Page 926 - Sports
Harika bows out of World Women Chess Championship
Indian challenge ended at the World Women Chess Championship with grandmaster D Harika bowing out following a defeat against former champion Alexandra Kosteniuk of Russia in the second set of tie-break games here. Harika had carried the Indian hopes nicely till the tie-breaker of the third round. However, she got a jolt in the first game of the rapid tie-break where both players had 25 minutes on their clock. The Indian looked down and out but a major comeback was on the cards as she won the return game with white pieces to level scores. But in the 10-minute games, Harika again lost the first game with black on Sunday. While it is up to the pundits to decide her downfall, it was the same opening she chose with black -- the Isolated queen pawn opening position coming out of a French Tarrasch. Kosteniuk was confident as she had been successful in her first attempt. And as it happened, her instinct held her well. The Isolated pawn in French defense has been considered about equal for a ..
Man City dominate Man Utd, Liverpool win but Chelsea, Arsenal stumble
Manchester City stormed back to the top of the Premier League with a 3-1 derby win at home to Manchester United as Liverpool maintained their title challenge to the champions with a 2-0 victory over Fulham. Chelsea, like the top two, remain unbeaten under Maurizio Sarri but lost ground in a goalless draw at home to Everton on Sunday. Arsenal also missed the chance to leapfrog North London rivals Spurs into fourth and needed Henrikh Mkhitaryan's late equaliser to salvage a 1-1 draw with Wolves at the Emirates. City remain two points clear of Liverpool, but open four-point gap on Chelsea. A fourth league defeat of the season leaves United languishing in eighth, 12 points off the top. Goals early in each half from David Silva and Sergio Aguero left City in a commanding position before an Anthony Martial penalty gave United hope of a comeback. But Ilkay Gundogan put the result beyond doubt four minutes from time with a third goal that crowned a sublime 44-pass move. "I think Man City ...
Barca suffer first league home defeat in two years, Real boost Solari hopes
Barcelona lost at home in La Liga for the first time in more than two years as Real Betis pulled off a stunning 4-3 victory, despite Lionel Messi scoring twice on his return from injury. Barca last endured a league defeat at the Camp Nou against Alaves in September 2016 but, following 42 games unbeaten, their run was ended by a brilliant, counter-attacking display from Betis on Sunday. Three hours later, Real Madrid were putting the finishing touches to a 4-2 win away at Celta Vigo, a result expected to earn Santiago Solari an extension to his tenure as coach. Real have now posted four consecutive victories since Solari was put in temporary charge while the gap behind Barca has been reduced to four points. "He has done excellently," Madrid club director Emilio Butragueno said afterwards. "We are very happy with how things have gone." On his future, Solari said: "We'll see. I don't usually plan too far ahead but in principle, it's my day off tomorrow." Barca's shock defeat came despite
Ronaldo keeps Juve flying high with 'important' win over AC Milan
Cristiano Ronaldo scored as Juventus bounced back from their midweek Champions League defeat by Manchester United with a 2-0 win over 10-man AC Milan in Serie A, as Gonzalo Higuain missed a penalty before being sent off for the hosts. Mario Mandzukic headed in the opener in the eighth minute at the San Siro on Sunday with Ronaldo adding a second on 81 minutes as Juventus maintained their six-point cushion ahead of the international break. It got the defending seven-time Serie A champions back on track after suffering their first defeat of the season by United following two late goals despite Ronaldo's stunning volley. "Winning tonight was the only way to put aside what happened in the final five minutes of the Champions League game," said Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri. "It was important to win without conceding a goal and to regain the six-point advantage over Napoli who are having an excellent championship." A third loss of the campaign, however, saw AC Milan drop out of the ...
Verstappen threatens to 'punch' Ocon as Hamilton wins Brazilian GP
Dutch driver Max Verstappen was accused of trying to punch French rival Esteban Ocon after a controversial clash at the Brazilian Grand Prix which was won by five-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. Red Bull star Verstappen was seen on TV pushing Force India's Ocon three times and accused of threatening to hit him, after the pair had collided on track on Sunday. The collision on lap 44 of the 71-lap race at Interlagos' famed Senna S curves cost Verstappen the race and he had to settle for second place. The livid Dutchman, 21, had earlier said he did not see the Frenchman in the paddock after the race, but made no effort to avoid him in the drivers' weighing room where he walked straight at him. "We were at the scales room," said Ocon. "He wanted to punch me. He pushed me and he was wanting to be violent. It was not professional." Ocon added that his rivalry with Verstappen "goes back a few years" and said he "has always been the same". "I was behind Max for two laps," Ocon told Sky ...
