Com a confirmação por parte da CBF, o jogo entre Internacional e Red Bull Bragantino, que inicialmente aconteceria no dia 7 de setembro,pela 19ª do Campeonato Brasileiro, terá uma nova data.
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Diante do adiamento feito,o Internacional, assim como outras equipes do Brasil que tiveram atletas convocados, não sofrerão com desfalques de jogadores, uma vez que a tabela não terá paralisações em data Fifa.
Por parte do Colorado, três jogadores do atual elenco receberam chances de vestir a camisa de seus respectivos países, sendo eles: Edenílson, convocado pelo técnico Tite, além de Guerrero (Seleção Peruana), e Palacios (Seleção Chilena).
Com 22 pontos somados, a equipe de Porto Alegre, até o momento, ocupa a 10ª posição na classificação. O próximo compromisso será diante o Atlético-GO, neste domingo, às 18h15 (de Brasília).
It was a really up-and-down sort of Premier League season for Tottenham Hotspur this year.
New boss Ange Postecoglou led his team on a ten-game unbeaten streak at the start of the campaign, but a slew of injuries and a general downturn in form saw his side eventually finish in fifth place.
Brazilian striker Richarlison embodied this inconsistency more than any other player in the Australian's squad, which could cost him this summer.
Richarlison's season
The former Everton man came into this season with something to prove after being seriously underwhelming in his first campaign with the club, in which he scored three goals and four assists in 35 games.
pape-sarr-richarlison-tottenham-opinion
Unfortunately, 2023/24 looked like it was set to be much of the same early on. In his first ten Premier League games, the 27-year-old managed a return of just one goal and three assists despite the incredible form of his teammates at the time.
However, a turning point came in early December. After two brief substitute appearances following his return from groin surgery, the Nova Venécia-born forward came back with a bang, and for the first time since his transfer, he was finding the back of the net.
Richarlison's Spurs record
Season
2022/23
2023/24
Appearances
35
31
Goals
3
12
Assists
4
4
Goal Involvements per Match
0.20
0.51
All Stats via Transfermarkt
In fact, he scored nine goals in a 12-game run and looked as if he was the in-form striker not just in North London but in the entire league – although it didn't last.
Two stints out with a knee injury and then a hamstring injury at the end of the campaign limited the 48-capped international to just six more appearances for the rest of the season, in which he failed to score even once.
Richarlison in anguish for Tottenham
In all, it's a hard season to draw too much from, as he looked both brilliant and dreadful at different points. Still, with the Lilywhites looking to press on under Postecoglou, inconsistency isn't something they can cope with, especially in their striker, and based on recent reports, they might've found their replacement.
The dream Richarlison replacement
According to a recent interview with journalist Graeme Bailey, Tottenham Hotspur are very interested in signing Feyenoord's star striker, Santiago Gimenez, and are now the "favourites" to land him this summer.
Feyenoord striker Santiago Gimenez.
Bailey doesn't suggest a price for the forward, but a report from 90min earlier this year claimed the Dutch side would only sell if they were presented with an offer that matched the Eredivisie record, which was the €100m – £85m – Manchester United paid for Antony a couple of years ago.
It would represent a serious investment from Daniel Levy and Co, but based on his performances this season, one worth making.
For example, in his 45 games for the Rotterdam side last year, he scored 23 goals and provided three assists and this season, he has been even more effective, scoring 26 goals and providing eight assists in 41 games.
This means that the Mexican goal "machine", as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has averaged a goal involvement every 1.43 games over two campaigns, making it hard to deny he'd be an improvement over Richarlison.
Gimenez's Feyenoord record
Season
2022/23
2023/24
Appearances
45
41
Goals
23
26
Assists
3
8
Goal Involvements per Match
0.57
0.82
All Stats via Transfermarkt
Moreover, the Buenos Aires-born star's prolific nature would likely see Son Heung-min's assist numbers skyrocket.
According to Understat, the South Korean international should've ended the league campaign with 3.34 more assists than he did.
Such a sizeable underpeformance suggests that he was being let down by his teammates' lack of clinical finishing, which is where the Feyenoord dynamo could help – as evidenced by his mountain of goals.
Moreover, the fact that the former Cruz Azul gem improved his assist tally this season suggests that he could also turn provider for the Lilywhites captain, perhaps forming a partnership akin to what the 31-year-old had with Harry Kane in the past.
