Dwarf, 4ft 4in bodybuilder finds love with his 6ft 3in transgender girlfriend

Anton Kraft and his girlfriend China Bell are proof that size really doesn’t matter when it comes to love.

In fact, the 4ft 4in bodybuilder has a strict rule of only dating women who are over a foot taller than him. His girlfriend, transgender woman China Bell more than fits the bill, standing at a goddess-like 6ft 3in.

Although 43-year-old China admits she had her doubts at first, she was soon won over by her buff bodybuilder. And the Florida pair are now totally loved-up.

Talking about their relationship, China said: ‘I’ve never dated a 4’4″ guy and I was just so curious. I’m glad I gave him a chance because he’s an amazing person.’

The happy couple at home (Picture: Ruaridh Connellan/Barcroft USA)

The feeling is mutual, with Anton, 52, saying he feels like ‘the luckiest man in the world’.

He’s certainly one of the strongest. He says he’s the only guy in the world who has ever bench-pressed four times his own body weight.

Anton flexing his world-class muscles (Picture: Ruaridh Connellan/Barcroft USA)

Anton has been power training for 10 years. But, perhaps unsurprisingly, doctors have warned he might be pushing his body too far.

He claims he’s ‘technically died’ five times before being resuscitated and says he once fell out of a window. Cripes.

(Picture: Ruaridh Connellan/Barcroft USA)

However, despite all his accomplishments in the world of weightlifting he reckons his biggest achievement has been sweeping China off her feet.

And he adds: ‘I may also go down on one knee and ask for China’s hand – because I think her name would look so good with my last name.

Giandomenico Mesto to Panathinaikos

Giandomenico Mesto has officially signed a contract with Panathinaikos.

The former Napoli defender was a free agent.

Today the Greek club released a statement confirming Mesto had tied himself to a contract until June 2017.

This is the 33-year-old’s first experience abroad after spells at Reggina, Cremonese, Fermana, Udinese, Genoa and Napoli.

Mariners down Phoenix in NYE cracker

Struggling Central Coast Mariners have finished 2015 on a high, recording an impressive 3-1 win over Wellington Phoenix in Gosford on Thursday night.

First-half goals to Fabio Ferreira and Mitch Austin gave the Mariners the ascendency before substitute Blake Powell gave the Phoenix a glimmer of hope midway through the second half.

But a potential comeback was short-lived with Mariners midfielder Michael Neill putting the game behind doubt with 20 minutes remaining.

GOALS

1-0 (Fabio Ferreira 27’) – The Mariners were awarded a spot kick for a foul on Josh Rose and Ferreira made no mistake from 12 yards, dispatching a thunderous strike past Glen Moss.

2-0 (Mitch Austin 30’) – Roy O’Donovan nicked the ball away from Andrew Durante on the wing before teeing up Austin at the back stick who slotted into an empty net.

TEAMS

Central Coast Mariners: Heward-Belle (gk), Roux, Ascroft, Poscoliero, J. Rose, Montgomery (c), Neill, McGing, Ferreira (Bingham 68’), Austin (Rose 78'), O’Donovan (Heffernan 91')

Wellington Phoenix:  Moss (gk), Durante (c), Muscat, Lia, Danaskos, Gorrin, Bonevacia, Gulley (Ridenton 45’), McGlinchey, Appiah, Krishna (Powell 32’)

Barca break Real Madrid goal record

Lionel Messi scored on his 500th Barcelona appearance as Luis Enrique's side finished a magnificent 2015 on top of the La Liga table.

Heiko Westermann's own-goal - after Neymar's controversial penalty had hit the bar - gave Barca the lead.

Messi recovered from a knock which forced him to go off for treatment to double the lead before Luis Suarez scored twice after the interval.

Barca finish 2015 with 180 goals in all competitions, a Spanish record.

They are level on points with Atletico Madrid, who won 2-0 at Rayo Vallecano, but have a game in hand over their title rivals.

Real Madrid, 3-1 winners over Real Sociedad , are two points behind in third.

Betis formed a guard of honour before kick-off as Barca walked out to have a photograph with their five trophies of 2015 - the Champions League, La Liga, Copa del Rey, Uefa Super Cup and Fifa Club World Cup.

