Page 1903 - Sports
Women's football league to start on March 25
Defending champions Eastern Sporting Union will take on Indira Gandhi Academy for Sports & Education on the opening day of the 2nd edition of the Indian womens football league in Shillong on March 25, it was announced on Tuesday.
Nigeria to have friendlies against Poland, Serbia
Nigeria are billed to play international friendly matches against Poland and Serbia ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Rocas change in fortune with BFC
Bengaluru FC's remarkable debut in the Hero Indian Super League has been masterminded by coach Albert Roca. But had not things not gone in his favour towards the end of last season, he wouldnt have been occupying that seat in the first place. Roca was brought in by Bengaluru FC in July 2016 and the immediate task was to ensure the side advanced to the knockout stages of the AFC Cup. They did, scored a famous win over Malaysias reigning champions Johor Darul Tazim but then faltered at the final juncture against Al Quwa Al Jawiya. I-League was next. As expected, they started strongly with three wins, but it was followed by a seven-match winless run which deterred their fight for silverware. This included being trounced 3-1 by East Bengal in the comforts of their home soil. The club did pick up form late in the season which saw them win their final four matches to finish fourth on the table. This was certainly an underachievement for a club of Bengalurus stature which had, on paper, the .
Indian women's football league to kick off on March 25
Defending champions Eastern Sporting Union will take on Indira Gandhi Academy for Sports & Education on the opening day as the 2nd edition of the Hero Indian Women's League in Shillong on March 25. The tournament will be played among seven teams who face each other once with the top four teams advancing to the semi-finals to be played on April 12. The final is slated for April 15. I-League 2017-18 debutants Gokulam Kerala FC, the sole club from I-League to have fielded a team in the IWL will also be in action on the first day itself when they take on Rising Student Club of Odisha. Promotion of women's football stays on top of All India Football Federation's priority list and the first edition of the IWL organised in Delhi in early 2017 was a massive hit with the fans, gaining a viewership of over 8.5 million on AIFFs social media handles. AIFF general secretary Kushal Das said that the development of womens football remains a top priority. "We at AIFF understand the future and ...
ICC Rankings: Kohli, Pujara remain static, Ashwin slips
India captain Virat Kohli and senior batsman Cheteshwar Pujara held their second and sixth positions respectively on the batsmen's list while off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin slipped a notch to be at sixth among bowlers in the latest ICC Test rankings. Australian speedster Mitchell Starc reached a career-best fifth position among bowlers after his 'Player-of-the-match' performance in the Durban Test against South Africa helped his side win by 118 runs and take a 1-0 lead in the four-match series. The 28-year-old Starc finished with a match haul of nine for 109, enabling him to overtake South Africas new-ball bowlers Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander among others, eclipsing his previous best sixth position that he enjoyed in December 2016. Further, the left-handers 42 runs in the Test have not only helped him gain three slots to reach 74th position among batsmen but have also helped him make it to the top-five among all-rounders. He is now on 312 points, 35 less than his tally when he ..
Will give our best in 2019 Asian Cup: Gurpreet
Indian football team goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu says they will look to erase the ghost of the disastrous outing in 2011 Asian Cup by "giving everything on the pitch" when they compete in the continental event next year. India were hammered by Asian giants South Korea, Australia and Bahrain in the last edition, conceding a staggering 13 goals in three matches. Things are different though this time around, following a fabulous 13-match unbeaten run under coach Stephen Constantine. "It's never easy to play against good teams and especially who are regular competitors in the Asian Cup. In 2011, the team gave all their efforts and in 2019 also we will give our everything on the pitch and try to leave an impression," Sandhu told PTI during an interview. He added: "The national team has grown in the last two-three years and if we keep going like that then we can put up a good fight there (in the UAE)." The lanky custodian became the first Indian to ever play in Europes top division and
Boca Juniors stunned by Argentinos Juniors
Teenage midfielder Alexis Mac Allister scored one goal and set up another as Argentinos Juniors upset Superliga Argentina leaders Boca Juniors 2-0 here.
