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Quando se fala em São Paulo FC, se faz referência a um dos times mais conceituados, premiados e respeitados no mundo do futebol. Assim, em uma temporada em que o Tricolor está “condenado” a terminar no meio da tabela de classificação do Brasileirão, pode-se dizer que foi uma temporada que falhou? Ou, pelo contrário, é possível ainda olhar para trás e perceber que a temporada 2022 foi positiva, permitindo o time respirar um pouco melhor?

De fato, fazendo uma rápida análise às probabilidades que estavam sendo oferecidas por operadores como Betano apostas esportivas, praticamente nenhum especialista contou que esse time de São Paulo pudesse estar lutando lado a lado com outras grandes potências do futebol nacional. Contudo, como se sabe, a exigência da enorme torcida são-apulina não perdoa, exigindo sempre que o time possa estar lutando pelos principais títulos. Ou seja, neste contexto, a verdade é que clube acabou desiludindo. Mas existem motivos para estar otimista já para a próxima temporada?

São Paulo FC se apresentou a melhor nível e com maior estabilidade

Avaliando pelo desempenho da temporada passada, em que o time do São Paulo esteve várias semanas próximo da zona de rebaixamento, a atual temporada se apresentou como uma almofada de ar fresco para seus dirigentes e torcedores. Quem não se lembra em como estava o time antes de Rogério Ceni chegar e tentar mudar um rumo negativo que o time apresentava?

Por essa perspectiva, fica evidente que essa temporada do São Paulo acabou se transformando de recuperação, funcionando quase como um passo atrás, para que seja possível dar dois passos à frente. No entanto, já se sabe que, para o time voltar a lutar contra seus maiores rivais, o investimento terá que ser muito mais elevado. Mas será que o time vai ter essa possibilidade, atacando o próximo mercado com intenções de estar novamente nessa mesma luta?

Novos investidores podem dar maior esperança?

De modo a evitar situações como a de Daniel Alves ou de Hernanes, a realidade é que a estabilidade financeira do clube terá que, de uma vez por todas, estar garantida. Apenas assim é que grandes jogadores e jovens de potencial aceitarão esse desafio de entrar novamente em um time de grande dimensão, mas que também tem ambições igualmente grandiosas. Para isso, novos investidores terão mesmo que entrar no clube.

Para tal, investimento estrangeiro já tem sido noticiado, apesar de não existirem ainda confirmações oficiais. Claro que a possível garantia de entrada na Copa Sul-Americana também pode ajudar, mas a formação do time deverá ser ainda a resposta para vários problemas que o time estará enfrentando na próxima temporada. Será de prever ainda que investimentos relacionados com criptomoedas e apostas esportivas online – como já acontece com outros times brasileiros de grande dimensão – possam ser decisivos no momento de equilibrar contas e de permitir apresentar uma equipe que seja competitiva ao nível máximo.

Conteúdo patrocinado*

كشفت تقارير صحفية موقف الدولي الإسباني رودري هيرنانديز، لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي مانشستر سيتي، من الرحيل خلال فترة الانتقالات الصيفية الحالية.

ويريد ريال مدريد التعاقد مع صاحب الـ 29 عامًا لتعزيز وتدعيم خط وسط الفريق للموسم المقبل في ظل حاجة تشابي ألونسو، إلى لاعب محوري قادر على الخروج بالكرة بشكل مميز ويقوم بالأدوار التي كان يفعلها توني كروس.

ويرغب مانشستر سيتي بقيادة بيب جوارديولا، في الحفاظ على لاعب خط الوسط، ليتمكن من الظهور بالمستوى الذي يليق به الموسم المقبل، بعد الأداء السيء الفترة الماضية.

من المقرر أن يواجه رجال جوارديولا نظيره باليرمو وديًا اليوم، السبت، قبل أن يستهل مشواره في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز ويلعب أمام ولفرهامبتون يوم السبت الموافق 16 أغسطس.

اقرأ أيضًا | جوارديولا يعلن خبرًا صادمًا لجمهور مانشستر سيتي بشأن رودري

ووفقًا لصحيفة “آس” الإسبانية، فإن رحيل رودري أصبح تهديدًا حقيقيًا للفريق السماوي خلال الميركاتو الحالي نظرًا لعدم تقدم سير المفاوضات حتى الآن بين الطرفين.

