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MatériaMais Notícias

O Botafogo conseguiu, enfim, a primeira vitória no returno do Campeonato Brasileiro, na última quarta-feira, quando venceu o Goiás, por 3 a 1, no Nilton Santos. E na partida válida pela 24ª rodada rodada do torneio nacional, chamou a atenção o uso da bola parada como arma do Alvinegro para construir resultado positivo. As melhores chances do time carioca se originaram em cobranças de falta ou escanteios, com a participação do meia João Paulo.

–Acredito que a gente aproveitou as oportunidades. Nos outros jogos, a gente até teve algumas, mas não foi feliz. Hoje a gente foi feliz, a nossa bola parada entrou. A gente tomou o 2 a 1, mas logo depois fez o 3 a 1, então deu uma acalmada. Essas situações acabaram nos levando à vitória e um pouco mais de tranquilidade. A equipe oscilou em momento do jogo, acabou errando na parte técnica, e a torcida foi muito importante. Jogou junto, e isso foi um fator fundamental para a nossa vitória –disse Lazaroni.

A mudança de postura dos jogadores em campo era notória. O nervosismo e a tensão da partida anterior contra o Fluminense pareciam ter ficado para trás. O time entrou em campo mais concentrado e foi efetivo nas chances que criou. O técnico interino Bruno Lazaroni elogiou o trabalho desempenhado pelos jogadores.

Um dos responsáveis diretos pela construção do resultado positivo foi o meia João Paulo, encarregado da execução de lances de bola parada. Com uma atuação que lembrou a grande fase vivida por ele em 2017, antes da grave lesão na perna. Foi dele a cobrança de escanteio que originou o gol de Gabriel. Um gol anulado por Cícero e uma bola na trave de Fernando, ambas na primeira etapa, também se originaram de faltas cobradas pelo camisa 5. Foi dele ainda o segundo gol alvinegro.

RelacionadasBrasileirãoDesencantou! Botafogo faz três no Goiás e vence a primeira no returnoBrasileirão09/10/2019Núm3ros da bol4Menos passes, mais finalizações: os números do Botafogo no primeiro jogo sem BarrocaNúm3ros da bol409/10/2019BotafogoLazaroni comenta possível chegada de Valentim e dedica vitória a Barroca: ‘Mérito do trabalho dele’Botafogo09/10/2019

Lembrança de Barroca

O Botafogo foi comandado pelo técnico interino Bruno Lazaroni, que deve dar lugar a um novo profissional, nos próximos dias. Após a partida ele lembrou de Eduardo Barroca, o antecessor no cardo, demitido no último domingo,

– Foi mérito total dos jogadores e repito: do trabalho do Barroca. Equipe que, querendo ou não, estava sem confiança, por conta do momento natural. Falei que tinham de executar mais jogadas, até para gerar mais confiança na equipe e um pouco de falta de confiança na equipe adversária. Foi mais ou menos o que aconteceu com a bola parada principalmente. A gente fez um gol, teve um gol anulado. Então isso gera confiança, mas é mérito total do trabalho deles.– concluiu

O mais cotado para assumir o comando do Glorioso é Alberto Valentim, atualmente no Avaí. Lazaroni, no entanto diz não se ver frustrado por ter perdido a chance de ser efetivado.

–Se for o nome do Valentim, como as pessoas estão comentando, vou ficar feliz igualmente. Já trabalhei com ele, tenho enorme satisfação, ele é muito capaz. Vou estar junto com ele, assim como estava com o Barroca – finalizou.

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دخل ماتيو كوفاسيتش، لاعب فريق مانشستر سيتي، تاريخ كأس العالم للأندية بعدما حقق البطولة مع النادي الإنجليزي مساء اليوم على حساب فلومينينسي.

واستضاف ملعب “الجوهرة” مباراة الفريقين في نهائي كأس العالم للأندية، 2023، حيث فاز مانشستر سيتي برباعية دون رد (لمطالعة التفاصيل من هنا).

وأصبح ماتيو كوفاسيتش أول لاعب في تاريخ كأس العالم للأندية يحقق البطولة مع 3 أندية مختلفة، في مسيرته المهنية.

