Page 1143 - Sports
Balotelli dropped for Italy's Nations League game in Portugal
Forward Mario Balotelli has been dropped by Italy coach Roberto Mancini for Monday's Nations League game against European champions Portugal in Lisbon. Nice striker Balotelli came under fire for his performance in their Nations League opener against Poland on Friday, where the Azzurri were held 1-1. The 28-year-old was substituted with a muscular problem, with Mancini conceding his fitness level was a problem. It will be the first game which Balotelli has not played since Mancini took over last May after the four-time winners' devastating failure to qualify for the World Cup. But Balotelli has made the trip to Portugal with the squad as Mancini considers him to be a central figure in the team he is trying to rebuild. Balotelli had played in all four games so far under Mancini, scoring in a 2-1 friendly win over Saudi Arabia. Mancini's other two friendlies were a 3-1 defeat to World Cup winners France and 1-1 draw with the Netherlands. Lorenzo Pellegrini has also been left out along ...
World sailing rows back on Tokyo 2020 criticism
After issuing sharp criticism of preparations for the Tokyo Olympics, the world sailing federation said Monday that organisers had made much progress as it held a test event at the 2020 venue. In April, World Sailing said Tokyo 2020 was well behind schedule in terms of its reparations, with concerns over fishing fleets operating on the course, and over security. This led IOC coordination commission chairman John Coates to warn 2020 organisers they had to be "prepared to answer these questions when they are raised", or confidence could waver. But speaking at a World Cup series event at the Olympic venue of Enoshima island near Tokyo, a World Sailing official said that they had "really seen a big change." "We had some concerns at the beginning of the year but we have seen a huge amount of activities over the last few months leading up to this first test event and World Cup," Alastair Fox, director of events for World Sailing, told reporters. Fox said World Sailing was treating the ...
Clash against Pakistan just another match, says Constantine
Indian football team head coach Stephen Constantine says the upcoming SAFF Cup semifinal against arch-rivals Pakistan will be "just another match". India's back-to-back victories against Sri Lanka and Maldives helped them book a semi-final clash with Pakistan, which will be played at the Bangabandhu National Stadium here on Wednesday. "We are aware of the contest. But that is nothing different. It's just another match. We can't let the occasion get over us and hopefully, we will beat them to advance to the final," Constantine said Monday. The two sides last played an official match in September 2013 in Kathmandu. India had piped Pakistan by eking out a solitary goal on that occasion. Incidentally, Pakistan have qualified for the last-four of SAFF Suzuki Cup after 13 long years and they now lock horns with the seven-time champions, India. Constantine also lauded Nepal's achievements and called them deserving entrants into the semifinals. "Nepal have played some stupendous football and .
Infosys to digitize Tennis Australia's software tools
Software major Infosys on Monday said it has signed a three-year deal to digitize the software tools of Tennis Australia to offer rich experiences of its sporting events to fans worldwide.
George Bailey opens up about Paine's 'meteoric rise'
Former Australian captain George Bailey believes that current skipper Tim Paine was a superstar from a very young age, and witnessed a meteoric rise in his career.Bailey further stated that Paine, who is under pressure following his poor batting record after being appointed as the captain, is a natural leader who commands respect through his playing style."He was such a superstar at a young age and had such a meteoric rise - he probably didn't understand what it was like for someone on the fringe or someone who is struggling. He just commands respect the way he goes about his business. He's a natural leader," Cricket.com.au quoted Bailey, as saying.Reflecting on Australian coach Justin langer, Bailey said that the former is passionate about the team and works hard for the same."From what I've observed with the younger players in Western Australia team, he works them particularly hard but from that work ethic he instills a great a sense of belief.
Indian women to tour Sri Lanka for ICC Women's Championship
The Indian women's team will tour Sri Lanka from September 11 to 16 for the third round of the ICC Women's Championship, cricket's governing body announced on Monday. The bottom four sides in the points table -- Sri Lanka, India, West Indies and South Africa -- will look to make up ground on Australia, England, Pakistan and leaders New Zealand in the race to qualify for the ICC Women's World Cup 2021. The ICC Women's World Cup 2017 finalists, India, are placed sixth with a tally of four points after six matches, both wins coming in a 2-1 series win over South Africa, while Sri Lanka are yet to earn a point after completing their engagements against Pakistan and the West Indies. Sri Lanka will host India from September 11 to 16 in a series that is important for both teams. For India, it is a chance to bounce back after their recent defeat at the hands of defending champions Australia at home. While Sri Lanka will look to capitalise on the opportunity to open their account in home ...
