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This was a week which began with a sparking off of the Greatest-Of-All-Time debate in sport. Roger Federer's capturing of a record-extending 19th Grand Slam with a historic eighth title at Wimbledon had arguably sealed his position in the pantheon of sporting immortals. Think Ali, Bradman, Dhyan Chand, Pele, Jordan, Phelps - surely Federer already ranks among them, but could he be considered better?

Comparisons are difficult. Especially when they are across generations. When they are across disciplines. When they are across formats. When they are across gender.

Late last year, Harmanpreet Kaur, then 27, became the first (and thus-far only) Indian to play in the Women's Big Bash League in Australia. A little over seven months later, the Aussies might rue the hospitality and platform, they provided Down Under.

Only four times in the 44-year history of Women's ODI cricket had an individual scored over 171 in an innings. Only once had someone touched three figures in a World Cup knockout game.

Kaur did it with India in a position of discomfort, having lost their top-three, against six-time champions of the competition. India had only ever made one final before.

When you consider different generations in sport, everything that changes with time - basically, everything - becomes a hindrance in drawing comparisons.

When you consider different formats of the same sport - say Tests and ODIs, for instance - the varied challenges faced depending on scenario becomes a hindrance in drawing comparisons.

When you consider different genders in sport, societal convention - effectively, everything - becomes a hindrance in drawing comparisons.

Let's go back in time, say two decades earlier when the Indian Men's team was accustomed to tasting defeat with regularity against a to-be world-conquering Australian unit.

Let's say the sides met in a match to decide whether India could reach the final of the tournament.

Imagine one man scored an exorbitant proportion of the team's runs, say close to 60% even, to alter the course of the game and provide India the desired result.

You could call it one of the greatest innings ever, couldn't you?

Against Australia, at Sharjah, in the final group stage match of the Cherry Blossom Sharjah Cup, on 22 April 1998, Sachin Tendulkar scored 59.09% of India's runs.

Against Australia, at Derby, in the semi-finals of the ICC Women's World Cup 2017, on 20 July 2017, Harmanpreet Kaur scored 60.85% of India's runs.

Yes, comparisons are difficult. They rely heavily on an element of opinion. Opinion, while not always, does sometimes deviate from fact. And facts are the best base for comparison.

But whichever way one looks at it, Harmanpreet Kaur's epic is one of the greatest knocks in the history of Indian cricket - Men's, or Women's.

Since we're there, let's say this too: If India are to defeat England at Lord's this Sunday, it will be the greatest moment in Indian cricket - Men's, or Women's - since 2 April 2011.

Perhaps even since 25 June 1983.

As an aside, Sachin Tendulkar followed that breath-taking century at Sharjah with another one two days later to win India the title.

Over to Lord's then. Go on, #WomenInBlue.

Original post:
Harmanpreet's hour: India's hero, India's pride - WION

The Octavio Zambrano era has gotten off to a near-perfect start for Canada.

Since the Ecuadorian took over the program in March, the team has yet to experience a loss. In fact, the Canucks have not tasted defeat in 2017, with the unbeaten streak extended to six games thanks to a scoreless draw with Honduras last week in Canada's final group stage match at the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

MORE: Whitecaps' Davies bursts onto international scene

The positivity, while modest, will continue for a few more days at least, with Zambrano's squad preparing to face Jamaica in the tournament quarterfinals on Thursday in Glendale, Ariz. It'll be the first of two meetings between the sides over the summer, as the teams will also square off in a friendly at Toronto's BMO Field in early September.

If it wasn't obvious, Thursday's match is the far more important of the two against the Jamaicans.

The Caribbean nation claimed the most recent meeting between these two sides, securing a 1-0 victory in the 2015 Gold Cup thanks to a stoppage time goal. Canada looks to exact some revenge on Thursday, riding a newfound confidence under the new coach that saw the beleaguered team finally break a number of embarrassing tournament droughts (goals, wins, advancement to the knockout stage) en route to this week's clash.

MORE: U.S. is Gold Cup favorite, but Canada could keep surprising

For their part, the Canadians aren't idly accepting advancement to the quarters as the end goal. Cyle Larin, the 22-year-old former MLS rookie of the year who plies his trade for Orlando City, has beensummoned by Zambrano to replace midfielder/defender Raheem Edwards in the squad. The move signifies a commitment to the type of attacking soccer that Zambrano promised when he took the reins earlier this year, glimpses of which we've seen on display in the group stage.

Larin will be in tough to crack the starting lineup as Lucas Cavallini has performed admirably as a tireless force up front, harassing defenders and providinglink-up play that has resulted in teenage sensation Alphonso Davies' first of three goals so far in the tournament.

