Page 726 - Sports

Sharath, Sathiyan retain career-high positions in ITT rankings

Star table tennis players Sharath Kamal and G Sathiyan have retained their career-high positions, 30 and 31 respectively, in the latest world rankings. The two players are way above the third Indian, Harmeet Desai, the only other paddler to be among top 100 in the ITTF rankings. Manika Batra has just gained a spot and is placed at No. 51 and the lone Indian women figuring in the top-100. In Under-21 Men and Under-21 Women, there are as many as four male and three female players with Manav Thakkar at No. 17, having gained three places from his previous No. 21. Following the Indian is Ronit Bhanja (No. 34 from No. 41), Jeet Chandra (No. 46 from No. 56) and Siddesh Pandey (No. 52 from No. 66), showing significant improvement. Among the women, Selenadeepthi Selvakumar is at No. 31 while both Moumita Dutta and Archana Kamath are joint 32 and are followed by Sreeja Akula at 62.

Solskjaer says no talks yet on long-term Man Utd future

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has not yet spoken to Manchester United bosses about extending his stay at Old Trafford beyond the end of the season despite a perfect start to his reign. The Norwegian former striker has won his first four Premier League matches as United manager -- a record that only former boss Matt Busby can match. He made clear after the victory at Newcastle this week that he would love to stay in the job beyond the summer, when his loan from Norwegian club Molde is set to expire, but said on Friday that he had not spoken to executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward about that. "It's early days," said Solskjaer. "When I came in they were open and honest. They have a process to look for the next manager but the more you're here the more you enjoy it. "It's one game at a time, though, and the day they announce the next manager, if it's me or someone else, then good luck to them." Solskjaer added that, because of his interim status, he would have only a limited say in United's January

South Africa take first innings lead over Pakistan

South Africa moved into a first innings lead during a tense second morning of the second Test against Pakistan at Newlands on Friday. South Africa were 188 for four wickets at lunch, a lead of 11 runs. The hosts lost two wickets and could score only 65 runs in 27 overs against some hostile, accurate bowling. South Africa also benefitted, for the second time in successive Tests, from a television umpire overturning a catch decision by the on-field umpires. Hashim Amla did not add to his overnight score of 24 before he was bowled by a ball from Mohammad Abbas which snaked back off the pitch to hit his leg stump. Theunis de Bruyn played a loose drive and was caught at gully off Shaheen Afridi after making 13. Captain Faf du Plessis (33 not out) and Temba Bavuma (15 not out) survived until lunch. Bavuma appeared to have been caught by Azhar Ali at first slip off Abbas when he was on three and the total was 156 for four. On-field umpires Bruce Oxenford and Joel Wilson conferred and asked ..

Giantkiller Andreescu sends Williams packing

Canadian teen Bianca Andreescu stunned Venus Williams in the WTA Auckland Classic quarter-finals to continue her giantkilling run Friday, while defending champion Julia Goerges survived a match-point scare. The 18-year-old Andreescu, ranked 152nd in the world, beat Williams, 20 years her senior and a seven-times Grand-Slam winner, 6-7 (1/7), 6-1, 6-3. The come-from-behind victory came a day after she eliminated top seed and world number three Caroline Wozniacki. Andreescu broke Williams eight times in the match as she slugged it out from the baseline and mixed in smart drop shots which the 38-year-old American struggled to reach. Williams, who had been a professional for six years before Andreescu was born, took the first set and broke Andreescu at the start of the second. From there the young Canadian reeled off 11 games in a row before a Williams rally briefly prolonged the deciding set. Andreescu will meet the winner of the match between Hsieh Su-Wei and Sara Sorribes Tormo in the .

Youth only policy will not bring India success: Sreejesh

India goalkeeper P R Sreejesh Friday said focussing only on youth is not going to bring them success but backed Harendra Singh to stay on as coach despite their quarterfinal exit in the hockey World Cup. Veterans S V Sunil and Ruipinder Pal Singh were excluded from the World Cup team owing to injury and lack of form. Asked if the focus will now primarily be on picking young players, Sreejesh said, "See what do you mean by youth, if a youngster comes into the team and he gets three or four more years experience, does it mean he is an old guy. You can't win tournaments just with youngsters. In important matches we need experience." The experienced player, who has led India in the past, added, "When you play big matches there is a lot of pressure. The seniors will come in handy as their experience is valuable. Experience plays a big role. "If you see Argentina, when they won the Olympic gold in 2016, their average age was 32-33. You need a unique combination, youth as well as having some

Spurs extend Alderweireld contract

Tottenham Hotspur have triggered an extension clause in veteran Belgian international Toby Alderweireld's contract which ties him to the Premier League highflyers until the summer of 2020. The 29-year-old central defender -- capped 88 times and an integral part of Belgium's best ever performance at the World Cup last year where they finished third -- has a 25-million (USD 31.7m) release clause should a suitor come in for him. "The club can confirm that we have activated the option to extend Toby Alderweireld's contract until 2020," Tottenham said in a statement on their website. "The Belgium international defender has made 135 appearances for us to date since signing from Atletico Madrid in 2015." Alderweireld, who attracted interest from Manchester United in the close season after he rejected a long-term deal, has been the rock at the heart of the defence this term. He has enjoyed a good run in the first team -- making 26 appearances -- as both compatriot Jan Vertonghen and Colombian

Lawyer explains Ronaldinho's Globe Soccer awards absence

The absence of Brazil great Ronaldinho from the annual Globe Soccer awards in Dubai this week had nothing to do with a court-ordered travel ban, his lawyer said.

