He has style, tactics and the form
INJURIES IRK
Jess Maclennan and the Tactix received news this week that nobody wanted to hear – the defender had suffered her third serious injury in four seasons.
First it was her achilles, then the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee, and now the ACL in her right knee, ruling her out for the rest of the season.
With three wins in four outings, the Tactix have already had their best season in nine years, and they won’t be hampered too much – Temalisi Fakahokotau and Jane Watson remain a fierce defensive combo – while Maclennan herself remains upbeat.
‘‘Imagine that story – coming back from three major injuries,’’ she told this week. ‘‘There’s something about the resilience it would take for that that makes me think ‘OK, I’m going to do this’.’’
THE MARIA FOLAU SHAMBLES
The will she/won’t she mystery surrounding the Silver Ferns shooter continued this week, as she played no part in the Northern
❚
❚ Monday 7.40pm:
❚ Mystics’ loss to the Southern Steel in Invercargill on Monday.
It was labelled a shambles before the game on TV and there’s no other word for it. No-one can say for sure the Mystics would have won had Folau been there, and not in Sydney, but her presence can only improve their chances.
Coach Helene Wilson maintained in pre-season that they were fine with the arrangement and that it wouldn’t be a problem, but as long as Folau is a sometimes player, it will puzzle those watching on – and potentially cost the Mystics dearly.
PULSE LEAD THE WAY
Last year’s runners up have been the form team early on this season, and they have a chance to extend their lead at the top of the ladder on Wednesday, when they host the second-placed Steel, who they beat rather comfortably in Palmerston North in round one.
A win would be their fifth on the trot and put them four points clear – if the Tactix don’t beat the Mystics on Monday. Teenage shooter Aliyah Dunn has been a revelation, shooting with better accuracy (89 per cent) than anyone else who has put up more than 80 attempts. Their defensive end, led by Katrina Grant, has remained strong as well.
WHISTLEBLOWER WORRIES
Wednesday night’s game between the Tactix and Stars may have had a thrilling conclusion but it was a hard one to get into for most of the four quarters, thanks largely to the umpiring.
At least half a dozen players, from both teams, were pulled up for their repeated infringing – some cautioned, some warned, some both – and the short stoppages on each occasion prevented both teams from getting into any sort of flow, which probably helped the Tactix hang around to pinch a win.
No-one was suspended, let alone ordered off this week, so the players were making the adjustments needed, but it wasn’t a pretty watch.
Mohamed Salah is having a season for the ages and will be the key to Liverpool stunning European heavyweights Real Madrid in the Champions League final. With 44 goals to his name in all competitions, Salah has had an incredible debut campaign in Liverpool. He moved back to England with it all to prove after a torrid time at Chelsea two years previous but has proved one of the best players in world football over the past nine months.
Given how the teams play, and the importance the players have to their side, Salah is poised to have the biggest impact in the final.
He and Ronaldo are tied in goals scored during this campaign, with 44 each in all competitions. Ronaldo’s have come in fewer games and almost all during the second half of the season when he hit a run of form that was hard to match.
But that form has faded somewhat. He’s coming off an ankle injury and his support cast in the front line aren’t the equal of what Salah has.
Ronaldo has eight assists this campaign, where Salah has 14. The Egyptian is part of a forward line with 29 goals in the Champions League heading into the final, making them the most potent trio in a single season in history.
Salah will be running down the right flank at the suspect defense of Marcelo. Marcelo is a guy who loves to rampage forward, testing the opposing fullback and freeing up space for the attacker ahead.
If he doesn’t create a couple of goals, his positional problems could lead to Salah running riot in the space he has left over.
You’re basically allowing Salah to run at a centreback one-on-one, with two of the most potent attacking threats in the game along side him.
Salah will be the most influential player in this match. History backs Ronaldo but the style, tactics and stunning form Salah has showed make him the key in Kiev.
Champions League final, Real Madrid v Liverpool
NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev; 6.45am tomorrow (NZT)
Phillip Rollo