Three days of cricket saw Gujarat and Baroda flexing their battingmuscles in the West Zone Under-14 Tournament at the Sardar PatelGujarat Stadium, Motera, Ahmedabad. The match ended as a draw onSaturday with Gujarat taking five points to Baroda’s three.Electing to bat after winning the toss on Friday, Baroda batsmen heldthe centre stage for the best part of a day and half to declare at428/8 in 132.4 overs. Mrunal Pandey with 4/93 excelled with the ballas the Baroda kids had a good time with the bat. Two of them got totheir hundreds. Captain Aditya Bochare made 132 and Priyank Barnda139. Opening the innings, Bochare was in punishing form smashing theball for 20 fours in his 151 ball innings that lasted for a littleless than 3 hours. Barnda played a sedate innings facing 295 balls ina little over five and half hours, striking the ball for 3 sixes and 9fours. Barnda added 149 for the sixth wicket with Sahil Patel who madean unbeaten 75 off 133 balls hitting 7 foursIt must have been a brave declaration by Baroda captain Bochare. Withthe all important first innings lead at stake, Gujarat went about withtheir batting with consummate ease. Three centuries were scored asGujarat made 482/6 in 167 overs at the close of match. Sunny Patel andMrunal Patel put on 149 for the second wicket. Sunny made 110 off 149balls hitting 12 fours. Mrunal was more in a compiling mood as he made178 in 490 balls. He struck 23 boundaries in his eight hours and 49mintues long innings. He was also involved in a partnership of 179 forthe sixth wicket with Kuldeep Gadhvi who made an impressive 111 offjust 142 balls. Gadhvi struck 18 boundaries as he along with Mrunalpushed the Gujarat first innings past Baroda’s.
Jamie Carragher is ready to play anywhere for England should he make the final 23-man World Cup squad.
The Liverpool defender was a second-half substitute during Monday's 3-1 warm-up victory over Mexico at Wembley as he made his first international appearance for three years.
Carragher retired from international football in 2007 after citing a lack of starting opportunities but has been persuaded to reverse his decision by England coach Fabio Capello in the build-up to South Africa.
Injuries to the likes of Joleon Lescott and Wes Brown persuaded Capello to seek out the 32-year-old defender.
The Italian names his final squad on June 1 and Carragher claims he is happy to perform any role asked of him during the tournament.
"Centre-back is my best position. I think everyone is aware of that," he explained.
"But if you look at the squad maybe the manager does see me playing a different position, which is something I will have to adapt to.
"Basically, I will just do whatever the manager says."
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Meanwhile, Carragher has thanked the England fans for the positive reaction that greeted his international return following a controversial retirement.
He added: "I thank the crowd for their reception. As I said before the game, I could understand it if they weren't too happy with my situation, but I think they just wanted to get behind the team before the World Cup and send the squad out in good spirits."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Being a goalkeeper is a thankless task where you are remembered for your mistakes, more often than not, rather than any outstanding saves or match-winning performances.
The position is widely seen as England’s weakest link and Capello has so far failed to settle on any one of the three wasters custodians we currently have in South Africa – none of whom he holds in particularly high regard.
The fact that as a nation we still do not know the identity our first choice ‘keeper is plain embarrassing. That there is some dispute over who to include and there is still a credible case for all three is not an indication of the huge pool of talent that Fabio has had to draw from but rather that in the absence of an outstanding candidate, he has had to make do with the best of a bad bunch. It’s all deckchairs on the Titanic.
Some would say he’s had a raw deal – Capello has been forced to take two men who were fighting relegation battles last season because England simply do not possess a decent ‘keeper in the domestic game. But, what about Joe Hart? He’s had a decent season but has played bugger all international football. That is a selection issue and Fabio should probably have taken a closer look at him in the six games between securing qualification and the start of the tournament.
This is all conjecture of course – we have one more game on Wednesday to avoid early elimination and have to ask ourselves who deserves to wear the Jersey?
Robert Green
Green has played in the majority of games for England throughout our qualifying campaign and has been reasonably consistent under Capello.
Unceremoniously dumped following his howler against the USA, Capello buckled under media pressure to punish him for his costly error. His shot-stopping had generally been flawless prior to this momentary lapse in concentration and he looks set to join the ranks of Beckham and Seamen as World Cup scapegoats.
