Page 1811 - Sports
Monaco extend Moutinho's contract till 2020
Ligue 1 defending champions AS Monaco have announced the extension of Portuguese midfielder Joao Moutinho's contract for two years, linking him with the club until June 2020.
Determined to prove critics wrong, says striker Bala Devi
After circumstances did not allow her to participate last season, Indian women's football team forward Bala Devi is all geared up to make her mark in the ongoing Indian Women's League 2017-18.The senior women's national team captain is 'determined to prove detractors wrong' with her performances."I want to perform at my best. After my injury people said I'm finished. I'm determined to prove detractors wrong."Plying her trade for KRYHPSA in the IWL, Bala has already made people sit up and notice with her team's 5-0 demolition of Sethu FC, "Everything clicked for us. It was a perfect day of football for the entire team.""Personally too I'm happy that I was able to score and was involved in two other goals. But this is just the beginning. Anything can happen", summing up her performance.The Indian Women's League 2017-18 has a more competitive look this season. Traditional powerhouses of Indian women's football Manipur have two teams vying for the title. The defending champions - Eastern .
CWG 2018: Sushil Kumar's name now added to entry list
Two-time Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar's name, which was missing from the official website of the 2018 Commonwealth Games, has now been added to the entry list of wrestlers for the men's freestyle 74kg category for the Gold Coast event.Earlier, Sushil name was surprisingly missing from the list of entry released by the tournament organisers on the official website, just five days ahead of the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games.The official list of entries for the men's freestyle 74kg wrestling category, uploaded on the CWG 2018 website, had earlier did not mention the name of Sushil among other 15 wrestlers participating in the event.After spending two years away from the mat, the grappler returned to compete at the National Championship last year in Indore, only to see himself mired in controversy for winning the gold in the tournament after his three opponents conceded a walkover.The 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games is slated to be held from April 4 to 15.
Jason Mohammed to lead Windies in Pakistan T20Is
All-rounder Jason Mohammed will lead the notably weakened 13-man West Indies national side in the three-match T20I series against Pakistan, beginning April 1 at the Karachi's National Stadium.West Indies regular skipper Carlos Brathwaite, who rose to fame after smashing four consecutive sixes off England's Ben Stokes delivery to seal the 2016 World Twenty20 title, will miss the upcoming T20I series due to security concerns.While wicketkeeper-batsman Denesh Ramdin has received a recall in the national squad, all-rounder Andre McCarthy and paceman Odean Smith have also earned their maiden call-ups.Opener Andre Fletcher, who played for Peshawar Zalmi in the finals of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) against Islamabad United, has also been named for the T20I series against Pakistan.While Marlon Samuels, Denesh Ramdin and Samuel Badree are the most experienced players featuring in the national squad, skipper Jason Holder, Chris Gayle and Devendra Bishoo are omitted from the squad.It should .
Tears and sympathy: support grows for Smith over cricket ban
A wave of sympathy for disgraced Australia skipper Steve Smith gathered pace today after his heart-wrenching apology and as opposition grew to the severity of bans handed out in a ball-tampering scandal. Smith's tearful appearance in front of media helped trigger the resignation of coach Darren Lehmann and also prompted calls to rein in criticism which has verged on hysterical during an extraordinary week for Australian cricket. Both Smith and vice-captain David Warner were banned for 12 months and Cameron Bancroft for nine months for ball-tampering during the third Test in Cape Town. Lehmann -- who had earlier warned about the players' mental state -- said he was convinced him to step down by the emotional apologies of Bancroft and Smith, which also drew messages of support. "Dear Australia, that's enough now," ran a headline in British newspaper The Times. "This was ball-tampering, not murder." The ball-tampering scandal has unleashed a torrent of vitriol against Smith and Warner in
Varun Dhawan sympathetic of Australian cricketer Steve Smith
Actor Varun Dhawan has sympathized over Australian cricketer Steve Smith, who has been banned for a year by the Cricket Australia over ball-tampering.
