علق خوسيه ريبيرو المدير الفني للأهلي على التعادل مع بورتو البرتغالي في ختام مشوار الفريق بمرحلة المجموعات لبطولة كأس العالم للأندية 2025.

وتلاقى الأهلي مع بورتو البرتغالي فجر اليوم الثلاثاء، في إطار منافسات الجولة الثالثة من دور مجموعات البطولة، المُقامة حاليًا في أمريكا.

وانتهت المباراة بتعادل إيجابي بين الفريقين، بأربعة أهداف لمثلها، ليودعا البطولة سويًا، في حين تأهل بالميراس وإنتر ميامي من المجموعة الأولى.

وقال ريبيرو في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر قناة “إم بي سي مصر”: “لعبنا مباراة جيدة للغاية، حاولنا السيطرة على اللعب وكان الأداء مميزًا، والفريقان بذلا جهدًا كبيرًا، وكانت الأجواء والظروف الجوية مهيئة”.

طالع | عادل عبد الرحمن يطالب الأهلي بإبرام صفقات جديدة: نعاني من مشاكل كبيرة

وأكمل: “كان هناك العديد من الفرص الضائعة، وسعينا لإظهار قدرتنا الكبيرة خلال مباراة اليوم”.

وعن رسالته لمشجعي الأهلي؟، أوضح: “الأجواء بدت وكأننا نلعب في القاهرة، لم أعتد على مثل هذه الأجواء من قبل، وكل شيء كان يجري بسرعة، ولم أرَ مثل هذا الحماس من قبل، وكان للجماهير دور كبير جدًا في المباراة، وكانت تجربة رائعة”.

Clayton and Street defy Victoria’s pace attack late on day three, but Queensland still need 285 runs for victory

Tristan Lavalette11-Feb-2023

Mitch Perry produced another fine innings as nightwatcher•Getty Images

Jack Clayton and Bryce Street defied Victoria’s emerging pace attack late on day three, but Queensland still faced an uphill battle to escape defeat in a pivotal Sheffield Shield clash at the MCG.Chasing a tough 350 runs in four sessions, Queensland lost opener Joe Burns and Sam Truloff early before reaching stumps at 2 for 65 in their second innings.Street and Clayton then thwarted Victoria’s late charge with a gritty half-century partnership to revive Queensland’s hopes.Victoria, however, remain in the box seat in what has been a low-scoring contest, but their bid for victory could be impacted by possible inclement weather in Melbourne on Sunday.As the Shield season resumes after a two-month break, with four of ten rounds left, Victoria can leapfrog second-placed Queensland with an outright win. They gained a stranglehold with early strikes starting with Burns being cleaned bowled by quick Fergus O’Neill for 6.It capped a disappointing comeback for Burns, who made only two runs in Queensland’s first innings after returning from a hamstring injury sustained in the BBL season opener.Queensland slumped further when Truloff fell lbw to towering seamer Cameron McClure although the ball appeared to be missing the leg stump. The Bulls’ luck appeared to change when Clayton was given not out on 2 after being hit on the pads by a good length delivery from quick Mitchell Perry.Clayton made the most of his good fortune to combine with Street, who faced 102 balls for his 16 runs. Scoring was difficult against a disciplined Victoria attack, but they eventually reduced Queensland’s target on the final day to 285 runs.Queensland slowly clawed back into the contest after being on the back foot for most of the match, having trailed in the first innings by 132 runs.Victoria started day three on 2 for 21 in their second innings and lost the early wickets of opener Travis Dean and Campbell Kellaway.But nightwatcher Perry made a career-best 75 and combined in a century partnership with Matthew Short, who struck a measured half-century in a contrast to his belligerent batting during the BBL.Left-handed Perry has a liking for the nightwatcher role, having played several indefatigable knocks previously, including 74 against WA last season.He eyed a maiden century before slicing to backward point off quick Mark Steketee, who was finally rewarded for his toil.Victoria lost a slew of wickets in an attempt for quick runs and were bowled out for 217 on the stroke of tea. Emerging allrounder Xavier Bartlett claimed the spoils for the Queensland attack with 4 for 32 from 14 overs.With five players backing up from Brisbane Heat’s barnstorming BBL campaign, which ended in a painful final’s defeat to Perth Scorchers a week ago, Queensland have looked lethargic at times but will need to summon a mighty batting effort on the final day to avoid defeat.

