Page 1155 - Sports
Diego Maradona to coach second-division side Dorados in Mexico
Argentine legend Diego Maradona has been hired to coach Mexican second-division football club Dorados, the team announced on Thursday, the retired great's latest foray into managing. Maradona's colorful career has included stints coaching the Argentine national team and a series of clubs around the world, and he had just started a stint as president of Belarus side Dinamo Brest last month. But after parting ways with coach Francisco Ramirez Gamez, Dorados managed to convince Maradona to sign up for a spell in Mexico. "Dorados of Sinaloa is pleased to announce Diego Armando Maradona is its new manager of the 'Big Fish,'" the club said in a statement. "Considered by many to be the best footballer of all time, Diego was known in his playing career for leading teams with guts and fight to carry them to successes that few believed possible," it said. The club wants Maradona, 57, to stay for the remainder of the 2018 season and all of next season, Dorados president Jorgealberto Hank Inzunza
Serena storms into US Open final, to face Japan history-maker Osaka
Six-time champion Serena Williams swept aside Anastasija Sevastova on Thursday to reach a ninth US Open final, where she'll face Japanese trail blazer Naomi Osaka. Williams, seeded 17th as she seeks to add to her 23 Grand Slam titles for the first time since the birth of her daughter Olympia last year, needed just 66 minutes to dispatch the 19th-seeded Sevastova 6-3 6-0. Osaka, seeded 20th, became the first Japanese woman to reach a Grand Slam final with a 6-2 6-4 victory over American Madison Keys -- last year's beaten finalist. Williams called her return to the US Open final for a ninth time "incredible" given that she was undergoing surgery for life threatening blood clots this time last year in the wake of giving birth. "To come from that, in the hospital bed, not being able to move and walk and do anything, now only a year later, I'm not training, but I'm actually in these finals, in two in a row," said Williams, who also reached the final at Wimbledon. "To come this far so fast .
Serena outclasses Sevastova to enter US Open final
World No. 26 Serena Williams on Thursday (local time) sealed her spot in the final of the ongoing US Open women's singles by handing Latvia's World No. 18 Anastasija Sevastova a 6-3, 6-0 defeat.The win keeps afloat Serena's hopes of winning a first grand slam since becoming a mother, while she is also on the threshold of breaking a host of records.She already has the highest number of Grand Slam singles titles (23) to her name in the Open Era, but the win in the semi-final gives her a chance to equal Australian legend Margaret Court's haul of 24 Grand Slam titles.A win in the final will also register her as the holder of the highest number of US Open singles titles. Serena is currently tied with compatriot Christine Evert on 6.The first game of the first set, however, indicated that Sevastova will deny Serena such opportunities as the Latvian broke the American's serve and registered the first game in her name.Williams eventually established her superiority on Sevastova, breaking her .
CBI director felicitates Asian Games medalist Harshita Tomar
The director of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Alok Kumar Verma on Thursday felicitated Harshita Tomar, who won a Bronze Medal in 4.7 Laser event of Sailing competition at the 18th Asian Games, 2018 at Palembang, Jakarta (Indonesia).Harshita Tomar is the daughter of Rani Tomar, woman constable posted at Anti Corruption Branch, CBI, Bhopal and Devendra Singh Tomar.Congratulating Harshita, Alok Kumar said that she competed against men and women of all age groups in the Asian Games and this makes her victory all the more unique.He also congratulated Rani Tomar for her wonderful parenting and assured all possible assistance to Harshita from CBI in her future endeavours.Harshita is a student of Class- 10th from Madhya Pradesh's Kotra Sultanabad. She started training in sailing in 2012. She has won 19 Gold medals, 3 Silver medals and 5 Bronze medals at National Level Competitions. She was given Eklavya Award in the year 2017 by the State Government.Speaking about her achievement, ...
Nepal drub Bhutan 4-0 in SAFF Cup, Bangladesh beat Pakistan 1-0
The Nepal football team recorded a crushing 4-0 win over Bhutan while Bangladesh overcome Pakistan 1-0 in their respective matches of the SAFF Cup here on Thursday. It was Ananta Tamag who rose in the 21st minute, following a corner from Sunit Bal to get Nepal ahead in the game. Bhutan conceded the second goal after Nima Wangdi's second yellow resulted in a one-man deficit along with a penalty being awarded to Nepal in the 70th minute. Bimal Magar stepped in and his effort was saved by Ngawang Jamphel, but Sunil Bal made no mistake and struck the back of the net from the rebound. With a one-man advantage, Nepal looked unstoppable and substitutes Bharat Khawas and Niranjan Khadka added to the team's tally before the final whistle was blown. Nepal head coach Balgopal Maharjan spoke about the improvements from the last game, particularly in the attacking third and set pieces. "After taking over the national team, I particularly focused and worked on the set pieces. We prepared and ...
