Tag Futebol

Australian captain Steve Waugh is willing to tour Pakistan but won’t raise the issue when he meets the Australian Cricket Board to discuss his contract tomorrow.

Morgan Beck20-May-2002Australian captain Steve Waugh is willing to tour Pakistan but won’t raise the issue when he meets the Australian Cricket Board to discuss his contract tomorrow.The 36-year-old said if the ACB asked him to go to the troubled region of Pakistan he would.The question would then be what sort of side Waugh would lead. His brother Mark as well as team-mates Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne and vice-captain Adam Gilchrist have all expressed grave reservations about touring.Their reluctance to travel will probably force the ACB to rearrange its second successive series after it aborted the recent trip of Zimbabwe because of security concerns.There has been speculation the series could be played a neutral venue in the middle east or north Africa.Waugh has faith the ACB and the Pakistan Cricket Board will make the right decision, saying he would be on the plane to Pakistan if that’s what the ACB decided.”I will support whatever the board recommend,” he said today.”I’m sure they (ACB) would have done their homework – and yeah, I would (go).”The tour, scheduled for September-October, has been thrown into disarray since 14 people were killed outside the hotel of the touring New Zealand team earlier this month.While Waugh said he would not be raising the issue with the ACB tomorrow, of more immediate interest to Australia’s Test captain will be his place in the one day team.Dropped from that team on the recent tour of South Africa, Waugh will be looking for some clarity on his one day future.”I have a contract meeting tomorrow and I’ll probably get a good gauge as to how they see me in regards to one day cricket and Test cricket,” Waugh said.He said he didn’t feel nervous before these meetings.”No, they are out of my control. The decision has already been made so I tend to not dwell on things I can’t control. Once I get on the field then I can control that and that is what I am concerned about.”Ever the optimist, Waugh said the World Cup next year was still a major priority even though his name was left of the selector’s sheet for June’s one-day series against Pakistan to be played in Brisbane and Melbourne.”I didn’t expect it to be there.”It’s hard to make the Australian side – there’s only 13 players picked and I missed out.”Arriving back last night from Monte Carlo where the Australian side collected the Laureus World Team of the Year award, Waugh was at Randwick race course today spruiking new tights he wears while flying and training.Waugh has suffered from deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and also shin splints in the past, but said heading into this season he’s feeling the best he has for a long-time.”My body feels good, I’m training regularly. My body feels better now than it did 10 years ago, and I haven’t had many injuries,” he said.”I’ve done pretty well over the last 17 years and I’m hoping this season is going to be a good one.”

At the end of four days of fascinating cricket at Bath, Somerset had to settle for a draw from their championship match against Hampshire.Chasing a total of 190 to win off a minimum of 61 overs, the Somerset ninth wicket pair of Keith Dutch(15) and Matt Bulbeck (13) batted out the last seven overs to see the Cidermen hold out for a draw.Earlier in the day Hampshire had been bowled out for 98 runs with Richard Johnson having a dream return by taking 7 for 43 to set up an intriguing target for Somerset to chase.With the score on 118 for 4 after 40 overs the target looked achievable, but when three quick wickets fell shortly afterwards the situation changed and in the end they batted out for the draw and 7 points from the match.After the close of play Kevin Shine told me: "It certainly has been a very interesting day today and a draw was a fair outcome. We fought our way back into the game and were pushing hard for a result all the way, but once Rob Turner was out we decided to shut up shop, which `Dutchy’ and `Bully’ did well for us."He continued: "`Johnno’ bowled really well for us, and it’s just a shame that we couldn’t force the result, but the team spirit is high and we are all looking forward to tomorrows NUL game against Leicestershire."

Hampshire Hawks have lost their third consecutive Norwich Union League match, going down to Lancashire Lightning by 16 runs in a thrilling chase

