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Richard Oliver’s second first-class hundred and aggressive half-centuries from Alexei Kervezee and Gareth Andrew led an impressive Worcestershire response on the second day against Sussex

Press Association20-Apr-2015
ScorecardRichard Oliver’s century gave Worcestershire’s reply the perfect start•Getty Images.Richard Oliver’s second first-class hundred and aggressive half-centuries from Alexei Kervezee and Gareth Andrew led an impressive Worcestershire response on the second day against Sussex at Hove. Replying to Sussex’s 345, the visitors were bowled out for 389 and the hosts reached eight for no wickets in three overs before stumps, still trailing by 36 runs.There were periods in the day when Sussex looked to be taking control. Matt Hobden took two early wickets and Steve Magoffin struck twice in an excellent spell after lunch. Luke Wells then took two wickets, including Oliver for 101, in four balls. But each time they were pegged back Worcestershire mustered an impressive response.Opener Oliver added 77 with Alex Gidman for the third wicket and Kervezee and Andrew (70) later put on 88 for the seventh after Wells’ double strike had left them 227 for 6. Kervezee fell seven short of a deserved century when he was taken at first slip by Ed Joyce but Craig Cachopa dropped three catches alongside him, including Oliver on 58 and Kervezee on 72.Oliver, who recorded 13 fours in his total from 212 balls, also had a let-off on 59 when a ball from left-arm spinner Ashar Zaidi rolled on to the stumps but failed to dislodge a bail.The 25-year-old left-hander, who spent eight years in club cricket before winning his first pro contract at New Road last season, rode his luck during some hostile spells from Hobden and Tymal Mills, who hit him on the helmet when he ducked into a bouncer and needed treatment.Hobden had struck two early blows, uprooting Daryl Mitchell’s off stump and finding a faint edge to remove Tom Fell, but Oliver and Gidman took Worcestershire to lunch without further loss – Gidman striking Ajmal Shahzad for three boundaries in an over during an innings of growing authority. Sussex turned to the experienced Magoffin after lunch and he nipped one back to trap Gidman and had Tom Kohler-Cadmore taken cheaply at slip.Oliver batted just over four hours for his hundred but added just a single before he drove loosely to short extra cover. Ben Cox was lbw sweeping across the line in the same Wells’ over but Kervezee wrested the initiative back for his side, hitting with real fluency and power, particularly through the off side.He, too, was hit on the helmet by Hobden on 89 and added just four more before edging to second slip four balls into a new spell by Shahzad. Magoffin bagged Jack Shantry for his third wicket but Andrew and Sachithra Senanayake took full toll of a tiring attack in the last hour, adding 57 in 11 overs before Andrew lost his off stump to Hobden and Zaidi wrapped up the innings when Senanayake slogged across the line.Sussex, already without five players because of injury, lost Mills late in the day when he went off after bowling just one ball of his spell, having been sidelined earlier in the day with suspected ankle trouble.

Reigning NatWest T20 Blast champions Birmingham recorded their first win in this year’s competition with a 18-run derby triumph over Worcestershire at Edgbaston

ECB/PA22-May-2015
ScorecardWilliam Porterfield helped get Birmingham off to a solid start (file photo•Getty ImagesReigning NatWest T20 Blast champions Birmingham recorded their first win in this year’s competition with a 18-run derby triumph over Worcestershire at Edgbaston.Put in on a slow pitch, the Bears made 144 for 5, a modest total but one they defended comfortably as the Rapids, playing their first game in this year’s tournament, replied with only 126. The win continued Birmingham’s happy home trend against their arch-rivals. It was their sixth win in seven T20 tussles between the teams at Edgbaston.Insights

This was a typically clinical performance from the defending champions Birmingham. Worcestershire lost, not specifically because Birmingham scored too many, but because they lost wickets at regular intervals through their chase. No partnership lasted more than six overs and no partnership reaped more than 35 runs. A team is always going to find it hard to win, however meagre the total, if they lose three wickets in the Powerplay.

