Page 1868 - Sports
India to clash against Pakistan in Champions Trophy hockey opener
Arch-rivals India and Pakistan will lock horns in a high-profile opening match of the men's Champions Trophy hockey tournament in Breda, Netherlands on June 23. As per the schedule announced by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) today, besides the India-Pakistan tie, there will be two more games on the first day of the event to be held from June 23 to July 1. The India-Pakistan match will be followed by a clash between hosts and European champions Netherlands and 2016 Olympic gold medallists Argentina, while reigning World Cup, World League and Champions Trophy title holders Australia will face Rio Olympic silver medallists Belgium in the last game of the day. In line with the event qualification criteria, Netherlands, Argentina and Australia qualified for this event automatically while the other three nations were invited by the FIH Executive Board. The competition in Breda is notable for many reasons, not least for the fact that it will be the last ever men's edition of the ..
Super Cup qualifier: ATK, Chennai City aim to start afresh
Two-time Indian Super League (ISL) champions ATK will aim to start afresh when they hit the pitch against Chennai City FC in the final qualifier match of the Super Cup 2018 at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Friday.The qualifiers of the tournament will be played between teams who finished between seventh and 10th in the ISL and I-League respectively. The four winners will proceed to the final round of the tournament which kicks-off from March 31."Chennai City FC have shown their capability on the field and we have to very cautious. Otherwise, we might have to bow out of the tournament on the first day itself,'' Asstistant coach Bastab Ray mentioned in the pre-match press conference held at the venue today.Meanwhile, Jayesh Rane stated that the entire team is eager to end the season on a positive note."We haven't had an impressive season. We were plagued with injuries. This is going to be another test and we have to make this opportunity count,'' Rane said.On the other hand, ...
Sri Lanka, Bangladesh clash in virtual semifinal
Sri Lankan and Bangladesh will look to rectify their shortcomings, when they square off in a virtual semi-final encounter in the Nidahas Twenty20 tri-series here tomorrow. The winner will play India in the final on March 18. Both teams have two points with a victory each in the tri-series so far. Sri Lanka surprised India in the tournament opener while Bangladesh convincingly chased down a target of 215 set by the host's last week. The home side enjoy a slight advantage as in case of washout, they will proceed to the final owing to a better net run-rate. Sri Lanka's recent record against Bangladesh, prior to the defeat last week, has been impressive. They beaten Bangladesh in an away Test and T20 series besides the final of the ODI tri-series also involving Zimbabwe. Sri Lanka will be missing the services of their regular skipper Dinesh Chandimal, who has been suspended from two Twenty20 Internationals, after being found guilty of a serious over-rate offence in the match against ...
England cricket team to tour Sri Lanka for first time in six years
England will tour Sri Lanka for the first time in over six years to play three Tests, five one-day internationals and a one-off Twenty20 match, organisers said today. The tour will begin on October 10 with a day-night ODI at Dambulla, Sri Lanka Cricket said in a statement. There will be three day-night ODI matches in all while the T20 will also be a day-night game. The First Test will be at the picturesque Galle International Stadium while the other two tests are slated for Pallekele stadium in Kandy and in the capital Colombo. The Third Test is scheduled to be played from November 23 to 27 when the tournament ends. England's previous tour of Sri Lanka was in 2012 for a two-match Test series they drew 1-1. Sri Lanka toured England in 2016 for a full tour of three Tests, five ODI matches and a one-off T20 game. England won the series.
Barcelona's Busquets out with toe injury
Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets will be out for around three weeks with a fractured toe and faces a race to be fit for next month's Champions League quarter-finals. Busquets hobbled off in the 61st minute of Barca's 3-0 win over Chelsea on Wednesday as Lionel Messi's double sealed a 4-1 victory on aggregate. Ousmane Dembele was also on target at the Camp Nou. The Catalans will discover on Friday their last eight opponent, with the first leg scheduled for April 3 or 4, leaving Busquets a maximum of 21 days to recover. Busquets' injury comes at a bad time too for Spain, with coach Julen Lopetegui due to announce on Friday his squad for friendlies against Germany on March 23 and Argentina on March 27. A Barcelona statement on Thursday read: "The tests performed have confirmed that the player of the first team Sergio Busquets has a fracture in the phalanx of the fifth right toe with a wound. His approximate absence is three weeks.
FIFA to give VAR green light at World Cup
FIFA are expected to rubber-stamp video assistant referee technology (VAR) for this summer's World Cup despite lingering opposition from within and outside football. Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, will oversee the governing body's meeting in Bogota happy to give the green light to the system despite a long, personal spell of scepticism. "VAR is something positive that will bring much more to the transparency of football," said Infantino ahead of the FIFA Council meeting starting tomorrow. "Video refereeing isn't going to be the solution to everything in football. What we want to do is avoid resounding mistakes by referees." At the World Cup in Russia from June 14-July 15, VAR will be 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. The game's lawmakers, the International Football Association Board (IFAB), had decided two weeks ago at its meeting in ...
