By Stephen Vilardo, SuperWest Sports
Sports
Mahela Jayawardene likely to continue as Mumbai Indians coach; status quo on trade chatter | Cricket News
Mahela Jayawardene (left) and Hardik Pandya
NEW DELHI: Former Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene is likely to continue as Mumbai Indians (MI) head coach for the 2027 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), with the franchise reluctant to make sweeping changes. It is learnt that Jayawardene joined the five-time champions on a “two + one” contract in 2024 and could well be given another year, considering it will be the last year of the ongoing cycle. A formal announcement is expected next month, provided there is no late change of heart.Under Jayawardene, Mumbai Indians reached the playoffs in 2025 but finished ninth the following year. 2026 was a disappointing season for the IPL giants, as they won only four games in a campaign marred by injuries, availability concerns and unrest in the dressing room.Since the disappointing last season, there has been a lot of chatter around their captain Hardik Pandya’s potential trade. While multiple franchises have expressed interest, there has yet to be any substantial movement on that front.TimesofIndia.com has also learnt that some dialogue has taken place with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), but the lack of a tradeable asset has not excited MI at the moment. Cameron Green’s name was on the table, but the MI think tank is wary of the Australian’s workload next year, which includes Australia’s packed Test calendar. As far as the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are concerned, some action is expected once they finalise their new head coach.
Don’t be surprised if he [Hardik Pandya] is not traded at all. Discussions have also happened with the player along these lines. For a trade to happen, multiple things need to fall into place. So it’s not that straightforward.
Sources
How will MI tackle the Pandya situation? They are keen on retaining him as a player for the upcoming season as they plan to head in a new direction under a new captain. The management has already explored this idea, and it is learnt that former India and MI captain Rohit Sharma is actively involved in discussions about the captaincy and the team’s direction. Returning Rohit to the captaincy was also an option, but a new face is likely as the 39-year-old is not keen to wear the armband again. Tilak Varma and Jasprit Bumrah are two potential options, with the scales tilting in the former’s favour.“Don’t be surprised if he is not traded at all. Discussions have also happened with the player along these lines. For a trade to happen, multiple things need to fall into place. So it’s not that straightforward,” says a source tracking developments.
Hardik Pandya
It will be interesting to see how the dynamics unfold if Pandya is not traded at all and how the franchise addresses the dressing room unrest. A change in captaincy is something they expect will restore normalcy, but navigating the turbulence will require significant effort. Another matter that will need attention is that of recently sacked India T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav. Apart from Pandya, there was chatter around the T20 specialist, but the franchise seems in no mood to let go of their experienced campaigner.“Yes, he didn’t have a good season last year, but what about the ones before that? MI will not discard a player based on one season, and that’s not how they operate. They take pride in the ‘One Family’ tag and swear by it,” adds the source.As things stand, continuity has been the bottom line. While a reset cannot be ruled out from the next cycle, there is no desperation for the 2027 edition. A captaincy change is inevitable, but it may not be a surprise if the status quo continues on other matters.
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We had a heavy dose of West Coast college football in Week Zero and just enough to whet our appetite.
Now in Week 1, everyone gets in on the action.
We even have a conference matchup among potential Mountain West title contenders in Honolulu.
Here are my previews for this weekend’s games.
San Jose State at Eastern Michigan
Friday, September 4
3:30 PM PT, ESPN+
Line: Eastern Michigan –3.5
Over/Under: 56.5
Both teams kicked things off last week with different results.
The Spartans gave up the most points of any team nationally in their Week 0 loss to USC, losing to the Trojans 42-26 in the opener. The 23 fourth-quarter points made it look more respectable on the scoreboard.
The Eagles opened the season with a conference win over new MAC foe Sacramento State 28-17.
Obviously, we cannot glean too much from those results as the opposition was vastly different.
The issue for the Spartans in the opener was the Trojans’ ability to move the ball at will through the air, and with a lot of first-year players on the receiving end of the majority of the passing yards.
While SJSU does not have to face Jayden Maiava again, EMU has an experienced QB of their own.
Noah Kim has played plenty of high-level college football. The grad student began at Michigan State, starting half a season for the Spartans before splitting time at Coastal Carolina.
