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Nairobi Gymkhana’s future as Kenya’s premier international venue could be under threat

Cricinfo staff03-Feb-2009
A dank scene at the Nairobi Gymkhana during last October’s ODI tri-series. Four matches at the venue were washed out and there was considerable criticism of the drainage © Cricinfo
Nairobi Gymkhana’s future as Kenya’s premier international venue could be under threat.The ground hosted the 2000 Champions Trophy and was given a substantial million-dollar refurbishment by the ICC to help prepare, but since then there has been little investment and the facilities have grown increasingly shabby.Nairobi Gymkhana is not controlled by Cricket Kenya but, like many clubs in the country, is privately owned and run. However, the club has been bedeviled by internal squabbling and is in a poor state. Its cricket and hockey sides, which used to form its backbone, have fallen on hard times and whereas on a weekend hundreds of locals used the facilities, it is now almost deserted.One club member said that between major tournaments the facilities were allowed to go to seed, and work on the pitches and outfield was only stepped up ahead of important games. Another said the problems there resulted from years of infighting within the club’s administration which had left it on the verge of collapse.Cricket Kenya has to pay to use the ground, and given that attendances for almost all matches can be counted in the hundreds rather than the thousands, there is talk that the board would be better off investing in developing one of the other venues rather than continuing to pour cash into the Gymkhana. Nairobi now has two other ICC-approved international venues, and there is an excellent ground at Mombasa which last week hosted two ODIs against Zimbabwe.Board officials are also reported to be very unhappy at having no say over many aspects of matches staged at the Gymkhana. Last October’s ODI tri-series was ruined by heavy rain, and privately there was scathing criticism of what one official described as “hopelessly inadequate drainage” on the outfield.There appears to be little to gain from remaining at the ground but any decision is likely to be delayed until after the ICC World Cup Qualifiers in April. If Kenya qualify for the 2011 tournament and retain their ODI status then there will be a sharp increase in central funding and commercial opportunities. That could be the catalyst for CK to start looking for an alternative home for the national team.

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O Corinthians lançou no fim de maio e oficializou nesta segunda-feira a criação do GCCor (Grupo de Comunicação do Corinthians), que reúne 19 empresários, presidentes e diretores de empresas multinacionais e líderes de segmento de mercado. O foco da iniciativa é aproximar o clube de parceiros comerciais com vistas de ampliar receitas, já que o clube não conta com patrocínio master desde abril e sofre para captar receitas inclusive na Arena Corinthians.

-O objetivo principal da criação do GCCor é a aproximação do Corinthians do mercado por meio de corintianos apaixonados que se destacam em suas respectivas profissões. A troca de ideias vai enriquecer o clube com informações e, o mais importante, gerar negócios para o Corinthians. Já agendamos a segunda reunião, e o Corinthians terá boas novidades para apresentar em breve. Tenho certeza de que esta iniciativa vai trazer resultados ainda durante a minha gestão, bem como ficar de legado para os próximos presidentes – pontou o presidente corintiano, Roberto de Andrade.

Segundo comunicado divulgado pelo clube, a iniciativa partiu do próprio presidente corintiano, que nomeou a empresáriaDeia Gorayeb como porta-voz do grupo de profissionais que compõem o GCCOr. Ainda de acordo com a nota do Timão, o clube “passa a ter contato direto e frequente com presidentes e diretores de grandes empresas”. “Os profissionais que compõem o grupo e se encontram com representantes de alguns setores do clube, como futebol, marketing, conteúdo e Arena Corinthians, participam como pessoa física, discutem e propõem novas ideias e propostas”, completa o Corinthians, que prevê reuniões mensais do novo órgão.

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The Athletic’s Phil Hay has delivered an update on Marcelo Bielsa’s former assistant Diego Flores, and even gave his verdict on whether he could eventually replace the Leeds United boss.

What’s the story?

