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World Cup 2022: Portugal break South American hoodoo
Deutsche Welle
29 Nov 2022, 11:37
Portugal are into the last 16 after a 2-0 victory over Uruguay. Bruno Fernandes scored both to give Portugal their first World Cup win over a South American nation since 1966, but Cristiano Ronaldo claimed the opener.
Given the frosty reception Cristiano Ronaldo received from Bruno Fernandes ahead of the World Cup following Ronaldo's bombshell interview about his second spell at Manchester United, one can assume his claiming of Fernandes' first goal will do little to thaw personal relations between the two.
Fernandes whipped in a cross for his former club teammate and Ronaldo appeared to have got the deftest of touches on the ball, but replays showed Ronaldo's touch was more non-existent than deft — but that didn't stop him from celebrating like he'd scored.
There was some doubt about the second too, scored from the spot by Fernandes, who profited from Jose Gimenez's unfortunate handball. Following a VAR check, Fernandes rubber-stamped Portugal's first World Cup victory over a South American nation in 56 years, when they beat Brazil in Liverpool.
Uruguay versus Ghana — the sequel
There are many similarities between the two teams that met in Lusail, where the final will be held in a little under three weeks. Both are built upon a solid defensive foundation, with guile and graft in midfield and a sprinkling of flair attacking players. Portugal are very much the Uruguay of Europe, while Uruguay are the Portugal of South America.
Uruguay, whose coach Diego Alonso dropped forward Luis Suarez in favor of Edinson Cavani, will rue not at least getting a point here given the chances they had. Rodrigo Bentancur, the classy Tottenham Hotspur midfielder, spurned the best chance, waltzing through the Portugal defense in the first half but failing to convert in a one-on-one with Diogo Costa in the Portugal goal.
The game was also notable for a second half interruption when a fan ran onto the field clutching a pride flag and in a t-shirt with the words 'Respect for Iranian women'. More than a week in, this World Cup remains one of the most politically charged in decades.
The result means Uruguay remain in the tournament but, with just a point to their names, will have to beat in-form Ghana to stand a chance of going through, in a game that will stoke memories of their infamous meeting in 2010.
Despite tensions between Ronaldo and Fernandes, the Portuguese have successfully navigated the group stage with maximum points. But Ronaldo's ninth World Cup goal, which would equal Eusebio's national record, will have to wait.
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Countdown to the Paris Olympics begins Stefan Nestler
The Olympic flame has been lit with 100 days left before Paris 2024 kicks off in the French capital. At a time of global crisis, security will be a top priority.
On Tuesday, the Olympic flame was lit in the ancient ruins of the Temple of Hera in Olympia in southwestern Greece. It will now make its way to Paris, where the Summer Olympic Games are due to open on July 26.
Until the closing ceremony on August 11, 10,500 athletes from 206 countries will compete at Paris 2024 in 32 disciplines.
The French government has said that security will be the top priority during the event. Some 45,000 police and gendarme officers will be deployed every day, as well as 18,000 soldiers and 20,000 private security guards.
In addition, more than 2,000 foreign police officers, including from Germany, will be helping to keep guard.
Macron: 'We can do it'
France increased its security alert to its highest level after an attack by Islamist terrorists in Moscow at the end of March left more than 140 people dead.
Providing security for the opening ceremony alone will be a huge logistical challenge: 160 boats carrying athletes are due to sail six kilometers (3.78 miles) along the Seine River. More than 300,000 spectators are expected.
"We can do it and we are going to do it," French President Emmanuel Macron insists. But he has also admitted that there are back-up plans in place should the security threat become too acute. These would include holding the opening ceremony in a stadium.
Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine and concerns about a further escalation of the situation in the Middle East have exacerbated fears of a security threat.
Despite this, eight of the 10 million available tickets for the 2024 Summer Olympics have already been sold and some 15 million spectators are expected.
Parisians not looking forward
It will be a test for the French capital's infrastructure. Last autumn, Clement Beaune, who was France's transport minister at the time, described the plans to organize traffic as "hardcore." Security barriers and diversions will be abundant, particularly around the Eiffel Tower and the Place de la Concorde. Some metro stations will be closed.
