logo
Belgium call up former Portuguese youth international

Belgium call up former Portuguese youth international

Straits Times20-05-2025

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Ligue 1 - AS Monaco v RC Strasbourg - Stade Louis II, Monaco, - April 19, 2025 RC Strasbourg's Diego Moreira in action with AS Monaco's Vanderson REUTERS/Manon Cruz/File Photo
BRUSSELS - Belgium have called up uncapped left back Diego Moreira to their squad for the start of their World Cup qualifying campaign next month, one day after FIFA approved a switch of nationality for the 20-year-old.
Moreira was born in Belgium and played at under-15 level for them, but after that chose to compete for Portugal, featuring in March for their under-21 side in a 4-2 loss to England at The Hawthorns.
He has been persuaded to switch his allegiance by Belgium's new coach Rudi Garcia, who on Tuesday named a 26-man squad for Group J qualifiers against North Macedonia in Skopje on June 6 and Wales in Brussels on July 9.
'He is a young but professional player who wants to commit himself to a sporting project. He has had an excellent season. So this is a signal for all young players who are doing well,' Garcia told a press conference on Tuesday.
Kevin De Bruyne will continue as captain despite his departure from Manchester City at the end of the season.
'I have full confidence in De Bruyne and the choice he will make for his future. He had ten tremendous seasons at Manchester City,' Garcia added.
'He can be proud of what he has achieved. Kevin is one of the best footballers ever and is the conductor of the Red Devils.'
Aston Villa midfielder Amadou Onana returns from injury, but recent ankle surgery keeps Fulham full back Timothy Castagne out.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid), Senne Lammens (Antwerp), Matz Sels (Nottingham Forest), Maarten Vandevoort (RB Leipzig)
Defenders: Zeno Debast (Sporting Lisbon), Maxim De Cuyper (Club Brugge), Koni De Winter (Genoa), Wout Faes (Leicester City), Brandon Mechele (Club Brugge), Thomas Meunier (Lille), Diego Moreira (Strasbourg), Arthur Theate (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Midfielders: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City), Jorthy Mokio (Ajax Amsterdam), Amadou Onana (Aston Villa), Nicolas Raskin (Rangers), Alexis Saelemaekers (AS Roma), Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa), Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge)
Forwards: Charles De Ketelaere (Atalanta), Jeremy Doku (Manchester City), Malick Fofana (Olympique Lyonnais), Romelu Lukaku (Napoli), Dodi Lukebakio (Sevilla), Lois Openda (RB Leipzig), Leandro Trossard (Arsenal). REUTERS
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Brazil, Ecuador book World Cup berths, Uruguay on brink
Brazil, Ecuador book World Cup berths, Uruguay on brink

Straits Times

time2 hours ago

  • Straits Times

Brazil, Ecuador book World Cup berths, Uruguay on brink

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti gives directions during the World Cup qualifier against Paraguay. PHOTO: EPA-EFE SAO PAULO – Brazil booked their place at the 2026 World Cup in North America on June 10 with a lackluster 1-0 home victory over Paraguay, the first win of Carlo Ancelotti's reign. The five-time world champions punched their ticket to the finals in Canada, the United States and Mexico thanks to Vinicius Jr. The Real Madrid star poked in from close range in the 44th minute in Sao Paulo after a cross from new Manchester United signing Matheus Cunha. It was the perfect gift for the Italian Ancelotti on his 66th birthday, having seen his new side held 0-0 by Ecuador last week in his first game as coach. Former Real Madrid boss Ancelotti praised his team's 'commitment' and 'attitude'. 'It was a good match with a very good first half, although obviously we suffered a bit because Paraguay are very solid opponents and we slowed down a bit in the second,' he said. Uruguay's 2-0 win over Venezuela in Montevideo had raised the prospect of qualification for both Brazil and Paraguay at Corinthians Arena. Paraguay needed only a point to qualify while Brazil knew they could advance with a win. In the event it was Brazil who seized the opportunity presented by Venezuela's loss with Vinicius scoring the only goal just before half-time. Brazil had struggled to create many chances up until that point, with Cunha squandering a golden chance in the 35th minute after heading wide from point-blank range. Cunha made up for it with a key part in the goal, capitalizing on good work from Raphinha to dart into the box and whip in a low cross for Vinicius, who stabbed home the finish. The win lifted Brazil into third place in the South American standings with 25 points from 16 games, guaranteeing them a top-six finish and an automatic qualifying berth. Looking ahead to next summer, Ancelotti said he had 'a very long list' of 70 players in mind, including Neymar, who was missing with injury. He added: 'I really liked those who were with me in this squad for their commitment, their attitude, and the atmosphere.' The defeat left Paraguay with 24 points, meaning they need one point to secure their first World Cup appearance since 2010. Surprise package Ecuador joined Brazil by sealing qualification with a point following a 0-0 draw with Peru in Lima. In other games, Uruguay edged closer to qualification with their win over Venezuela while Chile were eliminated with defeat to Bolivia. Goals from Rodrigo Aguirre and Giorgian de Arrascaeta secured all three points for Marcelo Bielsa's Uruguay to leave the two-time world champions firmly on course for a place in next year's finals. Like Paraguay, Uruguay need only a point from their final two games to qualify. Venezuela, who are bidding to reach the World Cup for the first time in the nation's history, are seventh with 18 points from 16 games. Argentina, who have already qualified, came from behind to frustrate Colombia with a 1-1 draw in Buenos Aires. Liverpool star Luis Diaz fired Colombia into the lead with a superb 24th minute goal, and the Colombians were given a further boost midway through the second half when the world champions were reduced to 10 men after Enzo Fernandez's dismissal. But Colombia's hopes of a vital win were dashed nine minutes from time when Thiago Almada weaved into the box and found the target to level. The top six finishers in South America qualify automatically for the World Cup, with the seventh-placed team advancing to an intercontinental playoff. Bolivia defeated Chile 2-0 to end the former South American champions' hopes of qualification. It is the third straight World Cup that Chile have missed out on. The loss continues a dramatic fall from grace for 'La Roja', who won back-to-back Copa Americas in 2015 and 2016. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

