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At a time when the women are celebrating their biggest ever triumph, the men are capitulating game after game

Madushka Balasuriya31-Jul-2024If you’re a keen follower of Sri Lankan cricket, hell even an occasional one, the last couple of days have been a doozy. The go-to descriptor would be emotional rollercoaster, but that doesn’t seem to quite cut it.No, this has been the emotional equivalent of being jettisoned from an aircraft only to have your parachute not work and somehow get the backup working moments before near certain death, and then be mauled by a pack of lions upon landing unharmed on the ground. Fear, excitement, relief, unbridled joy and then utter defeat. And worse still, while that analogy would result in the sweet release of death, we still have to continue watching Sri Lankan cricket.This, though, is not another opinion piece to add to the inevitable pile-on. Just this past month, Firdose Moonda published an exhaustive piece on the abuse players suffer, even in the wake of marginal defeats, let alone the sort of soul-crushing capitulations the men’s Sri Lankan cricket team have faced over the past few days.Related

• Jayasuriya: 'Don't see a lack of commitment, but SL players have to tackle pressure better'

• 'It's not a practice ground, it's an international game' – Rohit Sharma keeps his focus on the present

• Cricket belongs to Chamari's Champions right now

• Sri Lanka's latest collapse a chef's kiss on their incompetence

Suffice to say, the players know that their efforts have not been good enough, and after a certain point, there will be diminishing marginal returns on any criticism that comes their way. Even the success of the women’s team, one that ought to go down in their history as one of the greatest ever cricketing achievements, has been widely used as a stick to beat the men with.But while that comparison has largely been used as a throwaway gag, perhaps there’s something there worth diving deeper into. It wasn’t long ago that the women’s side were in a far more dire situation than they are now, with the sole shining light being Chamari Athapaththu. However, over the past year, the team as a whole have managed to shed any inhibitions they might have harboured about their abilities, and in the process strung together a series of results that have marked them out as one of the most in-form teams in the world currently.As fate would have it, the very same set of circumstances that have played a role in keeping this women’s side, and women’s cricket in Sri Lanka in general, from flourishing, might have in fact also played in their favour.A lack of depth for one which is something that needs to be addressed promptly – particularly if recent successes are to be carried forward – has also meant that selectors have had no choice but to stick with underperforming players. They were, simply put, the best available at the time. But over the past year, even if not by design, the women’s team have come out the other end of a dysfunctional, some would say broken system, with net gains no one could have predicted.4:05

Takeaways – Suryakumar the captain as funky as the batter

This, to be clear, is by no means an attempt to take away from the hard work and effort put in by the players, nor the coach and support staff that have worked tirelessly to bring them up to the level they currently sit happily on. But to recognise the fact that this is a side that has been given room to make mistakes, build camaraderie, and grow together in a way few other teams – men or women – might have been, albeit only because they were never a priority with a cricket board preoccupied by the men’s team.That men’s team, meanwhile, despite having been provided superior resources and training, have been subjected to pressure from all quarters. Social media is frequently ablaze with memes and mockery after each defeat, all while comparisons are made to the glory years of the team’s past – the same teams, mind, that only had to deal with a fraction of the pressures brought on by the advent of social media.It’s an easy out to point to intangibles such as desire, or speculate that players might have taken their eye off the ball due to the extra money in the game, or that they lack discipline because they enjoy the fruits of their wealth. But this champion India side are amongst the most well-remunerated in the game; such arguments just don’t fly.The fact is, if two sides, working within the same dysfunctional system, can have such differing results and mindsets, it’s only fair to look at the variables in play.Is there something to be learned here, something that can be bottled up and poured over the men’s side, so that similar fearlessness and clarity of mind – so gloriously exhibited by the women – can be unlocked within them?After all, Sri Lanka’s greatest ever success, in 1996, was when expectations were at their lowest. And ever since, this is a nation that has thrived in the role of underdogs. But when expectations aren’t managed, neither are the reactions to adverse results.The Sri Lanka men’s team have had a few rough days•Associated PressIt’s worth asking what if the roles were reversed?What if the growing pains this women’s side had to endure had taken place under the same media glare that the men’s team face regularly?Would these players have flourished as they have if their positions in the national squad were a part of regular post-game discourse?Would the efforts to instil confidence and self-belief in them by their coaches have stuck, if each time they opened social media they were bombarded with criticism?All valid questions, all quite impossible to answer definitively, though certainly worth pondering.Rumesh Ratnayake, the women’s head coach, has spoken about how important reframing and language can be in dispelling a negative mindset. Let’s take even these most recent defeats to India in the men’s T20Is. They were scarcely ever discussed for what they were. In the first two games, those colossal collapses were borne out of a desire to attack and capitalise on the death overs; the intent was there, the execution was not. When such planning comes off it’s lauded, but in failure, there is no room for nuance.And this isn’t something as new-age as even Bazball, this is simply Sri Lanka trying to catch up to where several sides already reside. It was only in the final game on Tuesday wherein a collapse worthy of the moniker occurred, but by then – like the choker tag that so plagues South Africa – it was on the verge of becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy. The narrative was set, those watching on had bought into it, and seemingly so had the players. What happened next, everyone knows.And while it is indisputable that India struggle with the glare of media more than any other side in world cricket, they have had generations of practice in effectively insulating players from public and media backlash.In that sense, is it so unreasonable that the Sri Lankan players are struggling to deal with something that we can all agree is not ideal, even if inevitable? Because as the women’s side have sadly highlighted, even a complete lack of discourse is sometimes better than a pile-on.

