THE MIZORAM POST AIZAWL 6 SPORTS TUESDAY 22 DECEMBER 2020

Vikas Krishan's coach For Chennaiyin, attack stuck in US, boxers proving to be the best policy seeks MEA's help NEW DELHI, DEC 21 utilise Bartholomew Ogbeche, FC Goa’s life past a striker who would walk into may have begun on a promising any current ISL team bar the note but the sheen is slowly one he is a part of. starting to wear off – two losses Play of the week in their last two games, this time Already out of position to a Chennaiyin FC team, sees after trying to punch away a them languish in seventh spot. looping ball, East Bengal Fewer crosses, more custodian Debjit Majumdar interceptions, and just an overall was in trouble. He was better attacking approach saw turning back to position Chennaiyin unleash their best when Kerala’s Sahal Abdul football of the season and against Samad directed a header a team no less than FC Goa. towards Jordan Murray. Bengaluru laboured past Odisha Murray blasted a shot into the and NorthEast United were pitch that was bound for the finally felled by Jamshedpur FC goal and an equaliser. But NEW DELHI, DEC 21 train in the US as part of his but Chennai’s attacking intent Majumdar appeared almost (AGENCIES) preparations for Tokyo Games. was the most enterprising aspect out of nowhere and somehow Olympic-bound boxer Vikas The Asian Games gold medallist of round 7 of the Indian Super his cat-like instincts denied Krishan on Monday sought help had travelled along with his League. a certain goal to Murray. The from External Affairs Minister S. coach Ron Simms Jr. Krishan, Wave after wave of save ended up not amounting Jaishankar after his coach got who is a part of the Target opportunities created – to much after Kerala stuck in the US due to new visa Olympic Podium Scheme Chennai took six shots on equalised in injury time to protocols. Krishan, in a tweet, (TOPS), was approved a target for their two goals but grab a draw and keep East said it very important for him to financial assistance of Rs 17.5 it will be the shots they missed Bengal winless yet again. train with his coach as the Tokyo lakh for the duration of the visit, that gave the scoreline some Top 5 after Matchday 7 Olympic Games are "fast as per a SAI statement. sense of parity. Lalrinzualla Mumbai and Bengaluru approaching". He is set to make his third Chhangte could not have their team in the clash. But for Raphael fluffing the lines. took yet another swipe that better about his goal return is made inroads into the playoff "Dear sir Dr S Jaishankar - Olympic appearance in Tokyo missed two more open sitters one clearly stood above the Eight minutes later, Thapa was narrowly went past the the number of shots he has spots in the ISL with wins my coach is stuck in the US and next year. Earlier, the 28-year- than these – as did his striker rest. Usually for the national in the thick of action again, keeper’s far post. taken. over Hyderabad and Odisha unable to return to India due to old from Haryana had told Rafael, who scored and team, Thapa has been this time right on the edge of Elsewhere, Mumbai City In seven games, Le Fondre but it was Jamshedpur who new visa protocols. With the IANS: "My aim is to win an assisted one but could have deployed deep in the midfield the box. A defensive header of FC coasted to a comfortable has taken 13 shots and scored beat NorthEast United and Tokyo Olympics fast Olympic gold and for that I am added so much to the tally. and rarely ventures into the the corner landed on a half 2-0 win over Hyderabad FC five. There are only three other made an entry into the top 5 approaching, his presence is ready to put my life in danger." Indian midfield in the final third. But for this volley at Thapa’s right boot. with the help of yet another strikers in the ISL who have of the ISL table. Taking a win very important for my training as "Flights are on now and I spotlight Chennaiyin team, Thapa is a The Dehradun-native lashed a Adam le Fondre goal. Since either matched his goal tally or of a NorthEast United team I aim to win India an Olympic will travel with full precaution Anirudh Thapa, Chhangte, genuine midfield kingpin. technically-precise shot that his move from Australian have one goal more – two of that refuses to give much gold. Could you please help with so that I can concentrate on my and Brandon Fernandes – Making a run deep into the had to be palmed away by the shores, Le Fondre has whom – Igor Angulo and Roy away is a welcome shot in the this," Krishan tweeted. training rather than getting some of India’s current box and cutting back in, he Goa goalkeeper. Seconds compensated for a less than Krishna have taken 24 and 20 arm for Jamshedpur who The Sports Authority of India infected and sitting in some international midfielders were should have got his first assist later, a rolling loose ball ideal start with five goals in shots each respectively. And have now not lost in five (SAI) had in September had hotel room somewhere (in all playing prominent roles for of the game had it not been landed at his left foot and he seven games. What is even Mumbai have yet to completely games. approved Krishan's request to quarantine)," he had added. India men end 2020 at 4th Lewis Hamilton pips Jordan Henderson to win BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year LONDON, DEC 21 prize in a public vote on funds for National Health snooker player Ronnie Seven-time Formula One Sunday. Service charities during the O’Sullivan, and cricketer spot in FIH rankings, women at 9 champion Lewis Hamilton Hamilton has been a vocal coronavirus pandemic. Stuart Broad. Marcus capped another successful advocate in support of the Doyle broke her own Rashford’s efforts off the field 1543.00) and China (10th year by claiming the BBC’s Black Lives Matter movement record for the most victories were recognized with a place - 1521.00) complete the Sports Personality of the and said he now has in a calendar year by a female special award. top ten. Year prize. “something different” driving jockey before enjoying a The England and In January, FIH had The 35-year-old driver, him. Champions Day double at Manchester United soccer introduced its new match- who last month equaled England