The Real Madrid star came out of Alaves last weekend and has a ’50 percent’ chance of featuring against the Republic of Ireland next Tuesday in the Nations League match.

Gareth Bale limped off injured during Real Madrid’s 1-0 loss to Alaves

“It’s not serious and he might have a chance for Tuesday, but we’ll have to take it one day at a time,” Giggs told reporters.

“We don’t want to take any risks with him, we are preparing for both scenarios for the Ireland game.”

Regarding Thursday’s opponents and their coach Luis Enrique, Giggs said he was ‘really impressed’ with their results against England and Croatia last month and sees the friendly as perfect preparation for Tuesday’s official encounter.

“We want to win tomorrow, but on Tuesday there will be three points in play,” he continued.

“It’s difficult but exciting to play against the best teams in the world and Luis Enrique is one of the best coaches.”

READ ALSO:

Dean Smith appointed as new Aston Villa manager, Terry his assistant

The post Gareth Bale to miss Wales game against Spain first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

Smith has been appointed ahead of Thierry Henry who been highly linked to the position in the past days.  Henry turned down the vacancy at Aston Villa to accept Monaco job.

Dean Smith has been appointed the new head coach of Aston Villa, succeeding Steve Bruce

Smith who developed a reputation for playing exciting, attacking football at Brentford City, is a Villa fan and will replace Steve Bruce who was sacked last week following the team’s side’s miserable start to the season.

Former Chelsea and England skipper Terry decided to hang up his playing boots on Sunday.He had been without a club since leaving Villa following their playoff defeat by Fulham at Wembley Stadium last season.

Villa have also appointed Jesus Garcia Pitarch as Sporting Director. During his time at Valencia, the club won the La Liga title and UEFA Cup and Atletico lifted the Europa League and the European Super Cup during his tenure.

“These three appointments represent the start of a new era and direction at Aston Villa and we are delighted to secure their services after an extensive search,” Villa CEO Christian Purslow said.

“Dean has a clear and successful coaching philosophy as well as a real understanding of Aston Villa Football Club. He is also knowledgeable about the Championship…

“John is one of the most decorated players in English football, has an affinity with the club and is ready to make the next step in his career working alongside Dean.”

Aston Villa are 15th in the Championship with three wins in their opening 12 games with 15 points.

READ ALSO:

FUFA unveils new kits for Uganda Cranes and Crested Cranes

Lewis Hamilton wins Japanese Grand Prix, takes step closer on fifth F1 title

The post Dean Smith appointed as new Aston Villa manager, Terry his assistant first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

The England and Tottenham captain revealed the news just days before the new Premier League season starts, announcing the arrival of his second daughter Vivienne Jane.

Kane took to Twitter and posted a photo of himself and wife Kate holding their latest addition to the family.

The couple had their first baby in January last year

The 25-year-old striker captioned the photo with: “Our beautiful addition to the family! Vivienne Jane Kane. So proud of Kate Goodland for having the most amazing water birth with no pain relief at all.”

Kate had not travelled to Russia for the World Cup due to her pregnancy, and there were fears among fans at one point the Three Lions star would have to return home in case she entered labour.

However, the pair were reunited following England’s brilliant run at the World Cup. The couple welcomed their first daughter into the world in January last year, and named her Ivy Jane.

Later that year, in July, Kane announced he had become engaged to his childhood sweetheart. Kane and Katie have known each other since they were kids. The pair even posed together for a picture with David Beckham in 2005.

An 11-year-old Kane beamed with his school pal as Becks launched his David Beckham Academy. The pair both attended Chingford Foundation School, the same school that Beckham attended as a youngster.

Kane meets David Beckham at The David Beckham Academy in 2005 with future partner Kate

While merely pals at school, their friendship blossomed into a relationship, which Kane confirmed publicly in 2015. Kane returned to training with Spurs this week and could be in line to face Newcastle away.

