Football: Colombia stun Germany at World Cup but New Zealand out in tears

 

SYDNEY, Australia -- Colombia scored a 97th-minute winner to stun Germany 2-1 on a night of Women's World Cup drama Sunday which also saw Norway and Switzerland into the last 16 but co-hosts New Zealand dumped out in tears.

Germany smashed Morocco 6-0 in their opener to underline why they were among the pre-tournament favorites, along with Spain and England, to snatch away the United States' crown.

But they came crashing back down to earth at the hands of a Colombia side inspired by 18-year-old Linda Caicedo and roared on by the majority of a rowdy 40,000 crowd in Sydney.

The Real Madrid attacker scored one of the best goals of the tournament so far, darting past two Germany defenders before curling the ball into the top corner to open the scoring.

Germany thought they had salvaged a point in the 89th minute when skipper Alexandra Popp defied the whistles to score from the penalty spot.

But with a pulsating game that deep into stoppage time appeared destined for a draw, Manuela Vanegas popped up to head home from close range and put Colombia on the verge of the last 16.

"Germany is a world power, that's a reality, but Colombia has been making great strides and today Colombia is a world power," said the defender Vanegas.

"I dreamed of scoring a goal in a World Cup, I knew it was going to come and I decided to do it for today's game."

Going into the last round of group matches, Colombia are top of Group H on six points, Germany and Morocco have three and South Korea have zero.

Germany's fate is still in their own hands when they face the Koreans next, with Colombia against Morocco.

Morocco won a Women's World Cup match for the first time after Ibtissam Jraidi struck early to give them a 1-0 victory over South Korea.

In the match, Moroccan defender Nouhaila Benzina became the first player to wear a hijab at the Women's World Cup.

- Norway through, New Zealand out -

Norway and Switzerland both emerged out of an excruciatingly tight Group A.

Former champions Norway thrashed the Philippines 6-0 in Auckland to squeeze into the last 16 on goal difference from New Zealand.

A full house in Dunedin saw the co-hosts held 0-0 by a stubborn Switzerland as the Football Ferns bowed out of their home tournament in tears.

The 1995 champions Norway needed a win and they did it in style against World Cup debutants the Philippines, who themselves were still in with a chance of reaching the knockouts.

Sophie Roman Haug scored a hat-trick as the Philippines' fairytale journey came to a shuddering halt.

With Norway well ahead, New Zealand now needed to beat Switzerland.

The hosts had the better of the first half with a string of chances, the pick of which saw forward Jacqui Hand rattle the post on 24 minutes.

As Norway chalked up the goals in Auckland, the New Zealanders upped the intensity, knowing only a win would be good enough to advance.

But the goal they so desperately needed never came.

"There are a lot of tears out there, but they should be so proud to finish on four points," captain Ali Riley said.

On Monday, Australia will hope to avoid the same fate as their co-hosts.

The Matildas must beat Olympic champions Canada to guarantee a place in the last 16 but are still sweating on their skipper and talismanic striker Sam Kerr.

She has declared herself available after a calf injury but it remains to be seen how much of a part she plays.

"Everyone involved in sport knows that with calf injuries it's one thing that you're available, but there's also risk when you come back from a muscle injury," said Australia's coach Tony Gustavsson.

Also in Group B, surprise-package Nigeria need just to avoid defeat against already-eliminated Ireland to progress.

Former champions Japan and title contenders Spain meet to decide who tops Group C with both already into the last 16.

Agence France-Presse

Brazil's Borges says World Cup hat-trick 'beyond wildest dreams'

ADELAIDE, Australia -- Ary Borges called it beyond her wildest dreams after hitting the first hat-trick of this Women's World Cup as Brazil crushed Panama 4-0 in a scintillating start to their campaign on Monday.

Far tougher challenges lie ahead -- the team faces France next -- but this was an impressive start for a Brazil side who have featured at all eight previous Women's World Cups but never won it.

