Latest news with #AyakaYamashita
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
City stars lock horns in SheBelieves Cup opener
There was a City-centric feel to the opening game at the 2025 SheBelieves Cup as Japan recorded a 4-0 win over Australia in Houston. Ayaka Yamashita, Yui Hasegawa and Aoba Fujino all started for Nadeshiko at Shell Energy Stadium and helped their side to victory over a Matildas team that selected Mary Fowler from the off. Japan broke the deadlock in the sixth minute when Fujino's cross from the left was recycled to the edge of the area before Fuka Nugano's shot was turned into the back of the net thanks to Mina Tanaka's delicate backheel from close range. Following the opener, the encounter developed into an evenly contested affair and former City winger Hayley Raso almost unleashed a pass into Fowler's direction, but it was intercepted just before our forward could strike at goal. But Australia's strong momentum was almost extinguished before the interval when a hopeful cross into the box was met by Mina Tanaka whose header crashed off the crossbar. The Utah Royals forward made no mistake when presented the next opportunity, though, as defensive miscommunication following another direct ball into the box allowed the 30-year-old to ghost into the area and tap into the net. WATCH: Walk and Talk with Hasegawa and Oyama Following the interval, Tanaka's influence on proceedings continued and she turned provider on 52 minutes when her driven cross following a sublime passing move was tucked into an empty net by Maika Hamano. And Japan finished off the scoring to add the gloss to a fine afternoon when Moeka Minami met a diagonal into the area to glance the ball into the back of the net. It means Nadeshiko sit at the top of the SheBelieves Cup table ahead of their second fixture at the tournament when they meet Colombia on Sunday 23 February at 19:00 (UK). Australia, meanwhile, will look to bounce back in their second assignment – a clash with hosts the United States of America on Sunday at 22:00 (UK).
The Guardian
20-02-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Japan v Australia: SheBelieves Cup women's football international
Show key events only Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature Show key events only Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature Japan: Ayaka Yamashita (gk), Saki Kumagai, Hikaru Kitagawa, Moeka Minami, Hana Takahashi, Toko Koga, Yui Hasegawa (capt), Fuka Nagano, Aoba Fujino, Maika Hamano, Mina Tanaka. The No 8-ranked Japan match the Matildas in naming a strong lineup with goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita and skipper Yui Hasegawa familiar to Australia's Mary Fowler with all regular starters for Manchester City. Share Interim coach Tom Sermanni tells Paramount+ that he wants the Matildas to make a fast start in both this match and across the tournament. He adds that Mary Fowler has been looking 'very good' which is understating how red-hot the Australia attacker's form as been. The 22-year-old has six goals and six assists for Manchester City in the WSL this season, as well as a brace in the League Cup and two goals in the Champions League. Fowler has three goals and four assists in just her last four WSL games but can she carry that form into the SheBelieves Cup and take command of the Matildas side missing star striker Sam Kerr. — CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) February 20, 2025 Share The Matildas will be the first of Australia's teams to wear the new kit with a striking green and gold chevron designed by First Nations artist Reko Rennie. The Socceroos will take their turn in a World Cup qualifier in March. On first look, is it a yay or nay? Share Australia: Mackenzie Arnold (gk), Ellie Carpenter, Clare Hunt, Alanna Kennedy, Steph Catley (capt), Tameka Yallop, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Katrina Gorry, Caitlin Foord, Mary Fowler, Hayley Raso. The Matildas show their intent with a familiar, near-full-strength starting lineup. Many of the younger players that interim coach Tom Sermanni has blooded during his third tenure are in the camp and can be expected to get their opportunities over the three matches of the SheBelieves Cup. Share Martin Pegan Hello and welcome to live coverage of the women's international friendly between the Matildas and Japan. This is the opening match of the SheBelieves Cup, an annual invitational tournament held in the Unites States and featuring four teams including the hosts and this year also Colombia. This is the first time that Australia and the South Americans have been invited to the tournament, while Japan are back for a fifth time. With four high-quality sides playing three matches each across six days it promises to be a whirlwind event and the ideal launching pad for Australia to start their year. While Matildas will seek to win the tournament, they will also be out to build momentum heading towards the Women's Asian Cup on home soil especially after a rollercoaster 2024 that ended with more lows than highs. This most important match of the series for the Matildas is arguably today's against the No 8-ranked Japan which will be among the leading contenders at the Asian Cup in little more than a year. Kick-off time in Houston is 4pm local / 9am AEDT. I'll be back shortly with the line-ups and team news. To share any comments, queries, ideas or predictions just shoot me an email, or find me on Bluesky @ and X @martinpegan. Let's get into it! Share
The Guardian
16-02-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Manchester City v Liverpool: Women's Super League
Show key events only Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature Show key events only Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature Manchester City striker Khadija Shaw makes her first start since early December this evening. The 28-year-old spent over a month on the sidelines due to injury before returning to action last month. She then withdrew from City's League Cup match against Arsenal on February 6 after receiving horrific racist and misogynistic abuse just days prior. She scored her first goal in two months against Leicester in the FA Cup last weekend after coming off the bench, but now she is back in the starting line-up. Share Manchester City starting XI: Ayaka Yamashita; Leila Ouahabi, Laia Aleixandri, Rebecca Knaak, Gracie Prior; Jill Roord, Yui Hasegawa; Vivianne Miedema, Aoba Fujino, Mary Fowler, Khadija Shaw. Substitutes: Khiara Keating, Naomi Layzell, Laura Wienroither, Kerolin, Jess Park, Laura Blindkilde Brown, Aemu Oyama, Lily Murphy, Mayzee Davies. Liverpool starting XI: Teagan Micah; Jenna Clark, Grace Fisk, Gemma Evans; Lucy Parry, Taylor Hinds; Sam Kerr, Ceri Holland, Marie Höbinger; Leanne Kiernan, Sophie Román Haug. Substitutes: Rachael Laws, Cornelia Kapocs, Fūka Nagano, Mia Enderby, Yana Daniëls, Gemma Bonner, Alejandra Bernabé, Zara Shaw. Share Hello, good evening and welcome to coverage of Manchester City vs Liverpool in the Women's Super League. These two teams last went head-to-head in October, when Gareth Taylor's side took all three points courtesy of a late Khadija Shaw winner. Back then, City were widely considered title challengers. However, fast-forward four months and they are now battling for a place in the top three. Liverpool, on the other hand, have struggled this season. Last term they beat Manchester United to fourth in the table, making them 'best of the rest' in the WSL. But this campaign things just haven't been going their way. Both teams will be desperate for three points this evening, especially now we are approaching the back-end of the season. Kick-off is at 6:45pm GMT - join me! Share
