Tag Futebol

تحدث أحمد زاهر، المدير الإداري لنادي بيراميدز، عن طبيعة منصبه في الفريق السماوي، وأسباب رحيله عن الزمالك.

وقال زاهر، عبر قناة “النهار”: “بدأت عملي الإداري في الزمالك، وهو السبب في وجودي الآن داخل نادي بيراميدز”.

وواصل: “الأمر هنا مختلف وأسهل بكثير، فهناك إدارة تضع استراتيجية لكل شيء، كما أن النظام المالي يسير بشكل جيد، وتستطيع أن تتعامل مع اللاعبين وفق اللوائح”.

طالع.. يورتشيتش: الأهلي وقع في خطأ عندما أبرم صفقاته.. وما يفعله الزمالك لن يحقق أي إنجاز

وأكمل: “على عكس الزمالك، حيث كنت أواجه مشكلة إذا أردت خصم غرامة من لاعب بسبب تأخير أو عقوبة، فيقول لم أحصل على مستحقاتي أصلًا، فكيف تخصم مني؟ لم أكن أستطيع تطبيق النظام كما أريد”.

واستمر: “طالما هناك نظام واضح، تستطيع أن تنفذ كل ما تريد بسهولة، وكل شخص يعرف ما له وما عليه”.

وأضاف: “أما عن سبب انتقالي للعمل في بيراميدز، فالوضع المالي في الزمالك كان أحد الأسباب، مجلس الإدارة يتغير باستمرار، ومع كل تغيير تبدأ الإدارة الجديدة التعامل معنا من الصفر، وبعض الأشخاص لم يكونوا يثقون بي، وهذا الأمر كان يزعجني”.

وتابع: “كل لجنة كانت تأتي إلى الزمالك كانت تحاسبني على تصرفات إدارات سابقة، رغم أنني عملت مع كل المجالس ولم تكن لدي أي مشكلة مع أحد”.

وأتم: “بجانب ذلك، كانت تحدث أمور لا علاقة لي بها، مثل تسريب العقود، ولا يوجد جهاز إداري في العالم يقبل أن تتسرب عقود فريقه”.

With Bryan Mbeumo now expected to undergo a medical next week, Manchester United have reportedly turned their focus towards another summer target.

Latest on Man Utd's goalkeeper search

The clock is ticking on Andre Onana’s place as Manchester United’s No.1 whether he likes it or not. The Red Devils instantly commenced their search for an upgrade this summer and whilst things haven’t moved as quickly as the likes of Matheus Cunha and Mbeumo, their pursuit remains ongoing.

Several names have emerged as candidates for the role with the most prominent being Emiliano Martinez and Diogo Costa. Both would be upgrades on the struggling Onana, but which direction United choose to head towards is the big question. If Statman Dave’s verdict is anything to go by, then it should be the latter rather than Aston Villa’s No.1.

Costa is certainly a realistic option too. The Porto goalkeeper has reportedly already given the green light to a move to Old Trafford this summer and INEOS must now turn to the negotiations table with the Portuguese club.

That said, Costa won’t come cheap and that may prove to be the ultimate stumbling block for the Red Devils. With a release clause reportedly worth as much as £64m, United would be forced to splash out a similar price for the goalkeeper that they’ve already spent on Cunha and Mbeumo.

Bellingham 2.0: Man Utd open talks for "one of the best CMs in the world"

Manchester United appear to be laying the foundations over a move for a sensational young talent.

By
Ethan Lamb

Jun 27, 2025

If that is the case then a cheaper option which they could find in the Serie A would certainly be ideal.

Man Utd ready to submit Carnesecchi offer

As reported by Football Italia, INEOS are now ready to submit a €40m (£34m) offer to sign Marco Carnesecchi from Atalanta in a bid which would include add-ons to close in on the Serie A club’s €50m (£43m) valuation.

Like Costa, Carnesecchi is just 24 years old and already showing plenty of signs that he’d be an instant upgrade on Onana if Manchester United complete their move this summer.

In several key areas, the Atalanta goalkeeper outperformed Onana last season. But what stands out most is his incredibly high save percentage and the best context to add to that would be the fact that Alisson Becker only managed 72% – that’s the level of player that United would be signing.

