Sports

Canada forward Alphonso Davies, left, kicks the ball as teammate Tajon Buchanan, centre, watches during practice at the World Cup in Doha, Qatar, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Fans inspired despite Canadian loss in first World Cup appearance since 1986

Those gathered at watch parties across the country said they were inspired by the team’s performance

Canada forward Alphonso Davies, left, kicks the ball as teammate Tajon Buchanan, centre, watches during practice at the World Cup in Doha, Qatar, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Canada forward Cyle Larin (17) loses the ball to Belgium defender Jan Vertonghen (5) during second half Group F World Cup soccer action at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Canadian men push Belgium to the limit but lose 1-0 in return to World Cup

Game was first in 36 years for Canadians

Canada forward Cyle Larin (17) loses the ball to Belgium defender Jan Vertonghen (5) during second half Group F World Cup soccer action at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Madison Fox is in her third year as goaltender for the Red Deer Polytechnic Queens hockey team. (Special to The News)

Maple Ridge goaltender given an Athlete of the Week award

Madison Fox led the Red Deer Polytechnic Queens to a 2-1 win over Lakeland Rustlers on Nov. 19

Madison Fox is in her third year as goaltender for the Red Deer Polytechnic Queens hockey team. (Special to The News)
Canada forward Alphonso Davies eyes the ball during practice at the World Cup in Doha, Qatar, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Canadians ready for today’s World Cup game against Belgium — first match since 1986

Canada returns to world soccer stage for the first time since 1986

Canada forward Alphonso Davies eyes the ball during practice at the World Cup in Doha, Qatar, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Aldergrove’s Joel Waterman became the first player from Langley-based Trinity Western University to win a spot on the national team training camp. On Nov. 13, he was named to the Canadian team that will compete at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. (TWU file image)

VIDEO: B.C.’s Joel Waterman is playing for Canada at the World Cup

Fulfilment of life-long dream for 26-year-old from Aldergrove

Aldergrove’s Joel Waterman became the first player from Langley-based Trinity Western University to win a spot on the national team training camp. On Nov. 13, he was named to the Canadian team that will compete at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. (TWU file image)
Hockey linesman Mike McGowan smiled in hospital despite a broken jaw. (Photo: gofundme.com/f/smoothie-fundraiser)

‘Worst nightmare’ for hockey linesman after puck breaks jaw at Langley rink, but then donations pour in

Mission-raised Mike McGowan was sent to hospital in Surrey during Saturday’s university-league game

Hockey linesman Mike McGowan smiled in hospital despite a broken jaw. (Photo: gofundme.com/f/smoothie-fundraiser)
The Canadian Women’s National Softball Team finished in second place in the XVII WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Americas Qualifier tournament. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press photo)

Maple Ridge softball athlete helps Canada’s national team advance to world cup group stage

Larissa Franklin scored 12 runs in the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Americas Qualifier

The Canadian Women’s National Softball Team finished in second place in the XVII WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Americas Qualifier tournament. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press photo)
Ecuador celebrates their opening goal by Enner Valencia during the World Cup, group A soccer match between Qatar and Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

World Cup Viewer’s Guide: Davies to play in Canada’s return

Canada opens Wednesday as a heavy underdog against Belgium

Ecuador celebrates their opening goal by Enner Valencia during the World Cup, group A soccer match between Qatar and Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
West Kelowna native Ethan Beselt (number 4) was honoured for this senior season with the SFU Red Leafs. (SFU Red Leafs/Contributed)

West Kelowna SFU star receives all-conference honour

Beselt finished his career with 98 catches for 1,317 yards, and nine touchdowns in 32 games.

West Kelowna native Ethan Beselt (number 4) was honoured for this senior season with the SFU Red Leafs. (SFU Red Leafs/Contributed)
Vancouver Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko, right, stops Vegas Golden Knights’ Jack Eichel (9) during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Monday, November 21, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

THE MOJ: This Vancouver Canuck tire fire is going to be difficult to extinguish

This team is going to be paying the price of previous bad decisions for a long time

Vancouver Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko, right, stops Vegas Golden Knights’ Jack Eichel (9) during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Monday, November 21, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Vancouver Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko, right, stops Vegas Golden Knights’ Jonathan Marchessault during first period NHL hockey action in Vancouver, B.C., Monday, Nov. 21, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Pietrangelo tallies 3 points, Golden Knights earn 5-4 comeback win over Canucks

Vancouver blows multi-goal lead for seventh time this season

Vancouver Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko, right, stops Vegas Golden Knights’ Jonathan Marchessault during first period NHL hockey action in Vancouver, B.C., Monday, Nov. 21, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The Ridge Meadows Flames are close to first place in the Pacific Junior Hockey League. (The News files)

