Page 129 - Sports

Here are the best parents to have around, according to youth sport coaches

Parents can create positive sporting experiences if they listen to their children and understand their children's goals for sport

Sarfaraz was confused, Pakistan lacked imagination: Tendulkar

Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar feels Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed was a "confused" man and his team lacked "imagination" during the World Cup clash against India here. India outplayed Pakistan by 89 runs after setting them a steep target of 337 with Rohit Sharma slamming a hundred and Virat Kohli and K L Rahul clinching half-centuries. "I thought he (Sarfaraz) was confused because when Wahab (Riaz) was bowling he had a short mid-wicket. And when Shadab (Khan) came on to bowl he had a slip for him," Tendulkar told 'India Today'. "In these conditions it becomes difficult for a leg-spinner to grip the ball, especially when he's not getting the right line and length. That is not the right way to approach a big game," he added. "They lacked imagination, lacked out of the box thinking." Tendulkar said none of the Pakistani bowlers managed to exploit the conditions and he never felt an Indian wicket would fall because of the opposition tactics. "If the ball is not moving around much, you .

Bhuvneshwar ruled out of next 2-3 games due to hamstring niggle: Kohli

India pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been ruled out of at least the next two World Cup games after developing a niggle in his left hamstring during the clash against Pakistan. The paceman walked off the field without completing his third over and India skipper Virat Kohli confirmed that he will be replaced by Mohammed Shami in the following games. "Slight niggle for Bhuvi, he slipped on one of the footmarks. He's out for two, maybe three games, but he should come back for us at some stage during this tournament. He is very important for us," Kohli said at the post-match presentation ceremony after India thumped Pakistan by 89 runs here on Sunday. Kohli added that "Shami was raring to go". India's next three games are against Afghanistan (June 22), West Indies (June 27) and England (June 30). It is another big jolt for India after opener Shikhar Dhawan suffered a thumb injury while batting against Australia, ruling him out for at least couple of weeks. The India captain was effusive in ..

Shape-up or ship-out: Neymar in question as PSG chief blasts club's 'celebrity behaviour'

Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi warned Neymar and his other highly-paid stars on Sunday that they must shape-up or ship-out, claiming "celebrity behaviour" at the French champions will not be tolerated. "The players will have to assume their responsibilities even more than before," Al-Khelaifi told France Football in an interview to be published on Tuesday. "It must be completely different, they will have to do more, work more. They are not here to please themselves and if they do not agree, the doors are open. I do not want to have celebrity behaviour anymore. "I have realised that changes were essential, otherwise we're going nowhere." Although he wasn't named, there seems little doubt that Brazilian star Neymar was the chief target of Al-Khelaifi's blast. The 27-year-old Neymar was questioned by Brazilian police for five hours on Thursday over allegations he raped a woman he met through social media in a Paris hotel last month -- charges he has denied. Neymar has ..

New father Rohit enjoying "good phase" of his life

Calmness has always been Rohit Sharma's biggest asset and the bliss of fatherhood has only enhanced his composed personality, something which has reflected in his stellar performances in the World Cup. The Indian vice-captain has hit the high notes with hundreds against South Africa and Pakistan along with a half-century against Australia. For him, more than planning and preparation, it is the "head space" that has made all the difference. "I think it's just the space I am in right now. It's a very good phase in my life. Having a daughter in my life actually has put me in a good space. So, yeah, I think I'm enjoying my cricket," Rohit said after his match-winning 140 off 113 balls against Pakistan here on Sunday. "I think as a team we're heading in the right direction. For us, it is important to just keep ticking all the boxes, and I think, as a team, we have done that most of the time," Virat Kohli's deputy echoed his skipper's sentiments. In every match so far, Rohit's risk ...

Last-16 berths up for grabs after Lloyd clears path for holders USA

China are among the sides hoping to clinch a place in the last 16 of the women's World Cup on Monday after seeing veteran Carli Lloyd inspire the United States to a 3-0 win over Chile in Paris that cleared the holders' passage to the knockout phase. Eight places in the last 16 are still up for grabs heading into the final round of group matches, and former runners-up China meet Spain in Le Havre at 1600 GMT with the two teams still hoping to progress from Group B. Both have beaten tournament debutants South Africa and lost to former champions Germany, and a draw at the Stade Oceane would be enough for each to progress, bearing in mind the four best third-placed teams all go through. "We want to be in the last 16 and we want to do it by beating China. We are not wasting any time thinking about what could happen other than what we have to do," said Spain coach Jorge Vilda. Already through, Germany need only a point against South Africa in Montpellier to secure top spot in the group and .