The stylish victory in Adelaide sent Brazil top of Group F after Jamaica surprisingly held France 0-0 on Sunday.

The 23-year-old attacking midfielder Borges, who plays for Racing Louisville in the United States, was the undoubted star of the show, scoring three goals and setting up the other.

"Today is one of the happiest days of my life," she said. "I could not have imagined this in my wildest dreams.

"Just being here was special... it was very special to get a hat-trick in my first game at a World Cup.

"The day was full of emotions, I was emotional even beforehand," added Borges, who covered her face with her hands after her first goal and appeared to break down in tears.

"I don't think the pin has dropped yet," she said.

A constant threat coming in off the right, Borges pounced twice from close range in the first half to leave Brazil in total control at the break and Panama never looked like getting back in it.

- 'Typical Brazil goal' -

Some of the Panama players and fans were in tears during their national anthem, underlining what it means to them to be at the World Cup for the first time.

But this was a debut they will probably want to forget as Swedish coach Pia Sundhage's Brazil put on an exhibition of flowing, attacking football.

They racked up five attempts on goal in the opening 10 minutes and the pressure told in the 19th minute when Borges nodded in unmarked at the back post for a simple close-range header.

Six minutes before the break she scored her second. Panama goalkeeper Yenith Bailey saved her initial downward header but the rebound went right back to Borges and she slammed the ball into the net.

Any hope Panama had of getting back into the match was extinguished only three minutes into the second half and it was the best goal of the tournament so far.

A fluid team move took the ball to the ever-dangerous Borges, who rolled the ball behind her with her studs, allowing Bia Zaneratto to fire into the back of the net.

Borges put the seal on a hugely impressive personal and team performance by nodding in her third -- and Brazil's fourth -- 20 minutes from time, the ball flying through the middle of Bailey's legs.

The 37-year-old forward Marta, arguably the greatest women's footballer of all time, came off the bench for Brazil in the closing stages but will have to wait a while longer if she is to become the first player to score at six World Cups.

Sundhage was particularly pleased with the third goal, calling it a "typical Brazilian goal".

"The third goal was beautiful," said the coach.

"It was not one we taught them because this is a typical Brazilian goal, where it's so much emotion and so unpredictable."

Agence France-Presse

Football: Ruthless Germany hit six, Italy down Argentina late on at World Cup

MELBOURNE, Australia -- Alexandra Popp scored twice as Germany thrashed Morocco 6-0 to launch their Women's World Cup title bid in style Monday, while Italy triumphed in a feisty encounter with Argentina thanks to an 87th-minute winner.

In the last match of day five of the tournament in Australia and New Zealand, Brazil face debutants Panama hoping to make a statement of their own.

The lower-ranked teams at the first 32-team Women's World Cup have generally held their own so far, indicating a closing of the gap in women's international football.

But two-time champions Germany blew away Morocco -- the first Arab team at a Women's World Cup -- in Melbourne to record the biggest win of the tournament so far.

The Germans are among the favourites once again, along with holders the United States, England, Spain and France, and they showed why with a clinical performance in front of a near sell-out crowd of more than 27,000.

In their 32-year-old skipper Popp they have one of the best goal-scorers around and she took full advantage of some poor Morocco defending with simple close-range finishes.

Klara Buehl made it three straight after half-time to end the match as any kind of contest, before two own goals and a late sixth from Lea Schueller.

Colombia face South Korea on Tuesday also in Group H, in the final match of the first round of group games.

- Super sub -

Argentina had never won a game at the Women's World Cup after appearing at three previous finals -- and the wait goes on after going down 1-0 to Italy in a fiery clash that yielded six yellow cards.

Juventus veteran Cristiana Girelli was Italy's heroine, coming on as a substitute in the 83rd minute and scoring the winner with a superb header just four minutes later in front of nearly 31,000 fans in Auckland.

