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      Man City ace Stokes hopes fans flock to Euros and hails new deals for Hemp, Houghton and Morgan

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      DEMI STOKES is fired up for a fan-fuelled Women’s Euros — but first, she wants to increase the title heat on Arsenal.Tonight’s clash between Manchester City and the Gunners comes just under six months before the tournament in England, with the contest delayed by a year due to Covid.
      Demi Stokes hopes to see fans turn out in large numbers at the Women’s Euros in JulyCredit: Getty
      More than 268,000 tickets had been snapped up from 118 countries in a public ballot by last October. This is in addition to 162,000 sold last year.
      Stokes, who has 64 senior caps and made her Lionesses debut in 2014, said: “It’s amazing to have the tournament here.
      “With the last two years affected by Covid it’s not been great for people, so it will be good to have stadiums filled and give opportunities for people to see international games.
      “People have missed out on these matches, and they can mean a lot to them mentally.
      “It would be good to see supporters coming out with friends and families and filling grounds.  
      “It will elevate the women’s game even more.”
      This evening, Stokes and her Man City colleagues aim to avenge a 5-0 loss they endured away to the league leaders back in September.
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      A home victory would see the Citizens cut the gap between the sides to just three points.
      The WSL clash comes in a month that saw Steph Houghton, 33, Lauren Hemp and Esme Morgan — both 21 — sign new contracts with City.
      And earlier in January, central defender Houghton made her return to action after four months out with an ankle injury.
      Full-back Stokes, 30, added: “It’s good to have Steph back.
      “We need to keep young players like Esme Morgan and Lauren Hemp who have heaps of talent. They’re the future.”
      After a storming start to their season Arsenal have faltered of late with three successive losses in all competitions.
      But Jonas Eidevall  is confident his side can bounce back
      The Gunners boss, said: “I wouldn’t say that I have experienced any problem with the spirit of the team. We know what we need to do better.”
      Jonas Eidevall’s Arsenal hope to pick up their first win of the year when they play Manchester CityCredit: Getty More

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      Skinner wary of ‘hungry’ Tottenham’s threat to Man United’s bid to reach the Champions League

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      MARC SKINNER insists Manchester United must give their all to thwart ‘hungry’ Tottenham today.Spurs are level on points with United but outside the WSL’s top three European spots.
      Marc Skinner hopes his side can open up a gap between themselves and their top three rivalsCredit: Getty
      United hope to win their fifth game on the bounce in the WSL this seasonCredit: Getty
      Skinner’s team host their Champions League-chasing rivals four days on from their hard-fought Conti Cup knockout of Arsenal.
      And the Leigh Sports Village boss reckons Tottenham are probably the toughest opponents to be facing the club having won four of the last six away games.
      The visitors have won four of their last six away games and Red Devils boss Skinner is wary.
      Skinner, 38, said: “There’s no more motivation needed than they are right next to us in the table and playing well.
      “They are solid and hard to break down. They’re the hardest opponent we could face.
      “They’re hungry and we have got to make sure we put everything together to be successful.”
      January transfers have been a hot topic amongst United’s fans on social media with some eager to see their side bring in reinforcements.
      But Skinner insists the club is working hard behind closed doors.  
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      The Red Devils boss added: “The business side is being looked after while we’re out on the field. You’ll hear in due time. It’s all being looked after behind the scenes.
      “That’s where Man United work really well, so can get on with the stuff on the field”
      “We’re still working to bring people in, but we don’t just want to bring players into this group (for the sake of it)
      “We don’t want numbers; we want quality and so we’re working very hard to find the right characters to fit our group and drive us forward.
      Spurs have never beaten United in the WSL.
      Their hosts are one of three teams (including Arsenal and Chelsea) the North London club are yet to beat in the league since their 2019 promotion.
      And Rehanne Skinner hopes her side will get their first top-flight win against their opponents and three vital points.
      The Tottenham boss 42, said: “If we continue to do the things that have got us where we are, we’ll make it a good game — and one we’ll hope to get points from.”
      Rehanne Skinner hopes Tottenham can beat United for the first time since their WSL promotionCredit: Getty More

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      Chelsea’s Sam Kerr breaks Tim Cahill’s record with WSL ace becoming Australia’s all-time top scorer

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      SAM KERR played her way into the history books surpassing Tim Cahill to become the highest scorer for Australia on the global stage.The Chelsea forward’s second goal against Indonesia in this year’s Asia Cup took her tally to 51, exceeding Cahill’s record of 50.
      Sam Kerr is now the highest goal scorer for Australia in international footballCredit: Getty
      Kerr’s feat occurred during the Matildas’ 18-0 demolition of Indonesia in the group stage of the tournament currently taking place in India.
      The Blues heroine, 28, who captains Australia, was on target FIVE times, with four of her goals coming in a first-half blitzing of their rivals.
      The Chelsea star has now racked up 54 goals in 105 games for her national side.
      The clash at the Mumbai Football Arena was the team’s opening fixture at the tournament with the Tony Gustavsson’s side looking to win the trophy for the second time in their history.
      Before the contest, Kerr, who was a runner-up in the 2021 Fifa World Player Awards, described the idea of breaking Cahill’s record as ‘crazy’.
      Last November the striker told Australia Associated: “Growing up watching him, I think everyone in Australian football, if you asked who’s their favourite Australian footballer, they’d say Timmy.
      “What he did for the Socceroos is amazing and honestly it will just be really surreal for me (to break his record).
      And Cahill, who netted 56 goals in 226 Premier League games for Everton, took to social media to applaud Kerr’s efforts.
      In a post shared via his Twitter account, the retired midfielder said: “You are an inspiration globally and I’m one of your biggest supporters and always here for you on and off the park.
      “Keep breaking records and most importantly enjoy the journey.”

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      “It’s such a crazy one for me because Tim Cahill, to me, is just on another level.”
      Kerr’s scoring milestone comes almost 13 years on from her international debut with the player making a substitute appearance at just 15 in Australia’s friendly loss to Italy.
      The WSL Golden Boot winner would go on to net her first senior goal for her country in the 2010 Asia Cup final which they won on penalties defeating North Korea.
      Kerr is one of several WSL stars currently playing in this year’s contest which began on Thursday with her team up against the Philippines next.
      Manchester City’s Hayley Raso, Aston Villa’s Emily Gielnik and Arsenal’s Caitlin Foord and Steph Catley are among the players included in Australia’s squad.
      Australia will play the Philippines next in the Asia Cup followed by ThailandCredit: Getty More

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      Arsenal 0 Manchester United: 1 Russo on target as Red Devils beat Gunners to book place in Conti Cup semis

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      MARC SKINNER hailed the spirit of his Manchester United battlers after their Conti Cup quarter-final knockout of Arsenal.But the Red Devils chief insists there is still much work to do as his side look ahead to the semis after beating the Gunners 1-0.
      Alessia Russo’s looping header helped Manchester United book their place in the Conti Cup semi-finalsCredit: Reuters
      A late Alessia Russo header led to Arsenal’s exit from the competition with United unbeaten in 10 games away from home.
      The result saw the Gunners endure a fifth loss in six matches across competitions with the visitors nabbing their first win against the WSL leaders under Skinner.  
      The Red Devils boss said: “The results make you feel like you’re in a space where you can do anything.
      “But it’s because we’re focusing so much on each individual game that we end up chipping away at our end goal which is to be successful.
      “I’m so proud of everyone and all our staff who work tirelessly, but we’ve done nothing but get to a semi-final.
      “We’ve got work to do. I’m sure we’ll face a really tough opponent in the semis.”
      Arsenal had a decent chance to take an early lead with Vivianne Miedema coming close to getting her boot on the end of a ninth-minute cross from Katie McCabe
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      And moments after the Republic of Ireland ace delivered another dangerous ball into the box that narrowly fizzed past Nikita Parris at the far post.
      United began to gain momentum on the counter and nearly took advantage of a misplaced Arsenal pass near the half-hour mark.
      Leah Galton drove down the middle before passing to Ella Toone on the right with the playmaker outpacing her marker before shooting wide.
      And Galton delivered a dangerous low cross into the box intended for Toone which Arsenal hoofed out of danger.
      The second half saw a moment of drama with Martha Thomas’s high challenge on Beth Mead prompting an angry response from Jonas Eidevall.
      The Gunners gaffer appeared to reprimand Thomas before Skinner and the forward’s team-mates intervened.
      Martha Thomas picked up a yellow card for a challenge on Beth Mead during gameCredit: Getty
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      The 60th-minute incident ended with both managers given yellow cards along with Thomas.
      With the game goalless late on Eidevall shuffled his deck with Stina Blackstenius making her debut and replacing Miedema close to the 70th minute
      And Tobin Heath and Laura Weinrother came on for Beth Mead and Noelle Maritz
      United made a triple change of their own with Ona Batlle, Vilde Boe Risa and Alessia Russo entering the fray in the final quarter of normal time.
      And a whipped in free-kick from Katie Zelem ended with Russo’s header finding the back of the net near the 90th minute.
      The visitors held their hosts at bay to seal a victory that leaves the Gunners still searching for their first win of 2022.
      Eidevall said: I’m disappointed about not getting the result, but if there is any competition I would take a loss in it would be the Conti Cup.
      “We will move on and try to build on this performance.”
      Manchester City joined United in the league cup semi-finals draw after their defeat of BristolCredit: PA
      Elsewhere Manchester City booked their place in the contest’s semis with a 3-1 defeat of Bristol.
      Chelsea and Tottenham sealed 4-2 and 1-0 wins against West Ham and Liverpool.
      The three teams and United will find out who their semis opponents will be with the draw taking place on Thursday. More

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      Eidevall admits coaching during Covid has been stressful but is excited by new Arsenal signing Rafaelle

      by

      JONAS EIDEVALL says coaching during the Covid-19 pandemic has been one of his most ‘stressful’ experiences on the job.The Arsenal chief has seen two games called off in the space of a month with coronavirus causing havoc across the sporting schedule.
      Jonas Eidevall says Tobin Heath could potentially make an appearance against Man United in the Conti CupCredit: Getty
      Games against Brighton on December 20 and Reading on January 16 were both called off due to Covid issues.
      Eidevall, 38, whose team are top of the WSL, was speaking ahead of the Gunners’ Conti Cup quarters clash with Manchester United at Meadow Park.
      The Arsenal boss said: “Being a coach during Covid has definitely been the most stressful thing for me personally.
      “It makes it so much harder with the human connection and having to think about the distancing and doing the meetings digitally instead of in person.
      “That’s an obvious feeling I think, for so many coaches, but we have to remember it’s the same for everyone so it’s not an excuse to not get results.”
      Arsenal, who are yet to register their first win of the year, have had a busy January transfer window.
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      The club have welcomed three new arrivals in the past five days.
      Former Hoffenheim defender Laura Wienrother, 23, was unveiled as a Gunner on Monday – three days after the team confirmed the signing of striker Stina Blackstenius.
      And Rafaelle Souza, 30, became the first Brazilian to join the side with the league leaders announcing the signing of the versatile centre-back earlier today.
      The Brazil star, who has 33 international caps, joined the WSL leaders after the expiration of her contract with Chinese side Changchun Zhuoyue.
      Her arrival was greeted with excitement by her compatriot and Gunners Prem ace Gabriel Martinelli who shared a welcome message via his Twitter account.
      Brazil centre-back Rafaelle is one of three new players Arsenal have signed this monthCredit: Getty
      Gabriel Martinelli published a message on social media wishing Rafaelle all the best
      On how he sees Rafaelle fitting into Arsenal’s defence, Eidevall said: “I’m very excited to work with her.
      “It was a big deal for us to find a left-footed central defender.
      “I think it helps a lot with the angles especially against teams pressing you a little bit higher.
      “It also helps there are Swedish coaches around the (Brazilian) women’s national team.
      “They’re also working with defensive positional principles that are very similar to the ones that we practice here at Arsenal.”
      Arsenal’s league cup duel with Manchester United could see possible debuts for Blackstenius and Weinrother.
      And Leah Williamson and Tobin Heath could be set for returns to action following their injury spells. More

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      Barcelona sell out Nou Camp tickets for Women’s Champions League battle with Real Madrid with record crowd expected

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      BARCELONA could be set to break the world record for crowd numbers at a women’s club game in their Champions League duel with Real Madrid.The club says 85,000 tickets for the March 30 semi-final second leg fixture were purchased by fans in just THREE days.
      A total of 85,000 fans are expected tp attend Barcelona’s Champions League clash with Real Madrid at the Nou CampCredit: Avalon.red
      And Forbes reports this will see them surpass the average gate number for fans at the Catalan side’s men’s games this season.
      In 2019, Atletico Madrid set a new world record for the highest number of spectators attending a women’s club match with their duel with Barca at the Wanda Metropolitano.
      In March that year, 60,739 watched Atletico lose 2-0 with Everton’s Toni Duggan and Asisat Oshoala on target for the visitors.  
      The attendance figure exceeded the previous crowd record of 53,000 who watched Dick Kerr Ladies take on Helen’s Ladies in a charity match at Goodison Park on Boxing Day, 1921.
      Should every single ticket buyer turnout for Barca’s March 22 game, it will see the Catalan side exceed the record set by Atletico three years ago.
      The club’s second leg semis fixture will come two months on from the side playing their first game at the 99,534-capacity ground.
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      That encounter – a 4-1 defeat of RCD Espanyol – took place behind closed doors due to Covid restrictions.
      Their Nou Camp duel with Real will also be the first match the Champions League title holders have ever played in front of fans at the stadium.
      Tickets for the fixture, to be broadcast live on DAZN’s YouTube Channel, went on sale last Wednesday.
      Barcelona claimed last term’s Champions League crown under former gaffer Lluis Cortes after beating Chelsea 4-0 in the final.  
      The club, now coached by Jonatan Giraldez, are top in their domestic division after winning all 17 games they have played so far in Spain’s top tier.  
      On Wednesday, Barca and Real will go head to head in Spain’s Women’s Super Cup.
      To date, the Catalan side, skippered by their Ballon d’Or winning midfielder Alexia Putellas, have triumphed in all five games played against their Madrid opponents
      And a December league encounter between the clubs ended in a 3-1 top tier away win for Putellas and her team-mates.
      Real Madrid have lost all five matches they have played against Barcelona to dateCredit: Getty More

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      Hayes ‘shocked’ after being named Fifa Women’s Coach of the Year ahead of Cortes and Wiegman

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      EMMA HAYES admitted to being stunned to win Fifa’s Best Women’s Coach gong for 2021. The astonished Chelsea boss beat England chief Sarina Wiegman and ex-Barcelona coach Lluis Cortes to the prize – with Thomas Tuchel victorious in the men’s category.
      Emma Hayes was named Fifa’s Best Women’s Coach for 2021 ahead of Sarina Wiegman and Lluis CortesCredit: AFP
      Lucy Bronze was included in Fifa’s Best Women’s World 11 for last yearCredit: Rex
      And Edouard Mendy’s triumph in the Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year category made it a hat-trick of award wins for the Blues.
      Elsewhere, Manchester City’s Lucy Bronze was named in Fifa’s Best Women’s World 11 alongside Chelsea’s Millie Bright and Magda Eriksson and Arsenal’s Vivianne Miedema
      And Barcelona midfielder Alexia Putellas has been crowned Best Women’s player.
      In reaction to her win, Hayes 44, told BBC Sport: “I’m so shocked!
      “I’m not usually completely shocked. I put this down to the players, the fantastic people that represent my work.
      “Ultimately the coach is only as good as the people they have around them.
      “I have got brilliant people at Chelsea that have helped support the team to (bring us to) the place we are at.”
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      Last term the Blues became the first English club to have their men’s and women’s teams reaching the Champions League finals in the same season.
      For Hayes, it was a historic milestone with her WSL side competing in this stage of the contest for the first time ever.
      While the team fell to a 4-0 defeat to Barcelona in the finals, they dominated on the domestic stage brushing many of their opponents aside claiming a belated treble.
      Hayes’ players lost just one league game last term on their way to a fourth WSL crown whilst also claiming last term’s league and FA Cup trophies.
      The Kingsmeadow club also went on a 33-game unbeaten run that was ended by Brighton in February last year.
      This year’s Fifa coach awards has been a much-discussed topic on social media with some fans surprised to see Bev Priestman miss out on a nomination.
      Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas was named Fifa’s Best Women’s Player of 2021Credit: Alamy
      The former Lionesses assistant manager coached Canada to gold medal triumph at the Tokyo Olympics.
      And Cortez was seen as a possible favourite following Barcelona’s trophy-winning successes in Spain and in the Champions League.
      The team won 43 of their 47 games played across all competitions last term losing on just two occasions. More

    • 225 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      Ex-Man City star Nadia Nadim’s inspiring journey from fleeing Afghanistan as a kid to qualifying as a doctor

      by

      NADIA NADIM has achieved some remarkable feats during a life in which she was forced to flee Afghanistan after the Taliban executed her father.And now the football heroine – who rose to the top of the game after arriving in Denmark as a refugee – has achieved her dream of becoming a doctor.
      Nadia Nadim became a qualified doctor this month after five years of studying medicine whilst playing footballCredit: Getty
      Nadim who plays for US women’s side Racing Louisville has spent the last five years juggling her job as a striker with her medical studies.
      And the former Manchester City ace, who speaks nine languages, took to social media to celebrate her efforts.
      Qualifying to become a doctor is an incredible milestone for a forward who discovered her passion for football whilst living in a refugee camp in Denmark.

      Escaping conflict in Afghanistan
      Nadim, who turned 34 this month, was born in Herat, Afghanistan’s third-largest city located west of its capital Kabul.
      In 2000, her father Rabani, who was an Afghan Army general, was taken into the desert by Taliban forces.
      Nadim, who was 11 at the time, never saw her father again with the Taliban taking control of the country by brute force.
      Later the Denmark ace and her family learned that he had been killed.  
      Nadim’s father Rabani was executed by the Taliban when she was 11
      It was then that Nadim’s mother Hamida decided to flee Afghanistan with the striker and her four sisters.
      In a Sky Sports interview last September, Nadim said: “Before the war, I have very fond memories of the country, of our life, the safe environment.
      “I had my mum and dad. And then I have the second part, which is the war, and after my dad was killed.
      “Those memories are not nice memories, a lot of chaos, a lot of just horror.
      “At the end, things were made very hard for us as a family to function and to see a future or feel safe.”
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      Arriving as a refugee in Denmark
      Nadim’s family were forced to sell nearly all their belongings to fund their escape, including their home.
      And they managed to reach Pakistan with forged passports before an arduous journey by truck to Italy and then to London before reaching Denmark.
      Upon their arrival, they were taken to a refugee camp in the countryside.
      It was there the Racing Louisville star spotted a group of girls playing football, a moment that sparked her interest in the game which transformed her life.
      Nadim and her family managed to get to Denmark after fleeing war in AfghanistanCredit: Rex
      Last year Nadim told SportBible: “We used to just stand outside the fences and watch the girls play football. I remember it so vividly.
      “When I saw that, I really wanted to be on that field.
      “This is what I wanted to do. I felt like everything was happening in slow motion.”
      Nadim would later go on to ask a coach training youngsters in the camp if she could join in.
      And after a few months of training with the other girls, the forward was given a chance to play in an organised match.
      The NWSL ace added: “Suddenly I was doing the warm-up and training drills. I didn’t know what was happening, but it was amazing.
      “I got to wear the jerseys and I was just like, this is freaking amazing.”
      Nadim, 34, spent a season playing for Manchester City in the WSLCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      Rise to the top of women’s game
      After her family were given asylum in Denmark, Nadim set her heart on becoming a pro, joining B52 Aalborg in 2005.  
      Later that year the striker moved to Team Viborg before a ten-year spell playing for two other Danish clubs.
      A 2014 switch to Sky Blues FC in the United States was preceded by Nadim making history by becoming the first naturalised Danish footballer to play for Denmark.
      The forward made her international debut for the country in 2009 going on to score 38 goals in 99 games.
      After a season with Sky Blues, Nadim joined Fortuna Hjorring on loan in 2015 before a Portland Thorns move a year later.
      And she became the club’s top scorer helping them win the NWSL Shield in 2016.
      Nadim’s form in front of goal saw her seal a 2018 switch to the Women’s Super League and Manchester City.
      The striker departed for Paris-Saint Germain in 2019 where she became vice-captain before her transfer to Racing Louisville in June last year.
      Nadim has made 99 appearances for Denmark since making her international debut in 2009Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      Battling for women’s rights
      Off the pitch, Nadim has emerged as a vocal supporter of women’s and girls’ rights in Afghanistan.
      She helped to raise £29,000 for UN Women and local organisations.
      Last year the striker spoke of her fears for the prospects for women in the country and the future of female athletes there.
      Hundreds are thought to have left following the Taliban’s restrictions and curbs on their freedoms.
      Nadim has spoken out on the perils facing women and girls living under Taliban restrictionsCredit: Rex
      Nadim told Sky Sports: “What I’ve been doing is trying to create awareness of the situation.
      “And also try to fundraise some money with United Nations, Racing Louisville – my club – and then the Women’s Cup that was held here in Louisville.
      “I love that people here are trying to help and the money is going to go to people who need it, especially women.” More