Page 306 - Sports
Not over yet, warns Messi after Barca masterpiece
Lionel Messi warned his Barcelona teammates that their place in the Champions League final is still not certain despite his two-goal salvo in a 3-0 semi-final first leg win over Liverpool on Wednesday. "It would have been better to win 4-0 than 3-0 but it is a very good result," said the Argentine star. "It's not definitive, we are going to go into a very complicated atmosphere, with a great history." Messi's second goal was the 600th of his Barca career and he reached the landmark in stunning style, majestically curling a free-kick into the top corner. "It was beautiful when it went in but I was lucky that the ball lodged up there in the corner." Messi refused to take all the plaudits for the win which also Luis Suarez score against his former club. "We must be more united than ever, all together: the team, the fans. "We said at the beginning of the season that we will win it together.
Magical Messi double leaves Liverpool on the brink
Lionel Messi left Liverpool needing a miracle to reach their second Champions League final in as many years as his brace helped Barcelona win a pulsating Champions League semi-final first leg 3-0 on Wednesday. Barca have one foot in next month's final ahead of Tuesday's second leg at Anfield after former Reds striker Luis Suarez gave Barca the lead during a breathless opening 45 minutes before Messi struck twice late on, the second a stunning free-kick and his 600th Barca goal. Jurgen Klopp could only smile after Messi's curling shot nestled in the top corner but this result was harsh on his side. They matched Barcelona in the first half, dominated them early in the second and could still have left with an away goal after Messi's deadly double, only for Mohamed Salah to hit the post. But Messi and Suarez did what they have done all season, their tallies now at 47 and 27 goals respectively in all competitions. It had been a breathtaking contest befitting two of Europe's most ...
Banished Hales to feature for Notts after England controversy
Controversial England batsman Alex Hales will be available for Nottinghamshire for the rest of the white-ball season. Hales was axed from all England squads, including the provisional 15-man party for this year's World Cup, after reportedly failing a second test for recreational drugs. But his English county Nottinghamshire believe it is in the interests of "all concerned" for the batsman to return to playing cricket, starting with Friday's game against Durham. "The recent events in relation to Alex Hales have been difficult for everyone involved with Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club," a statement from the club read on Wednesday. "Alex's off-field actions have, at times, fallen way short of the behaviours the club expects from any of its staff. "Following his withdrawal from all England squads this week, we have met with Alex to express our concerns and to re-iterate that such actions cannot continue. "The meeting was open, honest and constructive and a way forward was agreed ...
Dhoni leads CSK to the top with 80-run win over DC
All-round Chennai Super Kings (CSK) rode M.S. Dhoni's brilliance to get back to the top of the table with a commanding 80-run victory over Delhi Capitals (DC) in a top-of-the-table Indian Premier League (IPL) clash at the MA Chidambaram Stadium here on Wednesday.
Himachal Pradesh wins Junior Girls NFC title
Himachal Pradesh defeated Jharkhand by 3-1 in the finals of the Junior Girls National Football Championship to be crowned as the champions on Wednesday.The finals were played at the Polo Ground in Kolhapur, Maharashtra. Anju, Kiran, and Manisha scored for Himachal Pradesh whereas Kuwari Indwar scored the lone goal for Jharkhand.The match started off at a frenetic pace as both teams looked determined to open the scoring from the outset. The deadlock was broken by Himachal Pradesh as the skipper Anju, made a well-timed run from midfield before collecting a pass and flicking it past the onrushing goalkeeper, giving Himachal a 1-0 lead.Himachal Pradesh was not able to hold on to the lead for a long period as the scores were soon levelled in the ninth minute through Kuwari Indwar. The Jharkhand forward latched on to a loose ball inside the penalty area and turned swiftly to place the ball into the top corner and make the score 1-1.However, Himachal regained their advantage in the 11th ...
Kumar Sangakkara announced as first non-British President of MCC
Former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara was announced as the first non-British President of Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) on Wednesday and he will take up his one-year post on October 1, 2019.Sangakkara's nomination was announced by the MCC's current President Anthony Wreford, at the MCC Annual General Meeting at Lord's Cricket Ground."It is a huge honour to be named the next President of MCC and it is a role that I am thoroughly looking forward to. For me, MCC is the greatest cricket club in the world, with its global reach and continued progress for cricket on and off the pitch," Kumar Sangakkara said in an official statement."The year 2020 is going to be yet another significant one in cricket, especially at Lord's, and I am thrilled that I am going to be able to play a part in supporting its future as President of MCC," he added.Sangakkara appears twice on the Honours Boards at Lord's, with both innings coming in 2014. He hit 147 in the Test Match against England, and 112 in Sri .
