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      Houghton hails sports psychologist boost for Lionesses and England’s bid to reach Women’s World Cup

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      STEPH HOUGHTON believes England having a new performance psychologist could help their quest for international glory. And the Lionesses skipper warns her team-mates need to be defensively disciplined against North Macedonia despite predictions of them trouncing the minnows. 
      Steph Houghton and her team-mates are targeting a win against North MacedoniaCredit: Getty
      England Women are aiming to qualify for the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New ZealandCredit: Getty
      Houghton, 33, was speaking ahead of England’s World Cup qualifier against the Macedonians tonight, their first game under new boss Sarina Wiegman.
      The clash comes days after the FA hired Dr Kate Hays as the team’s new performance psychology guru.  
      Houghton, who has worked with performance psychologists, said: “Getting the trust of the psychologist is really important for us going forward because we’re going to have some bad moments.
      “But we’re one hundred per cent going to have more good moments than bad. 
      “As soon as I got the armband I knew that it would be important to lean on someone, to talk about how I would be on and off the pitch. 
      “I was young when I first got given it and I knew there were going to be some tough times ahead, but also some really good times. 

      “I think it’s okay to speak out when you’re quite vulnerable and speak to someone that you trust. 
      “It’s always nice to have someone that’s quite neutral, and not really associated with the team.
      “Somebody who won’t be emotional with you and you can just bounce ideas off, explain your feelings to.”
      Hays, who advised Harlequins stars in the run-up to their 2012 Rugby Premiership triumph, will work as part of Wiegman’s support staff.
      For the England manager, Hays’ input will be important in terms of building the team’s resilience. 
      The former Netherlands boss is aiming to lead the Lionesses past the semis of a major tournament for the first time since 2009.
      Back then Hope Powell led the team to the final of the Women’s Euros where they were beaten 6-2 by Germany in Finland’s Olympic Stadium.
      Weigman, 51, said: “I talked to Kate and really clicked. What we want to do, is to get more team resilience, get some identity and have our values.
      Sarina Wiegman and England are aiming to finish top of their World Cup qualifying groupCredit: PA
      “It’s really nice to have a specialist who can bring in their qualities and knows about these things. 
      England’s duel with North Macedonia at St Mary’s will be their first match in front of fans since November 2019. 
      The encounter will also be the first of England’s Group D World Cup qualifiers with five matches more scheduled before the end of this year.
      And those clashes will be against Luxembourg, Northern Ireland, Latvia and Austria. 
      North Macedonia – who are 123 places below the Lionesses who are eighth in Fifa’s rankings  – are yet to win a game this year.
      The best teams are those that absolutely love keeping clean sheets and no matter who we play, whether it’s North Macedonia or one of the best teams in the world, it’s important that we get in that habitSteph Houghton
      And they suffered two heavy Euros qualifying losses to France in September and October last year including an 11-0 trouncing. 
      Despite these results, Houghton expects the Lionesses need to be shrewd in defence.
      And gaffer Wiegman, 51, was tight-lipped as to who she intends to start in her side or whether she intends to experiment with a youthful line-up.  
      Houghton said: “The best teams are those that absolutely love keeping clean sheets.
      Houghton expects England to keep a clean sheet against North MacedoniaCredit: PA
      “No matter who we play, whether it’s North Macedonia or one of the best teams in the world, it’s important that we get into that habit.
      Wiegman added:  “We’ll start with the game with what I think will be the best team. 
      “And we’ll see what we think is needed, who we want to see and what the score is and then decide what we’ll do.

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      Sarina Wiegman addresses Lioness fans after she arrives at St George’s Park More

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      The Taliban’s thrown women’s football into darkness again and those who bravely fought to play it are now wise to flee

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      DURING their previous reign of terror, the Taliban found the stadium in Kabul useful for publicly cutting off the heads of people they did not approve of.It is possible one of those heads belonged to the father of Nadia Nadim, who escaped Afghanistan with her mother and four sisters and now plays football for Paris Saint-Germain.
      Nadia Nadim previously escaped Afghanistan and now plays for PSGCredit: Rex
      The Taliban have seized control of the country which is bad news for women’s footballCredit: AP
      There was no forgiveness in the last regime.
      Neither should we expect any from this one, so it was wise of the women’s international football squad to flee in a hurry while Kabul’s airport was still open to acts of such mercy.
      They will be much, much safer hiding away in Australia although heaven help their families back home. Whichever heaven you might believe in.
      According to their version of Sharia Islamic law, Taliban men are superior beings, allowed to behave to women in ways from which baboons would shy away.
      They put up with football, just so long as it is played by men.
      The country itself is in love with cricket although I doubt if an invitation will be forthcoming to their Test team to play at Lord’s any time soon.

      Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan is rated the finest spin bowler in the world and the likelihood is the 19-year-old will be welcomed home with fondest prayers.
      He’s one of the lucky few from his country, male, relatively free and such a star he can earn a fortune playing cricket.
      Zaki Anwari will never have a shot at fame.
      An international footballer, he panicked when the West began to desert his country and was killed trying to escape by boarding a moving USAF rescue airplane.
      His desperation was a condemnation of the religious fanatics who have usurped his country.
      The treatment of other competitors was a pointer to a fear-riddled future.
      The compulsory withdrawal of two female athletes from the Paralympic Games also spoke of utter disregard for human rights today.
      Khalida Popal, who founded the women’s national soccer team, said: “All these years we have worked to raise the visibility of women and now I’m telling my women in Afghanistan to shut up and disappear.
      “Their lives are in danger.”
      ‘TALIBAN LEADERS GENERALLY HATE SPORT’
      Time and again sport has become a great leveller but Taliban leaders generally hate it.
      Speaking from Copenhagen, where she now lives, Popal added: “Female players should take urgent steps to remove all trace of their sporting history.
      “I’m calling them and telling them, take down their names, remove their identities, take down their photos for their safety.
      “Even I’m telling them to burn or get rid of your national team uniform.
      “That is painful for me, for someone as an activist who stood up and did everything possible to achieve and earn that identity as a women’s national team player.
      “To earn that badge on the chest, to have the right to play and represent our country, how much we were proud.”
      No doubt on sufferance, only a week ago the title decider in the Herat Premier Football League was held between Attack Energy Club and Herat Money Changers.
      And games were allowed by the previous Taliban regime under their own rigorous terms.
      These included wearing tracksuit bottoms or something similar.
      ‘DIFFERENT KIND OF DARKNESS’
      A visiting Pakistani team were punished for wearing shorts by having their heads shaved.
      They are likely to be more lenient with cricket and already there is talk of a T20 match against Pakistan next month.
      But it will be a different kind of darkness that stops women’s play for who knows how long.
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      Arsenal to host Women’s Super League clashes against Chelsea and Tottenham at the Emirates

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      ARSENAL will hold two of their biggest WSL London derbies at the Emirates Stadium next term.  The club will take on Chelsea on the first day of the new season in September before facing Tottenham at the home of their men’s side in March 2022.
      Arsenal’s WSL players will take on Chelsea and Tottenham at the EmiratesCredit: Getty
      The Gunners’ season opener against the Blues is expected to kick-off at 3 pm on Sunday 5 September with their duel with Tottenham set for March 27. 
      However, the club says these dates could be subject to changes.  
      Arsenal’s first top-flight game at the Emirates this year follows their friendly defeat of the WSL champs in August.
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      The clash will see the return of fans of the side who finished third in the league last term behind Chelsea and title runners-up Manchester City. 
      And it could see Gunners’ debuts for England and Japan stars Nikita Parris and Mana Iwabuchi and Norway midfielder Frida Maanum, who joined the club this summer. 
      Arsenal chief Vinai Venkatesham said: “These games provide us with an exciting opportunity to showcase our world-class talent to more people than ever before; both through the matches at Emirates Stadium and also as a result of the new WSL broadcast deal.
      “Arsenal Women is one of the most successful teams in the history of the women’s game and everyone at the club is really looking forward to the coming season, with the aim of making this another successful campaign.” 
      Tickets for the Gunners’ game against Chelsea are due to go on sale on Wednesday 11 August.
      Their match with the Blues will see the club play their first domestic league fixture under new boss Jonas Eidevall. 
      Arsenal will play their first WSL game under Jonas Eidevall when they face Chelsea in the leagueCredit: Getty

      The Sweden-born gaffer, 38, became the team’s new head coach in June following Joe Montemurro’s departure at the end of the last season.  
      Eidevall’s appointment follows his three-year spell in charge of Swedish women’s side Rosengard.
      The Arsenal chief led his former side to a league title win in Sweden’s top women’s football division in 2019 and a Swedish Cup triumph in 2018.
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      Canada and Sweden get new venue and kick-off time for Tokyo Olympics football final following USA bronze win

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      CANADA and Sweden’s gold medal clash in the Olympic women’s football final has been moved to the evening due to worries over Tokyo’s scorching midday heat. The duel which was due to commence on Friday in Japan’s capital at 11:00 local time will start at the later slot of 9:00 pm – which is 1:00 pm UK time. 
      Bev Priestman’s Canada side will play Sweden in the Tokyo Olympics women’s football finalCredit: Rex
      And the encounter will be held in Yokohama amid concerns about the quality of the pitch at Tokyo’s National Stadium where the match was expected to take place. 
      The Guardian reports that high temperatures expected around the early kick-off time had prompted worries from both teams regarding the health of their players. 
      It is claimed that the early kick-off slot was chosen as a result of broadcasters in the USA wanting to show the match on television if their women’s national side reached the finals. 
      The time change for the game, reportedly approved by the International Olympic Committee and Fifa has been welcomed by Sweden boss Peter Gerhardsson who described it as a “very good decision”. 
      And via her Twitter account, Sweden and Chelsea goalkeeper Zecira Musovic said: “To even consider playing a final at 11:00 local time in Japan is a direct danger to the players’ health due to extreme weather conditions.
      “Once again money talks way too much in a discussion that should not be a discussion.”
      At a press conference, Canada head coach Bev Priestman added: “I think the (kick-off time) change makes absolute sense in terms of the spectacle of the game and what it can be. 
      “For anyone tuning in around the world it will be a much better game because of it and I can’t wait to get going.”  
      The clash will see Sweden and Priestman’s Canadian side battle for their first Gold medal Olympic win a day after the USA’s 4-2 bronze triumph against Australia. 
      And it could potentially see Priestman, 35, who is a former Lionesses’ number two, claim her first major tournament win ten months after becoming head coach of the world’s eighth-best women’s football team. 
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      Her side, which includes Chelsea’s Jessie Fleming, Tottenham’s Shelina Zadorksky and Man City’s and West Ham’s Janine Beckie and Adriana Leon,  claimed a major scalp in beating the USA in the contest’s semis. 
      The 1-0 victory under the Durham-born coach was Canada’s first win against their neighbours in 20 years. 
      Priestman added: “I feel really excited and very privileged.”
      Chelsea and Sweden star Magda Eriksson could end up going head-to-head with her Blues team-mate Jessie FlemingCredit: Rex

      “I knew going into our game against that if we just believed it would go our way and it did.   
      “There is a feeling that I get from this group, this hunger and desire. 
      “I have got no doubt that they see Gold and they want to get Gold.”
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      Hope Powell’s Brighton kick-off WSL season with Amex clash against West Ham

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      BRIGHTON will begin their fourth term in the Women’s Super League with a clash against West Ham. The game will take place at the Amex Stadium with WSL fans set to return to watch the team this season. 
      Brighton will take on West Ham in their first WSL match at the Amex since November 2019Credit: Getty
      And the contest will start at 2:00 pm on Sunday 5 September with tickets going on sale on August 7. 
      Albion, who finished sixth last term, will be targeting a higher spot in the table in a season that will see WSL games aired on Sky Sports and the BBC as part of a landmark three-year TV deal. 
      The last time Hope Powell’s aces played at the Amex was back in November 2019 with 4,310 fans turning up to watch them trounce Birmingham 3-0. 
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      And Covid restrictions saw the club play the majority of last term’s games behind closed doors at the People’s Pension Stadium – home of League Two outfit Crawley. 
      Brighton boss Powell, 54, said: “We have only had a couple of games at Crawley with supporters present in the last 18 months so to be able to have a big crowd in at the Amex for the first game of the new season will be brilliant.
      “We look forward to welcoming them back and to seeing as many Albion fans there as possible to get behind the team and making it a memorable occasion for the club.
      “It’s such a big season for the WSL with a new broadcast deal and the increased profile that will bring to the women’s game and plus, of course, the (Women’s) Euros in England next summer as well.
      “Our first game of the season at the Amex is going to be a fantastic occasion and we’re really looking forward to it.”
      Albion’s encounter with the Irons could see boss Powell give debuts to summer signings Danielle Carter and Rinsola Babajide. 
      Former Arsenal forward Carter, 28, joined the club in July on a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee following a one-season spell at Reading last term.
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      And the striker, who won three FA Cups and three WSL titles with the Gunners, netted four goals in 25 Royals appearances last season. 
      Meanwhile, Babajide, 23, sealed a one-term loan switch from Liverpool. 
      The former Millwall striker was named Player of the Season following her first term with the Reds from 2019 to 2020. 
      Former Reading striker Danielle Carter could make her Brighton debut against West HamCredit: Getty

      And the London-born forward was part of an England side who finished third in the Under 20 Women’s World Cup in 2018. 
      Powell added: “We achieved our highest WSL position (last season) and we’re in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, but we want to push on this season and get better. 
      “Any additions to our squad have got to add value to what we’ve got and in Danielle and Rinsola that is definitely the case.”
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      Megan Rapinoe chokes back tears after USA’s shock first loss to Canada in 20 years in Tokyo Olympics semi-final

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      MEGAN RAPINOE fought back tears as she reflected on Canada’s defeat of the United States with Chelsea’s Jessie Fleming netting the winner.   And the USA superstar paid a touching tribute to team-mate Carli Lloyd following the surprise 1-0 result in the Olympics women’s football semis in Japan. 
      Megan Rapinoe and the USA were beaten by Canada who will face Sweden in the Tokyo Olympics Women’s football finalCredit: Rex
      The goal was scored in the 74th minute of the clash at the Kashima Stadium after Tierna Davidson fouled Canada sub, Deanna Rose, in the penalty box. 
      And the result saw the four-time Gold medallists miss out on qualifying for the finals for the second successive Games. 
      The team, who have won four World Cups, were beaten by Sweden in the quarter-final stage of the 2016 Olympics in Rio in Brazil.  
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      Rapinoe, 36, told NBC: “We never want to lose to Canada. I don’t think I’ve ever lost to Canada. 
      “There’s still a lot to compete for. That’s what I told the girls. It’s not the colour we want but there’s still a medal on the line. It sucks.
      “Obviously not our best game. Not our best tournament. We didn’t have it today. 

      “Too many errors from us. I felt like the space was there for us. We just couldn’t get into it.”
      Before the clash, the USA had not lost a football match to Canada in 20 years. 
      The team, managed by Vlatko Andonovski, have won five of their last six encounters against the Canadians going back to the London Olympics in August 2012. 
      We want to send everybody out on the happiest note and we weren’t able to do that todayMegan Rapinoe
      The encounter between the sides at the 2012 Games saw the US seal a dramatic 4-3 win with Rapinoe on the scoresheet.
      And the OL Reign star, who was part of the US team that won Gold at the London Olympics, was seen comforting Carli Lloyd, 39, following the loss to the Canadians in Tokyo.
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      When asked how she felt after what could be the pair’s last Olympics playing alongside each other Rapinoe added: “We’ve been in this a long time together. 
      “We are both closer to the end than the beginning and we’ve both shared moments on the field, not that many sad moments, but a few.
      “It’s tough. She’s one of the greatest players to pull this jersey on. 
      “Who knows, it might not be her last Olympics, but it probably is.
      “We want to send everybody out on the happiest note and we weren’t able to do that today.”
      Rapinoe hopes the Tokyo Games will not be Carli Lloyd’s last Olympics appearance as a USA playerCredit: Rex

      Canada, managed by former England Women’s number two Bev Priestman, will face Sweden in a duel for the Gold medal on Friday. 
      That clash will see Chelsea ace Fleming go up against her Blues team-mate and skipper Magda Eriksson at Tokyo’s Olympic Stadium.   
      And the USA will take on Australia in a battle for Bronze on Thursday at the Kashima Stadium.
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      Arsenal ace McCabe expects Gunners’ fight for silverware after friendly defeat of WSL champs Chelsea

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      KATIE MCCABE reckons Arsenal’s quality can help them in their battle for trophies with the Gunners targeting their first silverware win since 2019. And the midfield ace is expecting big things from the club who face Tottenham in a pre-season clash before a Champions League qualifier against Kazakhstan side Okzhetpes. 
      Katie McCabe believes Arsenal Women has enough quality in their squad to win silverware this seasonCredit: Getty
      The Republic of Ireland international, 25, was speaking to Arsenal’s web site following the team’s 2-1 pre-season win against Chelsea at the Emirates. 
      Goals from the midfielder and rising starlet Freya Jupp, 17, were enough to seal the victory with 16-year-old Reanna Blades netting a solitary effort for the Blues.  
      The Gunners’ last major trophy was back in the 2018-19 season with the club clinching their third Women’s Super League title. 
      McCabe, who joined Arsenal from Shelbourne in 2015,  said: “Last year we didn’t compete for any trophies. 
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      “We secured the Champions League but a club like Arsenal needs to be up for trophies, so we’re progressing to do that this year. 
      “You can see the quality we’ve got in as well, so we mean business this season and we want to start that with the pre-season games moving into the season.
      “There are big things coming to this team.”
      McCabe, who signed a new long-term deal with Arsenal back in May, was among the standout performers for the Gunners alongside Jupp, new signing Frida Mannam and England ace Jordan Nobbs.
      The team were without Vivianne Miedema, Caitlin Foord and summer signings Nikita Parris and Mana Iwabuchi with all four away at the Tokyo Olympics.  
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      The Gunners are currently waiting on the outcome of medical checks on Nobbs, 28, who was stretchered off with an ankle injury after a collision with Chelsea’s Erin Cuthbert. 
      The team were playing their first game under new management with assistant coach Aaron D’Antonio in the dugout and boss Jonas Eidevall, 38, currently undergoing quarantine following his arrival from Sweden.  
      McCabe expects Arsenal to be vying for major honours this season with the club competing in the Champions LeagueCredit: Getty

      However the manager is expected to join his players this week ahead of their trip to Spurs and their clash with Okzhetpes at the Sapsan Arena in Russia. 
      McCabe added: “He was giving us his team talk via Zoom, so that’s a first but it’s COVID times so what’s new? 
      “He’s been great and the staff have been really supportive in making things as easy as possible for us players.”  
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      Former Birmingham manager Marc Skinner becomes Manchester United Women’s boss

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have hired Marc Skinner as head coach of their women’s side ahead of their second term in the WSL. The 38-year-old’s appointment follows Casey Stoney’s departure as Red Devils gaffer at the end of last season following her three-year spell in charge.  
      Marc Skinner has become Manchester United Women’s new head coach
      The Basildon born manager, 39, who led the club to a historic top-flight promotion in 2019, became the new head coach of US women’s club San Diego in July.  
      Skinner’s move will see him take up Man United’s reins after a two-year stint as head coach of National Women’s Soccer League team Orlando Pride. 
      The former Solihull College Academy manager will lead a Red Devils side who narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification after finishing fourth and a point behind Arsenal last term. 
      Skinner said: “I’m looking forward to working closely with the staff and this talented group of players. 
      “Our focus is to build on everything they have already achieved in the women’s game.
      “It’s an exciting opportunity to lead the team into what will be another competitive WSL season; I want us to achieve success together and our aim is to give the fans a team they can continue to be proud of.”
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      Ed Woodward, Man United’s vice chair added: “Marc is a coach with proven pedigree in the WSL and we are delighted he is joining the club and returning to the league after his recent time in the US. 
      “Our commitment to the continued development and success of the Women’s team is total, and we see Marc’s appointment, along with the talented squad and players recruited this summer, as key to that process.”
      Skinner began his career in football coaching at Solihull College in 2013 before taking charge of Birmingham Women’s youth team in the 2015-16 season.
      Prior to his 2019 switch to America Skinner enjoyed a three-year spell in charge of Birmingham City’s senior women’s side where he was credited for revamping their style of play.
      And the former Brum boss earned praise for leading the club to the 2017 Women’s FA Cup final where they were defeated by Manchester City. 
      Since 2019 Skinner had been leading an Orlando side whose players include two-time World Cup winner Alex Morgan and Brazil heroine Marta.  
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      And the club is currently seventh in their division having won four, lost four and drawn four of the 12 games they have played so far in the 2021 NWSL season. 
      Skinner’s United appointment comes in the week during which the side announced the signing of former West Ham striker Martha Thomas.
      The Scotland international joined the club on a two-year deal until the end of the 2022-23 season with an option to extend for a further year.
      Martha Thomas has joined Man United following a two-season spell at West Ham from 2019 to 2021Credit: Getty

      And the forward 25, netted four goals in 16 WSL appearances for the Irons last season.
      Thomas said: “I want to be enjoying my football again and I’m looking forward to challenging myself in this environment and being part of an attacking team where I can express myself. 
      “My focus right now is on settling in and putting in the hard work at training, but I can’t wait for the season to start and to see all the fans back in the stadium.”
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