Celtic are set to wave goodbye to one of their fan favourites this month with Kyogo Furuhashi reportedly closing in on a £10m move to Rennes.

The Japanese striker is poised to end his Parkhead career and try his luck in France, after a return of 85 goals in 165 matches for the club in all competitions.

Meanwhile, Jota is set to return to Celtic for a second spell. The Portuguese winger is on his way to Glasgow for a medical ahead of an £8m transfer from Rennes, with Celtic banking a £2m profit by, essentially, trading Kyogo for the ex-Benfica man.

He may not be the only forward to arrive at Paradise before the end of the January transfer window, though, as the Hoops are eyeing up another winger.

Celtic's interest in Premier League forward

According to Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph, Celtic are one of the clubs keen on a deal to sign Aston Villa forward Louie Barry before next month’s deadline.

Transfer Focus

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

The reporter claims that the Scottish giants have held talks with the Premier League side over a potential deal for the English youngster, but the Villans are ‘reluctant’ to cash in on him.

Joseph adds that they want to keep hold of the winger and loan him out for the second half of the season, amid interest from teams in England and abroad.

It remains to be seen whether or not Celtic are willing to take the 21-year-old dynamo on loan, rather than doing a permanent deal, but he could be an exciting addition if they manage to strike an agreement with Villa to sign him on a temporary basis.

Why Louie Barry would be an exciting addition

Barry would be an exciting signing for the Hoops because he could help Adam Idah, who is set to become the only recognised, senior, number nine in the squad, to shine in the second half of the campaign.

The Ireland international has found it difficult to be the main man for Celtic this season because Kyogo has been ahead of him in the pecking order more often than not, and he has only scored five goals in 20 Scottish Premiership matches.

Appearances

20

22

Starts

10

15

Goals

5

10

Big chances created

6

1

Assists

0

3

However, as you can see in the table above, Idah has been incredibly unfortunate in the sense that his teammates have let him down with their wasteful finishing in the final third, with zero goals scored from the six ‘big chances’ that he has created.

This suggests that Celtic could help their summer signing from Norwich to thrive in the second half of the season by signing a winger who can make the most of the high-quality opportunities that his impressive link-up play in the centre-forward position creates.

Barry, whose composure was once hailed as “incredible” by Declan Rice, scored 15 goals and only missed six ‘big chances’ in League One for Stockport County on loan in the first half of the season, which shows that he is an efficient finisher who can score on a regular basis from out wide.

He'd be amazing with Jota: Celtic plot late move for "sensational" star

Celtic are looking to sign the striker as well as swooping to bring Jota back to Parkhead.

ByDan Emery Jan 24, 2025

Therefore, the Aston Villa youngster could help Idah to shine by making the most of the ‘big chances’ he creates, which could bring more attention to the Irishman’s creative quality and put him on the road to being the main man for the Hoops.

Big picture

In an ideal, and somewhat fairer cricketing world, series like this would take place more often. An established Full Member would play a more recently anointed one every few years, not just before a World Cup and not only to fill in a gap between series and it’d be a standalone, big-deal event. Almost like the tour South Africa had of Ireland last year, where they played three ODIs as part of the World Cup Super League and three T20Is, close but not quite as close as this one, to the T20I World Cup. But that doesn’t happen very often and Ireland won’t be complaining about an opportunity to get in more games against big names in what has finally been a busy season.They’ve hosted India and New Zealand so far but have yet to win a T20I series under new coach Heinrich Malan, who will be familiar to the South Africans. Malan played some provincial cricket at Northerns before relocating to New Zealand where he coached for almost a decade and then moved to Ireland and while his team have pushed their opponents to their limits, victory has still been elusive.Ireland ticked a major box when they qualified for the T20 World Cup in February but have lost six matches since then, some of them in heartbreaking fashion. They ran India close in the second game of their two-match series, and posted a decent total against New Zealand in the third match of that rubber but in between had a blow-out when they were bowled out for 91. Luckily for them, this series is not their last opportunity to fine-tune ahead of the T20 World Cup. They will host Afghanistan for five T20Is starting next week, which presents another opportunity to get things right ahead of a major tournament.South Africa, on the other hand, don’t have much time to tinker. They will play India in three T20Is just before the T20 World Cup and will likely go in with their World Cup squad. That leaves only these two matches to finalise what is becoming an increasingly complicated selection conundrum but, as stand-in captain David Miller said, rather a problem of too many options than too few.Most of the squad is in good form but Quinton de Kock will want to get some runs in the shortest format, where he hasn’t had a half-century in nine innings, and some of the reserves will be itching for an opportunity. Wayne Parnell, Dwaine Pretorius and Rassie van der Dussen were on the bench for the England series and will hope to get a chance as the white-ball section of South Africa’s UK tour comes to an end.Quinton de Kock will want to get in some big runs this series•AFP/Getty Images

Form guide

Ireland LLLLL (last five completed matches, most recent first)
South Africa WWLLL

In the spotlight

There’s some talk of Harry Tector being among those under consideration for CSA’s new T20 league and if the rumours are true, he will give South African fans a taste of what he can do. Known for striking the ball cleanly, Tector flexed his muscles with an unbeaten 64 off 33 balls against India earlier in the season and has gone on to enjoy the summer of his career. He has scored 384 in 14 ODIs at 76.80, including two hundreds in three matches against New Zealand and three successive fifties against West Indies; and 249 runs in nine T20Is at 35.57. Tector also has deals with teams in the 6ixty and the CPL and is well on his way to becoming Ireland’s most sought after franchise player.These matches are likely to be the last opportunity for Reeza Hendricks and Rilee Rossouw to secure their spots at the T20 World Cup. As South Africa’s most in-form top-order batters, it may seem unfair to make them prove themselves again but with de Kock a certain starter, Temba Bavuma likely to return from injury and options including Pretorius as a pinch-hitter at No. 3, the selectors could find themselves forced to pick between these two players. Better them than us. Hendricks has reeled off three half-centuries in a row, Rossouw struck a fearless 96* to allow South Africa to draw level in the series against England and are seeing and hitting the ball as well as ever.

Team news

Craig Young was ruled out of the series with a groin injury which could give former South African under-19 player Graham Hume the opportunity for a T20I debut.Ireland (possible): 1 Paul Stirling, 2 Andy Balbirnie (capt), 3 Lorcan Tucker, 4 Harry Tector, 5 Gareth Delany, 6 George Dockrell, 7 Curtis Campher, 8 Mark Adair, 9 Barry McCarthy, 10 Graham Hume, 11 Josh LittleWith Kagiso Rabada injured, and three Tests against England looming, South Africa could have pace bowler rotation on their minds. That could mean a debut for Gerald Coetzee while Marco Jansen and allrounders Parnell and Pretorius being given a run. The batting line-up is likely to be unchanged, which will probably mean no room for van der Dussen.South Africa (possible): 1 Quinton de Kock (wk), 2 Reeza Hendricks, 3 Rilee Rossouw, 4 Aiden Markram 5 Tristan Stubbs, 6 David Miller (capt), 7 Andile Phehlukwayo, 8 Keshav Maharaj, 9 Anrich Nortje/Marco Jansen, 10 Lungi Ngidi, 11 Tabraiz ShamsiIreland have lost all five of their most recent T20Is•Sportsfile via Getty Images

Pitch and conditions

With short straight boundaries, and fairly short square ones, Bristol is a ground where bowlers, and spinners in particular are put under pressure. England racked up their second-highest T20I score there last week and more than 400 runs were scored in their match against South Africa. Tabraiz Shamsi and Moeen Ali were the specialist bowlers who conceded most of the runs and it will be interesting to see how Shamsi, who finished the England series as the leading wicket-taker, comes back at this venue. For the big-hitters, this is a place to show their power and the likes of Tristan Stubbs and Paul Stirling will be looking to make big statements. There’s some drizzle on Wednesday morning but the forecast is dry for both matches.

Stats and trivia

• Ireland and South Africa have only played three T20Is against each other, all of them last year. South Africa won the series 3-0.
• South Africa have only played one T20I match in Bristol, which they lost to England. Ireland have never played at the venue.

Quotes

“We’ve shown that when we stand up to these teams, we are capable of going blow-for-blow with them, and it feels that way within the group. The belief is there that we can beat these big teams, and not get nervous about any team we play. We go out there and want to win, we expect to win, and I guess that’s where it has been a bit disappointing this summer as we have got so close so many times. The flip side of that is that we know we’re not that far away, and we know we have better cricket in us as well, which is what is so exciting.”
“It will definitely be a new, exciting challenge for us. We played them quite recently in Ireland and we saw exactly what they could do. They are improving series by series, we saw them against India, and they are a team you can’t take for granted.”

Liverpool legend Jurgen Klopp is reportedly heading back to the Reds in May, with the German also invited to their last game of the season.

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• Klopp left Liverpool in 2024
• German set for Reds return
• Also invited to last game of season

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  According to The Athletic, Klopp is set to be the guest speaker at the LFC Foundation gala dinner at Liverpool Cathedral on May 23. Moreover, the report adds the German, who left the Reds last summer after eight-and-a-half years at Anfield, has been invited to their final Premier League game of the campaign (against Crystal Palace) two days later but he is yet to confirm his attendance.

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  Klopp will go down as one of Liverpool's all-time great managers and a Premier League icon, too. He delivered the a Premier League title and a Champions League crown during a glittering stay on Merseyside. If he was there to see his old team lift the league trophy, that would be a moment to remember.

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  The report adds that Klopp's presence at the foundation's gala dinner will provide a big boost to their fundraising efforts, with tables of 10 costing between £2,500 to £4,500.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  All eyes will be on whether or not Klopp, who is now Red Bull's head of global soccer, rocks up at Anfield for the Palace clash next month.

Liverpool now want to sign an “astonishing” £119k-p/w winger to replace Mohamed Salah, with Arne Slot believed to be a big fan, according to a report.

Salah's future in major doubt

Salah has repeatedly made it clear that he is unhappy Liverpool chiefs have been unable to match his contract demands so far, and it is starting to look increasingly likely the Egyptian could leave Anfield at the end of the season.

There have been widespread reports stating that a move to Saudi Arabia is now edging closer to completion, much to the discontent of Jurgen Klopp. The former Reds boss said: “I hope he stays.

“He’s the biggest striker Liverpool have had in modern times. Obviously there were other really good strikers. He’s a fantastic player, a fantastic human being, an outstanding athlete. The best ambassador your country could have. I hope he stays at Liverpool.”

Liverpool preparing bid for "elite" £34m star who’d be Slot’s own Salah

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With Salah’s future still up in the air, Slot has started to look at potential replacements for the summer, and reports from Spain have now detailed there is a new name on the shortlist.

The Reds are said to have been monitoring Real Madrid’s Brahim Diaz for months, given that Salah is likely to leave at the end of the campaign, but there will be competition for his signature from some of Europe’s top clubs.

Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund are also credited with an interest in Diaz, and the former’s strong relationship with Real Madrid could give them the edge in transfer negotiations.

Slot has reportedly identified the Morocco international as the perfect signing to replace Salah, given that he is a skilful and creative winger, and the report makes it clear the player himself could be interested in the move.

Diaz impressing in Serie A and La Liga

The “astonishing” Real Madrid forward has put in some impressive performances since establishing himself as a key first-team player for AC Milan in the 2020-21 season.

Season

League appearances

Goals

Assists

2020-21

27

4

4

2021-22

31

3

3

2022-23

33

6

7

2023-24

31

8

7

2024-25

14

2

2

The £119k-per-week star’s attacking numbers may not be on the same level as Salah, but he has found starts hard to come by this season, given how stacked the Real Madrid attack is, particularly since the arrival of Kylian Mbappe.

When the former AC Milan man has been given the nod this season, he has put in some solid displays, scoring and completing two dribbles in the 4-2 victory against Sevilla in La Liga last month.

That said, Liverpool’s priority should be to agree a new contract with Salah, rather than finding a replacement, as it will be extremely difficult to find any player capable of matching the 32-year-old’s attacking numbers in the Premier League.

As things stand, Arsenal are second in the Premier League and third in the Champions League, yet it feels like their season is starting to come apart.

Mikel Arteta’s side are out of the FA Cup, most likely out of the League Cup, and while they still have a chance in the league, they sit six points off Liverpool, who have a game in hand, and on top of all of that, are set to be without the talismanic Bukayo Saka for months.

So, to get anything out of the season, the Gunners will either have to reach levels they haven’t even been near this year or bring in some game-changing reinforcements.

What they need is a player like Vinícius Júnior, who has, over the last few years, pulled Real Madrid over the line in the Champions League, and while they can’t get the Brazilan, Arsenal have once again been linked with a player who’s won comparisons to him.

Arsenal chase game-changing winger

According to a recent report from the Independent’s Chief Football Writer, Miguel Delaney, Arsenal are keen on Athletic Bilbao superstar, Nico Williams.

In fact, Delaney claims that Arteta ‘loves’ the Spanish winger but that one of the major barriers to completing a deal is his significant wage demands.

A potential price the Gunners would have to pay for the 22-year-old is not mentioned in the story, but reports from earlier this month reiterated that he has a release clause in his contract currently worth €60m – £50m – which adjusts for inflation and would have to be paid in full.

It could be an incredibly costly transfer to get over the line, but given William’s immense ability, it may well be worth it, especially as he’s won comparisons to Vinícius Júnior.

How William compares to Vinícius Júnior

Okay, before we get to some of the other reasons Arsenal should be pushing to sign Williams this month, let’s examine this comparison to Vinícius Júnior and where it has come from.

Well, it primarily stems from FBref, which compares players in similar positions in La Liga, then creates a list of the ten most comparable players for each one, and, in this instance, has concluded that the Brazilian is the ninth most similar attacking midfielder or winger to the Spaniard this season.

We can better understand how this conclusion was reached by looking at the underlying metrics in which the pair rank closely, including, but not limited to, progressive passes and carries, key passes, passes into the penalty area, shot-creating actions and more, all per 90.

Williams & Vinícius Júnior
Statistics per 90	Williams	Vinícius Júnior
Progressive Passes	3.19	3.36
Progressive Carries	6.01	6.79
% of Shots on Target	30.0%	29.3%
Key Passes	2.17	2.21
Passes into the Penalty Area	1.52	1.60
Shot-Creating Actions	5.38	5.29
Successful Take-On %	35.9%	39.6%
All Stats via FBref for the 24/25 La Liga Season

Moreover, on top of the statistical comparisons to Vini, the “devastating” winger, as described by Emmanuel Petit, has also proven himself to be a big game player in the same vein as the Los Blancos star.

For example, he played the full 120 minutes of the Copa del Rey final against RCD Mallorca last season and provided the assist for Bilbao’s equaliser and then, at the European Championships, scored the opening goal against England in the final.

Finally, if that still wasn’t enough to convince you that the Pamplona-born star is someone worth breaking the bank on, then perhaps the fact that he’s produced 34 goal involvements since the start of last season is.

Ultimately, Arsenal need to sign someone who can help them salvage their season this month, and while he’ll cost a pretty penny, Williams may well be that someone.

Havertz upgrade: Arsenal chasing £80m "monster" who can save their season

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MatériaMais Notícias

O time feminino do Náutico está promovendo uma rifa para ajudar na preparação das jogadoras para a Série A3, a terceira divisão do Campeonato Brasileiro. A rifa custa R$ 5 e foi compartilhada nas redes sociais. O vencedor levam para casa uma camisa oficial do time masculino, um boné e uma bolsa personalizada do clube.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasFora de CampoMP da Itália acusa Berlusconi de levar brasileira menor de idade para festas sexuaisFora de Campo19/05/2022Fora de CampoVitor Sérgio detona convocação de Wilton Pereira Sampaio para a Copa do Mundo: ‘O mal venceu’Fora de Campo19/05/2022Fora de CampoTorcedores contestam convocação de árbitro brasileiro que já foi criticado por Messi para a Copa do MundoFora de Campo19/05/2022

– Atenção, atenção, nação alvirrubra! Estamos realizando uma rifa para ajudar com as diversas despesas e precisamos de vocês! Você pode adquirir uma rifa através das atletas, comissão técnica ou aqui pelo Instagram – através do direct e realização do pagamento (aceitamos PIX). Nos ajude comprando e/ou compartilhando – diz o texto da postagem.

+ Vitor Sérgio Rodrigues fala sobre árbitro brasileiro na Copa: ‘O Mal venceu’

Em entrevista ao ‘ge’, a supervisora do futebol feminino do Náutico, Layanne Leal, falou que a equipe não recebe ajuda do clube. A CBF investe um valor nos times femininos para suprir gastos das viagens durante as competições.

– Não recebemos do clube, não recebemos passagem. Então fazemos essas rifas para ajudar na passagem das atletas (até o CT para os treinamentos) – disse ela.

-A meta é conseguir chegar na casa dos R$ 2 mil, que a gente consegue segurar dois meses de passagens – finalizou.

+Renata Fan impede demissão na Band: veja as movimentações da imprensa esportiva em 2022

O Náutico venceu o campeonato pernambucano feminino de 2022 e manteve a equipe para a disputa do Brasileiro A3. A equipe já havia feito uma rifa no inicio do ano onde conseguiu angariar R$ 1 mil.

continua após a publicidade

After Sri Lanka demolition, Afghanistan start as favourites against misfiring Bangladesh

Mohammad Isam29-Aug-2022Big pictureAfghanistan vs Bangladesh is the low-key rivalry of the Asia Cup, and it seems even more so coming on the heels of a smashing India-Pakistan contest over the weekend.There are clear favourites – and underdogs – for this one, too. Bangladesh have seen their T20I fortunes dip significantly in recent times. Afghanistan, after losing a T20I series earlier this month, in Ireland, got their act together against Sri Lanka in their first match of the Asia Cup. It was also their second-largest win in terms of balls remaining – 59.Fazalhaq Farooqi and Naveen-ul-Haq made full use of the new ball after Mohammad Nabi put Sri Lanka in to bat. They were reduced to 5 for 3 in the second over itself. Afghanistan allowed only a brief resistance before Sri Lanka collapsed once again. Then it was the turn of Afghanistan’s destructive opening pair of Hazratullah Zazai and Rahmanullah Gurbaz to complete the job. They struck 13 boundaries between them, including four sixes from Gurbaz in his 18-ball 40. A couple of wickets fell, but Afghanistan gave a good glimpse of their attacking flair. And familiarity with the conditions help – they have played plenty of short-format matches in the UAE.Related

President in control, cricket in chaos – the Bangladesh story

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Attacking flair, and an aggressive attitude – Bangladesh’s T20I game is missing both.They come into the Asia Cup on a low, having lost both white-ball series in Zimbabwe earlier this month. They gave away strong positions in both the T20I losses as they went down 2-1.But Bangladesh were without Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim in Zimbabwe, so their return, coupled with that of Mohammad Saifuddin, could boost them.Sabbir Rahman and Mohammad Naim are also back in the side, but that’s mainly due to injuries to Litton Das and Nurul Hasan, two batters who have shown a bit of T20I form of late. Sabbir’s return came after he trained with the Bangladesh Tigers squad, while Naim struck a century in the one-day series against West Indies A earlier this month.Perhaps being underdogs will help Bangladesh against high-flying Afghanistan.Form guide
Afghanistan WLWWL
Bangladesh LWLLLIn the spotlightFazalhaq Farooqi was one of Afghanistan’s heroes in the match against Sri Lanka. His opening burst blew away the top order, and he finished with 3 for 11, the sort of spell Bangladesh are familiar with from earlier this year – Farooqi was fast, accurate and effective in the ODI and T20I series in Chattogram and Dhaka. His confidence must be soaring after the Sri Lanka demolition job.Shakib Al Hasan is Bangladesh’s best bet against Afghanistan, or anyone else, for that matter. Returning as the T20I captain after nearly three years, Shakib has a lot on his plate but he is known as someone who invariably manages to bring the best out of himself when under pressure. His four overs will bring back an attacking option for Bangladesh, while his free stroke play will help the misfiring top order.4:45

Shahriar Nafees: Confident that Bangladesh’s new guys will support the middle order

Team newsAfghanistan have little reason to change the playing XI, and, bar injuries, should be unchanged.Afghanistan (probable): 1 Hazratullah Zazai, 2 Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), 3 Ibrahim Zadran, 4 Najibullah Zadran, 5 Karim Janat, 6 Mohammad Nabi (capt), 7 Rashid Khan, 8 Azmatullah Omarzai, 9 Naveen-ul-Haq, 10 Mujeeb Ur Rahman, 11 Fazalhaq FarooqiBangladesh have a few more options than when they went to Zimbabwe with a limited squad. Shakib, Mushfiqur and Saifuddin should all get in, and will add balance to their line-up.Bangladesh (probable): 1 Mohammad Naim, 2 Anamul Haque, 3 Shakib Al Hasan (capt), 4 Afif Hossain, 5 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 6 Mahmudullah, 7 Sabbir Rahman, 8 Mahedi Hasan, 9 Mohammad Saifuddin, 10 Nasum Ahmed, 11 Mustafizur RahmanPitch and conditionsDespite the small dimensions, Sharjah has a surprisingly low batting average – 143 – for sides batting first in T20Is in the last 12 months. The weather will be quite hot even though it’s a 6pm [local time] start.Stats and trivia Shakib will become the third Bangladesh cricketer to play 100 T20Is, after Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur. Spinners have a better average, economy rate and strike rate than quick bowlers at the Sharjah ground in the last 12 months. Afghanistan have a 5-3 edge over Bangladesh in T20Is, although their last bilateral series ended 1-1.

