Women’s football

Subterms

    More stories

    • 275 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      ‘I’m playing with a smile on my face. A lot has changed for me since the Euros’, says England striker Rachel Daly

      by

      RACHEL DALY believes she is in the form of her career following a storming first season at Aston Villa before the World Cup. And the WSL’s Golden Boot winner is in “a better place mentally” following her move home after a decade playing in the USA.
      Rachel Daly hopes to replicate the form that won her the WSL’s Golden Boot when England compete in the World CupCredit: Reuters
      Daly has been included as one of seven forwards in Sarina Wiegman’s 23-strong Lionesses squadCredit: Alamy
      Daly netted 22 goals in 22 games for Aston Villa in the WSL last seasonCredit: Getty
      Daly was speaking on the first day of England’s training camp at St George’s Park a month before the start of their push for World Cup glory in Australia.
      The Leeds-born striker, previously deployed as a full-back by England boss Sarina Wiegman, has been on fire in front of goal. 
      Her form for Carla Ward’s Villa saw the team finish fifth in the Women’s Super League  with Daly bagging 22 goals in 22 games.  
      She said: “A lot has changed for me personally since the last tournament (the Euros.)
      Read More Football Stories
      “I’ve moved home and I’ve been away for 10 years so I think mentally I’m in a way better place.
      “I needed to be home and playing in this league (the WSL) was something that I wanted to do and revisit again.”  
      The Lionesses’ will face Haiti in their Group D opener which comes just under a year after Daly’s Villa move following six seasons with Houston Dash. 
      In 2013 she swapped her career in England for a fresh challenge in the United States joining Los Angeles Strikers from Lincoln Ladies.  
      Most read in Football
      She would go on to sign for Houston in 2016 captaining the team to their first trophy win when they lifted the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup.
      Daly’s Villa transfer last August following England’s Euros triumph proved to be a shrewd move for the WSL star
      Last season she scored 30 goals across all competitions last year with Villa achieving their highest ever finish in the top tier.
      Her ruthless form has seen her included as a forward in Wiegman’s squad a year on from playing as a full-back at the Euros.
      She adds: “I think you can all tell that I’m playing with a smile on my face and enjoying my football and long may that continue.
      “It’s been a good year for me, I can put it down to my happiness, the way  Carla (Ward) has given me freedom at the club to play my own sort of game. 
      “The team around me has been brilliant as has Sarina (Wiegman) at international level.
      “I’d probably say it’s the best season I’ve had in my career.
      Alessia Russo and Bethany England will be Daly’s main rivals for a number nine starting spot.
      Like Daly, both have been in fine form at club level with England racking up 12 goals in 12 games for Tottenham.
      Daly insists the competition for the Lionesses number nine spot is healthy between herself, Bethany England and Alessia RussoCredit: Getty
      Daly added: “The good thing is that we all push each other. It’s a completely healthy competition.
      Read More On The Sun
      “There’s no ‘I’m the best’ we’re all great friends. We’re pushing each other, we’ll continue to push each other. 
      “I’ve got their back, they’ve got my back, it’s a really nice place to be.” More

    • 250 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      England gear up for Women’s World Cup with one month to go until contest’s start in Australia and New Zealand

