Latest news with #WorldCups
Sydney Morning Herald
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘I was very raw': Skelton's 12-year journey back to facing the Lions
Last April, Skelton told this masthead he had doubts about making the Wallabies squad, citing his form slump with La Rochelle. After a nine-game losing streak, La Rochelle and Skelton eventually found their form with five wins in a row, finishing seventh, one place outside the Top 14 playoffs. The club's final placing provided a silver lining for the Wallabies, who will enjoy a rare training build-up with Skelton ahead of potentially facing Fiji for the first Test of 2025 on 6 July in Newcastle. 'It's probably my first time in a while that I've been selected in the squad and been able to relish that moment to be able to prep well with the boys in the first campaign of 2025, I think that's really special. I'll keep that close to my heart and I'll really never take that for granted.' In the past 12 years since the Lions last visited Australia, Skelton's career has reached heights he never imagined when he ran out at the old Sydney Football Stadium as an exuberant 21-year-old. The second-rower may not have quite appreciated the magnitude of the tour then, but now if selected for the Wallabies to play in the Test series, it will be a highlight in an already decorated career. Loading 'It would be the pinnacle, no? Like, with the World Cups, the Bledisloe Cup, and you've got the Lions tour that comes every 12 years. 'It's very special and a lot of players have been putting their hand up to try and play in those games, that's an occasion where everyone wants to be playing.'
The Age
7 hours ago
- Sport
- The Age
‘I was very raw': Skelton's 12-year journey back to facing the Lions
Last April, Skelton told this masthead he had doubts about making the Wallabies squad, citing his form slump with La Rochelle. After a nine-game losing streak, La Rochelle and Skelton eventually found their form with five wins in a row, finishing seventh, one place outside the Top 14 playoffs. The club's final placing provided a silver lining for the Wallabies, who will enjoy a rare training build-up with Skelton ahead of potentially facing Fiji for the first Test of 2025 on 6 July in Newcastle. 'It's probably my first time in a while that I've been selected in the squad and been able to relish that moment to be able to prep well with the boys in the first campaign of 2025, I think that's really special. I'll keep that close to my heart and I'll really never take that for granted.' In the past 12 years since the Lions last visited Australia, Skelton's career has reached heights he never imagined when he ran out at the old Sydney Football Stadium as an exuberant 21-year-old. The second-rower may not have quite appreciated the magnitude of the tour then, but now if selected for the Wallabies to play in the Test series, it will be a highlight in an already decorated career. Loading 'It would be the pinnacle, no? Like, with the World Cups, the Bledisloe Cup, and you've got the Lions tour that comes every 12 years. 'It's very special and a lot of players have been putting their hand up to try and play in those games, that's an occasion where everyone wants to be playing.'
Al-Ahram Weekly
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Saudi Al-Hilal set sights on CWC last 16 after draw with Real Madrid
Fullback João Cancelo, who joined Al-Hilal on loan from Barcelona in January, said the squad's international pedigree meant they never felt overawed by a Madrid line-up stacked with stars such as Vinícius Júnior and Luka Modrić. 'Each of us plays for his national team – that shows our level,' Cancelo told reporters. 'It's hard against the best players in the world, but we showed we belong.' Defender Hassan Tambakti highlighted Inzaghi's role for precising a game-plan that blunted the 14-time European champions. 'The coach gave us clear instructions on Madrid's strengths and weaknesses and we executed most of them,' Tambakti said. 'It was tough for both sides, but Al-Hilal are also a big team who can face anyone.' Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, whose stoppage-time penalty save from Federico Valverde rescued the point, downplayed his personal heroics and highlighted what he called a 'tactically smart' performance. 'Penalties need instinct and luck, yes, but the decisive factor was our tactics,' Bounou said. 'We pressed when we had to and defended when we had to.' Skipper Salem al-Dawsari, a veteran of three World Cups with Saudi Arabia, said the draw underlined the strength of the Saudi Pro League and set a platform for qualification. 'We didn't come for tourism; we came to honor our country,' he said. 'Our goal is the round of 16, then we go step by step.' The result marked the first time an Arab side had avoided defeat against a European champion in 11 attempts at the Club World Cup. It was also the first time any Asian team had taken a point off Madrid, who had won all 14 previous meetings with Asian opposition. Gonzalo García opened the scoring for Madrid in the 34 th minute before Rúben Neves levelled from the spot seven minutes later. Madrid coach Xabi Alonso and Inzaghi were both making their competitive debuts after replacing Carlo Ancelotti and Jorge Jesus respectively before the tournament. Group H also includes Mexico's Pachuca and Austria's Salzburg. The top two advance to the last 16. Al-Hilal face Pachuca on Monday, while Madrid will take on Salzburg the following day. Find more details on group standings, match schedules, and competition statistics. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Short link:
Indian Express
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
‘We need to get Italy back to the World Cup': New coach Gennaro Gattuso
New Italy coach and former firebrand defender Gennaro Gattuso said the first and foremost target for his players will be to get the country to the World Cup. Italy, the 4-time champions, have missed both the last two World Cups in 2018 and 2022 respectively and are in a tough spot in the Qualifiers for the 2026 edition after they were thrashed by Norway earlier this month. 'I know it's not an easy job but nothing is easy in life. There's not much to say. There's work to do. I need to get inside the players' heads. I hear often that we don't have the talent or good enough players anymore. But I think we have the players. We just need to put the players in condition to succeed. We need to get Italy back to the World Cup. That's fundamental,' Gattuso said at his presentation on Thursday. Currently, the Azzurri are already nine points behind Norway in their World Cup qualifying group — albeit having played two matches fewer than the leader. Gattuso's debut will be at home to Estonia on Sept. 5. Israel is also in the five-team Group I. Italy host Norway in the final round on Nov. 16. Only the group winner advances directly to next year's tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. The runner-up enters playoff brackets to be played next March. That was the stage where Italy was eliminated by Sweden and North Macedonia and ruled out of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, respectively. 'He responded without any hesitation to our call and with the same enthusiasm as when he was called up as a player to the national team. And not simply enthusiasm. It's really a lot more: great spirit of sacrifice, great professionalism and diligence. He told me right away that nobody wins alone, that you win as a squad and a group,' Italian soccer federation president Gabriele Gravina said. Gattuso said he wants to set a new standard of dedication whereby even injured players remain at the national team's training center. 'We have plenty of physical therapists and medical staff,' Gattuso said. 'If I had listened to my body, I would have played 50 fewer matches. We need to go beyond our limits.' (With agency inputs)
Al-Ahram Weekly
21 hours ago
- Sport
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Italy needs a different mentality to avoid missing another World Cup: Gattuso - World
Gennaro Gattuso is approaching his new job as the coach of an Italy squad in crisis with the same determination and combativeness he used to display on the field as a gritty midfielder. Replacing the fired Luciano Spalletti, with the four-time champion Azzurri in real danger of failing to qualify for a third straight World Cup, Gattuso knows there's no room for errors. 'I know it's not an easy job but nothing is easy in life,' Gattuso said at his presentation Thursday. 'There's not much to say. There's work to do. 'I need to get inside the players' heads. I hear often that we don't have the talent or good enough players anymore. But I think we have the players. We just need to put the players in condition to succeed. We need to get Italy back to the World Cup. That's fundamental.' Spalletti was fired after Italy lost its opening qualifier 3-0 at Norway. The Azzurri are already nine points behind Norway in their World Cup qualifying group — albeit having played two matches fewer than the leader. Gattuso's debut will be at home to Estonia on Sept. 5. Israel is also in the five-team Group I. Italy hosts Norway in the final round on Nov. 16. Only the group winner advances directly to next year's tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. The runner-up enters playoff brackets to be played next March. That was the stage where Italy was eliminated by Sweden and North Macedonia and ruled out of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, respectively. But Italy's struggles go back further, with the Azzurri having failed to advance past the group phase at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups. Gattuso, however, remains identified as one of the main catalysts of its run to the title in 2006. 'He responded without any hesitation to our call and with the same enthusiasm as when he was called up as a player to the national team,' Italian soccer federation president Gabriele Gravina said. 'And not simply enthusiasm. It's really a lot more: great spirit of sacrifice, great professionalism and diligence. He told me right away that nobody wins alone, that you win as a squad and a group.' New rules for injured players Gattuso said he wants to set a new standard of dedication whereby even injured players remain at the national team's training center. 'We have plenty of physical therapists and medical staff,' Gattuso said. 'If I had listened to my body, I would have played 50 fewer matches. We need to go beyond our limits.' Chiesa and Acerbi Gattuso said he had already made calls to 35 players, including Federico Chiesa. Chiesa was a standout on the Italy team that won the European Championship in 2021 but hasn't played much since leaving Juventus for Liverpool last year. 'I told Chiesa that he needs to find a way to play more regularly,' Gattuso said. One player who Gattuso did not call was 37-year-old defender Francesco Acerbi, who turned down his call up for the Norway match, where he was expected to mark Erling Haaland. 'I respect him,' Gattuso said. 'But I called other, younger players who I think can offer us something.' (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
