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      in Soccer

      When is the 2022 Qatar World Cup and who has qualified?

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      FANS across the world are anxiously waiting for the World Cup draw as the qualifying rounds draw to a close.This will be the final time we witness footballs biggest competition endure 32 teams before it expands to 48 nations in 2026.
      The Qatar World Cup will be the first ever winter World Cup.Credit: Getty
      And all eyes will be on the draw to see what every countries fate is for the first ever World Cup to take place in the winter.
      When is the World Cup draw and when does the tournament start?

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Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-1x7hydu::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -0.5px);}.css-1x7hydu::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Read more on World Cup 2022.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-gmec1d{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;height:auto;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-align-content:center;-ms-flex-line-pack:center;align-content:center;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:flex-start;justify-content:flex-start;margin-left:calc(-20px/2);margin-right:calc(-20px/2);}.css-fh9577{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-left:calc(20px/2);margin-right:calc(20px/2);}.css-65fvqt{max-width:302px;max-height:294px;}.css-1exhbll{box-sizing:border-box;overflow:hidden;background-color:rgba(237,245,242,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;position:relative;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;max-width:302px;max-height:294px;}.css-bk55po{box-sizing:border-box;display:block;position:relative;margin-bottom:0;}.css-1shocxe{box-sizing:border-box;}.css-1a2irou{box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;}.css-1a2irou 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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-n392go{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-1p5s3t0{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-i1acvs{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,99,73,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}WORLD CUP DRAW .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}All the info on draw for Qatar 2022 World Cup
      Which teams have qualified for Qatar?
      UEFA

      Germany
      Denmark
      France
      Belgium
      Croatia
      Spain
      Serbia
      England
      Switzerland
      Netherlands
      Portugal
      Poland

      Conmebol

      Brazil
      Argentina
      Ecuador
      Uruguay
      Peru/Colombia/Chile – go to inter-confederation play-off

      CAF

      Ghana
      Senegal
      Tunisia
      Morocco
      Cameroon

      AFC

      Iran
      South Korea
      Qatar (hosts)
      Japan
      Saudi Arabia
      Australia/United Arab Emirates will go through to inter-confederation play-off

      OFC

      New Zealand/Solomon Islands

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      Who can still qualify for the World Cup?
      So far, 27 teams have qualified for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar leaving only FIVE more spots up for grabs.
      By the end of March 30, there will only be four spots left following New Zealand vs Solomon Islands.
      Below are the other teams which can still qualify:

      USA
      Mexico
      Costa Rica
      Australia
      United Arab Emirates
      Peru
      Colombia
      Chile More

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      in Soccer

      Mo Salah pelted with bottles as he’s rushed off pitch after being targeted with laser pens in World Cup qualifier farce

      by

      MO SALAH was blinded by LASERS and pelted with bottles — as he missed in a penalty shootout to end his World Cup dream.Liverpool team-mate Sadio Mane scored the winning spot-kick to ensure Senegal beat Egypt in a repeat of the Afcon final.
      Mo Salah was targeted with laser pens in shocking scenes at the World Cup qualifier against Senegal
      Salah was protected from the invading Senegal fans after Egypt’s crushing defeat
      Yobs targeted Egypt’s players with dangerous laser pens throughout the World Cup play-off final second leg in Senegal’s capital Dakar.
      The Pharaohs’ penalty takers were peppered by the lights during the shootout as three of their four takers missed.
      Salah blasted his effort wildly over the bar — before Mane fired Senegal to Qatar 2022 at his expense.
      The Egypt skipper was then led down the tunnel by security staff who protected his head as fans hurled missiles at him.
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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-n392go{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-1p5s3t0{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-i1acvs{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,99,73,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}SENEGAL 1 EGYPT 0 (3-1 PENS) .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Mane scores winning penalty to crush Salah’s World Cup dream
      Senegal won the game 1-0 on the night, sending the game to extra-time and penalties following the reverse score in Egypt on Friday.
      There had been previous calls for Fifa to ban laser pens from stadiums.
      Ophthalmologist and retinal specialist Dr Robert Josephburg had previously warned: “I have been stunned at the power of these things.
      “We are talking about serious damage even if someone is only exposed to it for a few seconds. Sport is an area to worry about, especially if some fans are trying to get an advantage for their team.
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      “People have to realise this is not fun and games, it is serious stuff.
      “You are endangering someone’s vision. There can be huge repercussions and a real risk of causing at least temporary, and possibly permanent, damage to a person’s vision.
      “If I was a player I would be terrified.
      “I only hope the authorities act before some real harm is done. The retina is very sensitive and is not made to cope with light of that intensity.
      “If it is shone for even a few seconds into someone’s eyes different symptoms can occur — temporary blindness, blurry vision, spotty vision, the sight may not even fully return.”
      Sadio Mane fired home the winning penalty to send Senegal to the World CupCredit: AP
      Mo Salah missed out on a place in Qatar later this yearCredit: AP
      The laser scandal in Dakar came after Egyptian yobs has targeted Senegal players with laser pens in the first leg in Cairo.
      Just as in the African Cup of Nations Final, Mane scored the decisive penalty in the shootout that decided another niggly, nerve-shredding match.
      This time Salah took a spotkick, having been denied the chance by his Liverpool team-mate’s winner in January.
      But the Egyptian King blasted their first penalty over the crossbar just when his country needed him to show some composure after his poor display in normal and extra time. More

