Philippines stands up to Beijing in South China sea tussle
Fishermen are on the frontline of a worsening territorial standoff as Manila asserts itself against China.
2023-09-01 10:16
Pence fought an order to testify but now is a central figure in his former boss's indictment
Mike Pence fought the Department of Justice in court to try to avoid testifying against his former boss
2023-08-02 23:29
Amouranth: 5 unknown facts about Twitch's sleeping queen who launched AI chatbot for fans to date her
Amouranth became particularly well-known for her gaming content, ASMR and 'hot tub' streams
2023-06-14 14:59
Biden campaign names communications director
President Joe Biden has tapped Michael Tyler, a seasoned Democratic strategist, to serve as his campaign communications director, his campaign announced Thursday.
2023-06-16 04:53
UK's colossal HS2 project in danger of going off the rails
HS2, the UK's second high-speed train line after the one leading to the Channel Tunnel, has suffered spiralling costs despite the route being cut short, raising fears...
2023-09-23 13:53
Ella Toone or Lauren James? Sarina Wiegman has already made the biggest decision of England’s World Cup
England stand on the brink of greatness. The European Champions are one victory away from being the best team in the world. But this has not been an easy tournament for Sarina Wiegman and her players. While the Euros saw emphatic victories – the best being 8-0 vs Norway and 4-0 vs Sweden in the semi-finals – and exultant home support, England have got into gear in a slower, more controlled way in this tournament (they did beat Sunday’s opponents Spain 2-1 a.e.t. in their toughest match in 2022 excluding the final, in case anyone had forgotten, but that was a rather different Spain team). Sarina is characterised for her consistency, bordering on stubbornness to her critics, but in this tournament she has had to change things up: the shift to a 3-5-2 against China was an inspired throw of the dice after some pretty drab stuff against Haiti and Denmark. The England head coach has also had to do without the enormously gifted Lauren James after her red card against Nigeria, having brought her in to start against the Danes. James was the best player in the group stages for England, scoring three and assisting three. But in her absence, two things have occurred. Firstly, the back three has got better, with Alex Greenwood staking a major claim to being the best player at the tournament, and one of the best ball-playing centre-backs in the world. No one has made more than Greenwood’s 563 passes at the World Cup, according to WhoScored.com, even more impressively, she’s made them at 90% accuracy. Her clipped pass to set up Georgia Stanway’s shot nine minutes in was world class and shows how important she’s been to England’s ability to generate chances. But crucially, the front two has also started to click. The final goal against Australia was sublime: Russo’s pressure caused an Australian error, which was seized on by Lauren Hemp. Hemp drove towards the heart of the Australian defence, while Russo’s cleverly drifting run took her away from a retreating Steph Catley. Hemp’s angle-changing pass was simply brilliant, and Russo’s cool, driven finish was a fitting end to an incisive attack. Hemp was the best player on the pitch against Australia, and the front two’s combination of movement, work rate, and technical ability shone against an excellently stubborn and well-organised Australia side. At times Russo has looked isolated playing for England and being asked to drop deep doesn't suite her game. She's an excellent passer but her real threat is in and around the box. In too many games she's had limited options to link up with. Alongside Hemp, though, who roams left and right as well as dropping deep, Russo always has at least one rapid option central and, often, one or both of the wing-backs and a midfielder bursting beyond. She also has support when playing higher. One of the reasons England scored that third goal was because Hemp could carry it further and release it later, leaving less for Russo to do in terms of beating players and allowing her to focus on the finish. And when she’s left to focus on her work in and around the area, Russo is lethal. She’s one of the purest ball strikers in the camp and her finishing under pressure is as good as anyone at the tournament. England’s front two can both score goals and both want to find pockets of space wide or deep, and both can create differently: Russo’s touch in tight areas, her hold-up play, and her through balls are superb, while Hemp can still show why at club level she’s one of the world’s most effective wingers with her tricky ball carrying and ability to execute technical passes while moving at speed. It’s also worth noting that now only Ellen White and Fara Williams have scored more for the Lionesses at major tournaments than Russo (10 and 8 versus 7). And they’ve been at their best in front of a midfield including Ella Toone. Toone might be less creative and more about linking play than James, but England tick over nicely with her as the more advanced midfielder of the three. Sarina won’t keep Toone in because she scored a worldy, but because she kept the ball well, found good pockets of space, and worked hard in defence. And then, once the game becomes more open and transitional, as finals tend to, James could come on and drive at a stretched defence, take the ball deep, and, although I hope England won’t need it, change the game. So while the focus might be on whether Toone or James starts, Sarina has already made the most important decision of the tournament: shifting to a back three has platformed Greenwood’s passing excellence and unleashed the front two of Hemp and Russo. If they can combine again, England have everyting they need to bring it home. Read More Women’s World Cup LIVE: England prepare for final against Spain and latest reaction to win over Australia Gianni Infantino tells women in football to ‘pick the right fights’ to utilise their ‘power to change’ What time is the World Cup final on Sunday and who will England play? World Cup final referee: Who will take charge of England vs Spain? Lauren James ‘will be ready’ for World Cup final, says Chelsea manager Emma Hayes Sarina Wiegman would be ‘perfectly capable’ of becoming England men’s manager, says FA chief
2023-08-18 17:54
New York is choking on smog. But for these cities, it's just another day
For days, images of New York choking in smoke have stunned the United States, as residents struggle to deal with the unfamiliar challenge of severe air pollution.
2023-06-08 14:18
Marsh century and wicket leads Australia to 195-run lead on day one of 3rd Ashes test
Mitch Marsh has celebrated his test comeback by smashing a century and taking a wicket for Australia to lead England by 195 runs after day one of the third Ashes test at Headingley
2023-07-07 01:46
When does 2024 NFL free agency start? Dates to know
With plenty of stars hitting the market, 2024 NFL free agency won't disappoint. Here are the dates you need to know.
2023-08-28 08:59
US SEC set to propose limits on brokerage trading rebates
Wall Street's top regulator on Wednesday is set to propose new regulations officials say should level the playing
2023-10-18 22:28
Michael Strahan 'in awe' after GMA co-host George Stephanopoulos' surprise appearance in 'Jeopardy!'
'Who is Stephanopoulos?' was the answer to a question came from the category, Michael J Fox, and was worth $600
2023-05-27 13:57
Iowa governor at center of 2024 GOP race stays neutral but leaves door open for late endorsement
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds is playing a central role in the opening stages of the 2024 Republican presidential contest, with candidates eager to bask in her glow in hopes of elevating their own campaigns. She's pledging her neutrality in the race -- for now, at least.
2023-08-12 14:16
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