Page 2075 - Sports
PSG's Dani Alves gets three-match ban
Paris Saint-Germain defender Dani Alves has been handed a three-game ban by the French league (LFP) following his sending-off against Lyon last weekend. Alves was shown a straight red card early in the second half of PSG's 2-1 defeat in Lyon for dissent and the disciplinary committee of the LFP, meeting on Thursday, banned him for three games plus a fourth match suspended for now. The veteran Brazilian will therefore miss this Saturday's home league meeting with Montpellier, a League Cup semi-final at Rennes next Tuesday and the trip to Lille on February 3. PSG are currently eight points clear of Lyon at the top of the Ligue 1 table.
Barcelona through to Cup semis as Coutinho makes debut
Lionel Messi scored what proved to be the winner as Barcelona beat Espanyol 2-0 to reach the Copa del Rey semi-finals on Thursday in a game that saw Philippe Coutinho make his long-awaited debut. Luis Suarez scored an early opener in the quarter-final second leg before Messi's deflected effort gave Barcelona a 2 -1 aggregate advantage as the holders overturned a 1-0 deficit from last week's first leg. Messi had missed a penalty in that match as the leaders of La Liga were beaten for the first time since August, but they did enough on Thursday to join Sevilla, Valencia and Leganes in Friday's draw for the last four. Coutinho was named on the bench for the first time since his 160 million-euro (USD 192 million) transfer from Liverpool earlier this month. The 25-year-old Brazilian was introduced midway through the second half in place of Andres Iniesta, entering the Camp Nou pitch to a huge roar from the home crowd. By that point Ernesto Valverde's men had already turned ...
Woods launches comeback with even par round at Torrey Pines
Tiger Woods launched his latest return to the US PGA Tour with an even par 72 in the first round of the Farmers Insurance Open here Thursday. On the South Course at Torrey Pines, scene of his 14th and most recent championship at the 2008 US Open, Woods had three birdies and three bogeys and was seven shots behind first-round leader Tony Finau. Woods, 42, is playing is first US PGA Tour tournament since missing the cut at Torrey Pines last year, when his bid to come back from more than a year on the sideline foundered. After back fusion surgery in April Woods says he's playing without pain, but not surprisingly showed some rust on a course where he has won eight times. He'll try to gain ground on Friday, when he tackles the North Course, traditionally the more forgiving of the two layouts used in the first two rounds of the tournament.
Hope I-League-ISL merger happens soon: Neroca FC owner Naoba
Neroca FC owner Naoba Thangjam today said that the I-League clubs should not be left out during any future revamp of the Indian domestic football, suggesting a single top-tier league of a minimum of 16 teams as the only way forward. Naoba lauded the Indian Super League (ISL) for bringing about an improvement in football infrastructure in the country but at the same time said that getting semi-retired foreign players to attract fans was not the right way to raise the standard of the game in the country. "As a football fan and CEO of Neroca, I think there is no such a federation in the world, which is running two leagues (top tier) simultaneously. It is happening in Indian football and nowhere else. The two leagues are treated separately and differently by the same organisation," Naoba told PTI during an interaction today. He is among the supporters of an I-League-ISL merger. "It is best if we have three tiers in our domestic league system. I hope the merger of I-League ...
Federer looks to seal Oz Open final berth
Defending Champion Roger Federer will look to seal a spot for the finals of the Australian Open as he takes on South Korea's Hyeon Chung on Friday.Nineteen-time Grand Slam winner Federer defeated Tomas Berdych in straight-sets 7-6, 6-3, 6-4 to reach his 14th Australian Open semi-final.This is unseeded Chung's first Grand Slam semi-final and also his first face-off with Federer.
Sindhu vs Saina showdown at Indonesia Masters quarters
India's two ace shuttlers Saina Nehwal and P.V. Sindhu will clash against each other in the quarter-final of the Indonesia Masters on Friday.Rio Olympics silver-medallist Sindhu outplayed Malaysia's Goh Jin Wei 21,-12, 21-9 while London Olympics bronze-medallist Saina defeated China's Chen Xiaoxin 21-12, 21-18 to set up an all-Indian quarter-final.In men's doubles, duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty defeated Chinese Taipei's Liao Min Chun and Su Ching Heng 21-17, 21-16 to enter the last 16.The Indian pair will next face the Danish team of Mads Conrad-Petersen and Mads Pieler Kolding.
Worrying signs for world tennis as declining biggies battle injuries
The defeat of Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, two of the big stars who were expected to reach at least the semi-finals of the Australian Open and the former's subsequent rant against the heavy workload on top players holds out worrying signs for the world of tennis.
Australian Open: Bopanna-Babos to play mixed doubles semis today
India's Rohan Bopanna and his Hungarian partner Timea Babos will face Spanish-Brazilian team of Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez and Marcelo Demoliner in the semi-finals of the Australian Open here on Friday.The Indo-Hungarian pair reached the last four after defeating USA's Abigail Spears and Colombia's Juan Sebastian Cabal 6-4, 7-6 in one hour, 15 minutes.In another semi-final of the mixed doubles, duo of Brazil's Bruno Soares and Russia's Ekaterina Makarova Russia will meet Croatia's Mate Pavic and Gabriela Dabrowski of Canada.
