JUVENTUS HEADING TO PERTH IN SUMMER 🌞

 

HOW INDIA CAN REACH WTC FINAL: WIN AT SCG AND HOPE FOR SRI LANKA SERIES VICTORY OR DRAW AGAINST AUSTRALIA

To qualify for the final, India must win the last Test of the series against Australia at Sydney, and then hope for a positive result for Sri Lanka (or a 0-0 draw) when Australia tour the island nation early next year.

India fans show their support during the fourth Test against Australia in Melbourne. India may have lost the crucial Boxing Day contest by 184 runs but all is not lost as far as their chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship (WTC) Final are concerned. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

India may have lost the crucial Boxing Day contest by 184 runs but all is not lost as far as their chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship (WTC) Final are concerned.

To qualify for the final, India must win the last Test of the series against Australia at Sydney, and then hope for a positive result for Sri Lanka (or a 0-0 draw) when Australia tour the island nation early next year.

Post the loss, India's point percentage (PCT) has dropped to 52.78 from 55.89. Australia, on the other hand boosted their PCT as they now have 61.46.

South Africa have already qualified for the WTC final after beating Pakistan in the first Test by two wickets on Sunday.

If India manage to win in Sydney, they will have 55.26 PCT and Australia will have 54.26. A win out of two Tests against Sri Lanka then would be enough for Australia to go past India's PCT and join the Proteas in the final.

India began the 2024/25 season in a rampant fashion, securing a confident 2-0 win over Bangladesh at home.

The script that followed was, however, not according to their plans. The side suffered an unprecedented historic loss to New Zealand at home, before embarking on a challenging tour of Australia.

Under stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah, the Men in Blue rekindled their hopes for a third straight appearance in the WTC Final, with a win in the opening Test in Perth.

However, the side has since gone on to lose two games in Australia, and their WTC chances have taken a significant hit.

But Australia's compelling win in the final session here has improved their chances of a World Test Championship 2025 final appearance, with the side now just one more Test win away from making it to Lord's next year.

Earlier in Centurion's Boxing Day Test, Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen's stunning partnership took South Africa to a thrilling two-wicket win over Pakistan in the first Test, confirming their spot at next June's final.

While Australia are out in front as claimants to the second spot, India are still in with a chance. Sri Lanka too are alive, but both will need a string of favourable results to keep their hopes alive.

- THE HINDU

AUSTRALIA TO PLAY PALESTINIAN MEN'S SOCCER IN PERTH IN JUNE

 SYDNEY (AP) — Soccer Australia said Tuesday that the Socceroos will play the Palestinian men's soccer team in Perth, Western Australia on June 11 in a 2026 World Cup qualifying match.

Australia has a 2-0 record in Group I in the second round of Asian qualifying while the Palestinian team has a draw and a loss.

The loss was 1-0 to Australia when the Palestinian side was forced to play a “home” game in Kuwait in November due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. It was originally scheduled for the West Bank.

Players on the Australian team, before the start of the Kuwait match, donated a portion of their fees towards humanitarian causes in Gaza.

IGA SWIATEK VS. QINWEN ZHENG | UNITED CUP QF HIGHLIGHTS | PERTH

WHAT ARE THE HOST CITIES AND VENUES FOR THE WOMEN'S WORLD CUP ?

Reuters

The ninth FIFA Women's World Cup takes place in Australia and New Zealand from July 20 to Aug. 20. These are the host cities and venues for the tournament (Indigenous and Maori names used by tournament organisers in parenthesis):

SYDNEY (CADICAL)

Australia's first city is home to more than five million people and boasts world class beaches as well as the iconic bridge and Opera House facing each other across the harbour.

Built for the 2000 Olympics with an original capacity of more than 100,000, Stadium Australia will host Australia's opening game against Ireland and matches in each of the knockout rounds, including the final.

Sydney Football Stadium (42,000)

Completely rebuilt and re-opened last year, the SFS is a state-of-the-art stadium to the south of the harbour and the home ground for A-League club Sydney FC as well as two rugby teams. Will stage five group matches and a round of 16 tie.

AUCKLAND (TAMAKI MAKAURAU)

New Zealand's largest city was built around two harbours and is sometimes known as the 'City of Sails'. Auckland has long been a magnet for migrants from Pacific islands and boasts the largest ethnic Polynesian population in the world.

Eden Park (50,000)

The spiritual home of New Zealand rugby, Eden Park has hosted three World Cup finals in that sport. Will stage six group matches as well as a round of 16 tie, quarter-final and semi-final.

MELBOURNE (NAARM)

Australia's sports and cultural capital, Melbourne has a similar population to Sydney, its great rival for pre-eminence in the country.

Melbourne Rectangular Stadium (30,000)

Part of the complex of facilities that also includes the Melbourne Cricket Ground and the home of the Australian Open tennis, the stadium is the home ground for Melbourne Victory and Melbourne Heart A-League clubs. Will host four group matches and two round of 16 ties.

WELLINGTON (TE WHANGNUI-A-TARA)

New Zealand's capital is built around a harbour in the south of the country's North Island. The world's windiest city, Wellington has gained a reputation for culture and its cafe scene.

Wellington Regional Stadium (35,000)

'The Cake Tin' is in the centre of the city and the home to the Wellington Phoenix A-League club as well as a rugby team. Will host seven group matches plus a round of 16 tie and a quarter-final.

DUNEDIN (OTEPOTI)

New Zealand's southernmost city, Dunedin was founded by Scottish migrants and named after the Gaelic for Edinburgh. Students at Otago University and Polytechnic make up a large proportion of the population of some 130,000.

Dunedin Stadium (30,000)

Fortunately given the sometimes wild local weather, 'The Glasshouse' is an entirely enclosed stadium that also hosts rugby and pop concerts. Will stage six group matches.

BRISBANE (MEAANJIN)

At the heart of Australia's fastest growing region, Brisbane is built on the banks of the river of the same name and will host the 2032 Olympics.

Lang Park (52,500)

The home of Queensland rugby league, Lang Park has hosted two World Cup finals in that sport and is renowned for its atmosphere when full. Home to the Brisbane Roar A-League team, it will host five group matches, a round of 16 tie, a quarter-final and the third-fourth playoff.

HAMILTON 

An inland city nestled on the banks of the Waikato River, Hamilton is the heart of a large and populous agricultural region. Two of New Zealand's three women prime ministers, Helen Clark and Jacinda Ardern, were born in Hamilton.

Waikato Stadium (25,800)

A multi-purpose facility mainly used for rugby, Waikato Stadium hosted matches at the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Local fans are famous for ringing cow bells. Will host five group matches.

ADELIDE

Adelaide is coastal city and capital of the state of South Australia which lies close to the famous Barossa valley wine producing region.

Hindmarsh Stadium (16,500)

A boutique stadium in the city's suburbs and home of A-League club Adelaide United. Will host four group matches and a round of 16 match.

PERTH

The capital of the state of Western Australia is a coastal city with fine beaches and plentiful sunshine. One of the most isolated large cities in the world, Perth is home to more than two million people.

Perth Oval (20,500)

The home of Perth Glory and two rugby teams, the ground was originally a venue for Australian Rules matches but reconfigured as a rectangular stadium in 2004. Will host five group matches.

- Reuters