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VIDEO SHOWS: SUPER EAGLES AND BENIN TEAMS TRAINING / NEWS CONFERENCES WITH COACHES AND CAPTAINS FROM BOTH TEAMS AHEAD OF MATCH / SOUNDBITES FROM COACHES AND CAPTAINS SHOWS: UYO, NIGERIA (OCTOBER 13, 2025) (REUTERS – Access all) 1. VARIOUS OF NIGERIA'S SUPER EAGLES TEAM TRAINING 2. BALLS ON PITCH 3. SUPER EAGLES COACH ERIC CHELLE WATCHING TEAM 4. SUPER EAGLES TEAM TRAINING 5. SUPER EAGLES COACH ERIC CHELLE AND CAPTAIN WILLIAM EKONG SEATED DURING A PRESSER 6. (SOUNDBITE) (English) SUPER EAGLES COACH, ERIC CHELLE, SAYING:     "I am very happy, I am very excited. Sometimes I am a little nervous but I like this pressure and tomorrow we will see." 7. JOURNALISTS WITH PHONES 8. (SOUNDBITE) (English) SUPER EAGLES CAPTAIN, WILLIAM TROOST-EKONG, SAYING:     "All the boys are really focused on being on the best game possibly tomorrow, playing against Benin is not easy. There's no guarantee because we are playing against the coach that knows this team very well. We've worked with him for 5 years, so there are so many factors and things that if you think you spend so much time thinking about all of that it's going to be distractions of what we have to do so we focus on ourselves like the coach said." 9. VARIOUS OF BENIN TEAM TRAINING 10.  COACH GERNOT ROHR AND CAPTAIN STEVE MOUNIE SEATED AT PRESS CONFERENCE 11. (SOUNDBITE) (English) BENIN TEAM COACH, GERNOT ROHR, SAYING:     "We can do it, and we are the only team from the three who still can hope to have our destiny in our hands, that's why I think we have a good position even if it will be a surprise to win here." 12. PHONE ON TRIPOD, RECORDING 13. (SOUNDBITE) (English) BENIN TEAM CAPTAIN, STEVE MOUNIE, SAYING:     "We have a chance tomorrow, we are the only team who beat Nigeria, I think we are the only team that can beat them again so hopefully we will take our chance tomorrow and get this qualification." 14. COACH GERNOT ROHR WATCHING HIS TEAM TRAIN STORY:      On Monday (October 13), Nigeria's Super Eagles and Benin's national football team intensified preparations ahead of their World Cup qualifier, with coaches and captains expressing cautious optimism during press briefings.      Benin, who defeated Nigeria during the first leg of the World Cup qualifiers, aim to replicate their success.       Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle said he was eager yet slightly nervous ahead of the match, "I am very happy, I am very excited. Sometimes I am a little nervous but I like this pressure and tomorrow we will see, he said." Captain William Troost-Ekong emphasized the team's focus despite facing their former coach, Gernot Rohr, who is now coaching the Benin team. "Playing against Benin is not easy… We've worked with him for five years, so there are so many factors… We focus on ourselves like the coach said," he remarked.      Benin's coach, Gernot Rohr, and captain Steve Mounie also expressed confidence ahead of the encounter. "We can do it, and we are the only team from the three who still can hope to have our destiny in our hands," Rohr stated      Both teams conducted training sessions in Uyo, with the match tomorrow set to determine crucial standings in the World Cup qualification campaign. (Production: Seun Sanni, Angela Ukomadu)

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VIDEO SHOWS: IVORY COAST TRAINING AHEAD OF WORLD CUP QUALIFIER AGAINST KENYA / COMMENTS FROM COACH EMERSE FAE RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT SHOWS: ABIDJAN, IVORY COAST (OCTOBER 13, 2025) (REUTERS – Access All) 1. IVORY COAST TEAM TRAINING GAME UNDERWAY  2. PLAYERS LISTENING TO INSTRUCTIONS FROM COACH EMERSE FAE 3. VARIOUS OF TRAINING GAME UNDERWAY  4. (SOUNDBITE) (French) IVORY COAST COACH, EMERSE FAE, SAYING:     "Often when teams play against us, they play with a very compact, very defensive block. We believe that the best defence is attack, so, of course, we're going to play offensively. We'll start the match by putting pressure on them to show them that we're at home, to show them that the supporters will be behind us tomorrow. If we start the match strongly, I think the supporters will get even more behind us and push us on, which will allow us to put more pressure on the Kenyan players." 