Page 587 - Sports
Big spenders under pressure to deliver Champions League returns in last 16
One of Europe's traditional financial powerhouses Manchester United meet the nouveau riche Paris Saint-Germain as the Champions League last 16 gets underway on Tuesday with both sides hoping to finally reap some reward on the biggest stage from record levels of investment. Despite splashing hundreds of millions on new players since taking over in 2011, PSG's Qatari owners have not been able to buy success in the competition they crave the most with four successive quarter-final exits between 2013 and 2016 the furthest they have progressed. Barcelona and Real Madrid have ended the French champions' dreams at this stage in each of the past two seasons. Once again in the last 16 PSG must face one of the few clubs in the world that can boast greater revenue than they can thanks to United's commercial power and the riches of the Premier League's TV contracts. But, unlike the two Spanish giants who have used their financial muscle to win seven of the last 10 Champions League titles between .
Southampton vow to ban fans over Sala 'aeroplane' mockery
Southampton have promised to ban supporters involved in mocking the death of Emiliano Sala by making aeroplane gestures during their match at home to Cardiff City. The Premier League fixture Saturday was Cardiff's first since the Argentinian striker's body was formally identified by an English coroner on Thursday, a day after it was recovered from underwater wreckage in the Channel. However, after the game video on social media appeared to show two men in the home section of St Mary's Stadium seemingly making aeroplane gestures in the direction of the away supporters. Southampton confirmed both fans had been spoken to by police and intended to take "an extremely firm stance" over the incident. "Southampton Football Club can confirm that two fans were detained and had their details taken by police during our match against Cardiff City on Saturday," said a statement from the club. "The club will continue to work with Hampshire Police to identify any individuals deemed to have made ...
It's a cream game: Cagliari players stalled by farmers' milk price protest
Players from Italian club Cagliari missed their flight to Milan for Sunday's top flight game after being locked inside their training ground by local farmers protesting over milk prices, according to reports in Italy. The Sardinian team had been due to fly out to Milan on Saturday evening before Sunday's game against AC Milan at the San Siro. But the players were unable to leave their Asseminello training ground in the south of the Mediterranean island after all the exits were blocked by a group of 100 local farmers. Coach Rolando Maran and the club's director general Mario Passetti negotiated with the protestors to allow the team bus to leave for the airport. But only after Sardinian-born player Nicolo Barella and Brazilian teammate Joao Pedro joined in the protest and were filmed kicking over milk pails in a gesture of solidarity. "We simply want to defend our rights," a protestor told Gazzetta Dello Sport. "We produce milk at 1 euro ($1.3) plus VAT and we aren't going back. If they
'Victory and goal for Sala', says Cardiff captain Bamba
Cardiff City captain Sol Bamba dedicated his goal and a 2-1 victory over Southampton to Emiliano Sala after an emotional match for the Welsh club. Saturday's fixtures were the first round of Premier League games since the player's death was confirmed earlier this week. The Argentinian striker's body was formally identified by an English coroner on Thursday, a day after it was recovered from underwater wreckage in the Channel. "A lot of things were going through my mind. I knew Emiliano. I know he was looking up there. The victory and the goal is for him," said Bamba. The plane carrying Sala from the French city of Nantes to Cardiff, his new club, disappeared near the British island of Guernsey on January 21. Pilot David Ibbotson remains missing. His family have launched a fundraising campaign to find his remains. Cardiff had been given permission by the Premier League to wear shirts embroidered with a yellow daffodil, the national emblem of Wales and the team colour of Nantes. Before .
Sports Schedule for Sunday, February 10
Sports Schedule for Sunday, February 10 CRICKET 3rd T20I between India and New Zealand in Hamilton (Starts 12:30pm). 3rd T20I between India Women and New Zealand Women in Hamilton. 2nd Unofficial Test: India A vs England Lions at Wayanad, Kerala. Other stories related to Indian cricket. Football ISL match between Pune City and ATK in Pune. Preview of I-League match between Chennai City FC and Neroca FC from Imphal. Hockey Reports of National Hockey for Men and Women. Tennis ATP Challenger in Chennai. Golf Indians in various events on circuit.
Bayern top Schalke 3-1, climb into 2nd in Bundesliga
Bayern Munich cruised to a 3-1 victory over Schalke, a win that moves the six-time defending champions into second place in the Bundesliga and heaps further pressure on the league-leading Borussia Dortmund.
