Newcastle United are now showing interest in signing “one of the best goalkeepers in the world”, according to reports from France.
Magpies keen on a goalkeeper
Although Nick Pope’s contract is not due to expire until the summer of 2026, Newcastle appear to be interested in signing a long-term replacement for the 32-year-old, and Burnley’s James Trafford is their priority target.
The 22-year-old’s impressive form in the Championship has caught the eye, although he is not the Magpies’ only target, having also shortlisted Wolfsburg’s Kamil Grabara as a potential option.
Signing a new goalkeeper may become even more of a priority if Martin Dubravka exits St. James’ Park, amid interest from the Saudi Pro League, however, Eddie Howe has made it clear he wants the 35-year-old to stay.
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Howe said: “I’m hopeful everything will die down and that he’s part of our future. We hope he may agree a new contract and stay.”
With Dubravka’s future far from certain, however, Newcastle continue to look at options from across Europe, and one goalkeeper who has attracted the interest of a number of Premier League clubs is Lille’s Lucas Chevalier.
French news outlet Sports Zone, relayed by Get Football News France has since gone on to state that Newcastle are “showing interest” in Chevalier, alongside the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City.
Lille'sLucasChevalierreacts
Sports Zone indicate that a deal is more likely to happen in the summer than January, at which point a number of top clubs are set to battle it out for the 23-year-old’s signature.
Chevalier impressing in Ligue 1
The goalkeeper has enjoyed a very impressive first half of the season in Ligue 1, with former Newcastle man Remy Cabella describing him as “one of the best goalkeepers in the world right now.”
There is every sign the Frenchman could be a better addition to the squad than Grabara, given that he has outperformed the Pole on a number of key metrics over the past year.
Statistic per 90
Lucas Chevalier
Kamil Grabara
Goals against
1.05 (86th percentile)
1.89 (11th percentile)
Save percentage
76.6% (89th percentile)
65.3% (15th percentile)
Clean sheet percentage
36.8% (84th percentile)
22.2% (42nd percentile)
However, Trafford has also been solid between the sticks for Burnley during that time period, and the Magpies have confidence that a deal to sign the Burnley keeper could be possible this month.
As such, with clubs from across Europe queuing up for Chevalier, it may be difficult to get a deal done this summer, and Newcastle may be better off pursuing a deal for Trafford.
Visitors stumble in run chase before Middlesex old boy seals points in last-over finish
ECB Reporters Network01-Jul-2022Josh Davey returned to haunt his former team-mates as Somerset beat Middlesex by two wickets in a Vitality Blast thriller at Lord’s to qualify for the quarter-finals. Davey, who began his career at the home of cricket before heading south-west, took 1 for 25 from four frugal overs before striking Chris Green for six as the visitors won a see-saw encounter with two balls to spare.The Cidermen had looked like chasing down a target of 161 with some comfort thanks to Tom Banton’s 39 and 36 for skipper Tom Abell, but Jason Behrendorf’s 3 for 30 and two wickets on debut for Max Harris made it tight before Davey’s last over heroics.Earlier, Middlesex’s tally of 160 for 6 owed much to Chris Green’s unbeaten 44 and 41 for Luke Hollman, but it wasn’t enough to prevent their ninth defeat of the competition.The hosts were soon in trouble after being invited to bat, Davey getting home skipper Steve Eskinazi caught at cover with only seven on the board. Holden too perished early, caught at deep square and John Simpson missed out, skying Lewis Gregory to Will Smeed at midwicket.Joe Cracknell threatened briefly with two big sixes, but when he paddled Ben Green to short fine-leg Middlesex were 55-4.That Middlesex reached any sort of total was down to Hollman and Green. Hollman hit both Green and Peter Siddle back over their head for six before the latter extracted revenge by having the allrounder caught in the deep. Green was even more impressive, driving Siddle into the grandstand and plundering five fours to guide the hosts to the respectability.Tom Helm struck early in the chase when the dangerous Smeed miscued him into the hands of Behrendorf at mid-off. Banton struck back courtesy of a top edge over the wicketkeeper’s head for six, while Rilee Roussow greeted Harris with a drive over cover for four. However, the youngster sent the man with almost 500 runs in the competition packing next ball, wicketkeeper Simpson taking a skier from a top edge.Banton reached 39 before being castled by Thilan Walallawita’s top-spinner and the hosts spied a glimmer of hope when Harris struck for a second time to remove Tom Lammonby, leaving Somerset 95 for 4. Abell swept Walallawita for six, but he perished too, losing his off stump trying injudiciously to reverse sweep Green.All of a sudden 42 were needed from the last four and when Jack Davies held a stunner to remove Gregory off Behrendorf the visitors were creaking.Behrendorf removed Green to a catch in the deep only for Craig Overton to strike his first two balls from the Australian quick high into the stands. Behrendorf’s retort was to have him caught at cover to leave 10 needed from the final over, but Davey had the last word to send Somerset to the knockout stages.
