Latest news with #'sWorldCup
Straits Times
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Magnificent seven for Portia as New Zealand make statement ahead of World Cup
FILE PHOTO: Paris 2024 Olympics - Rugby Sevens - Women's Pool A - New Zealand vs Canada - Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France - July 28, 2024. Portia Woodman-Wickliffe of New Zealand in action with Carissa Norsten of Canada REUTERS/Dylan Martinez/File Photo Magnificent seven for Portia as New Zealand make statement ahead of World Cup SYDNEY - Portia Woodman-Wickliffe's return from retirement paid big dividends for New Zealand at the weekend when the veteran winger scored seven tries to help the world champions thrash the United States 79-14 and retain the Pacific Four title. Katelyn Vahaakolo on the other wing chipped in with four tries but it was Woodman-Wickliffe who caught the eye with some devastating finishing as the Black Ferns produced a statement win three months before their Women's World Cup title defence. The 33-year-old, who was playing her first test since the 2022 World Cup final after coming out of retirement in April, also overhauled Vanessa Coutts as her country's all-time leading try scorer with 45 five-pointers in 26 internationals. "It's always amazing to represent the black jersey and the legacy that we have, but it's really cool for where we can go from here," twice World Player of the Year Woodman-Wickliffe said. "For me, I just finish what the girls are doing, if I'm there to finish the tries out wide, then that's my job done. We've still got a lot of work to do as a whole team, which is really exciting." After drawing 27-27 in their last outing against Canada, New Zealand needed to beat the U.S. by 25 points and earn a bonus point on Saturday to retain the Pacific Four title. Despite the Americans scoring the first try, that proved no problem at Auckland's North Harbour Stadium with sevens standout Jorja Miller also on fire on her test debut at openside flanker. Canada earlier also finished the tournament unbeaten after putting sixth-ranked Australia to the sword 45-7 with a clinical performance at Brisbane's Lang Park. The powerful Canadian pack quickly dented the confidence Australia had built up after beating the U.S. 27-19 in Canberra last week as they signalled they will be no pushovers in England in August and September. "Obviously we would have loved to get that win against New Zealand last weekend, but we had to move on," said Canada captain Alex Tessier. "Overall I was very proud of the girls today. It was a decent win. We put a lot of points on the board." New Zealand, who have won six of the nine previous Women's World Cups but are ranked third in the world behind World Cup hosts England and Canada, next play Australia for a second time this year in Wellington on July 12. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Boston Globe
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
FIFA confirms Women's World Cup will increase to 48 teams in 2031 when US is expected to host
The decision follows one month after FIFA said it had just one candidate bidding for each of the 2031 and 2035 women's tournaments — the U.S. followed by the United Kingdom. FIFA is expected to confirm these two hosts next year. Brazil will host a 32-team Women's World Cup in 2027.
Daily Mail
01-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Heartbroken friends pay tribute to Brit woman, 65, found stabbed to death 'in frenzied attack' outside her Dordogne after 'night out with male friend'
Heartbroken friends have paid tribute to a British woman who was stabbed to death in France as she was pictured for the first time since the 'brutal' attack. The body of Karen Carter, a 65-year-old married mother of four, was found outside a property she ran in the village of Trémolat, east of Bordeaux, on Tuesday evening. An investigating source said that the mother-of-four was found 'covered in stab wounds', with desperate efforts now underway to identify and find the attacker. They said Ms Carter suffered a 'frenzied attack' following a night out at a local café-bar with a male friend. 'A man called the emergency services after finding her covered in stab wounds. Five deep injuries pointed to ferocious violence and a desire to kill,' said the source. Her friend tried to administer first aid at the scene, French media reported. According to the Bergerac prosecutor's office, the victim suffered multiple wounds to her chest, groin, arm, and leg. The murder weapon has not yet been found. When medics arrived, they found Ms Carter 'in cardio-respiratory arrest' and, despite attempts to revive her, she died at the scene. Residents of the small rural commune were in 'total shock' from the incident. The victim was 'a delightful, energetic person who got on with everybody,' one resident said. 'Nobody can understand how this could have happened in a peaceful place like this. We are all keeping our doors locked. It is deeply worrying.' Sylvie Martins-Guedes, the Bergerac prosecutor, confirmed that a criminal enquiry had been opened, and that local gendarmes were investigating. She said that 'a search has been launched to identify and arrest the perpetrator,' and that possible motives included robbery. Ms Carter was married to Alan Carter, also 65, who at one point worked for the London Stock Exchange. The couple were both educated at Rhodes University, South Africa, and, according to the France 3 news outlet, Ms Carter was British. She was the owner and manager of two guest houses in Trémolat, and both were frequently used by guests from the UK. A message written by Ms Carter read: 'We would love to welcome you to visit our beautiful cottage in the Dordogne Valley, France. 'Take time out of your crazy schedule and relax into the wonderful slow lifestyle of the French community.' The property is called Les Chouettes [The Owls] and it is described as 'a lovely old renovated farmhouse and barn', sleeping 14 in total. Sud Ouest (South West) the French regional newspaper described Ms Carter as a 'British national' and 'an active participant in Trémolat life.' Ms Carter at one stage ran a lifestyle blog for women over 50 called La Vie est Belle (Life is Beautiful). She was also a leading player in the Queens of Football (Reines du Foot) team, which in early April completed a tour of South Africa. The victim was one of 18 football players who left for South Africa to participate in the Grandma's World Cup, after training between Calès and Trémolat. 'Everyone is in shock, it's horrible,' her distraught teammates told Francebleu. Known to play in a number 12 jersey, the British national was a substitute left midfielder during the competition in South Africa. The club paid tribute to Ms Carter, writing on Facebook: 'We are immensely saddened by the sudden passing of Karen, our friend and Queen of Football, who leaves a great void in our hearts. 'All our thoughts go out to her loved ones.' A Trémolat resident said on Wednesday: 'Everyone is in total shock – Ms Carter was a delightful, energetic person who got on with everybody. 'We saw emergency vehicles in the village, and then lots of police cars, and then the area around her house was cordoned off,' said the source, who asked to remain anonymous 'for security reasons.' She added: 'Nobody can understand how this could have happened in a peaceful place like this. We are all keeping our doors locked – it is deeply worrying.' A sign was placed on the front of the local café to inform residents that the Wednesday concert evening and Thursday quiz were cancelled 'due to death'. An investigation has been opened against an unknown person for the count of voluntary homicide. 'All avenues of investigation are being explored,' the prosecutor said. The Dordogne is an area of France that is hugely popular with British tourists, second home owners and expat pensioners. In February, British couple Andrew and Dawn Searle, who previously lived in East Lothian in Scotland, were found dead at their home in the south west village of Les Peques, north of Toulouse. Ms Searle's body was found in the garden with severe wounds to her head, while her husband's body was found hanging inside. The prosecutor in charge of the case has since said there was no evidence that another person was involved in their deaths, and that murder-suicide was the likely cause.
Time of India
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Pakistan cricketer takes mental health break, seeks privacy
Nida Dar (Photo by) Pakistan women's cricket stalwart Nida Dar has announced a break from the sport, citing mental health struggles in a heartfelt social media post on Friday. The 38-year-old former captain revealed that personal and professional challenges have taken a toll on her mental well-being, prompting her decision to step away from cricket temporarily. "I would like to inform that a lot of things have happened in the past with me personally and professionally and this has affected my mental health. For this reason I am taking a break for a while from cricket to focus on myself. Please respect the privacy. Thank you. #respect," Dar wrote. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! One of the most iconic figures in Pakistan women's cricket, Dar had reportedly confirmed her decision to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Though she appeared for a fitness test ahead of the ICC Women's World Cup qualifiers in Lahore, she later opted out of the training camp and was not part of the national women's T20 Cup either. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo Dar last represented Pakistan in October 2023 against New Zealand in Dubai. Over a decorated career spanning 272 international appearances, she has taken 252 wickets and scored 3,781 runs across formats. Who's that IPL player? The PCB has yet to release an official statement on Dar's decision.
BBC News
09-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Ireland beaten by Pakistan in opening qualifier
ICC Women's World Cup qualifier, LahorePakistan 217 (49 overs): Riaz 52, Ameen 51; J Maguire 3-33, Kelly 2-34, Murray 2-49Ireland 179 (44 overs): Lewis 44, Hunter 44; Baig 4-35, Sandhu 3-41, Iqbal 2-37Pakistan won by x runsScorecard Ireland lost nine wickets for only 83 runs as they collapsed from a strong position to lose their opening Women's World Cup qualifier against hosts Irish restricted Pakistan to only 217 from 49 overs with Jane Maguire taking three wickets as Aliya Riaz and Sidra Ameen hit 52 and 51 for the their reply, Ireland reached 96-1 as captain Gaby Lewis (44) and Amy Hunter (44) produced a 69-run partnership but their departures within four overs turned the match in Pakistan's Prendergast batted for nearly 17 overs as she hit 37 but wickets fell regularly at the other end as home bowlers Diana Baig and Nashra Sandhu did most of the produced bowling figures of 4-35 with Sandhu's three wickets including the vital dismissals of Lewis, Hunter and Laura Delany for a duck as Ireland slipped from 96-1 to 119-4 in 6.2 briefly rallied as Prendergast and Leah Paul put on 34 for the fifth wicket but Paul's departure after being trapped lbw by Sadia Iqbal effectively ended Irish resistance they were only able to add a further 24 Irish will be back in action on Friday against West Indies at the same Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore before further contests against Bangladesh, Thailand and the two top teams in the round-robin qualifier will secure places at the World Cup in India in September.
