Latest news with #WorldCupQualifiers
BBC News
an hour ago
- General
- BBC News
No let-up for Wales as Bellamy drives standards
World Cup qualifier: Wales v LiechtensteinVenue: Cardiff City Stadium Date: Friday, 6 June Kick off: 19:45 BSTCoverage: Live on BBC One Wales, S4C, iPlayer, BBC Radio Wales and Radio Cymru, the BBC Sport website and app, plus live text commentary. Ben Cabango says Craig Bellamy has "not laid off one bit" as the Wales head coach looks to drive up standards en route to the 2026 World will bid to extend their unbeaten start to life under Bellamy in World Cup qualifiers against Liechtenstein at the Cardiff City Stadium on Friday and in Belgium three days lost their way at the tail-end of Rob Page's spell in charge, Wales have looked revitalised under Cabango believes Wales' players have responded to former striker Bellamy's desire for progress."From his first meeting you could tell how much he wanted to achieve here – big things – and straight away he wanted to drill things into us," Cabango said. "I feel like he's not laid off that one bit. We're not here for a large amount of time so it's quite intense when we are here."Everyone in the squad has taken that very well, and in that short time you can see the improvements he has made in the squad. Every camp he makes sure we keep developing." Bellamy claimed Nations League promotion in his first campaign at the helm, with Wales winning three and drawing three of their League B games to top their group ahead of began World Cup qualifying in March with a home victory over Kazakhstan, before David Brooks' late equaliser secured a deserved point in North has featured in three of Bellamy's eight games, taking him to 12 Wales been something of a fringe figure during Page's reign, the Swansea City captain is one a of a number of players given significant game-time by Bellamy, whose team selections have been difficult to predict. "I feel since he's come in he's given everyone an opportunity," Cabango added."If you're doing well at your club and training well when you come away, I feel like he'll always give you that opportunity."It's a good thing when you come away because you feel more part of the squad and want to be doing well, because you could get that opportunity."Wales will start as overwhelming favourites to beat Liechtenstein, the side ranked 205th in the world by Fifa, but can expect a much sterner test in Brussels next may have lost some of the stars of their golden generation, but are set to include the likes of Kevin de Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Jeremy Doku and Leandro Trossard against says Bellamy's "big thing" on the training ground is Wales' work out of possession, which may be key to their prospects at the King Baudouin Stadium."As soon as we lose the ball he wants that reaction," Cabango added."He wants us to dominate games and the way to do that he thinks is off the ball."Every time we lose it that reaction's got to be sharp so we win that ball back. Every time we have the ball the main objective is to score so we're always positive and the intensity is so high."
Free Malaysia Today
11 hours ago
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
S. Korea won't push Son too hard in 2026 qualifiers
Son Heung-min was restricted to a substitute's appearance in Tottenham Hotspur's Europa League final win. (PA/AP pic) SEOUL : South Korea captain Son Heung-min will be used sparingly in their World Cup qualifiers against Iraq and Kuwait as he builds up his match fitness following his return from a foot injury, coach Hong Myung-bo said today. South Korea, who lead Group B by three points, face Iraq in Basra on June 5 before returning home for their final qualifier of the third round against Kuwait five days later. The Koreans will qualify for their 11th successive World Cup if they avoid defeat by Iraq, who last month appointed former Australia boss Graham Arnold as their head coach. Son has been dealing with the injury for the past two months and was restricted to a substitute's appearance in Tottenham Hotspur's 1-0 win over Manchester United in the Europa League final. 'He and I have not yet discussed exactly how much he will play. But my staff and I already know all about his drive and his desire to play,' Hong told reporters. 'Since we have two matches coming up (to try to qualify for the World Cup), I will not push him too hard. Once we get to Iraq, we will decide which of the two matches we will focus on.' The 56-year-old said Son's experience would be invaluable in Iraq even if he does not play. 'We will probably play in a hostile environment in front of partisan fans,' he added. 'We have some players who have had experience playing in these situations. It's something we should keep in mind going into the stadium for this match.'
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
🚨 Change for Colombia: Luis Suárez called up to replace Borré
The Colombia National Team is already working in Barranquilla, ahead of the double date of CONMEBOL Qualifiers that will be played between this week and the next. The list of called-up players by coach Néstor Lorenzo has suffered last-minute changes due to injuries. Advertisement Last weekend, the Colombian Football Federation announced the absence of Jhon Córdoba due to a muscle injury and also announced the call-up of Rafael Santos Borré in his place. However, the Inter de Porto Alegre striker has also suffered a muscle injury — in the abdomen, according to information given in Brazil — and Lorenzo had to modify his call-up once again. Thus, Luis Javier Suárez was called up, and the Almería striker returns to the Colombia National Team, after a couple of years of absence. The 27-year-old center-forward officially debuted in the Colombia National Team in November 2020, in a match against Ecuador for the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers. He then added two more appearances in Qualifiers and another in a friendly match against Saudi Arabia, which was his last appearance in the national team. Advertisement Another absence officially confirmed by the FCF was that of Juan Fernando Quintero, who suffered a sprain of the medial collateral ligament of the right knee, after the match between América de Cali and Independiente Medellín for the 2025-I Betplay League quadrangulars. This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here. 📸 Rafa Babot - 2024 Getty Images
South China Morning Post
a day ago
- Health
- South China Morning Post
South Korea to take it easy with Tottenham's Son in World Cup qualifiers
South Korea captain Son Heung-min will be used sparingly in their World Cup qualifiers against Iraq and Kuwait as he builds up his match fitness following his return from a foot injury, coach Hong Myung-bo said on Monday. Advertisement South Korea, who lead Group B by three points, face Iraq in Basra on June 5 before returning home for their final qualifier of the third round against Kuwait five days later. The Koreans will qualify for their 11th successive World Cup if they avoid defeat by Iraq, who last month appointed former Australia boss Graham Arnold as their head coach. Son has been dealing with the injury for the past two months and was restricted to a substitute appearance in Tottenham Hotspur's 1-0 win over Manchester United in the Europa League final. 'He and I have not yet discussed exactly how much he will play. But my staff and I already know all about his drive and his desire to play,' Hong told reporters. Advertisement 'Since we have two matches coming up (to try to qualify for the World Cup), I will not push him too hard. Once we get to Iraq, we will decide which of the two matches we will focus on.'
Free Malaysia Today
a day ago
- Health
- Free Malaysia Today
Courtois out of Belgium squad for World Cup qualifiers
Thibaut Courtois could also miss the Club World Cup in the US after hurting his back. (EPA Images pic) TUBIZE : Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has withdrawn from the squad for their opening two World Cup qualifiers this month because of a back injury. The player's club Real Madrid said yesterday that he had been diagnosed with sacroiliitis – inflammation of one or both sacroiliac joints in the area where the lower back and pelvis meet. 'The medical staff of Real Madrid and the Royal Belgian Football Association have discussed Thibaut Courtois' back problems intensively in the past period,' the Belgian association added in a statement. 'Both medical staffs have come to the conclusion that the goalkeeper is not fit for the upcoming internationals.' The injury may also jeopardise Courtois' chances of playing at the Club World Cup in the US, where Real Madrid open their campaign in Miami on June 18 against Al Hilal from Saudi Arabia. Uncapped Nordin Jackers from Club Brugge will replace Courtois in the Belgium squad for the matches against North Macedonia in Skopje on Friday and at home to Wales next Monday. Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels is expected to take Courtois' place in goal for the two Group J fixtures.
