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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has favoured Pascal Struijk and Spurs loanee Joe Rodon as his centre-back partnership at Elland Road this season, with the duo racking more than 4,000 minutes between them. Club captain Liam Cooper has also played his part, with 637 minutes under his belt, but Charlie Cresswell has effectively been ousted from the first-team picture.

Cresswell hasn't featured at all for Leeds – in any competition – since a late substitute appearance in a 1-0 win over QPR at the start of October, and his last Championship start came in a 1-0 defeat to Birmingham City in August. Speaking earlier this month, Farke said that the Englishman had shown a lack of focus and complained about his position in the defensive hierarchy.

The manager has decided not to pick him unless that stance changes, and there's a possibility that the 21-year-old could move on. Farke is "adamant" that Leeds should have four senior centre-backs in their squad, so that could open the door for a new face, and Ben Godfrey has emerged as a possible candidate.

Leeds rival European giants for Godfrey

According to Italian outlet Calciomercato, Leeds are interested in Godfrey at Everton, as are Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United. Both teams are said to be "on the trail" of the former Norwich man and could swoop in to steal him from Serie A outfit Atalanta.

They face more competition on the continent too from AC Milan, sitting third-place in Serie A and long-term admirers of Godfrey. Milan ideally want to sign Clement Lenglet, currently on loan at Aston Villa from Barcelona, but his salary could be an insurmountable obstacle.

Intermediaries have now offered them the chance to sign Godfrey, who had been "very close" to joining fellow Italian side Atalanta. That transfer was "agreed in detail" but it's now been "ruined" by "soaring costs". Leeds, Sheffield United and Milan all fancy hijacking the deal.

"Tremendous" Godfrey can rediscover top form at Leeds

After coming through at York City, Godfrey joined Norwich in 2016 and spent four years at Carrow Road before Everton signed him in a £25m deal. He's since played 80 games for the Toffees, but he's hardly had a look-in this year with just one Premier League start (in a 2-0 win over Burnley in mid-December).

Frustratingly, he's been fit and healthy too, making the squad for every single top-flight game but simply failing to earn the faith of manager Sean Dyche. From that standpoint, a loan or indeed a permanent exit would make sense.

EFL Championship done deals: Every January 2024 transfer

As the January transfer window closes, FFC has you covered for every in and out involving your club in the EFL Championship.

By
Luke Randall

Feb 1, 2024

If he does move to Elland Road, Leeds would hope he could rediscover the form he was showing in his final stretch at Norwich, which earned him a £25m move, and his first year at Everton. BBC Sport's Phil McNulty said he'd been a "revelation" after his arrival at Goodison Park, while fellow journalist Jonathan Northcroft hailed him as a "tremendous athlete" and pundit Rio Ferdinand applauded his "great" 1 v 1 abilities.

Indeed, Godfrey was successful 65.9% of the time when he went to tackle a dribbler, the eighth-best record in the league that year. His performances earned him the club's young player of the season award, and perhaps he can get back to that level with a needed move.

Gary Lineker has admitted he is “really worried” about Ruben Amorim’s handling of Manchester United star Kobbie Mainoo. The teenager, once seen as a cornerstone of the Red Devils’ future, has struggled for minutes this season despite his reputation as one of England’s brightest prospects. Lineker says the situation is “slightly baffling” given the midfielder’s talent and potential.

• Mainoo's rise stalling under Amorim

  Mainoo, who starred for England during Euro 2024, has seen his progress stall since Amorim’s arrival at Old Trafford. The 19-year-old has yet to start a Premier League game this season despite United’s injury issues in midfield. His frustration even led him to request a loan move in the summer, but the club blocked any potential exit.

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  Lineker 'baffled' by Amorim's treatment of Mainoo

  Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Lineker said: "I don’t think he’s going to change his system now. He’s been very stubborn so far, why change now?

  "It really worries me the way Kobbie Mainoo has been kind of dismissed. Such an incredible, young talent, a local boy as well doing really well.

  "I thought when he came on he did really quite well. I don’t get it, I don’t know if there’s something we don’t know about but it’s slightly baffling to me."

