Page 172 - Sports
Asiad champion Japan beat Mexico, Russia maul Uzbekistan in FIH Series Finals
Asian Games champion Japan started their Tokyo Olympics preparations in the right earnest, beating Mexico 3-1 in their opening match of the FIH Series Finals hockey tournament, while Russia thrashed Uzbekistan 12-1 in another match here Friday. Having already qualified for the Olympics being the hosts as well as continental champions, Japan are taking this tournament as a preparation for the quadrennial event. And world no. 18 Japan's campaign got off to a perfect start when Hirotaka Zendana (3rd, 34th minutes) converted two penalty corners while Shota Yamada (21st) scored from a penalty stroke to emerge winners in the Pool B encounter. But Japan were in for an early shock when Erik Hernandez gave world no. 39 Mexico the lead as early as in the third minute. The lead, however, was shortlived as within seconds Zendana struck from Japan's first penalty corner to draw level. Therefater, the Japanese slowly and steadily got their footing in the match and controlled the proceedings. Japan .
'Dhoni's identity is country's identity, BCCI should stand with him'
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BBCI) should back M.S. Dhoni in the gloves controversy, feels Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju.
Indian archers bag four berths for Tokyo Paralympics
Indian archers secured two quota places each in the recurve and compound sections for next year's Tokyo Paralympics after dishing out superb performances at the World Para Championships here Friday. Punjabi University's Harvinder Singh and Uttar Pradesh's Vivek Chhikara finished joint ninth to bag the two available berths in the recurve men's open section. In the compound men's open category, Jammu's Rakesh Kumar was first to qualify on Thursday after making the bronze play-off where he will take on Matt Stutzman of the USA on Saturday. He was later joined by Rajasthan's Shyam Sundar Swami after his joint ninth finish. Sixteen places were available for recurve men, while 20 berths were up for grabs in the compound men section. So a top-16 finish ensured an automatic qualification. Rakesh, 34, suffered a spinal injury in a car crash in 2007 and has limited mobility since then. He was picked by coach Kuldeep and together the journey started at the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Sports Complex
Pole position for Prabhu Arunagiri, Jagan Kumar quickest in
Prabhu Arunagiri of Team Alisha Abdullah scorched the track and qualified for pole position in the premium Pro-Stock 301-400cc class as the first round of the MRF MMSC FMSCI Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship commenced at Kari Motor Speedway here Friday. Arunagiri came up with the flier in his very second lap, clocking one minute, 09.241 seconds, while TVS Racing duo of Jagan Kumar (01:09.269) and KY Ahamed (01:09.270) completed the front row of the grid for tomorrows race. Finishing a close fourth was young Rahil Shetty (Sparks Racing) with a best of 01:10.130. Jagan Kumar yet again underlined his calibre and class with a brilliant performance to top the practice session in the Pro-Stock 165cc class with a flying lap of 01:13:529 ahead of Idemitsu Honda Ten10 Racings Sarath Kumar (01:13.544) and team-mate Ahamed (01:13.688). The trio was separated by less than a second, pointing to an exciting battle tomorrow when the qualifying and first of the two races ...
Being 9th in world, no reason why we can't qualify for Tokyo Olympics: Marijne
Indian women's hockey chief coach Sjoerd Marijne says he sees no reason why his ninth-ranked side can't qualify for next year's 12-team competition at the Tokyo Olympics. Hours before India's departure for the FIH Women's Series Finals in Hiroshima, Marijne Friday said he is confident of qualifying for the Olympics, the first step of which will be the upcoming tournament in Japan. Like the ongoing men's event here, the top two teams of FIH Women's Series Finals in Hiroshima will progress to the FIH Olympic Qualifiers, to be held later this year. "We are number nine in the world and 12 teams can participate (in the Olympics) so it's a very realistic goal for us," Marijne told PTI. "We are working really hard to make sure we are fully prepared to book our tickets to Tokyo 2020, but our current focus is on doing well in this tournament," he added. India are the highest ranked side in the tournament. Japan are at 14th and Chile are placed 16th. Besides, the other participating teams in ...
