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    Premier League star leaves Syria camp hours before World Cup qualifier and first match after row over his ‘demands’

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    MAHMOUD DAHOUD left Syria’s international camp just hours before a World Cup qualifier.It came following an alleged row over “demands”, with the midfielder only confirming a swap of international allegiance from Germany to Syria earlier this month.Mahmoud Dahoud left Syria’s camp before his debut over a row over ‘demands’Credit: RexDahoud is on loan to Bundesliga side Stuttgart from Brighton.The 28-year-old played twice for Germany’s senior team and even won the Under-21 European Championships with them before he was allowed to switch nation.However, things didn’t go as planned ahead what would have been his Syria international debut as Dahoud ended up leaving the team camp ahead of a match against Myanmar.A statement from the Syrian FA said: “This morning, Mahmoud Dahoud left our national team camp at Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia, due to our inability to meet his demands conveyed to us by his agent, which will affect the national team.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFortunately for the team they were able to get by, beating Myanmar 7-0.It means Dahoud will have to wait to make his debut, possibly until June 6 when the Nosour Qasioun (Eagles of Qasioun) take on North Korea.After leaving camp Dahoud also released a statement on the matter.He said in a social media post: “As an experienced football professional… every player should be able to perform at his best to honour his country, his flag and his national team.Most read in Football”To do this, every player should be put in the best possible conditions, especially on the pitch. CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”Top level football works with specific principles which need to be known, respected and fulfilled.”When you don’t feel these principles and conditions are matched and the promises made are not fulfilled, you need to step back. Young stars set to shine at Euro 2024″If you’re not allowed to be a solution, at least you don’t have to be part of the problem.”Dahoud only played 14 games for the Seagulls before he returned on loan to Germany.Fifa rules for player international team switches say a player cannot switch nations if they have played more than three games for the nation they want to switch from.These appearances need to have also come before the age of 21 for the switch to be allowed. SunSport looked at seven England stars who remain eligible to switch to another nation, including Kobbie Mainoo and Anthony Gordon.Dahoud released a statement on the matter to his social media pagesCredit: https://www.instagram.com/stories/modahoud8/?hl=en More

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      Captain resigns and retires after ‘humiliating’ World Cup qualifier and tells wife ‘I really cannot accept it’

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      CHINA’S national team captain has retired from international duty after his country’s “humiliating” draw with Singapore.Zhang Linpeng threw in the towel after China could only muster a 2-2 stalemate in yesterday’s World Cup qualifier.China captain Zhang Linpeng has retired from national team dutyCredit: AlamyThe 34-year-old defender currently plays for Chinese Super League side Shanghai Port, having previously spent 11 years with rivals Guangzhou Evergrande.Zhang had featured 105 times for China ever since his debut in 2009, with World Cup winner and ex-boss Marcelo Lippi previously labelling him the nation’s “best footballer.”But his extraordinary international career is now at an end.China were expected to easily triumph over Singapore on Thursday.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThere are 70 places between the pair in Fifa’s world rankings, with China currently 88th.And things appeared to be going smoothly for the world’s third-biggest country as they raced into a two-goal lead.But Singapore pulled a goal back in the second half before levelling things in the 81st minute.And during the post-match press conference, Zhang announced that not only was he stepping down as China’s captain due to the “humiliating” result, he was also retiring from international duty for good.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERHe said: “I thought about it for a long while, I think it’s time to end my national team career.“We could not even beat the Singapore team. I think it’s unacceptable and I find it humiliating.”Oscar shows off his best moves for Shanghai SIPG in the Chinese Super League Meanwhile, Chinese state media reported that Zhang’s wife posted a message he sent her to social media.It read: “I really feel like I cannot do any better than this anymore.“Every day I am really putting in 100 per cent to 200 per cent effort, but this result, I really cannot accept it, so let’s just end it here.”China will now look to avenge their draw when they play Singapore in Tianjin next week.China national team results in 2024The games that led to Zhang’s shock retirement…

      China 1 Hong Kong 2
      China 0 Tajikistan 0
      Lebanon 0 China 0
      Qatar 1 China 0
      Singapore 2 China 2 More

