Football

The Argentina international intends to build a trophy room at his home and while his victory alongside Lionel Messi in Qatar will take pride of place his first silverware for the club he joined in the summer would still mean a lot to him.

“It will be my first final with Liverpool and first opportunity to win something so it is going to be something very special for me and the team,” he said.

A post shared by Alexis Mac Allister (@alemacallister)

“I look at it (his World Cup winner’s medal) every single day. That is what it means to me and to the country as well.

“It is the biggest game ever for a football player so it is something that I am really proud of and hopefully next week the Carabao Cup medal can be something I will look at as well.

“My plan is to one day create a little museum at home. I have a replica of the World Cup, the medal and some more trophies – all in a safe place for now – and my plan is to be able to have a place for them where I can always see them.

“When I signed for this club I said I wanted to win trophies, that is what every player wants and that is what I want.

“The World Cup helped me to realise that I really want to win more trophies so it is a big opportunity.”

Mac Allister will come up against former Brighton team-mate Moises Caicedo at Wembley.

The Ecuador international was long-destined for Chelsea but haggling over his transfer fee allowed Liverpool the opportunity to hijack the deal and although their £111million bid was accepted the player held out for a move to Stamford Bridge, which he eventually got for a British record fee of £115m.

As a result Caicedo was booed during last month’s 4-1 defeat at Anfield and while there is no such animosity between the ex-team-mates Mac Allister joked Caicedo’s decision to reject Liverpool was annoying.

“I spoke a little with him. Maybe he hurt me a little bit with what happened in the summer – but is completely fine,” he added.

“It is a personal decision. He is an amazing player and a really good guy and I wish him well.”

The Argentine's exit was confirmed on Friday with speculation linking Alfaro as a potential successor to Daniel Garnero as Paraguay boss.

"We thank Mr Gustavo and his team for their dedication during their time leading the Costa Rica team," the Costa Rican Football Federation (FCRF) said in a short statement.

"At FCRF we will continue to build the path towards the 2026 World Cup. We will keep our fans informed and we reiterate our commitment to continue working for the development and success of national football."

The 61-year-old, who took charge of Ecuador at the 2022 World Cup, guided Costa Rice to the Copa America this year as his side were eliminated in the group stage by finishing third.

Devine fired the spot-kick past James Beadle in the eighth minute of time added on after Elliott Moore had fouled Ben Garrity.

All of the game’s action came in a dramatic final half-hour.

Oxford striker Mark Harris was shown a straight red card in the 63rd minute following an off-the-ball clash with Vale captain Nathan Smith.

Alex Iacovitti then headed the visitors in front in the 74th minute, glancing home from Devine’s free-kick.

Greg Leigh equalised at the far post three minutes into stoppage time, firing high into the net when Stan Mills’ cross reached him at the far post.

However, left-back Leigh’s delight turned to despair moments later when he was shown a second yellow card for a trip.

Oxford, bidding for a fifth successive victory, were below their best on a warm afternoon, but Vale keeper Conor Ripley produced good saves from Billy Bodin, Cameron Brannagan and Tyler Goodrham before Harris’ red card sparked the frantic finale.

Both the Addicks, who had placed Jason Pearce in interim charge following the dismissal of Dean Holden last Sunday, and Fleetwood came into the clash at The Valley off the back of four straight Sky Bet League One losses.

Former Charlton striker Jayden Stockley opened the scoring in the 16th minute. He had already hit the underside of the bar with a free-kick before he headed Ryan Broom’s cross past keeper Harry Isted.

Charlton had struggled to create chances before May levelled in the 43rd minute. Wolves loanee Chem Campbell’s pass sent the forward through and he confidently tucked the ball past Stephen McMullen.

The Addicks went in front in the 73rd minute from the penalty spot. Olabosun Lawal brought down Corey Blackett-Taylor and May drilled his kick straight down the middle.

