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Appointment made in lead-up to Test and T20I series against Ireland in November and December

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Nov-2025Former Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful has been named as batting coach for the team’s upcoming series against Ireland.Ashraful was part of one of Bangladesh’s greatest moments in history. He was only 20 years old when he led the team to a stunning upset of Australia in 2005. That century was part of a career which spanned 177 ODIs and yielded 3468 runs, the fifth highest for his country. Ashraful also played 61 Tests – becoming the youngest player to score a hundred – and 23 T20Is and was active in domestic cricket as recently as two years ago.Mohammad Salahuddin resigned as assistant coach on Wednesday and will depart at the end of the Ireland series next month. He was brought in to support head coach Phil Simmons in November 2024. Salahuddin was in charge of the batting unit having spent nearly three decades coaching at various levels in Bangladesh and developing strong relations with the current group of players.Related

Mahmudul Hasan Joy returns to Bangladesh Test squad for Ireland series

When Mohammad Ashraful took on McGrath and Gillespie

A difficult 2025, where the team suffered T20I series defeats to UAE, Pakistan and most recently West Indies, ODI series defeats to Afghanistan and Sri Lanka and Test match losses to Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe added pressure on the team and its management. Salahuddin had pushed back against it during a press conference in July when he said “after coaching for 27-28 years, I am hearing that there are lots of complaints in the team against me. I really would like to know about those complaints. Best if it was given to me in writing.”Ashraful’s own career was not without its ups and downs. In 2013, he received a lengthy ban from all BCB related cricket activities for match-fixing in the Bangladesh Premier League. He was eventually brought back to the fold three years later and lately has branched out into coaching. Last month, Ashraful had voiced displeasure at the trend of Bangladesh top-order batters not providing enough for the team. Now he has been given the chance to do something about it.

“If we’re going to play on these pitches, we have to have the patience to bat on them”

Danyal Rasool14-Oct-2025Pakistan head coach Azhar Mahmood criticised his batters’ shot selection for throwing away a position of near-total dominance in the first Test. On the stroke of tea on day three, Pakistan found themselves in a near-impregnable scenario, leading by 259 runs on a rapidly deteriorating surface with six wickets still in hand. Within 45 minutes, those six wickets fell for just 17 runs, and South Africa had an unlikely – but not impossible – 277 to chase.”We put ourselves in this situation [where South Africa have a chance in the game],” Mahmood said at the press conference. “We were 150 for 4, and then lost 6 for 17. No one is to blame but our shot selection and decision-making.”It’s simple. If you lose 6 for 17, that’s not ideal. The pitch allowed the ball to break but the pitch didn’t get anyone out. Our shot selection was not good. This is something we need to improve. If we’re going to play on these pitches, we have to have the patience to bat on them.”Related

Noman, Afridi set up rousing win for Pakistan

Noman puts Pakistan in driver's seat on 16-wicket day

Muthusamy keeps South Africa in with a chance

Mahmood’s frustration was likely a compound result of Pakistan demonstrating their vulnerability to losing wickets in large clusters on more than one occasion. In the first innings, they lost three wickets without adding a run either side of tea on the first day as 199 for 2 turned to 199 for 5. A 163-run partnership was followed by another collapse as the last five fell for 16 runs.”Against England, we played on a used pitch, and then it spun a lot versus West Indies,” Mahmood said. “But on this pitch, if you bat well, it gets easier. Because the pitch is slow, it’s hard for a newcomer to get set. In the first innings, we had starts, but we couldn’t convert 50s to 100s. In the second innings, Abdullah [Shafique] and Babar [Azam] scored 40s, but we’d like to see them turn into big scores.Shan Masood and Noman Ali celebrate the early wicket of Aiden Markram•Getty Images”It’s not easy, but we have to adapt different kinds of shots to improve our scoring options on these pitches. The middle and lower order tried, but the pressure got to them. At tea, we wanted to bat the whole session, but we did not. We made those mistakes and we will have a look at that in the future.”With Babar and Shafique falling after scoring 42 and 41, respectively, Shakeel was Pakistan’s best hope of batting South Africa out of the game. He appeared to be doing just that with a chanceless innings as tea loomed, having ticked up to 38. But on the stroke of the break, he launched Senuran Muthusamy towards square leg, failed to hit it cleanly, and holed out to Tristan Stubbs.That dismissal, in particular, appeared to rile Mahmood. “You understand in Test cricket when you’re vulnerable, and it’s often at the end of sessions,” he said. “Saud Shakeel played that expansive lofted shot just before tea. It was unnecessary to put that pressure on himself at that stage. After tea, [Mohammad] Rizwan got out immediately. We sent in Shaheen [Shah Afridi] to up the ante, but the other batters didn’t have to play the same high-risk shots. Even if we had added 25-30 runs when we sent Shaheen in, that would have been hugely advantageous to us.”The upshot was South Africa finished the day two wickets down, with Ryan Rickelton and Tony de Zorzi – their most prolific scorers in the first innings – seeing out the final hour for an unbeaten 33-run stand. Victory for the visitors is still distant, 226 runs away, but not quite out of reach.”We’re not going to bat again, so our focus is on winning this game now. The pitch is deteriorating and we are confident we’ll defend this.”

