United States 54-18 Japan

[DIEHARD]

United States 54-18 Japan

The United States moved a step closer to qualification for the 2008 World Cup by beating Atlantic Group rivals Japan 54-18 in Aston, Delaware on Saturday.

The win puts the US into next year's repechage round, along with Samoa.

Lebanon got their World Cup qualifying campaign off to a winning start with a 22-8 defeat of Group Two rivals Russia.

Winger Adham El Zbaibieh scored two tries at London's New River Stadium for the Cedars, who face Ireland at Dublin's Tolka Park on 5 November.

The Irish already have one win under their belt after crushing Russia 50-12 in Moscow earlier this month.

The top team in Group Two win a place in the finals, with the runners-up going into the repechage.

Greece, captained by Salford's Michael Korkidas, beat Serbia 44-26 in Athens in the first rugby league international to be played on Greek soil.
Serbian captain Radoslav Novakovic was sent off by Super League referee Phil Bentham for misconduct.

Source: BBC

[DIEHARD]

AMERICANS EDGE CLOSER TO WORLD CUP

The United States moved a step closer to qualification for the 2008 World Cup when they beat Japan 54-18 in Aston, Delaware.

Their next opponents will be Samoa in the first round of the repechage in 12 months' time

Source: Sporting Life