"I am really happy for me and my teammates because we deserved the victory," said Girelli, who scored a hat-trick against Jamaica at the 2019 World Cup.

"To win in that way, even though we had to suffer, is important," added the 33-year-old, surely now a contender to start the next match against Sweden even if she had no complaints about being an impact substitute.

"If all the games are like this then there is no problem," she said.

"Honestly, obviously every player wants to play 90 minutes, but I will settle for every game being like that. The main thing was the victory."

Argentina coach German Portanova felt the result at Eden Park was harsh on his side.

"It was a very even match," he said. "At times we controlled it and they did not have many opportunities.

"The result was somewhat unfair. A draw would have been the right score."

- Party-poopers -

South Korea and Colombia play first on Tuesday, before co-hosts New Zealand return to action when they face debutants the Philippines in Wellington.

South Korea coach Colin Bell is keen to protect 16-year-old United States-born attacker Casey Phair from "hype" ahead of her potential debut.

Phair is not expected to start against Colombia but could be a secret weapon off the bench if they are chasing the game.

"She did very well when she came in training with two other young players that we had," the 61-year-old Bell said.

"So now she's in the squad, then we just take it day by day, so I don't really want to hype up a young player too much before she's even played."

New Zealand defeated Norway 1-0 in the tournament opener -- their first win at the 16th try in the World Cup -- and are on a high as they eye a place in the knockout rounds.

The Philippines lost 2-0 to Switzerland in their first game but were not outclassed and their Australian coach Alen Stajcic is relishing silencing the home crowd.

"We want to crash the party. It's not really their party -- it's everyone's, ours as well," he said.

In the third match on Tuesday, Switzerland play former champions Norway in the New Zealand city of Hamilton.

Agence France-Presse

Football: Smith scores twice as holders USA ease to win in World Cup opener

AUCKLAND, New Zealand  -- Sophia Smith scored twice and set up another as a new-look United States launched their bid to win a third Women's World Cup in a row with a 3-0 victory over Vietnam on Saturday.

One of six members of the USA starting line-up making her World Cup debut, lively forward Smith finished a fine move to open the scoring in the 14th minute at Eden Park in Auckland.

Veteran Alex Morgan was then denied from the penalty spot before Smith struck again deep in stoppage time at the end of the first half in front of a crowd of just over 41,000.

She then set up the third goal for captain Lindsey Horan in the 77th minute, after veteran icon Megan Rapinoe had come off the bench to win her 200th cap.

"I think it was a good starting point for our team in this tournament. I also know that we have a lot more that we can give, a lot more to do, little things to work on," said the 22-year-old Smith.

Vlatko Andonovski's title favorites missed a hatful of chances as debutants Vietnam avoided the humiliation that befell Thailand at the 2019 World Cup, when they were thrashed 13-0 by the United States.

There is clearly room for improvement for an American side who will also play Portugal and 2019 runners-up the Netherlands in Group E, as they aim to win an unprecedented third consecutive title.

However, this was a new experience for many of their side, and for Andonovski, taking charge of a World Cup game for the first time having replaced Jill Ellis as coach not long after their triumph at France 2019.

"Unfortunately we didn't capitalize on all the great opportunities that we created and that is something we are certainly going to focus on in the lead-up to the next game, but the first one is in the books and the focus immediately shifts towards game two," said Andonovski.

That will be against the Dutch on Thursday in a re-run of the 2019 final.

With Rapinoe beginning her final World Cup before retirement on the bench, Smith and 21-year-old Trinity Rodman flanked Morgan in attack on their debuts at the finals.

Right-back Emily Fox, centre-back Naomi Girma, and midfielders Andi Sullivan and Savannah DeMelo also made their first World Cup appearances.

"I have to say I was happy with the way the team played. I think that if you look at the team it is the first time this XI have been on the field together," the coach added.

"To see some of the connections and combinations was very positive."

