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☆ Australian Open: How the new ‘party court’ at this year’s tournament is causing controversy
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —The sound of glasses clinking, friends laughing and the metronomic thud of bass isn’t exactly what you’d expect to hear during a grand slam tournament. Against the backdrop of umpire calls and the thud of the ball on rackets, fans can also enjoy the melodic sounds of “a rotating roster of DJs” as they watch the world’s best tennis players compete. James Ewing lives in Melbourne and regularly attends the season’s first grand slam. On Saturday, the 29-year-old watched a game on Court 6, sitting opposite the infamous Courtside Bar for the first time. “One of the many additions to enhance the player and fan experience at Melbourne Park” she wrote on X, formerly known at Twitter.

Persons: ”, aren’t, ” Petros Tsitsipas, Stefanos, Petros, Asanka Brendon Ratnayake, ” Stefanos, Paula Badosa, “, ” Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, James Ewing, Ewing, Yuri, Cedric Cornelis, Judy Murray, Andy Murray Organizations: CNN, Melbourne, AP, CNN Sport, Melbourne Park, James Ewing CNN, Tennis, Twitter Locations: Melbourne

☆ Novak Djokovic drops just three games and equals Roger Federer record as he reaches Australian Open quarterfinals
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-21 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Novak Djokovic produced a stunning performance to reach the Australian Open quarterfinals with a 6-0 6-0 6-3 victory over France’s Adrian Mannarino on Sunday. It is the 58th time the Serb has reached the last eight of a grand slam, equaling Roger Federer’s all-time record. Taylor Fritz reached his first ever Australian Open quarterfinal. Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/AP“The last three games of the match I really, really turned it on, almost like [I] was in a trance and everything,” Fritz said afterwards, according to the tournament’s website. “Yeah, I definitely do forget my age a lot.”She become the youngest woman to reach the Australian Open quarterfinals since Agnieszka Radwanska in 2008, where she will face Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk.

Persons: CNN — Novak Djokovic, France’s Adrian Mannarino, Roger Federer’s, Djokovic, “, I’ve, ” Djokovic, Taylor Fritz, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Fritz, Asanka Brendon Ratnayake, ” Fritz, It’s, Coco Gauff, Poland’s Magdalena Frech, Magdalena Frech, Eloisa Lopez, Reuters Gauff’s, ”, Agnieszka Radwanska, Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk Organizations: CNN, ATP, Australian, Poland’s, Reuters

☆ Adidas and Puma eye chances in soccer's fashion moment
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Helen Reid | Thomson Reuters | London-Based Reporter Covering The European Retail Sector Through A Global Lens. Focusing On Companies Including Adidas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

One Premiership team has hired a creative director to expand its apparel offering, while Adidas in September launched an "exclusively off-pitch" apparel collection for some of the big-name teams it sponsors. "The love-in between football and fashion is only just beginning," said Richard Busby, CEO at sponsorship consultancy BDS Sponsorship. In August, Crystal Palace hired Kenny Annan-Jonathan as creative director focused on apparel. "We are experiencing hype around football jerseys and general designs influenced by football culture across streetwear and fashion," said Puma's global creative director Heiko Desens. "There's a risk of tension with existing fans whenever you start moving beyond the core culture," said Athens Kallithea's president and creative director, Ted Philipakos.

Persons: Asanka Brendon Ratnayake, Kim Kardashian, Richard Busby, Mary Earps, Busby, Kardashian, Germain, Mia Regan, Kenny Annan, Jonathan, GlobalData, Heiko Desens, Puma, popstar, cleats, Pele, Rihanna, Graham Renwick, Prada, Ted Philipakos, Philipakos, Helen Reid, Catherine Evans Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, England, Soccer, LONDON, Adidas, Puma, Nike, Greek, Athens Kallithea, Paris Saint, Arsenal, Crystal Palace, Premier League club, FOOTBALL, Bayern Munich, Juventus, Manchester United, Real, Liverpool, Newcastle United, Italy's Venezia FC, Athens Kallithea's, Premier League, Bundesliga, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Spain, Australia, Sydney, Brazilian, Real Madrid, Italian, Athens

