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The Sri Lanka opener’s best knocks have often come in the second innings, when his team is playing catch-up, but the Pakistan series featured a welcome departure from that norm

Andrew Fidel Fernando11-Oct-2017In being out for a duck in his maiden Test knock and then making an unbeaten 60 in the second innings of that match, Dimuth Karunaratne had set down the template to which the first few years of his career would roughly conform.Consider his ten most-recent first-innings scores before the UAE series: 4, 25, 2, 25, 7, 30, 0, 24, 5, 26. Now take a gander at his returns from the second innings, across those very Tests: 16, 141, 97, 49, 126, 32, 50, 6, 43 and 88. There is something amiss here, right? Karunaratne plays most of his cricket in Sri Lanka, where almost without exception, run-making is significantly more difficult in the second innings than in the first. Yet, there he was, 42 Tests into his career, averaging only 26.71 in the first dig, but 44.10 when balls were turning out of the rough, and quicks were finding easy reverse swing.But for Karunaratne, there was something unsatisfying about the timing of his big innings. They were hard-earned runs for sure, but Sri Lanka had often given up such substantial first-innings leads that his best work was of little consequence. His two most recent hundreds, before the Pakistan series, were a case in point: the very good 126 against Bangladesh, and the sublime 141 against India (perhaps the highest-quality innings of his career) could not prevent substantial losses.Little surprise then that his batting in this series against Pakistan has felt like a breakthrough for the man. Not only was he by a distance the standout batsman of the series, hitting 306 runs at an average of 76.50, but in positioning his best innings at the front end of each Test, Karunaratne has seen his team make two strong first-innings scores that led to wins. The 196, it would turn out, had particularly far-reaching consequences. Not even a sub-100 score in the second dig could wipe out the advantage Karunaratne had earned with his nine-and-a-half-hour innings.”I had got some good confidence during the India series, and wanted to continue that, but the one thing was that I’ve not been able to bat well in the first innings,” Karunaratne told , after Sri Lanka had swept Pakistan 2-0. “Before this series, when I analysed my batting, although I had batted well, I hadn’t been able to provide runs that helped the team win. But in this series, I think because I did well in the first innings, the team had the strength to win. More than the Man-of-the-Match and Man-of-the-Series awards, the joy of being able to contribute to a win is in my heart.”That in Dubai, Karunaratne had not merely stopped at three figures, and instead progressed to a truly match-winning total is unsurprising. Of his seven Test tons, three have been scores of more than 150. Additionally, no opener has faced 300-plus balls in an innings on more occasions than Karunaratne over the past three years. He has produced four such knocks – one better than Alastair Cook and Azhar Ali.”For me, my stamina is the key – I can bat longer periods,” Karunaratne told . “That is the main thing for my success. The team needs me to play a long time. If I play a long innings, the others can play their natural game. In Sri Lanka, we do a lot of fitness and gym work during the weekdays. In the weekends, I run on my own. Maybe that’s the key. In this heat, it isn’t easy to bat. But for the players and for the team, I have to sacrifice myself and bat longer. I’m not looking too much at my runs. I just need to bat on for a day or two days – whatever I can.”But if Karunaratne’s runs put Sri Lanka ahead in each match, the onus still fell on the bowlers to capitalise on a strong first-innings score. Fielding a five-man attack through both Tests, Sri Lanka’s bowlers outspun, and perhaps even outseamed, the Pakistan outfit – no mean feat given the conditions, Karunaratne said.”After a really tough series against India, a hard-fought win like this gives us a lot of joy. I can’t really put it into words. The bowlers put in so much effort. In this country, in this heat, I didn’t think it would be easy to get 40 wickets. We have to be really thankful to the bowlers for dealing with tough conditions the way they did.”The support staff have also sweated a lot for this win. You can see how happy everyone is, and that’s the result of our effort. I think this win will put us in good stead for the next series, against India.”

Leeds United took another step towards automatic promotion to the Premier League on Monday night with a fantastic 2-1 win over Sunderland at Elland Road.

A brilliant first-half goal from Wilson Isidor put the Black Cats ahead at the break, after he rolled Ethan Ampadu with ease and planted a strike into the far bottom corner.

However, substitute Pascal Struijk came on in the second half to score headers in the 78th and 95th minute to turn the game around and secure all three points for the Whites.

