sportstotokingc7's Blog
:
October 2023
“I regret my decision to leave Barcelona”
POSTED ON
10/25/23
Neymar (31, Al Hilal) is known to have been pushing to return to Barcelona this summer.
Spain's 'Sport' reported on the 25th (Korean time) that when Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) put Neymar on the market, Barcelona general manager Deco consulted Neymar's family about whether to return to Barcelona.
PSG tried to get rid of Neymar by recruiting Ousmane Dembele. However, few clubs wanted Neymar, who has a high salary and a history of frequent injuries.
Then Barcelona approached. Director Deco called Neymar's family and asked about his intention to return to Barcelona. The problem was Barcelona's financial situation. Even if Neymar was “OK,” he could not afford to pay a large transfer fee that would satisfy PSG.
The situation changed when Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal offered 100 million euros (about 143.1 billion won) for Neymar. In the end, Neymar headed to Al Hilal and signed a contract with an annual salary of about 150 million euros (about 214.7 billion won) for two years.
Barcelona also offered a one-year loan contract for Neymar to Al Hilal. However, Al Hilal was not interested in Barcelona's offer to loan Neymar. In the end, Neymar's attempt to return was in vain.
Neymar suddenly headed to PSG in the summer of 2017. He was the transfer of the century, recording 222 million euros (approximately 317.8 billion won), the highest transfer fee of all time. He was hoping to escape the shadow of Lionel Messi (36, Inter Miami), but soon realized his decision was wrong.
Neymar dreamed of reaching the top of the UEFA Champions League on his own, but he continued to fail at PSG. In the end, Neymar pushed for a return to Barcelona every time, but he was unable to achieve his goal.
Neymar collapsed holding his knee while playing in the fourth round of the 2026 FIFA North and Central America World Cup South American qualifying match between Brazil and Uruguay, which was lost 0-2 on the 18th. He was eventually diagnosed with a torn anterior cruciate ligament and lunar plate in his left knee.
In fact, Neymar has been ruled out for the season. Neymar also confessed on his social media, "I know I'm strong, but I think I need more support this time," and "I came back after recovering from an injury for four months, and it's hard to have to go through something like this again."
In response, Sport emphasized, "Neymar believes his decision to leave Barcelona was wrong and always wanted to return," but added, "But now, due to his injury, it has become difficult to re-establish ties with Barcelona."
"Son Heung-min must be satisfied with 2nd place in power rankings" British media evaluation
POSTED ON
10/25/23
by: 스포츠토토
Son Heung-min (Tottenham)'s Premier League power ranking rose from 4th to 2nd. However, the first place was Mohamed Salah (Liverpool).
The Daily Mail ranked Son Heung-min in second place in the Premier League power rankings on the 25th (Korean time). Son Heung-min ranked 4th last week, but rose to 2nd through his performance against Fulham.
Tottenham won 2-0 against Fulham in the 9th round home game of the 2023-2024 season English Premier League (EPL) on the 24th (Korean time).
As a result, Tottenham continued its undefeated streak in 9 league games (7 wins, 2 draws) and took the sole lead in the league (23 points). Manchester City (21 points), which was in the lead until the previous day, was pushed out by 2 points.
According to Premier League records, Son Heung-min led the team to victory by scoring one of the two effective shots on the day, making four key passes and three successful dribbles.
Sites specializing in soccer statistics also gave Son Heung-min high ratings.
WhoScored.com gave Son Heung-min the highest score out of both teams, with 8.91 points and FootMob with 8.7 points.
On this day, Son Heung-min started as a lone striker. Richarlison, James Maddison, and Dejan Kulusevski supported him in the second term. Pape Sar-Pierre-Emil Hojbjerg took care of the back, and Destiny Udozy, Mickey van der Ven, Christian Romero and Pedro Foro were in the defensive line. The goalkeeper is Guglielmo Vicario.
Son Heung-min scored the first goal. In the 35th minute of the first half, Van der Ven rose high and cut the ball, and Richarlison passed it to Son Heung-min in front. Son Heung-min, who caught the ball near the arc, calmly got past his defense and then drilled into the corner of his goal with a wonderful right-footed kick. 7th goal in the league.
In the 39th minute of the first half, Son Heung-min made a sharp pass to U Do-ji. Although it did not result in a goal, it seemed to put great pressure on the opponent.
Additionally, Son Heung-min recorded his first assist of the season in the 9th minute of the second half.
Hojbjerg cut off the ball in the opponent's half and passed it to Son Heung-min in the box. Son Heung-min passed to the rushing Madison without being greedy, and Madison scored an additional goal with a calm finish. This was a joint goal between 'captain' Son Heung-min and 'vice-captain' Maddison, and was the opposite of the previous match against Arsenal, where Maddison assisted all of Son Heung-min's multiple goals.
Maddison, who scored his home debut goal, did not hide his affection as he hugged Son Heung-min tightly. We enjoyed the joy of holding a dart ceremony together.
Son Heung-min, who had done his part, finished his job by being replaced by Giovani Lo Celso in the 36th minute of the second half. He was the captain who led the team to victory with 1 goal and 1 assist.
After the game, Son Heung-min showed his composure through the Tottenham club website, saying, "There are still a lot of games left. We have to be humble and prepare for the next game. There isn't much time until the next game."
Regarding the improvement in performance compared to last season, “The attitude of players playing for the team has changed. “I think the good performance is the result of good preseason preparation with the new coach,” he explained.
The Daily Mail said, “This Korean player, who is playing as a front-line striker under coach Angie Postekoglou, is in his seventh season at Tottenham Hotspur,” and “his poor performance last season has disappeared, and he is in top form at Tottenham after Harry Kane left for Bayern Munich.” “It has come back,” he said.
