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The batsman made 70 off 35 balls in a BBL game but knows one T20 knock isn’t enough to get him back into the Australian Test side

Andrew McGlashan28-Dec-2018Peter Handscomb remained realistic about his chances of a swift return to Australia’s Test side but was pleased to take his chance in the BBL and “show I can still make runs” after the frustration of being omitted from the Boxing Day Test on his home ground.Handscomb surged to 70 off 35 balls to steer a convincing Melbourne Stars chase against Sydney Sixers at the SCG two days after being left out of the Test team following scores of 34, 14, 7 and 13 against India in demanding batting conditions.When he was left out, captain Tim Paine offered the encouragement that Handscomb’s skills against spin – which were on show in the BBL knock – would keep him in the frame for the final Test in Sydney on January 3, but he knows it will likely take more than one T20 innings to get back in the fold.”It’s always nice for them to say but it will be a tough call on their behalf,” he said. “Mitch Marsh will probably have to play if it is flat or spinning, we’ll need another bowler, and the other batters are batting really well so to come back into the side on the back of one T20 hit is a tough call, but I’ll be working my arse off in the nets and hopefully something comes of it.Peter Handscomb turns one on the leg side during his 34•Getty Images

“Team balance was a big thing and we’ve seen that we’ve really needed Mitch to bowl those overs [in Melbourne] so it was an important change and that is perfectly fine.”Handscomb admitted he had become “sick” of the talk about his technique – which leaves him vulnerable against full deliveries – but said there had been some “honest” conversations with head coach Justin Langer and batting coach Graeme Hick about what he needed to do to find consistent runs at Test level.”I’ve gone about maybe trying to tinker with a couple of things, working with JL and Hicky, having some good cricket conversations, open and honest conversations about what we think needs to be done so it was nice to come out here and bat well, but it is T20 and I had a bit of luck as well.”[The changes are] a bit mentally, a bit technically as well. It’s the same old conversation that’s been happening with my technique for however many years, so sort of sick of talking about it, so it as just good to show I can still make runs.”If Handscomb is to force his hand through weight of runs, they can only come in the T20 format until mid-February with the expanded Big Bash covering the rest of Australia’s Test season which includes two matches against Sri Lanka after the India tour.”Runs are runs,” he said. “We saw Aaron Finch get picked in the Test side on the back of some solid T20 runs but that was multiple games, this was one hit and if I’m going to try and get back in I have to try and do it again and again and really force my hand so the selectors have no choice but to pick me. It was good to make runs today but doesn’t mean much in the grand scheme of things.”Handscomb’s evening at the SCG had started brightly with his second string when he pulled off a smart stumping to removing Jack Edwards in the first over the match having had just a five-minute warm-up with the gloves. While conceding he no longer wants to keep in first-class cricket – “it hurts too much” – he is keen for as many white-ball opportunities as he can get with the hope it could boost his international ambitions.”Definitely putting my hand up for it,” he said. ‘I’m trying my best to play all formats, that’s the goal. It’s good to be able to keep. It’s good fun, I enjoy keeping, always putting my hand up for white-ball keeping, it’s good to have that string to my bow.”

انتهت مباراة الأهلي أمام إنبي بالتعادل الإيجابي 1-1، في اللقاء الذي جمع بين الفريقين ضمن منافسات بطولة الدوري المصري

والتقى الأهلي أمام إنبي في إطار لقاءات الجولة 33 للمسابقة المحلية، وذلك على أرضية استاد المقاولون العرب.

وكان إنبي قد تقدم بالهدف الأول في الدقيقة 22، بعد تمريرة من محمد شريف حتحتوت حولها أحمد نادر حواش بتسديدة رائعة سكنت مرمى الأهلي.

وأحرز هدف تعادل  الأهلي محمود عبد المنعم كهربا في الدقيقة الأولى من الوقت بدل الضائع للشوط الأول، بتسديدة من داخل منطقة الجزاء.

وكان الأهلي قد نجح في تحقيق لقب الدوري المصري بعد منافسة صعبة أمام بيراميدز خلال الموسم الجاري.

