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• Hayes out to make history with USWNT at Paris Olympics

  New United States women's head coach Emma Hayes is hopeful of creating "a new history" with the national side, starting at the Olympic Games in Paris. 

  The USWNT come into the competition on the back of their earliest exit from a World Cup, losing to Sweden on penalties in the last 16 last year. 

  The United States arrive in Paris aiming to claim a fifth gold medal in the tournament, last triumphing in the competition at London 2012. 

  "This team is past that. I think this team is firmly focused on, you know, creating a new history together," said head coach Hayes, reflecting on the 2023 World Cup.

  "Our motivation isn't always about righting the wrongs. Far from it. We're excited. We're prepared."

  Since Hayes' arrival at the helm in May, she has won three of her four games in charge, securing four clean sheets in the process. 

  But a goalless draw with Costa Rica in their final pre-tournament fixture has supporters worried about their gold medal prospects.

  "The team is exactly where it needs to be at this stage," Hayes assured. "And for us it's just so, so important we continue to focus on that process."

  Hayes' side open their Group B campaign against Zambia, who have Barbra Banda in their ranks, the striker who has 12 goals in 12 games for Orlando Pride. 

  The USWNT are among the favourites to scoop the top award in Paris, with reigning world champions Spain also tipped for gold on their tournament debut. 

  But Hayes, who won seven WSL titles with Chelsea, feels the age-old assumption of American dominance in the women's game is disrespectful. 

  Hayes acknowledged that ambition is important, but emphasised that expectations for these Olympics must be amended due to the global growth of women's football. 

  "I think one of the biggest problems is that too often is that we talk about what we're going to do in Paris or what happens when we get to the semis and finals - I think it's disrespectful to the rest of the world to talk like that," Hayes said.

  "I think the game has moved to a point where that isn't the case. It isn't a shoo-in to get somewhere. It has to be earned and there's no given right.

  "There's top footballing nations in this tournament. I don't think shocks in the women's game exist any more.

  "I think we have to reframe our focus a little bit and have respect for the rest of the world."

• Young Reggae Boyz facing elimination after 0-3 defeat to Costa Rica; United States blank Cuba 4-0

  Despite a slightly improved performance, Jamaica’s young Reggae Boyz suffered another defeat and is now all but out of contention at the Concacaf Men's Under-20 Championship, as Costa Rica and United States seem set to secure the top two Group A spots to the quarterfinals in Mexico.

  In fact, United States, who registered a 4-0 win over Cuba, are already through to the knockout stages as they lead the group on six points, while Costa Rica’s 3-0 win over Jamaica propelled them into second place on four points. Cuba sits third on a point, while the young Reggae Boyz, are yet to get on the board.

  The young Reggae Boyz, looked much better than they did in a 0-9 trouncing to United States, but their misery continued on Monday at the Miguel Aleman Valdez Stadium in Celaya.

  This, as they lost Makai Bond Welch to a straight red card in the 71st minute, while goalkeeper Joshua Grant, who ended the match with five saves, was consistently called upon to keep them in the game.

  Grant made consecutive stops in the 19th to deny Esteban Cruz and Jose Pablo Aguero on the rebound. He also came up big to deny Walter Ramirez in the 30th minute and Alberth Barahona in the 45+3.

  Jamaica got their efforts from Makai Bond Welch, who was denied by Costa Rica’s goalkeeper Berny Rojas in the 45+5, while captain Adrian Reid Jr’s shot from a distance went just wide as the score remained goalless at the break.

  However, Costa Rica eventually broke the deadlock from the penalty spot as Claudio Montero converted in the 50th.

  Andy Rojas doubled Costa Rica’s lead in the 67th with a laser-sharp effort from just outside the 18-yard box, which gave Grant no chance at a save.

  After Makai Bond Welch was given marching orders, the Central Americans capitalised on the numerical advantage, as Andy Rojas completed his brace and the victory in the 83rd, when he fired home from Ramirez’s cross.

  In the feature contest, Ethan Kohler opened the scoring for United States in the 15^th, before Zavier Gozo added another in the 26th.

  Taha Habroune put the three-time champions further ahead in the 58th, with Marcos Zambrano capping the win in the 90+1.

  Despite the loss, Cuba still stands a chance of progressing should things play out in their favour in the final fixtures on Thursday.

  This, as Jamaica will have to blank the Spanish-speaking Caribbean team by a wide scoreline to stand a slim chance of possibly securing one of the two best third-place spots up for grabs.

  Meanwhile, a wide margin of victory for Cuba over their Caribbean neighbours could see them secure one of those two third-place slots or even second position, provided United States hammer Costa Rica in the top-of-the-table clash.

   

   

• Murray confirms retirement after Olympics

  Andy Murray has confirmed he will retire after the Olympic Games in Paris.

  The 37-year-old is set to compete in both the men's singles and doubles at what will be his fifth Olympics.

  Murray first competed in Beijing in 2008 and won his first gold medal four years later in London with a straight-sets victory over Roger Federer.

  He then became the first male player to win two singles titles at the Games by beating Juan Martin del Potro in Rio in 2016.

  In a post on X, Murray wrote: "Arrived in Paris for my last ever tennis tournament.

  "Competing for Team GB has been by far the most memorable weeks of my career and I'm extremely proud to get to do it one final time!"

  Murray made his final appearance at Wimbledon, where he is a two-time champion, before the Olympics, suffering a first-round defeat with brother Jamie in the doubles.

  He later received an emotional tribute on Centre Court to mark his achievements at the tournament.