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• Messi blames pitch after 'ugly' Venezuela draw

  Lionel Messi was left annoyed at the state of the pitch at the Estadio Monumental de Maturin as Argentina drew 1-1 in Venezuela on Thursday.

  Heavy rain in Maturin had initially caused kick-off to be delayed by half an hour, although when the players eventually took to the field it was clear that the ball was holding up in water and bounced very little.

  Argentina, who had eight shots to Venezuela's 16, went ahead in the first half through Nicolas Otamendi before Salomon Rondon equalised in the 65th minute.

  And Messi did not hold back in expressing his anger at the playing conditions.

  "It was very difficult, it makes for very ugly matches," said Messi.

  "We could not complete two passes in a row. In the second half we did it on the right a little more, but it is difficult to play like that. Very little is played."

  Team-mate Rodrigo De Paul was in agreement with his captain and was another player to vent their frustration after the match.

  "In this case, we couldn't play football," he said.

  With the ball barely rolling on the pitch, both teams had to resort to changing their tactics to deal with the conditions. That is something Messi believes Argentina did well, but ultimately cost them the game.

  "We tied because the field didn't help us do what we wanted, we had to do another game than the one prepared for," he said

  "But we were prepared because we fought, won the battles, played with the error of the rival. We couldn't risk much by playing with passes to the back. 

  "In the first half we made a couple passes to the back and the water would stop it, and complicated it. We [played] the game we could with the water."

  The draw maintains Argentina's position at the top of the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying group with 19 points after nine matches. Following Colombia's defeat in Bolivia, their lead was extended by a point.

  But Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni was another who took the side of his captain, explaining that he thought the game should not have gone ahead.

  "It did not meet the minimal conditions for a football game," he said.  "You couldn't play.

  "We did what we had to do, but the conditions of the playing field were not for a match against two teams of this kind of level."

• Venezuela 1-1 Argentina: Rondon equaliser thwarts world champions on Messi return

  Argentina dropped points in a second successive CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier, as Venezuela held them to a 1-1 draw in Maturin.

  The spoils were shared at Estadio Monumental de Maturin, where Salomon Rondon's second-half header cancelled out Nicolas Otamendi's earlier effort.

  After heavy rain delayed kick-off, Argentina took the lead in the 13th minute.

  Venezuela goalkeeper Rafael Romo failed to properly clear the returning Lionel Messi's free-kick, and Otamendi reacted quickest to poke home from 12 yards out.

  The hosts went close to levelling either side of the break. German Pezzella cleared off the line from Rondon, while Geronimo Rulli - deputising for the suspended Emiliano Martinez - kept out Yangel Herrera's powerful header.

  However, Venezuela did grab their equaliser in the 65th minute - and subsequently a point - when Rondon rose at the near post to power home from Yeferson Soteldo's cross.

  Messi returned to the international scene for the first time since limping off in tears during the Copa America final.

  But the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner could not help Argentina get back to winning ways, while he conceded possession the joint-most times (19) by any visiting player.

  The conditions certainly affected the flow of the game, and was more to the suiting of Venezuela. Although they had just 40.1% of possession, the hosts outshot their opponents 16-8.

  However, they have now failed to win their last five CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers; their longest streak since going six without victory between June and October 2021.

• Maureen Brown embraces first major assignment as Sunshine Girls manager; says Fast5 World Series to expose emerging talents

  Maureen Brown is preparing for her biggest role yet in the realm of netball, as she steps into her first major assignment as team manager for Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls at the upcoming Fast5 Netball World Series in New Zealand.

  Despite managing a relatively inexperienced squad on a high-profile stage, Brown, exuding confidence, stands ready to take on the challenge, with a clear objective—ensure everything off the court runs seamlessly so her players can perform at their best on the court at the November 9-10 tournament.

  In fact, Brown views this debut managerial role as more than just a professional milestone. For her, it’s an opportunity to contribute to a sport that she has long been passionate about.

  “This is a big deal for me. I knew that based on my performance and the responses of players from various elite teams, this opportunity might have been a possibility. I have been around Netball for years, and I pride myself on not just working with people but to serve as a mentor to them. So it's an honour to be in this role, and I believe my experience and background in the sport will go a long way in terms of how I handle things on this assignment,” Brown told SportsMax.Tv.

  “But the most important thing for me is to help keep the players happy and motivated. I am always a people person, so it is a perfect fit for me to bring my people skills into the programme and provide that extra bit of help and encouragement when needed. As you know, each player has a different personality, so the approach has to be different should it be a case where they didn’t have a good game or things like that,” she added.

  While her journey to this position has been filled with learning curves and evolving responsibilities, Brown, who also manages reigning Elite League champions Manchester Spurs, sees the Fast5 opportunity as a prime chance to gain experience about managing a team on the global stage as she continues to hone in skills in the position.

  “It's a learning process for me in terms of how to prepare a team for international games. Along with the help of others, I also read up on the things I need to do and how to approach them. My work ethic is unquestionable, so I’m focused on making sure the girls have everything they need so they can go out there and just play their hearts out,” Brown shared.

  Brown’s pragmatic yet optimistic approach is rooted in her belief that effective management is about creating an environment where athletes can focus solely on their performance. From logistics and team morale to addressing individual concerns, her role encompasses a range of responsibilities designed to provide the necessary support to the youthful Sunshine has been assembled Girls unit.

  

  Maureen Brown (left) shares a photo opportunity with her Manchester Spurs team.

  Like Brown, numerous players in the Fast5 team, which departs Jamaica on November 1, will be making a national debut, as the more senior and experienced players are focused on a four-match Test series against England Roses, also set for November.

  “Once we hit New Zealand, my job is to handle the details so the players can handle the game. It’s not just about the physical preparation but making sure they’re mentally and emotionally in a good place,” Brown explained.

  “The love and respect that I get from all the players, even from the more senior players in the Test series squad, serve as added motivation for me. Sometimes when they call at night, I just provide a listening ear and feedback, so the fact that they look up to me in such a way makes my job easier,” she noted.

  Though the fast-paced action and intense competition will prove daunting, Brown is confident that her team, despite their relative inexperience, has the potential to surprise the competition.

  She believes the tournament provides an excellent platform for the younger players to gain international experience and to showcase their talents.

  “Because many netball enthusiasts would not have seen the other talents we have in Jamaica, we decided to give these players the opportunity to showcase their skills, and we are confident that they can deliver under pressure.

  “They are working extra hard on sharpening their skills, and I know once they get those nerves out the way, they will shine. So, I genuinely fancy our chances based on the growth and confidence that I see in our players every day. I know they’re ready to give it their all,” Brown declared.

  That said, Brown, an employee at Jamaica Observer, pointed out that her commitment to the Sunshine Girls and, by extension, to netball goes beyond this tournament.

  As someone who has witnessed the highs and lows of Jamaican netball, she’s determined to make a meaningful impact, not just as a manager, but as an advocate for the sport’s growth at all levels.

  “I want to help build and develop the sport in Jamaica, and one way to achieve that is to share my experience and motivate others,” Brown said earnestly.

  “Jamaica has always been a force in netball, and I want to see us get to a place where we’re consistently competitive even after the more established players call time on their careers. It starts with developing our younger players, giving them the exposure they need, and ensuring we have the right infrastructure and support systems in place,” she ended.