02/04/2026

SPORTS THURSDAY | APR 2, 2026

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Czech Rep down Denmark in penalty shootout

Turkey end 24-year WC drought

THE Czech Republic clinched a place at this year’s World Cup by beating a battling Denmark side 3-1 on penalties in their playoff final after an absorbing encounter in which they led in both normal time and extra-time yesterday. The hosts were pegged back to 1-1 at the end of 90 minutes and 2-2 after the extra period before Michal Sadilek sent Denmark’s Mads Hermansen the wrong way to win the shootout, send ing the Czechs to their first World Cup since 2006. “The story is so beautiful – we’ve made it after 20 years,” Sadilek told

the bar before teammate Anders Dreyer’s effort was saved and Mathias Jensen skied his shot over the bar. Denmark captain Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg said it did not matter that his team outplayed the hosts at a raucous epet Arena. “When finals like this happen and penalty shootouts like this happen, anything can happen,” he told TV 2 Sport. “We saw that today too. We were a better team but it doesn’t (matter) because we are not going to the World Cup.” – Reuters

Krejci, who missed in the shootout, lauded his team’s performance versus a side he thought were superior on the night after a match in which all four goals came from set pieces. “Before the match, I said the better team doesn’t always win – the team that wants it more does, and that was us,” he said. “Penalties are a bit of a lottery but they also reflected the way we approached the game. I’m proud of everyone.” In the shootout, Denmark’s Rasmus Hojlund smashed his attempt against

Czech television. “I’ve lost my voice, and I hope to find it soon because I’ll need it for the celebrations.” The Czechs – who beat Ireland in a shootout in the playoff semifinals last week – stunned Denmark when Pavel Sulc found the top corner with a first time strike after three minutes. Denmark found their footing after the early setback and deservedly lev elled in the 72nd minute through a Joachim Andersen header before Czech captain Krejci and Denmark’s Kasper Hogh scored in extra-time to send the match to penalties.

TURKEY ended a 24-year wait to qualify for the World Cup by beating Kosovo 1-0 in their playoff final yes terday, sealing a return to football’s biggest stage for the first time since 2002 when they reached the semifi nals. Forward Kerem Akturkoglu scored the only goal in the 53rd min ute, turning the ball in from close range after Orkun Kokcu’s shot, fol lowing a driving run from Kenan Yildiz down the left. “Thank God. It has been 24 years. Some of us were not even born the last time we qualified, and some were too young to remember. We always dreamed of moments like this,” Kerem told Turkish TV . “We talked about 2002 and the success there, we always dreamed of it. Most of us don’t even remember 2002. Now we will give the next gen eration something to dream about at the 2026 World Cup. “We want to make our country proud,” he added. Turkey, ranked 25th in the world, had fallen short in qualifying cam paigns over the past two decades and arrived under pressure to deliver, with coach V i n c e n z o am at the top. I am incredibly proud. I wouldn’t change my players for a thing. Anyone who does this job dreams of the World Cup, I am incredibly grateful to my players. We have achieved our dream,” Montella told Turkish state news agency Anadolu . “It is an incredible feeling, I cannot describe it in words. The World Cup is the pinnacle,” he added. Turks took to the streets to celebrate the national team reach ing their third World Cup, waving flags from honking cars and gather ing on main streets. For Kosovo, ranked 79th and play ing in front of a sold-out crowd, the defeat brought an end to a remark able run that had taken them to the brink of a historic debut at a major tournament, less than a decade after joining Fifa and Uefa. Monte l l a overseeing a squad b l end i ng emerging talents and expe rienced interna tionals. “Emotionally I

‘Let’s shock the world’ Iraq seal World Cup return after 40 years with famous win over Bolivia

