"صعب توقعهم".. ماسكيرانو يمدح الأهلي ويوضح حظوظ إنتر ميامي في مونديال الأندية

عقد خافيير ماسكيرانو، المدير الفني لفريق إنتر ميامي، مؤتمرًا صحفيًا للحديث عن مباراة افتتاح بطولة كأس العالم للأندية ضد نظيره الأهلي المصري، فجر يوم الأحد المقبل.

وتشهد أمريكا منافسات كأس العالم للأندية، بنظامها الجديد بمشاركة 32 فريقًا، في الفترة بين 14 يونيو و13 يوليو المقبل.

وتُقام المباراة الافتتاحية للبطولة المرتقبة، فجر يوم الأحد، بين فريقي إنتر ميامي الأمريكي والأهلي المصري.

وعن منافسه الأهلي، قال ماسكيرانو في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “آس” الإسبانية: “نريد التأهل، آمل أن نكون أول من يتأهل من المجموعة، وسنرى ما ستفعله الفرق الأخرى للتأهل”.

وأضاف: “أعلم أن الأهلي فريق كبير في إفريقيا، لقد هيمنوا على الدوري المحلي، لديهم مدرب جديد وذو خبرة، لكن في النهاية الفريق الذي سنراه غدًا على الأرجح لن يكون هو نفسه الذي رأيناه”.

واعترف: “من الصعب التكهن بما سيفعلونه، سننافس، ونعلم أنها ستكون مباراة صعبة، ونأمل أن نفوز”.

وقال ماسكيرانو، في تصريحات خلال المؤتمر ونشرتها صحيفة “أوليه” الأرجنتينية: “بالنظر إلى الفرق التي نملكها، من الطبيعي أن يفوز فريق أوروبي بالبطولة، لن أكون منافقًا”.

وأوضح: “مع ذلك، أحيانًا ما تُحدث هذه البطولات مفاجآت، آمل أن نكون نحن الأبطال، من الواضح أن هذا مستوى مختلف، ليس ما اعتدنا عليه”.

اقرأ أيضًا | “أشعر بالقلق”.. ماسكيرانو يعلن غياب لاعب إنتر ميامي أمام الأهلي ويهاجم الإدارة

وواصل: “نحن محظوظون بوجود أربعة لاعبين تنافسوا على هذا المستوى، أو حتى أعلى، هذه هي الحقيقة”.

ويقصد ماسكيرانو الرباعي ليونيل ميسي، جوردي ألبا، لويس سواريز وسيرجيو بوسكيتس.

وأردف: “علينا أن نتمكن من بلوغ أقصى حد ممكن، عدم كوننا من المرشحين في البطولة يجب أن يكون ميزة، ويساعدنا على التخلص من هذا العبء الذي قد نواجهه في بطولتنا المحلية، حيث يتوقع الجميع وصول إنتر ميامي إلى النهائي”.

واسترسل: “أعتقد أن بوكا وريفر بليت، إلى جانب فرق أمريكا الجنوبية الكبرى، فرق تنافسية، رأينا ذلك مرات عديدة في كأس الإنتركونتيننتال، الأمر يعتمد على المستوى الذي يصلون إليه”.

وأكد: “لعل العيب الوحيد هو اللعب بعد فترة غياب طويلة عن الملاعب، وهذا قد يكون عيبًا لكلا الفريقين، انتهت بطولة الدوري الأرجنتيني منذ فترة، ولم تكن هناك منافسة، أما في بقية الفرق، فنظرًا لخصائص اللاعبين وتاريخهم، سينافسون ويقاتلون في كأس العالم”.

وفيما يخص تعاقد ريال مدريد مع تشابي ألونسو، قال: “لم أتحدث معه، كان لاعبًا رائعًا، من أفضل اللاعبين الذين لعبت معهم، لا أتمنى له كل التوفيق لأنه في ريال مدريد (يضحك)، إنه مدرب جيد”.

واستأنف: “لقد حقق مسيرة رائعة في ألمانيا، وأشعر أنه مدرب رائع لـ ريال مدريد، حظيت بشرف اللعب معه في ليفربول، وأعرفه جيدًا، كان الأمر رائعًا”.

كما سُئل ماسكيرانو عن فرانكو ماستانتونو الذي انضم اليوم إلى ريال مدريد من ريفر بليت، حيث قال: “كان معي في منتخب تحت 20 عامًا، إنه لاعب مذهل، شاب لكنه يتمتع بجودة عالية وعقلية ممتازة، من الصعب العثور على لاعب كهذا في هذا العمر”.

واختتم: “كان يلعب في أحد أفضل فرق العالم، مثل ريفر بليت، ولكن عندما يرغب في ضمه ريال مدريد أو برشلونة، يصعب رفض ذلك، أتمنى له كل التوفيق، فهو يمتلك كل المقومات للعب مع ريال مدريد”.

