Berg: Fellaini can shine at United
Former defender Henning Berg believes new signing Marouane Fellaini can provide the sort of focal point Eric Cantona once did for Manchester United. Press Association Much will be expected of the 25-year-old as he was Moyes’ only significant signing of the summer after failed bids for Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas, but Berg believes the Belgian can develop into a key figure for the side. “He’s got great potential and if he’s consistent with his best level, he will be a fantastic signing,” he told MUTV. “He can play so many different positions, he’s a good footballer but there’s something about him. “He can get players around him, he can control and dominate games and I think United have too few players who can do that – that’s why I think he will be a great signing. “He’s very difficult to handle in the box, but he’s got that presence and that mentality that makes sure he stands out and does that little bit extra. “I think with his passion and his mentality, he can make a big difference to United. “He’s not the kind of player to thread passes through but he has a sheer presence to hold the ball up, ability to win balls in the box and match-winning mentality – he raises his game for the big matches. “Every game for United is a big one, so I think he will rise to that and enjoy it. “When Cantona came, he had that mentality every game. I’m not saying he’s going to be the same, but he can be.” 
The Belgium international completed a £27.5million move to be reunited with former Everton manager David Moyes at Old Trafford late on deadline day. He has yet to make an appearance because of the international break but will be in the squad to face Crystal Palace at home on Saturday. 
… pacer Shannon Gabriel takes career-best five for 96ABU DHABI: West Indies lost two late wickets to hand the initiative to Pakistan on the second day of the second Test in Abu Dhabi yesterday.West Indies had defied Pakistan’s bowlers well until the 44th over with the score 106 for 2, but they then lost Marlon Samuels (30) and Kraigg Brathwaite (21) in the space of three balls without adding any further runs.Nightwatchman Devendra Bishoo and Jermaine Blackwood were yet to score as West Indies trail Pakistan’s first innings total of 452 by 346 runs with six wickets intact.Darren Bravo, who made 87 and 116 in the first Test in Dubai, made an attractive 43 but his dismissal left Pakistan in a dominant position.A late collapse hit the West Indies hard as Samuels edged fast bowler Rahat Ali to slip before Brathwaite was run out by Misbah-ul-Haq’s throw after setting off for a quick single.Bravo, who opened the innings after Brathwaite was off the field when Pakistan were batting and could not come in at the start, helped the tourists reach 27 without loss at the tea interval.But in the third over after tea Rahat gave Pakistan the breakthrough when he trapped Leon Johnson leg-before for 12.Bravo and Brathwaite took the score to 65 before drama unfolded involving English umpire Michael Gough as two of his decisions were overturned on referral.Leg-spinner Yasir Shah struck Bravo on his back pad as the left-hander tried to pull a short ball but Gough turned down a vociferous appeal from Pakistan players.Misbah reviewed the decision and television replays resulted in Bravo being sent on his way trapped leg-before for 43.The very next ball Shah trapped Samuels in front of his stumps and Gough raised his finger, only for a review to grant the batsman a reprieve as replays showed he had hit the ball.Misbah falls shortEarlier, Pakistan skipper Misbah missed out on his 11th Test century by just four runs, but Sarfraz Ahmed (56) and Mohammad Nawaz (25) added 70 for the seventh wicket to ensure Pakistan crossed the 450-mark.Shannon Gabriel, who took a career best five for 96, had dismissed Misbah in the first session before bowling Ahmed soon after lunch.He dismissed Zulfiqar Babar for nought to wrap up the innings.