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☆ All about the three points for former champions Japan
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

July 21 (Reuters) - Japan coach Futoshi Ikeda said it was vital for the Nadeshiko to win their opening match against Zambia in Hamilton on Saturday if they are to make their mark at the Women's World Cup. Champions at the 2011 World Cup and runners-up four years later, Japan exited in the round of 16 at the last edition of the showpiece of women's football. So we have to be very careful, but dynamic, and we're going to get those points," Ikeda told reporters at Waikato Stadium on Friday. Debutants Zambia may be ranked 77th in the world to Japan's 11th but they proved their quality by beating twice world champions Germany in a friendly earlier this month. After the disappointment of Japan being knocked out of their home Olympics in the quarter-finals in 2021, the hard-working right back moved to England with West Ham United.

Persons: Futoshi Ikeda, Ikeda, Risa Shimizu, Nick Mulvenney, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Zambia, Waikato, Germany, West Ham United, Olympics, Costa Rica, FIFA, NHK, Thomson Locations: Japan, Hamilton, Zambia, France, England, Costa, Spain, Sydney

☆ Switzerland sour Philippines' World Cup debut with 2-0 win
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"I wasn't that nervous, but I knew it was an important moment," Bachmann told reporters. Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic, Switzerland's top scorer and most capped player, fired over from close range before Bachmann's penalty put them ahead. "To come to this level and play against players from Europe, against a team like that is miraculous." Switzerland top Group A on goal difference ahead of co-hosts New Zealand, who upset Norway 1-0 on Thursday. Reporting by Hritika Sharma in Hyderabad; Editing by Peter Rutherford and Angus MacSwanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Ramona Bachmann, Coumba Sow, Seraina Piubel, Molly Darlington, Ramona Bachmann's, Inka, Bachmann, Olivia McDaniel, Alen Stajcic, Katrina Guillou's, Ana, Maria Crnogorcevic, deservedly, Piubel, McDaniel, Crnogorcevic, Stajcic, Hritika Sharma, Peter Rutherford, Angus MacSwan Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, Forsyth Barr, Seraina Piubel REUTERS, debutants, Dunedin, New Zealand, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Philippines, Switzerland, Dunedin , New Zealand, Seraina, Molly Darlington DUNEDIN , New Zealand, Europe, Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Dunedin, Norway, Hyderabad

☆ Canada headlines second day of Women’s World Cup action as Olympic champion faces Nigeria
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —The Women’s World Cup is finally here and the tournament’s second day of action holds plenty of intriguing storylines. Olympic champion Canada kicks off its campaign in the opening game of Friday’s action, before one of the Women’s World Cup debutants – the Philippines – make its bow at the worldwide event. Nigeria vs. CanadaCanada is considered one of the favorites to compete for the Women’s World Cup title in Australia and New Zealand following its recent success. I know being in the World Cup is going to bring a lot of awareness. From 1995 onwards, only three World Cup debutants have won their opening match at a World Cup.

Persons: La Roja, Christine Sinclair, Adriana Leon, Allysha Chapman, Kadeisha Buchanan, Shelina Zadorsky, Ashley Lawrence, Sinclair, Julie Ertz, Jack GruberUSA, Bev Priestman, ” Priestman, ”, Sarina Bolden, Bolden, ” Bolden, “, Jason McCawley, Alisha Lehmann, Inka Grings, ” Lehmann, ’, Alexia Putellas, Jennifer Hermoso, Putellas –, Juan Manuel Serrano Arce, Raquel Rodríguez Cedeño Organizations: CNN, Canada, La, . Canada, Sinclair, Olympic Games, Olympics, FIFA, Super Falcons, Republic of Ireland, Dunedin, –, soccer team, Western Sydney Wanderers, Western United, New, ”, Wellington Regional, Women’s Champions League, Portland Thorns Locations: Philippines, Costa Rica, Qatar, Nigeria, Canada, Melbourne, Switzerland, Dunedin, Wellington, Spain, . Canada Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Tokyo, Sweden, Republic of, Zealand, Norway, Ecuador, ” Spain, Barcelona, Panama

