All posts by n8rngtd.top

Nigar Sultana and Nahida Akter headlined Bangladesh’s maiden win against West Indies in any format

Mohammad Isam22-Jan-2025Bangladesh are one win away from direct qualification for this year’s Women’s ODI World Cup after they beat West Indies by 60 runs in the second ODI in Basseterre on Tuesday. It was Bangladesh’s first win against West Indies in any format as they levelled the series 1-1 after West Indies had won the first game by nine wickets on Sunday.Bangladesh are now in seventh place in the ODI Women’s Championship points table with 21 points, the same as New Zealand who are placed sixth. The top five teams from that table and hosts India will gain direct entry into the ODI World Cup and the the third ODI between West Indies and Bangladesh will be the final game of this Women’s Championship cycle. If Bangladesh win the final game or there is a no result on Friday, they will overtake New Zealand and get direct qualification for the ODI World Cup for the first time.West Indies are languishing in ninth place with 16 points and are out of the race for direct qualification. The remaining four teams from the Women’s Championship table will play in the ODI World Cup qualifiers along with two more teams for the remaining two spots for the main event.On Tuesday, captain Nigar Sultana led the way with 68 as Bangladesh were bowled out for 184 in 48.5 overs. She struck five fours in her 120-ball stay, bringing up her fifth half-century in ODIs. Nigar was the anchor of the innings, adding a 51-run stand with Sobhana Mostary for the fourth wicket. Offspinner Karishma Ramharack took four wickets for the first time in ODIs, while fast bowler Aaliyah Alleyne picked up three wickets.Nahida Akter led the Bangladesh charge with the ball, taking three wickets, which included two of West Indies’ top three. Marufa Akter, Rabeya Khan and Fahima Khatun all took two wickets each as the hosts were bowled out for 124 in 35 overs. Shemaine Campbelle top scored with 28 while the big hitters Hayley Matthews (16) and Deandra Dottin (2) fell for low scores.After the match, Nigar said that she had the World Cup qualification in the back of her mind, but it was far more important to bounce back after the big defeat in the first ODI.”I think it was great to see how we bounced back in such a short turnaround time, especially after the nine-wicket defeat. We definitely wanted this momentum,” she said. “Of course, the two points are priceless but we really also want to achieve a series win by winning the next game. We haven’t won an overseas series before.”Nigar said that she took her time in building her half-century, but was pleased the runs came in a winning cause for her team.”I took a long time to settle down in the middle, [I] played out a lot of deliveries, but the runs turned out to be important,” she said. “I am really happy to contribute to the team’s cause. It was, however, a team performance. We gave an outstanding effort out there.”The team had belief. We didn’t score a lot of runs on this wicket where the bowlers have a tough life defending a low total. We just planned to bowl in the right areas, and wait for the batters to make mistakes.”

Arsenal are expected to be among the busiest Premier League sides this summer, as they look to match English champions Liverpool and end Mikel Arteta’s long wait for another piece of major silverware.

Arsenal hold talks with "big" summer window looming

The north Londoners have a few key items on their transfer agenda over the coming months.

Walcott 2.0: Arsenal now eyeing "one of the fastest players in the PL"

The rapid international would be an exciting addition to Arsenal’s squad.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jun 11, 2025

Arsenal are already set to end their search for a new back-up goalkeeper early doors, with Chelsea shot-stopper Kepa Arrizabalaga agreeing to join them. If all goes to plan, he will come in to replace Neto as an understudy to David Raya, and Kepa is apparently set to fight for his place as the Gunners’ number one.

For just £5 million, Arsenal are on the verge of securing an experienced and adept alternative to Raya, but they also have many other plates spinning behind-the-scenes.

Arsenal remain in ongoing talks for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, with no agreement yet found on price despite the Slovenia international reportedly shaking hands on personal terms (CaughtOffside).

If they cannot strike a deal for the 22-year-old, Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres remains on Arsenal’s radar as an alternative to Sesko.

Arsenal are also reliably reported to be targeting a new winger, so Arteta’s prediction of a “big” summer window appears to be very much coming true.

“It’s going to be a big one [summer] and we are very excited about it,” said Arteta back in April.

