Jorgensen joins Denmark coaching staff
COPENHAGEN: Former Denmark midfielder Martin Jorgensen, who quit as a player last year, has joined the national team’s coaching staff. ‘I cannot think of a better place to learn the profession than by the side of Morten Olsen,’ the 39-year-old said in a statement, referring to Denmark’s coach. Jorgensen made his name at AGF Aarhus before going on to win 102 caps and scoring 12 goals for his country. He also had spells in Italy with Udinese and Fiorentina before returning to Aarhus to finish his career. ‘It is important to have a natural link between coaches and players which means the distance between the coaching staff and the squad will not be as great,’ said Olsen. (Reuters)
Alonso crash caused by wind
Barcelona: The accident here Sunday which later saw Formula 1 driver Fernando Alonso being air-lifted to hospital was not caused by a mechanical failure or driver error but by a gust of “wind”, his McLaren Honda team confirmed. Alonso needed to be taken to a hospital after hitting a wall at 150 kmph during pre-season practice at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, reports Xinhua. “The accident was caused by the unpredictable gusts of wind in that part of the circuit and they had also affected other pilots in a similar manner,” explained his team Monday, which insisted there had been no mechanical failure in the car. (IANS)
Hazard signs permanent deal with Monchengladbach
Berlin: German football club Borussia Monchengladbach signed Chelsea loanee Thorgan Hazard on a permanent deal until June 2020. The Belgian midfielder, who joined the ‘Foals’ on loan for one season in summer 2014 from Premier League side Chelsea, made an impact by scoring four goals and providing five assists in 24 games, reports Xinhua. “In the past few months, Thorgan showed what a great talent he is. We are delighted that we have managed to sign him and that he has decided to stay with Borussia for the next few years,” Monchengladbach’s sporting director Max Eberl said Monday. Hazard is known for his dribbling skills, free-kick abilities and ball control. He is, since 2013, part of Belgium’s national squad after making his debut against the United States in May. (IANS)
South Africa’s Philander out of Windies clash
Sydney: South Africa seamer Vernon Philander has been ruled out of Friday’s key World Cup clash against the West Indies here after failing to recover from a hamstring injury. Philander hobbled off the field after sending down just four overs in Sunday’s 130-run loss to India in Melbourne. When he batted, he was dismissed for nought. “Vernon sustained a Grade 1 hamstring strain which was confirmed by the scans done in Sydney on Monday afternoon,” Proteas team manager Mohammed Moosajee said Tuesday. “The recovery period for a hamstring strain normally takes a week to 10 days which makes him unavailable for the match against the West Indies in Sydney on Friday.” Moosajee added it was too early to tell if Philander, 29, will be available for the match against Ireland in Canberra on March 3. (AFP)
Lawmali win by 6 runs
Shillong: Lawmali Pyllun SC defeated Nongthymmai SC by 6 runs in the league match of the Super Division Shillong Cricket League 2015 organised by the Shillong Cricket Association at the SCA Cricket Ground, Polo. Nongthymmai won the toss and put Lawmali into bat first. Being put into bat, Lawmali SC were all out for 141 in 38.1 overs. Laxman Chettri scored 40 off 71 balls and Samiran Deb scored 25 off 36 balls. Andrew Ropmay took 4/31 and Kunal Lama 2/20 for Nongthymmai SC. In reply, Nongthymmai SC were dismissed for 135 in 38.5 overs. Ranjeet Rai scored 24 off 17 balls and Milind Kamble scored 21 off 48 balls. Ricky Syiemlieh took 4/12 and Basu Chettri took 3/35 for Lawmali Pyllun SC. Next Match, Wednesday 25: (Super Division) United XI vs Riatsamthiah SC. Meanwhile, the SCA has announced that the last date for entry to the Inter Office cum Corporate Cricket T20 Tournament 2015 has been extended to March 3.