Marshall Islands football team 'proud' of first ever match
The Pacific Island nation is home to about 40,000 people and had previously been the self-proclaimed "last country on Earth without a football team".Its first match formed part of the 2025 Outrigger Challenge Cup - the Marshall Islands Soccer Federation annual competition to create more opportunities for nations in our region to play competitive soccer and raise awareness of the sport.The team's group shot after the game has an inscription "Whatever the score, so proud of what was accomplished. Tonight, we made history".They will also be playing against Turks and Caicos.
The four team tournament in the US was organised by the Marshall Islands Soccer Federation, and is seen as first step towards the team joining FIFA and competing in World Cup qualifying matches."We've got players that are coming from all different parts of the world, we've got a lot of US-based players that are experienced but we're also combining them with players from the Marshall Islands," Mr Owers said of the playing squad.
You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
13 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
NFL fans declare 'football is BACK' after hilarious sideline moment between Nick Sirianni and Kevin Stefanski
NFL fans had a laugh after Philadelphia Eagles coach Nick Sirianni got into some lighthearted antics in a preseason game against the Cleveland Browns on Saturday. With the Eagles up 13-9 with two seconds before the half, the Browns decided to trot out kicker Andre Szmyt to try and make it a one-point game. Szmyt lined up and went through his paces to prepare for the kick - only for Sirianni to call timeout to 'ice the kicker'. Despite the fact that preseason games are essentially meaningless endeavors, Sirianni injected some humor with his move. Cameras cut to him and saw him grinning across the field to Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski. Stefanski was seen shaking his head at his counterpart - while Sirianni continued to lob jokes to him. Szmyt did eventually knock through a kick to make it 13-12 at the end of the first half. Meanwhile, fans were left in stitches while declaring that football season had officially begun. 'so glad football is back,' wrote one user on X, formerly Twitter. 'Sirianni making the most out of the preseason by working on in-season strategy. Gotta love it! This is what I love about the preseason,' wrote Broncos radio host Nick Ferguson. The Browns were able to move to 2-0 on the preseason after beating Philly 22-13. Sirianni and his Eagles are coming off a Super Bowl victory over the Kansas City Chiefs - ending their opponent's hopes of a historic 'threepeat'. They will now hope to join the Chiefs and the New England Patriots by becoming another team to win back-to-back titles in the 21st century. Philadelphia opens their season - and the NFL's season - at home against the Dallas Cowboys.
BreakingNews.ie
13 minutes ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Rasmus Hojlund left out of Man Utd squad for Arsenal game amid exit speculation
Rasmus Hojlund was omitted from the squad for Manchester United's Premier League opener against Arsenal as speculation swirls about his future. The 22-year-old striker has failed to justify his price tag since joining Atalanta two years ago for £64million (€74 million) plus a potential £8m in add-ons. Advertisement Hojlund has been linked with a return to Serie A this summer and was an unused substitute in United's final pre-season friendly against Fiorentina last weekend. 🥁 Here it is… Our first #PL starting line-up of 2025/26! 🔴👊 — Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 17, 2025 New signing Benjamin Sesko was presented before that game and was included on the bench against the Gunners at Old Trafford, where the Denmark international was conspicuous by his absence. Ruben Amorim also left Andre Onana out of Sunday's squad, although the Cameroon international has only recently returned to training after a hamstring issue that disrupted his pre-season. Altay Bayindir lined up between the sticks for United, who handed debuts to summer acquisitions Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo. Advertisement Viktor Gyokeres, who worked under Amorim at Sporting Lisbon, and Martin Zubimendi made their Arsenal debuts.
BBC News
13 minutes ago
- BBC News
Saints can 'go a long way' with Still
Southampton's Ryan Fraser has heaped praise onto new boss Will Still and feels they can "go a long way" if the players stick by are unbeaten so far this season, with an opening-day win over Wrexham and on a competitive point away at Ipswich has featured in Still's side throughout pre-season and started in both of the first Championship games."I have to praise the manager because he told us to forget everything from last season," Fraser told BBC Radio Solent. "We're doing it his way now and his way is really good. If we stick by each other and we stick by him then we will go a long way for sure. "Having a pre-season under this manager and him trusting me is massive. Wherever I play I will do it to the best of my ability. "He and his staff have been top so far. They have ingrained good spirit and a real good feeling here and I think that translates to the pitch."Fraser provided an assist for his side in Sunday's draw at Portman Road. The 31-year-old cut in and send a quality ball into the box, where youngster Jay Robinson was on hand to head into the net for his first senior goal."Jay has been unbelievable," Fraser added. "As a young player he is playing without fear and he's bedded into the team so good. "First and foremost he is a great lad away from the pitch and if we keep him fit he will be a massive player for us this season. "Seeing him come through is nice for me to see. He reminds me of when I was that young, but he's probably better than me!"