- Morgan squanders spot kick -

Rodman, the daughter of former NBA star Dennis Rodman, needed lengthy treatment after suffering a knock inside the first minute before going on to have an impact on proceedings.

It was Smith who got the breakthrough though, controlling and finishing off a fine move expertly after Morgan flicked on a pass by Horan.

It was one-way traffic but it remained 1-0 until Rodman was clipped by Hoang Thi Loan in the area just before the break and the Moroccan referee gave a penalty after coming over to review the images.

Yet Morgan, playing in her 19th World Cup match, saw her poor kick saved by goalkeeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh diving to the right.

Instead Smith made it 2-0 towards the end of eight added minutes in the first half, firing through the legs of the goalkeeper and in after a Girma cross had been punched away.

The goal was initially ruled out before being given after another lengthy check confirmed there was no offside.

Rapinoe, her hair dyed blue, entered the fray to cheers just after the hour mark alongside Rose Lavelle, the two goal-scorers from the 2019 final.

Teenager Alyssa Thompson also came on for her World Cup bow just before Smith pounced on a Julie Ertz ball forward and supplied a cutback for Lyon midfielder Horan to score.

Lavelle hit the underside of the bar late on as Vietnam escaped with a creditable scoreline on their World Cup bow.

Agence France-Presse

World Cup chance to 'blow lid off' business of women's sports: Rapinoe

LOS ANGELES -- US veteran Megan Rapinoe said the upcoming Women's World Cup feels like a "paradigm shift" in the global business of women's sports even as inequities persist.

The fight for equal pay by Rapinoe and her US teammates was a backdrop to their 2019 World Cup triumph in France, eventually resulting in a collective bargaining agreement with US Soccer that included equal prize money between the men's and women's national teams and more equal benefits in areas including accommodation and travel.

FIFA has guaranteed that ever player at next month's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand will earn at least $30,000, with the winners taking home $270,000.

At a US media day on Tuesday, Rapinoe said there was still work to be done to ensure the world's best women footballers are properly compensated, but there's no doubt that the Women's World Cup has arrived as one of the top sporting events in the world.

"I think, just in general, women's sports right now feels like we're sort of out of just the dogged fight phase," Rapinoe, who played on World Cup-winning teams in 2015 and 2019, said as the team gathered in California to begin final preparations for the tournament.

"It feels like a real opportunity to blow the lid off just in terms of fanfare and media and sponsorships and the sort of larger business around this sport.

"I think everyone is sort of hip to the game now and understands that this is not somewhere that's just like, 'Oh, we should cheer for the Women's World Cup because that's the right thing to do.'

"It is actually terrible business if you are not tuning in -- you are missing out on a large cultural moment ... this is the premier women's sporting event in the world bar none and this is a paradigm shift globally, not just in the US."

- It's infuriating -

Rapinoe acknowledged that progress didn't mean there wasn't "still work to be done."

Canada's women remain locked in a labor dispute with their federation, with captain Christine Sinclair saying last week she expected at least a temporary solution to be reached before the World Cup squad departed.

Jamaica's World Cup side, meanwhile, has resorted to fund-raising campaigns as they prepared for the tournament because of a lack of resources from the federation.

"It's infuriating," Rapinoe said. "It just like doesn't have to be like this. But I do think it's getting better ... I think that there's a lot more resources that these teams can tap into."

The difference, she said, will be seen on the pitch in Australia and New Zealand.

"You're going to see the best product on the field and that's because players are going to be able to be put in a position to just focus on the game and go out there and provide the entertainment everybody wants."

Rapinoe, the 2019 Ballon d'Or winner who helped the United States claim a fourth World Cup crown in 2019, is one of three players in the squad playing in a fourth World Cup.

They're joined by a wealth of young talent that includes 18-year-old Alyssa Thompson, 21-year-old Trinity Rodman and 22-year-old Sophia Smith, the 2022 National Women's Soccer League Most Valuable Player.

The Americans kick off their World Cup campaign against Vietnam in Auckland on July 22.

