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The defending champions are bottom of the table but have recently found some form

AAP05-Nov-2021India vice-captain Smriti Mandhana is full of praise for the leadership of teenager Hannah Darlington, having relished a chance to learn more about Indigenous culture during her WBBL stint.Darlington, aged 19, was named skipper of WBBL defending champions the Sydney Thunder after border closures and a newborn baby prompted the withdrawal of veteran Rachael Haynes.The Thunder dropped the opening four games of their title defence. They have since posted wins over Hobart Hurricanes and Melbourne Stars, setting up a crunch clash with Brisbane Heat at Adelaide Oval on Sunday. Darlington was a picture of composure and positivity throughout the poor start, according to Mandhana.”That’s the key thing as a leader that you don’t let the pressure or anything show on your face,” Mandhana told AAP. “She was really good throughout those four matches, just kept focusing on the positives and she had a major role to play in it [the turnaround].”She looks pretty relaxed and calm for her age. She’s doing an amazing job to lead a team at her age. She’s quite approachable, that’s the best thing about her and that’s what you want as a captain.”Darlington made her international debut during the recent multi-format series, becoming just the third Indigenous woman to play cricket for Australia. The Kamilaroi woman was part of an Indigenous team that visited England in 2018, retracing the steps of the 1868 Aboriginal tour.Smriti Mandhana comes out to bat•Getty Images

Darlington’s appointment as the youngest ever WBBL captain came at the Thunder’s customary shirt presentation on the banks of the River Derwent, where traditional owners performed a smoking ceremony.Darlington and team-mate Anika Learoyd, a Gumbaynggirr woman, spoke from the heart while starting conversations about Indigenous culture with new team-mates like Mandhana.”It’s amazing to learn more about the culture…hear their stories and learn more about them,” Mandhana said. “Especially for those of us not from Australia. Within the team, we discuss the culture and the land where we are going to play.”Mandhana, who celebrated a record-breaking Test ton earlier this season, has posted two half-centuries from her past three WBBL games. She has represented India on 150 occasions, with her first match against Australia coming at Adelaide Oval in 2016. The 25-year-old is thrilled to return to the venue that also triggers memories of “watching Virat score a lot of runs”.”It’s a good wicket to bat on,” Mandhana said. “I’m excited. We didn’t start this tournament the way we wanted to but there were positive signs. Hopefully we continue this momentum, we can’t afford to lose many other matches.”The WBBL continues on Saturday with three games, including a showdown between the second-placed Heat and table-topping Melbourne Renegades at Karen Rolton Oval.

DC fast bowler also said changing the ball after ten overs in the chase was helping control the ball better

ESPNcricinfo staff15-Apr-20254:56

Mohit Sharma: ‘Preparation is my greatest strength’

Delhi Capitals (DC) fast bowler Mohit Sharma is enjoying the use of saliva on the ball again and says the ball is reverse swinging more in IPL 2025 after the rule was changed for this season.Another rule to come into effect this IPL was giving the team bowling second the option of changing the ball after ten overs – whether there was dew or not – which is also “making a difference” for the bowlers.When asked on the eve of DC’s next game, against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Delhi, if the use of saliva was making a difference, Mohit said: “100%. In 70% of the games, the ball is tailing in and it’s only because the saliva is heavy, and our sweat is not so heavy. If the ball is heavier on one side it will tail in. Right now, there’s not as much dew in most grounds to say that the wet ball is also reverse swing.”The ICC had banned the usage of saliva on the ball five years ago, a rule which was followed by the member boards across all levels of cricket, because of Covid-19. Just before the start of this season, the IPL authorities changed the rule back to allow its use again after the majority of IPL captains called for the change.Related

• Saliva may not be the only reason we're seeing reverse swing this IPL

• DC win an IPL classic in Delhi after Super Over drama

• 'As it is we are seeing such big sixes' – Mohit Sharma backs bat checks

• Beleaguered RR need a batting fix against in-form DC

• Mohit: 'It is important to have pressure. It always teaches you something'

