Page 1436 - Sports
Tite backs Brazil to grow in World Cup's knock-out phase MOSCOW
Tite insists Brazil can cope with being installed as World Cup favourites, following Germany's shock exit, with the Selecao boss backing his side to grow in the knock-out stages at Russia 2018. Brazil sealed a 2-0 win over Serbia in Moscow on Wednesday with goals either side of half-time by Paulinho and Thiago Silva to set up a last 16 clash against Mexico on Tuesday in Samara. With Germany having failing to advanced past the first round for the first time in 80 years, Brazil are now installed with many bookmakers as they favourite to win the World Cup. Tite expects his side to grow in the knock-out stages having finished as Group E winners. "We can take the pressure, we are a balanced team and we have replacement who can come in, which is important," said the Brazil's head coach Tite. "For example, Marcelo was injured early on and we were able to replace him. "For us, this is about getting stronger and growing. "We embrace expectations, but this team has created a high level because
We had to qualify despite yellow card risk: Swiss coach
Switzerland's coach insisted he was right to field a full-strength side against Costa Rica, even though two experienced defenders will miss the last 16 clash against Sweden with bookings. Captain Stephan Lichtsteiner and Fabian Schaer -- who have almost 150 caps between them -- are ruled out of the match on July 3 after both picked up a second yellow card for the tournament on Wednesday. But coach Vladimir Petkovic said his main goal was to qualify for the knockout stage and worry about the repercussions afterwards. "It's the main objective (qualifying for the last 16), we had to make sure we delivered," Petkovic told reporters after an entertaining 2-2 draw gave Switzerland the point they need to guarantee their progress at this World Cup. The game saw a frenzied end with Switzerland twice taking the lead, the second time in the 88th minute, only for a 93rd minute own goal by unfortunate keeper Yann Sommer from a Bryan Ruiz penalty to make it end all square. The Swiss qualified for ..
Historic Germany win leaves South Korea coach feeling 'empty'
South Korea coach Shin Tae-yong hailed the unfancied Asians' momentous 2-0 World Cup victory over holders Germany on Wednesday but admitted it left him feeling "a little bit empty". A pair of late goals from Kim Young-gwon and Tottenham forward Son Heung-min, combined with a superb display from goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo helped South Korea create one of the greatest shocks in the history of the tournament. Germany, the 2014 champions, Confederations Cup champions and FIFA's top-ranked team, were eliminated at the first hurdle for the first time since 1938. Unfortunately for South Korea, who had been given no hope following defeats to Mexico and Sweden, it was not enough to secure their passage to the last 16 for the first time since 2010. In 2002, the Asians joint-hosted the tournament with Japan and finished in fourth place. "I feel great but at the same time I feel a little bit empty, so I feel a little bit ambivalent," Shin said when asked to put his side's historic feat into ...
Strong start will mean nothing if Croatia lose to Denmark - Dalic
Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic has warned his players nobody will remember their blistering start to the World Cup if they lose to Denmark in the last 16 on Sunday. A 3-0 thrashing of Argentina came in between victories over Nigeria and Iceland in Group D as Dalic's team sailed through to the knock-out stage with nine points out of nine. But Croatia made a similarly impressive opening at Euro 2016, beating Spain to finish top of their group, only to tumble out to Portugal. "It's all great for the history books in Croatia but if we don't win against Denmark, when someone asks you what you did, what can you say? Nothing," Dalic said on Wednesday. "Our first goal for this World Cup was to pass the group stage but that doesn't really satisfy myself or the team. We have Denmark against us now and that's the moment of truth." Denmark held France to a goalless draw on Tuesday to go through as runners-up in Group C and their key threat in Nizhny Novgorod will be star midfielder Christian ...
Trump's joke on Cristiano Ronaldo falls flat
US President Donald Trump cracked a joke about Portuguese soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo running for president against incumbent Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who responded by saying that Portugal "is nothing like the US".
FIFA WC: Switzerland edge out Costa Rica, advances to knockouts
Switzerland knocked out Costa Rica with a thrilling 2-2 draw, which was enough for them to progress to the round of 16 in their Group E fixture at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium here on Wednesday.With this, Switzerland progressed from the group stage to the knockout stage in the last four of the five World Cups in which they appeared (1994, 2006 and 2014). They only failed to qualify beyond the group stage in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.Although Costa Rica were eliminated from the tournament, they were off to a bright start. The players from both Switzerland and Costa Rica burnt the midnight oil to give their respective teams a dominating start.Switzerland provided the first breakthrough, when in the 31st minute, midfielder Blerim Dzemaili blasted a goal via a beautiful pass by Stephan Lichtsteiner.In the second half, defender Kendall Waston scored a brilliant header to help Costa Rica equalise in the 56th minute, inviting loud cheers and wild celebrations from both the players ...
