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Eoin Morgan, the England and Middlesex batsman, was the only English national player to walk away from this year’s IPL bid with a new contract. He was bought by the Royal Challengers Bangalore, who also have Kevin Pietersen in their stable, for $220,000,

Cricinfo staff19-Jan-2010Eoin Morgan, the England and Middlesex batsman, was the only English national player to walk away from this year’s IPL bid with a new contract. He was bought by the Royal Challengers Bangalore, who also have Kevin Pietersen in their stable, for $220,000, surpassing the $210,000 offered by the Chennai Super Kings.The seven other England internationals in the auction – Graeme Swann, Mark Ramprakash, Tim Bresnan, Anthony McGrath, Jonathan Trott, Monty Panesar and Robert Key – failed to secure contracts in a relatively quiet auction. One other Englishman was gifted a contract, however. Hampshire’s Michael Lumb, who has a domestic Twenty20 hundred to his name, agreed to a $50,000 deal with the Rajasthan Royals. As Lumb has never played international cricket, his move was finalised outside the auction room.Swann’s omission is perhaps the most surprising, as his variety and control with the ball, allied to his lusty lower-order hitting, has cemented his position as England’s first-choice spinner in all formats in the last 12 months. Indeed, Swann was one of only three players to start the auction with the inflated base price of $250,000, and it is thought that his unavailability for part of the IPL season – due to England’s tour of Bangladesh – harmed his chances.Trott, whose base price was a relatively modest $100,000, will also be disappointed not to have aroused any interest as he has an exceptional record in domestic Twenty20 cricket, averaging over 40 from 61 games. Of the other English IPL hopefuls, McGrath, Panesar, Ramprakash and Key did not even make it as far as the final auction list, while Bresnan failed to secure a single bid.

Tottenham supporters have been in fine voice in recent times after seeing their side get back to winning ways with victory in the Premier League on Wednesday night.

Mauricio Pochettino’s men went into their encounter with Watford at Wembley off the back of successive cup exits, having lost to Chelsea in the Carabao Cup and then Crystal Palace in the FA Cup. Yet the North Londoners bounced back in beating Javi Gracia’s Hornets 2-1 at the national stadium on Wednesday, with second half goals from Son Heung-min and Fernando Llorente inspiring the hosts to an 18th Premier League win of the campaign.

As such, there have been many delighted Tottenham fans up and down the country in recent times, although plenty are likely to be very wary indeed of the threat posed by Rafa Benitez’s Newcastle United this weekend, who have enjoyed a great week both on and off the field.

And Spurs boss Pochettino will certainly need his best players to step up against the resurgent Magpies this weekend, with £72 million-rated Christian Eriksen (as per Transfermarkt) the man to plunge the North East giants back into the doldrums by inspiring Tottenham to victory.

Ultimately, Benitez’s side began the week with a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Watford in the FA Cup, which looked set to pave the way for a testing few days given time was ticking towards the January window, and no business had been done by the Magpies.

Yet a sensational 2-1 success over Premier League champions Manchester City on Wednesday night went some way to bringing the feel-good factor back to St James’ Park, which was then followed by the breaking of the club’s long-standing transfer record to sign Miguel Almiron on Deadline Day.

All in all, the North East heavyweights are somewhat riding a wave of positivity and optimism ahead of their trip to Spurs on Saturday, which suggests that Pochettino’s men are going to have to be at their very best to negotiate what looks set to be a difficult fixture.

But in Denmark international Eriksen, the Tottenham manager has the sort of player that, at his very best, can give Spurs the spark needed to get the better of a resurgent Newcastle this weekend.

The 26-year-old has enjoyed another fine season in North London with six goals and ten assists in all competitions for Spurs, four goals and eight assists of which have come in the Premier League to help Pochettino’s side to third place after 24 matches – once again, a top four finish looks to be in the offing for Tottenham.

But with Harry Kane and Dele Alli injured, the emphasis will certainly be on Eriksen to produce the goods against a Newcastle side that are likely to be well organised and difficult to break down at Wembley – Spurs will likely need some Eriksen magic to unlock the Magpies backline.

