Page 1471 - Sports
Ronaldo aging like 'port wine' at fourth World Cup
Portugal coach Fernando Santos compared Cristiano Ronaldo to a bottle of port, the fortified wine that famously gets better with age, after his latest match-winning goal for his country. Five days after his hat-trick rescued Portugal in an opening 3-3 draw against Spain, Ronaldo's fourth-minute header clinched a 1-0 victory over Group B opponents Morocco in Moscow. Three previous tournaments yielded a return of just three goals for the five-time world player of the year, but Ronaldo is taking Russia by storm after netting four times in two matches. "Cristiano Ronaldo is like a port wine, he changes as he ages," said Santos. "He's constantly evolving, unlike regular players he's always evolving. "He won't be doing the same thing in two or three years and he's not doing what he did four or five years ago. He knows himself well and knows what he needs to do." Ronaldo bagged a staggering 15 goals in European World Cup qualifying as Portugal reeled off nine consecutive wins to seal a fifth
Football frenzy hits sweet spot in Kolkata
As the World Cup frenzy reaches feverish pitch in the alleys and lanes of Kolkata, the confectioners here are set to make the most of the occasion by rolling out FIFA-themed cakes and sweetmeats. From a kheer-made football ground, complete with goal posts and edible figurines of players, to Sandesh dipped in the flag colors of Germany and Argentina, the sweet shops here have spread out a wide array for the soccer-crazy fans of the city. A prominent confectioner, with branches across the city, has set up a giant football stadium with eight to 10kg of 'sandesh' at one of the stores. The players of two rival teams are seen facing each other on the pistachio-sprinkled ground. It took the sweetmeat makers a week to come up with the sandesh-made stadium, said Pompy Mulllick, the owner of the shop. "The stadium has been put on display at one of our stores to draw customers. It is not for sale. A replica of the golden cup, also made of sandesh, has caught the fancy of ...
Neymar returns to training, Brazil guarantees he's ready
Brazil is making sure everyone knows Neymar is perfectly fit at the World Cup. A day after he limped out of training and raised further doubts about his physical condition in Russia, the Brazilian soccer federation was quick to tell the world the team's biggest star was just fine. Brazil had a closed practice session Wednesday, two days before its game against Costa Rica in St. Petersburg, but the federation posted photos and a video of Neymar in action in training with the rest of the squad. "Brazil practicing and Neymar participating normally in the team's activity," the federation said in a Twitter post. One of the photos showed the playmaker touching the ball with his injured right ankle. "Take a look at Neymar practicing in Sochi!" read the post linking to the video which showed the playmaker training without any sign of a limp. The images showed him exchanging passes and making challenges. In a longer version of the video sent to journalists, Neymar took free kicks. "Neymar ...
Youthful Nigeria face tough Iceland test
Nigeria take on Iceland on Friday, seeking to salvage their faltering World Cup campaign but wary of the Nordic team's capacity to go toe to toe with their supposed superiors. Coach Gernot Rohr's Super Eagles -- who brought the youngest squad to Russia, with an average age of around 25 years of age -- have now won just one of their past 13 games at World Cups. Nigeria reached the knockout phase at the 2014 World Cup, but slipped to a 2-0 defeat in their Group D opener against Croatia in Kaliningrad, courtesy of an Oghenekaro Etebo own-goal and a Luka Modric penalty. Their side, including 19-year-old goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, were almost unrecognisable from the team beaten by France in the last 16 four years ago. "Sometimes we were a little bit naive on set pieces but we will work on it," said Rohr. Iceland are buoyant after what their coach Heimir Hallgrimsson described as a "schoolbook example" of how to defend against Lionel Messi's Argentina. Messi complained that "Iceland didn't ..
Neymar fitness cloud lingers as pressure mounts on Brazil
A battered and bruised Neymar will aim to get Brazil's World Cup campaign back on track here Friday as the pre-tournament favourites seek to re-assert their title credentials with victory over Costa Rica. Neymar was given a rough ride in Brazil's disappointing 1-1 draw with Switzerland on Sunday, fouled 10 times during the match, the most for any player in a single World Cup game for 20 years. The world's most expensive player then set alarm bells ringing when he hobbled out of training on Tuesday in full view of the cameras. However, he returned to the training pitch 48 hours ahead of the clash in Saint Petersburg, raising hopes he will feature. Even before his latest setback, there were doubts over Neymar's fitness heading into the World Cup after a three-month layoff. The Switzerland clash was his first competitive game for nearly four months after a broken bone in his right foot ended his club season with Paris Saint-Germain in February. To the frustration of many in the French ...
