Page 1820 - Sports
Las Palmas to aim for win against Real Madrid in upcoming match
Las Palmas defender Alejandro Galvez said on Tuesday that his team had nothing to lose in its upcoming match against Real Madrid, insisting they would battle for a win despite the odds on paper being stacked against them.
Ukraine top Japan 2-1 in pre-World Cup friendly
Ukraine on Tuesday defeated Japan 2-1 in a pre-World Cup friendly match held in the Belgian city of Liege.
AIFF chief rubbishes revolt rumours under Constantine
All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Praful Patel today brushed aside reports that a few senior players were at loggerheads with national team coach Stephen Constantine. Patel was asked if he would step in to find a solution to the reported problems between the coach and players. The AIFF boss had earlier acted upon complaints by the India U-17 team against former coach Nicolai Adam before Portuguese Luis Norton de Matos was appointed. "What you are talking, is very hypothetical. Until and unless I hear something, I cannot go by some murmur in the media. I have to be told concretely by somebody that there is a problem. If the problem is not conveyed to us in the right way, I am not going to go on a fish-hunting expedition," Patel said. Adam was removed as head coach of the India U-17 team with less than a year to go for the FIFA Under-17 World Cup. Recalling that episode, Patel said, "The U-17 situation was completely extraordinary. The entire team spoke in one voice. I ...
Nadal back for Spain in Davis Cup
Rafael Nadal celebrates his impending return to world number one spot with a recall today to Spain's Davis Cup team for the quarter-final tie against Germany. Nadal, who will top the latest world rankings to be released Monday, rejoins the squad for the first time since 2016 for the April 6-8 tie, team captain Sergi Bruguera announced. The 16-time Grand Slam winner is certain to take over from Roger Federer as world number one after the shock defeat of the Swiss ace in the second round of the Miami Masters on Saturday. Bruguera said that the 31-year-old was recovering well from an injury to his right leg that has sidelined him since he pulled out of the Australian Open in January. In February, he pulled out of the Mexican Open just hours before his opening match. "I have kept in touch with him and he is going from strength to strength and he is feeling good after his convalescence and he is training more," said Bruguera. Nadal last appeared for Spain in the Davis Cup in September ...
Looking at nothing less than a Gold in CWG: Manpreet
India hockey team skipper Manpreet Singh today said his team is eyeing nothing less than a gold medal at the next month's Commonwealth Games after settling for silver twice in the last two editions. "We are looking at nothing less than a Gold Medal at the CWG. We have lost two consecutive Finals in the previous editions to Australia but this time we want to aim for a better colour of medal," said Manpreet before leaving alongwith the team for Gold Coast today. "The team went through an intense preparation camp with focus on specific areas that required improvement. Now it will be all about executing the plans we have against each team to perfection and remain consistent throughout the tournament," asserted the 25-year-old midfielder. Indian Men's Team is grouped in Pool B along with Pakistan, Malaysia, Wales and England. They will begin their campaign on April 7 against arch-rivals Pakistan. Brimming with confidence, the Indian women's hockey teams also left for the Gold Coast ...
Bangladesh eye Kirsten as team consultant
Bangladesh cricket authorities said today they were in talks with former South African batsman Gary Kirsten to hire him as a team consultant for an extended period. Bangladesh have been looking for a head coach for the national cricket team since October, after former Sri Lankan opener Chandika Hathurusingha stepped down. But Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) spokesperson Jalal Yunus said they had offered Kirsten, 50, who was India's coach when they won the 2011 World Cup, a different role unlike that of a head coach. "He is on our list but he will come only as a team consultant. It's not final, though. Hopefully we will be able to strike a deal after the Indian Premier League," Yunus said. Kirsten, who played 101 Tests and 185 one-day internationals for South Africa before coaching the Proteas and India, will be in charge of Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL, which begins on April 7. "If he agrees, he will also work with the Under-19 and the A-team and give us advice about cricket .
