MCC looks abroad as it signs Abu Dhabi deal

The MCC has signed a three-year deal with Abu Dhabi Cricket Club which could see the club play high-profile matches in the emirate

Cricinfo staff05-Nov-2009The MCC has signed a three-year deal with Abu Dhabi Cricket Club which could see the club play high-profile matches in the emirate.Announcing the deal, MCC chief executive Keith Bradshaw said playing first-class matches outside England, possibly using them to trial using a pink ball, was just one option being considered.”We’re determined to organise some three or four-day cricket under lights using a pink ball and this is a good opportunity,” he told the Daily Telegraph. “It’s one of many options, and at an embryonic stage, but we think it would be good for the development of the game. Ideally we would like to hold a [trial] at Lord’s but we have certain restrictions using the lights, so there is the possibility of scheduling the match overseas.”An ECB spokesman said the board was unaware of any such plans.”[The deal] is a first for MCC in the Middle East region and gives us a tremendous opportunity to help develop cricketers throughout the region and closer to home,” Bradshaw said. “Aspiring professionals from the MCC Universities and MCC Young Cricketers will specifically benefit from this joint venture as it will give them vital experience of playing and training abroad, helping them to make the transition to the first-class game.”The agreement will mean the Zayed ground will be renamed the Zayed MCC Cricket Academy.

West Ham eye up double swoop

West Ham are interested in signing Hellas Verona pair Giovanni Simeone and Antonin Barak, in a deal that could be worth up to around €40million (£33.7m).

The Lowdown: West Ham flying

The Hammers are in one of their richest veins of forms in years currently, jumping to third place in the Premier League after their memorable 3-2 win at home to Liverpool.

David Moyes’ side genuinely look like one of the best teams in the division and there is no reason why they can’t keep battling for a top-four finish this season.

While West Ham have an enviable squad these days, that’s not to say new signings aren’t also key, with depth behind star striker Michail Antonio surely the primary area of concern come January.

The Latest: Hammers linked with Hellas Verona pair

According to L’Arena [via Sport Witness], the Hammers are eyeing up moves for both Simeone and Barak, both of whom are attack-minded players.

Twenty-six-year-old Simeone has scored nine goals in just 10 appearances for the Serie A club, also scoring once in five caps for Argentina. Meanwhile, Barak is a 27-cap Czech Republic international who plays in attacking midfield.

It is stated that it would cost West Ham at least €40million (£33.7m) to snap up the duo, although Verona have a €12million (£10.1m) option to sign Simeone from Cagliari, with the striker only on loan at the moment.

The Verdict: Good squad depth

Not a huge amount may be known about Simeone and Barak but they both have international experience and could add attacking depth to the Hammers’ squad.

As the season goes on, there is always the threat that injuries could mount and it is vital that Moyes has options galore in the Champions League battle, especially with Europa League football set to continue into the knock-out stages.

Assuming the deal potentially gets done in January, it would give West Ham an extra boost at a time when the matches come thick and fast – Simeone in particular could be a vital addition given Antonio’s past injury woes, with Genoa Coach Ivan Juric praising his work rate as a youngster during his time at the club.

No player in Europe’s elite leagues has out-performed their expected goals more than Simeone (+6.2), showing how clinical he is – Ballon d’Or candidates Karim Benzema and Mohamed Salah sit second and third in that statistic.

In other news, a pundit has shut down a West Ham transfer rumour. Read more here.

Celtic: Devlin’s worrying Jullien claim

Celtic journalist Kieran Devlin has expressed uncertainty about the return date of centre-back Christopher Jullien. 

The lowdown

The Frenchman hasn’t played for the Hoops since their 3-0 win over Dundee United at the end of December 2020. He was forced off in that game after injuring his knee when colliding with the post (via BBC Sport).

Former Scotland boss Alex McLeish has said it will be a ‘massive’ boost for Celtic whenever Jullien, a treble winner in 2019/20, eventually makes his comeback.

Ange Postecoglou said in late October that the 28-year-old would be back after the November international break, but there’s no sign of him as yet.

The latest

In The Athletic’s matchday discussion surrounding Thursday night’s Europa League clash with Bayer Leverkusen, a supporter asked Devlin if there was ‘any indication when/if’ the defender would be back.

