O Palmeiras venceu o Vasco por 1 a 0, neste domingo (27), no Allianz Parque, pela 21ª rodada do Brasileirão. O gol da vitória palmeirense foi marcado por Raphael Veiga, mas não foi um gol qualquer, foi um golaço, de falta, já no segundo tempo. Os vascaínos até chegaram a abrir o placar, mas o VAR apontou impedimento. A nota negativa foi a lesão de Dudu, que preocupou os torcedores alviverdes. Veja os melhores momentos no vídeo acima:
continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasATUAÇÕES: Em noite apática do Palmeiras, Raphael Veiga tira ‘coelho da cartola’ para dar vitória contra o VascoPalmeiras27/08/2023PalmeirasAbel Ferreira fala em entrevista coletiva, após vitória do Palmeiras no BrasileirãoPalmeiras27/08/2023PalmeirasVeiga decide com golaço, e Palmeiras vence o Vasco pelo BrasileirãoPalmeiras27/08/2023
+ Veiga decide com golaço, e Palmeiras vence o Vasco pelo Brasileirão + ATUAÇÕES: Em noite apática do Palmeiras, Raphael Veiga tira ‘coelho da cartola’ para dar vitória contra o Vasco
Depois de flertar com a demissão no começo do mês, Vanderlei Luxemburgo vive seu melhor momento no Corinthians, e o treinador busca consolidar sua posição com a classificação às oitavas de final da Sul-Americana, diante do Universitario, nesta terça-feira (18), em Lima, no Peru.
continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasCorinthiansCorinthians vê Luan ‘desafiado’ e chances de saída do jogador para o Grêmio aumentamCorinthians17/07/2023CorinthiansUniversitario-PER x Corinthians: onde assistir ao vivo, horário e escalações do jogo de hoje pela Sul-AmericanaCorinthians18/07/2023Fora de CampoTorcedores do Corinthians se desesperam com interesse de clubes árabes em Róger Guedes e fazem ‘vaquinha’ por permanênciaFora de Campo17/07/2023
+ Cantillo na lista! Confira 30 jogadores que ainda não fizeram sete jogos no Brasileirão e podem trocar de clube
Um empate garante o Timão na próxima fase da competição tendo em vista a vitória por 1 a 0 no jogo de ida, mas uma vitória no Peru faria o clube embalar uma sequência que não acontece há mais de dois anos.
A última vez que o Corinthians venceu quatro partidas seguidas foi no primeiro semestre de 2021, com Vagner Mancini. O feito aconteceu após vitórias contra Ponte Preta, São Caetano e Mirassol, no Paulistão, e contra o Salgueiro, na Copa do Brasil.
continua após a publicidade
Em sua terceira passagem pelo Timão, Luxa possui nove derrotas, sete vitórias e quatro empates, com 41% de aproveitamento.
PREMIAÇÃO
Além de manter a invencibilidade, a classificação às oitavas de final significaria mais 550 mil dólares (R$ 2,6 milhões na cotação atual) aos cofres corintianos.
+ Timão avança? Veja todos os confrontos dos playoffs da Sul-Americana
Até o momento, o Corinthians falhou em seus objetivos no Paulistão e Libertadores. No Estadual, onde se projetava, no mínimo, que a equipe chegasse à semifinal, a eliminação aconteceu nas quartas. Já na competição continental, a estimativa era de, pelo menos, chegar às oitavas de final. Porém, o Timão caiu na fase de grupos, mas já ultrapassou a meta na Copa do Brasil, que era chegar até às oitavas de final.
In the fifth T20I in Pakistan’s tour of New Zealand last year, the hosts had been dismissed for 92 chasing 135 in Christchurch. In the first T20I of this five-match series, that was a winning total for New Zealand after Kyle Jamieson and Jacob Duffy took apart a new-look Pakistan side.The dropping of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan signalled that Pakistan were trying to step out of their comfort zone in T20 cricket, which is broadly very good. But on Sunday, they saw the risks that also come with it as they were bundled out for 91, their lowest total in New Zealand and their fifth-lowest in the format.The Black Caps followed the White Ferns in bringing up comprehensive victories on a double-header day in Christchurch as Jamieson and Duffy shared seven wickets between them, the bounce they were able to generate too much for the Pakistan batters.