He made a decent save in the second half and should not have been replaced for the pressing need of consistency. He unfairly bore the brunt of the criticism for what was a poor performance all round but doubts will remain over his ability to control his area.
Joe Hart
Man. City’s custodian has travelled to South Africa as a firm third choice.
He excelled during his season-long loan at Birmingham demonstrating his good reflexes and agility. He is possibly a victim of his youth and will quite rightly never dislodge James or Green (for the time being) for the simple reason of his inexperience. To choose a player at this stage of the tournament whose international career amounts to only three appearances would be extraordinary but stranger things happen at sea.
Capello has himself to blame as there were plenty of opportunities to give him a run out over the last few months. One for the future I guess.
David James
‘Calamity James’ earned his 51st cap against Algeria and was most people’s obvious choice to start the tournament due to his relative experience.
Fitness is still a concern after missing three months of Portsmouth’s campaign with a knee injury and it probably cost him his place against the USA. Nobody seriously thinks he will be dropped for our final group game but with only two appearances under his belt in the last 11 months, it will be interesting to see how he fares.
After all, he earned his unflattering sobriquet during his time at Liverpool for his unrivalled ability to concede goals in the most comical fashion.
Surely he will now be with us now until the bitter end bar a recurrence of his injury.
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Blackpool have had a bid for Swansea City’s Spanish right-back Angel Rangel rejected by the Championship club.
Seasiders boss Ian Holloway is seeking to strengthen his squad ahead of their bow in the Premier League, but the Swans are in no mood to part with one of their star performers.
Manager Brendan Rodgers told the club’s official website: “An offer has come in to the chairman from Blackpool for Angel. It has not been accepted.
“The situation is under control and I am due to have a meeting with Angel. I want him to stay and there is an offer of another contract on the table for him.
“There is bound to be interest in him because he’s a quality player. Angel is 27, in the last year of his contract and desperate to play in the Premier League. But so are we.
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“We have no need to sell him financially and I think this is the place to be.”
Rangel joined City in the summer of 2007 from Terrassa FC and has since scored three times in 138 appearances in all competitions.
Barcelona striker David Villa believes Cesc Fabregas is desperate to leave Arsenal and sign for the Catalan giants.
Despite several members of the Barca squad saying throughout the summer that the 23-year-old should move to the Camp Nou, it now seems likely that Fabregas will remain at the Emirates Stadium for at least one more season.
The Gunners rejected a £25million bid for Fabregas earlier in the summer but Villa, who moved to Barcelona from Valencia before the World Cup started six weeks ago, was quoted in The Sun as saying:"I am not the Barcelona coach, nor the person responsible for reinforcements, but personally I will do the maximum to get Cesc here.
"He wants to play here and it will be quite normal if Arsenal finally do a deal.
"That would be great. A player of his ability will only increase our power and his presence will be great for all the forwards.
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"He'll help Xavi and (Andres) Iniesta, and I'll score more goals with him in the side."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Royston Drenthe has been heavily linked with a move to Liverpool this week, and on the surface at least, if a deal can be reached at a reasonable and economically viable price, then Liverpool could bag one of the bargains of the summer in a position they’ve been crying out to fill for years.
The 23 year-old is equally comfortable at left back or on the left wing, although after remembering vividly his role in Holland’s 2007 European under-21 Championship win, he’s extremely dangerous running at defenders further forward, so much so that he was later voted the player of the tournament.
Hodgson is rumoured to be in the market for a left back, a left sided utility man and striking backup for Torres, as well as a replacement for Mascherano, with the Argentina captain looking all but sure to leave Anfield this summer. Maynor Figueroa, the stocky Wigan left back has been earmarked to fill the left back role vacated by Insua and Aurelio this summer, and Drenthe would fit in well as the left sided utility man.
Drenthe even announced yesterday on his Facebook page (fine times we live in) that “I will soon be joining Liverpool FC. I hope I will have a good season” with the fees being bandied about in the region between £6-9m. That may seem a lot for a player who was frozen out of the Real Madrid first team last season, making only 12 first-team appearances all season, but there is undoubtedly some great potential to work with there.