☆ Swiss prosecutors end proceedings against FIFA boss Infantino
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] FIFA president Gianni Infantino is seen after Spain won the Women's World Cup final, Stadium Australia, Sydney, Australia - August 20, 2023. REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 26 (Reuters) - Criminal proceedings against FIFA President Gianni Infantino over his dealings with former Swiss attorney general Michael Lauber have been closed, Swiss prosecutors said on Thursday, a decision Infantino hailed as a vindication of "the new FIFA". Infantino was elected in 2016 to clean up world soccer body FIFA after it became embroiled in corruption scandals. In ending the proceedings, prosecutors said their investigations had "invalidated" such suspicions. Swiss authorities had been investigating contacts between Infantino and Lauber, who resigned as Swiss attorney general after a court concluded he covered up a meeting with the FIFA boss and lied to supervisors while his office investigated corruption at the football body.

Persons: Gianni Infantino, Asanka Brendon Ratnayake, Michael Lauber, Infantino, Italian Infantino, Rohith Nair, Pearl Josephine Nazare, Toby Chopra Organizations: FIFA, Spain, REUTERS, Swiss, Lauber, Thomson Locations: Australia, Sydney, Italian, Infantino, Switzerland, Bengaluru

☆ Rapinoe brings the curtain down on her fabled international career
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"It has been such an honour to be able to wear this shirt, play with all these players and live out my childhood dream," Rapinoe said at the end of the game. With 203 caps and 63 goals for her national team, the veteran played in four World Cups, winning in 2015 and 2019, and helped the U.S. to claimed the Olympic gold at the 2012 London Games. Her activism and off-field personality brought her to achieve household fame after supporting causes such as LGBT+ rights, speaking out against racism and standing up for equal pay in women's soccer. Rapinoe is scheduled to play her last National Women's Soccer League regular-season game with OL Reign on Oct. 6 against Washington Spirit in Seattle. Reporting by Angelica Medina in Mexico City; Editing by Michael PerryOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Megan Rapinoe, Asanka Brendon Ratnayake, Alex Morgan, Emily Sonnett, Ballon, Lindsey Horan, Rapinoe, Angelica Medina, Michael Perry Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, REUTERS, South Africa, Soldier, Trinity Rodman's, Ballon d'Or, Women's Soccer League, Washington Spirit, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Sweden, United States, Melbourne, Australia, U.S, Chicago, soccer, Seattle, Mexico City

☆ Canada look to deliver Jamaica knockout punch and book Olympic ticket
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Steve Keating | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

With Jamaica on the ropes following a 2-0 defeat in Kingston, Olympic champions Canada return home for the second leg in control of their own destiny but coach Bev Priestman warned her players not to get complacent. I am demanding that we do that again, that we don't take our foot off the gas and we're only going one way," Priestman said on Monday following a Canada team practice. The CONCACAF region will have two spots in the 12 team Olympic tournament and with the United States having already secured one of those places, Canada or Jamaica will grab the other. "Let's be honest, Jamaica will do anything to get to an Olympic Games and we've got to match that and more," said Priestman. "We need the fans to be there right to the very end, that's going to be critical."

Persons: Asanka Brendon Ratnayake, Bev Priestman, Priestman, Nichelle, Adriana Leon, we've, Steve Keating, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, REUTERS, Rights, Olympic, Canada, CONCACAF, United, Paris, BMO, France, Panama, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Canada, Melbourne, Australia, Jamaica, Kingston, United States, Brazil, Toronto

☆ Rapinoe retires from soccer with no regrets on activism
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"The off-field stuff is what is most meaningful (to me) and I think what I'm most proud of leaving this team and leaving the game," she said. "I'm very excited to continue to be a part of the growth of women's sport, not just football. I want to use my platform and my leverage, but now I'll have more time to do that." Rapinoe will play her final NWSL regular season game with the OL Reign on Oct. 6 against the Washington Spirit in Seattle. Reporting by Angelica Medina in Mexico City; Editing by Josie KaoOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Megan Rapinoe, Asanka Brendon Ratnayake, Colin Kaepernick, Donald Trump, we've, Naomi Girma, Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith, Angelica Medina, Josie Kao Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, REUTERS, NFL, U.S ., Washington Spirit, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Sweden, United States, Melbourne, Australia, South Africa, Seattle, Mexico City