Spurs could land the dream Richarlison upgrade in £85m "powerhouse"
The “remarkable” striker could take the Lilywhites to the next level.
By
Jack Salveson Holmes
Jun 2, 2024
Ultimately, it would be an incredibly costly deal to complete, but with how unreliable Richarlison has been over the last two years and the sheer number of goal involvements Gimenez has produced in the same period, it would be a deal worth pursuing.
A sensação de que a Seleção Feminina tinha potencial para ir mais longe é um bom sinalem meio à decepção com a eliminação nos Jogos Olímpicos. Em cerca de dois anos, a técnica Pia Sundhage trouxe novos métodos de trabalho, e talentos começaram a despontar com a amarelinha. Porém, a polivalente Bruna Benites havia alertado às vésperas do duelo com o Canadá.
-Ainda não estamos no nosso nível ideal, mas estamos bem perto disso – declarou.
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Com a estrutura para competições nacionais femininas (tanto profissionais quanto nas categorias de base) se consolidando, a Seleção foi para esta edição dos Jogos Olímpicos ainda com um gosto de nostalgia e deixando claro passa por um processo gradual de renovação. Além de Formiga, aos 43 anos e em sua sétima e última Olimpíada, muitas jogadoras acima de 30 anos estavam entre as titulares da equipe de Pia Sundhage.
A maneira como Marta atuou tanto no empate com o Canadá quanto na campanha da Seleção Feminina evidenciou os desafios da equipe. Aos 35 anos, a camisa 10 ia ao seu limite ora para proteger o lado esquerdo, ora para ir à frente. Porém, em alguns momentos faltava fôlego para ficar próximo ao gol ou ajudar a municiar Debinha e Bia Zaneratto no duelo com as canadenses.
A equipe teve o primeiro tempo oscilante, no qual a qualidade de Andressinha foi um oásis, mas não evitou investidas adversárias. Porém, aos poucos, o Brasil foi se reajustando graças a sangue novo.
Angelina deu maior firmeza à Seleção e contribuiu para o crescimento de Tamires no apoio ao ataque. Já Ludmila desatou o nó que o setor ofensivo tinha, criando brechas pelas pontas.
A equipe de Pia Sundhage foi abnegada, se superando em busca do desejado gol. Mas faltava uma capacidade de transição entre a defesa e o ataque. As jogadas rarearam aos poucos, o que fez com que o cobiçado sonho do ouro olímpico ruir nos pênaltis. Resgatar esta criatividade é algo que só um longo processo de trabalho trará.
-Precisamos de meio-campistas que controlem o ataque, quero ver mais jogadoras como Angelina e Formiga, que têm os lados de ataque e defesa – admitiu a treinadora Pia Sundhage.
Em meio à decepção, é inegável reconhecer que houve um progresso considerável em relação ao que a Seleção apresentou no Mundial Feminino de 2019.Passados dois anos e agora uma Olimpíada sob o comando de Pia Sundhage, o desafio é tornar este processo ainda mais sólido e corrigir os problemas vistos nos Jogos Olímpicos.
-A mensagem que eu deixo para o futebol feminino do Brasil é que é brilhante. Se o Brasil quer estar no mais alto nível internacional, e nós queremos, há duas coisas: melhorar um pouco o condicionamento físico e a parte mental. Acho que temos um time coeso, mas ainda há espaço para melhorar na parte física e na parte mental, para lidar com qualquer tipo de dificuldade – disse a sueca.
Empenho não falta para jogadoras que já lidam com tantos obstáculos.
Celtic are reportedly ahead of Rangers in the battle to sign an impressive player who "does everything" on the pitch, but Premier League clubs are also thought to be keen.
Celtic cup final & transfer news
The Hoops are preparing for their final game of a long and successful season this weekend, with one more trophy up for grabs after their Scottish Premiership title success. Brendan Rodgers' side take on Rangers in the Scottish Cup final on Saturday afternoon, as they look to get one over on their rivals once again.
Once the dust has settled after the campaign, attention will primarily turn to the transfer market this summer, as Celtic look to make an already impressive squad even more formidable.
The agent of Shakhtar Donetsk full-back Irakli Azarovi has claimed that the Hoops want to seal a move for him at the end of the season, with interest also emerging from France and Italy. The 22-year-old is an 18-time capped Georgia international, and could provide strong competition at left-back.
