Page 1895 - Sports
Coach Lobera happy with FC Goa's scoring prowess
With his team leading the scoring charts on their way to the semi-finals, FC Goa coach Sergio Lobera asserted that he was happy with his players' attacking prowess in the ongoing edition of the Indian Super League (ISL).
Hockey: South Korea edge past India eves in third match
Indian eves slipped to their first defeat of the South Korea tour as the hosts registered a 2-1 victory over the visitors in the third match of the five-match series at the Jinchun National Athletic Centre here on Thursday.
India need big win over Ireland to keep hopes alive in Azlan Shah
A young and inexperienced India will be eyeing a big win over Ireland here tomorrow to keep alive their slim hopes of qualifying for the final of Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament and hope for favourable results in other matches. After a below-par outing in the first three matches, India rekindled their hopes by registering their first win of the tournament yesterday, mauling hosts Malaysia 5-1. Before the win, India had earlier lost 2-3 to Olympic champions Argentina, 2-4 against world champions Australia and drew 1-1 against England. World champions Australia are already through to the final with four wins from as many games but barring Ireland, all other four teams have a chance to make it to the summit clash. Australia are leading the points table with 12 points ahead of second-placed and Olympic champions Argentina (7 points), Malaysia (6), England (5) and India (4). Ireland are already out of the race with four consecutive defeats. But India's fate completely depends on lots of ..
Snubbed boxer Gaurav aims for Tokyo Olympics
World Championship bronze medallist boxer Gaurav Bidhuri, who failed to make the India squad for the 2018 Commonwealth Games, has now set his eyes on the Tokyo Olympics 2020.Bidhuri took to social media on Thursday to say, "When God gives you a 'NO', give him a 'Thank You'. He is protecting from less than his best.""With a heavy heart I want to inform you all that I won't be able to take part in Commonwealth Games, Gold Coast due to my prolonging back injury. I have requested our federation to take my trials for CWG but like always I appreciate the support I have received from Boxing Federation of India and respect their decision of asking me to get perfectly fit before going for international competition," he added.The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) had selected the CWG boxing contingent on the basis of a points system put in place before the national championships last year and Bidhuri was excluded from the team as he did not have the required points.The Bantam-Weight boxer ...
Sharapova loses in Indian Wells 1st round
Russian star Maria Sharapova returned to the Indian Wells tennis tournament after three years only to lose in the first round to Japan's Naomi Osaka in straight sets.
Seema Punia to be dope-tested by NADA
Discus thrower Seema Punia will be subjected to an out-of-competition dope test before the Commonwealth Games as she could not be tested during the 22nd Federation Cup National Senior Athletics Championships here. Punia won a gold on the opening day on March 5 with a best throw of 61.05m at the NIS Patiala but she could not be dope tested as National Anti Doping Agency officials did not turn up on that day. The NADA officials reached here the next day on March 6 but by that time Punia had left for home. The NADA has now asked the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) to contact her and provide a location where she can be tested. The AFI has done so and the NADA officials are travelling to Sonipat to collect her urine sample. "We have sent NADA the details of the location in Haryana where their officials can collect her dope sample," an official at the national camp here told PTI on condition of anonymity. "NADA officials reached here late by a day. To be fair to her, Seema is not bound .
Indian women suffer first defeat in hockey tour of South Korea
Indian women's hockey team suffered its first defeat in the tour of South Korea after they lost 1-2 against the hosts in a hard-fought third game of the five-match series here today. Two goals in the first quarter from South Korea's Seul Ki Cheon (12th minute) and Yurim Lee (14th) sealed the win for the hosts at the Jinchun National Athletic Centre. India, however, did not give up without a fight a pulled a goal back through Lalremsiami in the 16th minute. Despite the loss, India continue to lead the series 2-1 following victories in the first two games. Earlier in the day, India looked to continue their winning momentum and were quick off the blocks to put some pressure on South Korea's midfield. However, the South Koreans matched their rivals equally as the opening 10 minutes of the first quarter witnessed tough tussle between both the teams for supremacy. But it was South Korea who took the lead when Seul Ki Cheon converted a penalty corner in the 12th minute. If that was not ...
