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Emma Hayes set for equal pay with USWNT job: Explaining the complexities around financial parity
Emma Hayes set for equal pay with USWNT job: Explaining the complexities around financial parity
Emma Hayes set to make history as the highest paid female coach ever, earning £1.6 million as the USWNT manager.
2023-11-18 03:20
Alan Browne says Republic upsetting Netherlands ‘would mean an awful lot’
Alan Browne says Republic upsetting Netherlands ‘would mean an awful lot’
Alan Browne has challenged the Republic of Ireland to spoil the Netherlands’ Euro 2024 party as they look to end a disappointing campaign on a high. The curtain will fall on Ireland’s dismal attempt to make next summer’s finals at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam, with automatic qualification long beyond them and only six points from home and away victories over Group B minnows Gibraltar to show for their efforts to date. There will be little more than pride at stake for Stephen Kenny’s men on a night when victory would assure the Dutch of their ticket to Germany alongside leaders France, but Preston midfielder Browne is determined to make them sweat. Asked if the chance to put the champagne on ice provided added motivation, the 28-year-old said: “It’s not so much about spoiling their party, but we want to come here and win. “The lads will be aware that we can play with a bit of freedom, it’s a bit of a free hit for us – which is obviously disappointing to say as a player, but that’s the way it is. “We want to win the game and spoil their party to an extent, but it’s not a vendetta against them, it’s just as a professional you want to win every game that you play in, and especially at the highest level against one of the best teams in the world, you want to go out and beat them. “It would mean an awful lot for us to get that result.” The game seems likely to be the penultimate fixture of Kenny’s reign – his contract is due to expire after Tuesday night’s friendly against New Zealand in Dublin and the clamour for change after an overhaul which has significantly reduced the age profile of the squad, but yielded only six wins in 28 competitive outings, has grown in recent months. However Kenny, who will have striker Evan Ferguson at his disposal, but not the injured Chiedozie Ogbene, remained bullish as he surveyed the task ahead. He said: “It’s a fantastic game against Holland. In the history of Irish football, all the great Irish teams of the past, some legendary players, it’s been elusive, the number of big away victories in that period. “Obviously there have been victories in tournaments, but in terms of qualifiers, beating the major countries has proved elusive, even for the best teams. “For us it’s a massive challenge to play Holland on the night they can qualify in Amsterdam. It’s a huge, huge challenge and one we must embrace and be positive about.” Browne for one has enhanced his reputation under Kenny’s watch, scoring important goals against Serbia, Belgium, Scotland and Norway, and he remains convinced that, while it may not be borne out by results, progress has been made. He said: “I’ve seen a lot of stuff in the media, a lot of criticism, and rightly so in terms of results. It’s been a tough one. “The group we got, we knew it was an uphill battle right from the start. The teams we got, we were really unfortunate. Any other team would be unfortunate with it as well. In terms of performances, I think we have come a long way Republic of Ireland midfielder Alan Browne “But that’s what you are up against, the best teams in the world, if you want to succeed you’ve got to beat them. “In terms of performances, I think we have come a long way. “Certainly since I first came in, in terms of team performances, we have definitely come a long way, we know that as players and staff. We have been in it together and just come up short in terms of results.” Read More Stephen Kenny’s last dance? 5 talking points as the Republic face Netherlands Golden Boy award recognises Jude Bellingham’s irrepressible rise at Real Madrid Fine finish hands Nicolai Hojgaard two-shot lead at halfway stage in Dubai Exeter captain Poppy Leitch hoping for more progress during inaugural PWR season Street Child Cricket World Cup gives youngsters chance to shine Wales v Armenia: Key talking points as Rob Page’s side face crunch qualifier
2023-11-18 02:59
England vs Malta LIVE: Team news and line ups from Euro 2024 qualifier at Wembley tonight
England vs Malta LIVE: Team news and line ups from Euro 2024 qualifier at Wembley tonight
England have already qualified for Euro 2024 but there are still a couple of qualifying fixtures to play before the campaign concludes. The Three Lions face Malta this evening and North Macedonia on Monday as they bid to finish top of Group C and receive a high seeding at next summer’s tournament in Germany. Gareth Southgate will hope to use these fixtures to bed in some of the fringe players in his squad with the likes of Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa and Cole Palmer set for some gametime. All three could feature against Malta who are bottom of the group and without a point with just this one match left to play. They lost the reverse fixture 4-0 back in June and have a more task to take any points off England at Wembley. If Southgate does start some of the lesser experienced members of the squad, Malta will believe they have a chance of challenging the Three Lions though this encounter should be a relatively simple outing for the national side. Follow all the action from the Euro 2024 qualifiers plus get the latest odds and tips right here:
2023-11-18 02:16
Golden Boy award recognises Jude Bellingham’s irrepressible rise at Real Madrid
Golden Boy award recognises Jude Bellingham’s irrepressible rise at Real Madrid
Jude Bellingham has been awarded the 2023 Golden Boy award for the best player in Europe aged under 21. The prize was established by Italian sports newspaper Tuttosport 20 years ago and is voted for by 50 sports journalists across the continent. In a video message on tuttosport.com, England star Bellingham said: “I just wanted to thank everyone who voted for me for the 2023 Golden Boy. I really appreciate it. “I’d like to thank everyone that’s been part of my journey so far at Birmingham, Dortmund and now Madrid. It wouldn’t be possible without them. There’s so many, I’d be here for hours naming them all. “Lastly and most importantly my family, who give me the support and the motivation and the love every day to keep striving. “Now that I’ve got this beautiful award, I want to keep going and keep pushing the limits of my potential and hopefully many more trophies to come.” Bellingham has made a huge impact since moving from Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid in the summer, scoring 13 goals in 14 matches, including both in a 2-1 victory over Barcelona last month. The 20-year-old was awarded the Kopa Trophy last month for the best young player in the world at the Ballon d’Or ceremony. He is the third English player to win the Golden Boy after Wayne Rooney in 2004 and Raheem Sterling in 2014. The award will be presented at a gala in Turin on December 4. Read More Fine finish hands Nicolai Hojgaard two-shot lead at halfway stage in Dubai Exeter captain Poppy Leitch hoping for more progress during inaugural PWR season Street Child Cricket World Cup gives youngsters chance to shine
2023-11-18 01:29
Injured Aaron Ramsey serving as Wales’s lucky mascot in Armenia
Injured Aaron Ramsey serving as Wales’s lucky mascot in Armenia
Rob Page hopes the presence of Aaron Ramsey can help Wales realise their Euro 2024 dream after the injured captain joined them on their long trek to Armenia. Midfielder Ramsey has not played since mid-September after damaging a knee tendon, missing last month’s stunning victory over World Cup semi-finalists Croatia that has left automatic qualification in Wales’ own hands entering the final two games. The 32-year-old, however, has taken the unusual step of an injured player being present for Wales’ 4,600-round mile trip to Yerevan, one of European football’s most remote outposts. “Rambo’s travelled with the lads, which is brilliant,” Page said ahead of Saturday’s penultimate qualifier at the Republican Stadium, the scene of their only previous visit to this corner of Eastern Europe in 2001 – a game the manager played in. “It’s the presence around the changing room. I used to say it with Gareth Bale. Aaron falls into the same category for me. “The wealth of experience he’s got. Just being around young JJ (Jordan James), who can pick his brains on just about anything. He’s the captain and he’s been wanting to travel. He’s been with the group all week. “He’s done his little bits of work that he’s needed to for Cardiff. He’s got a plan and gone off and done his own bits. “We’ve had to find a training ground for him, but he wants to be around the boys and I think that speaks volumes about what we’ve got as a group.” Wales know two closing victories – already-qualified Turkey are the visitors to Cardiff on Tuesday – will see them secure qualification for a fourth tournament out of five. Dropped points will leave them relying on favourable results elsewhere and the prospect of avoiding the play-offs in March where the likes of Norway, Poland and Ukraine could be lurking. “The camp has been great all week. The positivity has been incredible,” said Page, who has a difficult selection call to make with Tottenham forward Brennan Johnson available after missing the Croatia win through injury. “There’s enough experience in that changing room of big games, when you need big players to step up for big games – and this is a big game for us. “Our full focus is on this game. We’re not even talking about Tuesday’s game. We’ve got enough experience to cope with this. “We haven’t got anything where you need that siege mentality (like Wales did in October) but we’re coming off the back of one of the best performances we’ve ever had, certainly of my tenure. “We can’t be complacent, we need consistency when it comes to that level of performance. If we do that the result will look after itself.” Ben Davies, as he did against Croatia, will lead Wales in the absence of Ramsey and playing at Euro 2024 would represent the Tottenham defender’s fourth major tournament – three European Championships and the 2022 World Cup. Davies said: “This is the dream for us and it doesn’t matter if you’ve done it once or three or four times. “We’re confident as a group that on the day we can beat anybody. We’ve done that in the last two and we want to show that again. “We’re a good group, a tight-knit group, and it’s nice to see the same faces every time you come. “You end up playing as a family and I think that where our success has been gained, being a band of brothers out there.”