Joe Hart's retirement this summer means it is imperative that a new goalkeeper comes in, too, and VfL Wolfsburg stopper Koen Casteels has emerged as one strong target. He is far from the only option, however, and some reports have linked Liverpool ace Caoimhin Kelleher with a switch to Parkhead, should he want to stop being an understudy to Alisson at Anfield.
Celtic eyeing forward who "does everything"
According to a new transfer update from FotMob, Celtic are interested in signing Aberdeen striker Bojan Miovski in the summer window.
The report states that the Hoops are "ahead of arch-rivals Rangers in the race" to snap up the 24-year-old, but it may not be easy for them to get their man. That's because a "host of clubs across the European continent are closely following" him, with "at least five of them expressing serious interest". His "preference is to move to the English Premier League".
Bojan Miovski for North Macedonia.
Miovski is a mouthwatering option for Celtic this summer, with the North Macedonia international impressing so much for Aberdeen, proving to be one of the standout attacking players in the Scottish Premiership this season. He scored 16 times in the competition in 2023/24, with only three individuals bagging more, one of which was Matt O'Riley (18).
Former Scotland international Billy Dodds heaped praise on the striker earlier in the campaign, saying: "I really like Miovski. How he played against England, you’re stepping up the levels and notching up the standard of football, then seeing him today, seeing him throughout the season. You get some people who don’t join in the game, don’t link up, but score goals. Others you see not scoring goals but they link up. This guy does everything."
Celtic can sell Bernabei by signing a star who "looks like Ronaldo"
The Hoops could have an opportunity to sign the talented young defender this summer.
ByDan Emery May 23, 2024
With O'Riley's future up in the air, and the Dane not a striker anyway, more firepower is required at Celtic this summer, and if Rangers end up signing Lawrence Shankland from Hearts, as has been mooted, Miovski could be the perfect alternative for the Hoops.
Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal insists comparisons to Lionel Messi do not “bother” him, with the teenager determined to leave his own “legacy”.
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Youngsters has rewritten history booksOn the shortlist for 2024 Ballon d'OrLikened to Argentine all-time greatWHAT HAPPENED?
Having made a senior breakthrough at just 15 years of age, Yamal is a now a record-shattering European Championship winner at 17. He has the world at his feet, with many tipping him to be a Ballon d’Or winner of the not too distant future.
AdvertisementGetty/GOALWHAT YAMAL SAID
Links to Barca icon Messi are never far away – as both stepped out of the famed La Masia academy system – and Yamal will not shy away from that discussion while bidding to write a memorable story of his own. He has told after being named on the 30-man shortlist for the 2024 Ballon d’Or: “For me the most important thing is to leave a legacy, to have your career. In the end, being compared to Leo is more important than not looking at it. It is true that if you are compared to the best player in history it is because you are doing things well. It doesn't bother me, obviously, but I try to always be myself.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
While Yamal, who met Messi when he was just a baby, has always looked up to an Argentine icon of the game, he added on his other role models: “I remember that Neymar was at Santos, Messi obviously… Messi, [David] Villa, Pedro… all from Barça. Those are the first images that made me see football. Since I was little, with my father and my mother at home, that's the first thing I remember. We would meet after school at a friend's house because he had a computer and we would put on videos of Neymar. We would spend the whole afternoon watching there.”
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GettyWHAT NEXT?
Yamal is now a superstar in his own right, as he follows in the illustrious footsteps of Messi, Neymar and Co. He has already weighed in with a number of goals and assists for Barca this season, while his next outing could come for Spain in their UEFA Nations League openers against Serbia and Switzerland.
Few would deny West Ham United of their pride in yielding a range of high-level quality in their senior squad, but this collection of talented footballers has not been in concert of late and David Moyes' future as manager is now looking uncertain.
Moyes has done a sensational job at the London Stadium and has cemented his legacy after winning the Europa Conference League trophy last season but given that he's out of contract this summer it seems like his time in the dugout has reached a natural conclusion.
West Ham manager David Moyes.
It's a critical juncture in West Ham's journey, blessed with such quality but ending a three-year streak in European competition. Securing the perfect successor is pivotal, should the 61-year-old Scotsman indeed leave this summer.
West Ham's search for a manager
Hammers sporting director Tim Steidten had drawn up a longlist of figures to replace Moyes in the dugout but, as yet, nothing concrete has materialised following Ruben Amorim's face-to-face meeting in east London last week – something the Sporting Lisbon boss later admitted was "a mistake".
