Indian men’s hockey team end tour of SA with 1-5 loss to Netherlands
Cape Town, Jan 28: The Indian men’s hockey team ended its tour of South Africa with a disappointing 1-5 drubbing at the hands of the Netherlands here on Sunday. Abhishek (39’) scored the lone goal for India while Jip Janssen (10’, 28’), Duco Telgenkamp (16’), Tjep Hoedemakers (21’), and Koen Bijen (35’) were on target for the Dutch side, which is world’s top-ranked team. The match began with Netherlands taking an early advantage as Janssen found the back of the net in the 10th minute to give his side the lead. At the start of the second quarter, Telgenkamp (16’) doubled his side’s lead. Minutes later, Hoedemakers (21’) scored the third goal for the Netherlands, building more pressure on India. Janssen (28’) scored late in the second quarter as the Dutch side went into halftime with a 4-0 lead. India began searching for early goals in the second half, but Bijen (35’) managed to get another goal for the Netherlands. Abhishek (39’) finally managed to get a goal back for India as the third quarter finished with India trailing 1-5. (PTI)
Lebrun, Cheng I-Ching crowned champions at WTT Goa
Mapusa, Jan 28: World No. 8 Felix Lebrun of France and Chinese Taipei’s Cheng I-ching registered stunning victories to clinch the singles titles in their respective categories at the World Table Tennis Star Contender Goa here on Sunday. Lebrun lost the first two games before making a magnificent comeback to beat the World No. 7 Hugo Calderano by 4-2 (9-11, 9-11, 13-11, 11-0, 15-13, 11-7) in an enthralling men’s singles final. The Brazilian paddler began the contest on a positive note and won the first two games despite getting a tough challenge from Lebrun, who held his nerve to clinch the third game. The 17-year-old teenage sensation showcased his sublime defensive prowess in the fourth game and won it without conceding a single point to his opponent. Lebrun carried forward the momentum into the next two games to emerge victorious against a fierce opponent. Meanwhile, in the women’s singles final, Cheng I-ching, who finished as a runner-up in the competition last time, had a fairly comfortable outing as she defeated Germany’s Nina Mittelham. The Chinese Taipei paddler looked in complete control of the match from the beginning and defeated Mittelham 4-0 (11-8, 11-8, 17-15, 11-6) in straight sets to win the title in the tournament, co-hosted by Stupa Sports Analytics and Ultimate Table Tennis under the guidance of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI). (PTI)
Angry fan chases referee in English third-division game
LONDON, Jan 28: An angry supporter ran onto the field and chased the referee after a late penalty decision in England’s third division on Saturday. The Port Vale fan tried to confront referee Craig Hicks after he awarded an 88th-minute penalty to League One leader Portsmouth, which secured a 1-0 win for the visitor. The supporter chased after Hicks, who ran into the dugout, before members of the coaching staff on the sideline intervened and stopped the fan. Port Vale posted a statement on social media saying it condemned the fan’s actions and “will work with the relevant authorities to ensure the matter and the individual is dealt with a zero tolerance approach.” The loss left Port Vale only one place above the relegation zone. (AP)
Bayern Munich sign right back Sacha Boey from Galatasaray
Munich, Jan 28: Bayern Munich has signed French defender Sacha Boey from Galatasaray in a deal that could be worth more than 35 million euros. Boey has signed a contract through 2028 and could become Bayern’s first-choice right back as it tries to catch Bundesliga leader Bayer Leverkusen. Galatasaray said it will receive 30 million euros as a transfer fee, with another 5 million euros (in potential bonuses and an agreement to stage two friendlies between the clubs and share the profits. (AP)
Bundesliga leader Leverkusen sign forward Iglesias on loan from Betis
Leverkusen, Jan 28: Bundesliga leader Bayer Leverkusen signed Spanish forward Borja Iglesias on loan from Real Betis as cover for the injured Victor Boniface. The deal to sign Iglesias until the end of the season was announced as the final whistle blew in Leverkusen’s 0-0 draw with Borussia Moenchengladbach on Saturday. Leverkusen leads the league by two points from Bayern Munich. Iglesias, who has played twice for Spain, did not score in 11 games for Betis in the Spanish league this season. Leverkusen’s top scorer Boniface needed surgery after muscle and tendon injuries to his right adductor while on international duty with Nigeria before the Africa Cup of Nations. Czech forward Patrik Schick has started all three of Leverkusen’s games since then. (AP)
Xavi to leave Barça citing “lack of respect” and mental fatigue
Barcelona, Jan 28: Xavi Hernández won’t continue as Barcelona’s coach after this season, saying he can’t get the team out of a slump. Xavi announced his decision on Saturday, minutes after Barcelona lost to Villarreal 5-3 in the Spanish league, leaving it 10 points adrift of leader Real Madrid. “I would like to announce that on June 30 I will cease being the coach of Barça,” Xavi said. “As a Barcelona fan, I can’t allow this situation to continue, we need a change of course and of dynamics.” Xavi said he made the decision “several days ago,” and although the hard defeat to Villarreal set the scene for him to announce the decision, he “would have made” it soon enough. He said he hoped this decision will decrease the stress and tension his team is enduring. “The feeling of being the coach of Barcelona is cruel, it is unpleasant, you feel like you don’t get the respect you deserve,” Xavi said. (AP)