2023-11-18 00:47
Rambo’s travelled – injured captain Aaron Ramsey joins Wales for Armenia trip
Rambo’s travelled – injured captain Aaron Ramsey joins Wales for Armenia trip
Rob Page hopes the presence of Aaron Ramsey can help Wales realise their Euro 2024 dream after the injured captain joined them on their long trek to Armenia. Midfielder Ramsey has not played since mid-September after damaging a knee tendon, missing last month’s stunning victory over World Cup semi-finalists Croatia that has left automatic qualification in Wales’ own hands entering the final two games. The 32-year-old, however, has taken the unusual step of an injured player being present for Wales’ 4,600-round mile trip to Yerevan, one of European football’s most remote outposts. “Rambo’s travelled with the lads, which is brilliant,” Page said ahead of Saturday’s penultimate qualifier at the Republican Stadium, scene of their only previous visit to this corner of Eastern Europe in 2001 – a game the manager played in. “It’s the presence around the changing room. I used to say it with Gareth Bale. Aaron falls into the same category for me. “The wealth of experience he’s got. Just being around young JJ (Jordan James), who can pick his brains on just about anything. He’s the captain and he’s been wanting to travel. He’s been with the group all week. “He’s done his little bits of work that he’s needed to for Cardiff. He’s got a plan and gone off and done his own bits. “We’ve had to find a training ground for him, but he wants to be around the boys and I think that speaks volumes about what we’ve got as a group.” Wales know two closing victories – already-qualified Turkey are the visitors to Cardiff on Tuesday – will see them secure qualification for a fourth tournament out of five. Dropped points will need them relying on favourable results elsewhere and the prospect of avoiding the play-offs in March where the likes of Norway, Poland and Ukraine could be lurking. “The camp has been great all week. The positivity has been incredible,” said Page, who has a difficult selection call to make with Tottenham forward Brennan Johnson available after missing the Croatia win through injury. “There’s enough experience in that changing room of big games, when you need big players to step up for big games – and this is a big game for us. “Our full focus is on this game. We’re not even talking about Tuesday’s game. We’ve got enough experience to cope with this. “We haven’t got anything where you need that siege mentality (like Wales did in October) but we’re coming off the back of one of the best performances we’ve ever had, certainly of my tenure. “We can’t be complacent, we need consistency when it comes to that level of performance. If we do that the result will look after itself.” Ben Davies, as he did against Croatia, will lead Wales in the absence of Ramsey and playing at Euro 2024 would represent the Tottenham defender’s fourth major tournament – three European Championships and the 2022 World Cup. Davies said: “This is the dream for us and it doesn’t matter if you’ve done it once or three or four times. “We’re confident as a group that on the day we can beat anybody. We’ve done that in the last two and we want to show that again. “We’re a good group, a tight-knit group, and it’s nice to see the same faces every time you come. “You end up playing as a family and I think that where our success has been gained, being a band of brothers out there.” Read More Everton hit with 10-point deduction for breaching Premier League financial rules Carlos Alcaraz sets up Novak Djokovic clash with win at ATP Tour Finals Fine finish hands Nicolai Hojgaard two-shot lead at halfway stage in Dubai Exeter captain Poppy Leitch hoping for more progress during inaugural PWR season Street Child Cricket World Cup gives youngsters chance to shine Wales v Armenia: Key talking points as Rob Page’s side face crunch qualifier
2023-11-18 00:22
Everton rocked by points deduction as Premier League takes stand over financial fair play
Everton rocked by points deduction as Premier League takes stand over financial fair play
Everton have been given a 10-point deduction after an independent commission found them guilty of breaching the Premier League’s financial fair play (FFP) rules. The club plan to appeal against what they regard as a disproportionate and “unjust” punishment and said they were “shocked and disappointed” by the decision and the sanction. But as it stands, Sean Dyche’s men will drop from 14th to 19th place in the Premier League table and be plunged into greater danger of relegation as they only stay above bottom side Burnley on goal difference. The Toffees become the first English top-flight club to receive such a punishment for falling foul of FFP guidelines. They are just the third club in the Premier League era to be deducted points for any reason: Portsmouth saw nine points taken away for entering administration in 2010 and Middlesbrough were slapped with a three-point deduction for illegally postponing a game in 1997 – both teams subsequently suffering relegation at the end of the season. A statement from the Premier League read: “An independent commission has imposed an immediate deduction of 10 