World Cup 2022

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      Bournemouth star David Brooks scores a hat-trick on his first start since his cancer battle

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      DAVID BROOKS hit a hat-trick on his first start since his cancer battle.The Bournemouth ace, who had a cameo at Aston Villa last weekend, netted three in a 45-minute outing as the development side beat Portsmouth 5-2 in the Hampshire Senior Cup.
      David Brooks came on after 536 days on the sidelines following his cancer battle as a second half substitute against Aston Villa last weekendCredit: PA
      Brooks netted his treble by bundling in the first from close range before a strike with both his left and right foot in front of the watching Cherries boss Gary O’Neil at the Vitality Stadium.
      Bournemouth’s official twitter account tweeted: “The perfect return for @DRBrooks15.
      “The winger netted a hat-trick for the development squad this evening.”
      It was the first time Brooks has scored since August 2021 when he found the back of the net against Nottingham Forest.
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      The 25-year-old has battled back from his Stage 2 Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis in October 2021.
      But the Wales attacker revealed he was ‘cancer free’ last October.
      After 529 days, Brooks was in the Bournemouth matchday squad and an unused sub against Liverpool earlier this month.
      Then Brooks, who has 21 Welsh caps, came off for the final 11 minutes of the Cherries’ 3-0 Prem defeat at Villa Park on Saturday.
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      But Brooks will hope his goalscoring return can provide a personal boost ahead of the season run-in and a possible Wales return for Euro 2024 qualifiers in June.  More

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      Man City ace Phil Foden has unusual hobby that ’95 per cent of football lads don’t enjoy’ but it helps him rest his legs

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      ENGLAND star Phil Foden has revealed his favourite hobby outside of football – and it’s not what you might expect.Foden, 22, has been a regular presence in Pep Guardiola’s squad since he made his debut five years ago – and has rediscovered his form in the past month.
      Phil Foden is a star for club and countryCredit: Reuters
      He has already accumulated a long list of accolades which includes four Premier League titles, four League Cups and an FA Cup as well as two PFA Young Player of the Year awards for his individual performances.
      But what Foden gets up to in his spare time is very different compared to those at the same level.
      The young star revealed that his favourite pastime is fishing.
      In an interview with Man City, he said: “The odd one likes fishing, so when people find out they say: ‘What a weird sport to enjoy’. They don’t understand why you enjoy it.
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      The Man City star has revealed that his favourite hobby is fishing
      He regularly makes time for fishing trips with his dad
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      “I think it’s the perfect hobby to rest your legs and have some down time.”
      Foden’s dad ignited his passion for the sport at a young age, so much so that the pair still regularly travel across the UK and Spain for fishing trips.
      The winger even admitted that he MISSED City’s 2018 Premier League title celebrations so that he could go on a pre-planned trip with his dad.
      He claimed that it’s the “buzz” that has made him want to keep going, as well as the quality time he gets to spend with his old man. More

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      Wales consider shock reunion with recently departed England backroom staff member

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      WALES are weighing up a return for psychologist Ian Mitchell.SunSport revealed on Wednesday that Mitchell has left his post as the Football Association’s head of performance and psychology.
      Ian Mitchell (left) has had successful spells with both Wales and England under Chris Coleman and Gareth Southgate
      Dragons boss Robert Page stated earlier this year that he was keen to bring a psychologist on board to provide an extra edge in the post-Gareth Bale era.
      Wales have not had one since Mitchell left for the FA in February 2018 after becoming a key figure in Chris Coleman’s set-up which included the memorable run to the Euro 2016 semi-finals.
      Highly-rated Mitchell was popular among Football Association of Wales staff and he will not be short of offers following his departure from Gareth Southgate’s backroom staff.
      Wales are now on red alert after the development that his services have become available.
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      Page said in January: “I want to bring in a full-time psychologist. Every other association has got one. We haven’t.
      “We need to keep evolving, progressing and improving. That’s certainly an area we need.
      “The players will thrive on that. The psychologist will come in and be a part of the culture and make sure the new players buy into that.” 
      Wales kick-off their Euro 2024 qualifiers against World Cup semi-finalists Croatia in Split on March 25 followed by a home match with Latvia in Cardiff three days later.
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      The Dragons, now captained by Aaron Ramsey, have reached three of the last four major tournaments.
      But they must overcome the obstacles of retirements from talisman Bale, Joe Allen, Chris Gunter and Jonny Williams.
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      Is Ben White in the latest England squad and why did he leave the World Cup early?

