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The Ranji Trophy final between Karnataka and Mumbai will be played at the Gangotri Glades Stadium in Mysore, and not at Bangalore’s Chinnaswamy Stadium

Siddarth Ravindran at the Chinnaswamy Stadium 06-Jan-2010The Ranji Trophy final between Karnataka and Mumbai will be played at the Gangotri Glades Stadium in Mysore, and not at Bangalore’s Chinnaswamy Stadium. This will be the first Ranji final since 1996-97 to be held away from the primary venue of the hosting association but it’s clear the hosts have decided to back their bowlers on a pitch likely to have pace and bounce.”The centre wicket is being regrassed here [Bangalore], that’s why they are not able to give us a good bouncy track,” Karnataka coach Narasimha Sanath Kumar said at the Chinnaswamy Stadium soon after the semi-final against UP. “Our strength is fast bowling. It is a little difficult for the fast bowlers here and that (Mysore track) probably will be a better one.”Mysore has already hosted a league match and the quarter-final against Punjab this season, and both games drew decent crowds. Rahul Dravid, the Karnataka captain, had no apprehensions about a small city hosting perhaps the biggest match in the domestic calendar.”I’m sure the game will be very well supported, there will be a lot of crowd on all the days,” he said. “It will be a great advertisement for the game, it’s a good chance to develop the infrastructure at Mysore and take the game away from the big cities and to the smaller towns, which I feel is where the future of the Ranji Trophy is.”It was Dravid’s chanceless double-century that virtually shut UP out of the semi-finals, and Karnataka are still fretting over his availability for the finals, which ends on the 15th. India’s first Test against Bangladesh starts two days later. Last-ditch efforts were still on to advance the final by a day, so that it finishes on the 14th, which will make it easier for Dravid to participate.”I’ve had a chance to speak to the Indian team management and they expect me to be in Dhaka by the 15th evening, latest,” he said. “To do that, it (the Ranji final) will probably have to be preponed by a day, if not, it may not be possible.”Dravid has only played in four of Karnataka’s eight matches this season, and even without him the state has steamrolled opposition. That left coach Sanath confident, irrespective of Dravid’s availability. “Obviously it’ll make a big difference if he’s there,” Sanath said, “but we have won outright three out of the four matches when he didn’t play.”

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Scott Sinclair won’t let Celtic’s title bid be knocked off course by injuries.

The winger has been in sparkling form recently with eight goals in nine games helping Celtic establish a six-point advantage at the top of the SPFL table.

While the goals and points have piled up, so to have the injuries with Odsonne Edouard, Mikael Lustig, James Forrest and Ryan Christie picking up knocks in the 2-0 defeat of St Johnstone.

Lustig’s injury completes a clean sweep of absent defenders with Filip Benkovic, Dedryck Boyata and Kieran Tierney already missing, as is Tony Ralston.

Sinclair has managed to steer clear of injury so far this season but is well aware of the mounting setbacks.

“It is frustrating for some of the guys, especially the like of Odsonne who has just got back fit, but it is just football, as difficult as it can be,” he said, as quoted by The Evening Times. “But hopefully they will all be back as soon as possible and we won’t allow it to take away from what we need to do.”

Brendan Rodgers will need to assess his walking wounded over the next 48 hours but did get the bonus of giving new signing Jeremy Toljan 45 minutes in the win over St Johnstone.

Timothy Weah proved that he is worth a staring place with a goal and an assist against Tommy Wright’s side, while others such as Mikey Johnston wait to get their opportunity.

With Kris Ajer suspended for Wednesday’s match against Hibs, Nir Bitton is likely to be pushed back into defence. Jack Hendry could potentially be called up onto the bench for the first time this year as well.

Tottenham Hotspur would have felt disappointed to only come away from Southampton with a 1-1 draw after the hosts were reduced to 10 men in the first half.

Mohammed Salisu was sent off for two bookable offences after James Ward-Prowse had given the Saints the lead, before Harry Kane dispatched his penalty to bring the scores level before half-time.