كان كوفاسيتش قد حقق بطولة كأس العالم للأندية مع ريال مدريد عامي 2016 و2017 ثم تشيلسي 2021، وأخيرًا مانشستر سيتي 2023.

وانضم كوفاسيتش إلى مانشستر سيتي قادمًا من تشيلسي، في صيف هذا العام. 

MatériaMais Notícias

Com nove jogos para encerrar a Série B, o elenco do Paraná fez um pacto para conquistar o acesso e o jogo neste fim de semana é fundamental para as pretensões do clube da Vila Capanema.

RelacionadasVascoPec comemora gol de Bruno Gomes: ‘Como um irmão de mãe diferente’Vasco17/10/2019ChapecoenseGum reclama de expulsão em lance com DuduChapecoense17/10/2019Futebol InternacionalVolante ex-Portuguesa comenta primeira experiência fora do BrasilFutebol Internacional17/10/2019

Diante do Figueirense, lanterna da competição, o Tricolor precisa buscar os três pontos e quer a presença da torcida no estádio para empurrar a equipe.

Com o intuito de pressionar o rival, a diretoria anunciou uma promoção nos preços do ingresso até sexta-feira, véspera do confronto. No sábado, os valores voltam ao normal.

Confira os preços abaixo:

Ingressos de quarta até sexta-feira
Curva Norte: R$ 40 (meia por R$ 20)
Reta do Relógio: R$ 60 (meia por R$ 30)
Social: R$ 70 (meia por R$ 35)
Cadeira: R$ 80 (meia por R$ 40)
Cativa: R$ 35
Camarote: R$ 70 (meia por R$ 35)
Camarote individual: R$ 150
Visitante: R$ 40 (meia por R$ 20)

Ingressos no sábado
Curva Norte: R$ 60 (meia por R$ 30)
Reta do Relógio: R$ 80 (meia por R$ 40)
Social: R$ 90 (meia por R$ 45)
Cadeira: R$ 100 (meia por R$ 50)
Cativa: R$ 45
Camarote: R$ 90 (meia por R$ 45)
Camarote individual: R$ 150
Visitante: R$ 60 (meia por R$ 30)

Pakistan last won a Test match in Sri Lanka in 2006, and with Kumar Sangakkara likely to play only the first two Tests, Misbah-ul-Haq might feel this is his best chance yet to win a game in Sri Lanka

The Preview by Andrew Fidel Fernando and Umar Farooq16-Jun-2015Match factsJune 17-21, 2015
Start time 1000 local (0430 GMT)4:12

Arnold: SL have never been short of talent

Big PictureIf familiarity breeds contempt, no one told Sri Lanka and Pakistan. The teams now embark on their seventh bilateral series in as many years, and as Ahmer Naqvi says, this relationship has the hallmarks of an arranged marriage and there is genuine warmth there too. Perhaps no two boards back each other quite as unequivocally at the ICC table. SLC chairman Sidath Wettimuny has made two trips to Pakistan in the last month alone.Yet for all the mutual back-scratching, Pakistan’s most successful Test captain is yet to win a match on the island. Pakistan’s last three Test series in Sri Lanka have brought results of 0-2 (2009), 0-1 (2012) and 0-2 (2014). With Sri Lanka in heavy transition, and Kumar Sangakkara likely to play only the first two Tests, Misbah-ul-Haq might feel this is his best chance yet to win a game here – maybe even a series.Pakistan are in something of a transition too, but having had more cricket in recent months, their side feels better meshed. Greater responsibility has settled well on Azhar Ali’s shoulders, and Yasir Shah is marching quickly towards a menacing Test record. Wahab Riaz and Junaid Khan have tasted success in Sri Lanka as well.The hosts have plenty of batsmen pressing for a middle-order place. Kusal Perera’s four brisk centuries and two fifties against Pakistan A make him the likeliest option, but Kithuruwan Vithanage waits in the wings, and a reinvented Jehan Mubarak is back for another crack at the top level. Injuries to the two frontline quicks have opened up opportunities for seamers more often seen in away Tests, as well.Neither captain is renowned for attacking play, though Angelo Mathews has taken small steps away from the safety-first outlook that defined the early months of his captaincy. How he does in his first home series without Mahela Jayawardene’s support may give clues to his development as a strategist. As ever, the Galle Test should ease the hosts into the series, with several key batsmen and bowlers often at their peak at this venue.Form guide(last five matches, most recent first)

