Tim Seifert held New Zealand A together with a fine century while Henry Thornton claimed another four wickets
ESPNcricinfo staff15-Sep-2023Will Sutherland returned to bowling for the first time since the end of last season then played an important hand with the bat to help Australia A to a narrow victory in the final one-day game against New Zealand A and a 3-0 series scoreline.Sutherland, who was captaining Australia A, took 1 for 20 from six overs in his first competitive bowl since suffering a stress fracture in the Sheffield Shield final. He then made 32 as part of a seventh-wicket stand of 52 with Ollie Davies to take the home side to the brink of victory after they had lost wickets regularly in the chase.Tim Seifert dominated with the bat for New Zealand A with a superbly-controlled century which included six sixes before being eighth out. He shared a stand of 76 with Leo Carter to lift the innings from 39 for 3.Tim Seifert held New Zealand A together with a century•Getty Images
Tom Bruce, the New Zealand A captain, had avoided three consecutive first-ball ducks but edged Sutherland to slip for 2.When Carter fell to Tom Rogers they stuttered again until Jacob Duffy provided Seifert with support to haul the total over 200. Henry Thornton continued his remarkable few days with four more wickets to make it 11 in two outings after his 7 for 39 in the second game.Matt Short took charge of the early stages of the chase but he fell to the very promising Will O’Rourke who then removed Josh Phillipe and Ashton Turner to bring New Zealand A back into the game.Davies joined Matt Renshaw to settle the chase but when Renshaw drove to cover Australia A still needed 65. Davies and Sutherland got them most of the way there before Thornton’s memorable week ended with him hitting the winning runs.It completed a good bounce back from Australia A who had lost the four-day series 2-0.
You have to make hay while the sun shines, as Harry Brook proved in two distinct interpretations of that hackneyed old adage. His seventh Test century – and sixth away from home – was a magnificent and crucial contribution to a day of wildly contrasting weather patterns, as England recovered from a torrid working-over under overcast morning skies to storm towards first-innings parity by the close, as the sun broke back through for the day’s final two sessions.But rarely can New Zealand have clouded their own fortunes with a spate of fielding lapses to match those that they served up on this enthralling second day. Six clear-cut chances went begging in the course of England’s 319 for 5, including four for Brook alone – and at almost rhythmical interviews too: on 18, 41, 70 and 106, as if designed to douse their bowlers’ morale any time they looked ready to turn back the tide.The upshot is a match situation that now feels like England’s to blow. The sense after they’d prised out eight first-day wickets after choosing to bowl first was that this wicket would get better and better for batting, and so it seemed to prove. Brook himself built key stands of 151 for the fifth wicket with Ollie Pope, who responded to his wicketkeeping reshuffle with an excellent 77, and an unbeaten 97 with his captain, Ben Stokes, who was ominously placed on 37 from 76 at stumps. Stokes did, however, get a life of his own on 30 in the day’s closing overs, as Tom Latham spilled catch No.6, and his third of the day, this time at short cover.But England had not bargained for the mayhem that greeted them while the clouds were in situ for the first three hours of play. The hot, windy weather that had greeted the first day’s play was replaced in the morning by cooler, overcast conditions with a gentle breeze that proved perfect for helping the ball talk, with the degree of swing on offer being almost double that which England had managed. The upshot was that New Zealand found themselves bowling in the conditions that England themselves had envisaged exploiting after winning the toss.Nathan Smith celebrates Joe Root’s chop-on•Joe Allison/Getty Images
And once New Zealand’s first innings had been wrapped up for 348, after the addition of 29 runs in 40 minutes, the ferocity of their bowling onslaught had echoes of their astonishing 46-all-out display against India in Bengaluru last month.Zak Crawley was the first to go, lbw to Matt Henry for a 12-ball duck that left his average against New Zealand at a grim 10.43, but the most stunning blows were struck by the debutant Nathan Smith in the final over before lunch, as he extracted his fellow newbie Jacob Bethell for 10, then, critically, England’s kingpin, Joe Root, also for a duck.Bethell’s maiden innings at No. 3 could scarcely have unfolded in tougher conditions. He was made to wait 13 deliveries before nudging his first run through the leg-side, and hadn’t added to his score in 13 more, until the introduction of Smith allowed him to free his arms with a brace of boundaries: one off the pads, the other through backward point.Related
