'Our main aim is to give maximum Mumbai players to the Indian team': …

In pursuit of their 43rd Ranji Trophy title, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) officially launched the 2026-27 season with a central theme, ‘Focus,’ at the MCA-BKC academy on Wednesday. beltedkingfisher.blog

“For us, the Ranji Trophy is like a World Cup. Our main aim is to win the maximum number of championships and give maximum Mumbai players to the Indian team. We have some legendary senior players on board. Coaches and selectors have been appointed, and today [Wednesday] marks the beginning of our journey towards achieving our goal,” MCA president Ajinkya Naik told mid-day on Wednesday when asked about the significance of the Ranji title which Mumbai last won in 2023-24.

Last season, only Mumbai’s teenagers — U-16 boys and U-15 girls — ended up champions, winning the Vijay Merchant Trophy and the Women’s U-15 One Day Trophy.

MCA’s Cricket Improvement Committee chairman and former India pacer Raju Kulkarni highlighted the importance of the Mumbai U-19 set-up. “U-19 teams are the supply line, but both [men and women] teams have not performed well [last season] and that’s our biggest concern. So, I’ve told the respective coaches to ensure our U-19 teams do well this time,” Kulkarni said.

Former national chief selectors and India’s 1983 World Cup-winning team members Dilip Vengsarkar and Sandeep Patil also offered words of advice. Patil, who is Team Mentor of all Mumbai teams, said: “What is important in the game of cricket is not only to begin [well], but to finish [well] is also very important. Raju [Kulkarni] just said that in the last one, two years Mumbai cricket is lacking somewhere. So, we need to take guard again.”

MCA advisor Vengsarkar ensured a fair selection policy. “I want to make it clear that those who have not been picked as the probables also stand a chance to play for Mumbai. We have started a TRDO [Talent Resource Development Officer Wing] and it will play a very important role. Injustice will not be done to anyone,” said Vengsarkar.

Toronto [Canada], July 3 (ANI): It took until stoppage time, but Goncalo Ramos rose highest to break Croatian hearts. His header gave Portugal a 2-1 win in Toronto, a place in the Round of 16, and an Iberian showdown with Spain.

For Luka Modric, it was the final act of a World Cup career. Portugal had threatened from the start. Four minutes in, Bruno Fernandes surged on the counter, but Dominik Livakovic was equal to it with a sharp stop.

Roberto Martinez’s men sustained heavy offensive waves through the first half, launching multiple attempts via Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, and Renato Veiga, who narrowly headed wide from an inviting position.

Despite maintaining nearly two-thirds of the possession, a stubborn and deeply disciplined Croatian backline repeatedly frustrated the Euro 2016 champions, with Rafael Leão firing over the crossbar in stoppage time to leave the game deadlocked at 0-0 at the interval.

The second half began with Nuno Mendes pushing forward, but Croatia struck first against the run of play. Ivan Perisic arrived unmarked at the far post to turn in a cross past Diogo Costa. With that goal, Perisic overtook Davor Suker as Croatia’s all-time leading scorer at World Cups.

Croatia pressed for a second. Costa denied Petar Sucic, and another Croatian goal was ruled out for offside. Portugal hit back — Rafael Leão struck the crossbar from distance, and a Ronaldo equaliser was flagged offside.

On the hour, Roberto Martinez made four changes, including Goncalo Ramos. The impact was immediate. Renato Veiga was fouled by Nikola Vlasic at a corner, and after VAR, Ronaldo converted the penalty in the 67th minute to make it 1-1.

Ronaldo was then replaced by Ruben Neves in the 80th. Croatia came close again — Mateo Kovacic hit the post and Sucic had another effort ruled out for offside.

With penalties looming, Portugal won it in the 94th minute. Leão’s cross found Ramos, who powered a header home. Deep into added time, Josko Gvardiol thought he’d equalised from a scramble, but a lengthy VAR check found Igor Matanovic offside in the build-up. The goal was disallowed.

The 2-1 comeback keeps Portugal unbeaten against Croatia in competitive matches and sends them into a Round of 16 clash with Spain. (ANI)

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Cabo Verde's veteran goalkeeper Vozinha has issued an emotional plea for national unity ahead of their historic FIFA World Cup Round of 32 clash against Argentina. The smallest nation to ever reach the knockout stages, the Blue Sharks, are preparing to face the defending champions. Vozinha emphasised that "tomorrow we are one. One people, one flag, one heart beating for Cape Verde," inspiring his nation to dream big.

Vancouver [Switzerland], July 3 (ANI): Switzerland secured a place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 with a commanding 2-0 victory over Algeria on Thursday (local time), displaying a clinical performance in the Round of 32 knockout clash.

Breel Embolo of Switzerland was named Player of the Match for his impressive performance.

Breel Embolo opened the scoring early in the 10th minute, finishing off a brilliant move initiated by Johan Manzambi. The winger produced a dazzling solo run down the left flank before reaching the byline and delivering a pinpoint cross, which Embolo converted from close range.

Holding a 1-0 lead at half-time, Switzerland doubled their advantage immediately after the restart when Dan Ndoye struck in the 46th minute. The goal came after a defensive clearance fell kindly to him outside the box, allowing him to fire a low effort into the net.

Algeria, led by Riyad Mahrez, attempted to mount a comeback but failed to break through the disciplined Swiss defence. Switzerland also came close to adding a third late on, though Fabian Rieder missed a gilt-edged opportunity.

Despite the missed chance, the Swiss side comfortably saw out the match, registering a 2-0 win and booking their place in the Round of 16.

The victory also marked Switzerland’s first World Cup knockout win since 1938, ending a long-standing wait in style.

Switzerland will remain in Vancouver, where they will next take on either Colombia or Ghana on 7 July. According to the FIFA Website, Switzerland have now won three successive fixtures at the World Cup for the first time, with this victory following group-stage triumphs over Bosnia and Herzegovina and Canada. (ANI)

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