#asia cup top scorer

[andiessoccerblog]

Group E Breakdown

Expected to move on: USA, Netherlands

Expected to exit in group stage: Portugal, Vietnam

United States

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Netherlands

FIFA Ranking: 8

Reputation:

The Netherlands won the 2018 Euros and reached the final of the 2019 World Cup, but in 2022 they dropped from 4th place to 8th place in the FIFA world rankings. This is a result of a team who has a solid base, but suffers if its stars are not available. Some of their strongest players aren’t playing at their best any more, and their extremely capable goalie from 2019, Sari Van Veenendaal, has retired, leaving huge shoes to fill. Additionally, the coach that led them to the 2019 World Cup final has since taken a job at England, leaving the team in the hands of less-experienced and very recent addition, Andries Jonker. Their most important game in the group will be the repeat of the 2019 final, Netherlands v. USA, where the Dutch walked away with silver.

Player Pool:

Netherlands’ stars from the 2019 World Cup are in the team’s midfield: Lieke Martens and Danielle Van de Donk. I would normally include Vivianne Miedema, but she was ruled out of the tournament with an ACL injury. The team will need to rely on veterans Sherida Spitse (captain), Shanice van de Sanden, and Jill Roord to pull them past the group stage.

2019 WWC Performance: 

The Netherlands skyrocketed into the final this year, winning their group and finding results in every game in the elimination round, except for the USA. Their game against Sweden went to extra time, but they showed the grit and talent to make it to the final.  They had an impressive number of goalscorers, with the top being Vivianne Miedema, and the goalie Sari Van Veenendaal won the tournament’s Golden Glove award, and is my Netherlands MVP.

Portugal

FIFA Ranking: 21

Reputation: 

It will surprise most people that Portugal is also a World Cup debutante–they are the highest FIFA-ranked debutante team– their inclusion this year is due to one of the extra European confederation spots in the expanded field. Despite never having qualified, Portugal has been a staple in the women’s game for years as they host the Algarve Cup, a yearly international invitational tournament that is considered a “Mini World Cup” that has run since 1994– making it the second longest running women's soccer tournament, other than the World Cup itself. Portugal will likely beat fellow debutante Vietnam in their group, but will likely not find results in games against the USA and the Netherlands, the gold- and silver-medalists of the 2019 World Cup.

Player Pool:

Portugal has several veteran players with over 100 caps, but there isn’t a front-runner that has scored massive amounts of goals for the country. FIFA pinpoints Dolores Silva as the player to watch, a dynamic midfield veteran that scored a couple goals in their path to qualify for 2023. 

2019 WWC performance:

Did not qualify

Vietnam

FIFA Ranking: 33

Reputation: 

After narrowly missing out on both the 2015 and 2019 World Cup, Vietnam finally qualified for 2023, and followed up their qualification by winning the 2023 Southeast Asia Playoffs, in which fellow debutante the Philippines didn’t make it out of their group. To help the growth of women's soccer in their country, there is a semi-professional league  that almost all of the players are in.  An interesting twist in their qualification is that some of their games were against Asian teams that were still suffering substantial player unavailability due to covid–but Vietnam’s luck ran out when the country got placed in this group with the USA and the Netherlands. 

Player Pool:

Since almost all of the team plays domestically, there isn’t a lot known about the team. Captain Huỳnh Như and midfielder Nguyễn Thị Tuyết Dung are the leading scorers.

2019 WWC performance:

Did not qualify

[news365timesindia]

[ad_1] India after defeating Bangladesh in the final (PC: BCCI Women/X) The Indian Under-19 girls’ cricket team were undefeated while winning the first edition of the ACC Women’s U-19 Asia Cup, held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In the final, they defended a target of 118 by bowling out Bangladesh for just 76. Throughout the tournament, different players stepped up at crucial moments. Gongadi Trisha was the star of the tournament with her consistent performances. She scored 159 runs in five innings, with an impressive average of 53.00 and a strike-rate of 120.45. Her contributions included two half-centuries. In the final, she played a crucial knock of 52 off 47 balls, earning her the Player of the Match award. The Hyderabadi cricketer also won the Player of the Tournament title, finishing as the highest run-scorer. Trisha had earlier contributed to India’s victory in the ICC Women’s U-19 T20 World Cup in 2023, scoring 116 runs in seven innings. In a 2022 interview with Sportstar, Trisha shared that her idol is former Indian skipper Mithali Raj. According to ESPNCricinfo, Trisha was introduced to cricket by her father at the age of two. Her becoming the top scorer in the Asia Cup is a testament to her dedication in domestic and international age-group competitions. For the Latest Sports News: Click Here India vs Bangladesh in the final of the ACC U-19 Women’s Asia Cup (PC: BCCI Women/X) Aayushi Shukla and Parunika Sisodia were India’s top bowlers in the campaign, with 10 and nine wickets respectively. Both slow left-arm orthodox spinners dominated the Bangladesh batting lineup in the final, sharing five wickets between them. Parunika was included in the WPL 2025 mini-auction held in Bengaluru last week but was not picked by any team. In the 2023 season, she was part of the Gujarat Giants squad but did not play. This domestic season, she delivered standout performances, including taking four wickets for just nine runs against Rajasthan in the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy. She also took two wickets in each of the four matches she played in the Senior Women’s Inter Zonal T20 Trophy for North Zone. Some players who secured WPL contracts for the next season struggled with consistency. Mumbai Indians paid ₹1.60 crore for G Kamalini, a wicketkeeper and opening batter. Although she finished as the third-highest run-getter in the Asia Cup with 85 runs in five innings, her performances were less impactful. Skipper Niki Prasad had limited opportunities to bat or bowl but excelled as a leader. Delhi Capitals signed her for ₹10 lakh, providing her a chance to learn under former Australian legend Meg Lanning. Joshita VJ, an all-rounder, was signed by the defending WPL champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru for ₹10 lakh. However, she only played three matches in the Asia Cup, taking two wickets and batting just once. Shabnam Shakil, retained by Gujarat Giants for the next WPL season, had impressed in the previous edition by taking four wickets in four games. In this Asia Cup, she managed only two wickets in four matches, though her economy rate was an impressive 2.84. Also Read: Renuka’s five-for derails West Indies in first ODI The post Trisha, Aayushi and Parunika headline India Women’s U-19 Asia Cup Triumph appeared first on Sports News Portal | Latest Sports Articles | Revsports. [ad_2] Source link

