Page 377 - Sports
Koepka, DeChambeau set for early charge at rainy Masters
US co-leaders Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau were set for an early charge in Friday's second round of the 83rd Masters golf tournament with Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson lurking. Under rainy, overcast conditions at Augusta National, the second round began with Koepka and DeChambeau level atop the leaderboard after opening on six-under par 66 with Mickelson one stroke adrift. Koepka, who missed last year's Masters with a left wrist injury, is playing Augusta National for the first time as a major champion, having last year defended his US Open title and won the PGA Championship. "(It's) just an understanding of how to play and handle the bigger tournaments and understanding how to deal with pressure a little bit better," Koepka said. "I get to whatever major championship it is and just when I arrive there, I just get a good feeling. I don't know how to explain it. I'm just dialed in and I'm focused the entire week." Koepka birdied five of the first six back-nine holes on ...
Liverpool's Klopp condemns 'disgusting' Salah abuse ahead of Chelsea clash
Jurgen Klopp has condemned "disgusting" racist abuse aimed at Mohamed Salah and called for lifetime bans for the Chelsea fans accused of taunting the Liverpool star. A video circulated on social media ahead of Chelsea's Europa League match at Slavia Prague this week showed a group of six supporters chanting "Salah is a bomber" repeatedly. Egypt forward Salah, who played for Chelsea before joining Roma in 2016, is a practising Muslim and has previously faced abuse about his religion. Chelsea's security staff identified three people in the widely shared video and denied that trio entry to Thursday's clash in Prague. It is understood that the remaining three people in the video did not attempt to enter Slavia's Sinobo Stadium for Chelsea's 1-0 quarter-final first-leg victory. Liverpool said the video showed "vile discriminatory chants" and was "dangerous and disturbing", while Chelsea issued a statement pledging to use all available punishments against those involved. The incident is ...
Goa, Chennaiyin face off in Super Cup final (Preview)
Both FC Goa and Chennaiyin FC will look for redemption when they square-off in the Hero Super Cup 2019 final at the Kalinga Stadium here on Saturday.
Neymar wants to stay at PSG, says father
Brazilian star Neymar wants to stay at Paris Saint-Germain, where he is under contract until 2022, according to his father and agent, Neymar senior. "We have a contract, we're not even halfway through that contract," Neymar senior told RMC Sport. Neymar arrived at PSG from Barcelona in 2017, but has been at the centre of rumours linking him with a move to Real Madrid. "These rumours of leaving will always exist, you can't have a player like Neymar without people or clubs dreaming of having him," said Neymar senior. PSG fans, he continued, "can rest easy: Neymar today doesn't want to leave PSG, he wants to continue at PSG, get back on the pitch first up, to be able to help the club claim titles and win". Neymar has been out with an injured right foot sustained on January 23, but the 27-year-old was back in training on Thursday and PSG will be hoping he is fully fit for the April 27 French cup final against Rennes.
Kane may have to consider surgery, says surgeon
Tottenham forward Harry Kane may have to consider surgery on his injured ankle, a leading surgeon has said. Kane suffered a "significant lateral ligament" injury to his left ankle during Spurs' 1-0 Champions League win over Manchester City on Tuesday and is unlikely to play again this season. The England captain is susceptible to ankle damage -- this is his fifth such injury since 2016 and the second to his left joint this year. Surgeon Mark Davies, a leading specialist at the London Foot and Ankle Centre, who has operated on Premier League footballers, said going under the knife could help restore the strength of Kane's ligament to what it was before his first injury. "At some point I think they would think about doing something surgically to stabilise the ligament, which is quite feasible and should restore the problem happening in the long term," Davies told Britain's Press Association. "He's not that old, he could do with a stable ankle if he wants to carry on playing long term ...
Joshna enters semifinals in Macau
Third seed Joshna Chinappa moved into the semifinals of the Macau Open with a convincing 11-8, 11-2, 11-9 win over fifth seed Mayar Hany of Egypt here on Friday. However, men's second seed Saurav Ghosal suffered an unexpected exit with sixth seed Greg Lobban of Scotland chalking out a 6-11, 11-8, 11-5, 11-8 win for a last four place. Earlier, Ghosal had an energy-sapping second round against compatriot Mahesh Mangaonkar. The scoreline read 9-11, 11-7, 10-12, 11-2, 11-9 after a marathon clash lasting 77 minutes. So frustrated was Mahesh at the missed opportunity that he flung his racket on to the front wall. For Joshna, after a bye in the first round, it was a fairly easy outing against New Zealand's Amanda Landers-Murphy. The Indian won in straight games 11-5, 11-8, 11-9. Knowing the Kiwi's penchant for the volleys, Joshna ensured her rival was not given much of that privilege and the ploy worked.