“There is not much for the bowlers in the pitch so it’s great to get five wickets and I am very happy,” said Gabriel, following his first Test five-wicket haul.Sohail Khan hit five boundaries before he became one of three victims for Jason Holder, who finished with 3-47.Pakistan had resumed the day on 304-4 in the hope that Misbah and nightwatchman Shah would survive the second new ball which the West Indies took at the start of play.Shah was fortunate to escape a leg-before review off Holder but Misbah was not so lucky as he was dismissed in the next over.Misbah missed an inswinging delivery which hit him in front of the wicket, with umpire Gough raising his finger. The Pakistani skipper reluctantly reviewed the decision but without success.Shah was the next to go as he pulled Holder straight to square-leg fielder Bishoo after scoring 23.Ahmed paced his innings well, hitting six boundaries in his 59-ball knock, as Pakistan compiled an imposing first-innings score. Pakistan lead the three-match series 1-0 after winning the first Test — a day-night affair played with a pink ball — by 56 runs.PAKISTAN 1st innings (overnight 304 for four)Sami Aslam b Bishoo 6Azhar Ali b Gabriel 0Asad Shafiq b Gabriel 68Younis Khan c Chase b Brathwaite 127*Misbah-ul-Haq lbw b Gabriel 96Yasir Shah c Bishoo b Holder 23+Sarfraz Ahmed b Gabriel 56Mohammad Nawaz b Holder 25Sohail Khan c Johnson b Holder 26Zulfiqar Babar c wkp Hope b Gabriel 0Rahat Ali not out 0Extras (b1, lb15, nb9) 25TOTAL (all out, 119.1 overs) 452Fall of wickets: 1-6, 2-42, 3-129, 4-304, 5-332, 6-342, 7-412, 8-430, 9-452, 10-452.Bowling: Gabriel 23.1-1-96-5 (nb9), Cummins 20-1-65-0, Holder 22-8-47-3, Bishoo 26-0-112-1, Chase 19-1-80-0, Brathwaite 9-0-36-1.WEST INDIES 1st inningsL Johnson lbw b Rahat Ali 12D Bravo lbw b Yasir Shah 43K Brathwaite run out 21M Samuels c Sami Aslam b Rahat Ali 30D Bishoo not out 0J Blackwood not out 0TOTAL (4 wkts, 45 overs) 106To bat: R Chase, +S Hope, *J Holder, M Cummins, S Gabriel.Fall of wickets: 1-27, 2-65, 3-106, 4-106.Bowling: Rahat Ali 12-6-31-2, Sohail Khan 9-3-16-0, Zulfiqar Babar 11-1-29-0, Asad Shafiq 1-0-2-0, Yasir Shah 12-5-28-1.Umpires: M Gough, R Illingworth; TV – P Reiffel
Football connoisseurs who have been thronging the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City to witness the best of women soccer in the last one week when the Nigerian Women’s Premier League Super 4 began are gearing up for the final match of the competition featuring Nasarawa Amazons and Delta Queens friday.Prior to the kick off of the competition, most followers of the Nigerian women game picked Rivers Angels and Bayelsa Queens as the teams to beat owing to their pedigree in the game. But they have been pleasantly surprised by the superlative performances of the Amazons from Nasarawa and Delta Queens who have defied all odds to make the final.Now, the die is cast! It is time for the best team in the NWPL to emerge and as usual, the fans are not agreed on the likely winner of the match.But one thing is common in the analysis by the pundits: Anybody, who comes to the stadium for the final game today will be treated to a world-class match in a convivial atmosphere set by the Edo State government.Nasarawa have seven points, while Delta have five points to make the final, while Bayelsa and Rivers Angels were left to fight for the third place match, which held yesterday.According to NWFL Chairperson, Aisha Falode, Nasarawa State Deputy Governor, Silas Agera, Asisat Oshoala, who is a product of Robo FC, Edo State government officials and members of the executive committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will grace the occasion.“There will be an exhibition match between Robo FC and Edo Queens before the final game,†stressed Falode who also doubles as NFF board member.Also speaking on the game, Edo FA Chairman, Frank Ilaboya, assures fans of an entertaining evening inside the stadium and its surroundings.“We have rolled out the drums to ensure that all football fans at the stadium get the best of Edo State hospitality.“Before the competition started, the state government gave the stadium a facelift in line with Governor Godwin Obaseki’s promise to make the state the sports hub of the country. So, we are ready to welcome all the fans to the final match,†Ilaboya noted with enthusiasm.Share this:FacebookRedditTwitterPrintPinterestEmailWhatsAppSkypeLinkedInTumblrPocketTelegram