Writing on Twitter, he said: “Diego Flores made a very quiet exit from Leeds United last year, deciding he was ready for a rest. He’s now taken up his first manager’s job (at Godoy Cruz) and between intense running, ruthless subs and a quick impact, it looks like he’s a chip off the old block.”

And then, in a follow-up article for The Athletic, Hay added: “Marcelo Bielsa’s staff were ecstatic about escaping from the Championship and nobody doubted Flores’ part in it. He was an assistant and colleague on whom Bielsa had leaned in more ways than one during the previous two years. Flores, from Cordoba in Argentina, was a sharp analyst with a growing interest in day-to-day coaching. Bielsa trusted him and used him briefly as his media interpreter, taking Flores with him to football seminars in the Americas.

“Bielsa lost him with reluctance because Flores was dependable and blessed with the analytical nous Bielsa valued but the demands at Leeds were heavy — long hours, few days off — and the now-40-year-old wanted space to draw breath. At Leeds, Flores was regarded as a bright and intelligent member of Bielsa’s inner circle, multi-lingual and compliant.”

Could he be a Bielsa successor?

Given everything Bielsa has done and achieved in his spell as Leeds United boss, it’s become almost unimaginable to think of a future without the charismatic Argentine sitting on his haunches in the dugout at Elland Road, barking out instructions and cutting an animated figure.

Bielsa has very much become part of the furniture in Yorkshire, and the Whites’ current Premier League status is more down to him than anyone else.

When the time does come when Bielsa decides to call it quits, then Andrea Radrizzani and co will have a sizeable task on their hands. If they opt to replace him with someone who could try and continue Bielsa-ball, then Flores may well be that man.

And, after a question from a fan about whether Flores could be seen as a potential successor to Bielsa, Hay responded: “Unless his impact is incredible in Argentina, I think the Leeds job would come too early for Flores to be seriously considered. I might be wrong but he’s at the very start of his managerial career. Early days for him. I know what you mean about the transition from Bielsa – a prospect that everyone will be anxious about when the time comes.”

As Hay says, it’s early days, but given how much of a trusted figure he was of Bielsa’s, and the fact he appears to be “a chip off the old block”, it could well turn out to be an inspiring appointment.

Whatever the case, Hay’s verdict is sure to leave fans intrigued about whether Flores could make a return to Elland Road.

Meanwhile, Leeds are still tracking this star…

New Zealand’s young players have gained a heavy dose of confidence from their last-ball victory in the first ODI

Cricinfo staff03-Feb-2009
Andy Moles: “We’re still not anywhere near the quality we want, day in, day out, over the whole game” © Getty Images
New Zealand’s young players have gained a heavy dose of confidence from their last-ball victory in the first ODI and are hoping to inflict further damage on Australia after they decided to rest Ricky Ponting. Instead of being over-awed by the hosts in Perth on Sunday, the visitors stuck together and rode to victory with fine performances from Ross Taylor and Kyle Mills.They will take a 1-0 lead into the second game of the Chappell-Hadlee Series in Melbourne on Friday and the coach Andy Moles is aiming for more. “A lot of these young players dream of coming to Australia and winning a one-day game,” Moles told NZPA. “To win the first one, it sets up the series.”We came here with a belief and a plan that we could play well against Australia and our younger players will take a lot of strength from it. We’re moving forward with a lot of confidence and we believe we can put another performance on top of that one.”The squad received another boost when Brendon McCullum was cleared for Friday’s game after picking up a hip flexor injury last week. McCullum, who was unlucky to be lbw second ball in Perth, took the gloves in the first match and the problem has responded well to treatment.Gareth Hopkins, the reserve wicketkeeper, will fly back to New Zealand to appear in provincial Twenty20 matches on Wednesday and Friday. However, he could return if McCullum suffers any more problems over the next two ODIs.Ponting will miss the second and third games to rest and the local selectors’ decision is one that gives New Zealand hope of further success. “Any Australian side who doesn’t have Ponting in it is going to be a weaker side,” Moles said. “He’s got over 300 ODIs and he’s a huge talisman for them.”Despite the side’s opening win, Moles said the batting must improve over the rest of the series. New Zealand were 3 for 25 in the 14th over before scrambling to 8 for 182. “It’s about getting these young guys to have belief in their performance and the belief they can win these games,” he said. “We’re still not anywhere near the quality we want, day in, day out, over the whole game.”