Farid Bakri23-Jul-2002Hampshire Hawks have lost their third consecutive Norwich Union League match, going down to Lancashire Lightning by 16 runs in a thrilling chase. Stuart Law’s 66 proved to be invaluable for the visitors as his side were skittled out for 163. Despite Neil Johnson’s blistering start, Hampshire Hawks ran out of ammunition as Kyle Hogg returned figures of four for 20 from his eight overs to seal the victory.Having won the toss and elected to bat, Lightning probably wished they had not done so after losing Glenn Chapple and David Byas with the score on only 20. The latter was cleanly bowled by Alan Mullally without scoring. Law joined Mark Chilton at the crease and together they put on a valuable 30 for the third wicket before two more dismissals. Chilton was superbly caught by wicket-keeper Nick Pothas after attempting to cut Dimitri Mascarenhas when the ball was too close to him and Neil Fairbrother’s run of bad form continued as he went for his second consecutive duck in the competition.With the score at 55 for four, the Hawks would have been hoping to wrap up the innings only for Graham Lloyd with 25 and Law to add an important 47 for the fifth wicket. By this time Lightning had begun to regain some composure and would have had hopes of a respectable total, even though the ball was still doing plenty for the seamers.Then Will Kendall caught Lloyd off the bowling of Shaun Udal and Warren Hegg became the second Lancashire batsman to be dismissed without a score to his name.Gary Yates came in at the fall of the sixth wicket and his running between the wickets was energetic as he collected 17 priceless runs. Johnson claimed his second and third wickets of the match after seeing Yates and Law give chances to Derek Kenway and Robin Smith respectively.Lancashire were dismissed for 163 after Kyle Hogg was deceived by Mullally’s slower ball and he was caught by Giles White diving forward in the covers. Peter Martin’s resilient ten came to an end when he gave a regulation catch to the keeper.Johnson began brightly, despatching Chapple to the boundary twice in an over. The first found its way to the advertising board and the latter into the stand, much to the enjoyment of the crowd. The home side’s batting was to go the way of their visitors, however, losing vital wickets at regular intervals.Johnson was caught at third man as he jumped off the ground to make contact with a ball that surely bounced high enough to be called a no ball. He was back in the pavilion with 27 to his name, only to be joined by Kenway (20) and Smith (3) after 25 minutes. At 59 for three the game was firmly in the balance and when Giles White was out ten runs later, Lightning shifted up a gear.John Francis and Pothas had started a revival only for them both to head back to the dressing room within the space of a couple of balls. Chilton claimed the former but it was the re-introduction of Chapple that really spurred Lancashire on. With his first ball back, he had bagged the wicket of Francis for a useful 25.After that Hampshire never looked like winning. John Wood who had already helped to dismiss three batsmen added another to his tally. Kendall looking to get his side back into the game saw his shot fall in the hands of Byas at slip.It was Hogg’s bowling performance of four for 20 that won his side the match. His third wicket was yet another catch but his fourth saw Chris Tremlett lose his stumps for just five.Enter Mullally. His last wicket partnership with Udal was entertaining but in vain. They added 26 and had caused one or two nervous glances at the scoreboard before Mullally was run out by a direct throw from Chilton with the score on 147 and the Red Rose county could leave the Rose Bowl with a victory to savour.

Neil Taylor launched a blistering verbal assault at his team-mates after Bashley (Rydal) crashed to a second consecutive ECB Southern ELectric Premier League defeat against Liphook & Ripsley