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Smith, however, got the last laugh at the start of his second over – and then some. With just minutes of the session remaining, he served up a perfect seaming delivery, which angled in at the left-hander from round the wicket, then held its line as it bit and climbed into the edge.Smith had an agonising wait while the third umpire checked for a no-ball, but with the euphoria still surging, he finished the session with an even more critical incision. Root faced down three deliveries, two of which were called as no-balls this time, but his fourth was on a wider line and nipped back off the surface, taking an under-edge into the stumps. It was an astonishing introduction for a bowler with a bustling energy and action redolent of Australia’s Andy Bichel, and as the teams left the field, New Zealand looked good for several more such moments.Glenn Phillips gets funky during his half-century•Joe Allison/Getty Images
Ben Duckett at least resisted in his idiosyncratic fashion, bashing six fours in a 62-ball 46, but he didn’t so much ride his luck, as turn it into a bucking bronco. He survived the day’s first missed chance, to Latham at second slip on 23 off Henry, then got away with two further inside-edges and a spliced pull over deep third before the beanpole seamer Will O’Rourke induced a fatal top-edge to deep backward square.At 71 for 4, England were reeling, and their predicament could have been insurmountable had Brook fallen to the first of his four lives in the very next over, a bad miss at gully by Glenn Phillips on 18 that looked all the more glaring when, some 30 overs later, he pulled off a one-handed screamer at backward point to end Pope’s doughty stay. Smith had been the luckless bowler, as was the case when Brook was on 41, as Latham spilled his second of the innings, another bad miss at first slip.By then, however, the sun was beginning to creep through, and England’s unquenchable desire to be proactive was already clawing back some of the lost ground. Pope, at No. 6 for this Test – ostensibly because he is keeping wicket, but also as a consequence of his grim tour of Pakistan – was once again frenetic from the outset, as he took on O’Rourke’s height and bounce with a series of streaky slaps over the cordon, one of which he knew very little about.But, with Brook following suit with a startling flick for six over fine leg off Henry, England’s run-rate began to creep back towards the habitual 4-an-over pace with which they have subdued so many bowling attacks in the recent past. By tea, both men had marched through to their fifties against a now middle-aged ball – Brook with a second six over fine leg, Pope with a nudge to leg from a brisk 59 balls – and as they kept up that intensity into the evening session, New Zealand’s errors continued to stack up.Devon Conway spilled chance No.4 at deep midwicket, as Brook wound into a slog-sweep on 70 off Phillips, and by then his century was pre-ordained. He duly moved deep into the 90s with an outrageous lap-scoop over the keeper’s head off Southee, whom he then cracked through deep point to bring up his century from 123 balls. Earlier he had become the eighth fastest player, in terms of innings, to reach 2000 Test runs, and second only to Duckett in terms of balls faced: a brisk 2300. There was time yet for one last let-off; a clanger behind the stumps from Blundell down the leg-side, although seeing as the umpire also missed the edge and singled four byes, maybe there really was no way of dislodging him.Matt Henry trapped Zak Crawley lbw for a duck•Joe Allison/Getty Images
The day’s dramas had been telegraphed during the end of New Zealand’s own innings. Phillips converted his overnight 41 to an unbeaten 58, but it was not an easy stay, as epitomised by his audible cry of “oh you weasel!” as Chris Woakes beat him with an outswinger. He also had a scare on 42 when Carse, generating a good head of steam, smacked him hard in the grille via a top-edge off the splice, and in a sign of things to come, was also dropped in the same over by Root at slip, a tough diving chance to his right.But Carse had already done for Southee with his first ball of the day, and eventually plucked out O’Rourke’s off stump with an outswinging yorker, to close out the innings with career-best figures of 4 for 64 in his third Test. It was a reminder that England too have the bowlers to compete on this intriguing surface. If they have the catchers too, they will believe this game is back in their grasp.
Russell Martin and Kevin Thelwell both have a lot on their plate in the summer transfer window as they look to build a Glasgow Rangers team that can compete for the Scottish Premiership title.
The Gers have failed to win the title in each of the last four seasons and the new Light Blues duo are tasked with bringing glory back to Ibrox in the years to come.
They recently made their first signing of the summer transfer window with the arrival of Max Aarons on loan from Bournemouth to bolster their defensive options. Lyall Cameron has also joined the Scottish giants, but he had agreed to sign from Dundee on a pre-contract deal in January.
As well as potential incoming signings, Martin and Thelwell will also have to deal with the potential of some of the club’s key players moving on from Ibrox.
Nicolas Raskin, for example, is a reported target for Premier League clubs Aston Villa, Leeds United, and Wolverhampton Wanderers, as they aim to snap him up from Ibrox in the coming weeks.
Why losing Nicolas Raskin would be a big blow for Rangers
If the Belgium international completes a move to England before the summer transfer window slams shut at the start of September, Martin’s squad could be weaker.