READ ALSO:

Real Madrid happy to give Modric a pay rise

Chelsea pay £72m release clause for Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga

Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino welcomed the striker back with open arms, and confessed he was ‘disappointed’ after the World Cup despite being Golden Boot winner.

Kane and his Miss Goodland are childhood sweethearts

When the 25-year-old dropped in to Tottenham’s training ground after his Russian exploits, Pochettino went to congratulate him, only for the England man to say: “I’m really disappointed, I should have scored more goals.”

Kane should travel north east with his team-mates for Saturday’s clash, but it may come too soon for him to start.

Watch different league matches on the following channels:

Click on the any of the Channels to register and log in to watch for one month free.

Sky Sports Main Event UK or Sky Sports Premier League UK or Sky Sports Football UK or BeIN Sports 3

The post Harry Kane celebrates birth of baby daughter Vivienne first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

Jamie Vardy, who takes them for Leicester, was unused. Jesse Lingard had apparently been banging them in during practice. Walking towards the end lousy and noisy with yellow shirts …Eric Dier.

Eric Dier (centre) is mobbed by his team-mates after his winning penalty in the shootout clinched victory over Colombia

Dier, a defensive midfielder or centre-half, fifth at best in the penalty ranks at his club, Tottenham. Dier, ordinary against Belgium in his only start of the tournament. Dier, who had a pass completion rate of less than 25 per cent in his first 24 minutes on the field here. 

Dier? Anchor man penalty taker? Dier? Have we taken leave of our senses? Apparently not. Gareth Southgate, more than any England manager, knows the agony of the shoot-out. That was one of the reasons he had his squad going through the routine, day after day, in training. With hindsight, why did we ever doubt?

Jordan Pickford dives to save Carlos Bacca’s penalty in the shootout, a stop which gave Dier the chance to win it from the spot

If Dier was the man to hold his nerve, there must be reason, some numbers, some profiling to back that up. Now let’s be truthful. It wasn’t the cleanest. A bit scuffed and Ospina got a hand to it. But not enough. 

There it was, in the net. There England were: in the quarter-finals. And all down to penalties. Not just the shoot-out, but the one Harry Kane scored that should have put England through in normal time. The penalty that took what seemed like forever.

Earlier Yerry Mina was ecstatic after his towering header in the third minute of injury time sent the last-16 match to extra time

Southgate is coming off like Yoda at this World Cup. Even when he loses, he wins. And when Dier nailed that winning penalty, he became the only England manager ever to emerge victorious from a shoot-out at a World Cup. Considering his back story, this was redemption. 

Three penalty finales, three defeats: that had been England’s story until now. From here, whatever this competition holds for this young side, there will be the belief they can cope. Even if it goes to penalties; especially if it goes to penalties. The Germans went home at the group stage, and England have started winning shoot-outs. From here, pretty much anything can happen. 

Harry Kane roars with delight after firing England in front from the penalty spot 12 minutes into the second half in Moscow

This is a moment in time; a moment when the cards are falling England’s way. Sweden are a well-organised team that defeated Italy in a play-off, then battled their way out of Germany’s group and through a knock-out game with Switzerland. So respect is due. 

Yet, it cannot be forgotten that at the quarter-final stage it was envisaged England might meet one of either Brazil or Germany and would then go home – if they even got that far. A match-up with Sweden for a place in the last four? Come on, an opportunity like this may never open again. At worst, England have a puncher’s chance; at best – well, better not to even go there.

When Jordan Henderson’s third penalty of the shoot-out was saved by Ospina, it looked as if Southgate’s group were about to embark on a familiar path, the nation the same. More torture; more heartbreak; more wry songs making light of pain and hurt, to mask how we really feel.

But this night was different. Mateus Uribe and Carlos Bacca missed for Colombia; Kieran Trippier scored for England and suddenly victory was a shot away. Yet here’s the bizarre thing. It might not even have been the most nerve-shredding penalty of the night. At least Dier got his over quickly.

Three minutes and 31 seconds. Three minutes and 31 seconds was the time between the foul on Harry Kane in the 54th minute, and the moment he put the ball past Ospina to give England the lead. 

