Sports

Jerusalem, Nov 22 (IANS) China became the only unbeaten team after the second day of the 2022 Men's World Team Chess Championship in Jerusalem on Monday.

China beat Ukraine 3-1 and the Netherlands 3.5-0.5 in the six-team Group A, raising their record to full eight points from four matches and securing their spot in the quarterfinals with one round to go.

Bai Jinshi and Li Di scored 3.5 points from four games for China so far, while Xu Xiangyu contributed three points, reports Xinhua. China captain Wen Yang, gold medalist from the 2017 World Team Championship, told Xinhua that the team is very young, and this is the first time for some players to participate in an international competition.

"The results achieved by the team up to now are beyond expectations," he added.

Ukraine, who drew 2-2 with Spain, and France, who drew 2-2 with Spain and beat South Africa 3.5-0.5, also secured their places in the quarterfinals, with both teams currently on five points.

Spain (four points) and the Netherlands (two points) will vie for the last quarterfinal berth in Group A, while South Africa remain winless after four rounds.

In Group B, Uzbekistan secured their place in the quarterfinals with six points, after beating the United States 2.5-1.5 and India 3.5-0.5.

Javokhir Sindarov has so far scored 3.5 points for Uzbekistan, and his teammate Jahongir Vakhidov added three points.

Azerbaijan dropped to second place with five points after losing 2.5-1.5 to India and drawing 2-2 with Poland. Israel rose to third place with four points, after a 2-2 draw against Poland and a 2.5-1.5 win over the U.S..

India are fourth with four points, ahead of Poland on three points and the U.S. with two points.

The final match of the competition, organised by the International Chess Federation (FIDE), will be played on Friday.

--IANS

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Thiruvananthapuram , Nov 20 (IANS) With the bugle for the FIFA World Cup to sound in a few hours in Doha, the soccer-crazy people of Kerala have erected cut-outs of the Emir of Qatar, Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani along with the huge cut-outs of Argentina great Lionel Messi and Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo. Neymar Jr of Brazil too finds a place everywhere in the state as there is a dedicated fan club in Kerala for all the superstars of football.

The cut-out of Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani is erected at Kasargod. Abdul Rahiman, a Dubai-based businessman who is on a holiday here to watch football on TV along with his friends and relatives, while speaking to IANS said, "Qatar is a small country and they are organising the World Cup. As a thanksgiving to that, we thought of erecting the cut-out of the leader of Qatar along with superstars Messi and Ronaldo."

In Eachur Panchayat of Kannur district, soccer-crazy fans have painted their homes in Argentina colours and a huge cut-out of Messi is seen at a bust intersection.

Sudhakaran, a tea-stall owner in Eachur while speaking to IANS said, "This village is full of Messi fans and I have painted my home in Argentina colours and we have erected a cut-out of Messi here. It's Argentina who will lift the World Cup this time."

Malappuram district of Kerala is synonymous with the game and seven-a-side matches are a rage in the district with each team procuring even international players from countries like Nigeria and Ghana to don their colours, paying a heavy fee.

Abdul Majeed, a local scrap dealer and a huge fan of Brazil, while speaking to IANS said, "It will be Brazil who will lift the Cup this time. I am going to Qatar along with my friends from the quarter-finals onwards. I've spent a fortune for the trip but soccer is in my blood and so it is in this village where everyone breathes football."

The village has hoisted a huge cut-out of Neymar and Messi, which are 42 and 41 feet in height.
In Alappuzha and Ernakulam, the roads along the highways have cut-outs of Messi, Neymar and Ronaldo with soccer-crazy fans coming out in the streets wearing the jerseys of their favourite teams.

Kozhikode, which can easily be stated as the capital of Malabar in North Kerala is full of crazy soccer fans installing giant television sets at clubs and party offices with free flow of coffee and tea being served to the fans. Biscuits and other snacks are also provided.

Krishnakumar G.C., president of Friends Arts and Science Club, Bilathikulam, Kozhikode while speaking to IANS said, "It is interesting time. The club has bought a new television set and has erected a pandal for soccer fans to watch the World Cup. A huge fan following is here for stars like Messi, Neymar and Ronaldo. I am a fan of Portugal team and expect Ronaldo to perform exceedingly well."

However most of the fans are reluctant to go to Qatar as the airlines have increased fares, ticket charges are high and accommodation is also costly. Most of them are interested to watch the World Cup from the comforts of their homes or from a club recreation room.