The fan ‘thought by now we would have seen something of Jullien in training’ or in a youth team game.

Devlin replied: “It just keeps being pushed back. Briefed multiple times this season that he’d be back within a few weeks and it just hasn’t happened. Not sure what the new estimated date is.”

The verdict

Celtic initially expected to be without Jullien for a period of four months, but we’re now approaching a full calendar year of him being sidelined.

Devlin’s latest claim is worrying because it suggests that there may have been a setback, with the 28-year-old not able to meet the club’s revised timeline.

They were knocked out of the Europa League this week after a 3-2 defeat by Bayer Leverkusen, with Chris Sutton acknowledging that ‘defensively, Celtic have come up well short in Europe’.

It’s tempting to wonder whether they would have had enough to progress from their group with a fully fit Jullien, who was included in their squad for the competition – a sure sign that the Hoops had banked on him returning to action by now.

In other news, this defender is open to signing for Celtic

سيد معوض: سواريش أراد إحراج الأهلي.. وأرشح ثلاثي الشباب للاستمرار مع الكبار

علق سيد معوض مدرب الأهلي السابق، على تصريحات ريكاردو سواريش المدير الفني للفريق، الأخيرة، مشيرًا إلى أن المدرب البرتغالي تعرض للظلم والظروف لم تساعده.

وقال معوض في تصريحات عبر فضائية “ETC”: “في تصريحات سواريش الأخيرة أكد أن إدارة الأهلي لم تبلغه بالرحيل، وأعتقد أن الإدارة أبلغته بذلك بنهاية الموسم الجاري، ويرغب بتلك التصريحات في إحراج المجلس”.

وتابع: “كم التقارير التي أكدت رحيل سواريش كثيرة للغاية، والأهلي لم يرد على الأمر نهائيًا، لو كان الأمر خاطئًا لأوضحت الإدارة هذا الأمر”.

وأكد: “سواريش تعرض لظلم في الأهلي ووصل في وقت صعب للغاية، في منتصف الموسم، وخلال المنافسة على الألقاب، وتراجع متسوى اللاعبين بداعي الإرهاق”.

طالع أيضًا.. سواريش يرد على أنباء رحيله.. ويؤكد: الأهلي لا يغفر وتعرفون أنه اتخذ قرارًا تاريخيًا

وأضاف: “أعتقد أن الظروف لم تساعده، وأيضًا لم يقدم الإضافة فنيًا، الأمر صعب للغاية في تقييمه سواء جيد أو سيء”.

وتطرق للحديث عن ثلاثئ الشباب قائلا: “أرشح استمرار الثلاثي رأفت خليل وزياد طارق ومحمد أشرف للاستمرار مع الفريق الاول في الموسم المقبل، جميع اللاعبين جيدين لكن بعضهم يحتاج للإعارة، مثل محمد فخري”.

واختتم: “رأفت خليل لاعب رائع ويمكن مشاركته في أكثر من مركز، وتدريباته مع الفريق الأول، ستمنحه ثقلاً كبيراً في الفترة المقبلة”.

Carille não quer poupar Corinthians contra Racing, mas avaliará desgaste

MatériaMais Notícias

Após voltar a vencer no Brasileirão, as atenções do técnico Fábio Carille passarão estar na Copa Sul-Americana, para o jogo desta quarta-feira, contra o Racing, fora de casa. Qualquer vitória, ou empate por mais de um gol, dá a classificação ao Corinthians. Para tentar conquistar a vaga, o Timão deverá ter força máxima.

Apesar de apontar alguns jogadores com possíveis incômodos durante a vitória por 1 a 0 sobre o Vasco, Carille pretende colocar o que tiver de melhor em campo, já que contará com a volta de Gabriel, que cumpriu suspensão no Brasileiro, ao time que considera o ideal. Juntamente com os médicos, o treinador vai avaliar as condições de seus atletas.

– Vou colocar aquilo de melhor. Vou ver com o departamento médico, porque vi jogadores colocarem a mão na perna, mas vou colocar o melhor que tivermos, e depois pensar no clássico. O Corinthians tem que pensar nas duas possibilidades. Vou trabalhar com o departamento médico para colocar o melhor – analisou o comandante corintiano.

