Mushfiqur Rahim, returning from a thumb injury, looked comfortable during his 58, and Soumya Sarkar played some attractive shots, but Tamim Iqbal and Mahmudullah failed to build on starts in the tour game against India A

The Report by Mohammad Isam in Hyderabad05-Feb-2017
Scorecard
Aniket Choudhary took 4 for 26 on the first day•AFPThe sight of Imrul Kayes studiously watching his batting footage in the first session suggested the sort of day Bangladesh had at the Gymkhana ground on their first day of cricket on their first bilateral tour to India. Kayes was the first wicket to fall against India A, when he picked out the only fielder in the deep – Hardik Pandya at long leg.It was a carbon copy of his dismissal on the first day of the Wellington Test last month, when he picked out Trent Boult, who was the only man in the outfield, in the same region. Bangladesh’s concerns about the inconsistency of their batsmen hasn’t abated, with only four days to go for the one-off Test.The day belonged to India A’s left-arm quick, Aniket Choudhary who generated extra pace and bounce using his height to claim four wickets. Mushfiqur Rahim, who was ruled out of the Christchurch Test because of a thumb injury, marked his return with a half-century. Top-order batsman Soumya Sarkar also struck a fifty while Sabbir Rahman and Liton Das, who has not played international cricket since 2015, made cameos before Bangladeshis declared on 224 for 8 with more than 60 minutes remaining in the first day. In reply, India A, led by Priyank Panchal’s unbeaten 40, reached 91 for 1 before stumps. Abhinav Mukund was the only Indian to fall, caught at first slip off seamer Subashis Roy.It wasn’t the kind of tune-up Bangladesh were looking for, ahead of the Test. After opting to bat on the sluggish pitch, they lost wickets at regular intervals. Five overs after the fall of Kayes, Choudhary bowled Tamim Iqbal 13 and then surprised Mominul Haque with extra bounce. Choudhary later returned to test Mushfiqur with extra bounce and had him edging to Rishabh Pant. He then trapped Mehedi Hasan Miraz for a first-ball duck.Mushfiqur, though, looked comfortable on his comeback from injury, striking eight fours and a six during his 106-ball 58. Sarkar, meanwhile, played some attractive drives in the arc between covers and mid-off during his 52 off 73 balls, including nine fours and a six. But Tamim, Mahmudullah and Sabbir Rahman didn’t convert starts, after briefly looking comfortable, as the India A bowlers preyed on their patience, or the lack of it.

Persistent rain ruled out any chance of play on the third day of the second Test at Hagley Oval

The Report by Karthik Krishnaswamy22-Jan-2017
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsSteady rain kept the square and the bowlers’ run-ups under covers right through the third day•AFP

Persistent rain ruled out any chance of play on the third day of the second Test at Hagley Oval. Having begun at around 6am, the rain never really let up through the morning and afternoon, eventually forcing the umpires to call off play at 4 pm, two hours before the scheduled close.With 17 wickets falling over the first two days, there was still a fair chance of the Test match ending in a decisive result, given better weather on days four and five. At stumps on day two, New Zealand were trailing Bangladesh’s first-innings total of 289 by 29 runs, with three wickets in hand, having lost three quick wickets to Shakib Al Hasan’s left-arm spin.

West Ham United finally ended their 43-year trophy drought on Wednesday night with a thrilling victory against Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final.

However, in the game's aftermath, chairman David Sullivan confirmed that Declan Rice has the club's blessing to leave in the summer.

The likely destination at this point is Arsenal, who have been linked with the England international for months now.

The Hammers will look to use the windfall from that deal to fund a series of summer transfers, with Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez one of their priorities, per the Telegraph's reliable journalist, Matt Law.

What's the latest on Edson Alvarez?

The versatile machine has shot to the top of the Irons' wishlist this summer, but bringing him to the London Stadium might prove challenging.

The 6 foot 2 colossus was close to completing a move to Chelsea last summer, but the Dutch club refused to budge, leaving the player to spend another season in Amsterdam.

