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FWWC: Unlucky Asian Tigresses, Japan Bow to Sweden in the Quarters 2-1.

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Arsenal Defender, Amanda Ilestedt scored the curtain raiser from the fourth blocked free kick by the Japanese Defenders which rebound rolled to her and her bullet shot went through a forest of legs into goal. It was her 4th goal at the tournament as she scored two goals against Italy and one against South Africa.

The Swedish second goal was from a penalty from a corner kick that went up the arms of Nagano. VAR had to stop the game and upon verification, Manchester City’s Filippa Angeldel who is using a pain killer to play the match having received a knock in the round of 16 neatly tucked in the penalty at 51st minute.

Sweden’s dream of a new world record of four consecutive clean sheets in a single tournament was first threatened by a penalty kick awarded Japan when Janogy brought down Ueki who plays like Dr. Felix Owolabi of Nigeria and Shooting Stars, very difficult to be brought down in the box,. The resultant penalty kick by Ueki was played into the cross bar and was saved. Hayashi who came from the bench made it 2-1.

The dent to the dream came in the 87th minute when Sweden failed to clear their lines neatly in a goal mouth scramble and West Ham United player, Hanoka

Japan mounted insurmountable pressure on the Swedish Defence especially in the last 20 minutes of the game but the Swiss babes survived the onslaught. It became the second time lost in the knockout stages of the world cup against European opponents as the Tigresses of Asia lost to Netherlands in 2019. And the Japanese wept refusing to be consoled like the woman who wept in the Biblical Rama for her children. They were gallant in battle.

Sweden has now made their 5th semifinal at the world cup. It is the first time Sweden will reach consecutive semifinals in 2019 and 2023.

SWEDEN WILL MEET SPAIN IN THE FIRST SEMIFINAL ON TUESDAY 15TH AUGUST AT EDEN PARK IN AUCKLAND AT 0900 HOURS.

Japan with nickname Nadeshiko is making her 9th appearance and were champions in 2011 at Germany where she beat USA 3-1 on penalties after 2-2 draw; were Silver Medalists at Canada 2015 where she lost to USA 5-2 at Vancouver; made quarterfinal at Sweden 1995 and the round of 16 at France 2019.

Sweden the giant killers defeated USA 5-4 on penalties after a goalless full time in the round of 16. Earlier on 23rd July defeated South Africa 2-1 on 23rd July; pounded Italy 5-0on 29th July and also crashed Argentina 2-0 on 2nd August all in the group matches.

Sweden never won the trophy; they were runners-up at USA 2003 and lost to Germany 1-2 at extra time. Sweden won Bronze three times at China 1991; Germany 2011 and France 2019. She was at the quarterfinals twice at Sweden 1995 and USA 1999 but was also at the round of 16 at Canada 2015.

Both sides met at the 2011 world cup on 13th July and Japan won 3-1; Japan won again on 20th June 2012 1-0; both played goalless draw on 28th July 2012; Japan rallied a win 2-1 on 10th March 2014; Sweden won on 21st July 2016; on 20th August 2020 Japan again won 2-0 and on 30th July 2021 Sweden was victorious 3-1.

It is their fourth quarterfinal of Japan at the world cup. Japan lost 0-4 to USA in 1995; won 1-0 over Germany in 2011 and got 1-0 victory over Canada in 2015.

Japan has lost five of six games played at the world cup knockout stages against European sides with the only defeat from Netherlands 1-2 in the round of 16 at France 2019.

Sweden is playing her 7th quarterfinal match at the world cup. Only USA and Germany both in eight appearances beat their record.

The other two quarterfinal matches shall be decided on Saturday August 12. Co-hosts Australia will slug it out with France at Suncorp Stadium at 0800 hours with South African Ref, Victor Gomes in charge.

At 1130 hours plying at Stadium Australia will be the Lionesses of England that defeated Nigeria and the Power-Puff girls of Columbia with Ref Mark Geiger of USA in charge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Eniola Olatunji

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Business

Chris Kolade Leadership Award Loading As KMEN Sets for MegaSummit 2026

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Kingdom Men Global Network aka KMEN has formally announced the programmes of the 13th edition of its flagship annual gathering for men, Mega Summit.

 

This year’s event will open on Thursday May 14 and end on Sunday May 17 with an all-men musical concert.

The 2026 edition of Mega Summit which will hold at the Presken Hotels on Alade Avenue opposite Airport Hotel, Ikeja Lagos has as theme: Legacy…Faith. Family. Community. And for the first time Mega Summit will host an award on the opening day in memory of foremost Nigerian diplomat and integrity personified and pioneer Chairman of the Board of Trustee of KMEN, late Dr Christopher Kolade who died last year at the age of 92.

The KMEN-Christopher Kolade – Men in Leadership Award for Courageous Manhood will be heralded by the Men in Leadership Summit (MiLEADS) with the sub-theme – Building a Culture of Leadership with Integrity. And will have as speakers Archbishop John Osa-Oni of Vineyard Christian Ministries., Pastor Tunde Bakare of The Citadel Global Community Church, and renowned Pharmacist, entrepreneur and politician Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, OFR.