طالع | ترتيب الدوري المصري بعد انتهاء الجولة 33

ويختتم الأهلي مشواره في بطولة الدوري للموسم الحالي بمواجهة قوية أمام مودرن سبورت في الجولة الـ34 والأخيرة. موعد مباراة الأهلي ومودرن سبورت في الدوري المصري

وتقام مباراة الأهلي ومودرن سبورت مساء السبت المقبل 17 أغسطس الجاري، في تمام الساعة 9 مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية.

ويمكنكم مطالعة مواعيد ونتائج جميع المباريات لحظة بلحظة عبر مركز المباريات من هنا

Everton, despite off-field murmurs of a potential points deduction, are letting their football do the talking at present with plenty of positives for the Toffees to latch onto from recent victories.

Back-to-back wins in the Premier League and League Cup versus West Ham and Burnley saw Jordan Pickford keep two consecutive clean sheets, Ashley Young net his first goal in Everton colours and Dominic Calvert-Lewin play for the majority of both contests with a goal and an assist for his efforts to shake off fears he would pick up an injury again.

The Toffees have managed, in the process, to distance themselves from the relegation spots with Sean Dyche targeting another victory this coming weekend against Brighton and Hove Albion when Everton return to league action.

Away from the current crop of first-teamers at Goodison Park, young Blues prospect Stanley Mills is making a name for himself down in Oxfordshire on loan, with the 20-year-old notching up more assists than any Everton player this campaign.

Jack Harrison and Dwight McNeil are tied at the top of the assists chart for the Toffees with two each, Mills ahead of both names with four as he continues to dazzle League One defences early into his Oxford United stint.

Stanley Mills' style of play

Everton's explosive right-winger is highly thought of in Merseyside, consistently performing at U21 level with the club before embarking on this new loan venture at Oxford to kickstart his senior career.

For the U21s, Mills has torn opposition defences to shreds regularly down the channels – netting 17 goals in 48 outings, including assisting a further five.

Outgrowing his age bracket arguably, Mills has settled into League One life well with the U's since making the loan switch in late July.

Singled out as a "natural athlete" by his dad, Danny Mills, in an article by The Athletic's Patrick Boyland – the young winger impressing Frank Lampard when the ex-Chelsea player turned Toffees boss first rocked up to Goodison Park – he's shown his pedigree for Liam Manning's men.

Stanley Mills' numbers this season

It wouldn't take long for the exciting talent to instantly endear himself into the hearts of Oxford supporters, Mills arrowing a wonderful effort into the back of the net versus Fleetwood Town to help his team convincingly win 3-0 on the seaside.

His creative flair on the ball has also been a standout of his game since making the move, the 20-year-old assisting four times in total including in his last match as the U's beat Lincoln City 2-0 on their travels to cement second spot in the division.

The young starlet had five efforts of his own at Sincil Bank also, as per Sofascore, registering two out of his five shots on target but he was unable to find the net to add to his slim senior goal collection.

Son of the ex-Manchester City and Leeds United defender – who was capped 19 times by England – the emerging superstar will hope he can follow in his father's footsteps by having a lengthy career at the top.

For the time being, however, Mills will continue enjoying his football at Oxford with dreams of becoming an Everton first-team star his ultimate goal.

Everton have endured a relatively poor start to the season with fears of another relegation battle surfacing. With that said, Sean Dyche could use the January window as an opportunity to bring in reinforcements, should they find themselves in a position of peril…

Who could Everton sign in January?

In recent times, Everton have suffered a rather chequered history in the transfer window, unearthing some gems but more often than not, pushing their finger on the self-destruct button.

Since Farhad Moshiri took over the club, their failings in the transfer window have seen them drop down the Premier League table at an alarming rate, however, if a deal involving Miami-based company 777 Partners can get concluded in the coming weeks, a current bleak narrative can be transformed into a brighter future at Goodison Park.

With potential fresh investment from 777 Partners in the offing, Dyche could be offered a significant boost in funds, allowing the manager to splash the cash. While Blackburn's highly-rated midfielder Adam Wharton is one name that refuses to go away, Everton's priority could be capturing another forward which could see them go back in for Paris Saint Germain's Hugo Ekitike after their summer interest and allow Dyche to ditch Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

How has Dominic Calvert-Lewin performed for Everton?

