200 U.S. lawmakers agree not to intervene in any UPS strike
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Xavi Simons joins RB Leipzig on loan after re-signing for PSG
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A Simple Trick for Remembering When To Use ‘Who’ vs. ‘Whom’
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Pita Limjaroenrat: Thai reformist leader suspended from parliament
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The inspiration behind Australia’s shot at home World Cup glory
Australia only have to look to last summer and England’s success at the Euros for evidence of how seismic victory on home soil could be. While they are sharing hosting duties with neighbours New Zealand, this tournament is Australia’s biggest sporting occasion since the 2000 Olympic Games and the Matildas will have no shortage of motivation as they look to inspire the next generation in the sport-obsessed nation. Luckily for Australia, they have a star who appears to be born to handle the pressure and expectation of a major tournament in Sam Kerr. Crucially, after a patchy couple of years of results, the Matildas have found form as a team ahead of the World Cup and claimed the scalp of becoming the first team to defeat Sarina Wiegman’s England in April - a result that ended the Lionesses’ 30-match winning streak. It announced Australia as contenders for the World Cup, where they will also get the bonus of the home crowd that proved so important to England’s victory at the Euros, while a core of players who feature in the Women’s Super League, including Caitlin Foord, Steph Catley, Alanna Kennedy and Mary Fowler, ensures Kerr will also have plenty of support. The Matildas may need it after landing in what is widely considered to be the ‘group of death’ at this World Cup. The co-hosts will face significant competition from the Olympic champions Canada, the top-seeded team in pot two, while 11-time African champions Nigeria will carry threat and were the top-seeded side in pot four, even if they come into the World Cup in disarray. The Republic of Ireland are competing in their first World Cup and will be determined to show they are not just making up the numbers in what is an intriguing group, another element of which is that England will face the runners-up if the Lionesses win Group D. Australia Confirmed squad Goalkeepers: Mackenzie Arnold (West Ham), Teagan Micah (Rosengard), Lydia Williams (Brighton) Defenders: Ellie Carpenter (Lyon), Steph Catley (Arsenal), Charlotte Grant (Vittsjo GIK), Clare Hunt (Western Sydney Wanderers), Alanna Kennedy (Manchester City), Aivi Luik (BK Hacken), Courtney Nevin (Leicester City on loan from Hammarby), Clare Polkinghorne (Vittsjo GIK) Midfielders: Alex Chidiac (Racing Louisville), Kyra Cooney-Cross (Hammarby IF), Katrina Gorry (Vittsjo GIK), Emily van Egmond (San Diego Wave), Clare Wheeler (Everton), Tameka Yallop (SK Brann) Forwards: Caitlin Foord (Arsenal), Mary Fowler (Manchester City) Sam Kerr (Chelsea), Hayley Raso (Free agent), Kyah Simon (Free agent), Cortnee Vine (Sydney FC) Group fixtures (all times BST) Thursday 20 July: Australia vs Republic of Ireland (11:00, Stadium Australia) Thursday 27 July: Australia vs Nigeria (11:00, Brisbane Stadium) Monday 31 July: Canada vs Australia (11:00, Melbourne Rectangular Stadium) Star in the team There’s no question about this. Sam Kerr is the face of the World Cup and the star of the Australia team. As the most lethal striker in the world, who always seems to deliver on the big occasion, the Chelsea forward could be the difference for the Matildas as they look to advance past the quarter-finals for the first time. The 29-year-old makes the hosts a genuine contender. The coach Tony Gustavsson knows what winning culture looks like. The Swede was an assistant coach on Jill Ellis’ coaching staff as the USA won the World Cup in 2015 and 2019 and took charge of the Matildas in 2021. Initial results were patchy and hardly suggested Australia were ready for a home World Cup, but their form turned at the end last year as they thrashed Sweden, the Olympic finalists, 4-0. Gustavsson wants his teams to press, play with pace, and be strong at set-pieces. What are their chances? Australia have played at seven World Cups but are yet to reach a semi-final. Their defeat to Norway at the last-16 four years ago was considered to be a major disappointment after three successive quarter-final appearances. In front of their home fans, the Matildas will be setting their expectations much, much higher this time around in what is Australia’s biggest sporting event since the 2000 Olympics. With Kerr, they have the quality to go a long way. Canada Confirmed squad Goalkeepers: Sabrina