View from Uruguay: Saudi’s first opponents at the World Cup looking to avoid Argentina’s fate from 4 years ago
LONDON: It is not just Saudi Arabia that have had an uncertain preparation period for the 2026 World Cup.
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England's Robinson ruled out of second test against New Zealand, reports say
June 15 : Seamer Ollie Robinson, whose player-of-the-match performance guided England to victory in the first test against New Zealand, will miss the second match due to a sore right knee, British media reports said on Sunday.
Henderson praises 'big-game' Bellingham amid outside noise
KANSAS City, June 14 : England midfielder Jordan Henderson has leapt to the defence of Jude Bellingham, saying the polarising 22-year-old is central to the team despite outside scrutiny and that his influence is often misunderstood.
Netherlands hit 'minimal standard' vs. Japan, Koeman says - ESPN
ARLINGTON, Texas — Ronald Koeman has said Netherlands' performance in Sunday's 2-2 draw against Japan should be their «minimal standard» if they are to win the World Cup.
Netherlands coach Koeman defends tactics after frustration against Japan
SANTA CLARA, California, June 14 : Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman defended his tactics and substitutions after Dutch hopes of victory in their World Cup opener were foiled by a late Japan goal in the 2-2 draw on Sunday. Two well-taken goals by captain Virgil van Dijk and Crysencio Summerville either side of Keito Nakamura's conversion put the Netherlands in the lead twice but a deflected Daichi Kamada strike two minutes from time saw the spoils shared. Six minutes after Summerville's 64th-minute goal, Koeman took off the winger in a triple substitution and later added a third centre back in Nathan Ake. The more defensive setup backfired, though, with Japan seizing the initiative and Ogawa firing a header goalward to set up Kamada's equalising deflection. Koeman, however, said he had no regrets about his tactics and that shoddy defending was to blame. "There was also a problem with pressure on the flanks. So if you look at the game, both goals, well, we didn't defend well," he told reporters. "Football is a funny game because, after Japan scored the second goal, they started defending as well. "So we could have scored a third goal.
Denny Hamlin wins at Pocono for third straight NASCAR Cup victory - ESPN
LONG POND, Pa. — Denny Hamlin, adamant he still plans to retire at the end of next season, won the NASCAR Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway for his third consecutive victory and passed the late Kyle Busch for sole possession of ninth place on the all-time wins list.
Yamal fit to start on bench for Spain against Cape Verde
ATLANTA, June 14 : Spain winger Lamine Yamal is fit and ready to come off the bench in his side's opening World Cup game, but manager Luis de la Fuente said on Sunday that his entrance will depend on how the Group H match with Cape Verde progresses.
Nagelsmann wants to keep German train on the move after big win
HOUSTON, June 14 : Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann will not let his players rest on their laurels following their thumping 7-1 World Cup Group E victory over Curacao on Sunday as he knows tougher assignments lie ahead if they are to go deep into the tournament.