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      Fifa announce brand new competition is set to start in days – but fans have probably never heard of it

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      FIFA have announced a brand-new international competition that is set to start in just days.The Fifa Series will see international teams from different federations take each other on during the next international break.Andorra will be one of the teams involved in the Fifa SeriesCredit: GettyWhat makes the matches different is that the teams would not usually face each other as they would be unlikely to qualify for a major tournament or face each other in qualifiers. The friendlies will also take part in one host nation with Fifa hoping that it will “allow more international football interaction, making a concrete contribution to global football development”.The event will be piloted later this month with 20 teams being placed into five different groups of four.Two groups will play in Saudi Arabia, while one will be each of Algeria, Azerbaijan and Sri Lanka.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThree teams from Uefa will be involved as Andorra takes on Algeria, Bolivia and South Africa.Whereas Azerbaijan will host Bulgaria, Mongolia and Tanzania.Fans will be keen to see how the international minnows match up against each other.It will also be interesting to see sides like Andorra play with more chances of picking up a win. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSFifa president Gianni Infantino said: “The Fifa Series is a really positive step forward for national-team football at global level.”Our member associations have been telling us for a long time now of their desire to test themselves against their counterparts from all around the world.Fifa World Cup 2026 final stadium revealed as raging fans say it was ‘the worst possible option’”And now they can do so within the current Men’s International Match Calendar.”More meaningful matches will enable far more valuable footballing interaction for players, teams and fans, and will make a concrete contribution to the development of the game.”The first matches for the tournament kick off on March 21.In the opening round, fans will be able to see the likes of South Africa vs Andorra, Guinea vs Vanuatu and Cape Verde vs Guyana.Full line-up for Fifa SeriesHere is a look at the first set of groups for Fifa Series
      Fifa Series: Algeria

      Algeria (CAF)
      Andorra (UEFA)
      Bolivia (CONMEBOL)
      South Africa (CAF)

      Fifa Series: Azerbaijan

      Azerbaijan (UEFA)
      Bulgaria (UEFA)
      Mongolia (AFC)
      Tanzania (CAF)

      Fifa Series: Saudi Arabia A

      Cabo Verde (CAF)
      Cambodia (AFC)
      Equatorial Guinea (CAF)
      Guyana (Concacaf)

      Fifa Series: Saudi Arabia B 

      Bermuda (Concacaf)
      Brunei Darussalam (AFC)
      Guinea (CAF)
      Vanuatu (OFC)

      Fifa Series: Sri Lanka

      Bhutan (AFC)
      Central African Republic (CAF)
      Papua New Guinea (OFC)
      Sri Lanka (AFC) More

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      England face possible 2026 World Cup nightmare scenario after Nations League debacle comes back to haunt Three Lions

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      ENGLAND’S Nations League debacle in 2022 could prove a major hurdle on the road to the next World Cup.The expansion to 48 teams for the finals in the USA, Mexico and Canada means 16 European places will be available, up from 13 in Qatar.
      England could be in for a tough World Cup qualifying campaignCredit: Getty
      But England’s relegation to League B of the Nations League after a campaign which saw them winless in six matches — including a 4-0 loss to Hungary at Molineux — will have repercussions.
      Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions will discover their opponents when the Nations League draw takes place next month.
      Uefa, though, has already determined that World Cup group rankings will be on the basis of Nations League performances only.
      This means the 12 top seeds will come from League A.
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      So England, who will be in one of the five-team qualifying groups if they win their League B division, cannot be seeded even if they win every match.
      With only the group winners certain of a finals place, potential opponents include Italy, France, Spain, Holland, Portugal or Belgium.
      Finishing second would pitch England into a sudden death play-off series in March 2026, with 16 teams competing for four slots.
      Maybe that will persuade the England players to take the Nations League more seriously when it kicks off in September.
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      BECKS’ APPEAL
      DAVID BECKHAM has snaffled Andy Murray’s long-term manager — in what seems a further signal the three-time Grand Slam champion might be ready to wind down his career.
      Matt Gentry, who worked with Murray since 2008, is joining Authentic Brands Group to cover Beckham’s commercial business.
      Murray, 36, remains on the books of sports management giant IMG.
      RAINEING CHAMPS
      THE drawn-out 13-month process that finally led to Sir Jim Ratcliffe taking control at Manchester United does not appear to have shaken the confidence in the Old Trafford dealmakers.
      US-based Raine Group conducted the sale process on behalf of the Glazer family after taking the same role when Russian Roman Abramovich was forced to relinquish control of Chelsea in 2022.
      Despite considerable criticism from bidders and United fans, Raine have now been appointed by Monaco owner, Russian billionaire oligarch Dmitry Rybolovlev, to “work on a total or partial sale project” for the Ligue 1 club he has run since 2011.
      Another big slice of a football deal heading to Raine chief Joe Ravitch, then.
      OLYMPIC DREAM
      THE success of the men’s and women’s hockey teams at the final Olympic qualifying tournaments mean a guaranteed 350-plus Team GB athletes have places in Paris.
      Team GB are predicted by international experts to be in line for a third-place finish in the medals table. And with a likely overall tally slightly above the 64 they won in Tokyo — although potentially fewer golds. More