☆ US players taking nothing for granted against 'wildcard' Vietnam
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Amy Tennery | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The Americans are seeking an unprecedented third consecutive title in Australia and New Zealand and, on paper, are in a totally different league to tournament debutants Vietnam, who are ranked 32nd in the world. "We've got to get through this game before we even consider talking about the second game," said Dunn. U.S. forward Lynn Williams said they would need to be prepared for "a different style of play". "Vietnam is a little bit of a wildcard," she told reporters. Reporting by Amy Tennery in Auckland; Editing by Peter RutherfordOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Ashlyn Harris, Crystal Dunn, Denis Balibouse, We've, Dunn, Lynn Williams, It's, Amy Tennery, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Soccer, Groupama, United, Vietnam, Thomson Locations: States, Netherlands, Lyon, France, AUCKLAND, United States, Eden, Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, Auckland

☆ Home fans made the difference in upset win, says New Zealand's Wilkinson
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"Honestly it means the world," she told reporters. "Obviously, you know, we had such amazing support tonight, and I think that's what really made a difference for us." New Zealand's build up to the World Cup had been far from perfect, enduring a 10-match winless streak before beating Vietnam in a friendly earlier this month. New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins visited the squad in the locker room to offer his congratulations, coach Jitka Klimkova told reporters. Reporting by Amy Tennery and Nathan Frandino in Auckland; Editing by Peter RutherfordOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Zealand's Hannah Wilkinson, Norway's Mathilde Harviken REUTERS, David Rowland AUCKLAND, Hannah Wilkinson, Wilkinson, I'm, Malia Steinmetz, we've, Chris Hipkins, Jitka Klimkova, Amy Tennery, Nathan Frandino, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, New Zealand, Football Ferns, Zealand, Switzerland, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Zealand, Norway, Eden, Auckland , New Zealand, Vietnam, Philippines, Auckland

☆ Women’s World Cup: Hosts New Zealand and Australia kick off 2023’s summer of football
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( Thomas Schlachter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —The 2023 Women’s World Cup finally gets underway on Thursday with the two host nations kicking off the tournament and the summer of footballing festivities. “What this World Cup stands for, and these milestones are even more important and bigger than me and any of my goals on the soccer field. John Cowpland/APAda Hegerberg’s World Cup comebackNorway comes into the game against their hosts as heavy favorites and with star quality all over the pitch. McCabe has overcome a late injury scare to make the World Cup and embodies her national team’s courageous and battling style of play. Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile/Getty ImagesHow to watchNew Zealand vs Norway kicks off at 03:00 AM ET with Australia vs Republic of Ireland starting at 08:00 AM ET.

Persons: Ada Hegerberg, Sam Kerr, “, Ali Riley, CNN’s Amanda Davies, ” Riley, John Cowpland, Ada, Ballon d’Or Féminin, Hegerberg, Harriet Lander, Kerr, Michael Regan, Katie McCabe, McCabe, Stephen McCarthy Organizations: CNN, Norway, New, New Zealand, Zealand, Football Ferns, football’s, Hegerberg, Norwegian Football Federation, Olympique Lyonnais Féminin, Getty, Australia, Republic, Chelsea, Brazil, USA, Italy, Women's Super League, Republic of Ireland, Colombia, Football Association of Ireland, FAI, Arsenal Locations: New Zealand, Norway, Australia, Republic of Ireland, New, Zealand, Ireland, Republic of, The Republic, Swiss, Brisbane

☆ 2023 Women’s World Cup: Four ways the tournament is breaking new ground
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Co-hostsThis year will be the first time the Women’s World Cup will be hosted by two federations, New Zealand and Australia. But this year’s event will mirror the format used in the men’s World Cup for the first time. New Zealand's Eden Park will host the opening game of the Women's World Cup. “The future is women – and thanks to the fans for supporting what will be the greatest FIFA Women’s World Cup ever,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino told reporters last month. Zambia is one of the teams making its debut at the Women's World Cup this year.

