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WWC 2023: Kerr calls for more funding for women’s game in Aussie

In the wake of Australia’s elimination from the Women’s World Cup, Matildas star Sam Kerr has called for more investment in Australian women’s football.

At the moment that the entire country connected with the Women’s World Cup and Australians rallied behind the Matildas, the team’s joyride at these finals came to an end with a 3-1 semi-final defeat to European champions England, but a sense of pride prevails and amid all the disappointment of not making a maiden World Cup final, Kerr demanded increased funding for the women’s game.

“I can only speak for the Matildas but, we need funding in our development, we need funding in our grassroots. We need funding everywhere,” said Kerr.

“You know, comparison to other sports isn’t really good enough. Hopefully, this tournament kind of changes that because that’s the legacy you leave, not what you do on the pitch. The legacy is what you do off the pitch. I think the way the country has got behind us and the television ratings, all of that, this isn’t a once-in-a-lifetime.”

In the 63rd minute, Kerr levelled the score in the first match of the tournament that she started. The striker’s fitness became the focal point of attention for weeks in Australia. As a talisman, her image fronted ads, buildings and other public places.

As her fitness gradually improved, she played an hour against France in the quarter-finals before delivering a sumptuous goal against the Lionesses that allowed Australians to dream of playing the tournament’s showpiece match against Spain. Ultimately, they were left to rue what could have been. In 2021, the Matildas reached the final of the Olympic Games, but lost against Canada.

Australia manager Tony Gustavsson said that his team and Australian football had “maximized” what they could do with the resources at their disposal. “It’s bigger than 90 minutes of football,” said Gustavsson. “We’re very disappointed that we lost, but hopefully we won something else. We won the heart and the passion for this team in this country.

“But I agree with the players. This is not the end of something, this needs to be the start of something. And with that comes money as well.”

England and Australia come from very different football backgrounds, but the success of the Matildas, Gustavsson and Kerr believe should prompt investment, be it from the government, corporate sponsors and broadcasters. Before the Women’s World Cup, Football Australia rolled out a legacy program that will entail $357 million to foster a better football environment across the board.

“We are right now maximizing the resources we have, whether it’s registered players or whether it’s the work we’re doing at clubs locally, whether it’s the grassroots football, whether it’s the return on investment. But let’s invest more and be genuine contenders for medals and tournaments moving forward as well. This is now the second semifinal, two tournaments in a row, the Olympic Games and this one. But right now we’re not happy about being in the semifinal. We’re disappointed not to be in the final.”

The legacy of the tournament will come into greater focus after the final whistle, but first, the Matildas will bow out of the finals in the third-place playoff against Sweden.

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Roy Keane Blasts ‘Frightened’ Manchester United After West Ham Draw

Roy Keane reacting angrily during a football analysis session

Manchester United thought they had the job wrapped up at Old Trafford… until they didn’t.

Diogo Dalot’s tidy finish just before the hour mark looked like the moment that would push the Red Devils to a much-needed victory. But in classic 2025 Manchester United fashion, control slipped, intensity dipped, and West Ham pounced.

And of course—when things go wrong—Roy Keane is never far from the verbal action.


“They Weren’t Nasty Enough!” – Keane Fires Shots

After the 1-1 draw, Keane wasted zero time calling out what he sees as the real issue at United: timidity.

According to him, United “took their foot off the gas” right after scoring. Against a team in the bottom three, he expected more authority, more aggression, and definitely more hunger.

Instead, what he saw was a team “almost frightened” of finishing the job.

He slammed the players for hiding when pressure kicked in, criticized their lack of killer instinct, and even called out the relaxed body language during substitutions.

In typical Keane fashion, the message was simple:
United should never be this soft.


Amorim Also Frustrated: “The Game Was Ours To Win”

Manager Ruben Amorim didn’t sugarcoat anything either.

While he didn’t go full-Keane, he admitted:

  • United lost control after scoring

  • They failed to win second balls

  • They should have killed the match earlier

  • The inconsistency is becoming a real problem

For a team chasing European places, three draws in five games simply isn’t good enough.


West Ham Deserved Their Point

To be fair, West Ham didn’t just sit back and wait. They fought, pressed, countered, and eventually got their reward when Soungoutou Magassa slotted home the 83rd-minute equaliser.

United had late chances, but the story of their season resurfaced again:
moments created, moments wasted.


Where Do United Go From Here?

Sitting eighth on the table, United’s inconsistency continues to be their biggest opponent. Keane believes the team lacks bite. Amorim believes the team lacks control.

Fans believe the team lacks… well, everything except drama.

What’s clear is this: until United find their identity and intensity, nights like this will keep happening.


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Beckham Joins Bellingham & Trent to Unveil Retro Gunmetal Adidas Predator Mania

David Beckham Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold posing with the gunmetal adidas Predator Mania boots

Beckham Links Up With The New Generation

Adidas just pulled off the ultimate fusion of eras — pairing Real Madrid legend David Beckham with modern-day stars Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold to unveil the new throwback Predator Mania Gunmetal.

