Page 728 - Sports
Man City snap Liverpool's unbeaten run to reignite title race
Manchester City won a "final" according to manager Pep Guardiola to remain in the title race by inflicting Liverpool's first Premier League defeat of the season with a 2-1 victory at the Etihad. City's recent shock back-to-back defeats to Crystal Palace and Leicester had allowed Liverpool to amass a commanding lead in their quest to win a first title since 1990. But the champions now trail Jurgen Klopp's men by just four points thanks to Leroy Sane's winner 18 minutes from time after Roberto Firmino had cancelled out Sergio Aguero's first-half opener for the hosts. "It was a final for us, because losing today it was almost over," said Guardiola on Thursday. "We are four points behind them and they are the leaders. We have to fight a lot, but this gives us a lot of confidence. "I am proud of them (the players), but not just today. We lost two games in four days but you can't forget what they have done for 16 months." With no more league meetings between the sides to come, Liverpool's ..
Son-spurred Koreans face Samurai threat at Asian Cup
While street-wise South Korea pack a harder punch, former Japan coach Philippe Troussier has tipped the Blue Samurai to push their fierce rivals all the way at the Asian Cup. "Japan have one of the best teams in the competition on paper," the Frenchman told AFP before hosts United Arab Emirates meet Bahrain in Saturday's opening match. "Of course teams like South Korea, Iran and Saudi Arabia have the same ambition, but Japan has the potential to win the title." A South Korea side led by free-scoring Tottenham forward Son Heung-min start as favourites to end more than 50 years of Asian Cup hurt. Iran, Asia's top-ranked side, also pose a threat to Japan's hopes, along with holders Australia. But a new-look Japan side are capable of springing an upset, as they proved by reaching the knockout stages of last year's World Cup in Russia after controversially sacking coach Vahid Halilhodzic in the run-up. Only a stunning comeback by Belgium prevented Japan from reaching the quarter-finals ...
James Argent wants to lose weight
Television personality James Argent, who has been a teetotaller for six months, wants to lose weight.
Villarreal's Cazorla spoils Real Madrid Liga return
Former Arsenal star Santi Cazorla scored twice as Villarreal drew 2-2 with Real Madrid in La Liga with the pint-sized midfielder producing a late header for a share of the spoils. This was Madrid's first game since winning the World Club Cup in Doha in December and the draw leaves Santiago Solari's outfit seven points off top placed Barcelona, four behind Atletico Madrid and two adrift of Seville. The home side gave Madrid a guard of honour as they ran out but that was where the welcome ended as the 34-year-old Cazorla opened the scores on four minutes with a snap shot from 18-yards out that caught Thibaut Coutois cold. It was the first Liga goal of 2019 and Cazorla's first ligue goal since 2012. But the Frenchmen Karim Benzema and Raphael Varane both bagged flashing headers as Real swept back into the lead with Brazilian midfielder Casemiro and Ballon d'Or Luka Modric pulling the strings in midfield. Benzema latched on to an inch perfect Lucas Vasquez cross to head home unmarked from
Djokovic battles through to Qatar semi-finals
World number one Novak Djokovic won another gruelling battle in Doha to continue his unbeaten start to the year and progress to the Qatar Open semi-finals. The Serb came from a set down, just like in his previous match, to beat Georgia's Nikoloz Basilashvili 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in a match lasting almost two hours. Djokovic will play Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut in Friday's semi-final, who beat three-time Grand Slam winner Stan Wawrinka in straight sets 6-4, 6-4. And, ominously, for his opponents said he still plenty of room for improvement. "I feel I have a gear or two (to go) up still," said Djokovic. "Under the circumstances I managed to find a way to win against a player that is hitting the ball very fast and just being very aggressive and it's hard to predict where the ball is going to go with a player like him." It was the first time Djokovic has won back-to-back matches from a set down since Cincinnati in August last year, a tournament he went on to win. As on the previous evening, ..
