Luiz Fernando Gomes: 'Diego, do sonho ao pesadelo no Flamengo'

MatériaMais Notícias

Uma convocação para a Seleção Brasileira pode fazer mal a um jogador. Sim, a afirmação parece embutir um paradoxo, afinal vestir a camisa amarelinha é o sonho acalentado por todo moleque desde o momento em que passa pelas peneiras das escolinhas. Mas a discussão ganha sentido quando observamos dois casos recentes, por coincidência – ou não – de jogadores do Flamengo. Primeiro, no ano passado, o goleiro Muralha. E agora Diego.

No embarque da delegação rubro-negra para Fortaleza, onde enfrenta neste domingo o Ceará, Diego foi o ​alvo principal dos protestos dos torcedores, insatisfeitos com o seu desempenho e os resultados do time nesse início de temporada. Uma situação extrema, completamente diferente daquele julho de 2016 quando desembarcou no Rio aclamado pela galera, numa recepção como há muito não se via para um jogador do Flamengo. E essa lua de mel durou um bom tempo, ​ele logo assumiu o papel de líder do elenco e levou o Fla à terceira colocação do Brasileirão, chamando a atenção de Tite.

O meia acabou chamado para a Seleção, no ​Jogo da ​Amizade, contra a Colômbia. Mesmo sendo um amistoso, beneficente e sem nenhum valor esportivo, para um jogador de 33 anos, que ficou sete anos afastado das convocações, ter sido lembrado ali foi algo que injetou ​novas ​energias, renovou esperanças – inclusive de disputar a Copa.

Uma esperança reforçada quando voltou a ser convocado para os jogos das eliminatórias contra a Bolívia, em La Paz, e o Chile, em São Paulo. Embora já não vivesse a boa fase dos primeiros meses de chegada ao Flamengo – houve a contusão no joelho direito que o tirou por um bom tempo dos gramados – o nome de Diego foi defendido por Tite:

– É um armador, articulador. Tem essa grande capacidade, fora todo o passado. A camisa do Brasil não fica pesada nele. Temos que aproveitar o tempo. Faltam nove meses, temos que ter jogadores preparados. A qualidade, mesmo o momento não sendo o da sua plenitude, a função que exerce e a capacidade que tem lhe dão condições de desempenhar bem – disse o técnico

Seja por não ter atendido a tantas expectativas do treinador, ou simplesmente por terem surgido opções melhores, o fato é que Diego não foi mais chamado, desde então. E, se a fase no Flamengo já não era boa, a partir daí só piorou. É difícil precisar o quanto o esquecimento nas listas de convocados pode ter influenciado na queda de rendimento. Mas às vezes, de fato, a sensação que ​deixa é ​a de​ que jogou a toalha, perdeu o encanto pelo jogo ao ver desfeito seu sonho de disputar a Copa. Não que tenha virado pipoqueiro, não que tenha vestido os chinelinhos da acomodação de forma deliberada. É, explicam os psicólogos esportivos, um processo intuitivo, não intencional e difícil de ser rompido. Conquistar títulos é um bom, talvez o único antídoto.

A situação de Diego, guardadas as proporções – o caso do goleiro foi muitíssimo mais grave – é muito semelhante a que foi vivida por Muralha. Escolhido à época do Figueirense um dos melhores do Brasil, chegou à Gávea como reserva, caiu nas graças do torcedor que cobrou sua efetivação. barrando Paulo Vitor. Teve atuações decisivas que também o levaram à seleção. De onde saiu, preterido nas listas seguintes, da mesma forma sorrateira como chegou. E Muralha nunca mais voltou a ser o mesmo, foi acumulando falhas cada vez mais grotescas até virar chacota. Terá desaprendido a agarrar? Não pode ser. Que peso terá tido o chamamento e o esquecimento de Tite na transformação do sonho em pesadelo?

Muralha foi respirar novos ares no Japão, tentar começar tudo de novo. O futuro de Diego no Ninho do Urubu, depois dos episódios de sexta-feira, é incerto. Protestar é um direito incontestável do torcedor. Qualquer ameaça de agressão é injustificável. Manifestações civilizadas e no tom correto é o que se espera. Diego é craque. É, e sempre foi, um jogador de seleção. A preocupação do Flamengo, o objetivo do torcedor, deveria ser resgata-lo. Fazê-lo reencontrar o bom futebol. Não expulsá-lo, nem culpá-lo por algo que a culpa não é dele. Ou pelo menos só dele.

