Football / Overseas Round-Up: Jones fells Norway

FIRST ENGLAND, now Norway. The United States are collecting an impressive list of victims as they continue their programme of friendlies in preparation for hosting the World Cup finals this summer, writes Rupert Metcalf. A last-minute goal from Cobi Jones gave the States a 2-1 win over Norway, England's World Cup conquerors, in Tempe, Arizona, on Saturday.

The Norwegians included six men currently with English clubs - Henning Berg, Roger Nilsen, Erland Johnsen, Tore Pedersen, Lars Bohinen and Jostein Flo - and it was a former Leeds player, Frank Strandli, who gave his country the lead just before half-time. The States, who were unable to include any of their Europe-based players, levelled with a header from Marcel Balboa in the 54th minute. Jones knocked in the winner after the goalkeeper, Frode Grodas, could not hold a shot from Claudio Reyna, who was making his international debut a month after leaving college.

In Japan, Verdy Kawasaki won the first J League title with a 3-1 aggregate victory over Kashima Antlers in the championship play-off. Zico, Antlers' Brazilian veteran, was sent off in yesterday's second leg, which finished 1-1.

In the Spanish league, a current Brazilian international, Romario of Barcelona, was sent off in the second half of a 0-0 draw at Seville, for punching the home side's Argentine international, Diego Simeone. Deportivo La Coruna, 3-1 winners at Valencia, lead the table by three points from Barcelona.

Johnny Metgod, the 35-year-old former Tottenham and Nottingham Forest midfielder, is to retire from playing for Feyenoord to become youth-team coach.