Pakistan are set to host SL, tour Australia, and play Ireland home and away as well as feature in the Commonwealth and Asian Games

Umar Farooq28-Mar-2022The PCB has chalked out a year-long calendar for women’s cricket, comprising extensive international and domestic cricket including home series against Sri Lanka and Ireland and Pakistan’s participation in the Commonwealth and Asian Games this year. The board has also revived its Under-19 tournament after eight-and-a-half years.The Women’s PSL is not part of this year’s calendar, though ESPNcricinfo understands the PCB is working out the feasibility of the tournament and, under chairman Ramiz Raja, has ambitions of organising the event in March 2023.Related

PCB launches women's Under-19 T20 tournament

Tuba earns maiden PCB central contract; Javeria demoted after disappointing season

Bismah Maroof's daughter denied accreditation for Commonwealth Games

Sri Lanka Women to tour Pakistan for three ODIs and T20Is in May-June

Sri Lanka Women to not tour Pakistan in October as SLC-PCB talks fall through

The series against Sri Lanka, which was postponed last year following a change of leadership in the PCB, is now scheduled to be played from May 18 to June 7, with the series falling under the ICC Women’s Championship cycle.Following this, Pakistan are set to tour Ireland in July for a triangular series that also includes Australia as the third team. This will be immediately followed by the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in July-August.In September, Pakistan are due to travel to Hangzhou, China, for the 2022 Asian Games, before returning home for a three-ODI, three-T20I series against Ireland in October-November. The year is then set to end with the Women’s T20 Asia Cup, which is due to take place in December, though further details are still awaited.The Women’s T20 World Cup is set to be played in South Africa in February 2023, and Pakistan’s preparations for the event will conclude with a tour of Australia from January 4 to Feb 1, comprising three ODIs and three T20Is.Under-19 domestic tournament to serve as talent pathway
The year-long calendar – the first one the PCB has announced for women’s cricket – includes a blueprint for the domestic circuit as well.The national youth-level tournament was disbanded in 2013 due to a policy shift and a change of leadership in the PCB. Before that, there had been a national Under-17 event that took place from 2004 to 2008, which was replaced by a regional Under-19 tournament that was a regular event from 2009 to 2013. A Pakistan A team was formed thereafter, comprising players from the Under-19 circuit and those on the fringes of the senior national side.The PCB is reviving its Under-19 women’s domestic tournament after an eight-year gap•AFP via Getty ImagesThe pathway to the national team, however, had always been vague, with no solid link between the grassroots and the top 30-35 women players in the country. The investment in women’s cricket had narrowed down to two major tournaments, with three teams playing the National T20 and ODI Challenge Cups.Seeking to expand the talent pool in women’s cricket, the PCB has announced a new T20 tournament featuring six provincial Under-19 teams, which will take place in August 2022. The best players from this level could go on to feature in the senior domestic season.The senior season will begin with a two-phase T20 tournament in September-October. The first phase is a four-team event featuring the best players from the six provincial associations; the top performers from this phase will play alongside the best international players in the second phase of the championship, a three-team tournament.The women’s domestic season will conclude in April-May 2023 with a 50-overs tournament featuring four teams playing each other in a double-round-robin format.Pakistan exited the ongoing ODI World Cup campaign at the league stage, but managed to break their 18-match losing streak in the tournament. However, they lost six out of seven games to finish bottom of the table, their only win an upset of West Indies in a rain-hit contest. The last team Pakistan had beaten in a World Cup was also West Indies, back in 2009.”The past few weeks have brought to light the gulf between our side and the leading international teams,” Tania Mallick, the PCB’s head of women’s cricket, said. “To develop and strengthen our national side, it is imperative to have a strong and competitive domestic structure and provide more opportunities to the national side to play in challenging conditions so we continue to gauge where we stand.”We have put in a lot of thinking before penning down our upcoming season. I am grateful to all six Cricket Associations who have jumped on board and expressed their desire and willingness to develop women’s cricket at age group and senior rungs in their jurisdictions. Their help and support will unearth talent from all parts of the country and, with a strong system in place, I am sure we will be able to produce players who are capable of performing according to the contemporary demands and needs.”