D’Angelo (Arsenal), Lysianne Proulx (SCU Torreense), Kailen Sheridan (San Diego Wave). Defenders: Kadeisha Buchanan (Chelsea), Allysha Chapman (Houston Dash), Vanessa Gilles (Lyon), Ashley Lawrence (Chelsea), Jayde Riviere (Manchester United), Gabrielle Carle (Washington Spirit) and Shelina Zadorsky (Tottenham). Midfielders: Quinn (OL Reign), Simi Awujo (University of Southern California), Jessie Fleming (Chelsea), Julia Grosso (Juventus), Sophie Schmidt (Houston Dash) Forwards: Jordyn Huitema (OL Reign), Cloe Lacasse (Benfica), Clarissa Larisey (BK Hacken), Adriana Leon (Portland Thorns), Nichelle Prince (Houston Dash), Deanne Rose (Reading), Christine Sinclair (Portland Thorns), Evelyne Viens (Kristianstads) Group fixtures (all times BST) Friday 21 July: Nigeria vs Canada (03:30, Melbourne Rectangular Stadium) Saturday 27 July: Canada vs Republic of Ireland (13:00, Perth Rectangular Stadium) Monday 31 July: Canada vs Australia (11:00, Melbourne Rectangular Stadium) One to watch Christine Sinclair has been setting records for most of her life. At 40, and now into the 22nd year of her international career, the striker is set to become the first player to play at six World Cups - although Brazil’s Marta could later equal that record this tournament. In Australia, Sinclair and Marta also have the chance to become the first player to score at six different World Cups. Sinclair already holds the record for most international goals with an astonishing 190 in 323 appearances. The coach Bev Priestman is the English coach who led Canada to their first major international title at the 2021 Olympics. A former assistant to Phil Neville with the Lionesses, the 36-year-old from County Durham is regarded as one of the best in the world. Priestman describes herself as an attacking coach, but her success with Canada came when she improved the team’s defensive structure and organisation. What are their chances? Canada have a strange history of underperforming at World Cups. Despite winning a medal at each of the last three Olympics, Canada have only ever reached one World Cup semi-final. They were beaten by Sweden in the last-16 in 2019, but then defeated Sweden in the gold medal match in Tokyo in 2021. Which version of Canada will turn up in Australia? Nigeria Confirmed squad Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC), Tochukwu Oluehi (Hakkarigucu Spor), Yewande Balogun (AS Saint-Etienne) Defenders: Onome Ebi (Abia Angels), Osinachi Ohale (Deportivo Alaves), Glory Ogbonna (Besiktas), Ashleigh Plumptre (Leicester City), Rofiat Imuran (Stade de Reims), Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash) Oluwatosin Demehin (Stade de Reims) Midfielders: Halimatu Ayinde (Rosengard FC), Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid), Toni Payne (Sevilla), Christy Ucheibe (Benfica), Deborah Abiodun (Rivers Angels), Jennifer Echegini (Florida State University) Forwards: Uchenna Kanu (Racing Louisville), Gift Monday (UDG Tenerife), Ifeoma Onumonu (NY/NJ Gotham FC), Asisat Oshoala (Barcelona), Desire Oparanozie (Wuhan Chegu Jianghan), Francisca Ordega (CSKA Moscow), Esther Okoronkwo (AS Saint-Etienne) Group fixtures (all times BST) Friday 21 July: Nigeria vs Canada (03:30, Melbourne Rectangular Stadium) Saturday 27 July: Canada vs Republic of Ireland (13:00, Perth Rectangular Stadium) Monday 31 July: Republic of Ireland vs Nigeria (11:00, Brisbane Stadium) Star in the team Asisat Oshoala doesn’t just have a claim to be the greatest African player in the world, but the best of all time. The Nigeria striker and Barcelona star has won the African player of the year award four times and has hit at least 20 goals in each of her last two seasons in Spain. The Super Falcons may have been drawn in the group of death, but Oshoala will be a threat to both Australia and Canada. The coach Nigeria are 11-time winners of the Africa Cup of Nations so when the team failed to even reach the final last year, fingers were pointed at the coach, Randy Waldrum. The 66-year-old American kept his job ahead of the World Cup and although results have since improved - including a 3-0 win against New Zealand in April - he is set to depart after the tournament and is in open dispute with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). Before the World Cup, Waldrum told the On The Whistle Podcast that he had not received seven months of pay, while also criticising the NFF’s over their lack of support. In response, a NFF communications director called Waldrum the “worst Super Falcons coach in history”. What are their chances? Nigeria have a proud record of playing at every World Cup and this will be their ninth appearance since 1991. They have made it out of the group twice but