Tag Futebol

Ehsan Mani, the former ICC president, has urged cricket boards to take responsibility to curb corruption in the sport by engaging with their governments and law enforcement agencies to punish the perpetrators they find. Mani said while the role of the ICC was limited, India’s role in this exercise could be “significant” if it found a way to monitor and regulate the illegal betting industry in the country.”Every time it is the players who are under the radar. The ones who corrupt the cricketers are somehow never punished,” Mani told ESPNcricinfo. “One was hoping that the conviction of three Pakistanis and one English cricketer would send out a strong message and frighten players, but this I think is not going to work. In the long run, it is the root-cause that has to be dealt with.”An undercover operation by the stated that two Indian bookmakers had claimed they remained undeterred by the recent prosecutions of professional cricketers, the game continued to offer plenty of opportunities for spot-fixing and that professional cricketers could be easily be lured in all forms of the game. In the report the bookies had said that they had recruited players from several countries to throw part or all of international matches, including the World Cup semi-final between India and Pakistan. The ICC denied there had been evidence to “prompt an investigation into the match.”Mani defended the ICC’s actions in the current environment, saying its role was limited as the influence of the illegal betting industry was hard to control. “They don’t have the authority to set up the sting operations in any country so the responsibility [should be] laid on the individual boards to follow up. The problem is the illegal bookies in the subcontinent – most of them are from India and some are in Pakistan. They work in a grey area where there is no control and monitoring.”The reported the bookmaker’s laundry list of fixing ‘rates’ offered. “Tens of thousands of pounds are on offer to fix matches, typically £44,000 ($70,000) to batsmen for slow scoring; £50,000 ($80,000) for bowlers who concede runs; and as much as £750,000 ($1.2m) to players or officials who can guarantee the outcome of a match,” the newspaper reported the bookmaker’s claims.The figures did not surprise Mani who said players could be easily tempted when they were offered large sums of money for little effort. “I’m afraid there will be some $600m involved in the upcoming one match between India and Pakistan on March 18. So for them [illegal bookmakers] investing $5 to 10m on a player is nothing. These days fixing a whole team isn’t possible but controlling individual player is viable and it could be common.”The ECB, Mani said, had been proactive in the Westfield case, asking players to come forward to reveal what they knew. They board responded robustly to concerns that the county circuit was as vulnerable to the influence of illegal bookies as the international game. The Indian board, however, Mani said, needed to take cognisance of the newspaper report. Even the BCCI had declined to respond, with the IPL governing council chairman Rajeev Shukla saying, “Newspapers can publish anything, unless we get something concrete from an agency or ICC, I don’t think it would be appropriate to react to it.”Mani said India could play a significant role by making betting legal. “These problems will never finish until the Indian government finds a way to regulate illegal book-making. I have seen the ECB showing concern, asking players to come and tell them what they know after Westfield’s sentencing. I think it’s the member boards who have to step up to engage the law enforcement agencies to work with them to clean up cricket.”

Ricky Ponting knew a big score was coming, and satisfyingly he achieved it in Sydney when his team really needed him, with 134 runs that matched the innings of his pomp