The seven final bidders comprise Disney Star, Sony, Viacom-Reliance, Zee, Fun Asia, Super Sport and Times Internet
Nagraj Gollapudi11-Jun-2022Amazon has pulled out of the race to own the media rights to the IPL for the next five years. ESPNcricinfo has learned the global e-commerce giant is not among the final list of seven bidders participating in the e-auction on Sunday to decide who will get to broadcast one of the most lucrative tournaments in the cricket calendar.Amazon has been a lead player in acquiring lucrative streaming rights across global sports and was expected to bid aggressively for the IPL’s digital rights packages. In 2021, the company struck a billion-dollar-a-year deal (for 10 years) to broadcast just 15 Thursday night matches in the National Football League in the USA. Their withdrawal will be a blow to the IPL.It is learned that the decision not to pursue the media rights was made by Amazon’s top brass in the US and that it was communicated to the IPL on Friday – the deadline for bidders to submit their paperwork.With Disney-Star, Sony, Viacom-Reliance, Zee, Fun Asia, Super Sport and Times Internet still in the running, the number of bidders this time is exactly half that of the previous auction, when 14 companies vied for the broadcast rights of the IPL from 2018 to 2022. Star India beat all comers with a record bid of $2.55 billion in the global consolidated category (TV and digital for India and rest of the world), making it the richest media rights deal in cricket.This time, though, the IPL has segregated the TV and digital rights into their own packages. Package A consists of TV rights for the Indian subcontinent. Package B caters to digital rights for the Indian subcontinent. Package C contains digital rights for a special bouquet of matches, including the playoffs, for the Indian subcontinent. And Package D, TV and digital rights for the Rest of the World, which is divided into two sub-categories: combined ROW or five individual regions.The auction will start at 11am IST on Sunday with the simultaneous sale of Packages A and B. Only once winners are decided for them will Packages C and D come up for bidding. Also, given there is a half hour interval between every bid, there is a strong chance the auction may spill over into a second day.Every bidder can compete for more than one category but will need to list their price on a per match basis. For Package A, the base price per match is INR 49 crore (USD 6.3 million approx.). For Package B, it is INR 33 crore (USD 4.2 million approx.). For Package C, it is INR 16 crore (USD 2.05 million approx.). For Package D, it is INR 3 crore (USD 390,000 approx.).The IPL has made one change to the e-auction though. The winner of Package A can enter into a contest for the digital rights with the winner of Package B. Originally, this contest was supposed to feature bid increments of at least 5% but now it’s become a direct face-off. No minimum bid increments. The same process would be repeated to determine the winners of Packages C and D.
Liverpool’s pursuit of a Premier League title received a major boost when they sealed a 3-1 comeback victory over Southampton at Anfield.
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The Reds are inching closer to their 20th league titleHave opened up a 12-point lead at the top with ArsenalCould potentially wrap up the championship in AprilFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
With 70 points after 29 games, Liverpool are now well-placed to secure the title, needing just 16 points from the remaining nine games to guarantee the championship. Even with Arsenal’s current ability to reach a maximum of 85 points if they win all their remaining fixtures, the gap is significant, and the Reds are edging ever closer to their record-matching 20th Premier League crown.
