List of All Articles with Tag 'f'

Breaking down the Open Championship cut rules for the 2023 British Open to see how many players will make the cut at Royal Liverpool.One of the most fascinating aspects of The Open Championship among many is the scores that can be put up and, subsequently, the cut line that ends up coming around...

Protestors shut down Sebonack Golf Club.

A look at the group stage tiebreakers at the 2023 Women's World Cup.

The Braves have stunningly lost four straight games and five of their last six, but which players are most to blame for the recent decline in Atlanta?Just based on the standings, the Atlanta Braves aren't necessarily in trouble. They still hold the best record in MLB at 61-33 and are miles ...

A look at the college that has won the most Heisman Trophies.

Australia get away with it, Ireland will feel they should have got something. Both can take some encouragement from their opening game of the Women’s World Cup, while England can take encouragement from how beatable these possible last-16 opponents look. This absorbing first game for the co-hosts was so much more engaging than a single penalty from Steph Catley and a narrow 1-0 suggested. Some of that might have been down to Sam Kerr’s injury for the opening two matches. The truth is it makes Australia a completely different team. That’s also why it could have been a lot worse for the hosts. A proud if frustrated Ireland would have felt they should have had so much better, though. Many would certainly have expected worse going into this game. Australia have been seen as potential champions, a huge wave behind them, and significant momentum. That might return with Kerr, but it is for now a disruption, an uncertainty. It also can’t be discounted that nerves could have added to that. The context was key to all of this. This was the biggest match the hosts had ever played, the move to Stadium Australia symbolising that. It was also the biggest match Ireland had ever played, since it was their first ever World Cup game. They rose to that to add to Australia’s issues. Ireland have always been a defensively drilled team under manager Vera Pauw but, as befitting the occasion, there was an escalation. It wasn’t just the team giving more. There was more to the approach. It often felt as if a good defensive unit evolved into systemic hard challenges, reminiscent of a Diego Simeone side. Australia, already missing Kerr and the manner she naturally links the entire team together through her central attacking role, were further disrupted and broken up. There was little fluency to their play. There couldn’t be. Ireland were too disruptive. Louise Quinn was one of a few Irish players meeting everything at the back but it went right up the pitch. Arsenal’s Katie McCabe was typically willing to lead the way. She was so committed she suffered injury to her fingers, but was also fortunate not to be further sanctioned for a particularly abrasive challenge on Hayley Raso. Their encounters on the left developed into a proper battle, mostly in the right way - although not without some edge. The issue was maybe how the use of McCabe took away from some of her edge, but it was necessary against a superior side. It just always carries some risks of its own. There was almost a Chekov’s tackle just before half-time, when Marissa Sheva went in very heavily on Katrina Gorry. Ireland were always on the brink of giving something more on way, even as they attempted to give up no space. The only surprise was maybe how early it came, given that it looked like it was going to become one of those matches where the home side were forced to the limits of their patience. As it was, shortly after half-time, Australia lofted a ball forward. If Raso’s position in the box was anticipated, less likely was that it was Sheva marking here. The forward had her hands all over Raso’s back and the Australian finally had the recompense for a lot of punishment in the game. Her team had a badly needed penalty. Catley stepped up, the atmosphere suddenly ratcheting up. The delay only added to the nerves. Catley didn’t show any. She hammered the ball right into the top corner. Australia had their reprieve and, temporarily, enjoyed a release. There was an extended spell when they were enjoying much more space around the Irish box. That only served to show, however, how much they miss Kerr. Australia had about 10 minutes when Ireland looked affected by the goal but couldn’t maximise it. Pauw’s team in turn sensed this and really picked it up. They began to get at the hosts, to get around them. McCabe’s superb set-piece deliveries were constantly causing problems. For one, the ball fell back to Heather Payne in a free position near the penalty aree, only for the winger to swipe at it. It said enough that Australia goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold was already time wasting by this point. It actually meant there was more time for anguished chances for Ireland. As late as the 96th minute, the ball fell back to McCabe, only for the team leader to not fully get behind the shot. She immediately got behind a brilliant cross, though, that Louise Quinn could only head wide. Australia were relieved. Ireland could take huge pride, and they will surely challenge Canada and Nigeria for second place in this group - and maybe a knock-out game against England. Australia, however, take the three points. It’s a start. It could have been worse for the hosts, but it needs to get a lot better. Read More Women’s World Cup 2023 LIVE: Australia defeat Ireland after Sam Kerr blow as New Zealand stun Norway Women’s World Cup teams: Every squad and key players to watch What TV channel is the Women’s World Cup on? How to watch every match

