Page 847 - Sports
Cameroon stripped of hosting 2019 African Nations Cup
Cameroon have been stripped of the right to host 2019 African Nations Cup by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) owing to their failure to meet the "compliance conditions."Confirming the report, CAF took to their official twitter handle and wrote, "Today, the @CAF_Online Executive Committee met in Accra, Ghana and has decided that @FecafootOfficie could not host the 2019 Total Africa Cup of Nations."The confederation, in a statement, stated that the decision was taken after receiving detailed updates from numerous inspection visits nearly over 18 months."After significant debate and having received detailed updates from numerous inspection visits over nearly 18 months, CAF has noted that a number of compliance conditions have not been met. In addition, after having heard from representatives of the governmental and sports authorities of Cameroon, and reviewed the latest progress on preparations, CAF notes the gap between the requirements of hosting the AFCON and realities on .
Hockey World Cup: Germany beats Pakistan 1-0 in Pool D match
Germany on Friday beat Pakistan in their Pool D match in the ongoing Hockey World Cup by a goal to nil. Despite the defeat, the South Asian team was more than satisfied with its performance against the two-time world champion team.With suspected fitness issues among the Pakistani ranks, apart from it being the lowest ranked side in the group, Germany was expected to have an easy outing. But stubborn defending from Pakistan and unforced errors from the German forwards meant the scoreline remained level.Marco Miltkau scored the only goal of the match in the 36th minute, shooting past Pakistan goalkeeper Imran Butt after being put through by Niklas Wellen.Pakistan are still in a strong position to finish above Malaysia, who were thrashed 7-0 by the Netherlands earlier in the day, in the group and be eligible for the crossover stage. Along with Pakistan defenders, Butt saved at least six clear goals, including a Penalty Corner (PC), which was the only PC of in the match.Speaking to media .
PM Modi gets hooked on to football fever in Argentina
Argentina's infectious football frenzy caught up with Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday (local time) as he received a football jersey from FIFA president Gianni Infantino during the G20 Summit here.The Prime Minister shared a picture of the blue jersey, with his name on the back, on his Twitter account, saying, " Impossible to come to Argentina and not think about football. Argentinian players are tremendously popular in India. Today, received this jersey from @FIFAcom President Gianni Infantino. I thank him for the kind gesture."On Thursday, Prime Minister had elaborated how football connected India and Argentina while addressing the 'Yoga for Peace' event."If Argentina is interested in India's philosophy, art, music and dance, there are millions of fans of the Argentine football stars in India. Maradona's name is used as a proverb in India," he said.The Prime Minister on Saturday (local time) departed for New Delhi after concluding his three-day visit to Argentine capital Buenos
Aspas leads Celta Vigo to 2-0 win over Huesca in La Liga
Celta Vigo striker Iago Aspas scored a brace on Saturday to beat Huesca 2-0 in La Liga, giving his side its first win under new coach Miguel Cardoso.
ISL: NEUFC move up despite draw against Jamshedpur FC
NorthEast United FC (NEUFC) continued with their slow but steady progress in the Indian Super League (ISL) despite a frustrating goalless draw against Jamshedpur FC at the JRD Tata Sports Complex, here on Saturday.
Tauqeer Dar praises Pakistan team for lion-hearted performance against Germany
Pakistan hockey chief coach Tauqeer Dar appreciated the efforts of the team, although they lost to Germany 0-1 in the opening pool-D match in the Men's Hockey World Cup at Kalinga Stadium here on Saturday.
River Plate refuse to play Libertadores in Madrid
River Plate said Saturday they have refused to play the Copa Libertadores final against Boca Juniors in Madrid. The match between the Argentine arch-rivals has been moved to Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu stadium after it was twice postponed last weekend after River Plate fans attacked the Boca Juniors team bus. The match is due to be played in the Spanish capital on December 9, but River Plate said they "confirmed their rejection of the change of location". In a statement on the club's website, River said it was "incomprehensible" that the game had been moved to Spain. River said the club bore no responsibility for the "faults in the security operation" for the high profile fixture in Buenos Aires. "It is incomprehensible that the superclasico cannot take place as normal in the same country where a G20 summit is currently taking place," the club added. World leaders including US President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin are attending the G20 summit in the Argentine ...
