Page 801 - Sports
Villarreal advance to Europa League round-of-32
Villarreal have booked a berth in the knockout phase of the Europa League, thanks to a 2-0 win over Spartak Moscow in head coach Luis Garcia Plaza's debut.
Betis win Europa League group
Real Betis finished first in Europe League Group F despite managing only a 0-0 draw with last placed Dudelange in the final match of the opening stage.
Koreas to meet IOC in February on joint Olympic bid
The two Koreas on Friday agreed to hold talks with the International Olympic Committee on their joint bid for the 2032 Summer Games in February, Seoul said, as a rapid diplomatic thaw takes hold on the peninsula. North and South Korean officials will meet with the IOC in Lausanne, Switzerland on February 15 to discuss the prospects of co-hosting the 2032 Olympics, according to a joint statement following a cross-border meeting on Friday. Making a joint bid for the 2032 Games was part of a broader agreement made between the North's leader Kim Jong Un and the South's President Moon Jae-in during their third summit in Pyongyang in September. If it materialises, it will mark the first time for the Olympics, summer or winter, to be shared by two countries. The two sides also agreed to form unified teams at the Tokyo Summer Paralympics in 2020, in addition to their earlier deal to jointly compete at the Olympics in the same year. They have yet to determine which Olympic sport will have ...
History beckons Australia in WC semifinal against Netherlands, Belgium to face England
A rare history awaits two-time defending champions Australia as they chase a record hat-trick of titles, taking on Netherlands in the semi-finals of the men's hockey World Cup at the Kalinga Stadium here on Saturday. World no. 1 Australia is second only to four-time champions Pakistan, having won the world title thrice before, which includes back-to-back gold medals in the last two editions of the tournament in 2010 and 2014. Come Saturday, the Kookaburras will be chasing their third consecutive world crown. But it would be easier said than done as in world no.4 Netherlands a tough contest awaits Australia. The Dutch, who have won the title thrice before -- the last time being in 1998 --, too would be desperate to break their 20-year-old jinx. Netherlands would be high on confidence especially after their hard-fought 2-1 win over home favourites India in the quarterfinals on Thursday. Going by form and world ranking, it is expected to be an edge of the seat thriller between the two ...
Real Kashmir allege ill-treatment by Gokulam Kerala, seek police protection
Real Kashmir FC Friday alleged they were hurled abuses and manhandled by officials of Gokulam Kerala, who "deprived" the visitors of training facilities ahead of their I-League game in Kozhikode. Lying third after a sensational start to their maiden season in top-flight, Real Kashmir are scheduled to face seventh-placed Gokulam Kerala at the EMS Corporation Stadium on Saturday. Real Kashmir even threatened to pull out of the game if they are not provided police protection. On their part, Gokulam Kerala FC issued a clarification and alleged poor and irresponsible behaviour by Real Kashmir FC. The visiting Real Kashmir too issued a statement, giving the sequence of events. "An unfortunate incident happened today morning in Kozhikode in Kerala when the coach and other members of RKFC were abused and heckled by officials of Gokulam Kerala FC," the Kashmir club said in a statement. "As per protocol, the home team is supposed to provide a ground two days ahead of the main game for practice.
Big Bash and Super League will help in World Cup: Smriti Mandhana
With the next T20 World Cup to be played on Australian soil, Indian opening batter Smriti Mandhana on Friday stated that her experience in the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) and Super League will keep her well-positioned.Mandhana, named as BCCI best international cricketer in June, told Cricket Australia that dealing with expectation helps in big tournaments. "As a player, you need to come out of comfort zone . when you come out and play in the WBBL or the KSL (England Super League) there are different expectations of you as a foreign player. And dealing with those expectations helps when you play in big tournaments like a World Cup.""I had that in my mind but as a player, you need to come out of your comfort zone. All my coaches said you need to go if you want to develop as a player you need to leave your comfort zone," she added.The T20 vice-captain could not make an impact in the recent World T20 as she passed the 50-run mark just once. However, Mandhana has been in an excellent ...
