is an ideal opportunity to bring the boy in and have a look at him because you only know if someone is ready when you give them a go.

Neil Lennon, Steve Lomas and Gerry Taggart have also been named in the squad for the game at Windsor Park on Saturday, September 2.

And the Irish Football Association will be expecting them to play this time after they controversially withdrew from last week's friendly against Yugoslavia claiming they were injured.

The IFA has vowed to invoke FIFA sanctions against their clubs if they drop out again and McIlroy said: "Hopefully everything will be OK this time.

"We're not taking anything for granted, but hopefully they will come through the weekend's games and be ready for us."

Manchester City midfielder Jeff Whitley and Hearts striker Andy Kirk step down from the senior squad to join the Under-21s for their opening European qualifying match against Malta on September 1.

McIlroy said: "I've released Whitley and Kirk to help out the Under-21s, but they're still very much part of my plans for the senior side."

But there is no place for Linfield striker Davy Larmour, who was a late call-up for the Yugoslavia game.

Squad:
Carroll (Wigan), Taylor (Fulham); Nolan (Bradford), A Hughes (Newcastle), Williams (Wimbledon), Taggart (Leicester), Griffin (Dundee Utd), Murdock (Preston); Lomas (West Ham), Lennon (Leicester), Gillespie (Blackburn), Johnson (Blackburn), Horlock (Man City), Mulryne (Norwich), Magilton (Ipswich), Elliott (Motherwell); Healy (Man Utd), Quinn (West Brom), McKnight (St Mirren), Gray (Burnley).

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Steve Finnan

Ipswich midfielder Matt Holland and Watford striker Dominic Foley have been included in the Republic of Ireland squad for the World Cup qualifier against Holland at the Amsterdam Arena on September 2.

Holland and Foley both impressed during the Republic's three-match unbeaten tour of America during the summer.

Manager Mick McCarthy has pruned his original 30-man squad down to 22 players with Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane again named as captain.

"On present performances this is the squad that I feel fully justifies my selection," said McCarthy.

With Derby's Rory Delap ruled out by injury, there is no room for Terry Phelan (Fulham), Paul Butler (Sunderland), Curtis Fleming (Middlesbrough), Lee Carsley (Blackburn), Graham Kavanagh (Stoke), Keith O'Neill (Middlesbrough) and Gareth Farrelly (Bolton).

The Republic squad assembles in Dublin on Monday night and will have training sessions both Tuesday and Wednesday before flying out to Amsterdam on Thursday morning.

McCarthy's team are in the same group as Portugal, Estonia, Cyprus and Andorra.

They could not have wished for a tougher start to their qualifying campaign with Saturday week's meeting with the Dutch and then an away game against the other European Championship beaten semi-finalists Portugal in Lisbon in October.

Squad

A Kelly (Blackburn), Given (Newcastle United), Kiely (Charlton), Carr (Tottenham), G Kelly (Leeds), Harte (Leeds), Staunton (Liverpool), Breen (Coventry), Dunne (Everton), Babb (Sporting Lisbon), Roy Keane (Man Utd), Kinsella (Charlton), Finnan (Fulham), McAteer (Blackburn), Kennedy (Manchester City), Kilbane (Sunderland), Duff (Blackburn), Holland (Ipswich), Quinn (Sunderland), Connolly (Excelsior), Robbie Keane (Inter Milan), Foley (Watford).

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Chris Coleman, Andy Melville and Kit Symons

Veteran Dean Saunders stands just one cap away from Wales football history, and he is determined not to let injury ruin his dreams.

Saunders, at 36, knows his international career is coming to an end, but he wants to claim the record of being Wales' most capped outfield player before the curtain finally comes down on his 14 years in the national side.

Saunders has been named by boss Mark Hughes in the Welsh squad for the World Cup qualifier in Belarus on September 2 despite the fact that the Bradford striker is one of three senior stars suffering from injury.

But Saunders, currently struggling with a hamstring problem, is determined to be there. Currently he has 73 caps, putting him level with Ian Rush and Peter Nicholas in the all-time honours list, a long way behind caps record holder Neville Southall, who has 92 to his name.

One more for Saunders will put him second overall in his own right, and the most capped outfield man.

He said: "I'll be fit for the Belarus game, don't worry about that. I still feel I can help Wales and I want that record."

Saunders misses Bradford's opening Premiership clash away to Liverpool, one of his former clubs, as well as Tuesday's home game with Chelsea. But Saunders is confident he will be fit to face Leicester next Saturday before joining up with the Wales squad the following week for the trip to Minsk.

Saunders said: "I can do my bit still to help Wales in the qualifying rounds. God knows what I will be doing in two years time when the World Cup comes round, but I know I can be of service in the build-up matches.

"You never lose your eye for goal, and I love playing for my country and want to go on as long as possible."

Ironically, it was Saunders' last goal for his country, his 22nd international goal, that paved the way to Wales winning in Minsk a year ago. That was Hughes' first official game in solo control of his country, albeit, as caretaker.

Wales famously won 2-1, Ryan Giggs heading the winner, in the same Dinamo Stadium they will play in on September 2.

Saunders said: "Belarus are technically better than us, and attack at every opportunity. But we beat them home and away in a Euro' 2000 group, so we must be doing something right.

"I believe that if we can get off to a good start in our group matches it will give us a major boost and we could be on our way."

While Saunders, who was 36 in June, is approaching the end of his Wales career youngster Craig Bellamy will join up with the squad no doubt overjoyed at his £6.5million rise into the Premiership with Coventry.

Hughes is desperate for his young stars to progress as quickly as they can to the highest level in the country, and sees Bellamy's move from Norwich as a blessing for Wales.

He said: "Playing regularly in the Premiership will be a great step up for Craig and it will obviously be a big boost for the Wales team.

"He showed the character last season to overcome that terrible cruciate injury and now has the chance to really establish himself as a top-notch striker.

"He's already an important part of my plans but stepping up will obviously strengthen his challenge for a regular Wales place."

Bellamy has become the second most expensive Welsh star ever. Only John Hartson, back in the squad after missing the last four internationals last season through injury, is valued higher in the transfer league table. He moved from West Ham to Wimbledon for £7m in January '99.

Hughes has taken the risk of naming not only Saunders, but injured stars Mark Delaney and Matthew Jones as well. Jones is struggling with a shin splints problem, while Delaney is seemingly out for a month with an ankle injury. But Hughes will clearly give them every opportunity to make the squad.

Southampton's Paul Jones returns as number one goalkeeper after recovering from a back problem, but Swansea's Roger Freestone has won the back-up goalkeepers' role from Mark Crossley and Darren Ward, while Norwich's Iwan Roberts - after impressive displays last season for his country in Hartson's absence - retains his place in the squad.

Wales Squad to face Belarus

P Jones (Southampton), Freestone (Swansea), Barnard (Barnsley), G Roberts (Tranmere), Coleman, Symons, Melville (all Fulham), Page (Watford), Delaney (Aston Villa), Speed (Newcastle), Pembridge (Everton), M Jones (Leeds), Savage (Leicester), Robinson (Charlton), Giggs (Man Utd), Blake (Blackburn), Hartson (Wimbledon), Bellamy (Coventry), Saunders (Bradford),I Roberts (Norwich).


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Eddie Lewis


U.S. Men's National Team head coach Bruce Arena has recalled goalkeeper Kasey Keller and midfielders Jovan Kirovski and Richie Williams and called up San Jose midfielder Richard Mulrooney for the first time in his roster of 20 players for the important World Cup qualifying rematch against Guatemala, which will be shown live on ABC from RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. at 2 p.m. ET on Sunday, Sept. 3.

Keller returns to the team after a one-game absence, during which he helped his Spanish League team, Rayo Vallecano, advance through the preliminary round of the UEFA Cup. He replaces Tony Meola on the roster.

The most experienced World Cup qualifying goalkeeper in U.S. Soccer history, Keller has posted a 5-2-4 record and a 0.82 goals against average in 11 qualifying matches.

Kirovski, 24, joins the national team for the first time since signing with Portuguese champion Sporting Lisbon this summer.

Williams returns because of the injury to defensive midfielder Chris Armas.

Mulrooney, who learned his soccer in the Memphis area and played for Creighton, was one of the top rookies in MLS in 1999.

"This is a critical match," Arena said. "Everything we've done as a team this year has been in preparation for these qualifying matches, and it's important that we play well in front of our home fans."

The match against Guatemala will mark the USA's third visit to the nation's capital for a qualifying match.

The United States defeated Guatemala, 2-0, in qualifying action at RFK Stadium on Nov. 11, 1996, and tied Jamaica at the stadium a year later. It has won six and tied three of the 11 matches played in Washington D.C., outscoring their opponents 21-10.

The United States team will begin training in the Washington, D.C., area for the Guatemala match beginning Monday, August 28.

U.S. ROSTER

No. 		Player 				Pos. 	GP/G 		Hometown 		Club 
12 		Agoos, Jeff 			D  	101/3 		Dallas 			D.C. United (MLS) 
3 		Berhalter, Gregg 			D 	14/0 		Tenafly, N.J. 		free agent 
1 		Friedel, Brad 			G 	66/0 		Bay Village, Ohio 		Liverpool(Eng) 
13 		Jones, Cobi 			M  	132/13 		Westlake , Cal.		Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS) 
18 		Keller, Kasey 			G  	44/0 		Lacey, Wash. 		Rayo Vallecano(Spa) 
14 		Kirovski, Jovan 			F  	43/7 		Escondido, Calif. 		Sporting Lisbon (Por) 
7 		Lewis, Eddie 			M  	25/2 		Cerritos, Calif. 		Fulham (Eng) 
16 		Llamosa, Carlos 			D  	10/0 		Maspeth, N.Y. 		D.C. United (MLS) 
20 		McBride, Brian 			F  	44/12 		Arlington Heights.		Columbus Crew (MLS) 
9 		Moore, Joe-Max 			F  	80/22 		Irvine, Calif. 		Everton (Eng) 
22 		Mulrooney, Richard 		M  	0/0 		Memphis, Tenn. 		San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) 
5 		O'Brien, John 			M  	5/1 		Playa del Rey	 	Ajax (Hol) 
23 		Pope, Eddie 			D  	34/4 		High Point, N.C. 		D.C. United (MLS) 
11 		Ramos, Tab 			M  	80/8 		Kearny, N.J. 		MetroStars (MLS) 
15 		Razov, Ante 			F  	11/3 		Whittier, Calif. 		Chicago Fire (MLS) 
6 		Regis, David 			D  	14/0 		Valenciennes, 		France Metz (Fra) 
10 		Reyna, Claudio 			M  	77/8		Springfield, N.J. 		Rangers (Sco) 
17 		Sanneh, Tony 			M  	13/1		St. Paul, Minn. 		Hertha Berlin (Ger) 
8 		Stewart, Earnie 			F  	62/9		Point Arena		NAC (Hol) 
21 		Williams, Richie 			M  	11/0		Middletown, N.J. 		D.C. United (MLS) 

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