Along with that, they also introduced the rule of letting the bowling captain change the ball in the second half of the chase, mainly to offset the effect of dew on the ball, as a wet ball is harder to grip and control. The bowling team can choose to change the ball any time after the tenth over in the second innings, whether there is dew or not.It was seen recently in DC’s last game when they hosted Mumbai Indians (MI) on Sunday. With considerable dew around in Delhi, MI opted to change the ball after 13 overs when DC needed 61 to win from 42 balls with six wickets in hand, and brought back legspinner Karn Sharma. He got turn straightaway with the dry ball and had Tristan Stubbs miscue the third ball of the over to Naman Dhir.”There’s help (after the ball is changed) and we saw it in the last game too,” Mohit said. “The first ball had been used for 12 overs and was a little wet because dew had started to settle in when our innings had ended. There was more dew in the second innings. And later the 13th or 14th over Karn bowled, the ball turned to Stubbs.”So definitely the second ball, which is harder, makes a difference although by the 15th-16th over, the ball’s condition is like the first one. But being a bowler, 100% there’s a difference. Like if I’m bowling the 14th or 15th over after the ball change, I’ll be more confident of bowling a yorker because the ball is dry, it won’t slip.”

The teenager smashed a 35-ball ton against Gujarat Titans in Jaipur

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Apr-20255:13

What’s the best way to handle Suryavanshi?

Vaibhav Suryavanshi, 14, has become the youngest centurion in men’s T20 cricket after smashing a hundred off 35 balls in IPL 2025 for Rajasthan Royals (RR) against Gujarat Titans (GT) in only his third game.It was also the second-quickest IPL hundred, only behind Chris Gayle’s 30-ball effort for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) against Pune Warriors in 2013. It was the fastest by an Indian in the IPL, bettering Yusuf Pathan’s 37-ball ton against Mumbai Indians (MI) in 2010. Yusuf’s effort was also the fastest IPL ton for Rajasthan Royals (RR) before Suryavanshi.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Suryavanshi got to the landmark with a pulled six over midwicket off Rashid Khan, who stood in as GT’s captain during their defence after Shubman Gill couldn’t take the field and was subbed out. That six followed a sequence of 6, 4, 6, 4, 4, 6 in a 30-run over bowled by Afghanistan allrounder Karim Janat, who was making his IPL debut.

Watch – Highlights of Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s record-breaking hundred on Jiohotstar (India only)

A whopping 94 of his 101 runs came via boundaries. He finished with 11 sixes, the joint-most by an Indian in an IPL innings. His intent and explosive power against an attack that included seven international bowlers was sensational. By the time he was bowled by Prasidh Krishna for 101 off 38 balls, RR had all but wrapped up a chase of 210. His opening partner Yashasvi Jaiswal, who remained unbeaten on 70 off 40 balls, completed the demolition job, along with his captain Riyan Parag, with eight wickets and 25 balls to spare.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

“It feels really good. It was my first century in the IPL in my third innings,” Suryavanshi said after winning the Player-of-the-Match award. “What I’ve been practicing for the last three-four months, the result is showing. I don’t see the ground so much, just focus on the ball.”Batting with him [Jaiswal] gives me confidence because he keeps very positive and gives me advice, so it becomes easy. It is like a dream to score a century in the IPL. No, no fear. I’m not thinking about all that [bowlers targeting him]. I am just focusing on playing.”Suryavanshi might not have even played had RR’s regular captain Sanju Samson been available. After Samson was out with an abdominal injury, Suryavanshi slotted into his opening spot, scoring 34, 16 and 101 in his first three IPL innings.In the lead-up to the IPL, he had also hit a 58-ball hundred, the fastest by an Indian in youth Tests, against Australia Under-19s. Suryavanshi also scored two half-centuries in the Under-19 Asia Cup and boasts of an unbeaten triple-century in an Under-19 tournament in Bihar.His potential caught the attention of RR, who acquired him for INR 1.10 crore at the mega auction last November and worked with him at their high performance centre.”It was incredible,” Parag said after RR’s win. “We spent two months with him and we’ve seen what he can do, but coming out here in front of all these people against world-class bowlers that GT had… it was something you can’t really express in words.”ESPNcricinfo Ltd

“We’ve been watching it in nets for last few months. We knew what he’s capable of and what kind of shots he can play. But to do it in front of this kind of crowd and in a situation like this, against a really, really good bowling attack, I think it was really special.”So how does a 14-year-old generate so much power against capped international bowlers?”As I said, he’s a special, special talent,” RR batting coach Vikram Rathour said. “He’s got a great downswing if you want to go into technique, in technical stuff, he’s got a great downswing. So that helps him generate this kind of power. And today, he just showed everybody actually how good he is.”Rathour also offered an insight into his approach at the nets. “He is one guy who takes on Jofra [Archer] in the nets. Jofra is maybe one of the toughest bowlers to face in the nets because he is so awkward and he bowls quick. But he is the one who really bats against him and really takes him on.”

