×
Deadspin | Oilers to start G Tristan Jarry over Connor Ingram in Game 4 vs. Ducks   Apr 7, 2026; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Edmonton Oilers goaltender Tristan Jarry (35) blocks a shot by the Utah Mammoth during the third period at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images   The Edmonton Oilers tabbed Tristan Jarry as their starting goalie for Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the host Anaheim Ducks on Sunday.  Connor Ingram served as the Edmonton Oilers’ goaltender for the first three games of the series, but the higher-seeded Oilers have fallen behind 2-1 in the best-of-seven set.  Jarry spent practice on Saturday in the net typically used by the next game’s starter, but coach Kris Knoblauch kept his cards close to the vest until game time.  This will mark Jarry’s first Stanley Cup playoff appearance since a 4-3 overtime loss by the Pittsburgh Penguins against the New York Rangers on May 15, 2022.   Jarry, who turns 31 this week, was acquired from the Penguins on Dec. 12. He fashioned a 9-6-2 record with a 3.86 GAA and .858 save percentage in 19 appearances for the Oilers. He has not started a game since April 7 — a 6-5 overtime loss at Utah — and has not played since handling the final 20 minutes on April 8 in a 5-2 win against San Jose.  Jarry started eight postseason games for the Penguins from 2020-22 and produced a 2-6 record with a 3.00 GAA and .891 save percentage.  Ingram, 29, who posted a 16-10-3 record with a 2.60 goals-against average and .899 save percentage in 32 regular-season games, has been less effective during the postseason. In the wake of Friday’s 7-4 win by the Ducks, Ingram has surrendered a league-high 14 goals and enters Game 4 with a 4.70 GAA and .849 save percentage.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Oilers #start #Tristan #Jarry #Connor #Ingram #Game #Ducks

Deadspin | Oilers to start G Tristan Jarry over Connor Ingram in Game 4 vs. Ducks
Deadspin | Oilers to start G Tristan Jarry over Connor Ingram in Game 4 vs. Ducks   Apr 7, 2026; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Edmonton Oilers goaltender Tristan Jarry (35) blocks a shot by the Utah Mammoth during the third period at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images   The Edmonton Oilers tabbed Tristan Jarry as their starting goalie for Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the host Anaheim Ducks on Sunday.  Connor Ingram served as the Edmonton Oilers’ goaltender for the first three games of the series, but the higher-seeded Oilers have fallen behind 2-1 in the best-of-seven set.  Jarry spent practice on Saturday in the net typically used by the next game’s starter, but coach Kris Knoblauch kept his cards close to the vest until game time.  This will mark Jarry’s first Stanley Cup playoff appearance since a 4-3 overtime loss by the Pittsburgh Penguins against the New York Rangers on May 15, 2022.   Jarry, who turns 31 this week, was acquired from the Penguins on Dec. 12. He fashioned a 9-6-2 record with a 3.86 GAA and .858 save percentage in 19 appearances for the Oilers. He has not started a game since April 7 — a 6-5 overtime loss at Utah — and has not played since handling the final 20 minutes on April 8 in a 5-2 win against San Jose.  Jarry started eight postseason games for the Penguins from 2020-22 and produced a 2-6 record with a 3.00 GAA and .891 save percentage.  Ingram, 29, who posted a 16-10-3 record with a 2.60 goals-against average and .899 save percentage in 32 regular-season games, has been less effective during the postseason. In the wake of Friday’s 7-4 win by the Ducks, Ingram has surrendered a league-high 14 goals and enters Game 4 with a 4.70 GAA and .849 save percentage.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Oilers #start #Tristan #Jarry #Connor #Ingram #Game #DucksApr 7, 2026; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Edmonton Oilers goaltender Tristan Jarry (35) blocks a shot by the Utah Mammoth during the third period at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images

The Edmonton Oilers tabbed Tristan Jarry as their starting goalie for Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the host Anaheim Ducks on Sunday.

Connor Ingram served as the Edmonton Oilers’ goaltender for the first three games of the series, but the higher-seeded Oilers have fallen behind 2-1 in the best-of-seven set.

Jarry spent practice on Saturday in the net typically used by the next game’s starter, but coach Kris Knoblauch kept his cards close to the vest until game time.


This will mark Jarry’s first Stanley Cup playoff appearance since a 4-3 overtime loss by the Pittsburgh Penguins against the New York Rangers on May 15, 2022.