Flamengo tem 'prévia da Libertadores' sem 'força máxima' contra o Corinthians pelo Brasileirão

MatériaMais Notícias

Com a chegada de Dorival Júnior, o Flamengo reconquistou o caminho das vitórias e fez a sua melhor apresentação na temporada na goleada sobre o Tolima. A equipe carioca tenta manter o embalo também no Brasileirão para encostar no pelotão de frente. Para isso, terá pela frente uma prévia das quartas da Libertadores contra o Corinthians.

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É preciso ponderar que no duelo deste domingo ambas as equipes ainda não terão ‘a força máxima’ em campo. Do lado rubro-negro, Arrascaeta está fora da partida em virtude de uma lombalgia, enquanto Matheuzinho ficou no Rio para tratar de uma amigdalite. Além deles, Willian Arão também não está na lista de relacionados e deve assinar com oFenerbahçe.

+ Confira e simule a tabela do Campeonato Brasileiro

No lado dos paulistas, o número de desfalques é ainda maior. Wilian ainda utiliza tipoia no ombro em virtude de uma subluxação; Fagner teve uma lesão na posterior da coxa direita e Maycon no adutor também da coxa direita. Além deles, Paulinho rompeu o ligamento do joelho esquerdo, enquanto Renato Augusto apresenta desconforto na panturrilha; Mantuan teve dores na coxa esquerda e Júnior Moraes teve uma entorse no tornozelo esquerdo.

O Clássico das Multidões entre as duas maiores torcidas do país pelas quartas de finais da Libertadores está marcado paraos dias 2 e 9 de agosto. Até lá, reforços como Everton Cebolinha e Vidal, do lado dos cariocas, e Yuri Alberto, pelo paulistas, poderão dar o ar da graça.

A prévia será importante para sentir o clima da Neo Química Arena, assim como tentar se aproximar do adversário na tabela. Com 21 pontos, os cariocas ocupam a oitava colocação, enquanto os corintianos estão em quarto, com 26. O líder Palmeiras soma 29 pontos em quinze rodadas.

+Flamengo tem desfalques importantes para o duelo contra o Corinthians; veja os relacionados

Para o duelo, Dorival tende a rodar mais o elenco e fazer alterações para descansar jogadores importantes. Na defesa, Fabrício Bruno está recuperado após operar o pé esquerdo e pode ter a chance de iniciar a partida. O jovem Victor Hugo teve boa atuação contra o Santos e também pode iniciar entre os titulares.

Com a proximidade do fim do primeiro turno, cabe ao Flamengo triunfar, mesmo longe de seus domínios. A tarefa é diminuir a diferença de oito pontos para o líder Palmeiras para entrar no returno na briga pelo título. Antes de torcer contra o adversário, o foco é embalar e corresponder em campo.

A goleada contra o Tolima deu moral ao grupo, mas também apontou para soluções táticas e técnicas. Um dos grandes dilemas da época de Paulo Sousa parece ter sido resolvido. Pedro e Gabigol não só atuaram juntos, como tiveram sintonia naquela que foi a melhor atuação da temporada.

+Mercado, base e time principal: as peças de reposição para o Flamengo suprir a perda de Willian Arão

Em meio à disputa do Brasileirão, o Flamengo também convive com a expectativa do jogo de volta das oitavas da Copa do Brasil. Dessa forma, o Maracanã promete estar lotado na quarta, e o rubro-negro precisa vencer pro dois gols de diferença para avançar. Caso vença por apenas um gol a decisão da vaga será nos pênaltis.

India and Australia reacquaint themselves with ODI rhythms

This three-match series though seems to have lost top billing to the IPL and the Test Championship final

Deivarayan Muthu16-Mar-2023Big picture: The appetiser to the IPLSandwiched between the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and IPL 2023, the ODI series between India and Australia doesn’t seem to have top billing. Even days out from the opening Test, everyone jumped on the BGT hype train, and minutes after the final one ended in a draw, India’s coach Rahul Dravid was asked how he would manage the IPL players in the lead-up to the World Test Championship (WTC) final at The Oval in June. A day after that, Australia allrounder Cameron Green, who was bought for INR 17.5 crore (USD 2.1 million) by Mumbai Indians, joined his IPL coach Mark Boucher and team-mate Ishan Kishan on the sidelines of a WPL game.This three-match ODI series isn’t part of the World Cup Super League either, but it’s a chance for both India and Australia to fine-tune their plans for the ODI World Cup, which is also around the corner. Australia haven’t played ODI cricket since they swept England 3-0 at home in November last year, almost immediately after the 2022 T20 World Cup, and are still getting used to life after Aaron Finch’s international retirement. David Warner is working his way back from an elbow injury and a barren run in the first half of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. In his first crack at Finch’s opening role, Head rattled off scores of 69, 19, and 152 against England and in his first crack at opening the batting in Test cricket in place of Warner, he enhanced his reputation even further. Glenn Maxwell is also back from injury, but Australia will have to contend with the absence of both Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.Related

'My best can match it with anyone' – Mitchell Marsh

Questions for Australia: how many allrounders are too many in an ODI XI?