Under-19 World Cup: India defeat Bangladesh to enter semis
India registered a big 131-run victory over Bangladesh in the quarterfinals of the ICC Under-19 World Cup to set up a semi-final clash with Pakistan.The Prithvi Shaw led side gave a total of 266 runs to chase but Bangladesh was bowled out on 134 in 42.1 overs.Shubman Gill scored 86 runs of 94 balls and was awarded the man of the match for the spectacular innings.Abhishek Sharma scored a half-century while opener Shaw scored 40 runs for the side.Bowler Kamlesh Nagarkoti finished with the figures of 3/18 while all-rounder Abhishek Sharma finished and Shivam Mavi claimed two wickets each.
India colts thrash Bangladesh, set up semis date with Pakistan
Title contenders India justified their top billing as they clinically decimated Bangladesh by 131 runs in the quarter-final to set up a mouth-watering last four clash with arch-rivals Pakistan in the ICC U-19 World Cup, here today. The Prithvi Shaw-led team outclassed their next-door neighbours with consummate ease scoring 265 and then bundling out the hosts for a paltry 134 in 42.1 overs. "The boys really executed the plans well as we have practised in the net session. Really looking forward to the contest against Pakistan," skipper Shaw said after the match. Abhishek Sharma, who missed out on the Man of the match award to his Punjab teammate Shubhman Gill (86 off 94 balls), was undoubtedly the star performer with his brilliant all- round show. He first scored a quick 50 (off 49 balls) and then taking a couple of wickets (2/11) along with two catches. Such was India's domination that despite a lower-order batting collapse, their bowlers scythed through Bangladesh ...
India beat Bangladesh by 131 runs, enter U-19 World Cup semis
Three-time champions India beat Bangladesh by a comfortable 131-run margin to enter the semi- final of the ICC U-19 World Cup, here today. Batting first, India scored 265 in 49.2 overs with Shubhamn Gill scoring 86 and Abhishek Sharma contributing 50. Skipper Prithvi Shaw (40) and Harvik Desai (34) also chipped in with useful runs. In reply, Bangladesh were all-out for 134 in 42.1 overs with Kamlesh Nagarkoti taking 3 for 18 in 7.1 overs. For Bangladesh only Pinak Ghosh top-scored with 43. Brief Scores: India U-19 265 in 49.2 overs (Shubhman Gill 86, Abhishek Sharma 50, Prithvi Shaw 40) beat Bangladesh 134 in 42.1 overs (Pinak Ghosh 43, Kamlesh Nagarkoti 3/18 in 7.1 overs, Abhishek Sharma 2/11, shivam Mavi 2/27).
Manager Jose Mourinho signs contract extension with Man Utd.
Jose Mourinho will now be with Manchester United till 2020.The Manchester United manager has signed a contract extension with football club, which was supposed to expire at the end of next season.Mourinho, who was appointed as Louis van Gaal's successor in the summer of 2016, said he was "delighted" that United's executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward had offered to extend his stay at Old Trafford after EFL Cup and Europa League triumphs in his debut campaign, reports the Independent."I am really honoured and proud to be Manchester United manager," he said. "I would like to say a big thank you to the owners and to Mr Woodward for the recognition of my hard work and dedication."I am delighted they feel and trust that I am the right manager for this great club for the foreseeable future.""We have set very high standards - winning three trophies in one season - but those are the standards I expect my teams to aim for. We are creating the conditions for a brilliant and successful future for .
PWL: Haryana Hammers enters final, to clash with Punjab Royals for title
Haryana Hammers' Sun Yanan won the ninth and deciding bout of the third edition of the Pro Wrestling League at the Siri Fort Indoor Stadium here on Wednesday, to set up an explosive repeat final against Punjab Royals.The Chinese Rio Olympic medalist scored her third straight victory over Vinesh Phogat to throw Uttar Pradesh Dangal out of the competition. She won 4-1 in a tense and bitter semifinal that ended in tears.The Hammers will seek revenge against the Royals, after losing the title to the same team in the last season.The tie was a close affair, with the two teams giving it their all and taking it all the way to the wire, with Haryana winning the tie 5-4.The Hammers jumped into an early lead, with Rio Olympic gold medallist, Vladimir winning the 57-kg men's opening bout. He was stunned in the first period though, with Nitin Rathi taking the first point.Vladimir, however, turned Nitin over to snatch five points in the second round. He still had to be on his guard as Nitin looked .
18 Russians cleared to compete in 2018
Reigning world outdoor high jump champion Mariya Lasitskene is among 18 Russian athletes cleared to compete so far this year as neutrals, the IAAF said today. The sport's governing body said that while the Russian national federation remained banned for state-sponsored doping, Lasitskene and 17 other athletes had "met the exceptional eligibility criteria to compete in international competition as neutral athletes in 2018". The IAAF said it had received 80 applications from Russian athletes to be considered neutrals, but the 18 cleared so far were given priority because they want to compete in the World Indoor Championships in the British city of Birmingham on March 1-4, and in other IAAF indoor meetings. Russia was banned from international athletics in November 2015 over claims of state-sponsored doping, preventing its team from competing at the 2016 Rio Olympics and last year's World Championships in London. The IAAF maintained its suspension of Russia in November, ...
