Page 940 - Sports

Bayern ride Lewandowski brace

Bayern Munich beat AEK Athens 2-0 with two goals from Robert Lewandowski in a match in which, despite the victory, the German giants again showed that it is not going through its best moments.

Paranaense inch closer to Copa Sudamericana final

Atletico Paranaense beat fellow Brazilians Fluminense 2-0 in the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana semi-finals and are now the favourites to enter the final of the continental tournament for the first time in their history.

Humpy out of World Chess Championship

Grandmaster Koneru Humpy's campaign in the women's world chess championship came to an end after she lost to Jolanta Zawadzka of Poland in the second game of the second round here. The other Indian Grandmaster D Harika is now the only Indian remaining in the championship that started with 64 players. Harika played out a second draw with Bela Khotenashvili of Georgia and will fight it out in the tie-break games of shorter duration. Having drawn the first game as black rather easily, Humpy did not get the desired complications as white and her hunt for an elusive advantage ended on a disappointing note. Back in chess just before the Olympiad after a nearly two-year hiatus, Humpy, who has been among the top women players for a long time, will now have to wait for another two years to have a go at the next world championship cycle. Being ousted here in the second round might also mean that Humpy will need a direct seed in the proposed candidates tournament for women. It was a Queen's ...

Cash-strapped Pakistan's Hockey World Cup participation in doubt

Pakistan's chances of participating in the Hockey World Cup received another blow after the country's cricket board, PCB, turned down a request for financial aid to send the national team for the mega event in India beginning November 28. Pakistan Hockey Federation had sought a loan from the PCB to send the team to Bhubaneswar and clear the outstanding dues of players. Pakistan's new head coach Tauqir Dar and manager Hasan Sardar confirmed they had spoken to the PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani and requested him to provide a loan to cover the expenses for the World Cup. "He was scheduled to meet us on Thursday but due to some urgent issues he spoke to us on phone. He made it clear that the PCB couldn't advance any loan to the PHF since the federation had not returned a loan given to them by the board during the tenure of Lt General (retd) Tauqir Zia in early 2000," said Dar. Dar said that Mani had minced no words in stating that due to the old loan it was not possible for the board to give a ..

Emotions fire but Brazil still tough to crack for Hamilton, Mercedes

Lewis Hamilton makes an emotional return to the scene of his greatest early-career pain and joy this weekend when he leads Mercedes' bid to seal a fifth consecutive constructors' world championship. The 33-year-old Briton, who secured his fifth drivers' title in Mexico two weeks ago, missed out on winning the championship in Brazil in his rookie season of 2007, but went back to grab his maiden title in dramatic fashion in 2008. That triumph, earned with a last-lap pass that lifted him to fifth in teeming rain, has since become an iconic snapshot which confirmed his potential and fired him to multiple-title glory. Yet as he returns to the demanding Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, in the Interlagos district of Sao Paulo, for the 12th time, he will know he and his team face another major challenge. In his previous 11 visits, Hamilton has won only once and taken pole only twice - a moderate record for arguably the sport's fastest qualifying driver. His Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas has ..

Roma close in on last 16 with win over 10-man CSKA Moscow

Roma inched closer to a place in the knockout stages of the Champions League thanks to a hard-fought 2-1 win over 10-man CSKA Moscow in the Luzhniki Stadium. An early Kostas Manolas header and Lorenzo Pellegrini's neat finish just before the hour mark gave Roma a win that puts them three points clear of second-placed Real Madrid at the top of Group G ahead of the European champions' clash with Viktoria Plzen later on Wednesday. Iceland midfielder Arnor Sigurdsson meanwhile was on target for CSKA. Manolas got Roma off to a flying start when he glanced Pellegrini's fourth-minute corner past CSKA goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev on Wednesday. CSKA poured forward trying to pull level but the visitors' defence stifled the home team and left them trying fruitless long-range shots. The hosts had a rare chance to score in the 26th minute when Slovenian midfielder Jaka Bijol met Nikola Vlasic's corner but could only direct his header straight at Roma 'keeper Robin Olsen. Five minutes later Roma ...