[news365times]

[ad_1] India after defeating Bangladesh in the final (PC: BCCI Women/X) The Indian Under-19 girls’ cricket team were undefeated while winning the first edition of the ACC Women’s U-19 Asia Cup, held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In the final, they defended a target of 118 by bowling out Bangladesh for just 76. Throughout the tournament, different players stepped up at crucial moments. Gongadi Trisha was the star of the tournament with her consistent performances. She scored 159 runs in five innings, with an impressive average of 53.00 and a strike-rate of 120.45. Her contributions included two half-centuries. In the final, she played a crucial knock of 52 off 47 balls, earning her the Player of the Match award. The Hyderabadi cricketer also won the Player of the Tournament title, finishing as the highest run-scorer. Trisha had earlier contributed to India’s victory in the ICC Women’s U-19 T20 World Cup in 2023, scoring 116 runs in seven innings. In a 2022 interview with Sportstar, Trisha shared that her idol is former Indian skipper Mithali Raj. According to ESPNCricinfo, Trisha was introduced to cricket by her father at the age of two. Her becoming the top scorer in the Asia Cup is a testament to her dedication in domestic and international age-group competitions. For the Latest Sports News: Click Here India vs Bangladesh in the final of the ACC U-19 Women’s Asia Cup (PC: BCCI Women/X) Aayushi Shukla and Parunika Sisodia were India’s top bowlers in the campaign, with 10 and nine wickets respectively. Both slow left-arm orthodox spinners dominated the Bangladesh batting lineup in the final, sharing five wickets between them. Parunika was included in the WPL 2025 mini-auction held in Bengaluru last week but was not picked by any team. In the 2023 season, she was part of the Gujarat Giants squad but did not play. This domestic season, she delivered standout performances, including taking four wickets for just nine runs against Rajasthan in the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy. She also took two wickets in each of the four matches she played in the Senior Women’s Inter Zonal T20 Trophy for North Zone. Some players who secured WPL contracts for the next season struggled with consistency. Mumbai Indians paid ₹1.60 crore for G Kamalini, a wicketkeeper and opening batter. Although she finished as the third-highest run-getter in the Asia Cup with 85 runs in five innings, her performances were less impactful. Skipper Niki Prasad had limited opportunities to bat or bowl but excelled as a leader. Delhi Capitals signed her for ₹10 lakh, providing her a chance to learn under former Australian legend Meg Lanning. Joshita VJ, an all-rounder, was signed by the defending WPL champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru for ₹10 lakh. However, she only played three matches in the Asia Cup, taking two wickets and batting just once. Shabnam Shakil, retained by Gujarat Giants for the next WPL season, had impressed in the previous edition by taking four wickets in four games. In this Asia Cup, she managed only two wickets in four matches, though her economy rate was an impressive 2.84. Also Read: Renuka’s five-for derails West Indies in first ODI The post Trisha, Aayushi and Parunika headline India Women’s U-19 Asia Cup Triumph appeared first on Sports News Portal | Latest Sports Articles | Revsports. [ad_2] Source link

[aniketdelmundo]

AFC World Cup Qualifiers recap: Round 3

Australia 3:1 China PR

Following a recent managerial change, the Socceroos have returned to winning form. Under Tony Popovic’s leadership, the team entered the match as clear favourites despite their recent challenges. Although they conceded an early goal against the run of play, Australia maintained their pressure and secured a 3-1 victory over the Red Dragons. This result provides much-needed relief and lifts them to second place in the standings, with four points from three matches. Goal scorers for Australia: Lewis Miller, Craig Goodwin, Nishan Velupillay Goal scorer for China PR: Wenneng Xie

Jordan 0:2 South Korea

The Asian Cup runners-up faced a setback in their latest World Cup qualifier, falling to the Taeguk Warriors. South Korea dominated the match, maintaining control of possession and limiting Jordan’s opportunities to hold onto the ball. Despite having just 25% possession, Jordan managed to take more shots (13) than their opponents (12). However, their efforts fell short as they succumbed to a 2-0 defeat against the clearly superior South Korean side. With this victory, South Korea solidified their position as table toppers, while Jordan remains in 3rd place. Goal scorers for Korea Republic: Young-woo Seol, Hyun-gyu Oh