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      in Soccer

      Portugal 2 North Macedonia 0: Cristiano Ronaldo qualifies for FIFTH World Cup as Bruno Fernandes scores playoff double

      by

      CRISTIANO RONALDO has one last shot at World Cup glory and football immortality after Portugal saw off North Macedonia to book their place in Qatar.The World Cup remains the only competition Ronaldo has played in yet failed to win.
      Bruno Fernandes booked Cristiano Ronaldo a fifth World Cup appearanceCredit: Getty
      The Man Utd star scored twice as Portugal beat North Macedonia in their play-offCredit: Getty
      But now, after North Macedonia’s fairytale run ended in Porto, the Manchester United star’s dream remains alive and kicking.
      In some link up straight from Old Trafford, Ronaldo teed up Red Devils pal Bruno Fernandes for a first-half opener.
      And Fernades bagged his brace with 25 minutes remaining to become the hero and upstage the five-time Ballon d’Or winner on the night.
      At 37, this winter’s showpiece will be Ronaldo’s fifth, and surely last, World Cup.
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      He will always have the 2016 Euros, yes. But for someone so hell-bent on winning it all to prove he is the greatest of all time, it will grate for life if his trophy-laden career ends without the biggest trophy of all.
      Diego Maradona and Pele managed it, leaving Ronaldo and Lionel Messi playing catch up.
      The two modern day icons will both be on show in the Gulf, determined to out-do the other on the grandest stage one last time.
      And while Portugal took the treacherous play-off route to get there, you know full well they are going to take some beating.
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      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      North Macedonia sent shockwaves through football when they KO’d Italy in the semis last week.
      But the dream never looked like extending here, with the Balkan giant-killers failing to muster a single shot on target.
      They may not have done the rest of the world another huge favour by seeing off Portugal too, but that night in Palermo last Thursday will not be forgotten in a hurry back home.  
      The hosts’ Prem big guns – Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Diogo Jota and Joao Cancelo – all started at the Dragao Stadium.
      In the build-up, Ronaldo ordered all hell to break loose in the stands.
      He wanted the music muted for their national anthem, so the fans could fire themselves up by belting it out acapella.
      On this occasion he didn’t get his wish, but it didn’t diminish from the red-hot atmosphere.
      But if North Macedonia coach Blagoja Milevksi feared a tired, after the Lord Mayor’s show opening, he shouldn’t have.
      The world’s 67th-ranked side enjoyed a stress-free start, giving as good as they got.
      Portugal soon took charge though and Ronaldo had their first big chance 14 minutes in after being played in by Jota, but the talisman dragged wide off his left peg before burying his head in his hands.
      Bruno Fernandes darts away in celebration after breaking the deadlockCredit: Reuters
      Jota, a deceptive menace in the air, then had a free header from Fernandes’ corner yet nodded into the turf and over from eight yards.
      But North Macedonia eventually buckled 32 minutes in – thanks to a horror cross-field path by Stefan Ristovski.
      Intercepted by Fernandes, Ronaldo then took over before nutmegging a defender to set up his United team-mate to hammer low into the corner.
      With this having the potential to be the biggest banana skin of all, the whole of Portugal breathed a huge sigh of relief with one foot in Qatar. 
      For all North Macedonia are dogged and resolute they are not free scorers, so another would surely clinch it.
      Jota had the best opportunity to double the lead before the break but could only fire into the side-netting after taking advantage of panic in the visitors’ ranks.
      A 1-0 deficit at half-time was no disaster for the visitors, knowing their chance would surely come if they kept it that way.
      But just as they started to look a threat, Portugal struck on the counter to leave them on the brink of qualification.
      Defender Pepe robbed it to stop a North Macedonia attack, with Fernandes picking it up and giving it before haring forward.
      Jota had all the time in the world on the left to loft a ball in, perfectly picking out Fernandes in the middle to finish first time.
      Portugal last failed to qualify for the World Cup finals in 1998.
      It would have been a national disaster if they tripped up here, but now they are at the party, you can bet Ronaldo is going to have a say one way or another when it gets into full swing in eight months’ time. More

