وائل جمعة: ثنائي الأهلي لم يكن في حالته أمام الرجاء.. وهناك فارق في القدرات بين الفريقين

تحدث وائل جمعة لاعب الأهلي السابق، عن تأهل الأحمر إلى دور نصف نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا، بعد الفوز على الرجاء البيضاوي بهدفين دون رد في مباراة الذهاب التي أقيمت في القاهرة، والتعادل السلبي في مواجهة الإياب في المغرب.

الأهلي واجه الرجاء المغربي على أرضية ملعب المركب الرياضي محمد الخامس بالدار البيضاء، في إياب ربع نهائي المسابقة القارية.

وقال وائل جمعة في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر قناة “بي إن سبورتس”: “الرجاء سجل 17 هدفًا في دور المجموعات وتصدر مجموعته، لكن الأهلي استطاع أن يتغلب عليه في أرضه في المغرب رغم شراسة الجماهير، ورغم خطأ ديانج الذي كاد من الممكن أن يفسد اللقاء”.

طالع | فيديو | الأهلي يتعادل مع الرجاء ويتأهل إلى نصف نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا

وأضاف: “الأهلي استطاع السيطرة على المباراة بهدوء وخبرات، هناك فارق في القدرات بين الأهلي والرجاء لمصلحة الأحمر”.

وأكمل: “إذا كان تاو وكهربا في حالتهما، لكان من الممكن أن يخرج الأهلي من المباراة فائزًا”.

وأردف: “علي معلول لاعب مهم جدًا في الاهلي، وهو مهم جدًا في حجرة الملابس، وداخل وخارج الملعب”.

واستطرد: “تاو وكهربا لم يستغلا المساحات في دفاعات الرجاء، فهما بذلا مجهودًا كبيرًا دفاعيًا لكن لم يظهرا بشكل جيد هجوميًا”.

وأتم: “كولر كان مميزًا جدًا في توقيت تبديل طاهر محم طاهر وأحمد عبد القادر”.

Vasco tem negociações avançadas para contratar o paraguaio Cáceres

MatériaMais Notícias

O Natal vai se aproximando e o Vasco vai recheando o elenco. O clube está em negociações avançadas para contratar o lateral-direito Raul Cáceres, do Cerro Porteño, do Paraguai. A tendência é o acordo se confirmar por empréstimo até o fim do ano que vem, com opção de compra fixada.

A informação foi publicada originalmente pela Rádio ABC Cardinal, de Assunção (PAR), e confirmada pelo LANCE!. Aos 27 anos, o lateral paraguaio vem sendo titular da tradicional equipe do país vizinho, mas recebeu muito bem a chance de atuar no futebol brasileiro.

– Acho que está quase fechado sim. Estão faltando alguns detalhes e esses detalhes eu ainda não conheço bem. Mas é quase certo que eu vou para o Vasco – disse Cáceres ao site Esporte 24 horas.

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O técnico Alberto Valentim já havia pedido reforços para as laterais. Para a esquerda, Danilo Barcelos deve chegar ao Rio nesta quinta-feira para ser submetido a exames médicos e assinar contrato. Para a direita, Cáceres deve ocupar setor carente ao longo do ano, visto que Yago Pikachu atou mais avançado.

لاعب الترجي السابق: الحرمان من الجماهير أمر صعب أمام الأهلي.. ومعلول وكهربا الأخطر

تحدث سامي العروسي نجم الترجي التونسي السابق، عن مواجهة ناديه القادمة أمام الأهلي في ذهاب نصف النهائي من بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا، كما أشاد بأداء ثنائي المارد الأحمر محمود كهربا وعلي معلول.

ومن المقرر أن يلتقي الأهلي مع الترجي التونسي على أرضية الملعب الأولمبي حمادي العقربي، في ذهاب دور نصف النهائي من بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

وقال العروسي في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر قناة “الشمس”: “هناك أزمات كبري فى الترجي قبل مواجهة الأهلي وكان آخرها عقوبة اللعب بدون جماهير”.