Barca took the lead when Messi was harshly judged to have been fouled by keeper Antonio Adan and, although Neymar slipped and hit the crossbar with his spot-kick, Westermann directed the rebound into the back of his own net.

Messi slid home his 425th goal for the club after 34 minutes to add to their lead.

Suarez scored twice after the break to take over from Neymar as La Liga's leading scorer with 15.

Barca were denied by the woodwork four times after the interval as they produced an attacking master-class.

They start 2016 with an away game at 13th-placed Espanyol on 2 January.

Betis lost Westermann and Bruno Gonzalez to injury, while boss Pep Mel was sent to the stand for arguing.

Cristian Benteke stars again in Liverpool win

Liverpool kept its Champions League qualification hopes alive as Christian Benteke scored a winning goal for the second straight game on Wednesday against Sunderland.

The striker pounced on a flicked pass from Adam Lallana to place a low finish into the bottom corner and score the only goal of the match, just 22 seconds into the second half.

Benteke earned Liverpool a 1-0 victory over Leicester on Saturday, too.

Liverpool climbed to seventh in the standings, tied for points with Manchester United but behind its great rival on goal difference, and five points off the top four with exactly half the season gone.

Sunderland stayed next to last with its fifth straight loss in December, and fell seven points from safety.

NEWS The Specials drummer John Bradbury dies at the age of 62

The family of Specials drummer John (Brad) Bradbury has announced that he has died at the age of 62. He was for many years an integral part of the band's unique ska and reggae sound.

The family and the band announced his death Tuesday. A family statement said he died Monday but did not provide the cause of death. A representative for the band said he died in England.

"Brad's drumming was the powerhouse behind The Specials and it was seen as a key part to the Two Tone sound," the family statement said. "He was much respected in the world of drumming and his style of reggae and ska was seen as genuinely groundbreaking when The Specials first hit the charts in 1979."

The Specials' Twitter site said: "It is with deep regret that we say goodbye to our great friend, the world's greatest drummer, our beloved Brad. RIP."

Bradbury was born in Coventry, the band's home base 95 miles (150 kilometres) northwest of London, and he joined in 1979 after the original drummer left. He was made a permanent member after playing at the recording session for the single "Gangsters."

The band shot to popularity as part of the ska revival and found a wide following for political songs like "War Crimes" and "Free Nelson Mandela."

Bradbury stayed with the band through a number of personnel changes until they disbanded in 1984, only to regroup for a 2009 reunion tour followed by other gigs.

He told the Guardian newspaper, "I've never had so much fun as I've been having since the Specials re-formed."

Bradbury later likened playing onstage with the band to having a "ringside seat to the mayhem."

Former Newcastle goalkeeper Pavel Srnicek dies aged 47 after heart attack

Former Newcastle United goalkeeper Pavel Srnicek has died at the age of 47, it has been confirmed.

Srnicek, who played for Newcastle between 1991 and 1998 before returning for a short spell in the 2006/07 season, suffered a cardiac arrest on Sunday, 20 December, while out running near his home in Ostrava.

Srnicek was placed into a medically induced coma upon his arrival at hospital, but his agent, Steve Wraith, has announced his tragic death nine days after his heart attack.

Wraith said in a statement: "It is with deep sadness that I have to announce the passing of former Newcastle United player Pavel Srnicek."

“Pavel suffered a cardiac arrest before the Christmas period in his home country and had been in an induced coma in hospital with his close family around his bedside. Despite the best medical attention the final brain scans on Monday showed irreversible damage and the decision had to be taken to switch off the life support machine. Pav passed away on the afternoon of Tuesday 29th December 2015 with his family by his side.

“Pavel, the goalkeeping coach at Sparta Prague, had recently been on a whistle stop tour of Tyneside to promote his autobiography 'Pavel Is A Geordie', something that he was very proud of. My final conversation with him was about getting the entertainers team back together one more time for charity next year as it will be 20 years since that Newcastle team almost won the Premier League. We will make that happen and celebrate this great man’s life together. United. Fans and players alike.

Kevin Mirallas linked again with return to Ligue 1

Monaco continue to monitor Kevin Mirallas's situation at Everton according to fresh reports.

The Daily Mail claim that the French side are interested in the Belgian who was linked with a move to Stade Louis II last month but doubts persist over whether they would be prepared to match his current wages.

