List of All Articles with Tag 'al'

Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos has showered the summer signing Arda Guler with praise for his start to life in Spain on and off the pitch.

ACL injuries have already influenced the Women’s World Cup with the contenders weakened after a number of key players were ruled out in the build-up to the tournament in Australia and New Zealand. Players are asking why the injury has been so prevalent in women’s football, including glaring omissions of Netherlands forward Vivianne Miedema, England's Leah Williamson and Beth Mead, Canada's Janine Beckie and rising USA star Catarina Macario in this tournament. And now the Lionesses will be forced to sweat on the health of Keira Walsh, who suffered a knee injury to be forced off against Denmark. The Barcelona midfielder was taken off on a stretcher, replaced by Laura Coombs, and appeared distraught, covering her face with her hands. "I'm devastated for her to be honest,” said Ellen White on BBC Sport. “She's been one of the best if not the best player for England. She knew it didn't look good. She'll be a big miss. Laura has come in, I'm devastated for her." While Jonas Eidevall added that the dry pitch may have contributed to the injury: “It's a danger to player welfare to have such a dry pitch. It's not good enough. I'm a big advocate of watering the pitches, it makes the ball go faster and stops situations like this.” USWNT midfielder Andi Sullivan, who tore her ACL in college at Stanford, believes it is a “multifaceted issue” hurting the game. “I don’t know if I’m the expert in it, even though I’ve experienced it,” said Sullivan. “There’s so many different factors that could contribute to that and I think we are a little bit behind on the research as to why, so hopefully now the prevalence will kind of wake people up,” Sullivan added. “This is an issue we need to pay attention to and look more into preventing and how to handle it better.” Last year it was estimated that nearly 60 players in the world's top professional women's leagues were sidelined because of anterior cruciate ligament injuries. Among them was Spain's Alexia Putellas, who injured her ACL just before the Euros last July. Putellas, who will play for Spain at the World Cup, partnered with FIFPRO, the international players' union, to call attention to the outbreak of ACL injuries and demand a closer look at possible contributing factors including workload, medical care, field conditions and even equity. Studies have shown women are up to eight times more likely to suffer ACL injuries in sports involving sudden changes of direction, like soccer and basketball, than their male counterparts. Dr. Mark Cullen, the team physician for the University of New Hampshire who specializes in orthopedic surgery, says women have wider hips which impacts knee mechanics. “They also tend to land a little bit more stiff-legged and don’t absorb the forces as well as their male counterparts, and that puts more force on the ACL and contributes to the tears,” Cullen said. Katie Rood, who plays professionally in Scotland, was hoping to make New Zealand's roster and play in soccer's biggest tournament on home soil. But she recently announced that she had joined the “ever-growing ACL club.” “It’s been an interesting process so far and one I’m sure I’ll learn a lot from, especially as it’s a serious issue in the women’s game. What’s hit me quite hard in this situation is just how many times I’ve been asked ‘Is the club looking after you?’” she wrote. “It’s a reminder that health care and medical treatment isn’t often the norm in the women’s game and we all know of players being left to fend for themselves after getting seriously injured with their clubs.” Rood, however, praised her team for their support. Miedema won’t be ready in time to help the Netherlands when it returns to the Women's World Cup after finishing as runner-up to the United States four years ago in France. She is one of four players from Arsenal in the Women’s Super League currently sidelined by ACL injuries. The list includes Williamson, who tore her ACL in April. When Arsenal’s Laura Wienroither tore her ACL earlier this month, Miedema posted on social media: “At least we will all be in the gym together. PS. ACL group is full now. Please no more.” Five of the nominees the 2022 women's Ballon d’Or — Putellas, Miedema, Macario, Mead and France’s Marie-Antoinette Katoto — all sustained ACL injuries last year. Mead, who won the Golden Boot at the Women's Euros last year, was left off England's 23-player roster for the World Cup. “We have to take care of players and do what’s smart, and not do what’s a little bit naive,” England coach Sarina Wiegman said. Having already lost Katoto, France was dealt another ACL blow when Delphine Cascarino tore her ACL while playing for Lyon. Lyon teammate Macario, one of the most promising young U.S. attackers, tore her ACL last June. Macario rehabbed at Aspetar, a specialized sports medicine facility in Qatar, but announced in May that she wouldn't make it back in time for the World Cup. Aside from the mechanics, there's an emotional toll that such long-term injuries take on athletes. For some, it means the loss of a paycheck, for others it may be that their careers stall or are cut short. Others miss out on chances to play in the World Cup. Tierna Davidson, who plays for the Chicago Red Stars in the National Women's Soccer League, tore her ACL last March. She said the injury and the rehab helped her appreciate her career. “At the beginning, I felt like I was impatient and I was frustrated. When is this going to be over?” Davidson said. “But I think throughout the process, I really learned how to be patient and how to listen to myself and allow myself the space to enjoy the good things, which is important when you’re going through something like that.” Read More England vs Denmark LIVE: Women’s World Cup latest score after Lauren James goal and Keira Walsh injury Why are England wearing black armbands today? Who are the BBC World Cup commentators? Alex Scott, Fara Williams and full list of pundits Laura Coombs: England’s unlikely midfield general in profile Women’s World Cup groups: A comprehensive guide to each squad Women’s World Cup TV schedule: How to watch every match today

Ajax director Sven Mislintat offers an update on the futures of Mohammed Kudus & Edson Alvarez.

