TORONTO - New Zealand crushed the Cook Islands 11-0 in Oceania qualifying Wednesday to become the 22nd country to book its ticket to the FIFA Womens World Cup Canada 2015.
[b]John Davidson Jersey[/b] .The 19th-ranked Kiwis went unbeaten through the OFC Womens Nations Cup in Papua New Guinea, outscoring its three opponents 30-0.Its the fifth time New Zealand has qualified for the Womens World Cup. Now only two spots remain in the tournament field.Trinidad and Tobago, which finished fourth in CONCACAF qualifying, will face Ecuador, the third-place finisher in South America, in an intercontinental playoff. The two-legged playoff will start Nov. 8 in Quito with the return leg Dec. 2 in Trinidad and Tobago.Italy, the Netherlands, Scotland and Ukraine are currently embroiled in playoffs to decide the eighth and final European berth in Canada.Italy will take a 2-1 lead to Lviv on Wednesday for the second leg of its semifinal with Ukraine while the Dutch hold a 2-1 advantage going into Thursdays second leg with Scotland in Rotterdam.The home-and-away final is scheduled for late November.---QualifiedCanada (host), Australia, Brazil, Cameroon, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, England, France, Germany, Ivory Coast, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, U.S.
[b]Garry Unger Jersey[/b] . In the opener of the World Group first-round series, world No. 18 Kei Nishikori defeated Peter Polansky of Thornhill, Ont.
[b]Jorgen Pettersson Jersey[/b] .Y. - Major League Soccers independent review panel has taken back the fine and one-game suspension it placed on Toronto FC forward Luke Moore earlier this week.ROME -- Serena Williams isnt committing to playing in the Italian Open yet as she waits to see how her injured left thigh feels. The top-ranked Williams withdrew before her quarterfinal match at the Madrid Open last week. "Im taking it a day at a time. Well see as the week goes on. I have the rest of the day off and Ill see how I feel tomorrow," Williams said Monday. "I hit some balls today a little bit so Im going to see later tonight how it feels." In Madrid, Williams had her thigh heavily bandaged and said the injury occurred during a first-round victory over Belinda Bencic. She dismissed conjecture of pulling out for precautionary reasons. "I dont do anything out of precaution anymore. You live once and I feel like anything can happen tomorrow," Williams said. "I just physically couldnt play. I was in a lot of pain and just wasnt able to continue. When I play I want to give 100 per cent. "I want to go out there and I want to give the fans everything that they deserve and everything that they come to see," Williams added. "And I just wasnt going to even come close to being there." Williams is the defending champion at the Foro Italico, and also won the title in 2002. Shell also be the defending champion when the French Open starts in two weeeks.
[b]Troy Brouwer Jersey[/b]. Compared to earlier in her career, Williams said she really enjoys the red clay of Rome and Paris now. "I love the challenge of having to be more consistent and having to be that much better," she said. Williams is slated to open against either Romina Oprandi of Switzerland or Andrea Petkovic of Germany. Shes one of eight Americans in the draw -- quite a large showing compared to recent years. "Its good timing. Im nearing the end of my career, I guess -- who knows when its going to end, I love playing -- and people get inspired by different Americans maybe, and maybe start to play now," Williams said. "I love seeing all the Americans around." The other Americans in Rome are Varvara Lepchenko, Sloane Stephens, Christina McHale, Lauren Davis, Madison Keys, Alison Riske and Serenas older sister Venus Williams. At 32, Serena Williams marveled at the retirement announcement last week by former No. 1 Dinara Safina, who is 28. "Shes a lot younger than me," Serena said. "I just enjoy it right now. I enjoy my practice and Im starting to look in the mirror like, Wow. Whats wrong with me? I should be starting to not enjoy it so much. But the older I get the more I enjoy it. Its kind of weird but Im going to take it as it is." ' ' '
Find in Directory
Find in Events
Find in Marketplace