Page 2185 - Sports
It was a tough day in office: Sheringham on delayed ISL game
Former Manchester United star and Indian Super League side ATK's coach Teddy Sheringham said it was unusual to finish a football game post midnight, something that he had never experienced in his long association with the game. The match against FC Goa was delayed by nearly three hours due to the hurdles faced by the visiting side to reach the city. FC Goa headed straight from airport to kick off the match at 10.45pm last night. "We do realise it's 1'o clock in the morning. We are not just the only crazy ones. Thanks for staying," Sheringham said after the drawn game. "It's the first time I'm finishing a game at 1am and still sitting here. It's really unusual," the former Manchester United player, who won three premiership titles with the team, added. There was plenty of suspense and drama in the build-up to the kickoff after the ISL first announced that the match would be delayed by a "minimum one hour". Sheringham and Co. checked in by 8.15pm but the delay kept ...
New Zealand's Munro, Sodhi top latest ICC T20I rankings
New Zealand's Colin Munro and Ish Sodhi have started the year with a bang after vaulting to the top of the ICC T20I Player Rankings for batsmen and bowlers respectively, following stellar performances in the series against the West Indies, which recently concluded at Mount Maunganui on Wednesday.Munro finished as the leading run-getter in the series with 223 runs at a strike-rate of just over 197, including a 53-ball 104 in the last match, while Sodhi grabbed three wickets, including two for 25 in the third T20I.Munro, for his consistent form, has been rewarded with a jump of 11 places, which has put him in number-one position for the first time in his career.In the process, Munro has leapfrogged team-mates Kane Williamson, who has slipped two places to seventh, and Martin Guptill, who has conceded one place to drop out of the top-10 in 11th position.Munro has collected 137 points in the series and now leads second-ranked Aaron Finch of Australia by nine points with India's ...
NEUFC appoints Avram Grant as adviser for remainder of ISL
Former Chelsea manager Avram Grant has been appointed as an adviser by NorthEast United FC for the remainder of the Indian Super League season. "I agreed to the challenge and I am hitting the ground running. India is a new and exciting environment for football and I look forward to the pace of the League. I have confidence in the club and we will do all we can to take the club forward," said Grant, who is a long-time friend of NorthEast United FC owner John Abraham. Grant moved to England in 2006 to become Technical Director of Portsmouth before being appointed Director of football at Chelsea in July 2007 and steered the team into the Champions League final and the League Cup final. Grant has spent the majority of his career coaching and managing in Israel, winning a number of national league and cup victories with different teams, and also managing the Israeli national team for four years. His last appointment was coach of the Ghana national football team.
Match against ATK called for a force majeure: FC Goa coach
A fuming FC Goa coach Sergio Lobera said their much-delayed Indian Super League match against ATK that got over well past midnight should have been declared 'force majeure'. In a first in Indian football, the match kicked off last night at 10.45pm in peak winter after a day-long drama surrounding FC Goa team's arrival that got delayed following a couple of technical snags and crash of a fighter jet at the Dabolim airport that forced the closure of the runway. The match was originally slated for December 31 but the organisers had to postpone the match as police refused to make security arrangements on the New Year's eve. "We accepted the change from December 31 and agreed to play the match on January 3. But within the prevailing circumstances and causes that were there today, I think it called for a force majeure," the 40-year-old said at the post-match news conference that got over past 1am. "We respect what's been told to us. But obviously it's not what we would have ...
Confident India eager to shed poor travellers tag in SA
Towering giants in the sub- continent, India would be aiming to assert themselves as good travellers when they face South Africa in the opening chapter of a 12-Test overseas challenge, starting here tomorrow. The three-Test South Africa series is the first of a grueling 2018-19 season that includes tours to England and Australia. The assignments are being seen as a make or break season for Virat Kohli and his men to prove their worth as a good travelling unit. But for this, they will have to rely heavily on their pacers to come good. As the numero uno Test side, India have a healthy points' lead over second-ranked South Africa and will not lose their crown even if they lose by a landslide 0-3 margin. This, however, is not merely about points and rankings for Kohli's side. The Proteas will be relying on their formidable fast bowling attack to dismantle India's strong batting line-up, but after nine successive Test series wins, India are brimming with confidence and a ...
