Page 697 - Sports
I-League: Mohun Bagan look to continue winning momentum against Neroca (Preview)
Mohun Bagan will look to continue their winning momentum when they take on Neroca FC in an I-League encounter at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan here on Saturday.
Keeping it simple is budding weightlifter Jeremy's secret
Nonchalance is what comes to mind when you first meet Jeremy Lalrinnunga, the wonder kid from Mizoram, who has been making waves in weightlifting circles even before arriving at the Khelo India Youth Games here. A gold medallist at the Youth Olympics held last year as well as winner of silver (youth) and bronze (junior) medals at the Asian Championships, Jeremy proved his mettle with a gold in the Youth (U-17) 67 kg men's category here on Thursday. "I gave emphasis mainly on the psychological aspects rather than the physical side. I tried to remain calm and believe in myself that I can achieve my target," Jeremy was quoted as saying about his preparations for the Khelo India Games in a media release. Participating for the first time in the 67kg category, it was a daunting task for the 16-year-old, who also tested himself in the junior (U-21) category. To his delight Jeremy expectedly won gold in the younger event and bagged silver in the junior class. "I always like to ..
We have to pick ourselves and get ready for next game: Constantine
Stressing that India has the potential to win and enter the knockouts, football coach Stephen Constantine Friday said the team needs to get its act together ahead of the clash with Baharain in the AFC Asian Cup. India went down to hosts United Arab Emirates 0-2 in their second group stage match after they had defeated Thailand in their opening game. "We have to pick ourselves up and get ready for the next game. We need to aim for a win and get something from that game. Hopefully, we can get the result to qualify," Constantine said. India face Bahrain on Monday in their final group stage match and a victory will ensure the Blue Tigers a spot in the Round of 16. Talismanic striker Sunil Chhetri also echoed Constantine's words. "We are still in the running. We are ready to face Bahrain. As a team, we are united. We are ready to fight. That's our game plan against Bahrain," Chhetri said. Against UAE, the Indians missed several opportunities, hitting the bar twice and eventually going down
PBL set for exciting semi-finals (Preview)
After an enthralling league stage which witnessed some power-packed action, the Premier Badminton League (PBL) has narrowed down to the top four teams who will be battling it out in the semi-finals to get a step closer to the coveted trophy.
Bracewell, Kuggeleijn set up New Zealand's T20 win
The recalled Doug Bracewell and debutant Scott Kuggeleijn starred with bat and ball for New Zealand to beat Sri Lanka by 35 runs in the one-off Twenty20 match in Auckland on Friday. It ended a dismal tour for the Sri Lankans with the drawn first Test followed by a succession of losses in the second Test, three one-dayers and the Twenty20. New Zealand, sent into bat, recovered from 55 for five to finish on 179 for seven with Bracewell (44) and Kuggeleijn (35 not out) the key contributors. Although the target was not daunting, and Sri Lanka easily kept up with the required run rate to be four for 118 after 12 overs. But their last six wickets fell for the addition of only 26 more runs and the innings folded for 144 with 19 balls remaining. Kuggeleijn and Bracewell both took wickets in their opening overs. Kusal Perera, who raced to 22 off 12 deliveries was removed by Kuggeleijn's third delivery while Niroshan Dickwella, who smacked a four and a six from the first two balls of the ...
Seppi knocks Schwartzman out to reach Sydney International final
Argentina's Diego Schwartzman, seeded third, was defeated by eighth-seeded Andreas Seppi of Italy 7-6 (3), 6-4 in a semi-final of the Sydney International tournament on Friday.
Al-Attiyah stretches Dakar Rally lead
Qatar's Nasser Al-Attiyah extended his overall Dakar Rally lead by winning fourth stage in southern Peru.
Taiwan's Chan sisters advance to Hobart doubles finals
Taiwan's Latisha Chan and Hao-Ching Chan defeated Romania's Monica Niculescu and China's Zhaoxuan Yang in straight sets in the doubles semi-final at the WTA Hobart International tournament at Domain Tennis Centre on Friday.
