A goleada sofrida por 5 a 1 para o Internacional vai deixar duras marcas na história do São Paulo. Isso porque a derrota é a pior da história do Tricolor no Brasileirão e também na história do Morumbi.
PSG vai atrás de zagueiro do City, Flamengo vende joia da base… Veja o Dia do Mercado
A última vez que o São Paulo tinha sofrido cinco gols no Morumbi havia sido em 2000, quando o Tricolor perdeu por 5 a 2 para o Flamengo, depois de abrir uma vantagem de 2 a 0, segundo o historiador Alexandre Giesbrecht.
SIMULE OS JOGOS DO SÃO PAULO NO BRASILEIRÃO
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Na história do Brasileirão, esta foi a décima segunda vez que o São Paulo sofreu cinco gols ou mais na mesma partida, de acordo com o ‘Blog do PVC’.O maior revés sofrido foi um 7 a 2 para a Portuguesa, em 1998.
Das doze goleadas sofridas, somente duas aconteceram no estádio do São Paulo. Em 1969, o Atlético Mineiro goleou por 5 a 2, mas a derrota sofrida para o Internacional por 5 a 1 quebrou o recorde doloroso.
The India allrounder coming back from injury has the chance to influence a tight game with his bowling on the last day at Wankhede stadium
Ankur Dhawan in Mumbai16-Dec-2018
Hardik Pandya perfects a pull against Morne Morkel•BCCI
The IPL has done funny things to Indian cricket, particularly the fan. How else do you explain lusty cheering for Mumbai Indians Baroda allrounder Hardik Pandya as he tried with all his might to thwart Mumbai’s chances of securing a vital first innings lead at Wankhede stadium? Sure, there is merit in the theory that he is an India player, but MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli apart, not many have such a hold over crowds across the country.If it was a case of conflicted emotions – although there was no sign of it as the small crowd chanted his name like an anthem – they got the best of both worlds. Pandya obliged with a 137-ball 73 but Mumbai clung on to the cliff edge, securing a 29-run lead that may just keep them afloat in the Ranji Trophy.Pandya may have missed a maiden Ranji Trophy hundred, but it was his first major contribution with the bat in red-ball cricket since a whirlwind 93 at the start of the year in Cape Town. (He’d made a fifty against Afghanistan in between, but that came after India’s total had already gone past 300)Baroda had other heroes as well. Aditya Waghmode batted in mode to make 114 off 304 balls and Vishnu Solanki produced a more free flowing 133 to give Pandya the time he needed to find his feet, both literally and figuratively. At lunch he was batting on 3 off 29, struggling for rhythm but untroubled by the bowling as such.Match situations, though, can be fickle, and after cruising for 121 overs and looking set to surpass Mumbai’s 465 by a significant margin, wickets fell, as though through a series of trapdoors. A comfortable 351 for 3 became 378 for 6 when tea was taken, and two overs post resumption Baroda had slipped to a precarious 379 for 7. At that stage, it seemed like they were running out of luck, exemplified by Solanki’s questionable lbw decision earlier in the day, but soon enough Pandya was bowled off a no-ball and it became a level playing field once again.Reprieved on 41, he brought his side within 29 runs of Mumbai’s total before being pinned in front by Royston Dias as he tried to steal a single off the last ball of the over. It was not unlike the position he was in a few months ago at Edgbaston, when India needed 32 to win and Pandya was left with the awkward job of refusing singles when the field was spread, and scampering across when it came up. Eventually he was led to play a shot that wasn’t meant to fetch him runs or protect his stumps and he was dismissed.The difference here is that there’s an innings left and Pandya could enjoy the perks of who he is – an allrounder – and influence the result. While Mumbai would have undoubtedly been the happier side, having taken the lead, given the lack of time left in the game, they were also the only ones left in a position to throw it away – a tendency common among teams batting without purpose on final days. With his two quick wickets before stumps, Pandya has stoked that possibility.
Aston Villa will be hoping to get back to winning ways in the Premier League when they face champions Manchester City this evening after their recent 2-2 draw with AFC Bournemouth.
Unai Emery had to be rescued by a late goal from Ollie Watkins to secure a share of the spoils, and while he had to rotate his starting XI due to the European tie in midweek, he will need to unleash his strongest side tonight.
This means benching a few players who underperformed against the Cherries, most notably Nicolo Zaniolo.
Nicolo Zaniolo’s game vs Bournemouth in numbers
The Italian was deployed alongside Watkins in a two-man attack on the weekend, yet it didn’t quite have the desired effect Emery had in mind.