طالع | رسميًا | كاف يتخذ عقوبات قاسية ضد الترجي قبل مواجهة الأهلي

وأضاف: “الحرمان من الجماهير سيكون أمراً صعباً للغاية أمام الأهلي، وهناك إصابات كبرى فى الترجي قبل مواجهة المارد الأحمر أهمها الهوني”.

وأوضح: “بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا هذا العام صعبة على الترجي بعد الأزمات الأخيرة ومواجهة الأهلي صعبة”.

وعن مستوى الأهلي قال: “شاهدت مباريات الأهلي هذا الموسم ومستواه يرتفع من مباراة لأخرى ويعود مع مارسيل كولر المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالنادي الأهلي ليصبح الفريق الصعب المتكامل”.

وعن أفضل لاعبي الأهلي: “كهربا ومعلول أفضل لاعبي الأهلي وسيشكلان خطورة كبيرة أمام الترجي”.

وعن توقعاته للمباراة النهائية أتم: “كنت أتمني الأهلي والترجي فى المباراة النهائية، وصن داونز سيتأهل”.

Spinners can rescue us – Karunaratne

Sri Lanka opener Dimuth Karunaratne said his side would target a lead in excess of 150 when they resume their second innings 87 runs ahead and with three wickets in hand, in Sydney on the fourth day

Andrew Fernando at the SCG05-Jan-2013

Besides Dimuth Karunaratne’s stand of 108 with Mahela Jayawardene, there wasn’t much resistance from Sri Lanka on the third day•Getty Images

Sri Lanka opener Dimuth Karunaratne said his side would target a lead in excess of 150 when they resume their second innings 87 runs ahead and with three wickets in hand, in Sydney on the fourth day. Sri Lanka had moved to within eight runs of wiping Australia’s first-innings lead when they lost their second wicket, but five more batsmen fell in the third session to leave the visitors poorly placed.Though the SCG pitch remained well-suited to batting, Karunaratne hoped Sri Lanka’s spinners could defend a modest total, as the match approached a result. Dinesh Chandimal remained unbeaten on 22 at stumps on day three, with Rangana Herath for company.”We did hard work in the first and second session, but we lost the last session which was very disappointing,” Karunaratne said. “Chandimal is at the wicket, so he can do something tomorrow. If he puts some runs on the board, like 150-175, there is a chance to do something on this track.”The wicket is turning a lot now and Australia are batting in the fourth innings. There’s something on the wicket. I think Rangana Herath and Tillakaratne Dilshan can do something for us.”Karunaratne also defended Thilan Samaraweera’s shot selection, after Samaraweera had advanced down the pitch and aimed a slog over midwicket off Nathan Lyon, off the third ball he faced. The swipe produced a top edge that was taken at mid-off, leaving Sri Lanka four wickets down, being only 20 runs ahead.”The things he is used to doing haven’t been successful for him in the last two or three innings. He tried to do something different. He tried to attack and get some runs, spread the field and then he could play his normal game. There are different plans for different players. He had a different gameplan and he tried it, but he was unlucky. I think in the next series he will come to the fore again.”We haven’t had much luck, and it’s been a disappointing series for all of us. We didn’t bat well in the whole series, except when Tillakaratne Dilshan got a hundred in the first Test and Lahiru Thirimanne batted well in the first innings here.”Sri Lanka had played Nathan Lyon aggressively throughout the Test, and Karunaratne said that that had been their plan, as most Sri Lanka batsmen felt more comfortable against spin bowling. Lyon picked up Samaraweera’s wicket, but was expensive at 4.84 runs an over, and was hit for three aerial fours in an over by Angelo Mathews despite the visitors’ dire match situation.”The Aussie fast bowlers are doing really well in the three sessions, and they do the basics right with line and length and set the field well. If we have a chance to get some runs, it’s against the offspinner through mid-on and midwicket when those fielders are in the circle. Mathews is a good player to hit some big shots. Thilan also tried to do the same thing.”

