Latest news with #Slovenians
The Age
30-06-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Slovenia's late equaliser spoils the Matildas' Montemurro welcome party
Latest posts Pinned post from yesterday 10.50pm Slovenia's late equaliser spoils Montemurro's welcome party A 91st-minute strike from Mirjam Kastelec has earned Slovenia a 1-1 draw with the Matildas in Perth, denying new Australian coach Joe Montemurro two wins from two games and spoiling an improved performance from the hosts. After a scoreless opening half at HBF Park on Sunday evening, the Australians secured a deserved breakthrough five minutes after the break when Remy Siemsen set Ellie Carpenter up to float a cutback to Michelle Heyman, who placed a side-footed volley into the net. But a late flurry from the Slovenians was rewarded a minute into added time when an effort from Naja Poje Mihelic bounced off the post and back into the path of fellow substitute Kastelec, who slid in front of a desperately retreating Australian defence to fire home. It dampened a performance from the Australians that showed signs of improvement as they continue to adapt to the new possession-based principles of Montemurro – even if the margin was well off the 3-0 victory they secured over the same opposition on Thursday. After a midweek win characterised by struggles with the Slovenian press and sloppy turnovers, the hosts were cleaner with the ball in their defensive third in the re-match, which resulted in fewer opportunities off giveaways for the Europeans. This was accompanied by improvements in the side's movement and combination play going forward, particularly from Carpenter and Amy Sayer on the right. The promising build-ups, however, were frequently let down by the final ball or stymied by desperate last-gasp defending. That was until the 50th minute, when Siemsen's inch-perfect ball for Carpenter set the wingback up to put it on a plate for Heyman. Charli Grant came close to killing the game off in the 70th minute, but had her shot cleared off the line. The visitors then raised their intensity. Having hardly been sighted to that point, Mackenzie Arnold was called into action in the 90th minute to deny Kastelec, but the Australian keeper could do little about the 22-year-old's effort a minute later. Seeking to bounce back, Montemurro will now shuffle his deck for fixtures against Panama on July 5 and July 8, with Carpenter, Cooney-Cross and Kennedy among eight players leaving camp to make way for eight new squad players. yesterday 10.30pm Thanks for joining us tonight It was not the result many die-hard Matildas wants would have wanted tonight but, hey, it was a friendly and all eyes are on the right choices for Australia ahead of next year's Asian Cup. The Tillies were smooth and created enough chances. A second ball in the back of the net for Australia would have proved all the difference. In any case, there's optimism for the future. Good night. yesterday 10.17pm Not a bad Sunday night turn out yesterday 10.02pm Full-time: There's the whistle The match finishes at 1-1 – a result which will leave the Matildas a tad frustrated. No-one wants to give up a goal in injury time, and that's exactly the mood here. The Tillies were impressive throughout, creating numerous chances but could only put one in the back of the net after a goalless opening half. The window was open for Slovenia to somehow snatch an equaliser .… and they did. yesterday 9.59pm GOAL: Oh, no, the equaliser 90+1′ - SLOVENIA have SCORED. An equaliser in stoppage time. That's well against the script, and against the flow ... Mirjam Kastelec pounced on a ball in the box and slotted at home. The ball bounced off the left post and, in this case, it was fortuitous for the visitors that it went in the right direction. Australia 1 Slovenia 1 yesterday 9.54pm The big final minutes have arrived 85′ - The big final minutes have arrived. The Tillies can't simply try and protect a one-goal lead. Slovenia have at times looked dangerous on the counter-attack. As Australia draw heavily on bench rotations, the emphasis on exposing the squad must be balanced with locking in the victories. yesterday 9.51pm More changes for the Tilles That big chance for Australia came closely after a few more substitutions. The Matildas are rotating through the squad now. yesterday 9.48pm This was a decent chance 77′ - The Matildas hover in the attacking third with venom. There was basically three different shots on goal. One shot is expertly cleared from the goal line by the Slovenian 'keeper.