Dubbed “excellent” by Get Italian Football News, 6 foot 3 Carnesecchi was recently called up to Italy’s senior side after starring for the U21s, and although he was forced to sit on and watch from the bench, will have his eyes set on eventually dethroning Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Before that time comes, however, a move to Old Trafford could be calling his name. Whether the goalkeeper answers that call remains to be seen.

Former captain is 105 not out after 157-run third-wicket partnership with Tom Lammonby

ECB Reporters Network24-Jun-2024

Somerset 293 for 4 (Abell 105*, Lammonby 87) trail Nottinghamshire 360 (Stone 83, Haynes 55, Clarke 51, Aldridge 5-94) by 67 runsA century from Tom Abell led a strong Somerset response on day two of the Vitality County Championship match at Trent Bridge, where the visitors closed on 293 for 4 in reply to the hosts’ 360 all out as they bid to keep pace with leaders Surrey and Essex at the top of the Division One table.It is a first hundred for the 30-year-old since he relinquished the Somerset captaincy after struggling for form last year, although he missed the start of the current campaign through injury and this is only his second match in the Championship.He finished on 105 not out, with Somerset trailing by 67 runs, having shared a 157-run third-wicket partnership with Tom Lammonby (87), adding a further unbroken stand of 67 with James Rew before the close.At the start of the day, Nottinghamshire had extended their first innings by nine overs from 326 for 8 overnight, picking up a third batting point before Somerset’s bowlers could winkle out the last two wickets, seamers Migael Pretorious (4 for 96) and Kasey Aldridge (5 for 95) finishing the job for figures that reflected their fine contributions on day one.Nottinghamshire fast bowler Olly Stone, the principal architect of a recovery from 190 for 7 on day one, fell just before the 350 was reached, edging Pretorius to second slip for an 83 that was warmly acknowledged by the home crowd, who saw him make 90 against Lancashire last month after beginning the season with a first-class average of 15.38.Aldridge completed his five-for when Dane Paterson, earlier dropped by wicketkeeper Rew, was caught on the extra cover boundary, with Dillon Pennington, having enjoyed some good fortune in picking up six boundaries, unbeaten on 29.As Somerset began their reply, Pennington picked up an early scalp with the ball thanks to a fine catch at third slip by Will Young as Andy Umeed departed in the sixth over.Tom Kohler Cadmore, dropped by Calvin Harrison at second slip before he was off the mark, made 38 in his first Championship action of the season before falling soon after lunch to a superb piece of work on the leg side by Tom Moores as Stone gained his 15th wicket of the Championship campaign.Thereafter, it was a frustrating afternoon for Nottinghamshire and a profitable one for Somerset, who added 105 runs in the session as Lammonby and Abell patiently built a half-century apiece, in the former’s case for the sixth time this season.Lammonby’s came from 104 balls with six fours, among them a couple of glorious off-drives. Abell completed his from 101 balls soon afterwards, clipping Harrison crisply to the leg side for his seventh boundary.There had been little encouragement for the bowlers in that time. Nottinghamshire skipper Haseeb Hameed had a number of discussions with the umpires about the condition of the ball, which had already been changed once in the innings. Eventually it was replaced again, although with no discernible change in its behaviour.The footmarks left by Pennington and Stone gave Harrison something to aim at, and the leg-spinner would have been cheered by a delivery soon after tea that turned sharply enough to beat the left-handed Lammonby’s inside edge, even if the end result was four byes.In the event, it was at the other end, where the four Nottinghamshire seamers had been patiently rotated by Hameed, that the breakthrough came as Lammonby, perhaps letting his concentration drift for a moment, played across a ball from Paterson that held its line and was leg before.It broke the partnership after 48 overs, after which the wait for the next wicket was considerably shorter – just seven deliveries – as new batter Tom Banton prodded at one from Harrison to be caught behind.The second new ball raised Nottinghamshire’s hopes of further gains. In the event, none came in the five overs before the close as Abell turned the injection of some pace to his advantage, despatching a couple of leg-side deliveries to the boundary to complete a 202-ball hundred containing 12 fours.

Chelsea’s first trophy since 2021 should hopefully give Enzo Maresca some credit in the bank and allow him the confidence to bolster his side ahead of the Champions League next season.

The Blues’ 4-1 victory over Real Betis in the Conference League final means they are the first team to win the Champions League, Europa League, UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, and now the newest tournament on the calendar.

Given the quality of their squad, it was certainly expected, but the comeback from 1-0 down on Wednesday evening was still excellent.

