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Match Facts

March 6, Chennai
Start time 9.30am (0400 GMT)James Anderson has struggled throughout the World Cup•Associated Press

The Big Picture

There have been plenty of mismatches so far in this World Cup, but whenever England have taken the field something extraordinary has occurred. Firstly Netherlands pushed them close, then there was the epic tie against India before they were humbled by Kevin O’Brien’s stunning hitting. What happens next is anyone’s guess, but matches against South Africa are rarely dull affairs.It’s not quite do-or-die for England but it’s getting close after they reached the half-way point of their group campaign with three points instead of the expected four. Two wins should take them into the quarter-finals, but that’s not an easy task with Bangladesh and West Indies to follow this game. South Africa have far fewer concerns after two clinical victories set up their campaign nicely.As with every meeting between these two teams there will be the pre-match talk of England’s contingent from South Africa. Kevin Pietersen has often lifted his game against the country of his birth, but South Africa have yet to see the best of Jonathan Trott. Despite the strong performances from England’s top order there are still issues over the batting, both in terms of soft dismissals like Pietersen’s against Ireland and the lack of impact from the middle order which twice cost them dear in Bangalore.They will be up against the most rounded attack of the tournament. The threat of Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel was well known, but the inclusion of Imran Tahir has given South Africa an additional edge. Not that they are short on batting, either, and AB de Villiers has started the World Cup with back-to-back hundreds; the one against West Indies was elegant, the ton against Netherlands brutal.Under Andrew Strauss and Andy Flower, England have shown an ability to bounce back following shocking defeats. Often the sight of formidable opponents focuses their mind in the way that being favourites against the likes of Netherlands and Ireland doesn’t. However, all aspects of their game will have to fire on the same occasion – which it hasn’t at any stage of the tournament – otherwise an early flight home will be an even greater possibility.

Form guide

(completed matches, most recent first)
England LTWLL
South Africa WWWWL

Watch out for…

Although Steyn and Morkel form the best new-ball pair in the world, it’s Imran Tahir that England need to watch out for. He was held back by South Africa as a surprise weapon for the World Cup and so far it has worked perfectly. He started with a match-winning 4 for 41 against West Indies and helped himself to some cheap scalps against Netherlands. An attacking spin bowler, and especially a legspinner, is something South Africa have long lacked and Tahir is making a huge difference. England are better than they used to be against leg spin, and most of the batsmen will have seen Tahir in county cricket, but unlike previous occasions when facing South Africa it’s about more than just seeing off the quicks.Kevin Pietersen has looked in fine form during the tournament which makes his three innings of 39, 31 and 59 even more frustrating. His move to the top order was two-fold; to give England a brisk start and to allow Pietersen to build an innings. At the moment he’s only doing half the job. His reverse-sweep against Paul Stirling was just one of many sloppy pieces of cricket England produced at the hands of Ireland and, as much as Pietersen may shrug it off as ‘the way he plays’, it’s a waste of his immense talent to not be building hundreds in such favourable batting conditions. No better place to perform than at the against South Africa.

Team news

Pietersen, Graeme Swann and Paul Collingwood picked up niggles against Ireland but are expected to be fit. However, Collingwood’s place could come under pressure from Ravi Bopara with England needing power in the their middle order or Michael Yardy could be replaced. James Anderson continues to struggle so Ajmal Shahzad is an option.England (possible) 1 Andrew Strauss (capt), 2 Kevin Pietersen, 3 Jonathan Trott, 4 Ian Bell, 5 Paul Collingwood, 6 Ravi Bopara, 7 Matt Prior (wk), 8 Tim Bresnan, 9 Stuart Broad, 10 Graeme Swann, 11 James AndersonMorne van Wyk was a surprise selection against Netherlands, prompted by the cloudy morning in Mohali, and ended up keeping wicket with de Villiers having strained his back. Johan Botha was left out against the Dutch but his experience could be useful against England and he may be preferred to Robin Petersen.South Africa (possible) 1 Graeme Smith (capt), 2 Hashim Amla, 3 Jacques Kallis, 4 AB de Villiers (wk), 5 JP Duminy, 6 Morne van Wyk, 7 Francois du Plessis, 8 Johan Botha, 9 Dale Steyn, 10 Morne Morkel, 11 Imran Tahir

