Iran climb to 28th in FIFA World Rankings

PFDC - In a month where qualifying games have seen the Asian teams as a whole ascend the rankings ladder, Iran climb 7 places up this month to 28th in the FIFA World Rankings.

With vicotories over Lebanon and North Korea, Iran gained enough points to climb up to being the 3rd highest ranked asian team. Amazingly Japan who most consider Asia's strongest team are now ranked 4th just behind Iran in 29th place. The top position is taken by South Korea then Saudi. Iraq is in 5th position.

Lawyers portray accuser as attention-seeker

DENVER (AP) -- Kobe Bryant's accuser is a troubled young woman who was seeking attention from her ex-boyfriend by accusing the Los Angeles Lakers star of rape, defense lawyers said in new court filings.

In motions released Monday, Bryant's lawyers also asked a judge to throw out much of the evidence against him and to disregard the state's rape shield law, which limits what defense lawyers can ask about an alleged rape victim.

Evidence the defense seeks to bar includes a secretly taped interview of Bryant by investigators and a T-shirt he was wearing the night he allegedly assaulted the 19-year-old concierge at an exclusive resort. Investigators say the woman's blood was found on the bottom of the shirt.

Bryant is charged with sexual assault. He has said he and the woman had consensual sex.

Seventeen motions filed by the defense and prosecutors were released Monday, four days before a hearing on motions in the case. It wasn't immediately clear whether the judge would consider any of the motions at Friday's hearing.

Another hearing is scheduled Jan. 23.

The defense asked the judge for permission to introduce as evidence reports that the woman twice attempted suicide. The reports were based on her interview with an investigator, the motion said.

In that interview, the investigator suggested to the woman she had a pattern of calling her ex-boyfriend when she "attempts or thinks about committing suicide," the defense motion said.

The defense said it had submitted evidence under seal that the woman behaved this way the night of her encounter with Bryant.

To help prove their contention the allegations about Bryant are false, defense lawyers said they need to demonstrate that the woman "makes herself a victim through purported suicide attempts in order to gain the attention of her ex-boyfriend without regard to the harm and worry that causes to other people."

Prosecutors filed a motion warning the defense that any evidence that the woman made false reports of sexual assault before the Bryant encounter would have to be heard in a closed-door hearing.

Eagles recapture NFC lead, put Dolphins on ropes

MIAMI (AP) -- The last time the Philadelphia Eagles played so well for so long, they won the NFL championship. That was 43 years ago.

Donovan McNabb threw a 59-yard completion on the first play, receiver Freddie Mitchell's first career completion went for a touchdown, and Philadelphia beat the slumping Miami Dolphins 34-27 Monday night.

The Eagles extended their winning streak to nine games, matching the franchise record set in 1960, when they went on to the NFL title. Philadelphia (11-3) matched the St. Louis Rams for the NFC's best record.

"We're opening up some eyes," McNabb said. "We've gotten better and better each week. Guys are out here having fun."

The result pushed Miami to the brink of elimination from the playoff race. With coach Dave Wannstedt's job in jeopardy, the Dolphins (8-6) slipped into their traditional December swoon with a second consecutive loss.

The Dolphins could miss the playoffs for the second straight year even if they win their final two games against Buffalo and the New York Jets.

"Do we need a little bit of help? Sure," Wannstedt said. "Anything can happen."

When asked if he's concerned about his job security, Wannstedt said, "I'm just concerned about Buffalo, to be honest with you."

Zidane wins third FIFA Player of the Year honor

BASEL, Switzerland (Reuters) -- Frenchman Zinedine Zidane of Real Madrid won the 2003 FIFA World Player of the Year award on Monday -- the third time he has collected the prestigious accolade.

He earned 264 points from the votes cast by 142 national team coaches to beat off the challenges of French teammate Thierry Henry of Arsenal and his Real Madrid clubmate Ronaldo of Brazil, last year's winner.

Zidane was voted in first place by 35 coaches, Henry was voted first by 21 coaches and collected 186 points while Ronaldo was voted first by 26 coaches for a total of 176 points.

"It doesn't matter how many times you win an award, it is always very special," said Zidane, "and it is even more special when it is voted by the coaches. It is a major honor for me and I am very proud to have won it."

Zidane's success in the prestigious event means he equals Ronaldo's feat in winning the award three times, the only three-time winners since it began in 1991.

It also represents a hat trick for Real Madrid following Luis Figo's victory in 2001 and Ronaldo last year.

Zidane, then with Juventus, was winner in 1998, when he won the World Cup with France, and again in 2000, when France won the European Championship. Ronaldo won the award in 1996, 1997 and 2002.

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