May went close to a hat-trick as first he latched on to a deep Terry Taylor corner but McMullen denied him and then at full-stretch just failed to make contact on a Charlie Kirk cross.

The forward is on 17 goals in all competitions for the Addicks after converting two penalties to end the Robins’ own three-game unbeaten sequence.

Cheltenham took a 10th-minute lead, Liam Sercombe’s cross from the right met by the unmarked Will Goodwin to head emphatically home.

May levelled soon after from the penalty spot, drilling past Luke Southwood after centre-back Lewis Freestone tripped Miles Leaburn.

Town were indebted to goalkeeper Southwood for smart saves from Slobodan Tedic and Tennai Watson before the break while Corey Blackett-Taylor also struck the inside of the right upright.

Cheltenham went close in the 50th minute but George Lloyd’s header just cleared the bar.

Tedic squandered a big chance for the Addicks and then Southwood used his legs to keep out Blackett-Taylor’s shot.

But May kept his cool to beat Southwood again from the spot in the 86th minute after Will Ferry handled Tyreece Campbell’s cross.

Nathan Newall and Kennedy Digie scored in the final 17 minutes to send the hosts through.

Jordan Thewlis wanted a penalty after being felled in the first half and Jake Day hit the post for the hosts in the first half.

But Alfreton had to wait until the second half to open the scoring.

Newall struck after 73 minutes when he found the top corner from just outside the box.

Digie wrapped up the win with three minutes left when he headed in Billy Fewster’s corner.

Al Hamadi broke the deadlock from a yard out to give Wimbledon a late first-half lead, before smashing the ball home after the break to seal the points at Plough Lane.

The Dons were forced to play the final 18 minutes a player short after Hus Biler picked up a second yellow card before Omar Bugiel was given his marching orders in stoppage time after also picking up two bookings but the hosts held on for all three points.

It was a cagey first half, with neither side able to test their opposition goalkeeper for much of the opening 45.

However, two minutes into first-half stoppage time, Al Hamadi was on hand to bundle home following a goal-mouth scramble to put the hosts in front.

The Iraq international bagged his second in the 63rd minute, pouncing on a slip from Rovers captain Tom Anderson before finishing into the top-right corner to secure their first league win in six for Wimbledon.

It was a third league win in four games for the Dons, who started the day 10th in the table and well and truly avenged the 5-1 thrashing they took off the Robins in this fixture last season.

Al-Hamadi had an effort headed off the line by Frazer Blake-Tracy before Wimbledon went ahead in the sixth minute when Joe Lewis’ low ball into the box was turned in by Omar Bugiel.

Connor Lemonheigh-Evans shot against a post for the Dons, who had their second just before the hour mark thanks to a brilliant 25-yard strike from Armani Little that arrowed into the top corner.

The result was wrapped up with 11 minutes left when Al-Hamadi ran on to Harry Pell’s through ball before finishing confidently.

It got even better for the hosts in stoppage time as Al-Hamadi picked up a loose ball before producing another excellent finish for his 13th of the campaign.

The visitors led inside six minutes as Stockport loanee Lemonheigh-Evans, making his first Dons start, rifled in a fierce 20-yard strike that Walsall keeper Owen Evans got a hand to but could not keep out.

Walsall almost levelled after 36 minutes but Isaac Hutchinson’s 25-yard free-kick struck the bar.

And they were a man down seconds later as Taylor Allen was sent off for catching Omar Bugiel’s leg with his studs.

Wimbledon wasted a golden chance 11 minutes after the break when Ryan Stirk handled Lemonheigh-Evans’ pull-back but home keeper Evans saved Armani Little’s tame penalty.

And the 10-man Saddlers equalised in the 58th minute as Draper smartly controlled Hutchinson’s cross before swivelling to fire into the bottom corner.

Parity lasted just three minutes before Al-Hamadi teed up Currie just inside the box to fire home via a slight deflection.