Stimac aims to build on positives ahead of Thailand clash
India will look to end their campaign in the King's Cup football tournament on a positive note when they take on hosts Thailand in the third-place play-off match here Saturday. While revenge will be on Thailand's mind after the 4-1 in the AFC Asian Cup in January. Speaking at the pre-match press conference, India coach Igor Stimac made clear his intentions of continuing from where his team left off against Curacao. Despite a brave effort in the second half, India lost 3-1 to Curacao. "We want to try a different approach and structure to the one that was played in earlier times. Despite us losing our previous match, fans were happy with the style of play against a strong team like Curacao. Our intention shall remain the same against Thailand," he said. The coach informed that he plans to give chances to the players who did not feature against Curacao. "I want to see everyone on the pitch, and each of them deserves a chance to prove themselves. Tomorrow, I shall give chances to other ...
CWC'19: Key players to watch out in Eng-Bangladesh clash
Both England and Bangladesh have won one match each and lost the other in the ongoing ICC Men's Cricket World Cup so far. These two sides clash with each other on June 8 in Cardiff and they will be looking to go away with a victory.England defeated South Africa by 104 runs in their first match of the tournament whereas they suffered a 12-run defeat against Pakistan in the next match.On the other hand, Bangladesh defeated South Africa by 21 runs and in the next match they suffered a narrow defeat by two wickets against Bangladesh.England and Bangladesh are yet to win a World Cup trophy. England has been the finalists in the World Cup for three times (1979, 1987 and 1992) whereas Bangladesh has never entered the semi-finals of the tournament.Key players to watch out in the England-Bangladesh clash:Ben StokesBen Stokes, who was the man of the match in the opening match against South Africa, is at his devastating best form as he is delivering an all-around performance. Stokes scored 89 ...
Will stick to government's viewpoint on Indo-Pak women's series in India: CoA
Committee of Administrators chief Vinod Rai Friday said the BCCI will continue to go with the government stance on Indo-Pak cricket after seeking the sports ministry's permission for hosting a women's series against the arch-rivals later this year. Due to the tense relations between the two countries, no bilateral cricket has taken place since January 2013 when a short men's series was organised in India. However, India and Pakistan continue to clash in ICC events and the Asia Cup. The BCCI had written to the sports ministry last month, seeking the government's permission to host three ODIs against Pakistan between July and November as part of the ICC Women's ODI Championship, a qualifying event for the 2021 World Cup. "As regards to playing Pakistan in India, we have always taken the government's viewpoint, we have asked for the government viewpoint. I am not saying what the government will say and how we will react. First let the government react," said Rai after a CoA meeting ...
India to tour New Zealand next year
India will travel to New Zealand early next year for a tour which will begin with a five-match Twenty20 series and conclude with a two-Test series. The T20I series will begin from January 24 and will be followed by a three-match ODI series. The two Test matches will be played in Wellington (February 21 to 25) and Christchurch (Feb 29 to March 4). NZC chief executive David White said the second Twenty20, slated for January 26 -- part of a proposed festival of cricket at Eden Park -- is still subject to receiving resource consent from the Auckland Council. "This is a notified consent process and I had really encouraged the cricket community to make submissions in support of the game, which is scheduled for India's Republic Day and is shaping up to be a wonderful occasion," White said in an NZC statement. Ahead of the India tour, New Zealand will compete with England, playing five T20s and two Tests - the first at Bay Oval, which will become New Zealand's ninth Test venue. The Black Caps
Steady Gaurika wins Hosur leg on WPG Tour
Gaurika Bishnoi lifted her second title of the season with a five-under in the final round of the Hosur leg of the Hero Women's Pro Golf Tour, here Friday. Starting the final round four shots behind the overnight leader Gursimar Badwal, Bishnoi dropped just one bogey while picking up six birdies, three of which came in the last five holes. Bisnoi's 67 saw her total eight-under 208, which was three clear of amateur Pranavi Urs, who registered the second 66 of the tournament. Urs, who began the week with a 76, recovered well over the final two days with 69-66 for a fine performance. Badwal, who had played on the first two days, had a rough final day with just one birdie. She had two bogeys, but what put her out of contention was the triple bogey eight on the Par-5 14th. She finished in a tie for third alongside Amandeep Drall (70) and Tvesa Malik (68). Ridhima Dilawari, who seemed out of sorts in the first two rounds when she shot 73-74, finally found her form, though a little late. She
India look to end King's Cup campaign with win (Preview)
Revenge will be on Thailand's mind when they take on India in the King's Cup third-place play-off match here at the Chang Arena on Saturday.
