Tag Futebol

MatériaMais Notícias

Fortaleza e Bahia se uniram em uma rara ação entre adversários para promover a “Batalha dos Sócios”. Um desafio para ver qual das duas torcidas fará mais sócios até sábado (24), data da semifinal disputada entre as duas equipes, válida pela Copa do Nordeste 2021. As adesões podem ser feitas pelos canais oficiais das agremiações e pelos sites: www.sociofortaleza.com.br e https://www.socioesquadrao.com.br/.

“Fortaleza e Bahia têm sido protagonistas do futebol nordestino e de muita importância no cenário brasileiro nos últimos anos. São equipes que têm muitas semelhanças: as três cores, são chamadas de Tricolor de Aço e com gestões jovens e modernas, que têm buscado fazer a diferença no futebol, além de duelos marcantes nos últimos anos”, afirma o presidente Marcelo Paz, que destaca a ação para engajamento de novos associados.

‘Teremos mais um duelo grandioso no sábado, mas agora queremos ver essa ‘Batalha dos Sócios’. Quem faz mais adesão, quem chega mais junto, uma batalha saudável e positiva para que os dois grandes tricolores do Nordeste possam sair ganhando’, completa Marcelo Paz.

‘Até o início da pandemia, há pouco mais de um ano, nossos clubes contavam com quase o dobro do quadro social atual, possibilitando um incremento relevante nas finanças e no orçamento do futebol. Como sempre estamos conversando, decidimos aproveitar uma partida tão importante para ajudar a reverter isso’, diz o presidente Guilherme Bellintani.

Essa não é a primeira vez que Fortaleza e Bahia revolucionam o mercado por meio de medidas inovadoras. Em meados de 2020, os dois clubes lançaram quase que simultaneamente plataformas para estreitar a relação com torcedores. No Leão do Pici a iniciativa veio por meio do ‘Super App Fortaleza Esporte Clube’, que reúne reunir desde os mais diversos conteúdos digitais até opção de compra de ingressos e planos de sócio-torcedor. Já o Tricolor baiano promoveu o “Sócio Digital”, que se trata de uma plataforma de streaming que vai exibir vídeos e jogos da equipe aos assinantes.

Especialista em inovação e novos negócios na indústria do esporte e autor do livro e o curso “Inovação é o Novo Marketing”, Bruno Maia entende que essa é uma alternativa que precisa ser tratada como emergencial para as agremiações do país.

‘Este tipo de plataforma é um caminho necessário e urgente para os clubes brasileiros, mas mais importante do que aquilo que o torcedor visualiza é entender o que está sendo pensado por trás. Como está desenhada a estratégia de captação, tratamento e retenção de dados. A partir disso, o clube deve tomar decisões de colocar no ar não qualquer conteúdo, mas coisas variadas que possam apreender determinados gostos do seu fã. Isso, sim, trará efetividade a um trabalho de dados’, explica o executivo de marketing.

Fortaleza reduz valor nos programas de sócios e lança promoção exclusiva

Desde março, ficou mais barato ser sócio torcedor do Fortaleza. São preços mais acessíveis e super benefícios, com descontos que variam de 35% a 50% nos planos Leão do Pici, Leão de Aço, Leão Fiel e Leão do Interior.

A partir de R$ 19,99/mês, o torcedor pode se tornar sócio pelo plano Leão da Galera. Tem os mesmos direitos que qualquer outro plano, exceto o ACESSO GARANTIDO. É uma nova alternativa para quem quer ser sócio e contribuir com o clube, mas deseja pagar menos nesse período sem público nos estádios.

A adesão custará R$ 50,00 que será convertido em voucher para você utilizar na Loja Leão 1918 ou optar para ter acesso gratuito ao Nordeste FC. Seja sócio através do sociofortaleza.com.br ou entre em contato com um dos atendentes: (85) 9914-3513, (85) 99118-6826, (85) 99238-8281 e (85) 90122-6101.

No valor de R$99,90, a Glória 1970, uniforme que homenageia o título do Norte-Nordeste daquela década, está disponível nas lojas físicas e virtual. Dado início nesta terça-feira (20), a campanha “Dias de Glória” vai até 30 de abril ou até durar o estoque. A promoção é exclusiva para sócios torcedores e sócias torcedoras adimplentes

A camisa, que celebra os 50 anos de uma das maiores conquistas do clube em sua história centenária, é o Uniforme II do Tricolor de Aço até aqui. Lançada no fim de 2020, esta campanha oferece um parcelamento em até 3x sem juros e está atribuída a uma peça por cadastro.

