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The biggest Indian buy at the last auction, the pacer let expectations get the better of him. After going for big money again, he opens up on burdens and belief

Nagraj Gollapudi18-Dec-20185:43

Agarkar: Unadkat’s salary of 8.40cr doesn’t surprise me

Jaydev Unadkat was big headline news from the mega IPL auction in January this year, after Rajasthan Royals dished out INR 11.5 crore on him – the most spent on any Indian player at that auction. But Unadkat finished the IPL season with underwhelming numbers: 11 wickets in 15 matches with steep economy rate of 9.65. Unadkat had done well for India in the Nidahas Trophy, on the eve of the IPL. Post the IPL, he was out of the Indian team. By his own admission, he was weighed down by his own expectations. Now, though, he has another chance to set the record right, after Royals bought him back, once again making him headline news as the joint-biggest buy at this auction. What were his thoughts on the day? Here’s Unadkat:In January, INR 11.50 crore (USD 1.8 million approx). Now, INR 8.4 crore (USD 1.16 million approx). For the second time this year you have finished as a massive buy at the IPL auction. Were you expecting this again?
What I had in mind was not the number, of course, but I was sure that with the form I have been in in domestic cricket, teams would be keen on me. The fact that I am left-arm and an Indian fast bowler stood in my favour too. To be honest, I have not done that badly in the IPL over the past few years, except for the last 2-3 matches last season. I was right up there. This domestic season, I have been in good rhythm: did well in the Vijay Hazare Trophy [domestic one-dayers] where I got 16 wickets, did well in the Deodhar Trophy [domestic one-dayers featuring the best performing players]. In the Ranji Trophy [domestic first-class], I have taken over the captaincy at Saurashtra, and we had an outright win in our last match.You told us after becoming a millionaire last IPL auction that you were happy, you were flying. Are you flying again?
I am grounded. I wasn’t’ really flying that time as well. It was a mega auction [since all the teams had to largely rebuild]. There was more hype. Things are much calmer this time. I wanted myself to be composed. I just want keep enjoying my game. It is high time in my career where I don’t bother about the criticism. I am going to play cricket for next 10 years at least.ALSO READ: Curran and Unadkat are IPL millionaires, Hetmyer to RCB
Were you following the auction today?
Yes, with my Saurashtra team-mates [Saurashtra are in Mumbai for the next round of the Ranji Trophy]. Even last time, I was with the same group of players following the auction on the phone and I needed them to stick around for sure again. Arpit [ Vasavada], Snell [Patel], Dharmendra Jadeja are some of the guys and they obviously are my good-luck charm.Was your pulse racing as the bids soared?
I don’t feel that much of anxiety or the hype that was there last auction. Also last auction we were at the ground, there were a lot of media already at the ground minutes after the bidding happened. It is pretty quiet now, pretty calm at the moment. There is more calmness this time around.Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals started the bidding, before Chennai Super Kings joined in at the INR 5 crore mark. What did you think of the way the bidding went?
Super Kings were keen on me at the last auction, too. Their think tank really believes in me. Flem [coach Stephen Fleming] and Mahi [MS Dhoni] believe in me from my time with them at Rising Pune Supergiant. It matters if you have played with someone and you believe in them. Just because they did not have enough funds I believe they were being very shrewd with what they wanted at this auction. But I am really happy the belief in me from franchises is still there. And I am going to work the hardest – I am going to work my pants off and do well, become as good a cricketer as I can be from here. It has been emotional for sure, like always.Why emotional?
Just because of all the criticism that came last IPL season. I had a hard time coping with it. Not just because of the IPL performances, but because of that I was dropped from the Indian team as well, which was a bit surprising. That way it has been emotional. I want to be right up there.You have spoken of the pressure of expectations that came with the “most expensive” tag last IPL. Can you expand on those feelings?
That was a first for me. People talking about you as the highest-paid player and hence the expectations were a lot higher. And then I didn’t really do as well as I should have, as I could have, maybe. But I think I have passed that phase for sure.Did you get carried away?
Not really. The personality that I have, I won’t get carried away by the money or be less focused. It was just the expectations that I had for myself: I wanted to be the standout player in every game, I was asking too much from myself. That was the only burden I had. There was no burden from the franchise owners or the other people who mattered. I was just expecting of myself to be the best in every game that I played. That does not really happen in a T20 game, being a fast bowler. So I have been able to come out of that for sure, to understand that it does not matter what expectations off me are, it does not provide any extra advantage in any fashion. I am focused, determined, dedicated. This time I want to enjoy my game.BCCI

