Tasmania have a lead of 226 and are only one wicket down in the second innings of their Sheffield Shield match against NSW, who must win to reach the final

AAP16-Mar-2025

Beau Webster, Riley Meredith and Jake Weatherald have combined to put a major dent in New South Wales’ (NSW) Sheffield Shield hopes and give Tasmania control at Bellerive Oval.Halfway through their pink-ball clash, the home side was 81 for 1 in its second innings, boasting an overall lead of 226.Related

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Third-placed NSW must beat Tasmania, who are last, in the final round to leapfrog Queensland and face South Australia (SA) in the final.While Queensland are in major trouble after SA took control of their game in Adelaide, NSW will have to rally in Hobart if they are to take advantage of their opportunity.NSW struggled in the middle session of the day-night game on day two and were rolled for 186 in their first innings, as Webster and Meredith excelled with the ball.Weatherald then ended the day with an unbeaten 63 and his dismissal early on Monday will be a priority for the NSW attack.Tasmania resumed on 309 for 7 and the early interest on Sunday afternoon was whether captain Jordan Silk, in his 100th Shield game, could score a century. He delighted the home crowd by reaching 112 in 208 balls, with 12 fours, before Ben Dwarshuis bowled him to end their first innings.Sean Abbott led the NSW attack with 6 for 99 and Dwarshuis snared 3 for 77.Bowling with significant pace, Meredith took two wickets in an over as the visitors were put on the back foot in their first innings. Test opener Sam Konstas only made 5 and while Kurtis Patterson (33), Josh Philippe (25) and Abbott (30) made starts, NSW lost 3 for 0 to stagger to 134 for 8.But Dwarshuis ensured Tasmania would bat again on Sunday, belting 40 from 31 balls, with six fours and two sixes, to help take NSW past the follow-on target.Webster, the Test allrounder, took 5 for 44 and Meredit claimed 3 for 43.Jackson Bird dismissed Nivethan Radhakrishnan for 6 to give NSW the early breakthrough they needed in Tasmania’s second innings. Weatherald and Tim Ward (11 not out) then batted through to stumps, turning the screws tighter on NSW.

Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen has shot down claims regarding himself and Wayne Rooney, comparing themselves during their teenage years.

Owen unrivalled at 18 years of age

Owen burst onto the scene as a 17-year-old back in 1997, scoring on his Liverpool debut at Wimbledon, before becoming a superstar for both the Reds and England.

The ex-striker’s career fell away as the years passed, mainly due to injuries, but speaking to Rio Ferdinand, he claimed that no English player has reached the level he did at that age.

“People can look at how I played at 26 and say, ‘these players are much better than him.’ Yes, I know. By then, my hamstring muscles were torn in half. I was ashamed to wear a shirt with my name on it at 26 and beyond. I was already in decline. I won the Ballon d’Or when I was already on the downturn. It was a serious decline. At 19, my muscles tore in half.

“But if we talk about the period from 7 to 19 years old, I’m not sure anyone was better than me. There were very few players like that. What Ronaldo was doing at 17, 18 – my God! I played against Thierry Henry; there was a one- or two-year gap between us, and he wasn’t doing what I was doing.

“At 17, I became the Premier League top scorer – that will never happen again! And at 18, twice. But everyone remembers only how I played at 31, 32. By then, I couldn’t do anything anymore.”

It is clearly a topic that has irked Owen, with some remembering his latter days rather than his remarkable early years, and he isn’t letting the debate go away.

Owen shoots down Rooney with new remarks

Writing on X on Friday, Owen further went on to compare himself to Rooney at 17, saying there is no debate as to who was better at that age, comparing his Liverpool exploits to that of the ex-Everton sensation.

In fairness to Owen, time hasn’t been kind to him, with so many thinking about his injuries, and the players who have potentially surpassed him since, including Rooney.

That said, he has a genuinely valid point in saying that nobody was better at 17 or 18, in England at least, with the former Three Lions international a stunning talent – one who scored 23 goals in both 1997/98 and 1998/99, before he had even turned 20.