أدلى البرازيلي جليسون بريمر بأولى كلماته كلاعب ليوفنتوس الإيطالي، مؤكدًا أن الحديث مع المخضرم جورجيو كيلليني كان عاملًا في توقيعه للسيدة العجوز.

تطرق بريمر أيضًا لأهدافه التي يسعى لتحقيقها بقميص البيانكونيري، وكيف حفزه وصول بول بوجبا وآنخيل دي ماريا ليوفنتوس.

وقال بريمر للقنوات الرسمية ليوفنتوس: “إنها لحظة وصلت أخيرًا، كنت أنتظرها، يوفنتوس فريق رائع، أنا سعيد جدًا لكوني هنا”.

مضيفًا: “يوفنتوس فريق رابح، ولدي أيضًا طموح للفوز، لقد تحدثت قليلًا مع كيلليني وقررت أن يوفنتوس أفضل فريق بالنسبة لي”.

وواصل البرازيلي: “يوفنتوس فريق كبير يريد الفوز دائمًا، إنه أيضًا طموحي وأنا أنتظر هذه اللحظة منذ فترة طويلة، أريد السكوديتو ودوري الأبطال”.

كيلليني قائد يوفنتوس السابق، الذي يرث بريمر رقم قميصه، مصدر إلهام للبرازيلي، وأفاد: “بالطبع، كيلليني هو أفضل مدافع إيطالي، لقد قلت ذلك دائمًا، لذا فقد ألهمني القليل منه، وأحاول القيام بما فعله هنا”.

وعن المسار الذي سلكه حتى الآن، استطرد بريمر: “كنت مع مدرب جيد، لقد علمني أشياء، لقد كنت في إيطاليا منذ 4 سنوات وكل عام أتحسن، أنا أكثر اكتمالًا دفاعيًا الآن”.

وبشأن بوجبا ودي ماريا لوافدين الجدد إلى يوفنتوس، أردف: “عندما رأيت أن بوجبا ودي ماريا قد وصلا، لم تكن لدي شكوك بشأن من سأختار، نحن فريق مصمم للفوز”.

واستكمل: “اليوفي في القدر؟ “نعم، نعم، لدي أيضًا كلب أسود وأبيض، لقد كان في قدري”.

اقرأ أيضًا | دي ليخت مودعًا يوفنتوس: كان القتال بجانبكم شرفًا

وتابع بريمر: “أكبر حلم؟ كما قلت، أريد دائمًا الفوز، بالسكوديتو، دوري الأبطال، أريد دائمًا الفوز، هذا هو هدفي”.

المدافع أراد أن يحيي جماهير فريق تورينو الذي لعب فيه لمدة 4 مواسم، ونشر رسالة وداع للجماهير الممتنة عبر “إنستجرام”، وكتب: “أعزائي عشاق تورينو، حان الوقت لتوديعكم، لقد كانت 4 سنوات مكثفة للغاية، تتكون في البداية من لحظات صعبة ودموع وكثير من العمل لكسب مساحة من خلال العمل والقتال”.

وأتم: “وصلت إلى تورينو كصبي ورافقني هذا الفريق في صنع ما أنا عليه اليوم، أريد أن أشكر كل أولئك الذين شاركوا في تطويري، ليس فقط كلاعب ولكن قبل كل شيء كرجل، سأبقيكم جميعًا في قلبي، هناك شيء واحد مؤكد، أينما ذهبتم سيكون لديكم دائمًا مشجع إضافي”.

Rangers suffered their second successive defeat of the Europa League group stage as they went down 1-0 to Sparta Prague on Thursday night.

Steven Gerrard’s side went behind to David Hancko’s first half header and Glen Kamara was harshly sent off for a second bookable offence after the break.