One of MLB's most infamous rivalries is taking center stage again on Sunday as the Boston Red Sox are in the Bronx to take on the New York Yankees.

For some players, the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry is nothing new, having played in it many times throughout their career. For others, such as Boston's rookie pitcher Hunter Dobbins, it's a chance to make a statement.

Sunday's game will be the first time in his career Dobbins has pitched against the Red Sox's most hated rivals, and his comments prior to the game suggest he's more than up to the task, and already fully immersed in the culture in Boston.

"This is one that I’ve had circled for a long time," Dobbins told Gabrielle Starr of . "My dad was a diehard Red Sox fan. And I've said it before, that if the Yankees were the last team to give me a contract, I’d retire."

"I grew up watching the Red Sox a lot, but I knew I wanted to do this as a career," Dobbins said when asked about what team he supported growing up. "I didn't get attached to a team, but I grew up watching (the Red Sox), and just, I think out of disdain for the Yankees, I watched anybody but them."

The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN's , as the competing AL East sides will both be looking to win the rubber match of their three-game set. Dobbins is set to start the series finale, in what will be his first taste of MLB's most renowned rivalry. Entering the game, Dobbins has made nine pitching appearances in 2025, including seven starts. He owns a 4.06 ERA with 37 strikeouts in 44 1/3 innings. He's hoping to leave a lasting impression during Sunday's game.

"I think whoever I was playing with or whoever I would have been drafted by, I'd still hate the Yankees, so Sunday should be a fun one," Dobbins said. "I'm hoping I hit a career-high in velo or something… I'm ready for it. Sunday can't come fast enough."

First pitch for Sunday's clash is set for 7 p.m. ET at Yankee Stadium.

Antony was caught on camera taunting Sevilla supporters during Real Betis’ derby victory over their arch-rivals. The Brazil international was unable to play any part in said contest as he served a suspension. The former Manchester United winger did, however, make a point of winding up fans that were sat in his vicinity, with objects being thrown in his direction.

• Why Antony missed Andalusian derby through suspension

  Antony was restricted to a spectator role as Betis lined up against old adversaries at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. He took up a seat in an executive box after picking up a red card during a La Liga clash with Girona – with the South American having caught Joel Roca with a high boot.

  While being prevented from taking to the field, the 25-year-old made a point of joining his team-mates at Sevilla’s home stadium. Antony was never going to let his presence go unnoticed, with the Samba star taking great delight in winding up opponents – on and off the field.