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It is believed a manager praised by treble-winning Man City boss Pep Guardiola is "attracted" to the Crystal Palace job, amid ever-mounting pressure on current head coach Roy Hodgson after another blow.

Crystal Palace 1-3 Chelsea

The Eagles made it three losses on the bounce after a 3-1 defeat to Chelsea in south London on Monday evening, with Mauricio Pochettino's side scoring twice in stoppage time to inflict what was a painful final few minutes.

High-ranking Crystal Palace chiefs very angry after Roy Hodgson decision

There is real tension behind-the-scenes at Selhurst.

ByEmilio Galantini Feb 9, 2024

Palace actually took the lead and held their own for a large portion of the contest, but their efforts were cruelly undone in dramatic fashion as Hodgson struggled to find the positives at first.

“I’m not really in the mood if I’m being brutally honest of (highlighting) positives and trying to find things to say that would cheer me up, because I don’t know what could be said that would cheer me up," said Hodgson on Palace's defeat to Chelsea.

“What can I say that will cheer the players up? I could possibly say, well, with the players we’ve got coming back and these guys doing so well, it bodes well for the future with the 14 games we have left.

Nathaniel Clyne

6.37

Chris Richards

6.43

Sam Johnstone

6.44

Joel Ward

6.48

Will Hughes

6.50

“But of course we still don’t know when (Michael) Olise, (Eberechi) Eze will be back, so we might be battling through like we’ve done tonight for a few more games before we can look at a team which will threaten the opposition a bit more than we did today.”

Former Palace loanee Conor Gallagher cancelled out Jefferson Lerma's opener just after half-time, with the Englishman then putting Chelsea in front on the 91st minute mark before Enzo Fernández rounded off their victory.

Mauricio Pochettino is under slightly less scrutiny after two wins on the trot in all competitions, but the same definitely cannot be said for his dugout rival from last night. Indeed, reports have suggested that chairman Steve Parish and the Palace board have been looking at managerial replacements for Hodgson, with an update now coming to light on ex-Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui.

Lopetegui "attracted" by Crystal Palace job

The Spaniard has been linked with a move to Selhurst Park following his departure from Wolves last year, and Football Insider journalist Pete O'Rourke writes that Lopetegui is "attracted" by Palace's quality squad.

Parish and co are keen on the 57-year-old as a possible replacement for Hodgson, with the ex-Sevilla boss actually near the top of their target list. However, Lopetegui is also believed to not be overly infused with taking the job right this second as they flirt with relegation.

It could be one to watch in the summer if Palace avoid a drop to the Championship, though, and City boss Guardiola interestingly holds Lopetegui in very high esteem.

"I would like to call him in the next days. I'm so disappointed, but I know what football is," said Guardiola on Lopetegui after he was once sacked by Real Madrid.

"I'm sorry for Julen because he's a friend of mine, he's an exceptional person. We played together at Barcelona, and have an amazing relationship."

Crystal Palace currently find themselves in 14th place in the Premier League table, three spots down from where they finished last season. They are only five points above the bottom three, and 18th-place Luton have played the same number of games.

A big part of the reason for Palace's struggles has been their lack of goals. They've only managed to net 22 this season, the third-lowest in the division after 19th-place Burnley and bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United. In the circumstances, chairman Steve Parish has reportedly grown frustrated with Roy Hodgson.

The Guardian reported late last month that Hodgson was coming under "mounting pressure" in South London, with Parish eyeing up Steve Cooper, recently relieved of his duties at Nottingham Forest. Even if he does survive until May, Hodgson is out of contract in the summer, and as yet another manager link emerges, it seems like his second spell in the Selhurst Park dugout could soon come to an end.

Hodgson helps Parish as he eyes Carrick

According to Football Transfers, Parish is "very keen" to appoint Middlesbrough's Michael Carrick as Hodgson's replacement. Palace tried to lure him last March after they sacked Patrick Vieira, but the Championship outfit refused to permit talks.

Now, though, Carrick is high on the shortlist again as the Eagles search for a new long-term gaffer. Ahead of his anticipated exit, Hodgson has even been assisting Parish as he runs the rule over possible candidates.