Agence France-Presse

Why you should be concerned about cervical cancer

MANILA — Regardless of social status, age and lifestyle, cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among Filipinas. To exacerbate the situation, two in three Filipinas diagnosed with cervical cancer may die within five years.

The World Health Organization Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (WHO-SAGE) on Immunization stressed the importance getting girls protected from cervical cancer through HPV immunization before their first exposure to HPV (i.e. before sexual contact), as young as nine years old.

The Geneva, Switzerland-based organization said the risk of persistent infection with cancer-causing HPV (which is necessary for cervical cancer to develop) gets higher with age, and is highest when a woman is over 66 years old.

The organization urged regular screening starting age 21 to detect cervical abnormalities that precede actual cervical cancer. Vaccination is also recommended for older women to prevent new HPV infections.

To counter the threat of cervical cancer in the country, cosmetic manufacturer VMV Hypoallergenic formed a partnership with GSK Philippines to spread awareness on the dangers posed by cervical cancer.

“We are fully committed toward this partnership with GSK Philippines. At VMV Hypoallergenics, we promise the safest, most proven effective care on the planet — and that extends to beauty. This unique combination of science, wellness and beauty means we also strongly stand for advocacies that help women, their health and happiness," said Jacklyn Remo, assistant marketing manager for VMV Hypoallergenics.

GSK continues to boost its cervical cancer awareness efforts this year. In the Philippines, the Power Over Cervical Cancer campaign urges Filipinas to realize that they are empowered and can do something to prevent the disease.

Popular hosts Andi Manzano-Reyes and Ginger Conejero graced the occasion.

In commemoration of Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, GSK Philippines and VMV launched their campaign recently in Makati called Put On Your Power Pout.

The partnership introduced a twist on spreading awareness: encouraging women to join the movement by wearing purple lipstick to show their support for the advocacy on cervical cancer prevention.

“Cancer is quite a distant concept for women who are well. What might be more important to them is keeping up with the latest trends, especially in fashion and beauty. The lipstick is a woman’s own — when she wears it, she makes a statement about herself. Through this partnership with VMV, we hope to drive women to make a statement against cervical cancer,” said Mark Castillo, GSK product manager.

Cervical cancer occurs when abnormal cells develop and spread in the cervix, the entrance between the vagina and the uterus. The human papillomavirus (HPV), a very common virus, is the necessary cause of cervical cancer. It has been shown that 99.7% of cervical cancer patients are positive for HPV infection. It is also estimated that up to 80% of women will be infected with HPV at some point in their lives.

While HPV is primarily transmitted via sexual intercourse, skin-to-skin genital contact is also a recognized mode of transmission.

Lifestyle changes can help prevent the development of cervical cancer, such as being conscientious about one’s sexual activities. Beyond regular consultations and pap smears by your OB-GYN, vaccines that protect against cancer-causing HPV are also now readily available.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Who are the 3 Filipinas on Forbes' Power Women list?

MANILA, Philippines - Three businesswomen from the Philippines were included in Forbes magazine's list of 50 most powerful businesswomen in Asia.

Teresita Sy Coson, vice chairman of SM Investments and chairman of BDO Unibank, was included in Forbes Asia's Power Businesswomen list for the fourth time in a row.

Sy-Coson, daughter of the Philippines' richest man Henry Sy, was cited for her vision for the family company.

"Under her lead SMIC became the largest listed company on the Philippine Stock Exchange by market cap," Forbes noted.

The 2015 Forbes Asia Power Businesswomen list includes 50 women from various industries in the region, including venture capitalism, construction, malls, telecommunications and retail.

Helen Yuchengco Dee, chairman of Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., also made it to the Forbes list. She was cited for leading the Yuchengco group of companies which includes RCBC, non-life insurance firm Malayan Insuance and construction firm EEI.

Yuchengco-Dee, the eldest of 8 children of tycoon Alfonso Yuchengco, was quoted by Forbes as saying she is "more conservative than her risk-taking father, now 92."

