-Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi are set to collide in the Qatar 2022 final
-We looks at their records for France and Argentina
-Read quotes and trivia on the two No10s
Factfile
A persistent controversy has arisen following the NEA's claim of outstanding amounts from industries that used dedicated feeders and trunk lines during the load-shedding period.
The post NEA v Industries: Dedicated feeders and trunk lines controversy explained appeared first on OnlineKhabar English News.
Dec 9: The tournament favourites versus the 2018 runners-up.
Then a repeat of the 1978 final in another glamorous match-up.
Here is a summary of what we have got to look forward to...
Can Croatia stop 'terrifying' Brazil's carnival?
Brazil have long been an alluring attraction for football fans and they have again been delighting their supporters - plus many neutrals from around the world - with their free-flowing moves in Qatar.
The Selecao tore South Korea apart with a devastating attacking performance in their last-16 tie, underlining why Tite's side are considered the favourites to lift the trophy on 18 December.
Even the manager enjoyed the show, joining with his players as they danced in celebration of the 4-1 win. Now they're aiming to provide more entertainment on Friday.
"What I've seen so far, when you take a look at their players, their quality, skills and value, then it is indeed terrifying," said Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic.
"We need to enter the match with much faith, self-confidence and looking for our chances, enjoy the occasion of playing Brazil, that's it."
Croatia, who lost to France in the 2018 World Cup final, are likely to pose the toughest test so far for five-time champions Brazil.
Their progression has again been orchestrated by 37-year-old Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric, who indicated before arriving in Qatar that this would likely to be his last major tournament.
"When you see people like Luka Modric running and dying on the pitch, it gives us younger players extra energy to run," said Croatia full-back Josip Juranovic.
Messi or Van Gaal heading for World Cup farewell?
The prospect of the Netherlands and Argentina coming together again at a World Cup evokes vivid memories across different generations.
Whether it is Mario Kempes inspiring Argentina to victory in the 1978 final, that sublime touch and finish from Dennis Bergkamp to put the Dutch into the 1998 semi-finals, or a drab 2014 encounter ending with Argentine keeper Sergio Romero becoming the penalty shootout hero, there is a long-developed rivalry between the nations which adds a romanticism.
This occasion should be no different.
It could be the last time we see Argentina's Lionel Messi - considered by many as the greatest player ever seen - on the biggest international stage of all.
It could also be the last time we see the Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal in the dugout.
Messi, 35, carries the hopes of his nation as he aims to land a title which has so far eluded him, while 71-year-old Van Gaal - who recovered from prostate cancer earlier this year and is set to step down after the World Cup - is trying to ensure the three-time runners-up finally go one step further.
The veteran coach's plan may largely focus on containing Messi and catching Argentina on the break, as the Dutch look to take revenge for their semi-final defeat in 2014.
"We can surprise teams with our plan. We were also the better team then and Messi didn't see much of the ball," said Van Gaal, whose bullish talk further stokes anticipation for the contest.
Wherever you are, whatever you're doing, it promises to be a World Cup Friday which you won't want to miss. (with inputs from bbc)
With the onset of the SEE season in the nation, at the back of every 10th grader’s mind is the ever daunting question of their education after the so-called “iron-gates” of their education
With the onset of the SEE season in the nation, at the back of every 10th grader’s mind is the ever daunting question of their education after the so-called “iron-gates” of their education
Ahead of the New Zealand v Australia ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021 final, let’s have a look at the teams' record against each other in T20I cricket and ICC tournaments and their top players.
New Zealand and Australia knocked out the two top-ranked teams in the semi-finals, in England and Pakistan respectively, to seal their places in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021 final on 14 November in Dubai.
Neither team has won the men's T20 World Cup so far – Australia came closest in 2010, finishing runners-up – so the tournament will have a first-time winner.
Looking at their head-to-head record, Australia hold a slight edge in T20Is: Since winning the first T20 international ever played, Australia have won eight more against their neighbours, while New Zealand have won five, including in a Super Over.
At the men's T20 World Cup however, New Zealand took the honours in the only meeting between the sides. In the 2016 edition in India, New Zealand posted 142/8, before using pace off to keep Australia to 134/9. Mitchell McClenaghan was Player of the Match for his 3/17, while Corey Anderson and Mitchell Santner took two wickets each.
The last time these two teams met at a World Cup final was in 2015, when the trans-Tasman neighbours co-hosted the 50-over World Cup. Although Brendon McCullum's men had edged Michael Clarke's side in the group stage, the final at the MCG went comprehensively Australia's way.
New Zealand lost their captain early that day, and could make only 183, which Australia chased down with seven wickets to spare for their fifth World Cup title. Mitchell Johnson and James Faulkner took three wickets each, while Mitchell Starc had two to take down the Black Caps explosive line-up.
Among the key performers in this match-up will be Aaron Finch, the Australia captain. Finch has 251 runs against New Zealand in T20Is, the most by any Australian man, at an average of 62.75 and a strike-rate of 144.25. His figures include two fifties, 22 fours and 11 sixes in just seven innings between the sides.
Glenn Maxwell (206 runs in nine innings at 157.25 strike-rate) and David Warner (158 runs in seven innings at a strike-rate of 156.43) are two others in green and gold who have done well against the Kiwis.
Among the Black Caps, Martin Guptill has enjoyed the challenge of Australia, and played in all but two of the 14 matches between the teams. In 12 innings, he has 435 runs at an average of 36.25 and strike-rate of 152.09. He has two fifties and a hundred against them. However, the 105 in 54 balls came in a losing cause, with Australia chasing down a target of 244 with five wickets and seven balls to spare.
They will miss Devon Conway, who has been ruled out of the final with a hand injury. Conway was in great touch in five matches against Australia earlier in the year, making 192 runs at an average of 48, including a top score of 99*.
Among the bowlers, Ashton Agar’s numbers provide a case for his selection, as the leading wicket-taker for Australia in this match-up: 13 wickets at 16, with a best of 6/30.
Interestingly, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood are yet to play against the Black Caps in T20Is.
For New Zealand, Ish Sodhi has made the most trouble in this contest, taking 16 wickets in nine matches at an average of 15.68 and going at 7.38 runs an over.
Trent Boult has 10 wickets against them (average 22.70, economy 7.87), while Santner and Tim Southee have nine each. Jimmy Neesham has been expensive against Australia, picking up just two wickets at 39.50, with an economy of 13.16.
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