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      Who is Serbia’s Japanese assistant manager Katsuhito Kinoshi and why does he sing the national anthem?

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      SERBIA are no doubt one of the dark horses for the 2022 World Cup, with the Europeans having some tricks up their sleeves.Everyone is aware of the quality that Fulham’s Aleksandar Mitrovic possesses, having netted 9 Premier League goals going into the World Cup.
      Katsuhito Kinoshi and Dragon Stojkovic have a strong relationshipCredit: Instagram: coach_kino

      But could the real secret weapon for Serbia be in the form of their patriotic assistant coach?
      We have all the information on Katsuhito Kinoshi, his background and why he sings the national anthem for a country that he isn’t born in.
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      Who is Katsuhito Kinoshi?
      Kinoshi is the current assistant manager for Serbia and acts as the second in command to Dragon Stojkovic.
      His coaching career began in his native country back in 2003 after being appointed as fitness coach at Omiya Ardija before climbing the ladder in Japan.
      Under a year after being appointed at Omiya Ardija, Kinoshi joined Yokohama FC where he took the role as assistant manager and fitness coach until 2008.
      Serbia are looking to shock the world in QatarCredit: Instagram: coach_kino

      However, it wasn’t until his next club where he met Stojkovic and built a bond with the head coach.
      Moving to Nagoya Grampus, Kinoshi initially joined as the fitness coach before being promoted to the role of assistant manager after six years.
      He oversaw 278 games with Stojkovic before the Serbian departed and Kinoshi became assistant manager to Akira Nishoni.
      Katsuhito Kinoshi has become a fan favourite after showing his patriotism to SerbiaCredit: Instagram: coach_kino

      However, this would not be the last time that Stojkovic and Nishoni worked together as the manager came in for his former fitness caoch when he took over at GZ R&F in China.
      Kinoshi reunited with Stojkovic and the pair enjoyed a further 141 matches together before they departed and once again started working together, this time with the Serbia national team.
      This move made the Japanese coach the first from his nation to ever be on the coaching staff of a European team.
      Why does Katsuhito Kinoshi sing the Serbian national anthem?
      Fans will notice that when the national anthems of each side are sung during the World Cup, Kinoshi is pictured on the sidelines singing the anthem.
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      Despite being from Japan, he can be seen loud and proud belting out the words to the Serbian national tune.
      And this is all down to his pride at being the first coach from Japan to be on the backroom staff of a European side.
      Showing patriotism for a country that is not his own, the coach feels at one with his players and the nation when representing them and as a mark of respect and a show of his dedication, he participates alongside the manager, players and fans in singing the anthem. More

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      Phil Foden reveals ‘stupid’ England mistake that ruled him out of ‘biggest game of my career’ ahead of World Cup 2022

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      PHIL FODEN is still haunted by missing the Euro 2020 final – which he he was absent from because of a “stupid” trick attemptThe Manchester City whizz missed the heartbreaking shootout defeat to Italy after suffering a freak injury in training.
      Phil Foden missed the Euro 2020 final through injuryCredit: GETTY More

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      England squad priced at £1.23BILLION as most valuable at World Cup ahead of France, Brazil and Portugal

