كشف أليكسيس ماك أليستر لاعب ليفربول الإنجليزي، عن قيامه هو والمصري محمد صلاح، جناح الفريق، باستفزاز فيرجيل فان دايك باستمرار، على سبيل المزاح.
ويتمتع لاعبو ليفربول بعلاقة قوية، ويظهر اتحادهم معًا في مباريات الفريق، وتسبب صلاح وماك أليستر في إزعاج فان دايك بمزحة لا يرغب المدافع الهولندي في سماعها.
وفي مقابلة مع موقع “DSports”، أوضح أليستر أنه وصلاح يستفزان فان دايك بانتظام بسبب مقولة قالها ليونيل ميسي في كأس العالم 2022.
قال ماك أليستر: “أنا وصلاح، طوال اليوم، نقول (إلى ماذا تنظر أيها الأحمق) لفان دايك، نحن نقوده إلى الجنون، ونفعل ذلك أيضًا بالاتفاق مع بعضنا البعض”.
اقرأ أيضًا | تقارير: ليفربول يصارع توتنهام على صفقة من الدوري الإنجليزي
وتعود تلك الواقعة إلى منافسات كأس العالم قطر 2022، عقب مباراة الأرجنتين وهولندا في الدور ربع النهائي.
وتواجد ميسي في مقابلة بعد المباراة، وظهر فيجورست موجهًا حديثه للأرجنتيني، لكن ليونيل علّق بعصبية: “إلى ماذا تنظر أيها الأحمق”.
وانتشر مقطع الفيديو سريعًا، ولاحقًا أوضح فيجورست أنه كان يحاول إظهار بعض الاحترام لميسي لكن الارجنتيني لم يدرك ذلك، ليرد منفعلاً بجملته الشهيرة.
ويمثل ذلك ذكرى سيئة لفان دايك حيث تعرضت هولندا للهزيمة بركلات الترجيح بعد نهاية المباراة بالتعادل الإيجابي بهدفين لمثلهما.
Manchester United have intensified contacts with FC Porto over goalkeeper Diogo Costa, and they are currently trying to lower the price, according to recent reports from Portugal.
What's the latest on Diogo Costa to Man United?
Just a few days ago, it was reported that Man United were finalising an offer in the region of €75m (£64m) for Costa, as the board gave their approval to make a move for the goalkeeper, with Erik ten Hag unhappy with David De Gea.
Football Transfers report the player's agent, Jorge Mendes, is trying to get his client a move to the Premier League, amid recent links to United, and Porto are in need of urgent funds before the financial year closes on June 30th.
That could potentially open the door for a move to Old Trafford, despite the fact De Gea is likely to agree fresh terms, although the Portuguese shot-stopper has recently told the media he hopes to continue with Porto for the foreseeable future.
There still appears to be a good chance the 23-year-old moves on this summer, with reports from Portugal (via Sport Witness) detailing the Red Devils have intensified their contacts with Porto, as they target a new number one.
According to A Bola, Man United are unwilling to meet the goalkeeper's £64m release clause, and they are currently in the process of negotiating a lower fee, but Porto chief Pinto da Costa is unwilling to haggle on the price.
United have been following the Porto youth product since the January transfer window, and Ten Hag is said to be fascinated by his performances.
Should Man United replace David De Gea?
De Gea clearly still has a great deal of quality, winning the Premier League golden glove in the 2022-23 campaign, the second time he has won the accolade, last claiming it in the 2017-18 season.
However, the Spaniard has had no shortage of criticism in recent times, with Paul Scholes claiming that he "makes the whole team nervous" with some of his decisions, despite also adding that he is a "brilliant goalkeeper."
Diogo Costa
Considering he is now 32-years-old, Man United may need to look at signing a long-term replacement sooner rather than later, and Costa could be a fantastic signing, having been hailed for his "complete profile" by journalist Zach Lowy.
