Tag: National team

FIFA Ranking: India drops out of top 100 after the defeat against Lebanon

India were back in top 100 after the SAFF championship, now drops back to 102 after losing to Lebanon in the King’s cup.

Without skipper Sunil Chhetri, Indian men’s team put a creditable performance against high-ranked Iraq in King’s Cup 2023. (Source: AIFF)

The Indian men’s football team has dropped out of the top 100 in the FIFA Rankings after the defeat against Lebanon in the Kings Cup. A 77th-minute goal by Kaseem Al Zein put paid to India’s hopes of retaining the third place in the 49th King’s Cup 2023 as Lebanon defeated India, it also took away 5.09 ranking points from India. This disappointing outcome comes just months after India celebrated their return to the top 100. In the last FIFA Rankings update published by FIFA in June, India had managed to secure the 100th spot following an impressive performance in the Intercontinental Cup and the ongoing SAFF Championship. During June, India recorded five wins and two draws, earning them 4.24 ranking points and pushing them into the world’s top 100 teams.

Source: https://thebridge.in/football/laliga-and-spanish-influence-continues-to-grow-in-strength-in-the-indian-super-league-43763?infinitescroll=1

Women’s World Cup: Heartbreak for England as Lionesses miss out on final glory after defeat to Spain

Spain won the Women’s World Cup for the first time after defeating England’s Lionesses 1-0.

England’s Lionesses have missed out on glory at the Women’s World Cup after being beaten 1-0 by Spain.

Closely missing out on repeating their success at Euros 2022, Sarina Wiegman’s team fought to the very end at a packed-out Stadium Australia in Sydney.

But a first-half goal by Spain’s Olga Carmona, who shot across Mary Earps into the far corner in the 28th minute, broke England’s hearts.

It is Spain’s first major international trophy and makes them the first European team to win the Women’s World Cup since Germany in 2007.

England had come close to taking the lead themselves in the 15th minute when Lauren Hemp’s shot hit the bar.

A shot from England’s Lauren Hemp, right, hits the crossbar. Pic: AP
Spain’s goal by Olga Carmona

Two changes at half-time saw Lauren James and Chloe Kelly replace Rachel Daly and Alessia Russo for the Lionesses, as they tried to turn the game around.

Spain’s Jennifer Hermoso then missed a chance to double her side’s lead from a penalty – granted after a handball by Keira Walsh – after a heroic save by Earps, who dived to her left to save in the 69th minute.

James then forced a save from Spain’s goalkeeper from a tight angle a few minutes later, as England pushed for an equaliser.

Earps even went up to attack a corner in the dying moments for England.

But sadly, it wasn’t to be, as the Lionesses fell short at the final hurdle.

Earps saved a Spanish penalty. Pic: AP

Play was also briefly disrupted during the first half after a protester entered the pitch before an England free kick. The man was swiftly removed by stewards.

‘Absolutely heartbroken’

Captain Millie Bright said the team were “absolutely heartbroken” at the defeat.

“We can say hand on heart we gave everything. Sometimes football goes for you, sometimes it goes against you,” she said.

Complimenting Spain as a “fantastic team” she said: “A lot of emotion… but I’m really proud of the team. To come this far, to play in the World Cup final, not many get to do that.

“This is not it for us, we’ll bounce back.”

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