“When you are going to go again, we want to increase the depth of the squad and the quality and the skills that we need to go to the next step. Every summer is big because it is an opportunity – and especially because of the number of players we have in the squad right now, that is necessary.”

As well as the aforementioned targets, Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi is closing in on a move to the Emirates.

Arsenal have agreed to pay £60 million for Martin Zubimendi

Despite Zubimendi appearing to pour cold water over reports that he’s set for a medical, and some rumoured late threat from Real Madrid, both The Athletic’s David Ornstein and trusted transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano have claimed in the last few days that the Spain international’s move to Arsenal is still very much on track.

The “fantastic” 26-year-old midfielder would be a world-class replacement for Jorginho, so much so, that Arsenal are actually agreeing to pay more than they need to for his signature.

That is according to journalist Aritz Gabilondo, who detailed in an article for Spanish news outlet AS this week that Arsenal will fork out around £60 million to sign Zubimendi from Sociedad, despite his release clause being £50 million.

This is apparently a gesture of good faith to Sociedad, and the fee will be paid in three installments. If Real or any other side had any hope of hijacking the deal, which Gabilondo describes as “complete and signed”, then they would’ve had to match or better the £60 million offer.

Arsenal expect Zubimendi in time for pre-season, so the Gunners remain utterly convinced that they’ve secured his signature, despite some recent noise to the contrary.

Echoing other sources, AS write that the delay in his announcement as an Arsenal player revolves around Sociedad wanting to register his sale as part of the next financial year, which begins on July 1.

The reigning champions will have a chance to defend their title on Sunday, facing either Spain or Germany in the final in Basel

Home

Home Kit

• Inspired by retro sportswear and Lioness kits of the past
• Features classic English colours in a modern and energetic execution
• Available in S, M, L, XL and 2XL

From

£84.99

Buy

Away

Away Kit

• Celebrates the squad's impact on future generations of female athletes
• Features bursts of bright colours accenting a fearless black
• Available in S, M, L, XL and 2XL

From

£84.99

Buy

Goalkeeper

Goalkeeper Kit

• Comes in the traditional green colourway
• Logos centralised for a retro look
• Available in S, M, L, XL and 2XL

From

£84.99

Buy

Home

Home Kit

• Inspired by retro sportswear and Lioness kits of the past
• Features classic English colours in a modern and energetic execution
• Available in S, M, L, XL and 2XL

From

£84.99

Buy

Away

Away Kit

• Celebrates the squad's impact on future generations of female athletes
• Features bursts of bright colours accenting a fearless black
• Available in S, M, L, XL and 2XL

From

£84.99

Buy

Goalkeeper

Goalkeeper Kit

• Comes in the traditional green colourway
• Logos centralised for a retro look
• Available in S, M, L, XL and 2XL

From

£84.99

Buy

Home

Home Kit

• Inspired by retro sportswear and Lioness kits of the past
• Features classic English colours in a modern and energetic execution
• Available in S, M, L, XL and 2XL

From

£84.99

Buy

Away

Away Kit

• Celebrates the squad's impact on future generations of female athletes
• Features bursts of bright colours accenting a fearless black
• Available in S, M, L, XL and 2XL

From

£84.99

Buy

Goalkeeper

Goalkeeper Kit

• Comes in the traditional green colourway
• Logos centralised for a retro look
• Available in S, M, L, XL and 2XL

From

£84.99

Buy

For large parts on Tuesday, it looked like England's luck had finally ran out. Just five days after somehow completing a great escape against Sweden in the quarter-finals, the Lionesses were again on the brink of crashing out of Euro 2025, with just two minutes of added time standing between them and a 1-0 defeat to surprise package Italy. Yet, once more, they came back from it, completing arguably an even more miraculous turnaround as Michelle Agyemang's last-gasp equaliser and Chloe Kelly's winner from the spot – in the penultimate minute of extra time, no less – made England 2-1 victors and sent them into Sunday's European Championship final.