      by

      ENGLAND are just a month away from beginning their bid to win the Women’s World Cup with the contest kicking off on July 20 in Australia and New Zealand. A warm-up duel with Portugal on July 1 will be their final fixture on home soil before their tournament opener against Haiti 21 days later.
      England wll face Haiti, Denmark and China in the World Cup’s group stagesCredit: Alamy
      Lauren Hemp and other players from Sarina Wiegman’s squad have gathered for training at St George’s Park this weekCredit: Getty
      Their clash with Portugal will be followed by a behind-closed-doors match against Canada on July 14.  
      This year’s World Cup will kick-off with a tournament opener between Norway and contest co-hosts New Zealand.
      A triumphant run would mark a huge milestone for the Lionesses. 
      It would see the Euros champs become the first senior England side to win two major football tournaments back-to-back.
      Read More Football Stories
      Their rivals for the sport’s biggest prize includes four-time contest winners the United States.
      The team are eyeing a World Cup three-peat having won the last two tournaments. 
      Another major foe will be Germany who have been victorious in five of their last eight fixtures.
      Results include a 2-1 friendly win against the USA last November. 
      Most read in Football
      Other favourites include France, Sweden, Spain, Canada and contest co-hosts Australia who ended England’s 30-game unbeaten run in April.
      While the build-up to last summer’s Euros went smoothly, the run-up to this year’s World Cup has not been entirely plain sailing.
      A club-vs-country row over the release of players for the June 19 start of their training camp threatened to disrupt their warm-up arrangements. 
      The team are also without the services of Fran Kirby, skipper Leah Williamson and Euros Golden Boot winner Beth Mead.
      All three are currently sidelined with knee injuries. 
      But the squad have been boosted with Millie Bright on course to be tournament ready.  
      How to watch England’s group stage fixtures
      BBC and ITV are set to share TV coverage of all 64 World Cup games including England’s clashes with their group D rivals Haiti, Denmark and China. 
      The Lionesses’ will face Haiti on July 22 at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia with the game kicking off at 10:30 UK time. 
      This will be followed by a July 28 clash with Denmark at the Allianz Stadium in Sydney.
      They will then play China on August 1 at the Hindmarsh Stadium in Adelaide.
      Pernille Harder and her Denmark team-mates will be England’s highest ranked opponents in the World Cup’s group stageCredit: Getty
      Wiegman’s squad
      The Lionesses 23-strong squad includes six aces playing at their first major tournament including Chelsea forward Lauren James
      Esme Morgan, Niamh Charles, Katie Zelem, Laura Coombs and Katie Robinson make up England’s other major contest debutants. 
      With Mead and Kirby absent Wiegman’s side will be without two of their biggest hitters in attack.
      Last year’s Euros saw the duo notch up eight goals and seven assists combined in often used 4-2-3-1 formation 
      Rachel Daly, Alessia Russo and Bethany England will among the stars Wiegman is likely to turn to for firepower in the number nine role. 
      The trio were among the WSL’s top five scorers last term with Daly bagging 22 goals in 22 games and England notching 14 in 20 appearances.
      Bethany England will be in contention for the Lionesses’ number 9 spot along with Rachel Daly and Alessia RussoCredit: Getty
      In midfield Wiegman is likely to turn to Georgia Stanway and Keira Walsh who started every game for the Lionesses during the Euros.  
      Both have impressed winning silverware during their debut seasons at Bayern Munich and Barcelona.
      In defence Bright has started in almost every game under Wiegman when fit. 
      The centre-back is hoping to be match ready for the World Cup following a surgical procedure on a knee injury sustained in March. 
      Bright, who will captain the Lionesses, is likely to be partnered by Alex Greenwood in central defence.
      Bronze and Jess Carter are like to start at full-back with Mary Earps in goal following a season that saw her keep 14 clean sheets in 22 WSL games.
      England’s warm-up duel with Portugal could see Wiegman experiment and test out back-up plans in defence.
      Fans may see Esme Morgan and Lotte Wubben-Moy given run outs as well as Chelsea’s Niamh Charles. 
      England’s record under Wiegman
      Under Wiegman England have notched up some memorable wins against heavyweights such as Germany, Spain and Sweden.
      They raced to a 30-game unbeaten streak conceding just twice in six games at the Euros.
      Sarina Wiegman led the Netherlands to the 2019 World Cup final prior to taking charge of the LionessesCredit: PA
      And they triumphed in the first Women’s Finalissima beating Brazil via a penalty shootout in March.
      However their winning run ended in April when they fell to a 2-0 friendly loss to World Cup co-hosts Australia.
      They will be eager to return to winning ways when they take on Portugal at Stadium MK on Saturday 1.

