2nd ODI: ‘Want to finish matches, bat till 40-45 overs and build that habit,’ says Gill on mindset behind match-winning 154

Berlin, May 22 (IANS) Roles seem set in advance of Saturday’s 2026 German Cup final between the reigning German champion Bayern and the 2025 Cup winner VfB Stuttgart.

Despite overwhelming facts, such as three Bavarian victories in the national campaign and the 2025/26 Supercup, the upcoming final in Berlin carries delicate implications, as Sebastian Hoeness challenges the club of his early years.

That he acted as Bayern’s Amateur coach, and that his father, Dieter, playing for both clubs, might be surpassed by his uncle Uli’s life achievement of developing the Bavarians into one of football’s leading sides.

While rumors of a possible future engagement at the “Hoeness club” have persisted since the 44-year-old achieved success with VfB.

Bayern president Herbert Hainer fueled speculation by predicting that Sebastian Hoeness is on his way to becoming a serious candidate.

The Stuttgart coach regularly dismissed rumors, reaffirming his commitment to his current job. And, the Bavarians claim to be happy with their manager, 40-year-old Vincent Kompany.

While the former Citizen defender revitalized Bayern and is aiming for this season’s domestic double, Hoeness has led Stuttgart to unprecedented glory since his arrival in 2023, with two UEFA Champions League qualifications, and last season’s Cup win in the books.

Despite the flight, the VfB coach is aware of Bayern’s quality but cherishes his club’s achievement, saying, “We have topped the past years.”

But eying a surprise seems to be little more than a bonus for titleholders.

The pressure rests on Bayern’s shoulders despite a record-setting league campaign, in which the team scored 122 goals and featured one of Europe’s best attacking lines, led by Three Lions captain Harry Kane, French genius Michael Olise, and Colombian international Luis Diaz.

The Kicker headlined “Hattrick or Sensation?” after Bayern’s national championship and the Supercup.

While Kompany and Hoeness are regarded as the best coaches in Germany, Bayern is the clear favorite. The Bavarian coach spoke about the unwavering determination to take the Cup after the club’s last victory in 2020.

The 2026 final offers most of his squad an opportunity, as only Manuel Neuer, Joshua Kimmich, and Leon Goretzka remain from six years ago.

“We have had an outstanding season and intend to finish it this way,” said three-time German Cup winner Kimmich, noting that the Berlin final remains a highlight.

–IANS

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Manchester, Feb 25 (IANS) Manchester United, on Monday, announced that they will be making 200 additional job cuts, after 250 employees had already been let go by the club last season, as part of a series of additional measures to improve the club’s financial sustainability.

The transformation plan aims to return the club to profitability after five consecutive years of losses since 2019.

The Red Devils currently sit in 15th place in the Premier League table and head coach Ruben Amorim believes the job redundancies have to be credited to lack of success at the club.

“We have to address all the problems in the club but one important piece is how we got into this situation. It has to do a lot with the lack of success of the football team. We are the engine of the club. I want to help the team with my job which is to help the team, help the players and the success,” said Amorim in a press conference.

Last week the club revealed a loss of 27.7 million pounds in their second quarter financial results and the Red Devils have lost more than 300 million pounds over the past three years.

“It’s always hard for everybody. They see their friends and teammates losing their jobs but again, I have to focus on what I can do to help the club in this moment and we as a club have to understand what we did wrong to get in this situation,” he added.

The Ruben Amorim-led side will be hoping to improve their results when they face Ipswich Town in the league on Thursday (IST). The Red Devils are coming of a 2-2 draw against Everton, after trailing by two goals at the end of the first half. Amorim acknowledged the lack of intensity by his side in the game.

“It’s hard, it’s hard when we see the game. I know, you know guys, and even the players know that we had a lack of intensity. We improved, not a lot, in the second half but the small things – of second balls, we didn’t lose so many possessions without any pressure.

“We were more aggressive, even when we defend and when we are with the ball. We changed a little bit of the energy that we play football with, so I understand all the critics. If you watch the game you have to accept it and try to change that,” he said.

–IANS

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New Delhi, April 5 (IANS) Raghavendra Kumar, popularly known as the Helmet Man of India, has urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to leverage the massive reach of the Indian Premier League (IPL) to promote road safety awareness across the country, stating that cricket remains the most powerful medium to influence public behaviour.

Kumar, who was the chief guest at a six-over tennis ball tournament organised by Victorious Endeavours at the DDA Siri Fort Complex on Sunday, highlighted how the sport can be used to inspire millions to adopt safer practices on roads.

“Cricket is the most popular sport in India. Fans watch their favourite players hit boundaries and sixes, but they often forget that cricketers confidently face fast bowlers because they wear helmets. That itself is a strong message for road safety,” Kumar told IANS.

He emphasised that integrating road safety campaigns into the IPL could have a transformative impact. “The IPL is a massive tournament, and the BCCI is also very strong. Our country’s GDP will become stronger when our common citizens follow road safety rules. Because the death of one citizen results in a loss of nearly Rs 92 lakh to the nation, and overall, India is losing more than Rs 5 lakh crore due to road accidents. So, if we promote road safety through sports like the IPL, it will be a very big victory for India,” he said.

Kumar also raised concerns over the increasing use of duplicate helmets, which he believes is a major contributor to fatalities in road accidents. He stressed that cricket could play a crucial role in eliminating this issue.

“If we spread this message to people through cricket, then duplicate helmets can be eliminated from our country. Sport is a medium through which we can reach millions of people. Not only can we promote road safety, but we can also raise awareness among people about the dangers of using duplicate helmets,” he added.

Cricket in India has long been more than just a sport, often serving as a vehicle for social messaging. Initiatives like the Road Safety World Series underline this role, bringing together former international stars to promote responsible behaviour on roads.

Organised with support from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and backed by the BCCI, the tournament has featured legends such as Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara, helping amplify the message among fans. Since its inception in 2021, the series has grown into a key platform combining cricket with public awareness.

–IANS

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