For the most part, it was a frustrating and disappointing watch for fans of the Lionesses, with few chances created either side of a thumping finish from Barbara Bonansea which broke the deadlock in Italy's favour just past the half hour mark. The Azzurre were good for their lead, too, in a performance that suggested much greater experience in this sort of high pressure moment. Were it not for a superb double save from Hannah Hampton in the dying moments of the 90, Italy's place in the final would've been cemented, too.

But England piled the pressure on, battling through adversity and plugging away without some sort of magical spark coming from somewhere, anywhere, hoping that Italy would buckle, that the ball would bounce favourably, that a chance would come and they would take it. It took almost all of the allotted time, but Agyemang was once again ready for her big moment when it arrived, rifling an effort beyond Laura Giuliani to keep the Lionesses alive – just as she had with her equaliser against Sweden.

There was still plenty for England to do, though. Sarina Wiegman had thrown the kitchen sink at Italy with her substitutions and now her strange assortment of players had to adapt, arrange themselves into something of an organised XI and try and find a breakthrough. It looked like it would have to be penalties again, as it was against Sweden, but instead it was just penalty – thanks to Emma Severini's daft challenge on Beth Mead. There was time for one more twist, as Kelly's effort from the spot was saved by Giuliani, but it was the winger, England's hero in extra time back at Euro 2022, who latched onto the rebound, to put her name in lights yet again and send the Lionesses into a third successive major tournament final.

GOAL rates England's players from Stade de Geneve…

• Getty Images
  

  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Hannah Hampton (7/10):

  Made a big double save at the death to keep England's hopes alive, which proved particularly huge after Agyemang's equaliser. It was even more impressive given the little she'd had to do until that point.

  Lucy Bronze (4/10):

  Lapse in concentration proved extremely costly and allowed Bonansea to creep in and break the deadlock. Quite the contrast to her quarter-final heroics.

  Leah Williamson (5/10):

  Best of a bad bunch in defence, though that was a low bar to clear.

  Esme Morgan (4/10):

  Too easily exposed in the build-up to Italy's opener, dragged all over the place by Cantore's movement. A difficult night, with the Azzurre always getting in down England's left.

  Alex Greenwood (4/10):

  Out of position again, Italy made sure to target her side and did so successfully. Quality of her set pieces was inconsistent.

Advertisement

• Midfield

  Keira Walsh (6/10):

  A more front-footed approach than usual led to her being one of the players who really tried to spark England into life, with some good runs, incisive passes and a few efforts at goal.

  Georgia Stanway (4/10):

  Battled well, winning plenty of her duels, but was wasteful in possession.

  Ella Toone (4/10):

  Had good spells where she looked likely to make something happened, albeit not for sustained periods.

• Getty Images
  

  Attack

  Lauren James (4/10):

  Looked a little leggy and flat here, with it no surprise to see her go off with a knock at half time. Had one of England's best chances of the first 45 minutes, but opted to place the shot and it was well read by Giuliani.

  Alessia Russo (4/10):

  Had one decent chance in the first half but couldn't quite wrap her foot around the ball to direct the shot on target. Otherwise, lacked service – again.

  Lauren Hemp (5/10):

  Ebbed and flowed throughout the game, starting and finishing well. Teasing cross led to the all-important equaliser.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Subs & Manager

  Beth Mead (7/10):

  Did well to stay onside with her run towards Hemp's cross, which discombobulated Giuliani and led to Agyemang's equaliser. Showed great experience to settle centrally in a mishmash of an XI in extra time, too.

  Chloe Kelly (6/10):

  Honoured her defensive duties well and was good on the ball, though her final product was inconsistent. Poor penalty, but great reactions.

  Michelle Agyemang (8/10):

  Came to England's rescue yet again with a remarkable composed finish at the death. Was so close to winning it in extra time, too, but for the woodwork.

  Aggie Beever-Jones (6/10):

  Worked hard and gave Italy something else to think about as England went to two up top.

  Grace Clinton (N/A):

  Brought necessary energy to midfield in extra time.

  Jess Carter (N/A):

  On at the death to seal the win.

  Sarina Wiegman (4/10):

  Didn't learn her lesson from the near-miss against Sweden, where hesitancy with subs almost cost her team. The wait to react almost proved decisive again here, but her subs did come through and deliver in the end. Would be naive to believe she can be that passive in Sunday's final.