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      in Soccer

      Chelsea ace England set for Lionesses return with Wiegman to monitor Chloe Kelly’s comeback from injury

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      SARINA WIEGMAN is keeping a watchful eye on Chloe Kelly’s comeback with the winger in line for a long-awaited return from injury.The England chief insists the forward needs time to ease back into action with the Manchester City player in line for an appearance at West Ham.
      Sarina Wiegman plans to keep a close eye on Chloe Kelly’s progress as she targets a return to match actionCredit: Getty
      City’s trip to the Hammers’ turf could see the former Everton ace, 24, play her first match following a serious knee injury she suffered last May.
      The England boss, 52, said: “We know how good Chloe was when she got injured, and what form she was in.
      “She’s doing well at her club, there’s contact all the time (with them), but she hasn’t played a game yet (this season) and first she needs to start playing.
      “She’s had a pretty tough injury with her ACL and she needs rhythm now.

      “And that’s where it starts, playing at your club, getting consistency at your club level, and then you can take the next step.
      “Hopefully she’ll get to her level that she’s capable of. That will probably take a little more time but, yes, we keep a close eye on her.”
      Wiegman was speaking after naming her 24-strong squad ahead of the Lionesses’ World Cup qualifiers on the 8th and 12th of April.
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      The team will face North Macedonia in the country’s Tose Proeski National Arena before a clash with Kenny Shiels side at Windsor Park.
      The Lionesses have enjoyed a nine-game unbeaten run under their head coach including their triumph in the Arnold Clark Cup pre-Euros warm-up.
      And Chelsea forward Beth England makes her return to the national side with club team-mate Fran Kirby currently out of action.
      The striker is in red hot form bagging four goals in the league leaders’ last two games.
      The Barnsley-born forward missed out on a spot in the Lionesses Arnold Clark Cup squad after sustaining an injury.
      Wiegman added: “I’m really happy for her because she was struggling a little with her injury.
      Beth England was named in Wiegman’s Lionesses squad after missing the Arnold Clark Cup due to injuryCredit: Reuters
      “But then she came back and now gets more playing time for her club.
      “Beth is doing well, you can tell she feels comfortable.
      “Up front we have a lot of competition but it’s good to have competition. It’s a luxury to have such good players.”
      England Squad Goalkeepers
      Mary Earps (Manchester United), Hannah Hampton (Aston Villa), Ellie Roebuck (Manchester City).
      Defenders
      Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Manchester City), Jess Carter (Chelsea), Niamh Charles (Chelsea), Rachel Daly (Houston Dash), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Demi Stokes (Manchester City), Leah Williamson (Arsenal) Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal)
      Midfielders
      Jordan Nobbs (Arsenal) Jill Scott (Aston Villa on loan from Manchester City), Georgia Stanway (Manchester City), Keira Walsh (Manchester City), Katie Zelem (Manchester United).
      Forwards
      Bethany England (Chelsea), Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Beth Mead (Arsenal), Nikita Parris (Arsenal), Alessia Russo (Manchester United), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Ellen White (Manchester City). More

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      ‘Is this fantasy football?’ – Rio Ferdinand’s ultra-attacking England XI for World Cup 2022 includes FOUR full-backs

      by

      RIO FERDINAND would ditch his defensive nature and go outrageously attacking if he was in charge of England at the World Cup.The Manchester United legend played ten times at the most prestigious competition in football for the Three Lions.
      Rio Ferdinand has revealed how he would line England up at the World CupCredit: PA