Spain's Hermoso left out of Women's Euro 2025 squad
Spain's Hermoso left out of Women's Euro 2025 squad

Straits Times

time2 hours ago

  • Straits Times

Spain's Hermoso left out of Women's Euro 2025 squad

FILE PHOTO: Soccer player Jenni Hermoso takes part in a training session in San Nicolas de los Garza, Mexico, February 20, 2025, in this handout picture. Club Tigres/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo Jenni Hermoso has been left out of the Spain squad for the Women's European Championship, with coach Montse Tome saying there was too much competition for places in her position. The 35-year-old forward played a key role in Spain's World Cup victory in 2023 and is the country's leading goalscorer but has featured less frequently for the side in recent months. Hermoso was also at the centre of a scandal involving former Spanish Football Federation President Luis Rubiales, who was found guilty of sexual assault for kissing the player without her consent after Spain's World Cup win in Sydney. Rubiales said the kiss was consensual. Hermoso, who plays club football for Mexico's Tigres, was last called up to the Spain squad for friendlies against Italy and Canada in October and was part of the squad for last year's Paris Olympics. "I spoke with Jenni (Hermoso) already in the beginning of the year, we had a conversation," Tome told reporters on Tuesday. "We've done with her what we've done with everyone else. We've valued her season in Tigres, we've spoken with the manager in different times, and we did what we had to do, to assess what we need from the players." Tome said Patri Guijarro, Maite Zubieta, Alexia Putellas, Aitana Bonmati, Vicky Lopez, Mariona Caldentey and Claudia Pina were all capable of playing in Hermoso's position. "It's difficult to make it to the final list of 23 players," she added. Spain are in Group B of the tournament in Germany, alongside Portugal, Belgium and Italy. They play Japan in a warm-up game on June 27 before taking on Portugal in their campaign opener on July 3. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

Son Heung-min to ‘wait and see' on Tottenham future after Saudi links
Son Heung-min to ‘wait and see' on Tottenham future after Saudi links

Straits Times

time3 hours ago

  • Straits Times

Son Heung-min to ‘wait and see' on Tottenham future after Saudi links

South Korea's Son Heung-min waves to fans after the team's win against Kuwait. PHOTO: AFP Son Heung-min to 'wait and see' on Tottenham future after Saudi links SEOUL – Son Heung-min has cast doubt on his Tottenham Hotspur future after saying he will 'wait and see' what happens amid speculation the skipper could move to Saudi Arabia. The South Korean forward has a year left on his contract and has been linked with an exit after helping Spurs end their 17-year trophy drought. 'Rather than saying anything at this moment, I think we should all wait and see what happens,' the 32-year-old told reporters after South Korea's 4-0 World Cup qualifying win over Kuwait on June 10. 'But no matter where I end up, I will always do the best I can. It will never change.' Son lifted the Europa League trophy in May to claim his first piece of silverware with Tottenham after helping his team beat Manchester United 1-0 in Bilbao. Despite the victory, Spurs have since fired coach Ange Postecoglou following a dismal Premier League campaign that saw them finish one place above the relegation zone. Son came under pressure after a series of underwhelming displays but he vowed to come back stronger next season, wherever he is playing. 'I know people may say I had a disappointing year but personally, this was a special season because you play football to win, and only winners are remembered,' added Son, who joined Tottenham from Germany's Bayer Leverkusen in 2015. 'I wasn't in my best form for most of the season but hopefully I will be in better condition going into the new season.' Meanwhile, Brentford manager Thomas Frank is set to replace Postecoglou, according to multiple reports. Frank, who has been in charge of the Bees since 2018, led Brentford back to the top flight in 2021 after an absence of 74 years and has established the west London club in the Premier League. Hiring the Dane, whose contract runs until 2027, would cost Spurs around £10 million in compensation. South Korea booked their place at next year's World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico with 2-0 win over Iraq last week. They finished top of Group B in the Asian third round of qualifiers and were unbeaten in 10 games. 'I know people just assume that we should come out of Asia with ease but nothing has been easy,' said Son, who came on as a 75th-minute substitute against Kuwait. 'I think we were able to finish well here because everyone came together with the same goal of never losing a match.' Off the pitch, two South Koreans have been charged with blackmail or attempted blackmail targeting Son, the prosecution said on June 11, with one of them reportedly his ex-girlfriend. The suspects – a woman in her 20s surnamed Yang and a man in his 40s surnamed Yong – have been in custody since May. The two have now been 'formally charged and will stand trial while in custody', a spokesperson for the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office told AFP. According to the Yonhap news agency and other local media, Yang is Son's ex-girlfriend and allegedly extorted 300 million won from him by sending a foetal ultrasound image and threatening to go public with claims that she was pregnant with his child last year. It remains unclear whether Yang – who local media have speculated terminated the alleged pregnancy – was actually carrying the star footballer's child. Prosecutors believe Yang later attempted to extort an additional 70 million won from Son this year in collaboration with Yong, with whom she was in a romantic relationship, according to Yonhap. The pair allegedly made the threats by saying they would expose the alleged pregnancy and abortion to the media. Son refused to pay the 70 million won and filed a criminal complaint against the two. AFP, REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store