Kim threw for 279 yards in the opener, connecting on 71.1% of his passes.
The Spartans only saw the ball hit the ground six times as USC torched them through the air. The passing defense will need to be a lot better in Ypsilanti this week.
The EMU ground game was non-existent last week, so if San Jose State can make the Eagles one-dimensional and concentrate on slowing the air attack, they could even their record.
On defense, the Eagles’ weak spot is against the run, and SJSU does not normally commit too much to the ground game. That could play into the home team’s hand in this one.
EMU has not opened a season 2-0 since 2018. For the third time in four seasons, the Spartans will open the season with consecutive losses.
Winner: Eastern Michigan
ATS: San Jose State
O/U: Under
UTEP at No. 10 Oklahoma
Friday, September 4
5:00 PM PT, SEC Network
Line: Oklahoma –42
Over/Under: 50.5
The Miners’ first game as a Mountain West program will be a challenge as Scotty Walden takes his squad north to meet SEC opponent Oklahoma.
The last time we saw the Sooners, they were falling apart in a painful meltdown against Alabama on their home field in a Playoff loss.
This season, the Sooners figure to be much better.
UTEP will look to fine-tune their go-go offense ahead of their new conference challenges.
These teams have met five times prior, with the Sooners winning each meeting by a combined 248-41 score.
This one probably won’t be as close. If UTEP’s high-octane offense is producing, it could slow down the Sooner pass rush and keep the defense gassed.
That is a big ask, however, and should the offense get hampered with three-and-outs, the UTEP defense will be getting worked.
The more likely outcome is that the Oklahoma front four spends a ton of time in the UTEP backfield, and the Miners struggle to gain 50 yards rushing.
On the other side of the ball, John Mateer will put up big numbers and get into a good rhythm before facing Michigan in Week 2.
Winner: Oklahoma
ATS: Oklahoma
O/U: Over
Wyoming at Colorado State
Saturday, September 5
3:00 PM PT, USA Network
Line: Colorado State –3.5
Over/Under: 46.5
For just the second time ever, a Colorado State head coach will open his tenure in Fort Collins against the Wyoming Cowboys.
Jim Mora Jr will join Julius “Hans” Wagner as the only CSU coaches to start their tenure with the Border War. Back in 1942 it was Wagner and the Rams opening 1-0. Will we see history repeat itself this weekend?
The two former conference foes will approach the season-opening rivalry slightly differently, at least, in announcing a starting QB.
Jay Sawvel has decided on Tyler Hughes under center. At William & Mary, Hughes became the first QB in program history with at least 2,000 passing yards and 600 rushing yards in the same season.
The Cowboys hope he finds that same dual-threat magic this season.
Jim Mora Jr has made it clear that he has no intention of announcing the winner of the battle between UConn transfer K’saan Farrar and Oklahoma State transfer Hauss Hejny before kickoff.
Both are raw, without much experience at their prior schools, but whoever starts will have the benefit of Juice Vereen at TE. The transfer from UConn is a talented playmaker who should be a big weapon in the Rams’ offense.
The Cowboys will look to run the ball and play solid defense. The Rams were 127th against the run in 2025 and will need to improve. This will be a good test to see where they stand.
Mora’s UConn squad was not much better against the run in 2025, ranking 124th.
Both programs struggled last season, and this is probably a make-or-break year for the Cowboys. I think UW is much improved, and this one will be an indicator of the progress being made.
Winner: Wyoming
ATS: Wyoming
O/U: Under
UNLV at Hawai’i
Saturday, September 5
7:00 PM PT, The CW
Line: UNLV –3
Over/Under: 58.5
Our lone league game of the week features a pair of teams I feel could be battling for the conference crown.
It also features a pair of teams that had disappointing losses to open the season last weekend, despite my predictions to the contrary.
Last week I said the Warriors would need to shut down Micah Ford and the Stanford ground attack, and they certainly did not do either. Despite a furious comeback, Hawaii came up short.
In Las Vegas, the Rebels struggled to stop the Memphis ground attack in a 27-21 loss.