Australia rest Starc, Lyon for T20s against India ahead of Tests

Australia on Thursday rested lead pacer Mitchell Starc and senior spinner Nathan Lyon for the T20 series against South Africa and India. The one-off T20 against South Africa will be played in Gold Coast on November 17 while the three-match series against Virat Kohli-led India starts in Brisbane on November 21. The other players rested ahead of a busy home season are pacer Peter Siddle and all-rounder Mitchell Marsh while Marcus Stoinis and Jason Behrendorff make a comeback. Chief coach Justin Langer said the senior players were rested primarily because of the upcoming four-Test series against India starting December 6 at Adelaide. "We know coming off the back of the tour to the UAE, a huge summer at home, and the World Cup and Ashes just around the corner that we have to get the balance right between playing our best T20 team and preparing for the upcoming Test series," said Langer. "While I know all four have a desire to be playing cricket for Australia in every format, with a really

Valencia wins again, stays in contention in Champions League

Valencia's drought at home is over. Just in time to boost the team's chances in the Champions League. Valencia beat Young Boys 3-1 on Wednesday for its first win in seven matches at its Mestalla Stadium, keeping alive its hopes of advancing to the knockout stages of the European competition. The victory Valencia's third overall this season left the Spanish team with five points in Group H, four behind leader Juventus and two behind Manchester United, which beat Juventus 2-1 later Wednesday in Turin. Swiss champion Young Boys, on debut in the group stage, remained on one point and was already out of contention. "It was a decisive match for us," said Valencia forward Santi Mina, who scored twice in the first half. "These three points are important and we are more alive than ever. We know it's all in our hands now. If we win the last two matches we will advance." Young Boys played a man down from the 77th minute after Sekou Sanogo was sent off with a straight red card for a dangerous ..

Lewandowski double leaves Bayern on verge of last 16

Robert Lewandowski scored twice on his 100th European appearance to leave Bayern Munich on the verge of the last 16 after a 2-0 win over AEK at the Allianz Arena. Lewandowski converted a first-half penalty then volleyed home with an athletic leap after the break to leave him on 56 goals in Europe. The victory saw Bayern claim top spot in Group E with 10 points. Benfica's 1-1 draw at Ajax virtually assures Bayern of a place in the last 16 and a point against Benfica in three weeks will guarantee their place in the knock-out phase. "We took a good step forwards and had the game under control in the decisive moments," said Lewandowski. "We know that we can do better, but the win was very important for our self confidence." The win on Wednesday will ease the pressure on head coach Niko Kovac with the defending Bundesliga champions only third in the table before Saturday's showdown at leaders Borussia Dortmund. "We deserved the win and managed to keep them scoreless," said Kovac. "In the ..

Champions League needs VAR, says Guardiola as City gain from comical penalty

Manchester City needed no help to swat aside Shakhtar Donetsk 6-0 to move to the brink of the Champions League last 16, but got a boost with a farcical penalty award that led to even manager Pep Guardiola to call for the introduction of VAR. Hungarian referee Viktor Kassai remarkably pointed to the spot when Raheem Sterling tripped himself up as he bore down on goal midway through the first half with City already leading 1-0 through David Silva's opener. "It's not (a penalty)," said Guardiola. "VAR doesn't exist in UEFA so that is the problem." Despite some controversial calls, the use of video referees was largely deemed successful at the World Cup and will be introduced in the Champions League next season. However, Guardiola, who was sent to the stands for protesting a goal City had wrongly ruled out in a quarter-final elimination to Liverpool last season, called for it to be used in the competition this term. "The referee must be helped by the technology. It's not nice to score a ..