• Mainoo's downward trajectory at Man Utd

  Mainoo was expected to build on his breakout season under Erik ten Hag, but finds himself on the fringes under Amorim. Manchester United’s struggles in midfield have only made the lack of opportunities more puzzling. If the situation continues, questions will grow over whether United are stalling the progress of one of their brightest academy products.

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  Could Mainoo start against Chelsea?

  Manchester United face Chelsea next in the Premier League, with Amorim under pressure to shake things up. Mainoo could once again be left waiting for a starting chance unless the manager reconsiders.

Manchester United have been told that a signing during Erik ten Hag's era is a "big wet blanket" who "does nothing" for Ruben Amorim's side.

• Man Utd player slammed
• Called a "big wet blanket"
• Does "nothing" for Red Devils

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Former Chelsea player Craig Burley has torn into United midfielder Manuel Ugarte for a poor year at Old Trafford. The Uruguay international signed from Paris Saint-Germain in August 2024 for £51 million ($69m), but he has failed to live up to expectations to date. And Burley is having none of it.

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  WHAT BURLEY SAID

  The ex-Scotland international said on ESPN: "Manuel Ugarte is just absolutely nothing. He’s just like a wet blanket. Put him in with the kids and even the kids would be going, 'Who the hell is this guy?' Seriously."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Defensive midfielder Ugarte is far from a regular under head coach Amorim this season, with the Portuguese preferring Casemiro in his midfield. He was an unused substitute against Burnley and was hooked at half time in the Red Devils' humiliating Carabao Cup loss to League Two side Grimsby Town. It may not be long before he is moved on from the club.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  It remains to be seen what role Ugarte will play in United's season as he struggles for first team action. The Uruguayan will hope for minutes away at bitter rivals Manchester City on Sunday as the Premier League returns from the international break.

Having confirmed the arrival of Ike Ugbo on loan from French side Troyes, Sheffield Wednesday are now looking to strengthen in the middle of the park, as Danny Rohl attempts the tough task of keeping the Owls in the Championship this season.

Sheffield Wednesday confirm Ugbo deal

After Ugbo was recalled from his loan spell at Cardiff City, Sheffield Wednesday were perfectly placed to land a loan deal of their own for the forward. It's no surprise that the Owls have turned to Ugbo, as Rohl looks to find the goals that his side have so desperately been lacking in the current campaign. In fact, no side has scored fewer than Sheffield Wednesday's goals total of 21 in the Championship this season.

Rohl spoke highly of Ugbo after the forward's arrival was confirmed, saying via Sheffield Wednesday's X account: "He has good ability one v one, he can press, he has a lot of good things we can use for our style of football. He will need some time with us to adapt, we will help him, we will have meetings and I am convinced he can help us in the second half of the season. I will give him the belief."

Now, the Championship strugglers have reportedly turned their attention towards a midfield reinforcement in the form of Isaac Hayden, who has had his loan move cut short at Standard Liege.

Sheffield Wednesday make contact to sign Hayden

According to Pete O'Rourke of Football Insider, Sheffield Wednesday have registered their interest in Hayden, who is back at Newcastle United and preparing to be sent on loan to the Championship.

With Sheffield Wednesday, Birmingham City, Plymouth Argyle and Blackburn Rovers all making contact ahead of potentially welcoming the defender this month, it certainly looks as though Hayden is not short on options in the January window.

Having previously earned plenty of experience in England's second tier whilst on loan at Norwich City and when helping Newcastle to promotion and title victory in the 2016/17 campaign, Hayden could be the man that Rohl desperately needs to stop the rot at Hillsborough.

In an ideal world, the Owls boss will have reinforcements aplenty and Championship safety well within his grasp by the end of the month. Still sitting three points adrift of safety, however, the squad have quite the task ahead of them in the second half of the campaign.

Winning the race to sign Hayden could go a long way in securing their Championship status. The former Norwich loanee is a player who has been lavished with praise in the past, including by Premier League legend Alan Shearer, who praised the Englishman's versatility: “The midfielder is doing a superb job filling in in an unfamiliar role at centre-half.”

With a number of weeks still remaining in the transfer window, Sheffield Wednesday are not messing around. The Owls’ intentions are clear and Rohl could yet get even more reinforcements following Ugbo and perhaps even Hayden this month, as he looks to take charge of a fightback towards safety.

