AFI names teams for Asian Indoors & Asian Games test event

New Delhi: Sprinter Dutee Chand will be part of the 13-strong Indian team for the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships, while reigning Asian champion distance runner G Lakshmanan has been selected in the 36-member contingent for the Asian Games test event competition.
The 21-year-old Dutee Chand, who won a bronze each in the 100m and the 4x100m events at the Asian Championship last year, will carry India's hopes in the eighth edition of the tournament to be held in Tehran, Iran from February 1 to 3.

Dutee Chand was banned by the Athletics Federation of India in 2014 under the Hyperandrogenism policy but she fought her back in 2015 after challenging the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sports in Lausanne.

Lakhsmanan, who won double gold in 5,000m and 10,000m at the Asian Athletic Championships, will lead Indian challenge in the Asian Games test event slated from February 11 to 14 in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The team also comprises Davinder Singh Kang, who became the first Indian to qualify for the final round in javelin throw in World Championship last year.

Shot putter Om Prakash Singh, who competed at the 2012 London Olympics, has been picked for the Asian Indoor championship but his selection to the Asian Games test event will depend on his performance in Iran.

Jakarta will host the 18th Asian Games later this year from August 18 to September 2.

The teams were selected under the chairmanship of G S Randhawa, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) selection committee chairman.
After the meeting at AFI headquarter here on Wednesday, CK Valson, Secretary AFI said, "The athletes were selected on the basis of their performances in the International and National Championships including National Junior Championships held in 2017 and confirming their present fitness levels.

"The team is short as we have excluded certain events due to inexperience of our athletes on a 200m track."

Meanwhile, Indian cross country athletes will participate in the 14th Asian Cross Country Championships to be held at Guiyang, China on March 15.

The team will be selected based on performance at the 52nd National Cross Country Championships to be held on Sunday in Goa.

Team for 8th Asian Indoor Athletics Championships (Tehran, Iran):

Men: Muhammed Sadath & Elakkya Dasan (60m), Samsheer SE & Shree Shankar (long jump), Arpinder Singh & Kamal Raj (triple jump), Tajinder Singh Toor & Om Prakash Singh (shot put);

Women: Dutee Chand (60m), Sanjeevini Jadhav (3000m), Nayana James & Neena Varakil (long jump), Sheena NV (triple jump).
Team for Asian Games test event competition (Jakarta, Indonesia):

Men: Muhammed Sadath, Elakkaya Dasan, Vidya Sagar, Anuroop John, Satnaam Singh, CH Sudhakar (4x100m relay), Kunhu Muhammed, Jithu Baby, Jeevan KS, Sumit Kumar (4x400m relay), Santosh Kumar T, Jabir MP (400m, 4x400m relay), Jinson Johnson (800m), Ajay Kumar Saroj (1500m), G Lakshmanan (5000m), Davinder Singh Kang & Sahil Silwal (Javelin Throw), Tajinder Singh Toor & Om Prakash Singh (shot put, subject to the performance at Asian Indoors), Samsheer SE & Shree Shankar (long jump), Arpinder Singh & Kamal Raj (triple jump).

Women: Jisna Mathew & Soniya Baishiya (400m & 4x400m relay), Debashree Majumdar, Sarita Gaikwad, Nitya Shree (4x400m relay), Hima Das (200m, 4x400m relay), Chitra PU (1500m), Suriya L & Sanjivani Jadhav (5000m), Sarita P Singh (hammer throw), Nayana James & Neena Varakil (long jump), Sheena NV (triple jump).

Source: News Agency

U-19 World Cup: An opportunity like never before

Christchurch : It's considered the stepping stone for the stars of the future and 15 teams, including three-time champions India, would be aiming to discover their Virat Kohlis and Steve Smiths when the ICC Under-19 World Cup starts off here tomorrow.

From Kohli to Smith, most modern-day greats have learnt the ropes in the biennial event, which has gained significance with every passing edition.

The boys not only become men here, they also become household names with millions following the live broadcast of the competition.
The event begins tomorrow with Pakistan taking on Afghanistan, and hosts New Zealand facing reigning champions West Indies.

India, eager to prove themselves after their disastrous showing in the Asia Cup, open their campaign against Australia at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui.

The tournament's stature has risen to such an extent that a great like Rahul Dravid, the current India U-19 coach, would love to have been part of it back in the day.

