Latest news with #U17WorldCup
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Colin O'Brien warns of club v country showdown ahead of Ireland's U17 World Cup campaign
COLIN O'BRIEN confirmed the World Cup has the potential for a club versus country row - but argued that there is no greater stage for Ireland's rising stars. The Ireland Under-17 manager yesterday named his squad for three friendlies in Croatia next week that begin preparations for 2 Republic of Ireland manager Colin O'Brien reckons a club v country row could ensue ahead of the U17 World Cup 2 Republic of Ireland manager Colin O'Brien and his side travel to Qatar in November Ireland know they will face But the Boys in Green's first World Cup appearance at Under-17 level has the potential for issues with clubs, as the squad will get together on October 27. That is a few days before the League of Ireland Premier Division finale on November 1, and FAI Cup final on November 8, with the promotion relegation play-off also that week. And with the likes of Shamrock Rovers' Michael Noonan, Galway's Cillian Tollett, and Finn Harps Josh Cullen all in first team action, the Ireland gaffer admitted talks will be needed. Read more on football He said: 'There is not a FIFA window at that time. It's one we've got to manage and just watch as time unfolds over the summer. 'Certain teams might have leagues wrapped up, might be in or out of cups. It's something I'm very aware of and I will be in communication with clubs. 'At the end of the day, the players are contracted to the clubs. But we'll want our best players for the World Cup. 'Hopefully when you're asking me that question in late September, early October, we have more clarity on it. Most read in Football 'There will be a time when we'll have to talk about it, but right now, we've got to let the players get on and the club's get on with making their mark in Europe and in the country.' Clubs are not obliged not release players as it is not in a FIFA window though O'Brien is arranging all warm-up fixtures on official international dates. 'You can't make this up' - Irish fans in stitches at Ruesha Littlejohn's playful prank upon Katie McCabe's camp arrival And he stressed that it is not a League of Ireland-only issue, as players around Europe - like Rory Finneran at Newcastle United and Jaden Umeh at Benfica - are playing at a higher age group for their clubs at the moment. But he stressed that the World Cup is a great platform for an exciting crop of players who have come through the hardest route to reach Qatar. He said: 'The World Cup, you want your best players, what an opportunity to showcase individuals from our clubs in this country as well. 'For me you won't get a better stage for young players. It's historic. For us to get there, it's the hardest Confederation and toughest Confederation to get out of. 'We started out in the tournament, there were 54 countries, that then goes into a second phase of 28…we got to there. 'Then out of 28, the Under-17 Euros…only seven teams qualified. We would have qualified if this was last year, because we finished second (at it was a 16-team tournament). 'What they did then is they gave 11 places for the World Cup. there were seven groups going on in March but only four countries qualified from the other seven. 'Spain haven't qualified for this (or) the Netherlands….we have. We're doing something right. 'This is my eighth year and this will be our fifth major competition for this age group. We've been to four European finals and this will be our first World Cup. 'It can inspire, it can showcase the talent we have, for me the big one as well, it's the generation that are coming underneath the 17s group.' O'Brien also acknowledged the profile on his team could help put more political focus on funding football. He added: 'I think the Government could look at the World Cup, absolutely, but whether it's the World Cup or not, we have to secure funding. It has to be secured to progress basically. 'We're up against it. We are competitive, but if we want to keep in those competitive layers, we have to secure funding. 'I'll always say this, it's not the Tier one countries I'd be comparing ourselves to, the Portugals, the Spains, they're just all on a different level completely and have been right through their history. 'I'm talking now about the Eastern Bloc countries. I'm talking about Tier three countries, Scandinavian countries. 'They are all developing and accelerating their resources and developments every year. For us to be in that mix, we really have to secure the funding.' Squad: Moloney (Southampton), A Noonan (Shamrock Rovers), Butler (Wexford), Cullen (Finn Harps), Gabbidon (Malmo), Kovalevskis (Shamrock Rovers), Leonard (Dundalk), McDonagh (Venezia), Spaight (Dundalk), Sherlock (Hoffenheim), Finneran (Newcastle United), McAteer (Finn Harps), McMahon-Brown (Burnley), Ozhianvuna (Shamrock Rovers), Akinrintoyo (Shamrock Rovers), Hayes (St Patrick's Athletic), Lee (Shamrock Rovers), M Noonan (Shamrock Rovers), Tollett (Galway United), Umeh (Benfica).