BCCI president also said he was waiting to have a word with MS Dhoni on his future

Nagraj Gollapudi23-Oct-20197:18

Will support Kohli in every way possible: Ganguly

BCCI president Sourav Ganguly has assured the Indian team management led by captain Virat Kohli and head coach Ravi Shastri that his board will make “life easy” and not “difficult” for them but pointed out that performance would be the ultimate yardstick. Ganguly also said he was waiting to have a word with MS Dhoni on his future, pointing out “champions don’t finish quickly.”The 47-year old former India captain was speaking after his formal election as BCCI president, marking the end of the 33-month tenure of the Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA). Others elected today were Jay Shah (secretary), Arun Singh Dhumal (treasurer), Jayesh George (joint secretary) and Mahim Verma (vice-president).ALSO READ – Meet the new BCCI officialsGanguly was all praise for Kohli who he said had taken Indian cricket to a “different level” since he took over as captain in 2015. India are currently the No. 1 Test team and are perched comfortably atop the World Test Championship table. In ODIs, they are behind England and in T20Is they are ranked fourth.In light of that success, Kohli and Shastri became two of the most powerful people in Indian cricket. Ganguly is scheduled to meet them on Thursday at the BCCI office where the teams to play the home series against Bangladesh would be picked.”I really don’t know what had transpired with the CoA [the previous regime] and Virat and Ravi,” Ganguly said in his first media briefing as BCCI president in Mumbai. “But the new body has taken over, the new office bearers have taken over, it will be a proper discussion and everything would be mutually discussed. But be rest assured that we are here to make their life easier, not make their life difficult. And everything will be on the basis of performance. Performance is the most important thing and that’s what will decide the future of Indian cricket.”Ganguly made it clear that Kohli was the “most important” person in Indian cricket at the moment. “We will be there to support him. We will there to listen to him because I have been a captain myself and I understand from that position and we will deal with it. It is a mutual respect which will be there, so discussions will be there and we will do what is best for the game.”MS Dhoni and Sourav Ganguly share a light moment•AFP

On Tuesday, after India’s 3-0 Test series win over South Africa, Kohli felt Test cricket should be hosted by a maximum of five key venues, a system which is followed in England and Australia. Kohli said it helped bring in better crowds and add to the Test-match culture in those countries and it might be something for the BCCI to look into.The issue had come up in light of poor crowds in two of the three Tests (Pune and Ranchi) and there had already been a precedent – Dhoni had made a similar suggestion in 2010. Ganguly was open to a discussion around it, saying “in terms of the Test venues, we have a lot of space, lot of venues. So we will have to sit with him [Kohli] and see what he wants and take it forward.”With a selection meeting scheduled for Thursday, the question on Dhoni’s future came up once again. The 38-year old hasn’t played for India since the end of the World Cup in July and it doesn’t seem likely that he will be back to play the series against Bangladesh. “It is unlikely Dhoni would be picked for the Bangladesh series which comprises three T20Is and two Tests considering he has not played any cricket after the World Cup.”When asked if he had reached out to Dhoni, Ganguly said, “I have not spoken to him yet. Hopefully we will meet soon and have a word with one of the greats in Indian cricket.”Ganguly was not shy about recalling instances from his own career – which began in 1992 and ended in 2008 -when asked about how long Dhoni could continue playing for India.”It depends on him,” Ganguly said. “I’ve always said that even when I was left out [in 2005] and when the entire world said he’ll never make it I believed in myself and came back [in 2007] and played for four years [domestic cricket included]. You know champions don’t finish very quickly. I don’t know what’s on his mind, what he thinks about his career. So we will deal with that. He is one of the greats of the game. India is very proud to have MS Dhoni. When you sit down and make note of what he has done, you still say “wow”.”Ganguly also brushed aside the question of whether India needed to look at the split captaincy. “It is the job of the selectors (to decide that),” he said before adding, “India is winning, so the question is not necessary at the moment. India is the best team in the world right now so that question is not necessary right now.”

