Latest news with #nationalteam
RNZ News
an hour ago
- General
- RNZ News
Gary Stead steps down as Black Caps coach
Departoing coach Gary Stead Photo: PHOTOSPORT Black Caps coach Gary Stead's successful seven years in charge of the men's national cricket side is over. Stead, who last month confirmed he would step away as coach of the white-ball formats, was effectively ruled out of contention for the head coach role after NZC opted for one head coach across all three formats. Stead oversaw the inaugural World Test Championship win in 2021, and an unprecedented three-nil Test series sweep of India on the sub-continent last year, alongside five out of six finals appearances in ICC white-ball World Cups. More to come...
BBC News
4 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Netherlands 1-1 Scotland: What Andreatta said
Scotland boss Melissa Andreatta tells BBC Scotland: "With that performance we earned that result."Especially when you think about the last 24 hours that we had, I think that showed what this team is about. That was established long before me but they put in a great performance tonight."We've talked a lot about belief. There's things that can happen that are out of your control but if you can focus on what you can control, the football, then you can get the result."I was really pleased. I think we did start well then the Netherlands started to dominate. We did a tactical change, got a foothold back in the game and we were unlucky to conceded that chance but I think we dominated the second half and were unlucky not to win."The growth of this team with only five or six sessions, players finishing seasons, I'm excited now to take all this in. We have a bit of a break and we'll start again in October and get a chance to look at players who aren't even here. This is a good way to finish this campaign."There's nothing like being in the environment, being involved in matchday. I think now it's about consolidating the learnings and maximising the strengths of everyone in this team."
New York Times
7 hours ago
- General
- New York Times
Pochettino likens Pulisic to USA's Messi, addresses stars passing on Gold Cup
U.S. men's national team coach Mauricio Pochettino said this week he hopes to instill in his team the type of urgency and desire to play for the national team that exists in other countries. Speaking on the Unfiltered Soccer with Landon Donovan and Tim Howard podcast, Pochettino cited some of the biggest names he has coached — Argentine legend Lionel Messi, French World Cup winner Kylian Mbappe and Brazilian star Neymar — as examples of top players who remain 'desperate' to play for their respective national teams. Advertisement 'The people need to prioritize the national team,' Pochettino said. 'We were talking about Argentine players, or Brazilian players or English players or Spanish players, they are desperate. Even Messi, even Neymar, even Mbappé for France, these guys are desperate to go to the national team. For them, when they go, they don't see if it's a friendly game, if it's an official game, it's a World Cup, it doesn't matter, because the possibility to defend one time more your flag, your shirt. It's about to feel proud. And that is the responsibility to us to translate.' The comments are striking after Christian Pulisic made the decision, in conjunction with U.S. Soccer, to skip this summer's Gold Cup. Citing his heavy workload with AC Milan and the U.S. — Pulisic is one of just 10 outfield players in the top five European leagues to appear in 50 games in each of the past two seasons — Pulisic felt he needed the rest in order to be healthy for next summer's World Cup. Donovan compared Pulisic to Messi in that he has the most eyeballs on him of any American player and asked how the staff could handle competing in the tournament this summer without Pulisic. Pochettino praised his team's top player and said he does not question Pulisic's commitment to the group or the country. 'I think Christian in the last year showed a great quality,' Pochettino said. 'He's performing in Europe, also he's performing with the national team. He's a very talented player that can help us to win. You say people compare Messi with Christian Pulisic. I don't want to be disrespectful with Messi or Pulisic, but I think in this country, Pulisic should be our Messi, because he's an iconic player, the kids on the street for sure if you ask one soccer player in this country, it's Pulisic. 'We have very good communication with our players. Christian is a very nice guy, is very committed to the national team and he wants to help and of course is desperate to play in the World Cup and arrive in the best condition. All these conversations that we were taking with the players, I think that was the best decision to help him because every player are in different circumstances, and even if I want Christian here or another player here – Antonee (Robinson, injured Fulham left back) or like this – I think no one or another teammate is going to see badly about if I'm saying that, because I think … sometimes you need to put the interest in the medium and long term than in the present. Advertisement 'Because for me after the March camp, if I say, 'OK I don't care about [anything], I want to win tomorrow,' [there] is [a] consequence after, because I think we are all preparing and focused on the World Cup. And sometimes we need to be open and flexible in some decisions. When we talk about these types of decisions for us, it was a tough decision … It was our decision in the end, because if you say you need to come — you cannot force the player to come — but I think I need to be fair and say it was a collective decision to try to find the best for the national team and the best for the player.' 