Colombia basking in immediate Queiroz effect

Colombia laid down a statement of intent in their opening Copa America clash, defeating Lionel Messi's Argentina 2-0 in coach Carlos Queiroz's first competitive match in charge. The 66-year-old handler has been quick to make his mark on a team that was knocked out of the 2018 World Cup in Russia at the last-16 stage. The former Real Madrid coach, and assistant to Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, only took over the reins in February after leaving his job as Iran coach having just led the team to the Asian Cup semi-finals. He was lauded by the Colombian press on Sunday for putting in place "the perfect plan," according to El Tiempo, and ending a winless run against Argentina that had lasted more than 11 years. Everything was "co-ordinated, functional, as if the most efficient watches weren't Swiss but Portuguese," the newspaper added. Queiroz himself had been delighted with what he saw, as Colombia defended solidly in a second half dominated by Argentina after being by far the better

Woodland denies Koepka with three-stroke US Open triumph

Gary Woodland won the 119th US Open on Sunday, capturing his first major title with a 13-under par total to deny two-time defending champion Brook Koepka's bid for history at Pebble Beach. Woodland punctuated the victory with a birdie bomb at 18, a final flourish in a display of back-nine fortitude that saw him convert a 54-hole lead for the first time in eight career attempts. "Once that went in, it all kind of came out of me, it was special to finish it off here at Pebble Beach," said Woodland, who threw his arms in the air then pumped his fist. He knew his 13-under total was one better than the 12-under posted by Tiger Woods in his US Open victory at Pebble in 2000. But 19 years ago, Woods was the only player under par, marching to victory by a massive 15 strokes while Woodland topped a leaderboard that featured 31 players under par. Most dangerous was Koepka, trying to become just the second player -- and the first in more than a century -- to win the US Open three straight ...

Windies, Bangladesh aim to return to winning ways (Preview)

After suffering two defeats in their last three fixtures, both West Indies and Bangladesh will aim to return back to winning ways when they face each other in their crucial World Cup tie at the Cooper Associates County Ground, here on Monday.

Sharapova has 'expectations' for return from five-month absence

Maria Sharapova said on Sunday that she has "expectations" for herself ahead of her return from a five-month injury absence in Mallorca next week. The five-time Grand Slam champion has not played since withdrawing from the St Petersburg event in January to have surgery on a long-standing shoulder injury. Sharapova has struggled to find top form since coming back from a 15-month doping ban in 2017. "When you go out in a tournament, anything can happen," the 32-year-old told wtatennis.com. "You want to go out on the court and you want to show the type of tennis you think you can produce. I certainly have expectations for myself... And I enjoy getting better every day. "The injuries are very frustrating... But then the next day, you start feeling better. "The next day, you get better and you get a little more optimistic. A few months later, even though it's a long process, here you are and you're excited to compete again." Sharapova will face Slovakia's Viktoria Kuzmova in the first ...

Suarez, Cavani score as Uruguay crush 10-man Ecuador in Copa America

Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani were on target as Uruguay thumped 10-man Ecuador 4-0 in their opening Group C match at the Copa America on Sunday. Nicolas Lodeiro opened the scoring after just six minutes before Ecuador full-back Jose Quintero was dismissed for a flailing arm. With a numerical advantage, Uruguay ran riot at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte as Cavani and Suarez netted before the break. The rout was completed 12 minutes from time with an Arturo Mina own goal. "We had chances in the first half, we managed to take them and that gave us the tranquility to manage the game," said Cavani, who finally scored his first Copa America goal in his fourth participation. "It was an important step." It was the ideal beginning for Uruguay in a tough Group C alongside champions Chile and guests Japan, who meet on Monday in Sao Paulo. "We're not as bad as that," lamented Ecuador's Colombian coach Hernan Dario Gomez. "It was a match that got away from us, especially in the first half

Qatar hit back to snatch Paraguay draw in Copa America debut

Boualem Khoukhi scored 13 minutes from time as Asian champions Qatar hit back from 2-0 down to earn a 2-2 draw with Paraguay at the Copa America on Sunday. An Oscar Cardozo penalty and a stunning Derlis Gonzalez strike gave the South Americans a 2-0 lead in Rio de Janeiro but goals from Almoez Ali and Khoukhi in the final quarter snatched a share of the Group B spoils for the tournament debutants. "It's a fair result, we deserved the point we gained," said Qatar's Spanish coach Felix Sanchez. He praised his players for "keeping the faith" and "showing the desire to go after the game, that was the most positive thing for us." It left the sides two points behind Group B leaders Colombia, who opened their account with a 2-0 win over Lionel Messi's Argentina on Saturday. "We were unable to manage our advantage and we leave with a bitter taste," admitted Gonzalez. Tournament invitees Qatar made a disastrous start with a defensive mix up in the first minute causing panic in their own ...