This result has left the West Yorkshire outfit seven points clear of third place with 13 matches left to play in the second tier, whilst they are also two points ahead of Sheffield United in second place.

It is getting to the point where Leeds supporters can already begin to think about a possible promotion to the Premier League and all that comes with that, including the summer transfer window.

Chalkboard

The Whites will need to bolster their squad to give themselves the best chance of survival if they do go up, and they have reportedly already been looking around to identify potential targets.

Latest Leeds transfer news

It was recently reported that Leeds are showing an interest in experienced Premier League full-back Kyle Walker-Peters, whose contract at Southampton is due to expire in the summer.

He has started 23 matches in the top-flight for the Saints this season and has the versatility to be deployed as a left-back or a right-back, which would provide Daniel Farke’s side with depth on both flanks.

The Whites are also planning to hold talks with Tottenham Hotspur over a potential deal to sign Manor Solomon on a permanent deal, at the end of his current loan spell.

Starts

17

xG

5.12

Goals

7

Big chances created

11

Assists

7

As you can see in the table above, the Israel international has provided a big threat at the top end of the pitch with a steady stream of goals and assists from the left flank, cutting in on his right foot to make things happen on a consistent basis.

Leeds are also reportedly looking at bringing in a new striker for a potential Premier League campaign. OnTheMinute recently claimed that the club have identified Manchester United centre-forward Rasmus Holjund as a target, amid uncertainty over his future at Old Trafford.

The outlet reported that West Ham United and Juventus are also interested in the Denmark international, who could be available for a fee of £40m in the summer transfer window.

It is interesting that the Whites are looking to possibly bring in an expensive number nine to bolster their squad ahead of a Premier League season when they currently have one of the top scorers in the Championship.

Joel Piroe's goalscoring exploits

Joel Piroe started the 2024/25 campaign as the second-choice number nine behind Mateo Joseph but eventually worked his way into the XI and has been the go-to option for Farke in recent months.

Only Norwich City’s Borja Sainz (15) has scored more goals than the Dutchman (14) in the Championship, and they are the only two players in the division with more than 12 goals – Isidor taking his tally to 12 with his strike against Leeds on Monday.

The left-footed marksman, who was signed from Swansea in the summer of 2023, has provided an efficient presence in the final third with a return of 14 goals from 10.58 xG.

Non-penalty goals

0.59

Top 10%

Non-penalty xG

0.44

Top 13%

Non-penalty xG + xAG

0.57

Top 10%

Shot on target percentage

39.4%

Top 50%

Non-penalty xG per shot

0.14

Bottom 46%

Average shot distance

15.6 yards

Bottom 22%

As you can see in the table above, Piroe ranks highly among his positional peers for non-penalty xG and non-penalty goals, which shows that his teammates are creating a lot of chances for him, and he is finishing them efficiently.

However, despite his strong form in front of goal, there is a concern that he may not have the physical attributes to make the step up to to the Premier League.

Why Joel Piroe may be on borrowed time

The former Swansea striker may be on borrowed time as a starter under Farke as Leeds eye promotion to the Premier League, as his physical data this season suggests that he may not be suited to the top-flight.

Liam Delap is a trending, and brilliant, example of the kind of centre-forward whose game translates well from the Championship to the Premier League. He is a willing runner and someone who thrives off getting into duels with defenders to create opportunities for himself.

The English forward, who has scored ten goals in 24 Premier League games for Ipswich Town, has won 43% of his aerial battles and won 4.5 duels per match.

Delap completed 1.6 dribbles per game and won 3.9 duels per match, winning 38% of his aerial duels, in the Championship with Hull City last season, which suggested that he had the physical attributes to make the step up – and that has proven to be the case.

Pass accuracy

77%

Dribbles completed per game

0.3

Tackles + interceptions per game

0.5

Duels won per game

1.3

Duel success rate

27%

Aerial duel success rate

21%

As you can see in the table above, Piroe does not excel at the physical side of the game, as he has lost a whopping 73% of his duels with opposition defenders in the second tier.

Leeds, if they secure promotion, will be fighting to avoid relegation and will need a centre-forward who can duel with centre-backs and carry the ball up the pitch when needed to alleviate pressure.