But with plenty of assists already this season, alongside a staggering tally of 60 overall in his Premier League career to date, the 26-year-old certainly has what it takes to be the difference once again at the weekend – as he has been so many times in his Spurs career.

Clearly then, Newcastle will provide a stern test to Tottenham given the week they have had both on and off the pitch, which will likely demand the very best of Pochettino’s side to get the three points needed to remain just about in title contention.

And in Danish star Eriksen, the Argentine has a player that, at his best, can plunge the Magpies back into the doldrums after their brilliant week.

Tottenham and Newcastle fans… what do you think? Let us know!

Manchester United have been linked to many different players rumoured to make a move to Old Trafford during the transfer window, however, there are also many players who are touted with a move away from the club, despite Ralf Rangnick being brought in over the last few months to change the direction the side were heading in.

What’s the word?

Popular transfer insider, Fabrizio Romano, was interviewed by fan YouTube channel, The United Stand, on Tuesday to answer some questions on the most pressing topics surrounding Manchester United’s transfer window.

Romano spoke on Dean Henderson’s current situation at the club and stance on his place in the squad, saying:

“He’s going to push for a move, because he wants to go, he wants to play, he needs to play and Man United are open to do it.”

“But it’s not easy, it’s definitely not easy, because for goalkeepers everything is still quiet around Europe.”

The 24-year-old has been linked to Ajax and Spurs over the last few weeks, for a move during this transfer window, but there has been no official interest in the keeper as of yet.

Fans will be gutted

Henderson showed so much potential last season, playing 26 games for Manchester United in all competitions, with 13 clean sheets, picking up points from an impressive 19 of the 26 games he featured in goal for the club.

As a result, it wouldn’t be a surprise if plenty of the Old Trafford faithful were left gutted by his departure from the club. One fan even questioned the lack of selection for the Red Devils player on social media, Tweeting;

“I would love to know why Dean Henderson never gets a chance at United. All those players in the squad who consistently show they are not good enough for United keep getting a chance … again and again.”

Indeed, it’s clear to see they’d be left rather sad and disappointed at his exit, especially at this stage of the season.

With the number of competitions the club is still involved over the next few months with the squad competing in the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup, with many important games coming up, it would not be ideal to lose any players that can add quality depth to the side, given the large number of fixtures Manchester United face should they thrive in the tournaments.

Additionally, they’d be losing one of their best homegrown prospects, somebody who could don the gloves for United over a multitude of years.

In other news: Rangnick could axe Martial by signing Dembele

The R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, one of the venues for the 2011 World Cup in the subcontinent, is still running behind schedule in terms of readiness of the pitch

Cricinfo staff07-Jun-2010The R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, one of the venues for the 2011 World Cup, is still behind schedule in terms of readiness of the pitch. The ICC completed its routine three-day venue inspection in Sri Lanka and expressed satisfaction at the progress made in the two new international venues, Pallekele and Hambantota.The Premadasa is the only ground in Colombo with floodlights, and Sri Lanka Cricket is spending eight million dollars to renovate the stadium and relay the pitch. The inspection team made a similar unfavourable progress report in February, when the ICC’s pitch consultant Andy Atkinson said that work on the playing area was behind schedule. Four months on, he said the status hadn’t changed much.”Premadasa is a worry for me,” Atkinson told . “I would like to get some games in to try out the pitch conditions before the big show next year.”Eugene van Vuuren, the ICC’s structural engineer, said good progress had been made at the other two venues. “With the exception of the Premadasa stadium, others are on track to play a few first-class and international matches before the tournament starts next February,” van Vuuren said.The Suriyawewa Stadium in Hambantota, on the Southern coast, is due to host its maiden first-class domestic match in July. The Pallekele Stadium near Kandy has held an Under-19 match.Sri Lanka will stage 12 matches, with the Premadasa hosting seven, including the first semi-final. Hambantota and Pallekele will host two and three games respectively.