Liverpool are flying high this season, with Manchester City’s staggering collapse raising hope that the Premier League title can be lifted at Anfield. Arne Slot’s Reds are currently four points clear with a game in hand, after all.

But the season is long and winding, and the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea have kept hot on Liverpool’s heels, especially so after the Merseyside derby was called off due to adverse weather conditions last weekend.

The festive period is known to foil many a hopeful Premier League team, but Liverpool will be confident in their faculty to overcome any wintry hindrances, especially with key players returning from injury.

Although the Anfield side have eclipsed expectations so far this term, there’s always room for improvement, and it might be wise for FSG to sanction some winter transfer activity.

Why Liverpool need a January signing

Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa have returned to first-team training, which has given a major boost to the fluency and rotation of Liverpool’s frontline.

But several key members of Liverpool’s defence remain sidelined, and though the midfield has been impressive this season, there’s a sense that Liverpool could do with a new part to ensure the hard-working engine room keeps purring as dreams of silver begin to become more concrete over the coming months.

Liverpool missed out on their big summer transfer target last summer, and though this hasn’t affected the midfield, the man in question would have been a wonderful addition – and he might still be.

Liverpool transfer news

As per The Times, Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi is growing accustomed to the idea of leaving the Basque Country in 2025, having rejected the concerted efforts of Richard Hughes to bring him to Anfield at the start of the 2024/25 season.

The £50m-rated Spain international’s openness to moving has again ‘alerted’ Slot and co, although he is also on Man City and Arsenal’s radar. Though Liverpool’s summer efforts will potentially hand them a boost, their Premier League rivals will be sure to present compelling cases.

Zubimendi’s decision to reject the Reds’ approach opened the door for an existing member of Slot’s squad, but there’s no reason why the pair cannot cohabit in the number six role.

What Martin Zubimendi would bring to Liverpool

So far this season, Ryan Gravenberch has started every fixture spanning Liverpool’s Premier League and Champions League campaigns, with his withdrawal after the hour mark at St. James’ Park last week making for the first minutes missed all term.

Slot clearly has a lot of trust in the dynamic, press-resistant midfielder, but he looked fatigued at Newcastle. Slot doesn’t favour Alexis Mac Allister in the deep-sitting role and Wataru Endo has scarcely featured all season, his tough-tackling style saved for late moments when Liverpool need grit.

Bringing a player of Zubimendi’s ilk could be the dimension provider that Liverpool need to achieve their lofty goals over the business months of the season.

Last term, Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool were knocked out of kilter toward the final stages, burned out, and it’s paramount that the same issue does not strike twice under Slot’s wing, for the Reds are in a fantastic position to claim some silverware before the summer.

Matches (starts)

14 (14)

16 (15)

Goals

0

1

Assists

1

1

Touches*

73.8

68.1

Pass completion

89%

85%

Key passes*

0.6

0.6

Dribbles*

0.9

0.8

Ball recoveries*

5.4

4.4

Tackles + interceptions*

3.9

3.8

Total duels (won)*

5.5 (63%)

5.9 (64%)

Given that Gravenberch has been widely regarded as one of the finest midfielders on English shores this season, it’s curious to note that Zubimendi operates at a similar level over in La Liga, such is his quality, with Spain manager Luis de la Fuente even hailing him as one of “the best centre-midfielders in the world.”

It would be a fantastic deal for Liverpool to make, one that might even elevate Slot’s fledgling project to an even higher level. Who knows, perhaps it would even prove to be the Dutch coach’s own Virgil van Dijk signing.

The club’s towering captain has been a pillar of strength and leadership since he arrived from Southampton in January 2018, in a deal worth £75m – a world record for a defender at the time.

Before Van Dijk’s arrival, Klopp’s Liverpool were an entertaining team with an unforgiving frontline, but they lacked balance and security in the defensive third. It was a team that pulled fans from their seats but threw them back down slumped after error-stricken, authority-bereft defensive displays.

Van Dijk changed all that, rewrote the narrative and supercharged a quest toward the biggest honours. It was he who served as the transformative figure and cemented Klopp’s legacy as one of the greatest in Liverpool’s rich history.

Now, Zubimendi can do the same. The 25-year-old Spaniard is already regarded as a “world-class” player in his homeland, as Spanish football writer Alexandra Johnson has said, and is on the radar of England’s biggest and best outfits.

