DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Analysis: Uruguay leverage experience to stifle South Korean energy
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( Philip O'Connor | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Kicking off their campaign at the Education City Stadium, the two teams came into the tournament with solid defensive reputations, but the Uruguayans did a better job of solving the South Korean puzzle, hitting the woodwork twice. Outside him Martin Caceres, 35, shackled Son, harassing the South Korean winger any time he got the ball and sticking close to him to discourage others from passing his way. Up front Luis Suarez, also a year younger than Godin at 35, tormented the Korean defence with his angled, bustling runs as he tried to open up space for Uruguay to exploit. The Uruguayans almost scored what would have been a deserved late winner when Valverde hit a post. Reporting by Philip O'Connor Editing by Christian RadnedgeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Danes won't support Infantino after armband spat, says FA
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-23 | by ( Philip O'Connor | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Speaking at a media briefing on Wednesday, DBU president Jesper Moeller said that he was angered by FIFA's actions and that the association had ruled out voting for Infantino in next year's election. Jensen said that the English FA was then expressly told at a meeting that the team captain might receive a yellow card for wearing the armband. "We were told that at the very least we would get a yellow card. It has been discussed whether there was any authority to give us a yellow card at all. We could have got a yellow card, we could have been suspended," he told a news conference at the team's training base.

☆ Canada loses to Belgium in first World Cup match for 36 years
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-23 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar CNN —Canada was taught a tough lesson as it lost 1-0 to Belgium in its first World Cup match for 36 years on Wednesday. Despite all its dominance, Canada couldn’t get the goal it so richly deserved and had the frustration of seeing Alphonso Davies’ penalty saved by Belgian keeper Thibaut Courtois in the first half. Belgium reached the World Cup semifinals in 2018 and the European team made Canada pay for their wastefulness. Jack Guez/AFP/Getty ImagesThe entire Canada squad huddled in the middle of the pitch after the match as Belgium’s players celebrated with their fans. Despite the defeat, Canada looked like a team that belonged on the world stage and it can be proud of giving the world’s second-ranked team a real fright.

☆ Analysis: Plenty for Belgium to ponder despite Canada win
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-23 | by ( Nick Said | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Canada may well now have the same grumble following their Group F fixture at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium on Wednesday. Without the injured Romelu Lukaku, who bullies the back four with a physical presence few other strikers can match, Belgium look a little light up front. It was perhaps fitting that their goal came from a route one long ball from defender Toby Alderweireld because they lacked the quality to open up Canada with intricate play. Belgium face Morocco on Sunday, another opponent they will find difficult to break down. The question will be how much does a clearly frustrated Martinez change his team and tactics.

☆ Saudi's Al-Shahrani to undergo surgery and likely out of World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-23 | by ( Shady Amir | ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Al-RAYYAN, Qatar, Nov 23 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia defender Yasser Al-Shahrani's World Cup is likely over as he will undergo surgery after sustaining a facial injury during the 2-1 Group C victory over Argentina on Tuesday. Al-Shahrani fell to the ground after colliding with goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais in stoppage time and was carried off the pitch on a stretcher. "Yasser Al-Shahrani is heading to the National Guard Hospital in Riyadh and will undergo surgery in the coming few hours as per the medical staff's recovery plan," the Saudi Federation said on social media. Reuters was not able to obtain comment from officials of the Saudi Federation about his participation in the following two group games. Editing by Christian RadnedgeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ The U.S. National Team’s Jekyll-and-Hyde Return to the World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Joshua Robinson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

AL RAYYAN, Qatar—In the instant before Walker Zimmerman gave away the critical penalty of the U.S. national team’s World Cup opener, he said he never spotted Gareth Bale out of the corner of his eye. By the time he noticed him, Bale had ghosted in front of him and gone crashing to the turf after Zimmerman fouled him attempting to recover. Zimmerman’s accidental trip gave Bale the penalty that made the score 1-1 and forced the U.S. to settle for a draw against Wales. It also summed up the Americans’ Jekyll-and-Hyde night on their return to the biggest stage—long stretches of control interrupted by a momentary chaos, and two halves of soccer that barely looked like they were played by the same teams.

