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Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic side look set to miss out on the signing of Alex Murphy this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to Miles Starforth, with the Shields Gazette journalist revealing on Twitter that the Galway United defender is now close to agreeing a switch to Newcastle United in the summer transfer window.

In his tweet, Starforth said: “As reported elsewhere, Newcastle hope to sign 17-year-old Galway defender Alex Murphy, who has been playing first-team football this season. Understand that the deal’s not done yet, though. He’d join the club’s U23 squad.”

A further report by RTE also claimed that the Republic of Ireland under-19 international had rejected the opportunity to join Celtic, Brighton & Hove Albion and Torino in favour of a move to St James’ Park.

Bad news for Celtic

Considering the sheer amount of potential Murphy seems to possess, and with Celtic reported to have been in negotiations with the centre-back’s representatives regarding a move to Parkhead this summer, the suggestion that the 17-year-old is now set for a move south of the border is certainly bad news for the Bhoys.

Indeed, after making his first-team debut at the age of just 16 last June, Murphy has quickly established himself as a regular in John Caulfield’s side, with the 57-year-old said to have extremely high hopes for the teenage sensation.

Speaking shortly after Murphy penned professional terms with Galway, Caulfield said: “He’s one of our own, and we’re delighted to have him sign a professional contract, his first professional contract in what we hope will be a great career.

“We have high hopes for him, and we can see his talent. The most important thing now for Alex is to work hard and continue his progress. It’s a great day for the club – and our academy.”

With Celtic having signed both Liam Scales and Johnny Kenny from Irish clubs in the last 12 months, the Hoops hierarchy may well have felt that they held the upper hand in the race for the young defender, as Scales’ 13 first-team appearances this season shows a clear pathway to senior football at Parkhead.

However, with Murphy likely being offered a much more enticing salary in a move to Newcastle, Celtic now look as if they have missed out on the signing of the “elegant ” and “ball-playing centre-back”, in the words of Galway academy coach Martin Devlin. That will come as a huge blow to the Bhoys, as the 17-year-old looks to be a player heading for great things in the game.

AND in other news: Celtic handed another boost as early Rangers team news emerges, Ange surely buzzing

Ibrox giants Rangers are reportedly closing in on their first signing of the upcoming transfer window as Giovanni van Bronckhorst already gets to work…

What’s the talk?

According to DH Les Sports, the Gers are in ‘notable’ talks to sign Zulte Waregem defensive midfielder Abdoulaye Sissako this summer.

The report claims that the Belgian outfit want to extend his contract by another year but the player is keen to leave and is now engaging in discussions with the Scottish giants as he looks to make the switch to Glasgow.

Gio will surely be buzzing

Gio van Bronckhorst will surely be buzzing with this news for multiple reasons.

Firstly, it shows that Ross Wilson is already hard at work at trying to improve the Dutchman’s squad heading into next season. Despite there being plenty still to play for this term, the Gers chief is making calls and planning ahead to ensure that business is done as quickly as possible once the window opens.

This will, hopefully, give Rangers the best chance of having a successful summer as it will prevent them from rushing around at the end of August and panic-buying players. Van Bronckhorst will, therefore, be delighted with the proactive approach from his sporting director.

He will also be buzzing with the prospect of a promising addition to the team. Sissako has made 2.5 tackles and interceptions and won 4.4 duels per game for Waregem, whilst also completing 81% of his passes. This suggests that he is reliable in possession and is a battler in the middle of the park as he attempts to win the ball back on a regular basis.

The gem has been capped 14 times by France at U19 level and racked up 58 matches in the top-flight of Belgian football, after playing 36 matches in Ligue 2 for Auxerre. This shows that he has a wealth of experience at a decent standard of football.

At the age of 23, he also has the potential to improve as a player. Van Bronckhorst can get excited by the prospect of working with the Frenchman to develop his game over the course of the season, and future campaigns, whilst having him compete with the likes of James Sands, Ryan Jack and John Lundstram for a spot in the starting XI.