Piroe’s statistics in the second tier suggest that he will not be able to do this, as Premier League defenders would be able to dominate him with ease, as he does not have the physicality or pace to cause them many problems in a counter-attacking side.

Therefore, the Dutch lightweight may now be on borrowed time under Farke as Leeds inch closer to promotion, as he does not appear to have the potential to be an effective starting striker for the German boss in the top-flight.

Leeds now keen on signing "infectious" player in summer transfer window

Leeds and Farke already have their eyes on one or two players they would like to sign if they reach the Premier League.

ByBrett Worthington Feb 17, 2025

كشف الصحفي الإيطالي الموثوق فابرزيو رومانو أن نادي ليفربول يستعد للتحرك بقوة لضم مهاجم نيوكاسل، ألكسندر إيزاك، في ظل استعدادات إدارة الريدز لإعادة تشكيل خط الهجوم هذا الصيف.

ونجح ليفربول في ضم أكثر من صفقة لتدعيم خط الهجوم مثل فلوريان فيرتز وهوجو إيكتيكي القادمين من الدوري الألماني عن طريق ناديي باير ليفركوزن وآينتراخت فرانكفورت.

اقرأ أيضًا | لم يصل بعد.. إيكو تقيم أداء محمد صلاح في مباراة ليفربول وميلان

وقال رومانو في تصريحات عبر بودكاست “Here We Go”: “مع توقع رحيل داروين نونيز، فيديريكو كييزا ولويس دياز، يرغب ليفربول في إعادة بناء الهجوم بلاعبين مثل هوجو إيكيتيكي، الذي يمكنه اللعب كجناح، إلى جانب عناصر مبدعة مثل فلوريان فيرتز”.

وأشار إلى أن الإدارة ترى في إيزاك فرصة نادرة: “هم يؤمنون بأن ألكسندر يمثل فرصة مثالية تمامًا لتقديم شيء مميز للمدرب آرني سلوت، في بعض الأحيان، لا يتعلق الأمر بالتخطيط فقط، بل بالفرص التي يتيحها السوق، وليفربول يرى أن هذه هي لحظته لضم اللاعب، خاصة أن الأندية الأخرى ليست نشطة في هذا الملف”.

وأوضح رومانو أن المنافسة على الصفقة شبه غائبة حاليًا: “في الوقت الحالي، لا يوجد أي نادٍ ينافس ليفربول مباشرة، هذا لا يعني أن بقية الأندية لا تريده، لكن ببساطة، لا أحد منهم مستعد للتقدم بعرض”.

وتابع: “هذه فرصة كبيرة في السوق بالنسبة لنادي ليفربول، لديهم الإمكانية للقيام بخطوة كبيرة، ولا يريدون أن تضيع منهم”.

وفيما يتعلق بموقف اللاعب نفسه، أكد رومانو أن إيزاك منفتح تمامًا على فكرة الانضمام للريدز، بل ورفض عروضًا سعودية منذ بداية الميركاتو.

وقال: “اللاعب كان واضحًا جدًا مع الأندية السعودية في بداية فترة الانتقالات، لا يريد الانتقال إلى السعودية، مع كامل الاحترام لتلك البطولة، لكنه يرغب في البقاء بأوروبا، والتنافس على أعلى مستوى، من أجل الفوز بلقب دوري أبطال أوروبا والدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، لهذا السبب اختار ليفربول”.

واختتم رومانو مؤكدًا: “حتى هذه اللحظة، لا توجد أندية أخرى قريبة من حسم الصفقة، ليفربول هو النادي الوحيد الذي يملك فرصة حقيقية للتوقيع مع اللاعب”.