AdvertisementAFPWHEN COULD LIVERPOOL WIN THE TITLE?
The question now is: when can they mathematically seal the deal?
The earliest possible date for Liverpool to clinch the title is April 13, when they face West Ham at Anfield. For that to happen, Arsenal would need to lose their next two games, against Fulham and Everton, while the Reds win theirs against the same opponents, albeit with the Merseyside derby first. Arsenal would then be 18 points back, meaning a loss to Brentford in their next fixture would allow Liverpool to win the league by taking a point against the Hammers.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Liverpool’s schedule in the lead-up to May could prove favourable as they face just one team currently in the top half of the table – Fulham. Moreover, they will be playing three of their five Premier League matches at Anfield, which is a massive bonus. If Liverpool do win the title against the Irons, Arsenal may be forced into giving their rivals a guard of honour when the two sides meet on May 10.
Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?
Liverpool face Everton in a Merseyside derby on Wednesday before taking on Fulham at the weekend.
Arsenal have made club-to-club contact over signing a striker for manager Mikel Arteta, as the Gunners look to potentially take advantage of the player’s talks over fresh contract terms hitting a brick wall.
Arsenal open to signing new striker in January alongside winger
Much of the noise ahead of January’s imminent transfer window has centered around the acquisition of a new winger to replace Bukayo Saka, who is out for over two months after undergoing hamstring surgery.
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The likes of Barcelona star Dani Olmo and PSG’s Randal Kolo Muani have been repeatedly linked in the build up to next month as Saka alternatives, but credible media sources have refused to rule out Arsenal bringing in a new number nine as well.
Brentford (away)
January 1
Brighton (away)
January 4
Tottenham (home)
January 15
Aston Villa (home)
January 18
Wolves (away)
January 25
The Athletic claim that Arsenal are open to the possibility of signing a centre-forward in the winter, even if they are aware that a prolific option will come at a premium in what is an historically tricky window to navigate.
There are suggestions that Arsenal are monitoring Victor Osimhen’s situation, as his Galatasaray loan deal includes a rumoured break clause, which would allow certain interested sides to swoop mid-season and cut his spell in Turkey short.
Gabriel Jesus recently hit a serious purple patch of form over two matches against Crystal Palace, scoring five goals against the Eagles in a single week, and Kai Havertz has proved himself reliable in a makeshift centre-forward role.
However, it remains to be seen whether their current options will be tenable long-term, and Arsenal have been tipped to bring in a proven goalscorer for quite some time now.
Arsenal attempted a proposal to sign Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig in the summer, but the Slovenian rejected their advances in favour of remaining in the Bundesliga, for another season at least.
Benjamin Sesko scores for Slovenia
The north Londoners could go back in for Sesko in 2025, as it is believed he has a “gentlemen’s agreement” to leave Leipzig either next year or in 2026.
However, Sesko isn’t the only Bundesliga striker on their radar.
Arsenal make contact with Eintracht Frankfurt over signing Omar Marmoush
According to CaughtOffside, Eintracht Frankfurt star Omar Marmoush is attracting interest from N5. The Egyptian sensation is enjoying a phenomenal 24/25 campaign right now with 18 goals and 12 assists in all competitions. Arsenal have made contact with Eintracht over signing Marmoush, moving ahead of other Premier League sides in the race for his signature, as they look to pounce on his precarious contract situation.
Omar Marmoush for Frankfurt.
The 25-year-old is thought to be dissatisfied with recent talks over a new deal, putting a host of clubs on red alert, including Arsenal, who could look to take advantage.
It is unclear whether his exit could happen in January, but the rumoured price tag for Marmoush is set at around £50 million.
While Sarina Wiegman's Lionesses are preparing for their Euros defence, the next generation are showing that the future is also bright
There might only be one England player in the NXGN 2025 list, but that is more to do with the worldwide depth in quality when it comes to teenage talent in the women's game, rather than any lack of candidates in a country that won the last European Championship and reached the final of the most recent World Cup.