The visual alone is powerful:
Beckham, the man who helped define the Predator legacy, standing alongside the players shaping a new generation at the Santiago Bernabéu.

It’s nostalgia meeting modern football culture in the cleanest way possible.


How Beckham & Zidane Made The Predator A Cultural Icon

In the 2000s, football boots had personalities — and none louder than the Predator.

Thanks to players like:

  • David Beckham

  • Zinedine Zidane

  • Steven Gerrard

…the Predator brand became more than footwear — it became a symbol of confidence, control, and creativity.

Beckham’s signature whip-your-free-kick technique and the unforgettable fold-over tongue made Predator Mania one of the most legendary boots ever created.

And now in 2025, it’s back — reborn with purpose.


A Historic Gunmetal Colourway Returns

The 2025 Predator Mania comes in a stunning Gunmetal grey, blending early-2000s nostalgia with fresh modern flair.

Adidas describes it as:

  • “Metallic, polished and aggressive”

  • Featuring crisp white Three Stripes

  • And the iconic red fold-over tongue — embroidered and unapologetically bold

Beckham famously wore this colourway during his early Real Madrid days.
It quickly became a cult favourite, often called “one of the most photogenic boots of its era.”

Now it’s back — and it looks better than ever.


Engineered For Today’s Game

While the look is faithful, adidas didn’t simply remake the past — they improved it.

The 2025 Predator Mania is crafted in the historic Scheinfeld factory in Germany, the birthplace of many legendary Predator lines.

Key enhancements include:

  • Upgraded comfort

  • Subtle structural refinement

  • Increased responsiveness

  • Modern fit for today’s style of play

In short:
Old-school swagger meets high-performance engineering.


Back On The Bernabéu Grass

The revival feels even more fitting because two current Real Madrid stars — Bellingham and Alexander-Arnold — will bring the Gunmetal Mania back to the Santiago Bernabéu pitch.

From Beckham’s free-kick artistry to Bellingham’s midfield dominance and Trent’s laser passing…
the Predator legacy remains in elite company.

Adidas couldn’t have scripted a better generational handover.


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Galatasaray Vs Samsunspor: Can Cimbom Break Samsunspor’s Unbeaten Run In A Heated Super Lig Clash?

Galatasaray players celebrating a goal ahead of their match against Samsunspor.

Galatasaray Vs Samsunspor Match Preview

The Turkish Super Lig title race is heating up, and Friday’s clash between Galatasaray and Samsunspor carries huge implications for both ends of the table. Cimbom remain top, but their recent dip in form has opened the door for rivals — and Samsunspor are arriving in Istanbul with confidence and a 14-game unbeaten streak.

This matchup promises intensity, tactics, and a battle of resilience versus home dominance.


Galatasaray Searching For Lost Spark

Galatasaray head into this fixture frustrated after conceding a 95th-minute equaliser in the derby against Fenerbahce — a result that denied them a chance to go four points clear.

Their early-season sharpness has faded:

  • 9 wins in their first 10 games

  • Only 1 win in their last 4

  • Three matches without scoring during Victor Osimhen’s absence

The Nigerian striker’s return instantly improves their attack, but Okan Buruk’s side still need to rediscover the fluid, cohesive football that put them top of the table.


Samsunspor’s Incredible Unbeaten Run

Samsunspor enter the match in fantastic form:

  • Unbeaten in 14 across all competitions (7W, 7D)

  • 10 straight games unbeaten in the league

  • A habit of rising to big games — drawing against Besiktas, Fenerbahce, and Trabzonspor

However, three consecutive draws — including a late 1-1 against Alanyaspor — show they sometimes struggle to finish opponents off.

Thomas Reis’s men sit 5th with 25 points, but defeat could drop them down the table. Still, their discipline and structure make them one of the most difficult teams to break down this season.


Head-to-Head: A Fixture Dominated By Galatasaray

History heavily favours the hosts:

  • Galatasaray have won the last eight meetings

  • Samsunspor’s last victory over Cimbom feels like a lifetime ago

  • Recent games have been high scoring and entertaining

With form and past meetings combined, Galatasaray remain favourites — but Samsunspor’s current resilience cannot be ignored.


Team News

Galatasaray

Out injured:

  • Ismail Jakobs

  • Wilfried Singo

Suspended (betting scandal):

  • Eren Elmali

  • Metehan Baltaci

Osimhen is fit but still regaining full sharpness.

Samsunspor

Long-term absentees:

  • Olivier Ntcham

  • Ebrima Ceesay

  • Bedirhan Cetin

  • Tanguy Coulibaly

  • Afonso Sousa

Also missing:

  • Lubomir Satka (injured)

  • Celil Yuksel (betting scandal)

  • Joe Mendes (red card suspension)


Probable Lineups

Galatasaray:

Cakir; Sanchez, Bardakci, Lemina, Karatas; Torreira, Sara; Sane, Gundogan, Yilmaz; Osimhen

Samsunspor:

Kocuk; Yavru, Borevkovic, Van Drongelen, Tomasson; Makoumbou; Musaba, Aydin, Holse, Kilinic; Ndiaye

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