وأفادت الصحيفة بأن رودري، يستعد جيدًا لكأس العالم المقبلة 2026 ويريد أن يختتم مشواره الدولي ببطولة كبيرة مع منتخب إسبانيا، وبالتالي سيكون هدفًا حينها في سوق الانتقالات ومع تبقي عام واحد في عقده الذي ينتهي في عام 2027، سيزداد قلق ملاك نادي مانشستر سيتي من رحيل اللاعب بمبلغ قليل أو مجانًا في العام الذي يليه.

وكشفت “آس” أن مستقبل رودري مفتوحًا على كل الاحتمالات ولكن أيضًا هذا خطر بالنسبة لتشكيل بيب جوارديولا، لأن اللاعب الذي كان من المستحيل المساس به من بضع أشهر أصبحت نسبة رحيله متساوية تمامًا مع بقاءه.

Marseille are set to release six episodes in a documentary format, capturing some fiery behind-the-scenes moments throughout the 2024-25 season.

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Marseille set to release six-episode documentaryBehind-the-scenes moments capturedBust-up between Greenwood and team-mate revealedFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Marseille have released a trailer for the upcoming documentary, which will be spread across six episodes, with the premiere set to take place this Saturday. In the trailer, footage revolving a training ground bust-up between Greenwood and midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg was included, hinting that the documentary will provide raw and uncensored content.

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Greenwood was often scrutinised for his attitude throughout the 2024-25 season, which saw manager Roberto De Zerbi drop him to the bench for a number of games. In fact, at one point, there were even rumours of Greenwood being involved in a player mutiny against the Italian coach. In the aftermath of a 3-1 loss to Reims, De Zerbi allegedly told the squad, "I won’t train you today," to which the squad responded, "Then we won't train either."

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The documentary also shows plenty of fiery exchanges in the dressing room, per RMC Sport. Adrien Rabiot is heard complaining: "We had a sh*tty warm-up. You saw it, there was no commitment, nothing. On the pitch, a different energy, guys, and we're going to do it all together.

Hojbjerg also reveals his frustrations, saying: "We're talking, we're talking… Stop! Stop! 3-0! One guy down. F*ck off, guys, f*ck off."

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DID YOU KNOW?

Greenwood had a prolific debut season at Stade Velodrome, scoring 21 goals in 34 games to finish as the joint-top scorer of Ligue 1 alongside PSG's Ousmane Dembele. During the season, he broke Didier Drogba's feat of 19 league goals in his debut season at Marseille, while also overtaking Bafetimbi Gomis' all-time record of 20 goals in. His contributions played a huge role in Les Phoceens returning to the Champions League.

MatériaMais Notícias

A expectativa no Morumbi era a de que Arboleda, enfim recuperado de uma cirurgia no tornozelo esquerdo que o tirou dos gramados desde junho, fosse relacionado para a vitória do São Paulo sobre o Atlético-GO por 2 a 1, na quinta-feira (27). Nos vestiários após o jogo, contudo, o técnico Rogério Ceni admitiu que teve de adiar seus planos por um ‘vacilo’: esqueceu do limite de estrangeiros.

RelacionadasSão PauloCeni destaca atuação de Luan no São Paulo e brinca: ‘Sou visionário, coloquei ele para fazer o gol’São Paulo28/10/2022São Paulo‘Se eu dissesse que eu gostei, estaria mentindo’, diz Rogério Ceni sobre desempenho do São PauloSão Paulo27/10/2022São PauloDecisivo na vitória do São Paulo, Luan fala sobre recuperação e relacionamento com Rogério CeniSão Paulo27/10/2022

+ Confira as notas aos jogadores do São Paulo na vitória sobre o Atlético-GO dadas pela equipe do L!

Seguindo a regra da CBF, apenas cinco atletas não brasileiros podem ser relacionados para as partidas do futebol local.Mesmo com Gabriel Neves contundido, a volta de Arboleda fez com que o São Paulo estourasse o limite. Isso porque o elenco ainda conta com os argentinos Calleri, Galoppo e Bustos, o venezuelano Ferraresi e o colombiano Colorado. Esse último, inclusive, foi titular do jogo ao lado de Calleri.