The price of metro tickets will be doubled during the Games. This is unlikely to increase the enthusiasm of Parisians for the event. In a recent poll, 44% said that they thought that Paris 2024 was a "bad thing."
Germany's team in Paris one of the biggest
The Olympic qualification period ends officially on June 23. The German Athletics Association (DLV) has made qualifying for Paris 2024 also dependent on performance at the European Athletics Championships taking place in Rome starting June 7.
The German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) has to register the German athletes competing in Paris 2024 by July 8. It expects 400 to participate, which would make Germany's "Team D" one of the biggest national teams.
In 2021, 415 Germans took part in the Games in the Japanese capital Tokyo, winning 10 gold medals, 11 silver medals and 16 bronze medals. It was the German team's worst haul since German reunification. The DOSB is hoping for better results this year. "I believe that Team D will play a good role, and that one or two surprises are possible," said sport director Olaf Tabor.
Belarusian and Russian athletes to compete as 'neutrals'
Last December, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) cleared athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete in Paris 2024, but as "neutrals," and not as part of teams. They will be banned from attending the opening ceremony, and nobody who has actively shown support for the war in Ukraine will be allowed to compete at all.
The Russian and Belarusian national anthems will not be played, and national symbols and flags will be prohibited.
According to the IOC, only 12 Russian athletes and five Belarusians have qualified for Paris 2024 so far, but the numbers could rise to 36 (Russia) and 22 (Belarus). In Tokyo, 330 Russians and 104 Belarusians competed. In an open letter to the IOC last week, Ukraine demanded the complete exclusion of Russia and Belarus from the Olympics.
The IOC has come under fire from various quarters over its decisions regarding Russia and Belarus. Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the body had become "a place where neo-Nazism and racism flourish."
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said the decision to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete was "shameful." He added that the IOC had essentially given Russia "the green light to weaponize the Olympics" because it would use athletes "as a weapon in its propaganda warfare." The Germany-based human rights organization Society for Threatened Peoples described IOC President Thomas Bach as a "dinosaur" who was incapable of learning.
At the lighting of the flame ceremony in Olympia, Bach repeated a message of hope: "Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. […] Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message: Yes, it is possible to compete fiercely against each other and at the same time live peacefully together under one roof."
Bach's term is due to end in 2025, but some IOC members have suggested changing the statutes so that he can continue as president for another four years. The 70-year-old has said he would rather wait until after Paris 2024 to make a decision on this.
Chinese runner’s victory in Beijing Half Marathon sparks probe
The victory of Chinese runner He Jie in the Beijing Half Marathon on Sunday has sparked controversy, with his win being questioned after African runners appeared to deliberately slow down to let him cross the finish line first, CNN reported.
A video clip capturing the final moments of the race shows a remarkable scene: Kenya’s Willy Mnangat turns towards He Jie and gestures for him to move ahead as the four runners, including former 5km world record-holder Robert Keter of Kenya and Ethiopia’s Dejene Hailu, run side by side just metres from the finish line.
In a display that raised eyebrows, Keter then seems to signal for He Jie to overtake the pack while motioning for his compatriot and Hailu to hold back. The Chinese runner indeed crosses the finish line in 1:03:44, claiming the USD 5,500 first prize, with the trio of African runners just one second behind, jointly securing second place, according to CNN.
The video clip captures the African runners applauding He’s victory and patting him on the back, though He himself appears less jubilant despite achieving his first-ever competitive half-marathon win.
At 25 years old, He Jie, who has previously broken China’s marathon record twice, confessed to reporters after the race that he “was not in [his] best competitive state,” but he remained silent on the controversial finish.
The race outcome swiftly ignited discussions on Chinese social media platforms, with calls for an investigation into the event and demands for action from organisers.
One user on Weibo emphasised the importance of fairness in sports, stating that the “ways of the world” should not compromise the integrity of competition.
Another popular comment said: “I support an investigation, and fair play is vital,” with the user adding they hoped authorities “can give a clear explanation to maintain the fairness of competition and respect athletes’ efforts.”
Responding to the public outcry, race organisers, the Beijing Municipal Sports Bureau, and the Chinese Athletics Association issued a statement on Monday, affirming their commitment to addressing the matter. They announced an ongoing investigation into the matte, as reported by CNN.
Xstep, the Chinese sports company sponsoring both He Jie and the Beijing Half Marathon, acknowledged the situation in a statement to state-run outlet The Paper, noting that multiple parties were involved in investigating and verifying the incident.
“Further information will be communicated as soon as possible,” Xstep said in a statement to the outlet.
Meanwhile, World Athletics, the international governing body for the sport, acknowledged awareness of the footage circulating online and revealed that local authorities were conducting their own investigation.
“The integrity of our sport is the highest priority at World Athletics,” it said.
Sports analyst Mark Dreyer, author of “Sporting Superpower: An Insider’s View on China’s Quest to Be the Best,” weighed in on the controversy, describing the finish as a “bad look.”
“It’s one thing for four runners running right at the end to potentially hold hands or cross the line together in a show of sportsmanship. That’s not what we saw,” he said, adding, “It’s not a sprint finish for anyone other than He Jie. It doesn’t take a genius or running expert to figure that out.”
Despite the unfolding controversy, He Jie, hailing from northwest China’s Ningxia region, remains a figure of promise in long-distance running. Ranked 77th in the world in the men’s marathon by World Athletics, he is anticipated to play a significant role in representing Asian runners in the upcoming Paris 2024 Summer Olympics.
Source: The Print
BCB announces preliminary squad for Zimbabwe T20s
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) today announced a 17-member preliminary squad for the five-match T20 International series against Zimbabwe, starting on May 3.
Ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman were not included in the squad as they are not in the country at this moment.
All-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin found a place in the preliminary squad, raising a hope to get back into the national team after 2022.
Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu, the chairman of national team selection panel, said the players of this squad will get the priority to be on the flight of USA and West Indies, which will host T20 World Cup.
"Unfortunately Shakib and Mustafizur haven't been in the country at this moment, so we couldn't keep them in the squad. Soumya also has an injury concern. He has been under observation but still he is in the squad so that he can take part in the strategic lecture session," Lipu was quoted in a video message sent by the BCB today.
"Mehidy Hasan Miraz is not in the squad but if any off spinner gets injured, he can make his way. He has played so many T20 matches. There are some who are out of the squad because we don't need them at the moment. But they would have the opportunity. Basically these players will get the priority in making the T20 World Cup squad," he added.
Zimbabwe will arrive in Bangladesh on April 28 after which they will travel to Chattogram straightway.
Chattogram Zahur Ahmed Chowhdury Stadium will host the first three matches on May 3, 5 and 7. The teams will then travel to Dhaka where the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium hosts the last two matches on May 10 and 12.
Preliminary Squad: Najmul Hossain Shanto, Liton Das, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah Riyad, Jaker Ali Anik, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Parvez Hossain Emon, Tanvir Islam, Afif Hossain, Hasan Mahmud, Saifuddin, Soumya Sarkar.
Source: BSS
Johnathan, son of Zimbabwe legend Alistair, called up in squad for Bangladesh tour
Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) has called up Jonathon Campbell as the only uncapped player in its 15-man squad for its tour to Bangladesh for a five-match Twenty 20 International (T20I) series in May.
Jonathon is the son of former Zimbabwe captain Alistair Campbell, considered as one of the finest ever players the country has produced.
Campbell played 60 Tests and 188 ODIs for Zimbabwe and scored more than 8000 runs.
His son Jonathon Campbell, 26, is a legspin-bowling allrounder who was part of the country's emerging team which won the gold medal at the 13th African Games in March 2024. He scored 115 runs from four innings at a strike rate of 126.37 but wasn't needed to bowl all that much. He did pick up a wicket though, from a total of two overs.
Tadiwanashe Marumani and Faraz Akram have been recalled in the side led by allrounder Sikandar Raza.
The rest of the selected players were part of the squad for Zimbabwe's last T20I series away to Sri Lanka in January.