Antonio Conte’s team probed in the second half, but they did not do enough to take all three points, as The Transfer Tavern use statistical experts SofaScore to analyse who the three worst performers (to have played at least 45 minutes) for the visitors were on the day…

Dele Alli

Alli was given a 6.6 overall rating by SofaScore, and so was ranked as Spurs’ third-worst player on Tuesday afternoon.

The Englishman lost out on six of his duels in total, and failed to record a single shot on goal or successful dribble throughout the entire match.

His 71% pass accuracy was the second-lowest out of his teammates, while the midfielder only managed a mere 42 touches of the ball, giving it away on no fewer than 12 separate occasions.

Hugo Lloris

Although some statistics are different for goalkeepers, Lloris was given a 6.5 rating by SofaScore.

The captain managed just one save from Southampton’s nine shots at goal, while his 23 touches were the lowest out of any Lilywhite to have played the whole game.

Lloris also lost possession three times, and made no key passes.

Sergio Reguilon

Perhaps harshly given that he only played one half, Reguilon was only given a 6.4 rating from SofaScore.

Of course, part of the reason he was withdrawn early was that the left wing-back was one of two THFC players to find themselves cautioned, while he lost two duels, and made no successful dribbles, interceptions, tackles, key passes or accurate crosses.

Reguilon managed just 31 touches in the first half, while he also lost the ball 11 times in total.

All in all, the trio surrendered possession 26 times from just 96 combined touches, turning the ball over on 27 per cent of the occasions they had the ball.

In other news, find out who Tottenham have now ‘launched’ themselves to sign here!

Both finalists will be happy to be back in Barbados, a venue which hastreated them well in this tournament

Andrew McGlashan in Barbados15-May-2010Both finalists will be happy to be back in Barbados, a venue which hastreated them well in this tournament. England warmed up here and thenreturned to beat Pakistan and South Africa in the Super Eights after astressful time in Guyana, while Australia were too good forBangladesh, Sri Lanka and India on a bouncy surface.The wicket has been a revelation and is expected to provide anengrossing contest again with rewards on offer for bowlers and batsmen- Twenty20 is as much about an even contest as any format. Australia’sfast-bowling trio of Dirk Nannes, Shaun Tait and Mitchell Johnsonrelished the conditions and will be aiming to push the speed gunagain.England’s seamers don’t possess the same extreme pace and have reliedmore on subtle variation although it’s unlikely that the slower-ballbouncers, used so effectively against Sri Lanka in the semi-final,will be as useful on this pitch. Expect the short balls to be nearingfull pace this time.”Two very good pace attacks will play tomorrow,” Michael Clarke said.”England have bowlers with very good skills for this form of cricket.I don’t think their pace is as quick as ours, we have three guys whobowl over 150 kph, but I think the execution has been very good. Theyare very intelligent T20 bowlers, using their change of pace and theirbounces and I think our batsmen will have to be ‘on’ from the start.They certainly will have plans for all our batsmen, as we will havefor them.”Clarke, though, couldn’t hide his excitement at the prospect of beingable to unleash his quicks again on this surface where they causedplenty of problems during the Super Eights.”This wicket looks very good, very flat and hopefully it has a bit ofpace and bounce in it for both teams, we both like that,” he said. “Iknow our bowlers are very keen to get out there and test the wicket.You have got two very good bowling units on display here.”Australia’s attack will provide a stern test for England’s openingcombination. Michael Lumb and Craig Kieswetter have played key rolesin the team’s success, setting a rapid pace at the top of the order.Now they’ll have to combat the left-arm angle of Nannes, the leadingwicket-taker in the tournament, and Mitchell Johnson plus the slingypace of Shaun Tait.”We’ve got a plan of action against every team and right the waythrough the tournament, we have been very aggressive and I don’t wantto change our mindset going into the final,” Paul Collingwood said.”There would be no reason at all to change anyone’s mindset in theeleven that are going to play tomorrow.”The England batsmen were discussing Australia’s left-armers in thenets on Saturday while Collingwood, who like Clarke is the batsmanwith least form in his team, was finding his range in the middle withthe highly successful practice skill of standing by the pitch andsmashing throw-downs into the stands. It may sound rudimentary, but ithas been a key reason for England’s successful six-hitting.”That’s why the guys are going to go out with confidence and beliefand keep doing the things they have been doing well throughout thistournament,” he said. “We have done it against fast bowlers, against[Dale] Steyn and [Morne] Morkel, they are two very fast bowlers, wehave got different angles tomorrow that is the probably the only thingwe have got to contend with but we have played against pace bowlingbefore and I believe the guys have got the skills to do it.”There was also a gusty breeze blowing in Barbados the day before thefinal and, as Mike Hussey said after his breathtaking 60 againstPakistan, it has been vital to use the wind. They sound like minorpoints, but in this final it could be the small details that make thedifference.