Like Gravenberch, he plays a loose and influential role in the centre of the field, capable of collecting and driving forward while playing balls to well-placed teammates, who can then surge into dangerous areas. Think of Mohamed Salah, arcing in from the right, finding a sharp delivery that is not only perfectly weighted but posted at the perfect time. With regularity.

He could combine with Trent Alexander-Arnold, while enhancing the qualities of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, perhaps providing the latter with more opportunities to raise his potency in front of goal.

While £50m would be a big winter outlay for FSG, it feels unreasonable to expect Gravenberch to continue without any real competition across the duration of the campaign. Imagine if the Netherlands star picks up a month-long injury in the new year. Detrimental.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

It’s a deal that needs to be completed, especially with Arsenal and City lurking. Having patiently waited to land Van Dijk after missing out in the summer of 2017, perhaps a similar scenario can also occur with regard to Zubimendi’s capture.

Liverpool hit gold selling Klopp's "genius" who’s now worth less than Endo

This has proved to be one of the most important Liverpool sales in modern history.

ByAngus Sinclair Dec 12, 2024

In Bangladesh on a commentary stint, Morne van Wyk is exploring an aspect of life outside the game. His focus, however, remains on staying prepared for any opportunities to play for South Africa again

Mohammad Isam09-Jul-2015During the T20 series between Bangladesh and South Africa at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, the commentary box had a surprise visitor. Morne van Wyk, the man who scored a century in South Africa’s last T20 at home in January this year, was doing commentary for the first time.The mild-mannered wicketkeeper-batsman was one of three commentators for the first game, alongside Athar Ali Khan and Shamim Ashraf Chowdhury, and was joined by former South Africa allrounder Jon Kent for the second game of the series. He has worked as a studio expert back home but is enjoying this new experience, shifting from a role behind the stumps to one behind the microphone.He admitted he was disappointed at being dropped from the national side after getting a good score, an unbeaten 114 he made against West Indies in January this year, but stated he was focused on the 2016 World T20 that is less than a year away.”I think I scored 60-70 odd off 40 balls but also got dropped,” van Wyk told ESPNcricinfo. “I think it was in 2010. It was a T20 game in the Moses Mahbida Stadium. And then I scored a hundred and got dropped [in 2015]. Maybe I should not score runs once or twice and then see what happens [laughs]. I cannot tell you why or how but clearly it is very disappointing. It takes a couple of days to get over it.”Sometimes it is not really about understanding, but focusing on what you have. Certainly that’s what I am going to try to do going forward. It is not over yet. There’s a World Cup in February and I just have to keep myself ready; stay fit, stay in form. If an opportunity comes knocking, I have to use it.”Van Wyk was realistic about his exclusion saying that he had come into the T20 side in January – his first international appearance since March 2011 – as a replacement for Quinton de Kock, who had injured his ankle. Once the incumbent was deemed fit, van Wyk knew the selectors would have to make a tough choice. But he said that the commentating stint was a good opportunity for him to get a taste of a different profession albeit one connected to cricket.”It was an honor to score a century. It was little disappointing at not being picked but that’s the way it goes,” he said. “The selectors decided to put Quinton back in. I only played the game because he was injured. I suppose they had to decide whether to give me another game after the hundred or not.”Clearly they decided to give Quinton another opportunity. Life’s got a way of working out. Because of that I got an opportunity to come to Bangladesh and to commentate. It is my third time to Bangladesh. I thoroughly enjoy it. I love the passion people have for cricket. (Commentary is) Something I am thoroughly enjoying and if it becomes something I can do after my career, I will count myself very lucky.”I feel very blessed in my career. I have experienced a lot from World Cups and numerous records, highlights to winning trophies, international Man of the Match, the hundred. I have been privileged to captain teams for a long time. I am loving my time at the Dolphins,” said van Wyk.He revealed he had hopes of a shot at a World Cup spot if de Kock was not fit. “I think my name was definitely in the hat. But you know in all fairness, the hundred was in a T20. I think it all depended whether Quinton’s ankle came right or not. If he hadn’t gone, I would have gone I assume.”He turned out to be fit enough to play. So they took him. I was in the mix. I have been in the mix for a couple of World Cups. If it was a squad of 16-17, I would have been to a couple of World Cups. It wasn’t the case, it wasn’t meant to be,” he said.Van Wyk said he felt like he was making his debut all over again when he started doing commentary on Sunday. By the next game, he was out conducting the toss with Mashrafe Mortaza, his one-time Kolkata Knight Riders team-mate, and Faf du Plessis, his captain from last January.”I think from a cricketing point of view, I have played first-class cricket for 16-17 years. A lot of those things are very natural to me now. As a commentator, it is a completely new ball game so it almost felt like I have made my debut again on Sunday. Everything has been so different,” he said.