Newcastle United are believed to be eyeing a move for a “super” player in the January transfer window, according to a new update from The Athletic.

Newcastle transfer news

The next window is now only just over a month away from opening, meaning the Magpies are being linked with plenty of potential new signings. Motherwell teenager Lennon Miller is reportedly a target, with the 18-year-old a midfielder who could have a massive future in the game.

Meanwhile, Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo has been mentioned as a front-runner to come in and bolster Newcastle’s quality on the right wing. The 24-year-old has scored four goals in 12 appearances in the Premier League so far this season.

On the flip side, some Newcastle players are being linked with moves away from St James’ Park, not least star striker Alexander Isak. The Swede is wanted by the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal, although £115m may be needed to prise him away from the Magpies.

Miguel Almiron’s exit from Newcastle also looks increasingly likely in January, with the 30-year-old not a big part of Eddie Howe’s plans anymore, hence the need for a player of Semenyo’s ilk. The player himself is keen on a new challenge at this point in his career, so it would arguably be a surprise if he was still at St James’ during the second half of the season.

Newcastle eyeing January move for "super" player

According to a new report from The Athletic, relayed by The 72, Newcastle are eyeing a move for Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney in the next window.

A January move for the 22-year-old is mooted, with the update stating that he is being “watched” by the Magpies, as they contemplate new signings midway through the season.

Hackney may not be the world-renowned player that many Newcastle fans want to come in, but he is an excellent young footballer who can be seen as an exciting option for the long-term future.

Still only 22 years of age, the Englishman has become a key player for Boro, starting 14 matches in the Championship this season, scoring twice in that time. Meanwhile, Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has lauded him in the past, saying:

“I’ve watched Hayden Hackney from afar, seeing his career flourish. There’s no better teacher for him than Michael, and he’ll enjoy the way Middlesbrough play. He’s a super player, and Morris is a good player in there too.”

Hackney may not be arriving at Newcastle as a key player, but he could be a brilliant squad option for Howe, having won seven caps for England’s Under-21s in the past, as well as being capped for Scotland’s Under-21s and England’s Under-15s in the past.

Newcastle could now sign "exciting" £5m sensation over Celtic and Rangers

He’s one of Scotland’s brightest talents.

By
Tom Cunningham

Nov 29, 2024

Planning for the future is always important, rather than simply signing players who can immediately be stars for Newcastle, and the fact that Hackney is a homegrown talent can only be a good thing, in terms of the English quota within the squad, making this one to watch.

Glasgow Rangers are set to travel over to Hampden Park on Sunday in the final of the League Cup, as Philippe Clement aims to win the competition for the second time.

The Belgian head coach lifted the trophy early on in his Gers tenure last year, beating Aberdeen 1-0 in the final, and will now have to overcome Celtic to secure a second piece of silverware in his time at Ibrox.

Rangers come into this match off the back of an impressive 1-1 draw against Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League on Thursday night.

The Light Blues, however, could be without multiple key players from that starting XI after they picked up a couple of injury concerns against Ange Postecoglou’s side.

The latest Rangers injury news

Central defender John Souttar suffered a knock in the first half of the 1-1 draw at Ibrox and had to be replaced by veteran titan Leon Balogun.

Hamza Igamane was then forced off in the second half after going down holding his leg, but neither player had to be stretchered off by the medical staff.

After the match, Clement did not rule out their involvement on Sunday but did admit that it was too soon to tell and that they would have to monitor how Souttar and Igamane feel ahead of the cup final.

Losing the Moroccan forward to injury would be a huge blow for Rangers ahead of their clash with Celtic, as he has been in terrific form of late, with five goals and one assist in his last five appearances in all competitions.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast's Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Expand Collapse

Cyriel Dessers came on to replace him against Tottenham but Clement must forget about the Nigeria international and unleash a different forward in Igamane’s place, should he miss out through injury.