Despite signing a new contract in August, Mirallas, who began his professional career in France with Lille and St Etienne, has made just two Premier League starts all season for Everton and has made no secret of his need for regular action ahead of Euro2016 in the summer.

Leicester and Manchester City draw, Arsenal top going into 2016

Leicester relinquished first place in the English Premier League heading into 2016 after drawing 0-0 with Manchester City in an entertaining stalemate on Tuesday.

Arsenal leads Leicester - the surprise team of the season - on goal difference, with third-place City three points behind after half of the league campaign.

Raheem Sterling was a danger in the first half for City, forcing Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel into three saves, while striker Jamie Vardy wasted the home side's best chance.

City finally managed to keep a clean sheet without injured captain Vincent Kompany but hasn't won away in its last six attempts.

EPL..Arsenal Move To Top!

Arsenal moved top of the Premier League with a 2-0 win against Bournemouth on Monday, while Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal said there was "not any reason" for him to resign despite a 0-0 draw with Chelsea extending his team's winless run to eight matches.

Gabriel Paulista and Mesut Ozil led Arsenal to the top — for 24 hours at least — with goals in each half, while goalkeeper Petr Cech set a Premier League clean sheet record with his 170th shutout.

The victory was an authoritative response from Arsenal after losing 4-0 to Southampton on Saturday. Arsenal is a point clear of second-place Leicester and four points above Tottenham and Manchester City. Leicester can replace Arsenal at the top by beating City on Tuesday.

"We were focused from the start," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said. "It took us a while to get going but (we) were in control of the game and did very well."

At Old Trafford, United produced an attacking display against Chelsea to end its four-match losing run but missed good chances for a first league win since Nov. 21 against Watford.

Juan Mata and Anthony Martial hit the crossbar and the post, while Thibaut Courtois denied Ander Herrera from point blank range and Wayne Rooney missed from six yards late on.

Chelsea also had chances to score, with David De Gea turning John Terry's header over the bar, before making an impressive double save from Pedro and Cesar Azpilicueta early in the second half.

The draw leaves United five points behind the Champions League positions but Van Gaal, who said he could resign as manager after defeat at Stoke two days ago, was encouraged by his team's display.

"When the players can give such a performance, when there is a lot of pressure, then it is not any reason to resign for me," Van Gaal told BT Sport. "I shall not do that. It is not a question of staying, it is a question of fulfilling my contract."

Elsewhere, Tottenham won its third straight league match to provisionally go third with a late 2-1 victory over 10-man Watford, while Stoke beat Everton 4-3 with a last-minute penalty from Marko Arnautovic.

Erik Lamela put Tottenham ahead with a low effort in the 17th minute before Odion Ighalo leveled for host Watford with his 14th goal of the season.

The equalizer ushered in a period of dominance by Watford, but it had Nathan Ake sent off after 63 minutes before substitute Son Heung-min hit Tottenham's winner in the 89th.

"It was a crazy atmosphere and a really important goal for the team," Son said. "We are so happy."

Tottenham will be dislodged from third if City gets at least a draw against Leicester.

At Goodison Park, Stoke narrowly edged Everton in an entertaining encounter.

Stoke held a 2-1 halftime lead thanks to a double from Xherdan Shaqiri but Romelu Lukaku equalized for Everton with his second of the match.

Gerard Deulofeu tapped in to put host Everton ahead but Joselu scored his first Premier League goal for Stoke with a volley to haul his side back on level terms.

And Mark Hughes' side then snatched the win through Arnautovic's penalty, after he was fouled by John Stones. There is real anger at the final decision," Everton manager Roberto Martinez said. "The penalty is never a penalty. It's a situation where it cost us the draw."

Also Monday, Norwich beat last-place Aston Villa 2-0, West Bromwich Albion defeated Newcastle 1-0 and Crystal Palace drew 0-0 against Swansea.

West Ham also came from a goal behind to beat Southampton 2-1 and move seventh in the standings, a point behind United.

Horror as ISIS maniacs murder innocent mum for breastfeeding

                                  SHOCKING: The all-female group killed an innocent mum

The innocent woman had tucked her son under her burqa to shield the youngster from public view in Raqqa, Syria.

But she was spotted by depraved members of the Al-Khansaa Brigade – the terror group's women-only "police unit".

A crazed militant then took her baby away before dishing out the grisly punishment.

