Bengaluru will host the Ranji Trophy knockouts from June 4, with the final scheduled to run from June 20-24, in a bio-bubble.It is understood that there will be no mandatory quarantine, but all teams will have to arrive with a negative RT-PCR test.Forty-one-time Ranji champions Mumbai will face Uttarakhand while Karnataka are pitted against Uttar Pradesh. Bengal will face Jharkhand and Punjab will run into Madhya Pradesh in the other two quarter-finals. Both the semi-finals are then scheduled for June 12-16 following three days of rest.The first phase of the Ranji Trophy, which consisted of the league phase and one pre-quarter final, was held before the start of IPL 2022. The Ranji Trophy was shelved in 2020-21 because of the pandemic. It was the first time that India’s premier first-class competition had not featured in the calendar since its inception in the 1934-35 season.

Ranji knockouts schedule

June 4-8, First quarter-final: Bengal vs Jharkhand
June 4-8, Second quarter-final: Mumbai vs Uttarakhand
June 4-8, Third quarter-final: Karnataka vs UP
June 4-8, Fourth quarter-final: Punjab vs MP
June 12-16, First semi: Winner of QF1 vs QF4
June 12-16, Second semi: Winner of QF2 vs QF3
June 20-24: Final

Sunderland look set for a busy January transfer window, as multiple exits could be on the cards, according to a new report. The Black Cats were in Championship action again on Tuesday night as the fixtures come thick and fast, but those in the boardroom are planning for the winter window.

Speakman shares exciting update on Sunderland's January transfer plans

Sunderland could be set for a busy January…

ByBarney Lane Dec 5, 2024 Sunderland’s January plans

It has been an impressive campaign for Regis Le Bris’ men so far this season, as they have settled well under their new manager and look set for a campaign that will see them fight for a place in the Premier League next season.

The January transfer window could be crucial for the Black Cats, as they have been linked with players such as Wigan Athletic’s Sam Tickle and Peterborough United’s Kwame Poku in recent weeks, and it appears that money is available to spend next month. Speaking to Sunderland’s media team earlier this week, the club’s sporting director Kristjaan Speakman provided an update on how the club intends to do business next month.

He said: “First of all, it’s about assessing the squad. I think we’re coming from a position of strength. I think the group’s in a really good place. We’ve got loads of preparation going on. We’ve just got to be really diligent in the moment, able to react and action things really quickly within the month of January. I’m really optimistic about what we can achieve.”

Sunderland planning mini squad overhaul in January

As reported by The Northern Echo, Sunderland will allow Adil Aouchiche, Abdoullah Ba, and Nazariy Rusyn to leave in January specifically to “create some space in the squad for potential new additions”.

All three players have struggled to be regulars in Le Bris’ team, as Aouchiche has played just twice in the Championship, Ba has yet to feature, just playing once in the EFL Cup, and Rusyn has played six times in the league, but all appearances have come from the bench.

Ahead of Sunderland’s game against Bristol City, Le Bris has confirmed that all three players will be made available for a move in January, as the Black Cats boss has admitted that all three need to move elsewhere if they want regular minutes.

“There are players who haven’t really been involved who could maybe leave in January. If you don’t have the opportunity to play, and you have an option with another club that is good for your development, then sometimes that is a good option to take and move on.

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“We will see what happens. We have to be mindful of the balance of the team and the squad. You need to have subs who have the right mindset, even if they don’t play a lot. You need players who are always available, good in training sessions, and positive on the bench. That is very important, and then you also have to remember that all of the players have a contract. That is another factor. But the players need to play, and you need a squad that has the right dynamic.”

The decision to move these three players on is very good for Sunderland and Le Bris, as moving them on and bringing in players who will add to the squad could be the difference between a top two spot and a place in the dreaded playoffs.

