Filipinas eye QF berth versus China

Manila Times - Sep 19, 2026

FRESH off a decisive 2-0 win over Hong Kong, the Philippine Women’s National Football Team turns its attention to a crucial group-stage finale against 2022 Asian Games bronze medalist China on September 21 at the Nagaragawa Stadium in Gifu, Japan. Currently sitting second in Group G with four points—tied with China on points and trailing only by two in goal difference—the Filipinas are in a strong position to secure a second consecutive quarterfinals appearance. Having already battled Uzbekistan to a 1-1 draw in their opener and handled business against Hong Kong, the team enters this decisive fixture with strong momentum and high hopes of advancing to the knockout round. Head coach Mark Torcaso remains clear-eyed about the challenge ahead, balancing confidence in his squad’s form with respect for their opponent. Facing a renowned football powerhouse, Torcaso emphasized that the team will enjoy their recent win while preparing meticulously to capture the result they need. His sentiments were echoed by Philippine Football Federation President John Anthony Gutierrez, who commended the team’s relentless fighting spirit and highlighted the crucial dynamic between the team’s emerging talents and its seasoned core. That chemistry will be vital against China. The Filipinas’ recent victory showcased fresh offensive firepower, with Skye Leach scoring...

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McIlroy charges back in contention at PGA Championship

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Ciganda channels Spanish spirit at SC

Sep 19, 2026

Ciganda channels Spanish spirit at SC

CARLOTA Ciganda doesn’t have the career resume to inspire any level of intimidation. She has only three wins in 15 seasons on the LPGA Tour, eight more on the Ladies European Tour. Ciganda has never won or even finished runner-up in the 74 majors she has played. The 36-year-old Spaniard missed the cut in four of the five majors this year. But dress her in blue and gold, put 11 teammates around her with nothing more than the Solheim Cup at stake and American players standing in her way, and Ciganda is a different player. “I love beating the Americans,” Ciganda said after silencing Jennifer Kupcho in singles for the final point in a 15-13 victory in the Netherlands. That’s not an original thought, but it is key to European success in both cups. Some 20 years ago, Paul Casey caught some heat when he said he learned to “properly hate” the Americans in the Ryder Cup. Nothing personal. It’s just sport. Americans love to win, but do they love beating Europe? Dottie Pepper did. She once said Europeans would be bagging groceries if not for the LPGA Tour. That might have been a little personal. “Just winning for Team Europe, it’s the best feeling,” Ciganda said. “Playing for something bigger than yourself, I guess my mind gets to be very focused and I love this week. This is why I play golf.” There will be second-guessing for the American team, as there is for any losing team in any cup. The lingering question about this US loss was not about pairings or captain’s picks or lineups or even a lack of statistics. Whose idea was it to post their beer-happy celebration on the bus — on Saturday? The ultimate payback was Europe singing on the bus after leaving Bernardus Golf with the crystal trophy: “They drink on Saturday. We drink on Sunday.” And the payback for Ciganda? That was personal. Kupcho delivered a big moment in an otherwise pedestrian performance Saturday when she made a 93-foot birdie putt — so long she didn’t even study the break before giving it a whack — and then won the match with a 25-foot birdie putt on the 18th. “Vamos!” Kupcho screamed on the 17th green, directed at the equally vocal Spaniard. Imagine the delight when the blind draw for Sunday singles was announced, and Ciganda saw her name against Kupcho in the 11th spot on the card. “I was really happy to see that I was playing against Kupcho,” Ciganda said. “She’s a fighter, I’m a fighter. And I told her, ‘Look, great playing.’ What she did was amazing on 17 and 18. But today I knew she had no chance. I was like, ‘I want to kill you.’”

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