Page 366 - Sports
Italy to expel 54 Dutch fans before Juventus-Ajax clash
Italy are to expel 54 Ajax fans who were arrested in Turin for possession of dangerous objects on the eve of the Champions League clash against Juventus, the Italian government confirmed on Monday. "Fifty-four Dutch fans, who arrived in the past few hours in Italy will be expelled on public order offences and escorted to the border tomorrow morning," a statement from Italy's Interior Ministry read. "The group was found in possession of weapons, smoke bombs and firecrackers." Interior Minister Matteo Salvini added: "Thanks to the police: no one can be permitted to come to Italy to cause trouble. Our stadiums and our cities are closed to those who are violent!" More than 140 football fans, mainly Juventus supporters, were arrested for possession of dangerous objects ahead of last week's first leg game in Amsterdam. Photos of a confiscated knife, fireworks, pepper spray, flares, a hammer and a baton were handed out in a press release by law enforcement authorities in the Netherlands.
Arsenal edge past 10-man Watford, move into top four
Arsenal moved into the Premier League top four, but made hard work of seeing off 10-man Watford 1-0 thanks to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's fortunate early opener on Monday. Aubameyang profited from an error by Watford goalkeeper Ben Foster as he blasted an attempted clearance in off the Gabon international. Watford captain Troy Deeney was then shown a straight red card after just 11 minutes, but the Gunners failed to make the most of their man advantage and were fortunate as the hosts twice hit the woodwork. However, Unai Emery's men held out for a first clean sheet away from home in the Premier League this season to move ahead of Chelsea on goal difference into fourth. "We didn't control the match like I wanted," admitted Emery. "The team was anxious because they could (have) taken some moment. The most important for us is to score the second goal, which we didn't do." Arsenal also edge to within a point of north London rivals Tottenham and two clear of Manchester United in the ...
Need to keep composure under pressure: Kohli
Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Virat Kohli believes his side needs to keep a calm head during pressure situations and take on the half chances to secure victory in the remaining games of the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League.
Son in the spotlight as Spurs eye Euro glory
Son Heung-min insists he has already proved he can shoulder the burden of replacing Harry Kane in Tottenham's Champions League showdown with Manchester City on Wednesday. Mauricio Pochettino's side head to the Etihad Stadium for the quarter-final second leg looking to protect a slender 1-0 lead. But Tottenham's task has been made harder by injuries to Kane and Dele Alli. Kane is likely to miss the rest of the season after the striker suffered yet another ankle ligament injury in the first leg against City, while England midfielder Alli is a doubt after fracturing his hand in the same match. Losing two such influential players ahead of a do-or-die clash with the Premier League champions would be a hammer blow to most teams. But South Korea forward Son has shown this season that playing without Kane need not be fatal to his side's European ambitions. Son has scored nine goals in 10 matches with Kane absent this season and he said: "I just enjoy the football. Everyone, not just me, ...
Porto pinning hopes of famous comeback on Marega
Moussa Marega's path to the top in football bears little resemblance to the career enjoyed by Thierry Henry, but the FC Porto striker does share something in common with the France legend. "We are from the same town. We were both born in Les Ulis" in the Paris suburbs, Marega told UEFA.com. "He was my first idol. He is also a striker, and I always dreamed of being a striker and scoring as many goals as him." As a late arrival at the elite level, the 28-year-old Malian international centre-forward may never match Henry's statistics. However, his goals have played a big part in his club's success over the last 18 months and he is set to again lead the Porto attack in Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final, second leg against Liverpool at the Estadio do Dragao. Last week, Marega was a menace to the Liverpool defence at Anfield but could not prevent his side slumping to a 2-0 defeat that means their hopes of progressing to a first semi-final since they won the trophy in 2004 appear ...
Solskjaer draws upon spirit of 99 for another Camp Nou miracle
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer completed Manchester United's most famous comeback at Camp Nou in 1999 and he will try to oversee another there on Tuesday when his team take on Barcelona. Solskjaer's 93rd-minute winner 20 years ago lives on in United folklore as United came from 1-0 down to beat Bayern Munich 2-1 and win the Champions League. Now in the dugout, Solskjaer returns to the same ground with his side trailing 1-0 again and needing another miracle if they are to reach the tournament's semi-finals. "Of course it's a fantastic memory for me. It's the only time I've been on the pitch here," Solskjaer said at a press conference on Monday. "I dont mind if we score in the 93rd minute (on Tuesday). If we get to injury-time we are a fit team." Ernesto Valverde has said Lionel Messi is fit and ready to play in the second leg as Barca bid to make the semis for the first time in four years. Messi was among 10 players rested for the goalless draw against Huesca on Saturday after a hefty challenge .