Zaniolo took just one shot during his 45 minutes on the pitch while failing with his only dribble attempt and losing possession ten times, proving that his change of role clearly wasn’t working.
He barely had the ball, taking only 20 touches throughout the first half, and when he did, he completed just three passes, a shocking statistic.
It was hardly surprising when Emery hooked him ahead of the second half for Jacob Ramsey and there is no doubt he will be back on the bench this evening.
This leaves the door ajar for Moussa Diaby to be unleashed in the starting XI.
Moussa Diaby’s season in numbers
The winger has managed to find the back of the net on four occasions since his big-money move from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer, while also chipping in with five assists.
The £130k-per-week star was utilised heavily out wide for the Bundesliga outfit, yet Emery prefers to deploy him in a more central role and the Frenchman has led the line on seven occasions this term already, scoring twice.
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With key strengths such as long shots and holding onto the ball according to WhoScored, a transition into a central role for the long term shouldn’t be a problem for the player and this could work out well against City.
Diaby currently ranks second in the Villa squad for total shots per game (1.9) and shots on target per game (0.8) in the Premier League this season, along with ranking first for big chances created (seven) and second for key passes per game (1.7), ensuring that a new role alongside Watkins could pay off handsomely for Villa in the long run judging by these statistics.
The winger was praised by Morade Djeddi, the president of his first club, Esperance Paris 19e, who said: “I’m not comparing him to Messi: I’m just saying that Lionel Messi didn’t learn his dribbling anywhere. It’s the same for Moussa. He was born with it. If dribbling was just work, there would be hundreds and hundreds of Lionel Messis. It’s just that Moussa has a supernatural, divine gift. A gift that some have and others don’t.”
This ‘supernatural’ gift appears to be working wonders for Emery so far and if he continues his recent run of form, the Midlands side will be tough to stop, and he must be unleashed against Pep Guardiola’s men tonight.
دخل لاعب منتخب فرنسا الأول لكرة القدم دائرة اهتمامات فريق ليفربول الإنجليزي خلال فترة الانتقالات الصيفية الجارية.
ويهدف المدير الفني الجديد لفريق ليفربول، آرني سلوت، إلى إجراء تعزيزات جديدة في صفوف الريدز بالموسم القادم.
ولم تقم إدارة ليفربول بإجراء أي تعاقدات حتى الآن في فترة الانتقالات الصيفية.
اقرأ ايضاً.. بوروسيا دورتموند يجهض صفقة هجومية هامة لـ ليفربول
وأشارت شبكة “فوتبول إنسايدر” إلى أن ليفربول قد أبدى اهتمامه بالتعاقد مع لاعب يوفنتوس السابق، أدريان رابيو، هذا الصيف بشكل مجاني.
وأصبح اللاعب الفرنسي رابيو البالغ من العمر 29 عامًا، لاعبًا حراً عقب انتهاء عقده مع فريق يوفنتوس الإيطالي.
وتابعت الشبكة أن إدارة ليفربول قد وضعت رابيو على قائمة تعزيزات الريدز لتدعيم خط الوسط خلال الميركاتو الصيفي الحالي، في حال فشل التوقيع مع مارتن زوبيميندي لاعب ريال سوسيداد.
وبحسب ما جاء في الصحف الإسبانية فإن زوبيميندي قد أبدى رغبته في الإنضمام إلى ليفربول، لكن إدارة ريال سوسيداد تطالب الريدز بدفع قيمة الشرط الجزائي في عقد اللاعب البالغ 52 مليون جنيه إسترليني.
ويعد أدريان رابيو أحد أبرز البدائل التي قد تلجأ إليها إدارة ليفربول في حال فشل التوقيع مع مارتن زوبيميندي.
وشارك رابيو الموسم الماضي في 35 مباراة مع يوفنتوس بجميع المسابقات، وأحرز 5 أهداف وقام بصناعة 3 أهداف طوال الموسم.
Nesta quinta-feira, na Fazendinha, em São Paulo, Corinthians e Atlético-MG fizeram o primeiro jogo da semifinal do Brasileirão sub-20 e o resultado foi um empate em 1 a 1, que acabou sendo um ótimo placar para os visitantes, que perdiam por 1 a 0 até os 42 minutos do segundo tempo, quando Wesley igualou. Já o gol do Timão foi marcado por Cauê, no início da primeira etapa.