☆ US women's team ready to turn the page on disappointing World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Soccer Football - FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 - Round of 16 - Sweden v United States - Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne, Australia - August 6, 2023 Megan Rapinoe of the U.S. and team mates look dejected as the United States are knocked out of the World Cup REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 12 (Reuters) - The U.S. women's soccer team will take time to address their worst-ever performance at a Women's World Cup before shifting focus to next year's Paris Olympics, interim head coach Twila Kilgore said on Tuesday. When the team gathers for a camp ahead of Sept. 21 and Sept. 24 friendlies against South Africa, Kilgore said they will spend time addressing players' disappointment and emotions from their Round of 16 exit to Sweden at the World Cup last month. "It's something that we've talked a lot about within the programme, player to player, coach to player, amongst the staff," Kilgore told reporters on a conference call after the training camp roster for the two friendlies was announced. Vlatko Andonovski stepped down as coach of the national team 11 days after their early World Cup exit and Kilgore, who had served as his assistant for 1-1/2 years, has stepped in while a search for a permanent coach is conducted. "Both have been part of multiple World Cups and Olympics and have helped drive the game forward.

Persons: Megan Rapinoe, Asanka Brendon Ratnayake, Twila Kilgore, Kilgore, we've, Andonovski, Julie Ertz's, Frank Pingue, Ken Ferris Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, World, Olympics, South, Chicago, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Sweden, United States, Melbourne, Australia, South Africa, Kilgore, Cincinnati, Toronto

☆ Spain beat England to win first Women's World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-20 | by ( Christian Radnedge | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Soccer Football - FIFA Women's World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 - Final - Spain v England - Stadium Australia, Sydney, Australia - August 20, 2023 Spain's Olga Carmona celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake Acquire Licensing RightsSYDNEY, Aug 20 (Reuters) - Spain won the Women's World Cup for the first time after beating England 1-0 in the final on Sunday. Captain Olga Carmona scored in the 29th minute, drilling in from the left of the area after England lost possession in midfield and Spain countered quickly to take advantage in the clash at Stadium Australia. Spain were awarded a penalty shortly after the hour mark for a handball by midfielder Keira Walsh. England coach Sarina Wiegman made a number of changes, including bringing on forward Lauren James, but they could not find an equaliser as Spain clung on to win their first major title. Reporting by Christian Radnedge; Editing by Peter RutherfordOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Spain's Olga Carmona, Asanka Brendon Ratnayake, Captain Olga Carmona, Keira Walsh, Mary Earps, Jennifer Hermoso's, Sarina Wiegman, Lauren James, Christian Radnedge, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, England, REUTERS, Rights, Australia, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Spain, Australia, Sydney, England

☆ Spain's World Cup hero Carmona learns of father's death after final
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Soccer Football - FIFA Women's World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 - Final - Spain v England - Stadium Australia, Sydney, Australia - August 20, 2023 Spain's Olga Carmona celebrates with the trophy after winning the World Cup final REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake Acquire Licensing RightsAug 20 (Reuters) - Spain captain and World Cup final hero Olga Carmona found out after the match that her father had died, the Spanish FA (RFEF) said on Sunday. Carmona scored a 29th-minute goal to earn Spain a 1-0 win over England as they secured their first Women's World Cup title. "The RFEF deeply regrets to announce the death of Olga Carmona's father. The footballer learned the sad news after the World Cup final," the Spanish FA said on social media. An RFEF spokesperson told Reuters that Carmona's father had been fighting a long illness and passed away on Friday.