The 24-year-old star walked away from last season with the Men’s Player of the Season and the Men’s Players’ Player of the Season awards to show for his efforts on the pitch for the Gers.
This demonstrates the high regard in which he is held at the club, among players, and by supporters, and it is well-deserved following his impressive displays in the Premiership and the Europa League.
Raskin did produce four goals and ten assists in the Premiership for Rangers, flexing his attacking quality, but it was his defensive work that really caught the eye domestically and in Europe.
Appearances
33
12
Tackles per game
2.8
3.7
Interceptions per game
0.6
1.3
Ball recoveries per game
5.6
7.4
Ground duel success rate
57%
50%
Aerial duel success rate
56%
55%
As you can see in the table above, the Belgian midfielder offered defensive protection in front of the back four with plenty of tackles, interceptions, and ball recoveries.
These statistics illustrate why losing the former Standard Liege star would be a big blow for Martin, as he is a combative and quality midfield operator, but the Gers are reportedly interested in a gem who could be a dream replacement for him.
Rangers eyeing deal for Brazilian midfielder
According to The Scottish Sun, Rangers are lining up a move to sign Troyes central midfielder Metinho on a permanent deal in the summer transfer window.
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The report claims that the Light Blues are long-term admirers of the 22-year-old talent, and have been eyeing him up as a target throughout this summer.
It states that the Scottish Premiership giants are now ready to ramp up their efforts to bring the former Basel loanee to Ibrox, who joined Troyes for a fee of £4m from Fluminense in 2021, ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
Russell Martin watches on whilst in charge of Southampton.
The Scottish Sun adds that Troyes are willing to cash in on the Brazilian star and that Basel are ‘desperate’ to win the race for his signature, which may be why Rangers are now looking to speed up their pursuit of the midfielder.
It now remains to be seen whether or not Thelwell will be able to do enough to beat the Swiss giants to his services before the end of the summer window.
Why Rangers should sign Metinho
The Ibrox side should push to beat Basel to this signing because the 22-year-old midfielder has the potential to be a dream replacement for Raskin this summer.
Nico Raskin
Metinho spent the first half of last season on loan at Sparta Rotterdam and only started two of his 12 appearances in the Eredivisie, in what was a frustrating few months for the midfield talent.
However, a move to Basel in January helped him to kick on and flourish in the second half of the campaign, as he caught the eye with his impressive performances in the Swiss top-flight as a combative midfielder.
The right-footed star played 12 league matches for the club and completed 86% of his passes, whilst delivering two assists, but his most impressive contributions on the pitch came out of possession in the middle of the park.
Tackles made
2.77
Top 10%
Tackle success rate
71%
Top 20%
Duels won
6.66
Top 24%
Duel success rate
65%
Top 3%
Interceptions
1.51
Top 15%
Ball recoveries
6.66
Top 20%
Dribbled past
0.50x
Top 14%
As you can see in the table above, the Troyes loanee ranked incredibly highly among his positional peers in a host of defensive metrics, which show that he excelled off the ball as a screener in front of the back four.
His tackle and duel success rates are particularly impressive because they show that he is efficient with his defensive work, rather than competing in and losing a lot of duels. The Brazilian gem is tough to get past, which is why he is a formidable defender.
These statistics also suggest that he would be a dream replacement for Raskin to take up the defensive responsibilities that the Belgian has in midfield at Ibrox. The current Gers star averaged 2.84 tackles and interceptions and was dribbled past 0.86 times per 90 in the Premiership, whilst he won 66% of his tackles.
Metinho, who was once described as an “exciting” prospect by talent scout Jacek Kulig, posted more impressive defensive numbers than that in the Super League, as shown by his aforementioned statistics, which suggests that he has the potential to offer even more than Raskin out of possession.
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Of course, the £4m-rated star needs to add a goal threat to his game, as Raskin managed four league goals to go along with his ten assists, but he is only 22 and has time left ahead of him to develop into the dream replacement for the Belgian.
He has been picked in India’s Champions Trophy squad, subject to fitness
Nagraj Gollapudi18-Jan-20251:11
Why was Rana preferred over Siraj?