Jarry, who turns 31 this week, was acquired from the Penguins on Dec. 12. He fashioned a 9-6-2 record with a 3.86 GAA and .858 save percentage in 19 appearances for the Oilers. He has not started a game since April 7 — a 6-5 overtime loss at Utah — and has not played since handling the final 20 minutes on April 8 in a 5-2 win against San Jose.

Jarry started eight postseason games for the Penguins from 2020-22 and produced a 2-6 record with a 3.00 GAA and .891 save percentage.

Ingram, 29, who posted a 16-10-3 record with a 2.60 goals-against average and .899 save percentage in 32 regular-season games, has been less effective during the postseason. In the wake of Friday’s 7-4 win by the Ducks, Ingram has surrendered a league-high 14 goals and enters Game 4 with a 4.70 GAA and .849 save percentage.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Oilers #start #Tristan #Jarry #Connor #Ingram #Game #Ducks

Apr 7, 2026; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Edmonton Oilers goaltender Tristan Jarry (35) blocks a shot by the Utah Mammoth during the third period at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images

The Edmonton Oilers tabbed Tristan Jarry as their starting goalie for Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the host Anaheim Ducks on Sunday.

Connor Ingram served as the Edmonton Oilers’ goaltender for the first three games of the series, but the higher-seeded Oilers have fallen behind 2-1 in the best-of-seven set.

Jarry spent practice on Saturday in the net typically used by the next game’s starter, but coach Kris Knoblauch kept his cards close to the vest until game time.

This will mark Jarry’s first Stanley Cup playoff appearance since a 4-3 overtime loss by the Pittsburgh Penguins against the New York Rangers on May 15, 2022.

Jarry, who turns 31 this week, was acquired from the Penguins on Dec. 12. He fashioned a 9-6-2 record with a 3.86 GAA and .858 save percentage in 19 appearances for the Oilers. He has not started a game since April 7 — a 6-5 overtime loss at Utah — and has not played since handling the final 20 minutes on April 8 in a 5-2 win against San Jose.

Jarry started eight postseason games for the Penguins from 2020-22 and produced a 2-6 record with a 3.00 GAA and .891 save percentage.

Ingram, 29, who posted a 16-10-3 record with a 2.60 goals-against average and .899 save percentage in 32 regular-season games, has been less effective during the postseason. In the wake of Friday’s 7-4 win by the Ducks, Ingram has surrendered a league-high 14 goals and enters Game 4 with a 4.70 GAA and .849 save percentage.

–Field Level Media

Source link
#Deadspin #Oilers #start #Tristan #Jarry #Connor #Ingram #Game #Ducks