Arrows aim to continue good work against Mumbai in Super Cup
The All India Football Federation's (AIFF)developmental team, Indian Arrows will aim to continue the good work when it faces Mumbai City FC in the third qualifier of the Hero Super Cup 2018, here tomorrow. The Arrows, comprising players of India U-19 national team and U-17 World Cup side, are being coached by Luis Norton de Matos, who believes that the process needs to continue. The qualifiers of the tournament will be played between teams who finished between seventh and 10th in the Hero ISL and Hero I-League respectively. The four winners will proceed to the final round of the tournament which kicks-off from March 31. "We are in a process and we'll continue to show that we are able to showcase a good brand of football, no matter who are we facing," Matos said. "We had four wins in the Hero I-League despite being the youngest squad in the league. Moreover, the youngest highest scorer Abhijit Sarkar is in my team. My boys were chosen for the Hero of the Match 10 times. Naorem scored ..
Boxer Pinki Rani set for CWG challenge
Boxer Pinki Rani has said she would aim to change the colour of her 2014 Commonwealth Games bronze medal as she prepares herself for the 2018 Gold Coast challenge."I enjoy taking tough challenges. We double our hard work seeing a tough challenge. Last time, I gave my 100 per cent and this time I will give 120 per cent to change the color of the medal," Pinki told ANI.Pinki will spearhead India's challenge at the CWG 2018 in women's 51 kg weight category after her dominating run to the gold at the India Open.Talking about the competition in the category, Pinki said, "Last year also the CWG had 51 kg category, so definitely this year we will have a bigger competition. The Olympics also have this weight category. Countries field very strong contestants in this category, so, I have prepared myself according to that."The 27-year-old boxer added that she would continue to play her game of aggression to eye medal at the CWG Games."I have always adopted the game of aggression. I have all the .
Indian football team re-enters top-100 in FIFA rankings
The Indian football team has re-entered the top-100 of the FIFA world rankings and is now placed at 99th at the latest chart released today. The team, which did not play any international match in this ranking period, jumped three places to enter the top-100 for the first time this year. It now has 339 points to its kitty to be at joint 99th spot with Libya. Last year, the Indian team broke into the top-100 three times, rising as high as 96th in July -- the second best ever after the 94th place attained in February 1996. But it ended the year at 105th spot. Among Asian countries, the Indian team is now at 13th spot, above the likes of Qatar, Oman, Jordan, Bahrain and North Korea. Iran (overall 33rd) leads the rankings among Asian countries, followed by Australia (37th) and Japan (55th). World champions Germany remain on the top of the overall chart, followed by Brazil, Portugal, Argentina, Belgium, Poland, Spain, Switzerland, France and Chile. The Indian team plays their AFC Asian Cup
India's fixtures for Asian Youth Olympics Qualifiers announced
India Under-18 men's team are grouped with South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong China and Cambodia in Pool A while the eves will take on Korea, Thailand and Singapore in Pool B at the mens and womens Asian Youth Olympic Games Qualifiers, beginning from April 25 in Thailand, it was announced on Thursday
Youth Olympic Qualifiers: Indian boys to take on Cambodia in opener
The U-18 Indian men's hockey team will play their first match against Cambodia while the women team will take on Singapore in the opening match of the Asian Youth Olympic Games Qualifiers 2018, beginning April 25 in Bangkok, Thailand.The Indian boys are grouped with Korea, Japan, Hong Kong China and Cambodia in Pool A while the U-18 Indian women's hockey team will lock horns with Korea, Thailand and Singapore in Pool B, as per the schedule announced by the Asian Hockey Federation yesterday.The five-day event is for players between the age group of 15 to 18 years and the tournament, along with the Youth Olympic Games Hockey Competition will follow the futuristic Hockey 5's format.Speaking about the Indian Hockey Teams (Men and Women) prospects at the Qualifiers, David John, Hockey India's High Performance Director said, "With winning this tournament, teams become eligible for the Youth Olympic Games, so we have to go there to win. It will be challenging because it's Hockey 5s and the ..
Boxer Sarita Devi optimistic about picking gold at CWG 2018
Indian boxer Sarita Devi on Thursday said that she is focused on giving her 100 percent and hopeful of picking up a gold medal at the prestigious Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, which is slated to begin on April 4.Talking to ANI, Sarita, who won a bronze medal at the Asian Championships last year, revealed that her preparations have been going pretty well and that Boxing Federation of India (BFI) is providing full support to the players."Training has been going pretty good. Last time, there were some disturbances because of federation. But now, the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) has come which is supporting us really well. They have started promoting boxing in the country in both women and men's category. They have inaugurated Indian Open in India. They have called coaches from foreign. We are getting good support now and are also training well. So, I am hopeful to clinch a gold medal this time around," Sarita said.Last year, the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) has been ...
Player like Messi born only once in 50 years: Conte
Hailing FC Barcelona star Lionel Messi for his superlative display against Chelsea, manager Antonio Conte said his kind of player is born only once every 50 years.