There will be no second-round e-auction for the ICC media rights after a clear winner – or winners – emerged when the sealed bids were opened on Friday. The identity of the winner/s for the right to broadcast ICC events in India has not been disclosed yet – the ICC board makes that call on Saturday after a recommendation is sent to it by the media-rights advisory group appointed to adjudicate on the bidding process.There has been no official communication from the ICC on whether a solitary winner won both the TV and digital rights or whether there were separate winners in the two categories. What is also not yet confirmed is whether the rights have been sold for four years or eight, as the ICC had kept the tenure of the rights flexible, in order to exploit the best number commercially.Related

• ICC eyes $4 billion-plus media rights money for Indian market

• Four major broadcasters concerned over transparency of ICC rights bidding

Though the value of the winning bid is unlikely to be made public, the ICC is believed to have set a base price of USD 1.44 billion (for a four-year deal) and USD 4 billion for an eight-year one. Its last rights deal, for eight years, was worth approximately USD 2.1 billion. Because of the changing nature of the market and especially the digital streaming landscape, as well as the increased number of ICC events in this cycle, the expectation was that any new deal would be considerably bigger than the last one.A total of six packages were on sale with the sealed bids opened on Friday at the ICC headquarters in Dubai in the presence of the bidders. It is learned that four bidders participated, including Disney Star*, Sony, Viacom and Zee.After facing mounting pressure from the bidders over the past month over concerns about the transparency of the process, the ICC had said that an e-auction would take place as a second round of bidding should the value of the two best bids in the first round be within 10% of each other.By Saturday, it is expected that the ICC Board comprising 17 directors will discuss the recommendations of the rights advisory group and announce the identities of the winner/s. The five-person advisory group includes ICC chair Greg Barclay, Ross McCollum (the chair of the ICC’s Finance and Commercial Affairs Committee), Anurag Dahiya (the ICC’s chief commercial officer), Richard Freudenstein (finance & commercial affairs director) and BCCI acting CEO Hemang Amin.

حقق الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي ريال مدريد، فوزًا معنويًا على حساب نظيره إشبيلية، بثنائية نظيفة، في المباراة التي جمعتهما ضمن منافسات ببطولة الدوري الإسباني.

واستضاف الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي إشبيلية، نظيره ريال مدريد، في المباراة التي جمعتهما مساء اليوم الأحد، في إطار منافسات الجولة 37 من بطولة الدوري الإسباني.

طالع | ماركا: “الإنجليزي تحت المجهر”.. ريال مدريد يحذر بيلينجهام قبل كأس العالم للأندية

وحسم برشلونة لقب الدوري الإسباني في الجولة الماضية، بعدما تغلب على اسبانيول بثنائية نظيفة، كتبت له التتويج رقم 28 تاريخيًا.

وسجل أول أهداف اللقاء النجم الفرنسي المتألق كيليان مبابي، في الدقيقة 75 بعد تسديدة متقنة رائعة سكنت يمين حارس المرمى.

وأضاف بيلينجهام الهدف الثاني في الدقيقة 86 بعد عرضية مرسلة من الجهة اليسرى أحرزها بيلينجهام بمنتهى السهولة داخل الشباك.

