Page 546 - Sports
We lack quality in attack, says Jamshedpur FC's manager Cesar Ferrando
Jamshedpur FC's will make the playoffs of Indian Super League (ISL) if they beat Chennaiyin FC and other results go their way. But the manager of Jamshedpur has set his sight on three points his team can achieve against Chennaiyin on Saturday."We need to win tomorrow. But I know it will be a tough game against a good team. They signed a couple of good players in the past month. But we need to win and then at the end of the season we can look back at the problems in the team, but at this moment I'm only thinking about winning tomorrow's (Saturday) game," goal.com quoted Cesar Ferrando, as saying."This moment is not the best for us (with the injuries and suspensions). But I do not want to give any excuses. I have the rest of the team for selection. I am sure that the players will play to win the match. We have had a lot of injuries this season, but tomorrow we must try to win the match. The only idea in our heads is to win," he added.Jamshedpur will be without the services of Sumeet ...
Competition in air rifle team good for me, it keeps me motivated: Apurvi
World Cup gold medallist Apurvi Chandela Saturday called the fierce competition in the Indian women's air rifle team a good thing as it motivates her to go the extra mile be in terms of "meditation" or "visualisation practices". India's Chandela shattered the world record on her way to the women's 10m air rifle gold with an incredible sequence of scores in the ISSF World Cup here. "All of them coming up is actually good for the sport. I needed to push myself further and I have been performing consistently since the last year," Apurvi said about the intense competition from Anjum Moudgil, Elavenil Valarivan and Mehuli Ghosh in this event. "I looked at it in a way that I get motivated, push myself harder, I can't settle down at any score, there is no satisfaction that I think can take from it. That's actually a good thing for me. It keeps me motivated." Asked about the 2018 World Cup final in Munich, where she had the gold in her grasp before an inexplicable slip-up in the 19th shot ...
BJP youth activists held for trying to forcibly enter Eden Gardens
Activists of Bharatiya Janata Party's youth wing were arrested on Saturday for trying to forcibly enter the Eden Gardens here to demand pictures of Pakistan's World Cup winning captain and current Prime Minister Imran Khan and other Pakistani cricketers be removed in wake of the Pulwama terror attack.
Barraso strikes to hand Minerva 1-0 win over Neroca FC
Spaniard Juan Quero Barraso's stellar strike helped defending campions Minerva Punjab FC register a 1-0 victory over Neroca FC in an I-League encounter here on Saturday. With the win, Minerva Punjab FC jumps to the seventh spot in the points table leapfrogging Aizawl FC, Gokulam Kerala FC and Indian Arrows. This result ends Minerva's frustrating winless run after 80 days. The Punjab-based team's last win came against Quess East Bengal in Kolkata on December 4 last year. Minerva coach Sachin Badadhe opted for a strong attacking line-up with under-18 Elite Youth League star Makan Chothe, Prabhjot Singh, Mahmoud Al Amna and Quero starting in advanced positions. Debutant Kalif Al Hassan anchored the midfield along with Amandeep Singh as Minerva dominated proceedings from the kick-off. Akash Sangwan had an early chance in the seventh minute of the match when he found space in the left-flank but his cross was gathered with ease by Neroca goalkeeper Lalit Thapa. Amandeep had a great chance ..
Hockey India names core probables for women's national camp
Hockey India on Saturday named the 33-member core probables list for the upcoming senior women national camp, beginning February 25 at Sports Authority of India, Bengaluru campus.The players will report to chief coach Sjoerd Marijne for the national camp that will conclude on March 31.The five-week long camp will see the players focus on fitness, ball-handling speed and strength apart from emphasis on staying consistent in their performance. The team led by striker Rani did well in their recent tour of Spain where the Indian Team enjoyed one win (5-2), suffered one loss (2-3) and drew twice (1-1 and 2-2) against the home team who had won a Bronze Medal in 2018 Women's World Cup.India also impressed against 2018 Women's World Cup runners-up Ireland with a draw (1-1) and a win (3-0) ending the tour on a high."Playing well against Ireland and Spain with short preparation gives the team a good boost. There is space to improve and keep aiming higher. It is important for the players to know
Incredible Chandela shoots gold with world record
India's Apurvi Chandela shattered the world record on her way to the women's 10m air rifle gold with an incredible sequence of scores that never dropped below 10 in the ISSF World Cup here Saturday. Producing her finest performance, the 26-year-old Chandela shot 252.9 to win the top prize on day one of the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) competitions, at the Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range. China's Ruozhu Zhao bagged silver with 251.8 while another Chinese, Hong Xu (230.4), finished the tournament's first final with a bronze. Zhao held the previous world record with 252.4, which she shot at the World Cup in Changwon, Korea last April. Such was Chandela's dominance in the eight-woman final that she finished the event a staggering 1.1 points ahead of the silver medallist. Chandela, who had secured a Tokyo Olympic quota in the last World Championships, was fourth in the qualifications with 629.3. The other two Indians in the fray Anjum Moudgil and Elavenil Valarivan ...
Apurvi wins gold at shooting World Cup
Apurvi Chandela won the first gold for India at the ISSF World Cup by finishing on top of the women's 10 metre Air Rifle category here on Saturday.
BJP youth wing members protest outside Eden Gardens, demand removal of Pak cricketers' photos
Over 40 members of the BJP's youth wing were Saturday arrested for protesting outside the Eden Gardens here, demanding that the photographs of Pakistani cricketers, including that of Imran Khan, be removed from the iconic stadium's gallery. The protesters demanded a meeting with Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president and former Team India captain Sourav Ganguly to hand over a letter seeking removal of photographs of Pakistani cricketers from the stadium, BJP sources said. Over 40 members of the BJP's youth wing have been arrested in this connection, a senior Kolkata police officer said. The stadium's gallery features photographs of several Pakistani cricketers, including Prime Minister Imran Khan, according to a CAB official. Ganguly, who has said that India should not play against Pakistan in the upcoming cricket World Cup protesting the Pulwama terror attack, could not be reached for his reaction. The Eden Garden protest came close on the heels of similar agitations in ...
Fernando, Mendis propel Sri Lanka to historic win in South Africa
Oshada Fernando and Kusal Mendis propelled Sri Lanka to an eight-wicket win over South Africa on the third day of the second Test at St George's Park on Saturday, clinching an historic 2-0 series triumph. The unheralded Sri Lankans became the first team from Asia to win a Test series in South Africa. Unlike their dramatic, unexpected one-wicket win in the first Test in Durban, the Sri Lankans surged to victory as Fernando and Mendis shared an unbeaten 163-run third wicket partnership studded with crisp, authoritative strokes. Fernando made 75 not out off 106 balls and Mendis scored 84 not out off 110 deliveries as Sri Lanka chased down a victory target of 197, reaching the mark by lunch. Resuming at 60 for two, Fernando and Mendis batted positively from the start of play, scoring nine runs off the second over of the day, bowled by Kagiso Rabada. No South African bowler was able to settle into a consistent rhythm. Dale Steyn was brought into the attack after 36 runs had been scored ...
Sri Lanka creates history by clinching Test series in South Africa
Sri Lankan cricket team on Saturday created history as they became the first Asian country to win a Test series on South African soil.The Dimuth Karunaratne-led side defeated South Africa by eight wickets in the second Test to clinch the two-match series 2-0 at the St. Georges Park.Chasing a target of 196 runs, Oshada Fernando(75) and Kushal Mendis(84) played match-winning knocks for Sri Lanka in the second innings. The South African side, on the other hand, failed to defend their total as none of their bowlers was able to provide the breakthroughs for the team.South Africa dismissed the openers Karunaratne and Thirimanne quickly but Fernando and Mendis stitched together a partnership of 163 runs to take the team over the line.Sri Lanka was dismissed cheaply in the first innings as they were bundled out for 154, conceding a lead of 68 runs. But the bowlers for the Lankan side staged a stunning comeback as the South Africa team were knocked over cheaply for 128 runs in the second ...