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Primeiro tempo com domínio do Timãozinho
O Corinthians iniciou a partida comandando as ações ofensivas, logo aos três minutos, Lucas Pires trabalhou a bola pela esquerda, driblou dois jogadores e, ao cruzar, o zagueiro conseguiu desviar para escanteio. Na batida, Reginaldo tocou curto para Vitinho, que chutou direto para o gol, no entanto o goleiro Jean conseguiu fazer a defesa, espalmando para fora.
Poucos minutos depois, Lucas Pires novamente criou a jogada no meio-campo, pela esquerda, tocou para Vitinho, que lançou para a outra ponta, onde Julio cruzou à meia altura para Cauê, que tentou uma fez, mas na segunda pegou o rebote para balançar a rede do Atlético-MG e abrir o placar para os paulistas.
Melhor no jogo, o Corinthians chegou mais três vezes com perigo, mas não conseguiu ampliar a vantagem no marcador. Oprimeiro ataque do Galo aconteceu numa cobrança de falta aos 32 minutos, quando Guilherme Santos bateu falta e a bola explodiu no travessão. Foi a melhor chance dos visitantes.
Jogo muda no segundo tempo e Atlético-MG não perdoa
Na volta do intervalo, o Galo retornou bem melhor e em 15 minutos teve duas chegadas perigosas ao gol de Guilherme Pezão, duas vezes com Guilherme Santos, o artilheiro da competição. Os dois técnicos fizeram mudanças para tentar alterar os rumos do jogo, mas somente o Atlético-MG viu resultado.
Aos 22 minutos, Wesley tentou marcar um gol olímpico e quase surpreendeu Guilherme Pezão. Pouco tempo depois, Guilherme Santos voltou a levar perigo em um chute colocado após saída errada da defesa do Corinthians, mas a bola foi para fora. Em seguida, no primeiro lance de perigo do Timão na segunda etapa, quase ampliou o placar com Alemão, em cabeio que raspou a trave.
Com os corintianos bem abaixo da crítica, o Atlético-MG se manteve no ataque e aos 35 minutos Pezão precisou trabalhar novamente, quando o atleticano Luiz Filipe fez grande jogada e chutou forte para a defesa do goleiro. O empate parecia cada vez mais próximo e ele veio aos 42, após lateral cobrado para área. A bola sobrou para Wesley bater colocado e marcar: 1 a 1 no placar.
Hiago Ribeiro ainda teve uma chance para marcar o gol da virada, após cruzamento de Luiz Filipe, mas a bola passou tirando tinta da trave corintiana e a igualdade permaneceu. Com o empate, a decisão fica para a partida de volta, na próxima segunda-feira, às 15h, no Estádio das Alterosas, em Belo Horizonte. Quem vencer, fica com a vaga na final, já um novo empate leva aos pênaltis.
It will help with the day-to-day activities of the Competent Authority, which is currently heading up the SLC until fresh elections take place
Madushka Balasuriya12-Nov-2018
Sri Lanka’s fans enjoy a sunny day at The Oval•Getty Images/ICC
Sri Lanka’s sports ministry has appointed a five-member advisory committee to assist in Sri Lanka Cricket’s day-to-day operations, until yet-to-be-announced board elections are held. It is expected to share duties with the sports ministry-appointed Competent Authority, which has been heading up SLC since June 1.Comprising president’s counsel Dinal Philips, Samantha Rajapaksa, Mohamed Hisham Jamaldeen, Ranil Pathirana and Lasantha Wickremasinghe, the committee has been mandated with “inculcating corporate and operational efficiency.”An SLC release said: “The new committee will provide guidelines for the SLC management to continue its operations unhindered, whilst it will also focus on inculcating corporate and operational efficiency to SLC operations, going forward”The appointment of this advisory committee – effective November 9 – comes on the heels of three other committee appointments last week, though SLC confirmed that each committee would retain a degree of autonomy and exist independent of each other.”The recently appointed Cricket Advisory Committee, Tournament Committee and the Umpires Committee will co-exist independently and are authorised to take decisions, without interference from any parties on cricket-related matters,” the release concluded.SLC elections have been delayed indefinitely since May 31 after a Court of Appeal found that SLC election protocol had been flouted in the run-up to the elections. While the court subsequently lifted the ban, elections failed to materialise in the months since. The ICC has set a deadline of February 9, 2019 for the SLC to hold its elections.
Manchester United are reportedly eyeing attacking reinforcements ahead of the January transfer window, with a host of star names already being linked with a move to Old Trafford.
