Page 1484 - Sports
Low turnout but warm welcome for England in Volgograd
England fans arriving in the Russian city of Volgograd today for their team's first World Cup fixture received a warm welcome, despite ice-cold relations between the two countries and the memory of violence at Euro 2016. Turnout for the side was expected to be low for the match, with less than 2,000 tickets sold to fans coming from Britain, according to England's Football Supporters' Federation. Gareth Southgate's men will take on Tunisia in the southern city formerly known as Stalingrad, site of World War II's bloodiest battle where almost two million people lost their lives. The draw comes as ties between Moscow and London reach lows not seen since the Cold War, following the poisoning of the former double agent Sergei Skripal along with his daughter in England, as well as accusations of Russian interference in the Brexit referendum. But London-born Camilla Croxton, in Russia for the first time for the tournament, had only kind words for the country and the locals she had met. "I ...
Stuttgart win, a great comeback for me: Federer
Swiss tennis maestro Roger Federer, who has recently regained top spot in the latest ATP rankings, believes the victory over Milos Raonic in the finals of the Stuttgart Open is a great comeback for him and that he is really satisfied with his performance.The 36-year-old continued his rich vein of form as he stunned his Canadian opponent Raonic 6-4, 7-6 in the summit showdown of the Stuttgart Open to clinch 98th title of his career.Ecstatic with his performance, Federer looked content with his performance throughout the tournament and said that it was a great final match from his side."I'm really happy. I thought it was a good final from my side. I think I played very well throughout the tournament, actually, having not played for a while. It's a great comeback for me," ATP quoted Federer as saying."Maybe I was a little bit better on the bigger points. Of course, I'm so happy to have won here, finally, in Stuttgart," he added.The twenty-time Grand Slam champion, who surged to the top ..
ISL 2018-19: FC Goa sign Lenny Rodrigues
FC Goa have announced the signing of Bengaluru FC midfielder Lenny Rodrigues ahead of the upcoming season of the Indian Super League (ISL)."It feels great to be back home and back to where it all started for me. I'm absolutely buzzing to play for a club like FC Goa and I cannot wait for the season to get started," said Lenny on signing his contract.The 31-year-old Goan started his career in Goa with Fransa-Pax and developed further at Goan heavyweight clubs Salgaocar FC and Churchill Brothers SC.He went on to represent the senior team of Churchill Brothers from 2008 to 2014 before moving to ISL franchise FC Pune City.After a couple of loan spells at Dempo SC, Mohun Bagan SC and Bengaluru FC, the talented central midfielder made a permanent move to the ISL runners-up from last season, Bengaluru FC.Lenny has also been a regular in the Indian national team, making his debut in February 2012 against Oman. The lanky midfielder has finally returned to Goa and will be a Gaur with FC Goa ...
Asian Games more competitive than Commonwealth Games: Ponappa
Ashwini Ponnappa is eyeing a podium finish at the upcoming Asian Games but the ace shuttler conceded that the Continental games are more competitive than the Commonwealth Games with some top badminton nations in the fray. Ponappa, a Red Bull athlete, had played a crucial role in the India winning its first ever gold medal in a team event at the Commonwealth Games early this year. "At the international level there are no easy games as every team has quality players but yes Asian Games are more competitive than the Commonwealth games as the top-badminton nations like China, Japan, Korea, Indonesia and Thailand are a part of it," the 28-year-old shuttler, who plays doubles, told PTI. Asian Games are scheduled to be held in Indonesia from August 18 to September 2 in Jakarta and Palembang. "It would be a great challenge to compete against these teams as it would test our skills, speed and endurance. We aim to put our best foot forward and look for a podium finish in the Asian Games," ...
CT will be reality check for us ahead of hockey WC, says captain Sreejesh
Indian men's hockey team captain PR Sreejesh says the upcoming FIH Champions Trophy, which will feature all the top teams of the world, could provide a reality check ahead of the season-ending World Cup. Having finished second best in the last edition, Indian men's hockey team would want to go one step ahead this time, but Sreejesh is looking at the event in a different way. The 18-member Indian team will leave for Breda, Netherlands later tonight to take part in the last edition of the Champions Trophy, to be held from June 23 to July 1. With hosts The Netherlands, Argentina, Pakistan, Belgium and defending champions Australia in the fray, the tournament will be a litmus test for India ahead of the World Cup, to be held in Bhubaneswar later this year. "Though right now our immediate goal is to do well in this tournament, there is no doubt the Champions Trophy will be a reality check for us to see where we stand among other top teams especially ahead of the World Cup," said Sreejesh .
