Category Uncategorized

MatériaMais Notícias

da 888casino： Aos 16 anos, o lateral-direito Igor Felisberto assinou seu primeiro contrato profissional com o São Paulo. O jogador faz parte da base tricolor desde 2021 e agora tem uma cláusula de rescisão milionária em seu contrato – avaliada em cerca de R$ 337 milhões.

RelacionadasSão PauloSão Paulo oferece pacotão de garotos, supera Santos e fica próximo de acerto com destaque da Série BSão Paulo22/03/2023São PauloAgora vai? São Paulo avança em conversas para renovar contrato com LuanSão Paulo22/03/2023São PauloSão Paulo confirma jogo-treino com o Coritiba, após polêmicas e eliminação no Campeonato PaulistaSão Paulo22/03/2023

da blaze casino： Felisberto começou sua carreira no futsal em Santa Catarina e aos 13 anos iniciou sua trajetória no futebol de campo, jogando nas categorias de base do São Paulo. Ele já passou pelo Sub-15 e agora faz parte do elenco Sub-17 do Tricolor, sendo considerado uma das grandes promessas de Cotia.

Conmebol divulga ranking dos 32 clubes que estão na Libertadores 2023

Veja tabela do Campeonato Paulista

Esta profissionalização de contratos com atletas da base tem se tornado algo comum neste ano no clube. Muito disso paraevitar casos parecidos como os que aconteceram com Marquinhos e Luizão, quando os atletas revelados na base tricolor deixaram o clube por um valor muito abaixo do esperado e causaram um certo prejuízo financeiro ao clube.

No começo do ano,em entrevista ao canal dos jornalistas Arnaldo Ribeiro e Eduardo Tironi, Carlos Belmonte – diretor de futebol do São Paulo -, destacou que a tendência, quando diz respeito aos atletas de Cotia, é que os contratos sejam adequados. Segundo suas palavras, se a renovação não acontecer na base, os jogadores não poderão jogar no profissional.

– Se não renovar na base, não vai para o profissional. Nem pelo que aconteceu com o Marquinhos, porque a gente conseguiu ter uma resolução razoavelmente favorável, mais pelo Luizão, que foi muito ruim ao nosso ver, mas são situações que acontecem – explicou.

Felisberto falou sobre a emoção de assinar seu primeiro contrato profissional e ser reconhecido pelo São Paulo como uma grande promessa. Ele disse que a assinatura do contrato representa a ‘realização de um sonho’ e a felicidade em ‘poder representar um dos maiores clubes do mundo’.

– É a realização de um sonho ser reconhecido por um clube tão grande. Isso mostra que estou no caminho certo. O São Paulo é um dos maiores clubes do mundo. A felicidade é imensa em poder representá-lo – disse.

Michael Clarke backs Marnus Labuschagne to come good but has spotted a technical issue

Andrew McGlashan31-Jan-20242:35

Should we be worried about Marnus’ form?

Aaron Finch believes that Australia’s bowling attack has helped paper over some cracks in the batting line-up this season after five Tests that brought just two individual centuries.Australia fell to an eight-run loss against West Indies at the Gabba on Sunday, one of the biggest upsets in Test history, after a collapse of 8 for 94 in a chase of 216. In the first innings they had also been 54 for 5 before Usman Khawaja, Alex Carey and Pat Cummins led a recovery.Related

Morris suffers side strain, in doubt for New Zealand Tests

No runs for fun: how bowlers are now holding sway in Australia

Ball-by-ball: Shamar Joseph rips through Australia at the Gabba

Takeaways: Batting under scrutiny, Green's evolution and masterful bowling quartet

