Page 1516 - Sports
Robbie Williams to perform at FIFA World cup opening ceremony
Pop icon Robbie Williams will perform at the opening ceremony of 2018 edition of FIFA World Cup along with Russian operatic soprano, Aida Garifullina.The star confirmed the news as he tweeted, "Very excited to be returning to Russia to perform at the opening of the @FIFAWorldCup - tune in early on Thursday for an unforgettable show! #WorldCup."In no time, excited fans showered their love on Twitter.A fan wrote, "#worldcup just got better."Sharing the excitement, a user wrote, "I knew @robbiewilliams would be involved in this #WorldCup one way or another! It was pretty much a certainty after the hit single 'Party Like A Russian' was released in September 2016... #PartyLikeARussian."Another fan wrote, "If ever there was a reason to watch the opening ceremony."The FIFA World Cup, often regarded as the biggest football tournament in the world, will begin on June 14 till July 15.The Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) 2018 World Cup will be hosted by Russia.
Indian hockey eves optimistic about Spain tour
The Indian women's hockey team will look to begin their Spain Tour on the winning note when they face the hosts in the opening match of the five-match series here at the Consejo Superior de Deportes Hockey Stadium on Tuesday.The World No. 10 team will be led by captain Rani, 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.The Indian team had finished with a silver medal at the 5th Women's Asian Champions Trophy after having lost the final match to the hosts 0-1.India's attackers were in fine form at the tournament as Navneet Kaur and Vandana Katariya finished as the joint top goal-scorers of the tournament with three goals apiece.However, Chief Coach Sjoerd Marijne wants his team to focus on keeping a tight structure in order to stop the opposition from scoring.He said, ...
Intercontinental Cup: Kohli, Big B laud football team's win
Several sporting and entertainment personalities, including Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli and Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan led the congratulatory messages for the triumphant football team which beat Kenya 2-0 to win the Intercontinental Cup here on Sunday.
De Gea demands public apology from Spanish PM
Spain goalkeeper David de Gea has demanded a "public apology" from Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez over comments he made in connection with a false 2016 sex slur. Socialist leader Sanchez, who took over as prime minister earlier this month after conservative Mariano Rajoy lost a vote of confidence, criticised De Gea two years ago amid sexual assault claims against the Manchester United player. At the time Sanchez said he did not "feel comfortable with De Gea as the national team's goalkeeper". Last week, when Sanchez came to see the Spanish team off ahead of the World Cup in Russia, De Gea was pictured with his hands in his pockets, remaining on the fringes of the group as teammates applauded the premier's arrival. "I accepted his apologies politely," Spanish media quoted the goalkeeper as saying. "The thing is, though, that what he said at the time was in public so I think his apologies should also be made publicly." Sanchez made his comment after a woman accused De Gea of organising a .
Australia talk up chances against fancied France
Socceroos goalkeeper Mat Ryan has warned France that a new, improved Australia team are plotting an early World Cup shock when the sides meet in Kazan on Saturday. "Come the France game, we're going to be ready... and giving ourselves opportunities to win this game," the Brighton stopper warned. "We can't wait for Saturday." Barely a day after arriving in Kazan, Aussie confidence could be mistaken for the adverse effects of jetlag. But Bert van Marwijk's side, fresh from two morale-boosting wins over the Czech Republic (4-0) and Hungary (2-1), arrived on a far shorter flight from Turkey. France, who boast "world-class" talent in Antoine Griezmann and Paul Pogba, according to Australia midfielder Massimo Luongo, are among the tournament favourites in Russia alongside Brazil and Germany. But the Euro 2016 finalists have been warned not to take the new, improved and more determined Socceroos too lightly at Kazan Arena. "I read a stat before the Czech game that we hadn't won against a ...
UTT: Sathiyan Gnanasekaran to lead Dabang Smashers TTC
Dabang Smashers Table Tennis Club today announced that paddler Sathiyan Gnanasekaran will be their captain for this year's edition of the Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) that begins in Pune on June 14. Sathiyan will captain a side that includes players like Manika Batra, who won a gold medal in table tennis at the April Commonwealth Games in Australia, and the Japanese duo of Yoshida Masaki and Sakura Mori, a media release issued here said. Young players of the squad include Archana Kamath and Sanish Ambekar and also Adriana Diaz from Puerto Rico. The team will be coached by Sachin Shetty and Romanian Andrei Filimon, it said. "We are confident we can challenge for the title this year. We have the players to do so and we have the mentality to do so as well," Gnanasekaran was quoted as saying in the release. The second season of UTT will be held in Pune, New Delhi and Kolkata from June 14 to July 1, the organisers had earlier announced.