He appears on course to be the club’s first signing of the summer window and van Bronckhorst will surely be delighted if that is the case…

AND in other news, Body blow: Van Bronckhorst now set for huge Rangers disaster over £27k-p/w “rock”…

Though all the technology required for the UDRS will be in place when Australia tour India this October, given the BCCI’s reluctance to opt for the system, only television audience is likely to gain from it

Sharda Ugra12-Aug-2010

When Australia tour India for a two-Test, three-ODI series this October, all the technology required for the controversial Umpire Decision Review System (UDRS) will be in place at every venue. In all likelihood, however, given the BCCI’s reluctance to use UDRS, its beneficiaries will not be the cricketers or the umpires, but the television audience.Under the ICC’s current regulations, the mandatory requirements needed for the UDRS system are, the ball-tracking technology, Super Slo-Mo and a ‘clear’ stump mike, all of which are available to and will be used by the Neo Sports production team that broadcasts India’s home matches. A Neo executive confirmed to Cricinfo that if the BCCI were to suddenly alter their hard stance on the UDRS, the system could be put into place at short notice.Yet, the chances of the technology being used are extremely slender, despite Cricket Australia’s (CA) enthusiasm and support for UDRS. Regardless of the BCCI’s consistent resistance to the new practice which has been welcomed across the world, Cricket Australia will push the UDRS as one of its early suggestions in the Memorandum of Understanding with the BCCI for the series. According to CA spokesman Peter Young, CA’s head of cricket Michael Brown who will head the MoU disussions is “hopeful that they will be interested in our view.”Young said CA acknowledged, “there are some practical issues: cost, consistent technology. But the principle is clear, let’s now pursue that principle by trying to address the practical issues.” Australia’s interest behind the UDRS for the forthcoming series will be dependant not merely on the strength of their case but on the BCCI’s quite trenchant view. The MoU between two teams is usually finalised around two-three months before a series. The BCCI’s stand that “the decision of the host country is important,” would considerably reduce Australia’s chances to drum any enthusiasm from the Indians over the UDRS.CA’s support for the system is driven from the top by CEO James Sutherland and is backed, Young said, by the data produced from its early experiments. At the start of this year, ICC general manager Dave Richardson announced that in the 13 southern-hemisphere Tests that had included the UDRS, it was estimated that 97 percent of umpiring decisions under UDRS had been proved to be accurate as compared to 92 percent without the UDRS.India’s allergy to the new system comes accompanied by mixed signals: that the senior players are not impressed by or believe in the technology that accompanies it and that the only technology they have any faith in, Hot Spot, is too expensive to be used at home games.The ball-tracking technology which is now central to the UDRS refers to the Hawkeye / Virtual Eye technology which simulates the path of a ball from the bowler’s hand to passing the stumps. It was given the cold shoulder by India captain MS Dhoni and Sachin Tendulkar but the company behind it has entered into a three-year agreement with the BCCI to form part of television coverage of matches played in India. The inventor of Hawkeye, Paul Hawkins told Cricinfo, “We are going to be there (in India) anyway. We are contracted to do all cricket in India with the BCCI, for three years.” About the UDRS, Hawkins said, “Our understanding is that India don’t want to do it”.BCCI secretary N Srinivasan refused to comment on the CA move saying that the discussion between the two boards about the UDRS was about a “privacy of process.”

Match Facts

Sunday, July 18, 2010
Start time 1000 (0430 GMT)Will Muttiah Muralitharan have a memorable swan song before he starts to enjoy his retirement?•Associated Press

