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Facing an uphill battle on the final day the Otago Under-19 side almost managed to hang on for an admirable draw, but fell just 14 deliveries short at the end, going down to the impressive South African Under-19s by 84 runs.With South Africa 113/1 overnight, and already 123 runs ahead on the first innings, the Otago youngsters needed some sort of miracle to get back into the game. James Schorn (73 not out) and Rivash Gobind (73) had other ideas and batted very well to enable South Africa declare for the second time in the match at 177/2.This left Otago 301 to get in 330 minutes to win the match. Considering Johan Botha, South Africa’s star bowler from the first innings, would not bowl due to an ankle injury, Otago had an outside chance of victory if their top order batsmen were able to knuckle down to the task ahead.But it was not to be, as most of the team folded to a determined South African attack. Otago were disappointing, in a performance somewhat similar to their first innings effort, particularly considering the apparent ease with which the South African batsmen had earlier scored.Anthony Wilkinson (34), Jordan Sheed (20), Matt George (23) and Mark Joyce (20) offered some resistance but no batsman was able to go on and get the big score required to see Otago to victory, with Ben Ryan stranded on 56 at the end.Schorn led the way with the bat for the tourists with a match double of 94 and 73 not out, well supported by captain Gobind (33 and 73) and Chad Baxter (75). In the bowling department, Botha was the standout with 6-10 off 18 overs in the first innings, but whose further participation in the tour may be in jeopardy due the injury sustained. Imran Khan’s 2-52 and 4-92 was also noteworthy.For Otago Joyce’s 60 and 20 plus Ryan’s second innings knock were their batting highlights, while Johnathan Hodson’s 4-63 and 2-39 provided a good bowling performance.Proving much stronger with the bat and ball, the South African first innings lead was the decisive factor despite Otago’s gritty tail showing some real fight. A much closer contest could’ve been seen had their top order shown similar fighting qualities.Whilst being outfielded by the home side, the South Africans were fully deserving victors in the tour opener.

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, former Leeds United midfielder David Norris admitted that he has been surprised by how good Raphinha has performed in his first season.

Raphinha was a deadline day signing last year as he arrived for £17million from Rennes and he has taken to the Premier League effortlessly, with six goals and six assists this season.

The goals have dried up for Leeds since he picked up an injury against Manchester City, as Marcelo Bielsa’s side have scored just one goal in the three games Raphinha has recently missed.

Speaking on how Raphinha has surprised him with how well he’s taken to the Premier League and how good he has performed all season, Norris exclusively told FFC:

“He’s a very clever player as he spots weaknesses in defenders and attacks it. For me, he’s been a massive player for them this season. 

“I’ve been surprised because it’s always a risk bringing in foreign players, but knowing Bielsa and how diligent he is he must have known there was a good chance Raphinha would have settled quickly, and that’s exactly what’s happened as he’s been brilliant.”

The 24-year old winger has been linked with a move to Liverpool this summer, despite having played just 27 games in all competitions this season.

Raphinha admitted earlier this year that it was a difficult decision to join Leeds and that he only had 20 minutes to choose whether to stay at Rennes or come to the Premier League.

Former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie has told Football FanCast in an exclusive interview that it would be a negative step for his old side to sell John McGinn to West Ham this summer.

McGinn is currently being linked with a move to the London Stadium, with West Ham insider ExWHUemployee (via Hammers News) claiming Moyes is keen on the player.

Hendrie, though, has warned Villa that they must keep hold of their good players if they are to build on what has been a decent season for the club.

McGinn joined the Villans from Hibernian back in 2018 in a deal that is said to have cost the club just £2m.

Speaking exclusively to FFC about West Ham’s reported interest in the 26-year-old midfielder, Hendrie said:

“Villa need to keep hold of players that they’ve got, good players that they’ve got, and build on that. So I feel that’d be such a negative if they sold John McGinn, but money talks and West Ham [are] possibly entering into the Champions League.”

Even with Champions League football, it may still be difficult for West Ham to get McGinn out of Villa Park in the next transfer window.

The Scotland international signed a contract extension until 2025 last year, leaving his current club in a strong position.

West Ham United insider ExWHUemployee claimed over the weekend that the London Stadium natives have an interest in Fulham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, which could see David Sullivan gift David Moyes an aggressive colossus by launching a successful move.

Areola is on loan at Craven Cottage from Paris Saint-Germain but his future in the Premier League beyond the current campaign is far from certain, with talks over a permanent move on hold amid Scott Parker’s side’s fight for survival.

Fulham have an option to purchase Areola at the end of the season but the Frenchman is keen to see what division the Cottagers’ will be competing in before deciding if he will stay, while PSG could yet have a role to play.

