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Past history counts for little, says coach Ratnayake, as co-hosts return to action after two-week hiatus

Madushka Balasuriya10-Oct-20251:26

‘Sri Lanka are excited about the big stage’

It’s been a longer wait than most for Sri Lanka between their first and second games this World Cup. Since playing the tournament opener on September 30, a wash-out against Australia means their match against England on Saturday comes after a near two-week gap. So unsurprisingly, they are a side that’s itching to get back out in the middle.Against England though they’ll be up against a side they’ve beaten just once in WODIs in 18 attempts. But for coach Rumesh Ratnayake, dwelling on such records makes little sense.”The last meeting will be tomorrow,” said Ratnayake on the eve of the game. “So those are the things which we will encourage them with just before the match. But in our preparation we talk of the present, and we talk of the present team and where they are and what we can do.”What our strengths will be against them, and where we are going to bowl – if it is bowling – at a particular batter at what stage. So we have broken it into three stages, that’s just an example. And even in our batting, I think what we want most is patience and discipline.””That’s what we lacked maybe against India, not deliberate, but it needs more focus so that it could be established.”Coming into this game, Sri Lanka have had a fair bit of time to ponder on that defeat to India. Having had the hosts reeling on 124 for 6, they let the game slip. But even so, a chase of a target a shade under 250 should not have been beyond them.After that game skipper Chamari Athapaththu had not held back in her assessment of her side’s shortcomings, calling on her batters to shoulder more responsibility going forward. And in the build-up to this game, plans surrounding their batting have featured heavily.Related

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“In our batting, the girls are really up to it and wanting to do well,” Ratnayake said. “That’s a huge plus because they know it’s a big stage. Sometimes we need to bring it down and say it’s just another match. But they are excited about this big stage. To capitalise on that, to maximise on that, they need to have runs on the scoreboard. They are aware of that. They are also aware that somebody, at least one or two, should bat till the end.”One of the more prevalent themes across this tournament, particularly for matches played in Colombo, has been a tendency for batting to get easier as the innings has gone on. This has left a lopsided run-scoring burden on lower order batters towards the end of an innings. For Sri Lanka, who lack any real batting prowess beyond the top seven, Ratnayake feels they will need at least one batter to take it deep to ensure they effectively exploit conditions at the tail-end of the innings.”We actually spoke about this in detail, about how those coming lower down the order – even below number seven – need to score more. Our main responsibility, is that top seven needs to score the most runs. We’re addressing it differently, because even in the last game no one scored even 50 – not that 50 would have been enough.”We’ve spoken about how you need to bat deep – at least one of the top six needs to hang around. It’s because none of those batters hung around that we were unable to chase down India’s score.”What we have learned from the spinning wickets is about those who have scored runs. Like [Beth] Mooney. Her batting discipline, her focus, and the ability to do what was needed in those situations. So we need to learn from that.”The extra preparation time leading up to this game has also allowed the Sri Lankans to extensively analyse this England side, weaning through their strengths and weaknesses and how exactly to make use of any advantages they might have over such an experienced outfit.”England is a very experienced side, even though they don’t have left-handers they are quite well equipped, so we understand their strengths, we know what they’re strong at and we’ve seen them do it all so to speak, and we believe that we are ready to sort of counter-attack that and do the best we can in the best way we could.”With our coaches, we scrutinised every batter of the English team – not just their top seven, we analysed their top nine. But the time for observing is over, now we need to take ownership of the situation, and go out there and perform.”

The New York Yankees continued their furious, post-Juan Soto sweepstakes roster upgrades when they acquired two-time All-Star Cody Bellinger from the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday. And, as it turns out, Bellinger got his wish. The 2019 National League MVP was reportedly pushing his agent Scott Boras to let it be known to the Cubs that he wanted to be a Yankee.

During a Zoom call that introduced him to the New York media as a member of the Yankees, Bellinger shared the special reason why he wanted to join the franchise his father Clay won two World Series with in the 1990s.