Calvert-Lewin's recent Everton career has seen him fail to kick on and reach the ceiling of his potential.

The Englishman was threatening to become a world-beater, possessing the killer instinct in front of goal that the Toffees have desired, but since chalking up 21 goals in the 2020/21 campaign, his time at the club has unravelled into a nightmare.

To no fault of his own, the 26-year-old has endured an injury-ravaged spell which has seen him muster only ten goals in all competitions since that sensational campaign.

Despite showing promise in the first five matches of this term with two goals, the 6 foot 2 marksman has fallen short across Europe's top five leagues in the past year when comparing his forward-thinking metrics, ranking in the top 87% for non-penalty goals and shot creating actions, top 79% for goals, top 60% for total shots and top 47% for progressive carries, all per 90 via FBref.

On the other hand, Everton target Ekitike has showcased several attributes that suggest he could be an upgrade on Calvert-Lewin.

How good is Hugo Ekitike?

Ekitike broke onto the scene at Ligue 1 side Stade de Reims in 2021 and impressed with his lightning pace, piercing movement in behind and how intelligently he reacted to situations.

The promising French striker, who posted 14 direct goal contributions in his first senior campaign in 2021/22, caught the eye of several European powerhouses, while Newcastle United were reportedly in advanced talks to sign him for £33m in January 2022 following their takeover.

Although the Magpies failed to get a deal over the line, he instead joined giants Paris Saint Germain on a loan deal with an option to buy six months later, however, he has failed to kick on since then, perhaps crumbling under the weight of expectation.

In 25 appearances last term, Ekitike only mustered three goals and four assists, but given he was previously unhappy in France, a change of scenery could see the 21-year-old light the Premier League touch paper, and return to the form that saw him make a sharp rise to stardom.

During his first campaign at Reims in 2021/22, the "very special" forward – as dubbed by manager at the time, Oscar Garcia – showcased his unerring talents across that campaign, as per FBref, ranking in the top 5% for non-penalty goals against his positional peers in Ligue 1, top 7% for shots on target, 12% for carries into the penalty and top 15% for assists per 90.

He even weighed in with his fair share of defensive work too, which is a huge staple of any Dyche side, finishing in the top 12% for clearances, top 14% for tackles, top 18% for shots blocked and top 20% for interceptions.

Possessing the physicality to compete in the English game and the turn of pace to frighten defenders, the £18m (€21.6m) rated Ekitike, as per Football Transfers, could be a huge upgrade on Calvert Lewin, not just for the qualities he would bring in the final third, but also the fact that age is on his side and he has plenty of years to develop into a proficient forward capable of firing the Toffees to victories.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Fluminense chegou a passar por apuros, mas soube se impor ao Athletico-PR na noite deste sábado. Em partida na qual Nenê perdeu um pênalti, o Tricolor das Laranjeiras contou com os gols do camisa 77 e dois de Marcos Paulo para, no Maracanã, derrotar o Furacão (que saíra na frente com Léo Cittadini) por 3 a 1, em jogo válido pela 24ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro. O triunfo leva a equipe de Odair Hellmann aos 39 pontos e momentaneamente ao G4 da competição.

A equipe de Odair Hellmann torce por tropeços de Grêmio e Internacional neste domingo para se manter no pelotão da frente. Já os comandados de Paulo Autuori estacionam nos 28 pontos. Os paranaenses voltam a campo no próximo sábado, às 17h, contra o Atlético-MG, na Arena da Baixada. Já os tricolores, no próximo domingo, encaram o Vasco, às 20h30, em São Januário.

MAS JÁ?

Bastaram cinco minutos para o ritmo acelerado tomar conta do confronto no Maracanã. Marcos Paulo obrigou Santos a se desdobrar para defender. Na sobra, Nenê tentou a cabeçada, mas Erick foi para a dividida e cortou a conclusão. O Athletico-PR respondeu em um contra-ataque que culminou em tentativa de Richard na qual a zaga tricolor salvou no limite.

Impetuosa, a veloz equipe do Furacão viu seu poderio ofensivo logo encontrar o caminho das redes. Abner lançou e Nikão avançou livre na área. O meia-atacante cruzou e Léo Cittadini finalizou no contrapé de Marcos Felipe aos nove minutos.