Areola had sought to accept a summer move to Craven Cottage after struggling for minutes last term, having featured on just nine occasions as the back-up to Thibaut Courtois during a season-long loan with Real Madrid.

He has been a constant fixture of Parker’s plans since making his Premier League debut at Leeds United in September, with the 28-year-old starting 32 of 33 available games while keeping nine clean sheets.

Parker has been widely impressed by Areola’s performances in his first year in English football and backed the shot-stopper to be recalled to the French national side, as it would “nothing short of what he deserves”.

“In this moment physicality, presence, bravery as a keeper in terms of all those attributes was something that me and Rob [Burch, goalkeeping coach] highlighted,” Parker said, via quotes by BT. “And looking at Alphonse and his stature and games he has played, I had no doubt that was what he was.

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“A very aggressive keeper, a front-foot keeper who wants to come and command his box, come and collect. Physically very, very big, agile. They were all the areas we looked at and they were the areas he ticked those boxes, and that was exactly what we need, and we’ve not been shocked in any way by that.”

It remains to be seen if Fulham look to activate their option to buy Areola at the end of the season, which is thought to be worth close to £25m and would likely end West Ham’s interest.

The Irons could also face continental competition for his signature, with Corriere dello Sport via Football-Italia crediting AS Roma and AC Milan as having an interest in the £75,000-per-week shot-stopper due to his PSG contract expiring in 2023.

But Sullivan beating the Serie A sides and capitalising on Fulham potentially having to walk away if they are relegated could be just what West Ham need, with Areola a potentially superb challenger for Lukasz Fabianski.

The Poland international has come in for criticism from some Hammers supporters after an error-strewn display in the Irons’ 3-2 defeat to relegation-threatened Newcastle United on Saturday, and turned 36 on Sunday.

Fabianski has also produced fewer total saves (89) than Areola (102) in the Premier League this term, while the Fulham stopper leads the division for crosses punched (26) with 19 more than West Ham’s current number one, per SofaScore.

Areola has collected marginally more crosses (20) than Fabianski (18) as well, while pulling off 71 of his saves from shots taken inside the area to 46 and has only conceded five more from shots inside the box despite the two side’s vastly contrasting fortunes this season.

It remains to be seen how much PSG would demand to sell Areola, who has a TransferMarkt valuation of £13.5m, but a deal would certainly make sense for West Ham to explore.

AND in other news, West Ham set to land second chance to sign “unbelievable” £18m-rated forward this summer…

MatériaMais Notícias

O Atlético-MG esteve muito perto de vencer o Flamengo nesta tarde de sábado. Após sair atrás no marcador e apresentar um futebol pobre na etapa inicial, o time mineiro partiu para cima do adversário, amassou a equipe carioca e conseguiu uma virada já nos últimos cinco minutos de partida. Cenário ideal para os torcedores que fizeram o Mineirão explodir de emoção. Mas não terminou por aí. No apagar das luzes, o Galo não conseguiu segurar o resultado e levou o empate por 2 a 2. Igualdade amarga e gosto de derrota.

– Um sentimento ruim. Voltamos bem no segundo tempo. Jogamos contra um time organizado e mais descansado. Nosso time mostrou poder de reação, conseguimos a virada. Infelizmente levamos um gol num lance de bate-rebate. Um sentimento difícil. Valeu pelo empenho, pelo que o time mostrou no segundo tempo, com a virada. A gente tem que manter a cabeça em pé e pensar no Internacional, que é um jogo muito importante – falou Carlos César.

Sem muito tempo para lamentar, o discurso de outros jogadores já mira a Copa do Brasil. Na próxima quarta-feira, o time volta a jogar, desta vez no Mineirão, e recebe o Internacional por uma vaga na finalíssima do torneio.

– É triste sair de um jogo desse sem a vitória. Mas acredito que o empate foi justo pelo jeito que as duas equipes se entregaram. Agora temos que recuperar. Todo mundo está esgotado. Todos deram o máximo. Agora é pensar na quarta-feira – disse o outro lateral, Fábio Santos.

Zagueiro titular após a lesão de Leonardo Silva, Gabriel também lamentou o descuido nos últimos minutos e já foca no torneio de mata-mata.

– A equipe lutou, batalhou, viramos o jogo. Tivemos desatenção e levamos o gol. Agora é pensar na quarta. Tivemos um descuido e levamos o gol – disse.

MatériaMais Notícias

Com Jorge suspenso, Chiquinho terá mais uma chance entre os titulares na lateral-esquerda do Flamengo, domingo, contra o Santa Cruz. Em coletiva após o treino desta quinta-feira, o jogador disse que conta com a confiança de todos no clube e garantiu que dará conta do recado na partida no Pacaembu.