Erik ten Hag’s side have suffered a dull start to the 2023/24 campaign, as despite sitting just five points out of the top four, the quality of football on show has been questionable.
As well as the lack in quality of overall performance, United are yet to see great success from their summer arrivals, particularly the two attackers signed in the bid to bolster the threat in the final third.
Manchester United summer arrivals
Player
Fee
Club
Rasmus Hojlund
£72m
Atalanta
Mason Mount
£60m
Chelsea
Andre Onana
£47.2m
Inter Milan
Sofyan Amrabat
Loan
Fiorentina
Altay Bayindir
£4.3m
Fenerbahce
Jonny Evans
Free
Leicester City
Sergio Reguilon
Loan
Tottenham Hotspur
All fees via Sky Sports
Striker Rasmus Hojlund is yet to score or assist in nine Premier League appearances, while attacking midfielder Mason Mount is also without a goal contribution in eight league appearances, a dire beginning for the duo that cost a combined £132m.
Putting the summer window behind them, United could find better inspiration in January, with some top-quality forwards referenced as talent eyed by the Red Devils.
Manchester United transfer targets – attackers
News in Spain, relayed by The Faithful MUFC, claimed that the Premier League outfit could offer a wage of £690k-per-week to lure Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann to England.
Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann
It’s been revealed that the 32-year-old has a release clause of just €25m (£22m) in Madrid, making him a particularly attractive target for Ten Hag to consider in the future.
While the France international poses an interesting option for the Red Devils, he isn’t the only forward said to be admired at Old Trafford.
Last summer, the Mirror reported that United had made an inquiry over the availability of Bayern Munich winger Leroy Sane, reinforcing the club’s likening of the former Manchester City star – while a move was also mooted back in April.
A report this week suggested that a renewed move could be made for the German international, from the viewpoint of Bayern’s speculated desire to sign Raphael Varane, adding that in conversation, representatives could raise the narrative of a swap deal for their former target.
The €100m (£87m) rated forward is said to be targeted by Liverpool, giving United even more of a motive to test their luck in asking for information, with Bayern’s admiration for Varane in mind.
It would take a lot for the 27-year-old to put his alliance with City aside to join United, however, it would be a sensational prospect to see Sane back in the Premier League.
Leroy Sane’s career in numbers
Having recorded 197 goal contributions in 343 senior domestic appearances so far on his journey, Sane is regarded as one of the top wide players in Europe, with his form at Bayern Munich this season some of the best in his career.
Leroy Sane's domestic career stats
Club
Appearances
Goals
Assists
Schalke
57
13
8
Manchester City
135
39
46
Bayern Munich
151
47
44
Figures via Transfermarkt
This term, the German has scored nine goals and recorded seven assists in 18 appearances, finding sanctuary on both the right and left flank in Thomas Tuchel’s setup.
It’s somewhat unsurprising that the Schalke academy product continues to hit such form at the Allianz, with fans in England familiar with the levels of his game from his time at Man City.
In his three seasons at the Etihad, Sane won two Premier League titles, and contributed to a total of 57 goals, scoring 25 and assisting 32 to assert his quality in Pep Guardiola’s highly-contested squad.
samuel-iling-junior-leroy-sane-tottenham-opinion
Previously lauded as “world-class” by talent scout Jacek Kulig for his form in Manchester, the Gelsenkirchen-born dynamo hit a high of 25 goal contributions in 32 league appearances in the 2017/18 campaign, aged just 21.
Tuchel seems to have got the best out of the 27-year-old again, making him even more of an interesting prospect for United to consider poaching, with him ranking among the best in Europe for his gameplay over the past year.
Why Leroy Sane would be a good signing for Manchester United
If there’s one thing that United need to capture this winter, it’s a competent winger, as Ten Hag’s options on the flanks are increasingly thin and low on quality.
In Jadon Sancho and Antony, the Red Devils spent a combined £159m (£73m and £86m) to welcome the two wingers to Old Trafford, where they have since scored just 20 goals between them in a total of 138 appearances, via Transfermarkt.
With Sancho’s future now looking to be far from Manchester, and Antony’s performances being less defendable week by week – the pair both mooted for an exit of late – Sane could provide the top-class wide support craved in Ten Hag’s XI.
When considering how positive some of the club’s rivals’ wingers are, United’s weak spots are more glaringly obvious, with the likes of Bukayo Saka, Mohamed Salah and Jack Grealish impressing more and more in wide areas as time goes on.
