Page 1345 - Sports
Thomas makes history by winning Tour de France 12th stage
Welshman Geraint Thomas (Sky) made history here with his victory in the 12th stage of the Tour de France, becoming the first rider to win on Alpe d'Huez while wearing the leader's yellow jersey and the first Briton ever to prevail in the gruelling climb.
Hockey World Cup: Indian women's team to face hosts England (Preview)
The mood among the Indian womens hockey team is upbeat as they are set to take on hosts England in their opening match of the World Cup here on Saturday.
Word Squash Federation backs India on security at Jr C'ships
The World Squash Federation (WSF) today expressed full faith in the security arrangements for the ongoing World Junior Championship here after a Swiss player pulled out citing safety concerns. According to a media report, Switzerland's top junior girls' squash player, Ambre Allinckx, was not permitted by her parents to take part in the tournament because of safety concerns. However, the WSF backed the arrangements put in place for the event. "Of course the views and choice of every parent must be fully respected. However, there are over 250 players and officials from 28 countries, including a full squad from Switzerland,"Andrew Shelley, WSF Chief Executive, said in a statement. "Like the WSF, they all have complete confidence with the security arrangements made by Tamil Nadu Squash Rackets Association at the Championship Hotel and playing venues to ensure the safety of the players at this event," Shelley added. Chennai is the unofficial squash hub of the country and is the base of the
Ahmed Shehzad not to appeal against dope test report
Pakistan batsman Ahmed Shehzad, who was recently tested positive for a drug test, has decided not to appeal against the dope test result, reported Dawn.com.The conclusion was drawn after the 26-year-old did not request the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to test the sample 'B' while the deadline for the same expired on June 19.By not challenging the report, the Pakistani player has increased his chances of getting lighter punishment but ultimately, the same will depend on how strongly he presents his case.The right-hand batsman will have to present his defence in the case by July 27 and then the PCB will decide the punishment according to the rules of World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).Shehzad had failed a drug test which was conducted during a domestic cricket match in Faisalabad. Subsequently, the national cricket board had decided to file a charge sheet against the Pakistani opener.Shehzad, who played his last one day international (ODI) in October 2017 against Sri Lanka, has made 2605 ..
Indian women's hockey team to take on hosts England
An upbeat Indian team is set to take on hosts England in its opening match of the Women's Hockey World Cup here tomorrow. Grouped in Pool B, India will take on world number 16 Ireland on July 26 followed by world number 7 USA on July 29, apart from facing the Olympic champions in their home ground on the opening day of the prestigious tournament. "The pressure will be on England and not on us," asserted Indian team skipper Rani on the eve of the match. "Yes they will have the home ground advantage but we are not new to playing in front of big crowds. We have done well against England before and we will carry the confidence of doing well in our recent tournaments including the CWG where we had tasted victory against England in the Group Stage in Gold Coast," added Rani. India's previous appearance at the FIH World Cup was in 2010 when the event was held in Argentina. Rani then was the cynosure of India's ninth-place performance as she had scored seven goals for the team during the ...
Swann predicts Indian comeback if ball doesn't swing in Tests
Former off-spinner Graeme Swann foresees a strong Indian comeback in next month's Test series against England if the ball fails to swing, the chances of which are high due to a warmer-than-usual English summer. India lost the ODI series 1-2, giving England the bragging rights ahead of the five-match Test rubber starting August 1 in Birmingham. But Swann said things might just change for the better for the visitors in the longest format. "If the ball doesn't swing, England will have to rely on reverse swing later on. Jimmy (James Anderson) is not the same bowler with the older ball because by the time it starts reverse swinging, Kohli will be 60-70 not out," Swann told PTI. "England did well last time because Jimmy had the new ball swinging. It's just not Indians who don't do well against swing. Every batsman in the world doesn't like it when the ball swings around especially when Anderson is bowling," he said. "If it swings, England will win the Test series easily but if it doesn't, ..
China's Suning Sports raises $600 million from Alibaba, Goldman
BEIJING (Reuters) - China's Suning Sports, the owner of Italian soccer giants Inter Milan, said it has raised $600 million in a series A funding from firms including Alibaba Group Holding Ltd and Goldman Sachs.
Asian Cup tune-up: India to play China in international friendly
The All India Football Federation today confirmed that its senior national team will play China in an international friendly in October, as part of preparation for the 2019 Asian Cup. The 97th-ranked Indian team will travel to Beijing to play against the 75th ranked China national team during the October 8-16, 2018 FIFA window. Though the date for the friendly will be decided in coming days, AIFF has proposed Saturday, October 13, as the match day. India and China have each other faced 17 times, all on Indian soil -- the last being 21 years ago in the Nehru Cup in Kochi in 1997. Recently, the India U-16 national team visited China for an invitational four nation tournament, which also included U-16 Thailand and U-16 DPR Korea. The October friendly assumes huge importance as it will set the pace for India's preparatory process for the AFC Asian Cup in January. Terming the occasion as 'historic', AIFF general secretary Kushal Das said: "China and India are today being seen as the two ...
