Page 110 - Sports
Erik ten Hag's contract extended by Ajax AFC
Dutch football club Ajax AFC has announced that the team will be renewing the contract of manager Erik ten Hag.The new agreement between the manager and the club will take effect on July 1, 2019, and it will go on up to June 30, 2022."Ajax has reached an agreement with head coach Erik ten Hag for the extension of his contract, which had been effective until June 30, 2020. The new agreement takes effect on July 1, 2019, until June 30, 2022," Ajax AFC said in an official statement.The 49-year-old has been the head coach of Ajax since February 1, 2018, and he was able to win the National Championship with the team.Under his leadership, the team was able to win the KNVB Cup and the side also reached the semi-finals of the Champions League.In 2013, ten Hag was in charge of Bayern Munich's reserves team, and he was able to win the championship of the regional league.In 2015/16, he coached FC Utrecht's first team and was able to reach the Cup semi-finals. He also won the Eredivisie play-offs
Shankar appears for fitness test, says hopeful of playing
Injured all-rounder Vijay Shankar is "hopeful" of playing India's next World Cup encounter against Afghanistan as the pain inflicted by a Jasprit Bumrah toe-crusher has subsided. Shankar took a short fitness test in which he was made to do some running and also bowled a few balls under the supervision of physio Patrick Farhart and trainer Shankar Basu. It couldn't be ascertained whether the physio and the trainer were happy with his progress. There have been instances in the past where a player, who has attended a pre-match press conference hasn't made it to the playing XI. Shankar's responded to queries over his inclusion in monosyllables. Are you feeling better? "Personally, I've got a lot better," he quipped. Much better? was a follow-up question and "yeah" was the short reply. The next question was much straighter. Will you be able to play? "Yeah, hopefully," was all that the Tamil Nadu all-rounder said. Bumrah's yorkers can be lethal and Shankar said he expected that. "Actually, .
Meenakshi Meena and Yash Vardhan win mixed gold
Rajasthan's Meenakshi Meena and Yash Vardhan won the 10m air rifle mixed team title beating West Bengal's Mehuli Ghosh and Bibaswan Ganguly 19-17 in the 19th Kumar Surendra Singh Shooting Championships here Friday. At the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range, Yash Vardhan went on to win medals in the junior and youth categories as well. Madhya Pradesh's Shreya Agarwal and Aishwary Pratap Singh won bronze.
World Cup debut against Pakistan was special: Shankar
India all-rounder Vijay Shankar is elated over making a World Cup debut against Pakistan as the 28-year-old said the occasion was 'very special'."Last game has given me some confidence and making debut against Pakistan was a very special thing for me and team winning at the end of the day is very important and felt really good," Shankar said during a pre-match press conference here on Friday.Shankar bowled a brilliant spell against Pakistan as he took two wickets and conceded just 22 runs from his 5.2 overs to help his side secure an 89-run win over Pakistan.However, Shankar is still looking to ameliorate his performance as he said: "I always look to get better in all three aspects of the game. I know I can keep getting better and bowl a lot better than what I am bowling now. Whenever I get to the net session, I make sure I improve a bit at least."India is all set to compete against the bottom-placed team on points table, Afghanistan, but Shankar said that for them, each team is ...
England's Roy still eyeing Australia return
England's Jason Roy remains optimistic he will be able to return to World Cup action against Australia despite a hamstring injury that is being managed "day by day". The dynamic Surrey opener tore the muscle while fielding in England's group win over the West Indies and has been ruled out for at least two games including Friday's match with Sri Lanka at Headingley. Roy was advised against batting during a brief net practice at Yorkshire's headquarters on Thursday. Although he is keen to face arch rivals Australia at Lord's on Tuesday, an England side bidding to win the World Cup for the first time may well decide against risking Roy given they are already on course to reach the semi-finals. "I'm working extremely hard. I've now got two days off and I'll have scan in a couple of days to make sure everything is going in the right direction," Roy told BBC Radio's Test Match Special during England's match against Sri Lanka on Friday. "It's healing pretty well. It's all good news. At the ..