Sri Lanka: LLWWD
Pakistan: WDLDWIn the spotlightLahiru Thirimanne has progressed nicely in ODI cricket, having had a good World Cup, but his Test average languishes at 26.70. It would be worse still if not for a 155 not out against Bangladesh on the flattest Galle track seen in recent years. His modest Test returns seem like an anomaly, because he has the temperament to flourish in the long format. Groomed for a while now to take up Sangakkara’s No. 3 spot, he will have to increase his output dramatically to be an adequate replacement.Yasir Shah and Zulfiqar Babar have stepped up over the months to cover the absence of Saeed Ajmal. The left-arm spinner and wrist spinner combination will have an important contribution to make. Both of them had a decent practice match in Colombo, with Babar taking 6 for 31 while Shah picked up two at a decent economy rate.Teams newsKusal looks likeliest to bat at No. 6, with Dinesh Chandimal taking the gloves and batting at No. 7. Sri Lanka may also be tempted to play 22-year-old offspinner Tharindu Kaushal who, with his flight and variation, may be an effective foil for Rangana Herath.Sri Lanka (probable): 1 Kaushal Silva, 2 Dimuth Karunaratne, 3 Kumar Sangakkara, 4 Lahiru Thirimanne, 5 Angelo Mathews (capt.), 6 Kusal Perera, 7 Dinesh Chandimal (wk), 8 Dhammika Prasad, 9 Tharindu Kaushal/ Dilruwan Perera, 10 Rangana Herath, 11 Nuwan PradeepPakistan had thought about flying in Rahat Ali for this match, but opted not to strain him so soon after a hamstring injury. Their attack is likely to contain three left-arm bowlers.Pakistan (probable): 1 Ahmed Shehzad, 2 Mohammad Hafeez, 3 Azhar Ali, 4 Younis Khan, 5 Misbah-ul-Haq (capt.), 6 Asad Shafiq, 7 Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), 8 Wahab Riaz, 9 Junaid Khan, 10 Yasir Shah, 11 Zulfiqar BabarPitch and conditionsThere appeared to be a hint of live grass on the Galle track on the eve of the match, which may mean it plays flat for the first two days. Plenty happens in the back end of most Galle Tests though, so expect the sea breeze to dry the track up nicely for the second innings.Galle has been getting daily rains, but these have mostly been restricted to night-time hours. The occasional interruption can be expected, however.
Stats and trivia Kumar Sangakkara needs one more double-ton to equal Don Bradman’s record of 12. He already has three such scores against Pakistan. Rangana Herath needs 12 more scalps to become the first bowler to take 100 wickets against Pakistan, surpassing Kapil Dev’s 99 wickets. Younis Khan has seven hundreds against Sri Lanka – his highest against any opposition, although he has also played the most Tests against them. Quotes”Saeed Ajmal hasn’t been picked, but we know they’ve got some excellent bowlers, so it’s no different from your usual, strong Pakistan attack.”
“It’s very important for us to deal with the spin on this tour to get the best result.”

Australia’s selectors will be compelled to consider the position of Shane Watson and are also likely to have to draft in Peter Siddle to replace Mitchell Starc for the Lord’s Test