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• Watch Antony taunt Sevilla fans from box in the stands

• Two goals, a red card & game delay: Eventful derby clash

  He caused quite a stir when Sevilla fans spotted him in the crowd. As bottles and other missiles were thrust in Antony’s direction, he waved his arms around and bellowed back at his derby foes. Antony was never under any threat of being harmed as he was safely housed behind a box window.

  Antony had the last laugh as Betis claimed a 2-0 victory over Sevilla, with Pablo Fornals and Sergi Altimira getting their goals. The hosts finished said contest with 10 men after winger Isaac Romero was dismissed for a reckless challenge on Betis defender Valentin Gomez.

  He saw red with six minutes remaining, with angry home supporters throwing objects onto the field. Referee Jose Luis Mubuera Montero was forced to suspend the game, leading to players spending 15 minutes in the dressing rooms before play could resume.

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  Man Utd flop Antony is loving life with Real Betis

  Antony will be delighted to have seen his side prevail without him, having registered six goals and three assists for Betis through 13 appearances this season. He has rediscovered a lost spark since initially moving to Spain in the January window of 2025.

  A permanent transfer from Manchester United was completed over the summer, following a protracted chase, with a disappointing spell in English football being brought to a close. Antony managed just 12 goals for the Red Devils after joining them from Ajax for £85 million ($112m) in 2022.

Juan Soto made headlines when he admitted that he's being pitched to differently in the New York Mets' lineup without the protection of New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge. Soto's comments, which came during an interview with on Monday, took on a life of their own in the heavily-scrutinized New York media market, especially in light of Soto's decision to leave the Bronx for Queens this offseason.

So, naturally, reporters wanted to know what Judge thought of Soto's remarks. When asked, the Yankees captain responded perfectly.

"I’m not really going to go back and forth with this," Judge told MLB.com. "He’s got probably one of the best hitters in the game behind right now in what Alonso is doing. It has been fun to watch. He’s hitting close to .400. He’s driving the ball to all over the field, driving guys in.

"I've seen Soto now watching the league for so many years, and getting a chance to see him up close — he can look at what I did last April for an example of, he just needs to keep being himself. He's going to be just fine."

Judge, who won the '24 American League MVP, and Soto, who posted a career-best 41 home runs and a .989 OPS, did their best Babe Ruth-Lou Gehrig impression while leading the Yankees to an AL East title and the club's first AL pennant since '09. Soto benefited from hitting behind Judge in more ways than one, but in no way more impactful than the record, $765 million contract he signed with the Mets after his productive season in the Bronx.

Soto, with just two home runs in 16 games in '25, hasn't been as productive from a slugging standpoint so far. But the four-time All-Star is still among the game's leaders in walks and runs scored for a Mets team that is currently in first place.

And Alonso, who's batting .345 and leads the National League in OPS, looks to be in the midst of a career year. Judge is likely right.

Soto will be just fine.

Jordi Alba has rubbished comparisons between Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal, claiming that Barcelona’s all-time leading goalscorer “has no rival”. Teenage wonderkid Yamal has been thrust into an obvious debate ever since he stepped out of the La Masia academy system. He has become a global superstar in his own right, but there will never be another Messi.

• Messi vs Yamal: La Masia graduates always being compared

  Alba, who spent many happy years alongside the iconic Argentine at Camp Nou and is now a club colleague of the all-time great at MLS side Inter Miami, has always considered Messi to be the best in the business.

  Yamal, at 18 years of age, is showing signs that he could tread a similar path. Records have tumbled around the youngster on the back of making his senior debut at just 15. As a left-footed forward that glides past opponents and boasts an unerring eye for goal, he was always going to be likened to Messi.

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  Nobody like Messi! Alba steers clear of Yamal debate

  Alba is, however, eager to steer clear of that discussion. He told when naming three other Barca stars that deserve the same amount of credit as Yamal: “I think he's a great player, but there are others at Barca, like Pedri, Gavi, [Frenkie] de Jong. And I'm leaving out many. I think comparing him to Leo… there's no comparison, but that's because Leo has no rival.”

  Alba is preparing to sever professional ties with Messi. While the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has committed to a new three-year contract at Inter Miami, his close friend has decided to retire at the end of the 2025 MLS Cup play-offs.