Stats and trivia

• The last time these two sides met in one-day cricket England secured their first series win on South African soil with a 2-1 success in 2009-10.
• South Africa knocked Michael Vaughan’s team out of the 2007 World Cup with a crushing nine-wicket victory in the Super Eight clash in Barbados after England were skittled for 154.
• Graeme Smith hasn’t scored an ODI century for 23 innings

Quotes

“The Ireland game would have hurt them a lot. It was terrific for the spirit of the World Cup but they will be looking to bounce back.”
Graeme Smith“It is very dangerous to think about how much cricket we have played in the last couple of months. I think the breaks in between games were enough for people to be able to recover and to perform.”
Jonathan Trott

MatériaMais Notícias

Nos últimos jogos, a defesa do Vasco tem sido o ponto frágil da equipe. Contra o Botafogo – foram os dois últimos clássicos disputados pela equipe de Zé Ricardo – o sistema defensivo foi vazado cinco vezes, sendo três destes gols em bolas pelo alto, que vem sendo um tormento no decorrer da temporada. Até para mudar o quadro visando a semifinal do Campeonato Carioca, quinta-feira, contra o Fluminense, uma novidade pode ser a mudança de Desábato para a zaga, formando uma trinca de zagueiros.

O volante argentino – um dos nomes que mais agradaram o torcedor neste começo de clube – vem sendo testado por Zé Ricardo no setor no decorrer dos últimos treinos, junto com Paulão e Erazo. Além disso, Desábato já atuou como zagueiro nesta temporada: exatamente no clássico disputado contra o Fluminense, na Taça Rio, que terminou empatado em 0 a 0. E o argentino já se colocou à disposição do comandante cruz-maltino para o jogo de quinta-feira.

-Falei com o Zé Ricardo e comentei que estou acostumado a jogar assim, se ele necessitar de um zagueiro ou de alguém para sair de trás jogando. Mas, se ele optar desde o início por três zagueiros, a minha função é mesmo de volante – ressaltou Desábato, que costuma ser o responsável pela saída de bola e transição para o ataque, vindo buscar a bola entre a dupla de zaga do Vasco.

Além de maior proteção a defesa, o esquema com três zagueiros poderia ser uma resposta para o esquema tático adotado por Abel Braga no Fluminense, que também atua com uma trinca na defesa.

– Quando enfrentamos o Fluminense, jogamos da mesma maneira para tratar de equilibrar o meio-campo e ter o controle de bola. A posse de bola é fundamental para que eles não contra-ataquem. Jogamos muito bem com esse esquema. O Zé está buscando o melhor funcionamento – completou Desábato.

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أكد روبرت بيج، المدير الفني لمنتخب ويلز، أنه يتعين عليهم ألا يشعروا بخيبة أمل رغم خروجهم من بطولة كأس العالم قطر 2022 على يد إنجلترا أمس.

وخسرت ويلز أمام إنجلترا بثلاثة أهداف دون رد، في الجولة الثالثة من دور مجموعات البطولة.

وقال روبرت بيج في تصريحات نشرتها شبكة “بي بي سي” العالمية: “أعتقد أننا في الشوط الأول كنا رائعين، الجهد الذي بذلناه بدون الكرة كان استثنائيًا”.

وأضاف: “لقد تناولنا الأمر بين الشوطين حيث تحدثنا عن أنه كان من الممكن أن نكون أفضل قليلاً مع الكرة مرة أخرى، لكنني لن أقول كلمة سيئة عن تلك المجموعة من اللاعبين، لقد قدموا كل شيء اليوم”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. ساوثجيت: ويلز عانت من مونديال صعب.. وراشفورد الآن مختلف عن يورو

وواصل: “رسالتي هي ألا نشعر بخيبة أمل، يجب أن نبني للمستقبل مرة أخرى الآن، الوصول إلى كأس العالم هو إنجاز لا يصدق لتلك المجموعة من اللاعبين”.