Carille é entrevistado por Andrés, nega atrito e faz projeções no Timão

MatériaMais Notícias

O técnico Fábio Carille concedeu uma entrevista diferente em seu retorno ao Corinthians. Nesta quinta-feira, o canal do clube divulgou uma “exclusiva” do treinador com o presidente Andrés Sanchez, no quatro “Papo Reto”, que recebe perguntas enviadas por torcedores.

Na entrevista, Carille negou que tenha tido algum tipo de atrito com Andrés durante o primeiro semestre deste ano, antes de ir ao Al Wehda (SAU), fez projeções para 2019. O treinador assinou contrato até o fim de 2020 com o Timão.

– Muito se falou sobre isso (atrito com Andrés). Na verdade, sei o quanto Andrés se esforçou para que eu ficasse naquele momento, nossa relação foi muito boa nesses nove anos e meio de clube, foram várias situações que me fizeram tomar essa decisão. Nossa relação é muito boa, sempre muito próximo, nos deixa trabalhar, passa confiança, então não foi por isso minha saída do Corinthians – disse Carille, que detalhou como será sua retomada de trabalho no clube.

– Gosto de ir por etapas, no início fazer todos entenderem, ter uma ideia de jogo, ter bastante organização, entrega, foi isso que falei no começo de 2017 e isso que falarei no começo de 2019. E depois no dia a dia, passo a passo a gente vai melhorando para estar no topo, para ficar sempre na parte de cima – afirmou.

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Carille também foi questionado sobre como pretende trabalhar com a base do clube. Ele prometeu acompanhar jogos da Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior para avaliar os jovens.

– A gente foi campeão paulista em 2017 com 14 jogadores da base no elenco, eu sempre acompanhei como auxiliar, vou fazer questão de ir em alguns jogos lá em Itu, essa participação do Corinthians na Copinha farei questão de estar perto. E a gente vendo possibilidade de subir jogadores, gosto de fazer essa ligação o tempo todo – declarou.

Antes do encerramento do vídeo, Andrés fez um pronunciamento sobre a volta de Carille.

– Carille veio, não houve leilão, não houve nada, até o contrário, ele tinha propostas do Brasil melhores que a do Corinthians, mas ele aceitou pela história que tem no Corinthians, pela maneira que ele acha que saiu do Corinthians na época, se sentiu no dever de voltar para dar alegria ao nosso torcedor – disse Andrés, que pediu para Carille encerrar o bate-papo mandando um recado para a Fiel.

– Muito obrigado pela confiança, voltaremos mais fortalecidos por tudo que aconteceu no Corinthians. Já que você falou de clubes do Brasil, algumas coisas também de China e e de Japão poderiam aparecer, mas a gente deu por encerrado tudo. Meu recado para os torcedores é que vocês tenham um Natal abençoado, um 2019 com muita sabedoria e saúde. E vamos juntos para que a gente consiga estar sempre na parte de cima – encerrou Carille.

VEJA OUTRAS RESPOSTAS DO TREINADOR:

Como é essa volta com status de “salvador da pátria”?
Isso é algo que mexeu muito comigo na Arábia Saudita, quando começaram os comentários sobre uma possível volta, essa manifestação da torcida. Sei que a responsabilidade é muito maior do que era antes, mas me sinto muito preparado junto com diretoria, atletas e comissão para realizar um grande trabalho. Estou feliz pelo reconhecimento, mas sei que a responsabilidade é maior. Não sou salvador da pátria, são todos juntos para a gente voltar a fazer o Corinthians bem forte.

Qual critério de reforços nessa janela? Há algum atleta na mira que seja fundamental para 2019?
A gente trabalha em conjunto desde que cheguei ao Brasil, sabendo da situação do clube, dos jogadores que precisam chegar, estou muito satisfeito com o que está acontecendo e vou ficar muito mais feliz ainda com a chegada dos jogadores que a diretoria vem trabalhando.

Como foi sua experiência na Arábia Saudita?
Muito boa, muito proveitosa, deixamos a equipe em quarto, muito acima da expectativa, cidade maravilhosa, moramos muito bem, a única queixa é a questão da estrutura, que a gente foi para lá sabendo, que a gente ia participar da reformulação, mas infelizmente as coisas estavam acontecendo de uma forma muito devagar, e não tivemos dúvida para voltar a esse desafio grande.