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While Rooney went on to have a better career, and was a superior all-round footballer overall, Owen was better as a teenager, and was arguably only below Brazil legend Ronaldo at the same age.

Thomas Muller marked his 300th career goal and lifted his first trophy with the Vancouver Whitecaps in trademark fashion. The German legend scored and assisted in a 4-2 win over Vancouver FC to seal a fourth straight Canadian Championship, before celebrating with a dance and cake as the club’s official Instagram hailed him “Mr 300”.

• Muller’s milestone night sparks double celebration

  Muller delivered a vintage performance, scoring from the penalty spot and providing an assist in Vancouver Whitecaps’ 4-2 Canadian Championship final win over Vancouver FC. The victory sealed a fourth consecutive Voyageurs Cup and a place in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup. After the match, the Germanr shared his joy on Instagram with a dancing clip captioned: “Party on”, celebrating his first trophy in North America.

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• Vancouver Whitecaps tributes crown ‘Mr 300’

  The night was even more special as Müller’s opener marked the 300th goal of his career for club and country, making him the most decorated German footballer ever with 35 trophies, surpassing Toni Kroos. Vancouver’s official Instagram page joined the celebrations, presenting him with a cake decorated with “300” and the caption: A sweet treat for Mr 300”. 

  With five goals and three assists in just six games for the club, the Bayern Munich icon has made an instant impact in MLS.

• A career laden with silverware for Ex-Bayern star

  The 36-year-old's latest triumph adds to a glittering resume: 13 Bundesliga titles, two Champions Leagues, two Club World Cups, eight DFL Supercups, six DFB-Pokals, two UEFA Supercups, and the crowning glory of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The forward had previously scored 250 goals for Bayern and 45 for Germany before his summer move to Vancouver, cementing his status as a record-breaking figure in German football history.

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  Whitecaps dominance continues on home soil

  The Whitecaps’ fourth consecutive Canadian Championship title highlights their growing domestic dominance, with Muller’s arrival providing both quality and global spotlight. Having secured a place in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup, the club now look to build on this momentum, while Muller himself relishes a new chapter abroad with the promise of more goals, trophies, and trademark celebrations.

Akash Deep is set to join Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) squad on Wednesday and is likely to be available for the game against Mumbai Indians (MI) on Friday.Akash had picked up a back injury during the Border Gavaskar Trophy in Australia and has not played a game since December 2024.He is yet to debut for LSG and last played in T20s in the 2024 IPL, where he represented Royal Challengers Bengaluru in one match, against MI at the Wankhede Stadium. In all, he’s played eight games for RCB since 2022 and has picked up seven wickets.Related

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Akash’s inclusion will boost LSG’s bowling line-up which has been hit by injuries. Mayank Yadav’s recovery from a lumbar stress injury was compounded by a toe injury and Mohsin Khan has been ruled out of IPL 2025 after he tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) last December. LSG have Shardul Thakur and Avesh Khan in their fast-bowling ranks and had included Prince Yadav in the first two games. LSG have won only one out of their first three games in IPL 2025.Akash has picked up 49 wickets from 42 T20s and was bought by LSG in the mega auction ahead of this season for INR 8 crores.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s 26-year reign as manager of Manchester United saw him win two Champions Leagues and 13 Premier League titles, among a vast number of other trophies.

Next to the success, what Ferguson will be remembered for in years to come is the quality of players that he managed, including some of the best that the Premier League and the world have ever seen.

The list included Ballon d’Or winners like Cristiano Ronaldo and Michael Owen, as well as world-regarded midfielders like Paul Scholes and Roy Keane.

However, the downside of managing such a plethora of star players is that some unsung heroes end up receiving less attention than they deserve.

Park could have been Man Utd difference in 2011 Champions League final

In an interview with Gary Neville, Ferguson was asked about some of the most underrated players he coached, and one he highlighted in particular was Park Ji-Sung. The South Korean star joined United in 2005 and won four Premier Leagues, three League Cups and one Champions League before leaving for QPR in 2012.

Ferguson’s comments related to his regret about not properly utilising Park in the 2011 Champions League final against Barcelona at Wembley.