So, how do they rectify the opening week woes? Well, simply put, both teams need to limit their opponents’ rushing game.
UNLV looks to have the edge there as the Warriors would not be able to muster much on the ground at all against Stanford. UNLV produced much more rushing, but did not seem fluid.
Jackson Arnold excelled through the air and on the ground in his debut, but the Rebels need to do a better job of protecting him. The six sacks allowed last week were the high for the week.
UNLV also had too many empty trips in the Red Zone in Game One. Hawaii could have the edge in that area, but will need to be tougher up front at the line.
I was leaning toward the Rainbow Warriors, but the more I break it down, I think this one goes the way of UNLV. The Rebels get the early leg up in the MW race.
Winner: UNLV
ATS: Hawai’i
O/U: Under
Central Michigan at New Mexico
Saturday, September 5
7:00 PM PT, FS1
Lines: New Mexico –10.5
Over/Under: 46.5
As the conference race gets underway on the Islands, the other key player in the conference race gets its season going against Central Michigan.
New Mexico will open with uncertainty at QB, a spot that seemed like a strength just days ago. Jack Layne will miss the season with an injury, which opens the door for one of the trio of senior James Laubstein, junior Luke Moga, and sophomore Toa Fa’avae.
Expect all three to see action against the Chips as the battle for the starting spot will likely continue throughout the game.
The loss of Layne is certainly big, but the Lobos still have a lot of talent on the roster and the best defender in the Mountain West. Jaxton Eck will anchor a defense looking to limit a CMU squad with a bruising offensive line.
Couple a good veteran offensive line with a suddenly injury-riddled Lobos outfit, and this contest offers some intrigue—and puts UNM on upset alert.
This could be a good test for New Mexico. It will be interesting to see who emerges from the QB battle, and how long it takes to decide the clear winner.
CMU was way too inconsistent last season, and they still have a number of the same issues this season. I think the Lobos should pull away late as the offense will be able to produce.
Winner: New Mexico
ATS: New Mexico
O/U: Under
Western Kentucky at Nevada
Saturday, September 5
7:30 PM PT, CBS Sports Network
Lines: Western Kentucky –2.5
Over/Under: 52.5
Western Kentucky seems like a team poised to take C-USA by storm, and Tyson Helton has them coming off a 9-4 season and New Orleans Bowl win.
But the 2026 version of the Hilltoppers has several holes to fill from the 2025 version. And starting things off with a long road trip is never an easy task for a team looking to gel.
That could be a good sign for Nevada. The Wolf Pack looks to make a big jump in Year Three of the Jeff Choate era. Last season, the Pack traveled to WKU and fell 31-16. They hope to flip the script to open 2026.
If Nevada is, in fact, to make a big jump this season, they will have to get it done on the defensive side of things, and will be tested early by the Tops. WKU averaged 400+ yards per game in 2025 with a balanced attack.
And while they have some holes to fill, Rodney Tisdale has a year under his belt running the offense and will be a dual-threat playmaker under center.
If Nevada is to open with a win, they will have to force mistakes from the QB and create turnovers, which was an issue in 2025. Last season, Nevada was among the worst in the nation in turnover margin and takeaways.
Western Kentucky will spoil the season opener in Reno.
Winner: WKU
ATS: WKU
O/U: Under
writes about various topics for SuperWest sports, including stats and records, college sports, and motorsports. He also founded and runs the Sports and Entertainment Research Center (SERC).
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United States striker Folarin Balogun is set to head to Premier League team Everton on a transfer from Monaco, British media reported on Monday.
The transfer fee offered by Everton is reported to be in the range of 40 million pounds ($54 million) on a four-year deal, the British Press Association said. It said personal terms had yet to be worked out before the deal could be completed prior to Tuesday’s transfer deadline.
The 25-year-old Balogun, who had two years remaining on a contract at Monaco, gained attention this summer scoring three goals for the United States as it reached the knockout stage of the World Cup. He was the top scorer for the U.S. team.
He also made headlines after drawing a red card and a one-game suspension in a 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in a round-of-32 match.
The one-game suspension was deferred by FIFA after U.S. President Donald Trump intervened, allowing Balogun to play in the round of 16. Balogun eventually played in the 4-1 loss to Belgium that ended the U.S. team’s home World Cup run.