PERSEVERANÇA E NOVO RUMO NO JOGO

Em desvantagem, o Tricolor das Laranjeiras lançou-se ao ataque e teve a oportunidade de empatar pouco depois. Acionado, Nenê encheu o pé e viu Thiago Heleno interceptar com o braço sua tentativa. O árbitro marcou pênalti. A cobrança de pênalti do camisa 77, contudo, parou em boa defesa de Santos.

A equipe de Odair Hellmann, pouco a pouco, aproveitou os espaços deixados pelo Furacão e se lançou à frente. Após tentativas de Nenê e Marcos Paulo, o empate veio aos 25 minutos. Michel Araújo girou em meio à defesa adversária e finalizou. Após Santos espalmar, Marcos Paulo fez cruzamento rasteiro. Nenê, em cima da linha, se redimiu ao mandar para o fundo da rede e igualou o marcador.

Dominante, o Fluminense viu Marcos Paulo cruzar colocado e encontrar Michel Araújo entre os zagueiros. O uruguaio avançou para a área com liberdade, mas se atrapalhou ao dominar a bola e perdeu o ângulo e permitiu defesa de Santos. O cenário ficou ainda mais propício para os avanços tricolores após Thiago Heleno ser expulso por cometer falta dura em Michel Araújo. Só que, à exceção de uma finalização de Wellington Silva mal sucedida, a equipe esbarrou em erros.

MARCOS PAULO DESLANCHA E DÁ A VITÓRIA AO FLU

O Tricolor das Laranjeiras voltou do intervalo com uma postura aguerrida. Odair Hellmann decidiu mudar a configuração do Fluminense: colocou Ganso e Felippe Cardoso nos lugares de Michel Araújo e Wellington Silva, respectivamente. A equipe ganhou em intensidade e encurralou o Athletico-PR contra sua área.

Em meio à pressão, a estrela de Marcos Paulo brilhou no Maracanã. Na sobra de uma cobrança de escanteio, o camisa 11 limpou a zaga adversária e bateu com precisão, marcando um golaço aos 27.

A equipe de Paulo Autuori ainda digeria o gol sofrido quando o atacante voltou a entrar em cena. Após uma cobrança de escanteio, Marcos Paulo recebeu na entrada da área, entortou Walter e chutou colocado, com categoria aos 29 minutos.

Diante de um Athletico-PR prostrado, o Fluminense ainda teve oportunidades com Nenê e Ganso. Mas a vitória por 3 a 1 já havia evidenciado a tranquilidade com a qual o Tricolor das Laranjeiras soube conduzir a sua vitória.

FICHA TÉCNICA

FLUMINENSE 3×1 ATHLETICO-PR

Data-Hora: 05-12-20 – 19h
Estádio: Maracanã, no Rio de Janeiro (RJ)
Árbitro: Ramon Abatti Abel (SC)
Assistentes: Kleber Lucio Gil (Fifa/SC) e Henrique Neu Ribeiro (SC)
VAR: Rodrigo Guarizo Ferreira do Amaral (SP)

Cartões amarelos: Matheus Ferraz, Hudson, Egídio, Felippe Cardoso (FLU), Thiago Heleno, Wellington e Richard (CAP)

Cartão vermelho: Thiago Heleno (CAP)

Gols: Léo Cittadini, 9/1T (0-1), Nenê, 25/1T (1-1), Marcos Paulo, 27/2T (2-1) e Marcos Paulo, 29/2T (3-1).

FLUMINENSE: Marcos Felipe, Calegari, Matheus Ferraz, Luccas Claro e Egídio; Hudson (André, 43/2T), Martinelli, Michel Araújo (Ganso, 14/2T) e Nenê (Luiz Henrique, 37/2T); Wellington Silva (Felippe Cardoso, 14/2T) e Marcos Paulo (Miguel, 43/2T). Técnico: Odair Hellmann

ATHLETICO-PR: Santos; Erick, Pedro Henrique, Thiago Heleno e Abner; Wellington (Zé Ivaldo, 38/1T), Richard e Léo Cittadini; Nikão (Walter, 18/2T), Carlos Eduardo (Alvarado, 25/2T) e Renato Kayzer (Canesin, 25/2T). Técnico: Paulo Autuori

ScorecardA wretched season for the Northamptonshire Steelbacks in the Vitality Blast at least ended on a high note as they avenged their morale-sapping opening-day defeat at the hands of the Leicestershire with a comprehensive win at the Fischer County Ground.Chasing 149 to win, the Steelbacks got home with nine balls to spare. Ben Duckett made 33 off 24 balls, including an audacious scoop for six off pace bowler Zak Chappell, after Ben Curran – the middle one of the three Curran brothers – had caught the eye.Curran celebrated the contract he was awarded at Wantage Road earlier this week with a bright 29 off just 18 balls, taking four boundaries in an over off Chappell. His striking in a 50-run partnership with Ben Duckett was key in the Steelbacks racing to 63-1 in the powerplay, giving themselves a platform they did not waste.Josh Cobb made a run-a-ball 30 and, after a wobble in which four wickets fell in three overs as Dieter Klein dismissed both Wakely and Cobb in the space of six ball without conceding a run, Graeme White finished the job with 21 off nine deliveries, winning the match by clubbing Colin Ackermann’s off-spin for six over deep midwicket as off-spinner Tom Sole kept his nerve on his T20 debut at the other end.It was only their second win in the Blast and makes no difference to their finishing position at the bottom of the North Group but provided some satisfaction after the Foxes denied them in a remarkable game at Wantage Road at the start of the competition, when the Steelbacks failed to defend 213-3.Having put the Foxes in, the Steelbacks made a fine start with the ball, reducing the home side to 35-3 in the powerplay despite being forced to change their plans in the second over when a distraught Gareth Wade had to be removed from the attack on his T20 debut after two of his first three deliveries slipped out as beamers.The right-arm seamer, called into a Northamptonshire side who, like the Foxes, had chosen to rest a number of players with nothing on this game, was trusted with the second over of the innings but was no-balled for a high full toss with his first delivery and, after Ned Eckersley had crashed the free hit away for four, immediately sent down another full toss above waist height, which gave the umpires no option other than to call no ball again and direct skipper Wakely to withdraw Wade.Wade is 27 and has three or four seasons’ experience Minor Counties and Second XI cricket but only two senior appearances. Nerves seemed the only explanation for such an unfortunate start.Cobb had to bowl the five balls remaining in the over yet it was the Foxes who soon in disarray, losing Eckersley, Harry Swindells and Ackermann inside the first six overs, Wade making himself feel a little better by taking a catch at mid-off when Swindells hit Luke Procter over his head.A smart piece of work by Duckett behind the stumps to take advantage as Chappell stumbled as he swung at a wide delivery as Wakely introduced Graeme White’s left-arm spin left the Foxes 37-4 in the seventh.It came down to 21-year-old Harry Dearden to rescue the Foxes’ innings, at least in part, sharing a stand of 62 with Ateeq Javid for the fifth wicket on the way to a 40-ball 61 that included a couple of sixes and five fours.Dearden, who has plenty of first-class experience but was making his debut in this format, might have added a few more but for bowler Richard Gleeson’s quick thinking, the bowler running him out in his follow-through as he tried to steal a single from a miscued shot by Lewis Hall that landed halfway down the pitch.

Phil Simmons, the Afghanistan coach, was pleased with the side’s preparation but stressed on channeling white-ball temperament in Test cricket