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      New Netflix doc follows Messi, Ronaldo and Bale during Qatar World Cup – with bitter toxic feud laid bare

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      THEY are the men who held the hopes of nations in their hands.From Thiago Silva to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to England’s Harry Kane and Wales hero Gareth Bale, it is the dream of every country’s captain to win football’s World Cup.
      Netflix docuseries Captains Of The World takes a look at the pressure put on the men tasked with leading their teams to victory – like Argentina’s Lionel MessiCredit: Getty
      Most have their hopes crushed – but the winners take their place in history.
      Now new Netflix docuseries, Captains Of The World, takes a closer look at the pressure put on the handful of men tasked with leading their teams to victory.
      The six-part show follows captains and coaches during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
      We look at how some of football’s most famous names fought for their country’s pride in a bid to lift the famous gold trophy.
      READ MORE WORLD CUP
      LIONEL MESSI
      Argentina
      RANKED one of the world’s greatest players, Lionel Messi dreamed of emulating his hero Diego Maradona.
      He missed his idol, after Maradona died in November 2020 of a heart attack.
      He said: “It’s really weird not having him here, not seeing him in the stands, not seeing people going crazy when he shows up.
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      “He made everyone feel something ­special. This is my last chance to achieve my greatest dream, but this is a World Cup and it’s really tough.”
      Argentina went through to the semis after an explosive win in a penalty shootout against the Netherlands.
      The match was marked by tempers boiling over in an ongoing feud between Messi and Dutch head coach Louis van Gaal.
      The pair shared bad blood over van Gaal’s treatment of Messi’s mentor and Argentine footballing icon Juan Roman Riquelme when the Dutchman managed Barcelona.
      Messi was left fuming after van Gaal “disrespected” his team by claiming the play-maker didn’t contribute to the game when the other side had the ball.
      After scoring Argentina’s second goal, Messi channelled Riquelme’s mocking victory celebration before calling Netherlands goal scorer Wout Weghorst an idiot in a bad-tempered post-match outburst in the tunnel.
      Messi said: “It was a really tough game. We were facing a great team. We have a very good group of players. They know how to fight when the going gets tough.
      “They (the Netherlands) talked a lot before the game and I didn’t like it.
      “The player in the number 19 shirt (Weghorst) kept provoking us. Bumping into us, and saying things from the start.
      “I don’t think that behaviour belongs in football.
      “I was really angry before the match because a coach like van Gaal . . .  I felt he had disrespected the Argentinian team.”
      Messi fulfilled his World Cup mission after leading Argentina to victory over France in a spectacular final.
      He scored twice in the 3-3 match before scoring again from the spot as Argentina won on penalties.
      He said: “It’s very hard to explain how you feel at that moment. All that energy.”
      Asked if he had any advice for his young­er self, he said: “Enjoy football, keep doing what you do, because that’s what matters the most and the rest will come.”
      GARETH BALE
      Wales
      BALE led Wales to their first World Cup since 1958 and told how much-loved former manager Gary Speed, who took his own life in 2011, aged 42, still inspires the nation.
      On reaching Qatar he said: “The proudest thing you can do as an athlete is to represent your country.
      Gareth Bale led Wales to their first World Cup since 1958Credit: Netflix
      “To be playing for Wales and taking them to the World Cup, for it to become a reality is surreal.
      “Whenever I meet up with Wales it feels like home.
      “I know everyone sees that I’m quiet, but I like to joke around and get people going. It’s about us as a team, trying to do as best we can.”
      He said the team still talk about Gary Speed, adding: “We still speak about him. Everyone involved will tell you how grateful the whole nation is.
      “If he hadn’t come in at that moment, we might not be where we are now, we might not have had that foundation built for us to really kick on and achieve what we’ve achieved.”
      HARRY KANE
      England
      TOP scorer Kane went up against his Spurs team-mate Hugo Lloris in the quarter-final.
      Kane missed a penalty which saw England crash out when they lost 2-1 to France.
      Harry Kane explains that it’s always important to control your emotions during a tournamentCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      But the England talisman never lost hope until the last moment.
      He said: “We’re level-headed, we know what we need to do to go far in this tournament. It’s important you control your emotions.
      “We’re not just here to reach the quarter-final and we have to believe if we want to go all the way.”
      On penalties he said: “I like to have the ball in my hands, stay calm.
      “I always kind of know where I’m going to put the penalty, focus on that.”
      Lloris says of Kane’s miss: “That’s football.”
      England boss Gareth Southgate said: “England always think they should be winning. History would tell us that’s not really the case.”
      CRISTIANO RONALDO
      Portugal
      RONALDO hoped his fifth World Cup finals would see him get his hands on the trophy at last.
      He got off to a rocky start after it was rumoured he threatened to quit after being benched for two games.
      Ronaldo says that he’s felt the same pressure as everCredit: Netflix
      Although he made appearances as a substitute, it didn’t prevent Portugal from being beaten by Morocco in one of the big shocks.
      He said: “Everyone wants to win but there can only be one winner.
      “If you asked me if I finished my career today, would I be happy? Yes of course! But a World Cup win could be fun.”
      Of his shredded dreams after a quarter-final exit, he said: “Some people like me, some people don’t, but I’m proud of everything I’ve done. It wouldn’t be fair for me to ask for more.
      “I don’t chase records, records chase me. Pressure? Every player feels pressure. There’s been pressure ever since I left Madeira aged 11.”
      THIAGO SILVA
      Brazil
      AN emotional Silva told how he was left “hurt” after pre-tournament favourites Brazil were knocked out by Croatia in the quarter-finals.
      But he said he had already won the biggest battle of his life after winning a fight for survival against tuberculosis aged 21 in 2005.
      Silva tells of being ‘hurt’ after Brazil’s loss to Croatia in the 2022 World Cup quarter-finalsCredit: Getty
      The Chelsea defender said: “People say Thiago is weak for having emotions. I wouldn’t have got where I am today by being mentally weak.
      “I had to be strong in one of the biggest battles of my life. I left Brazil when I was young . . . I trained and trained with a painful chest.
      “The doctor held the X-ray up and you could see there was a huge hole in my lung.
      “If we had waited any longer for diagnosis there would be no cure.
      Read more on The Sun
      “Going through tuberculosis left me with scars that will never heal.
      “When people say I’ve won a lot of ­trophies, the biggest achievement of my life was overcoming that.” More

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      Lionel Messi breaks silence on Brazil vs Argentina chaos as World Cup winner says ‘a tragedy could have happened’