Last season, the Porto shot-stopper recorded 16 clean sheets, the second-highest figure in the Portuguese top flight, while he is also in the 95th percentile for his clean sheet percentage over the past year, when compared to players at a similar level.
South Africa captain Faf du Plessis has been found guilty of ball-tampering but is free to play in the Adelaide Test
Firdose Moonda22-Nov-20162:51
Moonda: ‘Relief for South Africa’
South Africa’s captain Faf du Plessis has been found guilty of ball-tampering and fined his entire match fee from the Hobart Test, but will be free to play in Adelaide this week.The charge, laid by ICC chief executive David Richardson, related to clause 2.2.9 of the ICC’s Code of Conduct, which deals with “changing the condition of the ball” in breach of the Laws of Cricket. The Laws of Cricket, in turn, allow that players may “polish the ball provided that no artificial substance is used and that such polishing wastes no time”.In laying the charge, the ICC had said that “TV footage appeared to show du Plessis applying saliva and residue from a mint or sweet, an artificial substance, to the ball in an attempt to change its condition” during the Hobart Test. Du Plessis pleaded not guilty to the charge and faced a lengthy hearing before ICC match referee Andy Pycroft in Adelaide on Tuesday.On Tuesday evening, the ICC said in a statement: “The decision was based on the evidence given from the umpires, who confirmed that had they seen the incident they would have taken action immediately, and from Mr Stephenson [MCC head of cricket John Stephenson], who confirmed the view of MCC that the television footage showed an artificial substance being transferred to the ball.”In addition to the fine, three demerit points have been added to the disciplinary record of du Plessis for what was deemed a first offence. If du Plessis reaches four or more demerit points within a two-year period, they will be converted into suspension points and he would face a ban.Cricket South Africa has confirmed that du Plessis, who had been represented by CSA’s legal counsel via teleconference, would appeal the verdict. He has 48 hours from the time of receipt of the written decision to lodge his objections.An appeal would require the matter to be heard from the beginning by a judicial commissioner, who can then increase, decrease or amend the sanction in accordance with the punishments for the particular breach. The maximum penalty for a level 2 breach is a 100% match fee fine and two suspension points, which equates to being banned for one Test. In essence, du Plessis would therefore be risking a ban by attempting to clear his name.Du Plessis’ stoicism in his own innocence has echoed around the South African squad all week. On Tuesday, coach Russell Domingo confirmed, prior to the hearing, that the entire touring party was “standing by our captain.” The squad was at the Adelaide Oval for the full duration of du Plessis’ hearing, conducting their training session. Du Plessis was unable to play any part in the practice as his time with the match referee lasted a full three hours.Australia’s players were also training at Adelaide Oval as the hearing took place. They arrived around 5pm and trained under lights, and as du Plessis left his hearing he walked past several of the Australians, accompanied by CSA’s security officer and team manager. Du Plessis had a coffee in hand and a stony expression on his face, revealing little, but 90 minutes later the guilty was verdict was made public.
