Sports
Socceroos Score First World Cup Game Win In 12 Years
Socceroos defeat Tunisia to end 12-year win drought and keep World Cup knockout dream alive.
Australia have held on for an intense victory over Tunisia, opening the door to their first round-of-16 appearance since 2006.
The Socceroos’ World Cup knockout dream is alive after a drought-breaking 1-0 victory over Tunisia at Al Janoub Stadium on Saturday.
Australia had not won a match at a World Cup since 2010 but held on to secure the three points behind Mitch Duke’s stellar glancing header in the 23rd minute.
The door is now wide open to a first round-of-16 appearance since the famous golden generation faced off against Italy in 2006.
The victory allows the Socceroos to play for a draw against Denmark on Wednesday to secure second spot in the group, provided France defeat Denmark and Tunisia.
“(I’m) just hugely proud of the boys,” said Graham Arnold, the first Australian to coach the Socceroos to a win at a World Cup.
“They showed that great fighting Aussie spirit tonight. We were in their faces all the time. I just expect they made the nation very proud. The effort level was incredible. Again, when the doubters hate us, bring it.”
Duke’s match-winning goal came from a sizzling move that pinged from Mat Ryan to the back of the Tunisian net in just 15 seconds.
“No words. I’m going to start crying because it’s such a big moment for me and my family, my supporters. It’s the best feeling in the world,” Duke said.
Mitch Duke leads off the Australian celebrations after his goal against Tunisia.
Mat Leckie was inches away from doubling the lead in the 70th minute only for Jamie Maclaren’s dangerous low cross to float just out of reach.
But the rock at the other end of the field, Harry Souttar, ensured just one goal would be needed to defeat Tunisia as the big centre-back further validated the decision to back him in despite only recently returning from an ACL injury.
His best work came late in the match, no intervention more important than a remarkable sliding tackle to stop Taha Yassine Khenissi in his tracks just outside the box.
Harry Souttar saves Australia with epic tackle “It was an absolute battle, both teams going at it,” Souttar said.
“We were hanging on a bit towards the last 10-15 minutes but all the lads put their bodies on the line, making tackles, making blocks. It’s just an amazing feeling.”
Souttar also claimed a role in the Socceroos’ goal after firing off the long ball that split the Tunisian defence.
Graham Arnold made just one change to the starting XI, the forced switch from Nathaniel Atkinson to Fran Karacic in defence, despite fears over their fitness levels.
But the pace of Leckie and Craig Goodwin, who provided the cross for Duke to score, was influential early as the Socceroos dominated proceedings before Duke’s goal settled the match into a new rhythm.
The Tunisians ramped up the pressure in the second half but failed to breach the Australian defence.
Aaron Mooy received significant praise for an instrumental performance against a side that sat back in the first half and attempted to press forward in the second.
“He has been the heart and soul of this Australian midfield,” Harry Kewell said in commentary for SBS.
AAP
Abia State took its turn to play host to the Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF) torch tour in brief ceremonies at the Umuahia Township Stadium and at the Government House.
The state Commissioner for Youth and Sport, Hon Nwaobilor Ananaba Nwadinma received the torch at the Umuahia Township Stadium before leading Team Abia to the Government House where it was presented to the Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr Alex Otti.
On arrival at the Government House, Team Abia was treated to a sumptuous dinner with the governor.
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The team then proceeded to the governor’s yard, where the torch was lit and presented to the governor by the commissioner to the admiration of everyone who witnessed the lighting of the torch.
In his speech the governor charged Team Abia to go and conquer in Uyo and come back to receive a state reception.
Gov Otti expressed appreciation to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for initiating the sports festival, which he noted will go a long way to create unity, spot and harness untapped talents in the Niger Delta states.
The Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF) has been described as an intervention project of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) designed to include all youths in the region irrespective of gender and physical abilities.
According to the Executive Director Finance and Administration, NDDC, Alabo Boma Iyaye the intent behind the design speaks to global practises of inclusivity in sports and other aspects of life.
He made the assertion while appearing on the ARISE television Morning Show.
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He maintained that the rationale for including Para-Athletics and Para-lifting in the 17 games festival event, Iyaye said, “there are youths in the region with physical disabilities and they must enjoy the benefits of the NDDC intervention”.
“At the international level, we have the Paralympic Games organised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to cater for persons with physical disabilities and the Niger Delta Sports Festival cannot deviate from the international best practices” remarked Iyaye who also serves as the Chairman of the NDSF Main Organising Committee (MOC).
He also spoke of the reason behind the NDDC decision to extend its intervention program to Sports, noting that “sports is a powerful too for national unity. We want to provide a platform for youths in the nine mandate states of NDDC to bond, to know each other and find expression for their talents”.
“There is a need to regenerate the line of supply of athletes to represent Nigeria as a country in international sports competitions and the festival will afford us the opportunity to discover new talents that will be nurtured to replace the likes of Blessing Okagbere, Enefiok Udo-Obong, Blessing Oborodudu, Victor Ikpeba, Emmanuel Amuneke, Seun Ogunkoya and many others”.
The NDDC since founded by an act of parliament in July 2000 has championed the provision of infrastructure in roads, health care, education and skills acquisition.
Iyaye said that delving into sports would enable those who may not be successful in education and artisan skills to build a career in sports.
The NDSF which started with trials in the local government and federal constituencies will be held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State from April 1-8. About 3000 athletes will compete in 17 sports.
Carlo Ancelotti, the legendary coach of Real Madrid, is set to face trial next week over allegations of tax fraud, a Madrid court announced on Friday.
Spanish prosecutors are pushing for a prison sentence of four years and nine months, accusing the 65-year-old of failing to report over €1 million ($1.1 million) in earnings from image rights between 2014 and 2015.
The trial is scheduled to begin on Wednesday and will last two days. According to a court spokesperson, Ancelotti is required to be present for the hearings.
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Authorities claim that while Ancelotti declared his salary from Real Madrid, he allegedly used a “confusing” and “complex” structure of shell companies to conceal additional earnings from image rights and other sources, despite being registered as a tax resident in Spain at the time.
A Spanish court initially ordered him to stand trial in 2023, but no date was set until now. Last year, Ancelotti dismissed the case as “an old story that I hope will be resolved soon.”
Ancelotti, who has won a record five Champions League titles as a coach, first took charge of Real Madrid in 2013 before leaving in 2015.
He later managed Bayern Munich, Napoli, and Everton before returning to Madrid in 2021.
With a career spanning top clubs across Europe, he has also secured league titles in Spain, Italy, England, Germany, and France.
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