This sets up the Stamford Bridge side wonderfully for the Club World Cup and the summer transfer window. It appears as though they are closing in on their first signing…

Chelsea closing in on Liam Delap

Liam Delap is one of the most in-demand centre-forwards in the Premier League due to his impressive debut season in the competition.

Although Ipswich Town suffered relegation, Delap scored 12 times across his 37 matches for the Tractor Boys. In the end, his goal involvements accounted for 39% of Ipswich’s total in the top flight.

These exploits in front of goal certainly attracted plenty of admirers, including Everton, Manchester United and Newcastle United, although the Blues appear to have won the race. Fabrizio Romano delivered the news about his impending move to London on X, revealing that an “agreement” had been struck.

For £30m, Chelsea are getting a bargain, especially if he goes on to become a major success at the club in the coming years.

Aged just 22, Delap is yet to hit his peak years as a player. His breakthrough campaign for Ipswich has given the Englishman a taste for top-flight football, no doubt about that.

While he may have netted 12 goals last season, Delap often tends to drop deep, linking up well with those behind. As such, he is excellent at driving forward with the ball, taking on the opposition defence regularly.

When compared to his positional peers in the Premier League, the former Manchester City starlet ranks in the top 10% for successful take-on percentage (46.5%) and in the top 12% for successful take-ons per 90 (1.39).

Combining this with the fact he ranks in the top 23% for carries into the final third (1.6) per 90 in the top flight, it is evident Delap does some of his best work outside the penalty area.

This all-round game would suit Maresca’s style and ensure Delap doesn’t get isolated as a lone striker.

Fending off other teams to secure Delap’s signature is a coup for Chelsea. But can Maresca go a stage further and perhaps bring in someone who might be an even bigger talent than the youngster?

Chelsea’s continued search for a striker

Viktor Gyokeres has been earmarked as a potential signing for the Blues, but Arsenal seem to be the favourites for the Swedish sensation.

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

Victor Osimhen is also on the club’s radar, but the one player who Maresca would love to bring to Stamford Bridge is Eintracht Frankfurt centre-forward, Hugo Ekitiké.

Any potential move could cost the club around €100m (£84m) this summer, although it looks like progress is being made.

As reported by French outlet Foot Mercato, that interest in the French striker appears set to be ramped up, with talks already said to be being held.

As per the report, a meeting has been scheduled to take place this week, involving Chelsea and the player’s agents, with Frankfurt having already begun work on acquiring a replacement.

Could the Blues be edging closer to signing another attacking talent?

Why Hugo Ekitike could be an instant Delap upgrade

Although the same age as Delap, the former PSG striker has been performing at a higher level for longer.

Indeed, he made his Ligue 1 debut during the 2020/21 season, going on to score 11 goals in just 28 games for Stade Reims in the French top flight.

Comparing Delap and Ekitike domestically this season

Metric (per 90*)

Delap

Ekitike

Shots*

2.29

4

Shot-creating actions*

2.15

3.55

Goal-creating actions*

0.24

0.42

Progressive carries

61

93

Touches in the attacking penalty area

92

196

Stats via FBref

This, plus an extraordinarily high ceiling for development, saw PSG sign him in the summer of 2022. Lofty expectations in the French capital meant he netted only three goals for the club, starting a mere 14 games.

In truth, he was unable to displace the great triumvirate of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Neymar in Paris. Thus, a move to Frankfurt in the summer of 2023 provided plenty of solace.

Indeed, across his first two seasons with the Bundesliga side, Ekitike has netted 26 goals and registered 14 assists across 64 games. This works out as a goal involvement every 1.6 games.

Analyst and writer Sam McGuire hailed Ekitike as a “shot monster” and a “genuine goal threat” recently, and he has proven this season that he deserves another chance at a major European heavyweight.

Compared to his peers across Europe’s top five leagues, the young Frenchman has exuded superb statistics.

Not only does he rank in the top 6% for shot-creating actions (3.5) and touches in the attacking penalty area (6.73) per 90, he also ranks in the top 4% for progressive carries (3.04) and successful take-ons (1.9) per 90 across the previous 365 days.

Like Delap, he can also drop deeper to link with the midfield, but it is evident that he offers much more of a threat doing so than the Englishman.

Paying £84m for Ekitike could well be a big gamble for Chelsea, but given his statistics for Frankfurt recently, he has all the tools in his arsenal to shine in England.