Can Suryakumar crack the ODI format? Kishan or Rahul as keeper?

Fast bowler Jhye Richardson has also joined Australia’s absentee list, but they would do well to remind themselves that they are the team to have beaten India in a bilateral ODI series in India since 2016. Nathan Lyon, Todd Murphy and Matthew Kuhnemann have returned home, and now it’s over to Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar, the white-ball specialists.India have to navigate through challenges of their own. Shreyas Iyer will miss his second successive ODI series with injury while Rohit Sharma will not be available for the first game in Mumbai because of family commitments. Jasprit Bumrah faces a race against time to be fit for the ODI World Cup, but in his absence, Mohammed Siraj has emerged as the leader of the pace pack. Shardul Thakur, who made a successful comeback during the ODI series against New Zealand earlier this year, lends greater balance to the side along with the returning Ravindra Jadeja. With all of Jadeja, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal available for this series, India are spoiled for choice on the spin front.Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne at a training session•Associated Press

Form GuideIndia: WWWWW (last five completed matches, most recent first)
Australia: WWWWWIn the spotlight: Ishan Kishan and Adam ZampaRohit is out of the first ODI, but India have so much depth that they can replace him with another ODI double-centurion Ishan Kishan. He will partner India’s latest ODI double-centurion Shubman Gill. Since his scorching 210 in Chattogram in December last year, Kishan’s form has cooled off. With Rohit set to return for the second ODI in Visakhapatnam and KL Rahul set to be India’s first-choice keeper in Rishabh Pant’s absence, this might be a big chance for Kishan to shake things up, ahead of the World Cup.Six years ago, Hardik Pandya had said: “I knew that I could hit a six off him [Adam Zampa] anytime I wanted to,” at a press conference. Zampa has now evolved into one of the best white-ball spinners and recent numbers back that claim. Since the end of the 2019 ODI World Cup, Zampa has taken 62 wickets in 37 matches at a strike rate of 24.7 and economy rate of just under five. No other spinner from Full-Member nations has more wickets than Zampa during this period. In the inaugural ILT20 in the UAE, Zampa was Dubai Capitals’ joint-highest wicket-taker with nine strikes at an economy rate of below five once again, despite having played just four matches.1:22

Plenty of allrounders in Shaun Tait’s XI

Team news: Maxwell returns from injurySuryakumar Yadav is likely to get a go in the middle order in place of the injured Iyer. On the bowling front, India have a surfeit of options to choose from.India (probable): 1 Shubman Gill, 2 Ishan Kishan, 3 Virat Kohli, 4 Suryakumar Yadav, 5 KL Rahul (wk), 6 Hardik Pandya (capt), 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 Axar Patel/Washington Sundar, 9 Shardul Thakur/Kuldeep Yadav, 10 Mohammed Siraj, 11 Mohammed Shami/Umran MalikA fit-again Maxwell will directly slot back into Australia’s middle order and could potentially be their second spinner behind Zampa. With neither Cummins or Hazlewood available, there might be an opening for Tasmania and Hobart Hurricanes quick Nathan Ellis. Green, Mitchell Marsh and Marcus Stoinis and Sean Abbott and Ashton Agar will likely compete for two spots in the XI. Marsh, though, will not bowl in this series, which could impact how Australia balance their team.Australia (probable): 1 David Warner, 2 Travis Head, 3 Steven Smith (capt), 4 Marnus Labuschagne, 5 Mitchell Marsh/Marcus Stoinis, 6 Glenn Maxwell, 7 Alex Carey (wk), 8 Cameron Green, 9 Mitchell Starc, 10 Adam Zampa, 11 Nathan EllisPitch and conditions… for a run-festThe Wankhede pitch is usually a flat one, which gets even better for batting, under lights, once the dew sets in. In the most recent ODI played at this venue, in 2020, Australia hunted down 256 in under 38 overs with all ten wickets to spare.Stats and Trivia: Beware of Warner Warner has scored 391 runs in eight ODI innings in India at an average of 55.85 and strike rate of just less than 100. Siraj has a strike rate of 25.3 – the second best, behind Trent Boult, among bowlers from Full-Member nations with at least 20 wickets since the end of the 2019 ODI World Cup. Rahul has lost his Test spot, but his ODI numbers for India at No. 5 are impressive: 658 runs in 16 innings at an average of 50.61 and strike rate of 102.17, with one hundred and six half-centuries.

أول تعليق من زيزو على استبداله في مباراة الأهلي وإنتر ميامي

علق أحمد سيد زيزو لاعب فريق الكرة بـ الأهلي على استبداله خلال مباراة إنتر ميامي الماضية في افتتاح كأس العالم للأندية، موضحًا رأيه في مباراة بالميراس المقبلة.

وقال أحمد سيد زيزو في تصريحات صحفية: “كان شعوري مختلفًا للغاية عند مشاركتي في كأس العالم للأندية، فقد كان حلمي المشاركة في البطولات الدولية، ولأول مرة أخوض هذه التجربة وأشارك بالبطولات الكبيرة”.