IG

DEPRAVED: The terror group took control of Raqqa in 2013

A former Raqqa resident watched the vile scene unfold last year – before she left the ISIS stronghold for southern Turkey.

The woman, known as Aisha, said: "An [ISIS] policewoman took the baby, gave it to another woman, and then killed the mother."

Raqqa was one of Syria's most liberal cities before falling to the so-called caliphate in late 2013.

IG

CRAZED: West-hating militants armed with AK-47 rifles

Up to 60 British women are thought to have joined the Al-Khansaa Brigade – including Aqsa Mahmood.

The 20-year-old – who fled her family home in Glasgow two years ago – is understood to be a key member of the brigade.

She published a vile blog after the Tunisia terror attack in June, saying: "It is a day that will go down in history."

Mother-of-two Aisha escaped Raqqa after ISIS terrorists beheaded her husband for smoking a cigarette.

Speaking to the media, she added: "Women armed with electric shock sticks regulated our lives.

"If a woman is not totally covered they will lash her 80 times on the street."

Former Salvadoran national soccer player Alfredo Pacheco shot dead

Alfredo Pacheco, a soccer player who played for the Salvadoran national side before being banned from the sport for life for his involvement in match fixing, was murdered on Sunday, the Salvadoran attorney general's office Pacheco, 33, was with a group of friends chatting in a petrol station when an unknown assailant shot at the group various times, authorities said. Two other people were injured and were taken to a nearby hospital in the city of Santa Ana, west of the capital San Salvador.

"The attorney general's office in Santa Ana processed the crime scene of the murder of Alfredo Pacheco at 3.30 am in a petrol station," it said.

Pacheco was a defender who played for the Salvadoran clubs Club Deportivo FAS and Asociacion Deportiva Isidro Metapan. He also played for the New York Red Bulls in the United States.

Pacheco was the player with the most caps for the Salvadoran national team. He was banned from the sport by the Salvadoran soccer federation in 2013 when it was found he had been involved in match fixing.

El Salvador has seen its murder rate skyrocket this year, with homicides up 55 percent compared with last year. So far this year, there have been 6,068 murders, according to police data.

Former Salvadoran national soccer player Alfredo Pacheco shot dead

Two penalties sees Victory, Glory finish all square 1-1

Melbourne Victory’s winless run in the Hyundai A-League has extended to five games after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Perth Glory on Sunday.

Victory took a 1-0 lead to the break as Besart Berisha won – and then converted – a controversial penalty midway through the first half.

But the visitors responded 15 minutes from time with a penalty of their own, coolly slotted home by Diego Castro to ensure the spoils were shared in a ripping contest at AAMI Park.

GOALS

1-0 Berisha (25’) – A swift Victory attack ended with Berisha chasing a ball into the box, getting to the ball a fraction before Ante Covic and going down under the challenge for a penalty. The Albanian took the responsibility himself, sending Covic the wrong way with a superb spot-kick.

1-1 Castro (74’) - A sloppy challenge inside the box on Josh Risdon by Victory defender Matthieu Delpierre saw Glory win a penalty, which Diego Castro calmly converted.

Melbourne Victory: Vukovic (gk), Geria, Deng, Delpierre, Georgievski (Murnane 83’), Broxham (c), Bozanic, Barbarouses, Makarounas (Pain 81’), Ben Khalfallah (Thompson 71’), Berisha

Perth Glory: Covic (gk), Risdon, Grant, Thwaite, Warren, Ferreira (Oxborrow 39’), Sandor, Harold, Castro, Garcia (c), Reiners (Williams 82’)

Brisbane Roars bank three points against Melbourne City

Brisbane Roar shored up second spot and ended Melbourne City’s four-match winning run with a hard-fought 3-1 victory at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday night.

Two goals late in the first half helped the hosts to a comfortable lead at the break as Brandon Borrello doubled Roar’s advantage following a Patrick Kisnorbo own goal.

Bruno Fornaroli cut the deficit to one shortly after the restart but, after a heated second stanza, substitute Henrique settled matters by shooting into an empty net from halfway in stoppage time.

GOALS

1-0 Patrick Kisnorbo O.G. (31’) – Patrick Kisnorbo’s tough start to the match soured further when he turned Shane Stefanutto’s low cross inside Thomas Sorensen’s near post. Intending to steer the ball away from the lurking Jamie Maclaren, Kisnorbo’s outstretched intervention instead left his goalkeeper helpless.