The intervention prompted a formal complaint to FIFA ethics investigators.
Balogun was born in New York but grew up in Britain. He came up through Arsenal’s academy before moving to Middlesbrough, then to the French league with Reims and eventually to Monaco.
He scored 13 goals last season in 30 Ligue 1 matches.
(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
First Published: Sep 01 2026 | 1:42 PM IST
Aug 31, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper tosses his bat after flying out to end the fifth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Bryson Stott hit a 464-foot homer, Aaron Nola won for the third time in four starts, and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 2-1 in Phoenix on Monday to remain tied for the top National League wild-card spot.
Bryce Harper had two hits and extended his career-high on-base streak to 33 games with an RBI double as the Phillies wrapped up August at 21-7, the best record in the majors.
The Phillies have won 14 of 16.
Gabriel Moreno had two hits and an RBI double and Ryan Waldschmidt had two hits for the D-backs, who had won two of three.
D-backs DH Ketel Marte was 1 of 3 with a walk in his return after missing 13 games, three while on the restricted list after failing to show up for an Aug. 17 game in Boston and 10 on the injured list with left knee inflammation.
Marte was booed in his first at-bat, a groundout to first in the second, but cheered after an eighth-inning single. He spoke to his teammates and addressed the media before the game.
The Phillies (78-60) remained in a tie with the Chicago Cubs (78-60) for the top National League wild-card spot. The D-backs (73-66) fell one-half game behind San Diego (73-65) for the final wild card.
Jhoan Duran pitched around two infield singles and a wild pitch in the ninth for his 29th save. Waldschmidt singled into the hole at short with one out and Corbin Carroll beat out a chopper over the mound with two outs. Waldschmidt took third on a wild pitch before Duran got Moreno to ground out.
The D-backs left 11 on base and were 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position.
Nola (6-10) gave up one run and five hits in five-plus innings, with four strikeouts and two walks. Moreno singled and Marte walked to open the sixth, but Alex McFarlane entered and retired the side. Nola is 3-1 with a 2.65 ERA in six August starts.
Arizona right-hander Brandon Pfaadt (7-2) gave up five hits and two runs in six innings, with one walk and one strikeout. Stott homered with one out in the second to give the Phillies a 1-0 lead, and Harper’s one-out double off the center field fence brought in Garrett Stubbs to make it 2-0.
Perdomo singled with one out in the third and scored on Moreno’s two-out double down the left field line to close it to 2-1.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Former heavyweight champion who fought Anthony Joshua vows to ‘make history’ ahead of comeback
Former unified world champion Andy Ruiz Jr has expressed his desire to make history after completing his comeback fight this weekend.
The Mexican-American is perhaps best known for causing a major upset in 2019, dethroning Anthony Joshua with a stunning seventh-round finish in New York.
In doing so, he became the first heavyweight champion of Mexican heritage and seriously hit the jackpot, earning life-changing sums of money in a relatively small timeframe.
Ruiz has admitted that this only had a negative impact on his training, though, and ultimately led to him losing a wide unanimous decision in the Joshua rematch.
After that, ‘The Destroyer’ claimed two points victories – against Chris Arreola and Luis Ortiz – before boxing to a controversial draw with Jarrell ‘Big Baby’ Miller in August 2024.
Since then, Ruiz has remained out the ring but is back training with head coach Manny Robles ahead of his eagerly-awaited comeback and promotional debut with Matchroom.
This will take place in New Jersey, Newark, on September 4, with Damian Knyba occupying the opposite corner after suffering a third-round stoppage defeat to Agit Kabayel – who is now the WBC champion – in January.
Speaking with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom, Ruiz insisted that he fully expects to defeat Knyba and then achieve another slice of history.
“It feels good – all the hard work and dedication. Before, I would be doing my own thing – my own understanding – but now, I’ve got the team back together.
“We made history once; we’re going to do it again, baby. Just watch.”
In terms of history-making feats, Ruiz could become the first-ever two-time heavyweight champion of Mexican heritage, but only if he secures another world title shot before retiring.