'We are building something and always when you are building something, always there are up and downs in this period. It's true that we are a little bit disappointed. We were really excited after January. not because of the two (games) … but how the players, how the team showed the responsibility that we wanted to translate. Then with all the circumstances in March, it didn't help us to show that.' The Gold Cup was meant to be an important team-building month for the U.S. under Pochettino, his first extended camp with the U.S. since taking over after last summer's Copa América failure. Now it takes on new meaning as Pochettino evaluates his wider national team pool. That being said, Pochettino insisted the goal was still to win. Ultimately, even without Pulisic and other starters — Robinson, Yunus Musah, Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, Folarin Balogun and Gio Reyna are also missing the tournament via injury or FIFA Club World Cup duty — the tournament serves as a step toward next summer's World Cup. That is true for MLS players trying to break into the squad, but also for others, including World Cup starter Matt Turner. Pochettino said on the podcast he told Turner that the goalkeeper had to start finding minutes in order to be ready for the World Cup. Advertisement 'We are very open,' Pochettino said. 'We don't have fears to talk with the player. Sometimes it's painful because you need to tell some players: 'Look, you need to play.' At the moment OK, so far it's good, because we are checking your character, your personality, your capacity to be a leader, the leadership that you have, but at some point to be a leader you need to compete.' Pochettino also praised players like Diego Luna, who have started to show they bring value to the squad simply with their mentality and approach. Pochettino noted that Luna didn't want to come out of the game after being elbowed in the nose during a January-camp friendly, then bloodied and taped up, assisted on a goal. Asked about who the leaders are on the team, Pochettino alluded to giving everyone a chance to prove their role — whether as a squad player, a starter or a leader. 'When we arrived in October I think the picture changed in the national team. In the way that we like to translate the message and the way that we are open to give the opportunity to all the players to step up and show the character,' Pochettino said. 'Because we don't want to assume that because four years ago someone was captain now should be the captain, because the circumstance changed. I think we are very open and giving the opportunity to the group and the players that are involved to say, 'Come on, show me.' For me, it's a natural process. Sometimes some players can surprise you and can step up. 'The most important thing is to see in a spontaneous way who will step up when things are wrong, when the stress is there, when the pressure is there, who is going to say 'Hey, I am here.'' There is, of course, an enormous amount of pressure on the team to perform in next summer's tournament. The U.S. advance to the knockout round in the 2022 World Cup with one of the youngest squads in the world. The belief that the payoff would come in 2026. Struggles in last summer's Copa América, where the U.S. was eliminated in the group stage, and in this spring's Concacaf Nations League, where it lost to Panama and Canada, have upped the stakes. 'I feel the responsibility. We all feel the responsibility,' Pochettino said. 'Knowing that it's soccer or football, it's about the joy, it's about not to put too much pressure on the players, because the players need to perform. … But yes of course it's a massive pressure. The mentality and the culture of this country is to win. Advertisement 'The size of this country puts you in a position that you need to deliver. You need to show that you are brave, that you are a winner, but not talking like I am now. It's easy to talk. The most important is go and to show. Show on the pitch when you need to defend your flag there, fighting and being a team, that is a moment to say, 'Yes we have quality, I am a good player, but now it's about to defend your country.''
The Independent
11 hours ago
- General
- The Independent
French rugby team gets boost ahead of All Blacks clash
France has reached an agreement with the Top 14 to allow some of the best players to join the national team for the summer tour against the All Blacks in New Zealand. Originally, France was expected to field a largely second-string squad due to the proximity of the Top 14 final to the Test series, which begins on 5 July. Under the agreement, up to five players from the two Top 14 finalist clubs can be included in the 42-man squad, provided they haven't had excessive playing time during the season. French rugby federation vice-president Jean-Marc Lhermet said the agreement struck a balance between sporting performance and player protection. Key players like Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Damian Penaud are unlikely to travel due to heavy workloads, while Antoine Dupont is still recovering from an ACL injury.
Malay Mail
a day ago
- General
- Malay Mail
From La Liga to Harimau Malaya: Argentina's Facundo Garcés joins national squad
KUALA LUMPUR, June 3 — Deportivo Alavés centre-back Facundo Garcés was yesterday announced as the latest addition to the national football squad under head coach Peter Cklamovski. The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), in a statement, said the 25-year-old player is expected to bring quality, experience and strong leadership to a team working to strengthen itself and become the squad that Malaysians aspire to see. 'Having played in Argentina's top-tier league and recently completed a season with Deportivo Alavés in La Liga, Garcés has fulfilled all registration and eligibility requirements, and is now available for selection by Cklamovski. 'He is a player of great character, a composed defender, and one who brings strong personality and vast experience. He is extremely passionate about representing Malaysia and making the country proud,' the statement said. Garcés also expressed his excitement at representing Malaysia. 'Being part of this national team is an incredible honour. Since arriving, I've felt the warmth, sense of family and genuine support from everyone. 'If this is just the beginning, I can only imagine how amazing it will be when the whole country and its fans stand behind us. I'm ready to give my all for Malaysia,' he said. According to the statement, Garcés has joined the national team's training camp during the current Fifa window and will be eligible for selection in the 2027 Asian Cup Qualifier against Vietnam on June 10. — Bernama
