Page 1263 - Sports
Neymar 'is my key player', says PSG coach Tuchel
New Paris Saint-Germain head coach Thomas Tuchel insisted that Neymar is the "key player" for his side, as his team prepare for the start of their Ligue 1 title defence against Caen tomorrow. The stunning performances of Kylian Mbappe at the World Cup and consistent speculation linking Neymar with a move away from the club have left the Brazilian's status as PSG's star man somewhat in danger. "It's totally clear that he's my best player," said Tuchel, who took over at the Parc des Princes from Unai Emery in May. "He's one of the best players in the world. He's an artist, a creative player, and for players like that, it's easier if you don't put too much pressure on them. That's important. "There are many ways to be a leader. For 'Ney', in my opinion, he's our leader when he's happy, happy in his game, in his creativity, and being an inspiration for others by taking risks." Neymar, the most expensive player of all-time, will be hoping to remind the PSG fans of his quality after missing
Iniesta scores outrageous first goal in Japan
Spanish great Andres Iniesta scored a sublime first goal for Japanese side Vissel Kobe today, helping them to a 2-1 win over J-League rivals Jubilo Iwata. The former Barcelona playmaker, who completed a surprise move to Japan over the summer after a glittering career with his boyhood club, produced a moment of outrageous skill to put Vissel in front after 15 minutes Former Arsenal striker Lukas Podolski provided the assist, feeding the ball into Iniesta, who swivelled and left a Jubilo defender on his backside before coolly finishing from a tight angle. A further second-half goal from Kyogo Furuhashi secured Kobe's home victory, lifting them to fourth in the J-League standings. Iniesta's former Spain team mate Fernando Torres was left frustrated again, however, as the one-time Liverpool and Chelsea forward failed again to open his J-League account. His relegation-threatened side Sagan Tosu did at least manage to upset Urawa Reds 1-0 at home to give them some hope as they look to ...
Villarreal earn late 3-2 win over Bremen in pre-season friendly
Midfielder Manu Morlanes netted a last-minute goal to enable Villarreal beat Werder Bremen 3-2 in a pre-season friendly on Saturday.
Junior golfers shine in Hong Kong meet
India's Hitaashee Bakshi has won the Hong Kong Junior Golf Championship title in the 13-14 years age category.
Khalin 2nd; Carballo at top in Take Solutions Masters golf meet
Golfer Khalin Joshi celebrated his 26th birthday with a stunning seven-under 64 that saw him rise to the tied second spot, just one stroke behind Miguel Carballo (67) of Dynamos at the Take Solutions Masters here on Saturday.
Kenya to train, sensitise lawyers on anti-doping laws to help fight scourge
Kenya has decried the lack of capacity in having competent lawyers to handle doping cases, Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) CEO Japhter Rugut said on Saturday.
Barcelona kick off in Spanish Supercup with Messi as captain
Barcelona kick off a new season and a new era when they take on Sevilla in the Spanish Supercup in Morocco on Sunday with Lionel Messi newly installed as club captain. Messi has occasionally worn the armband before when Andres Iniesta, who replaced Xavi as skipper in 2015, missed a game. The Argentine has also led his country, with only mixed results. With Iniesta moving to Japan, Messi takes the job full time starting in Tangiers after Sergi Roberto captained an inexperienced Barca squad during the club's recent tour of the United States. Messi can eclipse Iniesta in another way in the Supercup, as both have won a club-record 32 trophies with Barca and victory on Sunday would break the tie. The match marks a break with tradition. Since its return in 1982, the competition has been played over two legs with each team hosting one game. This season, with Sevilla in the Europa League and Barcelona keen to play in the lucrative International Champions Cup exhibition tournament in the ...
Bairstow, Woakes fifties puncture India in Lord's Test (Tea Report)
England rode on fluent half centuries from Jonny Bairstow and Chris Woakes to reach 230/5 and extend their lead over India to 123 runs at tea on the third day of the Lord's Test here on Saturday.
Bairstow, Woakes defy India's advances
Jonny Bairstow and Chris Woakes put on 99 runs for the sixth wicket as England defied India's advances to reach 230 for five at tea on day three of the second Test here. At the break, Bairstow was unbeaten on 62, while Woakes was batting on 55 not out as they gained a firm footing in this match and built a 123-run lead for England. Post lunch, Bairstow and Jos Buttler (24) took their fifth-wicket partnership to 42 runs. England crossed 100 in the 27th over, even as Mohammed Shami (3-67) and Ishant Sharma (1-66) bowled brilliant spells at the Lord's. Both batsmen played and missed a lot, with Bairstow in particular searching for timing as he played quite a few inside-edges that missed his stumps. Shami finally got the breakthrough for India as he trapped Buttler plumb lbw in the 32nd over. With a lot of cloud cover, India still had hopes of reversal in the match at that point. But Bairstow-Woakes defied them as the visitors severely missed a third full-time pacer to back up Shami and ..
'We need to stay together': Pochettino proud as Spurs make a stand
Mauricio Pochettino admitted he was proud of his Tottenham stars as they put on a united front to start their Premier League season with a 2-1 win at Newcastle. Pochettino and the Tottenham hierarchy have come under-fire from frustrated fans after the north London club failed to make a single signing in the close-season transfer window. But Tottenham lifted the gloom with a gritty victory at St James' Park thanks to first half headers from Jan Vertonghen and Dele Alli. Spurs boss Pochettino saluted his players for refusing to be distracted and called on supporters and the squad to stay together. "It is important to be strong from the beginning and have belief and convey a positive message," Pochettino said. "The staff and the players need to stay together and the most important thing is the fans in a difficult time because we are going to move to a new stadium. "In our last season at White Hart Lane we played without a corner and then we moved to Wembley and it is important the fans ..
