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The Warriors are just one rung away from the top of the ladder they set out to climb, but South Australia’s trophy cupboard stays barren

Firdose Moonda in Centurion25-Sep-2010Remember that rasping Creed song, Those scratchy, distressed words could well have been the ballad the South Australian Redbacks and the Warriors waltzed to in Centurion. – a world where hunger knows no bounds.The Redbacks have not won a trophy in 15 years and the parched trophy cupboard is getting anxious. Michael Klinger, their captain, always maintained that the team had high hopes coming into the tournament, and he couldn’t hide his disappointment that they couldn’t fulfil those aims. “It’s definitely frustrating, once we got to the semi-finals, we thought we could go all the way,” Klinger said. “A lot of people didn’t expect us to make it to the semi-finals, but we did. We applied ourselves really well, but we were outplayed in all three aspects today.”The Warriors have an appetite of a different sort. After capturing their first two trophies since the franchise system started last season, they have become addicted to the thrill of victory. Davy Jacobs, the Warriors captain, said before the game that the Eastern Cape side had a vision of becoming the best franchise in the world by next year, but hinted that perhaps their time had come a little earlier.They were ready to ask themselves, With eyes wide open, the Warriors appeared to see everything. The only moment of blur was when Ashwell Prince hung his bat out to dry against the second-fastest ball bowled in the competition. “It’s Shaun Tait’s job to take wickets, you can’t stop that. When Ashwell got out, it was important for the next guy who came in, Colin Ingram, to do the job, and he did,” Jacobs said.Ingram and the captain combined for a second-wicket stand of 104, with Jacobs the dominant partner. His 61 saw him soar to the top of the run charts. Despite his scintillating highs, Jacobs didn’t want to say much about himself. “This is basically the way I have been playing for the last couple of years. But, I don’t like to talk about myself; I’d rather talk about the team.”For the Redbacks, visibility wasn’t always that clear. Strangely, they sometimes saw with the precision of a bird of prey, like when Daniel Harris ran from his follow-through to square leg to dismiss Jacobs. At other times, their eyesight, along with a few other factors, let them down. The Redbacks put down Ingram twice and Mark Boucher once. “Most of the catches were pretty tough and some of them just didn’t stick today. We’ve prided ourselves on good fielding for most of the tournament,” Klinger said.The Warriors were seeing the ball like a pumpkin in the field. Boucher watched it climb a stairway to heaven and spiral down into his gloves to send Harris on his way for eight. Johan Botha almost swallowed the ball, when, three deliveries later, it was hit to him on the midwicket rope. Klinger was gone for 13, and the Redbacks had lost their two kingpins.The one man who may have appeared to have weak visibility was the ultimate Warrior himself, Makhaya Ntini. He laboured in the field and bowled two expensive overs. With the Wanderers pitch expected to be bouncy, will Ntini have fitted his pair of lenses, to be back to his best? “I wouldn’t say he is in bad form, he had a good game in the last match. Perhaps the pitch just didn’t suit him,” Jacobs said, adding that Ntini’s experience can never be underestimated. “He has been playing for South Africa for more than decade and he knows the Wanderers very well.”The Warriors are just one rung away from the top of the ladder they set out to climb. Klinger had some words of praise for his opponents, hinting that he thought the scale was ever-so-slightly tipped in their favour. “They have quite a predictable game, so we knew exactly who was going to bowl which over, but it didn’t matter, because they are so difficult to beat. They probably already had their bad game against Chennai,” he said.So, the Warriors go higher. To Johannesburg. To the final.

Former Arsenal midfielder Anders Limpar has shared his view on incoming Gunners forward Viktor Gyokeres, describing him as a "goal machine". Arsenal have agreed to pay Sporting CP £64 million ($86.3m) for Gyokeres, inclusive of add-ons. Limpar expects Gyokeres to be a hit in his debut season at Emirates Stadium and has predicted how many goals he will score.

• Limpar gives verdict on Gyokeres
• Predicts how many goals striker will score in debut season
• Arsenal finally agreed fee with Sporting CP

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Gyokeres transfer saga is finally over as the Gunners have almost reached a full agreement with Sporting CP to sign the striker after months of negotiations. Talks had earlier stalled after disagreement over the payment structure of the €10 million bonus, but the issue has now been resolved.