Malinga's form critical for Mumbai Indians: Rohit
Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma has showered praise on Lasith Malinga, saying that they missed the Sri Lankan fast bowler in their previous matches of the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League and that his performance is very critical for the team.
Dream come true to be part of WC squad: Karthik
Picked in the 15-man World Cup squad ahead of Rishabh Pant, stumper-batsman Dinesh Karthik said that it was a dream come true to be part of India's World Cup team.
SA women up momentum ahead of Pak series
South Africa will host Pakistan in the ICC Women's Championship and T20I series, beginning May 6. As the tour is drawing closer, preparation levels have intensified from Proteas' point of view.In the wake of heightened preparations, an 18-member squad commenced its four-day national camp on Monday.Assistant coach Salieg Nackerdien said the coaching staff was pleased with the intensity of the group on the opening day of camp. He stressed on the importance of building steady momentum going into the tour in order to collect six vital points from the ICC Women's Championship ODI series."We had a good (National) Women's Week a couple of weeks ago and our top six batters dominated the scene and that's what we talked about in the previous camp, so that was excellent to see. For momentum purposes going into that Pakistan series in a couple of weeks, I think it's important that they are still in that good space and getting into those good habits," Nackerdien said in a statement put out by ...
Pandya's cameo hands Bangalore another defeat
Hardik Pandya's (37 unbeaten off 16) quickfire cameo down the order handed Royal Challengers Bangalore their seventh defeat this season as Mumbai Indians won their Indian Premier League (IPL) tie at the Wankhede Stadium here on Monday by five wickets.
Hardik Pandya stars with a late cameo in MI's 5-wkt win over RCB
Hardik Pandya produced a sensational late cameo of 37 not out off just 16 balls as he guided Mumbai Indians to a five-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bangalore in an IPL match here on Monday. Chasing 172 for a win, the match was in a balance when he came out in the 16th over but Hardik, who was named in India's World Cup squad on Monday, turned the game on its head, smashing five boundaries and two sixes during his unconquered 16-ball innings on a turning track at the Wankhede Stadium. Mumbai needed 22 runs from the last two overs but Hardik took just six balls to hit the required runs, smashing left-arm spinner Pawan Negi for two boundaries and as may sixes to end the run chase. He finished the game with a single off the last ball of the 19th over as Mumbai reached 172 for 5 in 19 overs. This was Mumbai's fifth win in eight games and they are now at third spot with 10 points, while RCB suffered their seventh defeat in eight matches and the Virat Kohli-led team are languishing at ...
AB de Villers, Ali help RCB post 171/7 vs Mumbai
AB de Villiers' scintillating knock (75 off 51) with Moeen Ali's 50 off 32 propelled Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) to 171/7 against Mumbai Indians in an Indian Premier League (IPL) match at the Wankhede Stadium, here on Monday.
ABD, Ali half centuries guide RCB to 171/7 against MI
AB de Villiers and Moeen Ali hit impressive half centuries to guide Royal Challengers Bangalore to a respectable 171 for 7 against Mumbai Indians in their Indian Premier League game here Monday. After RCB lost skipper Virat Kohli (8 off 9 balls) and Parthiv Patel (28 off 20 balls) inside seven overs, de Villiers (75 in 51 balls) along with Ali (50 runs in 32 balls) resurrected the innings with a 95-run stand for the third wicket. The South African star stamped his authority, hammering six fours and four sixes, as he completed his half century in 41 balls. Ali was a little bit more aggressive than de Villiers as he hit five sixes and a lone boundary as the two took the MI attack to cleaners. Ali initially played second fiddle but later upped the ante. He was particularly severe on Australian pacer Jason Behrendoff (1/49), whom he hit for two sixes and a four in the 16th over, which fetched 17 runs for RCB. De Villiers, who took time to settle, then showed his class, as he hit round the
Bangladesh to call Shakib back from IPL for World Cup camp
Bangladesh will ask star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan to return from Indian Premier League and join the team's World Cup preparation camp next week, the nation's Cricket Board said Monday. Shakib is currently in India with his IPL franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad. "Our camp is beginning. I have asked to send a letter to Shakib immediately to come back. Let's see how he responds to this," said Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hassan in Dhaka. Shakib played just one game this season, picking up one wicket for 42 runs in 3.4 overs against his former franchise Kolkata Night Riders. It was the only competitive game for Shakib since returning from an injury he picked up during the Bangladesh Premier League final in January. In a star-studded line-up featuring Australia's David Warner, England's Jonny Bairstow, New Zealand's Kane Williamson, and Afghanistan duo Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi, Bangladesh is concerned Shakib might not get more matches in the coming days. Unable to get ...
