Teenager Milani called up by Venezuela for World Cup qualifiers
Caracas, May 27 (UNI) Uncapped Lazio teenager Alessandro Milani has been named in Venezuela's squad for World Cup qualifiers against Bolivia and Uruguay, the Venezuelan football federation said.
Milani has not yet made his first-team debut for Lazio, but has impressed with his performances at left-back for the Italian club's under-20 team.
The 18-year-old represented Italy, the country of his birth, at youth level before switching allegiance to Venezuela - where he has family ties and holds citizenship - earlier this year. Apart from Milani, there were few surprises in manager Fernando Batista's squad.
The Argentine strategist included Pachuca striker Salomon Rondon, Inter Miami playmaker Telasco Segovia and Santos midfielders Tomas Rincon and Yeferson Soteldo on his 29-man list.
Venezuela will host Bolivia in Maturin on June 6 before facing Uruguay in Montevideo four days later.
The Vinotinto is currently seventh in the 10-team South American qualifying zone with four matchdays left.
The top six teams will automatically qualify for next year's World Cup, while the seventh-ranked side will dispute an intercontinental playoff.
UNI/XINHUA BM
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
35 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Glenn Maxwell announces his ODI retirement, prioritizes T20 future
Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has officially called time on his One Day International (ODI) career, choosing to focus on the shorter format ahead of the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup, which will be hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Maxwell, 36, cited physical demands and a desire to step aside for emerging talent as reasons behind his decision. The dynamic right-hander, known for his explosive batting and handy off-spin, played 149 ODIs for Australia. He was instrumental in some of the most iconic moments in Australian cricket, most notably his heroic double century against Afghanistan during the 2023 ODI World Cup. Coming to the crease with his team at 7 for 91, Maxwell defied intense heat and cramps to smash 201 off 128 balls, pulling off one of the greatest comebacks in World Cup history. That performance helped pave the way for Australia's ultimate triumph over India in the final at Ahmedabad. Speaking on the 'Final Word Podcast', Maxwell opened up about his decision. 'I felt like my body was struggling and I didn't want to keep playing just for personal reasons. I had a discussion with George Bailey (Chair of Selectors) and told him I don't see myself being part of the 2027 World Cup,' Maxwell said. 'It's time to give others a chance to make that role theirs.' Maxwell's ODI record is as impressive as his impact. He retires with four centuries, 23 fifties, 77 wickets, and a remarkable strike rate of 126—the second-highest in the format's history, only behind Andre Russell. Despite recent injuries, including a broken finger during IPL 2025, Maxwell remains committed to T20 cricket, the Big Bash League, and other global T20 commitments. Cricket Australia acknowledged Maxwell's contributions in a formal statement, noting that his performances have captivated fans worldwide and played a key role in Australia's two ODI World Cup wins. CEO Todd Greenberg lauded his influence, saying, 'Crowds came to see Glenn bat. His explosive style has inspired the next generation.' Selector George Bailey echoed the praise, highlighting Maxwell's importance in Australia's cricketing success and affirming his future role in the T20 setup. 'His natural ability is unmatched. We're excited about what he'll bring to the T20 World Cup campaign next year,' Bailey said. Maxwell's retirement follows that of fellow all-rounder Marcus Stoinis, marking a new era for Australia's ODI side.
New Indian Express
38 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
Don't want to play for selfish reasons: Maxwell retires from ODIs to focus on T20 cricket
MELBOURNE: Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell on Monday retired from ODIs to focus on next year's T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, saying that he did not want to "play for selfish reasons" given how his body has been struggling to hold up. The 36-year-old explosive batter and often underestimated off-spin bowler played 149 ODI matches for Australia including what is regarded by many the greatest one-day innings of all-time. Maxwell came in against Afghanistan at the 2023 World Cup with his side reeling at 7-91. In a high-pressure situation and battling severe cramps in searing heat, he smashed 201 off just 128 balls to snatch victory from jaws of defeat. Australia went on to win the World Cup, beating favourites India in Ahmedabad. "I felt like I was letting the team down a little bit with how body was reacting to the conditions. I had a good chat with (Chair of Selectors) George Bailey and I asked him what his thoughts were going forward," he told the 'Final Word Podcast'. "We talked about the 2027 World Cup and I said to him 'I don't think I am going to make that, it's time to start planning for people in my position to have a crack at it and make the position their own'." Maxwell had recently returned from an IPL stint with Punjab Kings that was cut short by a broken finger. "I always said I wasn't going to hand my position over if I felt like I was still good enough to play. I didn't want to just hold on for a couple of series and almost play for selfish reasons," said the explosive batter.
Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
Punjab stand in way of Kohlis IPL dream as new winners await
Punjab Kings stand in the way of Virat Kohli's dream of finally winning the Indian Premier League in Tuesday's final at the world's biggest cricket stadium. No matter which team prevails at the 132,000-capacity venue in Ahmedabad it will be a first -- neither Punjab nor Kohli's Royal Challengers Bengaluru have won the IPL since it launched in 2008. Punjab booked their place in the decider with a five-wicket victory over five-time champions Mumbai Indians on Sunday. Shreyas Iyer played a captain's knock with an unbeaten 87. Kohli and Bengaluru will have a psychological edge after thrashing Punjab by eight wickets at the start of the playoffs last week. It is the fourth time that Kohli and his team have reached the final of cricket's richest tournament, but they have never been able to take that last step. The vast majority in attendance will be cheering on Kohli, the 36-year-old superstar batsman and icon to Indian cricket fans. Kohli, who last month retired from Test cricket alongside Rohit Sharma, has again been Bengaluru's go-to batsman with 614 runs, including eight half-centuries, in 14 innings this season. He has made no attempt to hide his desperation to win the IPL at the 18th attempt and add it to a long list of accolades that includes two World Cup crowns. He has talked about his "heartbreak" of failing to win the IPL, and celebrated last week's win against Punjab saying: "One more to go." Punjab's fast bowling coach James Hopes said Monday his team will be "recovering and getting mentally prepared" for what he anticipates will be a "pretty big crowd, and a pretty big pro-Kohli crowd as well". As well as Kohli, Bengaluru boast the significant threat of Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood. The 34-year-old returned following a shoulder injury and a stint back home to put in a man-of-the-match performance in the win over Punjab in the qualifier. He returned figures of 3-21 to help bundle Punjab out for 101. Hazlewood spearheads a seam-bowling attack alongside Bhuvneshwar Kumar and left-armer Yash Dayal. Punjab, coached by Australia great Ricky Ponting, recovered from defeat to win the rain-delayed second qualifier in Ahmedabad. Skipper Iyer, who cost $3.17 million in November's auction, is narrowly behind Kohli in the batting charts with 603 runs from 16 innings. His latest chase masterclass off 41 balls, laced with five fours and eight sixes, is a reminder that he is lethal on his day. "I love such big occasions," Iyer said after the win over Mumbai. "I always say to myself and my colleagues that the bigger the occasion, the calmer you are, and you'll get the best results." Former Australia medium-pace bowler Hopes said that Iyer "doesn't get flustered very easily". "He knows what he has to do and he's prepared to take that risk," said Hopes. "He is a sensational captain and a sensational player," he added. Punjab openers Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh are in good form, and they have another potential match-winner in Australia's Josh Inglis. All-rounders Marcus Stoinis from Australia and Afghanistan's Azmatullah Omarzai can also threaten Kohli's long-awaited dream.
