List of All Articles with Tag 'f'

Former England and Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard announced his retirement from international football on this day in 2014. Gerrard was one of the best midfielders of his generation, making 114 appearances for England, which places him fourth on the men’s all-time list. But while he regularly tops fan polls as Liverpool’s greatest player, Gerrard rarely hit the same heights for England during his 14-year international career. His decision came after England’s dismal showing in the 2014 World Cup, where Roy Hodgson’s side crashed out at the group stage after defeats to Italy and Uruguay and a 0-0 draw against Costa Rica. Gerrard was handed his debut by Kevin Keegan aged 20 in a 2-0 win over Ukraine at Wembley in 2000 and was named in the squad for the European Championship later that summer, coming on against Germany in the group stage. It was against the Germans that he bagged his first goal the following year, a memorable strike in a famous 5-1 World Cup qualifying win which, along with two strikes at the 2006 World Cup, made for arguably his best moments in an England shirt. He would have had a place in history as the only Englishman to play in four World Cups had injury not kept him out of the 2002 tournament in Japan and South Korea. On a personal level he enjoyed a fine England career, captaining his country 38 times and scoring 21 goals. But the disappointing 2010 and 2014 World Cup campaigns – England exited the latter in Brazil bottom of their group and without a win – were tough for Gerrard to take and, like the rest of the ‘Golden Generation’, he retired without a major international honour. He went on to play another season for Liverpool in 2014-15, becoming the third player to make 500 or more Premier League appearances for one club after Ryan Giggs and former team-mate Jamie Carragher. He joined LA Galaxy in 2015 and made 19 appearances for the Major League Soccer club before announcing his retirement as a player in November 2016, aged 36. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

The ninth Fifa Women’s World Cup is under way as Australia and New Zealand co-host the 2023 tournament. England enter the World Cup as one of the favourites as the Lionesses look to build on their victory at the European Championships last summer by winning the game’s biggest prize. They have reached the semi-finals on their last two World Cup appearances in 2015 and 2019 and will be dreaming of going one step further here – although manager Sarina Wiegman has had plenty of injuries to contend with in the build-up. The United States are the favourites and are looking to win their third consecutive World Cup, while there are also high-calibre teams representing Spain, France and Germany. Australia are the more likely of the host nations to deliver glory on home soil. Games will be staged in six stadiums across five Australian cities (Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne and Sydney) and four cities in New Zealand (Dunedin, Auckland, Hamilton and Wellington). The final will take place in Sydney’s 81,500-capacity Stadium Australia, which was built for the 2000 Olympic Games and is currently used as a rugby venue. Here are the pre-tournament odds to win the World Cup: USA 5/2 England 5/1 Spain 5/1 Germany 8/1 France 14/1 Australia 15/1 Sweden 19/1 Netherlands 22/1 Brazil 25/1 Japan 33/1 Norway 33/1 Canada 40/1 Denmark 66/1 New Zealand 100/1 Portugal 100/1 China 200/1 Italy 200/1 Switzerland 250/1 South Korea 250/1 Colombia 250/1 Rep of Ireland 500/1 Argentina 500/1 Zambia 500/1 Haiti 500/1 Nigeria 500/1 South Africa 1000/1 Jamaica 1000/1 Costa Rica 1000/1 Panama 1000/1 Morocco 1000/1 Vietnam 1000/1 Philippines 1000/1 Odds via Oddschecker Read More Women’s World Cup teams: Every squad and key players to watch Women’s World Cup odds: Who are favourites to win the tournament? What channel is the Women’s World Cup on? How to watch every match Women’s World Cup LIVE: Canada held by Nigeria before Spain in action

Steph Catley’s penalty earned co-hosts Australia a narrow victory over the Republic of Ireland in front of a record home crowd after captain Sam Kerr was ruled out of their first two matches at the Women’s World Cup due to injury. Catley took the armband from Kerr after the star forward was sidelined by a calf injury picked up in training on the day before the tournament, and the stand-in skipper converted a second-half spot-kick to ensure Australia made a winning start to the World Cup in front of over 75,000 fans at the Sydney Olympic Stadium. Earlier, co-hosts New Zealand claimed their first ever World Cup win, at their 16th attempt, as Hannah Wilkinson’s goal shocked group favourites Norway at a sold-out Eden Park. It was also a record attendance for New Zealand, men’s or women’s, with a crowd of over 45,000 there to celebrate a historic victory at the tournament. The kick-off to the World Cup came just hours after a mass shooting in Auckland that killed two people and wounded six. But the World Cup will “proceed as planned” and New Zealand prime minister Chris Hipkins said there was no risk to national security. Follow the latest World Cup scores, updates and news in today’s live blog Read More Why Australia’s Women’s World Cup opener felt different New Zealand’s historic moment gives Women’s World Cup the spark it needed How to watch every Women’s World Cup match on TV

Christine Sinclair missed a penalty and the chance to make World Cup history as Olympic champions Canada were held to a 0-0 draw by Nigeria on Friday. Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie secured a valuable point for Nigeria, leaving Group B wide open, as she saved Sinclair’s penalty in the 50th minute at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium. Sinclair is bidding to become the first player to score in six World Cups. It means both teams trail Group B leaders Australia after Steph Catley’s penalty earned the co-hosts a narrow victory over the Republic of Ireland on the opening day. New Zealand claimed their first ever World Cup win, at their 16th attempt, as Hannah Wilkinson’s goal shocked group favourites Norway at a sold-out Eden Park. Day two sees Switzerland take on World Cup debutants Philippines before Spain face Costa Rica in the opening match of Group C. Follow the latest World Cup scores, updates and news in today’s live blog Read More Australia relief after Women’s World Cup opener reveals significance of Sam Kerr injury New Zealand’s historic moment gives Women’s World Cup the spark it needed How to watch every Women’s World Cup match on TV

Dalvin Cook's free agency journey could be complicated by a court filing alleging his lawyers offered $1 million to the woman who claims he abused her.When it comes to football, Dalvin Cook looks like perfect addition to every running back-needy team in the league. But football isn't t...

We've found it, Los Angeles Lakers fans -- the worst LeBron James take of all time.LeBron James is the most scrutinized player in NBA history. Call him the G.O.A.T., call him the G.O.A.T. runner-up, call him overrated, it doesn't really matter. There's no denying the level of medi...

When the Philippines' soccer team faces Switzerland in a few hours time on Friday at the Women's World Cup, they'll be the first team of any gender from the Southeast Asian nation to make it to the tournament -- boosted by a contingent of dual US nationals players.

Michigan football's rivalry dominance recently has Ohio State feeling jumpy, especially with news of open practices and the specter of Jim Harbaugh spies.The rivalry between Michigan football and Ohio State football doesn't need to be rational. It just needs to be passionate. And it de...

Few hand gestures invite more scrutiny than the 'Horns Down' celebration/taunt. With the Texas Longhorns moving to the SEC, the conference has rendered a verdict on the legality of the controversial motion.The Texas Longhorns are set to join the SEC in 2024, further bolstering the most...

Hong Kong’s billionaire Cheng family has assumed control of a casino resort in Vietnam from the former listed

The annual tradition of Toronto Blue Jays fans taking over T-Mobile Park has an added element of intensity this season after the Seattle Mariners' team store traded in the usual blue and gold of the home team for the blue and white of Blue Jays merchandise, much to the anger of Mariners players...

Aaron Rodgers and the Jets need Breece Hall to pick up where he left off before his ACL injury. It looks like his speed certainly hasn't been impacted.When Aaron Rodgers decided to throw his lot in with the New York Jets, he wasn't signing on to play for a bottom-dweller or even mid-ti...