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Diaranson 24 Maart 2021

World Cup qualifying set to resume in Asia after 16 months

jikistan coach Usmon Toshev how difficult traveling is at do so,” Bento said. “And al-
said. “These games have been the moment, what loops they though we’re being affected
postponed many times but have to jump through when by health and safety protocol,
now we are looking only at coming back to be available we’ll have to do the best we
the three points.” for us again, this is for me a can within those confines.”
little bit nonsense,” Hasen-
Mongolia, 190th in the FIFA huttl said. “We're not allowed Bento had originally selected
rankings and currently placed to leave the country for any Son Heung-min but the Tot-
last in Group F, faces a tough reason, and then they are fly- tenham Hotspur star with-
trip to Japan five days after ing all over the world in such drew after sustaining a ham-
taking on Tajikistan. That's a pandemic." string injury against Arsenal
when Japan will be resum- last week. Lee Kang-in of
ing its campaign to appear at Japan coach Hajime Mori- Valencia and Freiburg’s Jung
a seventh successive World yasu defended the staging of Woo-young will travel from
Cup. the game and his selections. Spain and Germany for the
match in Japan.
(AP) — A contentious Japan will prepare with a “We understand that there is
meeting between Japan But after numerous post- high-profile friendly against debate,” Moriyasu said. “But Japan has called up eight
and South Korea may fea- ponements because of the arch rival South Korea in Yo- we hope people will under- European-based players in-
ture European-based stars COVID-19 pandemic, there kohama. With the Japanese stand the significance of the cluding Minamino and Maya
but a match of more sig- are still 40 teams contesting city only just coming out of national team representing Yoshida, of Italy’s Sampdoria.
nificance in Asia involves the second round. a state of emergency amid the Japan in these times. I’m very
Tajikistan hosting Mongo- pandemic, the decision to go happy to be able to play these As well as Japan’s qualifier
lia on Thursday. It marks Tajikistan, which hasn’t ahead with the game has at- games and want to thank ev- with Mongolia on March
the resumption of Asian played since November tracted widespread criticism eryone for making this pos- 30, Saudi Arabia continues
qualification for the 2022 2019, is expected to have the in both countries and abroad. sible.” its World Cup campaign at
World Cup after a gap of support of 10,000 fans in Du- home to Palestine. The oth-
16 months for almost ev- shanbe, where it can move Ralph Hasenhuttl, head South Korea’s coach Paulo er Asian teams will resume
ery team. into second place in Group F coach of English Premier Bento also called for under- World Cup qualification in
behind Japan with a win. League team Southampton, standing. June.
Under the original schedule, is unhappy that his Japanese
Asian qualifying should be “We can see that work done player Takumi Minamino has “All members of our soci- Only the eight group winners
into the third round with 12 to improve standards in Ta- been called up for the match. ety are working in their re- and the four best-performing
teams competing for four au- jikistan ... and there are better spective fields, as far as cir- second-placed teams will
tomatic spots in Qatar. players coming through,” Ta- “To be honest, when you see cumstances allow them to progress to the third round.

Yankees LHP Wilson leaves outing with shoulder tightness

(AP) — Justin Wilson became the The 33-year-old Wilson signed a from his pitching elbow and is likely ation," Boone said. "But first things
New York Yankees' second left- $5.15 million, two-year contract this out until at least May and perhaps the first, I think we'll get it looked at to-
handed reliever to get hurt dur- offseason to start his second stint summer. morrow and hope that it’s not some-
ing spring training, leaving Mon- with the Yankees. He spent the past thing that sets him back too much.
day night's exhibition against two seasons with the New York Mets. “I’ve talked a lot about how impressed But I think there’s a number of guys
Philadelphia due to tightness in I’ve been with our depth, and I feel that I would feel comfortable turning
his pitching shoulder. New York lefty Zack Britton had sur- like there’s a number of guys that we to that I think could get meaningful
gery March 15 to remove a bone chip could turn to if we ever got in a situ- outs for us right now.”
New York said Wilson will have an
MRI on Tuesday.

“The way he kind of described is just
having a hard time getting loose out
there,” manager Aaron Boone said.
“I think there’s a chance that it might
not be that big a deal.”

Boone said there had been no prior
sign of anything alarming.

Wilson replaced Darren O'Day at the
start of the seventh inning with the
Phillies leading 2-0, his fifth spring
training appearance.
He allowed a single on a 2-0 pitch
to Rhys Hoskins and a home run to
right field on a 1-0 pitch to former
Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius.
Alec Bohm fouled off a pitch before
Wilson threw four balls in a row. Wil-
son worked the count full with his
seventh pitch to Odubel Herrera,
then waved his arm toward the dug-
out to summon director of medical
services Steve Donohue and Boone.

Nestor Cortes Jr. relieved.