Published on February 17, 2011 at 12:00 pm Comments Facebook Twitter Google+
The Syracuse women’s basketball team’s 53-45 slugfest win over Louisville gave the team multiple reasons to be excited.First, the victory brought the Orange back to .500 in the Big East. It gave SU some confidence heading into the final stretch of the regular season. And it inched the team closer to a 20-win season.But perhaps more importantly, it added a resume-strengthening win in Syracuse’s last chance to do so at home this year.‘I think it was important to protect your home floor,’ senior guard Erica Morrow said. ‘It’s so hard to win tough games on the road that you need to protect your home floor and win as many as possible when you have the advantage.’The matchup with Louisville marked the beginning of a critical two-game swing for the Orange (18-7, 6-6), with the postseason rapidly approaching. Entering this week, ESPN placed Syracuse just outside its projected NCAA tournament field in the ‘last four out’ group. But both the Cardinals and St. John’s, who SU plays Saturday at 3 p.m. in New York City, were in the field of 64. With only three games left after the weekend, this may be Syracuse’s last chance to earn a resume-building win in the regular season.AdvertisementThis is placeholder text‘We knew how big Louisville was going in because we knew exactly where they were in all that,’ SU head coach Quentin Hillsman said. ‘Obviously, going into St. John’s, it’s the same thing.’Before the win against the Cardinals, Syracuse’s slate of victories was void of many signature wins. The best was a Jan. 22 triumph at Marquette. A win over then-No. 6 Ohio State on Dec. 11 in the Carrier Dome has lost most of its luster as the Buckeyes have limped to a 15-9 mark.Other than those wins, the Orange has missed a slew of opportunities. The Big East schedule has provided plenty of chances for SU to beat tournament teams, but it has struggled against its more talented counterparts.Add those blundered chances to an RPI of 63 and strength of schedule that ranks 95th in the country, and ESPN projected Syracuse to barely miss the tournament.‘Normally, they’re pretty accurate,’ Hillsman said. ‘You’ve almost got to look at it and say, ‘Hey, that’s kind of where we are.”But this week could be the difference for Syracuse’s tournament chances.It already pulled out the win over Louisville, adding another decent win to the resume. St. John’s may be a taller task on the road, but as Hillsman said, a victory in New York would be just as important — if not more — as the win Wednesday in the Dome.‘I think it’s very important that we just finish the season strong,’ sophomore guard Elashier Hall said. ‘Right now, we’re 6-6. It’s OK, but we would love to finish out these games.’And in fact, a win over the Red Storm may be Syracuse’s last chance at a resume-improving victory. Its first two opponents after St. John’s are Cincinnati and Providence, both of whom have losing records. After that, SU travels to Storrs, Conn., for a bout with No. 2 Connecticut, who it hasn’t beaten since 1996.A victory over UConn could certainly be the golden ticket for the Orange to get into the tournament. But as that hasn’t happened in 15 years, SU’s performance this week could be the decisive factor for the Orange’s tournament goals.Syracuse already took one major step toward the field of 64 with the win over Louisville on Wednesday. And back-to-back wins over projected tournament teams would certainly improve its chances.‘I think it’d be really important,’ Hillsman said. ‘We’re not going to downplay the game. It’s a very important game playing against a great team, and we’ve got to go down there and get it done.’zjbrown@syr.edu