Schools Open Day at Old Trafford ends before their new-found heroes crumble with the bat

Paul Edwards20-May-2022
Perhaps it was for the best that the two thousand schoolchildren invited to watch today’s cricket at Emirates Old Trafford had gone home by three o’clock. They might well have been puzzled why a succession of Lancashire players were walking out to the middle of the lovely green field with bats when it seemed inevitable that they would have to walk back again only a few minutes later having not used them. After all, the other team’s batters had stayed there for simply ages in the morning and had kept hitting that hard ball very hard indeed.As tea-time summaries go, it would not have been too shabby. More experienced, although not necessarily more intelligent, observers might have paid tributes to the powerful striking of Essex’s Shane Snater before offering even warmer compliments to the new-ball bowling of Sam Cook and Jamie Porter, whose combined figures at tea read: 13-3-24-4. Neither had conceded a boundary or bowled a mediocre delivery. Before the Essex pair got to work, we thought this was a flattish pitch. It still is, but with Lancashire 32 for 5 in reply to Essex’s 391, the value of the new ball was being extolled even as the evening rain set in.Yet the child’s assessment is just as valid and at the risk of giving that drum a bit more hammer, the best thing to happen at Old Trafford today was that primary-school pupils watched the morning’s cricket. I say “watched” but a fair few probably divided their attention between Snater, their phones and their friends. Nevertheless, Matt Parkinson was mobbed during a break for rain and Hasan Ali happily acknowledged the hundreds of youngsters who were waving to him from the Brian Statham End.If one per cent of those enjoying their first taste of the game today have been inspired to take their interest further at a local club, the annual Schools Open Day has been a success and Lancashire’s Cricket Foundation should be warmly applauded for laying it on. Moreover, the news that Kings Rise Academy had joined with Warwickshire’s Cricket Board to deliver the largest cricket lesson in history to 650 children aged 4-11 at Edgbaston offered a further reminder of the valuable work done by the first-class counties that rarely gets much notice.That said, perhaps Dane Vilas’s players took the educational theme a little too far. “Could have done better” might have been the Old Trafford coaches’ assessment on the end of Essex’s innings, and “Couldn’t have done worse” their damning view on the start of Lancashire’s reply.Dane Vilas leads Lancashire through a guard of schoolchildren on the second day at Old Trafford•Getty ImagesCertainly the visitors had the better of a rain-interrupted first session, scoring 61 runs in 12 overs for the loss of Dan Lawrence. However, it wasn’t much of a morning for Lawrence either. In addition to being caught at midwicket by James Anderson off Luke Wood for 120, he suffered a recurrence of the hamstring injury that had prevented him either playing for Essex or being selected for England.Yet by the time Lawrence limped away from this game and towards the land of scans and specialists, Snater was already coping easily with the home attack. If Tom Bailey or Luke Wood pitched the ball up Essex’s bowling all-rounder – it’s hardly a flattering term on this evidence – hit through the line. When they dug it in, he occasionally heaved it away and even collected a six over the long-stop boundary when a top edge flew many yards above Phil Salt’s head.Snater continued in similar fashion after lunch and was only seven short of the career-best 79 he made against Northamptonshire last month when he was nailed plumb in front by a good ball from Hasan. Josh Bohannon’s magnificent pick-up and direct hit from midwicket ran out Porter and thereby ended the innings three balls later but Snater’s innings had given Essex the psychological advantage.Less than an hour later, such abstract superiority had been made flesh and dwelt amongst us. Its conduits were Cook and Porter, whose use of the new ball was sixpence and spit away from perfect. Keaton Jennings came half forward to Cook in the fifth over; Peter Hartley didn’t need to think for long. Bohannon played across the line to Porter in the eighth and Steve O’Shaughnessy was similarly swift. (Thus one alumnus of Bolton’s Harper Green High School sent a fellow alumnus on his way.) Steven Croft edged the next ball low to Alastair Cook’s left at first slip. It was eminently droppable but Cook has caught those in bigger matches than this. 8 for 3.While partners came and went, Luke Wells had been defending grimly and notching singles plus a luxurious two. Then he played no shot to a ball from Cook that tailed back in. Snater replaced Porter and Vilas tried to take the bat away from his fourth ball. Instead, he inside-edged it onto the stumps. Simon Harmer came on to bowl a bit of off-spin from the Brian Statham End and Salt hit him for the first boundaries of the innings, thus sparking congas in the 1864 Suite. Well, it was either that or the case of Gewurztraminer.Salt and Wood strolled in for tea with Lancashire’s coaches perhaps reflecting that this might not have been the time to go into a game a batsman light. The umpires came in, went out and immediately came in again, not to return until the morrow. There were 46 overs to be bowled and they have trod the path to dusty death. But Essex rule the table and might even consider this game child’s play. But cricket is not that important. Either way, they’ll be whooping it up in Wormingford tonight.

