Ezri Konsa: I couldn’t watch deadline day as financial rules have ‘killed’ Villa
Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa could not watch any of Monday’s transfer deadline day action as he believes financial rules have “killed” his club.
England Sport News
Impossible for England to acclimate to altitude for World Cup match against Mexico, Tuchel says
ATLANTA: From the altitude of Mexico City to the memories of Diego Maradona’s infamous “Hand of God” goal, England will have to contend with brutal conditions and the weight of history when they play co-host Mexico at the World Cup on Sunday. The Azteca Stadium — the site of the round of 16 game and the scene of Maradona’s memorable goal against England in the 1986 World Cup quarterfinals — sits at more than 7,300 feet (2,200 meters) above sea level. With little time to acclimate, conditions are against England’s team and very much in favor of Mexico, which are undefeated in 10 World Cup games at their home stadium over three tournaments. “My understanding is that we cannot adapt to the altitude. That is just a huge advantage that Mexico will have,” England coach Thomas Tuchel said.
Extra time for England fans as pubs open til 5 am for Mexico clash
LONDON: Pubs across England and Wales will be allowed to stay open until 5 am (0400GMT) on Monday to allow football fans to watch England’s World Cup clash with Mexico. After England made it into the last 16 in the World Cup, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “Football might be coming home, but we’re making sure fans don’t have to. “Pubs staying open till the final whistle is good news for supporters and good news for the pubs and venues that bring our communities together.” Captain Harry Kane scored twice on Wednesday to rescue England from the brink of a humiliating World Cup exit, defeating the Democratic Republic of Congo 2-1 in a nail-biting match in Atlanta. Kane’s crew are now preparing for a daunting trip to take on Mexico on their home turf in the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on Sunday. England manager Thomas Tuchel has already made the case for parents to allow their kids to stay up to watch the match, even though it’s a school night. “Write an excuse for school and let them watch football,” Tuchel urged after his team’s victory. “There’s so much school to go to, but the World Cup is every four years. Let them watch...
Kane rescues England from DR Congo calamity to reach World Cup last 16
ATLANTA, USA: Harry Kane rescued England from a seismic World Cup shock with two late goals to beat the Democratic Republic of Congo 2-1 in Atlanta and secure a place in the last 16. Aiming to end a 60-year wait to win a major tournament, Thomas Tuchel’s men escaped humiliation and one of England’s worst ever World Cup exits thanks to their talismanic captain after Brian Cipenga’s early goal gave Congo an early lead. But the Three Lions will need to improve for the daunting task of facing co-hosts Mexico at the Estadio Azteca in the last 16 on Sunday. Already England’s all-time top goalscorer in the competition, Kane now has 13 World Cup goals and moves onto five for the tournament to remain in the the star-studded battle for the Golden Boot. “What a crazy game, obviously,” said Kane. “I think you have to stay patient in these games. “Their keeper definitely made some unbelievable saves in that first half.
Rain has final say in 1st England-India T20 as Sooryavanshi still awaits debut
CHESTER-LE-STREET, UK: Teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was once more denied an India debut before rain saw the first Twenty20 international against England at Chester-le-Street abandoned after the tourists’ innings. Spectators at Durham’s headquarters were given a tantalising glimpse of the 15-year-old prodigy as he warmed up on the outfield before play started. But for the third match in a row this tour, following T20 world champions India’s shock 2-0 series loss to Ireland in Belfast, Sooryavanshi was not picked in the staring 11. Sooryavanshi forced his way into the squad for this limited-overs trip following stunning displays in the Indian Premier League, where he emerged as the leading batsman this season with 776 runs for the Rajasthan Royals — a tally which included one century and five fifties. It looked like India might regret their decision to do without Sooryavanshi on Wednesday when they slumped to 6-2 after winning the toss. But they recovered to post a total of 189-7, compiled through steady rainfall. Heavier rain came during the interval, bringing the covers on to the ground, with the match called off at 1915 GMT. For England, the weather denied them a chance to move on from a woeful start to their home international season following a Test series loss to New Zealand that ended two days and brought the retirement of red-ball captain Ben Stokes. On Tuesday, England white-ball skipper Harry Brook said he would accept the Test captaincy if offered, believing it is possible to captain in all three international formats simultaneously. On the field, in a repeat of a World Cup semifinal from earlier this year that India won, the tourists India lost Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan in the second
Libbok at No 10 as Springboks name powerful team for England battle at Ellis Park
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus on Monday announced his team for this weekend’s Nations Championship opener against England at Ellis Park.
England captain Ben Stokes to retire from international cricket
NOTTINGHAM: Ben Stokes has announced his retirement as England Test captain and from international cricket, the England and Wales Cricket Board said in a statement issued Sunday.
England, Ghana eye last 32 as Portugal look for lift-off
LOS ANGELES, USA: England will aim to become the latest of the World Cup big guns to book their place in the knockout rounds on Tuesday as Portugal attempt to kickstart their campaign after a lacklustre opening draw. A day after Argentina and France sailed into the last 32, England face Ghana in Group L knowing that victory will see them safely into the next phase of the tournament. England launched their campaign last week with a stylish 4-2 win over Croatia, a result that has given the Three Lions camp fresh belief as they chase a first major championship win in 60 years. With captain Harry Kane scoring twice and Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham netting, England midfielder Declan Rice believes Thomas Tuchel’s squad should be a match for any team in the tournament. Rice said Monday the challenge for England will be reproducing the swashbuckling attacking display that marked their second-half performance against Croatia. “We know as players the level, we know what’s required, and that second-half performance was probably the benchmark for us in terms of having to start the game at that level,” Rice said. “We believe that if we can do that from the opening minute, with the players that we also have to come on and finish the game, we can beat any opponent in the world. “We want to be confident in our abilities and what we can do on the pitch.” England’s German manager Tuchel meanwhile says his team are already embracing the pressure that comes with a World Cup campaign. “There are emotions involved and you can at some point feel the tension and feel the pressure.
Kane hails World Cup ‘Wonderwall’ singalong as England highlight
KANSAS CITY, USA: Harry Kane says England's emotional "Wonderwall" singalong with fans after their opening World Cup win against Croatia was one of his top moments in the national shirt. Thomas Tuchel's side got off to a flying start in their first Group L game in Arlington, Texas, on Wednesday, with captain Kane scoring twice in an entertaining 4-2 win. England's victorious players celebrated in front of their supporters while 1995 Oasis hit "Wonderwall" blared out around the AT&T Stadium. "That was one of my favourite ever moments in an England shirt and especially at a major tournament," Kane said on England's Lions Den show. "I know it's just the first game, and we're not getting carried away, but just that emotional connection with the fans, we know how much it means to them. "I think they see how much it means to us. "We have that connection right now, but just that moment, singing 'Wonderwall' in the stadium, everyone knew the words, and that was a really special moment, I thought." Tuchel has spoken about building on the work of former boss Gareth Southgate to strengthen the connection between fans and his squad. England have come agonisingly close to breaking their 60-year major trophy drought at recent tournaments, twice reaching the European Championship finals. Kane is one of a handful of players who remain from the squad that reached the semi-finals at the 2018 World Cup in Russia under Southgate. The skipper said he was enjoying the "freshness" of England's group. "There aren't many players from those early tournaments in this squad, so there's a freshness about it, where you can really see a hunger, a desire, and excitement from the players in the team, just to kind of be part of what could be obviously a