While the Finland international’s dismissal certainly didn’t help the Gers in their quest to find a potential equaliser, James Tavernier’s performance at the back was nowhere near the standard that Gerrard needed in a tough European game away from home.

The club captain was his usual adventurous self going forward, but that lack of discipline in knowing when to stay and when to advance saw the Gers full-back get caught out time and time again on his flank.

As per Sofascore, he lost possession 36 times over the course of the game, which was by far the highest of any player on the pitch, while his crossing radar was woefully off the mark too – none of his seven attempts found their intended target.

Tavernier was also dribbled past three times, the most out of any of his Rangers teammates, while he made only one tackle as his lack of defensive responsibility came back to haunt him.

Writing in his post-match player ratings for the Glasgow Times, Ewan Patton gave him a six, saying: “Looked good going forward as per, but, particularly in the second half, was caught out of position defensively. This allowed Sparta’s attackers in behind on too many occasions. But for good goalkeeping and poor finishing – including a sitter from Pesek, Sparta could’ve won by more.”

Those sentiments were echoed by the Daily Record’s Andrew Newport, who also gave him a six, adding: “Got forward plenty in the early stages but found himself pinned down in the second half as his centre-backs wobbled.”

While the big talking point after the game might be Kamara’s controversial sending-off, Tavernier let his manager down with a really poor display.

Meanwhile, Rangers could find another Kamara in this star…

كشفت صحيفة “بيلد” الألمانية أن نادي بايرن ميونخ يقترب من التعاقد مع بديل، روبرت ليفاندوفسكي، لتدعيم خط هجوم الفريق الأول لكرة القدم في الميركاتو الصيفي.

ورحل ليفاندوفسكي إلى برشلونة قبل أيام مقابل 45 مليون يورو وبعض المتغيرات المالية الإضافية، ومن هنا، بدأ يبحث بايرن ميونخ عن البديل.

اقرأ أيضًا.. لاعب الاتحاد السعودي يصر على الرحيل بعد التعاقد مع طارق حامد

وبحسب الصحيفة الشهيرة أن بايرن ميونخ قد استقر على مهاجم رين الشاب، ماتيس تل، البالغ من العمر 17 عامًا فقط فهو من مواليد 2005.

وأكدت “بيلد” أن تل سيخضع لفحص طبي مع بايرن ميونخ اليوم، الأحد، وسيوقع عقده غدًا ويتدرب مع الفريق الأول يوم، الثلاثاء.

وفجرت الصحيفة أن ماتيس تل من الممكن أن يرتدي القميص رقم 9 الذي كان يرتديه ليفاندوفسكي في السنوات الماضية رغم سنه الصغير للغاية.

What was meant to be the final day of the first Test at Sabina Park marked five months until the start of the Ashes on July 8. Hardly the best time to collapse for 51 all out – not that there’s ever a good time