The Rangers striker who should replace Igamane

The Belgian head coach should unleash Danilo, who was unavailable for the Spurs draw, as the starting striker for Rangers in the League Cup final to replace the Moroccan ace, although he should start either way.

Clement should start the Brazilian star whether Igamane is fit or not, as the 22-year-old summer signing played on the left with Danilo up front in the last Scottish Premiership match – a 3-0 win over Ross County.

If Igamane is unavailable, though, and it is a straight decision between the ex-Feyenoord man and Dessers for the starting role on Sunday, the former should come out on top.

24/25 Premiership

Danilo

Dessers

Appearances

6

14

Minutes

250

851

Goals

3

6

Shots on target per game

1.7

0.9

Big chances created

3

2

Touches per game

23.3

16.9

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Danilo has outperformed the Rangers number nine at Premiership level since his return from injury recently.

The Brazilian dynamo, who was described as an “exciting” talent by Michael Beale, offers a greater threat in front of goal in comparison to Dessers, with more touches, shots on target, and ‘big chances’ created despite playing fewer matches and averaging fewer minutes per appearance.

Related Clement could have his own Matt O'Riley in "exciting" Rangers star

The Glasgow Rangers attacker could be the club’s answer to Matt O’Riley next summer.

Posts ByDan Emery Dec 13, 2024

This suggests that the former Eredivisie marksman is more likely to make a difference at the top end of the pitch at Hampden Park this weekend in the League Cup final, which is why he should come in to replace Igamane up front, instead of Dessers.

Former Manchester United manager praises Atlanta defender as the type of player that could challenge Suarez

Solskjaer highlights Gregersen's physical and mental attributesComments come ahead of Atlanta United's match with Inter MiamiNorwegian defender's World Cup ambitions also discussedGetty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, former Manchester United manager and current Besiktas head coach, praised Atlanta United defender Stian Rode Gregersen for his skills.

In a recent interview, Solskjaer singled out Gregersen as the type of defender that even a seasoned striker such as Luis Suarez would find challenging to face. The Champions League winner also coached Gregersen during his spell at Molde and admitted that he wouldn't have wanted to play against the Atlanta defender.

“You know I was a forward myself and Stian is exactly the type you don’t want to play against," he said. "Say for (Luis) Suarez then, who’s done everything in his football career. Probably the last type of player he wants to play against is Stian’s type."

AdvertisementWATCH THE VIDEOTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Gregersen has made 10 appearances for the Norwegian national team since his debut in 2021. His most recent international outings were in Norway's Nations League victories against Slovenia and Kazakhstan in November.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty Images SportWHAT’S NEXT?

After a tough start to the 2025 MLS season, Atlanta United sit 11th on the Eastern Conference table, having won just one of their opening three league games.

They host the Herons next at the Mercedes-Benz stadium before going on the road to face FC Cincinnati on March 16 and 22, respectively.

Compared to the serene circumstances that Essex had enjoyed for most of the opening day at Chelmsford, Matt Critchley’s maiden innings for the club had begun amid a healthy degree of jeopardy. From 220 for 0 with one century banked and another on the way, his appearance at 262 for 4 with 13 balls of the first day remaining was a sub-optimal situation, to say the least.And yet, all things are relative when you’ve spent the past few seasons as a perpetual middle-order firefighter in a rather less vaunted county line-up. Never mind a 200-run platform from your openers – on the opening day in 2019, Critchley had watched his Derbyshire top-order slump to 0 for 2, even before the season had officially started. And then, as if to prove that that opening gambit had been no fluke, they reprised that exact scoreline at Edgbaston last summer – a year ago to the day in fact – then even went one notch worse with a third duck inside the first half an hour.And yet, on each occasion, Critchley had been instrumental in battling back from that initial adversity – with vital runs and wickets in an unlikely 125-run win on the former occasion, and then with twin innings of 64 and 83 to grind out a draw. Such were the circumstances that made his 1000-run haul last summer all the more impressive, and why – during a mightily impressive century on Essex debut – he looked like a man thoroughly at ease with the expectations of his new surroundings.”It wasn’t even 11 o’clock yet!” Critchley recalled of that 2019 scramble for pads. “It was definitely a lot more chilled this time. Chef [Alastair Cook] is the best in the business, and Browny [Nick Browne] is up there among English openers. Westley, Lawrence … it’s a pretty good line-up to come behind. Hopefully I can wait up there with a coffee for a long time to come.”The second morning dawned brighter and less breezy than the first, and briefly it seemed the pitch had woken up in a more playful mood too. After an all-run four to get his juices pumping first-ball, Tom Westley lasted just six overs before Jackson Bird lured him outside his eyeline with some extra zip off the deck, and suddenly, with that slump now extended to 5 for 68 in 20.2 overs, Essex were in some danger of squandering their first-day efforts.Related