A situação ‘bugou’ a cabeça de Ceni. Arboleda chegou a se concentrar com o elenco são-paulino. Mas na hora de decidir os relacionados o treinador percebeu que tinha um estrangeiro a mais.

– Quando eu fiz a lista, fazia tanto tempo que não tínhamos seis estrangeiros, que eu esqueci que tinha de cortar um nome – admitiu o treinador, que não economizou nos elogios a seu camisa 5.

– Ele é um cara ponta firma, queria tê-lo no banco no dia de hoje, para ele se adaptar, se ambientar, sentir de novo essa presença de jogo.

O plano de Ceni tem a ver com a Copa do Mundo. Arboleda é dado como nome certo entre os convocados do Equador para o Mundial deste ano, no Catar.

O LANCE! apurou que o planejamento é de que ele entre em campo pelo menos em dois dos quatro jogos restantes do Tricolor no ano para ganhar ritmo.

A confusão de Ceni pode ter sido motivada por outro movimento de bastidores. A diretoria são-paulina estuda naturalizar Arboleda como brasileiro para que ele deixe de contar como estrangeiro a partir de 2023.

> Confira classificação, jogos e simule resultados do Brasileirão-22
> Conheça o novo aplicativo de resultados do LANCE!

“What I hope is we win and my performance is crucial to it”

Danyal Rasool28-Dec-2023

Despite a couple of late wickets, Pakistan’s shoulders had dropped by the time stumps were called, but Mir Hamza didn’t let the disappointment of the final session sully memories he will carry for the rest of his career. Coming out just after lunch, he had followed up two strikes from Shaheen Shah Afridi with the wickets of David Warner and Travis Head in successive balls, the latter a near-unplayable inswinging delivery that cleaned Head up for a golden duck.No wonder, then, that his face broke out into the broadest of grins when looking back upon the moment a few hours later.”It was a dream for me to play at the MCG against one of the best teams, and to provide us two breakthroughs in one over,” Hamza said at the post-match press conference after the third day’s play. “I was telling myself I have to prove myself if I want to play international cricket for my country. If you look at my last few matches, I bowled well but didn’t take wickets. So I wanted to change that.Related

Pakistan's best chance slips through Shafique's hands

Marsh's 96 gives Australia edge as Pakistan left to rue dropped catch

“Since the match started, I tried to keep things simple because there’s something in the pitch for fast bowlers. It’s seaming and swinging. I thought if I can swing the ball, I’ll have a great opportunity because the batter isn’t set at the time. I thought that way and believed Travis Head was waiting for my outswinger, but I brought it back in. It was my favourite Test dismissal.”At the time, Pakistan were riding very high. Australia were reeling at 16 for 4, the lowest total upon which they’ve lost four wickets at home since South Africa had taken the first four for just eight runs in Hobart in 2016. The lead was a precarious 70 at the time, and Pakistan believed they were in with a sniff.And though a mix of poor catching, poor fortune and a sensational counterattack from Mitchell Marsh meant Australia had comfortably reassumed the ascendancy by stumps, Hamza was instrumental in ensuring Pakistan retained a fighting interest in the contest. He was the man to break the 153-run fifth-wicket stand between Marsh and Steven Smith by drawing another outside edge from Marsh that Salman Ali Agha clung on to, before Afridi followed up with Smith’s wicket, with the hosts leading by 241.”We are still in the game, and we think we’ll get stronger,” he said. “The new ball will swing in any conditions – as it did for me – but there is something in the pitch. If you see the body language of our boys, it is very positive. We will try to get wickets as soon as possible. We are in the game.”Part of the reason Mir Hamza has struggled to break in is his lack of pace•Getty Images

