Loew eyes youngsters for Confed Cup
GERMANY coach Joachim Loew is aiming to blood some younger players at next year’s Confederations Cup with an eye on defending the World Cup in 2018.
“I would like to use the Confederations Cup as a tournament based on the future,” said Loew, hinting that some of his senior players would be rested for the competition.
“For the Confederations Cup, not all our players will be available. That’s why I see that tournament based on the future, one in which I’ll be able to bring in young players.”
Loew has already brought in three inexperienced players who lost to Brazil on penalties in the final of the Rio Olympics for tomorrow’s friendly against Finland and World Cup qualifier against Norway in Oslo on Sunday. Attacking midfielders Julian Brandt (Bayer Leverkusen) and Max Meyer (Schalke 04), and Hoffenheim defender Niklas Suele “will definitely have the chance of playing Wednesday”, Loew said. The Moenchengladbach runout against the Finns will be Manchester United reject Bastian Schweinsteiger’s 121st – and final – appearance for die Mannschaft. For his swansong, Schweinsteiger will captain the side against Finland, Loew saying he would name his captain for Norway on Thursday, goalkeeper Manuel Neuer having worn the skipper’s armband during the European championships. “I want to first speak with the team, I want to announce it to them,” he said. “I’ve already made my decision. I’ll tell you it after the match against Finland.” — AFP
South Africa’s second wicket of the day, via their second successful review. With Mitchell Santner inside-edging Philander onto his stumps shortly before lunch, and Doug Bracewell and Tim Southee falling within six overs of each other after the break, New Zealand were 169 for 8.
Rabada, regularly clocking 150kph, discomfited Wagner with a series of bouncers, one of which took the edge of his bat and lobbed to second slip via his shoulder. However, replays indicated Rabada had overstepped. Thereafter, Wagner changed tack from wearing blows to all-out attack, and heaved three fours and a six in the space of five Steyn deliveries to hurry New Zealand past 200.
He kept playing the pull, and eventually, one took his leading edge on the way to de Kock and Steyn duly directed Wagner back to the dressing room. Williamson was last man out in the next over, top-edging a pull just as Wagner had done. — Cricinfo