Suryakumar finished his IPL 2025 season with 717 runs, only the second batter after B Sai Sudharsan to cross the 700-run mark

ESPNcricinfo staff02-Jun-20253:14

Rapid Fire review – Shreyas Iyer’s hat-trick of sixes turned the match

Orange Cap table

It’s looking increasingly likely that B Sai Sudharsan, the Gujarat Titans (GT) opener, will not have to give up that Orange Cap he has been wearing for a long, long time now. He’s done for the tournament with 759 runs, but the nearest competitor to still be active at this stage is Virat Kohli, but the RCB hero is well behind with 614 runs at No. 5. That’s a gap of 145 runs. Not impossible, of course.It might not be impossible for the next in line either, even if it feels somewhat improbable. Shreyas Iyer, the PBKS captain, is just behind Kohli at No. 6 with 603 runs. He had been well behind in that race, around the No. 10-No. 11 mark, for the longest time, but the 87 not out of 41 balls he scored to knock MI out of IPL 2025 has made him the sixth batter past the 600-run mark this season.Behind Sai Sudharsan and above third-placed GT captain Shubman Gill is Suryakumar Yadav, who finished his stellar IPL 2025 with 717 runs after scoring 44 in Qualifier 2. It was, incredibly, Suryakumar’s 16 successive score of 25-plus in T20s, but not enough to put MI in the final.Before we move to the wicket-takers, here’s another one for you to check out: the most prolific six-hitters’ list, which Iyer could well end up topping by the time the season is done.Suryakumar, meanwhile, is right on top of ESPNcricinfo’s MVP table.

Purple Cap table

As things stand, Josh Hazlewood of RCB is the only bowler with a realistic chance of toppling GT’s Prasidh Krishna from the perch. Hazlewood has 21 wickets. Prasidh, the leader, has 25. It would still need five wickets, though.Trent Boult of MI picked up then wicket of Prabhsimran Singh on Sunday night, and that took his tally for the season to 22, which has him in third place, behind Prasidh and Noor Ahmad of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), who has 24.Of the other bowlers to still be in the fray, PBKS’ Arshdeep Singh is at No. 7 with 18 wickets after going wicketless against MI.And here are some other IPL 2025 tables that show the season’s best performers in different aspects of the T20 game.

• Highest batting strike rates
• Best bowling economy rates
• Best bowling figures in a match

Big afternoon stand is bookended by collapses against both new balls on topsy-turvy day in Cardiff

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay23-May-2025Glamorgan were unable to make their mid-innings dominance of Middlesex count, as hundreds from Sam Northeast and Kiran Carlson were offset by the loss of seven wickets on a balanced day one at Sophia Gardens.The captain and vice-captain’s 228-run partnership lifted the hosts to 280 for 3 after three early wickets fell for 52, but they finished on 334 for 7 at the close with Toby Roland-Jones dependable as ever for Middlesex with 4 for 73.Northeast and Carlson both fell within 10 overs for 122 and 109 respectively to give Middlesex a chance to fight back with the new ball towards the end of the day, with Ryan Higgins also taking 3 for 44.Middlesex won the toss and elected to bowl on a green surface at Sophia Gardens with uncertainty of how the lush ground would play following heavy rainfall in south Wales for the first time this season.The visitors got off to a strong start with restrictions on runs initially before the series of plays and misses turned to wickets thanks to the experience and skillset of Middlesex veteran Roland-Jones.Marnus Labuschagne’s woes were improved on last week’s four runs across two innings but he still didn’t look comfortable. The Australian added 23, including a gifted four from a bizarre Luke Hollman overthrow on a certain dot ball.Glamorgan’s new pair combined their red- and white-ball captains, but the bowlers were still on top going into the second session with Northeast scoring cagily at first against a prominent attack which includes three Test internationals.As has been the case for this pair this season, Carlson eventually got his strokes to come together to increase the scoring rate, with typical Carlson backfoot punches and cuts, including against the novice Naavya Sharma in his second match. Meanwhile, Northeast churned out his runs, ambitious to beat his previous season best of 67 in 11 innings. Between them, they produced Glamorgan’s first unbroken session partnership of the season.The pair went at four an over for the afternoon, with a six from the captain moving him to 99 and Carlson surviving an edge evading slip’s head off Hollman on 96 before they both passed three figures.The new ball brought the change in fortune for the visitors in the final 16 overs of the day as the momentum shifted. Carlson was in disbelief to be given out in the 81st over and Tom Bevan following shortly afterwards in his first game of the season, in place for the absent student, Ben Kellaway.Higgins was soon in on the action, bowling Northeast for 122 as four wickets fell for 39 runs. Andy Gorvin was required to survive the night alongside Chris Cooke, who never looked fazed for his unbeaten 32.