"The baseball career is short," Bellinger said. "I have an opportunity to play for one of the best franchises in all of sports. I knew there was interest, and I wanted to take advantage of the opportunity."

Bellinger said he called his father, who spent three seasons with the Yankees, after he got the news he'd be Bronx-bound, and said his father was "really excited." As is the son.

"Everything about it excites me," Bellinger said. "The organization, the fans, the stadium, the atmosphere. … I've heard nothing but amazing things about everything."

Bellinger figures to slot in at first base or in center field for the Yankees, though the 29-year-old said he'd be happy to play wherever the club needs him, confirming a conversation he had on the topic with manager Aaron Boone.

As for his bat? Bellinger, who belted 47 home runs during his MVP campaign in '19 but hasn't exceeded the 30-homer mark since, is motivated to become that type of player again.

"That's what keeps me motivated," Bellinger said. "I know what I can do and I know what I've done. That's what I strive for every single year."

Despite already having concerns about the depth of their attacking quality, Leeds United could now lose one of their most dangerous stars amid reported interest from Saudi Arabia.

Roy Keane delivers Leeds survival verdict

Leeds and the rest of the promoted sides have so far shocked the rest of the Premier League. Alongside Burnley and Sunderland, those at Elland Road are out to end the curse of the newcomer and become the first side in six to survive at the first time of asking back in the top flight.

As things stand, Leeds are four points above the dropzone and could even push into the top-half if results go their way after the international break. After Daniel Farke spent much of the summer airing concerns that his side lacked enough attacking quality, he will be delighted with how they’ve already secured a number of results.

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Tom Cunningham

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Alas, the German’s work is far from done. Leeds must get back to winning ways after losing against Tottenham Hotspur last time out and continue what has been a solid start. Then, when January arrives, it will be all about keeping hold of their best players and, if reports are anything to go by, fending off interest from the Saudi Pro League.

Saudi billionaires readying Gnonto move

As reported by MOT Leeds News, Saudi billionaires Neom and Al-Ittihad are readying January moves to sign Wilfried Gnonto from Leeds. Backed by the riches of PIF, the two clubs could hand all parties a difficult offer to turn down, but those in Yorkshire must remain firm on their transfer stance.

With just less than three years remaining on Gnonto’s current deal, Leeds should be in no rush to cash-in on their talented winger midway through the current campaign. What’s more, when considering Farke’s attacking concerns, it’s clear that the Italian still has a role to play.

After featuring from the start in three of the four Premier League appearances to his name before a calf injury disrupted his season, Gnonto should have all eyes on returning to full fitness with a bang following the international break.

At 21 years old, he remains one of Leeds’ brightest attacking sparks and someone who has already earned praise from the likes of Jermaine Beckford, who once said: “He’s very direct, I’m a huge admirer of him.”

That said, not many have rejected the riches of Saudi Arabia in European football and Leeds may face an uphill battle to stand in the way of Gnonto when January arrives.

تمكن فريق برشلونة من تسجيل الهدف الثاني في شباك خصمه سيلتا فيجو، في مباراتهما الجارية حاليًا، في بطولة الدوري الإسباني لكرة القدم.

ويستضيف ملعب “بالايدوس” مباراة برشلونة وسيلتا فيجو، في ختام منافسات الجولة الثانية عشر من الدوري الإسباني، موسم 2025/26.

وتمكن برشلونة من تسجيل الهدف الثاني في شباك سيلتا فيجو، في الدقيقة 37 من عمر الشوط الأول.

جاء الهدف عن طريق النجم روبرت ليفاندوفسكي، حيث مرر ماركوس راشفورد الكرة ناحيته، ووصلت إلى البولندي الذي سددها على الفور في الشباك.

ولم يدم تفوق برشلونة طويلًا من جديد، بعدما سجل سيلتا فيجو الهدف الثاني في شباك تشيزني عن طريق بورخا إيجليسياس، بعدما سدد كرة صاروخية من على حدود منطقة الجزاء، في الدقيقة 42.