Mike Vimpany (as published in Daily Echo)13-May-2002Neil Taylor launched a blistering verbal assault at his team-mates after Bashley (Rydal) crashed to a second consecutive ECB Southern ELectric Premier League defeat against Liphook & Ripsley.He described the team’s overall performance as “lacklustre” and laid the blame for the five-run defeat firmly at the feet of the top order batsmen.”They lacked application,” he said, “Too many of them got themselves out to poor shots.”Taylor, who played for Middlesex at the peak of his career, was furious after Bashley’s poor out-cricket had allowed Liphook to post 210-9 in 50 overs.”For the opening 20 overs, we fielded like a Hampshire Combination West Division League team – and I don’t mean that disrespectfully to the players that turn out in that standard of cricket.”We were awful,” he said.The woeful performance has left Bashley, beaten by one run off the last ball at Calmore last week, anchored to the foot of the table after just two weeks of the season.Teenager Chris Wright (24) and Steve Riley (20) got Liphook away to a positive start, but it was Duncan Berry, batting at six and hitting a forceful 43, who was largely responsible for their challening 210-9.But Bashley’s rank-bad top order batting cost them dear as Tim Wheatley (3-36) and Wright (2-38) had them rocking at 143-6, with only Neil Thurgood (47) making any impact.Seventh wicket pair Shaun Lilley (40) and Taylor (33) added 57 to take Bashley to 200-7.But even 11 runs for victory off the final ten balls of the match proved beyond Bash who, despite Chris Sketchley’s unbeaten 20, lost two more wickets and finished five runs adrift at 205-9.Russell Rowe, last season’s top Premier League run scorer, struck a match winning 114 as South Wilts nailed Bournemouth by five wickets at Chapel Gate.Bournemouth totalled 212-5, but saw their target overhaulled with 11 bals of the match remaining.They made an uncertain start and were struggling at 24-2 against the twin left-arm attack of Hampshire prospect Jimmy Tomlinson and South African Shaun Adam.Martin Miller (26) averted any further immediate slips, but it was largely due to Julian Cassell (52) and Geoff Warrington (44), who added 96, that the Sports Club were able to set a 200-plus target.Richard Scott (32) and Dave Kidner added a crucial 51 as Bournemouth reached 212-5.Scott (4-38) removed Paul Draper at 36, but was unable to break the scoring routine of Rowe and his team-mates.”They hit the ball at catchable height before the fielders all the time and not once – until it was almost too late – did we manage to lay a hand on the ball,” bemoaned Bournemouth vice-captain Martin Miller.Rowe, surviving a stumping chance, went on to hit two sixes and ten fours, and received significant support from Tom Caines (38) during a key 118-run third-wicket partnership.Scott returned to the attack to great effect – three wickets falling for one run at 199 – but his burst came too late to deny South Wilts a five-wicket win.Andover were cock-a-hoop after beating Calmore Sports by 49 runs to notch a second consecutive win.Mark Miller (44) held things together at the top of the Andover order after James Hibberd (2-35) had struck a double blow.But it was Ian Langdown’s undefeated 53 which hoisted Andover to 201-7.Calmore’s top order was ripped apart by Dean Woodhouse (2-24) and Richard Taylor (3-18) and defeat was always likely as the visitors nose-dived to 63-6 (Hibberd 25).David Rouse (25) and James Lucy (23) rallied late on and lifted Calmore’s reply to 152 all out.

Former Leeds United defender Danny Mills doesn’t believe Derek McInnes would be a good managerial appointment for West Brom.

The Lowdown: McInnes linked with Baggies

The Baggies will spend the 2021/22 campaign in the Championship and are currently without a manager, following Sam Allardyce’s departure at the end of last season.

A number of names have been linked with taking charge at the Hawthorns, will McInnes one of them, according to a report from Football Insider.

The 49-year-old left his job as Aberdeen manager back in March, following eight years with the Scottish Premiership club.

The Latest: Mills unconvinced

Speaking to Football Insider, Mills admitted he thinks McInnes would be an ‘underwhelming’ choice as manager:

“He’s not a big name in any way shape or form. He’s not seriously inspiring in terms of prowess and records.

“He may well be a very good coach. On the face of it, you would say it’s a little bit underwhelming.”

The Verdict: Better options out there

While McInnes did a good job at Aberdeen over a long period of time, there should be reservations about him making the step up the Championship – arguably one of the most competitive leagues in Europe.

Someone like Chris Wilder would represent a stronger option, for example, considering he secured a top-half finish in the Premier League with Sheffield United in 2019/20 and proved he can drag a team up from the second tier in the season prior.

West Brom need to acquire the services of someone who can take the Baggies straight back into the top-flight – McInnes doesn’t necessarily look like that man based on his recent pedigree.

In other news, one West Brom player is reportedly on the verge of leaving the club. Find out who it is here.

Celtic have agreed a compensation fee with Yokohama F Marinos for their manager Ange Postecoglou.

What’s the story?

The Premiership giants have applied for an exemption with UEFA for the 55-year-old tactician to be allowed to take a job in Europe. Postecoglou doesn’t currently hold the required UEFA Pro Licence, but it’s possible to apply for a “recognition of competence procedure” to bypass the issue.

According to Sky Sports, the Hoops are confident that the former Australia national team manager’s extensive career at club and international level will see him granted an exemption and have reportedly agreed a compensation fee with the Japanese club to pave the way for his move to Parkhead.

“Mr Postecoglou does not currently hold the UEFA Pro Licence,” said a UEFA spokesperson.

“A recognition of competence procedure has been initiated. The process could take several weeks. We don’t have any further information to provide at this stage.”

Fans will be buzzing

Celtic have been without a permanent manager since Neil Lennon resigned back in February following a horrendous run of form. The Glasgow side were hoping to win a record-breaking 10th league title in a row last season, but an awful campaign saw them finish 25 points behind fierce rivals Rangers.