Amla terms Wanderers pitch as one of the toughest to bat on
South Africa batsman Hashim Amla today termed the Wanderers wicket as one of the toughest and quickest pitches he has ever batted on. India finished day two at 49 for one in their second innings after the Proteas were bowled out for 194 in their first innings. "It is probably one of the toughest (wickets). I can think back recently in England we played and there were a couple of tough wickets there as well," Amla said at the post day's press conference. "But this one has a lot of pace and bounce. It is probably one of the pacy wickets that I have played on. There have been a couple in one or two years, quite fickle. In England, certainly there were one or two. It's quite challenging to bat on," he said. Amla said for a batsman it's always a challenge to bat on this kind of surface. "It's quite a spicy wicket. No one can hide from the fact you can get out on any ball, so in the same token it's challenging as batsmen," he said. "Sometimes we get on to wickets where you can
IAF Commando to be posthumously awarded Ashoka Chakra
Indian Air Force's Garud Commando Jyoti Prakash Nirala will posthumously be awarded the Ashoka Chakra on 69th Republic Day tomorrow.A total of 390 gallantry awards and other Defence decorations will be awarded to the Armed Forces personnel and others.This includes one Ashok Chakra, one Kirti Chakra, 14 Shaurya Chakras, 28 Param Vishisht Seva Medals, four Uttam Yudh Seva Medals, two Bar to Ati Vishisht Seva Medals, 49 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals, 10 Yudh Seva Medals, two Bar to Sena Medals (Gallantry), 86 Sena Medals (Gallantry), one Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry), three Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry), two Bar to Sena Medals (Devotion to Duty), 38 Sena Medals (Devotion to Duty), 13 Nao Sena Medals (Devotion to Duty), 14 Vayu Sena Medals (Devotion to Duty), one Bar to Vishisht Seva Medal and 121 Vishisht Seva Medals.The President approved the names of awardees on Thursday.
Gavaskar, Pollock slam Wanderers pitch
Former Test captains Sunil Gavaskar and Shaun Pollock today criticised the wicket on offer for the ongoing the third and final cricket Test between India and South Africa, terming it a "completely bowler- friendly pitch". Gavaskar was of the view that Test match pitches needed to be of sporting nature. "You can get a very flat surface which is totally in favour of batsmen. This is a pitch which is totally in favour of bowlers," Gavaskar said while commenting on the pitch for SuperSport television. Pollock went a level higher and termed the surface as a bad one. "If you've got deliveries behaving like this on day two of a Test match it can't be judged a good surface," he said. Pollock compared the Wanderers pitch with the Nagpur wicket of 2015 which was rated "poor" by the ICC when South Africa toured India. "You go to India and get a surface like Nagpur where it turned too much. This can't be judged a good surface because as a batsman you are never in," he said.
ISL: Westwood fails to inspire ATK as Chennai go top of table with 2-1 win
New interim coach Ashley Westwood failed to inspire ATK to a win as Chennaiyin FC moved to the top of the Indian Super League (ISL) points table after registering a come-from-behind 2-1 win at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan here on Thursday.
We can give it back as good as we get: Bumrah on short balls
Satisfied after getting his maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket, Jasprit Bumrah said that the current Indian attack has "pace" and are not afraid of dishing out short-pitched stuff like their South African counterparts. "Indian pacers have also got pace (nowadays). We are just trying to get the wickets (whilst bowling short to the tailenders). If we get it from them, we can give it back as well. That was our basic plan as they were trying to play some shots," Bumrah replied when asked about the short-pitched strategy deployed against the South African tail. The visitors reached 49 for 1 at stumps after Bumrah's 5/54 that helped them bowl out South Africa for 194 in their first innings. Bumrah spoke about how the Indian bowling attack has hunted in a pack. "We always want to contribute as a pack. On another day, may be another bowler will get more wickets but we wanted to create pressure as a pack. It was always a dream to play Test cricket and get a first ...
Dhoni, Advani win Padma Bhushan awards, Somdev is Padmashree
Former India cricket captain Mahendra Singh and multiple world champion cueist Pankaj Advani were today conferred with the country's third-highest civilian award, Padma Bhushan. Besides the duo, 2017 World Weightlifting Champion in the 48kg category, Saikhom Mirabai Chanu and former Asian Games gold medallist tennis player Somdev Devvarman were conferred with the Padma Shri award. Ace men's singles shuttler Kidambi Srikanth also won the Padma Shri along side India's first Paralympic gold medalist, Murlikant Petkar. Petkar won an individual gold medal in the 1972 Summer Paralympics, in Heidelberg, Germany. He set a world record in the 50 m freestyle swimming event, at 37.33 seconds. In the same games he participated in javelin, precision javelin throw and slalom. He was a finalist in all three events. Dhoni has been the recipient of many awards, including the ICC ODI Player of the Year award in 2008 and 2009 (the first player to win the award twice), the Rajiv Gandhi Khel