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New York Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Leeds 3-2 Paderborn: Stach's first appearance, Farke faces his son and absentees
Leeds managed a 3-2 win in a pre-season game against Paderborn on Saturday afternoon. This was Leeds's second behind-closed-doors friendly during their training camp in Germany. While there had been an expectation that Leeds fans would be able to attend such fixtures this summer, last month it was announced that they would be played without spectators. Leeds took the lead in the 30th minute of the game. Joe Rodon stepped out of defence and won the ball back as Paderborn threatened to counter. He immediately played the ball to Anton Stach, who carried the ball to the edge of the box. Stach then fed Joel Piroe, who shimmied before firing home with his left boot. The score stayed the same until half-time. Advertisement One of the half-time substitutes bagged Leeds's second goal. Wilfried Gnonto collected the ball on the left flank in the 55th minute. He then beat a man before firing into the bottom corner to double his side's advantage. Paderborn did peg Leeds back in the 74th minute, courtesy of a strike from Adriano Grimaldi. But then Leeds hit another to go 3-1 up. Pascal Struijk met a Jack Harrison free-kick. His header was saved, but Lukas Nmecha tapped in to give Leeds a two-goal advantage in the 79th minute. Paderborn then cut the deficit even further courtesy of a Mika Baur tap-in in the 89th minute. However, Leeds held out to win. The Athletic's Beren Cross was there to take in the match. Here, he provides his analysis. Leeds XI (4-3-3): Darlow (Meslier 45); Bogle (Crew 76), Rodon, Bijol, Gudmundsson (Byram 45); Tanaka (Gruev 60), Ampadu (Longstaff 60), Stach (Aaronson 60); James (Harrison 45), Piroe (Nmecha 45), Ramazani (Gnonto 45). Anton Stach was the big attraction in the starting line-up Daniel Farke named in Paderborn. The Germany international was forced to sit out of Tuesday's friendly because he had not received international clearance in time. The gigantic midfielder's biggest impact was the assist for Joel Piroe's opener. Joe Rodon had stepped out of defence, deep into home territory, to win the ball back. It pinged into Stach's path as he bore down on the home box. Stach got the shout from Piroe and executed a 90-degree, reverse pass to the Dutch striker. He did the rest. Inevitably, Stach was a presence in both for set-pieces, but we did not see any towering headers. He did make one intervention as the first man on the near post. In open play, there were one or two eye-catching passes into the wingers, which showed vision, but there was not much else to write home about from his hour-long debut. Sebastiaan Bornauw and Isaac Schmidt were again left watching Leeds from the sidelines. The former picked up a thigh injury on Monday and seems most likely to return for the Dublin trip to face AC Milan. Schmidt has been managing a calf injury and training with the medical staff in Germany this week. They were not alone, though. Anton Stach and Brenden Aaronson had been with them while Tuesday's game at SC Verl was unfolding, but they switched places with Sam Chambers and Harry Gray for this match. While Stach and Aaronson banked valuable minutes at Home Deluxe Arena, the teenagers were nursing what were understood to be minor injuries. Daniel Farke is expected to reveal more about their issues post-match. One of the more intriguing narratives bubbling away in Saturday's match was Farke senior versus Farke junior. You may not have known this — and fans were not to know he was playing before the game, given the match was staged totally behind-closed-doors — but Paderborn midfielder Luis Engelns is the 18-year-old offspring of the Leeds manager. Advertisement Engelns has come through the ranks with Paderborn and made his senior debut as a 17-year-old with the club last season. He started as a defensive midfielder with the hosts on Saturday. During the game, Engelns was on the end of one or two meaty Ampadu challenges, but the youngster did well, generally. He was vocal, despite his age, and acted as an organiser for Paderborn. Engelns was tidy in possession and tried to get his team pressing up the field. There was no interaction, understandably, between father and son during the game, but after the latter had been substituted in the second period, there was a knowing grin shared as they clapped hands. Unlike Tuesday's game, which saw a mix of senior stars across the line-ups that Farke used, Saturday's starters had the feel of something like his strongest current team. Lucas Perri's signature is imminent, but until he is available, Karl Darlow is the first-choice stopper. The back four felt very much like the quartet we are likely to see at Elland Road on August 18 against Everton. Captain Ethan Ampadu also seems like a favourite to start most games next season. Either side of him, Ao Tanaka and Anton Stach will back themselves to start too, but there is at least a debate to be had about whether Sean Longstaff, with all of that Premier League experience, forces his way in. Daniel James and Joel Piroe are two others who would, currently, be in Farke's best XI, you feel. Largie Ramazani could be forcing his way in as the left-sided starter, but Wilfried Gnonto was impressive in the second period, scoring as a substitute on that left flank. The centre-backs were dominant together. James is yet to find his feet in this early part of pre-season. Perhaps the 4-3-3 shape may not suit him as well as the 4-2-3-1 did last season. The midfield feels like a moveable feast with a lot of battles yet to be fought between Farke's candidates there. Leeds take on Villarreal next Saturday in a pre-season friendly at their Elland Road stadium.