So you have clarity of mind of now?
Yes. It is about being in that mental space where you are not just enjoying your cricket but things outside, too. Life has been pretty good, pretty simple, the way I want it to be. It is about giving it all out there on the field and not really worrying about the criticism that happens.Who helped you through that phase when you were feeling down?
At times you feel alone, you need someone to give you words of motivation. I was in that situation after last IPL. I talked to my [elder sister], one of my friends, an Indian Police Service officer herself, to cope with the pressure. But my mother, Nayna, was really the person who eased the pressures. Me, my friends and other members of my family were worried about me not living up to expectations in the last IPL. But my mom was the least worried. She told me if Sachin [Tendulkar] can get out on zero so you, too, can get hit for some runs in some games.ALSO READ: Decoding the mystery: Who is Varun Chakravarthy?
The fact that franchises are spending big money on you suggests they have confidence in you. What are the strengths they are investing in?
The biggest strength I have is the ability to bowl in any situation in a T20 game: to bowl at death, to bowl initially with the new ball, mix it up [in the middle overs]. The versatility I have in my bowling suits this format. To me that [the franchises’ faith in me] was a confidence booster. I can get as much confidence as I want from the franchise believing in me and my ability. It is up to me how much I can keep enjoying my game. There was no one else but myself to blame for putting that pressure on myself [last time]. I am not going to do it this time. There has to be something in me that the franchise is having that belief again.You are back with Royals. Do you owe them anything?
Obviously, yes. Based on the talks when Rajasthan Royals released me, I was pretty sure they were going to bid for me again. The management wanted to get me back cheaper [compared to the January auction]. I owe them for that belief and confidence they have in me.

Leeds United will hope they can make up some more ground on the automatic promotion spots in the Championship when they travel to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday, a win at Ewood Park would put Daniel Farke's men within four points of Ipswich Town if Kieran McKenna's side succumb to a loss away at Middlesbrough.

Confidence will be high in the Whites camp after their 3-2 win last match over Ipswich's next opponents, Leeds surviving a scare at Elland Road to beat Michael Carrick's Boro – the Whites nearly slipping up in the game after racing into a confident 3-1 lead.

Leeds' teenage starlet Archie Gray stood out at the back for Farke's promotion-chasing team, the 17-year-old winning seven of his 11 duels in the contest to shore up his anxious defence, as per Sofascore.

Where Gray shined, however, Leeds' usually reliable centre-back and captain Pascal Strujik struggled.

The Dutch defender was bailed out time after time by his more switched-on defensive teammates to ensure Boro didn't snatch a share of the points, the 24-year-old's cemented spot in the first team at Elland Road potentially under threat after this below-par day at the office.

Pascal Struijk's game vs Middlesbrough in numbers

Struijk was way off the pace compared to his usual standards, only winning two of his six duels on the night.

In stark contrast, when Leeds upset the odds and won 1-0 away at Leicester City in early November, the 6 foot 3 defender won 80% of his duels against sterner opposition.

His dire 90 minutes would lead to Leeds Live journalist Beren Cross giving Struijk a sub-standard 5/10 rating in his player rating article after the Boro game was over, describing his individual display as 'hardly rock solid', especially in a shaky second half.

The Antwerp-born brute also uncharacteristically gave possession away 12 times in the game, unsuccessfully playing the role of a calm defender when his side needed him to be just that.

Farke could well look to bring back an experienced option ahead of his underperforming Dutchman for the game against the Riversiders consequently, Liam Cooper deserving of a chance in the first-team again ahead of the unconvincing number 21 for the trip to Lancashire.

Liam Cooper's season in numbers

The Scottish defender is a loyal Elland Road servant, nearly a Whites player for a decade now after joining from Chesterfield in 2014 – going on to make 275 appearances to date for the West Yorkshire giants.

His powers have diminished in recent seasons however as he begins to see out his career, finding his minutes cut this campaign with Farke preferring to start the likes of Struijk over the 32-year-old.

Yet, Cooper has been dependable for the Whites when called into action this season.

Labelled as "Mr Reliable" by former Leeds United player and current football pundit Michael Bridges for his useful role in the team still, the £25k per week man – as per Capology – could slot in to replace Struijk at Ewood Park and fill in competently against Jon Dahl Tomasson's men.

The experienced asset notably impressed when Leeds had to settle for a draw at Rotherham United in their last away match, winning eight duels in total during the game at the New York Stadium.

Moreover, the physically dominant defender was also composed on the ball against the relegation-threatened Millers – accurate with 108 of his passes in the game.

Farke could start Cooper to show to Struijk that his spot isn't set in stone in the starting eleven, demanding that all of his players step their performance levels up in a bid to win promotion or face the chop.

MatériaMais Notícias

Nesta sexta-feira (8), o Liverpool enfrenta o Aston Villa fora de casa pela 3ª rodada da FA Cup. já na Espanha, Celta de Vigo e Villarreal entram em campo para disputar a 18ª rodada do Campeonato Espanhol.

Aqui no Brasil, a bola rola para a 33ª rodada da Série B do Campeonato Brasileiro. O confronto entre Brasil de Pelotas e Avaí abre a sexta da competição, às 16h. O Cruzeiro também joga hoje, em São Luís-MA, contra o Sampaio Corrêa, às 21h30, horário de Brasília.

