Page 568 - Sports
I-League: Bikramjit snatches win for Mohun Bagan with late strike
A late goal by Bikramjit Singh handed Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan their seventh victory of the current I-League season, as they defeated Aizawl FC 2-1 at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium here on Saturday.
U Mumba Volley beat Chennai Spartans to keep play-off hopes
: U Mumba Volley defeated Chennai Spartans 3-2 (15-14, 15-8, 15-10, 10-15, 10-15) in the opening match of the Chennai leg of the Pro Volleyball League here Saturday to keep its hopes of a semifinal spot alive. Skipper Dipesh Sinha was the top scorer for U Mumba with 11 points (5 spikes, 2 blocks and 4 serves) and helped the team post its first win. For the Spartans, Rudy Verhoeff equalled his individual points record of 20 in a match (14 spikes and 6 serves) but ended up on the losing side. It was a hard-fought battle as both teams knew it was a crucial game and didn't allow the other any leeway. Chennai Spartans got the first advantage as they went into the first Technical Time Out (TTO) with a spike from Rudy Verhoeff at 8-7. Chennai looked in good rhythm after the TTO, as they mounted a 13-8 lead with the help of Naveen Raja Jacobs Super Serve. U Mumba called for a Super Point at 8-13 and won the same. It was the start of a comeback. At 14-10, it looked like Chennai ..
Hockey nationals: Railways face Haryana, MP up against Maharashtra in semis (Preview)
Defending champions Railways, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra would take their shot at their spots in the final at the semi-finals of the 9th Hockey India Senior Women National Championship 2019 (A Division), here on Sunday.
Tragic footballer Emiliano Sala's funeral takes place in Argentina
The funeral of Cardiff City striker Emiliano Sala took place in his home village in Argentina on Saturday three weeks after he was killed in a plane crash. A public vigil was held in a gymnasium in Progreso, the modest village in the province of Santa Fe which Sala left as a teenager to forge a career in Europe. Sala's father, mother, sister and friends were seen arriving at the ceremony and dozens of local people filed in after them. The 28-year-old died on January 21 just two days after completing a ?15 million ($19.3 million, 17.1 million euros) move to the Premier League club from French club Nantes. The single-engine private plane carrying Sala and pilot David Ibbotson crashed in the English Channel near Alderney. Sala had been flying back to Wales after returning to France to say goodbye to his former teammates. The player's body was recovered from the submerged wreckage on February 7 but Ibbotson remains missing, with funds being raised to continue the search for the ...
Gokulam Kerala share spoils with Indian Arrows in Kozhikode
Gokulam Kerala FC's winless run got extended to three months after Indian Arrows held the hosts to a 1-1 draw in a bottom of the table I-League fixture on Saturday. Rahul KP gave Arrows the lead in the first half but Trinidadian striker Marcu Leric Joseph's fourth goal in as many games in the second, ensured there was not a repeat of the first leg fixture between the two sides, where the Arrows won by a solitary goal. With this result, Gokulam stay put at 10th position with 13 points after 16 completed games. The Arrows also maintained their seventh position on the points table, now having 17 points from 18 games. After an initial spell of pressure by the Malabarians, the Indian Arrows slowly started to find their bearings with Rahul finding the back of the net in the 22nd minute. Ashish Rai delivered the cross from the right flank for Rahim Ali, who was positioned inside the box, wide on the left. Rahim brought down a cushioned header towards Rahul, who was sprinting from the centre .
Minerva refuse to travel to Srinagar, forfeit I-League match against Real Kashmir
Defending champions Minerva Punjab FC Saturday forfeited their I-League match against Real Kashmir FC in Srinagar after the All India Football Federation (AIFF) turned down their request to relocate the fixture in the aftermath of the Pulwama terrorist attacks. The match was scheduled for Sunday and Minerva said its foreign players have been advised by their respective countries' embassies to pull out. "...we regret to inform you that this is not a risk that we are ready to take hence we shall not be travelling to the turbulent region," the Punjab club said in its letter to the AIFF. Minerva also said that it did not receive the security assurances it had sought from the AIFF following the attack on Thursday which led to the death of 40 CRPF personnel. It is being termed as the deadliest terrorist strike in three decades in Jammu and Kashmir. "Considering the extraordinary circumstances following the Pulwama attack just 20Km from Srinagar Airport, the Ministry of Home affairs need to .