In the 2016/17 season, West Ham United spent around £69.5m on 13 new additions to their squad, ten of which joined on permanent deals, and three of which signed on temporary deals with a loan fee being paid.

The biggest deal of that season was the signing of Andre Ayew from Swansea for around £20.5m. The Ghana international made 50 appearances for the Hammers, netting 12 goals and providing five assists in his 2,882 minutes played.

West Ham 2016/17 signings
Player	Fee (£)
Andre Ayew	£20.5m
Manuel Lanzini	£10m
Robert Snodgrass	£10m
Jose Fonte	£7.6m
Arthur Masuaku	£5.9m
Edimilson Fernandes	£5.3m
Sofiane Feghouli	£0
Havard Nordtveit	£0
Alvaro Arbeloa	£0
Ashley Fletcher	£0
Data taken from Transfermarkt

Manuel Lanzini, Robert Snodgrass, Jose Fonte, Edimilson Fernandes, Sofiane Feghouli, Havard Nordtveit, Alvaro Arbeloa and Ashley Fletcher were the other permanent transfers made, alongside one more permanent deal, who went on to be a key man for the Hammers, Arthur Masuaku.

As it happens, he’s now playing rather well away from the London Stadium.

Arthur Masuaku's time at West Ham in numbers

The left-back, who was 22-years-old at the time, was signed by Slaven Bilic, and made 16 appearances in his debut season, providing one assist, contributing to five clean sheets, and totalling 1,247 minutes played.

Masuaku went on to make 128 appearances for West Ham, scoring two goals and providing ten assists, featuring for over 8,700 minutes during his years in the capital.

West Ham went to sell the Congolese left-back in 2023, joining Besiktas on a permanent deal for around £1.75m. And he’s now outperforming all of West Ham’s creative forwards, including Mohammed Kudus.

Where Are They Now

Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast's Where Are They Now series.

Arthur Masuaku's stats after leaving West Ham

This season for Besiktas, Masuaku has made 17 appearances for the Turkish club, scoring once, and providing three assists in 1,463 minutes played.

It’s a mightily impressive record and showcases just how good the former Hammers full-back has been in forward areas of the pitch.

As it happens, his total goal involvements have been more than one of their star men in Kudus. He has only managed two goals and one assist in his ten games played this campaign, one less goal involvement than Masuaku.

Last campaign, the 24-year-old winger made 45 appearances for the Hammers in his debut season, scoring 14 goals, providing six assists, and totalling 3,781 minutes.

But the Ghana international has struggled to hit the same heights this season, which has left West Ham struggling in the attacking third.

Masuaku vs Kudus comparison
Stats (per 90 mins)	Masuaku	Kudus
Goals	0.08	0.26
Assists	0.15	0.13
Progressive Carries	3.25	5.00
Progressive Passes	3.50	2.75
Shots Total	0.90	3.64
Key Passes	1.00	0.68
Passes into Final Third	5.00	1.62
Tackles	2.00	1.22
Interceptions	1.05	0.13
Stats taken from FBref

From the metrics above, considering Masuaku is playing as a left-back and Kudus is playing on the left-wing, it’s surprising to see that creative numbers are in the defenders’ favour, providing more key passes, more progressive passes, and more assists per 90.

Kudus, on the other hand, scores more goals per 90, and has a higher shot volume, taking 3.64 shots per 90. However, he hasn’t had his shooting boots on this season either, only netting twice which has left the Hammers needing other avenues for goals.

West Ham could rue the decision to sell Masuaku, as he could have provided some extra attacking flair from left-back, bringing extra creativity to help the Hammers attacking quartet and improve on their 13 goals scored this season.

West Ham defender has outscored the whole club bar Bowen after leaving

A former West Ham defender is outscoring every player in Lopetegui’s squad this season – except for Jarrod Bowen.