Regardless, Larin will be another weapon at Zambrano's disposal, as Canada looks to claim a very realistic opportunity to move on to the semifinals of the regional competition for the first time since 2007.

Even if Thursday is the end of the road for the Canadians, this year's Gold Cup will have to be looked upon as a success. Zambrano has managed to introduce several new players to the fold, with young players like Davies, Michael Petrasso, Samuel Adekugbe and Mark-Anthony Kaye having notable Gold Cup debuts. Along with the likes of Scott Arfield, Junior Hoilett and Steven Vitoria all veterans who are still relatively inexperienced in international play Canada has managed to give its player pool a much-needed infusion of new talent at a time when several of the more familiar faces from the past decade are transitioning away from the national team.

MORE:Mourinho wants 15 more years at United

On a more intangible note, Zambrano's quest to get Canadian players to stop seeing themselves as also-rans seems to be alreay taking hold.

In a weird way, Im kind of disappointed we didnt win the group, Arfield told Sportsnet after the draw with Honduras cemented Canada asthe second place team in Group A. I think we were good enough to do so. I think that has to be the mentality going forward, that we cant be second best. Its a huge stride for soccer in this country. It gets people taking notice.

Zambrano's task is to essentially prepare the Canadians for World Cup qualification for Qatar 2022, which won't begin for another 2-3 years. In thetime leading up to those matches, it's all about exposing young talent to the rigours of international action while forging an identity upon which the program can be based.

Gold Cup 2017 is just the first step, and there is plenty of work to be done, but it's already been a giant leap forward.

The rest is here:
Canada prepares for first Gold Cup knockout game since 2009 - Sporting News

The Canadians are preparing for their most important match in eight years, with a meeting against Jamaica in the quarterfinals set for Thursday

The Octavio Zambrano era has gotten off to a near-perfect start for Canada.

Since the Ecuadorian took over the program in March, the team has yet to experience a loss. In fact, the Canucks have not tasted defeat in 2017, with the unbeaten streak extended to six games thanks to a scoreless draw with Honduras last week in Canada's final group stage match at the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Bet on Juventus v Barcelona in ICC

The positivity, while modest, will continue for a few more days at least, with Zambrano's squad preparing to face Jamaica in the tournament quarterfinals on Thursday in Glendale, Ariz. It'll be the first of two meetings between the sides over the summer, as the teams will also square off in a friendly at Toronto's BMO Field in early September.

If it wasn't obvious, Thursday's match is the far more important of the two against the Jamaicans.

The Caribbean nation claimed the most recent meeting between these two sides, securing a 1-0 victory in the 2015 Gold Cup thanks to a stoppage time goal. Canada looks to exact some revenge on Thursday, riding a newfound confidence under the new coach that saw the beleaguered team finally break a number of embarrassing tournament droughts (goals, wins, advancement to the knockout stage) en route to this week's clash.

For their part, the Canadians aren't idly accepting advancement to the quarters as the end goal. Cyle Larin, the 22-year-old former MLS rookie of the year who plies his trade for Orlando City, has been summoned by Zambrano to replace midfielder/defender Raheem Edwards in the squad. The move signifies a commitment to the type of attacking soccer that Zambrano promised when he took the reins earlier this year, glimpses of which we've seen on display in the group stage.

Larin will be in tough to crack the starting lineup as Lucas Cavallini has performed admirably as a tireless force up front, harassing defenders and providing link-up play that has resulted in teenage sensation Alphonso Davies' first of three goals so far in the tournament.

Regardless, Larin will be another weapon at Zambrano's disposal, as Canada looks to claim a very realistic opportunity to move on to the semifinals of the regional competition for the first time since 2007.

USA's Miazga eyeing Chelsea and World Cup

Even if Thursday is the end of the road for the Canadians, this year's Gold Cup will have to be looked upon as a success. Zambrano has managed to introduce several new players to the fold, with young players like Davies, Michael Petrasso, Samuel Adekugbe and Mark-Anthony Kaye having notable Gold Cup debuts. Along with the likes of Scott Arfield, Junior Hoilett and Steven Vitoria all veterans who are still relatively inexperienced in international play Canada has managed to give its player pool a much-needed infusion of new talent at a time when several of the more familiar faces from the past decade are transitioning away from the national team.

Zambrano's task is to essentially prepare the Canadians for World Cup qualification for Qatar 2022, which won't begin for another 2-3 years. In the time leading up to those matches, it's all about exposing young talent to the rigours of international action while forging an identity upon which the program can be based.

Gold Cup 2017 is just the first step, and there is plenty of work to be done, but it's already been a giant leap forward.

View original post here:
Canada is back! Canucks ready for first Gold Cup knockout game since 2009 - Goal.com

Updated / Thursday, 20 Jul 2017 10:56

Wexford joint manager John Kelly says that the players are treating their final Group 2 tie in the Liberty Insurance All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship as a knockout game.