The Minnesota Vikings have finalized their 53-man roster for the 2026 season, and it includes five Vikings rookies who could shake things up.
5 Vikings Rookies Who Could Shake Up 2026
I’m not looking at any of the guys drafted on the opening two days of this year’s draft. Players with that draft standing should be having some impact early in their careers. That rules out Caleb Banks, Jake Golday, Jakobe Thomas, Caleb Tiernan, and Domonique Orange, who should all have a role to play this season.
I’m looking at Day 3 draft picks or undrafted rookies who have made enough noise during the preseason to not only make the roster but also see some playing time.
Max Bredeson – Fullback
Max Bredeson was drafted in the fifth round with a specific role in mind. He’s the new fullback in order to take over from the recently retired CJ Ham. Minnesota needs to get more out of their running game, and Bredeson should be crucial to that. He can also be effective as a pass-catcher, given his experience as a tight end in college.
I don’t know how much Kevin O’Connell will use a fullback, but Bredeson has a defined role with no competition. He should see the field fairly consistently.
Jacob Thomas – Safety
Undrafted rookie safety Jacob Thomas has been one of the big stories of the Vikings’ preseason.
Safety is one of the positions on the Vikings team where more playing time could be up for grabs, and Thomas has been making his case throughout training camp and showing up in the preseason games. An ankle sprain in the final preseason game was ill-timed, but it wasn’t serious enough to keep him off the Vikings’ final roster. Hopefully he is quickly back to full health and ready to make an impact.
Chuck Demmings – Cornerback
Another of the Vikings rookies that made waves throughout the preseason is cornerback Chuck Demmings. His confident demeanor and sticky coverage raised eyebrows early in training camp, and he’s continued to impress.
He could push Byron Murphy, Isaiah Rodgers, and James Pierre for playing time; he should at least get chances in the rotation and when the Vikings have extra defensive backs on the field.
Sometimes you see an athlete with the “it factor.” To me, Demmings has it.
Dillon Bell – Wide Receiver
The biggest surprise to make the final roster was Dillon Bell as the Vikings opted for a sixth wide receiver on the depth chart for the first time in years. Bell impressed with his athleticism and explosiveness during the preseason games, but it still seemed like an outside chance he’d make the roster, with the Vikings’ top five receivers seemingly set.
Unless there are injury problems, Bell isn’t likely to be called upon often, but he’s shown the potential to be an effective weapon if he is. From undrafted to the final roster in a position where Minnesota is strong, Bell has been one of the exciting stories among this year’s Vikings rookies. At the very least, look for him on special teams due to his size/speed combo.
Demond Claiborne – Running Back
The Vikings have released Zavier Scott, clearing the path for Demond Claiborne to be the team’s RB3. Aaron Jones missed five games last season, which led to Scott getting 32 rushing attempts. The now-former Viking didn’t make much of that opportunity with just 3.6 yards per carry, while also catching 14 of 16 targets for 98 yards and a touchdown.
Claiborne’s explosive nature can be utilized on the ground and through the air, as well as potentially being used as a punt/kick returner. He should get chances across a 17-game season, and he can make something exciting happen.
Proud UK Viking. Family Man. Enjoy writing about my team. Away from football an advocate for autism acceptance.
Part of what made the Vikings’ 53-man roster so striking was the absence of offensive line depth. Already, that issue is being addressed as the Vikings build up the trenches.
Consider the update that arrives courtesy of The Athletic’s Alec Lewis: “The Vikings have claimed two OL off waivers: — G Trevor Keegan (Cowboys) — C Nick Samac (Panthers).”
Vikings Build Up Trenches with Two Waiver Claims
The official word from the team was that only eight offensive linemen got onto the team. Consider the lay of the land:
| Christian Darrisaw | Donovan Jackson | Blake Brandel | Will Fries | Brian O’Neill |
| Ryan Van Demark | Joe Huber | Caleb Tiernan |
Going into the season with just those large lads would have been a foolish thing to do for the Minnesota Vikings. Playing in the trenches in the NFL isn’t for the faint of heart; injuries are commonplace (go back to the 2025 season for an example of how things can get wonky). Worse yet, one of those names above — Tiernan — is in the process of getting back to full health.
