MatériaMais Notícias

O zagueiro Didi não minimizou o fato da equipe ter ficado no empate em 1 a 1 com a Ponte Preta no Dérbi de Campinas. Para ele, o resultado seria fundamental no aspecto matemático e também de ânimo para o time seguir buscando com ainda mais propriedade se aproximar do grupo dos quatro primeiros colocados na Série B do Campeonato Brasileiro.

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Apesar desse ponto, o jogador não deixou em absoluto de acreditar nas possibilidades do Bugre que, por ora, está em sexto com 48 pontos, quatro a menos do que o Juventude:

-Não vencer o dérbi nesta Série B, de fato, é ruim. Uma vitória em clássico sempre traz confiança. Me recordo que antes da parada por conta da pandemia, o Guarani venceu esse jogo e fez a equipe ficar em alta no período da paralisação. Eu senti essa motivação e confiança quando cheguei. Muito em função desse bom resultado. Porém, independente desses dois jogos não terem sido com vitórias, continuamos brigando pelo acesso.

-Enquanto tivermos chances, vamos lutar. Fácil? Não será. Temos um grupo que tem qualidade e que junto, pode conquistar esse objetivo. Eu confio muito nos bons resultados nesses últimos cinco jogos – acrescentou.

Steven Smith admitted that he “walked past” a discussion to use sandpaper on the ball, “had the opportunity to stop it” and didn’t do so

Andrew McGlashan in Sydney21-Dec-20182:10

I had the opportunity to stop the tampering – Steven Smith

For the first time since his career was turned upside down, Steven Smith has spoken about the moments inside the Newlands dressing room when he ignored the blatant attempts at ball-tampering that were going on in front of him.Giving his first press conference in Australia since his tearful return to the country at the end of March, Smith revealed how he walked past team-mates David Warner and Cameron Bancroft as the plan to use sandpaper on the ball was discussed.Asked what he said in that fateful moment, Smith answered: “‘I don’t want to know about it’ and walked away – that was my chance where I could have stopped something from happening.”For me in the room I walked past something and had the opportunity to stop it and I didn’t do it. That was my leadership failure. Something happened out on the field and I had the opportunity to stop it at that point rather than say I don’t want to know anything about it, that was my failure and I’ve taken responsibility for that.”

There have been some dark days where I haven’t wanted to get out of the bed

He was, however, adamant that it was the first time he had experienced ball-tampering in the Australian dressing room and also insisted his relationship with Warner, who has previously been accused of ‘throwing Smith under a bus’ by not taking more responsibility for his role, remains “fine”.”As far as I’m aware that was the first time it had happened,” Smith said. “I can’t judge what other teams around the world do. In any game you play you want the ball to move, but obviously you want to do it in a legal way.”Smith has returned to the public spotlight in recent days with a Vodafone advertisement, which is being aired at prime time during the BBL, followed by his appearance in front of cameras at the SCG, which he admitted was meant to have happened before the commercial went on air.CPL T20/ Getty ImagesIn the advert, which is in support of mental health for which Smith will be making a financial contribution to the Gotcha 4 Life charity, he speaks about the “dark days” he has experienced since the events of Newlands, thoughts he echoed on Friday.”I’m going okay now. Initially after South Africa I was going through a bit, in a pretty dark space and had some tough days but they are few and far between now. Still have my moments, ups and downs, but I’m going okay and heading in the right direction.”I’ve had tough days, but I’ve been really fortunate to have a close group of people around me who have helped me. There have been some dark days where I haven’t wanted to get out of the bed. A close group of people let me know it’s okay. I made a mistake, quite a big mistake, now I’m trying to move and improve as a person.”Smith was stripped of the captaincy and handed a one-year ban as was Warner, while Bancroft was given a nine-month sanction. Bancroft’s ban finishes on December 29 and he is expected to return for the Perth Scorchers in the BBL straightaway, but Smith and Warner won’t be available until the end of March. Both have been playing grade cricket this season while training with New South Wales, with Smith also heavily involved with the Sydney Sixers.Smith was due to head to the Bangladesh Premier League, but that deal has been scrubbed, meaning his next top-level action will be the Pakistan Super League in February. Depending on the dates for Australia’s one-day series against Pakistan – the matches could start in April after the bans elapse – he could make an international comeback in that series. He also has an IPL deal with Rajasthan Royals.

Everton have bounced back well since their 10-point deduction in the Premier League, with their recent 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest taking them two points adrift of safety with a game in hand on Luton Town. If it wasn't for the deduction, Sean Dyche's side would be enjoying an impressive campaign, given that they'd be on 17 points and comfortably sitting 13th. Nonetheless, they have pushed on and are back on course to survive once again in England's top flight.

Now, Everton's focus could turn towards potential reinforcements, with reports suggesting that those at Goodison Park are eyeing a move to sign a teenage gem in a battle against other Premier League sides. It could be an impressive coup for Dyche and co.

Everton transfer news

The Toffees spent well in the summer, despite not having the biggest budget at their disposal. They welcomed the likes of Jack Harrison, Beto, Ashley Young and Arnaut Danjuma in an attempt to secure their Premier League status once again. And, barring the blip of their point deduction, Dyche looks likely to guide his side towards safety and perhaps more come the end of the campaign. The former Burnley boss has the task of turning the club into an attractive prospect once more, as they reportedly eye a move for one particular young star.

According to Pete O'Rourke of Football Insider, Everton are interested in signing 17-year-old Aodhan Doherty, who currently plays for Linfield in his home country of Northern Ireland. The Toffees aren't the only club reportedly interested, however, with West Ham United reportedly leading the way for the teenager and Brighton & Hove Albion also eyeing a move.

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The left-winger has reportedly earned rave reviews whilst playing for Linfield and Northern Ireland U17s and already had a trial at West Ham earlier this year. As things stand, Doherty's Linfield contract is set to expire in 2026, but that's not to say he won't follow in the footsteps of the likes of Trai Hume by making the move from the Northern Ireland Premiership to English football.

"Sensation" Doherty is one for the future

As Everton look to avoid any relegation trouble in the coming years, investing in young talent may not be a bad idea. Doherty could be part of that too. The 17-year-old is already attracting plenty of interest from around England and could only get better and better with more minutes. Of course, if he does choose Everton, then it is unlikely that Dyche will throw the winger straight into his first team, but he could at least get the chance to impress for the youth sides.

Wherever Doherty ends up, it looks increasingly likely that he'll have his biggest career decision to make yet in the near future with the world seemingly at his feet. The youngster has already earned plenty of praise throughout what is still a young career, with Pete O'Rouke labelling Doherty a "sensation" in a post on X.

After keeping West Indies on the field for most of the first two days to score 508 in their first innings, Bangladesh didn’t allow any let-ups with the ball, reducing West Indies to 75 for 5

The Report by Mohammad Isam in Dhaka01-Dec-2018

After keeping West Indies on the field for most of the first two days to score 508 runs in their first innings, Bangladesh didn’t allow any let-ups with the ball. Mehidy Hasan and Shakib Al Hasan took five wickets in the first 12 overs of the visitors’ reply, recording a first in Test history in the process, as the first five batsmen were all bowled to spinners.Mehidy took three wickets while Shakib took the other two to fall in a dominant day for the home side. From start to finish on day two, Bangladesh made all the running, culminating in a gasping last hour and 40 minutes that ended with West Indies on 75 for 5.Kraigg Brathwaite has had a torrid time in this tour so far, this time Shakib Al Hasan’s arm-ball cutting between his bat and pad to hand him a duck. Mehidy did a similar thing to Kieran Powell, using the round-the-wicket angle to get through his bat and pad.Things turned from bad to worse for West Indies in the ninth over when Sunil Ambris missed a full Shakib delivery with an ambitious lofted drive, but he was nowhere near the pitch of the ball. Roston Chase played down the wrong line to a Mehidy delivery that spun past his forward prod.In Mehidy’s next over, West Indies slipped to 29 for 5, the lowest score against Bangladesh at five wickets down, when Shai Hope was completely undone by one that kept very low.Shimron Hetmyer and Shane Dowrich, who batted well in the Chattogram Test too, salvaged the visitors in a 46-run stand for the unbroken sixth wicket. It was the only respite on a day when nothing really went their way.For most of the day, it was Mahmudullah’s sturdy 136 that held Bangladesh together. He lasted six hours and 16 minutes at the crease, which took the home side through some crucial phases from the first to the second afternoon. Shadman Islam had earlier done the initial hard work through his impressive 76 on the first day, but after he and Mushfiqur fell in a short span, Mahmudullah dug deep.He added 111 runs for the sixth wicket with Shakib who went on a boundary-spree early on the second morning, hitting five of his six fours. He made 80 off 139 balls before giving gully a straightforward catch off Kemar Roach. Liton Das followed in Shakib’s footsteps, attacking the West Indies bowlers in a first session in which Bangladesh added 128 runs in 25 overs.Liton, who made 54 off 62 balls with eight fours and a six, fell soon after the lunch break, and was followed by Mehidy Hasan back to the dressing room. Mahmudullah then took 30 balls to get through the nineties and into his century, but it was a crucial phase in which he and Taijul added 56 runs in 20.5 overs.Taijul lasted 91 minutes before getting caught behind off Kraigg Brathwaite, who had earlier bowled Liton, before Nayeem Hasan and Mahmudullah frustrated West Indies for a further 9.2 overs in their tenth-wicket stand.For the visitors, Kemar Roach, Devendra Bsihoo, Warrican and Brathwaite took two wickets each while there was one each for Shermon Lewis and Roston Chase.

When Birmingham City went 1-0 down against Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday, a familiar sinking feeling would have engulfed the whole of St Andrews.

The Blues were yet to win under new manager Wayne Rooney and considering Wednesday had only tasted victory once this season, failure to change that here would have been a catastrophe.

However, a Juninho Bacuna strike on the stroke of half-time inspired a much improved second-half performance as substitute Jordan James grabbed the winner nine minutes from time.

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ByTom Griffin Nov 22, 2023

This victory – regardless of how it was secured – would have lifted a huge weight from Rooney's shoulders and his side now have the opportunity to build on that three points against Blackburn Rovers.

Here's how they could line up for their trip to Ewood Park…

1 GK – John Ruddy

Veteran goalkeeper John Ruddy has experience at this level coursing through his veins but sooner rather than later, Birmingham will need to replace him.

According to Sofascore, the 37-year-old is the fifth worst in the whole of the Championship when it comes to the goals prevented stat (-3.37). Nonetheless, Ruddy's competition, Neil Etheridge, hasn't been able to dislodge him from his starting berth.

2 RB – Ethan Laird

Since arriving as an astute capture from Manchester United in the summer, Laird has spent the majority of this campaign sidelined with injury, but the explosive full-back has demonstrated his quality in abundance since returning to the squad.

For instance, in the victory over Wednesday, he won a whopping nine of his 12 ground duels and four of his six aerial duels. He also had an impact in the opposing half, too, making three key passes.

3 CB – Emanuel Aiwu

A ball-playing centre-back, who registered four accurate long balls against the Owls and an 88% pass completion, Aiwu has performed in splendid fashion since Rooney took to the helm.

The on-loan Cremonese defender is beginning to form a solid partnership with Dion Sanderson, with the Austrian averaging 2.6 tackles and 4.4 clearances per game.

4 CB – Dion Sanderson

When Dion Sanderson was named Birmingham's new captain at the start of the season, he described it as an "honour", and the 23-year-old has certainly performed like it means everything to him.

He's started in every Championship match so far, recording 4.4 balls recovered and clearing 2.9 balls per game. He will, however, need to be on the ball to prevent the league's top scorer, Sammie Szmodics, from wreaking havoc in the final third.

5 LB – Lee Buchanan

Lee Buchanan made his first start in two months against Sheffield Wednesday following a spell on the sidelines and the 22-year-old didn't disappoint.

He won six of his 11 ground duels, completed five tackles and accurately placed four long balls. Buchanan made a strong start to the season prior to his injury and that performance against the Owls suggests he's carrying on from where he left off.

6 CM – Juninho Bacuna

Juninho Bacuna scored his fourth goal of the season on Saturday and the all-action midfielder put in a fine performance, registering an 89% pass completion, accurately placing eight of his 11 long balls and winning three of his six ground duels.

If the 26-year-old can continue that form against Blackburn, he can have a vital say on the outcome at both ends of the field.

7 CM – Jordan James

After coming off the bench to score a dramatic winner, Jordan James deserves to start this evening and if he does come into the side, he could replace Krystian Bielik.

The £20k per-week titan struggled to have much of an impact going forward, registering zero key passes and only two accurate long balls. It is clear that the initial starting lineup against Sheffield Wednesday wasn't working so this is one change Rooney could make.

8 RW – Koji Miyoshi

The fleet-footed Japanese star was a constant threat last time out and did well to fashion space on numerous occasions to create an opportunity, however, his end product let him down.

Miyoshi miscued all eight of his attempted crosses and was only successful with 70% of his passes. That said, he is still Rooney's best option on the right, so it's unlikely he'll miss out.

9 CAM – Jay Stansfield

Despite only making 19 touches across ninety minutes against the Owls, Stansfield keeps his place in the team.

He's the Blues top scorer with five goals, which speaks volumes about their struggles, but the 21-year-old can cause problems in the central attacking midfield position having created four big chances for his teammates this term – the most of any player in the squad.

10 LW – Siriki Dembele

Dembele's performance last time out epitomised his strengths and weaknesses.

Whilst he's excellent at committing defenders with his sheer speed and precise ball control – recording the most successful dribbles on the pitch (5) – he only registered an xG of 0.10, which suggests his end product needs sharpening. Nonetheless, he can give right-back James Hill a torrid time.

MatériaMais Notícias

O atacante Mailson, que já atuou pela Chapecoense, Criciúma e CRB, hoje no Sampaio Corrêa, disse sobre a evolução que teve com a camisa do clube maranhense na última temporada e espera seguir crescendo na carreira. Segundo o jogador, que estava na Tailândia antes de acertar no Sampaio, seu crescimento foi importante.

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-Tive uma evolução grande desde a minha chegada e isso foi muito importante para mim. Trabalhei muito para ter boas atuações e intensidade nos jogos que estive em campo. Procurei fazer o melhor pelo grupo sempre – falou o atacante.

A expectativa de Mailson para 2021 é fazer um grande ano e ajudar ainda mais a equipe, que terminou em 6º lugar na Série B 2020, a conquistar os seus objetivos e crescer cada vez mais no cenário nacional.

-Estou motivado para esse ano de 2021. Vou trabalhar muito para fazer uma temporada boa. Vou trabalhar muito para que isso seja possível – completou.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has explained why Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez are misfiring, with a key area in need of improvement being identified.

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Reds have seen title dream fadeStrikers squandering big chancesCoach has no serious concernsWHAT HAPPENED?

The Reds have seen their Premier League title dreams begin to fade, while also bowing out of the Europa League, with Klopp’s farewell tour – ahead of his summer departure from Anfield – in danger of finishing on a low note.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Salah and Nunez have had chances of late to keep the Liverpool fires burning, but both have surprisingly fluffed their lines on a regular basis. That was the case once again as the Reds drew a blank in a 2-0 Merseyside derby defeat to Everton.

WHAT KLOPP SAID

With Nunez without a goal in six and Salah finding the target just twice through his last seven appearances, Klopp has told reporters of why those struggles are being endured and how the tide could turn quickly: “It's tricky. Strikers have to go through these things. That's how it is. That's a striker's life. A goalkeeper's life is make 500 saves, then one howler – and everybody talks about this. A striker's life is you score all the time, then you don't score for a while and then everybody asks why you don't score. It can be the most difficult thing in the world and sometimes it's the easiest thing in the world, depending on what chance you get. We had good chances against Everton but again we were a bit in a rush in finishing them off. So create again, create again and try and get in the right positions to finish the situations off. It will be a really rich man or woman who can write that book [on a striker getting back to their best]. You have to go through it. I try to help them speeding it up. That says nothing about the quality of the boys.”

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?

Salah still has 24 efforts to his name this season, passing 200 total goals for Liverpool in the process, while enigmatic Uruguayan Nunez is only two away from reaching 20 across all competitions. They will both be hoping to get back into the groove when taking in a trip to West Ham on Saturday.

أجرى قائد فريق إبسويتش تاون والمحترف المصري، سام مرسي، حوارًا مطولًا مع صحيفة “جارديان” الإنجليزية قبل ساعات من خوض مباراتهم الأولى في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز لهذا الموسم.

ويبدأ إبسويتش تاون مشواره في الموسم الجديد من الدوري الإنجليزي بمباراة صعبة ضد نظيره ليفربول، الذي يتواجد في صفوفه النجم المصري محمد صلاح.

وبدأ سام مرسي حواره بالحديث عن مباراته الأولى مع فريق بورت فايل، تحت سن 18 عامًا، حيث قال: “كان الأمر كارثيا، لقد خرجت بعد 60 دقيقة فقط، أسوأ لاعب في الملعب، كان الأمر بمثابة صدمة كبرى، كانت عقليتي آنذاك (حسنًا، لقد أتيت للتو من ولفرهامبتون، وسأكون أفضل لاعب هنا)، كانت آخر مباراة لي ضد مانشستر يونايتد، والآن كنا نلعب ضد موركامب، كانت صحوة قاسية، هكذا تبدو كرة القدم، وفكرت (حسنًا، أحتاج الآن إلى ترتيب نفسي إذا كنت سأصبح لاعب كرة قدم)”.

ويبدو أن سام مرسي قد استفاد من خبراته السابقة، مع اقترابه من بلوغ سن الـ33 عامًا، ونجح مؤخرًا في قيادة إبسويتش تاون من تشامبيونشيب إلى الدوري الإنجليزي.

وأضاف: “عندما تكون قريبًا من النجاح، يكون الأمر أكثر راحة لأكون صادقًا، لا أعتقد أنك تقول أبدًا (هذا كل شيء، لقد فعلتها)، لأنه إذا تسلقت جبلًا واحدًا، فستنظر إلى الأعلى وترى آخر أكبر”.

وواصل: “نريد أن نحقق نتائج جيدة هذا الموسم، ونريد أن نظهر الطموح، لا نريد أن نقول (لقد وصلنا إلى هنا، وصعدنا، إنه أمر رائع، ومهما حدث، فسوف يحدث)”.

ومن المعروف أن سام مرسي قد وُلد ونشأ في إنجلترا، حيث تزوج والده مكاوي من سيدة تُدعى كارين، بعدما انتقل إلى مانشستر لبدء حياته في سن الـ21.

اقرأ أيضًا.. موعد والقناة الناقلة لمباراة ليفربول وإبسويتش تاون اليوم في الدوري الإنجليزي.. والمعلق

وأوضح: “كان (مكاوي) يساعد الناس في حمل حقائبهم في الفنادق ويعمل في أي وظيفة يستطيعها، بدأ العمل في محل بيتزا لتوفير القليل من المال”.

وفي أثناء تحضير البيتزا التقى بكارين، استمرت في العمل هناك وهي حامل في الشهر الأخير، وتمكنا في النهاية من شراء شقة متواضعة، وبعد ثلاثة عقود من الزمان، يدير مكاوي حاليًا شركة عقارات مزدهرة في ولفرهامبتون.

واستمر: “لقد استمرا في بناء إمبراطورية، لقد عمل بجد حقًا، في حالة والدي، لا شيء يكفي أبدًا وأعتقد أنني ورثت ذلك، إنها هبة ونقمة في نفس الوقت، هذا هو السبب جزئيًا وراء حديث الناس معي عن إنجازنا هنا وأنا أفكر (رائع، حسنًا، الآن التالي)، لكن الأسرة بأكملها على هذا النحو: الدفع، والقدرة على العمل الجاد والاستمرار”.

واستفاد سام مرسي من ميزة التواجد مع 3 أشقاء أكبر سنًا، أخ وأخين غير شقيقين، حيث قال: “أنت آخر من يتقدم في أي شيء، لذا عليك دائمًا أن تقاتل وتتشاجر، وربما يكون هذا هو مصدر روح المنافسة”.

ويتواجد شقيق سام مرسي، نادر، في تركيا حيث درس العلوم الإسلامية واللغة العربية الكلاسيكية، وهو الآن يُعلم اللغة العربية للمتحدثين باللغة الإنجليزية والعكس صحيح.

وعن ذلك، قال سام: “بالنظر إلى ما تعلمه في الدين والقرآن، والتحدث باللغة العربية بالطريقة التي يستطيعها، لا تستطيع عائلتي أن تصدق كيف فعل ذلك لأننا لم نُولد ونحن نتحدث بها، يقولون إنه أمر مستحيل، ولكن هذه هي شخصيته: إذا كنت تدرس شيئًا ما، فعليك أن تدرس لمدة 15 أو 16 ساعة في اليوم”.

وينطبق الأمر نفسه على سام مرسي، الذي اعتاد على لعب كرة القدم طوال اليوم، في الشارع والملاعب وفي المدرسة، وانضم إلى أكاديمية ولفرهامبتون في سن السابعة.

وكشف: “فقدت تركيزي في سن الـ16، كنت مشغولاً للغاية بالخروج مع أصدقائي، ولم أكن أهتم، وكانت كرة القدم في آخر اهتماماتي، كنت أعود إلى المنزل بعد يوم في المدرسة، وأجلس على الأريكة، ويكون التدريب في المساء ولا أستطيع أن أهتم به، انعكس ذلك على أدائي، بذل ولفرهامبتون قصارى جهده، وظل يحذرني، ويخبرني أنهم بحاجة إلى المزيد، وكان بإمكاني القيام بذلك، لكنني كنت في مؤسسة لسنوات عديدة وأردت فقط الاستمتاع بنفسي”.

وعقب ذلك، قام نادي بورت فايل بتقويمه وعرض عليه صفقة احترافية، ولكنه وقع في خلاف مع المدرب ميكي آدمز في موسمه الثاني، خاصة وأن المدير الفني اشتعل غضبًا بعدما تحصل المصري على بطاقة حمراء نتيجة تهوره ضد روشدايل، ولكن بعد ذلك تصالح الثنائي، ثم عمل مرسي تحت قيادة المدرب بول كوك.

وعن كوك، قال مرسي: “المدرب المثالي بالنسبة لي في ذلك الوقت، لقد كان هائلاً بالنسبة لي، وأظهر الكثير من الإيمان، ووضع ذراعه حولي وعاملني بشكل جيد ومذهل”.

وعملا سويًا، سام مرسي وكوك في ويجان، وصعدا سويًا من دوري الدرجة الأولى ووصلا إلى ربع نهائي كأس الاتحاد الإنجليزي.

واعترف: “عندما ذهبت إلى إبسويتش بعد ذلك، ظننت أن حلم الدوري الإنجليزي قد انتهى، حقًا، كان الهدف هو العودة إلى دوري الدرجة الأولى وما إذا كان بإمكاني الحصول على بضع سنوات جيدة هناك، لكن في كرة القدم، الأمر ليس بهذه البساطة أبدًا، أليس كذلك؟”.

وعانى سام مرسي من رحيل كوك عن تدريب إبسويتش، حيث قال: “نعم، بالتأكيد، لأنه السبب الوحيد الذي جعلني آتي إلى هنا هو، لم أكن ألعب بشكل جيد، لذا شعرت بالذنب، لأنه جلبني مع توقعات اللاعب الذي كان لديه في ويجان، كان الأمر صعبًا، وكانت المشاعر أشبه بالحزن لأنني كنت أتمنى لو كنت قد قدمت أداءً أفضل، وأنت تفكر ما الذي يحدث هنا”.

وعقب ذلك، تعاقد إبسويتش تاون مع كيران ماكينا، حيث قال مرسي: “قال إنه يريدنا أن نكون ناديًا كبيرًا، وكان التدريب الفردي جيدًا جدًا، لذا في الأسبوع الأول تفكر (حسنًا، سيكون هذا جيدًا)، كنت في الثلاثين من عمري وتريد الاستمتاع بكرة القدم، لا يمكن أن تكون مهمة شاقة، أجرينا محادثة، وأخبرني بما يعتقده، قلت إنني أشعر أنني بحالة جيدة وأبحث دائمًا عن التحسن، لقد دفعني منذ ذلك الحين”.

واسترسل: “إذا كان لديك شخص تثق به حقًا ويقول لك (ماذا عن ذلك؟ يمكنك تجربة ذلك)، ففي بعض الأحيان ستفعل ذلك دون تفكير، تبدأ في بناء أشياء جديدة في عقلك، في كرة القدم، كما هو الحال في الحياة، يريد الناس وضعك في صندوق فيما يتعلق بما يمكنك فعله أو لا يمكنك فعله، ثم تحصل على مدربين مثل كيران يقولون (يمكنك القيام بذلك)، وتستمر في التطور”.

وشدد: “لقد جاء (ماكينا) بسرعة وقوة، كان الأمر دائمًا مصدر قلق (اهتمام الأندية الكبرى بالتعاقد مع المدرب هذا الصيف) لأنه كان يأتي من أندية كبيرة، وفرق متقدمة في الدوري الإنجليزي (تشيلسي ومانشستر يونايتد)، لكن في أعماقي كنت أعتقد دائمًا أنه سيبقى، لقد فعل الكثير من أجل النادي وهذا يلخص نوع الرجل الذي هو عليه”.

وأكد سام مرسي أن علاقته بالنجم محمد صلاح رائعة، حيث ساهم الأخير في تأقلمه مع تشكيلة منتخب مصر في مونديال روسيا 2018، ولا يزالا صديقين.

واختتم: “نريد أن نكتب تاريخنا الخاص، يتعلق الأمر بالاستمتاع به، ولكن أيضًا أن نكون تنافسيين حقًا وأن نجد تلك الإرادة للفوز”.

India suffered their biggest margin in defeat in T20Is as they went 0-1 down in the three-match series

The Report by Deivarayan Muthu06-Feb-2019
A New Zealand wicketkeeper-opening batsman surging down the track to belt the ball down the ground or pulling off outrageous scoops. Sounds familiar? Tim Seifert channelled his inner Brendon McCullum and turbo-charged New Zealand to 219 for 6 and a 1-0 lead, with his 43-ball 84. Having been dropped twice – on 17 by MS Dhoni behind the stumps and then on 71 by Dinesh Karthik in the outfield – he married muscle with trick shots to expose an India attack that was without its gun bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav.Watch live

Followers in the United States can watch the first T20I live on ESPN+

Colin Munro, who had looked out of place in the ODIs, was back to his happy place, flaying 34 off 20 balls in a rollicking 86-run opening stand with Seifert.A new-look Indian batting line-up that had three wicketkeepers in the middle order and allrounder Vijay Shankar at No.3 then struggled to come to grips with a rapidly rising asking rate. When legspinner Ish Sodhi had both Karthik and Hardik Pandya holing out to excellent catches in the outfield, India were 77 for 6 in 11 overs. Although Dhoni and Krunal Pandya produced some late blows, they careened to an 80-run loss – India’s biggest in T20Is.Seifert tees off
A 43-ball 84 on a New Zealand pitch might suggest wild slogging. But, it was far from that, with the odd ball and the cutters holding up on a tired pitch. Seifert’s first ball stopped on him, but he adjusted to check-punch it away towards mid-off. Left-arm quick Khaleel Ahmed then drew a leading edge with an offcutter. Krunal then cramped him with a fizzing arm ball and drew a thick outside edge, but Dhoni dropped a tough chance. Yes, you guessed it. The next ball was launched for six.From thereon, Seifert went on a boundary-hitting spree. The key to his unfettered assault was a still head and ultra-fast hands. Krunal was switch-hit over backward point while his brother Hardik was cracked through extra-cover. After bringing up his maiden T20I half-century, off 30 balls, he cut loose further, hitting Krunal for back-to-back sixes. In the same over, the 11th of the innings, Karthik shelled a regulation catch at long-on to reprieve Seifert.However, Karthik more than redeemed himself when he plucked out a sensational hokey-pokey catch at the same region to get rid of debutant Daryl Mitchell, the son of former All Black John Mitchell.Curiously, India held back Yuzvendra Chahal until the ninth over and Seifert faced only six balls from him by the end of the innings, taking 18 runs off him.Munro played his part, pumping Khaleel over mid-off and scything him over backward point for a flat six, as New Zealand had zoomed to 66 for 0 in six overs. It was Krunal who provided India with the breakthrough when he dared to loop one up, having Munro slice a catch to long-on in the ninth over. Khaleel then yorked Seifert four overs later to offer the visitors some respite.Kuggeleijn’s late burst
Kane Williamson flickered briefly for 34 off 22 balls, but he fell to Chahal immediately after Karthik’s brilliance had sent back Mitchell. Two new batsmen were out in the middle, again, when Colin de Grandhomme and Ross Taylor were dismissed in a space of three legal balls, but No. 8 Scott Kuggeleijn smote a seven-ball 20, including a sparkling six over extra-cover off Bhuvneshwar Kumar, to hoist his side past 215.Bhuvneshwar came away with 1 for 47 in his four overs while Hardik had a more forgettable outing, ending with 2 for 51 – his worst figures in T20Is.Southee, spinners humble India
Tim Southee has been bowling straight lines in ODIs of late, but he rediscovered swing at the Westpac Stadium. After testing Shikhar Dhawan with inswingers, he bounced Rohit Sharma out for 1 in the third over of the chase. Dhawan, though, tucked into the extra pace of Lockie Ferguson and Kuggeleijn, cracking 28 runs off 11 balls from them. Ferguson then hit back by storming through Dhawan’s defences with a 151kph yorker.Shankar played some exquisite lofted drives during his 18-ball 27, but at the other end Rishabh Pant laboured to 4 off 10 balls. Santner accounted for both Shankar and Pant before Sodhi engineered a double-strike of his own and triggered a full-blown collapse. Dhoni struck 39 off 31 balls, but Southee returned to dismiss him and complete New Zealand’s demolition job on Waitangi Day.

Celtic will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways this evening as they play host to Feyenoord at Parkhead in the Champions League.

This will be their final European outing of the campaign as the Hoops have already finished bottom of their group. They are five points behind tonight's opponents – who are in third – and are yet to win a game in the competition.

Brendan Rodgers' side have zero wins, one draw, and four defeats from their opening five group games and could look to end on a bang with a win over the Dutch side, instead of exiting Europe with a whimper and another loss.

The Scottish giants will be particularly motivated to produce a positive performance and result this evening after the disappointment of their 2-1 loss to Kilmarnock on Sunday.

Celtic took the lead through Matt O'Riley but two goals in the last 15 minutes of the match from the hosts secured them a famous victory.

Rodgers may now want to make some alterations to his starting XI from that defeat and could be bolstered by the return of a couple of his key players.

Latest Celtic injury news

The Northern Irish head coach confirmed that central defender Cameron Carter-Vickers missed out against Kilmarnock due to a hamstring strain.

He suffered stiffness with the knock and the Hoops opted not to risk him in the Scottish Premiership clash, which opened the door for Nat Phillips to start.

However, Rodgers added that the former Tottenham Hotspur man was expected to be fine for this clash with Feyenoord and that looks to be the case.

The USA international has returned to training ahead of tonight's Champions League clash, as reported by Sky Sports in the video below.

Japan international Daizen Maeda is also back on the grass and could, therefore, be in contention to feature against the Dutch side in some capacity.

The 26-year-old forward has zero goals, one assist, and one red card in four Champions League appearances so far this season, to go along with two goals and two assists in 12 Premiership matches.

These statistics show that Maeda has not been not been an outstanding operator at the top end of the pitch for Celtic and, therefore, there is no urgent need to rush him back into the starting XI.

Whereas, Carter-Vickers is an excellent and consistently impressive performer at the back for the Scottish giants and should be instantly reinstated into the line-up this evening.

Rodgers must brutally ditch Phillips after his howler of a showing against Kilmarnock and bring the ex-Spurs titan into the XI alongside Ireland international Liam Scales.

Nat Phillips' performance against Kilmarnock in numbers

The on-loan Liverpool defender was selected ahead of fellow summer signings Maik Nawrocki and Gustaf Lagerbielke and his performance failed to justify the selection.

Phillips looked uncomfortable on the ball throughout the match and often rushed his passes, which led to far too many cheap turnovers of possession.

The central defender lost the ball a staggering 20 times and only completed 80% of his attempted passes (80/100). He also failed to find a teammate with nine of his 14 long passes, which suggests that the quality of his passing left a lot to be desired.

Whereas, Scales only lost possession 13 times and completed 86% of his passes throughout the 90 minutes on the pitch on the left side of the pairing.

Alongside his lacklustre passing, Phillips also played a decisive role in Kilmarnock's impressive comeback as the centre-back converted a cross into his own net under no pressure.

He may have felt that a sliding clearance was needed in case Alistair Johnston did not cut it out at the back post but got it all wrong and diverted it past Joe Hart instead of away from danger.

Phillips has only started one Champions League match this season and was unable to impress against Lazio in a 2-1 defeat at Parkhead back in October.

The English defender made one clearance and failed to make a single block, tackle, or interception in 62 minutes on the pitch as he lost 100% (2/2) of his duels, along with a 0% (0/3) long pass success rate.

These statistics show that the former Bournemouth loanee was not able to impose himself on the Italian side and, once again, struggled with the ball at his feet.

His performances against both Kilmarnock and Lazio suggest that Rodgers should ditch him from the line-up for this clash with Feyenoord and instantly unleash Carter-Vickers in his place.

The statistics that show why Carter-Vickers should be unleashed

The USA international has been a largely reliable performer in both domestic and European competitions for the Scottish giants this season.

Carter-Vickers has started three of the club's five Champions League group stage matches and has showcased his defensive dominance with a duel success rate of 64%. This shows that opposition forwards have not found it easy to get the better of him in physical contests.

He has also only lost possession seven times per game on average and has completed 92% of his attempted passes in Europe this term.

This suggests that the American colossus, who was once dubbed "immense" by ex-Hoops ace Jackie McNamara, could provide far more quality than Phillips both in terms of what he is able to offer in and out of possession.

The aforementioned statistics show that Carter-Vickers is far more reliable on the ball and not as likely to gift it back to Feyenoord on a regular basis, which could help them to control the game and build up attacks from the back.

Celtic's £24k-per-week giant has also been in impressive form at Premiership level this season. He has completed 93% of his attempted passes and won an eye-catching 76% of his duels across ten appearances in the Scottish top-flight.

Taking all of these statistics into account, Rodgers must instantly unleash the towering defender from the start after his recovery from the hamstring injury that kept him out on Sunday.

This would result in Phillips dropping back down to the bench after the centre-back, who is due to return to Anfield next month, failed to grasp his opportunity against Kilmarnock.