      The retired centre-back, 43, never managed to go all the way with his country at a tournament throughout his illustrious career.
      But he seems pretty confident that if he was in charge instead of Gareth Southgate in Qatar then he would not be far off lifting the trophy with England’s current crop.
      Ferdinand revealed what his best XI for the World Cup would be during the latest episode of Vibe with Five.
      And his choice included a key role for Manchester City’s Kyle Walker and Phil Foden as well as four full-backs.
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      When asked what eleven he would go with, Ferdinand skipped his goalkeeper choice to get straight into the outfield positions – so for the sake of it we’ve assumed he would be happy to keep faith with Jordan Pickford.
      Ferdinand, who also played for West Ham, Leeds and QPR, explained: “I’m gonna go three at the back as I think that’s our best chance.
      “[Harry] Maguire on the left, Kyle Walker central and Reece James on the right.
      “Trent [Alexander-Arnold] at right wing-back and [Luke] Shaw left wing-back.
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      “I’m gonna go Declan [Rice] and [Jude] Bellingham.
      “Foden in the hole and then two strikers [Raheem] Sterling and [Harry] Kane.”
      His co-host mocked the icon’s choice and described it as “fantasy football” and when pressed for an explanation, Ferdinand said: “Imagine that defence.
      “Reece James coming out with the ball coming into midfield, because he can do that, he played midfield as a kid.

      “Trent out on the right. Walker centre, he’s covering the whole backline on his own. 
      “My midfield, Declan, Jude and Foden dropping in as a No10 and coming back into midfield.
      “Free role for Sterling, he can go where he wants, Kane holding the ball up and running behind.”
      England, who face Ivory Coast tonight in their latest friendly, will discover who they will face in Qatar when the World Cup draw takes place later this week. More

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      in Soccer

      Ex-Nottingham Forest star Karim Ansarifard ruled out of World Cup clash after getting hit in eye with BIRTHDAY CAKE

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      FORMER Nottingham Forest striker Karim Ansarifard missed a World Cup tie on Tuesday … after getting BIRTHDAY CAKE in his eye.The AEK Athens ace sat out Iran’s 2-0 win over Lebanon following a bizarre injury sustained when international team-mates held a party for his forthcoming 32nd birthday this Sunday.
      AEK Athens hitman Karim Ansarifard missed the final slice of Iran’s World Cup qualifying schedule due to a freak injury from a cakeCredit: Getty
      It wasn’t such a happy birthday build-up for Karim Ansarifard as he got hurt at a party in his honour before his big day this weekend
      Some Iran players are said to have pelted the 92-cap star with slices from a lavish cake decorated in his honour.
      And Ansarifard’s eye reportedly needing bandaging after being struck in the eye.
      The former Osasuna and Olympiacos star initially hoped he would still be able to play on Tuesday afternoon.
      But coach Dragan Skocic soon felt he had not choice but to leave Ansarifard out of the final qualifier.
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      Iran were already through to the World Cup in Qatar this winter.
      And as expected they maintained their three-year unbeaten home record with a comfortable triumph – while ending Lebanon’s lingering hopes of nicking the third play-off spot.
      Bayer Leverkusen frontman Sardar Azmoun angled Iran’s fine opener on 35 minutes.
      And Feyenoord’s former Brighton forward Alireza Jahanbakhsh clinched victory in the 72nd minute.
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      Meanwhile, one-time Celtic target Ansarifard, who played 12 times for Forest in 2018-19, was joining the list of footballers crocked by freak injuries.
      Chelsea legend Frank Lampard recently broke his hand celebrating a late winner as Everton manager.
      Former Liverpool and England keeper David James injured himself reaching for a TV remote control – and did it again while fishing for carp.
      Ex-Wimbledon stopper Dave Beasant once injured his foot after dropping a bottle of salad cream.
      And ex-Leeds hardman David Batty was sidelined when his two-year-old daughter ran him over with a tricycle. More

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      in Soccer

      Ukraine want to reach the World Cup on merit… Wales and Scotland won’t be giving them an easy ride in play-offs