There are also many people who expect the host team Qatar to reach at least the quarterfinals of the tournament. Many of those who are rooting for Qatar are working in that country or their close relatives are working there.

--IANS

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Mount Maunganui, Nov 20 (IANS) Suryakumar Yadav put out yet another 360-degree astonishing masterclass in T20I batting with an unbeaten 49-ball century to propel India to a challenging 191/6 against New Zealand in the second T20I at Mount Maunganui on Sunday.

On a sluggish pitch where almost all Indian batters found it tough to time the ball, Suryakumar, the top-ranked T20I batter, hit 11 fours and seven sixes all over the park at a strike-rate of 217.65 to be unbeaten on 111 off 51 balls, his second T20I century.

For New Zealand, veteran pacer Tim Southee took his second T20I hat-trick to pick 3/34 in his four overs. Southee's hat-trick, on a day New Zealand's bowlers leaked runs aplenty, was pivotal in restricting India to below 200.

India began the innings with Rishabh Pant whipping strongly past mid-on off Tim Southee in the opening over. But it was his fellow left-hander Ishan Kishan who was more fluent in his stroke-play.

He began by dabbing Southee late through third man for four, flicking Lockie Ferguson over deep square-leg for six and then placed a drive off an inconsistent Adam Milne between extra cover and mid-off.

In a bid to break the shackles, Pant tried to pull a short, outside the off-stump ball from Ferguson in the final over of power-play. But the ball took a top-edge and was caught easily by Southee running backwards from short third man.

Suryakumar Yadav got going with a scooped four clearing the keeper while Kishan welcomed James Neesham with back-to-back fours on both sides of the wicket, before rain stopped play for 26 minutes.

Post resumption, Kishan successfully overturned an lbw call off Ish Sodhi and drilled a drive down the ground for four in the same over. After Suryakumar swept Mitchell Santner for six over deep backward square leg, Sodhi ended Kishan's stay on the very next ball as the left-hander cut straight to short third man.

Shreyas Iyer sparkled in lofting Sodhi on both sides of the 'v' for four and six. But in a bid to flick off Ferguson, his backfoot disturbed the stumps and was out hit-wicket. But Suryakumar marched forward in his trademark style, carving delightful drives, especially going inside-out twice over extra cover off Sodhi for a brace of fours.

He then used pace from Ferguson to whip off his hips over fine leg for six, leaving everyone in awe of the shot. After reaching his fifty in 32 balls, Suryakumar again delighted the crowd by dancing down the pitch for a crisp lofted six over deep extra cover off Santner.

He then brought out his supple wrists to flick Southee for six and four in the first two balls of 17th over, before hitting Milne for a brace of sixes on slower balls over long-off and fine leg. Suryakumar tore into Ferguson in the 19th over, opening the face of the bat late to carve over third man for four.

He then hit the tearaway pacer for three fours and a six in the 19th over, second of which got him a 49-ball century with a beautiful drive through extra cover. Southee took a hat-trick in the final over by dismissing Hardik Pandya, Deepak Hooda and Washington Sundar on consecutive deliveries as Suryakumar ended up at 111 not out.

Brief Scores: India 191/6 in 20 overs (Suryakumar Yadav 111 not out, Ishan Kishan 36; Tim Southee 3/34, Lockie Ferguson 2/49) against New Zealand.



--IANS

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Mount Maunganui, Nov 20 (IANS) Though tearaway quick Umran Malik isn't in the playing eleven for the second T20I against New Zealand at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, the Jammu-based fast-bowler revealed that he's working on adding slower balls, yorkers as well as pitching deliveries consistently on good and hard lengths.

Malik caught everyone's attention by clocking high speeds in IPL 2021 and 2022 for his side Sunrisers Hyderabad. Good showings from there propelled him to make his T20I debut for India against Ireland in June, clocking three appearances in the format till date.

"I am working on developing new deliveries. Like, I am working on slowers and yorkers for T20s. Also, I am working very well on pitching good length and hard length balls. I am enjoying a lot by working alongside the coaches and feels really good," said Malik in a pre-match chat with broadcasters.

Malik, 22, stated he's learning a lot from spending time working at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and in the national side. "Currently, I am training at the NCA and working alongside Troy (Cooley, the NCA fast-bowling coach). I am working here in the side and feels very nice as I get to learn from the experiences of many people here and can see the difference in terms of accuracy. I have to bowl fast, but I will also bowl with the variations."