Tamil Nadu's Loshini enters final of Sub Junior National C'ship
Tamil Nadu's M Loshini (36kg) stood out with her technique as she entered the final of the BFI sub junior girls national boxing championships here on Thursday. Loshini won 5-0 against Sanjana of Arunachal Pradesh. However, Haryana boxers proved their superiority yet again with six players reaching the finals. The clash between Loshina and Sanjana turned out to be a one-sided affair as the former employed precise punches and solid techniques to punch her way to a unanimous decision from all the five judges. She is slated to take on Nisha of Haryana, who defeated Sweta of Jharkhand, also a 5-0 decision, in the final tomorrow. Among the Haryana girls who joined Nisha in the finals are Muskan (34 kg), Parineeta (38 kg), Prachi Kinha (40 kg), Prachi (42 kg) and Tamanna (44 kg) -- all of them assuring themselves of at least a silver. Maharashtra pugilist Shreya lost to Monika of Uttarakhand with a 4-1 verdict in 44 kg while her state compatriots, Devika (42Kg), Madhura (54kg) and Sana ...
India are under pressure from previous defeat, says Hasan Ali ahead of Asia Cup
Pakistan pacer Hasan Ali says pressure will be on arch-rivals India in the upcoming Asia Cup because of the Champions Trophy final defeat last year. Pakistan will face India for the first time since last year's Champions Trophy final, in which Hasan picked up three wickets in Pakistan's 180-run win. Pakistan will face India at least twice in the Asia Cup, and three times if both reach the final. Hasan believes India will be under more pressure because of their defeat in the Champions Trophy final, and that playing in the UAE will give Pakistan 'home' advantage. "We are on top right now. They (India) are under pressure from the previous defeat," Hassan said. "In UAE, these are our conditions, we have the home advantage as we have been playing here for long, and are aware of how to use the conditions. "India are a good side and I wish to take all ten wickets rather than a five-for, and make my fans across the world happy with my celebration style. There is definitely pressure but I feel
Busquets, Albiol, De Gea join Ramos as Spain team captains
Defensive midfielder Sergio Busquets, centre-back Raul Albiol and goalkeeper David de Gea on Thursday joined defender Sergio Ramos as Spain's national team captains.
Swapnil, Saurabh put India Blue in command in Duleep Trophy
India Blue dominated proceedings against India Red on the third day of the Duleep Trophy final at NPR College ground here Thursday, needing five more wickets to wrap up a win. Fourteen wickets fell on the day, of which 12 were picked up by the spinners as offie Swapnil Singh turned things in India Blue's favour with a five-wicket haul in Red's first innings. Resuming its first innings at 27 for 1 in response to the opponent's 541, defending champion India Red got off to a cautious start and lost just one wicket in the first 90 minutes. However, a run-out before tea opened the floodgates and Swapnil K Singh (5 for 58) and Deepak Hooda (2 fo 18) took over. India Red lost wickets at regular intervals to be bundled out for 182, conceding a 359-run lead. B Sandeep was the only India Red batsman to make a significant contribution, scoring 57 (112 balls, 6X4, 1X6). Resistance from the tail-enders (Parvez Rasool (22) and M Prasidh (25, 1X4, 3X6)) took the total to ...
Asiad medals will change perception about bridge in India: Rajeev Khandelwal
Bridge player Rajeev Khandelwal, who was part of the Indian mixed team that clinched a bronze medal in the Asian Games, believes that the success will help change perception about the sport. "I think, the first major thing is that it (the medals) is going to change the perception of people. Because people thought bridge is a card game and card is taboo in India and most people were not allowed to play bridge," Khandelwal told reporters here. He along with his wife Himani Khandelwal and Hema Deora, who were also part of the mixed team that won bronze, were felicitated by the Bombay Gymkhana here. "We wanted to train people but we cant, because their parents would say 'taash khelene laagega beta, yeh koi game hai kya' (child will stat playing cards, is this a game). "Nobody understands that it is an intelligence game rather than gambling. Everybody associates Bridge with gambling, but because of medals that we have got, things will change and people will start recognising it as a sport,
Peerless stun East Bengal in Kolkata league tie
City giants East Bengal suffered a big jolt to their title hopes after losing 1-2 to Peerless SC in the Kolkata Football League here on Thursday.
Russia 'enters new era' with Nations League match against Turkey: Coach
Russia head coach Stanislav Cherchesov said that the national football team is entering "a new era" with an away match against Turkey here on Friday.
Pakistan appoint New Zealand's Bradburn as fielding coach
The Pakistan Cricket Board's search for a top fielding coach has finally ended with New Zealand's Grant Bradburn slated to join the national team in the UAE for the Asia Cup tournament this month. The Pakistan board said on Thursday it had appointed Bradburn on a three-year contract. The New Zealander replaces Australian Steve Rixon who didn't extend his contract with the Pakistan team after it ended this year with the tour of England in June. Bradburn who played seven Tests and 11 ODIs for his country as an off-spinner and lower-order batsman was attached with the Scotland team before confirming his assignment with the Pakistan side. In a statement issued by the PCB, Bradburn said, "It is a great honour to be joining Pakistan Cricket Team and their high-quality coaching staff. I have seen the progress that has been made under Mickey Arthur and the opportunity to work with a leading full member team on the rise in world cricket, is a real privilege. "Against Scotland in June, we saw ..