Delap may be the homegrown talent, but the Frenchman looks as though he has the higher ceiling. That much is certain.

Related Chelsea are set to sign their new Cole Palmer in "the next 24 hours"

Chelsea could be about to land the next Cole Palmer with a move for one player in the coming weeks.

Posts ByEthan Lamb May 29, 2025

Wolverhampton Wanderers have now set their sights on a “sensational” striker, who is set to be available on a free transfer this summer, according to a report.

Wolves eyeing new striker with Cunha set for exit

Matheus Cunha has played a key role in steering Wolves clear of relegation this season, scoring 15 goals in the Premier League, but it appears as though the Brazilian’s time at Molineux could be coming to an end this summer.

Manchester United are now working on a deal to sign Cunha “very soon”, with the Red Devils in the process of negotiating the final details of the contract, which indicates Vitor Pereira will now be tasked with bringing in a replacement.

Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy has now emerged as a surprise target, with the 38-year-old set to leave Leicester City this summer, while the Old Gold are also keen on a move for Chelsea’s Joao Felix, who has been told he is free to speak to other clubs.

Wolves have their eye on a number of Premier League strikers, with a report from Caught Offside revealing they have now registered their interest in signing Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin this summer.

Related Bid made: Wolves submit contract offer to sign star who agreed to join Spurs

The Old Gold have made a move for a midfielder, offering him triple his current wages to move to Molineux.

Posts 1 ByDominic Lund Apr 29, 2025

Calvert-Lewin is currently set to leave Everton on a free transfer this summer, with his contract set to come to an end, and a number of Premier League clubs are queuing up for his signature, including West Ham United, Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United.

There is also a chance the 28-year-old will remain at Goodison Park beyond the end of the season, with the Toffees planning a final round of talks over a contract extension.

Calvert-Lewin could be "sensational" signing for Wolves

It could be a very difficult task to replace Cunha this summer, but there are signs the Everton forward could be a solid signing, given his previous exploits in the Premier League, most notably scoring a combined 29 goals across the 2019-20 and 2020-21 campaigns.

The Englishman has also impressed in more recent memory, with reporter Connor O’Neill praising him for his performance in the Merseyside derby last season.

That said, there should be major concerns over the 28-year-old’s injury record, missing the last 12 Premier League games through a hamstring issue, having suffered with injury problems throughout his career.

However, Calvert-Lewin has proven himself to be a top Premier League striker when fit, so it could be a risk worth taking for Wolves this summer, particularly considering he will be available on a free transfer.

Member of the last successful men’s Ashes tour reflects on the harsh lessons he learned down under

Vithushan Ehantharajah12-Nov-2025Steven Finn knows what it is like to find yourself in the goldfish bowl of an Ashes tour. The parochial crowds, the unrelenting media circus. Even the barbs of a single Western Australian punter stick with you.”We were playing this warm-up game in Perth, England versus Western Australia in the 2010-11 Ashes, and there was this one fella sledging us the whole time,” Finn tells ESPNcricinfo. “He was one of the few spectators in.”I didn’t bowl particularly well, and he singled me out for stick, screaming and shouting, telling us it was a long summer and that we were going to get pumped.”During the third Test in Perth at the WACA, I took wickets but didn’t bowl particularly well. We got [Mitchell] Johnson-ed in that game. And there he was again, still going.”I’d go down to fine leg and he’d be screaming: ‘you were rubbish then and you’re rubbish now’. I got Phil Hughes out in the second innings, caught in the slips by Colly [Paul Collingwood] and gave him a big shush.”Related

• 'I wasn't willing to be honest about my mental state and that cost me'