☆ Denmark held by fired-up Tunisia in World Cup opener
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Nick Said | Michael Church | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Denmark thought they should have had a penalty in stoppage time for handball that was checked at the VAR screen by referee Cesar Arturo Ramos, but he instead gave a free kick to Tunisia. We are underway with the tournament, but our heads would have been a little higher with a better result." Tunisia, who this week had spoken of their pride at qualifying for World Cup in an Arab country, were fired up from the first whistle, celebrating each tackle like a goal, and had two excellent chances to open the scoring. "This is the World Cup, it's the most important competition in the world. Hjulmand will be sweating on a knee injury to midfielder Thomas Delaney that forced him off in the first half.

☆ Swiss eye strong start in World Cup opener versus Cameroon
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

AL RAYYAN, Qatar, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Switzerland hope to secure early points in a tough Group G when they face Cameroon in their World Cup opener on Thursday after a year of solid performances on the European stage. The Swiss reached the Euro 2020 quarter-finals before losing a penalty shootout to Spain. They also finished ahead of Italy in their World Cup qualifying group to avoid the playoffs. But Cameroon -- playing in an eighth World Cup, a record number of appearances for an African nation -- have failed to leave their mark at the finals since the 1990 edition of the tournament, when they dazzled by reaching the quarter-finals. Cameroon will aim to at least get another World Cup victory this time, a task that could prove difficult for a side that qualified thanks to a stoppage-time goal at the end of extra time in the second leg of their playoff tie away to Algeria.

☆ Japanese apprentices out to upstage German masters
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Nick Mulvenney | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"We are very grateful to the Germans, they are role models for us," Moriyasu told a news conference on Tuesday. "We are still developing, of course, and at the same time have incorporated good qualities from Japan into our playing style. "So we have kind of mixed feelings about playing Germany but no matter who our opponents are, we are going to give absolutely the best performance that we can." Group E also includes former champions Spain as well as Costa Rica, presenting Japan with their toughest first-round draw in their seventh successive trip to the World Cup finals. Moriyasu said that did not alter their ambition to get beyond the last 16 for the first time at a World Cup.

☆ Crowd gives Tunisia lift as they hold Denmark 0-0 at halftime
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

AL RAYYAN, Qatar, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Underdogs Tunisia were drawing energy from a spirited crowd at the Education City Stadium on Tuesday and holding Denmark 0-0 at halftime in the opening Group D clash at the World Cup in Qatar. The north Africans enjoyed noisy support from a sea of red-clad fans, many of whom live and work in the Gulf emirate, and could have gone ahead three minutes before the break but Kasper Schmeichel made a superb one-handed save to deny Issam Jebali. Writing by Mark Gleeson in Doha; Editing by Christian RadnedgeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ We are fit with nothing to lose, says Canada coach Herdman
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Steve Keating | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

AL RAYYAN, Qatar, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Back in the World Cup for just the second time and the first time in 36 years, underdog Canada will head into their opener against second-ranked Belgium 100% fit and with nothing to lose, coach John Herdman said on Tuesday. Davies, who will play on the wing for Canada, only joined his team mates on Friday after staying back in Germany for treatment. Herdman had said Davies would be assessed when he arrived in Doha and on Tuesday pronounced the 22-year-old good to go. "You've got ask the question, if not the first game what's the risk, what's the second game risk but at the end of the day Phonzie is fit now. Having not been in the World Cup since 1986, Canada's players have never experienced the pressure of such moments and that says Herdman could be a positive.

☆ Saudi Arabia win is statistically biggest World Cup shock, say Gracenote
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Mitch Phillips | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Appearing for the first time, England were favourites to win the 1950 World Cup in Brazil while the Americans were a semi-professional squad. England, featuring future World Cup winning manager Alf Ramsey in defence, dominated but lost to Joey Gaetjens' first-half header. It would be another 44 years before the U.S. would win another match at the World Cup. A Czech team who had reached the 2004 European Championship final were expected to go deep in the World Cup and opened with a 3-0 demolition of the United States, while Ghana, making their World Cup debut, had already lost to Italy. Wales did not appear in the World Cup again until Monday's 1-1 draw with the United States.

