Wellington Struggles to Fill Early World Cup Matches 

South Africa's Refiloe Jane, center, take the ball as Sweden's Elin Rubensson, right, chases during the Women's World Cup Group G soccer match between Sweden and South Africa in Wellington, New Zealand, Sunday, July 23, 2023. (AP)
South Africa's Refiloe Jane, center, take the ball as Sweden's Elin Rubensson, right, chases during the Women's World Cup Group G soccer match between Sweden and South Africa in Wellington, New Zealand, Sunday, July 23, 2023. (AP)
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Wellington Struggles to Fill Early World Cup Matches 

South Africa's Refiloe Jane, center, take the ball as Sweden's Elin Rubensson, right, chases during the Women's World Cup Group G soccer match between Sweden and South Africa in Wellington, New Zealand, Sunday, July 23, 2023. (AP)
South Africa's Refiloe Jane, center, take the ball as Sweden's Elin Rubensson, right, chases during the Women's World Cup Group G soccer match between Sweden and South Africa in Wellington, New Zealand, Sunday, July 23, 2023. (AP)

Host city Wellington hopes the arrival of their Football Ferns will help stir more excitement for the Women's World Cup this week, as early matches failed to fill the 33,132-capacity Sky Stadium.

A record crowd of 42,137 watched the New Zealand team claim their first-ever World Cup victory, a 1-0 win over Norway, at Eden Park on Thursday but the tournament has gotten off to a tepid start in the New Zealand capital.

Friday's match between Spain and Costa Rica failed to reach 70% of stadium capacity, with 22,966 in attendance, while Sunday's affair between Sweden and South Africa was at 55% capacity.

"I thought it'd be a bit more, like a bit more people dressed up," said 43-year-old Sweden supporter Larna Tigerholm.

Co-host Australia drove the momentum for early ticket sales, as FIFA boasted over a million sold more than a month before the tournament had even begun.

But New Zealand residents were slower to pounce, prompting the global soccer governing body to offer 20,000 for free days ahead of kick-off.

"What (organizers) really need to do is to inform people of what is the uniqueness about being able to go along and see two teams play that are not the national team and may not even be particularly highly ranked," said Kevin Argus, a senior lecturer from RMIT University. "A lot of storytelling needs to occur."

There will be no back story needed, however, when the Ferns arrive for Tuesday's showdown with the Philippines, as a win over the World Cup debutants would keep alive their dream of exiting the group stage.

That game is sold out along with Thursday's match between four-times champions the United States and their 2019 final foes the Netherlands.

"We're looking ahead to the games after that and how we can build on that momentum and really encourage New Zealanders and different communities (to watch)," said Warrick Dent, the general manager of WellingtonNZ for events and experiences.

"It's a once in a lifetime opportunity and we're pretty confident that New Zealanders will get in behind it as the tournament goes on."



Ronaldo Double Leads Al-Nassr to 3-1 Win at Al-Hilal

04 April 2025, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh: Al-Nasr's Cristiano Ronaldo scores his side's third goal during the Saudi Pro League soccer match between Al Hilal SFC and Al-Nasr SC at Kingdom Arena. Photo: -/Saudi Press Agency/dpa
04 April 2025, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh: Al-Nasr's Cristiano Ronaldo scores his side's third goal during the Saudi Pro League soccer match between Al Hilal SFC and Al-Nasr SC at Kingdom Arena. Photo: -/Saudi Press Agency/dpa
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Ronaldo Double Leads Al-Nassr to 3-1 Win at Al-Hilal

04 April 2025, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh: Al-Nasr's Cristiano Ronaldo scores his side's third goal during the Saudi Pro League soccer match between Al Hilal SFC and Al-Nasr SC at Kingdom Arena. Photo: -/Saudi Press Agency/dpa
04 April 2025, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh: Al-Nasr's Cristiano Ronaldo scores his side's third goal during the Saudi Pro League soccer match between Al Hilal SFC and Al-Nasr SC at Kingdom Arena. Photo: -/Saudi Press Agency/dpa

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice in the second half, including a penalty, to guide Al-Nassr to a 3-1 win over Al-Hilal in the race for the Saudi Pro League title on Friday.
Al-Nassr remain in the third place with 54 points but they are now three points behind second-placed Al-Hilal and seven off leaders Al-Ittihad, who visit Al-Ahli on Saturday.
Al-Nassr opened the scoring before the interval when Ali Al Hassan curled a shot past goalkeeper Yassin Bono.
Ronaldo made it 2-0 two minutes after the break with a precise shot after a pass from Sadio Mane.
Reigning champions Al-Hilal tried to fight back playing on the counter attack and reduced the deficit in the 62nd minute through Ali Al Bulayhi's close-range header after a corner, Reuters reported.
However, Ronaldo wrapped up the points for Al-Nassr with a penalty in the 88th minute awarded for a handball by substitute Mouteb Al-Harbi following a VAR review.
"The team effort was crucial to this win and me scoring is important but it's more important to win," Ronaldo told SSC.
"I work hard to help the team in the SPL and Champions League and don't concentrate on individual records," he added.