Alongside Park, Ferguson named Brian McClaire and Ronny Jonsen as the most underrated players he managed, who were both also instrumental in numerous trophies that Ferguson won with United.

Loved by his teammates as well as the boss

Nicknamed “Three-Lung Park” by some of the Old Trafford faithful, the South Korea star made 205 appearances for Manchester United and registered 27 goals and 28 assists.

His work ethic not only earned his managers’ admiration but also his fellow teammates. Park and Patrice Evra have a close friendship, and the left-back has previously shared that he doesn’t think that Park gets enough credit and that he was a “soldier” who put in “man-of-the-match” worthy performances against Barcelona in both legs of the 2008 Champions League semi-final.

Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand have both praised Park as a team-first kind of player. Ferdinand said of Park, “you wanted him in your team,” and Rooney praised him further, saying:

“All of us who played with Park know he was almost as important to our success. That’s because of what Park gave to the collective.”

While Park doesn’t receive the praise some of his United compatriots receive, those fans who watched him, those teammates who played with him, and most of all, Sir Alex Ferguson all know the effort and quality he brought to United during his time there.

Alisha Lehmann has often attracted attention for her glamorous on-field appearances and a lifestyle rarely seen among the majority of women footballers in Europe. The Swiss star, however, explained that having a social media presence can accelerate the growth and popularity of women's football. Lehmann left Juventus over the summer and joined Como, where she believes women are able to yield all the power.

Backlash over Lehmann's on-field appearance

Lehmann is fond of having long hair, long nails, and wearing makeup, whether it be off the football field or on it. Her preferences have, however, often been scrutinised. Sporting a glamorous on-field appearance has come at a cost for the former Aston Villa star, with doubters often claiming she lacks professionalism and commitment to the sport. Despite the backlash, the Swiss international continues to do what she believes to be right for her, living life by the motto "haters gonna hate, lovers gonna love."

AdvertisementGetty Images SportLehmann speaks words of empowerment, addressing young girls

Recently speaking at the Trento Sports Festival in Italy, Lehmann said: "I want people to know that playing football and being on social media are not mutually exclusive. Social media makes women's football more popular, and we need fans and platforms. I want young girls to know that you can play football even with long nails and makeup. I like wearing heels, but I'm still a professional. The important thing is to feel comfortable, because that's the only way you can pursue your passion. As a teenager, I liked eyelashes, nails and nail polish, which wasn't the ideal profile for a footballer. People think of baggy shirts and shorts, but I was different. I liked taking care of my appearance; I wore tighter shorts, but it wasn't a problem for me. I've always been like that and I didn't pay attention to people."

A new chapter for Lehmann at Como

Over the summer, Lehmann joined Como after spending one year at Juventus, describing her exit as a "very difficult decision." She has started in both Serie A Femminile games, including Como's 1-0 win over her former team Juve last weekend. 

Her life at Stadio Ferruccio has been off to a good start, with Lehmann sharing her thoughts on her experience with her new team so far. “I really like the fact that it's an all-female team and that there's a kind of 'power' that we women can wield without being subordinate to men," she said. "Beyond that, we're a great team that helps and supports each other. We just need to work on our teamwork and we'll win a lot.”

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Como WomenLehmann's next match: A tricky trip to Sassuolo

Como Women will travel to Sassuolo on October 18 in what could be a tough fixture for Lehmann and her team-mates. Then, she will be expected to be called up by Switzerland for the upcoming international break.

Tottenham Hotspur are now expected to open permanent talks to sign an “incredible” star, who could be their first signing in the January transfer window.

Spurs looking to sign midfielder

Tottenham have made a solid start to the campaign, taking 10 points from their opening five games, with a number of their summer signings hitting the ground running, including Mohammed Kudus, who grabbed two assists against Brighton on Saturday.

Having set up four goals in his first five matches, Kudus has already eclipsed his assist tally from last season, and the winger is not the only new addition who has caught the eye, with Joao Palhinha making an instant impression.