Jamieson gives New Zealand the perfect start
Jamieson, back in the T20I set up for the first time in nearly two years, set the tone for New Zealand with a wicket maiden, Mohammad Haris only able to help a short ball behind to wicketkeeper Mitch Hay.Debutant Hasan Nawaz then got a leading edge off Duffy to Jamieson at deep third as Pakistan lost both openers without a run on the board. This was only the second time both Pakistan openers were dismissed for ducks.Jamieson then had Irfan Khan edging behind in the third over as Pakistan slumped to 1 for 3 – their lowest score at the fall of the third wicket.Tim Robinson then evoked rather fresh memories of Glenn Phillips from the Champions Trophy as he took a blinder at backward point to give Jamieson his third, with the scoreboard reading 11 for 4.ESPNcricinfo Ltd
Agha, Khushdil ride their luck
Pakistan were restricted to 14 for 4 in the powerplay, and it could have gotten worse immediately afterwards, but Tim Seifert dropped Khushdil Shah at point off the captain Michael Bracewell.Agha then looked to drive a full ball from Zakary Foulkes the next over, only to get an edge but Daryl Mitchell shelled the chance in the slip cordon.Agha and Khushdil used their second lives to arrest Pakistan’s free-fall. They finally looked to up the tempo in the tenth over, when Agha reverse-swept Ish Sodhi for four behind point and Khushdil smacked him over midwicket for Pakistan’s first six.In the next over, Khushdil took Bracewell on for back-to-back sixes to try and put some pressure back on the bowlers. But it was a very short-lived phase of ascendancy for Pakistan.
Duffy, Sodhi wrap things up
Agha tried another reverse-sweep off Sodhi’s next ball, but he could only pick out deep backward point. Duffy was brought back into the attack for an over, and the move paid dividends as Khushdil slapped a short ball to backward point. Pakistan were 64 for 6 after 13.Debutant Abdul Samad and Jahandad Khan then fell trying to play big shots before Duffy returned in the penultimate over to take the last two wickets, picking up from where he left off in the T20I series against Sri Lanka where he finished as the highest wicket-takerPakistan’s 91 is the fourth-lowest T20I score by any team in New Zealand.Jacob Duffy took 4 for 14 in 3.4 overs•AFP/Getty Images
Seifert takes off in chase
After playing out the first over, Seifert got New Zealand going with a pull through midwicket off debutant Mohammad Ali. He then picked up three boundaries off Shaheen Afridi’s next over, including another pull in front of square.Seifert gave the charge to Ali to pick up another boundary, before getting two off Jahandad’s first over, and the fifth of the innings. Finn Allen, largely a spectator until then, also joined the party as he lofted Jahandad down the ground for the first six of the chase.Pakistan switched to spin and Seifert welcomed Abrar Ahmed with a massive hit over long-off. Abrar got the better of him with a carrom ball that Haris did well to hold on to behind the stumps off the bottom edge, but New Zealand by then had effectively won the match in the two powerplays.Allen hit another six and two fours, while Robinson also got a six to his name as New Zealand completed the chase just one ball after the halfway mark of the innings.
Hill Dickinson Stadium is now officially open for business.
On Saturday, Everton’s senior men’s team played at Bramley-Moore Dock for the very first time, although they’re still waiting for their first goal at their new home, beaten 1-0 in a pre-season friendly by Roma.
This brought to an end a rather miserable pre-season for David Moyes’ men, winning just one of seven fixtures, this against EFL League One side Port Vale, scoring just six goals in these matches.
Thus, it is no wonder Moyes is seeking attacking reinforcements ahead of his team’s Premier League opener against Leeds United at Elland Road next Monday night, so could the Toffees sign an exciting young striker?
Everton's need for firepower
With stalwarts Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Abdoulaye Doucouré having both been released following the expiration of their contracts, Everton were always going to need to add attacking threat to their squad, having scored a miserly 42 goals in the Premier League last season.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Well, the Blues have so far signed striker Thierno Barry from Villarreal and attacking midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall from Chelsea, but more is required.
Thus, they have reached an agreement with Manchester City over the signing of Jack Grealish on a season-long loan, a move that Graham Ruthven of Total Soccer Show believes will be “exciting”.