وبسؤاله عن استبداله خلال مباراة الأهلي وإنتر ميامي، أوضح: “لم يكن الأمر مفاجئًا بالنسبة لي، فقد تم الاتفاق مع المدير الفني قبل المباراة بسبب عدم خوضي مباريات منذ فترة، كان هناك اتفاق على مشاركتي لمدة 30 دقيقة تقريبًا أمام باتشوكا”.

وتابع: “ريبيرو أبلغني أن ألعب لمدة 45 دقيقة كحد أقصى، لكنني لعبت 60 دقيقة بمستوى جيد، وكان هناك تخوف من تأثري واحتمالية الإصابة، لذا كان القرار طبيعيًا”.

وأوضح: “جميع اللاعبين كانوا في حالة تركيز بنسبة 100% خلال مباراة إنتر ميامي، وأما عن الفرص المهدرة، فكانت بسبب قلة التركيز وعدم التوفيق، وقدمنا مباراة كبيرة، لكن لم يكن هناك نصيب لتسجيل الأهداف، وسنحاول التعويض بالمباراة القادمة”.

وواصل: “البطولة صعبة للغاية، لكننا حضرنا بشكل جيد لجميع المباريات، ولدينا طموح واستعدادات كبيرة لتقديم أداء مميز في هذه البطولة والوصول إلى أبعد نقطة، وسندخل مباراة بالميراس بنفس التركيز الذي كان لدينا في مباراة إنتر ميامي، وسننهي المباراة بنفس الروح، ثم ندخل لقاء بورتو بنفس التركيز، كل المواجهات متساوية بالنسبة لنا”.

طالع | “لم يطلب التسديد”.. زيزو يكشف ماذا قال لـ تريزيجيه قبل إهداره ركلة جزاء الأهلي أمام إنتر ميامي

وأكمل: “لعبت في المباراة الماضية 60 دقيقة، وإن شاء الله أكون جاهزًا للمشاركة في مباراة بالميراس بشكل أساسي، لكن القرار النهائي بيد ريبيرو”.

واختتم: “أتمنى الفوز على بالميراس وتحقيق النقاط الثلاث، حتى نقترب من التأهل إلى الدور المقبل، نتائج مباريات مرحلة المجموعات والحصول على عدد كافٍ من النقاط تساعد على التأهل لدور الـ16، أتمنى حضور الجمهور بشكل كبير ودعمهم لنا أمام بالميراس”.

Alongside Obi: Man Utd can unleash their own Nwaneri in 17-year-old starlet

Manchester United face a tough assignment on Sunday afternoon, with Arsenal coming to Old Trafford in the Premier League. The Red Devils will be hoping they can pick up their first win in a couple of games.

United have drawn their last two games 1-1, firstly against Fulham in the FA Cup, who promptly knocked them out on penalties. In midweek, Ruben Amorim’s side drew away from home against Real Sociedad in the Europa League, with a goal from Joshua Zirkzee giving them the lead before the La Liga side equalised with a penalty.

Joshua Zirkzee

Bouncing back with a win against Mikel Arteta’s side would be timely, to say the least. Amorim could well select a couple of former Gunners players at Old Trafford, too.

The former Arsenal players United could unleash

In the summer, United brought in highly-rated young striker Chido Obi from the Gunners. His contract at the Emirates Stadium expired almost one year ago now, and United pounced. After impressing in the academy, he has since gone on to play in the first team.

Obi has played three games for Amorim’s side so far, impressing in the FA Cup recently against Fulham. Across normal time and extra time, he had three big chances, and showed real initiative to fashion opportunities for himself.

The other ex-Arsenal star United could unleash on Sunday is Ayden Heaven. The defender joined the Red Devils in January, as one of Amorim’s first signings. His contract was set to expire in the summer, but United paid a £1.5m compensation fee to bring him to the club sooner.

Heaven made his first appearance in the FA Cup penalty loss to Fulham last weekend. He played the entirety of extra time and made a big impression at left centre-back.

He received a 7/10 from Goal journalist Richard Martin, who said the United number 26 was ‘excellent’.

Former Arsenal talents Obi and Heaven might not be the only youngsters United to start against the Gunners, however.

Man Utd could have unearthed their own Nwaneri

One of the most exciting talents in the Premier League this season is Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri. He has been excellent this term for his boyhood club, scoring eight times and grabbing an assist in 27 appearances.

Well, United can’t unleash Nwaneri this weekend, but they could start someone very similar, Jack Fletcher. Like the Arsenal wonderkid, the England under-18 international is a 17-year-old left-footer, who typically operates in an attacking midfield berth.

The youngster has made a big impression for United’s academy sides this season. Across all competitions, he has played 15 games, scoring six goals and registering six assists, mainly operating as a number ten.

