Soccer Briefs

China want Wilkinson

Beijing: China has set its sights on former England manager Howard Wilkinson to lead the national team at the 2008 Olympics and through to the 2010 World Cup, a Hong Kong newspaper reported on Friday. Wilkinson, who previously coached Shanghai Shenhua, had been approached by senior Chinese Football Association CFA officials, the South China Morning Post said. Speculation in Chinese media suggests that Frenchman Philippe Troussier and Dutchman Wim van Hanegem are also on the list. Dutchman Arie Haan was fired after China failed to qualifyfor Germany 2006.

Zuberbuehler joins West Brom

London: Switzerland8217;s record-setting World Cup goalkeeper Pascal Zuberbuehler signed for West Bromwich Albion on Friday, the English club said. West Brom, who were relegated from the Premier League in May, said the 35-year-old joined from FC Basel on a free transfer, signing a two-year contract. Zuberbuehler kept a clean sheet in six-and-a-half hours of football at the World Cup finals in Germany as the Swiss became the first team in history to be eliminated from the tournament without conceding a goal. West Brom also said they had refused a transfer request from their Hungarian international forward Zoltan Gera.