Page 1460 - Sports
Pele memories live on as Honda embraces 'final' World Cup
Japan icon Keisuke Honda's dream of winning the World Cup began when, as a six-year-old, his father showed him footage of Brazilian legend Pele on an old VCR. And although restricted to a substitute appearance so far in what is his third, and almost certainly final campaign, the former AC Milan star has not given up on that unlikely dream becoming reality. "I'm feeling that this World Cup is my final one," Honda said at the team's training base in Kazan on Friday. "I'm 32 years old and four years is pretty long. Right now I can't decide about (what will happen) four years later, so I'm spending all my energy on this World Cup. "That's why I really want to succeed at this World Cup, with these teammates." Honda, who came on for the last 20 minutes of Japan's 2-1 win over 10-man Colombia -- the first for an Asian team over South American opponents -- will be hoping for more when the Blue Samurai host Senegal in Yekaterinburg on Sunday. With both sides sharing top spot in Group H after ..
'Racist' tweet could inspire Senegal in World Cup showdown
Senegal face Japan tomorrow at the World Cup fired up by an "ignorant" tweet by a British tycoon and reality television star that has become the talk of the team. Along with Nigeria, a powerful Senegal side spearheaded by Liverpool striker Sadio Mane are flying the flag for Africa in Russia. After battling to a 2-1 opening win over Poland in Group H, Aliou Cisse's Senegal can take a major step towards the last 16 with victory over Japan in Yekaterinburg. They unwittingly found themselves at the centre of a Twitter storm this week after businessman Alan Sugar tweeted a picture of the Senegal team with the caption, "I recognise some of these guys from the beach in Marbella". Alongside the picture, the billionaire Briton posted images of sunglasses and handbags for sale. The Apprentice presenter took down the post and later apologised after being accused of racism, but the incident angered Senegal and could serve to further inspire them against Japan. Ndongo Ndiaye, a former basketball ..
Japan defeat hands Falcao a Polish date with destiny
Radamel Falcao was a notable absentee from the 2014 World Cup when James Rodriguez's six-goal haul carried Colombia to a historic quarter-final finish. Now, at the age of 32, it is the Monaco striker's chance to shine. The question is: can the Colombia captain shoulder the huge burden of relaunching Los Cafeteros (the Coffee Makers) following a shock 2-1 defeat to Japan that has made their final Group H games against Poland and Senegal must-win encounters? Colombia face Poland in Kazan tomorrow, when a second defeat for Jose Pekerman's technically-gifted side would spell national disaster. "Today, we are in a situation in which we are forced to win. And we must do everything possible to win," Falcao said at Colombia's training base in Sviyazhsk just outside Kazan. "We are now facing two teams who need to win, so for us these games will be like finals. It's them or us." Cruelly deprived of competing in Brazil by a horrific knee injury, Falcao watched from the sidelines as James, whose
Swiss coach unimpressed with celebrations in win over Serbia
Swiss coach Vladimir Petkovic said that politics and football should "never mix" after two players celebrated goals in a 2-1 victory over Serbia with political gestures. Xherdan Shaqiri's last minute winner capped an impressive comeback for the Swiss in an eventful Group E encounter in Kaliningrad after Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka levelled following Aleksandar Mitrovic's opener. Both Shaqiri and Xhaka trace their roots back to Kosovo, a former province of Serbia, a fact that stoked tensions before and during Friday's clash. Both Shaqiri and Xhaka pointedly celebrated scoring by making a 'double eagle' gesture with their hands representing the Kosovo flag, viewed as a symbol of defiance. Although the win puts Switzerland in pole position to make it out of a tough group containing five-times winners Brazil, Petkovic was unimpressed with his players' celebrations. "You should never mix politics and football, it's good to be a fan and important to show respect," he told reporters ...
England seek trusty lieutenants to captain Kane
Handed a winning start for the first time in a major tournament for 12 years by captain Harry Kane's injury-time winner against Tunisia, England can look forward to tomorrow's meeting with Panama with a rare sense of World Cup calm. A two-time Premier League Golden Boot winner, Kane banished any remaining doubts over his ability to perform on the biggest stage for his country with the first double by an English player at the World Cup since Gary Lineker in 1990. But Kane's heroics in Volgograd papered over the cracks of his team-mates' failure to find the net with a host of simple first-half chances. Raheem Sterling and Jesse Lingard were particularly culpable and while Kane saved an inquest into England's profligacy and ponderous second-half performance, Sterling's place against Panama may now be in jeopardy. The first media storm of a hitherto relaxed campaign for the Three Lions was brewing on Friday after Gareth Southgate's planned team was inadvertently revealed when assistant ...