• Notts made to scrap after Tom Clark, Steven Finn land blows for Sussex

• Shan Masood misses Lord's ton but provides solid foundation for Derbyshire

• Ben Foakes' unobtrusive hundred forces England to take note

No bad moment then, for the club’s two new boys to come together in circumstances that might have been designed to test their worthiness to join such a trophy-harvesting outfit.Quite why Adam Rossington is here at all remains an issue laced with innuendo, following Northamptonshire’s last-ditch decision to strip him of the captaincy and his even more 11th-hour loan move south-east – a situation described as “disappointing” in a notably peevish press release from his old club.There certainly hadn’t been much about his most recent visit to Chelmsford to encourage the belief that Rossington would fit in at Essex – in last summer’s final match of the season, his Northants side managed to lose by an innings within half an hour of the second morning, with his own dismissal at 30 for 7 confirming the speed of their surrender.But from the outset of this innings, Rossington rippled with pugnacity as he brought up Essex’s 300 with a punch through the covers off Bird, before dismissing Nathan Gilchrist with a firm flick through long-on, his bottom hand whipping through the stroke in a manner not unlike his Northants forebear, Allan Lamb.Matt Quinn was then dispatched through the covers for another boundary before the pièce de Rossington’s résistance – back-to-back straight drives, the first with the top hand guiding the stroke to its target with a “yes sir” flourish, à la Jack Nicklaus at Augusta in ’86.The partnership had reached 65, and the total was past 350, before the spell was broken by that man Darren Stevens, rumbling in for his 18th over, and opening his account for the season in typically sleight-of-hand fashion, as Rossington, on 41, played down the line of what he thought to be off stump, only to lose that same pole with some devious late jag.Critchley, by this stage, had 34 unfussily compiled runs to his name from 79 balls – his tall and steady stance backed up by an uncomplicated technique that, crucially, grants him that extra split-second for decision-making. And as Adam Wheater came out to join him, Critchley’s decision was to accelerate smoothly into the afternoon session, with the final 98 runs of his knock coming from precisely 100 balls.His uptick in tempo began with a rare blemish, a nick past the slips for four off Gilchrist, but thereafter every stroke that he played was delivered on his own terms. Bird over-pitched, and was crashed down the ground; Stevens offered width, and was biffed on the up through the covers. Critchley’s fifty came up with a firm pull, hoisted in front of square, and thereafter he embarked on a series of cute dinks through third man, as Matt Milnes and Quinn were picked off with soft hands.Wheater was for the most part content to play the holding role, though he too caught the mood with a brace of slaps through the covers as Quinn offered him too much width. But on 37, a change of angle did the trick, as Quinn this time used that width to his advantage, pushing the ball across Wheater’s bows to lure an inside-edged hack into his stumps, and end a seventh-wicket stand of 94.Matt Critchley clips into the leg side during his hundred•Getty Images