Persons: Eden, don’t, Brett Phibbs, “, –, Gianni Infantino, Lionesses, Michael Bradley, Melchie Dumornay, Nicolas Delepine, there’s, ” Infantino, ”, David Aganzo Organizations: CNN, Sydney’s, United States Women’s National, Reuters, FIFA, Republic of Ireland, Spain, Africa, Nations, Qatar, Getty, Olympique Lyonnais –, ” Locations: Australia, New Zealand, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Zealand, Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Dunedin, Norway, China, Eden, Canada, Republic of, Haiti, Republic of Ireland, Morocco, Panama, Philippines, Portugal, Vietnam, Zambia, Japan, Costa Rica, Moroccan, South Africa, Europe, ” Haiti, Thailand, –

☆ US remain top in FIFA rankings before Women's World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

June 9 (Reuters) - Holders United States will head into next month's Women's World Cup as the top-ranked team, with no changes in the top five in the latest FIFA rankings published on Friday. The U.S., who have held the top spot since June 2017, continue to lead ahead of Germany, Sweden, European champions England and France, respectively. Following friendlies in April, Spain equalled their best ever ranking after high-scoring wins over Norway and China while Copa America Femenina champions Brazil earned an impressive victory over Germany. World Cup co-hosts Australia and New Zealand are 10th and 26th. The World Cup runs from July 20 to Aug. 20.

Persons: Hritika Sharma, Toby Davis Organizations: FIFA, England, Canada, Copa America Femenina, Brazil, Thomson Locations: U.S, Germany, Sweden, France, Spain, Brazil, Netherlands, Norway, China, Australia, New Zealand, Zambia, Hyderabad

☆ Rugby league-'Marvel' coach Bennett hailed ahead of 900th match
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( Ian Ransom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Some 36 years on and seven National Rugby League (NRL) titles later, the 73-year-old supercoach will plot the Sharks' downfall again on Saturday when he coaches the Dolphins in his 900th championship match. Emotions may run high during the game, but the famously taciturn Bennett will likely have his usual poker-face on while looking to engineer victory. Tributes from players, fellow coaches and NRL head office have rained down on the luminary this week. No NRL coach has come close to Bennett's tally of games, with second-placed Tim Sheens, the 72-year-old Wests Tigers manager, yet to crack 700. He wandered into it when asked to mentor a junior side at Queensland's police academy after the team's coach fell ill.

☆ Super Rugby finally rolls into the post-COVID era
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( Nick Mulvenney | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

SYDNEY, Feb 22 (Reuters) - Finally freed of the COVID travel restrictions that sounded the death knell to the intercontinental edition and fragmented and disrupted the rump competition, Super Rugby returns in its full new normality on Friday. The second season of Super Rugby Pacific will be played with a host of law variations aimed at making the game more attractive to fans but one aspect of the competition is highly unlikely to change -- New Zealand supremacy. The Canterbury Crusaders dominated Super Rugby in the years pre-pandemic and have proved just as hard to beat with or without fans in the stadiums, through lockdowns, biosecurity protocols and in competition hubs. Despite optimistic noises coming from across the Tasman Sea in Australia, the biggest challenge to the Crusaders is likely to come from the North Island of New Zealand. The forgiving and sometimes derided playoff system that offers knockout rugby to eight of the 12 teams will give hope to all but the most hapless outfits.

☆ Thanksgiving football could include tasty U.S. soccer treat
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( Steve Keating | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

No, not that football, although Berhalter and his men who take on England in a tasty Group B clash on Friday hope that one day soccer might find a place at the table. For the moment Thanksgiving football belongs to American gridiron and the National Football League with teams like the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions in action. "These are the games where it's a high pressure privileged moment to step on the field against some of these guys. "When you get a result in a game like this people start to respect Americans a little bit more." Reporting by Steve Keating in Al Rayyan; Editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ South Korea sweat on Son ahead of opener with wildcards Uruguay
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Martin Petty | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Group H also includes Portugal and Ghana, meaning Son's unrelenting threat and firepower against an uncertain Uruguayan defence will be vital for South Korea to pick up some crucial early points by negating Uruguay's attacking flair. South Korea coach Paulo Bento has imposed a team gag order on discussing Son's state of World Cup readiness, hoping to keep Uruguay's strategists in the dark. Among 13 debutants will be Real Madrid's versatile midfielder Federico Valverde and Manchester United's Facundo Pellistri, who link up with Tottenham's in-form Rodrigo Bentancur in a midfield for which Uruguay's squad has plenty of depth. Coach Diego Alonso sees the yawning age gap as a boon and believes Uruguay could even win this World Cup, as they did in 1930 and 1950. That could be a tall order and commentators have noted frailties at the back that South Korea could exploit, particularly in the centre, while there is no word yet on whether Barcelona's Ronald Araujo is available after undergoing thigh surgery.

