TNS want resolution after Guinness world record mix-up over long win streak

By Sports Desk February 08, 2024

The New Saints are hoping for a resolution after being told they had not equalled their own Guinness world record.

The Cymru Premier Division side believed they had matched their previous record for the most number of consecutive wins when they beat Newtown 3-0 on Tuesday.

They thought it was their 27th successive victory after the Guinness World Records told them that a penalty shootout win against East Fife in the Scottish Challenge Cup in October counted as a win.

However, the official recordkeepers subsequently admitted their mistake and ruled only victories after 90 minutes count.

Therefore, TNS’s winning streak stands at 20 and they must win their next eight games to break the record they set in 2016.

A club statement read: “We are naturally disappointed to learn that our 27-game winning streak apparently no longer qualifies as equalling the world record.

“On February 6 Guinness World Records confirmed we had equalled the world record, and then on February 7 we were told there had apparently been a ‘miscommunication’ and that we have not now equalled the world record.

“As far as we are concerned a win is a win and so we have secured 27 wins back-to-back – a fabulous achievement by (manager) Craig (Harrison) and the team, and one deserving of recognition.

“We are in communication with Guinness World Records, and we are hopeful of a resolution that is a fair recognition of the club’s remarkable achievement on the pitch.”

The PA news agency has contacted Guinness World Records for comment.

TNS are 17 points clear at the top of the Cymru Premier Division and are aiming to break the record they set in 2015-16 in manager Harrison’s first spell, when they surpassed the famous 1970s Ajax team.

The club had been gearing up for a shot at history, with manager Harrison carrying out interviews on Wednesday ahead of the possibly decisive game against Bala Town on Friday.

Harrison, a former Middlesbrough and Crystal Palace midfielder, believes that it is an “unbelievable achievement” to win 27 games in a row, even if the Guinness World Records do not view it like that.

“I remember in the 2015-16 season that we broke it the first time and there was a lot more hype because we broke Ajax’s record,” he told PA before the news of the mix-up.

“I made a lot of it at the time for us not to be compared with that great Ajax team, with Johann Cruyff in. It’s all relative but it is still a fantastic and unbelievable achievement at any level to win 27 games in a row.

“To break the record once is unbelievable, I said at the time it was probably a once-in-a-career opportunity to do that, so to maybe break it a second time, it’s not really a fluke.

“I really thought no one would get near it again, it was such an achievement so for us to get the opportunity to do it again proves that the standards are set very, very high at this club. It will be an amazing achievement if we can do it.”

Related items

  • Cuba overturn deficit in 5-2 aggregate Play-In win over St Kitts and Nevis to book Gold Cup prelims spot Cuba overturn deficit in 5-2 aggregate Play-In win over St Kitts and Nevis to book Gold Cup prelims spot

    Cuba booked their spot in the Concacaf Gold Cup prelims after they turned the tables on St Kitts and Nevis in their Concacaf Nations League Play-In tie on Monday.

    Needing to overturn a deficit from their 1-2 first-leg loss, Cuba did just that in commanding fashion as they blanked St Kitts and Nevis 4-0 in a lopsided return-leg encounter at Estadio Antonio Maceo in Santiago de Cuba.

    After bossing possession for most of the first half, Cuba inevitably broke the deadlock when Onel Hernandez produced a decent solo run on his way to driving home a right-footer from the top of the penalty area to level the series on aggregate at that point.

    But the hosts were far from done and doubled the lead on the stroke of the break as Yosel Piedra also converted from close range in the 45+3 to make it 2-0 at the break and 3-2 on aggregate.

    With St Kitts and Nevis offering very little resistance on the resumption, Cuba extended their lead in the 50th courtesy of Luis Paradela’s close-range finish.

    Maykel Reyes then converted an 87th-minute penalty to cap the win as Cuba continued their march towards making the cut for next year’s Concacaf Gold Cup. A win in the preliminary rounds would see them achieving that feat.

  • Bayern's Palhinha sidelined for weeks with adductor injury Bayern's Palhinha sidelined for weeks with adductor injury

    Bayern Munich confirmed Joao Palhinha will be sidelined for several weeks after suffering an adductor injury while on international duty.

    The midfielder sustained the issue while training with Portugal, and withdrew from the squad, missing both of their Nations League fixtures against Poland and Croatia. 

    Palhinha, who joined Bayern on a four-year contract in July from Fulham, has made 13 appearances in all competitions and boasts a 100% tackle completion rate in the Bundesliga (7/7).

    "FC Bayern's medical department has confirmed that Joao Palhinha suffered a torn muscle fibre in his right adductor while training with the Portugal national team," the club said. "The midfielder will therefore be sidelined for the coming weeks."

    Bayern have been boosted by Aleksandar Pavlovic's return to first-team training over the international break, though he has still not returned to full fitness.

    The Bavarians, top of the Bundesliga with a five-point advantage over RB Leipzig, have a busy schedule ahead of them with four matches in 11 days.

    Bayern take on Augsburg in the league on Friday before hosting Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League next Tuesday. They then travel to Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga and face holders Bayer Leverkusen in the DFB-Pokal on December 3.

  • Curacao secure League A promotion, Gold Cup berth after 4-1 win over St Lucia in Group B Curacao secure League A promotion, Gold Cup berth after 4-1 win over St Lucia in Group B

    Curacao secured promotion to League A and direct qualification for next year’s Concacaf Gold Cup after they topped Group B of League B in the Concacaf Nations League action on Monday. 

    The Dutch-speaking Caribbean Island bettered St Lucia 4-1 in their top-of-the-table clash at the Ergilio Hato Stadium in Willemstad, Curaçao.

    Gervane Kastaneer opened the scoring in the 27th with a tidy finish on the volley as he connected well from Jearl Margaritha’s weighted cross.

    St Lucia pulled level in the 29th courtesy of Ryan Charles, who won possession at the top of the penalty area and finished at close range.

    However, Kastaneer grabbed his brace to put Curacao back on top as he produced another decent close range finish to make it 2-1 at the break.

    Any hopes St Lucia had of a comeback were dashed in the 73rd when Juninho Bacuna displayed nippy footwork to dismiss markers and slot home.

    Bacuna then completed his brace and Curacao’s rout when he fired home in the 79th to secure their promotion to League A and, by extension, a berth in the Gold Cup.

    They topped the group with 13 points, four more than St Lucia (nine points), while Grenada, who were 3-0 winners over St Martin in the other group contest, ended on seven points.

    Rahim Dennis (39th) and Keelan Lebon (87th and 90+3) sealed Grenada’s win against St Martin to ensure they stay up in League B for another edition.

    By virtue of that loss, St Martin, who finished last on the four-team standings on six points, have been relegated to League C for the next edition of the Nations League.

© 2024 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.