NEUFC move up despite 0-0 draw in Jamshedpur
NorthEast United FC continued with their slow but steady progress in the Indian Super League despite a frustrating goal-less draw against Jamshedpur FC at the JRD Tata Sports Complex here on Saturday. The defence of both the teams proved to be too sturdy to break down as they cancelled out each other at the end of 90 minutes. After the draw, NorthEast are at second spot in the league table with 18 points from nine matches while the hard-earned point consolidated Jamshedpur's fourth spot and preserved their unbeaten run at home this season. The teams began by passing and prodding and the first chance came when a hopeful punt by Memo for Pablo Morgado allowed the winger to slip in between Robert Lalthlamuana and Mislav Komorski to dribble into the box. The Spanish winger struck a sweet shot that flew inches wide off the post. Both defences stayed compact and made it hard for the opposing strikers to make runs in behind the backline. Clear-cut chances were few and far between in the ...
Infantino deplores 'idiots' who ruined Copa Libertadores party
FIFA President Gianni Infantino lamented that "idiots ruined the party" for everyone after the second leg of the Copa Libertadores final was moved to Madrid following fan violence. The match between Buenos Aires arch-rivals Boca Juniors and River Plate was originally scheduled for November 24 at River's Monumental stadium but was postponed after Boca players were injured when their team bus was attacked by home fans throwing projectiles. "I was here last Saturday," Infantino said at a press conference at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires. "It was a sad moment for everyone. It is a football match. It is not a war, not even a battle." "We have to work to find out who are the people to blame. You have to identify them and get them out (of football)," said Infantino. "I hope this does not happen any longer," he said. "This story must mark the end of one chapter and the start of a new one." South American football's governing body Conmebol on Thursday confirmed that the match would be played
PKL: U Mumba outclass Dabang Delhi 41-34
Maintaining his superb form, Siddharth Desai collected 19 raid points and guided U Mumba to a fantastic 41-34 victory over Dabang Delhi in a zone A contest of the ongoing Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) at the Thyagraj stadium here on Saturday.
I don't find need to get involved in confrontation with Australians: Kohli
India skipper Virat Kohli says he is now more assured of himself than the last tour here and and does not feel the need to get involved in any confrontation with the Australians in the upcoming Test series. Kohli will look to realise India's dream of winning a Test series on Australian soil when he leads the team in a four-match contest, starting with the opening match at Adelaide on December 6. Known for his on-field aggressive temperament, the 30-year-old Kohli was involved in sledging war with the Australians in the previous tour but the India captain says he has learnt from his past experience and does not expect any such incident happening during the series. "I think from last time round, I've become more assured of myself, I don't really find the need to prove anything to anyone," Kohli told 'Macquarie Sports Radio'. "In the early stage of my career I used to think of these things as important milestones which are really important in one's career, but now the focus is purely and
Fighting Pakistan lost 0-1 to Netherlands in hockey World Cup
Four-time champions Pakistan produced a lion-hearted performance before going down 0-1 to Olympic bronze medallist Germany in their opening Pool D match of the men's hockey World Cup here on Sunday. It is a creditable result for Pakistan considering the fact that the nation did not have a great build up to the tournament. There were doubts over Pakistan's participation due to lack of funds and only a last minute sponsorship deal with Haier made it possible for them to make the trip. One of the most celebrated teams of yesteryears, Pakistan hockey has been on a decline over the last few decades and they also suffer from lack of exposure. Currently ranked world no. 13, Pakistan gave a tough fight to the world no. 6 Germans by holding them till the 36th minute. The only goal of the match was scored by Germany's Marco Miltkau in the 36th minute. With Pakistan in action, it was a highly-anticipated encounter for the hockey fans of the city, especially after the neighbour's indecent ...
Vinesh, Sakshi win gold at wrestling nationals
Vinesh Phogat announced her return from injury after a successful day out by grabbing the 57 kilogram title while Sakshi Malik too did not disappoint the crowd as she emerged the champion in the 62 kg on the second day of the Tata Motors Senior Womens National Championship here on Saturday.
Kenya rules out bidding to host 2019 Africa Cup of Nations
Kenya says it will not apply to host the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals, after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) stripped Cameroon of the right to stage the tournament and announced that a new bidding process would be opened.
Teenage quick Shaheen Afridi set for Test baptism
Teenage pace sensation Shaheen Afridi is all set to cap his meteoric rise with a Test debut for Pakistan in the third match against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi starting on Monday. A shoulder injury to medium pacer Mohammad Abbas in the second Test in Dubai has paved way for Shaheen to make his mark in the last act of a gripping series which stands at 1-1. "If I get a chance I will do my best," Shaheen told AFP on Saturday. "I always had belief in my ability and in my hard work although I didn't expect my chance will come in Tests so early." The 18-year-old left-arm quick made his mark in a domestic match in September last year, claiming eight wickets for just 39 runs in a Quaid-e-Azam Trophy game, the best figures by a Pakistan bowler on first-class debut. The cricket world took notice of the 1.98 metre tall bowler who could hit the 90 miles per hour mark with the ball. Within 15 months he is already being compared to Australian pace spearhead Mitchell Starc and legendary Pakistan ...
Italian club Palermo sold for 10 euros
Palermo, the club currently top of Italy's second division, have been bought by a "London-based company" for 10 euros ($11), their owner Maurizio Zamparini announced on Saturday. Zamparini, 77, who purchased the Sicilian outfit in 2002 for 15 million euros, said he had sold "100 percent of the club" at a "symbolic price". He did not reveal the name of the new owners but said they had committed to "settling Palermo's outstanding credit of 22.8 million euros". "A meeting will take place during the coming week with representatives of the new owners, as well as the team and the city of Palermo," he said. Founded in 1900, the club has nurtured top players such as Argentine internationals Paulo Dybala and Javier Pastore and Uruguay and Paris Saint-Germain forward Edinson Cavani played for the club before it was relegated to Serie B in 2014. Palermo are top of Serie B after a 0-0 draw with Benevento on Friday. Zamparini said it was with "profound sadness" he was leaving but he was "thinking
Korean coach Kim Sang-ryul out to make China a hockey power (Column: Just Sport)
Exciting things are happening in the world of hockey for the Indians to sit up and take note, rather than be preoccupied by the murky goings-on in Indian cricket.
Mohun Bagan share spoils with Mariners after 1-1 draw in I-League
Hosts Mohun Bagan played out an entertaining 1-1 draw with table-toppers Chennai City in a Hero I-League fixture here on Saturday. Sony Norde's individual brilliance came to the forefront once again when he drew the first blood for the hosts, through an extremely well-crafted goal in the 50th minute. Chennai City also showcased their class through an exquisite goal from their Spanish midfielder Nestor Jesus in the 81st minute. The hosts pressed hard from the start but lack of good finish eluded them from scoring. The new combination of Elhussieny in the midfield along with Sony Norde and Pintu Mahata with Henry Kisekka as the lone striker seemed to be working as they made a few close attempts to score. Full marks to Chennai City's Spanish goal-keeper Nauzet Santana who ensured that the hosts can't find the back of the net. Chennai, on the other hand, were unable to break into the organised defensive line of Mohun Bagan and that did frustrate them. In the 31st minute, visiting coach ...
Tata Open: Lakshya Sen enters final, beats Thai opponent in
Young shuttler Lakshya Sen stormed into the finals of the men's singles of the 11th Tata Open India International Challenge here on Saturday after registering a come-from-behind win against Thailand's Kantawat Leelavechabutr. After losing the first set, 17-year-old Sen bounced back in style and won the next two sets to book his place in the final. Sen, who has been impressive throughout the tournament, won the semi-final clash -- 17-21, 21-9, 21-12. Sen has made it to the finals of the tournament for the second consecutive time. Meanwhile, in the women's singles category, Ashmita Chaliha defeated Thailand's Chananchida Jucharoen in straight sets -- 21-19, 21-19 -- and made her way into the finals. Ashmita will face Vrushali Gummadi in the summit clash as the latter defeated compatriot and third seeded Mugdha Agrey in straight sets 21-11, 21-12 in the other semi-final. Results: Men Singles Semi Final:Lakshya Sen (2) (India) defeated Kantawat Leelavechabutr (Thailand) ...
Adarsh Singh pips Anish Bhanwala to win 25m rapid fire pistol national title
Haryana's Adarsh Singh stunned state-mate and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Anish Bhanwala 30-29 to clinch the men's 25m rapid fire pistol title at the ongoing 62nd National Shooting Championship here Saturday. Adarsh, who has had a wonderful 2018 in the junior circuit -- winning a team gold at the Changwon World Championships and two more silver and bronze medals at the World Cups -- beat a power packed six-man field. Anish claimed the second spot with olympic silver medallist Vijay Kumar grabbing the bronze medal with a score of 24. Adarsh also won the team gold in the junior category. In the individual junior final, he swapped places with Anish to win silver. The 16-year-old Adarsh had qualified in fourth place for the final with a score of 570 while Anish had topped qualification with a score of 577.