Japan fans continue much admired cleaning tradition after first Women's World Cup game
Japanese football fans have continued their much-admired tradition of cleaning up after themselves in stadiums once a game has finished. Japan opened their account at the 2023 Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand with a comprehensive 5-0 win over Zambia courtesy of goals from Hinata Miyazawa, Mina Tanaka, Jun Endo and Riko Ueki, to give the 2011 champions an impressive start. While neutrals will have no doubt been wowed by the Japanese player's talent on the pitch there is always a lot of love for their travelling fans who stayed behind long after many others had left to pick up the rubbish that had been left in the stands. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Footage showed a small handful of Japanese fans collecting the rubbish in plastic bags at the Waikato Stadium in Hamilton, New Zealand without any hesitation or protest. This will be a very familiar sight to football fans who watched the men's World Cup in Qatar in 2022 where a plucky Japanese team managed to progress from their group, beating Germany and Spain in the process, only to be eliminated by Croatia in the round of 16. At the time Japanese fans were asked why they choose to clean up after themselves with one person saying: "What we're taught is that leaving things cleaner than the way you found it is atarimae [stating the obvious]. And that we should always express gratitude." Another added: "What we're taught is that leaving things cleaner than the way you found it is atarimae. And that we should always express gratitude." Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
2023-07-22 21:47
Lionel Messi converts biggest Ronaldo fan iShowSpeed after Inter Miami debut goal
YouTuber and streaming star iShowSpeed has found himself converted to being a Lionel Messi fan after witnessing the Argentinian legend score a stunning goal on his Inter Miami debut. Messi made his debut for his new club on Friday night in the Leagues Cup against Mexican side Cruz Azul. Although Messi didn't start the game he did come on shortly into the second half and by the end of the game he had grabbed all the headlines thanks to an unbelievable free kick on the 94th minute to give Miami a 2-1 win. It was a star-studded affair at the DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida with David Beckham (the club's owner), Victoria Beckham, Serena Williams and Kim Kardashian in attendance. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter However, the most shocked person by the World Cup winner's incredible strike was iShowSpeed who made a wager with himself if Messi scored the goal. The 18-year-old online personality has amongst many things, made a name for himself for being an outspoken Cristiano Ronaldo fan. He even met the Portuguese icon earlier this year during an emotional encounter. Speed happened to be in attendance for the match and in a clip doing the rounds on social media, he was seen saying that if Messi scored the freekick he would become a fan of the footballer. Sure enough, Messi did score leaving Speed completely speechless but he was at least prepared. Speed, who was wearing a Portugal shirt with Ronaldo printed on it, removed the garment to show an Inter Miami shirt underneath with Messi on the back - Speed clearly had some hindsight into the occasion. 36-year-old Messi has signed a two-and-a-half year contract with Miami which will likely be the last club he plays for during his illustrious career. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
2023-07-22 21:24
Maguire can still force his way back into Man United team despite losing captaincy, Ten Hag says
Erik ten Hag has said Harry Maguire can still force his way back into the Manchester United team, despite having the captaincy taken off him. “Harry is an important player, he stays an important player,” the United boss told reporters. Maguire was stripped of the club captaincy earlier this month. “Whilst I’m personally extremely disappointed, I will continue to give my all every time I wear the shirt,” he wrote on Twitter, after Ten Hag’s decision. The central defender made just eight Premier League starts last season, leading to ongoing speculation over his future at Old Trafford. Read More Lionesses have vital role in fight for women’s rights, high commissioner says Moment Messi subbed on for Inter Miami debut before scoring injury-time winner Moment Just Stop Oil activists stage protest at the British Open
2023-07-22 20:56
England’s Lionesses have vital role in fight for women’s rights, high commissioner says
British High Commissioner to Australia Vicki Treadell believes England’s Lionesses have a vital role to play in the diplomatic mission of fighting for the rights of women and girls around the world. England players on Tuesday released a collective statement, posted on Twitter by captain Millie Bright, outlining their “disappointment” in not reaching an agreement with the Football Association over performance bonus payments and commercial structures ahead of their World Cup opener against Haiti in Brisbane. That fight, they said, was driven not solely by personal gain but by “a strong sense of responsibility to grow the game” globally – a sentiment reiterated by numerous players over the last few days in the Queensland capital.