A Darmstadt 'Ultra' stormed the pitch and yelled at the dejected-looking players following their 6-0 thrashing at home by Augsburg.

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Darmstadt beaten 6-0 by AugsburgFan berates players after lossRemain rooted to the bottom of BundesligaWHAT HAPPENED?

Darmstadt remain rooted to the bottom of the Bundesliga following a brace from Philip Tietz and Ermedin Demirovic, plus goals from Fredrik Jensen and Ruben Vargas. After the humiliating home defeat, one supporter let his feelings known towards the players at full time.

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In the clip, the fan can be seen lambasting Darmstadt's players, who were grouped together on the pitch near one of the goals.

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Darmstadt, who have won just two league games this season, earned promotion to the Bundesliga last May but their stay in the German top-flight looks set to be short-lived as they are 12 points from safety with 10 games remaining.

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WHAT NEXT?

Next up for the Bundesliga strugglers, who were 5-0 down at half time against Augsburg, is a trip to fifth-placed RB Leipzig next Saturday, followed by a home match against defending champions Bayern Munich a week later.

Justin Langer has been confirmed as Western Australia’s new coach, leaving his role as an assistant with the national team to try to improve the state side’s fortunes

Daniel Brettig14-Nov-2012Justin Langer has been confirmed as Western Australia’s new coach, leaving his role as an assistant with the national team to try to improve the state side’s fortunes after almost a decade without a domestic trophy and widely known cultural problems.The announcement, which also has Langer taking up the job as coach of the Perth Scorchers in the BBL, arrived the day after Australia drew the first Test with South Africa in Brisbane. Langer will be in place as coach of the Warriors in time for Saturday’s domestic limited overs match against South Australia in Perth.He has been contracted until the end of the 2015-16 season, offering Langer the chance to work with and improve the the team’s results over a lengthy term.Noted for his heavy emphasis on team-work and the mental side of the game, Langer has the job ahead of him to build a WA side in his own determined and dedicated image, following a dire start to the season that included widely publicised disciplinary problems at the T20 Champions League in South Africa and three outright losses to start the Sheffield Shield.”I am really thrilled to be taking up the position as Warriors and Scorchers Head Coach and feel that the energy for my work will be doubled now that I am back home around my family, my cricket friends and my personal friends,” Langer said.”I have two main objectives. The first is to bring cricket back to life in Western Australia, and the second is to help these boys become men on and off the cricket field.”I was very fortunate to serve an apprenticeship with the Australian team and I can’t wait to roll up my sleeves and get started on this new challenge at what promises to be an exciting time in WA cricket.”Dennis Lillee, the WACA president, said Langer’s fortunes would be dictated as much by the ability of the players and support staff to work hard with him as it would be the coach’s responsibility alone.”Some issues relating to the underlying culture within the Warriors and Scorchers have been identified recently and Justin’s appointment is the first step we are taking to bring back a strong culture to the WACA,” Lillee said.”We must go forward and no one needs to be reminded of Justin’s outstanding credentials. He is a steely, dedicated man of cricket with a no-nonsense approach and is exactly what we need to turn this talented Western Australian side into a committed team using all of its natural talent.”However it can’t just be the coach that turns things around. We need players to put up their hands to be positive and tough leaders within this group going forward.”Having retired from a decorated international career at the conclusion of the 2006-07 Ashes series in Australia, Langer returned to the national set-up as batting coach in November 2009. Since then he has applied for various coaching jobs, including WA’s, and was also a candidate for the senior Australian coaching job when Mickey Arthur replaced Tim Nielsen in 2011.In replacing Langer, Cricket Australia will employ the Centre of Excellence coach Stuart Law as a batting assistant this summer, and may then look further afield for a longer term replacement. Pat Howard, the team performance manager, described Law’s tenure as a “try before you buy” scenario for the national team.”Stuart was there all week, we obviously knew this a little bit prior [to the announcement], and so he’s had a full week of training with the Test team all last week,” Howard said.”Stuart’s a really solid individual and has made a real impact. The fact he’s got experience not only in Australia but on the subcontinent and England to help deal with players of the future, and he’s got an impact now to work over the next couple of weeks with the players of now.