Persons: Spain's Olga Carmona, Asanka Brendon Ratnayake, Olga Carmona, Carmona, Olga Carmona's, Olga, Fernando Kallas, Toby Davis Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, England, Spanish FA, Spain, Reuters, New Zealand, Real Madrid, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Spain, Australia, Sydney, Spanish, New

☆ Spanish queen celebrates side’s World Cup victory as British royals stay home
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-20 | by ( Hafsa Khalil | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

London CNN —When the Spanish women’s soccer team beat England in the Women’s World Cup final, Spain’s Queen Letizia was there to celebrate with them, while Britain’s royals – who decided to stay home – said their team were winners regardless. Joined by her youngest daughter, 16-year-old Infanta Sofia, the Spanish royals watched the match at the Stadium Australia in Sydney from the directors’ box alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino and Spanish sporting officials. FIFA President Gianni Infantino (L) and Queen Letizia of Spain (2nd R) congratulate Spain's defender Laia Codina and forward Athenea del Castillo. World Champions!” the Spanish royal family wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. While Sofia said she was looking forward to the match, there was something else she was anticipating more – going “to the locker room afterwards as well to congratulate the (Spanish women’s football team) no matter what happens.”Queen Letizia celebrates with Spanish fans after Spain wins the Women's World Cup final.

Persons: Letizia, –, Sofia, Gianni Infantino, Spain, Laia Codina, Athenea del Castillo, Franck Fife, ”, Asanka Brendon Ratnayake, Queen “, ” William, Prince of Wales, Critics, King Charles III Organizations: London CNN, soccer, England, Australia, FIFA, Getty, Spanish women’s football, Spain, England’s Football Association Locations: Spanish, Sydney, AFP, Spain

Two of Australia’s largest grassroots Indigenous football bodies – Indigenous Football Australia (IFA) and the Australian Indigenous Football Council (AIFC) – say there’s no funding for Indigenous football in Legacy ’23, the 357 million Australian dollar ($228 million) post-tournament fund dedicated to growing soccer in Australia. By contrast, the AIFC oversees state and territory Indigenous football councils and organizes the First Nations Indigenous Football Championships and teams who play as the Indigenous Roos and Koalas. The AIFC recently signed a “Football Treaty” with New Zealand equivalent, Māori Football Aotearoa, and Gilbert wants to create a World Indigenous Football Council and Indigenous World Cup, independently of FIFA. Pickering-Parker seems more hopeful that the World Cup will bring more funding to his small team of volunteers: “Right now. If hosting a Women’s World Cup isn’t going to do it, I don’t know what else is,” she said.

Persons: “, that’s, it’s, ”, Ros Moriarty, James Johnson, Karen Menzies, John Maynard, “ I’ll, I’m, I’ll, Maynard, –, who’ve, Asanka Brendon Ratnayake, Moriarty Football, John’s, Moriarty, ” Lawrence Gilbert, Gilbert, ” John Moriarty, John Moriarty, Johnson, We’ve, It’s, Jennifer Pickering, Tai Tokerau, “ You’re, ” Pickering, Claudia Bunge, Michaela Foster, Mathias Bergeld, Phillip Pickering, Parker, Pickering, Kyah Simon, who’s, Lydia Williams, Williams, ” Williams, Matt King, Australia’s, That’s, crowdfunding, NIAG, we’ve, Menzies, we’re, … Organizations: Sydney CNN —, Indigenous Football Australia, IFA, Australian Indigenous Football Council, Indigenous, Moriarty Foundation, Football Australia, CNN Sport, FIFA, Indigenous Advisory, CNN, Aboriginal Soccer Tribe, UNICEF Australia First Nations, Aboriginal, Torres Strait, Elders, Commonwealth, First, First Nations, Reuters, Australian, soccer team, ” John Moriarty Football, New South, Nations Indigenous Football, Indigenous Roos, Treaty, Māori Football Aotearoa, Indigenous Football Council, Nations Australian, Nations, . New Zealand, ”, New Zealand Football, AFL, Australian Football League, Sydney Football Stadium Locations: Australia, New Zealand, Brisbane, New South Wales, Koalas, Tai, New, ., Norway, Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, Perth, “

☆ Wiegman hoping to end almost 60 years of World Cup hurt for England
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Wiegman has transformed England since taking over in 2021 and led them to European Championship success on home soil last year. The 53-year-old Dutch coach said England were "desperate" to end their long wait for glory before last year's Euro success, which was the country's first major triumph since the 1966 men's World Cup final. When we started working in September 2021, I felt that the country was so desperate to win a final tournament," Wiegman said. Wiegman led the Netherlands to their first major title at Euro 2017 and then to the World Cup final two years later. She became the first coach to take two different teams to a World Cup final after England beat Australia on Wednesday.