Critchley, by now, was in no mood to stand on ceremony. On 92, he marched to his hundred with two sublime drives in three balls, twice striding to the pitch to thump Quinn through long-off, before peeling off his helmet and saluting all four corners of another amply filled ground.And as Essex’s total stretched towards 500 and a tea-time declaration drew nigh, he turned up the tempo a further notch, clouting Tawanda Muyeye’s offspin inside-out over long-off for six before depositing a Gilchrist short ball over midwicket. With partners running out, Critchley was last man out for 132 – five short of a career-best, but with his horizons surely feeling broader now than at any previous stage of his burgeoning career.”The way the team is set up, it’s nice to go out like that and play our natural game, backed to play how we want to play,” Critchley said. “I played a lot against Ross [Adam Rossington] over in the East Midlands so nice to be out there with him. But there’s hundreds all the way down, with Wheats at 7. We’re capable of putting big scores on like this or post challenging scores on wickets that do a bit more.”Kent’s tough time in the field could have longer-term ramifications too, with Joe Denly pulling up sharply with a suspected hamstring strain while chasing down a drive. Jack Leaning is also hamstrung, and with Zak Crawley and Sam Billings absent for differing reasons, Kent were already down to the bare bones of their batting strength before Daniel Bell-Drummond fell lbw to Sam Cook for 11.But out of adversity came a counterpunching stand of no little skill and intent. Ben Compton, another man making his first appearance for a new club, took early lumps out of Jamie Porter in particular, picking off five of his seven fours in Porter’s first three overs before throttling back as the shadows lengthened. At the other end, Muyeye took the opposite approach with a flamboyant finish to his own day’s work. His unbeaten 43 included a brace of no-ball boundaries off a pumped up Mark Steketee, whose eight overs were expensive but hostile, and included a blow to Compton’s shoulder as he ducked into another short ball. Compton, however, knuckled down, and will resume the third day three runs shy of his own half-century.

Arsenal’s title ambitions have often stuttered this season, with injuries massively halting their progress under Mikel Arteta after numerous near misses.

Martin Odegaard has been the midfield orchestrator in recent years, but his absence with an ankle issue took away their biggest creative asset, leading to a decline in results.

However, the defence has often been plagued with setbacks, leading to various different partnerships along the backline, offering no continuity, which has undoubtedly contributed to the lack of threat to current Premier League leaders Liverpool.

In recent weeks, a handful of absentees have made their way back into action, which has seen results return to a form of normality, including a 5-1 thrashing of Crystal Palace on Saturday night.

The Spaniard could be about to bolster his defensive options in the next couple of weeks, with the transfer window just around the corner.

Arsenal set to make offer for £62m star

According to one Spanish outlet, Arsenal are preparing a bid to sign Barcelona defender Jules Koundé ahead of the January transfer window.

The report states that the Gunners are willing to offer €75m (£62m) for the France international, with the former Sevilla star said to be keen on a move to England’s top flight.

Kounde would provide that added cover Arteta has massively desired in recent months, featuring in 70 games this calendar year – the most of any player in world football.

He’s capable of featuring in either a centre-back or right-back role should he make the move to North London, with his ball-playing assets of massive interest to the Gunners boss, according to the report.

Given the current partnership of William Saliba and Gabriel at the heart of the backline, he would likely fill in a right-sided role but would face serious competition from the current options at the Emirates.

Why Kounde could be like White & Timber

Ben White and Jurrien Timber have often shared the right-back role this season, often covering for one another during the respective injury lay-offs.

Transfer Focus

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

Expand Collapse

Englishman White has been missing since the start of November with a knee issue, allowing the Dutchman to stake his claim for a regular starting role after missing the vast majority of his debut year in England with an ACL injury.

However, both of the aforementioned players are similar to the Barcelona star in the fact they have both featured centrally, before being utilised in a full-back role – highlighting their versatility under the Gunners boss.

Their similarities are further reflected by FBref, ranking the two Arsenal stars as similar players to Kounde based on their respective figures in the Champions League so far this campaign.

When delving into their stats, the comparison is understandable, with the Frenchman bettering the pair in various key areas across the pitch.