Sydney Morning Herald
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Slovenia's late equaliser spoils the Matildas' Montemurro welcome party
Latest posts Pinned post from yesterday 10.50pm Slovenia's late equaliser spoils Montemurro's welcome party A 91st-minute strike from Mirjam Kastelec has earned Slovenia a 1-1 draw with the Matildas in Perth, denying new Australian coach Joe Montemurro two wins from two games and spoiling an improved performance from the hosts. After a scoreless opening half at HBF Park on Sunday evening, the Australians secured a deserved breakthrough five minutes after the break when Remy Siemsen set Ellie Carpenter up to float a cutback to Michelle Heyman, who placed a side-footed volley into the net. But a late flurry from the Slovenians was rewarded a minute into added time when an effort from Naja Poje Mihelic bounced off the post and back into the path of fellow substitute Kastelec, who slid in front of a desperately retreating Australian defence to fire home. It dampened a performance from the Australians that showed signs of improvement as they continue to adapt to the new possession-based principles of Montemurro – even if the margin was well off the 3-0 victory they secured over the same opposition on Thursday. After a midweek win characterised by struggles with the Slovenian press and sloppy turnovers, the hosts were cleaner with the ball in their defensive third in the re-match, which resulted in fewer opportunities off giveaways for the Europeans. This was accompanied by improvements in the side's movement and combination play going forward, particularly from Carpenter and Amy Sayer on the right. The promising build-ups, however, were frequently let down by the final ball or stymied by desperate last-gasp defending. That was until the 50th minute, when Siemsen's inch-perfect ball for Carpenter set the wingback up to put it on a plate for Heyman. Charli Grant came close to killing the game off in the 70th minute, but had her shot cleared off the line. The visitors then raised their intensity. Having hardly been sighted to that point, Mackenzie Arnold was called into action in the 90th minute to deny Kastelec, but the Australian keeper could do little about the 22-year-old's effort a minute later. Seeking to bounce back, Montemurro will now shuffle his deck for fixtures against Panama on July 5 and July 8, with Carpenter, Cooney-Cross and Kennedy among eight players leaving camp to make way for eight new squad players. yesterday 10.30pm Thanks for joining us tonight It was not the result many die-hard Matildas wants would have wanted tonight but, hey, it was a friendly and all eyes are on the right choices for Australia ahead of next year's Asian Cup. The Tillies were smooth and created enough chances. A second ball in the back of the net for Australia would have proved all the difference. In any case, there's optimism for the future. Good night. yesterday 10.17pm Not a bad Sunday night turn out yesterday 10.02pm Full-time: There's the whistle The match finishes at 1-1 – a result which will leave the Matildas a tad frustrated. No-one wants to give up a goal in injury time, and that's exactly the mood here. The Tillies were impressive throughout, creating numerous chances but could only put one in the back of the net after a goalless opening half. The window was open for Slovenia to somehow snatch an equaliser .… and they did. yesterday 9.59pm GOAL: Oh, no, the equaliser 90+1′ - SLOVENIA have SCORED. An equaliser in stoppage time. That's well against the script, and against the flow ... Mirjam Kastelec pounced on a ball in the box and slotted at home. The ball bounced off the left post and, in this case, it was fortuitous for the visitors that it went in the right direction. Australia 1 Slovenia 1 yesterday 9.54pm The big final minutes have arrived 85′ - The big final minutes have arrived. The Tillies can't simply try and protect a one-goal lead. Slovenia have at times looked dangerous on the counter-attack. As Australia draw heavily on bench rotations, the emphasis on exposing the squad must be balanced with locking in the victories. yesterday 9.51pm More changes for the Tilles That big chance for Australia came closely after a few more substitutions. The Matildas are rotating through the squad now. yesterday 9.48pm This was a decent chance 77′ - The Matildas hover in the attacking third with venom. There was basically three different shots on goal. One shot is expertly cleared from the goal line by the Slovenian 'keeper.