Manchester City's JackGrealishbefore the match
Meantime, according to a report from Spain, Everton are “interested” in signing striker Franculino Djú, adding that he is valued at around £17m by FC Midtjylland, with Roma and RB Leipzig also considering a move.
Sport Witness add that the 21-year-old’s performances in the Danish Superligaen have ‘attracted interest’ from several of Europe’s top clubs, but could Everton steal a march and bring the youngster to Merseyside?
What Franculino Djú would bring to Everton
Born in Guinea-Bissau, Franculino joined Benfica’s academy at the age of 15, but never made a senior appearance for the Portuguese giants, instead moving to Midtjylland on a free transfer in the summer of 2023, with Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout stating that the Danish side hit the “absolute jackpot”.
That’s because, to date, he has scored 40 goals in 79 appearances for the Wolves, thereby averaging a goal every 118 across all competitions.
FC Midtjylland's Franculino Dju celebrates scoring their first goal
Ten of these goals have come in European competition, including a hat-trick against Omonia 12 months ago, scoring seven goals in six appearances so far this season, bagging a hat-trick when Sønderjyske visited Herning, also breaking the deadlock during last Thursday’s Europa League qualifying victory over Fredrikstad.
The aforementioned Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout labels him “unstoppable”, adding elsewhere that he has a “big future ahead”.
Farzam Abolhosseini of Tipsbladet asserts that he was the “highest-scoring teenager” across Europe last season, while Joost van der Leij documents how ‘finishing’ is the youngster’s primary asset.
Meantime, writer Tom Maston praises his “impressive strike-rate”, with Jake Entwistle of Scouted adding that he is a ‘well-rounded’ centre-forward, comparing him to the in-demand Alexander Isak, a man who could also be set for a move to Merseyside.
So, let’s analyse his statistics in the Superligaen this season so far.
Goals
6
1st
Goals per 90
2
1st
Goals inside the box
6
1st
Assists
2
2nd
Shots
10
5th
Shots on target
6
3rd
Shots on target %
60%
11th
Goals-per-shot
0.6
2nd
Big chances missed
2
3rd
Big chances created
1
14th
Average SofaScore rating
8.53
1st
As the table documents, Dju has absolutely been on fire at the start of this season, scoring seven times in all competitions already, adding to the 11 Superligaen goals he bagged last season, netting 16 times overall.
If any Evertonians are sceptical, worth noting that, according to Global Football Rankings, Denmark’s top division is the 13th strongest league in the world, just below the EFL Championship and the Eredivisie, so he is performing at a relatively high level.
So, why would he be a better signing than possible future teammate Grealish?
FC Midtjylland's Dario Osorio celebrates scoring their first goal withFranculinoDju
Well, the England international is set to join Everton on loan but an expensive one, with reports noting that this is set to cost the Toffees around £15m in a loan fee and wages, with Grealish currently earning around £300,000-per-week.
Franculino, on the other hand, could prove to be a bargain at just £17m in the long run.
Manchester City's JackGrealishduring the warm up before the match
If the Blues are going to get back to where their supporters believe they belong, challenging for European qualification, they’re going to have to work smarter in the transfer market, buying lesser-known players for low fees, before ultimately selling them on at a huge profit.
Franculino certainly fits that profile, with the striker seemingly ticking both boxes, boasting enough quality to improve Everton’s team right now.
Meanwhile, at 21 years old, his value will surely increase exponentially over time, while Grealish only does the former. The experienced England international has barely kicked a ball in recent years and he’s out of form.
Dju, on the other hand, is bang in form.
Just imagine him & Ndiaye: Everton aiming to sign PL star alongside Dibling
As Everton chase Southampton’s Tyler Dibling, David Moyes also wants the Toffees to sign a “magic” Premier League winner who was once worth £100m.
Kylian Mbappe has sent an "I score a lot of goals against Marseille" to Mason Greenwood and Co ahead of Real Madrid's Champions League opener. World Cup winner Mbappe will be lining up against opposition from his native France at Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday as Los Blancos get their European campaign for 2025-26 up and running in front of their own supporters.
