Page 2125 - Sports
4-Nations hockey tourney: India thrash Japan 6-0 in opener
The Indian men's hockey team got off to a winning start in the double-leg Four Nations Invitational Tournament in New Zealand as they notched up a comfortable 6-0 win against Japan here at the Blake Park, Tauranga on Wednesday.It was Rupinder Pal Singh (7'), Vivek Sagar Prasad (12', 28'), Dilpreet Singh (35', 45') and Harmanpreet Singh (41') who scored in India's win.The team made a dominant start to their campaign, controlling the ball rather swiftly, passing around neatly and quickly to penetrate the Japanese circle.India won their first penalty corner of the game in the seventh minute and it was young gun Harmanpreet Singh who stepped up to drag flick. His attempt though was blocked by the Japanese defender on the line, but since the obstruction came off his body, India were awarded a penalty stroke.Experienced drag flicker Rupinder Pal Singh broke no sweat in converting a stunning goal to fetch India a 1-0 early lead. India's second goal came in the 12th minute when debutant Vivek
Congo Brazzaville edge Cameroon at African Nations meet
Congo Brazzaville beat Cameroon 1-0 in the African Nations Championship in the Moroccan city of Agadir.
India u-19 cricket WC squad cheers hockey team in New Zealand
The Indian under-19 cricket team competing in the ongoing ICC World Cup, along with coach Rahul Dravid, today attended the national hockey team's clash against Japan in an invitational tournament here. The team was in the stands when the hockey side hammered Japan 6-0 in a lopsided contest. "India U-19 boys in attendance to show their support for @TheHockeyIndia men who beat Japan 6-0 at Tauranga, New Zealand #U19CWC," the BCCI posted on twitter, along with two pictures of the young cricketers and Dravid. Dilpreet Singh and debutant Vivek Sagar Prasad struck a brace each in the hockey team's victory. Rupinder Pal Singh and Harmanpreet Singh also scored in the game. The Indian cricket team, which is through to the quarters of the World Cup after wins over Australia and Papua New Guinea, did not have a match today. They will next be facing Zimbabwe in their last group clash on Friday.
Former Atletico Madrid player Panadero Diaz dies
Ruben "Panadero" Diaz, who played for Atletico Madrid in the 1970s, has died from complications following abdominal aortic surgery at a Buenos Aires clinic. He was 72.
Peterhansel edges closer to Dakar Rally lead
France's defending champion Stephane Peterhansel edged closer to the overall Dakar Rally lead when he won the 10th stage in Argentina.
India thrash Japan in 4-nation hockey meet
India got off to a winning start in the double-leg Four Nations Invitational Hockey Tournament, notching a comfortable 6-0 win against Japan at the Blake Park here on Wednesday.
Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk creates history at Australian Open
Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk became the youngest tennis star to book her place in the third round of a grand slam in over two decades.Kostyuk on Wednesday thrashed local wildcard Olivia Rogowska in straight sets in the women's singles event of the Australian Open here.Kostyuk, 15, who entered the tournament ranked No. 521, made 11 victories in a row when she defeated Australia's Rogowska 6-3, 7-5 in the second round that lasted an hour and 30 minutes on Margaret Court Arena.With the win, Kostyuk became the youngest to reach that stage at a Slam since Mirjana Lucic-Baroni in the 1997 US Open, the WTA reported.Earlier, Kostyuk had earned a wildcard entry into the Australian Open qualifying rounds, and she fought through three tough battles to make it to the main draw of a Grand Slam for the first time.Her first-round victory over No.25 seed Peng Shuai of China made her the youngest player to win a match at the Australian Open since Martina Hingis' quarterfinal run in 1996, when the Swiss ...
Chinese fans round on 'rat' Tevez after holiday barb
Furious Chinese football fans branded Carlos Tevez shameless and "a rat" today after the Argentine striker described his ill-fated spell at Shanghai Shenhua as a "holiday for seven months". The 33-year-old struggled for form and fitness during a disastrous stint in China, where he was among the best-paid players in the world on a reported weekly salary of 730,000 euros. He brought his Chinese nightmare to a premature end when he returned to Boca Juniors earlier this month and on Monday joked with Argentine television channel TyC Sports: "It's fine because I was on holiday for seven months." That prompted an outpouring of anger on Chinese social media, with fans of a number of Chinese Super League (CSL) clubs rounding on the man often disparagingly labelled "very homesick boy" in the Asian country. "Football hooligan, please get your arse out and never return to China again. Scum," wrote one on Weibo, China's equivalent of Twitter. "I wonder if there is anyone more ...
