Page 47 - Sports

FIFA WC 2018: Belgium beat England by 1-0

New Delhi, Jun 29 (ANI): Belgium defeated England by 1-0 in Group G match at Kaliningrad Stadium on Thursday. Adnan Januzaj of Belgium opened the scores with a goal (51') at early minutes of second half. England was unsuccessful in putting an equalizer till the end of the game. With the victory, Belgium will face Japan in the second round of the tournament. England will play opposite Columbia in super 16.

FIFA WC 2018: Poland shown the door by Colombia after 0-3 defeat

New Delhi, Jun 25 (ANI): FIFA world 8 rank holders Poland were shown the door out from this year's World Cup after losing to world 16 ranking Colombia in a bitter 0-3 defeat. The match held on Sunday at the Kazan Arena, Russia led to Poland dropping to number 4 position on the Group H point table and brought Colombia to the 3rd position. The opening goal (40') by Colombian defender Yerry Mina gave the team a good head start against its seasoned opponents. After one goal in the first half of the match, the second half led a gripping yet slow pace. The dullness was broken by another goal by Colombia in the 70th minute by striker Radamel Falcao. Colombia's win was set in stone by the midfielder Juan Cuadrado's third and final goal of the match (75'). Poland couldn't recover from the 3-nil score. Poland will play against Japan in Group H fixture on June 28. Colombia will face Senegal on the same day.

FIFA WC 2018: Germany beat Sweden 2-1

New Delhi, Jun 24 (ANI): FIFA world number 1 rank holder Germany beat world rank 24 holder Sweden by 2-1 on Sunday. After a shameful lost against Mexico in their opener, Germany redeemed itself in this match. Sweden took off to a good start by scoring the first goal (32') made by striker, Ola Toivonen. Germany's midfielder Marco Reus brought the team to a draw by scoring an impressive goal (48') in the second half of the game. A red card to the German defender Jerome Boateng setback Germany's pace, making the team a whole of 10 players. First he drew a yellow card in the 71st minute and another at 82 minutes leading to his march off from the field. A last minute goal (90'+5') by German midfielder Toni Kroos led to the eventual victory of Germany in the Group F fixtures. Germany will now face underdogs South Korea on June 27 in the group fixtures and Sweden will face Mexico on the same day.

Indian cricket team depart for England, Ireland tour

New Delhi, Jun 23 (ANI): Indian cricket team departed for Ireland and England tour from New Delhi on Saturday. India will take on underdogs Ireland in two-match T20 series in Dublin. The first match will be played on June 27 and second on June 29. Indian skipper Virat Kohli is all set to come back for the series after recovering from neck injury. Indian ace opener Rohit Sharma is included in the team after he cleared the Yo-Yo test.

Female handball players get specially trained coaches in Kashmir

Udhampur (Jammu and Kashmir), Jun 22 (ANI): In a bid to improve skills and provide better platforms to the female handball players, the Sports Council of JandK has appointed new specially trained coaches. Under this initiative, the players will get free training of handball in Udhampur. With the new techniques, the players can not only maintain better fitness but the training can also condition them to compete in national as well as international level. The players expressed their happiness and hailed the Sports Council as well as Government of India for providing a better Platform.

Doesn't matter how I perform, team have to play well: Virat Kohli

New Delhi, Jun 22 (ANI): While addressing a press conference in national capital, Indian Cricket Team Skipper, Virat Kohli said, "This (cricket) is a team game. It doesn't matter how I perform or how one player stands out in the whole tour. We, as a team, have to play well. In the upcoming tour of England, our focus will be on how we can perform well as a team."

FIFA WC 2018: Argentina faces bitter defeat at the hands of Croatia, loses 0-3

New Delhi, Jun 22 (ANI): Reputed football team Argentina lost 0-3 to Croatia in the crucial Group D fixture of the FIFA World Cup in Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, Russia on Thursday. After a dull first half, Croatia scored an ice-breaker goal in 53 minutes by Ante Rebic, with partial fault of Argentinean goalkeeper, Willy Caballero. Midfielder Rebic was then substituted stating some problem (57'). Croatia's win was confirmed at the 80th minute with Luka Modric's goal. Ivan Rakitic's goal post fulltime (90'+1') was salt on the wounds of Argentina, and took Croatia to the first position in the Group G point table. Lionel Messi turned out to be a disappointment in the match after being helmed as the star to look forward to in the Group G fixtures.