We are working step-by-step to qualify for Olympics: Hockey player Navjot Kaur
Indian women's hockey team had a successful five-match bi-lateral series against Malaysia. However, the team believes it still needs to overcome its weaknesses in order to qualify for the Olympics.Navjot Kaur, whose fine field goal helped India win the fifth match 1-0, said that the team toured Malaysia to work and improve its skills."We didn't think they (Malaysia) are upper ranked or lower ranked team. We just went for our improvement and work on our skills which will help us going forward. We started the year against Spain, which went really well and this Malaysia tour was also brilliant. We are working step-by-step in order to qualify for Olympics," Navjot told ANI after returning from Malaysia."Our vice-captain Deep Grace Ekka has started using drag technique in the absence of our drag-flicker (injured Gurjit Kaur). It turned out to be an opportunity for our team as now we have two drag-flickers. Next, we have a Korea tour. We aim to overcome the weaknesses that we faced against .
Singapore Open: Sindhu in semis, Saina exits
Saina Nehwal's disappointing show continued at the Singapore Open as the shuttler crashed out of the tournament while PV Sindhu entered the semi-finals here on Friday.
Minerva vs Real Kashmir I-League re-match unlikely: AIFF, club owners
The I-League match between Real Kashmir and Minerva Punjab which was not held in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack in February is unlikey to be replayed despite All India Federation's decision to do so. Well-placed sources in the AIFF said that the re-match may not happen as the football season is winding up and nearly two months have passed since February 18, the scheduled date of the match. Real Kashmir were to host Minerva Punjab on February 18, four days after the Pulwama terror attack that left more than 40 CRPF soldiers dead. Minerva did not turn up for the match in Srinagar fearing for the safety of their players, even as Real Kashmir expressed disappointment over the visitors' refusal to play. After a referral from the I-League Committee, the Emergency Committee of the AIFF on March 5 ruled that a re-match will be held at a venue and date to be decided later. "It is nearly two months from the date of the match to be held in Srinagar and the season is also winding up ..
Fining Dhoni 50 percent of his match fee is kid gloving, says Bedi
Former India captain Bishan Singh Bedi on Friday slammed the "timid" authorities that fined CSK captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni only 50 percent of his match fee for an unprecedented confrontation with the on-field umpire during an IPL game. "Am aghast w/media calls on Dhoni's invasion on field as most immature protest against Umpires last night...puzzles me no end why sport scribes are petrified of honest expression against erring established stars...why even authorities are shamelessly timid-50% fine is kid-gloving MSD," tweeted Bedi. The incident happened during the match between Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals here. "Cricket was never meant to 'look' ugly-never mind if laws of the game are not trespassed-but certain 'behavioural' patterns are tantamount to bringing disrepute to game..nobody was ever bigger than the game which demands highest form of exemplary discipline from players/officials alike," Bedi added. In a rare instance, Dhoni, who was not even meant to be on the ..
Otters Squash: Saksham downs 2nd seed Tushar, enters final
Saksham Choudhary produced a brilliant performance to defeat second seed Tushar Shahani 7-11, 11-8, 9-11, 12-10, 11-5 in an epic five game thriller in the semi-final of the Otters Club Vedanta Squash Open on Friday . Saksham, who is playing his first tournament after a gap of six months due to injury,faced his biggest challenge in the second seed Tushar Shahani. Tushar started attacking from the onset and took the first game 11-7. Saksham bounced back, but faced a lot of resistance before winning the game 11-8 to make it 1-1. Saksham fought hard in the third set, tiring Tushar by making him play longer rallies. But Tushar prevailed to take the third game 11-9. With constant long rallies, Tushar was starting to lose steam and Saksham took the advantage to score back to back winners and race to an 8-0 lead. But Tushar pushed himself to the extreme and went on to score multiple winners to take the game to a 10-10 tie-breaker before Saksham managed to survive the scare, ...