وفيما يتعلق باستبدال جاريث بيل مع بداية الشوط الثاني، قال: “لقد حاول الاستمرار ولكن للأسف شعر بشئ ما في أوتار الركبة، واضطر بن ديفيز للخروج بسبب الإصابة، انظروا إلى جو ألين، أول 90 دقيقة له منذ زمن طويل وقدم كل شئ”.

واختتم روبرت بيج تصريحاته قائلًا: “لقد كان جهدًا هائلًا من المجموعة وأنا فخور جدًا بهم”.

MatériaMais Notícias

O zagueiro Edu Dracena terminou o treino desta segunda-feira com um desconforto na região do quadril. Ele deixou o gramado acompanhado do médico Gilberto Cunha e será melhor avaliado pelo núcleo de saúde e performance do Palmeiras.

O incômodo coloca em dúvida a presença do jogador de 36 anos entre os relacionados para o jogo contra o Junior Barranquilla, às 21h30 de quinta-feira, na Colômbia, pela fase de grupos da Libertadores.

Roger Machado disse na sexta-feira que cogitava levar Edu para ficar ao menos entre os reservas nesta partida. O defensor ainda não foi relacionado para nenhuma partida de 2018 devido à pré-temporada alongada a que foi submetido. O objetivo deste trabalho era minimizar os riscos de lesão.

Os titulares da zaga palmeirense neste momento são Antônio Carlos e Thiago Martins. Os outros atletas da posição do elenco são Juninho, Luan, Emerson Santos e Pedrão. O clube ainda não divulgou os 30 atletas que inscreverá para a fase de grupos do torneio. São permitidos apenas sete no banco.

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An update on Tottenham Hotspur’s links to former star and Brentford playmaker Christian Eriksen has now come to light in the last 24 hours.

The Lowdown: Lilywhites links emerge…

In the last few weeks, manager Antonio Conte has been tipped to potentially make a move for his former Inter Milan star this summer as his Bees contract winds down.

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A host of clubs across the Premier League, at least according to 90min, are also said to be showing interest in Eriksen with the Dane having impressed under Thomas Frank.

As per iNews, Brentford have described him as the ‘perfect’ signing, but Football Insider claim the 30-year-old has his eyes on a ‘sensational’ return to north London.

Indeed, according to their sources, Eriksen ‘would be keen’ on signing for Spurs again with The Times now sharing an update from the Lilywhites’ side.

The Latest: The Times share big Eriksen claim…

As per the big name outlet, the feeling is mutual from Spurs, with the club and transfer chief Fabio Paratici now ‘considering a move’ to re-sign Eriksen.

Now backing recent claims, it appears Tottenham do indeed hold a firm interest in the Denmark international legend.

The Verdict: Get it done?

Eriksen would undoubtedly inject some creativity going forward, having made more key passes per 90 on average this season than every Spurs player bar Son Heung-min and Dejan Kulusevski (WhoScored).

The fact Paratici and co snap him up for free is another incentive to move, especially considering chairman Daniel Levy himself once valued the player at a staggering £130 million, according to reliable reporter Tom Hopkinson of The Mirror.

In other news: Conte personally approves ‘monster’ player move as Tottenham take pre-summer action, find out more here.

Celtic winger Mikey Johnston has suffered a fresh injury and won’t feature against Bodo/Glimt this evening, The Daily Record report.

The Lowdown: Johnston’s struggles

Johnston has endured a number of injury woes in recent years, missing 68 games in the 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons.

The 22-year-old, who Callum McGregor called ‘brilliant’, has struggled to break into Ange Postecoglou’s first-choice XI, starting just three Scottish Premiership games all season.

He was picked from the off in Celtic’s Scottish Cup clash with Raith Rovers on the weekend, however, he was forced off after 55 minutes with a new injury.

The Latest: New injury

As relayed by The Daily Record’s Mark Pirie, Postecoglou confirmed that Johnston is set to be out ‘for a little while’ with an ankle sprain.

Pirie described it as a nightmare blow for the winger, who has been included in the club’s 25-man Europa Conference League squad.