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  Limpar, who spent four seasons at Arsenal, has shared his view on his Swedish compatriot's imminent arrival as he hailed the 27-year-old forward as a "machine", while predicting the number of goals Gyokeres will score in his maiden campaign at Emirates Stadium.

• WHAT LIMPAR SAID

  Speaking to , the 59-year-old said: "I know that pretty much all the Arsenal players are top professionals. I've been to the training ground, spoken to ]Mikel] Arteta. He's Mr. 100 percent professional. And that's what you get from Viktor. He's such a prospect when it comes to looking after himself, no scandals. He is a hell of a player. He's a No. 9, and can sniff a goal chance. He's going to be the perfect icing on the cake at Arsenal. And I don't have to look down on [Kai] Havertz, or [Gabriel] Jesus. But bringing in Viktor at this moment, at his best age and form. He's a goalscoring machine and with all the supply from the wings and from [Martin] Odegaard, he's going to score 25 goals."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?

  Mikel Arteta's side will kick off their Asia tour with a friendly against AC Milan on Wednesday at the National Stadium in Singapore. The club will hope that Gyokeres completes all formalities as early as possible and joins the rest of the squad for the remainder of pre-season preparations.

This will be her first captaincy stint in an overseas T20 league, with India allrounder Sneh Rana her deputy

ESPNcricinfo staff27-Feb-2023Australia batter Beth Mooney has been named captain of Gujarat Giants for the inaugural Women’s Premier League (WPL). Mooney, who scored a match-winning 74 not out in Australia’s sixth Women’s T20 World Cup triumph, will reunite with former team-mate Rachael Haynes, Giants’ head coach. India allrounder Sneh Rana has been named the vice-captain.”I am delighted to be given the opportunity to lead the Adani Gujarat Giants in the historic Women’s Premier League’s inaugural edition in 2023,” Mooney said in a statement. “The squad is keen to get the ball rolling soon and put out an entertaining and effective brand of cricket in the debut season of the WPL. It will be fantastic to have the likes of Sneh as my deputy and Mithali Raj, Rachael Haynes and Nooshin Al Khadeer as pivotal parts of the team.”Related

WPL stars to look out for – Mandhana, Shafali, Harmanpreet, Mooney and more

UP Warriorz name Alyssa Healy as captain

Giants coach Raechel Haynes: WPL will make Indian cricket richer

Smriti Mandhana named RCB captain for Women's Premier League

Mooney was part of Australia’s T20 World Cup winning teams in 2018 and 2020 – she was the Player of the Tournament three years ago – before also lifting the trophy in 2023, apart from winning the ODI World Cup in 2022 and the gold medal at the Commonwealth Games last year. She has also won the Women’s Big Bash League thrice and is the only Australia batter with two T20I hundreds.This will be Mooney’s first experience at leading a side in an overseas T20 league. In the women’s Hundred last year, she was the highest run-scorer for London Spirit. She has only led in a few games at the Women’s Big Bash League, having played for Brisbane Heat, which has been largely led by Kirby Short, and Perth Scorchers, captained by Sophie Devine.Meanwhile, Rana had made a comeback to the Indian side in 2021 and played the semi-final of the T20 World Cup this year, where India narrowly lost to Australia. She represented Velocity in the Women’s T20 Challenge, and has played 25 T20Is, 22 ODIs and a Test for India.Giants had selected Mooney for INR 2 crore (USD 244,000 approx) and Rana for INR 75 lakh (USD 91,000 approx). Giants will kickoff the WPL against Mumbai Indians on Saturday at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.

Lucas Vazquez has not yet decided where his future lies, but the doors to a possible Cristiano Ronaldo reunion in Saudi Pro League remain open.

• Vazquez a free agent after Madrid contract expiry
• Spaniard yet to sign for a new club
• Hasn't shut down move to Saudi Arabia

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  It's been over a month since Vazquez last played a game for Real Madrid, after which he hit free agency as his contract with the Spanish side expired. He has since been in the news, linked with multiple teams, both in Spain and overseas. However, the Spaniard has yet to join a new club. While speaking about his future, Vazquez hinted that he could potentially join the Saudi Pro League, which means a reunion with ex-Madrid team-mate Ronaldo could well be on the cards.