The Big Picture

For one last time in Test cricket, that most controversial bowling arm of our times will release the ball. For one last time, many of us will enjoy the experience of watching the greatest offspinner the world has seen. For one last time, some of us will call him a chucker. For one last time, every one of us will laugh as we see him slog joyously to the on side. For one last time, the slow motion replays will linger on his conspiratorial smile, on that whirring right arm, on those eyes that almost pop out at release, on that final shudder of the body after he pivots and comes to rest, and on his eager face that follows the trajectory of the ball. In the years to come, it will be something to say that we have seen Muttiah Muralitharan bowl.Beyond Muralitharan, there is a Test match to be won or lost. Unless Harbhajan Singh is inspired by Murali’s farewell, it’s difficult to see India taking 20 wickets. Sri Lanka are the favourites to win this – it’s their game to lose. Forget what the curator has said, the pitch will take turn. It’s the modern master’s farewell game and he is eight short of 800 wickets. Don’t kid yourself that the pitch won’t offer turn.As always, everyone will expect the batsmen to dominate in a Sri Lanka-India series. Never mind Yuvraj Singh, even Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman have much to prove after their poor outing last time around in 2008. M&M assaulted and harassed them then; they might not have Ajantha Mendis to contend with in the first Test, but Rangana Herath is no slouch either. And Lasith Malinga is back to Test cricket after two and a half years and he will be keen to make his return a memorable occasion. Sri Lankan batsmen should, in theory, have it relatively easier as India’s bowling looks the weakest it has been in years.

Form guide

India WLWWW
Sri Lanka LLDWW

Watch out for…

Who can stop Tillakaratne Dilshan from smashing a ton against this Indian attack? If he can play with controlled aggression, a hundred is there for the taking. And he can set the tempo by denting Ishant Sharma’s already fragile confidence with a few boundary hits. It should be much fun watching Dilshan bat in this Test. Will he be over eager to attack? Can he show judicious shot selection?Gautam Gambhir has already shown that he is the one of the best players of spin in this Indian side. Watch out for his inside-out drives against Muralitharan and cuts against all spinners. He rarely plays from the crease, preferring to go forward or press back.

Team news

India (probable) 1 Gautam Gambhir, 2 Virender Sehwag, 3 Rahul Dravid, 4 Sachin Tendulkar, 5 VVS Laxman, 6 Yuvraj Singh, 7 MS Dhoni (capt and wk), 8 Harbhajan Singh, 9 Ishant Sharma, 10 Pragyan Ojha, 11 Abhimanyu Mithun/Munaf Patel Sri Lanka (probable) 1 Tharanga Paranavitana, 2 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 3 Kumar Sangakkara, 4 Mahela Jayawardene, 5 Thilan Samaraweera, 6 Angelo Mathews, 7 Prasanna Jayawardene, 8 Rangana Herath, 9 Muttiah Muralitharan, 10 Lasith Malinga, 11 Dammika Prasad/ Chanaka Welegedara

Pitch and conditions

There have been short and sharp showers everyday leading up to the Test. Being so close to the sea, the weather in Galle is hard to predict, but if the trend continues, we shouldn’t lose too much time.Here’s what the curator said about the pitch: “There is a little bit of grass left to hold the pitch together. Any wicket will turn on the fourth, fifth day, and this should go to a fifth day. It’s up to the players, though.” Does it mean he doesn’t think it will last the full distance?! Wait and watch!

Stats and trivia

• Chanaka Welegedara has dismissed Rahul Dravid thrice in two Test matches. He took Dravid’s wicket in the warm-up game that preceded this Test as well.
• Ishant Sharma averages 43.50 against Sri Lanka as opposed to his career bowling average of 34.93. His record, though, improves slightly if you just take his performances in Sri Lanka; he has picked six wickets at 35.50. Only a brave man would punt on him to improve his record in this series.
• Muralitharan has taken 97 Indian wickets; 57 of those have come in Sri Lanka at an awesome average of 24.84. He has dismissed Sachin Tendulkar 7 times and Rahul Dravid 6 times in Test matches.
• Rahul Dravid needs 30 more runs to reach 9000 runs while batting at number three in Tests. If he gets there he would become the second batsman after Ricky Ponting (9447) in the annals of test cricket to accumulate over 9000 runs at the no 3 position.
  