Australia extends free World Cup airing till June 29
The Australian public broadcaster has said it will continue to air free the Russia World Cup soccer matches to the end of the month, a statement said.
Official proclamation not needed to love hockey: Sports minister
Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore has maintained that for loving hockey no official proclamation is required."For loving sports and hockey, we do not need official proclamation. (Like) now (that) it is (our) national sport so let us start loving it. Even in terms of facilities, hockey is one of the priority sports of our country," Rathore said on Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to officially make hockey India's national sport.He added that he would leave this up to the people who love Hockey whether they would want it to be declared a national sport officially or they would continue to love it even if it remains unofficial.Patnaik has written a letter to Prime Minister Modi, urging him to officially recognise hockey as the national sport of India.As Odisha is all set to host the Hockey World Cup in Bhubaneswar in November this year, Patnaik said that he was shocked to learn that hockey -which is ...
FIFA World Cup: Costa's fluke goal helps Spain win against Iran
Spain defeated Iran with a fantastic 1-0, in a Group B fixture of the FIFA World Cup in Kazan, Russia.Spain made a deserved breakthrough in the 54th minute through Diego Costa and earned the much-needed lead.The destiny Iran had savoured in the first game against Morocco abandoned them.After both the sides played a goalless first half, Spain got it early in the second with Costa breaking the deadlock.Diego Costa knew little about the fluke goal that broke Iran's resistance.The ball found its way into the net after it hit Iran defender Majid Hosseini and then ricocheted off the Atletico forward past Ali Beiranvand.Striker Costa claimed his third goal of the tournament in the 54th minute at Kazan Arena.Following that, the speed of the game went notches high as Iran desperately looked for an equaliser but to no avail.Iran was brilliant in defence for much of the night but also made a number of telling incursions.A goal by Saeid Ezatolahi was ruled out offside after being reviewed by the .
FIFA World Cup: Scrappy Spain ride Costa goal to down gritty Iran 1-0
Diego Costa scored a scrappy second-half winner to help Spain edge past doughty Iran in a key Group B FIFA World Cup game here on Wednesday.
Lucky Costa goal sees Spain past dogged Iran
A lucky Diego Costa goal handed World Cup hopefuls Spain their first win of the World Cup although dogged Iran came close to causing a major upset. The victory in Kazan puts the 2010 winners on course for the last 16. Costa, who scored twice in a 3-3 opening draw with Portugal in Sochi, courted controversy early in the Group B encounter when he stepped on the toes of Iran 'keeper Ali Beiranvand as he waited to kick the ball out. His gesture went unpunished, and the Atletico Madrid striker required another stroke of luck on 54 minutes when his shot came off Ramin Rezaeian to beat Beiranvand after he had been sent through by Andres Iniesta. The entire Iranian bench poured onto the pitch when Saeid Ezatolahi fired an equaliser for the Lions of Persia just before the hour. But the thousands of Iranian supporters that filled the stadiuum with the sound of vuvuzelas throughout were left disappointed when it was ruled out for offside. Spain coach Fernando Hierro welcomed Real Madrid's Dani ..
FIFA World Cup: Spain ride Costa goal to down gritty Iran 1-0
Diego Costa scored a second-half winner to help Spain edge past doughty Iran 1-0 in a key Group B FIFA World Cup 2018 game here on Wednesday.
Suarez's goal books Uruguay's place in FIFA WC knockout rounds
Barcelona striker Luis Suarez's stunning volley in his 100th national game helped Uruguay secure its second win in a row at the ongoing 21st edition of the FIFA World Cup, after they ousted Saudi Arabia with 1-0 win in a group stage match at the Rostov Arena in Rostov-on-Don on Wednesday.Suarez's 23rd minute goal has booked Uruguay's place in the World Cup knockout rounds.This also means that hosts Russia, who have won their opening two Group A matches, are through to the next phase with one fixture to spare, while Egypt and Saudi Arabia are both out of the tournament.The only goal of the game came after a corner from the left was taken by Carlos Sanchez. While Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais miss-timed the ball, Suarez was on hand to knock it inside the nets and become the first Uruguay player to score at three World Cups.With Juan Antonio Pizzi's men unable to create a clear chance, Saudi Arabia are without a win in 12 World Cup matches and in danger of finishing bottom of
Peru coach Gareca vows to overcome mighty France
Peru coach Ricardo Gareca emphasised on Wednesday that his side will do its best to beat France in the World Cup Group C match in Ekaterinburg Arena on Thursday.