have yet to win a knockout stage match in the competition - though Nigeria’s quarter-final appearance in 1999 remains the best result ever recorded by an African team at the Women’s World Cup. But the challenge of overcoming the chaos off the pitch, let alone the group of death, suggests Nigeria are unlikely to match it in Australia. Republic of Ireland Confirmed squad Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (Reading), Megan Walsh (unattached) Defenders: Heather Payne (Florida State), Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Aine O’Gorman (Shamrock Rovers), Chloe Mustaki (Bristol City), Claire O’Riordan (Celtic), Diane Caldwell (Reading), Izzy Atkinson (West Ham), Megan Connolly (unattached) Midfielders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Denise O’Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Lily Agg (London City Lionesses), Ciara Grant (Hearts), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City), Sinead Farrelly (Gotham City NYC), Ruesha Littlejohn (unattached) Forwards: Amber Barrett (Standard Liege), Kyra Carusa (London City Lionesses), Abbie Larkin (Shamrock Rovers), Marissa Sheva (Washington Spirit) Group fixtures (all times BST) Thursday 20 July: Australia vs Republic of Ireland (11:00, Stadium Australia) Saturday 27 July: Canada vs Republic of Ireland (13:00, Perth Rectangular Stadium) Monday 31 July: Republic of Ireland vs Nigeria (11:00, Brisbane Stadium) Key player Katie McCabe. The Arsenal fan favourite famously wears her heart on her sleeve and embodies what Ireland will require in Australia: defensive nous, aggression, a lot of effort, and quality when it counts. McCabe has it all and alongside Denise O’Sullivan will be key. The coach Vera Pauw may have guided Ireland to their first World Cup, but the Dutch coach will have won few fans with her style of play. The experienced Pauw has not shied away from favouring a “low block” and an ultra-defensive 5-4-1 formation. After a newspaper column from former international Karen Duggan suggested the coach should ditch her conservative approach, Pauw responded: “It is not that I love a deep block, I love winning.” Pauw strongly denies allegations she body-shamed players while working as a coach at the Houston Dash, after being named in a report on misconduct in the National Women’s Soccer League. The report claimed the Dutchwoman "shamed players for their weight" and "attempted to exert excessive control over eating habits". Speaking before the tournament, Pauw said: “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." What are their chances? Ireland claimed their first World Cup qualification thanks to a narrow win over Scotland in the European qualifiers. They claimed their spot for Australia and New Zealand as the lowest-ranked European nation, and landed in the one of the toughest possible groups by drawing hosts Australia, Canada - the top seed in pot two, and Nigeria - the top seed in pot four. Extending their debut to the knockout stages appears unlikely. Read More Women’s World Cup TV schedule: How to watch every match in UK Sam Kerr ready for her ‘Cathy Freeman moment’ at Women’s World Cup ‘A natural leader’: How Millie Bright became England’s ‘voice’ for the Women’s World Cup ‘Empowered’ England won’t be distracted by bonus row, Lucy Bronze insists Germany and Alexandra Popp are out for revenge - the World Cup is the perfect chance Can Sweden turn heartbreak into Women’s World Cup history?
2023-07-19 15:28
Women’s World Cup history hangs over co-hosts New Zealand
All eyes will be on New Zealand when the co-hosts get the Women’s World Cup underway against Norway; expectations will be high but the Football Ferns will have their sights on achieving a more humble goal. World Cup history hangs over New Zealand: in five previous tournaments and across 15 matches, they have yet to record a victory or progress to the knockout stages. The opportunity to play on home soil is a major boost but New Zealand have precious few positive signs elsewhere. Under coach Jitka Klimkova, New Zealand had a 11-match winless run before beating Vietnam a week before the tournament, their first win since last September. New Zealand’s squad is solid but unspectacular and the absence of a standout star could be keenly felt against the European nations in Group A, where Norway and Switzerland will both look to bounce back from disappointment at the European Championships last summer. Norway’s tournament was particularly disastrous; collapsing to a 8-0 thrashing against England and meekly exiting at the group stage with a 1-0 defeat to Austria, a shambolic under-performance for a team that features the former Ballon d’Or winner Ada Hegerberg and Barcelona star