Page 859 - Sports
Modi congratulates Indian Hockey team
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday greeted the Indian Hockey Team for a 5-0 victory over South Africa in their opening match at the 2018 Hockey World Cup campaign in Bhubaneswar.
Hockey WC: PM Modi congratulates India for victory in opening clash
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday congratulated the Indian men's hockey team for kicking off their journey on a massive 5-0 victory over South Africa in the 14th edition of the Men's Hockey World Cup in the second Pool C match at the Kalinga Stadium on Wednesday evening."Fantastic start for the Indian Hockey team! Congratulations to our team for an impressive win against South Africa in their opening match at the World Cup in Odisha. Best wishes for the upcoming games. @TheHockeyIndia #HWC2018," the Prime Minister tweeted.India forward player Mandeep Singh pounced on the ball to score the first goal for his side. Not letting the opportunity slip out of their hands, another India forward Akashdeep Singh scored a beautiful goal from a difficult angle. India were leading 2-0 by the end of the first half of the match.As the match progressed, the hosts missed a couple of chances. Nevertheless, India made a dominating comeback as they completely destroyed the winning hopes of South ..
Extreme weather 'major' issue for Tokyo 2020
The possibility of extreme summer heat and typhoons in Tokyo is a "major issue" for the 2020 Olympics, a top official said Thursday, admitting there would be a knock-on effect on the budget. Speaking to bosses from Olympic Committees around the world, Tokyo CEO Toshiro Muto said the Japanese capital had endured "unprecedented heat weather and typhoons last summer." "Tokyo 2020 considers those as major issues," said Muto, adding that organisers and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) were working together on ways to mitigate the impact on athletes and fans. IOC chief Thomas Bach said on Wednesday that medical experts were proposing measures to protect competitors and supporters throughout the Games. Tokyo sweltered through a series of deadly heatwaves last summer, raising concerns for the wellbeing of athletes, especially competitors of endurance events such as the marathon and race walking. Organisers have already brought forward the marathon start time to 7am to get cooler ...
Liverpool on the ropes as PSG close in on Champions League knockouts
Paris Saint-Germain took a big step towards qualifying for the Champions League knockout stages after Neymar helped sink Liverpool in a blistering 2-1 win at the Parc des Princes. The Brazilian struck in the 37th minute after Juan Bernat's early opener to put qualification for the last 16 in the French champions' hands and leave Jurgen Klopp's team needing to beat Napoli 1-0 or by two clear goals in two week's time to guarantee a place in the knockout stage. Thomas Tuchel's PSG have massive European ambitions but have flattered to deceive on the continent since being taken over by Qatari investors, and after defeats at Anfield and draws with Group C leaders Napoli Wednesday's win gives them a great chance of qualifying from an extremely tight group. They are in second place but still need a win at Red Star Belgrade -- who they beat 6-1 in Paris in October -- to ensure a knockout berth as they go into the final round of fixtures just two points ahead of Liverpool. "It was our last ...
Neymar inspires PSG to leave Liverpool in danger in Champions League
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp hit out at the referee and Neymar as his side slumped to a 2-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain that leaves last season's runners-up dangerously close to an early Champions League exit. Juan Bernat and Neymar scored to put PSG in control in the first half in the French capital on Wednesday, before a James Milner penalty on the stroke of half-time ensured this pivotal game remained in the balance until the death. PSG knew a defeat here coupled with an unfavourable result in the night's other Group C game could see the ambitious Qatar-owned club eliminated already. But instead it is Liverpool -- beaten in each of their last five games away from Anfield in the Champions League -- who now seem the more likely to miss out on the last 16. "When you saw their line-up, the approach they chose was full risk, especially in the beginning, to try everything as long as your legs carry you. The quality they have meant it was obviously quite intense to deal with," ...
Defending champion Azimeraw to face Kiplagat in Tata Steel Kolkata 25K run
Defending champion Degitu Azimeraw will square up against Kenya's two-time world champion Florence Kiplagat in the women's event of the Tata Steel Kolkata 25K run (TSK25K) here on December 16.