☆ Qatar and Ecuador stick with trusted lineups
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

AL KHOR, Qatar, Nov 20 (Reuters) - Hosts Qatar's top scorer Almoez Ali and fellow striker Akram Afif lead the line against Ecuador in Sunday's World Cup opener as coach Felix Sanchez stuck with stalwarts from a settled squad that has had longer than most to bond and prepare. Experienced midfielder Hasan Al-Haydos, who can also play on the wing, took the captaincy for the World Cup debutants and 2019 Asian Cup winners at the 60,000-capacity Al Bayt stadium. Ecuador coach Gustavo Alfaro also named a predictable lineup, with Moises Caicedo anchoring the midfield and top scorer Enner Valencia leading the attack as captain. Ecuador: Hernan Galindez; Felix Torres; Piero Hincapie; Pervis Estupinan; Romario Ibarra; Michael Estrada; Enner Valencia; Angelo Preciado; Gonzalo Plata; Jhegson Mendez; Moises Caicedo. Reporting by Andrew Cawthorne, editing by Ed OsmondOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Unfancied Qatar and Ecuador eye best chance for early points
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-18 | by ( Andrew Cawthorne | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The more daunting prospects of African champions Senegal and perennial powerhouse the Netherlands await them next. Qatar had longer than most squads to bond during European camps, beat several Central American sides in recent friendlies, and draw self-belief from their 2019 Asian Cup title. "Obviously, I'm not talking about Qatar winning the World Cup, but competing at a good level against those three teams is our challenge," said coach Felix Sanchez. They boast some more recognisable names than the Qataris, including Premier League midfielder Moises Caicedo and veteran striker Enner Valencia. Ecuador, too, will be relieved just to be walking out after they faced possible expulsion over an accusation of fielding an ineligible player.

☆ Nadal signs off with win, avoids matching worst run
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

With world number four Ruud already assured of a semi-final berth the match was in reality a dead rubber. Even so the first set was full of intensity inside the Pala Alpitour where the afternoon crowd were firmly behind Nadal. The 23-year-old Ruud went down 0-40 on serve at 5-6 and world number two Nadal needed just one chance to seal the set, punching away a volley into an empty court. It was a similar story in the second set with nothing between the players until Nadal pounced again in the 12th game. Ruud saved one match point but Nadal then clubbed away a backhand winner to finish his season on a high.

☆ U.S. set to meet Dutch in final re-match at 2023 World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Soccer Football - 2023 Women's World Cup Draw - Aotea Centre, Auckland, New Zealand - October 22, 2022 2023 Women's World Cup official mascot Penguin Tazuni and performers after the draw ceremony REUTERS/Shane WenzlickAUCKLAND, Oct 22 (Reuters) - Four-times winners the United States will face the Netherlands in a rematch of the 2019 World Cup final after being drawn with the European side, debutants Vietnam and a playoff winner at Saturday's draw in Auckland for next year's showpiece. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register"We've got a good but somewhat tough draw," said U.S. coach Vlatko Andonovski. "I think it's going to be exciting (to play the Dutch) because it's a rematch of the last World Cup final, it was also the quarter-final match of the Olympics so two quality teams playing against each other. New Zealand will kickoff the first World Cup to be held in the southern hemisphere against former champions Norway in Auckland on July 20 and will also face the Philippines and Switzerland in Group A. "Canada are a world class team, top-ranked in our group and favourites to win it.