Fletcher’s academy record for United – 2024/25

Competition

Games

Goals

Assists

Premier League 2

6

2

3

UEFA Youth League

3

0

1

FA Youth Cup

3

2

2

EFL Trophy

2

2

0

Under-18s Premier League

1

0

0

Stats from Transfermarkt

It is not too far-fetched to think that the “marvellous” youngster, as he was described by the Daily Mail’s Nathan Salt, will be involved against the Gunners.

Fletcher, who is the son of United legend Darren, has been on the bench five times this season, including once under Amorim against Tottenham Hotspur.

Chalkboard

In United under-18’s recent FA Youth Cup triumph against the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium, Fletcher actually got himself on the scoresheet.

The youngster’s goal was described as “stunning” by Laurie Whitwell, journalist for The Athletic. Impressively, it was taken on his weak foot, his right foot.

Playing Fletcher against Arsenal would be a bold call from Amorim. He is yet to make his first-team debut, and this would certainly be throwing him in at the deep end. However, his quality is clear to see.

If Amorim was to bring Fletcher into the side, he would certainly hope he can replicate Nwaneri’s impact in the Gunners’ first team, and have a positive impact for United.

Forget Garnacho: Amorim can unleash Man Utd teen who's the next Rooney

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Rizek comenta sobre violência nos estádios brasileiros e fala em 'despreparo' das autoridades públicas

MatériaMais Notícias

Através do Twitter, o apresentador do ‘Seleção Sportv’, André Rizek, manifestou sua opinião sobre os últimos dois casos de violência no futebol brasileiro. O jornalista apontou o policiamento nos estádios como os responsáveis pelos incidentes.

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-Quem já frequentou arquibancada sabe o quanto a polícia no Brasil é, também, responsável pela violência que deveria combater. Só ontem, vimos enorme despreparo em Santos e no Mineirão, contra torcedores do Corinthians e do Fluminense. Os clubes se manifestaram, cobertos de razão – afirmou Rizek.

O comunicador se refere aos dois episódios de violência envolvendo torcedores e policiais, nos duelos de volta das oitavas de finais da Copa do Brasil.

Antes da bola rolar no campo do Mineirão, para a partida entre Cruzeiro e Fluminense, do lado de fora do estádio, aconteceu uma confusão entre mineiros e cariocas. O embate se estendeu para as arquibancadas e cruzeirenses e tricolores voltaram protagonizaram mais cenas lamentáveis. O policiamento teve que intervir.

Ao longo da partida, muitas provocações e uma constante sensação de que algum confronto poderia voltar a acontecer. O patrulhamento foi reforçado no setor. Um torcedor chegou a ser levado para fora do setor visitante no intervalo.

+Torcidas de Fluminense e Cruzeiro entram em conflito no Mineirão antes de jogo da Copa do Brasil

Na madrugada desta quarta-feira (13), a torcida do Corinthians foi isolada do ônibus que trazia os jogadores para um hotel em Santos. Local onde a delegação passará a noite antes da partida de volta das oitavas da Copa do Brasil, contra o Peixe.

A barreira policial colocada na entrada da rua em que o Corinthians chegou, impossibilitando que a Fiel chegasse perto do elenco alvinegro.

+ Corinthians chega a Santos com forte repressão policial contra torcedores e delegação isolada

Por conta da repressão dos agentes ao seus torcedores, o Corinthians emitiu uma notalamentando o procedimento adotado.

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Firdose Moonda04-Feb-2023

The captains pose with the trophy with the Table Mountain at the back•ICC/Getty Images

The world’s elite female cricketers will have to find a way to manage their expectations and emotions when the Women’s T20 World Cup collides with the Women’s Premier League auction on February 13. About 45 players (including the entire Indian squad) competing in the ICC tournament, which starts on Friday, could be picked in the WPL. Up to seven overseas players, of which one must be from an Associate nation, can be picked per team and all of them could enjoy the biggest payday of their careers. Understandably, there will be some distraction.”It’s the elephant in the room,” Sophie Devine, the New Zealand captain, said at the T20 World Cup captains’ pressers. “It’s a really unique experience. It’s enormous. You talk about glass ceilings and I think the WPL is going to be the next stage. I am really excited about it. As female cricketers, this is something we have never been through before. On every scale, it’s going to be awkward. That’s the word we have spoken about.”The difficulties could come from the amount of money on offer, which has not been seen in the women’s game before. The WPL teams will have a purse of INR 12 crore (US $1.46 million approx.) – which is around eight times smaller than the last men’s IPL purse of INR 95 crore (US $11.5 million approx.) – but promises to hand some players a substantial financial boost. Conversely, it will also let others down.Related

