Page 1551 - Sports
Cahill, Arzani in Australia's final World Cup squad
Tim Cahill will play in his fourth World Cup and teenager Daniel Arzani made the final cut as Australia's coach Bert van Marwijk finalised his 23-man squad today. The 38-year-old Cahill is his country's most prolific international scorer with 50 goals and has scored at his three previous World Cups. Cahill got the nod for the tournament, which kicks off in Russia on June 14, despite limited appearances for Millwall in England's second-tier Championship since returning to south London in January. Iran-born 19-year-old Arzani and Dimi Petratos were included but James Troisi, Josh Brillante, Nikita Rukavytsya and Fran Karacic were left out of the squad. Striker Jamie Maclaren was retained in the 23 after coming in as injury cover for Tomi Juric, who was also selected. Dutchman van Marwijk released his squad following Friday's 4-0 friendly win over the Czech Republic in Austria. "I have been very pleased with the effort and application of all of the players during our time in Turkey, and .
Rabada wins South Africa's top player prize
Kagiso Rabada, the world's number one Test bowler, was named South Africa's Cricketer of the Year. The award came at the end of a 12-month period during which Rabada, 23, was a consistent match-winner -- and subject of disciplinary hearings. Rabada took 72 wickets at an average of 19.52 in 12 Tests going back to a series in England last July. He missed one Test in England because he was banned after reaching a demerit points threshold -- and would have missed the last two Tests against Australia earlier this year if he had not appealed successfully against a verdict that would have brought a two-match ban for reaching a second threshold. Rabada went on to be man of the series when South Africa beat Australia in a controversial four-match series. The ban came after a collision with Australian captain Steve Smith. Match referee Jeff Crowe found him guilty of a level two offence and he was docked three demerit points, which triggered an automatic ban. But it was downgraded to a level one
Germany crash to Austria on Neuer's comeback
Manuel Neuer looks set to go to the World Cup, but Germany's goalkeeper was unable to prevent his team crashing 2-1 to Austria on his comeback. Neuer has proven his fitness after eight months sidelined by a fractured foot in timely fashion, with four names to be cut ahead of Germany naming their final 23-man World Cup squad on Monday. But the 'keeper was powerless to stop second-half goals by Martin Hinteregger and Alessandro Schoepf after Mesut Ozil gave the Germans an early lead. The result is a big concern for Germany head coach Joachim Loew with the World Cup to kick off in less than a fortnight. The world champions are now winless in their last five games since suffering back-to-back defeats after losing 1-0 to Brazil in Berlin last March. "It was a good comeback from Manuel after so long out," Loew told broadcaster ZDF. "The defeat is annoying, we did well in the first half, but we lost a lot of ball in the second half and made life hard for ourselves. "A lot of things were bad .
Kompany exits early as Portugal holds Belgium to 0-0 draw
European champion Portugal held Belgium to a tame 0-0 draw, a result overshadowed by fears that defender Vincent Kompany may have sustained an injury early in the second half. The injury-prone Kompany walked off shortly after the break after appearing to overstretch while making a defensive challenge. It was not immediately clear if he was injured or left the field as a precaution. The Manchester City defender's career has been blighted by injuries, but he appeared fit ahead of the pre-World Cup friendly at the King Baudouin stadium. Kompany's departure was the major talking point in a disappointing goalless draw which underscored that Belgium's star-studded squad still has work to do if it is to live up to its billing as one of the favorites to win the World Cup in Russia. Belgium fans jeered their team off the pitch at full time. Portugal was without Cristiano Ronaldo, who was rested after winning the Champions League a week ago with Real Madrid. Portugal faces neighbor Spain, Iran .
Lahiri blazes on front but nine halts on back stretch; Woods excels at seventh
It was a tale of two nines for Indian golfer Anirban Lahiri as he shot five-under on the front nine before slumping to 2-over 38 for a 3-under 69 that still moved him 14 places up at the Memorial Tournament here. Lahiri is now T-21 at 7-under. India's other challenger this week, Shubhankar Sharma had earlier missed the cut. Bryson DeChambeau fired a 6-under 66 that included birdies on two of the toughest holes to take a one-shot lead going into a final round. DeChambeau missed two short putts but was still 14-under 202. He missed a 3-foot birdie putt on the ninth hole, and then missed a birdie putt from 4 feet on the par-5 15th. But once again the focus was on Tiger Woods (68) who is in frame at Muirfield Village for the first time in six years. At 9-under, he was 5-behind, but his form was brilliant despite his putting let him down again. Asked if he was ready win, Woods said, "Well, I was at 11-under par, and I had wasted a bunch of shots the last two days and I was 4-over par in ...
'100 percent hearsay': Serena slams Sharapova book ahead of French Open clash
Serena Williams turned up the heat ahead of her French Open clash with bitter rival Maria Sharapova, saying the claims about her in the Russian's book were "hearsay" and not "necessarily true". Sharapova, who Williams has beaten 18 times in a row, claimed in her recent memoir 'Unstoppable' that Serena "hated" her for hearing her cry after the 2004 Wimbledon final. The fourth-round match at Roland Garros on Monday will be the first time the two have faced off since the American's win in the 2016 Australian Open quarter-finals -- Sharapova's last match before serving a 15-month doping ban. "I think the book was 100 percent hearsay, at least all the stuff I read and the quotes that I read, which was a little bit disappointing," said Williams after her 6-3, 6-4 third-round win over Julia Goerges. "I have cried in the locker room many times after a loss, and that's what I have seen a lot of people do. I think it's normal. "It's a Wimbledon final, you know. So it's just, like, I think it ...
