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Australia's Leckie Grateful for World Cup Chance after Injury Battle

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Round of 16 - Argentina v Australia - Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar - December 3, 2022 Argentina's Lionel Messi in action with Australia's Mathew Leckie REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo
Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Round of 16 - Argentina v Australia - Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar - December 3, 2022 Argentina's Lionel Messi in action with Australia's Mathew Leckie REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo
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Australia's Leckie Grateful for World Cup Chance after Injury Battle

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Round of 16 - Argentina v Australia - Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar - December 3, 2022 Argentina's Lionel Messi in action with Australia's Mathew Leckie REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo
Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Round of 16 - Argentina v Australia - Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar - December 3, 2022 Argentina's Lionel Messi in action with Australia's Mathew Leckie REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo

Australia's 2022 World Cup hero Mathew Leckie is grateful to coach Tony Popovic for giving him a chance of being selected for the tournament in North America following a long battle with injury.

Four years ago in Qatar, Leckie scored a brilliant goal to down Denmark 1-0 and put Australia into the last 16 for the second time in their World Cup history.

Now 35, the winger-turned-midfielder is coming off an injury-plagued season with Melbourne City but is eyeing a fourth World Cup after being called into the Socceroos' training camp in Florida.

"It’s been a frustrating ⁠time .... but I ⁠guess I’ve just always had the mentality that I could get back," Leckie told reporters in a video call on Friday.

"Without injury when I’m out there, I’m still capable to be in good shape.

"I don’t feel like I’m slowing down in any way, and the key has been to ⁠try to stay fit. I’ve still got a lot to give when I’m fit."

Leckie struggled to get back on the pitch for Melbourne City following hip surgery in December but impressed on his return in April.

Popovic all but confirmed Leckie would be part of his squad if fit, and singled him out for praise after he played 120 minutes in City's shootout loss to Auckland FC in the A-League playoffs, Reuters reported.

"It will come down to his body, but if you just ⁠look at ⁠the quality he could (produce) at 35 with no football under his belt, a young player can’t do that," Popovic said this month.

Leckie said he was glad of the compliment and was working hard to reward Popovic's faith.

"I’ve really put my head down in this camp and tried to work hard and do everything right to give myself a chance," he said.

"I’ll put my hand up to help any way the boss thinks I can."

Australia kick off their World Cup against Turkey in Vancouver on June 13 and also play co-hosts the United States and Paraguay.

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France Roar Back in Nations League as Italy Beat Türkiye

France's midfielder #11 Michael Olise (L) celebrates with France's forward #20 Desire Doue after scoring his team's fourth goal during the UEFA Nations League Group A1 football match between France and Belgium at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on October 5, 2026. (AFP)
France's midfielder #11 Michael Olise (L) celebrates with France's forward #20 Desire Doue after scoring his team's fourth goal during the UEFA Nations League Group A1 football match between France and Belgium at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on October 5, 2026. (AFP)
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France Roar Back in Nations League as Italy Beat Türkiye

France's midfielder #11 Michael Olise (L) celebrates with France's forward #20 Desire Doue after scoring his team's fourth goal during the UEFA Nations League Group A1 football match between France and Belgium at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on October 5, 2026. (AFP)
France's midfielder #11 Michael Olise (L) celebrates with France's forward #20 Desire Doue after scoring his team's fourth goal during the UEFA Nations League Group A1 football match between France and Belgium at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on October 5, 2026. (AFP)

Michael Olise starred as France stormed back from behind to thrash Belgium 4-1 in the UEFA Nations League on Monday, while Italy continued their resurgence with victory over Türkiye.

Dodi Lukebakio's first-half strike had Belgium on track for a first competitive victory over France since 1981, but Zinedine Zidane turned to his star-studded bench and the hosts produced a devastating late surge.

Les Bleus struck four times in the final 13 minutes to keep Zidane's unbeaten record as coach intact as France edged closer to a place in the quarter-finals.

Desire Doue equalized with a low shot from the edge of the box before Olise pulled the ball back for Rayan Cherki to put France ahead as the floodgates opened, with substitutes accounting for all of the hosts' goals.

Olise put the game to bed with a scruffy third goal before he grabbed another in stoppage time to round off a breathtaking turnaround.

"I think we played well at the end. The first half was difficult... but we kept going and we're happy," Olise told TF1.

The Bayern Munich winger has been France's most influential player in the early stages of Zidane's reign, netting four times in his last three matches despite starting only once.

"It's a team effort. He (Zidane) brings his own ideas and we follow him. We've done well in these four games and we'll keep going," said Olise.

France hold a three-point lead over Italy in Group A1, with Belgium another point behind.

Zidane's team will complete their group campaign with games away to Italy and at home to Türkiye next month.

Italy, who are rebuilding under Roberto Mancini, moved up into second place courtesy of a 3-1 win over Türkiye in Bologna.