• Finn announces retirement from all forms of cricket

• TNT Sports turn to cycling and rugby commentators for UK Ashes coverage

• Fisher embraces stand-by status as England's Ashes winter begins

• The Australia selectors' aversion to risk might have boxed them into a corner

It remains, to Finn’s mind, the only time he had reacted to someone in the crowd like that. “I imagine he’ll be waiting for me to tell me I’m a rubbish broadcaster in the first Test this time around.”It is 15 years since England’s last series victory in Australia, when Finn kept a daily tour diary. Though a diligent note taker, it was the first time he had regularly documented his thoughts, something which he reprised on the 2013-14 tour. “The Ashes is just that bit different to any other cricket you play as an English player. The fact that I only kept diaries on those tours is probably a nod towards that as well.”They were, on the face of it, contrasting series. England left Australia with the urn for the first time since 1986-87, and then returned to suffer an ignominious 5-0 defeat. For Finn, however, both were about unique struggles of mind and body.Having taken 14 wickets at 33.14 in the first three Tests of 2010-11, he was benched for Tim Bresnan. Unused in 2013-14, lost in his own battles with his bowling, one-day coach Ashley Giles sent him home from the limited-overs series that followed deeming him “not selectable”.As such, Finn’s autobiography , which leans on both diaries – and is cowritten by ESPNcricinfo’s Matt Roller – is about a 36-capped Test fast bowler revisiting those moments introspectively. A very personal journey back in time led by the Ghost of Ashes past.

“If I was back in that moment again, I would say to myself, even though I’d been dropped for those last two games, soak this up and embrace enjoying what you’ve achieved here and what the team’s achieved because it’s monumental”Steven Finn on memories of 2010-11

Finn ranks himself as his own worst critic, even now as a commentator and pundit for both BBC and TNT, who he will be working for this winter. “The way that my mind works, I’m very good at focusing on the things that I’m not doing well and that I’m not very good at. If I’m broadcasting and I stumble on one word I don’t quite make my point as succinctly as I’d like to.”He was especially unkind to himself both as a 21-year-old on that maiden Ashes tour, and at 24, in an unforgiving environment, succumbing to tears in the dressing room as he lost his love for the game. With the benefit of experience and hindsight, how would Finn, 36, have dealt his younger selves?”I think in ’10-11 I’d have tried to help myself see the bigger picture. I was really disappointed that I didn’t play the fourth and fifth Test, so I maybe didn’t feel as much a part of the team at that stage of the series.”When I look back on it now 15 years later, I’m so proud that I played three Tests in that series because we won the Ashes away for the first time in a long time. And it was the right decision by the way – to bring Bresnan in, he bowled amazingly. But if I was back in that moment again, I would say to myself, even though I’d been dropped for those last two games, soak this up and embrace enjoying what you’ve achieved here and what the team’s achieved because it’s monumental.”In 2013-14, I would encourage myself to take a step back, allow yourself to be removed from everything that you’re doing. Being so focused on trying your hardest, chasing something the whole time – it meant that all my bad habits and all my intrusive thoughts just compounded across that tour. I’d say to myself, it’s okay to just take a small step back and try and remember the good things that you’re doing as opposed to always remembering the bad things.”Finn has become a respected broadcaster post playing career•Gareth Copley/Getty ImagesIt would take Finn a year to get back to his best. The labour of building himself back up with the help of his then Middlesex bowling coach Richard Johnson allowing him to return in the home 2015 Ashes. He took eight wickets in his comeback at Edgbaston, including 6 for 79 in the second innings, leading to 12 in the series at 22.50.Liberated by comfort, encouraged by those around him, it was no surprise he was back in the groove. Nor that he regards the current environment of the England Test team cultivated by Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum as one he would have thrived in.To that end, he sees parallels with his 2010-11 cohort and what this current set-up are looking to achieve when the first Ashes Test kicks off in Perth next week.”I think in 2010-11, and I reflect on it in the book, we went there and when you get off the plane, scrub your boots, get cameras in your face and it’s like, ‘oh my God, you’re gonna get hammered, you’re gonna get battered, we’re gonna smash you five-nil!’ But then when you stand up to Australia in that moment and push back like we did in the second innings of that first Test in Brisbane… it would’ve been easy for us to fall like a pack of cards and then we’re off on that negative cycle again. But in that second innings, we broke the cycle by puffing our chest out.”Collectively as a team, we stood there, and said, ‘we’re going nowhere’. We were clearly a fantastic team, but we looked to embrace being in Australia. We didn’t hide away; we’d go to restaurants, we’d go to a bar and have a drink. We just embraced being there and being in what is an amazing country. It’s the best tour.”I think that this England, led by Ben Stokes, will have that attitude going into this series. Even if Australia do try and blow the house down, I don’t think England will let it fall. I think they’ll have the mentality to come back from those tough moments within games, which is not something that we can say of the teams that have toured there since 2010-11.” by Steven Finn (Orion Publishing Co) is available to buy now geni.us/AshesFiles

Nine special moments from an enthralling Test match between India and England

ESPNcricinfo staff06-Feb-2024India and England played out four days of riveting Test cricket as the hosts levelled the series in Visakhapatnam. We’ve picked out the best moments and this is your chance to pick your favourites. Over to you to rank them.