Boxing: India sure of winning seven more medals in Germany, Mongolia
Commonwealth Games bronze-medalist Mohammed Hussamuddin (56kg) was among the three Indian boxers to make the semi-finals of the Chemistry Cup in Halle, Germany.In bouts held on Thursday night, Hussamuddin, former national champion Madan Lal (56kg) and debutant Narender (+91kg) advanced to the last-four stage of the competition.Hussamuddin defeated Jordan's Mohammad Alwadi 5-0. Madan, on the other hand, got the better of Slovakian Viliam Tanko by a similar margin. Narender edged past Moldova's Alexei Zavatin 4-0.However, two-time Commonwealth Games medal winner Manoj Kumar (69kg) and Manish Panwar (81kg) bowed out with quarter-final losses.Manoj was beaten by Russia's Andrei Zamkovoi, while Manish lost to Slovakia's Matus Strnisko. Both were defeated by 0-5 margins.Meanwhile, the boxers currently participating n the Ulaanbaatar Cup in Mongolia are also assured of four more medals.Established duo, Shiva Thapa (60kg) and Mandeep Jangra (69kg) along with debutant John Kenty Vanhlimpuia ...
Nadal confident ahead of Wimbledon
Spanish tennis great Rafael Nadal has said he was feeling confident after five days of pre-Wimbledon practice on grass at Santa Ponça Tennis Club, where WTA Tour's Mallorca Open is being held.
Djokovic eases into Queen's Club semi-finals
Serbia's Novak Djokovic has advanced to the semi-finals of the Queen's Club Championships with a routine 7-5, 6-1 victory over Frenchman Adrian Mannarino.
FIFA WC: Shaqiri's last-minute stunner earns Switzerland 2-1 win over Serbia
A last-minute goal from Xherdan Shaqiri earned Switzerland 2-1 win over Serbia in a Group E clash of the ongoing 21st edition of the FIFA World Cup at the Kaliningrad Stadium here on Friday.While Aleksandar Mitrovic gave Serbia a lead in the fifth minute of the game, Switzerland's equaliser came in second half, thanks to a superb long range strike by Granit Xhaka in the 52nd minute.Despite being under pressure following a 1-1 draw against Brazil in their first match of the tournament, the Switzerland team did not lose calm till the last minute in their must win second game.Mitrovic started off well for Switzerland, which looked assured and confident after beating Costa Rica 1-0 in their first game.But their early energy and poise faded and the defeat leaves Mladen Krstajic's team heading into their last Group E game against Brazil knowing only a win can guarantee them a spot in the knockout stages.As an independent nation, Serbia now have lost each of the six World Cup matches in ...
World Cup: Switzerland beat Serbia in Group E clash
A late goal by Xherdan Shaqiri earned Switzerland 2-1 win over Serbia in a Group E clash of the FIFA World Cup at the Kaliningrad Stadium here.
Federer defeats Ebden, advances to Halle semi-finals
Swiss great Roger Federer scrapped his way to a 7-6 (7-2), 7-5 victory over Australia's Matthew Ebden and booked a berth in the semi-finals of the Gerry Weber Open, a Wimbledon tune-up event.
Last gasp Shaqiri seals Swiss win over Serbia in Group E
A last-minute Xherdan Shaqiri breakaway goal has handed Switzerland victory as they came from behind to defeat Serbia 2-1 in Kaliningrad. The win puts Switzerland in pole position to make it out of a tough Group E that contains five-times winners Brazil but they were pushed all the way by the Serbs. It was a sweet victory yesterday for Shaqiri and fellow Swiss goalscorer Granit Xhaka, who along with team-mate Valon Belrami were booed relentlessly by Serbia's fans throughout. Shaqiri, Xhaka and Belrami trace their roots to Kosovo, a former province of Serbia, a fact which had stoked tensions before the match. Both Shaqiri and Xhaka pointedly celebrated their goals by making an eagle gesture with their hands, viewed as a symbol of defiance. Serbia raced out of the blocks, funnelling possession to Southampton winger Dusan Tadic on the right flank, who troubled Switzerland with his crossing all match. An Aleksandar Mitrovic header forced a smart save from Swiss keeper Yann Sommer after ...