Hamza needs to make no apologies for beaming after the day, because he knows how rarely these moments come around, and how hard fought they can be. He played six years of first-class cricket before getting his first opportunity in Test cricket in 2018, only to be dropped after one Test. It was to be another four years before the second chance came knocking around; and another two indifferent games later, he was out of the side once more.Then in the first Test of this Australia tour, Pakistan preferred to give two fast bowlers a debut in Perth rather than give Hamza a run. His three Tests apart, Hamza has played 103 first-class games, and taken 418 wickets across 11 years and nearly 19,500 deliveries.So while it may be an exaggeration to call the two balls that rattled Warner and Head’s stumps one-in-a-million moments, terming them one in ten thousand is no statistical exaggeration. Part of the reason Hamza has struggled to break in is his lack of pace, with Pakistan always likely to prefer high pace when taking selection into account. Here at the MCG, Hamza’s speeds were a constant point of focus, largely registering in the 120ks. Hamza, though, knows what he is.”Bowlers know about their quality. Some bowlers are known for seam and swing, and others for pace,” he said. “What matters is that you disrupt the batter – whether you do it with seam and swing, or whether you do it with swing doesn’t matter. Our aim is to win, and we’ve taken 16 wickets. We’ll try and take 20 as soon as possible, and come out with the win. This will be memorable if we win the Test, and what I hope is we win and my performance is crucial to it.”And while reality may fall somewhat short of that ambition, there’s little doubt that Hamza’s performance has ensured Pakistan can do for one more night what Hamza has done for a decade: keeping a dream alive.

The Argentine player was sold from Elche to City Group for a reported fee close to $10 million

Nicolás Fernández Mercau helped Elche earn promotion back to LaLiga, Spain’s top division. But after 79 matches with the , he opted for the challenge of moving to MLS. It was a record-breaking transfer for the Spanish side, reported to be higher than $8 million, the previous record sale. For Fernández Mercau, the reasons behind the 25-year-old's move are simple.

"The league is very competitive now. There are a lot of big names playing here. Right now, I belong to New York City, and I need to focus on the team and on myself," Nico told GOAL.

In a league featuring stars like Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, and Wilfried Zaha, Fernández Mercau is aiming to make a name for himself in the league.

"I think I’ll give my best. Expectations are high. If they trust me, I’ll return that trust on the field," he said.

Moving to one of the most important cities in the world was also a factor in his decision to leave Europe, the Argentine revealed.

"It’s important, yes. I think it’s a beautiful, very big city that has basically everything. But I’m from Buenos Aires, which is also a big city with lots of things going on. So I relate to it easily. I feel very comfortable."

NYCFC's newest star and the club's first designated signing in over two years spoke with GOAL about his decision to leave a La Liga-bound club to join Pascal Jansen's side and what his expectations are for the rest of the season.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  South American vibes in the Big Apple

  Fernández Mercau is moving to a city and country he's never lived in before, playing in a new league with different rules and roster setups than what he's previously used to, which would normally be an adjustment for some, but he enters a unique situation with

  Luckily for the former San Lorenzo man, there are a lot of Latin Americans – mostly South Americans – on the squad. There are fellow Argentinians at NYCFC – Maxi Moralez and Agustín Ojeda – with whom Nico has already shared meals and mate, one of Argentina’s most cherished traditions.

  "On my first day, the guys gave me a warm welcome. We had some mate, which is our tradition, and chatted about everything. They told me the club and the city are beautiful, and that I’ll feel really good here," he said.

  NYCFC’s squad also includes Colombian Andrés Perea and Costa Rican striker Alonso Martínez, who should make Nico’s adjustment easier despite not speaking much English yet.

  "It helps that they’re Latin and speak almost the same language," he said. "Concerns? No, I don’t think so. I’m in good shape…I’ll try to be 100 percent ready so I can earn my spot on the team and compete."

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• NYCFC
  

  Where Fernández Mercau fits

  Fernández Mercau's arrival should serve as a boost to Jansen, as NYCFC have struggled with inconsistency throughout the 2025 season – currently sitting seventh in the East. The club hopes he will provide a spark in the attack, as it currently sits 20th in the league with 27 goals.

  His attacking instinct, technique, and ability to join the attack caught the eye of the City Football Group – the global ownership group that also runs clubs like Manchester City, Girona, and NYCFC.

  "I feel comfortable as an attacking midfielder, but I’ll play wherever the coach needs me. I’m not here to say where I should play — but that’s my position."