It's getting tougher and tougher, admits Sarfaraz

After facing a crushing 89-run defeat against arch-rivals India that was also their third loss in five games, Pakistan's proposition of making it to the semifinals of the ongoing World Cup has become tougher, skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed admits.

Bhuvneshwar out for next 2-3 games, confirms Kohli

Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who suffered a hamstring injury against Pakistan, will be sidelined for a maximum of three games in the ongoing World Cup, skipper Virat Kohli has confirmed.

Ready for Mallorca Open after shoulder surgery: Sharapova

Former world No.1 Maria Sharapova is hoping to live up to fan expectations at the 2019 Mallorca Open, following right-shoulder surgery she underwent in February.

Copa America: Qatar notch unexpected draw against Paraguay

The Qatari national soccer team, headed by Spain's Felix Sanchez, secured an unexpected 2-2 draw against Paraguay, fighting back from a two-goal deficit and notching their first ranking point ever in Copa America action in Rio de Janeiro.

CWC'19: India beat Pakistan by 89 runs in rain-hit match

Brilliant knocks from Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli before the magnificent spells by the bowling unit guided India to beat Pakistan by 89 runs at the Old Trafford in Manchester on Sunday.With the win, India's head-to-head record against Pakistan in World Cup matches now sits at 7-0.Chasing a competitive target of 337 runs, Pakistan faced an early hiccup as Imam-ul-Haq was leg-before off the fifth ball of the fifth over by debutant Vijay Shankar, who completed the over as Bhuvneshwar Kumar walked off the field due to tightness in his left hamstring.Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam recovered Pakistan well in time, adding 104 runs for the second wicket. However, in a span of 12 runs, the arch-rivals lost four crucial wickets. Kuldeep Yadav bagged two quick wickets -- Babar (48) and Fakhar (62). Hardik Pandya joined the party and he earned two wickets in an over -- Mohammad Hafeez (9) and Shoaib Malik (0), reducing Pakistan on 129/5.Imad Wasim (22*) and Sarfaraz Ahmed tried to rebuild ...

CWC'19: Fans celebrate India's victory over Pakistan

As soon as India registered victory over Pakistan, celebrations begun across the length and breadth of the nation. Fans all-over Manchester were also seen enjoying the win over the arch-rivals.India defeated Pakistan by 89 runs on Sunday at Manchester in the ongoing ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, and as a result, the Men in Blue maintain their unbeaten record against Pakistan in the World Cup.Fans in Delhi and Siliguri also seemed to have a blast after India's thumping win over Pakistan.Fans in Indore were seen dancing and bursting crackers to celebrate Men in Blue's victory over Pakistan.Fans in Mumbai, Madhya Pradesh and Kanpur also had their excitement at its peak and were seen rejoicing India's win.The Men in Blue displayed a clinical performance against arch-rivals Pakistan. Batting first, India posted 336 runs on the board, owing to Rohit Sharma's 24th ODI ton.Virat Kohli and KL Rahul registered fifty-plus scores and India had no problem in defending the total as they ...

CWC'19: Memes galore as India thrash Pakistan

India defeated Pakistan by 89 runs on Sunday at Manchester in the ongoing ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, and as a result, the Men in Blue maintain their unbeaten record against the arch-rivals in the World Cup.The Men in Blue displayed a clinical performance against Pakistan. Batting first, India posted 336 runs on the board, owing to Rohit Sharma's 24th ODI ton.Virat Kohli and KL Rahul registered fifty-plus scores and India had no problem in defending the total as they comprehensively defeated Pakistan by 86 runs.During the Pakistan innings, rain played spoilsport in the 35th over and the match had to be halted. The match resumed after almost 50 mins, and the match was curtailed to 40-overs and the target got adjusted to 302 on the basis of Duckworth-Lewis. Pakistan required 136 runs off just 30 balls, and the team fell short by 89 runs.India now has a 7-0 record against Pakistan in the 50-over World Cup.As soon as India registered the victory, many users came up with unique ways to ...

CWC'19: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to miss India's next two-three matches

As India defeated Pakistan by 89 runs on Sunday in Manchester in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, skipper Virat Kohli provided an injury update on pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar.The skipper informed that Bhuvi has a slight niggle and he will be out of action for two-three games."Slight niggle for Bhuvi, he slipped on one of the footmarks. He's out for two, maybe three games, but he should come back for us at some stage during this tournament," Kohli said at the post-match ceremony.Earlier in the match between India and Pakistan, MEn in Blue's pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar suffered tightness in his left hamstring and walked off the field.In the fifth over of Pakistan's innings, Bhuvneshwar was seen to have twinged his hamstring as he slipped on his front foot after delivering the fourth ball.The right-arm paceman was taken off the field and debutant Vijay Shankar not only completed the over but also got a breakthrough for India as Imam-ul-Haq was leg-before off the fifth ball.India defeated ...