Russia 'know how to stop' Egypt's Salah
Russia coach Stanislav Cherchesov says the World Cup hosts have figured out a way to reign in Egypt's striker Mohamed Salah tomorrow in Saint Petersburg. The 26-year-old has scored 44 goals in a sensational first season for Liverpool and is keen to make his debut after missing the Pharaohs' 1-0 opening game loss to Uruguay with a shoulder injury. Salah's name has been creeping into conversations often since Russia's 5-0 thumping of Saudi Arabia in Thursday's tournament curtain-raiser. But Cherchesov said he was not particularly concerned. "We know how to play against him," the Russia coach said after the team's morning training session. "We are ready to stop Salah and we will." The bold promise highlights a new swagger that had been missing from the host nation's team for much of the past year. Russia's convincing win over the Saudis was preceded by a seven-match winless streak and a spate of injuries that wiped out almost the entire defencive line. But the men in red are now on the ..
Sri Lanka gets Australian help to fight doping in sports
Sri Lanka has launched a joint effort with Australia's anti-doping agency to tackle drug cheats, including athletes using traditional medicines to hide banned substances, officials said today. The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) will give technical expertise and eventually carry out joint research into doping, officials said. "It is critical that we develop our capacities together, we learn from each other and we join forces in the fight against doping," ASADA chief David Sharp told reporters in Colombo. Sri Lankan sports authorities are particularly interested in traditional Ayurveda preparations used by some athletes in the island of 21 million. In 2010 Sri Lankan boxer Manju Wanniarachchi blamed an Ayurveda mixture after he tested positive for a banned steroid and was stripped of his Commonwealth gold medal. Sri Lankan authorities rejected his explanation. Sri Lanka's anti-doping chief Arjuna de Silva said on the sidelines of a two-day Asia-Pacific doping summit in .
Migrants lead cricket charge in Sweden
Wooden bats and red balls are taking over Sweden's fields: cricket is booming in the Scandinavian country thanks to Afghan and Pakistani migrants who've found a way to reconnect with their roots. In a country where ice hockey reigns supreme, cricket was barely seen here 10 years ago. But it has exploded in popularity recently and now boasts 65 teams in towns across Sweden. "Three or four years ago, we had only 13 clubs in Sweden and the number of players was around 600 or 700," said Tariq Zuwak, chairman of the Swedish Cricket Federation. With four divisions, the federation now counts more than 2,000 players: half have acquired Swedish citizenship, the other half are still waiting. Just a handful of members were born in Sweden. With the visor of his cap shading his eyes from the sun, his face showing signs of exertion after a match, 18-year-old Saeed Ahmed is one of the recently arrived players. He began playing cricket as a young boy in his native Afghanistan. Arriving in Sweden in ..
Koreas to form joint teams at Asian Games
North and South Korea agreed today to form unified teams for some sports at the upcoming Asian Games -- a move which highlights the rapprochement on the peninsula that begin with the Winter Olympics. At their historic summit in April, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in had agreed to joint participation in "international sports events such as the 2018 Asian Games". Officials from the two Koreas met at the border truce village of Panmunjom on Monday and reached several agreements aimed at strengthening sporting ties. "The South and the North agreed to march together at the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2018 Asian Games... and to form joint teams for certain sports," said a joint Seoul-Pyongyang statement released by the South's sports ministry. The games will be held in the Indonesian capital Jakarta and in Palembang from August 18 to September 2. The athletes from the Koreas will march under a neutral Korean peninsula flag and under the ...
Injured Woakes, Stokes out of remaining Australia ODIs
England all-rounder Chris Woakes has been ruled out of the rest of the ongoing five-match ODI series against Australia due to a chronic knee injury.The 29-year-old sustained the injury in his right quad during his side's 38-run win over Pakistan in the second ODI at the Sophia Gardens in Leeds.The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) recently confirmed that "the injury was caused in part by a flare-up of a chronic right knee problem."Though England could not specify the date of his return, Woakes would miss the remaining matches against Australia and the subsequent T20I series against India."He has had an injection for the knee issue last Monday and will now undertake rehabilitation and conditioning programme to address both injuries. A date for return cannot be specified at this stage, but he will not be available before the India Royal London ODI series," the ECB said.The all-rounder, who has been managing knee problems since undergoing a surgery in 2015, was earlier forced to miss
Golfer Koepka carves out US Open win
US golfer Brooks Koepka won his second consecutive US Open title at the Shinnecock Hills Golf Course here on Sunday.
