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Brazil’s Augusto, Gil sing praises of Chinese football
Rio de Janeiro : Renato Augusto and Gil have praised the quality of football in China, predicting more top Brazilian players will follow their footsteps by joining Chinese clubs in the near future.
The duo have been included by coach Dunga in Brazil’s squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Paraguay, reports Xinhua.
Gil on Monday said he is feeling as sharp as ever after joining Shandong Luneng from Corinthians in January.
“Those who know me know how hard I work,” the 28-year-old central defender said. “I didn’t go to China to retire. I continue to play with the same seriousness.”
Augusto, who also left Corinthians to join Beijing Guoan in January, is determined to show his worth to the national team in the coming days.
“I didn’t go to China for holiday,” he said. “I am working hard on my fitness and I’m feeling fit. I’ll be ready if Dunga calls on me.
“Chinese football is only going to get stronger. I arrived there and was positively surprised by the level. It’s a high level and it will only get better. Don’t be surprised if other players based in China get called up to play for Brazil.”
Brazil’s squad gathered at their Granja Comary base in Teresopolis, near Rio de Janeiro on Monday.
The Selecao will play Uruguay in Recife on March 25 before facing Paraguay in Asuncion four days later.
Dunga’s side is currently third in the South American zone World Cup qualifying standings with seven points from four matches. Ecuador lead with with 12 points, three points ahead of second-placed Uruguay.
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Sunil Gavaskar gives his opinion of GT allrounder Rahul Tewatia
The left-handed batsman from Haryana is garnering praise from all quarters for the way he’s finishing games regularly in the most exciting IPL season.
Gavaskar reckons Tewatia’s whirlwind knock in Sharjah (in IPL 2020) where he smashed West Indies pacer Sheldon Cottrell for five sixes in an over, gave him the confidence that he belongs to the big stage.
Speaking on Cricket Live on Star Sports, Gavaskar said, “That assault on Sheldon Cottrell in Sharjah gave him the belief to do the impossible and the confidence that he belongs here. We saw the impossible (he did with the bat) the other day as well. There’s no twitching or touching the pads (which shows a batter’s nervousness) when he bats in the death overs. He just waits for the ball to be delivered and plays his shots. He’s got all the shots in the book, but most importantly his temperament to stay cool in a crisis is brilliant.”
Gavaskar has also nicknamed the 28-year-old cricketer the ‘ice-man’ and lauded Tewatia’s ability to remain unruffled during the tense moments.