Sri Lanka wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella praised the seam bowling trio of Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Kulasekara and Nuwan Pradeep for holding their nerve late to secure a one-run win over West Indies
Liam Brickhill in Bulawayo24-Nov-2016
Niroshan Dickwella fell six runs short of what would have been his maiden ODI hundred•AFP
Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batsman Niroshan Dickwella credited his team’s seamers for holding their nerve against a big-hitting West Indian lower order after Sri Lanka pulled off a one-run win to secure their place in the final of the Zimbabwe tri-series. Dickwella was one of two Sri Lankans to reach the 90s in a total of 330 for 7 before Sri Lanka held West Indies to 329 for 9 in reply.”Our bowlers held their nerve, and our fast bowlers did really well,” Dickwella said. “Suranga [Lakmal], [Nuwan] Kulasekara and Nuwan Pradeep – they were the key players in defending this total. We were confident of defending the score, with our bowling attack. We missed some opportunities that we should have capitalized on, but fortunately we were on the winning side on the end.”Evin Lewis, the West Indies opener, survived two early lbw shouts and was also dropped twice during the first Powerplay in an uncharacteristically sloppy fielding effort by Sri Lanka. Lewis was dropped again off a tough chance at mid-on before he had reached fifty, and he went on to score a maiden hundred. He might have been run out shortly thereafter, but Dickwella disturbed the stumps with his glove before collecting the ball.That was one of his few lapses in the field or with the bat – after his 94 in the morning he eventually ran Lewis out for 148 – to increase Sri Lanka’s advantage at the death. Dickwella then held on to an awkward inside edge off Ashley Nurse’s bat in the penultimate over of the match.”It is kind of a challenge [batting up the order and keeping wicket], but you just have to adapt to the situation, and play according to that,” Dickwella said. “I’m a wicketkeeper-batsman, and when I score runs when we’re batting first, I still have to keep wicket for 50 overs. Obviously I have to do that, for my team.”Batting at No. 3, Dickwella was at the crease in the third over of the match and fell 36 overs later just six runs short of what would have been a maiden ODI hundred in his fifth match.”It was a good track,” he said. “Since the morning, it was a flat track. There was a bit of grass, but it was dead grass, so we didn’t expect it to move a lot. We thought it would move a bit, but that didn’t happen.”It was coming on to the bat. It was a pretty easy wicket to bat on, compared to the previous games. I could have got a hundred, and scored some more runs for the team, but I’m really happy with my performance today.”Performances such as these will help Dickwella state his claim for a spot in Sri Lanka’s touring party for their trip to South Africa in December. He is one of a number of fringe players who have come in to Sri Lanka’s squad in the absence of injured senior players such as Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal.”Some of the senior players back in Sri Lanka, Angelo Mathews and Chandimal, they’re recovering. They’ve started training again. The selectors must be picking up some juniors from this tour for the big upcoming tour, so this is a good opportunity for the juniors to perform and show them that we are good, talented players. This is a good opportunity to play, perform and win even if we don’t have those seniors with us.”
Newcastle United are interested in signing Rennes midfielder Desire Doue this summer as manager Eddie Howe continues to improve his thriving squad.
What's the latest on Desire Doue to Newcastle?
According to iNews, the teenage prodigy is of interest to the Magpies as they attempt to clinch the services of some of the best young talent in Europe.
Only recently turning 18, Doue has been in scintillating form for his French Ligue 1 outfit this term and looks set for a career lathered in prosperity, with the youngster capable of playing across a range of midfield positions.
Valued at around £12m, the French-Ivorian would continue a discernible trend on Tyneside of investing in youth and could blossom into one of Europe's leading midfielders under Howe's tutelage.
Should Newcastle sign Desire Doue?
Hailed as "very creative" and a "huge talent" by Football Transfers' Robin Bairner, it's been a remarkable start to life on the major stage for this talented young dynamo.
During an emphatic breakout year, Doue scored four goals and supplied one assist from 34 matches – just 13 starts – after plying his trade for Rennes' youth outfits last term.
The France U19 international, who predominantly features as an attacking midfielder but can also flourish deeper as well as in an offensive placement, could be the perfect alternative to Celta Vigo's touted phenom Gabri Veiga, who has caught the eye of a multitude of top European sides this year with his blistering and prolific performances.
The 21-year-old Spaniard has plundered 11 goals and four assists across all competitions this term and earned praise as a "dangerous" asset by reporter Euan McTear.
With United rivalling Premier League opposition Liverpool for the precocious prospect's signature – and Veiga holding a €40m (£34m) release clause – Doue might be the more prudent route to delve down given the disparity in price.
And, as per FBref – which lists Doue as Veiga's most comparable player – the Frenchman already ranks among the top 3% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for non-penalty goals, the top 2% for progressive carries and the top 1% for successful take-ons per 90, hinting that he could be moulded into a prodigious star of every bit the merit of his Spanish peer.