Lahiri set to miss ct after poor show
Anirban Lahiri is all set to miss the cut with disastrous seven-over after playing 33 holes on a rain-curtailed second day at the Genesis Open here Friday. Lahiri had a long day as he played 18 holes for the first round along with 15 for the second round. He was lying 133rd after the first round with four-over 76 and slipped further to tied 142nd after Friday. Apart from the wet weather and the cold, Lahiri's putter also went cold as he missed a whole lot, at least five inside ten feet. The story continued in the second round. Meanwhile, Justin Thomas was leading the pack having completed 12 holes in his second round and remained five under. Tiger Woods, who is the host, had some good moments but not many. He had four straight birdies around the turn in the morning but that ended with a three-putt bogey at No. 12. He had four three-putts in the first round for a 70. His highlight in the afternoon was a 45-foot eagle putt on the par-5 first to start his back nine. But he had bogeys on .
Saina beats Sindhu in summit clash
Saina Nehwal won the women's singles category of the 83rd national badminton championship by defeating PV Sindhu in straight games at the TRP Indoor stadium here on Saturday.
Race walker Irfan aims World Championships qualification at next month's Asian meet
Indian race walker K T Irfan Saturday said his aim was to do well in next month's Asian Race Walking Championship in Japan and secure qualification for the World Championships later this year. "I am very happy to win a gold medal here (in the National Open Race Walking Championship). It is my first event of the season and I have done well. Now my aim is to do well in the Asian meet in Nomi City, Japan and gain qualification for the World Championship," he told PTI here. The Kerala athlete had won the 20 km race (Elite) for men in the 6th National Open Race Walking Championship in a time of 1:26:18.00, well below the World Championship qualification standard of 1:22:30. He said Japan was always good for him as he had won a bronze medal in the Asian meet in 2017 and hoped that this time he would be able to meet the qualification standards. "I am looking forward to the Asian Championship. Japan is very good for me. I have always done well there. I won a bronze medal in the 2017 Asian ...
I League: Bagan beat Aizawl 2-1, assured of top six finish
A late goal by Bikramjit Singh saw Mohun Bagan beat Aizawl FC 2-1 on Saturday, ensuring at least a top-six finish in the ongoing I-League. Ugandan forward Henry Kisekka put the Green and Maroons forward in the 22nd minute before former Bagan man Ansumana Kromah drew Aizawl level at the half-hour mark. The Kolkata giants left it late for defender Bikramjit to seal three points with a 78th minute strike. Mohun Bagan are currently sixth with 26 points from 17 games. NEROCA are currently fifth with same number of points but a better goal difference. Aizawl remained eighth in the list with 14 points from 16 games. Bagan boss Khalid Jamil came in with attacking tactics, looking for an early goal. The team's efforts finally bore fruit when an Abinash Ruidas free-kick from long range was chested down by Henry in the 22nd minute before calmly slotted it into the goal. However, Aizawl came back with a goal of their own just eight minutes later, when Kromah's powerful shot from outside the ...
Perera takes Sri Lanka to sensational win in South Africa
Kusal Perera carried Sri Lanka to a sensational one-wicket win on the fourth day of the first Test against South Africa at Kingsmead on Saturday as he hit a career-best 153 not out. Perera and Vishwa Fernando put on an unbeaten 78 in a last-wicket partnership to secure only Sri Lanka's second win in 14 Test matches in South Africa. Victory seemed unlikely when the ninth wicket fell with the total on 226, with the tourists chasing a target of 304. But the left-handed Perera successfully farmed the strike, with South African captain Faf du Plessis persisting with wide-spread fields for the in-form batsman, while Fernando only had to face 27 balls during a 96-ball partnership. Perera was on 86 when the ninth wicket fell but managed to keep most of the strike and to hit some telling blows in an innings of 200 balls which included 12 fours and five sixes. "It was a superman effort," said Du Plessis. "He (Perera) deserves all the accolades." - Low previous average ...