Hero Gold Cup: Indian eves start on winning note against Iran
Dhe first chance of the game fell to the hosts right in the second minute itself. WingerRfter the initial scare, Iran began to make their way into the game but the Indians were equal to the task. The half was played predominantly in the midfield as both sides battled for territory with coachDn the 15th minute,Seven minutes later,Rndia got their next chance in the 30th minute after a searching ball from the right flank caused chaos in the Iranian penalty area. The ball fell toCs the match headed towards the interval, Iran caused a serious scare for the home side as forward SaraSfter the breather, India got off to an electric start asSpurred, the same duo combined excellently two minutes later to set up the opening goal. Ihree minutes later,mran looked to look more apply pressure but the Indian defence stood firm. The centre-back pairing ofShe visitors continued to throw players forward, leaving them vulnerable on the break, and India almost grabbed a second in the manner but were ...
Reprieved Stokes and Buttler lead England recovery
Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes featured in England's best partnership of a deeply disappointing series as they lifted their team to 231 for four at stumps on the opening day of the third and final Test against the West Indies on Saturday. Put in to bat by West Indies stand-in captain Kraigg Brathwaite, and seeking to regain some lost prestige after already surrendering the series and the Wisden Trophy, the fifth-wicket pair played with increasing fluency through an extended final session in putting on 124 runs to the close of play at the Darren Sammy Stadium. It was England's first century partnership of the series with Buttler getting to 67 and Stokes reaching 62 at the close. Both made the most of lucky escapes. Buttler's first scoring shot was an edge off Shannon Gabriel to which a leaping Shimron Hetmyer at second slip could only get his fingertips. Stokes was caught and bowled on 52 by Alzarri Joseph and was already in the England dressing room when he got the call to return to the ..
Root flops again as Windies peg back England
Joe Root's personal tale of batting woe continued on the opening day of the third and final Test against the West Indies as England were pegged back to 114 for four at tea at the Darren Sammy Stadium on Saturday. England's captain and premier batsman fell to fast bowler Alzarri Joseph for the third consecutive innings just before the interval, leaving Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes to carry the battle for the deflated visitors into the final session of the day. Without any score of note so far, and thrashed by the home side in the first two Tests in Barbados and Antigua to surrender the Wisden Trophy, Root needed to get a decent score for his team and his own flagging confidence. But coming to the crease after Rory Burns fell early in the afternoon session to Keemo Paul, he battled against disciplined West Indies bowling only to waft at an innocuous delivery from Joseph to give a simple catch to wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich. Root's painstaking innings of 15 off 54 deliveries leaves him with
England 114-4 at tea against West Indies
England were 114 for four at tea after being put in to bat by the West Indies on the first day of the third and final Test at the Darren Sammy Stadium in St Lucia on Saturday. West Indies hold a 2-0 lead in the series following victories by 381 runs in Barbados and by 10 wickets in Antigua. Brief scores: England 114-4 (R. Burns 29; K. Paul 2-21, A.
I-League: Wolfe penalty denies Mohun Bagan win over Churchill
Churchill Brothers salvaged a point against Mohun Bagan in an I-League encounter at the Tilak Maidan here on Saturday as they eked out a 1-1 draw with the help of a late Anthony Wolfe penalty which cancelled out a 39th minute strike by Dipanda Dicka.
Paul piles on misery for Jennings as England rebuild
Keemo Paul struck with his first delivery of the series as England reached lunch at 46 for one after being put in to bat by stand-in West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite on the first morning of the third and final Test at the Darren Sammy Stadium in St Lucia on Saturday. Drafted into the final eleven as replacement for regular skipper Jason Holder, Paul ended Keaton Jennings' tortuous occupation of the crease when the opening batsman fell for the third time in three innings in the series to catches in the slip cordon. England will resume in the afternoon with Rory Burns (27 not out) having been joined in the middle by Joe Denly, who made his debut in the second Test as Burns' opening partner. Dropped earlier by Roston Chase at third slip off Kemar Roach, the leading wicket-taker in the series with 13 victims, Jennings failed to make the most of the reprieve as the left-hander drove loosely at the seam bowling all-rounder's opening delivery midway through the session to depart for ...
England 46-1 at lunch against West Indies
England were 46 for one at lunch after being put in to bat by the West Indies on the first morning of the third and final Test at the Darren Sammy Stadium in St Lucia on Saturday. West Indies hold a 2-0 lead in the series following victories by 381 runs in Barbados and by 10 wickets in Antigua.
Wolfe's penalty denies Mohun Bagan 3 points against Churchill Brothers
Anthony Wolfe's late penalty enabled Churchill Brothers FC salvage a 1-1 draw against Mohun Bagan in a Hero I-League match at Tilak Maidan here on Saturday. With this result in the 12th Hero I-League, Churchill remain in third position on the table with 30 points from 17 games, while Mohun Bagan too remained in sixth spot, having garnered 23 points from 16 matches. Both coaches, Petra Gigiu of Churchill and Khalid Jamil of Bagan, wrang in the changes at the start of the game, making three and four respectively, but still could not manage three points in three successive games. This could be the crucial period which will keep them away from the league title in the final calculations which are now less than a month away. The game could not reach the heights as expected and the first half saw Mohun Bagan take the lead into the break with the help of an opportunistic Dipanda Dicka strike in the 39th minute, which was his seventh in this year's campaign. Haitian winger Sony Norde missed a .