India’s premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah will test his match fitness by playing the third ODI against England on February 12 in Ahmedabad. India’s selectors and the team management are hopeful the plan works out so that Bumrah is ready to play the Champions Trophy.Bumrah was named in India’s 15-man squad for the Champions Trophy with an asterisk against his name, implying his inclusion is subject to fitness. Ajit Agarkar, the chairman of selectors, said that based on the information BCCI’s medical team shared on Bumrah, he wouldn’t be fit for the first two ODIs against England on February 6 and February 9. He had suffered back spasms that prevented him from bowling on the final day of the Sydney Test.”With Bumrah, we are waiting to hear about his fitness and when he’s likely to be available,” Agarkar said in Mumbai on Saturday while announcing the Indian squads for the England series and the Champions Trophy. “At the moment I don’t think he [Bumrah] is likely to be fit for the first couple of games [of England series] at least from what we gather. We will probably hear more in the next week or so about his fitness.”Related
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Delhi and India fast bowler Harshit Rana will be part of the squad for the England series as cover for Bumrah. While Rana made his Test debut in Australia during the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy, he is uncapped in ODI and T20I cricket. The BCCI has issued no official update on Bumrah, who had briefly left the ground after lunch on the second day of the Sydney Test due to back spasms. The concerns grew the next day when Bumrah did not come out to bowl though he had batted in India’s second innings.While Agarkar said he has asked the BCCI to send out a media release, outlining the medical report, ESPNcricinfo has learned Bumrah’s injury is stress related. Though the first round of tests did not reveal a stress fracture in the back, it is understood the discomfort Bumrah suffered was related to his workload in the five Tests in Australia. He bowled 151.2 overs in nine innings, taking 32 wickets at an average of 13.06 in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.1:11
Why was Rana preferred over Siraj?
Accordingly, on advice from medical experts, the BCCI decided to allow Bumrah to rest for at least five weeks (the Sydney Test finished on January 5) after which he will undergo another scan to determine if he can return to action. Agarkar confirmed the time frame.”I know he was asked to offload for five weeks of bowling, which is early first week February if I’m not wrong,” Agarkar said. “And we’ll probably find out a bit more around that time what exactly and with regards to what his medical condition is. I’m sure BCCI might just put something out from the physio itself. It’s better it comes from the medical department than me trying to explain what exactly is wrong with him. But that’s the time frame that we’ve been told. And hopefully, he’s okay after that.”Asked if the selectors had pencilled in a reserve if Bumrah doesn’t recover in time for the Champions Trophy, which starts on February 19, Agarkar said his panel was “just hoping Bumrah’s fit. We will have a chat if he’s not fit.”India play three ODIs against England on February 6, 9 and 12 – their first ODIs since the tour of Sri Lanka in August last year – before the Champions Trophy. India are in Group A at the Champions Trophy and begin their campaign against Bangladesh on February 20, after which they play Pakistan on February 23, and New Zealand on March 2. India play all their matches in Dubai because their government refused to let the team travel to Pakistan.
تحدث الإسباني بيب جوارديولا، المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي مانشستر سيتي عن مواجهة سوانزي سيتي في كأس كاراباو.
ومن المقرر أن يخوض مانشستر سيتي مباراته أمام سوانزي سيتي، ضمن منافسات كأس كاراباو غدًا الأربعاء المقبل.
ويستضيف ملعب “سوانزي دوت كوم” مباراة مانشستر سيتي وسوانزي في تمام الساعة الحادية عشر إلا ربع بتوقيت القاهرة ومكة المكرمة.
ويدخل رجال مانشستر سيتي المباراة بعد الهزيمة من أستون فيلا في الجولة الماضية من بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.
وقال جوارديولا، في تصريحات نقلها الموقع الرسمي لناديه: “عبدالقادر خوسانوف جاهز للعب لبضع دقائق غدًا ورودري ليس جاهزًا بعد”.
وأكمل: “تتحسن حالته، ويتدرب معنا بشكل جزئي لكن بالطبع بعد ما حدث مرتين من إصابات عضلية، سنرى حالته هذا الأسبوع”.
وأضاف: “لم أرَ إيرلينج هالاند اليوم لكنها كانت كدمة بسيطة ويتحسن يومًا بعد يوم، الآن نتدرب بعد ظهر اليوم، وسنعرف حالته بدقة أكبر”.
وفيما يتعلق بـ عمر مرموش، قال: “لقد عانى من إصابة طويلة ولعب تدريجيًا لبضع دقائق في المباراة الأخيرة، وكان له تأثيره في التحركات خلف الدفاع وبالقرب من منطقة الجزاء، عمر استثنائي”.
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وعن التدوير بين اللاعبين في تلك البطولة: “نعم، بالتأكيد، لقد كانت بطولة كأس كاراباو دائمًا على هذا النحو”.
واستطرد: “اللاعبون الذين يأخذون الكثير من الدقائق يجب أن يكونوا مستعدين لإظهار أنفسهم والفريق أنهم تعافوا تمامًا ومستعدون على المستوى الذهني ولديهم المهارات وكل شيء ليكونوا جاهزين للعب”.