points on Everton FC for a breach of the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSRs). “The Premier League issued a complaint against the club and referred the case to an independent commission earlier this year. During the proceedings, the club admitted it was in breach of the PSRs for the period ending season 2021-22 but the extent of the breach remained in dispute. “Following a five-day hearing last month, the commission determined that Everton FC’s PSR calculation for the relevant period resulted in a loss of £124.5m, as contended by the Premier League, which exceeded the threshold of £105m permitted under the PSRs. The commission concluded that a sporting sanction in the form of a 10-point deduction should be imposed. That sanction has immediate effect.” Last month, the Premier League had recommended a deduction of up to 12 points for the Toffees, as they urged the independent commission to impose a severe sanction. Everton responded in a club statement that said: “Everton Football Club is both shocked and disappointed by the ruling of the Premier League’s commission. “The club believes that the commission has imposed a wholly disproportionate and unjust sporting sanction. The club has already communicated its intention to appeal the decision to the Premier League. The appeal process will now commence and the club’s case will be heard by an appeal board appointed pursuant to the Premier League’s rules in due course. “Everton maintains that it has been open and transparent in the information it has provided to the Premier League and that it has always respected the integrity of the process. “The club does not recognise the finding that it failed to act with the utmost good faith and it does not understand this to have been an allegation made by the Premier League during the course of proceedings. Both the harshness and severity of the sanction imposed by the commission are neither a fair nor a reasonable reflection of the evidence submitted. “The club will also monitor with great interest the decisions made in any other cases concerning the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability rules.” Manchester City face 115 charges for allegedly breaching FFP rules in a case that has not yet been heard while Chelsea could also face charges relating to former owner Roman Abramovich’s reign. Everton had announced a total loss of over £300m for the three-year period from 2019 to 2022, far above the £105m permitted. However, clubs were also permitted additional losses related to the Covid-19 pandemic and infrastructure costs are exempt, meaning there is a grey area in terms of interest payments on the costs of building Everton’s new stadium. Everton contend that that is where the discrepancy lies and that it is a matter of the interpretation of accounting. In addition, Everton had a £200m pre-agreement for a naming rights deal for their new Bramley-Moore Dock stadium with USM, Alisher Usmanov’s company, which they had to abandon after Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Everton have willingly operated under a de facto salary cap since then. The Premier League provided the club with financial guidelines and Everton have a net profit of £28m from the last four transfer windows – the third largest, after Leicester and Brighton, in that time. The Independent has previously reported that an extra layer of political pressure was exerted by the anticipated introduction of an independent football regulator – as laid out by prime minister Rishi Sunak in the King’s Speech earlier this month – with other figures in the sport believing the Premier League is attempting to show the government it can regulate itself. Eyes will now turn to Burnley, Leeds United and Leicester City, who had threatened to sue the Merseyside club for financial losses should they be found guilty of an FFP breach. Read More Watch: Everton CEO responds to Premier League after point deduction Everton vow to fight to ‘unjust’ Premier League points deduction Victor Lindelof: Scoring more goals is next step for Manchester United Sean Dyche: Everton are starting to show belief on the road after latest win Everton edge Crystal Palace in five-goal thriller On this day in 2014: David Moyes appointed Real Sociedad head coach
2023-11-17 21:52
Everton vow to fight to ‘unjust’ Premier League points deduction
Everton vow to fight to ‘unjust’ Premier League points deduction
Everton have criticised the Premier League’s decision to issue the club with a 10-point deduction as punishment for breaching financial fair play rules, and have vowed to appeal against the decision. The Premier League referred Everton to an independent commission in March for an alleged breach of its profitability and sustainability rules in the period ending in the 2021-22 season, and the league recommended a deduction of up to 12 points. On Friday a Premier League statement said: “The Commission determined that Everton FC’s PSR Calculation for the relevant period resulted in a loss of £124.5m, as contended by the Premier League, which exceeded the threshold of £105m permitted. The Commission concluded that a sporting sanction in the form of a 10-point deduction should be imposed. That