Previous post

Mohsin Khan and the makings of a future India pacer <div id="content-body-70910973" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Mohsin Khan is a no-nonsense bowler.</p><p>In an era where bowlers are coming up with truckloads of variations, the left-arm pacer relies on control over his line and length. On Sunday, he outsmarted the Kolkata Knight Riders’ top order to pick up the first five-wicket haul of IPL 2026 in Lucknow at the BRSABV Ekana Stadium. It was also his maiden five-for in T20 cricket.</p><p>The Lucknow Super Giants bowler was right on the money from ball one, inviting batters to drive off a length. Tim Seifert was the first to fall, driving straight to the cover fielder for a three-ball duck in the second over – a wicket maiden.</p><p>His left-arm angle on that probing length – not too full to drive, not short enough to play off the back foot – is a difficult combination to attack. Add to that his pace, hovering around 140 kmph, and Mohsin becomes even harder to slog away.</p><p>“He hits a great length consistently – a very simple game plan – and with his height and wrist position, he’s a real threat,” LSG coach Justin Langer said after the match.</p><p>But Mohsin also has the cricket smarts and awareness to know when to change it up. With scoreboard pressure mounting, he sensed Ajinkya Rahane would look to break free. As Rahane made room, Mohsin followed him and slipped in an off-cutter – his first of the day – inducing a miscue to mid-off.</p><p>“I read the pitch and felt the slower ball would hold up a bit. I sensed a shot was coming, so I changed the pace, and that got me the wicket,” Mohsin said later to the broadcaster.</p><p>He bowled just five cutters in the entire spell; two brought wickets. The other was Cameron Green, who had picked the variation a couple of balls earlier to hit a six but couldn’t repeat the shot.</p><p>Mohsin doesn’t have a long run-up. His measured approach adds an element of deception. Rovman Powell, for instance, was caught behind to a sharp bouncer that seemed to surprise him.</p><p>“There’s an old baseball coach, Mike Young – one of the best fielding coaches in Australia – who used to say, ‘You can tell a great athlete by the way they throw the ball.’ When you watch Mohsin throw, it’s amazing,” Langer said.</p><p>When Green and Rinku Singh stitched a 42-run stand, LSG captain Rishabh Pant didn’t hesitate to complete Mohsin’s spell in the 11th over. The move paid off. Mohsin dismissed Green and then, off the very next ball, Anukul Roy to complete his five-for. He finished with five for 23 from his four overs.</p><p>He now has nine wickets from four innings this season. Among bowlers who have delivered more than 90 balls, his economy rate (6.37), average (11.33), strike rate (10.6), and dot-ball percentage (51) are all the best.</p><p>All this after missing four games due to an injury sustained in the season opener. Fitness has long been his biggest challenge. After his debut IPL season in 2022, Mohsin almost had his bowling arm amputated due to a vascular aneurysm.</p><p><b>ALSO READ | <a href="https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cricket/ipl/lsg-vs-kkr-ipl-2026-nicholas-pooran-sent-against-sunil-narine-rinku-singh-winning-runs-kolkata-knight-riders/article70910692.ece" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Langer explains why Pooran was sent for Super Over; Rinku earns praise for 83</a></b></p><p>“I’m absolutely fine, fully fit. I’ve worked really hard, especially in the off-season with our trainer. My body feels good, and everything is going well,” he said.</p><p>He put in the work not just to return, but to stay relevant, earning retention from the franchise and rebuilding his career.</p><p>“You can see how valuable he is; we haven’t had much of him over the last two seasons,” Langer said.</p><p>“To his credit, he’s worked incredibly hard on his fitness. Not many people know he spent a few months at Bharat Arun’s academy in Chennai leading into this season,” he added.</p><p>“It wouldn’t surprise me if he’s in the Indian team in the not-so-distant future,” Langer said.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 27, 2026</p></div> #Mohsin #Khan #makings #future #India #pacer

Next post

Thomas & Uber Cup 2026: Lakshya Sen gives India lead over Australia <div id="content-body-70911130" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Star shuttler Lakshya Sen gave India a 1-0 lead over Australia in the group-stage fixture of the ongoing Thomas Cup 2026 on Monday in Denmark.</p><p>The Indian wrapped up a straight-games win over Ephraim Stephen Sam in the first singles fixture of the tie, registering a 21-14, 21-16 win in 37 minutes.</p><p>Next, youngster Ayush Shetty will face Shrey Dhand in the next fixture.</p><p>The Indian team began its campaign with a 4-1 win over Canada, in a tie where Lakshya had lost his singles match to Victor Lai.</p><p>Over in the Uber Cup, the Indian team will be in action against China later in the day.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 27, 2026</p></div> #Thomas #Uber #Cup #Lakshya #Sen #India #lead #Australia

Deadspin | Knicks finish off Hawks with record-setting 51-point blowout  Apr 30, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) drives past Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu (17) in the first quarter during game six of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images   OG Anunoby scored 26 of his 29 points in the first half to lead visiting New York to a historic 140-89 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday as the Knicks won their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series 4-2.  It was the most points scored by the Knicks in a playoff game and their largest winning margin in the postseason. The only bigger victory margin in club history came earlier this year, when New York routed the Brooklyn Nets 120-66 on Jan. 21.  The Hawks endured the second-worst postseason defeat in franchise history. The then-St. Louis Hawks lost 133-75 to the Minneapolis Lakers on March 19, 1956.  New York, who produced a 63-11 first-half run, led by as many as 61 and beat the Hawks for the third straight game to advance to the conference semifinals for the fourth straight year. The third-seeded Knicks next will face either the second-seeded Boston Celtics or the seventh-seeded Philadelphia 76ers.  Anunoby shot 11-for-14 from the field and added seven rebounds and four steals.  “I work hard on my game and the ball finds me,” Anunoby said.  New York’s Mikal Bridges scored 24 points, Jalen Brunson had 17 points and eight assists. Karl-Anthony Towns had his second career playoff triple-double with 12 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, with three steals. The starters were out of the game midway in the third quarter.  “I thought we did a great job with our defense,” Towns said. “You know, I thought our offense was created by our defense (which) did a great job of causing turnovers, upping the pressure, and we executed offensively. It’s a great recipe for success.”   Sixth-seeded Atlanta was led by Jalen Johnson with 21 points, eight rebounds and six assists.  “I did not see it going down like this tonight,” said Atlanta’s CJ McCollum, who scored 11 points. “None of us did.”  The Knicks took control early and showed their dominance in the first quarter, taking a 40-15 lead into the second. New York shot 69.2% from the field (18-for-26) and was helped greatly by eight Atlanta turnovers. Anunoby scored 14 in the opening quarter.  The Knicks finished the first quarter on a 31-4 run, which became a 39-4 run as the lead continued to grow.  Tempers flared in the second quarter and resulted in New York’s Mitchell Robinson and Atlanta’s Dyson Daniels being ejected for a fracas with 4:39 left in the half.  While battling for position on a free throw, Daniels hit Robinson with a high elbow. Pushing ensued and official Brent Barnaky was knocked to the ground, but no punches were thrown and order was quickly restored. Both players were assessed a technical foul and ejected.  The Knicks’ 47-point halftime lead (83-36) was an NBA postseason record.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Knicks #finish #Hawks #recordsetting #51point #blowoutApr 30, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) drives past Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu (17) in the first quarter during game six of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

