The Scottish champions face a grandstand finish to their domestic season but first visit Spain in search of a last-16 shockThis is a season-defining week for the Scottish champions, Glasgow City. A 2-1 defeat by their title rivals, Hibernian, in the Scottish Women’s Cup semi-final was not the ideal start to the crunch period, which reaches its climax on Sunday with the two teams – separated by two goals only – meeting in their penultimate league outing. Hibs have won their last five knockout games against City but have not beaten them in the league for a staggering 11 years.Now, the amateur side head to Spain for a David v Goliath style match-up with star-studded Barcelona. It is hard to...
Women’s football in this country has never been able to draw from such a vast talent pool; here we profile some of the most promising, with the Manchester clubs dominantAt a time when English women’s football can call upon its biggest-ever pool of talent, choosing 10 young English players to watch from the Super League and Championship is extremely hard. This list excludes players such as the Arsenal defender Leah Williamson, Everton’s Gabby George and Manchester City’s Keira Walsh, who have played for England, and looks instead at the level below. The supremely talented Alessia Russo and Grace Fisk have been excluded because they play in the US. Continue reading...
Phil Neville knows the names of his players’ pet dogs, but with the World Cup looming his squad need to be more clinical on the fieldEngland face two big tests in their preparations for the World Cup when they play Brazil and Australia in the next few days and I’m really excited to watch how they cope with stronger opposition having booked their World Cup spot in France.After watching the qualification campaign, it was hard to say that England looked ready to win a World Cup but these two games could be an indication of progress under Phil Neville. Related: Sport enters the WhatsApp age and dreads ever being asked to leave | Emma John The USA are always strong...
The messaging app proves the ultimate team-bonding tool with efficient sharing of logistics, ‘bantz’ and devastating newsGood news for sportsmen this week: they can now forget the pre‑tournament boot camps, and the on-tour karaoke. Travel agents, too, can cancel those large group tours to Gallipoli. Because the Ryder Cup gave us conclusive proof that the ultimate team-bonding tool is already here, and its name is WhatsApp.The European team’s app-inspired love-in has removed all doubt. Even we on the outside could practically see the heart-eyed emojis fluttering between Francesco Molinari and Tommy Fleetwood. If Theresa May really wants to rally her cabinet behind her at the Tory conference, she should surely be changing her profile pic to Justin Thomas in a...
Fifa got the Luka Modric decision right at the Best awards but naming Marta as the women’s best sends the wrong signalsFifa’s annual Best awards were held in London on Monday and it is fair to say they have created much debate. I can see why and no more so, in my opinion, than in regards to the women’s prize. Marta is one of my favourite players, and one of the best players I’ve had the privilege of coming up against, so I say this with the greatest respect: there are other players who were in a much stronger position to be named the best female player of 2018. Related: Luka Modric and Marta win Fifa player of the year...