2023-07-22 20:22
England labour to opening win over Haiti thanks to Georgia Stanway penalty
Georgia Stanway’s retaken first-half penalty was enough to earn England a nervy 1-0 victory over World Cup debutants Haiti in their Group D opener at Brisbane Stadium. This was not the decisive victory most had predicted for the European champions and world’s number-four side against a team 49 places below them in the FIFA rankings. Haiti came close to levelling more than once, including a late second-half chance denied at the last by Mary Earps’ outstretched foot. While the Lionesses ultimately walked away with all three points, it was an underwhelming performance that will leave boss Sarina Wiegman with plenty of questions ahead of Friday’s meeting with Denmark. England fans were out in full force ahead of kick-off in the Queensland capital, where ‘Football’s Coming Home’ could be heard from a riverside rally and ex-Arsenal forward Ian Wright posed in a Lotte Wubben-Moy shirt beneath Story Bridge. For so much of the build-up of this tournament, the conversation around the Lionesses centred on their ongoing dispute with the Football Association over bonus payments and other commercial issues. On a clear Thursday night, England wanted their football to do the talking, yet it was Haiti who enjoyed the first spell of attack, winning an early corner before Chloe Kelly, the hero in last summer’s Euro 2022 final, tested Haiti goalkeeper Kerly Theus with a curled effort. One of the biggest dilemmas for Wiegman ahead of this tournament was who she would entrust as her number nine and – for this opener at least – it was Alessia Russo who led the England attack and rolled an early effort at Theus. England fans, who by the noise inside the stadium comprised the majority of those in attendance, felt their hearts leap to their throats when Roselord Borgella broke free and was one-on-one with Earps but rolled her effort past the far post. The Lionesses thought they had won a least a penalty when Dayana Pierre-Louis clattered into Kelly on the byline and appeared to clip her knee with a stud, but the Haitian midfielder got away with just a yellow card after it was determined – following a lengthy VAR check – that Russo had committed a foul in the build-up. Soon after that decision, however, Batcheba Louis was punished for a handball and Stanway stepped up to the spot. Theus sparked a jubilant Haitian celebration when she saved Stanway’s first effort, but VAR again intervened and Venezuelan referee Emikar Calderas ruled the keeper had encroached and the penalty was retaken. Stanway did not make the same mistake twice as she fired low into the left corner for what felt like an uneasy lead at the end of a stop-start first half. Melchie Dumornay, the 19-year-old midfielder bound for Lyon after this tournament, forced Earps into a leaping save shortly after the restart before Russo was twice denied in quick succession. Chelsea’s Lauren James made her World Cup debut after replacing Hemp, just ahead of another nervy moment for England when Dumornay found Haiti skipper Nerilia Mondesir in plenty of space before Jess Carter recovered the ball. James tried to get something started by delivering a cross to Russo, who came close but saw her attempt tipped over the crossbar, before Bright skied an effort and Theus picked crosses from Alex Greenwood and James out of the air. On came Rachel Daly for Russo in the 76th minute as Haiti pushed for an equaliser, which nearly came via Roseline Eloissaint but for the outstretched foot of Earps to deny the substitute from 18 yards out. Carter’s well-timed challenge broke up another Haiti run into the Lionesses’ final third, with Earps able to punch away the resulting corner. The chances came for the Lionesses to double their advantage but never the finishing touch as England finished with the result, but probably not the performance, they wanted. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live England’s chances of winning fourth Ashes Test set back by rain Brian Harman hoping history repeats itself after claiming huge halfway lead Denise O’Sullivan hails ‘unbelievable’ Ireland fans at World Cup
2023-07-22 20:19
England edges Haiti 1-0 in a tough opener for the European champions at Women's World Cup
England has beaten Haiti 1-0 on a retaken penalty from Georgia Stanway in a difficult Women’s World Cup opener for the European champions
2023-07-22 19:54
Messi subbed on for Inter Miami debut before scoring injury-time winner
Watch the moment Lionel Messi was subbed on for his Inter Miami debut, before scoring a stunning free-kick winner against Cruz Azul deep in stoppage time. Seven months after the Argentine captain lifted the World Cup, all eyes were firmly on Florida as the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner made his eagerly anticipated first appearance in the US. Messi’s first match was certainly worth the wait too, as the legendary forward curled a stunning free-kick into the top corner of the Cruz Azul net with seconds to spare. His late heroics secured Inter Miami a 2-1 win in the Leagues Cup.