How Kounde compares in the Champions League (2024/25)

Statistics (per 90)

Kounde

White

Timber

Games played

6

3

5

Goals & assists

3

0

1

Progressive carries

2.2

1.2

1.4

Blocks

1.2

0

0.6

Clearances

2.8

1.2

1.7

Take-ons attempted

2

0

2

Crosses completed

2.2

0.8

1.7

Recoveries made

4.3

3.6

3.4

Stats via FBref

The “world-class” talent, as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has more combined goals and assists in Europe, also managing more progressive carries per 90 – showcasing his talent with the ball at his feet.

However, he’s been just as impressive out of possession, making more blocks per 90 and making more recoveries to get himself into defensive positions.

The fee touted would be yet another mammoth investment from the club’s hierarchy, but it’s clear for all to see how much he would bolster Arteta’s defensive department.

Arsenal’s backline has taken a battering in recent times, with Kounde’s potential arrival handing the club the added depth needed if they are to mount a title charge during the second half of the season.

Related Arteta must drop 5/10 Arsenal dud who won just 33% duels vs Palace

Arsenal may have won 5-1 but it wasn’t all positive for the Gunners against Crystal Palace.

Posts ByMatt Dawson Dec 22, 2024

Dan Ashworth is in talks over a possible return to the Football Association months after ending a short spell as Manchester United sporting director.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Ashworth in talks over new FA role
• Could return six years after his departure
• Brief spell at Man Utd ended in December

Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The 54-year-old is in line to take on a new role that will see him placed in charge of developing more top-level English coaches, according to Ashworth joined the FA in 2012 as the governing body's director of elite development but left in 2018 having agreed to join Brighton as technical director, before eventually moving on to Newcastle and then United.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  After tough negotiations over compensation between Newcastle and United, an agreement was finally announced in February of last year, but Ashworth was forced to wait until July to begin work at Old Trafford. Just five months later, however, his departure by mutual agreement was confirmed following a meeting after the Red Devils' 3-2 loss to Nottingham Forest in December.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Despite the abrupt and expensive end to his period in Manchester, Ashworth remains well liked at Wembley and the role being discussed would allow John McDermott to remain in his current role as technical director. No agreement has been reached yet, however, as the report adds he is understanding a number of options.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR ASHWORTH?

  Eddie Howe at Newcastle and West Ham's Graham Potter are the only English head coaches currently working in the Premier League and the FA hope to increase that number, and Ashworth could be the man to deliver the goods.

Ipswich Town’s confidence will now feel battered and bruised after Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United convincingly put the dire Tractor Boys to the sword on Saturday.

Just before this dismal 4-0 defeat, Kieran McKenna’s men had basked in the glory of a last-gasp winner away at Molineux, only to be reminded of the gulf in quality between those near the bottom of the Premier League and the attacking might of teams such as the Magpies back at Portman Road.

It was another shaky showing from wobbly Ipswich goalkeeper Arijanet Muric, who could now find his first-team spot is up for grabs after leaking four goals to gift Newcastle a perfect away day just before Christmas.

Arijanet Muric's woes at Ipswich

Of course, the Kosovan was let down by an extremely porous back four in front of him, but the Tractor Boys ‘keeper never looked convincing in between the sticks across the 90 minutes.

Amazingly, the ex-Manchester City man was fishing the ball out of his net with barely a minute on the clock, as Alexander Isak powered an early effort home despite Muric attempting to parry the shot away.

The in-form Magpies number 14 would go on to score a blistering hat-trick in the one-sided affair, with Isak’s second of the day far too easy for the Swede to convert, who ended up simply stroking the ball past Muric after a horrendous mix-up at the back.

Off the back of such a nightmarish afternoon, McKenna could be tempted to drop his error-prone shot-stopper as games now come thick and fast in December, considering the 26-year-old also has just one paltry clean sheet next to his name from 16 Premier League outings.

Whilst he assesses the other options he has at his disposal in goal, McKenna will also be debating who his starting right-back is moving forward after Harry Clarke’s equally weak display versus Newcastle.

