Sports
Illaramendi, Rodrigo, Callejon return to Spain football squad
Madrid, Sep 29 (IANS) Napoli’s forward Jose Callejon, Valencia’s striker Rodrigo Moreno and Real Sociedad’s midfielder Asier Illaramendi returned to the Spain football squad, announced on Friday for the upcoming 2018 World Cup qualification matches against Albania and Israel.
Rodrigo has already made his debut with Spain’s first team on October 12, 2014 when he played for nine minutes against Luxembourg, reports Efe.
Rodrigo is rewarded for a good start to the season under coach Marcelino Garcia at Valencia and has a chance to add to the single cap he won for his country in 2014, but there is no place for veteran striker David Villa, who was a surprise inclusion in Lopetegui’s last squad, reports Xinhua news agency.
Illaramendi and Callejon also returned to the national team for a home match against Albania on October 6, and an away game versus Israel three days later.
Spain coach Julen Lopetegui also keeps faith with FC Barcelona defender Gerard Pique, despite a campaign against him on Twitter for voicing his support for the independence referendum in Catalonia on October 1, which has been classified as illegal.
Lopetegui defended the decision, saying that “Pique gives everything in every game” he played for his country.
Spain lead Group G with 22 points, three points ahead of Italy, with two matches to go.
Spain’s squad:
Goalkeepers: Kepa Arrizabalaga (Athletic) Pepe Reina (Napoli) David De Gea (Manchester United).
Defenders: Jordi Alba, Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Marc Bartra (Borussia Dortmun), Dani Carvajal, Nach Fernandez, Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid) and Nacho Monreal (Arsenal).
Midfielders: Isco Alarcón, Marco Asensio (Real Madrid), Thiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich), Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Asier Illarramandi (Real Sociedad), David Silva (Manchester City), Saul Ñíguez and Koke Resurrección (Atlético de Madrid).
Forwards: Iago Aspas (Celta), Jose Callejón (Napoli), Rodrigo Moreno (Valencia), Alvaro Morata and Pedro Rodriguez (Chelsea).
–IANS
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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.
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