Page 766 - Sports
Wolfsburg top Augsburg 3-2, move into 5th place in Bundesliga
VFL Wolfsburg pulled off a late 3-2 away win over Augsburg in a German Bundesliga football match at WWK Arena here.
Fernandinho passed on Brazil team spot after family was insulted: Tite
Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho refused to rejoin the Brazilian national football team because of the threats and insults made against his family on social media following his disappointing performance at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the squad's coach, Adenor Leonardo "Tite" Bacchi, said in an interview this weekend.
FC Internazionale suspends Nainggolan over attitude issues
Italy's FC Inter Milan has announced the provisional suspension of Belgian midfielder Radja Nainggolan from any football activity due to his alleged attitude problems off the pitch.
Ben Yedder rescues short-handed Sevilla in 1-1 draw vs Leganes
A last-gasp goal by France's Wissam Ben Yedder enabled Sevilla to secure a 1-1 away draw against Leganes in Spanish La Liga football action.
Melbourne Test: Seven-year-old to co-captain Australia
Australia named a seven-year-old boy as their co-captain ahead of the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), starting December 26.The young cricket fan, Archie Schiller, who was diagnosed with a rare heart condition when he was just three months old, was last month informed about his inclusion in the Test series by head coach Justin Langer, International Cricket Council reported.Australia Test skipper Tim Paine officially made the announcement about Schiller's co-captaincy during a Family Day event at Yarra Park on December 23."Obviously Arch (Schiller) and his family have been through a really tough period. When his dad asked him what he wanted to do, he said 'I want to captain Australia,'" Paine said.Schiller has also taken training with the team ahead of their first Test at the Adelaide Oval."I think he has been picked up along the way and we are delighted to have someone like that around. He adds a bit of perspective I think. .To have ...
Langer surprised at ICC's Perth rating, seeks bat-ball balance to avoid boredom
Australia coach Justin Langer Monday expressed surprise that the ICC had rated the Perth pitch 'average', saying Test cricket becomes "boring" in the absence of balance between bat and ball. "I was really surprised (about Perth rating). A couple of deliveries stayed low, but I thought it was entertaining Test cricket. That was the fastest pitch I've ever seen in Perth and I've been there a long time," he said. Australia won the second Test against India in Perth to restore parity in the four-match series. About the Melbourne Cricket Ground, venue for the third Test, he offered caution knowing how the pitch plays out over the course of five days. "It's great to see some grass. I've said forever the most important thing in Test cricket are the pitches. If you have great pitches you'll have contest between bat and ball, then Test cricket will be alive and well. "If we play on flat wickets then it becomes a boring game and that's from someone who loves Test cricket. Hopefully it's a ...
Aim is to be in top 50, says Prajnesh
India's number one singles player Prajnesh Gunneswaran, who is coming off a successful season during which he won two Challenger titles, said 2018 was his best year and the aim was to "ideally be in the top 50". "2018 has been my best season. I'm looking to have a better 2019. I have given myself a good platform to push and I hope that happens," the 29-year old left-hander, ranked 107 in the ATP rankings (as of Dec 24), said. The Chennai player, who has overcome injuries to fight his way back into the circuit, said the priority was to stay in the top 100. "I mean being inside the top 100, possibly if I do well there is a chance to be in the top 50 in the world. But I am more interested in making sure I improve enough to be able to compete in the Tour level, in the Tour events. "... And as I long I am inside the top 100, then I have done a decent job of keeping my ranking and my level. But the goal would ideally be to get around 50," Prajnesh said on the sidelines of a TNTA event to ...
Rayo Vallecano downs Levante 2-1 in La Liga action
In their last La Liga match of 2018, Rayo Vallecano downed Levante 2-1, thus pulling themselves a bit closer to the threshold where they could avoid relegation in the Spanish football league.
Consistency with performance is specialty of PV Sindhu: VP Naidu
Complimenting ace badminton player PV Sindhu for clinching her maiden gold at the World Tour Finals Championship, Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Monday said that "consistency with performance is the specialty" of the Indian shuttler."I am really happy to have met PV Sindhu and her family members. She has created a history by her victory and getting the gold medal at World Championship at the recent match held at China," Naidu told ANI after meeting Sindhu and her family here."She has brought name and fame to our country. So, I congratulate her on this stupendous victory, hard-work, discipline, dedication she is showing to the game. And in the determined manner in which she is playing the game and winning one after the another, creating record after record and then at this engage getting a world medal at a world level competition is really praise-worthy," he added.Terming the 23-year-old as a role model, the Vice President hopes that all youngsters will draw inspiration from her. .