  Explaining that decision, 36-year-old full-back Alba said: "Honestly, physically I could have lasted another year or two. But because of how I've felt, especially at the beginning of the season, and because of the new projects that are coming up…

  “It's a well-considered decision, and I'm very clear about it. I'll miss football, but I'm happy with what I've been able to achieve. I still enjoy the matches, but the day-to-day grind and traveling every week is harder. The enthusiasm you have at 20 years old fades. When you have a family, it shows.”

• Retirement calls: Will Suarez follow Alba & Busquets?

  Sergio Busquets is heading into the same direction, as he prepares to hang up his boots, with Alba adding on his fellow former Barcelona legend: “His retirement? Obviously, these decisions are very personal. We've talked about the situation we were in during the year. It's a decision for each of us. I'm lucky to share a team and a friendship with him; our families also get along very well. We live very close to each other in the same residential area.”

  Luis Suarez is another ex-Barca star that is yet to decide what the immediate future holds for him. The Uruguayan striker has struggled with knee problems in recent times, but continues to score goals ahead of turning 39 in January.

  Alba added on Suarez potentially playing on alongside Messi: “There he is, the guy. I don't know if he has a contract for years, but it's everyone's own decision. It's not just about changing teams anymore, it's about quitting football, what you've done your whole life. I'll be sad, but it hasn't been hard for me. I've accepted it and I'm taking it calmly.”

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  MSN reformed: Will Neymar reunite with Messi & Suarez?

  It has been suggested that Messi and Suarez could see their fabled ‘MSN’ strike force with Neymar reformed in 2026. That is because the Brazilian superstar is running down his contract at Santos and heading towards free agency.

  Any move to Florida would generate plenty of interest, with some headlines being stolen away from Yamal in Europe. The teenage wonderkid does, however, appear to be destined for greatness himself – with some suggesting that he could go on to eclipse Messi’s record-shattering haul of Ballons d’Or. Yamal finished second in the 2025 Golden Ball vote, behind Ousmane Dembele, but has time very much on his side – unlike Alba and Busquets.

After another difficult evening for Celtic in the Europa League, they’ve now discovered the extent of the injury that Callum Osmand picked up in another frustrating blow.

The Bhoys fell to a 3-1 defeat against Midtjylland and remain with just the one win to their name on the European stage this season – making qualification into the next round a mere fantasy at this stage.

Celtic schedule first interview with 37 y/o manager who dreams of Hoops job

The Bhoys are still on the hunt for their Brendan Rodgers replacement.

By
Tom Cunningham

Nov 6, 2025

For all the good work that Martin O’Neill has done so far this season, not even the Northern Irishman could turn his side’s fortunes around outside of domestic action and he once again distanced himself from the permanent job.

What the defeat has certainly done is pile the pressure on Dermot Desmond and the rest of the Celtic board to get their next decision right and get it done sooner rather than later.

Ange Postecoglou pulled out of the race for the job in the early stages and that dealt the Bhoys an undeniable blow. Since then, however, other impressive candidates have emerged such as Club Brugge’s Nicky Hayen and Kieran McKenna.

Reports have even gone as far as to suggest that McKenna is open to the job in what could hand Celtic quite the boost. The Ipswich Town boss has struggled to get the best out of his side in the Championship so far this season, but no one will be forgetting the history that he made at Portman Road anytime soon.

Alas, before any manager can arrive, it’s up to O’Neill to get the Hoops back to winning ways and do so without recent Old Firm hero Osmand.

Celtic discover extent of Callum Osmand injury

As revealed by O’Neill at full-time, Osmand suffered a pulled hamstring against Midtjylland and will now be missing for at least a few weeks. It’s a major blow for the 19-year-old, who just took his place in Celtic’s Europa League squad off the back of putting Celtic out of sight with his effort in the Scottish League Cup semi-final against Rangers.

With Celtic’s attack already coming under fire this season, they now have the task of squaring off against Kilmarnock and others without one of their most promising talents.

Celtic frontrunner McKenna now wants Hoops job