Page 1514 - Sports
Indian hockey eves look for winning start against Spain
The Indian women's hockey team will look to kickstart their five-match bilateral series against Spain on a winning note when they will lock horns with the hosts in the opening match here at the Consejo Superior de Deportes Hockey Stadium on Tuesday.The World No. 10 team will be led by captain Rani Rampal, who has returned to the team after having been rested for the recently-concluded 5th Women's Asian Champions Trophy held in South Korea.The visitors have picked a full-strength squad as they look to build momentum ahead of the Hockey Women's World Cup London 2018.In the recently-concluded Asian Champions Trophy, the Indian team had to settle for a silver medal after losing 0-1 to South Korea in the final match.It should be noted that the Spain tour is a part of the Rani-led team's preparations for the World Cup, which is slated to be held from July 21 and will run till August 5 in London.
World Cup: Senegal aim to attack, recapture spirit of 2002
When Senegal kick off their FIFA World Cup campaign against Poland on June 19, the Africans will be looking to repeat the heroics of the 2002 team who failed to make the semi-finals after losing to Turkey in the quarter-finals in extra time.
Defender Fernandes has no regrets about Brazil-Russia switch
Russia's Brazilian-born defender Mario Fernandes has said that he has no regrets about switching his national allegiance despite Brazil's problems at the right-back position.
Freiburg's Grifo rejoins Hoffenheim
Midfielder Vincenzo Grifo has transfered from SC Freiburg to league rivals TSG 1899 Hoffenheim with immediate effect, both Bundesliga clubs have announced.
Monchengladbach snap up youngster Muesel
Borussia Monchengladbach have wrapped up the signing of young striker Torben Muesel from lower league side Kaiserslautern, the German top division football club have announced.
Poor standards, lack of exposure keep Indian football refereeing down
Poor standards and lack of sufficient exposure are the major reasons Indian referees have failed to make the cut for the World Cup since Komaleswaran Sankar broke new ground by officiating at soccer's showpiece event 16 years back, feel experts.
Buttons fly in Brazilian tabletop football game
The ball goes right over the defenders and into the corner of the net. Goal for Zidane! Well, at least a goal for a little plastic disk with the French football legend's name on it. Welcome to the wacky world of button football. Brazil is just as much a powerhouse in this form of the beautiful game as the regular kind played on a field. Players stand at a special table, each with a team of 11 plastic disks about the size of poker chips. Competitors then take turns to use a separate piece, shaped like a guitar pick, to flick their players, which then strike a small ball around the field. The result can be engrossing, involving tactics, luck and no doubt a few stars. Alexandre Cerqueira Gil, who was playing "Zinedine Zidane," goes every Saturday morning to meet fellow button football aficionados for pick-up games in Rio de Janeiro's atmospheric Sao Salvador square. "We manage to recreate most of the situations you get in football," said Gil, a 54-year-old lawyer. The game is played all
Germany set to jet in to Russia as Belgium turn on the style
Reigning champions Germany are set to arrive in Russia on Tuesday to join the World Cup party as Belgium served notice of their threat with a dazzling display in their final warm-up match. Gareth Southgate's youthful England team are also due to touch down as anticipation mounts ahead of Thursday's opening fixture in Moscow between host nation Russia and Saudi Arabia. But before the action on the pitch gets under way, FIFA members have the weighty matter of choosing whether to award the 2026 World Cup to North America or Morocco. Germany, who beat Argentina in the final in Brazil four years ago, are aiming to join Brazil as five-times winners of the trophy but there are questions over their form coming into the tournament. Joachim Loew's side went five games without a win before labouring to a 2-1 victory over Saudi Arabia in their final warm-up in Leverkusen on Friday and first-choice goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has hardly played since September. But the Germans have made at least the ..
No filter: Moscow leads quest to show Russia in new light
From the tree-lined grand boulevards to its ornate underground train stations, to the monolithic-looking suburbs, Moscow is illuminating and Moscovites are at the forefront of a quest to show Russia "in a new light", unfiltered by news stories. They are eager to show their breathtakingly beautiful city to the world, befittingly enough, through the 'Beautiful Game's' quadrennial showpiece. For some, the 2018 FIFA World Cup, starting Thursday, is President Vladimir Putin's equivalent of China's 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. And the hosts are waiting for their guests as they seek to present their motherland in a different light, without the Soviet era stereotypes, without the haunting stories of the past, told and retold by her adversaries to define the country, whose map was torn apart by history. "FIFA World Cup means people from all over the world will converge here. They will stay here and know about Russia and go back with a different image. The perception will change and the ...