Goalkeeper Alisson joins Liverpool for record transfer fee
Liverpool FC has confirmed that it has completed the signing of Brazilian net minder Alisson Becker from AS Roma for a 67-million-pound ($87.2-million) transfer fee, a world record for a goalkeeper.
Ex-Socceroo Cahill looks to US and coaching career
Australia's all-time leading goal-scorer Tim Cahill said Friday he intends to continue playing at club level and is also interested in a coaching career following his retirement from international football. Cahill, who scored 50 times in 107 appearances for Australia -- including five times at the World Cup -- announced his retirement earlier this week, ending a storied playing career with the Socceroos. Cahill, 38, said he intended to live with his family in the United States, heightening speculation that he might seek to play in the Major League Soccer (MLS). "International retirement is done, but as for domestic, there could be an opportunity but it is still something I have time to decide," Cahill told a media conference in Sydney. He ruled out returning to Australia's A-League, where he last played with Melbourne City. "My A-League experience was fantastic... I felt like I had a successful time here. But to live in America and to try and play in the A-League I feel like would be .
Mata salvages draw as Man Utd open North American tour
Juan Mata grabbed the 78th minute equalizer as Manchester United opened their pre-season with a 1-1 draw against Club America on Thursday in Phoenix, Arizona. A header from Henry Martin in the 59th minute -- past substitute goalkeeper Joel Pereira -- had put Mexican outfit America in the lead at University of Phoenix Stadium. The English Premiership giants pulled level 12 minutes from time after a cross from youngster Tahith Chong found Ander Herrera, whose header hit the post. The ball rebounded to Mata, whose volley snuck through the legs of substitute goalkeeper Oscar Jiminez. It was a lively start from both sides despite temperatures of 40 C in Phoenix. Anthony Martial was unlucky not to receive a penalty in the ninth minute after he appeared to be tripped in the area. Four minutes later the Frenchman fired a curling shot over the crossbar, and United came close again minutes later as Mata loosed a shot that bounced off the upright. Martial saw another shot tipped around the ...
Budding Brazilian star Paulinho joins Bayer Leverkusen
Brazil's Paulinho made his first official appearance here as a member of Bayer Leverkusen.
Openers drive Sri Lanka to 93-0 at lunch in 2nd Test
Openers Danushka Gunathilaka and Dimuth Karunaratne helped Sri Lanka reach 93 for no loss at lunch on day one of the second Test against South Africa in Colombo on Friday. Gunathilaka, on 44, and Karunaratne, on 42, were at the crease after the hosts elected to bat first in their bid to clinch the two-match series. Sri Lanka, who won the opening game in Galle last week, are eyeing their first series win against the number-two ranked Proteas since 2006. Gunathilaka and Karunaratne mixed the right dose of caution and aggression to keep the South African bowling attack at sea on a pitch that promises to offer considerable turn as the match progresses. Paceman Dale Steyn will probably have to wait for another session to get past former teammate Shaun Pollock to become the country's leading wicket taker in Tests. He is tied with Pollock's 421 wickets. South Africa's only regular spinner in the XI, Keshav Maharaj also failed to break through the denfences of the two left-handed openers at ..
Pinto names 25-member Indian football squad for U-20 COTIF event
A 25-member Indian U-20 football team will leave for Valencia, Spain tomorrow to participate in the COTIF International tournament scheduled to begin on July 29. The U-20 national team consists of boys who represented India in the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 and the U-19 National Team boys. Midfielder Harmanpreet Singh and Jashandeep Singh, who were part of the 23 short listed players from the Khelo India Project that had appeared for trials at Indian Arrows in Goa, have also been selected into the final squad as part of the reserves. The team will be playing friendly matches against local clubs on July 23 and July 25 before proceeding to the COTIF Tournament -- the Mini Mundial Sub U-20 Men's football tournament. The India U-20 national team will be clashing swords with Argentina U-20, Venezuela U-20, Mauritania U-20 and Murcia U-20, a local side, during the tournament. The list of the players follows below: Goalkeepers: Prabhsukhan Singh Gill, Vishal Dube, Sachin ...