OG Anunoby scored 26 of his 29 points in the first half to lead visiting New York to a historic 140-89 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday as the Knicks won their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series 4-2.

It was the most points scored by the Knicks in a playoff game and their largest winning margin in the postseason. The only bigger victory margin in club history came earlier this year, when New York routed the Brooklyn Nets 120-66 on Jan. 21.

The Hawks endured the second-worst postseason defeat in franchise history. The then-St. Louis Hawks lost 133-75 to the Minneapolis Lakers on March 19, 1956.

New York, who produced a 63-11 first-half run, led by as many as 61 and beat the Hawks for the third straight game to advance to the conference semifinals for the fourth straight year. The third-seeded Knicks next will face either the second-seeded Boston Celtics or the seventh-seeded Philadelphia 76ers.

Anunoby shot 11-for-14 from the field and added seven rebounds and four steals.

“I work hard on my game and the ball finds me,” Anunoby said.

New York’s Mikal Bridges scored 24 points, Jalen Brunson had 17 points and eight assists. Karl-Anthony Towns had his second career playoff triple-double with 12 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, with three steals. The starters were out of the game midway in the third quarter.


“I thought we did a great job with our defense,” Towns said. “You know, I thought our offense was created by our defense (which) did a great job of causing turnovers, upping the pressure, and we executed offensively. It’s a great recipe for success.”

Sixth-seeded Atlanta was led by Jalen Johnson with 21 points, eight rebounds and six assists.

“I did not see it going down like this tonight,” said Atlanta’s CJ McCollum, who scored 11 points. “None of us did.”

The Knicks took control early and showed their dominance in the first quarter, taking a 40-15 lead into the second. New York shot 69.2% from the field (18-for-26) and was helped greatly by eight Atlanta turnovers. Anunoby scored 14 in the opening quarter.

The Knicks finished the first quarter on a 31-4 run, which became a 39-4 run as the lead continued to grow.

Tempers flared in the second quarter and resulted in New York’s Mitchell Robinson and Atlanta’s Dyson Daniels being ejected for a fracas with 4:39 left in the half.

While battling for position on a free throw, Daniels hit Robinson with a high elbow. Pushing ensued and official Brent Barnaky was knocked to the ground, but no punches were thrown and order was quickly restored. Both players were assessed a technical foul and ejected.