"We never played this tournament in my day. After 1988 they didn't hold the tournament for 10 years, so I've no exposure of playing and being part of this tournament. I tell a lot of these boys that I think it's a terrific opportunity for them to be a part of this tournament," Dravid had said in the lead up to the event.

Countless number of U-19 players have gone on to represent their countries at the highest level.


Each edition unearths oodles of talent and makes them overnight stars, be it Rishabh Pant or Alzaari Joseph from the previous edition in 2016 when three-time champions India lost the final to the West Indies.

This edition too has created high expectations with a selected bunch already proving themselves at the first-class level.
The likes of India captain Prithvi Shaw, teammate Shubham Gill, Australia captain Jason Sangha, Pakistan pacer Shaheen Afridi, Afghanistan batting sensation Baheer Shah, they all go into the event after making a mark on the domestic circuit back home.
Shaw, Gill, Sangha and Shah already have a first-class hundred to their name while left-arm pacer Afridi hogged the limelight by taking eight for 39 in the Quad-e-Azam Trophy, the best figures by a Pakistani on first-class debut.

The sensational performances of Baheer Shah too has created a buzz. The 17-year-old averages a staggering 121.77 in his seven-match first-class career, beating even the legendary Donald Bradman (95.14).

He has the highest average in the list of players with at least 1000 first-class runs, leaving behind not just Bradman but also Vijay Merchant (71.64) and George Headley (69.86).

The exploits of India captain and opener Shaw too are well-documented. After grabbing headlines with his performance in junior cricket, Shaw has graduated to the higher-level so seamlessly that he always belonged there. Therefore, it was not a surprise that he hit a match-winning hundred on Ranji Trophy debut 12 months ago.

Adding to the tournament flavor will be the sons of Steve Waugh and Makhya Ntini Austin and Thando who will be turning up for Australia and South African respectively. Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland's son Will is also in the national squad.

With the IPL auction round the corner, there is every possibility that a millionaire could from the U-19 World Cup, just like Pant had a bagged Rs 1.9 crore deal with Delhi Daredevils after his stellar showing in Bangladesh.

The 22-day tournament, featuring 16 teams and being played across seven venues in the cities of Christchurch, Queenstown, Tauranga and Whangarei, will see 20 matches being broadcast live.

Squads:

India: Prithvi Shaw (C), Shubman Gill, Aryan Juyal, Abhishek Sharma, Arshdeep Singh, Harvik Desai, Manjot Kalra, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Pankaj Yadav, Riyan Parag, Ishan Porel, Himanshu Rana, Anukul Roy, Shivam Mavi, Shiva Singh.

Pakistan: Hasan Khan (C), Rohail Nazir , Mohammad Ali Khan, Ali Zaryab, Ammad Alam, Arshad Iqbal, Imran Shah, Mohammad Taha, Muhammad Mohsin Khan, Muhammad Musa, Muhammad Zaid, Munir Riaz, Saad Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Suleman Shafqat.

Bangladesh: Saif Hassan (C), Afif Hossain, Aminul Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Mahidul Islam Ankon, Mohammad Naim, Mohammad Rakib, Nayeem Hasan, Pinak Ghosh, Qazi Onik, Robiul Hoque, Roni Hossen , Shakil Hossain, Tipu Sultan, Towhid Hridoy.

Sri Lanka: Kamindu Mendis (C), Jehan Daniel, Krishan Sanjula, Ashen Bandara, Hareen Buddila, Hasitha Boyagoda, Nipun Dananjaya, Thisaru Rashmika, Nawanidu Fernando, Santhush Gunathilaka, Praveen Jayawickrama, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Nishan Madushka, Nipun Malinga, Kalana Perera.

Afghanistan: Naveen-ul-Haq (C), Azmatullah Omarzai, Baheer Shah, Darwish Rasooli, Ikram Ali Khil, Mohammad Ibrahim, Mujeeb Zadran, Nisar Wahdat, Qais Ahmad, Rahmanullah, Tariq Stanikzai, Wafadar ,Waqarullah Ishaq, Yousuf Zazai, Zahir Khan.

Australia: Jason Sangha (C), Will Sutherland, Xavier Bartlett, Max Bryant, Jack Edwards, Zak Evans, Jarrod Freeman, Ryan Hadley, Baxter Holt, Nathan McSweeney, Jonathan Merlo, Lloyd Pope, Jason Ralston, Param Uppal, Austin Waugh.

New Zealand: Kaylum Boshier (C), Finn Allen, Jakob Bhula, Max Chu, Katene Clarke, Matthew Fisher, Luke Georgeson, Ben Lockrose, Callum McLachlan, Felix Murray, Dale Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Sandeep Patel, Connor Sullivan, Todd Watson.

Canada: Arslan Khan (C), Akash Gill, Ashtan Deosammy, Emanuel Khokhar, Kavian Naress, Kevin Singh, Pranav Sharma, Randhir Sandhu, Krishen Samuel, Faisal Jamkhandi, Arshdeep Dhaliwal, Rishiv Joshi, Aran Pathmanathan, Pieter Pretorius, Rommel Shazad.

England: Harry Brook (C), Ethan Bamber, Liam Banks, Tom Banton, Jack Davies, Adam Finch, Luke Hollman, Will Jacks, Tom Lammonby, Dillon Pennington, Savin Perera, Tom Scriven, Prem Sisodiya, Fin Trenouth, Roman Walker.

Ireland: Harry Tector (C), Ian Anders, Aaron Cawley, Varun Chopra, Mark Donegan, JJ Garth, Jamie Grassi, Reece Kelly, Graham Kennedy, Joshua Little, Sam Murphy, Max Neville, Neil Rock, Morgan Topping, Andrew Vincent.

Kenya: Sachin Bhudia (C), Maxwel Ager, Abhishekh Chidambaran, Aveet Desai, Jay Doshi, Aman Gandhi, Ankit Hirani , Jasraj Kundi, Jayant Mepani, Gerard Mwendwa, Dennis Musyoka, Thomas Ochieng, Sukhdeep Singh, Siddharth Vasudev, Rene Were.

Papua New Guinea: Sema Kamea (C), Eisa Eka, James Tau, Tau Toa Nou, Nou Rarua, Igo Mahuru, Simon Atai, Leke Morea, Vagi Karaho, Kevau Tau, Heagi Toua, Daure Aiga, Ovia Sam, Sinaka Arua, Boge Arua.

Namibia: Lohan Louwrens (C), Henry Brink, Petrus Burger, Jan-Izak de Villiers, Shaun Fouche, Jurgen Linde, Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Gerhard Lottering, Erich van Mollendorf, Dewald Nell, Mauritius Ngupita, Ben Shikongo, Floris Steenkamp, Ramon Wilmot, Eben van Wyk.

South Africa: Raynard van Tonder (C), Matthew Breetzke , Gerald Coetzee, Jade de Klerk, Jean du Plessism, Fraser Jones, Wandile Makwetu, Akhona Mnyaka, Andile Mokgakane, Kgaudisa Molefe, Jason Niemand, Thando Ntini, Jiveshan Pillay, Hermann Rolfes, Kenan Smith.

West Indies: Emmanuel Stewart (C), Kirstan Kallicharan, Ronaldo Alimohamed, Alick Athanaze, Cephas Cooper, Jarion Hoyte, Kimani Melius, Ashmead Nedd, Kian Pemberton, Raymond Perez, Joshua Persaud, Jeavor Royal, Keagan Simmons, Bhaskar Yadram, Nyeem Young.

Zimbabwe: Liam Roche (C), Robert Chimhinya, Jonathan Connolly, Gregory Dollar, Alistair Frost, Taun Harrison, Wesley Madhevere, Tanunurwa Makoni, Donald Mlambo, Dion Myers, Tinashe Nenhunzi, Nkosilatu Nunu, Kieran Robinson, Jayden Schadendorf, Milton Shumba.

Source: News Agency

Neymar's PSG move a 'backward step', feels Ronaldo

London: Brazilian football legend Ronaldo has described national team superstar Neymar's club world record move to Paris Saint-Germain from FC Barcelona as a "backward step".

Neymar became the most expensive footballer in history when he joined the Ligue 1 outfit in August in a deal worth 222 million euros ($263 million), reports Xinhua news agency.

The former Santos forward has since scored 20 goals in 22 matches across all competitions for PSG, but Ronaldo believes the 25-year-old made the wrong career choice.

"He's now at PSG but from a sporting perspective his decision was a backward step," the 2002 World Cup winner said in an interview with former Brazil captain Zico published on Youtube.

"But each to their own. I was at Barcelona and went to Inter Milan (in 1997). At that time the Italian league was a lot more competitive," added Ronaldo, who won the FIFA World Player of the Year award three times in a stellar career that also included spells at Real Madrid and AC Milan.

