Page 1862 - Sports
FIFA gives VAR green light for World Cup
Video assistant referee technology (VAR) will make its debut at the World Cup in Russia this summer despite lingering opposition from within and outside football, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said. "We are going to have in 2018, for the first time, a World Cup with VAR," said Infantino yesterday after a meeting of the FIFA Council which, as expected, rubber-stamped the go-ahead given by the rule-making International Football Association Board (IFAB) in Zurich two weeks ago. "This has been approved and we are really very happy with this decision." The World Cup, which takes place from June 14-July 15, will see VAR used to judge whether or not a goal has been scored, analyse whether a penalty should be awarded, decide on red cards and rectify if a player has been mistakenly sanctioned. "What we want is to help and to give the referee the possibility to have extra help when he has to make important decisions, and in a World Cup we make very important decisions," added Infantino. "It ..
FIFA lifts three-decade ban on Iraq hosting international matches
FIFA has lifted its three-decade ban on Iraq hosting international football with the cities of Arbil, Basra and Karbala given the go-ahead to stage matches. "We are allowing international matches to be staged in the cities of Arbil, Basra and Karbala," FIFA president Gianni Infantino told reporters after a meeting of the FIFA Council here yesterday.
FIFA approves video assistant referees for 2018 World Cup
FIFA has approved the use of video assistant referees (VARs) in this year's World Cup in Russia, the international football governing body has said.
ATK rout Chennai to qualify for Super Cup main round
Two-time Indian Super League (ISL) winners ATK crushed Chennai City FC 4-1 on Friday to qualify for the main draw of the Super Cup at the Kalinga Stadium here.
Bangladesh-Sri Lanka match marred by controversy
The Twenty20 International (T20I) cricket match of the Nidahas Trophy between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh on Friday was marred by some unpleasant actions at the ground.
Nidahas Trophy: Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka to enter final
Riding on some brilliant batting from middle-order batsman Mahmudullah (43 not out), Bangladesh edged past Sri Lanka by two wickets to enter the final of the Nidahas Trophy T20 tri-series here on Friday.
All England Open: Shuttler PV Sindhu storms into semis
Rio Olympics silver-medallist PV Sindhu emerged as the lone Indian survivor in the women's singles category of the USD 1000,000 All England Championship after she booked her place in the semi-finals of the tournament here on Friday.The fourth-seed made a poor start to her quarter-final clash, going down in the opening game 20-22 against 2016 champion Nozomi Okuhara of Japan.However, Sindhu ensured that she had the last laugh as she eventually swept aside Okuhara 20-22,21-18, 21-18 in a nail-biting contest that lasted an hour and 24 minutes here at the Arena Birmingham.With the win, Sindhu clinched her fifth victory over the world number six Japanese, who had also robbed the former of a gold medal at the World Championship in Glasgow.Sindhu will now lock horns with the winner of other quarter-final clash between fifth-seed Carolina Marin of Spain and second-seed Akane Yamaguchi of Japan.
An Indian will win Major soon, says Shubhankar
Two-time European Tour champion Shubhankar Sharma today said Indian golfers have made good progress in recent years and the day is not far when an Indian will win a Major championship. "Indian players are doing well. The day is not far off when an Indian will win a major," said Shubhankar, who got an invite to play at next month's Majors, at a function organised here by Take Solutions. He also felt golf needs more icons like Cricket, which had Sachin Tendulkar to make it popular and reach the masses. "Golf needs more icons to become more popular. That will inspire us. Also, we need to take the sport to the masses," he added. "We will get a Major soon and it will change things," he said. Sharma, 21, has taken the golfing world by storm following two recent victories in South Africa and Malaysia which he followed up with an eye-catching tied ninth finish at the World Golf Championships-Mexico. He led a star-laden field in Mexico City after the second and third rounds. SSP Chawrasia, who
Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka by 2 wickets to reach final
Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka by two wickets to set up summit clash against India in the Nidahas Twenty20 cricket tri-series here today. Brief Scores: Sri Lanka: 159 for 7 in 20 overs (Kusal Perera 61, Thisara Perera 58; Mustafizur Rahman 2/39). Bangladesh: 160 for 8 in 19.5 overs (Tamim Iqbal 50, Mahmudullah 43 not out; Akila Dananjaya 2/37).
I am working on mental aspect of my game: Sindhu
Olympic silver medallist P V Sindhu says losing close matches from advantageous position dealt a blow to her confidence and she is looking to overcome it by working on the mental aspect of her game. Sindhu achieved unprecedented success in the last couple of years but she also lost some heart-breaking losses in the finals of 2016 Rio Olympics, 2017 World Championship, 2017 Dubai Super Series Final and India Open this year. "I have lost matches were I am leading. I know physically and mentally at times when you lose such matches it hits you, but we have to comeback stronger to ensure that it doesn't happen again," Sindhu said after ekeing out a thrilling win over Japan's Nozomi Okuhara to enter the semifinals of the All England Championship here. "I have been working on my mental game. My coaches have been telling me, because sometimes I find when I hit out or tap to the net, when you actually have to get points, I lose confidence and get nervous. So they tell me 'let it be its over.' .