West Ham will have to act quickly if they're keen on the player as, according to 90min, Borussia Dortmund are 'confident' that they will sign the player this summer.

With no official bids yet, we can only speculate that the money needed to secure Alvarez's signature will be close to the £43m offered by Chelsea last September, whilst FootballTransfers currently estimates his worth to be around £25m.

Would Edson Alvarez be a good signing for West Ham?

By all metrics, the Tlalnepantla-born "monster", as dubbed by The Athletic's Felipe Cardenas, looks like he would be an excellent signing for the Hammers.

According to WhoScored, Alvarez has averaged a seriously impressive rating of 7.34 across 31 Eredivisie appearances this season.

The underlying numbers also paint the picture of an all-action defensive midfielder.

As per FBref, who have compared players in a similar position across their 'next 8 competitions', he sits in the top 1% for passes attempted, clearances, and aerials duals won per 90. Alvarez also ranks in the top 5% for pass completion, 6% for shots, progressive carries, no. of touches in the opposition's penalty area, and 9% for progressive passes per 90.

Another facet of the Mexican's game that could prove invaluable to the Hammers is his positional versatility.

Across the last 50 matches, the Ajax man has played as a central midfielder 23 times, a defensive midfielder 15 times and a central defender 12 times. This ability to fulfil several roles across the pitch and fulfil them capably would be a huge benefit to David Moyes' team.

Whoever the club sign in the summer, it is unlikely that they will be able to replace Rice on their own, but Alvarez certainly looks like he could get close.

Vernon Philander could find himself in contention to play in the Champions Trophy as South Africa continue to search for a new-ball partner for Kagiso Rabada. They have been trialling Wayne Parnell, Dwaine Pretorius and Chris Morris, after Kyle Abbott signed a Kolpak deal and ended his international career, but bowling coach Charl Langeveldt admitted they have not got it quite right at the start of the innings and need a quick fix.”It’s going to be a big concern in England where you need to take wickets up front,” Langeveldt said. “We always say if we get a team three down early, we’ve got a good chance of winning the game so we’re trying a few things but we are still at the stage where we are finding who is going to be the opening partner to ‘KG’. In English conditions, if it’s overcast, Vernon would be the perfect guy to play. He fits our mould if we are looking for a guy with a new ball that can bowl you five overs up front. We are looking at all possibilities.”Philander last played an ODI in August 2015, five months after he was at the centre of an episode that derailed South African cricket for a summer. At the 2015 World Cup, Philander, who had struggled with a hamstring injury for parts of the tournament, was recalled for the semi-final in place of an in-form Abbott after consultations with CSA’s chief executive, Haroon Lorgat. It took months for CSA to admit that the talks took place and Philander’s inclusion came after the selectors were reminded to pick the team with transformation guidelines in mind.Abbott has since revealed he considered quitting South African cricket in the immediate aftermath but gave himself another two years to see if he would find a more regular spot. He had just done that – after injuries to Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel – when it was revealed he had put pen to paper for Hampshire months before. South Africa’s coach Russell Domingo said Abbott’s departure came at a particularly bad time for the team, because Abbott was the leading contender to open the bowling at the Champions Trophy.Now, it seems South Africa may go back to Philander, although not for the upcoming series against New Zealand. Philander is nursing a slight ankle impingement and, having torn ligaments in the same place in November 2015, he has been prescribed some time off in order to be ready for the Test series in New Zealand in March. He will also have a break afterwards before beginning a county stint at Sussex in preparation for the four Tests in England but could be called on for ODI duty as well.South Africa may also consider injured young quick Lungi Ngidi, who will not make the New Zealand series because of a hip problem but should recover in time to play the domestic one-day cup and prove his worth. Langeveldt all but ruled out looking any further as he explained why neither new Test cap Duanne Olivier nor his Knights team-mate Marchant de Lange will be considered at this stage.”Duanne is an excellent bowler,” Langeveldt said. “He swings the ball and gets reward but I looked at his stats and he struggles with the white ball. It’s a concern, especially in the first ten and then at the back end, he is not as good. He bowl quickly but we are looking for a guy that can mix it up, bowl slower balls and stuff like that.”Olivier has played 24 List A matches and taken 29 wickets at 24.86, while de Lange has 97 scalps at 22.91 from 50 appearances but has fallen down the queue.”Marchant has always been a strike bowler but I think he is way down in the pecking order. I don’t think he will be considered for the Champions Trophy,” Langeveldt said.The other option, of course, is to ask the incumbents to step up and there is some evidence that they can. Rabada and Parnell conceded 37 for 2 in the first ten overs of the first ODI against Sri Lanka before Morris and Parnell went for 56 runs and picked up two wickets in the second. Things only became more difficult from the third match when Rabada and Morris opened, with Pretorius at first change, as Sri Lanka put on 54 without loss. Then, in Cape Town, Sri Lanka’s openers raced to 100 without loss as South Africa used six different bowlers in the opening Powerplay. They won all four matches against a struggling opponent but Langeveldt is still looking for improvement.”In the first ten overs, we haven’t been up to standard,” he said. “I am very hard on that. I will give us a five [out of ten]. Coming back, we’ve showed a lot of character, especially Wayne Parnell. He bowled really good areas and he took wickets. I’d give us a seven there. Before you go to a championship, you want to be at eight or nine because the bowlers win you games.”Whether South Africa improve their score or not, they have an excellent chance of reaching the tournament as the top ranked ODI side. They are a win away from overtaking Australia and then take on third-placed New Zealand in a five-match series before three ODIs in England in the lead-up to the Champions Trophy. “We want to go into a big tournament being No. 1 in the world so we are always talking about it. The captain always says if you go in a tournament you want to be No. 1,” Langeveldt said.