O que acha do apelido de Pep Carille, em referência ao Guardiola?
É para aumentar a responsabilidade, né? Claro que sou admirador do trabalho dele, mas vamos de Fábio Carille, com os pés no chão, que é muito melhor.

Tudo sobre

Andrés SanchezCorinthiansFabio Carille

جوارديولا: ربما تسببت قراراتي في عدم تسجيل هالاند مزيد من الأهداف وما يريده هو لقب البريميرليج

امتدح بيب جوارديولا مدرب مانشستر سيتي، لاعبه إيرلينج هالاند بعد تحطيمه رقمًا قياسيًا في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، حين سجل هدفًا ليلة الأربعاء أمام وست هام.

مانشستر سيتي تغلب على وست هام بثلاثية دون مقابل، وهالاند أصبح فضل هداف في موسم واحد بتاريخ البريميرليج، حيث وصل إلى 35 هدفًا. أهداف مباراة مانشستر سيتي ووست هام

وقال جوارديولا لـ “بي بي سي سبورت”، وفي مؤتمره الصحفي: “هذا النوع من المباريات صعب للغاية وصعب حقًا، وأظهر وست هام مدى جودته، في الشوط الأول ارتكبنا بعض الأخطاء الغبية لكننا سجلنا في الشوط الثاني، عدلنا شيئًا ولعبنا بشكل أفضل”.

وأستطرد: “كل مباراة صعبة، كان اليوم شديد البرودة والرياح، لم نلعب بشكل سيئ لكن لم نكن رائعين، لم نسجل في البداية لكننا واصلنا التقدم، أنا سعيد حقًا مع خمس مباريات متبقية”.

وواصل بيب: “كانت هذه إحدى مبارياتنا في متناول اليد واستخدمناها بشكل جيد، يوم السبت نواجه سام ألارديس (مباراة ليدز)”.

وعن إيرلينج هالاند، أضاف: “مذهل، يبلغ من العمر 22 عامًا فقط، وما زال أمامه خمس مباريات، كم عدد المباريات التي قمت فيها باستبداله بعد الهاتريك في 60 دقيقة، ربما كان قد سجل أهدافًا أكثر (إذا لم يستبدله) ولكن ربما كان قد أصيب انه مميز وتهانينا له”.

اقرأ أيضًا | هالاند بعد تربعه على عرش هدافي الدوري الإنجليزي التاريخيين: مستعد لمبادلة أهدافي بالثلاثية

وأردف جوارديولا: “كنا نتوقع منه أن يسجل أهدافًا ولكن تحطيم الرقم القياسي لكول وشيرر … أنا متأكد من أن ما يريده هو الفوز بالدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، لدينا مباراة واحدة في متناول اليد ولكن لا يزال أمامنا نقطة واحدة فقط، علينا التعافي بشكل جيد”.

وأكمل مدرب مانشستر سيتي: “إنه أمر لا يصدق، كم عدد الأهداف المهمة التي سجلها للفوز بالمباريات، نحن راضون جدًا، إنه شخص فريد من نوعه وهو مميز للغاية، لقد استحق ممر الشرف لأنه حدث رائع، في يوم آخر قد يحطم رقمه القياسي، لقد سجل الكثير من الأهداف!”.

وبشأن غياب كيفين دي بروين، أوضح بيب: “بالطبع كيفن دي بروين مهم، لكن يتعين على الفريق المضي قدمًا، آمل أن يعود قريبًا، آمل أن يعود جمهورنا إلى هنا [ضد ليدز يوم السبت] ويجعل الأجواء صغبة، ونحصل على ثلاث نقاط أخرى”.

وعن وصول مانشستر سيتي لـ 1000 هدفًا تحت قيادته، أشار جوارديولا: “بالطبع أنا فخور، الهدف هو لحظة متعة لمشجعينا وقد استمتعوا به 1000 مرة، نحن مستمرون في التقدم”.