Though tours of Zimbabwe are potential banana skins for fringe players, Dhananjaya de Silva and Asela Gunaratne have put in clutch performances and made themselves hard to ignore

Tristan Holme in Harare07-Nov-2016Over the past few years, visitors to Zimbabwe have faced an unwelcome prospect: little to gain, everything to lose.The decreasing value of a tour of Zimbabwe can be seen in its most consistent marker. As India visited in three of the last four years, the teams they selected became ever weaker. In 2013, five first-XI players were rested. This year, as many as 17 players who were in India’s previous limited-overs squads were left at home.Sri Lanka’s situation on this tour is slightly different in that the five first-choice players back home were all injured, and so this is the strongest possible side. Yet, the players coming in still faced the prospect of gaining little at best, and, at worst, kissing goodbye to future selections at the highest level. The way they have gone about their business has not suggested that this has been weighing on their minds.The first Test brought a maiden century for Kusal Perera, and a first Test hundred in a decade for Upul Tharanga. But with Zimbabwe dropping six catches as they felt their way back into top-flight cricket, and both batsmen benefiting from the foundation laid by Sri Lanka’s openers, neither century was one to seal debates on their long-term future.The situation was different when Dhananjaya de Silva walked to the crease on the first day of the second Test. Sri Lanka were 112 for 4, and under pressure for the first time in the series. “I think we dropped our guard a little bit yesterday morning and we found ourselves in a spot of bother,” Graham Ford, Sri Lanka’s coach, said after day two. “Some of our batters came in under pressure, and it was pleasing to see the composure in the way they absorbed the pressure that we needed them to.”Zimbabwe had enjoyed a little bit of luck in taking three wickets prior to lunch. It wasn’t necessarily luck that they deserved, but after the first Test, it could be argued that it was luck they were due. When they came out after lunch, the hosts seemed to have acknowledged that and decided to make the most of it. Bowlers who were so errant in the first session ramped up the pressure on de Silva and Tharanga, with the first 18 overs of the session yielding just 44 runs. “We started off badly in the first session, but I think we pulled it back quite nicely as the day wore on,” Hamilton Masakadza said.De Silva looked the perfect batsman for the circumstances. Although the pitch had even bounce, it remained on the slow side. Zimbabwe were playing the waiting game – a game that flashier batsmen than de Silva might well have lost. Instead, he remained compact, his neat technique never allowing him to get ahead of himself. Crucially on this surface, his range of strokes made it difficult for Zimbabwe to bowl in one place and block him up. By the end of the first day, he had an unbeaten hundred, having feasted on the spinners during the evening session. A Cricviz analysis showed the balance in his strokeplay: 51 runs off the front foot, 49 off the back foot; 51 on the off side, 49 on the leg side.”He’s known as the Ice Man in our dressing room because he showed such composure and handled real pressure against Australia – they were one of the best attacks in world cricket and he showed that he was up for Test match cricket,” Ford said. “There’s that side to it, but he also seems to have a lot of time. We saw he plays the short ball pretty well – he can dispatch it – and has good technique. There are lots of positives there when you add all of that together, so he’s a real find for Sri Lankan cricket.”While de Silva looks to have set up his stall for the foreseeable future, adding depth to a batting department that is coming to terms with the retirement of Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara, Asela Gunaratne’s case may be slightly different. Already 30 years old, Gunaratne is classified as an allrounder, but his bowling is never likely to be used on more than a part-time basis in Test cricket. As Sri Lanka toiled for 10 wickets on the last day of the first Test, Herath never once tossed him the ball.But 186 runs in three innings for two dismissals is difficult to argue with. In the first Test, Sri Lanka were 351 for 5 when Gunaratne came to the crease. In the second Test, the score was 255 for 5. With Gunaratne marshalling the tail, they have added 435 runs for the last five wickets over the course of two first innings. Angelo Mathews will walk back into the Test side when Sri Lanka head to South Africa next month, but it will be difficult to keep Gunaratne off the plane.”It’s good to see the form that the batsmen have shown,” Ford said. “Before the series, we knew that some of the fringe players had some talent but hadn’t seen much opportunity. Now, they’ve put their hands up and scored runs, so to see some depth in our batting department is really encouraging and important.”On the ‘little to gain’ dilemma, he added: “The batsmen can only do what they can do, which is go out and score runs. If the wicket is flat, there’s nothing they can do about it.”Sri Lanka’s greatest challenge may yet come over the final three days of this match, as they face an improving Zimbabwe side on another flat pitch. Ford believes it will take some turn, but with fewer favours from Zimbabwe’s batsmen – and the umpires, now that DRS is in place – a lot of hard work lies ahead. So far, Sri Lanka’s batsmen have ticked all the boxes. Now, it’s over to the bowlers.

MatériaMais Notícias

da fezbet： Poucas noites foram tão intensas no futebol como a de Jefferson, do Atlético-GO, na última terça-feira. O lateral entrou no segundo tempo, durante a virada do Dragão diante do Fluminense, e cruzou para Marlon Freitas virar em favor Atlético. 3 a 2 e muita comemoração do time da casa, que alcançou a segunda vitória seguida e a fuga do Z4.

RelacionadasFutebol NacionalThiago Ennes valoriza garra do Náutico em vitória sobre o TombenseFutebol Nacional07/10/2022InternacionalAinda dá? Inter precisa tirar grande vantagem do Palmeiras para vencer o BrasileiroInternacional06/10/2022Atlético MineiroCom vitória importante, Atlético-MG ganha novo fôlego pelo G-6 do BrasileirãoAtlético Mineiro06/10/2022

da wazamba： – Eu tive a felicidade de acompanhar o lance naquele momento. Dominei, tentei procurar a área e consegui ver o Marlon ali, fora. Só dei o passe e quando vi, foi gol. Foi pura emoção – celebrou o jogador de 25 anos.

Na 18ª colocação, o Atlético está dois pontos atrás do Cuiabá e a três do Coritiba, primeiro time fora da zona de rebaixamento. Na segunda-feira, a missão do Dragão é difícil: somar pontos contra o líder Palmeiras, em Goiânia. Mas se depender da força do elenco, Jefferson promete que o time vai dar o seu máximo.

– Acho que foram duas vitórias importantíssimas pra seguirmos fortes nessa disputa pra sair do Z-4 . Com fé em Deus e com a força desse elenco, vamos conseguir sair dessa. Tenho certeza – prometeu.

MatériaMais Notícias

da bet nacional： Palmeiras e São Paulo se enfrentam neste domingo, às 16h, no Allianz Parque, em duelo válido pela 32ª rodada do Brasileirão. O Verdão ocupa a primeira posição na tabela, com 67 pontos e dez de vantagem para o vice-líder Internacional, enquanto o Tricolor é apenas o 12º colocado, com 40 pontos, sonhando com Libertadores.

RelacionadasPalmeirasMarcos Rocha projeta clássico e volta a falar das ‘finais’ do Palmeiras: ‘Faltam sete’Palmeiras14/10/2022São PauloSão Paulo abre venda de ingressos para jogo contra o Coritiba pelo Brasileirão; saiba os preçosSão Paulo14/10/2022São PauloPresidente do São Paulo nega conversas sobre SAF com o Grupo CitySão Paulo14/10/2022

da cassino online： GALERIA
> Saiba quanto os times brasileiros recebem de patrocínio máster

TABELA
> Veja classificação e simulador do Brasileirão-2022 clicando aqui

O clássico entre as equipes rivais terá transmissão da Globo em TV aberta paraSão Paulo, Paraná, Santa Catarina, Minas Gerais (exceto Juiz de Fora), Goiás, Tocantins, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Alagoas, Pará e Distrito Federal. O duelo também será transmitido no Premiere, serviço de pay-per-view do Grupo Globo.

Além dos meios citados, os torcedores de Palmeiras e São Paulo poderão acompanhar o confronto por meio do tempo real do LANCE!/Voz do Esporte.

Veja mais informações sobre o jogo:

PALMEIRAS x SÃO PAULO

Local: Allianz Parque, em São Paulo (SP)
Data e hora: 16/10/2022, às 16h (de Brasília)
Árbitro: Flavio Rodrigues de Souza (Fifa/SP)
Assistentes:Alex Ang Ribeiro (SP) e Daniel Paulo Ziolli (SP)
VAR: Daiane Caroline Muniz dos Santos (Fifa/SP)
Onde assistir: Globo (para São Paulo, Paraná, Santa Catarina, Minas Gerais [exceto Juiz de Fora], Goiás, Tocantins, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Alagoas, Pará e Distrito Federal)em tempo real no LANCE!/Voz do Esporte

Rangers’ miserable away form continues.

On Thursday, the Light Blues were held to a 1-1 draw by Dundee at Dens Park, conceding inside six minutes, before Václav Černý smuggled home an equaliser on the half-hour mark but, despite having 77% possession, they could not find that all-important second, actually ending the night with a lower xG than the Dee: 1.01 to 0.73.