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher has delivered a fresh take on Arsenal and their chances of winning the Premier League this season.

The Gunners, since tasting defeat away to Liverpool in August, have won 13 games on the trot in all competitions whilst boasting the best defensive record in Europe’s top five leagues.

Mikel Arteta’s imperious side also haven’t conceded a single goal in all competitions since their dramatic 2-1 win over Newcastle at St. James’ Park in September, which is quite incredible considering they were without star defender William Saliba for brief periods as well.

Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest

Athletic Bilbao 0-2 Arsenal

Arsenal 1-1 Man City

Port Vale 0-2 Arsenal

Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal

Arsenal 2-0 Olympiacos

Arsenal 2-0 West Ham

Fulham 0-1 Arsenal

Arsenal 4-0 Atlético Madrid

Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace

Arsenal 2-0 Brighton

Burnley 0-2 Arsenal

Slavia Prague 0-3 Arsenal

Summer signing Cristhian Mosquera has performed exceptionally when called upon by Arsenal to replace Saliba at the heart of Arteta’s defence, and their exceptional resilience as a unit could well hand them a first Premier League title in 22 years.

Arsenal were already a very hard side to break down prior to this campaign, leaking the fewest goals of any top flight club in both the 23/24 and 24/25 seasons, but the arrival of assistant coach Gabriel Heinze appears to have solidified them even more.

Their rock solid backline has allowed Arsenal to plough through and get results despite their plethora of attacking absentees, with Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard and now Viktor Gyokeres all sidelined through injury.

This, combined with their overwhelming threat from set pieces, has made Arsenal the team to beat as we head into the festive period.

Carragher names the player who could hold Arsenal back from Premier League title glory

Speaking on Sky Sports, Carragher has claimed that only one man could stop Arsenal from winning the title at this point.

The pundit claims that Man City superstar Erling Haaland, who has spearheaded the Sky Blues to second almost single-handedly with 13 goals in just 10 Premier League appearances, will have a major say on whether Arsenal can end their two-decade-long wait for a domestic crown.

Given Haaland is basically a cheat code at this point, it’s hard to argue with Carragher’s assessment here.

It is still a real wonder how the Norway superstar didn’t clinch 2023’s Ballon d’Or award after firing City to a treble with 52 goals in 53 appearances for Pep Guardiola’s side, with Lionel Messi getting it instead following his 2022 World Cup win.

The 25-year-old is nailed on for a Ballon d’Or eventually and perhaps even Alan Shearer’s all-time Premier League goalscoring record if he stays in England much longer.

Make no mistake, it would take something truly extraordinary to topple Arsenal right now, and Haaland is just that.

يستعد منتخب مصر الأول لكرة القدم، بقيادة المدير الفني حسام حسن، لخوض مواجهة جديدة ومهمة أمام منتخب الرأس الأخضر (كاب فيردي)، مساء اليوم الإثنين، ضمن منافسات البطولة الدولية الودية المقامة في دولة الإمارات خلال فترة التوقف الدولي لشهر نوفمبر 2025.

طالع | فيديو | مصر تحقق المركز الثالث في كأس العين على حساب الرأس الأخضر

وتأتي هذه المواجهة في إطار سعي المدير الفني لمنتخب الفراعنة لاختبار قدرات اللاعبين وتصحيح المسار بعد الخسارة الأخيرة أمام أوزبكستان.

وتعد البطولة الدولية واحدة من أبرز محطات إعداد المنتخبات المشاركة، حيث تُقام في الإمارات خلال الفترة من 13 إلى 18 نوفمبر بمشاركة أربعة منتخبات: مصر، الرأس الأخضر، إيران، وأوزبكستان، وتعتمد البطولة نظام نصف النهائي، ثم مباراة لتحديد المركزين الثالث والرابع، إضافة إلى المباراة النهائية.