Persons: Sarina Wiegman, Millie Bright, Asanka Brendon Ratnayake, Wiegman, let's, there's, We're, Hritika Sharma, Toby Davis Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, England, World, Rights, Spain, Australia, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Australia, Sydney, England, Netherlands, Hyderabad

☆ US coach Andonovski resigns after early World Cup exit -ESPN
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Soccer Football - FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 - Round of 16 - Sweden v United States - Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne, Australia - August 6, 2023 U.S. coach Vlatko Andonovski ahead of the match REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNEW YORK, Aug 16 (Reuters) - Vlatko Andonovski has resigned as head coach of the United States women's national soccer team, ESPN reported on Wednesday, following the four-times champions' early exit from the Women's World Cup this month. The team have a pair of friendlies against South Africa set for Sept. 21 and 24. An interim coach was expected to take the reins for those matches, ESPN said. Andonovski faced sky-high expectations when he took over nearly four years ago, after previous coach Jill Ellis guided the team to back-to-back World Cup titles in 2015 and 2019. Reporting by Amy Tennery in New York Editing by Chris ReeseOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Vlatko Andonovski, Asanka Brendon Ratnayake, Andonovski, Jill Ellis, Amy Tennery, Chris Reese Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, REUTERS, United, national soccer team, ESPN, U.S, Soccer, South, Tokyo, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Sweden, United States, Melbourne, Australia, U.S, South Africa, New York

☆ Women's World Cup: Australia dared to dream of World Cup glory, then it all slipped away
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Hilary Whiteman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Sydney, Australia CNN —A long, emotional day for Australian soccer fans turned into an even longer trip home when severe delays stranded thousands on train platforms at Stadium Australia after the nation’s disappointing 3-1 loss to England in the World Cup semifinal. After the match, a downcast Sam Kerr – Australia’s talismanic superstar and captain – told reporters she was lost for words. I can’t blame it all on myself, but it’s hard not to feel bad right now,” she said. “I think they played incredibly,” Skye Marshall told CNN, as she stood outside Stadium Australia with her family after the match. The day before, the Matildas will look to salve the pain somewhat and take on Sweden for third place.

Persons: Sam Kerr –, –, ”, Skye Marshall, “ They’ve, “, Harold Marshall, Lucy, Davara, Harold, Ayva Marshall, Hilary Whiteman, Anthony Albanese, Penny Wong, ” Wong, Cathy Freeman, ’, Sam Kerr’s, Kerr, Millie Bright, “ We’re, England's Alessia Russo, Asanka Brendon Ratnayake, Jennie Gannaway, Christopher, they’d, Gannaway, I’ve, Mariela Pocklington, Steph Catley, “ We’ve, We’re Organizations: Australia CNN, Australia, England, CNN, Sweden, Foreign, Twitter, Chelsea, Sydney, New Locations: Sydney, Australia, England, Skye, Newcastle, New South Wales, Spain, Sweden

☆ Women's World Cup: Australia dares to dream of win as Matildas mania sweeps the country
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Hilary Whiteman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Sydney CNN —Two matches stand between Australia and a historic Women’s World Cup win, and the nation – perhaps prematurely – is debating the pros and cons of a national holiday should the squad defeat Spain on Sunday. Soccer mania has swept the country in a culture where rugby, cricket and the local “Aussie Rules” football usually dominates. Australia players celebrate after winning their quarterfinal match against France in Brisbane, August 12. Zara Borcak beams as she holds the jersey Sam Kerr gave her after Saturday's match against France, August 12, 2023. Maybe it’s because the last time the country came together to fight a common cause, they were desperately trying to stay apart.