Uzbekistan 0:0 IR Iran

Team Melli played to a draw against the White Wolves of Central Asia, with both sides proving evenly matched—each recording 10 shots throughout the game. Despite their parity in statistics, Team Melli showed greater attacking intent and might have secured all three points if not for the heroics of Utkir Yusupov, Uzbekistan’s goalkeeper, who made four crucial saves. In contrast, Uzbekistan struggled in front of goal, managing only one shot on target. Due credit must be given to Team Melli for maintaining the scoreline after being reduced to 10 men in the 57th minute, following Saleh Hardani's dismissal by the referee. Their resilience and determination in the face of adversity played a crucial role in securing the draw against a competitive opponent. Following this match, both teams remain level with 7 points each, but Uzbekistan holds the top spot in the standings due to a superior goal difference.

Bahrain 2:2 Indonesia

The Red Devils of Asia played to a draw against Team Garuda on October 10, 2024. Talajic's side showcased their dynamic attacking style, keeping Indonesia on the defensive for much of the match. Their efforts paid off early, with Mohamed Jasim Marhoom netting a stunning long-range goal in the first half, shaking Team Garuda. However, Indonesia quickly responded just before halftime, with Ragnar Oratmangoen levelling the score. The match remained tightly contested, and although Indonesia came close to victory, Marhoom struck again in the final minutes to equalize, neutralizing the lead that had been established by Rafael Struick. This result marks Indonesia's third consecutive draw, leaving them still in search of their first win, while Bahrain holds 4th place with 4 points. Goal scorer for Bahrain: Mohamen J Marhoom Goal scorers for Indonesia: Ragnar Oratmangoen, Rafael Struick

Oman 4:0 Kuwait

Oman delivered a dominant performance against Kuwait in their latest FIFA World Cup qualifier, securing a resounding victory in Muscat. From the outset, Oman took control of the match, consistently pressing forward while Kuwait's defence struggled to keep up. Oman registered 17 shots compared to Kuwait's 8, highlighting their offensive superiority. Abdulrahman Al Mushaifri earned the Man of the Match award with a well-deserved brace. This much-needed win propels Oman to 4th place in the standings, while Kuwait remains winless, with two draws and one loss. Goal scorers for Oman: Abdulrahman Al Mushaifri, Abdullah Fawaz, Muhsen Al Ghasani

UAE 1:1 DPR Korea

In what can be termed a shocking result, the UAE dropped points against North Korea in a nail-biting game of football. North Korea turned out to be a surprisingly tough team to compete against for UAE, as they struggled to find the back of the net against the east asian team. Despite clearly being the better side, North Korea conceded first and had to work hard to restore the scoreline. Their efforts paid off as they were presented with the opportunity to level the score from the spot but Khalid Elsa stood tall and made a crucial save which allowed UAE to hold onto their lead. The lead didn't last long as Il Gwan Jong scored in the 88th minute to draw level allowing North Korea to salvage a point from this game. The UAE currently holds 3rd place in the standings with 4 points, while DPR Korea is positioned second last with 2 points from three matches. Despite their recent draw, the UAE remains ahead in the race, while North Korea is still searching for their first win of the campaign. Goal scorer for UAE: Yahya Alghassani Goal scorer for DPR Korea: Il Gwan Jong

Qatar 3:1 Kyrgyzstan

Qatar secured a crucial victory over Kyrgyzstan in their FIFA World Cup qualifier, living up to their pre-match billing as clear favorites. Tintin Marquez's side demonstrated their attacking prowess, preventing Kyrgyzstan from settling into their usual rhythm. Akram Afif delivered another standout performance, while Almoez Ali made his mark with a goal. This win propels Qatar to 4th place in the standings with 4 points from three games, while Kyrgyzstan's winless run continues in their pursuit of the World Cup 2026 qualification. Goal scorers for Qatar: Almoez Ali, Ibrahim Al Hassan, Tamirlan Kozubaev (OG) Goal scorers for Kyrgyzstan: Alimardon Shukurov

Saudi Arabia 0:2 Japan

The Samurai Blue continued their flawless performance in the World Cup qualifier on Thursday with a decisive victory over the Green Falcons of Arabia. Despite the valiant efforts of Roberto Mancini's squad, they proved no match for the Japanese, who showcased their dominance as the leading team in Asian football. Although Saudi Arabia enjoyed higher possession and took more shots than Japan, their efforts were rendered ineffective as the Japanese displayed greater efficiency in front of the goal. This victory keeps Japan at the top of the standings with a perfect record, while Saudi Arabia sits in 3rd place with 4 points. Goal scorers for Japan: Daichi Kamada, Koki Ogawa

Iraq 1:0 Palestine

The Lions of Mesopotamia secured a vital victory against a resilient Palestine in their latest World Cup qualifier. The Iraqi side, managed by Jesus Garcia, entered the match as clear favourites, demonstrating both physical and technical superiority. Aymen Hussein's decisive goal in the 31st minute proved to be the match-winner, allowing Iraq to claim all three points. Despite Palestine's determined efforts in the closing minutes, the Iraqi defense held firm, ensuring a clean sheet. With two wins from three matches, Iraq remains undefeated and sits in 2nd place in the standings, level on points with group leaders South Korea, while Palestine occupies the bottom position with 2 draws and 1 loss from three games. Goal scorer for Iraq: Aymen Hussein

