Latest news with #qualifiers
Al Arabiya
11 hours ago
- General
- Al Arabiya
Exclusive Bahrain coach Dragan Talajic eyes Saudi Arabia upset and dreams of World Cup
When Bahrain faces Saudi Arabia in a crunch 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Thursday, it is aiming to do more than just end its neighbors hopes of an automatic spot at the tournament. Bahrain has twice suffered heartache at the final hurdle in its bid to play in a maiden FIFA World Cup – losing intercontinental play-offs to Trinidad and Tobago in 2006 and New Zealand in 2010; now, current coach Dragan Talajic is determined to make history for the Gulf nation. On paper, Thursday's clash with Bahrain should be straightforward for Herve Renard's side. Saudi Arabia is a three-time Asian champion with a domestic league that is now watched all over the world – containing some of the planet's finest players. In this season's AFC Champions League Elite, the Kingdom provided both the winner in Al Ahli and the competition's top scorer in Salem al-Dawsari. 'Al-Dawsari is unbelievably talented,' Bahrain coach Talajic told Al Arabiya English in an exclusive interview. 'He is a strong player, a beautiful attacking player who has been in great form in the Saudi Pro League. 'But we cannot concentrate only on Salem al-Dawsari. Saudi Arabia has very good players, a very good coach and of course a lot of respect from me. But we know what we will try to do to stop al-Dawsari; we have to play like a team to try to control space. Football is a game of 11 against 11.' Despite the apparent disparity between the two nations on the pitch, Bahrain has only lost one of its past six matches against the Green Falcons – a record that stretches back to 2014. Talajic's team held Saudi Arabia to a 0-0 draw in Jeddah last October and then went a step further in December by claiming a 3-2 victory in the group stage of the Arabian Gulf Cup – a tournament that Bahrain went on to win. The 0-0 World Cup qualifying draw was a particularly special moment for Talajic as it represented a return to Jeddah, a city in which he is fondly remembered. In 2004, the Croatian coach led Al Ittihad to its first ever AFC Champions League title as Talajic and his players overturned a 3-1 first leg defeat to Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma – winning 5-0 in South Korea to lift the trophy in spectacular style. 'These are unbelievable memories,' Talajic said of the 2004 final. 'This was a long time ago but really was the start of my journey winning trophies in my career. I am so proud of what we achieved at Al Ittihad. 'Back then I was young and just at the start of my coaching career but we managed to have this incredible result – the 5-0 win, which is still a record [AFC Champions League final score]. I still have a close relationship with Al Ittihad and I am happy to see the team performing well again this year with Benzema.' The AFC Champions League was Talajic's first piece of silverware, but certainly not his last. The 59-year-old has spent much of the past two decades in the Gulf, winning trophies at Al Wahdat in Jordan, and Al Kuwait and Al Khalidya in Bahrain. Most recently, he led the Bahrain national team to only its second Arabian Gulf Cup triumph. 'We went there as underdog because I think this was maybe the strongest ever Gulf Cup; seven of the eight countries are playing in the last round of qualification for the World Cup and all of them had full teams. 'I don't think anybody else thought we would win but I certainly believed we could do it and I'm really proud about what my boys did in this tournament.' On its way to victory, Bahrain beat Saudi Arabia 3-2 in the group stage – a result that fills Talajic with confidence ahead of this week's World Cup qualifying encounter. 'I think we took Saudi Arabia by surprise then and we will also prepare for this next game in a good way,' Talajic explained. 'The confidence is increasing a lot among the players – not just because of the Gulf Cup but this World Cup qualification too. 'You can see that they are trusting themselves more because we are performing well against these big teams like Japan, Saudi Arabia and Australia. A big credit goes to my staff too – I want to thank them because every success we have now is down to them. Of course I make the final decisions but without the whole team, we will do nothing.' Bahrain is currently fifth in Group C, three points behind fourth-placed Indonesia. The teams that finish third and fourth will progress to the Fourth Round of qualifying and while Talajic knows it will not be easy, he insists his players are capable of moving a step closer to a first FIFA World Cup. 'We are in a more difficult situation but our future is in our hands,' Talajic said. 'If we win these next two games against Saudi Arabia and China, we have qualified for the next round. We have our dream and we are in this together. 'We will do our job, do our best and I believe in my boys. I also believe in all the support of Bahraini people and I think we have a beautiful chance to reach the World Cup with Bahrain.'