وخاض منتخب مصر أولى مبارياته في نصف النهائي أمام منتخب أوزبكستان، إلا أنه تلقّى خسارة غير متوقعة بنتيجة 2-0، ليخوض بعدها مواجهة اليوم أمام الرأس الأخضر لتحديد المركز الثالث.

وعلى الجانب الآخر، نجح منتخب إيران في حجز بطاقة التأهل إلى النهائي بعد فوزه على الرأس الأخضر بركلات الترجيح، ليضرب موعدًا مع أوزبكستان في المباراة النهائية.

وتكتسب مباراة مصر والرأس الأخضر أهمية خاصة للجهاز الفني، حيث يسعى حسام حسن إلى تحسين الأداء العام للمنتخب، وإشراك عدد من العناصر التي تحتاج للمزيد من الاحتكاك الدولي قبل الدخول في منافسات رسمية مهمة خلال الأشهر المقبلة.

طالع أيضًا | القنوات الناقلة لمباراة مصر والرأس الأخضر اليوم وديًا موعد مباراة مصر والرأس الأخضر اليوم

تقام مباراة مصر والرأس الأخضر “كاب فيردي”، اليوم الإثنين 17 نوفمبر، إذ تنطلق المواجهة في تمام الساعة 6 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة، 7 بتوقيت السعودية.

ويمكنكم مطالعة مواعيد ونتائج جميع المباريات لحظة بلحظة عبر مركز المباريات من هنا.

Warwickshire battle through six wickets for Rocchiccioli but stalemate beckons on final day

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay01-Jul-2025 Warwickshire 415 (Yates 93, Hain 87, Barnard 66, Crocombe 3-82) and 88 for 1 trail Sussex 533 (Hughes 151, Coles 150, Rocchiccioli 6-173) by 30 runsJames Coles made 150 and there were six wickets for Warwickshire offspinner Corey Rocchiccioli but despite their efforts Sussex’s Rothesay County Championship match against Warwickshire is heading for a draw.Coles’ second successive Championship hundred helped Sussex take a first-innings lead of 118 after their first innings ended on 433, 20 minutes after tea on day three.It left Warwickshire with 24 overs to get through to stumps and they closed on 88 for one, losing Rob Yates for 11 when he inside-edged a fine ball from Ollie Robinson onto his middle stump.Off-spinner Jack Carson nearly broke through late on but Daniel Ibrahim put down a tough chance at short leg to reprieve skipper Alex Davies, who has so far added 66 with Tom Latham as Warwickshire closed 30 runs in arrears. But the effects of a slow pitch and the Kookaburra ball are likely to ensure a stalemate, especially with some rain in the forecast on the final day.Coles, 21, made an unbeaten 148 against Durham last week and followed it up with his sixth first-class hundred, sharing stands of 73 with Dan Ibrahim (36), 59 with John Simpson (30) and 50 with Fynn Hudson-Prentice (45) before he was sixth out, caught behind via an inside edge off Ethan Bamber.He had to be patient for long periods. Even without Chris Rushworth, who injured his hamstring after sending down just three overs on the second day, Warwickshire bowled diligently and fielded well. Coles, unbeaten on 50 overnight, brought up his hundred with an edge to the third boundary just before lunch, but it was one of the few unconvincing shots he played in nearly six-and-a-half hours at the crease when he faced 294 balls, an outstanding effort on another day of sweltering heat at Hove. He hit 19 fours and pulled a six into the pavilion off Oliver Hannon-Dalby.Warwickshire’s hard work in the field was epitomised by Rocchiccioli, the Western Australian who arrived in England for his first taste of county cricket last month having taken 84 Sheffield Shield wickets since the 2023-4 season. Here he followed up his six wickets on debut against Somerset at Edgbaston last week with six more. Three came on the second day and he had to plug away from the sea end until his 18th over today for further reward when Carson (28) was smartly taken at leg slip.Rocchiccioli then polished off the innings by removing Gurinder Sandhu and Henry Crocombe with successive deliveries. The 328 balls he sent down was the most in an innings by a Warwickshire bowler since Ashley Giles bowled 68.3 overs against Yorkshire at Headingley in 1996. He just about had the strength to doff his cap to acknowledge the appreciative applause of the crowd after he’d sent down his 50th over.Bamber was the pick of Warwickshire’s seam attack, picking up Ibrahim who played around a straight one as well as Coles and there was a wicket apiece for Yates and Ed Barnard.