USMNT fullback Kristoffer Lund scored a long-range missile for Palermo in their clash against Ternana.

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Lund scores missile for PalermoUSMNT fullback's first Serie B goalTernana win 3-2 in disappointing lossWHAT HAPPENED?

The leftback opened the scoring for the Italian side in their match on Tuesday, scoring a brilliant top-bins effort in the left corner of the net to level things 1-1 in the 19th minute. However, his stupendous goal was not enough for Palermo on the day, with Ternana scoring two more in the second half to claim a 3-2 victory.

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With no true backup to starting fullback Antonee Robinson on the left side of the pitch, Lund emerged in 2023 as one of the latest dual-national commits for the USMNT. He impressed during his three international appearances toward the end the calendar year, and is now being considered for a first-team roster spot heading into major tournaments in 2024.

The Concacaf Nations League semifinals this March will see the USMNT take on Jamaica, while this summer will see them compete in both the Copa America and the Paris Olympic Games.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR LUND AND PALERMO?

In their push for promotion to Serie A, they took a step backward on Tuesday, but Palermo have had a brilliant campaign so far regardless. They sit 5th in Serie B, four points outside an automatic promotion spot – with the likes of Cremonese and Venezia in spots 1 and 2.

West Indies and New Zealand qualified for the semi-finals of the women’s World Twenty20 with big wins over South Africa and Sri Lanka respectively

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Sep-2012
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
Stafanie Taylor was in fine form with both bat and ball against South Africa•ICC/GettyStafanie Taylor led a dominating performance from West Indies in Galle, as they thrashed South Africa and qualified for the semi-finals. Taylor starred in an all-round effort, starting with her offspinners while opening the bowling. She bowled a miserly spell, conceding just 10 runs in four overs and picking up three wickets.South Africa were left reeling at 19 for 6 at one stage, and only a seventh-wicket stand of 46 helped save them from further humiliation. Dane van Niekerk (29) and Shabnim Ismail (16) resisted until they were both run out, and South Africa had to settle for just 70 in their 20 overs.West Indies completed a clinical victory, Taylor remaining unbeaten on 33 with the bat. She was part of an unbroken 71-run opening stand with Juliana Nero, and the pair took just 9.4 overs to seal victory.West Indies captain Merissa Aguilleira said the plan was to expose South Africa’s weakness against spin. “We know that they fancy pace on the ball and like the ball coming onto the bat. We decided to change the normal game-plan and force them to go for shots by using our slow bowlers,” Aguilleira said.She also praised Taylor’s contribution: “Stafanie showed today why she is among the best in the world at the moment and rated among the best women who have played international cricket. She led the way with the ball and came back to finish the job with the bat. She’s a class act and always gives her all for the team.”
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
New Zealand sealed their spot in the semi-finals on a day of one-sided contests in the women’s World Twenty20. They beat hosts Sri Lanka by eight wickets, following a collective bowling effort that set up an easy chase. Sri Lanka chose to bat but were jolted early in their innings, losing opener Yasoda Mendis in the third over. The only signs of promise were the second-wicket stand of 28 between Inoka Galagedara and Chamari Atapattu and of 29 between captain Shashikala Siriwardene and Dilani Surangika for the fourth wicket.But the batsmen only managed a highest score of 14 between them, and persistent strikes from the New Zealand bowlers ensured Sri Lanka were bowled out for 89. Sian Ruck, Erin Bermingham and Morna Nielson picked up two wickets each.New Zealand’s win wasn’t quite as comprehensive as what West Indies managed against South Africa, but it was still fairly clinical. Captain Suzie Bates fell early in the chase but Amy Satterthwaite made an unbeaten 32, supported by Sophie Devine’s 23. New Zealand lost just two wickets and completed the win in the 16th over.New Zealand, West Indies, Australia and England are the four semi-finalists, but the line-ups will be decided on October 1 – the last day of the league games.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will not award annual central contracts to its players until the inquiry report into the team’s dismal performance on their tour of Australia is released