ISL: Chennaiyin expose chinks in Bengaluru's armour
Chennaiyin FC claimed a much-needed victory after downing table-toppers Bengaluru FC 2-1 in a closely-contested Indian Super League (ISL) clash at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium here on Saturday.
Martial gem lifts resurgent United into fourth place
Manchester United swept into fourth place in the Premier League as Anthony Martial's sublime strike inspired their 3-0 win over struggling Fulham on Saturday. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side took the lead through Paul Pogba's clinical finish early in the first half at Craven Cottage. But it was Martial who stole the show as the winger raced over half the length of the pitch before finishing emphatically to double United's lead before half-time. That swaggering solo effort was followed by the influential Pogba's second-half penalty as United moved into fourth place, one point above Chelsea, who face Manchester City on Sunday. Winners of six consecutive away games in all competitions for the first time since May 2009, United are firmly in the hunt for a top four finish after trailing 11 points behind those places on the day Jose Mourinho was sacked in December. They have won 10 of 11 matches in all competitions since Solskjaer replaced Mourinho as interim boss. United remain unbeaten under .
Calicut beat Kochi 5-0 in Pro Volleyball League
Skipper Jerome Vinith guided Calicut Heroes to a dominating 5-0 win over Kochi Blue Spikers on the eighth day of the Pro Volleyball League here Saturday. Calicut registered a bonus point after beating Kochi 15-11, 15-9, 15-14, 15-13, 15-10 in a lop-sided contest in front of a packed house. Jerome scored 16 points (14 spikes and 2 serves) for Calicut, while K Praveen Kumar put up a valiant effort for Kochi with 10 points (9 spikes and 1 block). Ajith Lal and Vinith also became the leading scorers of spike points with 38 and 33 respectively from three matches. Paul Lotman was adjudged the player of the match.
Indian beat Iran 1-0, begin Gold Cup campaign on winning note
Indian women's football team defeated Iran by a solitary goal to begin their campaign at the Hero Gold Cup on a winning note at the Kalinga Stadium here on Saturday. Anju Tamang's match-winner in the 48th minute ensured India made it five wins in a row, having won the last four friendlies against Hong Kong and Indonesia respectively. The first chance of the game fell to the hosts right in the second minute itself. Winger Dangmei Grace latched on to a loose back-pass and raced towards the goal but the resultant shot was cleared away by the rival goalkeeper. After the initial scare, Iran began to make their way into the game but the Indians were equal to the task. The half was played predominantly in the midfield as both sides battled for territory with coach Maymol Rocky's side enjoying the better of the chances. In the 15th minute, Anju showed some great skill to get into Iran box and cut in to find Ratanbala Devi but her first-time shot was wide of the target. Seven minutes later, ...
Chennaiyin FC beat Bengaluru FC 2-1 in ISL
Defending champions Chennaiyin FC notched up a 2-1 win over table-toppers Bengaluru FC 2-1 for only their second victory in what has been a disastrous season in the Hero Indian Super League here Saturday. After taking a 2-0 lead into the lemon break, Chennaiyin held on tenaciously despite a strong fightback from Bengaluru FC to snap their five match losing streak. Bengaluru FC, last year's runner-up to Chennaiyin, remains on 31 points after 15 matches and will have to wait to seal a playoff berth. Chennaiyin, on the other hand, took its tally to eight points from 15 games but remains at the bottom of the table. In the first half, Chennaiyin appeared to recapture some of its old form as they found the back of the net twice in the space of 10 minutes to leave the crowd in raptures. The home team started positively and attacked from the word go. Bengaluru FC grew into the game and were starting to threaten the Chennaiyin FC backline. In the 32nd minute, Nishu Kumar was not effective in ..
Kalpana returns after 3 years in in India's ODI squad against England
Wicketkeeper R Kalpana made a comeback to the Indian women's cricket team following a long hiatus after she was included in the 15-member squad, led by skipper Mithali Raj, for the upcoming three-match ODI series against England starting on February 22 in Mumbai. Kalpana, who last played for India three years ago in a home ODI against Sri Lanka, replaced batting all-rounder D Hemalatha in the squad that had won the ODI series 2-1 in New Zealand. Kalpana, who made her ODI debut at home against New Zealand in 2015, will be the second wicketkeeper in the squad apart from Taniya Bhatia. "The All-India Women's Selection Committee has picked the Indian Women's Cricket team for the three-match Paytm ODI series against England Women," the BCCI said in a statement. "The three ODIs are a part of the ongoing ICC Women's Championship and will be played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai." The Indian board also announced the President's XI squad that will play a warm-up game ahead of the series on .