Facebook Twitter Google+ Published on December 19, 2013 at 4:54 pm Contact Trevor: tbhass@syr.edu | @TrevorHass The Syracuse men’s lacrosse team will play nine teams in Inside Lacrosse’s Top 20 this season. SU will face five Atlantic Coast conference teams in the top 10 in its first year in the conference – No. 1 Duke, No. 3 North Carolina, No. 4 Notre Dame, No. 6 Maryland and No. 9 Virginia. No. 12 Albany, Maryland, Notre Dame and North Carolina are slated to come to the Carrier Dome. The Orange travels to Virginia, No. 14 Johns Hopkins, Duke and No. 17 Cornell.Six of the Orange’s opponents qualified for the 16-team NCAA tournament last season. Syracuse advanced to the national championship game last season before falling to Duke 16-10. SU finished 2013 tied for the most wins in the program’s 95-year history with 16. Below is Syracuse’s full schedule. Dates and times are subject to change, and television channels will be released at a later date, per SU Athletics. AdvertisementThis is placeholder textJanuary/FebruarySat., Jan. 25 – Hofstra/Le Moyne (scrimmage), 10 a.m.Sat., Feb. 1 – at Towson/Bucknell (scrimmage), TBAMon., Feb. 10 – Siena, 7 p.m.Sun., Feb. 16 – Albany, 4 p.m.Sat., Feb. 22 – Maryland, 1 p.m.Fri., Feb. 28 – at Virginia, 5 p.m.MarchSat., March 8 – vs. St. John’s (Kennesaw, Ga.), 4 p.m.Sat., March 15 – at Johns Hopkins, 12 p.m.Sun., March 23 – at Duke, 12:30 p.m.Sat., March 29 – Notre Dame, 12 p.m.AprilWed., April 2 – Binghamton, 7 p.m.Tues., April 8 – at Cornell, 7 p.m.Sat., April 12 – North Carolina, 6 p.m.Sat., April 19 – at Hobart, 3 p.m.Fri-Sun., April 25-27 – ACC Championship (Chester, Pa.), TBAMaySat., May 3 – Colgate, 4 p.m. Comments
Here is everything to know about the 2019 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, including a lineup of participants, a history of past winners, and how to watch live on TV and stream online.MORE: Watch the NBA live and on-demand with fuboTV (7-day free trial)What time does the NBA dunk contest start?The dunk contest will take place at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte on Saturday, Feb. 16. It does not have a definitive start time, but will be the final event of the Saturday slate following the skills challenge and 3-point contest. The night gets started at 8 p.m. ET. NBA dunk contest TV channel, live streamAs is the case with most other All-Star events, TNT will air the dunk contest. It can also be streamed on fuboTV, which offers a 7-day free trial. Kevin Harlan, Kenny Smith, and Mitchell will be among those on the broadcast. NBA dunk contest 2019 participantsDennis Smith Jr. finished third in the 2018 dunk contest. John Collins, Hamidou Diallo and Miles Bridges are first-time participants.PlayerTeamPos.HeightMiles BridgesHornetsF6-7John CollinsHawksF/C6-10Hamidou DialloThunderG6-5Dennis Smith Jr.KnicksG6-3NBA dunk contest judges, format for 2019The panel of judges for the 2019 dunk contest consists of retired NBA players Alonzo Mourning, David Thompson and Dee Brown along with WNBA stars Candace Parker and A’ja Wilson.The dunks will be graded on a scale of 6-10, with 50 being the maximum score per attempt. The two players with the highest combined score on their two first-round dunks will move to the finals, with the winner being determined the same way.NBA dunk contest past winnersYearWinnerTeam2018Donovan MitchellJazz2017Glenn Robinson IIIPacers2016Zach LaVineTimberwolves2015Zach LaVineTimberwolves2014John WallWizards2013Terrence RossRaptors2012Jeremy EvansJazz2011Blake GriffinClippers2010Nate RobinsonKnicks2009Nate RobinsonKnicks2008Dwight HowardMagic2007Gerald GreenCeltics2006Nate RobinsonKnicks2005Josh SmithHawks2004Fred JonesPacers2003Jason RichardsonWarriors2002Jason RichardsonWarriors2001Desmond MasonSonics2000Vince CarterRaptors1997Kobe BryantLakers1996Brent BarryClippers1995Harold MinerHeat1994Isiah RiderTimberwolves1993Harold MinerHeat1992Cedric CeballosSuns1991Dee BrownCeltics1990Dominique WilkinsHawks1989Kenny WalkerKnicks1988Michael JordanBulls1987Michael JordanBulls1986Spud WebbHawks1985Dominique WilkinsHawks1984Larry NanceSuns High-flying slams and unorthodox props will be featured heavily in the 2019 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, which will serve as the finale of Saturday night’s All-Star festivities.It doesn’t feature the same star power as the 3-point contest or skills competition, but dunks still carry a certain prestige and the event is never short on excitement. Two rookies and a pair of second-year players will make up this year’s field, which won’t feature defending champion Donovan Mitchell.