واسترسل: “وبعض الراحة خاصة للاعبين الذين يلعبون دقائق طويلة، ليس فقط إيرلينج وروبن وجوسكو والآخرين”.
وأوضح: “في الموسم الماضي، كنا في تلك المرحلة مع إصابات كثيرة، الآن قلّت الإصابات، وأصبح لدينا لاعبون يحتاجون لدقائق لعب إضافية وكأس كاراباو فرصة مثالية من أجل تحقيق ذلك”.
وأتم عن ترافورد: “سيتعين عليه أن يكون جاهزًا في حال احتجنا إليه في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز أو دوري أبطال أوروبا، أنا سعيد بتواجده هنا، ترافورد سيصبح حارس إنجلترا الأول في يوم من الأيام”.
Four Bangladesh batters also scored fifties, with Mahmudullah and Jaker adding an unbeaten 150 for the sixth wicket, but in vain
Mohammad Isam12-Dec-2024Amir Jangoo’s unbeaten 104 and Keacy Carty’s 95 helped West Indies scale a 322-run chase against Bangladesh in St Kitts. They won the series 3-0 after Jangoo became the first West Indian in 46 years to score a century on ODI debut. He guided the side with two rapid partnerships. It is also the fourth time that West Indies successfully chased a 300-plus target in ODIs.Jangoo added 132 runs for the fifth wicket with Carty, and after West Indies lost two wickets in quick succession, he combined with Gudakesh Motie for an unbroken 91-run partnership for the seventh wicket to take them home. Motie remained unbeaten on 44 off 31 balls, hitting three sixes and as many fours. Jangoo’s innings was resplendent with six fours and four sixes.Related
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Bangladesh had posted 321 for 5 on the back of four fifties. Mahmudullah and Jaker Ali added 150 runs in an unbroken sixth-wicket stand, a Bangladesh record. Bangladesh also struck 12 sixes in the innings, their second most in ODIs.Brandon King picked up where he had left off in the second ODI, cracking two fours and a six off Nasum Ahmed in the second over of the chase. His innings, however, was cut short in the same over after a mix-up with his opening partner Alick Athanaze over a non-existent run. Athanaze himself did not last long, getting yorked by Nasum in his next over.Keacy Carty was instrumental in the chase•Randy Brooks
Hasan Mahmud then had Shai Hope caught at slip for three before Sherfane Rutherford and Carty stabilised the innings with a 55-run fourth-wicket stand. Taskin Ahmed dealt West Indies a further blow when he dismissed Rutherford for 30.Carty, though, was steady at the other end, already having struck two fours. Afif dropped him on 22 before Carty went after the Bangladesh spinners in the middle overs. He struck Rishad Hossain for consecutive fours in the 18th over, before hammering Mehidy Hasan Miraz for a six and a four in the 21st over. Jangoo hit Nasum for three fours in a short span before lofting Afif for his first six.It was in the 34th over that Bangladesh, perhaps, let the game slip. Jangoo had miscued one off Rishad, only to see substitute fielder Parvez Hossain Emon drop the chance while running back ffrom mid-off. Rishad did dismiss Carty next ball, with Soumya taking a low catch at point, but Jangoo’s miss came back to haunt them.Immediately after Roston Chase’s dismissal, Jangoo slogged Mehidy for his second six, before Motie and Jangoo struck Mahmud for a six each in the 43rd over. They struck one four each in the following over bowled by Taskin, before the pair completed the chase.Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Soumya Sarkar added 136 runs for the third wicket•Randy Brooks
The day could have belonged to Bangladesh given how they batted. After a disastrous start, having lost both Tanzid Hasan and Litton Das in the third over to be reduced to 9 for 2, Soumya and Mehidy resurrected the innings with a 136-run stand for the third wicket. Alzarri Joseph hurried Tanzid with a bouncer with the left-hander top-edging a pull. Litton’s horror run in ODIs continued when he edged a wide one to King at first slip.Mehidy was positive from the outset, hitting five boundaries in the powerplay. Soumya, who was dropped on nought, opened up after the powerplay. He played the upper-cut against Romario Shepherd for a six, before pasting Chase and Motie for a six each in consecutive overs.Shortly after Soumya was dropped for a second time, on 45 by Jangoo, Mehidy struck debutant Jediah Blades for a four a six. Soumya added a four to take 16 runs off the over, before getting two more fours off his next. Soumya was on a roll when he struck Motie for his fourth six, but fell next ball when the left-arm spinner trapped him in front. Soumya’s 73 came at a run a ball, including six fours and four sixes.Six overs after Soumya’s dismissal, Rutherford’s accurate throw from point found Mehidy short at the striker’s end as he fell for 77 off 73 balls. Rutherford then had Afif Hossain caught at the midwicket boundary for 15, as Bangladesh again lost two wickets in quick succession.But Jaker and Mahmudullah dominated the end overs. After having added 96 in the first ODI, they bettered it this time. After Jaker struck his first two fours, Mahmudullah crashed Motie down the ground for his first six, before hitting Chase for his second, over long-off.Jaker joined the party when he slammed Shepherd over cover and then Mahmudullah dragged Rutherford from outside off over square-leg for six. Bangladesh scored 59 runs in the last four overs to push their total past 320, but it was not enough on the day.
