MY ACCOUNT
LiveScore Daily is here to deliver all the big talking points from the world of football throughout the day. Keep refreshing this page for the latest stories in bite-sized chunks.
Adidas release Women’s World Cup ball
Adidas have released their official match ball for the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
It is less than six months until the showpiece event kicks off on July 20 and we now know what the best teams on the planet will be striking towards goal as they bid for international glory.
The OCEAUNZ ball pays homage to the unique Australasian setting with greens and blues on a white pearlescent background.
Kiwi Fiona Collis has designed visuals on the ball nodding to the vast mountains of New Zealand, with markings portraying Australia’s connection to the Indian Ocean created by renowned local artist Chern’ee Sutton.
It is the ninth successive occasion Adidas have created the ball for the Women’s World Cup and is designed to cope with the demands and speed of the modern game.
Design director Franziska Loeffelmann said: “With record viewing figures for the Women’s Euros tournament last year, the upcoming World Cup is set to be a massive moment for the game that we love.
“We’re turning up with a match ball that we’re incredibly proud of — featuring our innovative technology and with a design that represents the natural beauty of the landscape in which it will be played.
“The game is always evolving, and the design of the OCEAUNZ is built to help players cope with the pace and demands of the modern game.
“We’re hugely excited for the Women’s World Cup and to see the women’s game lifted to even further heights, in two fantastic host nations.”
Like the Qatar World Cup 2022 balls Al Rihla and Al Hilm, 1% of net sales for OCEAUNZ will go towards Common Goal’s Global Goal 5 accelerator, a collective project to increase female participation, representation and leadership in the grassroots game.
Darvel boss basks in dream night
Darvel manager Mick Kennedy believes his side’s “dream” victory over Aberdeen is Scottish football’s greatest upset.
The sixth-tier outfit extraordinarily dumped their top-flight opponents out of the Scottish Cup with a 1-0 victory in an incredible fourth-round clash at Recreation Park thanks to Jordan Kilpatrick’s deflected first-half strike.
And the Vale boss says claiming the scalp of the seven-time winners is the result of the immense togetherness within his group.
He said: “It’s a dream. I said that to the guys in the team talk. It’s not only our dream but the whole of the community’s dreams too.
“What an occasion for the club. I’ve believed in these guys and have been drumming it into them all week that they needed to believe and trust one another. That’s the sort of ethos and culture we have.
“Togetherness and love and respect but the most important thing was they believed in one another and that’s what we have been driving all week. It’s remarkable what you can achieve.
“I think this is probably the biggest shock ever and what a moment for the guys in their careers.
“I have a special group of players, they have a remarkable bond and I have no doubt as they move through life this is something they will look back on with fond memories.
“History makers. What an achievement.”
Up next for Darvel in the Scottish Cup is a fifth-round tie with third-tier side Falkirk.
