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Tag: World cup

  • Flying Eagles to know World Cup opponents on Sunday

    Flying Eagles to know World Cup opponents on Sunday

    Nigeria’s male U-20 National team, Flying Eagles, will know their opponents at this summer’s FIFA U-20 World Cup finals in Poland after the draws ceremony to be held inside the Gdynia Sports Arena, Poland on Sunday.

    Already, the seven-time African champions have been slotted into Pot 2 of the draws alongside African champions Mali, as well as New Zealand, Colombia, Korea Republic and Italy.

    There will be six groups of four teams each at the 24-nation championship, with the top two teams at the end of the group phase, as well as the best four third-placed teams, advancing to the Round of 16.

    Hosts Poland, Portugal, Uruguay, France, USA and Mexico are in Pot 1, with Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Argentina, Ecuador, Ukraine and Honduras in Pot 3.

    Pot 4 has Japan, South Africa, Panama, Norway, Qatar and Tahiti.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Paul Aigbogun-tutored side finished outside the medals zone at the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations that ended in Niger Republic on Sunday, following consecutive penalty shoot –out defeats to Mali and South Africa.

    The team picked the last spot available for Africa.

    NAN reports that Poland, which co-hosted the 2012 European Championship with Ukraine, will host this year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup finals in the cities of Lublin, Bielsko Biala, Tychy, Bydgoszcz, Gdynia and Lodz, from May 23 to June 15.

  • England’s World Cup-winning goalkeeper, Banks, dies at 81

    Gordon Banks, the goalkeeper in England’s 1966 World Cup-winning team, has died at 81, his former club, Stoke City, said on Tuesday.

    Banks won 73 caps for England between 1963 and 1972 and made 200 appearances for Stoke before his playing career was brought to an end by a car crash that cost him his sight in one eye.

    He was widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers to have played the game.

    He will be best remembered for the diving stop he made to deny Brazil’s Pele at the 1970 World Cup, which later became known as the “save of the century”.

    “It is with great sadness that we announce that Gordon passed away peacefully overnight,”

    “We are devastated to lose him but we have so many happy memories and could not have been more proud of him,” Banks’ family said in a statement posted on Stoke’s official website.

    Banks played every game in the 1966 World Cup, including the 4-2 victory over West Germany in the final at Wembley – the only time England has won the world title.

    Four years later though, in Mexico, he produced one of the most outstanding saves in the history of the tournament in a group game between England and Brazil, which Brazil won 1-0.

    Pele rose to head a cross from the by-line by right-winger Jairzinho, thundering the header down towards Banks’ right hand post.

    The ball appeared to be past Banks but his agility and strength saw him get down and palmed it high and wide to safety.

    Pele travelled to Stoke 38 years later to unveil a statue to Banks and recalled the save.

    “From the moment I headed it, I was sure it had gone in.

    “After I headed the ball, I had already began to jump to celebrate the goal. Then I looked back and I couldn’t believe it hadn’t gone in.

    “I have scored more than a thousand goals in my life and the thing people always talk to me about is the one I didn’t score,” Pele said.

    Banks recalled the moment modestly as a piece of good fortune.

    “As soon as I got my hand to it, I thought it was going in the top corner.

    “But, after I’d landed on the hard floor, I looked up and saw the ball bounce behind the net and that’s when I said: Banksy, you lucky prat,” he said.

    The Sheffield-born Banks began his career at Chesterfield in 1958 and moved to Leicester City the following year. He won his first England cap in 1963, four years before he joined Stoke.

    Banks retired in 1973 following the car crash, aged only 33, but four years later he returned to play in the North American Soccer League with Fort Lauderdale Strikers.

    The German Football Association (DFB) paid tribute to Banks on, saying on Twitter: “A fierce opponent and a good man.”

  • Russia 2018 is best watched World Cup – FIFA

    Russia 2018 is best watched World Cup – FIFA

    A record audience of more than 3.5 billion people watched this year’s World Cup in Russia, with the final between France and Croatia attracting 1.12 billion viewers, world soccer’s governing body said on Friday.

    FIFA said 3.572 billion viewers – more than half of the global population aged four and over – watched some part of the official coverage, which was broadcast live in every territory worldwide from June 14 to July 15.

    The global in-home TV audience watching at least one minute of the coverage accounted for almost 3.3 billion viewers, a 2.2 per cent increase on the 2014 edition hosted in Brazil, according to FIFA’s audit of audience data published on Friday.

    A further 309.7 million caught the action on digital platforms, public viewing areas or in bars and restaurants.

    France’s 4-2 victory in the final, which gave them their second World Cup title following their triumph in 1998, was the most watched game of the competition.

    It was followed by England’s semi-final defeat to Croatia and the other last-four clash between France and Belgium.

