List of All Articles with Tag 'ball'

Luton captain Tom Lockyer has agreed a new undisclosed contract with the club after making a full recovery from his recent heart scare. The 28-year-old Wales defender had surgery to correct an atrial fibrillation last month after collapsing during the Hatters’ Sky Bet Championship play-off final win against Coventry. Lockyer was key to Luton’s promotion to the Premier League, earning a place in the Championship’s Team of the Season, and Luton boss Rob Edwards described his new deal as “a huge signing”. Edwards told the club’s official website: “Of course, after Wembley his health was the main thing, and that’s where all our thoughts went to straight away after the final whistle. “It was brilliant that we were able to see him sitting up and celebrating in the hospital, just a shame he couldn’t be there with us. “But within a week or two he was back up and about feeling really positive, had every check that was possible so our medical side were really happy with everything. “It was a really scary moment, we all know that, but the main thing is he is OK and ready to crack on with us into the Premier League and we’re all so happy about that.” Lockyer, who joined Luton from Charlton in September 2020, made his 100th Hatters appearance in the first leg of their play-off semi-final at Sunderland in May. He scored five goals in all competitions last season and his header in the second leg of Luton’s play-off against Sunderland sealed their place in the Wembley final. Lockyer said: “I’m so happy. I’d really like to build something special here at Luton Town. “I’ve got an incredible relationship with the fans, the manager, all the boys. I love the club and I love being here.”

Police say the Pakistani woman learnt she could enter India via Nepal through a YouTube video.

Ellen White has hailed Sarina Wiegman as “a proven winner” and tipped the England manager to guide the country to World Cup glory this summer in Australia and New Zealand. White – the Lionesses’ all-time leading goalscorer – talked up Wiegman’s impact and admitted she is “fascinated” by her former boss as England’s opening group game of the tournament against Haiti rapidly approaches. And after winning last year’s European Championship, Wiegman is looking to make it consecutive wins in major tournaments this summer. “It would be unheard of wouldn’t it? (winning the World Cup),” White said. “She (Wiegman) won the Euros in 2017 with the Netherlands, she got to the final in 2019, she won the Euros with England and what if she went on to win the World Cup? “It would just be insane. She’s a proven winner. I’m very proud to have her as our manager and she brings a level of calmness and understanding, a philosophy everyone can get on board with and I think the whole nation was gripped by her as well (last summer). “I am fascinated by her and we are really excited with what this group can do and I think they can go all the way.” White, 34, noted Wiegman’s character as one of the main reasons behind her success since taking over in September 2021. The players have bought into her ideas on the pitch, and White added: “I think her communication (is her best attribute). She’s very honest, she communicates what she wants, she speaks to each individual and treats everyone as a person and not just a footballer. I am fascinated by her and we are really excited with what this group can do and I think they can go all the way. Ellen White on Sarina Wiegman “She wants to know about your family and has that personal kind of empathy as well. She also has a philosophy that everyone can get onboard with and understand, it’s not too complicated and then she’s really meticulous in her game plan and tactics. “She’s something we’ve needed for a number of years and I’m really excited for her.” Both White and Manchester City defender Demi Stokes were speaking at the launch of Pixel FC, a collective of dedicated women’s football creators helping to close the visibility gap within women’s football. And Stokes believes England’s previous success in major competitions will give them an advantage over other nations Down Under. She said: “If you look at the team they have bags of talent. We’ve shown in past tournaments that we have the capability, we know what it takes to win a tournament and be at a tournament, so I think the girls will be fine.”

What the papers say The race for England captain Harry Kane is hotting up, with Tottenham making the 29-year-old an offer which would improve his £200,000 a week salary, according to the Guardian. But the Daily Mail reports that Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel has visited the striker at his home in his quest to sign him. Arsenal are close to taking their summer spending to around £200million, with Dutch defender Jurrien Timber, 22, following Declan Rice in agreeing a deal, according to the Daily Telegraph. The Standard says the Gunners will pay Ajax £38.5m for Timber. Leicester midfielder Harvey Barnes, 25, is attracting plenty of interest, with the Guardian suggesting Newcastle lead the way. Aston Villa and Tottenham are also in the race. AC Milan are continuing their pursuit of Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic. The Daily Mail reports the Italian club have made an improved £18.9m offer for the American. Social media round-up Players to watch Levi Colwill: Liverpool are said to be keen on the 20-year-old defender, although Chelsea want to keep him. Lewis O’Brien: Wayne Rooney wants to keep the midfielder, who is on loan at DC United from Nottingham Forest, with Sheffield United also interested, according to the Daily Mirror. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

Long-standing captain Sunil Chhetri has been the face of football in cricket-crazy India.

Ha-Seong Kim has become MLB's most underrated player.