England 230/5 at tea against India
England were 230 for five at tea on the third day of the second Test against India at the Lord's. Jonny Bairstow was batting on 62 while Chris Woakes was giving him company on 55, helping the home team extend its first-innings lead to 123 runs. India were all all out for 107 in their first innings. Brief scores: India 1st innings: 107 all out in 35.2 overs England 1st innings: 230/5 in 55 overs (Jonny Bairstow batting 62, Chris Woakes batting 55; Mohammed Shami 3/67).
ISL: Dynamos sign Mihelic from Chennaiyin FC
Indian Super League (IPL) franchise Delhi Dynamos on Saturday announced the signing of Slovenian playmaker Rene Mihelic on a one-year contract.
No signings? No problem for Spurs as Alli sinks Newcastle
Dele Alli silenced the complaints about Tottenham's lack of signings as the England midfielder sealed a 2-1 win at Newcastle in their Premier League opener on Saturday. Mauricio Pochettino's side are the first club in the Premier League era not to make a single signing since the introduction of the pre-season transfer window. That low-key approach has frustrated Tottenham fans, but Alli lifted the gloom with a clinical header to seal at the points at St James' Park. Jan Vertonghen opened the scoring with an early header and Joselu's equaliser was quickly erased by Alli as all three goals came in the first 18 minutes. Despite Tottenham's hard-fought victory, there was another August blank for Harry Kane, who started even though the England striker had only returned to training on Monday following his notable World Cup exploits. The World Cup Golden Boot winner has now gone 14 games spanning 988 minutes without scoring in the opening month of the campaign, though on this occasion, it ...
India A all out for 345 after collapse, SA reach 213-3 on day 2
India A suffered a massive collapse to be bowled out for 345 before the visiting South African team reached 213 for three at stumps on the second day of the second four-day 'Test' here. Fast bowler Duanne Olivier was the wrecker-in-chief as he claimed six wickets to trigger the India collapse after the hosts resumed at overnight 322 for four today. The last six Indian wickets fell for only eight runs as Olivier took five wickets in the space of 18 deliveries to bowl the hosts, who could add only 23 runs to their overnight score. South Africa's opener Sarel Erwee and No. 3 Zubayr Hamza then struck half-centuries in a 154-run second-wicket partnership to consolidate their position. When the stumps were drawn, South Africa A were trailing behind India A by 126 runs with Rassie van der Dussen and Rudi Second batting on 18 and 35, respectively. They stitched an unbeaten 59-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Earlier, Olivier ended with figures of six for 63 runs in 24 overs. He first ...
Chithambaram holds Cheparinov in Abu Dhabi Masters
Grandmaster Aravindh Chithambaram continued his fine form and played out a draw with Ivan Cheparinov of Georgia in the fourth round of Abu Dhabi Masters here today. On a day when the going got a little tough for the huge Indian contingent, Chithambaram kept his cool after a Scotch opening game turned volatile in the middle game. The Chennai-based had to find some precise counterplay with his king coming under attack but precise calculation backed by a good defensive technique helped Chithambaram keep Cheparinov's pieces at bay. Grandmaster Debashish Das also did well to hold Nigel Short of England wherein the former solved the problems in his true style. Das also moved to three points out of a possible four with Chithambaram while five rounds still remain in one of the strongest open of Asia. Daniil Dubov of Russia emerged as the sole leader disposing Daniele Vocaturo of Italy. Playing black, Dubov, who is tipped to be the next 'big-player' from Russia stayed calm and struck when the .
Stint with CSK helped me to great extent: Jagadeesan
Tamil Nadu cricketer N Jagadeesan today said his stint with IPL team Chennai Super Kings had helped him to a great extent and he got to learn a lot of things from the captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. "I got to learn a lot of things by being part of the CSK team. More than the technical aspects of the game, I learnt the mental aspects. Dhoni was very helpful. Being a wicketkeeper myself I always consulted him on the 'keeping side of things and he was always ready to guide me," Jagadeesan, who was part of the squad that won the IPL earlier this year told PTI in an interaction. He also said the manner in which Dhoni cared for the team was one thing to imbibe, adding there can't be a better person than him to seek help. "The way he cares for the team members is something to take note of. You can't see a better person than him when it comes to seeking help.I would always approach him for advice about technical aspects," Jagadeesan, who did not feature in any match for CSK, ...
Halep, Svitolina advance to Montreal semi-finals
Romanian World No.1 Simona Halep and fifth-ranked Ukrainian Elina Svitolina have advanced to the semi-finals of the Rogers Cup in Montreal, a key tune-up for the US Open.
Marquez earns pole position for Austrian motorcycle Grand Prix
Spain's Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda) on Saturday won the pole position for the Austrian motorcycle Grand Prix, for the second year in a row.
S. Korean keeper puts World Cup memories behind for Asiad gold
South Korean goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo said on Saturday he'll put his World Cup memories behind to only focus on winning an Asian Games gold medal.
Putin highlights mass sports development as a key state task
Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated amateur and professional athletes and physical culture workers with Physical Culture Day, the Kremlin press office reported on Saturday.