Palace are impressed by Carrick's "intelligence, calm temperament and meticulousness", and it's felt he would "jump at the chance" to take the job and manage in the Premier League, especially if Middlesbrough fail to get promoted.

"Ridiculous" Carrick is transforming Boro

Carrick's gig at The Riverside is his first in permanent management after a three-game caretaker stint at former club Manchester United following the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solksjaer in autumn 2021. He's won plenty of plaudits during his tenure in the northeast, with BBC journalist and broadcaster Harry Roy calling his achievements "ridiculous", and The Daily Mail's Craig Hope noting that he's "been likened to Keanu Reeves in The Matrix". "While the stadium spins & the match axis tilts, nothing invades Carrick's world. In slowing things down, he thinks quicker."

That mindset has helped the 42-year-old transform a club that was down in 22nd in the Championship when Chris Wilder was sacked in October 2022. The 4-2-3-1 manager somehow guided them to the play-offs, where they lost to Coventry in the semifinals.

Boro are currently in 10th place, but they're only one point off the top six in a congested table, so they still have a shot at promotion. While they only rank eighth for goals scored (41), they're fourth for expected goals (43.9), which shows that Carrick's attacking set-up is working well – he just needs his attackers to put the ball in the back of the net more often.

Perhaps the bigger story is his side's run to the semifinals of the Carabao Cup. Having stunned 'big six' club Chelsea with a 1-0 first-leg victory last week, they have a real chance of reaching Wembley, which could only intensify Parish's desire to snap him up.

MatériaMais Notícias

A fim de garantir a sustentabilidade das operações do Vasco, a diretoria cruz-maltina deu início a uma reestruturação administrativa “efetiva e imediata”, conforme publicada em comunicado oficial. Entre as medidas, estão a redução da folha de pagamento em mais de R$ 40 milhões por ano, com o desligamento de 186 funcionários, o fechamento temporário da sede do Calabouço e a mudança da sede administrativa para o Centro do Rio de Janeiro.

No comunicado, assinado pela Diretoria Administrativa, a frágil situação financeira do clube é detalhada e serve como justificativa para as mudanças que já estão sendo realizadas, assim como a perda de receitas de TV e a diminuição dos valores de premiação com a queda para a Série B de 2021.

– Nosso endividamento líquido, atualmente girando em torno de R$720MM, encontra-se em níveis muito elevados e concentrados em curto prazo, a inadimplência generalizada com fornecedores torna o Vasco refém de penhoras judiciais, os atrasos de salários de atletas e funcionários se tornaram rotineiros, a antecipação de recursos, com comprometimento de receitas futuras, foi usada indiscriminadamente nos últimos anos e hoje é uma possibilidade praticamente exaurida – diz trecho da nota oficial, que segue:

– Soma-se a esse quadro a perda de receitas de TV, e a diminuição dos valores de premiação da CBF proveniente do ranking nacional de clubes, e chegamos a uma perda de cerca de R$100MM em receita em 2021 – segue a explicação.

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A Sede Administrativa do Vasco passará a funcionar no Centro do Rio de Janeiro, em imóvel cedido por comodato, sem a cobrança de aluguel. Em São Januário, permanecem o departamento de futebol de base, departamento de patrimônio, departamento de esportes olímpicos e paralímpicos, departamento de comunicação (Secretaria), o Colégio Vasco da Gama, e o Centro de Memória. O departamento de futebol profissional e o departamento de desportos náuticos seguem em suas atuais sedes no CT do Almirante e sede náutica da Lagoa, respectivamente.

Confira, abaixo, outras medidas anunciadas pela Diretoria Administrativa do Vasco, presidida por Jorge Salgado, em comunicado nesta sexta-feira:

Fechamento temporário da sede do Calabouço

“Seguindo a diretriz de sustentabilidade financeira em todas as áreas do Clube, a partir da próxima terça-feira (16/03) a sede do Calabouço estará fechada temporariamente. O período servirá para a realização de uma análise estrutural completa e reformas que visam melhorar a segurança e a qualidade do atendimento ao sócio. O restaurante e a loja Gigante da Colina permanecerão em funcionamento no local.”

