India Beat Sri Lanka 2-0 in SAFF Opener
India kicked off their campaign in the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championships on a positive note, recording an easy 2-0 victory over Sri Lanka with striker Robin Singh scoring twice.
Robin found the back of the net on the 51st and 73rd minute to ensure full points for the hosts at the Trivandrum International Stadium.
AIFF Issues Show Cause Notice to Romeo, Mandar Rao Dessai
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has issued a show cause notice to Dempo’s Romeo Fernandes and Mandar Rao Dessai for failing to turn up for the ongoing national camp. The AIFF has given the two players a week’s time to explain their absence.
The two players, whose contract with ISL outfit FC Goa ended on December 20, were expected to join the national camp in Kerala after the Indian Super League. However, having played the entire duration in the final of ISL against Chennaiyin FC, they chose not to travel for international duty.
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Mumbai Crush Bengaluru to March Into PWL Final
Mumbai Garudas continued their winning run, outmuscling Bengaluru Yodhas 5-2 in the semi-finals of the inaugural edition of the Pro Wrestling League (PWL) on Friday.
To start with, Odikadze Elizbar out-grappled Bengaluru’s Pavlo Oliynik 7-2 in the men’s 97kg category. Elizbar, who had lost to Haryana’s Adritsev Valeriy just 24 hours earlier, brushed aside that disappointment to take a 3-2 lead in a heavily fought first round. Ritu Phogat (women’s 48kg) increased Mumbai’s lead when she successfully pinned Bengaluru’s Alyssa Lampe for a byfall win. Giorgi Sakandelidze gave Mumbai a formidable 3-0 lead with a hard fought 7-4 victory over Davit Modzmanashvili of Bengaluru in the men’s 125kg division. Captain and icon player Narsingh Pancham Yadav (men’s 74kg) pulled one back for the Yodhas by overpowering Mumbai’s Pradeep 7-0. But Mumbai captain Adeline Gray underlined her team’s dominance by overpowering Bengaluru’s Navjot Kaur by technical superiority (10-0) in the women’s 69kg bout.
Sri Lanka Stumper Perera Faces Four-year Ban
Sri Lankan wicketkeeper Kusal Perera is facing the prospect of a four-year ban after his B sample tested positive for a banned substance.
“The ICC has informed that he faces a four-year ban,” Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera said. “We are hoping to appeal,” he added.
Perera’s urine sample was tested in Qatar after the ICC had originally found it contained banned substance. Consequently, Perera had to drop out of Sri Lanka’s current tour of New Zealand. Sri Lanka lost the series 0-2.
‘Azhar, Hafeez May Face Disciplinary Action for Opposing Amir’s Return’
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar Khan said on Friday that opener Mohammad Hafeez and One-Day International (ODI) captain Azhar Ali may face disciplinary action after the duo boycotted a fitness training camp which also included spot-fixing tainted pacer Mohammad Amir.
Shaharyar was quoted as saying by BBC: “We have talked earlier regarding this matter and we will talk again, but still if they (Azhar and Hafeez) do not agree then the PCB will think about disciplinary action against them.”
Amir’s bid to make a comeback to the national side was given a major boost last week after PCB inducted the fast bowler in a camp for 26 players which also includes T20 captain Shahid Afridi.
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