Kapur misses match play berth in Perth by one shot
Shiv Kapur missed out the match play action at the ISPS HANDA World Super 6 in Perth on Saturday by just one shot as he bogeyed his final hole in the third round. A superb first nine after starting from the tenth saw him go five-under, but he bogeyed his final hole, the ninth and missed out. He shot four-under 68 for a total of 211 over 54 holes and ended T-26th. Top-24 advanced to the match play stage. Also missing out was SSP Chawrasia (71) as he finished at three-under 213. Sweden's Per Langfors returned with a 64 to emerge as the 54-hole stroke play leader. Thailand's Jazz Janewattananond is ready to prove his worth as he advanced to Sunday's six-hole match play knockout rounds after carding a four-under-par 68 in the third round. Despite missing out on a top-eight position where the seeded players will receive a bye into the last 16, the three-time Asian Tour winner Jazz, 23, is in a relaxed mood ahead of Sunday's showdown with Australia's Steven Jeffress at the Lake Karrinyup ...
India can finish on podium in World Team Chess: Surya
The likes of Viswanathan Anand and Pentala Harikrishna may have opted out, but India can still finish on the podium at the upcoming World Team Chess Championships in Astana next month, former Asian champion Surya Sekhar Ganguly said Saturday. India's top three, Anand (world number 7), Harikrishna (26) and Vidit Gujarati (34) have pulled out of the 10-team premier championship for which the country has got a wildcard entry after being nominated by the FIDE president. In the trio's absence, India's challenge in the men's section will be spearheaded by the next five top rated players -- world number 52 B Adhiban, Krishnan Sasikiran (67), SP Sethuraman (102), Surya (130) and Arvind Chithambaram (240). "By rating we may not be high but we are one of the youngest teams with the likes of Sethu, Adhiban and Arvind. We have got a very decent chances to finish podium," Surya told PTI before leaving for the Aeroflot Open in Moscow from February 18. The Moscow meet will serve as a preparation for
Dynamos player Chhangte returns after two-day trial at top Norwegian club Vikings
Delhi Dynamos midfielder Lallianzuala Chhangte has returned from a short trial stint at the Norway's top-flight side Vikings FK, enriching himself with technical aspects and professionalism of European clubs. The fleet-footed 21-year-old Mizoram player was to have a longer trial stint at Stavanger, the home city of Vikings, but ultimately had just two days with the club, which has won the Norwegian top division title eight times. "I gained a lot as a player even though it was a very short stint. They (Vikings) play fast football and they are technically very sound, I like the way they play. It was very exciting for me to have got the opportunity to be there," Chhangte said ahead of Delhi Dynamos' Indian Super League match against Bengaluru FC on Sunday. "Their technique was really good. They have a very good first touch. I realised how important is your first touch. They are also very professional. They even put my name in the dressing room (of the club). It was a very satisfying ...
Bengaluru FC keen to seal play-off spot in match against Delhi Dynamos
Bengaluru FC will be keen to put their recent disappointing run of form behind them and become the first team to qualify for the Indian Super League play-offs when they take on laggards Delhi Dynamos here on Sunday. The league leaders need a win on Sunday to confirm their place among the top four and will look to do just that at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium. The Blues have taken their foot off the accelerator following the winter break and have stumbled a bit. They have just one win in the last four matches and are coming off a 1-2 reverse against Chennaiyin FC. They have not started matches well and found themselves trailing at half-time in their last two games before rallying in the second half. Coach Carles Cuadrat has been testing his bench strength by resting regulars and affording game time to his fringe players. Dimas Delgado, Udanta Singh, Albert Serran were all rested in Chennai last time out. With play-offs approaching, Spanish coach may continue his tinkering against Delhi .
AIFF turns down Minerva's request for rescheduling their away game vs Real Kashmir
Real Kashmir's home I-League match in Srinagar on Sunday will go ahead as scheduled, despite holders Minerva Punjab FC's request for either deferring the match or shifting it to a neutral venue in the wake of the terrorist attacks in Pulwama. Minerva, who are yet to reach Srinagar, have decided to forfeit the match, citing security issues as well as to pay homage to the slain CRPF Jawans. I-League CEO Sunando Dhar said local security authorities in Srinagar have given the go ahead to hold the match at the TRC Ground. He said the AIFF has been assured by the local authorities of all the necessary security arrangements for the players and officials. "Our officials are already in Srinagar in preparation of the match. I have spoken to the match commissioner and he told me that the situation in Srinagar is currently normal. The local security in-charge of the match has also assured full security to the players, officials and all those related to the match," Dhar told PTI on Saturday. "We ..