After his side edged a 1-0 win against Villarreal, manager Thomas Frank said of the central midfielder: “He’s a very good player. He stabilised us more in the middle of the pitch. So that helped, definitely … [The players] are working very hard, and that we have a very good foundation to stand on, in terms of our defensive organization.

Consequently, it will come as no surprise that Spurs are now looking to sign Palhinha permanently, according to a report from The Boot Room, which states they are keen to open talks over a deal for the midfielder this January.

The north Londoners have been very impressed by the maestro’s start to the campaign, and they are now set to hold discussions over a deal, with transfer expert Graeme Bailey adding: “He’s exactly what they expected. When he left, he was already one of the Premier League’s best holding midfielders. Watching Palhinha play in that position probably frustrates Manchester United fans, knowing he was available and could have joined them.

“I fully expect discussions about a permanent deal to begin in January once the transfer window opens.”

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ByEmilio Galantini Sep 21, 2025 "Incredible" Palhinha must be signed permanently

On the face of it, a deal shouldn’t be too hard to complete, given that Spurs have the option to make the central midfielder’s stay permanent for £27m, which seems like a very fair fee for a player of his quality.

Journalist Kyle Bonn has spoken particularly fondly of the 30-year-old in the past, praising his passing, work-rate and tackling ability.

Those talents are underlined by the former Fulham man’s performance across several key metrics over the past year, when compared to his positional peers.

Statistic

Average per 90

Passes attempted

65.81 (88th percentile)

Pass completion %

90.6% (95th percentile)

Tackles

4.03 (99th percentile)

Aerials won

2.22 (94th percentile)

With a 7.2 SofaScore match rating, the loanee was also Spurs’ highest-rated starter in the 2-2 draw at Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, courtesy of winning 10 of the 16 duels he contested.

As such, it is a no-brainer to bring Palhinha in permanently, and Frank will be hoping for a similar performance against Wolverhampton Wanderers next weekend.

MatériaMais Notícias

O campeão brasileiro com mais pontos desde 2006, quando o campeonato passou a ter 20 times, foi o Flamengo, em 2019. Foram incríveis 90 pontos em 38 rodadas, 16 a frente do vice-campeão Santos.

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+ Veja as chuteiras dos craques no Campeonato Brasileiro 2023

A equipe comandada pelo treinador Jorge Jesus quebrou diversos recordes do Campeonato Brasileiro naquele ano. Além da melhor campanha, o rubro-negro teve o maior número de vitórias (28) e o melhor ataque da história, com 86 gols marcados, liderado por Gabigol, (25) e Bruno Henrique (21). Assim, teve também o melhor saldo de gols (+49), já que sofreu apenas 37.

+ Chuteira do campeão do mundo a partir de R$329,99 para a sua pelada. Aproveite!

Vale lembrar que o Flamengo foi comandado inicialmente por Abel Braga e, após sua demissão, por Marcelo Salles até a chegada de Jorge Jesus. O português assumiu o time na 9ª rodada, quando o Fla ocupava a terceira colocação, e aplicou uma goleada de 6 a 1 sobre o Goiás, no Maracanã.

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Curioso é que o Flamengo também é o campeão brasileiro com menos pontos, quando conquistou o hexacampeonato, em 2009.

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Gujarat Titans’ (GT) strength, historically, has been their bowling. They have once again leaned on it to secure four wins in six matches in IPL 2025. The only blip is a very unlikely one.Rashid Khan, for years one of T20 cricket’s premier performers, has been going through a little bit of a lull. This season, he has bowled 22 overs and picked up only four wickets at an economy rate of 9.77 and average of 53.75.GT assistant coach Aashish Kapoor has been working with Rashid, and believes he will be back to his best soon.Related