Captain backs Jonny Bairstow to come back stronger after Test squad omission

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Oct-2019England’s Test captain Joe Root has said he thinks Chris Silverwood’s appointment as Trevor Bayliss’ successor is “a really good” one.Since succeeding Alastair Cook at the start of 2017, Root has had to put up with Test cricket being secondary to the white-ball game, with England’s main focus on the Champions Trophy and then the World Cup, but ECB managing director Ashley Giles has signalled that the focus will shift back towards the red-ball game in the coming years.ALSO READ: England to prioritise Test cricket after World Cup focus – Giles“I’m delighted for [Silverwood],” Root told BBC West Yorkshire. “He’s done some excellent work since he’s been involved in the team.
“I’m sure you’ve heard all the reports on him: [he’s] very thorough, very well-organised, he knows exactly how he wants to take the team forward. He’s got a very good relationship with the guys, and I think that carries a lot of weight and goes a long way.”He’s very knowledgeable, not just about his bowlers and how to take 20 wickets, but about cricket in general. He’s got a very good record in the County Championship with Essex, in the two years he was there. I think it’s a really good appointment.”In his first outing in front of the media yesterday, Silverwood said that he was keen to make sure him and Root were singing from the same hymn-sheet as to how they wanted the Test team to go about things.ALSO READ: Silverwood’s ‘wow’ factor before understated debut“Joe and I had a good long conversation yesterday,” he said. “I want to make sure that from the get-go, Joe and I are aligned with how we’re going to go about taking the Test team forward.”What I’m talking to you about now [are] Joe’s thoughts as well – the two of us are aligned, and have an idea of how we want to take things forward.”We think about [batting for] long periods of time, and then we want to create a bowling attack that is absolutely relentless. We saw some examples of that this summer – the Aussies made our lives really difficult.”Root also backed Jonny Bairstow, who has been dropped for the two Tests against New Zealand, to return to the side after working on his game while out of the squad.”He’s very disappointed,” Root said. “We’ve had long conversations about it, and he understands that his performances over the last 18 months or so have slipped… and because of it he’s ended up being left out.”But one thing I expect of Jonny is a response, to go away, work at certain areas of his Test game and use the opportunity with that extra bit of time off. When you’re playing all three formats like Jonny has for the past three or four years, you don’t get windows of opportunity to work at specific parts of your game – you’re always preparing for the next series or for the games in between.”He’s got an opportunity now to go away, take that chance, and when he gets his opportunity to play again, to come and do what he does best, prove everyone wrong and cement his spot in the side. That’s the character he is.”

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has revealed that Real Madrid No.1 Thibaut Courtois sent him a voice note giving his verdict on Senne Lammens. Courtois believes that his Belgium understudy will be a good fit for the Premier League after the goalkeeper's £18 million ($24m) move to Manchester United from Royal Antwerp.

• Courtois' voice note to Ferdinand revealed
• Real Madrid star backs Lammens to shine in PL
• United signed Lammens on deadline day

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  United, who have been in the market for a new No.1 throughout the summer, finally secured a move for highly-rated goalkeeper Lammens on deadline day as they agreed on a deal worth £18m with Belgian Pro League side Royal Antwerp. 

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The Red Devils were also closely linked with a move for World Cup-winning Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, but never submitted a formal bid for the Aston Villa star. Instead, they worked on a deal for Lammens and eventually sealed the transfer, prioritising potential over proven Premier League pedigree. United also got approval from Real Madrid and Belgium No.1 Courtois, who heaped praise on his compatriot in a message to Ferdinand.

• WHAT FERDINAND SAID

  Speaking on his YouTube channel, United icon Ferdinand said: "Just so you know, that voice note was from Thibaut Courtois. He let me know about Lammens because he’s a Belgian player, and he was just giving me the heads up as to what he’s like. He said he’s a huge talent, obviously not experienced yet but he thinks his style will be well-suited to the Premier League as well.

  "So that’s a recommendation from probably one of the best three goalkeepers in the world, Thibaut Courtois, so I’ll take that. I keep seeing people talk about the talent and whatnot, but the problem is – can Man United afford to wait for talent to develop at this point in time? That’s the question."