Southgate addresses his England players in a huddle as the manager gives out instructions ahead of the period of extra time

That is a lot of time for a young man to think. Not about himself, for in these moments, individual awards such as a World Cup Golden Boot are a trifle. This was time to think about his team-mates, his country, everyone whose kindness and guidance had brought him to this point.

About the nation watching, at home. About kids in school looking up to him. And yes, it’s only a game of football. But for three minutes and 31 seconds it must have felt like the world.

In the time elapsed between referee Mark Geiger pointing to the spot, and Kane converting the penalty that should have brought England victory in normal time, Kane must have tried to disappear into his little bubble of familiarity. Tried but, probably, failed. Mayhem was unfolding around him. 

Marcus Rashford made no mistake as he rifled home England’s second penalty in the shootout against Colombia to level at 2-2

When Kyle Walker gave the ball away and Colombia broke in the 81st minute, there would have been a collective national scream. Juan Quintero fed Juan Cuadrado on the overlap – one of those Colombians with a score to settle against the English game – but his shot was snatched and flew over.

Changes were made, the tension increased. It felt as if it was happening. The chance of lifetime. Almost too much to bear: and then it was snatched away, as every England fan feared.

Muriel slotted past Pickford to put Colombia 3-2 up in the shootout and put the pressure on Henderson to level for England

Uribe hit a shot from range that Jordan Pickford tipped wide magnificently. A Colombian corner. England could handle those, surely. Up came Ospina, against the judgement of the bench – particularly when Colombia have players the size of Yerry Mina on hand.

He was the target, and he was the man the corner found. He outjumped Harry Maguire and headed the ball down. It reared up and was misjudged by Trippier on the line, his header only helping it on his way. Colombia were level, against the odds. Yet for England it felt painfully familiar. In the first-half of extra time it looked as if there would only be one winner: and it wasn’t the team in red.

Pickford is pumped up after denying Bacca with a stunning save to hand Dier a chance to win the contest with his spot-kick

Yet justice, over the full expanse of the game, prevailed. Colombia’s Wilmar Barrios was very lucky not to be dismissed for a butt on Henderson just before half-time. Geiger showed him a yellow card, probably the first time that has been considered the correct punishment for such an offence. 

And substitute Dier settled the contest and fired England into a quarter-final clash with Sweden with a clinical spot-kick

As they left the field for half-time, Barrios shook Geiger’s hand, and thanked him. A Colombian coach deliberately shoulder barged Raheem Sterling. It was a rather unpleasant scene and England were sucked into it at times. Colombian players made a meal of every challenge, but then Maguire dived, too. He could easily have been booked had Geiger spotted that.

Dier pumps his fists in celebration as the Tottenham midfielder toasted his winning penalty in the shootout in Moscow

Cameos from the shoot out? Well, Pickford’s save from Bacca obviously – and Marcus Rashford’s penalty. He has never taken one at senior level but he was second up here, England 2-1 down, smashing the ball left as if he was messing about with his mates. Credit Southgate’s influence there, too. This is a rare spirit England’s manager has engendered. Where it will take him from here, we can only dare to imagine. 

READ ALSO:

Mohamed Salah signs new £200,000-a-week Liverpool contract to become highest paid player in club’s history

Ten explanations for Germany’s calamitous World Cup campaign

The post Colombia 1-1 England AET (England win 4-3 on penalties): Eric Dier’s winning penalty in shootout sends Three Lions through to quarter-finals first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

England impressed, struggled but ultimately secured a narrowly deserved victory thanks to Kane nodding home a 91st minute corner. The captain’s early opener capped a whirlwind start from England who subsequently lost their way and allowed Ferjani Sassi to level with a needless penalty before the break.

Captain Kane was on hand to turn home England’s opener after John Stones’ bullet header was clawed away by the keeper

But in the second half England looked lethargic and Tunisia seemed set for a famous draw until Kane was in the right place to guide in Harry Maguire’s flick. England move level with Belgium on three points at the top of Group G, but behind on goal difference, ahead of their next match against Panama on Sunday. Tunisia meet Belgium on Saturday.

