Chengdu Rongcheng FC Overview

The Belgian mentor held nothing back after his side’s lacklustre draw against Jamaica, with the 74-year-old tactician admitting the performance fell well short of the standards he expected. The stalemate exposed several areas in need of urgent attention, as his troops continue preparing for a blockbuster World Cup opener against tournament co-hosts Mexico.

The highly-rated centre-back has enjoyed a meteoric rise since swapping the Premier Soccer League for Major League Soccer, but the Chicago Fire defender insists his success is rooted in his challenging past. The South African international has quickly become a fan favourite in the United States, proving that the mental toughness forged in his youth was the perfect preparation for the bright lights of professional football abroad.

Hugo Broos' team took on Rudolph Speid's Reggae Boyz at the Estadio Hidalgo in Pachuca, Mexico on Saturday night. With fans and media barred from attending, little is known about the match with even the scoreline being a subject for debate.

FIFA has announced a significant protocol modification that will see every squad member take part in the pre-match national anthems at the upcoming World Cup. Moving away from traditional sporting custom, football's global governing body has mandated that both starting line-ups and substitutes congregate together on the pitch ahead of kick-off.