RelacionadasFlamengoAs primeiras reações e o desafio do Fla após a conturbada ida ao CearáFlamengo28/04/2018FlamengoClima quente! Embarque do Fla tem protesto agressivo de torcedoresFlamengo27/04/2018FlamengoFla se posiciona contra tentativa de agressão e intimidação aos jogadoresFlamengo28/04/2018

Manchester United: Fabrizio Romano drops Steve McClaren updates

Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Steve McClaren will return to Manchester United as part of Erik ten Hag’s coaching staff.

The Lowdown: Ten Hag contact

Ten Hag was announced as United’s new manager last month, penning a deal through to 2025 at Old Trafford. Since then, he appears to have been working quietly on his backroom staff in England, with McClaren’s name coming up in conversation.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-man-utd-updates/” title=”Latest Man Utd updates!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Dutchman reportedly had a ‘direct conversation’ with McClaren over a ‘possible role’, and it looks as if the 61-year-old, most recently with Derby County, will now join United once again.

The Latest: Romano’s updates

Romano has taken to Twitter in recent days to provide an update on Ten Hag’s coaching staff. He revealed on Thursday evening that Ajax assistant Mitchell van der Gaag has reached a full agreement to join Ten Hag in England.

Romano added that there was ‘also’ a chance McClaren would return to Old Trafford and then revealed on Friday morning that the club are indeed now preparing a contract for Sir Alex Ferguson’s former assistant.

The Verdict: Smart move?

McClaren had plenty of success during his first stint with the Red Devils and was part of the famous treble winners in 1998/99.

He’ll also know all about Ten Hag after they worked together at FC Twente for 50 games, so should be able to help the Dutchman settle in at Old Trafford, making it a shrewd move.

It looks as if both Van der Gaag and McClaren will sign their deals over the coming days and weeks, and who knows, there may well be a few more backroom staff additions to come ahead of a busy summer in the transfer market.

In other news: Man Utd now working to sign ‘underrated’ defender in £38.5m move; offer ‘imminent’

Galiotte detona: 'Palmeiras é muito maior que um Paulistinha'

MatériaMais Notícias

Maurício Galiotte, presidente do Palmeiras, ficou muito irritado com a arbitragem da final do Campeonato Paulista neste domingo. Único representante do clube a falar com a imprensa após a derrota para o Corinthians, ele detonou a competição.

– Eu digo ao torcedor palmeirense: esqueçam esse campeonato. O Palmeiras é muito maior do que um Paulistinha. O Palmeiras é maior do que tudo isso. Vamos brigar por coisas grandes, nosso trabalho ainda vai muito longe. Temos um planejamento, temos objetivos, e não vamos ficar preocupados com uma situação que foi absolutamente vergonhosa. O que esse senhor fez aqui foi uma vergonha. Depois de marcar a penalidade, ele teve uma reunião dentro do campo e o pênalti foi simplesmente anulado. Uma vergonha – disparou o mandatário.

continua após a publicidade

Galiotte se referiu ao pênalti assinalado por Marcelo Aparecido Ribeiro de Souza em disputa de bola entre Ralf e Dudu, no segundo tempo. Após uma conversa com o quarto árbitro, Adriano de Assis Miranda, ele voltou atrás. Os palmeirenses têm certeza de que houve interferência externa.

– O que aconteceu aqui hoje é uma vergonha. Um exemplo muito ruim que o futebol brasileiro dá, de interferência externa. É uma vergonha. Uma vergonha! Um campeonato manchado, um campeonato estragado, jogado no lixo. Respeitamos o adversário, mas ninguém precisa passar por isso. Campeonato manchado! – disse o dirigente.

– O Palmeiras está muito forte, tem todos os atributos de uma grande equipe, tem uma torcida apaixonada, um grande elenco, uma arena, uma condição financeira bastante equilibrada. O Palmeiras é muito maior do que isso que aconteceu hoje aqui. Não foi usada a regra. Houve interferência externa, ou alguém tem dúvida? Eu estou dizendo que o quarto árbitro interferiu. Ou ele olhou lá de trás e, depois de cinco minutos, pensou que não foi pênalti? – concluiu Galiotte.