Arsenal have been linked with a host of players ahead of the transfer window, as Mikel Arteta aims to bolster his squad this summer.

The Spaniard fired the Gunners back into the Champions League as well as posing as serious title contenders for the majority of the season, and will look to take his side one step further next campaign.

The latest talent linked with a move to the Emirates is one of the most exciting wingers in Europe, and a gem that could add more than just depth to north London.

What’s the latest on Moussa Diaby to Arsenal?

As reported by the Mail Online last month, Arsenal are one of the clubs interested in Bayer Leverkusen forward Moussa Diaby.

A separate report from Evening Standard said that the Bundesliga club are expected to price their star at £65m, a fee that has derailed fellow Premier League interest from Newcastle United, via The Athletic.

It has since been suggested that the Gunners remain interested in the winger, with Daily Express journalist Ryan Taylor telling GIVEMESPORT that Diaby could ‘reach a new level’ at the club.

"He ticks that under-25 box and is a player that can reach a new level at Arsenal," he said.

What could Moussa Diaby offer to Arsenal?

Having been lauded as “electrifying” by journalist Aaron Stokes, the 23-year-old dynamo could elevate Arsenal’s attack with his deadly ability in the final third.

Being primarily deployed as a right-winger for Leverkusen, the Frenchman contributed to 17 goals in the Bundesliga this season, scoring nine and assisting eight in 33 appearances, via FBref.

While the Gunners have their own monstrous wide man in Bukayo Saka, the north London outfit could show their commitment to competing with the best of the best by signing Diaby as a player that could compete with the 21-year-old.

Saka’s place in Arsenal’s line-up is unchallengeable, predominantly because there isn’t an individual that could apply pressure on the Englishman to perform consistently well.

As per FBref, the Frenchman averaged 4.04 progressive carries per 90, placing in the top 20% of wingers in Europe in that area showing his ability to progress with the ball, Saka was marginally ahead of the 23-year-old with 5.04.

The Paris-born whiz could challenge Saka in a position that, at present, is comfortably his, in an area of depth that Arsenal must introduce to challenge against the best.

With a statement contract freshly signed, it’s integral for the club to not allow the Englishman to grow comfortable in his surroundings, as was seen prior in the drop-off of Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang’s form after extending his stay.

The Gabon international’s place was safe in the squad, and when performance dipped there were no repercussions to his role other than the negative influence it had on the club’s results.