Mbappe waiting on first Champions League triumph
Mbappe is still waiting on the first Champions League triumph of his distinguished career, with the decision taken to swap Paris Saint-Germain for Real Madrid a year before ambitious Ligue 1 giants finally got their hands on the most prestigious of prizes.
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How many goals has Mbappe scored this season?
Los Blancos are determined to conquer the continent again this term, with Mbappe very much leading from the front. He has netted four goals through as many games at the start of the new season.
Mbappe's record vs Marseille: Goals and assists
He is now preparing to face Marseille, who are experiencing the league phase of elite European competition for the first time. Mbappe boasts an impressive record against the men from Stade Velodrome – registering 10 goals and three assists against them through 15 appearances for Monaco and PSG.
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What Mbappe said about facing Marseille again
Mbappe told of facing familiar rivals: "I score a lot of goals against Marseille. They've changed a lot with a new project. Medhi (Benatia, director of football) is a friend. We'll see.
"It's cool to meet French teams again. Plus, we're playing at home, at the Bernabeu. It's nice, it's been a long time since they played in the Champions League. It's going to be nice to play against them, it's going to bring back good memories."
Leeds United supporters had the chance to see all of the club’s new signings in action on Saturday as they featured against Manchester United in a pre-season friendly.
The scoreline was far from exciting, as the two teams held each other to a 0-0 draw, but Sean Longstaff, Sebastiaan Bornauw, Lukas Nmecha, Gabriel Gudmundsson, and Jaka Bijol all played minutes.
Daniel Farke’s squad is also set to be bolstered by the arrival of defensive midfielder Anton Stach, after the club reportedly agreed a deal worth around £17m to sign the German star from Bundesliga side Hoffenheim on a permanent transfer.
This means that Leeds will have signed two centre-backs, a left-back, two defensive midfielders, and an experienced centre-forward in the summer transfer window.
Leeds United manager DanielFarkebefore the match
As Nmecha arrived on a free transfer, Leeds have yet to spend a transfer fee on a new attacker to come in and bolster their side ahead of the Premier League campaign.
The Championship champions have been linked with plenty of forwards, though, and one obvious link that predictably emerged earlier in the summer was one to Aston Villa attacking midfielder Emiliano Buendia.
Why Leeds may want to sign Emiliano Buendia
The Argentina international worked under Farke during his time at Norwich City and it was reported in January that Leeds were eyeing up a loan move with an option to make it permanent in the summer, as they were pushing to secure promotion out of the Championship.
That move did not materialise at the start of the year, though, and Leeds have once again been linked with an interest in signing the attacking midfielder to improve their options in the number ten position.
Buendia is a target that makes sense for Leeds because of their need for a replacement, or at least competition, for Brenden Aaronson, as well as Farke’s pre-existing relationship with the player.
The 28-year-old star scored 24 goals and provided 41 assists in 121 appearances for the German head coach with the Canaries, winning the Championship title in the 2018/19 and 2020/21 campaigns.
This suggests that Farke knows how to get the best out of the right-footed magician, who thrived as both a scorer and a creator of goals for Norwich in his three seasons there, and that is why this could be a signing that makes a lot of sense this summer.
Emiliano Buendia
22/23 (Villa)
23/24 (Villa)
24/25 (Villa + Bayer Leverkusen)
Appearances
41
0
34
Games missed through injury
0
69
0
Goals
5
0
5
Big chances created
8
0
2
Assists
3
0
0
Stats via Sofascore & Transfermarkt
As you can see in the table above, though, it would be a risky signing because he has not been at his best at the top end of the pitch in the last three seasons, missing the entire of the 2023/24 campaign with an ACL injury.
Instead of taking a risk with Buendia, who may not be able to recapture the form he displayed at Norwich, Leeds may look elsewhere, amid reported interest in another former Canary.
Leeds pushing to sign Brazilian attacker
According to Turkish outlet Fotospor, Leeds United are one of the teams interested in a deal to sign Galatasaray central midfielder Gabriel Sara this summer.
The report claims that the Championship champions and fellow Premier League side Aston Villa are ‘constantly’ pushing to sign the Brazilian talent to bolster their respective midfields.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
It adds, though, that Galatasaray are not actively looking to cash in on the left-footed star, and that it will take an ‘incredible’ offer to tempt them into selling Sara, who they claim has won over the supporters with his performances on the pitch.