Gymnast Aruna Reddy to join South Central Railway
Gymnast Buddha Aruna Reddy, who brought laurels to the country by winning a historic bronze medal in the Gymnastics World Cup, has been offered a job by South Central Railway (SCR).Hyderabad-born Aruna has been given employment in SCR in the Group C category, a statement from SCR read.Vinod Kumar Yadav, General Manager, SCR, expressed confidence that the gymnast would continue to dazzle with her performance and would bring glory to Indian Railways and the nation.Aruna left an inedible mark in the annals of Indian sports history by winning a bronze medal in the women's vault event of Gymnastic World Cup on February 28.The 22-year-old finished third with an average score of 13.699 following her two attempts in the women's vault event. Slovenia's Tjasa Kysslef picked gold with a score of 13.800 and Emily White ahead of Australia took home silver after her best score of 13.699.Aruna, who is also a part of the Indian gymnastics contingent, which will participate in the 2018 Commonwealth ...
Hockey India congratulates Lilima Minz on completing 100 International Caps
Hockey India on Tuesday congratulated Indian women's hockey team midfielder Lilima Minz for achieving the milestone of playing 100 international matches for the country.Lilima achieved the feat during India's second match of the five-game series against hosts South Korea.The 23-year-old from Bihabandh-Tanatoli village of Odisha made her International debut for the women's team in 2011 during the Four-Nation Tournament in Argentina.She was picked in the national camp after a series of impressive performances in the domestic circuit.Lilima was a member of the Indian team that won the women's hockey test series 6-0 against Malaysia. She represented India at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and was also a part of the side that won bronze at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, Korea.She also represented India at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, where the Indian women's hockey team made their first appearance in 36 years.Lilima was also part of the Indian team's historic Women's Asia Cup win .
Favourites Bengaluru take on doughty Pune in first leg semis
It will be a battle of two play-off debutants when round-robin group toppers and favourites Bengaluru FC take on FC Pune City in the first leg semi-final of the Indian Super League at the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Balewadi here tomorrow. BFC, who made their debut in the ISL this season after making a big mark in the I-League till last season, have been the most impressive among the 10 teams and go into the first leg semi-final clash with their tails up against a team that have made it to the play-off for the first time in four attempts. With both sides possessing some top class strikers and effective mid-fielders, apart from two Indian goalies Vishal Kaith and Gurpreet Singh who have been quietly efficient, the game promises to provide exciting fare. In India skipper Sunil Chhetri and Venezuelan Miku, who are second and fifth in the goal-getters' list with 14 and 10 strikes respectively, the BFC have a potent strike force that would be hard to contain. The BFC .
Celta beat Las Palmas to stay in race for Europe
Celta Vigo kept their Europa League hopes alive with a come from behind 2-1 victory in a Spanish top division football match here against UD Las Palmas, who remain stuck in the La Liga drop zone.
As Serena Williams returns, Venus says her game hasn't left
Venus Williams gave a scouting report on her warmup partner that sounded the same as always. Serena Williams is back, and her game hasn't left. "She's got power, depth. She knows how to play," Venus said. "Yeah, awesome game." The Williams sisters were the headliners yesterday night in the Tie Break Tens tournament in Madison Square Garden, an eight-woman event in which all matches were 10-point tiebreakers, instead of the usual games and sets. Serena won her first match but lost in the semifinals. Elina Svitolina of Ukraine dominated the event, winning 17 straight points during victories over Venus and CoCo Vandeweghe before defeating China's Zhang Shuai 10-3 to win USD 250,000. Serena was playing singles for the first time this year as she prepares to return to the WTA Tour for the first time since giving birth to her daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr., on Sept. 1. The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion would later tell Vogue Magazine in an interview that she developed several ...
Man-U made to sweat by Crystal Palace
A crucial save by David de Gea and Nemanja Matic's stoppage-time goal were the difference for Manchester United, who had to overcome a two goal deficit to beat Crystal Palace 3-2.
Roger Federer dazzles in first career Bay Area appearance
From his knees at the middle of the net, Roger Federer struck volley after volley right back at Jack Sock until the American star finally faltered. Federer just smiled. It was all in fun. And how could Federer not be loving life? He's the best in the world at age 36. That even sounds a bit strange to Federer himself. "Those are definitely special times in my life and my career," Federer said. "The dream as a little boy was to make it one day to world No. 1, but not at 36 years old I can tell you that. It was probably at some point at 25 maybe if things went really well. "I had a tough year in 2016 with my knee and stayed positive, was resilient and fought to come back and really believed I could actually win again. I didn't think it was going to be at this level. It's been an unbelievable journey the last 14 months and my team has been incredible. I'm loving every moment that I can still stay on tour because you never know when it's going to end." While this doubles match didn't ...