Malhotra congratulates Asia Cup gold medallist archers
All India Council of Sports (AICS) President Vijay Kumar Malhotra today congratulated young archer Muskan Kirar for winning a gold medal in the Asia Cup at Bangkok recently. He congratulated her coach Richpal Singh for turning the raw talent into Asian gold medallist within two years of her induction in the Madhya Pradesh State Archery Academy at Jabalpur. Malhotra also congratulated Pramila Daimatry for winning the Asian Cup recurve gold medal in the same event. Malhotra profusely praised the tenacity of the young girls who took up sports at very young age and within two years of training, went on to win Asian gold medals. Malhotra hoped that the Sports Ministry would provide all assistance and support to both Muskan and Pramila so as to prepare them for the Asian Games and 2020 Tokyo Olympics by including their names in the Target Olympic Podium (TOP) scheme.
Juventus downs Tottenham in Champions League action
Juventus staged a superb comeback over Tottenham Hotspur midway through the second half here, downing the British squad 2-1 at Wembley Stadium and earning a ticket to the Champions League quarter-finals.
Man City in Champions League quarters despite loss to Basel
Manchester City had their long unbeaten streak at home snapped in a 1-2 loss to FC Basel here, but the result was essentially meaningless as the English Premier League (EPL) leaders comfortably advanced to the Champions League quarter-finals with a 5-2 victory on aggregate.
Tri-Nation Series: India aim to bounce back against B'desh
After receiving a five-wicket defeat from Sri Lanka in the opening match of the ongoing Tri-Nation Nidahas Twenty20 Cup, India will look to comeback when they take on Bangladesh in their second match here in Colombo on Thursday.India have met Bangladesh five times in the format and have won all.The last time the two sides faced each other in World T20, 2016, India secured a last ball heart-stopping victory to save themselves from a knock out.Bangladesh have recently also lost the T20I home series 2-0 against Sri Lanka last month.India have rested their key players for the series and is led by opener Rohit Sharma in the absence of their regular skipper Virat Kohli.Bangladesh will also come into the series without their regular skipper Shakib Al-Hasan, who has been ruled out due to injury.Mahmudullah Riyad will take the charge of the team in his absence.India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will face each other twice in the tournament and the top two will make the Final, which is slated to be
Shooting World Cup: Indian shooters eye Rapid Fire Pistol finals
The Indian teenage brigade, competing at the ongoing International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup, continued to impress as 15-year old Anish Bhanwala stood third after the first qualifying round of the Men's 25m Rapid Fire Pistol.Anish, who recently equalled the world record in the event during the National trials, shot 294 out of 300 in the precision stage, to lie behind China's Olympic bronze medalist Yuehong Li, who shot the same score to be in second place.France's Clement Bessaguet, World Cup Finals silver medalist, shot 295 to be on top of the qualifying ladder.Lying fourth and fifth after the precision stage were Rio Olympian Christian Reitz of Germany (292) and Jean Quiquampoix of France (292).Also in line for a final's berth was Anish's senior teammate Neeraj Kumar, who shot 291 to take the sixth spot.The top six in the event at the end of the two qualifying stages, the precision stage and the rapid-fire stage, make it to the medal round. The Rapid Fire stage and .
Nigeria host FIFA World Cup trophy
The World Cup trophy has arrived in Abuja, Nigeria's capital aboard a chartered flight.
Quinton de Kock fined for breaching ICC code of conduct
South African wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock was fined 25 percent of his match fee for breaching Level 1 of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Code of Conduct during the fourth day of the first Test against South Africa in Durban.Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50 percent of a player's match fee, and one or two demerit points. There is no provision of an appeal for a first Level 1 offence as per Article 8 of the Code of Conduct.De Kock was found to have breached Article 2.1.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to "conduct that brings the game into disrepute," following an altercation with Australia vice-captain David Warner on Sunday, which was caught on CCTV.In addition to this, one demerit point has been added to de Kock's disciplinary record as it was the first offence since the introduction of the revised Code in September 2016.Jeff Crowe of the Emirates Elite Panel ..
Shooter Anish shines at World Cup
Indian teenager Anish Bhanwala stood third after the first qualifying round of the Men's 25m Rapid Fire Pistol event at the Shooting World Cup here.