Australia 'incredibly stupid': Ex-South Africa skipper
Ali Bacher, the last South Africa skipper to win a series against Australia in the republic, says disgraced captain Steve Smith and his ball-tampering team are "incredibly stupid". Bacher led South Africa to a 4-0 whitewash over Bobby Simpson-skippered Australia in the 1969-1970 season. "In this age of a thousand cameras, it was stupid to even think of doing it (ball tampering), and incredibly stupid to go through with it," he told the South African media. TV cameras caught Cameron Bancroft trying to change the condition of the ball last Saturday in Cape Town using a piece of grit-encrusted sticky tape during a Test won by South Africa. Smith later admitted he hatched the plot to cheat with the unnamed "team leadership" and is now facing disciplinary action, possibly later Tuesday. Reports say Smith and vice-captain David Warner could be banned for 12 months and sent home in disgrace. "You have to put the blame on the captain and I believe Cricket Australia will think long and hard ...
Veteran Sharath goes to UTT league Player Draft
RP-SG Mavericks surprisingly decided against continuing with veteran Sharath Kamal, while defending champions Falcons TTC and Dabang Smashers have retained Sanil Shetty and G. Sathiyan ahead of the Player Draft on Wednesday for the second season of the CEAT Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT).
World gymnastics medallist Stepko granted Russian citizenship
World and European medal winning gymnast Oleg Stepko, who previously competed under the national flags of Ukraine and Azerbaijan, has been granted the citizenship of Russia, his coach Vladimir Kochnev said on Tuesday.
CWG: Looking at nothing less than gold, says Manpreet
Indian men's hockey team captain Manpreet Singh expects nothing less than a gold medal as the team on Tuesday departed for the Gold Coast, where the 2018 Commonwealth Games will take place from April 4.
Ratanbala guide KRYHPSA to a 5-0 win over Sethu FC
Ratanbala Devi scored twice to guide Kangchup Road Young Physical & Sports Association (KRYHPSA) to a 5-0 win over Sethu FC in the ongoing Hero Indian Women's League here today. Ratanbala's twin strike and goals from Bala Devi, Dangmei Grace and Asharani Devi clinched victory for the Manipuri side in a totally one sided affair at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here. KRYHPSA went on the attack from the word go as the combo of Bala Devi and Ratanbala tormented Sethu's backline, mainly from the right flank. Ashalata saw her attempt land on the top of the net in the 2nd minute itself, with Bala taking a crack at the goal soon after. The breakthrough arrived in the 9th minute when Bindya found Bala in the clear who rounded it past the keeper to give KRYHPSA the early lead. Sethu saw little of the ball until Nandhini forced a save from Roshni in the 13th. That attempt on goal was just an aberration as normalcy' returned with Ratanbala wrestling past her marker to drive it in for her ...
Bayern's Neuer back on pitch after long absence
Bayern Munich and Germany captain Manuel Neuer on Tuesday returned to perform running exercises on the pitch at the Bavarian club's sports city, a step toward the goalkeeper's return to play after a long absence due to injury.
Bengaluru FC extend Boithang Haokip's contract
Bengaluru FC handed a contract extension to winger Boithang Haokip, the Indian Super League franchise announced here today. "I am very excited to have signed for two more years with Bengaluru FC. They are the most professional side in the country and it is an honour for me to be a part of this journey. We are playing with the right intent and that's something that drives me to continue working hard," Boithang said. Haokip's deal will see him with the Blues till the end of the 2020 season as he joins a list of players who have committed their future to the club, including Rahul Bheke, Juan Gonzalez and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. Boithang made his debut against FC Istiklol at home in the 2017 AFC Cup, and has played a key role for Roca's men since the turn of the year. The midfielder bagged two goals, one against Chennaiyin and the other against Transport United in the AFC Cup preliminary stages.