Brazil beat Serbia to enter World Cup pre-quarters
Brazil eliminated Serbia with a 2-0 victory as the five-time world champions entered the FIFA World Cup pre-quarterfinals by topping the Group E here on Wednesday.
Trump meets president of Portugal at White House
Meeting in the maelstrom of breaking news, President Donald Trump took a moment today to explain the significance of a Supreme Court vacancy to visiting Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. At one point, Trump even broached the subject of a political career for Portugal's soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo. Trump greeted Rebelo de Sousa in the Oval Office and then turned to the cameras to offer his reaction to Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy's retirement. The vacancy gives Trump a golden chance to cement conservative control of the nation's high court and the president wanted to make sure his out-of-town guest was aware of the stakes. "In our country, the selection of a justice of the United States Supreme Court is considered, I think we can all say, one of the most important events," Trump told Rebelo de Sousa, adding that the court can "swing different ways" depending on its composition. "Some people think outside of, obviously war and peace, it's the most important thing
Indian openers, spinners outclass Ireland
A terrific opening partnership by Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan and some smart bowling by the spinners helped India to go 1-0 up in the T20I series against Ireland at the Malahide Cricket Club Ground here on Wednesday.Winning the toss and putting India to bat first on a bright sunny day, Ireland were guilty of bowling inaccurate lengths, as the openers took advantage on a pitch good for batting.Rohit and Dhawan shared a 160-run partnership and clobbered fours and sixes all around the ground. India raced to 59 for no loss in the powerplay (six overs).The openers continued to make merry with their batting onslaught, amid a couple of dropped catches from Ireland and smashed 13 fours and 10 sixes between them respectively.Rohit narrowly missed out his third T20I century by just three runs, when he was bowled by pacer Peter Chase, while attempting to play a slog shot.Despite losing a cluster of wickets towards the end, India raced to 208 for 5 in their stipulated 20 overs, setting ...
FIFA WC: Brazil brush aside Serbia to seal last 16 spot
Five-time world champions Brazil eased past Serbia with a fantastic 2-0 win, in their Group E match to progress to the round of 16 at the Spartak Stadium here on Wednesday.With this, the Selecaos notched up two consecutive wins in their group matches for the first time since2010.As the match progressed, both Brazil and Serbia played aggressively to keep their teams ahead in the crucial game.The deadlock was finally broken when midfielder Paulinho put Brazil ahead as he netted a goal with the help of Coutinho's deft-chipped pass in the 36th minute.In the second half, Serbia forward Aleksandar Mitrovic had two excellent chances to equalise with close-range headers.However, in the 68th minute, skipper and defender Thiago Silva gave the five-time world champions the second goal, when he powered a header into the corner position assisted by star striker Neymar, which was beyond Serbian goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic's reach.Neymar had an opportunity to make it 3-0 in the 87th minute, but ...
World Cup: Switzerland qualify for knockouts after 2-2 draw with Costa Rica
Switzerland sailed into the pre-quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup after playing out a thrilling 2-2 draw against Costa Rica in a Group E clash here on Wednesday.
Thiago, Paulinho steer Brazil into World Cup's last 16
Brazil eased into the World Cup knockout stages after defeating Serbia 2-0 here, with superstar Neymar sparkling in a win which sets up a last 16 clash against Mexico. Paulinho put Brazil ahead with a superb dinked finish on 36 minutes before Neymar swung in a cross for Thiago Silva to header the Selecao's second goal with 22 minutes left in Moscow. Having opened his Russia 2018 account with the second of Brazil's two late goals in Friday's 2-0 win over Costa Rica, Neymar was again impressive yesterday. After the tearful emotion of Saint Petersburg, Neymar cut a more joyful figure after this win, blowing kisses to the crowd as the five-time champions celebrated. As Group E winners, Brazil will now face Mexico in Samara on Monday, with group runners-up Switzerland taking on Sweden in St. Petersburg on Tuesday. In the pre-match build-up Brazil coach Tite said Neymar alone can not "shoulder the responsibility" for his team's World Cup hopes. However, the 26-year-old seemed content to ...