☆ U.S. win Presidents Cup as Internationals go down fighting
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-25 | by ( Steve Keating | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Sep 25, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Team USA captain Davis Love III celebrates with the trophy during the singles match play of the Presidents Cup golf tournament at Quail Hollow Club. Robbed of top players who defected to the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Series, the depleted Internationals were expected to be easy pickings for an American squad packed with nine players in the world's top 15. The Internationals, with a record eight Presidents Cup debutants in their 12-man squad, kept the outcome in doubt until late into Sunday's singles when Xander Schauffele beat Canada's Corey Conners 1-up to register the winning point. "But being the big, big, big favorite carries a little bit of weight. Thomas, who won his first of two PGA Championships at Quail Hollow in 2017, was first off to chants of "USA, USA" taking on South Korea's Kim Si-woo.

☆ U.S have Internationals on the ropes after dominating fourballs
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-23 | by ( Steve Keating | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Sep 23, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Team USA golfer Xander Schauffele hits his bunker shot on the eighth hole during the four-ball match play of the Presidents Cup golf tournament at Quail Hollow Club. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY SportsCHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept 23 (Reuters) - International captain Trevor Immelman vowed his men would fight to the final bell in the Presidents Cup but they were outclassed on Friday by the United States who dominated the fourballs by taking four of five points. Also earning a point for the U.S. were the stellar partnership of world numbers four and five Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele, who hammered the Internationals most experience pair of Scott and Hideki Matsuyama 6&5 in foursomes. Kevin Kisner and Cameron Young also secured a half point for the U.S. as their match with Chile's Mito Pereira and South African Christiaan Bezuidenhout finished deadlocked. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Steve Keating in Charlotte; Editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ U.S. poised for Presidents Cup foursomes blowout
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-22 | by ( Steve Keating | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Sep 22, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Team USA golfer Justin Thomas (left) and Team USA golfer Jordan Spieth (right) walk to the first tee during the foursomes match play of the Presidents Cup golf tournament at Quail Hollow Club. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY SportsRegister now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterCHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept 22 (Reuters) - The United States Presidents Cup blowout many feared was taking shape at steamy Quail Hollow Club on Thursday as the Americans led the Internationals in all five matches of the opening foursomes. The Internationals, with a record eight Presidents Cup debutants in their 12-man team, started as massive underdogs against a U.S. squad featuring nine of the top 15 in the world rankings led by number one Scottie Scheffler. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterWith temperatures nudging towards 100 Fahrenheit (38 Celsius) the event got off to a steamy and raucous start with chants of "USA, USA" from the pro-American crowd. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Steve Keating in Charlotte, Editing by Ed OsmondOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ International underdogs up for Presidents Cup fight
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-21 | by ( Steve Keating | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Sep 21, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; The International Team poses for a team photo during a practice day for the Presidents Cup golf tournament at Quail Hollow Club. Even the American players have expressed sympathy for the challenge facing Immelman who will send a out record eight debutants into the Presidents Cup at the Quail Hollow Club. "It's never been done before, and I'm not a stats guy, but I'm going to say the percentage of it being done is very low. "We've still got to go out there and compete, and there's still a really good international team over there with a lot of up and coming players. Being installed as the favourite is not a new experience for the U.S. when it comes to the Presidents Cup, but seldom have the predictions of a runaway rout been so sweeping.

☆ No LIV players but rebel circuit set to dominate Presidents Cup
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-19 | by ( Steve Keating | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The PGA Tour organises the Presidents Cup while LIV Golf, bankrolled by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, has been busy poaching players, luring away some of golf's biggest names with staggering sums of money. South African Louis Oosthuizen, Chile's Joaquin Niemann and Mexico's Abraham Ancer are also unavailable to International captain Trevor Immelman, who has called up a record eight Presidents Cup debutants. Australian Adam Scott, playing his 10th Presidents Cup and Japan's Hideki Matsuyama his fifth are the only members of the squad to have played in more than one event. Every other Presidents Cup has gone to the United States with the exception of 2003 in South Africa that ended in a draw. "We look forward to the Presidents Cup every time.

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