Clarke's performance in numbers

Only making his fourth start in the Premier League since promotion, it feels unlikely that Clarke will be handed more frequent opportunities in the senior mix if his poor showing against Howe’s men is anything to go by.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast's Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Unfortunately, the ex-Arsenal youth player has looked somewhat out of his depth when shoved into the first-team picture in the top flight, seen in his two yellow cards versus Brentford back in late October and in this horror show against the rampant Magpies.

Minutes played

90

Touches

50

Accurate passes

28/39 (72%)

Accurate crosses

0/1

Accurate long balls

0/7

Possession lost

13x

Interceptions

1

Tackles

0

Total duels won

1/5

Clarke was regularly turned inside out by the likes of Jacob Murphy and Anthony Gordon marauding forward for the vibrant visitors, with zero tackles tallied up by the below-par 23-year-old showing his reluctance to get stuck in to try and thwart Newcastle constantly finding an opening.

Moreover, the right-back’s wayward passing – which saw the lacklustre Tractor Boys number two squander possession 13 times – meant no real meaningful attacks could be formed out from the back courtesy of the ropey defender, who also failed to register a single accurate cross all afternoon despite a colossal seven attempts.

This could trigger another change in personnel ahead of Ipswich travelling to Arsenal on the 27th, knowing full well that another shoddy display across the back four might well result in Mikel Arteta’s men hammering the sorry Tractor Boys in North London.

With Axel Tuanzebe out injured, McKenna would have to likely call upon Ben Johnson to replace Clarke, with the ex-West Ham United man arguably an underwhelming summer buy so far, having made just five top-flight starts himself.

Still, the frustrated Ipswich boss will have to make some tough calls now after witnessing such an abject display from his downbeat troops.

He's outscoring Delap: Ipswich make contact over signing £20m monster

The incredible goalscorer would improve Ipswich’s squad.

1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Dec 19, 2024

أصدر الاتحاد الإسباني لكرة القدم، بيانًا رسميًا منذ قليل، فيما يخص مباراة الكلاسيكو المرتقبة غدًا بين ريال مدريد وبرشلونة على ملعب “لا كارتوخا”.

ويستضيف ملعب إشبيلية مباراة نهائي كأس ملك إسبانيا، موسم 2024/25 بين ريال مدريد وبرشلونة.

وتسود الأجواء حالة من التوتر داخل أروقة نادي ريال مدريد بسبب مؤتمر التحكيم الخاص بمباراة الكلاسيكو ضد برشلونة، المرتقبة غدًا.

وطالب ريال مدريد بتغيير طاقم التحكيم الخاص بمباراة برشلونة والتحقيق معهم، بسبب ما جاء على لسان الأفراد المسؤولين في مؤتمر صحفي صباح اليوم.

اقرأ أيضًا.. فليك يدافع عن التحكيم قبل الكلاسيكو ويؤكد: وضع أنشيلوتي مشابه لي ويامال سيفاجئكم

وتسارعت الإجراءات من قِبل ريال مدريد، حيث ذكرت صحيفة “ماركا” الإسبانية منذ قليل أن النادي الملكي قرر عدم خوض أي فعاليات تخص الاتحاد الإسباني لكرة القدم قبل مباراة الغد.

وأكد الاتحاد الإسباني لكرة القدم في بيان رسمي صحة الأمر، حيث قال: “أبلغنا نادي ريال مدريد أنه لن يعقد المؤتمر الصحفي أو التدريب الرسمي قبل نهائي كأس ملك إسبانيا”.

وليس من المعروف ما إذا كان الاتحاد الإسباني سيفرض عقوبة على ريال مدريد جراء قرار المقاطعة، أم سينصاع إلى رغبته في تغيير طاقم التحكيم، خاصة مع وجود شكوك حول خوض كتيبة كارلو أنشيلوتي للمباراة.