[mybharatguru]

Sri Lanka scored 114 runs and won by 7 wickets

Sri Lanka-Bangladesh teams played in a league match yesterday in Women’s Asia Cup series. The Women’s Asia Cup Cricket Series is underway in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka-Bangladesh teams played in a league match held yesterday. Batting first in this match, Bangladesh lost 8 wickets and scored only 111 runs in 20 overs. Nigar Sultana was the top scorer for Bangladesh with 48 runs. On the Sri Lankan…

[sportsgr8]

WPL 2024: With Aims Clearly In Sight, Shweta Sehrawat Eager To Capitalize On Dream-like Run

Equal Hue Cricket Excellence Programme: At first glance, Shweta Sehrawat seems like a regular teenager who enjoys watching movies and playing games in her free time, as well as partaking in fun activities such as going on outings outside Delhi or doing some shopping. However, if you consider her recent achievements in cricket over the past year and a half, Shweta is anything but an ordinary teenager. There's a rare sense of excitement and clarity in the right-handed batter's voice when she discusses how performing as a leader brings out her best. Shweta’s first tryst with taking up the leadership mantle came as the captain of Delhi U19 side and leading India U19 ‘B’ team in Challenger Trophy. It was followed by leading the side to wins in the quadrangular series featuring Sri Lanka and West Indies, as well as a series win over New Zealand in Mumbai, before Shafali Verma led the team in tri-series in South Africa and in the U19 World Cup. “I believe I put up good performances when I am entrusted with leadership roles, as I really like taking that responsibility of the team on my shoulders. Plus, there’s also a feeling within me that ‘If I bat on from one end, then others can bat around me’, which is why I really like to thrive as a batter with a leadership responsibility,” says Shweta in a free-wheeling chat with IANS, facilitated by UP Warriorz. Over the past one-and-a-half years, Shweta has rapidly climbed the ladder of success in women's cricket. She scored 297 runs with an outstanding average of 99. Moreover, she emerged as the top run-scorer in India’s triumphant 2023 U19 Women's T20 World Cup campaign, leaving a lasting impression with her unbeaten 92 off just 57 balls against hosts South Africa. UP Warriorz picked Shweta for the inaugural WPL season last year, but she managed just 34 runs from six games. Due to constant shuffling, her batting position was never stable, and was even left out of the side. Shweta then skippered India ‘A’ to winning the Emerging Women’s Asia Cup in Hong Kong, where constant rain meant the side got to play only two matches. “The last one and a half years has been an absolute dream time for me - the U19 World Cup win, especially when the country hadn’t got a global trophy in women’s cricket. For me, that was the best-ever feeling and is still very memorable.” “Then bringing the Emerging Women’s Asia Cup trophy as a leader is also a memorable moment. Also, I performed very well in the senior tournaments in domestic cricket. So, everything is on track and WPL in hand has made me feel like it’s kinda been a dreamlike time for me and it feels really good,” she says. Two years before becoming a member of India’s U19 World Cup squad, Shweta had a poster in her room that read, “World Cup Champion!”. Asked about her latest poster, her leader-like clarity strikes again. “There’s a poster, but it’s on my phone. It’s a poster about the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup in India, the aim to play in that tournament.” While WPL 2023 didn't result in a bucket full of runs for her, Shweta gained crucial knowledge on how to overcome her shyness and become a more effective communicator. “I am a bit of a shy nature, so in the first season of WPL, it became a little difficult for me to communicate initially.” “I wasn’t opening up about talks around the game and I learnt from WPL 2023 that how to initiate that communication, put forward your thoughts and express yourself in such a way that you get the solution you are looking for. I got a lot of help in terms of communication and in cricketing terms, I learnt a lot of new things from the players as well as Jon (Lewis, head coach) sir and Ashley (Noffke, bowling coach).” Whenever she opened the batting in the yellow and purple jersey of the Warriorz, Shweta partnered with Australia skipper Alyssa Healy at the top. “I didn’t talk much with her, but then I used to see a lot of her batting at the nets and there were some shots coming off her bat which I was seeing constantly. I used to stand behind her when she was practising her batting and would observe how she would be inventive in her strokeplay,” she recalls. Shweta also learned how to prepare for matches and the game-related scenarios from her time with the Warriorz. “Our practice sessions are very specific, like we are given different match-related situations.” “Thing is, if we get solutions of tacking those game-related situations in practice and handle the pressure associated with it, then it becomes easier to get to grips about it when that happens in an actual match. Through this, we become aware about facing situations like that in the match and how to react to it.” Shweta comes into WPL 2024 on the back of a stellar run in the recent domestic cricket season for Delhi. Armed with an ability to pick gaps with ease and play shots all around the park, Shweta was 11th in the run-scorers list of senior women’s T20 trophy with 229 runs in six innings at an average of 45.80 and a strike-rate of 122.45, including hitting two fifties. In the senior women’s one-day trophy, Shweta was the tournament’s top run-scorer with 462 runs in eight innings at an average of 66 and strike-rate of 110.79, smashing two fifties and a jaw-dropping 242 against Nagaland at the MECON Ground in Ranchi. In between, she bagged the Most Promising Athlete of the Year award by GoSports Foundation, who support her and 12 other cricketers, including Titas Sadhu and Kashvee Gautam, through the Equal Hue Cricket Excellence Programme. “My batting approach is generally attacking. If I get a ball to hit early on, I will hit that ball hard for a boundary and I don’t hesitate in doing that. The most special thing about that knock was that people generally think that teams like that are a bit light to play against. But I feel that no team is to be taken lightly in the domestic season.” “The best thing about that knock was I played in such a manner that I didn’t give them any chance to get me out in any way. Apart from that, the other most-liked aspect of that knock for me was batting for a long duration and remaining focused all the time,” recalls Shweta. Mandeep Kaur, Delhi’s fielding coach, was one of the few fortunate persons at the ground to see Shweta’s astonishing 242, laced with 31 fours and seven sixes. “It was extraordinary; she was very dominating, very confident, it was a totally different knock from her bat.” “From the very first ball, she looked to score and was hitting at every ball coming her way. In cricket we say, ‘once you get the chance, just score on and on’, she played that kind of knock that day. It was a special knock to witness since it was a chanceless one,” she said to IANS. Shweta credits her improved fitness during the domestic season for her impressive performances. “I did a lot of ground work and gym-related activities this time for a longer duration, due to which my endurance and speed levels have increased.” To improve herself as a batter, Shweta watches countless batting videos of Ellyse Perry and Danni Wyatt, who is now part of her team at Warriorz. “I really like Danni’s shots over covers, which look very amazing. I really adore Perry’s consistency and how in every match she remains so focused to put up consistent performances. Plus her fielding skills are a big plus point.” Asked if she’s met Danni yet to learn about the art of her shots over covers, Shweta bursts into a laugh and says, “With Danni now in my team, I will definitely ask her about how she plays those shots over covers. I had just met her by the pool side, but I didn’t have the courage to go and talk to her, so I haven’t met her yet. I just hope to meet and speak to her in the coming days.” Shweta, also an English honors student, appreciates the role of family, friends, and coaches in maintaining a balance between cricket and studies. “Initially it was tough, as I attended only last seven days of the NCA camp (for the U19 team) due to Board exams.” “But then I put in good performances, including hitting a century and people there saw potential in me, so they took me in the team. As of now, my studies are online, so the slots are adjusted online as per the timings. For me, reaching here at this stage, the environment back home matters a lot.” Playing for the Warriorz in WPL 2023 allowed Shweta to get a glimpse towards being flexible with her batting position based on the team's needs. With her coach Dipti Dhyani's advice, she is eager to give it her all in the upcoming season. “It depends on team combination and as per what the team’s needs are with regards to my batting position. I always look to be at my best and contribute for the team wherever possible which goes in a positive way.” “Wherever I bat or play matches, whether it’s WPL or domestic cricket, the intention has always been to perform to the best of abilities and make the team win, after that, its upto the selectors. The best advice I got from Dipti mam was ‘one should always follow their routines and, irrespective of what the result is, give your 100% to anything you set out to do’.” According to Shweta, playing in her hometown of Delhi during the second half of WPL 2024 will be a lot of fun. “When I played in front of a packed crowd in WPL 2023, I was very nervous. But I will be fine this time. It will be a lot of fun when the WPL matches will happen in Delhi, as all my family members will come and enjoy a lot.” Mandeep first spotted Shweta in the Delhi senior team during the domestic season hit by Covid-19. The sight of her scoring a century in a match convinced Mandeep that the youngster is bound for greatness. “She’s a great fielder too; she mostly fields at mid-on, but is capable of fielding anywhere in outfield and infield.” “Shweta’s form has been really good as an opener. She’s a very good and formidable player who doesn’t play slow on the wicket and maintains her strike-rate well. So I wish to see her continue in the same vein in the WPL, like she did for Delhi in the domestic season, so that she can reach greater heights in women’s cricket.” Read the full article