Australian Open enters into strategic technology partnership with Infosys
Tech major Infosys on Monday announced a strategic three-year partnership with the Australian Open to enhance digital experience of the tennis tournament.
Nadal stays atop ATP rankings, Djokovic jumps to 3rd
With 8,760 points, Spain's Rafael Nadal remained in the No.1 spot in the Association of Tennis Professionals' (ATP) men's world singles rankings released on Monday, ahead of Switzerland's Roger Federer.
Vihari hasn't got his Test cap by gratis (Column: Just Sport)
The selection of Andhra captain Hanuma Vihari for the fifth Test in preference to Karun Nair has become the talking point. The sentimental choice for the Oval Test was rightly Nair, only the second Indian to get a triple hundred, Virendra Sehwag being the first with two.
Equalling Pete Sampras' Grand Slam tally a 'dream' for Djokovic
Former world number one Novak Djokovic, who equalled American legend Pete Sampras' Grand Slam tally of fourteen after clinching the US Open title on Sunday, said that the achievement is like a dream come true for him.The 31-year-old admitted that Sampras was his childhood idol and inspired him to play tennis."Pete Sampras is one of the biggest legends ever to play the game. He was my childhood idol. He was someone I was looking up to. The first actual thing I saw related to tennis on TV was his first or second Wimbledon championship. That inspired me to start playing tennis," ATP quoted Djokovic, as saying."There is a lot of significance of me being now shoulder to shoulder in terms of Grand Slam wins with him. It's truly incredible when you think about it. I watched him win one of his first Wimbledon championships, and I grew up playing and thinking that one day I'll be able to do what he does. To actually be here, it's a dream come true," he added.Reflecting on the environment ...
Ladakh Marathon dominated by scouts regiment
Ladakh Scouts Regiment on Sunday dominated the Ladakh Marathon by claiming the top positions in the prestigious tournament.Continuing their winning streak in the event, Riflemen Ajaz Hussain and Jigmat Kunzang bagged second and third position, respectively, in 42 km marathon category.In a 21 km event, while Jigmat Stobdan secured the third position, Jigmat Norboo settled for the fourth place.Proving their mettle in this unique high altitude run, which comprises a test of mental and physical endurance of the participants over a grueling distance of 42 and 21 kms at an altitude of more than 11000 ft, the Ladakh Scouts runners re-established their supremacy by achieving 'podium finish'.The Ladakh Marathon was organised under the aegis of RIMO expeditions in Leh. It comprised of various events including 42 km, 21 km, 07 km run. The Marathon was flagged off by Lt Gen YK Joshi, GOC 14 Corps.
Griezmann upset with list of 'FIFA Best Player' nominations
French footballer Antoine Griezmann has said that it is a matter of shame that no player from France's World Cup winning team has been nominated for the FIFA's 2018 Best Men's Player award.The 27-year-old, however, added that the team has already won the best prize in the form of a World Cup title and are content with the same."As I've said in a previous interview, it's a shame that there is no world champion up for The Best given that it is an award given out by FIFA. I don't know what their criteria are," Marca.com quoted Griezmann, as saying."It's a shame, but we can't do anything more. We have won the most important thing already, which is the World Cup. That's the best prize you can win. So we'll be happy even though none of us are up for The Best," he added.Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric, and Mo Salah are the players who have been nominated for this year's Best Men's Player award.The winner of the prize will be announced on September 24.
Watson backs Khawaja ahead of Pakistan series
Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has backed the selection of left-hand batsman Usman Khawaja ahead of the upcoming two-match Test series against Pakistan in United Arab Emirates (UAE).The 37-year-old stated that Khawaja is a world-class batsman and the selectors should take care of him in the future as well."I hope 'Uzzie' (Khawaja) gets a really good run. He's one of our world-class batsmen across all formats. He just needs to have the confidence instilled in him by the selectors and by the coaching staff, to let him play with the freedom he does when he's at his best," Cricket.com.au quoted Watson, as saying."When he is at his best he's one of the best ones we've got. So they need to look after him. If they keep playing him for one or two Test matches and then dropping him, that's not getting the best out of him," he added.Pointing out at the lack of depth in the Australian batting order, the former cricketer said that with Steve Smith and David Warner handed over a ...