The departures of Benayoun and Riera have seen not only squad numbers depleted but a real lack of alternatives for Hodgson to choose from on the wings. Drenthe’s good friend and another player who shone at the 2007 under-21 Championships, Ryan Babel can operate down the left, but to mixed effect and Joe Cole has managed to forge a career for the national side out on the left, but it would appear he has been promised a more central role, so Hodgson’s options are few and far between.
The issue also needs to be solved soon, as to whom the identity of the club’s new first choice left back is, with the Europa League qualifier away in Macedonia to FK Rabotnicki looming, a deal for Drenthe could be just what the doctor ordered, if the persistent haggling over the structure of payment for Figueroa continues, with Wigan seemingly digging their heels.
The winger come full back is a real livewire with the ball at his feet, exciting to watch, pacy and with the ability to take on his man and beat him with consummate ease, Drenthe may be able to offer a useful outlet and provide the side with some much needed speed, something Benitez failed to do throughout his tenure.
There are obviously inherent risks with buying a young player, of rumoured questionable temperament, but the fact remains that we should not tar Drenthe with the same brush as Ryan Babel, despite their similarities. Signing him would obviously be a risk, but Hodgson is well-known for rekindling careers and should the club’s new manager be able to unlock some of his potential, Drenthe could prove to be one of the bargains of the summer.
Written By James McManus
Click on image to see a gallery of the BEST BABES at the World Cup this summer
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The first weekend of the 2010 Premier League season wasn’t a good one for two of the three Roberto’s. Roberto Di Matteo’s West Brom were given a harsh lesson on their return to the top flight as the Premier League champions scored six past them at Stamford Bridge. It was even more embarrassing for Roberto Martinez, as his Wigan side lost 4-0 at home to everyone’s relegation favourites. When you add Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini who is under huge pressure due to the money that has been spent at Eastlands over the summer, will it be a Roberto who wins the Premier League sack race?
That’s certainly what the British bookmakers think. After the dreadful opening day for Wigan, Martinez is now the favourite to be sacked first at 11/4. West Brom’s Di Matteo is at 9/2 and Mancini is at 13/2, with the three managers in the top handful of those with the shortest odds. All three clubs have different expectations this season, with City looking at the higher echelons of the table while the Latics and Baggies look nervously at the relegation zone. If it is going to be one of the Roberto’s who’s first to face the Premier League axe, which one is it likely to be?
The exit door is looming large for Roberto Martinez. The opening-day thrashing was simply unacceptable and when you add in a couple of hidings they got last season, it’s not looking good for the young Spaniard. Wigan’s next two games are tough too, with the Latics facing Premier League champions Chelsea before revisiting the scene of their 9-1 trouncing from the last campaign. The exit of Charles N’Zogbia is looking likely too and the chances are that the departure of the Frenchman may well be shortly followed by the words ‘adios amigos’.
Roberto Mancini arguably has the most pressure on him this season. Having spent hundreds of millions of pounds in the summer, with the latest £50 million on Mario Balotelli and James Milner, the Manchester City hierarchy will be looking for the Italian to guide City to Champions League qualification at least, if not even the Premier League title itself. Mancini has the unenviable task of trying to get his squad to gel together, but they showed a determination at White Hart Lane against Tottenham last weekend that will stand them in good stead for the challenges that lie ahead.
Roberto Di Matteo has a bit more room for manoeuvre having successfully achieved promotion from the Championship last season. As long as West Brom can make big losses a rarity and can stay in touch at the foot of the table, then the Italian is likely to be given plenty of time to ensure the Baggies can stave off relegation. This is something the Boing Boing Baggies haven’t been able to do in recent years, so if Di Matteo can turn the tide then that will be some feat indeed.
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So Martinez, Mancini and Di Matteo are three of the frontrunners in the 2010/11 Premier League sack race, but which Roberto will earn the unwanted award? My money’s on Martinez, but if Mancini’s millions don’t produce on the pitch then it may be the Italian who’s first for the chop…
Arsene Wenger revealed after Wednesday's Champions League demolition of Braga that he always thought Cesc Fabregas would stay at Arsenal in the summer despite being linked with a return to Barcelona.
The Spain international scored twice in the 6-0 romp against last season's Portuguese League runners-up, netting the Gunners' opening goal from the penalty spot before heading home a simple a second.
"He has taken another dimension," said the Arsenal boss of Fabregas after the game."People forget he is 23, where other players start.
"Cesc has a fantastic influence. What is important is that he leads the team to winning.