Even India’s spinners were outbowled by their South African counterparts

Hemant Brar21-Jan-20221:36

Pant: India didn’t get enugh wickets in middle overs

Jasprit Bumrah is a world-class bowler – both in Test cricket and in the limited-overs versions. But in the last couple of years, he has lacked the potency with the new ball in ODIs. Since the 2019 World Cup, he has picked up just one powerplay wicket in 43 overs across 11 innings.Bhuvneshwar Kumar hasn’t fared much better: in the same period, he has three powerplay wickets from 41 overs.That has resulted in India being by far the worst bowling side in the first ten overs. Since the last World Cup, their bowlers have picked up only ten powerplay wickets in 23 ODIs. They have also given away 5.74 runs an over – the most by any team – and their bowling average of 132.10 is more than double that of the next worst (Zimbabwe’s 63.45). In comparison, India’s opponents in those games picked up 24 wickets in 22 innings at an average of 53.00 and an economy rate of 5.78.Stand-in captain KL Rahul was asked before the South Africa series if that concern was addressed in team meetings. “We have talked about this and we have some ideas, some plans, and we want to try those in the coming series,” he said. “That will give us an indication about whether we’re doing things right, and if our strategies or tactics are right.”Clearly, whatever India tried didn’t work as their new-ball woes haunted them again during the second ODI in Paarl. Chasing 288, South Africa cruised to 66 for no loss in the first ten overs. On a surface that was supposed to make batting difficult in the second innings, they registered their highest successful chase since 2017.Apart from the sub-par returns with the new ball, what has hurt India in this series is the lack of a third wicket-taking fast bowler in the playing XI.In the absence of Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, they are forced to play both Venkatesh Iyer and Shardul Thakur, leaving no place for someone like Mohammed Siraj. But they are caught between a rock and a hard place. They need someone from the top six to chip in with a few overs if a regular bowler goes for too many or, worse, breaks down. And the importance of Thakur’s batting was highlighted today, as without him, India would have struggled to cross 275.2:41

Manjrekar: Time for India to go back to Kuldeep Yadav

But what was baffling was the Indian spinners being outbowled by their South African counterparts on a pitch that resembled one from back home. The last time India visited South Africa, in 2017-18, Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal had wreaked havoc. They topped the bowling charts, picking up 33 wickets at a combined average of 15.09 to help India win the six-match ODI series 5-1.This time, with Kuldeep out of form and favour, and Chahal not at his best, India struggled to take wickets in the middle overs too. R Ashwin, playing his first ODI series since June 2017, wasn’t very effective either.In the first ODI, Chahal and Ashwin had combined figures of 1 for 106 from 20 overs, while Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi and Aiden Markram had 4 for 124 from 26 overs. On Friday, the Chahal-Ashwin combo went for 1 for 115 from their 20 overs, while Maharaj, Shamsi and Markram picked up 4 for 143 from 26.In the first match, Ashwin started by flighting the ball but soon switched to a flatter trajectory, which neither stopped runs nor fetched wickets. Chahal bowled a few good deliveries but also erred in line from time to time. The South African batters, especially Rassie van der Dussen and Temba Bavuma, cashed in on it, using sweep as their main weapon.Today, Ashwin was introduced into the attack as soon as the fourth over after Quinton de Kock took Bhuvneshwar apart. He started in the same manner, tossing the ball up and even bowling a maiden to Janneman Malan. In his third over, he produced a stumping chance but Rishabh Pant fluffed it. To rub it in, de Kock, the man reprieved, hit the next ball for a six and went on to score 78 off 66 balls, setting the platform for a series-clinching victory.Chahal bowled a little better, picking up 1 for 47, but it wasn’t good enough.”I think they [the South African spinners] were a little more consistent in their lines and lengths,” Pant said after the match. “Yes, our spin unit could have done a little better but you have to see we are playing one-dayers after a long time, we are just getting used to the momentum of the 50-over cricket. So there are lots of factors we can talk about. Hopefully, we can correct all these mistakes in the coming matches.”

The Toronto Blue Jays are off to a dream start to their postseason run, jumping out to a 2–0 series lead over the New York Yankees to open the American League Division Series.

