Sports

Bangkok, The first two members of a Thai football team have been rescued from the flooded cave where they had been trapped for more than two weeks, a local rescue official said on Sunday. Authorities in northern Chiang Rai province began the dangerous mission to bring out the 12 boys and their coach earlier on Sunday. "Two kids are out. They are currently at the field hospital near the cave," said

ST Petersburg (Russia), Jul 8: When Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were sent packing from the World Cup a week ago, the stage was set for Brazil's Neymar to take over the role of the tournament's true star. But it is now Belgium's Eden Hazard who is making the strongest bid for that crown. On Friday night in Kazan, Neymar too saw his World Cup end prematurely, as a Brazil team packed with

Jul 8: Ivan Rakitic scored the winning penalty as Croatia beat Russia 4-3 in a shoot-out after a dramatic 2-2 draw on Saturday to end the World Cup hopes of the host nation and advance to a semi-final against England. Brazilian-born Mario Fernandes had kept Russia's dream alive when he headed home in the 115th minute to level the scores and force penalties, but he and Fedor Smolov both failed to

Samara, Jul 8: Harry Maguire and Dele Alli scored as England comfortably defeated Sweden 2-0 in Samara on Saturday to reach the World Cup semi-finals for the first time since 1990. Leicester defender Maguire headed in the opening goal from a corner on 30 minutes, with Alli adding a second just before the hour. Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford then produced a series of crucial saves in the final half

Cardiff, Jul 7: England could level the series since they came well-prepared to effectively tackle wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav, India captain Virat Kohli said after they lost the second Twenty20 by five wickets. Kohli had no qualms in admitting that the hosts were the better side in the second Twenty20 with the hosts comfortably chasing a 150-run target. Kuldeep, who had bamboozled England batsmen

Sochi, July 7: Russia will look to book their place in the semi-final of the ongoing 21st edition of FIFA World Cup when they square off with Croatia in the quarter-final clash here at Fisht Stadium on Saturday. Russia, who came into the tournament ranked 70, surprised the spectators around the world with their impressive run in the tournament so far. The hosts will be coming off in the clash on

Kazan, Jul 7: Belgium used a combination of daring, intelligence, resilience and not a little luck to oust World Cup favourites Brazil 2-1 in a memorable quarter-final tie on Friday that would have made a worthy final. After disappointing quarter-final exits in their last two major tournaments, Belgium coach Roberto Martinez has instilled some self-belief in an outstandingly talented generation of

Kazan, Jul 6: Brazil right back Danilo has been ruled out of the rest of the World Cup after suffering ankle ligament damage in training on the eve of Friday's quarter-final against Belgium, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said in a statement. The 26-year-old suffered a thigh problem in Brazil's opening group game against Switzerland and has since been replaced in the team by Fagner

Moscow, Jul 6: The World Cup bursts back into life on Friday as tournament favourites Brazil take on a Belgium side brimming with talent while a young France team face battle-hardened Uruguay. Neymar's Brazil are aiming to win a record-extending sixth World Cup at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium on July 15. But first, the world's most expensive player and his star-studded supporting cast have to get

Harare, Jul 5: Shaheen Afridi took three wickets as Pakistan completed a clinical 45-run victory over Australia on Thursday in the Twenty20 tri-series in Zimbabwe. Pakistan batted first and opener Fakhar Zaman registered a career-best 73 as they raced to 194 for 7. Then left-arm seamer Afridi starred with three wickets as the bowlers held Australia to 149 for 7 in a match which was effectively a