وتشير النتيجة في الوقت الحالي إلى التعادل بين برشلونة وسيلتا فيجو، مع العلم أن ليفاندوفسكي هو من سجل هدفي حامل لقب الليجا.

Micah Richards criticised two Manchester United players for the role they played against Brentford as the Red Devils were put to the sword once again at the Gtech Community Stadium by Brentford.

Brentford heap more misery on Amorim

Fresh from defeating Chelsea last weekend, Man United had the task of handing Ruben Amorim back-to-back wins for the first time in the Premier League almost nine months on from arriving. With 20 minutes on the clock, however, it was an all too familiar story for the Manchester club, as Igor Thiago struck not once but twice.

The opening goal saw Harry Maguire fall culrpit to a tight offside call, as Thiago took full advantage to sprint in behind and fire home a tremendous finish.

As for the second, the forward had a far simpler task after getting the best out of Matthijs de Ligt and then on the end of Altay Bayindir’s spilled save straight into his path. In 20 minutes, the Brentford star had his brace gift-wrapped.

Benjamin Sesko’s first Man United goal then gave the Red Devils plenty of hope when he slammed home at the third time of asking midway through the first period and a comeback certainly looked on the cards.

Alas, it almost summed up United’s afternoon, their season and arguably Amorim’s tenure when Bruno Fernandes missed his second penalty of the season to deny United their equaliser late in the second-half. The Portugal international, often so reliable, has fallen short of his standards so far this season.

Caoimhin Kelleher’s save put the writing on the wall for the Red Devils, who had their misery compilled by a stunning late strike from substitute Mathias Jensen to make it 3-1.

Richards slams "shambolic" Maguire & De Ligt

Among those critical of Man United following yet another defeat, former Man City defender Richards slammed Maguire and De Ligt as “shambolic” for their actions in Brentford’s two goals.

There will now be questions asked of Amorim’s position once again, but whether defeat at Brentford is INEOS’ final straw remains to be seen. There’s work to be done, that cannot be denied.

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Man United fans can get excited about this player’s talent.

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Joe Nuttall

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Up next for United is the visit of Sunderland next Saturday. Defeat against newly-promoted opposition would be yet another low for Amorim, who simply has to change things if he is to turn his tenure around at Old Trafford.

With Chennai Super Kings (CSK) suffering five straight losses in six games and rooted at the bottom of the IPL 2025 points table, their head coach Stephen Fleming said that making a comeback would be a “big challenge” and MS Dhoni’s return to being captain in place of the injured Ruturaj Gaikwad wouldn’t change the team’s fortunes overnight.”His [Dhoni’s] influence will be always prominent but he’s not a soothsayer, he hasn’t got a magic wand,” Fleming told reporters on the eve of the match against Lucknow Super Giants. “He can’t just rub it over the side otherwise he would have brought it out earlier.”It’s a case of us working very hard along with MS to turn it around and certainly in both of our cricketing careers, we’ve been in situations that require a lot of energy and we’ve got to make sure that the energy is put in the right place.”Related

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After making only 103 for 9 and then being vanquished in 10.1 overs against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in their previous game, Fleming said the team was hurting. It was their fifth defeat on the trot – a first for CSK – following their worst IPL batting performance at Chepauk.”We’ve got to look at it in small steps and just continue to work to get better at all three facets really and then you start competing,” Fleming said. “I think the disappointing aspect in particular the last game was the lack of competition we put up and that hurt a lot. So there’s certainly been a lot of internal soul searching but also a lot of work around what we need to do and it’s important that we put a performance out that is representative of the proud franchise that we are.MS Dhoni and Stephen Fleming have a long history of working together•PTI