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  Vazquez was promoted to the Real Madrid first-team ahead of the 2015-16 season, after a one-year loan spell at Espanyol. He was among the finest players for Castilla, and shone even brighter at Espanyol. Upon his return, he was immediately involved in the historic Champions League threepeat, becoming the unofficial 12th man under Zinedine Zidane. He spent three seasons as team-mates with Ronaldo, who left for Juventus in 2018. The duo could now reunite in Saudi Arabia, with CR7 already plying his trade at Al-Nassr. 

• WHAT LUCAS VAZQUEZ SAID

  Speaking to Arabic outlet , Vazquez said: "I haven't decided my next destination yet." 

  When asked if he would consider a move to the Middle East, the 34-year-old replied: "I don't know, anything's possible."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR LUCAS VAZQUEZ?

  The right-back has been courted by Fenerbahce, although it seems he isn't tempted by a move to Turkey. Espanyol, his former team, are also interested in bringing him back, although it appears that he doesn't want to play in Spain out of respect for Los Blancos. Moreover, he has received offers from Qatar, Premier League, as well as Italy, with Juventus seemingly eyeing Vazquez on a free transfer. With less than two weeks before the transfer window deadline, it is expected that Vazquez's new club will be made official soon.

While the ongoing IPL may be a certifiable run-fest, the current school of thought surrounding the upcoming T20 World Cup is that conditions in the USA and Caribbean might be a little less batter-friendly. At least, that’s the working assumption Sri Lanka’s selectors were going on when they named their 15-man squad for the tournament.”If you look at the conditions in America and the West Indies, most of it is pointing towards the wickets there being quite slow,” chief selector Upul Tharanga said at a media briefing on Monday.”The Major League tournament was played in Dallas with drop-in pitches. If you look at those, even though they’re being brought down from Australia they are still quite uneven and a little slow. This could of course change, so it’s a little hard to predict.”Related

• Uncapped Dunith Wellalage in Sri Lanka's T20 World Cup squad

• Sri Lanka Cricket awards central contracts to 41 male players

It’s this line of thinking that has seen them stock their squad with spin-bowling options. While Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana will lead the line, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka and Dunith Wellalage all offer all-round options, while Vijayakanth Viyaskanth is among the travelling reserves.

Dhananjaya, Wellalage show versatility is key

Among the main beneficiaries of Sri Lanka’s focus on spin have been Dhananjaya and Wellalage.A lack of power-hitting pedigree has seen the 32-year-old Dhananjaya struggle to become a mainstay of the T20 side, while his position in the batting line-up has also yo-yoed. Over the past four years, he’s batted in each of the top seven positions, though primarily in the middle order, and of Sri Lanka’s nine T20Is this year he’s only played in four of them. As for Wellalage, he is yet to debut for Sri Lanka in T20Is, though he has 21 ODIs and a solitary Test to his name.But despite this lack of game time, both have been included in Sri Lanka’s squad, and Tharanga explained that it was their versatility that cemented their inclusion.”There could be a chance that we play three spinners sometimes. Looking at that is why we picked Dunith, particularly his batting, because sometimes we could go with him ahead of a fast-bowling allrounder.”As for Dhananjaya, we value his bowling. And with regard to power-hitting, we think we can get that from elsewhere in the side. In terms of his all-round input, and taking into consideration the conditions, he was a better option.”Tharanga also revealed that the uncapped Viyaskanth, who had impressed in the LPL in recent seasons as well as the ILT20 earlier this year, had been picked as a travelling reserve ahead of the likes of Jeffrey Vandersay and Akila Dananjaya owing to him being more suited to the conditions.”Viyaskanth is taller and has a higher arm action, and because of that we thought he would suit the West Indian conditions better. Along with Viyaskanth, we looked at Akila Dananjaya and Jeffrey Vandersay, and compared to them Viyaskanth has bowled more in franchise cricket, and so we think he’s best suited to fill in in the case of any injury.”Matheesha Pathirana has been in sensational form for CSK, but Sri Lanka will have to wait on a final medical report before they can clear him for return•BCCI

Concerns over power-hitting?

