Bhubaneswar, Guwahati to host India’s two FIFA WC Qualifiers
NEW DELHI, Sep 2: Bhubaneswar and Guwahati will host India’s opening two home matches in the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup 2027 Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2, the All India Football Federation announced on Saturday.India have been drawn in Group A of the Asian qualifiers, alongside Qatar, Kuwait, and the winners of the Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 1 fixture between Afghanistan and Mongolia.The Blue Tigers will open their campaign with an away fixture against Kuwait on November 16 before hosting reigning AFC Asian Cup champions Qatar at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on November 21 this year.In 2024, India will play back-to-back matches against Afghanistan or Mongolia, starting with the away fixture on March 21 and then return home to the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Guwahati, where they will play the second leg of the tie on March 26.The hosts for India’s home leg against Kuwait on June 6 next year will be confirmed at a later date. (PTI)
Arthur Elias appointed Brazil women’s coach
RIO DE JANIERIO, Sep 2: Corinthians women’s coach Arthur Elias replaced Pia Sundhage as the Brazil women’s coach.Details of the deal were not disclosed by the Brazilian Football Confederation on Friday.Soon after, Elias announced his first national squad for friendlies in September against rivals who are yet to be announced.Sundhage was fired last week after Brazil failed to reach the Women’s World Cup knockout stage last month for the first time since 1995.Local media reported Elias will coach Brazil through the 2024 Paris Olympics and the 2027 Women’s World Cup.Elias will remain in charge of Corinthians for the remainder of the season. (PTI)
2nd NE Squash tourney from September 9 in city
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Sep 2: Meghalaya Squash Rackets Association is organising the 2nd North East Squash Tournament at Shillong on 9 and 10 September 2023.Interested players can contact the following: Aquarius Mathew – 9436865339; Andrew Warjri- 9856030474, according to a statement released by the association here.
India beat Pakistan to win Men’s Hockey 5 Asia Cup
SALALAH, Sep 2: The Indian men’s hockey team was on Saturday crowned champions of the inaugural Men’s Hockey5s Asia Cup, defeating Pakistan 4-4 (2-0 SO) in the all-important final.With this event also serving as Asia’s qualifying tournament for the FIH Men’s Hockey5s World Cup Oman 2024, India qualified for the tournament proper. In the final on Saturday, Mohammed Raheel (19’, 26’) Jugraj Singh (7’), and Maninder Singh (10’) were on target in the regulation time for India.Gurjot Singh and Maninder Singh scored for India in the Shoot-Out to script their win. For Pakistan, Abdul Rehman (5’), captain Abdul Rana (13’), Zikriya Hayat (14’), and Arshad Liaqat (19’) scored the goals. The match went to the Shoot-Out after both teams remained locked in a stalemate at 4-4 at the end of the regulation time. Gurjot Singh and Maninder Singh scored for India, while Arshad Liaqat and Muhammad Murtaza missed their shots for Pakistan, and India won the match 4-4 (2-0 SO) to claim the trophy.(IANS)
Mason Greenwood joins Getafe
MANCHESTER, Sep 2: Getafe acquired former Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood on loan on Friday after the English player left his old club following a criminal investigation into a possible attempted rape that was closed by prosecutors.The deal was announced just before the summer market closed.The 21-year-old England forward has not played for United since January 2022. Greenwood was implicated in controlling and coercive behavior and assault relating to a woman after images and videos were posted online. But United and the player decided last month it was best to part ways and for him to find a new club. (PTI)
Golf: Diksha Dagar keeps lead after two rounds in the Irish Open
DROMOLAND (Ireland), Sep 2: Diksha Dagar fired a round of three-under 69 on Day Two of the Women’s Irish Open and leads by one shot at the halfway stage.The Indian star held the overnight lead but did not get off to the best start with a bogey on the first at Dromoland Castle. However, she soon found a rhythm rolling in back-to-back birdies on five and six before another dropped shot on 14.Four of the five Indians, who started this week, made the cut. Diksha was right on top, Vani Kapoor (70) was T-45, Ridhima Dilawari (72) was T-51 and Tvesa Malik (72) was T-59. Amandeep Drall was the only Indian to miss the cut with 75-74. The cut fell at 1-over with 70 players making it.Diksha Dagar, also has five Top-10 finishes. She finished her second round in style with three birdies in her final four holes for a round of three-under-par and to sit at the top of the leaderboard with a total of 10-under-par. (IANS)