Julen Lopetegui has also been of interest but Serie A club AC Milan appear to have a foothold in that race, which could see West Ham focus their pursuit on a dream alternative in Lille manager Paulo Fonseca.
Multiple reports, including a recent revelation from Foot Mercato, suggest that Steidten is hoping to advance interest in the Portuguese, though with Marseille also pushing for a deal, swiftness is needed.
Paulo Fonseca's managerial style
Fonseca is an experienced manager with an attractive playing style that could provide West Ham supporters with the tactical brand that has been craved.
Moyes, while raining success on the east London outfit, has divided opinion with his perceived negative tactics – though, be that as it may, he has gifted the club three successive seasons on the continent, as well as winning European silverware in emphatic circumstances.
Lille manager Paulo Fonseca.
The 51-year-old Fonseca won a wealth of silverware with Shakhtar Donetsk but hasn't gleaned any major honours in a top-five European league. Nonetheless, he has impressed with his playing style in France after leaving Roma in high regard, having won the fans over with his football, beset with ageing players and a testing situation relating to the coronavirus pandemic and a change of ownership that made true success difficult.
Arriving at Lille in 2022, Fonseca has guided Les Dogues back to a position of comparative stability and success after an acute nosedive following the stunning Ligue 1 title triumph of 2020/21, recording a fifth-place finish last year and presently perching in fourth.
Out of contract this summer, West Ham really do have a fantastic opportunity to swoop in and land their man, albeit facing fierce competition for his services.
Why Paulo Fonseca is perfect for West Ham
It would be something of a gamble to bring Fonseca to West Ham but his principal 4-2-3-1 formation aligns with the Irons' current set-up, with his desire to dominate possession and take initiative in attacking sequences certainly falling into the ballpark that the general fanbase wishes to see instilled into the first team.
Fonseca's tactical flexibility is one of his sterling attributes as a manager and he has demonstrated this throughout his career thus far, with his sharp mind and clear vision possibly even convincing Lucas Paqueta to remain at the London Stadium next season.
Much has been said of Paqueta's future with West Ham and with Manchester City pursuing the Brazilian last summer, offering £85m before an FA betting investigation halted their advances, his top-level quality was rubber-stamped.
Signed for West Ham from Lyon for a club-record £51m fee in 2022, Paqueta has been exceptional in his multi-layered role, scoring 13 goals and supplying 14 assists across 81 appearances and being praised for his "mind-boggling" quality by former teammate Declan Rice.
Ranking among the top 10% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for passes attempted, the top 8% for progressive passes, the top 2% for tackles, the top 17% for interceptions, the top 15% for clearances and the top 4% for aerial duels won per 90, as per FBref, Paqueta is truly one of the most dynamic and hard-working around.
He might even be irreplaceable for West Ham, and every option must be exhausted in convincing the player to remain at the club, enticing him with an enterprising new style of play and a new lease of life as the beating heart of the project.
West Ham PL 23/24 Stats without Paqueta
Fixture
Date
Result
Brentford (A)
04/11/23
3-2 loss
Brighton (H)
02/01/24
0-0 draw
Sheffield United (A)
21/01/24
2-2 draw
Bournemouth (H)
01/02/24
1-1 draw
Man Utd (A)
04/02/24
3-0 loss
Arsenal (H)
11/02/24
6-0 loss
Nottingham Forest (A)
17/02/24
2-0 loss
Stats via Transfermarkt
Given that Romano remarked that Fonseca is "perfect in the dressing room", he might just have the man-management skills and promise of a healthy and providential atmosphere that could convince Paqueta to remain at his current stomping ground, where he has established himself as a major player.
With the likes of Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus unleashed in a more attacking system, Paqueta's string-pulling expertise would ensure that the talented West Ham squad rises to a new level entirely.
Convincing him to reject the likely interest of Manchester City this summer will be difficult – especially if Pep Guardiola's side meet his £85m release clause – but he could be the key to ensuring this talented team's meteoric rise does not fizzle out, should Moyes part ways in east London.