By 20th over I was ready to swing at everything: Dhoni
Skipper MS Dhoni said he had spent enough time on the wicket to understand the bowling variations and unleash his power-packed game towards the end to lead Chennai Super Kings to a match-winning total against Delhi Capitals, here Wednesday. CSK were struggling in the beginning but Dhoni, returning to the side after recovering from a bout of fever, pulled the game away from Delhi Capitals, scoring unbeaten 44 from 22 balls. CSK scored 20 runs from last over bowled by Trent Boult with Dhoni finishing with two sixes off final two balls. "Watch the ball, hit the ball. You've spent time, you know the variations. By the 20th over you're almost ready and you swing at everything," Dhoni said when asked about his last-over exploits. "It's easier for somebody who has played 10-15 deliveries than someone who has just come in." Dhoni said the conditions actually favoured them though they lost the toss. "We knew there wouldn't be much dew. What we've seen is if there's no dew, there's assistance ..
IPL 2019: CSK thrash Delhi Capitals by 80 runs
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) thrashed Delhi Capitals by 80 runs in the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League here at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Wednesday.With this win, CSK has moved on to the top of the league standings with 18 points whereas Delhi Capitals are placed at the second position with 16 points.Chasing a challenging score of 180, Delhi got off to the worst start possible as they lost their opener Prithvi Shaw (4) in the very first over. He was dismissed by Deepak Chahar.Shikhar Dhawan along with skipper Shreyas Iyer steadied the innings for Delhi and the duo stitched together a 48-run stand. But Harbhajan Singh cut short Dhawan's (19) resistance as he clean bowled him in the fifth over.The big-hitting Rishabh Pant (5) also failed to leave a mark as he was dismissed pretty early by Imran Tahir. Colin Ingram (1) also fell cheaply off the bowling of Ravindra Jadeja reducing Delhi 66 for four.CSK kept scalping wickets and with Iyer's (44) dismissal in the 12th over it ..
Casillas hospitalised after suffering a heart attack
Former Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas suffered a heart attack on Wednesday and as a result, he has been hospitalised.The 37-year-old is recovering in the hospital following emergency surgery, says TVI as cited by goal.com. The player is not expected to play for FC Porto this season.Iker Casillas suffered an acute heart attack during Wednesday morning's training session," FC Porto said in a statement."The training session was promptly interrupted to provide assistance to the Porto goalkeeper, who is currently at the Hospital CUF Porto. Casillas is doing well, he's stable and his heart problem has been resolved," the statement added.Casillas joined FC Porto in 2015, after having asserted himself as one of the most decorated goalkeepers in history for both club and country.During his illustrious stay in Madrid, Casillas won La Liga five times while also claiming three Champions League trophies and two Copa del Rey crowns.He's started in the playing XI in 42 games this season, ...
Dhoni, Raina spinners take CSK to top of table
Skipper MS Dhoni's prowess in the slog overs was on display yet again while home spinners bamboozled the Delhi Capitals batsmen as Chennai Super Kings prevailed in the IPL battle for top spot with a thumping 80-run win, here Wednesday. It was Suresh Raina who struck a fighting 59 off 37 balls to prepare the road for revival following a slow start and Dhoni (unbeaten 44 off 22) provided the late flourish, ending the innings in style with two sixes off Trent Boult. After making just 27 runs in Powerplay overs, the hosts eventually put on board a fighting 179 for four and dismissed Capitals for just 99 in 16.2 over to snatch the top spot from the visitors. Capitals suffered a surprise batting collapse after being consistent this season. They were out of the game after losing half the batsmen by 11th over and ended up suffering their worst defeat. It was also their lowest total of the season. Chennai Super Kings, who now sit atop the table with 18 points, are now sure to end in top-2, ...
CSK snatch top spot from DC with 80-run win
Chennai Super Kings thrashed Delhi Capitals by 80 runs to snatch the top spot in their Indian Premier League (IPL), here Wednesday. Suresh Raina top-scored for CSK with his 59-run knock while Jagdeesha Suchith took two wickets for the visitors. Imran Tahir and Ravindra Jadeja took three wickets each for CSK while Shreyas Iyer made 44 for Delhi Capitals. Brief Scores: Chennai Super Kings: 179 for 4 in 20 overs. (S Raina 59, MS Dhoni 44 not out, F du Plessis 39; J Suchith 2/28). Delhi Capitals: 99 all out in 16.2 overs. (I Tahir 4/12, R Jadeja 3/9).
Pandya will do great things for Indian cricket: Pollard
Kieron Pollard on Wednesday heaped praise on his Mumbai Indians (MI) teammate Hardik Pandya, saying the fellow all-rounder has the potential to do 'great things' for India.
Ronaldo buys world's most expensive car
If reports are to be believed, Cristiano Ronaldo has laid his hands on the one-off Bugatti La Voiture Noire -- reportedly the most expensive car ever built.
Raina, Dhoni help CSK post 179/4 against DC
Suresh Raina struck a half century but it was MS Dhoni once again who helped Chennai Super Kings recover from a slow start to post a competitive 179/4 in 20 overs against Delhi Capitals in an Indian Premier League game here on Wednesday.