No price tag is mentioned in this latest report but Fotomac claimed earlier this summer that it would take a fee of around £26m to sign the former Norwich man, amid interest from Manchester United.
AZ Alkmaar's Sven Mijnans in action with Galatasaray'sGabrielSara
It is now down to Leeds to put the money on the table to convince Galatasaray to sell Sara and to beat Aston Villa and Manchester United to his signature, as the £26m-rated star has the potential to be Farke’s new Buendia.
Why Sara could be Farke's new Buendia
Poetically, Farke could find his next Buendia by signing the player Norwich eventually signed to replace the Argentine star as their chief creator.
The Canaries sold him to Aston Villa in 2021 and did not directly replace him until they signed the creative Brazilian from São Paulo the following summer.
As you can see in the graphic above, Sara racked up a staggering haul of 13 goals and 12 assists from midfield in the 2023/24 campaign for Norwich, which was the first time any player hit double figures for both goals and assists since Buendia produced 15 goals and 16 assists in the 2020/21 season.
Like the Argentine whiz, the Galatasaray star is an attacking midfielder who has the quality on the ball to make a big impact in the final third, as both a scorer and a creator of goals.
Sara, who analyst Ben Mattinson claimed has a “magical left foot”, joined the Turkish giants off the back of his incredible season in the Championship with Norwich, and enjoyed a strong debut year in the Super Lig.
24/25 Super Lig
Gabriel Sara
Appearances
30
Goals
2
Big chances created
12
xA
7.62
Key passes per game
2.3
Assists
8
Pass accuracy
83%
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, the £26m-rated star did not provide goals on a regular basis, but his creativity was on full display yet again, creating 12 ‘big chances’ for his teammates.
His form for both Norwich and Galatasaray suggest that Sara has the potential to be a huge creative threat for Leeds in the Premier League, with his ability to consistently unlock the opposition’s defence to create high-quality opportunities for the forwards ahead of him.
This is why he could be Farke’s new Buendia, who registered 41 assists for the German at Norwich, and why the club should continue to push for a deal for him this summer.
It is now down to the club to thrash out a deal to bring the left-footed creator to Elland Road this summer, as he could be an exciting addition to the squad.
Farke's own Joelinton: Leeds made contact over deal to sign £22m "monster"
Leeds United have made contact over a potential deal for a star who could be their own Joelinton.
Griffin coached Western Storm to two KSL titles in first of two stints in charge of regional side
ESPNcricinfo staff10-Oct-2024Somerset have appointed Trevor Griffin as head coach of their women’s team. Griffin, who has signed a two-year deal, previously had two spells coaching Western Storm in the women’s regional structure.He oversaw Storm’s two Kia Super League successes between 2017 and 2019, before moving on to coach Sunrisers and London Spirit in the Hundred. He also had a four-season spell in charge of Sydney Thunder in the WBBL.A former district sales manager with Nationwide, Griffin took an unusual route into coaching, via the Devon Cricket Board, Chance to Shine, and the University of Exeter. He worked for Canterbury Cricket in New Zealand before being offered the job of analyst and assistant coach at Western Storm, and was subsequently promoted to head coach when Caroline Foster stepped down.Griffin returned to take charge of Storm in 2022 and will now oversee the reintegration between women’s cricket and the county game at Taunton.”I’m absolutely thrilled. To be the first Head Coach and lead Somerset Women into this new era is a huge honour and I’m really excited for the future,” Griffin said. “Women’s cricket is going from strength to strength, and we’ve seen tremendous growth in the southwest in recent years. To be able to build on this as we move forward with Somerset is incredibly motivating for staff and players alike.”Somerset has a great history of supporting women’s cricket, and I can’t wait to share our knowledge and experience and work alongside their staff and players as we build a women’s squad to compete for top honours, inspire others and entertain the fans.”Somerset director of cricket, Andy Hurry, said: “Trevor is a coach who has achieved domestic success both in England and in Australia. He has a really strong understanding of our domestic structure which will enable him to lead this team into an exciting new era for the women’s game.”He has built and developed key relationships with players and staff across the region during his time with Western Storm and he is someone who shares the values that we at Somerset adhere to both on and off the field.”Trevor is held in high regard by players and staff alike and we very much look forward to working with him as we commence our journey to build a team and a brand of cricket that competes on all fronts and inspires the next generation of players.”
