India U-17 squad announced
KOLKATA, Jan 15 : Bibiano Fernandes, head coach of the India Under-17 team, has announced a 22-member squad for the friendly match against UAE U-20 National Team in Dubai on Monday (January 16, 2023).On return to India, the team will play two friendlies against Uzbekistan on January 22 and 24 in Goa.The teenaged boys under Bibiano had qualified for the AFC U-17 Asian Cup earlier this year. The squad:Goalkeepers: Sahil, Julfikar Gazi and Tajamul Islam.Defenders: Ricky Meetei Haobam, Surajkumar Singh Ngangbam, Malemngamba Singh Thokchom, Balkaran Singh, Manjot Singh Dhami and Mukul Panwar.Midfielders: Vanlalpeka Guite, Danny Meitei Laishram, Korou Singh Thingujam, Huzafah Ahmad Dar, Faizan Waheed, Gurnjal Singh Grewal, Phoenix Oinam, Paikhomba Meitei Khumanthem, Lalpekhlua, and Ashish.Forwards: Aman, Thanglalsoun Gangte and Shashwat Panwar. (PTI)
Deepika back in top-16
KOLKATA, Jan 15 : Making a comeback about a month after becoming a mother, three-time Olympian Deepika Kumari made the top-16 cut by finishing ninth in the first open archery selection trials for the Asian Games, World Championships and World Cups, here on Sunday.Deepika shot a total of 2597 points out of a maximum 2880 in the eight rounds of 70-metre distance in the women’s recurve section.Deepika’s husband and India number one Atanu Das, who was sidelined from the Indian team last year, finished second with a score of 2749 to make the top-16 in the men’s recurve section.B Dhiraj topped the pool with 2767 points, while former Olympians Tarundeep Rai, Pravin Jadhav and Jayanta Talukdar also made the cut. The only casualty was that of reigning national champion Sachin Gupta, who fell by the wayside finishing 19th.The top-16 will be pitted against each other in round-robin matches to decide the top-eight over the next two days. (PTI)
Leeds sign forward Rutter for club-record fee
LEEDS, Jan 15: Leeds United have completed a club-record signing with the arrival of forward Georginio Rutter.The 20-year-old, who will wear the No 24 shirt, joins from Bundesliga side Hoffenheim on a five-and-a-half-year deal, reports premierleague.com.He becomes Leeds head coach Jesse Marsch’s second acquisition of the January window after Austria international Maximillian Wober from Red Bull Salzburg.During his time in Germany, Rutter made 64 appearances in all competitions, scoring 11 goals and providing 11 assists. The Frenchman will hope to make his Premier League debut on January 22 when Leeds host Brentford. (IANS)
FIFA opens disciplinary proceedings against Argentina
GENEVA, Jan 15 : FIFA announced that it had opened disciplinary proceedings against Argentina due to potential breaches of rules during their FIFA World Cup final against France last month.“The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has opened proceedings against the Argentinian Football Association due to potential breaches of articles 11 (Offensive behavior and violations of the principles of fair play) and 12 (Misconduct of players and officials) of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, as well as of article 44 of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Regulations in conjunction with the Media and Marketing Regulations for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, during the Argentina vs France FIFA World Cup final,” read the statement. FIFA has imposed sanctions on football associations of Ecuador, Mexico and Serbia, and opened proceedings against the Croatia.(IANS)