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      LIONEL MESSI has spoken out about the chaos at the Brazil vs Argentina World Cup qualifier as a “tragedy could have happened”.Before the match started mayhem broke out at the Maracana between fans and the police.
      Lionel Messi has spoken out after the chaos at the Brazil vs Argentina clashCredit: AP
      A violent clash between police and fans in the stands sparked a mass brawl before Argentina’s rivals Brazil were defeated 1-0.
      After the incident, police resorted to using batons to hold back the fans leaving some injured and a few covered in blood.
      Instead of celebrating the win Messi has shared his thoughts about the violence that took place in Rio de Janeiro.
      He said: “We saw how police were hitting the people, it already happened in the Libertadores final.
      READ MORE ARGENTINA NEWS
      “They were more focused on that than on the game.”
      Earlier this year a similar incident occurred when Brazilian side Fluminense won against Boca Juniors at the Maracana.
      Messi added: “We went to the locker room because it was the best way to calm everything down, a tragedy could have happened.
      “We are a family. We decided to play to make the situation more calm.”
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      The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner then took to Instagram and said: “This team continues to make history.
      “Great victory in the Maracana although it will be marked by the repression of the Argentinians once again in Brazil.
      “This can’t be tolerated it’s insane and it needs to end now!!’
      Meanwhile, some of the Argentina squad took matters into their own hands at the game to bite back at the police.
      Argentina’s goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez launched himself towards the stand as he attempted to grab a baton out of a police officer’s hand before being brought down by his teammates.
      Messi guided his team back into the dressing room to wait for the situation to calm down.
      And Argentina vowed they would only return to the pitch when things quietened with their arch-rivals Brazil.
      After 22 minutes the 2022 World Cup winners returned and the game finally began.
      Messi’s Argentina are soaring through their South American World Cup qualifying group as they sit top of the table with 15 points while Brazil are sixth with seven points.
      Argentina’s player took to the crowd in an attempt to calm down the mayhemCredit: Getty More

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      Tottenham fans attacked by hooligans in China as Son Heung-min nets twice in crucial World Cup qualifier

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      SEVERAL Tottenham fans appeared to be attacked by hooligans in China as Son Heung-min scored twice in a crucial World Cup qualifier.South Korea dominated the clash at the Shenzhen Universiade Sports Centre earlier today and won 3-0. 
      Son Heung-min scored two as South Korea beat China 3-0 todayCredit: Getty
      Tottenham fans appeared to be attacked by hooligans in ChinaCredit: X
      South Korea supporters wearing Spurs tops were targeted in the shock footageCredit: X
      Spurs star Son, who captains his nation, grabbed a first half brace before Seung Hyeon Jung added a third to fire their country closer to a spot at the 2026 World Cup.
      However, the result was not the main talking point afterwards after video clips shot from stands were shared showing several confrontations between supporters.
      One clip showed a fan wearing a Spurs No7 shirt that had ‘Won’ on the back being pointed out by a rival supporter.
      The individual was then dragged away from his seat and towards the exit by other spectators.
      READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
      Then a photograph started trending that showed a different fan, also wearing a Spurs jersey, appearing to be in a punching match with a Chinese supporter.
      Clashes between China and South Korea have become one of Asia’s biggest rivalries over recent years.
      Son and his team-mates have enjoyed the better of it, having competed at the last ten World Cups, with China only reaching one international tournament, way back in 2002.
      Due to their poor record against South Korea, Chinese media have even come up with the term “Koreaphobia”.
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      China did get the better of their foes back in a feisty and bad-tempered 2018 World Cup qualifier.
      Tensions peaked ahead of that game in the Chinese city of Gangshu with the Korean FA asking their counterparts to guarantee the safety of their travelling supporters.
      A hostile atmosphere followed as China won 1-0, but they still failed to go on and qualify. More

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      Inside incredible journey of former Welsh lifeguard who is now aiming to manage 170th-ranked Fiji at first World Cup