[subtakks]

QATAR VS LEBANON

12/01

AFC ASIAN CUP 2024

The 2024 AFC Asian Cup heralds a grand spectacle as Qatar, with all the nations participating are fueled by the prospect of winning the tournament, sets its sights on solidifying its status as the premier footballing nation in the Asian continent.

In keeping with tradition, Qatar steps onto the grand stage, initiating the tournament in the opening clash against Lebanon. The excitement is palpable as the defending champions embark on a journey to affirm their dominance on home soil.

Team Rankings:

Qatar, currently ranked sixth in Asia, stands at the pinnacle of their footballing journey, while Lebanon, positioned 20th, seeks redemption after failing to qualify from their group in the previous edition. The disparity in rankings sets the stage for a clash of footballing titans.

Qatar Overview:

Guiding the Qatari squad is the astute Spanish coach, Tintín Márquez, whose extensive coaching experience in Spain and successful tenure with Al-Wakrah SC in Qatar make him the ideal leader for the national team. Despite a relative downturn in performance at the home World Cup in 2022, the squad relies on the stellar quality of Almoez Ali, Akram Afif, and the indomitable captain, Hassan Al-Haydos, as they strive to retain their coveted title.

Lebanon Overview:

In the shadows of global football, Lebanon's obscurity is evident, with most unable to identify their flag. This underdog status is a result of their national team players predominantly featuring in the Lebanese league. Noteworthy among them is Gabriel Bitar, a familiar name to Canadian soccer fans who played for FC Edmonton and Vancouver FC. Additionally, the striking force is led by Hassan Maatouk, the national captain and Lebanon's most capped player, all-time top scorer.