Plays of the Day from the IPL game between Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals in Mohali

Jamie Alter at the PCA Stadium in Mohali24-Mar-2010Hit me baby just one time
Free hits were made for Twenty20, but none of the offerings from Sreesanth were accepted by Rajasthan’s batsmen. Wayward in his bowling, Sreesanth sent down a no-ball on his very first delivery of the match but Naman Ojha was beaten on the free hit, which was a clever bouncer. Sreesanth’s second free-hit delivery was another short ball that cramped Faiz Fazal and yielded just a single. Two free hits for just one run. Talk about getting out of jail.Nothing like a decent start
It wasn’t massive, but Rajasthan’s top order at least got a start. Their opening stands in four previous matches were 0, 14, 27, and a 0. But Michael Lumb – after a first-ball duck in the previous match – was quickly into his stride and helped add 35 with Naman Ojha in 3.4 overs. Lumb went on to score the best contribution by a Rajasthan opener this season, a 30-ball 41, after which the No. 3 Fazal collected 45 cool runs. Not outstanding, but some of the cobwebs had been brushed away.Oh, brother
A few Indian newspapers had hyped up the rivalry between the Pathan brothers ahead of the clash of the basement teams. Round one went to Yusuf Pathan, and he had his sibling to thank. Off the fifth ball of the ninth over, Yusuf heaved at a slower ball from Shalabh Srivastava and top-edged it high into the sky. Irfan ran around from long-off, settled under the steepler, but dropped the catch.En Voges
For the second match running Adam Voges provided vital ballast to Rajasthan’s middle order. After 14 balls he had 29, a superb strike rate in Twenty20, and then allowed Fazal to take strike. Fazal reciprocated with a few lovely boundaries off the back foot, and after he departed for 45 Voges gave further evidence of how crucial a player he is. He steered the third-last ball expertly behind point for four, stole two off the next ball, scampered back to strike even as the non-striker was run out, and smashed the final ball over midwicket for four. The last over cost 13, Voges’ 45 came off 24 balls, and his efforts gave Rajasthan a good total to defend.Eyeball to eyeball
The IPL isn’t all fun and music and big hits. Two instances during the game showed that Twenty20 is serious business. Sreesanth started out erratically, but when he dismissed Ojha for 13 he gave the batsmen a proper send-off, walking down the track and glaring at the batsmen ever after he’d left the middle. Then, during Punjab’s chase, Munaf Patel began a glaring contest with Ravi Bopara, who is never one to back away. Bopara had collected a pair of triples during Munaf’s second over, which cost 15, and the bowler didn’t like it one bit. What began as a customary mumble in frustration, with Munaf continuing the eyeball confrontation to Bopara, ended with Munaf being told to go play in traffic – well, you know what I mean – as he loped off into the outfield.Munaf dismantled
Munaf’s third over confirmed the direction his career has taken. After trying to dismiss Bopara with his chatter after an expensive second over, Munaf was taken to the cleaners in his third by Manvinder Bisla. His definition of a sighter was a slogged four which sent the ball flying over midwicket for four, the next ball was clubbed for six, and that was followed by two more fours as Munaf’s figures took a beating.Actions speak louder than words
When Munaf came back to bowl his final over, the 13th of Punjab’s innings, his captain had put a lot of faith in him. This time he silenced himself and delivered. A clever slower ball got Bopara chipping to mid-on and the second produced a loose shot from Mahela Jayawardene. It was lobbed back over Munaf toward Abhishek Jhunjhunwala, who charged in and hit the stumps with a direct hit to run out Irfan. Thankfully for Rajasthan, Munaf had let the ball do the talking.Value for money
Can you ever keep Yusuf Pathan out of the game? It was another disappointing outing with the bat, but when Shane Warne tossed Yusuf the ball for the 15th over he struck and added another in his second over. Yusuf has been able to spin the ball and restrict the batsmen with disciplined control, ultimately curbing the scoring by picking wickets. What he may be failing to deliver with the bat, he’s making up for with the ball.