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      ENGLAND boast the only £1BILLION squad at the World Cup.That’s according to Transfermarkt, with the Three Lions boasting some of the most valuable stars in the world including Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham.
      England boast the most valuable squad at the World Cup
      Those two alone are worth a combined £186million, with England’s squad valued at £1.2bn overall.
      Unsurprisingly, World Cup favourites Brazil rank second with a squad valued a little under £1bn.
      Reigning champions France round off the top three while Uruguay are somewhat of a surprise inclusion in the top ten.
      SunSport has taken a look at the top ten most valuable squads at the World Cup.
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      1. England – £1.2bn
      Gareth Southgate’s young squad possesses nine players with a market value of more than £60m.
      Captain Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka are the next most highly valued squad members after Foden and Bellingham with both boasting a £78m price tag.
      Declan Rice rounds off the top five with a £70m rating, though West Ham have demanded £150m to let him leave.
      Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham are England’s most valuable playersCredit: PA
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      2. Brazil – £966m
      There is a lot of excitement about the Brazilians and for good reason given the quality of their side, particularly in attack.
      Neymar is the most expensive signing of all time and now has a market value of £66m.
      However that puts him behind Real Madrid duo Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr, with the latter worth a staggering £105m.
      Vinicius jr now has a higher value than NeymarCredit: EPA
      3. France – £788m
      Les Bleus are missing high-profile players like Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante but still rank third thanks to possessing £140m-rated Kylian Mbappe.
      The striker boasts the highest value of any player at the tournament due to £150m-rated Erling Haaland’s absence.
      Other big names include Chelsea-bound Christopher Nkunku, Aurelien Tchouameni and Arsenal centre-back William Salbia, whose stock is certainly on the rise.
      Kylian Mbappe is France’s star manCredit: AFP
      4. Portugal – £728m
      Portugul icon Pepe is the oldest player in the squad and has a value of just £880,000 – a stark contrast to £74m-valued Rafael Leao.
      Gone are the days of Cristiano Ronaldo being the most expensive player in the squad with AC Milan star Leao taking his crown.
      Ronaldo is the 17th-most highly-valued member of the squad – ranking behind Manchester United team-mates Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes, who incredibly snubbed the superstar when the squad met up on Monday.
      Cristiano Ronaldo is no longer Portugal’s most valuable playerCredit: EPA
      5. Spain – £712m
      Spain rank just behind rivals Portugal as Luis Enrique looks to build on reaching the Euro 2020 semi-final.
      A blend of youth and experience could prove very effective with Barcelona wonderkids Pedri, Gavi and Ansu Fati looking to establish themselves on the international stage.
      That trio are three of the top five most expensive players in the squad with £87m-rated Pedri top, followed by Gavi who is valued at £78m.
      Barcelona pair Gavi (left) and Pedri will be looking to light up the World CupCredit: The Mega Agency
      6. Germany – £635m
      Germany also possess a wonderkid who could set the World Cup alight – Jamal Musiala.
      The Bayern Munich midfielder boasts a value of £87m which is unmatched by any of his German team-mates.
      Four more Bayern stars make up the rest of the top six most expensive players, which also includes Chelsea star Kai Havertz, worth £61m.
      Germany also boast a wonderkid in Jamal MusialaCredit: AFP
      7. Argentina – £554m
      Argentina have seven players worth less than £10m including Angel Di Maria but still have a squad valued way over £500m.
      A 35-year-old Lionel Messi is valued at £43m with only Tottenham’s Christian Romero and striker Lautaro Martinez supposedly worth more than the PSG superstar.
      But there is no more important figure for Argentina than captain Messi, who will hope to inspire his team on and off the pitch just as he did in Argentina’s Copa America win last year.
      Lionel Messi is hoping to inspire Argentina on and off the pitchCredit: EPA
      8. Belgium – £477m
      Belgium’s golden generation is coming to an end but they still boast expensive top talent such as Kevin De Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois.
      They rank as the most expensive and second most expensive players in the squad with respective values of £70m and £61m, while Romelu Lukaku was signed for £98m by Chelsea last year.
      Kevin De Bruyne will be key for BelgiumCredit: EPA
      9. Netherlands – £416m
      The Netherlands have the least expensive player of all the top ten countries in £220,000-rated goalkeeper Remko Pasveer.
      But they do boast young and highly-rated forward Cody Gakpo, who has been linked with a transfer to United.
      Frenkie de Jong was also wanted by the Red Devils in the summer but neither player is the most valuable in the Holland squad – that honour goes to Matthijs de Ligt who joined Bayern Munich for £68m in the summer.
      Mattijs de Ligt is the second most valuable centre-back in the world, per TransfermarktCredit: Getty
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      10. Uruguay – £368m
      Real Madrid star Federico Valverde is one of the most in-form players heading to the tournament and one of the most highly rated too with a value of £87m.
      He is followed by £61m-valued Liverpool star Darwin Nunez with Barcelona centre-back Ronald Araujo also helping to bump up Uruguay into the top ten.
      Liverpool star Darwin Nunez is one of Uruguay’s most valuable playersCredit: Getty More

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      Lionel Messi leaves fans fearing he’s injured during Argentina training… but PSG star is only joking around

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      ARGENTINA hero Lionel Messi left fans worrying he was injured before clearly showing he was only joking.The clip has gone viral on social media amassing nearly one million views leaving supporters with their hearts in their mouths for a split second.

      Lionel Messi pretended he was injured in Argentina trainingCredit: https://twitter.com
      Lionel Messi laughed with Rodrigo De PaulCredit: https://twitter.com
      Thankfully he is fine for the World CupCredit: EPA
      The video shows Messi limping holding his hamstring before laughing alongside Rodrigo De Paul as they shared banter about being hurt.
      It is a major relief for fans of Argentina with their first match of the World Cup against Saudi Arabia just a week away.
      Many were left concerned by Messi’s training ground antics, one commented online: “Don’t joke with that one.”
      Another said: “Loool fully trolling us.”
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      One wrote: “I nearly got a heart attack.”
      More reacted: “Don’t do this again Messi.”
      The 35-year-old is expected to lead his team out in Qatar as they hope to go one better than they did in 2014 when they lost the final to Germany.
      Argentina are some people’s tip to win the tournament after Copa America success last year and they have a favourable draw that puts them in a group with Poland, Mexico and Saudi Arabia.
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      However the Paris Saint-Germain star sees England as one of the team’s more likely to lift the famous trophy in December.
      Messi said to CONMEBOL: “The candidates are always the same. There are a few surprises but in general, the big teams are the candidates.
      “Above the rest? Brazil, France, England. Today, they are a little above the rest but anything can happen.”
      Messi could play his 1,000th career match in Qatar at the quarter-final stage. More

