ROME - FORMER England captain David Beckham is set to make his Italian league debut for AC Milan in Sunday's match at AS Roma following a midweek friendly and weeks of anticipation as teams return from the winter break.

The former Real Madrid and Manchester United midfielder, due to return to parent club Los Angeles Galaxy in March following a short-term deal in Italy, played the first 45 minutes in a friendly against Hamburg in Dubai on Tuesday.

TOKYO - JAPAN'S Kawasaki Heavy Industries said on Friday it will withdraw from the MotoGP racing circuit as the global economic crisis pressures the firm to cut costs.

'The effect of the current financial crisis on the global economy is extremely significant and an extended period of time is required for a recovery,' Kawasaki said in a statement.

MADRID - BARCELONA are back to league action on Sunday looking to continue their perfect start to 2009 with a win at bottom side Osasuna after demolishing Atletico Madrid 3-1 in the Spanish Cup in midweek.

A sizeable 31 points separates the two teams but Barca struggled against Osasuna last season, drawing 0-0 away and needing an 85th minute winner to seal a 1-0 victory at Camp Nou.