Persons: Tertius Pickard, Asanka Brendon Ratnayake, Sam Kerr, “, ‘, ”, Zara Borcak, Selma Borcak, Anthony Albanese, Albanese, Andrew Cornaga, Ben Crowe, Crowe, Eleanor Roosevelt, Ash Barty, it’s, ” Mackenzie Arnold of Australia, Norvik, that’s, Mackenzie Arnold, I’ve Organizations: Sydney CNN, Spain, Sunday, England, Australia, France, FIFA, Reuters Sporting, – Basketball Australia, AFL, Australian Football League, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, ”, NRL, ’, Sweden, Wimbledon, Richmond AFL Locations: Australia, France, Australia’s, United States, Brisbane, Sydney, Green, Brazil, Zara, Spain, Eden, Auckland, Denmark, Melbourne

☆ Gustavsson hails game-changing Matildas as Australia celebrates win
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Record-breaking television and streaming figures plus blanket coverage on the front and back pages of the nation's newspapers greeted the win, and Gustavsson believes his players can be the catalyst for change throughout Australian society. "I genuinely really believe that this team can create history in so many ways, not just winning football games," Gustavsson said. "The why is so much bigger than just football and when that drives you...that is a powerful tool that can be very difficult to stop. Neither nation has ever advanced to a Women's World Cup final and the 49-year-old Swede, who was appointed Australia coach almost three years ago, is relishing another winner-takes-all clash. I know that they're going to celebrate this one, but from tomorrow they're going to be focused again, they're extremely professional and they're on the mission.

Persons: Asanka Brendon Ratnayake BRISBANE, Tony Gustavsson, Herve Renard's, Gustavsson, Swede, they're, Michael Church, Jamie Freed Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, Brisbane, REUTERS, France, AFL, England, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Australia, France, Brisbane, Wednesday's

☆ Australia edge France in penalty drama to reach first Women's World Cup semi
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/5] Soccer Football - FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 - Quarter Final - Australia v France - Brisbane Stadium , Brisbane, Australia - August 12, 2023 Australia celebrate after winning the penalty shootout and progressing to the semi finals of the World Cup REUTERS/Asanka Brendon... Read moreBRISBANE, Aug 12 (Reuters) - Co-hosts Australia beat France 7-6 in a dramatic penalty shootout to reach the last four of the Women's World Cup for the first time after their quarter-final finished deadlocked at 0-0 following extra time on Saturday. "I would like to congratulate my players for the performance they pulled off today against the entire nation," said France coach Herve Renard. What a game, in normal time, in extra time and then during the penalty shootout." France weathered the storm triggered by the introduction of the Australia skipper, however, and their 19-year-old substitute Becho was soon threatening down the other end. The last quarter of an hour of normal time was a tense but ragged affair with half chances at both ends, a theme reprised in the first half of extra time.

Persons: Asanka Brendon, Read, Mackenzie Arnold, Vicki Becho, Solene Durand, Arnold, Kenza Dali, France, Herve Renard, Maelle, Les, Mary Fowler, Elisa de Almeida, Matildas, Sam Kerr, Hayley Raso, Pauline Peyraud, Magnin, Becho, Australia's Alanna Kennedy, Wendy Renard, Caitlin Foord, Nick Mulvenney, Clare Fallon Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, Brisbane, World, Australia, France, England, Sweden, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Australia, France, Brisbane, BRISBANE, Colombia, Spain, Auckland

☆ Colombia is inspiring a nation back home, as it becomes neutral’s favorite team at the Women’s World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( Ben Church | Jack Guy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Colombia has been enjoying an impressive run at this year’s Women’s World Cup and its historic achievements are drawing plenty of attention back home. Unfancied going into the tournament, Las Cafeteras – translated into English as “The Coffee Growers” – have gone on to help knockout two-time world champion Germany in the group stage and reach the Women’s World Cup quarterfinal for the first time. This isn’t just about the women’s soccer team, this is about women in Colombia and South America,” she said. Colombia players celebrate after the team's 1-0 victory against Jamaica at the Women's World Cup. “Well done Catalina Usme and all of our incredible Colombia women’s football team.”The Colombian team is being well supported by fans in Australia and New Zealand.

