USA battles Australia for Group D control as Sarpreet Singh breaks barrier for Sikhs at World Cup
Co-hosts United States face Australia in Seattle on Friday, with a win guaranteeing a last-32 berth in the World Cup, while New Zealand midfielder Sarpreet Singh becomes the first Sikh player ever to appear at the tournament finals.
Seattle showdown
Both sides won their group openers. The United States dismantled Paraguay 4-1 in Los Angeles, with Folarin Balogun scoring twice. Australia surprised Turkey 2-0 in Vancouver, thanks to a superb counter-attacking display. A win on Friday would put the victor through to the knockouts with a match to spare.
We know it will be a different type of challenge. Playing the host nation here is a wonderful challenge, but also a wonderful opportunity.
US coach Mauricio Pochettino faces an anxious wait over star winger Christian Pulisic, who injured his calf in the opener. Pochettino said he could make a decision after consulting medical officials Thursday evening.
- USA vs Australia, 3:00 p.m. ET / 8:00 p.m. BST, Lumen Field, Seattle
- Turkey vs Paraguay, 8:00 p.m. PT, San Francisco Bay Area
Pride and pressure across Group D
The coaches of Paraguay and Turkey used separate press conferences in California to shield their players from heavy criticism. Paraguay's Gustavo Alfaro, whose team was thrashed 4-1 by the co-hosts, told journalists to attack him instead of his squad.
Criticise me. You can shoot at me but not at them. Protect them. Because when the World Cup is over, I will be gone, but they will stay.
Turkey's Vincenzo Montella acknowledged the backlash had hurt morale within his young dressing room. He said the three years of progress the team has made should not be undone by one defeat. Both teams meet on Friday in San Francisco, with the loser almost certainly eliminated.
Singh's historic step
New Zealand midfielder Sarpreet Singh became the first Sikh to play at a World Cup when he featured in his country's 2-2 draw with Iran in Los Angeles. The 27-year-old said he hoped to pave the way for other players of South Asian heritage.
I'm very happy to be the first, and pave the way for the rest of them coming through. I hope to see many more Singhs and Sikhs and Punjabi footballers coming through.
Australia's Nishan Velupillay and Qatar's Tahsin Jamshid are other players with Indian heritage appearing at this tournament.
What the numbers say
Group D points after the first round: United States 3, Australia 3, Turkey 0, Paraguay 0.
- USA
- 3
- Australia
- 3
- Turkey
- 0
- Paraguay
- 0