Rahman, Salman enthral hockey lovers at Barabati
Over 30,000 people on Wednesday evening thronged the Barabati Stadium here to witness the second leg of the inaugural function of the World Cup Men's Hockey tournament. Renowned music composer A R Rahman, who had performed at the inaugural ceremony at Bhubaneswar on Tuesday, enthralled the crowd with his signature tunes. Bollywood star Salman Khan also took to the stage and spoke in Odia, much to the delight of the spectators. Khan added it was his first visit to the "beautiful" Odisha. Rahman was accompanied by nearly 100 technical staff, who performed for about an hour on a massive stage fitted with a LED screen, which also beamed the live telecast of India's opening encounter against South Africa.
Will try to give less chance to Belgium in next match: Indian captain
Hosts India, which began their journey in the Men's World Hockey World Cup by thrashing South Africa 5-0 at the Kalinga Stadium here, on Wednesday said they will try to give minimum chances to World number-3 Belgium in the next match.
Can not afford to miss crucial chances against Belgium: Manpreet Singh
Indian men's hockey team skipper Manpreet Singh has stated that the team could not afford to miss the crucial chances against Belgium like they did against South Africa in their first league match of the ongoing 14th edition of the Hockey World Cup on Wednesday.India defeated South Africa 5-0 in the first league match of the tournament and will next face the Rio Olympics finalists Belgium in the second match of the Pool C.The skipper underscored that Belgium, being a quality side, will not give India the second chance which is why they should not repeat the mistakes they committed against Canada."Overall, we played a good game but we still need to improve. We got many chances in the match but we missed them. We could not convert many of the penalty corners. Our next match is with Belgium and we should not miss the crucial chances," Manpreet said."Belgium are a good side. They have the ability to punish us for our mistakes. We need to keep our defence strong against them," he ...
Pune, Bengaluru win in PKL
Puneri Paltan staged a superb comeback to beat Haryana Steelers 35-33 in a thrilling Pro Kabaddi League match here on Wednesday.
Resolute ATK hold lacklustre FC Goa
A resolute ATK defence managed to keep the dangerous Ferran Corominas at bay and hold FC Goa for a goalless draw in their Indian Super League football fixture here Wednesday. FC Goa started off on the front foot but as the game settled, the hosts started making plays of their own but neither side managed to get the winner in an intriguing contest. This was ATK's second successive draw as they stay put on sixth position with 12 points from nine matches. The Gaurs, on the other hand, climbed to second spot on the table with 17 points from nine matches. The Goans had definite chance to go one up in the 66th minute when substitute Manvir Singh slammed the ball from an angle that caught Andre Bikey's arm inside the box but referee Rahul Kumar Gupta seemed blindsided. John Johnson-led ATK defence did a fine job in not giving any space to the ISL's leading goalscorer Coro. ATK midfielder Pronay Halder had a bloody nose after Lenny Rodrigues caught him on the bridge of the nose with his ...
ISL: ATK, Goa share the spoils in tense battle
There was no revenge, either for Manuel Lanzarote or Sergio Lobera as ATK and FC Goa were involved in an engaging stalemate in an Indian Super League (ISL) clash at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan here on Wednesday.
Real Betis coach not worried about Europa League clash vs Olympiacos
Real Betis coach Quique Setien said on Wednesday that the upcoming UEFA Europa League group stage match against Greek club Olympiacos is important, but that he is not worried about its result.
At least 15 injured in clashes at AEK Athens-Ajax match, report finds
At least 15 people were injured during clashes between fans of Greek football club AEK Athens and Dutch club Ajax Amsterdam just before the UEFA Champions League Group E match here, according to the official assessment presented Wednesday.
Akash was lethal in his new role of linkman: Harendra
An out-and-out striker, Akashdeep Singh excelled in the role of a linkman in India's hockey World Cup opener against South Africa and chief coach Harendra Singh on Wednesday said the forward was used in a new position because of his terrific peripheral vision. Akashdeep impressed all and sundry in his new role as linkman by not only setting up a goal for Lalit Upadhyay but also scoring one in India's 5-0 rout of South Africa in their Pool C opener. Asked about Akashdeep's performance, Harendra said: "He (Akashdeep) has very good peripheral vision and so we used him little down from his usual position as linkman. He is lethal as a linkman and we have three strikers floating inside the circle. "If you go back 15 years, Dhanraj (Pillay) changed his role from the 2002 World Cup. He became a playmaker and Deepak (Thakur) and Prabhjot (Singh) scored. I am very happy with Akash. He is taking the lead. In every department we have a leader. I hope we continue that way throughout the ...