Chelsea to be without key duo v Wolves

Wolves will face a Chelsea side without midfield duo Jorginho and N’Golo Kante in their Premier League match this afternoon.

What’s the latest?

According to the west London club’s official website, the two Blues players will miss today’s clash at Stamford Bridge.

Thomas Tuchel withdrew Jorginho at half-time in last weekend’s 1-0 defeat at Everton due to injury and the Italian hasn’t recovered in time for today, whilst Kante missed the trip to Merseyside.

The Chelsea manager said: “For N’Golo it comes too early. Jorginho is out as well, these two are missing. Callum [Hudson-Odoi] and Ben Chilwell are still out.”

Lage will be buzzing

Wolves manager Bruno Lage will be keen to see his team’s recent woes come to an end, with a European place still very much up for grabs.

Despite four defeats in their last five matches, the West Midlands club are only three points behind seventh-placed West Ham United whilst having a game in hand on the Irons. Moreover, although unlikely, a sixth placed finish is still possible too.

However, last weekend’s shocking 3-0 defeat to Brighton at Molineux suggests that Lage’s men are already on the beach mentally, with supporters perhaps desperate to see the back of the season.

Goals have been at a real shortage for the entire campaign, with Wolves the top-flight’s fourth-lowest scorers with just 33 goals in 34 matches, having not scored in any of their last three outings.

Nonetheless, the Black Country outfit should take confidence from the fact that Chelsea’s home form of late has been woeful by their standards. The Blues have lost three of their last four matches at Stamford Bridge, whilst also losing 1-0 at struggling Everton last weekend, and today’s absences certainly won’t help their cause.

Together, Jorginho and Kante have totalled a combined 83 appearances for Tuchel’s side, averaging 7.06 and 7.13 seasonal ratings respectively from SofaScore.

It’s a major let-off for Wolves, who will be hoping that they can become the fourth team to win at Chelsea since the beginning of April, and the midfield duo’s absence will certainly leave Lage buzzing ahead of kick-off.

AND in other news – Lage axes “immature” £33k-p/w dud & lets “wonderful” talent loose: Wolves predicted XI for today

Spurs enter pole position for Alex Scott

As per London World, there has been a very interesting transfer development out of Tottenham Hotspur involving Bristol City attacker Alex Scott.

The Lowdown: Scott shining in Bristol…

The 18-year-old, likened to Manchester City star and England international Jack Grealish (London World), has turned many heads with his performances at Ashton Gate.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/tottenham-latest-news-copy/” title=”Tottenham latest developments!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Indeed, Scott has attracted Premier League attention already from the likes of West Ham United and Everton, with both clubs believed to have shown a keen interest.

A fixture in Nigel Pearson’s Robins side, starting an abundance of Championship matches this season, the teenager’s form has also caught the eye of Spurs chiefs.

The Latest: Spurs send senior official to watch Scott…

As per London World, Tottenham senior scouting official Peter Braund was recently sent to Ashton Gate to run the rule over Scott.

Furthermore, the outlet claimed that Spurs and their manager Antonio Conte are ‘right at the front of the queue’ for his services as they enter pole position.

The Verdict: Get it done…

The fact that Scott has become a real regular under Pearson at such a young age highlights his obvious ability and potential.

Tony Vance, his former manager at Guernsey FC, first noticed the playmaker’s ability as he candidly raved over Scott’s ‘tremendous balance’ and ability to ‘float around the pitch’ in an interview with Bristol World.

Sources inside his current club apparently regard the midfield gem as an ‘elite’ player with bags of potential.

Taking this into account, Spurs should certainly consider making an effort to secure him ahead of other Premier League suitors.

In other news: ‘Wow’, ‘One to watch’…Media blown away by ‘stunning’ development at Tottenham, find out more here.

Liverpool: Gary Neville in awe of Thiago

Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville was left in awe of Liverpool star Thiago during the Premier League clash with Manchester United. 

The lowdown: Liverpool run riot

It was a night to remember for the Reds as Jurgen Klopp’s men put four past their arch-rivals, Manchester United, at Anfield.