Whistleblower lawyer slams IOC over Russia 'deal'
The lawyer for Russian doping whistleblower Grigory Rodchenkov slammed the International Olympic Committee today, accusing the powerful sports body of preparing to lift sanctions at the end of next month's Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang. Jim Walden had initially praised the IOC following its decision in early December to suspend Russia from the February 9-25 Winter Olympics for a vast state-supported doping program, hailing the move as a "strong message." Since then however, with individual Russian athletes being allowed to compete in South Korea on a case-by-case basis as "Olympic athletes from Russia", Walden has grown sceptical about the IOC's commitment to punishment. Walden said he believed IOC President Thomas Bach had already brokered a secret deal with Russia to allow them to compete in the Olympics. "Immediately after the IOC decision, I had said I was happy, but that was before we saw the fine print, and also before Russia reacted to the decisions," Walden told
Neymar set to return for PSG
Brazilian superstar Neymar looks set to return for Paris Saint-Germain against Dijon today after coach Unai Emery included him in the Ligue 1 leaders' squad. Neymar missed Sunday's 1-0 win at Nantes due to a rib injury but Spaniard Emery believes he should be recovered in time. "Neymar trained well (on Monday). He'll still feel pain for a few days but he took part in training and finished it well," said the former Sevilla coach. "He'll need a week or two for the pain to pass. He's fine in non-contact (training) but if he takes a knock in the same area, the pain will persist. "We'll see but he should be ready (to face Dijon)." Brazilian-born Italy international midfielder Thiago Motta is not fit to return from a calf injury, though.
Manchester City's Moreno joins Brazil's Flamengo
Manchester City forward Marlos Moreno has joined Flamengo on a year-long loan, the Brazilian club announced.
Wozniacki, Svitolina survive scares as new star born
Title contenders Caroline Wozniacki and Elina Svitolina survived big scares at the Australian Open today, as a new teen star was born at the first major of the year. World number two Wozniacki produced a great escape against little-known Croat Jana Fett, saving two match points and rallying from 5-1 down in an epic third set to keep her dream of a first Grand Slam title alive. She looked out for the count, and was struggling afterwards to work out how she survived 3-6, 6-2, 7-5 against a player ranked 119. "That was crazy, I don't how I got back the in the match, She really took her shots, she had nothing to lose," said Wozniacki, adding that "experience was crucial". Fourth seed Svitolina also came from a set down to overcome spirited Czech Katerina Siniakova 4-6, 6-2, 6-1. The Ukrainian is now on a seven-match win streak after winning the lead-up Brisbane International. She picked up five WTA Tour titles last year, more than any other woman, making her a serious Grand ..
Hockey: India hammer Japan 6-0 in Nations' Invitational
Rupinder Pal Singh and debutant Vivek Sagar Prasad struck a brace each as the Indian men's hockey team thrashed Japan 6-0 in its opening match of the double-leg Four Nations Invitational Tournament here today. Apart from Rupinder (7') and Vivek (12', 28'), Dilpreet Singh (35', 45') and Harmanpreet Singh (41') also scored in India's win. The team got off to a dominant start, controlling the ball rather swiftly, passing around neatly and quickly to penetrate the Japanese circle. India won their first penalty corner of the game in the seventh minute and it was young gun Harmanpreet Singh, who stepped up to drag flick. His attempt though was blocked but since the obstruction came off his body, India were awarded a penalty stroke. Experienced drag-flicker Rupinder hardly broke a sweat in converting a stunning goal to fetch India a 1-0 early lead. India's second goal came in the 12th minute when debutant Vivek was quick to pick up a rebound and fiercely strike the ball past ...
Brazil legend Ronaldinho bids adieu to football
Brazilian football superstar Ronaldinho, who was part of the triumphant Brazil 2002 World Cup squad, has bid adieu to his illustrious career at the age of 37.Confirming the news, Ronaldinho's brother and agent Roberto Assis said that the Brazilian World Cup winner's career as a professional footballer is over.However, he hopes to schedule some farewell matches for Ronaldinho after the World Cup in Russia, which ends July 15"He has stopped, it is ended. Let's do something pretty big and nice after the Russia World Cup, probably in August. We will do various events in Brazil, Europe and Asia and, of course, we are arranging something with the Brazilian team as well," the Guardian quoted, Assis as saying.Meanwhile, Ronaldinho, who has not played for a professional team since leaving Fluminense in 2015, had said on the sidelines of a friendly match in Chechnya that he was too old to be back in action.The 37-year-old, who had excelled as an attacking midfielder, winger and forward, began ..