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      ARSENAL star Ben White has been left of the latest England squad for the Euro 2024 qualifiers.The Three Lions are set to take on Italy and Ukraine during the next international break.
      Ben White left England’s World Cup squad earlyCredit: Getty
      The England manager has recently explained his decision to leave out Ben White.
      He said: “With Ben, it’s similar with Ben and Trent really.
      The three boys that are in as right full-backs, we’ve got them as just ahead of those two.
      “We are blessed in that position with the depth of talent.
      “It’s the hardest position to pick, albeit it’s never straightforward criteria, and it’s always shifting around a little bit on form as well.
      “Kyle and Tripps are obviously the ones that played during the World Cup, started the games during the World Cup, have been consistent.
      “And Reece coming back is another top player. So yeah we’d love to have that depth in every position on the field really.”
      Why did Ben White leave England’s World Cup squad?
      The FA explained that White left the England camp ahead of their last-16 clash with Senegal for “personal reasons”.
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      An FA statement confirmed: “Ben White has left England’s training base in Al Wakrah and returned home for personal reasons.
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      “The Arsenal defender is not expected to return to the squad for the remainder of the tournament.
      “We ask that the player’s privacy is respected at this moment in time.”
      Ben White’s club side Arsenal also tweeted: “We’re all with you, Ben.”
      But it was later revealed that White reportedly had a bust-up with England assistant coach Steve Holland.
      Reports also claimed that the Gunners full-back became unhappy in the camp and struggled to mix with his fellow teammates.
      What did Gareth Southgate say about Ben White’s exit?
      England boss Gareth Southgate was quizzed on Ben White’s alleged bust-up with Steve Holland.
      Southgate said: “Well, not really. What I’ve been shown was alleged and there was another word that was used.
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      “I think by commenting on the story I could be giving it any form of credibility, really.
      “We explained why Ben left the camp and I think it’s important that that is respected, really.” More

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      ‘It is beautiful’ – Smug Tottenham ace Cristian Romero opens up on celebrating in Mbappe’s face as he makes NO apologies

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      CRISTIAN ROMERO claims it was “beautiful” to celebrate in Kylian Mbappe’s face during Argentina’s World Cup final triumph over France.The Tottenham centre-back even appeared to blame his antics on the hat-trick scorer “saying very bad things” to Enzo Fernandez.
      Cuti Romero: “The photo is beautiful. We are always the bad guys in the movie, but Mbappé was saying very bad things to Enzo. Leo just scored the goal and it came from inside me to do that.” @gastonedul 🗣️🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/vfLNiVcE4V— All About Argentina 🛎🇦🇷 (@AlbicelesteTalk) March 3, 2023

      Defender Cristian Romero had a right old tussle with France striker Kylian Mbappe before Argentina won the World Cup final on penaltiesCredit: Alamy
      Romero clenched his fists and roared at Mbappe from point-blank range after Lionel Messi had put Argentina 3-2 up in extra time.
      Mbappe’s spot-kick then took the Qatar showpiece to a shootout that Argentina won 4-2 – helped by keeper Emi Martinez controversially leaping around.
      And questioned about his reaction in the December 2022 final, Romero revealed he is delighted the incident has been immortalised in picture form.
      He told TyC Sports: “The photo is beautiful.
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      “We are always the bad guys in the movie, but Mbappe was saying very bad things to Enzo.
      “Leo just scored the goal and it came from inside me to do that.”
      Romero also claimed that, although winning the World Cup has taken the pressure off his career, he can’t revel in it too much as it makes his Spurs team-mates “angry”.
      He said: “Surely for the next few years I’ll be more calm, without this pressure in the national team for having achieved everything.
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      “Being world champion is the most important thing to happen to me as a player, but recently, I have relaxed a little. 
      “I leave it a bit aside otherwise my Tottenham team mates get a bit angry.”
      Romero’s Argentina colleagues Lisandro Martinez and Fernandez returned from Qatar to help inspire Manchester United to third in the Premier League.
      But while the Red Devils are still in the hunt for the Quadruple, Romero’s Spurs only have Champions League glory left as a realistic target. More