While the home side had won the previous four Tests of the season, their batting had been under significant pressure since the opening game against Pakistan in Perth where they made 487. Only two individual centuries were scored – by David Warner and Travis Head – although Mitchell Marsh twice fell in the 90s and Steven Smith carried his bat for 91 in Brisbane.Marnus Labuschagne made 18 runs in three completed innings against West Indies, and has averaged 28.25 for the season, while Head made a king pair at the Gabba. Aside from his matchwinning 119 in Adelaide, Head’s next-highest score for the five Tests was 40.”Think the bowlers have been the ones who have got them out of jail a few times, but also Usman Khawaja…and Mitch Marsh is also pulling his weight in that regard. They’re not great numbers for a middle order that I think have got some much talent.” Finch told ESPN’s show “The hundreds column is a concern for me. Guys are getting starts, and that’s reflected in the numbers, it’s not like they’re averaging six.”If you have a bad series in two Tests like Marnus [Labuschagne] that’s okay, everyone will have that at some point, but there’s not enough hundreds. There’s a few cracks that have been papered over from Usman Khawaja and the bowlers who have done a brilliant job for a long time.”On Labuschagne, specifically, there remains confidence that he will work through his slump ahead of the New Zealand Test series which starts in late February. Michael Clarke said that it was a phase almost every player will endure at some point, but had spotted a small technical challenge Labuschagne was going through.”The only thing I can see technically is that he just looks to be squaring up a little bit with his right shoulder,” Clarke said. “So mainly the balls that are that back-of-a-length, instead of staying really side on like he does and back-foot defends the ball to cover or to point, or even drops it to his feet, he’s just squaring up a little bit. And that’s why he’s playing a little in front of himself, edging it to a second, third [slip], gully area.”Again, he’s such a good player, he’ll go away now, he’ll work on that before New Zealand. You can’t write Marnus off. He’s batting at No. 3 which is one of the toughest positions in Test cricket. Don’t be surprised if he comes out against New Zealand and he’s the leading run-scorer. About every top-class batsman goes through a stage like this.”1:34

Finch: They’re not great numbers for a middle order

Finch added: “Think that’s been highlighted in his strike-rate as well,” he said. “You get into a defensive frame of mind where you think about survival first and I’ll cash in later on. But the wicket’s they’ve been playing on, you don’t get that opportunity to cash in – it’ not like they flatten out and become absolute roads and you can bat for two days, we just don’t see that anymore.”Meanwhile, Callum Ferguson warned that the task for the top order is unlikely to get any easier when they head to New Zealand for two matches which shape as key in the current World Test Championship cycle.”Don’t think Marnus is the only one getting caught out squaring up and that can be a bit of a result of batting on some wickets that are bowler-friendly,” Ferguson said. “You just get a little bit out of shape, so they’re going to have to do some hard work before they get over to New Zealand to just get a bit more side on, a few of them, and start playing a touch later. Because over in New Zealand they’ll be seaming, swinging conditions and New Zealand are very good at extracting the most out of those pitches.”

Liverpool star Harvey Elliott has opened the door to leaving the Merseyside club this summer amid his lack of minutes under Arne Slot.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Elliott struggling for minutes under Slot at LiverpoolMidfielder opens the door to a potential departureClaims that he doesn't 'want to be wasting years'Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Elliott joined Liverpool's youth system in 2019 from Fulham after having come through the Cottagers' ranks. The Reds have seen the London-born midfielder slowly grow into the senior team; however, the 22-year-old has not been a major part of the first team. This season, Elliott only managed 822 minutes under Slot, with players like Wataru Endo and Curtis Jones getting priority. The midfielder has now opened up that he may be considering leaving the Reds, so as not to 'waste years'.

AdvertisementAFPWHAT ELLIOTT SAID

Speaking to the media while on duty with England U-21, Elliott said: "It's just a situation that me and the team have to have a conversation about because I'm coming into an age now where I'm 22, I'm going to be 23 next season. I don't really want to be wasting years on my career because it's a short career. You don't know what's going to happen.

"I need to reflect. I need to see if I'm content in doing what I'm doing and how can I improve as a player, because that's the most important thing. I just want to improve and be the best possible version of myself. If that's to go somewhere else, then it's a decision that I'm going to have to make, and I just need to see what happens.

"Nothing makes me want to leave. I love the club, I love the fans, the team. I support them as well. But most importantly, it's just about what's best for my career."

(C)Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Liverpool are set to sign another midfielder in the form of Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz if they can reach an agreement with Die Werkself. However, the signing will also push Elliott further down the pecking order. As such, it may be likely that the England U-21 star may be headed for the exit doors at Anfield.

WHAT NEXT FOR ELLIOTT?

The midfielder has yet to make his way into the England senior squad, and he will also likely be hoping that a fresh start with another side could help him rise into Thomas Tuchel's shortlist of midfielders for the Three Lions, with the World Cup approaching fast.

