Bayern’s Davies Feared He Might Not Play Again Due to Heart Problem

19 July 2022, US, Washington: Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies attends a press conference during the team's tour in the United States of America. (dpa)
19 July 2022, US, Washington: Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies attends a press conference during the team's tour in the United States of America. (dpa)
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Bayern’s Davies Feared He Might Not Play Again Due to Heart Problem

19 July 2022, US, Washington: Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies attends a press conference during the team's tour in the United States of America. (dpa)
19 July 2022, US, Washington: Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies attends a press conference during the team's tour in the United States of America. (dpa)

Bayern Munich defender Alphonso Davies feared he might not play again after doctors were unable to give him a timeline for his return when he was sidelined by a heart problem last season.

The 21-year-old was diagnosed with a minor heart condition in January following a COVID-19 infection in December, and did not play in a competitive game for Bayern until April. He also missed out on Canada's CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers.

"That was very scary, especially (because) the doctors are saying that they don't know how long I was supposed to be out," Davies told ESPN on Tuesday. "I think that was the scariest part.

"At that time I had doubts in my head, whether I'm still going to be able to play football, but everything worked out at the end. I'm happy and I'm grateful to the doctor for taking such good care of me.

"I'm happy that I can be back on the pitch."

Looking ahead to the coming season, Davies said Bayern will miss striker Robert Lewandowski, who joined LaLiga side Barcelona this week, but added that the signing of Sadio Mane from Liverpool will help fill the void left by the Polish striker.

"(Mane) is a good player, he's a big piece to (add to) the team," Davies said. "So we're excited to have him and we're looking forward to what he can bring to this team.

"An important piece left, but also an important piece arrived."

Bayern, who won the Bundesliga for a 10th straight time, kick off their league campaign on Aug. 5 with a trip to Eintracht Frankfurt.



Ivankovic Takes Responsibility after China’s World Cup Dream Ends

China's Croatian head coach Branko Ivankovic listens to the national anthem before start of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asian qualifier football match between Indonesia and China at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on June 5, 2025. (AFP)
China's Croatian head coach Branko Ivankovic listens to the national anthem before start of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asian qualifier football match between Indonesia and China at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on June 5, 2025. (AFP)
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Ivankovic Takes Responsibility after China’s World Cup Dream Ends

China's Croatian head coach Branko Ivankovic listens to the national anthem before start of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asian qualifier football match between Indonesia and China at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on June 5, 2025. (AFP)
China's Croatian head coach Branko Ivankovic listens to the national anthem before start of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asian qualifier football match between Indonesia and China at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on June 5, 2025. (AFP)

China coach Branko Ivankovic took responsibility for his team's exit from the World Cup qualifiers after they fell to a 1-0 defeat by Indonesia in Jakarta on Thursday.

China had faint hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup despite three consecutive losses against Japan, Saudi Arabia and Australia, which left them bottom of Asian qualifying Group C.

The expansion of the World Cup from 32 to 48 teams for the 2026 edition had ignited Chinese hopes of a return to the finals for the first time since their sole appearance in 2002.

"This team has been fighting for this goal for over 20 years," Ivankovic told reporters.

"We believed that if we could reach the next stage from this tough group, we would have a strong chance of qualifying. But we didn't succeed, and as head coach, I definitely bear significant responsibility."

The 71-year-old Croatian was appointed by China in February last year to replace Aleksandar Jankovic after the Serbian failed to take the East Asian country beyond the group phase of the 2024 Asian Cup.

"We've brought in a younger generation of players who have injected energy into the team. Based on their performances, I believe this team has a promising future," Ivankovic said.

"We knew this match would be tough — not just because of the opponent, but also the weather. I want to thank my players for fighting until the very last second."

China next host Bahrain, who are in fifth place in Group C, for their final third-round qualifier on June 10.