2-0 Brandon Borrello (40’) – Dimitri Petratos was involved in the build-up for a second time as his reverse pass bamboozled the City defence and allowed Borrello – restored to the starting eleven – to squeeze a shot past Sorensen, who might have held his ground better at the near post.

2-1 Bruno Fornaroli (49’) – Old fashioned route one proved to be City’s way back into the match. Sorensen’s penetrating goal kick was nodded on by Harry Novillo, with Fornaroli winning the subsequent foot race and holding his nerve to beat Jamie Young.

3-1 Henrique (90’) – Having earlier been part of several spurned opportunities to kill the contest, Henrique took full advantage when Sorensen headed forward for a stoppage time corner. The Brazilian steadied and shot into an empty net from halfway to secure three points.

TEAMS

Brisbane Roar: Young (gk), Hingert, North, Bowles, Stefanutto, Corona, Petratos (Hervas 78’), McKay, Borrello (Henrique 66’), Maclaren (Solorzano 86’), Broich

Melbourne City: Sorensen (gk), Franjic, Kisnorbo, Clisby, Garuccio, Paartalu, Retre (Williams 79’), Mooy, Novillo (Zinni 36’), Fornaroli, Mauk (Koren 69’)

Eugenio Figueredo admits to accepting bribes in soccer probe

Former head of South America's CONMEBOL soccer body Eugenio Figueredo has admitted he received bribes from television firms in exchange for maintaining media rights, a lawyer involved in the case in Uruguay said on Saturday.

CONMEBOL, an influential grouping that includes traditional soccer powers such as Brazil and Argentina, is heavily embroiled in a worldwide soccer corruption probe led by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Figueredo arrived back to his native Uruguay on Thursday after being extradited on corruption charges from Switzerland, where he was arrested in May.

On Friday, the 83-year-old former vice-president of world soccer federation FIFA was moved to hospital from prison due to chest pain.

Pablo Barreiro, the lawyer representing Uruguay's footballers' union which laid corruption charges against Figueredo in 2013, said he had admitted that the heads of South America's various football associations received important sums of money in exchange for the media rights to tournaments.

"This is the flow of money that the prosecutor ... understands constituted money laundering and essentially fraud," Barreiro said.

Figueredo's own lawyer was not immediately available for comment.

Of 14 soccer officials and sports marketing executives indicted in the United States in May on bribery, money laundering and wire fraud charges involving more than $150 million in payments, eight were from South America.

They included two former CONMEBOL presidents, Figueredo and Nicolas Leoz, as well as the Venezuelan federation president Rafael Esquivel, the former head of the Brazilian confederation and three Argentine and one Brazilian executives.

Leicester City, Arsenal and Manchester United lose in Premier League

Leicester City were given a English Premier League reality check when the unlikely leaders lost 1-0 at Liverpool on Saturday after Manchester United slumped to a third consecutive league defeat to pile more pressure on manager Louis van Gaal.

Arsenal then wasted a Boxing Day opportunity to knock Leicester off the top of the table when they were out-thought, outmuscled and outplayed as Shane Long scored twice in a shock 4-0 romp for mid-table Southampton.

Christian Benteke's second-half goal sealed the points at Anfield as Leicester suffered their first league defeat since September, when they lost to Arsenal, who could replace them at the top if they beat Southampton later on Saturday.

Third-placed Manchester City closed in on Leicester by crushing lowly Sunderland 4-1 and Tottenham Hotspur consolidated fourth place as Harry Kane scored twice in a 3-0 home victory over Norwich City.

Leicester, who failed to score for the first time this season and suffered only their second loss, have 38 points from 18 matches with Arsenal on 36, Manchester City on 35 and Tottenham 32.

All eyes were on Manchester United's under-pressure manager Louis van Gaal in the first game of the hectic holiday period and Stoke comfortably won 2-0 at the Britannia Stadium to condemn United to another damaging defeat.

Goals from Stoke forwards Bojan Krkic and Marko Arnautovic left United down in sixth place after they lost four consecutive matches in a single season for the first time since 1961.

Guus Hiddink's second spell as Chelsea's interim manager began with a 2-2 draw at home to Watford.