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The Verdict: Summer move inevitable?

Johnston was wanted by Aberdeen on loan late in the January transfer window, and you’d expect that a summer move could be on the cards for the Scot.

He could benefit from playing regular football when he is fully fit and is still under contract at Parkhead until 2025.

Therefore, a season-long loan exit this summer could be best for all involved, and a positive campaign in 2022/23 could persuade Postecoglou and co to keep hold of the forward in the long run.

In other news: ‘Big’ – Journalist claims Celtic club-record deal could be on the cards this summer.  

Tottenham Hotspur have been handed a major boost in their bid to bring Stefan De Vrij to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness), who claim that, after being left out of Inter Milan’s starting XI in the 1-0 victory over Juventus on Sunday evening, the 30-year-old no longer appears to be an essential part of Simone Inzaghi’s first-team squad.

The report goes on to state this is something that could lead to the Nerazzurri deciding to cash in on the Netherlands international this summer, with an asking price of €25m (£21m) expected to be placed on the centre-back.

This is sure to come as a huge boost to Antonio Conte, who is reported to have requested the signing of the defender from Fabio Paratici earlier this season, with Tottenham believed to be willing to offer De Vrij a salary of €6.5m-per-year (£5.5m-per-year) – around £106k-per-week.

Dream Conte signing

Considering just how impressive De Vrij was for Conte during their shared time at the San Siro, it is not difficult to understand why the 52-year-old would be interested in a move for the defender this summer.

Indeed, over his 32 Serie A appearances last season, the £31.5m-rated centre-back was an influential part of Inter’s Scudetto-winning side, helping the Nerazzurri keep 11 clean sheets and scoring one goal, as well as making an average of 1.3 interceptions, 0.9 tackles, 2.9 clearances, 57.4 passes and winning 3.3 duels – at a success rate of 60% – per game.

These returns saw the £116k-per-week player Mauricio dubbed a “monster” who “deserves to be at a big club” average an extremely impressive SofaScore match rating of 7.03, ranking him as Conte’s tenth-best performer in the top flight of Italian football.

As such, considering it has been reported that Paratici will be prioritising the signing of a left-sided centre-back in the summer transfer window – a position in which De Vrij has primarily featured for Inter for the past three and a half years – it is clear for all to see that the 30-year-old would be something of a dream signing for Paratici to get over the line ahead of the club’s 2022/23 campaign.

AND in other news: Huge blow: Alasdair Gold reveals fresh Spurs development, Antonio Conte will be fuming

MatériaMais Notícias

O presidente do Conselho Deliberativo do Vasco, Luis Manuel Fernandes, em entrevista coletiva nesta segunda-feira, marcou para o dia 19 de janeiro a reunião dos conselheiros que vai definir o presidente do clube para o triênio 2018-2021, que será realizada na sede do Cruz-Maltino na Lagoa, na zona sul do Rio de Janeiro. A primeira convocação será às 20h, e a segunda às 20h30.Além do novo mandatário e diretoria administrativa, também vão ser eleitos os presidentes dos conselhos Deliberativo e Fiscal.

Com a decisão da Justiça de anular a urna 7, a chapa vencedora da eleição entre os sócios ano passado é ‘Sempre Vasco Livre’, de Julio Brant. Se nada mudar nos tribunais, ela vai poder indicar 120 conselheiros, enquanto a ‘Reconstruindo o Vasco’, de Eurico Miranda, que ainda tenta reverter a anulação no STJ, vai indicar 30 nomes. Esses 150 novos conselheiros se juntam a mais 150 natos e elegem os poderes do clube.

Porém, o processo eleitoral do Vasco está com uma lacuna. Isso porque o mandato de Eurico Miranda e dos outros poderes do clube terminam nesta terça-feira, e fica a dúvida como fica a situação até a posse da diretoria que será eleita, na próxima semana. O presidente do Conselho Deliberativo não soube responder essas questão.