Ridge Meadows Flames tops in conference, close to PJHL league lead

Another winning campaign for Maple Ridge’s Junior B season, as midpoint of season nears

The Ridge Meadows Flames are close to first place in the Pacific Junior Hockey League. (The News files)
FILE - England’s Harry Kane wears a rainbow armband as he takes the knee prior to the Euro 2020 soccer championship round of 16 match between England and Germany at Wembley Stadium in England. The captains of seven European nations will not wear anti-discrimination armbands in World Cup games after threats from FIFA to show yellow cards to the players. The seven soccer federations say “we can’t put our players in a position where they could face sporting sanctions.” (Justin Tallis, Pool Photo via AP)

World Cup teams won’t wear armbands seen as rebuke to Qatar

FIFA warned violators would be immediately shown yellow cards for human rights protest

FILE - England’s Harry Kane wears a rainbow armband as he takes the knee prior to the Euro 2020 soccer championship round of 16 match between England and Germany at Wembley Stadium in England. The captains of seven European nations will not wear anti-discrimination armbands in World Cup games after threats from FIFA to show yellow cards to the players. The seven soccer federations say “we can’t put our players in a position where they could face sporting sanctions.” (Justin Tallis, Pool Photo via AP)
Brendan Morrison catches a chinook. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

PODCAST: Brendan Morrison of Pitt Meadows a Canuck for 7 seasons

MOJ on Sports: Centre a key member of the team’s ‘West Coast Express’ line

Brendan Morrison catches a chinook. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)
A female Iranian fan cheers after the final whistle during a soccer match of her national team with Iraq in 2022 World Cup qualifiers, at the Azadi stadium in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022. Iranian authorities allowed women to watch a football match at the stadium as hardliners have long opposed the decision of the government. Iran became the first team from Asia to qualify for this year’s World Cup in Qatar with a 1-0 win over Iraq. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Barred from stadiums at home, Iran women travel to World Cup

To 27-year-old Mariam, the World Cup match ticket was a precious gift.…

A female Iranian fan cheers after the final whistle during a soccer match of her national team with Iraq in 2022 World Cup qualifiers, at the Azadi stadium in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022. Iranian authorities allowed women to watch a football match at the stadium as hardliners have long opposed the decision of the government. Iran became the first team from Asia to qualify for this year’s World Cup in Qatar with a 1-0 win over Iraq. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
Toronto Argonauts running back AJ Ouellette (34) celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver DaVaris Daniels (80) during second half football action against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 109th Grey Cup at Mosaic Stadium in Regina, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu

Toronto Argonauts dethrone Blue Bombers 24-23 to capture Grey Cup

Winnipeg was aiming for third straight CFL championship

Toronto Argonauts running back AJ Ouellette (34) celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver DaVaris Daniels (80) during second half football action against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 109th Grey Cup at Mosaic Stadium in Regina, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu
Linus Karlsson and the Abbotsford Canucks earned a split in Toronto. (Abbotsford Canucks photo)

Abbotsford Canucks snap three-game losing skid with 3-2 win in Toronto

Lane Pederson scores two power play goals, John Stevens adds game winner

Linus Karlsson and the Abbotsford Canucks earned a split in Toronto. (Abbotsford Canucks photo)
Patrick Rodgers, right, watches his drive down the second fairway along with Adam Svensson, left, of Canada, during the final round of the RSM Classic golf tournament, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, in St. Simons Island, Ga. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)

B.C.’s Adam Svensson gets 1st PGA Tour title at Sea Island

28-year-old Surrey man closed with a 6-under 64

Patrick Rodgers, right, watches his drive down the second fairway along with Adam Svensson, left, of Canada, during the final round of the RSM Classic golf tournament, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, in St. Simons Island, Ga. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)
The mascot of the Qatar World Cup is displayed during the opening ceremony, prior to the group A soccer match between Qatar and Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Hassan Ammar

Amnesty calls on Canada Soccer to support compensation for migrant workers in Qatar

International organization says workers from Asia, Africa being underpaid, exploited

The mascot of the Qatar World Cup is displayed during the opening ceremony, prior to the group A soccer match between Qatar and Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Hassan Ammar
Canada midfielder Jonathan Osorio stretches during practice at the World Cup in Doha, Qatar during on Sunday, November 20, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Canada players say team belief is strong ahead of World Cup opener against Belgium

Team hopes to suprise viewers who see Canadians as underdogs, says midfielder Jonathan Osorio

Canada midfielder Jonathan Osorio stretches during practice at the World Cup in Doha, Qatar during on Sunday, November 20, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette