It’s dream come true for me: Vijay
Nottingham: Elated at scoring his maiden overseas hundred and fourth of his career, Indian opener Murali Vijay said his fine effort on the opening day of the first Test against England here was a dream come true for him. Vijay’s unbeaten 122 on Wednesday helped India hold their own at 259 for four at stumps after electing to bat at Trent Bridge. “I had been hitting the ball well in practice games and in the nets. So I was in a positive frame of mind and wanted to give the team a good start. The pitch was good to bat on and I wanted to cash in this opportunity. I have dreamt of this and it is a happy feeling for me,” said Vijay. Vijay had been getting starts in his last eight Test innings in South Africa and New Zealand, but yielded only one half century. It was something that perhaps played on his mind, but the batsman said that he did not change his approach, knowing that the runs will come. “I cannot make any excuses for what happened there. I did get some good balls and I got out but at the end of the day the runs were not there on the board. So I learnt from that and I moved forward without thinking too much about it,” he said. (PTI)
Sanchez completes Arsenal move
LONDON: Arsenal have completed the signing of Barcelona striker Alexis Sanchez, the Premier League club said on Thursday. No fee was disclosed but Arsenal are believed to have paid in the region of £35 million (Rs 360.21 crore) for the 25-year-old Chile international who joined Barca from Udinese in 2011. “As many people have seen during the World Cup this summer, Alexis is a fantastic footballer and we are delighted that he is joining us at Arsenal Football Club,” the club’s manager Arsene Wenger said. The clubs had already reached a deal in principle but were ironing out personal terms for the player who was deemed surplus to requirements at Barca by new manager Luis Enrique despite him scoring 39 goals in 88 appearances for the Catalans. Sanchez’s move to London will be a blow to Liverpool who were hoping to sign him as part of a deal taking Luis Suarez in the other direction. Sanchez had also attracted interest from Italian champions Juventus. Sanchez was a key member of the Chile team that shone in Brazil, reaching the World Cup quarter-finals before losing to the hosts on penalties. He scored two goals in four appearances. Arsenal’s lack of striking prowess has been blamed for their failure to challenge for the Premier League title since the departure of Robin van Persie to Manchester United in 2012. (Reuters)
Mandzukic signs 4-year deal with Atletico
MADRID: Croatia striker Mario Mandzukic has signed a four-year deal with Atletico Madrid after joining from Bayern Munich, the La Liga club said on Thursday. The Spanish champions have acted quickly to bring the 28-year-old target man on board after Spain forward Diego Costa sealed a move to English Premier League club Chelsea last week. Mandzukic had become surplus to requirements at Bayern following the arrival of forward Robert Lewandowski from Bundesliga rivals Borussia Dortmund. Mandzukic spent two years with the German champions, scoring 33 goals in 54 Bundesliga appearances. He netted the opener against Dortmund in the 2013 Champions League final, which Bayern won 2-1. (AFP)
Nasri commits to City for five years
Manchester: France international midfielder Samir Nasri has signed a new five-year contract with Manchester City, the Premier League champions announced on Thursday. The 27-year-old has committed his future to the club until 2019 after his best season with the club under Manuel Pellegrini, when he scored 11 goals. “I’m really happy to have signed this contract and to have committed my future with City,” Nasri said on the club’s website. Nasri, who joined City from Arsenal in 2011, has played 129 games for City, scoring 22 goals including 11 last season. He scored the opening goal in the final day title-clincher against West Ham last May and also found the net in the 3-1 League Cup final win over Sunderland. In his three years at City he has won two Premier League titles and the League Cup. (AFP)