India target Sri-Lanka tri-series success without key players
Rohit Sharma-led India side will play their opening match against Sri Lanka in the Tri-Nation Nidahas Twenty20 Cup here in Colombo on Tuesday.India will go in the series without their star power as regular skipper Virat Kohli, wicket-keeper-batsman MS Dhoni, pacer Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Hardik Pandya and Kuldeep Yadav have all been rested for the series which also involves Bangladesh.As India have rested their key players willingly, Sri Lanka is a forced one, as star all-rounder and captain Angelo Mathews, Asela Gunaratne and fast bowler Shehan Madushanka are unavailable due to their respective injuries.The other members of the Indian squad include Vice-captain Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Suresh Raina, Mohammad Siraj and Rishabh Pant.With just about 16 months left for the ICC World Cup, the youngsters who get a chance in this tournament would look to make most of their performances.The Nidahas tournament is being played to celebrate Sri Lanka's 70th year of ...
Stop whinging, Warne says as Warner row heats up
Australian legend Shane Warne said players should stop "whinging" about sledging after an ugly row between David Warner and South Africa's Quinton de Kock clouded the first Test in Durban. CCTV footage showed Warner apparently turning on De Kock as the players walked up a narrow staircase leading to the dressing rooms during the tea break on Sunday. Vice-captain Warner had to be restrained by his team-mates as he appeared to lose his temper, reportedly over a jibe about his wife Candice, although the South Africans blamed him for sparking the argument. The incident is in the hands of match referee Jeff Crowe. "The incident was discussed between the two team managers and the match referee last night and it is now in the hands of the on-field umpires and the match referee," Cricket Australia said today. "Both teams were reminded by the match referee of the spirit in which the game should be played." The controversy has divided opinion, with Warne calling on the players to avoid ...
Australia's ex-dragflicker Ciriello joins Indian hockey team as analytical coach
With an eye on the upcoming Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games, Hockey India has roped in former Australia dragflick specialist Chris Ciriello as the analytical coach of the men's side. Even though his appointment is yet to be officially confirmed by the Sports Authority of India (SAI), the 32-year-old Ciriello, the youngest to join the Indian team management, started working with the Indian national side from the New Zealand tour in January. However, a top Hockey India official has confirmed that Ciriello is already on board and it's a matter of time that SAI makes the official announcement. "Ciriello started working with the team in the New Zealand tour. He is currently in Bangalore at the national camp. His tenure is till 2020 Olympics. The official announcement about his appointment will be made by the Sports Ministry," the HI official told PTI. The official, however, refused to divulge the remuneration of the big-shouldered Australian, nicknamed 'Big Dog'. When confirmed by ..
Shooting World Cup: Manu Bhaker strikes gold again
India's gold tally increased after pistol shooter Manu Bhaker contributed her second gold medal in the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup when she partnered Om Prakash Mitharval for the 10m Air Pistol mixed team gold on Monday.Bhaker won her second Gold medal a day after she won the Women's 10m Air Pistol Gold on her senior World Cup debut.In total, India have now won seven medals and are top of the medal tally in the ongoing International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun stage in Guadalajara, Mexico.In the final, there were three pairs in contention from the very beginning. India 1 represented by Manu and Om Prakash, European team consisting of Germany and the French nationals Celine Goberville and Florian Fouquet respectively. After a tough battle between the three, the Indian and the German pair pulled ahead of the French pair decisively after 38 shots, with the Germans ahead of the Indians.With the final six shots remaining the .
Groenewegen wins Paris-Nice 2nd stage
Dutch cyclist Dylan Groenewegen won the second stage of the Paris-Nice cycling race here.
Shahid Afridi is an inspiration: Khurram Manzoor
Pakistani cricketer Khurram Manzoor was all praise for cricketer Shahid Afridi, calling him 'an inspiration' for the team.In his latest blog for PakPassion.net, Manzoor spoke about the experience of playing alongside Shahid Afridi, being selected to play for Karachi Kings, his thoughts on team Coach Mickey Arthur and how a successful performance in PSL 3 could improve his chances of playing in the 2019 World Cup."There is no doubt in my mind that Shahid Afridi is an inspiration for all of us. Everyone who observes him has something to learn from him. He puts in more energy than most youngsters and his presence, intensity and passion on the field is something which others can learn a lot from. He is a very good team man and whenever there is a tough situation for the team, he steps in and always chips in with valuable advice to the captain and players alike. In my view, the mark of a truly great player is in the manner in which he can pass on valuable knowledge to others around him, ...