Oscar wasted the chance to secure victory for the champions when he missed a late penalty at Stamford Bridge and Chelsea remained in 15th place.

Crystal Palace drew 0-0 with Bournemouth, moving above Manchester United into fifth spot.

At the bottom, Aston Villa drew 1-1 with West Ham United to leave manager Remi Garde still awaiting a first win since taking over from Tim Sherwood.

Managerless Swansea City won for the first time since October, beating West Bromwich Albion 1-0 to climb out of the relegation zone above Norwich and Newcastle United.

Newcastle dropped into the bottom three, behind Norwich on goal difference, after losing 1-0 to Everton following a last-gasp Tom Cleverley winner.

Sydney fc sink 10-man Mariners at Allianz

Sydney FC have heaped more misery on Central Coast and kick-started their own season with a 4-1 win at Allianz Stadium on Boxing Day.

Most of the drama came in a dramatic first half which included four goals – three two the home side including two penalties - and a red card to Mariners gloveman Paul Izzo for two bookable offences.

Sydney skipper Alex Brosque scored twice – before being forced off injured – with Mickael Tavares adding another for the home side before Harry Ascroft pulled one back for the visitors.

A late Jake McGing own goal ended the rout as the Sky Blues ensured they will end the round in the top four while the Mariners are last without a win since the opening weekend of the season.

GOALS

1-0 Brosque (12’) – Milos Ninkovic and Andrew Hoole were involved in some brilliant combination play, with the latter’s effort fumbled by Paul Izzo, allowing Brosque to tap into an empty net.

2-0 Brosque (24’) – Mariners defender Jake McGing was adjudged to have brought down Ninkovic in the box, with the home side winning a penalty which Brosque duly dispatched.

3-0 Tavares (30’) – Izzo was at fault this time, hauling down George Blackwood in the box for another spot kick. This time Tavares stepped up and made no mistake.

3-1 Ascroft (38’) – A superb cross from Matt Sim saw Ascroft ghost in between some static Sydney defence to plant his header past Vedran Janjetovic for his first A-League goal.

4-1 McGing og (84’) – Hoole released the energetic Rhyan Grant into the area and his powerful low cross was diverted into his own net by the unfortunate McGing.

TEAMS:

Sydney FC: Janjetovic (gk), Grant, Ryall, Jurman, Gersbach, O’Neill, Tavares, Blackwood (Stambolziev 79’), Ninkovic (Dimitrijevic 58’), Hoole, Brosque (c) (Simon 26’)

Central Coast Mariners: Izzo (gk), Roux, McGing, Ascroft, J. Rose, Montgomery (c), L. Rose (Heward-Belle 29’), Caceres, Fitzgerald (Neill 68’), Sim (Ferreira 66’), O’Donovan

Adelaide stun 10-man Wellington

A Manny Muscat own goal and Albert Riera red card helped Adelaide United to a belated Christmas feast and a 3-0 Boxing Day massacre of Wellington Phoenix at Coopers Stadium on Saturday.

After Ghanaian Jeff Sarpong and Muscat fashioned some nice chances at the other end, it was Muscat who reprieved the hosts with his own goal clanger shortly before the interval.

Before then, the Nix were progressively winning the midfield battle but any hope of a Wellington revival was dashed when Albert Riera exited just before the hour-mark with his second yellow card.

The Reds lapped up their advantage with two goals in as many minutes to Craig Goodwin and Michael Marrone providing the bonus Christmas pudding.

WHAT THEY SAID

“I stopped counting after about 100, so it’s very good to get the first goal. To be fair I didn’t even have time to think about it. It sort of just hit me and I didn’t know what to do. It’s a good feeling.” – Adelaide’s Michael Marrone

GOALS

1-0 (Muscat 42' og) - By the left touchline Craig Goodwin pushed a low cross that was intended for Bruce Djite, but was deflected by Muscat. Unfortunately the veteran defender made a hash of his attempted clearance and miscued the ball high into his own net.

2-0 (Goodwin 73') - Goodwin cut inside and fired a low one from 20 metres which Glen Moss really made a mess of and didn't get down quickly enough for.

3-0 (Marrone 75') - Running into the box, Goodwin's ferocious strike slammed the post and rebounded to Pablo Sanchez, who also smashed the timber with his shot. But Marrone was in the right place at the right time to retrieve the crumbs and send home his first goal in his 131st A-League appearance.

