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South Africa’s search for a quality spinner could end next year, when legspinner Imran Tahir, who was born in Lahore, qualifies to play for the country

Cricinfo staff30-Oct-2008
Imran Tahir will be eligible to play for South Africa next year © Getty Images
South Africa’s search for a quality spinner could end next year, when legspinner Imran Tahir, who was born in Lahore, qualifies to play for the country. Tahir, married to a South African woman, will be available to play for South Africa on April 1, 2009, and the bowler is eager to play at the “highest level”.”South Africa is now my country,” Tahir said. “I’ll be available for South Africa on April 1.” That date will be exactly fours years since Tahir played for Pakistan A. If South Africa’s selectors decide to pick Tahir, who plays for the Titans, he could be in line for his debut during the home ODI series against Australia, which starts on April 3.”My biggest ambition, ever since I was a boy in Pakistan, has been to play cricket at the highest level. If I can do so for South Africa, I’ll give everything. I am a South African now and this is where my loyalty lies.”Tahir, 29, has taken 291 first-class wickets at an average of 25.07 and 74 List A scalps at 21.74. In the 2007-08 season, he took 31 wickets in six first-class games for the Titans and 14 in eight one-dayers at an average of 16.50 and economy-rate of 4.21. He joined Hampshire for the 2008 county season and was one of the better overseas signings: in seven Championship matches, he took 44 wickets at 16.68.”I have learnt that patience is important; patience when you bowl and also in how you handle life,” he said. “I enjoy a challenge and it will be a huge challenge to try to get into my new country’s team. I realise, therefore, that much attention will be focused on me when I play for the Titans in the domestic season. I will have to perform. But I believe in my ability. That’s why I don’t back away from any challenge.”I still have a number of years of good cricket in me. The support I receive from my family and friends also helps a lot. I believe one should work hard to get what you want. After I was selected for Pakistan’s Under-19 team, I bowled on my own for three hours a day. That’s where my accuracy comes from.”

MatériaMais Notícias

No dia seguinte ao aniversário de dez anos do milésimo gol de Romário, marcado com a camisa do Vasco, Luis Fabiano, principal nome do elenco comandado por Milton Mendes, chegou ao seu gol 400. Na manhã deste domingo, com São Januário lotado, Fabuloso fez o seu melhor jogo pelo Cruz-Maltino. Na vitória sobre o Bahia por 2 a 1, válida pela segunda rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro, o camisa 9 deu assistência para um dos gols e fez o outro. Festa completa para os 19.030 vascaínos presentes.

Foi o primeiro jogo desde que chegou ao Vasco em que Nenê ficou fora do time titular por opção do treinador. Milton Mendes justificou antes de a bola rolar que a estratégia de tirar o meia de 36 anos era a de dar mais velocidade ao meio de campo. A entrada de Kelvin no seu lugar, somada à estreia do zagueiro Paulão, mudaram a cara de um Vasco que não mostrava que tinha boas ambições na temporada com o que apresentara até então.

O Vasco variava o esquema, atrapalhando as ofensivas do Bahia. De um 4-5-1 sem a posse de bola, uma espécie de 3-6-1 era improvisado com Jean virando zagueiro quando a equipe comandada pelo técnico Milton Mendes tinha a posse. Logo aos sete minutos, o Cruz-Maltino criava a primeira chance com Luis Fabiano em cabeceio após cobrança de falta de Douglas. Aos 13, Fabuloso parava novamente no goleiro Jean, do Bahia.

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Apesar da boa movimentação no primeiro tempo, Vasco e Bahia foram para o vestiário no intervalo com o 0 a 0 no placar. Mas engana-se quem pensa que ficaria assim na etapa final, quando os gols começaram a sair. Aos oito minutos, Luis Fabiano deu bela assistência para Yago Pikachu dominar, tirar de Jean e estufar as redes baianas.