Worker replaces injured Bracewell in Kiwis ODI squad
New Zealand opening batsman George Worker has been called in the 13-man national squad as a replacement for injured Doug Bracewell for the first two ODIs of the five-match series, beginning January 6 at the Basin Reserve on Thursday.The 27-year-old suffered a hamstring injury during the third and final T20Is in Mount Maunganui, which his side went on to win by 119 runs to clinch the three-match series 2-0.Bracewell sustained the injury while fielding and that he would now undergo further medical assessment in order to determine his recovery.It should be noted that Bracewell had just returned from injury--after being away from the team for a year-in the recently-concluded series against West Indies, where he played five out of six matches and bagged six wickets.In the opening batsmen's absence, Central Districts' Worker has been roped in the ODI squad.Worker is due to play for the Stags in today's Burger King Super Smash match against Auckland before he would join the national squad in
Australia snare Cook on review to rock England
Australia claimed the big wicket of Alastair Cook to take the early ascendancy on the opening day of the fifth Ashes Test, here today. Cook, who carried his bat through the England first innings in the fourth Melbourne Test for an unbeaten 244, looked on his way to another big score until Josh Hazlewood struck in the 33rd over. Hazlewood's leg before wicket appeal was turned down on- field, but on review the ball was found to be just pitching in line with the left-hander's leg stump and hitting middle and Cook was given out for 39 off 104 balls. It was the third time in the series Cook has fallen lbw and it left him just five runs short of 12,000 career Test runs in his 152nd Test match. At tea, England were 122 for three after winning the toss with skipper Joe Root and Dawid Malan both having reached 16 not out. Fellow opener Mark Stoneman earlier hit some nice drives among his four fours before he nicked a rising Pat Cummins delivery to Tim Paine for 24 off 24 balls in
Stuart Law says Chris Gayle still has much to offer Windies
West Indies cricket coach Stuart Law has defended out-of-form batsman Chris Gayle, saying critics who suggest his international career may be over "write him off at your peril." The 38-year-old Gayle scored only 38 runs in four innings on the West Indies' disastrous tour to New Zealand which ended yesterday with a 119-run loss in the third Twenty20 international. The tourists lost the two-match Test series 2-0, the three-match one-day series 3-0 and the Twenty20 2-0 with one match washed out. Gayle looked largely disinterested, missing one of the one-day matches with a reported virus. He was out for a duck in his latest innings on Wednesday, throwing up his gloves to defend himself against a relatively innocuous short-pitched ball from Tim Southee. Gayle came to New Zealand immediately after scoring 146 from 69 balls for the Rangpur Riders in the final of the Bangladesh Premier League, after which he proclaimed himself the best T20 batsman in world cricket. His ...
Nishikori out of Aussie Open, Djokovic races clock
Injured Japanese star Kei Nishikori pulled out of the Australian Open today, while Novak Djokovic says he will test his problem elbow at an exhibition before deciding whether to play. Asian number one Nishikori has not played competitively since last August after suffering a torn tendon in his right wrist during a practice session at Cincinnati. He said he still wasn't ready for a gruelling Grand Slam campaign. "I am very sorry to announce that I will miss the Aussie Open this year," he said on his website of the opening major of the year, starting in Melbourne on January 15. "The Aussie Open is my favourite Slam ... it's my 'home' Slam," he added. "It's the Slam that takes incredible care of the players and their teams, and it hurts that I will have to miss it this year. "My rehab is going well but I am just not ready 100 percent to come back yet in best of five set matches." Nishikori is not the only leading player struggling with injury, with a who's who of the top ...