Al-Hamadi then made the points safe seven minutes from time, cutting inside to find the bottom corner from 18 yards.

Connor Jennings’ early opener was cancelled out by Armani Little, before three from Al-Hamadi tied up the points for the hosts, moving them into the play-off positions.

A well-worked corner handed the visitors the lead inside four minutes, with Jennings pouncing at the far post to fire into the roof of the net.

The game soon turned on its head, however, and after Little’s deflected effort brought parity, Al-Hamadi slotted home in the 32nd minute to give the Dons the advantage going into the interval.

Tranmere’s Jordan Turnbull saw red for a reckless challenge eight minutes after the break, before Al-Hamadi doubled his tally to compound the visitors’ woes.

The Iraqi international completed his hat-trick two minutes from time, shooting into the far corner to secure the win for Johnnie Jackson’s side and keep Tranmere in the bottom two.

The Iraqi international bagged his first career treble, leading the charge as AFC Wimbledon came from behind to pick up their first home win of the Sky Bet League Two season and move into the play-off places.

Prior to Saturday’s contest, Al-Hamadi had found trouble converting his chances and his goal tally for the season sat at just one.

However, Jackson insisted that it was an inevitability that the 21-year-old would find his shooting boots for Wimbledon.

Jackson said: “I always said it was coming, but no one said it more than him.

“No one here was worried about him scoring goals because you’re seeing how well he’s playing, seeing how many chances we’re creating for him as a team, how many he’s creating for himself by his own devilment.

“We knew they’d come for him. It’s ironic how in one week you get one, and then the next week you go and get your hat-trick.

“Delight for Ali, it’ll do him the world of good.”

For Tranmere manager Nigel Adkins, the heroics of Al-Hamadi only brought frustration as his side’s wait for a point on the road this season continues.

Rovers had snatched an early lead through Connor Jennings, but after Armani Little brought AFC Wimbledon level, it all went wrong for the visitors.

Defeat leaves Tranmere in the relegation zone, where they started the day, having won only two of their first 10 games this season.

However, Adkins has nonetheless found encouragement by the start his team made to the game.

He said: “We started both halves really, really well. The first half especially.

“Our intensity, our passing, our movement, our identity, our understanding of what we wanted. For the first 20 minutes, it was spot on.

“And then goals changed the complexion of the game.”

A key moment of the game came eight minutes after the interval, when Josh Turnbull saw red after a rash challenge on Isaac Ogundere.

The challenge was right under the nose of Adkins, who understood referee Daniel Middleton’s decision to dismiss Turnbull.

“It’s a thunderous challenge going in, committed,” Adkins added.

“We want committed challenges going in, but I think in the climate of today, maybe a follow through is just enough [to be a red card].

“It’s a fraction harsh, but the referee had a decision to make and we went down to 10 men.”

The Preston midfielder missed O’Neill’s first games back in charge of the national team in March through injury, but is in the squad for Friday’s Euro 2024 qualifier away to Denmark and next week’s home fixture against Kazakhstan.

McCann was one of the first players elevated from the under-21s when former Northern Ireland boss Ian Baraclough was in charge, making his debut in October 2020, but had since been told what to expect under O’Neill by his team-mates. He has now been able to see it for himself.

“It’s been great,” he said. “Even the last two training camps getting back into the swing of it has been good.

“I’ve only heard good things, and you can see that on the training pitch. The coaching from all the staff, they all seem great. It’s quite exciting.”

O’Neill is known for his meticulous planning and attention to detail, and that has been a stand-out feature for McCann.

“I’ve noticed that massively,” he added. “All of the sessions we’ve done have had a purpose, so that bodes well going forward and if we can get it right going into Friday, we give ourselves a big chance.”

Northern Ireland know they will be second-favourites in Copenhagen, with the trip to Denmark the most difficult fixture on paper in Group H.