• TELL ME MORE

  The former England defender went on to admit he was pulling for United to sign Martinez to solve their long-standing goalkeeping issues. "What I would say is I was all-in on Emi Martinez," he added. "I just think his experience, he’s got the personality, the character, plays for Argentina where the pressure is absolutely immense, he’s won a World Cup, he was one of the reasons they won the World Cup, the save in the final, a big moments man. Man United need as much personality as they need ability coming through that door and I think he fits the bill in that sense completely."

Tottenham Hotspur are pushing to sign multiple players in the January transfer market, with the clear signs of progress under Ange Postecoglou's guidance now requiring buttressing ahead of the business end of the campaign.

The Australian manager has handed chairman Daniel Levy a shopping list comprised of a new defender, forward and midfielder, with plans to sign a Premier League star now shaping up.

Spurs transfer news – Hwang Hee-chan

According to Football Insider, Tottenham Hotspur scouts have been 'blown away' by the performances of Wolverhampton Wanderers' Hwang Hee-chan this season ahead of a possible bid for his signature.

It's understood that while Spurs are interested in a move, a winter acquisition would prove difficult to secure and efforts could be made instead to snap him up in the summer.

The 27-year-old penned a new long-term deal at Molineux only two weeks ago after a stunning return this season, but this may well have been enacted to give the Old Gold greater bargaining power for an inevitable influx of bids, should his red-hot form continue.

Hwang Hee-chan's style of play

Nicknamed "The Bull" for his lively presence on the pitch and imposing stature, Hwang is a dynamic forward, capable of playing across the frontline, with a growing skill as a prolific marksman after Gary O'Neil shifted him into a regular role as focal frontman this term.

Former Liefering and Salzburg head coach Peter Zeidler once said, “he's exceptional, has a brutal dynamism. I've rarely seen anything like it." While one-time teammate Erling Haaland remarked on his "absolutely crazy" style of play.

Across his first two campaigns in England, the £70k-per-week ace only scored eight league goals, never quite clicking the different facets together despite evident glimpses of talent, but this year he has come alive, plundering ten goals from just 17 starts in the league.

Such success places him among the top 2% of positional peers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals scored per 90, as per FBref, instrumental as the talisman for a Wolves side defying pre-season expectations to sit 13 points of the relegation zone after the term's midpoint.

Given Hwang's growing aptitude as his side's recognised centre-forward – having been remarked to be “oozing confidence” on Sky Sports – it might be wise to secure his services to work in flux with Heung-min Son, who could form a deadly connection with his compatriot at club level.

Imagine Hwang & Son Heung-min

Son is principally a left winger but has often placed up front this season in the wake of Harry Kane's summer sale to Bayern Munich, with the 31-year-old scoring nine goals from just 12 matches centrally this year.

But with Richarlison bang in form right now, he has drifted back into his natural wide placement, and given that he has also created 11 big chances in the Premier League – bettered only by Liverpool's Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold – his sublime multi-functionality will prove invaluable in maintaining Hwang's purple patch in London.

With Son also ranking among the top 7% of positional peers for shot-creating action and progressive passes per 90, there is little question over his effectiveness in supplying teammates, and this might be the perfect signing to continue the Postecoglou revolution.

Indeed, the thought of two deadly forwards doing their thing in the Australian's swashbuckling front line is salivating.

Manchester City are set to welcome two new attacking stars to their ranks in the summer in the shape of Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez.

Back in January, City secured a five-and-a-half-year deal for the latter from Argentine club River Plate.

More recently, the Citizens announced they had struck a deal with Borussia Dortmund which would see Haaland make a move to the Etihad Stadium in July.

Now that the summer is approaching, it seems as though the Premier League champions could be looking to make a return to River Plate and potentially land another one of their young talents.

What’s the news?

According to a recent report from Record (via Sport Witness), City have their eyes on signing Alvarez’s team-mate Enzo Fernandez this summer.

A product of River’s youth system, the midfielder has gone on to make 44 senior appearances for the club, scoring 10 goals and providing nine assists along the way.

With 19 appearances under his belt across all competitions this term, the 21-year-old has found the net eight times and delivered six assists. This shows how dangerous an attacking player he can be from midfield.

Taking into account how the likes of Kevin De Bruyne (15), Ilkay Gundogan (six) and Bernardo Silva (eight) have scored a combined total of 29 goals between them in the league this season, having another attack-minded midfielder like Fernandez could be an ideal move for all parties.