Confira abaixo os confrontos do dia e a programação de transmissão

16h – Benfica x Tondela
Campeonato Português
Onde assistir: ESPN Brasil

16h45 – Aston Villa x Liverpool
FA Cup
Onde assistir: DAZN

16h45 – Wolverhampton x Crystal Palace
FA Cup
Onde assistir: DAZN

17h – Celta de Vigo x Villarreal
La Liga
Onde assistir: Fox Sports

16h – Brasil de Pelotas x Avaí
Série B
Onde assistir: SporTV e Premiere

18h – Familicão x Porto
Campeonato Português
Onde assistir: ESPN Brasil

19h15 – Operário x Oeste
Série B
Onde assistir: Premiere

19h15 – CRB x Confiança
Série B
Onde assistir: Premiere

CONFIRA A TABELA ATUALIZADA DA SÉRIE B DO CAMPEONATO BRASILEIRO

19h15 – Náutico x Paraná
Série B
Onde assistir: SporTV e Premiere

21h30 – Sampaio Corrêa x Cruzeiro
Série B
Onde assistir: Premier e

21h30 – Figueirense x CSA
Série B
Onde assistir: SporTV e Premiere

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فاز فريق الجونة على بلدية المحلة، بهدفين مقابل هدف، في المباراة التي جمعتهما اليوم الثلاثاء، ضمن منافسات بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

وتواجه فريق بلدية المحلة مع الجونة، في إطار مواجهات الأسبوع الـ 33 من عمر مباريات بطولة الدوري المصري.

وتقدم فريق الجونة، في الدقيقة 14 من عمر الشوط الأول، للمباراة عن طريق المهاجم المدغشقري أرنو راندريانانانتيناينا.

وجاء الهدف، بعد استغلال لخطأ من دفاعات فريق بلدية المحلة في إبعاد الكرة ليخطفها أشرف مجدي لاعب الجونة الذي يمرر تمريرة سحرية إلى أرنو المتواجد منفردًا بالمرمي ويسدد في الشباك.

واستطاع فريق بلدية المحلة أن يتعادل في الدقيقة 52 من عمر اللقاء، بواسطة لاعبه محمد أشرف الذي سدد كرة من داخل منطقة الجزاء سكنت شباك حارس الجونة صبحي سليمان.

طالع | فيديو | سقوط مرعب لـ ماجد هاني لاعب بلدية المحلة بمباراة الجونة وخروجه في سيارة الإسعاف

وفي الدقائق الأخيرة من المباراة استطاع لاعب الجونة أرنو راندريانانانتيناينا، أن يسجل الهدف الثاني أمام بلدية المحلة.

وبهذا الفوز، يضمن فريق الجونة بقاءه في الدوري المصري الممتاز، بعدما وصل إلى النقطة 36 محتلًا المركز الثاني عشر في جدول ترتيب الدوري.

وعلى الجانب الآخر، يتأكد بشكل رسمي هبوط فريق بلدية المحلة إلى دوري القسم الثاني أ (دوري المحترفين) بعدما تجمد رصيد عند النقطة 27 ويتواجد في المركز 16. أهداف مباراة الجونة وبلدية المحلة في الدوري المصري

أعلنت رئاسة مجلس الوزراء المصرية اليوم الأربعاء عن قرارات جديدة بشأن المؤسسات الرياضية، عقب انتهاء دورة الألعاب الأولمبية، أولمبياد باريس 2024.

وكانت البعثة المصرية المشاركة في الأولمبياد قد حصدت ثلاث ميداليات، إذا فاز أحمد الجندي بذهبية الخماسي الحديث، وسارة سمير بفضية رفع الأثقال، ومحمد السيد ببرونزية السلاح.

وزارة الرياضة تصدر بيانًا رسميًا بعد تصريحات عمر عصر بشأن الفساد في اتحاد تنس الطاولة

وأعرب رئيس مجلس الوزراء مصطفى مدبولي عن خالص التهنئة للاعبين الثلاثة الممثلين لمصر في دورة الألعاب الأولمبية، الذين حملوا علم مصر وحققوا إنجازات نفتخر كمصريين جميعاً بها.

وقال مدبولي خلال اجتماعه: “نحن نعلم أننا جميعا كنا نأمل في الحصول على عدد أكبر من الميداليات، ولذا هناك توجيه من فخامة الرئيس بأن يكون هناك تقييم شامل لأداء جميع الاتحادات الرياضية التي شاركت في كل المسابقات”.

كيشو يكشف سبب مغادرته معسكر باريس بمفرده.. ويتعهد بميدالية في أولمبياد 2028

ووجه مدبولي وزير الشباب والرياضة بتكثيف رعاية المؤسسات الرياضية والشبابية للشباب الموهوبين والمميزين رياضيًا.

وأتم: “بالإضافة إلى ضرورة وجود خطة واضحة من الاتحادات الرياضية لتأهيل الشباب المصري المتميز رياضيًا، للمشاركة في مختلف الفعاليات الرياضية الإقليمية والعالمية”.

The January transfer window is fast approaching and Glasgow Rangers head coach Philippe Clement will soon have his first opportunity to make his own signings at Ibrox.

He was brought in to replace English boss Michael Beale midway through October and has, therefore, not been able to sign any players as of yet.

All nine of the club's new recruits this season were snapped up by the former Light Blues manager during the summer transfer window.

Leon Balogun, Danilo, Cyriel Dessers, Sam Lammers, Jose Cifuentes, Kieran Dowell, Dujon Sterling, and Jack Butland were signed on permanent deals, along with Abdallah Sima's arrival on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion.

