World Cup

A DIEHARD Wales fan flew to Qatar to watch England take on his team in the World Cup – without telling his girlfriend. David ‘Dai’ Jones’ other half had warned him she would pack her bags if he went, but the dad-of-two still jumped on a plane to Doha.
David ‘Dai’ Jones ignored his girlfriend’s protests and headed to Qatar to catch the gameCredit: PA
The diehard Wales fan said he simply couldn’t miss the game after seeing his pals partyingCredit: PA
The footie-mad Welshman, 33, headed on his spur-of-the-moment trip after seeing his best pals partying at the tournament from their base in Dubai.
His fear of missing out saw him embark on a hellish 24-hour journey on Monday after his friends helped him secure a ticket and visa.
David, from Pontypridd in South Wales, brushed off the ultimatum delivered by his girlfriend of 11 years and simply turned his phone off.
He was desperate to watch his team take on the Three Lions – despite them suffering an almighty thrashing by Gareth Southgate’s men.
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The spontaneous supporter was forced to sleep in Hamad International Airport after arriving with no accommodation booked.
But he roused from his awkward slumber and headed straight to a pre-match party being held by Wales supporters at the Intercontinental the City hotel.
David explained: “I didn’t have a ticket to come out originally because my girlfriend said I couldn’t afford it – she still thinks I can’t afford it now.
“She said if you go that’s it, but I said if I didn’t go I’d never forgive her.
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“I saw my friends having the time of their lives in Dubai and going to the first two matches and I just thought I have to be there.
“It’s Wales’ first World Cup in 64 years – and that’s it.
“The three of us have been following Wales away for years and we’re the ‘three amigos’, and now the band is back together.”
The electrician continued: “I did everything but gain her acceptance to go.
“And I thought she might get over it in time, but I never would, so I made the decision to come.
“She rang my dad because my phone was off and he told her I’d be home in a few days.”
His best mates James Lewis, 32, and Jamie Shipp, 31, helped him arrange the mammoth 24-hour journey that saw him first take an overnight coach from Cardiff to Heathrow.
He then had to quickly catch another bus to Stansted before boarding a plane to Turkey to catch a connecting flight to Doha.
I thought she might get over it in time, but I never would, so I made the decision to come.David ‘Dai’ Jones
Pal Lewis, also from Pontypridd, said: “We came out here and then he was saying all week that he wanted to be out here with us.
“It feels amazing to have him here, I’ve known him since we were small and we’ve always travelled to watch Wales together.”
Jamie added: “He’s mad, but he’s the best. I do feel sorry for his girlfriend though.”
The trio beamed in snaps as they donned the iconic colourful bucket hats in support of their team.
But David was then forced to race against the clock after watching Wales get blown away by three quickfire goals – as his boss was also on his back about the impromptu trip.
The dad had to rush back to the airport and board a plane home just after 4am after being warned he would be sacked if he is not back in work on Thursday.
Wales fans were left disappointed after The Dragons crashed out of the World Cup after failing to bag a 4-0 win.
The USA sailed through to the next round alongside England from Group B after beating Iran 1-0.
A whopping 8,000 Three Lions fans watched the game live in Qatar alongside 6,000 from Wales.
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England have not lost to Wales since 1984 and are unbeaten in the last six meetings between the two nations.
They last came head-to-head in an official tournament at Euro 2016 when the Three Lions beat the Dragons 2-1.
Pals James and Jamie teamed up with David to get the dad-of-two across the world in timeCredit: PA
His partner warned him she would ditch him if he headed to QatarCredit: PA More