Persons: Luis Díaz, Radamel Falcao, “, ”, Melissa Ortiz, Ortiz, we’ve, Quinn Rooney, Catalina Usme, Linda Caicedo, Cafeteras, Ana María Guzmán, Manuela Vanegas, Guzmán, Claudia López, Asanka Brendon Ratnayake, Reuters Guzmán, they’ve, I’m, “ I’m, Juan Pablo Sorín Organizations: CNN, Growers, Germany, South American, England, Jamaica, Nigeria, Colombian Football Federation, Fox Sports, soccer, Usme’s, Colombia women’s football, Colombian, Reuters, “, South America, ”, Australia Locations: Colombia, Bogotá, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, South America, “ Colombia, Argentina, Sydney

☆ Australia hails 'Princess Mary' after Denmark defeat
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-08 | by ( Ian Ransom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

An Australian has graced Denmark's royal family for nearly 20 years since Tasmania-born Mary Donaldson married Frederik, the Scandinavian nation's crown prince. But 20-year-old Fowler, playing as a false nine, is now soccer royalty in Australia after stepping up in Kerr's absence. "Princess Mary Offs Denmark," read the front-page headline in the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper on Tuesday. "Denmark might have Princess Mary but Australia crowned a new queen after a stunning Mary Fowler performance helped the Matildas qualify for the quarter-finals," Martin Gabor wrote in his match report. Australia were upset 3-2 by Nigeria in the group stage when both Kerr and Fowler were absent, the latter due to a head-knock at training.

Persons: Mary Fowler, Asanka Brendon Ratnayake, Sam Kerr, Kerr, Fowler, Caitlin Foord, Hayley Raso, Mary Donaldson, Frederik, Mary Offs Denmark, Mary, Martin Gabor, Tony Gustavsson, Striker Foord, Kerr's, Ian Ransom, Sonali Paul Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, REUTERS, Danes, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Sydney Morning Herald, Australian, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Canada, Melbourne, Australia, Denmark, Sydney, Australian, Tasmania, Nigeria, France, Morocco

☆ Women's World Cup roundup: Colombia into quarterfinals with 1-0 win
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/4] Soccer Football - FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 - Round of 16 - Colombia v Jamaica - Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne, Australia - August 8, 2023 Colombia's Catalina Usme scores their first goal REUTERS/Asanka Brendon RatnayakeAugust 8 - Catalina Usme scored the only goal of the match in the 51st minute and Colombia outlasted Jamaica 1-0 on Tuesday to advance to the Women's World Cup quarterfinals in Melbourne, Australia. Usme punched a left-footed strike past Jamaica goalkeeper Rebecca Spencer, first corralling a pass from Ana Guzman from across the box. Colombia is the lowest seeded team left in the Women's World Cup and advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time. Morocco registered only one shot and zero shots on goal, and France dominated time of possession at 76 percent. Australia defeated France in a friendly before the World Cup.

Persons: Catalina Usme, Asanka Brendon Ratnayake, Usme, Rebecca Spencer, Ana Guzman, Catalina Perez, Eugenie Le Sommer, Le Sommer, Kenza Dali, Diani Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, REUTERS, England, Australia, France, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Colombia, Jamaica, Melbourne, Australia, France, Morocco, Adelaide

☆ Teenager Guzman to join Colombia's youth push at World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-07 | by ( Ian Ransom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

With Caicedo up forward, Guzman will give Colombia a second teenage threat, the pair set to combine in a third World Cup in 12 months after playing in the under-17 and under-20 tournaments last year. "To be with Linda is something extremely special for me," Guzman, 18, told reporters at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on Monday. After failing to qualify for France in 2019, Colombia have already matched their World Cup best, a last 16 appearance at the 2015 tournament in Canada. Colombia made the quarter-finals of the under-20 World Cup in Costa Rica and were runners-up at the under-17 tournament in India, losing to Spain in the decider. "We've been stimulating their growth so that they can be who they are currently on this world stage of football."

