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Champions Trophy: It’s been already decided, there’s no point dwelling, says Bracewell on advantage to India

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1 year ago

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Dubai, Feb 28: New Zealand’s off-spin bowling all-rounder Michael Bracewell gave his take on India playing all of their Champions Trophy 2025 matches in Dubai, saying it was something that has already been decided and that there’s no point dwelling on it.

The decision for India to play all of its Champions Trophy matches at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, especially after being denied permission to play their matches in Pakistan, came under limelight this week, with former England skippers Nasser Hussain, Michael Atherton, and Pakistan head coach Aaqib Javed claiming that India has got an upper hand from the start as compared to other teams.

“Look, it is what it is. It’s been already decided, and that’s the way that it is, and there’s no point dwelling on that. It’s part of what makes it exciting. I personally think it is that coming to a different ground and trying to figure out those different conditions. Not much more to say on that, other than we’re excited to try and learn and play in different conditions,” said Bracewell to reporters outside New Zealand’s training session at the ICC Academy on Friday.

New Zealand is all set to play against India in Dubai on Sunday, with both teams already qualifying for the semifinals. The match will also mark Virat Kohli’s 300th ODI appearance, making him the seventh player to achieve this landmark after Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, M.S. Dhoni, Mohammed Azharuddin, Sourav Ganguly and Yuvraj Singh.

“That’s obviously a massive achievement. 300 games across a career is very impressive, and then to put that in just one format is amazing. It’s a testament to the way that he’s gone about his career.”

“I saw it first-hand at RCB – how he prepared for each match, and it’s very impressive. He’s one of a number of class players in the Indian line-up, and they’ve all played a lot of cricket now. So, they’re going to be a challenging team to come up against, but we’re really excited about that challenge,” added Bracewell.

Asked if New Zealand would take their match against India lightly, Bracewell stated, “No, it’s definitely an important game for us. Anytime you take on India at an ICC event, it’s always a big occasion. We’re excited about the game and obviously, if you can win the game, then it takes a lot of momentum through to that semifinal.”

“It’s always a challenge getting through to the semifinals, first of all. Once you get there, then it’s a one-off match and then another one-off match. So obviously, it’s great to be involved in that, but we’ve got a huge match against India first. If we can look at this like another playoff match, then we’re going to put ourselves in a good position to be able to win critical moments,” he said.

Quizzed on whether New Zealand would bring back Daryl Mitchell, who missed their game against Bangladesh due to illness, Bracewell said, “I’m sure if Daryl’s fit, he’ll be back playing. He’s obviously just had a little bit of illness in the last game, so he’s looking really healthy around the group. So it’ll be exciting to have him back in the group. He’s a massive part of our middle order and has done well for a number of years now.”

“I haven’t been privy to those conversations, but I’m sure we’ll be putting our best team out there and trying to get another win on the board. Mitch and Gary will come together and decide on the final 11, which they’ve done for the last couple of games. We haven’t seen the conditions yet here, so they’ll make a final decision on the team at the top,” said Bracewell.

With New Zealand having their first training session in Dubai, Bracewell said the side’s intention will be to try and get used to the wickets as quickly as they can.

“The wickets here have looked like they’ve taken a bit of a spin. We’ve obviously enjoyed the pitches in Pakistan, and I think we’ve got a pretty well-balanced side to play in any conditions. So hopefully we can continue to do that and adjust to what’s in front of us.”

“That’s been the strength of our side, which is adjusting to the surface and really throwing different looks at teams that are suited to that surface. So hopefully, we continue to do that as a side. I haven’t played any cricket here in Dubai before, so I’ll be trying to do that on the practice wickets and then take that out into the middle.”

“As a bowler, you try and find out what ball was the most challenging on that wicket and then try to bowl that ball as many times as you can. We’ve got a lot of experience in our spin bowling group, with Mitch Santner leading the way there. He’s a great person to talk to about what’s effective on a wicket,” he said.

“We work really closely as a spin bowling unit with GP (Glenn Phillips) there as well and Rach (Rachin Ravindra), of course, to find out what’s actually challenging on that surface and perhaps set fields accordingly as well,” Bracewell concluded.

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FIFA WC: When and where to watch Portugal vs DR Congo; know all details

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2 days ago

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June 16, 2026

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Houston, June 16: Portugal will kick off their 2026 World Cup journey against DR Congo on Wednesday, aiming for an ideal start in Group K, which also features Colombia and Uzbekistan. Widely considered favourites to progress, Roberto Martinez’s side will be keen to secure three points early and strengthen their bid to finish top of the group.

The spotlight will once again fall on Cristiano Ronaldo, who enters what is expected to be his sixth and final World Cup. At 41, the Portuguese captain has already lifted the UEFA European Championship and two UEFA Nations League titles, but the World Cup remains the one major honour missing from his glittering career.

For DR Congo, the tournament marks a long-awaited return to football’s biggest stage after more than five decades. Their only previous appearance came in 1974, when the nation competed as Zaire. Having finally ended a 52-year absence from the World Cup, Sebastien Desabre’s side will now look to build on that achievement and prove they can challenge more established opponents in Group K.

How to watch Portugal vs DR Congo live in India:

Live streaming and live telecast of the FIFA World Cup 2026 football matches will be available on the Zee5 platform and app in India. A subscription will be needed.

Live telecast of the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be available on the Unite8 Sports 1, Unite8 Sports 1 HD, Unite8 Sports 2, and Unite8 Sports 2 HD TV channels in India.