England are back in action with their second Women’s World Cup 2023 against Denmark in Sydney. Sarina Wiegman made two changes from the side that started in the 1-0 victory over Haiti. Lauren James and Rachel Daly started at the Allianz Stadium, with the former curling a beautiful opener for the first Lionesses goal since the Finalissima against Brazil. England’s players could be seen wearing black armbands for the Group D match. The move is a gesture and tribute to the late Trevor Francis. Millie Bright was also wearing an armband to celebrate Indigenous People. The former England striker, who was the first £1 million player, died on Monday, aged 69. A picture and a message for Francis was also seen on the big screen at the Allianz Stadium. Francis earned 52 England caps across a legendary career playing for Birmingham City, Nottingham Forest, QPR and Sheffield Wednesday. Read More England vs Denmark LIVE: Women’s World Cup latest score as Lauren James curls in Lionesses opener Who are the BBC World Cup commentators? Alex Scott, Fara Williams and full list of pundits Women’s World Cup TV schedule: How to watch every match today

Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds has messaged under-fire Manchester United goalkeeper Nathan Bishop to thank him for the way he responded to injuring Wrexham’s Paul Mullin, the PA news agency understands. The fiercely ambitious League Two new boys ran out 3-1 victors against the Red Devils’ youngsters on Tuesday evening at sold-out Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego. Wrexham rallied after losing Mullin to what proved to be a punctured lung sustained when Bishop accidentally collided with the striker after racing off his line in the opening stages. The 23-year-old goalkeeper was booed mercilessly from that point and the Red Dragons boss Phil Parkinson fumed about the “dangerous challenge” – inflammatory post-match comments that angered United. By contrast there was gratitude to their former goalkeeper Ben Foster, who went into the Red Devils dressing room to support Bishop and put him in contact with fan favourite Mullin. The pair have since exchanged messages. Furthermore, it is understood that famous owner Reynolds – forced to watch the match from the UK due to filming commitments – also got in contact with the United goalkeeper. The Hollywood actor thanked Bishop for the way he dealt with the incident and wished him luck for the future in an unprompted message. Wrexham complete their US tour against Philadelphia Union II on Friday and United round off their time Stateside against Borussia Dortmund in Las Vegas on Sunday. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

England continue their Women’s World Cup campaign against Denmark in a crunch Group D clash in Sydney. The Lionesses got their tournament underway with a narrow 1-0 win against Haiti, but they were reliant on a Georgia Stanway penalty and a key save from Mary Earps as Sarina Wiegman said her side lacked “ruthlessness” in front of goal. The European champions, who have now not scored a goal from open play in three matches, will need to improve as they take on Denmark and their star forward Pernille Harder. Denmark also got off to a winning start as they edged China 1-0. Both teams will be looking for improvement as well as a place in the knockout stages. Victory in Sydney would put England on the verge of the last-16, with China facing Haiti in the other match in Group D later today. Follow the latest World Cup scores, updates and news in today’s live blog Read More How to watch England vs Denmark: TV channel and start time for Women’s World Cup fixture Sarina Wiegman must take chance to reset England’s World Cup bid Darts, colouring in and 1,000 bags of Yorkshire tea: Inside the Lionesses’ World Cup den Women’s World Cup schedule: How to watch every match today