Real Madrid to lock horns with Juventus in CL quarters
The draw for the quarter finals of the Champions League was held at the UEFA Headquarters in Nyon on Friday, and in an all-English affair, Liverpool will welcome Manchester City at Anfield in the first leg of the last-eight of Europe's elite.As three of the five English clubs-- Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspurs --to have qualified for this year's Champions League have already been knocked out in the Round of 16, all hopes of a Premier League club going the distance in Europe's premier club competition, for the first time since Chelsea in 2012, will rest on the winner of this tie.A rematch of last year's final at Cardiff will see heavyweights Juventus and Real Madrid locking horns at the Juventus Stadium in Turin, as The Old Lady, who defeated Tottenham Hotspurs 4-2 on aggregate, will be looking to exact revenge on the reigning European Champions.However, they will need no reminding of what they will be coming up against, as even after having an utterly disappointing ..
Sindhu battles past Okuhara to reach All England semis
India's star shuttler P.V. Sindhu overcame reigning world champion Nozomi Okuhara of Japan on Friday to enter the semi-finals of the All England Open BWF World Tour Super 1000 here.
Marcos Rojo signs new deal at Man Utd
Jose Mourinho favourite Marcos Rojo has signed a new deal at Manchester United that will keep him at the club until at least 2021. The 27-year-old defender, whose progress was halted by a knee injury last April, returned to make 10 appearances this season but has been sidelined since early February. "Since I joined Manchester United, it has been everything I thought it would be and more," said the Argentine international, who has penned a new deal until 2021, with the option of a further year. "I am extremely happy to extend my stay at this great club," added Rojo, who joined the Premier League side from Sporting Lisbon in 2014. "When I joined, my aim was to help the team win trophies and we have done that over the past couple of seasons." Manager Jose Mourinho praised the defender's commitment to the club. "Marcos has gone from strength to strength over the past couple of seasons, and has always shown great professionalism," the Portuguese boss said. "Although his injury has kept him
Zimbabwe grind down Ireland to close on World Cup place
Tendai Chisoro and Graeme Cremer took three wickets each as Zimbabwe secured a resounding 107-run victory over Ireland today to move a step closer to the 2019 World Cup. The hosts of the qualifying tournament battled hard to make 211-9 batting first in Harare, before bowling out the Irish for just 104 to move top of the Super Sixes table. Zimbabwe were indebted to the in-form Sikandar Raza's unbeaten 69 as the all-rounder helped them recover from 139-7, with Chisoro adding a valuable 21 at number nine. Ireland lost early wickets in reply, and when Paul Stirling was run out for 41 to leave them 86-6, their hopes of an important win were over. Opening bowler Chisoro finished with figures of 3-22, while spinner Cremer claimed 3-18 as he mopped up the tail. William Porterfield's side now need to win their last two matches against Afghanistan and Scotland to stand any chance of taking one of the last two spots for next year's World Cup in England and Wales. Zimbabwe top the table on net ...
Valencia's Coquelin forced to abandon training with torn Achilles
Valencia's French midfielder Francis Coquelin was forced to abandon training after suffering a torn Achilles tendon, the team's head coach said on Friday.
Atletico's Filipe Luis fractures his fibula
Atletico Madrid's left-back Filipe Luis has fractured his left fibula during the second leg of Europa League round of 16 against Lokomotiv Moscow, La Liga football club announced on Friday.
Mumbai beat Arrows 2-1 to qualify for Hero Super Cup
Mumbai City FC came from behind to overcome a spirited Indian Arrows 2-1 in the third match of the Hero Super Cup qualifiers at the Kalinga Stadium here today. Rahul KP (76th minute) drew first blood for Arrows but Achille Emana (90+1) and Everton 104th ensured Mumbai had the last laugh. It was the youngsters of the Arrows side comprising mostly of India U-17 players, who had the most chances in the first half, which was otherwise bereft of too many goal scoring opportunities. However, it was Mumbai who got the first chance of the match as early as the 7th minute when a snapshot by Brazilian midfielder Everton from inside the box, ricocheted off the post. The match then slowly swung towards the Arrows, with Stalin forcing a good save from Amrinder of a free-kick in the 12th minute and Deepak Tangri being stopped by Raju Gaikwad who cut down a solo foray into the box. The Arrows maintained their momentum in the second half with Rahul K.P latching on to a stray ball in the 56th minute ..
Vermaelen called up for Belgium's friendly against Saudi Arabia
Belgium's national team coach Roberto Martinez on Friday summoned defender Thomas Vermaelen, who plays for AS Roma on loan from Barcelona, for the national team's upcoming friendly against Saudi Arabia.
Alonso, Parejo, Rodi get maiden Spain call-ups, Costa returns
Spain's football team head coach Julen Lopetegui on Friday called up Marcos Alonso, Dani Parejo and Rodi Hernandez-Cascante for the first time, while Atletico Madrid's forward Diego Costa returned to the squad for the first time in nine months for the upcoming friendly matches against Germany and Argentina.
Sindhu enters All England semifinals after thrilling win over Okuhara
Olympic silver medallist shuttler P V Sindhu produced a top-notched performance to eke out a thrilling three-game victory over 2016 champion Nozomi Okuhara of Japan to progress to her maiden semifinal at the USD 1000,000 All England Championship here today. The quarterfinal clash lived up to its billing as Sindhu and Okuhara strained every sinew to dish out yet another nail-biting contest at the Arena Birmingham. It boiled down to finding the right balance of aggression and patience and Sindhu ensured that she had the last laugh as she outwitted Okuhara 20-22 21-18 21-18 in a battle that lasted an hour and 24 minutes here. With this victory, Sindhu registered her fifth win over the Nagano-born World No. 6 Japanese, who robbed her of a World Championship gold at Glasgow after a 110 minute marathon battle which went down in history as one of the greatest. Seventh seeded Okuhara used long tosses and clears and cross court drops to make Sindhu run around the court. Sindhu was equally up ..