Signing Diaby could present Saka with a competitive partner in his position, as well as someone that could influence Arteta’s attack, bringing rotation into the equation, something that could be key with Champions League football on the horizon.

As per Sofascore, the Leverkusen gem averaged 1.1 shots on target per game in the Bundesliga, with the Arsenal star averaging 0.8 in an area that highlights the added threat the transfer target could offer the Gunners.

With Paris Saint-Germain also said to be monitoring the movements of Diaby, Arsenal must act fast this summer if they are to snatch the £50m-rated target's signature.

Gerry Cardinale & Co. provoked panic at San Siro by firing Paolo Maldini and selling Sandro Tonali, and a derby defeat has only heightened the tension

On June 6, AC Milan announced that club legend Paolo Maldini had been relieved of his duties as technical director in a 67-word statement. The news – and the manner of its delivery – sent shockwaves throughout Europe. Carlo Ancelotti was aghast.

“I learned at Real Madrid that the history of a club must always be respected," the former Milan midfielder and coach told . "Here, Di Stefano, Amancio, Gento, Puskas are still exclusive values towards which we have reverence. To preserve history at the highest levels, the memory of the past must be protected.

"What happened with Maldini demonstrates a lack of historical culture, of respect for the Milan tradition. While it is true that history does not make you win, it is also true that history teaches you how to win."

However, owner Gerry Cardinale has been "educated" in 'the art of winning' not by Maldini's Milan – but by Billy Beane.

"Billy's been in European football for 20 years and he told me I wasn't looking at the situation in the right way," Cardinale said of the revered baseball executive during a seminar at Michigan Institute of Technology in March. "I had to approach European football with the 'Moneyball' mentality, which says there is no need to sacrifice the level of performance on the field for cash flow or vice versa."

We'll soon find out if he's right…

• Getty
  

  What is 'Moneyball'?

  Billy Beane

  Beane gained global fame through the Hollywood-produced movie 'Moneyball', starring Brad Pitt. The plot focused on how Beane, in conjunction with Peter Brand (played by Jonah Hill), successfully implemented a stats-based scouting system known as 'sabermetrics' at the Oakland Athletics.

  The key, as Brand explained in the movie, was using in-depth data to identify "the value of players that nobody else can see" and, despite intense in-house resistance to the new recruitment strategy, including manager Art Howe (Philip Seymour Hoffman), it enabled the A's to make one shrewd signing after another.

  The net result was one of the franchises with the smallest budgets in Major League Baseball breaking the record for consecutive wins in a single season, in 2002. The following year, Michael Lewis' book 'Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game' was published to critical acclaim and became a commercial success.

  Even more significantly, the methods employed by A's were embraced – if not always completely, at least partially – by other MLB teams.

Advertisement

• Getty Images
  

  Taking over Europe

  Billy Beane

  Moneyball's influence extended well beyond baseball, though. Football also took notice, particularly after the release of the film based on Lewis' book in 2011. For a long time, it was felt that the statistic-heavy analysis prevalent in American sports, and baseball in particular, added little to understanding 'The Beautiful Game'. Football, it was felt by traditionalists, was too fluid; there were too many variables and far greater freedom of expression. A little over five years ago, video analysts were still being derogatorily referred to both behind the scenes and in the mainstream media as "laptop gurus".

  However, attitudes began to change, particularly after the success of FC Midtjylland, the first European club to truly employ a sabermetrics-based business model. The Danes won their first Superliga in 2015 and now have three titles to their name.

  Midtjylland's data-heavy approach to transfers has since been mirrored by Toulouse, who won last season's Coupe de France – just a year after gaining promotion to Ligue 1, after nearly two decades in France's second tier.

  Then there's Brentford, who reached the Premier League for the first time in 2021 and have since established themselves as one of the best teams in the top flight. The use of stats has clearly been key to their remarkable rise, though owner Matthew Benham is wary of the term 'Moneyball'.

  "The label can be confusing, especially because baseball has always been obsessed with numbers and data – but not football," he said. "We do not use statistics at random, but in a scientific way."

