Page 464 - Sports
Jorge Costa to coach Mumbai City FC next season too
After a near miraculous fightback that saw Mumbai City FC glide into the semi-finals, experienced Portuguese international Jorge Costa Tuesday extended his stay at the club, vowing to win the elusive trophy for the club. As of now, he will nurture and helm the side for one more season, with an eye firmly on the finals of the Hero Indian Super League and eventually the title. In his first season at MCFC, Costa brought to the fore a strong and effective counter-attacking brand of football. It helped the club achieve some stunning milestones during their impressive run, including a club-record 9 game unbeaten stint. Literally from the bottom of the table, they rose to the Number Two position before making it to the semi-finals for only the second time in the club's history. In the knockout clash, they shared victories with FC Goa but lost out on a place in the title-clash on goal difference. The 46-year old was delighted to work with the club, saying that he didn't have to think twice' ..
Not playing is not the solution: Ganguly on workload management
"Not playing is not the solution," former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly stated Tuesday amid concerns around players' workload with the World Cup starting only a few days after the IPL. There has been a lot of discussion on how the World Cup-bound players need to effectively manage their workload during a demanding tournament like the Indian Premier League. The IPL ends on May 12, while the World Cup starts in England from May 30. "Yes, there is a lot of cricket but you just play. How many cricketers get to play 15-16 years of international cricket? I don't think anyone should worry about being fatigued, being tired. Just find a way to get fresh," Ganguly said during an event organised by IPL franchise Delhi Capitals. Ganguly was recently appointed advisor of the rechristened Delhi Capitals. Ganguly said skipping matches is not the way to go. "... Because I have always said there is limited time to play this sport. Getting opportunities at the international level, at the IPL level, ...
India face Bangladesh in SAFF Women's meet semis
The Indian team is all set to face Bangladesh in the semi-final of the SAFF Women's Championship at the Sahid Rangashala Stadium here on Wednesday.
India start as favourites against Bangladesh in SAFF Women C'ships semis
Unbeaten so far in the tournament, four-time defending champions India will start as overwhelming favourites against Bangladesh in the semi-finals of the SAFF Women's football championship here Wednesday. Since the tournament's inception in 2010, India have never been on the losing side, clinching all the four editions of the event. In the last edition of the tournament in 2016, India had defeated Bangladesh 3-1 to clinch the crown. Maymol Rocky's side heads into the encounter on the back of victories against Maldives (6-0) and Sri Lanka (5-0) in the group stages and the coach feels that her wards are focused on the job at hands, to be played on Wednesday at the Sahid Rangashala Stadium. "The girls are in good shape ahead of the semifinal match," she said. "On Monday, the emphasis was on recovery and we had a couple of fun activities as well. Then, we followed it up with a heavy training session and the players are focused and ready for the match," she added. The Indian team has been .
Indian team management may use Vijay Shankar as surprise element at No.4
Every World Cup is known for left-field tactical moves and young Tamil Nadu all-rounder Vijay Shankar could well be the 'joker in the pack' if the Indian team management decides to try him at the tricky number four position in the upcoming World Cup. If the 2003 World Cup was about Dinesh Mongia being used as a spin-bowling all-rounder at the expense of VVS Laxman, dropped from the squad altogether, the 2011 edition had Yuvraj Singh being used as a fifth bowler in every match, yielding 15 wickets. Heading into the 2019 edition in England, India are faced with the No.4 conundrum and a clearer picture will possibly emerge after the first three weeks of the IPL. The squad will be announced between April 15 to 20. However, it has been learnt that the Indian team management is very happy with Shankar's technique and more importantly his temperament in pressure situations. Shankar's biggest competitor could be Ambati Rayudu, who, despite a healthy batting average of 47-plus, is now slipping
Ponting backs Rishabh to bat at No.4, Ganguly terms him 'huge asset'
Ricky Ponting Tuesday unequivocally backed Rishabh Pant for the number four slot in India's World Cup line-up and even saw him as one capable of winning the tournament. Former India skipper Sourav Ganguly marked the young wicketkeeper-batsman as one for the future, calling him a "huge asset". With little over two months to go for the World Cup and the number four batsman yet to be decided, it could now boil down to performance in the Indian Premier League, according to Ganguly. But Ponting, a two-time World Cup winning Australian captain, left nothing to doubt when discussions turned to Pant. "The first thing I would do is pick him in that Indian squad for the World Cup, I would play him as a batter, I would play him at number four. He is the sort of guy, with that kind of talent, he can win you a World Cup, he has just got that x-factor," Ponting said. Ganguly added, "Anybody who wants to succeed in shorter formats of the game he has to go up, we have seen the best in world do that. .
AIFF advertise for senior, U-23 men's team coach
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has finally announced the vacancy of Head Coach for the India mens Senior and Under-23 Teams.
BCCI releases complete schedule for IPL 2019
The schedule of the group stages of the 12th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is out with all eight teams playing seven home matches at their respective home venues.
UEFA may ban Ronaldo
UEFA opened a disciplinary investigation against Cristiano Ronaldo on Monday after his "cojones" celebration during the Atletico match in the Champions League. The European football's governing body is charging Ronaldo with "improper conduct" and the hearing is set for March 21.Ronaldo scored an impeccable hat-trick in the match and soon after his hat-trick, he mimicked Atletica manager, Diego Simeone, who celebrated a goal in a similar manner.However, Simeone escaped a ban and was fined 20,000 Euros. The UEFA will probe into the matter and Ronaldo's punishment will depend on the UEFA's interpretation of the incident.As of now, it is unclear whether Juventus striker will face a ban or not in the Champions League Quarter-Finals against Ajax.Although, Coach Massimiliano Allegri is confident that the 34-year-old will not face a ban. "I think everyone celebrated their own way on the field and in the stands. I saw nothing strange, just a celebration. There won't be a ban," sport24 quoted ..
IPL will decide India's No.4, Pant can do job: Ganguly
There has been a lot of debates on who will be India's No.4 in the upcoming World Cup. With India skipper Virat Kohli trying a few options in the just concluded ODI series against Australia, the debate continues on who will finally board the flight to England when the Indian team leaves for the World Cup.
Very challenging to bowl in IPL: Basil Thampi
Young Kerala pacer Basil Thampi feels the IPL has given him the confidence to bowl at just about any batsman in the world as the tournament is more challenging for the bowlers. The 25-year-old uncapped pacer will be turning up for the Sunrisers Hyderabad this year after two seasons with the now dissolved Gujarat Lions. "It is very challenging to bowl in the IPL because it is a batsmen's game and we all know that. We should have confidence to bowl, that is the key. So, in the last three years I got the confidence to bowl at everyone. Whenever I get the ball, I want to deliver my best," Thampi told PTI in an interaction. The IPL season 12 commences on March 23. Thampi is part of an impressive bowling line-up that also includes experienced swing bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Sandeep Sharma, Siddharth Kaul and left-arm seamer Khaleel Ahmed. "This coming season I want to do well. The most important thing is if I get a chance, I want to do well for the team. From the last experience, I learnt a
Prithviraj, Kynan on course for final, women's trap team out of shotgun World Cup
India's Prithviraj Tondaiman shot two perfect rounds of 25, while teammate Kynan Chenai missed just one bird to stay on course for the men's trap finals at the ISSF Shotgun World Cup being held at Acapulco, Mexico. Monday was the first day of qualifying in the men's trap event. Prithviraj was in a group of seven shooters, in a field of 107, who shot a perfect 50 after the first two rounds. Chenai shot 49, while the seasoned Manavjit Sandhu secured a score of 46, a press release from the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) stated. Three more rounds of qualifying will take place on Tuesday before the top six make it to the finals. There are two Tokyo 2020 quota places up for grabs in this event. However, the women's trap team bowed out of the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) event. Italy's former Olympic and world champion Jessica Rossi picked up the first gold medal of the competition, also claiming a Tokyo 2020 quota place for her country in the process as she won
La Liga: Rayo Vallecano's coach Michel sacked
Spanish Liga Santander strugglers, Rayo Vallecano sacked coach Miguel Angel Sanchez 'Michel' following a 1-3 defeat away to Villarreal.
Rajasthan Royals launches Academy in England
Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Rajasthan Royals has tied up with the Star Cricket Academy in Surrey, England to re-launch the facility as the 'Rajasthan Royals Academy'. The centre has a state-of-the-art cricket centre named the Jarrett Centre, RR said in a press release. It is an indoor cricket training centre run by former professional batsman Siddharth Lahiri, along with his team of coaches including former England international and mentor to the academy, Keith Medlycott. Speaking ahead of the launch of the academy, RR's England player Jos Buttker said, "I am delighted that Rajasthan Royals are launching an academy in the UK. There is so much talent here and the learnings that can be transferred from the IPL and Indian cricket in general are immense." Manoj Badale, lead owner of the Rajasthan Royals, added, "Education and sports go hand in hand, which helps in building strong characters and leaders. Rajasthan Royals Academy is a great way to engage the youth, develop talent,
Returned to Sevilla to help it grow, says Monchi
Sevilla's new sporting director Ramon Rodriguez, best known as Monchi, said he had not returned to the Spanish team because it was in trouble but in a bid to help it grow.
Gibson wants game time for rookies ahead of World Cup
South Africa coach Ottis Gibson said as part of the Cricket South Africa's Vision 2019, senior players would be given a rest in favour of some rookies for the T20I series against Sri Lanka ahead of the World Cup.South Africa will meet Sri Lanka for a three-match series, starting March 19 in Cape Town."The first thing is that some of the guys are going to be given a break. Lungi [Ngidi] picked up a slight niggle in the last game. I don't think it's too serious, but he's going to be given a break. After this first game, KG [Kagiso Rabada] is going to be given a break, and Faf [du Plessis] and Quinton [de Kock] as well, who play all formats," ICC quoted Gibson, as saying."We've brought in [Lutho] Sipamla. We've looked at him in the Pakistan series; he looks a really good prospect. So we're going to try and give him some more game time. We've always used the T20s as an opportunity to expose new talent, and that's what we're going to continue to do with Sipamla and [Sinethemba] Qeshile. ...
Deal signed to host T10 league for five years in Abu Dhabi
The Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi will be the new home of T10 cricket for the next five years, starting with the 2019 season. Abu Dhabi Cricket (ADC), in partnership with Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) and the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), has signed a five-year agreement with the organizers of the T10 Cricket League. The shortest form of the game will now be played exclusively at Zayed Cricket Stadium. To announce the arrival of the new partnership, a T10 match was organised on the seafront of Abu Dhabi's iconic Corniche, with T10 aces Colin Ingram, Andre Fletcher and Luke Ronchi having a bat on the beach. Saif Saeed Ghobash, Undersecretary of DCT Abu Dhabi, said: "Our city is a major global hub with a huge variety of attractions that cater to people of all ages and backgrounds, and the T10 tournament's presence the city for the next five years represents an exciting opportunity to attract even more visitors from around the globe, especially ...
Smith calls Buttler one of world's most 'destructive batsmen'
The returning Steve Smith has called his Rajasthan Royals teammate Jos Buttler one of the "most destructive batters" in international cricket, heaping rich praise on the England wicketkeeper. The Australian run-machine is returning to top-flight after serving a one-year international ban for involvement in ball-tampering. "Playing alongside Buttler will be great, batting with him makes things easier for me. He's an exciting player and one of the most destructive batters around the world," Smith said during a live interaction on the franchise's social media platform. Smith's Australian teammate David Warner, who was also involved in the scandal, joined his respective team. Rajasthan will be playing their Indian Premier League opener against Kings XI Punjab at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium on March 26. "It will be great - never got the chance to play in Jaipur with the Royals. I am sure the fans will come out in big numbers and support us," Smith said. Rajasthan Royals won the inaugural ...
IPL will be crucial for World Cup selection: BCCI
Going into the last ODI series before the upcoming World Cup -- against Australia -- India skipper Virat Kohli had said that Indian players' performance in the IPL wouldn't have any bearing with selection in the squad for the showpiece event. But with none of the batsmen managing to secure the No.4 slot post the five ODIs against the Aussies, the players' performance in the IPL will have a bearing on the minds of the selectors when they pick the squad for the World Cup mid-April.
When the German FA banned women's football...
At 75, former footballer Baerbel Wohlleben still clearly remembers the moment in 1974 when a journalist asked, "but when you head the ball, doesn't it mess up your hair?" At that time, Wohlleben had already turned 30, but was only officially three years into her career as a footballer, because until 1971 the German Football Association (DFB) banned women from playing in competitions. Moreover, any clubs allowing women to train or play at their facilities was liable to be sanctioned. "...this aggressive sport is essentially alien to the nature of woman," decreed the DFB in 1955. "In the fight for the ball, the feminine grace vanishes, body and soul will inevitably suffer harm." Back then, even the idea of women wearing shorts was clearly a problem for the DFB as "the display of the body offends decency and modesty". Nevertheless, the sexist rules from a bygone era did not stop Wohlleben playing football and she will be cheering the German team at the women's World Cup kick-off in ...