By
Angus Sinclair

Nov 18, 2024

Chelsea are hoping to continue the momentum that they have built in the early part of the season, despite their midweek stumble against Fulham. The Blues have faltered slightly, falling to third after the 2-1 loss to their West London rivals.

Enzo Maresca’s side were leading with ten minutes to go thanks to a first-half goal from Cole Palmer. However, the Cottagers managed to turn it around at the death. Harry Wilson equalised in the 82nd minute and moments later Rodrigo Muniz scored a winner in stoppage time to win the game.

In many ways, this game highlighted the Blues’ need for a striker, given they had three big chances, as per Sofascore. It is an issue that they have had for many years.

Chelsea’s striker struggles

The West Londoners have had their fair share of impressive strikers. Didier Drogba is perhaps their most prominent, and he scored 164 goals in 381 games for Chelsea.

Nowadays, Nicolas Jackson is first choice, and he too is having a strong season, having scored nine times in the Premier League.

However, there have also been some big names who disappointed at Stamford Bridge. Gonzalo Higuain and Alvaro Morata were two players who joined on loan.

The Argentine came from Juventus, and scored just five goals for the club, with the Spanish striker scoring 24 goals in 72 games. Morata joined permanently from Real Madrid on a £60m deal, before later returning to La Liga to join Atletico Madrid.

Another player who Blues fans expected so much from was Fernando Torres. The Spanish striker joined from Liverpool for a British record of £50m in January 2011. However, he scored just 45 goals in 172 appearances for the Blues.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Andriy Shevchenko was also a player with so many expectations on him when he joined Chelsea from AC Milan. The 2004 Ballon d’Or winner was fantastic for the Rossoneri, with 175 goals, but he managed just 22 goals at Stamford Bridge.

None of those strikers managed to supplement or replace Drogba, and they are seeing a similar issue with Jackson today. However, they have been linked with another big move for a striker from Milan, with Inter striker Lautaro Martinez a target.

Chelsea's search for a striker

A report from Christmas Day by Calcio Mercato referenced the fact the Blues are chasing Martinez, as reported by Argentine news outlet El Grafico. Chelsea are reportedly conducting a ‘search for a true number nine’.

Although it will be ‘a very difficult negotiation’ if they want to sign Martinez, they are believed to be willing to do a player plus cash deal. The players who could be offered to Inter are reportedly Benoit Badiashile, Carney Chukwuemeka and Mykhailo Mudryk.

Martinez, who earns £260k-per-week, as per Capology, would certainly bring goals to the Blues side. He has 135 goals in 303 games for I Nerazzurri, with his best season coming in 2023/24. The Argentine scored 24 goals in 33 Serie A games as Inter won the Scudetto.

This season, the 27-year-old has not fired to the same level yet. He has five goals and three assists in 14 top-flight games.

However, his underlying numbers from last season, and the fact that he scored so many goals, suggest he is ready to explode. As football scout Antonio Mango described him, Martinez is a “beast”.

As per FBref, the 2022 World Cup Winner averaged 0.81 goals per game and 0.5 goals per shot on target in last season’s Serie A. That ranks him in the top 1% and the top 7% of strikers in the top flight of Italy.

Stat (per 90)

Number

Percentile

Goals

0.81

99th

Shots on target

1.49

96th

Goals per shot on target

0.5

93rd

Expected goals

0.6

93rd

Goal-creating actions

0.54

86th

Impressively, Martinez finished seventh in the 2024 Ballon d’Or rankings, a testament to his impressive form over the past 12 months or so. That saw him finish above Palmer, who is the jewel in Chelsea’s crown, suggesting he has even been better than the Englishman in recent months.

That is an impressive feat given the 22-year-old’s record in that famous Blue shirt so far. He has played 65 games, scoring an outrageous 37 goals and grabbing 21 assists in that time. For Martinez to finish above him is commendable work.

Signing the 27-year-old could be a smart move for Chelsea. He is a ready-made striker, full of experience and quality to compete with Jackson.

While the Blues may be concerned over enduring a Shevchenko repeat – with regard to signing a ‘proven’ striker after huge success in Serie A – the hope will be that he can fare better than the legendary Ukrainian.

It might be an expensive deal, but one that could suit the Blues down to the ground.