وسُئل المدرب الإسباني عن تصريحات سام ألارديس مدرب ليدز، والذي قال أنه في نفس مكانة بيب وأرتيتا وكلوب فيما يتعلق بالمعرفة باللعبة والبريميرليج.

ورد جوارديولا: “إنه على حق، أريد أن أكون صادقًا، انظر إلى ما حدث مع نيل وارنوك في هدرسفيلد، هؤلاء المدربون الرائعون فعلوا هذا في البريميرليج، يبدو الآن أن المدربين الشباب لديهم تكتيكات جيدة حقًا، روي هودسون مع كريستال بالاس … إنهم جيدون حقًا، إنهم يعرفون اللعبة تمامًا”.

وشدد: “سيكون الأمر صعبًا، لديه الكاريزما ويعرف تمامًا ما يجب فعله، هذا النوع من المدربين القدامى، الآن الأشخاص الذين يبلغون من العمر 35 و40 عامًا، نخترع كرة القدم، لا، لقد تم إنشاء كرة القدم بالفعل، ليس عليك أن تكون شابًا لتكون مديرًا فنيًا جيدًا”.

Ford defends Sri Lanka's use of DRS

Sri Lanka coach Graham Ford has defended his side’s poor use of the DRS on day two in Sydney

Andrew Fernando at the SCG04-Jan-2013Sri Lanka coach Graham Ford has defended his side’s poor use of the DRS on day two in Sydney, after they burnt a review in Rangana Herath’s first over, but did not refer an lbw shout that would have been turned in their favour a few overs later.Sri Lanka could have had Michael Clarke out first ball when Herath struck him on the pad with one that pitched outside off stump and straightened, but were unsure if Clarke had inside edged a ball onto his pad. The unsuccessful review had been another lbw chance off David Warner, where the ball was not projected to hit enough of the stumps to overturn the original decision. Clarke went on to make 50.”It was tough for Mahela [Jayawardene],” Ford said. “I think he wanted reviews intact. Having blown one he was reluctant to blow another one unless he was absolutely sure that it was out. I think the captain tries to get as much information as possible from close fielders, like what the height was, and he has to follow his gut feeling.”It all happens quickly and standing in the slips, it’s very hard for Mahela. If they had reviewed that and maybe if one or two chances stuck today, and a couple of things had gone our way, we would have been in a better position. Although we are still in the game, we could have been in a powerful position.”Australia finished 48 runs ahead of Sri Lanka at stumps, with four first-innings wickets still in hand. However the SCG pitch has already shown signs of dryness on day two. With Australia having to bat last, Ford was hopeful a strong second-innings performance might take the visitors close to a maiden win in Australia.”We know we are in the game. We have fought hard and deserve to be in the game, because of the spirit and the fight we’ve shown. We’re well aware that it’s going to be tough from here on, but we certainly haven’t been blown away and we are sitting in a much better position than at the MCG. We will take heart from that. A number of young players have come in and shown that they have the guts and desire to play at this level.”Ford also praised Jayawardene’s knock on day one, which helped set a positive tone for Sri Lanka’s first innings, as their captain collected 72 from 110 balls, hitting 12 fours and a six. Jayawardene had struggled in the first two Tests, in which he made 12, 19, 3 and 0.”It was fantastic to see him go out and play so well. It shows what a fantastic leader he is. He was up for the challenge and went up the order and batted at three. He played superbly and I was hopeful he would get a hundred as this is his last Test match as captain, but I am sure he will have a bigger role to play in the second innings.”

Decisivo, Mateus Vital agrada, mas Corinthians espera mais para 2019

MatériaMais Notícias

Quando o Corinthians pagou cerca de R$ 8 milhões para contratar Mateus Vital, então uma promessa do Vasco, o torcedor corintiano se perguntou se demoraria para o atleta fazer valer o investimento. Não demorou. Em sua primeira temporada no futebol paulista, Vital ficou marcado por um lance decisivo que culminou em um título histórico: ele criou a jogada para o gol de Rodriguinho, que levou a decisão do Paulista contra o Palmeiras para os pênaltis e acabou com a taça para o Timão.

