Latest news with #underdogs
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wales must 'bin' Netherlands result before France
Wales' most-capped player Jess Fishlock says she "believes 100%," that her side can spring a surprise against France at Euro 2025 and has urged her teammates to put their 3-0 opening defeat to Netherlands "in the bin". Fishlock, Wales' all-time leading scorer, has won league titles in six different countries but like the rest of her teammates, is competing in a major international tournament for the first time. Advertisement Already huge underdogs in group D, Wales are being written off as no-hopers by many having suffered a chastening defeat in their opening game in Lucerne. Their next match is an equally daunting test in St Gallen as Wales face a France side who won their opening contest 2-1 against reigning champions England. "I know us as a group, we will refocus, we will learn really fast and we're really excited to get back on the field on Wednesday," Fishlock told BBC Sport Wales. "If you're going to ask me if I still believe that, then I will sit here and say wholeheartedly; I still believe. Advertisement "The biggest message is not to dwell too much on the game and the loss. I think we really need to take what we need to take from it and move forward and throw the rest in the bin. "I think that's my favourite saying all the time is take what you need to take and throw the rest in the bin. It's not going to help you and if it's not going to help you it's just going to hurt you." Fishlock, 38, feels Wales have the mindset to bounce back and pull off a shock. "Do I think we can surprise people? Absolutely," she said. "I think this team is still on a journey, it's not like we qualified for the Euros and all of a sudden everything is perfect, that's just not how this sport works. Advertisement "We are in a group with three unbelievably great teams and yes we have to learn perhaps a little bit faster than usual but do I believe that we can do that? 100%, I have full confidence in this group to continue on this path now. "We had our journey to get here, we've done that, now our journey is getting up to another level… and if there's a team that can bounce back and do that, it is Wales." Fishlock believes the key to Wales shocking France will be nullifying their threat and picking their moments to strike, having failed to register a shot on target in their opening match. "France are a great team," she added. Advertisement "They'll cause us different problems to Holland, I think. They're very powerful, very comfortable on the ball, love wide areas. "They're very good but we can be very good too and we just have to work together and nullify them as much as possible and then try and expose them with the players that we have. So we'll be doing a lot of work on that, I'm sure. "We don't have to win it in the first five minutes. We have to stay in it as long as possible and use the players that we have. We have some fantastic players that can cause damage to any team." Wales have received a boost for the game against France with the news that midfielder Ceri Holland is fit to start. Advertisement The Liverpool midfielder was substituted against Netherlands after going down with what appeared to be a muscular injury, but thankfully from a Welsh perspective it was only cramp. "I am ready to go," Holland confirmed.
CNA
04-07-2025
- Sport
- CNA
Defiant Wales wear underdog tag with pride ahead of Women's Euro debut
Wales know that little is expected of them when they take on 2017 champions Netherlands in their opening Women's Euro Group D game on Saturday, but they sent a defiant message to anyone prepared to underestimate them as they make their tournament debut. The Welsh were handed one of the toughest draws possible when they were grouped with reigning champions England, France and the Dutch, but after qualifying for the tournament they are not just in Switzerland to make up the numbers. Canadian-born coach Rhian Wilkinson, whose mother hailed from Wales, brought in her long-time Canada international teammate Diane Matheson to talk to her players on Thursday, and the rallying cry had the desired effect. "Diana said it last night - it's a privilege to be the underdogs and that's the attitude we're going in with. Underestimate us all you want but we know that we're ready for the fight, we're ready for each game and we're ready to be here, be present and take on each team as it comes," Wales captain Angharad James told reporters on Friday. Wales know they will be up against it when they take on a tough Dutch team in Lucerne on Saturday but, no matter how the game goes, the squad will still see their participation as a great success for Welsh football. "I think for me personally it's been a very long journey, and for most of the group too. It's been something that we've always strived to achieve and we've always come up short but not anymore - we're here," James said. "To see the Welsh flag and to see Wales being on the biggest stage of all is truly something that I didn't know if I'd be able to experience personally, and to be here today is an honour," she added.