Liverpool signs Alisson for record 65mn pound
Professional football club Liverpool has signed Roma and Brazil goalkeeper Alisson for 65 million pounds, making him the most expensive goalkeeper in the history.The 25-year-old has signed a six-year deal with the club.Expressing happiness over being inducted into the club, the Brazilian said that it is like a dream come true and a huge step forward in his career."I am really happy, it's a dream come true to wear such a prestigious shirt for a club of this size that is used to always winning," Goal.com quoted Alisson, as saying."In terms of my life and my career, it's a huge step for me being part of this club and this family," he added.Setting aside the concerns over the player's price Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said that they are not worried about the price and this is how the market is."I think it's something we have to do. He has nothing to do with the price, we have nothing to do with the price, it's the market, that's how it is and we will not think a lot about it," Klopp ...
India have armoury to retain kabaddi gold in Asiad: Goyat
India are not only keen, but possess the ammunition too to retain the men's kabaddi gold at next month's Asian Games, feels star player Monu Goyat. India goes into the continental quadrennial show-piece as favourites and will be looking to clinch their eighth gold medal in the Games to be hosted by Indonesia from August 18 to September 2. "Yes, 100 per cent. We want to continue the tradition and our aim is to bag the gold medal. We cannot think anything other than that," Goyat told PTI during an interaction. Goyat said the Indian team has the benefit of having many raiders and their defence is also up to the mark even in the face of some strong opposition from the likes of Korea, Iran, Pakistan and Bangladesh. "All the teams are good and will give their best. But the Korean and the Iran teams are good. Even the Pakistan and Bangladesh teams are good, these 3-4 teams can pose a competition," said Goyat, who will making his Games debut. Incidentally, Goyat had the ...
India reach final of Archery World
Indian women compound team reached the final of the Archery World Cup stage four here on Thursday.The team comprising Trisha Deb, Jyothi Surekha Vennam and Muskan Kirar stunned the Turkish squad 231-228 to set up a gold medal clash with France on July 20.The trio, who entered the tournament as the fifth-seeded team, edged past Britain by one point in the opening round while in the second round they thrashed the higher-ranked USA team 232-228 to move ahead in the tournament.Meanwhile, compound archer Abhishek Verma cemented his spot in the World Cup finals but lost to 35th seeded Akbarali Karabayev of Kazakhstan, making a third-round exit from the tournament.
Ramanathan enter semifinals, Paes out of Hall of Fame Open
Ramkumar Ramanathan notched up a straight set win over Canada's Vasek Pospisil to reach his first ever ATP semi-finals but veteran Leander Paes bowed out after losing his doubles quarterfinal at the Hall of Fame Open grasscourt tournament in Newport. The 23-year-old from Chennai took one hour and 18 minutes to get across Pospisil 7-5, 6-2 in the quarterfinals yesterday. The 161-ranked Indian will meet American Tim Smyczek in the last four of the tournament. Ramanathan, who had stunned world No. 8 Dominic Thiem at the Antalya Open last year, sent down five aces and converted the three break points that came his way. Paes, who is playing his first match since creating the Davis Cup world record in February for most number of wins in doubles, and his American partner Jamie Cerretani suffered a 3-6 6-7 (3) loss to giant-killers Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan and Austin Crajicek in the doubles quarterfinals. Jeevan and Austin, who had toppled top seeds Nicholas Monroe and John-Patrick Smith in the .
World Cup fever still raging in Rohingya refugee camps
The World Cup may be over but passion for the game burns bright in the world's largest refugee camp, where Brazil and Argentina flags still flutter alongside the red and green of Bangladesh, which hosts nearly a million Rohingya Muslims forced out of Myanmar. For many young refugees in Bangladesh's southeast this World Cup was their first, and the excitement of last Sunday's final shows no sign of abating any time soon. Rohingya boys paraded a miniature replica of the World Cup through the dirt alleyways of the refugee camp, the smallest football fans staring dewy-eyed at the modest golden trophy as if it were the real thing. "My favourite was Argentina. I watched the final. It was between Croatia and France, and France won," said six-year-old Mohammad Reza, proudly sporting the blue-and-white jersey of firm local favourite Lionel Messi. One of the youngest boys jostling for a glimpse of the miniature cup in its small glass case was five-year-old Nurul Afsar in his Brazil top. "My ...
Diving school! Neymar teaches kids to fall and roll
Neymar took a swipe at his critics with a tongue-in-cheek video in which he teaches children how to dive. The Brazilian superstar was widely lambasted at the World Cup for his theatrical reactions to challenges which often left the world's most expensive footballer wincing and rolling on the ground. However, yesterday, he took to Instagram to get his revenge. "One, two, three, go!" shouts Neymar as around a dozen youngsters fall to the ground of a parking lot. "That's a free-kick!" screams the Brazilian breaking into fits of laughter. The video was released with a hashtag #ChallengeDAFALTA, the free-kick challenge in Portuguese. During the recent World Cup, the player's antics sparked the "Neymar Challenge" where he was widely mocked. In Mexico, a football club organised a competition in which contestants attempted to roll the entire length of the pitch.