☆ The U.S. Draws Its World Cup Opener After a Late Wales Penalty Kick
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Andrew Beaton | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

AL RAYYAN, Qatar—The United States Men’s National Team spent the past eight years on the sidelines of the World Cup after a disastrous failure to qualify in 2018. For the Americans, it was the ultimate missed opportunity. Then on Monday, the U.S. marked its return to the World Cup with another blown chance in its opening match against Wales.

☆ A Late Penalty Kick Drops U.S. Into an Opening Match Draw Against Wales
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Andrew Beaton | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

☆ Weah gives U.S. 1-0 halftime lead against Wales
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Nick Said | ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

[1/3] Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Group B - United States v Wales - Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar - November 21, 2022 Timothy Weah of the U.S. celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/Fabrizio BenschAL RAYYAN, Qatar, Nov 21 (Reuters) - United States winger Timothy Weah scored with a finish his illustrious father would have been proud of to give his side a deserved 1-0 halftime lead over Wales in their World Cup Group B clash at a raucous Ahmad bin Ali Stadium on Monday. The son of former World Player of the Year George Weah timed his run perfectly to beat the offside trap, before collecting a beautifully weighted pass from Christian Pulisic and slipping the ball past goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey after 36 minutes. Reporting by Nick Said; Editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ 'I feel very good,' says Messi ahead of probable last World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Anita Kobylinska | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

AL RAYYAN, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Argentine captain Lionel Messi said he feels good ahead of their Group C opener against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday in what is likely to be his last World Cup. "I feel very good physically, I think I'm in a great moment, both personally and physically and I don't have any problems," said Messi, who did light training away from his team mates on Saturday, told a news conference on Monday. The 35-year-old, who in Qatar will be playing his fifth World Cup, added that he did not prepare differently for the tournament which for the first time is being played in November and December. "I took care of myself and worked as I have done all my career, knowing that this is a special moment, as this is probably my last World Cup, my last chance to achieve this great dream that I have, that we all have." Reporting by Anita Kobylinska Editing by Christian RadnedgeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ U.S. journalist says he was detained at World Cup over rainbow shirt
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

DOHA, Nov 21 (Reuters) - A U.S. journalist said he was briefly detained on Monday when he tried to enter a World Cup stadium in Qatar while wearing a rainbow shirt in support of the LGBTQ community in a country where same-sex relations are illegal. Grant Wahl, a former Sports Illustrated journalist who now has his own website, said World Cup security denied him entry to the United States' opener against Wales at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan and asked him to take his shirt off. He said a security commander later approached him, apologized and allowed him into the venue. He also later received an apology from a representative of FIFA, soccer's international governing body, he said. Seven European World Cup countries earlier on Monday ditched plans for their respective captains to wear OneLove armbands after FIFA threatened to issue yellow cards to any player wearing the multi-coloured armband, which was introduced to support diversity and inclusion.

☆ Messi feeling fit ahead of 'special' last World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Anita Kobylinska | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The 35-year-old, who in Qatar will be playing his fifth World Cup, added that he did not prepare differently for the tournament which for the first time is being played in November and December. "It's a beautiful thing that many people outside Argentina want us to be champions and that it's largely because of me," Messi said. "I'm grateful for the love I've received around the world during my career, and here in Qatar it's another example of that. "It makes us work in a different way, without anxiety about the national team and its results, and enjoying ourselves." Argentina kick off their World Cup campaign with a Group C opener against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday and will then face Mexico and Poland.

☆ Halftime switch helps Wales snatch U.S. draw with late Bale penalty
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Nick Said | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Wales picked up their first point at the World Cup since their last appearance in 1958. Instead Bale and Dan James alternated down the middle with little joy and whenever they cleared the ball it came straight back. Wales were able to apply pressure and went close twice in quick succession. "You are going to have a little bit of nerves, but I am confident in my own ability," Bale said. U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter said Wales' switch to a more direct style after halftime was difficult for his side to contain.