“It’s massive,” Kane said in first television interviews. “I thought we played well, especially in the first half.

“Credit to the lads, we kept going. We’ve spoken a lot about togetherness. It’s nice to see it working on the pitch.”

Both sets of players were bugged by swarms of mosquitoes and midges in the warm-up but England were not distracted come kick-off. They flowed forward and created a golden chance within minutes when Dele Alli won the ball in the box and Jesse Lingard was denied by a sensational Mouez Hassen save.

But, just when it seemed England had thrown everything at Tunisia, it was Kane who popped up at the back post late on

Hassen then clawed away Maguire’s header but required treatment after a clash with Lingard and would not last much longer. Before he went off he made one more stunning block, denying John Stone’s 11th minute header, but was helpless as Kane turned in the rebound for his first goal at a major finals. Farouk Ben Mustapha replaced Hassen and handled a couple of long shots before Tunisia slowly came back into the contest.

And they were gifted a penalty when Kyle Walker carelessly elbowed Fakhreddine Ben Youssef and Sassi levelled from the spot with a cool penalty in the 35th. England were stung and should have regained the lead before half-time but Stones miskicked with the goal gaping and Lingard hit the post with a chip over Mustapha.

The striker sprints away to the crowd, elated after a truly stunning effort to turn the game on its head in the dying minutes

Tunisia scarcely managed an attack in the second half but were resolute in defence. At times their physical approach at defensive set pieces prompted English frustration but referee Wilmar Roldan was unmoved. “There could have been a couple of penalties,” said man of the match Kane. “We had so much joy from corners. They were trying to grab hold and stop us running. Maybe [there was] a bit of justice at the end.”

England, with Alli seemingly struggling from a first half knock, could not reignite their early intensity and manager Gareth Southgate turned to the bench for inspiration. Marcus Rashford replaced the ineffectual Raheem Sterling with 20 minutes remaining but still England struggled to create.

READ ALSO: 

Romelu Lukaku bags a superb double after Dries Mertens nets wonder strike

Uruguay’s Gimenez heads in late winner against Egypt

“I felt positive at 1-1, [but] the pace did drop off a bit,” said Jordan Henderson. “We had to keep creating chances, we didn’t play as well second half but they defended deep.”

Ashley Young sent a free kick curling over but as time was running out Kane popped up to shatter Tunisia, who were left with nothing having been within touching distance of a famous draw.

“In the end it’s unfortunately a negative result for us,” Tunisia captain Wahbi Khazri said.

England won their opener at a major finals for the first time since 2006 but will know they must be more clinical if they are to be a contender in Russia.

The post Captain Kane scores dramatic injury-time winner to earn three points for England first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

And these stunning pictures by photographer Steve Pipe showcase the beauty of the northern realm.

From lakes and forests to waterfalls and picturesque harbours, the county of Cumbria is one of England’s most bewitching. Pictured is Spout Force waterfall in Whinlatter Forest Park

The images capture much-loved sites including Derwent Water and Scafell Pike as well as snaps of the Westmorland County Show and the Sailor Boy statue located on Whitehaven Harbour.

These stunning pictures by photographer Steve Pipe showcase the beauty of the northern realm. Pictured is a rainbow over Martindale

Writing in the book’s introduction, Mr Pipe said: ‘How can I do something different, something that hasn’t already been captured on several thousand camera phones?

Breath-taking beauty: A jetty at Derwent Water, which is one of the Lake District’s most magical spots

‘So, as well as including some of the well-known honeypots in this book, I’ve literally visited all the corners of the county.

‘As well as the landscapes I’ve also tried to capture the people, events and traditions that make the county what it is.

Slater Bridge in Little Langdale is a truly fairytale-esque spot in Cumbria, as this image shows

‘So, in among the selection of vistas from the Lake District Unesco World Heritage Site you’ll also find a range of pictures depicting the history and ancient traditions of the region, plus a few other surprises too.