Mateus Vital foi uma aposta do técnico Fábio Carille para a final, já que Clayson tinha sendo o titular da equipe. O garoto de 20 anos entrou no grande jogo e não sentiu a pressão mesmo fora de casa. Ali, a diretoria e comissão técnica do Corinthians passaram a ter convicção de que o investimento foi acertado.

Mas, se foi vital no único título da equipe no ano, Mateus foi menos decisivo durante a maior parte da temporada. Em 60 jogos, foram apenas dois gols marcados. Importante ressaltar que ele só jogou menos do que Henrique (66), Cássio (63) e Romero (62) no elenco. Mas ainda faltou mais poder de fogo.

Essa característica voltou a aparecer no fim da temporada e novamente de forma decisiva. Vital fez o gol que afastou as chances de o Corinthians ser rebaixado no Campeonato Brasileiro. Foi na vitória por 1 a 0 justamente contra o Vasco, seu ex-clube. Foi tão importante que o garoto nem sequer comemorou, em respeito à instituição que, segundo ele, lhe deu tudo.

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O comportamento também foi elogiado internamente, por atitudes como essas, de gratidão, humildade e simplicidade. Assim, Mateus Vital faz parte do grupo de jovens que a diretoria acredita que renderá um grande time no futuro. Há o reconhecimento de que ele ainda precisa evoluir muito, mas o primeiro passo foi dado

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CorinthiansMateus Vital

نتائج قرعة كأس أمم آسيا 2023.. قطر مع لبنان والسعودية في المجموعة الرابعة

أجريت اليوم الخميس مراسم قرعة بطولة كأس أمم أسيا 2023 المقرر إقامتها في قطر.

البطولة تقام بمشاركة 24 منتخبًا نجحت في التأهل إلى نهائيات كأس أمم آسيا، تم تقسيمها إلى 6 مجموعات، بواقع 4 فرق في كل مجموعة.

إعلان موعد انطلاق وختام بطولة كأس أمم آسيا 2023

وشهدت المجموعة الأولى تواجد منتخب قطر منظم البطولة، ومعه كل من الصين وطاجيكستان لبنان.

وتواجد منتخب السعودية في المجموعة الأخيرة إلى جوار تايلاند وقرجيزستان وعمان. مجموعات كأس أمم آسيا 2023

المجموعة الأولى: قطر- الصين- طاجيكستان – لبنان.

المجموعة الثانية: أستراليا –أوزبكستان- سوريا- الهند.

المجموعة الثالثة: إيران –الإمارات- هونج كونج- فلسطين.

المجموعة الرابعة: اليابان –إندونيسيا- العراق- فيتنام.

المجموعة الخامسة: كوريا الجنوبية- ماليزيا- الأردن- البحرين.

المجموعة السادسة: السعودية- تايلاند- قرجيزستان- عمان.

ومن المقرر يتأهل إلى الدور الثاني المتصدر ووصيفه، بالإضافة إلى 4 منتخبات هي الأفضل بين أصحاب المركز الثالث، مكونين دور الـ16 ليلعب بنظام خروج المغلوب.

Samaraweera, Mendis shine in opening round

Nondescripts Cricket Club, Badureliya Sports Club, Moors Sports Club and Sri Lanka Army won by an innings in the opening round of the Premier League Tournament

Andrew Fidel Fernando06-Feb-2013

File photo: Thilan Samaraweera put behind his poor tour of Australia to score a century for Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo•Associated Press