Drake has offered his support to “true warrior” Kevin Durant after the Golden State Warriors superstar suffered another injury setback in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.Durant limped out of the Warriors’ 106-105 victory over the Toronto Raptors in the second quarter at Scotiabank Arena on Monday. The majority of the crowd rose to applaud the two-time NBA Finals MVP off, but there were also cheers when he went down in pain on his return from a calf problem.Drake has had run-ins with Warriors players in a series Toronto lead 3-2, but the Raptors fan put his allegiances aside to send his best wishes to Durant. Related News Warriors’ Kevin Durant ‘hurting deep in the soul’ after injuring Achilles in Game 5 of NBA Finals Was tough for any of us to even enjoy that game tonight after seeing this transpire. Praying for our brother. That’s my only concern tonight is your well being. “The game needs me” is an understatement when it comes to 35. Please wish the best for this true warrior. A post shared by champagnepapi (@champagnepapi) on Jun 10, 2019 at 11:58pm PDTDurant attempted to drive to the basket with a little more than 9:45 to play before halftime. He went down, grabbed his leg and was helped off the court by trainers. “Was tough for any of us to even enjoy that game tonight after seeing this transpire. Praying for our brother,” he posted alongside an image of Durant on Instagram. “My only concern tonight is your wellbeing. ‘The game needs me’ is an understatement when it comes to 35. Please wish the best for this true warrior.” Kyle Lowry unimpressed with reaction to Kevin Durant injury by Raptors fans View this post on Instagram NBA Finals 2019: Bob Myers, Warriors players discuss Kevin Durant’s injury Kevin Durant goes down…. pic.twitter.com/fSjEB1QiQv— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) June 11, 2019Durant then headed back to the locker room and was joined by teammates Stephen Curry and Andre Iguodala.Steph Curry and Andre Iguodala accompanied Kevin Durant to the locker room after he appeared to re-injure his calf. #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/Psx6Gvul5l— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 11, 2019He left the arena on crutches in a walking boot. Durant leaving Scotiabank Arena on crutches pic.twitter.com/eccyf5bB8f— Phil Barber (@Skinny_Post) June 11, 2019The Warriors will host Game 6 at Oracle Arena on Thursday.
“You want a guy you can project playing in the playoffs,” Myers said, via the Mercury News. “That’s what we’re all trying to do — win playoff games. Can you find a guy that has a skill? Can you find a guy that you believe has the potential to do it?”Stars Kevin Durant (ruptured Achilles) and Klay Thompson (torn ACL) suffered serious injuries in the Finals and both will be free agents this summer. Even if they do re-sign with the Warriors, they’ll be sidelined for much, if not all, of next season. Related News The Warriors’ bench declined in 2018-19, as well, and they’ll need to add multiple rotation pieces in the upcoming months.“(We’re looking for) good young players, whatever position they are,” Myers said. “Those players have the most value in the NBA — rookie contract players that show themselves to have a skill and can play.“Especially next year, we afford more opportunity for who we pick. Maybe we get a guy who can step in. We will have more opportunity next year. No matter what happens in free agency, we’ll have more of an opportunity for a young guy.”The Warriors will also pick 58th and Myers said the team could consider buying another second-round selection. NBA Draft 2019: 5 second-round sleepers Will Kevin Durant re-sign with Warriors? Steve Kerr, Bob Myers have ‘no idea’ The Warriors know what type of player they’re looking to pick Thursday.Golden State has turned its attention to the draft after its attempt at a three-peat came up short when it fell to the Raptors in six games in the NBA Finals last week. General manager Bob Myers discussed the team’s strategy for the No. 28 selection when he met with reporters Wednesday. NBA Draft 2019: What will the Warriors do at No. 28? “We’d like to have as many picks as we can,” Myers said. “But I think we have to be aware we have some youth already and who will be back and what spots we’ll have to fill.”Golden State is projected to take former Belmont forward Dylan Windler at No. 28 in Sporting News’ latest mock draft.