– Eu tenho a confiança do grupo, do treinador e da diretoria. Vou ter a oportunidade de começar mais um jogo. Todo mundo que entra, está dando conta do recado e comigo não será diferente. Vou fazer de tudo para sair com a vitória – disse o jogador.

Nas outras oportunidades que teve, como na partida de volta contra o Palestino, pela Sul-Americana, Chiquinho acabou sendo criticado, principalmente por parte da torcida. Ele contou que leva isso com naturalidade e usa de forma construtiva para evoluir.

– Fazendo um bom jogo (as críticas vão acabar). Sei do potencial do Jorge, está fazendo um grande Brasileiro, é um grande jogador. As críticas vêm, mas tiro como construtivas para mim. Para crescer dentro do elenco e o meu futebol também – afirmou o lateral, destacando Pará como exemplo, já que o lateral-direito também já foi muito criticado e hoje é titular.

-Todo mundo tem que estar preparado para as oportunidades. O Pará teve a oportunidade dele, costuma se sair bem e dá assistências, ganhou o espaço dele. Espero que nesse jogo eu esteja preparado para fazer o mesmo e aproveitar.

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MatériaMais Notícias

A arbitragem voltou a ser tema da coletiva de Levir Culpi. Após as reclamações na quarta-feira, após a eliminação do Fluminense na Copa do Brasil, o técnico voltou a falar sobre o assunto neste domingo, depois da vitória por 1 a 0 sobre o Corinthians, na Arena, em São Paulo. No entanto, desta vez o comandante do Tricolor ressaltou a dificuldade que os árbitros passam no Brasil, e cobrou da Confederação Brasileira de Futebol, a CBF, a profissionalização da profissão.

-Eu tive uma conversa com o Simon (Carlos Eugenio, ex-ábitro). Ele me disse uma coisa interessante que às vezes a gente esquece. Menos de 5% dos árbitros no Brasil sobrevivem da arbitragem. Eles são mal remunerados Assim como os professores no Brasil. Quem é aqui que gostaria aqui, de verdade, de ser árbitro. Coloque-se no lugar do Daronco hoje. Ser árbitro é muito difícil. Então a CBF tinha que profissionalizar e pagar muito bem para que a gente pudesse fazer uma cobrança mais profissional em cima deles. Fiquei pensando e essa é uma oportunidade que tenho para falar e defender os árbitros.

Nesta segunda e teça o elenco do Fluminense está de folga, voltando aos treinos na quarta. No sábado o Tricolor entra em campo pela 28ª rodada do Brasileirão diante do Sport, às 11h, no Estádio Giulite Coutinho., em Mesquita

RelacionadasFluminenseGustavo Scarpa, do Fluminense: ‘Entramos de vez na briga pelo G4’Fluminense25/09/2016

Glasgow Rangers were knocked out of the Europa League on Thursday against Slavia Prague, and the display of Scott Arfield was a particularly disappointing one for the supporters.

The Gers had managed to earn a 1-1 draw in Czechia in the first leg and will have therefore been hoping to get the job done at Ibrox. However, Slavia were clearly the better team as they ended up winning 2-0, although red cards for Leon Balogun and Kemar Roofe certainly made their task easier.

Arfield failed to last as long as either of those two despite not being dismissed himself. Instead, he was subbed off just 10 minutes into the second half. He struggled in the middle of the park, landing just 71% of his attempted passes, while he prevailed in just one of the seven duels he was involved in (Sofascore).

The Gers fans were angry with his showing, quite clearly, and they took to social media platform Twitter to share their thoughts on the Canada international.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about Arfield below

“Arfield has been absolutely dire tonight”

Credit: @Andyscott01

“That’s your opinion, I have mine. No point buying someone then can’t get a game, Arfield was horrific tonight.”

Credit: @RFC1872GER

“Yes walking a tightrope but Simpson might not be game ready Max For me Roofe sending off and Arfield and Aribo let us down”

Credit: @AlanC_44

“Arfield is not fit, injury prone, sorry to say but he needs to go”

Credit: @AlbryceAllan

“Scotty Arfield was honking again tonight. Could have done more to try and cut out the cross for the first goal instead of just pointing Offered next to nothing.”

Credit: @BlearyEyedMan

“Arfield shouldn’t have been anywhere near the team. I couldn’t even tell you the last time he played well. He looks a million miles off the level needed to play in this team. He looked completely lost. For me he doesn’t suit games like last night. They were too well organised.”

Credit: @55TheArrival

In other news, Rangers are interested in this 18-goal striker.