He went on to say, "Tottenham is ranked first in the league, but Son Heung-min has no choice but to be satisfied with second place in the power rankings," and argued that Liverpool's Mohamed Salah is more suitable for first place in the power rankings.
Meanwhile, Tottenham's coach Postekoglou wrote new history in the Premier League. After his debut, he became the first manager to record 23 points in 9 games.
The previous record for most points in 9 EPL debut games was 22, held by former Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink and former Norwich City manager Mike Walker.
In an interview published on Sky Sports in the UK after the game, Coach Postekoglou said, “I am not too concerned about (the new record). I am concentrating on what to do after the Fulham game.” He added, “I am satisfied with Tottenham’s start to the new season and thank the club members.” “Thank you,” he said, giving credit to Tottenham.
It is an even greater record because Tottenham has not only faced weak teams so far. They have defeated top clubs such as Arsenal (2-2 draw), Liverpool (2-1 win), and Manchester United (2-0 win). and are leading the league.
But Coach Postekoglou wants to go one step further. He said, "Tottenham can do better. “And we can do it,” he said, envisioning a better future.
“We will not be pushed aside by foreigners”
POSTED ON
10/14/23
It’s time to focus on the V-League again. The 2023-2024 season will officially open on the 14th. Kang So-hwi said, "This is my first time feeling tired. I rested well for two days and started strengthening exercises on the 11th." “His knee needs to be supported with muscles. If he doesn’t do weight training, it causes pain,” he said. “I’m worried, but in terms of actual feel, there’s no problem.”
I plan to make full use of what I have learned on the world stage. So-Hwi Kang said, "After competing in international competitions and playing in the KOVO Cup, my blocking was really good. I feel that I have definitely improved to the next level. I have gained experience through hard work, so I will put it to good use. I will target my rivals with foreign players and make sure that I do not fall behind in attack power." “I think I will be able to improve further if I follow them,” he said
There are many changes in the composition of players within the team. Existing starting setter Ahn Hye-jin was out of action due to shoulder surgery. This is the background of GS Caltex replacing the Asia Quarter players from outside hitter Medi Yoku to setter Soraya Pomla. However, Pomra left due to pregnancy and setter Iris Tolenada was brought in. Tolenada and setter Jiwon Kim must work together.
In addition, new foreigners, aposite spiker Giselle Silva and middle blocker Daeyoung Jeong, have found a new home through free agent transfers. Libero Kim Min-ji and setter Kim Ji-woo (formerly affiliated with Heungkuk Life Insurance), who were free players, also became members of GS Caltex.
Kang So-hwi said, "I haven't been able to get along with the setter. I think we need to talk a lot and get it right as quickly as possible. I heard that Tolenada's set is a little slow and high. I like things fast, so I will ask him to connect the ball quickly." "he said.
He continued, “I have never played with a foreign setter. I hope we get along well. The volleyball terminology is simple, so there will be no problem with communication.” He added, “I heard that (Kim) Ji-won and the rookie setter (Lee Yun-shin) are also good. “I’ll try to guess,” he said, raising his voice.
He served as captain this year. Kang So-hwi said, "I emphasize mental strength. If I can't concentrate and miss an easy ball, I get angry. At times like that, I yell." He emphasized, "I always have a sense of responsibility and pressure. This season, I will not stay in 5th or 6th place, but will achieve better results. I have set my sights on the championship game." GS Caltex finished 5th last season and failed to advance to the postseason.
Personal goals are also clear. Kang So-hwi listed "Triple Crown (successful 3 or more back-end attacks, serving, and blocking in one game), 40% attack success rate, 40% receiving efficiency, and round MVP award," and then added, "I even dream of leading the team to the championship game. That's my goal." “You have to build several to get a sense of accomplishment,” he said emphatically.
'4 home runs in one inning' Arizona catches Dodgers and advances to CS
POSTED ON
10/13/23
The regular season gap between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the LA Dodgers is 16 games. However, in the postseason, it was just a meaningless number.
Arizona won 4-2 in Game 3 of the division series against the Dodgers held at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, USA on the 12th (Korean time).
With this win, Arizona confirmed its advancement to the championship series by winning all three games of the series.
This is their first time advancing to the Championship Series since 2007. They took revenge for losing all three games to the Dodgers in the 2017 Division Series.
History was made in the bottom of the third inning. Starting with leadoff hitter Heraldo Perdomo's home run, Ketel Marte and Christian Walker hit home runs in succession.
Gabriel Moreno hit a ball that went slightly over the right foul pole, and the umpires' initial judgment was that it was a home run, but it was overturned as a foul after video review. It didn't matter. The next ball hit hard, and this time it went over the left-center wall.
In this way, Arizona became the first team in postseason history to hit four home runs in one inning.
Rookie Brandon Part set the tone by pitching 4 1/3 innings, allowing 2 hits, 2 strikeouts, and no runs. Joe Mantifly followed, throwing 1 1/3 scoreless innings.
The Dodgers trailed to 4-2 in the top of the 7th inning with back-to-back hits from Chris Taylor and Kiké Hernández in an opportunity created by back-to-back hits by Max Muncy and Will Smith after two outs against Ryan Thompson. However, the gap could not be narrowed any further.
Dodgers starting pitcher Lance Lynn collapsed after the third inning. He collapsed after allowing 6 hits, 4 home runs, 1 strikeout, and 4 runs in 2 2/3 innings.
The Dodgers only got 14 outs from three starters in this series, including Clayton Kershaw (1/3 inning), Bobby Miller (1 2/3 inning), and Lynn.
The poor performance of the top batting lineup was also disappointing. In this day's game, the three batters, No. 1 Mookie Betts, No. 2 Freddie Freeman, and No. 3 JD Martinez, were silent with a total of no hits in 12 at-bats and 4 strikeouts.