While those accolades are related to the senior game, the Young Lionesses have come close to replicating such feats over the last couple of years, too. It's been a terrific two years for England's Under-17s, with a run to the semi-finals of the Euros in 2023 bettered in 2024 by their qualification for the final of that competition and a fourth-placed finish at the World Cup. The U19s also had a big 2024, reaching the semi-finals of their Euros again after 11 years of either failing to qualifying or failing to get out of the group stage.
Such results at major tournaments serve to underline the quality coming through the England youth ranks, quality that Sarina Wiegman has shown she will reward with senior call-ups when the time is right, as players like Aggie Beever-Jones, Laura Blindkilde Brown and Ruby Mace will attest to.
So, who are the potential future Lionesses that fans of the women's game in England should be keeping an eye on? GOAL picks out 15 players who were born on or after January 1, 2006, who could develop into stars…
Getty ImagesMichelle Agyemang (Arsenal)
England's sole representative on the NXGN 2025 list, Michelle Agyemang's consistent goal-scoring record for the Young Lionesses caught the eye a while back. She netted four times in three games at the 2023 U17 Euros, three times in four games at the 2024 U19 Euros and she appears to be taking the step up to the U23s well, too, netting twice against Germany in February, just two weeks after her 19th birthday.
No doubt aiding her development this season is a loan spell in the Women's Super League, after playing for Watford in the Championship last term. Agyemang signed for Brighton back in September and has been developing well in Dario Vidosic's unorthodox system and style, playing a little wider at times in a role she believes is helping her to improve her creativity and ability in one-v-one situations.
It's as a centre-forward that she will hope she can come to the fore with England and Arsenal, her parent club, in due course though, and she certainly has the potential to be a star on both fronts given her wonderful talent and complementary physical profile.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesLola Brown (Chelsea)
One of three England players to make the Team of the Tournament at last year's U17 Euros, Lola Brown was electric in her team's run to the final. The 17-year-old racked up two goals and two assists in four games, with the highlight of her campaign a match-winning finish against France in the final round of group games to secure top spot for the Young Lionesses, and she put in some great performances at the U17 World Cup later in the year, too.
However, perhaps the greatest indication of her promise is that Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor has started to give the youngster a look-in with the Blues' first-team. Brown has been in the squad regularly this season and made her senior debut back in November, in the Champions League win over Celtic. That's no mean feat in a squad as star-studded as Chelsea's.
With a desire to run at her marker to try and make things happen, it doesn't take long to realise why Brown is so exciting either. Surrounded by top forwards like Lauren James on a day-to-day basis, she'll be learning plenty and, given the style of play of many of the club's wingers, unlikely to lose her direct and positive approach.
Getty ImagesMadison Earl (Arsenal)
Arsenal is the best-represented club on this list by some distance, with their academy having a strong record at producing plenty of homegrown talent. With players like Leah Williamson and Lotte Wubben-Moy there to look up to, these teenagers can see a genuine pathway into the first team, and Madison Earl is one of those looking to follow it.
A bright attacking midfielder, Earl won the Golden Ball as Arsenal's U21s won the prestigious FIFA Youth Cup in May 2024, despite being just 17 years old at the time. She's a stalwart in the U19s and boasts an impressive goal-scoring record throughout the youth teams, especially for a midfielder.
After signing her first professional contract at Arsenal back in January, the teenager is now looking to get some senior experience under her belt. She spent the first half of her 2024-25 season at Bristol City and is now with Sheffield United, where she'll hope to provide an attacking spark that can steer the Blades clear of the Championship's relegation battle.
Getty ImagesLaila Harbert (Arsenal)
Another product of the Gunners' academy, Laila Harbert is a more defensive-minded midfielder who also signed her first professional deal at Arsenal in January. Captain of England's U17s, her leadership was evident throughout a remarkable 2024 for the Young Lionesses, as they reached the U17 Euros final and the last four at the World Cup a few months later.
She's been racking up plenty of experience on loan in the Championship over the last couple of years, too, starting 11 times for Watford in the 2023-24 campaign and finding herself an immediate regular at Southampton following a January switch. That will do Harbert's development wonders as she looks to ascend to new levels, having already shown so much promise to date.