Sustentabilidade dos Esportes Olímpicos e Paralímpicos

“Pautados pela responsabilidade e buscando a viabilidade de suas operações, não é mais possível ao Vasco atuar no fomento aos esportes olímpicos de forma insustentável, ficando determinada a descontinuação temporária das modalidades esportivas que estejam deficitárias no ano de 2021. É indispensável que o Vasco da Gama se reestruture para a busca de aportes direcionados e projetos incentivados para a construção de um projeto esportivo consistente. O Remo, esporte fundador do clube, e as modalidades paralímpicas serão mantidos com apoio financeiro de vascaínos até que projetos incentivados sejam implantados.”

Consultorias financeiras e de gestão

“Comunicamos publicamente a contratação de empresas de consultoria financeira e de gestão como parceiros no processo de reestruturação administrativa do Vasco da Gama, visando a maior eficiência na recuperação do Clube, com foco na gestão e na redução e renegociação de dívidas.

Além das ações supracitadas, a Diretoria de Integridade e Compliance está revisando todos os contratos do Clube, com especial atenção para aqueles de duração superior a um ano, com valores mais expressivos, ou alvos de denúncias. O trabalho será acompanhado pelo Conselho Fiscal e suas conclusões serão apresentadas aos Conselhos do Clube.

O presidente da Diretoria Administrativa, Jorge Salgado, deu conhecimento das medidas ora anunciadas aos presidentes de Poderes do Clube, e o mesmo encaminhará solicitação aos presidentes do Conselho de Beneméritos, do Conselho Fiscal e do Conselho Deliberativo para que, no momento oportuno, seja feita uma apresentação da atual situação em que se encontra o nosso Vasco da Gama, a fim de reforçar a transparência a tudo o que está sendo feito.”

Considerações finais e agradecimento à torcida do Vasco

“Nesse momento difícil, o Vasco da Gama gostaria de expressar o seu reconhecimento e gratidão àqueles profissionais que deixam seu quadro funcional e que por tantos anos se dedicaram, com amor e trabalho duro à nossa instituição. As portas do Clube estarão sempre abertas para acolhê-los.

O Vasco da Gama também agradece aos inúmeros vascaínos de todo o Brasil que estão procurando o Clube para ajuda nessa hora difícil. Além do programa de sócio-torcedor e da assinatura de pay-per-view da Vasco TV no Campeonato Carioca, o Clube abrirá em breve a possibilidade para a associação on-line nas categorias de sócio proprietário e sócio geral, conforme aprovado na última reunião do Conselho Deliberativo, o que facilitará a adesão de sócios off-Rio em nosso quadro social. A Diretoria Administrativa também encaminhará proposta ao Conselho Deliberativo prevendo benefícios para antecipação de pagamento de mensalidades e descontos para a regularização de sócios inadimplentes. O programa de sócio-torcedor será reformulado, com a criação de novas categorias e benefícios a partir de maio. Também serão apresentadas nas próximas semanas outras formas de contribuição financeira para vascaínos que possam colaborar com o CRVG nessa travessia. Mais uma vez, a força de nossa gigantesca torcida será um dos principais alicerces para reconstrução do Vasco da Gama.

O cenário é desafiador, mas estamos certos que chegou a hora de enfrentarmos com força e determinação os problemas e mazelas que há anos assolam nosso clube. Essa é a responsabilidade histórica delegada pelos nossos associados aos vascaínos que estão à frente da atual gestão clube. Temos convicção de que os profissionais envolvidos nesta reestruturação administrativa possuem plenas condições de realizar as ações propostas, contribuindo para a reconstrução do nosso Gigante da Colina. Nenhum movimento foi realizado sem a análise cuidadosa de todas as vice-presidências do CRVG, cujo objetivo principal é resgatar a trajetória de vitórias e títulos que escreveu a história do Club de Regatas Vasco da Gama.”

From a first Women's Super League triumph to three FA Cup titles in succession, this is every trophy the Blues have won under their legendary coach

Emma Hayes' reign as Chelsea manager was nothing short of spectacular, with her helping to transform the club into the dominant side in English women's football following her appointment way back in 2012.

Back then, the Blues had little history of success in the women's game, but that would all change dramatically. Before she departed to become the new head coach of the United States women's national team in May 2024, the club won 16 trophies under Hayes' charge.

The final of that 16 came in the manager's last-ever match in the dugout for the Blues, as they sent her off on an almighty high with a Women's Super League title-clinching 6-0 thrashing of Manchester United, at Old Trafford.