بعد هذا الفوز، ارتفع رصيد ريال مدريد للنقطة 81 في وصافة جدول ترتيب الدوري، بينما تجمد رصيد إشبيلية عند النقطة 41 بالمركز الـ 16. أهداف مباراة ريال مدريد أمام إشبيلية بالدوري الإسباني

We have what we often cry out for, a T20I outside the World Cup with something on the line

Danyal Rasool01-Sep-20220:29

Pakistan players sweat it out in the nets

Big pictureIt still feels like early days in the Asia Cup, but one of Hong Kong or Pakistan will see their tournament draw to a close on Friday. The format for the first round means one defeat can place any side under instant pressure. With India having pulled clear through wins over both opponents, there is clarity to the mission for both the Associate and the Full Member, the giants and the would-be giant killers.There may be limited cricketing or historical evidence to suggest Hong Kong could mount a serious challenge to a side with Pakistan’s firepower, but they will be well aware a knockout in the shortest format presents a golden opportunity to spring an upset. Against India, it was the bowling that let them down, even if a spirited batting performance demonstrated the threat the side can pose. Babar Hayat, Zeeshan Ali and Scott McKechnie provided the big hitting, while Ayush Shukla, Ehsan Khan and Yasim Murtaza kept things tight, allowing just 82 runs in their 12 combined overs.Watch live on ESPN+

If you are in the USA, you can watch the Hong Kong-Pakistan game live on ESPN+, both in English and Hindi.

Pakistan, however, might feel this game plays into their hands to some extent. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan do not come flying out of the blocks, but the template they follow was similar to one that India executed against Hong Kong on Wednesday. They opened their innings conservatively, before the middle order put the bowlers to the sword, smashing 98 in the final seven overs. And while India’s approach may have been a game plan tailored to the opposition they were facing, scoring their big runs in the final overs is how Pakistan play anyway against nearly all opposition.And so we have what we often cry out for, a T20I outside the World Cup with something on the line. It might, on paper, be a mismatch, but across the tableau of relatively context-free bilateral T20Is, it is rare to find a game with as much riding on it as Pakistan against Hong Kong on Friday. It’s a game Hong Kong will savour, but they will tell themselves it might just be one they could also win.Form guidePakistan: LLWWW (last five completed matches, most recent first)
Hong Kong: LWWWLIn the spotlightAt his best, Khushdil Shah is perhaps Pakistan’s most powerful hitter of the ball, but in Pakistan’s colours in T20I cricket, he has never come close to hitting those heights. In the game against India, which saw a limp performance from almost every Pakistan batter, Khushdil’s innings – a timid 2 off 7 balls – still stood out for its total lack of intent. Perhaps a game against Hong Kong, whose bowlers don’t quite offer the same threat as India’s is just what he needs to produce a statement innings.Kinchit Shah has come into the Asia Cup on the back of some decent form•AFP/Getty ImagesHong Kong vice-captain Kinchit Shah has had a memorable time of late. The allrounder was in decent form at the Asia Cup qualifiers and the Cricket World Cup Challenge Group, striking a half-century against Uganda and 139 against Bermuda, and picking up a four-wicket haul against Kenya. He was steady, if not quite explosive, with the bat against India, scoring 30 in 28 balls. Off the field too, things have been good. After the game against India, he proposed to his partner. A win against Pakistan to go through to the next stage would cap a blissful few days for Kinchit, both personal and professional.Pitch and conditionsThe weather is expected to be oppressively hot throughout the tournament, and Friday in Sharjah will be no different. The slower bowlers have tended to prosper here of late, although the small boundaries might be a temptation for the batters tooTeam newsThere’s a cloud around Naseem Shah’s fitness. In the event of his absence, Mohammad Hasnain would be the like-for-like replacement.Pakistan: (probable): 1 Babar Azam (capt) 2 Mohammad Rizwan (wk) 3 Fakhar Zaman 4 Iftikhar Ahmed 5 Khushdil Shah 6 Shadab Khan 7 Asif Ali 8 Mohammad Nawaz 9 Mohammad Hasnain 10 Haris Rauf 11 Shahnawaz DahaniDespite the defeat to India, Hong Kong will have been encouraged by their performance, with the bat in particular. Expect an unchanged side.Hong Kong (possible): 1 Nizakat Khan (capt) 2 Yasim Murtaza 3 Babar Hayat 4 Kinchit Shah 5 Aizaz Khan 6 Zeeshan Ali 7 Scott McKechnie (wk) 8 Haroon Arshad 9 Ehsan Khan 10 Ayush Shuka 11 Mohammad GhazanfarStats and trivia Pakistan are yet to win a T20I in 2022. The two games they played in the format – against India and Australia – have ended in defeat Haris Rauf is five wickets shy of matching Shaheen Afridi’s T20I tally of 47. Should he get there against Hong Kong, it will have taken him five fewer innings than Shaheen to get there.