  Fernández Mercau joined Elche from San Lorenzo in September 2022 and was a regular starter, even after the team’s relegation to the Segunda División. During his time with the he progressively got better with each season. He went from having a one-goal season in his initial campaign in La Liga to having a six-goal, eight-assist season last campaign in the Segunda Division. He clearly had the talent to remain in Spain as his strong campaign helped Elche return to La Liga, finishing second with 77 points.

  "I’ll try to contribute from wherever I’m needed and do my best for the team. It’s a bit hard being away from family and loved ones. But this is my profession, and I need to be focused and give my best wherever I am," he said.

• NYCFC
  

  Following a legend

  In his new chapter in the Big Apple, Fernández Mercau will wear the No. 7 jersey – the same number initially worn by David Villa, one of the club’s legends and its first-ever signing when NYCFC was founded in 2014.

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  The anticipated debut

  The MLS transfer window doesn’t open until July 24, meaning the Argentine player could make his debut on July 25 when NYCFC visits FC Dallas. In the meantime, the New York side will face Charlotte FC away this Saturday.

Former Notts and England keeper takes over from Paul Shaw on two-year contract

ESPNcricinfo staff25-Nov-2023Chris Read, the former Nottinghamshire and England wicketkeeper, has been appointed as the new head coach of Thunder, and will take over from Paul Shaw who stepped down at the end of the 2023 campaign after four seasons in charge.Read, who played 15 Tests between 1999 and 2007 and represented England in all three formats, has since served as assistant coach with Trent Rockets in the women’s Hundred and Hobart Hurricanes in the WBBL, as well as wicketkeeping consultancy work with the ECB, including a stint with England men’s Under-19s squad.He will join the Thunder set-up on a two-year contract in January, and inherits a squad that reached Finals Day in the 2023 Charlotte Edwards Cup.”I am extremely proud to have taken up this position and I am looking forward to getting to work with such an ambitious club and a talented squad of players,” Read said.”The development of the Thunder regional programme in recent years has been most impressive and it is clear to see the ambitions of everybody involved is to back that up by bringing silverware to Emirates Old Trafford.”I believe that my experiences as both a player, and more recently as a coach around the world, will help Thunder push on and achieves our ambitions in the coming seasons.”David Thorley, regional director of women’s cricket, added: “Throughout an extensive interview process, Chris excelled against the candidate brief of what we were looking for in a head coach – which is somebody to build on the strong foundations laid during Paul Shaw’s tenure and to help continue to evolve the high-performance culture here at Thunder.”It is clear that Chris is an excellent strategist who knows what it takes to win through a positive brand of cricket, and I am looking forward to the future of Thunder under his leadership.”

Impressive debuts from two young players at opposite ends of the experience spectrum led India to an imposing first-innings total on the opening day of their Test against England.Satheesh Shubha, representing her country for the first time, and Jemimah Rodrigues, playing her maiden Test after 113 white-ball appearances for India, both scored half-centuries on an accommodating pitch in Navi Mumbai as India posted 410 for 7, the second-highest total by a team on the opening day of a women’s Test behind England’s 431 for 4 against New Zealand in Christchurch in 1935, having bowled their opponents out for 44.By midway through the first evening session of this four-day fixture, the hosts’ run rate hadn’t dipped below 4.5 per over. Yastika Bhatia and Deepti Sharma, with three Test caps between them heading into the match, also racked up fifties and each played roles in key partnerships – Bhatia with Harmanpreet Kaur, who fell agonisingly short of her half-century in a strange yet familiar run out, and Deepti with Sneh Rana.Shubha’s selection was a surprise. She hardly played for Railways this season amid a lack of opportunities after moving from Karnataka, but was picked up by Royal Challengers Bangalore in the WPL. And the 24-year-old left-hander gave more than a glimpse of what her franchise can expect as she eased to 69 off 76 balls, coming in at No. 3 with her side 25 for 1 after they chose to bat.Smriti Mandhana, dropped on 5 by Tammy Beaumont running back from short leg to catch a top edge that ballooned straight up in the second over, managed just 17 before she chopped onto her stumps off Lauren Bell. Kate Cross then sent Shafali Verma’s off stump cartwheeling with a delivery that moved away just enough to beat the bat, leaving India 47 for 2.But then Shubha and Rodrigues settled into a 115-run partnership that not only steadied the innings but kept the home side scoring at an impressive rate, the 23-year-old Rodrigues finding the gaps seemingly at will as Shubha looked right at home. When the latter cut Cross through backward point with ease, using the pace of the ball for one of her 13 fours, a half-century was just one more stroke away. She produced that three balls later, driving so sweetly down the ground it looked like she had been doing this forever.Sneh Rana and Deepti Sharma steered India past 400•BCCI