عقد رئيس نادي الزمالك، حسين لبيب، جلسة مع المدير الرياضي جون إدوارد، مساء الأحد، لمناقشة أسباب تراجع نتائج الفريق خلال الفترة الأخيرة ببطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.
نادي الزمالك فقد 7 نقاط خلال آخر ثلاث مباريات له ببطولة الدوري المصري، حيت تعادل أمام الجونة وغزل المحلة وخسر أمام الأهلي في مباراة القمة.
وتراجع نادي الزمالك إلى المركز الثاني في جدول ترتيب الدوري المصري، برصيد 18 نقطة، بعد مرور 10 جولات، بعدما كان يتصدر ترتيب المسابقة.
طالع | الزمالك على صفيح ساخن.. مفاجأة بشأن مصير فيريرا وبديله
وجاء اجتماع حسين لبيب مع جون إدوارد، لمناقشة كافة أمور الفريق الأول لكرة القدم وأسباب النتائج الأخيرة ببطولة الدوري، وكافة المعوقات التي تسببت في فقدان العديد من النقاط، وكيفية تعديل المسار في المرحلة المقبلة من أجل العودة إلى طريق الانتصارات.
وتم الاتفاق على استمرار الاجتماعات بين رئيس الزمالك والمدير الرياضي، لحين عقد اجتماع مع البلجيكي يانيك فيريرا المدير الفني للفريق فور عودته إلى القاهرة، للوقوف معه على ما حدث في المباريات الأخيرة، واتخاذ القرارات التي تصب في صالح الفريق بما يلبي طموحات الجماهير.
ويستعد الزمالك لمواجهة فريق ديكاداها الصومالي، في مستهل مشواره ببطولة كأس الكونفدرالية للموسم الحالي 2025-2026، ذلك يوم الجمعة 17 أكتوبر، في ذهاب دور الـ 32 من البطولة القارية.
The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner won't be much use to his country next year if he continues to play at a lower level
"Peace has cost you your strength; victory has defeated you," the muscle-bound, arch-villain Bane tells Batman after catching one of his punches in the hit movie 'The Dark Knight Rises'. The time-worn caped crusader continues to fight as hard as he can, but is ultimately left with a broken back at the end of the scene, having succumbed to the most dangerous pitfall of all: complacency.
There was a similar feeling of futility generated by watching Lionel Messi toil in the second half of Inter Miami's Club World Cup last-16 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain last weekend. Even at the ripe old age of 38, Messi was still able to produce dazzling moments of genius, including a beautiful first-time pass for Luis Suarez that should have earned him an assist, but it was nowhere near enough to lay a glove on an opponent operating at the highest possible technical and physical level.
It was sad to see perhaps the greatest player in the history of the sport fighting a battle he was never going to win. "The match was what was expected," Messi admitted to after the 4-0 thrashing. "They’re a great team, winners of the last Champions League, and they’re in really good shape. We tried to do our best, and I think we left a good impression at the Club World Cup."
Is simply leaving a "good impression" the goal now for Messi at this stage of his illustrious career? The diminutive wizard has found peace in Miami, but he's also become complacent, and that's bad news for Argentina one year out from their World Cup defence. However, fresh rumours of a potential return to Barcelona have also surfaced in recent days, which would change everything for Messi and the Albiceleste…
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Contract uncertainty
Those rumours were sparked by Esteban Edul, who claimed Messi is considering a move to a more competitive league once his current contract at Inter Miami expires in December, so he can have the best possible preparation for the World Cup. But the truth of the matter may not be that clear-cut.
Spanish journalist Guillem Ballague has suggested that "nobody knows, least of all, Messi himself" if the Miami captain will even play at the 2026 tournament. "At the moment, he is just taking it game by game, tournament by tournament," Balague added to .
