Page 535 - Sports
Anish finishes 5th at shooting World Cup; Manu, Heena disappoint (Roundup)
Indian shooter Anish Bhanwala finished a disappointing fifth in the men's 25 metre rapid fire pistol category at the ISSF World Cup, here on Tuesday. Olympic Champion Christian Reitz of Germany won the title.
FIFA bans referee from Tanzania for life for taking bribes
FIFA says its ethics committee imposed a life ban on referee Oden Charles Mbaga of Tanzania for taking bribes. FIFA says Mbaga was also fined 200,000 Swiss francs ($200,000). It is unclear how FIFA can enforce fines for unethical behavior. Without giving details of the bribery, FIFA says Mbaga breached the 2009 version of its code of ethics though the investigation was opened only in July last year. Mbaga has reportedly been linked to match-fixer Wilson Perumal of Singapore, who was involved in providing referees to corrupt international friendly games for betting scams. Perumal's schemes included fixing warmup games for South Africa before it hosted the 2010 World Cup. Mbaga had been on FIFA's international list of referees approved to handle national team games.
Nishikori comes through 'tricky' Dubai debut
Top seed Kei Nishikori dispatched "tricky" Benoit Paire 6-4, 6-3 on his debut at the Dubai Championships on Tuesday. Asia's top player and the world number six will meet Huburt Hurkacz in the second round at the Aviation Club after the Pole beat French qualifier Corentin Moutet 6-3, 7-5. Nishikori has shaken up his longtime schedule this season and is playing Dubai for the first time for a welcome change of ATP scenery after limiting himself in the past to North American venues including the defunct Memphis event and Delray Beach. Victory over the unpredictable Paire who is prone to throwing and smashing racquets in moments of despair, lasted for 81 minutes. "It's never easy playing Benoit, of course. Great serve, great backhand. Tricky player. Good dropshot, good touch," was Nishikori's analysis. "The key to the first set was the (eight-minute) long (third) game in the first set. "After I got that one, I was more confident - but if he broke back, anything can happen. "It was a good ..
Struggling Schalke hunt for new sports boss ahead of Man City return
Bundesliga strugglers Schalke 04 are hunting for a new sports director, following Christian Heidel's resignation, with their Champions League return leg at Manchester City looming. Having lost 3-2 at home to City in last week's last 16, first-leg in Gelsenkirchen, Schalke want to replace Heidel before the return in Manchester on March 12. Heidel quit in the wake of Saturday's demoralising 3-0 thrashing of Mainz in the Bundesliga. Despite having reached the knock-out stages of the Champions League, Schalke are enduring a dire domestic season and the defeat at Mainz was their 12th in 23 league games. "Even though a lot of things have gone against us this season, I have the overall responsibility for this," said Heidel, who walked away after three years in the job. He recruited Domenico Tedesco - the club's 17th head coach since 2001 - for 2017/18 and under the 33-year-old Schalke finished behind Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga last season. Now with Heidel gone, Tedesco is no longer safe
India to face Uzbekistan in Turkish Women's Cup opener
The Indian womens football team will take on Uzbekistan in the opening match of the Turkish Womens Cup 2019 in Alanya, Turkey on Tuesday.
Key to success in tennis is finding time to be happy, says Nadal
Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal, currently World No. 2 in the men's rankings, has said that a key to his success has been to find time to invest in his happiness.
Solari tight-lipped as scrutiny stays on Bale ahead of Copa Clasico
Santiago Solari dodged seven questions about Gareth Bale on Tuesday as the Welshman's celebration snub continues to dominate the build-up to Real Madrid's Copa del Rey Clasico against Barcelona. Madrid face Barca in the second leg of the cup semi-final on Wednesday, and then again in La Liga four days later, with Bale's bolshy reaction to scoring against Levante last weekend still the major topic of discussion. Solari refused to criticise or defend Bale's behaviour after starting him only twice in the eight matches since the 29-year-old returned from a calf injury in January. Madrid's coach was asked about Bale's discipline, commitment and form but refused to be drawn, insisting his team's focus was only the game. "Look, I understand everyone wants to find a focus and you put the focus where it seems important," Solari said. "But our focus is only on what we think is important. It is on the game, to win tomorrow, to be united. Where others focus is up to them." Asked if he had spoken .
Apologetic Pochettino accepts FA improper conduct charge
Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino humbly chastised himself for unacceptable behaviour towards referee Mike Dean and accepted the misconduct charge levelled at him by the Football Association (FA) on Tuesday. The 46-year-old Argentinian said having watched replays of his heated exchange with Dean following the 2-1 defeat by Burnley on Saturday -- highly damaging to his side's title hopes -- he could offer no defence. "Watching my behaviour afterwards on video, I need to accept the charge from the FA," said Pochettino, who is usually one of the calmer managers prowling the touchline. "I need to apologise to Mike Dean, I cannot behave in that way. It is not the way to behave and I am going to accept the charge. "My behaviour was public and now I want to apologise in a public way. I need to apologise to him and all of the officials." Pochettino would not reveal what Dean had said to him during their confrontation following the defeat. That left third-placed Spurs on 60 points,
Play-off berth assured, Bengaluru to test reserves against Jamshedpur
Already through to the play-offs, Bengaluru FC would look test their bench strength when they take on Jamshedpur FC in their final league game of the Indian Super League here Wednesday. Bengaluru are currently leading the table with 34 points from 17 games and were the first team to qualify for the play-offs. But the form of Carles Cuadrat's side since the international break has been a concern. They, however, got their confidence back after a 3-0 win over FC Goa in the previous game and will now seek to finish the league stage on a positive note. But it would easier said than done as Bengaluru have won only two of their last six matches. The Blues have faced Jamshedpur three times and both teams have a win each. Their last meeting ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw in October, with Sergio Cidoncha netting a late equaliser in added time. "We have a lot of people who have stayed back in Bengaluru. We are coming here with a mix of players. We are going to start four players in the starting ..
Manishi's fifer hands India control over SA in 1st day of Youth Test
Left-arm spinner Manishi scalped five wickets as India Under-19 took the upper hand over South Africa Under-19 on the opening day of the second 'Youth' Test here Tuesday. Manishi returned with superb figures of 5 for 58 to help India Under-19 bundle out South Africa for 152 in 54.4 overs after being asked to bowl first. Yashasvi Jaiswal then stroked his way to an unbeaten 81 as the hosts finished the day at 112 for 2 to take control of the proceedings. For South Africa, opener Ruan Terblanche (51, 130 balls, 5X4s, 1X6) and Bryce Parsons (64, 76 balls, 3X4s, 5X6s) were the only significant contributors. Electing to bat, South Africa got off to a slow start as Ruan Terblanche (51) and Thamsanga Kumalo (13) negotiated the early spell from Anshul Kamboj and Rex Singh, who shot to fame by claiming 10 wickets in an innings for Manipur in the Cooch Behar Trophy. India had its first success when Manishi spun one past Kumalo's bat to have him caught behind by captain Suraj Ahuja. South Africa .
Windies can beat any side on their day, says coach Richard Pybus
West Indies interim coach Richard Pybus feels that the team are on the right track for the upcoming 2019 cricket World Cup and that they hold the ability to beat any side on their day."I know the right West Indies combination with a fully focused side can beat anyone on their day. I wasn't at the World Cup qualifiers but, with the group of guys we have now, we feel confident we could take down anyone on [our] day," ICC quoted Richard, as saying.While talking about the areas of improvement for the Caribbean side, the coach said that they need to work on their player combination and making their team members comfortable with each other."Just really getting the guys playing combinations well. Getting used to each other. Some of the lads haven't played a great deal of cricket together. So getting this squad comfortable with each other," he said."We've got some guys like Shai [Hope], Johnny [John Campbell] coming in ... Nicholas Pooran ... they just haven't played collectively as a team. ..
ISL: Bengaluru to give reserves a chance against Jamshedpur (Preview)
Already-qualified Bengaluru FC will test their bench strength when they take on Jamshedpur FC in an Indian Super League (ISL) clash, here on Wednesday.
Yasin, Ishpreet combination wins Khar Gym snooker shootout
Ishpreet Singh Chadha played an inspirational role by winning five of the six frames he played, which ensured he and his seasoned partner Yasin Merchant emerged champions of the Rustomjee Builders-Khar Gymkhana Snooker Shootout 2019. The second-seeded Khar Gym pairing of Ishpreet and Yasin defeated the top-seeded mixed team of Aditya Mehta and Dhvaj Haria by a 5-3 margin in the best-of-9-frame final late Monday night. All the four cueists played with scratch handicaps, a media release said Tuesday. The home favourites started with a stutter as two-time Asian champion Yasin was slow to settle down and lost tamely to Aditya 1-69 in the first 15-red frame before Ishpreet produced a fluent display and defeated the left-handed Dhvaj 51-1 in the 6-red second frame to level scores. Later, in the 15-red alternate shots doubles third frame, Aditya and Dhvaj put up a good performance and grabbed every opportunity to overcome Yasin and Ishpreet 62-47 and regain the lead ...