Pujara crosses 150-mark, India reaches 389-5 on day 2 of 4th Test
Cheteshwar Pujara continued to pile on the runs, taking India to 389 for 5 at lunch on the second day of the fourth and final Test against Australia here Friday. Pujara recorded his highest overseas score as he was batting on 181 not out while Rishabh Pant was unbeaten on 27 runs with the duo putting on 60 runs for the sixth wicket at the break. Starting from overnight 303-4, Pujara brought up his seventh 150 plus innings in Test cricket and took his fifth-wicket partnership with Hanuma Vihari (42) to 101 runs. The duo came out with the intent to grind down the Australian bowling attack and looked content with batting for time. It backfired as Vihari's hard work went to waste when he was caught at short leg off Nathan Lyon (2-116) in the 102nd over. There was the faintest blip on snickometer and the decision stayed in Australia's favour despite Vihari's quick DRS review. Pant, on 8, had a loud shot for caught behind turned down in the 106th over as Tim Paine called for a DRS ...
Scoreboard at lunch on the second day of the fourth and final Test between India and ...
Scoreboard at lunch on the second day of the fourth and final Test between India and Australia here Friday. India 1st Innings: Mayank Agarwal c Starc b Lyon 77 Lokesh Rahul c Marsh b Hazlewood 9 Cheteshwar Pujara batting 181 Virat Kohli c Paine b Hazlewood 23 Ajinkya Rahane c Paine b Starc 18 Hanuma Vihari c Labuschagne b Lyon 42 Rishabh Pant batting 27 Extras: (LB-7, W-5) 12 Total: (for 5 wickets in 117 overs) 389 Fall of Wickets: 10-1, 126-2, 180-3, 228-4, 329-5. Bowler: Mitchell Starc 23-0-105-1, Josh Hazlewood 27-10-65-2, Pat Cummins 23-5-65-0, Nathan Lyon 38-7-116-2, Marnus Labuschagne 6-0-31-0.
Why no state funeral for Ramakant Acharekar, asks Shiv Sena
The Shiv Sena hit out at the Devendra Fadnavis-led Maharashtra government for not giving a state funeral to ace cricketer Sachin Tendulkar's coach Ramakant Acharekar.In this regard, senior party leader Sanjay Raut on Thursday urged Tendulkar to boycott all government programs henceforth."Why wasn't Padmashree and Dronacharya awardee Ramakant Acharekar given state funeral and respect by the Maharashtra government? The Government has shown complete disregard towards Ramakant Acharekar. Sachin Tendulkar should boycott government programs henceforth," he tweeted.Acharekar passed away at the age of 87 here on Wednesday. The Dronacharya awardee, who has blessed the Indian cricket with the likes of Tendulkar and Vinod Kambli, used to train cricketers at Shivaji Park in Dadar.Last year on Guru Purnima, the master blaster along with Atul Ranade had met and paid respects to their guru, Achrekar."Today, #GuruPurnima, is the day we remember those who have taught us to be better versions of ...
First-ever Kisan Cricket League to commence on Feb 20
In a bid to encourage cricket among rural Indian aspirants, the first-ever Kisan Cricket League - The Lal Bahadur Shastri Memorial Cup of Hope - will be held from February 20 to March 20.The event introduces a fresh short format cricket tournament aimed at engaging rural dwellers between 17-24 years of age to take up the sport.Kisan Cricket League will have eight teams - Mighty Himalayans, Frontier Gabroos, Awadhi Brothers, Eastern Eagles, Western Tharyans, Oruvan Thalaivas, Sahyadri Rangers and a special team for tribal youngsters, The Birsa Boys. The matches will be organised in eight Non-Metro Cities across India and will be telecast live on one of the principal sports broadcasters in Indian footprint.Atul Pandey, the organiser of the event, said the tournament is being organised as a tribute to late Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri."More than 5 decades after his untimely death, the slogan 'Jai Jawaan - Jai Kisaan' still echoes. There are thousands of District Panchayats in ...