As a result, Philippe Clement’s team are now a humongous 15 points adrift Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic, winless in four away matches. This isn’t a new trend, considering the Gers have won just three of 11 away league games this season, scoring a miserly 13 goals in these fixtures, three of which came at Easter Road on Sunday – and they still didn’t beat Hibs in Edinburgh.

With crucial Europa League fixtures against Manchester United and Royale Union Saint-Gilloise right around the corner, supporters are calling for signings, with pressure mounting on both Clement and newly-appointed Chief executive officer Patrick Stewart.

Rangers seeking defensive reinforcements

According to a report by the Daily Record, defender Ryan Porteous – who was linked with the Gers back in 2023 – is “unhappy” at Watford, while the Hibs Observer added that Hull City are also interested in his services.

Craig Moore, who made 187 appearances for Rangers across two spells, has tipped his former club to pounce on the situation, having told the Go Radio Football Show earlier this week that Porteous “will be one of a few options I am pretty sure Rangers will be looking at”, adding he is “certainly one to consider”.

The defender joined Hibernian as a 13-year-old, making 157 appearances for the Hibees’ first team, before being sold to Watford for a reported £500,000 in January 2023.

During his time at Vicarage Road, Porteous has been lauded by manager Tom Cleverley as one of the club’s “real class leaders in the dressing room”, although he has endured a sticky time of it of late.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Now 25 years old, he has played 80 times for the Hornets, albeit he was left on the bench for their most recent EFL Championship fixture against Sheffield United, having been hooked at half-time at Cardiff a week earlier.

Meanwhile, he’s not featured for Scotland since being sent off during the Euro 2024 opener against Germany, a match Scotland were humiliatingly hammered 5-1, so Porteous could push for a move as he seeks regular game time at club level to force his way back into Steve Clarke’s plans.

This potential move to Glasgow could be controversial, considering Porteous isn’t particularly popular with the Rangers support.

After Hibs beat the Gers 3-1 in the League Cup semi-finals at Hampden in November 2021, the defender mischievously said “do we look happy? Don’t ask silly questions then”, parodying an interview given by then Rangers boss Steven Gerrard, also to reporter Emma Dodds, a month earlier, mere days before he jumped ship for Aston Villa.

Nevertheless, this would all be water under the bridge if he arrived and helped turn Rangers’ form around.

How Ryan Porteous would improve Rangers

Right now, Rangers are faced with a defensive injury crisis.

Captain James Tavernier, Dujon Sterling, John Souttar, Leon Balogun and Neraysho Kasanwirjo all sat out the mid-week trip to Dens Park, meaning 20-year-old Clinton Nsiala was handed his senior debut, with writer Michael McEwan on Twitter, slightly tongue in cheek, comparing him to “prime Franco Baresi”.

The former AC Milan starlet was certainly solid, if not unspectacular, on his first-team bow, making six clearances and producing four blocks, with there perhaps hope that he can nail down a starting berth moving forward. That said, the Light Blues need instant solutions, not just long-term potential.

Indeed, Rangers are yet to properly replace Connor Goldson, who unceremoniously departed last summer for Aris Limassol, having made 309 appearances for the Ibrox side.

So let’s see how Porteous and Goldson compare?

Statistics

Porteous

Goldson

Appearances

80

66

Minutes

6,800

5,888

Passes attempted

2,870

529

Pass completion %

82%

82%

Tackles

101

16

% of dribblers tackled

54.9%

47.4%

Interceptions

117

45

Blocks

80

17

Clearances

185

65

% of aerial duals won

59.6%

75%

Yellow cards

27

15

As outlined in the table, Porteous is much more of an all-action defender than Goldson, whose numbers across his final two seasons at Rangers are actually not that outstanding.

On the flip side, Porteous’ statistics are impressive, meaning he looks to be just what the Gers are looking for, so, if he does become available this month, the Glasgow-based side should be all over that.

A ‘leader’ – as Cleverley hinted at – the wantaway Watford man could fill the shoes of Goldson more than adequately, should talk surrounding a move to Ibrox become more concrete.

Rangers eyeing move to sign 6 ft 2 player in Igamane-like January transfer

Rangers’ pursuit of signing a new defender takes a fresh turn.