5. JOURNALIST FILMING PRESS CONFERENCE OFF PHONE 6. (SOUNDBITE) (French) IVORY COAST COACH, EMERSE FAE, SAYING:     "I think we need to stay positive. We've had a good run so far. We knew before the match against the Seychelles that our fate was in our own hands. We avoided the Seychelles trap by winning, scoring goals and regaining some confidence in attack. So, we're not going to prepare for this match thinking about what happened in 2021 against Cameroon, I believe, and even more so in the Africa Cup of Nations against Equatorial Guinea. All that is behind us. We've learned from what didn't work, but honestly, we're no longer thinking about all those negative events." 7. PRESS CONFERENCE UNDERWAY 8. (SOUNDBITE) (French) IVORY COAST COACH, EMERSE FAE, SAYING:     "I think it's important that we have confidence in our abilities, that we have confidence in ourselves, and that we approach this match with enough confidence but not too much complacency." 9. FAE AND OTHERS SITTING AT FRONT OF NEWS CONFERENCE STORY: Ivory Coast will adopt an attacking approach in their crucial final World Cup qualifier against Kenya on Tuesday (October 14), coach Emerse Fae said on the eve of the encounter. The match, set for 1900 GMT at Abidjan's Alassane Ouattara Ebimpe Olympic Stadium, could secure Ivory Coast's World Cup berth with a win. Fae plans to field a strong lineup, likely reinstating stars like Amad Diallo and Franck Kessie, after resting key players in their previous match against Seychelles. Ivory Coast, yet to concede a goal and unbeaten in their qualifying campaign, lead Group F on 23 points, a point ahead of Gabon, who host Burundi in their final match.  (Production: Media Coulibaly)

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VIDEO SHOWS: SUPER EAGLES AND BENIN TEAMS TRAINING / NEWS CONFERENCES WITH COACHES AND CAPTAINS FROM BOTH TEAMS AHEAD OF MATCH / SOUNDBITES FROM COACHES AND CAPTAINS SHOWS: UYO, NIGERIA (OCTOBER 13, 2025) (REUTERS – Access all) 1. VARIOUS OF NIGERIA'S SUPER EAGLES TEAM TRAINING 2. BALLS ON PITCH 3. SUPER EAGLES COACH ERIC CHELLE WATCHING TEAM 4. SUPER EAGLES TEAM TRAINING 5. SUPER EAGLES COACH ERIC CHELLE AND CAPTAIN WILLIAM EKONG SEATED DURING A PRESSER 6. (SOUNDBITE) (English) SUPER EAGLES COACH, ERIC CHELLE, SAYING:     "I am very happy, I am very excited. Sometimes I am a little nervous but I like this pressure and tomorrow we will see." 7. JOURNALISTS WITH PHONES 8. (SOUNDBITE) (English) SUPER EAGLES CAPTAIN, WILLIAM TROOST-EKONG, SAYING:     "All the boys are really focused on being on the best game possibly tomorrow, playing against Benin is not easy. There's no guarantee because we are playing against the coach that knows this team very well. We've worked with him for 5 years, so there are so many factors and things that if you think you spend so much time thinking about all of that it's going to be distractions of what we have to do so we focus on ourselves like the coach said." 9. VARIOUS OF BENIN TEAM TRAINING 10.  COACH GERNOT ROHR AND CAPTAIN STEVE MOUNIE SEATED AT PRESS CONFERENCE 11. (SOUNDBITE) (English) BENIN TEAM COACH, GERNOT ROHR, SAYING:     "We can do it, and we are the only team from the three who still can hope to have our destiny in our hands, that's why I think we have a good position even if it will be a surprise to win here." 12. PHONE ON TRIPOD, RECORDING 13. (SOUNDBITE) (English) BENIN TEAM CAPTAIN, STEVE MOUNIE, SAYING:     "We have a chance tomorrow, we are the only team who beat Nigeria, I think we are the only team that can beat them again so hopefully we will take our chance tomorrow and get this qualification." 14. COACH GERNOT ROHR WATCHING HIS TEAM TRAIN STORY:      On Monday (October 13), Nigeria's Super Eagles and Benin's national football team intensified preparations ahead of their World Cup qualifier, with coaches and captains expressing cautious optimism during press briefings.      Benin, who defeated Nigeria during the first leg of the World Cup qualifiers, aim to replicate their success.       Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle said he was eager yet slightly nervous ahead of the match, "I am very happy, I am very excited. Sometimes I am a little nervous but I like this pressure and tomorrow we will see, he said." Captain William Troost-Ekong emphasized the team's focus despite facing their former coach, Gernot Rohr, who is now coaching the Benin team. "Playing against Benin is not easy… We've worked with him for five years, so there are so many factors… We focus on ourselves like the coach said," he remarked.      Benin's coach, Gernot Rohr, and captain Steve Mounie also expressed confidence ahead of the encounter. "We can do it, and we are the only team from the three who still can hope to have our destiny in our hands," Rohr stated      Both teams conducted training sessions in Uyo, with the match tomorrow set to determine crucial standings in the World Cup qualification campaign. (Production: Seun Sanni, Angela Ukomadu)