Managerial Insight:

The Cedars are under the astute guidance of Miodrag Radulović, embarking on his second spell as the Lebanon manager. His return signifies an enamorment with the nation, leaving the managerial post of his birth nation to shape Lebanon's footballing destiny. Radulović, eager to make amends, boasts a commendable record from his previous spell, winning 12 out of 24 games managed, underscoring his commitment to Lebanon's footballing resurgence.

Prediction:

As the curtain raises on this anticipated clash, Qatar is poised to secure a victory with relative ease, mirroring their 2019 triumph with a 2-0 scoreline. Radulović who was in charge of Lebanon back then too slammed the officials at the time:

“It’s difficult to talk after such a game because I teach my team to play 11 against 11 players, but (this was) 11 against 12 or 13, meaning the referees,”

Speculation heightens, hinting at a potentially defensive game that promises tactical nuances and strategic brilliance on the pitch. Football enthusiasts brace for an exhilarating kickoff to the 2024 AFC Asian Cup, where aspirations clash, and the pursuit of excellence unfolds in the beautiful game.

[nfliplnews]

[ad_1] File photo of Virat Kohli (left) and Shubman Gill.© AFPThere is no debate over the fact that Shubman Gill is one of the rising superstars of the Indian cricket. The 24-year-old is among the best batters the Indian team has. However, it seems that Gill's own best is yet to come as his batting graph continues to rise with time. After a sensational Indian Premier League 2023 season, Gill saw a dip in form before making a brilliant comeback. The recently-concluded Asia Cup saw the batter ending as the top scorer with 302 runs to his name across six matches at an average of 75.50.Former India cricketer Suresh Raina has opined that Gill wants to be the next Virat Kohli."He'll be one of the most important players at the World Cup. I know that he wants to be a superstar and wants to be the next Virat Kohli and is in that aura already and after this World Cup, we will be talking about him more often," said Raina on JioCinema."The form he's playing in with his hand speed - it's extremely strong. Spinners don't know where to bowl to him and if fast bowlers don't swing the ball, he can play those really well with a straight or a flick. His mindset will not stop here. What Rohit Sharma did in the 2019 World Cup; Gill could do the same for India this year. He'll get 50 overs to bat, so it's a takeoff point for his batting. I think he's a born leader and he shows that in his game," he added.Gill came under scrutiny and a lot of criticism after he underperformed against West Indies, especially in the two-match Test series and five T20Is. However, his comeback in Asia Cup has once again put the batter in the list of key players that India will be having during Cricket World Cup 2023."He's been consistent for a year and a half. He struggled in the middle against West Indies, but the way he's come back and scored good runs in the Asia Cup. He is looking positive, using good footwork, and from getting out at 40 against the West Indies, he is now comfortably hitting 50s and even 100s," said Raina.Topics mentioned in this article [ad_2] Source link

[blogynews]

"Breaking News: Shubman Gill's Bold Ambition to Surpass Virat Kohli! Cricket World Cup 2023 Trembles with Anticipation"

Shubman Gill, the 24-year-old cricket prodigy, continues to rise as one of the brightest stars in Indian cricket. Despite facing a dip in form after a remarkable Indian Premier League season, Gill made a stunning comeback. In the recently-concluded Asia Cup, he emerged as the top scorer with an impressive 302 runs in six matches, averaging 75.50. Former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina believes that…

[andiessoccerblog]

Group B Breakdown

Expected to move on: Australia, Canada

Expected to exit in group stage: Ireland, Nigeria

Australia

FIFA Ranking: 12

Reputation:

As a host country, Australia’s games sold out almost immediately, so they are guaranteed to have a huge support base. Australia have a ton of potential to work with and completely dominate Asia and Oceania, but they have to bring their game up to par with USA and top European teams. The Aussies are inconsistent–they have beat the best teams in the world, and lost to teams ranked beneath them. I expect they will make it out of the group stage, and then it’s a 50/50 odds on winning the next game.

Player Pool:

Australia currently has arguably the best striker in the world, Sam Kerr, who scored five goals in Australia’s four women’s World Cup games in 2019 and leads top England club Chelsea. Several Australian midfielders play in the USA, including Emily Van Egmond and Alex Chidiac, and others play in top leagues and top teams in England and Sweden.  Australia has good depth, as many of their non-headliners play in two leagues–one in the American/European summer, and the second in the Australian summer. 

2019 World Cup  performance:

They were supposed to soar, and I talked them up a ton, but they were completely caught off guard in their first game, leading to an unexpected (but not undeserved) loss to Italy. They had possibly the best game in the cup against Brazil, a wild 3-2 finish that left me on the edge of my seat. Unfortunately, they went up against a tough opponent, Norway, in the first round of group play and were eliminated, but only after penalty kicks. 

Republic of Ireland

FIFA Ranking: 23

Reputation:

This is the Irish  women’s team's first World Cup. They can find success against teams ranked below them and won’t make it easy for Canada and Australia to take the top two group spots.  Ireland’s path to the World Cup is credited in part to coach Vera Pauw, who joined Ireland after coaching professionally in the USA. Ireland also benefits from its proximity to England’s FAWSL, where several Irish players play on lower-level teams. 