      Ticket sales 
      The number of tickets flogged so far for this year’s showpiece has eclipsed the amount sold for the 2019 tournament in France. 
      According to Fifa more than a million have been shifted with a month to go before the contest’s opening clash between Norway and co-hosts New Zealand.  More

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Aston Villa to add Daphne van Domselaar to their ranks with Dutch goalkeeper joining on a three-year deal

      by

      DAPHNE VAN DOMSELAAR  is set for an Aston Villa move with the WSL side due to sign the goalkeeper from FC Twente. The shot-stopper, who is in the Netherlands’ provisional squad for the Women’s World Cup, will become a free agent later this month. 
      Daphne van Domselaar has agreed to join Aston Villa Women from FC TwenteCredit: Getty
      The Netherlands international is due to become the WSL side’s first summer signing following Hannah Hampton’s departureCredit: Getty
      The player, 23, is due to join Carla Ward’s on a three-year deal subject to international clearance and FA approval. 
      The swoop for the goalkeeper, who helped the Netherlands reach last year’s Euros quarter-finals, will see her become Villa Women’s first signing this summer. 
      News of her switch comes a day after the club announced the departure of England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton.
      Boss Carla Ward said: “Daphne is someone we’ve tracked for some time.
      Read More Football Stories
      “We knew we had real competition from some of Europe’s biggest clubs so we’re delighted she’s chosen to continue her development with us.
      “She’s a player who comes with great pedigree and potential to be one of the world’s best.
      “We’re delighted to have her and we very much look forward to working with her.”
      Van Domselaar made her senior debut at club level for FC Twente in the Netherland’s top-flight back in December 2017.
      Most read in Football
      The shot-stopper came on as a first-half substitute following the sending off of Nicky Evrard helping the team claim a 2-1 win against rivals Heerenveen. 
      She made her senior international debut for her country in February 2022 keeping a clean sheet during their 3-0 defeat of Finland. 
      And she appeared in all four of the Netherland’s games at last summer’s Euros following an injury to Sari van Veenendaal.
      Last season Van Domselaar kept 15 clean sheets in 20 top-flights games for FC Twente.
      She helped the team finish second in the Women’s Eredivisie. 
      Her form saw her included in Andries Jonkers’ 30-strong provisional Netherlands squad for the World Cup taking place in Australia and New Zealand this summer.
      The head coach is due to name his final group of 23 on June 30th with the squad currently containing four WSL players.  
      Victoria Pelova is among the WSL players included the Netherlands provisional squad for the World CupCredit: Getty
      Arsenal forward Victoria Pelova and Manchester City defender Kerstin Casparij are currently included.
      Read more on The Sun
      And Everton’s Katja Snoeijs and Liverpool’s Shanice van de Sanden are also part of the 30-strong group. 
      The 2019 World Cup finalists take on Portugal in their Group E opening clash on July 23 in Dunedin, New Zealand.  More

    • 188 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Alessia Russo to LEAVE Man Utd as Arsenal ‘prepare shock transfer swoop for England star’

      by

      ALESSIA RUSSO is leaving Manchester United this summer with the striker thought to be nearing a transfer to Arsenal as a free agent. The England ace, 24, confirmed her departure via a tweet describing her exit as the “hardest decision” she has ever had to make. 
      Alessia Russo’s departure from Man United comes amid the player being heavily linked with ArsenalCredit: PA
      The WSL star confimed her departure from the Red Devils three days before the start of England’s camp ahead of the Women’s World CupCredit: Getty
      Russo netted 10 goals in the WSL for United last season including the winner during their 3-2 defeat of the Gunners in NovemberCredit: PA
      The Kent-born Lioness is claimed to have attracted interest from US top-flight side Washington Spirit, according to ESPN.
      However it is thought a move to the National Women’s Soccer League is not on the cards.
      And various reports claim the player is closing in on a switch to the Gunners’ WSL side who reportedly had two record-breaking bids knocked back in January. 
      Russo’s exit from Man United comes three years after she joined them in September 2020.
      Read More Football Stories
      Back then they were managed by Casey Stoney who is now head coach of US top tier side San Diego Wave. 
      The striker, who is part of the Lionesses squad competing at the World Cup this summer, is among the players who shone during England’s Euros triumph last year. 
      Russo netted four goals in the contest coming off the bench in all six games for the Lionesses. 
      Efforts included a stunning backheel nutmegged finish during the team’s semi-final defeat of Sweden. 
      Most read in Football
      This season saw her help United reach the Women’s FA Cup final for the first time in their history.  
      And she also scored the winner that saw the team become the first side to beat Arsenal at the Emirates in the WSL last November.
      Russo’s journey into football began with her playing for the Under-10s of grassroots club Bearsted FC before spells in the academies of Charlton and Chelsea. 
      She made her senior debut at club level for Chelsea in 2016 before spells at Brighton and US college side North Carolina Tar Heels from  January 2017 to August 2020. 
      Last season Russo finished as United’s joint top scorer in the WSL with 10 goals and one assist in 20 games.
      Red Devils boss Marc Skinner had hoped to keep her with talks reported to be ongoing last season.
      It has been claimed the club had not initally meet Russo’s wage demands until the late stages of talks concerning a new deal.
      Russo is set to play in her first World Cup tourmanent after being included in Sarina Wiegman’s 23-strong Lionesses squad.Credit: PA
      And she is thought to have attracted interest from Lyon and teams in the USA and Spain as well as Arsenal. 
      Read more on The Sun
      Russo’s departure from United comes three days before she joins up with the Lionesses for England’s camp ahead of the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. 
      The team will play two warm-up games against Portugal and Canada before their group stage opener against Haiti in Australia on July 22. More

    • 163 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      Hannah Hampton to leave Aston Villa with Lionesses goalkeeper reportedly linked with Chelsea

      by

      HANNAH HAMPTON is set for an Aston Villa exit this month amid reports of her holding talks with WSL champions Chelsea. The England goalkeeper, 22, is thought to have rejected an offer of a contract extension from the Villans, according to BBC Sport.
      Hannah Hampton is set to leave Aston Villa with her contract expiring at the end of JuneCredit: Getty
      The England goalkeeper was included in Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses squad ahead of the start of the World Cup in JulyCredit: Getty
      The current Villa contract for the player, who made 43 appearances across all competitions last term, expires at the end of this month.
      She kept five cleansheets in 15 WSL games helping the team claim fifth spot, their highest ever finish in the Women’s Super League. 
      A brief statement published on the club’s web site “sincerely thanked” the shot-stopper wishing “her well in her next chapter”.  
      The Birmingham-born WSL ace is among the players included in Sarina Wiegman’s 23-strong squad for this summer’s World Cup.
      Read More Football Stories
      Her form towards the second half of last season saw her earn a Lionesses recall in March having been dropped from Wiegman’s previous three squads.
      Following her return the England boss said Hampton had needed to “sort out some personal issues before going on to praise her “consistency” for Villa. 
      Hampton began her football career in 2005 as a forward for Spanish club Villarreal’s academy team.
      And she made the transition to goalkeeper during her six-year spell at Stoke City from 2010.
      Most read in Football
      This was followed by a five-year stint at at Birmingham with whom made her senior debut in November 2017
      And she left to join Villa under head coach Carla Ward.
      Hampton was part of the England side that won their first major tournament summer with their Women’s Euros triumphCredit: Getty
      Last summer Hampton was part of the England squad that lifted their first Women’s Euros trophy under Wiegman. 
      She also helped the team win last February’s inaugural Arnold Clark Cup contest keeping a cleansheet during England’s 0-0 draw with Spain.
      And this year will see her be part of a senior Lionesses World Cup squad for the first time in her career. More

    • 250 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      I’m Italy’s ‘most beautiful footballer’ and I won’t stop posting sexy bikini pictures if it helps grow the women’s game

      by

      AGATA Centasso, who has been dubbed “Italy’s most beautiful footballer”, has said she won’t stop posting snaps on Instagram as she believes it can grow the beautiful game.Centasso, 29, is a midfielder and vice-captain of Serie B side Venezia.
      Agata Centasso is the vice-captain of Serie B side VeneziaCredit: https://www.instagram.com/agataisabelva/?hl=en
      She regularly posts bikini pics on her InstagramCredit: https://www.instagram.com/agataisabelva/?hl=en
      Centasso has said she stays active away from the football pitchCredit: https://www.instagram.com/agataisabelva/?hl=en
      Agata balances posting about football with sharing bikini snaps with fansCredit: https://www.instagram.com/agataisabelva/?hl=en
      She often posts about her love of the gameCredit: https://twitter.com/AgataCentasso/status/1609541114939465728
      She balances her footballing commitments with her job as a support worker at a community centre for young people with special needs.
      Centasso has garnered a sizeable Instagram following of late, as fans admire both her skills and her looks.
      She currently has 56,000 followers on the app.
      After the attention she has gained of late, she sat down to speak to Italian outlet Gazzetta to discuss her career and Instagram game.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      Gazzetta asked her about her Instagram, where she regularly poses in a bikini as well as showcases her football skills.
      She said on the growth of her social media following: “I’m happy: I see it as an opportunity because it allows me to make my sport better known.
      “I want to help increase the visibility of women’s football.”
      Speaking about how she got into football, Centasso said: “The interest in sport has not been inherited from the family. 
      Most read in Football
      “At home they pushed me towards music, dance, the piano. But I wanted to run. So, as a child, I approached basketball.”
      The midfielder said she abandoned basketball at the age of 20 as she “started playing football with conviction.”
      Football interflows into her personal life as her partner is footballer Andrea Migliorini.
      He is currently playing for Serie D side Lavello, but the 34-year-old also played for Centasso’s Venezia in 2012 and 2013.
      The highest level he reached was with Serie B side SPAL before he moved to Venezia in 2012.
      Centasso often shares her holiday snaps on social mediaCredit: https://www.instagram.com/agataisabelva/?hl=en
      The Italian beauty often visits exotic locationsCredit: https://www.instagram.com/agataisabelva/?hl=en
      In her dating life, she dates fellow footballer Andrea MiglioriniCredit: https://www.instagram.com/agataisabelva/?hl=en More

    • 213 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      BBC and ITV seal Women’s World Cup broadcast deal with Fifa bringing an end to blackout risk

      by

      BBC and ITV have confirmed they will air coverage of this year’s Women’s World Cup bringing an end to the row around a TV deal. The tournament’s 64 games in Australia and New Zealand will be shown live on either of the channels with the exception of the final. 
      BBC and ITV will share live coverage of games at this year’s Women’s World Cup including England’s group stage fixturesCredit: Alamy
      Both confirmed a deal has been reached for the rights to provide broadcast coverage of the tournament to UK audiencesCredit: Getty
      Televised coverage of the decider for this summer’s contest, which starts on July 20 in Auckland, New Zealand, will be shown live on both BBC1 and ITV1. 
      And both broadcasters will share coverage of the Lionesses’ Group D fixtures against Haiti, Denmark and China in Australia. 
      Today’s announcement comes weeks after broadcasters in England, Spain, Italy, Germany, and France came under pressure to announce a deal. 
      Fifa President Gianni Infantino had threatened the prospect of a TV blackout in Europe’s “Big Five” countries after describing bids as a “slap in the face for women’s football”. 
      Read More Football Stories
      It is claimed some of the offers made for broadcast rights were as low as one to two per cent of the amount bid for the men’s contest.
      And Infantino’s remarks last month were followed by sports ministers in each nation flagging concerns that no broadcast agreement had been reached. 
      However yesterday Bloomberg claimed a deal was imminent with BBC and ITV reportedly paying an estimated £8million for the rights to air matches.
      BBC director of sport Barbara Slater, said: “The growth of the women’s game is extraordinary, demonstrated by the 28 million who watched BBC coverage of the 2019 Women’s World Cup and the huge audience of 17.4 million who watched our coverage of the Euro 2022 final on TV last summer. 
      Most read in Football
      “In partnership with ITV we are delighted to make this World Cup available to the widest possible audience and free to air.”
      ITV Sport director Niall Sloane added: “England’s Lionesses are entering the World Cup Finals as European champions.
      “Fans have been able to follow their progress to qualification on ITV through our coverage of the World Cup qualifiers.
      England will be begin their campaign to win the World Cup with a Group D clash with Haiti on July 22Credit: Getty
      “We hope they’ll join us to see all the action from Australia and New Zealand throughout the tournament.”
      The joint rights deal will also see live audio commentary of the World Cup aired on BBC Radio Five Live and Five Sports Extra.
      And ITV will broadcast half of the contest’s clashes across ITV1 and ITV4 with catch-up coverage on ITVX. More

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Sweden players were told to ‘show their genitalia’ to prove they were female at 2011 Women’s World Cup

      by

      SWEDEN’S women’s players were instructed to show their genitalia to medical staff at the 2011 World Cup to show that they were female. The shocking details were revealed by central defender Nilla Fischer, in her book, ‘I Didn’t Even Say Half Of It’.
      Nilla Fischher (centre) described the experience of undergoing gender checks during the 2011 World Cup as ‘humiliating’Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      Fischer and Sweden her team-mates reached the semi-finals of the tournament before being knocked out by JapanCredit: Getty – Contributor
      The former Sweden ace, 38, who has 194 international caps, explains examinations were done by a female physiotherapist on behalf of a doctor. 
      She revealed the gender checks had come about after Fifa demanded national federations to determine whether their players were female. 
      The tests, which Fischer described as “sick” and “humiliating” occurred following allegations involving the Equatorial Guinea squad. 
      The accusations followed complaints from Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa. 
      Read More Football Stories
      In her book Fischer, who retired last December, wrote: “We were told that we should not shave ‘down there’ in the coming days and that we will show our genitalia for the doctor.  
      “(At the time we thought) why are we forced to do this now, there has to be other ways to do this. Should we refuse?’
      “At the same time no one wants to jeopardise the opportunity to play at a World Cup.
      “We just have to get the sh** done, no matter how sick and humiliating it feels.”
      Most read in Football
      Fischer, who played for six clubs including Wolfsburg, during her 24-year senior career, appeared for Sweden in four World Cups. 
      The former centre-back helped her team reach the semis of the 2011 tournament in Germany where they were beaten by eventual contest winners Japan. 
      In an interview with Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet, Fischer described the gender testing she and her team-mates experienced at the tournament as extremely odd. 
      She told Aftonbladet: “I understand what I have to do and quickly pull down my training pants and underwear at the same time.
      “The physio nods and says ‘yup’ and then looks out at the doctor who is standing with his back to my doorway. 
      “He makes a note and moves on in the corridor to knock on the next door.
      “When everyone on our team is checked, that is to say, has exposed their vagina, our team doctor can sign that the Swedish women’s national football team consists only of women.
      “It’s an extremely strange situation and overall not a comfortable way to do it.”
      Fischer retired from playing from her national side three months before hanging up her boots in December last year.  
      Sweden will play South Africa in their Group G opener in Wellington, New Zealand at this year’s Women’s World CupCredit: Getty
      In response to the ex-Sweden player’s revelations, Fifa said they have “taken note of recent comments”.  
      Read more on The Sun
      A fortnight before the start of the 2011 World Cup which was held in Germany,  the global football body published its current gender verification regulations. 
      It states “participating member associations shall ensure that all players are eligible for selection in accordance with Fifa statutes.” More