midfielder Ascot — including her first player led a campaign to based model for the Michael Schumacher’s Henderson led Liverpool to its Group One aboard Glen Shiel provide free school meals for calculation of the world record of seven F1 titles, first Premier League title in 30 in the British Champions vulnerable children during rankings, with the Pro League overcame Jordan years. Liverpool is atop the Sprint. the spring lockdown, and matches that were played in Henderson and Hollie league heading into the busy The other three members continues to work on early part of the year seeing Doyle to win the British Christmas period. Henderson the #PlayersTogether of the six-person shortlist projects to tackle child regular fluctuations in the broadcaster’s prestigious was also praised for his role in campaign, which raised were boxer Tyson Fury, hunger. standings before the Covid-19 global health pandemic brought the competition - and all international hockey - to a Lille hold wasteful Paris standstill in March. The brief return of the Saint-Germain to goalless competition between LAUSANNE, DEC 21 place - 1944.34), England/ September and November saw (AGENCIES) Great Britain (7th place - further exchanges of points stalemate in The Indian men's hockey team 1743.77), New Zealand (8th between the men's and PARIS, DEC 21 are placed at the fourth spot place - 1575.00), Spain (9th women's national teams of Paris Saint-Germain missed a chance to return to the summit of in the latest FIH team rankings place - 1559.32) and Canada Belgium, Germany, Ligue 1 after they were held to a 0-0 draw at Lille, who retained while the women's team are (10th place - 1417.37). Netherlands and Great Britain. pole position on Sunday ahead of Olympique Lyonnais. Lille have placed at the ninth position. In women's rankings, The The Indian men's hockey 33 points and a superior goal difference to Lyon, who were 4-1 Belgium men and the Netherlands (2631.99 points) team's campaign in the winners at Nice on Saturday, while third-placed PSG are a point Netherlands women will finish are 457 ranking points ahead ongoing Pro League is adrift after squandering a number of opportunities in a scrappy the year at the top of the second placed Argentina scheduled to restart on April contest at Lille. rankings, confirmed the (2174.61), with Germany 10 and 11, 2021 with a tie The visitors missed Brazil forward Neymar with an ankle injury International Hockey (2054.28) occupying third against Argentina away from and looked toothless up front in the opening half, although home Federation on Monday. position, climbing one place home. They will then play Great goalkeeper Mike Maignan did well to stop Jose Fonte from scoring In the men's rankings, following their Pro League Britain away from home on an own goal in the 45th minute. Thilo Kehrer had headed just reigning world and European results against Belgium in May 8 and 9 before travelling wide midway through the first half and Moise Kean hit the side- champions Belgium (2496.88 September. to Spain where they play on netting with a first-time shot in the 51st minute as PSG turned on points) sit at the summit in Australia (2012.89) finish May 12 and 13. the heat after the break. front of Australia (2nd place - the year in fourth place, with They then face Germany Kean and Marquinhos failed to turn in a low cross by hard- 2385.70), Netherlands (3rd England/Great Britain away on May 18 and 19 and working Angel di Maria, who pulled all the strings for PSG in the place - 2257.96) and India (1952.74) and New Zealand will finally play a home tie on absence of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, who came on as a late (4th place - 2063.78). (1818.98) fifth and sixth May 29 and 30 against New substitute on his 22nd birthday. The home side, who were reduced Olympic champions respectively. Spain (7th place Zealand. The Indian women's to sporadic raids after dominating possession in the opening 15 Argentina (1967.39) are in - 1802.13), Ireland (8th place team is not part of the Pro minutes, came close in the 75th minute when PSG keeper Keylor fifth, followed by Germany (6th - 1583.09), India (9th place - League tournament. Navas turned around the post a low drive by Burak Yilmaz. Saina, Praneeth in 8-member India squad for Thailand tournaments NEW DELHI, DEC 21 (AGENCIES) been training to the best of their Ace shuttlers PV Sindhu, Saina Nehwal, abilities at the camp," said B Sai Praneeth and Kidambi Srikanth Badminton Association of India are part of the eight-member India (BAI) general secretary Ajay squad which will participate in three Singhania in a statement. tournaments in Bangkok, Thailand "The purpose of sending a full- scheduled to be held in January, next strength team in these tournaments year. so that players can get the much- The India squad also consists of needed tournament practice ahead of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Chirag Shetty, the Olympic qualifiers," he added. Ashwini Ponappa and N Sikki Reddy and After the coronavirus outbreak they will begin their campaign with disrupted the sporting world resulting Yonex Thailand Open from January 12- in cancellation or postponement of a 17, followed by Toyota Thailand Open number of tournaments, this will be (January 19-24) and the BWF World the first time that top Indian players, Tour Finals which is rescheduled for apart from Srikanth, will feature in January 27-31. The team will also be any international tournament for the accompanied by singles foreign first time in the post Covid-19 coaches Agus Dwi Santoso and Park Tae pandemic time. Sang and doubles coach Dwi Srikanth, former world number Kristiawan, alongside support staff one, had made a comeback when he consisting of Kiran Challagundla, played the Denmark Open in October Johnson, Evangelina Baddam and M badminton finally getting back on the in near future. Most of our players where he had reached the quarter- Srikanth. court. It gives us hope that tournaments haven't played tournaments in the last finals before getting defeated by Chou "We are very happy to see can eventually make a steady comeback seven-eight months however, they have Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei.