England squad has ‘so much talent' despite high-profile absentees
England midfielder Ella Toone is confident the squad will move on from the loss of three experienced internationals and put up a staunch defence of their European Championship crown this summer. Within the last two weeks Mary Earps and Fran Kirby have retired from international football, while Millie Bright has stepped away saying she is 'unable to give 100 percent mentally or physically'. It has left a significant hole in Sarina Wiegman's squad – the trio have 220 caps between them – a month before the Euros, but Toone insists there are plenty of reasons to remain optimistic about their title defence.
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The Advertiser
39 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
Buttler, Dawson give England upper hand against Windies
Former captain Joss Buttler and Liam Dawson have helped England make a winning start to their T20 series against the West Indies with a 21-run win at Durham's Riverside Stadium ground. Buttler scored a superb 96 off 59 balls and Dawson took four wickets on his international return, as the hosts drew first blood on Friday. After making a 3-0 winning start to Harry Brook's captaincy in the one-dayers, England kept the momentum in the shorter format after posting 6-188. West Indies finished on 9-167, with Romario Shepherd caught on the final ball of the match. Buttler, in at No.3 with England 1-16 after Ben Duckett was caught by Windies captain Shai Hope off Shepherd, brought up his half century from 25 balls in the eighth over. He had earlier smashed three sixes and scooped a four from the first four balls of a devastating sixth over with Alzarri Joseph bowling. The 34-year-old, who stepped down as white-ball captain last February following England's group-stage exit from the Champions Trophy, continued to look like a man relieved of a heavy burden as he hit six fours and four sixes. Needing just four for the century, he was out lbw to Joseph in the penultimate over. The tally was Buttler's highest T20 international score on home soil. The Windies were 2-33 off 5.2 overs after losing Johnson Charles for 18, stumped by Buttler off Dawson, and Hope caught by Duckett, who repaid his own dismissal in like-for-like fashion, for three off debutant Matthew Potts. England restricted the visitors to 2-44 at the end of the powerplay, compared to 1-78 at the same stage of the home innings. Evin Lewis hit West Indies top score of 39 off 23 balls, before being caught by Brydon Carse with Jacob Bethell bowling. Dawson, back in the side at 35 and playing his first England match since 2022, claimed his second and third wickets when Duckett caught Sherfane Rutherford (2) and Roston Chase (24) in quick succession. The left-arm spinner wrapped up with a fourth wicket, for 20 runs from his four overs, by bowling Rovman Powell as West Indies slipped to 6-115 on a tough night in the north-east. "I feel really good. Really pleased to contribute to a really good win," said Dawson after winning the player of the match. "When you get 190 on the board, you can go out there and simplify everything. You can bowl defensively and they've got to come to you. Tonight, it worked. "It's been maybe three-and-a-half years since I played. I was nervous going into the game but I'm happy to contribute." Hope said his side had not bowled as well as they had wanted to and needed also to perform better with the bat. "We've got to put this behind us and we've got two games to win the series," he said. The next T20 game in the three-match series is in Bristol on Sunday. Former captain Joss Buttler and Liam Dawson have helped England make a winning start to their T20 series against the West Indies with a 21-run win at Durham's Riverside Stadium ground. Buttler scored a superb 96 off 59 balls and Dawson took four wickets on his international return, as the hosts drew first blood on Friday. After making a 3-0 winning start to Harry Brook's captaincy in the one-dayers, England kept the momentum in the shorter format after posting 6-188. West Indies finished on 9-167, with Romario Shepherd caught on the final ball of the match. Buttler, in at No.3 with England 1-16 after Ben Duckett was caught by Windies captain Shai Hope off Shepherd, brought up his half century from 25 balls in the eighth over. He had earlier smashed three sixes and scooped a four from the first four balls of a devastating sixth over with Alzarri Joseph bowling. The 34-year-old, who stepped down as white-ball captain last February following England's group-stage exit from the Champions Trophy, continued to look like a man relieved of a heavy burden as he hit six fours and four sixes. Needing just four for the century, he was out lbw to Joseph in the penultimate over. The tally was Buttler's highest T20 international score on home soil. The Windies were 2-33 off 5.2 overs after losing Johnson Charles for 18, stumped by Buttler off Dawson, and Hope caught by Duckett, who repaid his own dismissal in like-for-like fashion, for three off debutant Matthew Potts. England restricted the visitors to 2-44 at the end of the powerplay, compared to 1-78 at the same stage of the home innings. Evin Lewis hit West Indies top score of 39 off 23 balls, before being caught by Brydon Carse with Jacob Bethell bowling. Dawson, back in the side at 35 and playing his first England match since 2022, claimed his second and third wickets when Duckett caught Sherfane Rutherford (2) and Roston Chase (24) in quick succession. The left-arm spinner wrapped up with a fourth wicket, for 20 runs from his four overs, by bowling Rovman Powell as West Indies slipped to 6-115 on a tough night in the north-east. "I feel really good. Really pleased to contribute to a really good win," said Dawson after winning the player of the match. "When you get 190 on the board, you can go out there and simplify everything. You can bowl defensively and they've got to come to you. Tonight, it worked. "It's been maybe three-and-a-half years since I played. I was nervous going into the game but I'm happy to contribute." Hope said his side had not bowled as well as they had wanted to and needed also to perform better with the bat. "We've got to put this behind us and we've got two games to win the series," he said. The next T20 game in the three-match series is in Bristol on Sunday. Former captain Joss Buttler and Liam Dawson have helped England make a winning start to their T20 series against the West Indies with a 21-run win at Durham's Riverside Stadium ground. Buttler scored a superb 96 off 59 balls and Dawson took four wickets on his international return, as the hosts drew first blood on Friday. After making a 3-0 winning start to Harry Brook's captaincy in the one-dayers, England kept the momentum in the shorter format after posting 6-188. West Indies finished on 9-167, with Romario Shepherd caught on the final ball of the match. Buttler, in at No.3 with England 1-16 after Ben Duckett was caught by Windies captain Shai Hope off Shepherd, brought up his half century from 25 balls in the eighth over. He had earlier smashed three sixes and scooped a four from the first four balls of a devastating sixth over with Alzarri Joseph bowling. The 34-year-old, who stepped down as white-ball captain last February following England's group-stage exit from the Champions Trophy, continued to look like a man relieved of a heavy burden as he hit six fours and four sixes. Needing just four for the century, he was out lbw to Joseph in the penultimate over. The tally was Buttler's highest T20 international score on home soil. The Windies were 2-33 off 5.2 overs after losing Johnson Charles for 18, stumped by Buttler off Dawson, and Hope caught by Duckett, who repaid his own dismissal in like-for-like fashion, for three off debutant Matthew Potts. England restricted the visitors to 2-44 at the end of the powerplay, compared to 1-78 at the same stage of the home innings. Evin Lewis hit West Indies top score of 39 off 23 balls, before being caught by Brydon Carse with Jacob Bethell bowling. Dawson, back in the side at 35 and playing his first England match since 2022, claimed his second and third wickets when Duckett caught Sherfane Rutherford (2) and Roston Chase (24) in quick succession. The left-arm spinner wrapped up with a fourth wicket, for 20 runs from his four overs, by bowling Rovman Powell as West Indies slipped to 6-115 on a tough night in the north-east. "I feel really good. Really pleased to contribute to a really good win," said Dawson after winning the player of the match. "When you get 190 on the board, you can go out there and simplify everything. You can bowl defensively and they've got to come to you. Tonight, it worked. "It's been maybe three-and-a-half years since I played. I was nervous going into the game but I'm happy to contribute." Hope said his side had not bowled as well as they had wanted to and needed also to perform better with the bat. "We've got to put this behind us and we've got two games to win the series," he said. The next T20 game in the three-match series is in Bristol on Sunday.
The Advertiser
39 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
Tottenham face backlash over Postecoglou sacking
Ange Postecoglou's sacking by Tottenham has sparked shock and outrage as the soccer world digested the news that a man who had ended his club's long search for silverware had been shown the door a fortnight later. England manager Thomas Tuchel, himself sacked by Chelsea a year after winning the Champions League in 2021, said: "It just shows you that it is not only about titles, you can survive seasons without titles if your connection, the support and the belief and the trust between the coach and the club is strong then you can overcome seasons without titles. "If there is slight disbelief, if there are concerns, if the trust is not there anymore, obviously then it is sometimes not even enough to win a trophy after so many years." Tuchel also paid tribute to Postecoglou: "I have biggest respect for him. He's a huge character, he brought a trophy, he said he will deliver in the second year and he did," he said. "But this is part of the job, we are responsible for the results and we are responsible for the development of the team so, whether we like it or not, sometimes it is us who has to take the full responsibility." There was an emotional response from one of Postecoglou's players, full-back Pedro Porro taking to Instagram to say: "Thank you for everything, boss. For mentoring me early on, helping me settle into the club, and trusting me out on the pitch. "I'll always be grateful for the way you led us, defended us, and kept us going through all the highs and lows. Above everything, you gave us one of the greatest moments in the club's history and for that, you'll always be celebrated. Wishing you all the very best, boss." Soccer pundits came out backing the Australian coach, and laying into Tottenham's decision. Alan Shearer, the former England and Newcastle striker, posted on X: "What a stupid game football is!!!!" Another former England forward, Chris Sutton, said: "To get someone in who wins them silverware, then straightaway get rid of him, that sums up modern football, doesn't it? It's absolute bonkers." Tottenham fan Alfie Watts, who won BBC's Race Across the World in 2024, said he was "fuming" over the sacking "I'm fuming. I can't really get my head around it. I think it's a baffling decision," Watts told BBC Radio. Also on BBC Radio, Spurs fan Jack Teasdale from Macclesfield, said: " It just doesn't make sense to me. We wait 17 years for a trophy, we finally win a trophy in Bilbao and then we sack him and we're back to square one again. It's a shambles to be honest." And from across the North London divide, an Arsenal supporter told the BBC: "Spurs have achieved a trophy win and Champions League qualification. One more than us! Yet they lose their manager. Deserved longer in the role." Ange Postecoglou's sacking by Tottenham has sparked shock and outrage as the soccer world digested the news that a man who had ended his club's long search for silverware had been shown the door a fortnight later. England manager Thomas Tuchel, himself sacked by Chelsea a year after winning the Champions League in 2021, said: "It just shows you that it is not only about titles, you can survive seasons without titles if your connection, the support and the belief and the trust between the coach and the club is strong then you can overcome seasons without titles. "If there is slight disbelief, if there are concerns, if the trust is not there anymore, obviously then it is sometimes not even enough to win a trophy after so many years." Tuchel also paid tribute to Postecoglou: "I have biggest respect for him. He's a huge character, he brought a trophy, he said he will deliver in the second year and he did," he said. "But this is part of the job, we are responsible for the results and we are responsible for the development of the team so, whether we like it or not, sometimes it is us who has to take the full responsibility." There was an emotional response from one of Postecoglou's players, full-back Pedro Porro taking to Instagram to say: "Thank you for everything, boss. For mentoring me early on, helping me settle into the club, and trusting me out on the pitch. "I'll always be grateful for the way you led us, defended us, and kept us going through all the highs and lows. Above everything, you gave us one of the greatest moments in the club's history and for that, you'll always be celebrated. Wishing you all the very best, boss." Soccer pundits came out backing the Australian coach, and laying into Tottenham's decision. Alan Shearer, the former England and Newcastle striker, posted on X: "What a stupid game football is!!!!" Another former England forward, Chris Sutton, said: "To get someone in who wins them silverware, then straightaway get rid of him, that sums up modern football, doesn't it? It's absolute bonkers." Tottenham fan Alfie Watts, who won BBC's Race Across the World in 2024, said he was "fuming" over the sacking "I'm fuming. I can't really get my head around it. I think it's a baffling decision," Watts told BBC Radio. Also on BBC Radio, Spurs fan Jack Teasdale from Macclesfield, said: " It just doesn't make sense to me. We wait 17 years for a trophy, we finally win a trophy in Bilbao and then we sack him and we're back to square one again. It's a shambles to be honest." And from across the North London divide, an Arsenal supporter told the BBC: "Spurs have achieved a trophy win and Champions League qualification. One more than us! Yet they lose their manager. Deserved longer in the role." Ange Postecoglou's sacking by Tottenham has sparked shock and outrage as the soccer world digested the news that a man who had ended his club's long search for silverware had been shown the door a fortnight later. England manager Thomas Tuchel, himself sacked by Chelsea a year after winning the Champions League in 2021, said: "It just shows you that it is not only about titles, you can survive seasons without titles if your connection, the support and the belief and the trust between the coach and the club is strong then you can overcome seasons without titles. "If there is slight disbelief, if there are concerns, if the trust is not there anymore, obviously then it is sometimes not even enough to win a trophy after so many years." Tuchel also paid tribute to Postecoglou: "I have biggest respect for him. He's a huge character, he brought a trophy, he said he will deliver in the second year and he did," he said. "But this is part of the job, we are responsible for the results and we are responsible for the development of the team so, whether we like it or not, sometimes it is us who has to take the full responsibility." There was an emotional response from one of Postecoglou's players, full-back Pedro Porro taking to Instagram to say: "Thank you for everything, boss. For mentoring me early on, helping me settle into the club, and trusting me out on the pitch. "I'll always be grateful for the way you led us, defended us, and kept us going through all the highs and lows. Above everything, you gave us one of the greatest moments in the club's history and for that, you'll always be celebrated. Wishing you all the very best, boss." Soccer pundits came out backing the Australian coach, and laying into Tottenham's decision. Alan Shearer, the former England and Newcastle striker, posted on X: "What a stupid game football is!!!!" Another former England forward, Chris Sutton, said: "To get someone in who wins them silverware, then straightaway get rid of him, that sums up modern football, doesn't it? It's absolute bonkers." Tottenham fan Alfie Watts, who won BBC's Race Across the World in 2024, said he was "fuming" over the sacking "I'm fuming. I can't really get my head around it. I think it's a baffling decision," Watts told BBC Radio. Also on BBC Radio, Spurs fan Jack Teasdale from Macclesfield, said: " It just doesn't make sense to me. We wait 17 years for a trophy, we finally win a trophy in Bilbao and then we sack him and we're back to square one again. It's a shambles to be honest." And from across the North London divide, an Arsenal supporter told the BBC: "Spurs have achieved a trophy win and Champions League qualification. One more than us! Yet they lose their manager. Deserved longer in the role."
News.com.au
3 hours ago
- News.com.au
Desperate Saudi Arabia set to make it tough for Socceroos in Jeddah
The Socceroos are bracing themselves for a hostile reception on and the off field in Saudi Arabia, where FIFA World Cup qualification will be up for grabs on Wednesday morning in Jeddah. The Australians are on the brink of reaching next year's World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, with the Saudis needing to score at the least five goals against them to have any hope of securing guaranteed qualification at the expense of the Socceroos. As a result, Saudi hospitality is expected to be anything but forthcoming. 'I'm expecting delays at the airport, I'm expecting a really bad pitch to train on, I'm expecting … bus delays before the game,' Socceroos midfielder Connor Metcalfe said. 'They're probably just going to throw everything at us because they know what they need to do, and they're going to make it as difficult as possible.' And don't expect the Socceroos to take things lying down, with Metcalfe saying the Australians would be willing to display some gamesmanship of their own to frustrate the hosts. 'We're going to have to play a little bit of their game as well,' he said. 'Whether we waste time and delay the game as much as we can, because it's going to be like that. 'There's going to be a lot of diving, a lot of acting, but we will block the noise out, focus on ourselves and do the best we can. 'If you get affected by any of their little games or noise or whatever it is, then it's just going to affect the game, and they're going to get that little advantage over you. 'We want to beat them on their home turf in front of all their fans.' Metcalfe returned to Socceroos duty last Thursday night in Australia's 1-0 win over Japan in Perth after missing the national team's previous seven matches following a series of injuries that restricted him to just 10 appearances for his German club St. Pauli in the 2024-25 Bundesliga season. 'It's been a long, long journey, (and a) tough ride, but it was amazing being back out there,' the former Melbourne City star said. 'Just being involved in a win as well in front of a home crowd was a special feeling.'