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      Fans are just realising Pepe’s real name as Portugal legend, 40, takes Cristiano Ronaldo’s vote in Fifa Best awards

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      FANS are just discovering Pepe’s real name after the 40-year-old voted in the Fifa Awards.Despite being the captain of Portugal in last year’s World Cup, Ronaldo did not cast his votes for Fifa’s best male player like the other international captains.
      Ronaldo and Pepe are the two most experienced heads in the Portugal national teamCredit: Getty
      That duty instead fell for Pepe, who opted to vote for Kylian Mbappe, Luka Modric and Karim Benzema in first, second and third respectively.
      But fans were less interested in who he voted for and more so in the name that was down on the official Fifa documents.
      Instead of referring to him as Pepe, as he is commonly known in football circles, Fifa instead called him by his real name.
      He was listed down as Kepler Ferreira, with Pepe just a nickname for the defender.
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      It came as a surprise for some football fans who had long known him only by his nickname.
      On Twitter, one person wrote “Pepe??” when they saw Ferreira’s name on the document.
      When another tweeter explained it to them, they said: “wtf I feel ashamed.”
      Pepe has had and continues to have a long and distinguished career playing football at the top level.
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      He began his senior career at Portuguese side Maritimo between 2001 and 2004.
      The centre-back then left for Porto for three years when he began to establish himself as a top level defender.
      From 2007 he then spent a decade at Real Madrid and made well over 200 appearances.
      In recent years he has spent time at Besiktas and then returned to Porto in 2019.
      Along with a number of league titles and three Champions League trophies at club level, Pepe also won the Euros with Portugal in 2016 and the Nations League in 2019. More

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      Infamous abandoned World Cup cabin village where fans paid £175-a-night for tiny rooms packed up & sent 1,800 miles