With the Premier League transfer window now closed, Goal ranks the completed deals based on value, quality and potential improvement to teams involved

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  20Adama Traore: Middlesbrough to Wolves (£18m/€23m)

  The former Barcelona man was unquestionably one of the most exciting forwards in the Championship last season and it proved only a matter of time before he was again handed an opportunity to perform in the Premier League. Newcomers Wolves added the explosive winger to their squad ahead of the new season for a club-record £18 million and will be sure the 22-year-old will finally leave his mark in the top flight.

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  19Bernd Leno: Bayer Leverkusen to Arsenal (£19m / €22m)

  Veteran goalkeeper Petr Cech has held the title of first-choice shot-stopper at Arsenal for three seasons but is now 36 years of age and often faced widespread criticism last season. As a result, the Gunners penned a deal to sign the Germany international. Cech may be afforded the start of the season to prove his worth but Leno's technical ability and composure on the ball will ensure he will immediately be on his team-mate's toes.

• 18Riyad Mahrez: Leicester City to Man City (£60m/€68m)

  Pep Guardiola required minor tweaks to his Manchester City squad this summer, with Riyad Mahrez again being a target to strengthen his attacking options. The £60 million switch from Leicester City was duly completed and the Algeria international took to the field in his new colours during the International Champions Cup and in City's 2-0 Community Shield victory against Chelsea, immediately impressing his manager. While the price is perhaps a touch heavy, Mahrez's arrival ensures City's strength in depth in attack is unrivalled.

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  17Felipe Anderson: Lazio to West Ham (£33.5m/€37m)

  The 2018-19 Premier League season stands as a decisive one for West Ham, with the relationship between the club chiefs and fans strained. The financial backing Manuel Pellegrini has received as manager offers hope of improvement for the Hammers, with Felipe Anderson's arrival a particularly exciting one. The 25-year-old can be inconsistent but has incredible talent, with brilliant dribbling qualities and lightning pace – and he was one of the best players in the Europa League last term.

There have been a host of former club greats who have gone on to take charge as manager – and Goal has rounded them up

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  Kenny Dalglish – Liverpool

  Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish is arguably one of the most famous and notable former player-managers in football. Dalglish, who earned a reputation as one of the most celebrated players to put on the red shirt – scoring 118 goals in 335 appearances and lifting multiple league titles and European Cups – transitioned to player-manager in 1985 following Joe Fagan’s resignation.

  Here, the success continued on a monumental basis, with Dalglish winning three First Division titles, two FA Cup trophies and four FA Charity Shields. He resigned in 1991 but returned to the club as manager in 2011 following the miserable tenure of Roy Hodgson, where he guided Liverpool to a League Cup trophy in 2012.

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  Johan Cruyff – Ajax & Barcelona

  Considered one of the most influential figures in football history, Johan Cruyff’s lingering impact on the game is still felt today. Known for his Total Football philosophy with his Ajax side and his signature “Cruyff Turn”, the Dutchman managed both Ajax and Barcelona, two clubs he played for during his career.

  After lifting the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup with Ajax in 1987, Cruyff took on duties as Barcelona head coach, where was responsible for assembling the iconic “Dream Team” that went on to win the club’s first Champions League in 1992. His tactics and football doctrine had lasting effects on both Barcelona and Pep Guardiola.