The Advertiser
29-06-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Matildas ship late goal in draw with Slovenia
A 91st-minute strike from Mirjam Kastelec has earned Slovenia a 1-1 draw with the Matildas in Perth, denying Joe Montemurro two wins from two games as Australian coach and spoiling an improved performance from the hosts. After a scoreless opening half at HBF Park on Sunday evening, the Australians secured a deserved breakthrough five minutes after the break when Remy Seimsen set Ellie Carpenter up to float a cutback to Michelle Heyman, who placed a side-footed volley into the net. But a late flurry from the Slovenians was rewarded a minute into added time when an effort from Naja Poje Mihelic bounced off the post and back into the path of fellow substitute Kastelec, who slid in front of a desperately retreating Australian defence to fire home. "We have to be match smart," Montemurro told Paramount. The late equaliser soured an Australian performance that showed signs of improvement as they continue to adapt to the new possession-based principles of Montemurro – even if the scoreline was well off the 3-0 victory they secured over the same opposition on Thursday. After a midweek win characterised by struggles with the Slovenian press and sloppy turnovers, the hosts were cleaner with the ball in their defensive third in the re-match, which resulted in fewer opportunities off giveaways for the Europeans. "We put a big focus on keeping the ball and avoiding the turnovers," Australian defender Wini Heatley told Paramount. "There was definitely something on taking less touches." These improvements were accompanied by better movement and combination play going forward, particularly from Carpenter and Amy Sayer, but the promising signs were frequently let down by the final ball or stymied by desperate last-gasp defending. "Credit where it's due, their defence was hard to break down and they blocked everything," said Heatley. "But we need to keep looking for meaningful passing, not just passing for the sake of passing." The Slovenian defence was finally broken in the 50th minute, when Seimsen's inch-perfect ball for Carpenter set the wingback up to put it on a plate for Heyman. Charli Grant came close to killing the game off in the 79th minute but had her shot cleared off the line. The visitors raised their intensity after having hardly been sighted to that point, and Mackenzie Arnold was forced into action in the 90th minute to make a quick reaction save to deny Kastelec. But the Australian keeper could do little about the 22-year-old's effort a minute later. Seeking to bounce back, Montemurro will now shuffle his deck for fixtures against Panama on July 5 and July 8, with Carpenter, Cooney-Cross and Kennedy amongst eight players leaving camp, with eight new players set to jet into West Australia. A 91st-minute strike from Mirjam Kastelec has earned Slovenia a 1-1 draw with the Matildas in Perth, denying Joe Montemurro two wins from two games as Australian coach and spoiling an improved performance from the hosts. After a scoreless opening half at HBF Park on Sunday evening, the Australians secured a deserved breakthrough five minutes after the break when Remy Seimsen set Ellie Carpenter up to float a cutback to Michelle Heyman, who placed a side-footed volley into the net. But a late flurry from the Slovenians was rewarded a minute into added time when an effort from Naja Poje Mihelic bounced off the post and back into the path of fellow substitute Kastelec, who slid in front of a desperately retreating Australian defence to fire home. "We have to be match smart," Montemurro told Paramount. The late equaliser soured an Australian performance that showed signs of improvement as they continue to adapt to the new possession-based principles of Montemurro – even if the scoreline was well off the 3-0 victory they secured over the same opposition on Thursday. After a midweek win characterised by struggles with the Slovenian press and sloppy turnovers, the hosts were cleaner with the ball in their defensive third in the re-match, which resulted in fewer opportunities off giveaways for the Europeans. "We put a big focus on keeping the ball and avoiding the turnovers," Australian defender Wini Heatley told Paramount. "There was definitely something on taking less touches." These improvements were accompanied by better movement and combination play going forward, particularly from Carpenter and Amy Sayer, but the promising signs were frequently let down by the final ball or stymied by desperate last-gasp defending. "Credit where it's due, their defence was hard to break down and they blocked everything," said Heatley. "But we need to keep looking for meaningful passing, not just passing for the sake of passing." The Slovenian defence was finally broken in the 50th minute, when Seimsen's inch-perfect ball for Carpenter set the wingback up to put it on a plate for Heyman. Charli Grant came close to killing the game off in the 79th minute but had her shot cleared off the line. The visitors raised their intensity after having hardly been sighted to that point, and Mackenzie Arnold was forced into action in the 90th minute to make a quick reaction save to deny Kastelec. But the Australian keeper could do little about the 22-year-old's effort a minute later. Seeking to bounce back, Montemurro will now shuffle his deck for fixtures against Panama on July 5 and July 8, with