ByBrett Worthington Jan 9, 2025

Legspinner explains his thought process after picking up the first hat-trick of the 2022 T20 World Cup

Alex Malcolm18-Oct-2022It’s not often that you find a player beaming after his side has been thumped by 79 runs in a T20 World Cup game, but nothing could wipe the smile off Karthik Meiyappan’s face following his hat-trick against Sri Lanka.Karthik, the 22-year-old UAE legspinner who was born in Chennai and has trained with both Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings in the past, put his name up in lights in Geelong with three magical deliveries in three balls to join Brett Lee, Curtis Campher, Wanindu Hasaranga and Kagiso Rabada as just the fifth man to take a hat-trick at a T20 World Cup.”It still hasn’t sunk in, the fact that I’ve got a hat-trick in a T20 World Cup, and to become the fifth bowler to do so,” Karthik said after the match. “It is really a proud moment and feels amazing. But, like I said, it would have been much greater and much better for me if we had won the game tonight.”He was genuine in his disappointment with the result. But Karthik, who moved to the UAE in 2007 when his father began working there, could not have done any more to help his team. He bowled a superb spell of four overs for just 19 runs, including 12 dots. His hat-trick came in his third over, the 15th of the innings, to stall Sri Lanka’s momentum after they had cruised to 117 for 2 with more than five overs to go on a difficult batting surface.

“That is something I don’t know about. But I hope they do”Karthik Meiyappan on the possibility of a call-up from Chennai Super Kings

Even more impressive than the three deliveries he bowled to dismiss Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Charith Asalanka and Dasun Shanaka was the clarity of his plans in the moment, and his execution. He was happy to talk everyone through the plans, too.”First up against Rajapaksa, the leg side was the long boundary for him,” Karthik said. “I thought he would take me down the deck as I think he was 5 or something that and… I tried to push it away bowling a wrong’un and he tried to go over covers but he sliced it.”When Asalanka walked in, that was a no-brainer for me: I was going to bowl a wrong’un straight up and Vriitya [Aravind, the wicketkeeper] took an amazing catch.”And then Dasun walked in, again I was just going through my motions being the hat-trick, but all I wanted to do was bowl on the stumps and whatever happens after that it is out of my hands. But, again, I just bowled a wrong’un and I think he picked it as a leggie.”He was asked after the match if he thought he might get a call from Chennai Super Kings again, this time for a bit more than bowling in the nets.”That is something I don’t know about,” Karthik said with a smile. “But I hope they do.”

Manchester United are now reportedly making a move to sign a new left-back for Ruben Amorim as the new Old Trafford head coach plots his path to success in Manchester.

Amorim's first games show problems and promise

A draw in his opening Premier League clash with Ipswich Town was followed up by a hard-fought 3-2 win over Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League, with both games showing how Amorim could improve the players at his disposal and how much work still needed to be done ahead of a tough fixture list.

Opponent

Competition

Everton (Home)

Premier League

Arsenal (Away)

Premier League

Nottingham Forest (Home)

Premier League

Viktoria Plzen (Away)

Europa League

Manchester City (Away)

Premier League

The Red Devils scored early in both games before throwing leads away, and in the case of their clash with Bodo, fell behind in shock fashion. However, they resuced all three points against the Norwegian side to move up to nine points from their opening five games in the Europa League, with a strong chance of securing an automatic last-16 slot should their unbeaten campaign continue.

There were positives to take from the game, too; Rasmus Hojlund rediscovered his goalscoring touch with a quickfire brace, with his relentless pressing also contributing to the opening goal that Alejandro Garnacho scored.

Elsewhere, Tyrell Malacia returned to action for the first time in 18 months, and though he was understandably rusty, United fans will have been pleased to have seen him back in action. Equally, Luke Shaw managed another half-hour from the bench as he rebuilds his fitness, while Noussair Mazraoui looked more assured in his new role in central defence.

But new signings and departures are inevitable at Old Trafford, and now the club have been tipped to be advancing in a move to sign a rising star.

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ByHenry Jackson Nov 30, 2024 Manchester United "advance" for teenage defender

According to reports in Argentina, as relayed by Sport Witness, Manchester United and Liverpool have made “advances” to Lanus in a bid to sign promising full-back Julio Soler.