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Florida State High-Upside Transfer Forward Christian Nitu Perfect Fit For Gonzaga
Mark Few and the Gonzaga Bulldogs remain on the hunt for a marquee guard to add to the roster for the 2025-26 season, with Desmond Claude and Tyon-Grant Foster the two biggest known targets at this time. However, the expectation is that the Zags will also look to add depth to the frontcourt, in particular someone who can play power forward on a roster that is currently full of more traditional centers in Graham Ike, Braden Huff, Ismaila Diagne, and incoming freshman Parker Jefferson. Advertisement One available transfer that makes a lot of sense for Gonzaga, and who the staff connected with early in the recruiting process, is Florida State forward Christian Nitu. Nitu played at Fort Erie International Academy in Toronto when the Zags first began recruiting him, and his performance with Team Canada in the U17 World Cup and participation in the Basketball Without Borders Global Camp helped solidify the 6'11 big man as a marquee prospect. On3 had him as the 39th ranked power forward and 25th ranked Canadian prospect in the 2024 class when he first signed with Indiana State, but after coach Josh Schertz left to Saint Louis Nitu reopened his recruitment and committed to Florida State. Advertisement However, a deep rotation didn't allow much room for Nitu on the floor in Tallahassee, as he finished his lone season with the 'Noles appearing in 22 games and averaging 1.9 points and 1.3 rebounds in just 6.9 minutes per game. Nitu saved his best for last, scoring a career high eight points with three rebounds and a steal on 4-4 shooting in a 60-57 loss to Virginia in the final game of the season. Nitu's upside remains intriguing, despite subpar numbers in a limited role. The tape shows an uber-athletic big man who had multiple tip-in dunks, blocked shots off the backboard, and was unafraid to challenge anyone at the rim. Some have even described him as having guard like skills, although the outside shot is a bit of a mystery as he went 0-7 while with the 'Noles. With three years of eligibility remaining and experience gained through the FIBA circuit and the ACC, Nitu would be a nice fit in Spokane as a developmental big alongside Jefferson and Diagne. Advertisement He's drawn interest from Washington, with head coach Danny Sprinkle even flying out to Tallahassee to watch him workout, and it wouldn't be a surprise if other power conference teams come poking around now that many of the bigger names are off the board. Gonzaga will likely keep their focus on guards for now, but snagging Nitu as a high upside developmental big is the kind of move coach Few likes to make and one that is easy to see working well for both sides. Related: Gonzaga Target and WCC Leading Scorer Malik Thomas Announces Transfer Portal Decision
Morocco World
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
Arab Cup Draw to be Held in Doha as Morocco Land in Top Pot
FIFA has announced that the draw for the 2025 Arab Cup and the U17 World Cup will take place in Doha on Saturday, 24 May. The event will be held at a luxury hotel in the Qatari capital, coinciding with the final of the Emir Cup. Representatives from 16 Arab nations and all 48 countries qualified for the U17 World Cup will be in attendance. The ceremony will run from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Moroccan time. The Arab Cup is scheduled from 1 to 18 December and will conclude on Qatar's National Day. The U-17 World Cup will be staged earlier, from 3 to 27 November. Qatar is hosting the Arab Cup for the second consecutive time, following a successful edition in 2021, when Algeria beat Tunisia 2-0 in the final. This year's competition sees increased prize money and is expected to draw large crowds. Iraq top the all-time winners list with four titles, ahead of Saudi Arabia (2), while Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco (2012) have one each. Morocco have been drawn in Pot 1 alongside Egypt, Algeria and hosts Qatar. The Atlas Lions reached the semi-finals in 2021 before losing to Algeria on penalties. Several Arab nations will also take part in the U17 World Cup, including Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and host nation Qatar. Germany are the defending champions after beating France on penalties back in 2023 when the game ended in a 2-2 draw. Tags: Arab CupMoroccoMorocco national teamu17 afconU17 MoroccoU17 world cup
Morocco World
07-04-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
Morocco Seal World Cup Spot With Win Over Tanzania
Morocco's U17 side secured qualification for the 2025 FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar with a 3-0 victory over Tanzania in their final group match at the U17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. The game started a bit cagey and the Atlas Cubs left it late to crack the Tanzanians open and crash them out of the competition. Once Ilyass Belmakhtar broke the deadlock in the 76th minute, the floodgates opened. Abdellah Ouazzane added two more — including a stunning free-kick — to wrap up the win and top spot in Group A with seven points. The result confirms Morocco's place in the quarter-finals, where they will meet South Africa on Thursday, but more importantly, it guarantees them a seat at the table for the U17 World Cup in Qatar this year which runs from November 3 to 27. Morocco U17 head coach Nabil Baha says he is 'full of confidence' in his team in the post-match press conference. 'We've played solid matches — against Uganda, Zambia, and now Tanzania. What matters most is we haven't conceded a goal.' Baha said he urged his players at half-time to raise their intensity. 'I told them to give more. They understood. Today they ran over 10km, compared to 7km in the last match. When we outrun the opponent, we create chances.' 'We have players who can make the difference. And we're defensively strong, which gives us confidence.' Baha warned against expecting early goals in every game. 'Sometimes young players need to take responsibility. Matches aren't won in the first minute — they last up to 100 minutes.' Tags: 2025 U17 AFCONMoroccoU17 Morocco
CAF
05-04-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Mali march into quarter-finals and World Cup with win over Central African Republic
Published: Friday, 04 April 2025 Mali U17 continued their impressive start to the 2025 TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations with a 2-0 victory over Central African Republic on Friday in Berrechid to move top of Group D. Having beaten Angola in their opening game, Mali made it two wins from two and secured their place in the knockout stages, while Central African Republic, suffering their second consecutive defeat, are now out of contention for the semi-finals. The victory also means that the West Africans have secured their place at the U17 World Cup to be played in Qatar from 3-27 November, which will feature 48 nations. Mali broke the deadlock in the 21st minute after sustained pressure, when Soumaila Fané tucked in from close range following a corner. The goal was just reward for Mali's early dominance, with Ndjicoura Bomba playing a key role in the buildup. Central African Republic were left with a mountain to climb after they were reduced to 10 men before half-time. Defender Nelson Amadi was sent off following a VAR review for a dangerous foul in the 44th minute. Mali capitalised quickly after the restart. Just a minute into the second half, Ndjicoura Bomba headed in Mali's second goal from Fané's cross, making it 2-0 and effectively sealing the result. Despite some spirited efforts from the Central African Republic — including a few saves forced from the Malian goalkeeper — they struggled to make their numerical disadvantage count. A second red card followed for Chrispin Ngombe in the 64th minute, further denting any hopes of a comeback. Mali will now face Cote d'Ivoire in their final group game on Monday, needing only a draw to top the group. Central African Republic will seek to restore pride when they take on Angola. Following the wins of their opening two matches in the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, which is currently taking place in Morocco, Mali have secured a place in the top two positions in their group. All four group winners and runners-up from the continental competition are guaranteed a ticket to Qatar 2025. The four third-place teams will enter a play-off to determine CAF's final two representatives.
