SPORTS

Gurugram, Dec 11 (IANS) Indian golfers held the spotlight on the opening day of the fourth edition of the US Kids Golf Indian Championships at the Classic Golf and Country Club. Many of the opening round leaders have been winners in local tour events and have also won medals at past Indian and other international events.A total of 79 players from seven countries are taking part in the event, which awards WAGR points besides Junior Scoreboard and AJGA, which help gain spots into US Kids major international events.The three-day 54-hole event saw a stunning performance from Pritish Singh Karayat who carded 6-under 66 to open a six-shot lead over three others, He had eight birdies, four on either side of the course and had one bogey each side of the course. Vivaan Ubhayakar, Armaan Thapar and ...

Kandy, Dec 11 (IANS) Galle Marvels etched a comfortable win against Kandy Bolts by seven wickets in the Lanka T10 Super League at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. Marvels were handed a target of 101 runs which they achieved in the 8th over. After a steady start, Galle lost some wickets in quick succession and were 39/3 when Andre Fletcher and Shakib Al Hasan took charge.The two batters stitched an unbeaten partnership of 63 runs for the fourth wicket. Fletcher struck 41 not out off 21, a knock decorated with four maximums and three fours while Shakib chipped in with 20 not out off 8 to take the team over the line.Earlier, Kandy Bolts did not have a great start to the innings as they lost two wickets at a score of five on the board. But it was Sri Lankan wicket-keeper batter Dinesh ...

Pune, Dec 11 (IANS) Former winners U Mumba delivered a dominant display against Tamil Thalaivas in Match 106 of Season 11 of the Pro Kabaddi League, winning 47-31 in the Badminton Hall of the Balewadi Sports Complex here on Wednesday. Led by Ajit Chouhan’s Super 10, Manjeet’s nine points and Amir Mohammad Zafardanesh’s eight-point game, they completed a 15-point rout as they jumped back to second place on the points table. It was a rollicking start for U Mumba who were breathing fire in the first six minutes, rocketing to a 9-0 lead. Amirmohammad Zafardanesh and Ajit Chouhan came out all guns blazing to put Tamil Thalaivas under pressure from the start and inflicted an All Out without wasting much time at all.Tamil Thalaivas responded strongly after having their backs against the wall, co...

Muscat, Dec 11 (IANS) China defeated India 2-1 in a tightly-contested third Pool A match at the Women’s Junior Asia Cup here on Wednesday as they topped Pool A. By winning these three points, China confirmed their spot in the semifinals as the Pool A winners.In the crucial clash on Wednesday, Jinzhuang Tan (32’) and Lihang Wang (42’) were the goalscorers for China while Deepika (56’) scored her seventh goal for India to lead the tournament’s top scorer's leaderboard.The first quarter saw both sides attack aggressively on all fronts looking for an early opening goal. India created plenty of chances but wasn't incisive enough in the shooting circle.India received an early penalty corner but their attempt on goal was saved by China’s strong backline. China too received a penalty corner toward...

Chennai, Dec 11 (IANS) An early goal from Irfan Yadwad was the decider in Chennaiyin FC’s first home win of the Indian Super League 2024-25 season, a 1-0 triumph over Hyderabad FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Wednesday. It turned out to be an apt celebration for head coach Owen Coyle’s milestone 50th game in charge.Coyle, on Wednesday, became the first Chennaiyin FC head coach to reach the 50-match mark, as his team battled for three points amid difficult circumstances.Looking for a reaction from his team, Coyle opted for Bikash Yumnam in central defence alongside captain Ryan Edwards. Laldinliana Renthlei and PC Laldinpuia guarded the wings, while further forward, Kiyan Nassiri made his first start of the season.Chennaiyin enjoyed a blistering start in the torrential downpour, ...

Dubai, Dec 11 (IANS) Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting believes the incident between Travis Head and Mohammed Siraj during the second Border-Gavaskar Test in Adelaide was all down to a "misinterpretation" and said it as "accidental" the way the whole thing was played.The incident took place in the 82nd over of Australia’s first innings, when Siraj castled Head, on 140, with a crushing yorker and gave him a fiery send-off and aggressively gestured to walk back towards the direction of the stands. To this, Head replied back to the pacer before walking off to a standing ovation from his home crowd.Afterwards, the Adelaide crowd made constant boos whenever Siraj was fielding in the deep or came on to bowl, to express their displeasure over how he behaved with Head.“Looking back at it now,...

Girona, Dec 11 (IANS) Liverpool manager Arne Slot has said he is pleased with the result that his side made six wins in six games but not the performance in Liverpool's away win over Girona in the Champions League on Tuesday evening.Liverpool made it six straight victories in the league phase thanks to a converted penalty from Mohamed Salah in the 63rd minute at Estadi Montilivi.Alisson Becker marked his return from a two-month lay-off due to injury by producing a number of crucial saves during the first half to deny the La Liga side and ensure the game was goalless at the break."If you ask me about all six games, I'm really pleased with all the results. I am really pleased with the five (other) games with the way we played. I'm far from pleased about the performance tonight," Slot said in...

New Delhi, Dec 11 (IANS) Mohamed Salah's second-half penalty maintained their perfect record in the Champions League this season by beating Girona 1-0 away from home.The Egyptian international's 63rd-minute penalty at Estadi Montilivi made it six victories from six in the league phase for Arne Slot's side, who top the standings.Already guaranteed a spot in the knockout rounds, the win puts the Reds on the brink of a definite top-eight finish, which would see them progress straight to the last 16 and bypass the play-offs.Meanwhile, an attacking masterclass from Jamal Musiala and Michael Olise's double led Bayern to a 5-1 win over Shakhtar Donetsk to mark their first away win of the league phase.Shakhtar had led through Kevin in Gelsenkirchen, but the visitors did not look back after Konrad ...

Madrid (Spain), Dec 10 (IANS) Spanish giants FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are in different moments of form as they prepare for vital UEFA Champions League ties on Wednesday night. Both need to win their games improve their position and maintain their chances of qualifying for the knockout stage.Barcelona, currently third in the 36-team group, has to play Borussia Dortmund and Benfica away from home before entertaining Atalanta, meaning it still has a lot of work to do to assure the top-eight finish that would see it qualify directly for the Round of 16.Meanwhile, Atletico have an easier calendar ahead of them but need to keep winning to climb from their current 15th place into the top-eight. Facing last season's finalist Borussia Dortmund, Barcelona coach Hansi Flick must be worried ab...

Berlin (Germany), Dec 10 (IANS) Former Manchester City youngster Jamie Gittens is the man for good news for struggling Borussia Dortmund. Ahead of the delicate UEFA Champions League encounter against Spanish giant Barcelona this Wednesday evening, the 20-year-old seems on everyone's lips due to his stellar performance.Following his life-saving goals for the Black and Yellows, rumours of tempting offers from leading Premier League sides seem to have become a daily routine. There might be worse situations for a talented footballer than choosing between Chelsea, the LFC, Arsenal, and Tottenham. While interested parties seem to queue up, the winger has turned into a ray of hope for the 2024 Champions League final participant.The worst away-game record in 33 years has caused unrest in Dortmund,...