In Sane, Ten Hag could sign his answer to Salah, whom the German is statistically comparable to, according to FBref – with those at Anfield said to view him as a perfect replacement for the clinical Egyptian.
Leroy Sane
Salah's presence in the final third is fundamental to Liverpool’s success, with the 31-year-old’s direct playing style and delicate play in the box traceable in the Bayern Munich star’s approach on the flank.
United could not only equip their side with a Premier League-proven talent, but also a world-class asset that could go face-to-face with some of the best in the league, creating a significant improvement on the current options available to the manager at Old Trafford.
How Leroy Sane compares to Manchester United’s wingers
Aside from the absent Sancho and the dreary Antony, United’s wingers have struggled to hit the form that was highlighted last term, with Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho also finding difficulty in making an impact.
Leroy Sane vs Man Utd wingers per 90 stats over the past 365 days
Statistic
Leroy Sane
Antony
Marcus Rashford
Alejandro Garnacho
Jadon Sancho
Goals
0.40
0.12
0.46
0.17
0.26
Assists
0.37
0.08
0.16
0.17
0.13
Progressive carries
4.61
4.57
3.42
5.95
5.16
Key passes
2.42
1.50
1.11
1.17
2.91
Goal creating actions
0.73
0.25
0.54
0.67
0.40
Successful take-ons
3.85
1.66
2.12
2.01
2.38
Successful take-on %
55.0%
37.7%
41.1%
31.2%
43.9%
All figures via FBref
As portrayed in the table above, Sane has bettered United’s wingers in a host of attributes identifiable in the typical demands of a wide player’s game, based on their statistics over the past year.
It’s imperative that Ten Hag enters the January market on the prowl for a new wide threat to strengthen his side, with the Dutchman’s future at Old Trafford potentially in the balance if the squad’s performances fail to improve this term.
O ambiente pré-jogo era todo favorável ao Flamengo. O time de Rogério Ceni vinha de uma virada épica, teve a semana livre para treinos e poderia pressionar o líder São Paulo, que entraria em campo logo depois da partida contra o Fortaleza. Além do empate sem gols, a atuação no Castelão foi um balde de água fria nos rubro-negros, que, além da apresentação ruim, ainda viram o Atlético-MG assumir a vice-liderança e o Tricolor se distanciar na ponta.
Diante de um Fortaleza bem postado na defesa – mas que ofensivamente não foi bem -, o Rubro-Negro foi pouco criativo e não encontrou alternativas para superar o adversário. A posse de bola, estéril, não resultou em chances criadas. Assim, o Fla fez o jogo em que teve menos chutes e cruzamentos certos (2 cada) e pior aproveitamento nas finalizações (15%) neste edição do Brasileiro.
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Ceni segue invicto no comando do Flamengo no Brasileirão: são quatro vitórias e dois empates que mantém o time na defesa pelo título. O problema é o nível das atuações. A melhora defensiva – principal ponto questionado sob direção de Dome Torrent – é visível, e passa muito pelo retorno de Rodrigo Caio e a titularidade de Natan, após a insistência em Léo Pereira e Gustavo Henrique.
No ataque, por sua vez, o desempenho de Arrascaeta, Everton Ribeiro & Cia ainda está longe daquele esperado pelos torcedores. Mesmo nas vitórias, a equipe apresenta dificuldade à medida que enfrenta adversários que, naturalmente, entram em campo com posturas “conservadoras”. Desta forma, os resultados, por vezes, acontecem graças às individualidades. Foi o caso da virada sobre o Bahia, na qual Bruno Henrique, Gabigol e Pedro brilharam.
أعلن السويسري مارسيل كولر، المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالنادي الأهلي، التشكيل الأساسي لمواجهة المقاولون العرب بعد قليل.
ويواجه الأهلي، منافسه المقاولون العرب، ضمن مؤجلات الجولة الثالثة والعشرين من مسابقة الدوري المصري الممتاز.
طالع..مدرب لافال الفرنسي يرد عبر “بطولات” على أنباء اهتمام الأهلي بضم محمد أمين الشارني
وتنطلق المباراة، بين الشياطين الحمر وذئاب الجبل، بعد قليل، وتحديدًا في التاسعة مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية، على ملعب استاد القاهرة الدولي.
يتصدر الأهلي، جدول ترتيب مسابقة الدوري، برصيد 75 نقطة، وبفارق 5 نقاط عن أقرب ملاحقيه بيراميدز، بينما المقاولون العرب في المركز السابع عشر برصيد 25 نقطة. تشكيل الأهلي أمام المقاولون العرب في الدوري
حراسة المرمى: مصطفى شوبير.