-Há uma lacuna no estatuto, ele separa a semana da realização do Conselho que vai eleger a diretoria administrativa e a posse da diretoria só poderia ser na segunda semana.Eu prefiro não opinar. É uma questão jurídica – disse Luis Manuel Fernandes – explicando a demora em convocar a reunião, e até citou a procura deste LANCE! para saber do assunto, que resultou na matéria:Empurra-empurra, estatuto e decisão judicial: o que está por trás da convocação da eleição do Vasco.

-Na quarta-feira, 10 de janeiro, eu recebi um pedido de informação do David Nascimento, do LANCE!, perguntando se já estava marcada a eleição, que segundo o estatuto tem que ser marcada para a segunda quinzena de janeiro. Eu respondi com base na minha compreensão do estatuto. O artigo 55 diz que apurados os resultados das eleições, serão profanados os eleitos, que tomarão posse na segunda quinzena de janeiro, em seção de caráter solene, presidida pelo presidente da Assembleia Geral. Na minha compreensão, delegava ao presidente da Assembleia Geral a convocação de uma reunião do Conselho Deliberativo. Ele (David Nascimento, do L!) me respondeu que já tinha falado com o presidente da Assembleia Geral, que indicou um outro artigo do estatuto, o artigo 76, que diz que o Conselho Deliberativo será convocado pelo seu presidente na segunda quinzena de janeiro e de três em três anos, na primeira semana da segunda quinzena do mês de janeiro para eleger, entre os seus membros, a mesa do seu conselho. Evidentemente há um certo conflito, porque, como posso convocar um conselho que eu não preciso? Essa era a minha interpretação do estatuto. Eu fui no Vasco para resolver isso, e ainda havia divergências de interpretação do estatuto. O que importa é que essa reunião seja convocada dentro desse período. Eu revi o estatuto e decidi convocar a reunião, respeitando o prazo – completou.

Denúncia de ataques e crítica a Julio Brant

O presidente do Conselho Deliberativo do Vasco disse que recebeu muitos xingamentos e ameaças enquanto não marcava a data da reunião dos conselheiros. Inclusive, ele chegou atrasado na coletiva desta segunda porque estava na delegacia prestando queixa contra os ataques. Luis Manuel Fernandes considera Julio Brant como ‘politicamente responsável por esses ataques’.

-Meus meios de comunicação passaram a ser inundados por xingamentos e ameaças. Coisa que eu nunca passei na minha vida. De onde surgiram essas mensagens? Até 13h45 de sexta-feira eu nunca tinha recebido mensagens desse tipo. Soube depois que o candidato Julio Brant havia dado uma coletiva entre 12h30. Na entrevista, ele afirma que o dirigente responsável não sabe que é responsável. Depois diz que o dirigente quer criar o caos, prolongar a convocação da reunião do conselho para criar um distúrbio. Tentativa de criar o caos. Em uma hora, ele vira a câmera e pede para se mobilizarem. Foram criados diversos grupos, me incluindo à revelia e me expondo a ataques e ameaças. Eu saía, e me botavam de volta. Uma lógica de intimidação.Eu considero o senhor Julio Brant politicamente responsável por esses ataques que estou sofrendo- disse Luis Manuel Fernandes, destacando também que Brant cometeu uma violência ao estatuto do Vasco ao dizer que já era presidente.

-Ele afirma estar cometendo uma violência contra o estatuto do Vasco: ‘O resultado provisório me indica como presidente, eu sou presidencialista, logo estou assumindo a cadeira’. Ele não foi eleito. E é disso que essa coletiva aqui se trata. Da convocação da eleição. O fato é que aquele ato foi uma afronta ao Conselho Deliberativo do clube. Uma afronta aos poderes constituídos do clube. E teve como consequência essa enxurrada de ameaças e agressões – completou.

Aston Villa have been particularly busy when it comes to adding new players to their squad during the January transfer window, with Calum Chambers being the latest addition.

However, with the summer transfer window in mind, it seems as though the Midlands club could be in danger of losing one of their key players.

What’s the news?

According to a recent report from The Sun, Villa right-back Matty Cash is in talks with Atletico Madrid over a potential permanent move this summer, with the Spanish champions’ manager Diego Simeone keen on finding a replacement for Kieran Trippier, who joined Newcastle United earlier this month.