☆ For Iranians, this World Cup is about more than football
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

In the buildup to the World Cup in Qatar, there were calls for Iran to be thrown out of the tournament. Protesting at the World Cup, on the biggest stage of all for football, carries potentially huge risks for the current players in the national team. Nonetheless, players will be free to protest at the World Cup so long as they do not break FIFA rules, their manager Queiroz has said. Iran’s football authorities vowed that “people who have not followed professional and sports ethics … will be dealt with according to the regulations,” a statement published by Iran’s Football Federation after the beach soccer game said. “While this is happening, I cannot see people being overly excited [about the World Cup] when they’re out on the street fighting for freedom,” Mossavat says.

☆ Gareth Bale saves Wales to frustrate USMNT
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Matthew Ashton/AMA/Getty Images Walker Zimmerman fouls Wales' Gareth Bale in the box, conceding a second-half penalty that Bale would convert to tie the match at 1-1. Pedro Nunes/Reuters US fans stand for the national anthem prior to the Wales match. Stu Forster/Getty Images Wales' Neco Williams tries to fend off Weston McKennie on Monday. Francisco Seco/AP A family watches the opening match from their home in Doha. But just as all hope looked to have disappeared for Wales, Bale was clumsily brought down by Walker Zimmerman in the US box.

☆ U.S. midfielder McKennie fit to start, Moore misses out for Wales
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Hritika Sharma | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Wayne Hennessey got the nod in goal for Wales ahead of Danny Ward but Kieffer Moore misses out up front as Dan James is preferred, with Harry Wilson starting in midfield. With Joe Allen ruled out, Ethan Ampadu will play as the defensive midfielder while Neco Williams and Connor Roberts start in the wing back positions. U.S. midfielder Yunus Musah will become the youngest player to start a World Cup match for their men's team, at 19 years and 358 days old. United States: Matt Turner, Sergino Dest, Walker Zimmerman, Tyler Adams, Antonee Robinson, Yunus Musah, Weston McKennie, Christian Pulisic, Tim Ream, Tim Weah, Josh Sargent. Wales: Wayne Hennessey, Neco Williams, Ben Davies, Chris Mepham, Joe Rodon, Harry Wilson, Aaron Ramsey, Gareth Bale, Connor Roberts, Ethan Ampadu, Dan JamesReporting by Hritika Sharma, editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Adams feels honoured to captain U.S. at World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-20 | by ( Hritika Sharma | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The responsibility has rotated between multiple players throughout Berhalter's tenure, with Adams, Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and Walker Zimmerman all having held the role since the start of World Cup qualifying. "We're proud to announce Tyler as the captain for the World Cup. "For the last three and a half years we've been working with the leadership council... and they thought it'd be better to have a captain named for the World Cup. Adams has captained the side nine times in his 32 caps and wore the armband in seven of his 12 appearances during World Cup qualifying. He will be the youngest American captain at a World Cup since Walter Bahr in 1950.

"It was dangerous," one fan carrying a child aged nearly four, who had exited the holding area, told Reuters. While there was chaos in the holding area, the scene inside the park seemed pleasant, with Brazilian fans Andrea Nascimento and Raphael de Jesus appreciating the atmosphere. "This is my third World Cup after 2014 and 2018, and so far everything has been very well organised." Fans gathered below the TV studios, craning their necks to try to get a view of the action on the big screens through the windows. A group of fans sat inside a Majlis, an air-conditioned sitting room, with their eyes glued to a television screen.

☆ 'I feel gay', FIFA chief attempts to empathise with marginalised
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-19 | by ( Nick Mulvenney | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

AL RAYYAN, Qatar, Nov 19 (Reuters) - FIFA President Gianni Infantino raised eyebrows on Saturday when he attempted to show empathy with marginalised groups by telling reporters in Qatar 'I feel gay ... Today I feel gay. "Judging by social media, your comments that you feel gay has caused some surprise to many in the gay community," one journalist later noted before asking Infantino a question. "I've seen a lot of criticism of Gianni Infantino since I've joined FIFA, in particular from the LGBTI community," he said. He has received assurances that everyone will be welcome ... Just because Gianni Infantino is not gay, does not mean he does not care.

Search resuls for: "Rayyan"

25 mentions found