Player Pool:

Captain Katie McCabe is a leading scorer and an absolute brick wall for Ireland and for the Arsenal team in England. Her fellow midfielder, Denise O’Sullivan, is captain of the American team North Carolina Courage. Ireland’s strength is in their central midfield with these two players, but against tough competition they will need to rely on veteran defenders Lousie Quinn and Niamh Fahey. 

2019 World Cup Performance:

Did not qualify

Nigeria

FIFA Ranking: 45

Reputation:

Nigeria is one of a few teams that has qualified for all 9 World Cups. Historically they have been as much of a powerhouse as a team from Africa can be. In all 13 African Women’s Championships, they have been champions eleven times, including in 2014, 2016, and 2018. However, in the 2022 AFWCON, they finished fourth, barely qualifying for the World Cup. 

Player Pool: 

Nigeria has two standout forwards, Asisat Oshoala (Barcelona) and Ifeoma Onumonu (Gotham FC), but not much other depth in their team. They will need a strong defense in the games in this group. They might have a slight advantage just on experience, as most of their players will have played in a World Cup before. 

2019 World Cup performance:

Nigeria had a rough draw in the group stage, playing Norway and France, but did succeed in making it past the group stage after a win over South Korea. Their first game in the round of 16 was against Germany, who dominated the game and sent Nigeria packing. 

Canada

FIFA Ranking: 6

Reputation:

Much like a moose, the Canadian Women’s National Team is fierce and strong, but mostly ignored until you come up against them in a fight. They are one of the most physical women’s teams in the world, and have a range of both young and veteran talent. The team has had inconsistent results: they hosted the2015 World Cup and were eliminated in the quarterfinals in a heartbreaking defeat to England, then struggled at the 2019 World Cup, then won the gold medal in the Tokyo 2021 Olympics. The team has been fighting for equal pay and treatment, causing a distraction that could impact their performance. 

Player Pool:

Without a doubt, their most notable player is veteran Christine Sinclair, who holds the record for most international goals scored, male or female.  Jessie Fleming, who is only 24, will have almost a decade of experience under her belt when the World Cup starts, and is a starting midfielder for top club team Chelsea. Fleming and Jordyn Huitema (OL Reign) are two young players for Canada that are hitting their stride and building Canada’s future.

2019 World Cup  performance:

Canada finished second in the group, losing to the Netherlands, then to Sweden in the knockout round. After making it to the semifinals in 2015, it was a disappointing performance. With a new coach and an Olympic gold medal, hopefully 2019 was just a blip.

[blogynewz]

"Breaking News: Shubman Gill's Bold Ambition to Surpass Virat Kohli! Cricket World Cup 2023 Trembles with Anticipation"

Shubman Gill, the 24-year-old cricket prodigy, continues to rise as one of the brightest stars in Indian cricket. Despite facing a dip in form after a remarkable Indian Premier League season, Gill made a stunning comeback. In the recently-concluded Asia Cup, he emerged as the top scorer with an impressive 302 runs in six matches, averaging 75.50. Former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina believes that…

[blogynewsz]

"Breaking News: Shubman Gill's Bold Ambition to Surpass Virat Kohli! Cricket World Cup 2023 Trembles with Anticipation"

Shubman Gill, the 24-year-old cricket prodigy, continues to rise as one of the brightest stars in Indian cricket. Despite facing a dip in form after a remarkable Indian Premier League season, Gill made a stunning comeback. In the recently-concluded Asia Cup, he emerged as the top scorer with an impressive 302 runs in six matches, averaging 75.50. Former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina believes that…

[dpinoycosmonaut]

GERMANY MAKES HISTORY

by Bert A. Ramirez / September 12, 2023

Members of the champion German team that includes tournament MVP Dennis Schroder (holding trophy) and coach Gordie Herbert (in glasses at right) celebrate after receiving their championship trophy.  (Photo from FIBA.basketball)

Germany has made history.  The Germans won their very first world title of any kind when they held off Serbia 83-77 in a fitting climax to the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup last September 10 before more than 12,000 fans at the Mall of Asia Arena.

It was undoubtedly a breakthrough triumph for a team that’s in the middle of a three-year program, winning a championship even before it sees that program come to its full cycle in next year’s Olympics in Paris.  But the Germans wouldn’t have it any other way.  With Dennis Schroder and Franz Wagner leading the way, they finally achieved what their great predecessors Dirk Nowitzki and Detlef Schrempf could not: win a world championship.

And they did it in the best possible way by finishing with an unbeaten record, winning all eight of their games even as the rest of the 32-team field lost at least twice.

“It's an unbelievable group,” tournament MVP Dennis Schroder said of his team. “It's unbelievable going 8-0.”

Dennis Schroder drives against the Serbian defense in the FIBA World Cup championship game.  (Photo from News.CGTN.com)

Germany coach Gordie Herbert, who took the job in 2021 and built a close relationship with Schroder, was ecstatic that their partnership has borne fruit.  “It's a little bit of a surreal moment,”

Herbert said.  “It's like I told the players.  It's a tremendous group of players, but we were a team first.  Guys cared about each other and they challenged each other.”

The finals that featured several runs from both teams lived up to its billing despite the absence of top favorite and basketball mecca US.  The Serbians took a 26-23 lead after one quarter but the Germans tied it up at the half.  But after the game’s last deadlock at 51-all with 6:52 to go in the third quarter, the Germans ignited a 13-2 run capped by Moritz Wagner’s layup even as Serbia’s guns went cold to take a 64-53 cushion 4½ minutes later.