• Getty Images
  

  No one right way

  Peter Brand

  Cardinale has also stressed that "data is just one tool" Milan are using to construct a team capable of winning multiple trophies. "Moneyball was written 20 years ago and today everyone uses data, but in our portfolio there is an analytics company with 13 researchers from MIT," the American told the on Friday. "European football is not baseball; it requires a different level of sophistication and we believe we are at the forefront."

  At the very least, Milan are the most high-profile club to date to embrace Moneyball, with Beane even serving as a transfer market consultant.

  Liverpool were obviously universally lauded for the way in which they transformed a team in disarray before Jurgen Klopp took over into the 'champions of everything' with one excellent signing after another. The input of former director of research Ian Graham, who led a six-strong data analysis team, played a pivotal role in bargain buys such as Mohamed Salah and Diogo Jota, who were both (rightly) identified as undervalued and ideally suited to Klopp's specific brand of football. Liverpool also pulled off a masterstroke by effectively covering the cost of two transformative transfers in Alisson Becker and Virgil van Dijk by selling Philippe Coutinho – an outstanding talent at Anfield but one not strictly needed given Liverpool's plethora of options in attack.

  However, it's also worth remembering that Liverpool were not afraid to spend big when required. Both Alisson and Van Dijk were the most expensive players in their respective positions at one point – and Maldini was adamant that a club of Milan's ambition and stature would have to spend significant sums on certain players in order to get to the next level.

  "With two or three important signings, and the consolidation of the players we have," he said after the club's shock Serie A title win in 2022, "we can compete for something bigger in the Champions League."

  Milan instead spent just €50m that summer – the majority of which went on Charles De Ketelaere (€32m). The Belgian's first-season struggles at San Siro were subsequently used as a stick with which to beat Maldini, with the argument being that it proved he was not worth backing in the market.

  However, the fact remains that Maldini masterminded Milan's first Scudetto success in a decade by acquiring 21 players at a net cost of €75 million (£64m/$82m) – as much as Juve had paid for Dusan Vlahovic. It's hard not to argue that Milan were practising Moneyball even before Beane was brought on board.

  At the end of the day, though, Maldini's view of the way in which Milan might get to the next level was fundamentally different to that of Cardinale. As club president Paolo Scaroni told the , "We are following a more innovative model, at least for Italy, in how to run a club. That leads us to consider all our activities as collegial, we work in a team.

  "It is an organisational model that our main shareholder (Cardinale) cares a great deal about. Let us not forget, he is a specialist in sport who had success in his activities, so when he suggests something, we pay close attention, as he brings innovation.

  "We got the feeling that Paolo felt ill at ease in this organisation, so when someone is ill at ease, it is best to go our separate ways."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

• Getty Images
  

  Investing in both the future & the present

  Art Howe

  Maldini quite clearly felt that Milan's new owners were more interested in turning a profit than restoring the Rossoneri to their former glory. "With a strategic vision, Milan could next season compete with the biggest clubs. However, if we were to choose a vision of maintaining our current level, without investment, without an idea worthy of Milan, we would remain in limbo among the top six or seven sides in Italy, hoping to maybe win the Scudetto again and qualify for the Champions League," he warned last year.

  So, he wasn't the least bit surprised when a relatively young and inexperienced Milan side were overwhelmed by Inter in the semi-finals of the Champions League the following year. As far as he was concerned, it was clear that a balance had to be found between prudence and ambition.

  The importance of youth was obvious to him – how could it not be given he had come through the youth-team section at Milan and made his senior debut at just 16? But he also played during an era in which Silvio Berlusconi paid big money for world-class talents such as Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit and Frank Rijkaard, in order to assemble arguably the greatest side the club game has ever seen. So, the sale of Sandro Tonali to Newcastle for €70 million was the antithesis of everything Maldini was trying to do.

  Coming so soon after Maldini's dramatic departure, it was a transfer that sparked fear into the fans. In the final game of the 2022-23 season, they had echoed Maldini's plea for investment in a banner unfurled at San Siro that read: "Another year has passed, it is time for the transfer market. We want [to take] a step up the ladder."