Shashank Kishore in Bengaluru13-Jun-20182:34

Rashid will come out as the best spinner in this Test – Simmons

Asghar Stanikzai was asked about “nerves” as he arrived for his first official press conference as Test captain. “I’m hearing this for the first time,” he shot back, setting the tone for the next 15 minutes during which he and coach Phil Simmons talked all things Test cricket and the build-up to their inaugural Test.It was in Bengaluru seven years ago that Simmons truly left his imprint as a coach, when Ireland upset England at the 2011 World Cup. Now, he returns to the venue of that famous triumph in charge of another side, who he just helped qualify for the 2019 World Cup two months ago.Having witnessed the turmoil West Indies went through towards the end of his career, Simmons is aware of the immediate challenge to channel Afghanistan’s white-ball temperament to the longest format.”I was with Ireland for a long time, but they haven’t produced the amount of youngsters in the last four-five years like Afghanistan have,” he said. “The batting is a little bit less but the bowling, you will see a young fast bowler in this Test match hopefully. It shows that they have young talent coming up. And exciting prospects for the future.”Preparation wise, Afghanistan picked two vastly different squads for the T20Is against Bangladesh and their inaugural Test. Only Stanikzai, Mohammad Shahzad, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman featured in their 3-0 T20I whitewash of Bangladesh in Dehrarun earlier this month. This decision of allowing players time to prepare for the Test by monitoring their training schedules was a conscious one.”Our preparation has been good. We still had 12-13 players training with red ball,” Simmons said. “Fortunately the three fast bowlers (Wafadar, Sayed Shirzad and Yamin Ahmadzai) were not in T20I squad and they have been concentrating on Test preparation. The two senior spinners Nabi and Rashid am sure will be able to adjust themselves.”Afghanistan are under no illusion about how the pitch will behave and expect India’s three spinners to come hard at them. Having two wristspinners themselves – Rashid and Zahir Khan – along with Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s variations should help cope to an extent.Afghanistan’s players attend the BCCI awards ceremony•BCCI”You prepare for what you expect. We expected Jadeja, Ashwin, Kuldeep,” Simmons said. “We have had our own Kuldeep in young Zahir. We have bowlers of similar ilk and they have been bowling at the batsmen. My feeling is that I can’t tell you how to prepare for a particular player. When you practice it against a spinner you learn how to play him. So we have put that in front of them and I think they have worked hard enough to be put out there.”Simmons cracked up when asked about “grass on the surface” for this Test. “When I played with them (Afghanistan) in Ireland, it was a little more greener than this and it still turned,” he said. “I think our bowlers are experienced enough to turn on that. It looks a lot darker today than it did two days ago, so I think by the time tomorrow (Thursday) comes it will be dry enough to spin on it.”The surface aside, it was also inevitable Simmons was going to be asked about Stanikzai’s remarks of Afghanistan’s spinners being better than India’s. My captain knows what he is talking about,” Simmons laughed with Stanikzai also grinning beside him. “When you look at it, all spinners in this contest will be excellent.”We know that right now, Rashid is the most difficult spinner to play around. He has not played Test cricket. We have to look and see what happens. but his professionalism will help him to adjust and am sure he will come out well.”Afghanistan have trained in India regularly since making Greater Noida their home base last year. Access to different training wickets and modern facilities has been maximised so much that Simmons downplayed the prospect of being undercooked. He stressed more on the temperament needed to succeed and hoped the team had learnt from experience.”The mental part comes from the way you train, how long you bat and how long you bowl and train in the nets,” Simmons said. “That’s the only way you prepare mentally because when you get out there then you understand what it takes. They have played four-day cricket so they have a fair idea…the good thing about it is that they learn quickly.”The press conference was lit up further when Simmons was asked about Virat Kohli’s unavailability. His answer elicited laughter among those in attendance.”I think there will always be a bit of disappointment in the players not to be on the same field as Virat, but at the same time we look at it as win the Test match and beat India, we don’t beat Virat,” he said. “So we are disappointed he is not playing, but little bit happy that we are not going to bowl to him all the time. We are happy to be here and playing India, Virat is not India.”

After losing Harry Kane in the summer to Bayern Munich in a deal worth a reported £86m, Tottenham Hotspur can ill-afford to lose any more star players this season. One more exit could be one too many for Ange Postecoglou's side to cope with, despite their unbeaten start to the Premier League campaign.

Given the Lilywhites failed to really replace Kane, too, with the closest they got coming through signing Brennan Johnson from Nottingham Forest, another attacking departure would be disastrous for those in North London.

With Spurs' need to keep hold of the attacking talent that Postecoglou still has at his disposal no secret, Football London's Alasdair Gold has dropped an intriguing update regarding the contract of club captain Son Heung-Min.

What has Alasdair Gold said?

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Gold mentioned Son's contract situation and current salary, which sits at a reported £192k per-week at Spurs, and is set to expire in 2025.

Given that the forward has just two years left on his current deal, Spurs may be getting slightly nervous of enduring a Kane repeat when it comes to Son, resulting in the exit of another star man.

Gold has been quick to deliver some positive news, however, saying: "I would be stunned if we don’t see a new contract offered to Son [Heung-min], I would say probably quite shortly.

“He’s only got a couple of years left, he is like I say a [CAA] Base player as well so they’ll be looking after him. And he’s the captain of the club, I think that would be a great move and yes he’s in his thirties but I would say another year or two on the end of that, why not?

“Terrific advert for the football club, the kind of person he is, the kind of player he is and just how just good a human being he is. I do think if you’re going to be really cynical, I’m sure Sonny brings in so much money for Spurs because of just the huge kind of reputation he has across the world but obviously of course across Asia.

“I’m sure the money he brings in makes a new contract a no-brainer. Whether he wants to sign it is another thing. I think he’s very happy right now and if you’re going to get him to commit, now is probably the time.”

How has Son Heung-Min performed this season?

Truth be told, prior to Spurs' 5-2 win over Burnley, Son hadn't really got going under Postecoglou. One hat-trick against Vincent Kompany's side later, however, and, on paper, this is a player who has scored three goals in four Premier League games this season.

After picking up the match ball last time out, the South Korean should push on and impress even more following the international break. If Postecoglou can get the best out of his captain, then he may not think about Kane's goals for a single second this season, instead watching Son become the main man once and for all at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Glasgow Rangers badly needed a summer rebuild and under Michael Beale, they finally got it, albeit it was a year or so too late.

Out went crowd favourites such as Allan McGregor, Scott Arfield and Alfredo Morelos, while Ryan Kent also departed the Ibrox side as it appeared Beale was in no mood for sentimental decisions.

With some of the wage bill freed up, the former QPR boss began his business and by the end of the summer transfer window, had signed a grand total of nine players.

Having opened the 2023/24 season with just four wins across nine games, while failing to qualify for the Champions League group stages and dropping vital points to Celtic, it remains to be seen whether these players can take the club to the next level.

A few players, such as Danilo, Cyriel Dessers, and Jack Butland, arrived at Ibrox having gained plenty of experience in the Netherlands, Italy and England and should become key players for the club as the season progresses.

A couple of the new signings arrive with plenty of potential and clearly see a stint at Rangers as the best place for them to continue their development while hopefully making the Light Blues a major profit in the future.

Dujon Sterling is arguably the main candidate with regard to this, and his value has already risen rapidly since moving north of the border.

How much did Dujon Sterling cost Rangers?

The versatile defender – who can operate on either the right or left-hand side of the defence – joined the Gers for nothing this summer having signed a pre-contract agreement in May and Beale was well aware of his talents as he spent time coaching the player during his stint at Chelsea.

The 43-year-old praised Sterling upon his signing, saying: “I am delighted to welcome Dujon to Rangers, he is an exciting young player who, I’m sure, will be a great addition to our squad.

“He is someone I was aware of from my time at Chelsea, and I have always kept an eye on his career as it has progressed.

“He is a very powerful and strong defender, who has fantastic attacking qualities and I look forward to working with him at Rangers.”

With the Gers looking at bolstering their defence, specifically in the full-back areas, Sterling was clearly looked upon as someone who could offer something different to James Tavernier and Borna Barisic.

How much is Dujon Sterling worth now?

When he joined the club, his value was at a modest €0.8m (£0.7m), yet after only a few months, it has now leapt up to €3.6m (£3m), as per Football Transfers' xTV (expected transfer value) model, and it could perhaps rise even further should he gain more opportunities in the near future.

The 23-year-old spent time out on loan with a few English sides and this experience will hopefully stand him in good stead, giving him the confidence to shine in Glasgow.

Why is Dujon Sterling worth this?

Despite joining Chelsea at a relatively young age and moving through the youth teams, Sterling only made two senior appearances for the club, although he did make the matchday squad on three occasions during their victorious FA Cup campaign during the 2017/18 campaign.

Chelsea U23 boss Adi Viveash praised him back in 2016 when he was just making his way in the academy, saying: “Dujon obviously had a great little 25 minutes again, which is important.

“We are trying to manage his development; he is obviously playing a lot of games at the moment.

“He’s a fantastic talent, but we have to be careful. His desire to score goals is superb. He is really a defender, but he can play in any position I think.”