Andrew McGlashan in Kingston09-Feb-2009
Ian Bell is due a break from the Test side – and it might actually do him good © Getty Images
What was meant to be the final day of the first Test at Sabina Park marked five months until the start of the Ashes on July 8. Hardly the best time to collapse for 51 all out – not that there’s ever a good time. In the history of Test cricket only two other England batting orders have been humiliated for less. The first was in 1887 and the second in 1994. Using that maths, the next wasn’t due until 2101 so the Kingston collapse has come 92 years early.It may seem harsh to single out individuals when the entire team were back in the pavilion before the tea-time roti and jerk chicken was ready, but a position in England’s line-up has started to resemble the ultimate in job security. Once you get in, there’s no getting out. Some will argue that the same team that messed up so badly should put it right (as Mike Atherton’s team did in Barbados in 1994 having been skittled for 46 in Trinidad) but there has been so little change in this team that something must be done now.When England were humbled for 110 by New Zealand in Hamilton last year, the selectors responded by dropping two bowlers in Steve Harmison and Matthew Hoggard. Although that perverse logic paid off with back-to-back wins to take the series, the time has come to pop the batting bubble. This is the same top six that suffocated against Shane Warne in Adelaide in 2006-07 and has only one change – Andrew Flintoff for Michael Vaughan – from the side shot out for 81 in Galle in 2007-08. They have been underperforming for too long.Ian Bell has been given the most generous lease on his berth, having moved up the order from No.6 to No. 3 when Vaughan resigned as captain last August. It has never been a position that suits Bell and his recent returns in one of the defining batting positions have been 109 runs in eight innings, and in his total of 16 matches at No. 3 he averages 31.But if four matches seems a harsh sample to judge on, an extended analysis doesn’t do him many favours either. Bell is one of those players where it is even possible to make cases against his more substantial innings. He made 199 against South Africa at Lord’s last year; a calm, measured, controlled innings until he was one away from a landmark and thumped a drive back to Paul Harris. Why not tickle it around the corner? It smacked of someone trying to make a big statement when it isn’t his style.Also, during a large part of that innings, he had Kevin Pietersen as his wingman, helping to guide him through the turbulence England were feeling after losing 3 for 3. It is a well-known statistic that Bell has never been the lone century-maker in an innings. His success has been built on the back of others, rather than him setting the path to be followed.In Napier last winter, the knives were being sharpened when he began his second innings. A few hours later he had a delightful hundred, full of sweetly timed boundaries, and was pumping the air in satisfaction. However, at the other end was Andrew Strauss, arguably with even more pressure on him, saving his career with 177. Again, Bell was able to hide away.When Bell fell in the final over before lunch on the fourth day at Sabina Park he trudged off the ground with his head bowed. Strauss, the not-out batsman and his captain, gave him a wide berth and followed slowly up the pavilion steps a fair distance behind. Strauss perhaps knew that he will soon be delivering the bad news to Bell. Time to move aside.Bell doesn’t need to be ashamed of being dropped, it has happened to many better players and many have come back with greater success. What would be shameful would be if Bell, and the team, continued to pretend that there wasn’t a problem. Supporting your team-mates is one thing, but it can soon turn into a lie. Bell has not had any confidence at the crease at any stage of England’s tours this winter, from Stanford through the one-dayers and Tests in India, to the opening contest in the West Indies.And there is evidence, right here in this team, that a break can revive a career. Bell need only look at Strauss for evidence of what a refreshed mind can achieve. He was left out of the Sri Lanka tour in late 2007 before returning to the side in New Zealand and securing his future with that previously mentioned 177. Questions were again asked of Strauss at the end of the South Africa series, but he still had enough energy in the bank from his international break that he struck twin centuries in Chennai.Time away from the intensity of Test cricket could be the cure for Bell. He has been dropped before, albeit briefly, following a mediocre tour of India in 2005-06, and he missed the home series against Sri Lanka. When he came back against Pakistan he went on a run of three consecutive centuries, although they again came lower down the order at No. 6.The pressure to replace Bell is so strong because Owais Shah has been waiting in the wings and doing everything asked of him. Shortly after Bell fell to Sulieman Benn there were shots of Shah in the Sabina Park nets working against a bowling machine. He has had a lot of opportunity to practice, now is the time to let him put it into action. The expectation on Shah to make a difference will be substantial – his is a perfect case of a player gaining extra worth by not being in the middle of a debacle such as 51 all out – but he must be given a run to show his worth.It is the good fortune of the other batsmen that Shah is the only batting reserve on the trip, because a few others should be feeling twitchy. Alastair Cook, despite his vice-captaincy tag, was twice the victim of dreadful shots for an opener while Paul Collingwood’s problems with his scoring rate is causing a jam in the middle. Collingwood has credit in the bank with the selectors, but where has that clumping slog-sweep and punchy, lofted drive disappeared to? He has played them against Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan, so why not Benn?But while there is no one else on tour to pressurise the current incumbents (unless they bring in Tim Ambrose as a batsman, and that’s a touch drastic even for this situation) there is one figure who looms back in the depths of the English winter. Vaughan admitted it was right he was left out of the original touring squad, but he would have been a calming figure for Strauss to have at hand in his moment of need. After the shock of such a collapse, and with that date with the Australians in Cardiff fast approaching, suddenly the prospect of Vaughan walking out to bat seems quite appealing.