sanction has immediate effect.” Everton reacted with anger at the news and rejected the finding that they failed to act in good faith during the Premier League’s investigation. “Everton Football Club is both shocked and disappointed by the ruling of the Premier League’s Commission,” it said in a statement. “The Club believes that the Commission has imposed a wholly disproportionate and unjust sporting sanction. The Club has already communicated its intention to appeal the decision to the Premier League. The appeal process will now commence and the Club’s case will be heard by an Appeal Board appointed pursuant to the Premier League’s rules in due course. “Everton maintains that it has been open and transparent in the information it has provided to the Premier League and that it has always respected the integrity of the process. The Club does not recognise the finding that it failed to act with the utmost good faith and it does not understand this to have been an allegation made by the Premier League during the course of proceedings. Both the harshness and severity of the sanction imposed by the Commission are neither a fair nor a reasonable reflection of the evidence submitted. “The Club will also monitor with great interest the decisions made in any other cases concerning the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules. “Everton cannot comment on this matter any further until the appeal process has concluded.” The sanction was put into immediate effect, meaning Everton dropped from 14th to 19th in the Premier League, and from 14 points to four. Everton had announced a total loss of over £300m for the three-year period from 2019 to 2022, far above the £105m permitted. However, clubs were also permitted additional losses related to the Covid-19 pandemic and infrastructure costs are exempt, meaning there is a grey area in terms of interest payments on the costs of building Everton’s new stadium. Everton contend that that is where the discrepancy lies and that it is a matter of the interpretation of accounting. In addition, Everton had a £200m pre-agreement for a naming rights deal for their new Bramley-Moore Dock stadium with USM, Alisher Usmanov’s company, which they had to abandon after Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Everton have willingly operated under a de facto salary cap since then. The Premier League provided the club with financial guidelines and Everton have a net profit of £28m from the last four transfer windows – the third largest, after Leicester and Brighton, in that time. The Independent have previously reported that an extra layer of political pressure was exerted by the anticipated introduction of an independent football regulator – as laid out by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in the King’s Speech earlier this month – with other figures in the sport believing the Premier League is attempting to show the government it can regulate itself. Eyes will now turn to Burnley, Leeds United and Leicester City, who had threatened to sue the Merseyside club for financial losses should they be found guilty of an FFP breach. Read More Watch: Everton CEO responds to Premier League after point deduction Everton rocked by points deduction as Premier League toughens on financial fair play Victor Lindelof: Scoring more goals is next step for Manchester United Sean Dyche: Everton are starting to show belief on the road after latest win Everton edge Crystal Palace in five-goal thriller On this day in 2014: David Moyes appointed Real Sociedad head coach
2023-11-17 21:50
Everton deducted 10 points for breach of Premier League financial rules
Everton deducted 10 points for breach of Premier League financial rules
Everton have been deducted 10 points by an independent commission after being found to have breached Premier League financial rules. The league referred Everton to the commission in March for an alleged breach of its profitability and sustainability rules in the period ending in the 2021-22 season. The rules allow clubs to lose a maximum £105million over a three-year period or face sanctions. Everton issued a statement confirming their intention to appeal against the sanction. The Premier League said in a statement published on its official website: “During the proceedings, the club admitted it was in breach of the PSRs for the period ending Season 2021/22 but the extent of the breach remained in dispute. “Following a five-day hearing last month, the Commission determined that Everton FC’s PSR Calculation for the relevant period resulted in a loss of £124.5million, as contended by the Premier League, which exceeded the threshold of £105million permitted under the PSRs. “The Commission concluded that a sporting sanction in the form of a 10-point deduction should be imposed. That sanction has immediate effect.” Everton said they were “shocked and disappointed” by the sanction imposed by the commission. “The club believes that the Commission has imposed a wholly disproportionate and unjust sporting sanction,” the Toffees statement read. “The club has already communicated its intention to appeal the decision to the Premier League. The appeal process will now commence and the club’s case