Easy opening games for India in Asian Youth Olympics Qualifiers hockey
India will play Cambodia and Singapore respectively in the opening matches of the boy's and girl's hockey competitions at the Asian Youth Olympic Games Qualifiers 2018 which will begin on April 25 in Bangkok. While Indian boys are grouped with Korea, Japan, Hong Kong China and Cambodia in Pool A, the girls will take on Korea, Thailand and Singapore in Pool B as per the schedule announced by the Asian Hockey Federation yesterday. The five-day event is for players between the age group of 15 to 18 years and the tournament along with the Youth Olympic Games hockey competition will follow the futuristic Hockey 5's format. Speaking about the Indian teams' prospects at the Qualifiers, Hockey India's High Performance Director David John said, By winning this tournament, teams become eligible for the Youth Olympic Games, so we have to go there to win. It will be challenging because it's Hockey 5s and the nature of the game can be quite unpredictable. "Though Hockey India is promoting ...
Indian Wells: Simona Halep punches ticket to semis
Top-seed Simon Halep overcome windy conditions to sweep aside Petra Martic of Croatia in three-set thriller and book her place in the semi-finals of the Indian Wells Masters here on Thursday.After comfortably winning the first set, the Romanian tennis star went down in the second before she bounced back strongly to seal a 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-3 win over Martic in a tightly-contested quarter-final clash of the women's singles event which lasted two hours and 23 minutes.Following the win, Halep was quoted by WTA as saying, "[The wind was] a bit too much.Everything I had today frustration way, it was because of the wind."With the win, the 26-year-old moved to her third Indian Wells semi-finals and improved her record to sparkling 18-1 this season.Halep, who is looking to win her second WTA Tour title of 2018, will now face Japan's Naomi Osaka for a place in the summit showdown.
Copa Libertadores: Flamengo ride Vinicius brace
Real Madrid-bound teenager Vinicius Junior came off the bench to score two late goals as Brazil's Flamengo defeated Ecuadorian side Emelec 2-1 in their Copa Libertadores group match here.
River Plate beat Boca Juniors to win Argentine Super Cup
River Plate defeated rivals Boca Juniors 2-0 to secure their first Argentine Super Cup here on Thursday.
All England Open: Sindhu eyes quarter-final berth
Rio Olympic silver-medallist PV Sindhu will aim to book her place in the quarter-finals of the prestigious All England Championship when she squares off with Thailand's Nitchaon Jindapol in the second round of the women's singles event here on Thursday.The 22-year-old had earlier entered round two of the championship after beating Pornpawee Chochuwong of Thailand 20-22, 21-17, 21-9 in a clash that lasted for just 38 minutes.Jindapol, on the other hand, swept aside American tennis player Beiwen Zhang 21-18, 21-14 in her opening round of the tournament.Meanwhile, ace Indian shuttlers HS Prannoy and Kidambi Srikanth will also look to qualify for the quarter-finals when they take on Indonesia's Tommy Sugiarto and China's Huang Yuxiang respectively, in their second-round clashes of the men's singles event later in the day.Srikanth fought back after a set down to clinch a 7-21, 21-14, 22-20 win over Brice Leverdez of France in a hard-fought opening round, while Prannoy defeated eighth-seed
Decision time: Barcelona's Iniesta weighing offer from China
Barcelona captain Andres Iniesta revealed he has an offer to move to China and will make a decision on his future before the end of April. The 33-year-old came through the youth system at Barca, has made over 400 appearances for the club and signed a "lifetime contract" with the club in October. But after a 3-0 win over Chelsea on Wednesday secured the team's place in the Champions League quarter-finals, Iniesta admitted his future may lie elsewhere. "Before April 30 I have to make the decision whether I'm still in Barcelona or I'm going to China. I have to assess what is best for me and for the club," he said. "It is a decision that I will communicate to the club first and then you will find out. I will make a decision before April 30. "It will be the most honest for me and for the club." Iniesta has been linked with Tianjin Quanjian, although the Chinese Super League club declared the rumours "false" this week and threatened legal action to stamp them out. Iniesta has won the ...
England downplay Stokes injury as Black Caps Test looms
England have played down injury concerns surrounding Ben Stokes ahead of the first Test against New Zealand, saying he should be fit to play. The star all-rounder picked up a back niggle in the recently completed one-day series win over the Black Caps and has reportedly not trained since. He also missed England's two-day warm-up against a New Zealand XI this week to prepare for the pink-ball Test in Auckland starting on March 22. England assistant coach Paul Farbrace said Stokes should be fit to play in a second warm-up match beginning on Friday, even if he acted solely as a batsman. But Farbrace insisted the 26-year-old was on track to feature with both bat and ball for the day-night Test at Eden Park. "There's plenty of time next week for him to get overs and be ready for the Test match in Auckland," he told Sky Sports UK. If he plays, it will be Stokes's first Test appearance since the nightclub fracas that forced him out of England's losing Ashes series against Australia. He ...