Heather Knight couldn’t cling onto a sharp chance to her right at slip that would have given Sophie Ecclestone her first wicket of the match when Shubha was on 51. That was the last ball before lunch and the India duo picked up where they left off after the break until Ecclestone broke through to remove Shubha, who picked out Nat Sciver-Brunt at short midwicket.Rodrigues forged ahead, bringing up her fifty with the first of two fours in three balls, a beautiful off-drive off Bell. Back-to-back boundaries off Ecclestone followed next over for Rodrigues, driven through the covers and swept fine, but she eventually fell to Bell in a moment of indecision that left her neither playing forward nor back and bowled between bat and pad.Bell put down a sitter to let off Bhatia on 15, her top edge off Charlie Dean looping up but going through Bell’s hands as she ran in from mid-on. Bhatia and Harmanpreet’s union for the fifth wicket was unbroken on 71 at tea, India having scored 125 runs in the afternoon session.They bettered Shubha and Rodrigues’ stand by one off the same number of balls (146) before Harmanpreet was run out right when she should have had an overthrow to bring up her half-century. Having pushed the ball towards covers, she set off but had to turn back. As Danni Wyatt hit the stumps direct with an underarm throw, Harmanpreet’s bat got stuck in the pitch just short of her crease. The dismissal went from the realms of bizarre to ignominious given that she had been run out in a similar way in India’s T20 World Cup semi-final loss to Australia in February.Bhatia produced some wonderful drives and rammed home her authority on the innings with the first six of the match, pulling Lauren Filer over deep-backward square leg to bring up her fifty. But Bell made up for her earlier mistake when she held a catch at mid-on to give Dean the wicket she should have had earlier and send Bhatia on her way.Rana was off the mark immediately, turning Dean through fine leg for four on the next ball and she settled into a 92-run partnership with Deepti, who produced nine fours and an emphatic six off Ecclestone over wide long-on. England’s bowlers lacked penetration and their tiring fielders were left to rue those missed chances. Then Deepti brought up her third fifty from as many Test matches with a four off Bell through square leg late in the day.That was before Sciver-Brunt ripped out Rana’s leg stump, and Pooja Vastrakar negotiated a tense final over from Ecclestone as the opening day of the first women’s Test hosted by India since 2014 and England’s first on these shores since 2005 ended up very much in the home side’s favour.

كشفت قرعة دوري أبطال آسيا 2، عن مجموعة فريق النصر السعودي، خلال منافسات البطولة للموسم الجديد 2025-2026.

ويشارك نادي النصر، في بطولة دوري أبطال آسيا 2، بعدما احتل المركز الثالث في الدوري السعودي الموسم الماضي، حيث لم يتأهل للمشاركة في بطولة دوري أبطال آسيا للنخبة البطولة الأكبر في آسيا.

وأقيمت قرعة دور المجموعات لبطولة دوري أبطال آسيا، اليوم الجمعة، بمقر الاتحاد الآسيوي لكرة القدم في العاصمة الماليزية كوالالمبور.

طالع | صفقة جديدة للعالمي.. النصر يضم لاعب بايرن ميونخ قبل السوبر السعودي مجموعة النصر في دوري أبطال آسيا 2

وجاء نادي النصر في المجموعة الرابعة من بطولة دوري أبطال آسيا، بجانب كل من الزوراء العراقي واستقلول الطاجاكستاني وجوا الهندي.

وجاءت باقي مجموعات بطولة دوري أبطال آسيا 2 على النحو التالي

المجموعة الأولى: الوصل الإماراتي – الاستقلال الإيراني – المحرق البحريني – الوحدات الأردني.

المجموعة الثانية: الأهلي القطري – أندغون الأوزبكي – أركداغ التركماني – الخالدية البحريني.