So, the additions are warranted.
Nick Samac is a 25-year-old center who stands at 6’4″ and 314 pounds. In college, Samac played for the Michigan State Spartans. Originally, he got into the NFL as a 7th-Round selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, chosen by the Baltimore Ravens at No. 228 overall.
He has since played for the Ravens and Carolina Panthers. Overall, he has played in eleven games, earning 46 snaps on special teams but a goose egg on offense.
Trevor Keegan is a 26-year-old guard who has been in the NFL since 2024. He’s listed as being 6’6″ and 320 pounds. The Philadelphia Eagles, generally a hotbed for competent offensive linemen, snagged him in the 5th Round (No. 172 overall) after his collegiate career at Michigan.
After failing to stick around with the Eagles, Keegan went to the Dallas Cowboys (a team with a similarly phenomenal reputation for developing OL talent). His career has so far involved a trio of football games, leading to 41 snaps on offense alongside 17 snaps on specials.
Understood in the simplest terms, the Vikings have brought a pair of still-young depth linemen to the Twin Cities to work as depth at guard and/or center.
Part of the process of adding these guys has involved moving on from Dillon Bell. Lewis with the word: “Now the Vikings are waiving WR Dillon Bell, per a source, to make room for claiming G Trevor Keegan and C Nick Samac. Lots of internal back-and-forth over the last 24 hours.”
Look for Nolan Teasley to continue tinkering with the Vikings’ roster in the coming days and weeks.
Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.
Match Details
Fixture: (30) Jelena Ostapenko vs Tatjana Maria
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Date: September 1, 2026
Tournament: US Open Tennis Championships
Round: First Round (Round of 128)
Category: Grand Slam
Surface: Outdoor hard
Venue: USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Queens, New York City
Prize Money: $108,000,000
Live Telecast: USA – Tennis Channel | UK – Sky Sports | Canada – TSN
Jelena Ostapenko vs Tatjana Maria preview
Ostapenko enters off a straight-sets loss to Magdalena Frech in the second round of the Cincinnati Open, a result that exposed some inconsistency against ranked opposition in just 81 minutes. She’s had an up-and-down season overall, highlighted by a semifinal run at the Qatar Open in February, but she’s continued to struggle for consistency on hard courts since.
Maria also comes on the back of a straight-sets loss to Diana Shnaider in Cincinnati, following a solid earlier win over Dayana Yastremska in her opener. At 39, she remains one of the more unconventional threats on tour with her slice-heavy, one-handed game, and she had a runner-up finish at the Eastbourne Open this summer, even after a Round of 16 exit as the defending champion at Queen’s Club back in June.
Jelena Ostapenko vs Tatjana Maria head-to-head
Maria won their first meeting at Wimbledon 2022, then won again at this year’s Eastbourne semifinal when Ostapenko retired due to illness while trailing. Neither match has been on hard courts.
Jelena Ostapenko vs Tatjana Maria odds
(Odds via BetMGM)
Jelena Ostapenko vs Tatjana Maria prediction
Maria’s 2-0 head-to-head edge is notable, but it comes with real caveats: both wins were on grass, a surface that flatters her slice-heavy, disruptive game far more than hard courts do. Her career hard-court record, a losing 255-248 mark, reflects exactly that gap, and this season she’s just 5-12 specifically on the surface.
Ostapenko, by contrast, has a winning hard-court record this year at 9-10, and her flat, powerful ball-striking is generally built to punish exactly the kind of slower, spin-heavy shots Maria relies on, once the surface removes some of the low, skidding bounce grass provides. Her Cincinnati loss showed her form is still shaky, but the surface change here works in her favor regardless of recent results.
Given how much the head-to-head history is tied to grass specifically, and the surface shift now favoring Ostapenko’s game far more than Maria’s, this looks like a spot where current conditions should outweigh recent history.
Pick: Ostapenko to win in straight sets.
Jelena Ostapenko vs Tatjana Maria betting tips
Tip 1: The match will have at least 20 games.
Tip 2: Ostapenko to win a set via tiebreak.