Daniel Brettig at the SCG04-Jan-2012Ricky Ponting knew it was coming. Touch and rhythm had returned slowly to his hands and feet, and all he lacked was a score to prove it beyond doubt. Satisfyingly he achieved it in Sydney, with 134 runs that matched the innings of his pomp.While many had doubted Ponting’s capacity to return to such heights, particularly when he fell lbw three times in four Test innings in South Africa in November, the man himself said he had never felt the end was nigh. There had been much frustration, of course.”I wouldn’t be playing if I didn’t think I could do it,” Ponting said. “I think over the last few weeks even, there’s been enough signs there to know and have faith in what I’ve been working on, to know that a big score was just around the corner. I actually told a few people that after last week in Melbourne I felt a big score was very close.”It’s hard to be frustrated when you’re getting out early, it is easier to be frustrated when you’re getting decent starts and not capitalising. Low scores are always going to be there in our game. Once you get to 40, 50, 60, that’s when the great players go on and make big scores and that’s what, for me over the last few weeks, has been the most frustrating thing. I’ve probably scored a few 50s in between my last hundred, but they’re the ones you get most frustrated about.”Ponting said he had needed to break his technique down and rebuild it in response to a slackening run of scores, pushing the boundaries of hardwork that had already been substantially stretched by his proud, fastidious character.”I’ve had to work exceptionally hard, harder than ever on certain technical aspects of my game, there’s no doubt about that,” he said. “I’ve been doing that for a little while now, I’ve been doing a couple of different things over the last couple of weeks, which are starting to pay dividends for me. The thing that is starting to come back is that real rhythm about my batting, and the feeling of being at ease at the crease.”When you’re going through a lean trot it is amazing how many little things creep into your head, and those little things can sometimes take over and get in the way of what you’re trying to do. So I’ve had a really clear mind this week, knowing what I’ve been working on is starting to come good for me, so it’s been a good couple of weeks for the team and today’s an extra special day for us.”It was extra special at least in part, because of the circumstances in which Ponting and Michael Clarke began their stand of 288. Australia had lost three quick wickets, the ball was swinging, and the SCG crowd murmured nervously about a team that had recently developed a habit of horridly low scores.”When Michael came to the crease last night it was a huge period in the game for us. We were three down in the game for not many and the momentum was starting to swing back in India’s favour after we’d had a very good day with the ball,” Ponting said. “The important thing for both of us was to make sure we played our natural games and we showed great intent.”Michael showed great intent from the moment he came to the crease and we both managed to score reasonably quickly last night, which just gave us a bit of momentum going to stumps, and we started the same way this morning. Our scoring rate in this innings has been very good and we’re taking the game forward all the time, which is the way we want to play our cricket. So at the moment we’re sitting in a strong position, thanks to some brilliant batting by the captain.”In the depths of a 33-innings drought between centuries, Ponting said he had been fuelled by pride, by not wanting to let his career fade to black without a rousing conclusion. But there had also been the team, which he no longer leads, but which he does not want to leave behind.”For me over the last few months there’s been a lot more pressure on me than I’ve never had at any stage of my career,” Ponting said. “But that’s just made me work harder. I’m a pretty proud person, and the last thing I wanted to do was to finish off my career the way it had been going the last few months. That’s why I’ve worked as hard as I had.”I wanted to give myself the best chance to play well and win games of cricket for Australia, and that’s the only reason I continue to play. There’s nothing else personally I’m trying to achieve, other than to help the Australian team win games, and get back up from No. 5 or wherever we were a few months ago, back up to the top of the tree where we deserve to be.”Confidence in our game is an amazing thing and spending time in the middle is what every batsman needs to do when they’re going through a lean trot. Over the last couple of weeks I’ve been able to spend a bit of time in the middle, and after the innings today I can have a bit more confidence about my game than I’ve had for a long time now.”

England Women wrapped the T20 series with an easy seven-wicket win over South African Women

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Oct-2011
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsEngland Women’s bowlers suffocated South Africa Woman before their batsmen completed a comfortable victory with 4.1 overs to spare in the third and final T20 game and claim the three match series 2-0.Rain forced the abandonment of the second game, giving South Africa a chance to square the series, and Cri-Zelda Brits and Trisha Chetty started brightly. Brits drove Aaran Brindle twice through the covers while Chetty worked Danni Hazell to the long leg fence. The introduction of Georga Elwiss and Laura Marsh put the brakes on the scoring and Chetty and Brits were reduced to taking singles and twos. The pressure finally told on Chetty, when she holed out to the deep mid-wicket area of Jenny Gunn, having made 33. Brits progressed to 50 before she was bowled by Brindle and though South Africa did not lose any more wickets, they weren’t able to accelerate and posted a below-par total.Masabata Klass bowled Laura Marsh for 2 and one ball later Chloe Tyron did the same to Charlotte Edwards to reduce England to 27 for 2, but Sarah Taylor and Lydia Greenway steadied the ship and with the asking rate always under control, even Taylor’s departure for 39 was not going to stop England cantering home.