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      ROB SHERMAN knows a thing or two about the beach after his time as a champion lifeguard on the Welsh west coast.But he is certainly not taking things easy in his new role as the national football team manager of Fiji – 10,000 miles from home.
      Rob Sherman is the new national team manager of FijiCredit: www.phototek.nz / Fiji Football Federation
      The ex-footballer, left, with his brother Stuart on the Welsh surf lifesaving tour of Australia in 1982Credit: Rob Sherman
      Fiji have never played at a World Cup but could benefit from the extra qualifying spot for OceaniaCredit: www.phototek.nz / Fiji Football Federation
      The 63-year-old took over as head coach in July.
      As well as his remit to develop the beautiful game in the beautiful South Pacific country, Sherman has strong ambitions of leading the nation ranked 170th out of 207 in the Fifa rankings to their first World Cup.
      Those chances were boosted by Oceania now getting 1.5 qualifying spots, up from 0.5 for Qatar 2022, which will see one country from the federation guaranteed a place at the 2026 tournament and another entering an inter-continental play-off.
      New Zealand are the dominant team, reaching South Africa 2010 before losing play-offs for the last three World Cups.
      READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
      But Sherman, who will get a first proper chance to assess his squad in their Pacific Games opener against Northern Marianas Islands in the Solomon Islands on Saturday, believes Fiji can spring a surprise when qualifying gets underway in September 2024.
      Asked whether the Bula Boys can book a spot at United States, Canada and Mexico 2026, Sherman told SunSport: “The extra qualifying spot raises the ambition of all the nations but in particular Fiji. 
      “The ideal is to win the one slot, that’s not beyond the realms if I’m honest. But at the very least an inter-continental play-off raises the profile of football in the region and if you do make the World Cup then happy days. 
      “Personally, qualifying would be a real moment of actualisation. I’ve coached since I was 17.
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      “Because I didn’t make it as a player, being a decent coach has been my way of compensating – so getting Fiji to the World Cup would be a moment of great satisfaction.
      “Getting to the world’s biggest sporting event would be huge for all Fijians across the world.
      “Fiji are very competitive within Oceania. 
      “New Zealand are the top-ranked country with lots of professional players. Then it’s the likes of the Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, Tahiti, Papa New Guinea, Vanuatu and ourselves.”
      Sherman, whose son Drew was the youngest international manager when he took charge of the Cook Islands aged 28, is based in Christchurch, doing his job remotely before flying the three-and-a-half hours to Fiji for camps. 
      However, he is unable to select some players due to strict Fijian government laws regarding passports. 
      Anyone applying for a Fijian passport for the first time after turning 18 needs to spend five years living in the country, thus ruling out a host of talent abroad with a Fijian grandparent, for example, who would be eligible under Fifa legislation.
      Many of the stars in the Fiji team play in the amateur national league and have regular jobs, from police and army to labouring. 
      FIJI’S FITNESS FIX
      Therefore improving fitness levels is a key priority for Sherman and his backroom team including ex-Premier League goalkeeper Les Cleevely, especially after the “jaded” Under-23s team lost 9-0 to New Zealand in September’s Olympic qualifying final.
      And he sets a high standard having completed an Ironman in 2000, the year after running the New York Marathon. 
      Born and bred in Aberystwyth, Sherman has always prided himself on his ridiculous fitness levels and even represented his country at THREE different sports – plus played off a single-figure golf handicap.
      Football was his primary sport, playing for the Wales Under-18s after being scouted to join Cardiff City as a teenager. 
      He was also an accomplished athlete, holding the national junior 400m hurdles record, as well as competing for his country at the surf lifesaving championships, too.
      But his football career spiralled downwards thanks to a rotten stroke of bad timing at Cardiff.
      On a Tuesday in November 1978, Jimmy Andrews told Sherman he would get his debut on the Saturday – but the manager lost his job on the Thursday.