Portugal may need change in strategy, says coach Santos
Portugal chief coach Fernando Santos admitted his side might need tactical changes after grinding out a 1-0 victory over Morocco in their World Cup Group B fixture here on Wednesday.
Morocco coach Renard 'proud' of team
Morocco head coach Herve Renard heaped praise on his footballers after the team's 0-1 defeat to Portugal here on Wednesday, a result that all but guarantees the African side's World Cup elimination from the group stage.
Uruguay beat Saudi Arabia to enter pre-quarters
Veteran striker Luis Suarez marked his 100th international with a winning goal as Uruguay defeated Saudi Arabia 1-0 in a Group A clash here on Wednesday to enter the pre-quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup.
Suarez sends Uruguay into last 16 with hosts Russia
Uruguay booked their place in the World Cup knockout stage along with Russia today, as Luis Suarez scored the winner on his 100th international appearance in a 1-0 victory over Saudi Arabia in Rostov-on-Don. The South Americans take on the hosts in their final Group A match on June 25 with top spot on the line, while Egypt and Saudi Arabia have been eliminated after both suffered back-to-back defeats. Russia and Uruguay will face one of the top two from Group B in the last 16 -- either Portugal, Spain or Iran. The 31-year-old Suarez, whose previous two World Cups both ended in bans after his infamous 2010 handball against Ghana and bite on Italy's Giorgio Chiellini four years later, took advantage of a goalkeeping error by Mohammed Al-Owais to put Uruguay ahead midway through the first half. Oscar Tabarez's side missed plenty of opportunities to add further goals, but a toothless Saudi outfit never seriously looked like snatching a point. Uruguay, semi-finalists eight years ago in ...
Mohamed Salah's World Cup bid ends with a whimper
Mohamed Salah's World Cup campaign arguably ended when Egypt's talisman tumbled to the turf in the Champions League final in Kiev on May 26. Uruguay administered the last rites on Wednesday but the Pharaohs already knew the writing was on the wall. Salah returned to action for the first time in three weeks for his side's do-or-die clash with hosts Russia in Saint Petersburg on Tuesday but was a pale imitation of the player who dazzled for Liverpool last season, scoring 44 goals. He did get on the scoresheet late on from the penalty spot in Saint Petersburg but it was too little, too late, with Russia already 3-0 up and steaming towards the last 16. The hosts and Uruguay, both in Group A, became the first two sides into the knockout round today after the South Americans beat Saudi Arabia 1-0 in Rostov. Salah carried his country to their first World Cup since 1990, scoring five of his side's eight goals in the the third qualifying round. But Egyptian excitement that he was appearing on .
Mickelson apologizes for US Open rules violation: report
Five-time major golf champion Phil Mickelson apologized today for hitting a moving ball in Saturday's third round of the US Open in a text message to Golf.com. The 48-year-old left-hander, six times an Open runner-up in the only major he has never won, sent a text message blaming his anger and frustration on a difficult day for his major rules violation. "I know this should've come sooner, but it's taken me a few days to calm down," Mickelson wrote to the website. "My anger and frustration got the best of me last weekend. I'm embarrassed and disappointed by my actions. It was clearly not my finest moment and I'm sorry." The incident took place on the 13th hole at Shinnecock on a blustery day when some players said the US Golf Association "lost the course" trying to make conditions so difficult. Mickelson hit a putt that was going to roll off the 13th green but chased after the ball and hit it back toward the hole while it was still moving. He was given a two-stroke penalty for the ...
Ronaldo says Portugal must improve after Morocco win
Cristiano Ronaldo said Portugal have room to improve at the World Cup after his early goal secured a 1-0 win over Morocco as the European champions edged closer to the last 16. "Our expectation is to continue our work and try to improve in the group phase," Ronaldo said after his fourth-minute strike decided a hard-fought encounter in Moscow. "We're almost there (knockout stages) and then we'll see. We'll take things match after match. We will try to come first in the group." Ronaldo surpassed Hungarian legend Ferenc Puskas as Europe's all-time leading scorer with 85 international goals as Portugal moved top of Group B ahead of Spain's game against Iran in Kazan. "We knew if we lost we could be out," Ronaldo said. "We knew Morocco would be giving their all. "It was a surprise at the start because they were so strong," he added. "I managed to score a goal, it was great for me." Morocco altered their tactics from their 1-0 loss to Iran, deploying a back four to try and counter the ...