PKL: Confident Gujarat Fortunegiants take on gritty Bengaluru Bulls in the final

Last season's runner-up Gujarat Fortunegiants will clash with Bengaluru Bulls in the final of the sixth season of the Pro Kabaddi League here on Saturday. Interestingly, Bengaluru Bulls led by Rohit Kumar, had defeated Gujarat by 12 points in the first qualifier to directly book a place in the summit clash. Gujarat, on the other hand, led by Sunil Kumar overcame a resurgent UP Yoddha in the second qualifier Thursday, to book a place in the final. The two finalists have played thrice before with both sides winning a game each and one ending in a tie. Gujarat will have their hopes pinned on star raider Sachin Tanwar, who has been consistent through the campaign. He has averaged 8.2 raid points throughout the season and is in the top 10 raiders in the entire league. Even in the win against UP Yoddha, he played a key role clinching 10 points. He will require support from other raiders mainly K Prapanjan, who has 118 points to his credit. But the two need to finish the game on a high. And

Concerned about role assigned to me: Pant

Rishabh Pant, who became the first Indian wicket-keeper to score a Test century in Australia, asserted that he does not care much about hundreds and is more concerned about fulfilling the role assigned to him by the team.The 21-year-old, who played an unbeaten knock of 159 runs on Day Two of the Sydney Test, mellowed down his achievement saying that every hundred holds a special significance for him.Speaking at a post-match press conference Pant said, "Every hundred that I have scored at the international level is special from me because I have just started my career. But the main thing is that I don't think about hundreds. My only goal is to do what team demand of me."The left-hand batsman got a good start many times in the ongoing Test series against Australia but he could not convert it into a big total. When asked about the reason behind the same, Pant said that, previously, whenever he got a good start, he used to battle with the tail-enders but today he was playing with a ...

Corinthians coach Carille hails Ronaldo effect

Fabio Carille revealed that a conversation with Brazil legend Ronaldo helped convince him to return to Corinthians as head coach.

Mexico to meet Chile, Paraguay in friendlies

Mexico will play friendlies against Chile and Paraguay in California in March to fine-tune their preparations for the Gold Cup continental tournament.

Playing with proper batsman helped me bat differently: Pant

Rishabh Pant felt the "nervous 90's syndrome" on Friday but said that Ravindra Jadeja's presence at the other end helped him play with freedom unlike previous Test matches, when the young keeper had to bat with the tail. Pant, who became the first Indian keeper on Australian soil to hit a hundred, added 204 runs with Jadeja (81 no) for the seventh wicket to almost bat the home team out of the contest. When asked if anything changed as he was getting out in 20's and 30's, Pant replied: "I don't think anything changed from my side. The main thing was that I was playing with a batsman (Jadeja) this time. Most of the time, when I got a start, I was playing with the tail. "If I am batting with the tail, I have to think differently because most of the time, I have to score the runs. But when you are batting with a batsman, that's a different thing. You have seen it today," Pant said on his superb 159 off 189 balls. He has been given complete "freedom to express himself" by the team ...

Paine dismisses bowling coach's difference of opinion claim

Australian skipper Tim Paine on Friday insisted there was no difference of opinion between him and his bowlers on the opening day of the fourth Test, contrary to the claims of bowling coach David Saker. It was a surprise mid-Test press conference by the Australian captain on day two when India declared for 622 for seven. Paine said that they did get some plans wrong, but there was nothing as worrying as a disagreement. "We always have discussion post game but in terms of being on a different page, no. I think we are pretty clear on what we're trying to do. Yesterday afternoon - and to be fair probably the first hour in the morning then the first hour after lunch we got it slightly wrong," said Paine. "It can sometimes look like that but we know what we're trying to do. Sometimes you don't quite execute and teams can get away from you and that's what happened," he said. Paine said criticism is expected when the team is not doing well. "When you're playing sport at the highest level and

Traditional heavyweights seek to regain Asian Cup glory (Preview)

Australia, who joined the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in 2006, have changed the landscape of the sport in the region, especially when they lifted their first Asian Cup on home soil four years ago in 2015.

Onus is on us, says Sandhesh Jhingan

Defender Sandesh Jhingan on Friday said hosts UAE may pose a serious threat to the country's group stage campaign, but maintained the onus will be on India in the AFC Asian Cup, beginning here Saturday. India have been clubbed in Group A alongside Thailand, Bahrain and hosts UAE. They play their first match on Sunday against Thailand, followed by games against UAE and Bahrain on January 10 and 14, respectively. "UAE is the host team and I feel they will be tough to face. But I believe that the onus is all on us. If any team is over-confident or not at the top of its game, they can be beaten," Jhingan was quoted as saying by All India Football Federation's (AIFF) official website. "If you are prepared as a team and focused on the job at hand, you can make the game tough for the opponents," he added. India were knocked out in the group stage in 2011, the last time they qualified, losing all three of their matches. Asked about the side's chances in this edition, Jhingan said "it will be .

