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New Zealand Women in the Woods for Soccer Glory against Norway in Opening Match.

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Co-hosts, New Zealand is searching for her fist win at any women world cup final in five appearances as the team has never won a game or gone beyond group stage yet has her first match against former Champions Norway in the opening match of the tournament on Thursday 20th July at the Eden Park Stadium, Auckland.

New Zealand was there in 1991; 2007; 2011; 2015 and the last tournament in 2019 but made zero impact.

Six times New Zealand met Norway but had only a win on 9th April 2019 at 1-0. She lost thrice; 27th November 2014 0-2; 10th March 2020 1-2; and 25th June 2022 0-2. She earned two draws against Norway on 5th April 2019 1-1; and another 1-1 on 25th November 2014. All matches were international friendly matches.

Norway has a better record in 8th appearances of 1991; 1995; 1999; 2003; 2007; 2011; 2015 and 2019 meaning the Norwegians appeared in every competition from 1991.

Norway was runners-up in 1991 when she beat Sweden 4-1 in the Semifinal and lost to USA 1-2 in the final. Norway won at Sweden 95 after pummeling Nigeria’s Super Falcon 8-0 in the group B games winning all matches to top the group where England was 2nd, Canada 3rd and Nigeria 4th. Norway piped USA 1-0 in the semifinal and lashed Germany 2-0 in the finals before a crowd of 17,158 fans in the match handled by Ref Ingrid Jonsson of Sweden.

In 1999, Norway lost to China 0-5 in the semifinal but lost the Bronze Medal to Brazil via penalty shootout after a goalless match 4-5. In 2007, in China, Norway lost to Germany 0-3 in the semifinal and again lost the Bronze medal 1-4 to USA.

It will be a Herculean task for the Coach Jitka Klimkova Australian girls to beat Norway in the early morning match of Nigerian time. It will be like a Cyclist having to climb his bicycle up Olumo Rock in Abeokuta, Ogun State of Nigeria.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Eniola Olatunji

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International News

Barca Transfermarket Values: Raphinha, 8 Others Drop, 3 Players Rise

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June 5th, Transfermarkt updated. The new market values of Barcelona players. Three players increased and nine decreased, with Raphinha dropping by 10 million to 70 million euros.

 

Increase (Euros)
Joan-Garcia increased by 5 million to 45 million

Eric-Garcia increased by 5 million to 40 million

Gerard-Martin increased by 10 million to 35 million

Decrease (Euros)
Raphinha decreased by 10 million to 70 million

Kounde decreased by 5 million to 60 million

Balde decreased by 5 million to 50 million

De Jong decreased by 10 million to 35 million

Casado decreased by 2 million to 18 million

Christensen decreased by 1 million to 8 million

Cancelo decreased by 1 million to 8 million

Lewandowski decreased by 1 million to 7 million

Szczesny decreased by 100,000 to 800,000

Unchanged (Euros)
Yamal 200 million

Pedri 150 million

Fermin 100 million

Cubarsi 80 million

Olmo 60 million

Ferran Torres 50 million

Rashford 40 million

Gavi 30 million

Bernal 30 million

Araujo 20 million

Bardghji 15 million

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International News

Man City Threaten Legal Action Over Erling Haaland!

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Man City are considering taking legal action after a Real Madrid presedential candidate said he would sign Erling Haaland, if elected.

 

What actually happened?

Real presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme, who faces current president Florentino Perez in Sunday’s vote, claimed on Spanish TV show El Hormiguero on Wednesday night that Haaland had a release clause and wants to move to the Bernabeu. He also held up a Real shirt with ‘Haaland 9’ on the back.

Riquelme, who also promised to sign Haaland’s City team-mate Rodri, said: “If I break my promises regarding either of these players, I’ve signed a guarantee where I’d pay 100 per cent of membership costs for next season.

“Haaland has a release clause, and he wants to come to Madrid.”

What was City’s response?

However, Manchester City have moved quickly to refute those claims, saying in a statement that there is “no chance” Haaland will be leaving the Etihad Stadium any time soon. The Premier League club also said they are considering legal action over the shirt stunt.

A City spokesperson said in a statement: “The stories which have emerged from Spain regarding the future of Erling Haaland are untrue.

“There is no chance of this happening and there is no contractual clause to enable it.

“We are considering legal action for the use of our player image in this context.”

Haaland is under contract at the Etihad until the summer of 2034 and Haaland’s agent Rafaela Pimenta and his father Alfie Haaland laughed off suggestions the 25-year-old could soon be heading to the Spanish capital.

A joint-statement released in the early hours of Thursday morning said: “All very entertaining but not true. We wish all the best for both candidates in the Real Madrid elections.”

What was Perez’s response?

Meanwhile, current Real president Florentino Perez made his own election pledge on Wednesday night, seemingly confirming Jose Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid as manager, if he wins next Sunday’s presidential election.

Perez posted a video on X in which Mourinho features in a Real shirt saying: “Yes”, while the only other words to accompany it say: “Meanwhile, on TV, they just keep talking and talking and talking. So much history to be made.”

The video was posted in response to Riquelme’s TV apperaance promoting his rival bid.

Perez has made no secret of his intention to name Mourinho as head coach should he win the vote and remain for an eighth term in the role, but his social media post appears to have made it official.

Mourinho is widely expected to agree a three-year-deal to return to the Bernabeu Stadium and replace Alvaro Arbeloa, who was appointed in January after Xabi Alonso’s departure.

Benfica have yet to confirm Mourinho’s departure, while speculation has been mounting that Marco Silva is being lined up as his successor after the Portuguese announced he will leave Fulham when his contract expires in June.

Real Madrid’s presidential election on Sunday will be decided by the club’s members. It is the first contested election since 2006 as club members will choose between incumbent Perez, 79, and businessman Riquelme, 37.

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International News

Liverpool Legend Sir Dalglish Down With Cancer! 

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According to an official statement from Liverpool, Liverpool legend Sir Kenny Dalglish has been diagnosed with cancer and is currently undergoing treatment.

 

Sir Kenny Dalglish posted an update on social media today. The full text is as follows:

The news was leaked when I accidentally posted something due to a slip of the hand. I am currently receiving treatment for cancer. Although I am clumsy with my phone, the treatment is progressing well.

This matter was intended to be handled privately and not disclosed to the public, but I am not very good at using digital devices and accidentally leaked the news.

I never intended to make my illness public, and I urge all parties to respect my privacy and that of my family, and to refrain from disturbing us.

As always, I thank the medical staff, who not only took meticulous care of me but also consistently upheld the principle of confidentiality, diligently protected countless patients, and honored their profession.”

Liverpool officials stated: All staff at Liverpool Football Club will send their best wishes and support to Sir Kenny Dalglish and his family, now and in the future. The club also echoed his request, calling on the outside world to respect his privacy.

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