Beale made these signings without a permanent sporting director or director of football in place to assist him with the recruitment strategy.

This will not be the case with Clement as the club recently confirmed the appointment of Nils Koppen as the team's new director of football recruitment and he is due to start on the 2nd of January.

The Belgian chief, who is set to join from Dutch side PSV, could secure an instant blinder by working with the head coach to sign a replacement for Leon Balogun, who has been a short-term solution to the club's defensive issues.

Rangers transfer news – Charlie Cresswell

Football League World reported during the summer transfer window that the Scottish giants had a bid rejected by Leeds United for England U21 international Charlie Cresswell.

The outlet claimed that Beale was keen on a deal for the talented young defender and had an opening offer for his services turned down by the Championship club.

It has not been revealed whether or not the Gers tried to go back in with further bids for his signature but their pursuit of the towering ace ultimately failed.

Any hope Rangers had of luring him to Ibrox appeared to fade away as Cresswell put pen to paper on a new four-year deal with the Whites at the start of August.

However, the 21-year-old titan has only made four league appearances for Daniel Farke's side so far this season and has only been named in the starting XI once.

This suggests that he has not been able to force his way into the manager's plans as the likes of Pascal Struijk, Liam Cooper, and Joe Rodon have been preferred ahead of him so far.

It will now be interesting to see if that changes Leeds' stance on his future heading into the January transfer window as his lack of minutes on the pitch could stunt his development.

Cresswell is not playing regular first-team football and there is nothing to suggest that is going to change any time soon at Elland Road, which could open the door to an exit at the start of 2024.

Therefore, Koppen should reignite the club's interest in the central defender and attempt to snap him up from Leeds with the offer of game time that he has not been able to enjoy during the first half of the 2023/24 campaign.

The Whites centre-back could replace Balogun as a regular starter at the back, as the 35-year-old is due to be out of contract at the end of the season.

Leon Balogun's Rangers statistics

The German-born defender's deal expires in the summer of 2024 and there is not currently any option for either party to extend that.

He turns 36 before the start of the 2024/25 campaign and Rangers could benefit from bringing in a player to replace him in January so that Clement can develop them with the short, mid, and long-term in mind.

Balogun, whilst his performances have been impressive this season, is not going to be a long-term centre-back for the Gers and could fill in as an exceptional back up during the second half of the term before being moved on at the end of his contract.

The 35-year-old ace has made five Premiership appearances this season and contributed with four tackles and interceptions and 3.6 clearances per game.

He has been a dominant force in the air with an aerial duel success rate of 67%, which shows that opposition forwards have found it difficult to get the better of him.

Statistic

Balogun in 22/23 Championship (via Sofascore)

Appearances

16

Interceptions

29

Tackles

26

Clearances

69

Duel success rate

60

As you can see in the table above, the experienced defender arrived for his second spell at Rangers off the back of a solid season in the English Championship with Queens Park Rangers.

Koppen could now replace him with another player who caught the eye with his performances in the second tier in England last term – Cresswell.

The statistics that show why Cresswell could replace Balogun

The Leeds academy graduate was sent out on loan to Millwall for the 2022/23 campaign and enjoyed an impressive season in his first year of regular first-team football.

Cresswell made 28 appearances for the Lions and showcased both his defensive skills and his progressive quality in possession of the ball.

The 21-year-old colossus made 2.8 tackles and interceptions and 3.1 clearances per game to go along with his aerial duel success rate of 61%.

He also ranked within the top 1% of Championship centre-backs for aerial battles won (5.77) and the top 12% for blocks (1.51) per 90, which illustrates how impressive the youngster was at defending his own box.

Cresswell, who was described as "impressive" for England's U21s by journalist Josh Bunting, also ranked within the top 17% for successful take-ons (0.44) and the top 38% for progressive passes (3.23) per 90.

Whereas, Balogun ranked in the bottom 6% of his positional peers at that level for progressive passes (1.38) per 90 for QPR last season.

This suggests that the 6 foot 3 youngster could provide more incision on the ball by playing through the thirds to break lines and provide the attackers with the ball in more advanced positions.

Couple that with his outstanding defensive attributes to block, clear, and head the ball and Rangers could land an excellent all-round centre-back option.

At the age of 21, the titan is also 14 years younger than Balogun and could be a player whom Clement develops and works with over time to be a star for the club for many years to come.

MatériaMais Notícias

Um dos melhores e mais inteligentes jogadores de sua geração, Alex está prestes a iniciar uma nova etapa na carreira. Após sua notável trajetória como atleta profissional e sua enriquecedora passagem como comentarista esportivo, o craque ex-Coritiba, Palmeiras e Cruzeiro vai iniciar seu caminho como treinador. Antes disso, porém, ele contou como foi esse processo e aproveitou para analisar os confrontos de semifinal da Libertadores.

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TABELA
> Veja confrontos e simulador da Libertadores clicando aqui

GALERIA
> Confira as contratações mais caras da história da janela de inverno na Europa

Em entrevista ao LANCE!, Alex disse apostar em uma decisão brasileira no Maracanã, e ponderou as situações dentro e fora de campo que englobam esse tipo de confronto em uma competição tão complexa quanto essa. Além de colocar suas fichas em um Palmeiras x Santos no dia 30 de janeiro, ele acredita que as duas equipes são as melhores em ambos os confrontos dessa fase.