WADA team pays first visit to Moscow doping lab
A team of World Anti-Doping Agency experts had access for the first time to the Moscow drug-testing laboratory on Wednesday, the Russian Sports Ministry announced. The visit was to prepare access to data and control samples dating back to the period, from 2011 to 2015 which has brought Russia bans for institutional doping. WADA has made access to the lab a condition of the continued reinstatement of Russian doping agency RUSADA. "As part of our agreements with WADA, the meeting of the technical expert group was held to discuss methods and mechanisms of sample transfer," said the Ministry of Sports in an announcement reported by Russian agency TASS. "The experts presented their vision of what needed to happen," the statement said. "As agreed, they had access to the laboratory." The lab had been sealed off by the Russian authorities who said they were conducting their own investigation. The ministry added that the Russian and WADA delegations were each represented by three people. WADA .
Clarrie who? Yasir targets Australian legend's record
Pakistan leg-spinner Yasir Shah does not know much about Clarrie Grimmett but is aware that he has a strong chance of shattering a record set by the Australian 82 years ago. Yasir tormented New Zealand on his way to a match haul of 14-184 to help Pakistan achieve a series-leveling win by an innings and 16 runs in the second Test in Dubai on Tuesday. The 32-year-old now has 195 wickets in 32 Tests and needs just five more in the third and final Test starting in Abu Dhabi from Monday to become the quickest bowler to reach 200 Test wickets. In fact, he will take the record if he can pick up those wickets any time in his next three Tests as Grimmett -- also a leg-spinner -- took his 200th wicket in his 36th Test against South Africa in 1936. Yasir admits the record is in his mind but knows little about the holder of it. "Grimmett? I don't know much about him," said Yasir. "He played so many years ago, but I know about the record because his name comes first whenever I see the list. "I ...
Ireland footballing icon Keane hangs up boots
Irish football legend Robbie Keane brought the curtain down on over two decades as a player on Wednesday saying his career had exceeded all his hopes when he was a "football-mad boy growing up in Dublin". The 38-year-old -- his country's record goalscorer on 68 well clear of Niall Quinn who is next with 21 -- is to focus on his new duties as assistant manager to new Ireland handler Mick McCarthy. Keane, who replaces Roy Keane (no relation) in the role after the latter and manager Martin O'Neill were fired last week, captained Ireland for a decade. "Today, after 23 wonderful years, I am formally announcing my retirement as a professional footballer," Keane said in a statement. "From Crumlin United around the world to the likes of Milan, London and Los Angeles, I could never have imagined the path my football life would take. "It has exceeded all the hopes I had as a football-mad boy growing up in Dublin." Keane, unlike his near namesake, enjoyed good relations with McCarthy in the ...
Violence in Athens puts Ajax fans and police in hospital
Six Ajax fans as well as three police were hospitalised after violent confrontations with AEK supporters at a Champions League game in Athens, Greek authorities said on Wednesday. A statement said the police were "injured by thrown bottles and other objects." Most of the injuries were slight but one police officer was kept in hospital overnight. Earlier the police had reported 11 injured. Greek riot police intervened at the beginning of the match following clashes between supporters. Spectators launched flares and a Molotov cocktail from the stands of the Olympic Stadium in the Greek capital, an AFP photographer at the game reported, adding that at least three Ajax supporters were injured by police batons. Police said there were also confrontations in the city centre on the eve of the match as fans of another Athens club, Panathinaikos, who have a bond with Ajax after the two clubs met in the 1971 European Cup final, joined Dutch fans in fighting AEK supporters. Ajax won 2-0 in Athens
Hockey WC: India thrash South Africa 5-0 in opening clash
India kicked off their journey in the ongoing 14th edition of the Men's Hockey World Cup on a winning note as they registered a massive 5-0 victory over South Africa in the second Pool C match here at the Kalinga Stadium on Wednesday.The attacking mindset, which their coach Harendra Singh had advocated before the start of the prestigious tournament, was visible on the field as the Indian players were not letting the ball slip out of their possession.After making a steady start, India did not waste much time and scored their first goal in the ninth minute of the match on a penalty corner. Indian defender Harmanpreet Singh took a long drag flick but it was saved by the outstretched hands of the South African goalkeeper. Not letting the opportunity slip out of their hands, forward player Mandeep Singh pounced on the ball to score the first goal for his side.Just two minutes after scoring the first goal of the match, another Indian forward Akashdeep Singh capitalized on a brilliant ...