Asked on why his speeds were a little slow in Ireland, Malik put it down to slightly more cold in the country. "In Ireland, there was little bit cold, so the body wasn't opening up very well. It takes a bit of time for the body to open up in cold conditions. It was a little bit more cold than it is (in Jammu & Kashmir)."

It has been a whirlwind rise for Malik, who plays for Jammu & Kashmir in domestic cricket. He just wishes to put in good performances and be in the Indian team for long. "For me, it is a proud moment to play for India. Coming from a very small state, I had played for India before and now making a comeback again, it's just a thing of dedication for me."

"When I am playing for India, it is national duty and have to do well. If I do well, will stay here in the team for long. I just want to play long for India and perform well."



--IANS

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By Ashis Ray
London, Nov 20 (IANS) Dr Joshua Bull, an Oxford mathematician at the University's Mathematical Institute, has done a modelling, which forecasts the likelihood of a Brazil victory in the FIFA World Cup finals stating today in Qatar.



Sharing his modelling with IANS, Dr Bull laughingly said: "So this is, you know, my prediction, my future in sports modelling on the line. And my model is basically saying that Brazil are definitely looking most likely to win, but by no means guaranteed."

Describing himself as a 'non-football expert', Dr Bull uses what is called an xG tool, which is popular in football modelling circles. He has simulated every game in the tournament -- the first ever winter World Cup in football -- to arrive at a conclusion.

He calculates from predicted xGs for teams in a match to a likely score of the match by using what he described as 'a Poisson distribution'. He also falls back on current ratings of teams as listed in eloratings.net.

Having gone through the modelling process match by match, he projects a Brazil versus Argentina final, with the former beating the Netherlands and the latter defeating France in the semifinals.

Dr Bull's four other quarterfinalists are Portugal, Spain, Belgium and Denmark in the beautiful game's greatest show on earth.

--IANS

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Doha, Nov 18 (IANS) FIFA and the organising committee for World Cup 2022, starting in Qatar on Sunday (November 20), have made a sudden U-turn and banned the sale of beer and alcohol in and around the seven match venues.

FIFA did not give any reason for the sudden change in rules as it had earlier negotiated for the sale of beer in and around the stadiums. FIFA has, however, managed to safeguard the interests of AB InBev, the company that owns major beer producer Budweiser, with which it has a long-term sponsorship deal.

In a statement issued on Friday, FIFA said alcohol will be available only at select fan sites and licensed restaurants and hotels and will not be sold at the match venues. Qatar is an Islamic state which severely restricts alcohol consumption.

"Following discussions between host country authorities and FIFA, a decision has been made to focus the sale of alcoholic beverages on the FIFA Fan Festival, other fan destinations and licensed venues, removing sales points of beer from Qatar's FIFA World Cup 2022 stadium perimeters," FIFA said its statement on Friday.

However, FIFA said, "There is no impact on the sale of Bud Zero which will remain available at all of Qatar's World Cup stadiums." Bud Zero is a non-alcoholic beverage produced by Budweiser.

"Host country authorities and FIFA will continue to ensure that the stadiums and surrounding areas provide an enjoyable, respectful and pleasant experience for all fans," FIFA added in its statement.

"The tournament organisers appreciate AB InBev's understanding and continued support to our joint commitment to cater for everyone during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022," the statement added.

According to reports, dozens of beer tents had already been set up at stadiums ahead of the first game Sunday between Qatar and Ecuador.

Beer will remain available in VIP suites in stadiums, which are sold by world football's governing body, at the main FIFA fan zone in Doha, some private fan zones and in about 35 hotel and restaurant bars.

As per a rough estimate, Qatar is expecting more than a million fans to visit the country for the 29-day tournament starting on November 20.

--IANS

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Srinagar, Nov 18 (IANS) Rajasthan United FC will take on Real Kashmir FC in their second game of the I-League at the TRC Stadium here on Saturday.

The game will see the return of football to the Valley after two years of Covid protocols. Tickets for the game have already been sold out and an estimated 14,000 fans are expected to attend.

The two teams have both made winning starts to their campaigns, Rajasthan beating Churchill Brothers in Goa and Real Kashmir beating Neroca FC in Imphal. Led by two young Indian managers, the game promises to be a tough contest.

The Rajasthan United team conducted its final training session in 2 degrees temperature and the general feeling in the camp - despite the drastic change in conditions after their opener in Goa three days back - is of comfort.