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      THE INFAMOUS “container homes” which saw World Cup fans spend £175-a-night for tiny, sweltering accommodation have been given an incredible new use. Qatari officials were forced to offer refunds after fans fumed over the shanty-town villages which had leaky toilets and six-hour queues.
      Qatar’s cabin villages were much mocked – but they now have an incredible new useCredit: AFP
      Qatar is packing up the container homes to ship them 1,800 miles awayCredit: Reuters
      The containers have an incredible new useCredit: Reuters
      The first batch is expected to arrive on March 3Credit: Qatar Fund For Development
      Since the World Cup the containers have sat unused after they were packed up and left abandoned without a purpose.
      But now the notorious boxes which saw housed thousands of football supporters have been given an incredible new lease of life.
      The multi-coloured mobile homes are now on their way to being used as urgent shelter for people 1,800 miles away in earthquake-hit Turkey and Syria.
      Qatari officials said they always planned to donate 10,000 of the homes but they brought the plans forward – the first batch due to arrive on March 3.
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      Turkey and Syria are still reeling from the natural disaster, with the 7.8 and 7.5 magnitude quakes killing more than 50,000 people.
      The tremor caused more than £70billion worth of damage.
      But now Qatar has stepped into help, giving the much-mocked containers an invaluable new job.
      Once upon a time, the temporary houses were packed together to provide residency for 60,000 football fans.
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      The portable rooms were set up across the desert and could fit two single beds or a double bed, a toilet, a small table and chairs set, mini-fridge and hot drink making facilities.
      They received a whirlwind of backlash – with builders still finishing off the shoddy sites as fans arrived for the tournament, which ended with Argentina’s win in December.
      Qatar’s World Cup had set up the mobile homes across empty stretches of the desert surrounding Doha.
      The flamboyant, brightly coloured cabins sported artificial grass and social areas filled with plush bean bags.
      Now some 10,000 of these shipping container-style rooms will be used to house those in need after the catastrophic consequences of the quake.
      The portacabins will accommodate people left homeless due to the disastrous quakes.
      A ship carrying the first batch of 350 portable homes left Qatar for Turkey on February 13.
      The Qatar Fund for Development said they were deployed as shelter to support the earthquake victims.
      People have taken to social media to share their thoughts on this incredible new use of the controversial World Cup housing units.
      One person wrote: “This is a great idea and hopefully an example for others”
      Another said: “YESSSSSSS. @FIFAcom Real Legacy of the world cup for all humanity”.
      A third tweeted: “What a great example of humanitarian aid and recycling. I really got a ‘one world’ feeling from reading this news”.
      But some people were left questioning the viability of Qatar’s latest humanitarian project.
      A Reddit user commented: “I stayed in one of these for 11 days at the World Cup. Far from luxurious but liveable short term”.
      Another tweeted: “Team have you packed in solar panels… many areas [have] no electricity… needed for survivors and field hospitals”.
      But this is not the only humanitarian aid that Qatar has delivered to the earthquake-hit countries.
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      Along with the innovative new use for the mobile homes, Qatar Fund for Development has also sent a group of mobile toilets to Turkey as well as food, medicine and makeshift tents.
      The container homes were a source of ridicule at the World CupCredit: Dan Charity
      The converted containers had a toilet and showerCredit: Dan Charity
      Sun Man Oliver Harvey stayed a night in the sweltering container – with temps hitting near 40CCredit: Dan Charity
      The home only had a small air conditioner to keep it freshCredit: Dan Charity More

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      World Cup’s hottest fan Ivana Knoll sunbathes in barely-there string bikini on holiday in St Tropez

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      THE World Cup’s hottest fan Ivana Knoll has stunned while sunbathing in a barely-there bikini. The Croatian rose to fame at the tournament in Qatar, supporting her nation in several revealing outfits as they made the semi-finals.
      Ivana Knoll has stunned fans in a revealing bikiniCredit: Instagram @knolldoll
      The World Cup’s hottest sunbathed in southern FranceCredit: Instagram @knolldoll
      Ivana Knoll has snubbed doing OnlyFansCredit: Instagram / @knolldoll
      She often flaunts her curves on InstagramCredit: Instagram @knolldoll
      She caught the attention of photographers at the World Cup with her patriotic attireCredit: EPA
      Ivana continues to jet around the globe and has left fans hot under the collar while enjoying a holiday in St Tropez, France.
      She took to Instagram while posing suggestively in orange swimwear.
      Her followers were left in awe as she flaunted her incredible figure.
      One said: “I don’t know how many times I watched the video, please don’t even ask me this question.”
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      Another commented: “Ivana, you are a beautiful dream come true and I love admiring your unparalleled beauty.”
      A third added: “Wow you’re perfect.”
      Ivana continues to dazzle as she moves on from the World Cup.
      She is now an influencer, having seen her social media following grow from 600,000 to 3.5million.
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      The former Miss Croatia winner recently took a trip to London and revealed she is an Arsenal fan.
      She also was in attendance at the Baftas afterparty, wearing a dress that left little to the imagination.
      And Ivana is no stranger to grabbing attention after she donned a braless outfit and posted a clip of her in just a towel in recent weeks.
      Ivana Knoll has seen her following grow by millions after her World Cup exploitsCredit: Getty
      She now has 3.5million followers onlineCredit: Instagram @knolldoll
      Ivana was even invited to a Baftas afterpartyCredit: Splash More