will be heard by an Appeal Board appointed pursuant to the Premier League’s rules in due course. “Everton maintains that it has been open and transparent in the information it has provided to the Premier League and that it has always respected the integrity of the process. “The club does not recognise the finding that it failed to act with the utmost good faith and it does not understand this to have been an allegation made by the Premier League during the course of proceedings. “Both the harshness and severity of the sanction imposed by the commission are neither a fair nor a reasonable reflection of the evidence submitted. “The club will also monitor with great interest the decisions made in any other cases concerning the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules.” Read More Exeter captain Poppy Leitch hoping for more progress during inaugural PWR season Street Child Cricket World Cup gives youngsters chance to shine Wales v Armenia: Key talking points as Rob Page’s side face crunch qualifier Athletics’ move from Oakland to Las Vegas approved by MLB owners On This Day in 2013: David Haye has to rethink his plans Cincinnati Bengals lose Joe Burrow as they go down to Baltimore Ravens
2023-11-17 20:45
Is England vs Malta on TV? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch Euros qualifier
Is England vs Malta on TV? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch Euros qualifier
With qualification secured for Euro 2024, England now bid to secure top spot in Group C and a high seeding at next summer’s tournament. Gareth Southgate’s side face Malta in their penultimate fixture of the qualifying campaign. The Mediterranean nation are bottom of the group and without a point with just one match left to play, losing the reverse fixture 4-0 in June. Malta failed to register even a shot on that occasion but will be hoping for better against an England side missing a couple of regular squad members. Here’s everything you need to know. Get all the latest football betting sites offers here. When is England vs Malta? England vs Malta is due to kick off at 7.45pm GMT on Friday 17 November at Wembley Stadium in London. How can I watch it? Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Channel 4, with coverage on the channel from 7pm GMT. A live stream will be available via the Channel 4 website and app. If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch the event, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help and includes deals on VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider. Team news England have suffered a number of withdrawals from their squad for this fixture and their final qualifier against North Macedonia, with Jude Bellingham and James Maddison the headline names pulling out after strong starts to the season. There is still no place for Raheem Sterling among Gareth Southgate’s group, though, with Chelsea teammate Cole Palmer earning a call up instead and perhaps in line for a senior international debut. Kemar Reid has earned a first call up for Malta, with the Floriana player now a naturalised citizen of the country. Jodi Jones of Notts County is among the foreign-based contingent and should feature up front, while midfielder Teddy Teuma is also back amongst things after missing the fixture against Italy earlier in the month with an ankle injury. Predicted line-ups England XI: Pickford; Walker, Maguiere, Guehi, Trippier; Alexander-Arnold, Rice, Galllagher; Saka, Kane, Foden. Malta XI: Bonnello; Mbong, S. Borg, Pepe, J. Borg, Camenzuli; Teuma, Guillaumier, Muscat; Jones, Nwoko. Odds England win 1/66 Draw 20/1 Malta win 66/1 Get the latest football odds here. Prediction A comfortable England win. England 5-0 Malta Read More Trent Alexander-Arnold shares feelings on England midfield role What do Wales need to qualify for Euro 2024? Son Heung-min responds to injury scare after South Korea win Trent Alexander-Arnold shares feelings on England midfield role What do Wales need to qualify for Euro 2024? Son Heung-min responds to injury scare after South Korea win
2023-11-17 20:21
Son Heung-min responds to injury scare after South Korea win
Son Heung-min responds to injury scare after South Korea win
Tottenham Hotspur star Son Heung-min issued an update on his fitness after suffering an injury scare while on international duty for South Korea. The South Koreans were playing their first qualifying match for the 2026 World Cup against Singapore and Son curled home a stunning left-footed strike during the comfortable 5-0 win. But more concerningly, he also needed treatment after sustaining a nasty knock to his right knee late in the second half, as he went down in pain. The South Korean skipper did finish out the game and played down the severity of the issue when talking to reporters after the match. “We are making a team for the World Cup, I can’t give up a game just because I feel pain,” said Son. “If I can’t run anymore, then I can’t do anything about it but when I can run, I have to give 100 per cent for the team. “I am fine now, I don’t like to lie down [on the pitch] in the winter. At that moment [when he went down] I couldn’t feel anything on my foot. I’m fine, no injury.” He added: “I