Tag Futebol

India A were in trouble against a fired-up SA A attack on a green seamer before Jurel’s lower-order rearguard steadied the innings

Shashank Kishore06-Nov-2025Dhruv Jurel’s recent form has been hard to ignore. Scores of 124, 44, and 6* against West Indies showcased his consistency and growing maturity as a batter. With Rishabh Pant’s return to the Test fold imminent, Jurel is now making a strong case to be considered purely as a specialist batter.That scenario might soon become reality if India decide to strengthen their middle order with a specialist No. 6 instead of an allrounder. The tussle for that spot could well come down to a battle between Jurel and Nitish Reddy.On Thursday, with India A in deep trouble against a fired-up South Africa A attack on a green seamer at BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, Jurel’s lower-order rearguard not only steadied the innings but also helped steer them to respectability. En route, he brought up his fourth first-class century – remarkably, three of those have come since June.Only a couple of months ago, he compiled a brilliant hundred against Australia A in Lucknow on a turner. This one in seaming conditions was equally masterful in the way he helped steady a floundering innings. From 124 for 7, he helped add 131 for the last three wickets as India A ended 255 all out at stumps. Jurel was 132 not out, an innings that comprised 12 fours and four sixes.Jurel’s other competitor for a middle order berth in India A’s XI on Thursday, Devdutt Padikkal, managed just 5 – his third-straight single-digit score. Padikkal, like Jurel, had impressed against Australia A and in the Ranji Trophy, but may have slipped behind in the race for a recall after having most recently played for India last November in Perth.Rishabh Pant bowls during tea break•PTI The morning began with Abhimanyu Easwaran bagging a three-ball duck – missing out yet again for India A, after he played down the wrong line to a nip-backer from Okhule Cele that trapped him plumb in front. KL Rahul, his opening partner, tucked himself to three boundaries in a single over – a cover drive, glide over the slips and neat leg glance – but fell chasing an away-going delivery that he tried to drive on the up off left-arm seamer Tiaan van Vuuren.B Sai Sudharsan looked tentative once again. On nought for 12 deliveries, he was finally off the mark when he laced a half-volley through the covers to pick up a boundary. Troubled by the moving ball, Sai Sudharsan stood well outside the crease and then tried to advance further down to negate the late movement – something that often got him into trouble.He was eventually felled by Subrayen, the offspinner, when he played for the skid, only to see the ball rip away to beat the outside edge and hit his back pad. Sudharsan made a 52-ball 17 to go with scores of 32 and 12 in the first four-day fixture last week.Coming off a 90, Pant seemed intent on taking the attack to the bowlers from the get-go. He charged out of the crease off his very first delivery, and hit Subrayen for a slog-sweep and lofted hit off consecutive balls – the highlights in his 20-ball 24 – before he was out looking to clear the infield.Van Vuuren challenged batters both off the inside and outside edges by getting the ball to move late and then seam off the surface, one such delivery accounting for Harsh Dubey as he was early into the flick only for the ball to bobble off the back part of the bat onto the body, and eventually the stumps.Kuldeep Yadav suffered an early concussion scare on 2 when the wicketkeeper ran into him and had him land awkwardly on the floor with his helmet bouncing up. After a few uncomfortable moments, he regained composure and battled his way against some quality seam bowling. Reprieved on 7 by Zubayr Hamza in the slips just before tea, Kuldeep helped add 79 for the eighth-wicket with Jurel, who was solid, showed patience and didn’t play a rash shot at any stage as he brought up a 62-ball half-century.Jurel was equally adept both off the front and back foot against the moving ball, cutting and driving imperiously. The secret to his knock lay in playing late and getting a big forward stride off the seamers to cover for any late movement. After initially playing with his bat close to the body, and keen on crease occupation, Jurel seamlessly switched gears to put away the bad balls, eventually bringing up his century off 146 deliveries to single-handedly bail India A out on a bowling day.

The San Francisco Giants are hiring Tennessee Volunteers baseball coach Tony Vitello as the franchise's new manager, according to a report from ESPN's Jeff Passan and Pete Thamel.

The 47-year-old Vitello is making history, as he is becoming the first coach to ever jump from the college level to MLB as a manager without any professional coaching experience.

The Giants confirmed the hire on Wednesday afternoon.

"We're thrilled to welcome Tony to the Giants family," Giants president of baseball operations Buster Posey said. "Tony is one of the brightest, most innovative, and most respected coaches in college baseball today. Throughout our search, Tony's leadership, competitiveness, and commitment to developing players stood out. His ability to build strong, cohesive teams and his passion for the game align perfectly with the values of our organization. We look forward to the energy and direction he will bring, along with the memories to be made, as we focus on the future of Giants baseball."