The Serbians had to play catch-up from there as they trailed by 12, 69-57 at the end of the third.  The Eagles were not finished though.  They would ride a spectacular fourth-quarter performance by guard Aleksa Avramovic to make a game of it.  Avramovic scored 16 of his team-high 21 points in the period, hitting 10 of them in a span of three minutes, 10 seconds to bring Serbia to within 73-69 with still 4:50 to play.  His three free throws then put Germany within three at 78-75, time down to 1:21.

But the former Yugoslavian republic could not take advantage of a steal by top star Bogdan Bogdanovic as Marko Guduric missed a tying three-pointer with 56 seconds left.  After a split from the line by Schroder, who led all scorers with 28 points, Guduric made up for that miss with two free shots to make it 79-77 going into the last 39 seconds.

But Schroder iced the game by craftily penetrating the lane and making a layup with just 21.4 seconds left, and the Serbians would finally see their championship hopes die out as Avramovic, worn down by his earlier heroics, shot an air ball from long distance and Guduric would turn it over with 13 ticks remaining.

The defeat sent Serbia to its third bridesmaid finish in the last four major international tournaments.  The Serbs also lost in the finals of the FIBA World Cup in 2014 against the US and bowed to the Americans in the gold-medal game in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.   They finished fifth in the 2019 FIBA World Cup in 2019.

But the Eagles seemed destined for such a finish from the start.  Starting power forward Borisa Simanic was lost for the rest of the tournament in Serbia’s third group-stage game, a 115-83 win over South Sudan, after taking a blow to his midsection and had to have a kidney removed during an emergency surgical procedure.  Starting guard Ognjen Dobric, meanwhile, had to be carried off the floor in the championship game after just 2:20 after injuring his ankle, and never returned.

The Germans, however, would take it any way it could to win a historic first world championship.  After all, their previous best finish in the tournament, or any other world competitions, was when the greatest player in their history, Nowitzki, the former Dallas Mavericks superstar, led them to a bronze medal in the 2002 edition of this tournament.

“They deserved this win,” Serbia coach Svetislav Petic himself conceded.  “They played 40 minutes at a high level.”

And even Nowitzki himself wouldn’t mind.  Tweeting on X (the former TWITTER), Nowitzki said, “World champions!!!  Incredible!  What a team!!!!”

What a team, indeed.

Franz Wagner, the Germans’ second-best player in the tournament, shoots over Nikola Jovic of Serbia during the finals.  (Photo from News.CGTN.com)

Making up the champion German team are Schroder, who averaged 19.1 points, 6.1 assists and 2.0 rebounds in the tournament, Franz Wagner (16.8 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 3.0 apg), Moritz Wagner (11.9 ppg, 4.6 rpg), Daniel Theis (10.9 ppg, 5.4 rpg), Andreas Obts (10.4 rpg, 2.0 apg), Isaac Bonga (7.8 rpg, 2.3 rpg), Johannes Thiemann (7.0 ppg, 4.3 rpg), Maodo Lo (6.6 ppg, 2.5 apg), Johannes Voigtmann (5.4 ppg, 6.3 rpg), Niels Giffey (3.1 ppg), David Kramer (2.8 ppg), and  Justus Hollatz (2.0 ppg, 1.7 rpg).

[hardynwa]

Harry Kane set for Bayern Munich: medical

England captain Harry Kane is set to have a medical at Bayern Munich after being given permission to travel to Germany by Tottenham. Bayern and Spurs agreed a deal worth more than 100m euros (£86.4m) for the the 30-year-old on Thursday. The decision to move was then left up to Kane, who is Tottenham's all-time top scorer with 280 goals in 435 appearances. Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou confirmed on Friday the deal is "imminent". Kane had one year left on his contract and was unlikely to stay with the club. Providing there are no unexpected issues, Kane's move will be completed in time to start the Bundesliga season next week. It was felt the striker wanted a decision around his future made before the season began, but it has taken Bayern most of the summer to reach a point where Spurs chairman Daniel Levy was prepared to do a deal. Kane had initially been linked with a move to Manchester United this summer, but it was unclear whether Levy would have been willing to sell him to another Premier League club. He could have run down the final year of his contract before leaving on a free transfer in 2024. Manchester City's attempt to sign Kane in 2021 prompted the England striker to delay his return for pre-season training, but he played on Tottenham's recent pre-season tour of Australia and South East Asia while negotiations with Bayern continued and last appeared on Sunday against Shakhtar Donetsk. Spurs will face Brentford in their first match of the season on Sunday while Bayern begin their campaign against RB Leipzig in the German Super Cup on Saturday. Kane has won the Premier League Golden Boot three times - in 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2020-21 - and with 213 goals from 320 games in the English top-flight he needs just 48 more to break Alan Shearer's Premier League scoring record. A move to Germany could kill off that prospect. Shearer posted on social media following Friday morning's news to joke it is time for Kane to move on from the Premier League, with the expected departure leaving the former Newcastle and Blackburn striker's tally of 260 top-flight goals safe for now. Kane, who is England's all-time leading scorer with 58 international goals, has never won a major trophy with club or country. Bayern Munich claimed their 33rd Bundesliga title last season - an 11th in a row - and have won the Champions League six times and German Cup on 20 occasions. Read the full article

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