UAE in valiant Olympics debut against Uruguay

July 27, 2012

UAE

Ajax Amsterdam’s Nicolas Lodeiro played the perfect substitute when he struck a second half match-winner to help former two-time champions Uruguay get off with a 2-1 win over debutants UAE in the football competition of the 2012 London Olympics here on Thursday.


Led by Liverpool striker Luis Suarez and the likes of Edinson Cavani of Napoli, Liverpool’s Sebastian Coates and Nicolas Lodeiro of Botafogo, the much fancied ‘Le Celeste’ were matched well by the UAE till the 56th minute strike from Lodeiro that gave them full points.


The UAE took the lead through skipper Esmail Mattar in the 23rd minute, only to see the South Americans – gold medalists in 1928 and 1932 – equalise in the 42nd minute from a Gaston Ramirez free kick.


The UAE took their time at settling down early in the match and could have taken the lead in the fifth minute itself when captain Esmail Mattar guided the ball wide after receiving from Ahmad Khalil.

Five minutes later, Omar Abdul Rahman came up with some classy display inside the area, but tripped after getting past Liverpool defender Sebastian Coates.


Better ball possession

Though the UAE enjoyed better ball possession it was Uruguay who continued pressing with four of their five corners coming in the opening 20 minutes.


Mattar rightfully opened the scoring on the evening in front of the 40,000 plus crowd when he accepted a lovely through ball from Omar Abdul Rahman, beat the off-side trap and placed into an open goal.


Two minutes later, the UAE could have doubled their lead had Khalil not taken that extra second to shoot at goal after receiving from Rashid Eisa.


Content with the lead, the UAE kept possession even as Napoli striker Cavani and Suarez fell behind to assist.


Near to second goal

The UAE nearly got a second goal in the 39th minute when a Mattar header travelled just wide off the upright following a cross from the left by Omar Abdul Rahman.


Three minutes from half-time the South Americans got the equaliser when Bologna’s Gaston Ramirez curled a free kick over the UAE defensive wall.


Uruguay re-trooped well in the second session and did well to take the lead in the 56th minute when Lodeiro hammered home from close after being set up by captain Suarez’s run down the line.


The UAE could have got a much-needed equalizer in the 78th when Khalil guided an Omar Abdul Rahman pass wide with goalkeeper Martin Campana beaten.


Uruguay then held possession and denied the UAE any further attempt on goal, barring a lame try from substitute Esmail Al Hammadi towards the end that changed nothing for the Uruguay.



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News Network
May 18,2020

Karachi, May 18: Former Pakistan captain Younis Khan believes it is at least five years too early to compare Virat Kohli and Babar Azam as the Indian skipper has proven himself in "every kind of situation" and the latter has not.

"Virat Kohli is far more experienced than Babar. He has at least five years more experience of top cricket and he is at the peak of his career," said Younis, Pakistan's leading run-getter in Tests.

"Kohli has far more exposure than Babar and he has been in every kind of situation and proven himself. No one gets 70 international centuries like that and this are proof of his class and abilities. He has scored runs in every situation and all opposition."

Younis said said Babar still has a long way to go.

"Babar has been in top cricket for just around five years. He has got a very impressive batting average across all three formats and he is getting better by the day.

"You see him batting and you can see he has got the same qualities that Kohli had at the start of his career."

Besides amassing 70 international hundreds, 31-year-old Kohli averages more than 50 in all three formats. The India skipper has scored more than 20,000 runs while 25-year-old Babar has 6680 runs across formats though the Pakistan limited overs skipper has played significantly lesser number of games.

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News Network
April 4,2020

New Delhi, April 4: India skipper Virat Kohli has said that the 2014 Test series against England was the lowest point of his career.

He made the revelation during a candid Instagram Live session with former England batsman Kevin Pietersen.

To date, the 2014 Test series in England remains one of the worst Test series for Kohli as he averaged just 13.40 from 10 ten innings with his highest score being 39.

"I felt like as a batsman, you know you are going to get out in the morning as soon as you wake up. That was the time I felt like that there is no chance I am getting runs. And still to get out of bed and just get dressed for the game and to go out there and go through that, knowing that you will fail, was something that ate me up," Kohli told Pietersen.

However, just four years later, Kohli made a triumphant return to England as he scored a century in the opening Test of the 2018 series and finished as the highest run-getter in the series.

Kohli told Pietersen that the performance in 2014 came because he was just thinking about his own batting.

"2014 series happened, for all the younger guys listening, because I was too focused on doing well from a personal point of view. I wanted to get runs. I could never think of what does the team want me to do in this situation," Kohli said.

"I just got too engulfed with England tour - if I perform here, Test cricket, in my mind I am going to feel established and all that crap on the outside, which is not important at all," he added.
During the chat, Kohli talked about his favourite format in cricket and he also revealed the main reason for turning into a vegan.

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News Network
June 13,2020

Melbourne, Jun 13: Former Australia wicketkeeper-batsman Adam Gilchrist and current opener David Warner have expressed gratitude to two Indian students for helping people in the country during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gilchrist thanked Sharon Varghese, an Indian student who did her Bachelors in Nursing from the University of Wollongong.

Varghese has been was working on the frontline along with other health care workers to look after the residents of aged-care during the global health crisis.

"She gave up her time to work as an aged-care worker throughout that time. Sharon, I want to say congratulations on the selfless act and for wanting to thank people in Australia because you have enjoyed three and a half years living here. And that’s wonderful to hear," Gilchrist said in a video message.

"Just want to let you know, all of Australia, all of India and more importantly, your family will be so very proud of your efforts."

In another short video, Warner thanked Queensland-based Indian student, Shreyas Sheth.

"Namaste. I am here to say thank you to Shreyas Sheth who is doing selfless work to help others during the COVID crisis. Shreyas is doing his Masters in Computer Science at the University of Queensland and he has been part of University’s outreach program, preparing and delivering food packets to students in need right now," Warner said in the video.

"So I just want to say ‘good on ya’. I am sure your mum and dad and India are proud of you. Keep up the great work."

The videos were shared by Austrade India official twitter account, which have hit almost 10 thousand views in last one week.

Apart from the two cricketers, another Social Media Influencer Amy Aela also sent her thank you note to Liya, an Indian student from Griffith university for her work in providing mental health support to communities in Australia during the pandemic.

"Liya I just want to thank you...we definately need more people like you...just remember that Australia is so so proud of you, India is proud of you..please keep up the good work," Aela said.

Former Australian footballer Craig Foster also sent his thank you message to another Indian origin nurse Arushi from Deakin University. More than 100,000 Indian students are studying in Australia, currently making them one of the biggest cohorts of international students in the country.

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