The Yuchengo family ranks 23rd on the Forbes Asia rich list for the Philippines, with an estimated net worth of $685 million.

Zenaida Rustia-Tantoco, chairman and CEO of SSI Group and Rustan's Commercial, is the third Filipina in Forbes Asia's Power Businesswoman list. SSI, which listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange last year, is the specialty retail arm of Rustan's group.

"With more than 700 sales outlets in 69 malls nationwide, including the upscale Rustan’s department stores, Tantoco is poised to build further on what her parents founded 60-plus years ago," Forbes said.

Among the top businesswomen on Forbes Asia's Power Women list are Singapore’s Temasek executive director and CEO Ho Ching, MGM China co-chairman Pansy Ho, Huawei Technologies chairman Sun Yafang, Australia's Hancock Prospecting executive chairman Gina Rinehart and Thailand's Central Department Store Group CEO Yuwadee Chirathivat.

On the cover of the Forbes Asia issue is newcomer to the list Noni Purnomo, the president director of Blue Bird Group Holding, the largest taxi company in Indonesia.

Businesswomen from China and Hong Kong once again dominated the list with 14, followed by India with six, Thailand with five and Singapore with four. South Korea, Australia, the Philippines and Indonesia each have three, while Japan and Vietnam each have two.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Why this Canadian wants to become Pinoy

MANILA – It seems that he already tried it all. He climbed a coconut tree. He grated fresh coconut, drank sikwati, attended fiestas, tried the pedicab, jeepney and even sold balot in the streets.

But for Canadian Kyle Jennermann, he knows there's still more to experience before really becoming a Filipino.

Yes, that's his aim.

"A lot of people send this message to me 'Oh, you want to become Filipino? Just marry a Filipina'. For me love is love. If it happens, it happens. Don't get me wrong. I met so many beautiful, amazing, nice Filipinas but I'm just in love with their culture, these people, right now," he said.

Achieving this goal is no longer that difficult for this 26-year-old Canadian as he happily embraced Filipino culture.

In fact, he uses 'Kulas' as his local name. He lived in Cagayan de Oro for five months and now continues to explore what Mindanao has to offer. He also knows how to speak Bisaya.

"Ako si pangalan si Kyle pero Filipino pangalan Kulas. I could say 'Unya adto nako sa balay kaon mga udto pero kagabii inum gamay," he said.

Jennermann was a former outdoor consultant for an outdoor adventure company in Hong Kong. He visited the Philippines last year and came back to Cagayan de Oro. He also participated in the mission to help survivors of super typhoon Yolanda in Tacloban. It was that experience that further made him admire the resiliency of Filipinos.

"You know what? It's the ability to share happiness, to share positive things regardless of your status in life. Just the ability to still be resilient and share positive things with others," he said.

Now, Jennermann is spreading this happiness to other people as he encouraged them to see for themselves why it's more fun in the Philippines.

"I love Canada. I've been to 30 countries. I love all these countries I've been to. They're beautiful, they're amazing but here, it's the culture. I just said how people, they worked so hard sometimes, but they take moments to enjoy their lives. How people have so little are still giving," he said.

To further speed up his goal of becoming Filipino, Jennermann tapped social media and launched #BecomingFilipino on Youtube, Facebook, and Twitter and encouraged Filipinos to send ideas like what to eat and where to go that would really make him Filipino.

On his YouTube account, Jennermann said:

"I love the Philippines. I look up to, and am inspired by Filipino culture."

"But! I am not Filipino. If you are Filipino I need your HELP! I need your help in creating a cultural list. A list full of experiences, places, history, food, drink... Filipino things! What makes you Filipino!? What will help make me part Filipino!? Where should I go!? What should I do!?

A 100% Filipino made list that will help me in #BecomingFilipino."

-- report from Angielyn Siwagan, ABS-CBN News

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com