“There’s a lot of hurt that we can turn to motivation but it’s not about words, it’s about players grabbing the moment, finding form, finding their groove and almost shaking off any apprehension which can creep in.”With 32 sixes in six games this season, CSK are averaging just over five sixes a game. None of their batters have scored more than 150 runs this season and none of them have a strike-rate above 150 either. However, Fleming said strike-rates and lack of sixes weren’t as much of an issue, suggesting their batters would be fine using other methods.”We do [talk about the sixes], but it’s not everything,” he said. “I know there’s a fascination with power and six hitting, but there’s also a couple of teams doing well with good craft, and I’d be very sad if the day came to us just being in a baseball competition and talking about sixes and fours.”The beauty of the game is that there’s still balance between bat and ball. Conditions play a big part, but there’s still room for craft, and you’re still seeing top-class players playing pivotal innings when it’s not flat like a road, and I just hope the balance can remain.”Looking ahead to their next game, against LSG on Monday, Fleming said Shivam Dube – who limped off at the end of the first innings against KKR – is expected to be fit. He also picked up on the challenge of facing, in his words, the “best player in the world right now.””Yes, he [Nicholas Pooran] is very threatening,” he said. “He’s the best player in the world at the moment by some distance, – consistent, powerful and a real threat. To get him out and keep him in check will be a big part of winning the game tomorrow.”While CSK are last in the points table, with two points after six games, LSG are currently fourth with eight points, having won three games in a row.

MatériaMais Notícias

Pablo Maia vive um dos melhores momentos da sua carreira pelo São Paulo. O jogador está se estabelecendo no elenco e vem recebendo grande reconhecimento nos bastidores do clube. Consolidado, o jogador chega valorizado pela diretoria para o clássico contra o Palmeiras nesta quarta-feira (5).

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Recentemente, o diretor de futebol Carlos Belmonte abordou a possibilidade do jogador deixar o clube nesta janela de transferências no meio do ano. Internamente, Pablo Maia é considerado uma das grandes promessas do São Paulo. Ele possui boas características que são as responsáveis por este destaque, como chutes de longa distância e uma marcação forte, o que tem despertado interesses de clubes europeus desde o ano passado.

De acordo com informações apuradas pelo Lance! em maio, o jogador Pablo Maia recebeu uma consulta do Fulham, que apresentou uma proposta de 8,5 milhões de euros (cerca de R$ 45,7 milhões), que foi prontamente recusada. No entanto, no São Paulo, a expectativa era de obter um valor ainda mais alto em uma eventual negociação. Em uma entrevista ao canal ‘Camisa 21’, Carlos Belmonte confirmou que, mesmo que uma proposta além das expectativas chegue, a intenção não é perdê-lo nesta janela de transferências, uma vez que ele é considerado um jogador ‘imprescindível’ para a equipe.

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– Como pouco a pouco estamos melhorando a situação financeira, uma decisão que a gente já tomou, é que a gente não vai vender um atleta nosso por menos do que a gente acha que efetivamente ele vale. O Pablo tem feito um campeonato espetacular, que marca muito e finaliza forte. A nossa intenção é manter o Pablo ao menos até essa temporada. Não posso cravar que o Pablo não saia nesta janela, pode chegar uma proposta muito acima do que a gente tem como expectativa. Mas eu e o Casares não pensamos em vender ele nesta janela. É um jogador imprescindível nesse momento – disse Belmonte.

Pablo Maia se consolidou no elenco do São Paulo em apenas dois anos como jogador profissional. Nesta temporada, ele participou de 30 jogos, marcando três gols e dando uma assistência. Como citado anteriormente, seus chutes de fora da aérea são seus pontos fortes. Ano passado, marcou um gol dessa forma contra o Palmeiras.

Na final do Campeonato Paulista de 2022, Pablo Maia marcou um golaço no primeiro jogo da decisão, no qual o São Paulo venceu por 3 a 1. No lance, ele recebeu um passe de Rodrigo Nestor, arriscou um chute de fora da área e a bola desviou no zagueiro Murilo antes de entrar no gol, proporcionando um belo gol para a equipe. Nesta quarta-feira (5), é provável que esteja entre os titulares no primeiro jogo válido pela decisão nas quartas de final da Copa do Brasil – podendo brilhar mais uma vez.

Aston Villa have been limited by the Premier League’s ill-famed Profit and Sustainability rules this summer, but Unai Emery remains in charge and the club have spent wisely to ensure they have the tools to tackle the season ahead.