    “These figures really do support the claim that Russia 2018 was the best World Cup ever,” said FIFA’s chief commercial officer, Philippe Le Floc’h.

    “The fact that half the world’s population watched the FIFA World Cup reflects not just the high quality of our award-winning live coverage, but also that fans everywhere are insatiable for world-class football.”

    The World Cup coverage reached around 1.6 billion individuals in Asia, with 655.7 million viewers (18.4 per cent of the global total) in China, who failed to qualify for the tournament.

    The 2022 edition of World Cup will be held in Qatar.

  • World Cup: Qatar 2022 could feature 48 teams – FIFA

    The expansion of the World Cup from 32 to 48 teams could be brought forward from 2022 to 2026, says Fifa president Gianni Infantino.

    The change would require Qatar to share 2022 hosting duties with other countries in the region.
    The decision has already been taken to expand the tournament in 2026, when it will be held in the USA, Canada and Mexico, and Infantino is now considering doing the same for 2022.
    “If it is possible, why not?” he said.
    “We have to see if it is possible, if it is feasible. We are discussing with our Qatari friends, we are discussing with our many other friends in the region and we hope that this can happen.
    “And, if not, we will have tried. We will have tried because we always have to try to do things in a better way.”
    Speaking at the opening of the Asian Football Confederation’s new headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Infantino also reiterated his plans to expand the Club World Cup.
    He said he wants to make it a “real competition” that “every club in the world can target”.

  • Pinnick optimistic Super Eagles will win FIFA World Cup soon

    The President, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Melvin Pinnick, has expressed the hope that Nigeria’s Super Eagles will one day win the FIFA World Cup
    Pinnick expressed the hope on Friday in Uyo after playing in the maiden novelty match between SWAN Selected team and Akwa Ibom Sports Arena team.
    The NFF president said he decided to honour the invitation to play in the match having in mind that if he failed to do so it could be taken as if he got hamstring injury or simply refused to participate.
    Pinnick, who played in the colours of SWAN Selected side throughout the second half of the match, described sports journalists as critical elements in Nigerian football reportage.
    “We believe in working together. It has been an amazing support from sports journalists. One day we will win the World Cup.
    Also, Paul Bassey, the Senior Special Assistant to Gov. Udom Emmanuel on sports, congratulated SWAN Selected on their victory over the Akwa Ibom team.
    “Football knows no home turf. If you are a good team and on a good pitch, you can win anywhere.
    “What you do today is exemplary, I wish we had started it earlier than now
    “I promise that whenever we have a home game and we are on a training pitch and there is flood light, we will always do it again and again.’’
    He said that sports writing remains his “ medium’’ which he could return to at the end of his assignment
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in the match played under flood light Friday night at the Training Pitch, Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, SWAN Selected defeated their host s3-1.
    NAN reports that the sports journalists led 2-0 in the first half of the novelty match before the homers which had Nse Essien, a state legislator representing Onna State Constituency, reduced the tally.
    The SWAN Selected added the third goal to lift the maiden trophy.
    The match was organised ahead of Saturday’s Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier (Match Day 3) between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Mediterranean Knights of Libya.

  • World Cup finalists Subasic, Mandzukic end international career

    World Cup finalists Subasic, Mandzukic end international career

    Croatia goalkeeper Danijel Subasic and striker Mario Mandzukic on Wednesday announced their retirement from international football.

    The duo’s decision has come almost a month after helping the Balkan nation reach the FIFA World Cup final for the first time.

    The 33-year-old goalkeeper Subasic said he made the decision to end his journey with Croatia before the World Cup, and reaching the final in Moscow was a dream come true.

    “The time has come for me to say farewell to our favourite jersey, after 10 years in the national team,” Subasic, who earned 44 caps, said in a statement.

    “I have made this decision long before the 2018 FIFA World Cup, since I wanted to close this international chapter appearing at the world stage.

    “We have been dreaming awake during the welcome in Zagreb, my Zadar, and the entire Croatia. These have been the best, most emotional moments of my career, which have defined my international career.”

    Mandzukic, scored 33 goals for Croatia, two less than top scorer Davor Suker, in 89 appearances since his 2007 debut.

    The 32-year-old netted three goals in his team’s run to the World Cup final in July, where they fell to a 4-2 defeat by France.

    “There is no ideal moment to retire. If possible, we would all play for Croatia until we die, since there is no prouder feeling.

    “But I feel this moment has come for me — now,” the Juventus forward said in a statement on the national team’s website.

    “I’ve given my best for Croatia. I have contributed to the biggest success of Croatian football… As of today, my place is alongside you — among the most loyal Croatia fans.”

    Apart from two World Cups, Mandzukic also represented Croatia in two European Championships and was named the nation’s Footballer of the Year in 2012 and 2013.