Caroline Graham Hansen, as well as Chelsea’s flying winger Guro Reiten and Arsenal’s player of the season Frida Maanum - two of the best players in the WSL last campaign. Switzerland also failed to make it through from the group stages at the Euros and, like Norway, have made changes ahead of the World Cup. The Philippines are one of three countries making their first ever appearance at a World Cup finals, men’s or women’s. Under the guidance of former Australia manager Alen Stajic, the Philippines qualified after reaching the semi-finals of the Asia Cup last summer. Stajic has defied expectations since his appointment two years ago but the Philippines remain huge underdogs in Group A. New Zealand Group fixtures (all times BST) Thursday 20 July: New Zealand vs Norway (8:00, Eden Park) Tuesday 25 July: New Zealand vs Philippines (06:30 local time, Wellington Regional Stadium) Sunday 30 July: Switzerland vs New Zealand (08:00, Dunedin Stadium) Confirmed squad Goalkeepers: Victoria Essen (Rangers), Anna Leat (Aston Villa), Erin Nayler (IFK Norrkoping) Defenders: Liz Anton (Perth Glory), CJ Bott (Leicester City), Katie Bowen (unattached), Claudia Bunge (Melbourne Victory), Michaela Foster (unattached), Ali Riley (Angel City), Rebekah Stott (Brighton & Hove Albion), Daisy Cleverley (HB Koge) Midfielders: Olivia Chance (Celtic), Betsy Hassett (Stjarnan), Annalie Longo (unattached), Ria Percival (Tottenham Hotspur), Malia Steinmetz (unattached) Forwards:Milly Clegg (unattached), Jacqui Hand (Aland United), Grace Jale (unattached), Hannah Wilkinson (Melbourne City), Gabi Rennie (Arizona State University), Indiah-Paige Riley (unattached), Paige Satchell (unattached) One to watch If New Zealand are going to need something special to break their cycle of World Cup disappointment on home soil, don’t be surprised if they are inspired by the fearlessness of youth. The Football Ferns finished an impressive third at the Under-17 World Cup five years ago and striker Gabi Rennie, the team’s No 9, is a breakthrough prospect. The coach Jitka Klimkova, the former Czech Republic international, believes in the process, even when the results have yet to follow. Since taking charge in 2021, Klimkova has tried to negotiate a period of transition for the team while playing a possession-based style. What are their chances? New Zealand are yet to win a match at the World Cup in five previous tournaments. As co-hosts, they come into their home World Cup at their lowest-ever position in the Fifa rankings. Getting a win, let alone getting out of the group, would be a success. Norway Group fixtures (all times BST) Thursday 20 July: New Zealand vs Norway (08:00, Eden Park) Tuesday 25 July: Switzerland vs Norway (09:00, Hamilton) Sunday 30 July: Norway vs Philippines (08:00, Auckland) Confirmed squad Goalkeepers: Cecilie Fiskerstrand (LSK Kvinner), Guro Pettersen (Vålerenga), Aurora Mikalsen (Brann) Defenders: Anja Sønstevold (Inter Milan), Tuva Hansen (Bayern Munich), Guro Bergsvand (Brighton), Maren Mjelde (Chelsea), Thea Bjelde (Vålerenga), Mathilde Harviken (Rosenborg), Sara Hørte (Rosenborg), Marit Bratberg Lund (Brann) Midfielders: Ingrid Syrstad Engen (FC Barcelona), Vilde Bøe Risa (Manchester United), Guro Reiten (Chelsea), Frida Maanum (Arsenal), Amalie Eikeland (Reading), Julie Blakstad (Manchester City), Emilie Haavi (Roma) Forwards: Ada Hegerberg (Lyon), Sophie Roman Haug (Roma), Karina Sævik (Vålerenga), Anna Jøsendal (Rosenborg) Star in the team It’s a testament to the skill, speed and elusiveness of Barcelona’s Caroline Graham Hansen that Guro Reiten isn’t even the most dangerous winger on the Norway team. Arguably the best dribbler in the game, the 28-year-old took a break from the international side following the Euros last summer but is now back to best - as Chelsea once again found out in this season’s Champions League. The coach It was not a surprise to see Swedish coach Martin Sjogren resign within days of Norway’s catastrophic Euros performance. He was replaced by former Norway international and World Cup winner Hege Riise - who coached the Lionesses before Sarina Wiegman took charge, as well as Team GB at the Olympics in Tokyo. The 53-year-old appears a much better fit in all departments. World Cup history Riise won the golden boot and was named player of the tournament when Norway won the World Cup in 1995. Back then, Norway were accustomed to success on the big stage and regularly reached the latter stages of major competitions. It’s now been 10 years since they last reached the semi-finals of a World Cup or Euros, and were beaten in the quarter-finals by England four years ago. Switzerland Confirmed squad Goalkeepers: Seraina Friedli (Zurich), Livia Peng (Levante), Gaëlle