Writing in the book’s introduction, Mr Pipe said: ‘How can I do something different, something that hasn’t already been captured on several thousand camera phones? So, as well as including some of the well-known honeypots in this book, I’ve literally visited all the corners of the county’. Pictured is Windermere

‘Cumbria really does have something for everyone and, stunning though it is, there is so much more to the county than the National Park.

Mr Pipe grew up in Kent’s Bank in South Cumbria and has many fond memories of exploring the county with his parents and brothers when he was a child. Pictured is Loweswater

‘So, whether you prefer to explore on two wheels, four wheels, two legs, in a boat or even with wings, you’re bound to find something in this book to tempt you to explore just a little bit further.’

The Westmorland County Show is one of the most well-known agriculture shows in the UK

Mr Pipe grew up in Kent’s Bank in South Cumbria and has many fond memories of exploring the county with his parents and brothers when he was a child.

Pictured are Rhododendrons at Wast Water. Mr Pipe used to work in IT but he is now a full-time photographer

Having moved south with his family, in 2011 he abandoned a life in IT to move back to Cumbria, building a career as a photographer.

READ ALSO: England and Wales at their most wonderfully serene

Together with his wife, Beth, he has published a number of books and formed the Cumbrian Rambler team.

Steve Pipe has published a number of books and formed the Cumbrian Rambler team. Pictured is the Sailor Boy statue in Whitehaven Harbour

Cumbria In Photographs, published by Amberley Books, is available now.

Eye-catching read: Cumbria In Photographs, published by Amberley Books, is available now

The post Cumbria one of Britain’s most bewitching counties first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

From the Peak District to Essex via North Wales, they are images bathed in quality. They show delicately frosted vegetation, autumnal canals, cascading rivers and twisted old trees 

The Japanese practice of ‘forest bathing’ – which involves walking through a forest at a gentle pace for two hours or more – is said to relieve anxiety.

If that’s the case, then starring at these amazing pictures of woodland scenes in England and Wales might get you half way there.

They are all category winners and shortlisted pictures from past Landscape Photographer of the Year competitions.

This year’s contest is now accepting entries, until July 7. And so conversely, for would-be entrants, looking at these pictures might actually raise stress levels, because they show how tough the competition is likely to be.

Either way, they’re captivating.

From the Peak District to Essex via North Wales, they are images bathed in quality. 

ALSO READ: World’s Best Airlines for 2018

Lizzie Shepherd’s skills are in no doubt. This is her superb shot of Guisecliff, Nidderdale, in North Yorkshire

The Grand Union Canal in Solihull, West Midlands – a belt-and-braces name, but here looking other-worldly

Woodland at Aymestrey, North Herefordshire, takes on an ethereal glow in this image by Rob Scamp

The River Conwy flowing through Fairy Glen, near Betws-y-Coed, North Wales – captured by Paul Bullen

A wonderful pathway in Ashridge, Hertfordshire, called Lady’s Walk, captured by Damian Ward

The post England and Wales at their most wonderfully serene first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

Congrats to @AussieDiamonds! 3rd Netball World Cup, beating NZ in front of a record crowd! @netballworldcup pic.twitter.com/JpDYwMFJLf

— ConsuladoEspañaMelb (@ConsuladoEspMel) August 16, 2015

The Silver Ferns had come into the final unbeaten after a shock win over Australia in the group stages, but a nine-goal deficit from the first quarter left New Zealand unable to catch the Commonwealth champions.

Australian goal attack Natalie Medhurst stressed how it was their plan to hit New Zealand hard and exert pressure from start to win the game;

“We really wanted to set it up in that first quarter and intensity was what we addressed. We really needed to hit them hard and really put that pressure on them from the start,” said Medhurst.

Australia now holds the Big Two titles, the Commonwealth Games and World Cup, concurrently, for the first time since 1998/99. Australia Coach Lisa Alexander has been reappointed for another four years after guiding the Australian diamonds to the 2015 Netball world cup trophy.