Cricinfo staff17-Feb-2010The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will not award annual central contracts to its players until the inquiry report into the team’s dismal performance on their tour of Australia is released. A six-man evaluation committee was set up by the board after Pakistan were thrashed 3-0 in the Test series, 5-0 in the ODIs and beaten in the only Twenty20 match; the report is expected later this month.”We will announce the central contracts only after the submission of the inquiry report so that there is no conflict between the two,” Wasim Bari, PCB’s chief operating officer, told .Incidentally, Bari heads both the evaluation and the three-man central contract committees. The evaluation committee met twice last week and discussed reports from team manager Abdul Raqeeb and coach Intikhab Alam.Mohammad Yousuf, Younus Khan, Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal, Umar Akmal and Salman Butt were among the players who were given an audience. Reports were also heard from assistant coach Aaqib Javed and team physio Faisal Hayat.Bari informed the committee would meet again after the team returns from Dubai, where Pakistan will play two Twenty20 matches against England on February 19 and 20. “Our next meeting will be held after the team returns next week and we are due to submit a final report before February 28,” he said.Last year, annual contracts were awarded to 27 players – nine in the top category A, four in category B and 14 in category C. However, fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar is likely to be overlooked this time around. He holds an A category contract and last featured in a Twenty20 international in May 2009 against Australia in Dubai.Shoaib had been demoted to a special retainership category for players whose form and fitness were in doubt. He refused to take it and instead responded angrily, sparking a sequence which eventually led him to be banned and fined by the board. He missed the bulk of Pakistan’s international commitments through injury or the ban.Fellow paceman Mohammad Asif, who was ignored last year due to a ban imposed for a failed drug test in the IPL, is expected to get a central contract.

Kansas City Current have dedicated their new press box to the late Grant Wahl, who was a KC native and a trailblazer in American soccer coverage.

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Current set to open new stadium in 2024Dedicate new press box to Grant WahlAmerican journalist passed during 2022 World CupWHAT HAPPENED?

A group gathered at the soon-to-be-open CKPC Stadium on Thursday for the dedication of at the Current's new grounds. The late journalist was beyond an influential figure in American soccer – both men's and women's – but also a dedicated fan of the game, who helped popularize the sport across the world. Wahl's memory will forever be remembered now with the beautiful tribute, to what his brother, Eric Wahl, believes will be a place of 'inspiration' for future journalists.

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Grant passed in Qatar during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, suffering an aortic aneurysm during the quarterfinal match between Argentina and Netherlands. Following his passing, U.S. soccer released the following statement: "The entire US soccer family is heartbroken to learn that we have lost Grant Wahl. Fans of soccer and journalism of the highest quality knew we could always count on Grant to deliver insightful and entertaining stories about our game and its major protagonists: teams, players, coaches and the many personalities that make soccer unlike any sport.

"Here in the United States, Grant's passion for soccer and commitment to elevating its profile across our sporting landscape played a major role in helping to drive interest in, and respect for, our beautiful game. "As important, Grant's belief in the power of the game to advance human rights was, and will remain, an inspiration to all. "Grant made soccer his life's work, and we are devastated that he and his brilliant writing will no longer be with us."