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“Some people are going to get picked up; some people won’t,” Devine said. “And you are going to get a value attached to what you are worth which, as human beings, is not the nicest [thing], to be perfectly honest. But it’s also a job and it’s what we’ve put our names in for.”Devine called it an “enormous step for women’s cricket”, but admitted that one would be “naive to think that it’s not going to be a distraction”. New Zealand would have played their tournament opener two days before the auction and will be gearing up for their second match on the auction day. How the players deal with that, Devine said, is “going to be up to each individual”.Australia, who are New Zealand’s opponents on February 11, are not in action on the auction day and are looking forward to following the event while also hoping to avoid being overly attached to any outcomes.”Personally, I’m really excited about it and I know the girls are as well,” Meg Lanning, the Australia captain, said. “We are focusing on what we are trying to do here, which is the most important thing. There’s no right or wrong way to go about it. Everyone will deal with it as they wish.”We’ve spoken as a team about letting people deal with it how they feel is best because, as Sophie said, it’s a little bit awkward and it’s just trying to embrace that and understand that it’s actually a really exciting time and you don’t have a lot of control over it. We’ve just got to wait and see.”All eyes will, of course, be on the Indian players who will play Pakistan on the eve of the auction, which remains their immediate concern. “Before that [the auction], we have a very important game and we are just going to focus on that,” India captain Harmanpreet Kaur said.But she could not avoid mentioning the magnitude of the auction, for Indian players in particular. “It’s a really big day for all of us because we have been waiting for years and years now. The next two or three months are very important for women’s cricket. We have seen how the WBBL and the Hundred have helped their countries improve their cricket. Hopefully, the same will happen for our country.”Harmanpreet, who has played in the Kia Super League, WBBL and Hundred, said she was looking forward to seeing young Indian talent share the dressing room with overseas stars.”That is something which has a very different feeling. When I got that opportunity, it was the biggest life-changing moment. Other girls will also experience this. It will be a great opportunity to improve cricket and grow the game.”Before any of that happens, India want to double up on their trophy count after their Under-19 women’s team won the inaugural age-group World Cup last week. “The World Cup is more important than anything else,” Harmanpreet said. “Our focus is on the ICC trophy. These things will keep coming, and as a player, you know what’s important for you and how you need to keep your focus. We are all mature enough and know what is important for us.”Harmanpreet Kaur: “When I got that opportunity [to share the dressing room with overseas players, it was the biggest life-changing moment”•Getty Images

International cricket could retain pride of place in the women’s game, according to England’s skipper Heather Knight, who has recently completed a masters degree in leadership in sport. Knight’s dissertation focused on the rise of franchise cricket and though she hasn’t “got my grade yet so I don’t know if it’s going to be any good so I could be talking rubbish”, she hopes that the women’s game can find a “nice dynamic between the franchise leagues and international cricket”.Knight pointed to the men’s game, where clashes between franchise and international duty are becoming more common, and said that while she supports the growth of leagues she hopes the women’s game can find a “sweet spot” to balance them with bilateral series.”Franchise cricket and these tournaments are a really good thing but what’s the dynamic to make international cricket and domestic cricket thrive? That’s the sweet spot,” she said. “You’ve seen in the men’s game, [franchises] started to take over a little bit. I think in the women’s game you can have a really nice dynamic between the franchise leagues and international cricket. International cricket needs a bit of help to be able to do that but it’s a hugely exciting time. I am hugely excited for the future of the game and the opportunities that are developing not just for players. You see Rachael Haynes has been picked as a coach and I think a lot of where the game has got to, and those past players and how they’ve contributed to where the game is at.”Like Devine, Lanning and Harmanpreet, Knight also couldn’t hide her enthusiasm for the WPL and believed it would change the landscape of the women’s game. “It’s an exciting time in women’s cricket and things are changing very fast,” she said. “There are lots of franchise competitions popping up. and it’s going to create a really interesting dynamic. I think it’s absolutely brilliant for the game. The women’s IPL is going to be a complete game-changer. The money that’s going to come in and the perceptions of the women’s game around the world as well – other boards will look at it and think they’ve got to catch up here.”I really hope this accelerates the shift in a lot of different countries.”

Pakistan crush New Zealand by 102 runs to become No. 1 ODI team

Babar (107) and Salman (58) excelled with the bat before Usama Mir’s ODI best stopped NZ well short

Danyal Rasool05-May-2023

Babar Azam celebrates after bringing up his 18th ODI hundred•PCB

After a somewhat off-colour performance where Pakistan allowed New Zealand to get close to them, this was back to business for the hosts. A century from Babar Azam – his 18th in ODIs – helped Pakistan post an intimidating 334 for 6 after being put in to bat.It was then up to the bowlers, who were at their ruthless best, to shut New Zealand out. The game as a contest was over well before the final wicket fell and New Zealand folded for 232, putting Pakistan up 4-0 in the five-match series and at the top of the ICC rankings for ODI teams in the process.From the moment the chase began, it was apparent that keeping up with the asking rate would be a problem for New Zealand. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf were metronomically accurate and fearsomely fast in the powerplay, and Will Young and Tom Blundell are not natural aggressors. The two fell within two overs of each other after a sedate start.Both were, to their credit, dismissed seeking boundaries their side desperately needed. Mohammad Wasim struck off his first ball, with Young spooning it high into the night sky for a straightforward catch, before Blundell failed to get elevation on a drive off Rauf, the ball heading straight to Iftikhar Ahmed in the covers.The period of stagnation through the third-wicket stand that followed, between Daryl Mitchell and Tom Latham, was probably what ultimately did New Zealand’s chances. A total of 83 painstaking runs were scored at a rate under five, but the asking rate had climbed to around 8.50 by then. Usama Mir – who did his World Cup chances no harm with an excellent display deputising for Shadab Khan – drew Mitchell into a stroke that caused his downfall.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