River Plate return to Argentina, celebrate Copa Libertadores title with fans
Argentine football club River Plate returned home after winning the Copa Libertadores title in Madrid and participating in the FIFA Club World Cup in the United Arab Emirates to celebrate their victory with fans at the Monumental Stadium in the capital.
I may score a 100 or even 200 in 3rd Test: Rahane
India vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane was Monday confidence personified, saying his rhythm and counter-attacking mindset could help him rack up not just a ton but a double at the Boxing Day Test. Rahane has hit two fifties in his 164 runs from the first two Tests but a three-figure score has eluded him since scoring a century against Sri Lanka in Colombo last year. "I am sure it will come in this match. The way I am batting, from Adelaide to perth, the mindset I was in to counter attack and the rhythm I was batting in, maybe 100 or even 200 can come," said the 30-year-old. "I think it is more important for me not to think about it. I have to continue batting the way I am. I can read the situation a bit better and if I can play like that it will be better for the team. Personal milestones can be achieved later as well. "I am really happy (to return here for Boxing Day Test). We all know how big it is and to come here at 1-1 is really good. We had our chances in Perth but it is important to
Langer saw 'a bit of Aussie humour' in Paine-Kohli's heated exchanges
The war of words between Tim Paine and Virat Kohli was a throwback to the heydays of Australian cricket for coach Justin Langer, who saw in it "a bit of Aussie humour". "I loved watching that. We saw a bit of Aussie humour - call it sledging, banter, what you like. There was a bit of humour to it, and we pride ourselves on that. The great days I have seen in Australian cricket, that's all it is. "It's so much fun, that's why when people tell me 'there can't be any speaking out on the ground'. I say it'd make it boring, like playing on a flat wicket," Langer said on Monday. Kohli's heated exchanges with his Australian counterpart Paine in the second Test have been a subject of discussion. "It doesn't need to be angry, doesn't need to be abusive. But when there's that humour and there's a bit of - we've also got to stand up for ourselves. That's really important. "That's the Australian way of doing things as well. We've got to stand up for ourselves. I thought the way Tim did it - I am .
Bajrang, Vinesh emerge new superstars of Indian wrestling in 2018
Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat attained superstardom with historic medals but two other history-makers found themselves grappling for relevance in a year during which Indian wrestling moved towards a hitherto unexplored contracts system. With the national federation's decision to introduce a contracts system for 150 grapplers in India, the sport is set to be professionalised like never before. What was more historic than this move was the way Bajrang and Vinesh meticulously went about giving solid performances through the year. It was not just the gold medals but the manner in which the two won them, which raised hopes of India getting its first gold-medallist in the sport come Olympics in less than two years' time. Speaking of Olympics, 2018 was largely forgettable for Sushil Kumar -- India's only double Olympic-medallist -- and Sakshi Malik -- the country's first and only woman wrestler to win a medal at the biggest stage. Sushil still had a CWG gold, albeit in a not-so-strong ...
Kohli is a fantastic captain: Starc
Australian pace spearhead Mitchell Starc has described Virat Kohli as a "fantastic captain", having shared the dressing room with the India captain while representing Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League. Kohli's on-field heated exchanges with Australia skipper Tim Paine in the second Test turned out to be a subject of discussion with many former players, including Mitchell Johnson, criticising the batting maestro's behaviour. However, Starc backed Kohli. "I've played a couple of IPLs with Virat and he's been fantastic to play under, as a captain," Starc told reporters. "Obviously, he's a fantastic player. The way India play this series and go about their cricket, it's up to them." Starc, who was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2014, had emerged as a key bowler for the IPL team. He parted ways with Bangalore in February last year before being picked by Kolkata Knight Riders early this year. Starc, though, was ruled out of the 2018 IPL season due to injury .