  Consequently, cashing in on Tonali, a 23-year-old boyhood Milan fan considered a future captain, unsurprisingly felt like a step down to the stunned supporters. The obvious concern was that Moneyball meant Milan becoming a feeder club.

Tottenham Hotspur's reported goalkeeper target David Raya has been urged to stay away from a potential move to N17 this summer by presenter Terry Flewers.

Is Hugo Lloris leaving Spurs?

After a season of turmoil both on and off the pitch in north London, the arrival of Ange Postecoglou could bring major changes at Spurs over the coming months.

And one of those is expected to be between the sticks with Hugo Lloris' campaign leaving a lot to be desired for the Lilywhites as they ended the term in eighth place.

The French shot-stopper put pen to paper on a two-year extension last year, however, he has been in and out of the Spurs starting XI for large parts of the 2022/23 campaign.

And there is a strong belief now that the former France captain will be moving on from north London over the coming months with a potential move to Saudi Arabia on the cards.

Amid the speculation surrounding the future of the Frenchman, reports have suggested Spurs are already eyeing up their potential next goalkeeper.

Some are suggesting the north London club could look across the capital at a possible swoop for Brentford's Spanish goalkeeper, Raya.

However, speaking on The Football Terrace, presenter Flewers has urged the 27-year-old to snub a possible move to N17:

"I think David Raya is stupid to join Tottenham. Yes, you might earn more money. Yes, there may be more media attention, but it's going to amount to no trophies. I think this appointment of 'Big Ange' is going to be a disaster."

How much will David Raya cost?

Raya is going into the summer on the back of a mightily impressive campaign for the Bees where he was able to keep 12 clean sheets across his 38 appearances in the league (via Transfermarkt).

In comparison to the north London side (63), Raya only conceded 46 goals in the Premier League this season which was only bettered by four other sides.

And as a result of his impressive returns between the sticks, Brentford have reportedly slapped a £40m price tag on him ahead of the summer.

However, reports would suggest the north London side are not convinced about parting with such money for a goalkeeper who is entering the final year of his deal.

The unfortunate thing for Spurs is they cannot begrudge Brentford for this as they are doing the same with Harry Kane as it is suggested it would take around £100m to sign him this summer.

Watch more of The Football Terrace on YouTube now!

The 19-year-old came off the bench to score for the second game in a row as Jorge Vilda's crisis-hit side reached their first ever women's final

Spain went into their Women's World Cup semi-final with Sweden boasting two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas and the favourite for the 2023 prize, Aitana Bonmati, in their line up. However, it was yet again their 19-year-old wonderkid who stole the show and guided them to their first final.

Salma Paralluelo has been causing excitement among women's football fans for a couple of years ever since breaking out at Villarreal, and though she is not yet a regular in the Barcelona line up, she is becoming a superstar for the national team during this tournament.

Having scored the extra-time winner against the Netherlands in Friday's quarter-final, she stepped off the bench in Auckland on Tuesday to inspire Jorge Vilda's side to a 2-1 victory and carry a squad that is missing 12 protesting players to the cusp of a first global title.

Paralluelo wasn't the match-winner this time, however. Though she opened the scoring with nine minutes to go, Rebecka Blomqvist's 88th-minute equaliser looked to be sending the game to extra-time, only for Spain captain Olga Carmona to curl in a long-range strike just 60 seconds later.

Despite that, Paralluelo's name is now on everyone's lips heading into the final days of this tournament, and given her current form, don't back against her having a say against either Australia or England on Sunday.

GOAL breaks down the winners & losers from Eden Park…

Getty ImagesWINNER: Salma Paralluelo

She may only be 19, but Paralluelo is developing into a national hero in Spain after her heroics in firing this team to their first Women's World Cup final.

Despite having scored the stunning extra-time winner against the Netherlands in the quarter-finals, the Barcelona forward was named among the substitutes here. When she got her chance, though, she certainly took her opportunity.

Having come on just before the hour mark, Paralluelo immediately added an extra dimension to Spain's attack with her pace and directness, and it was her who opened the scoring on the 81st minute as she latched onto a loose ball and fired into the bottom corner.

