Football round-up: Australia uncertain over World Cup qualifier following violence in Tajikistan

Fragile security situation may force Fifa World Cup qualifier to be called off. Plus other news from around the world.

Australia, in yellow, will wait until their federation gives them a go-ahead to visit Tajikistan for their Fifa World Cup qualifier. Greg Wood / AFP

Football Federation Australia (FFA), the national football body, is monitoring the security situation in Tajikistan ahead of their Fifa World Cup qualifier in Dushanbe after 10 people were killed in violence in the former Soviet state on Friday.

At least eight policemen and two gunmen were killed in the Tajik capital and the adjacent city of Vahdat in armed attacks. Local authorities blamed the incidents on forces loyal to the country’s deputy defence minister.

Tajikistan, an impoverished Muslim nation of eight million and the poorest former Soviet state, is still volatile after a 1992-97 civil war that killed tens of thousands.

Australia are scheduled to play Tajikistan in Dushanbe on Monday.

“FFA’s advance party has been in Dushanbe for several days and have been liaising with the authorities in Tajikistan,” an FFA spokesperson said on Saturday. “At this stage the situation in Dushanbe remains calm. Businesses, government services and the airport are operating as normal.

“The Socceroos will arrive in Dushanbe today (Saturday) and begin preparations as planned.

“FFA has been in constant contact with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Asian Football Confederation and Fifa. Everything is proceeding towards the match being played as scheduled on Tuesday.”

Players’ association Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) said it was also “closely monitoring” events in the troubled Central Asian nation. “The PFA will continue to work with FFA and engage with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs to ensure the safety of the players,” a PFA spokesman said.

The unrest prompted the US embassy in Dushanbe to shut, and a statement on its website warned that the incidents “may be precursors to other acts of violence”.

Australia, who beat Bangladesh 5-0 on Thursday, are top of Group B in Asian qualifying for the 2018 World Cup finals.

France

Rising Lyon star Nabil Fekir faces a long spell on the sidelines after rupturing his right knee ligaments playing for France in a friendly against Portugal on Friday. The French Football Federation confirmed the injury, calling it “terrible news.” Fekir, 22, was voted the French league’s best young player after scoring 13 league goals for Lyon last season.

A technically gifted and mobile forward, he scored four goals in four games this season and his hat-trick away to Caen last weekend earned him a first start for France in Lisbon. After just 14 minutes, he twisted his knee when under no apparent pressure and was replaced by Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann. Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas tweeted: “My thoughts are with Nabil, who is stronger than you imagine”.

Malaysia

Former international midfielder Ong Kim Swee has taken over as caretaker coach of Malaysia after Dollah Salleh’s resignation in the wake of the record 10-0 defeat by UAE in World Cup qualifying. Dollah announced he had quit upon returning to Kuala Lumpur on Friday and the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) acted swiftly to install 44-year-old Ong, who previously coached the side in a four-month stint last year before Dollah took over. Malaysia are bottom of Group A in Asian qualifying for the 2018 World Cup after three matches. The UAE lead the group on goal difference from Saudi Arabia.

Africa Cup of Nations

Ghana snatched a 1-0 victory in Rwanda and Nigeria were held 0-0 in Tanzania on Saturday on Matchday 2 of Africa Cup of Nations qualifying.

English Premier League pair Cheikhou Kouyate of West Ham United and Sadio Mane of Southampton netted as Senegal triumphed 2-0 in Namibia. Four-time African champions Ghana left it late to succeed in Kigali with Russia-based Mubarak Wakaso scoring an 87th-minute winner. Ghana, runners-up to Ivory Coast in the 2015 Cup of Nations, lead Group H with six points, three more than Rwanda, while Mauritius and Mozambique are pointless ahead of their clash on Sunday.

There was no dream debut for new Nigeria coach and former midfield star Sunday Oliseh as the three-time Cup of Nations title-holders found Tanzania a revitalised side in a 0-0 draw. Nigeria goalkeeper Carl Ikeme, who plays with English second-tier club Wolverhampton, made several excellent saves in Dar es Salaam on his debut. Ikeme started after first-choice keeper and captain Vincent Enyeama pulled out in midweek following the death of his mother.

A point took Nigeria to the top of Group G, but seven-time African champions Egypt will overtake them if they avoid defeat in Chad on Sunday.

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