New York Times
02-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Leeds in talks with Werder Bremen over Max Wober sale
Leeds United are in talks with Werder Bremen over the permanent transfer of Max Wober to the Bundesliga outfit. A deal has not yet been concluded but sources at Elland Road, speaking on the condition of anonymity, are optimistic an agreement will be found. 'Leeds has already made it clear to me that they want to sell me,' Wober told Austrian media in early June. Advertisement The 27-year-old has never settled in West Yorkshire, though he was one of the few players to emerge from 2023's relegation with any credit. When Daniel Farke arrived as manager in July 2023, he was told Wober would be a part of his plans, but the Austria international was one of many players with a loan release clause activated by relegation. When Borussia Monchengladbach triggered that clause, Wober agreed to join them for a season on loan. Another transfer failed to materialise for Wober ahead of United's second season in the Championship under Farke. He was reintegrated into the team, along with fellow returner Brenden Aaronson, but he declined media interviews last summer and was booed by some fans in a friendly appearance at Elland Road. Injuries ruined 2024-25 for Wober, though the form of Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk ensured he never had a chance of regular minutes when he was fit. He has two years remaining on his Leeds contract, but a summer move suits all parties. United have already signed two centre-backs since last season ended, with Jaka Bijol and Sebastiaan Bornauw added alongside Rodon and Struijk. ()
Wales Online
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Hundreds of Wales fans bring Brussels street to a standstill in stunning moment
Hundreds of Wales fans bring Brussels street to a standstill in stunning moment Footage captures fans gathered together belting out Dafydd Iwan's Yma o Hyd Wales fans bring Brussels street to standstill Hundreds of Wales fans have been captured gathered in Brussels city centre preparing for the nation's World Cup qualifier against Belgium in true patriotic fashion. A video clip shows supporters dressed in replica shirts and bucket hats, with some bare chested, gather together as Dafydd Iwan's Yma o Hyd plays in the background. Fans can also be seen at balcony level of a bar, O'Reillys, facing towards fellow supporters outside, all belting out words to the popular Welsh football anthem in unison. The footage, outside Brussels Stock Exchange, resembles something akin to a fan zone, as flags and beers are lifted aloft. Sign up to the Don't Take Me Home newsletter here . Spirits are high among members of the Red Wall, as they fully embrace the atmosphere of what, prior to the all important match itself, looks to be an epic away day for fans. Wales are currently top of group J in the group stage of the World Cup qualifiers, with seven points, after two wins and a draw from their first three fixtures. Article continues below On Friday, Wales beat Liechtenstein 3-0 at the Cardiff City Stadium thanks to a 39th minute opener from Joe Rodon, followed by goals from Harry Wilson in the 65th minute, and Kieffer Moore three minutes later. Belgium, meanwhile, slipped up away against North Macedonia, being held to a 1-1 draw. They are currently 4th in the group with just one point, but have played two games less than Wales. The game between Belgium and Wales kicks off at 7.45pm at the King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels. Article continues below The match is being shown live on BBC1 Wales, BBC Three, S4C, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Unbeaten start for Craig Bellamy as Wales boss
Craig Bellamy's impressive start as Wales boss continued in Cardiff, as his side made it nine games without defeat thanks to a comfortable 3-0 win over Liechtenstein. Joe Rodon opened the scoring before Harry Wilson and Kieffer Moore added their names to the scoresheet in what was a routine night for the hosts. Advertisement Elsewhere in the group, North Macedonia grabbed a late leveller to hold top seeds Belgium to a 1-1 draw - a result that played nicely into Welsh hands. With two wins from three in this qualifying campaign, Wales now sit at the top of Group J. They're two points ahead of North Macedonia and six clear of Belgium, although the Belgians have played two fewer games. Since Bellamy took over in July 2024, Wales have picked up five wins and four draws - a run that includes topping their Nations League B group ahead of Turkey, securing promotion back to League A in the process. That unbeaten run is now one of the longest in Europe, second only to Spain's 19-game streak. Advertisement The big test comes next: a trip to Brussels on Monday to face a Belgium side packed with talent and desperate to bounce back. It's a fixture that could prove decisive in the race for a place at the World Cup.
Glasgow Times
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Craig Bellamy promises Wales will not sit back and defend against Belgium
Wales coasted to a 3-0 win over Liechtenstein, the world's 205th ranked team, as second-half goals from Harry Wilson and Kieffer Moore added to Joe Rodon's 39th-minute opener. It was defender Rodon's first international goal and Wales had complete domination of a one-sided contest with 27 goal attempts to zero. Wales face a far tougher challenge in Brussels, although the Dragons did have the bonus of Belgium being held 1-1 in North Macedonia on Friday night, thanks to a late home equaliser. Bellamy said: 'We go there and I'm not camping. I'm not sitting back. It's not in my make-up. I can't do it, I don't want to do it. 'I've got a little bit more in my head, but I'm really excited about it. I'll try and absorb this one but then, yeah, get ready for that.' Victory took Wales to the top of their World Cup qualifying section with seven points from three games – but Bellamy could not resist a dig at the Welsh ball boys on the perimeter of the pitch. 'There is a lot I liked,' said Bellamy. 'I'd really like us to make this six, seven, eight. That's what we need to push. 'These games have never been easy four our nation. We have a proven record of that. 'The mentality of the players was really good. Did we expect to win? Of course we did. Did we expect such a slow game? Joe Rodon celebrated after scoring the first goal of his Wales career (Nigel French/PA) 'I felt our ball boys could have been a bit quicker. We are at home so we have a choice in that as well. 'I'm going to be looking for them in a bit – I'm not. I'm joking!' Victory came at a price as Neco Williams, one of Wales' best performers since Bellamy took charge last summer, was forced off midway through the first half with a nasty-looking injury. The Nottingham Forest full-back, in trying to cross on the byline midway through the first half, landed awkwardly and was in obvious pain before leaving the field on a stretcher. Neco Williams leaft the pitch distraught after being carried off on a stretcher in Wales' 3-0 victory over Liechtenstein (Nigel French/PA) Williams appears a serious doubt for Monday's clash with Belgium. 'Give us a few hours,' said Bellamy. 'We just don't know. We'll find out tomorrow morning (Saturday). 'The medical staff will be racing with it, we'll make sure he's looked after. 'We'll find more and relay that message as soon as we know.'