E a expectativa que se criava nos últimos jogos pelo gol 400 de Luis Fabiano na carreira chegou ao fim neste Vasco e Bahia aos 30 minutos. Mateus Pet avançou e tocou para Gilberto, que cruzou. Kelvin mandou para o gol e Jean fez a defesa. A bola deu rebote nos pés de Luis Fabiano, que não perdoou e marcou o primeiro gol pelo Cruz-Maltino em São Januário, além de ter alcançado a marca histórica na carreira.

Aos 37, ainda deu tempo do Bahia descontar com Gustavo, após Wagner perder a bola e permitir o contra-ataque. Armero, nos acréscimos, recebeu o segundo cartão amarelo e deixou os baianos com um a menos, que nada mais tiveram a chance de fazer. Vitória do Vasco para um estádio lotado, um Caldeirão que volta a mostrar a sua força e que o clube deve se atentar até o fim do Campeonato Brasileiro para conseguir voos mais altos.

O Vasco voltará a campo no próximo sábado, quando fará clássico em São Januário contra o Fluminense, às 19h. Já o Bahia decidirá no meio de semana a Copa do Nordeste com o Sport, na Fonte Nova. No primeiro jogo, empate por 1 a 1 na Ilha do Retiro.

FICHA TÉCNICA
VASCO 2 X 1 BAHIA

Estádio: São Januário, no Rio de Janeiro (RJ)
Data/hora: 21/5/2017 – 11h (de Brasília)
Árbitro: Leandro Bizzio Marinho (SP)
Auxiliares: Daniel Paulo Ziolli (SP) e Daniel Luis Marques (SP)
Renda/público: R$ 649.110,00/19.030 presentes/17.770 pagantes
Cartões amarelos: Jean, Luis Fabiano, Gilberto e Martin Silva (VAS); Gustavo e Armero (BAH)
Cartão vermelho: Armero 46’/2ºT (BAH)

GOLS: Yago Pikachu 8’/2ºT (1-0), Luis Fabiano 30’/2ºT (2-0) e Gustavo 37’/2ºT (2-1)

VASCO: Martin Silva, Gilberto, Paulão, Rafael Marques (Breno 1’/2ºT) e Henrique; Jean (Bruno Cosendey 28’/2ºT), Douglas, Yago Pikachu (Wagner 25’/2ºT), Mateus Pet e Kelvin; Luis Fabiano. Técnico: Milton Mendes.

BAHIA: Jean, Eduardo, Tiago, Eder e Armero; Matheus Sales (Edigar Junio 25’/2ºT), Edson, Juninho e Diego Rosa (Zé Rafael intervalo); Gustavo e Maikon Leite (Allione intervalo). Técnico: Guto Ferreira.