Ind v Aus: Visualisation helps me in counterattacking, says Ajinkya Rahane
Ahead of the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), India vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane on Monday said that visualisation really helps him counterattacking the opponents."I am an attacking batsman but definitely need visualization, and read the situation. I visualise not only in my room but in the dressing room as well. I think reading the situation is really important because we all know about Australian attack. They come really hard at us and the best option is to go out in the middle and put them on the back foot rather than just taking your time," Rahane told the reporters at a pre-match press conference.Having lost four wickets at the meager score of 56 by the lunch in the first session at Adelaide, the visitors were in deep trouble with almost their entire top-order back in the pavilion. Cheteshwar Pujara, along with middle-order and tail-enders, knitted small partnerships and smashed 123 runs, which helped his side win the first ...
Relishing going head-to-head with Kohli but not annoyed at all: Paine
Australia skipper Tim Paine said Monday he is "relishing going head-to-head" with his Indian counterpart Virat Kohli in a Test series and looked forward to "intense, hard" cricket in the Boxing Day game at Melbourne. The pair had heated exchanges in the second Test at Perth, prompting the umpire to intervene. Australia won the game to level the four-match series at 1-1. Paine said he understands that Kohli never liked to lose. "A lot was made of my battle with Virat in the second Test, and for the past few years when I haven't been playing international cricket, he was one guy I loved watching," he said in a column for 'Herald Sun'. "Now to be out in the middle going head-to-head with him in a Test series is something I'm really relishing." Paine said he was not annoyed "in the slightest" by Kohli. "Virat is someone who is prepared to wear his heart on his sleeve and like all professional athletes, hates to lose," he said. "I like the way Virat plays. I don't know him personally but ..
Pochettino focused on Spurs success after hitting Everton for six
Tottenham Hotspur showed why manager Mauricio Pochettino is a wanted man by thrashing Everton 6-2 at Goodison Park to close to within six points of Premier League leaders Liverpool. Spurs have had to cope with the unwanted attention of Pochettino being linked with the Manchester United job following Jose Mourinho's sacking this week. But they showed no signs of being distracted as they roared back from a goal down thanks to doubles from Son Heung-min and Harry Kane with Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen also on target. "There is a lot of rumours but our job is Tottenham and we have to be focused to try to be successful," said Pochettino. Fatigue may yet still derail Tottenham's bid to win a first trophy under Pochettino with Spurs still involved in four competitions. But with Liverpool facing Arsenal and Manchester City in a top-of-the-table clash in their next three games over the festive period, Tottenham have the opportunity to haul themselves into a three-way title race if they ...
Runs key as top South Africa, Pakistan bowlers square up
Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur identified the need for his batsmen to post good totals as a key factor in their three-Test series against South Africa, starting at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Wednesday. "The one thing we do know is that we can get 20 wickets comfortably. Our challenge is to get to 350-400 (runs)," Arthur said in a pre-tour interview. It is a refrain that could be echoed by Ottis Gibson, his South African counterpart, ahead of a series which pits two strong sets of bowlers against potentially fragile batting line-ups in a country where conditions usually offer bowlers plenty of encouragement. The bowling strength of both teams is formidable, despite the lack of what had been anticipated as an intriguing match-up of exceptionally accurate seamers between South Africa's Vernon Philander and Pakistan's rising star Mohammad Abbas. Philander has a broken finger, while Abbas is recovering from a shoulder injury. Abbas did not bowl in Pakistan's win against a South African .
Tendulkar dismisses Perth pitch's 'average' rating
Former Indian legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar has expressed his disagreement over the International Cricket Council's (ICC) decision to rate the Perth pitch, where India and Australia played their second Test of the ongoing four-match series, as 'average.'Taking to his Twitter handle, the 45-year-old said that there is a need of pitches like Perth in order to revive the Test cricket, adding that the track was by no means 'average.'"Pitches play a crucial role, especially in Test cricket. In order to revive Test cricket and generate excitement, we need to provide more pitches like the one at Perth, where the skills of batsmen and bowlers are truly TESTed. This pitch was by no means "Average," Tendulkar wrote.ICC had given the 'average' rating to the Perth pitch which is the lowest possible pass mark provided by the global governing body while evaluating the pitch and outfield of a Test ground.Many former players including Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson and English cricketer
PKL: Dabang Delhi beat Bengal Warriors 37-31
Bengal Warriors unbeaten run in their home leg came to an end as they lost 31-37 to Dabang Delhi in the Pro Kabaddi League here on Sunday.