Described by Robert Pires as a player who “always gives solutions to his teammates”, Fernandez could not only follow in the footsteps of his current team-mate Alvarez by joining City, he could also create a deadly attacking partnership with him in Manchester.

With the City-bound attacker scoring 44 goals and providing 29 assists in 112 appearances for River, should he find himself linking up with his fellow countryman once again next season, it could be a very beneficial option for Guardiola to have in his squad moving forward.

If they believe there is a need to add even more attacking power to their ranks this summer, securing a deal for Fernandez – who reportedly has a price tag of £20m – should definitely be in the thoughts of the City hierarchy.

In other news: Big Man City transfer development from sources close to the club will have Pep elated

Paredes scored two brilliant left-footed efforts, leading the U.S. to victory over Guinea and spot in quarterfinals

The U.S. men's Olympics national team have advanced to the knockout stages of the 2024 Paris Games after a 3-0 blanking of Guinea in their final group stage match of the tournament. For the first time since 2000, the U.S. U23 squad will play in a win-or-go-home contest in the tournament, where they will take on Morocco at 9 a.m. ET Friday in the quarterfinals.

The U.S. opened the scoring against Guinea through Colorado Rapids midfielder Djordje Mihailovic, who scored an absolutely stupendous free kick from 19 yards out in the 14th minute of the match. Their lead was doubled in the 29th, after Wolfsburg winger Kevin Paredes was unleashed through the middle of the pitch off a brilliant through ball by Paxten Aaronson.

He finished tidy, cutting onto his left foot, with a strike that set the tone for the remainder of the match.

After a series of second half substitutions, Paredes wrapped up his cameo with his second of the day, making it 3-0 with a lovely left-footed strike into the top-right corner in the 75th minute.

A clean sheet and a victory meant the U.S. finished in second place in Group A, with their path to the Olympic podium now clear. U.S. coach Marko Mitrovic will now look to lead his team towards a medal, an feat last accomplished by the USMNT in 1904.

GOAL rates the U23 USMNT players from Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in Saint-Ettiene.

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  Goalkeeper & Defense

  Patrick Schulte (7/10):

  Kept a clean sheet, was solid when called upon. Good distribution.

  Nathaniel Harriel (6/10):

  Locked down his flank, but was a tad sloppy on the ball with his passing.

  Walker Zimmerman (7/10):

  A brick wall at the back, was sensational anytime Guinea threatened.

  Miles Robinson (7/10):

  His best game yet. Distribution was pinpoint and was accurate when on the ball. Big confidence boost.

  John Tolkin (8/10):

  Another really great performance from the RBNY youngster. Fantastic in transition.

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  Midfield

  Maxi Dietz (7/10):

  A very solid introduction to the XI, replacing the injured Gianluca Busio. Played his role very well.

  Djordje Mihailovic (8/10):

  Scored a stupendous free kick and carved up the opposition defense. His best performance in this kit yet.

  Tanner Tessman (7/10):

  Avoided a yellow card, which was the key to his performance. Played in a higher central role and ran the tempo immaculately.

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  Attack

  Griffin Yow (8/10):

  Brilliant in his first start of the Games. Lively and all over the pitch.

  Paxten Aaronson (8/10):

  Another game, another assist. Was brilliant in a center-forward role, and showed Mitrovic why he's best suited in this spot.

  Kevin Paredes (8/10):

  Sensational first goal of the tournament. His best performance in the Olympics, and much more comfortable playing off Aaronson.

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  Subs & Manager

  Joshua Atencio (6/10):

  Replaced Dietz and was solid to close out the match.

  Jack McGlynn (6/10):

  Wasn't as lively as he was against New Zealand, but replaced Mihailovic early in the second half and was composed.

  Taylor Booth (6/10):

  Replaced Yow, but was not as lively. Impactful with possession, still.

  Duncan Mcguire (6/10):

  Replaced Aaronson and closed out the match. Little to no service centrally, once again.

  Marko Mitrovic (8/10):

  Fantastic first half and his changes in the XI paid off. Yow was brilliant and Aaronson centrally helped lead to both goals. A perfect result for the young manager.