am not the only one hurting out there. Everyone plays with some bumps and bruises.” South Korea are looking to qualify for an 11th straight World Cup and take on China in Shenzhen on Tuesday. Singapore took a ‘park the bus’ approach to the Asian qualifying opener, consistently setting up with 10 men behind the ball in Seoul but the favourites systematically broke them down over the course of 90 minutes. And South Korea coach Jurgen Klinsmann was particularly impressed with the creativity of Paris Saint-Germain playmaker Lee Kang-in to help defeat the minnows. “When you play teams that play against you very defensively, you need creativity,” Klinsmann told reporters, according to the Yonhap News Agency. “You need players that can cross the balls in, you need runs into the box, you need fast passing, high tempo and getting balls if possible behind the backline if there’s a little bit of space. “Kang-in can play these balls. He can score himself. The growth of Kang-in over the last six months is a joy for us as coaches.” Klinsmann also praised Lee for tracking back, adding: “We coaches try to teach him that it always goes both ways, Luis Enrique at Paris Saint-Germain does the same thing. “It’s fantastic for Korean football and the national team to have a player like him to go to a completely new level.” Additional reporting by Reuters Read More Tottenham eye Juventus and England U-21 star as part of January plans The pain of football – Ange Postecoglou says Spurs need to accept Wolves loss Wasteful Wolves showed Spurs’ sudden problems – Postecoglou needs a quick fix Wolves vs Spurs LIVE: Latest Premier League updates Ange Postecoglu gives injury update for Tottenham star James Maddison James Maddison withdraws from England – only hours after Gareth Southgate picked him
2023-11-17 17:58
Wales v Armenia: Key talking points as Rob Page’s side face crunch qualifier
Wales v Armenia: Key talking points as Rob Page’s side face crunch qualifier
Wales play their penultimate Euro 2024 qualifier in Armenia on Saturday. Automatic qualification is in Wales’ own hands as two closing victories will book their place in Germany next summer. Here, the PA news agency takes a look at some of the main talking points of the game in Yerevan. Deja vu The parallels between Wales’ successful Euro 2020 qualification and the current campaign are hard to resist. Wales reached Euro 2020 with a fast finish – holding 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia to a Cardiff draw before winning in Azerbaijan and downing Hungary after back-to-back summer defeats. Having suffered another pointless June and just beaten Croatia in Cardiff, Wales head to the Caucasus region again to take on Azerbaijan’s neighbour Armenia before finishing with a visit from Turkey. Six more points will do. Brennan’s back The loss of Tottenham forward Brennan Johnson to injury last month was a big blow. Johnson’s pace and movement can trouble any defence, but boss Rob Page plugged the gap against Croatia by utilising a three-man forward line of David Brooks, Harry Wilson and Kieffer Moore. All three performed superbly with Wilson claiming a match-winning double. Johnson is expected to return, however – possibly at the expense of Brooks – with Page also likely to use the pace of Daniel James from the bench. Midfield promise There was much wailing in Wales when Joe Allen hung up his international boots following the World Cup in Qatar. Allen played a massive role over the last decade and midfield was seen as a problem area in the wake of his departure. But Ethan Ampadu, with nearly 50 caps at the age of 23, has shown his leadership qualities in striking up an effective partnership with 19-year-old Jordan James. The pair were magnificent in getting the better of Croatia’s much-vaunted midfield last month. Repeat or revenge? Wales have failed to beat Armenia in three meetings. There were two draws in 2002 World Cup qualifying, 2-2 in Yerevan when John Hartson scored a brace, before a goalless Cardiff clash. Wales were expected to breeze past Armenia – 71 places below them on the FIFA rankings when they met in June – but a 4-2 defeat damaged their Euro 2024 qualification hopes. More than one Welsh player has mentioned avenging that loss in the build-up to the Yerevan return. Yellow peril Defensive pair Chris Mepham and Neco Williams will be walking disciplinary tightropes in Armenia. Both players have picked up two bookings in the campaign, and a third would rule them out of Tuesday’s final qualifier against Turkey. Wales have yet to lose any player to three bookings, although Joe Morrell and Kieffer Moore served two-match bans for respective red cards against Turkey and Armenia in the summer. Read More Athletics’ move from Oakland to Las Vegas approved by MLB owners On This Day in 2013: David Haye has to rethink his plans Cincinnati Bengals lose Joe Burrow as they go down to Baltimore Ravens Harry Wilson knew he had to step up for Wales after Gareth Bale retirement ‘Great spectacle of cricket’ – Australia relishing World Cup final against India Mallory Franklin: Kayak cross unknowns add to excitement ahead of Olympic debut
2023-11-17 17:18
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