      by

      IMAGINE being a Welsh or Scottish football fan for a moment.Now that you have put aside the urge to question your existence and stopped worrying about having no friends, just think what it must be like.
      Wales will play either Ukraine or Scotland in the World Cup play-off finalCredit: REX FEATURES
      Your national team is on the verge of reaching the World Cup finals for the first time since the Act of Union was signed in 1707.
      These are exciting, optimistic days.
      Then some bloody do-gooder comes along and suggests the players of both countries should step aside and wave Ukraine through to Qatar out of kindness.
      Let the beleaguered Eastern Europeans stroll through the play-offs without kicking a ball and straight into the greatest football show on earth — as a noble gesture.
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      It’s a lovely thought but it should end right there.
      No nation on this planet is more noble than Ukraine at the moment.
      No people holding its collective head up higher than the yellow and blues as they trade blows with Vladimir Putin.
      And judging by the way the Russians are getting their arses kicked on the battlefield, Ukraine doesn’t look like it needs anyone getting all sentimental about it.
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      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      The way president Volodymyr Zelensky told the listening world that his determined country needed weapons to kill the enemy, not sympathy, sums up the mentality which runs from top to bottom there.
      And it will no doubt be the same with his football team.
      Football and the war have become hugely intertwined in recent weeks, with Mad Vlad’s decision to invade the neighbours transforming Russia into the biggest sporting pariah in history.
      It also had the galvanising effect of turning every Ukrainian into a walking Terminator, whether it be in a frozen trench or on a  Premier League football pitch.
      Just look at West Ham’s Andriy Yarmolenko for that.
      Disregarded as a waste of space by some short-sighted fans before it all kicked off with the Russkies, the Ukraine captain’s every shot at goal is now the equivalent of a Stinger missile.
      Manchester City’s Oleksandr Zinchenko spoke to Gary Lineker about people back home sleeping in bunkers with their lives being smashed all around them.
      He said: “I am so proud to be Ukrainian. When you are watching the people, how they fight for their lives, there are no words.
      “I know the mentality of my people — they’ll prefer to die than to give in.”
      Ukraine’s foreign-based players have spoken of how tough it’s been to carry on working, mindful of what is going on back home.
      But they have done and have given their best in dreadful circumstances. They would be embarrassed to get a favour from Fifa, Steve Clarke, Gareth Bale or anyone else for that matter.
      As Zinchenko said, his people would rather die than give in.
      Of course, two World Cup qualifying plays-off are a zillion miles down the ladder of importance compared to armed conflict.
      But while sport is there to be enjoyed at the best of times, it also plays a role in the worst of them.
      This country saw that with the clamour to get the Premier League back on during the height of the pandemic, when hundreds of people were dying every day.
      With that in mind, it’s fair to assume that if football, in any way, can lift the spirits of a country fighting for its very existence, these guys would want to do it their way — either winning or losing but on a level playing field.
      NO RUN-OF-THE-MIL SUCCESS
      SNOOKER journeyman Robert Milkins spoke for a lot of us when he landed a first ranking title along with 50 grand.
      The Bristolian, 46, plugged away for 27 years with little reward and a lot of mental challenges. The death of his sister was understandably troubling, leading him to drink excessively.
      He then admitted that Covid, the war in Ukraine and not winning matches has ended up with him seeking counselling.
      Snooker’s image of the 70s and 80s was of smoke-filled rooms,  colourful characters, birds and booze that went hand in hand with sublime skill on the green baize. Money, laughter and late nights with no lasting effects on the soul.
      These days it’s not quite so glamorous but people like Milkins still chip away and live for days like his on Saturday in Gibraltar.
      With that commitment and honesty, in a weird kind of way he is more than a little inspirational.
      Covid, the war in Ukraine and not winning matches has ended up with Milkins seeking counselling
      NORN IRON MAN
      HARRY KANE is closing in on the goalscoring feats of Wayne Rooney.
      With 49 goals from 68 England games, the Three Lions captain is marking himself out as a legend of the international game.
      And tonight, Wales keeper Wayne Hennessey will celebrate picking up his 100th cap in a friendly at home to the Czech Republic.
      Both men deserve applause for their skill and longevity. But there is one player from the United Kingdom who deserves an ovation every time he steps out in the green and white of his home nation.
      Last Friday night, Steven Davis scored his 13th goal for Northern Ireland in Luxembourg.
      Nothing too amazing about that, other than he is 37 and it was his 133rd appearance for a tiny football country that has no hope of  winning a major tournament.
      In fact, it was virtually a national holiday the last time they reached a finals — at Euro 2016.
      Kane can dream of maybe one day lifting the World Cup with England, Hennessey gets to play with Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey.
      Davis just does what he does out of love and  loyalty to football and his homeland and it takes  a lot of effort and  determination to keep doing it again and again and again…
      Kane is closing in on Rooney’s all-time England goal scoring recordCredit: REX FEATURES
      POSH ‘N BOSHED
      THE ENGLAND cricket team are in disarray and rugby was a big letdown in the Six Nations.
      Meanwhile our football team are riding high and looking good to use this year’s World Cup to build on the success at last summer’s Euros, where they reached the final.
      Such a shame to see the posh boys struggling and being shown up by the boys from the sink estates.
      Can someone please get that chip off my shoulder?
      England turned in a poor showing at the Six NationsCredit: REX FEATURES More