The Knicks’ 47-point halftime lead (83-36) was an NBA postseason record.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Knicks #finish #Hawks #recordsetting #51point #blowout">Deadspin | Knicks finish off Hawks with record-setting 51-point blowout  Apr 30, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) drives past Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu (17) in the first quarter during game six of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images   OG Anunoby scored 26 of his 29 points in the first half to lead visiting New York to a historic 140-89 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday as the Knicks won their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series 4-2.  It was the most points scored by the Knicks in a playoff game and their largest winning margin in the postseason. The only bigger victory margin in club history came earlier this year, when New York routed the Brooklyn Nets 120-66 on Jan. 21.  The Hawks endured the second-worst postseason defeat in franchise history. The then-St. Louis Hawks lost 133-75 to the Minneapolis Lakers on March 19, 1956.  New York, who produced a 63-11 first-half run, led by as many as 61 and beat the Hawks for the third straight game to advance to the conference semifinals for the fourth straight year. The third-seeded Knicks next will face either the second-seeded Boston Celtics or the seventh-seeded Philadelphia 76ers.  Anunoby shot 11-for-14 from the field and added seven rebounds and four steals.  “I work hard on my game and the ball finds me,” Anunoby said.  New York’s Mikal Bridges scored 24 points, Jalen Brunson had 17 points and eight assists. Karl-Anthony Towns had his second career playoff triple-double with 12 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, with three steals. The starters were out of the game midway in the third quarter.  “I thought we did a great job with our defense,” Towns said. “You know, I thought our offense was created by our defense (which) did a great job of causing turnovers, upping the pressure, and we executed offensively. It’s a great recipe for success.”   Sixth-seeded Atlanta was led by Jalen Johnson with 21 points, eight rebounds and six assists.  “I did not see it going down like this tonight,” said Atlanta’s CJ McCollum, who scored 11 points. “None of us did.”  The Knicks took control early and showed their dominance in the first quarter, taking a 40-15 lead into the second. New York shot 69.2% from the field (18-for-26) and was helped greatly by eight Atlanta turnovers. Anunoby scored 14 in the opening quarter.  The Knicks finished the first quarter on a 31-4 run, which became a 39-4 run as the lead continued to grow.  Tempers flared in the second quarter and resulted in New York’s Mitchell Robinson and Atlanta’s Dyson Daniels being ejected for a fracas with 4:39 left in the half.  While battling for position on a free throw, Daniels hit Robinson with a high elbow. Pushing ensued and official Brent Barnaky was knocked to the ground, but no punches were thrown and order was quickly restored. Both players were assessed a technical foul and ejected.  The Knicks’ 47-point halftime lead (83-36) was an NBA postseason record.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Knicks #finish #Hawks #recordsetting #51point #blowout

South Africa plans to arrive in Mexico almost a fortnight before the opening game of ​the World Cup in order to acclimatise to the altitude, coach ‌Hugo Broos said. Co-host Mexico opens the tournament on ​June 11 with a Group A match against ⁠South Africa at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, which is 2,200m (7,216 feet) above sea level.

While most of the South African players ‌are based at clubs in Johannesburg, which has an altitude of 1,753m, Broos says his squad needs ‌time to adjust to the conditions in Mexico before ‌the ⁠opening game.

The squad will travel on May 30 to ⁠their base in Pachuca, which is around 200 metres higher than Mexico City. The city is less than 100 km from Mexico City.

“The first ​days it will be difficult ‌to train at 100 per cent because of the altitude, so that is what we will do in the second week,” Broos said in a radio interview.

READ: Mexican goalkeeping legend Guillermo Ochoa to retire after FIFA World Cup 2026

South Africa plans to ‌take on Nicaragua at home in a friendly on ​May 29, although this is not confirmed, and is negotiating to have Puerto Rico as a ⁠warm-up opponent for a second international scrimmage in Pachuca. In its other World Cup group matches, South Africa will meet the ‌Czech Republic in Atlanta on June 18 and South Korea in Monterrey on June 24, seeking to advance past the first round for the first time in its fourth World Cup appearance.

“It’s not an easy group for us. First of all, we will face the host in the opening ‌game, at the Azteca Stadium, and it will be very difficult for ​us there,” Broos said earlier in the year. But the veteran coach, who played for semifinalist Belgium ⁠at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, has also previously predicted ⁠his side could cause some upsets at the tournament, which is also being played in Canada and the ‌U.S.

South Africa and Mexico drew 1-1 at Soccer City in Johannesburg in the opening game of the 2010 ​World Cup, which South Africa hosted.