Thalmann (Real Betis) Defenders: Eseosa Aigbogun (Paris FC), Luana Bühler (Hoffenheim), Viola Calligaris (Levante), Laura Felber (Servette), Noelle Maritz (Arsenal), Lara Marti (Bayer Leverkusen), Nadine Riesen (Zurich), Julia Stierli (Zurich) Midfielders: Iman Beney (Young Boys), Sandrine Mauron (Servette), Seraina Piubel (Zurich), Géraldine Reuteler (Eintracht Frankfurt), Marion Rey (Zurich), Coumba Sow (Servette), Lia Wälti (Arsenal) Forwards: Ramona Bachmann, (Paris Saint-Germain), Ana Maria CrnogorÄević (Barcelona), Fabienne Humm (Zurich), Alisha Lehmann (Aston Villa), Meriame Terchoun (Dijon) Group fixtures (all times BST) Friday 21 July: Philippines vs Switzerland (06:00, Dunedin) Tuesday 25 July: Switzerland vs Norway (09:00, Hamilton) Sunday 30 July: Switzerland vs New Zealand (08:00 Dunedin) Key player The smooth and composed Lia Walti draws the eye in the centre of midfield and the captain is the pillar of the side. “Lia is such a magnetic player. Everyone passes to her,” said the Switzerland head coach Inka Grings. “She always demands the ball and, when she has it, it sticks to her feet.” The coach Grings played at two World Cups with Germany, where she sits third on the all-time scoring list with 67 international goals, and only took charge of Switzerland following their qualification for Australia and New Zealand. The 44-year-old promises to play “very aggressive football” but is without a win in her first five matches (play Morocco on 5 July) World Cup history Switzerland scored a last-gasp 120th minute winner to defeat Wales in the play-offs in October to qualify for the World Cup for only the second time. In 2015, they reached their knockout stages on their maiden appearance but were beaten by the hosts Canada. Philippines Confirmed squad Goalkeepers: Olivia McDaniel (Milwaukee Panthers, Kiara Fontanilla (Central Coast Mariners), Kaiya Jota (Stanford Cardinal), Inna Palacios (Kaya Illoilo) Defenders: Maya Alcantara (Georgetown Hoyas), Alicia Barker (Pacific Northwest), Angela Beard (Western Union), Reina Bonta (Santos), Malea Cesar (Blacktown City), Jessika Cowart (IFK Kalmar), Sofia Harrison (Werder Bremen), Hali Long (Kaya–Iloilo, Dominique Randle (Por/KA) Midfielders: Tahnai Annis (Por/KA), Eva Madarang (Blacktown Spartans), Ryley Bugay (Saarbrucken), Anicka Castañeda (Mt Druitt Town Rangers), Sara Eggesvik (Norway KIL/Hemne), Kaya Hawkinson (Central Coast Mariners), Jessica Miclat (Eskilstuna United), Carleigh Frilles (Blacktown Spartans), Isabella Pasion (Lebanon Trail High School), Jaclyn Sawicki (Western United) Forwards: Katrina Guillou (Pitea IF), Sarina Bolden (Western Sydney Wanderers), Isabella Flanigan (West Virginia Mountaineers), Chandler McDaniel (Milwaukee Panthers), Quinley Quezada (Red Star Belgrade), Meryll Serrano (Stabaek) Group fixtures (all times BST) Friday 21 July: Philippines vs Switzerland (06:00, Dunedin) Tuesday 25 July: New Zealand vs Philippines (06:30, Wellington Regional Stadium) Sunday 30 July: Norway vs Philippines (08:00, Auckland) One to watch Sarina Bolden took the most important kick in the history of the Philippines with the winning penalty against Chinese Taipei that secured their qualification for the World Cup. The Philippines will need more moments of history to make an impact in New Zealand. The coach In another world, Alen Stajic is preparing to lead his native Australia into a home World Cup. Instead, the 49-year-old finds himself taking the Philippines on a historic adventure. Stajic was sacked by the Matildas ahead of the 2019 World Cup and took on what seemed to be an impossible job with the Philippines in 2021. That “gamble” has paid off, with Stajic installing defensive organisation into the side to lead to their first ever World Cup qualification. World Cup history This is the first time the Philippines have reached the World Cup finals, men’s or women’s, and qualification represents a proud moment for the country. Under Stajic, the team have risen to 49th in the world but recent defeats to Scotland, Wales and Iceland - all counties who failed to qualify for the World Cup - shows the gulf they are faced with. Read More Women’s World Cup TV schedule: How to watch every match in UK Lionesses bonus row could drag on until after World Cup ‘A natural leader’: How Millie Bright became England’s ‘voice’ for the Women’s World Cup ‘Empowered’ England won’t be distracted by bonus row, Lucy Bronze insists Germany and Alexandra Popp are out for revenge - the World Cup is the perfect chance Can Sweden turn heartbreak into Women’s World Cup history?
2023-07-19 15:17
US moves to restrict trade threatens chip industry: China industry association
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