      Sherman never played for the first team.
      Sherman, far left, representing his country in the beach sprintCredit: Rob Sherman
      The former footballer played for Wales Under-18sCredit: Rob Sherman
      Sherman, bottom row second right, lines up with his Red Ravens team-matesCredit: Rob Sherman
      Sherman held the 400m hurdles junior national recordCredit: Rob Sherman
      The ultra-fit athlete has also completed a triathlon, marathon and IronmanCredit: Rob Sherman
      The national team is unable to select certain players who live abroad due to strict Fijian passport rulesCredit: www.phototek.nz / Fiji Football Federation
      A brief stint under John Toshack at Swansea followed but his playing days “faded out” and he turned to coaching full-time, migrating with his wife to New Zealand in 2007 when he was headhunted to be technical director of the football federation.
      Sherman, who has coached at three Women’s World Cups and helped Canada win Olympic bronze in 2012, was also technical director of Australia and Wales, training many of the Dragons’ ‘Golden Generation’ that reached the Euro 2016 semi-finals. 
      The Welshman said: “There was a series of things at Cardiff, I was asked to do something and refused, a legal matter, and I never had a look in after that.
      “I was lucky enough to go to Swansea but a little bump in the journey became a mountain. I was damaged goods from a mental perspective. 
      “Ironically I coached my son’s team when he was about seven and realised how little I knew. That was the catalyst and I re-did my coaching awards. I’m in it for the player, not for me. 
      “I patrolled the beaches as a lifeguard in my hometown. I was British beach sprint champion. It’s essentially a 100m sprint, the idea being you get to patients quickly to improve rescue efficiency. 
      The athletic potential of Fijian players is enormous… Oceania is untapped for its talent due to the geographyRob Sherman
      “I did it until I was 16, then had four years without it then the Welsh Championships were in Swansea. We didn’t have a game so I went and won. The following year I was out of football so it was a nice diversion.”
      But super-fit Sherman knows the journey for Fiji to the World Cup is a marathon not a sprint, especially when rugby is the country’s beloved No1 sport.
      Fiji beat England at Twickenham in August then stunned Australia at the Rugby World Cup before losing a tight quarter-final to the Red Rose in France. 
      Sherman is determined to use the Flying Fijians’ success as inspiration for his Bula Boys and believes that can unlock a huge new scouting market for top clubs.
      The head coach added: “The athletic potential of Fijian players is enormous.
      “In terms of inspiration, the rugby performances have shown there are no limitations and there is massive opportunity. 
      “Obviously, rugby is their favoured sport, regularly playing against Australia, New Zealand, South Africa. That illustrates the difference, they are professional players and many play in Europe. 
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      “This is the long-term objective for football. South America and Africa have a traditional yield for scouting whereas Oceania is untapped for its talent due to the geography.
      “Through a World Cup or exposure of a good qualifying campaign, some very talented players could get opportunities in professional football, maybe in Australia or directly to Europe.”
      The U23s reached the Olympic qualifying final while the U20s went to the 2023 World Cup in ArgentinaCredit: www.phototek.nz / Fiji Football Federation
      Fiji’s rugby team stunned Australia at the World CupCredit: AFP
      Sherman coached a number of players in Wales’ team that reached the Euro 2016 semi-finalsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Sherman led Llantwit Major FC to the Corinthian Cup in his first coaching roleCredit: Rob Sherman
      Sherman did not make a first-team appearance for CardiffCredit: Rob Sherman
      Bad timing meant Jimmy Andrews never gave Sherman his Cardiff debutCredit: Rob Sherman
      Sherman represented Wales in three different sportsCredit: Rob Sherman
      Sherman in action on his debut for hometown club Aberystwyth Town as a 16-year-oldCredit: Rob Sherman
      The Welshman has been director of football for three different countriesCredit: Rob Sherman
      Taking Fiji to the World Cup would be a ‘moment of great personal satisfaction’Credit: Fiji Football Association More