Home attack thwarted in battle between Division Two’s form sides

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay 22-Jun-2025A maiden first-class century from young opener Asa Tribe saw Glamorgan lay the foundations for a substantial first-innings score in the Rothesay County Championship Division Two match between Leicestershire and Glamorgan at the UptonSteel County Ground, Grace Road.The 21-year-old Channel Islander, making only his ninth first-class appearance, demonstrated a maturity beyond his years as having got off to a flying start against a much-changed and initially slightly out-of-sorts Foxes attack, he settled down to reach his century off 158 balls, including 14 fours and one maximum.The Leicestershire bowlers improved as the day went on, regaining some control over the scoreboard, but solid contributions from fellow opener Zain-ul-Hassan, Kiran Carlson and latterly Colin Ingram, who ended the day with an unbeaten half-century, ensured the visitors enjoyed much the best of the first day.Given both sides came into the match on the back of a run of victories – four for Leicestershire, three for Glamorgan – the number of changes made to their previous Championship line-ups came as something of a surprise, though injuries played a part. With Ian Holland and Josh Hull unavailable, and Rehan Ahmed nursing a niggle that meant he could not bowl, Leicestershire chose to leave left out regular wicketkeeper Ben Cox – one of their more prolific run-scorers this season – and with Handscomb taking his place behind the stumps, bring in left-arm spinner Liam Trevaskis and right-arm seamer Sam Wood for their first first-class outings of the season. Veteran seamer Chris Wright also came back into the side.Glamorgan too gave a spinner, Mason Crane, his first Championship appearance of the season, with Ingram, Ben Kellaway and Ned Leonard also returning. All will have been pleased to see skipper Sam Northeast win the toss and opt to bat first on one of the relaid pitches at the UptonSteel Ground, and certainly there was not too much to encourage the Leicestershire seamers during a first hour in which they gave Tribe in particular too many loose deliveries, meaning that even with his partner playing in a rather more restrained manner, the pair were still able to score at five an over before Zain somewhat unluckily became the only wicket to fall in the morning session, glancing a delivery from Wright down the leg side only for Handscomb to take a diving catch.Leicestershire’s attack improved in both accuracy and length after the break, and Tribe was fortunate when on 72 he edged Ben Green behind the wicket only for Handscomb, diving to his right, to drop the catch. He also lost Northeast, the captain looking less than impressed to be given out caught behind when hooking at a bouncer from Wood, but a cleanly hit straight six off Trevaskis took him into the 90s and he showed few nerves in going on to three figures before edging a tired drive at Logan van Beek, giving Handscomb a third victim behind the stumps.Carlson and Ingram put on 60 for the fourth wicket before Carlson used his feet once too often at Trevaskis and yorked himself, the ball squeezing on to his leg stump. Ingram, in company with Kellaway, worked his way towards his fifty, and although he lost Kellaway, trapped in front by van Beek delivery which came back, reached the landmark off 101 deliveries shortly before the close.

Nottingham Forest are suffering a mini-crisis right now and under-fire new boss Ange Postecoglou is under significant pressure, despite being just six games into his tenure.

Ange Postecoglou already facing calls for Nottingham Forest sack

Appointed just under one month ago after Forest parted ways with Nuno Espírito Santo, Postecoglou was brought in on the promise of a new attacking direction and a more positive, high-pressing brand of football.

So far, though, results have been extremely disappointing and dissatisfaction is mounting in the stands.

Chants of ‘you’re getting sacked in the morning’ rang around the City Ground when Danish minnows FC Midtjylland secured a surprise 3-2 Europa League win in Nottingham on Thursday – a match which best summed up Forest’s serious fragility since Postecoglou took charge.

Forest remain winless under Postecoglou after six matches in all competitions, a stretch that has seen them lose four and draw two.

It’s the worst start by any Forest manager in 100 years, and frustration has spilled over into disdain among supporters.

Postecoglou’s trademark ‘Angeball’ — a philosophy built on possession, quick transitions, and aggressive pressing — has struggled to translate into needed results.

Forest’s squad, accustomed to a more pragmatic, counter-attacking style under Nuno, have looked pretty uncomfortable adjusting to the new approach so far — despite some flashes of brilliant play against the likes of Real Betis — where they really deserved to win that game.

Ange Postecoglou’s tenure at Nottingham Forest so far

Competition

Arsenal 3-0 Forest

Premier League

Swansea 3-2 Forest

Carabao Cup

Burnley 1-1 Forest

Premier League

Real Betis 2-2 Forest

Europa League

Forest 0-1 Sunderland

Premier League

Forest 2-3 FC Midtjylland

Europa League

Defensive frailties have been majorly exposed, with the team conceding crucial goals from set pieces and counter-attacks.

