England take on Italy behind closed doors as Kane eyes Rooney record


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Harry Kane will have Wayne Rooney's England goals record in his sights when the Three Lions take on Italy in the Nations League on Saturday.

Kane continued his fine form this season by scoring his 50th international goal to seal a 1-1 draw with Germany.

The Tottenham striker moved into outright second - just three behind Wayne Rooney - on England's list of all-time leading goalscorers, passing Bobby Charlton's total of 49.

"It's a really nice feeling," Kane told Channel Four.

"I had a couple of early chances and thought it could be one of those days. It's good to get the goal and it's just a shame we didn't nick it in the end."

Kane will be eager to make the most of the next two opportunities to overtake Rooney. After opening their Nations League campaign with a 1-0 loss in Hungary and hard-fought draw in Germany, the Three Lions return home for back-to-back matches at the Molineux.

Tuesday's fixture against Hungary will be played in front of a sell-out crowd in Wolverhampton but Saturday's glamour clash with Italy will be played in front of mostly empty stands, bar a few thousand local school children.

Manager Gareth Southgate says it is an "embarrassment" for the country that England's match with Italy has to be played behind closed doors as punishment for fan disorder at the Euro 2020 final.

The Football Association is having to host the match behind closed doors as part of Uefa's punishment for issues that marred the Euro 2020 final, with a number of ticketless supporters forcing their way into Wembley 11 months ago.

Harry Kane's 50 international goals

"Well if it is an embarrassment, it is for England as a country really," England boss Southgate said.

"A lot of the people who caused the problems I am not certain were football fans but we have spoken enough about it.

"We spoke after the final, we spoke when the punishment was first given."

Meanwhile, Southgate said he "will not outstay" his welcome as England manager following criticism of his side's winless start to their Nations League campaign.

England are at the bottom of League A Group 3 in the Nations League with one point. Southgate, who led England to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals and the Euro 2020 final in 2021, signed a new contract through to the end of 2024 in November last year.

"I won't outstay my welcome but I think I can do a good job for the team, and I think we have done a good job for the team," Southgate told reporters.

"If you look back I have always said it. I am not going to be here forever am I? There will be another England manager.

"The major part of that is how the players are. Do I still feel the players give everything and respond to what we do? Yes I do."

It will be the first time England and Italy have met since the Azzurri came out on top in the Euro 2020 final but manager Roberto Mancini does not believe Southgate's side are out for revenge.

"I don't think it's about revenge. In the future maybe, but not now," he said.

"This is a different match in the Nations League. For them it's important to try something new for the World Cup and England will maybe change many players."

Liverpool's all-time goalscorers

Ian Rush 346
Roger Hunt 285
Mohamed Salah 250
Gordon Hodgson 241
Billy Liddell 228

The President's Cake

Director: Hasan Hadi

Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem 

Rating: 4/5

Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021

Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.

The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.

These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.

“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.

“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.

“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.

“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”

Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.

There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.

“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.

“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.

“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”

How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
  • Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
  • Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
  • Submit their request
What are the regulations?
  • Fly it within visual line of sight
  • Never over populated areas
  • Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
  • Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
  • Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
  • Should have a live feed of the drone flight
  • Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
IPL 2018 FINAL

Sunrisers Hyderabad 178-6 (20 ovs)
Chennai Super Kings 181-2 (18.3 ovs)

Chennai win by eight wickets

World Sevens Series standing after Dubai

1. South Africa
2. New Zealand
3. England
4. Fiji
5. Australia
6. Samoa
7. Kenya
8. Scotland
9. France
10. Spain
11. Argentina
12. Canada
13. Wales
14. Uganda
15. United States
16. Russia

Updated: June 11, 2022, 12:21 PM