A Leeds United player who earns £70,000 a week is wanted by two clubs ahead of the January transfer window opening, and he could leave after talks with Daniel Farke.
Leeds United transfer rumours
January could be a busy month for the Whites, as manager Farke is surely going to want to freshen his side up ahead of the second half of the season, where he will hope it ends with them being promoted to the Premier League.
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One player who could be heading to Elland Road in the New Year is Louie Barry. The forward has been sensational in League One this season on loan at Stockport County, and it looks as though parent club Aston Villa are set to recall him in January and then loan him out to a Championship team. Leeds are among the teams interested but face a battle to win the race, as Sheffield United and Middlesbrough are also chasing his signature.
The Yorkshire side are also among the teams interested in signing Ben Godfrey from Atalanta. The centre-back’s move to Italy hasn’t quite worked out, and he could soon be returning to England. Leeds are interested in signing Godfrey, as Farke has worked with the player before at Norwich City, but any deal weighs on them securing promotion to the top flight; therefore, they could miss out on the transfer if a Premier League club makes a move next month.
£70k-p/w Leeds player wanted by two new clubs in January
While incomings will be on Farke’s mind, he may also have to deal with an exit, as according to TEAMtalk, Leeds’ Patrick Bamford is wanted by Genoa and Wrexham in January and an exit could happen.
Bamford, who earns £70,000 a week at Elland Road, has been at Leeds since 2018 but has played eight times for the Whites in the league this season, failing to start any of those games.
Despite his injury troubles, both Genoa and Wrexham are interested in signing the experienced forward in the New Year. Both teams are keeping an eye on his situation, but Farke is keen to have depth to his attacking options, and that makes a move in January for Bamford more difficult, but it hasn’t been ruled out.
Apps
196
Goals
60
Assists
22
The 31-year-old is said to be considering his future options ahead of the transfer window opening and has spoken to the Leeds boss about his lack of playing time. Bamford is currently behind Joel Piroe and Mateo Joseph in the pecking order, and if promotion to the Premier League is sealed, his game time could decrease even more.
Farke still sees Bamford as an “important” part of the team, but this report states that a move away in 2025 is “realistic,” as he is under contract until 2026, but an exit will depend on whether Leeds can bring in a replacement.
Tottenham Hotspur were a day late and a dollar short in the Premier League last season, but there were patent signs of growth under Ange Postecoglou.
The Australian coach had fashioned an exciting outfit from one of drab and colourless football, reigniting the spark within Lilywhites supporters’ hearts and planting the hope of something more, success of a tangible nature.
Tottenham Hotspur managerAngePostecoglou
It’s been chequered. Up and down. This year, tenth-place Tottenham have outscored every team in the Premier League this season but lack synergy and resistance at times, still capable of an unexplainable capitulation.
That needs to change, and while Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero form a defensive duo as fearsome as any across the continent, both have found themselves unavailable on numerous occasions since the start of last season.
1.
Dejan Kulusevski
64
2.
Pape Matar Sarr
60
3.
Brennan Johnson
59
4.
Pedro Porro
58
5.
Gulielmo Vicario
55
9.
Cristian Romero
48
12.
Micky van de Ven
40
Spurs need a new centre-back, to be sure.
Spurs eyeing centre-back in 2025
According to Caught Offside, Tottenham are preparing to move for Inter Milan star Yann Bisseck, though the defender is also on West Ham United’s radar.
Spurs might have a more appealing proposal but the Hammers have been emboldened in their chances due to technical director Tim Steidten, with the German connection possibly handing them the edge in negotiations.
Inter Milan defender Yann Bisseck
Nonetheless, Tottenham have sent scouts to watch the talented centre-half in action, and given that he could be available for a smart £25m fee, there’s a real sense that this one could be completed in the new year.
Why Spurs need to sign Yann Bisseck
Tottenham were active during the 2023/24 January transfer market and there’s no reason why Daniel Levy wouldn’t enforce a shrewd signing or two if it stands a good chance of elevating the north Londoners’ campaign.