Quarterly Meet: ICC-BCCI deadlock on tax exemption issue likely to continue
Tax exemptions for future global events, broadcasting rights for the World Test Championship and capping participation in private T20 leagues are among the issues that will come up for discussion at the ICC quarterly meeting starting Wednesday. There are a host of meetings lined up beginning with the ICC Chief Executives Committee (CEC) meeting, where India will be represented by BCCI CEO Rahul Johri, and ending with the board meeting where acting secretary Amitabh Chaudhary will be the country's face. Following are some of the key issues that will come up for discussion 1) Tax Exemption Impasse: One of the key issues will be tax exemption sought by the ICC for the future global events in India like the 2021 Champions Trophy and the 2023 World Cup. However, as per present rules, it is highly unlikely that the ICC will get any exemption and the deadlock is expected to continue, a BCCI official said. "ICC wants tax exemption as they want to spend that money for development of the game ..
IPL: Revamped Delhi eye turn of fortune in 2019 (Team Profile)
With a new name, new crest and new colours, Delhi Capitals will be aiming to make their mark in the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) after almost a decade of below-par outings in the cash-rich league.
Manu, Heena fizzle out in qualifications; Anish finishes 5th
Anish Bhanwala could not make up for Manu Bhaker and Heena Sidhu's failure to reach the women's 10m air pistol final, finishing fifth in his event on a lacklustre day for India in the ISSF World Cup here Tuesday. Anish, who was placed fifth in the qualification too, shot a total of 14 to finish outside the podium in the six-man final of the men's 25m rapid fire pistol competition. The event started 20 minutes late due to a technical snag in one of the targets. The International Shooting Federation (ISSF) has offered to reimburse all the expenses of the winner and runners-up in this event since its Olympic quota status was withdrawn after Pakistani shooters were denied visa in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack. Gaayathri Nityanadam and Sunidhi Chauhan also failed to qualify for the final in the 50m rifle 3 positions at the Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range. Hoping to make up for her meltdown in the 25m pistol final, the 17-year-old Bhaker was in for more disappointment, finishing a ...
Anish finishes 5th at shooting World Cup
Indian shooter Anish Bhanwala finished a disappointing fifth in the men's rapid fire pistol category at the ISSF World Cup, here on Tuesday.
India face Uzbekistan challenge in Turkish Cup opener
With a goal of getting back to winning ways, Indian women's national football is all geared up to take on Uzbekistan in the opening match of the 2019 Turkish Women's Cup in Alanya, Turkey on February 27.Dubbing the clash as a litmus test, head coach Maymol Rocky said that it would be a challenge for India to face Uzbekistan which is considered as top Asian football team."Uzbekistan are one of the top teams of Asia and it will be a challenge to face them. They are strong on the counter and we will have to be at our 100 per cent to beat them," AIFF quoted Maymol, as saying."The Hero Gold Cup was a good opportunity for us to test our permutations and combinations strategically against quality opponents and we will look to do the same in the Turkish Cup with an aim of creating a final iteration as we proceed to the Olympic Qualifiers," she added.India had gone on an unbeaten run of five matches including wins over Hong Kong, Indonesia and Iran (in the Hero Gold Cup), but defeat against ...
Didn't expect to win series 2-0 against Proteas, says Niroshan Dickwella
Sri Lanka sprung a huge upset as they defeated South Africa 2-0 in a two-match Test series in South Africa. The winning team's vice-captain Niroshan Dickwella himself admitted that they did not expect to clinch the series.Dickwella gave the credit of the victory to the entire team and a said that winning the series is a "pretty big" thing for them."It's a pretty big thing for this. We never expected to win the series 2-0, but the guys played really well and the result is a testament to that," ESPN Cricinfo quoted Niroshan Dickwella as saying.The hero for Sri Lanka was Kushal Perera who played an unbeaten knock of 153 runs taking them to a thrilling win in the first Test match and setting the tone for the rest of the series.Dickwella said that he along with the captain Dimuth Karunaratne wanted the guys to express themselves and play freely."When I became the vice-captain, I had a chat with Dimuth and I had a chat with the support group telling the guys to express themselves. We told ..
From Drag-flicks to 'Tiki Taka': Hockey coach Harendra plans football coaching stint
There is "nothing left in hockey" for him, says former India men's coach Harendra Singh, who is now planning to shift loyalties to football as he finds 'The Beautiful Game' quite similar to his "first love". The seasoned coach was last month removed after India's less than impressive performance in the World Cup. He was urged to take charge of the junior squad but Harendra refused to accept that position. "Hockey will always remain my first love. Whatever I am today is because of hockey. But now I have nothing in hockey, so I decided to enhance my knowledge and what better than in my second love football," Harendra told PTI in an interview. The 50-year-old said he is a big football fan and admires the 'Tiki-Taka' short passing style of Spanish football, which according to him is quite similar to the Indian hockey team's tactics. The Spanish team won its maiden World Cup title back in 2010 relying heavily on the 'Tiki Taka' style of play. "I am big soccer fan. I closely follow Arsenal .