All Sports Pages

**p
The England women’s national team finalized their preparations today ahead of a high-profile clash against China PR at Wembley Stadium. The fixture, part of the "Homecoming Series," pits the reigning European champions against the Asian Cup holders in a match that carries significant weight for manager Sarina Wiegman.

During the final press conference on Friday, the focus shifted to Wiegman’s potential entry into the history books. The Dutch manager is currently sitting on 49 victories since taking charge of the Lionesses. A win on Saturday evening would see her reach a half-century of triumphs in just her 73rd match, a testament to the dominant era she has ushered in.

"We want to be challenged at the highest level," Wiegman told reporters, noting that the squad is already looking toward the long road to the 2027 World Cup. "China offers a different style of play—technical, disciplined, and quick in transition. It is exactly the kind of test we need right now."

H**p Highlights Team Evolution

Forward Lauren H**p, who joined Wiegman for media duties, spoke confidently about the mood within the camp. Following a mixed international window last month—which saw a narrow defeat to Brazil followed by a victory over Australia—H**p emphasized the squad's resilience.

"We know we have to be adaptable," H**p stated. "We have faced physical battles recently, but tomorrow is about tactical intelligence. The group is in a good place, and returning to Wembley always provides that extra lift."

Fresh Faces at St. George’s Park

Before traveling to London, the team held an open training session at St. George’s Park earlier in the week. The session offered fans and media a glimpse of the future, with youngster Freya Godfrey fully integrated into the senior setup. The London City Lionesses forward has been called up to the squad, signaling Wiegman’s intent to broaden the talent pool ahead of future tournament qualifiers.

The atmosphere on the training pitch was described as intense but positive, with the squad reporting a clean bill of health following the rigorous sessions.

Wembley Awaits

Tickets for the Saturday evening fixture (17:30 GMT kick-off) have been in high demand, with another bumper crowd expected under the arch. For England, this match is more than a friendly; it is an opportunity to solidify their tactics against top-tier non-European opposition before the year concludes.

Geelong and GWS Set for Critical Round 9 Showdown
GEELONG, VIC – All eyes will be on GMHBA Stadium this Saturday as the Geelong Cats host the GWS Giants in a pivotal Round 9 AFLW contest. The match, scheduled for a 3:05 PM start, presents a crucial opportunity for both clubs as the final rounds of the 2025 season approach.

The Geelong Cats enter the weekend with their finals aspirations on the line. Currently positioned 10th on the ladder with a 3-5 record, the Cats understand that a victory is essential to remain in the hunt for a top-eight finish. The team will look to capitalize on their home-ground advantage and find the consistency that has eluded them at times this season. A key focus for Geelong will be improving their performance at stoppages to control the flow of the game.

For the GWS Giants, this match is a chance to continue building positive momentum. After a challenging start to the year, the Giants have shown signs of improvement, securing two wins to sit 15th on the ladder. Historically, GWS has had the upper hand in this matchup, holding an undefeated record against Geelong in their three previous encounters. They will be looking to extend that streak and secure another valuable win.

The game also holds special significance as it falls during the AFLW's Pride Round. This two-week initiative celebrates inclusion and diversity within the sport, and the Giants will be wearing their specially designed Pride jumper for the occasion.

Several key players are expected to have a major impact. Geelong's midfield star Georgie Prespakis will be one to watch as she plays her 50th AFLW game. For the Giants, the performance of Zarlie Goldsworthy will be vital; she leads her team in multiple statistical categories and is central to their game plan. However, GWS will be without veteran forward Alicia Eva, who is unavailable for the match.

With finals hopes hanging in the balance for one team and a point to prove for the other, this Round 9 clash is set to be a hard-fought contest.

The Adelaide Crows have decisively put an end to the West Coast Eagles' winning streak, securing a 17-point victory in their Round 9 AFLW clash at Norwood Oval on Saturday. The final score read 7.6 (48) to 4.7 (31) in favour of the home side.

Coming off a surprising defeat in the previous round, the Crows produced a commanding performance to re-establish their finals credentials. Adelaide controlled the contest from the outset, dominating possession and territory. The Crows' pressure around the ball was a key factor, leading to a significant advantage in inside 50s (43-23) that kept the Eagles' defence under constant strain.

Midfield star Ebony Marinoff was instrumental for Adelaide, finishing with a game-high 30 disposals and seven clearances in a best-on-ground display. Madison Newman also provided a major spark, contributing 19 possessions and two important goals.

The West Coast Eagles showed resilience, mounting a late comeback in the final quarter by kicking the last three goals of the match. Young gun Ella Roberts was a bright spot for the visitors, leading her team with 20 touches, while co-captain Charlie Thomas was solid in her 50th league appearance. However, the Eagles' late charge was not enough to overcome the deficit established by the Crows earlier in the game.

The result strengthens Adelaide's position in the top eight as the league moves closer to the finals. West Coast will look to regroup next week to keep their own post-season hopes alive.

Sweden and Switzerland are deadlocked at 0-0 after a tense first half in their FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification match at Strawberry Arena. The Group B encounter remains balanced on a knife's edge, with both teams showing strong defensive form.

Switzerland, entering the match as the clear group leader with a perfect record, has been working to solidify its top position. A win would extend their five-point lead over the Swedes and place them in a commanding position for direct qualification.

For the host nation, this game is of high importance. After a challenging start to their campaign that saw them collect just one point from two matches, Sweden is in urgent need of a victory to boost its chances of reaching the finals. The home side came closest to scoring in the opening half when striker Alexander Isak's effort hit the post.

The match has been a tactical contest, with neither side giving away significant chances. As the teams prepare for the second half, the outcome of this contest will have considerable consequences for the final Group B standings. Sweden will push for a much-needed win, while Switzerland looks to maintain its undefeated streak.