Daniel Brettig in Cardiff11-Jul-2015Australia’s selectors will be compelled to consider the position of Shane Watson and are also likely to have to draft in Peter Siddle to replace Mitchell Starc for the Lord’s Test, though it is now unlikely that the left-arm new ball bowler will have to be sent home for treatment to an ankle injury.The captain Michael Clarke, who said his side needed to treat their unexpected 169-run hiding at English hands in the same manner they did a loss to New Zealand midway through their ultimately successful World Cup campaign, admitted that Watson would be under the selection spotlight after he fell twice lbw for scores of 30 and 19, a worryingly repetitive set of results for the allrounder.There was an element of sad theatre about Watson’s dismissal lbw to Mark Wood, followed by a referral made largely because he was the last remaining specialist batsman at the crease. To widespread cheers around the ground he appealed against Kumar Dharmasena’s decision, only to be sent on his way by the ball-tracker. Watson looked wistful as he wandered off the ground, and it is debatable whether he can keep his place for Lord’s when his claims are lined up against those of the younger Mitchell Marsh.”He’s been a very important senior player and all-round player,” Clarke said of Watson’s past contributions to the side. “Someone who can bat and bowl is always a great weapon to have in your team. Watto, like the rest of us, I’m sure the selectors will sit down and talk about each individual player as they do after every game. We obviously didn’t perform anywhere near as well as we want to or need to, to have success here.”Shane is an extremely hard worker, he wants to have success like the rest of it. I think it’s the hardest part of this game – the longer you play the more ups and downs you go through. Through the good times you’ve got to try and ride that wave for as long as possible because you know the longer you player there’s the other side as well.”When things aren’t going to plan you’ve got to stick to your processes, work hard, cop a few smacks on the chin and keep backing your own ability. I think that’s exactly what Watto is doing. He’s been a big part of the Australian cricket team in all three formats and has had a lot of success as well in all three formats.”Starc needed painkillers to get through the match with the ball after suffering an ankle problem on the first day, and Clarke said the fact he had been able to bowl suggested he was not completely out of contention for the second Test. However, Siddle was clearly being primed for a second Test inclusion, having been the outstanding bowler in the nets ahead of this match.”I think the positive is the fact that he was able to bowl in that second innings and still pick up wickets,” Clarke said. “He just walked out and batted and ran between the wickets fine. The concern is obviously how close the second Test match is away but the medical team and the selectors will assess Starcy over the next few days and they’ll make whatever they feel is the best decision for the team.”Clarke admitted the match had confounded his expectations, but looked back to the loss against New Zealand at Eden Park during the World Cup group stage – something that was turned around dramatically in the tournament final – as proof the Australians could regather themselves and regain the ascendancy over a younger England XI.”I certainly didn’t come here expecting to lose, that’s for sure,” he said. “I think you have to respect and credit England with the way they played. From ball one I thought their performance with the bat in the first innings set the game up for them. I think their discipline with their execution on that wicket with the ball and then they held onto their chances – it’s a good way to set up a victory.”If you’re doing those three things pretty well you’re generally winning a lot of Test matches. We need to improve in all three areas and I look forward to Lord’s. I don’t want us to change the way we play. I like each individual player backing themselves and playing the way we have done over the past few years which has given us success.”The advantage and the positive for us is we’re only four days away from the second Test. I think that’s a good thing for this team. All the boys now, like losing to New Zealand in the World Cup gave us a bit of a kick up the backside, they’ll probably see this game very similar. This gives us a bit of a kick up the backside and we look forward to this second Test match.”Aside from Watson and Starc, Brad Haddin also endured a poor match, which began with the drop of Joe Root on the first morning and ended with an ugly smear at Moeen Ali to be caught by England’s captain Alastair Cook. Despite a meagre recent record as a batsman and emerging flaws in his glove work, it appears unlikely Haddin’s place will be taken away from him before the destiny of the Ashes is decided.

MatériaMais Notícias

O volante Leandro Donizete deve retornar ao Santos nesta sexta-feira. O jogador tem contrato de empréstimo com o América-MG até 31 de outubro deste ano, mas não será renovado. A informação foi inicialmente publicada pela ‘Gazeta Esportiva’.

O empréstimo foi renovado três vezes com o Coelho para Donizete terminar o tratamento da lesão no joelho direito. No Santos, o volante não será aproveitado pelo técnico Jorge Sampaoli e treinará no CT Rei Pelé até o fim de seu contrato terminar, em 31 de dezembro desta temporada.

Donizete chegou ao Santos em 2017, mas nunca foi unanimidade. Ele realizou 23 partidas no clube.