Meanwhile, Ronaldo heaped praise on Manchester City young forward Gabriel Jesus, who he believes is Brazil's best central striker in several years.

"We have been waiting a long time for a No. 9 in the national team," the 41-year-old said. "Adriano filled the void for a little while and had the potential to stay for a lot longer.

Source: News Agency

Courtois urges Chelsea to show killer instinct

LONDON: Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has challenged his misfiring team-mates to rediscover their cutting edge in Saturday's clash with Leicester.

Antonio Conte's side were held to a frustrating goalless draw in the League Cup semi-final first leg against Arsenal on Wednesday despite creating a host of chances.

The Blues were also held to a scoreless draw by second tier Norwich in the FA Cup third round last weekend.
With only 41 Premier League goals this season, Chelsea have scored less than any of their top four rivals and lag 16 points behind leaders Manchester City.

Conte has called on his players to show a more ruthless instinct in front of goal and, with Leicester due at Stamford Bridge this weekend, Courtois echoed his manager's words.

"Against Stoke we scored five goals but against other teams we have maybe missed too many chances," Courtois said.
"Like 2-2 at the Emirates (on January 4) and 0-0 and at the weekend against Norwich, maybe we have to score more goals from the chances we create because I think we create enough danger, but we need to finish it as well."

There was nothing wrong with Chelsea's approach play as they carved open the Arsenal defence on several occasions, but Blues defender Antonio Rudiger knows that enterprising build-up counts for nothing without a goal the end of it.
"I think the last pass is missing, the final part to score the goal. There weren't a lot of chances against Arsenal but some were there. We have to kill a match off," he said.

Conte vowed to carry out an inquest into the problem on the training pitch.But the Italian insisted it is not only the forwards who are culpable, pointing to two missed headed chances by defender Andreas Christensen against Arsenal. "We are conceding less than last season, but we are not scoring like last season. We have to improve," Conte said.

Despite Conte's comments and his support for Alvaro Morata, it appears the Spain striker is feeling the burden of expectation.
Morata scored seven goals in his first eight appearances following his move from Real Madrid, as a replacement for Diego Costa, but he has since netted just five times in 21 outings.

Rudiger conceded Morata might be suffering from a loss of confidence.

"As a striker it's normal that you want to score. Of course there are times when the head is down a little bit," he said.
"I'm not worried about him. The whole team is with him and I think all the fans are with him.

"It's just a difficult period for him. Sometimes there are spells when you score and don't score, but his effort for the team is good and he always tries. If he scores again, everything will be fine."

Meanwhile, Leicester striker Jamie Vardy will be fit to face Chelsea after recovering from a groin injury.

Source: News Agency

Tottenham chief says Kane, Alli not for sale

LONDON: Tottenham entertain Everton on Saturday with assurances from chairman Daniel Levy that the likes of Harry Kane and Dele Alli will not be leaving this month or at the end of the season.

Mauricio Pochettino's side are currently out of the Champions League places, although they can draw level on points with fourth-placed Liverpool if they win at Wembley and overtake Jurgen Klopp's side if they beat the Toffees by five goals or more.

But the club have a new 61,500-seat stadium to pay for at a time when rivals with deeper pockets are eyeing some of their top performers.

Top scorer Kane is reportedly coveted by Real Madrid and the Champions League holders have also been linked with midfielder Alli, along with Paris Saint-Germain. Left-back Danny Rose is believed to be a target for Manchester United.

But Levy has made it clear that the current window is a time for squad-strengthening, not weakening, and said he would reject any unwanted offers in the summer as well.

"I'm 100 per cent confident," he said. "Every single player that we want to keep, I can assure you will be playing for Tottenham Hotspur next season.

"Mauricio's strategy has always been that if an opportunity arises that he thinks can improve the squad then we will need to look at it, but January is always a very difficult window."

Levy is in negotiations with Alli over a new contract that would bring him roughly into line with the money paid to Kane, who is Tottenham's highest earner and who may be granted a contract upgrade himself soon.

Midfielder Harry Winks is a doubt against Everton because of an ankle injury, Rose is set to miss out because of a knee problem while centre-back Toby Alderweireld is working his way towards a comeback from a hamstring tear sustained in early November.

The encouraging start to Sam Allardyce's reign as Everton manager has faded in recent weeks. The Toffees have not won in five matches and are out of the FA Cup following a painful third-round defeat at Liverpool last week.