Edited by Pritha Ghosh
Top trainer Brian ‘BoMac’ McIntyre believes one man at 147lbs, who is yet to even secure a world title shot, has the beating of WBO champion Devin Haney.
‘The Dream’ claimed his welterweight strap last November, becoming a three-division world champion by dethroning Brian Norman Jr with a wide points victory after flooring his man in round two.
After that, he was linked to a unification match with then-WBA champion Rolando Romero, only for talks to suddenly collapse at the negotiating table.
Haney was then ordered to defend his belt against mandatory challenger Keyshawn Davis, who initially rejected a $3m offer and withdrew from their contest following an unfavourable purse bid hearing.
Having been left without an obvious opponent, Haney is also yet to announce a date or location for his next outing, despite having expressed varying degrees of interest in fights with IBF champion Liam Paro and Jack Catterall.
Someone who has been persistently calling the 27-year-old out, meanwhile, is unbeaten contender Delante ‘Tiger’ Johnson, who looks a talented operator but is yet to compete at the top level.
As the 28-year-old’s head coach, though, BoMac has told Fight Hub TV that Tiger is capable of dethroning his fellow unbeaten American.
“He’s not the biggest [test for anyone] at 147[lbs]. I can’t say he is. Right now, my guy – when he gets his chance – I’m gonna make sure he’s ready.
“We tried to get the fight [with Haney] – [Johnson] called him out. It didn’t materialise. I just told [Johnson], ‘Hey, wait [for] your chance. Your time will come’.
“When his time comes – trust me, he will be ready.”
Tiger notoriously engaged in a physical altercation with Team Haney in January, with the incident unfolding during the weigh-in for Teofimo Lopez vs Shakur Stevenson.
Gilas Pilipinas’ Juan Gomez de Liaño during a game vs Iran in the Fiba World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers at Mall of Asia Arena. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines— Juan Gomez de Liano found his spots for Gilas Pilipinas in its second-round match with Iran in the Fiba World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers at Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday.
Being open is one thing, but knocking down your shots is another. Fortunately for the Converge guard, he had the hometown crowd behind him for his best outing for the Philippines in the fourth window.
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“I’m just so glad we got two Ws here at home. There’s no better feeling. It’s an amazing atmosphere,” he said.
Surprisingly, he also likened the MOA atmosphere to when the Philippines took on New Zealand in the third window, even though it was an away game for Gilas.
“It was like the same atmosphere too. It was an away game but there were a lot of Filipinos. There really is no better feeling than playing in front of the Filipino fans.”
Gomez de Liano ended up with 16 points, three rebounds and an assist to push Gilas to a 4-4 record in Group E. The State U standout credited his teammates but certainly didn’t leave the Filipino fans unnoticed.
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“They keep us going,” he said, pounding his chest and pointing to the crowd. “They motivated us to play on a high level. I appreciate the support and hopefully, that support keeps on growing as we move forward.”
Thanks to the hometown crowd, Gilas swept the fourth window of the qualifiers, defeating Jordan in overtime on Friday before pummeling the Iranians 48 hours later.
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Lionel Messi’s 21-year career with Argentina was a story of extraordinary highs and crushing lows, but certain moments came to define his place in the country’s football history.
His international legacy stretches from Olympic success as a young star to finally lifting the World Cup as captain, with a long-awaited Copa America triumph and another major title along the way.
Each achievement carried its own significance, whether it ended years of frustration, confirmed Argentina’s return to the top or completed a personal ambition that had followed Messi for much of his career.
As he brings the curtain down on his iconic international football career, let’s take a look at the five moments that stand out as the defining landmarks of his Argentina journey.
Olympic gold in Beijing (2008)
Before Messi became Argentina’s senior team captain and record goalscorer, he started his international journey by helping his country retain its Olympic gold in Beijing.
Argentina entered the 2008 Olympic football tournament with a star-studded squad featuring Messi, Juan Roman Riquelme, Angel Di Maria, Javier Mascherano and Sergio Aguero.
Messi scored twice in the group stage before continuing his influential run through the knockout rounds.