And while roadblocks have been swerved over the past few months, with the recent £40m sale of Jacob Ramsey to Newcastle United an example of how the Midlands outfit have been hamstrung this term, one or two further additions may yet be made before the September 1st deadline.

That sale, poignant as it is, could lead to the signing of Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson, with Emery personally driving the potential deal. He’s full of untapped potential, but the Spanish tactician might just be the perfect man to lift him toward that high ceiling.

But it’s not just the frontline Emery is mulling over, with a deal in the works for a new defensive player too.

Aston Villa eyeing new defender

Aston Villa welcomed 19-year-old centre-back Yasin Ozcan to their fold this summer after a pre-contract agreement, but the former Kasimpasa star has headed straight out on loan to Anderlecht.

However, a right-sided and versatile player remains of interest to the Villans, with Emery interested in signing an up-and-comer skilled across defence and in a number six berth.

Indeed, according to Foot Mercato, Villa have been buoyed in their summer-long bid to sign teenager Jaydee Canvot after the Toulouse star rejected a proposal from Saudi Arabia, and may be preparing a new offer for him in the final days of the window.

The £17m-rated youngster has already been the subject of one Aston Villa bid this summer, and it would appear Emery is persisting in his chase, and maybe that will pay off.

Why Villa want Jaydee Canvot

Canvot only broke into Toulouse’s senior set-up last season, starting 12 Ligue 1 matches in total, having featured for only five minutes across the opening 15 fixtures of the term.

Shifting between central defence and an anchoring midfield role, Canvot showed why there’s such excitement around him, assuredly completing 87% of his passes and also completing 70% of his dribbles, denoting control and purpose when carrying the ball forward.

His precision and adeptness in reading the game suggest he would be perfect for life in the Premier League, already framed at 6 foot 2 besides.

This versatile defensive style even suggests that Canvot could emulate his countryman Boubacar Kamara and play a similar role at Villa Park. Data-driven platform FBref has actually recorded Kamara to be one of Canvot’s most statistically similar players, ranking among the top 7% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for through balls and the top 18% for successful take-ons per 90.

His passing and natural predilection for forward play further underscore his potential in Emery’s system, and that also substantiates the claim that he could be the next version of Kamara, who has been described by the boss in the past as being “very important” to the side’s build-up and link-up play.

However, the 25-year-old has suffered his share of injury problems since joining Aston Villa from Marseille in 2022, and so while Canvot would replicate him in jumping to England over the Channel and settling in Aston, Birmingham, he would also ease the worries around another setback to Kamara, providing a similar presence and absorbing the fruits of his more experienced peer’s teachings.

The Athletic’s David Ornstein has noted that Canvot is “viewed as a [sic] top prospect,” and Villa would provide him with the perfect nurturing ground to grow into his skin and reach the level of first-team stars such as Kamara.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Passo Fundo do técnico Filipe Sudré venceu o Brasil Farroupilha, neste domingo(14), por 2×1 no estádio Vermelhão da Serra e conquistou a primeira vitória no Campeonato Gaúcho sub20. Com o resultado, a equipe que tem um jogo a menos em relação aos outros adversários, ocupa a quarta colocação do grupo A com 3 pontos. A vitória em casa fez o Passo Fundo quebrar um incomodo tabu que já durava dois anos.

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– Foi uma excelente vitória onde no segundo tempo mudamos a estratégia, largamos atrás e buscamos a vitória o tempo todo. Tivemos um jogo onde destaco a entrega, a garra e dedicação dos jogadores. Foi desse jeito que colocamos a bola no chão, atuamos com sabedoria em cada momento e trouxemos essa vitória em casa que não vinha desde 2021 – disse Filipe Sudré.

Com 50% de aproveitamento,  o Passo Fundo tem a possibilidade de subir na tabela de classificação no meio de semana quando visita o São Luiz. O técnico Filipe Sudré reconhece a dificuldade de atuar longe das suas dependências principalmente pelo fato de poder contar sempre com o apoio da torcida quando joga no Vermelhão da Serra.

