Global Pulse

分类： sports

  • Scott Robertson is fired as All Blacks coach, 2 years into his 4-year term

    Scott Robertson is fired as All Blacks coach, 2 years into his 4-year term

    WELLINGTON, New Zealand — New Zealand Rugby has terminated head coach Scott Robertson’s contract two years into his four-year appointment, following a comprehensive internal assessment of the All Blacks’ disappointing 2025 season. The decision comes amid reports that senior players had threatened to exit the national team unless coaching changes were implemented.

    Robertson’s controversial tenure, marked by the team’s most disappointing performance record in the professional era, concluded after New Zealand Rugby chairman David Kirk announced the mutual agreement for Robertson’s departure. The organization cited the midpoint of the World Cup cycle as an appropriate moment to evaluate the team’s trajectory ahead of the 2027 tournament.

    Despite maintaining a 74% win rate with 20 victories from 27 matches, Robertson’s results fell significantly short of the standards set by predecessors Steve Hansen (87%) and Graham Henry (85%). His leadership reached a critical juncture when star player Ardie Savea reportedly expressed unwillingness to represent New Zealand under Robertson’s continued guidance.

    The coaching arrangement had been problematic from its inception in March 2023, when Robertson was appointed while incumbent coach Ian Foster remained under contract to lead the team through that year’s World Cup. This unprecedented overlap created organizational tension, particularly when Foster unexpectedly guided the team to the World Cup final, where they narrowly lost to South Africa by a single point.

    Robertson’s appointment itself drew criticism, as it emerged he had secured the position by threatening to pursue coaching opportunities overseas unless guaranteed the role. This pressure tactic, coupled with his lack of international coaching experience compared to previous All Blacks coaches, contributed to ongoing challenges throughout his tenure.

    Under Robertson’s leadership, the All Blacks suffered several historic defeats, including their first-ever loss to Argentina on home soil, a record 43-10 defeat by South Africa in Wellington—the largest margin in the team’s 120-year history—and additional losses to France and England.

    New Zealand Rugby has initiated the process to identify Robertson’s successor, with former Japan and Māori All Blacks coach Jamie Joseph considered the leading candidate. Robertson expressed profound disappointment with the outcome but acknowledged the decision prioritized the team’s best interests moving forward.

  • Mitchell ton helps New Zealand level ODI series with India

    Mitchell ton helps New Zealand level ODI series with India

    Daryl Mitchell delivered a spectacular batting performance to steer New Zealand to a commanding seven-wicket triumph over India in the second ODI at Rajkot on Wednesday. The victory levels the three-match series at 1-1, setting up a decisive final encounter.

    New Zealand’s clinical chase of India’s 284/7 marked their highest-ever successful run pursuit on Indian soil. Mitchell’s unbeaten 131 from 117 balls proved instrumental after the visitors found themselves in early trouble at 46-2. The 34-year-old batsman showcased exceptional form, building a crucial 162-run partnership with Will Young (87) that effectively dismantled India’s bowling attack.

    India’s innings had been anchored by KL Rahul’s magnificent unbeaten 112 from 92 deliveries, his highest score in ODI cricket and eighth century in the format. Despite Rahul’s heroics, New Zealand’s Kristian Clarke made significant early breakthroughs by dismissing top-order stalwarts Rohit Sharma, Shreyas Iyer, and Virat Kohli.

    Mitchell’s innings wasn’t without fortune—he received a reprieve on 80 when Prasidh Krishna dropped a difficult chance. The batsman capitalized fully on this opportunity, registering his eighth ODI century while demonstrating why he accumulated 761 runs in 2025 at an impressive average of 54.35.

    Post-match, Mitchell expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance: ‘We haven’t won here for a couple of years. Nice to get a win. I’m just enjoying doing the job for the country.’ He particularly praised his partnership with Young, noting ‘He’s a class player, I love batting with him, we also have fun batting together.’

    Indian captain Shubman Gill acknowledged his team’s shortcomings: ‘We did get a decent start with the ball, but they batted very well in the middle overs. We could have been more brave, and taken more chances.’

