Australia will take on the U.S. tomorrow at 5am (AEST) in the second match of its World Cup campaign.

Will the Socceroos pull off an upset and make it two wins from two matches?

Either way, we’ll be up early with the rest of Australia to find out.

P.S. The results from yesterday’s poll said 58% of you think that Fremantle won’t win this year’s AFL premiership.

🎾 Rinky Hijikata has pulled off one of the biggest wins of his career upsetting second seed Jiri Lehecka to reach the Queen’s Club quarterfinals. The Sydney qualifier came from a set down to beat the Czech world number 12 in a 4–6, 7–5, 7–6 (9–7) thriller. Hijikata said: “I’m just pumped”. The win sends him into the eighth quarterfinal of his career and his second at Queen’s, backing up last year’s run when he also came through qualifying to beat Frances Tiafoe and Matteo Arnaldi. He will face the winner of Hamad Medjedovic’s suspended match with Ugo Humbert, while fellow Australian Alex de Minaur is also through to the last eight.

🏉 Israel Folau is considering legal action after ARL Commissioner Wayne Pearce allegedly blocked a Wests Tigers deal that would have seen him return to the NRL. Folau has not played in the NRL since 2010. Rugby Australia terminated his contract in 2019 over social media posts, including one that claimed hell awaits “homosexuals”, after warning him about similar conduct. Since then, Folau has continued his career overseas in both rugby league and rugby union. In an Instagram post, Folau’s wife and Silver Ferns player Maria Folau said: “His [Wayne Pearce] reasoning behind not wanting Izzy to play is because of inclusiveness, whatever that means.” Israel Folau then commented: “The double standard from the NRL is crazy. The game talks about inclusion, yet my Christian beliefs were said to be a problem and didn’t align with their values.” The latest dispute has emerged during Pride Month, which is recognised each June.

🏉 The Fremantle Dockers have won their 13th straight match, beating the Geelong Cats 99-90 at Optus Stadium in Perth on Thursday night. The AFL ladder leaders trailed the Cats by 28 points before a seven-goal third quarter saw them overturn the deficit. Dockers ruckman Luke Jackson starred with 28 disposals, three goals and nine tackles. The Cats put in an otherwise impressive performance, given the absence of star players Bailey Smith and Tom Stewart. Tonight, the Gold Coast Suns (9th) will host Hawthorn (5th).

⚽ Mexico has moved to the top of the Group A table at the FIFA World Cup after defeating South Korea 1-0 in Guadalajara today. Both teams went into the fixture having won their opening match. In the other Group A match this morning, Czechia and South Africa played out a 1-1 draw. Meanwhile, in Group B, Canada’s 6-0 win over Qatar was overshadowed by a serious injury to Canadian midfielder Ismaël Koné, who was stretchered off the field early in the second half with a badly broken leg. Switzerland also defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 4-1. Canada and Switzerland are now tied at the top of the table in Group B, each having won one match and drawn one.

Reporting by Pavitra Ravi and George Finlayson.

Talking points: Australia play World Cup co-hosts the U.S. early tomorrow in their second World Cup match, with both sides unbeaten and the matchup expected to provide the Socceroos' toughest group-stage test. The 23rd-ranked Socceroos opened their campaign with a 2-0 win over Türkiye, with coach Tony Popovic handing a surprise debut to goalkeeper Patrick Beach ahead of long-serving Mat Ryan. The U.S. are ranked 15th and sit top of Group D after a 4-1 win over Paraguay. Star Christian Pulisic is in doubt after aggravating a calf injury in the opener. Some American pundits have dismissed Australia, with one describing the Socceroos as a 'lay-up', although the U.S. players have been more measured. Beach said Australia is happy to embrace the underdogs tag. 

How to watch: The match kicks off at 5am (AEST) on Saturday. You can watch it live on SBS and SBS On Demand.

Talking points: Australia will play the Netherlands for the first time in Women’s T20 World Cup history on Saturday, with the defending champions looking to continue their dominant start to the tournament. Australia has opened the competition with two dominant wins. Ellyse Perry is also set to become the first player to reach 50 appearances at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. The Netherlands is making its debut at the tournament and faces a major step up, having lost eight of its past ten women’s T20Is. Netherlands captain Babette de Leede and top order batter Robine Rijke are both set to play their 100th T20I, becoming the first players from their country to reach the milestone.

How to watch: The match starts at 7:30pm on Saturday (AEST). You can watch it on Prime Video.

Talking points: Super Netball’s finals series has arrived  with milestones and a Grand Final place within reach. The Adelaide Thunderbirds host the Melbourne Vixens in the major semi-final after finishing the regular season on top of the ladder, needing just one win to reach the decider. The Vixens bring strong finals experience and rely heavily on long‑range shooter and self-described “weapon” Kiera Austin, while the Thunderbirds will look to their defensive pressure and the league’s leading scorer Elmeré van der Berg. The minor semi-final sees West Coast Fever face the Melbourne Mavericks, with Fever chasing redemption after last year’s Grand Final loss and the Mavericks preparing for the first finals match in its club’s history. More to come.

How to watch: Fox Sports, Kayo, BINGE (Sunday matches free on Kayo Freebies).

Reporting by Pavitra Ravi and George Finlayson.

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