Carreno enters Miami Open semis
Pablo Carreno Busta defeated world No.8 Kevin Anderson 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (6) here to reach the semifinals of the Miami Open tennis tournament.
Wrestler Sushil Kumar's name missing from CWG 2018 entry list
Few days ahead of the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games opening ceremony, two-time Olympic medalist Sushil Kumar's name is surprisingly missing from the list of entry released by the tournament organisers on the official website.The official list of entries for the men's freestyle 74kg wrestling category, uploaded on the CWG 2018 website does not mention the name of Sushil among other 15 wrestlers participating in the event.Reflecting on the same, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) Secretary General Rajeev Mehta told ANI that it is a fault of the organising committee and that they are rectifying the error.When quizzed if Sushil has pulled out his name from the tournament, Mehta denied the same before clarifying that the IOA and Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) are not at all at fault.After spending two years away from the mat, Sushil returned to compete at the National Championship last year in Indore, only to see himself mired in controversy for winning the gold in the tournament ..
Referee warned about Smith, Warner in 2016: report
A match referee warned of disgraced Australian cricketers Steve Smith and David Warner "being involved in a ball-tampering incident" in the domestic Sheffield Shield in 2016, a media report said today. The report came after Smith and Warner were stripped of the captaincy and vice-captaincy and banned for a year from the sport after being caught up in a plot to alter the condition of the ball during the third Test against South Africa tomorrow. Daryl Harper said the pair were not engaging in fair play while representing New South Wales in a match against Victoria in November 2016, according to an email he sent to Cricket Australia's match referee and umpire selection manager Simon Taufel, the Sydney Morning Herald reported. "When David Warner repeatedly bounced his returns in to (NSW wicket-keeper) Peter Nevill on the first day, the umpires appealed to Smith to support their calls for fair play," the former Australian Test umpire reportedly wrote in the email. "They weren't encouraged .
All eyes on Ibrahimovic as Los Angeles prepares for derby
Los Angeles Galaxy fans could get their first glimpse of Zlatan Ibrahimovic tomorrow as the Major League Soccer side gears up for a city derby with expansion team Los Angeles FC. Tomorrow's clash -- dubbed "El Trafico" in a nod to the California metropolis's eternally gridlocked streets -- has been given an added edge by the Galaxy's capture of Ibrahimovic. The 36-year-old Swedish striker's move to MLS from Manchester United was confirmed last week, with Ibrahimovic swiftly vowing to reignite the Galaxy's fortunes after they finished bottom of the league last season. Ibrahimovic, who has not played since appearing for United in a 2-2 draw with Burnley in December, was only due to arrive in Los Angeles yesterday, giving him little time to acclimatise to his new surroundings. However the Galaxy have pointedly stated that Ibrahimovic is available for tomorrow's game at the Stubhub Center. Galaxy manager Sigi Schmid hinted that Ibrahimovic may well feature, fuelling the hype about the ...
Ryder chases clubhouse leaders Glover, Tway at rain-hit Houston Open
Former US Open winner Lucas Glover and Kevin Tway ignited hopes of securing the last Masters berth with seven-under par 65s at the rain-hit Houston Open. Glover and Tway were out in the morning, teeing-off after a two-hour delay after heavy overnight rain that saturated the Golf Club of Houston course. When darkness halted play, they were the clubhouse leaders, but American Sam Ryder was at eight-under through 15 holes and fellow American Beau Hossler was seven-under with two to play. Thirty-four players in the field of 142 were still on the course and were to complete their rounds on Friday morning. Glover, 38, capped his round with four straight birdies from his fifth hole and then birdied two of his closing three. It was the South Carolina golfer's lowest tournament score by two shots in 45 rounds on the Houston course, where his best finish was seventh in 2005. Despite owning a major title, Glover is not exempt into next week's Masters having last competed at Augusta National in ..
Woods favoured, but history against Augusta victory
Tiger Woods's odds of winning the Masters have shrunk with every birdie of his 2018 comeback campaign, but in reality the 42-year-old superstar faces a daunting task in his bid to add a 15th major title to his resume a decade after his last Grand Slam victory. Since his 2008 US Open triumph at Torrey Pines took his tally of majors titles to 14, injuries and well-publicized personal woes have taken a toll, raising doubts that he would ever surpass Jack Nicklaus's record of 18 major titles. Woods won Masters titles in 1997, 2001, 2002 and 2005, but his last top-10 finish at Augusta National was a tie for fourth in 2013. Woods says he missed the "rush" of competing for a Green Jacket as back trouble sidelined him in 2016 and 2017. Now playing without pain after spinal fusion surgery last April, Woods is relishing a return to the storied Georgia course. "Just being out there on those greens, hitting putts and being creative, there's no other golf course like it in the world and there's no
Boult, Southee strike, England two down in first session
Tim Southee and Trent Boult engineered another England meltdown today to have the tourists 150 for five at tea on day one of the second Test here. Jonny Bairstow was not out 30 with Ben Stokes, continuing the cautiousness shown on the final day of the first Test, not out 25. After New Zealand's strike pair had early success to have England at 38 for two, Joe Root and Mark Stoneman stemmed the initial slide with a 55-run stand for the third wicket. Boult and Southee, who were central to England's innings defeat in the first Test, came back after lunch to take three wickets for one run in a nine-ball burst as England slumped to 94 for five. It left Stokes and Bairstow to revive the innings with the pair adding 56 in nearly 21 overs for the sixth wicket. Root and Stoneman were paired in the middle in the 17th over after Alastair Cook (two) and James Vince (18) had departed. For 20 overs they kept New Zealand at bay until Southee fired in a full-length delivery that was too good for ...
Youth National Boxing C'ship: Haryana's Joni reaches final
In a major turn of events, Haryana's Joni upset World Youth Championship gold medalist Ankushita Boro of Assam to book her spot in the finals of the Second Youth National Boxing Championship, here at the National Boxing Academy last evening.Joni (60 kg) came into the bout as an underdog, however, not short on confidence as she kept a safe distance from her opponent while landing her punches.The Assamese was startled by her opponent's quick movement inside the ring and had no answers to it. Although the bout lasted all three rounds, Joni had swept aside the challenge with a comprehensive 5-0 win. She will take on Hema Danu of Uttarakhand in the final clash tomorrow.Haryana's girls continued their dominating run in the semi-finals also as Sakshi (57 kg), Nitu (48 kg), Manisha (64 kg) and Anamika (51 kg) breezed past their respective opponents to fight for the coveted gold medal.Anamika left nothing to chance as she stepped on it from the word go. Her ferocious punches prompted the ...
Australian ball tampering move likely not a one-off, says Proteas captain
The captain of the South African cricket team Faf du Plessis said that he suspected the Australians may have been engaging in ball-tampering practices prior to the third Test in Cape Town.According to cricket.com.au, on being quizzed if he suspected the Australians had been resorting to roughing up the ball prior to the third test, du Plessis said, "I thought so, yes"."The series the ball has been reversing quite a bit. I joked about it this last Test match, (saying) I've never seen so many guys put up their hand to open the batting," he added.On the contrary, the South African skipper Plessis, who himself has twice previously been charged with ball tampering, said he feels sorry for Steve Smith, who has been banned for 12 months for orchestrating the ball-tampering incident during the third Test in Cape Town.Smith and vice-captain David Warner were banned for 12 months by the Cricket Australia for their leadership role in the ball tampering act, while Cameroon Bancroft was banned for
Sachin urges fans to give banned Australian players 'some space'
Legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar on Thursday asked fans to give Australia's Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft, who are facing a ban for their involvement in the ball-tampering incident, some space."They are regretting and hurting and will have to live with the consequences of their act. Spare a thought for their families as they have much to endure along with the players. Time for all of us to take a step back and give them some space," Tendulkar wrote on Twitter.Smith and Warner were banned for a year by the Cricket Australia for their leadership role in the ball-tampering act during the third Test match in Cape Town, while Cameron Bancroft was handed a nine-month ban.Earlier, Tendulkar expressed that the ball-tampering act was unfortunate and said the one-year ban for the erring cricketers was a right decision."Cricket has been known as a gentleman's game. It's a game that I believe should be played in the purest form. Whatever has happened is unfortunate but the ...
