First van Persie saw his point blank header kept out by Wojciech Szczesny then a mistake by Bacary Sagna let the Dutch star free and the defender responded by pulling him down in the penalty area.

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It's clear that the star of Wall Street's great defender is on the wane.

WSJ: Writing on the Wall: The Next James Dimon

Colombian pop star Shakira hung out in Ginza with defender Gerard Pique, while Cesc Fabregas shopped for electronic gadgets in Akihabara and soft-spoken midfielder Andres Iniesta was spotted on the Tokyo subway.

WSJ: Barcelona: Club Champions of the World

Reports on the Spanish website El Confidencial, claimed Metodo 3 trailed defender Gerard Pique and his pop star wife Shakira in 2010 -- following them to a concert to log their activities.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

South Korea started the match brightly and took the lead on 23 minutes after Japan defender Yasuyuki Konno brought down Manchester United star Park Ji-sung in the penalty area.

CNN: Japan to face Australia in Asian Cup final

Sevilla star Frederic Kanoute scored in the 89th minute after Sudan defender Saeed Mustapha Balla was sent off in the 41st.

CNN: Late goal keeps Super Eagles in finals race

Sixth-placed City welcomed back Brazil star Robinho after three months out injured, and took the lead on the stroke of halftime when defender Anthony Gardner headed a 20-yard shot from Shaun Wright-Phillips into the net.

CNN: Man Utd ruin Grant's Portsmouth bow

The Borussia Dortmund star, who had to battle injury to play in Euro 2008, was hurt after a foul challenge from Czech defender Zdenek Grygera.

CNN: Sverkos gives Czech Republic opening win