Whether this impact sub role might actually get the best out of the teenager rather than her starting is certainly an argument that will dominate the build-up to the final, but either way, it's clear that Paralluelo has arrived at the highest level of the game.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesLOSER: Alexia Putellas

There was much excitement ahead of the tournament regarding Putellas' return to the international scene around 12 months after the two-time Ballon d'Or winner had suffered a devastating knee injury on the eve of the European Championship, but the Barcelona star has struggled during this World Cup.

Handed just her third start of the tournament here having been a substitute in Spain's two previous knockout games, Putellas again struggled to have much of an impact, and was substituted after just 57 minutes.

Given her long injury lay-off and the way her minutes are being managed, it perhaps shouldn't be surprising that Putellas has not been at her best in New Zealand, but she will still be disappointed at the lack of impact she's had. Now she faces a fight to start the final, with her replacement Paralluelo having scored in the last two games.

Getty ImagesWINNER: Olga Carmona

During the first half, it seemed that Spain captain Carmona was the only player in red capable of shooting. Though they dominated possession and territory, Vilda's side struggled to create opportunities, with Carmona's long-range efforts their only real attempts.

However, what Sweden didn't realise was that the Real Madrid full-back was just getting her eye in, as when Carmona collected a pass from a corner around 25 yards out in the penultimate minute of the 90, she was able to curl in a superb strike that bounced in off the underside of the crossbar.

For a player with only one international goal to their name before that, it was a superb strike, and the look of disbelief on Carmona's face told the whole story. She is now just one win away from lifting the biggest trophy of them all.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

Getty ImagesLOSER: Zecira Musovic

A week-and-a-half ago, Zecira Musovic was the toast of Swedish football. The goalkeeper's heroics had kept the United States at bay for 120 minutes, setting up the dramatic penalty shootout which the Scandinavian side would go on to win.

And while that last-16 performance is what Musovic's World Cup will mostly be remembered for, there will be questions asked of whether she could have done better with Spain's winning goal here. Carmona struck her effort well, but it floated over Musovic, who could only get a fingertip on the ball.

Had the shot been in the corner, then they she likely would have had no chance, but given she barely had to move across her line to deal with it, Musovic will wonder whether she could have done more to avoid that late heartbreak.

Counties delaying the ECB’s plans for a new domestic T20 competition could be penalised according to a new document circulated by the ECB