West Ham could take Kudus to new heights with "perfect" Amorim alternative
This tactician would be a fantastic alternative to Ruben Amorim
Still, with Tamim Iqbal back from a break, the batting looks strong enough to test the hosts
The Preview by Mohammad Isam06-Feb-2020
Ebadot Hossain chats to Mahmudullah•Associated Press
Big pictureBangladesh and Pakistan meet each other for their first Test in five years at a time when both teams are at a crossroads. Bangladesh have had a woeful 2019 and are desperate to start off the new year with an improved performance. Pakistan, on the other hand, have just broken through by playing their first Test at home since 2009, and are also looking to establish themselves for the rest of 2020.Their 263-run win over Sri Lanka in their last Test in December saw plenty of individual performances among batsmen and bowlers. Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Abbas and Naseem Shah all picked up wickets while there were hundreds for Shan Masood, Abid Ali, captain Azhar Ali and Babar Azam. It also involved a major fightback, which would be the most appeasing factor for Misbah-ul-Haq who is also trying to settle on his dual role of team coach and chief selector.Pakistan’s bowling attack is their strength, led by the steady and accurate Abbas who opens the bowling with Afridi. Naseem brings extra pace and Yasir Shah adds more experience to the bowling attack, and will be especially handy on a pitch which may be batting-friendly for most of the Test match.Bangladesh also don’t have a great record against legspin, which is just one of their many problems. They lost each of the five Tests they played in 2019. They are without two of their best cricketers on this tour. And they have to operate with the worst pace bowling attack in recent memory.And yet, all of this could still an opportunity. Tamim Iqbal has returned to the Test side, and having scored a record-breaking triple-hundred in a first-class game last week, he will bring experience and confidence to the Bangladesh top-order. And sure, they are without Mushfiqur Rahim who held the middle order firmly for the last nine years, but that gives Mominul Haque, in his second series as Test captain, a chance to make a statement about his leadership quality. It is also also a chance for Mohammad Mithun, Najmul Hossain Shanto and Liton Das to cement their spot.Mominul Haque bats in the Rawalpindi nets
While there are opportunities available for the batsmen, Bangladesh’s biggest concern is their bowling attack. Taijul Islam is their most skilled bowler, while Abu Jayed offers a bit of control. Ebadot Hossain has often blown hot and cold, but is said to be improving since the BPL and to round off, the team management is likely to pick Rubel Hossain, who has the all-time worst bowling average for anyone who has bowled more than 3,000 balls in Tests, for his first game in 18 months.Bangladesh will be very eager to make the right turn at this crossroads.Form guidePakistan WDLLL (last five completed matches, most recent first) Bangladesh LLLLL In the spotlightAbid Ali easily qualifies for one of the best debuts of 2019, having struck two centuries in his first three Test innings. Both those knocks were against Sri Lanka in Pakistan’s last series, where he batted so sensibly to get his Test career off to a superb start. Now, however, there will be added expectation on the newcomer, which is only natural in a player’s second series.Mominul Haque had a baptism of fire in India where he made his captaincy debut. He made only 44 runs in four innings, including his first pair, in the Kolkata Test. But with the wretched 2019 over, Mominul has a chance to make a fresh start as he looks to salvage a Test side also lacking in form.Abid Ali celebrates his hundred•Associated Press
Team newsPakistan have plenty of options in their bowling line-up after they included offspinner Bilal Asif and allrounder Faheem Ashraf but they probably won’t be tempted to change a winning combination.Pakistan (likely): 1 Shan Masood, 2 Abid Ali, 3 Azhar Ali (capt), 4 Babar Azam, 5 Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 6 Haris Sohail, 7 Asad Shafiq, 8 Yasir Shah, 9 Mohammad Abbas, 10 Naseem Shah, 11 Shaheen AfridiBangladesh coach Russell Domingo revealed his top seven in the departure press conference in Dhaka. Depending on how they view the Rawalpindi pitch on the day before the Test, they would either go for a three-man pace attack, or both spinners – Taijul and Nayeem Hassan.Bangladesh (likely): 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Saif Hassan, 3 Najmul Hossain Shanto, 4 Mominul Haque (capt), 5 Mohammad Mithun, 6 Mahmudullah, 7 Liton Das (wk), 8 Taijul Islam, 9 Rubel Hossain, 10 Abu Jayed, 11 Ebadot HossainPitch and conditionsThe forecast for these five days is better than December when most of the Pakistan-Sri Lanka game was washed out. The pitch is likely to favour the batsmen although Bangladesh are anticipating a lot more bounce than they get at home.Stats and Trivia Pakistan have not won a Test in Rawalpindi for 23 years, having lost three of the last four to Australia (1998), Sri Lanka (2000) and India (2004). The last Test match between Bangladesh and Pakistan in Pakistan took place more than 16 years ago and it was a heart-breaker for Bangladesh. Inzamam-ul-Haq maneuvered the home side to a one-wicket win in Multan.