Bundesliga stars say good luck to Team India for AFC Asian Cup

The Indian football team received good wishes from German Bundesliga stars, including FIFA World Cup final match-winner Mario Goetze and the legendary Lothar Matthaus, ahead of Sunday's AFC Asian Cup campaign-opener. India kick off with a Group A game against Thailand. Borussia Dortmund forward Mario Gotze, S V Werder Bremen great and one of Bundesliga's all-time leading foreign goal scorers Claudio Pizarro, Borussia Monchengladbach keeper Yann Sommer, R B Leipzig's Yimo Werner and Matthaus came together to wish the Indian team in a video shared by Bundesliga on their facebook page. Recognising striker Sunil Chhetri's star status in India, Pizarro urged the leading goal scorer to keep firing and inspiring the nation. "Sunil, there is no one in India quite like you. Keep firing and inspiring the nation," said Pizarro. Dortmund attacker Gotze, famous for his World Cup winning goal for Germany in 2010, urged India midfielder Anirudh Thapa to make a mark of his own in Asian football's ...

Biggest-ever Asian Cup kicks off Saturday, India begin campaign on Day 2

India enter the biggest ever Asian Cup, starting here Saturday, hoping to exorcise the ghosts of a disastrous outing in 2011 and using it as a stepping stone to realise the dream of making the 2026 World Cup. The Asian Football Confederation's continental showpiece, which has seen an increase in the number of finalists from 16 to 24, kicks off with hosts United Arab Emirates taking on Bahrain in a Group A fixture at the Zayed Sports City Stadium. India, placed in the same group as the host nation, will begin their campaign with a game against Thailand at the Al Nahyan Stadium, the home ground of Al Wahda club, on Sunday. The Blue Tigers last participated in the tournament eight years ago, which ended with a forgettable group stage exit following heavy defeats at the hands regional powerhouses Australia, South Korea and Bahrain. The 17th edition of the quadrennial event will be India's fourth-ever appearance. While they brought to an end a 24-year wait by making the 2011 edition, India

Muguruza overcomes injury to beat Cornet

Spain's Garbine Muguruza collected her first singles win of the new season, but also picked up an injury concern at the mixed teams Hopman Cup in Perth Friday. The dual Grand Slam champion and world number 18 had lost her two previous singles matches in Perth to top 20 duo Angelique Kerber and Ashleigh Barty. However, she overcame a thigh injury to beat Frenchwoman Alize Cornet, herself troubled by a back injury throughout the match, as Spain won their final tie 2-1. The Spanish team of Muguruza and David Ferrer were already out of contention for the final. Muguruza had treatment after the third game of the first set against Cornet, by which time she had two breaks of serve and a 3-0 lead, and later withdrew from the mixed doubles. In the singles, she played on after an extended injury timeout and returned to the court with her left thigh strapped, less than two weeks out from the Australian Open. Cornet, ranked 45th in the world, had her lower back worked on at the end of the first ..

Rashid Khan to continue stay in Australia for BBL after father's demise

Afghanistan spin maestro Rashid Khan, who lost his father on Sunday, has decided to continue his stay in Australia for the ongoing eighth edition of the Big Bash League (BBL). The 20-year-old said that his family motivated him to stay on and continue playing for the Adelaide Strikers."In this situation, my family has really supported me . Especially my mum, my brothers, my nephews. They were encouraging me a lot from back home. They were calling me again and again. They were like, 'you have to be there, you have to play for us, you have to play for your Dad. We can see you're sad, you're alone there, you're (a long way) from home'," Cricket.com.au quoted Rashid, as saying."That's how their motivation helped to stay here and play for the Strikers," he added.The right-arm bowler acknowledged the support he received from fellow Afghanistan player Mohammad Nabi in handling the loss."I spoke with him (Nabi) a lot. He said . 'it's life - someone will go, someone will come. We all will go ...

James Neesham makes a comeback in Kiwis T20 squad

New Zealand batting all-rounder James Neesham has made a comeback in the T20 as they announced a 13-member squad for their upcoming one-off T20 match against Sri Lanka on January 11.The development came after the left-hand batsman smashed five sixes in an over against Sri Lanka in the first one-day international of their ongoing three-match series.The recently-announced squad also saw the return of bowling all-rounder Mitchell Santner who booked his spot in the team after giving an impressive performance in New Zealand's domestic T20 tournaments. With pacer Trent Boult and all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme being rested, right-arm fast bowler Scott Kuggeleijn has got his maiden call for the national team.New Zealand selector Gavin Larsen said that it is a great opportunity for the young players to prove their abilities."It's nice to have the luxury of freshening-up a few of our key guys following a long tour of the UAE and a fast transition into the home summer. That presents a great ...