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      First teams already eliminated from 2026 World Cup contention – 969 days before the tournament begins

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      GUAM have become the first nation to be eliminated from 2026 World Cup contention – 969 days before the tournament is set to begin.The western Pacific island take part in the AFC’s qualifying path.
      Nations around the globe are already dreaming of World Cup 2026 gloryCredit: EMPICS Sport
      Twenty sides were drawn into two-legged ties, with the losers of each OUT of World Cup contention.
      Guam drew Singapore and were beaten 2-1 in the first leg.
      The two sides met again in Dededo on Tuesday, with Shawal Anuar’s late goal consigning Guam to a 3-1 aggregate defeat.
      Other Asian nations have since also fallen by the wayside, their dreams of competing on the world stage already parked until 2030.
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      Mongolia were beaten 2-0 on aggregate by Afghanistan.
      Yemen overcame Sri Lanka 4-1 across two legs.
      Cambodia were narrowly edged out 1-0 by Pakistan.
      Timor-Leste were beaten 7-0 on aggregate by Chinese Taipei.
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      Macau held Myanmar to a 0-0 draw at home, but were beaten 5-1 by their rivals in the away leg.
      Bangladesh edged past the Maldives 2-1 on aggregate, holding on with ten men in the second clash.
      Meanwhile, Bhutan fell short in their comeback against Hong Kong, only managing a 2-0 win after losing the first leg 4-0.
      Nepal scaped through against Laos 2-1 and Indonesia thumped Brunei 12-0 – with resounding 6-0 wins home and away. More