The Nation Newspaper

Tag: England

  • England face acid test against in-form Switzerland

    England face acid test against in-form Switzerland

    Switzerland have never reached the last four of a major international tournament but have shown that they can battle with the big boys ahead of their Euro 2024 clash with England today.

    Murat Yakin’s side were ruthless in dumping hapless holders Italy out of the tournament last weekend and went within seconds of beating hosts Germany and topping Group A.

    The Swiss are also one of two so-called “dark horses” who are left in the tournament alongside Turkey, with the other six either previous champions or, in England’s case, heavily tipped to break their Euros duck.

     “We sent out an important signal tonight with the game we played,” said Yakin after beating Italy. “We did not only club together and defend as a unit and sit back, we showed we could attack and dominate proceedings.”

    Switzerland have reached their second straight Euros quarter-final with a squad which contains very few stars, with Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Granit Xhaka and Manuel Akanji of Manchester City their biggest names.

    Instead Switzerland have a team unit which is more than the sum of its parts and has a great chance to reach a historic semi-final by eliminating England, who would already be out of the tournament were it not for the last-gasp heroics of Jude Bellingham against Slovakia.

    Driving the Swiss forward are Bologna teammates Dan Ndoye, Michel Aebischer and Remo Freuler, who are making an impression in Germany after pushing their unfancied Serie A club to the Champions League.

    The trio have all been key to Switzerland reach the quarters, netting or setting up a goal in three of their team’s four matches.

    Freuler crossed for Ndoye’s goal against Germany and opened the scoring against Italy, while Aebischer has scored once – against Hungary – and laid on two more, including Ruben Vargas’ stunner which sealed victory against the Italians.

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    Switzerland also have Kwadwo Duah, the first player born in England to score at this year’s Euros, in their ranks, although the Ludogorets striker is likely be on the bench behind Monaco forward Breel Embolo.

    “How they’ve played this tournament and the players they’ve got, they’ve been brilliant,” said England defender John Stones. “They’ve got some great players and I think it will be a really good match up, a test for us.”

    If Switzerland do get past England, they will face either the Netherlands or Turkey as a lop-sided knockout bracket has led to four of the top sides left in tournament all on the other side of the draw.

    Hosts Germany and Spain kick off the round on Friday in a battle of the two best-performing teams before Portugal take on France.

     “It really sends a tingle down your spine, gives you goose bumps, it’s hugely gratifying,” said Yakin of his team’s displays.

     “We’re on the right track and doing things the right way. We’ve earned the right to be here but we’re not done yet.”

  • Euro 2024: Eze listed for England as Southgate axe Grealish, Maguire

    Euro 2024: Eze listed for England as Southgate axe Grealish, Maguire

    Crystal Palace pair Eberechi Eze and Adam Wharton have been named in England’s squad for Euro 2024, with Jack Grealish, Harry Maguire and James Maddison among those left out.

    Winger Eze, 25, has only gained three caps for the Three Lions but impressed in Monday’s 3-0 friendly win over Bosnia-Herzegovina at St James’ Park.

    Midfielder Wharton, 20, came on as a substitute in that match for his first international appearance.

    Earlier on Thursday, it was revealed Manchester City forward Grealish, Manchester United centre-back Maguire and Tottenham playmaker Maddison had been left out of Gareth Southgate’s 26-man squad.

    Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford, Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah, Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite and Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones also miss out after being named in the original 33-player shortlist.

    It means Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw, who has not played any football since mid-February because of a hamstring injury, has been included.

    England play Iceland in a friendly today  at Wembley – their last match before the tournament in Germany begins on Friday, 14 June.

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    However, 21-year-old Quansah will remain with the squad for the game against Iceland in case of any further injury problems in defence.

    “Luke has progressed really well in the last couple of days and we think he could have some involvement in the second group game,” said Southgate. “You can take one gamble and that’s a calculated gamble where we have enough evidence we believe it can pay off.”

    Speaking at a news conference, Southgate said picking the squad was “one of the most difficult parts of the job” and added: “We’re a close team and for everybody – the players, the staff – over the last couple of days these decisions were looming, but we felt we were able to make better decisions by giving us more time.”