في خطوة تعكس مدى الثقة التي يكنها ريال مدريد لنجمه، فينيسيوس جونيور، يعتزم النادي منح مكافأة مستحقة للجناح على ما قدمه من أداء مبهر في السنوات الماضية، وعلى ولائه الكامل للملكي.

ويلعب فينيسيوس مع ريال مدريد منذ عام 2018 بعدما انتقل إليه من صفوف فلامنجو، كانت البداية غير جيدة، ولكن تطور أداء البرازيلي وأصبح الأفضل في العام الماضي وحصل على جائزة “ذا بيست” من فيفا.

وبحسب صحيفة “ماركا” الإسبانية، فإن ريال مدريد يقترب من تمديد عقد فينيسيوس لمدة 5 سنوات أخرى حتى 30 يونيو 2030.

اقرأ أيضًا | أنشيلوتي يعلن موقف مبابي من مباراة برشلونة.. ويؤكد: ريال مدريد ليس ضحية لهذه الدرجة

التجديد الجديد، الذي قد يُعلن قبل نهاية الموسم الجاري، لا يقتصر فقط على التمديد، بل يتضمن زيادات مالية وشروطًا جديدة تعكس القيمة الحقيقية للاعب داخل المشروع الرياضي لنادي ريال مدريد، ما يجعله أحد أعلى اللاعبين أجرًا في الفريق، كنوع من الاعتراف بمكانته.

فينيسيوس، الذي انضم إلى ريال مدريد في سنّ مبكرة، تحوّل إلى أحد أعمدة الفريق الرئيسية، وساهم بأهداف حاسمة في تتويجات النادي الأخيرة، وعلى رأسها دوري أبطال أوروبا، ما جعله يحظى بثقة الإدارة والجماهير على حدّ سواء.

ووفقًا للتقرير، فإن ريال مدريد لم يكن لديه أدنى شك في رغبته في الإبقاء على فينيسيوس، فيما أبدى اللاعب رغبة واضحة بالبقاء، وهو ما عبر عنه صراحة في مقابلة حديثة مع المركز الإعلامي للنادي، مؤكدًا أن مستقبله في الملكي، وهو ما يُترجم الآن بعقد طويل الأمد.

الخطوة تُعد أيضًا رسالة واضحة من ريال مدريد إلى الأندية الخارجية، خاصة في السعودية، التي كانت تأمل في استقطاب نجم بحجم فينيسيوس إلى دوري روشن، أسوة بما حدث مع كريستيانو رونالدو وبنزيما، لكن اللاعب فضل البقاء في أعلى مستوى تنافسي ممكن.

بهذا التجديد، يكون ريال مدريد قد وجّه رسالة ليعبر عن تقديره للاعبه الشاب، وفي المقابل، يفرض استقرارًا مهمًا على مستوى مشروعه الكروي، في ظل طموحات متجددة للعودة إلى قمة القارة الأوروبية في الموسم المقبل، مع لاعبين ملتزمين وطموحين على غرار فينيسيوس.

Wrexham's Hollywood owners have been asked to invest on a new training ground if they want sign the best of talents.

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Wrexham owners told to build new training groundWrexham without a permanent training facility for the last nine yearsRed Dragons face Stockport on SaturdayFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The Red Dragons have been without a permanent training facility for the last nine years after they lost access to their previous home at Colliers Park. Hollywood duo Reynolds and McElhenney took charge of the team in February 2021 and have heavily invested in the team that secured back-to-back promotions from the National League to League One. Off the field, the American owners have also shelled out multi-million pounds in a new academy training facility and are all set to build a new 5,500-capacity stand at the Racecourse Ground.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Despite the actors' heavy investment in the squad as well as infrastructure, ex-Wrexham boss Brian Flynn has urged them to find a permanent solution to the team's training ground problem as that will help them attract new and quality talents to the club.