  Quotes

  “Hopefully I’ll get some sleep tonight with my stiff neck ! Had a good practice game gambhir looks in great touch “
  Yuvraj Singh tweets ahead of first Test”What really disturbs me is, this is another cricket series India are going into with bowling being their major weakness. My feeling is that you will get high-scoring draws and the odd result in between.”Sanjay Manjrekar states his concerns

Auckland have signed allrounder Andre Adams as their principal overseas professional for the 2010-11 domestic season

Cricinfo staff29-Jul-2010Auckland have signed allrounder Andre Adams as their principal overseas professional for the 2010-11 domestic season. He will be available to Auckland for the Plunket Shield, Twenty20 and one-day competitions.”We’re delighted to welcome him back,” Auckland chief executive Andrew Eade told the . “His experience will be a huge asset for the team and because he’s been part of the Aces setup he will fit in immediately.”Adams had made his debut for Auckland in the 1997-98 season. In his last domestic first-class competition for the side in 2007-08, Adams took 29 wickets at an average of 8.27 before leaving to represent Nottinghamshire. In 108 first-class games, Adams has taken 430 wickets at 24 apiece, and scored three centuries.

MatériaMais Notícias

Em meio a atrasos salariais atuais desde a folha de novembro de 2017 no Vasco, a 11 dias da data prevista para a eleição no Conselho Deliberativo do clube, para que o novo presidente enfim seja eleito, o atual presidente, Eurico Miranda, se movimenta nos bastidores para que o atual mandato seja ao menos prorrogado. Nesta sexta-feira, o mandatário, por meio do clube, entrou com um recurso na 17ª Câmara Cível do Tribunal de Justiça do Estado do Rio de Janeiro visando suspender a eleição até que tenha uma decisão transitada em julgada. Isto começará a ser apreciado somente na segunda-feira, quando acaba o recesso judiciário.

Eurico Miranda contratou o conhecido advogado Sérgio Bermudes para defender o caso em sua parte no Vasco. A decisão atual da Justiça, dada ainda no ano passado pela desembargadora relatora Márcia Ferreira Alvarenga, da 17ª Câmara, ratificando decisão da primeira instância pela juíza Maria Cecília Pinto Gonçalves, da 52ª Vara Cível, anula a urna 7 e dá a vitória a chapa de Julio Brant – Sempre Vasco Livre -, apesar da posse seguir sub judice até uma nova decisão. No recurso, o atual mandatário também quer a reconsideração da decisão.

O recurso já era esperado nos bastidores por membros da oposição. Caberá agora ao colegiado da 17ª Câmara avaliar, com relatoria seguindo da desembargadora Márcia Alvarenga. Não há prazo para uma decisão final, mas a tendência é que seja resolvido ainda na semana que vem. A expectativa é que os demais desembargadores sigam a conclusão dada pela relatora, já que há prova técnica pericial que constatou falta de comprovação de regularidades dos sócios suspeitos da urna 7 após análises dos documentos entregues pelo Vasco. Depois deste recurso, haverá a possibilidade de outro em Brasília.

“De fato, apesar da atual administração ser a maior interessada na produção da prova referente à regularidade social dos 475 sócios votantes na urna 7, sequer apresentou qualquer comprovante de pagamento individual dos sócios gerais, para aquisição dos títulos patrimoniais, a fim de demonstrar que os mesmos estavam regularmente inscritos no quadro social do Clube, o que não seria difícil obter junto à empresa gerenciadora de seu banco de dados e cobrança. Muito pelo contrário, limitou-se a apresentar, tão somente, balancetes globais e algumas fichas de inscrição, não suficientes para espancar as dúvidas quanto à existência de eventual fraude a macular a eleição ‘sub judice'”, escreveu a desembargadora em sua última decisão.

Em novembro, o LANCE! entrevistou com exclusividade dois sócios que denunciaram esquema de aliciamento e irregularidades na eleição do Vasco, com membro do alto escalão da diretoria do Cruz-Maltino, comandado por Eurico Miranda. Um dos denunciantes, inclusive, por exemplo, tem no cadastro do Vasco um número de CPF inexistente. Além dos dados cadastrais falsos, nunca pagaram mensalidades ao clube cruz-maltino, com datas retroativas feitas por um período maior de um ano apenas para terem condições de voto de maneira irregular. Estas denúncias, com provas das mesmas, como o citado CPF em um cadastro de um sócio que não era dele, contribuíram nas movimentações das últimas semanas em toda a polêmica eleitoral.