    “That meant people were waiting for bad news and we tried to do that as respectfully and with as much on the human side as possible. For the players not coming with us, it’s a devastating blow and a difficult day for them and for their team-mates.”

    Maguire had been a key figure for England in their performances in the past three major tournaments where Southgate’s side reached the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup, the final of Euro 2020 and the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup.

  • England women lines up Austria, Italy Friendlies

    England women lines up Austria, Italy Friendlies

    England will play Austria and Italy in a pair of February friendlies in Spain in preparation for Women’s Euro 2025 qualifying.

    The Lionesses will travel to southern Spain for a warm-weather training camp before the international games at Estadio Nuevo Mirador in Algeciras against Austria on Feb. 23 and Italy on Feb 27.

    Qualifying for the Euros kicks off in April.

    “So there’s no time to waste in February,” England manager Sarina Wiegman said. “Heading to Spain with hopefully warmer weather and great facilities will allow us to maximise every minute together.

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    “Playing two games against good opposition in Austria and Italy, should be excellent preparation for another big year ahead.”

    England are the defending European champions and finished runners-up to Spain at last year’s Women’s World Cup. They narrowly missed out on qualifying for this year’s Paris Olympics.

  • War Against Racism:  EPL to launch Anti-Racism balls

     

    The Premier League will roll out specially-designed footballs for the next two weeks as a show of commitment towards the fight against racism.

    Top flight fixtures this and next weekend according to Sportsmail will be played with balls carrying the slogan ‘No Room for Racism’ – the name of the Premier League’s anti-discrimination campaign

    In a week where racism in football has been at the forefront of the national agenda following the disgraceful abuse England players were subjected to in Bulgaria, the Premier League are re-asserting their anti-discrimination campaign.

    Teams who are playing at home this weekend have been sent the white version of the ball. Next weekend, home clubs will be sent the high-visibility version in luminous yellow.

    Former Newcastle ace Shola Ameobi featured in the anti racism video

    The Premier League have also filmed a video featuring the likes of Raheem Sterling and Tammy Abraham to encourage supporters to report instances of racial abuse. It will be aired before matches over the next two weekends.

    Arsenal legend Ian Wright is one of the figures on a eight-person black, Asian and minority ethnic panel set-up by the Premier League to tackle the issue of racism.

    Doncaster manager Darren Moore chairs the group, while Leicester defender Wes Morgan and former Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi are also involved.

    Tammy Abraham featured in the Premier League’s No Room For Racism Video, featuring stars from all 20 top-flight teams

    The campaign – also featuring Arsenal’s Joe Willock – will be shown at Premier League grounds from this weekend

    Tammy Abraham and Joe Willock say ‘No Room For Racism’ in new Premier League’s new video

  • Tammy Abraham settled as Tomori eyes Bulgaria debut

     

    Nigeria born former England junior international Tammy Abraham finally sealed his debut for the senior national team of England Friday with a three minutes appearance for the Three Lions.

    His debut however ended in defeat after Czech Republic came from behind to carry the day in the Euro qualifiers. Tottenham forward Harry Kane had shot the Three Lions into the lead after converting a 5th minute penalty raising hope that

    Gareth Southgate and his men were set to savour victory on a platter.  That was however not to be as the Czechs responded in the 9th and 85th minutes respectively.

    Tammy and Fikayo in the England dressing room

    Tammy’s debut Friday finally put paid to permutations over which country he will eventually play for. Tammy who has been on fire for Chelsea since the beginning of this season was thrown in the game in the 88th minute replacing Declan Rice.On his part Fikayo Tomori who was also called up with Abraham watched from the bench as the Three lions failed to fly over Czech Republic.  He will be hoping to have an opportunity when England take on Bulgaria on Monday.

    The two Chelsea teammates have prior to the Euro qualifiers dominated that headlines over whether or not they will chose to play for England on Nigeria. Meanwhile Philip Billing whose father is Nigerian and mother from Denmark is on the list against Switzerland Saturday.  Should he make a debut for the side he too would have put paid to the debate over his allegiance.