C OACH Graham Arnold challenged his team to “shock the world” after Iraq became the 48th and final team to qualify for the World Cup with a nerve-shredding 2-1 win over Bolivia in an intercontinental playoff in Mexico yesterday. Iraq, whose preparations were disrupted by the war in the Middle East, sealed their first appearance at the finals in 40 years and will play in Group I against France, Senegal and Norway. Goals from Ali Al-Hamadi and Aymen Hussein secured a famous win for Iraq, whose last appearance at

more evident as Sweden were twice pegged back but scored late to secure their place at the World Cup. “We have very good players and strong lead ership, which has helped us a lot since they came in. We all appreciate them greatly. “They have created an environment where we can simply enjoy our football,“ goalscorer Anthony Elanga told Swedish media after the win over Poland. “We defend together and attack together. I think that is the most important thing.” – Reuters something in the World Cup nobody expects us to do. “Let’s shock the world.” Because of travel disruption caused by the US-Israel war on Iran, most of the Iraqi squad only reached Mexico after a gruelling three day journey from Baghdad that began with an overland crossing into Jordan. But there was little sign of weariness dur ing a confident start by Iraq, who took the lead after nine minutes through Luton Town striker Ali – the 24-year-old who moved to Liverpool as a toddler following the outbreak of the 2003 Iraq war. Iraq midfielder Amir won a corner after a superb free-kick that was saved at full stretch from Bolivia goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra. From the subsequent set piece Ali curled a pinpoint corner on to the head of Al Hamadi who nodded home for 1-0. Iraq were well worth the early goal and looked in control until Bolivia, who had gradually grown into the game, equalized after 38 minutes. Ramiro Vaca’s shot from the edge of the area was controlled with one touch by Moises Paniagua and the Morocco-based central midfielder swept into the roof of the net. The goal stunned Iraq and Bolivia looked likely to grab a second after dominating the remainder of the half. Iraq regained the lead eight minutes after the break, when a long ball forward was nod ded into the path of substitute Marko Lawk Farji. His cross found captain Aymen and the veteran striker clipped a first-time finish into the bottom corner. Bolivia pressed frantically for a goal to force extra-time, but Iraq’s well-marshalled defence held firm during nine minutes of stoppage time. The 62-year-old Arnold, who took Australia to the last 16 of the Qatar World Cup in 2022, said: “We have two months to get fit. For us to do something at this World Cup would be a miracle.” – AFP

Iraq’s Zaid Tahseen celebrates with the national flag after defeating Bolivia 2-1 yesterday to qualify for the 2026 Fifa World Cup. – REUTERSPIC

t he Wo r l d C u p came at the 1986 finals in Mexico. “Wi t h

everything going on in the Middle East at the

moment it made it harder for the players,” said the Australian Arnold,

who had initially sought to have the fixture post poned due to the disruption

caused by the conflict. “Delighted for the players, very good boys, very happy for the 46 million Iraqis,” he added. “Hopefully it will help change the percep tion of Iraq and the football in Iraq. Doing

Gyokeres late strike completes Sweden’s ‘great escape’

SWEDEN finished rock bottom of their qualify ing group with no wins yet booked their World Cup spot yesterday with a frantic playoff victory over Poland as manager Graham Potter orches trated a stunning “great escape” five months after taking charge. Viktor Gyokeres struck two minutes from time to complete a 3-2 win and settle their quali fication playoff final, sending Sweden back to the World Cup after sitting out the last edition in Qatar. Sweden’s qualifying path was statistically dis

The sacking cleared the path for Potter’s return to the country where he led Ostersunds FK to a spot in the Europa League. The psychological shift under Potter was most evident in the 3-1 semifinal victory over Ukraine last week. Sweden displayed a clinical composure that had been missing during their winless qualifying campaign. It was a far cry from the mental fragility and frequent second-half collapses seen under Tomasson. Against Poland, that composure was even

mal. They earned only two points from six matches in Group B, with a friendly loss to Luxembourg in the same period. By contrast, Italy, whose World Cup hopes ended in a playoff defeat to Bosnia on Tuesday, won six of their eight qualifying games. Sweden, however, had a safety net as a 2024 25 Nations League group win offered them a backdoor route to the 2026 World Cup via the playoffs. Manager Jon Dahl Tomasson was sacked in October, with his time in charge viewed widely as a disaster.