"If he renews and stays in America, he'll evaluate the situation when he needs to, but for the time being he is just taking things step by step. Everyone involved wants to see him leading Argentina at the World Cup in America in a year's time. But he has not indicated to anyone what his final decision is."
has since reported that Messi is open to signing an extension with Miami, who are confident that negotiations are heading in the right direction. But if Messi does decide to appear at his sixth World Cup, and he's serious about making a decisive impact, it would make little sense for him to stay in MLS, which is still a long way behind the most competitive leagues in Europe.
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Club World Cup embarrassment
That fact was underlined by how Miami, LAFC and the Seattle Sounders fared at the first edition of the expanded Club World Cup. Miami beat Porto 2-1 in the group stage, courtesy of a sublime Messi free-kick, to become the first club in CONCACAF history to defeat a European opponent in an official competition, and the first from America to win a Club World Cup match, while earning draws against Al Ahly and Palmeiras to secure passage to the round of 16.
That was also a first for any team in MLS history, but LAFC and the Sounders finished bottom of their respective groups without a single win to their name. LAFC's failure was especially disappointing given their favourable draw alongside Chelsea and two very beatable sides in Flamengo and Tunisian outfit Esperance Tunis.
Miami's humiliating thrashing at the hands of PSG also completely overshadowed their record-breaking achievements. The Sounders only lost 2-0 to Luis Enrique's side in their group clash, but Miami were four goals down by half-time in what turned out to be the mismatch of the tournament so far.
It would likely have been even worse for Javier Mascherano's side had PSG not taken their foot off the gas after the restart, too, as Luis Enrique made five substitutions before the 70-minute mark. Miami didn't even register a shot until the 50th minute – a deflected effort from Messi – such was PSG's dominance.
Miami's Club World Cup campaign cannot be painted as a success after such a chastening defeat, and it would be perfectly understandable if it has left Messi contemplating his future.
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'Isn't the Messi I know'
Indeed, it was all too much for one of Messi's former colleagues to bear. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who played alongside the Argentina icon at Barcelona in 2009-10, told immediately after the final whistle put Miami out of their misery against PSG: "Messi plays with statues, not team-mates. He's surrounded by players who run as if they were carrying bags of cement."
Ibrahimovic added: "This isn't the Messi I know. If you put him in a real team, he'd go all-out. There are no coaches, no stars, not even players who understand how to move without the ball. If he were on a real team, any great team, you'd see the real lion. Messi plays alone because he loves the game, because he can still do what 99 percent of players can't. But this isn't the Messi I know."
Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets complete Miami's contingent of Barcelona legends, with another in Mascherano currently serving as head coach, but they have precious little star quality in their ranks beyond that, and PSG ruthlessly exposed their glaring weaknesses.
Ibrahimovic is right: Messi is a big fish in a very small pond and he's having to shoulder way too much responsibility. Messi needs to be a key part of a cohesive unit to reach his maximum, with fellow world-class players to bounce off, not a messiah-like figure who is quite literally expected to win games on his own.
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Unfinished business
If the "real lion" is to roar again in 2026, Messi has to return to Europe, or more specifically Barcelona. It's certainly difficult to imagine him representing any other European club, especially after his underwhelming two-year stint at PSG.
There is still a real sense of unfinished business between Barca and Messi, too. La Masia's ultimate academy jewel left Camp Nou without a proper goodbye in 2021 because the Blaugrana couldn't afford to renew his contract after being plunged into an unprecedented financial crisis by former president Josep Maria Bartomeu.
It was a terribly sad way for Messi's 21-year association with the club to end, not only because the Argentine maestro had smashed the club's all-time scoring record while helping to deliver 10 La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues, but also because he still had so much more to give. There is, though, still time for Barca to put things right.
New reports in Spain have suggested that Joan Laporta, who was elected as Barca president for a second time shortly after Messi's exit, wants to bring the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner back on an initial six-month contract in January. If Messi leaves Miami at the end of the year, Barca can sign him on a free transfer, so it would be a surprise if the possibility hasn't at least been discussed in the club boardroom.
Staying within La Liga's wage limits is still a concern for Barca, but Laporta is said to be willing to move heaven and earth to arrange Messi's homecoming so that it coincides with the full reopening of the renovated Camp Nou.