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>Veja a classificação e o simulador do Brasileiro clicando aqui

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MatériaMais Notícias

Já foram vendidos 19 mil ingressos para o confronto entre Palmeiras e Ceará, marcado para sábado, às 19h, no Allianz Parque. O jogo, válido pela 30ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro, marcará o reencontro do Verdão com o time que quebrou sua invencibilidade de 33 rodada, a maior da história do clube no torneio – o Vovô venceu por 2 a 0 em 20 de julho, no Castelão, em Fortaleza.

A venda dos bilhetes foi aberta somente para os sócios-torcedores na semana passada, por meio do site www.avantipalmeiras.com.br. A exclusividade acabou às 10h de sábado, quando o público em geral passou a ter acesso às entradas no endereço eletrônico palmeiras.futebolcard.com.

Antes de enfrentar o Ceará, o Palmeiras encara o São Paulo, nesta quarta-feira, às 19h30, no Allianz Parque. Depois de 28 rodadas, o Verdão ocupa a segunda colocação, com 57 pontos, dez atrás do Flamengo, enquanto a equipe cearense está na em 15º lugar, com 30 pontos, um acima da zona de rebaixamento.

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VALORES DOS INGRESSOS

Gol Norte – R$ 90,00 [R$ 45,00 meia-entrada]
Gol Sul – R$ 140,00 [R$ 70,00 meia-entrada]
Central Leste – R$ 150,00 [R$ 75,00 meia-entrada]
Central Oeste – R$ 200,00 [R$ 100,00 meia-entrada]
Superior Norte e Sul – R$ 110,00 [R$ 55,00 meia-entrada]
Superior Leste e Oeste – R$ 130,00 [R$ 65,00 meia-entrada]
Superior Visitante – R$ 90,00 [R$ 45,00 meia-entrada]

POSTOS DE VENDA

Bilheterias do Allianz Parque (Rua Palestra Italia – Portão A) – SOMENTE DIA DO JOGO
Endereço: Rua Palestra Italia, 214
Perdizes – São Paulo/SP
CEP 05005-030
Horário de atendimento: dia 02 de novembro, das 10h até o intervalo da partida
*Disponível apenas para retiradas

IMPORTANTE: as bilheterias do Portão A não realizarão venda de ingressos na data da partida, apenas retiradas das entradas compradas pela internet.

Bilheterias do Allianz Parque (Av. Francisco Matarazzo – Portão B)
Endereço: Avenida Francisco Matarazzo, 1705
Água Branca – São Paulo/SP
Horário de atendimento: dias 31 de outubro e 01 de novembro, das 10h às 17h, e dia 02, das 10h até o intervalo da partida
*Disponível para venda de ingressos e retiradas

Bilheterias do Allianz Parque (Rua Padre Antônio Tomás – Portão C) – SOMENTE DIA DO JOGO
Endereço: Rua Padre Antônio Tomás
Água Branca – São Paulo/SP
Horário de atendimento: dia 02 de novembro, das 10h até o intervalo da partida
*Disponível para venda de ingressos e retiradas

Tudo sobre

Allianz ParqueBrasileirãoCearáIngressosPalmeiras

Mahela Jayawardene has been approach about joining the England coaching staff in a consultancy role

George Dobell13-Jul-2015

Mahela Jayawardene could be joining the England coaching staff in a consultancy role. ESPNcricinfo understands that Paul Farbrace, who coached the Sri Lanka team to the World T20 title in 2014, has already spoken to the prolific former batsman but that Andrew Strauss, England’s team director, has yet to agree any deal. Trevor Bayliss, the new coach, also knows Jayawardene well from his period as Sri Lanka coach.Jayawardene earned an outstanding record as a batsman across the formats and around the world in an 18-year international career. But it is his expertise in Asian conditions, in particular, that interests England now. Over the next 18 months or so, England will play Pakistan in the UAE, tour India and Bangladesh, as well as host Sri Lanka and Pakistan. The 2016 World T20 is also in India.Confirming that Jayawardene had been contacted, an ECB spokesman suggested that he was not being viewed as a potential replacement for Mark Ramprakash, who is out of contract at the end of the season. Instead he would be used as a consultant, similar to the way Mushtaq Ahmed was used as a spin bowling consultant.The England management are also understood to be thinking of using Paul Collingwood in a consultancy role with a specific view to limited-overs cricket. Collingwood, who is still playing for Durham, was captain of the England side that won the World T20 in 2010 and was utilised in a consultancy role when Ashley Giles was the limited-overs coach. Collingwood has also fulfilled a similar role with Scotland.News of Jayawardene’s potential involvement with England may cause dismay in Sri Lanka. A team in transition would also no doubt benefit from his wisdom, but unless they are able to offer a longer-term deal, it may well be England that benefit from his knowledge.