– É sempre importante poder jogar com o apoio do torcedor. Foi muito legal atuar em nossa casa com força da torcida e com estádio recebendo um grande público. Isso dá um gás para os atletas e faz toda diferença. Essa cidade é apaixonada pelo Passo Fundo e essa energia nos faz lutar até o último minuto sempre – encerrou o treinador.

O Passo Fundo volta a campo na quarta-feira para enfrentar o São Luiz em Ijuí, em partida adiada da 2ª rodada do gauchão sub20.

Clear your calendar for Tuesday and Wednesday nights going forward – the Champions League is back as 36 of Europe's best teams prepare to do battle across the continent over the next nine months. Last season's tournament, complete with the brand-new league phase, turned into an epic, and the 2025-26 edition of the premier club competition on the planet promises to be no different.

Picking a winner ahead of kick-off is nigh on impossible, but one thing we know for sure is that this is the competition where young players can go from being little-known talents to household names in the blink of an eye. Lamine Yamal and Desire Doue lit up the Champions League last term, while the likes of Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ayyoub Bouaddi earned rave reviews for some of their European performances.

Now, with the first batch of games set to kick-off on Tuesday, who will be the next youngsters to become Champions League icons in front of our eyes? We've put our NXGN hat on and picked out 10 teenagers born in 2006 or later who we can't wait to see make their competition debuts in the coming weeks…

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Lucas Bergvall (Tottenham)

  Premier League fans may not realise given the maturity that Lucas Bergvall plays with, but the Tottenham midfielder only turned 19 in February, and thus has to be among the most exciting prospects currently plying their trade in the English top-flight. Bergvall opened his Premier League goal account on Saturday against West Ham, but it is the Sweden international's all-round game that has stood out ever since he broke into the Spurs line up early last season.

  Bergvall's game promises to go to the next level under Thomas Frank's tutelage, and he will this season get the chance on the grandest stage possible to show exactly why Barcelona were so upset when they missed on signing him from Djurgardens in early 2024.

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  Mikkel Bro Hansen (Bodo/Glimt)

  The Champions League comes to the Arctic Circle in 2025-26 as another chapter prepares to be written in the Bodo/Glimt fairy tale. After reaching the Europa League semi-finals last term, the Norwegian side are dining at Europe's top table for the first time, and they are doing so with a homegrown teenager within their squad who could be set for even greater things.

  Mikkel Bro Hansen won't turn 17 until January, but he has already netted seven goals in eight appearances for the Bodo first team, including two hat-tricks in the Norwegian Cup. On Friday, he fired home from the penalty spot to become the youngest league goal-scorer in the club's history, with it clear why Barca and Spurs are among the clubs to have been linked with the striker in recent months.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Max Dowman (Arsenal)

  Perhaps the most exciting English talent right now, Max Dowman's long-awaited Arsenal debut eventually arrived in August, and the way he ran rings around Premier League defenders during the Gunners' 5-0 win over Leeds United only added to the suggestion that the Gunners have got a serious talent on their hands.

  Capable of playing in central midfield or out wide, the 15-year-old will become the youngest-ever player to appear in the Champions League if he makes his European debut before the turn of the year, and given his fearless approach to the game, it wouldn't be a shock if Dowman made his first mark on the competition before the campaign is out.

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  Lennart Karl (Bayern Munich)

  Given their propensity to hoover up first-team ready players from their Bundesliga rivals and beyond, it's not always easy for Bayern Munich's homegrown youngsters to force their way into the first-team picture at the Allianz Arena. Lennart Karl, however, is hoping to buck that trend after earning the trust of Vincent Kompany.

  The 17-year-old attacker, who can play centrally or out wide, made his senior debut at the Club World Cup and, after an eye-catching pre-season, has now begun to make cameos off the bench for the Bundesliga champions. Regarded as the top talent within Germany right now, Karl should force his way onto the pitch in Europe in the weeks and months to come.