News.com.au
2 days ago
- General
- News.com.au
Paul Okon-Engstler named in Socceroos squad for FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Japan and Saudi Arabia
Paul Okon-Engstler is the surprise inclusion in the Socceroos squad for Australia's FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Japan and Saudi Arabia. The 20-year-old son of Socceroos great Paul Okon, currently an assistant coach of the national team, impressed last week at a national training camp in the UAE, with the uncapped midfielder – who is on the books of Portuguese club Benfica – rewarded with squad selection for Thursday night's game in Perth against Japan and the June 11 (AEST) battle with the Saudis in Jeddah. However, there is no room in the squad for Johnny Warren medallist Nicolas Milanovic. The squad also includes six players from Saturday night's A-League grand final. Champions Melbourne City will be represented by defenders Aziz Behich and Kai Trewin, as well as winger Marco Tilio. Injury prevented a fourth City player – Joe Marston Medal winner Mathew Leckie – being chosen. ðŸ'‹ Tony Popovic's squad for the Subway #Socceroos ' June #FIFAWorldCup Qualifiers against Japan and Saudi Arabia is here! ðŸ'Š 🗞ï¸� Details: #WAtheDreamState — Subway Socceroos (@Socceroos) June 1, 2025 The contingent from losing grand finalists Melbourne Victory are playmaker Daniel Arzani, midfielder Ryan Teague and uncapped left-back Kasey Bos. Parma defender Alessandro Circati also makes his Socceroos return after recovering from a knee reconstruction. Socceroos coach Tony Popovic said his squad was ready to 'embrace this challenge', with the Australians a chance to seal 2026 World Cup qualification in these two games. 'We've put ourselves in a good position within the group to be in control of our destiny,' Popovic said. 'We are ready to embrace this challenge with great respect of our opponents, though full of belief and confidence to achieve our goal of automatic qualification. 'We've had the opportunity to work with a large group of these players in a training camp in Abu Dhabi, which has been extremely beneficial both on and off the pitch. 'I look forward to welcoming the remainder of the squad into camp in Perth for what will be a great build-up and fantastic occasion at Perth Stadium.'
Times of Oman
5 days ago
- General
- Times of Oman
Oman placed along with Iraq, Pakistan, Cambodia in AFC Asian Cup qualifiers
Muscat: Oman have been placed along inaugural champions Iraq in Group G along with group hosts Cambodia and Pakistan in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers after the draw for the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026 was held at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday. A total of 44 nations will compete for 15 berths that are up for grabs and will be determined when the 11 groups do battle from September 1-9, 2025. The 11 group winners and four best best-ranked runners-up will join Saudi Arabia, who are hosting the tournament for the first time, in January's Finals. Group A will see Jordan (hosts), Turkmenistan, Chinese Taipei and Bhutan vying for the automatic ticket to the Finals while two-time champions Japan, Kuwait, Myanmar (hosts) and Afghanistan will square off in Group B. Vietnam (hosts) lead the Group C cast with Yemen, Singapore and Bangladesh also hoping to advance while Australia, China PR (hosts), Timor-Leste and Northern Mariana Islands will battle it out in Group D. Group E saw 2018 winners Uzbekistan, Palestine, Kyrgyz Republic (hosts) and Sri Lanka being drawn together while Thailand (hosts), Malaysia, Lebanon and Mongolia are the Group F cast. Group H will see Qatar (hosts), Bahrain, India and Brunei Darussalam jostling for the coveted automatic spot to the Finals. Group I is set for exciting battles with UAE (hosts), Islamic Republic of Iran, Hong Kong, China and Guam drawn together, Group J will see 2020 champions Korea Republic, Indonesia (hosts), Laos and Macau challenging each other while Group K features Tajikistan (hosts), Syria, Philippines and Nepal. Draw result Group A: Jordan (H), Turkmenistan, Chinese Taipei, Bhutan Group B: Japan, Kuwait, Myanmar (H), Afghanistan Group C: Vietnam (H), Yemen, Singapore, Bangladesh Group D: Australia, China PR (H), Timor-Leste, Northern Mariana Islands Group E: Uzbekistan, Palestine, Kyrgyz Republic (H), Sri Lanka Group F: Thailand (H), Malaysia, Lebanon, Mongolia Group G: Iraq, Cambodia (H), Oman, Pakistan Group H: Qatar (H), Bahrain, India, Brunei Darussalam Group I: UAE (H), IR Iran, Hong Kong, China, Guam
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Premier League cult hero aiming for golf glory as he attempts to qualify for The Open - a year after injury heartbreak