Several first team stars are expected to depart Parkhead over the coming months, with the likes of Odsonne Edouard, Ryan Christie and Kristoffer Ajer approaching the final 12 months of their current contracts and linked with moves away, meaning a major squad rebuild could be needed over the summer.

It’s a daunting task for Postecoglou, although his 25 years of managerial experience should stand him in good stead.

The proposed appointment of the 55-year-old came as somewhat of a shock after many household names were originally linked with succeeding Lennon, including Rafael Benitez, Roy Keane and Roberto Martinez.

Eddie Howe came closest to filling the vacant hot seat before talks collapsed, and although Postecoglou’s arrival may not please some supporters, many will surely be happy to see a new manager finally installed as Celtic aim to wrestle back their Premiership crown.

In other news…Get rid: Celtic must ruthlessly axe “unacceptable” £20k-p/w flop, he’s not good enough 

Christian Benteke’s agent has revealed the striker is still in talks over a new contract at Crystal Palace, with his current deal set to expire over the summer.

What’s the story?

The Belgium international signed a five-year contract when he arrived from Liverpool for £27m back in 2016, and following a rich vein of form, Palace are now looking to extend his stay at Selhurst Park.

His form means that clubs in England and across the continent are taking an interest in Benteke, but his agent Kismet Eris confirmed talks are still ongoing with the Eagles.

“Palace are happy with Benteke,” Eris told Fanatik. “We are still in talks with them. Plus, there are clubs from England and Europe that are showing an interest in him.

“Right now, he’s fully focused on the upcoming Euros. In the winter transfer window, we had an offer from Besiktas, but his contract with Palace was ongoing at the time, so the move never materialised.”

Fans will be buzzing

It’s set to be a summer full of change in south London, with the departure of manager Roy Hodgson confirmed and Patrick van Aanholt expected to be the first of many players following the 73-year-old out the exit door.

Serious injuries to Eberechi Eze and Nathan Ferguson have further complicated what is expected to be a significant rebuild of the capital club over the coming months, meaning the task for Hodgson’s successor is growing by the day.

Therefore, news that Benteke could yet remain at Palace for next season will surely have the club’s supporters buzzing.

When he first arrived on English shores with Aston Villa, Benteke adapted to the top-flight with ease, brushing defenders aside and calming slotting the ball home, earning lavish praise from then manager Paul Lambert.

“He’s one hell of a player, top class, he’s been playing extremely well, and since he’s come to this football club, he’s been a revelation,” said the Scotsman. But the goals dried up in recent years, leaving Benteke as a figure of ridicule.

However, the former Villa and Liverpool forward rediscovered his best form in the campaign just gone, bagging 10 Premier League goals in 30 appearances. That total may not sound astronomical, but put into context, it is an impressive feat.

Benteke’s Palace career got off to a flying start. The £120,000-per-week marksman scored 15 goals in his maiden campaign as he became an instant fan favourite, which makes his haul of just six league goals between 2017/18 and 2019/20 even more baffling.

The 30-year-old’s turnaround in form is quite remarkable then, and with only Wilfried Zaha outscoring the striker this season, his commitment to Palace could be crucial for their future success.

And, in other news…Heir to Zaha: Crystal Palace must swoop for £6.3m-rated gem who bullied Marquinhos 

Pep Guardiola could be set to receive a huge boost at Man City in the coming weeks, with reports suggesting that Phil Foden is close to signing a new contract with the club.

According to Daily Mail journalist Ian Ladyman (via City Xtra on Twitter), the 20-year-old sensation is on the verge of signing a new deal at the Etihad, which will see him earn a six-figure-a-week salary.

The England international has been in superb form for the Citizens so far this season, contributing seven goals and five assists in 28 Premier League appearances, which has helped him average an impressive 7.07 rating from WhoScored.

In all competitions, the City academy graduate has managed 14 goals and eight assists this season, which is comfortably his best season to date, and also emphasises just how important he has been for Guardiola’s side so far this season.

According to Sportrac, Foden is currently the lowest earner in the Manchester City senior side, earning £12k per week, so this new contract definitely feels deserved for the youngster, and should also secure his long-term future at the Etihad, which will undoubtedly be a huge boost for Guardiola

After a superb display against PSG in midweek, which helped City reach their first-ever Champions League final, England teammate Declan Rice was full of praise for Foden on social media, dubbing him “very, very special”.