2nd Test: Australia post 145/3 at tea
Australia posted 145/3 at tea on the opening day of the second cricket Test against India here on Friday.
Dominic Thiem desires to clinch Grand Slam title
Ahead of the 2019 Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) season, the world number eight Dominic Thiem expressed his desire to clinch maiden Grand Slam title."I have been dreaming about that (Grand Slam title) since my childhood," Sport24 quoted Thiem, as saying."At the end of 2019, I would like to be placed in the top five," he added.In spite of adding three titles to his collection this year at the St. Petersburg Open, Lyon Open and Buenos Aires, Thiem on his way to win the first major at French Open fell short to the King of Clay Rafael Nadal by 4-6, 3-6, 2-6 and settled at the second place.
AC Milan crash out of Europa League
AC Milan were eliminated from the Europa League with a 1-3 loss to Olympiacos, who will advance to the next stage as the second-place team in Group F.
No drastic changes needed after World Cup exit: Merwyn Fernandes
In the past few years, every time the Indian hockey team has fared poorly in a major tournament, the axe usually fell on the head coach, a fear former stars have after the hosts crashed out of the 2018 World Cup with a heartbreaking quarter-final loss to the Netherlands here.
Tea Board
The scoreboard at tea on day one of the second Test between India and Australia here on Friday. Australia first innings: Marcus Harris c A Rahane b Hanuma Vihari 70 Aaron Finch lbw b Bumrah 50 Usman Khawaja c Pant b Umesh 5 Shaun Marsh batting 8 Peter Handscomb batting 4 Extra (LB-2, W-5, NB-1) 8 Total (for 3 wickets in 53 overs) 145 Fall of Wickets: 112-1, 130-2, 134-3. Bowlers: Ishant Sharma 10-5-19-0, Jasprit Bumrah 15-6-29-1,Umesh Yadav 13-2-48-1, Mohammed Shami 12-2-37-0, Hanuma Vihari 3-1-10-1.
Chelsea condemns anti-Semitic chant by fans in Budapest
Chelsea has issued a harsh condemnation of its supporters after several were heard singing an anti-Semitic chant during the 2-2 draw against Vidi in the Europa League on Thursday. The chanting occurred just days after Chelsea suspended four fans from attending its matches after police launched an investigation into their racial abuse of Manchester City's Raheem Sterling during a Premier League game on Saturday. Chelsea says, "Anti-Semitism and any other kind of race-related or religious hatred is abhorrent to this club and the overwhelming majority of our fans. Any individuals (who) can't summon the brainpower to comprehend this simple message and are found to have shamed the club by using anti-Semitic or racist words or actions will face the strongest possible action from the club." The chants began just minutes into the game as the traveling supporters recited a chant about Tottenham fans. UEFA says it will wait for a report from the referee to react.
Sri Lanka reeling from upheaval ahead of New Zealand Tests
Sri Lanka will hope to put poor form and off-field chaos behind them when they face New Zealand in the first Test at Wellington's Basin Reserve on Saturday. The tourists' preparations have been anything but smooth, with changes to their coaching staff increasing pressure on a team coming off a 3-0 Test series whitewash against England last month. Former England player Jonathan Lewis was named as the side's new batting coach this week, joining Australia's Steve Rixon, who was brought in as fielding coach last week. Sri Lanka's bowling coach Nuwan Zoysa was suspended by the International Cricket Council in October after he was accused of match-fixing and other "corrupt conduct". That same month, ex-chief selector and former captain Sanath Jayasuriya was charged for failing to cooperate with a match-fixing probe. Adding to their woes, off-spinner Akila Dananjaya was suspended this month for having an illegal bowling action, and the national team's selection panel was sacked over the ...
Richa's prior kabaddi experience comes in handy for 'Panga'
Actress Richa Chadha, who has been training in kabaddi for Ashwini Iyer Tiwari's "Panga", says she used to play the sport during her school days and that is coming in handy now.
2nd Test: Australia off to steady start (Lunch Report)
Australia posted 66/0 in their first innings at lunch on the opening day of the second cricket Test against India here on Friday.