Rohit Yadav sets under-18 national javelin record
Rohit Yadav of Uttar Pradesh stole the limelight with an under-18 national record throw of 81.75m in the boys preliminary round of the second Athletics Federation of India National Javelin Throw Open Championship here Monday. The 17-year-old from Jaunpur improved on the national record of the 79.29m for boys under-18 set by Mohammed Hadeesh Apia in September 2015. Yadav had also recorded a throw of 79.83m in the SGFI National School Games in Nadiad, Gujarat, in February. The final will be held on Tuesday. Haryana women trio of Poonam Rani, Monica and Shilpa Rana swept the medals with efforts of 49.53m, 42.46m and 39.89m. Poonam Rani, the 24-year-old from Jhajjar, has a clutch of All-India Inter-University crowns and has thrown over 50m. With national javelin coach Uwe Hohn and biomechanics specialist Dr. Klaus Bartonietz keenly watching the proceedings, it seemed natural that the intensity of competition was high and that there was an eagerness to showcase raw talent. Meanwhile, in ...
Mumbai asks Bangalore to bat first (Toss)
Mumbai Indians' skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to field against Royal Challengers Bangalore in an Indian Premier League (IPL) tie at the Wankhede Stadium here on Monday.
Karnataka, Punjab win in Santosh Trophy
Punjab toiled hard to edge out Sikkim 1-0 while Karnataka thrashed Assam 5-1 in Group B matches on the eighth day of the 73rd National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy here on Monday. In the first match of the day, Karnataka proved too good for Assam in a lopsided match. Karnataka went into lead in the 16th minute through Biswa KR Darjee and two minutes later, Naorem Roshan Singh scored to increase the lead. He again struck in the 23rd minute to make it 3-0. Two minutes later, skipper Vignesh Gunashekar found the target and in the 31st minute, Megesh Selva added another goal to complete the route. For Assam, the lone goal came though Bishnu Bordoloi in the 37th minute. They suffered third successive defeat. The second match between Punjab and Sikkim turned out to be a close affair. Punjab skipper Taranjit Singh scored the all-important goal in the 20th minute. With this victory, Punjab secured six points from three matches and kept their hopes of making the semifinals alive.
India World Cup squad: Know your favourite stars
As the much-awaited wait gets over with the BCCI selection committee announcing the 15-member India squad for the forthcoming ICC World Cup, slated in England and Wales from May 30. Here is a short profile of players in Virat Kohli's team, considered favourites for the showpiece event.
Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer injured, ruled out for two weeks
Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is likely to miss three crucial fixtures after he tore his muscle fibres during the match against Fortuna Dusseldorf, on Sunday, which they end up winning.After an examination by the club's medical officers, the 33-year old has been ruled out of action for 14 days, Goal.com reported.For an upcoming league, Ulreich is likely to be drafted in to replace Neuer. Mat Hummels too sustained a thigh injury late in the game at Dusseldorf, however, he is expected to return swiftly after a couple of days off training.The victory's credit largely goes to Kingsley Coman's two fantastic goals providing his team an early two-goal lead after the conclusion of first-half.Serge Gnabry and Leon Goretzka added one goal each in the second half helping their side to have a 4-1 victory.
Gavaskar surprised at Pant not being in WC squad
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar was surprised as young stumper Rishabh Pant was not included in Indias 15-member World Cup squad.