Key details:

Date and kick-off time: Wednesday, June 17, 10.30 PM IST

Venue: Houston Stadium, Texas, USA

Referee: Abdulrahman Al-Jassim

Squads:

Portugal-

Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa, Jose Sa, Rui Silva

Defenders: Diogo Dalot, Matheus Nunes, Nelson Semedo, João Cancelo, Nuno Mendes, Gonçalo Inácio, Renato Veiga, Rúben Dias, Tomas Araujo

Midfielders: Ruben Neves, Samuel Costa, Joao Neves, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva

Forwards: João Félix, Francisco Trincão, Francisco Conceição, Pedro Neto, Rafael Leão, Gonçalo Guedes, Gonçalo Ramos; Cristiano Ronaldo

DR Congo-

Goalkeepers: Timothy Fayulu, Lionel Mpasi, Mike Epolo

Defenders: Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Gedeon Kalulu, Joris Kayembe, Arthur Masuaku, Steve Kapuadi, Rocky Bushiri, Axel Tuanzebe, Chancel Mbemba, Dylan Batubinsika

Midfielders: Noah Sadiki, Samuel Moutoussamy, Edo Kayembe, Nathan Mukau, Charles Pickel, Ngal’ayel Mukau Mbuku, Brian Cipenga, Theo Bongonda, Gael Kakuta

Forwards: Meschack Elia, Fiston Mayele, Cedric Bakambu, Simon Banza, Yoane Wissa

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FIFA WC 2026: ‘Physically fit Haaland primed for massive impact’, says Norway coach Solbakken

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2 days ago

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June 16, 2026

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Boston, June 16: Head coach Stale Solbakken hailed Erling Haaland as the “world’s best goalscorer” and stated that the physically fit one of the world’s deadliest strikers is primed to make a massive impact as Norway are making their return to the FIFA World Cup after a 28-year absence.

Norway will begin their World Cup campaign against Iraq in a challenging Group I that includes two-time champions France and Senegal on Wednesday in Boston.

Haaland has scored 55 goals in 50 international appearances for the Norway national team, making him the country’s all-time leading goalscorer. He reached 50 Norway goals in 46 appearances. It made him just the sixth footballer and first in 53 years to register the half-century in fewer than 50 international caps.

Haaland, with 17 goals in nine games, finished as international football’s leading marksman for 2025, six clear on his closest challengers. Solbakken believes powerhouse Haaland is without equal when it comes to to putting the ball in the back of the net.

“Hopefully Erling will have a very big impact. I think he’s the world’s best goalscorer. He is physically fit, he was given a little break at the end of the season – (missing) one game for Manchester City and one for us. Hopefully we can give him good service because, if we give him chances, he has a tendency to score,” Solbakken told reporters.

Solbakken also highlighted the importance of Arsenal playmaker Martin Odegaard. “When he is on the pitch he is a very, very important player for us, and he’s our captain. He dictates, in many areas, the tempo of our play,” the coach said.

Norway’s last World Cup appearance came in 1998, when Solbakken was part of the squad. Securing qualification for the 2026 finals carries special meaning for the former midfielder.

“I think that’s for every citizen – to lead this country in a game like that. And especially after 28 years, then obviously that is perhaps the top thing on the list. Hopefully it will be a nice experience. We will firstly get a good performance and then a nice result,” he said.

Asked what his last message to the players would be before the match, Solbakken said motivation would not be an issue, but handling the occasion correctly would be key.

“The match can have better and less good periods, and we have to find back the good feeling if we lose that feeling in the course of the match,” he said.

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FIFA World Cup 2026: Spain boss De la Fuente confident injured trio will be fit for debut

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1 week ago

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June 8, 2026

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Madrid, June 8: Spain coach Luis de la Fuente remains confident that the injured trio of Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, and Victor Munoz will be fit in time to start his side’s FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign.

De la Fuente was speaking to the press ahead of his side’s friendly against Peru in the Mexican city of Puebla, which is the final chance to make adjustments ahead of his side’s World Cup opener against Cabo Verde in Atlanta on June 15, reports Xinhua.

De la Fuente left Williams, Munoz, and Yamal at Spain’s base in Chattanooga to continue their return to fitness, but insisted they were “meeting their recovery deadlines.”

“They were scheduled to do more specific work these next few days, and if they continue progressing this way, I think they’ll be available [against Cabo Verde],” he said.

Yamal and Williams have hamstring problems, while Munoz has a calf strain. “Each one had their own process. Lamine’s injury was different, as was its duration. But the most important thing is that, within the expected timeframe, he’s currently fit to be included in the squad,” De la Fuente insisted.

Yamal, Williams, and Munoz all play on the wing, but even if they aren’t fit for the opening game, De la Fuente said he had players in the squad who could provide cover.

“We have other options. There are different styles, and we’ll see how the week goes,” the coach said, adding that the Peru game would see him field a more recognisable team than the one that drew 1-1 with Iraq last Thursday.

“I have a plan for how to start the World Cup if there are no adverse circumstances. Football can always surprise you, but I won’t reveal the lineup,” he concluded.

The Spain national team reached the United States on Saturday to continue with its preparations for the FIFA World Cup 2026 finals, with a few questions still to be answered — especially the one hanging in the balance of the fate of the injured trio.

Spain flew in from Santiago de Compostela (northern Spain) to Nashville after Thursday’s 1-1 draw against Iraq, and from Nashville, the squad travelled to Baylor School in Chattanooga, which will be its base for the tournament.

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