Friends of MP conclave begins in Indore
With over 300 participants from across the globe, the 'Friends of MP' conclave began in Indore on Wednesday.Set up on the lines of Pravasi Bhartiya Divas, people of Madhya Pradesh's origin residing in other countries are participating in the two-day event.'"Friends of MP' is not for the people of Madhya Pradesh alone but for all who shares a bond of love and predilection for the state. I, wholeheartedly, welcome all of you and the Indian Women's cricket team to the Friends of MP Conclave, 2018," Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said at the conclave.The event started off with a performance by the Indian Ocean band. The felicitation ceremony for the Indian women's cricket team was another highlight of the evening, wherein the chief minister presented a sum of Rs 50 lakh to the team."Our effort is that people who have come to attend the Friends of MP Conclave, their aspiration to do something for MP fulfils. It will be an open platform for the exchange of ideas for creating a new ...
Madhya Pradesh CM felicitates India Women's cricket team for world cup show
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan felicitated the Indian women's cricket team for their performance in the ICC Women's World Cup 2017 and rewarded them with Rs 50 lakh, on Wednesday."I am very fond of the daughters. Games are alright in politics but politics in games is not. I wish our daughters make great strides, and make India proud. Now the Indian women's cricket team are also friends of MP," Chouhan said at the Friends of MP Conclave 2018 in Indore.It was an exceptional year for the team led by captain Mithali Raj.India reached the final of the ICC Women's World Cup and strengthened their fourth spot in the latest ICC ODI Team Rankings by gaining three points.The two-day conclave that kicked off on Tuesday saw participation from over 300 people across the globe, including 120 from the United States of America, 51 from Britain and 22 from UAE.
ISL: Goa hold ATK to 1-1 draw in delayed tie
FC Goa held reigning champions ATK to a 1-1 draw in an unprecedented Indian Super League (ISL) tie which kicked-off two hours and forty five minutes after scheduled time on Wednesday and ended more than half an hour past midnight on Thursday here at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan.
Fatigued FC Goa rally to hold ATK
A fatigued FC Goa bounced back to hold two-time champions ATK 1-1 in a delayed Indian Super League football fixture that got over well past midnight under unforeseen circumstances at the Saltlake Stadium. The match had an unprecedented 10.45pm kick-off following a delay of two hours and 45 minutes, as the Goans landed here following a 24-hour ordeal after their morning chartered flight had to be rescheduled to the evening following the crash of a Navy fighter jet at the Dabolim airport. ATK were quick to take the early advantage with Robbie Keane heading home a Ryan Taylor freekick in the fourth minute but the Goans shook off the fatigue to equalise through Ferran Corominas in the 24th minute. Both teams had their share of chances in an intense second-half but could not find the winner as Goans secured a maiden draw, a positive result under the circumstances to move up to fourth ahead of Mumbai City FC on goal difference, while ATK remained on seventh.
Meghalaya signs 'Host City Contract' with IOA for National Games 2022
Meghalaya on Wednesday signed the "Host City Contract" with the Indian Olympics Association (IOA) for the 39th National Games 2022.
Delhi smash Chennai in PBL-3
Defending champions Chennai Smashers went down to Delhi Dashers after being forced to concede the last match of the tie due to an ankle injury to Gabrielle Adcock mid-way into the first game in the Premier Badminton League (PBL) at the BBD UPBA here on Wednesday.
Vodafone PBL 2017: Tian Houwei beats Tanongsak, keeps Delhi Dashers alive
World No. 22 Tian Houwei of China beat Chennai Smashers' Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk 15-14, 15-10 to keep Delhi Dashers alive in the tie in the Vodafone Premier Badminton League played at the BBD UP Badminton Academy, on Wednesday here.The tie is crucial for both the teams as a win will put them in a strong position to enter the knock-out stages.With three matches played in the tie, Delhi Dashers have won two while Chennai has won one.However, they are tied 1-1 on points as Delhi were penalised a point for losing their trump match.In the first game, Houwei started off well and breezed to establish an 8-2 lead at the interval.However, after the breather, Tian could not maintain his stronghold and Tanongsak fought his way back into the match as he snatched the lead from the former.With a striking distance from winning the game, his errors helped Tian save three game points to win the opening game.In the second game, Tanongsak was leading 8-5 mid-way, but he committed a string of errors ...