Super Cup: FC Goa Coach confident about team's chances
FC Goa will kick off their Super Cup campaign with a tough first round fixture against two-time Indian Super League (ISL) champions ATK on April 3.After a disappointing loss to Chennaiyin FC in the semi-finals of the ISL, the Gaurs are looking to fire back in the Super Cup in a bid to obtain their first piece of silverware.The Gaurs will be coached by Goan legend Derrick Pereira for the Super Cup, who will make history by being the first Indian coach to lead an ISL side.The team has registered six foreign players for the competition, leaving out Moroccan midfield dynamo Ahmed Jahouh and Dutch youngster Mark Sifneos. ISL top scorer Ferran Corominas will be available for the Gaurs.Coach Pereira was confident about his team's chances in the competition, explaining that the team is looking to make amends in the Super Cup."We were unlucky in the ISL semi-finals. We put in a lot of effort in the last three league games to reach the semi-finals and that ultimately took a toll on us. We have .
Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland not resigning
Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland on Thursday said that he will not resign in the wake of the ball tampering incident that has shaken the Australian cricket."I'm not resigning. What has happened the last few days have only strengthened my resolve to ensure that the Australian cricket and the Australian cricket team get back on track and back in a place where it has not only the full respect but the pride of the Australian community," Sutherland said in a press conference.Speaking of head coach Darren Lehmann, who announced his resignation just hours ago, Sutherland said he had a terrific work ethic and he genuinely cared for his players."Darren Lehmann has provided fantastic service and been part of a successful team that won a World Cup and a couple of Ashes. His work ethic has been terrific and he genuinely cares for and loves his players."Sutherland further expressed sympathy for Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft, who have been facing bans for their involvement in the
Faf du Plessis feels sorry for Smith's one-year ban
South African skipper Faf du Plessis on Thursday said he feels sorry for Steve Smith who has been banned for 12 months for orchestrating the ball-tampering incident during the third Test in Cape Town.Addressing a media conference ahead of the fourth Test in Johannesburg, du Plessis confirmed that he had texted Smith a message of support."I did send him a text," du Plessis said."From a really deep place in my heart, I feel for the guy. You don't want to see guys going through that and it's going to be incredibly hard for him over the next days."I just sent him a message of support saying that he'll get through this, he must just be strong. He appreciated the message. There is a lot of respect between the two of us. He's a good leader for Australia."Smith and vice-captain David Warner were banned for 12 months by the Cricket Australia for their leadership role in the ball tampering act, while Cameroon Bancroft was banned for nine months.Talking further about the Australian skipper, du ..
Somerset ditch Australia's Bancroft as overseas player
Somerset said Thursday that disgraced Australian batsman Cameron Bancroft would not be joining the English county side for the new season as the fallout from the cheating scandal gathers pace. Bancroft was banned for nine months by Australia after being caught on camera using sandpaper to scratch the ball during the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town. The 25-year-old opening batsman, who has played just eight Tests, has said he will regret the incident "for the rest of my life". Somerset director of cricket Andy Hurry said Bancroft would not be the club's overseas player for the 2018 season. "We are currently undertaking the process to recruit a replacement overseas player that best fits our needs and will share an update in due course," he said. Hurry said he had spoken a number of times with Bancroft since the weekend and the player had "shared his deep regret and apologised to everyone associated to the club". "It's important we remember there is a young man at the centre