Falcons TTC keep faith in Sanil Shetty, Dabang Smashers T.T.C to continue with Sathiyan
Defending champions Falcons TTC and Dabang Smashers T.T.C have made an early move ahead of the Player Draft, retaining their top Indian players for the second season of the CEAT Ultimate Table Tennis. 11SPORTS revealed that Falcons TTC have retained their faith in giant-slayer Sanil Shetty, who won many important games for them on their way to the title in the inaugural season; the Dabang Smashers T.T.C too put their weight behind India's highest world-ranked player (World No. 49) Sathiyan Gnanasekaran. The RP-SG Mavericks surprisingly decided against continuing with Sharath Kamal, leaving the eight-time national champion in the Player Draft pool. Having opted for player retention, Falcons TTC and Dabang Smashers T.T.C will be able to opt for their first player during the Player Draft to be held at the National Sports Club of India (NSCI) here on Wednesday only after the other teams have made their choices in the first round. Sharath Kamal, Sathiyan Gnanasekaran and Sanil Shetty along
Smith, Warner set to miss India series, IPL depends on NOC contents
The disgraced Australian duo of Steve Smith and David Warner is not just staring at an ouster from IPL but is also also facing the prospect of missing the India series later this year, as speculations over a length ban for ball tampering gained credence. Cricket Australia is all set to announce the sanctions by early morning (IST) tomorrow and there is a possibility that both Smith and Warner could be out of international cricket for a considerable period of time. If it's a one-year ban, which looks likely, the home series against India in (December-January) will be played without the two superstars. Already young opener Matt Renshaw has flown to Johannesburg, indicating that Warner will also not be a part of the final Test match against South Africa. Another bone of contention is their Indian Premier League contracts with Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderbad. There is every possibility that Smith may seek time out of cricket to sort out the mess he is currently in but the same ...
Teammates want 'rogue' Warner gone
Some Australian players want a "rogue" David Warner out of the team hotel in South Africa as the ball tampering saga threatened to rip the touring side apart, amid reports that suggested the opening batsman was the ring leader of the scandal. According to foxsports.au, several of Warner's furious teammates have asked Cricket Australia bosses to have the batsman removed from the team hotel, warning there could be an "incident" between Warner and angry players if he remains. Warner has also removed himself from a WhatsApp group comprising Australian players, with one source saying he has "gone rogue" since the ball tampering saga broke. It's believed several players in the Australian team were not aware of the tampering plot until damning footage of Cameron Bancroft scrubbing the ball with yellow tape appeared on the big screen at the ground. As Cricket Australia started its own investigation into the scandal, Warner was apparently drinking at the team hotel. Media reports said Warner ..
India will overcome Aussie juggernaut in CWG: Zafar Iqbal
Former hockey captain Zafar Iqbal is optimistic that the current Indian hockey men's team has the capability to overcome the strong Australian challenge in the upcoming Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, starting April 4.
Renshaw added to under-siege Australian Test squad
With Steve Smith banned from the Johannesburg Test, Australia have recalled Queensland opener Matt Renshaw in the national squad for the fourth and final Test in South Africa, starting in Johannesburg on March 30.The Cricket Australia's decision to call-up Renshaw came after Smith was handed a one-match suspension following his role in the ball-tampering scandal to overshadow his side's 322-run defeat in the Cape Town Test, thus handing a 2-1 lead to South Africa in the series.Renshaw, who will fly to Johannesburg this evening to join the under-siege tourists ahead of Friday's final Test, has appeared in a total of 10 Tests for Australia with the highest score of 184 runs.Meanwhile, Australia are also expected to call up some more players once Cricket Australia (CA) would finalise their inquiry into the scandal that rocked the cricketing world.Following the unraveling of a massive ball-tampering scandal, Steve Smith and David Warner agreed to step down as captain and vice-captain, ...
Nadal called up for Davis Cup quarter-final against Germany
World No. 2 tennis player Rafael Nadal has joined the Spanish national tennis team ahead of the Davis Cup quarter-final against Germany, Spain captain Sergi Bruguera announced here on Tuesday.
India on roll as Bhaker-Anmol wins air pistol mixed gold
The duo of Manu Bhaker and Anmol secured India's seventh gold medal in the ISSF junior World Cup by winning the mixed 10m air pistol event with a qualification world record here today. Genemat Sekhon bagged an individual bronze medal in the junior women's skeet, shooting a 36 in the final. In the mixed 10m air rifle event, 17-year-old Shreya Agrawal and 19-year-old Arjun Babuta completed the podium in third place, finishing with 432.8 points, while their country-mates Elavenil Valarivan Elavenil (18) and Tejas Krishna Prasad (20) finished fourth with 389.1. Bhaker and Anmol dominated the event from the very start and enter the final with the highest qualification score and a new junior qualification world record. They finished with a 5.6 advantage on their closest rivals, China's Liu Jinyao and Li Xue. The two Indian youngsters dominated the final match since its very first series, progressively building a gap between them and their closest rivals. They eventually finished with 478.9 .