Federer crashes to Nishikori in ATP Finals opener
Roger Federer suffered a shock straight-sets defeat to Kei Nishikori at the ATP Finals, severely denting his bid for the 100th title of his illustrious career. The Swiss, who has won the season-ending event a record six times, produced an uncharacteristically error-prone and fractious display in the round-robin match on Sunday as the Japanese seventh seed prevailed 7-6 (7/4) 6-3. The result means Federer is now in danger of failing to qualify for the semi-finals for just the second time in 16 appearances at the event. "I felt we both struggled, you know, throughout the first set," he said. "You could tell it was sort of a first round. I had my chances maybe a bit more than he did. "Then I started to feel better in the second set. I think we both did. The level went up. Unfortunately I couldn't keep the lead that I got early. That was important, I think, at the end. That was the key of the match." Federer, 37, has beaten Nishikori in Shanghai and Paris in recent weeks but despite ...
D-Day for Calgary 2026 Olympic bid as referendum looms
Calgary's bid to stage the 2026 Winter Olympics faces a make-or-break referendum on Tuesday, with a sceptical public heads to the polls for a vote likely to determine if the bid can proceed any further. Thirty years after hosting the 1988 winter sports spectacular, when the likes of British ski-jumper Eddie "The Eagle" Edwards and Jamaica's bobsled team entered Olympic lore, Calgary is hoping to stage the event once more. But bid officials are facing an uphill battle attempting to convince Calgary's 1.24 million residents that the city should foot a USD 295 million chunk of the bill for hosting the event. A survey of 243 people conducted by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation between October 24 and November 3 found 55 per cent against with only 35% in favour. Ten per cent were undecided. "I am not fan of hosting the Olympics for the simple reason that it's a risky investment," said Jeanne Milne, of the "No Calgary Olympics" group campaigning against the game. "We are on the hook for
Nishikori upsets Federer in ATP Finals opener
Seventh seed Kei Nishikori defeated six-time former champion Roger Federer in straight sets on day one of the prestigious Nitto Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Finals here at the O2 Arena on Sunday.The Japanese ousted Federer, who was attempting to win the 100th title of his career, 7-6(4), 6-3 in a thrilling opening fixture that lasted one hour and 28 minutes.The two-time semi-finalist of the season finale, Nishikori, said, "I'm glad to win, it is never easy to play with my idol, it is always a big challenge against him, so it was great to win," according to the Nitto ATP Finals.After going down 5-6 in the first set, Nishikori made a scintillating comeback as he attacked Federer at the backhand to level the game. The Japanese then went onto secure the first game in a tie-break 7-6(4).As the game advanced to the second match, Nishikori broke Federer's serve for a 4-2 advantage. Federer then made a flurry of errors that allowed Nishikori to end the game in his favour 6-3 and .
Women's World T20: India beat Pakistan by 7 wickets
Mithali Raj's fine half-century helped India register a seven-wicket win over their arch-rivals Pakistan in the Group B match of the Women's World T20 at the Providence Stadium in Guyana on Sunday.After a steady 94-run partnership between Maroof and Dar, Pakistan managed to score a total of 133/7 in their 20 overs.Pakistan lost three wickets in quick succession that made them struggle at 30 for three. But, Maroof and Nida brilliantly fought back, taking their team across the 100-run mark.For India, Poonam Yadav and Hemalatha took two wickets each in their respective four overs while Arundhati Reddy managed to pick up only one wicket.Chasing a decent target of 134 runs, India got off to a flying start. Both the openers managed to score a 50-run partnership in quick succession. Mithali Raj top scored with 56 runs while Smriti Mandhana played a decent inning of 26 runs.Towards the end, Harmanpreet Kaur (14) and Veda Krishnamurthy (8) slammed some lusty blows to take India across the ...
ISL: Goa ride Coro double to beat Kerala Blasters
FC Goa opened a three point lead at the top of the Indian Super League (ISL) table after they eased past Kerala Blasters 3-1 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi, on Sunday.
Women's World T20: Raj scores fifty as India post facile win over Pakistan (Roundup)
Seasoned batter Mithali Raj cracked a half century to guide India to a facile seven-wicket win over arch-rivals Pakistan in the ICC Women's World T20 here on Sunday.
PKL 6: Haryana Steelers clinch thriller vs U Mumba
Haryana Steelers pipped host U Mumba 35-31 in a closely-fought battle in a zone A affair of the ongoing sixth edition of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) at the NSCI stadium here on Sunday.
Mithali Raj guides India to 7-wicket win over Pakistan in ICC Women's World T20
Veteran Mithali Raj smashed a aggressive half century to guide India to an easy 7-wicket victory over arch-rivals Pakistan in the ICC Women's World T20 here Sunday. Raj anchored the Indian run chase with a 47-ball 56 which she made with the help of seven fours in the Group B match which was marred by unprecedented docking of 10 penalty runs on Pakistan. Even before a ball being faced, 10 runs were on India's scoreboard after Pakistan were docked five-run penalty twice during their innings on account of their batswomen running on the danger area of the pitch during their innings. India chased down the target of 134 with six balls to spare, reaching 137 for 3 in 19 overs. Previous game centurion and captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Veda Krishnamurthy remained not out on 14 and 8 respectively. With the win on Sunday, India (with four points) made a big step towards making it to the semifinals from the five-team Group B. Two teams each from the two groups qualify for the semifinals. India ...
Chennai T20I: India thrash Windies by 6 wickets, sweep series
India clinched a thriller against West Indies in the third and final T20 international at the Chepauk stadium in Chennai.Batting first, West Indies set a stiff target for India, scoring 181 for 3 in their allotted 20 overs thanks to Nicholas Pooran's breezy 53 off just 25 deliveries.Coming out to chase the target, there were some nervy moments for India, as they lost both Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul in quick succession.However, it was Shikhar Dhawan and Rishabh Pant who outperformed in the match by stitching a sensational partnership of 130 runs. Dhawan scored a brilliant 92 from 62 balls, while Pant supported his teammate with a crucial 58 off just 38 deliveries.The most exciting moment of the match for the hosts came when Dhawan was dismissed in the second-last delivery of the innings, leaving India just one run short of victory. However, Manish Pandey made no mistake in steering the Men in Blue to emerge victorious.With this win, India has comfortably registered a 3-0 victory in the .
We wanted to be ruthless, says Sharma
Skipper Rohit Sharma lauded India for completing a 3-0 clean sweep, saying he wanted his team to be ruthless in the third match against West Indies and not complacent after securing a 2-0 unassailable lead in the T20I series. India on Sunday completed a 3-0 whitewash against the West Indies in the T20Is after registering a thrilling six-wicket win in the final match. "We spoke at the start of this game that we wanted to be ruthless. There were chances of us being complacent and turning up at the ground. We didn't want to be complacent and wanted to come out and win," Sharma said. India overhauled the 182-run winning target in the last ball and Sharma said he has been part of such close contests in the IPL. "Games like these happen a lot. Especially in the IPL, these have happened a lot. I've been part of games like these with Mumbai Indians. Great effort to cross the finish line," he said. Sharma said he would want his team to learn to handle pressure while bowling. "As a team there ..
3rd T20I: India edge past West Indies in last ball thriller
A brilliant batting display from Shikhar Dhawan (92) and Rishabh Pant (58) helped India edge past West Indies by six wickets in a last ball thriller in the final match of the Twenty20 International series here on Sunday.
Goa Congress seeks boycott of FC Goa match after police assault fan
The Goa Congress on Sunday urged fans to boycott FC Goa's next Indian Super League match in Goa, after a youth and his parents were allegedly thrashed by police personnel after a match against Delhi Dynamos on November 8.
Women's World T20: India restrict Pakistan to low total
Pakistan rode on half-centuries from Bismah Maroof and Nida Dar to post 133/7 in their ICC Women's World T20 clash here on Sunday.
Dhawan's 92 powers India to a six-wicket win over WI in 3rd T20I
Shikhar Dhawan smashed a career-best 92 to guide India to a thrilling six-wicket win over the West Indies in the third and final T20 International, thus completing a 3-0 clean sweep, here on Sunday. Dhawan hit 10 fours and two sixes in his 62-ball innings and forged a scintillating 130-run partnership with Rishab Pant (58) for the third wicket to take India home in the last ball of the innings. There was some drama towards the end as India lost the wickets of Pant and Dhawan leaving the host to score one run off the last delivery bowled by Fabian Allen to secure the victory. Manish Pandey and Dinesh Karthik ran the single after Allen misfielded the former's shot to pick up the winning run. Earlier, left-handed batsman Nicholas Pooran's quick-fire half-century powered West Indies to a competitive 181 for 3. Chasing the target of 182 to win, Dhawan and Rishab came together at 45 for 2 after India had lost skipper Rohit Sharma (4) and K L Rahul (17). The Delhi duo put up a splendid show,
Gukulam Kerala beat Shillong Lajong 3-1
Gokulam Kerala FC proved too strong for the young Shillong Lajong FC as they muscled their way to win their third home game 3-1 in the I-League here on Sunday. Gani Nigam (43rd minute), Antonio German (56th) and Rajesh S (66th) scored for Gokulam while Phrangki Buam (78th) was the lone scorer for Shillong Lajong FC. Gokulam Kerala FC went on the offence from the first minute. Their first effort to score happened in the third minute when Suhair V P made a fine cross from the left but before German could find the space to head it, Lajong's Aiban made a fine diving interception to clear the ball out of danger. Both the teams were playing attacking football, but it was Gokulam Kerala who created chances more often to land in a strong scoring position. Shillong Lajong looked more organized all throughout with a fantastic defence line and an equally agile goalkeeper in Neithovilie who blocked and cleared all scoring opportunities for Gokulam Kerala. Lajong's forward line also played an ...