Whether the pair will ever work together again, only time will tell, but with Hayes' time as Chelsea manager certainly over, GOAL looks back on every single triumph they enjoyed in 12 incredible years…

Getty1Women's FA Cup (2015)

Hayes won her first trophy as Chelsea boss back in 2015, when Ji So-yun's strike was enough to defeat Notts County in the 2015 Women's FA Cup final.

It was an historic occasion for many reasons. It was the first Women's FA Cup final to be played at Wembley, it attracted a then-record crowd of over 30,000 fans and it was Chelsea's first major title in the history of its women's team.

The only goal of the game was created by Eni Aluko, named Player of the Match on the day, with the England star's mazy dribble ending with her setting up Ji, who bundled the ball in from close range to win the trophy.

AdvertisementGetty2Women's Super League (2015)

That FA Cup triumph came midway through Chelsea's league season, with the WSL running from spring to autumn until a change in 2017. In 2015, the season began in March and ended in October, and it ended with Chelsea being crowned champions of England for the very first time.

A year earlier, the Blues had suffered heartbreak when they lost the title to Liverpool, on goal difference on the final day of the season, but there was no such drama this time around as Hayes' side comprehensively beat Sunderland 4-0 to clinch the title.

"After the FA Cup final, we have had the confidence of being a winning team. Since the FA Cup final, we've been on a different level," the manager said afterwards. "Tonight was a champions performance, full of character. We looked like champions tonight."

3Women's Super League – Spring Series (2017)

When the WSL season transitioned from a summer campaign to a winter one, the 'Spring Series' was organised to plug the gap. The 2016 WSL season ended in September of that year and the 2017 Spring Series then ran a few months later, from February to May, ahead of the 2017-18 season which began in September.

In the Spring Series, the nine teams in the WSL played each other just once, for a total of eight matches, with there no threat of relegation. There was a trophy to be won, though, and it was one claimed by Chelsea after six wins, one draw and one defeat. Fran Kirby also topped the goal-scoring charts at the end of the competition, with six goals.

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Getty4Women's FA Cup (2018)

Chelsea were eyeing up another league and cup double in the 2017-18 season, and they completed the first leg of that challenge in early May with a 3-1 win over London rivals Arsenal.

Another then-record crowd turned out for the match, with more than 45,000 in attendance as Hayes' Blues won the competition for the second time thanks to two goals from Ramona Bachmann brace and a strike by Kirby.

Bachmann's first goal in particular was a delight, a thumping finish to leave Sari van Veenendaal with no chance, and it set Chelsea on their way to victory, even if Vivianne Miedema pulled one back for the Gunners before Kirby added the third.

Ollie Palmer says his “ultimate goal” would be to retire at Wrexham, but the experienced striker is not ruling out a move to MLS.

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Striker joined Red Dragons in 2022Hoping to earn a contract extensionOpen to stateside switch if needs beGettyWHAT HAPPENED?

The 32-year-old frontman answered a transfer call from Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney in January 2022 when he stepped out of League One with AFC Wimbledon to join a then-National League project in North Wales. Palmer has taken in over 100 appearances for the Red Dragons since then and scored 41 goals.

AdvertisementWHAT PALMER SAID

Palmer is tied to a contract until 2025 and would relish the opportunity to sign an extension. He is, however, aware that he may be put in a position where an American dream could be chased. Palmer has told the : “I will speak the truth, complete facts, because that’s how I always answer my questions. I’d love to play for Wrexham until the end of my career, that would be my ultimate goal. But the honest reality is that it’s growing at such a fast pace and the aim is to get into the Premier League, and there is no time to be sentimental. So my aim is to be there for as long as possible and to deliver the club success. I’ll do that for as long as I’m wanted to. Failing that, because everything does come to an end, I’d love to play in America.”

Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Palmer has been spending time in the States enjoying a promotion party in Las Vegas and attending the Met Gala in New York. When it was put to him that he could end up in the Big Apple, rather than follow Manchester United legend David Beckham to Miami alongside Lionel Messi and Co, Palmer added: “He’s [Beckham] bringing much better players over than me, that’s for sure! If I get let go from Wrexham, I’ll see you at the Red Bulls!”

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WHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM?