    Defender Vedran Corluka also announced his retirement from the Croatian national team last week.

  • U-20 World Cup: Falconets have solution for Spain, coach boasts

    U-20 World Cup: Falconets have solution for Spain, coach boasts

    Abdullahi Mansur, Assistant coach of the Falconets on Wednesday assured Nigerians that the team would overcome Spain in their Thursday’s World Cup quarter finals match.

    Mansur, who gave the assurance while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said that the Spain had lots of technical flaws that the Falconets would cash in on to emerge victorious.

    He boasted that Nigerian U-20 women team would crush their Spaniard counterparts.

    “Spain is a good side but with many technical lapses as evident in their last match with U.S.

    ” Remember every team in this tournament is a potential champion, so we are ready for Spain,” Mansur said.

    The coach, who commended his team for an impressive outing so far, said that their goal was to advance to the finals, and urged Nigerians to continue supporting the team which is now in top form.

    NAN reports that the Falconets advanced to the knockout stage by drawing 1-1 against China in their last Group match having lost 0-1 to Germany in the opening match and beaten Haiti 1-0 in their second match.

    NAN

  • U-20 World Cup: Falconets can beat Spain in quarter-finals – Garba

    U-20 World Cup: Falconets can beat Spain in quarter-finals – Garba

    Golden Eaglets Coach Manu Garba says he is optimistic of the Falconets’ capability to beat their Spaniard counterparts in the quarter-finals of the ongoing FIFA U-20 Women World Cup in France.

    Garba, who expressed the optimism on Tuesday in Abuja in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said the Falconets had worked well for glory in the World Cup which they were determined to achieve.

    “The Falconets have worked very hard to prepare for FIFA Women U-20 World Cup.

    “The quarter-finals is the knockout stage and it is possible to beat Spain if our girls can increase their penetration in the attack,’’ Garba said.

    The coach assured the Falconets of support of the entire country, saying that Nigeria was solidly behind them.

    He said that the team, with the help of God and hardwork, would qualify for the semi-finals.

    NAN reports that the Falconets on had Monday held China to a 1-1 draw to qualify for the quarter-finals.

    They will be filing out against Spain in a quarter-finals match on Thursday.

    NAN

  • Ghana crash out of U20 Women’s World Cup in France

    Ghana crash out of U20 Women’s World Cup in France

    Netherlands moved to within touching distance of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup France 2018 quarter-finals on Wednesday after earning a 4-0 win over Ghana.

    The victory at the Stade de la Rabine in Vannes helped them to maintain their 100 per cent start in Group A.

    On the other hand, it also pushed the African side out of the FIFA World Cup.

    While the West Africans started brightly, it didn’t take long for the Netherlands to get into gear.

    Two spurned chances could have rocked their confidence, but they didn’t have to dwell on them long, going ahead on 21 minutes.

    Three goals in 11 minutes put them in complete control, with Aniek Nouwen’s downward header at the back post getting the debutants rolling after their slender win over New Zealand.

    Having netted in their opener, Fenna Kalma made no mistake when put through by the Victoria Pelova, before converting with superbly taken volley to see her move joint-top of the scoring charts.

    The pace dropped after the break, with the Netherlands sitting comfortably.

    But Pelova and Kalma switched rolls as the duo exchanged passes before the former stroked home to add some gloss to their victory.

    Ghana who lost 1-4 to hosts France in their opening game on Sunday now need a favour from New Zealand against France to keep their hopes of progression alive.

    However, with two losses, Ghana’s chances of advancing to the last eight round are very slim even if they beat New Zealand in their final group game on Sunday.

    In other matches played on Wednesday, Brazil drew 1-1 with England while Mexico lost 1-2 to North Korea in Group B fixtures.

    In Thursday’s matches, Nigeria will face Haiti in their second Group D match while Germany take on China.

    Group C matches on Thursday will see Spain taking on Japan and the U.S. facing Paraguay.

    NAN

  • Falconets arrive France for FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup

    Falconets arrive France for FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup

    The Super Falconets have arrived in France for the FIFA U-2O Women’s World Cup.

    The team, comprising of 21 players and 11 officials arrived their base in Saint Malo on Thursday evening.

    They arrived from Austria where they under went a 12-day training programme.

    Chris Danjuma’s charges have now joined fellow Group D rivals, Haiti and Germany who arrived earlier on Thursday and are based in Brittany City.

    The Super Falconets will face Germany in their opening fixture at the Stade de Marville,Saint Malo on Monday, August 6.

    Their second game is against Haiti at the same venue on Thursday August 9.

    They will take on China in their final group game on Monday, August 13 at the Stade de Clos Gastel, Lehon Dinah.

    The competition will run from August 5 to August 24.