Birmingham’s innings contained a string of small parts without a leading role as batsmen found it hard going. Brett D’Oliveira led the way in a disciplined collective bowling effort with figures of 4-0-21-2 and 19-year-old debutant Ed Barnard impressed with 4-0-29-0 as their tidy work forced mistakes as the batsmen tried to force the pace.The most assertive knocks came at the beginning and end. Opener William Porterfield hit three sixes in a 21-ball 27 before missing with a big hit at Joe Leach. Jeetan Patel went in with his side struggling on 104 for 5 in the 17th over and hit cleanly for an unbeaten 23 from ten balls. Patel’s unbroken partnership of 40 from 29 balls with Ateeq Javid lifted the Bears to a total which was decent, if by no means daunting.Tom Kohler-Cadmore gave the Rapids’ reply early momentum until Recordo Gordon, playing his first game of the season, came on for the fifth over and took wickets with his second and fourth balls. Kohler-Cadmore swatted a full toss to deep midwicket and Alex Gidman edged to wicketkeeper Tim Ambrose and fell for a golden duck.Barnard’s debut innings ended in a slapstick run out with he and captain Daryl Mitchell meeting at the same end. Mitchell added 35 in six overs with Ross Whiteley but when he perished to Patel for 34, lifting a catch to deep midwicket, his team desperately needed some later-order heroics.Ben Cox couldn’t provide them, departing after a run out mix-up with Whiteley. The former Derbyshire player looked likeliest to smite the Rapids to victory, lifting Rikki Clarke for six and hitting four fours on his way to 33 from 29 balls but when he sought to repeat the blow off Clarke but found only Patel on the deep midwicket boundary, it was 99 for 8 and his team’s hopes went with him.

India’s forthcoming tour to Zimbabwe could be postponed to next year if the ongoing issues between the BCCI and the series broadcaster, Ten Sports, are not resolved, a Zimbabwe Cricket release has said

ESPNcricinfo staff21-Jun-2015India’s forthcoming tour to Zimbabwe could be postponed to next year if the ongoing issues between the BCCI and the series broadcaster, Ten Sports, are not resolved, a Zimbabwe Cricket release has said.However, Wilson Manase, the ZC chairman, along with the board’s chief executive is hopeful of a resolution during his scheduled discussions with the BCCI officials on the sidelines of the ICC annual conference in Barbados between June 22 and 26. It is understood that the discussions on the Essel Group-owned Ten Sports during the ICC conference could extend to their broadcast agreements with five other boards.”If the matters take too long to resolve, ZC and the BCCI might mutually agree to push the tour to next year,” Manase said in the ZC release.The problem could recur for India’s tour of Sri Lanka in August for which Ten Sports could win the terrestrial rights for broadcasting the series in the subcontinent. The tour is currently not part of SLC’s deal with the channel, the board has invited bids for broadcast rights for the three-Test series.The BCCI’s well-documented problems with the Essel Group include the rebel Indian Cricket League in 2007 – a T20 tournament that preceded the IPL but was marginalised into shutting down by the Indian board. There have been subsequent court disputes between the two parties. The Essel Group has also been publicly speaking about a new breakaway Twenty20 league.The ZC release also said that the board was yet to approach the local immigration authorities for the facilitation of visas because the memorandum of understanding between the two boards was still being worked out.”Cricket is a national sport and ZC enjoys a cordial relationship with all relevant government offices so the acquisition of visas is not an issue,” Manase said. “The substantive issues are what we will discuss in Barbados.”India are scheduled to play three ODIs and two T20s in Zimbabwe from July 10.

India were asked to chase for the first time on the tour, but they fell short of a target of 146 against Zimbabwe. Ajinkya Rahane accepted that they didn’t bat well, but said chasing “wasn’t an issue”

