Page 2204 - Sports

Neroca Host East Bengal In A Battle Of Nerves

A confident Neroca FC will look to exploit the home advantage when they lock horns with table- toppers Kingfisher East Bengal in an I-League match at the Khuman Lampak Stadium here tomorrow. It's going to be Neroca FC's second home match following their win over Chennai City FC on December 15. While the Red & Golds are approaching the game with 13 points from 6 matches, the hosts Neroca FC are three points shy having played one match less. Both teams are coming to this tie at the back of crucial wins away from their home and they won't let this opportunity slip to finish the season on a winning note. Neroca overcame Northeastern rival Shillong Lajong 1-0 while Kingfisher East Bengal made Chennai City FC bite the dust at Coimbatore, courtesy two strikes from Katsumi Yusa and Charles D'Souza. Neroca FC head coach Gift Raikhan said that he has already done with the strategy of tomorrow's match and now it's time to implement them on the pitch. "East Bengal is a very good .

New Sri Lanka cricket coach bans music at training

New Sri Lanka cricket coach Chandika Hathurusingha pledged to get tough with the under- performing national team -- including banning music in training -- while demanding "full control" over selection. With the 1996 World Cup winners coming to the end of their worst year in international cricket, Hathurusingha said he would impose strict discipline to make sure they are ready for the 2019 World Cup. Asked about reports that players were admonished for listening to music in practice, Hathurusingha said after his first training session with the team yesterday: "If they are interested in music they will have to go home." Sri Lanka, who tour Bangladesh next month, have been severely criticised over whitewash defeats by India at home and in India in the past six months. Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera said in June that many players were "too fat" and that none chosen to play a series against Zimbabwe had passed international fitness standards. A special diet was later ...

Axelsen slams BWF for 2018 schedule, new service rule

World No 1 and world champion Viktor Axelsen of Denmark has slammed the BWF for next year's crammed calender and described the new service rule as "ridiculous" and "unfair". Axelsen, who clinched two Super Series titles at India and Japan and finished runner-up at China Open, said BWF needs to focus on improving the quality of the tournaments instead of cramming the calender with more events. "I think BWF need to focus on making the quality of the highest standard instead of putting more tournaments in the calender," said the Odense-born shuttler, who also defended his title at the Dubai Super Series Final this season. "We had some great badminton but if we can get the chance to practice and take care of our body we will have longer careers and better quality," he said after a PBL game last night. When asked about the new service rule which will be tested starting with the All England Championship next year, Axelsen said: "I think it is a ridiculous rule. You don't ...

Golfer Shiv retains lead; Bhullar, Khalin joint 4th at Royal Cup

Indian golfer Shiv Kapur remained in the first place, alongside Prom Meesawat of Thailand, while Gaganjeet Bhullar and Khalin Joshi shared the fourth place after the second round of the $500,000 Royal Cup here on Friday.

ISL 2017: Mumbai City to take Bottom-placed Dynamos

Mumbai City FC will look to continue their winning streak as they take bottom-placed Delhi Dynamos in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) on Friday evening, here at the Mumbai Football Arena in Andheri, where the home side has lost once but conceded just twice in three matches.Dynamos are in the midst of a wretched run of five defeats in a row while Mumbai City have lost just once in their last four matches.The stakes are very different for both sides: a win for Delhi will take them off the bottom of the table; for Mumbai City, three points means equalling table-toppers Chennaiyin FC.It could not have been starker, but such have been Delhi's woes this season that it is not surprising. They've shipped an incredible 15 goals this season and scored just five."It's not about pressure but it is high time that we start winning games. That's what we've come to do here. Everything was right: the training, the team and the performances as well. The only thing not working is the thrust in the ...

Melbourne, Dec 29 (AFP) Scoreboard on day four in the

Scoreboard on day four in the fourth Ashes Test between Australia and England, here today: Australia first innings 327 England first innings (overnight 491-9) A. Cook not out 244 M. Stoneman c and b Lyon 15 J. Vince lbw Hazlewood 17 J. Root c Lyon b Cummins 61 D. Malan lbw b Hazlewood 14 J. Bairstow c Paine b Lyon 22 M. Ali c S. Marsh b Lyon 20 C. Woakes c Paine b Cummins 26 T. Curran c Paine b Hazlewood 4 S. Broad c Khawaja b Cummins 56 J. Anderson c Bancroft b Cummins 0 Extras (b4, lb5, nb3) 12 Total (all out; 144.1 overs) 491 Fall of wickets: 1-35, 2-80, 3-218, 4-246, 5-279, 6-307, 7-366, 8-373, 9-473, 10-491. Bowling: Hazlewood 30-5-95-3, Bird 30-5-108-0 (3nb), Lyon 42-9-109-3, Cummins 29.1-1-117-4, M. Marsh 12-1-42-0, Smith 1 -0-11-0. Australia second innings C. Bancroft b Woakes 27 D. Warner not out 40 U. Khawaja c Bairstow b Anderson 11 S. Smith not out 25 Extras 0 Total (2 wickets; 43.5 overs) 103 Fall of wickets: 1-51, 2-65 Bowling: Anderson 11-5-20-1, Broad 7-4-18-0, .