While the addition of a new goalkeeper, some midfield reinforcements, and a potential replacement for Takehiro Tomiyasu are all additions that will strengthen Arsenal, new attackers must remain the priority this summer.
For example, although they ultimately finished last season without a title to their name, Mikel Arteta’s side secured second place in the Premier League and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League.
However, there is every chance they could have found themselves lifting at least one of those trophies had they added some quality to the frontline last summer, or even in the winter.
Fortunately, the club seem intent on adding more firepower to the team, with recent links to Ollie Watkins, and another international who could be his dream teammate.
Arsenal target dream teammate for Watkins
The first link to Watkins this year appeared in the winter window, when it was revealed that Arsenal had made a surprise £40m offer, which Aston Villa turned down.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Since then, murmurs of the Gunners’ interest in the Englishman persisted in the background, but they remained nothing more than that until quite recently.
However, earlier this week, reports revealed that the North Londoners had once again been in contact with the player, who would “love” to play for the club.
Given his ability – and record against Arteta’s men – picking up the former Exeter City gem could prove to be great business, and what could make it even better are the links to someone who could create an unreal partnership with him: Rodrygo.
Yes, according to a recent report from The Athletic, Arsenal have maintained their intense interest in the Real Madrid star.
What’s more, the report claims that the Gunners have been in talks with the Brazilian camp, and that the Spanish giants would be willing to sell him this summer.
The report makes no mention of the potential cost of the former Santos gem, but according to stories from earlier this summer, the final price might be around £85m.
It would be a lot of money to spend on one player, but given Rodrygo’s ability and potential, it’d be money well spent for Arsenal, especially as he’d be a dream teammate for Watkins.
Why Watkins would love Rodrygo
Now, there are fundamentally two reasons why Watkins would love playing alongside Rodrygo at Arsenal, and the first is his output.
Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly in action with Real Madrid'sRodrygo
For example, even though the Brazilian international has been played out of his preferred left-wing role for much of the last two seasons for Los Blancos, he has remained a dangerous asset for them.
Since the start of the 23/24 campaign, the “world-class superstar,” as dubbed by Luka Modrić, has scored 32 goals and provided 20 assists in 105 appearances, totalling 7225 minutes.
Appearances
52
53
Minutes
3777′
3448′
Goals
18
14
Assists
9
11
Goal Involvements per Match
0.51
0.47
Minutes per Goal Involvement
139.88′
137.92′
In other words, the 33-capped international has averaged a goal involvement every 2.01 games, or every 138.94 minutes across two seasons.
Just imagine the sort of numbers the Villa ace, who racked up 31 goal involvements in 54 games last season, could produce with someone as effective as the Real ace alongside him.
Finally, on top of the output, the 24-year-old would be a dream teammate for the Torquay-born poacher, as he has already reached the peak of club football.
Not only that, but he has also played an essential role in Real winning the Champions League and La Liga.
So, he’d have the mentality to help the Gunners finally get over the line as well, and in turn, help the Villa star pick up his first piece of major silverware.
Ultimately, while it wouldn’t be cheap, Arsenal should do all they can to sign Watkins and Rodrygo this summer, as together, they could provide the fire Arteta’s side have been crying out for.
Gyokeres will love him: Arsenal preparing bid for £43m "superstar" winger
Viktor Gyokeres would enjoy playing alongside this £43m superstar at Arsenal.