No atual cenário, a chapa de Julio Brant nomeará 120 conselheiros para a posse do Conselho Deliberativo. A chapa “Reconstruindo o Vasco”, de Eurico Miranda, tem o direito de nomear 30. Estes 150 conselheiros vão se juntar a outros 150 natos e vão eleger o presidente do Vasco para o triênio 2018-2020. Apesar de nunca ter acontecido na história do Vasco, há a possibilidade do segundo colocado nas urnas vencer no Conselho de maneira matemática – basta possuir 121 dos 150 conselheiros natos nos votos para ter a maioria. Vale lembrar que a eleição do Vasco é feita de maneira indireta.

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أعلن الاتحاد المصري لكرة القدم، برئاسة جمال علام، عن مواعيد المباريات المتبقية من بطولة كأس مصر النسخة الماضية 2021-2022.

وكان الأهلي والزمالك قد تأهلا لدور الـ8 لمواجهة المقاولون العرب والمصري.

طالع | نتائج قرعة كأس مصر لكرة اليد.. تعرف على منافسي الأهلي والزمالك

وحددت لجنة المسابقات يوم 16 يناير المقبل موعدًا لمباراتي الدور قبل النهائى لبطولة كأس مصر.

وفي الوقت ذاته تقرر إقامة مباراة النهائي يوم 3 فبراير المقبل على استاد القاهرة في تمام الساعة السابعة مساءً.

وأرسل عامر حسين عضو اتحاد الكرة والمشرف العام على المسابقات وناصر فراج نائب مدير اللجنة جدول مباريات  كأس مصر للأندية والجهات المختصة.

يؤمن الإيطالي كارلو أنشيلوتي أن فريقه ريال مدريد لم يلعب بشكل جيد أمام شاختار دونيستك، لكنه نجح في مهمته، وأوضح حالة لاعبه أنطونيو روديجر.

وخطف روديجر هدف التعادل لريال مدريد في الدقائق الأخيرة للمباراة، لكنه عرض نفسه لإصابة قوية على مستوى الوجه وظهرت الدماء.

حسم ريال مدريد التاهل بالفعل لدور الـ16، ويستعد لمواجهة برشلونة في الكلاسيكو يوم الأحد المقبل.

وخلال مؤتمره الصحفي عقب المباراة، قال أنشيلوتي: “روديجر لديه قطع في الجبهة، كثير من الدماء، هو على ما يرام وأراد الاستمرار في الملعب، لكنه أدرك إصابته، الأمر ليس خطيرًا، إنه واع، يتكلم، يبتسم، إنه سعيد بهدفه”.

وأضاف: “أعتقد أنها لم تكن مباراة جيدة، في الشوط الأول سيطرنا دون أن نكون فعالين واستقبلنا المرمى، تغيّر كل شيء، هذا الفريق لا يعرف الاستسلام، تأهلنا لدور الـ16 في ليلة بدت سيئة وهذا شيء جيد”.

وواصل بشأن هدف شاختار: “أنا غاضب، قام شاختار بتغيير نظام اللعب الخاص به لتقديم اللاعبين الذين تمكنوا من قطع تمريراتنا بين الخطوط، لذلك كان علينا اللعب على نطاق واسع، لكن هذا التكتيك لم ينجح بالنسبة لنا ومع تسجيلهم عندما فعلوا ذلك، جعل الأمر صعبًا بالنسبة لنا”. أهداف مباراة ريال مدريد وشاختار

وعن الجانب الجماعي، أكد مدرب ريال مدريد: “كمجموعة، لم تكن الليلة المثالية لنا”.

اقرأ أيضًا | فاسكيز: توقيت هدف شاختار جعلنا غاضبين.. وسنصل الكلاسيكو ونحن واثقون

وفيما يتعلق بالتغييرات، استطرد أنشيلوتي: “كانت الفكرة هي إشراك اللاعبين بعد الدقيقة 60 لتجديد نشاطهم”.

وأشاد بلاعبه توني كروس حين سُئل عن تطورات تجديد عقده: “مع توني كل شيء واضح، سيختار البقاء أو التوقف عن مسيرته، لقد كان أحد الأفضل”.