Luis Diaz opened the scoring following a decisive move before Mohamed Salah ended a mini goal drought with a brace on either side of a Sadio Mane strike.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-liverpool-transfer-news-29/” title=”Latest Liverpool transfer news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

However, one man outside of the goalscorers, in particular, caught the eye as Liverpool moved to the top of the Premier League…

The latest: ‘A joy to watch’

Speaking during Sky Sports’ live coverage (20:30, April 19) at Anfield, ex-Old Trafford stalwart Neville, who was co-commentating on the match, eulogised over a moment on 30 minutes as Thiago found Mohamed Salah with pinpoint precision.

“Absolutely sensational, this pass, a joy to watch,” the former Red Devil gushed.

That pass was one of 108 out of 113 (96%) accurate passes from the 46-cap Spaniard as Thiago earned an 8.20 Sofascore rating on the night – bettered only by Salah, whose two goals helped the Egyptian to an 8.40 rating.

To put those numbers into perspective, the visitors’ entire starting midfield four – Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Nemanja Matic, Paul Pogba and Diogo Dalot – complete just just 83 passes.

The verdict: First class

Signed for £20million from Bayern Munich (BBC), Thiago arrived on Merseyside having already tasted success on the biggest stage. The 31-year-old is a four-time La Liga champion with Barcelona and has lifted the UEFA Champions League with both Bayern and the Spanish giants.

Since becoming a Red the cultured ace has gone from strength to strength and there can be no doubt that the ex-Barca man’s influence on Klopp’s side has been ever-increasing throughout this season – this was a performance right out of the top drawer, full of moments of sheer quality that clearly impressed even the most staunch Manchester United supporter.

Having had his fitness issues throughout his time on Merseyside, Liverpool’s chances of adding more trophies to the Carabao Cup won earlier this term will depend on the midfielder’s availability and potentially more displays such as this.

In other news, the race for one Liverpool target is heating up. Read more here.

Flintoff ruled out for rest of season

Andrew Flintoff’s future is once again in major doubt after he was ruled out for the remainder of the season after failing to recover from the knee injury that has sidelined him since last year’s Ashes

Cricinfo staff03-Aug-2010

Andrew Flintoff had begun training in the nets but now his comeback is back on hold•PA Photos

Andrew Flintoff’s future is once again in major doubt after he was ruled out for the remainder of the season after failing to recover from the knee injury that has sidelined him since last year’s Ashes.It had been hoped that Flintoff would return to second XI action with Lancashire this week but his comeback was initially delayed following concerns over how his knee would react to a one-day game. Now the decision has been taken that he will not be able to resume playing at all this summer.”Whist Andrew has made significant progress, the combined opinion is that he is not quite ready for a return to cricket,” Mike Watkinson, Lancashire’s cricket director, said. “He will continue his rehabilitation into the winter months and we will constantly monitor and review his progress so that he is better equipped for a return to action.”This latest setback means he won’t be fit to take part in the Champions League Twenty20 in South Africa during September after he’d been named in Chennai Super Kings’ provisional squad for the tournament. There must also be serious doubts over his winter plans which had been expected to included Twenty20 spells in Australia and New Zealand before next year’s IPL.Flintoff underwent knee surgery two days after England regained the Ashes last August and initially aimed to be ready for the start of the season. That soon became unrealistic and he required a further operation to clean up the knee earlier this year which put his recovery back another six months.Throughout his rehabilitation Flintoff, who retired from Test cricket following the Ashes, has said he is determined to win back his England one-day place and had even set his sights on next year’s World Cup in India. That chance now appears to have vanished although there was already a growing feeling that Andy Flower had moved on without Flintoff.

Nunes makes Man City transfer decision

According to Portuguese newspaper A Bola, via Sport Witness, some major Man City transfer news has emerged involving Sporting Lisbon star Matheus Nunes.

The Lowdown: Guardiola blown away…

After Pep Guardiola’s side hammered Sporting 5-0 away in the first leg of their Round of 16 Champions League Round tie, one opposition player who seemingly blew away City’s boss was in fact Nunes.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/man-city-newest-updates/” title=”Man City newest updates!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Speaking to media afterwards, the Sky Blues head coach lavished praise on Sporting’s in-demand midfielder, even going on to claim he is ‘one of the best players in the world today’.

