Author: sportsnewsuk
Outside, chants against the regime and the team. Inside, roars of support for the players. Cheers when Iran scored to twice come from behind to draw 2-2 with New Zealand.There were thousands of Iranian flags in the stands. From a distance they looked identical. Up close, they told a different story.Some carried the official flag of the Islamic Republic. Others displayed the Lion and Sun. All were dressed in Iran’s colours.This is what the footballers were up against: Iran versus Iran.”It’s complicated,” says Samaneh, an Iranian-American who has lived in the United States for a decade.”I’m here to support Iran,…
Lionel Scaloni insisted “being world champions guarantees us nothing” as Argentina prepare to defend their title. Holders Argentina will attempt to become the third team to win back-to-back World Cups, after Italy (1934-1938) and Brazil (1958-1962). Only Brazil (five), Germany and Italy (four each) have won the World Cup more often than Argentina (three), however, since Argentina’s first triumph in 1978, no nation has lifted the trophy on as many occasions as La Albiceleste. Argentina begin their title defence on Tuesday, taking on Algeria at Kansas City Stadium in what will be the first meeting between the two sides at…
Shakur Stevenson is on the verge of recognition as one of boxing’s best and he has moved higher up the rankings following the retirement of good friend, Terence Crawford. However, despite their relationship, there is one fighter that Stevenson believes could have beaten ‘Bud’, if they met in their primes. Crawford hung up the gloves with an undefeated record after 42 fights, having become boxing’s fifth five-division world champion with a legendary triumph over Canelo Alvarez back in September. That win earned Crawford an enormous amount of credit, thrusting himself into comparisons with those considered to be some of the…
Football tactics are continually being developed and analysed in an increasingly detailed manner so it is interesting, and fun, to see the 4-4-2 become so commonly used at this World Cup. Premier League football of the early 2000s was typified by the 4-4-2 formation. Spaces between players were bigger with fewer low blocks and less drilled high presses seen.This led to more time and space for attackers to express themselves.Teams, perhaps due to conditions and lack of coaching time, have reverted to using a 4-4-2 that looks similar, in part explaining why games feel more open.Many teams are opting for…
After a thumping win over Sri Lanka in its campaign opener at Edgbaston, England will next take on Ireland in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, in a group B encounter in Southampton on Tuesday.Ireland is yet to open its account in the tournament with 18 losses so far, its most recent one coming against Scotland a few days ago.England and Ireland have only played each other four times in this format with Ireland winning the most recent encounter in late 2024. That was however against a second-string England side which did not feature most of the names in this…
Unified super welterweight champion Xander Zayas believes he has identified a vulnerability in Jaron “Boots” Ennis ahead of their June 27 showdown at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. While many observers have pointed to Ennis’ athleticism as a major advantage heading into the fight, Zayas dismissed that narrative and argued that his own skill set compares favorably to the Philadelphia native’s. “Athleticism. Well, I do the same things he does. I take angles. The only thing I don’t do that he does is fight lefty, but other than that, I take angles. I’m way better than him, movement-wise. My…
Anunoby’s championship-winning season and his clutch moments throughout the year come at a timely crossroads as far as the future of British basketball is concerned.The NBA is planning to launch an independent European league within the next 18 months. London and Manchester are in place to be hosts to a franchise each when that league is launched, currently planned for October 2027.By the time it has launched, both cities will have hosted an NBA regular-season match in the two years leading up to what could be the biggest changes to club basketball across the United Kingdom and Europe.”I think London,…
Fans of League One clubs on social media reveal the away day they’re most looking forward to for the 2026/27 season. Everyone’s attention turns to the forthcoming campaign now that the previous one has come to an end, with all 24 teams now confirmed. The following teams have changed division since the 2026/27 season: Promoted from League Two – Bromley, Milton Keynes Dons, Cambridge United, Notts County Relegated from the Championship – Oxford United, Leicester City, Sheffield Wednesday Promoted to the Championship – Lincoln City, Cardiff City, Bolton Wanderers Relegated to League Two – Exeter City, Port Vale Rotherham United.…
Despite setbacks in his last two fights, Jonathan “Thunder” Navarro says he’s still got “it” and plans on proving it against WBC #12-ranked Bryan “Nino Maravilla” Flores on Saturday, July 18.Navarro, 18-2 (9 KOs), of East Los Angeles and Flores, 28-1-1 (16 KOs), of Las Vegas via Juarez, Mexico, will meet in the 10-round super lightweight main event, live on ProBoxTV (7:00 pm EST/4:00 pm PST), from the NOS Events Center in San Bernardino, California.“Training is going really good,” said Navarro during a break. “I’m sparring a lot. Obviously at RGB (Robert Garcia Boxing), you’re sparring top-level fighters. So, even…
Defender Josko Gvardiol has agreed a new contract at Manchester City until the summer of 2031, sources have told BBC Sport.The 24-year-old’s current deal was set to expire in 2028 but the player is now set to remain at Etihad Stadium, ending speculation, external about a move to La Liga giants Real Madrid and Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.BBC Sport reported last week that City were feeling positive in conversations around a new contract and that talks were progressing well.Gvardiol is currently preparing for the World Cup with Croatia and could come up against some of his City team-mates in their…