Ronaldo scores but Man United stun Juve with two late goals

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first Champions League goal for Juventus but a stunning Manchester United comeback snatched a 2-1 win for the Premier League side to delay the Italians' passage to the last 16. Ronaldo struck with a magnificent first-time volley on 65 minutes to seemingly leave Juve on course for the knockout phase, but Juan Mata equalised with an 86th-minute free-kick before Leonardo Bonucci turned into his own net on Wednesday. Delighted United manager Jose Mourinho walked out onto the pitch at the Allianz Stadium cupping his ears and winking towards the crowd after a win that gave his side seven points from four games -- two points behind leaders Juventus with two matches to play in Group H. Juventus had proved wasteful with Sami Khedira and Paulo Dybala both hitting the woodwork before five-time Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo brought the capacity 41,470 crowd to their feet when he hammered home Bonucci's long pass from just inside United's half. "It's not that we spoiled ..

Mourinho claims he 'didn't insult' Juve in celebration row

Jose Mourinho insisted his provocative celebration of Manchester United's dramatic 2-1 Champions League win at Juventus wasn't meant to insult the Italian club. Mourinho's side snatched a vital Champions League victory in Turin thanks to two goals in the last four minutes. Trailing to a superb strike from former United star Cristiano Ronaldo, the visitors hit back thanks to Juan Mata's fine free-kick before Leonardo Bonucci's own goal clinched the points. Mourinho responded in typically controversial fashion as the United manager marched onto the pitch at the final whistle with his hand cupped to one ear. "In a beautiful Italian city, they insulted me for 90 minutes. I didn't insult them. I just made a little thing," he told BT Sport. "I know the millions of Inter fans are happy with that. But I respect Juventus, their players, the manager, the quality they have." The gesture was meant to ask the Juventus fans why they were no longer taunting him, as they had throughout the game to ...

Ronaldo frustated as Juve 'gift' United victory

Cristiano Ronaldo could not hide his frustration that despite scoring his first Champions League goal for Juventus the Italian side 'gifted' a dramatic late 2-1 victory to Manchester United. Ronaldo struck with a magnificent first-time volley on 65 minutes to leave Juve on course for the knockout phase, but Juan Mata equalised with an 86th-minute free-kick before Leonardo Bonucci turned into his own net. It was the 121st goal in the competition for five-time Champions League winner Ronaldo who Juventus are counting on to help them lift their first European title since 1996. Instead they must now wait for the remaining games against Valencia and Young Boys to seal their passage to the next round. "United did nothing to win the game," Ronaldo told Sky Sports Italia. "We dominated for 90 minutes, had so many chances, could have killed it off three or four times, but we relaxed and were punished. "You can't even talk about luck, because you have to find your own luck and in this case we ..

Benzema brace helps Solari's Real thump Plzen

Karim Benzema's first-half brace propelled Real Madrid to a 5-0 thrashing of Viktoria Plzen in the Champions League, putting the holders one win from the last 16 after a third straight victory under Santiago Solari. Former Real midfielder Solari took over from the sacked Julen Lopetegui as interim coach on October 29, and has now seen his side score 11 times without reply following wins over Melilla and Real Valladolid. "I think we played a very nice game today, we scored wonderful goals," Solari told reporters. "A 5-0 win in the Champions League -- I can only be happy with that." The 42-year-old Argentinian dismissed questions about his possible future as Real's head coach. "I only think about the next game. Football is about the present and it's the next game that matters," he said, with a trip to Celta Vigo on Sunday next up for Real. Benzema struck first in the 21st minute on Wednesday, weaving his way through the Plzen defence and beating goalkeeper Ales Hruska with a low ...