Ronaldinho retires from football
Brazil World Cup winner and two-time FIFA World Player of the Year Ronaldinho has officially retired from football, more than two years after playing his last competitive match.
ICC U19 WC: Pacer Thakare called as cover for injured Porel
The BCCI on Wednesday named rising Vidarbha paceman Aditya Thakare as cover for Ishan Porel, who suffered a heel injury during the India Under19 team's World Cup opener against Australia.
Boult rested, Wheeler recalled in Kiwis squad for Pak T20Is
New Zealand fast bowler Trent Boult has been rested from the 13-man ODI squad for the third and the final match against Pakistan to be held at Basin Reserve on Friday.The 28-year-old has also been given rest for the subsequent first T20I of three-match series against Pakistan, beginning January 22 at the Wellington Regional Stadium.Ben Wheeler, who made his last international appearance in February 2017, has received a T20I call-up in the squad as a cover for Boult.Meanwhile, Seth Rance, who will join the squad for final ODI against Pakistan, has also been named in the T20I squad for the first match, ESPNcricinfo reported.It should be noted that Rance was a part of the limited-overs squads that took on West Indies recently, but he was not named for the first four ODIs against Pakistan.Reflecting on the Wheeler's inclusion, national selector Gavin Larsen said that the left-arm pacer could prove to be a quite threatening bowler for Pakistan."Ben's ability to swing the ball makes him a ..
Aditya Thakare in as cover for Ishan Porel in India U-19 team
Pacer Aditya Thakare has been called in as cover for an injured Ishan Porel in the Indian under-19 cricket team, which is currently competing in the ICC World Cup here. "India U19 medium-pacer Ishan Porel suffered a bruised heel in his left foot during India's first group game of the ICC U19 World Cup against Australia," the BCCI said in a statement. "He has a soft tissue injury and the BCCI Medical Team is monitoring his progress," it added. India are through to the quarters of the tournament after registering comprehensive wins over Australia and Papua New Guinea in their group clashes. "The Indian team management in New Zealand has asked for Aditya Thakare as cover and the Vidarbha bowler will join the team before the quarter-final on 26th January 2018," the BCCI stated. India are scheduled to take on Zimbabwe in their third and final group match here on Friday.
Mitchell Johnson pulls out of PSL due to personal reasons
Former Test paceman Mitchell Johnson, who was set to make debut for the Karachi Kings in the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL), has been ruled out of the tournament because of personal reasons.Johnson took to his Twitter account and confirmed that he is making himself available for the upcoming PSL."Yes I am making myself unavailable this PSL18 for personal reasons and also for me to schedule myself the way I feel works best for me this year for 20/20 tournaments. These are the only reasons for me not playing. I wish KK the best for the season," he tweeted.The 36-year-old had a successful Big Bash League (BBL) last time and he continued to display impressive performance this season as well for Perth Scorchers, finishing as the joint second-highest wicket-taker for the team by picking up seven wickets in the tournament so far at an economy rate of 5.67.Johnson's absence might come as a major blow to Karachi Kings' bowling attack, which could also miss the services of Pakistan's ...
Pakistan pins hope on International XI visit to revive hockey
Pakistan is hopeful that the two exhibition hockey matches involving an International XI side and Pakistan XI will help in reviving the sport in the troubled nation. Netherlands' legendary penalty corner specialist Paul Litjens and former player Rob Lathouwers were the first foreign players to reach Karachi yesterday for the two matches to be held here and Lahore on January 19 and 21. The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) is pinning hope on the matches to revive interest in field hockey and bring in sponsorship in the sport, which has faced difficult times in recent years. "This visit by the international players is very important for Pakistan hockey," PHF secretary Shahbaz Ahmed said. "We are hoping this visit will prove to be a breakthrough in our efforts to get more funds into hockey and also convince the (International Hockey Federation) FIH to allow Pakistan to host a small international event this year," he said. The batch of international players belonging to ...