Liam Brickhill in Harare19-Jul-20152:37

‘We accept that we didn’t bat well’ – Rahane

India’s batsmen came up short the first time they were asked to bat second on the tour. They had been comfortably placed at 58 for 1 after the Powerplay chasing a target of 146, but then suffered a middle-order collapse that they could not recover from and lost to Zimbabwe by 10 runs. Captain Ajinkya Rahane accepted that they didn’t bat well, but said chasing “wasn’t an issue””Robin and Vijay were batting really well,” he said. “We were 58 for 1 after six overs, but after that we lost three or four wickets continuously and from there the pressure built on us. We couldn’t build that one partnership to get us through. We were quite comfortable chasing – we needed a run a ball after six overs. We accept that we didn’t bat well.”Rahane also paid credit to the hosts, who went about the defence of their total with energy and determination. “We have to give credit to Zimbabwe because I feel they played really well today,” he said. “Throughout the series they played well. But today their bowling and fielding were really up to the mark. Their energy was pretty good, but I felt their spinners bowled in the right areas. They got two good run-outs and they took a couple of good catches.”Overall I’m happy with the type of cricket we played, but disappointed with the loss. We lost three or four wickets continuously so the pressure really built on us. I thought the bowlers did pretty well, and 145 was chaseable.”As a batsman, Rahane has got regular starts at the top of the order in this series and made a half-century in the second ODI, but was run out for single-figures for the first time today. Zimbabwe took that opening, kept the pressure up and eventually secured an important victory.”I don’t want to talk about that, but I’m disappointed,” Rahane said of his dismissal. “Maybe at the start of your innings no team wants your opener to get run out because momentum shifts to the opposition. But having said that we got a good partnership with Robin and Vijay and then lost wickets. I’m disappointed I got run out but more disappointed we lost.”We are disappointed with this loss but you have to appreciate our boys as well. They have played some good cricket throughout the tour. In a T20 anything can happen. Zimbabwe took wickets continuously and fielded well also. You have to give credit to them. Their batting was good but their bowling and fielding was exceptional.”India were without Harbhajan Singh for the first time on their tour today, rested in order to give Sanju Samson a debut. “He’s an experienced bowler and we all know that he’s a match winner for us, but we wanted to give Sanju an opportunity here,” Rahane explained. “Bhajju did pretty well for us and is an experienced bowler, but Sanju has done pretty well back home in the IPL and in the domestic season, so we wanted to give an opportunity.”[All in all] guys played pretty well [on this tour]. We got two hundreds – Rayudu and Jadhav – and Vijay and me got fifties. But still we have to improve as a batting unit. Guys have to lift their game here. There’s always a good thing when there’s healthy competition [for places] so we enjoy that. I’m sure this will get Indian cricket better day by day.”

A suffocating fielding performance by Papua New Guinea set the stage for Ireland’s first loss at the World T20 Qualifier since the opening match of 2012 against Namibia, ending a streak of 21 straight wins in the tournament