Harry Tector could be a doubtful starter after injuring his thumb against India
Ashish Pant06-Jun-20248:17
O’Brien: Ireland want to right some wrongs
Match detailsCanada vs Ireland June 7, New York, 10.30am local, 2.30pm GMT, 8.00pm ISTBig picture – All eyes on New York pitchIt’s been a rough start for cricket in New York with more focus on the pitches than the cricket that has been played on them. No team has gone past 100 at this venue in four innings, with uneven bounce and prodigious movement up front bringing about plenty of criticism.The fast bowlers have so far held sway here, having picked up 18 of the 26 wickets to fall while going at an economy rate of 5.46. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 77 here on June 3 and South Africa took 16.2 overs to chase that down. On Wednesday, India rolled out Ireland for 96 and while their chase was slightly more comfortable, Rohit Sharma retired hurt after being struck on the upper arm, while Rishabh Pant was also hit on his elbow and required some attention.Just two days later, as Ireland gear up to play another fixture in New York against Canada, the build-up has entirely centred around the pitch.Related
Undercooked pitch could undermine India-Pakistan spectacle
Klaasen on New York pitch: Batters need to suck it up
“It’s tough to adjust when you don’t know what you have to adjust to,” Ireland head coach Heinrich Malan said after their eight-wicket loss against India. “You’ve got to take into account that when you play the game you need a really good surface or as good as surfaces you can get and unfortunately what we’ve seen over the last couple of games just doesn’t necessarily live up to that. So hopefully, over the next day or so it can hopefully flatten out a little bit and we can see some good cricket come Friday.”It is an important game for both Canada and Ireland, who have suffered losses in their opening games. Another loss here and the road to Super Eights becomes challenging. Canada, who played their opening fixture in Dallas where they went down to USA in a high-scoring clash, haven’t been in great T20I form. They have lost each of their last five T20Is, and all the pitch talk here might not bode well for their confidence.”This wicket is a bit, kind of, what you can say, a tricky one. So you cannot play some of the T20 shots. So you have to play conventional cricket. And what I see, it’s playing on the up, it’s a little bit difficult than Dallas,” Canada batter Navneet Dhaliwal, who scored a 44-ball 61 against USA, said. “It’s a lot of lateral movement so there’s a lot of swing comparatively to Dallas so if you kind of want to basically hit the good-length balls it’s a bit difficult.”The Canada-Ireland fixture will likely take place on pitch no. 4, the same one that hosted the India-Ireland clash and the warm-up game between India and Bangladesh. In addition to the surface, the slow, sand-based outfield has also not helped the batters in any way. Which will be the first team to cross the 100-mark in New York?Form guideCanada LLLLL Ireland LWWWLIn the spotlight – Dilon Heyliger and Mark AdairDilon Heyliger’s all-round abilities could be useful for Canada. He has been in good bowling form this year, having picked up five wickets in as many games while going at a tick over eight an over. His medium-pace and wicket-to-wicket lines might be perfect on this New York surface. So can his lower-order ball-striking. No other Canada batter has a higher strike rate than Heyliger in T20Is since the start of 2023 – 243.75. He’s hammered 117 runs off just 48 balls, with most of them coming in the death overs.Mark Adair picked up the key wicket of Virat Kohli on Wednesday•Getty ImagesMark Adair has been in excellent form this year. He is comfortably Ireland’s highest wicket-taker in 2024 with 18 scalps in 10 T20Is and an economy rate of 8.16. Moreover, he knows the kind of lengths to bowl on this surface having bowled four overs for just 27 runs on Wednesday while also picking up the key wicket of Virat Kohli.Team newsBoth teams might want to go pace-heavy on this surface. Offspinner Nikhil Dutta went for 41 runs in 2.4 overs in Canada’s opening game, so there is a chance they could bring in left-arm fast bowler Rishiv Joshi to boost their pace-bowling resources.Canada (probable XI): 1 Aaron Johnson, 2 Navneet Dhaliwal, 3 Pargat Singh, 4 Nicholas Kirton, 5 Shreyas Movva (wk), 6 Dilpreet Bajwa, 7 Saad Bin Zafar (capt), 8 Dilon Heyliger, 9 Nikhil Dutta/Rishiv Joshi, 10 Kaleem Sana, 11 Jeremy Gordon.There was visible bruising on Harry Tector’s right thumb after he was struck by a rip-roaring Jasprit Bumrah bouncer. Ireland batting coach Gary Wilson said Tector seemed fine after an initial inspection, but a call on his availability for the Canada clash would be taken a bit