Nitish Rana and Rinku Singh offset an early wobble and ensured Kolkata Knight Riders chased down 153 to snap their five-match losing streak, on a slow, grippy Wankhede Stadium track. After Trent Boult and Prasidh Krishna had made early inroads for Rajasthan Royals, Rana and Rinku dismantled R Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal respectively to bring the target within Knight Riders’ reach.Rana cracked Ashwin for 23 off 14 balls on Monday, taking his overall head-to-head to 99 off 52 balls without being dismissed by the spinner in the IPL. He first forged a 60-run third-wicket partnership with Shreyas Iyer (34) and then a livelier 66-run stand with Rinku to usher Knight Riders home.Sanju Samson’s wretched luck with the toss continued – he has won only one out of ten tosses this IPL – but despite that Royals made a decent fist of their defence by dragging it deep. However, with 31 needed off 18 balls, Rinku whacked back-to-back fours off Chahal to effectively kill off the game. It was Rana who ultimately finished it with five balls to spare, with an uppercut six off Kuldeep Sen.Sanju Samson began brightly but slowed down considerably after the 30-ball mark•BCCI

Royals’ go-slow
Umesh Yadav got the new ball to swing both ways to threaten both edges of Jos Buttler in his first over. Ankul Roy, who was picked in place of the out-of-form Venkatesh Iyer, kept Buttler – and Devdutt Padikkal – quiet with his stump-to-stump darts. Umesh struck in his second over when he had Padikkal spooning a return catch for 2.After watching Royals gulp down 18 dots in the first four overs, Samson got a move on in the fifth over, hitting Umesh for back-to-back fours. Buttler uncharacteristically dawdled to 22 off 24 balls before Shivam Mavi combined with Tim Southee to dismiss him. Southee had bowled one in his slot – or perhaps just short of it – and Buttler shovelled it away in the air with his powerful bottom wrist. For a moment, the ball seemed to sail away for six, but Mavi intervened by leaping athletically to his right at long-on to pluck the ball out of thin air. At that stage, Royals were 55 for 2 in the ninth over.Samson, Hetmyer give Royals a leg-up
Samson was more fluent, often jumping outside leg to manufacture swinging room and scoring opportunities. He progressed to 40 off 30 balls, but managed only 14 off his last 19 balls. The pick of his eight boundaries was a regal cut off Mavi, but the seamer bounced back to remove Samson for the fifth time in seven IPL innings. During the toss, Shreyas explained that Mavi had slotted back in place of Harshit Rana because of his favourable match-ups against the Royals batters. Mavi did his job, returning 1 for 33 in his four overs.Riyan Parg only flickered briefly (19 off 12 balls), but Shimron Hetmyer fired in the slog overs, as he has often done in the recent past, clattering an unbeaten 27 off 13 balls. He was particularly brutal on Southee, taking him for 17 off just five balls.Nitish Rana and Rinku Singh added an unbroken 66 for the fourth wicket•BCCI

KKR’s go-slow
Samson’s early impetus and Hetmyer’s late blows gave Royals’ attack something to work with. Trent Boult swung the new ball and bothered both Aaron Finch and B Indrajith – Knight Riders’ fifth different opening combination this IPL. It was Sen who made the first incision when he rushed Finch and had him chopping on for 4 off 7 balls.Indrajith showed a glimpse of his improved white-ball potential when he ramped Prasidh over short fine leg for four. Prasidh, however, banged in a head-high bouncer next ball to have Indrajith top-edging a hook to fine leg, who had been pushed back onto the boundary after that four. Knight Riders stuttered to 32 for 2 in the powerplay.The Rana-Rinku show
Ashwin was introduced into the attack in the next over, and Shreyas carved his first ball away between backward point and short third man. Rana then laid into him in his third over, picking him off for 4,6,4 with a variety of sweeps, including the reverse-hit.Boult had Shreyas caught by Samson down the leg side for 34 off 32 balls, but Rana and Rinku completed the job for Knight Riders without much fuss. With Rana vulnerable to rapid pace and bounce, Rinku took on both Prasidh and Sen before lining up Chahal too. Often confined to being KKR’s regular substitute fielder in the IPL, Rinku showed off his batting chops by contributing 42 off just 23 balls to an unbroken 66-run stand with Rana.