Signing Doue would fortify the youthful exuberance at Newcastle and provide Howe with a starlet to nurture towards prominence over the next several years, and there is no doubt that, given time, he will become a "gamechanger" – as remarked by analytical site Breaking The Lines – for the ambitious English outfit, wreaking havoc from his hulking midfield role.
كشفت تقارير صحفية إسبانية، عن موقف لوكاس فاسكيز لاعب فريق كرة القدم الأول بنادي ريال مدريد، بشأن تمديد عقده داخل جدران الملكي.
فاسكيز واحد من اللاعبين الذين تنتهي عقودهم بنهاية الموسم الجاري في ريال مدريد، وسط شائعات رحيله عن النادي الملكي.
إذاعة “ريليفو” الإسبانية، أكدت بأن ريال مدريد سيعرض على فاسكيز عقدًا جديدًا من أجل التمديد حتى 2026، ولكن اللاعب الإسباني يحتاج للوقت ليدرس الأمر.
طالع أيضًا.. ماتيو لاهوز عن أزمة مباراة ريال مدريد وفالنسيا: الحكم أصابه الغرور
وفي تصريحات سابقة نقلتها صحيفة “ماركا” الإسبانية، قال لوكاس فاسكيز: “لا أعرف حتى الآن ما سيحدث في مستقبلي، ولكنني لا أفكر كثيرًا في هذا الأمر”.
وأضاف: “أنا أستمتع باللحظة وألعب المزيد من المباريات، أريد مساعدة الفريق في كل مباراة وهذا أكثر ما يدور في ذهني”.
فاسكيز انضم إلى ريال مدريد في صيف 2015 قادمًا من إسبانيول، وحقق مع النادي الملكي جميع البطولات الممكنة، مع تحوله لظهير أيمن خلال السنوات الأخيرة بعدما كان قد انضم للفريق في مركز الجناح.
While the result of this match will make no difference to the qualification scenario with both teams already through, there is still plenty to look forward to
Akshay Gopalakrishnan in Thiruvananthapuram14-Dec-2016
Will the final league fixture of the current season be a high-scoring one?•KCA/Ranjith Peralam
Remote, tranquil and alluring, little about the St. Xavier’s College Ground in Thumba is reminiscent of the archetypal cricket stadium. Away from the hubhub of the city, the gentle breeze that steadily blows across mitigates the lingering humidity due to the geographic location, with the St. Andrew’s beach to the west of the ground.Jharkhand return to the venue not just with fond memories – Ishan Kishan slammed 273, the highest in Jharkhand’s history in their previous match here – but an unwavering confidence that stems from having made the quarter-finals for the second successive season.Jharkhand’s youngsters have been the flavour of their season, and nothing encapsulated that better than that innings from Kishan. The 18-year-old has grabbed eyeballs not just for his attacking brand of batsmanship, but also for the remarkable consistency with which he has been able to do it. Kishan and Ishank Jaggi have scored over 1200 runs and six centuries, making Jharkhand one of only two teams – Tamil Nadu being the other – to have two batsmen with three or more centuries.At the other end, Odisha would be more relieved than confident heading into the match. A frantic week of uncertainties ended with Odisha qualifying for their first knockouts in a decade courtesy Delhi’s defeat to Saurashtra.Odisha have benefitted immensely from their team firing in unison. Six of their batsmen have scored centuries, and their bowlers too have shared the wickets. Odisha have welcomed Biplab Samantray’s return to form after a drab 2015-16. Samantray was sacked as captain and later left out, but has regained his mojo; his 498 runs to go alongside 11 wickets have served Odisha well.Govinda Poddar, the man who took over from Samantray as leader, has thrived in his new role and hasn’t let it affect his batting. Young Subhranshu Senapati and Sandeep Pattnaik have also impressed in their debut seasons. While opener Pattnaik’s performances have fallen off in the latter half, Senapati’s consistency despite floating a bit in the line-up has lent solidity in the middle order.Odisha’s new-ball combination has come good with Suryakant Pradhan topping their charts with 26 wickets and Basant Mohanty claiming 17. Samantray has performed the supporting seamer’s role well, while left-arm spinner Dhiraj Singh has also been among the wickets. Jharkhand, on the other hand, have primarily relied on Shahbaz Nadeem, the left-arm spinner, and medium pacer Ashish Kumar, although they do hold a slight advantage having already played a match here.Jharkhand are through to the knockouts for the second time running•KCA/Ranjith Peralam