Batsman failed our bowlers, says Rahane
Vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane on Thursday blamed the Indian team's much-vaunted batting line-up's failure to complement the bowlers for their Test series defeat in England. India were repeatedly bowled out during the Test series as England grabbed an unassailable 3-1 lead with the fifth and final Test starting here at the Oval on Friday. "Patience is the key in England, whether you bat or bowl. You got to bowl in the same areas for a longer period of time. Maybe as a batsman, you have to leave the ball for a longer period of time," Rahane said. "We feel bad as our bowlers bowled so well and we as batting group could not support them when we are a experienced group. I think we as batting group fell short. "When you are on tour you work so hard and prepare so well and then one department performs well then it is responsibility of other group to back them," he added. Talking about his batting, Rahane said, "I didn't get many runs but I got 50-odd and 80-odd in the last two matches. The way
Railways, Indian Navy post wins in Murugappa Gold Cup hockey
Indian Railways defeated Mumbai Hockey Association 2-1 in a Pool 'A' game in the 92nd All-India MCC - Murugappa Gold Cup hockey tournament here Thursday. In a match in Pool 'B', Chennai Hockey Association went down 2-3 to Indian Navy. Railways went ahead in the 15th minute through a field goal by Kunwar Dilraj Singh and held on to the lead as the teams went into the lemon break. The Mumbai outfit equalised in the 41st minute when captain Victo Singh found the net. Ajmer Singh scored a goal in the 62nd minute to give the strong Railways team a victory. In the CHA-Navy encounter, the latter secured the lead in the 28th minute as Rajat Sharma slotted home. The home team bounced back to level the score in the 44th minute through Veratamizhan. The Navy team then stepped up the attack and scored two goals in the space of seven minutes to go 3-1 up. First, Rana Pratap found the neat in the 56th minute and Sahil beat the rival goalkeeper in the 63rd to put the team firmly in ...
Samrat in 3rd spot, Gill continues to lead in Dakshin Dare
Samrat Yadav jumped two places in the Maruti Suzuki Dakshin Dare to catapult to the third spot even as five-time INRC champion Gaurav Gill maintained his vice-like grip on the top position after the penultimate leg here on Thursday.
Hockey player Surender Kumar gets promotion in FCI, cash award
Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan today felicitated Surender Kumar, who was part of the hockey team that won bronze at the 18th Asian Games, with a cash award of Rs 5 lakh and out-of-turn promotion as manager in state-run FCI. Kumar, who is at present working as an assistant grade-II level officer in the Food Corporation of India (FCI), has been promoted two levels up as manager. "We are also giving him a cash award of Rs 5 lakh. We have asked the FCI to identify and nurture such talented sports personalities," Paswan told reporters after the felicitation. Retired Indian athlete Shiny Abraham and weightlifter Karnam Malleswari are among the sports persons who have worked with FCI. Currently, there are three more sports persons besides Kumar working with FCI.
Peerless stun East Bengal, Mohun Bagan sniff title
Heavyweights East Bengal suffered a big jolt to their title defence after a shocking 1-2 loss to Peerless SC in the local league here Thursday. The loss gives a definite edge to the title aspiration of Mohun Bagan who are eyeing their first Calcutta Football League Premier Division 'A' title since 2009. With 23 points, Mohun Bagan are three points clear of their arch-rivals with two matches to go. 29 time champions Mohun Bagan had last won the league in 2009, and since then East Bengal reigned supreme. East Bengal, who had won the competition last season for a record 39th time and eighth on the trot since 2010, struggled to finish up front as Peerless took the lead through Ansumana Kromah (6'). East Bengal finally found the equaliser in the 72nd minute from Kassim Aidara but their joy was short-lived with Naro Hair Shrestha putting Peerless in front yet again in the space of six minutes.
FC Pune City draw with FC Goa 3-3 in second AWES Cup fixture
Indian Super League franchises FC Pune City and FC Goa played out a high-scoring 3-3 draw in their second game of the AWES Cup here Thursday. FC Pune City dominated the proceedings as soon as the game kicked off. Soon a Diego Carlos free kick was headed on the goal by Matthew Mills but the ball rebounded and Mills followed it up to open the account for Stallions. At the back, FC Pune City's goalkeeper Bilal Khan was in top form making some important saves. Carlos got into the thick of things just before half time as he doubled the visitors' lead as half time ended 2-0 in FC Pune City's favour. Going into the second half, FC Goa made a stirring comeback as Hayden Fernandes opened the scoring for them. FC Goa maintained the tempo pushing back the visitors with consistent pressure. The result was an equaliser for FC Goa via Lalampuia followed by a third putting them in the lead. But FC Pune City found inspiration in Emiliano Alfaro as he scored an injury time equaliser before the full ...
Won't pressurise Messi to return: AFA
Claiming that Lionel Messi has given Argentina much more than he has received in return, Argentine Football Association (AFA) President Claudio Tapia said on Thursday that he will not put any pressure on the FC Barcelona star to return to the fold.