    Denmark’s next match after Saturday will be against Gilbratar and then Ireland

     

     

     

     

  • Racism in football: Wright-Phillips canvases operation walk off the pitch!

     

    Former England footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips may have voted for operation walk off the pitch as solution to racism in football after he said it would be a ‘massive step’ if the national football team were to walk off the pitch in the event of racist abuse of black players.

    The retired Manchester City star told Good Morning Britain that he had been the target of monkey chants during his own career, and said teams whose fans shout racist abuse should forfeit the game.

    Chelsea star Tammy Abraham

    He also called for lifetime bans for racist fans, saying that ‘taking away something they love’ would expunge racist abuse from the game forever.

    Black England players were racially abused by locals during their victory over Montenegro earlier this year, and there are growing fears that members of Gareth Southgate’s side will be targeted when they travel to Sofia in October.

    UEFA fined the Bulgarian FA after alleged racist chanting towards black players during a Euro 2012 qualifier in Sofia in September 2011.

    It is understood the option of walking off the field should an England player be racially abused is to be considered at a meeting of the team, though the squad is understood to be against such a stance.

    Wright-Phillips said: ‘I think it’d be a massive step. They would show a stand and say “look we’re not taking it any more”. ‘And my team mates that are not of ethnic colour or origin are backing me as well, so they’re swinging the same way as everyone else who watches it, and the people up above it are trying to help it.’

    He went on: ‘If its proven that there’s racial abuse, the team’s fans where there’s abuse should quit the game as a loss and the result should go to the winner basically.

    Inter Milan forward Romelu Lukaku

    Some many players have had to stomach racist abuse. Only rently Chelsea player Tammy Abraham got his own share of the abuse after he missed a penalty in the Super Cup, former Manchester United Romelu Lukaku was forced to lash out at racist fans who directed monkey chant at him at his new club Inter Milan recently.

  • Prepare for post active days Owen warns footballers

     

    Former England international Michael Owen has charged active footballers to prepare for post active days especially if they don’t want to receive insults after retirement.

    The former Real Madrid and Manchester United striker made the submission why defending his passion for horse racing insisting it never distracted him from football.

    Speaking on talkSPORT, Owen was asked about his regular trips to the stables and questioned over his alleged trips to events and matches via helicopter.

    In response Owen who scored 40 goals for England in 80 appearances noted that players are always the talking point after retirement adding that those who failed to plan before retirement are often ridiculed.

    ‘If things aren’t going well people will say something. If you retire and someone says you struggle, people will say stupid footballers why not prepare for your future?

    Michael Owen at his jockeying debut

    ‘But if you lay foundations, OK racing is my second passion and if I set up a business that should be applauded in my eyes. I have never been more into racing than I was for football.’

    Owen has been interested in horses for a long time, and his shared interest with Sir Alex Ferguson was a small part of the reason he eventually made the move to Old Trafford in 2009.

    Owen made his jockeying debut in 2017, coming second in the Prince’s Countryside Fund Charity race at Ascot.

  • VAR Palaver: Chioma Ubogagu cautions players on African image

     

    African players competing at all levels of football must resist the temptation to react in a manner that can paint the continent in bad light.

    That was the submission of Nigeria born British footballer Chioma Ubogagu while reacting to VAR triggered brouhaha during the England versus Cameroon FIFA women’s world cup round of 16 clash last Sunday.

    Ubogagu who plies her trade with Orlando Pride in the United States said why it is understandable to sometimes disagree with the rules, it is important to resist the temptation to over react and throw caution to the winds.

    Ubogagu who was called up to the England national team for a set of friendlies ahead of the FIFA Women’s World cup was however left out of the final 23-man team.to France 2019.

    The 26 year old bared her mind on the controversial match via the social media, tweeting “‘As someone with English, American, and Nigerian ties, I found it embarrassing watching a nation represent Africa like that.

    ‘I also find it worse that people are defending it, in my opinion. Because again, in my opinion, that to me means subconsciously you have and hold African nations at a lower standard.