ANDRIES NOPPERT says he is proof that you should never give up on your dreams.The 28-year-old journeyman goalkeeper, who has had an injury plagued career with less than 50 senior appearances, was a shock late call-up to Louis van Gaal’s Holland squad based on his performances for Heerenveen this season.
Andries Noppert has enjoyed a steep rise to become Holland’s first choice keeperCredit: Getty
He has started all three of Holland’s World Cup games so farCredit: Getty
Not just a shock call up to the squad, but he actually made his international debut in the Oranje’s very first match out here in Qatar – a 2-0 victory over Senegal – and has kept his place.
Now, after Van Gaal’s side marched into the next phase of the tournament as Group A winners, he is continuing to pinch himself that this is all actually real.
Noppert said: “For me the dream, when you see my career, was already gone but it came true.
“I never thought about this happening. Its a big compliment to come in the squad and then to play at the highest level in the world. It was a surprise for sure.
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“But there is only one mister in Holland who can make this decision and that is this coach.
“I actually found out I was in the squad when I was watching the television and my name came up.”
Noppert says the fact that all this was so unexpected, makes it all the more special.
He said: “Of course this is the dream – when you are a small guy, you dream about this.
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“So this makes it more special for me because, when you see my history, this is proof of what you can achieve when you keep on fighting.
“This is something that children have to believe in themselves, that everything is always possible.”
Noppert has had a tough time battling back from injuries to keep any hopes he might have harboured of one day playing for the national team alive.
He said: “I got injuries and had to come back again and again, four times.
“You keep being told you can do it again if you think in your head you can.
“So I said ‘yes for sure why not’ and if it doesn’t work it doesn’t work, but I believed that it would work and look where I am now and for me this is the most special thing.
“My family are so happy and proud – I know they are always and they follow me always and everywhere so I am proud.
“They were at the game against Ecuador – that was not our best, but it doesn’t matter, we are first in the group.”
That Ecuador draw was sandwiched between a 2-0 win over Senegal and victory by the same margin against Qatar on Tuesday.
Holland now face the USA in a last 16 knockout tie on Saturday.
Noppert believes Holland can go all the way in QatarCredit: Getty
Noppert’s initial nerves as he made his debut in that opening game have now subsided as he gets use to being Holland’s most unlikely No1.
He said: “I am not nervous. Only in the first game that we played against Senegal. That was a special moment and you come on the pitch and there was our anthem.
“That was really special because it’s the first time but after I’m not nervous.”
Proof that you can become an unlikely hero was instilled in Noppert eight years ago when he was sat on his sofa at home watching Holland’s World Cup quarter-final in Brazil against Costa Rica.
With the game going to penalties, Van Gaal brought on Tim Krul in the 120th minute just for the spot kicks.
He saved two of the five as the Dutch progressed to the semi-finals.
Noppert said: “I was sat at home watching and I know a bit how the coach is and at that moment he had to do something and he did the right thing – he had to change something in the team and in the stadium and he did this.
“For a goalkeeper its an amazing feeling when you save the ball, so when you come in only for the penalties then it’s really special that you can save the team like this and he did in that moment and he did it great.”
Now can Noppert go down in history as the man whose saves helped Holland to World Cup glory?
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He said: “For sure you dream. I came here with the dream to win the World Cup and in my opinion its possible.
“Go step by step, play every game like it’s a final, then win THE final.” More

JUDE BELLINGHAM may be one of England’s brightest prospects, but that has not stopped him from bearing the brunt of a few jokes from the rest of his team-mates.Bellingham, 19, was on the end of some jokes after confessing his mum Denise still makes his bed.
Jude Bellingham with mum DeniseCredit: @BellinghamJude
Bellingham alongside his family including brother JobeCredit: Instagram
Bellingham in action for EnglandCredit: Getty
Conor Coady revealed some of the banter in the dressing room and revealed who in particular pokes the most fun at the revelation.
The on-loan Everton defender said: “Hendo (Jordan Henderson) looks after Jude like there is no tomorrow.
“The other day he (Bellingham) said something about his mum making his bed.
“We are talking Jude Bellingham here, one of the best young players in the world.
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“Hendo sat up at dinner and said: ‘What?’. Jude said, ‘My mum makes my bed’.
“Hendo was bashing and bashing him.”
Bellingham and Henderson both starred as England swept aside Wales thanks to a 3-0 victory on Tuesday.
A brace from Marcus Rashford and a Phil Foden tap-in at the far post saw the Three Lions top their group to set up a last 16 tie against African Cup of Nations champions Senegal.
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But Bellingham started off the World Cup in great form as well, scoring England’s first in the 6-2 demolition of Iran.
Gareth Southgate’s second World Cup England camp appeared to be in good spirits ahead of the Wales game.
Squad members were pictured enjoying some time in the pool alongside the infamous inflatable unicorn, taking in some sun at the beach and tucking into some delicious looking food.
Bellingham’s strong form at the World Cup can only bode well for his future and for current club Borussia Dortmund, who will doubtless be licking their lips at the ever-increasing transfer value of the teenager.
Chelsea owner Todd Boehly is said to be “obsessed” with the idea of signing the ex-Birmingham star for the Blues.
Meanwhile, Manchester United and Liverpool – both been long-term admirers – have been urged to instead go for Toni Kroos on a free rather than spend upwards of £100m for Bellingham.
Jordan Henderson celebrates with Bellingham after beating WalesCredit: Getty More