All members of the team were selected from the recent Kolomotu’a Sevens competition, a competition that was won by Toloa Old Boys. The national team will participate in the core status qualifying competition of the tournament. This competition features 12 non-core teams with the overall winner being granted a core status for the next HSBC World Series (2016 – 2017). Core status means a team is invited to participate in every tournament of the HSBC World Series. Tonga’s pool opponents are Morocco, Brazil and Japan. Tonga Sevens Team List Atelea Moa – Marist Misitana Afeaki – Ha’apai Taliauli Sikuea – Toloa Old Boys Semisi Tei – Toloa Old Boys Sione Vea – Toloa Old Boys Tuihakavalu Ika – Toloa Old Boys Joseph Tongia – Marist Tavake Fusimalohi – Fasi Ma’ufanga Unaloto Kaloni – Ha’apai Samisoni Asi – Toloa Old Boys Fine Tokai – Lavengamalie Viliami Siale – Toloa Old BoysThe officials are:Co-head Coaches – Siaosi Atiola and Taholo AnitoniTeam Manager – Tevita LavemaiTeam Physio – Siosaia Vakasiuola.(The captains of the eight teams battling to win core team status next season)
The Atlético visits the RCDE Stadium with the clear missive of winning again away from home, something that does not happen since on December 22 in the victory against Betis (1-2). The roijblanco team has only managed three wins how visitor in what march of League (before him Leganés on the second day and in Mallorca in the sixth), something that has meant a very heavy ballast when it comes to consolidating in third place. And Espanyol is a bone for Atlético in its stadium. The parakeet team has always demanded the most from Simeone in his visits and in the seven meetings there since the arrival of the Argentine coach to the club there can be no more even balance: three victories of Espanyol, other three of Atlético and a draw. In the last two rojiblancas visits have been the blue and whites who have done with the three points. By win a year ago (3-0) to believe with faith in their possibilities to reach the Europa League, something they ended up getting. The goals of Godín in own and the double of Borja Iglesias, left a great afternoon for the local fans, which today will fill his fief. In the 2017-18 season it was Sergio García the author of the winning goal for Espanyol. The other parakeet victory goes back to the 2013-14 season, year of the mattress title. Atlético traveled to Barcelona with full victories in the first eight days, but a goal in Courtois own He decided the game for the locals. It was the only rojiblanca defeat in the first 22 days of the competition until he returned to visit Almeria in match 23, a match marked by the controversial arbitration. Atlético del Cholo’s first victory in the Espanyol field was in 2013, on his first visit. Raúl García was the author of the only goal of the match. In the 2015-16 and 2016-17 season the other two mattress triumphs would arrive consecutively and with Griezmann as the protagonist. In the first one he went up Diop’s initial goal thanks to the goals of Torres, Griezmann and Koke. A year later the French would be the author of the goal that gave the victory to Atlético. Finally in the 2014-15 academic year, Espanyol and Atleti finished their game in tables and without goals. A stadium that in recent years has choked on Atletico and that Now measure the mattress growth moment after three wins and a draw in their last four games. With virtually all the available template, less Giménez and Lemar for physical problems, and recovering a pressure and an intensity that has been a sign of Simeone but that had been seen dropper this course, Atlético will seek his fourth victory as a visitor in one of its stadiums that complicate the games more.