Phil Parkinson has Palmer in his plans for now, alongside fellow forwards such as Paul Mullin and Steven Fletcher. There has been talk of Wrexham making a move for ex-England international Jamie Vardy, which may require somebody to move on, but Palmer is hoping to make his mark back in the third tier before mulling over any new challenge.

Glasgow Rangers will be looking to make it three Scottish Premiership wins in a row as they return to Ibrox on Saturday afternoon.

Dundee are the visitors, and they will have the recent 5-0 drubbing from last month fresh in their minds and Philippe Clement will be hoping for another five-star showing.

The 1-0 win against Hearts in midweek could easily have been by a more comfortable margin, yet the Gers were extremely wasteful in front of goal.

Rangers' 6/10 star who lost possession 11x was as good as Sima vs Hearts

Rangers secured a vital three points against Hearts

By
Ross Kilvington

Dec 7, 2023

Danilo missed two big chances, while several others missed opportunities to extend the narrow one-goal advantage and Clement could count himself lucky the Jambos did not score a late equaliser and steal a share of the spoils.

With games coming thick and fast as the festive season steadily approaches, the Belgian may be keen on making a few changes to his starting XI for the visit of Dundee to Glasgow.

We at Football FanCast predict that the manager will make three changes to the team that took to the field at Tynecastle in midweek, as there could be a surprise option unleashed up front.

1

GK – Jack Butland

The goalkeeper is the only player to have played every single minute of the current campaign, and he has arguably been the signing of the summer.

Michael Beale secured his services on a free transfer and the Englishman has been impressive throughout.

Across 27 matches during 2023/24, Butland has kept 13 clean sheets while conceding 22 goals, with just seven of those coming in the Premiership.

2

RB – James Tavernier

Against Hearts, Tavernier grabbed yet another assist, taking his tally to four for the season as he played in a lovely ball for Abdallah Sima to score the only goal of the game.

The captain will need to inspire those around him to raise their games over the next few weeks, especially with a League Cup final and Old Firm clash coming up before the end of December.

If Tavernier can lead the Gers to victory against Aberdeen at Hampden next week while winning at Celtic Park for the first time since 2020, the Light Blues will head into 2024 full of confidence.

3

CB – Connor Goldson

The centre-back has missed just two matches this season and his most recent absence was due to suspension, meaning he got a well-deserved rest as the Gers took on Aris Limassol in the Europa League.

Across his 15 league matches so far this season, Goldson has helped his side concede just seven goals and kept ten clean sheets in the process.

4

CB – John Souttar

Leon Balogun has been impressive since rejoining the club during the summer, yet with important matches to come before Christmas, Clement will rest him against Dundee and preserve his legs.

This means Souttar could come back into the starting XI, and he would make his first league start since a 4-0 win over Hibs in what was Clement’s first match in charge.

It makes sense to rotate in defence and Souttar should be ready to go against Dundee.

5

LB – Ridvan Yilmaz

Borna Barisic missed the trip to Edinburgh in midweek and Yilmaz was the one to replace him at left back.

The Turkish defender was solid, winning seven of his nine total duels along with making three key passes and even missing a big chance, as he had the chance to score the second goal on the evening.

The tie against the Dens Park outfit is a chance for the former Bestikas star to cement his place in the starting XI.

6

CM – John Lundstram

Lundstram has been ever-present in the heart of the midfield since Clement arrived at Ibrox in October and expect him to start once again.

With so many midfielders getting injured this term, the former Sheffield United man has remained fit and this could be what secures him an extended contract.

7

CM – Jose Cifuentes

The £1.2m signing from Los Angeles FC came off the bench and replaced Tom Lawrence in midweek and while it took him a while to get going, the 24-year-old impressed.

Hailed as “very dynamic” by LAFC assistant manager Marc Dos Santos, Cifuentes had more pressures, counter pressures and tackles and interceptions than anyone else on the field against the Jambos and this means Clement will likely unleash him from the start on Saturday.

8

RW – Ross McCausland

The 20-year-old was given yet another start for the club in midweek, and he continues to look like a real menace on the right wing.

Not only did he take one shot on target, but the youngster also made two key passes and succeeded with 50% of his dribble attempts against the Gorgie outfit.

He will be unleashed against Dundee and the Northern Irishman will be looking to score his second goal for the club.