India one of the favourites in this WC, says Gulbadin Naib
As Afghanistan and India get ready to lock horns with each other in the ongoing ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, Afghan skipper Gulbadin Naib on Friday said that India are one of the favourites in the tournament and Afghanistan would try to showcase a spirited performance against the Men in Blue."India is a very good team and they are one of the favourites in the World Cup. India is a top-ranked team and we will try to showcase a good performance against them," Gulbadin said at the pre-match conference in Southampton.Afghanistan had a dismal show with the ball in their last match against England as they conceded 397 runs and their main bowler Rashid Khan became the most expensive spin-bowler in the history of ODIs.Rashid conceded 110 in his nine overs and he was subjected to severe criticism from various quarters. but Afghanistan skipper Gulbadin came in defence of Rashid and that the bowler is looking forward to the match against India."England are the favourites to win the World Cup. If
Hardik Pandya shares picture with quirky caption on International Yoga Day
Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya on Friday shared a picture with a quirky caption on Instagram to mark the fifth International Yoga Day.In the photo, Pandya can be seen placing his hand on the shoulder of fellow team-mate KL Rahul and he captioned the post as "Yoga day special, this much only I stretch #fact".Pandya has been in good form in the ongoing ICC Men's Cricket World Cup with both bat and ball. He has played vital cameos for the team in the tournament and with the ball, he has looked to unsettle the batsmen with his quick bouncers.Earlier on Friday, Gautam Gambhir, the newly elected Member of Parliament, said that for sportsmen, yoga is more beneficial than gymming. The former batsman was seen performing the spiritual and ascetic discipline."Yoga is very important as a sports person and sportsmen always do yoga. Both gyming and yoga are important but yoga helps in building concentration power and keeps you calm and peaceful to take better decisions," Gambhir told to reporters
Sri Lanka recover to post 232 for nine against England
Former skipper Angelo Mathews scored an unbeaten 115-ball 85 to guide Sri Lanka to a modest 232 for nine against hosts England in their World Cup fixture here Friday. Mathews starred in two crucial partnerships, adding 71 and 57 runs with Kusal Mendis (46) and Dhananjaya de Silva (29) for the fourth and sixth wickets, respectively, as Sri Lanka recovered from a disastrous start. Mathews had five hits to the fence and a six in his innings. Avishka Fernando, too, contributed to the team score with a 39-ball 49. England dished out a disciplined bowling effort with the pace duo of Jofra Archer (3/52) and Mark Wood (3/40) taking three wickets each. Adil Rashid (2/45) took two wickets, while Chris Woakes (1/22) scalped one. Electing to bat, Sri Lanka were reduced to 3 for 2 in 2.2 overs after Archer and Woakes struck early, removing Dimuth Karunaratne (1) and Kusal Perera (2) in three balls. Fernando then blasted six fours and two sixes, sharing some valuable runs with Mendis. But an upper .
CWC'19: Key players to watch in India-Afghanistan clash
In-form India are flying high in the ongoing World Cup and will look for another sparkling victory on June 22, when they compete against Afghanistan at Rose Bowl Cricket Ground, Southampton, UK.India have not suffered even a single defeat in the premier tournament so far and will aim to continue their sublime form against Afghanistan. Whereas, Afghanistan have been on an abysmal run in the tournament as they have utterly failed to register even a single win so far in the competition.Therefore, Afghanistan will have to make strenuous efforts to overpower India.Both the teams possess players who have the ability to get their team over the line single-handedly. It will, therefore, be interesting to watch whether the match undergoes as anticipated or Afghanistan will manage to stun everyone with a win over unbeaten India.Here is a list of key players in the match between India and Afghanistan:Virat KohliIndia skipper Virat Kohli, who tops the ICC Men's ODI batting ranking, led India to ...
FIFA pushes Iran to allow female football fans back into stadiums
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has put pressure on Iran in an attempt to ensure that the country will allow female football fans to attend matches in the qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup, according to a letter sent to the Iranian Football Federation and seen by AFP. In the letter dated June 18, Infantino mentioned his attendance at the second leg of the Asian Champions League final in Tehran last November, between Iranian club Persepolis nd Kashima Antlers of Japan, when women were allowed into the stadium, "for the first time in 40 years". Infantino referred to "these important first steps" but regretted that women were not then permitted to attend the friendly between Iran and Syria earlier this month, and that "a number of women seeking to attend the match were detained by security forces for a number of hours". "Unfortunately, this is, I also have to say, not in line with the commitments given to us in March 2018 by President (Hassan) Rouhani when we were assured that important .