The report also claims that the 24-year-old is among Atletico’s top targets and that they are willing to splash out a fee in the region of £30m-£40m during the summer transfer window for the full-back, who is apparently keen on the move.

Villa signed Cash in the summer of 2020 from Championship club Nottingham Forest in a deal worth an initial fee of £14m.

The defender has since become a crucial figure for Villa by making 51 appearances across all competitions, chipping in with one goal and three assists along the way.

Fans would be furious

Having played more Premier League minutes than anyone else for Villa this season, as well as earning an overall performance rating of 6.88/10, making him the fifth-highest rated player at the club according to WhoScored, it’s safe to say that Cash is an important player for Steven Gerrard’s side. Therefore, it would surely leave a lot of fans raging if they were to offload him any time soon.

Also, with the Poland international being the only player in Villa’s senior squad at the moment who predominantly plays in the right-back position, it would be a real howler from Johan Lange to let the 24-year-old leave without finding a suitable replacement first.

While it should be a certainty that Villa would not let Cash leave during the current transfer window, it would also be in the club’s best interests to decline any offer which may come their way from Atletico or anyone interested in signing the right-back during the summer.

In other news: Gerrard could unearth the next Michael Carrick at Villa with move for 20 y/o “diamond”

Leeds United have had a bid knocked back for Brenden Aaronson this week, according to reports.

The Athletic claim that RB Salzburg have rejected the Whites’ offer of £15m for the 21-year-old midfielder and also believe they are intent on signing him before deadline day on January 31st.

Historically, the Austria Bundesliga champions have rarely hesitated to cash in on their biggest and brightest stars but they remain in the Champions League and Aaronson’s influence to the side makes him invaluable right now.

Therefore, the Yorkshire giants may need to turn their attention elsewhere and it’s another name that they have been linked with that could prove the be the perfect solution.

Forget Aaronson

Just last week, Foot Mercato editor-in-chief Sebastien Denis claimed Leeds were one of several teams looking at a potential move for RC Lens midfielder Seko Fofana

And what a signing he would be.

Soon after these links, the Ivory Coast powerhouse captained his side to a last-gasp victory over Saint-Etienne in Ligue 1, where he bagged the winner in one of his typical box-to-box runs.

It was his eighth goal of the campaign.

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One of these strikes came during a 1-1 draw with financial giants Paris Saint-Germain, where he bullied Mauricio Pochettino’s engine room, leading to journalist Zach Lowry describing him as a “phenom”.

Fofana is currently Lens’ second highest-rated player (7.09), per WhoScored figures, whilst he’s averaged a squad-high 2.8 shots, 2.2 dribbles, 1.3 key passes, 0.8 tackles and 0.8 interceptions per game.

That only goes to show how well-rounded he is – not only is he getting forward and contributing in the final third with cutting-edge passes and an incredible ability to carry the ball but he is also putting in the dirty work in his own half, as evident above.

It’s no wonder his manager Franck Haise dubbed him “the most complete player.”

“On the pitch, he is able to stay organized to adjust the team’s balance. At the same time, he has a great ability to create and to be decisive on the last pass. He is also capable of scoring a few goals in a season,” he said (via Newcastle World).

Having begun his professional career at Manchester City, there have been interesting comparisons made to his former youth coach Patrick Vieira, who was an absolute box-to-box machine in his day at Arsenal, as well as Yaya Toure.

He’d only need to be half of either to be an instant hit at Elland Road. All of his attributes point towards him being an exciting fit for Bielsa and his high-intensity system.

Just imagine the £16.2m-rated dynamo sitting in front of an anchorman like Kalvin Phillips. He could really get forward to help Leeds in the final third, knowing that he has an international quality defensive midfielder behind him.

That’s a mouthwatering partnership that could bring the Yorkshiremen so much success.

As such, Victor Orta and co must turn their attentions to Fofana before deadline day in a little over a week’s time.

AND in other news, Leeds could welcome back key injured duo earlier than expected…