    The series now moves to Indore for the final ODI, after which both teams will contest a five-match T20I series as preparation for next month’s Twenty20 World Cup.

  • Race to Dubai leader Schaper eyes hat-trick of DP World Tour wins at Dubai Invitational

    Race to Dubai leader Schaper eyes hat-trick of DP World Tour wins at Dubai Invitational

    Golf sensation Jayden Schaper arrives in Dubai with an extraordinary momentum, aiming to secure an unprecedented third straight DP World Tour title at the prestigious Dubai Invitational. The tournament, boasting a $2.75 million purse, commences on January 15th at the renowned Dubai Creek Resort.

    The 24-year-old South African prodigy has dominated the early season, seizing back-to-back victories that have propelled him to the summit of the 2026 Race to Dubai Rankings. Schaper’s remarkable journey began with a dramatic maiden triumph at the Alfred Dunhill Championship on home soil, where a spectacular chip-in birdie and a playoff eagle clinched the title. He immediately followed this breakthrough by capturing the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open with another eagle in extra holes to defeat American contender Ryan Gerard.

    Schaper’s dominant Opening Swing performance—yielding two victories and one runner-up finish at the Nedbank Golf Challenge—has earned him 1,348 ranking points, a $200,000 bonus, and automatic qualification for all Back 9 events plus the coveted Hero Dubai Desert Classic.

    Meanwhile, local favorite and former champion Tommy Fleetwood returns to Dubai Creek determined to reclaim the title he won two years ago. The Dubai resident expressed confidence in both the course conditions and his equipment setup, noting the advantage of competing while sleeping in his own bed. Fleetwood has maintained his previous season’s club specifications while incorporating a new TaylorMade driver and a fresh set of irons with identical specs.

    The stage is set for an electrifying showdown as Schaper’s meteoric rise meets Fleetwood’s home-course expertise. Tee times are scheduled from 8:30 AM to 11:09 AM off two starting tees on Thursday.

  • Mane destroys Salah’s Afcon dream again – will he get another chance?

    Mane destroys Salah’s Afcon dream again – will he get another chance?

    In a dramatic semi-final clash at the Grand Stade de Tangier, Senegal secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Egypt in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, extending Sadio Mane’s dominance over former Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah on the international stage. The decisive moment arrived in the 78th minute when Mane unleashed a powerful strike that shattered Egyptian hopes and propelled the Teranga Lions into Sunday’s championship final.

    The match, characterized by tactical caution and limited scoring opportunities, saw Egypt’s offensive efforts stifled by Senegal’s organized defense. For Salah, the defeat marks another painful chapter in his quest for continental glory, adding to previous heartbreaks against the same opponent in the 2021 AFCON final and 2022 World Cup qualification playoff.

    Speaking post-match, Mane acknowledged his rival’s efforts: ‘It’s never easy for him—he did everything to carry his team until now. Unfortunately, one of us had to lose. I’m happy to be in the final.’

    The loss raises questions about Salah’s future in the tournament despite his impressive four-goal performance throughout the competition. The 33-year-old forward, who has won every major club honor with Liverpool, has consistently identified AFCON victory as his primary career objective. ‘Nobody, even in Egypt, wants to win this trophy more than me,’ Salah had declared after Egypt’s quarter-final victory against Ivory Coast. ‘I have won almost every prize. This is the title I am waiting for.’

    Football analysts including former Nigeria international John Obi Mikel expressed sympathy for Salah’s continued continental disappointment: ‘He has won everything at club level but everyone wanted him to win this title.’ Former Morocco midfielder Hassan Kachloul added that time is becoming a factor: ‘He will try to concentrate on the next tournament and win the title—or else it will be the one that gets away.’

    Egypt will face Nigeria in Saturday’s third-place playoff before Salah returns to Liverpool, where his long-term future remains uncertain following recent public comments about his club situation. While Salah could theoretically feature in the 2027 and 2028 tournaments before AFCON transitions to a four-year cycle, this defeat represents another missed opportunity for African football’s most celebrated player to claim its most coveted prize.