Swiss through to last 16 but lose captain Lichtsteiner
Switzerland moved through to the World Cup last 16, after a draw over Costa Rica but will be without captain Stephan Lichtsteiner because of suspension. A 93rd minute own goal by the unfortunate keeper Yann Sommer from a Bryan Ruiz penalty gave the central American side a deserved 2-2 draw on a night of late drama in Nizhny Novgorod. That wiped out a Swiss lead which had lasted only two minutes after substitute Josep Drmic slotted home to apparently give the Swiss an undeserved victory. Earlier Blerim Dzemaili had thumped home in the first half to give Switzerland the lead against the run-of-play in the 31st minute against the team who finished bottom of Group E. That goal was cancelled out by Kendall Waston's header in the 56th minute, the central Americans first goal of the tournament. The draw ensured Switzerland finished second in the group behind Brazil. But Switzerland will be left counting the cost after yellow cards for experienced defenders Lichtsteiner and Fabian Schaer ...
World Cup: Switzerland qualify for round of 16 after 2-2 draw with Costa Rica
Switzerland sailed into the knockouts stages of the FIFA World Cup after playing out a thrilling 2-2 draw with Costa Rica in a Group E clash here on Wednesday.
World Cup: Germany crash out, Sweden top Group F (Roundup)
Defending champions Germany crashed out of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in the group stage after South Korea stunned the European powerhouse with a 2-0 victory in their final Group F contest here on Wednesday.
Germany knocked out as Mexico and Sweden qualify for the knockouts
World Champions Germany spectacularly crashed out of the Group stage of the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2018 as Video Assistant Referee (VAR) helped South Korea to a 2-0 scoreline to finish Die Mannschaft's hopes of retaining their crown.This continues the trend of reigning World Cup champions failing to make it to the knockout rounds in recent editions, with Germany becoming the third successive champions after Spain (winners in 2010) and Italy (winners in 2006) to be eliminated from the group stage.Buoyed by their last-gasp 2-1 victory over Sweden on Saturday, the Germans needed the three points for their qualification hopes to be secure, however, a much-changed side from Saturday failed to break down the South Korean resistance, while the Swedes, courtesy of an emphatic 3-0 victory over Mexico, progressed at the champions' cost.South Korea, having been eliminated after a 2-1 defeat to Mexico, started the game with a spring in their step and mounted pressure on the Germans both on and ...
Hima bags gold; books Asiad berth on Day 2 of NISSAC
Local favourite and brand ambassador of the 58th National Inter State Senior Athletics Championships Hima Das on Wednesday lived to her billing to clinch the gold in women's 200m race in a meet record-equalling time of 23.10 seconds and book a ticket for the upcoming Asian Games.
All-round India hammer Ireland by 76 runs in first T20I
India rode on an all-round effort to kick off their English summer with a 76-run thrashing of minnows Ireland in the first of the two-match T20I series here on Wednesday.
India thrash Ireland by ... runs in opening T20 Int'l
India set themselves up nicely for the sterner tests ahead with a dominant performance as they outclassed Ireland by a whopping 76 runs in the opening T20 International, here today. Dubbed as dress rehearsal for the marquee England series, the formidable Indian team outbatted the opposition scoring an imposing 208 for five, courtesy openers Rohit Sharma (97 off 61 balls) and Shikhar Dhawan (74 off 45 balls). In reply, Ireland could only manage 132/9 in 20 overs despite a breezy innings of 60 off 35 balls by opener James Shannon. Irish batsmen didn't have a clue how to play chinaman Kuldeep Yadav (4/21 in 4 overs). His partner in crime Yuzvendra Chahal was hit for four sixes but eventually ended with improved figures of 3 for 38 in his four over spell. As Kuldeep-Chahal ran through the top and middle-order, the rest of the batsmen were incapable of making a match of it. Such was their plight that save Shannon, none of the other home team batsman scored above 15. Bhuvneshwar Kumar (0/16
Kabaddi Masters: Pakistan beat Kenya to seal last semis spot
Pakistan secured the last semi-final spot, defeating Kenya 42-20 in the last Group A match of the Kabaddi Masters at the Al Wasl Sports club here on Wednesday.