Carpenter, Cooney-Cross and Kennedy amongst eight players leaving camp, with eight new players set to jet into West Australia. A 91st-minute strike from Mirjam Kastelec has earned Slovenia a 1-1 draw with the Matildas in Perth, denying Joe Montemurro two wins from two games as Australian coach and spoiling an improved performance from the hosts. After a scoreless opening half at HBF Park on Sunday evening, the Australians secured a deserved breakthrough five minutes after the break when Remy Seimsen set Ellie Carpenter up to float a cutback to Michelle Heyman, who placed a side-footed volley into the net. But a late flurry from the Slovenians was rewarded a minute into added time when an effort from Naja Poje Mihelic bounced off the post and back into the path of fellow substitute Kastelec, who slid in front of a desperately retreating Australian defence to fire home. "We have to be match smart," Montemurro told Paramount. The late equaliser soured an Australian performance that showed signs of improvement as they continue to adapt to the new possession-based principles of Montemurro – even if the scoreline was well off the 3-0 victory they secured over the same opposition on Thursday. After a midweek win characterised by struggles with the Slovenian press and sloppy turnovers, the hosts were cleaner with the ball in their defensive third in the re-match, which resulted in fewer opportunities off giveaways for the Europeans. "We put a big focus on keeping the ball and avoiding the turnovers," Australian defender Wini Heatley told Paramount. "There was definitely something on taking less touches." These improvements were accompanied by better movement and combination play going forward, particularly from Carpenter and Amy Sayer, but the promising signs were frequently let down by the final ball or stymied by desperate last-gasp defending. "Credit where it's due, their defence was hard to break down and they blocked everything," said Heatley. "But we need to keep looking for meaningful passing, not just passing for the sake of passing." The Slovenian defence was finally broken in the 50th minute, when Seimsen's inch-perfect ball for Carpenter set the wingback up to put it on a plate for Heyman. Charli Grant came close to killing the game off in the 79th minute but had her shot cleared off the line. The visitors raised their intensity after having hardly been sighted to that point, and Mackenzie Arnold was forced into action in the 90th minute to make a quick reaction save to deny Kastelec. But the Australian keeper could do little about the 22-year-old's effort a minute later. Seeking to bounce back, Montemurro will now shuffle his deck for fixtures against Panama on July 5 and July 8, with Carpenter, Cooney-Cross and Kennedy amongst eight players leaving camp, with eight new players set to jet into West Australia.
Straits Times
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Flights with evacuees from Israel arrive in Slovakia and Czech Republic
Slovakia's Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar, flanked by Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Robert Kalinak, speaks to the media following disembarkment of repatriated Slovaks, along with Czechs, Austrians and Slovenians, returning from Israel, from a flight from Amman, after they left the region following a missile attack from Iran on Israel, at M. R. Stefanik Airport, in Bratislava, Slovakia, June 16, 2025. REUTERS/Radovan Stoklasa Slovakia's Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar, Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Robert Kalinak wait for repatriated Slovaks, along with Czechs, Austrians and Slovenians, returning from Israel, to disembark from a flight from Amman, after they left the region following a missile attack from Iran on Israel, at M. R. Stefanik Airport, in Bratislava, Slovakia, June 16, 2025. REUTERS/Radovan Stoklasa Flights with evacuees from Israel arrive in Slovakia and Czech Republic Flights carrying evacuees from Israel have arrived in Slovakia and the Czech Republic amid the war between Iran and Israel, authorities said on Tuesday, making these countries among the first to get their citizens out of the Middle East. Slovak authorities said that the first evacuation flight with 73 people, including 25 Slovak tourists and five family members of Slovak diplomats working in Tel Aviv, had arrived in the capital Bratislava late on Monday. Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar said Slovakia had also helped bring citizens of other countries to Europe, including 15 Poles, 14 Czechs, nine Austrians, two Slovenians and one citizen each of Estonia, Spain and Malaysia. "Our partners are contacting us and we are preparing another flight on Tuesday, which should include citizens of the Slovak Republic, as well as citizens of the Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, Latvia, and France," Blanar said. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said Slovakia had helped evacuate seven Hungarians. Czech Defence Minister Jana Cernochova said that a flight with 66 people evacuated from Israel had landed near Prague. Poland said on Monday that it was organising the evacuation of around 200 of its citizens from Israel via Jordan. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The 42
09-06-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Have expectations been set too high for Ireland after mixed Nations League group?