-Minha aposta é pelos brasileiros. O Santos conseguiu empatar em Buenos Aires, Palmeiras também teve uma belíssima vitória. Então, essa vantagem, principalmente a do Palmeiras, eu creio que será comprovada, e fica minha torcida e minha aposta para que as duas equipes brasileiras possam fazer a final no Maracanã – disse o ídolo do turco Fenerbahçe.

Confira a entrevista completa de Alex ao LANCE!:

Acreditava que o Palmeiras sairia da Argentina com um placar de 3 a 0 em cima do River Plate?
​O Palmeiras deixou fácil, se nós lembrarmos o início do jogo, a estratégia montada pelo Abel (Ferreira) e executada pelos jogadores teve alguns probleminhas, o River Plate teve algumas oportunidades, mas a partir do gol do Rony, o River desabou e o Palmeiras dominou o jogo. Fez três, poderia ter feito mais. Quando a gente olha 3 a 0, parece que a coisa foi fácil, mas tudo o que eles imaginaram, combinaram, correu tudo da maneira perfeita e fez com que o Palmeiras voltasse para o segundo jogo com uma vantagem extraordinária.

O River Plate tem sido um dos grandes clubes da América do Sul nos últimos anos, com um trabalho longevo e sempre favorito na Libertadores, mas tomou um 3 a 0 logo de cara. Você acha que isso abalou o elenco dos argentinos?
Mexe, claro que mexe, até porque se nós olharmos para o pré-jogo, o River Plate era o favorito, então é normal que mexa, até o jogo do final de semana (derrota por 2 a 0 para o Independiente) você já viu um time desanimado, um time diferente do que a gente via antes desses jogos, mas não dá para tratar como uma eliminatória já definida, porque a gente já viu muita coisa no futebol, o River Plate é um clube muito vencedor, acredito que será um jogo duro, complicado, mas que a vantagem de 3 a 0 é muito grande.

E da parte do Palmeiras? Como lidar com a empolgação do 3 a 0 e ao mesmo tempo manter a concentração para confirmar a classificação dentro de casa?
​É aquilo que a gente brinca: tão perto e tão distante ao mesmo tempo. É difícil, porque tem a ansiedade de saber que está tão próximo, tem um 3 a 0 a seu favor, mas é muito melhor ter esse sentimento, do que o sentimento do River Plate. E o controle é jogar o que o Palmeiras está jogando, a hora que está sem a bola sabe o que vai fazer, a hora que está com a bola também sabe, é um time que tem consciência do que precisa fazer… O Abel oferece algumas ideias para os jogadores, e o jogadores têm executado da melhor maneira possível, vamos ver o que o Abel imagina para o jogo, como esses jogadores vão jogar… É uma ansiedade gostosa fazer com que os 90 minutos aconteçam, que se comprove o que foi feito em Buenos Aires, para que você comece a imaginar o que vai ser e quem vai ser na decisão no fim de janeiro.

Na outra semifinal, o Santos fez um grande jogo na Argentina, atuando de igual para igual na Bombonera, mas teve um pênalti claro não marcado. Essa desconfiança em relação aos árbitros mexe com o emocional do jogador?
​O bastidor, a arbitragem, são sempre relevantes, são sempre comentados, sempre existe uma atenção em cima disso, ainda mais quando você vem para uma segunda perna de um confronto eliminatório, com um erro grotesco no primeiro jogo. Aquele lance do Marinho não precisava nem de revisão do VAR, foi muito pênalti, o árbitro não deu não sei o porquê, deve ter as razões dele.

Eu vivenciei isso contra o Boca Juniors na Libertadores de 2000 e de 2001, na final e na semifinal. É complicado, não é fácil de jogar com isso, mas o Santos, assim como o Boca, é um gigante do futebol sul-americano, tricampeão da América, está indo atrás do tetracampeonato, dentro de casa tem que fazer valer seu jogo, tentar se impor da melhor maneira possível. Esse tema da arbitragem, dos bastidores, ele surge, mas no campo você tem que procurar esquecer isso um pouco, fazer o possível e o impossível para superar o Boca, e o que venha a acontecer no campo para chegar na decisão.

Em 1999, pelo Palmeiras, vocês perderam fora de casa por 1 a 0 e resolveram no Palestra Itália com um 3 a 0 diante de uma arquibancada lotada, jogando junto com time, o que não haverá agora. O quanto pode fazer diferença?
​Pesa para o futebol, não só para o Palmeiras, para qualquer equipe, não só na Libertadores, em qualquer competição. Quando você é criança, você imagina que vai jogar em um estádio cheio, com a torcida te apoiando, ou torcendo contra você e essa situação nova da Covid é ruim para todo mundo, tanto para quem assiste em casa, para quem trabalha com futebol, e muito ruim para quem joga. Infelizmente a gente tem que encarar essa situação, mas é um momento totalmente diferente e triste nesse sentido.

