Anissa Lahmari scored from a penalty rebound in the added time of the first half hand Morocco a win over Colombia and secure them a ticket to the next round of the FIFA Women’s World Cup.Morocco has become the first Arab nation to reach the knockout rounds of the FIFA Women’s World Cup following a result, that also sees them complete history for Africa as for the first time, the continent has three representatives in the knockout round.Needed to better the result of Germany in the other game, fortune shone on the North African when So-Hyun Cho latched onto a…
Author: Kehinde-Hassan Afolabi
Erik Ten Hag’s first season has its good and bad moments, but by the standard set at the club lately, it’s fair enough to conclude it was a success.It was even better when you add that Manchester United won their first silverware in more than five years, following the win over Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final, back in the end of February.The club also reached the final of the Emirates FA Cup but unfortunately, they could not get the better of their city rivals, Manchester City, who completed a double en route to winning a treble.With his first…
For the first time in the history of Jamaica, the country has reached the knockout round of a FIFA senior tournament, just like South Africa’s Banyana Banyana earlier in the day.It came at the expense of South American giant, Brazil, who did it all but score in a goalless draw inside the Rectangular Stadium in Melbourne.Jamaica, who had managed to hold off France in a goalless draw and beat Panama in their second game, needed to avoid a defeat to secure make history and managed to hold off Brazil to earn their needed point.Despite their 18 shots attempted with eight…
Banyana Banyana made history as they become the first ever South African team to reach the knockout round of any FIFA senior tournament, be it Men’s or Women’s.After their inconsistency costed them in their opening two games, which saw the drop five points from winning position against Sweden and Argentina, Desiree Ellis’ minions needed a win against Italy to progress.They were not helped at the start of the mouth-watering winner takes all game as they were pegged back earlier on, when Italy were awarded a penalty following a clumsy Dhlamini challenge on Beccari.Arianna Caruso made no mistake from the spot…
Lauren James registered five goal contributions as the Lioness of England crush China in their final group game to maintain a 100 per cent run in the FIFA Women’s World Cup.Sarina Wiegman’s side stormed into an early lead inside the opening four minutes as Alessia Russo scores her first goal of the tournament, turning before finding the near post after a pass from Lauren James.The lead was doubled, four minutes before the half hour mark with James again assisting another goal for the European Champions. This time, it is Lauren Hemp who got on the end of a through ball…
Needed to win by telling margins to finish as group winners ahead of the United States and the Netherlands took that too personal, by recording the biggest win so far in this edition of the tournament by thrashing Vietnam, 7-0.Four goals inside the opening 25 minutes from Lieke Mertens, Katja Snoeijs, Jill Roord and Esmee Brugts, who scored one of her two goals.Debutant, Vietnam, were no match for their rampant opposition and could not help succumb to pressure every now and then. To suppress the situation, Duc Chung Mai was forced into making two defensive change before the half hour…
A lot will be expected of Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal when the new season gets up and running, starting from their English football curtain raiser meeting with Manchester City in the FA Community Shield early August.The Gunners came desperately close to ending their 19-year wait for a Premier League title last season when they went toe to toe with Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in a two horse title race.Unfortunately, it was not meant to be. So far this summer, the club has responded in a sensational fashion in the transfer window, sealing the signing of three players ready to walk into…
Following a goalless draw in their final group game against the RepublicofIreland, Nigeria representatives in the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup, Super Falcons progress from Group B as runner-up to co host, Australia.Forward Asisat Oshoala missed two great chances, one in either half while Uchenna Kanu forced a very good save off the Republic of Ireland Goalkeeper, Courtney Brosnan moments after the restart.Despite being the lowest ranked nation in the group, Nigeria finished the group campaign with an unbeaten record, while also keeping two clean sheets in the three games played.The result takes Randy Waldrum’s side up to five points,…
Japan walloped Spain by four goals to nothing to seal passage into the round of 16 as winners of Group C, leaving the European nation to claim second spot.Despite dominating for most part of the game, Spain were no match for their clinical and energetic Asian opponent, who stormed into an early lead through Hitana Miyazawa inside the opening 12 minute.The lead was doubled one minute before the half hour mark as Riko Ueki scored her second goal of the ongoing tournament from a Miyazawa assist.Ueki repaid the favour five minutes from the end of the normal time of the…
As if the shockers were not enough for the first round, the second round of group games in the FIFA Women’s World Cup kicked off to another one of the unexpected.Of the highlights, Nigeria win a first ever game from losing position for the first time in the country’s history while Morocco also enjoyed an historical moment in their win over South Korea, which was also their first ever in the tournament.Banyana Banyana of South Africa disappointed having surrendered a two goal lead against Argentina but Zambia reached the lowest of lows as they were again humbled in another 5-0…