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O Grêmio terá dois desfalques na partida contra o Flamengo, entretanto o atacante Pedro Rocha é quem está mais próximo do retorno. O jogador volta aos gramados na próxima rodada, quando o Tricolor enfrenta a Ponte Preta.

O jogador foi poupado da partida desta quinta-feira por conta de um forte desgaste muscular, por conta da sequência de jogos, mas vem sendo observado pelos fisioterapeutas e preparadores físicos do Grêmio. Apesar de estar realizando atividades físicas no CT, Pedro Rocha só volta a trabalhar com a bola nesta quinta-feira.

O goleiro Marcelo Grohe também é desfalque na partida contra o Flamengo, entretanto a situação é diferente. O jogador precisou levar alguns pontos no joelho, após sofrer um corte, e a cicatrização ainda não está completa, o que dificulta a movimentação do arqueiro em campo. Porém, há chances de retornar ao lado de Pedro Rocha, na partida contra a Ponte Preta.

A bola rola para Flamengo e Grêmio às 19h30 desta quinta-feira, na Ilha do Urubu. A partida é válida pela 13ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro Série A.

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Jonatan Gomez deve fazer nesta segunda-feira, contra o Grêmio, o seu quinto jogo pelo São Paulo. Mas já bastante pressionado. Presente no Morumbi, certamente saudado pelos torcedores que o virem, estará de olho na partida a principal ameaça à sequência do argentino: Hernanes.

Gomez é o principal candidato a perder vaga para o ídolo que a diretoria repatriou da China, emprestado por um ano. O técnico Dorival Júnior crê que o recém-contratado camisa 15 pode atuar em qualquer função no meio-campo, mas Hernanes já avisou que prefere atuar perto da área e, diante dos outros concorrentes, é o camisa 33 argentino que está mais pressionado.

Cueva resgatou a disposição e mudou completamente seu status no clube, chegando a ser intensamente aplaudido pela torcida na vitória por 1 a 0 sobre o Vasco, na quarta-feira. Para completar a linha de armação, a vaga em que Wellington Nem está longe de convencer (machucado, deve ser substituído por Marcinho ou Lucas Fernandes nesta segunda) está sendo preparada para Marcos Guilherme, contratado a pedido de Dorival.

Mesmo que queira escalar Hernanes mais recuado, o técnico não deve mexer na elogiada dupla de volantes formada por Jucilei e Petros, raros casos próximos da unanimidade no Tricolor de 2017. Ou seja: a tendência é que sobre mesmo para Jonatan Gomez.

Comprado do Independiente Santa Fe, da Colômbia, por US$ 800 mil (R$ 2,6 milhões) no mês passado, Gomez tem 27 anos e assinou contrato até 2020. Por enquanto, vem se destacando pela raça, arrancando até aplausos com seus carrinhos, que ilustram a disposição para ajudar na marcação.

O meia argentino vem sendo escalado pela esquerda, mas se mexe bastante e, na quarta, chegou a atuar do outro lado. Porém, ainda não tem sido efetivo, já que não deu assistências nem balançou as redes pelo clube. Ao menos, mostrou importância na marcação contra o Vasco: deu quatro desarmes certos, sendo o líder no quesito do time, embora tenha levado seu primeiro cartão.

Jonatan Gomez já jogou na quarta-feira sob a sombra de Hernanes, anunciado horas antes. E a tendência é que ela só cresça, já que o Profeta começa a treinar no CT da Barra Funda nesta semana. Contra o Grêmio, dono de uma das melhores campanhas do Campeonato Brasileiro, o argentino tem a grande chance de, ao menos, colocar dúvidas na cabeça de Dorival.