George Dobell10-Mar-2017

Counties delaying the ECB’s plans for a new domestic T20 competition could be penalised according to a new document circulated by the ECB.While the ECB has previously guaranteed counties a minimum payment of £1.3m a year, they have now warned that only those counties which have signed their media rights over to the ECB will be eligible for such a fee. “Each First-class county which has signed the media deed would receive a guaranteed minimum annual sum,” the document states.They have not provided a deadline for the agreement but it could be interpreted as an attempt to ramp up the pressure on counties with reservations over the ECB’s plans ahead of what might well prove to be a pivotal vote.County chief executives and chairmen meet on March 27 when they will discuss a proposed change to the constitution of the ECB. The current constitution states that: “The board shall not have the power to deprive a first-class county club of the right to participate in all first-class county competitions authorised by the ECB.”If the new competition is to be authorised, two-thirds of those first-class counties will have to agree that such wording is changed to allow competitions that do not involve all 18 counties. It is anticipated that the vote will take place in April.It also transpires that county players appearing in the new competition will have to repay some of their salary to their counties. And, while it has previously become apparent that England’s Test players will not be available to appear in the competition, they will be used in the marketing and promotion of the competition.The key points are these:Test matches will be played during the window for the new competition. The document says this means: “Test Players are not anticipated to play in the new competition if selected in the relevant Test squads.”The intended start date of the new competition is July 24, 2020, with the final scheduled for August 30. The Blast is likely to begin at the end of May.The competition will consist of 36 games played in a 38-day window. Every game will be televised and each team will host four games.The domestic 50-over competition will continue at the same time despite the absence of the best 96 limited-overs cricketers; an average of five per county. That means, according to the ECB document, that “there is likely to be a requirement to play at out-grounds for counties whose venues are used by new teams.”County coaches are to be made available to coach the new teams if their county employers are willing to release them.Each of the eight new teams will have a 15-man squad for the new competition. There will be three overseas players per squad.Each team is to have a set player budget to be spent in the draft and, at the draft, 13 players will be selected per team. Two players per squad will be deemed “wildcards” and will be selected after the group stages of the T20 Blast (the existing T20 competition contested by all 18 counties). The intention, the ECB states, is “to reward in-form players not originally picked up in the draft and to link the narrative between the Blast and the new competition.”There will be six salary bands (A-F, with A the most expensive) with two players selected per team from each band, apart from the lowest band (F) from which three will be selected. Teams will draw lots before each round of the draft to determine who gets first pick. There will be a 24-hour trade period following the draft so teams can swap one or two players from within the same group. Overseas players will be able to pick a salary level at A, B and D grades only.It is proposed that teams could retain a maximum of eight players and a minimum of four players into the second year of the competition.It is the “the strong recommendation” of the marketing companies involved in the launch of the competition that it features “new team (i.e. non-county based) brands, to drive reappraisal and differentiation from existing cricket.”All commercial and ticketing matters will be centrally organised. Revenues will be taken centrally. Venues will be paid a staging fee and be allowed to keep hospitality and catering revenue.Venues will be chosen according to their capacity, transport links, catchment area, facilities and relationship with their local authority.A new sub-committee of the ECB Board, comprising a chairperson and independent directors bringing specialist skills would oversee the tournament design and implementation. A new central division within the ECB would be formed to run the tournament.

West Bromwich Albion's preparations for the new season have been rocked by reports that key player Jayson Molumby could be on his way to Leeds United.

With strong suggestions that manager Carlos Corberan is also wanted by Leeds, the Baggies potentially face a double blow ahead of the Championship campaign getting underway.

What is the latest with West Brom's transfer business?

Speculation surrounding Corberan's future at The Hawthorns will not go away until Leeds name Sam Allardyce's successor, which could happen by the end of the week.

However, Albion may now have to brace themselves for a Leeds bid for Molumby, who played in 43 of their 46 league matches last season.

According to journalist Alan Nixon, Leeds are keen on the Republic of Ireland international and believe he is available at a good price.

Should Leeds step forward with a bid that matches Albion's valuation, the Baggies could bring in a ready-made replacement who may yet be an upgrade on Molumby.

Should West Brom sign Marvelous Nakamba?

Marvelous Nakamba played a starring role in Luton Town's promotion to the Premier League last season, with the Hatters barely conceding a goal from open play when the Zimbabwean was on the pitch.

The 29-year-old joined on loan from Aston Villa in January and made 20 appearances in total, but he is now back at his parent club and may again be loaned out to the second tier.

Sunday Mirror reporter Darren Witcoop suggests Albion are waiting to pounce for Nakamba should Luton not get to his signature first.

That would be a major coup for the Baggies on the basis of last season, with Nakamba ranking in the top 2% of his positional peers for tackles won (4.05) per 90 minutes over the past 12 months, as per FBref. To give that some perspective, Molumby has a figure of 1.83 tackles per 90 minutes.

While Molumby does have more of an attacking threat to his game, scoring four goals compared to zero for Nakamba, the latter – valued at £4m by Football Observatory – comes out on top for dribblers tackled (1.71 v 0.87), blocks (1.27 v 1.24) and interceptions (1.01 v 0.68).

When factoring in their all-round games, WhoScored gives Molumby a rating of 6.56 and Nakamba 6.93, with that based on their performances in the Championship alone.

As pointed out by football reporter Josh Bunting, "quality" Nakamba is a "tough tackler" who is "good at starting counter attacks", while also having the ability to carry the ball forward.

Should Corberan – or whoever else is in charge – get the opportunity to sign Nakamba on loan or otherwise, Molumby could be made to look a player of the past very soon indeed.