World Cup: Switzerland beat Serbia 2-1 in Group E tie
A late goal by Xherdan Shaqiri earned Switzerland 2-1 win over Serbia in a Group E clash of the FIFA World Cup at the Kaliningrad Stadium here.
Neymar sheds 'tears of joy' after defeating Costa Rica
Brazil football star Neymar said the tears he shed following Friday's 2-0 victory here over Costa Rica were an expression of joy and triumph.
Rathore takes dig at Odisha CM for seeking hockey as national sport
Indian Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore on Friday took dig at Odisha Chief Minster Naveen Patnaik who has requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to officially recognise hockey as the country's national game.
India outclass Pakistan in Kabaddi Masters opener
India stood up to their reputation, thrashing Pakistan 36-20 in the opening match of the Kabaddi Masters Dubai at the Al Wasl sports club here on Friday.
World Cup: Inspired Musa keeps Nigeria alive
Two brilliant strikes by Ahmed Musa propelled Nigeria to a 2-0 win over Iceland in a Group D match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup here on Friday.
Neymar hits back at World Cup critics
Neymar rounded on his critics and defended his emotional reaction to scoring in Brazil's 2-0 World Cup win over Costa Rica after he broke down in tears at the final whistle. A largely frustrating afternoon for the five-time world champions was forgotten thanks to two goals in stoppage time. Philippe Coutinho broke the deadlock before Neymar tapped home with virtually the last kick of the game. "Not everyone knows what I went through to get here," he posted on Twitter and Instagram. "Even parrots can talk, but walking the walk... not everyone does it. I cried out of happiness, overcoming, grit and desire to win. Things were never easy in my life, so why would they be now? The dream - no, the OBJECTIVE - is still alive. Congratulations for the performance, guys." The world's most expensive player was making just his fourth appearance after breaking a bone in his foot in February. And Brazil coach Tite admitted the Paris Saint-Germain star is still not fully match-fit. "He needs some ...
Musa's double downs Iceland as Nigeria come alive
Ahmed Musa struck twice to become the first Nigerian to score at two World Cups Friday as the Super Eagles secured a crucial 2-0 win over Iceland, who missed a penalty. The African side will secure a spot in the knockout stage if they beat Argentina on Tuesday in Group D's final round of fixtures. A draw would be enough to eliminate the Argentines but would leave Nigeria's fate hinging on the outcome of Iceland's game against Croatia. Musa, who came into the starting line-up in place of Alex Iwobi, announced himself with two of the goals of the tournament so far. Musa's sweetly struck half-volley fired Nigeria into the lead just after half-time before he added a second with 15 minutes to go to make the Group D game safe. Iceland got a lifeline in the 82nd minute with a VAR-awarded penalty but dead-ball specialist Gylfi Sigurdsson blazed over the bar. With Croatia heading the group on six points Nigeria knew a second defeat would mean elimination and Iceland started brightest after ...
England Lions beat India A comfortably
India A failed to maintain the momentum garnered from emphatic wins in back-to-back warm-up games as a thoroughly professional England A cruised to a seven wicket victory in the opening encounter of the tri-nation A series, here today. Left-handed opener Nick Gubbins anchored the innings to perfection with an unbeaten 128 as Lions chased down a modest target of 233 in only 41.5 overs. Gubbins' innings was studded with 10 boundaries and two sixes. He added 134 for the second wicket with Sam Hain (54) and 61 for the third wicket with Liam Livingstone (27) to finish the match in style. The two Indian spinners -- offie Krishnappa Gowtham (0/51 in 7 overs) and left-arm orthodox Krunal Pandya (0/57 in 8.5 overs) proved to be costly as they leaked runs while defending a small total. Earlier, India A captain Shreyas Iyer opted to bat but unlike warm-up games against second string side, his batsmen couldn't relive the magic. Both openers Prithvi Shaw (7) and Mayank Agarwal (24) were ...