They include the veterans Craig Ervine and Sean Williams, pacemen Richard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani as well as the young guns Clive Madande and Brian Bennett.
Madande, Bennett and Campbell were part of the Zimbabwe emerging men's team that won the gold medal at the 13th African Games in Ghana in March.
With ZC yet to appoint a new head coach, Stuart Matsikenyeri will be in charge of Zimbabwe against Bangladesh.
The two sides will play the first three T20Is in Chattogram on May 3, 5 and 7, before concluding the series in Dhaka with matches set for May 10 and 12.
Zimbabwe: Sikandar Raza (captain), Faraz Akram, Biran Bennett, Ryan Burl, Johnathan Campbell, Craig Ervine, Joylord Gumbie, Luke Jongwe, Clive Madande, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Ainsley Ndlovu, Richard Ngarava, Sean Williams.
T20 World Cup / 'We have good chance'
The T20 World Cup is set to be played this year in West Indies and USA from June 1 to June 30. Bangladesh have been clubbed in Group D with South Africa, Sri Lanka, Netherlands and Nepal.
Shakib Al Hasan didn’t play excessive matches after the ODI World Cup in India, 2023. He was busy with DPL, BPL but he was seen less in national team. In the last edition of World Cup, Bangladesh went in a target of playing semi-final but couldn’t even have competition in front of quality teams.
Shakib said : 'It's tough to say that we're in a position to win the World Cup. But in T20's any team can beat anyone, there is no big or lower ranked team in this format. We need to believe. If we can play with that belief, then we can do good. Not saying, we're winning the World Cup. But we've good chance to do well in the World Cup.'
Bangladesh will start their T20 World Cup from Zimbabwe home series, starting from 3rd May. After, Bangladesh will tour USA for a 3 match T20 series. Bangladesh will have total 8 matches for their preparation before the tournament.
Nigar, Harmanpreet unveiled the trophy for a 5 match T20I series
India won the three-match T20 series 2-1, the last time when the two teams met. On the other hand, the One-Day International series ended at 1-1.
On Sunday (April 28) the 5 match T20I series will commence at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. Nigar Sultana Joty, the Bangladesh skipper and her counterpart Harmanpreet Kaur unveiled the trophy for the T20I series on Saturday (April 27) infront of the historic Ali Amjad's Clock in Sylhet.
India’s squad for 5 T20Is : Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Shafali Verma, Dayalan Hemalatha, Sajana Sajeevan, Richa Ghosh (wk), Yastika Bhatia (wk), Radha Yadav, Deepti Sharma, Pooja Vastrakar, Amanjot Kaur, Shreyanka Patil, Saika Ishaque, Asha Sobhana, Renuka Singh Thakur, Titas Sadhu.
Bangladesh’s squad for 5 T20Is against Bangladesh: Nigar Sultana Joty (c), Nahida Akter (vc), Murshida Khatun, Sobhana Mostary, Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni, Rabeya Khan, Sultana Khatun, Fahima Khatun, Marufa Akter, Fariha Islam Trisna, Shorifa Khatun, Dilara Akter, Rubya Haider Jhelik, Habiba Islam Pinky.
Meanwhile, all the matches will be played at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. The last time the two teams met, India won the three-match T20 series 2-1, while the One-Day International series ended at 1-1, with the final game being tied.
BCB announces T20I squad for Zimbabwe series
Pace-bowling allrounder Mohammad Saifuddin will return to international cricket with the T20 series against Zimbabwe. Apart from Saifuddin, Afif Hossain Dhrubo returned to the team.
The BCB has announced the squad for the first three matches of the Zimbabwe series on Sunday evening (April 28).
Mustafizur Rahman and Shakib Al Hasan are not in the squad announced for the first three matches. On the other hand, Parvez Hossain Emon and Tanvir Islam have returned. Taijul Islam, Anamul Haque Bijoy and Naim Sheikh have been dropped from the squad for Zimbabwe series.
Meanwhile, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, who is waiting for the debut, got the place. Soumya Sarkar is not due to injury.
The five-match T20I series will begin on May 3 in Chittagong. The first three matches will be held in Chittagong and the last two matches will be held in Dhaka.