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  Frank Lampard – Chelsea

  Frank Lampard was an essential cog in Jose Mourinho's celebrated Chelsea squad, earning plaudits as one of the best midfielders of his generation and winning the silverware to match. Having lifted three Premier League titles, a Champions League and four FA Cups – not to mention becoming Chelsea’s all-time leading goalscorer with 211 goals in all competitions – he is a Blues legend through and through.

  After calling time on his playing career in 2016 at New York City FC, Lampard had a brief stint coaching Derby County before assuming managerial duties with the Blues in 2019. He led Chelsea to a fourth-placed finish in his debut season and successfully qualified for the Champions League.

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  Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – Manchester United

  A Manchester United legend thanks to his pivotal role during the 1999 Champions League final, scoring the winning last-minute goal against Bayern Munich after coming on as a substitute, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is a sacred figure to Red Devils fans.

  Solskjaer took over as caretaker manager at Old Trafford in 2018 following the tumultuous reign of former manager Jose Mourinho, winning 14 of his 19 matches in charge to be appointed permanent coach. He led Manchester United to third place in the Premier League in the 2019-20 season, though failed to qualify for the Champions League knockout stages in the following campaign after placing third in the group.

With the tournament set to kick off in Italy on Sunday, Goal runs through all of the young stars set to shine over the course of the next two weeks

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  Moise Kean (Italy)

  Believe the hype: Moise Kean is the real deal, the talented young striker Italy has long needed, both from a sporting and cultural perspective.

  That's a lot of pressure to place on a 19-year-old's shoulders but Kean, the Vercelli-born son of Ivorian parents, has already proven himself ready, willing and able to overcome every obstacle placed in front of him.

  Just like his childhood hero Mario Balotelli, he has been forced to endure horrendous racial abuse, but the Juventus forward, who has already scored twice for the senior Italy squad, has responded in the best way possible: with inspirational defiance.

  Indeed, his silent celebration in front of the imbeciles who had been insulting him during a league game at Cagliari in March was the most profound image of the Serie A season and the hope now is that a striker who netted in six consecutive games for club and country earlier this year will score the goals that will unite an entire country this summer.

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  Moussa Dembele (France)

  Manchester United may have mixed emotions about Moussa Dembele shining at the European Under-21 Championship.

  On the one hand, a stellar showing would vindicate their attempts to sign the France forward. On the other, it could drive up the asking price for a player that United have already tried – and failed – to persuade Lyon to part with for €40m.

  Dembele certainly looks poised for a big tournament. He caught fire during the second half of last season, ending his campaign with 20 goals in all competitions, and should be provided with plenty of chances in an attack also likely to feature Jonathan Ikone and Jonathan Bamba.

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  Phil Foden (England)

  Just 19 years of age and already a two-time Premier League winner, Phil Foden is one of the most exciting prospects England has produced in years.

  What's more, while the versatile midfielder may have only played a bit-part role in Manchester City's 2017-18 title triumph, he was an important member of the squad that saw off Liverpool's incredible challenge last season, even netting a crucial goal against Tottenham during the run-in.

  Pep Guardiola cannot say enough good things about a player nicknamed 'The Stockport Iniesta' and having already helped England win the Under-17 World Cup two years ago, few would bet against him lifting more silverware in Italy this summer.

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  Joachim Andersen (Denmark)

  With Marco Giampaolo taking over at AC Milan, it would be hugely surprising if he does not attempt to bring Joachim Andersen with him from Sampdoria.

  Following his arrival from FC Twente in 2017, the defender was expertly managed by the respected coach, who only introduced the Dane into his first team in February of last year.

  Since then, Andersen has flourished, establishing himself as one of the best ball-playing centre-halves in Serie A after becoming a regular fixture at the back during the 2018-19 campaign.

  Now, he will be one of the most scouted players at the Euro Under-21s, with Arsenal also keen on the versatile 23-year-old stopper, who is so good on the ball he can also serve as a defensive midfielder.

Ronaldo made his international debut against arch-rivals Argentina

Widely regarded as one of the greatest strikers to have ever graced the game, legendary Brazilian footballer Ronaldo made his international debut on March 23, 1994, against arch-rivals Argentina in an international friendly.