Gianluca Scamacca drilled Italy ahead only for Aral Simsir to level just after the hour. The Azzurri, who thrashed Türkiye 4-1 last week in Bursa, secured another win at home with goals from Riccardo Calafiori and Pio Esposito.

"There was fatigue all around, and we struggled a bit. But we did well to score, and then to score again right after they equalized," said Mancini.

The 61-year-old, who led Italy to Euro 2020 glory, is back for a second spell in charge of a nation who have failed to qualify for the last three World Cups.

"We have to keep playing. We're currently in second place, and we'll likely have to fight to secure that spot in Belgium," added Mancini.

Northern Ireland remain top of Group B2 but had to settle for a 0-0 draw against Georgia after Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili saved a late Isaac Price penalty in Belfast.

Hungary are a point adrift following a 2-1 win over Ukraine in a match played in Slovakia.

Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres scored for the seventh Nations League game in a row to give Sweden a 1-0 win in Romania. Graham Potter's side sit two points clear in Group B4 of Bosnia and Herzegovina, who beat Poland 1-0.

Former Tottenham winger Marcus Edwards scored a stoppage-time winner as Cyprus edged Latvia 2-1 in Group C2, while leaders Montenegro and Armenia drew 0-0.

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Donis: Players' Spirit Is Our Weapon to Win Gulf Cup 27

Greek coach Georgios Donis, head coach of the Saudi national team. File photo
Greek coach Georgios Donis, head coach of the Saudi national team. File photo
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Donis: Players' Spirit Is Our Weapon to Win Gulf Cup 27

Greek coach Georgios Donis, head coach of the Saudi national team. File photo
Greek coach Georgios Donis, head coach of the Saudi national team. File photo

Greek coach Georgios Donis, head coach of the Saudi national team, said the players' spirit and fighting spirit will be the Green Falcons' main weapon as they seek to win the Arabian Gulf Cup, Gulf Cup 27, when they face the United Arab Emirates in the final on Tuesday evening.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Donis said that the weapon to win the tournament is the players' spirit and their fighting spirit. He noted that the national team had put in a strong defensive performance throughout the tournament, with a focus on set pieces at both the attacking and defensive ends.

The Saudi national team enters the final after an ideal group-stage campaign, topping Group A with a perfect record following three consecutive wins over Kuwait, Oman, and Iraq. It then overcame Qatar on penalties in the semifinals after the match remained goalless in both regular and extra time, setting up a final against the UAE for the tournament title.

Donis also addressed the pressure of the matches and the conditions his players have faced during the tournament. "We played five matches in 14 days, and we have some injuries. The weather conditions were also difficult," he said, adding: "It is not easy to play against a team that relies on a low defensive block."

For his part, Saudi national team player Mohammed Kanno said reaching the final had been one of the Green Falcons' ambitions since the beginning of the tournament. "We have reached the final, and that was our ambition. God willing, we will win the tournament," he said.

On facing the UAE, Kanno said that the UAE national team is strong. We will follow the coach's instructions, and God willing, we will work to make our fans happy.

Kanno also expressed his hope that the final would be decided without going to a penalty shootout.

Penalty shootouts are a matter of luck. The most important thing is that we have reached the final. God willing, we will not go to penalties in the final and will settle the match, he noted.

Sports

Alcaraz Advances to Japan Open Final

World number three Carlos Alcaraz will face either Jiri Lehecka or Valentin Vacherot in the Japan Open final. Rie KIKUCHI / AFP
World number three Carlos Alcaraz will face either Jiri Lehecka or Valentin Vacherot in the Japan Open final. Rie KIKUCHI / AFP
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Alcaraz Advances to Japan Open Final

World number three Carlos Alcaraz will face either Jiri Lehecka or Valentin Vacherot in the Japan Open final. Rie KIKUCHI / AFP
World number three Carlos Alcaraz will face either Jiri Lehecka or Valentin Vacherot in the Japan Open final. Rie KIKUCHI / AFP

Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz advanced to the final of the Japan Open on Monday after securing a hard-fought 5-7, 6-3, 6-1 victory over fellow Spaniard Jaume Mun ar in Tokyo.

The world number three clinched the win despite struggling with mistakes, particularly near the end of the first set, while his 49th-ranked opponent put up a brave fight, said AFP.

Alcaraz unleashed a barrage of big serves and aggressive returns to keep Munar off-balance and running along the baseline, occasionally mixing in delicate drop shots that wowed the packed crowd at the Ariake Colosseum.

Munar maintained his composure to stay competitive especially late in the opening set, as Alcaraz hit shots wide and long and racked up four double-faults in that set alone.

Nevertheless, Alcaraz kept pressure on his opponent, showering him with precise forehands, fast volleys and drop shots, breaking Munar's serve in the first, third and ninth games of the second set.

Alcaraz dominated the final set, wrapping up the match in two hours and 31 minutes.

In the final, Alcaraz will face either Jiri Lehecka of Czechia or Valentin Vacherot from Monaco, who are set to square off in the other semi-final later Monday.