We need to focus on our defensive structure, says Marijne
Indian women's hockey team will need to focus on the defensive structure when it locks horns with hosts Spain in the opening game of the five-match series here tomorrow, said chief coach Sjoerd Marijne. The Indian team had finished with a silver medal at the 5th Asian Champions Trophy after having lost the final match to hosts Korea 0-1. India's attackers were in fine form at the tournament as Navneet Kaur and Vandana Katariya finished as the joint top goal-scorers of the tournament with three goals apiece. Marijne said India need to focus on keeping a tight structure in order to stop the opposition from scoring. "We played very fluent hockey in South Korea and the forwards did a great job. However, these five matches against the Spanish team will help us in organising ourselves better when we don't have possession of the ball," he said. "We will look at our defensive structure, and make sure that we don't concede easy goals against the opposition. If we can manage to defend well, ...
Peru hold first training session in Russia for World Cup
Peru's football team on Monday held its first training session near Moscow in front of hundreds of spectators ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Shami fails Yo-Yo Test, Navdeep Saini gets maiden Test call-up
Troubled India speedster Mohammed Shami today failed the YoYo fitness test, prompting the selectors to summon rookie Delhi speedster Navdeep Saini for the one-off Test against Afghanistan starting June 14. Saini is currently one of the quickest red ball bowlers in domestic circuit and has been touted by many as one for the future after his consistent Ranji Trophy performance in the past two seasons. Saini is part of the four-day set-up of the India A team and is set to travel to UK next month. The 25-year-old has so far played 31 first-class games, taking 96 wickets. "The All-India Senior Selection Committee has named Navdeep Saini as Mohammed Shami's replacement in the Indian Test team for the upcoming Paytm Test against Afghanistan. The announcement came after Mohd. Shami failed to clear the fitness test at NCA, Bengaluru," the BCCI release stated. The Indian team has set a standard parameter of clearing the Yo Yo test, which gives a measure of a player's endurance and fitness. The .
France, Germany making progress on euro zone roadmap: French minister
PARIS (Reuters) - France and Germany are making progress on drawing up a joint roadmap for euro zone reform due later this month, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said on Monday.
Swiss team depart for Russia with eye on opening game vs Brazil
Switzerland's national soccer team jetted off to Russia on Monday, where the players are scheduled to install themselves in the city of Samara, their assigned base for the duration of the FIFA World Cup.
India face Pakistan in Kabaddi Masters Dubai opener
India will take on arch-rivals Pakistan in their campaign opener of the six nation Kabaddi Masters Dubai 2018, starting June 22, an International Kabaddi Federation (IKF) statement announced on Monday.
India, Pakistan set to lock horns in six-nation Kabaddi Masters in Dubai
India and Pakistan are set to renew their rivalry in the six-nation Kabaddi Masters Dubai which will get underway at the Al Wasl Sports Club here from June 22 to 30. India are clubbed with Pakistan with new comers Kenya in group A, while group B features Iran, Republic of Korea and Argentina with top two teams making the semifinals. India will be going up against strong contenders with kabaddi maestros Iran and Republic of Korea successfully proving their prowess in the Asian Games and Kabaddi World Cup. Republic of Korea had beaten India in the 2016 Kabaddi World Cup opener, fuelling India's bid for retribution this time. "Kabaddi Masters Dubai 2018 will give us the chance to go up against the best teams and will go all out to gun for the trophy," India coach Srinivas Reddy said. "A tournament of this stature does well to bring nations together," Muhammad Sarwar Secretary General Pakistan kabaddi Federation said. All eyes would be on football nation Argentina who are new to the sport
ISL 2018-19: FC Pune City retain Emiliano Alfaro
Indian Super League (ISL) club FC Pune City on Monday retained the services of striker Emiliano Alfaro for the 2018-19 season.The Uruguayan joined the club in 2017-18, playing each and every match last season.Speaking on retaining Alfaro, FC Pune City CEO Gaurav Modwel said, "Alfaro has been one of our key core members and a fan favourite too. He clocked almost 90 minutes in every game he played last season and his speed and decision making up-front contributed big time to FC Pune City's historic run to its first ever play-offs. His performance was exemplary and we are glad to have retained his services for the upcoming season."The striker plied his trade as a professional first in his home country's national premier division club Liverpool FC in 2006. He donned the national colours against Italy in a friendly match in 2011 that got Italian club Lazio to pick him.Subsequently, Alfaro spent three seasons with Lazio before joining Uruguayan club Liverpool FC in 2014-15 helping them win .
No comparison with Messi, he is of different level: Chhetri
Indian football men's team captain Sunil Chhetri on Monday ruled out his comparison with star striker Lionel Messi, saying that the Argentinean is of an entirely different level.The 33-year-old equaled Messi's tally of 64 international goals with a stunning brace to help India beat Kenya 2-0 and clinch the Intercontinental Cup at the Mumbai Football Arena on Sunday.Chhetri was impressive throughout the prestigious tournament, having notched up a total of eight goals--including a hat-trick against Chinese Taipei.He smashed two goals against Kenya during his 100th international match, while his one goal came against New Zealand in the last Intercontinental Cup game.On being questioned regarding the statistics, Chhetri told ANI that he doesn't take comparison seriously while adding that he is just satisfied to contribute 64 goals to his country."I don't take the comparison seriously. Messi is of a different level. I'm just happy that I have scored 64 goals for my country," Chhetri ...