MatériaMais Notícias

Na Arena Castelão, o Fortaleza levou a melhor no clássico com o Ceará e venceu por 1 a 0. O único gol do jogo saiu através de Wellington Paulista. Agora, o Leão é o 13º, com 39 pontos. O Vozão é o 14º, com 36 pontos.

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Na próxima rodada, o Fortaleza recebe o CSA, na Arena Castelão. Enquanto isso, o Ceará visita a Chapecoense, na Arena Condá.

O confronto

O duelo foi disputado desde os minutos iniciais. Com muita vontade, Fortaleza e Ceará não davam espaços dentro de campo e inflamavam as duas torcidas, que protagonizavam um lindo espetáculo nas arquibancadas da Arena Castelão.

Aos 12 minutos o Fortaleza abriu o placar. Romarinho tocou para Osvaldo, que de cabeça, encontrou Wellington Paulista. O camisa 9 não desperdiçou e mandou para o fundo das redes.

O Ceará foi em busca do empate, mas falhava no último passe, o que irritava Adilson Batista. Sem inspiração coletiva, o jeito foi apelar para o individual. Felipe Baixola arriscou da intermediária e carimbou o poste do rival.

No segundo tempo, o técnico do Vozão desfez o esquema com três zagueiros e colocou seu time no ataque. O prêmio quase veio aos 5 minutos. Após cobrança de escanteio, Galhardo desviou e Luiz Otávio pegou da risca da pequena área. No reflexo, Felipe Alves desviou com a ponta dos dedos e segurou a vantagem.

Apesar do volume apresentado dentro das quatro linhas, o Ceará não conseguia levar perigo ao gol de Felipe Alves. Por outro lado, o Fortaleza também não aproveitava os espaços deixados pelo adversário e o jogo permanecia vivo.

A chance derradeira do Ceará veio nos minutos finais com Wescley. Após jogada de Samuel Xavier, o meia recebeu na grande área, mas o chute saiu pela linha de fundo.

FORTALEZA 1 X 0 CEARÁ
Local: Arena Castelão, Fortaleza (CE)
Data-Hora: 10/11/2019 – 19h
Árbitro: Flavio Rodrigues de Souza (SP)
Auxiliares: Alex Ang Ribeiro (SP) e Neuza Inês Back (SP)
VAR: Marcio Henrique de Gois (SP)
Público/renda: pagantes/R$
Cartões amarelos: Bruno Melo, Quintero, Osvaldo (FOR), Valdo, Eduardo Brock, Wescley (CEA)
Cartões vermelhos: –
Gols: Wellington Paulista (12’/1ºT)

FORTALEZA: Felipe Alves; Gabriel Dias, Quintero, Jackson (Paulão, aos 8/2ºT) e Bruno Melo; Felipe, Juninho; André Luis (Kieza, aos 10/2ºT), Romarinho, Osvaldo (Nenê Bonilha, aos 28/2ºT) e Wellington Paulista. Técnico: Rogério Ceni.

CEARÁ: Diogo Silva; Valdo (Wescley, ao 0/2ºT), Luiz Otávio e Eduardo Brock; Samuel Xavier, Fabinho, Ricardinho, Felipe Baixola (Leandro Carvalho, aos 19/2ºT) e Thiago Galhardo (Matheus Gonçalves, aos 30/2ºT) e João Lucas; Felippe Cardoso. Técnico: Adilson Batista.