How to watch Croatia vs Wales in the Euro 2024 qualification stage from the US, as well as kick-off time and team news.

Croatiawill take on Walesin their EURO 2024 qualificationopener at Stadion Poljud in Split on Saturday.

💻 Watch Croatia vs Wales live on Fubo in the U.S.

After guiding Croatia to a third-place finish in the World Cup, Luka Modric will be back in action for the Checkered Ones along with another veteran Ivan Perisic. They have never lost a match against the Dragons and have won three successive games since a 1-1 draw in 2002.

Meanwhile, Wales are set to embark on a new journey without Gareth Bale in the squad, leaving coach Robert Page with some rebuilding to do. Both teams are the prime contenders to finish the group on top, which also comprises Turkey, Armenia and Latvia.

GOAL brings you everything you need to know about how to watch the Euro 2024 qualifier fixture plus team news, recent form and more.

Getty ImagesKick-off time

Date:

March 25, 2023

Kick-off time:

3.45pm ET

Venue:

Stadion Poljud

The game is scheduled for March 25, 2023 at StadionPoljud. It will kick off at 3.45pm ET in the US.

AdvertisementGettyHow to watch Croatia vs Wales online – TV channels & live streamsTV channels & streaming options

Country TV channel Live stream

U.S.N/AFubo, VIX+

In the U.S., the match can be watched on Fubo, & VIX+.

Getty ImagesTeam news & squadsCroatia team news

Josip Sutalo is likely to replace Dejan Lovren at the heart of defence. Josko Gvardiol will play alongside him.

Ivan Perisic, Andrej Kramaric, and Nikola Vlasic are likely to start in attack with Modric,Marcelo Brozovic and Matteo Kovacic at the centre of the park.

Croatia possible XI: Livakovic; Juranovic, Sutalo, Gvardiol, Sosa; Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic; Vlasic, Kramaric, Perisic

Position Players

Goalkeepers:Dominik Livaković, Ivica Ivušić, Nediljko LabrovićDefenders:Domagoj Vida, Borna Barišić, Josip Juranović, Joško Gvardiol,Borna Sosa, Josip Stanišić, Martin Erlic, Josip ŠutaloMidfielders:Luka Modrić, Mateo Kovačić, Marcelo Brozović Mario Pašalić, Nikola Vlašić, Lovro Majer, Luka Ivanušec, Luka SučićForwards:Ivan Perišić, Andrej Kramarić, Marko Livaja, Bruno Petković, Mislav Oršić, Petar MusaWales team news

Wayne Hennessey and Ben Davies have withdrawn from the squad and been replaced with Danny Ward and Ben Cabango.

Robert Page might opt for a midfield five with Aaron Ramsey as the linchpin.

Wales possible XI: Ward; Mepham, Rodon, Cabango; Roberts, Ramsey, Ampadu, Wilson, Williams; Johnson, Moore

Position Players

Goalkeepers:Danny Ward, Adam Davies, Tom KingDefenders:Connor Roberts, Chris Mepham, Joe Rodon, Neco Williams, Tom Lockyer, Ben Cabango, Morgan Fox.Midfielders:Aaron Ramsey, Harry Wilson, Ethan Ampadu, Joe Morrell, Sorba Thomas, Wes Burns, Oli Cooper, Jordan James, Luke Harris.Forwards:Daniel James, Kieffer Moore, Mark Harris, Tom Bradshaw, Nathan Broadhead, Liam Cullen.Head-to-head record

Date Result Competition

May 23, 2010Croatia 2-0 WalesFriendlyOctober 16, 2012Croatia 2-0 WalesWorld Cup QualifiersMarch 26, 2013Wales 1-2 CroatiaWorld Cup QualifiersJune 8, 2019Croatia 2-1 WalesEuropean Championship QualifiersOctober 13, 2019Wales 1-1 CroatiaEuropean Championship Qualifiers

Croatia are unbeaten in the last five matches and have won four of them. However, their last meeting ended in a draw back in 2019.