Por exemplo, em 1999, foi uma das melhores atmosferas que eu vi em um estádio de futebol, você imagina o Palmeiras recebendo o River com um 3 a 0, como estaria o Allianz Parque, como estaria a Vila Belmiro, nessa empolgação do Santos enfrentando o Boca depois de ter conseguindo empatar em Buenos Aires, e o mesmo vale para o primeiro jogo, Avellaneda ou Monumental com uma atmosfera linda, Bombonera também… Infelizmente é uma situação de momento, que a gente tem que enfrentar, mas que nos causa tristeza, primeiro pela Covid, por essa situação toda que a gente está enfrentando e sinto pelo futebol, que perde bastante sem essa atmosfera do torcedor.

Você parou de jogar no fim de 2014, mas só agora, em 2021, vai iniciar a carreira de treinador. Por que esse tempo todo para começar a nova carreira?
Primeiro para me despir mesmo, para tirar minha carcaça de jogador de futebol, que por si só se torna um ser egoísta, porque tem uma pressão muito grande, você defende muito o seu. Segundo para vivenciar com a minha família esse mundo sem o futebol, sem o cotidiano, e para ter esse tempo para juntar as coisas. Enquanto eu me despia do jogador de futebol, eu fazia os cursos necessários para enxergar o futebol de uma maneira diferente daquela que eu enxergava, de jogador para treinador, para poder enxergar de fora para dentro.

No meio disso apareceu a situação da ESPN, para mim foi bem enriquecedor, porque eu pude estar aí do lado de vocês, conversar com vocês no ar, muitas vezes fora do ar, saber mais ou menos como vocês concluíam, chegavam nos pensamentos, situações simples de dia a dia, como eram feitos os comentários pós-jogo, como eram feitos os comentários em cima de trabalhos dos treinadores… Em paralelo eu estudava, tirava essa carcaça de jogador de futebol, e ainda aprendi um pouquinho do mundo novo, esse mundo do jornalismo esportivo. No meu quarto ano, em 2017/2018, eu me matriculei na licença da CBF e na última hora eu desisti, não era o meu momento, não era a minha hora, mas basicamente foram essas as situações.

Você sempre foi um jogador de perfil mais calmo, mais quieto, principalmente falando com a imprensa, e agora há pouco tempo, como comentarista. Como vai ser o estilo do Alex na beira do campo? Será agitado, com muitos gritos?
​Depende, é uma sequência de como eu fui como jogador, a minha pessoa se tornou jogador e a minha pessoa vai se tornar um treinador, não tem que alterar muito essas situações. Várias vezes, enquanto eu jogava, eu discutia com alguém, eu gritava, outras vezes eu fui mais calmo… A situação é o que molda, então tem horas que realmente você entra em desespero, tem horas que você quer gritar, tem horas que você briga, tem horas que você conversa…

Se eu for te falar hoje, seria meramente hipotético, não vivi nada do lado de fora, tenho que vivenciar isso para saber quais serão as minhas sensações do lado de fora, que serão diferentes de quando você está dentro de campo, lá você corre, você briga, você discute, você tem a bola, você vai para marcar, você busca um espaço… O treinador está preso na área técnica, conversando com o pessoal dele, com os jogadores que estão no banco de reservas junto com a comissão técnica… Então, como vai ser, sinceramente eu não sei, tenho que esperar as coisas acontecerem para ver que tipo de sensação eu vou ter, para em cima dessas sensações eu ter as minhas reações, que eu não tenho como falar quais serão agora, porque ainda não as vivi.

The England captain urged her team to hold their nerve in light of the dearth of runs among the batsmen, and a slipshod show in the field against West Indies

ESPNcricinfo staff19-Nov-2018

As far as tight finishes in world tournaments go, Heather Knight’s England have held their own since she took over as captain following the side’s shock elimination in the 2016 World T20 semi-final. In the World Cup last year, a league-stage win against Australia off the final ball paved the way for a two-run, final-over victory against South Africa in the semi-final. A humdinger of a finish followed, in the final at a full-house Lord’s, where they capped off their campaign with a nine-run triumph over India.At the ongoing World T20, though, it had been relatively smooth sailing for the side – with dominant seven-wicket wins in their first two completed matches. That, however, changed on Sunday in their last group-stage match against the side that had knocked them out in the previous edition. With about 10,000 spectators in attendance, defending champions West Indies snared a last-over win at the Darren Sammy Cricket Stadium, thanks in part to a lacklustre outing from England – only three batsmen got into double-figures – and three dropped chances during the final leg of the 116 chase.”In terms of what went wrong, I guess, ideally you want one of the top five to be there in the last two or three overs,” Knight said of their batting, wary of the consequences a similar show may have during their semi-final clash against India on Thursday. “That’s where you’re going to start to push it forward and get those really big scores. I think a little more composure, just more staying calm in that sort of situation, that would have got it over the line. But obviously we have the semi-finals to make that right. And a massive game it’s going to be against India.”And the fielding, I think, a little bit more composure potentially would have got us over the line. But like I say, I can’t question the girls’ fight and actually to stay in the game like that under that sort of pressure, the crowd and the support for the West Indies was really pleasing. I think it’s very difficult conditions. Those balls actually went very high with the lights. And fielding under the dark sky as well we haven’t done well in this competition yet.”Anya Shrubsole bagged a hat-trick against South Africa•ICC

