Page 1378 - Sports
Croatians celebrate World Cup triumph
Some 100,000 people packed Zagreb's Ban Jelacic square to watch Croatia battle England in the semifinal of the FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Croatia were stronger than England and are physically good, says golakeeper
The goalkeeper of Croatian national team Danijel Subasic said after his team beat England to reach the 2018 World Cup Russia final that despite facing extra time for the third successive game, Croatia proved to be stronger than England and is well prepared for the final.
Sri Lanka skipper, officials out of South Africa Tests
Captain Dinesh Chandimal and two top Sri Lankan cricket officials have agreed to sit out the Test series against South Africa pending sanctions, the International Cricket Council said today. Chandimal, coach Chandika Hathurusingha and manager Asanka Gurusinha had pleaded guilty to violating the spirit of the game last month during Sri Lanka's second Test against the West Indies. The ICC said a judicial commission hearing ended overnight, hours before the first Test against the visiting South Africans was due to start at Galle today but a decision would be announced "in due course". "In the interim, Chandimal, Hathurusingha and Gurusinha, who have pleaded guilty, have agreed not to participate in both Tests v SA," cricket's governing body said on Twitter. "This will be credited against sanction imposed by commissioner." The trio were charged by ICC chief executive David Richardson for their involvement in the Sri Lankan team's refusal to take the field in St. Lucia on the third day of .
Forlorn but proud, fans applaud England despite defeat
An initial wave of elation turned to heartbreak as 30,000 beer-soaked fans in London's Hyde Park on Wednesday watched England lose an early lead in the World Cup semi-final against Croatia and come up short once again. "I'm really, really sad," said a tearful Laura Russon, 31, clutching an empty bottle of cider. "But I'm still 100 per cent proud of them." Crowds of glum-looking fans swiftly streamed out of the venue, as some stayed behind to applaud the young team's surprising success in Russia. Early on in the game, optimism had ruled. Under the clear blue skies of a beautiful summer's evening, beer rained down as fans celebrated an early England goal in their first semi-final appearance in 28 years - a prospect which had seemed virtually impossible at the tournament's outset. "This is the first time in my life England have made it anywhere near this far," said 23-year-old Murad Huseynov, draped in a red and white St George's flag. "It feels like history." Over half the current squad
Croatia on fire after World Cup 'miracle'
Tears and cries of joy, hugs and chants, firecrackers and flares -- Croatia was on fire late Wednesday after their victory against England set up a first ever appearance in a World Cup final. "Croatia in World Cup finals! It is so beautiful! Miracle of all miracles in Russia!" the state-run HRT television commentator Drago Cosic shouted ecstatically. Croatia beat England 2-1 in extra-time thanks to a Mario Mandzukic goal in the second period of extra-time to book a date with France in Moscow on Sunday. Thousands of fans gathered at the country's largest fan zone in Zagreb's main square, braving intermittent rain to cheer on the "Fiery Ones" (Vatreni) on a giant screen. "We can be proud and happy ... we don't want to stop here," Croatia's star player Luka Modric told HRT - 'Like lions - "Only great teams can be so courageous and make a comeback afer trailing 1-0 against England," Mandzukic said. "We were losing and we returned, we were like lions." Local media praised the players as ...
Kane 'gutted' as England's World Cup dream dies
England captain Harry Kane could not hide his desperate disappointment after his side's 2-1 extra-time defeat against Croatia in the semi-finals of the World Cup in Moscow on Wednesday. "We're gutted. It hurts, it hurts a lot," Kane said after the match at the Luzhniki Stadium. "It's going to hurt for a while of course. We can hold our heads up high. It's been a fantastic journey, we got further than anyone else thought we would have," he added. Playing in their first World Cup semi-final since 1990, England took a fifth-minute lead through Kieran Trippier's superb free-kick. But Croatia summoned the strength to come back in the second half, equalising through Ivan Perisic before Mario Mandzukic got the winner in the 109th minute. "It's been great to get to this stage and we know we've done everyone proud but we wanted to go on and win it," Kane added. "We thought we were just good enough, we thought we could have done that. But we've fallen just a bit short. It hurts. I don't know ...
