Final hope goes up in smoke
India's hopes of entering the final of the Sultan Azlan Shah hockey tournament were dashed after they lost 0-1 to hosts Malaysia in their last league match in Ipoh, Malaysia. Shahril Saabah scored the winner for Malaysia in the 51st minute off a penalty corner. Malaysia thus ended the league stage of the tournament without conceding a goal. Britain will now meet Australia in the final on Saturday, while India will now compete for the bronze medal against New Zealand the same day.
Relief for Messi
FIFA lifted its four-match international suspension on Argentina and Barcelona star Lionel Messi after an appeal by the Argentine Football Association. Messi, who has already served one match of the suspension, was banned for insulting an assistant referee during Argentina's World Cup qualifying match with Chile on March 23. FIFA, however, warned the players against abusive behaviour towards officials and warned Messi to be careful in future. Argentina's next World Cup qualifier is against Uruguay on August 31.
Djoker splits with 'team'
Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic announced his decision to part ways with his coach Marian Vajda in search of improvement and to recover his winning spark. According to a message on Twitter, the world no. 2 also parted with his fitness coach Gebhard Phil Gritsch and physiotherapist Miljan Amanovic. The former world no. 1 has been experiencing a rare slump in form since the middle of last year after winning the French Open. Djokovic said he was in no hurry to find a new coach and that in the meantime he would work alone.
Deadline extended
The deadline for finishing the renovation work at the six venues that will host the FIFA U-17 World Cup, has been extended to May 30. Union Sports Minister Vijay Goel announced the decision in Kolkata, which is one of the venues, along with Goa, Guwahati, Kochi, Delhi and Navi Mumbai. May 15 was the earlier deadline for the completion of work. Goel added that the Union government has set aside Rs 200 crore for the U-17 World Cup, which will be held from October 6-28.
Shiva, Sumit on cusp of glory
Shiva Thapa (60kg) and Sumit Sangwan (91kg) scored major upsets to enter the final of their respective weight categories at the Asian Boxing Championships in Tashkent. Thapa stunned Olympic bronze medallist Dorjnyambuug Otgondalai of Mongolia 3-2 in the semifinals of the lightweight category. He will now fight Elnur Abduraimov of Uzbekistan for the gold medal. Meanwhile, Sumit crushed Jakhon Qurbonov of Tajikistanon 5-0 in the last four stage of the heavyweight category
Vikas Krishan, however, had to settle for bronze in the middleweight (75kg) category after he gave a walkover in the semifinals to Lee Dongyun of South Korea.
(With inputs from agencies)