Celtic’s priority ahead of the summer transfer window is seemingly set on luring the best young talent they can find to Parkhead.

Liam Shaw has already agreed a deal to join the Hoops but there are others in their crosshairs, particularly Kyle Joseph and Kwadwo Baah.

What’s the word?

The Bhoys are relentlessly striving to improve the depth of their talent pool at Paradise. As such, they could now line up a move for another young player.

That happens to be 16-year-old St Mirren gem Dylan Reid. He has recently just signed a new deal until 2023 with the club but his manager, Jim Goodwin, is wary of suitors from elsewhere.

Speaking over the weekend, he said: “He’s had his head turned by a number of huge clubs. I’m not just talking about here in Scotland.

“The two big boys [Rangers and Celtic] in Scotland would love to have him. Half a dozen of the big lads in England would love to have him and we’ve got teams in Germany as well.”

Brown successor on the cards

At the tender age of 16, Reid doesn’t have much first-team football under his belt but as the season comes to a close, he is starting to emerge as a genuine option in the middle of St Mirren’s side.

He made his senior debut against Rangers earlier this month, appearing from the bench for two minutes. The young midfielder was then among the subs again against Hamilton last weekend.

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We’ve not had a great chance to catch a glimpse of his qualities, but Goodwin only has fine words to say:

“The age situation doesn’t concern me,” the St Mirren boss began. “He’s not a small 16-year-old, he’s very athletic and strong already. Technically, he’s already as good as what we’ve got in the squad.”

“He’s been training with the first-team for a number of weeks and he looks as if he belongs here. He doesn’t look out of place in any session we’ve had him in.”

Possessing the ability to play in holding midfield, he could be the long-term successor to a certain Scott Brown.

The Hoops skipper is out of contract at the end of the season and has been linked with completely hanging up his boots. Brown has looked leggy at points this term and at the age of 35, you can hardly blame him.

Therefore, the idea of signing an athletic and strong midfielder like Reid certainly has plenty of appeal.

At just 16, he would undoubtedly be one for the future but as his manager says, Reid doesn’t look out of place among senior professionals.

AND in other news, Better than Christie: Celtic made error selling “quick” Rodgers gem with 65 key passes…

West Brom are closing in on the addition of a new forward, according to manager Sam Allardyce…

What’s the word?

Speaking in his pre-game press conference ahead of Albion’s bottom-of-the-table clash with Sheffield United, the 66-year-old revealed that his side could finally bring free-agent Ahmed Musa in for checks over his current fitness.

He told reporters, via the Express & Star’s Joseph Masi: “We’ve been waiting patiently. All of the problems have been due to the controls & Covid. I’m probably due my injections soon, I’ll feel a lot better when I get mine. It’s been protocol but hopefully, if we see the player very shortly, it’ll be good news.”

The Athletic’s Steve Madeley has also claimed that the 28-year-old “could sign” after tonight’s transfer deadline passes as he is a free agent, so that’ll ease the pressure on the need for desperate and late reinforcements.

Imagine him & Diagne

Whilst it would still be a last-gasp move, should he pass all imminent checks, the addition of Musa would be a smart and cheap decision from Allardyce and the club.

The 87-time Nigeria international has been unemployed since October after leaving Saudi side Al-Nassr and he would arrive at the Hawthorns with a decent career record and some versatility.

Valued at £5.4m by Transfermarkt, Musa has scored goals wherever he’s been – most known for his stint in Russia, the 5 foot 8 speed demon bagged 61 goals and 33 assists in 184 appearances for CSKA Moscow.

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That form earned him a move to Midlands rivals Leicester in 2016, and despite rarely starting (13 of 32 appearances were starts), he still found the net five times, per Transfermarkt.

The decision to bring him in after already sealing a move for Galatasaray colossus Mbaye Diagne could hint towards a much-needed change in system as, after all, the Baggies hold the third-worst goalscoring record in the English top-flight.

Perhaps Big Sam wants to pair the diminutive forward alongside his 6 foot 4 colossus.

“I’m big and strong, I can hold up the ball and lay it off, I’m good in the air and I’m a finisher,” explained Diagne, via the Express & Star.

Karlan Grant is also a candidate to fulfil the ‘little man’ role off a target man but given he’s only scored once in 14 appearances since his move in the summer, it can’t hurt to throw the experienced Musa into the deep end to play alongside Diagne.

With finances very tight at Albion, securing someone of Musa’s pedigree and quality without paying a transfer fee is a surely shrewd financial decision. If Big Sam can get him to click with Diagne, just imagine the returns in front of goal.

AND in other news, West Brom handed setback in pursuit of 38-cap monster…