The build-up to the World Cup – in the shadow of the IPL – has brought with it a certain degree of uncertainty over what the scoring will be like at the tournament, with ground averages perhaps no longer a reliable indicator of scoring patterns considering the kind of uber aggressive batting seen in the IPL so far.In this vein, there were questions over the selection of Dhananjaya over more explosive options like Kusal Janith Perera and Bhanuka Rajapaksa (travelling reserve). The selectors, though, were confident that the team selected has the firepower needed to go deep in the tournament.”If you look at scores in the West Indies historically, as well as the US, average scores are around 160. But until we play on them we won’t know how such wickets behave. But I do believe that this a team capable of meeting any challenge.”Speaking further on Perera’s axing, Tharanga said it was down to his recent lack of form, while he added that Bhanuka had been kept as a reserve as there were enough power hitters in the side already.”From the 15 players we’ve selected I think we have the necessary power in the side in terms of batters. In the opening slots we have Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka, then we have Kamindu Mendis, Charith [Asalanka], there’s Wanindu and Dasun Shanaka. So we have faith that we can cover the power side of the game with those players.”

Special request for Liyanage

Janith Liyanage was not part of the initial 25-man shortlist the selectors had identified as potential candidates for their final squad, but such has been the strength of his performances in ODIs – he has scored three fifties and a century in six innings since debuting in March of this year – they had been urged to reconsider his role in shortest format.As such, Liyanage, despite having played the last of his three T20Is back in February 2022, has been named one for four travelling reserves.”He wasn’t selected in the initial 25-man list because we thought we could go forward with those selections. But in the games following that decision, Janith performed very well,” Tharanga explained.”This meant that some of the seniors and coaches in the side asked again if it was possible to take Janith for the tournament.”

Sri Lanka wait on Pathirana injury

Matheesha Pathirana had impressed in his second IPL campaign, picking up 13 wickets for Chennai Super Kings in six games before being sidelined with a hamstring strain. According to Tharanga, they are hopeful of the slinger being fit for the start of the tournament but will have to wait on the final medical report before identifying a clear timeline for his return.He is one of five seamers Sri Lanka will be taking to the US, alongside fellow slinger Nuwan Thushara, Dilshan Madushanka, Dushmantha Chameera and travelling reserve Asitha Fernando.In those, Tharanga believes there is enough to trouble opposition batters in all phases of play.”We have players to bowl at the death, but it’s in the powerplay that we need to focus on picking up wickets. So for that we have Madushanka and then as travelling reserve we have Asitha.”If we take our side, Thushara, Pathirana they can bowl in the death overs. But we needed someone that could come in if we needed a wicket-taking option with the new ball, which is why we went with Asitha [as a reserve over Binura Fernando].”

The WPL final is scheduled for March 17 in Delhi, two days before England’s first T20I against NZ in Dunedin

Matt Roller02-Feb-2024The ECB has made an unsuccessful request to New Zealand Cricket (NZC) to move the dates of England’s upcoming women’s tour, with four players deemed unavailable for the first three T20Is as a result of their Women’s Premier League (WPL) commitments in India and two others pulling out of their franchise contracts.NZC confirmed the fixtures in July for the tour, which comprises five T20Is and three ODIs between March 19 and April 6. The BCCI had only publicly announced the window for the WPL last Wednesday, with the final scheduled for March 17 in Delhi – two days before the opening T20I in Dunedin.ESPNcricinfo understands that the ECB asked NZC to consider shifting the series back but were told it would not be possible. “We explored every option available to us to make sure all our players were available during the New Zealand series, but that didn’t quite work out as we would have liked,” Jon Lewis, England’s coach, said.”Yes, there are things that other boards could have done, but they’re things that are totally out of our control to be honest. We’ve had to react to the situation as best we can… it’s quite a unique situation. It’s quite complex… we talk to everyone as individuals and work out what we think is the best plan for them.”Lewis blamed the late release of the WPL’s schedule, which was decided several months after NZC had confirmed the dates of England’s tour. “[The series] was in our diary for a very long period of time,” he said. “The WPL dates came out very late. Moving forward, all the boards around the world will create a window for the WPL similar to the men’s game.”Related