It's what happens when breakfast is not on time, Chhetri on viral video
The plea brought about an outpouring of emotion but Sunil Chhetri's detailing of what went into making the video, that had him seek fan support with folded hands, brought the house down here today. Fresh from netting eight goals in the title-winning Intercontinental Cup campaign in Mumbai, Chhetri spoke about his thoughts leading up to the twitter video that got thousands of retweets and lakhs of likes, but more importantly infused new life into Indian football's fandom. "Actually I am ageing. That's why you get these weird kind of thoughts in the morning when you don't get your breakfast on time. And then you post that kind of a video message," Chhetri quipped when asked what was on his mind the day he posted the twitter video that ensured sold out turnouts in the tournament. "Had my PR team got a whiff of it, they wouldn't have allowed me to post that message. Kya karein buddhe ho rahein aur ab shaadi bhi ho gayi hain (What to do, I am getting old and now I am married too)," Chhetri
Steyn returns to South African squad
Much-injured fast bowler Dale Steyn was today named in a 15-man South African squad for two Test matches in Sri Lanka next month. Steyn, who turns 35 on June 27, has missed 27 of South Africa's most recent 32 Test matches. He has been plagued by groin, shoulder and heel problems and was unable to complete the most recent tests he started, against Australia in November 2016 and India in January this year. The South African squad includes three spin bowlers, including uncapped leg-spinner Shaun von Berg, while Steyn is one of four fast bowlers. Steyn is spending a short-term stint with English county Hampshire. In his first match since suffering a heel injury in the first Test against India in January, he took one for 80 in a one-day match against Somerset last week and he claimed two for 91 in the first innings of a current first-class fixture against Sussex. Although South African coach Ottis Gibson has said a fully-fit Steyn would be included in the country's team, Steyn will be ...
Hockey chief coach complains about food quality in SAI Bangalore, IOA draws SAI's attention
Chief coach of Indian men's team Harendra Singh has complained to Hockey India about the sub-standard quality of food and hygiene level at the SAI centre in Bengaluru, where the national team is currently training ahead of the Champions Trophy. Having received the complaint, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President Narinder Batra, who was the former HI chief and current president of International Hockey Federation (FIH), swung into action and wrote to the Sports Ministry to address the issue. "I would like to bring to your kind notice that food quality at Bangalore SAI centre has been well below par with a professional unit - excessive oil and fat through out, bones with lack of meats. Moreover Insects, bugs and hair were also found in the food. Sir, I also would like to inform you that hygiene part has also been neglected," Harendra wrote in his letter to HI top officials. "The kitchen utensils which are used to prepare food are unhealthy. We are preparing for the upcoming ...
Yuki back in 80s, Prajnesh touches career-best rank of 169
Top-ranked Indian singles player Yuki Bhambri today jumped nine places to 84 while Prajnesh Gunneswaran touched a career-best rank of 169 after climbing 14 spots on the ranking ladder. Yuki had crashed out in the first round of the French Open but made quarterfinals at the Surbiton Challenger to gain 30 points from the two events. The left-handed Prajnesh, who missed out on playing his maiden Grand Slam as 'lucky loser' at Roland Garros, has had a good first half of the season, winning his maiden singles Challenger trophy apart from an ITF Futures title. The 28-year-old has also qualified for his maiden ATP World Tour event in Stuttgart. Ramkumar Ramanathan lost seven places to be 128 and young Sumit Nagal dropped to 234 after losing 14 places. Arjun Kadhe was the next best Indian at number 360. In the doubles, Rohan Bopanna was the leader of the pack at number 22 (+2) and was followed by Divij Sharan (43, -2), Leander Paes (59, -3) and Purav Raja (77, -12). Vishnu Vardhan broke into .
Alfaro extends his contract with FC Pune City
Indian Super League side FC Pune City today retained the services of Uruguayan striker Emiliano Alfaro for the upcoming season. The 30-year-old joined FC Pune in 2017-18 playing each and every match last season. "After being a part of this exciting group last season, the decision to continue was as easy as it gets. I am confident that our team will continue from where it finished last season and give Orange army more reasons to celebrate," Alfaro said. The striker plied his trade as a professional first in his home country's premier division club Liverpool FC in 2006. He donned the national colours against Italy in a friendly match in 2011 that got Italian club Lazio to pick him. He spent three seasons with Lazio before joining Uruguayan club Liverpool FC in 2014-15 helping them win the Segunda Division title. During his stint with FC Pune City, Alfaro played 19 games and scored nine goals making him the highest scorer of the club. Alongside skipper Marcelinho, the two were one of ...