PKL-6: Dejected Rishank vows to return stronger
Clearly dejected at the heart-breaking 31-38 loss to Gujarat Fortunegiants in the second qualifier and thereby crashing out of the Pro Kabaddi League season 6 here on Thursday, UP Yoddha skipper Rishank Devadiga pledged to come back stronger next season.
Simon, Anderson to clash in semis this year at Tata Open
Last year's finalists Gilles Simon and Kevin Anderson set up a semifinal clash against each other after recording contrasting victories in the quarterfinals of the Tata Open Maharashtra, here Thursday. Defending champion Simon had to work hard to tame Benoit Paire as he came from behind to beat fifth seed 3-6 7-6(2) 64 in an all-French clash. Paire at one stage was serving for the match but got broken, allowing the fellow Frenchman to stretch the match to the decisive third set. An early break handed Simon advantage even as Paire had four opportunities to break back in the sixth game but fluffed all chances. Simon's effortless hitting, deft touch and variation in pace has stood out in his run this far. The break remained with Simon and he served out the match at love in the 10th game with a forehand winner after two hours and 19 minutes. Top-seed and world number six Anderson did not struggle much in taking out seventh-seed Jaume Munar from Spain 6-3 6-3 as he fired 14 aces to stroll .
Advani wins Inter-Unit billiards title
Ace cueist Pankaj Advani on Thursday won the 15th Inter-Unit PSPB Billiards Tournament, defeating Dhwaj Haria in the final. Advani dominated Haria, beating him convincingly 3-0, with scores of 102-29, 100-0 and 101-35. Before entering the final, Advani outclassed Rupesh Shah 3-0 in semifinals. Earlier, the Bengaluru-based cueist displayed his class in league stages by outwitting Manan Chandra and Ishpreet Chaddha 3-0 each. On the other hand, Haria had outwitted Alok Kumar 100-76, 102-92 and 102-69 in second semifinals. Kumar gave Haria a good fight with a break of 65 in the second set. He also had a break of 77 in the third set which helped him clinch the match.
Sung humbles Marin in dramatic finish to ensure Chennai Smashers' second win
Former World No. 2 Sung Ji Hyun held her nerves to stave off a spirited comeback from Olympic champion Carolina Marin as Chennai Smashers beat Pune 7 Aces at the Vodafone Premier Badminton League Season 4 here on Thursday. This was the second win on the trot for the Season 2 champions following their huge 6-1 win over the Ahmedabad Smash Masters. As for Sung, this was her second big upset this season, having accounted for PV Sindhu in an earlier match. Pune captain and icon player Carolina Marin couldn't find her sharpness in the initial stages of the match. Too many unforced errors bothered the Olympic champion as the Chennai shuttler raced ahead to 10-5. The southpaw remained unfazed by that start and steadily got into the groove to draw level at 13-13. However, her efforts were in vain as the Korean managed to squeeze out the tight first game 15-14. Having lost the opener closely, a resilient Marin looked lethal in the second game, racing ahead to 8-0. Continuing her brutal form, ..
South African on top as bowlers, Markram hurt Pakistan
Duanne Olivier led another fast bowling assault on Pakistan's batsmen as South Africa took control on the first day of the second Test at Newlands on Thursday. Olivier took four for 48 as Pakistan were bowled out for 177 after being sent in on a hard, green-tinged pitch. Aiden Markram struck an assured 78 as South Africa reached 123 for two at the close. Olivier followed up a match-winning performance in the first Test in Centurion, while Dale Steyn took three for 48. Captain Sarfraz Ahmed hit 56 and Shan Masood made 44 to lift an otherwise poor Pakistan batting performance. South Africa's decision to pick an all-pace attack paid dividends with all four fast bowlers picking up wickets, with most of the Pakistan batsmen looking vulnerable against fast, short-pitched deliveries. As at Centurion, where he had match figures of 11 for 96, Olivier lived up to the "enforcer" tag given him by captain Faf du Plessis, regularly landing the ball in his own half of the pitch and making it rear up
Gujarat thwart UP's late fightback to enter PKL-6 final
Gujarat Fortunegiants overcame a late resurgence from UP Yoddhas to beat them 38-31 in the second qualifier on Thursday and make it to their second consecutive Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) final where they face the Bengaluru Bulls here on Saturday.
