Koeman names three new players in Dutch squad
AMSTERDAM, Sep 1: Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman called up three new players ahead of European Championship qualifiers against Greece and Ireland.Tottenham center back Micky van de Ven and Ian Maatsen, a Chelsea left back who has been linked to a possible move across London to West Ham, are both in the 25-man squad to face Greece in Eindhoven on Sept. 7 and Ireland in Dublin three days later.Also new to the Dutch team is Feyenoord defender Quilindschy Hartman.The Netherlands is in fourth place in Group B after losing to World Cup runner-up France and beating Gibraltar 3-0 in March. Greece is in second place with six points but has played one more game than the Netherlands. Squad:Goalkeepers: Mark Flekken, Andries Noppert, Bart Verbruggen Defenders: Nathan Aké, Virgil van Dijk, Denzel Dumfries, Lutsharel Geertruida, Quilindschy Hartman, Matthijs de Ligt, Ian Maatsen Micky van de Ven, Stefan de Vrij Midfielders: Steven Berghuis, Daley Blind, Frenkie de Jong, Teun Koopmeiners, Marten de Roon, Joey Veerman Tijjani Reijnders, Mats Wieffer Forwards: Cody Gakpo Noa Lang, Donyell Malen, Xavi Simons, Wout Weghorst. (PTI)\
Gukesh replaces Anand as India’s top chess player
CHENNAI, Sep 1: Teenaged Grandmaster D Gukesh has replaced the legendary Viswanathan Anand as India’s top chess player after more than three decades.Anand has been India’s No.1 since July 1986.The 17-year old Chennai GM, who recently lost in the quarterfinals of the FIDE World Cup in Baku to Magnus Carlsen, moved ahead of Anand to be ranked No.8 in the world.Gukesh broke into the top 10 of the FIDE rating list for the first time.Anand, a five-time world champion is currently ranked No.9.As per the FIDE ratings effective September 1, Gukesh’s rating is 2758 while Anand’s is 2754.Gukesh has gained three places in the rating list since August 1.Another teen prodigy R Praggnanandhaa, who made the world take notice of him by reaching the World Cup final where he lost to Carlsen, has risen to No. 19 in the list with a rating of 2727. He is India’s No.3 player behind Gukesh and Anand. (PTI)
16-year-old Yamal gets first senior Spain call-up
MADRID, Sept 1:Barcelona’s 16-year-old forward Lamine Yamal received a first senior call-up for Spain, as manager Luis de la Fuente named his squad on Friday for next week’s Euro 2024 Group A matches against Georgia and Cyprus.Yamal has established himself as an important part of Barca’s forward line in the early stages of the season, and was named man of the match in last weekend’s 4-3 come-from-behind win at Villarreal in LaLiga. Yamal, who has a Moroccan father, was born and raised in Spain. He is a Spain youth international and his call-up for the senior side will end the hopes of Moroccan fans that he could be persuaded to switch allegiance. Squad: Goalkeepers: Unai Simon, Kepa Arrizabalaga, David Raya. Defenders: Dani Carvajal, Aymeric Laporte, Cesar Azpilicueta, Robin Le Normand, David Garcia, Pau Torres, Alejandro Balde, Gaya Midfielders: Rodri, Martin Zubimendi, Gavi, Fabian Ruiz, Mikel Merino, Alex Baena.Forwards: Dani Olmo, Alvaro Morata, Marco Asensio, Lamine Yamal, Joselu, Nico Williams, Abel Ruiz. (Agencies)