Focus on fitness, ball-handling speed at women's hockey national camp
Hockey India on Saturday named 33 players for the women's national camp, beginning February 25 in Bengaluru. The five-week long camp will be held under the watchful eyes of chief coach Sjoerd Marijne and will see the players focus on fitness, ball-handling speed, strength apart from emphasis on staying consistent in their performance. The team led by striker Rani Rampal did well in its recent tour of Spain where it enjoyed one win (5-2), suffered one loss (2-3) and drew twice (1-1 and 2-2) against the home team, which had won a bronze in the 2018 World Cup. India also impressed against 2018 World Cup runners-up Ireland with a draw (1-1) and a win (3-0), ending the tour on a high. "Playing well against Ireland and Spain with short preparation gives the team a good boost. There is space to improve and keep aiming higher. It is important for the players to know how to remain consistent and show that every day in training and match-situation," said Marijne. He further added that the camp
Cuevas, Auger-Aliassime, Bedene & Djere advance to Rio Open semis
Pablo Cuevas of Uruguay (ranked 63), Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime (104), Aljaz Bedene of Slovenia and Serbia's Laslo Djere (90) have advanced to the Rio Open semifinals.
Painful and surprising to see Jitu not shooting great: Pavel Smirnov
India's pistol coach Pavel Smirnov, who once compared Jitu Rai to a diamond, struggles to comprehend how one of his most talented shooters slipped into oblivion. Rai, who went into the 2016 Olympics as one of India's biggest medal hopefuls, suffered an inexplicable meltdown in Rio de Janeiro, to return empty-handed. Quickly putting the disappointment behind, Rai found his bearing again and became the first Indian to win two medals in an ISSF World Cup the following year. The Army man struck gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast and then came a lull that continues. Pained at not seeing a talent as good as Rai in the thick of things, Smirnov thinks another shot at glory awaits the unassuming Nepali. "It is painful to not see Jitu in action in international shooting. What happened I don't know," Sminov said on the sidelines of the ongoing season-opening ISSF World Cup in the capital. "I was taking rest in Moscow for three months, so I was not with him, but it was surprising ..
Chandela claims gold with world record
India's Apurvi Chandela shattered the world record on her way to the gold medal in women's 10m air rifle event at the ISSF World Cup here Saturday. The Indian shot an astonishing 252.9 to win the top prize on day one of the competitions at the Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range. China's Ruozhu Zhao bagged silver with 251.8, while another Chinese Xu Hong (230.4) finished the tournament's first final with a bronze. Such was Chandela's dominance in the eight-women final that she finished the event a staggering 1.1 points ahead of the silver medallist. Chandela, who had secured a Tokyo Olympic quota in the last World Championships, was fourth in the qualifications with 629.3.
India look to plug holes before World Cup in T20 series (Preview)
With their eyes firmly on getting the World Cup combination right, a spirited India will look to continue their dominance over Australia, this time at home, when they play the first Twenty20 International (T20I) game here on Sunday.
Dagar, Tvesa Malik slip down in third round in Australia
Diksha Dagar endured a difficult day with five bogeys to card a poor 76 and slipped 10 places down to T-47th at the Pacific Bay Resort Australian Ladies Classic, here Saturday. Meanwhile Tvesa Malik, the other Indian making the cut, shot an identical 76 to slip to tied 51st from 47th position. Dagar, making her first appearance in Australia, is eight-over 224, while Malik, also playing her first pro event in Australia, is nine-over 225. Sweden's Madelene Sagstrom cruised to a bogey-free 68 on Saturday and took a one-stroke lead into the final round. Sagstrom, who was six shots back after the second round, has a 54-total of six-under-par 210 at Bonville Golf Resort in Coffs Harbour. Dagar began from the ninth, had four bogeys in a row from 16th to first and another on third. She had seven bogeys against three birdies. Malik had six bogeys against two birdies.