Adelaide United: Galekovic (c), Marrone, McGowan, Isaias (Mells 83'), Cirio (Dugandzic 79'), Carrusca, Djite (Sanchez 67'), Goodwin, Jeggo, Elrich, Elsey

Wellington Phoenix: Moss, Muscat, Bonevacia, Danaskos, Sarpong (Appiah-Kubi 67'), Rodriguez (Ridenton 74'), McGlinchey (Powell 78'), Riera, Lia, Krishna, Durante (c)

Andres Moreno..World's fattest man dies in Mexico

The world's most obese man has died at the age of 38, passing away on the morning of Christmas Day while on his way to hospital.

Andrés Moreno Sepúlveda weighed 70 stone (980lbs) at his heaviest, and became internationally renown. Last month Cristiano Ronaldo, the Real Madrid footballer, sent him a signed shirt in a bid to encourage him in his quest to lose weight.

"I want to thank everyone, especially Ronaldo, for taking interest in my case," he said.

"Sometimes you think that people live in another world way from the people, but that is not the case.

"I feel as if I have got a Christmas gift before Christmas."

He died in Ciudad Obregón, his home city in the southern Mexican state of Sonora.

Carmen Palacios, his publicist, confirmed the news, telling Univision that he died from a heart attack at 8.30am, en route to San Jose hospital.

Ms Palacios said that he had undergone weight loss surgery in October and was doing well, having lost weight and regaining the ability to wash himself and wear trainers.

"He was really happy," she said.

Moreno was always big – when he was born, he weighed 13lbs. By the age of 10 he weighed 19 stone. Yet he was determined to lose weight this year.

José Castañeda, the surgeon who performed the weight loss surgery, said Moreno was expected to lose 58 stone, to take his weight down to 12 stone – the normal weight for a man of his 5ft 7 stature.

The surgery was difficult because the team had never operated on anyone that heavy, and were unsure whether the operating table could support his weight.

Yet it was cautiously welcomed as a success. Moreno had started walking again this month, leaning on a relative for support.

He will be buried on Saturday in Sonora.

Mexico is struggling to cope with an increasingly obese population. In 2013 the country surpassed the US to be the most obese nation in the world.

The previous record for the world's fattest man was also held by a Mexican, Manuel Uribe, from Monterrey, who weighed 88 stone. He died last year, aged 48.

The heaviest person in medical history was an American, Jon Brower Minnoch, who weighed 100 stone when he visited University Hospital, Seattle in 1976. He died in 1983, aged 42.

Britain's fattest man, Carl Thompson, died this year aged 33, weighing 65 stone. It was unclear who the "title" would now pass to.

Claudio Ranieri learned from Jurgen Klopp after Greece sacking

Claudio Ranieri has revealed Jurgen Klopp helped him recover from his Greek tragedy.

The Leicester boss visited Borussia Dortmund's training camp earlier this year following his sacking from the Greece national team last November.

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Klopp had taken his side to La Manga for a winter break and Ranieri went to watch the German work.

The top of the table Foxes go to Klopp's Liverpool on Boxing Day and Ranieri admitted he wanted to learn from his new Barclays Premier League rival.

He said: "They were in La Manga in Spain, I went there. I had my Greece player there (Sokratis Papastathopoulos) I called him and asked if Klopp would agree.

"I watched Pep Guardiola, I watched Bayer Leverkusen l ast winter, I was in Germany three times.

"I have a lot of spirit for this, for this reason, it's a great experience, I want to see and I want to learn.

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"The football is always the same, but if you have an open mind you take. Dortmund were in a bad position but it was unbelievable as they played so well.

'They created five or six chances but didn't score.

"For me it's not important what a manager is doing in a little period, it's about the big period."

Ranieri's reputation took a battering after he lost four and drew one of his five gamesas Greece boss but the 64-year-old is not bothered by his past despite restoring his reputation at the King Power Stadium.

He added: "For me my reputation is not important, I know I'm an honest man, I am not 'good after I was not good'. It's the right balance. I love my job, I have so much passion.

"Look, in my career - what was important was just four matches (with Greece), what I did before those four matches with Greece was nothing!

"After that it was 'Ranieri is no good... go home'. I was sacked. But then another coacharrived and he was worse and another arrived, he was worse."