Mumbai captain Aditya Tare wants to build on the team’s success; Naman Ojha thinks he has the personnel to challenge the 41-time Ranji champs

The Preview by Arun Venugopal05-Mar-2016

If the nature of the competition in the Irani Cup over the last two editions were to be assessed, it wouldn’t reflect too well on the Rest of India sides. Karnataka swamped them by an innings and 222 runs in 2013-14 and followed it up with a 246-run thrashing last season.It is hard to argue against the logic of Ranji Trophy champions being successful; they are, after all, well-drilled units playing together for a considerable length of time and familiar with the winning habit. The Rest of India team, in contrast, is only an assembly of the best players that season, who have very little time to gel as a unit.However, a larger sample size over a longer period does not conform to such ‘logic’.Consider this: Karnataka’s victories have been the only instances of Ranji Trophy champions winning the Irani Cup in the last ten seasons. Mumbai have 15 Irani Cup titles, including one that was shared in 1965-66, but haven’t won in their last seven attempts. The last time they won the Irani Cup was in 1997-98. It is this anomaly that Mumbai, clearly big on history and legacy, is seeking to rectify.”I think our great history inspires us. It’s not easy for any team to win 41 championships,” Aditya Tare, the Mumbai captain, told ESPNcricinfo on the eve of the match. “If you see the 50s, 60s and 70s, that’s the time Mumbai dominated for three-four decades. Obviously the biggest attribute of Mumbai cricket is that hunger to win every season. The teams in the past have done that and we have to learn from that and take that legacy forward.”It will be great if we win because it’s been a long time since Mumbai have won the Irani Trophy, so it’s a big motivation to do something special, do a double in the first-class tournaments. It’s going to be a big challenge for us and I think the boys are pumped up. It is a great opportunity for us to showcase our talent against a tough opposition.”Tare said his team drew inspiration as much from Mumbai’s proud past as its own achievements in recent times. This synergy, he felt, gave Mumbai an advantage over other sides. “The style of cricket we play, the grit and determination, we have been groomed with that since childhood,” he said. “Even in the [under-]16s and under-19s we have coaches who talk about what teams in the past have achieved.”Having said that, it’s a young team and it’s important we keep motivating ourselves at every level we reach and keep that hunger going strong. In Mumbai everyone is on the same page, everyone wants to win games and everyone wants to keep that tradition going. That’s the difference. It makes us stand out from the other teams.”I think we have got the momentum and it’s not easy for a team [Rest of India] to quickly gel in a day or a two. That’s one thing that adds to our advantage, but by no means we can take the opposition lightly because there are players who have done well throughout the season. So we are wary about it and we are ready for the challenge.”Naman Ojha, the Rest of India captain, on the other hand, played down the relative disadvantage of not having enough time together as a team. “Playing for Rest of India is a great honour,” he told ESPNcricinfo. “They all want to play one level higher, and it would be good for them if they perform here, so automatically focus comes.”Ojha said he was impressed by Vidarbha batsman Faiz Fazal, Haryana offspinner Jayant Yadav and Assam seamer Krishna Das, and agreed it was a situation where individuals taking greater ownership for their performances would give the team a better shot at success. “I think that’s the only thing [that changes from a Ranji Trophy environment],” he said. “I think we don’t need to tell them [what their roles are]; they know why they are here. They need to do the same things that they are doing with their respective sides.”Mumbai play in a very disciplined manner; that’s the only thing where they are a little ahead of other teams. I think that [the will to counter Mumbai’s discipline] should come from within; if they want to play one level higher they will have to perform here.”There have been some strange omissions from the Rest of India side, like those of KB Arun Karthik, who scored 802 runs for Assam this season, Madhya Pradesh’s Jalaj Saxena (588 runs and 49 wickets) and Kerala’s Rohan Prem (705 runs).Mumbai, on the other hand, have been strengthened by the addition of young batsman Jay Bista, who scored a double century a few days ago to help Mumbai win the Colonel CK Nayudu under-23 trophy.Both Tare and Ojha agreed that performances in high-profile domestic matches like the Irani Cup carried greater weight. “It’s a game that a lot of people watch and pay a lot of attention [to],” Tare said. “If you take wickets or score runs in a Ranji Trophy final or an Irani Trophy game, there is a lot of impact. That’s one incentive I would say that players from both sides will have in this match.”