Cilic acknowledges payment issue at IPTL
Croatian Marin Cilic today acknowledged that there were issues with regard to players' payment during the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL), which shut down last year due to financial crunch. India's celebrated player Mahesh Bhupathi had launched the League in 2014 on the lines of much successful cricket league IPL. It began with four teams with bases in India, Dubai, Singapore and Manila. Japan was added in the 2015 season but in 2016 again it was back to four teams with Manila backing out, reportedly because the League did not fulfil its financial obligations. The League was not played in 2017 as Singapore Slammers complained of payment issues. Cilic, who was part of the UAE Royals team in the 2015 edition, did not elaborate much but acknowledged that the money indeed was an issue. "There were some issues, just bad thing that it happened like that for a event so successful. I think all things will clear up. Looking overall, it's very very positive for Asian ...
Chennai Smashers lose to Delhi Dashers in PBL
Defending champions Chennai Smashers went down to Delhi Dashers in an unfortunate fashion after they had to concede the last match of the tie due to an ankle injury to Gabrielle Adcock in the Vodafone Premier Badminton League here tonight. The match, which would have decided the outcome of the tie, could not be completed as Gabrielle twisted her ankle while returning a shot. Playing in their trump match, Adcocks couple Gabrielle and Chris were trailing 5-6 in the match. Going into the match, Chennai were trailing 1-2, but a loss will erase their slate while Delhi were awarded a point and won the tie 3-0 on points. Earlier , Korea's Sung Ji Hyun, ranked 6th in the world beat World No.3 PV Sindhu of India to give Delhi Dashers a slight advantage (2-1 on points) against Chennai Smashers. Sung Ji, who had lost to Sindhu on both occasions in last season, exacted her revenge to disappoint the packed stadium that braved the chilly weather to see their favourite star in ...
Pakistan pitches not ideal for high-quality cricket: Samiullah Niazi
Pakistan fast bowler Samiullah Khan Niazi has called on the country's cricket board to improve the quality of pitches in the domestic four-day tournament - Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.The 35-year-old insisted that the standard of domestic cricket is world-class in Pakistan, however, adding that the pitches in the country are not at all ideal for high-class cricket."So, the standard is world-class. However, I have a humble request for the PCB regarding the pitches used in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. At the moment, the pitches in Pakistan are not ideal for high-quality cricket. It appears that our pitches have a lot more moisture than is expected on Day 1 of a game. In my view, this is because a 2 days gap between 4-day games is not enough to allow the groundsman enough time to prepare the pitch for the next match. If this gap is increased, then some degree of equality can be achieved between bat and the ball," PakPassion.net quoted Samiullah Khan Niazi, as saying.Samiullah has recently finished ..
New coach in place, Kerala look to get campaign back on track
With former England goalkeeper David James back as the head coach, Kerala Blasters would look to get their campaign back on track when they host FC Pune City in their Indian Super League match here tomorrow. The Blasters have notched up just a win from seven matches to be languishing at the eighth spot in the 10-team league and Dutchman Rene Meulensteen got the boot yesterday for this dismal show of the last season runners-up side. The franchise owners were quick to appoint James, who was the player-cum-head coach in the inaugural season in 2014, was appointed to guide the side within a day. The passionate fans of Blasters will hope the appointment of James to bring the turnaround in the fortunes of the side and they have to do it quickly if they want to qualify in top four after the league phase. "Well, when the season started, every team wanted to do well. So did we. But the results are there for everyone to see. But we are Kerala Blasters, we have the best fans. So, ..