The decision came after Kapil Dev and Sandeep Patil urged the board to help Gaekwad
PTI14-Jul-2024
File photo: Aunshuman Gaekwad, Kapil Dev and Shantha Rangaswamy after a CAC meeting•Annesha Ghosh/ESPNcricinfo
The BCCI has decided to release INR 1 crore for the treatment of former India batter Aunshuman Gaekwad, who is battling blood cancer at a medical facility in London.The BCCI’s decision came after Kapil Dev and Sandeep Patil urged the board to help Gaekwad.”Mr Jay Shah has instructed the BCCI to release INR 1 crore with immediate effect to provide financial assistance to India’s veteran cricketer Mr Anshuman Gaekwad, who is battling cancer,” the BCCI apex council said in a statement.”Shah has also spoken to Mr Gaekwad’s family to take stock of the situation and extend support,” the statement continued. “The board stands by Gaekwad’s family in this hour of crisis and will do whatever is essential for Mr Gaekwad’s quick recovery.”The BCCI will continue to monitor Mr Gaekwad’s progress and is confident that he will come out of this phase strongly.”Gaekwad, 71, played 40 Tests and 15 ODIs for India between 1975 and 1987. Later, he became a selector and then the coach of the national team.
With Everton now mathematically safe from relegation under David Moyes, you would be forgiven from a Toffees perspective to start peaking at the upcoming transfer window, away from merely focusing on May’s upcoming Premier League action.
A new era at Bramley Moore to come could see the Merseysiders enter into a promising, fresh period, with some deadwood allowed to leave in the form of Michael Keane and other out-of-contract personnel, away from just adding in new signings.
Everton manager DavidMoyesreacts
One target reportedly on Everton’s agenda was former striker hero Richarlison, but the dramatic move has now been rubbished by the Scotsman in the Goodison Park dugout.
Still, if rumours are to be believed elsewhere that Beto could be on the move, a switch for the Brazilian might well come back up down the line.
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Everton's reported interest in Richarlison
Whilst Moyes was dismissive of the potential of a reunion deal, he was still complimentary of the “really good” attacker, meaning the door hasn’t been fully shut.
The South American menace would fire home an impressive 53 strikes for the Toffees from 152 total appearances, before his career fell to the wayside somewhat when moving onto Tottenham Hotspur.
Therefore, with Everton perhaps waving goodbye to striker stalwart Dominic Calvert-Lewin too, a move to bring back such a former potent ace isn’t the wildest suggestion.
But, the Richarlison that terrorised defences at Anfield once upon a time isn’t quite where the Brazilian is right now, with Everton undoubtedly winning when it comes to the £60m deal to offload the 28-year-old, considering he has just a paltry 20 goals for Spurs from 80 often injury-plagued contests.
Consequently – according to Football Transfers – the Spurs number nine’s value now sits at a far lower £22.5m. Amazingly, one top performer back at Goodison Park is now worth more than Richarlison’s updated price-tag, proving his initial £20m valuation to be worthwhile.
The "magic" Everton star now worth more than Richarlison
Everton don’t quite have a red-hot centre-forward like Richarlison currently at their disposal who is hogging the limelight, with the Toffees two top scorers in league action this season that of Iliman N’Diaye and Beto, with the pair on seven and eight goals respectively.
Dwight McNeil does follow just behind on four strikes to play his part, but the ex-Burnley winger’s continued excellence on Merseyside for many a season now has seen his transfer value sensationally soar above Richarlison’s.
After all, the previous weekend in the Premier League saw McNeil return back to the Everton starting XI with a bang, with this sumptuous long-range effort helping his side clinch a 2-2 draw versus Ipswich Town.
But, what usually gets the Everton masses out of their seats is the “magic” – as he was once lauded by football journalist Joe Thomas – forward’s ability to set up a teammate with a golden opportunity, seen in his seven league assists this campaign so far which bumps up his assist count overall to a sizeable 17 from just over a century of appearances.
Matches played
101
Goals scored
15
Assists
17
Value when joining
£20m
Value now
£22.8m
Price increase
£2.8m
He has been held back this season by injury problems, but that hasn’t stopped his price tag from soaring up to £22.8m regardless, representing a £2.8m increase from when he first entered the building back in 2022.
Whilst McNeil is more of a winger option than his South American counterpart, he could be a better attacking option for the Toffees right now than Richarlison, considering the Spurs flop has just four goals in league action this season, like McNeil, despite being a primary centre-forward.
Dwight McNeil for Everton
Moreover, any move for their former number seven would feel redundant if Beto does stay put, with the Portuguese attacker on eight for the campaign himself.
McNeil will just hope next season can be an injury-free one on his end away from any new faces entering, meaning he could become an even more influential figure for the Toffees in their brand new stadium.
He's perfect for Delap: Everton open talks to sign "unbelievable" star
Everton have wasted no time in moving for summer targets, already putting in the work to land one star.