World Hockey League Semi-final: Jasjit double sinks Malaysia, India enter last four

July 2, 2015

Antwerp, Jul 2: Jasjit Singh Kular converted two penalty corners in the final quarter to send India to the last four stage of the Hockey World League (HWL) Semi-Final as the 2014 Asian Games champions overcame a fighting Malaysia with a 3-2 victory in the quarter-final here on Wednesday.

World Hockey League

Satbir Singh gave world No.9 India the lead in the 15th minute but world No.12 Malaysia scored from skipper Razie Rahim (15th) and Shahril Saabah (23rd) to go ahead, before Jasjit scored twice (49th and 56th) to secure victory for his side at the Brasschaat Municipal Park.

India, who have already qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympics, will meet the winner between hosts Belgium and France in the semi-final. World No.1 Australia thrashed Ireland 4-1 to set up a semi-final against England, who got the better of Pakistan 2-1 in the earlier matches held on the day. With this loss, four-time four-time World Cup winners Pakistan have failed to qualify for the Olympic Games.

The game between India and Malaysia opened up on a breakneck speed as the two teams, with counter-attacking game, showed their intent from the beginning.

India grabbed the first opportunity in the third minute as Akashdeep Singh ran down to from the right of the Malaysian circle and dodged two markers before passing it to Satbir, who deflected the ball home to make it 1-0.

One minute later, Akashdeep got a brilliant chance to make it 2-0 as he was one-on-one with rival goalkeeper Roslan Jamaluddin but the Indian fired it over of the post.

Without wasting any moment, Malaysia were rewarded with a penalty corner following a pacy counter-attack, only for skipper Rahim to waste it.

Both the goalkeepers P.R. Sreejesh and Roslan had a tough day as their teams went on the offensive.

Malaysia seemed better in the last five minutes of the first quarter and got their equaliser in the 15th minute as Azuna Hasan hit the ball on the foot of India's Birendra Lakra, allowing a penalty corner. Skipper Rahim made amends for his earlier mistake and fired a grounder to the right corner of the post.

As soon as the second quarter began, Malaysia absorbed the pressure exerted by India and dominated the midfield. They showed more pace and energy as compared to the Indians and that bore fruit in the form of a 2-1 lead in the 23rd minute.

Off a penalty corner, Rahim played a dummy to Saabah, who managed to beat through Sreejesh's legs in a rare mistake from the Indian vice-captain.

India responded with much more firepower. However, they failed to make the most of two penalty corners following their directionless efforts.

Skipper Rahim had avery good day as he led the Malaysian defence that held firm against the likes of Nikkin Thimmiah, Devindar Walmiki, Satbir and Dharamvir Singh.

Trailing 1-2, India went on the attack from the start of the final quarter of 15 minutes. Lakra made a very good run form the right and passed it on to winger Gurbaj Singh, who found a foot of a Malaysia defender, earning a penalty corner in the 49th minute.

Jasjit flicked high into the net to make it 2-2 in the second chance following a messy defending on the first from the Malaysians.

After India levelled themselves, the 2014 Asian Games champions upped the ante and were rewarded with a penalty corner. Jasjit fired a booming flick into the net to give the 3-2 lead for India in the 56th minute. And later Sreejesh was tested fiercely but the Indian custodian came out on top to take India to the semi-final.

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News Network
June 22,2020

Zadar (Croatia), Jun 22: Grigor Dimitrov took to Instagram to announce that he has tested positive for coronavirus. The tennis star was one of the players who took part in the Adria Tour with the likes Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev and Dominic Thiem among others.

Taking to Instagram, the player wrote: "Hi Everyone-I want to reach out and let my fans and friends know that I tested positive back in Monaco for Covid-19. I want to make sure anyone who has been in contact with me during these past days gets tested and takes the necessary precautions. I am so sorry for any harm I might have caused. I am back home now and recovering. Thanks for your support and please stay safe and healthy."

He also urged those who had come in contact with him over the last few days in Monaco should also get tested for the deadly virus.

Meanwhile, World no.1 Djokovic reached the final of his exhibition tournament in Zadar, Croatia, after easing through the round-robin group stage on the first day. This is the second stage of the Adria Tour with Austrian Dominic Thiem winning the first leg in Belgrade, Serbia.

Djokovic started by saving three set points in his 4-3, 4-1 win over fellow Serb Pedja Krstin. He then beat home favourite Borna Coric 4-1, 4-3 in front of several thousand fans at the Visnjik tennis complex.

The tournament in Zadar is being played on red clay over two days. In the other group, Russian Andrey Rublev is in pole position to advance into the final after wins over 2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic and Serb Danilo Petrovic. He faces German star Alexander Zverev in the final round robin match on Sunday who stayed in contention after beating Cilic 4-3, 0-4, 4-3.

Djokovic''s own inconsequential final group match is against Croatian Dino Serdarusic who replaced Grigor Dimitrov after the Bulgarian pulled out of the tournament with sickness following his opening 4-1, 4-1 loss to Coric.

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News Network
January 28,2020

Columbo, Jan 28: The Sri Lanka Cricket Board on Monday announced the 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Women`s T20 World Cup, slated to commence from February 21. The board also announced five standby players for the ensuing tournament.

The squad members are -- Chamari Atapattu (captain), Harshitha Madavi (vice captain), Anushka Sanjeewani, Hansima Karunaratne, Shashikala Siriwardene, Nilakshi De Silva, Ama Kanchana, Kavisha Dilhari, Udeshika Probodhani, Achini Kulasuriya, Hasini Perera, Sathya Sandeepani, Umesha Thimashini, Sugandika Kumari, Dilani Manodara.

The standby players are -- Sachini Nisansala, Prasadani Weerakkody, Oshadi Ranasinghe, Tharika Sewwandi, Inoka Ranaweera.

Sri Lanka will take on New Zealand in their opening encounter on February 22.

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January 20,2020

Jan 20: Both Steve Smith and Rohit Sharma made sparkling centuries in Bengaluru, but it was the Indian who finished on the winning side, leading his team to a 2-1 series win.

Smith, having run out his captain Aaron Finch early on, dug in to bring up his ninth ODI century, his 131 off 132 balls setting India a target of 287 on Sunday, 19 January. Continuing the dazzling display of batting at the M Chinnaswamy stadium, Rohit struck 119 in 128 balls, and skipper Virat Kohli chipped in with 89, as the hosts chased down the target with seven wickets to spare in 47.3 overs.

With Shikhar Dhawan hurting his shoulder in the fifth over of the day and sidelined for the rest of the match, Rohit was reunited with KL Rahul – who had a chance to open the innings after coming in at No.3 and No.5 in the first two matches, while also standing in as wicket-keeper. The vice-captain was on the ball right away, dominating the scoring as India raced to 61/0 in the first 10 overs.

The introduction of spin gave Australia a vital breakthrough: Ashton Agar trapped Rahul in front on review, and although the new pair of Rohit and Kohli weren't unduly troubled, the run-rate slowed down. Josh Hazlewood, playing his first ODI in India and his first match in the format in 14 months, was especially miserly, conceding just 10 runs in his first five overs.

But, having settled in, the duo built a useful partnership of 137 and gave themselves the chance to hit out with wickets in hand. The part-time bowling of Finch and Marnus Labuschagne was punished, Rohit lapping up the short balls and sending them soaring into the stands. His century, his eighth against Australia, came with a single to third man.

Zampa finally got the breakthrough, having him caught in the deep going for another big one. But with Kohli having loosened his arms with a couple of beautiful fours off Pat Cummins to go past his half-century, India remained on course.

The skipper missed out on a hundred, but with Shreyas Iyer too clearing the ropes, there were no hurdles as India wrapped up an entertaining series win.

Earlier, the Indian bowlers struggled to find their lines after Australia chose to bat, but Australia weren't able to fully capitalise. David Warner was thrown by the movement to nick Mohammed Shami to the wicket-keeper, while Finch was caught short after Smith pulled out of a run, to leave the hosts at 46/2.

Labuschagne and Smith, though, combined for another special partnership, going at a brisk rate and showing delectable timing against spin. They had guided their side to 173 in the 32nd over when the a sharp piece of fielding from the home captain and strong bowling pulled things back.

Kohli, at cover, plucked a drive from Labuschagne soon after the batsman had reached his maiden fifty. Ravindra Jadeja had his second of the over when the experiment to send Mitchell Starc at No.5 lasted just three balls.

Alex Carey gave Smith company as he brought up a well-earned century, having fallen just short the previous game. The former skipper stepped up the scoring once he crossed three figures, a wristy helicopter six over deep square leg the highlight of his innings. But, excellent death bowling by Shami, who finished with four wickets, ensured the tourists were kept to under 300 – a total that proved below par.

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