Ipswich Town: Ali Al-Hamadi given red card in Iraq defeat
Ipswich Town striker Ali Al-Hamadi was given a straight red card in the first half of Iraq’s defeat to South Korea last night.
The 23-year-old made his first start for the national team since September 2024, leading the line at the Basra International Stadium to earn his 15th cap.
However, with 24 minutes on the clock, Al-Hamadi caught Cho Yu-Min with a high boot, which initially was just given as a free-kick. The referee was then called over to the VAR monitor to assess the foul, opting to give a red card.
It took until the 63rd minute for the visitors to find the opener through Jin-Gyu Kim, before Hyun-Gyu Oh wrapped things up with eight minutes remaining.
The result means that Iraq can no longer secure automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup – they will progress to the next stage of qualifying instead. Jordan, on the other hand, will join South Korea in next summer’s tournament.
Iraq will play Jordan at the Ammam International Stadium on Tuesday, June 10th (7:15pm), but Al-Hamadi won’t be available after his red card – the first of his senior career.
Venue: Portman Road, Ipswich Date: Saturday, 7 June
Coverage:Â Follow live text commentary from 20:00 BST on BBC Sport website & app
Fabio Wardley may soon be celebrating a solid night’s sleep with the same gusto as a knockout victory in front of 20,000 home fans.
As the British heavyweight prepares for arguably the toughest test of his career on Saturday, there is another monumental challenge waiting for him outside the ropes – becoming a father.
The 30-year-old’s partner is due to give birth to their first child just a week after Wardley fulfils a long-held dream: fighting at the home of his beloved Ipswich Town Football Club against undefeated Australian contender Justis Huni.
With a midwife appointment just 30 minutes away, Wardley candidly speaks to BBC Sport about the uncertainty of impending parenthood.
“I don’t know if I’m nervous about changing nappies or not,” he jokes.
“Fighting is at least something I have control over and have done a few times, so I know what I’m doing.
“But this whole new stage after this fight – being a dad – is going to be a whole different realm.”
Should Wardley approach fatherhood with the same mindset that he has driven his boxing career – dedication, a hunger to learn and a fierce determination to embrace the journey – he should be fine.
At 19, Wardley was working in recruitment, having never laced up a pair of gloves. A decade later, a victory over Huni will move him one step closer to a world-title shot – possibly as early 2026.
“You never know when the call could come and it’s you at the front of the queue,” he says. “I’ll certainly be putting my hand up and saying ‘I’m ready’.”