Published on May 01, 2026

#South #Africa #plans #early #Mexico #arrival #adapt #World #Cup #opener">South Africa plans early Mexico arrival to adapt for World Cup opener  South Africa plans to arrive in Mexico almost a fortnight before the opening game of ​the World Cup in order to acclimatise to the altitude, coach ‌Hugo Broos said. Co-host Mexico opens the tournament on ​June 11 with a Group A match against ⁠South Africa at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, which is 2,200m (7,216 feet) above sea level.While most of the South African players ‌are based at clubs in Johannesburg, which has an altitude of 1,753m, Broos says his squad needs ‌time to adjust to the conditions in Mexico before ‌the ⁠opening game.The squad will travel on May 30 to ⁠their base in Pachuca, which is around 200 metres higher than Mexico City. The city is less than 100 km from Mexico City.“The first ​days it will be difficult ‌to train at 100 per cent because of the altitude, so that is what we will do in the second week,” Broos said in a radio interview.READ: Mexican goalkeeping legend Guillermo Ochoa to retire after FIFA World Cup 2026South Africa plans to ‌take on Nicaragua at home in a friendly on ​May 29, although this is not confirmed, and is negotiating to have Puerto Rico as a ⁠warm-up opponent for a second international scrimmage in Pachuca. In its other World Cup group matches, South Africa will meet the ‌Czech Republic in Atlanta on June 18 and South Korea in Monterrey on June 24, seeking to advance past the first round for the first time in its fourth World Cup appearance.“It’s not an easy group for us. First of all, we will face the host in the opening ‌game, at the Azteca Stadium, and it will be very difficult for ​us there,” Broos said earlier in the year. But the veteran coach, who played for semifinalist Belgium ⁠at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, has also previously predicted ⁠his side could cause some upsets at the tournament, which is also being played in Canada and the ‌U.S.South Africa and Mexico drew 1-1 at Soccer City in Johannesburg in the opening game of the 2010 ​World Cup, which South Africa hosted.Published on May 01, 2026  #South #Africa #plans #early #Mexico #arrival #adapt #World #Cup #opener

Mexican goalkeeping legend Guillermo Ochoa to retire after FIFA World Cup 2026

South Africa plans to ‌take on Nicaragua at home in a friendly on ​May 29, although this is not confirmed, and is negotiating to have Puerto Rico as a ⁠warm-up opponent for a second international scrimmage in Pachuca. In its other World Cup group matches, South Africa will meet the ‌Czech Republic in Atlanta on June 18 and South Korea in Monterrey on June 24, seeking to advance past the first round for the first time in its fourth World Cup appearance.

“It’s not an easy group for us. First of all, we will face the host in the opening ‌game, at the Azteca Stadium, and it will be very difficult for ​us there,” Broos said earlier in the year. But the veteran coach, who played for semifinalist Belgium ⁠at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, has also previously predicted ⁠his side could cause some upsets at the tournament, which is also being played in Canada and the ‌U.S.

South Africa and Mexico drew 1-1 at Soccer City in Johannesburg in the opening game of the 2010 ​World Cup, which South Africa hosted.

Published on May 01, 2026

#South #Africa #plans #early #Mexico #arrival #adapt #World #Cup #opener">South Africa plans early Mexico arrival to adapt for World Cup opener

South Africa plans to arrive in Mexico almost a fortnight before the opening game of ​the World Cup in order to acclimatise to the altitude, coach ‌Hugo Broos said. Co-host Mexico opens the tournament on ​June 11 with a Group A match against ⁠South Africa at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, which is 2,200m (7,216 feet) above sea level.

While most of the South African players ‌are based at clubs in Johannesburg, which has an altitude of 1,753m, Broos says his squad needs ‌time to adjust to the conditions in Mexico before ‌the ⁠opening game.

The squad will travel on May 30 to ⁠their base in Pachuca, which is around 200 metres higher than Mexico City. The city is less than 100 km from Mexico City.

“The first ​days it will be difficult ‌to train at 100 per cent because of the altitude, so that is what we will do in the second week,” Broos said in a radio interview.

READ: Mexican goalkeeping legend Guillermo Ochoa to retire after FIFA World Cup 2026

South Africa plans to ‌take on Nicaragua at home in a friendly on ​May 29, although this is not confirmed, and is negotiating to have Puerto Rico as a ⁠warm-up opponent for a second international scrimmage in Pachuca. In its other World Cup group matches, South Africa will meet the ‌Czech Republic in Atlanta on June 18 and South Korea in Monterrey on June 24, seeking to advance past the first round for the first time in its fourth World Cup appearance.

“It’s not an easy group for us. First of all, we will face the host in the opening ‌game, at the Azteca Stadium, and it will be very difficult for ​us there,” Broos said earlier in the year. But the veteran coach, who played for semifinalist Belgium ⁠at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, has also previously predicted ⁠his side could cause some upsets at the tournament, which is also being played in Canada and the ‌U.S.

South Africa and Mexico drew 1-1 at Soccer City in Johannesburg in the opening game of the 2010 ​World Cup, which South Africa hosted.

Published on May 01, 2026

#South #Africa #plans #early #Mexico #arrival #adapt #World #Cup #opener

Post Comment