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VIDEO SHOWS: PRESS CONFERENCE WITH ENGLAND HEAD COACH THOMAS TUCHEL AHEAD OF WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS AWAY TO LATVIA RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SHOTLIST SHOWS: RIGA, LATVIA (OCTOBER 13, 2025) (REUTERS – Access all) 1. ENGLAND HEAD COACH, THOMAS TUCHEL, ARRIVING AT PRESS CONFERENCE 2. TUCHEL DRINKING WATER 3. (SOUNDBITE) (English) ENGLAND HEAD COACH, THOMAS TUCHEL, SAYING: "Very easy with Harry (Kane). He can play. He's fit. We did the right thing. Top in training and ready to go. And I don't see why he shouldn't be able to play 90 minutes. The pause was just a short pause for him. He played all matches before for Bayern Munich. So, I don't see any obstacles there." 4. TUCHEL JOKING WITH PRESS 5. (SOUNDBITE) (English) ENGLAND HEAD COACH, THOMAS TUCHEL, SAYING: "Yeah, I saw that. I saw it even against Andorra at home, even if we couldn't prove it in terms of the result. And maybe people outside expected more than just a 2-0 and underestimated the defensive performance from Andorra a little bit. But I saw it even in this game: the commitment, especially in the defensive work, the commitment in the high press. There was a significant shift in our attitude and in the way we played. Then we had, of course, two very good results, good performances lately, in Serbia and against Wales. And we want to take the next step. Yeah, I feel this. I feel that we are building something and we are going in the right direction. But as always in sports, tomorrow is the most difficult game. Tomorrow, we have to show respect to our opponent, respect the circumstances. It's an away match in a World Cup qualifier and we can with the results from Albania and Serbia, we can qualify tomorrow, and we want to do it with a win. That's extra motivation, of course." 6. PRESS CONFERENCE ONGOING 7. (SOUNDBITE) (English) ENGLAND HEAD COACH, THOMAS TUCHEL, SAYING: "Believe it or not, my thoughts are not about November right now because it will change a lot if we can fix qualification or not. So, this is where all the energy goes at the moment. When I say I expect a win, I expect, first of all, a performance that makes us the deserved winners. I know good enough that it's never guaranteed to win football matches. Too many things can happen. Luck and being unlucky is such a big part of the game. But we are in the moment where we expect the next good performance, top performance from us, and that should give us all the chances to win." 8. PRESS CONFERENCE 9. TUCHEL LEAVING STORY: England captain Harry Kane is fit and ready to lead his side against Latvia, manager Thomas Tuchel said on Monday (October 13), ahead of a game where his team can seal World Cup qualification. Kane missed Thursday's 3-0 friendly win over Wales having picked up an ankle injury in Bayern Munich's last game, but England's all-time record scorer with 74 goals is back when it really matters. "It's easy with Harry, he can play, he's fit. We did the right thing. He's top in training and ready to go," Tuchel told reporters. "I don't see why he should not be able to play 90 minutes. The pause was just a short pause for him. He played all matches before for Bayern Munich, so I don't see any obstacles there." England top Group K with maximum points after five matches, and after Serbia's 1-0 defeat by Albania on Sunday, a win in Riga on Tuesday would give Tuchel's side an unassailable lead and a place at next year's World Cup. Despite winning all five group games without conceding a goal, England have come in for criticism, especially for their performances against Andorra, labouring to a 1-0 win away and then a 2-0 victory at home. England looked more impressive in their 5-0 hammering of Serbia in their most recent group game, but Tuchel has seen plenty of positives throughout the campaign. "I saw it even against Andorra at home, even if we couldn't prove it in terms of the result," Tuchel said. "Maybe people outside expected more than just the 2-0 and underestimated the defensive performance from Andorra a little bit. "Then we had, of course, two very good results, good performances lately against Serbia and against Wales, and we want to take the next