Jackson upgrade: Chelsea target £94m ace who's "the best 9 in the world"

The sensational striker would make Chelsea far more dangerous.

2 ByJack Salveson Holmes Dec 27, 2024

Leeds United bounced back to winning ways in the Championship on Saturday with a thumping 4-0 victory over Oxford United at Elland Road.

Goals from Dan James, Jayden Bogle, Manor Solomon, and Brenden Aaronson secured all three points for the Whites, after they had failed to beat Preston North End at Deepdale last weekend.

Daniel Farke’s side needed a stoppage-time own goal to seal a point in Lancashire, but they showcased their true quality at the top end of the pitch with a ruthless display in West Yorkshire this time out.

One of the stars of the show for Leeds in the comprehensive victory at Elland Road was Tottenham Hotspur loanee Solomon, who scored his third of the season.

Manor Solomon's performance against Oxford

The forward set up the opening goal by bursting into the box down the left flank before sliding a perfect ball across for James to fire into the back of the net from close range.

Solomon recorded his second assist of the afternoon for the third goal of the game, playing a brilliant pass into the path of Aaronson – who brilliantly controlled and produced a composed finish past Jamie Cumming.

The Israel international then got his name on the scoresheet with a rasping near-post shot that was too powerful for the Oxford goalkeeper, who appeared to let it go through him.

Solomon, who also completed three of his five attempted dribbles, was directly involved in three of the four goals and deserves plenty of praise for his exceptional display on the left flank.

Amid all the praise that will likely come the way of the attacking players who scored or assisted the goals, an unsung hero from the game could be central midfielder Ao Tanaka.

Why Ao Tanaka was the unsung hero

The Japan international was not directly involved in any of the four goals but his outstanding performance in the middle of the park paved the foundations for Farke’s team to dominate and win.

His metronomic presence in possession and tenacious play off the ball helped to facilitate a terrific all-round team display from the Whites against Oxford.

He made one tackle and two interceptions without being dribbled past a single time, which shows that the opposition players struggled to get the better of him in transition moments when the away side did win the ball back.

Minutes

90

Touches

122

Pass accuracy

92%

Passes made

100/109

Duels won

4/6

As you can see in the table above, Tanaka was almost perfect in possession for the Whites, completing a staggering 100 passes – 28 more than central midfield partner Joe Rothwell (72).

Only Ethan Ampadu at centre-back (104) completed more passes than Tanaka and this speaks to how involved the former Fortuna Dusseldorf star was for Leeds, as he was central to the way they built the play and carved open the Oxford defence.

Therefore, the Japanese maestro was the unsung hero of the game for Farke because his sensational display was up there with Solomon’s contributions, despite not registering a goal or an assist.

Leeds now plotting January move to sign "composed" Premier League defender

The Whites have turned their attention towards January.

ByTom Cunningham Dec 21, 2024

Graeme Smith and Mark Boucher are hopeful that the SA20, South Africa’s new franchise T20 league, will help the national team finally win a World Cup.”I actually thought we had a strong team in this World Cup in Australia, I thought we had a good chance,” Smith, the SA20 commissioner, said at an event in Mumbai. “But obviously disappointed with the way we finished. I think what we want to create in this league is that there’s so much talent – hope we can develop that talent to play under pressure on a global stage.”I know I keep talking about the IPL but you look at the amount of strong cricketers that have come through in the IPL,” Smith said. “Looking at trying to find 15 players, hopefully there’s 25-35 players in the next couple of years at a level where it makes the selectors jobs very, very difficult. Those that are used to playing big games, exposed to big games. Unfortunately South Africa has to deal with these questions all the time until they actually win a tournament.”Related

• Inaugural SA20 league to begin on January 10

• SA20 strikes landmark broadcast deal for Indian market

• MI Cape Town vs Paarl Royals to kickstart inaugural SA20

South Africa have not won a men’s World Cup in 16 attempts – eight ODI World Cups and eight T20 World Cups. While they have come close in knockout games a number of times, they failed to make the semi-finals in five of the last six ICC white-ball events. In the 2022 T20 World Cup, South Africa lost their last group match to Netherlands and did not progress to the knockouts.Boucher, whose tenure as South Africa head coach ended after the T20 World Cup, said the IPL – where he will now be coaching Mumbai Indians – was one of the reasons for India’s success in world tournaments. India, however, have won just one World Cup – in 2011 – since the IPL began in 2008.”There’s reasons why you’ve got World Cups in your cabinets,” Boucher said, talking about India. “The reason is big stages, guys playing in finals and semi-finals. The more you play those games the better you get. This [SA20] is going to be on the big stage as well. You’re going to see youngsters. Guys are going to be put in situations they’re not used to and that’s going to be exciting to see who comes through. Then once that happens, our coaches and selectors can check and select the guys who are needed for the big moments and the big events.”South Africa’s direct qualification for the 2023 ODI World Cup, however, hangs in the balance. They are currently at No. 11 in the Super League with only five matches to go, and need to win at least three to try and finish among the top eight teams that get direct qualification for next year’s World Cup.South Africa have won only five of their 16 Super League matches so far, having forfeited three ODIs in Australia to have all their top players available for the start of the SA20 in January.Graeme Smith, pictured here with Mark Boucher, Yuvraj Singh and Anil Kumble at the SA20 event in Mumbai, stressed on the importance of the league for South African cricket as a whole•PTI

Smith said South Africa had brought this situation upon themselves by playing “bad” cricket, and that CSA had no choice but to prioritise the SA20 at that point. CSA’s chief executive Pholetsi Moseki had also said previously that the board had taken a risk of withdrawing from the series against Australia with an eye on “securing the long-term sustainability of the game” in South Africa.”I think South Africa’s World Cup qualification was bad because they played bad. I mean, they had a lot of time to control that,” Smith said. “I think that this three-ODI cancellation, I actually feel for Cricket South Africa in many ways, because I know the effort that went in to move those three ODIs to open up a window for the league. The league will have a window free of international cricket in South Africa, like the IPL, for a period every year.”Australia never travel on Boxing Day or New Year’s. England are never away from home in their summer. It’s incredible that South African cricket still has decided that they’ll earn zero revenues this year because they’re going to Australia for three Test matches. So, I know that they went out of their way with Cricket Australia to find a way to make those three ODIs work, but it just wasn’t practical, and eventually South African cricket had to make a choice … it was going to start its own league and it needed to give it a chance and make a proper statement that it was going to make a success of it.”South Africa have not played a festive series in Australia since 2008, for the reasons Smith mentioned. Former CSA CEO Gerald Majola negotiated in previous FTPs that South Africa would only tour Australia outside of the Christmas-New Year period to maximise revenue at home. This series was decided in the 2019-2023 FTP, which was drafted in the post-Majola era. Cricket South Africa host only one incoming tour this season, against West Indies, but will launch the SA20 this summer.

Josh Sargent has sought to clarify his future at Norwich, with USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino offering no advice when it comes to transfers.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Reputation enhanced in the ChampionshipSummer move being speculated onContact with national coach ahead of World CupFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The 25-year-old striker has cemented his status as one of the most fearsome forwards in the Championship. He has, despite nursing more injuries this season, registered 13 goals in the 2024-25 campaign. Those efforts may not be enough to earn Norwich a play-off spot and another shot at promotion, however.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Sargent is, however, seeing a step up into the Premier League speculated on. He is also said to be interesting teams in the Bundesliga and MLS. Canaries fans were concerned by recent comments from their top marksman in which he claimed to have a “decision” to make this summer.

WHAT JOSH SARGENT SAID

Sargent has now addressed that statement, saying in the : “I'm pretty sure in the first half of that interview I said, 'I have a contract here at Norwich'. I'm very happy. My family's very happy here. It was in no way saying that I'm definitely gone at the end of the season. I'm very happy with the manager of the team. I was just trying to say there will be options. But that's not to say that I'm definitely leaving.

“It's a decision that me and my family are going to have to make. Obviously, the team has to agree to me even leaving in the first place. So as of now, I'm very happy here. With that interview, I didn't try to come off in a bad way. It's become home for my family, and the fans are amazing to me all the time. I have nothing but good things to say about this place. I think it came off a bit in the wrong way. I didn't want to upset anybody like that.”

GettyDID YOU KNOW?

Sargent is hoping to earn a place in the United States’ plans for a home World Cup in 2026. Playing at the highest level will aid that cause, but he added when asked if national team coach Pochettino has nudged him in a certain direction: “I haven't had any discussions with him about that, to be honest.