WHAT BRIAN FLYNN SAID

Speaking on the Fearless in Devotion fan podcast, Flynn said: "Everything a footballer wants is a proper training ground to turn up to train at every day. We ask players to improve themselves every single day. How can you expect that when you don't know where you're training or what surface it is? It's impossible. The biggest thing that's going to help Wrexham football club is not two centre forwards – the training ground is key."

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM?

Phil Parkinson's side, who are currently third in League One, will be back in action on Saturday as they take on Stockport.

Liverpool are “in the race” to sign an “unbelievable” defender, and talks could be held in the January transfer window, according to journalist Christian Falk.

Liverpool keen on a left-back

Having failed to reach his usual heights so far this season, the Reds are looking at finding a replacement for long-serving left-back Andy Robertson, and they have identified a number of targets. Antonee Robinson and Milos Kerkez are two of the Premier League stars being considered by Arne Slot, in light of their impressive performances in the first half of the season.

Although Robertson is deemed to be an important player, there is a belief that a younger option is required for the future, and Kerkez particularly fits the bill, given that he is just 21 years old.

Two of Slot’s main targets are currently plying their trade in the Premier League, but the manager is also looking at options from further afield, with Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies, who will be a free agent in the summer, under consideration.

Liverpool’s upcoming Premier League fixtures

Date

Tottenham Hotspur (a)

December 22nd

Leicester City (h)

December 26th

West Ham United (a)

December 29th

Manchester United (h)

January 5th

Nottingham Forest (a)

January 14th

BILD reporter Falk has now provided an update on Liverpool’s pursuit of Davies, and he has indicated that a move to Anfield is still a real possibility, despite widespread interest from other clubs.

Falk said: “True: Alphonso Davies is open to a potential transfer away from Bayern Munich. He’s not 100% fixed on Manchester United or Real Madrid. I heard that talks with Bayern, at the moment, are on ice until January.

“His agent, Nick Huoseh, will talk with any interested top club in the new year. When Huoseh is on his tour of England, Liverpool could get a meeting with him. It would be a good club for Davies, of course, given they play a style of football that would suit him. Liverpool, naturally, have a chance.

“I think Manchester United and Real Madrid are more concrete by comparison at this point in time. Bayern are also applying pressure to sign him up to a new contract. They’re still hopeful about making this work. So, Liverpool are still in the race, if they want him.”

Related Liverpool pushing to sign new £25m star and could have advantage over PSG

The Reds could have advantage over PSG.

Posts ByHenry Jackson Dec 20, 2024 Davies impressing for Bayern

The 24-year-old’s attacking talents were on display for all to see at the weekend, chipping in with a goal and an assist in Bayern’s emphatic 5-1 victory over RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga.

The “unbelievable” left-back is well-known for his talent going forward, but he has also proven his defensive aptitude at times this season, perhaps making him the perfect long-term replacement for Robertson.

It will seemingly be difficult to win the race for Davies’ signature, given that a number of top clubs are keen, but his availability on a free transfer at the end of the campaign makes him a very attractive proposition.

As their search to sign a fresh attacking option continues, Newcastle United have reportedly joined the race to sign a La Liga winger alongside a number of their Premier League rivals.

Newcastle transfer news

It seems like a fairly open secret that Miguel Almiron is at the back end of his Newcastle career. The winger has lost his starting place under Eddie Howe and is now reportedly ready to leave when the January transfer window arrives. The Magpies, meanwhile, are reportedly in pursuit of a fresh face to take hold of that right-wing spot at St James’ Park.

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By
Angus Sinclair

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Bryan Mbeumo and Antoine Semenyo are names that are seemingly on the Magpies’ radar, with both enjoying excellent seasons so far in the Premier League.

Mbeumo would be a particularly impressive addition given how he can also lead the line and therefore provide potential cover for Alexander Isak. However, whether Newcastle find themselves priced out of a move by a fellow Premier League side once again remains to be seen.

The Brentford and Bournemouth stars aren’t the only options to have been mentioned, either. The Tyneside club have also turned their attention towards La Liga and one in-demand winger.