Knight, however, emphasised that the defeat might well have been the “learning” the youngsters in the side needed before they shift base to Antigua for the knockouts.”I think it’s a great experience for the girls,” she said. “For some of the younger girls that haven’t played in front of that sort of crowd, that sort of pressure and the atmosphere that it had, it will be great for them. It’s a brilliant learning, I think. And what an amazing occasion it was.”But to have a tight game like that and to see how we fought, how we stayed in the game, how we scrapped, that’s what the team is about. And that’s all I can ask for the girls.”Save for the superlative all-round show from Anya Shrubsole, who finished with 3.3-1-10-1 to follow up her 26-ball 29 at No. 8, the stand-out contribution came from Sophia Dunkley. In her maiden international innings after her debut two games ago, the 20-year-old smashed three fours and a six in her 30-ball 39 while adding 50 with Shrubsole for the seventh wicket.”Yeah, she comes in at that No. 7, and it’s quite a tricky place to bat, I think,” Knight said. “You either come in when the team’s in trouble like she did tonight, or you come in with not many balls left and you obviously want to score very quickly. That’s why we’ve put her in that role. She scores quickly. She hits in unusual areas. So to show that composure under that amount of pressure, in front of that sort of amount of people, 10,000 people, whatever it was. So really pleased for her. She’s worked so hard.”Heading into the semi-final against India, whom England outscored in a record-breaking run-fest in the T20 tri-series in Mumbai in March this year before surrendering meekly in their next encounter four days later, Knight will be wary of the challenges that await. First, the red-hot form of the opposition side, who were undefeated in the group phase. Second, the dearth of form among their frontline batsmen, none of whom feature in the top 20 on the run-scorers list. These, along with fitness concerns looming Kirstie Gordon, their second-highest wicket-taker, with six scalps, in the tournament behind Shrubsole.”Yeah, she’s fine. She had a back twinge,” Knight said of Gordon, who left the field after bowling her allocation inside 15 overs. “She was actually struggling to finish that final over, just a little bit of back twinge going on, hamstrings. Yeah, decision to take her off. She obviously bowled very well. But she was in a lot of pain in the last few balls of the over.”

The India women’s ODI captain said she hasn’t taken a call on her future, and is only focussed on the upcoming tour of New Zealand

Annesha Ghosh in Mumbai13-Jan-20192:37

Raj wants fresh start in 2019 after last year’s controversies

Mithali Raj has said that the acrimony that followed India’s semi-final exit in the Women’s World T20 is a thing of the past, even though she felt the episode did “hamper” the profile of the Indian women’s team.”I don’t know how controversies help the profile of the sport because the profile of the sport depends on how the players perform,” Raj, India’s ODI captain, said on Sunday, before the team’s departure for their first tour of New Zealand in 13 years. “[The controversy] did hamper women’s cricket. I believe when a lot of non-cricketing things are spoken, it’s not so good, but we are getting an opportunity where we can again perform and let people talk about the team’s performance, and that will only enhance the profile of the sport.WV Raman on why he applied for the head-coach position

“Given all that has transpired in the last 18 months, this is a very crucial stage. This is a stage where they can skyrocket, and if things don’t go well, things can really go down south. So at this point, I thought they would require somebody with the experience, and also somebody who’s seen a gamut of teams and performed various roles. So I fancied myself, and that’s the reason I am here.
“The very fact that they almost won the World Cup in England and also went up to the semi-finals [in the World T20] – that was one of the reasons I put my hat into the ring. That was to me an indication that there’s great talent in the women’s cricket circuit and that they are capable of going places.”

“It’s a fresh start. Coming into the new year, it’s a fresh series. Yes, we’ve moved on. Right now, the focus is the New Zealand series. As a captain, and as a team, we understand the importance of the [ICC Women’s Championship] points system and how important it is to gain those points and get into the 2021 World Cup, and we know where we stand right now on the table. This series is very crucial from that perspective.”Raj also said that she and Harmanpreet Kaur had left the bitterness that followed in the aftermath of the World T20 semi-final behind them.”I think both of us have moved on from there,” Raj said. “I think too much emphasis has been given to that controversy. It was last year; all of us should look forward to 2019.”As the one-day captain, it is important for me to get the team together and important that we perform as a unit. Individual brilliance can win you a few matches, but if you have to win a series, you need every core member of your team to perform, and that performance has to complement the team’s goal. That is definitely what I believe will get the team together again and that’s what we’re going to work on.”At this level, every player understands what it takes to reach this level, and what it takes as a team to go on an overseas tour to aim to win the series, to gain those points. So, even though we might have differences of opinions, when we come down as players, we sit down as a team. It’s always to the benefit of the team, and what works for the team is decided by everybody.”In the mud-slinging that ensued after the World T20, Raj had written to the BCCI about Ramesh Powar’s supposedly high-handed methods as coach. Powar in turn alleged that Raj had threatened to retire from T20Is midway through the tournament. Raj denied the allegation, saying: “I never thought of quitting, because whatever has happened is off the field. I believe whenever I take that decision, it probably will be because of my own reasoning about my own game.”Mithali Raj and WV Raman field questions at the BCCI headquarters•Annesha Ghosh