Defender Mason Holgate was involved in a confrontation with Roberto Firmino at Anfield that could have consequences for both players.

Having claimed he was racially abused by the Liverpool striker, Holgate himself is reportedly facing the prospect of Football Association action for alleged homophobic tweets sent from a now-deleted Twitter account more than five years ago.


There is better news elsewhere for Allardyce, with right-back Seamus Coleman back in training after nine months out with a broken leg and Turkey striker Cenk Tosun set for his debut after completing his £27 million ($36 million, 30 million euros) move from Besiktas.

Captain Phil Jagielka has acknowledged that Everton have to be better in attack, saying: "The gaffer does not say to us that the be all and end all is to defend and we forget about going forward.

Source: News Agency

Stoke handed double Dutch injury boost ahead of Man Utd clash

London: Stoke City defenders Erik Pieters and Bruno Martins Indi have returned to training after injury layoffs and the Dutch duo could feature in Monday’s Premier League fixture against Manchester United, assistant coach Kevin Russell has said.

Centre back Martins Indi has been sidelined with a groin strain since early December, while left back Pieters was substituted in the second half of the league defeat to Newcastle United on Jan. 1 with a hamstring problem.

“Erik and Bruno both joined in training today for the first time which was a positive for us,” Russell told a news conference on Thursday.

“Obviously, it is still too early to determine whether they will be available for Monday but the fact that they are back in training bodes well.”


Source: News Agency

Margaret Court Arena should be renamed, says King

MELBOURNE: Twelve-times grand slam champion Billie Jean King said on Friday that Margaret Court’s name should be stripped from the Australian Open showcourt due to her divisive views on sexuality.

American King’s comments follow a report in the New York Times on Thursday in which Martina Navratilova said she would refuse to play on Margaret Court Arena if still competing.

A contemporary of King, 75-year-old Court is a Christian pastor and has campaigned against same-sex marriage, which recently became legal in Australia after a plebiscite last year.

The Australian also caused a furore last year by telling a Christian radio station that transgender children were corrupted by “the devil” and that tennis was “full of lesbians”.

“I personally don’t think she should have her name (on it) any more,” King, 74, told reporters at Melbourne Park.

“I was fine until lately she said so many derogatory things ... That really went deep in my heart and soul.”

King, a lesbian and equal rights activist, said she had advocated for 24-times grand slam champion Court to be recognised at Melbourne Park after centre court was named after Australian men’s great Rod Laver in 2000.

But she had recently changed her mind after a number of controversial comments by Court, who won the Australian Open 11 times between 1960 and 1973.

“If I were playing today, I would not play in this court,” she said.

King said she would not encourage players to boycott matches in the showcourt over Court’s views, however.

“Maybe some of the gay players wouldn’t want to play there. I wouldn’t encourage them not to do it,” she said.

Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said there had been “conversations” about changing the name of the stadium but added there were no plans to do so.

“Our position hasn’t changed,” he told reporters.

“Margaret’s views are her views ... (A name change) is up to a broader group of people and not up to one person or organisation.”

Court has been a fixture in the stands at the season’s first grand slam but elected to skip the tournament this year, Tiley confirmed.

King said she would welcome Court’s attendance.


Source: News Agency

Messi double helps Barca reach King's Cup quarter-finals

BARCELONA: Lionel Messi scored twice as King’s Cup holders Barcelona moved comfortably into the quarter-finals by thrashing Celta Vigo 5-0 at the Nou Camp in their last 16 second leg game on Thursday.

The Argentine and his strike partner Luis Suarez were recalled by Barca coach Ernesto Valverde who put out his strongest team against the Galicians, with the tie delicately poised at 1-1 after last week’s game in Vigo.

Messi again showed his special understanding with Jordi Alba by meeting the left back’s low cross first time for the opener in the 13th minute and moments later played a one-two with the Spain international and slammed the ball into the bottom corner.

Alba has set up seven goals for Messi this season in all competitions and Barca’s all-time top scorer returned the favour with a curling pass from deep which his team mate slid in to poke inside the near post for the third goal after 28 minutes.

Suarez stretched the lead in the 31st by capitalising on Pione Sisto’s sloppy back pass to score for the fifth game running and Ivan Rakitic completed the rout with a header in the 87th against ex-Barca assistant coach Juan Carlos Unzue’s team.