Halep stays No. 1 in world tennis rankings, Osaka enters top 10
Romania's Simona Halep continued to lead Women's Tennis Association (WTA) rankings released on Monday, ahead of Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki.
Boys proved they belonged on same pitch as elite opponents: Pinto
Proud of his players for competing well against a superior French team, India's U-19 football head coach Floyd Pinto said his boys proved that they belonged on the same pitch as their elite opponents. The Indian U-19 team went down 0-2 against the French U-19 side in the four-nation tournament, which concluded on Sunday. "I am happy with the team's performance in the tournament," Floyd said. "The boys stood firm and restricted a far superior opponent for most of the match. Considering some of the French players are playing in French Ligue 1, our boys did a brilliant job. They proved that they belonged on the same pitch as their elite opponents," he added. A goal in each of the two halves helped France eke out a 2-0 victory. "In such matches, it is imperative that we defend well. The two goals we conceded came from minor errors. We need to work on that aspect," he quipped. The Indian team had earlier lost by a late goal against Slovenia (0-1) and had gone down 0-5 to Croatia in its ...
Four nation tournament: India U-19 lose 0-2 to France
The Indian U-19 football team could not capitalise on the chances it got in each half to lose 0-2 to the French U-19 side in the four-nation tournament in Zagreb, Croatia on Sunday. Indian goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Gill denied the French colts a scoring opportunity in the eighth minute but the opponents grabbed the lead in the 18th minute. India had a chance in the 34th minute to level proceedings but Aniket Jadhav, after he was found in the box by Boris Singh, was unable to get the ball past the French goalkeeper. Goalkeeper Gill came up with another acrobatic save in the 44th minute as both teams headed to the interval with France enjoying a 1-0 lead. Changing over, Aniket had another chance to level the proceedings in the 65th minute but his lob went inches over the crossbar. France sealed the fate of the match in the 73rd minute, making it 2-0. India ended the tournament without a win, losing 0-5 to Croatia and 0-1 to Slovenia. The Indian team will now leave for the Serbian shores to
Junior men's skeet team tops qualifying but no medals for India on day 9 of ISSF WC
India's junior men's skeet team claimed the top spot after day one of qualifying to be in contention for gold but the country failed to fetch any medals or Olympic quota places at the ISSF World Championship here Monday. Gurnihal Singh Garcha shot 73 out of 75 to be in second place, Anantjeet Singh Naruka 71 to lie 11th, while Ayush Rudraraju shot 70 to take up the individual 12th place on day one of the junior men's skeet qualifiers. Their combined score of 214, put them in top spot in the team event, a point ahead of Team Cyprus. Tuesday will see two more qualifying rounds followed by the individual final. However, Commonwealth Games gold-medallist Anish Bhanwala, 15, could not make the finals of the men's 25m rapid fire pistol event, missing out by three points. India ended day nine of the International Shooting Sport Federation's (ISSF) premier event fourth on the medals tally with 20 medals, including seven gold. Also finishing fourth and just outside the medals was Aishwarya ...
Guus Hiddink to coach China's U-21 football team
Dutchman Guus Hiddink has been named coach of China's under-21 football team with the aim of leading the country at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, the Chinese Football Association (CFA) confirmed on Monday.
Japan Open: Sindhu eyes successful outing; Saina, Praneeth pull out
A historic Asiad silver added to her path-breaking career collection, ace Indian shuttler P V Sindhu would be desperate to break the final jinx that has plagued her for a while when she competes at the Japan Open starting Tuesday. Sindhu has been outstanding this season with silver medals in all the major events this year -- the Commonwealth Games, the World Championship and the Asian Games. They are all medals to be cherished but a hectic schedule leaves her with very little time to stay in the moment. Add to it, the questions that have been staring at the Olympic silver-medallist for not being able to go the full distance in marquee summit clashes. Heading into the Asian circuit events, which include China and Korea, Sindhu would look to put these questions to rest. The third-seeded 23-year-old begins her campaign against Japan's Sayaka Takahashi. She is expected to reach the quarterfinal where she is likely to face the three-time either world champion Carolina Marin or the ...
Germany win 2-1 in friendly match against Peru
The German national team took advantage of Peru's defensive errors to win a match that started with a great goal by Peru's Luis Advincula, in a friendly played here.