وأتم الحديث بشأن الكلاسيكو أمام برشلونة: “علينا أن نتعافى، لقد لعبنا بشكل سيئ، لكن كما هو الحال دائمًا لم نستسلم أبدًا وكالعادة نحن في دور الـ16، الآن لدينا مباراتان لنحاول أن نكون في الصدارة”. 

Wolves manager Bruno Lage has confirmed that he has no new injuries to deal with ahead of their Premier League meeting with Southampton this afternoon.

What’s the latest?

The West Midlands side have a fresh bill of health going into their game at Molineux against the Saints, with Pedro Neto (knee), Yerson Mosquera (thigh), Jonny Otto (knee), Hwang Hee-Chan (thigh) and Romain Saiss (AFCON) still the only players unavailable.

Speaking to the media ahead of the game, the Portuguese said: “For now, nothing new. We have the same players as the last game.

“Saiss is doing very well this season, him with Coady and Max are doing very well, not just defending but helping the team win points because they are also a threat at set pieces.

“He’s an important player but I think we also have solutions in our squad to replace him. I’m confident that Marcal and Leander can play there, and we continue to be solid.”

Lage’s team have enjoyed a 100% start to 2022, winning 1-0 at Manchester United in the league as well as a 3-0 victory at home to Championship outfit Sheffield United in the third round of the FA Cup.

The FA Cup victory was the first game after defender Saiss’ departure for the Africa Cup on Nations to compete with his native Morocco, which saw usual left-back Marçal come in as the left-sided centre-back of a back three in what was almost a full-strength lineup.

As mentioned in his press conference, Lage also has the option of deploying Leander Dendoncker at centre-back alongside Max Kilman and Conor Coady.

Fans will be buzzing

After a strong first half of the campaign, it is vital that Wolves maintain their good form if their ambition of finishing in a European place at the end of the season is serious.

Ahead of their meeting with the Saints, the Golden Boys sit ninth with a game in hand on eighth-placed Brighton and are just five points off of the top-six.

The West Midlands side have put themselves in a fantastic position and have a platform to build from going into the second half of the season.

However, it is absolutely vital that they have as many of their regulars available for as long as possible, therefore, a clean bill of health going into a game they will fancy themselves in is a major boost.

In other news: Shi could secure the next Jimenez at Wolves with swoop for “quality” £49k-p/w beast – opinion

Rumoured Crystal Palace transfer target Sven Botman is wanted by Newcastle United in the January transfer window, according to the reliable David Ornstein.

The Lowdown: Botman a target for Palace

Back in the summer, the Eagles (Sky Sports) showed a keen interest in signing the Lille centre-back but he ended up staying put in France.

2020/21 title-winner Botman has continued to be a key man for the Ligue 1 champions, making 10 league starts and appearing twice in the Champions League this season.

Wolves have recently been showing an interest in him, too, as Premier League clubs seemingly all circle for his signature.

The Latest: Fierce competition for Eagles

On Monday, The Athletic‘s Ornstein confirmed that Newcastle are now eyeing up a January move for Botman, who has been described as ‘incredible’ by Ligue 1 journalist Robin Bairner.

Lille are desperate to hold onto the Netherlands international, preferring to lose him in the summer if he has to go.

The Verdict: Magpies the likely destination?

Newcastle’s recent takeover has seen them acquire unrivalled levels of wealth, which arguably puts them in pole position to snap up Botman.

The money that the Magpies may be able to promise the 21-year-old could blow Palace out of the water, meaning Patrick Vieira could well have to look at other options.

Should a move to Selhurst Park still appeal to Botman, however, he could be welcomed with open arms, considering he has averaged 3.5 and 4.7 clearances per game in the Champions League and Ligue 1 this season, respectively.

Joel Ward (3.3) has the highest tally for Palace in the Premier League in 2021/22, highlighting the impact Botman could potentially have as the third option in the heart of defence alongside the promising partnership of Marc Guehi and Joachim Andersen.

In other news, some Palace fans slammed one player’s performance against Manchester United. Find out who it is here.