Fidel Edwards, the West Indies fast bowler, has said that he is mastering the art of reverse swing and wants to be the world’s best bowler

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Jul-2011Fidel Edwards, the West Indies fast bowler, has said that he is mastering the art of reverse swing and wants to be the world’s best bowler. Edwards, 29, made his comeback in the series against India after two years in the wilderness and, since his return, he has taken 13 wickets in two Tests.”My aim has always been to be at the top,” Edwards said. “Now that I’m back my goal is to be the No.1 bowler in the world. I was away from the game for a few years and it feels good to be back. I’m bowling quite well and also getting the ball to reverse swing. During the time off I worked a lot on getting the ball to reverse swing, now it’s working well for me.”Edwards said the wait out of the side – he didn’t play a Test from May 2009 until last month – had made him hungrier to succeed. He took eight wickets in the second Test, including a five-for in the second innings, and produced spells of reverse swing.Fidel Edwards has taken 13 wickets in his first two Tests back in the side•AFP

That effort has pushed him up the ICC’s bowling rankings and at No.18, he is higher than any of his current West Indies team-mates. Edwards bowled long spells in the Tests and said he was happy with the workload, and he was slowly returning to his best form.”I’ve played back-to-back Test matches and my back has been holding up very well. I have been doing a lot of strength work with the trainer and things have been going well so far. I won’t say I’m back to my best, but I have been taking wickets and it’s the wickets the team needs. If I can keep taking wickets and keep improving, I believe I will be back to my best quite soon. I have to improve my consistency, so hopefully I will be able to put it together even more in the match here [Dominica] and get more wickets.”Edwards replaced Kemar Roach, who played the Tests against Pakistan, and has partnered Ravi Rampaul against India. He said it was a positive experience to share the new ball with Rampaul. “It has been great. He has been great throughout the season and has been getting early wickets for us. We just want to keep improving. It has been a good partnership with the new ball.”

كشف السويسري مارسيل كولر، المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالنادي الأهلي، عن دكة البدلاء في مباراة اليوم أمام بيراميدز.

ويلتقي الأهلي مع بيراميدز على ملعب استاد القاهرة، في تمام السابعة مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة، ضمن منافسات الجولة الحادية عشر من عمر مسابقة الدوري المصري. 

طالع | تشكيل الأهلي أمام بيراميدز في الدوري.. عودة عمرو السولية وشادي حسين يقود الهجوم

ويحتل الأهلي المركز الثاني بجدول ترتيب الدوري المصري برصيد 24 نقطة، فيما يتواجد بيراميدز في المركز الرابع بجدول ترتيب المسابقة ولديه 20 نقطة. بدلاء الأهلي أمام بيراميدز

محمود متولي ورامي ربيعة وأحمد عبد القادر ومحمد شريف وحسين الشحات وعلي لطفي ورأفت خليل ومحمد فخري وأحمد نبيل كوكا.

John Hastings derailed the Bangladesh Cricket Board XI chase with a hat-trick to spur the visiting Australians to a comprehensive victory in their only warm-up game ahead of the three-match ODI series

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Apr-2011
Scorecard
John Hastings rattled the hosts with a hat-trick•Associated PressJohn Hastings, the medium-pacer, derailed the Bangladesh Cricket Board XI chase with a hat-trick to spur the visiting Australians to a comprehensive victory in their only warm-up game ahead of the three-match ODI series.Raqibul Hasan and Maisuqur Rahman had built a solid century stand in the BCB XI’s response to 308, though the hosts were well behind the required rate. But that partnership was put to an end by Hastings, who bowled Raqibul for 65 and trapped Alok Kapali and Shuvagoto Hom off successive deliveries to claim a hat-trick in the 36th over. He wasn’t done, as he returned in the 38th over to dislodge Maisuqur. The tail offered some resistance as BCB XI limped to 218 for 7.Australia’s strong performance with the bat centered around half-centuries from four of their batsmen – Brad Haddin, Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke and Michael Hussey. Ponting, having relinquished his post as captain, played a fluent innings, striking 10 fours and a six in his 69. Clarke, his successor, made 55 in 56 balls and Hussey made a quickfire 69.At 236 for 3 at the end of 41 overs, Australia would have hoped to pile up more than what they eventually got, but it proved more than sufficient. The first of three ODIs begins on April 9 in Dhaka.

An update has emerged regarding Newcastle United’s pursuit of Arsenal full-back Cedric Soares…

What’s the talk?

According to TuttoMercatoWeb, the Magpies are one of the clubs plotting a deal to snap up the Portuguese defender this summer.