Starring for the Blue Jays is slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who has six hits in nine at-bats so far in the series, and a home run in each game, including a grand slam that sent the Toronto crowd into absolute elation on Sunday.

The Blue Jays are no strangers to the postseason, having played playoff baseball in three of the past five seasons, but this is already their first trip past the wild-card round since 2016, and if they can make a run to the World Series, it will be their first appearance since taking back-to-back titles in 1992 and ‘93.

Guerrero, who has spent the entirety of his career in Toronto, was asked if he felt there was something different about this year’s team compared to others. Through a translator, he provided a succinct answer.

"Today was optional for everyone here,” Guerrero said. “And we're all here."

The Blue Jays will have the chance to put away the Yankees in Game 3 of the ALDS on Tuesday night. If Guerrero can keep up his astounding run at the plate, they should have a good shot at finishing the job.

Ian Wright and Roy Keane have shared a light-hearted joke at Laura Woods’ expense after learning that their fellow presenter is “fine” following her on-air collapse during ITV’s coverage of England’s friendly date with Ghana. Woods fell ill when looking ahead of the Lionesses’ clash at St Mary’s, with Arsenal legend Wright on hand to prevent her from tumbling to the ground.

• Woods collapsed during coverage of England vs Ghana

  Viewers were quick to air their concern and pass on well wishes after seeing Woods faint while chatting with Wright and Anita Asante as England prepared to face African opposition in Southampton. She was caught while falling forwards, with ITV cutting to an advertising break.

  Wright, who could be heard comforting Woods before the live coverage cut to commercials, admits that he was “worried” at the time. A positive update on Woods’ condition has since been delivered, allowing for some playful banter to take place.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Wright and Keane react to seeing colleague fall ill

  Ex-England striker Wright discussed the incident for the first time when joining former Manchester United stars Keane and Gary Neville on podcast, along with Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher and Lionesses legend Jill Scott.

  Wright said of Woods: “She’s fine. I got a message from her this morning. It was worrying at the time but she’s fine. People have been really nice about it. I’m glad she’s okay.” Scott added: “She said that she thinks she’s got a virus but it must have been horrible for that to happen, on live TV as well.”

  The panel said that Woods “would want” them to make light of the incident. Keane, who is also a regular on ITV Sport, did just that when saying to Wright: “I’m guessing she’s not the first woman to fall into your arms Ian. That’s just your knack. She’s okay and that’s all that matters, that’s the most important thing, obviously. You’ll get a knighthood or an award for that, Wrighty.”

• What 'embarrassed' Woods said about incident

  Woods’ fiance, former Love Island contestant Adam Collard, posted on social media shortly after seeing his partner collapse, assuring viewers that she was “ok” and “with the right people” as she started her recovery.

  Woods went on to tell her followers on Instagram, with Wright, Asante and her colleagues at ITV being thanked for looking after her: “Gosh that was a bit weird. Sorry to worry everyone, I’m ok, the wonderful paramedics at Saints have said it's probably a virus, just need a bit of rest and hydration.

  “I’m really embarrassed that happened on TV, but a big thank you to my colleagues at ITV who have really looked after me tonight. And to Wrighty and Neets for catching me and sorry again.”

  Katie Shanahan stepped in to replace Woods and told viewers: “As you have probably noticed we don’t have the wonderful Laura Woods because she’s just been taken ill but she’s in very good hands so I’m stepping in at late notice. She’s in really good hands and we’re wishing her a speedy recovery. We want to reassure you she is doing okay. We all send her our love.”

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

• Getty
  

  Woods engaged to ex-Love Island star & mother to son Leo

  Woods is a regular on ITV when it comes to coverage of England’s Women’s team, having fronted their run to the 2023 World Cup final and triumphant Euro 2025 campaign. She also presents Champions League action on TNT Sports and has previously hosted a radio show on talkSPORT.

  She got engaged to fitness coach Collard in 2024, after he proposed on a beach in Cornwall, with their first child – a boy named Leo Ernie – being welcomed into the world in January. Woods returned to work in April but will now be taking in another short break as she prioritises her personal health.

  England emerged victorious in their clash with Ghana, as goals from Lucia Kendall and Alessia Russo saw them to a 2-0 win. Sarina Wiegman’s side will not be in action again until March, when they face Ukraine and Iceland in their opening games of 2027 World Cup qualification.