Argentina defeated the Netherlands in extra time in the quarter-finals before overcoming Brazil 3-0 in the semi-final. The final against Nigeria was decided by Di Maria, who scored the only goal of the match with a memorable chip over the goalkeeper.
Argentina won 1-0 to retain their Olympic title. For Messi, the gold medal was his first major international success with Argentina and offered an early glimpse of what he could eventually achieve with the national team.
It also established a lasting connection with Di Maria, who would later become one of his most important teammates during Argentina’s trophy-winning era.
Ending the trophy drought at the Maracana (2021)
Thirteen years after his Olympic triumph, Messi finally won a major senior international trophy.
Argentina faced Brazil in the 2021 Copa America final at the Maracana, with Messi still searching for his first senior title with the national team.
The match was decided by a single goal. Di Maria collected Rodrigo De Paul’s pass before lifting the ball over Ederson to give Argentina a 1-0 victory.
Messi had finally done it. After three major final defeats in 2014, 2015 and 2016, and his brief retirement from international football following the 2016 Copa America, the trophy drought was over.
Messi finished the tournament with four goals and five assists and was named the tournament’s best player.
The scenes after the final were particularly significant. Messi was mobbed by his teammates and celebrated with his family as Argentina ended a 28-year wait for a senior men’s major trophy.
The Maracana, which had witnessed Argentina’s World Cup final defeat to Germany in 2014, had finally become the backdrop for one of Messi’s greatest nights.
Finalissima masterclass against Italy (2022)
Less than a year later, Messi and Argentina delivered another statement on the international stage.
The Finalissima brought together the winners of the Copa America and European Championship, with Argentina facing Italy at Wembley in June 2022.
Messi did not score, but his influence was everywhere. He created chances, repeatedly troubled Italy’s defence and provided two assists as Argentina won 3-0.
Lautaro Martinez opened the scoring after a Messi move, before Di Maria doubled Argentina’s advantage shortly before half-time. Paulo Dybala added the third in stoppage time. The victory extended Argentina’s unbeaten run and strengthened the belief that Scaloni’s team had evolved into a serious force.
For Messi, the performance was significant because it came between Argentina’s Copa America triumph and the World Cup in Qatar. The Finalissima became further evidence that Messi’s Argentina was no longer defined by the painful defeats of the previous decade.
Lifting the World Cup in Qatar (2022)
If one moment defines Messi’s international legacy above all others, it is the image of him lifting the World Cup in Lusail.
Argentina’s campaign had begun with a shock 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia, but Messi and his teammates recovered to reach the final.
France stood between them and history. The final became one of the greatest matches in World Cup history.
Messi opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Argentina established a two-goal lead. France fought back through Mbappe, and the match eventually finished 3-3 after extra time.
Messi scored again in extra time, but Mbappe completed his hat-trick to force a penalty shootout. This time, Messi’s story ended differently.
He converted Argentina’s first penalty, Emiliano Martinez made crucial saves, and Gonzalo Montiel scored the decisive kick.
Argentina were world champions. Messi had finally lifted the trophy that had eluded him throughout his career. He finished the tournament with seven goals and three assists and won the Golden Ball for the second time.
The World Cup also transformed his place in Argentina’s football history. The player who had spent years being compared with Diego Maradona had now achieved the feat that had defined Maradona’s legacy.
Winning another Copa America (2024)
Messi’s international career could have ended after Qatar. Instead, he returned for another Copa America campaign in 2024 and led Argentina to another win.
The final against Colombia was an emotional night for Messi. After suffering an injury, he was forced off during the second half and broke down in tears on the bench.
But Argentina continued without their captain. The match remained goalless through 90 minutes before Lautaro Martinez scored in extra time to secure a 1-0 victory.
Messi celebrated from the sidelines as Argentina lifted another major trophy. The victory gave him his second Copa America title, alongside the 2022 World Cup, and made Argentina the first team to win three consecutive major men’s international tournaments in the modern era: the 2021 Copa America, the 2022 World Cup, and the 2024 Copa America.
For Messi, it was also a powerful indication of how much Argentina had changed.
In the past, his team had often depended on him to produce the decisive moment. Now, even after he left the pitch in tears, his teammates were capable of finishing the job.
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