West Indies should learn from 'terrific' Williamson: Lloyd
Clive Lloyd says the West Indies should learn the art of adaptability from New Zealand captain Kane Williamson as they fight to avoid World Cup elimination. Jason Holder's side have managed only one win from five matches ahead of Friday's game against New Zealand in Manchester. The Black Caps, unbeaten in the round-robin competition so far, are fresh from their four-wicket win over South Africa on Wednesday when Williamson made an unbeaten 106 to anchor a tense chase at Edgbaston. With their hopes of reaching the semi-finals fading fast, Lloyd, the captain of the West Indies side that won the World Cup in 1975 and 1979, believes his country should take a leaf out of Williamson's "masterful" knock. "The West Indies need to raise their game if they are to have a chance against New Zealand at Old Trafford on Saturday," Lloyd wrote in his column for the International Cricket Council. "In Kane Williamson, the Black Caps have a terrific captain and an even more impressive batsman. "His ...
I became more positive after being ignored for World Cup: Pant
Back in the Indian team as a replacement following the injury to Shikhar Dhawan, young wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant Friday said he remained positive despite being ignored from the World Cup squad. Pant was flown in as cover after Dhawan suffered a thumb injury during his match-winning hundred against Australia. With the injury turning out to be a fracture, Dhawan was ruled out of the World Cup and Pant was named his replacement in the squad. "When I didn't get selected, I thought may be I didn't do something right, so I became more positive and focussed on how to improve myself. Then I did well in IPL. Then I kept practising," Pant told India spinner Yuzvendra Chahal in a video posted by BCCI. "It is one dream for all to make India win. When I came to know that I have been called to England as a back-up, my mother was with me. So I told her, she went to temple and paid her offerings. "As a cricketer, I always wanted to play a World Cup and perform there and now that I have got ...
Suarez wants to correct mistakes after draw against Japan
Uruguay's 2-2 draw against Japan in the Copa America on Friday left Luis Suarez with a bittersweet feeling, who insisted that they need to correct their mistakes."We have to correct mistakes and praise the positive things. We were the ones who created the most-clear chances. That is why we left with a bittersweet feeling," Goal.com quoted Suarez, as saying.Japan's Koji Miyoshi scored the opening goal of the match but just after seven minutes, Suarez scored an equaliser through a penalty. Miyoshi, in the 59th minute, again netted a goal for his side.However, Jose Gimenez's goal in the 66th minute brought the score to 2-2 and the match concluded on the same.Despite admitting that Uruguay played a good game, Suarez said that they have to be more careful."We played a good game at a general level, but we have the consequence that in this kind of tournament you have two mistakes and they make two goals and you have to be more careful," he said.Japan was coming to the match after they faced .
All four Indians miss cut at Korea Open
It was a disappointing day for the Indian quartet at the Kolon Korea Open Golf Championship on Friday as all four of them missed the halfway cut. Rahul Gangjee (76-71), Khalin Joshi (78-72), S Chikkarangappa (73-77) and Viraj Madappa (76-76) were all outside the cut line that fell at four-over 146 at the Par-71 Woo Jeong Hills Country Club. Korea's Innchoon Hwang carded a two-under-par 69 to grab a one-shot lead over compatriot Kyungnam Kang, young Thai duo Phachara Khongwatmai and Jazz Janewattananond at the halfway stage. Hwang, a one-time winner on the Asian Tour but not since 2008, marked his card with three birdies against a bogey to move atop the leaderboard with a two-day total of six-under-par 136 at the highly rated Woo Jeong Hills Country Club. Jazz's recent switch to a borrowed putter continues to pay dividends as the 23-year-old puts himself in the title mix once again after signing for a bogey-free round of 67, thanks to birdies on the fifth, eighth, 14th and 18th ...
Diksha, Astha and Tvesa make cut in Thailand
Indian trio of Diksha Dagar, Astha Madan and Tvesa Malik made the cut at the Ladies European Thailand Championship here. Diksha carded a second straight 72 to be Tied-22nd, while Astha Madan (68) and Tvesa Malik (73) were Tied-33rd and Tied-60th respectively. The cut fell at four-over 148. Diksha had three birdies and three bogeys, one of which for the second day running came on the Par-5 18th and she is now even par 144 for 36 holes and eight shots behind the leader, Thai amateur, Atthaya Thitikul (69-67). Diksha has made every cut this season, barring the Jordan Mixed Masters, and is now 10th on the LET Order of Merit and she is second on the LET Rookie of the year. Thai amateur Atthaya Thitikul took a two-stroke lead in her bid to win the title for the second time in three years. The 16-year-old from Ratchaburi shot a 67 for an eight-under total at Phoenix Gold Golf and Country Club in Pattaya, two clear of German rookie professional Esther Henseleit. Also trying to win the title ..