Speaking about the change in conditions coach Pushpender Kundu said that while it was a challenge he was confident that the team would adapt and find a way. "My boys are warriors and they will find a way to block all of this out. It is also the beauty of the I-League that teams have to play in these different conditions."

Rajasthan United also boasts of a player who played for Real Kashmir last season - Ragav Gupta. Gupta who hails from Jammu, has quickly established himself as an important presence in the team. "I will be seeing a lot of my friends across the pitch. My job as a professional requires me to be my best for my current team. And I will not disappoint the coach or my teammates."

At the team's final training session, the players were met by Kashmir and a Indian football legend Md Yousuf Dar and his son Sajid Dar. Md Yousuf Dar, played for Mohammedan Sporting between 1962-73 and is the first Kashmiri footballer to represent India at the senior level, doing so in 1978-79. His son Sajid Dar is one of the foremost coaching minds in the country, has been the head coach of the women's national team and is responsible for much of Kashmir's football's resurgence.

"It is great to see a club from Rajasthan come to Kashmir," Yousuf Dar said. "The state used to host very prestigious tournaments that I have also played in. Footballers must remember that your off pitch character determines your on pitch character. Build both to the highest standards. I wish all the players the best and have no doubt they will give the fans a treat."

--IANS
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Wellington, Nov 17 (IANS) After being beaten in the semifinals of the T20 World Cup in Australia, a new-look India will be back in action in the shortest format against New Zealand in the T20I series opener at Sky Stadium in Wellington on Friday.

With stand-in head coach VVS Laxman insisting that the Hardik Pandya-led side, without many regular stars, will be looking to play fearless and flexible cricket during the series, it also kickstarts the road towards the 2024 T20 World Cup.

After going out of the tournament in the Super 12 stage in 2021, India's adopted an ultra-attacking approach with the bat, which gave them results in the bilateral series. But by the time T20 World Cup 2022 came in Australia, they were back to conservative batting approach, especially in the first six overs, which paled badly in comparison to England's swashbuckling play with both bat and ball, eventually taking them all the way to the trophy.

Missing personnel like captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul in the top-order may prove to be a blessing in disguise for India in search of players who bat in sync with today's time in T20 cricket.

The series against New Zealand could throw up players who may become vital cogs in ending India's wait for a silverware in shortest format since winning the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2007.

Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill, uncapped in the T20I format, could be the likely openers for the first match. While Kishan did play as an opener this year when the experiments stage was on, Gill will be hoping to make his mark in the country where he clinched Player of the Tournament award in India's run to U19 World Cup trophy and made his ODI debut.

But the Indian team management could give Rishabh Pant a decent run at the top of the order. Pant, who burst on the scene with blistering performances in IPL 2016 just after catching everyone's eye with his exploits in U19 World Cup earlier that year, was largely kept out of the initial playing eleven in T20 World Cup as India preferred finishing touches of Dinesh Karthik.

But after Karthik recorded single-digit scores, India got Pant in for their last Super 12 match against Zimbabwe, as well as for the semi-final against England. In that game at Adelaide Oval, India didn't promote Pant in the batting order when Adil Rashid and Liam Livingstone were operating.

Instead, he was sent at number six, making six off four balls, as India were a ten-wicket thrashing by England. With the main top three rested, India could consider getting Pant a long run as an opener or if Kishan and Gill open, he should then be getting sufficient time in middle-order where Suryakumar Yadav and Sanju Samson will feature too.

With the ball, India will be banking on leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav and off-spin all-rounder Washington Sundar to click. Chahal will be having points to prove after warming the bench for India's campaign in the T20 World Cup, which left many in the cricketing circle baffled.

While Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Arshdeep Singh would share new-ball duties, Umran Malik is expected to chip in with his raw pace and some more accuracy. Harshal Patel and Mohammed Siraj too are in fray for game time.

New Zealand, on the other hand, were also beaten in the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup by eventual runners-up Pakistan. With veterans Martin Guptill and Trent Boult mitted from the squad for the series, it gives young attacking opener Finn Allen a chance to cement his spot in both white-ball formats as an opener alongside Devon Conway.

With the ball, Adam Milne will be hoping that injuries stay away to give himself the best chance for shining in Boult's absence. Kane Williamson would be itching to be back amongst the runs while Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips will be keen to continue their run-scoring ways.

Squads
India: Hardik Pandya (captain), Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, Deepak Hooda, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (vice-captain and wicket-keeper), Sanju Samson, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Umran Malik.