Sharapova upset by Osaka in 1st round at Indian Wells
Maria Sharapova's return to the BNP Paribas Open for the first time in three years ended in a 6-4, 6-4 loss to Naomi Osaka of Japan. Sharapova's ranking of No. 41 in the world forced her to play a first-round match in the tournament she has won twice. She trailed 4-1 in the first set before holding serve at 4-all. But Osaka held to go up 5-4 and broke Sharapova on a double fault to close out the set. Ranked 44th in the world, Osaka took a 4-2 lead in the second set. Sharapova broke to tie it 4-all before Osaka won the final two games to end the 1 1/2-hour match. Sam Stosur overcame a slow start to beat American Lauren Davis 3-6, 6-3, 6-3. Two American teenagers advanced to the second round. Amanda Anisimova defeated 94th-ranked Pauline Parmentier 6-2, 6-2 for her first WTA Tour victory. The 16-year-old Anisimova, who earned a wild card into the main draw, is the U.S. Open junior champion. Caroline Dolehide, a 19-year-old wild card, fired 11 aces in outlasting 78th-ranked Shelby ...
Swiss star Federer showing no signs of slowing
Roger Federer, who regained the world Number One ranking last month, is on a quest to make history in the California desert by winning an unprecedented sixth Indian Wells title. The 36-year-old Swiss marvel continues to defy the aging process, claiming his 20th Grand Slam title and sixth Australian Open crown in January. He has enjoyed a perfect start to 2018 by winning both events he has competed in and taking his career singles title tally to 97. "He shows there is no limit," said third-seeded Grigor Dimitrov on Wednesday. "He keeps on proving it every year on the tour." Federer opens the defence of his Indian Wells title by playing a second-round match against either American Ryan Harrison or Federico Delbonis of Argentina. He also won this tournament three straight years beginning in 2004, and in 2012 as well as last year. Federer comes into the elite event as the oldest ATP Number One in history. In the Open era, only American Jimmy Connors has won more titles than Federer, with .
City advances to Champions League QFs despite loss to Basel
With their first home loss in 15 months, Manchester City ended up stumbling into the quarterfinals of the Champions League. Not that Pep Guardiola was particularly bothered about a surprise 2-1 home loss to Basel. "This kind of positionis not going to happen in the quarterfinals, where you have a 4-0 (lead) from the first leg," the City coach said. "When it's scary to be (knocked) out, the rhythm will be completely different." Indeed, it was difficult to draw too many conclusions from what was only City's fourth loss of the season in all competitions. A 4-0 win in Switzerland in the first leg three weeks ago made qualification almost a formality for a team that is 16 points clear in the Premier League and one of the favorites to win the Champions League. Guardiola fielded a virtual reserve side at Etihad Stadium for the return match, and making six changes from its previous game disrupted the fluency of the team's passing and pressing game. City took the lead in the eighth minute ...
Champions League: Juventus comes back to beat Tottenham 2-1
Gonzalo Higuain and Paulo Dybala scored twice inside three minutes as Juventus stunned Tottenham with a second-half fightback to reach the Champions League quarterfinals with a 2-1 victory. While Juventus collapsed in the first leg to draw 2-2, it was Tottenham's turn at Wembley Stadium to throw away a winning position and go out with a 4-3 aggregate loss. When Son Heung-min capped a dominant first half for Tottenham with a goal, it should have been a platform to build on for a team without a domestic league title in 57 years against one that's won the last six Serie A titles. But a pair of substitutions and a tactical shift -- from 3-5-2 to 4-3-3 -- by Massimiliano Allegri transformed the last-16 match. And it was pair of Argentines that ended the hopes of compatriot Mauricio Pochettino, the Tottenham manager. Higuain struck from close range in the 64th minute and then created the winner, holding off three Tottenham players before feeding Dybala to net his first Champions League goal
Tiger inspired by Mickelson, eyes Masters challenge
Tiger Woods is drawing inspiration from fellow veteran Phil Mickelson's win in Mexico last weekend as he plots the latest stage of his comeback this week ahead of next month's Masters. The 42-year-old former world number one will tee off in the PGA Tour's Valspar Championship on Thursday hoping to get more rounds under his belt heading into Augusta in three weeks' time. Woods has endured mixed results since returning to the tour this season, finishing tied for 23rd at Torrey Pines in January before missing the cut at Riviera in Los Angeles last month. He followed that up with a 12th-place finish at the Honda Classic and is playing the Valspar at Tampa, Florida this week in an attempt to hone his game before the Masters. Woods missed all of 2016 and most of 2017 because of debilitating back trouble that culiminated in spinal fusion surgery last April. He said the 47-year-old Mickelson's victory at the WGC Championship in Mexico on Sunday encouraged him to believe he could still add to .