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Andre Onana hits out at Cameroon manager Rigobert Song after being cut from World Cup squad
Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana claims there has “been no will on the other side” to resolve the stand-off which resulted in him being suspended by the country’s football federation.
Amid pre-match reports of a training ground bust-up with head coach Rigobert Song, Inter Milan stopper Onana was left out of the squad to face Serbia on Monday, with the Cameroon federation later confirming it was for disciplinary reasons.
Cameroon fought back from two goals down in a thrilling 3-3 World Cup draw which keeps alive their hopes of progress from Group G.
Afterwards, Song accepted he had taken a “big risk” in not including Onana, but stood by the decision, stressing his role was to “put the team first ahead of an individual”.
Onana, who reportedly left the team hotel and travelled to the airport on Tuesday, maintains “representing Cameroon has always been a privilege”.
Karl Matchett29 November 2022 16:40
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Nadia Nadim: ITV World Cup pundit returns to air just days after mother killed in road accident
ITV World Cup pundit Nadia Nadim has been praised for her “unbelievable bravery” after returning to the studio just days after her mother’s heartbreaking death.
Nadim confirmed the news later that evening in an emotional social media post but the 34-year-old returned to air on Tuesday, one week after her mother’s death, for ITV’s coverage of Netherlands against Qatar.
Nadim was welcomed back by co-pundits Nigel de Jong and Joe Cole, while host Laura Woods opened the broadcast by allowing Nadim to say a few words about her late mother.
Karl Matchett29 November 2022 16:25
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England fans banned from Cardiff pub for Wales World Cup clash
England fans have been banned from watching the crunch World Cup 2022 clash between England and Wales in a Cardiff pub that believes they would disrupt the “safe and friendly atmosphere.”
It’s the first time England vs Wales has been played at a World Cup and both sides are still able to qualify for the last 16, although Wales’s task is considerably tougher as they not only need to win against a side they haven’t beaten since 1984 but likely also require the USA vs Iran match being played concurrently to end as a draw.
Given everything at stake, O’Neill’s pub in central Cardiff – on the corner of St Mary Street and Wood Street – have decided to ban England supporters from watching the 7pm kick-off on Tuesday evening, making it a Wales-only zone.
Karl Matchett29 November 2022 16:10
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Half-time scores in Group A
As it stands, Netherlands will top Group A and Senegal will qualify with them after first-half goals by Cody Gakpo and Ismaila Sarr respectively. Those two will await the qualifiers from England’s and Wales’ Group B later this evening.
Ismaila Sarr converts from the spot
(REUTERS)
Cody Gakpo fires Netherlands in front
(Getty Images)
Lawrence Ostlere29 November 2022 15:58
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England and Wales cross paths while heading in opposite directions
It is a rare touch of mischief from Gareth Southgate, that also hints at some edge. The England manager is asked how conscious he is of Wales’s attitude to England, and the videos of, say, the squad celebrating the elimination to Iceland in Euro 2016. It does seem like easy motivation.
“I couldn’t say,” Southgate smiles. “We are aware of some of that but I couldn’t say if we would use it or not…”
Southgate is a friend of Eddie Jones, and a keen listener to what he has to say, so has been especially attuned to how the England rugby union manager has spoken about how the other home nations raise themselves for the fixture. Southgate felt something similar in the Euro 2020 group game with Scotland last summer.
“Physically, they found a level they hadn’t found before and couldn’t find in the game after,” he said. “So that is the nature of this game. But you have to ride through that and make sure our quality counts and we are composed in our play. You have to match the spirit and display, the quality with the ball that allows us to be ruthless.”
Miguel Delaney on Wales vs England:
Karl Matchett29 November 2022 15:55
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World Cup pitch invader released without charge after help from Fifa president Gianni Infantino
Ferri ran onto the field during Portugal’s group-stage win over Uruguay on Monday (28 November), carrying a rainbow flag and wearing a T-shirt that read “Save Ukraine” on the front and “Respect for Iranian Women” on the back.
Ferri was tackled by numerous security guards at the Lusail Stadium, but the Italian was back on social media on Tuesday (29 November) and said that he faces no charges.
Karl Matchett29 November 2022 15:40
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Qatar official admits for first time hundreds of migrant workers died building World Cup 2022
A leading Qatari official has admitted for the first time that hundreds of migrant workers died building the 2022 World Cup.
Qatar has vehemently denied accusations of thousands of unexplained deaths among its large migrant worker community, who were brought to the Gulf state mostly from impoverished parts of south Asia over the past 12 years to build lavish stadiums and infrastructure for the four-week tournament.
The previous line insisted by Qatar officials was that 40 workers had died building the World Cup, 37 of which were “non-work incidents” meaning only three supposedly occurred as a result of poor working conditions.
Karl Matchett29 November 2022 15:25
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Do England need to win tonight to qualify for World Cup last 16?
A draw with the USA puts Gareth Southgate’s side on four points after two games, with the 6-2 thrashing of Iran also boosting their goal difference.
Wales await in the final group stage match, with England in prime position to reach the knockout stages of the tournament.
Top spot is also valuable, knowing they will avoid the winners of Group A should they hold on, with Iran just a point behind on three points, USA on two and Wales bottom on one.
Here are the permutations for England to advance to the last 16 and also secure top spot:
Karl Matchett29 November 2022 15:10
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World Cup 2022: England rumours hint at Phil Foden start and other changes
A Daily Telegraph report suggests that Kyle Walker could come in at right back for England against Wales tonight, replacing Kieran Trippier.
Elsewhere in the line-up, it is rumoured that Phil Foden will start in a front three – after much clamouring for his inclusion – alongside Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford.
Rashford came off the bench in both of England’s first two Qatar World Cup games, and may replace Raheem Sterling in the starting line-up here.
Meanwhile, Foden is expected to come in for Bukayo Saka, and Jordan Henderson could replace Mason Mount in midfield.
Foden in training ahead of England’s Group B game against Wales
(The FA via Getty Images)
Alex Pattle29 November 2022 14:53
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Wales boss Rob Page suggests Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey may not start against England
Skipper Bale and Ramsey have been Wales’ best players over the last decade or so and guided the country to the last two European Championships and the 2022 World Cup.
But both players – Bale is 33 and Ramsey 31 – have been way below their best in Qatar, leaving some Wales fans to call for the pair to be benched with Page’s side on the brink of World Cup elimination.
Michael Jones29 November 2022 14:39