“We’ve been fighting for this for so long,” Ali Riley said, smiling through the tears. The New Zealand captain had waited more than most, winless at her four previous World Cups, part of a run that stretched back even further than that. Without a victory in 15 attempts at the tournament, New Zealand entered their own World Cup with unwanted history hanging over them. Facing Norway in their opening match, that winless run was expected to continue. How Hannah Wilkinson’s goal changed that. In a stunning upset, New Zealand altered the narrative, providing the World Cup with its first shock that will ripple not just in Group A but throughout the tournament. With a victory in their most difficult game of the group stages, New Zealand can now set their sights higher and target a place in the knockouts. They will have momentum on their side when they face Switzerland and the Philippines. Such moments can change expectations, as well as perceptions. It had been noted before kick-off that while pre-tournament excitement and buzz was palpable in Australia, particularly in Sydney ahead of the Matildas’ opening game against Ireland, in New Zealand it was far more low-key. Compared to the neighbours, New Zealand hadn’t generated the same interest in terms of tickets sold across the country. A reason for that is because Australia can win the World Cup. As hosts, they are aware of the opportunity they have to change society, as shown by England’s historic win at the Euros last summer, and are inspired by the chance to provide the country its biggest sporting moment since Cathy Freeman and the 2000 Olympics. Having an international star like Sam Kerr creates hope that such an achievement can be possible. New Zealand aren’t there yet - but they will now believe they can make that change happen, as well. “We had a clear goal that we wanted to inspire young girls, young people in this country and around the world and I think we did that tonight,” the 35-year-old Riley said. A moment such as Wilkinson’s goal, which came after a fine breakaway and cross from the forward Jacqui Hand, can be the spark, and not just for them. There are eight teams who will be making their World Cup debuts over the next week, and with the same fundamentals of organisation and commitment that New Zealand showed in restraining Norway, they too will hope to close the gap to the established nations. New Zealand had the advantage of being a host country, even if preparations for their opening match would have been disrupted by the shocking news of a mass shooting in Auckland on the morning of the tournament. But in front of a sold-out crowd of over 42,000 at Eden Park, New Zealand lived up to the role of underdog hosts superbly. For a team who had gone 10 games without a win until beating Vietnam before the World Cup, they were motivated by the occasion and upset the odds. Norway had the star quality - in Ada Hegerberg, Caroline Graham Hansen, Guro Reiten and Frida Maanum - but New Zealand believed in the collective. Riley led the way as she marked Graham Hansen out of the game - there was only one moment midway through the first half where the Barcelona star found the space to burst away, but the defender tracked it, shutting down the cross. When Norway had other half-chances, New Zealand found the blocks they needed. It’s an upset that asks questions of Norway, of course, after their shambolic group-stage exit at the Euros last summer. Hege Riise was brought in to repair the damage, but Norway were still far too open and unorganised in defence, while lacking cohesion in attack. “There have been a lot of doubters because of the results we had, but we believed,” Riley said. Now others at the World Cup will feel that too. Read More Australia relief after Women’s World Cup opener reveals significance of Sam Kerr injury Women’s World Cup teams: Every squad and key players to watch What TV channel is the Women’s World Cup on? How to watch every match New Zealand squad stayed calm after hearing of Auckland shooting Australia relief after World Cup opener reveals significance of Sam Kerr injury Women’s World Cup teams: Every squad and key players to watch

Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino has discussed Christopher Nkunku's position after he came on as a striker in their 5-0 pre-season win against Wrexham.

Today's USMNT news includes Weston McKennie being linked with Atalanta.Alan Sonora has been offered to Nacional andLennard Maloney has said he wants to represent the Stars and Stripes.USMNT news: Weston McKennie to AtalantaIt was reported that Juventus had frozen out Weston McKennie. Howeve...

Daniel Ricciardo has admitted he is daring to dream about a return to Red Bull ahead of his Formula One comeback at the Hungarian Grand Prix. Ricciardo’s career looked to be all but over after he was dumped by McLaren following two underwhelming seasons with the British team. But the popular 34-year-old has been handed a second chance, replacing Nyck de Vries at Red Bull’s junior team AlphaTauri for the concluding dozen rounds of the year, starting at the Hungaroring on Sunday. Ricciardo impressed during a test at Silverstone for Red Bull last Tuesday, and given Sergio Perez’s torrid run of form – which has seen him fall 99 points adrift of team-mate Max Verstappen – AlphaTauri’s move to hire the Australian will fuel speculation that he could land a return to the team which carried him to seven of his eight victories. And speaking at the world champions’ packed motorhome on Thursday, Ricciardo said: “The dream is a Red Bull seat, but there is no ‘this is what you need to do’ to achieve that. “Given what has happened over the past few years and taking time off, I knew it would be hard to get back in at the top. “Of course that was my wish, but you need to be realistic, and if I want to get back into Red Bull it will be a process, and this is the best path for me at the moment. “You know what they are like here. They are not telling me to take it easy, they want me to show them what I have got, but there is no criteria. “And in terms of expectations there are none. I want to be in the moment, enjoying it, and not thinking too far ahead.” Ricciardo’s reputation in the sport is on the line following his poor period with McLaren which saw the British team move to cancel his contract. Ricciardo failed to land a seat for the 2023 campaign and instead elected to return to Red Bull as a reserve driver. But he might struggle to impress with a team rooted to the foot of the constructors’ table, taking just two points from the first 10 races. However, Ricciardo added: “Over the past few years, I started falling into a trap where I believed the car does not suit me and you can be your own worst enemy. I know this car will have limitations but I will work with that. “Getting this opportunity is a chance to make things better. That is why I am excited to get back behind the wheel and show my true self. “I had enough time off to reset and also enjoy it again. Six months ago, I wasn’t at a place to jump at an opportunity like this but that has been the luxury of time. “I have fallen in love with it again and I feel myself in an environment that provides me with a lot of nostalgia, so when the opportunity came along it was like, ‘let’s try it’.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live How does Max Verstappen and Red Bull compare to the greats of Formula One? Lando Norris ‘honoured’ to join Lewis Hamilton in battle for Formula One glory Lando Norris calls finishing runner-up at British Grand Prix ‘pretty insane’

Here are five players that could move away from Brazil in big transfers in the near future.

The latest roundup of Barcelona transfer rumours, including news on their pursuit of Joao Felix, interest in Harry Kane, Franck Kessie's possible sale and more.