Heather Mitts, the USA defender, hopes to make her first appearance at the World Cup today against North Korea after injury scuppered her 2003 and 2007 chances.
Heather Mitts, the USA defender, hopes to make her first appearance at the World Cup today against North Korea after injury scuppered her 2003 and 2007 chances.

Third time is a charm for Mitts at the women's World Cup



DRESDEN, Germany // When Heather Mitts felt that familiar pain in her hamstring during training last month, it was almost too much for the United States defender.

A broken leg had ended what slim chances she had of making the 2003 Women's World Cup, and a torn anterior cruciate ligament ruled her out of the 2007 tournament. This was probably the 33 year old's last chance to play in a World Cup, and here it was in jeopardy yet again.

"I was starting to think I had the World Cup jinx," Mitts said. "Luckily, everything does happen for a reason, so I find myself here at a World Cup after all of my hard work. To be able to be here, it really is a cliche, but it's a dream come true for me."

The US, who are among the favourites to win the tournament, open their campaign in Group C against North Korea today, while Colombia take on Sweden in the group's other match.

Mitts has been an integral part of the US squad for the last seven years, starting all but 15 of the 111 games she has played in since 2004. She helped anchor the defence as the Americans won the gold medal at both the Athens Olympics and Beijing Games.

But the World Cup is football's premier event, and no elite player's career is truly complete without playing in at least one.

Mitts was set to play a starring role in the World Cup four years ago but she picked up a knee injury in a friendly against Canada and knew immediately that she had blown the anterior cruciate ligament.

With the World Cup only four months away, there was no way Mitts could make it back in time.

"I wasn't crying from the pain, I was crying from the fact I knew I wasn't going to be able to be a part of that World Cup," she said.

Mitts returned for the Beijing Olympics, and was a model of durability until January. She helped her Philadelphia team to the Women's Professional Soccer championship game last September, then played every minute of three games during World Cup qualifying. When the US were forced into a play-off against Italy to earn a trip to Germany, Mitts started each game.

And when the Americans returned to China in January for the Four Nations tournament, Mitts was on the field for all 90 minutes of the opener, a 2-1 loss to Sweden.

The next morning, her right hamstring hurt so badly she could not lift her leg.

She threw herself into rehabilitation, spending three and four hours each day in a hyperbaric chamber and having electronic massages to speed blood flow and accelerate repair of the muscle. She did strengthening exercises and got her hips adjusted. Finally, in April, she was ready to go again and joined the US team at their World Cup training camp.

Then, two days before they faced fellow top seed Japan in an exhibition in Columbus, Ohio, Mitts felt that familiar tug in her hamstring during training.

"That's when I was kind of like, 'Gosh, now I'm really going to be pushing it here,' because I knew time kind of wasn't on my side," she said. "I just went back to what I'd done before with my rehab. Honestly, I attribute that dedication to the reason why I'm here."

When Pia Sundhage, the US coach, announced her World Cup squad, Mitts was in it.

"I was relieved more than anything," she said. "I had been so stressed out from January until I found out I made it. I was trying to have a really positive outlook but at the same time, in the back of your mind you're thinking, 'Oh my gosh, is this my last chance?' Everything happens for a reason, and I'm here."

In last night's action, Aya Miyama's 68th-minute strike ensured Japan opened their Group B campaign with a 2-1 victory against New Zealand in Bochum.

Yuki Nagasato opened the scoring for Japan with just six minutes played before Amber Hearn equalised six minutes later. Miyama then stepped up to hammer home a superb free kick midway through the second half.

Guide to intelligent investing
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Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut

Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”

German intelligence warnings
  • 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
  • 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
  • 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250 

Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution

Other workplace saving schemes
  • The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
  • Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
  • National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
  • In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
  • Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
Paatal Lok season two

Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy 

Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong

Rating: 4.5/5