It's an outside-the-box hire for Buster Posey and the Giants, who in hiring Vitello are getting an elite college baseball coach. Vitello's teams at Tennessee have made five NCAA regionals, four super regionals, and three College World Series appearances. The program finally broke through in 2024 when they captured the national championship over Texas A&M.

Vitello will finish his career at Tennessee with a 341-131 record in seven seasons.

He will replace veteran MLB manager Bob Melvin, who was fired last month after two seasons.

On Thursday night the Twins played their first game at Target Field since the Pohlad family announced they would not be selling the team. Minnesota proceded to go out and lose to the Tigers in extra innings with manager Rocco Baldelli getting ejected following a colorful argument about whether or not a foul tip was caught or not.

The emotions from the loss, coupled with the recent news about the team's ownership situation, had the words "sell the team" fresh on everyone's mind and that became especially apparent during the team's postgame show where fans could be heard loudly chanting the request.

The Twins entered the season with a mid-range payroll, well above teams like the Marlins and Athletics, but far behind real contenders who are spending about twice as much each season in an attempt to put a competitive team on the field.

Two years removed from their last postseason appearance, Minnesota is currently 57-64, seven games out of the wild card.

It's a simple recipe for fan unrest.

Arne Slot heaped praise on the Liverpool fans at Anfield after some were spotted leaving early during their Carabao Cup defeat to Crystal Palace on Wednesday.

The under-fire Dutchman does not believe Liverpool’s sixth loss in seven matches has increased the pressure on his team ahead of this weekend’s clash with Aston Villa. The Premier League champions won seven straight matches in all competitions as they bounced back from their shoot-out loss to Crystal Palace in the Community Shield.

But that run came to a halt with a late defeat to the Eagles at Selhurst Park a month ago, sending the Reds into a spiral that they have yet to climb out of.

Palace got the better of Liverpool for the third time this season in Wednesday’s 3-0 Carabao Cup fourth round win at Anfield as Slot’s decision to leave out stars and make 10 changes backfired.

Joe Gomez, Wataru Endo and Alexis Mac Allister were the first-team players deployed in a team of mostly youngsters, but the senior stars were some of Liverpool’s lowest rated players against Palace.

Related Liverpool player ratings v Crystal Palace: Slot's first-team stars worse than youngsters

It was an evening to forget for a young Liverpool side.

Posts ByTom Cunningham Oct 29, 2025

Fans were spotted leaving the stadium as early as the 70th minute, but the Dutchman said he had no regrets and brushed aside the suggestion it had increased the pressure heading into Saturday’s return to Premier League action at home to Villa, with Man City and Real Madrid also to come in the next ten days.

“I don’t think it’s possible if you lose five out of six that there’s now after six out of seven even more pressure,” Slot said.

“If you’re on a run of results like this, if you play for Liverpool, if you manage Liverpool, you know the pressure is there and I don’t think it has changed much after this loss.

“But if it did then maybe the most positive thing about tonight was that the position we were in, 2-0 down and we weren’t really pushing for a goal because we weren’t able to, the fans were behind the team, were supporting us.

“That gives me the feeling that Saturday when our players will show how much it means to them, our fans will be incredibly supportive for us Saturday.

“But, again, we face a team that has rested in the week to play us, and that’s Villa.”

Liverpool could be boosted by the return of midfielder Ryan Gravenberch against Villa following an ankle issue, but British record signing Alexander Isak remains a doubt with to a groin complaint.

Slot's treatment of Liverpool star is a "sackable offence"

England's World Cup 2026 kick-off times and venues have been finally confirmed as Thomas Tuchel's Three Lions are set to face Croatia, Panama and Ghana in the group stage next summer. England learned their opponents during the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington, DC, on Friday evening. The European Championship runners-up side will play their three group games in three different cities.

• England learn World Cup match venues and kick-off times

  A day after England learned that they are clubbed in Group L alongside Croatia, Panama and Ghana, the Three Lions have been informed about their match venues and kick-off times. Thomas Tuchel's side will endure a complicated commute as they are set to play their first match against Croatia at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Dallas on June 17.

  Their next match will be six days later against Ghana at the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough and their final match will be held at New York's MetLife Stadium on June 27 against Panama. 

  The fans, who will watch the matches from back home in the UK, will have to tune in at 9 pm for the first two matches, while the final Panama clash will kick off at 10 pm. 

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  Tuchel shares opinion on England's draw

  Speaking about his team's 2026 World Cup draw, Tuchel claimed that it was a tricky one as he told reporters: "We have Croatia and Ghana, two regulars in World Cups, and we have Panama. I don’t know much about Panama, but we will know everything about them when the tournament starts. For me personally, even in the Champions League, you have to focus on the group – the group is always the most difficult, and we want to escape, and we want to win the group. It’s a tough one.

  "No one should be underestimated. Of course, Croatia is the standout name [and] the highest-ranked team from Pot 2 that we got into our group. It’s a difficult opener against Croatia. We take it from here." 