Boult hat-trick fuels New Zealand's win over Pakistan

Trent Boult became the third New Zealand bowler to claim a one-day international hat-trick as his side defeated Pakistan by 47 runs in the first match in Abu Dhabi. Pace spearhead Boult reduced Pakistan to 8 for 3 in their chase of 267 after he dismissed Fakhar Zaman (one), Babar Azam (nought) and Mohammad Hafeez (nought) in the third over on Wednesday. He finished with figures of 3 for 54 as Pakistan were bowled out for 219 in 47.2 overs. "It's nice to be back out there and get the win for the boys," said Boult, who missed the 3-0 loss in the preceding Twenty20 series due to the birth of his child. "I think the new ball is a key part of the game and we know what early wickets can do to chasing totals. "The hat-trick ball I was just trying to make him play and to slide one onto the pads is a great feeling." Veteran batsman Ross Taylor top-scored with 80 while wicketkeeper Tom Latham struck 68 off 64 balls to lead New Zealand to 266-9 after they won the toss and batted at Sheikh Zayed .

Brazilian GP is an 'Achilles heel': Lewis Hamilton

Newly crowned Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton has described the Brazilian Grand Prix as his "Achilles heel" as he prepares for the penultimate race of the season at Interlagos.

New Zealand beat Pakistan by 47 runs in first ODI

New Zealand paceman Trent Boult claimed a hat-trick to help lead his side to a 47-run win over Pakistan in the first one-day international in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. Boult finished with 3 for 54 as Pakistan, set a testing target of 267, were bowled out for 219 as New Zealand took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Infantino plays down hopes of expanded World Cup in Qatar

FIFA president Gianni Infantino all but wrote off the chances of an expanded 48-team competition at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar on Wednesday. Last month Infantino told the Asian Football Confederation's annual congress in Kuala Lumpur that increasing the number of teams from the 32 that made up the tournament in Russia this year was "feasible". However he appeared to backtrack on that during an interview with AFP and other media in Zurich. "I haven't changed my mind," said Infantino. "I was positive about it from the beginning because I think if we can increase the number of teams it is good for football. That is why we are going to do it for the 2026 World Cup. "Can we do it for 2022? It is a difficult challenge." Accommodating another 16 teams would vastly complicate Qatar's task in preparing for the World Cup, which was awarded to the tiny desert state in 2010. "We are in discussion with Qatar," said Infantino, who said the tournament would need to spread to neighbouring ...

Prior warns of England 'nightmare' after Foakes debut hundred

Former England wicket-keeper Matt Prior reckons Ben Foakes's hundred on his Test debut in the series opener against Sri Lanka has left the selectors with a "nightmare decision". Foakes was only given his England chance after first-choice Test wicket-keeper Jonny Bairstow sustained an ankle injury playing football in a warm-up during the preceding one-day series but he responded with a fine 107 in England's first innings in Galle. The 25-year-old became just the 20th Englishman in 141 years of Test cricket to score a hundred on debut and only the second keeper after Prior, who made an unbeaten 126 against the West Indies at Lord's in 2007. England were in trouble when Foakes walked out to bat but his century, which he completed on Wednesday, proved the cornerstone of an eventual first-innings total of 342. "Getting a debut hundred is phenomenal but in this innings in particular, to walk out at 103 for five and play in foreign conditions, with all the challenges that come with that, is .

Bangladesh coach vows to bounce back from Zimbabwe loss

Bangladesh coach Steve Rhodes on Wednesday promised his team would bounce back from their opening Test defeat against Zimbabwe to square the two-Test series in Dhaka. Zimbabwe thrashed Bangladesh by 151 runs in the first Test in the northeastern city of Sylhet, posting their first Test win in five years since they defeated Pakistan at Harare in 2013. Bangladesh were heavily criticised for their poor show in the game, in which the team was dismissed for 143 and 169 runs in two innings -- making eight consecutive Test innings where Bangladesh failed to cross the 200-run mark. But Rhodes said he is hoping the team will make a strong comeback in the next match. "These guys are really determined to put things right and that's what I love about the Bangladeshi dressing room. They keep surprising me and they keep bouncing back," Rhodes told reporters in Sylhet. "Certainly the only thing that went wrong in this game was our batting in the first innings. We lost the toss when there was not ...