Nat Sciver-Brunt: 'I'd be lying if I said money wasn't a factor'

The ECB told the eight England players with WPL contracts that to be considered for selection in the first three T20Is, they would need to leave India before the knockout stages. Jonathan Finch, the director of England women’s cricket, said: “All players participating in the WPL were given our backing to remain in India for the duration of the tournament.”Lauren Bell (UP Warriorz) and Heather Knight (Royal Challengers Bangalore) both pulled out of their deals last week. “They withdrew once they learnt that the WPL regulations don’t allow for replacements mid-tournament, not wanting their respective WPL teams to be disadvantaged by their early departure,” Finch said.Lewis himself will leave the WPL after UP Warriorz’s final group game on March 11, with assistant coach Ashley Noffke likely to deputise if they reach the knockout stages. “I had good discussions with the franchise,” Lewis said. “Hopefully, we’re in a really strong position. We’ve got a lot of cover in the coaching department and UP have been really accommodating.”Jon Lewis: “Moving forward, all boards around the world will create a window for the WPL similar to the men’s game”•ICC via Getty ImagesEngland named two separate T20I squads on Friday, one for the first three matches and another for the final two. Hollie Armitage and Linsey Smith will be replaced by Alice Capsey (Delhi Capitals), Sophie Ecclestone (UP Warriorz), Nat Sciver-Brunt (Mumbai Indains) and Danni Wyatt (UP Warriorz) ahead of the fourth T20I. Kate Cross (RCB) will arrive for the ODIs, while Issy Wong (MI) was not selected for either format.”We tried to make sure that all the players that are in New Zealand with us will get a really fair crack, rather than worrying about Nat Sciver-Brunt getting knocked out [of the WPL] on one day, flying in three days later and taking their position in the team,” Lewis said, framing the clash as “a brilliant opportunity” to test England’s depth ahead of the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh later this year.With Wyatt in India for the full WPL, Tammy Beaumont looks set to open the batting in the first three T20Is and will win her 100th cap in the format. A pedestrian strike rate meant she has spent two years out of the side since her 99th, but she has since shown her dynamism in domestic cricket. “We asked her to go away and improve in certain areas,” Lewis said. “She went away and she did that.”Mahika Gaur, who has played in England’s last two T20I series, is unavailable as she continues to study for her A-Levels, while Freya Kemp has been picked as a specialist batter for the parallel England A tour to New Zealand after a recurrence of a back injury. Kirstie Gordon (T20s) and Grace Scrivens (ODIs) will captain the secondary tour, while Tash Farrant and Emma Lamb both feature after back injuries.England T20I squad vs New Zealand: Hollie Armitage*, Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey+, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone+, Lauren Filer, Danielle Gibson, Sarah Glenn, Bess Heath, Amy Jones, Heather Knight (captain), Nat Sciver-Brunt+, Linsey Smith*, Danni Wyatt+ ()England ODI squad vs New Zealand: Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Kate Cross, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Danielle Gibson, Sarah Glenn, Bess Heath, Amy Jones, Heather Knight (capt), Nat Sciver-Brunt, Danni WyattEngland A squad vs New Zealand: Georgia Adams, Hannah Baker, Alice Davidson-Richards, Tash Farrant, Kirstie Gordon (T20 captain), Freya Kemp, Emma Lamb, Ryana MacDonald-Gay, Sophie Munro, Grace Potts, Paige Scholfield, Grace Scrivens (ODI captain), Seren Smale, Rhianna Southby, Mady Villiers

MatériaMais Notícias

O Internacional venceu o Ceará de virada por 2 a 1, na noite desta quarta-feira, pela 34ª rodada do Brasileirão, e garantiu a vaga direta para fase de grupos da Libertadores. Além disso, impediu o título do Palmeiras e segue com sonho vivo de conquistar a taça. Lima marcou para o Vozão, enquanto Edenilson e Alan Patrick anotaram para o Colorado.