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“As cricketers, whether it is a batsman or a bowler, over a period of time when you’re doing well, you get into certain bad habits whether its batting or bowling, with your basics,” Kapoor said. “With Rashid, I think it was his back which was hurting him last year where he had to do a surgery. Sometimes, when you are in so much pain and you’re still playing matches, you tend to do something with your action so that your pain is less.”I think there have been a few things that we spoke this year after two-three games where he needs to make a few adjustments to his front hand, which was rather closed. It should be facing the batsman when he’s bowling. So he’s doing that now. And he’s bowling better lengths in the last one or two games. Hopefully he gets his confidence back, gets a few wickets, and he’ll be the old Rashid Khan again.”GT face Delhi Capitals (DC) next, in Ahmedabad on Saturday evening. They are missing one of their other key bowlers, Kagiso Rabada, who left for South Africa to attend to some personal matters.”We are just waiting for him,” Kapoor said. “He might return. He’s got some family, personal problems, for which he’s gone. Once he’s sorted out with that, if it’s sorted out in time, he will be back. But we don’t know when. We are just waiting as everyone is.”Rabada played two matches for GT this season, returning figures of 1 for 41 and 1 for 42.

كشفت تقارير إعلامية اليوم الإثنين، عن ردة فعل غرفة ملابس وإدارة نادي ريال مدريد، عقب التصرفات المثيرة للجدل التي قام بها فينيسيوس جونيور خلال مواجهة الكلاسيكو الأخيرة أمام برشلونة بالدوري الإسباني.

واستطاع ريال مدريد أن يرد اعتباره وحقق الفوز على حساب غريمه التقليدي برشلونة بهدفين مقابل هدف واحد يوم أمس الأحد، في قمة منافسات الجولة العاشرة من بطولة الدوري الإسباني للدرجة الأولى.

وشهدت هذه المباراة بعض الجدل حول فينيسيوس، بعدما اعترض الأخير وبشدة على استبداله في اللقاء لصالح رودريجو جوس في آخر 20 دقيقة من المواجهة.

وغضب فينيسيوس وبشدة من هذا التبديل حيث لم يقم بمصافحة مدرب ريال مدريد، تشابي ألونسو، وذهب اللاعب إلى خارج الملعب ثم عاد بعدها بدقائق إلى دكة البدلاء.

كما دخل فينيسيوس في نقاش حاد مع نجم نادي برشلونة، لامين يامال ، عقب نهاية المباراة ودخل أيضًا في بعض المناوشات مع بيدري ، لاعب خط وسط الفريق الكتالوني.

اقرأ أيضًا .. نجم برشلونة السابق منتقدًا يامال: تصريحاته منحت ريال مدريد دافعًا إضافيًا

وذكرت صحيفة موندو ديبورتيفو، أن غرفة ملابس ريال مدريد غاضبة حقًا مما فعله فينيسيوس من ردود فعل على استبداله في الكلاسيكو، حيث يعتبرون ما فعله الدولي البرازيلي سيئًا.

وأضاف المصدر، أنه على مستوى إدارة ريال مدريد، فإن الشعور هو الغضب كذلك مما فعله فينيسيوس في الكلاسيكو، بينما كل شيء يشير إلى معاقبة ابن الـ25 عامًا على سلوكه أثناء تبديله في مواجهة برشلونة.

وأوضح المصدر، أن عقد فينيسيوس سينتهي في عام 2027 المقبل، لكن ريال مدريد أجل بعض الشيء هذه المفاوضات إلى ما بعد نهاية الموسم.

من جهة أخرى، أفادت صحيفة ماركا أن إدارة ريال مدريد تتفهم غضب فينيسيوس، لكنهم يعتبرون ما فعله الدولي البرازيلي من رد فعل غير ضروري.

وقال مصدر مقرب من ريال مدريد لماركا: “لا يمكن لفينيسيوس أن يظهر ذلك، صحيح أن تشابي ربما أجرى التبديل مبكرًا، لكنه القائد الثالث ويجب أن يكون قدوة”.

وأوضح المصدر، أن ريال مدريد يقدر عودة فينيسيوس إلى التواجد سريعًا على مقاعد البدلاء، ويتمنى النادي الإسباني ألا يتكرر هذا السلوك مرة أخرى من اللاعب.

ولم يتحدث تشابي ألونسو مع فينيسيوس بعد الموقف الذي وقع، خاصة أن الفريق لديه إجازة يومي الإثنين والثلاثاء، وسيعود بعد ذلك للتدريبات من أجل مباراة فالنسيا يوم السبت المقبل.