Zidane Is Selected Player of the Year

Zinedine Zidane, who this year said he would retire when his contract with Real Madrid expires in 2005, learned there are still many who think highly of his abilities.

The French midfielder on Monday was selected FIFA world player of the year for a record-tying third time after a vote of 142 international coaches.

Zidane, who won the award in 1998 and 2000, finished with 264 points, ahead of countryman Thierry Henry (186) and Real Madrid teammate Ronaldo (178), last year’s winner.

“This is a prize that is very special, and it feels better every time you win it,” said Zidane, who tied Ronaldo with his third award and took the opportunity to have a little fun at the Brazilian’s expense. “I am very happy to have won it this time and especially to have beaten my friend Ronaldo -- especially as he is much younger than me.”

Zidane is 31 and Ronaldo is 27.

In women’s voting, Birgit Prinz of Germany beat out Mia Hamm of the United States, who had won the last two years.

Under-20 Semifinals

Two 1-0 semifinal results put Brazil and Spain into the final of the FIFA World Youth Championship in the United Arab Emirates.

Brazil scored in the 65th minute against Argentina when a corner kick by Daniel found Duda, who sent a header off the head of Argentina’s Osmar Ferreyra into the net for the goal.

Argentina was the defending champion in the event for under-20 teams.

Spain’s victory was even more dramatic as it battled Colombia to a scoreless draw for the first 85 minutes.

But in the 86th minute, Colombia’s Yulian Anchico was called for a hand ball in the penalty area, opening the door for Spain.

Iniesta converted the penalty kick, putting his team into Friday’s championship game at Abu Dhabi.

Stoitchkov Retires

Hristo Stoitchkov, who led Bulgaria to fourth place in the 1994 World Cup in the U.S., announced his retirement and plans to take a coaching position with his former club, FC Barcelona.

Stoitchkov, who played four seasons in Major League Soccer, including last season with D.C. United as a player-coach, was not expected to return, since United fired coach Ray Hudson two weeks ago.

Stoitchkov, 37, was the leading scorer in the 1994 World Cup, and twice during the 1990s was runner-up for FIFA world player of the year.

Mexican Final

Tigres of Nuevo Leon and Pachuca will play the first game of their two-leg Mexican league final Wednesday at Pachuca to determine the Apertura tournament champion. The second leg is scheduled Saturday.

Tigres, tied with UNAM for the regular-season lead with 38 points, will be without veteran center defender Claudio Suarez, who will be serving a suspension because of yellow-card accumulation. Tigres also might be without Argentine striker Walter Gaitan, who suffered a left leg injury late in Saturday’s semifinal against Toluca.

In their only meeting this season, the teams tied, 1-1.

FIFA Rankings

The United States moved up a spot in the final 2003 FIFA world rankings to finish the year at No. 11.

Brazil, France and Spain retained the top three spots, the Netherlands moved up two spots to No. 4 and Argentina fell one spot to No. 5.

Quick Passes

Brazil’s Emerson was selected player of the year in the J-League after scoring 18 goals in 25 games for the Urawa Reds.... Liverpool striker Michael Owen, out since late November because of a thigh injury, will remain sidelined until at least early January, the club said.

Times wire services contributed to this report.