The Report by Peter Della Penna in Belfast15-Jul-2015
Scorecard2:46

‘We just did not apply ourselves’ – Porterfield

A suffocating fielding performance by Papua New Guinea set the stage for Ireland’s first loss at the World T20 Qualifier since the opening match of 2012 against Namibia, ending a streak of 21 straight wins in the tournament. Chasing 124, Norman Vanua struck three sixes in the 19th over to give PNG a dramatic two-wicket win in Belfast.PNG looked to have given away the match after Kevin O’Brien’s middle-over spell of 2 for 11 kept the visitors in check chasing Ireland’s 123 for 9. O’Brien dislodged the set pair of Assad Vala and Kila Pala, and PNG’s hopes dipped further when captain Jack Vare and John Reva were caught at deep midwicket and long on respectively in the space of three balls, off Tyrone Kane.However, Vanua salvaged the match for PNG with an extraordinary rescue mission. With 27 needed off 14 balls, he slammed Alex Cusack for a huge six over midwicket, then took a single off the final ball of the 18th to keep strike against John Mooney, so far the leading wicket-taker of the tournament. Vanua hit a full toss over fine leg for six on the first ball of the over and after a pair of singles, got back on strike for the fourth ball.Vanua proceeded to charge Mooney and hit a full delivery off his legs for six over midwicket and finished the match one ball later, sending another maximum careening into the trees protecting the driving cars along Upper Newtownards Road. He finished unbeaten on 28 off just 10 balls, and after his spell of 1 for 22 in the field, was an easy choice for Man of the Match.PNG started the chase with 13 off the first over, including a towering six by Lega Siaka off Kane, but Ireland’s tight bowling from then on brought out PNG’s nerves that were only eased at the end by Vanua. Tony Ura was pinned on the crease by Cusack’s first ball to start the second before Siaka fell in the third to a superb running catch along the deep midwicket rope by Dockrell, off Mooney. O’Brien’s tidy four overs brought Ireland back into the match and set the stage for the furious finish.Ireland had earlier won the toss, one of the few things that went right for them in the first innings, and batted first under bright sunshine. PNG exerted relentless pressure early and rarely eased up, but a crucial final over in which last man Alex Cusack hit a four through fine leg and a full toss for six over midwicket gave Ireland a late boost to 123 for 9.Vanua made the first breakthrough, bowling Paul Stirling off an inside edge for 1 in the second over, before Willie Gavera struck twice in three balls in the fifth to reduce Ireland to 24 for 3. Gavera’s first wicket was that of Niall O’Brien, bowled with an inswinger that took the top of middle and leg. Kevin O’Brien was then beaten for pace attempting to pull and the ball floated gently to Mahuru Dai in the circle at midwicket for an easy catch as Gavera sprinted around the infield.John Reva kept up the momentum by beating Andy Balbirnie’s forward prod for 6. Ireland’s biggest partnership of the day came courtesy of captain William Porterfield and Gary Wilson, a 37-run stand for the fifth wicket across six overs. Wilson was the only other top six batsman besides Porterfield to reach double-figures with 10, but he perished trying to up the scoring rate, beaten in flight by Assad Vala’s offspin and stumped by Vare to make it 70 for 5 in the 14th.Porterfield was nearly run out for 39 in the following over as Vare raced out from behind the stumps to prevent a single at square leg but his throw bounced over the stumps with Porterfield four yards short. Porterfield smacked the next ball for six over midwicket and brought up his half-century off 52 balls.PNG’s speed to the ball accounted for Stuart Thompson, run-out trying to set off for a single behind point from the non-striker’s end. John Mooney cut his second ball off Loa Nou past point for a boundary in the 17th but one ball later his attempted scoop failed to clear Vanua at fine leg, exposing Ireland’s tail for the first time in the tournament.George Dockrell ran himself out sitting off for a single after hitting Vanua straight to Tony Ura at cover for the eighth wicket while Gavera bounced Tyrone Kane out in the 19th. Cusack managed a four and a six off the final over to push the score above 120, but it would prove not to be enough for the hosts.

A thunderstorm and a Mahmudullah squall came in India’s way, but a calm chase from Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli gave them an eight-wicket win and a sixth Asia Cup title

The Report by Mohammad Isam in Mirpur06-Mar-2016
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details3:57

Agarkar: Can’t find any faults with this India XI

A thunderstorm and a Mahmudullah squall came in India’s way, but a calm chase from Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli helped India make light work of their chase of 121 that brought them their sixth Asia Cup title.Dhawan and Kohli added 94 for the second wicket before MS Dhoni, who walked in to bat with India needing 22 off 14 balls, quite fittingly, polished off the chase with an unbeaten six-ball 20 as India won with seven balls to spare. Kohli’s credentials in run chases received another fillip as he finished unbeaten on 41.That the match took place was a miracle, given the amount of rain that lashed Dhaka 90 minutes before start of play. It was a typical spring-time thunderstorm that created puddles across the outfield, but the ground was readied in just over an hour after the rain stopped.Halfway through the protracted game, India were left with scoring at eight runs per over. They were dented in the second over as Rohit Sharma was snaffled by Soumya Sarkar at slip off Al-Amin Hossain as Bangladesh kept things tight upfront.Dhawan and Kohli took stock of the situation till the fourth over, before wading into newcomer Abu Hider for three fours to kickstart the chase. Shakib gave away 15 runs in the next over, as the pair effortlessly switched gears. Dhawan helped himself to a half-century, even as the Bangladesh bowlers at times tried to do too much, and paid the price. Only Taskin Ahmed stood out with figures of 1 for 14 off three overs.That Bangladesh got into a position from where they could entertain hopes of a win was largely due to Mahmudullah’s late blitz, an unbeaten 13-ball 33 that took the hosts to 120 after a sluggish start. He started with a straight drill off Ashish Nehra before going inside out against Hardik Pandya to start 14th over that was taken for 21. Jasprit Bumrah’s superb last over, off which he conceded just seven, helped India pull it back. Yet, the star of the first half was R Ashwin, who gave away very little in a 15-over bash that was tailor-made for batsmen to tee off.Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar took a bit of time to suss the situation, but took three more fours off Nehra in the fourth over. But Nehra struck to dismiss Sarkar off the last ball to ensure he has taken a wicket in the Powerplay for the eighth game in a row.Tamim followed three balls later, trapped plumb in front by Jasprit Bumrah. Shakib Al Hasan and Sabbir Rahman added 34 runs for the third wicket to briefly lift them, before Shakib top-edged a sweep to short fine leg. He struck three fours in his 16-ball 21.Mushfiqur Rahim was run-out, while Mortaza, who promoted himself to No. 6 holed out to Kohli at deep square leg off the first ball. At 75 for 5, Bangladesh had lost their way and were in danger of finishing with a sub-par total. But Sabbir broke a 24-ball boundary duck with a nicely timed lap sweep to get them up and running along with Mahmudullah to give the hosts a chance. But on the night, it came as a scant consolation against Dhawan and Kohli, who piloted India home in style.