Indian hockey coach demands improvement in food, hygiene conditions at SAI
Harendra Singh, chief coach of the Indian men's hockey team, has written a letter to Hockey India complaining about the poor quality of food and hygiene level at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) center in Bengaluru."I would like to bring to your kind notice that food quality at Bangalore SAI center has been well below par with a professional unit - excessive oil and fat throughout, bones with lack of meats. Moreover insects, bugs and hair were also found in the food. Sir, I would also like to inform you that hygiene part has also been neglected," Harendra wrote in his mail.Harendra further revealed that they had conducted blood tests of all 48 athletes-- who are currently training at SAI centre in Bengaluru ahead of the Champions Trophy-- and that the results have revealed a food-related deficiency in some of the players."The kitchen utensils which are used to prepare food are unhealthy. We are preparing for the upcoming Champions Trophy, Asian Games and World Cup. It is vital for .
Mickelson urges fair US Open test, not 'carnival golf'
Phil Mickelson was almost gushing in his praise of Shinnecock Hills on Monday, but that doesn't mean the five-time major winner backs all of the changes at the historic course hosting the US Open this week. Shinnecock will play 449 yards longer than it did when it hosted the 2004 US Open. Mickelson likes the added length at the par-four 14th, but isn't a fan of the lengthened par-five 16th. "I like to make the hard holes harder and the easy holes easier," Mickelson said. "So when they take 14, which is a very hard par-four, and they make it harder and move the tee back, I actually like that a lot because it allows for the players that are playing well to make up strokes on the field by making pars." Lengthening 16 is a different matter, he said. "It's one of very few birdie opportunities," Mickelson said. "And to move the tee back to 620 yards, which is the total MO of the USGA, they do it every course, I don't agree with. "I think we should have some birdie opportunities. And to ...
FIFA to choose between North America or Morocco for 2026 World Cup
FIFA members will decide on Wednesday whether the 2026 World Cup should be played in North America or return to Africa for just the second time, in Morocco. The choice is clear -- between a slick bid based on gleaming stadiums in the United States, Mexico and Canada or an ambitious attempt from Morocco based on as-yet largely unbuilt facilities. On the eve of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, 207 FIFA member nations will cast their vote in a congress of world football's governing body. Morocco's bid for 2026 was only cleared to advance to the runoff vote earlier this month, despite a FIFA evaluation report which classified the north African nation's stadia, accommodation and transport as "high risk." The report left the US-Canada-Mexico bid as the clear front-runner after giving it a rating of four out of a possible five. Morocco received only 2.7 out of five, but advanced despite red flags being raised over several critical components of the bid. A FIFA summary of the bid task force's ...
Bairstow says England can cope with No.1 tag as new-look Australia await
Jonny Bairstow has insisted England can cope with the pressure of being the world's top-ranked one-day international side as they head into a five-match series against Australia on the back of a shock six-run defeat by Scotland. Sunday's stunning reverse in Edinburgh was England's first match since rising to the top of the global ODI rankings. But despite Bairstow becoming the first England batsman to score ODI hundreds in three successive innings, England failed to chase down a target of 372 after a superb 140 not out by Calum MacLeod laid the platform for Scotland's stunning win. Defeat raised questions about the ability of England, who have never lifted the World Cup, to win 'one-off' clashes but Bairstow said Eoin Morgan's men could handle everything that came with being top of the rankings . "It's part and parcel of the game," he explained. "You get to number one and people are going to want to beat you, but you want to be number one in the world. "We set our stall out to be ...
Brilliant Belgium rip into Costa Rica
A powerful brace from Romelu Lukaku and a glittering performance from Eden Hazard saw Belgium beat Costa Rica 4-1 in Brussels in their final World Cup warm up on Monday. But Belgium fans will have watched in horror as Hazard, showing great form lately, limped off in the 70th minute. His teammates later dispelled any fears of lasting damage to the diminutive Chelsea forward. "I'm not too worried about Eden, he's a tough guy. He gets kicked all the time, but soon gets over it," said Lukaku after the game. Coach Roberto Martinez's multi-talented Red Devils were just too much for Costa Rica, who opened brightly and even took the lead through Brian Ruiz with a slick finish after some early pressure from the visitors. But the side that beat Egypt 3-0 last week, with a world-class Hazard pulling the strings, was 2-1 up by half-time thanks to finishes from Dries Mertens and Lukaku. The giant Manchester United target man got his second with a powerful header after running into space with great
Steyn to play test-series against Sri Lanka
South Africa's wrist spinner Dale Steyn, is back to the Proteas squad, after recovering from his heel injury that he sustained during a test match against India at Newlands.Steyn will play two-match series against Sri Lanka in July, as his name was announced in the 15-player squad on Monday.This will be the second test match series to be played by Steyn after he played against Australia at the Adelaide Oval in 2016.Cricket South Africa (CSA) National Selection Panel (NSC) convener Linda Zondi welcomed Steyn back in the team.News 24 quoted Zondi as saying, "It is very welcome news to have Dale back in our pack of world-class seamers, particularly in view of the retirement of Morne Morkel."Further, Kagiso Rabada also made a complete recovery from his injury by the end of the Australian Test series.Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Quinton de Kock, Von Berg have also been selected in the squad."A key factor in our selection process was to cover all our bases and all possible conditions ..