Run-fest, the norm. Will it be different this time around?The ground has faced its share of criticism despite its short history. Sunil Joshi, the Assam coach, had expressed disappointment at the run-up areas that were too sandy and the dressing rooms where repair works were underway during their match against Vidarbha. Jharkhand too had some complaints.”I found the dressing room too small. There is no air conditioner, and in this heat, if you field for two and a half hours, what do you do?” Saurabh Tiwary, the captain, said. “In the last match we played, when we used to come back after fielding, we used to get our lunch and sit outside in the tent. This time, too, we will do the same. You will see it.”The dressing room works have been completed now. But with two new grounds coming up around the city, this venue is soon set to be used only for junior cricket, meaning the change room facilities are only temporary arrangements.The presence of sand, which can still be seen abundantly on the peripheries of the stadium, is a result of the ground’s topography. But on the flip side, it makes the outfield quick and soft, minimising the risk of injury.The last time a match was played here, between Delhi and Jharkhand in November, 1307 runs were scored across four days – the third-highest aggregate of the season. That game was played on a red soil surface, while Thursday’s clash happens on a clay surface. Nonetheless, it’s expected to be another high-scoring match, although spinners will find a lot of assistance and the pitch could start crumbling as early as on the second day.”The pitch for the first game (against Delhi), we knew that it was fully flat. But this one is entirely different,” Tiwary said. “For around eight feet on either side, there has been no rolling or watering. I reckon it should start spinning on the second or the third day.”While the result of this match will make no difference to the qualification scenario with both teams already through, there is still plenty to look forward to. Odisha, despite having qualified, have only two outright wins, and another one here will set things up nicely heading into the knockouts of what has been a huge season for them. For Jharkhand, this will be an opportunity to top the group.
Leicester City are among a number of English clubs interested in making a move for Japan international and Fortuna Dusseldorf midfielder Ao Tanaka this summer, according to Mike McGrath and John Percy of The Telegraph.
What's the latest on Ao Tanaka to Leicester City
Following the appointment of Manchester City coach Enzo Maresca, Leicester can finally focus on rebuilding a squad capable of getting back into the Premier League at the first time of asking next season.
The Foxes will face a battle for the signature of Tanaka, however, with West Ham United and Fulham also interested in the midfielder.
West Bromwich Albion, meanwhile, saw their bid rejected by Dusseldorf in January.
So, Tanaka isn't exactly short on options in what could be a long summer ahead for Dusseldorf if they want to keep the 24-year-old ahead of next season.
Maresca could see the midfielder as an ideal replacement for James Maddison, who has attracted interest from both Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur this summer, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Currently valued at just €2.5m, according to Transfermarkt, too, a deal for Tanaka wouldn't eat away at Leicester's summer budget, either.
Should Leicester City sign Ao Tanaka?
Soccer Football – 2019 EAFF E-1 Football Championship – South Korea v Japan – Busan Asiad Stadium, Busan, South Korea – December 18, 2019 Japan's Ao Tanaka in action with South Korea's S Jun Ho REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji
Defeating Spain out of the 2022 World Cup with his controversial goal, Tanaka is a player on the rise and has more than earned interest from both the Premier League and the Championship.
For Dusseldorf last season, the 24-year-old was involved in four goals from midfield in all competitions, as his side failed to secure promotion back into the Bundesliga, finishing fourth.
Having shown plenty of potential, however, a move could come at the perfect time for the Leicester-linked man, who will be desperate to step things up a level after enjoying a successful World Cup, where he stunned the likes of UCL-winner Rodri and LaLiga champion Sergio Busquets with his winning goal to topple Spain back in December.