Sports fraternity supports Dhoni in glove controversy
The sports fraternity Friday came out in support of Mahendra Singh Dhoni for wearing the dagger insignia on his wicket-keeping gloves during India's World Cup game against South Africa, with Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju urging the BCCI to resolve the issue. During the match in Southampton on Wednesday, Dhoni's green keeping gloves had a dagger logo embossed, which looked more like an Army insignia. While his gesture was appreciated by fans, the ICC requested the BCCI to ask Dhoni to remove the sign from the gloves, citing rules that forbid display of messages "which relate to political, religious or racial activities or causes". However, the BCCI sent a formal request to the ICC for clearance with Committee of Administrators (CoA) chief Vinod Rai insisting that there was nothing commercial or religious about the logo. "... the issue is connected with the sentiments of the country, the interest of the nation has to be kept in mind. I urge the BCCI to? take a fair step in the Mahendra ..
Maintaining scores is tougher than securing Olympic quota: Bhaker
Manu Bhaker feels the Olympic quota is only a "reassurance" that she remains what she was when she burst onto the scene. For the young pistol ace, maintaining scores on the road to Tokyo is the "tougher part". The 17-year-old recently secured India its seventh 2020 Olympic quota in shooting with a fourth-place finish in the women's 10m air pistol event of the ISSF World Cup in Munich. "I can't exactly say that I am relieved but the difficult part surely lies ahead. I feel maintaining form and scores is tougher than securing a quota," Bhaker told PTI during an interaction. As per its policy, the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) picks the team on the basis of scores the athletes shoot in selection trials and competitions, taking into account the cumulative scores. Bhaker showed exemplary spirit to earn the quota, as it came barely two days after a pistol malfunction dashed her hopes in the 25m air pistol in the same tournament. "Malfunction was destiny, couldn't have done much
Messi's son taunts him about Liverpool defeat
Lionel Messi has made no secret of his dejection over Barcelona's stunning defeat to Liverpool in the recently concluded 2018/19 Champions League season. Liverpool, who eventually won the tournament, fought back from a 0-3 first leg deficit in the semifinal to win the two-legged tie 4-3.
New Zealand to host India in all 3 formats next year
India will tour New Zealand next year to play in all three formats, beginning January 24.India and New Zealand, known as BlackCaps, will lock horns in five T20 Internationals, three One-Day Internationals, and two Test matches, from January 24 to March 4, 2020.The feature of this series includes a World Test Championship clash between the world number one and two ranked teams and the return to Eden Park for an intensive period of white ball cricket.New Zealand Cricket's (NZC) investment in the "A" team programme will continue to build momentum when India A arrive in mid-January to play three 50-over games and two four-day Tests at Hagley Oval and Bert Sutcliffe Oval.NZC chief executive David White said the second T20I against India on January 26 - part of a proposed festival of cricket at Eden Park -- is still subject to receiving resource consent from the Auckland Council."This is a notified consent process and I had really encouraged the cricket community to make submissions in ...