Heartbreak and disbelief as Murray announces retirement
Tennis ace Andy Murray's tearful announcement Friday that he'll be forced to retire this year prompted a volley of tributes to the man, fond recollections of a historic career and encouragement to serve up a fitting farewell. American star Andy Roddick led the tributes to the former world number one, describing his 11-time opponent as an "absolute legend" who is on the "short list of best tacticians" in the history of the sport. "Unreal results in a brutal era. Nothing but respect here. I hope he can finish strong and healthy," he said. Murray's failure to recover from a long-term hip injury has put his dream to win next week's Australian Open almost beyond reach. Such is the level of pain that there is speculation he may not be able to go the distance, much less set up a dream farewell at Wimbledon this July. Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro -- who fell short against Murray in a memorable 2016 Olympic gold medal game -- urged him not to throw in the towel. "Andy, just watched your ..
Confident India to begin World Cup preparation with Australia series (Preview)
After the high of the first-ever Test series win Down Under, India would look to put aside the unexpected controversy involving two players and fine tune their World Cup preparations in the three-match ODI series against an under-fire Australia, beginning here on Saturday.
Tite to remain Brazil boss until at least 2022
Brazil coach Tite will keep his job until at least the 2022 World Cup, regardless of the team's performance as hosts of this year's Copa America, the head of the country's football federation said.
India coash Constantine keen to forget UAE disappointment
The morning after India went down to hosts United Arab Emirates (UAE) in their second group match of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019, head coach Stephen Constantine said that the team now "needs to get ready for the next game" against Bahrain.
Bagan look to avenge first-leg defeat against spirited NEROCA FC
Playing at home and momentum favouring them, Mohun Bagan would have revenge in mind when they face an in-form NEROCA FC in their I-League clash at the Saltlake Stadium, here Saturday. It was less than a fortnight ago, Mohun Bagan suffered a 1-2 defeat against NEROCA in their away fixture before going down to Real Kashmir at home, leading to the exit of head coach Shankarlal Chakraborty as the team slipped to sixth place. Appointed at short notice, Khalid Jamil got off to a winning start as Mohun Bagan blanked defending champions Minerva Punjab 2-0 on Wednesday to keep their title hopes alive. NEROCA FC on the other hand are on a six-match unbeaten run and defeated Shillong Lajong 3-2 at home in the last round as the Imphal outfit are three points shy of leaders Chennai City. Last year, in their debut season in the I-League, NEROCA FC finished runners-up. They have continued their rich form and are looking more dangerous. The inclusion of Aryn Williams, Eduardo Ferreira and Katsumi ...
Kohli and Shastri receive honorary membership of SCG
India skipper Virat Kohli and coach Ravi Shastri on Friday received the honorary membership of the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) for their contribution to the sport of cricket. The Indian team defeated Australia 2-1 in the four-match Test series, ending the country's 71-year-old wait for a rare series win Down Under. "The SCG congratulates Team India for securing its first Test series win on Australian soil. It is wonderful to see the world's largest cricketing nation putting its focus firmly on Test cricket - a step that will reinforce the pre-eminence of Tests in the global cricketing landscape," SCG Chairman Tony Shepherd was quoted as saying on their official website. Apart from Kohli and Sashtri, the only other international cricketers to be granted the honorary membership of the SCG are iconic Sachin Tendulkar and Brain Lara of the West Indies. "Virat and Ravi have been at the forefront of that and Test cricket is well served having both placing such significance on the five-day .
Prajnesh enters Australian Open main draw, only 3rd Indian in 5 years to play Grand Slam
Outlining his growth as a player, a consistent Prajnesh Gunneswaran sealed his maiden appearance in the main draw of a Grand Slam by qualifying for the Australian Open men's singles event here Friday. The 29-year-old from Chennai came from behind to beat Japan's Yosuke Watanuki 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-4 in the third and final qualifying round. Prajnesh is only third Indian in five years to feature in the men's singles main draw of a Grand Slam, the other being Somdev Devvarman and Yuki Bhambri. While Yuki played in all four Grand Slams in 2018 before a knee injury cut short his season, Somdev, who is now retired, last played at the 2013 US Open. "It's obviously huge for me. First time ever in a Grand Slam main draw, something I have always dreamt of. I am really happy, don't have words to describe it but it's big deal for sure," Prajnesh told PTI. "I am very proud that I stuck to it and put in all this work. I got here much later than most people do. I had the tennis to reach here, now just ...