Sevilla defeated fellow Andalusian side Cadiz 2-1 at home for a 4-1 aggregate win, while Espanyol overturned a 2-1 deficit from the first leg by beating Levante 2-0 away to join Barca in Friday’s quarter-final draw.

Buoyant NorthEast United have ATK in their sights

Guwahati:  may have won their first match under the guidance of their technical advisor Avram Grant, but they will need to be at their best to stop a desperate ATK in a ninth round Hero Indian Super League clash at Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati, on Friday.

ATK have won just twice in eight games and can cut the gap to the playoff spots to just two points with a victory. 

Their assistant coach Bastob Roy likened the situation to that of Real Madrid in the La Liga - saying that this was how football was and that they would now have to create their own luck rather than rely on the rub of the green.

"Have you seen the situation of Real Madrid? This is football, it's part of the game and we are trying to come out of this situation. We still think we can make the playoffs. The table is very unpredictable and with two wins in a row, we may be able to achieve it. Luck is not with us. Chance factor has been against us. We are not looking behind but looking forward. The only thing we can do is hard work. Luck is not in our hands. In football you have to score and not concede. That's what we work on," he said, not disclosing the team's plans for NorthEast United, who were impressive in their 2-1 win against FC Goa. 

Meanwhile, former Chelsea manager Grant will look for the attitude which was seen against FC Goa, when his side notched their first win after four defeats on the trot. They can leapfrog ATK with a win and that will be the most motivating factor for them.

"I think we need to improve a lot. I like to implement attacking football but for us to reach the desired level is difficult. So the immediate focus is to remain organised and be together. Hopefully that gets us some results," said NorthEast assistant coach Eelco Schattorie.

"Two areas which need work on is to bring the team together. Last week everyone worked hard and had the intention to help each other so that organisation is very important. Secondly, we need to improve in the area of scoring goals but that is the most difficult as well. We can't train today to score and score tomorrow. That is not how it works. That only works when you have (Lionel) Messi or (Cristiano) Ronaldo," he added.

NorthEast United may not have those two players at their disposal, but they showed what a determined performance can achieve against one of the best teams in the league. More of the same will certainly cause ATK problems.

Conte, Mourinho 'out of their minds': Capello

MILAN: Former England manager Fabio Capello branded feuding managers Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte as "totally out of their minds" for letting their public spat get out of control.

Chelsea manager Conte and Manchester United's Mourinho have been engaged in a war of words in the build up to next month's clash between the two sides in Old Trafford.

But Capello believes both men have lost control and that fellow Italian Conte may have underestimated how well Portuguese Mourinho handles the press.

"I think Conte didn't realise who he was up against," Capello told Sky Sport Italia.

"It's the Chelsea shirt which makes managers nervous. Remember how wound up Mourinho got when he was Chelsea manager? Conte's just doing what Mourinho used to do.

"We all remember Mourinho on his knees in the middle of the field, running wild after his side won."

Conte and Mourinho have been arguing since the Portuguese suggested his rival was a "clown" for being so animated on the touchline.

Conte responded by saying Mourinho was "senile" and "a little man" for making references to the Italian's ban in Italy over alleged match-fixing, which he was later exonerated in 2016.

"They're completely out of their minds," said former Real Madrid manager Capello, now coaching in China with Jiangsu Suning.

"I never thought it could get this far. But remember, when you wind Mourinho up, he's very clever in these debate situations. Maybe once again he just wants to divert the attention from his team."


"I don't think that Conte has realised who he has been dealing with yet. In my opinion, he should have said just one thing. If Conte used the 'senile' word he certainly made a mistake."

Meanwhile, former Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini believes the feuding pair will soon make up.


"You'll see, they'll meet and it will end up with tarallucci and wine," the Italian told Gazzetta dello Sport. 

Source: News Agency

Gaurs record narrow win over Jamshedpur FC

Margao: FC Goa got back to winning ways after a slender 2-1 victory over Jamshedpur FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda. Manuel Lanzarote opened the scoring at the end of the first half from the penalty spot after Andre Bikey fouled Brandon Fernandes. Steve Coppell’s men came out firing in the second half and former Gaur Trindade Goncalves headed in an equalizer in the 54th minute. FC Goa however, pushed on from there as Brandon found Lanzarote with a peach of a through ball in the 60th minute. The Spaniard ran towards goal, turned the defender and netted superbly to restore his side’s lead. Edu Bedia could have doubled the lead late in the second half after rounding Subrata Pal but hit the ball against the post.