Persons: Germany's Sara Doorsoun REUTERS, Asanka Brendon Ratnayake, Linda Caicedo, Ana Maria Guzman, Guzman, Manuela Vanegas, Linda, Nelson Abadia, Caicedo, Abadia, Colombia's, Ian Ransom, Christopher Cushing Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, Jamaica, Brazil, Coffee Growers, Spain, Germany, Colombian, Morocco, South, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Germany, Morocco, Melbourne, Australia, Colombia, France, Canada, American, Costa Rica, India, South Korea, Jamaica

☆ United States' World Cup dynasty ends along with myth of supremacy
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-06 | by ( Ian Ransom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The U.S. suffered their earliest elimination at the World Cup by far, having never failed to reach the semi-finals in all eight previous tournaments. We run it," twice World Cup winner Brandi Chastain said in a pre-World Cup promotion for the NWSL. Injuries undoubtedly made their World Cup mission tougher, with captain Becky Sauerbrunn and forward Mallory Swanson ruled out of the squad. Yet, the U.S. never looked like World Cup winners when the tournament kicked off. The World Cup exit leaves U.S. women's soccer at a cross-roads, and pondering a way out of the mire.

Persons: Megan Rapinoe, Asanka Brendon Ratnayake MELBOURNE, Jill Ellis, Vlatko, Megan Rapinoe's, Brandi Chastain, Rapinoe, Carli Lloyd, Becky Sauerbrunn, Mallory Swanson, Lloyd, Ian Ransom, Clare Fallon Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, World, peerless, Lyon, Women's Soccer League, Champions League, Loyal, Tokyo Olympics, England, debutantes, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Sweden, United States, Melbourne, Australia, U.S, France, Netherlands, Europe, Spain, Germany, debutantes Portugal, Portugal

☆ Megan Rapinoe's World Cup career comes to tearful end
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-06 | by ( Amy Tennery | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Renowned for her reliability as a penalty taker, Rapinoe said missing one in the final moment of her career felt like "a sick joke". 'THE PLATFORM'Rapinoe plans to finish her club season with National Women's Soccer League side OL Reign before retiring and shows no signs of retreating from public life after a career spent championing social causes. Looking back at the 2019 tournament, Rapinoe saw her on-field achievements as being inextricably entwined with her advocacy. Without the winning, you don't get the media, you don't get the eyes, you don't get the fans." In 2022, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest United States' civilian honour, alongside gymnastics Olympic gold medallist Simone Biles.

Persons: Megan Rapinoe, Asanka Brendon Ratnayake, Rapinoe, I've, It's, Abby Wambach, Donald Trump's, Colin Kaepernick, Simone Biles, Amy Tennery, Ed Osmond Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, REUTERS, Swedes, Fox Sports, d'Or, U.S, National Women's Soccer League, Republican, Soccer, NFL, United States, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Sweden, United States, Melbourne, Australia, Auckland, Brazil

☆ Women's World Cup roundup: Australia routs Canada
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] Soccer Football - FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 - Group B - Canada v Australia - Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne, Australia - July 31, 2023 Australia's Hayley Raso celebrates scoring their second goal REUTERS/Asanka Brendon RatnayakeJuly 31 - Hayley Raso recorded a first-half brace on Monday as Australia advanced to the knockout round with a 4-0 victory over Canada in a Group B clash at the Women's World Cup in Melbourne, Australia. Kailen Sheridan made two saves for Canada (1-1-1), which was unable to take advantage of a 5-4 edge in corner kicks. The Japanese will face Norway in the knockout round on Saturday in Wellington. Misa Rodriguez made one save for Spain (2-1-0), which will challenge Switzerland on Saturday in Auckland, New Zealand. Zambia 3, Costa Rica 1Lushomo Mweemba, Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji each scored a goal to lift Zambia to its first-ever win at the Women's World Cup at Hamilton, New Zealand.

Persons: Hayley Raso, Asanka Brendon Ratnayake, Raso, Mary Fowler, Steph Catley, Kailen Sheridan, Nnadozie, Uchenna Kanu, Courtney Brosnan, Hinata Miyazawa, Miyazawa, Riko Ueki, Mina Tanaka, Misa Rodriguez, Mweemba, Barbra Banda, Racheal Kundananji, Catherine Musonda, Melissa Herrera Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, REUTERS, Canada, Australia, Ireland, Brisbane, Japan, Spain, Costa Rica, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Canada, Melbourne, Australia, Nigeria, Japan, Spain, Wellington , New Zealand, Norway, Wellington, Auckland , New Zealand, Zambia, Costa Rica, Hamilton , New Zealand

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