Guardiola’s rave review of the 23-year-old has prompted links to signing him in the summer window with A Bola (via SW) now sharing a promising transfer development out of Eastlands.

The Latest: Man City hold discussions…

According to their sources, City chiefs have apparently held ‘informal’ discussions with Sporting over a transfer for Nunes.

In perhaps the most exciting part of this story, the player himself is very keen on moving to Manchester, with there even being suggestions he ‘dreams’ of signing for Guardiola.

It’s also pointed that both Sporting and City’s ‘privileged relationship’ could boost them further in an attempt to land Nunes.

The Verdict: Make a move?

The Premier League champions already have a wealth of talent at their disposal in midfield, but given they could sign him for just €40 million (£33m), it appears there is little financial risk for City.

Called ‘unbelievable’ by former teammate Goncalo Santos, the player’s WhoScored stats point to someone who could actually be of use in Guardiola’s unique false-nine system.

A superb ball-carrier, Nunes completes more dribbles per 90 on average domestically than any City star has in the Premier League – backing why they’re allegedly interested.

Given his quality and fairly cheap potential sum, the Sky Blues should at the very least consider a transfer this summer.

In other news: Man City officials sent to club as Pep now eyes ‘absolute beast’ alongside Haaland! Find out more here.

Tahir hat-trick fells Durham

Legspinner Imran Tahir took a hat-trick as Warwickshire bounced back from their championship humbling at Chester-le-Street with a five-wicket Friends Provident t20 win against Durham tonight

02-Jul-2010
ScorecardLegspinner Imran Tahir took a hat-trick as Warwickshire bounced back from their championship humbling at Chester-le-Street with a five-wicket Friends Provident t20 win against Durham tonight. It kept the visitors on course for the quarter-finals, while Durham’s fifth successive defeat in the competition left them next to the bottom of the North Group.At 51 for 7 Durham were on course for their lowest Twenty20 total, but Albie Morkel and Gareth Breese added 66 in the last eight overs to take them to 117 for 8.Warwickshire were unable to call on England Lions pair Ian Bell and Jonathan Trott but cruised home with two overs to spare. They were 68 for 2 after 11 overs but then both Darren Maddy and Ian Westwood were run out.They needed 41 off six overs, but Rikki Clarke eased the pressure by driving Ian Blackwell over long-off for six. After Jim Troughton was stumped for 34, Clarke hit a second six on his way to an unbeaten 29 as Warwickshire took 19 off the 18th over, bowled by Neil Killeen in his first appearance of the season.After being put in on a sunny evening, Durham were already in the mire when Tahir came on for the 12th over. He has already had eight wickets in an innings against them at Edgbaston this season, plus 6 for 69 last Wednesday, and continued to wreak havoc largely with his googlies.He hurried a delivery between bat and pad to bowl Gordon Muchall for 10, then Will Smith drove to mid-on, where Ant Botha held a juggling catch. Left-hander Ben Harmison edged the hat-trick ball to Clarke at first slip.Durham took seven runs off each of the first two overs, with a boundary for both openers, but then totally lost their way. The next six overs produced a total of 11 runs for the loss of four wickets.Ian Blackwell lobbed a simple catch to mid-on off Neil Carter, who also yorked Ben Stokes, while Phil Mustard miscued to midwicket off Boyd Rankin and Dale Benkenstein drove Keith Barker to mid-off.Breese hit half of Durham’s total of eight fours in his unbeaten 30, while Morkel drove the only six, off Tahir. Morkel, who had to send for a runner after suffering a leg injury, reached 48 off 42 balls before holing out off the final ball of the innings.