A trip to Newcastle awaits Postecoglou next, but while Forest are remaining patient with the 60-year-old (Fabrizio Romano), this could now change pretty quickly.

A loss at St. James’ Park could even spell the end for Tottenham’s former boss, who ended the Lilywhites’ 17-year wait for major silverware at the end of last season.

Fabrizio Romano reported this week that Ange will be given time at Forest, but according to TEAMtalk, ruthless Reds owner Evangelos Marinakis is already considering a bold replacement.

Oliver Glasner emerging as "prime candidate" to replace Ange at Forest

According to their information, as sourced by journalist Fraser Fletcher, Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner is now among the top contenders to succeed Postecoglou if he is sacked.

Glasner helped to end Palace’s history-long wait for a major trophy last term, guiding them to a 1-0 win over Man City in the FA Cup final, and the South Londoners are currently on an unprecedented 19-game unbeaten run.

The Austrian has also worked wonders on a limited budget despite losing the likes of Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze, which has prompted links to the Man United job as pressure also mounts on Ruben Amorim.

It is believed that Glasner is emerging as a “prime candidate” for the Forest job now too, but it remains to be seen whether the Europa League-winning tactician would swap high-flying Palace for Forest given their contrasting fortunes.

That being said, Glasner’s proven track record of consistently overachieving with less-fancied squads in the Bundesliga, Austrian Bundesliga and, now, the Premier League, makes him a pretty exceptional option.

The 51-year-old’s flexible tactical approach has earned serious plaudits, and he’s known for building compact, organized teams that defend as a unit, which could address Forest’s vulnerabilities under Postecoglou.

Glasner was named as a managerial target for Tottenham at one point as well, with pundit John Wenham calling him a potentially “exciting” appointment.

While Glasner is currently employed and Palace will likely fight to keep him, reliable reports claim that he is hesitating on signing a new deal after being offered one in the summer, with his current contract due to expire in 2026 (BBC).

Manchester City have now exploded into the race for a “generational” £70m Premier League star, with Pep Guardiola said to be a big fan.

Man City looking to sign another new midfielder

Man City made major improvements to their midfield during the summer transfer window, with Tijjani Reijnders hitting the ground running at the Etihad Stadium, picking up a goal and an assist in the opening game against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Sporting director Hugo Viana has also praised the Dutchman since his arrival, saying: “Manchester City in the past have had great midfielders like Gundo and Kevin.

“They were doing really well but unfortunately, they left but they are still club legends, and it is not easy to replace them, but I think Tijjani will be a really important player for the club for the next years.”

Man City racing Real Madrid and Arsenal for "jewel", same agent as Trafford

Pep Guardiola’s side are set to battle some of Europe’s top clubs for a rising star.

ByDominic Lund Sep 17, 2025

After returning to City for one season, İlkay Gündoğan has since joined Galatasaray, which means there could be space in the squad for Guardiola to bring in another central midfielder, and a shock move could now be on the cards.

That is according to a report from TEAMtalk, which states Man City have now exploded into the race for Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, who is yet to start a game for the Red Devils this season, which has left him frustrated.

Guardiola is personally a big fan of Mainoo, viewing the young central midfielder as one of England’s brightest prospects, and there is a feeling the 20-year-old’s ability to dictate play could make him a perfect fit at City.

The Man United maestro has a market value of around £70m, given his vast potential, with the youngster’s future uncertain ahead of the January transfer window, amid interest from Guardiola’s side, alongside Chelsea and Newcastle United.

"Generational" Mainoo would be statement signing for City

It is difficult to envisage the United academy graduate crossing the Manchester divide, but the report makes it clear he is growing unsettled at Old Trafford, having been keen to go out on loan during the January transfer window.

City know all too well just how talented the midfielder is, given his performance in the 2024 FA Cup final, scoring the second goal in the Red Devils’ surprise 2-1 victory at Wembley, and receiving the Man of the Match award as a result.

The starlet has also received high praise from former teammate Rasmus Hojlund, who is now on loan at Napoli, with the striker describing him as a “generational” talent.

As such, Mainoo would be a statement signing for Manchester City, but it seems very unlikely that United would be willing to sanction the midfielder moving to their bitter rivals.

يختتم منتخب مصر مبارياته في التصفيات الإفريقية المؤهلة إلى كأس العالم 2026، غدًا الأحد، عندما يلتقي مع نظيره غينيا بيساو، على ملعب استاد القاهرة الدولي.