New Zealand coach Wai Taumaunu had earlier indicated that a World Cup final is totally different from a Test match because you can’t wake up the next day and play it all over again. Taumaunu though failed to guide the Silver Ferns to the victory and will have to wait for the Liverpool 2019 Netball World cup.

Meanwhile England beat Jamaica 66-44 to take bronze as they finished third in the Netball World Cup.

Wales ended the competition in seventh after winning their play-off 64-41 against Uganda to claim their best finish at a World Cup since 1991 – when it was also hosted in Sydney.

Scotland ended the tournament 12th after losing their 11th-place play-off 51-41 against Fiji.

South Africa narrowly beat Malawi 48-46 to secure fifth spot, while Trinidad and Tobago ended ninth after beating Samoa 64-51.

Meanwhile Barbados ended 13th with a 53-38 win over Zambia and Sri Lanka finished last after losing 59-32 to Singapore.

Read more at ncw2015

The post Netball World Cup 2015: Australia beat New Zealand to win Title first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

she cranes player in action against wales during the final group D game at the AllPhones Arena.

The She Cranes put up an exciting performance today against Wales at the on-going Netball World cup in Australia though it was not enough to earn them a win.

The match was a highly contested one with the She cranes eventually losing out on 49-47 in the dying seconds of the game.

Both sides were undefeated from their earlier two group D games with the she cranes having collected an incredible 74-38 points in the victory against Zambia on day one and 61-40 over Fiji in the later fixture as Wales recorded victories against the same opposition.

It was a thrilling game with end to end action with Uganda recording 85% shooting success rate while wales bettered it with 88% success rate.

The She Cranes still qualifies to the last eight ahead of Fiji and Zambia who finished with two and no point after three games respectively.

Uganda will play in group E alongside New Zealand, Malawi and the runners up in group B where the winner will proceed to play the second in group F that contains Australia, England, South Africa and group D leaders, Wales.

She cranes starting lineup;

Proscovia Peace, Racheal Nanyonga, Halima Nakachwa, Ruth Meeme, Jesca Achan, Stella Oyella,

Subs; Alice Nanteza, Lilian Ajio, Betty Namukasa, Florence Nanyonga, Florence Amono, Harriet Apako

Full Time: UGA 47 – @WelshNetball 49. Shooting: UGA 47/55 (85%) – @WelshNetball 49/56 (88%) #NWC2015 #UGAvWAL

— Netball World Cup (@netballworldcup) August 10, 2015

The post She-Cranes qualifies to next round despite Loss to Wales at 2015 Netball World Cup first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

The Albicelestes move up from third place and replace Germany for the top spot, the first time in seven years.

Argentina have had steady improvements finishing as runners up in the just concluded Copa America tournament.

Argentina’s Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez, Gonzalo Higuain and Angel Di Maria react during the Copa America

Meanwhile the new Copa America winners Chile have moved up eight positions, only just missing out on a top-ten ranking at number 11.

New entries in the top ten are Romania (8th, up 4), England (9th, up 6) and Wales (12^th, up to 10^th).

The rankings have been done due to the many matches that have been played: with 26 Copa América matches, 99 qualifying matches for the World Cup or continental tournaments and 88 friendlies with last year’s World Cup matches loosing value.

African Champions, Cote D’Ivoire climbed up from third to second while Algeria still maintained top spot.

2015 AFCON runners up, Ghana climbed from fifth to third, just as Tunisia dropped two places to fourth.

Equatorial Guinea records the biggest move, climbing 69 places from a previous 118 to 49 place and Uganda is now ranked 73 in the world.

full list of men rankings

World champions USA back on top

The USA have reclaimed pole position in the FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Ranking demoting Germany to second place by some distance.

The two heavyweights played each other in the semi-finals in Montreal, with the Americans coming out on top.

full list of women rankings

The post Argentina leads the Fifa world Rankings first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.