  • Greenland biathlete pursues Olympic dream while anxious about ‘terrrifying’ threats to her homeland

    Greenland biathlete pursues Olympic dream while anxious about ‘terrrifying’ threats to her homeland

    Ukaleq Slettemark, a 25-year-old biathlete from Greenland, faces unprecedented psychological challenges while competing in the Biathlon World Cup in Ruhpolding, Germany. Beyond the typical pressures of Olympic qualification for Milan Cortina 2026, Slettemark contends with growing anxiety stemming from former U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated assertions about acquiring her homeland.

    The athlete described the profound emotional toll on her family, revealing her mother broke down crying at the competition venue and her aunt experiences sleepless nights. “We are imagining the worst-case scenario,” Slettemark confessed to The Associated Press, emphasizing the collective fear permeating Greenland’s community. Some residents reportedly consider relocating due to safety concerns.

    Despite competing under Greenland’s banner in World Cup events, the Slettemark siblings would represent Denmark at the Olympics since Greenland lacks sovereign nation status with its own Olympic committee. This complex political reality now intersects with geopolitical tensions as Trump recently reaffirmed his territorial ambitions on social media, citing national security requirements.

    The situation creates a peculiar dynamic for Slettemark, who maintains friendships with American athletes while condemning the political rhetoric. She draws parallels between Trump’s statements and Russian aggression in Ukraine, suggesting similar Olympic consequences should apply if the U.S. pursued forceful acquisition. Both her parents being accomplished biathletes—her father competed in the 2010 Olympics and her mother established Greenland’s Biathlon Federation—adds layers to this intersection of athletic pursuit and geopolitical anxiety.

  • Burkina Faso sack coach as Mali hit by resignations

    Burkina Faso sack coach as Mali hit by resignations

    West African football has been plunged into dual crises following the conclusion of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Burkina Faso’s national team has terminated coach Brama Traore and his entire technical staff after their disappointing performance in the tournament.

    The Burkinabe Football Federation (FBF) announced the decisive move on January 14, 2026, citing the team’s failure to meet pre-established objectives. The Stallions had been targeting at least a semi-final berth but suffered a comprehensive 3-0 defeat against defending champions Ivory Coast in the round of 16.

    FBF chairman Oumarou Sawadogo expressed profound disappointment, stating that the early elimination had deeply frustrated supporters, football stakeholders, and governing bodies. Traore, who had been appointed in March 2024 following Hubert Velud’s departure, saw his tenure cut short after replicating Burkina Faso’s last-16 exit from the 2023 edition.

    Meanwhile, Mali’s football administration faces its own leadership vacuum after ten of the nineteen executive committee members of the Malian Football Federation (Femafoot) resigned en masse. This mass departure creates significant administrative challenges despite the national team’s relatively successful Afcon campaign, where they reached the quarter-finals matching their 2023 performance.

    Femafoot officials have moved quickly to dispel rumors regarding coach Tom Saintfiet’s position. Communications officer Ladji Kone explicitly told BBC Sport Africa that the Belgian tactician “has not been dismissed, and no decision has been taken in that regard.”

    The resignation wave notably excluded federation president Mamatou ‘Bavieux’ Toure, who was re-elected to a second term in April 2023 while detained on corruption allegations. Toure was subsequently released after spending 622 days in prison.

    Internal sources indicate the crisis stems from persistent administrative dysfunction and mounting internal tensions within the Malian football governing body.

    Saintfiet, who assumed coaching duties in September 2024, remained detached from the political turmoil, emphasizing his focus on sporting achievements. “I coached Mali to the quarter-final for the second time (in a row), that is the only thing I can say,” the 52-year-old Belgian stated from his home country.

  • LA to open ticket draw for 2028 Olympics – with seats starting at $28

    LA to open ticket draw for 2028 Olympics – with seats starting at $28

    Los Angeles 2028 Olympic organizers have unveiled an equitable ticketing system centered on accessibility, with registration opening Wednesday for a global random draw. The process, designed to prioritize fairness over financial advantage, will offer one million tickets priced at just $28 alongside numerous options under $100.

    Starting at 07:00 PST (15:00 GMT), sports enthusiasts worldwide can register through mid-March for the opportunity to purchase event admissions. Selected participants will receive April time slots for ticket acquisition, though organizers emphasize that slot assignment doesn’t guarantee availability. The initial purchasing window runs April 9-19, including access to opening and closing ceremonies.

    LA28 chief Allison Katz-Mayfield defended the randomized approach as “the fairest way to ensure that the broadest number of people can get access to tickets,” noting that registration timing provides no competitive advantage. The announcement follows recent criticism of 2026 World Cup pricing, with LA 2028 chairman Casey Wasserman stressing these “Games belong to everyone” and must remain “affordable and inclusive.”

    While most events will occur across Southern California venues, Oklahoma City will host canoeing and softball competitions, with residents of both regions receiving special early purchasing opportunities. The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum—site of previous Olympic events and ceremonial cauldron lighting—will co-host the 2028 opening ceremony alongside track competitions.

    This marks the first U.S.-hosted Olympics since Atlanta 1996, with Los Angeles leveraging existing infrastructure from its 1932 and 1984 Games. Ticket registration remains open through March 18, maintaining the Paris 2024 benchmark of approximately $28 entry pricing while implementing unprecedented equity measures.

  • City league to vitalize soccer in Northeast

    City league to vitalize soccer in Northeast

    Northeast China is poised to launch an innovative football league system that represents a groundbreaking approach to sports development and regional cooperation. The Northeast Football City League, colloquially known as ‘Dongbeichao,’ will commence on May 23rd with eight city-based teams representing major urban centers across three provinces and one autonomous region.

    The league emerges as a strategic initiative jointly organized by the sports bureaus of Liaoning, Jilin, Heilongjiang provinces and the Inner Mongolia autonomous region. This timing intentionally coincides with the region’s peak tourism season, creating a synergistic relationship between athletic competition and cultural tourism. The format represents China’s first cross-provincial mass sports event, establishing a new model for regional sports cooperation.

    Participating cities include Shenyang and Dalian from Liaoning, Changchun and Yanbian from Jilin, Harbin and Jixi from Heilongjiang, alongside Hohhot and Tongliao representing Inner Mongolia. Each team must deeply embody its city’s identity through home ground operations and community connections, fostering local pride and civic engagement among residents.

    The league structure features a single round-robin format with a regular season running from May 23 to August 15, followed by knockout stages from September 5 to October 1. Matches will primarily occur on weekends with a maximum of one round per week to maintain competitive intensity and spectator interest.

    Notably strict eligibility criteria require all players to be Chinese male citizens aged 16-40 who meet at least one condition of household registration, academic enrollment, local residence, or social security in their representative city. The rules explicitly prohibit current or previously registered players from professional clubs in the Chinese Super League, China League One, and China League Two, ensuring the platform remains dedicated to amateur enthusiasts and non-professional athletes.

    Infrastructure requirements mandate each team to maintain a fixed stadium featuring either natural grass or artificial turf, complete lighting systems for night games and television broadcasts, and a minimum spectator capacity of approximately 20,000. The simultaneous opening ceremonies across four regional capital cities—Shenyang, Changchun, Harbin, and Hohhot—will create unprecedented promotional synergy and rapidly generate audience enthusiasm.

    This initiative aligns with the State Council’s August policy directives promoting high-quality development in the sports industry, which aims to cultivate world-class sports events and achieve a sector valuation exceeding 7 trillion yuan by 2030. The Northeast region brings particular advantages to this endeavor, including extensive grassroots soccer participation, well-established youth training systems, and a deeply embedded fan culture that promises strong community support.

