MANCHESTER: Manchester United have launched an investigation into how players’ boots were lost on the way to their Women’s Champions League qualifier in Norway, forcing them to scramble for new ones.
The Red Devils had to buy a number of replacement boots and shin pads from a local shop hours before the first leg of their tie at SK Brann on Thursday, which they lost 1-0.
Shop owner Andre Gullord told the BBC that the club had spent several thousand pounds.
“We are a big store but they were very lucky we had enough boots in stock that were the right size,” Gullord said. “They paid between £200 ($270) and £230 for each pair and £30 for the shin guards.
“We have had the odd player come in because they have left their boots behind but never the entire team.”
Midfielder Lisa Naalsund, who is from Bergen, where SK Brann are based, told Norwegian TV that she had asked her mother to bring some boots to the stadium for her.
“A bag containing some of our players’ boots went missing during the journey to Bergen,” said a United spokesman.
“We are investigating how this happened. In the meantime, we have secured new boots for all the affected players.”
United will hope to turn the tie around in next week’s second leg as they seek to reach the group stages of the Women’s Champions League for the first time.
Man Utd probe mystery of missing boots
https://arab.news/4ax68
Man Utd probe mystery of missing boots
- The Red Devils had to buy a number of replacement boots and shin pads from a local shop
- Shop owner Andre Gullord told the BBC that the club had spent several thousand pounds
Desert Vipers seal playoff spot with record sixth straight ILT20 win
- Chasing 167, the Vipers were guided home by an outstanding all-round display from Sam Curran
DUBAI: The Desert Vipers secured qualification for the International League T20 playoffs after an impressive five-wicket victory over Dubai Capitals at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, becoming the first team in the competition’s history to register six consecutive wins.
Chasing 167, the Vipers were guided home by an outstanding all-round display from Sam Curran, who followed up two key wickets with an unbeaten 52 off 33 balls to clinch the chase with five wickets and several deliveries to spare.
The Capitals had earlier posted a competitive 166 for 4 after recovering from early setbacks. Naseem Shah struck in the third over to remove Shayan Jahangir, but Leus du Plooy anchored the innings with a composed 54 off 44 balls. Gulbadin Naib added 21 before Noor Ahmad dismissed him with a well-disguised googly to halt the momentum.
The decisive moment came in the 14th over when Curran removed du Plooy in the deep and then dismissed Rovman Powell for a golden duck with the very next delivery, leaving the Capitals stalled at 94 for 4. A late surge from Jordan Cox, who finished unbeaten on 49, and skipper Dasun Shanaka, who made 29 not out, lifted the hosts to a defendable total, with 72 runs added in the final six overs.
In reply, Max Holden set the tone with a brisk 34, ensuring the Vipers reached 50 for 1 at the end of the powerplay despite the early loss of Fakhar Zaman. Hassan Nawaz injected momentum in the middle overs with a rapid 31, before Curran and Dan Lawrence steadied the chase and kept the required rate firmly in check.
Although Lawrence and Shimron Hetmyer both fell, Curran remained composed at the crease, anchoring the innings and finding the boundary at key moments to guide the Vipers to victory and extend their unbeaten run.
Player of the match Curran said: “We’re in a good space after putting together a couple of strong performances, and for me, the real satisfaction comes from finishing the job for the team. It went a bit deeper than we would have liked, but my focus is always on reading the situation and seeing the game through.
He continued: “When you’re winning, it simplifies decision-making, but we know we still need to keep improving and carry this momentum into the business end.”
Dubai Capitals captain Shanaka said his side had fallen just short.
“At 166, we had a competitive total, especially considering the quality of their bowling. However, our spinners didn’t hit the lengths we were looking for, and that made a difference,” he said.
“We had the firepower, but in hindsight, another 10 to 15 runs would have put us in a much stronger position,” he added.
The Vipers also used the fixture to highlight environmental awareness, wearing a special jersey featuring ‘Biodiversity Stripes’ made in the UAE from 100 percent recycled materials, as part of wider efforts to promote sustainability and biodiversity conservation.