Bikramjit Singh snatches 3 points for Mohun Bagan with late strike
A late goal by Bikramjit Singh handed Kolkata Giants Mohun Bagan their seventh victory of the 12th I-League season, as they defeated Aizawl FC 2-1 at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Aizawl on Saturday.Ugandan forward Henry Kisekka put the Green and Maroons forward with an early strike, before former Mohun Bagan man Ansumana Kromah drew Aizawl level on the half-hour mark.Kolkata Giants left it late for defender Bikramjit Singh to grab the winner with just 12 minutes of regulation time left on the clock.This win secures Bagan's spot on the sixth position in the I-League table as they draw level with Neroca FC on 26. The Manipuri club remains ahead by dint of goal difference.Bagan boss Khalid Jamil came in with attacking tactics, looking for an early goal. The team's efforts finally bore fruit when an Abinash Ruidas free-kick from long range was brought down by Kisekka on the 22nd minute before the Ugandan calmly slotted it into the goal.However, Aizawl came back with a goal of their own ...
Ajinkya Rahane to lead Mumbai in Mushtaq Ali Trophy
India international Ajinkya Rahane will lead the Mumbai team in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, the domestic T20 tournament, which will be played in Indore from February 21 to 28. The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) announced the 15- member squad on its website after the senior selection committee, led by former India pacer Ajit Agarkar, met here Saturday to pick the team for the T20 tournament. The squad also comprises young opening batsman Prithvi Shaw, who will be returning to competitive cricket after sustaining an ankle injury during a practice game in Australia in November prior to the Test series. Other batting regulars like Shreyas Iyer, Siddhesh Lad, Surya Kumar Yadav and experienced wicketkeeper-batsman Aditya Tare, have made it to the squad. The bowling attack will be led by former India pacer Dhawal Kulkarni. Mumbai, who flopped in the recently concluded Ranji Trophy, had won the Vijay Hazare Trophy, the domestic One-day tournament, earlier in the ...
Cricket Club of India "covers" Imran Khan portrait on its restaurant wall
The prestigious Cricket Club of India (CCI) Saturday covered a portrait of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, in a unique way of protest against the dastardly terror attack on CRPF convoy in Kashmir's Pulwama. On Thursday, at least 40 CRPF paramilitary troopers were killed in a terror attack while several others are battling for their lives following what is being termed as the deadliest terrorist strike in three decades in Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan-based terror organisation Jaish-e-Mohammad has claimed responsibility for it. The CCI, which is an affiliated unit of BCCI, is home to the iconic Brabourne Stadium, which has hosted many Test matches and is considered to be a cricketing hub. The entire CCI premises, including its restaurant, adorn portraits of the greatest cricketers across eras and from all nations. Imran's potrait is one of them as he was a distinguished former cricket captain, who led Pakistan to 1992 World Cup victory. CCI President Premal Udani confirmed the ...
Nehwal defeats Sindhu to defend senior national title
In a battle between the Indian shuttle queens, Saina Nehwal toppled top seed PV Sindhu for the second year as she claimed the senior national title in women's singles final with a 21-18, 21-15 victory in Guwahati on Saturday.In spite of having a slow start, Nehwal gave a neck-to-neck challenge to Sindhu. At the break of first game, Nehwal led Sindhu by an 18-15 margin.Sindhu made a solid comeback to win two straight points to make it 17-18. However, Nehwal, who was playing with a lot of variety, took control and sealed the game 21-18.In the second game, Sindhu took an early lead 2-0 but Nehwal again turned the table in her favour. At a point Sindhu was leading Nehwal 5-3, but soon after the latter equalled the points 5-5.Nehwal went onto break with an 11-9 lead as Sindhu kept making unforced errors. After the break, while maintaining her calm, Nehwal defended her title 21-15 as her pace was too much for Sindhu to handle.Earlier on the same day, Sourabh Verma clinched his third ...