The stand between Latham and Mark Chapman, which followed, was New Zealand’s brightest passage, as Chapman dispensed with all conservatism. The two put on 55 in 43 balls with Chapman taking the lead, smashing Iftikhar and Agha Salman out of the attack with 34 in three overs.But the fast bowlers returned, and Afridi cleaned up Latham yet again for a well-made, if less than explosive, 76-ball 60. Chapman continued to flay the bowling, but a quicker one from Mir saw his stumps knocked back for a 33-ball 46. Thereafter, New Zealand’s resistance melted away. Mir helped himself to a couple more wickets to register career-best figures of 4 for 43, and Pakistan secured a 102-run win.Earlier, another Babar hundred helped Pakistan to a total that always looked well beyond New Zealand. Across an innings where he also became the quickest player to 5000 ODI runs, the batters – especially Babar and Salman – were in control for the most part on a flat pitch. However, New Zealand, spearheaded by Matt Henry, punctured Pakistan regularly enough to ensure the total wouldn’t completely get out of hand. Some late Mohammad Haris and Afridi fireworks ensured that the platform Pakistan’s middle order had set would lead to a big enough total.Pakistan rung the changes in after sealing the series already, and Shan Masood – who replaced Imam-ul-Haq – guided Pakistan through the powerplay with characteristic ease after Henry removed Fakhar Zaman early with a similar delivery to the one that got him the previous game, the back-of-a-length ball miscued high into the air.The innings continued to cruise on autopilot through a 50-run, ten-over stand between Masood and Babar, before sharp work behind the stumps from Blundell saw Masood fall to Ish Sodhi. With Pakistan’s reliance on the top order well-known, the fall of Mohammad Rizwan after a Henry direct-hit caught him short would’ve given Pakistan the wobbles. But in that moment of slight adversity, Salman rose magnificently.Usama Mir registered career-best figures of 4 for 43•AFP/Getty Images

Exquisite with the sweep and reverse sweep, as well as commanding in his use of footwork, Salman cranked through the gears to put New Zealand on the back foot again. With a straight six off Cole McConchie, he brought up a 40-ball half-century as well as the hundred partnership between him and Babar.Babar had blended into the background but he still eased past 50, as he usually does in ODIs. By the time Henry pouched a stunning return catch to dismiss Salman, Babar was just 12 away from his century, and content to let Iftikhar lead.Iftikhar assembled an entertaining cameo – 28 off 22 – before Babar tickled one through the off side to bring up his century in 113 balls. When Babar holed out to deep midwicket to give Ben Lister his first wicket on ODI debut, Pakistan had got stuck somewhat, with two overs to go and still not past 300.Wasim and Shaheen remedied, plundering 38 off the final two overs, also making compelling cases to bat higher up. The four sixes and two fours between them meant they had done enough to break New Zealand’s spirits. In reality, Pakistan’s bowling demonstrated the Afridi-Wasim cameos merely added flourish to what was a near-guaranteed victory anyway.

موعد والقناة الناقلة لمباراة مانشستر سيتي ويوفنتوس اليوم في كأس العالم للأندية

يواجه فريق مانشستر سيتي خصمه يوفنتوس الإيطالي، في منافسات بطولة كأس العالم للأندية، التي تقام في الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية.

ويستضيف ملعب “كامبنج وورلد”، مباراة مانشستر سيتي ويوفنتوس، في إطار الجولة الثالثة من مباريات المجموعة السابعة لمنافسات بطولة كأس العالم للأندية 2025.

اقرأ أيضًا.. قائمة ريال مدريد لمباراة سالزبورج في كأس العالم للأندية.. موقف مبابي

ويحتل يوفنتوس صدارة ترتيب المجموعة السابعة في كأس العالم للأندية برصيد 6 نقاط، وهو نفس رصيد مانشستر سيتي والذي يحتل المركز الثاني بترتيب المجموعة.

وتمكن الفريقان من التأهل إلى منافسات دور الـ16، لكن هذه المباراة ستحدد المتأهل في صدارة ووصافة المجموعة السابعة.

ويشارك مانشستر سيتي في كأس العالم للأندية عن منافسات المجموعة السابعة بجوار يوفنتوس والوداد البيضاوي بالإضافة إلى العين الإماراتي. موعد مباراة مانشستر سيتي ويوفنتوس اليوم في كأس العالم للأندية

تنطلق مباراة مانشستر سيتي ويوفنتوس، في تمام الساعة العاشرة مساءً بتوقيت “القاهرة”. القناة الناقلة لمباراة مانشستر سيتي ويوفنتوس اليوم في كأس العالم للأندية

تنقل مباراة مانشستر سيتي ويوفنتوس على شبكة “DAZN”.

