Page 343 - Sports
AIFF signs coaching convention with AFC
All India Football Federation (AIFF), has signed a Coaching Convention with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).This agreement will extensively focus on the coaching rules and methods. Also, it is an endorsement tool which will highlight the regulation and guidelines of coaching education.The licensing system will be refurbished in 2020 and the coaching diplomas will be broken into modules.Savio Medeira, the acting Technical Director of AIFF feels that this coaching convention will "help the coaches to manage their schedule in a better way "."Coaching convention will help the coaches to manage their schedule in a better way as it will be done in modules and it will also help them to work on their deficiencies during the break. Coaches will also have to undergo assignments which was not there before. Overall it will help coaches to be more confident and efficient in their approach towards coaching," AIFF quoted Medeira, as saying.Coaching licenses carry paramount importance with ...
GrabOn cricket fantasy: win smart TVs, bluetooth headsets and more
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Afghan, Hassan included in Afghanistan's World Cup squad
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) on Monday announced their 15-member squad for the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men's Cricket World Cup 2019.The inclusion of former captain Asghar Afghan and the return of the fast bowler Hamid Hassan were the major talking points. The 31-year-old Hassan wasn't active in games for long due to fitness issues. He last played cricket at the senior level in 2017. Although he made a comeback to the squad, his fitness still remains under scrutiny."Luckily for us, the come-back of senior fast bowler Hamid Hassan is good news. However, we will take into account his form and fitness during upcoming practice matches," Chief Selector Dawlat Khan Ahmadzai said in an official statement issued by the ACB.Afghan, who was sacked as captain earlier this month, also made a return. However, the team will be led by Gulbadin Naib.While Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mohammad Shahzad and Samiullah Shinwari are included in the side, wicket-keeper batsman Ikram Alikhil
CSK aim to sort out top-order woes, Sunrisers look for middle-order solace
The wretched form of Chennai Super Kings' top three will be primary worry for Mahendra Singh Dhoni as Chennai Super Kings aims to arrest the mini-slide when they take on Sunrisers Hyderabad in an Indian Premier League encounter here Tuesday. If CSK's problem is the non-performance of the top-order, Sunrisers Hyderabad's issues are that there are no performers in the middle-order with bulk of the runs being scored by openers David Warner (517 runs) and Jonny Bairstow (445 runs). A win will almost ensure a play-off berth for the defending champions, who lost back-to-back away matches against Sunrisers Hyderabad and RCB respectively. While Dhoni's Herculean effort to pull off another miraculous chase has been the talking point, it is difficult not to shed light on the poor show of CSK's top three which is putting the skipper under unimaginable pressure. Last season's hero Shane Watson (147 runs), Ambati Rayudu (192) and Suresh Raina (207) haven't lived up to expectations. The pressure ...
CSK aim to break losing streak against SRH (Preview)
Having lost two matches in a row, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) would be under a bit of pressure when they take on in-form Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium here on Tuesday.
Afghanistan World Cup squad: Afghan, Hassan included in 15-man squad
The inclusion of former captain Asghar Afghan and the return of the fast bowler Hamid Hassan were the big news as the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) on Monday announced their 15-man squad for the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men's Cricket World Cup 2019.Hassan (31) wasn't active in games for long due to fitness issues. He last played cricket at the senior level in 2017. Although he made a comeback to the squad, his fitness still remains under scrutiny."Luckily for us, the come-back of senior fast bowler Hamid Hassan is good news. However, we will take into account his form and fitness during upcoming practice matches," Chief Selector Dawlat Khan Ahmadzai said in an official statement issued by the ACB.Afghan, who was sacked as captain earlier this month, also made a return. However, the team will be led by Gulbadin Naib.While Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mohammad Shahzad and Samiullah Shinwari are included in the side, wicket-keeper batsman Ikram Alikhil has been named as a ...
I will never question Dhoni's final-over calculations: Fleming
Mahendra Singh Dhoni's refusal to take three singles in the penultimate over with big-hitting Dwayne Bravo at the other end raised a few eyebrows but Chennai Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming says he will "never question" his skipper's game-plan at the death. With 36 runs needed in the last two overs, Dhoni refused three singles in the 19th over bowled by Navdeep Saini getting just 10 off it including a six off a no-ball. In the last over, 26 runs were needed and Dhoni nearly pulled it off with a 24 off the first first five balls before Parthiv Patel ran Shardul Thakur out to win the match for RCB by one run. "He is so calculative that I would never question the last part of an innings with MS Dhoni. Yes, Bravo's got power but if MS has a feeling that he's going to win it this way, I'm going to back him every time," Fleming said at the media conference. "He's done this so many times and look, tonight he got us so close to the game so I'll never question that," he added. When asked ...
Hamid Hassan included in Afghanistan squad for WC
Right-arm pacer Hamid Hassan has been included in the 15-member Afghanistan squad for the upcoming World Cup slated to be held in England and Wales from May 30.
Fabio Fognini wins maiden Masters title
Fabio Fognini on Sunday (local time) registered his maiden ATP Masters 1000 title win as he defeated Serbian Dusan Lajovic 6-3, 6-4 in Monte Carlo. With this win, he has become the first Italian to win the Masters 1000 title."I am really, really happy. Nothing to say. I have to keep calm, maybe take a shower, relax, and think about this because it's something incredible," Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) quoted Fogini as saying."I just feel happy because I won a big tournament that was always my goal in my career. I think everybody, when you're growing up and you start and you decide to play tennis, you are dreaming to win a big tournament. We are talking about a Masters 1000," he added.The 13th seed Fognini converted four of his five break points to become the lowest seeded player to lift the trophy.As a result of this win, Fogini will rise to his career best ranking of number twelve when the latest ATP rankings come out.Fognini did not have smooth sailing in the tournament .
'Cricket needs Dhoni to write its scripts'
Cricket fans at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru became witnesses to yet another vintage Dhoni knock on Sunday. MSD, popularly known as 'Thala' by his Chennai Super Kings (CSK) fans, was at his absolute best as he nearly pulled off one of the greatest chases in the history of Indian Premier League (IPL).
Our only chance was if Dhoni missed last ball: Parthiv
Parthiv Patel, who starred with the bat and effected a match-winning run out for Royal Challengers Bangalore, admitted their chance in the last ball depended on rampaging M.S. Dhoni getting beaten.
Will never question Dhoni's decisions in back end: Stephen Fleming
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) head coach Stephen Fleming said that he would never question MS Dhoni's decisions during the back end of the match as the skipper is very calculative."Maybe, I think more the reason was Dhoni felt that he was best equipped to hit the sixes. The way he calculates the last few overs based on his power he would have thought we need four-five sixes and we win the game. He is so calculated that I would never question what he does during the back end of the innings," Fleming told reporters.The coach's opinion came after CSK lost to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) by one run on Sunday. Dhoni refused to take singles in the penultimate over of the match and gave Dwayne Bravo the strike, which made few heads turn.CSK needed 26 runs off the final over to chase down the total of 162 when Dhoni struck 24 runs but missed on the last ball, allowing RCB to snatch a one run-victory. Wicket-keeper Parthiv Patel staged a run-out of Shardul Thakur. However, Fleming refused to .
Dhoni did what he does best, gave us a scare: Kohli
M.S. Dhoni did what he does best and almost pulled off a miraculous run-chase, prompting Virat Kohli to go through a lot of emotions as Royal Challengers Bangalore beat Chennai Super Kings by one run.
We need to bat well at the top: Dhoni
Chennai Super Kings skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni urged his top-order to get their acts together and finish more matches going into the business-end of the Indian Premier League. Dhoni's superb 48-ball-84 went in vain as RCB beat CSK by one run to stay afloat in the league. CSK's problem has been their top-order where Shane Watson (147 runs), World Cup reject Ambati Rayudu (192 runs) and Suresh Raina (207 runs) have performed well below-par. The pressure has been entirely on Dhoni, who leads the charts with 314 runs. "I think it was a good game. We did really well to restrict them to a below par total, but we needed some good batting at the top. Once you know the opposition attack, you have got to stick to your plans and if you lose too many wickets upfront that puts pressure and the middle order really can't go after the bowlers from the start," Dhoni said at the end of the match. Dhoni wants his top-order to be more discreet with shot selection. "It's easy to go and play the big shot
Don't know whether players care enough to play for the club: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Manchester United's manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on Sunday admitted he is not sure whether the team's players care enough to play for the club after Manchester United were thrashed 4-0 at the hands of Everton."I don't know, I don't know. You've got to ask them, I've asked them. You're not going to get the answer from me. But if you want to play at this club it has to mean more," goal.com quoted Solskjaer as saying."I want them to be the hardest working team. That's what we were, under Sir Alex Ferguson. You ran more than anyone every single week, a shift up and down that pitch for your teammates, and we have to stick together as a team," he added.Solskjaer saw Manchester United suffering their sixth defeat in the last eight matches, but he opined that the club needs to stick together to change the fortunes of the team."We have to stick together as a team. We can't change the whole squad but it's one step at a time. I'm going to be successful here and there are players there that won't
PCB names Yasir Shah as Shadab Khan's replacement
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has named leg-spinner Yasir Shah as the replacement for an indisposed Shadab Khan for the upcoming T20I and ODI series against England.Shah has played 24 ODIs and taken 23 wickets. The 32-year-old last toured England in 2016, in which he finished with a tally of 19 wickets from four Test matches.Shah will travel with Pakistan cricket team to England on April 23, the PCB said on Sunday.Earlier, Khan was ruled out of the England tour after he was detected with a virus that will require treatment and rest for at least four weeks.The PCB will set up Khan's appointment with the doctors in England to help him recover before Pakistan's World Cup opening match against West Indies on May 31.Pakistan, like every other participating team, have the flexibility to make changes to their World Cup squad until May 23 without taking permission from the International Cricket Council (ICC).The team currently has Mohammad Amir and Asif Ali as back-ups to the World Cup ...
MI release Rohit & boys for 4 days to manage workload
Mumbai Indians have released all the players for four days to ensure that they relax, spend time with their families and return strong for the business end of the tournament. With the 2019 World Cup starting just after the 12th edition of the Indian Premier League, India skipper Virat Kohli had time and again spoken about the need for players to be smart and manage their workload well to stay fresh for the showpiece event.
MS did what he does best, give us a massive scare: Kohli
Virat Kohli is more than aware of Mahendra Singh Dhoni's penchant to go for the impossible and was admittedly "scared" with the former India captain's last over pyrotechnics during an IPL encounter between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings. He smashed an unbeaten 84 off 48 balls and nearly got the required 26 runs off the last over bowled by Umesh Yadav before Parthiv Patel's 'Dhoni like calm' behind the stumps ensured RCB's victory by one run. Understandbly skipper Kohli went through a range of emotion as he spoke about Dhoni's exploits and how impressive the bowlers were till 19th over. "Feels good to win a game by a small margin. We've lost a couple by small margins. MS did what he does best and he gave us all a massive scare. Off the last ball, that was the last thing I would have expected to happen. There was a whole lot of emotion," Kohli said at the post-match presentation ceremony. In fact in the 19th over, Dhoni couldn't hit young Navdeep Saini, who hit the .
Here's why Dhoni refused singles in 19th over vs RCB
Chasing 162, CSK managed to score 160/8 in their stipulated 20 overs, thus succumbing to their second consecutive loss in the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Warnock scores Salah tumble '9.9' amid latest diving accusation
Mohamed Salah could not have "got much higher off the diving board" according to Cardiff manager Neil Warnock after the Egyptian won a penalty in Liverpool's 2-0 win in the Welsh capital on Sunday. Salah was grappled inside the area by Cardiff captain Sean Morrison, but the theatric nature of his fall saw Warnock compare last season's Premier League player of the year to British Olympic bronze medallist diver Tom Daley. "We gave him an opportunity didn't we? He's got his arms around him," said Warnock. "I think the end of it was a 9.9 Tom Daley job. I don't think he could have got much higher off the diving board at the end of it." James Milner converted the spot-kick nine minutes from time to seal Liverpool's victory that took them back top of the Premier League. Salah has also been criticised for going to ground easily in attempts to win penalties against Newcastle and Chelsea earlier this season. However, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp defended his player. "I think there is no doubt ..