Medal prospects will not face funding hurdles, says Rathore

Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore today said genuine medal prospects will not face any problem in getting financial support from the government but also emphasised on the need to use the taxpayers' money judiciously. Rathore said athletes under the Target Olympic Podium (TOP) scheme will face no hurdle in their preparation for next year's Commonwealth and Asian Games and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. "It is taxpayers' money so the should be utilised in the right place. Concentration of effort is very important," Rathore told reporters on the sidelines of the re-launch of Sportstar magazine here today. "There is a selection committee in every sport which is tasked to select the medal prospects. Those who are real medal prospects will get all the support. Funding won't be a problem for them," he added. Rathore's statement comes amid reports that the Sports Ministry has decided stop direct release of funding to the athletes, who are part of the TOPS ...

Griezmann to stay, confirms Atletico CEO

Atletico Madrid CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin said their star forward Antoine Griezmann will stay with the club and it is impossible for the Frenchman to leave the side before summer.

Prez congratulates Viswanathan Anand for winning chess title

President Ram Nath Kovind today congratulated Viswanathan Anand for winning world rapid chess championship. "Congratulations Viswanathan Anand for winning the world rapid chess championship. Such determined pursuit of excellence across decades makes you an inspiration for all of us. India is proud of you," he said in a tweet. Indian chess ace Anand won the world rapid title in Riyadh yesterday.

Fluminense part ways with former Brazil duo

Former Brazil internationals Diego Cavalieri and Henrique were among the eight players released by Fluminense as part of a major overhaul of the the Rio de Janeiro football club's squad.

Former Mumbai cricketer Amroliwala is no more

Former Mumbai Ranji Trophy cricketer, Hoshang (Hoshi) Amroliwala died here today aged 86. The authorities at the Parsi Tower of Silence confirmed that the last rites were scheduled later today. In a first class career between 1956-57 and '63-64 Amroliwala played 44 games, including 35 in the Ranji Trophy for the then Bombay Cricket Association, and amassed 1,782 runs - including two centuries - at an average of 44.55. Primarily a batsman, he also bowled leg spin and grabbed 14 wickets. Amroliwala also played in two Irani Cup games for the then Ranji Champions Bombay - the inaugural one in 1959-60 and another in 1962-63 - against the Rest of India. He also played for Bombay CM XI, CCI President's XI, Bihar Governor's XI, M K Vizianagaram XI and for Tata SC XI in the Moin-ud-Dowla tournament in Hyderabad, which then had first class status. Amroliwala also represented the century-old Parsi cyclists club in the local Kanga League A division in 1950s and 60s.

Rain affects fourth day of 4th Ashes Test

Rain played the spoilsport after Australia scored 103/2, trailing by 61 runs on the fourth day of the fourth Ashes Test against England here on Friday.

Ronaldo wins best player at Globe Soccer Award

Real Madrid swept the Globe Soccer Awards 2017 as it won the best team of the year, while star striker Cristiano Ronaldo was chosen the best player.Zinedine Zidane was chosen as best coach for Real Madrid, reports Marca.Ronaldo grabbed the award for the second year in a row and the fourth time overall.The Portuguese international beat Lionel Messi and Neymar to win the personal gong.Among another awards, LaLiga was picked as the best league in the world, while retired Barcelona defender Carles Puyol and Francesco Totti of club Roma were awarded for their sporting careers.

Indian cricket vaults to new high amid controversies (2017 in Retrospect)

The Indian men's cricket team won 37 out of their 53 matches across all formats this year

Bayliss angry over Anderson ball tampering charge

England cricket team coach Trevor Bayliss on Friday strongly condemned the ball tampering charge against fast bowler James Anderson.Footage on Channel Nine showing Anderson running his thumb-nail along the seam of the ball on Friday drew fierce criticism from several Australian commentators and former players.Bayliss, however, dismissed the allegations, calling them "beat up" stories and "Pommie bashing"."If he (Anderson) was trying to scratch it, he was scratching the wrong side. I am sure that is not the case. We've had a good couple of days and there hasn't been too much positive press from their (Australia) point of view. It's a bit of Pommie-bashing. You've got to laugh it off and put up with it," Bayliss told The Telegraph.The head coach claimed that he was assured by umpires S Ravi and Kumar Dharmasena that they had no concerns over the aired footage."It is a beat up. As soon as I saw the headlines, I raced into the umpires. The words they used were it was a 'beat up' and that .