step. "I feel that we are building something and we are going in the right direction, but as always in sports, tomorrow is the most difficult game. Tomorrow we have to show respect to our opponent, respect the circumstances." If England guarantee qualification in Riga, Tuchel will then have two more qualifying games without any pressure, allowing the manager the chance to experiment, but the coach is not thinking that far ahead. "Believe it or not, my thoughts are not about November right now because it will change a lot if we can fix qualification or not," Tuchel said. "At the moment, when I say I expect a win, I expect, first of all, a performance that makes us the deserved winners. "I know well enough that it's never guaranteed to win football matches. Too many things can happen. Luck and being unlucky are such a big part of the game, but we are in the moment where we expect the next good performance." (Production: Janis Laizans, Conal Quinn)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

VIDEO SHOWS: PRESS CONFERENCE WITH ENGLAND HEAD COACH THOMAS TUCHEL AHEAD OF WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS AWAY TO LATVIA RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SHOTLIST SHOWS: RIGA, LATVIA (OCTOBER 13, 2025) (REUTERS – Access all) 1. ENGLAND HEAD COACH, THOMAS TUCHEL, ARRIVING AT PRESS CONFERENCE 2. TUCHEL DRINKING WATER 3. (SOUNDBITE) (English) ENGLAND HEAD COACH, THOMAS TUCHEL, SAYING: "Very easy with Harry (Kane). He can play. He's fit. We did the right thing. Top in training and ready to go. And I don't see why he shouldn't be able to play 90 minutes. The pause was just a short pause for him. He played all matches before for Bayern Munich. So, I don't see any obstacles there." 4. TUCHEL JOKING WITH PRESS 5. (SOUNDBITE) (English) ENGLAND HEAD COACH, THOMAS TUCHEL, SAYING: "Yeah, I saw that. I saw it even against Andorra at home, even if we couldn't prove it in terms of the result. And maybe people outside expected more than just a 2-0 and underestimated the defensive performance from Andorra a little bit. But I saw it even in this game: the commitment, especially in the defensive work, the commitment in the high press. There was a significant shift in our attitude and in the way we played. Then we had, of course, two very good results, good performances lately, in Serbia and against Wales. And we want to take the next step. Yeah, I feel this. I feel that we are building something and we are going in the right direction. But as always in sports, tomorrow is the most difficult game. Tomorrow, we have to show respect to our opponent, respect the circumstances. It's an away match in a World Cup qualifier and we can with the results from Albania and Serbia, we can qualify tomorrow, and we want to do it with a win. That's extra motivation, of course." 6. PRESS CONFERENCE ONGOING 7. (SOUNDBITE) (English) ENGLAND HEAD COACH, THOMAS TUCHEL, SAYING: "Believe it or not, my thoughts are not about November right now because it will change a lot if we can fix qualification or not. So, this is where all the energy goes at the moment. When I say I expect a win, I expect, first of all, a performance that makes us the deserved winners. I know good enough that it's never guaranteed to win football matches. Too many things can happen. Luck and being unlucky is such a big part of the game. But we are in the moment where we expect the next good performance, top performance from us, and that should give us all the chances to win." 8. PRESS CONFERENCE 9. TUCHEL LEAVING STORY: England captain Harry Kane is fit and ready to lead his side against Latvia, manager Thomas Tuchel said on Monday (October 13), ahead of a game where his team can seal World Cup qualification. Kane missed Thursday's 3-0 friendly win over Wales having picked up an ankle injury in Bayern Munich's last game, but England's all-time record scorer with 74 goals is back when it really matters. "It's easy with Harry, he can play, he's fit. We did the right thing. He's top in training and ready to go," Tuchel told reporters. "I don't see why he should not be able to play 90 minutes. The pause was just a short pause for him. He played all matches before for Bayern Munich, so I don't see any obstacles there." England top Group K with maximum points after five matches, and after Serbia's 1-0 defeat by Albania on Sunday, a win in Riga on Tuesday would give Tuchel's side an unassailable lead and a place at next year's World Cup. Despite winning all five group games