later. If he does not recover in time, Ireland might bring Ross Adair into the mix.Ireland (probable XI): 1 Paul Stirling (capt), 2 Andy Balbirnie, 3 Lorcan Tucker (wk), 4 Harry Tector/Ross Adair, 5 Curtis Campher, 6 George Dockrell, 7 Gareth Delany, 8 Mark Adair, 9 Barry McCarthy, 10 Josh Little, 11 Ben White.Pitch and conditionsIt’s another early-morning start in New York and the weather looks good for a game of cricket. The temperature is likely to hover around the 29-degree (Celsius) mark. Expect it to be a little humid as well.Stats and trivia Canada and Ireland have a 2-2 head-to-head record in T20Is, but haven’t met since 2019. Their last T20I was back in 2013. Canada captain Saad Bin Zafar has an economy rate of 6.14 against right-hand batters in T20 cricket. Ireland’s line-up is entirely composed of right-handers. Mark Adair is sixth on the wicket-taker’s list in T20Is this year, with 18 in 10 games.Quotes”We were probably a little bit off with our lengths with the ball, but it was going to be very difficult to defend 96. I think very rarely do you see a team get rolled and then the next innings is also very low. Speaking to [India head coach] Rahul Dravid after the game, he said that they were able to manage that so well because they knew they only had to get 96, but he also said if the shoe was in the other foot, it could have been a different story.” “Drop-in wickets take time to settle down. I think normally it takes around a year or so. It’s not ideal – I think it’s a bit early, but still, it’s a challenge. Like the par for Dallas is what, 180-190, and par for here is 120-130. It’s a different wicket and a different kind of competition, you can say. It’s exciting, basically.”
Iconic Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger once tried to sign a Chelsea star when the player was at Manchester City and even called him “one of the best players of his generation”.
Arsene Wenger’s best signings as Arsenal manager
Wenger transformed the Gunners after arriving at Highbury in 1996, guiding the club to a historic ‘Invincible’ season and taking them to the Emirates Stadium before eventually leaving Arsenal following 22 years in charge.
Champions League football was consistently on the table in north London following regular top four Premier League finishes, which allowed Wenger to sign some exciting players during his tenure, utilising the European market.
Arsene Wenger’s top Arsenal signings in pictures
Talking to Sir Mo Farah about his best piece of transfer business in north London, Wenger named midfield captain Patrick Vieira as one of his greatest signings.
“It depends. If you look at it financially you could say many, many, many. Maybe the credibility I got first was for the first player I brought in which was Patrick Vieira.
“People questioned ‘why do they employ Wenger?’ and after of course we have the following with Petit, Henry, Overmars. [Dennis] Bergkamp was already there, Anelka. You have so many players, you have Kolo [Toure], Lauren. But I think just the first players you bring in you are always judged on.
“After we have so many players. People never speak about Van Persie or Fabregas who were exceptional players. Van Persie scored 96 [league] goals for Arsenal, not far from Ian Wright. Of course Thierry is 175, I think.”
However, the Frenchman has been known to name numerous legends of the game who he tried to sign while at Arsenal, so many so that you can make a world-class XI of near transfer misses.
Player
From
GK: Gianluigi Buffon
Parma
RWB: Federico Valverde
Penarol
CB: Gerard Pique
Barcelona
CB: Vincent Kompany
Anderlecht
CB: Raphael Varane
Lens
LWB: Gareth Bale
Southampton
CM: Yaya Toure
Beveren
CM: Paul Pogba
Man Utd
FW: Lionel Messi
Barcelona
FW: Luis Suarez
Liverpool
FW: Cristiano Ronaldo
Sporting CP
Arsene Wenger tried to sign Chelsea star Jadon Sancho from Man City
In 2019, Wenger also admitted that he tried to sign Jadon Sancho for Arsenal while the winger was at Manchester City as a teenager.
As we know, Sancho would return to England by signing for Manchester United in a £73m transfer from Borussia Dortmund, and he has since gone on to swap Old Trafford for Stamford Bridge.
Jadon Sancho for Borussia Dortmund
Talking about the England international when he was on the books in Germany with Dortmund, Wenger said he tried to tempt Sancho with a move to London.
Sancho’s Transfermarkt valuation was at a career-high €130m in 2020 at the age of 19, but after failing to catch the eye on a regular basis back in the Premier League, that has fallen considerably.
The Englishman still has plenty of time to get his career back on track, and who knows, in the future, Sancho could end up moving across London to Arsenal, following in the footsteps of Willian, David Luiz, Petr Cech and Raheem Sterling.