يُمكنكم متابعة أحداث ونتائج مباريات اليوم لحظة بلحظة من مركز المباريات من هنــــا

Merino repeat: Arteta must unleash Arsenal's "wild horse" in bold new role

As an injury-hit Arsenal toiled away to relegation strugglers Leicester City last month, manager Mikel Arteta looked to his bench in need of inspiration. Up stepped Mikel Merino.

Deployed in an unorthodox centre-forward role for the first time in his senior career, the £31.6m summer signing remarkably bagged a quick-fire brace to seal the win in the closing stages.

Arsenal's Mikel Merinocelebrates scoring their first goal with teammates

With the Gunners devoid of attacking options amid injuries to the likes of Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz, Arteta had successfully rolled the dice, producing a tactical tweak that potentially looked like being a defining one in the title race.

Unfortunately for those in north London, that Merino moment has not provided a springboard for success, with it looking as if the Premier League crown is on its way to Merseyside, barring a shock late collapse in Liverpool.

That said, the continued centre-forward experiment has yielded results of late for the Gunners, with it potentially time to consider replicating that whacky decision with another change of position.

Mikel Merino's record at centre-forward

With Arteta having been without Havertz and Jesus against the Foxes, with Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka also out of action at the time, Merino was viewed as a worthy trial through the middle, after replacing Leandro Trossard late on.

To his credit, the Spaniard delivered, showcasing shades of Olivier Giroud to clinch three points for his side, having since added a further goal and assist against PSV Eindhoven, as well as the winner in the triumph over Chelsea last time out.

That latest effort in the cagey affair with the Blues came courtesy of a delightful, flicked header at the near post, with Arteta praising the way his compatriot is “winning matches” for his side, amid his “incredible” attitude.

As per Transfermarkt, the 28-year-old now boats four goals and an assist in just seven outings in that central role, a record that any natural striker would likely be more than happy with.

Indeed, any centre-forward would be delighted to have finished in the manner that Merino did against the west Londoners on Sunday, with the strikerless visitors potentially ruing their own lack of options through the middle, amid the loss of Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu to injury.

Arsenal vs Chelsea – striker comparison

Stat

Merino

Pedro Neto

Minutes played

90

90

Touches

22

35

Goals

1

0

Assists

0

0

Key passes

0

0

Pass accuracy

91%

83%

Successful dribbles

0/0

0/2

Total duels won

5/15

1/7

Possession lost

5x

11x

Stats via Sofascore

As Arteta indicated, the one-time Newcastle United man showed his “value” in that tense tussle, leading the line effectively after winning five duels and recording a solid 91% pass accuracy, while getting on the scoresheet despite registering just 22 touches.

The elegant left-footer may not prove the man to take Arsenal to the title, but he has been a more than adequate stopgap. Perhaps, Arteta should consider repeating the experiment with Riccardo Calafiori.

Arteta could now repeat Arsenal's Merino experiment

What has been so impressive regarding Merino’s impact is that he hasn’t exactly been aided by those around him, excluding the tie with PSV, with Leandro Trossard looking particularly off the boil against Enzo Maresca’s side.

The Belgian winger failed to register a single key pass nor successfully complete a single dribble during his 90-minute outing, having simply offered little in the way of a threat down the left flank.

With just four goals and five assists to his name in the league this season, Trossard has hardly ripped it up, in truth, and with the aforementioned Martinelli only just making his return from injury, an alternative solution could be considered in that left-wing berth.

It could be argued that having already thrust Kieran Tierney into that attacking role of late, Arteta could repeat the trick with Calafiori, with teenage sensation Myles Lewis-Skelly having seemingly locked down the left-back berth.

Calafiori has largely operated as a centre-back or a left-back to date, although he has previously lined up as a left winger, a point outlined by Italian journalist Daniele Vierri upon the 22-year-old’s arrival last summer:

Beautifully described as “like a wild horse on the loose” by the Telegraph’s Sam Dean, the Italy international has already showcased the threat he can pose in the final third, having popped up in an advanced position to score away in the 7-1 rout of PSV.

The former Bologna man’s potentially untapped attacking potential was also on show amid his pin-point strikes against both Manchester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier in the campaign, illustrating what an outlet he could be as a more permanent part of the front line.

Much like in the case of Merino, this bold new role should certainly not be a long-term solution – not with Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams again a reported summer target – yet if Arteta is looking for a short-term fit, he could do worse than trial Calafiori further forward.

Let that ‘wild horse’ roam free…

£38m Arsenal star is now "one of the best signings of the Emirates era"

Arsenal have certainly struck gold with this signing…

ByMatt Dawson Mar 17, 2025

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