Soccer season has definitely kicked in, what with the EPL well on its way, the French Ligue 1, the Dutch Eredivisie, the German Bundesliga, the Italian Serie A & the Spanish Primera Liga all paving it's way for it's respective cup champions; defending or otherwise.

International friendlies are also on hand, this morning's friendly consisting of Germany & Holland which takes place in Germany, I think. Not too sure about that one, though. But here's an article from ESPNsoccernet.com about the Dutch squad.

ZEIST, Netherlands, Aug 12 (Reuters) - ZEIST, Netherlands, Aug 12 (Reuters) - Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has been included in Marco van Basten's Netherlands squad for their friendly against Germany next Wednesday, despite rape allegations made against him.

The 22-year-old Van Persie, who denies any wrongdoing, was released on bail on June 27 and is waiting to find out if he will face charges following his arrest in Rotterdam on June 13.

'We picked Van Persie because he impressed as a player and as a person the last time he made the squad,' Van Basten said at a news conference on Friday.

'I know he is still a suspect but it is not my job to judge him,' he said. 'Even if he is convicted I believe that everyone deserves a chance of rehabilitation.'

Van Persie, who made his international debut in a 2-0 World Cup qualifier win over Romania on June 4 and helped his team to a 4-0 victory over Finland four days later, was in the Arsenal team that lost 2-1 to Chelsea in the Community Shield last week.

Midfielder Edgar Davids, who has 73 caps, and Patrick Kluivert, with 79 caps, are not included for the match in Rotterdam despite moves to new clubs in the close season.

'It is good that they will play regularly but that is not enough,' said Van Basten. 'They also have to perform well and convince us that they are better than the players we choose.'

Defender Giovanni van Bronckhorst is out with a leg injury, while new Barcelona team mate Mark van Bommel was not named. AZ Alkmaar left back Tim de Cler gets a first call-up.

The Netherlands lead Group One with 22 points after eight matches, a point above the Czech Republic, who they meet in Prague on October 8. Their next qualifiers are away to Armenia on September 3 and at home to Andorra four day later.

Goalkeepers: Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United), Henk Timmer (AZ Alkmaar)

Defenders: Johnny Heitinga (Ajax Amsterdam), Tim de Cler (AZ Alkmaar), Jan Kromkamp (Porto), Barry Opdam (AZ Alkmaar), Khalid Boulahrouz (HSV Hamburg), Wilfred Bouma (Eindhoven), Theo Lucius (PSV Eindhoven)

Midfielders: Nigel de Jong (Ajax Amsterdam), Hedwiges Maduro (Ajax Amsterdam), Wesley Sneijder (Ajax Amsterdam), Denny Landzaat (AZ Alkmaar), Rafael van der Vaart (HSV Hamburg), Phillip Cocu (PSV Eindhoven).

Forwards: Ryan Babel (Ajax Amsterdam), Robin van Persie (Arsenal), Roy Makaay (Bayern Munich), Arjen Robben (Chelsea), Dirk Kuyt (Feyenoord), Ruud van Nistelrooy (Manchester United)

No news on the German squad though, only that Dietmar Hammann, Michael Ballack, Oliver Kahn, Kevin Kuranyi, Miroslav Klose, Christian Woerns & Robert Huth are on-call. Don't know the full squad yet BUT, a little news on the Spanish squad who will be facing Uruguay in an international friendly this coming Wednesday. Also courtesy of ESPNsoccernet.com.

MADRID, Aug 11 (Reuters) - Liverpool striker Fernando Morientes was recalled to the Spain squad on Thursday as coach Luis Aragones looked to find a solution to his team's problems in front of goal.

Morientes was one of four Liverpool players named in the 22-man squad for next Wednesday's friendly international against Uruguay in the northern coastal city of Gijon.

Goalkeeper Pepe Reina, and midfielders Xabi Alonso and Luis Garcia were also included, making the Premier League side the biggest contributors to the squad ahead of Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, who each supplied three players.

Morientes, who last played for Spain in a World Cup qualifier against Bosnia in September 2004, has an impressive scoring record at international level, netting 24 times in 38 appearances.

The former Real Madrid gave a reminder of his old form when he scored twice in Liverpool's 3-1 victory over CSKA Sofia in a Champions League third round qualifier on Wednesday.

He will be competing with former club colleague Raul, Fernando Torres, Albert Luque and Raul Tamudo for a place up front.

Spain have scored just two goals in their last three World Cup qualifiers despite creating a host of opportunities.

"It is positive that Spanish players have gone to teams like Liverpool. Getting to know another style of football is good for them, but I do wish they were all playing in important Spanish teams and getting games for them in the Champions League and UEFA Cup," said Aragones.

Deportivo Coruna midfielder Sergio was also recalled for the Uruguay match, one of two friendlies Spain will play in preparation for next month's potentially decisive World Cup qualifier against Serbia & Montenegro.

Sergio, who won the last of his 10 caps in a Euro 2004 qualifier against Northern Ireland in June 2003, has been drafted in to replace Valencia's David Albelda, who is suspended for the Serbia & Montenegro match at the Vicente Calderon on September 7.

Spain lead Group Seven by a point from the Balkan side, but they have played a game more than their rivals, who have not conceded a goal in any of their six qualifiers to date.

Aragones has largely kept faith with the core of the squad that scrambled a last-gasp 1-1 draw against Bosnia and edged a 1-0 win over Lithuania in their qualifiers in June.

Valencia striker David Villa has been replaced by Tamudo, who had to drop out of the last squad because of injury, and Athletic Bilbao midfielder Pablo Orbaiz is unavailable because of an ankle problem.

Spain play another friendly against Canada in Santander on September 3.

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Pepe Reina (Liverpool)
* Iker Casillas has been replaced by Victor Valdes (Barcelona) following a thigh injury.

Defenders: Carlos Puyol (Barcelona), Carlos Marchena (Valencia), Sergio Ramos (Sevilla), Asier del Horno (Chelsea), Pablo Ibanez (Atletico Madrid), Juanito (Real Betis), Michel Salgado (Real Madrid)

Midfielders: Ivan de la Pena (Espanyol), Joaquin (Real Betis), Xavi (Barcelona), Sergio (Deportivo Coruna), Albert Luque (Deportivo Coruna), Antonio Lopez (Atletico Madrid), Luis Garcia (Liverpool), Xabi Alonso (Liverpool), Vicente (Valencia)

Forwards: Raul (Real Madrid), Fernando Torres (Atletico Madrid), Raul Tamudo (Espanyol), Fernando Morientes (Liverpool)

And another article concerning the England team which faces Denmark in Copenhagen around this week; most interntional friendlies all commence around this week, no later than maybe Wednesday or Thursday. Alan Smith turned down his international call of duty for a chance to play with the Manchester United Reserves team that beat some other team, I forgot whether it was Bolton Wanderers or West Bromwich Albion, but yeah, Man Utd won, 3-0 & Smith scored the opening. A job well done, but, back to the England squad & the article provided.

Sven-Goran Eriksson has included Andrew Johnson in his squad to face Denmark's friendly in Copenhagen despite the striker's decision to stay in the Championship with Crystal Palace.

Before reassurances from Eriksson, Johnson had been worried that staying at Palace would endanger his England place and, if Peter Crouch had been fit, his fears may indeed have been realised.

However, with the Liverpool forward sidelined by injury, Eriksson included Johnson but left out Manchester United's Alan Smith from his four strikers in the 23-man England squad named on Saturday evening.

Kieron Dyer is also absent, with Eriksson having spoken to Graeme Souness and deemed the Newcastle midfielder not yet ready to be picked after playing only sporadically in pre-season following last season's hamstring injury.

Wes Brown has, meanwhile, joined Sol Campbell, Ledley King and Wayne Brige in being ruled out through injury, meaning a recall for Matthew Upson, while Robert Green has just edged out Chris Kirkland as the third-choice goalkeeper.

Smith has suffered partly from the stiff competition for places at Old Trafford and partly from Sir Alex Ferguson's desire to experiment with increasingly using him as a midfielder.

Although Eriksson is keen to observe that experiment, it has seemingly reinforced his view that Johnson, despite now playing in the Championship, is one of his leading five front-line forwards.

Eriksson is also keen to keep a close eye on Kirkland this season following his loan move to West Brom from Liverpool and he only just missed out on a place this time around.

With Kieran Richardson and Stewart Downing selected in the under-21 squad to give them further match experience, Michael Carrick retains his spot among the midfielders after impressing on the summer mini-tour of the United States.

And with Brown, King and Campbell all injured, Upson returns for the first time since withdrawing injured from the squad to face Holland at Villa Park in February, with Zat Knight, who made his senior debut in the US, therefore missing out.

Goalkeeper Scott Carson, who is in the Under-21 squad, and Luke Young are the other two players who featured on the summer mini-tour who have lost their places, while Emile Heskey misses out again.

Squad
Paul Robinson (Tottenham), David James (Man City), Green (Norwich), Gary Neville (Man Utd), Glen Johnson (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Arsenal), Rio Ferdinand (Man Utd), John Terry (Chelsea), Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Upson (Birmingham), Phil Neville (Everton), David Beckham (Real Madrid), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Owen Hargreaves (Bayern Munich), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Chelsea), Jermaine Jenas (Newcastle), Michael Carrick (Tottenham), Michael Owen (Real Madrid), Wayne Rooney (Man Utd), Jermaine Defoe (Tottenham), Andy Johnson (Crystal Palace)

And last but not least, the Italian squad who face Ireland this coming Wednesday; an article featuring the Mafias, followed by the chosen ones who will be competing in the upcoming friendly in Dublin.

MILAN, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Juventus striker Alessandro Del Piero is back in the Italy squad for the first time in almost a year after being selected for Wednesday's friendly match against Ireland.

There was no place for Roma forward Antonio Cassano whose troubled relationship with his club during the close season appears to have caused Lippi to leave him out of the travelling party for the game in Dublin.

Del Piero's last appearance for Italy came in September last year when he scored in the 1-0 World Cup qualifying win away to Moldova.

Injuries and a loss of form kept Del Piero out of Lippi's side subsequently but he ended last season well for Italian champions Juventus and has looked sharp in pre-season.

Del Piero is by no means guaranteed a starting place, however.

Lippi has included Roma's Francsco Totti and Milan pair Christian Vieri and Alberto Gilardino while Fiorentina forward Luca Toni and Udinese target man Vincenzo Iaquinta are also hoping for a place in the front line.

The Italy coach has rated Cassano as one of his brightest hopes for next year's World Cup finals in Germany should Italy, as expected, qualify.

But the Bari-born forward is reported to be unsettled at Roma and has had a tense pre-season with club officials trying to persuade him to extend his deal in the capital.

Cassano has just one year left on his contract and has been linked with a move to Juventus after he failed to agree terms with Roma.

A surprise inclusion in Lippi's squad is Reggina midfielder Giandomenico Mesto who impressed during June friendly games against Serbia and Montenegro and Ecuador.

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Morgan De Sanctis (Udinese), Flavio Roma (Monaco).

Defenders: Andrea Barzagli (Palermo), Fabio Cannavaro (Juventus), Fabio Grosso (Palermo), Marco Materazzi (Inter Milan), Alessandro Nesta (AC Milan), Cristian Zaccardo (Palermo), Gianluca Zambrotta (Juventus).

Midfielders: Simone Barone (Palermo), Mauro Camoranesi (Juventus), Daniele De Rossi (AS Roma), Aimo Diana (Sampdoria), Gennaro Gattuso (AC Milan), Giandomenico Mesto (Reggina), Andrea Pirlo (AC Milan).

Forwards: Alessandro Del Piero (Juventus), Alberto Gilardino (AC Milan), Vincenzo Iaquinta (Udinese), Luca Toni (Fiorentina), Francesco Totti (AS Roma), Christian Vieri (AC Milan).

And with that, hope you enjoy your daily dose of kick-off!! I guess I'll be back with some other soccer article that I deem worthy of blogging. It's been quite a boring morning here at SingTel since Luis hasn't emailed me yet. I'm kinda wondering where she could be, but, what the heck, I've still got work to do.

Laterz...
Lenny JC