In total, he played 88 games for the U21, U18 and U19 teams while enjoying periods on loan with Stoke City, Coventry City and Blackpool.

Last season, he made 26 appearances for Stoke in the Championship, and although he doesn’t quite have the raw attacking prowess that Barisic and Tavernier have, he still averaged 0.5 key passes per game and created one big chance while succeeding with 0.7 dribbles per game – a success rate of 55%.

Defensively, he won an impressive 4.5 total duels per game – a 55% success rate – along with making 1.7 tackles, 1.3 interceptions and 1.4 clearances per game. These figures ranked him seventh, sixth and tenth across the whole Stoke squad, decent statistics but hardly breathtaking numbers.

In comparison, he would’ve ranked seventh, first and joint-fifth for the same metrics in the Rangers squad during the 2022/23 campaign, suggesting that he certainly could make a positive impact this season.

Sterling hasn’t been given many chances to showcase his talents so far however, playing just five times in all competitions, starting only twice and one of those was against Celtic.

He was deployed at left-back during the first Old Firm clash of the season due to Barisic being injured and Ridvan Yilmaz still not 100% fit, yet it was clear the occasion was too much for him.

Across his 64-minute spell on the pitch, he did make three interceptions, two tackles and was only dribbled past one, but he only won four out of his nine ground duels and took just 39 touches.

The 23-year-old failed to generate an attacking spark in the manner of Barisic as he didn’t succeed with a single dribble attempt or deliver a cross during the tie.

Sterling is still in the embryonic stages of his Ibrox career and has shown previously that he is a talent that if given some minutes, will gradually get better and better.

Considering his value has risen sharply in just a few short months, it’s evident that he should come good, and it is now on Beale to give him some more opportunities in the starting XI.

Dislodging Tavernier or Barisic will be tough, especially with their talents at bursting forward and creating chances, but if he sharpens up his creativity and attacking skills, Sterling could turn into a solid player for the club.

One that could definitely make the Ibrox side a major profit in the coming years, that’s for sure.

خسر منتخب سوريا الأول لكرة القدم على يد مضيفه كوريا الشمالية، في تصفيات آسيا لكأس العالم بهدف دون رد.

وحل منتخب سوريا تحت القيادة الفنية لمدرب مصر السابق هيكتور كوبر ضيفًا على كوريا الشمالية، في خامس جولات المجموعة الثانية، على استاد لاوس الوطني الجديد.

فيديو | منتخب عمان يهزم الصين تايبيه بثلاثية في تصفيات كأس العالم

وسجل منتخب كوريا الشمالية هدفه القاتل في الدقيقة 90 من عمر المباراة عن طريق كوك تشول.

ويتواجد منتخبا سوريا وكوريا الشمالية في المجموعة الثانية التي تضم إلى جوارهما اليابان وميانمار.

بتلك النتيجة يتجمد رصيد سوريا عند 7 نقاط محتلًا وصافة المجموعة، فيما يرتفع رصيد كوريا الشمالية إلى 6 نقاط في المركز الثالث.

وينتظر منتخب سوريا مباراة صعبة في الجولة السادسة والأخيرة يوم الثلاثاء المقبل أمام اليابان، فيما يلاقي كوريا الشمالية نظيره ميانمار متذيل ترتيب المجموعة.

ويحتاج منتخب سوريا الفوز على اليابان في المباراة المقبلة، أو التعادل حال تعثر كوريا أمام ميانمار بتعادل أو خسارة.

الجدير بالذكر، أن الجهاز المعاون لكوبر يضم مدربين مصريين وهما محمود فايز، وعصام الحضري مدرب حراس المرمى.

وتقام منافسات دور المجموعات بـ تصفيات آسيا لكأس العالم بمشاركة 36 منتخبًا بواقع 11 متأهلين من الدور التمهيدي، و25 أصحاب التصنيف الأول في القارة، تم توزيعها إلى 9 مجموعات، تضم كل منها 4 منتخبات.

وتلعب المنافسات بنظام الدوري من مرحلتي الذهاب والإياب، على أن يتأهل متصدر كل مجموعة ووصيفه إلى المرحلة النهائية الحاسمة.