It is claimed that “both of the Premier League sides have made moves for the 19-year-old”, while Argentinian giants River Plate are also thought to be interested in the youngster.

The defender has just 18 months left on his contract with Lanus, but it is added that the club have “high demands” to part ways with him any time soon. For Manchester United, a left-back is a crucial addition.

Though both Shaw and Malacia are both fit now, history suggests that it will not be long before either player is sidelined for a significant period again, with Shaw managing just 12 Premier League games in Erik ten Hag’s final full season in charge.

Soler, who has been called up to the Argentina senior setup (but is yet to be capped), has been described as an “explosive” full-back who is “technically secure” and “one of the best LB prospects in South America” by football analyst Ben Mattinson on X.

Could he be the long-term solution to Manchester United’s left-back issues?

Manchester United’s season so far has been disappointing, although they have had an upturn in form since Erik ten Hag was sacked from his position.

Club legend Ruud van Nistelrooy was tasked with the role of interim manager until Ruben Amorim officially takes over on the 11th of November.

The former Red Devils striker has yet to lose in charge of the Red Devils. The Dutchman has overseen two wins and a draw so far, with one game left to play. His first game in temporary charge was a 5-2 thrashing of Leicester City in the Carabao Cup, before a 1-1 draw in the Premier League against Chelsea.

Most recently, the Red Devils beat Greek side PAOK in the Europa League, thanks to two goals from winger Amad.

Amad’s stats this season

It has been a tough season for the Ivorian winger. Despite his obvious quality, the 22-year-old has not been given much of an opportunity by either Ten Hag or Van Nistelrooy, until his start against PAOK from which he grabbed the chance with both hands.

This term, the youngster has played 15 games in all competitions, scoring three goals and registering one assist. As well as his brace against the Greek side, he also scored in the Premier League against Brighton and grabbed an assist against Southampton.

Prior to Thursday’s night win, he had been named on the bench in six successive games, despite an initially encouraging start to the campaign.

It is certainly strange that the Red Devils number 16 has only played 700 minutes of football all season, especially given the start to the season that he had.

Following his exploits against PAOK, football statistician Statman Dave explained that he has created 18 chances in all competitions, which is more than any United winger. That is even more remarkable given the minutes he has been given.

It certainly seems like Amad has done enough to earn a start in United’s next outing, and likely for the foreseeable future, too. In fact the Red Devils have been linked with a striker who could make the 22-year-old even better.

United’s striker target

The player in question here is RB Leipzig and Slovenia striker Benjamin Sesko. According to a report from Christian Falk earlier this week, the Red Devils will compete with German giants Bayern Munich for his signature. He could cost upwards of £50m, a price GiveMeSport believe Arsenal were quoted by the Bundesliga side.

It has been a superb start to the season for the 21-year-old centre-forward. He has played 14 times so far this term, scoring seven goals and grabbing three assists. He has been in fine form in the Champions League in particular. Sesko has three goals in four games, scoring against Atletico Madrid and two against Juventus.

His shooting stats on FBref show just how deadly the Leipzig number 30 is in front of goal. Over the past 365 days, the 21-year-old averages 0.23 goals per shot and 1.47 shots on target each game. That ranks him in the top 8% and 15% respectively amongst strikers in Europe’s big five leagues.

Stat (per 90)

Number

Percentile

Goals

0.65

81st

Shots on target

1.47

85th

Shots on target %

55.4%

96th

Goals per shot

0.23

92nd

Non-penalty goals – npxG

+0.19

96th

The striker, who was described as a “menace” by football scout Antonio Mango, could form a deadly partnership with Amad. Sesko’s stats prove that it does not take him much to score, with a good number of his shots finding the back of the net.

Combine that with Amad’s impressive ability to create chances, both from in and around the penalty box and from deeper crossing positions, and United could have a match made in heaven. The 6 foot 4 striker could have a field day on the end of some of Amad’s passes.

United have struggled for goals this term, and have scored nine times in the Premier League, the third worst in the competition. Unleashing the young Ivorian would certainly help this, but getting a marksman as deadly as Sesko into the side could elevate this even more.

Should United get the deal over the line, a £50m investment could be a bargain if the Slovenian attacker can develop a frightening partnership with United’s talented winger, and help Amorim’s new side climb the Premier League table quickly.

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