The report claims that Porto are also in the running to land his signature and have submitted a bid of €5m (£4.2m) as they look to tempt the Gunners into cashing in on the 30-year-old.

A move to St James’ Park has not been completely ruled out but the player is said to prefer a stay at the Emirates Stadium over a transfer away from the north London club.

He’d be brilliant for Eddie Howe

The Telegraph’s Sam Dean dubbed Cedric’s crossing “brilliant” earlier this season, and that perfectly describes what he would be for the Magpies next season as he is an experienced and versatile gem of a player. 

Cedric has been playing in England since 2015, for Southampton and Arsenal, and he knows what it takes to perform at this level. He has racked up 151 Premier League appearances to date, scoring twice and setting up 12 top-flight goals from full-back.

In that time, he has played in a number of positions – left-back, right-back, right midfield and left midfield. This shows that he is capable of adapting to a multitude of roles for Howe in the Newcastle team, which would make him a valuable asset to have when dealing with injuries and suspensions throughout a campaign.

The 30-year-old has been a solid option for Mikel Arteta to call upon this term. Last month, Alan Hutton heaped praise on the defender’s role with the Gunners as he said: “[Cedric Soares] has done really well, but he’s gone under the radar because of Tomiyasu.

“When you are going for the European spots and trying to challenge, you need competition for places. He knows the style of play, he knows what Arteta wants. He’s a good deputy for Tomiyasu.”

In the Premier League this season, he has averaged a SofaScore rating of 6.79 across 16 appearances. This shows that he has been dependable for Arsenal, as he has put in respectable displays when he has been needed at either left-back or right-back, and this is why he would be brilliant for Howe.

Matt Targett is out? Cedric comes in. Kieran Trippier is out? Cedric comes in. It would be a superb deal for Newcastle if they can get a player of his quality, versatility and experience for a meagre fee of £4.2m, so PIF must ensure that they can convince the Gunners to part ways with the defender.

AND in other news, “I’m told”: Insider reveals deal NUFC are set to complete, supporters will be buzzing…

Victoria have been charged with ball-tampering during their win over South Australia at the Adelaide Oval, where Jon Holland took a career-best four-wicket haul

ESPNcricinfo staff19-Dec-2010
ScorecardJon Holland finished with 4 for 61•Getty ImagesVictoria have been charged with ball-tampering during their win over South Australia at the Adelaide Oval, where Jon Holland took a career-best four-wicket haul. The Bushrangers were penalised five runs during South Australia’s innings after the umpires Simon Fry and Bob Parry found markings on the ball after the last delivery on the second day.The side will face a Code of Conduct hearing this week after being reported for a level one offence under rule 1.7 of the Cricket Australia Code of Behaviour, which relates to “failure by a team to ensure the condition of a ball is not changed in breach of law 42.3”. The standard penalty is a fine of 10% of each player’s match fee, as well as the five-run penalty.Victoria’s captain Cameron White said after play he was not aware of any specifics to do with the alleged breach. “I can’t say a lot, obviously the umpires have made an allegation,” White told AAP. “We know that it’s a team thing and it’s a hearing so that is about all we know to be honest. We actually … don’t know what the allegation is at this stage, so when we find out, we’ll assess where it goes from there.”The charges took the gloss off a comprehensive eight-wicket win for Victoria, which took only three days. Chasing 81 for victory, the Bushrangers reached their target with only two wickets down, with Aaron Finch on 25 and David Hussey on 8, after the Redbacks struggled in their second innings.Only one ball was possible in the first session due to rain, and when play resumed South Australia quickly lost Callum Ferguson for 15. Holland and Clint McKay (3 for 66) then ran through the rest of the Redbacks line-up to keep the home side to 213.The left-arm spinner Holland ended up with 4 for 61 and in the current state of Australian spin bowling, a couple more handy performances like that and he could find himself in the mix for a national call-up. The win was Victoria’s second of the summer and they sit fourth on the Sheffield Shield table, while the Redbacks are second-last.

Wolves midfielder Leander Dendoncker is reportedly subject to interest from Serie A side Lazio ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window.

What’s the latest?

According to Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport (via Inside Futbol), the Rome-based outfit are looking to attempt a fresh swoop for the 27-year-old after a failed attempt last summer.