2023-07-22 19:25
Kenya's Faith Kipyegon shatters women's mile world record
Kenya's Faith Kipyegon smashed the women's mile world record by almost five seconds at the Monaco Diamond League on Friday.
2023-07-22 18:55
ECB to ask banks to provide weekly liquidity data to monitor their health - Enria
MILAN The European Central Bank (ECB) will ask banks to provide weekly liquidity data from September so that
2023-07-22 18:49
Rain delays start in 4th Ashes test, prospects gloomy for rest of day
Rain has prevented play from starting on time on Day 4 of the fourth Ashes cricket test between England and Australia
2023-07-22 18:49
Millie Bright: England women’s football captain in profile
With the Lionesses’ Euro 2022-winning captain Leah Williamson forced to miss out on the World Cup through injury, coach Sarina Wiegman has entrusted the responsibility for leading the team to experienced Chelsea centre back Millie Bright. Bright has been passed fit for England’s match against Haiti after recovering from knee surgery and the defender will lead the Lionesses in their Group D opener. Now 29, Bright grew up in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, overcoming infant pneumonia and asthma to enjoy a career as a top level athlete, although her first love was equestrianism, not football. Women’s World Cup LIVE: Latest updates as England face Haiti Showing early promise when she did take to the field aged nine, she was soon scouted playing for Killamarsh Dynamos by Sheffield United and joined their academy before moving to Doncaster Rovers Belles aged 16 in 2009. Making her debut that same year and scoring on her first start, Bright spent a year on loan at Leeds Ladies before establishing herself at Doncaster, where she played with future Lionesses Mary Earps and Bethany England. In December 2014, she signed for Chelsea and has remained with the West London club ever since, picking up four Barclays Women’s Super League titles, three FA Women’s Cups and reaching the UEFA Champions League Final, scoring 14 times across 218 appearances. For England, she was an essential part of the side that reached the semi-finals of the last FIFA World Cup in France in 2019 and of last summer’s triumphant Euros team. She has represented her country, to date, 66 times and scored five international goals, striking up solid defensive partnerships with Williamson and Houghton during that time and posing a significant aerial threat from set plays. Read More How to watch England vs Haiti: TV channel and start time for Women’s World Cup opener Women’s World Cup TV schedule: How to watch every match today Women’s football world rankings: Who could take No 1 at the World Cup?
2023-07-22 18:22
Ella Toone: England’s understated big game player in profile
Like international teammate Chloe Kelly, Manchester United midfielder Ella Toone will forever be remembered for scoring in the Euro 2022 final at Wembley last July. While Kelly’s winner and celebration made the headlines, in truth it was Toone’s equaliser that was the finer finish, the substitute staying onside to beat the German defence, latching onto an exquisite pass from Keira Walsh and delicately lofting the ball over Merle Frohms into an empty net. She had already netted a crucial equaliser against Spain in the quarter-finals of the same tournament when the Lionesses were beginning to look beaten and has since scored in another final for England, the Finalissima to be exact, setting her side on the path to a 4-2 win on penalties over the South American champions Brazil. Women’s World Cup LIVE: Latest updates as England face Haiti Growing up outside Wigan, Toone, 23, began her playing career with Astley and Tyldesley Girls, where she was spotted by United and drafted into its youth set up in 2007 at the age of just eight, her potential obvious even then. However, after finding her opportunities for advancement limited, she left in 2013 at 14 to join Blackburn Rovers, breaking into the first team in 2015 and scoring an impressive 13 goals in 20 appearances. Between 2016 and 2018 she was with Manchester City, but played for them just five times before returning to United for its inaugural season in the FA Women’s Championship. She has gone on to play 99 times for the Red Devils and score 34 goals, appearing to particularly relish turning out against Leicester, having scored four against them and then five over the course of two separate encounters in 2019. Like Rachel Daly, it was Phil Neville who first called her up for England duty and nurtured her talent at international level, work that has continued under Sarina Wiegman and which has seen her bag two hat-tricks in qualifying for the World Cup against Latvia and North Macedonia. She will be expected to start this time around in place of the injured Fran Kirby. Read More How to watch England vs Haiti: TV channel and start time for Women’s World Cup opener Women’s football world rankings: Who could take No 1 at the World Cup? FIFA Women’s World Cup fixtures and full schedule
2023-07-22 18:20