Following their five-point defeat of Tipperary at Innovate Wexford Park last Saturday, the Yellowbellies are in second position but could still lose out on qualification to the quarter-finals which is available to second and third in each group if they were beaten by Limerick by six points this weekend and Offaly overcame Tipperary.

Neither is an impossibility but a win in Bruff on Saturday (5.30pm) would remove all doubt for Wexford.

"Limerick beat Tipp and won a Munster Final" says Kelly, who is co-manager withMatty Flynn OConnor.

"Theyre not going to be any pushovers. Well have to be on top of our game going down to Limerick. Were treating it as knockout Championship.

"Every game since the Cork game has been like that. Its in your own hands."

The Cork game he refers to was a disconcerting experience, as the Rebels had 18 points to spare in Pirc U Rinn at the beginning of the month.

That placed real significance on the Tipp clash and the players answered the call, especially in the second half, when Orla ODwyer and Ereena Fryday plundered two second-half goals.

"It was a big win after going down to Cork and getting a good beating.

Tipp last year for us was a sticky one down in Waterford and we were dodgy going into it but the girls hurled very well and did what we wanted them to do.

"When they got back level with us you would be a bit shy but we came down the field and got the next score. Chloe (Foxe) came on and got a great point and we seemed to lift it.

"There is a great spirit in the team. Theyre young. Theres still a few of the older crew there not much of them now but it is a help.

"There are some good, young girls coming through the county and the further we can go in this Championship, it will stand to them."

Foxe wasnt risked from the start having injured her hamstring against Cork but scored 1-02 off the bench and, like Joanne Dillon, has had a big impact in a panel that lost even more experience this year, though Kellys legendary sister Kate is remains a welcome figure in the background, passing on some of her wisdom to the new crop that represent the future.

"You know what youre going to get out of the Leacys and the Kehoes," he said.

"You can rely on them all the time. Its what you get out of the younger players will determine how you go in the Championship.

"We have lost Katrina Parrock, Mags DArcy and Kate this year, another three massive players. Those players are not replaced overnight but you have to battle on.

"All good things come to an end and we have to find the next ones."

More:
Limerick clash a knockout game for Wexford, says John Kelly - RTE.ie

PHILADELPHIA In any tournament knockout game, the most important thing is to survive and advance.

But members of the US national team know they wont survive much longer in the Gold Cup if they play anything like they did in Wednesdays 2-0 quarterfinal win over El Salvador at Lincoln Financial Field.

I thought we had a difficult time tonight, head coach Bruce Arena admitted after the match. Our timing wasnt good. We didnt deal with the physicality. The game had no rhythm, with all the fouls and players falling on the ground, but we werent good on top of it. It took us 30 minutes to play a little bit and then we got a little better service and capitalized on them. It was just a sloppy game overall.

To call Wednesdays game physical is probably an understatement. After the USMNT took a 2-0 lead into halftime on goals from Omar Gonzalez and Eric Lichaj, El Salvador resorted to some dirty antics in the second half, biting not one but two US players.

Afterwards, Arena told reporters he thought someone should have been sent off. And asked if he thought his team could maybe learn from a game like this, the US coach was blunt.

I dont think so, Arena said. Games shouldnt look like that. Too many fouls. Time wasting. Players falling on the ground. It doesnt prepare us for big games.

The US certainly have a big game looming Saturday as they're set to face a Costa Rica team that routed them 4-0 in a World Cup qualifier this past November.

And they know their Gold Cup run may end vs. Los Ticos in the semifinals if they once again come out slow and dont, as striker Jozy Altidore put it, put a stamp on the game.

Look, I think this was one of the better Salvador teams Ive seen since Ive been part of the national team, said Altidore, who was on the wrong end of one of the bites and nipple twists. They gave us their best in the first 35-40 minutes but we rebounded well. We cant be coming out flat like that. As games get tougher good, a good Costa Rica team will punish you early on for coming out like that.

Along with Tim Howard, Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley, Altidore was one of the big guns Arena brought in for the knockout round, hoping the longtime USMNT stars could elevate the team after a somewhat unconvincing showing in group play.

But even though Bradley and Dempsey came through with pretty assists and Howard had a nice early save, Arena thought the team looked tired and out of sorts for much of the hot night in Philly.

I think our backline for the most part played OK, Arena said. I think Michael Bradley and Darlington Nagbe played very well. It was a very good goal by Omar and Lichaj and at times, we passed the ball pretty well. But we werent clean in the last part of the field. We have to do better.

Originally posted here:
US survive, but Bruce Arena not pleased with effort vs. El Salvador - MLSsoccer.com