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      Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher disagree on England starting XI and formation for World Cup 2022 opener vs Iran

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      GARY NEVILLE and Jamie Carragher disagree over the best England starting line up to kick off the World Cup against Iran. Gareth Southgate’s side begin their campaign in Qatar on Monday.

      There are question marks on what starting XI and formation Southgate will opt to deploy.
      Former Manchester United captain and ex-England international Gary Neville chose a back three, with four in midfield and three up front.
      Jordan Pickford got the nod in goal with Ben White, Erik Dier and John Stones making up the three-man central trio.
      With Reece James injured, Trent Alexander-Arnold took up the right wing-back role with Luke Shaw on the other side.
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      Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham are paired in midfield with Phil Foden, Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane making up the front line.
      Neville told Sky Sports: “One of the best ways to beat a team like Iran, USA and Wales is to stop counter-attacks and defend well.
      “In international football, if you get counter-attacked, you’re going to be in big trouble.”
      Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher chose a 4-3-3, keeping Pickford in goal, and also choosing Stones and Shaw in defence.

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      But he replaced Alexander-Arnold at right-back with Kieran Trippier and also brought in under-fire centre-back Harry Maguire.
      Mason Mount would come in at midfield alongside Rice and Bellingham.
      And Carragher gave in-form Bukayo Saka the nod over Sterling with Foden and Kane alongside him.
      Carragher said: “I love Raheem Sterling and he was England’s best player in the Euros, he was out of this world.
      “This season, his form has not been great and lately in an England shirt. Saka has been playing that well in that position.
      “I prefer Raheem on the left, so it wasn’t a case of Saka versus Sterling.
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      “It was always going to be Saka on that side and then it’s Sterling versus Foden.
      “I just think the actual ability of Foden, the way he’s playing since the European Championships, I’d go with him.” More

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      Switzerland vs Cameroon: TV channel, live stream FREE and kick-off time for 2022 World Cup Group G clash

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      SWITZERLAND open up their 2022 Qatar World Cup campaign against African giants Cameroon.The Swiss scraped through the 2018 group stages finishing runners up to five-time champions Brazil.
      Granit Xhaka was unable to guide the Swiss through the last 16 in the 2018 World CupCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Cameroon’s last World Cup game was a 3-1 defeat to Brazil in 2014Credit: AP:Associated Press
      Only to be sent home by Swedish attacker Emil Forsberg’s 66th minute deflected effort in the round of 16.
      But Granit Xhaka and co will be determined to not let lightning doesn’t strike twice despite them being paired in the same group with Brazil once again.
      However, their first encounter against serial AFCON winners Cameroon could be a tough one as they’ll be hungry to make up for not being involved in the Russian World Cup edition.
      What time does Switzerland vs Cameroon kick off?

      Switzerland’s opening clash with Cameroon will take place on Thursday, November 24.
      It is scheduled to kick off at 10am UK time – 12pm local time.
      Al Wakrah Sports Complex in Al Wakrah, Qatar is the allocated arena for this fixture and it can host around 40,000 spectators.
      This will be the first time these two countries encounter each other competitively.

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      What TV channel is Switzerland vs Cameroon on and can it be live streamed?

      Switzerland vs Cameroon will be broadcasted LIVE on ITV in the UK.
      Viewers also have the option to stream the entire action live via the ITV website or ITV hub.
      The ITV hub is available to download onto your mobile or proffered tablet device.

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      Can I watch Switzerland vs Cameroon for FREE?
      Yes! Switzerland’s first 2022 World Cup clash against Cameroon is available to watch for FREE in the UK so long as you have a valid TV license. More

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      Euro 2020 best defenders still great options for Dream Team World Cup bosses this winter

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      DREAM TEAM WORLD CUP gaffers would be wise to lean in to feelings of deja vu this winter.One of the most notable trends from Euro 2020 was the success of several ambitious full-backs and wing-backs, who not only propelled their teams forward but produced shed-loads of Dream Team Euros points.
      With the tournament in Qatar set to get underway this weekend, many of the same names seem well placed to thrive once again.
      Sadly, Leonardo Spinazzola won’t be present after Italy’s failure to qualify but let’s take a closer look at three defenders hoping to shine on a big international stage just as they did last year.