According to Graeme Bailey for The Boot Room, Paul Mitchell and Newcastle have now joined the race to sign Takefusa Kubo after Mitchell sent scouts to watch the winger score and assist in a midweek victory for Real Sociedad against Ajax.

However, officials from Liverpool, Aston Villa and Arsenal were in attendance for the winger’s show-stealing performance, sparking a tough race for his signature.

Still just 23 years old, Kubo is a player who looks destined for a big move. Given Newcastle’s current desire to upgrade the options on their right-hand side, the Japan star could quickly become the ideal signing for those at St James’ Park.

"Hero" Kubo would be an upgrade on Almiron

Yet to even reach his prime, Kubo would be an instant upgrade on Almiron and take Harvey Barnes all the way in the battle to start in Howe’s frontline.

The Sociedad star has managed four goals and one assist in all competitions in the current campaign, mirroring Barnes’ current output for Newcastle and indicating the kind of rivalry that could be created between the two should the former complete a transfer.

Having two options capable of pushing each other all the way should be seen as the key to success on Tyneside. That competition and strength in depth is something that the Magpies so desperately lack. Dubbed “Japan’s hero” by Football Talent Scout’s Jacek Kulig at the 2020 Olympics, Kubo could swap Sociedad for the Premier League when 2025 arrives.

As Newcastle search for a new hero of their own, they could turn the way of Kubo to discover an undoubted upgrade on Almiron and the ideal competition for Barnes on the right-hand side.

MatériaMais Notícias

Lúcio Flávio continua no Botafogo. O clube, que passa por mudanças estruturais desde a chegada de Luís Castro, manterá o então auxiliar técnico. O ex-meia aceitou o convite e será o novo treinador do time B, equipe sub-23 que está se formando desde a aquisição de John Textor.

Quem revelou a informação foi André Mazzuco, diretor de futebol do Glorioso, durante a apresentação de Victor Sá nesta quinta-feira, no Estádio Nilton Santos. O executivo revelou que tudo foi resolvido após uma conversa. Flávio Tênius, contudo, não deve ter o mesmo futuro.

-Toda mudança gera naturalmente realocações. Estamos sendo extremamente cuidadosos, e essa mudança está sendo feita desde antes. E é natural que alguns profissionais percam espaço ou mudem. Desses profissionais que temos, o Flávio (Tênius) é extremamente querido, temos muito respeito por ele, mas dentro dessa sistemática avaliamos outra possibilidade. Considerando a história dele precisamos considerar decisões importantes. Sendo muito respeitoso pelos profissionais – afirmou Mazzuco.

– O Lúcio é uma pessoa formidável, teve a primeira experiência como treinador, nós fizemos um convite para ele, a partir do Luís Castro, iniciar o projeto da equipe B. Conversamos com o John que isso ainda é muito vago no país, então nada melhor que o Lúcio no país. Queremos desenvolver isso com o grupo. O Lúcio aceitou o convite, deixamos ele à vontade. Nós fazemos questão que eles nos ajude. Os atletas, que dentro da ideia do Luís, alguns vamos buscar mercados, outros vamos buscar o time B, é algo muito natural. Vamos criar um espaço para que eles se desenvolvam nesse processo, é algo consistente. Nós não temos a equipe B ainda, isso está sendo criado tendo bons profissionais e os atletas tendo essa flexibilidade – revelou.

O time B será sub-23 e provavelmente vai disputar o Campeonato Brasileiro de Aspirantes durante a temporada.

Manchester City are interested in signing a £25 million player who the City Group are already aware of, according to a new report.

Man City transfer news

Given how the last few weeks have gone for Pep Guardiola and City, January could be a busy month for the Premier League champions. The fact that goals are being conceded, and they are struggling to score enough at the other end of the pitch means the Blues could be looking to strengthen multiple positions in the squad.

It was reported on Wednesday that Man City are considering signing Jarrad Branthwaite from Everton in the New Year. The Blues are taking a “keen interest” in the England international, as he has rejected several contract offers from Everton. The new Everton owners, The Friedkin Group, hope their ambitions for the future will persuade Branthwaite to stay but have made no progress yet. Branthwaite has been a long-term target of Manchester United’s, but City are now also taking an interest in the talented defender.