As already discussed, Romero and Van de Ven have been sidelined far too often given the standing they hold in the Tottenham squad, and it’s clear that another member in the rearguard could make a world of difference.
Radu Dragusin joined from Genoa for £27m one year ago and Ben Davies continues to be a dependable and experienced presence.
Current issues have seen 18-year-old Archie Gray chucked into a defensive role alongside his Romanian peer, and while he’s performed admirably, Postecoglou’s forced hand only heightens the need for a talented player like Bisseck.
Bisseck, yet to make his Germany debut, has been something of a late bloomer, playing for AGF in Denmark until signing for Inter in a deal worth roughly £5m in 2023.
He won the Scudetto last season, only starting nine Serie A fixtures but scoring twice, completing 93% of his passes and winning 61% of his ground duels, as per Sofascore. It’s no wonder he was described as a “monster” by one keen-eyed analyst.
Inter Milan's Yann Bisseck
It’s at no discredit to Gray’s precocious qualities that Bisseck is the perfect profile for Postecoglou. The hulking defender stands at 6 foot 4 and would be playing in his natural position. Gray is deceptively tall at 6 foot but he moonlights at centre-half and is better placed in the middle of the field, when possible.
As per FBref, Bisseck ranks among the top 4% of centre-backs across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for goals scored, the top 16% for pass completion, and the top 1% for progressive carries per 90, making an interesting comment on his varied skillset and how that could be harnessed by Postecoglou.
Tottenham beat off Brentford to bring Gray to north London in the summer, with the teenager leaving boyhood club Leeds United for a fee that could rise to £40m.
He’s versatile and dynamic, with an eye-catching technical ability and an unflappable mindset allowing him to surge head and shoulders above other hopefuls in his age bracket.
Many young players are shuffled across a range of positions as they look to streamline their youthful avidity, but Gray’s positional flexibility is something to behold.
Right-back
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0
2
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22
0
1
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3
3
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7
0
0
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5
0
0
Left-back
3
0
0
Centre-forward
2
0
0
Left winger
1
0
0
Even so, he’s not a centre-back and should not be saddled with regular football in an area that does not best serve his skills, even if he does play remarkably well and invariably showcases his ‘elite mentality’, as journalist Henry Winter said.
It just goes to show that Bisseck would be the perfect addition. The German defender is robust and also provides the balanced and multi-layered football that Ange’s fluid outfit demands.
Gray started at centre-back against Manchester United on Thursday night, and though Fraser Forster’s inexplicable errors provided the drama on what should have been a concessional second half, you can’t help but feel that with established central defenders Romero and Van de Ven in the mix, Spurs might have held their nerve with a bit more steel and assurance.
Therefore, it seems crucial that Tottenham make their move in January. Allowing West Ham to boost their hopes under Julen Lopetegui with one of Levy’s top winter targets is unthinkable. Moreover, it will hamper Tottenham’s chances of making headway in the capital and leapfrogging the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea.
It’s already starting to look like it’s going to be a real scrap for a top-four Premier League finish, and given that Spurs are into the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup, will look to wade deep into the FA Cup and the Europa League too, a lack of depth unravelling the good work would be inexcusable. Bisseck needs to be signed.
Kulusevski 2.0: Spurs target unreal Maddison upgrade in £40m "diamond"
The incredible talent could be a game-changer for Spurs.