without conceding a goal, England have come in for criticism, especially for their performances against Andorra, labouring to a 1-0 win away and then a 2-0 victory at home. England looked more impressive in their 5-0 hammering of Serbia in their most recent group game, but Tuchel has seen plenty of positives throughout the campaign. "I saw it even against Andorra at home, even if we couldn't prove it in terms of the result," Tuchel said. "Maybe people outside expected more than just the 2-0 and underestimated the defensive performance from Andorra a little bit. "Then we had, of course, two very good results, good performances lately against Serbia and against Wales, and we want to take the next step. "I feel that we are building something and we are going in the right direction, but as always in sports, tomorrow is the most difficult game. Tomorrow we have to show respect to our opponent, respect the circumstances." If England guarantee qualification in Riga, Tuchel will then have two more qualifying games without any pressure, allowing the manager the chance to experiment, but the coach is not thinking that far ahead. "Believe it or not, my thoughts are not about November right now because it will change a lot if we can fix qualification or not," Tuchel said. "At the moment, when I say I expect a win, I expect, first of all, a performance that makes us the deserved winners. "I know well enough that it's never guaranteed to win football matches. Too many things can happen. Luck and being unlucky are such a big part of the game, but we are in the moment where we expect the next good performance." (Production: Janis Laizans, Conal Quinn)

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VIDEO SHOWS: SOUNDBITES FROM SAUDI ARABIA HEAD HERVE RENARD AND IRAQ HEAD COACH COACH GRAHAM. RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT  SHOWS: JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA (OCTOBER 13, 2025) (AFC – For editorial use. No resales. No monetisation) 1. SAUDI ARABIA WALKING INTO PRE-MATCH PRESS CONFERENCE 2. WHITE FLASH 3. (SOUNDBITE) (English) SAUDI ARABIA HEAD COACH, HERVE RENARD, SAYING: "What we did before, it's nothing up to now because if we don't achieve our goal tomorrow you won't remember the game against Indonesia, the game we played in Bahrain so the most important is tomorrow." 4. WHITE FLASH 5. (SOUNDBITE) (English) SAUDI ARABIA HEAD COACH, HERVE RENARD, SAYING: "This game, it's for me, one of the most important game of my career. I will explain to you after the game." 6. WHITE FLASH 7. SAUDI ARABIA LEAVING PRESS CONFERENCE 8. IRAQ SITTING DOWN AT PRE-MATCH PRESS CONFERENCE 9. WHITE FLASH 10. (SOUNDBITE) (English) IRAQ HEAD COACH, GRAHAM ARNOLD, SAYING WHILE BEING TRANSLATED: "I think the pressure's more on Saudi, not only it's they have in their brain, in their brain two ways to qualify, that is draw or win,  we have one way, that's win, so our full focus is going out and go for it." 11. (SOUNDBITE) (English) IRAQ HEAD COACH, GRAHAM ARNOLD, SAYING "Maybe ask the referee to keep the red card in his pocket." 12. WHITE FLASH 13. IRAQ LEAVING PRESS CONFERENCE STORY: Herve Renard has called Saudi Arabia's World Cup qualifying clash with Iraq in Jeddah on Tuesday the most important game of his coaching career as they stand on the cusp of a place at next year's finals. The Frenchman, twice a winner of the African Cup of Nations and whose Saudi side beat Argentina at the last World Cup, will lead his team into the clash needing only a draw to secure a berth at a seventh World Cup for the Gulf state. Renard is in his second spell as Saudi coach having returned to replace Roberto Mancini during the previous round of preliminaries to resurrect the team's World Cup hopes after a series of disappointing performances under the Italian. Saudi Arabia lead Group B of the fourth round of Asia's preliminaries on goals scored after the Saudis and Iraq secured wins over Indonesia. The Saudis hold a slim advantage in the standings due to their 3-2 victory over Patrick Kluivert's side, who the Iraqis beat 1-0. The group winners qualify directly for the finals, where they will join Japan, South Korea, Iran, Australia, Uzbekistan and Jordan as Asia's representatives. The United Arab Emirates and Qatar meet in Doha in Group A, also on Tuesday, to determine the other Asian qualifier with the runners-up in the two groups due to meet in November for a spot in an intercontinental playoff. Iraq coach Graham Arnold confirmed talismanic striker Aymen Hussein would be fit after missing the win over Indonesia on Saturday (October 11). Arnold said his team is relaxed ahead all-important clash, emphasising the pressure is on Saudi Arabia. (Production: Lucy Thomson, Michael Church)

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VIDEO SHOWS: PRESS CONFERENCE WITH ENGLAND HEAD COACH THOMAS TUCHEL AHEAD OF WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS AWAY TO LATVIA SHOWS: RIGA, LATVIA (OCTOBER 13, 2025) (REUTERS – Access all) TO FOLLOW STORY: England captain Harry Kane is fit and ready to lead his side against Latvia, manager Thomas Tuchel said on Monday (October 13), ahead of a game where his team can seal World Cup qualification. Kane missed Thursday's 3-0 friendly win over Wales having picked up an ankle injury in Bayern Munich's last game, but England's all-time record scorer with 74 goals is back when it really matters. "It's easy with Harry, he can play, he's fit. We did the right thing. He's top in training and ready to go," Tuchel told reporters. "I don't see why he should not be able to play 90 minutes. The pause was just a short pause for him. He played all matches before for Bayern Munich, so I don't see any obstacles there." England top Group K with maximum points after five matches, and after Serbia's 1-0 defeat by Albania on Sunday, a win in Riga on Tuesday would give Tuchel's side an unassailable lead and a place at next year's World Cup. Despite winning all five group games without conceding a goal, England have come in for criticism, especially for their performances against Andorra, labouring to a 1-0 win away and then a 2-0 victory at home. England looked more impressive in their 5-0 hammering of Serbia in their most recent group game, but Tuchel has seen plenty of positives throughout the campaign. "I saw it even against Andorra at home, even if we couldn't prove it in terms of the result," Tuchel said. "Maybe people outside expected more than just the 2-0 and underestimated the defensive performance from Andorra a little bit. "Then we had, of course, two very good results, good performances lately against Serbia and against Wales, and we want to take the next step. "I feel that we are building something and we are going in the right direction, but as always in sports, tomorrow is the most difficult game. Tomorrow we have to show respect to our opponent, respect the circumstances." If England guarantee qualification in Riga, Tuchel will then have two more qualifying games without any pressure, allowing the manager the chance to experiment, but the coach is not thinking that far ahead. "Believe it or not, my thoughts are not about November right now because it will change a lot if we can fix qualification or not," Tuchel said. "At the moment, when I say I expect a win, I expect, first of all, a performance that makes us the deserved winners. "I know well enough that it's never guaranteed to win football matches. Too many things can happen. Luck and being unlucky are such a big part of the game, but we are in the moment where we expect the next good performance." (Production: Janis Laizans, Conal Quinn)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

VIDEO SHOWS: PORTUGAL NATIONAL TEAM TRAINING/ PRESS CONFERENCE COMMENTS FROM HEAD COACH ROBERTO MARTINEZ AND MIDFIELDER VITINHA RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT SHOWS: OEIRAS, PORTUGAL (OCTOBER 13, 2025) (REUTERS – Access-all) 1. RUBEN NEVES' TATTOO OF DIOGO JOTA ON HIS LEFT LEG  2. PORTUGAL PLAYERS PASSING BALL IN GROUP 3. CRISTIANO RONALDO CHATTING WITH DIOGO DALOT DURING WARM-UPS 4. PORTUGAL HEAD COACH, ROBERTO MARTINEZ, TALKING WITH ASSISTANT, RICARDO CARVALHO 5. (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) PORTUGAL COACH, ROBERTO MARTINEZ, SAYING: "We want to keep getting better. There are things we can improve, our flow, our speed on the ball, and how we occupy space with the ball, no doubt. But we've also seen that Hungary are a very well-organiSed team, very well-prepared to launch counterattacks. So tomorrow we need to keep doing everything we did well without the ball and keep working on the things we want to improve." 6. RONALDO WARMING UP 7. PLAYERS WARMING UP 8. VITINHA WARMING UP  9. PLAYERS WARMING UP 10. (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) PORTUGAL COACH, ROBERTO MARTINEZ, SAYING: "We need to enjoy this. We have a national team that plays a lot of football, and plays it well. Our players have incredible commitment, let's enjoy that. Saying that winning 5–0 is only because the opponent is weak, and that not winning 5–0 means we didn't play well, is a narrative that isn't correct." 