Former Premier League star Jimmy Bullard is hoping to compete in The Open and will take part in the qualifiers as he hopes to land a berth at Royal Portrush this July. The cult hero, 46, who played for Fulham, Wigan, and Hull City, hung up his boots in 2012 and is a keen golfer. The former Soccer AM host is a scratch-level player and runs his own Youtube golf channel, Golf Life, which has over 335,000 subscribers. Bullard competed in five of the now defunct EuroPro tour events between 2014 and 2016 and is targeting a spot at golf's oldest tournament this summer. Announcing his attempt to qualify in a video on his channel, Bullard said: 'Done my back [last year], played too much golf so I've got to manage that. 'But I think that's just a one off to be honest. I don't really get injured do I? Quest for The Open, yes. But a quest to make me a better golfer. 'I feel like the game of golf, I've got to the ceiling of what I know. All my scores are like level par, one-under, I've reached my ceiling. 'How do I get to the next level shooting four, five, six under? Is it available to me with my ability? I don't know. But I feel I've come to the end where I need a coach. I've exhausted all the stuff I know.' Regional qualification begins in June at 15 courses across the country, with around 2,000 hopefuls taking part. At least 16 will be granted entry to the tournament. Bullard was left on the verge of tears after he was forced to pull out of qualifiers last year because of a back injury. He has received high praise from a number of golfers including Lee Westwood, Ewen Ferguson and former Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie. 'Very little you have to work on,' Montgomerie told Bullard in a recent video. 'You've got great hands. You've got good speed. When you talk about 111, 112 miles an hour club head speed – that is PGA Tour stuff, never mind Champions Tour stuff. 'If you're asking the question to me – who hopefully knows a little about the tour – I'm telling you, you are plenty good enough to compete with the legends of the Champions Tour. Already. And that's without the next three years of giving it loads of graft.' Bullard, who played for Fulham, Wigan, and Hull, hung up his boots in 2012 and is a keen golfer Bullard was previously banned from the swanky Sunningdale Golf Club in Berkshire, where it costs £92,000 to become a full member, because of his drunken antics. He revealed he took things a bit too far following 'a few drinks'. 'I'm not allowed to go again,' he told snooker legend Stephen Hendry. 'I had a few drinks and I got carried away. I put a Peroni off the first tee and clipped a ball off it. 'It's obviously not the thing to do so I apologise.
News.com.au
6 days ago
- Politics
- News.com.au
Alessandro Circati poised to be chosen in Socceroos squad for FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Japan and Saudi Arabia
Alessandro Circati seems a certain inclusion in the Socceroos squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Japan and Saudi Arabia after being added to a group of players at a national training camp in the United Arab Emirates. The 21-year-old ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee in September last year but has made a successful return to club football, playing full matches in Parma's final two matches of the Italian Serie A season. While Circati is set to named in the Socceroos squad being announced on Sunday, Dundee United defender Ryan Strain won't be among those selected, having left the UAE camp to return to Scotland after suffering a hamstring injury. The Socceroos meet Japan at Perth's Optus Stadium on Thursday week before travelling to Jeddah for their June 11 (AEST) clash with Saudi Arabia. Australia's squad will be a mix of players from the training camp as well as those whose club commitments have prevented them from being in the UAE. Four goalkeepers – Mat Ryan, Joe Gauci, Paul Izzo and Thomas Glover – are at the training camp; however, only three are expected to be named in the final squad. 'Everyone wants to put themselves in the best position to be up for selection when we qualify for the World Cup,' said Gauci, who missed the Socceroos' matches in March against Indonesia and China due to a hip injury he suffered in February playing for English League One (third tier) club Barnsley, where he was on loan from Premier League outfit Aston Villa. 'Having missed out on March, to see the growth of the squad from (the camp in) November (last year) to now is fantastic.' Socceroos skipper Ryan has played in Australia's past three matches, with Gauci having been between the posts for the national team's three games before that. 'Maty has been a fantastic mentor and role model, and a younger me would be going crazy to say that he is able to compete for the No.1 spot for Australia,' Gauci said. 'Whatever happens in the upcoming games, you're working to play. That's not only myself and Maty but Paul and Tommy also,' Gauci said. 'We're all working with that mindset that we're going to be called upon at any moment.' As for his club future, Gauci, 24, said he would 'put his best foot forward' on his return to Villa for pre-season training. 'My main focus is to play for Aston Villa, whether that's next season or the years that follow,' he said. There is speculation that Villa's first-choice keeper, Argentine Emiliano Martinez, might leave the club despite being contracted, while 35-year-old Swedish custodian Robin Olsen will depart the club to join Malmo FF. 'There are opportunities. It's up to me to take them,' Gauci said.