  The German coach added: "Ghana is always full of talent and can always surprise, and has a big history in World Cup football," he said. "Also, Panama will try to make the most of the underdog role. No one can be underestimated – everyone deserves the fullest respect, and we will show that."

• Tuchel's dig at World Cup draw

  The Three Lions boss did not appreciate the long draw ceremony which dragged on for a long time. Before the actual draw, the United States President Donald Trump received the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize, with FIFA president Gianni Infantino designating it for a person who has "taken exceptional and extraordinary actions for peace" and "united people across the world". Trump was given a large gold trophy, a medal, and a certificate, while Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand was also heavily involved in the draw. 

  Going by the England boss' comments, he didn't appear to be a fan of the whole affair. He told : "I do not, not like it but we could have done it like, without all of this. I don't need it. But of course, it's a huge stage and it's big entertainment. I was very well aware that it's not about the deep insight of football today."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Which team did Tuchel prefer as possible group opponent?

  Further sharing his thoughts on the draw and the opponents England will face, Tuchel added: "I had no preference because why would I worry? I cannot influence. The legends took the draw and this is what we get and what we have to deal with now. We know now our opponents, we know we will start late in the tournament if players are involved in European finals, hopefully. We didn't desire anything we just handled the situation as it is. You get a little more days before and then you get a condensed schedule later in the tournament. Everything comes with in upside and downside."

The New York Yankees spent a thoroughly unsatisfying weekend north of the border and return home needing to win three consecutive games against the Toronto Blue Jays in in order to keep their season going. There is still some shred of hope for Aaron Boone's team. But pinstripe fans will not be getting any silver linings from David Ortiz, who shared his bleak take on the state of affairs during Fox's pregame show Sunday night.

"They can bring Jesus back and they're still going to Cancun," the former Red Sox great said after the Yankees lost Game 2 on Sunday, 13-7. "It's over. It's a wrap."

Ortiz's other suggestion for the Yankees? Simply bring back since-retired players from the franchise to come back and play, including his two deskmates in Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez.

Ortiz's commentary drew some elite television chuckles but in the end will improve to be entirely unhelpful. Major League Baseball rules prevent anyone who is not on the roster for the division round to be added in case of an 0-2 hole. So Andy Pettite can't pitch Game 3 with Babe Ruth lined up up for Game 4. Which means, you guessed it—no Jesus in the winner-take-all Game 5.

Surely Ortiz took no pleasure in providing this dose of reality.

وجه دانييل ستوريدج مهاجم ليفربول السابق رسالة للمدرب آرني سلوت بشأن التشكيلة التي سيعتمد عليها في مواجهة ليدز يونايتد غداً في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وكان ستوريدج قد أبدى تألمه لرؤية النجم المصري محمد صلاح يجلس على مقاعد البدلاء، في مباراتين متتاليتين أمام وست هام يونايتد وسندرلاند.

وقال ستوريدج لشبكة “سكاي سبورت”: “إذا كنتم ستتركون صلاح خارج التشكيل مرة أخرى، فقم بتجربة خيار مختلف، وألعب بفيرتز واعتمد عليه في مركز الرقم 10 خلف إيزاك وإيكتيكي معاً، لنرى ما إذا كان سيفتح بعض الأبواب ويساهم في صناعة بعض الفرص”.

أقرأ أيضاً.. سلوت: محمد صلاح لاعب استثنائي.. وطبيعي أن يتحدث الناس عنه إذا لم يشارك

ونفى ستوريدج ما يتردد عن رحيل صلاح في يناير على الرغم من عدم رضاه، وأشار لوجود مشاكل في جاهزية لاعبي ليفربول مثل فيرتز وإيزاك والذين يحاولون استعادة مستواهم.

واختتم: “بشكل جماعي يجد اللاعبون إيقاعهم لكن الفريق يجد إيقاعه أيضاً، من المرجح أن العديد من الأشخاص بمن فيهم المدرب يبحثون عن الثقة”.

يستعد الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي بيراميدز لمواجهة باور ديناموز، في اللقاء الذي يجمع بينهما في إطار منافسات بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

ويتواجد بيراميدز في المجموعة الأولى، ببطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا مع أندية باور ديناموز ونهضة بركان المغربي وريفرز يونايتد النيجيري.

طالع | ترتيب مجموعة بيراميدز في دوري أبطال إفريقيا بعد فوز نهضة بركان على ريفرز يونايتد

ويحتل بيراميدز المركز الثاني في جدول ترتيب المجموعة الأولى، برصيد 3 نقاط، بينما يقع باور ديناموز في المركز الثالث دون نقاط.

وكان نهضة بركان المغربي قد فاز على ريفرز يونايتد النيجيري بهدفين لهدف، ليحتل صدارة المجموعة برصيد 6 نقاط من مباراتين. تشكيل بيراميدز المتوقع أمام باور ديناموز في دوري أبطال إفريقيا

حارس المرمى: أحمد الشناوي.

خط الدفاع: أحمد سامي ومحمود مرعي ومحمد حمدي ومحمد الشيبي.

خط الوسط: بلاتي توريه ووليد الكرتي وأحمد عاطف قطة.

خط الهجوم: فيستون مايلي ومحمود زلاكا وعبد الرحمن مجدي.

The black-soil pitch is already devoid of any live grass four days before the first Test

Nagraj Gollapudi10-Nov-20251:43

Can Rabada make an impact in India?

Reverse swing will potentially play a key role in the first Test between India and South Africa starting November 14 in Kolkata. ESPNcricinfo has learned that the surface at Eden Gardens, which will host a Test match for the first time in six years, will have good bounce but is expected to start slowing down by the halfway mark.It is understood that the black-soil pitch is already devoid of any live grass four days before the Test with the grass cover expected to be barely a couple of millimetres by the time the match begins. While the second Test of the West Indies series, played in Delhi, was also a black-soil pitch, it is understood the Eden Gardens surface will not be a docile track like the one at the Arun Jaitley Stadium where India won by seven wickets on the fifth day.West Indies played the two-match series on completely contrasting pitches with the first match, in Ahmedabad, played on one of the greenest strips in India in recent times with four mm of live grass on a red-soil pitch with good bounce. The match finished inside three days as West Indies suffered a bruising innings defeat, lasting 44.1 and 45.1 overs in their two innings.Related

Are India mulling Kuldeep vs allrounder?

South Africa return to India without fear of the Turnado

Dhruv Jurel: too good to keep out, too good to just keep

Bavuma to return as SA captain for India Tests

Pant returns to India's Test squad for SA series

In the wake of India’s 3-0 whitewash last year at home against New Zealand, India will be wary of preparing rank turners both in Kolkata and Guwahati against South Africa. It is understood that the Eden Gardens pitch is expected to roughen up quickly facilitating reverse swing for the fast bowlers. There is another encouraging fact for the quicks there: in the last 15 years, it is Kolkata where fast bowlers have recorded the highest wicket percentage (61%) with 97 wickets in six red-ball Tests.Shubman Gill and Gautam Gambhir visit the Kolkata playing surface•Associated Press

Another factor that is likely to be favourable to seamers is the cooler temperatures both in the first hour of the morning and final hour of the evening which could potentially aid lateral movement. All these factors combined could amount to the toss not playing a defining role. Also, while the outfield at Eden Gardens is among the quickest owing to the black soil (different from the one used for the pitch), the batters are likely to face the challenge once the pitch starts slowing down as the Test progresses.South Africa arrived in India on the back of their series-levelling Test win in Rawalpindi recently against Pakistan. The Pakistan series, which was played on spin-friendly pitches, saw South Africa’s trio of slow bowlers – Senuran Muthusamy (Player of the Series), Keshav Maharaj (Player of the Match in Rawalpindi) and Simon Harmer (second-highest wicket-taker in the series) – excel before arriving in India.This will be the fourth Test for South Africa at Eden Gardens where they won on their first visit in 1996 but lost the last two – in 2004 and 2010. The last Test played at the venue was in 2019 when India defeated Bangladesh under lights in a pink-ball Test. The last red-ball Test played in Kolkata was in 2017, against Sri Lanka, which ended in a draw.

أقيمت مباراتان في دور ربع النهائي من بطولة كأس العرب 2025، حتى الآن، بين منتخبي المغرب وسوريا، وانتهت بفوز أسود الأطلس ومباراة السعودية وفلسطين حيث انتصر الأخضر السعودي. 

طالع|موعد مباراة المغرب في نصف نهائي كأس العرب 2025

وخطف منتخب المغرب، فوزًا صعبًا من سوريا، بهدف نظيف، في اللقاء الذي جمعهما اليوم الخميس، ضمن منافسات كأس العرب.

وضمن منتخب المغرب تأهله إلى الدور نصف النهائي من بطولة كأس العرب، فيما تتبقى ثلاثة مقاعد أخرى.

وتأهل منتخب السعودية بعد الفوز على فلسطين ليصبح ثاني المنتخبات التي وصلت إلى نصف النهائي. 

وحقق الأخضر السعودي الفوز على الفدائي الفلسطيني بثنائية مقابل هدف بعد مباراة ماراثونية امتدت إلى الأشواط الإضافية. مواجهات نصف نهائي كأس العرب 2025

وينتظر منتخب المغرب الفائز من مباراة الجزائر والإمارات في نصف النهائي من بطولة كأس العرب 2025.

وسيلعب منتخب السعودية أمام الفائز من الأردن والعراق.