Solidarity in euro zone should not lead to debt union, Merkel says
BERLIN (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel appeared on Saturday to rule out debt relief for Italy, saying in a newspaper interview that the principle of solidarity among members of the euro zone should not turn the single currency bloc into a debt-sharing union.
England beat Nigeria at World Cup warm-up match
England has defeated Nigeria 2-1 in a World Cup warm-up match at Wembley.
My dream was to play football professionally: Michael Sheen
Michael Sheen would have been a footballer if he did not become an actor.
Criticize us, but please come watch us: Sunil Chhetri urges nation
Indian football team captain Sunil Chhetri on Saturday made an emotional appeal to fans requesting them to watch football and support the team in the ongoing Intercontinental Cup 2018.In a video posted on Twitter, Chhetri first thanked the fans who came to Mumbai for watching the game on Friday against Chinese Taipei, which India won by 5-0. He smashed a hat-trick to guide India to a thumping win in the opening match of the Intercontinental Cup at the Andheri Sports Complex in Mumbai.Sitting pretty at 59 goals in international football, Chhetri also became the first-ever Indian footballer to have scored three hat-tricks in international football surpassing Appalaraju and I.M. Vijayan, both of whom had two hat-tricks to their credit.Appealing to those who are not die-hard football fans, Chhetri said in the video, "Today I am not making a video for you guys. I am gonna speak and appeal to all of you who did not come. To everyone who is not a football fan, please come and watch us for ...
Vani Kapoor misses Jabra Ladies Open cut by two shots
Golfer Vani Kapoor shot a round of 4-over 71, for a total of 7-over 142 after two rounds, to miss the Jabra Ladies Open cut by a narrow two shots.
Manipur CM writes to Rathore to intervene in Sanjita doping
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh today sought the intervention of Union Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore in the doping controversy involving Commonwealth Games gold medallist Sanjit Chanu while also suggesting that there could be an error in the identification of the sample of the Manipuri weightlifter. Sanita, who won a gold in women's 53 kg class in the recent Gold Coast CWG, has been handed a provisional suspension by the International Weightlifting Federation after her 'A' sample tested positive for anabolic steroid testosterone. The Manipur CM said there could have been "mixing up or exchange" of the dope sample of Sanjita taken in the United States in November last year. "I am informed that the International Weightlifting Federation in a communication dated May 15 has provisionally suspended Manipuri international athlete Sanjita Chanu. I am given to understand that there is a glaring error in the laboratory sample identification based on which the Manipuri athlete has ..
French Open: Bopanna-Roger-Vasselin in quarters (Lead, correcting headline)
The Indo-French pair of Rohan Bopanna and Edouard Roger-Vasselin entered the men's doubles quarter-finals of the French Open on Saturday.
Intercontinental Cup: Kenya beat New Zealand 2-1
Kenya played an attacking brand of football to register a come-from-behind victory as they outclassed a superior New Zealand 2-1 in an Inter-Continental Cup match, here tonight. While Sarpreet Singh (42nd minute) put the 'All Whites' into lead, Miheso Cliffton (45 + 1 minutes) equalised for the African nation. In the second half, Ovella Ochieng (68th minute) scored the winner at the Mumbai Football Areana. While New Zealand used 4-4-2 formation, Kenya had an extra man in the attacking third. Sarpreet broke the deadlock in the 42nd minute with a curling left-footer, which dipped into the far right-corner. But, Kenya came back strongly in the additional time of the first half, as Cliffton's swerving free-kick restored parity. Kenya had earned the free-kick after Kiwi mid-fielder Matthew Rindenton had brought down John Makwata. In the 68th minute, Patilah Omoto snatched a ball from the opposition player and kept a defence splitting through pass for Ochieng, who slotted it home to give ..
French Open: Bopanna, Roger-Vassel in quarters
The Indo-French pair of Rohan Bopanna and Edouard Roger-Vasselin entered the men's doubles quarter-finals of the French Open on Saturday.
Nadal storms past Gasquet, advances to French Open round of 16
Spanish tennis great Rafael Nadal on Saturday extended his dominance over local favourite Richard Gasquet, earning a 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 win in the French Open third round.
Analysis: Italy's eurosceptics and their currency ideas take centre-stage
ROME (Reuters) - If Italy leaves the euro, it will be late on a Friday night.
Indian eves eye 7th consecutive Asia Cup title (Preview)
Six time champions and pre-tournament favourites India will kick off their campaign in the seventh women's Asia Cup against a relatively weaker Malaysian side at the Kinrara Academy Oval here on Sunday.
Bess guides England into the lead against Pakistan despite Root loss
Dominic Bess belied his position as a nightwatchman by guiding England into a first-innings lead against Pakistan on a rain-marred day of the second Test at Headingley on Saturday. England were 199 for three at tea, 25 runs in front, after rain meant there was no play before lunch. Bess was 40 not out, having scored 57 on debut during England's thumping nine-wicket defeat by Pakistan in the first Test at Lord's. Together with Dawid Malan (27 not out) he had had put on an unbroken 61 for the fourth wicket after England captain Joe Root fell for 43 to the disappointment of his Yorkshire home crowd. England were 106 for two, 68 runs adrift of Pakistan's lowly 174, when play eventually got under way at 2:45 pm (1345 GMT) some several hours after the scheduled 11:00am (1000 GMT) start time. Root was 29 not out and Bess, who came in as a nightwatchman late Friday following Alastair Cook's exit for 44, unbeaten on nought. Bess, selected primarily as an off-spinner but yet to take a Test ...
Schwartzman slams Coric, advances to French Open last 16
Argentine tennis player Diego Schwartzman on Saturday beat Croatia's Borna Coric 7-5, 6-3, 6-3 to advance to the final 16 round of the French Open for the first time in his career.