Indian men start as favourites against Ireland in hockey opener
Rotterdam: With their eyes firmly set on next year’s World Cup, a new-look India will start as overwhelming favourites against minnows Ireland in their opening match of the men’s competition of the FIH World League Round 3, here on Thursday. However, it won’t be easy for the Indians as they have been grouped also along side mighty Netherlands and New Zealand in Pool B of the World League Round 3 (Semi-final), which is a qualifying tournament for next year’s World Cup. Pool A consists of Australia, Spain, Belgium and Germany. Currently ranked 11th in the world, eight-time Olympic champions India enjoy an upper hand over 15th ranked Ireland who will start the game as underdogs in the event to be held from June 13-23. Meanwhile, the Indian eves will also feature in the women’s competition of the World League Round 3 where they have been clubbed along side Germany, New Zealand and Belgium. Rated as underdogs in a tough Pool B, the Indian women’s team led by Ritu Rani will open the campaign against New Zealand on Thursday, followed by games against Belgium on Friday and Germany on Sunday. The other competing nations in the women’s event are Netherlands, Korea, Japan and Chile who are placed in Pool A. (PTI)
East Bengal hire father-son duo
Kolkata: Brazilian Marcos Falopa, who has been a FIFA instructor since 1996, will be the East Bengal coach for the upcoming season, the club announced here on Wednesday. The 64-year-old Falopa will join the club along with his son Americo who has been appointed as the fitness trainer-cum-goalkeeping coach, East Bengal president Pranab Dasgupta said at the club tent. In a coaching career spanning over three decades, Falopa has travelled more than 100 countries and coached various clubs and national teams, including South Africa, Oman and Myanmar. Falopa also served assistant coach of Brazilian national team in 1986-88 and later joined FIFA as a technical instructor a job profile that took him to many South Asian countries. “When (Trevor) Morgan joined he had no clue about India. But For Falopa, it will be an advantage as he knows the football scenario in these parts,” an East Bengal official said. East Bengal picked Falopa from a group of eight after Englishman Morgan parted ways with the club. In the wake of the prevailing financial crisis in West Bengal, East Bengal had some budget restraints as club president Dasgupta arranged funds to sponsor the coach, secretary Kalyan Majumdar revealed. “Finally we were able to sponsor our coach and we have not compromised on quality. He has a deep knowledge about the game and his CV is prolific. We hope to realise the unfinished dream of winning the I-League. Besides, we are keen on getting to the AFC Cup final,” Majumdar said. (PTI)
‘Women should shut up in public’
LONDON: Australia football coach Holger Osieck apologised on Wednesday after saying “women should shut up in public” following the Socceroos’ World Cup qualifying victory over Jordan in Melbourne. Osieck made the comment prior to starting his post match news conference after the 4-0 win on Tuesday, with the German adding “I’m going to be the darling of all Australian wives” after discovering the cameras were already rolling. On Wednesday, aware of the furore his remarks had caused, Osieck apologised before departing for Sydney where Australia play their final qualifier at home to Iraq on June 18. “I got information it created waves. That was not the intent. To everyone offended, I sincerely apologise,” the German was quoted as saying. “It was off the record and … a complete misunderstanding … it was more meant as a joke. There was no seriousness in it. We shouldn’t take any remark (like this) literally.” Osieck was told where to sit for the news conference by an official leading to the former Canada coach saying “you push me around like my wife”. Osieck, 64, then offered a phrase in German which he translated as “women should shut up in public” which drew groans from journalists. The German then said “I say it to my wife at home, it’s a private one” before the official attempted to start the news conference. (Reuters)