Forward Vandana ruled out of Oly qualifiers with cheekbone fracture
Ranchi, Jan 3: Experienced Indian women’s hockey forward Vandana Katariya was on Wednesday ruled out of their Olympic qualifiers here, dealing a big setback to the team for the January 13-19 tournament. Vandana, who was named the vice-captain, suffered a cheekbone fracture during training. Youngster Baljeet Kaur was named her replacement. Nikki Pradhan, the first women’s hockey player from Jharkhand to represent India in the Olympic Games in 2016, will now be the vice-captain of the team. “It’s unfortunate that Vandana won’t be part of the tournament. She sustained a fracture in her cheekbone during a training session, and she has been advised to rest,” chief coach Janneke Schopman said. “While we will miss the experience of Vandana, Baljeet Kaur who has been doing well for the team will step in for her senior compatriot and Nikki, also a very experienced player for India, will shoulder the responsibility of vice captain,” she said after the Indian team arrived here for the tournament. The Indian team, led by seasoned goalkeeper Savita Punia, will begin their campaign on January 13 against the United States, a team they fought against in 2019 for a ticket to the Tokyo Olympics. Having failed to book a direct Olympics berth at the Hangzhou Asian Games last year, the Indian team is looking for the 2024 Paris Games through the qualifying tournament here. The top three teams from the tournament will qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. (PTI)
Mohun Bagan part ways with head coach Ferrando
Kolkata, Jan 3: Mohun Bagan Super Giant on Wednesday parted ways with their head coach Juan Ferrando after the club’s poor run of form in the Indian Super League. Technical director Antonio Habas was made the interim head coach, starting with the Kalinga Super Cup next week, the Indian Super League franchise announced. Ferrando was appointed the Mariners’ head coach in December 2021, joining the Kolkata heavyweights from FC Goa. Under him, Mohun Bagan won the ISL title last season and made the AFC Cup inter-zonal semi-finals. Mohun Bagan also won the Durand Cup with Ferrando at the helm of affairs this season. “Thanks to Juan Ferrando for winning this year’s Durand Cup and ISL 2022-23,” Mohun Bagan said in a brief statement. The iconic club’s performance dipped this season as they made a group stage exit from the AFC Cup, and slumped to fifth position in the ISL standings after three defeats in a row. Habas previously managed ATK Mohun Bagan during the ISL 2021-22 season and he was the first head coach to win two ISL titles. (PTI)
James Milner goes joint-second in all-time EPL appearance charts
London, Jan 3: James Milner moved joint-second in the Premier League’s all-time appearance charts after starting for Brighton & Hove Albion at West Ham United on Tuesday night. The 37-year-old, who joined Brighton from Liverpool on a free transfer last summer, played his 632nd match in the competition, moving level with Ryan Giggs. Milner made his Premier League debut on 10 November 2002, as a substitute against West Ham, at the age of 16. That made him the second-youngest player to play in the Premier League at the time, according to Premier League website. He then became the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history when he scored in a 2-1 victory over Sunderland on Boxing Day that same year at the age of 16 years and 309 days. The midfielder went on to play for Newcastle United (2004-2008), Aston Villa (2008-2010), Manchester City (2010-2015) and Liverpool (2015-2023). Following his appearance on Tuesday, he is only 20 matches short of equalling the record, set by former Villa team-mate Gareth Barry, with 652. Brighton have only 18 matches left now, meaning Milner cannot break the record this season. (IANS)
Real Madrid will be coach Carlo Ancelotti’s last dugout
Madrid, Jan 3: Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti confirmed on Tuesday that he would not coach again when he leaves his current position at Spanish giants Real Madrid. The 64-year-old signed a new contract at the end of December which will keep him at the club past his 67th birthday at the end of June 2026, and speaking to the press before his side’s return to La Liga action against Mallorca, Ancelotti said he wasn’t considering working anywhere else after that, although he didn’t rule out staying longer in Madrid, reports Xinhua. “It will be my last dugout, I can confirm that,” he said, adding “2026 may or may not be the last year. I want to be a coach and I hope I can be one in 2027 and 2028. I like Madrid and I want to stay here.” (IANS)