As the likes of Spain, the USWNT and 2020 champion Canada prepare to fight for gold at this summer's Games, GOAL picks some names to keep an eye on…
While the men's football tournament at the Olympics is an Under-23 event, the women's is a senior competition, thus making it one of the most prestigious in the sport, and meaning we are set to see some of the very best players in the world take to the field in France this summer in search of a gold medal.
After winning the Women's World Cup last summer, Spain will go into the event as favourites to stand on top of that podium in Paris next month, but the United States women's national team, now under the charge of Chelsea icon Emma Hayes, has taken big steps forward in the past 12 months. There are plenty of other big nations involved, too, including 2020 gold medalists Canada.
It's a packed field with three extremely competitive groups and 12 rosters filled with top quality players. So, ahead of the tournament kicking off on Thursday, July 25, GOAL has picked out 15 names to keep an eye on at the Games…
USA TODAY SportsMayra Ramirez (Colombia)
Colombia's performances at last summer's World Cup, at which it reached an historic quarter-final, and this year's CONCACAF W Gold Cup, where it lost to the U.S. in the first knockout round, could not have looked more different. In 2023, the South Americans were exciting and delighted many with their attacking play, so it was a shame that wasn't on show in the team's first major tournament of this year.
However, among the big differences between those two events was the absence of Mayra Ramirez at the Gold Cup. The striker, who signed for Chelsea in January for a bumper fee, was an obvious miss for Colombia in the U.S., and so her presence at the Games should change things for the better.
Ramirez's devastating qualities were evident in an incredible individual display on the final dayas Chelsea won a fifth successive Women's Super League title in May, and Colombia will hope to see performances like that in France, too, as it bids to win a medal.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesAdriana Leon (Canada)
This will be the first major tournament since the Olympic Games in 2000 at which Canada does not have the legendary Christine Sinclair on its roster. The 41-year-old announced her retirement from international football in December, hanging her boots up as the all-time top goal-scorer in this field. Her 190 strikes, some 60 more than Ronaldo's all-time record in the men's game, seem unlikely to ever be surpassed.
So, going into the 2024 Olympics, how does Canada cope without her presence in attack? In recent years, Sinclair has dropped into a deeper role rather than being the focal point, but there's no debating how significant a role she maintained in her nation's attacking play, not least because she would draw attention from opposing defenders and that could create space for team-mates.
Throughout 2024, it has not been a case of the 2020 Olympic gold medalists replacing Sinclair like-for-like, but of adapting to a new-look attack without her. Within that, Adriana Leon has shone. The Aston Villa forward has scored nine goals for Canada this calendar year and a continuation of that form in France would go a long way in helping her team have another successful Games.
Getty ImagesKadidiatou Diani (France)
At last summer's World Cup, Kadidiatou Diani had to operate as France's No.9 due to the injury absence of Marie-Antoinette Katoto, the goal-machine she spent so many years providing perfect service for with Paris Saint-Germain. In that role, she scored four goals in five games, but we didn't see the very best of her as Les Bleues lost in the quarter-finals.
Things could be different this time around. Katoto is back and Diani is out wide again, where she can torment full-backs with her agility, skill and positive mindset. She comes into the tournament off the back of an assist-laden season at Lyon, joining the club from PSG last year, and not only will she be hoping to keep that up – Katoto will be keen for her to do so too, so the two can combine to fire the host nation to a medal.
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Getty ImagesRebekah Stott (New Zealand)
Like at most major tournaments, it's going to be tough for New Zealand – pooled with France, Colombia and Canada – to get out of the group stages at the Olympics. However, the Football Ferns hit a huge milestone last summer by winning a World Cup match for the first time and were only denied a place in the knockout stages on goal difference. That will give the players confidence as another major tournament approaches, there's no doubt.
That close call was built on a rock solid defense, New Zealand conceding just once in three group-stage matches, and keeping it tight at the back will be important again in France, given the opposition. Rebekah Stott is a leader in that back line and, as such, she will be key to ensuring this team is tough to break down.
The 31-year-old has a ton of experience, commands the respect of this team and comes into the Olympics having had a superb season with Melbourne City, too, helping the Australian side become A-League Women Premiers again while also reaching the grand final.
Sean Dyche has been handed yet another blow in his bid to keep Everton in the Premier League this season, it has been reported.
Everton struggling to find form
Everton are fighting for their Premier League lives once again, but don't have it entirely in their own hands. Having been found guilty of a Financial Fair Play breach earlier in the season, the Toffees were docked six points. They could yet be docked more points should they be found guilty of a second breach, with the decision set to be made by 8th April at the latest.
As it stands, they sit four points clear of the drop zone, and another deduction could see them slip towards the bottom three and Nottingham Forest, who themselves have been docked four points.
Pos
Team
Played
GD
Points
16
Everton
28
-10
25*
17
Luton Town
29
-18
22
18
Nottingham Forest
29
-16
21*
19
Burnley
29
-34
17
20
Sheffield United
28
-50
14
Though Dyche's Everton have created plenty of chances, they have a serious inability to find the back of the net with any regularity, and Abdoulaye Doucoure remains their top goalscorer with six, despite not having scored since December.
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According to expected goals, Everton should have scored 19 more than they have managed. The second-biggest underperformance in the Premier League is Brentford, who have found the net eight fewer times than their efforts deserve.
In fact, Everton's is the biggest underperformance in Europe's top five leagues, with Ligue 1 side Nice second to the Toffees with an underperformance of 13.76.
On top of that, Dyche is seeing his squad hit by injuries.
Lewis Dobbin latest absentee
Now, it has emerged that young winger Lewis Dobbin is set to miss at least part of the campaign's remaining games after picking up an injury over the international break.
The youngster scored his first Premier League goal earlier in the season and has made 11 substitute appearances for the Toffees this term. He was part of the warm-weather training camp in Portugal, but has since picked up an injury.
As per the Liverpool Echo, the injury came about in a 'freak accident' in training, which resulted in Dobbin suffering damaged ligaments, though it was not bad enough to require surgery, as had been initially feared.
Dyche explained ahead of the clash with Bournemouth that there was no obvious return date for Dobbin just yet.
“It is better news than we thought. He hurt his ankle and was very unlucky – he fell over, landed on someone’s foot and it tilted his ankle. We thought it might need an operation, it doesn’t, which is good news, so now it is just the timescales of getting him back.”
Dobbin now joins Arnaut Danjuma on the sidelines in what will come as a blow to any hopes Dyche harboured of freshening up his misfiring attack over the international break.
A half-century from Umar Amin and a frugal bowling display saw Northern thump Balochistan in the National T20 Cup final
The Report by Danyal Rasool24-Oct-2019A half-century from Umar Amin and a frugal bowling display saw Northern thump Balochistan in the National T20 Cup final in Faisalabad. These two sides had finished top two in the group stage, with Northern edging Balochistan in the standings. It was much the same today, except Northern didn’t edge it so much as romp home, such was their domination from the moment they set Balochistan 168 to win.That said, it wasn’t always clear Northern would go on to pose as steep a total as that, particularly when they slumped to 109 for 5 with fiveovers to go. A splendid 38-ball 60 from Umar had done much of the heavy lifting in getting them there but not out of the woods yet. Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz combined for 58 off the last 32 balls, each unbeaten by the end, to put their side on course. It was Umar Gul who bore the brunt of the onslaught, conceding 45 runs in his allotted four, but in truth, Balochistan simply weren’t as tight as their counterparts would be in the second innings. Only Amad Butt, who registered figures of 4-0-19-2, seriously halted Northern’s charge.Balochistan’s chase stalled before it had even begun thanks to two wicket for Sohail Tanvir in the third over, putting paid to both skipperImam-ul-Haq and Bismillah Khan. That left the veteran Imran Farhat alongside Awais Zia to stabilise the innings, and though their 44-runpartnership did that, the asking rate continued to climb.A lack of power hitters in the Balochistan line-up meant getting that down was always going to be a tough ask, and with Imad Wasim and Nawaz habitually stingy in the middle overs, the wheels began to come off. Shadab, too, put in a much improved performance that may bode well for his international prospects in Australia, conceding just 23 runs in his four while removing Haris Sohail and Imran Farhat.Northern would continue to puncture Balochistan’s chances with routine wickets, with no one looking like they might hold up one end and drag their side closer to the finish line. Amad Butt struck an enormous six, but it was very much out of keeping with how his side were progressing. Northern’s bowlers were canny enough to bamboozle a long-ish tail, and Balochistan would lose their last four wickets for 12 runs. They were bowled out 11 balls short of the full quota as the game, and Balochistan’s campaign, whimpered to an uninspiring finish.