The challenge has only been increased by the long injury list facing O’Neill, and McCann’s return is a welcome one with Steven Davis, Stuart Dallas and Corry Evans still missing from the engine room.

“It is not great with all those names being injured but that happens in football and it gives an opportunity for other people to step up,” McCann said. “If I do manage to play on Friday and Monday I’ll be giving it my all to get a result for the lads.”

Should he play, McCann can expect to come up against a Denmark midfield anchored by Manchester United’s Christian Eriksen – a challenge the 23-year-old would embrace.

“He’s quality,” McCann said of Eriksen. “You’ve seen it in the Premier League for years and for Denmark for years.

“You just have to get close to him, because if you give him time and space to pick passes then he’ll be able to cut you open. I’m sure we’ll need to be aggressive. He won’t like if we get close to him and put a foot in, so that’ll be part of it.

“You want to play these players because that’s the type of games you play football for.

“I’ll be looking forward to it. It’s not just him, they have a squad full of quality. We will go there with a game plan and if we get it right we can definitely come away with something.”

McCann is coming off a season in which he made 35 appearances for Preston as they finished 12th in the Championship, six points off the play-off places.

But the Premier League remains the goal, and McCann wants to take inspiration from Luton reaching the top flight.

“We were kind of in with a sniff (of a play-off place) over the last few games but just fell short,” he said. “There’s no reason why we can’t go and try to replicate what Luton have done, take that next step.

“It’s a case of seeing what faces come in. We had a few loan players, there’s going to be a bit of turnover at the club this summer, so we’ll see what happens. Hopefully we’ll bring in some quality.”

The Brazil international returned from injury in midweek, playing the full 90 minutes of the Reds' 1-0 win over Girona in the Champions League.

And Slot hopes he can build on the momentum of keeping a clean sheet, as Premier League leaders Liverpool prepare to return to domestic action after last weekend's Merseyside derby with Everton was postponed due to adverse weather conditions.

"We have an incredible goalkeeper. I said as a joke, maybe the players wanted to see how fit he was to give him so much work [against Girona]," the Reds boss said.

"He showed [on Tuesday] he is probably one of the best, in my opinion, the best goalkeeper in the world.

"Let's hope he can continue to keep bringing these performances and hope he can stay fit."

Fulham are fresh from a credible 1-1 draw with Arsenal last weekend, with the Cottagers now having lost just one of their last seven league games.

"I'm more pleased with the way our players fought [against Arsenal], the commitment, the organisation," head coach Marco Silva said.

"It's always tough when we play against them, but they know it will be tough, too. We create a difficult scenario for them.

"It was a tough week. In eight days, we played Tottenham, Brighton and Arsenal. [The players have] been great. The momentum is here for us, we have to be proud of the season so far."

Silva also heaped praise on Antonee Robinson following his consistent performances at left-back.

"He's been great for us. He's one of the best left-backs in this league," he added.

"It's not just the way he is able to stop players, but the way he is able to help. He's a top player and a great professional. He's a proper athlete and is improving in some defensive positions where we want him to improve.

"He's improving season by season, and week by week. We are really proud to have him with us."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Liverpool – Mohamed Salah

Salah is level with Erling Haaland as the Premier League's joint-top scorer with 13 league goals. He is also second to Bukayo Saka in the assists table, having provided eight.

The Egyptian has scored at least one goal in each of his last seven Premier League appearances. He has scored 99 home goals in 140 top-flight appearances, and another goal will mean he is the fourth-fastest player to reach 100.

Fulham – Raul Jimenez

Jimenez is level with Alex Iwobi as Fulham's top scorer in the league so far with five goals.

The Mexican has scored 12 goals in his last 21 Premier League starts for Fulham. Of all players with 1,000+ minutes for the club, Jimenez has the best minutes-per-goal ratio (192 minutes per goal).

MATCH PREDICTION: LIVERPOOL WIN

Liverpool are four points clear at the top of the Premier League, having played a game less than second-placed Chelsea. They are unbeaten in 18 matches across all competitions (won 16, drawn two).