Each of the ten first round matches in Sri Lanka’s Premier League Tournament produced results, with Nondescripts Cricket Club (NCC), Badureliya Sports Club, Moors Sports Club and Sri Lanka Army each winning by an innings, and taking the most points in either group. Panadura Cricket Club, Colts Cricket Club (CCC) and Bloomfield Cricket Club were the other winners in group A, while Sinhalese Sports Club, Tamil Union Cricket Club, and Colombo Cricket Club were the remaining victors in group B.Three young cricketers earmarked for future national duty were particularly impressive for NCC, having also had successful limited-overs tournaments earlier in the season. Reigning schoolboy cricketer of the year, 19-year-old wicketkeeper batsman Niroshan Dickwella made a bruising 146 off 142 deliveries against Kurunegala Youth on debut, setting up a mammoth first-innings total of 560, after Kurunegala had been skittled for 60 at NCC. The innings featured 16 fours, and was his fourth century in all formats, in his first season of professional cricket. He had also scored a century in his last match, where he helped set up victory for Wayamba in the provincial List A final.Offspinner Tharindu Kaushal, also 19, had been picked for the Test squad for New Zealand’s tour of Sri Lanka, and he continued to show why he was being closely watched, as he took seven wickets for 78 in what was also his first-class debut. Already earning renown as a big turner of the ball, unafraid to throw it up, Kaushal had taken 22 wickets at 18.63 in List A cricket so far this season. Twenty-seven-year old left-arm spinner Sohan Boralessa was the most successful bowler in the match, taking 9 for 85.Angelo Perera, 22, has been one of the most consistent batsmen in domestic cricket since 2009, and he began his 2013 first class season with a blistering hundred as well, clobbering 120 in 88 balls, having replaced Dickwella at the crease at 281 for four. Perera is chief among the young batsmen vying for a Test place in 2013, and if he can improve on a first-class average of 45.34 in the coming weeks against more skilful opposition than Kurunegala, the selectors may be forced to consider him for the Bangladesh tour of Sri Lanka in March. Providing his form doesn’t dip, he should also earn a place in the A Team for their sole tour this year, in May and June.On the other end of the age scale, Thilan Samaraweera also began the season with a hundred, as he begins making a case for retention in the Test side. Samaraweera was Sri Lanka’s worst batsman during the Tests in Australia, and has the least secure place in the side, as the selectors look to give the likes of Dinesh Chandimal and Lahiru Thirimanne a regular place. His first-innings 134 helped SSC set up a ten-wicket win over Chilaw Marians at SSC, after he put on 175 for the third wicket alongside Kaushal Silva, who top-scored with 141. Opener Dimuth Karunaratne also played himself into some form with a measured 70 from 116, after he had had a disappointing finish to the provincial List A tournament.Tamil Union, who have the best domestic wicket in the country, at the P Sara Oval, is now the home of Sri Lanka’s Test attack, with Rangana Herath, Shaminda Eranga and Chanaka Welegedara having recently moved to join Suranga Lakmal there. Unsurprisingly Tamil Union registered an eight-wicket victory over Sri Lanka Ports Authority that was achieved through a strong first-innings performance with the ball. Eranga’s stunning 6 for 21 from 11.1 overs helped dismiss Ports Authority for 136 after Tamil Union had made 353, and the follow-on was enforced. Ports Authority batted with more resolve in the second dig, but were unable to mount sufficient resistance to escape with a draw, as Welegedara and Lakmal shared five wickets. Allrounder Sachithra Serasinghe, 25, who is also on the national selectors’ radar, also made an impact for Tamil Union, making 65 in his only innings and taking 4 wickets for 81.Nuwan Pradeep’s first innings 5 for 71 helped set up Bloomfield’s 171-run victory against Burgher Recreation Club at the Bloomfield ground. Bloomfield dismissed BRC for 184 to take a 52-run first-innings lead, as Suraj Randiv backed up Pradeep’s five-for with two top-order scalps of his own. Randiv took three more wickets in the second innings, as he attempts to keep his place as Sri Lanka’s second Test spinner after having had an indifferent home series against New Zealand.Ajantha Mendis took 9 wickets for 47 for Army at Panagoda, having just returned from national duty in Australia. Legspinner Seekkuge Prasanna had been Army’s prime-destroyer in the first innings, as he took 5 for 35, but Mendis bettered that haul on day two, taking 6 for 47 in the second innings, to end the match in two days. Akila Dananjaya also had a decent first class debut in Colts’ win over Ragama Cricket Club, when he rebounded from 0 for 29 in five overs in the first innings, to take 4 for 44 in the second.

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