BBC News
04-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Wales 'ready for their moment' as they eye Euro 2025 shock
Wales captain Angharad James says her side are embracing their role as Euro 2025 underdogs and are "ready for their moment," as they bid to shock the tournament and upset the form give Wales, who are the lowest ranked side in Switzerland, just a 9% chance of qualifying from their group and a 0% chance of lifting the trophy ahead of their Euro 2025 opener against Netherlands in having qualified for a first major finals and with one of the largest fanbases present at the tournament, James says Wales are ready to produce a shock."Write us off. We're fine with it. We have the belief within this group. We've had the preparation that we've needed this past last six or nine months," James said."We haven't won a game in a while and I can see why maybe people and teams from the outside will write us off. But I invite them to write us off because they won't know what's coming because we are ready for this moment."Wales have been in Switzerland for almost a week, staying in the east of the country in Weidenfeld, around 20 minutes from the German says it will be one of the proudest moments of her life to lead out her side in front of the Red Wall of Wales supporters. "I think for me personally it's been a very long journey and for most of the group too. It's been something that we've always strived to achieve and we've always come short but not anymore," she told BBC Sport Wales."We're here. We've worked so hard over the years and to give that moment to a lot of these players is truly special. "To see the Welsh flag and to see Wales being on the biggest stage of all is truly something that I didn't know if I'd be able to experience personally. And to be here today is an honour and the group is just really excited to get out is our moment now and it's a moment for our group to really go out there, deliver what we've prepared all week. "It's a moment that we have all dreamt of, that we've all worked so hard towards. And I don't want players and staff and people who are watching to miss that moment because it truly does mean the world to me and it means the world to the whole group." Contrasting mood in camps Wales' players have been in fine spirits all week ahead of their major tournament debut and are seemingly all focused on seizing their the Netherlands camp seems a less content place with coach Andries Jonker – who is leaving his role after the tournament - going on a podcast before the match against Wales and discussing his surprise and disappointment at the decision to end his a fiery pre-match press conference, Jonker was accused by a Dutch journalist of "treating the players like puppets in a puppet show," while experienced midfielder Sherida Spitse intimated that she did not agree with her coaches decision to talk about his impending says she is excited about leading Wales out for the first time at a major tournament."I think, from my end, I can't wait for the bus to arrive, to watch these women walk out onto the field and make history," she said."This team is ready. They're fit, they're excited. Opening day nerves are normal and excitement is normal. And this team is handling it like seasoned professionals."They understand that this is a moment in Welsh history." Team news Wales have no injury concerns among their 23 player squad, with the utilisation of former captain Sophie Ingle likely to present Wilkinson with her biggest selection has declared herself fit to start in Lucerne, but having not played a competitive game in a over a year after anterior cruciate ligament surgery (ACL), her inclusion from the start would be a surprise."I think not playing any 90 minutes to go in 90 minutes would be a challenge, but she's healthy and back fully with the squad. And that is for someone who had, obviously, an ACL," Wilkinson said."She's been so professional and so diligent and so focused to be here. And to have her healthy and available is a testament to the hard work that she's invested. I am really happy to have her back healthy."Wales must come up with a solution to replacing teenage defender Mayzee Davies in defence as she misses the tournament having undergone ACL Palace defender Josie Green could come into the side, while dropping Hayley Ladd back into defence is another option, with Wales expected to stick with three central boss Andries Jonker confirmed his side have doubts over two of their main attacking City forward Vivianne Miedema is fit, but having been severely hampered by injuries in the past two years, might not be risked from the start as she chases her 100th international goal (she is currently on 99).Wolfsburg forward Lineth Beerensteyn is also a doubt, having been unable to train since Netherlands arrived in revealed in his pre-match press conference that he is yet to tell his players the starting XI for their Euro opener, whereas Wilkinson says she told her players "a few days ago."