Joe Root and Ben Stokes have expressed their shock and sympathy for James Taylor, who was forced into sudden retirement last week, at the age of 26, following the diagnosis of a serious heart condition

Andrew Miller22-Apr-2016Joe Root and Ben Stokes have expressed their shock and sympathy for James Taylor, their England team-mate, who was forced into sudden retirement last week, at the age of 26, following the diagnosis of a serious heart condition.However, both men have also admitted their relief that his condition was discovered before it could have had tragic consequences.Taylor played alongside both Root and Stokes in the last of his seven Tests, against South Africa at Centurion in January, and had been expecting to resume his middle-order role for the forthcoming series against Sri Lanka.However, he admitted himself to hospital earlier this month after complaining of illness during Nottinghamshire’s match against Cambridge MCCU at Fenner’s. There he was diagnosed with the rare condition, arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, and advised that his career had to come to an immediate end.Taylor underwent a preliminary procedure at Nottingham City Hospital earlier this week, with a view to having a defibrillator fitted at a later date. On Thursday he tweeted a photo of himself outside the building, with the caption: “Well that has been one hell of an experience. What a beautiful day!””It was a huge shock,” said Root, who hopes to catch up with Taylor in person when Yorkshire travel to Trent Bridge for their County Championship fixture next week. “I was away when I found out, it was horrible to hear such sad news, [but] it’s great to see him back out of hospital now.”Root admitted that he, like the rest of the England squad, had never been given any inkling of Taylor’s illness, least of all during the punishing fitness work that helped to persuade the selectors that he had the right mentality to succeed at international level.”He’s the fittest guy in the squad,” Root said. “He loved that side of his cricket. His work ethic has always been outstanding, he was very dedicated and he had a strong focus of trying to be the fittest guy in the squad. You could see that from his body shape and the work he did out on the field. I really hope he can come back from it, and find something that he enjoys doing as much as he loved playing cricket.”For Stokes, the news of Taylor’s condition offered some stark perspective following the disappointment he suffered in the World T20 final in Kolkata earlier this month, when he was struck for four consecutive sixes by Carlos Brathwaite in the final over of the match.”I’ll be able to play again, unfortunately Titch won’t,” Stokes said. “But he seems to be in decent fettle for the news that he got.”I think he realises, and we realise, that the best thing to come out of this is that he’s still alive. Some people are less fortunate than that.””Obviously it’s devastating for us because me and Joe, we’ve played with Titch since we were 14 or 15,” Stokes added. “So he’ll be a massive loss for England going forward, as he was just starting to make his name in one-day and Test cricket. But it’s a massive perspective, not just on cricket life, but life in general. It’s just good to see him walk away with his life, really.”Though both men admitted that the coming days and months would provide the toughest challenge of Taylor’s life, they are confident that he has the mental strength to find a way to fight through.”For anyone to be told that news, it would be extremely hard to overcome it, but that’s one thing about Titch’s character,” Root said. “He’s very strong and it’s admirable the way he has dealt with it.”You can see on social media the support that he has had, not just from cricket fans but from all walks of life. That’s given him a lot of confidence. It’s pleasing to see the cricket family, if you like, looking out for him. I’m sure he really appreciates that.”