Nayeem Hasan was the star of the Bangladesh bowling show, ending with career-best figures of 6 for 105
Mohammad Isam16-May-2022Stumps Angelo Mathews’ marathon innings in the oppressive May heat of Chattogram led Sri Lanka to a competitive total, but it was heartbreak for him as he was dismissed on 199, the 12th batter to record the score in the history of Test cricket. Sri Lanka put up 397, having started the day on 258 for 4, and Bangladesh responded well, Tamim Iqbal and Mahmudul Hasan Joy scoring 76 runs in 19 overs to finish the second day with the deficit down to 321 runs.Before Tamim (35*) and Mahmudul (31*) controlled the last hour-and-some of the day, Chattogram boy Nayeem Hasan returned career-best Test figures of 6 for 105 to keep Sri Lanka in check. He took early wickets on both days, but his big strike was Mathews, the last Sri Lankan wicket to fall. It was the last ball of the 153rd over, and Mathews, who faced 397 balls across two days, played a tired-looking hoick towards midwicket, where Shakib Al Hasan took an easy catch.Mathews threw his head back in disappointment as he trudged off, even as the Bangladesh fielders rushed to congratulate him for his big effort.Despite failing to get to what would have been his second Test double-century, Mathews’ was a massive effort. His 199 was one more than what the rest of the batters – including extras – combined to score. But more than just the runs, he kept Sri Lanka’s fight going for over nine hours in scorching heat. He managed to get them out of tricky periods on the first day, and then battled through a batting collapse on the second morning when they lost four wickets for nine runs in 3.3 overs.Mathews, however, had a lucky escape early on the second morning when he edged Khaled Ahmed in the fourth over. But neither the bowler nor the wicketkeeper or any of the close-in fielders seemed to have noticed the noise, which was later picked up by the broadcasters. He was on 119 at the time.Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Tamim Iqbal saw off the final session for Bangladesh•BCBSri Lanka went swimmingly thereafter, with Mathews hitting a couple of fours, while Dinesh Chandimal struck the ball well through the covers and down the ground. But less than 20 minutes before lunch, Chandimal fell for 66, the second-highest score of the innings, when he missed an attempted reverse sweep off Nayeem. Nayeem removed Niroshan Dickwella in the same over, with a delivery that went straight on from around the wicket.Shakib then struck with two wickets in the first over after lunch. First, Ramesh Mendis missed a pull to be bowled by a low arm-ball, and then Lasith Embuldeniya missed a straight one from around the wicket.At 328 for 8, the end seemed around the corner, but Mathews added 47 runs for the ninth wicket with Vishwa Fernando, who stayed in the middle for 84 balls for his unbeaten 17. Vishwa struck three fours, before Mushfiqur Rahim dropped him off Shakib shortly before the tea break. In the next over, Shoriful Islam struck him on the top of his helmet with a bouncer, which forced him to retire hurtShakib fumbled a throw with Asitha Fernando well short of the non-striker’s end in the first over after tea, but Asitha fell eight overs later with Mathews on 192. Vishwa returned, and though Mathews found a boundary – his 19th, to go with one six – the milestone eluded him.Tamim edged Asith to Kusal Mendis at second slip in the second over of the Bangladesh innings, but the fielder dropped the chance. It wouldn’t have counted anyway, as it was a no-ball. But it was a testing period for the openers, as Mahmudul, too, survived a couple of iffy moments. But they stuck it out, getting Bangladesh to safety during a period of the match in which they struggled so much in South Africa last month.
Donovan, considered by many the USMNT's greatest player, was critical of the national team after a poor performance vs Canada
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Donovan questions USMNT prideCanada beat U.S. in third-place gameAltidore opts instead to focus on positivesFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Count former U.S. superstar Landon Donovan among those perplexed by the USMNT's poor showing at the CONCACAF Nations League Finals. The Americans suffered back-to-back defeats to Panama and Canada, leading to questions on whether the supposed "Golden Generation" can actually live up to its considerable potential.
Donovan didn't hold back on his assessment of the Americans.
"I’m so sick of hearing how 'talented' this group of players is and all the amazing clubs they play for," Donovan posted on social media. "If you aren’t going to show up and actually give a s!%* about playing for your national team, decline the invite."
AdvertisementWHAT DONOVAN SAIDTHE BIGGER PICTURE
There's been a mood of frustration among former U.S. internationals for Mauricio Pochettino's side, with both the manager and his players getting criticism on broadcasts and social media.
Taylor Twellman questioned whether the U.S. would qualify for the World Cup if they were among the three countries hosting the expanded format.
JOZY ALTIDORE STAYS POSITIVE
Former USMNT star Jozy Altidore, on the other hand, opted to remain positive about the relatively young side.