The Italian club could lose midfielders Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Lucas Leiva in the upcoming window and are therefore identifying potential replacements, with the Belgian reportedly on their wish list.

Dendoncker’s contract at Molineux expires in 2023 and could be available for a cut-price fee this summer if a contract extension cannot be agreed upon.

Wolves must keep hold of Dendoncker

Like Lazio, Wolves could see two key midfielders depart this summer in Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho and cannot afford to let a third depart.

Neves has been subject to interest from an array of clubs, including Arsenal, whilst Moutinho’s contract is set to expire in June.

Dendoncker has had to work hard to prove himself to Bruno Lage this term, with the Belgian starting just one of the West Midlands club’s first seven Premier League matches of the season.

However, since then the 27-year-old has gone on to start a further 15 matches in the top flight with Wolves still in the hunt for European qualification.

According to SofaScore, the versatile midfielder has completed 86% of his passes in the league this campaign whilst averaging 1.2 tackles, 1.2 clearances and 0.3 interceptions per game.

Although the Belgian’s average match rating of 6.81 is bettered by three other Wolves midfielders Neves (7.2), Luke Cundle (7.1) and Moutinho (7.04), it’s vital that Lage holds onto at least some of his current midfield options as opposed to the risk of having to reinvent his entire team’s core.

The £75k-per-week midfielder scored his sole goal of the campaign in Wolves’ vital 2-0 win away at Tottenham in February and was subject to praise from defender Max Kilman, who said: “He’s brilliant, nothing phases him. He knows his task and he doesn’t feel the pressure.”

Following an initial loan move from Anderlecht in 2018 that became permanent the following summer, Dendoncker has been a kingpin during Wolves’ current streak in the Premier League, having joined ahead of the club’s first season back in the top flight after six years away.

In that time the midfielder has made 149 appearances, making the prospect of a departure an upsetting concept for the Molineux faithful. Lage must not make that mistake this summer.

AND in other news: “My understanding…”: Wolves receive huge injury boost that could aid bid for Europe

Ibrahima Konate, Kostas Tsmikas and Roberto Firmino were the standout performers as Liverpool drew 3-3 with Benfica in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final at Anfield. 

Despite the draw, ultimately the Reds booked a place in the semi-finals owing to a 6-4 aggregate success, where Jurgen Klopp’s side will face the conquerors of Bayern Munich, Villarreal.

After netting a first goal for the club in the away leg, Konate headed home the opener before Goncalo Ramos equalised before half time. After the break, a Firmino brace looked to have sealed the deal on the night before Roman Yaremchuk and Darwin Nunez struck back late on, albeit to no avail.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-liverpool-transfer-news-28/” title=”Latest Liverpool transfer news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

According to Sofascore, there were three Reds in particular who stood out on the night and we’ve taken a close look at the numbers that made up a successful night for Klopp’s men.

Konate 7.4/10

Not content with opening the scoring, the powerful Frenchman produced an outstanding defensive display in the face of the impressive Darwin Nunez.

The 22-year-old centre-back won 2/2 (100%) ground duels, 3/5 (60%) aerial duels and was accurate with 94/105 (90%) passes.

This was yet another coming of age performance from the ever-impressive youngster who signed for £36million last summer (Sky Sports).

Tsimikas 8.2/10

Understudy to Andy Robertson, Tsimikas certainly grabbed this rare opportunity to impress on the biggest stage.

Overall, the Greek left-back provided two assists, won an impressive 9/12 (75%) of ground duels, completed 56/65 (86%) accurate passes and made four key passes on the night.

The 25-year-old also won 1/2 (50%) of his aerial duels and found a teammate with 4/15 (26%) crosses.

Firmino 8.4/10

Second half brace aside, this was a typical Firmino performance as the workmanlike Brazilian allowed those around him to flourish whilst pressuring defenders throughout.

This was underpinned by the defensive statistics as the 30-year-old won 3/7 (42%) of his ground duels, blocked two shots and made one interception.

In an attacking sense, Firmino completed 39/48 (81%) of his passes and enjoyed 70 touches as Liverpool advanced through the tie.

In other news: Liverpool reportedly interested in Ligue 1 starlet