Former Premier League star Nemanja Matic could be in hot water after appearing to cover up a LGBTQ+ logo on his Lyon shirt over the weekend.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Matic appeared to cover the symbol vs Angers
• Others also rejected participation in campaign
• Sports Minister says behaviour "must be sanctioned"

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Lyon midfielder Matic has been criticised for covering the LGBTQ+ rainbow insignia on his shirt during a 2-0 win over Angers. The incident occurred during the league's annual anti-homophobia campaign, which encourages players to wear rainbow armbands and logos.

  Matic wasn’t the only one to take a stand. Le Havre’s Ahmed Hassan also covered the same symbol on his shirt, while Nantes forward Mostafa Mohamed chose to boycott the match against Montpellier because of his personal beliefs. Notably, this was the third time this season that Mohamed has skipped a game for the same reason.

  Another incident involved Lens defender Jonathan Gradit, who reportedly made a homophobic slur in the tunnel during half-time of their match against Monaco.

Advertisement

• AFP
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  This insignia was part of the LFP's homophobia-fighting campaign to make football more inclusive. This occurred on International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia.

  However, some players have pushed back against the league’s efforts in recent seasons. Both Mostafa and Matic have previously refused to wear LGBTQ+ symbols, citing personal or religious beliefs.

  The controversy led Marie Barsacq, France’s new Sports Minister, to speak out. She said the government expects clubs and players to take responsibility and uphold the values of inclusion.

• WHAT FRANCE'S SPORTS MINISTER SAID

  Marie Barsacq condemned the recent actions and called for accountability. She said: "Football has a massive platform, and the [French Football] Federation is determined to put this issue on the clubs’ and supporters’ agenda. Homophobic insults and behaviour are no longer acceptable. Society has evolved, and the language in football must change with it. There’s a full range of sanctions available, and they must be applied."

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR NEMANJA MATIC?

  The French Football Federation (FFF) is now pushing for disciplinary action against players who rejected the campaign or acted inappropriately during last weekend’s matches. Matic and Hassan could be summoned for questioning or fined, while Gradit may face suspension if his alleged homophobic remark is confirmed.

Setting their sights on stars of the future, Aston Villa are now reportedly expected to submit what would be their third bid to sign a rising star amid news that his valuation has dropped.

Aston Villa hoping third time's the charm

Aston Villa proved in the January transfer window that they’re more than capable of luring some of Europe’s biggest names to the Midlands – welcoming both Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio on loan from Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain respectively. And that pull power should come as little surprise these days. After all, we are now talking about Champions League quarter-finalists.

After sweeping past Club Brugge in clinical fashion, the Villans are now set to face their toughest challenge yet in the form of PSG. Meanwhile, as Unai Emery’s side continue to make progress off the pitch, those away from the action are beginning to steal headlines of their own.

According to Sabah, as relayed by Sports Witness, Aston Villa are now expected to submit a third bid to sign Semih Kilicsoy from Besiktas this summer.

Aston Villa have possible £42m replacement if they can't sign Asensio

He’s just 19 years old…

1 ByTom Cunningham Mar 15, 2025

The Villans were reportedly unsuccessful with two offers last summer, including one worth €18m (£15m) with add-ons included. Now, one year on, patience could prove to be a virtue amid reports suggesting that the teenager’s price has dropped to just €15m (£12m) ahead of the forthcoming transfer window.

Up against Newcastle United in the race for his signature, Aston Villa will be desperate to see their third bid end in success and welcome Kilicsoy once and for all this summer.

"Monster" Kilicsoy is one to watch

In his debut season for Besiktas’ senior side, Kilicsoy was involved in as many as 15 goals in all competitions with 12 goals and three assists to his name. Now, one season on, the 19-year-old winger has simply picked up where he left off – scoring six goals and creating a further four – to attract the attention of Aston Villa once again.

Dubbed a “physical monster” by analyst Ben Mattinson, Kilicosy is simply not a player that Aston Villa want to miss out on. After chasing his signature since last summer, they seemingly have the chance to land a bargain deal just one year on.

Meanwhile, as the transfer rumours continue, there’s no doubt that the Besiktas star will continue to steal the headlines.

Manchester United are now eyeing a move for an “elite” striker who has an £83m release clause, with recruitment chiefs identifying alternative targets to Viktor Gyokeres and Victor Osimhen, according to a report.

United's search for a striker

With Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee flattering to deceive this season, Man United have set their sights on signing a new striker this summer, and several highly-rated options have been linked with moves to Old Trafford.

The Red Devils have now made contact to offer Osimhen a big salary, with the Nigerian forward poised to leave Napoli in the summer, while they have also been chasing Gyokeres, who Ruben Amorim knows very well from their time together at Sporting CP.

Reports from Spain have suggested United have already struck an agreement to sign Gyokeres in the summer, although with no other sources corroborating the news, it is probably wise to be very skeptical about such a deal.

Man Utd progressing in talks to sign £33m ace who wants Old Trafford move

The summer transfer window is still a few months away from opening but United are looking to wrap up a deal fairly quickly.

1 ByBrett Worthington Feb 17, 2025

According to a report from GiveMeSport, Man United are now identifying alternative targets to the Sporting star, and they are contemplating a move for FC Porto’s Samu Omorodion, who has also impressed in the Liga Portugal this season.

Amid fears they could miss out on their top targets, perhaps owing to their very poor league position, United have picked out Omorodion as an alternative option, with scouts watching him in action earlier this month.

The Porto star nearly completed a £34.4m move to Chelsea last month, but the Blues were unable to strike an agreement on personal terms, opening the door for a potential move to Old Trafford in the summer.

However, INEOS are at risk of having to shell out a considerably higher fee, as the 20-year-old has a release clause of over £83m.

Omorodion impressing in debut Liga Portugal season

While Gyokeres has been getting the majority of the headlines, the Spaniard has also been on the scoresheet regularly in the Liga Portugal this season, with 13 goals and three assists to his name in 18 outings.

Freelance scout Ben Mattinson believes a big move could be on the cards for the youngster soon, in light of his impressive performances this season, branding parts of his game as “elite”.

Gyokeres has proven himself over a more sustained period, while the Sweden international also has six goals in eight Champions League games this season.

However, given United’s current league position, they may find it difficult to compete for the Sporting forward this summer, and Omorodion’s goal record suggests he could be a suitable alternative option.