    ‘I understand the frustrations of football, I understand being in the moment, and I understand strongly disagreeing with VAR decisions, but behaviour in these times is still massively important,”

    The striker who played for Arsenal and Houston Dash before joining Orlando Pride, made a combined 80 appearances for the clubs scoring 18 goals.

    Ubogagu born to Nigerian parents mother Tina a nurse and father Aloy a social worker was eligible to represent Nigeria, England and the United States, but chose to represent United States at the youth level, playing for their under-18, under-20 and under-23 teams.

    She settled on representing England at the senior level, accepting a call up from the side in October 2018 and making her England and senior international debut on 8 November 2018 against Austria which England won by 3-0.

    This year’s edition of the FIFA Women’s World cup has recorded a number of controversies with the VAR mostly at the centre of the matter. The Cameroon/England controversy came just a few hours after round of 16 clash between hosts France and Nigeria also ended with France progressing follow VAR triggered penalty replay.

  • It’s a new dawn for cricket in Nigeria, says NCF boss

    The feat achieved by the Nigeria’s U-19 cricket tea at the just concluded ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup Africa Qualifiers in Namibia has been described as a new dawn for the sport in the country as the Sylvester Okpe-captained side became the first Nigeria team to qualify for a cricket World Cup.

    After emerging the overall winner at the six-nation qualifiers held in Namibia following their unbeaten run in the competition, Nigeria became the first team from the continental championship to join top playing cricket nations like Pakistan, South Africa, Afghanistan, Australia, India, England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, West Indies, Zimbabwe and host – South Africa as teams that had already booked their places at the global championship holding in 2020.

    An excited President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF), Professor Yahaha Ukwenya described the feat as a new dawn for the sport. “As a President, it is great and incredible and I cannot believe the boys have done this. We trained them to be true Nigerians, tough in character and spirit and not giving to anybody and to tell everybody that we are Africa’s largest nation and some of the toughest human beings from the continent are from Nigeria and they played that way. But we had no idea that they will get this far and by match by match, they fought and came out victorious,” Ukwenya said.

    For the coach of the team, Uthe Ogbimi, the feat did not come on a platter of gold. “It has been a long trek coming all the way from last year to qualify from the division two to division one and to come to division one and clear everybody is indeed so massive in our heart. We want to thank the federation for allowing us to go to Zimbabwe for a playing tour against strong opposition and it indeed lifted the game of the players. I think Nigeria should celebrate and corporate bodies should rally round the team to support us for the World Cup.”

    An elated Okpe said: “We had a little up and down in the game and we must thank God for the success here in Namibia. This qualification means a lot to me and it is the best moment in my life since I started playing cricket particularly to be part of the first Nigeria team to qualify for any cricket World Cup. We will go back to drawing to check our mistakes and correct it before the World Cup.”

  • FIFA Ranking: Nigeria move up by Four spots placed 44th

    Nigeria’s Super Eagles have moved up by four spots to the 44th in the world in the October FIFA -Coca Cola Ranking.

    In the ranking table published on the website of the world football governing body on Thursday, Nigeria garnered 1431 points as against 1415 it had in September.

    The movement has now placed Nigeria as the third in Africa behind Tunisia and Senegal.

    The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that it was during this period that the Eagles thrashed Libya 4-0 (home) and 3-2 (away) in the African Cup of Nations qualifiers.

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    Tunisia is ranked 22nd in the world and Senegal 25th. Congo DR (ranked 46th and Morocco(47th) are the other African countries among the top 50.

    On the global scene, Belgium are now ranked world number one, ahead of France with the narrowest of margin–just one point in the new the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking published today. The Belgians have 1733 points to France’s 1732 points.

    In September, the two countries were tied on the first spot.

    The top two remain out in front after a month in which each of them enjoyed a win and a draw, with Belgium and France beating Switzerland (8th, unchanged) and Germany (14th, down two) respectively in the UEFA Nations League. Brazil is third with 1669 points, Croatia fourth with 1635 and England fifth with 1619 points. Leo Messi’s Argentina are ranked 12th in the world.