Former Italian defender Bocchetti to coach Verona
Verona, Oct 13: Former Italian and Russian league centre back Salvatore Bocchetti was handed his first senior-level head coaching job by Hellas Verona in Serie A on Thursday. Bocchetti replaces Gabriele Cioffi, who was fired on Tuesday after four straight losses left the club in the relegation zone. Verona has just one win and five points through nine rounds and is 18th after a top-10 finish last season under Ivan Juric, who then left for Torino. The 35-year-old Bocchetti was an assistant under Juric last season. He previously played for Genoa, Rubin Kazan, Spartak Moscow, AC Milan and Verona. Since Bocchetti does not have a UEFA coaching license yet, he will be accompanied on the sideline by a team member who does. Verona visits defending champion AC Milan on Sunday. It’s the fourth coaching change in the Italian league this season following moves at Bologna, Monza and Sampdoria. (AP)
Qatar emir thanks Putin for support in conducting WC ’22
ASTANA (Kazakhstan), Oct 13: Qatar’s emir thanked Vladimir Putin on Thursday for what he said was Russia’s support organising the upcoming World Cup. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani also lauded Russia’s hosting of the football tournament in 2018. “After Russia made a great success in organising the 2018 World Cup, Russian friends have provided great support to Qatar, especially in terms of organization, with the organizing committee of the 2022 World Cup,” the emir said. “We thank you for this and we are proud of this relationship. This will continue until the end of the World Cup. I am very happy to see you, Mr. President. Thank you.” The Russian president wished Qatar success in hosting this year’s event. Neither leader specified how exactly Russia had helped Qatar, the first Arab country to host the World Cup. (AP)
Injured Di María hopeful of playing FIFA World Cup
TURIN, Oct 13: Argentina winger Ángel Di María will be out for “around 20 days” with an injured right hamstring, Juventus announced on Thursday, leaving hope he can return in time for the World Cup. Juventus said tests revealed “a low-grade lesion to the hamstring of the right thigh,” adding “it will take around 20 days for the player’s complete recovery.” Di María exited Juventus’ Champions League loss at Maccabi Haifa on Tuesday when he pulled up grasping the back of his right thigh while wincing in pain. Argentina, one of the favorites for the World Cup in Qatar, opens on Nov. 22 against Saudi Arabia and also faces Mexico and Poland in Group C. Di María’s injury came days after fellow Argentina international Paulo Dybala was injured while playing for Roma. (AP)