51.   The veteran defender sought advice from fellow professionals and family before making the decision.

52.   The veteran former international defender Rafa Alkorta, making a rare appearance for Bilbao, scored with a deflected long shot in injury time.

53.   There is also the comforting prospect of the return from injury of veteran defender Lucas Radebe, a former national captain.

54.   Valencia announced that its veteran defenders Amedeo Carboni and Miroslav Djukic will remain with the club for another year.

55.   Veteran Arsenal defender Martin Keown made the cut.

56.   Veteran defender Alex Tobin will skipper the side after having the job during the failed World Cup campaign late last year.

57.   Veteran defender Christian Woerns is the latest casualty, having injured a knee in training Wednesday.

58.   Veteran defender Ciro Ferrara and struggling Dutch midfielder Edgar Davids notched goals in the second half.

59.   Veteran defender Gheorghe Popescu has played in three World Cups.

60.   Veteran defender Igor Stimac, suffering from blistered feet, was the only regular missing but came on as a substitute.