"What I like is he gave the ball to Carlos Vela when he could have tried to score a third himself – that reflects the way we want to play the game and on a leader who does what the game wants, not being selfish.
"He arrived here at the age of 16 and enjoys the way we play. What more do you want to be happy?
"Also it is a fantastic opportunity for the players playing alongside him – if you are 18, like (Jack) Wilshere, and you see Fabregas, it is a big opportunity to learn a lot.
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"It wasn't easy for him in the summer, he was under a lot of pressure of course, but I never had any doubt that he loves the club and he wants to do well for us.
"He's a leader and he shows that in his attitude on and off the pitch."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Defender Brede Hangeland believes Fulham's away form has improved due to the more adventurous tactics manager Mark Hughes has brought to the club.
The Cottagers flourished under former manager Roy Hodgson and reached the Europa League Final last season.
However, their Premier League away form was a constant source of bemusement among supporters who witnessed their side win just one of 19 games on the road last term.
Under Hughes they have drawn all four of their league games away from Craven Cottage this season and Hangeland believes he knows the reason why.
He told the club's official website:"We're playing slightly different this year. We're not conceding ground like we did last year and we're trying to press a bit higher up the pitch and get in the opponent's face a little bit more.
"It's given us some good performances away from home and some decent results.
"Now we're hoping for that first away win of the season and it would be nice to get it this weekend."
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Speaking about Saturday's trip to an in-form West Bromwich Albion, he added:"They've had some very strong results and like any game in the Premier League these days it's going to be tough for us.
"I'm sure it's going to be a tough game but we'll be up for it."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
After Crystal Palace secured their first away victory of the season last Tuesday against high-flying Norwich, is it time Palace can forget about their poor away form and start securing wins?
George Burley’s men went into the game without an away win all season, with the embarrassing record of scoring no goals and conceding 12.
Palace’s not-so-great record was looking to continue at half-time when the Canaries went into the interval with a 1-0 lead after Grant Holt had scored for the hosts against the run-of-play.
But character has never been a problem for Crystal Palace over the years and after two quick-fire goals from on-loan defenders Antony Gardner and Julian Bennett, Palace deservedly secured their first away win of the season.
It hasn’t been a case of the Eagles playing badly and getting out-played for 90 minutes though, with the majority of fans and pundits agreeing to the fact that Palace are playing some of the best football in the championship, they just can’t put those chances away.
Palace possession percentage of 65% shows their authority over Norwich and one can only wonder how the score stayed 2-1.
But this has been a recent problem for Palace; they clearly have the ability to create these chances but they obviously lack the maturity to put these chances away at the moment.
The squad possess great talent in Wilfred Zaha, who again put in an impressive performance that eventually lead to his manager comparing him to Theo Walcott, and Nathaniel Clyne who constantly impresses at right back.
As a Palace fan myself, I think that the most frustrating aspect is that we are playing some of the best football us fans have seen for a while, but the attacking spark we have never usually lacked; with the likes of Victor Moses and Andrew Johnson banging in the goals, missing this season.
However, I don’t think that is Burley’s fault and although my opinion of him is still undecided; I believe he has done extremely well to bring in the players he has and he has retained Palace’s image as a people’s club very well.
To secure the vital loan signings of Antony Gardner and James Vaughan, along with the huge coup of signing influential midfielder Edgar Davids on a pay-as-you-play deal, is extraordinary even for a man with Burley’s track record.
After experiencing the many highs and lows that have come with being a Palace fan, including the play-off final and that nerve-racking draw at Sheffield Wednesday last season that secured our Championship status, I have never lacked enthusiasm and it is finally starting to grow after that win on Tuesday.
Hopefully Palace can start to believe in themselves and with the likes of Ambrose and Danns set to return from injury, things may just start to get better if you’re a Palace fan.
I couldn’t think of supporting any other club apart from Palace and in my opinion the Championship is one of the best leagues in the world.
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It doesn’t attract anywhere near the amount of negative headlines that the Premiership does and the talent on show is sometimes equal to the Premiership.
So before I get involved in this Rooney talk; ‘Will he go city?’, I’d rather focus on my teams performances and the way that the championship is constantly overlooked by these stories that the players themselves seem to enjoy reading.
There’s a good team in the Championship called Crystal Palace who need a striker Wayne?