Wales are back in Euro 2024 qualifying action away to Turkey on Monday. Rob Page’s side are bidding to recover from their shock home defeat to Armenia on Friday against the Group D leaders. Here, the PA news agency looks at the main talking points surrounding the crunch game in Samsun. Page must strike right balance This time last year Wales boss Page was basking in the glow of guiding Wales to their first World Cup for 64 years. How times have changed. Wales have won only once in 11 games and Page’s tactics have come under intense scrutiny. Reverting to three at the back and playing two holding midfielders in front of them might provide Wales with the solidity they have so woefully lacked over the past 12 months. Counter-attack best form of defence There is no Kieffer Moore after the Bournemouth targetman was sent off against Armenia to earn a ban. Moore’s absence might actually work in Wales’ favour in this instance should Page bolster his defence and pack the midfield. That could give Wales a strong base to release the pace of Brennan Johnson and Daniel James on the break. Should Danny ward off Wayne? Danny Ward’s miserable season suffered further indignity as four goals flashed past him in Armenia’s stunning Cardiff success. Ward’s struggle for form at relegated Leicester saw him lose his place there towards the end of the season and his confidence levels must be a real concern for Page. Wayne Hennessey is the obvious replacement but the 108-times capped veteran – sent off on his last appearance at the World Cup in Qatar – has spent most of the season warming the bench at Nottingham Forest. Revenge or repeat? The two nations have met seven times with Wales winning four games to Turkey’s two and one draw. Their last meeting came two years ago as Aaron Ramsey and Connor Roberts scored in a 2-0 Wales victory at the delayed 2020 European Championship, securing qualification for the knockout stage at Turkey’s expense. So Turkey have that extra motivation of avenging that Baku defeat in front of what is sure to be a volatile crowd at the Samsun 19 Mayis Stadium. Balance of power This contest has the appearance of a defining fixture to make next summer’s European Championship finals in Germany. Wales’ promising start with four points from two games, which included a bonus draw away to group favourites Croatia, was blown apart by the Armenia defeat. Turkey are now on the front foot after grabbing a stoppage-time winner to beat Latvia 3-2 on Friday, and victory would take them five points clear of Wales in a potential race behind Croatia for the second qualifying spot. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live A great experience – Doug Watson relishing chance to guide Scotland to World Cup On this day in 2019: Eoin Morgan hits record number of sixes in ODI innings US Open Wrap: Rickie Fowler nails 70 foot putt, shares lead with Wyndham Clark

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It might not necessarily be considered a typical football nation, but a striking new academy has been launched in Pakistan with Uefa-accredited coaches. Lahore, the capital of the Punjab in Pakistan and the country’s second-largest city, will now offer a football academy. Called the Legends Academy, it enrols over 300 children, both boys and girls, who take part in regular training sessions. Owner of the academy, Hamza Syed said: “It’s the only one in the country that offers Uefa-licensed coaching. We had another initiative four or five years ago but it collapsed and we are the only one and so far we’ve got 300 kids.” The country has its own Pakistan Premier League, with 16 teams, and although the stadiums are small, it is an important step. Syed added: “My three coaches are all ex-Premier League, Liverpool, Arsenal and the third one is arriving tomorrow morning was at Manchester United, and he was very senior he used to run the under-9s and under-6s as an elite coach. “This is a first of its kind venture in Pakistan.” Football is a growing sport in Pakistan. The World Cup was available on television, and while you may not find children playing from dawn till dusk like you would cricket, it is increasingly popular. Syed said: “The response has been fantastic. In the space (since launching a few months ago) we have 300 kids. Cricket is the national sport but in the city schools everyone follows the big leagues in Europe, everyone knows what’s going on, everyone wants to be Aguero. “Football is big, I would say it’s a misconception [that it isn’t].” The Lahore-based academy has girls in every age group, although the majority of children are boys. It is currently fee-paying to enrol into sessions, but Syed is hoping that can change with further investment more scholarships can be offered. The dream, as always, is to eventually have a Pakistani footballer playing in one of the top leagues in Europe, in a hope that would further encourage everyone in the country to take up the sport. Read More Officials use soccer to highlight climate worries in India's ecologically fragile Ladakh region Arsene Wenger reveals his blueprint for the future of football Ukraine vs England LIVE: Latest updates from Euro 2024 qualifying Harry Kane admits it ‘hurt’ watching England peers win titles while Tottenham toiled Man Utd winger Antony appears on Brazilian TV to deny assault allegations

Forward Alessia Russo cannot wait to kick off England’s World Cup final after years spent rehearsing the winning strike in her childhood garden. This is a monumental moment for Sarina Wiegman’s side, who until beating co-hosts Australia 3-1 in their semi-final had never finished higher than third place in a global showpiece. On Sunday night against Spain in Sydney they could become the first England team to bring football ‘home’ since Sir Alf Ramsey and his men lifted the trophy in 1966. Russo said: “Obviously this is the biggest game, the one you dream about and means the most. “I think it will hit when we’re in the tunnel and ready to walk out. It’s an incredible occasion, it’s been an unbelievable tournament and this is it. This is the moment we want to be in. We can’t wait. “Right now all I want to do is go out, put on a performance to be proud of and obviously to win. We started this tournament wanting to win seven games and this is the message. “This is the last one to go and we’re really locked in.” Maidstone-born Russo grew up watching her brothers play for the local boys’ side in East Farleigh, where she was too young to join in but would kick a ball around on the side of the pitch. Soon, however, the now 24-year-old was featuring for both the girls’ and boys’ teams at Bearsted FC, which meant both weekend days were often occupied with football, while Russo’s preferred school-night activity remained playing on a strip of grass at the end of her street. It would also not be wholly inaccurate to say Russo has already lifted a World Cup. In primary school, the summer Arsenal signing played in an inter-school ‘Mini World Cup’ and walked away with a shock victory – while representing her side’s assigned country of South Korea. Then there were the garden tournaments where, said Russo, “we had to score to stay in”. She added: “As a kid, growing up to think we’re playing in a World Cup in a couple of days is a special feeling. A real ‘pinch me’ moment.” Russo admits it has not quite hit her that, just under 13 months after England lifted their first major trophy at last summer’s European championships, they could be one win away from making more history. She said: “It’s been an incredible year but we’re always focused on what’s next. You never really kind of get to enjoy the moment. I’m sure I will when I get back and I’m old and grey. Right now it’s about what’s coming up and what’s there to achieve. “For players, obviously we’re all aware it’s a World Cup final and there’s that on the line, but as soon as you cross the line it’s just a normal game. It’s what we love to do. It’s 11 v 11 and we have to win. As soon as we step out on the pitch, we know our job and what we need to do. “We’re aware it’s a World Cup final but we’ll just play our game. “Everyone is excited but we’re very relaxed and chilled. It feels like a normal game to us which is great and shows the composure of the team. Camp has been great from the first game until now. It feels pretty similar, it’s another game we must win.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Warren Gatland impressed by competition for World Cup places in Wales squad Man United keen to sign Jonny Evans despite Harry Maguire’s transfer collapse James Ryan says Ireland’s clash with England ‘has never been a warm-up game’

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