Leeds striker Piroe gets chance to play at World Cup
Leeds United striker Joel Piroe has been included in Suriname’s squad for this month’s World Cup playoff, just days after FIFA approved a switch of allegiance, Reuters reported.
The former Dutch under-19 international was named on Wednesday in a 26-man squad for Suriname's inter-confederation playoff semi-final against Bolivia in Monterrey on March 26. If they win that, they would meet Iraq at the same venue on March 31 to decide a berth at the World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States in June.
Suriname are looking to qualify for a first-ever World Cup, and their squad is dominated by Dutch-born players with roots in the South American former colony, according to Reuters.
Liverpool dismantle Galatasaray in Champions League, Atletico survive
Liverpool put their indifferent form behind them and marched into the Champions League quarter-finals as they dismantled Galatasaray 4-0 at Anfield on March 18, for a 4-1 aggregate win, Reuters reported.
Dominik Szoboszlai put Liverpool in front in the 25th minute and they could have been ahead on aggregate before the break but Mohamed Salah had a tame penalty saved.
Liverpool ran riot after the break, with goals from Hugo Ekitike, Ryan Gravenberch and Salah as the visitors had no answer to a near-perfect performance, according to Reuters.
Kane reaches 50 Champions League goals as Bayern beat Atalanta to book last eight spot
Forward Harry Kane scored twice as Bayern Munich crushed Atalanta 4-1 on Wednesday, for an aggregate 10-2 demolition, to reach the Champions League last eight, Reuters reported.
Kane became the first English player to reach 50 goals in the Champions League and he needed 66 matches, making him the third-fastest to reach the milestone.
The Bavarians, chasing a treble of titles, will next face Real Madrid in a mouth-watering quarter-final between two continental heavyweights who have been European champions a combined 21 times, according to Reuters.
Iran continuing World Cup preparations but will not play in US, says soccer chief
The Iranian national team are continuing to prepare for the World Cup finals and have no intention of pulling out of the tournament even if they will not travel to the United States, soccer chief Mehdi Taj said on Wednesday, Reuters reported.
Iran were one of the first nations to qualify for the finals but their participation has been in doubt since the conflict between the Islamic Republic and the United States began in late February.
The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19 and is being staged in the U.S., Mexico and Canada, according to Reuters.