England find reverse-swing to make key inroads after Leach’s early breakthroughs

Andrew Miller15-Oct-2024There has been precious little for Pakistan cricket to cheer in recent months, but on the opening day of the second Test in Multan, Kamran Ghulam provided a moment of unbridled joy as he brought up a gutsy century in his maiden Test innings, to carry the fight for his embattled team.Though he fell late in the day for 118, bowled by Shoaib Bashir as he looked to stay proactive with the close of play looming, Ghulam’s debut efforts helped to lift Pakistan to 259 for 5 – scarcely riches by the standards that England were dishing up on this very same surface last week, but the beginnings of a score nonetheless.Despite Pakistan’s experience in the first Test, when their first-innings 556 ended up on the wrong side of an innings defeat, Ghulam’s resolute efforts – allied to a career-best 77 from Saim Ayub and an atypically entrenched 37 not out from Mohammad Rizwan – kept Pakistan on course for the sort of 300-plus score that could yet be competitive if their spin-heavy attack can take advantage of a pitch that had been heavily watered and dried with industrial fans in the four-day turnaround between Tests.The danger for Pakistan, however, may yet come from the weapons that they won’t be able to deploy. Despite two early wickets for Jack Leach, who has now claimed nine in three innings on this surface to reassert his status as England’s senior spinner, their most pronounced threat came through a mid-afternoon spell of reverse-swing, excellently harnessed by a three-pronged seam attack. Uniquely, all three hail from Durham, among them Ben Stokes, who was back to lead the team for the first time since his hamstring tear in August. In opting to ditch both Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah for this contest, much will be resting on their lone quick, Aamer Jamal, if Pakistan hope to utilise similar skills.All such considerations can wait for now, thanks to the efforts of Ghulam, who – at the age of 29 – was the second oldest Pakistani to record a debut century. He achieved the feat with a gleeful swing through the leg-side off Joe Root, after an anxious wait in the 90s that had encompassed the evening drinks break. A few more moments of delay could not perturb him, however, after more than a decade of service in Pakistan’s Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, in which time he might have assumed that his haul of more than 4500 runs at 49 would forever be overlooked.His innings had begun at 19 for 2 in the tenth over, after Leach – thrown the ball early after Stokes’ quick assessment of the surface – had become the first England spinner to strike twice so early in a Test match since Johnny Briggs in 1889. His impact threatened another meltdown to match Pakistan’s fourth-evening collapse in the first Test, but Ghulam proved his mettle from the outset, showcasing his familiarity with the arid conditions and his faith in the methods that had finally got him noticed.His first boundary was a composed launch for six back over Leach’s head, and in easing through to his first half-century from 104 balls, he recorded a milestone that had eluded his more illustrious compatriot, Babar Azam, in the 18 out-of-form innings that had resulted in his omission.Brydon Carse produced a key breakthrough with the old ball•Getty ImagesGhulam had faced just two deliveries of fast bowling in his first 120, however, when Stokes brought himself into the attack midway through the afternoon, and the challenge instantly went up a notch. In his first over, Stokes found a fat edge that flew at a catchable height through the vacant slip cordon, and when a second edge fell short soon afterwards, Root found himself donning a helmet four yards from the bat in a bid to make any further chance count.The breakthrough, however, arrived at the other end. Ayub’s reputation had suffered in this series, largely as a consequence of his hopelessly misfiring opening partnership with Abdullah Shafique, which at least reached double-figures for the first time in nine innings. It didn’t get much further, however, as Leach bowled Shafique for 7 to reduce Pakistan to 15 for 1, before Shan Masood clipped on the up to Zak Crawley at midwicket for 3.In isolation, however, Ayub has been a qualified success at the top of Pakistan’s order, and this was his third half-century in four first innings, following his twin fifties against Bangladesh last month. But, with tea approaching, and England beginning to make the ball talk, Matthew Potts threatened his outside edge with a diet of hooping outswingers from over the wicket, before Stokes pouched a firm push through the line at a very straight silly mid-off (168 for 3).After tea, Brydon Carse, energetic as ever, roughed up Saud Shakeel with an excellent short ball, then found his edge for 4 with an even better 140kph/87mph delivery that fizzed through to Jamie Smith behind the stumps. And England’s position could have been stronger still had Ben Duckett clung on to a loose slap from Ghulam, on 79, as he chose to take the attack to the returning Leach and almost paid the price at mid-on.The value of Stokes’ economy with his seamers throughout a morning session was brought to bear in the evening, with Carse helping to keep Rizwan under the cosh for 19 deliveries without scoring before Potts took over and so nearly landed an innings-altering blow. His first delivery to Rizwan, on 6 at the time, zipped past the outside edge and into Smith’s gloves, but England declined to use a review – even though replays showed that the ball had grazed the splice of his bat.England’s endeavours were worthy of another breakthrough before the close, and though he had once again been the weaker link in the attack, Bashir obliged with a critical strike late in the day. Armed with the second new ball, he skidded a good-length delivery past Ghulam’s tired charge, and clipped the top of leg to prise a critical opening that could yet make the difference in Pakistan’s quest for a serviceable first innings.

Bayern Munich have struck a €75 million (£65.6m/$88.1m) deal with Liverpool to sign Luis Diaz, who is reportedly set to undergo a medical within 24 hours. The Colombian winger has been granted permission to leave the Reds’ pre-season tour in Tokyo and join Harry Kane’s side as Die Rekordmeister prepare for a fresh Bundesliga title charge.

• Diaz set to leave Liverpool for Bayern in €75m transfer deal
• Set to undergo medical with Bayern over next 24 hours
• Liverpool eye Isak after signing Ekitike earlier this summer

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Liverpool have accepted Bayern’s €75m offer for Diaz, as per The Athletic, after having previously rejected a lower bid earlier this summer from the Bundesliga champions. The Colombian, currently in Tokyo with Liverpool’s pre-season squad, has been granted permission to leave and complete his medical with Der Rekordmeister and become Bayern’s latest high-profile signing under Kompany.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Diaz’s departure is part of a wider shake-up at Liverpool under Arne Slot this summer. The Merseyside club have already brought in Hugo Ekitike and are chasing Alexander Isak as a possible addition. With Darwin Nunez also potentially on the move, Liverpool’s attack could boast a very different look in 2025/26 as they prepare their Premier League title defence.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Diaz made a total of 148 appearances for Liverpool after arriving from Porto in the summer of 2022 before playing a key role in the Reds' domestic cup double that season. During his time with the Merseyside club, he scored 41 goals and provided 23 assists.

• AFP
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR DIAZ?

  The 28-year-old Colombian is expected to complete his medical and sign a long-term deal with Bayern Munich within the next 48 hours. Liverpool will turn their focus to finalising a move for Isak as they rebuild their frontline. More changes could follow as the transfer window progresses.

Henriques takes 2 for 31 and makes 71 not out while Dwarshuis bags 4 for 39 as NSW move to the top of the One-Day Cup table after a seven-wicket bonus point win over Tasmania

AAP and ESPNCricinfo staff05-Feb-2025New South Wales secured an important One-Day Cup bonus point as Moises Henriques guided his side to a commanding seven-wicket win over Tasmania in Launceston.Chasing 206 for victory, the visitors always looked in control on Wednesday as Henriques delivered an unbeaten 71 from 83 balls. They reached 209 for 3 in just 38.3 overs, locking in the additional point that put them on top of the table with two regular-season matches left to play.Matthew Gilkes (46 off 63) and Oliver Davies (40 not out off 36) also delivered with the bat for the Blues. Davies produced a highlight when he smashed Aidan O’Connor over the UTAS Stadium roof.Josh Philippe set the tone for the NSW run chase, belting six boundaries in his 30 off 22 deliveries. He looked in fine touch before attempting to leave a rising Gabe Bell delivery that cannoned off his elbow and back down onto the stumps. Bell took 3 for 29 from 10 overs while the rest of the attack went wicketless while copping a battering from the Blues batters.Henriques’ composed knock included five fours and two sixes, and came after he earlier removed both Tasmania openers and finished with bowling figures of 2 for 31 from eight overs to help NSW bowl out Tasmania for 205 after NSW sent the hosts in to bat.Ben Dwarshuis also shone with the ball, claiming 4 for 39 from 8.1 overs including key middle-order wickets that slowed Tasmania’s progress.Caleb Jewell (37 off 42) and Jake Doran (34 off 62) were among the five batters who got starts for Tasmania, but none went on with the job.NSW quick Liam Hatcher provided a comical moment in the field when he fumbled a regulation catch at deep square-leg, stuck out a right boot to keep the ball alive and kicked it back up into his hand.The schoolyard hacky sack-style move was followed by a clumsy somersault after Hatcher had grasped the catch, which removed Raf MacMillan off Dwarshuis’ bowling, and was greeted by laughter from teammates.Both sides are back in One-Day Cup action on Thursday next week, with NSW taking on Queensland in Brisbane and Tasmania hosting Victoria in Hobart.

Netherlands, Namibia, Scotland, Oman and Papua New Guinea have battled their way through the qualifiers to the tournament proper. What lies ahead of them?

08-Oct-2021

Netherlands

By Hemant BrarPath to the World Cup
Having participated in the 2016 T20 World Cup, Netherlands got a direct entry into the T20 World Cup Qualifier, where they won five out of six league games and then trounced UAE in the playoffs to seal a World Cup spot. They went on to win the Qualifier, beating Papua New Guinea in the final.Peak in cricket (so far)
Beating England at Lord’s in a last-ball thriller at the 2009 T20 World Cup, and then repeating the feat in the 2014 edition with a 45-run victory in Chattogram. Another high was chasing down 190 in 13.5 overs against Ireland in Sylhet, also in the 2014 edition.Players to watch
Ryan ten Doeschate: He was the second-highest run scorer for Netherlands in the Qualifier. A year later, he topped the run charts for Essex at the 2020 Vitality Blast. Although his recent form hasn’t been great, and he no longer bowls in T20, the 41-year-old will be determined to make an impact in what will be his last tournament.Roelof van der Merwe: Another globe-trotting veteran, van der Merwe can change the complexion of a match with both his lower-order hitting and left-arm spin. In this year’s Vitality Blast, he picked up 11 wickets in seven games at an economy of 7.19 in Somerset’s run to the final. This will be his fourth T20 World Cup; the first two came for South Africa.Paul van Meekeren: A tall fast bowler who can touch 140kph, van Meekeren also possesses a handy slower ball. Earlier this year, in his debut CPL season, he picked up eight wickets in as many games at an economy of 7.93 for St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, the eventual champions.How far might they go?

Netherlands are paired with Sri Lanka, Ireland and Namibia in Group A, from where the top two teams will qualify for the Super 12s. If they can beat Ireland in their opening game, they should make it to the next round, given they are favourites against Namibia. Anything beyond that will be a miracle.It’s a tough road for Namibia, who will come up against Sri Lanka, Ireland and Netherlands in the early part of the tournament•Peter Della Penna

Namibia

By Peter Della Penna
Path to the World Cup
Namibia went undefeated in the Africa Regional Finals to earn a trip to the T20 World Cup Qualifier. After two defeats to Netherlands and PNG forced their backs to the wall at the start of group play, Namibia rallied for five straight wins to clinch a spot in their maiden T20 World Cup.Peak in cricket (so far)
Qualifying for the 2003 World Cup, where they went winless. More recently, they achieved ODI status by winning the 2019 World Cricket League Division Two on home soil.Players to watch
Gerhard Erasmus: The captain is the spine of the batting order, capable of anchoring the innings or revving up the engine when necessary. In a big win over Singapore in the World Cup Qualifier, he struck four sixes in a 29-run over. He also later showed his class with a half-century against Ireland. Erasmus bowls more than handy offspin and is also Namibia’s best fielder.JJ Smit: The 25-year-old allrounder’s value as batter and bowler is at the death. He does not bowl at express pace but is accurate with his yorkers. He has also turned many middling totals into challenging ones with his belligerent striking, such as in his 59 off 25 balls with five sixes in a win over Oman that clinched their spot at the World Cup.Bernard Scholtz: Namibia’s all-time leading wicket-taker in first-class and T20 cricket, Scholtz is not a big turner of the ball but relentlessly probes away with accuracy to build pressure that results in breakthroughs both for him and anyone bowling in tandem. He was the Player of the Tournament in the 2015 T20 World Cup Qualifier, and had the most wickets among spinners at the 2019 Qualifier.How far might they go?

Namibia have drawn the short straw, getting paired with former world champions Sri Lanka, along with Ireland and Netherlands, both of whom they lost to in the T20 World Cup Qualifier by wide margins. It will be an uphill battle to advance to the Super 12s.Scotland didn’t make it past the first round in the 2016 T20 World Cup•Getty Images

Scotland

By Sruthi RavindranathPath to the World Cup
Scotland were the best team going into the 2019 World Cup Qualifier, ranked 11th in T20Is, but had a lacklustre outing, with three wins and three losses in the group stage, eventually finishing fourth on the Group A table. But they won the third qualifying playoff against hosts UAE and clinched their spot at the T20 World Cup for the second straight time.Peak in cricket (so far)
After failing to qualify for three T20 World Cups in a row, Scotland made it to the 2016 edition after winning the Qualifiers in 2015 (jointly with Netherlands), but exited in the first round after notching up a solitary win, against Hong Kong. They gained their best-ever ranking of No. 11 in T20Is in 2017, and got their first win against England in a one-off ODI in Edinburgh in 2018.Players to watch

George Munsey:The hard-hitting opener was Scotland’s highest run scorer in the Qualifiers in 2019, with 234 runs in eight matches. His T20I career strike rate of 155.01 is fourth best among batters who have faced a minimum of 500 balls. One of his best performances in international cricket came in September 2019 against Netherlands, when he hit 127 not out off 56 balls, the highest score in T20Is by a Scotland player.Safyaan Sharif: Sharif has emerged as the leader of Scotland’s pace attack in recent years. The right-arm quick was the top wicket-taker for Scotland in the 2019 Qualifiers, with 13 wickets in seven matches. He enters the T20 World Cup having just taken his best T20 figures – 4 for 24 against Zimbabwe in September.How far might they go?