Now, nearly one year later, the Current are dedicating their new home to the brilliant and forever influential Wahl.

WHAT CURRENT CO-OWNERS ANGIE & CHRIS LONG SAID

Speaking to the KC Star, Angie Long said: “His life’s work was growing this game in this country, and I don’t think there’s any more physical manifestation of it than this,” said Long, who attended High School with Wahl. “And for a woman’s team, as well, which he was equally as passionate about.”

“We hope this also inspires others to be as unselfish and as honest and to have as much foresight as he did,” added Long. “Because I think when this country didn’t know very much about soccer, Grant did. And when it wasn’t a thing to support female athletes and to really believe in and push for equality in the game, Grant did. He was a leader in so many ways.”

In a press release, Long added: “Grant was one of the first people we consulted with the idea of founding an NWSL team in Kansas City. His grounded advice, deep understanding of the soccer ecosystem, connections and thoughtful suggestions were critical ingredients to our decision to launch a new team on an unprecedented timeframe.”

“Giving us even more conviction around our facilities vision, Grant was particularly drawn to the idea of having the first stadium built for a women’s professional team right in his hometown of Kansas City,” said co-owner and founder Chris Long. “The Kansas City Current will always be grateful to Grant for his pivotal role in the launch of the Club.”

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WHAT WAHL'S FAMILY SAID

In a press release, Wahl's brother Eric said: “Grant and I were born and raised here in Kansas City and our lives were shaped by the sports culture in this region, but more specifically, by those who told those stories through the media. This is a great honor to our family. I hope that those journalists that come through this press box will see Grant’s dedication to telling the personal, challenging and compelling stories of this sport and its athletes, then seek to celebrate and elevate them through stories he would be proud to hear.”

Wahl's wife, Dr. Celine Gounder, added: “My family and I are thankful that my husband Grant Wahl is being recognized in this way. It is my hope that future generations of sports journalists sitting in this press box will be inspired to carry on Grant's legacy: holding those in power to account, advocating for human rights and equity and understanding that ‘stick to sports’ is a false mantra. As Ted Lasso said, ‘Soccer is life’. When sports are divorced from everything else in life, they are gutted of their essence and meaning.”

How to watch and stream Arsenal vs Leeds United in the Premier League on TV and online in the United States.

Arsenal take on Leeds United in a crucial Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

▶Watch Arsenal vs Leeds United live on Sling TV today!

The hosts are unbeaten in their last 13 meetings with Leeds in all competitions (W11 D2), since a 3-2 home loss in May 2003 that ended the Gunners' title bid that season. They have won their last six Premier League games, their joint-longest such run under Mikel Arteta, and will hope to extend that to get a firmer grip at the top of the table.

Meanwhile, Leeds have won just two of their 23 Premier League games against the league leaders (D9 L12), though both victories came away from home (v Middlesbrough in August 2000 and Man City in April 2021). The Whites are in the 14th spot with 26 points, just two outside the drop zone and will be desperate to stage an upset in north London.

GOAL brings you details on how to watch the game on TV in the U.S. as well as how to stream live online.

(C)Getty ImagesKick-off time

Game:

Arsenal vs Leeds United

Date:

April 1, 2023

Kick-off:

11am ET

Venue:

Emirates Stadium

The game is scheduled for April 1, at Emirates Stadium. It will kick off at 11am ET in the U.S.

AdvertisementGettyHow to watch Arsenal vs Leeds United on TV & live stream online

In theUnited States (US), the game will be broadcasted on theUSA NetworkandUNIVERSOand can be live-streamed onSling TVandNBC Sports app/website.

Country TV Channel Live stream

USUSA Network, UNIVERSOSling TV, NBC Sports app/website.Check out GOAL's Soccer on US TV guideTeam news & squads

Arsenal team news

Arsenal have a few injury concerns going into this fixture as they are certainly going to miss Mohamed Elneny, Eddie Nketiah and Takehiro Tomiyasu. Meanwhile, Kieran Tierney and Martin Odegaard remain doubtful after they picked up knocks during the international break.

Arsenal are also sweating over the fitness of William Saliba and Thomas Partey, as the latter missed Ghana's draw with Angola on Monday.

Position

Players

Goalkeepers

Ramsdale, Turner.

Defenders

Gabriel, Kiwior, Holding, Zinchenko, White.

Midfielders

Jorginho, Xhaka, Smith Rowe, Vieira.

Forwards

Martinelli, Trossard, Saka, Nelson, Jesus.

Leeds United team news

Wilfried Gnonto (ankle) and defender Maximilian Wober (thigh) will miss the trip to Emirates Stadium after getting injured during the international break.

While Tyler Adams, Stuart Dallas and Adam Forshaw are long-term absentees.

Position Players

Goalkeepers:Meslier, Klaesson, Robles. Defenders:Koch, Cooper, Strujik, Firpo, Kristensen, Ayling. Midfielders: Roca, McKennie, Aaronson, Greenwood, Bogusz. Forwards: Harrison, Sinisterra, Summervile, Rutter, Bamford, Rodrigo. Head-to-head recordDateResultCompetition16/10/2022Leeds United 0-1 ArsenalPremier League8/05/2022Arsenal 0-1 Leeds UnitedPremier League18/12/2021Leeds United 1-4 ArsenalPremier League27/10/2021Arsenal 2-0 Leeds UnitedLeague Cup14/02/2021Arsenal 4-2 Leeds UnitedPremier League

The two teams have faced each other 110 times so far with Arsenal winning on 46 occasions, Leeds 38 times, and the rest have been draws. In their last five meetings, the Gunners have won each one of them.

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Getty ImagesUseful linksArsenal team pageLeeds United team pageLive soccer on U.S. TV

With so many high-rated cards available for both Premier League sides, a Europa League final combined team is something special

Kicking off the first of two all-English club European finals, Arsenal and Chelsea will clash in the Europa League in Baku.

Now that EA Sports has UEFA licensing rights, you can create the Europa League final on FIFA 19 and Goal has previewed the final by creating a combined Arsenal and Chelsea squad on Ultimate Team!

EA/Getty91-rated End of an Era Petr Cech

Kicking off this list, it feels right to include a player who has represented both clubs with Petr Cech. The legendary goalkeeper is retiring after the final, resulting in his amazing End of an Era card.

With 90 diving, 92 reflexes, 89 handling, 80 kicking, and 91 positioning, Cech is incredibly safe and will make plenty of saves to keep you in the game.

AdvertisementEA/Getty86-rated Carniball Hector Bellerin

Next, at right-back, we have Hector Bellerin who has missed most of the season through injury but is still amazing in FIFA 19 thanks to this Carniball card. FIFA fans will be salivating over his 96 pace but Bellerin is no slouch at the back either with 86 interceptions, 84 marking, 87 stand tackle and 89 slide tackle.

The Spaniard is effective going up the wing too with his 89 agility, 85 ball control, 81 dribbling, 89 short passing, 85 crossing and, of course, his 94 acceleration and 97 sprint speed.

87-rated Carniball Antonio Rudiger

Our first Chelsea player on this list, Antonio Rudiger is a solid centre-back that you can always rely on.

The German has reasonable pace thanks to his 84 sprint speed but his stats really shine in the defending and physical areas with 84 interceptions, 83 heading, 85 marking, 90 stand tackle, 87 slide tackle, 86 strength and 97 aggression.

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EA/Getty89-rated Flashback David Luiz

One of the more popular cards on the game, David Luiz's Flashback card is ridiculously good. You won't find many centre-backs who are adept at carrying the ball forward as much as they are at defending.

This card is stacked with outrageous stats including 85 sprint speed, 89 shot power, 84 free-kicks, 85 short passing, 85 long passing, 85 reactions, 90 ball control, 87 composure, 94 interceptions, 89 heading, 87 marking, 92 stand tackle, 91 slide tackle, 89 jumping, 90 strength and 97 aggression.

Luiz is fast, strong and even has that little something special to score a rare goal.