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Man City and Pep Guardiola are looking to hijack a Premier League team to sign a key defender.

ByBrett Worthington Dec 19, 2024

January could also be a time that City add to their forward line, as they failed to replace Julian Alvarez in the summer. The Blues have heavily relied on Erling Haaland, and they are now interested in signing PSG striker Randal Kolo Muani on loan to ease the burden. City are showing genuine interest in a possible deal, and informal contacts have been made through intermediaries to get an understanding of the player’s current situation.

Man City plotting transfer swoop for £25m player

Kolo Muani is not the only striker that is on their radar, as according to TBR Football, Man City are interested in signing Manfred Ugalde from Spartak Moscow. The 22-year-old joined the Russian side in January of this year from FC Twente, and it is a transfer that has seen his career come alive.

The Costa Rica international has 15 goals in 18 Premier Liga games this season, which is the most he has scored in a single game in his career. Spartak Moscow is Ugalde’s fourth club of his career, as he’s also played for FC Twente, Saprissa, and Lommel SK. It is the latter where the City Group already know Ugalde, as they are the ones that brought him to Europe and Lommel SK.

The report states that his form in Russia has brought him to the attention of Man City, as well as Arsenal and Chelsea. City have already been made aware by Ugalde’s representatives that he is available for £25 million, as that is what his release clause is worth.

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The Blues are said to like the young striker a lot and are keeping a close eye on him ahead of the January transfer window opening. But as well as the three teams being mentioned as interested sides, there are also teams such as Nottingham Forest, Tottenham, Liverpool, West Ham, and Newcastle United, as well as teams across Europe.

Following a difficult start to the season under new manager Julen Lopetegui, West Ham United have reportedly set their sights on signing a Champions League winner who could arrive for a bargain price.

West Ham transfer news

The Hammers splashed the cash in the summer transfer window, welcoming the likes of Crysencio Summerville, Max Kilman and Jean-Clair Todibo. But it’s been to no avail in Lopetegui’s first campaign in the charge and it’s only in recent weeks that he’s begun to save his job following a tumultious spell.

The Hammers were even linked with names such as Massimiliano Allegri, but it looks as though those at the London Stadium are sticking with their summer choice for the time being.

Following draws against high-flying Bournemouth and Brighton & Hove Albion as well as victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers to make it three games without defeat, that decision has so far been justified.

With Lopetegui’s job seemingly safe for now, the Hammers now looks set to turn their attention towards the January transfer window and potentially landing a bargain deal.

According to reports in Spain, West Ham have set their sights on signing Hakim Ziyech in the January transfer window, with the Galatasaray winger possibly terminating his current contract at the Turkish giants to become a free agent next month.

In what could be a bargain free deal, West Ham may welcome Ziyech back to the Premier League just six months after he left London rivals Chelsea on a permanent basis.

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The Hammers are moving early.

ByEmilio Galantini Dec 21, 2024

A move that would steal the headlines, it may be worth the gamble for those at the London Stadium. Whilst Ziyech is 31 years old and now arguably edging past the peak of his powers, the possibility of securing such a player’s signature without having to splash out on a transfer fee is one that the Hammers may not be able to resist.

"Decisive" Ziyech could come back to haunt Chelsea

If they need any more incentive to pursue Ziyech’s signature, then the fact that the Moroccan could come back to haunt London rivals Chelsea should help to tip the balance. The Galatasaray winger certainly brings plenty of experience to the table too, having become a Champions League winner when Chelsea defeated Manchester City in the 2021 final. And that experience may prove to be vital for a number of sides.

In the end, Ziyech endured a mixed spell at Stamford Bridge and one that ended with a whimper more than anything else. At his best, however, the former Ajax man earned high praise from former manager Thomas Tuchel, who told reporters via The Independent in 2021: “The attitude with which he arrived here was absolutely the right attitude to grow and to show personality, and this is what he did.

“He was fantastic from day one. He was decisive in every single friendly game we played and he was decisive in the first competitive game, in the final against Villarreal.”