Mas não é só o duelo pela Sul-Americana que deixa dúvidas na cabeça de Fábio Carille. No próximo domingo o Timão pega o São Paulo, no Morumbi, às 11h, pelo Brasileirão. Os riscos com jogadores precisarão ser calculados pensando nas duas partidas.

– O que mais me preocupa é o jogo ser às 11h no Morumbi. Espero que não esteja um dia muito quente, tem que estar com gás cheio. É para se pensar, vamos nos reapresentar amanhã e direcionar algumas coisas – finalizou.

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وليد صلاح عبد اللطيف: فيريرا مدرب عبقري وتجرأ على الأهلي

أشاد وليد صلاح عبد اللطيف لاعب الزمالك السابق بقدرات البرتغالي جوسفالدو فيريرا المدير الفني الحالي للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالقلعة البيضاء، مؤكدًا أنه مدرب عبقري.

واستطاع الزمالك أن يحقق لقب الدوري المصري الممتاز خلال العام الحالي ليحتفظ به للموسم الثاني على التوالي ويحصده للمرة الرابعة عشر في التاريخ.

طالع أيضًا.. مرتضى منصور يوجه رسائل قوية لـ الخطيب ويصرح: أمير مرتضى فاز على كل من في الأهلي

وقال وليد صلاح عبد اللطيف خلال مداخلة هاتفية ببرنامج أون تايم سبورت: “تعاقد مجلس إدارة الزمالك مع فيريرا كان جيدًا جدًا لأنه رجل عبقري ومدرب كبير ذو تاريخ حافل وبالتالي ظهر ذلك بعد قدومه في النتائج التي حققها ورأينا كيف كان جريئا في مباريات الأهلي عندما دفع بالناشئين”.

وأضاف: “من المنطقي ألا يكون هناك 3 أو 4 ناشئين في الملعب لخوض المباريات القوية لأن هذه مخاطرة، لكن فيريرا جريء وبعث رسالة للاعبي الزمالك بأنه مهما كانت نجومية أي لاعب فإنه لن يلعب إذا لم يؤدي وهذا مهم جدًا”.

وأردف: “لاعبو الزمالك شعروا من أسلوب فيريرا أنهم يحاربون على أماكنهم”.

واختار أبرز نجوم الزمالك خلال الموسم الحالي: “محمد عواد بسبب التطور الكبير في أدائه وأيضًا محمود الونش وإمام عاشور إلى جانب أفضل لاعب في مصر من وجهة نظري أحمد سيد زيزو”.

واختتم: “هناك لاعبون كثر مميزون ولكن ما ذكرتهم إلى جانب شيكابالا عندما يشارك هم أبرز اللاعبين الذين شكلوا الفارق خلال الموسم الحالي”.

يذكر أن الزمالك سيلاقي الاتحاد السكندري اليوم ضمن منافسات الجولة الثانية والثلاثين من الدوري المصري الممتاز.

'It was like amateurs playing professionals' – Stead

It was a terrible mismatch as the previously unbeaten New Zealand crashed to a six-wicket victory against England in a one-sided World Twenty20 final at Lord’s

Cricinfo staff21-Jun-2009

England held their sway over New Zealand in two World Cup finals in the last three months•Getty Images

New Zealand coach Gary Stead has said there was clearly a mismatch evident in their six-wicket defeat to England in the final of the World Twenty20 at Lord’s. England’s win ensured they held sway over New Zealand in two World Cup finals in the last three months. “They’ve won two World Cups and today felt a little bit like the amateurs playing the professionals, Stead said. “It’s the first time we’ve been knocked over and overall they are setting the standards at the moment and it’s something we need to get better at.”Having secured the ODI World Cup at Sydney in March, England were looking for a repeat performance and did well to dismiss New Zealand for a lowly 85 after choosing to field. Katherine Brunt claimed 3 for 6, and an unbeaten 39 from Claire Taylor during the chase meant England had accomplished their task.England captain Charlotte Edwards admitted they had a far easier win than they expected. “It was a lot easier than I thought it might be,” Edwards said. “New Zealand were playing good cricket coming into this game and I would have taken 85 coming into today.”A lot of credit has to go to our bowling attack because they bowled superbly well, the best bowling performance of the tournament. The 50-over was the ultimate prize but this, for the profile of the game and the coverage we’re probably going to get around the world, it’s probably up there with that.””We’re just delighted. We came back from the World Cup and we wanted this trophy and now we’ve got it to show the 50-over wasn’t a fluke.”