FIFA WC 2018: England scores last minute goal for 2-1 victory against Tunisia

New Delhi, Jun 19 (ANI): England came out victorious against Tunisia in the Group G fixture of the FIFA World Cup in Volgograd Arena, Russia. England owed its 2-1 win to Harry Kane's header in the last minutes of the match (90'+1') which broke the 1-1 tie. Kane's 11' goal also served as the breakthrough in the match. Tunisia seemed promising in the first half with midfielder Ferjani Sassi scoring in the 35th minute. England is all set to cross swords with Panama in their next Group G game on June 24. Tunisia will face Belgium in Group G fixtures on June 26.

FIFA WC 2018: Belgium beats debutante Panama by 3-0

New Delhi, Jun 19 (ANI): Belgium took the number one position on the Group G point table after beating Panama in their first-ever Fifa World Cup match on Monday. The Match was played at the Fisht Olympic Stadium in the Russian city of Sochi. Dries Mertens' incredible volley and Romelu Lukaku's twin goals in the second half led Belgium to victory over their opponents. Post a disappointing first half, the match picked up in the 47th minute with Mertens' goal, after which there was no looking back for the winning team. Panama had a good start in the first half, owing to some brilliant saves by keeper Jaime Penedo. Panedo proved to be his team's lifesaver, keeping Belgium from scoring any goals in the first half. All of 8 yellow cards were issued during the game, with Panama receiving a big number 5 yellow cards for their first-ever Fifa match.

FIFA WC 2018: Match between Brazil and Switzerland ends in draw

New Delhi, Jun 18 (ANI): Disappointing opening match for Brazil as 5-time world champions were unable to seal the Group E match at Rostov Arena against Switzerland. Brazil was was looking way ahead after Philippe Coutinho scored goal in the early minutes of the match, however, Steven Zuber's spectacular header goal (50') in the second half of the game leveled the scores. Brazil failed to win their opening game in World Cup for the first time in 40 years. Brazil will face Costa Rica in the next match.

FIFA WC 2018: Mexico defeats reigning champions Germany

New Delhi, Jun 18 (ANI): Mexico turned the tables in the Group F match against mighty Germany by defeating them at Luzhniki Stadium by 1-0. Hirving Lozano proved be the star for Mexico who scored a stunning goal (35') in the first half of the match. Solid defense by Mexico made sure to avoid an equalizer by Germany. It was the first time that world champions Germany was defeated in the opening game of the World Cup. Germany will face Sweden next in the group match.

FIFA WC 2018: Iceland manages to hold Argentina with 1-1 draw

New Delhi, Jun 17 (ANI): Iceland proved to be impressive in its debut match in FIFA World Cup, by holding giant Argentina in Group D match played at Spartak Stadium in Moscow. The highlight of the match is Argentinean star footballer Lionel Messi, missing a free kick in the final minutes of the game. Argentina dominated the game after Sergio Aguero scored a goal in the early quarter of the game, however Iceland came back strong as Alfred Finnbogason scored an equalizer in 23rd minute. Iceland is the smallest ever nation to qualify for a FIFA World Cup.

FIFA WC 2018: Croatia slams Nigeria by 2-0

New Delhi, Jun 17 (ANI): Croatia has reached to the top of Group D table by defeating Nigeria by 2-0 at Kaliningrad Stadium. Oghenekaro Etebo's own goal (32') early in the game set back things for the Nigeria and Luka Modric's goal in penalty later (71') ensured easy victory for Croatia. Croatia dominated the game by ball possession. Croatia will face Argentina next in the group match.

Indian women's hockey team defeat Spain by 3-2

New Delhi, Jun 16 (ANI): Indian women's hockey team registered their first win of the five-match series at the Consejo Superior de Deportes Hockey Stadium against Spain, on Friday night. India edged past the hosts 3-2 in their third game of the five-match series. Indian captain Rani Rampal, who scored the winning goal in the 59th minute to break the 2-2 tie and gave her side a well deserved 3-2 win. The Indian team made sure that they defended their lines well during the19th minute, keeping out Spain's third penalty corner of the match. World number 10, India battled a tense final moments in the match when the hosts put the visitors defence under constant pressure, winning two penalty corners. However, Spain's Lola Riera remained calm under pressure and converted the second penalty to equalise the scores at 2-2 after 58 minutes. The two teams will go head-to-head again for the fourth of their five-match series on Saturday.

Spain 3-3 Portugal Spain held by Ronaldo heroics

New Delhi, Jun 16 (ANI): The first blockbuster encounter in the FIFA World Cup 2018 between Iberian cousins - Spain and Portugal - lived up to the billing as the two shared six goals between them to produce a classic group stage thriller in Sochi. However, a stunning free kick from Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo completed his 51st career hattrick. Spain continued their patient build-up play to try and find a way back into the contest but could not manage to find an inlet through the organised Portugal defense. Spain's equalizer came at the 24-minute mark, however, in a very un-Spanish way. However, Spain were dealt a sucker punch just a minute from half-time after David de Gea had a brain freeze moment as a firmly hit Ronaldo shot from outside the box, aimed straight at him, inexplicably crept into the goal from under the Manchester United keeper. Spain and Portugal will face Iran and Morocco, respectively, on June 20

Robbie Williams enthralls fans as FIFA World Cup kicks off with bang

New Delhi, Jun 15 (ANI): Fans from all over the world witnessed a glitzy and glamorous affair at the opening event of the much awaited FIFA World Cup 2018. The grand opening ceremony of FIFA World Cup kicked off today in Russia at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium. The ceremony began just 30 minutes before the opening game between Russia and Saudi Arabia. British pop star Robbie Williams enthralled the crowd with his famous song 'Let me entertain you' and 'Angels'. Along with Williams, celebrated Russian soprano Aida Garifullina later joined him on stage. The matches of the 2018 FIFA World Cup will be played out in 12 stadiums, located in 11 cities and spread over 1,800 miles across Russia.

Shikhar Dhawan says he enjoyed face-off with Rashid Khan

Bengaluru, Jun 15 (ANI): Opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan said that Afghan spinner Rashid Khan was a top class bowler and he really enjoyed his battle with him on the first day of historic maiden test match of Afghanistan. Dhawan has been playing with Khan for two years in Indian Premier League (IPL) for Surisers Hyderabad team. Dhawan added that although he had dominated but Rashid Khan was a great bowler and on his day he could take some serious wickets.

No need for religious or cultural enforcements in sports: Soumya Swaminathan

Pune, June 14 (ANI): In the wake of her stepping down from representing India at the Asian Team Chess Championship in Iran, chess player Soumya Swaminathan on Wednesday said that there is no need for religious or cultural enforcements in sports. Soumya was of the opinion that a player's rights and welfare should be given importance and that sport will benefit greatly if it is properly looked after.

Team India sweat it out ahead of 'historic' Test match against Afghanistan

Bengaluru, Jun 13 (ANI): The Indian cricket team was seen gearing up for the first Test match against Afghanistan in M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Thursday. It will be the first Test match for Afghanistan ever. India will miss out its skipper Virat Kohli and the team will be lead by Ajinkya Rahane. Rahane has said that India will not take Afghanistan lightly in the upcoming series. Asghar Stanikzai-led Afghanistan recently clinched the series against Bangladesh by 2-0.

Indian men's hockey coach complains about poor food quality at SAI camps

New Delhi / Bengaluru (Karnataka) / Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh), Jun 12 (ANI): Indian men's hockey team coach Harendra Singh has lodged a complaint regarding the quality of food provided to the players at the Sports Authority of India's (SAI) centre in Bengaluru. In a mail addressed to Hockey India president Rajinder Singh, Harendra highlighted the issues of the poor quality of food being served to the players training for the Asian Games and World Cup. He wrote, "I would like to bring to your kind notice that food quality at Bangalore SAI center has been well below par with a professional unit - excessive oil and fat throughout, bones with lack of meats. Moreover insects, bugs and hair were also found in the food. Sir, I would also like to inform you that hygiene part has also been neglected." Treasurer of Indian Olympic Association (IOA), Anandeshwar Pandey spoke up on the issue and said, "Players representing India should be given proper diet. If coach has raised such issues, it must be