Guardiola backs Adelaide candidate

Favourite for Adelaide United job, Spaniard Josep Gombau. Source: News Limited

A five-star reference from one of Europe's top managers has put Spaniard Josep Gombau at the head of the queue to coach A-League outfit Adelaide United.

Former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has a high opinion of Gombau, who was a former Barcelona's schools academy coach It's understood Gombau, 36, is less than 24 hours away from making a decision about the Adelaide job.

He is coaching Kitchee in Hong Kong.

United are looking for a new head coach after John Kosmina quit. His assistant Mike Valkanis was appointed as interim coach but pulled out of the running and has returned to his assistant's role.

Adelaide also has former Melbourne Victory boss Ernie Merrick, ex-Brisbane Roar and Gold Coast United coach Miron Bleiberg in its sights. It's understood the pair have been interviewed.

Phil Stubbins, a former Reds coach, has also had discussions with Adelaide but Adelaide City and Perth Glory legend Damian Mori has not been interviewed.

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Blatter backs summer slot for Qatar

Feel the heat ... Sepp Blatter says the 2022 Qatar World Cup won't be moved due to the heat. Source: Osama Faisal / AP

FIFA President Sepp Blatter insisted on Thursday that Qatar will host the World Cup in June-July 2022 as planned, amid growing speculation it could be moved to the cooler winter months.

Group B		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Japan	5	4	1	0	11	13
2	Australia	4	1	2	1	0	5
3	Iraq	5	1	2	2	-1	5
4	Oman	5	1	2	2	-3	5
5	Jordan	5	1	1	3	-7	4

Blatter said that Qatari organisers would have to ask to change their hosting plan from the hottest months, despite recent hints by FIFA's top official that its ruling board - which chose the tiny desert state - could intervene on medical advice.

Commenting on an issue that has stirred controversy long after a vote in December 2010, Blatter told reporters: "It has not been put into question by FIFA's executive committee, therefore it still stands.

"Then all of a sudden people have realised that when playing in summer it will be very difficult because it is very hot."

The subject of Qatar's World Cup drew questions, despite not featuring on the 25-member executive committee's two-day agenda.

Meanwhile, committee members - missing Sri Lankan official Vernon Manilal Fernando, who is provisionally suspended during an ethics probe - failed to reach agreement on imposing age- and term-limits on FIFA positions, including the presidency.

On this key element of wide-ranging governance and anti-corruption reforms, the board compromised by asking FIFA's congress of 209 football countries to decide the issue on May 31 in Mauritius.

There, FIFA nations will also be asked to create two more ruling committee places for women, bringing the quota to three on a 27-member board. Its first female member is due to be elected at the FIFA Congress in May.

GROUP A:

Korea Republic

Iran

Uzbekistan

Qatar

Lebanon 

GROUP B:

Australia

Iraq

Jordan

Oman

Japan

Socceroos' schedule:

June 8, 2012: Oman 0 Australia 0 (away)
June 12, 2012: Australia 1 Japan 1 (home)
September 11, 2012: Jordan 2 Australia 1 (away)
October 16, 2012: Iraq 1 Australia 2 (away)
March 26, 2013: Oman (home)
June 4, 2013: Japan (away)
June 11, 2013: Jordan (home)
June 18, 2013: Iraq (home)

A slate of FIFA rule changes agreed Thursday omitted several other proposals described as "fundamental" by Swiss law professor Mark Pieth, who was appointed by Blatter to lead an expert group of advisers on the reforms.

"He (Pieth) cannot say he is FIFA. He is not, he is just a counsellor," countered FIFA board member Theo Zwanziger, a German lawyer, after presenting the reform slate.

"Since when can a counsellor implement 100 per cent of what he wants?"

Blatter ordered the two-year reforms program after cash-for-votes scandals and other allegations of wrongdoing clouded his re-election in 2011. They also overshadowed the contests which saw Russia and Qatar chosen to host the World Cup in 2018 and 2022, respectively.

Speculation about 2022 - and if Qatar should face a re-run vote - has flared regularly since.

"All the other rumours or information or tendencies to play when and where, these are not relevant for FIFA's executive committee stand on the decision," Blatter said.

The committee was meanwhile told to expect decisions by April 15 in a separate ethics investigation of a decade-old World Cup kickbacks case which could implicate panel members Nicolas Leoz and Issa Hayatou.

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The country’s quest to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil re-starts on Tuesday night. Australia are locked in a dogfight with Oman, Iraq and Jordan for the second automatic spot in Group B, eight points behind Japan. You can watch this vital clash live and in stunning HD from 6.30pm (EDT) on Fox Sports 1 HD, with kick-off from 7pm (EDT).

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Sloane backs strong Walker

Stronger ... Rory Sloane backs Taylor Walker to shine after Kurt Tippett's departure. Source: Sarah Reed / News Limited

Adelaide midfielder Rory Sloane has warned Taylor "Tex" Walker has never been stronger and backed him to handle the extra attention as the Crows begin their premiership tilt on Friday night.

Walker is expected to attract heavy scrutiny as the club's leading forward this year - without Kurt Tippett - even though some of the pressure will be alleviated by Josh Jenkins or Shaun McKernan.

But Sloane said Walker had given every indication he is ready to meet the challenge.

"They will (sit on Walker) and that's going to be a tough challenge for him," Sloane said.

"But he's had a great pre-season. He's looking very strong, probably stronger than last year, and I think he'll manage those expectations.

"We've still got guys like 'Shaunie Mac' and Josh Jenkins that will play those tall forward roles and (ruckman) Sammy Jacobs will go down there.

"We like moving the ball quickly forward to give our guys the best opportunity and if it's one on one contest we back any of our guys in."