ALAN SHEARER led the praise for Gareth Southgate’s genius tactical tweak that gave England the key to break through Wales. The Three Lions had struggled to create in the first-half as Rob Page’s side sat deep and looked to nick an unexpected World Cup result.
Southgate has faced some criticism from fans for his tactical decisionsCredit: EPA
But Shearer, who scored thirty goals for England from 1992 to 2000, was full of praise for his tweak last nightCredit: Getty
But the floodgates opened in the second half as quick-fire goals from Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden finally gave England control of the match.
A brilliant individual goal by the Manchester United forward later in the half put the game to bed, with England qualifying top of their World Cup group.
Rashford and Foden were at the centre of a crucial half-time tactical switch.
The two emerged on opposite flanks after the break and led to the pair being central to all three goals.
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Pundit Shearer was impressed at the in-game tactics from the England manager.
Speaking on the BBC, the former Three Lions striker said: “Gareth Southgate takes criticism at times for not making substitutions at the right time, etcetera, but he made a decision at half-time to switch Foden and Rashford over and it worked perfectly.
“He also made a decision to start them because as said before there has been a lot of clamour to get Foden into the team, it’s worked perfectly.
“He got the results with England scoring goals again and credit where it’s due.”
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The inclusion of the two was also a big call by Southgate who opted to make some changes after the bore draw with the US.
Bukayo Saka and Raheem Sterling were among those who were dropped to the bench, while Jordan Henderson got his first start of the tournament.
Southgate now has a selection headache ahead of the last-16 game against Senegal whether to revert to tried and trusted tournament stars like Sterling or keep faith with the same side who dominated Wales.
If Foden starts the England boss may also need to make a call on his position, with the Manchester City star in open disagreement with his manager over where he should play. More

GARETH SOUTHGATE believes his England side are more prepared for the World Cup knockout stages than they were in 2018. Southgate led the Three Lions to the last four in Russia in 2018 and went one further last year with a Euros final.
Gareth Southgate after England’s win over WalesCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
England now play Senegal on Sunday in the last 16 in Qatar and do so more confident than ever.
Southgate said: “I think there is a different mentality. More belief. In Russia, we were just thinking, ‘Can we win a knockout game?’
“Now there is more confidence and more experience of knockout matches. We are pleased the first objective is achieved.
“The spirit of the team is good we have got most of the team on the pitch which is fabulous for the dynamic – and no yellow cards which is good.”
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A double from Marcus Rashford and first World Cup goal for Phil Foden saw off Wales 3-0.
And it was United’s Rashford, who came in at left-wing for the match, who received high praise from boss Southgate.
He said: “Watching lots of games the big players have stepped up.
“And our forwards didn’t do that in the first half but in the second half they really did.
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“You need goals from all areas. It is a problem for opposition if the threat is coming from other areas of the pitch.
“It is competition for places and people have to deliver. You can see with his club there has been happiness in his performances.
“We have a different version completely to the player we had in the Euros last summer.”
England manager Gareth Southgate hugs Marcus RashfordCredit: Getty More

THE football world has hailed a beautiful moment between USA’s Antonee Robinson and Iran’s Ramin Rezaeian at the end of their World Cup clash on Tuesday night.Gregg Berhalter’s side booked their place in the last 16 and knocked Iran out in the process as Christian Pulisic’s goal handed them a 1-0 win in their crucial group stage match.
Antonee Robinson consoled Ramin Rezaeian after the final whistleCredit: Getty

The pair embraced as Rezaeian broke down in tears on the shoulder of RobinsonCredit: Getty
USA leapfrogged Iran to clinch a last 16 place on Tuesday nightCredit: Getty
And the Iran players were left devastated at the final whistle as their World Cup campaign came to an end.
The moment was all too much for defender Rezaeian – whose home country are currently going through a turbulent time.
But Fulham left-back Robinson was on hand to console the Iranian right-back as he wept on the shoulder of the American – despite historic tensions between the two nations.
The clip went viral online and led to a heartwarming response across the world.
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Reacting on social media, one person said: “BEAUTIFUL display of brotherhood! These two men said it all.
“When the US and Iran can embrace with such compassion like this, it’s a symbol of the highest and truest part of our humanity. Peace and love to Iran.💚🕊️❤️.”
Another added: “That is BEAUTIFUL! The BEAUTY of sport!”
A third simply said: “True sportsmanship.”
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And a fourth replied: “Absolutely brilliant. Sport overcomes everything.”
USA will now face Holland on Saturday as they fight for a place in the World Cup quarter-finals.
The Americans have not reached the last eight since the 2002 tournament – when they were eliminated by eventual runners-up Germany. More