Pranati Nayak wins bronze at Asian Artistic Gymnastic Championship
Indian gymnast Pranati Nayak Friday clinched a bronze medal in vault event at the Senior Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The 23-year-old from West Bengal, who had qualified for vault finals with a sixth place, came up with a score of 13.384 to claim the bronze medal. She had scored 13.400 and 13.367 in the first and second vault respectively. China's Yu Linmin (14.350) and Japan's Ayaka Sakaguchi (13.584) won the gold and silver medal at the event. "I have been training her since she was 16 years and so it is a big thing for me and the country. I feel blessed that Pranati has been able to win the medal," Pranati's coach Minara Begum said. Riyaz Bhati, vice-President of Gymnastic Federation of India (GFI), also congratulated Pranati for the feat. "I am extremely happy for Pranati Nayak as she secured a medal at the Asian Championships. She deserved an International medal for long and today is the day where she joins the club of International medallist .
Gaurav Gill given charge of JK Tyre's revamped rallying programme
JK Tyre on Friday joined hands with India's number one rally driver Gaurav Gill for their revamped rallying programme. The three-time Asia Pacific and six times Indian National Rally champion, who began his sparkling career as a JK Tyre Go-karting prodigy almost two decades ago, will return to lead Team JK Tyre Rallying's charge in all national and international events. The tyre manufacture will also support Gill's selective campaign in the World Rally Championship 2 after he parted ways with longtime sponsor MRF. "I am thrilled to be back with JK Tyre under whose guidance and inspiration I learnt everything about this beautiful sport," said Gill. Gill will embark on a bold new journey later this month, starting with the Champions Yacht Club Indian National Rally Championship in Chennai. "We are delighted to have one of the world's finest rallying talent with us," Sanjay Sharma, Head- Motorsport, JK Tyre, said. "He will not only strengthen our immediate rallying thrust but more ...
New ball won't trouble Rahul, reckons Lara
Legendary West Indies batsman Brian Lara believes that facing the new ball won't be a problem for K L Rahul as the right-handed batsman has the right technique. Rahul opened in the game against Pakistan last Sunday as regular opener Shikhar Dhawan was ruled out due to a thumb injury. The Karnataka batsman made a patient 57 off 78 balls and shared a solid 136-run stand with Rohit Sharma in the game which India won by 89 runs via the DLS method. With Dhawan now ruled out of the entire World Cup and replaced by young Rishabh Pant, Rahul looks set to open with Rohit in the remaining matches. Lara, a Star Sports expert, feels that Rahul will relish this opportunity. "Rahul is India's second-best batsman after Virat Kohli and he has been the opening batsman for IPL (Indian Premier League) as well. "While batting at number four, India has already made a masterstroke as just in case if there is a mishap in the beginning of the game, he has come in at number four and played like
Disappointed at shooting axe, IOA says pulling out of 2022 CWG cannot be ruled out
Disappointed at the dropping of shooting from the 2022 Commonwealth Games, the Indian Olympic Association Friday said it will not be averse to taking an unprecedented step, including pulling out of the multi-sporting event. The Commonwealth Games Federation on Thursday left out shooting from the 2022 Birmingham Games in its Executive Board meeting while recommending the inclusion of three new sports. Former sports minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore had last year written to his British counterpart as well to the CGF President, urging them to intervene and ensure that the sport remains a part of the 2022 edition. The CGF, however, had left it to the host nation, in this case England, to decide the fate of shooting, which has always been an optional sport. The decision to leave out shooting has dealt a big blow to India which had won as many as 16 medals out of 66 in the 2018 Gold Coast CWG, and the IOA said that pulling out of the Games altogether cannot be ruled out. "Shooting is a ...
Govt has demanded Rs 120 cr for Wankhede stadium lease renewal
The Maharashtra government has demanded Rs 120 crore from the Wankhede Stadium here for the renewal of its lease, the state Assembly was informed Friday. The stadium is owned by the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA). It also houses the headquarters of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Revenue Minister Chandrakant Patil, in a written reply, said the Mumbai city district collector sent a notice to the MCA about the dues on April 16 this year. His reply came in response to the question how the government proposed to recover Rs 120 crore from the stadium. The earlier lease agreement expired on February 5, 2018, and the MCA had written to the chief minister seeking its renewal in 2017 itself, the reply said. The stadium, located off the Arabian Sea, has hosted several memorable matches in the past including the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup final in which India emerged victorious.