Enfim, o sonho? Flamengo assina contrato de opção de compra de terreno para construir estádio

MatériaMais Notícias

O Flamengo deu um importante passo para realizar um grande sonho de sua torcida: ter um estádio próprio. O clube assinou um contrato de opção de compra de um terreno de cerca de 160 mil metros quadrados ao lado da Avenida Brasil, na altura de Manguinhos e Benfica. A informação foi divulgada inicialmente pelo colunista Lauro Jardim. A reportagem do LANCE! apurou que o Rubro-Negro estima gastar R$ 420 milhões com a construção.

Se erguida, a estrutura teria capacidade entre 50 mil e 55 mil pessoas. No entanto, o Flamengo aguarda pela definição do caso do Maracanã. O Governo do Estado ainda não definiu se vai fazer uma nova licitação para o Templo do Futebol, como é de interesse do Rubro-Negro.

O presidente do Flamengo, Eduardo Bandeira de Mello, mostrou entusiasmo com a possibilidade de construir um estádio próprio para o Fla. Ele disse que o clube partirá, agora, para a fase de estudos de viabilidade.

-É com o maior prazer que me dirijo a vocês (torcedores). Acabamos de assinar a opção de compra de um terreno onde será localizado o nosso estádio. Estamos dando um passo decisivo para a realização de um antigo sonho da torcida do Flamengo. É um terreno de 160 mil metros quadrados, no início da Avenida Brasil, muito bem localizado. A partir de agora, faremos todos os estudos necessários, econômicos, urbanísticos, para poder transformar isso num projeto definitivo e apresentar aos poderes do clube. Estamos todos de parabéns – disse o mandatário em vídeo divulgado no site oficial do Fla.

A opção de compra é válida por 120 dias. Neste período, o Flamengo vai fazer os estudos, incluindo análise de documentação e planos de negócios.

Curiosamente, se partir para a construção do estádio próprio, o Flamengo será quase um “vizinho” do Vasco, que tem um estádio nas proximidades de Manguinhos. No entanto, a área de interesse do Flamengo não fica exatamente ao lado de São Januário. O terreno na mira do Rubro-Negro fica próximo à pista da Avenida Brasil que está no sentido Campo Grande.

No Twitter, dois vice-presidentes do Flamengo, Rafael Strauch e Antonio Tabet, republicaram a notícia divulgada por Lauro Jardim. A hashtag #estadiodoFlamengo foi compartilhada por Strauch.

VICE FALA EM ‘PASSO IMPORTANTÍSSIMO’

O vice-presidente de patrimônio do Flamengo, Alexandre Wrobel, deu mais detalhes sobre o compromisso firmado pelo Flamengo. Ele diz que os estudos de viabilidade já terão início nesta quinta-feira, mas o dirigente mostrou conhecimento de detalhes do terreno, como a qualidade do solo.

– Hoje foi dado um passo importantíssimo, talvez o mais importante dos últimos anos da história do clube. Lógico que ainda tem um longo caminho pela frente, um trabalho árduo. Isso ainda tem que passar por conselhos e órgãos internos do clube. Mas a partir de amanhã (quinta), já começamos a trabalhar de maneira efetiva na concretização deste grande sonho, que é a construção do nosso estádio próprio. Assinamos um termo de opção. O Flamengo tem 120 dias para elaborar os estudos necessários – disse o dirigente, que mostrou-se otimista com a chance de ter um estádio próprio.

