Jonathan Cook’s World Game Wrap-Up

Posted on February 7, 2022February 9, 2022 | Posted by Jonathan Cook

Heartbreak for Harriers

Kidderminster Harriers made a mockery of their lowly league status to give West Ham United the fright of their lives in an FA Cup fourth-round match.

The Harriers, who play in the sixth tier of English football, were just seconds away from the greatest shock in FA Cup history as they tried to hang on to a lead earned by Alex Penny’s first-half goal.

But Declan Rice equalised in stoppage time to send the game into extra-time. There was further heartbreak for Kidderminster when, seconds from sending the game into a penalty shoot-out, they conceded again when Jarrod Bowen scored.

Kidderminster, who play in the National League North, are 113 places lower than West Ham in England’s football pyramid.

Boreham Wood upset Bournemouth

Boreham Wood, who play in England’s fifth-tier competition, went one better than Kidderminster by earning an FA Cup fifth-round match against Everton.

Qualified personal trainer Mark Ricketts scored the only goal of the fourth-round game as Championship side Bournemouth were beaten.

It was an emotional day for chairman Danny Hunter, who had re-mortgaged his house in 2020 to help Boreham Wood during COVID.

As well as the cash windfall from the fifth-round match at Goodison Park, Boreham Wood will be aiming for another upset victory to keep their run going.

Frank tastes Toffees’ success

With his new signings cup-tied, Frank Lampard got plenty out of Everton’s familiar faces to register a big win in his first game in charge.

The former Chelsea and Derby County manager somehow breathed new life into the Toffees, who won their fourth-round FA Cup match 4-1 against fellow Premier League side Brentford.

Everton hadn’t scored more than three goals in a single game since a 5-4 extra time FA Cup win over Spurs almost a year ago.

Lampard’s next challenge is to fit into his line-up new signings Dele Ali, from Tottenham, and Donny van de Beek, from Manchester United.

Controversy as Boro see off United

Cristiano Ronaldo missed a first-half penalty as Manchester United crashed out of the FA Cup at the hands of Championship side Middlesbrough.

Ronaldo’s miss was quickly forgotten as Jadon Sancho gave the home side the lead before Matt Crooks scored a controversial equaliser.

Despite the ball hitting the arm of Duncan Watmore in the build-up, the goal was given to the bitter disappointment of United manager Ralf Rangnick.

The match finished 1-1 and Boro won 8-7 in a penalty shoot-out.

Young son makes Glory debut

Perth Glory can’t take a trick at the moment but there was at least one positive to come out of their recent 1-0 loss to Western Sydney Wanderers.

As COVID continues to play havoc with Glory’s season and force coach Richard Garcia to look for youngsters to step up, defender Jacob Young made a bit of club history.

The 21-year-old made his Glory debut more than 15 years after his dad Stuart played the last of his 22 games for the club.

Jacob had left Australia to join Sunderland in 2016 and later moved on to German club Hoffenheim before returning to Perth.

Unfortunately for Young, his former Sunderland colleague Jack Rodwell scored the winner for the Wanderers.

Socceroos hanging by a thread

Time is running out for the Socceroos to directly qualify for this year’s World Cup in Qatar after they were held to a 2-2 draw by Oman.

Graham Arnold’s side may need to win their final two games next month – against the top two teams in their qualifying group, Saudi Arabia and Japan – to avoid a risky play-off route.

Saudi Arabia are top of Group B on 19 points, Japan are second (18 points) and Australia are third (15 points).

If the Socceroos, who have qualified for all four World Cups since breaking a 32-year drought in 2006, don’t finish in the top two they will play the third-ranked team from Group A (currently United Arab Emirates).

The winner of that game will take on South America’s fifth-placed team for a place at the World Cup, which kicks off in November.

Canada closing in on World Cup

A sensational victory over the United States has put Canada on track for only their second World Cup appearance and first since the 1986 tournament in Mexico.

So often playing second fiddle to their North American rivals the United States, Canada have turned form on its head during qualifying.

A recent 2-0 win over the US was followed by victory over El Salvador that has put Canada four points clear of the US and Mexico at the top of CONCACAF qualifying.

Canada can secure a place in the Qatar tournament with a win over Costa Rica next month.

Ange winning over sceptics

Former Socceroos coach Ange Postecolou’s stock continues to rise on the back of his success with Celtic.

After initial scepticism from some in Scotland following his appointment in June, Postecoglou has won over the critics with some astute signings and an attacking style of football that has pleased fans.

The fact that Celtic went top of the table with a 3-0 thumping of Glasgow rivals Rangers last week has cemented his star status.

Of the players he has signed, four are from Japan where Postecoglou had success with Yokohama F Marinos. One of those new players, Reo Hatate, scored two stunning goals in the win over Rangers.

Giroud at the double

Olivier Giroud scored twice in a Milan derby that was settled in three frantic second-half minutes.

Ivan Perisic’s volley had given Italian Serie A leaders Inter Milan a first half lead that unravelled midway through the second half.

Giroud slid in to equalise for AC Milan in the 75^th minute and just three minutes later fired home the winner winner.

AC Milan are third on the table, level on points with second-placed Napoli and a point behind leaders Inter, who have a game in hand.

Mane gets one over Salah

Despite missing a penalty just seven minutes into the Africa Cup of Nations final, Sadio Mane was on the winning side as Senegal beat Egypt in a penalty shoot-out.

Mane’s miss looked likely to be costly as neither side could find the breakthrough throughout 120 minutes of football.

But the Liverpool striker, whose teammate Mo Salah was captaining Egypt, scored the decisive penalty in the shoot-out to claim Senegal’s first Africa Cup of Nations title.