“When he first came in, we had a good talk. He just asked how things were going at Norwich, and I said good. They're always keeping in touch and always watching the game. In terms of going to another club in my future, he hasn't said anything about that.”

MatériaMais Notícias

da dobrowin： A polêmica entre Jorge Braga e Botafogo vem agitando as redes sociais nesta sexta-feira. Após manifestações de ambas as partes, os advogados do empresário decidiram se posicionar sobre o caso.

A defesa do ex-CEO do Glorioso afirmou, entre outras coisas, que Jorge Braga contornou à invasão de torcedores ao CT Lonier mesmo internado.

RelacionadasBotafogoVíctor Cuesta projeta Botafogo x América-MG e ressalta apoio dos alvinegrosBotafogo09/09/2022BotafogoTchê Tchê revela ter sofrido depressão no São Paulo e destaca nova fase no BotafogoBotafogo09/09/2022BotafogoLoco Abreu ‘invade’ treino do Botafogo e convoca alvinegros para Nilton Santos: ‘Preciso de vocês’Botafogo09/09/2022

da fezbet： +Tem novidades! Veja a convocação da Seleção Brasileira para os amistosos contra Gana e Tunísia

CONFIRA O POSICIONAMENTO DA ASSESSORIA DE JORGE BRAGA

“A respeito da saída do profissional Jorge Braga do cargo de CEO da Botafogo SAF, o advogado Rodrigo Cotta, sócio do escritório de advocacia Salomão, Kaiuca, Abrahão, Raposo e Cotta associados tem o seguinte a esclarecer:

1) O Tribunal de Justiça do Rio proferiu decisão em caráter liminar reconhecendo que a Botafogo SAF esmagou as funções de Braga e impediu que ele exercesse de forma completa o trabalho como CEO do clube;

2) Jorge Braga, mesmo tendo enfrentado uma doença grave durante dois meses, jamais deixou de trabalhar para o clube, fazendo muitas vezes funções fora de seu escopo, sempre no sentido de auxiliar a SAF. Três exemplos práticos entre os milhares de documentos anexados à ação:

a) contornou a invasão do CT pela torcida, em 15/06, quando estava internado no Hospital Albert Einstein;

b) foi pessoalmente verificar o funcionamento de placas de LED e o estado do gramado do Nilton Santos na partida entre Botafogo x Juventude, em 1º de maio, atitude que foi enfatizada pela própria transmissão da Botafogo TV e aplaudida pela torcida;

c) poucos dias após a internação, cirurgia e COVID, foi o único representante da SAF no estádio acompanhando o evento Dia de Cria, em 2/7;

3) Logo após a concretização da negociação, o empresário norte-americano esvaziou os poderes de Jorge Braga, encerrou contratos com fornecedores e patrocinadores e contratou profissionais sem o prévio conhecimento do então CEO. Na prática, Braga
não tinha autonomia para comprar um cafezinho em nome da SAF;

4) O profissional resolveu entrar com ação nesta semana pelo achatamento de função, por não ter recebido salário por quatro meses e pela inadimplência contratual por parte de John Textor com referência ao pagamento de bônus e salário variável.

Também precisou tomar esta atitude para dar seguimento a sua vida profissional, uma vez que estava sob contrato de exclusividade;

5) Nos últimos 120 dias, justamente pelo carinho e admiração que nutre pelo Botafogo,Braga tentou, em vão, uma composição amigável. Foi ludibriado com falsas promessas pelo dono da SAF e não teve outra alternativa senão requerer o rompimento do
contrato e o pagamento de seus direitos;

6) Por fim, o profissional reitera seu respeito aos botafoguenses e à instituição Botafogo, sentimentos que não foram diminuídos em nada apesar das inúmeras atitudes de menosprezo de John Textor, cujo temperamento e falta de respeito a obrigações por ele pessoalmente assumidas põem em risco o futuro da SAF pela qual
Braga tanto trabalhou”.

+Botafogo publica nota oficial e critica saída do CEO Jorge Braga

Jorge Braga chegou ao Botafogo em março do ano passado e vinha participando ativamente do processo de reestruturação do clube. Os desgastes dos últimos meses fizeram com que o empresário deixasse o cargo de CEO e entrasse com uma ação contra a SAF. A novela entre Jorge Braga e Botafogo promete ganhar novos capítulos nos próximos dias.