– Sendo os resultados positivos, o Flamengo tem a opção de assinar a aquisição de um terreno, muito bem localizado para a construção de estádio. É uma área sensacional, permite estacionamento e tudo o mais, bem servido de mobilidade urbana, muito próximo das linhas Vermelha e Amarela, da Rodoviária. A qualidade do solo também é muito boa, o que acaba barateando as obras. Estou muito confiante. É o primeiro passo, não estamos aqui vendendo ilusão, isso vem sendo trabalhado há quatro ou cinco meses. Temos um trabalho muito grande e árduo nos próximos quatro meses – comentou.

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Levir cobra, e Matheus Jesus segue sem prazo para estrear pelo Santos

MatériaMais Notícias

Dos sete reforços contratados pelo Santos em 2017, apenas um ainda não está inscrito na Libertadores: o volante Matheus Jesus. No clube há 26 dias, o garoto de 20 anos ainda não tem condições físicas de entrar em campo. No entanto, não há uma previsão para ele estrear pelo Peixe.

Apesar de não ter pressa, o técnico Levir Culpi cobrou o jovem volante, que disse em sua apresentação que já estava à disposição do treinador.

-Ele falou que estava pronto? Ele foi cara de pau então (risos). Ele está treinando há 30 dias e está cansando. Imagina se ele já está pronto para jogar? Ele se confundiu. Ele queria jogar. Mas está chegando, está em estágio bem melhor. Ele tem característica de jogador técnico, porte ótimo. Vamos ver o que vai acontecer – disse o treinador, se referindo à seguinte declaração de Matheus Jesus:

-Estou entregue à preparação do campo. Me sinto bem. Os profissionais da preparação física falaram que eu estava bem. Estou pronto. Se o Levir precisar de mim, estou à disposição – afirmou o atleta no dia de sua apresentação, no CT Rei Pelé.

Matheus não atua desde maio, quando foi afastado da Ponte Preta. Desde então, o meio-campista acertou com o Estoril, de Portugal, porém, não atuou pelo clube europeu, pois disse que preferia retornar ao Brasil.

Para contratar o jovem por empréstimo até o fim de 2018, o Peixe precisou vencer a concorrência do São Paulo, que iniciou a negociação primeiro.

Para inscrever Matheus Jesus na Libertadores, o Santos precisará passar pelo Barcelona (ECU), já que novas inscrições podem ser feitas apenas na semifinal da competição.

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Rangers: Gerrard must axe Scott Arfield

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard could have some tough decisions to make next summer as a number of players are due to be out of contract.

Connor Goldson, Steven Davis, Leon Balogun, Scott Arfield and Jon McLaughlin are just a few of the first-team names on the expiry list, although the club hold a one-year extension option for Balogun.

This means that Gerrard, along with Ross Wilson, could be set for some difficult conversations in the upcoming months as Rangers plot their squad for the 2022/23 campaign.

His time’s up

One player who the club should be looking to move on is Canadian international midfielder Arfield. Gerrard must make the tough decision and cut ties with the experienced ex-Burnley man as his time is up at Ibrox.

The 33-year-old has only played six times in the Scottish Premiership this term, with one start to his name to date, and has averaged a dismal WhoScored rating of 6.40. In the Europa League, he has played 12 minutes of football off the bench in the three group stage games against Lyon, Sparta Prague and Brondby combined.

This suggests that the £16k-per-week dud is not deemed good enough to play regularly in the Europa League or Premiership for Rangers. At the age of 33, he could still have a few years left in the tank to go somewhere else and play week-in-week-out, which is why Gerrard ruthlessly axing him from the squad could work for all parties involved.

In terms of how his departure would affect the squad, a replacement could already be in the works. TEAMtalk reported last month that Rangers are closing in on a deal to sign Joe Rothwell on a pre-contract deal in the January window.

This means that the 26-year-old would arrive at Ibrox on a free transfer in the summer, providing the perfect opportunity for Gerrard to allow Arfield to leave, with Rothwell taking up his place in the squad.

Therefore, it is time for the former Premier League midfielder to leave Glasgow at the end of the season. The succession plan, with Rothwell, appears to be well underway and his lack of involvement on the pitch this term suggests that Gerrard does not rely on his footballing ability enough to warrant paying him £16k-per-week for another two or three years.

AND in other news, Sold for £203k, now worth £900k: Rangers had a transfer howler over “dream” battler…

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