Hannah Dingley insists her appointment as caretaker Forest Green head coach is no gimmick. Dingley, the first woman to take charge of an English Football League club, oversaw her opening game on Wednesday as Forest Green began their pre-season campaign. “It’s the first and it’s great, but I don’t want to be the only,” said Dingley, Rovers’ academy chief who has spent four years at the Gloucestershire club and was put in interim charge after Duncan Ferguson’s brief reign came to an end. “It’s slightly disappointing that as the first academy manager – the only academy manager – because we need more females in these positions in clubs. If we can get more females in the boys’ system in academies this will happen more and more. “This isn’t a gimmick. It’s about those players getting preparation and, if anything takes away from that, it’s probably the wrong thing to do in the first place. “We just need more open-minded people to let these situations happen.” Dingley – who declined to say whether she would apply for the job on a full-time basis – was welcomed by a posse of cameramen and photographers as she took her seat at the Oakfield Stadium against Melksham. A group of female Rovers fans held up a placard with the words ‘Go Hannah Go!’ on it and the man on the microphone also recognised her presence, saying: “It would be remiss of me not to mention Hannah Dingley who is creating Football League history as manager of Forest Green.” Dingley was soon in the technical area and looking at a first-day defeat when at own goal at the start of the second half gifted Melksham the lead. But Callum Jones, on a season-long loan from Hull, equalised 10 minutes from time with a splendid free-kick to spare League Two Forest Green’s blushes against opponents four divisions beneath them. “It’s a bit different to taking the Under-18s but it’s part of the role,” Dingley said at a packed post-match press conference. “The important thing is role-modelling for other female coaches and young girls and growing up knowing that anything is possible if you work hard enough. “It’s been a whirlwind and I haven’t taken a training session with the players yet. The players need to be the focus so we can make a positive start to the new League Two campaign.” Confessing that her appointment on Tuesday had been a “stressful day”, Dingley said: “It’s a bit embarrassing as I was sleeping and my phone started pinging. I was thinking: ‘What’s going on here?’ This isn't a gimmick. It's about those players getting preparation and, if anything takes away from that, it's probably the wrong thing to do in the first place. Hannah Dingley “But I’m grateful for all the messages of support. (Luton manager) Rob Edwards who has been at the club was among those who reached out. “I had no hesitation (stepping up) and I felt it was an opportunity I was ready to take. I haven’t just rocked up today and chose to coach a men’s team. I’ve coached men’s non-league football and in the academy. “I’ve coached men for 20-odd years. This isn’t different to me and I’ve never had a problem with players. They just want good coaching and a good programme. “This is going to sound a bit mean, but the players don’t have a choice. They are professional footballers at a professional club, and in a month’s time they are starting the League Two season. Their responsibility is to prepare properly for that.” Chairman Dale Vince joined Dingley in front of the media and said he “felt like he was in an episode of Ted Lasso” – the sports comedy-drama series when an American football coach is hired to manage a British soccer team. “This is the maddest press conference I’ve ever been at, it’s off the charts,” Vince said. “I knew it was a first in football but I didn’t think it would be such a big deal. “When we made the decision – a club decision – it was based on merit. It was a very simple decision because Hannah was the most qualified person at the club. “She got the job to lead our academy on merit. She’s done a great job and gets our values completely as a club.” Asked whether Dingley could do the job on a permanent basis, Vince added: “The recruitment process will take several weeks. “If Hannah wants to put her name into the hat she’s very welcome. She’s been here four years and you could argue she’s got an inside track, but it’s going to be a very thorough process.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Iga Swiatek breezes through while Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk fights back to win Katie Boulter reaches round two in only British success of the day Lee Carsley feels lucky to coach England Under-21s as they eye Euro 2023 glory

Lee Carsley backed his England Under-21s to create history after reaching the Euro 2023 final. Morgan Gibbs-White, Cole Palmer and Cameron Archer eased England past Israel 3-0 and they will face Spain in Georgia on Saturday. It is the first time since 2009 they have made the European final and have not won the tournament since 1984. “It’s a great achievement for the players. We spoke about creating our own history,” Carsley told a press conference. “We’ve done well up till now, but the next thing is the biggest thing. It comes in three days, so recovery will be important now. “I still think we’ve still got a lot of improving to do. There’s still another level for this team to go. They’ve really grown as a group and they’re getting everything they deserve. “I’m so, so pleased for them because I’m a big believer that we’ve got so much quality and they just need the opportunity. “To watch how they’ve developed on and off the pitch has been brilliant. We sometimes take for granted the level of players we’re producing. “We’ve now mainly got to recover, and for the lads to get a bit of down time, and then look ahead to the final. They’re so motivated to do well, I’m so lucky. “All the credit goes to the squad, they’re a very determined bunch. They have a lot of pride in possession, but also in the blocks and clearances. But there are still a lot of things we can sharpen up ahead of the next game.” Gibbs-White missed a 17th-minute penalty after Anthony Gordon was fouled – following a lengthy VAR check – with Emile Smith Rowe having a shot cleared off the line and hitting the post seconds before. But the Nottingham Forest midfielder headed in from 12 yards with three minutes of the first half left to atone for his error. Palmer made it 2-0 just after the hour when he converted Smith Rowe’s cross, although the Manchester City player needed to wait for a VAR check. The midfielder then laid the ball on for Archer to add a third in stoppage time as the Young Lions reached the final without conceding a goal. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Wimbledon day three: Protesters cause delays as Katie Boulter moves on Heather Watson lifted by Sue Barker presence despite Wimbledon exit Stefanos Tsitsipas sets up Andy Murray blockbuster with epic five-set win

A day after nabbing five-star recruit Justin Scott, the Buckeyes have another young football talent in their sights: Dylan Stewart.The Ohio State Buckeyes are making moves this summer. Shortly after they landed five-star defensive lineman Justin Scott, the school is reportedly the favorite to ge...