  • Why Osimhen has become ‘king of Nigerian football’

    Why Osimhen has become ‘king of Nigerian football’

    As Nigeria prepares for its critical Africa Cup of Nations semi-final clash against host nation Morocco, the narrative surrounding superstar striker Victor Osimhen transcends mere footballing statistics. The 27-year-old Galatasaray forward stands poised to etch his name permanently into Nigerian sporting lore, needing just two goals to equal the legendary Rashidi Yekini’s national record of 37 international strikes.

    The tournament journey, while successful with five consecutive victories, has revealed the intense competitive fire that defines Osimhen’s character. A highly publicized on-field disagreement with teammate Ademola Lookman during Nigeria’s 4-0 round of 16 triumph over Mozambique sparked media speculation about dressing room discord. Osimhen’s visible frustration over a missed scoring opportunity and subsequent early departure from celebrations prompted rumors of potential camp abandonment—all firmly denied by team officials.

    Those closest to the athlete argue that this relentless drive forms the essential core of his greatness. Former Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong provided poignant insight into the origins of this mentality, recounting Osimhen’s unimaginably difficult childhood. Orphaned at a young age in Lagos, Osimhen supported his siblings by selling water in traffic, developing what Troost-Ekong describes as a profound “hunger and hustle” that manifests in every aspect of his life, from being first to the dinner buffet to his relentless attacking positioning.

    Despite his proximity to individual glory, Osimhen maintains remarkable perspective regarding Yekini’s legacy, stating: “It doesn’t matter if I equal the record or I surpass it. I think Mr Rashidi Yekini is the best striker the Super Eagles have ever produced. I’m just trying to win something important for my country.”

    Nigerian football journalist Oluwashina Okeleji has declared Osimhen the “new king of Nigerian football,” noting his transformational impact since his under-17 days and his unofficial leadership role within the squad. This influence extends beyond international duty, evidenced by his record-breaking club career across Europe’s top leagues.

    After emerging as a scoring sensation with Lille in Ligue 1, Osimhen achieved icon status at Napoli where his 26-goal season delivered their first Serie A title in 33 years, simultaneously making him the highest-scoring African in Italian football history. His subsequent move to Galatasaray produced immediate success with 26 goals in 30 appearances, securing a domestic double and establishing continued dominance in the Turkish Super Lig.

    With continental glory within reach and historical immortality awaiting, Osimhen represents both Nigeria’s present hopes and future legacy as they seek to capture their fourth Africa Cup of Nations championship.

  • New Zealand wins the toss and bowls against India in the 2nd ODI match

    New Zealand wins the toss and bowls against India in the 2nd ODI match

    In a strategic move at the toss, New Zealand captain Michael Bracewell elected to field first against India in the second One-Day International (ODI), setting the stage for a high-scoring contest at Rajkot’s Niranjan Shah Stadium on Wednesday. This decision comes as New Zealand trails 1-0 in the three-match series, seeking to level the score after India’s four-wicket victory in the opening match in Vadodara.

    Both teams have been forced into strategic reshuffles due to injury. India’s off-spin allrounder Washington Sundar has been ruled out of the entire series after sustaining a rib injury during the first ODI. His absence has prompted the selection committee to call up young batter Ayush Badoni to the squad, with allrounder Nitish Reddy receiving his cap and slotting directly into the playing XI as Sundar’s replacement.

    For the Black Caps, a tactical change sees left-arm spin all-rounder Jayden Lennox enter the fray, replacing wrist spinner Adithya Ashok. The pitch conditions are anticipated to heavily favor batsmen, with experts predicting a substantial first-innings total. However, the significant evening dew factor is expected to play a crucial role later in the game, potentially making the ball slippery for bowlers and thereby granting a distinct advantage to the team chasing the target.

    The series outcome hinges on this encounter, with the final match scheduled to be played in Indore on Sunday.

    **Lineups:**
    * **India:** Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (captain), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, K.L. Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.
    * **New Zealand:** Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Hay, Michael Bracewell (captain), Zakary Foulkes, Jayden Lennox, Kristian Clarke, Kyle Jamieson.