ATK appoint Coppell as head coach for upcoming ISL
Two-time winners ATK have signed English World Cup player Steve Coppell as the head coach for the upcoming season of Indian Super League. Coppell has had an illustrious career as a right winger for both and his club, Manchester United. The 62-year old Coppell has been the manager for English clubs such as Crystal Palace and Reading, achieving major success with them. He has also managed clubs such as Manchester City, Bristol City, Brighton & Hove Albion, and Brentford. Coppell is not new to ISL and has previously been manager for Kerala Blasters and Jamshedpur FC. "It has been our effort to build an experienced and balanced side, which will be enhanced with Coppell joining the squad this season. I am hopeful Steve will lead the way for ATK with his unique strategies and his enthusiasm," owner Sanjiv Goenka said. Coppell said, "ATK has a proud history in the ISL and I hope that with the hard work and skill, we can match the ambitions of our fans and everyone associated with the ...
ISL: FC Goa sign midfielder Lenny Rodrigues
FC Goa have announced the signing of Bengaluru FC midfielder Lenny Rodrigues ahead of the upcoming season of the Indian Super League.
Woakes out of India T20Is, Stokes likely to return
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Monday announced that all-rounders Chris Woakes and Ben Stokes will take no part in the limited-overs series against Australia but indicated that the latter could return in next month's T20 series with India.
ATK appoints Coppell as new head coach
Englishman Steve Coppell was today appointed as the new head coach of two-time Indian Super League champions ATK following their disappointing ninth place finish in the last edition of the tournament. The former Kerala Blasters and Jamshedpur FC coach will succeed Teddy Sheringham, who was sacked midway into last season after a poor string of results, following which technical director Ashley Westwood temporarily managed the team without any success. Star Tottenham signing Robbie Keane was announced as player-cum-manager towards the end of the season as ATK ended the season ninth on the table with 16 points from 18 games. Keane led his team to the round-of-16 at the Super Cup, where they suffered defeat at the hands of FC Goa. The 62-year old Coppell guided Kerala Blasters to the finals of the 2016 edition, and last season he took charge of debutants Jamshedpur FC who ended fifth in the standings. Known for his defense-oriented strategy, Coppell ensured that Jamshedpur FC had one of ..
ISL: ATK rope in Coppell as head coach for upcoming season
Two-time Indian Super League (ISL) champions ATK on Monday announced the appointment of former Jamshedpur FC and Kerala Blasters head coach Steve Coppell for the upcoming season.
Marquez grabs podium in Catalunya, Pedrosa finishes fifth
Four-time MotoGP champion Marc Marquez grabbed a second-place finish in the Catalunya Grand Prix in Spain, which enabled him to extend his championship lead to 27 points over runner-up Valentino Rossi. With a great start, Marc got into and through the first turn ahead of Jorge Lorenzo, who passed him on the following lap. Marc, outside of two non-point-scoring finishes, has so far never finished worse than second this season, and stuck to the countryman for the first 9 laps of the race, looking for a chance to fight for the win. After realising that it was too risky maintaining Lorenzo's pace, he settled for the 20 points and a second-place position. After a good start from the fourth row, Dani Pedrosa was able to maintain a decent pace despite struggling with a lack of grip, defending the fifth position over Maverick Vinales on the final lap. Marc said, "It was a race where we had to manage as best as possible and I tried to be smart. Of course in the first laps I pushed hard because
Swiss expose cracks in Brazilian side, but all is not lost (Analysis)
It began so promisingly for Brazil as a curling Philippe Coutinho strike from distance sent the green and gold masses into raptures during their FIFA Word Cup Group E match against Switzerland. But there was little more to celebrate for the hordes of Brazilian football fans who made the trip to the southwestern Russian port city of Rostov-on-Don on Sunday.
Layún lauds Mexico's victory over Germany as historic
Mexico left-back Miguel Layún on Monday billed his national football team's 1-0 victory over defending World Cup champion Germany in their opening group stage game in Russia as historic but warned against complacency.
Global anti-doping conference gets underway in Sri Lanka
A global anti-doping intergovernmental ministerial meeting got underway in Sri Lanka's capital on Monday, in order to discuss ways of freeing national and international level athletes from prohibited substances.