The searching spotlight on Walker comes as the club finds itself as one that has to deal with the pressure of growing expectations after making the finals in coach Brenton Sanderson's first year.

The other obvious player who will be targeted by other clubs is midfielder Patrick Dangerfield, who had a breakout season last season and finished seventh in the Brownlow Medal last season with 23 votes.

But Sloane was confident the depth of the Crows midfield would allow it to flourish even when Dangerfield or club champion Scott Thompson was shut down by negating tactics.

"I think Patty will definitely have his hands full," Sloane said.

"He's so damaging when he's up and going.

"But look, that's what was so good about our midfield group last year: we had Scott Thompson, `Danger', Nathan van Berlo ... a whole heap of guys and we had a really even contribution.

"So if one guy got shut down we'll have other guys who pop up and fill the gap."

Sloane predicted and intense response from Essendon to the off-field scandals in Friday's season opener.

But he predicted Adelaide would ignore the temptation to fire cheap shots at the Bombers. The Crows, who had their own fall-out after the Kurt Tippett affair, had too much on their own plate to consider.

"I think they'll be very aggressive at the ball and I think they're going to want their footy do the talking," Sloane said.

"I just think that's what they'll do ... it's going to be all guns blazing but not much talk.

"We haven't spoken about it all (sledging Essendon). I just don't think it's on the players' mind at all."

"We'll be focused on just playing footy, wanting to play some hard, contested footy."

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Bird backs Dugan for Titans

Sacked ... The Titans would struggle to fit former Raiders star Josh Dugan into their line-up. Source: PENNY BRADFIELD / AAP

Titans co-captain Greg Bird believes the Gold Coast would be the perfect place for sacked Raiders star Josh Dugan to turn his career around.

But he admits fitting the feisty fullback into a talent-laden side with long-term custodian William Zillman could be a problem.

Dugan was shown the door by Canberra on Thursday following a string of alcohol-related incidents and a bitter falling out with coach David Furner.

His latest misdemeanour led to his sacking after he posted a photo of himself and teammate Blake Ferguson on social media drinking alcohol and making a rude gesture while injured just hours after the club's 32-10 loss to Penrith.

The Titans are reportedly interested in luring the troubled former Origin fullback north but wouldn't comment on their intentions.

And Bird, who himself resurrected an ailing career at the Titans, said the Gold Coast could be the perfect foil for the wayward 22-year-old.

"He's a great player. I'm sure he's going to get picked up," he said.

"He's played State of Origin and has been a standout in rep games like the All Stars and City-Country.

"He's definitely going to get a start somewhere. He just needs to tidy his act up and I'm sure he's in the process of doing that at present.

"This club's a great place for anyone to tidy their act up. There's a lot of players that have come away from similar circumstances and really gone on with their game up here."

But the Titans already have a fullback on their books. Zillman signed a five-year contract extension last year and is now vice-captain of the team.

Following years of chopping and changing positions, Zillman has cemented himself at fullback, something that wouldn't be possible if Dugan came on board.

"It (Titans) would be great for him but I'm not sure whether we can fit him in our team," Bird said.

"Willy Zillman has been absolutely carving up in the trials and the last couple of years and I'm pretty happy with the way he's going."

Zillman was at the Raiders when Dugan started making a name for himself as part of Canberra's premiership-winning under-20s team in 2008.

Zillman chose not to comment on the Gold Coast's interest in Dugan but said Canberra would be a tough proposition at Skilled Park on Sunday despite their big loss to Penrith.

"They've got some really good attacking strike weapons," he said. "On their day they can beat anyone. They're going to be hungry for a win.

"We'll have to be ready."

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Hindy backs captain Hayne

Jarryd Hayne ... captaincy will be the making of Hayne according to Nathan Hindmarsh. Source: Sam Ruttyn / News Limited

Nathan Hindmarsh has backed the appointment of Jarryd Hayne and Reni Maitua as Parramatta co-captains in 2013 - with the retired champion declaring the responsibility will make Hayne a better footballer.

New coach Ricky Stuart will officially announce today that Hayne and Maitua will share the job Hindmarsh vacated following his retirement at the end of last season.

Hayne's critics were quick to belittle the decision this week when, with some suggesting Hayne doesn't have the right attitude to lead by example on or off the field.

But Hindmarsh is adamant the 25-year-old Hayne is ready to step up.

"I think with this added responsibility he will go to that next level," Hindmarsh said.

"We all can't be thrown in as a captain at a young age.

"Nathan Cayless was quite a young captain but he was ready for it but a lot of young blokes aren't ready for that responsibility.

"But I think the added responsibility now and the help from others in the club including Reni, I think he will do a good job.

"I think Haynsey has always wanted to lead, this just gives him a bit more responsibility that maybe he has been looking for.

"I think he will do a good job - and with Reni being a co-captain I think they can bounce things off each other pretty well."

There has long been a perception among fans that Hayne needs to do more on the field but statistics supplied by Fox Sports Stats give a true indication of just how much Hayne already contributes.

Despite playing just 12 games for the Eels last year Hayne still finished the season with the most try assists (14), the most line break assists (14), the second most line breaks
(11), the fourth most tries (8) and averaged the equal most metres per game (152).

To put that in perspective Greg Inglis averaged 153m at fullback last season and Billy Slater averaged only 127m.

On top of that, since 2010 for all players to have started 20 or more games at fullback in the NRL, Hayne averages the most metres (162 per game).

In that same period, in all starting positions, Hayne has made 53 try assists - the next most for the Eels in that period is Daniel Mortimer with 10.

Hayne's appointment is just reward for the work he has put in over summer.

Coach Stuart said the superstar fullback was a standout performer during pre-season training, along with Fuifui Moimoi and Chris Sandow.

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