Com o resultado, o Inter segue na vice-liderança, com 64 pontos – dez a menos para o líder Palmeiras. Enquanto isso, o Vozão fica em 16º e é o primeiro fora da zona de rebaixamento, com 34 pontos, um a mais que o Atlético-GO – primeiro no Z4.

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Aplicativo de resultados do LANCE! está disponível na versão iOS

PRESSÃO DO VOZÃO!

A partida começou da maneira que o Ceará sonhava. Logo aos 3 minutos, Igor Gomes colocou carga nas costas de Bruno Pacheco, o derrubando na área. Com isso, a arbitragem marcou pênalti. Lima foi para a bola e bateu no canto de Keiller, que quase fez a defesa. 1 a 0 Vozão.

A partir disso, o Inter tentou ter mais posse de bola e buscou espaços. Em uma das chegadas coloradas, Carlos de Pena quase surpreendeu João Ricardo e por pouco não marcou. Vina, aos 25, quase ampliou. Sete minutos depois, Nino Paraíba aproveitou contra-ataque e tentou faz o segundo do Ceará.

BUSCANDO A VIRADA!

O Inter voltou na pressão e buscou o gol a todo momento. Enquanto isso, com algumas substituições, o Ceará diminuiu o seu volume de jogo e cedeu espaços ao Colorado. Aos 18, Alan Patrick quase deixou tudo igual, mas o gol saiu com Edenilson. A zaga do Vozão vacilou. Em cruzamento, a bola chegou no camisa 8, que empurrou para o fundo das redes.

O time gaúcho seguiu na pressão. Vina até tentou, aos 26, em uma bomba, mas nada marcou. Aos 29, a bola explodiu no braço do zagueiro Luiz Otávio. Após análise do VAR, a arbitragem marcou pênalti para o Colorado. Alan Patrick cobrou e não deixou chances para o goleiro João Ricardo defender.

FICHA TÉCNICA
Internacional 2 x 1 Ceará

Local: Estádio Beira-Rio, em Porto Alegre (RS)
Data e hora: 26/10/2022 – 21h45 (de Brasília)
Árbitro: Ramon Abatti Abel (SC)
Assistentes: Eder Alexandre (SC) e Thiaggo Americano Labes (SC)
VAR: Daiane Caroline Muniz dos Santos (Fifa/SP)
Cartões amarelos: Geovane (Ceará)
Cartões vermelhos: –
GOLS: Lima, aos 5’/1ºT (0-1);Edenilson, aos 19’/2ºT (1-1);Alan Patrick, aos 32’/2º (2-1)
​
INTERNACIONAL (Técnico: Mano Menezes)

Keiller;Igor Gomes (Weverton, aos 0’/2ºT),Rodrigo Moledo,Vitão eRenê;Edenílson,Carlos de Pena,Alan Patrick (Lucas Ramos, aos 37’/2ºT) ePedro Henrique (Maurício, aos 28’/2ºT); Wanderson (Taison, aos 37’/2ºT) eBraian Romero (David, aos 28’/2ºT).

CEARÁ (Técnico: Lucho González)

João Ricardo;Nino Paraíba (Zé Roberto, aos 26’/2ºT),Gabriel Lacerda, Luiz Otávio eBruno Pacheco (Guilherme Castilho, aos 34’/2ºT); Geovane (Iury Castilho, aos 34’/2ºT),Fernando Sobral, Vina,Diego (Victor Luis, aos 14’/2ºT) eLima;Cléber (Michel, aos 26’/2ºT).

A former Championship forward has admitted he was impressed by Wrexham before turning a transfer down in the mid-2000s.

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Wrexham transformed under new ownersIn Championship after three promotionsJamie Ward opens up on failed transferFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Aston Villa youth product and former Championship forward Ward has revealed his regret over turning down a move to Wrexham after being impressed by the Racecourse Ground. The Northern Irishman, who later spent time at Sheffield United, Derby and Nottingham Forest, was at the centre of a transfer tussle between Wrexham, Stockport and Torquay United after being released by Villa and eventually signed for the latter.

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Wrexham are in a totally different position these days compared to 20 years ago. They were a League Two side in 2005-06 but would soon drop into the fifth tier of English football, where they would reside until current owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds took over and led them to three successive promotions to the Championship.