المجموعة الثالثة: سباهان الإيراني – الحسين إربد الأردني – موهون باغان الهندي – أهال التركماني.

وتعد بطولة دوري أبطال آسيا 2 هي المسابقة الثانية في آسيا، بعد البطولة الأقوي دوري أبطال آسيا للنخبة التي تؤهل إلى كأس العالم للأندية وبطولة إنتركونتيننتال.

“It does affect each person. And anyone who says that doesn’t affect them at all, I’m sure is lying”

Sidharth Monga27-Dec-20234:01

Rahul: Huge luck factor for me in scoring runs here

KL Rahul has spoken of his struggle with online abuse and how it had begun to change him as a person. After he capped off his international comeback with a superlative century, his sixth away from Asia out of eight in all, this one with the added responsibility of keeping wicket, Rahul spoke of the work he put on his mind during the injury break just before the World Cup.”It is difficult obviously,” Rahul said of handling what is said about him. “You have your own personality, personality traits, characteristics. When you play international cricket, they all get challenged. As a person, as a cricketer, as an individual, you are challenged each day, each moment. Social media is a pressure. Today I have scored a hundred so people are singing praises. Three-four months ago, everybody was abusing me. It’s part of the game, but I can’t say it doesn’t affect you; it does. The sooner you realise that staying away from it is good for your game and your mindset the better it is.Related

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“You can perform or you can be in a better mindset if you slightly know where to draw the line. Nobody’s that great that they can completely avoid what has been said and the criticism they’re getting. It does affect each person. And anyone who says that doesn’t affect them at all, I’m sure is lying. But each person has to find their way. And for me, when I was injured and was away from the game for such a long time, I worked on myself. I tried to go back to the person that I am, and worked on how I don’t change myself by getting affected by these things. It is difficult to remain true to yourself and true to your personality with so much happening. It is the hardest thing.”But like anything else in cricket, like anything else in life, there’s, there are ways to work on it. There are people who can help you if your mind is open. So that’s what I did when I was out of the game. I worked on myself and then worked on remaining calmer, and taking care of my head. And what happens inside as well.”Rahul said there was never any point retaliating because those who want to abuse carry on regardless. He said that the only way to keep negative comments away as a public-facing professional was to keep performing, but what he spoke about his innings also suggested that he perhaps appreciates the role of luck much more now. That when the runs are not coming, it is not necessarily your fault, that you do need luck in this sport. Interestingly, it came through in his acknowledgement of luck in this innings, a sensational 101 off 137 in a team score of 245 in testing conditions.

“Social media is a pressure. Today I have scored a hundred so people are singing praises. Three-four months ago, everybody was abusing me. It’s part of the game, but I can’t say it doesn’t affect you; it doesRahul on the nature of social-media criticism

Rahul was answering a question about batting in Centurion, where he has now scored two consecutive hundreds, when he brought up luck. “I’ve quite enjoyed playing here,” Rahul said. “The wicket really keeps reminding you that you need to focus throughout, and you’re never really set. You’re never really in or you’re never really out of the game. It’s a fast outfield. The minute you time the ball, you get boundaries and there will be times when you can score your runs really fast and there will be times when you can’t get a run at all. So that’s quite challenging.”And I enjoyed doing that here in Centurion, and I guess I just got lucky twice. Did a few things right, but also it was a huge luck factor. Played and missed a lot of balls. So yeah, that’s it.”Rahul, and most cricketers, knows that on another day an early play and miss resulting in an edge doesn’t necessarily make them a bad player, but that needs to be reinforced once in a while because people eventually judge you on the results.Having scored this century, Rahul retained the calmness that should naturally follow as the other side of the coin. He said he was humbled that Sunil Gavaskar called it one of the 10 best centuries of all time by Indians. He also confirmed what has been said about him: that middle order is perhaps the better place for him because there he just needs to react to situations rather than create situations when opening the batting.”Batting in the middle order, what I’ve realised is that you can’t really plan your innings all that much,” Rahul said. “When you walk in, there’s a situation in front of you. The game tells you how you need to play and what you need to do in that time and in that moment. That’s what I try to do. I try to walk in with a very free and very empty mindset when I’m batting in the middle order, and then see what the game demands of me and then try and do my best in that moment.”