Arne Slot's side have the second-best home record in the Premier League this season, having won six of their seven league games at Anfield (lost one).

They have beaten Fulham in nine of their last 12 league meetings, including in each of their last four showdowns.

Although Fulham drew 1-1 at home to Arsenal last time out, they have now won just one of their last four games in the Premier League.

While they are unbeaten in three away from home (won one, drawn two), Silva's side have managed just two wins from seven league outings on the road this term.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Liverpool – 68.6%

Draw – 17.5%

Fulham – 13.9%

Since making his Premier League debut in August 2018, the Brazilian has prevented more league goals than any other goalkeeper according to Opta's goals prevented metric.

He has also kept 89 clean sheets, with only Ederson (97) managing more in the same period.

"Ederson is a fantastic guy and in the national team, we have a really good relationship," said the 31-year-old, during an interview for BBC's Football Focus.

"I really like his composure… When I look at him, I can see that this is the way that I have to play. I have to be cooler with the ball at my feet even when I am under pressure.

"I think in a way we push each other because I see him doing well, and I know I have to do better.

"It's healthy competition, we push each other, and it's the best for the national team."

Since joining Liverpool from Roma in 2018, Alisson has won the Premier League, FA Cup, EFL Cup, Champions League and Club World Cup, along with the 2019 Copa America with Brazil.

But he insists that while he has enjoyed the success he has achieved, they are not his main source of drive.

"My main motivation is not the prizes… my motivations come from inside," he added.

"My faith in God makes me work hard and better. I really believe that everything I do is a way to praise God.

"Winning trophies and awards makes me happy, but my motivation comes from inside, my family."

Alisson and Liverpool are aiming to emulate some of the success achieved by former manager Jurgen Klopp, who signed him, under the leadership of his replacement Arne Slot.

Slot has made a bright start to life at Anfield, winning six matches out of seven in all competitions, while they currently occupy second in the Premier League, one point behind leaders Man City.

The new ideas brought in by the Dutchman have been warmly embraced by the Liverpool players, according to Alisson.

"We were great before, but Arne is bringing us a new energy and knowledge," he said.

"He is a really smart manager, and he is helping us a lot. You can see from how we are playing now.

"We are committed to the plan and can see it is a good plan. We still have a lot to improve, but we are [going] in the right direction. We have a big gap to reach for our best, but we are doing well so far."

Following the departure of senior players such as Jordan Henderson and James Milner in recent seasons, Alisson is now one of the oldest and most experienced players within the Liverpool squad.

That has seen him take on more leadership responsibilities alongside other established players, having rejected a move to Saudi Arabia in the summer.

"I am committed to this club 100% and that involves being part of the leadership group," he said.

"We have a lot of young players coming in, new players coming in, old players going out, there is a completely new staff.

"The challenge for us was to keep the good things, pass these onto the staff and the players coming in, and embrace the good stuff that the new staff are bringing.

"It was a big challenge for this leadership group and I really believe we are doing quite well. We are sharing the responsibility and telling young players they need to step up as well.

"This club is special and the people who work here are special."

Sidelined after suffering a slight problem in training, the goalkeeper missed last month's 3-2 extra time defeat to Atletico at Anfield that ended the Reds' reign in Europe.

Adrian deputised in the Brazilian's absence, though the back-up was at fault for the first of two goals scored by Marcos Llorente that helped the LaLiga side seal a 4-2 aggregate triumph and a place in the quarter-finals.

That game was Liverpool's last outing before the season was halted due to the coronavirus pandemic, though Alisson - who had also sat out the 2-1 Premier League win over Bournemouth on March 7 - was nearing fitness before the break.

"He sent videos, doing some jumping and exercises,” goalkeeper coach John Achterberg told the club's website about Alisson's progress.

