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)
TT
20

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.



China Out of Contention for World Cup after 1-0 Loss to Indonesia

Soccer Football - World Cup - AFC Qualifiers - Group C - Indonesia v China - Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, Indonesia - June 5, 2025 Indonesia's Ole Romeny celebrates after the match REUTERS/Ajeng Dinar Ulfiana
Soccer Football - World Cup - AFC Qualifiers - Group C - Indonesia v China - Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, Indonesia - June 5, 2025 Indonesia's Ole Romeny celebrates after the match REUTERS/Ajeng Dinar Ulfiana
TT
20

China Out of Contention for World Cup after 1-0 Loss to Indonesia

Soccer Football - World Cup - AFC Qualifiers - Group C - Indonesia v China - Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, Indonesia - June 5, 2025 Indonesia's Ole Romeny celebrates after the match REUTERS/Ajeng Dinar Ulfiana
Soccer Football - World Cup - AFC Qualifiers - Group C - Indonesia v China - Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, Indonesia - June 5, 2025 Indonesia's Ole Romeny celebrates after the match REUTERS/Ajeng Dinar Ulfiana

China was eliminated from 2026 World Cup qualification Thursday after a 1-0 loss to Indonesia in Jakarta.

A first-half penalty from Ole Romeny was enough to keep China, whose sole appearance was in 2002, last in Group C with just one game remaining.

Indonesia, coached by Patrick Kluivert, took the lead just before the break when Romeny converted from the penalty spot.

Elsewhere in the group, a last-minute goal from Aziz Behich gave Australia a 1-0 win over Japan in Perth to put the Socceroos within touching distance of a sixth straight World Cup appearance.

Australia can qualify for its sixth successive World Cup later Thursday if Saudi Arabia, next week’s final group opponent, fails to win in Bahrain.

The already-qualified Japan fielded an experimental XI with only Daichi Kamada and Koki Machida having made more than four international appearances, but still had the majority of possession and chances.

Substitute Takefusa Kubo had perhaps the best opportunity with 10 minutes remaining, but the midfielder shot wide of the post from inside the area.

In the 90th minute, Riley McGree broke free down the right and pulled back for Behich to curl home to bring Perth Stadium to its feet and give Australia its first win over Japan in 16 years.

“It hasn’t sunk in just yet but when the final whistle went it was a great feeling,” Behich said. “It was a tough game and we had to grind it out. It’s been a long campaign and we have worked so hard.”

The teams who finish third and fourth in the three groups in this third round of Asian qualifying will advance to a fourth stage to compete for the remaining two Asian places at the World Cup.