For the most part, 2018 was a trying year for U.S. soccer fans, but there is plenty to look forward to in 2019

Getty Images1Sargent's growth

Josh Sargent has seemingly got a headstart on life in the Bundesliga. Already with two goals to his name, it wasn't supposed to come this soon for the 18-year-old striker.

But it has, and that means expectations are high heading into 2019.

Werder Bremen clearly think very highly of Sargent, who has scored two goals in three matches for the German side. Even now at the senior level, Sargent has shown an innate ability to show up in the right place at the right time, and the instinct has translated across every level in which he's played.

Sargent is seemingly rising to the challenge and, with forward still a weaker position for the USMNT, Sargent's growth over the coming years will be vital.

AdvertisementNew York City FC2U-17s eye summer glory

The U-20s aren't the only American youth national team eyeing a shot at glory this summer.

Player like Gio Reyna, Gianluca Busio and George Bello give the U.S. plenty of starpower heading into their own qualifying tournament. Reyna, in particular, is seen as a future star for the USMNT, and his presence alone should generate excitement around what should be an exciting team.

That team recently put together a solid run through the Nike International Friendlies, although their spot at the World Cup will have to be earned at the 2019 Concacaf U-17 Championship.

If they do book that trip to Peru, the U-17s provide another glimpse into the future of American soccer.

U.S. Soccer3U-20 World Cup

The U.S. U-20s cruised their way through Concacaf, and expectations are high heading into this summer's U-20 World Cup.

Tab Ramos' side blitzed their way through World Cup qualifying, winning the Concacaf tournament for just the second time while outscoring opponents 46-2. Alex Mendez, Ulysses Llanez and Ayo Akinola all shined in a tournament where the U.S. was, for lack of a better word, dominant.

That team was also missing a number of age-eligible players, like Josh Sargent and Timothy Weah, who have been making waves with the senior team. Concacaf qualifying showed this age group is much deeper than that, with a number of players boosting their stock considerably heading towards this summer's tournament.

It remains to be seen who heads to Poland in May but, no matter which way you look at it, the U.S. will hope to make a deep run once again. 

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USA Today4Birth and rebirth in Ohio

2019 is a birth and rebirth for soccer in Ohio. FC Cincinnati is set to enter MLS after proving itself both on and off the field in the USL. Meanwhile, just over 100 miles south, the Columbus Crew are, in a way, reborn following a trying season that saw the club saved.

The Crew's rich history has been preserved by new ownership, and new grand plans for a downtown stadium. Following a full year of off-the-field politicking and ensuing uncertainty, the Club here to stay as the team heads into what genuinely feels like Crew 2.0.

Meanwhile, just north, FC Cincy takes the leap, joining MLS with a number of familiar faces leading the charge. They've thrived in the USL, but now they'll have to prove themselves in a world where expectations for expansion signs have risen astronomically.

Two teams, big changes and now, a Hell is Real derby. 2019 will be a special year for Ohio soccer.

The Africa Cup of Nations holders haven’t always had things their own way in qualifying

Getty ImagesThe curse of Africa’s champions?

The World Cup is the grandest stage in football, as the biggest international sides on the planet come together to contest the top prize in the global game.

It stands to reason that Africa’s champions—representing Fifa’s second biggest confederation Caf—should feature for the continent at the tournament, yet the Africa Cup of Nations holders haven’t always been present at the World Cup.

Here’s a look at how some of the reigning African champions have struggled in World Cup qualification.

AdvertisementGettyEgypt 1998

Egypt won the final Africa Cup of Nations of the last century when they dispatched reigning champions South Africa 2-0 in Burkina Faso, bringing Bafana Bafana crashing down to earth after their fairytale victory two years previously.

However, while Egypt won the continental crown, it would be South Africa who would represent the continent at France ’98, with the Pharaohs having been pipped by Tunisia in qualifying.