Zampa reprimanded for using "audible obscenities"
Australian spinner Adam Zampa was on Friday reprimanded by the ICC for using "audible obscenities" during the World Cup game against the West Indies at Trent Bridge. "Australian bowler Adam Zampa has been reprimanded for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the World Cup match between Australia and West Indies," said the ICC in a release. Zampa was found to have breached Article 2.3 of the ICC Code of Conduct for players and player support personnel, which relates to using audible obscenities in an international match. In addition to the formal warning, one demerit point has been added to Zampa's disciplinary record. The incident occurred at the end of the 29th over of the West Indies innings when Zampa was heard using an obscenity by the umpires. Zampa admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by match referee Jeff Crowe and there was no need for a formal hearing. On-field umpires Marais Erasmus and Chris Gaffaney, third umpire Ruchira Palliyaguruge and ..
Dhoni's sporting Balidan badge has been blown out of proportion: Lt General (Retd) Vinod Bhatia
Lieutenant General (Retd) Vinod Bhatia on Friday said India wicket-keeper MS Dhoni's decision to sport the Balidan badge on his gloves in the World Cup match against South Africa on June 5 has completely been blown out of proportion."There is nothing commercial about Dhoni's decision. His sporting the Balidan badge on his glove has been blown out of proportion. He has done a thing by supporting the soldiers," Lt General Bhatia told ANI."Dhoni himself is a soldier. He is a Lieutenant Colonel in the parachute regiment of the Army. He is an icon. He is someone who is passionate about the Army and all he is doing is just displaying the Balidan badge. There is nothing political about it," he said.Lt Gen Bhatia said that we should be talking about cricket, as the World Cup is going on.He said that there have been many instances earlier when the sportsperson supported a cause. He even gave an example of Pakistan cricket team who dedicated their Test match win against England in 2016 to their
How to work out a batsman can be learnt from Chahal: Kuldeep
They hunt in pairs but Kuldeep Yadav feels that he still needs to learn from his "senior partner" Yuzvendra Chahal on how to plan for a particular batsman. Kuldeep, after an indifferent IPL, was back in rhythm during the opening game against South Africa where he got JP Duminy's wicket and bowled well in tandem with Chahal. Asked what he has learnt from Chahal, Kuldeep said: "He is more experienced than me. He has a very good idea of how to bowl to a certain batsman and I need to learn from him," Kuldeep told reporters following India's win over South Africa in their World Cup opener. "I am feeling good about how the ball is coming out of my hand. Chahal and I could execute the plan we had chalked (against SA). We checked the flow of runs in the middle overs and also picked wickets," the left-arm wrist spinner said. He had only 4 wickets from 9 games for KKR in the 2019 IPL but he went back to the drawing board with his childhood coach Kapil Dev Pandey. "T20 is different from ODI and .
Suresh Raina backs Dhoni on Balidan-badge row
Former India cricketer Suresh Raina on Friday backed M S Dhoni on his decision to sport the 'Balidan' badge on his gloves in the team's match against South Africa in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup on June 5."While we are on the field, we devote ourselves to our country & we give all we can to make India proud. We all love our country & that's exactly @msdhoni has done, saluting the sacrifices of our heroes & honouring them. It should be taken as an act of patriotism & not nationalism," Suresh Raina posted on Twitter.Cricket's governing body, International Cricket Council (ICC), on Friday said that if Dhoni and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) manage to convince them that the 'Balidan Badge' does not have any political, religious or racial message it may consider allowing him to continue wearing it on his gloves."If MS Dhoni and BCCI convince us that the 'Balidan Badge' does not have any political, religious or racial message, ICC may consider the .
Rain delays start of Pak-SL World Cup match
Heavy rains delayed the start of the World Cup match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka here Friday. With incessant rain lashing the County ground here, toss was delayed and a full match seems unlikely as there is no signs of rains abating. A 20-over game might be on the cards, provided the ground is handed over to the umpires by 3pm so that play can start by 4.15pm. Pakistan and Sri Lanka are both coming into the match after winning one and losing one. Pakistan lost to West Indies by seven wickets in their opening match before beating favourites England by 14 runs. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, lost to New Zealand by 10 wickets and brought their campaign back with a 34-run victory against Afghanistan.