Cricinfo staff04-Aug-2008
Adam Gilchrist has high hopes for the game over the next 12 years © Getty Images
Adam Gilchrist is leading a player push for Twenty20 to be included in the 2020 Olympics, believing it is an essential step in securing the game’s global future. With the start of the Beijing event less than a week away, Gilchrist says the cricket “pipedream” is a “potential reality” following the success of the new format and the Indian Premier League.”It doesn’t matter where the 2020 Olympic Games are held, but many of us who’ve experienced international Twenty20 cricket and the IPL are convinced that cricket should bid to become an Olympic sport in time for the Games,” Gilchrist wrote in the Deccan Chronicle. Cricket was part of the 1900 Olympics before being cut, but last year it gained “recognition status” from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for two years.”We have a responsibility to grow our game in new territories and amongst the women of the world,” Gilchrist wrote. “I believe the Olympic Games is the vehicle the sport should use to aggressively sell the message of our sport to all 202 competing Olympic nations, so our sport is strong and robust in countries where it is currently played, and exciting and ground-breaking in countries who haven’t yet caught the ‘cricket-bug’.”To receive “programme status” at the 2020 Olympics, cricket would need to be approved by the IOC at a meeting seven years before the event. Twenty-six sports are part of the Beijing schedule and there are currently two vacancies for future Games. Golf, karate, baseball, softball, rugby sevens and roller sports are among the disciplines currently competing for the right to be involved in 2016.Gilchrist believes it is time to start serious lobbying. “Between 2009 and 2013 cricket would promote itself to the IOC as a prospective sport and, if we get it right, cricket will be invited to the Olympic party in 2020,” he said.Each Full Member cricket board has been asked by the ICC to have two national men and women players complete Olympic questionnaires. The responses in Australia have been favourable and Gilchrist, a key performer in the IPL, has also sounded out excited colleagues from Australia, South Africa and England.Gilchrist experienced the surge of interest in Twenty20 during his time with the Deccan Chargers earlier this year and is convinced the IPL revolution has “changed cricket forever”. Now he wants the BCCI’s officials to work with the ICC to help take it to the Olympics.”They would be investing in the future of the sport because by having a men’s and women’s competition at the Olympic Games many more countries would be drawn to cricket,” he said. “It wouldn’t surprise me if countries like the USA, China, Italy, France and Japan become competitive very quickly in Twenty20, especially in women’s Twenty20. I believe that in time the success of cricket at the Olympic Games will lead to more Test-playing nations, something that the sport will need in the coming century.”Gilchrist feels the aim is realistic. “The Olympic movement knows it needs to increase its presence in the Asian subcontinent as India, Pakistan and Bangladesh contribute nearly 22% of the world’s population. In theory, this is a win-win for the Olympic movement and the ICC and its members.”India collected only a silver medal in Athens in 2004 while Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh failed to finish in the top three of any event. Cricket would dramatically increase each of the nations’ chances of reaching the podium while lifting interest in the subcontinent.Next year’s Twenty20 World Championship in England will be held over 16 days, one day shorter than the Olympic programme. Supporters of cricket’s push believe the length of the tournament – and its high-energy matches – is another valid reason for its inclusion.

Former Premier League striker Dean Windass isn’t surprised that Newcastle United didn’t attempt to sign Olivier Giroud this summer.

Manager Steve Bruce told talkSPORT in January that the club had failed in an attempt to bring the 6 ft 4 French striker to St James’ Park.

With the news from January and the fact that Giroud was able to leave Stamford Bridge this summer, it was possible that Bruce could’ve gone back in for the forward and tempt him to go to the North-East.

Windass wasn’t surprised that Newcastle didn’t make a move for Giroud, telling Football FanCast: “I think the Premier League is a bit too quick for him now and I think Steve will have looked at that.

“It’s not just about scoring goals, winning your headers and holding the ball, it’s about closing from the front and he’s not played a lot of football, so no I’m not surprised Steve never went for him.”

The 34-year-old striker put pen to paper on a deal with AC Milan this summer after three years at Stamford Bridge. Whilst with the Blues, Giroud found the back of the net on 39 occasions and provided another 14 goals for his teammates in all competitions.

Newcastle will be hoping to build on their 12th-place finish in the Premier League last season and by adding another attacking dimension to their ranks, would take the burden off Callum Wilson who was the club’s leading goalscorer in the league last season with 12 goals.

The next highest goalscorer after Wilson was loanee Joe Willock, who got eight, despite only arriving in January, and then after him it was Miguel Almiron with four.

Wasim Akram, the former Pakistan captain, said on Monday he will consider coaching the Pakistan team if offered the role.”Coaching Pakistan is a matter of great pride. It is my way of returning something back to cricket which gave me so much,” he told reporters on the opening day of the specialised coaching camp for fast bowlers at the Gaddafi Stadium.Akram, along with National Cricket Academy chief coach Mudassar Nazar and coach Aaqib Javed, is supervising the seven-day long camp aimed at polishing the talent of 16 upcoming bowlers .Akram said he was busy with his media commitments but that he would definitely consider an offer from the Pakistan board. “But I am already serving cricket as I am always there to take on short coaching assignments the way I am doing now,” he said.He also said Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson, currently in his home town in Australia, should join the national team’s training camp as soon as possible. “I think the coach should be there when the camp starts and he must be there to supervise the training,” he said when told that Lawson might arrive late for the team’s training camp for the tri-series in Bangladesh, which starts on June 8.