It was one of several misses for Egypt during the years between their World Cup performance in 1990 and their return to the top table in 2018, although it wasn’t the most painful…

GettyEgypt 2010

The 2010 World Cup was a biggie for Africa—the first to be hosted on African soil.

However, the continent’s reigning champions weren’t present, having been eliminated by bitter rivals Algeria during the most remarkable World Cup qualifying series.

Antar Yahia’s goal separated the two teams in their qualifying playoff in Omdurman in November 2009, with the pair having had identical group-stage records during their group stage campaign—thanks to Emad Moateb’s 95th-minute goal in the Cairo clash between the pair.

Egypt—in the midst of their golden era of three consecutive Afcon titles—had missed a glorious opportunity to reach the World Cup, and we’ll never know what this magnificent side could have achieved.

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FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty ImagesZambia 2012

Zambia weren’t reigning African champions by the time the 2014 World Cup rolled around—with Nigeria having clinched the 2013 Afcon as Caf changed the scheduling—but they were unable to build on their magnificent 2012 Nations Cup success.

Zambia had already dropped points against Sudan at home and Lesotho away in their qualifying campaign, but after defeating Ghana in Ndola in June 2012, could still have reached Brazil with victory over the Black Stars in Kumasi in September 2013.

Unfortunately it wasn’t to be, as goals from Waris Majeed and Kwadwo Asamoah sent the Black Stars through to the Third Round.

How the Europa League could change the narrative around the Portuguese legend

The competition Cristiano Ronaldo was so desperate to avoid, could now provide the springboard he craves. The Europa League tie with Real Sociedad on Thursday could see the Portuguese forward start for the first time since Manchester United’s 4-0 humiliation at the hands of Brentford.

He didn’t want to be here at this point – and even late in the transfer window it was not certain where Ronaldo would be playing his football this season.

He wanted to continue playing in the Champions League to further embellish his record in club football’s sternest test. United could not provide that – and the idea of hanging around to see if they could claw their way back into it this season did not appeal.

What Ronaldo did not bank on was the lack of a market for a 37-year-old earning in excess of £500,000-a-week and seemingly out of step with the modern, high-pressing game favoured by elite clubs.

And so, in a week when he has had to watch on as Europe’s finest began their Champions League journeys, he will step out at Old Trafford in what will feel like a parallel universe. Continental competition – just without the unmistakable anthem that has been the soundtrack to so many of his greatest achievements.

The question now is – with the window closed and his fate sealed until January at the earliest – what does the future hold for Ronaldo?

Change of narrative

There has been a notable change in his body language since he furiously marched off the pitch at Brentford, gesticulating after turning away from the travelling supporters and appearing to not even acknowledge Erik ten Hag on the touchline.

He has since put his immense social media following to good use with messages of positivity about United and their recent upturn in form.

There was a “very special thank you” to supporters after the 3-1 win against Arsenal.

Later her posted a picture of himself signing autographs along with the message #alwaystogether.

That’s the beauty of having 478million followers on Instagram – you have the power to write your own narrative, which makes it all the more telling that he chose not to clarify his position earlier in the summer when news emerged of his desire to leave.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesOn the pitch

On Sunday, he was among the first to his feet to celebrate Antony’s debut goal – but more notable were his actions when coming on as a substitute just before the hour.

There he was, chasing down Arsenal shirts in deep positions, trying to force errors and jostle them out of possession.

Ever since Ten Hag’s arrival, the debate has been whether Ronaldo can press and be part of the Dutchman’s high-tempo system. Here was evidence that he is prepared to try.

Faith

Ten Hag has insisted all along that great players adapt – and has been convinced Ronaldo can operate at the point of his attack.

Ahead of Sociedad, he was abrupt when questioned as to whether Ronaldo could be a regular fixture in United’s starting XI – even at his age.

“Of course,” was the simple reply.

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Getty ImagesFitness

But United’s manager will need to prove that.

He insisted on Wednesday that Ronaldo had been fit enough to start since that game against Brentford on August 13. Yet he is still waiting to be named on the team sheet – even in the absence of the injured Anthony Martial.

Instead Marcus Rashford has been deployed in his less-favoured role through the middle, where his energy levels – and goals – have been key to the turnaround in the United’s form with four straight wins.