Gustavsson proud of Australia's response

Tue, 01 Aug, 2023

Gustavsson proud of Australia's response

Melbourne: Australia head coach Tony Gustavsson praised his players for showing maturity and determination to claim an impressive 4-0 victory over Canada and punch their ticket into the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Round of 16 on Monday.

Australia bounce back from their 3-2 defeat to Nigeria with Hayley Raso scoring a brace and Mary Fowler and Steph Catley netting one each against Olympic champions Canada to leave the packed Melbourne Rectangular Stadium in raptures.
 
The victory meant Australia finished top of Group B and they will face the Group D runners-up in the Round of 16 on August 7.

Perfect homecoming for Catley

Tue, 01 Aug, 2023

Perfect homecoming for Catley

Melbourne: With everything on the line for Australia, Steph Catley produced a captain’s performance to lead her country to a 4-0 victory against Canada in their final FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group B match at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on Monday.

Australia dominated from start to finish, taking a 2-0 lead thanks to Hayley Raso with Mary Fowler etching her name on the scoresheet in the second half before Melburnian and stand-in captain Catley added the fourth in added time to cap an impressive performance that sealed their place in the knockout stage as group winners. 

Ikeda the mastermind as Japan send warning

Mon, 31 Jul, 2023

Ikeda the mastermind as Japan send warning

Wellington: Japan head coach Futoshi Ikeda's coaching acumen was on full display in Japan's impressive 4-0 win over Spain in their FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group C tie on Monday. 

Spain, one of the pre-tournament favourites, went into the match at the Wellington Regional Stadium favoured to win but were blown away in blustery conditions by a tactically disciplined Japan who sealed top spot and a Round of 16 meeting with Norway on Saturday. 
 
While Ikeda went to great lengths to praise his players, it was obvious that victory was due to his well-laid plans with Barcelona stars Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmati reduced to being mere passengers with Spain not creating a single chance.

Group B: Draw with Ireland puts Nigeria through

Mon, 31 Jul, 2023

Group B: Draw with Ireland puts Nigeria through

Brisbane: Nigeria booked their place in the last 16 of the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 on Monday when they drew 0-0 with Ireland to finish second behind Australia in Group B.

They will now meet the winners of Group D as they recovered from a sloppy first half to get the draw they needed and reach the knockout stage for only the third time in nine attempts.
 
Australia beat Olympic champions Canada 4-0 in Melbourne to top the group.

Fabinho leaves Liverpool for Saudi Arabia's Al Ittihad

Tue, 01 Aug, 2023

Fabinho leaves Liverpool for Saudi Arabia's Al Ittihad

Riyadh: Brazil midfielder Fabinho has signed a three-year deal with Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad after completing his move from Liverpool on Monday.

The 29-year-old was left out of Liverpool's pre-season squads for trips to Germany and Singapore after Al Ittihad made a bid for him.
 
He will join Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kante at reigning Saudi Pro League champions Al Ittihad