Wenger not afraid of losing match-winner Sanchez

Arsene Wenger does not believe star Chilean Alexis Sanchez will leave Arsenal in the transfer window which opens on January 1. Sanchez, whose contract is up at the end of the season, had given the perfect reminder to interested parties of his skills in scoring a second-half double to give Arsenal a 3-2 win over Crystal Palace. However, Wenger, who was equalling Manchester United legend Alex Ferguson's Premier League record of 810 matches in charge, told Sky Sports he is confident Sanchez, who took his goals tally to eight in the Premier League this term, will remain. "I am not fearful but as you said that will be a subject that arises because of his contractual situation," said Wenger. "I can only repeat what I said until now." Wenger, whose side are level on points with fourth-placed north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur but with an inferior goal difference, said it is was logical he should be questioned about 29-year-old Sanchez's future. "I never questioned his ...

Virat stamps his authority, Mithali carves her own niche

The legend of Virat Kohli grew exponentially with his clinical decimation of rivals in a year during which the Indian women's team finally found love and acceptance in the cricket-crazy nation after an emotionally charged World Cup campaign. While 'King Kohli' geared up for a watershed next 18 months after nine straight Test series wins, mostly at home, the last six months witnessed Mithali Raj turn from women's cricket team captain into a brand. Even as they lost a thrilling World Cup final to hosts England, the love and affection, along with deserving financial incentive, made the women's team, the toast of the nation for some time. The men. on the other hand, were simply unstoppable. Yes, they played most of their games at home but to win ninth straight Test series and eighth in a row in ODIs was no mean feat. Kohli and his team were also pushed to the limit sometimes, like the defeat in Pune Test against Australia or the first innings collapse on a seaming track ...

Cook carries bat for England in MCG Test

England opener Alastair Cook carried his bat to become the first player to do so at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). He also now has the record for a Test opener carrying his bat through an innings.Cook who remained unbeaten at 244* at stumps on Day 3 did not get a chance to bat on Day 4 as pacer James Anderson was dismissed by Pat Cummins of the first delivery of the day to conclude England's first innings at 491.The thirty-three-year-old also became the first England batsman to carry his bat in a Test in 20 years after Mike Atherton did so against New Zealand in 1996-97.At the close of play, Australia were 103 for the loss of two wickets of opener Cameron Bancroft (27) and batsman Usman Khawaja (11).David Warner (40*) and captain Steve Smith (25*) were at the crease before rain stopped play.Australia now trail by 61 runs with 8 wickets in hand.The home side is already 3-0 in the five-match series.

Nelson, New Zealand, Dec 29(AFP) - Scoreboard of the

- Scoreboard of the first Twenty20 International between New Zealand and West Indies, here today: New Zealand M. Guptill lbw Taylor 5 C. Munro c Brathwaite b Nurse 53 G. Phillips b Badree 56 T. Bruce lbw Taylor 2 R. Taylor c J. Taylor b Brathwaite 20 A. Kitchen b Williams 12 M. Santner not out 23 D. Bracewell c&b Brathwaite 0 T. Southee not out 10 Extras: (b1, lb1, nb4) 6 Total: (seven wickets; 20 overs) 187 Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-91, 3-118, 4-120, 5-149, 6-153, 7-158. Bowling: Badree 4-0-22-1, J. Taylor 4-0-41-2, Williams 4 -0-52-1 (4nb), Brathwaite 4-0-38-2, Nurse 4-0-32-1. West Indies C. Walton c Kitchen b Rance 7 C. Gayle c Phillips b Rance 12 A. Fletcher st Phillips b Sodhi 27 S. Hope c Munro b Bracewell 15 J. Mohammed c Taylor b Bracewell 3 R. Powell c Phillips b Southee 6 C. Brathwaite c Bruce b Southee 21 A. Nurse not out 20 K. Williams c Phillips b Santner 3 J. Taylor c Bruce b Southee 20 S. Badree lbw Rance 2 Extras: (lb3, w1) 4 Total: (all out; 19.0 ...

Beaten Windies say one bad over cost them dearly

The West Indies were left ruing one bad over by Kesrick Williams after being trounced by New Zealand in the opening Twenty20 game here today. Set a target of 188 to win, the reigning world champions suffered a batting meltdown after star opener Chris Gayle fell cheaply for 12 and were eventually all out for 140 in the 19th over. But captain Carlos Brathwaite said the real damage was done in New Zealand's final over when Mitchell Santner and Tim Southee plundered 25 off Williams in a wild over that included three no balls. "For the first 19 overs we bowled as good as we did. But it happens. Kesrick Williams has been the best bowler in the world this calendar year and he just went awry," Brathwaite said. "It wasn't even a bad day, just one bad over and that gave them some momentum going into our innings and we never really got that big over. "But credit to them (New Zealand). Sometimes you have to give credit to the opposition. They bowled with discipline and they fielded