9

AM – Todd Cantwell

It looked as though Cantwell was going to find himself out of the team after being hooked after just 36 minutes against Aris, yet he knuckled down and has impressed while playing in a number ten role during the last two matches.

The Englishman made five key passes combined against St Mirren and Hearts, along with grabbing two assists, and he will be keen to go again this weekend.

10

RW – Abdallah Sima

The 22-year-old has been in splendid form since joining from Premier League side Brighton and Hove Albion on a season-long loan deal in the summer.

The winger has scored 12 goals in 26 matches for the Ibrox side, and he netted the only goal against Hearts on Wednesday evening, showcasing his talents.

Watson struck this BBL’s maiden hundred, McCullum registered his first BBL duck but the match came to a premature end under bizarre circumstances

The Report by Ankur Dhawan17-Jan-2019

Shane Watson crunches one through extra cover•Getty Images

No result
Sydney Thunder had not beaten Brisbane Heat in their last four matches, the Heat were yet to win at home this season, and the BBL had been parched for an individual hundred. Curiously, the one least likely to change did, as Shane Watson blasted his third T20 hundred in the last 12 months to catapult his team to 186, before Chris Jordan and Gurninder Sandhu snuffed fight out of the chase with the early wickets of Brendon McCullum, out for a maiden BBL duck, and Chris Lynn. However, a bizarre floodlight failure that occurred at the end of the third over of the Heat chase led to the match being called off and the points shared, much to the chagrin of the visitors who looked set to register their fifth win of the season.Hundred just a number for ageless WatsonUnlike the hundred in the IPL final where he took time to find his groove, here, Watson started in top gear. It started with two sixes off Mujeeb-ur-Rahman, who erred in length and Watson rocked back and pulled him flat over deep midwicket, a shot that proved a loyal ally throughout his innings. Next ball, Mujeeb erred in line, drifting down leg, with the fine-leg up, Watson just helped him over, with a surprising amount of power behind the stroke.Watson had recently spoken about working on a few things as his BBL got off to a lukewarm start, clarified by coach Shane Bond as the position of his head and hands, and the work put in was on view as Watson struck the ball cleanly from a stable base, without once leaving his crease. The spinners Mujeeb and Mitchell Swepson suffered as he took 47 off the duo of 26 balls, and all his six sixes came off the pair. It was Mujeeb who eventually had him caught at long-off immediately after reaching a 61-ball century but he’d caused enough carnage by then.Costly missWatson was still 67 runs away from being this BBL’s first centurion when he was put down off the dubutant Jack Prestwidge’s bowling. It was a slower ball, both short and wide, but Watson’s flashing blade did not get all of it and he ended up spooning it to the right of cover point, without much timing. The diving fielder got both hands to it and for a moment it looked like he’d taken it but as is customary with such catches, it popped out of his hands when the elbows made contact with the ground.Devcich steps up in Buttler’s absenceJos Buttler had been Thunder’s best batsman this season but Anton Devcich has proved to be an able replacement. His inclusion has coincided with Watson finding form and the duo have laid a solid foundation for their side in the two matches that they have opened. Against Adelaide Strikers they added 37 in 21 balls, with Devcich playing lead in the partnership. The roles switched this match but the result was equally effective as they added 58 from 40 with Devcich contributing a 24-ball 26.

Aaron Finch came within a couple of millimeters of bagging a pair, but his use of the DRS showed that Ishant Sharma had overstepped. The ball was clipping the stumps, so if Ishant’s heel had been behind the line the on-field decision by Kumar Dharmasena would have stood.Given that it appeared Dharmasena was barely watching the frontline, it is to be presumed the wicket would have been checked anyway. But you never know. So it was a good job Finch took it out of the umpire’s hands and called for the DRS.How Finch was probably wishing he had done the same moments before tea.Pressing forward at R Ashwin, the delivery bounced and turned, lifted towards the top of Finch’s pad and, in the view of the umpire, seemed to glance the glove before being gathered by Rishabh Pant. Finch did not call for the review immediately, which batsmen normally do if they are sure they haven’t hit the ball, and after a word with Marcus Harris accepted his fate and walked off.But as the players left the field for the break, the multitude of replays – Snicko and HotSpot – suggested there had not been any touch on the glove. The debate continued into the next session, which showed how tight it was, but with a flat line on Snicko it would have been no surprise if the decision had been overturned had it been reviewed.It wasn’t the first time this season Finch was left to rue not calling in the third umpire. In the first ODI against South Africa he declined to review his lbw against Lungi Ngidi which was going over the stumps.He was also the non-striker when he helped Travis Head to decide to review his lbw in the next match against South Africa, in Adelaide, which was shown to be crashing into the stumps.