“Obviously, we were working with him until the lockdown and he was basically fit. Now it's for him to maintain it in the house, like the other goalkeepers.

"They all get their programmes from the fitness department so they will do the job and the work to try to stay as fit as they can, like all the other players as well."

Alisson and the rest of the squad are in a unique situation as they train at home due to social-distancing measures put in place to stop the spread of the virus.

However, the Premier League leaders have made sure all their keepers have the equipment required to remain sharp during the suspension, with no immediate sign of a return to action.

"If they needed boots, we got them boots; if they needed balls, we got them some balls. So at least they have the stuff to work in the house as much as they can," Achterberg explained.

"The physical department sent all the weights around that the boys wanted and needed, because some live in apartments and some didn't have all the equipment needed, so the club has provided that with Andreas [Kornmayer's] team.

"They put all together all exercises and some live training sessions. So we've all been in there to try to keep the banter going but also keep the fitness levels going."

The Brazilian went off in the 79th minute of Liverpool's 1-0 victory at Selhurst Park on Saturday and, according to widespread reports, is likely to be sidelined until at least the November international break.

Alisson was replaced by Premier League debutant Vitezslav Jaros against Palace as Caoimhin Kelleher missed that game through illness.

Kelleher deputised earlier in the season when Alisson was sidelined by a different hamstring injury, and is set to do so again, having recovered to join up with the Republic of Ireland national team.

Alisson also immediately pulled out of Brazil's squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers before having his scans.

"Alisson is our clear No. 1, the best goalkeeper in the world, so it's a blow when he gets injured for himself and the team," Slot said after the match on Saturday.

"We have a second option that's already good. Caoimhin has already shown that, which is why Caoimhin is the No. 2, and the last time Alisson was injured, I played Caoimhin."

The Reds have made a flying start to the season, winning nine of their 10 matches in all competitions.

However, they will likely have to navigate Premier League matches against Chelsea, Arsenal, Brighton, who they also face in the EFL Cup, and Aston Villa without their usual number one, as well as Champions League meetings with RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen.  

Diogo Jota scored the only goal nine minutes in after Eddie Nketiah had a goal disallowed in the first minute for offside.

Palace attempted to find a late equaliser, but amid their flurry of chances, Alisson went down after a routine clearance holding his right leg.

Having only just returned from a thigh injury, it is a worrying sign for the Brazilian, with big games against Chelsea and Arsenal coming up.

And though Slot was pleased to get the win that secured their stay at the top of the table over the international break, he confirmed it was unlikely Alisson would be available for their next games.

"Mostly for me, it's special [to be top of the table]," Slot told TNT Sports.

"Players go to their national team, and they think of the national team, but for me, if I lose it is three to four days of being unhappy. I think my wife will be happy as she will have someone home who is happy.

"Really satisfied with how we started the season. It is a good start, not only the results, but I liked our performance today.

"The fixtures are difficult, but I have felt how difficult Wolves and Palace are away. It is good that we have won these games, and it is up to us to show ourselves in the big games.

"Unfortunately, Alisson will not be with us in these matches with how he walked off the pitch."

Meanwhile, Oliver Glasner was left frustrated as he felt Palace should have had a penalty for a push by Virgil van Dijk on Marc Guehi.

They are winless in their first seven matches of the Premier League, their longest such run at the start of a campaign in the competition since 2017-18 (also seven games), but the German is not worried after seeing positive signs from his team.

"We should have had a clear penalty," Glasner said. "I disagree [with the PGMOL explanation] if it was on the halfway line they'd have given a foul. When it's a foul, it's a foul.

"It doesn't matter if it had an impact or not. If it is in the box, it is a penalty.

"It is frustrating we didn't get a point because we had chances. The way we played in the second half – creating more chances and moments and not giving them chances – gives me confidence."

Clarendon College will contest the final for the second straight edition as they dethroned defending champions Kingston College with a 2-0 win in their 1:00 pm encounter at Stadium East.