Atwal makes cut in Puerto Rico
Arjun Atwal, playing his first PGA Tour event since August last year, made the halfway cut with a fine fight back after a rocky start in the second round of the Puerto Rico Open. Atwal, who won the 2010 Wyndham Championships to become the first and so far the only Indian to win on the PGA Tour, shot 73 after his first round 72 to get to one-over 145 and make the cut on the line. Sweden's Daniel Chopra, 75-76 however missed the cut. There was a three-way tie at the top with DJ Trahan (69-67), Nate Lashley (68-68) and Roberto Diaz (68-68) all locked at eight-under 136. The 2011 Masters champion Charl Schwartzel, who entered event late, shot 4-under-par 68 on Friday at Coco Beach Golf Club to be tied-12th. He had a 71 in first round. Atwal tied-58th after first round 72, was three-over through first six holes after in second round starting from the tenth and he looked likely making an early exit. But he recovered with birdies on 17th and second and made no more bogeys to get to 73 and ...
FIFA bans Chelsea for breaching transfer rules
The FIFA disciplinary committee has banned the English Premier League club Chelsea from signing players in the next two transfer windows.The decision came after the club was found to have breached FIFA rules relating to international transfer and registration of players under the age of 18. The punishment means that Chelsea will not be able to register new players at both national and international level for next two registration periods.Moreover, the club has been fined with $599,535 and is given 90 days to regularise the situation of the minor players concerned."The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has sanctioned the English club Chelsea FC and The Football Association for breaches relating to the international transfer and registration of players under the age of 18," FIFA said in a statement."Chelsea was found to have breached art. 19 of the Regulations in the case of twenty-nine (29) minor players and to have committed several other infringements relating to registration requirements .
Whatever BCCI and govt. decide, we will follow: Virat Kohli on India-Pak World Cup issue
Indian captain Virat Kohli on Saturday condemned the terror attack in Pulwama and maintained that the team will do whatever the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the government decide on the India-Pakistan World Cup match."All our sincere condolences to the families of soldiers who lost their lives. We are really shocked about what happened. Our stand is simple, we will do whatever the nation wants us to do and what the BCCI decides to do. We will do whatever the board and the government decides," Kohli told reporters.There has been a huge outcry in the country on the India-Pakistan match in the World Cup after the Pulwama attack as the incident has put the sporting relations between both the countries in jeopardy.On Friday, the Supreme-court appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA) took no decision on whether India should play Pakistan in the World Cup and made it clear that the matter will be decided in consultation with the government.The Committee, however, wrote
WGC-Mexico: Sharma drops to 58th on a rough day; Woods rises to 8th, Johnson leads
Shubhankar Sharma had a rough time on the back nine as he skidded back to tied 58th at the halfway stage of the USD 10.25 million World Golf Championships-Mexico. The 22-year-old Indian, who hit the spotlight at the same stage last year, shot a poor six-over 77, that included a stretch from 14th that saw three bogeys and a double bogey. Dustin Johnson, who is chasing a sixth WGC title, carded a 67 to take a two-shot lead over first round leader Rory McIlroy (63-70) and Matt Kuchar (66-67) while winner of 18 titles, Tiger Woods, making his debut in the event, shot a 66 to move to tied eighth alongside Kiradech. Sharma, who started on the tenth, never really got going as he had four bogeys and a double on the back stretch of the Club de Golf Chapultepec. He was six-over at the turn and his only consolation was a birdie on first, his tenth hole, and he gave that back with a bogey on fifth. Sharma hit 8 of 14 fairways and 9 of 18 greens in regulation and did not have the rub of the green.