11. NUNO MENDES WARMING UP  12. RUBEN DIAS STRETCHING 13. JOAO FELIX STRETCHING  14. BRUNO FERNANDES STRETCHING 15. PLAYERS STRETCHING 16. (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) PORTUGAL MIDFIELDER, VITINHA, SAYING:        "We're well aware of what Hungary can do. We've already analysed them and we'll certainly analyse a bit more, but we know what problems they can cause us and what we need to do to prevent that, and the best dynamics we need to create as many chances as possible and score goals." 17. DIAS AND BERNARDO SILVA PASSING THE BALL  18. PLAYERS PASSING BALL IN PAIRS 19.  (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) PORTUGAL MIDFIELDER, VITINHA, SAYING:          "We really have to admit, and be able to say that we have great, great players, a national team packed with top stars who play all across Europe and around the world at big clubs. So we must always set our sights on big goals, we must always aim high, because that's what we have to do. The responsibility demands it." 20. PLAYERS PASSING BALL IN PAIRS 21. DALOT PASSING BALL 22. PLAYERS PASSING BALL IN PAIRS STORY: Portugal are looking to maintain their 100% record in World Cup qualifying Group F when they host Hungary at the Jose Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon on Tuesday (October 14). Ruben Neves' stoppage-time winner snatched a 1-0 win away to Ireland on Saturday to consolidate top spot in the group with nine points from three matches.  Hungary, meanwhile, sit second on 4 points followed by Armenia on three and Ireland with just one point. With a five-point lead at the halfway stage of the campaign, Roberto Martinez's side can therefore secure qualification for next summer's tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada with a win over Hungary who they beat 3-2 in the reverse fixture.  (Production: Miguel Pereira, Conal Quinn)

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VIDEO SHOWS: ISRAEL TEAM TRAINING AHEAD OF WORLD CUP QUALIFIER AGAINST ITALY / ISRAEL HEAD COACH, RAN BEN-SHIMON, AND ISRAEL WINGER, MANOR SOLOMON, SPEAKING DURING PRESS CONFERENCE RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT SHOWS: UDINE, ITALY (OCTOBER 13, 2025) (REUTERS – Access all) 1. INTERIOR OF STADIUM WITH ISRAEL PLAYERS AND COACHING TEAM GATHERED 2. PLAYERS BREAKING OFF FOR TRAINING AFTER POSING FOR PHOTOS 3. ISRAEL COACH, RAN BEN-SHIMON, SPEAKING WITH STAFF 4. VARIOUS OF PLAYERS BREAKING AWAY FROM HUDDLE AND JOGGING  5. PLAYERS FINISHING OFF JOG AND GATHERING BALLS  6. VARIOUS OF PLAYERS GOING THROUGH BALL-RELATED DRILLS  7. ARCH READING (Italian) "ITALY ISRAEL" 8. VARIOUS OF RONDO DRILL 9. GOALKEEPER, DANIEL PERETZ, GOING THROUGH KICKING AND SAVING DRILL 10. GOALKEEPERS TRAINING TOGETHER 11. TRAINING IN PROGRESS 12. BEN-SHIMON, AND WINGER, MANOR SOLOMON, TAKING SEATS FOR PRESS CONFERENCE 13. (SOUNDBITE) (Hebrew) ISRAEL WINGER, MANOR SOLOMON, SAYING: (Approximate translation, complete translation to follow) “Well, first of all, we are so happy that all our hostages, all the hostages who are alive, have come home. We are already waiting also for the remaining fallen (bodies). This is one of the happiest days of our lives, I think, for all of us, even for those who don’t have any personal connection to the hostages. We waited and prayed for this for two years, and today it happened, and truly it is such a happy day. I think in the last few days we were waiting for it, and last night, personally for me, and I know for many other players and staff members, it was hard to sleep. We woke up very early, and all morning, along with our schedule and team meetings, we watched everyone being released. Seeing what is happening in the country, seeing them reunite with their families, is the best feeling there is, and it fills our hearts. I hope that tomorrow some of them may be able to watch a minute or two of the match and celebrate with us." 14. PRESS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS 15. (SOUNDBITE) (Hebrew) ISRAEL HEAD COACH, RAN BEN-SHIMON, SAYING: (Approximate translation, complete translation to follow) “We are part of our people. We were emotional, we cried, we hugged, we were happy. I think now it’s time for football. We need to make a separation and focus on football parameters. Tomorrow on the pitch there has to be pure football, and in order to bring joy to the people who stand behind us, we must be very, very focused on the elements of the game and not let emotions control us. I think my players know that.” 16. MEDIA TAKING PHOTOS STORY: Israel’s national soccer team trained on Monday (October 13) for their World Cup qualifier against Italy, scheduled for Tuesday in the city of Udine, hoping to bounce back from last week's heavy defeat in Norway.    