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      Luke Shaw
      A Shaw thing!Credit: getty/Dream Team
      The Manchester United left-back may not have been Gareth Southgate’s first-choice selection had Ben Chilwell not been ruled out with injury but as it is he’s a guaranteed starter as the only specialist left-back in the squad.
      And the Three Lions boss won’t have too many complaints as Shaw was one of the best players on display at Euro 2020.
      The 27-year-old provided three assists and scored in the final as England fell just short in the summer of 2021.
      And he scored in his most recent international outing too, during the entertaining 3-3 draw with Germany at Wembley back in September.
      Group B could be a cagey one as England have generally preferred control and solidity under Southgate while USA, Iran and Wales are all evenly matched.
      If the group favourites are able to keep two clean sheets out of their first three fixtures then Shaw should have plenty of points to show for his efforts.
      Remember, England defenders absolutely dominated Dream Team Euros, with Shaw topping the rankings.
      Denzel Dumfries
      A ‘defender’ in the loosest possible senseCredit: getty
      The Inter Milan wing-back gave his compatriots a little scare at the weekend when he was prematurely substituted having seemingly gone down with injury but he has since declared himself ‘fit’ and believes he is ‘ready to start’ Netherlands’ first World Cup game against Senegal.
      Keep your eyes and ears open for further updates but we’re happy to take him on his word at this stage.
      Dumfries is categorised as a defender in Dream Team World Cup but he’s arguably the most attacked-minded asset in his position.
      The 26-year-old has scored three goals and provided two assists in his last ten appearances for the Oranje.
      Those who kept track of Euro 2020 would have noted how often the wing-back took up positions in the opposition’s penalty area – he registered two goals and one assist at the tournament in just four outings.
      Louis van Gaal’s side were dealt a favourable group alongside Ecuador, Senegal and hosts Qatar so Dumfries could deliver clean sheets and attacking returns just as he did at the last major tournament.
      Joakim Maehle
      A smart option for Dream Team World Cup managers
      Feel free to slap Denmark with the ‘dark horses’ tag this winter.
      Kasper Hjulmand’s side beat France home and away earlier this year and wouldn’t you know it, they’re due to play Les Bleus again in Qatar – that Group D fixture may well play a huge part in determining the round of 16 match-ups.
      Not only that, they were the joint-top performers in European qualifying.
      Like Dumfries, Maehle is a wing-back who is most effective in the final third, though he operates from the left.
      The 25-year-old’s stats at international level read like that of a winger – he’s scored nine goals and provided six assists in 31 caps!
      Three of those goal involvements came at Euro 2020 as he helped Denmark reach the semi-finals.

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      Uruguay vs South Korea: TV channel, live stream FREE and kick-off time for 2022 World Cup Group H clash

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      URUGUAY begin their 2022 Qatar World Cup journey with a tough test against Asian giants South Korea.La Celeste were unfortunate to come up against the eventual winners France at the 2018 World Cup quarter-finals stage.
      Luis Suarez failed to guide Uruguay past 2018 World Cup winners FranceCredit: EPA
      Son Heung-min’s 2018 strike against Germany wasn’t enough to send South Korea throughCredit: AFP or licensors
      Goals from Raphael Varane and Antoine Griezmann was enough to send the Urguyan’s home early following a hard fought campaign.
      However, Diego Alonso will be hoping that the French defeat can give his side that fire in their belly this time round – especially all-time top goal scorer Luis Suarez whose club future is up in the air.
      But first, Uruguay have to navigate Son Heung-min and co who are determined to make it out of the group stages for the first time since 2010.
      What time does Uruguay vs South Korea kick off?

      Uruguay are all set to take go up against South Korea on Thursday, November 24.
      It is scheduled to kick off at 1pm UK time – 3pm local time.
      Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar is the designated arena for this encounter and it can host around 45,350 fans.
      South Korea scraped a 2-1 win when the sides last met in an 2018 friendly but haven’t won any of the other seven games before that.

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      What TV channel is Uruguay vs South Korea on and can it be live streamed?

      Uruguay vs South Korea will be broadcasted LIVE on BBC One in the UK.
      Viewers also have the option to stream the entire action live via the BBC Sport website or BBC iPlayer app.
      The BBC iPlayer app is available to download onto your mobile or preferred tablet device.

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      Can I watch Uruguay vs South Korea for FREE?
      Yes! Uruguay’s opening World Cup clash with South Korea is available to watch for FREE in the UK so long as you have a valid TV license. More