Page 229 - Sports
Cup final means damage limitation for Barca against rejuvenated Valencia
Damage limitation, and a fifth consecutive Copa del Rey, will be the prize if Barcelona beat Valencia on Saturday as their rejuvenated opponents eye a final flourish to their remarkable comeback season. Victory for Barca would only slightly alleviate the disappointment of failing in the Champions League but another defeat, less than three weeks after the collapse at Anfield, would plunge the club back into crisis. For Valencia, the possibilities are more positive, given a loss in Seville is expected, while a win would turn a decent campaign into a sensational one. The numbers favour Barcelona. Twenty-six points separate the two sides in the table, with Barca scoring more goals than Valencia have scored and let in put together. Valencia's captain Dani Parejo finished their top scorer on nine goals, the same number Lionel Messi had hit before the middle of November. And Valencia have beaten Barcelona only once in 14 attempts, without a success in any of their last eight meetings. But ...
Excited for the World Cup: Jason Holder
West Indies captain Jason Holder has expressed his excitement over the upcoming ICC Men's Cricket World Cup."I probably was too nice as captain at first and it definitely was a different dynamic for me personally having to take on that role. It's something I've worked on and I'm happy with where I am now," ICC quoted Holder as saying."We're all excited for this tournament and we want it to start tomorrow. I'm pretty happy with my squad as a whole, so hopefully we can play well and enjoy ourselves," he added.Holder, who became the youngest captain (23 years and 72 days) in West Indian history when he replaced Dwayne Bravo for ODIs in early 2015, stated that they are going to take one game at a time in the premier tournament as it all depends who performs better on a given day."You only had five or six games previously, with a few more if you made the knockout stages. So it's exciting to play every other team this time. You'll have to work hard to win the World Cup by playing every ...
Ex-Real Madrid forward Julio Baptista retires
Former Real Madrid and Brazil international forward Julio Baptista has announced his retirement from football after a professional career spanning two decades.
WC: Wives, families of Pak players not to travel with team
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) wants to ensure its players stay focused during the upcoming World Cup and has banned wives and families of the cricketers from accompanying them during the course of the showpiece event beginning May 30 in England and Wales.
Tom Latham to miss World Cup warm-ups
New Zealand wicket-keeper batsman Tom Latham will miss the two warm-up matches against India and West Indies on May 25 and 28, respectively, due to injury.Uncapped back-up Tom Blundell is set to keep the wickets."Tom won't be available for the first two warm-up games. We are hoping he progresses nice and quickly and we will have to address it as the days go by," ICC quoted Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson, as saying on Thursday, while confirming the news at the Captains' Day in London.The gloveman sustained an injury to his finger during a match against Australia XI, before flying to the UK for the round-robin format World Cup. Initially, it was understood that Latham would play in the second warm-up, however, now he has been ruled out of the warm-up against West Indies as well.Moreover, it is not clear whether Latham will be fit for New Zealand's opening World Cup match against Sri Lanka on June 1, ICC reported.Williamson also said that he is pleased to have the New Zealand squad back ...
On the field it's very professional against Pakistan: Kohli
With the ICC ODI World Cup getting underway in England and Wales in less than a week from now, the skippers of the 10 participating teams fighting for the biggest glory in 50-over cricket were all asked to pick one player from another team to fit into their own playing XI during the captains' press conference in London on Thursday.
Lizelle Lee secures Pak T20I series for SA Women
Lizelle Lee registered a career-best 48-ball 75 not out to guide South Africa clinch the five-match T20I series 3-2 against Pakistan at Willowmoore Park on Thursday.The right-hander smashed 11 boundaries and two sixes as South Africa won the fifth and final decider by nine wickets and 29 balls to spare.Lee put on exactly 100 runs for the second wicket with Nadine de Klerk (37 not out), a stand that ended unbroken, as she completed her 10th career T20I fifty and third in the series. It completed a fine comeback for the hosts, who had trailed 1-0 and 2-1 earlier in the sequence, before finally taking the lead in the decisive game.On the final day of what has been a closely-fought series between the teams, the home side won the toss and opted to bowl first, a decision that proved spot on as they restricted Pakistani to just 125/5. All South African bowlers shone, with Shabnim Ismail the pick of the bunch as she bagged 1/16.South Africa struck regularly, not allowing their opponents to ...
England in their conditions are 'most strong' side, says Virat Kohli ahead of World Cup
India skipper Virat Kohli on Thursday said England in their conditions would be the "most strong side" in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup."England in their conditions are the most strong side in this tournament. But all the teams so strong and well balanced and the fact we have to play everyone once, I think this will be the most competitive World Cup that anyone will have seen," Kohli said at the official captains' media conference.All ten teams will play each other in a new-look round-robin stage, with the top four qualifying for the semi-finals - a change in format that makes this year's edition more competitive than ever.England skipper Eoin Morgan said, "I don't think anyone is head and shoulders above anyone else. These are the ten best teams in the world, it will be extraordinarily competitive and some quality cricket will be played so we are really looking forward to it.""Every captain sitting here would lose their left leg to play in a World Cup final at the home of cricket. .