An update has emerged regarding Leeds United’s interest in PSV Eindhoven forward Noni Madueke.

What’s the talk?

According to the Evening Standard, the Whites are among a number of clubs interested in signing the 19-year-old this summer.

The report claims that Tottenham, Crystal Palace and Bayern Munich are also chasing the England under-21 international, who left Spurs to join PSV in 2018.

Costa replacement

Last month, Football Insider reported that Jorge Mendes is working on a potential transfer for Leeds winger Helder Costa. The former Wolves man is now surplus to requirements at Elland Road, with Marcelo Bielsa ready to green-light a deal and Mendes eyeing up a La Liga switch for Costa.

He managed three goals and three assists in 23 appearances for the club last term, with two goals and one assist coming in the first two matches. This suggests that Leeds will need a player to come in and replace him this summer, as he was unable to provide consistent quality in the top flight.

Madueke could be that player. Victor Orta must secure a deal for the flyer in the coming weeks as he could be a terrific addition to the squad and add more goals and assists than Costa was able to provide. In the 2020/21 campaign, Madueke was directly involved in 14 goals in 11 starts for PSV, with 10 goals and four assists to his name.

Former England under-21 head coach Aidy Boothroyd called him a “powerhouse” and highlighted his ability to score and create goals. The 50-year-old said: “He’s a powerhouse of a player, technically very good, left-footed and likes to come in off the side of the pitch, off the right and go and link.

“He’s got a goal in him, he’s very creative. He’s got a massive smile, a lovely kid. The lads have taken to him, as they would because he’s a good player, he has that respect for what he’s done at PSV.”This shows that he could have the potential to come in and make an impact in the Premier League for Leeds. Although it is difficult to judge the bridge in quality between England and the Netherlands, Boothroyd clearly feels that the winger has the quality to make it at the top, and he still has time on his side to improve further.Madueke is eight years younger than Costa, so he has the potential to develop as he gains more experience in his career, whereas the current Leeds forward should be in his prime years and is not delivering the goods. Therefore, Bielsa could work with the 19-year-old PSV talent on the training ground to mould him into the perfect winger for his system.This is why the teenager could be the perfect replacement for Costa, as he has shown that he has the potential to improve upon his goals and assists tallies. He could also have long-term value for the club, as he could be sold on for a profit in the future if Bielsa is able to help him take his game to the next level.AND in other news, Exclusive: Carlton Palmer refuses to rule out Leeds move for speed demon amid Phil Hay claim…

Celtic’s first pre-season encounter threatened to disappoint until the fruits of Ange Postecoglou’s labour shone through.

The Hoops endured a nightmare start by conceding after three minutes but the pressing that the Australian is renowned for became greater as the game went on, eventuality prevailing 3-1.

What’s the word?

Wednesday afternoon’s win was the ideal start to Postecoglou’s tenure but you sense as though his opening few months at Parkhead will be judged on transfer activity.

The Bhoys have already welcomed Liam Shaw and Osaze Urhoghide to the club in the last few weeks but they are keen to press on with further acquisitions.

That was the word of the new manager who in his post-match press conference, excitingly revealed that they hope to have some more announcements in the next week or so.

The 55-year-old commented: “We are working on multiple fronts. There are some pretty obvious gaps we have in the squad. They are the areas we are working really hard to find the right players.”

Postecoglou continued: “I know exactly how I want to play and the kind of players we need. So we are looking far and wide. There’s challenges with getting players into the country and doing business so early in the window.

He concluded: “The whole club is working hard and I’m hoping over the next week or so, we have some announcements.”

Ideal news

These are a set of quotes that are likely to leave the supporters at Paradise absolutely elated.

Celtic have started the transfer window in promising fashion and they are in talks to sign a number of players.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-celtic-news-doig-nketiah-mccann” title= “Read the latest Celtic transfer news!”]