WHAT WARD SAID

Speaking on the podcast, Ward said: "After the Stockport loan, I was done at Villa. Getting in that environment and knowing that I was actually capable of playing league football at a young age was the kick up the backside I probably needed.

"I had Stockport, Wrexham and Torquay after me, and I decided to go to Torquay. I was worried about Stockport struggling again, so that's why I didn't go there. I actually don't know why I didn't choose Wrexham, because the stadium was nice.

"I think the thing that swung it for me at Torquay is that the manager was from Birmingham, so he knew how far I was away from home. He said to me, 'Listen, if you're ever struggling and you want to go home for a few days, all you have to do is tell me.'

"That was a nice option to have where you can just get in the car, get up the road free and you're back with your family three hours later."

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM?

Wrexham are still tracking potential transfer targets for their upcoming Championship campaign, with players with Premier League experience being targeted by manager Phil Parkinson. They are also weighing up the future of striker Paul Mullin, who barely played last season and has been linked with a move away from Wales.

أعلن الاتحاد الدولي لكرة القدم، فيفا، هوية الحكم الذي سيتولى مسؤولية إدارة مباراة نهائي بطولة كأس العالم للأندية، نسخة 2025، بين فريقي باريس سان جيرمان الفرنسي وتشيلسي الإنجليزي.

كان باريس سان جيرمان قد تأهل إلى نهائي كأس العالم للأندية، في النسخة التي تستضيفها أمريكا حاليًا، بعدما فاز على ريال مدريد بأربعة أهداف دون رد.

اقرأ أيضًا.. لاعب ريال مدريد يعتذر للجماهير: لم أكن قدر التوقعات في كأس العالم للأندية

في حين حصل تشيلسي على بطاقة التأهل إلى المباراة النهائية بعدما تخطى فلومينينسي البرازيلي بهدفين دون رد.

ويستضيف ملعب “ميتلايف” مباراة نهائي كأس العالم للأندية، في نسخته الأولى بنظامه الجديد، يوم الأحد المقبل. حكم نهائي كأس العالم للأندية بين باريس سان جيرمان وتشيلسي

حسبما أعلن “فيفا”، فإن الحكم الأسترالي ذو الأصول الإيرانية، علي رضا فغاني، سيكون مسؤولًا عن إدارة مباراة باريس سان جيرمان وتشيلسي في نهائي كأس العالم للأندية لتلك النسخة.

كان فغاني قد تولى مسؤولية إدارة مباراة الافتتاح لتلك البطولة بين الأهلي المصري وإنتر ميامي الأمريكي، حيث تعادلا سلبيًا آنذاك.

وسيعاونه كل من أنتون شيتينين وأشيلي باشام، الأستراليين، في حين سيتواجد الأرجنتيني فاكوندو تييو كحكم رابع، إلى جانب الألماني باستيان دانكيرت كحكم تقنية فيديو، وتعاونه من نيكاراجوا، الحكمة تاتيانا جوزمان.

There will be no Mary Earps, Millie Bright or Fran Kirby at the tournament in Switzerland, but it could be a breakout summer for one teenage prospect

In the end, England's squad announcement for this summer's European Championship was not as dramatic as some might've expected. A week of blockbuster news sucked a lot of the suspense out of it, with Fran Kirby revealing that she wasn't selected, thus leading to her retirement, while Millie Bright's withdrawal from selection predictably paved the way for Lotte Wubben-Moy to bulk up the defence. Mary Earps' own decision to step away from Lionesses duty was stunning in itself, but regarding this squad announcement, it simply confirmed that both Anna Moorhouse and Khiara Keating would go along with Hannah Hampton, rather than one or the other.

However, there were still several spots up for grabs and a couple of eyebrow-raising decisions made by Sarina Wiegman, as she cut her squad down to 23 for England's European title defence. Would she really pick eight defenders? Or would one make way for another forward? Could teenage talent Michelle Agyemang sneak in? Or would she opt for the experience of Nikita Parris? And what of the midfield? Would five names be enough? Or was Missy Bo Kearns' debut in midweek a sign that Wiegman wanted another body in there?

Those were thoughts likely running round the head of the Dutchwoman, as well as the fans, this week as she pondered just what the right mixture and balance of players would be as the Lionesses try to defend their first, and so far only, major tournament title. Has she got it right? Only time will tell. But, for now, let GOAL break down the winners & losers from England's Euro 2025 squad announcement…

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  LOSER: Sarina Wiegman

  Let's address the elephant in the room first, as Thursday's squad announcement was the conclusion of what has been a long and arduous week for England and, specifically, Wiegman. The Lionesses boss has had her management style criticised in the wake of a flurry of shocking announcements, starting with Earps' international retirement, continuing through Kirby following suit and concluding with Bright's withdrawal from selection for this summer's tournament.

  Wiegman did not, then, have the full player pool to choose from for this squad. For starters, she's had to pick a goalkeeping unit that lacks experience, as Hampton is the only one of the three who is even capped, and she's never played at a major tournament. Wiegman has also lost the best-performing English centre-back of this past season, in Bright, while the combination of Chelsea captain's absence and that of Earps means the Lionesses will be without two key leaders and big personalities in the dressing room – two players who have worn the armband for their country, no less.

  Throw in the doubts over Lauren James' fitness and Wiegman has certainly not been able to pick this squad in the best of circumstances. Of course, it is still going to be one of the best and deepest at Euro 2025, but is it good enough to win the whole thing? We'll find out soon enough.

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  WINNER: Lauren James

  James' inclusion in this squad doesn't tell us too much. A mercurial talent who can change a game with the drop of the shoulder and a swing of either foot, it always felt like Wiegman was going to give the Chelsea star every chance to be fit for this tournament – whether she features from the start of it or is able to come in and contribute at a later date.

  However, what it does say is that James remains on the right track when it comes to her recovery from a hamstring injury. If there was no chance of her returning to play a part at the Euros, then one would assume Wiegman would have left her out, as replacing James in the squad if she has to withdraw will not be entirely straight-forward. After all, she's not just someone who can shine as a winger, but also as a No.10. As such, her absence would impact both positions as well as the composition and balance of the squad.

  For now, the hope remains that none of that will have to be considered and James is still well in the mix to be involved in the tournament in Switzerland. That's great news for her and her country.

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  LOSER: Nikita Parris

  Of all the players who had the hear the heart-breaking news that they wouldn't be going to the Euros, Parris is one of those most will feel for in particular. Despite being part of the England squad which became European champions, the veteran forward was forced into the international wilderness only a few months later, with her entering 2025 having not been involved since November 2022.

  Then, in February, she was suddenly back. Amid a terrific first season at Brighton, Parris earned her Lionesses return for the first camp of the year – then was involved again in April and in May. She's been in every squad Wiegman has named in 2025 – except the one for this summer's Euros.

  In truth, it's not a huge shock. The 31-year-old hasn't done anything to stake a significant claim for a place when she has got on the pitch, whereas those also in competition for the forward spots have. Her experience, wonderful character and the fact Wiegman knows she can play the squad role well, having done so in 2022, were all reasons to believe Parris could still make the cut but, in the end, she was one of the unfortunate ones to fall the other side of it.

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  WINNER: Michelle Agyemang

  Ironically, a big reason why Parris isn't on the plane is because Agyemang, who has spoken glowingly of the 31-year-old's guidance during their time together at Brighton this season, is. The Arsenal academy prospect spent this past year on loan with the Seagulls and learned a lot from not only Parris but also Kirby, who also hasn't made the cut.

  Soaking up their words of wisdom like a sponge, the 19-year-old impressed enough in her first Women's Super League season to earn a call-up in April, after Alessia Russo had to withdraw from the England squad due to injury. Two days later, she was making her Lionesses debut – and 41 seconds into that, she had scored her first senior international goal.

  There was a lot of debate about whether or not Agyemang would get this call-up. After all, the Under-19s Euros kick-off later this month and the teenager might have been better suited to playing a starring role with the Young Lionesses instead. But Wiegman has decided that she will also benefit massively from being around the senior team as they bid to defend their European title, and she knows full well that the talented forward has the ability to make a difference from the bench as they do so.