Hamilton and Russell extend contracts at Mercedes
MONZA (Italy), Aug 31: Seven-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton extended his contract at Mercedes until the end of the 2025 season.Mercedes made the announcement on Thursday ahead of the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, where Hamilton has won five times but not since 2018.“We dream everyday of being the best and we have dedicated the past decade together to achieving that goal,” the 38-year-old Hamilton said.“Being at the top does not happen overnight or over a short period of time, it takes commitment, hard work and dedication and it’s been an honour to earn our way into the history books with this incredible team.” George Russell also extended his Mercedes contract.Hamilton has been at Mercedes since 2013 and won six of his seven world titles with the team. (PTI)
Former Dutch goalkeeper Jan Jongbloed, no more
AMSTERDAM, Aug 31: Jan Jongbloed, the Netherlands goalkeeper who was a runner-up in two FIFA World Cup finals as part of the famous “Clockwork Orange” teams in the 1970s, has died. He was 82.The Dutch football association (Royal Dutch Football Association) announced the death on Thursday.ongbloed played 24 times for his national team, often without wearing gloves. He was runners up in two FIFA World Cups. (PTI)
Man City’s ‘Happy Onam’ post in Malayalam goes viral
MANCHESTER, Aug 31: Manchester City’s Instagram post extending Onam wishes in Malayalam went viral on the internet and warmed the hearts of the local populace.Manchester City wished Malayalees across the world “Happy Onam” in Malayalam, as a result of which the Instagram picture went viral and warmed the club’s fan base in Kerala.While the image focuses on superstar Erling Haaland in blue jersey biting into a fried pappadam, the background shows two houseboats lined up close to a piece of land defined by coconut trees, catching the instant attention of Malayalees across world.Kerala Tourism reposted the image on Facebook, saying “The team with 32 major honours in the English Premier League wishes all Malayalees a happy Onam. Manchester City has quite a dedicated Malayalee following all over the world”. This, too, earned a flurry of congratulations, a Kerala Tourism statement said here on Thursday. (PTI)
Brazil fire coach Pia Sundhage after a disappointing World Cup
RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug 31: Pia Sundhage was fired as coach of the Brazilian women’s soccer team on Wednesday in the wake of a disappointing performance at the Women’s World Cup.Brazil failed to reach the knockout stage for the first time since 1995, prompting the country’s football confederation to make a change.The 63-year-old Swede had been under contract through the 2024 Paris Olympics after becoming the national team’s first foreign coach when she was hired in July 2019.The confederation said a replacement will be named in the coming days.Local media has reported Corinthians women’s team coach Arthur Elias, who has won several national and continental club titles in recent years, is the favorite.Sundhage previously led the United States women to two Olympic titles. Her Brazil team lost in the quarterfinals of the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. The World Cup also saw the last of legend Marta. (IANS)