IT STARTED AND finished with 1-0 wins at home, but Ireland bookended their Uefa Women's Nations League group campaign quite differently. The opener was a scrappy, unconvincing victory over Türkiye at Tallaght Stadium in February, marking Carla Ward's first game in charge in a period of much change. The closer brought the best performance of her tenure, a dominant triumph against Slovenia at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, albeit just by the minimum — and revenge, of sorts, for the 4-0 humbling in Koper in game two. It wasn't enough to usurp the Slovenians atop Group B2 and secure automatic promotion: Ireland will go head-to-head with Belgium for League A status in the playoffs in October. The expectation at the outset was Ireland would easily win the group, like they did under Eileen Gleeson in 2023. 'But we didn't have Slovenia,' Ward warned in February. 'The teams are closer, but naturally we want to win all six and I'm sure I'll have a lovely summer.' She had to settle for five, and much to ponder ahead of two international friendlies against USA later this month, and the campaign-defining playoff against Belgium. In the autumn of 2023, Gleeson's side made light work of Northern Ireland, Hungary and Albania as they enjoyed a 100% record, scored 20 goals and conceded two. Slovenia, Türkiye and Greece were better opposition this time around as standards rise across Europe, but this was a patchy series as Ireland scored 10 and conceded six. Have expectations been set too high? Ward believes the team overachieved by reaching the World Cup in 2023, while they have certainly punched above their weight at times through the years. The Koper horror show was a wake-up call for Irish women's football as a whole, as we wrote at the time, with wider development coming into question. That will only continue as head of women and girls' football Hannah Dingley exits after an underwhelming year in the job, but the team, at least, appear to have put that shocking result in the rear-view mirror. Advertisement Ireland head coach Carla Ward and assistant head coach Alan Mahon during that defeat to Slovenia. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO The last few months have been a rollercoaster for the Irish women's game. Failure to qualify for Euro 2025 was a gut-punch last December, with the FAI opting for a change of management thereafter. The exit of Gleeson, and more so Colin Healy, dominated the headlines for weeks on end, the external noise undoubtedly taking a toll, with Ward appointed in the thick of it all. That wasn't the only major squad change: Ireland lost a combined total of 395 caps as Niamh Fahey, Diane Caldwell, Louise Quinn and Julie-Ann Russell all retired. Much has been made of the transition, leadership void and Euros play-off hangover, along with changes of system and style. Ireland had been wedded to a back three/five and direct approach under Gleeson, Vera Pauw and Colin Bell, with Ward preferring possession-based, attacking football in a fluid 4-3-3. Players have made no secret of their wishes to play a more expansive game, but the collective technical ability has been questioned in some quarters. Patience has been urged. Defensive solidity has always been Ireland's DNA, and this was often lost sight of in recent months. The quest to improve going forward seemed to come at the expense of strength at the back. They were torn apart too many times, not just in the first Slovenia implosion as player and positional experimentation backfired spectacularly. A four-goal second-half salvo away to Greece was the other end of the scale, attacking encouragement evident against lowly opposition. A balance was struck to good effect against Slovenia in Cork. 'Probably the way I'd put it would be a Carla Ward team on the ball and an Irish mentality off the ball,' the manager said afterwards. 'That's what we need to build on. If we want to play in an exciting way going forward, and that's the way I like my teams to play, we have to be better off the ball. 'The Irish have always been very good defensively. So let's go back to the Irish basics. It's tight, it's compact, it's together. And then add in how we want to play with the ball. 'If we can combine the two, the future is bright.' In all, Ward used 21 players through the six games. The former Aston Villa boss appears to have not yet settled on her first-choice XI, while the first and last matches were the only in which she didn't make half-time changes. Courtney Brosnan, Anna Patten and Denise O'Sullivan played every minute, while Aoife Mannion and Lucy Quinn started five games before injury and illness hampered their involvement in the finale. Katie McCabe was also a mainstay, barring suspension and an injury concern in the Greece double-header. The captain and Champions League winner is unavailable for the upcoming US friendlies — 'she's on the verge of burnout,' as Ward said — and several other players are unlikely to travel. That squad selection will be interesting, the door potentially open for younger and fringe players, and League of Ireland talent. Ireland captain Katie McCabe. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO Acid tests await against Emma Hayes' world number one in Colorado (Thursday 26 June) and Cincinnati (Sunday 29 June), but development will be stressed in these games ahead of the all-important playoff in October. Belgium are a consistent force in League A, and are preparing for this summer's Euros, grouped with world champions Spain, Italy and Portugal. Ireland will be disappointed watching from afar, the sense of missed opportunity deepening, but they must focus on the next job. Elísabet Gunnarsdótti's side are 20th in the world rankings, six places above Ireland, while the highlight of their mixed Nations League group campaign was a 3-2 win over European champions England. Belgium won 1-0 the last time they played Ireland in an international friendly in April 2021, and they'll have home advantage in the second leg, but Ward and co. will hope to upset the odds, return to League A, and in turn, boost their 2027 World Cup qualification chances. Maintaining a balance between Carla Ward football and the Irish way is the aim going forward. Compromise is key. The jury is still out on this first campaign. Only after October's playoff can definitive conclusions be drawn.