Perisic hails 'dream' goal as Croatia reach final
Ivan Perisic said his equaliser that helped Croatia come from behind to beat England 2-1 after extra time and reach the World Cup final was a goal that "he could only dream of" as a child. The Inter Milan winger poked home a cross from Sime Vrsaljko to haul Croatia level midway through the second half having fallen behind to an early Kieran Trippier free-kick. Mario Mandzukic completed the turnaround around with the winner on 109 minutes to send his country through to Sunday's final against France. "It was a very difficult game. We all know what was at stake and how important a semi-final is for a small country like Croatia," said Perisic. "We started slowly, but we showed our character just as in the previous two knockout games when we were a goal down. We didn't used to be that resilient." With a population of just over four million, Croatia are the smallest nation to reach the final match of a World Cup since Uruguay lifted the title in 1950. "I would like to thank everyone who ...
Croatia will be ready for France in World Cup final, says coach Dalic
Ecstatic Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic is confident tiredness will not be an issue for his side when they face France in the World Cup final despite once again coming through extra time to beat England on Wednesday. Croatia came from behind to win 2-1 in the semi-final clash in Moscow, with Mario Mandzukic claiming the winner in the 109th minute after Ivan Perisic had earlier cancelled out Kieran Trippier's free-kick opener. Dalic's side were clearly exhausted, but they managed to fight on to the end of two hours of gripping football to take the country of just over four million people into the final for the first time. However, the biggest concern looking ahead to Sunday's game is bound to be fatigue, with Croatia having also required extra time and penalties to come through ties against Denmark and hosts Russia in the past two weeks. France will have had 24 hours longer to prepare for the game after edging out Belgium 1-0 in 90 minutes in Saint Petersburg on Tuesday. "This is ...
'We left everything out there', says England manager Southgate
Manager Gareth Southgate said England "left everything out there" after falling to an extra-time defeat by Croatia in the World Cup semi-final on Wednesday. England were hoping to reach a first World Cup final since 1966, but let an early lead slip to lose 2-1. "I think in the first half we were really good and maybe we could have got another goal," Southgate told ITV. "I can't ask for more from the players. I think knockout football is about fine margins and when you have good spells against fine sides you need to take your chances. "Tonight we weren't quite there but we will learn from that. We left everything out there." Southgate said the players were deeply disappointed, but that his young team could achieve great things in the years to come, with the European Championship just two years away. "It's impossible to say anything to make the players feel better at this moment in time," he said. "We have to be proud of what we've achieved. I don't think anyone could have given any ...
Federer shocked at Wimbledon as Nadal and Djokovic set-up semi-final date
Eight-time champion Roger Federer was sensationally knocked out of Wimbledon by South African giant Kevin Anderson while Rafael Nadal edged Juan Martin del Potro in a Centre Court epic and will meet Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals. Defending champion Federer yesterday lost a Court One thriller, 2-6 6-7 (5/7) 7-5 6-4 13-11 as 32-year-old Anderson became the first South African in the Wimbledon semi-finals since Kevin Curren in 1983. "Down two sets to love I tried my best to keep fighting. Beating Roger Federer here at Wimbledon will be one I remember, especially in such a close match," Anderson said. "I kept telling myself to keep believing. I said today is going to be my day." In a nail-biting four hour and 13 minute classic, it was 36-year-old Federer's earliest exit at the All England Club since his shock second round defeat against Sergiy Stakhovsky in 2013. "Sometimes you don't feel good, and you try your best. Today was one of those days. I didn't see it coming," said ...