England continue their Women’s World Cup campaign against Denmark in a crunch Group D clash in Sydney. The Lionesses got their tournament underway with a narrow 1-0 win against Haiti as Sarina Wiegman said her side lacked “ruthlessness” in front of goal. LIVE! Follow coverage of England vs Denmark with our blog Denmark also got off to a winning start as they edged China 1-0, so both teams will be looking for improvement as they target a place in the knockout stages. Wiegman hinted that England are likely to make changes for Denmark, who are led by former Chelsea forward Pernille Harder. Here’s everything you know as the Lionesses continue their World Cup campaign What time is England vs Denmark? The Group D match will kick off at 9:30am BST on Friday 28 July at the Sydney Football Stadium. What TV channel is it on? England vs Denmark will be shown live on BBC One and on the BBC iPlayer, with coverage starting from 9am. England’s final group-stage fixture is against China on Tuesday 1 August and will be shown on ITV, with the match starting at 12pm BST. Should England make it through to the round of 16, their fixture will be shown live on the BBC. Click here for the full World Cup TV guide. Team news Sarina Wiegman has a fully fit squad and the manager has hinted that she will make changes to try and spark the Lionesses into life. Wiegman, who did not make any changes to her starting line-up during the Euros, could bring in Lauren James and Rachel Daly in attack. The back-four is likely to remain the same, with Millie Bright partnering Jess Carter and Lucy Bronze and Alex Greenwood at full-back, in front of goalkeeper Mary Earps. Keira Walsh will shield the back-line alongside Georgia Stanway, England’s goalscorer against Haiti, in midfield. Ella Toone, Lauren Hemp and Chloe Kelly face competition from James, while Daly could be preferred to Alessia Russo. Predicted line-up Earps; Bronze, Bright, Carter, Greenwood; Walsh, Stanway; Kelly, James, Hemp; Daly Read More Sarina Wiegman must take chance to reset England’s World Cup bid Darts, colouring in and 1,000 bags of Yorkshire tea: Inside the Lionesses’ World Cup den Women’s World Cup schedule: How to watch every match today

On a September night in California aboard the superyacht “Aviva,” one of the UK’s richest men sat down

What the papers say Executives at Bayern Munich have flown to London to try and convince Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy to sell Harry Kane, according to the Telegraph. The German club will reportedly submit a bid worth around £86million for Kane. Paris St Germain are said to have been close to agreeing a deal with Tottenham but Bayern is Kane’s preferred destination of the two clubs. Bayern are also interested in Manchester United’s David De Gea and Brentford’s David Raya, the Times said. The Evening Standard says Chelsea have had another bid rejected, this time for 20-year-old Marseille striker Elye Wahi. The Blues offered the French club £24million. Former Everton midfielder and now free agent James Rodriguez looks set to join Sao Paulo on a free transfer, the Sun reports. Social media round-up Players to watch Sofyan Amrabat: 90 Min says Manchester United are in talks with the 26-year-old Moroccan midfielder at Fiorentina as they look to move Fred out of the club. Mohammed Kudus: Chelsea have suffered another transfer blow with the 22-year-old Ajax midfielder choosing Arsenal over the Blues as his preferred club, according to Football Transfers. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

Sergio Aguero completed a move to Manchester City from Atletico Madrid, on this day in 2011. The Argentina international arrived at the Etihad Stadium on a five-year contract in a transfer worth £35million. The transfer went down as one of the best in the club’s history as Aguero went on to win five Premier League titles, whilst being responsible for one of the greatest moments in the club’s history. Aguero did not feature in pre-season or their Community Shield defeat to neighbours Manchester United, instead he was made to wait for his debut but made an instant impact with a brace against Swansea in a 30-minute cameo. His goals were a sign of things to come and Aguero finished his first season in the Premier League by securing City a 3-2 victory over QPR with a winner in the fourth minute of stoppage time that won them the title on the final day of the 2011-12 campaign. At the end of the following campaign, Aguero signed a new deal with City and more titles followed in 2014 and 2018 alongside three League Cup triumphs. During the 2017-18 campaign, Aguero surpassed Eric Brook’s club record of 177 goals with a strike away to Napoli in the Champions League. But injuries started to impede the Argentinian and – after more League Cup and title success – it was announced the 2020-21 season would be his last at the Etihad. Two goals on his final appearance in a 5-0 win over Everton brought Aguero’s overall tally for City up to 260, capping his City career with another Premier League crown. He was denied the perfect send off following defeat to Chelsea in the Champions League final in his last appearance before joining Barcelona. But Aguero’s career was unfortunately cut short after experiencing discomfort in his chest. Aguero tasted success on an international level after he helped Argentina to the Copa America and was recognised by City in May with his own statue outside the Etihad Stadium. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Day two of fifth Ashes Test: England in need of quick wickets Matthew Hudson-Smith insists he is fit for Budapest despite troublesome ‘niggle’ Harry Brook hails ‘decent’ first day as England look to level Ashes

MLB Rumors: Could the Braves trade for Marcus Stroman?The Atlanta Braves' biggest hole, at least right now, is in the rotation. They could use another starting pitcher. There are not many of them available and the market, which forced the Los Angeles Angels to pay a premium for Lucas Giolito ...

The game between the Nationals and Mets on July 27 was thrown into a delay with the bases loaded. Check here for updates on the Mets rain delay.The Nationals and Mets almost made it through Thursday's game without weather getting in the way. But almost only counts in horseshoes and hand gre...