New Zealand: Kane Williamson (captain), Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Jimmy Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Michael Bracewell, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Adam Milne, Lockie Ferguson and Blair Tickner.

--IANS
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Gangtok, Nov 17 (IANS) An AIFF Centre of Excellence and the FIFA football for schools programme in Sikkim have been announced by AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey. The AIFF president made the announcement after meeting Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang at Gangtok on Wednesday evening.

"We will set up the Centre of Excellence in Sikkim which will be exclusive for talented football kids of Sikkim. They are unable to get international level infrastructure and training for which they have to go to Mumbai, Kolkata or Delhi, far away from their home. This we do not want. The boys of Sikkim should learn football in their home State through the Centre of Excellence," said the AIFF president to media.

Earlier in the day, Chaubey chaired the AIFF executive committee meet at Gangtok.

The other important takeaway of the AIFF executive meeting was to implement FIFA football for schools project in Sikkim schools.

Chaubey shared that the FIFA, AIFF and Education ministry had signed a tripartite agreement to teach and promote football in 1.4 lakh schools in India.

"As per the tripartite agreement, students of age 6 years to 12 years will learn football under the FIFA football for schools grassroots development programme. We shared about this with the Chief Minister for implementing the grassroots football programme in the six districts of Sikkim," said the AIFF president.

Asked how soon these projects will take shape in Sikkim, Chaubey stated that the AIFF had preliminary discussions and the proposals will be placed beofre the Government of Sikkim through Sikkim Football Association (SFA).

To a question on Sikkim hosting international football matches, the AIFF president said that the Chief Minister had also raised the same issue during the meeting with the AIFF delegation.

"The Chief Minister had also asked when and how Sikkim can host international or senior level national matches. I have assured that we will certainly look forward to it on Sikkim hosting these matches. Let me get back to my office and once we come up with a proper plan, we will share with the Chief Minister," said the AIFF president.

On his part, the Chief Minister shared that the AIFF executive committee, during the meeting with him, has assured all possible support for development of football in Sikkim. Similarly, the Sikkim government will do whatever needs to be done from its side, he said.

Tamang thanked Chaubey and the AIFF executive committee for announcing a Centre of Excellence for football in Sikkim and committed all support from the State government's side.

The Chief Minister informed that, during the meeting with the AIFF meeting, he called for Sikkim hosting international or national-level football matches. "We have two grounds in Sikkim registered under AIFF and proposed that Sikkim can organize national and international matches, he said.

The AIFF president, at the outset, informed that it was for the first time in 50 years of Indian football that the AIFF executive committee meeting was held in Sikkim at Gangtok.

"We discussed with the SFA on how to ensure advancement of football in Sikkim. At the meeting, we made developmental plans for different States, finalised budgets and discussed on youth football and women's football," said Chaubey.

--IANS
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Berlin (Germany), Nov 16 (IANS) Antonio Rudiger might not be the biggest name in Germany's squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, but the 29-year-old Real Madrid defender is nothing less than a star.

While 2014 World Cup winners Germany are well equipped in midfield and upfront, Rudiger has to deal with a tricky challenge, to turn a newly-formed backline into a robust stronghold.

For some reason, the job appears a perfect match for him.

His early years in the so-called football cages in one of Berlin's roughest areas might have taught him the lesson of his life.

The district of Neukolln came near a melting pot of cultures in a tough environment. In his case, things turned into a helpful school of life in many aspects.

It took him some years to attract attention on the big stage covered by TV cameras.

After his apprenticeship-like years in Stuttgart, the tall defender took the hard way with two years at AS Roma and five at Chelsea, including disappointments and setbacks, reports Xinhua.

Developing a strong will on Berlin's streets, the German turned into one of Europe's best defenders, joining Real Madrid last summer.

Having gained invaluable experience competing against the continent's best strikers of all types clearly convinced Germany coach Hansi Flick to take him to Qatar.

His rapid development, along with game-opening skills, made Flick forget about aging 2014 World Cup-winning defender Mats Hummels.

"If something doesn't destroy you it makes you stronger," Rudiger stated on social media after scoring Real's equaliser in a Champions League group match, despite a heavily bleeding head wound treated with several stitches.

It seems certain he will be a regular in the starting eleven; the issue to solve is who will partner with him.

Flick's decision to leave Hummels at home is not only pushing Rudiger into the limelight but also tells a story of deep trust.

--IANS

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