It was the away side that started on the front foot as Ahmed Jahouh lost possession close to goal allowing Trindade Goncalves a shot at goal. Ali Mohamed was on hand to block his shot. The men of steel passed the ball around with conviction as the Gaurs struggled to keep pace with them. Trindade had another opportunity to score in the 11th minute when Jamshedpur FC were awarded a free kick on the right side, just outside the box. The Brazilian stepped up and curled an effort that flew just wide of the near post.

Jahouh was the first player to go into the referee’s book for a poor foul on Trindade. In the 16th minute, Coro set up Mandar from just outside the box but the winger curled his effort wide. Four minutes later, Jamshedpur had their best chance of the half as Izu Azuka received the ball on the edge of the box, turned Bruno Pinheiro and unleashed a ferocious effort at goal which luckily for the Gaurs, flew wide of the far post. As the half wore on, FC Goa began to get back into the game and strung a few passes around. However, they were still unable to unlock the compact Jamshedpur back line. As the half petered to a finish, the game kicked into life. Narayan Das intercepted a clearance in the 38th minute, kept possession, dodged a defender and unleashed a left footed effort that just about flew above the cross bar.

Just as the half looked like it would end all square, things took a dramatic turn. Brandon and Lanzarote played a neat one two in the penalty box and just as the winger could get a shot away; he was tackled by Andre Bikey. The Gaurs appealed for a penalty and the referee immediately pointed to the spot much to the disappoint of Bikey and the rest of the Jamshedpur side. Subrata Pal was cautioned for dissent in the ensuing scuffle. Lanzarote stepped up to take the penalty and hit it to the left of Pal who dived the right side but was unable to save it. The referee though, asked for the penalty to be retaken due to a breach in the penalty box. Once again, the Spaniard stepped up and hit his penalty in the exact same spot. Pal once again dived the right way but couldn’t get a hand on it. Soon after, the referee blew the whistle for half-time.

The men of steel came out all guns firing in the second period as well in a bid to get back in the game. They bombarded the Goan box with a number of crosses and were finally successful in the 54th minute. Jerry picked up the ball on the right wing from a clearance and curled a pin point pass towards the centre of the box where Trindade rose highest and headed it past Kattimani who was rooted to the spot. The Gaurs then began to settle down once more as they looked for a way ahead in the match. Coro received the ball in the centre of the park in the 59th minute and charged at goal before unleashing an effort that went just wide of the post. Hardly a minute later however, the Gaurs were back in front. Brandon took possession of the ball in the centre and threaded a neat through pass through to Lanzarote who ran at goal, turned the defender and curled a shot at the far post to restore the lead. Jamshedpur had the chance to restore parity once again in the 68th minute after substitute Farukh Choudhary found himself with the ball at his feet in a scramble. He failed to test Kattimani however as the chance went begging.

The men of steel pushed hard as Belfort made a nuisance of himself in the box. The Gaurs however, had a chance to extend their lead in the 77th minute as Coro played Mandar through brilliantly. The winger’s shot however flew above the crossbar. The Gaurs were sitting behind, soaking in the pressure and playing on the counter and should have doubled their lead in the 86th minute when Manvir played the ball forward for Edu Bedia who ran at Pal, rounded him but somehow hit the post with the goal at his mercy. Thereafter, the Gaurs defended resolutely through seven minutes of injury time and held out for a narrow win.

Mancini says it would be an honour to coach Italy

MILAN: Former Manchester City and Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini said that he would like to coach Italy’s national team, describing the possibility as an honour.

The job has been vacant since Gian Piero Ventura was sacked in November following Italy’s failure to qualify for the World Cup and Carlo Ancelotti, another potential candidate, has already said he is not interested at the moment.

Mancini, a gifted forward in his playing days, won a surprisingly modest 36 caps for Italy and never played at a World Cup, although was an unused member of the 1990 squad.

“I have a dream, which is to win as a coach something I never won as a player: the World Cup,” the 53-year-old told Gazzetta dello Sport.

“I have worked at big clubs and won. It’s beautiful to coach the national team. It would be an honour, a source of pride -- and winning the European championship or World Cup even more so.”

Mancini, coach of Russian side Zenit St Petersburg, said that the long periods without seeing his players -- something many national team coaches complain about -- would not be a problem.

“I’ve worked on the pitch as a player and coach every day for 40 years,” he said. “I‘m still young - I can go back to club football after the national team.”

Source: News Agency