India Open: Mary Kom beats Zareen; Sachin upsets Solanki
Six-time world champion Mary Kom staved off a stiff challenge from Asian Championships bronze medallist Nikhat Zareen in the 51-kg category while former world youth champion Sachin Siwach (52-kg) upset Commonwealth Games gold medallist Gaurav Solanki to storm into the final in the second edition of the India Open International Boxing Tournament at the Karmabir Nabin Chandra Bordoloi Indoor Stadium here on Thursday.
Jofra Archer will be England's x-factor in World Cup: Kohli
Jofra Archer will be England's "x-factor" in the upcoming World Cup because of his "very different" skill-set reckons India skipper Virat Kohli, who himself is a target of the Barbados-born pacer. Archer has played only three ODIs but has been an asset on the T20 circuit with his death bowling, which is expected to pose problems for visiting sides. "He is probably going to be their X factor. He holds a skill-set that is very different from the rest. He can generate a lot of pace and he is just a great athlete. I am sure England is delighted to have him. It would be exciting to watch him in the World Cup," Kohli said at the official ICC press conference for the captains. Archer, who had an impressive IPL for Rajasthan Royals, recently made his international debut, and has world's No 1 batsman's wicket on his wish-list. He recently said that he is eyeing Kohli wicket in World Cup. "Jofra saying that is a big compliment because he himself is a world class bowler. The way he has come up ..
Skippers' imaginary picks: For Virat, it's Faf, for FaF, it's Bumrah
India captain Virat Kohli would pick South African skipper Faf du Plessis in his side if he ever got a chance to pick someone from the other participating teams in the World Cup. All the 10 captains were given a hypothetical situation wherein they could pick any player from the other side and there were some interesting answers with answers ranging from Jasprit Bumrah to Rashid Khan. "It is very difficult to choose someone. We feel we are such a strong side. But if I have to choose one from the current lot...since AB (de Villiers) is retired now, I would choose Faf (du Plessis)," said Kohli at the official captains' media conference. Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza picked Kohli to be a part of his side. Pointing towards Kohli, Mortaza said: "I would choose that guy." Du Plessis preferred to pick bowlers rather than batsmen but when asked if he would not like to have Kohli in his team, the South African said "Virat is my batting team". "I will pick a few players, mainly bowlers. ...
Gambhir prevails in first attempt, but no luck for Vijender, Krishna
Former India opener Gautam Gambhir tasted political success in his first attempt by emerging victorious from East Delhi but there was no luck for Olympic medallist Vijender Singh even as sports minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore prevailed in the battle of Olympians in Jaipur Rural. Contesting on a BJP ticket, Gambhir -- a member of the 2011 World Cup winning team -- secured close to seven lakh votes to easily defeat seasoned politician Arvinder Singh 'Lovely' from Congress and AAP's Atishi Marlena, who has been credited of transforming Delhi's health and education sector. Congratulatory messages poured in for 37-year-old Gambhir from fellow cricketers on social media. His former teamates Suresh Raina and VVS Laxman took lead by congratulating him on micro-blogging site Twitter. "Many Congratulations @GautamGambhir on your victory. Wish you well always. May you serve people well," tweeted Laxman. "Congratulations @GautamGambhir brother," wrote Raina. World Championship bronze ...
Indian compound archery teams to fight for bronze
The Indian men's and women's compound teams made it to the bronze medal play-offs on a day their recurve counterparts bowed out in the second round in the Archery World Cup Stage III here Thursday. Rajat Chauhan, Abhishek Verma and Aman Saini pipped their French opponents via shoot-off in the quarterfinals but only to go down to Turkey by one point (233-234) to set up a bronze medal play-off against Russia. The women's trio of Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Swati Dudhwal and Muskan Kirar also suffered a 29-30 defeat in the shoot-off in the semifinal against Russia after they were locked 232-all. They face Great Britain in the bronze medal play-off. The Indian men's and women's recurve teams met with the same fate as they were eliminated in the second round, both losing in the shoot-offs. The India men's team of Tarundeep Rai, Atanu Das and Pravin Jadhav lost 4-5 (27-29) in the shoot-off against Italy. Deepika Kumari, Bombayla Devi Laishram and Komalika Bari lost 4-5 (26-29) to their German ...
Sangakkara optimistic Sri Lanka will stage England series despite attacks
Kumar Sangakkara believes Sri Lanka will stage England's scheduled tour of the island next year despite safety concerns caused by the Easter Sunday terror attacks. More than 250 people were killed and nearly 500 wounded in a series of attacks claimed by Islamic State on churches and hotels in Sri Lanka on April 21. England are due to play Tests in Colombo and Galle next March but the attacks have led to fears Sri Lanka could join Pakistan as a no-go area for major international sides. Pakistan have been forced to play the bulk of their home games in the United Arab Emirates since 2009, when armed militants targeted Sri Lanka's team bus in Lahore. Sri Lanka great Sangakkara, who will later this year become the first non-British president of Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), lamented the fact some Pakistan players had never played a Test in their own country and hoped his own nation would not face a similar fate. "I was in the bus in 2009 when the Sri Lanka team got attacked and I ...