Meerut DM gives 4.5 lakh cheque to shooter Priya Singh
The Meerut District Magistrate on Monday gave a cheque of Rs 4.5 lakh to Indian Shooter Priya Singh to help her participate in International Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF) Junior World Cup in Germany.Earlier, Singh had written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking monetary aid for travel and accommodation in Germany to represent India in 50m rifle prone.Expressing happiness after getting the financial help, Priya told ANI, "My aim is to win the gold medal and make my country proud. I am thankful to ANI for helping me. I would like to thank Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for the help he has extended."Earlier, Adityanath had sanctioned Rs 4.5 lakh for the 19-year-old shooter and also directed the District Magistrate to make all necessary arrangements for her travels.The daughter of a Dalit labourer from Meerut, Priya was one of six candidates selected for the 50-meter rifle prone ISSF Junior World Cup scheduled to be held in Suhl, Germany from .
US sanctions force Nike to drop Iran boot deal ahead of World Cup
US sporting goods giant Nike confirmed today it had stopped supplying Iran's football team with boots ahead of the World Cup due to sanctions. A statement from Nike said the company was forbidden from supplying kit to the Iranian team as it prepares for its opening World Cup game. "US sanctions mean that, as a US company, Nike cannot supply shoes to players in the Iranian National team at this time," Nike said. "Sanctions applicable to NIKE have been in place for many years and are enforceable by law." An ESPN report from Moscow said the Nike decision had left Iranian football officials baffled, noting that the US company had supplied the team at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil when similar sanctions were in effect. Iran coach Carlos Queiroz expressed frustration at the decision. "Players get used to their sports equipment, and it's not right to change them a week before such important matches," ESPN quoted Queiroz as saying. The ESPN report said Iran's players had responded to the ...
Iceland's Russian legion 'coming home' for World Cup
For a trio of Russia-based Iceland players, the World Cup means a return to familiar territory and welcome support from fans in their adopted "home" city of Rostov. Defenders Ragnar Sigurdsson and Sverrir Ingason, and striker Bjorn Sigurdarson, all play for Russian top-flight side FC Rostov, whose stadium hosts the third of Iceland's group D ties, against Croatia. "For us the World Cup is a little bit like coming home," Sigurdsson told AFP before a training session Monday at the team's Black Sea coast base near Gelendzhik. Drawn in a tough group alongside Argentina, Nigeria as well as the Croats, tiny Iceland, the smallest country ever to play at a World Cup, face a daunting challenge to match their Euro 2016 fairytale, where they reached the quarter-finals. Sigurdsson, a 31-year-old defensive lynchpin who scored against England at the Euros, said their experience of Russia will come in handy. "It will be like us having home advantage for the Croatia game. We know the city and stadium
Batting down the order in IPL was like quicksand for me: Dhoni
Inspirational skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who guided Chennai Super Kings to their third IPL title triumph this year, today said he was determined to bat up the order as coming in the lower half was akin to being in quicksand for him. On the wrong side of 30s, Dhoni said he needed to focus on his fitness to bat up the order in the IPL to give himself more time to win matches. "Fitness part started a few years back, when I left Test cricket, when it comes to this IPL (consciousness about fitness) started the day we sat to make our team. I was sure in my mind that I wanted to bat up the order, because with age, me batting down the order was like quick sand," he said on the sidelines of Star Reimagine Awards. "I wanted to make it sure that I wanted to take the responsibility of winning the game, but I was coming so down the order, that I was not giving time to myself." The former India skipper said he wanted to make a team which bats deep. "So it was more like quick sand, the more I ...
Yuki knocked out of Libema Open
India's top singles player Yuki Bhambri crashed out of the ATP Libema Open following a straight set defeat at the hands of world number 52 Daniil Medvedeav. Unseeded Yuki lost 4-6 1-6 to his Russian opponent in 64 minutes in his opening round of the Euro 686,080 grass court event at s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands. Medvedev had won his maiden ATP World Tour singles title in January this year at Sydney International.