Railways defeats AP 3-0 in national volleyball
Powerhouse Railways defeated Andhra Pradesh 3-0 in the men's section of the 67th Senior Volleyball Championship here Thursday. Railwaysmen were in control throughout though the rival offered a stiff challenge in the third set. The institutional team registered a 25-17, 25-19 , 25-21 win in the group D first-round league match. In a group A tie, Kerala put it across southern rival Karnataka in straight sets, romping home 25-18, 25-20, 25-21. In the women's section, West Bengal beat Tamil Nadu 25-23, 24-26, 25-14, 25-11 in Group 'A'. In a group B match, Maharashtra women beat Karnataka 25-13, 25-18, 25-18.
MPs can learn sportsmanship from games, more such events should be organised: LS speaker
The main lesson lawmakers can learn from sporting games is the spirit of sportsmanship which can hold them in good stead in their political career, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said Thursday. She said this after inaugurating the third MPs Badminton Tournament at the Constitution Club of India here. "Badminton or be it any sports, teaches so much, and one of the main lessons is the spirit of sportsmanship. For MLAs, MPs or anyone, the lessons hold good and it helps them in their career," she said. Parliamentarians Tariq Anwar, Rajiv Pratap Rudy Tej Pratap Singh Yadav an Anurag Thakur were also present on the occasion. "During session inside Parliament, various members from different parties may have differences over issues, but in sporting arena, they all come and mingle with ease. More such sporting events should organised," Mahajan said. Rudy, a Lok Sabha member, said such events also act as a stress-busters. "Besides, members from all political parties come and play and that ...
Gujarat Fortunegiants beat UP Yoddha 38-31 in Qualifier 2
Gujarat Fortunegiants on Thursday held their nerve to defeat a resurgent UP Yoddha 38-31 in a thrilling Qualifier 2 here on Thursday to enter the final of Pro Kabaddi League season six. Gujarat Fortunegiants will clash against Bengaluru Bulls in the summit clash scheduled to take place on January 5 at the NSCI in Worli. In the second Qualifier, where the pendulum swung till the end, Gujarat emerged on top courtesy their breath-taking raids and equally stunning tackles. For Gujarat Fortunegiants, Sachin Tanwar (10 points) was the most successful raider. While K Prapanjan (5 points) and Rohit Gulia (5 points) also contributed to Gujarats win. Sunil Kumar, Iranian Hadi Oshtorak and Sachin Vittala grabbed three points each for Gujarat. While the first half was closely contested, there was no stopping Gujarat in the initial part of second half as they did not allow UP to even fetch a single point in the eight minutes and also inflicted another all-out raid to double their lead to ...
We will be tough team to beat in future: Bopanna and Sharan
Their eyes trained at an elusive Olympic medal at the 2020 Tokyo Games, India's top two tennis players, Rohan Bopanna and Divij Sharan, strongly feel they could go on to become a "tough team to beat" on the Tour. Bopanna and Sharan moved to the semifinals of the Tata Open Maharashtra after a nail-biting 6-7(4) 6-4 17-15 win over Leander Paes and his Mexican partner Miguel Angel Reyes-Varela. Bopanna, ranked 37, and Sharan (39) joined forces at the beginning of the year and have committed to play together on the Tour for the first time. Bopanna said playing with a fellow Indian and that too a left-hander is something he has not done before and it has lots of advantages. "I had had a lot of partners but I am playing with a left-hander first time. Playing with somebody from India is always better. Even when I played with Mahesh in 2012, we had great time, irrespective of results. We enjoyed the sport, so it's a bonus," said Bopanna. Sharan, who had to change about 14 partners in the 2018
Hunger for success a distinguished characteristic of Real Madrid: Perez
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez on Thursday stressed that the hunger for success is one of the distinguished characteristics of the Spanish giants.