Switching from Germany's second division to England's may be a hard sell for the Foxes to make this summer, but working under Maresca could intrigue a number of players.
The majority, if not all the coaches to have initially worked with Pep Guardiola have gone onto achieve great things, from Mikel Arteta all the way to Xavi at Barcelona.
Now, it could be the turn of the new Leicester boss to shine and build a project that the likes of Tanaka will be keen to become a part of ahead of a crucial season in the Championship.
With a long summer ahead, the "exceptional" Japan international – in the words of UEFA A license coach Stevie Grieve – looks set to have a big decision to make.
David Miller and Farhaan Behardien made the most significant scores before Imran Tahir helped South Africa to wrap up a 19-run win in the first T20
The Report by Firdose Moonda20-Jan-2017 Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsDavid Miller needed to run only 10 out of his total of 40•Gallo Images
There is no substitute for experience in international cricket and South Africa showed that as they claimed the T20 series lead in a shortened 10-over match at SuperSport Park. David Miller and Farhaan Behardien shared in a fourth-wicket stand of 51 off 27 balls to help set a target of 127 before Imran Tahir took two wickets in his second over to put South Africa on course for victory, but not without Sri Lanka’s most serious challenge of the tour so far.The visitors got their chase off to a strong start through Niroshan Dickwella and Dhananjaya de Silva. They put on 59 runs for the first wicket, inside six overs, before Tahir’s double strike removed them both. Dickwella holed out to deep midwicket but de Silva was defiant and came down the wicket to hit Tahir for successive sixes before missing a slog sweep and seeing his middle stump removed.In the next over, Aaron Phangiso, the only other member of South Africa’s World T20 squad to feature in this match had debutant Thikshila de Silva caught at midwicket off a slog sweep and Sri Lanka’s middle and lower-order had much to do.Seekkuge Prasanna kept them in it with back-to-back to sixes off Phangiso but the damage was done. Sri Lanka needed 40 runs off the last three overs, which was not an impossible ask, but lost three wickets for three runs, two of them to debutant Lungi Ngidi in the same over to spoil their chances of success. Prasanna was caught behind off a back-of-a-length ball and Mendis was caught in a relay catch between Heino Kuhn and Tahir on the deep square leg boundary to prove Ngidi’s promise on a night the veterans shone.South Africa sported five new caps, including Man of the Match Ngidi, in their XI and a new captain in Behardien, and made the most of being asked to bat first after afternoon showers delayed the start of play by more than two hours. They rewarded the sellout crowd, who waited in the wet, with an entertaining encounter despite the new batsmen’s limited success in their desperation to impress.Home favourite Heino Kuhn, who was making a return after five T20s in the 2009-10 season, made a promising start but was out lbw to Nuwan Kulasekara when he shuffled across his stumps and missed a flick. Jon-Jon Smuts, the domestic T20 competition’s leading run-scorer, only lasted an over more before a top-edge ended his fun. Theunis de Bruyn, a non-playing member of the Test squad, looked the most confident of the trio – his shot arm jab for six off Suranga Lakmal was the highlight of his knock – but he found a diving Asela Gunaratne at point to leave it to Miller and Behardien to give South Africa a total to defend.Miller had already smoked a six off a Prasanna googly in the over de Bruyn was dismissed and with South Africa scoring at a rate of over 11, Behardien and Miller could take an over to get their eye in. They treated Gunaratne with respect – he was the only Sri Lanka bowler to finish with an economy rate in single figures – before launching their late assault.South Africa doubled their score in the last four overs as Behardien tucked into full tosses from Nuwan Pradeep and Miller took Angelo Mathews’ second over for 19 runs. He brought out the slog sweep, the pull and a swat thorough the covers off Mathews, before unleashing an inside-out drive and one over midwicket off Kulasekara, whose second over also cost 19. Miller holed out to long-on when he was on 40 but Mangaliso Mosehle spanked his first ball in international cricket for six and Behardien batted through to ensure South Africa had enough.