The Selecao won the game 2-0 as Ronaldo started on the bench. He came on as a substitute in the 80th minute.

, as he was fondly known, has played for 17 years donning the famous yellow shirt. He scored 62 international goals in 98 appearances.

So who were his teammates on his international debut and where are they now?

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  Zetti – Goalkeeper

  Zetti had a 18-year long professional career spanning between 1983 to 2001 where he played for clubs like Palmeiras, Santos and Sao Paulo. He represented the Brazil national team for four years from 1993 to 1997 and played 17 international matches for the Selecao. He was part of Brazil's 1994 World Cup winning squad.

  After retirement, he managed several Brazilian top division clubs like Bahia, Atletico Mineiro and Parana.

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  Cafu – Right-Back

  The legendary defender played for clubs like AS Roma and AC Milan. At Milan, Cafu had won the Champions League in the 2006-07 season. With Brazil, Cafu won the World Cup twice (1994 and 2002) and was the captain of the Brazilian side at the 2002 World Cup. Cafu retired from professional football in 2008. He is currently one of the legacy ambassadors of the Qatar World Cup 2022.

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  Ricardo Gomes – Centre-Back

  The former PSG and Benfica centre-back represented Brazil in 45 international matches between 1984 to 1994. Post-retirement, Gomes managed clubs like PSG, Fluminense and AS Monaco. He last managed Bordeaux in the Ligue 1 during the 2018-19 season. He had also worked as Santos’ director of football.

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• Ricardo Rocha – Centre-Back

  Rocha played for several South American and European clubs including LaLiga giants Real Madrid during his professional career. He played in 38 international matches donning the Brazil shirt. After retiring in 1999, he took up coaching and managed Santa Cruz and CRB.

There's no place for Asamoah Gyan in the Black Stars' greatest-ever XI, which is testament to their strength

Few African nations have developed as many talented players as Ghana, who have produced six African Footballer of the Year winners and enjoyed the services of some of the continent’s all-time greats.

But who would make an all-time XI of the Black Stars’ finest players?

We’ve selected the best of the country’s legendary team from the 1960s, the Africa Cup of Nations-winning heroes of 1978 and the generation that reached the quarter-final of the 2010 World Cup to put together the ultimate Ghana Dream Team.

• GK: Robert Mensah

  A giant of the domestic game, Mensah was part of the legendary Asante Kotoko team of the 1960s that culminated in victory in the African Clubs Cup in 1970.

  He also featured for the Black Stars at both the Africa Cup of Nations and Olympic Games in 1968, winning a silver medal in the first event.

  Renowned for his playful antics on the pitch, as well as his awesome goalkeeping fundamentals, Mensah made enemies aplenty with his mockery of opposition strikers, occasionally even reading a newspaper while keeping guard between the sticks!

  Ghana was plunged into mourning when he was murdered – aged only 32 – in 1971.

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  CB: Samuel Kuffour

  Kuffour enjoyed a successful 12-year spell at Bayern Munich, an unprecedented feat for an African player to have such a long and trophy-laden tenure at one of Europe’s genuine elite.

  During that period, he won six Bundesliga titles, as well as the Champions League in 2001, having been on the losing side two years earlier when Manchester United’s treble-winners staged their remarkable Camp Nou comeback.

  Kuffour’s international career preceded the Black Stars’ glorious run at the 2010 World Cup, although he was part of the side that secured the nation’s first qualification for the global showpiece four years earlier.

• CB: James Kuuku Dadzie

  An Africa Cup of Nations winner with Ghana in 1978, Dadzie was one of Africa’s finest defenders during the late 1970s and even made the Team of the Tournament for his performances en route to the title.

  He was also celebrated for his leadership skills, having captained the national side at the 1980 Afcon, and since retirement, has claimed that he’s the greatest central defender the national side has ever known.

  He represented both Sekondi Hasaacas and Asante Kotoko in his homeland, and has coached Ghana’s women’s team – among other assignments – since retirement.

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• CB: Charles Addo Odametey

  The first member of the glorious Ghana team of the mid-1960s to make the cut, Odametey captained the Black Stars to success at both the 1963 and 1965 Nations Cups as they established themselves as the team of the decade.

  The Hearts of Oak great was also a key figure in the side that reached the final three years later, only to fall to a fine Democratic Republic of Congo team.