منتخب مصر يلعب ضد غينيا بيساو، في الجولة العاشرة والأخيرة من منافسات المجموعة الأولى لـتصفيات كأس العالم.

ويخوض منتخب مصر مباراة غينيا بيساو، كتحصيل حاصل، بعدما حسم التأهل الرسمي إلى نهائيات كأس العالم الذي يقام العام المقبل في أمريكا وكندا والمكسيك.

طالع.. خاص | حسام حسن يدرس الدفع بثنائي منتخب مصر أمام غينيا بيساو موعد مباراة مصر وغينيا بيساو في تصفيات كأس العالم والقنوات الناقلة

وتقام مباراة مصر وغينيا بيساو، في تمام الساعة 10 مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية، مساء الأحد 12 أكتوبر، وتنقل على قناة أون سبورت وإم بي سي مصر 2.

ويسعى منتخب مصر، إلى إنهاء مبارياته في تصفيات كأس العالم، بسلسلة اللاهزيمة، حيث خاض 9 مواجهات، فاز في 7 وتعادل في مباراتين.

ويتصدر منتخب مصر، ترتيب المجموعة الأولى برصيد 23 نقطة، وتأهل إلى المونديال رسميًا للمرة الرابعة في تاريخه.

وسيغيب عن صفوف منتخب مصر، أمام غينيا بيساو، محمد صلاح نجم ليفربول والذي فضل الجهاز الفني إراحته والثنائي حمدي فتحي ومروان عطية بسبب الايقاف للحصول علي الإنذار الثاني.

وسيقود المباراة تحكيميًا، الغاني دانيال لاريا ويعاونه كل من رولاند ني دودو وأبارينجا أكورجي سيفوليس “مساعدين” والحكم الرابع، قدري عبد اللطيف.

يذكر، أن من المنتظر أن يسبق المباراة حفل غنائي لأحمد سعد وحمادة هلال كاحتفالية لتأهل منتخب مصر لنهائيات كأس العالم 2026.

وصف توماس توخيل مدرب منتخب إنجلترا فريقه بأنه الفريق الأضعف حظاً في كأس العالم 2026، وأنه لا يجب اعتبار الأسود الثلاثة مرشحين للفوز بالبطولة.

ويسعى منتخب إنجلترا لإنهاء انتظار دام 59 عاماً للفوز ببطولة كبرى، بعد أن تأهل إلى نصف نهائي كأس العالم ونهائي أوروبا مرتين تحت قيادة ساوثجيت لكنها لم تحقق لقب أي بطولة كبرى منذ عام 1966.

وقال توخيل في تصريحات خلال مؤتمر صحفي في تصريحات نشرتها “the straits times”: “سنصل إلى كأس العالم كمنتخب نملك حظوظ أقل لأننا لم نفز باللقب منذ عقود، سنلعب ضد منتخبات أخرى فازت باللقب مراراً وتكراراً”.

أقرأ أيضاً.. بعد مبابي.. ديشامب يتعرض لضربة جديدة قبل لقاء أيسلندا في تصفيات كأس العالم

وأضاف: “إذا لم تفز أبداً ببطولة ويمبلدون للتنس من قبل، فإنك قد تكون أحد المرشحين لكنك لن تصبح الأوفر حظاً، هناك منتخبات مثل البرازيل والأرجنتين وإسبانيا وفرنسا وحققوا ذلك مؤخراً”.

وتابع: “ما أقوله ليس معناه أننا لا نملك أي فرصة، نفكر في التأهل أولاً ثم سنعرف بالضبط سبب وصولنا إلى هناك، نريد بلوغ النهائي ويجب أن نكون واضحين فيما نريد”.

وشدد توخيل: “مع ذلك لا أرى أي سبب يجعلنا مضغوطين بكوننا المرشح الأوفر حظاً، متى فزنا بها آخر مرة، نحن نبني فريقا مستعد للتقدم خطوة بخطوة ولا أحد يرغب في اللعب ضدنا”.

وبرر توخيل قائمته واختياراته الأخيرة بعد استبعاد بيلينجهام وفودين حيث قال: “نحن لا نجمع أمهر اللاعبين بل نسعى لبناء فريق، الفرق هي التي تفوز بالألقاب، لا أحد غيرها، وسنسعى لضم الأفضل وأن نكون أفضل تشكيلة، أحياناً قد لا نجمع الأمهر ونأمل أن ينجح الأمر”.