RCB names Dale Steyn as Nathan Coulter-Nile's replacement
New Delhi [India], April 12 (ANI): Royal Challengers Bangalore on Friday signed South African fast bowler Dale Steyn as the replacement for Australian bowler Nathan Coulter-Nile for the ongoing season of the Indian Premier League (IPL).Steyn would be available for selection from April 19 in the match against Kolkata Knight Riders.Coulter-Nile had sustained an injury earlier and the player was prescribed ample rest.Coulter-Nile was acquired by RCB in 2018 at an amount of Rs 2.2 crores and the team decided to retain him at the same price for the 2019 season.As per IPL rules, the replacement player cannot exceed the amount that was being paid to the original player. So the price at which Steyn was acquired by the team cannot be more than Rs 2.2 crores as Coulter-Nile was signed by RCB at the IPL auction for this amount.Steyn marks his return to the RCB as he had earlier played for the team between 2008 and 2010, taking 27 wickets from 28 matches.RCB are ranked at the bottom of the table,
Singapore Open: Sindhu seals semifinal spot; Saina, Srikanth, Sameer ousted
P V Sindhu survived a scare before making the semifinals but Saina Nehwal was thoroughly outplayed in her straight-game quarterfinal loss on a mixed day for India at the Singapore Open badminton tournament here Friday. Sindhu, in fact, emerged as the lone survivor after India's campaign in men's singles was over following the ouster of Kidambi Srikanth and Sameer Verma, and loss of mixed doubles Indian pair of Pranaav Jerry Chopra and N Sikki Reddy later in the day. Rio Games silver-winner Sindhu defeated world No.18 and 2017 BWF World Junior Championship bronze-medallist Cai Yanyan of China 21-13 17-21 21-14 to set up a meeting with former world champion Nozomi Okuhara. It is Sindhu's second semifinal of the season, following a last-four finish at the India Open last month. The second-seeded Okuhara, hailing from Japan, didn't break much sweat on her way to a 21-8 21-13 win over sixth seed Saina, a bronze-medallist at the London Olympics. In men's singles, Srikanth's struggle against
RCB's poor campaign won't affect Kohli in World Cup: Kuldeep
Kolkata Knight Riders spinner Kuldeep Yadav is confident that Virat Kohli's form on an international stage will not be affected by Royal Challengers Bangalore's poor Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign.As captain of the Bangalore franchise, Kohli is under great pressure as his team sits at the bottom of the points table after six straight defeats so far."He's one of the best in the world, has broken so many records I don't think he will be affected by this. He has a different hunger when he plays for India. Everyone is highly motivated to do well in the World Cup," ICC quoted Kuldeep, as saying.The Indian captain is one of the only two players -- other being Suresh Raina -- to have registered over 5000 runs in the league. In this season, Kohli has scored 203 runs at a strike-rate of 126.08.Going into the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2019, starting May 30 in England, Kuldeep further said: "With 5000-plus runs, individually he's doing his best. But maybe his team (Bangalore) combination
Kashmir-Minerva game won't be replayed: AIFF official
The much-delayed and debated I-League game between Real Kashmir FC and Minerva Punjab FC is unlikely to be played this season, according to All India Football Federation (AIFF) sources.
FC Goa look for redemption of ISL title loss, seek Super Cup crown
FC Goa would look for redemption after their heart-breaking runners-up finish in the Indian Super League when they face Chennaiyin FC in the summit clash of the Super Cup football tournament here on Saturday. The Goa-based side had to endure the heartbreak of losing out the ISL title, going down to Bengaluru FC via an extra time goal in the final match. Winning the Super Cup will help Sergio Lobera's side soften the blow and claim silverware for the first time in the club's history. For Chennaiyin, the ISL 2017-18 champions, the 2018-19 campaign turned out to be a disastrous one. John Gregory's men ended the ISL season at the bottom of the table. Winning the Super Cup knockout tournament will be a big opportunity for Chennaiyin to give the disappointed fans something to cheer about after what has been a nightmarish season. The two teams have plenty of history between them, most notably, facing off in the ISL 2015 final -- a dramatic and ill-tempered match which Chennaiyin eventually ..
Delhi Capitals Gully Cricket C'ship from Saturday
JSW and GMR co-owned IPL franchise, Delhi Capitals on Friday announced the launch of the inaugural season of the Delhi Capitals Gully Cricket Championship powered by Daikin, which will take place in the city from April 13.
RCB get Dale Steyn boost
Veteran South African pacer Dale Steyn on Friday joined Royal Challengers Bangalore as a replacement for the injured Nathan Coulter-Nile, giving a much needed boost to the bowling department of the bottom-placed team in the IPL. Steyn will replace Australian Coulter-Nile, who is recovering from a back injury. "Royal Challengers Bangalore have signed Dale Steyn as a replacement for the injured Nathan Coulter-Nile for the remainder of the VIVO Indian Premier League (IPL) 2019," read an IPL statement. Steyn went unsold in the previous two IPL auctions and last played in the competition in 2016 when he represented Gujarat Lions. He also also played for RCB between 2008 and 2010, taking 27 wickets. In total, Steyn has played in nine editions of the IPL. RCB, who are yet to win a game this season and have lost six in a row, will be hoping Steyn fires from the word go. The Virat Kohli-led side takes on Kings XI Punjab in Mohali on Saturday.
Steyn to replace injured Coulter-Nile in RCB squad
South African fast bowler Dale Steyn will replace injured Nathan Coulter-Nile in the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) squad for the remainder of the Indian Premier League (IPL) season, the franchise announced on Friday.
Bercow expresses admiration for Nadal, Federer
The speaker of the UK's lower house of parliament John Bercow has expressed his admiration for tennis stars Rafael Nadal of Spain and Roger Federer of Switzerland and said he will be interested in watching the upcoming ATP Masters 1000 tournament live in Madrid.