35 for 1 (Worker 18*, Nicholls 15*, Shaheen 1-18) Match abandoned
Babar Azam plays a square cut•Getty Images

Pakistan played what had looked like a solid enough game to finally win an ODI series against New Zealand, but when luck is out, it finds unique ways of making its presence felt. In this case, it was rain in the desert of Dubai that brought a watery end to proceedings seven overs into the New Zealand chase. Shaheen Afridi had removed dangerman Colin Munro in the first over in a chase of 280, and even though George Worker and Henry Nicholls had begun to rebuild, New Zealand will be much the happier side to shake hands in this manner.It’s hard not to wonder where this Pakistan side has been all along. Batting first against a team that has tormented them recently, Pakistan cast away the trepidation they appear to carry whenever they come up against an elite team of late, bossing the innings throughout as they racked up 279. A 108-run partnership between the irrepressible Babar Azam and an irresistible Haris Sohail today was at the heart of the domination, but in truth, Pakistan had control all along, with nothing that New Zealand did holding them back for long enough.There were three half-centuries for Pakistan, but it wasn’t until Haris Sohail came that they shifted gears. In a magnificent innings just when Pakistan needed to ensure they didn’t fall away, he delivered against his favourite opposition. A glorious cover drive off Ish Sodhi got him off the mark, and was only a harbinger of what was to come. He swiftly took over as the senior partner from Babar as Pakistan’s run rate shot up, each stroke he played more a work of art than a functional tool to get his side going. The best shot perhaps came against Trent Boult , a straight drive over the bowler’s head that perfectly pierced the gap between mid-on and mid-off.Boult was the unlikely man Pakistan chose to target today. The bowler has tormented Pakistan several times over the years, but today, Pakistan shook off any doubts they had and targetted the leader of New Zealand’s pace attack. It didn’t help the left-armer wasn’t having his best day; New Zealand in general were guilty of being too short and wide to batsmen who expertly exploited that. But it was in particular the liking Haris took to Boult that set the tone for Pakistan’s surge. The over after that straight drive, he carted another two boundaries off him, one glided past third man and the other a classy back-foot punch. Even when he came on in the death overs, he couldn’t quite pull things back the way he’s done so expertly of late. His final figures of 10-0-80-1 were the second most expensive of his ODI career.The first hammer blow to the New Zealand solar plexus came before the coin was tossed, with news that Kane Williamson would not be able to play due to a groin injury. Tom Latham captained in his absence, while Matt Henry was chosen to replace Tim Southee. For Pakistan, Mohammad Hafeez was promoted to open the innings after Imam-ul-Haq couldn’t recover from the blow to the head he sustained in the last game, and alongside Fakhar, he got Pakistan off to a crisp start.Expectedly, Fakhar dominated the 64-run opening stand.New Zealand didn’t look like taking a wicket until that point, but Hafeez unwittingly helped them when he stepped too far back to a Lockie Ferguson ball and trod on his stumps. Fakhar kept going, and brought up his second consecutive half-century. His innings, though, ended when he mistimed slog off Colin de Grandhomme.Babar constructed his innings in a classy manner without being noticed. He quietly kept the scorecard ticking when Haris was on fire. He took 68 balls to bring up his fifty but caught up almost effortlessly towards the end of the innings finishing with 92 off 100. He was caught slogging on the boundary in the penultimate over in an innings he had tailored to serve his side’s needs.Lockie Ferguson was the bowler that once more most worried Pakistan, and it was perhaps his efforts that prevented Pakistan from getting to 300, a real possibility at one stage. Alongside de Grandhomme, he ensured Pakistan did not get too far ahead. Their combined figures of 18-0-79-6 helped undo some of the carnage Pakistan had wreaked on some of their team-mates. Three wickets in the final over helped Ferguson pick up his first career five-wicket haul, and will have done his future chances with the national side no harm.For Pakistan, in the end, there is much encouragement to draw from this ODI series, even if a trophy at the end of it continues to elude them.