It is a mid-season World Cup. Please share your thoughts on this.
Yeah, I think it’s strange to have the World Cup in the winter. And all the managers probably would want time to prepare with the players. It seems strange to play the Premier League game a week ago and then the World Cup starts on Sunday. I don’t think the players will be fit but they must be ready for the World Cup. It’s just something different to what we’re used to.
You said the players will be ready. Weather-wise, how will it affect a player?
Maybe to a certain extent. But I think the players now are used to playing in all different types of climates. You see teams travelling to Champions League games where they’re going from one extreme to the other. It will have an effect, but maybe not as much as everyone thinks. I don’t think it will be a major issue to be honest.
Can you share your thoughts on England? After reaching semifinals in Russia and finals of Euro, is this the best time, place, opportunity for England to bring the cup home?
I think it’s a good opportunity. Any tournament that England play, we’re hoping we can win it. It’s obviously going to be a difficult tournament in Qatar for anyone to win. I think we’ve got a favourable group. We should go through the group stages and then obviously you need a bit of luck in the knockout stages. With a bit of luck, of course, they’re capable of winning the World Cup. It is a good enough team led by a good manager. Brazil are looking like a very good squad. Argentina too have had a successful run. Obviously, France and Belgium or Germany are right up there. The team that finds that consistency throughout the tournament will win.
Esta historia es de la edición November 16, 2022 de The Times of India.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición November 16, 2022 de The Times of India.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Song and dance there, but where is Brazil's soul?
From swooning over the twirling foot of Richarlison the other day, to fretting over the ankle of Neymar, it is back to business for Brazil. Gone is the exultation to dance and express themselves.
Marriott to reach 200-hotel mark in India by 2025 from current 134
American hospitality major Marriott International — the group with the largest number of branded hotel rooms in India at about 26,000 — has drawn up very ambitious growth plans for the country.
India's visually-impaired players dribble, debate on and off field
Take 20-year-old Shivam Negi for instance. A member of the national blind football team, Negi along with three other NIEVPD students is ardently following the matches by listening to live commentary.
SIPS eating into luxe car sales: Merc
‘MF Investments Reducing Disposable Incomes Of Indians’
Fury's Ground Xiro
Xi's zero-Covid policy has angered ordinary Chinese as never before. A dangerous moment for the state
Trump faulted for dinner with white nationalist, rapper Ye
The sportswear manufacturer has also launched a probe into his conduct.
Blank sheets of paper become symbol of defiance
Chinese protesters have turned to blank sheets of paper to express their anger over Covid-19 restrictions.
Can't deny mediclaim to a vegetarian, insurer told
Dietary Habit Not Patient’s Fault: Consumer Body
Thakur: Will host 'grand Olympics' in Gujarat in future
Union sports minister Anurag Thakur on Sunday said Gujarat will host a “grand Olympics” sporting event in the future.
Will restore old pension scheme in Guj: Kejriwal
He also urged government employees in the state to back AAP while promising implementation of the old pension scheme for them by January 31, 2022.