Lunch Scoreboard
The scoreboard at lunch on day one of the second Test between India and Australia here on Friday. Australia first innings: Marcus Harris batting 36 Aaron Finch batting 28 Extras (LB-1, NB-1) 2 Total (for no loss in 26 Overs) 66 Bowlers: Ishant Sharma 7-4-16-0, Jasprit Bumrah 9-2-26-0, Umesh Yadav 5-1-19-0, Mohammed Shami 5-2-4-0.
Australian openers defy India on green top
Openers Marcus Harris and Aaron Finch kept the Indian pacers at bay on a green top, taking Australia to 66 for no loss at lunch on day one of the second Test here on Friday. After the session lasting 26 overs, Finch was unbeaten on 28 runs (81 balls), while Harris was on 36 not out (76 balls). This was after the hosts won the toss and opted to bat. Australia named an unchanged eleven from the first Test, while India made two changes. Hanuma Vihari and Umesh Yadav came in for the injured Rohit Sharma and R Ashwin, as India fielded an all-pace attack for only the third time in their Test history. The Perth wicket at the Optus Stadium was talked up a raging green-top wicket, but the Australian openers defied all that speculation. For their part, Indian pacers chipped in with all possible help and bowled a poor first spell with the new ball. Ishant Sharma (0-16) started with a delivery down leg as the first Test ball to be bowled at this ground. It didn't change much for this first spell .
Pioneer of women's cricket in Pakistan, Sharmeen Khan passes away
Former Pakistan cricketer Sharmeen Khan, who played in the country's first-ever women's national team, passed away at the age of 46 in Lahore on Thursday.Sharmeen, who was suffering from pneumonia, had arrived in Pakistan only two days ago and succumbed to the disease after a brief battle, confirmed the International Cricket Council (ICC).Educated at Leeds in England, Sharmeen, along with her sister Shazia, was instrumental in getting Pakistan a women's cricket team. The sisters went onto secure International Women's Cricket Council membership for Pakistan in 1996 that cleared their path to the World Cup 1997 held in India.Having made her Test debut against New Zealand in 1997 and ODI debut against Sri Lanka in 1998, the right-handed batter and pacer, Sharmeen had represented her side in two Tests and 26 ODIs until 2002.
Italy arrests five Frankfurt fans before Europa League game
Italian police on Thursday arrested five Eintracht Frankfurt fans after clashes near the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, where their team beat Lazio in the Europa League. Nearly 9,000 German fans were in the Italian capital for the match between the teams, who had already qualified from Group H, with Eintracht in first place and Lazio in second. Most of the away supporters were escorted directly to the stadium in coaches. But a group of 200 to 300 fans attempted on foot to get through a police block next to the stadium in a bid to reach the Lazio supporters, setting off smoke bombs and firecrackers, police said. Frankfurt won 2-1 after coming back from a goal down thanks to two second-half strikes. Shortly after Lazio scored, German fans had charged the pitch, before stewards and police marched them off. Hundreds of Eintracht Frankfurt supporters had camped out earlier Thursday in the historic Piazza del Popolo in the heart of Rome, which they left littered with beer bottles. Traffic in the
AC Milan out of Europe as Eintracht fans run riot at Lazio
Olympiakos dumped AC Milan out of the Europa League on Thursday after beating the seven-time European champions 3-1 in a pulsating clash in Greece, while Eintracht Frankfurt fans ran riot during the German side's win at Lazio and Celtic made the knockout stages despite losing to Salzburg at Celtic Park. Captain Kostas Fortounis' penalty nine minutes from time saw the Greeks move into second place in Group F ahead of Gennaro Gattuso's Milan, who thought they had squeaked through when Cristian Zapata had pulled a goal back less than two minutes after putting the hosts 2-0 up with a comical own goal. Olympiakos finished level on 10 points with Milan but qualified ahead of the Italians thanks to their superior goal difference following Milan's 3-1 win over the Greeks in October, and they end the group stage two points behind group winners Real Betis, who drew 0-0 at Dudelange. Five Eintracht Frankfurt fans had been arrested in clashes with police in Rome ahead of their dead-rubber Group H