Mary Kom enters final; all-Indian final in seven men's categories
Six-time world champion Mary Kom overcame some stiff resistance to beat promising Nikhat Zareen in a split decision to enter the women's 51kg category final, while the men pugilists dominated the ring by making it an all-Indian gold-medal clash in seven categories in the India Open here Thursday. In the most-anticipated bout of the day, 22-year-old former world junior champion Nikhat of Telangana was at her aggressive best against her 'idol' Mary Kom who was happy to play the waiting game before taking the upper hand in the third round to win 4-1. The 36-year-old Mary Kom, who was making her competitive debut at home in 51kg, took some blows initially but was quick to make amends as Nikhat was not able to connect her punches as the bout progressed. Using her vast experience, Mary Kom regained her composure and dealt a few telling blows on the Strandja Memorial gold winner Nikhat and that seemed to have clinched the issue in favour of the London Olympics bronze medallist Manipuri in ...
Gayatri Gopichand begins with easy win in junior badminton
Top seed P. Gayatri Gopichand of Telangana began her quest for glory in the Microplex Global and Yonex Sunrise All-India Junior Ranking Badminton Tournament in style, cruising to a 21-15, 21-15 victory on Thursday.
Strikers make semi-final bid with thumping win over Blasters
Eagle Thane Strikers rose to the occasion with an emphatic victory against NaMo Bandra Blasters in their last league match of the T20 Mumbai and kept themselves in the hunt for a place in the semi-final Thursday. The penultimate game of the league stage was a cross- group match, a unique feature adopted in this year's T20 Mumbai. While the Blasters were out of contention with both the qualifiers from Group B having been already identified, the Strikers had to score a thumping win to not only get its tally to four points - same as the Triumph Knights Mumbai North East and Aakash Tigers MWS. And the Strikers came up with a perfect outing against the Blasters. While the bowlers justified the decision to insert the opposition by restricting Blasters to 148 for 7, a rejigged top-order, led by a whirlwind 34-ball 91-run partnership for the third wicket between captain Aditya Tare (50 off 27b, 5x4, 3x6) and Rakesh Prabhu (64* off 21b, 1x4, 8x6), meant the Strikers chased down .
Gayatri Gopichand begins campaign with easy win in Junior Ranking Badminton
Top seed P Gayatri Gopichand of Telangana began her campaign in the All-India Junior Ranking Badminton tournament in style with a facile 21-15, 21-15 victory over Khushi Thakkar of Delhi here Thursday. The 16-year-old daughter of India coach Pullela Gopichand showed deft touch and plenty of confidence as she quelled the challenge of Thakkar, who made it to the main draw of the Under-19 girls singles by getting a bye and winning her next two rounds. The second seed Aakarshi Kashyap of Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the Under-19 Boys Singles top seed Priyanshu Rajawat of Madhya Pradesh, however, pulled out of the competition, opening up the field for the lower seeds. In the boys' category, Manipur's Maisnam Meiraba (No. 2) and Andhra Pradesh's Sai Charan Koya (No. 3) will now be the favourites. Most of the top seeds, meanwhile, registered comprehensive victories to enter the second round of the main draw. Third seed Malvika Bansod of AAI and No. 7 Smit Toshniwal (Maharashtra) ...
Ronaldo included in Portugal squad for Nations League finals
Captain Cristiano Ronaldo was included in Portugal's squad for next month's Nations League semi-final against Switzerland, head coach Fernando Santos announced on Thursday. Ronaldo, 34, a five-time Ballon d'Or winner missed the group stages preferring to try and adapt to life in Juventus since moving from Real Madrid. The Euro 2016 champions welcome the Swiss on June 5 in Porto and the Netherlands play England in Guimaraes a day later before a third place play-off and a final on June 9. He lifted the Serie A title with his Italian club this season but failed to clinch a third straight Champions League after losing to Ajax in the quarter-finals. Head coach Fernando Santos has chosen not to call up veterans Adrien Silva, Nani and Ricardo Quaresma and Sevilla forward Andre Silva misses out with a knee injury. Highly-tipped Benfica uncapped youngster Joao Felix is also included alongside three other club teammates who won the Portugese league champions this season. Portugal squad to face
'Century on debut', Gambhir set for second innings on political turf
Someone who always wore passion on his sleeve, dared to speak his mind and cared little for reputations, Gautam Gambhir's new innings is expected to be equally eventful as white flannels make way for spotless kurta pyjamas following his landslide victory from East Delhi. Gambhir, in cricketing parlance, hit a century on 'debut', winning his maiden Parliament elections by a massive margin. He sort of demolished his opponents, securing close to seven lakh votes, leaving close rivals -- Congress' Arvinder Singh Lovely and AAP's Aatishi Marlena -- way behind. The start has been typically 'Gambhirsque' with a direct sarcastic dig at his rivals Arvinder Singh 'Lovely' of Congress and Aatishi Marlena of Aam Aadmi Party after the people of East Delhi gave him an overwhelming mandate. "Neither it's a 'Lovely' cover drive and nor it is an '?????' ??????????? It's just the BJP's '?????' ideology which people have supported. Thanks a lot to all the @BJP4India and @BJP4Delhi team-mates for getting