FIFA WC: Croatia reach final for first time, beat England 2-1
Croatia defeated England in Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium by 2-1 in extra-time to reach their first-ever FIFA World Cup final.All credit goes to prolific goalscorer Mario Mandzukic for scoring the goal in the second period of extra-time.In the first five minutes of the game, Kieran Trippier gave England the lead with a fabulous free-kick.which somehow opened an account for the match.Meanwhile, Croatia clawed their way back into the matchmaking their way to score one. They were playing well but lacked the final touch and confidence.Somehow, Mandzukic was fast enough to react to Ivan Perišic's header and shot past Jordan Pickford that send Croatia into their first-ever World Cup final.Following that, the game slowed down but fans remained unperturbed.Within few minutes, the referee blew his whistle and England got into the break with a lead as Trippier's free-kick made clear path for their country.Soon after the second half, Croatia was trying hard since long to score one soon while England
FIFA World Cup: Croatia beat England 2-1 to enter final for first time
Croatia entered the final of the FIFA World Cup for the first time as a late goal from striker Mario Mandzukic helped them overcome a combative England with a 2-1 victory here on Wednesday to set-up a title-decider against France.
Anderson stuns defending champ Federer to enter Wimbledon semis
South Africa's Kevin Anderson pulled off a stunning come-from-behind 2-6, 6-7 (5-7), 7-5, 6-4, 13-11 upset victory over Swiss defending champion Roger Federer here on Wednesday to reach the semi-finals of the Wimbledon tennis championships for the first time.
Mandzukic breaks England hearts and fires Croatia into World Cup final
Mario Mandzukic scored the winning goal deep in extra time as Croatia beat England 2-1 in an utterly gripping World Cup semi-final in Moscow today to set up a final date with France. The Juventus forward netted in the 109th minute to complete a remarkable comeback from a shattered Croatian team and take the small nation of little more than four million people into the World Cup final for the first time in their short history. Kieran Trippier's magnificent early free-kick had seemingly set England on course to reach their first final since they lifted the trophy on home soil back in 1966. But it wasn't to be, as Croatia came roaring back in the second half and equalised through Ivan Perisic before somehow finding the energy to win despite being taken to extra time for the third time in 10 days. The biggest winners of the night could well be France, who have had an extra day's rest for Sunday's final after edging out Belgium 1-0 on Tuesday. That will not matter too much right now for ...
Federer suffers shock Wimbledon quarter-final loss to Anderson
Roger Federer suffered a stunning Wimbledon exit as the defending champion blew a two-set lead and wasted a match point in a 2-6, 6-7 (5/7), 7-5, 6-4, 13-11 quarter-final defeat against South Africa's Kevin Anderson on Wednesday. Federer's bid to win a ninth Wimbledon title came to an astonishing end as the Swiss star collapsed in a nail-biting four hour and 13 minute classic that ranks as one of the tournament's greatest upsets. It was Federer's earliest departure from Wimbledon since his shock second round defeat against Sergiy Stakhovsky in 2013. Eighth seed Anderson will play 2016 runner-up Milos Raonic or American ninth seed John Isner on Friday for a place in Sunday's final. "Down two sets to love I tried my best to keep fighting. Beating Roger Federer here at Wimbledon will be one I remember, especially in such a close match," Anderson said. "I kept telling myself to keep believing. I said today is going to be my day. You need that mindset against Roger. "I'm ecstatic. That's ..
ODI series to help access India's preparation for 2019 WC: Rohit
With the ICC 2019 World Cup slated to be held in Britain, Indian cricket team vice-captain Rohit Sharma feels the One-Day International (ODI) series against England will be a crucial one as it will help to access his side's preparation for the mega event.
Real Madrid's Achraf on loan to Dortmund for 2 seasons
Real Madrid's young left-back Achraf Hakimi has moved to Borussia Dortmund on loan for the next two seasons, the Spanish football giants announced on Wednesday.
Asian Games committee provides over 1.2 million tickets
The 18th Asian Games is set to sell more than 1.2 million tickets, a member of the organizing committee said here on Wednesday.
Indians falter at World U20 athletics
Indian athletes endured a disappointing day at the IAAF World U20 Championships as they were unable to reach the finals of their respective events at the Ratina Stadium here on Wednesday.
Manu-Sumeeth, Sindhu, Prannoy, Kashyap advance at Thailand Open
India's men's doubles pair of Manu Attri and B. Sumeeth Reddy on Wednesday created a big upset in the opening round as they joined P.V. Sindhu, H.S. Prannoy and Parupalli Kashyap in the pre-quarterfinals of the Thailand Open badminton tournament here.