 

Pastor Tunde Bakare

Day two will feature another special session for Men in Church Leadership (MiCLEADS) with the sub-theme: Leaving a Legacy of Faith/Discipling for the Next Generation, and will have as speakers Bishop Sunday Onadipe, Bishop, Methodist Church of Nigeria, Diocese of Badagry, Apostle Eyinnaya Okwuonu, former Chairman of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Lagos Chapter., Pastor Dominion Roberts from Liberia, and Rev Fr Matthew Ogunyase of the Catholic Mission, Lagos.

While day three will open with a Special Town Hall discussion on Family with the sub-theme – The Father’s Role in Shaping Legacy and is the only mixed gender panel for Mega Summit 2026 featuring foremost life change coach, Mrs. Yemisi Lagunju and Rev David Abraham, who is the managing director of Managing Business for Christ (MBFC).

On Saturday is a Special Town Hall on Resisting an Emerging Legacy of Addictions. This segment will feature a presentation by Dr Dokun Adedeji on the ravage of Drug Addictions, alongside Abiose Akolade Ladipo, Co-Founder of GamblePause, a Lagos-based NGO in the fight against Gambling Addictions.

Later in the afternoon on Saturday is a second Town Hall session on Business and Economy with the sub-theme: Building Sustainable/Generational Businesses, and will feature notable panelists like Rev Professor Biodun Adedipe Founder of BA and Associates, and Rev Dr Abba Peter, Managing Director of Best Practices Limited, among others.Other Town Hall segments at Mega Summit 2026 include that on Politics/Governance with the sub-theme: Swimming Against the Tide – National Transformation through Service, and another Town Hall on Media featuring Mr. Mustapha Isah Osikhekha, former President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Omoba Deji Irawo and others as they navigate best way to Reclaim the Narrative: Legacy in Digital Spaces.

An extra-ordinary edition, the 13th edition of Mega Summit will also have segments designed to equip leaders in men’s ministry through the instrument of KMEN’s School of Men’s Ministry/ISI Training. Each day of Mega Summit 2026 is divided into three segments – morning starting at 9 am, afternoon session and evening climaxing with an impartation service.KMEN is an uncompromisingly Bible-based, independent ministry to men. Established nearly two decades ago, the ministry’s objective is to assist men, irrespective of their church affiliations, in their Christian Walk, that they may become better sons, brothers, husbands, fathers and leaders.

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MU Plans Casemiro’s £80m Replacement

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Manchester United are ready to spend in the region of £150million to sign three central midfielders this summer if there is enough room in the transfer budget.

 

Daily Mail Sport understands that United have earmarked around £80m for a marquee signing to replace Casemiro, who will leave at the end of his contract despite hopes among some fans that he could extend his stay at Old Trafford.

United know their No 1 target Elliot Anderson is likely to cost in excess of £100m, and Manchester City are in pole position to sign the Nottingham Forest star.

Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace, Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali and Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni are other names in the frame, although United’s interest in Tonali has cooled slightly and Tchouameni wants to sign a new contract at the Bernabeu.

United are prepared to spend around £40m on another midfielder to replace Manuel Ugarte if they can get a reasonable price for the Uruguayan who cost £50m from Paris Saint-Germain two years ago.

West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes has emerged as a player of interest, and Bournemouth duo Alex Scott and Tyler Adams would also fall into that category.

Despite tying Kobbie Mainoo to a new long-term contract, United could strengthen their squad by signing a third midfielder for about £20m. It’s understood that scouts have been monitoring the progress of Southampton’s Shea Charles.

However, it will depend on how much money is available with United expected to bring in a left-sided forward, left-back, central defender and a reserve goalkeeper in the summer.

The club will have considerably more to spend after confirming their return to the Champions League by beating Liverpool on Sunday, which is worth in excess of £100m.

United also hope to bank significant transfer fees for Rasmus Hojlund, Marcus Rashford, Andre Onana, Ugarte and, possibly, Joshua Zirkzee while creating additional space on the wage bill by offloading Casemiro, Jadon Sancho, Tyrell Malacia and Altay Bayindir.

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International News

Doku insists On League Victory Despite Everton Draw With Man City

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Jeremy Doku insisted Manchester “will keep on fighting” in the Premier League title race despite their “painful” draw with Everton on Monday.

 

City drew 3-3 with the Toffees at Hill Dickinson Stadium, with Doku scoring a 97th-minute equaliser, having also scored the opening goal.

Doku’s equaliser (96:49) is City’s third-latest goal on record (since 2006-07) in a Premier League game after John Stones’ strike against Arsenal in September 2024 (97:14) and Gabriel Jesus’ goal against Everton in February 2019 (96:52).

Doku has had a hand in six goals across his last five games for City in all competitions (four goals, two assists), as many as in his previous 22 games combined (one goal, five assists).

The Belgian also created the most chances in the match against Everton (four), completed the most dribbles (5/7) and won the most duels (14/19).

City avoided defeat in a Premier League game despite trailing by 2+ goals as late as the 82nd minute for the first time since March 2012 against Sunderland (3-3).

They went on to win the league title in 2011-12, and Doku believes City can still beat Arsenal to the trophy this season.

“First half, we played well and created a lot of chances. We know if we don’t score those chances, it is going to get difficult at the end,” said Doku.

“Obviously, they are at their own stadium, they create chances, and they are dangerous, and they scored two goals, but I think we gave them the game.

“Good that we came back because one point is not bad in games like this.

“We will see. It feels painful now. There is still a lot of games to go. We lost two points, but we know that one point can be important at the end.

“We will keep on fighting. We owe it to ourselves and to our fans.”

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