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Getty ImagesUseful links

Croatia team page

Wales team page

Live soccer on TV in the U.S.

Ryan Reynolds has paid tribute to the “one and only” Rosie Hughes after seeing her register goal number 100 for Wrexham’s Women’s team.

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Star striker remains a prolific presenceHelped to secure promotion last seasonClub co-owner is a big fanWHAT HAPPENED?

The prolific 28-year-old forward has made a stunning contribution to the collective cause in North Wales since linking up with the Red Dragons in 2021. She has finished as the top scorer in the Adran North on two occasions, with promotion secured to the Adran Premier League last season.

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Hughes has been showing no sign of slowing down at a higher level, with another effort added to her impressive tally in a 3-1 victory over TNS. That contest handed Wrexham their first home win of the 2023-24 campaign.

DID YOU KNOW?

Hollywood superstar Reynolds, who is co-owner of Wrexham Association Football Club alongside Rob McElhenney, is among those to have saluted Hughes’ efforts are seeing her become a club centurion. The Deadpool actor has called Hughes “the one and only” when sharing a celebratory graphic on social media.

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WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Wrexham boast big ambition at every level under Reynolds and McElhenney, with the women’s team chasing down title glory while the men are hoping to build on their record-breaking promotion from last season by bouncing straight up into League One.

The Gunners have done some incredible deals down through the years – GOAL picks out their best ever signings below…

From the dominant days of manager Herbert Chapman’s tenure in the 1930s right through to the modern era, Arsenal have signed some sensational players who have gone on to write their names into the history books.

But which transfers rank as the greatest in the Gunners' long and illustrious history.

GOAL reveals all below…

Eddie Hapgood

Arguably Arsenal’s best ever signing.

Hapgood was plucked from lowly Kettering Town by Gunners manager Herbert Chapman in 1927 for just £950 ($1,170) and went to captain Arsenal’s all-conquering side of the 1930s.

He made 440 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal and won the First Division title five times, as well as the FA Cup twice.

The left-back spent 12 years with Arsenal before the onset of the Second World War, scoring twice. 

He died in 1973, at the age of just 64.

AdvertisementGettyIan Wright

Many questioned Arsenal’s decision to spend a club record £2.5 million ($3m) to sign Ian Wright from Crystal Palace in 1991.

The Gunners had just won the First Division title and had two-time golden boot winner Alan Smith leading the line, with Kevin Campbell also at George Graham’s disposal.

But from the moment Wright opened his account with a goal at Leicester City on his Arsenal debut, he quickly silenced any of his doubters.

He went on the score 185 goals for the club, overtaking Cliff Bastin to become Arsenal’s all-time record goalscorer in 1997.

Wright won a Premier League title during his time in North London as well as two FA Cups, a League Cup, the Cup Winners Cup and the Golden Boot.

Alex James

Known as one of the finest players to have ever played for Arsenal, James arrived from Preston in 1929 for £8,750 ($10,800).

The playmaker quickly established himself in Chapman’s stellar side and scored the opening goal as Arsenal beat Huddersfield 2-0 in the 1930 FA Cup final – a victory which gave the club its first ever major trophy.

James went on to make 261 appearances for Arsenal and formed a formidable partnership with legendary attackers Ted Drake and Cliff Bastin.

The Scotland international won four league titles for the Gunners and a second FA Cup in 1936. He was forced to retire due to injury the following year.

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Sol Campbell

There is plenty of debate over who is the best free transfer of the Premier League era, but not amongst Arsenal fans.

Sol Campbell’s move across North London from Tottenham in the summer of 2001 is the stuff of legend.

Members of the media were all expecting to see goalkeeper Richard Wright unveiled when they arrived at a press conference at Arsenal’s training ground, so there was an audible gasp when Arsene Wenger walked out accompanied by Campbell – who was football's most in-demand free agent at the time.

Arsenal had taken Spurs’ captain without having to pay them a penny and they had to watch their former idol go on to win two league titles and three FA Cups during his time at Highbury.