Whilst Foden’s current contract isn’t set to expire until the end of the 2024 season, City are clearly keen to tie him down for the significant future with a new bumper contract, which will surely see him spend the majority of his career with his boyhood club, unless City are presented with an extraordinary transfer offer.

Foden’s performances this season have certainly warranted a new contract, and City fans will be hoping that he can celebrate this news by helping them secure the Premier League title and the Champions League trophy in the coming weeks, to add to his already significant trophy collection with the Citizens.

And, in other news… Txiki should seal Man City swoop for “world-class” striker who left Pep speechless

أكد حازم مصطفى رئيس المريخ السوداني أن فريقه سيخوض مواجهته أمام الأهلي في الجولة الخامسة من دور المجموعات ببطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا على ملعب السلام بالقاهرة ولن يخوضها في أي دولة أخرى سوى مصر.

ويستعد الأهلي لمواجهة فاركو في الدوري المصري الممتاز غدًا الثلاثاء، ثم سيلاقي المريخ السوداني يوم السبت المقبل في المباراة المؤجلة من الجولة الأولى بدور المجموعات في دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

طالع أيضًا.. مدرب صن داونز: الفوز على الأهلي في القاهرة جزء مهم من تاريخنا

وقال حازم مصطفى رئيس المريخ “يا نهار أبيض” المذاع على محطة “راديو 9090”: “إن شاء الله سنخوض مباراتنا أمام الأهلي يوم 15 مارس على ملعب السلام قولًا واحدًا فصلًا”.

وأضاف: “ملعب الهلال لم يكن مجهزًا لذلك اتفقنا مع الأهلي، وعندما حصل الفريق السوداني على الإجازة لم يكن متعاونا معنا ووضعوا لنا شروطا متعسفة مع أننا ناديان من الخرطوم وكان بالأحرى أن يضع لنا هذه الشروط الفريق المصري”.

طالع أيضًا.. قائمة الأهلي لمباراة فاركو في الدوري.. موسيماني يضم 22 لاعبًا

وواصل: “المجموعة تعقدت بعد خسارة الأهلي من صن داونز ولذلك ستكون مباراة المريخ امام الفريق المصري قوية جدًا ولها تأثير كبير على وضع المجموعة”.

واختتم: “حضرت مباراة الأهلي وصن داونز بدعوى كريمة من إدارة الفريق المصري وكان يستحق الفوز وأضاع فرصًا كبيرة لكن هذه هي كرة القدم”

Yan Valery’s season has certainly not gone to plan, with the young right-back shipped out on loan to Birmingham City in the January transfer window, where he has struggled to impress.

The defender lost his regular spot in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side when Kyle Walker-Peters first arrived on loan from Tottenham Hotspur in January 2020 and once his transfer to St Mary’s was made permanent, it was always going to be a struggle for Valery to get regular game time at Southampton.

The 22-year-old, who was labelled a “weak link” by Athletic journalist Dan Sheldon, made just one start in the Premier League for the Saints, which came in a 3-1 defeat against Arsenal where he was regularly exposed, so it was perhaps no surprise to see him turfed out on loan, despite the lack of back-up to Walker-Peters at the South Coast club.

When the former Spurs man was injured, we saw the likes of Moussa Djenepo, James Ward-Prowse and Jan Bednarek all feature at right-back, which certainly suggests that Valery wasn’t held particularly high regard by Hasenhuttl.

During his time with Birmingham City, who until recently looked in real danger of relegation this season, Valery has made just seven appearances in the Championship, of which just two have been starts, which again, doesn’t bode particularly well for his future at Southampton.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-southampton-news%2c-transfer-rumours-and-more” title=“Latest Southampton news, transfer rumours and more!“]

Hasenhuttl spoke recently about the development of some of the players out on loan, saying:

“Some have done well, a lot of them did not even play in the Championship or League One, so you can see how difficult it is for them that they don’t even there perform well,” Hasenhuttl has openly admitted.

“We have a few loan players that are coming back. The way back is not easy for them. That means we have to look for new options.”

The Austrian certainly seems to be hinting that it is going to be difficult for Valery to re-establish himself in his side in the future after a disappointing couple of seasons, so perhaps we will see him depart St Mary’s on a permanent deal this summer.

Certainly, if Southampton bring in the full-backs they are seemingly in the market for ahead of next season, there will be little room left for Valery in Hasenhuttl’s side in the future.

And, in other news… Just 9 passes: £5.4m-rated Saints dud was awful again vs LFC, Ralph surely fuming