India's island dreams shatter again

India’s exit may not create the seismic activity that followed the early flight home in the 2007 World Cup, but it is bound to produce plenty of harsh assessment

Andrew McGlashan in St Lucia12-May-2010

MS Dhoni: “At the end of the day if you are outplayed there is nothing much you can do about it”•AFP

India have had another Caribbean nightmare. Three years ago they were the kings of Twenty20 but now have some serious thinking to do about the shortest format. For the second tournament in succession they have been dumped without a win in the Super Eights and defeat never goes down well back home. And this from a side in which every member played at the IPL. Ideal preparation? Obviously not.This exit may not create the seismic activity that followed the early flight home in the 2007 World Cup, but it is bound to produce plenty of harsh assessment. The inquisitions had started even before this match, with India only having an outside chance of progressing. That faint hope disappeared once Sri Lanka reached 144 in their run-chase and a demoralised side then gave up the match off the last ball. Four sixes in the final eight deliveries carried Sri Lanka to an impressive success and their all-round performance was the complete opposite of what India have been able to produce.MS Dhoni managed a few smiles in his press conference as he was grilled in expected fashion. Partly that was due to an interruption from the PA announcer about an illegally parked car, but also when he was asked about how this would go down in India. He knows what it will be like. He’s been here before and it won’t be pleasant.”As captain you are always under pressure,” he said. “I think it’s the responsibility of the captain to explain why the team didn’t do well because he’s the face of the team. He gets the credit when he goes well and he also gets the criticism. It shouldn’t reach into your private life but we are leading a country where cricket is a big sport and each time we go out we are expected to win.”But it was the downbeat nature of his assessment of what the team could have done about the situation which was most clear and surprising. “At the end of the day we are on the losing side, nothing much can be done about it because this is the best 15 [players] you can get in India when it comes to T20. At the end of the day if you are outplayed there is nothing much you can do about it.”In hindsight the signs weren’t good to start with. They were the last side to arrive and didn’t opt for a practice match before their opening game. Dhoni suggested it was the last thing his team needed after a 90-minute coach ride from the international airport in St Lucia to the north of the island. They have also chosen days off rather than practice during the event but Dhoni said “one more practice session wouldn’t have made a difference”.They were lucky with the schedule in the group stage as their opening game was against Afghanistan who, for all the romanticism it possibility entailed, were never seriously going to challenge India. That gave them breathing space and the victory against South Africa, led by Suresh Raina’s 101, was a slick display which boded well. In reality they peaked too soon.They couldn’t handle the pace and bounce of the Barbados pitch and Dhoni has admitted some of the batsmen aren’t up to the challenge due to the nature of conditions they are brought up on. There aren’t many bouncy tracks at the IPL. When they were back in St Lucia they were right at home on the front foot and Raina was back in the runs. Nothing was bouncing above knee height. Dhoni admitted that India’s inability to cope with the bouncer was systemic.”Most of us have the problem of playing short-pitched balls. So it is not just the youngsters who had problems. We can’t neglect it any more. But we don’t have bowlers who consistently at 145-50 kph and most of wickets in India don’t have that kind of bounce,” he said.”But we should also remember we are good players of spin. So we shouldn’t be ashamed that we can’t play short-pitched bowling. We have to play even against short balls but we can’t be ducking and leaving all the time in Twenty20,” Dhoni said.Win or lose, the role of the IPL was bound to be at the forefront of India’s performance. Dhoni has said it’s unfair to compare the two, but if anything this World Twenty20 has just gone to reinforce that the quality is actually spread pretty thinly in that tournament. It’s a domestic event, albeit a big and brash one. Dhoni also made a subtle suggestion that players needed to take responsibility for themselves.”I’ve had no setbacks because of the IPL but at the same time players need to be smart because IPL is not only about cricket,” he said. “You have to respect your body and if you don’t do that then IPL is draining. If you play late games and go to the parties and travel the next day it takes a toll. But if you take care of yourself 45 days of cricket shouldn’t affect you because we play 200 or more in a year.”It’s a question of priorities for this India team and maybe international Twenty20 is now down the list. Now that they are top of the tree in Test cricket the BCCI is trying to arrange Test series left, right and centre so they can retain the mantle. South Africa’s tour earlier this year was adjusted to include two Tests and Australia are now being asked for the same when they visit in October. If the BCCI really do want to help the future of Test cricket then it’s a great move, but it is clearly more than coincidence.India next’s assignment is a triangular series in Zimbabwe alongside the hosts and Sri Lanka with what, in effect, is a shadow side. Senior players, including Dhoni, are being rested, which suggests he is more tired than he has admitted.However, for Dhoni there is a huge challenge on the horizon over the next nine months – preparing his team for a World Cup on home soil. Failure here will be hard to stomach for the billions of fans, but failure next year won’t be tolerated.

Game
Register
Service
Bonus