Peter Siddle makes a comeback after 8 years, named in playing XI for First ODI
Veteran Australia fast bowler, Peter Siddle will play his first ODI since November 2010 when he turns out for Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Saturday, January 12.The playing XI announced by skipper Aaron Finch on Friday (January 11), had three other specialist bowlers, apart from Siddle.Siddle will line up with Jhye Richardson and Jason Behrendorff with Nathan Lyon as the specialist spinner. Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis will take the all-rounders slots."For Sidds to go away and work on the skills that he's brought to the table over the last couple of years in Big Bash cricket is outstanding," ICC quoted Finch, as saying.The Australian captain also added, "He well and truly deserves his spot. Any tour you go on, Sidds is one of the first picked I would think for what he brings to the team and the skill set he brings."Siddle's return to the limited-overs side would see him breaking a new record for the longest gap between appearances for an Australia player. ...
Finch announces playing XI for first ODI, Siddle makes comeback
Australian limited overs captain Aaron Finch on Friday announced the playing XI for the first ODI against India. The Australian fast bowler Peter Siddle has been included in the side after a stint of eight years.Siddle played his last one-day match back in 2010 against Sri Lanka. The 34-year-old has scalped a total of 15 wickets for Australia in 17 ODIs that he played with an economy rate of 4.64.Finch announced, wicket keeper batsman Alex Carry as his opening partner for the upcoming one-day series. Carey, who had an amazing Big Bash League season this year, has been promoted up in the batting order.The Aussie captain explained his decision, he said: "It's just an opportunity to see Alex play in a position he's done quite bit in Big Bash and one-day cricket. It's a position he's performed really well within the last couple of years," Cricket.com.au quoted Finch, as saying."He's been shuffled around the order a bit in the last little while trying to search for that process and right ..
Asian champ Gopi, Sudha to run in Mumbai Marathon
Last year's top Indian finishers, T Gopi and Sudha Singh, and holder of the course record among home country men, Nitendra Singh Rawat, are all set to steal the show in the Tata Mumbai Marathon on January 20. Asian champion Gopi and Rawat will face tough challenge in the men's race from Karan Singh, the best Indian finisher in 2014 and 2015, race organisers, Procam International, announced on Friday. The 2017 Asian Champion (2:15:31) T Gopi's best performance came at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where he clocked 2:15:25, the fastest by an Indian on foreign soil. Rawat, who clocked 2:15:18 in the South Asian Games in 2016 and the national record holder in the half marathon is expected to be a strong challenger along with the recent Vasai Virar Marathon winner Karan, who clocked 2:22:17. The women's contingent will be led by 2018 Asian Games steeplechase silver medalist Sudha Singh and two-time top Indian finisher, Jyoti Gawte. Sudha has geared up for the 42.1 km race by bagging
Barça tripped by Levante in Copa del Rey
A steady Levante side bested holders Barcelona 2-1 in the 1st leg of their Copa del Rey knockout stage tie.
Edulji recommends "suspension pending inquiry" after legal opinion
Committee of Administrators member Diana Edulji Friday recommended "suspension till further action" against India players Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul after the BCCI legal team refused to declare their outrage-evoking comments on women a violation of the code of conduct. Edulji had initially suggested a two-match suspension for the duo but referred the matter to the legal cell after CoA chief Vinod Rai agreed with her and recommended the same. "It is imperative that players be put under suspension till further course of action is decided for this misconduct as was done in case of (BCCI) CEO (Rahul Johri) when he was sent on leave on sexual harassment matter," read Edulji's response to the legal opinion which is in possession of PTI. "Based on legal opinion and final procedure is laid down to address this issue, will recommend that a communication is sent to concerned players and team immediately," Edulji wrote in response to recommendations from the Board's legal firm Cyril Amarchand ..