Not even Caitlin Clark can avoid a rogue iron shot here and there.

England Under-21s breezed into the Euro 2023 final to move to the brink of ending their 39-year drought. The Young Lions last won the competition in 1984 but eased past Israel 3-0 to reach Saturday’s final, where they will play Spain or Ukraine. Morgan Gibbs-White – after he missed a penalty – Cole Palmer and Cameron Archer netted to secure a final spot, England’s first since 2009, with Lee Carsley’s side yet to concede in Georgia. Having already beaten Israel 2-0 in the group stage, the Young Lions were confident with Levi Colwill nodding over Gibbs-White’s early free-kick. But they should have taken the lead when Gibbs-White missed from the spot after 17 minutes. It took four minutes for VAR to rule Anthony Gordon was fouled by Karm Jaber – after Emile Smith Rowe had a shot cleared off the line before hitting the post – only for Gibbs-White to fire wide. It boosted Israel’s belief with England frustrated but Carsley’s men maintained their composure and Gibbs-White atoned for his miss three minutes before the break. The Nottingham Forest midfielder ghosted in late to reach Palmer’s delivery and rose between two Israel defenders to nod the ball into the top corner from 12 yards. The half ended with Israel refusing to press and England keeping the ball, barely moving, and they remained in control after the restart. Smith Rowe scuffed a shot and Gordon saw an effort deflect wide but Palmer finally doubled the lead after 64 minutes. Gibbs-White found Smith Rowe, who crossed for Manchester City forward Palmer to convert – only for the goal to initially be ruled out for offside. Another long VAR check again went in England’s favour as Smith Rowe was adjudged to be onside and the goal stood. There was still time for substitute Archer to add a third in stoppage time when he smashed in Palmer’s pass. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Heather Watson suffers first-round exit against impressive Barbora Krejcikova Arthur Fery could turn pro after gaining confidence from playing Daniil Medvedev Richard Wigglesworth: England are more interested in winning than entertaining

Republic of Ireland Women’s manager Vera Pauw insists she “will never win from a lie” and will have to carry allegations she body-shamed players for the rest of her life. The Dutchwoman has previously strongly refuted the claims made in a report on misconduct in the National Women’s Soccer League relating to the period she was in charge of Houston Dash. Further allegations from former players emerged this week and have overshadowed the team’s preparations for the Women’s World Cup which will see them play France at Tallaght Stadium in their final game before departing. “I think it is the same story as in December. It is something from a few anonymous players and how can you defend yourself against a lie?” she told a press conference. “I will never win from a lie. That is clear now. I have to live with it and carry it with me for the rest of my life I’m afraid.” The original report claimed Pauw “shamed players for their weight” and “attempted to exert excessive control over eating habits”. “Go through the allegations and put Pep Guardiola, Louis Van Gaal or (Jose) Mourinho in that and you would laugh about it,” Pauw added. “It is all about coaching, it is not about anything else. I don’t want to go into details because it is nonsense and untrue. “There is great safety in the truth and that truth is with me. The people around me, the people who know me and the people who saw me working know that is not true. “We are going to a World Cup. We have done phenomenally with this team and I would never have been able to do that if our bond with each other had not been so strong or positive.” Ireland’s captain Katie McCabe admits she has had disagreements with Pauw but insists things have never crossed a line and they are both focused on doing the best for the team. “Vera has a style of management that we are used to over the last two years,” she said. “We’ve worked together, we’ve argued with each other as you’re never going to get on 100 per cent with your manager at times. She pushes me and I push her. I will never win from a lie. That is clear now. I have to live with it and carry it with me for the rest of my life I'm afraid. Vera Pauw “We have clashed many times but we are always professional enough to make sure we are fully focused for the team. “Both of our hearts are in the right place in terms of what is best for the Ireland women’s national team going forward. “This is such a massive time in Ireland for women’s football and it’s frustrating we can’t be here talking about our massive send-off game tomorrow and the fact we are heading to our first major tournament. “It takes the sting out of it from the team’s point of view.” The Football Association of Ireland issued a statement on Monday saying it was “fully focused on supporting Vera and the women’s team”. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Three people arrested after multiple protests take place at Wimbledon Katie Boulter and boyfriend Alex De Minaur team up for Wimbledon mixed doubles Jai Hindley wins Tour de France stage five to take yellow jersey