CNA
02-07-2025
- Sport
- CNA
Underdogs and heat dominate debate as Club World Cup enters final stages
PHILADELPHIA :The inaugural expanded Club World Cup has delivered a spectacle on the pitch, with underdog triumphs and captivating support from South American and Arabic fans. However, concerns over player welfare and lukewarm attendances in the United States have sparked debate as the tournament approaches its final stages. What many expected to be a European-dominated affair has instead seen shock eliminations of UEFA Champions League heavyweights. Brazilian sides Flamengo, Botafogo, and Fluminense, alongside Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal, have scripted some of the tournament's most thrilling stories. Fluminense stunned Inter Milan with a 2-0 win in the Round of 16, while Al Hilal delivered a seismic upset by knocking out Pep Guardiola's Manchester City. Lionel Messi's Inter Miami also played their part earlier in the tournament, defeating Porto 2-1 in the group stage - ending a 13-year unbeaten run for European teams against clubs from other continents in the competition. Meanwhile, Botafogo and Flamengo claimed memorable group-stage victories over Paris St Germain and Chelsea respectively, while Palmeiras secured their quarter-final berth with a dramatic extra-time win over Botafogo in an all-Brazilian clash. EXTREME WEATHER While the on-field action has enthralled the fans, challenges off the pitch have raised eyebrows. The American summer's extreme weather — scorching heat and unexpected thunderstorms — has disrupted matches and raised serious concerns ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will also be held in North America. The soaring temperatures and oppressive humidity have fueled major complaints from players and coaches and have global players' union FIFPRO exploring whether extending halftime to 20 minutes and introducing more frequent cooling breaks could better protect players from extreme heat. Nine of the 16 host cities for the 2026 World Cup face conditions considered 'extreme risk' for heat-related illness, posing player safety concerns and fuelling calls for more mandatory cooling aids during matches or schedule changes. "Heat conditions are a serious topic that affect football globally," world soccer's governing body FIFA told Reuters. "Discussions on how to deal with heat conditions need to take place collectively ... The protection of players must be at the centre." With the semi-finals and final scheduled for 3pm local time at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium, where temperatures could reach 32 degrees Celsius, the heat debate is set to intensify. Suggestions for 2026 include scheduling midday games in covered stadiums to combat heat stress. Thunderstorms have also caused disruptions, with matches suspended as players left the pitch and fans sought shelter. Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca criticised having the United States as hosts after a two-hour weather delay marred his team's last-16 win over Benfica in Charlotte. Their knockout match in a half-empty stadium of under 26,000 at the start showed how attendances have also been underwhelming for matches involving European clubs, with South American and Arabic fans providing much of the tournament's vibrancy. Despite the excitement on the pitch, FIFA's website still lists plenty of tickets available for remaining games, including next-week's semi-finals and the July 13 final, raising questions about the tournament's broader appeal in the U.S. As FIFA reflects on the Club World Cup's successes and challenges, the lessons learned will be critical in shaping the path to the 2026 World Cup where similar issues may loom large.
BBC News
01-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'Underdogs' Wales happy to be written off at Euro 2025
Wales' players say they are happy to be written off at Euro 2025 as they bid to cause an upset in been drawn against defending champions England and formidable opponents in France and the Netherlands, Opta give Wales just a 9% chance of getting out of their group, a 2% chance of reaching the semi-final, a 1% chance of reaching the are the lowest ranked side at Euro 2025, their first major tournament, and have never beaten a side ranked in the world's top suggest Wales have a 71% chance of finishing bottom of their qualifying group, but Wales' players say they are comfortable with being dismissed as having no hope."You want to come to a major tournament, and you want to play against the best teams," defender Gemma Evans told BBC Sport Wales."We are fine with the group. We're fine with outside noise, or people who don't have any faith in us or are underestimating us."We know the talent we've got in the group. We know what we've got to do. We are happy with the position we're in, and we know what we will do." Wales kick-off their tournament on Saturday, 5 July against the Netherlands and midfielder Rachel Rowe says the players are ready to show they belong on the biggest stage."The pressure comes from within our group and what our expectations are of ourselves," Rowe explained."I think we're fully focused on doing the nation proud and doing ourselves proud first and foremost."We want to put in performances so that we can step off the pitch and say we gave everything. On our best day, as long as we perform, we can put in a performance and get results." Striker Elise Hughes says "it is a Wales thing," to embrace the tag of underdogs."I think when you qualify for major tournament there's only 16 teams here, and that's 16 of the best in Europe," she said."Any group that you go into is going to be tough. Ours is obviously particularly yeah, it's a Wales thing to do. It's a Wales thing to be an underdog. We are relishing that opportunity."We want to come here and play in the biggest games, and our group is allowing us to do that, and we'll be more than ready."