Raina, Dhoni lead CSK revival
Suresh Raina struck a fighting half-century before MS Dhoni provided a late push with an unbeaten 44 as Chennai Super Kings overcame a slow start to post a fighting 179 for four against Delhi Capitals in an IPL match, here Wednesday. Raina (59) and Faf du Plessis (39) added 83 runs for the second wicket to revive the innings after Delhi Capitals bowlers produced tight spells upfront. Later, skipper MS Dhoni, who returned to the side after recovering from a bout of fever, and Ravindra Jadeja added some quick runs to provide a late flourish to the innings. Dhoni hit unbeaten 44 off 22 balls with four fours and three sixes while Jadeja smashed 25 off 10 with two sixes. Dhoni creamed off 20 runs from Kiwi pacer Trent Boult's final over, hitting two sixes and four. This was after Boult and left-arm spinner Jagdeesha Suchith (2/28) had straight-jacketed the Chennai batsmen after electing bowl. With Boult swinging the ball and Suchith accurate with his line and length, they gave away just ..
Raina, Dhoni lead CSK recovery, post 179/4 against Delhi Capitals
Invited to bat, Chennai Super Kings scored 179 for four against Delhi Capitals in their Indian Premier League match (IPL), here Wednesday. Suresh Raina top-scored for CSK with his 59-run knock while Jagdeesha Suchith took two wickets for the visitors. Brief Scores: Chennai Super Kings: 179 for 4 in 20 overs. (S Raina 59, MS Dhoni 44 not out, F du Plessis 39; J Suchith 2/28).
'Senna Day' held in Brazil on 25th anniversary of F1 great's death
The Interlagos racing circuit held a 'Senna Day' to celebrate the life of Formula One great Ayrton Senna on Wednesday to mark the 25th anniversary of the Brazilian's death. The event began with a fun run around the famous circuit in Sao Paulo where the three-time world champion had twice tasted victory at the Brazilian Grand Prix in front of his adoring public in 1991 and 1993. Karting races were also on the program, as well as laps of the track in a specially commissioned super-touring McLaren, the British team with which Senna won the world title in 1988, 1990 and 1991. Senna died after a crash at the San Marino GP at the Imola circuit on May 1, 1994 at the age of just 34. Fans could admire paraphernalia from Senna's career, as well as try out race simulators that reproduce his greatest triumphs. It is a homage to a man who was voted Brazil's greatest sportsman (with 47 percent of the vote) by some distance ahead of football great Pele (23 percent), in a poll conducted in his home ..
Spanish goalkeeper Casillas stable after heart attack - FC Porto
Veteran goalkeeper Iker Casillas was stable in hospital after suffering a heart attack in training, his club Porto said on Wednesday. The 37-year-old, who has 167 Spain caps and played more than 500 games for Real Madrid, suffered what the Portuguese club called an "acute myocardial infarction" in training on Wednesday. The club's statement on Wednesday afternoon said that "the session was interrupted to provide assistance. It went on that Casillas was in a Porto hospital "well, stable and his heart problem solved." In addition to domestic honours with Real and Porto, Casillas has won one World Cup, two Euros and three Champions Leagues.
Uma and Sathiya stay on top at Jr Coastal Multiclass Regatta
Uma Chauhan of National Sailing School, Bhopal faced tough competition from Sachin Bethamalla of Navy Boys Sailing Club but managed to maintain her lead at the Junior Coastal Multiclass Regatta at the Marve Beach here Wednesday. It was a tough day for sailors as the winds were as low as 5 knots and many boats had to be towed to the start line for their races. A few sailors started early because of the slow wind and were disqualified from 2 of the 3 races held Wednesday. With Sachin almost at her tail, Uma took some smart decisions at crucial moments to keep him at bay and emerge leader after 10 races. Uma will have a fight on her hands Thursday from Sachin who will do his best to get a lead and clinch the Optimist class trophy. Sathiya Sudan of Trishna Sailing Club, Bengaluru dominated the RS One class again as he kept a distance between him and Ishwarya and finished the day as the top sailor. In the 420 Class race, Dawood Qureshi and Pradeep Thakur of NSS came close on .
We have our plans for Hardik: Tom Moody
Sunrisers Hyderabad head coach Tom Moody is confident that his team would be able to successfully execute their plans and stop Mumbai Indians' impact player Hardik Pandya, when the two teams lock horns in an IPL encounter. "There are a number of players playing in the tournament like Hardik - they are impact players, dangerous players. The bottom line is you need to remove them, you need to get them out because if they spend time in the middle, they are going to hurt you," said Moody at the media conference. Moody said that they have certain plans ready for Hardik. "We have our plans set for the likes of Hardik. (Kieron) Pollard is another one, who can cause havoc at the back-end of T20 games," added Moody. Pandya has been in terrific form in this IPL season, having smashed 27 sixes and 25 fours, most of them in the last few overs, while amassing 355 runs in 12 games. His 34-ball 91 against Kolkata Knight Riders in the previous game went in vain as MI lost by 34 runs. Moody insisted ..