Conversations have reportedly been taking place over the signing of Croatian defender Mario Vuskovic while discussions have been had over Bologna’s Aaron Hickey as well.

Those two players aren’t the only defenders in the crosshairs of Celtic as they aim to improve on a disastrous 2020/21 campaign.

A move for Swedish centre-half Carl Starfelt could be on the cards while Cameron Carter-Vickers is on their radar as well.

This summer, more than any other, Postecoglou needs to complete transfer activity quickly.

They have a number of holes to fill in the squad with Scott Brown departing and loan players heading back to their parent clubs.

The sooner they get new players in, the quicker they’ll be up to speed with the manager’s style. It’s doubly important that fresh faces arrive over the next week so that they’re ready to feature in Champions League qualifying.

At the moment, Celtic could head into that game with Midtjylland without James Forrest who is a doubt. They also have a particular shortage at right-back.

Consequently, Hoops fans should be delighted if they address those areas during the next seven days.

It will be a major boost to their hopes of being in the group stages of Europe’s premier competition next term.

AND in other news, Celtic open talks to sign “unbelievable” 13-goal gem, he may end Christie’s Hoops stay…

Sheffield United may be set for a nervy few weeks ahead, as they look to keep hold of their key players heading into the upcoming 2021/22 campaign.

The Blades were relegated into the Championship after a hugely disappointing season under the management of Chris Wilder last term.

Wilder has since departed the club, with former Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic now in charge of the Blades for the upcoming Championship campaign.

Jokanovic could turn out to be a smart appointment in the future for Sheffield United, with the 52-year-old winning promotion with the Cottagers earlier in his managerial career.

But to get another promotion on his CV, the newly-appointed Sheffield United boss will be hoping the key members in his squad can remain at Bramall Lane.

Sander Berge is one of those, but it remains to be seen as to whether he’ll remain a Blades player by the time they get their new league campaign underway on Saturday 7th August against Birmingham City, in what could potentially be a tough test for Jokanovic’s side.

The Norwegian midfielder has been with Sheffield United since 2020 and has evidently caught the eye with some strong performances, with the likes of Arsenal, Aston Villa, Liverpool and Napoli just some of the clubs rumoured to be interested in a deal to sign the 23-year-old.

Berge made 16 appearances in all competitions for the Blades last term, although his efforts weren’t quite enough as they were relegated into the Championship last term.

Football.london have since revealed that Berge would be open to the possibility of a move to Arsenal this summer if they were to push ahead with their reported interest in landing his signature this summer.

Berge has established himself as a firm fans favourite at Bramall Lane, and the club’s supporters will be reluctant to see him leave the club before the transfer window slams shut in the coming months.

They’re likely to be fighting a losing battle to keep Berge

Sheffield United have already revealed that they’re keen to keep their key players at the club for the foreseeable future, which will have been pleasing to see for the club’s fans.

The likes of Aaron Ramsdale have also been linked with moves elsewhere, but the Blades’ valuation of the shot-stopper is likely to price the likes of Arsenal out of a move for the 23-year-old.

But with Berge reportedly being open to a move to Arsenal whilst still contracted to Sheffield United, it could mean that Jokanovic’s side are fighting a losing battle to keep Berge at Bramall Lane.

The club won’t be wanting to keep an unhappy player at the club, and so that could see them cash-in on him for a cheaper price than what they’d originally hoped for.

An interesting few weeks ahead

If this report from football.london does turn out to be true, it’s far from ideal preparation ahead of the 2021/22 league campaign for Sheffield United.

Jokanovic will be wanting to have a group of players that are committed and all heading in the same direction, with promotion back into the Premier League being the main aim for the Blades.

The next few weeks are likely to tell us a considerable amount about where Berge’s future lies amid links to Arsenal.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Tribunal de Contas do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (TCE-RJ) fez uma recomendação nesta terça-feira pela anulação do contrato de concessão do Maracanã, firmado pelo governo estadual em 2013, o que ocasionaria na realização de um novo processo de licitação.