They are likely to progress to the Super 12s – they start their first round against Bangladesh (ranked sixth to Scotland’s 15th), but their next two games are against Papua New Guinea and Oman, the teams they beat in the Qualifiers. But keeping in mind their fickle form in that tournament, and that they haven’t had much T20 game time ahead of the main event, they might be surprised by these teams.This will be Papua New Guinea’s first-ever T20 World Cup appearance•International Cricket Council

Papua New Guinea

By Peter Della PennaPath to the World Cup
After a series of close playoff heartbreaks at the 2013 and 2015 T20 World Cup Qualifiers, in 2019, Papua New Guinea progressed from the East Asia-Pacific regional qualifier to top Group B at the global qualifier in the UAE, their 5-1 record clinching them an automatic berth. Their only loss in the group stage came against Scotland. Arguably their most impressive win came by five wickets with an over to spare against Netherlands before to the same opponents in the tournament final.Peak in cricket (so far)
Securing ODI status in 2014 at the 50-over World Cup Qualifier in New Zealand. They had a brief lapse in status from 2018 to 2019 after a poor finish at the World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, but regained it a year later at WCL Division Two in Namibia.Players to watch
Assad Vala: Papua New Guinea’s do-everything captain is a towering figure, literally and figuratively, in the national team. The six-foot tall batter’s size translates into muscle at the crease where he is a powerful striker of the ball at No. 3 and consistently PNG’s top scorer. He also regularly bowls a full quota of offspin and is often a handful for left-handers to get away.CJ Amini: The long-time vice-captain is a third-generation national team player. A showstopper in the field at backward point, he has produced some of the most spectacular run-outs and catches in world cricket to not be captured by television cameras. His fielding prowess often overshadows the fact that he is also a quality legspinner and capable of smashing a few quick runs in the death overs.Norman Vanua: The allrounder started off the 2019 T20 World Cup Qualifier by taking a hat-trick against Bermuda, and through the tournament proved himself to be PNG’s best death bowler with his accurate yorkers. With the bat, he has shifted roles between being a pinch-hitting opener and an inspirational finisher. Aside from Vala, he’s the most likely to clear the ropes.How far might they go?
PNG’s fortunes are the hardest to predict because of their difference in form between formats. They lost eight straight ODIs in the two months leading into the 2019 Qualifier, before morphing into a T20 juggernaut in the UAE. They are in similarly terrible ODI form going into the T20 World Cup, having lost another eight in a row to stretch their ODI drought to 16 straight losses. But few would discount their chances by conflating their ODI form with that in T20Is.Oman captain Zeeshan Maqsood’s first task will be to take his team to a top-two finish against Papua New Guinea, Bangladesh and Scotland•Peter Della Penna

Oman

By Peter Della PennaPath to the World Cup
Oman entered the 2019 T20 World Cup Qualifier in the UAE as one of the group favourites and performed like it. Only a last-day slip-up in the group stage to Jersey denied them an automatic berth in the T20 World Cup – that went to Ireland, who finished with the same 4-2 record as Oman but with a superior net run rate. Oman then lost to Namibia in their opening playoff match before finally clinching a spot in the T20 World Cup in a tense second-chance eliminator against Hong Kong.Peak in cricket (so far)
Beating Ireland in their opening match of the 2016 T20 World Cup in Dharamsala. It showed that their qualification journey was no fluke and they used it as a springboard to securing ODI status in 2019.Players to watch
Bilal Khan: Oman’s leading wicket-taker in T20Is, with 51 scalps, Bilal is one of the most devastating fast bowlers at Associate level. The left-armer generally bowls in the 135-140 kph range, but gets prodigious swing with the new ball and is a menace at the death with his yorkers. His new ball spell in the Qualifier reduced Hong Kong to 13 for 4 and then he came back with the old ball to end with figures of 4 for 23.Zeeshan Maqsood: The 33-year-old built his early reputation as a firecracker at the top of the order. In more recent times, he has been far more potent with the ball while leading Oman’s arsenal of left-arm spinners. He can still bring explosiveness with the bat when called upon, and is arguably Oman’s best player of spin, another reason why he shifted himself down to the middle order upon taking over as captain in 2018.Naseem Khushi: The 39-year-old wicketkeeper is Oman’s most explosive death-overs hitter. In that same must-win game against Hong Kong, he deflated the opposition by belting an unbeaten 26 off 9 balls. He is sometimes held back as late as No. 9 in the batting order, but can be promoted higher to suit the very specific requirement of teeing off in the last four overs, something he does better than most at Associate level.How far might they go?
Oman gained the biggest advantage due to the tournament venue reshuffle, which now sees them hosting matches in the opening round. They are a far stronger and deeper team than they were at the same event five years ago. Now that two teams advance from each opening round group instead of one, they have the strongest odds of any of the Associate teams to reach the main draw.