During the World T20, Raj had said, “I believe that now the team is settling, so it could probably be the last World Cup for me, the World T20 format”. But on Sunday, she said she hadn’t made any definite plans about her future.”I will take a series at a time. I don’t know where I would be in two-three months from now, so I can’t really predict whether I will be part of the 2020 World Cup,” she said. “For me, at this juncture, this New Zealand tour is as important, very important in fact, [as to] how it goes for me and for the team, so I am only looking forward to this tour as of now. I can’t predict or comment on how it’s going to go in the future. That’s something I’ve never planned; it’s always been with the flow.”Since April 2017, three India women’s coaches – Purnima Rau, Tushar Arothe and Powar – have been ousted controversially. Raj felt that with the appointment of former India opener WV Raman, the team had hit upon the right person for the job. Raman’s coaching credentials include stints with Ranji Trophy and IPL sides, besides a long tenure at the National Cricket Academy.”I’ve not trained under him [Raman], but have met him a couple of times,” Raj said. “If you see his credentials, his experience and expertise, he’s played and coached various teams at various levels. There’s no expectations as such when you have credentials like that. You are only positive that the coach will make a big difference to the team.”On the cricketing front, one of the challenges that Raj will be faced with in New Zealand is lack of experience. India’s last tour of New Zealand was in 2006-07, and the only players with prior experience of playing in the country are Jhulan Goswami (only part of the ODI squad) and Raj herself. That apart, India’s results have been up and down in ODIs. After reaching the World Cup final in 2017, they won the ODI series in South Africa, and then lost comprehensively at home against Australia in March 2018. That was followed by a 2-1 series win against England in April, before they failed to secure a clean sweep in a three-match away series against a lower-ranked Sri Lanka side in September.”The home series against Australia hasn’t gone well for us. We hadn’t won a point there,” Raj said. “So this series is very important, if we can get those six points… Having lost the last game against Sri Lanka also, we lost out on those two points… Playing any side in their home conditions will have its challenges. Yes, Jhulu and I have toured last in 2006, but, over the years, I’m sure New Zealand has also changed.”

MatériaMais Notícias

Em busca de reabilitação no Campeonato Brasileiro, Atlético-MG e Santos se enfrentam nesta terça-feira (26), às 20h, em jogo atrasado da 28ª rodada. As duas equipes perderam no final de semana, para Vasco e Goiás, respectivamente, e buscam reencontrar o caminho das vitórias.

Será o segundo reencontro entre o técnico Jorge Sampaoli e o time que dirigiu na campanha do vice-campeonato brasileiro em 2019. No primeiro turno, o Peixe venceu o confronto por 3 a 1, na Vila Belmiro.

>> Confira a tabela atualizada do Campeonato Brasileiro

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Galo pode ter ex-Santos no time titular

Insatisfeito com o desempenho do ataque na derrota para o Vasco, o técnico Jorge Sampaoli pode promover o retorno de Eduardo Sasha ao time titular. O jogador foi um dos destaques do Santos em 2019 e trocou de clube no começo do atual Brasileirão.

Com 54 pontos ganhos em 31 rodadas, o Atlético-MG ainda sonha com a conquista do título. Em caso de vitória, a equipe ficará cinco pontos atrás do líder Internacional.

Santos vai com equipe praticamente reserva

De olho na final da Copa Libertadores, que acontece no próximo sábado, no Maracanã, o Santos deve ter uma equipe praticamente reserva no confronto desta terça.O único jogador considerado titular que viajou para Belo Horizonte foi o goleiro John.

O Peixe deve ter uma equipe formada em sua maioria por garotos das categorias de base, assim como aconteceu na derrota diante do Fortaleza na última semana.

FICHA TÉCNICA
ATLÉTICO-MG X SANTOS

Estádio: Mineirão, em Belo Horionte (MG)
Data-horário: 26 de janeiro de 2001, às 20h
Árbitro: Paulo Roberto Alves Júnior (PR)
Assistentes: Ivan Carlos Bohn (PR) e Rafael Trombeta (PR)
Árbitro de vídeo: Pablo Ramon Gonçalves Pinheiro (RN)

Onde ver: Premiere e tempo real do LANCE!

ATLÉTICO-MG
Everson; Guga, Réver (Gabriel), Junior Alonso e Guilherme Arana; Allan, Jair e Hyoran; Savarino, Keno e Eduardo Vargas (Eduardo Sasha). Técnico: Jorge Sampaoli
Desfalques: Zaracho (em recuperação física)

SANTOS
John, Madson, Laércio, Alex e Wagner Leonardo; Vinícius Balieiro, Guilherme Nunes, Lucas Lourenço e Jean Mota; Arthur Gomes e Bruno Marques. Técnico: Cuca
Desfalques: Luan Peres (suspenso), Jobson, Carlos Sánchez e Raniel (lesionados)
Poupados; Pará, Lucas Veríssimo, Felipe Jonatan, Alison, Sandry, Diego Pituca, Marinho, Kaio Jorge, Soteldo e Lucas Braga​