A recomendação se faz presente no documento no qual o TCE determina a retenção da verba resultante de uma possível venda da concessão do estádio, caso o contrato não seja anulado. O voto aprovado foi relatado pelo conselheiro José Gomes Graciosa durante sessão plenária nesta terça-feira, 7 de março.

O presidente do Flamengo, Eduardo Bandeira de Mello, ficou animado com a recomendação do TCE.

– Isso levaria obrigatoriamente à realização de uma nova licitação, o que o Flamengo sempre defendeu. Você parte do zero com muito mais segurança jurídica, possibilidade de corrigir erros do contrato anterior, partindo para uma coisa nova, da qual os clubes possam participar – disse Bandeira, que ainda acrescentou:

-O Flamengo, em qualquer situação, tem que ser considerado protagonista, responsável por 70%, 80% do conteúdo do estádio. Em uma nova licitação, os clubes vão poder participar de uma maneira mais direta.

O Tribunal decidiu ainda fazer duas auditorias governamentais extraordinárias. A primeira será para inspecionar os cálculos que embasaram os valores e a viabilidade da primeira negociação. Já a segunda terá o intuito de monitorar a operação de transferência do bloco de controle da atual concessão a terceiros (no cenário atual, Lagardère e GL Events).

Em nota, o TCE explicou que a “a determinação não é um entrave para a solução dos problemas que afetam o Maracanã”. A decisão “visa resguardar o Estado de possíveis danos financeiros”, explicou o órgão.

Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa must make a ruthless call on Poland international Mateusz Klich ahead of the new Premier League season after David Norris’ latest transfer claim.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent weeks have linked the Whites with moves for the likes of Cagliari’s Nahitan Nandez and Udinese’s Rodrigo De Paul, and Norris has now suggested that Klich could be the fall guy for a potential move for one of those midfielders.

When asked if Klich should be worried about his game-time next season in the Premier League, he said: “Yeah, I think Klich might be because he hasn’t set it on fire and it hasn’t gone well for him. So I think potentially, it could be a bit more difficult for him.”

Bielsa should axe him

While four goals and five assists in the Premier League last season is hardly anything to be sniffed at, Klich endured a rather disappointing campaign overall for the Whites – in fact, as per Whoscored, out of those players who started more than ten games, the Polish ace was the third-worst ranked player in the entire squad, with only Tyler Roberts and Helder Costa below him.

He averaged just 1.1 tackles (even Raphinha managed the same), and only 0.3 interceptions per game (Tyler Roberts had the same). And offensively, he wasn’t much of a threat either, averaging the sixth-most shots, and the 12th most dribbles – in fact, centre-back Diego Llorente averaged the same amount of dribbles as Klich did.

De Paul, however, seems to be the perfect fit for what Bielsa wants at Elland Road, with his ability to score goals and also be a defensive menace, making him a superb box-to-box option – he bagged an impressive nine goals and provided a further 11 assists in all competitions last season.

That completeness is something Udinese’s technical director, Pier Paolo Marino, has praised the £26m-rated star for, saying: “Rodrigo is animated by a profound love of football. It’s one of the attributes all top players must have. He’s a tireless worker who mixes quantity with quality, training as hard as he plays. In a nutshell, he’s the ideal player.”

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/leeds-united-marcelo-bielsa-transfer-gossip-rumours-news-elland-road-rodrigo-de-paul” title=”Read the latest Leeds transfer rumours and news!”]

If Leeds want to take that next step, then making those ruthless calls on players who have been almost stalwarts at the club simply have to be made.

And while the £3.6m-rated Klich has been a first-team regular for so long now, De Paul would be a major upgrade on him, and that’s exactly why the 31-year-old simply isn’t good enough to be a Leeds starter anymore.

Meanwhile, Marcelo Bielsa is eyeing this star who he wanted back in 2018…