خط الدفاع: محمد هاني ورامي ربيعة وياسر إبراهيم وكريم فؤاد.
خط الوسط: أكرم توفيق ومروان عطية ورضا سليم وحسين الشحات وإمام عاشور.
The first round of the 2018 NCL had an unprecedented 13 centuries, but the Khulna batsman’s twin centuries against Rajshahi stood out
Mohammad Isam04-Oct-2018
BCB
Best batsmenTushar Imran stood out among the 12 centurions in the opening round of the 2018 National Cricket League, with his twin centuries against Rajshahi Division in difficult circumstances, while Rony Talukdar and Ariful Haque racked up double-hundreds.Tushar nearly accounted for half of Khulna Division’s 210 all out with his first-innings 104. It wasn’t until the arrival of the No. 9 Nahidul Islam, with whom he added 88, that he found support. Tushar followed it up with 159, with the help of 21 fours and a six, as Khulna fought hard to earn a draw. He added 250 runs for the third wicket with Anamul Haque, who also started the season with a century.In Fatullah, Rony’s third double-hundred came in Dhaka Division’s second innings, in which he and Abdul Mazid shared a Bangladesh first-class record opening stand of 350 runs. They beat the previous best of 341 runs between Nazmul Hossain Shanto and Mizanur Rahman from the 2017-18 NCL. Rony made 228 off 252 balls with 18 fours and seven sixes.Ariful’s 231 was his maiden double-century, which arrived with the help of 21 fours and four sixes in a near-eight-hour stay at the crease in Bogra. In the same match, Barisal’s No. 3 Fazle Mahmud missed out on a double ton, perishing on 195, having spent more than eight hours, and 424 balls while hitting 18 fours and three sixes.Best bowlersThe best news to come out of the bowlers’ camp was legspinner Jubair Hossain’s five-wicket haul against Dhaka Division, his first five-for in four years. Jubair had been a neglected figure in Bangladesh cricket ever since he burst on to the scene in 2014.He played only a single first-class game last season, and largely spent the Dhaka Premier League List-A competition on the bench. In a bid to revive his career, Jubair has been working with a legspin bowling coach in the last six months.Among the fast bowlers, Shahadat Hossain took his best match figures in ten years, finishing with 8 for 106 against Chittagong, and Shafiul Islam took a five-wicket haul in the first innings against a strong Khulna batting side.Meanwhile, Afif Hossain doubled his first-class wickets tally with a seven-wicket haul against Rajshahi. Having dismissed Nazmul Hossain Shanto and Junaid Siddique in the top-order, he removed the last five wickets, although Rajshahi had a healthy 352-run lead.Best matchRajshahi Division knocked down Khulna Division, the defending champions, for 210 in their first innings in Rajshahi, a body blow for the side that has won the last three NCL tournaments.Rajshahi’s reply with the bat was even better, as they took a 342-run lead having posted 552 in the first innings. Mizanur Rahman and Jahurul Islam struck centuries, and with several substantial partnerships throughout the innings, Khulna had little respite.But their powerful batting line-up responded to the deficit superbly, with Anamul Haque and Tushar Imran putting together 250 runs for the third wicket and taking the fight into the fourth day with eight wickets intact. Even after they fell in the space of four overs, Soumya Sarkar struck a quickfire century, only his second in first-class cricket and one that came after more than two years.Khulna fought back hard and finished the game with 2.5 points. Rajshahi took 4.8 points, but they would treat this game as an opportunity lost.Points to noteTwelve batsmen scored 13 centuries in the NCL’s first round, an unprecedented start to a cricket season in Bangladesh. Almost the entire front-row of the country’s first-class batsmen made good starts.The bowling, however, wasn’t as impressive, with only two fast bowlers, Shahadat and Shafiul, standing out with wickets. The usual cast of left-arm spinners took five-wicket hauls, although Jubair’s first five-for in four years was a point of interest.Players to watchAmong the Bangladesh players who were part of the Asia Cup squad, Soumya Sarkar and Nazmul Islam stood out with a century and five-wicket haul respectively.The national selectors would also look at Anamul Haque (who was dropped from the Asia Cup squad), Mizanur Rahman, Abdul Mazid and Shadman Islam for Bangladesh’s opening slot, as all four struck centuries.Naeem Islam and Jahurul Islam also reminded the selectors about their form with centuries, while Sohag Gazi started the season with a century and four wickets in the match.