Israel are third in Group I on nine points, with Norway top on 18. Italy are second on 12, meaning a win would be crucial to keep alive Israel's hopes of reaching next year's tournament hosted in Canada, U.S. and Mexico.    The game is taking place after militant group Hamas freed the last living Israeli hostages from Gaza on Monday, an event that Israel winger Manor Solomon said gave immense joy to the team.    The match will be played under tight security, as a pro-Palestinian march is scheduled on the same day in the city centre, an event that organisers expect to attract around 10,000 participants.    The qualifier in Oslo last week was also marked by protests and a security response, including the use of tear gas. Ahead of the game, pro-Palestinian supporters gathered outside parliament, with many wearing the jerseys of the Palestine national team. (Production: Cristiano Corvino, Roberto Mignucci, Yesim Dikmen, Matteo Negri) 

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VIDEO SHOWS: SOUNDBITES FROM SAUDI ARABIA HEAD HERVE RENARD AND IRAQ HEAD COACH COACH GRAHAM. RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT  SHOWS: JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA (OCTOBER 13, 2025) (AFC – For editorial use. No resales. No monetisation) 1. SAUDI ARABIA WALKING INTO PRE-MATCH PRESS CONFERENCE 2. WHITE FLASH 3. (SOUNDBITE) (English) SAUDI ARABIA HEAD COACH, HERVE RENARD, SAYING: "What we did before, it's nothing up to now because if we don't achieve our goal tomorrow you won't remember the game against Indonesia, the game we played in Bahrain so the most important is tomorrow." 4. WHITE FLASH 5. (SOUNDBITE) (English) SAUDI ARABIA HEAD COACH, HERVE RENARD, SAYING: "This game, it's for me, one of the most important game of my career. I will explain to you after the game." 6. WHITE FLASH 7. SAUDI ARABIA LEAVING PRESS CONFERENCE 8. IRAQ SITTING DOWN AT PRE-MATCH PRESS CONFERENCE 9. WHITE FLASH 10. (SOUNDBITE) (English) IRAQ HEAD COACH, GRAHAM ARNOLD, SAYING WHILE BEING TRANSLATED: "I think the pressure's more on Saudi, not only it's they have in their brain, in their brain two ways to qualify, that is draw or win,  we have one way, that's win, so our full focus is going out and go for it." 11. (SOUNDBITE) (English) IRAQ HEAD COACH, GRAHAM ARNOLD, SAYING "Maybe ask the referee to keep the red card in his pocket." 12. WHITE FLASH 13. IRAQ LEAVING PRESS CONFERENCE STORY: Herve Renard has called Saudi Arabia's World Cup qualifying clash with Iraq in Jeddah on Tuesday the most important game of his coaching career as they stand on the cusp of a place at next year's finals. The Frenchman, twice a winner of the African Cup of Nations and whose Saudi side beat Argentina at the last World Cup, will lead his team into the clash needing only a draw to secure a berth at a seventh World Cup for the Gulf state. Renard is in his second spell as Saudi coach having returned to replace Roberto Mancini during the previous round of preliminaries to resurrect the team's World Cup hopes after a series of disappointing performances under the Italian. Saudi Arabia lead Group B of the fourth round of Asia's preliminaries on goals scored after the Saudis and Iraq secured wins over Indonesia. The Saudis hold a slim advantage in the standings due to their 3-2 victory over Patrick Kluivert's side, who the Iraqis beat 1-0. The group winners qualify directly for the finals, where they will join Japan, South Korea, Iran, Australia, Uzbekistan and Jordan as Asia's representatives. The United Arab Emirates and Qatar meet in Doha in Group A, also on Tuesday, to determine the other Asian qualifier with the runners-up in the two groups due to meet in November for a spot in an intercontinental playoff. Iraq coach Graham Arnold confirmed talismanic striker Aymen Hussein would be fit after missing the win over Indonesia on Saturday (October 11). Arnold said his team is relaxed ahead all-important clash, emphasising the pressure is on Saudi Arabia. (Production: Lucy Thomson, Michael Church)

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