Clarendon College, who provided KC with their first loss in schoolboy football this season, took the lead through Keheim Dixon in the 86^th minute and the win was all but secured after Christopher Hull finished off a brilliant passing move to double their lead in the 89^th minute.

The Chapleton-based school avenged their 1-0 defeat to KC in the final of the Champions Cup in 2019.

Their opponents will be Dinthill Technical who secured a 5-4 penalty shootout over Jamaica College after playing out a 0-0 draw in the 3:15 pm game at Stadium East.

Both teams will be fighting for their first hold of title in the final, which will take place on Saturday, January 15 at 3:00 pm.

Edwards made the declaration during an interview on I95.5 FM on Saturday, as he pointed out that their World Cup qualifying ambition was the driving force behind the move to replace Angus Eve.

“It’s not just about selecting a coach. It is about the process, the journey and qualifying to the World Cup,” Edwards said.

Still, Edwards, who was elected TTFA president in April, explained that getting to the World Cup was a medium-term goal for his administration and, as such, they opted for a change in approach to accomplish that objective.

“We had to get the process right. We had to get where we wanted to go and make sure we had the mechanics within the TTFA right to make sure we get there and I think we reached the best choice for the men’s national senior team,” he shared.

“The entire team met and we laid out our short-term goals, medium-term goals and long-term goals. The medium-term goal was to qualify for the World Cup in the next two years. When we evaluated everything, we thought we needed a change...and the executive decided we wanted to go in a different direction.” Edwards added.

That said, Edwards reaffirmed his unwavering support for the current crop of Soca Warriors players to get the Twin Island Republic to another World Cup for the first time since 2006.

In fact, he revealed that Yorke’s two-year contract is with an agreement that he successfully qualifies the team to the 2026 global showpiece.

The Soca Warriors currently sit second in Group B on four points, two points behind leaders Costa Rica ahead of the resumption of qualifying action in 2025.

“With the right support and with the guys we have, I do believe we can qualify for a World Cup. We need a coach that understands the culture we have, with players coming back in two, three days before a game. Dwight was the ideal choice for us and he understands the culture of teams in Concacaf as well,” Edwards noted.

“In terms of that professional to approach the game, I think Dwight really brings that to T&T football. I think this project for our executive and for Dwight is about qualifying for the World Cup. It’s qualifying for the World Cup or nothing. I am sure I know Dwight’s pride. He will not stay on with the TTFA or with any club if he has failed to live up to his high standards,” the TTFA president opined.

Beyond the on-field obligations Edwards said it will take an estimated US$4 million to ensure Yorke and his team has the best possible chance throughout their campaign.

“The government through the Ministry of Sport has been involved in every campaign. We truly believe qualifying for the World Cup, taking it to the back end of 2025 will take about US$4 million. When we relate the proposal, we are hoping to get 30-33 per cent from the government,” Edwards said.

The Seasiders closed in ominously on the top six, while Stevenage’s mini-blip continued thanks to a third defeat in their last four games.

Stevenage threatened early on when Jamie Reid’s powerful 20-yard strike was well saved by Dan Grimshaw.

The Seasiders replied as Kylian Kouassi’s looping header was punched effectively clear by Taye Ashby-Hammond.

Huddersfield loanee Rhodes then slid an effort inches wide following Kouassi’s knockdown.

Rhodes broke the deadlock after 37 minutes when he instinctively diverted skipper Ollie Norburn’s initial shot past a flat-footed Ashby-Hammond.

It was almost two nine minutes after the restart when Kenny Dougall thumped a 25-yard free-kick against the crossbar.

Owen Dale did make it 2-0 bang on the hour mark when he lashed home an angled shot via a deflection off the unlucky Terence Vancooten.

CJ Hamilton confidently slotted home Blackpool’s third late on after playing a tidy one-two with veteran Rhodes.