THE MIZORAM POST AIZAWL 6 SPORTS SATURDAY 19 DECEMBER 2020

ISL Wrap: ATK Bagan continue late PV Sindhu to return at Yonex Thailand Open NEW DELHI, DEC 18 (AGENCIES) Ace Indian shuttler PV Sindhu will return to competitive action show, East Bengal end goal drought in January 2021 where she will be taking part in at least three KOLKATA, DEC 18 scored. tournaments. The late, late show by ATK Came in the 69th minute of the Sindhu, who is a part of the Mohun Bagan continues match between East Bengal and Target Olympic Podium Scheme unabated. Each of the seven Hyderabad. Colaco received a (TOPS) core group, will be seen goals they have scored this pass just inside East Bengal’s half in action at the Yonex Thailand season have come in the second on the left and immediately set off. Open (January 12-17), Toyota half, four of them have come in His path was blocked by two Thailand Open (January 19-24) the last 15 minutes of regulation defenders in front of him. Colaco and the World Tour Finals in time. The trend continued on swerved to the right, got them to Bangkok, subject to qualification Wednesday after commit, and with a quick shuffle (January 27-31). scored in the 85th minute to give of feet, stepped to the left to take The sports ministry has ATK Mohun Bagan a 1-0 win over them out of equation. He calmly sanctioned Sindhu's request to Goa. crossed the ball across the goal, have her physio and fitness halt. In September, the reigning slated to be held in July-August The result brings them level where Halicharan Narzary had to trainer accompany her at the world champion had pulled out this year, had to be postponed on points with leaders Mumbai simply tap in to score, which he tournaments. of Denmark Open. After that, she to summer of 2021 due to the City, who remain ahead on goal did. "The services of her physio had agreed to play in the Uber Covid-19 pandemic. difference. But Bagan’s run busts The table is an accurate and trainer for these three Cup, which was eventually "I have been preparing a myth or two. While the representation of the teams’ form. tournaments has been postponed. myself mentally and physically to pretenders have fussed over Mumbai City, after winning four sanctioned at an approx cost of In November, the Rio compete in 2021. We are not playing style, with ‘possession matches in a row, were held by Rs. 8.25 lakhs," a Sports Olympic silver medallist had said too far away and this is a football’ being the buzzword, Jamshedpur. NorthEast, who Authority of India (SAI) she is totally fit, not just health- worldwide scenario, hence and moaned about lack of produced another fine defensive statement read. She last played wise but also on the badminton every athlete is going through preparation time, the champions Krishna has not erred. most matches, and hitting their youth team, he started by show to hold Chennaiyin, remain competitively at the All England court and her preparations for the same and we will all have have shown remarkable Their style might not be opponents on counterattacks, playing in Goa’s local league, a surprise package in the top-four Championships in March this the Tokyo Olympics are in full to adapt, train, and give our pragmatism in the way they have pretty, but in a unique season the team’s defence, led by graduated to the state’s but their resolve will be tested year before the Covid-19 swing. best in Tokyo," Sindhu had told approached this season. that is likely to reward attrition McHugh, has been under side before against Jamshedpur, who have pandemic brought sport to a The Olympics, which were IANS. Antonio Habas has not more than flair, it will take considerable pressure. But being snapped up by FC Goa, remained unbeaten in their last bothered about how his team something special to dethrone McHugh’s ability to break the who made him play for their five games (one win and four plays — so much so that he did ATK Mohun Bagan. attacks with strong tackles has development team in the draws) and are placed seventh. not even make them play a pre- Wednesday’s game pitted by helped Bagan concede fewest second division of the I- Results: NE Utd 0 Chennaiyin 0, Adelaide Test: Bumrah scalps season friendly — as long as far two of the most lethal goals this season along with League. Bengaluru 4 Kerala Blasters 2, they dig in their heels and eke strikers: and Mumbai. It also gives them a Finally, he is rubbing Mumbai City 1 Jamshedpur 1, out a win. So far, Habas’s strategy Krishna. The Fijian might have chance to score late-winners, shoulders with the big boys in Hyderabad 3 East Bengal 2, ATK two after India get all out for 244 has worked. Bagan have been had the last laugh but it was ATK which they have done in the ISL and this week, he MB 1 Goa 0 Cummins and Mitchell Starc respectively. scrooge-like in defence, are not Mohun Bagan’s Irish defender abundance. showed glimpses of what he Matchday 7 fixtures: Odisha vs Umesh Yadav (6) and Mohammad Shami (0) concerned about having Carl McHugh who has had a Hyderabad’s Liston Colaco, a is capable of after coming on Bengaluru, NorthEast Utd vs were the last two wickets to fall as Indian innings possession of the ball or creating bigger impact. 22-year-old winger, is fast as a second-half substitute Jamshedpur, Goa vs Chennaiyin, came to an end after adding just 11 runs to the goal-scoring chances. And when Given that Bagan have sat emerging as the story of this and setting up two out of the Hyderabad vs Mumbai City, Kerala overnight score. Bumrah remained unbeaten on they have an opportunity at goal, deep inside their own halves in season. A product of Salgaocar’s three goals Hyderabad Blasters vs East Bengal. 4. Starc was the pick of the Australian bowlers as he returned with figures of 4/53. Cummins Russia claim four freestyle FINA to hold Artistic scalped three wickets, conceding 48 runs. Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon picked one wicket Swimming Virtual Challenge each. The Indian pacers got off to a great start golds at Individual WC and bowled on great lines and lengths and didn't freestyle gold medal, reports LAUSANNE, DEC 18 (AGENCIES) the globe. allow Australian openers -- Matthew Wade and Xinhua news agency. Zhamalov The FINA Artistic Swimming The routines will be filmed using ADELAIDE, DEC 18 (AGENCIES) Joe Burns -- to get off the mark in the first four secured his victory with only two Virtual Challenge will be held an Instagram water effect app that Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah on Friday scalped two overs. seconds remaining by scoring a on Saturday and Sunday, gives the illusion of athletes Australian wickets to keep India in the game after Wade (8) was the first one to get out as he two-point action after slipping swimming's global governing performing in the water. the visitors got bundled out cheaply in their first was trapped in front by Bumrah. The left-handed behind Chamizo. body announced. "The goal of this brand new innings on the second day of the ongoing pink- batsman took the review but was adjudged out Russia's other gold medals on In a media release, FINA concept is to provide a unique ball Test at the Adelaide Oval. courtesy umpire's call. Thursday came from Zavur Uguev and its Technical Artistic opportunity for the community to At the end of first session, Australia were 35/2 Burns, who has been in terrible form in the in the 57kg category, Alikhan Swimming Committee (TASC) engage in a fun challenge that can and trailed by 209 runs in reply to India's 244. recent times, became Bumrah's second scalp as Zhabrailov in the 92kg category say they have developed a brand be joined from anywhere and to The hosts could have been three down had Bumrah he too got out leg-before wicket at his individual and Shamil Sharipov in the 125kg new concept for a virtual continue to offer options for the hung on to the catch of Marnus Labuschagne at score of 8. Labuschagne (16*) and Steve Smith , DEC 18 Wrestling. Russia's Razambek cateogry. Magomedmurad challenge in the discipline amid athletes to perform ahead of the the fine-leg boundary. (1*) then made sure Australia didn't lose any Russian wrestlers claimed four Zhamalov, 2019 U23 world Gadzhiev won a gold for as the ongoing Covid-19 FINA Artistic Swimming Olympic Earlier, resuming the day at 233/6, Indian lower further wickets till Dinner break. freestyle gold medals on the champion, on Thursday came he came through to win the title at pandemic. A 45 seconds Games Qualification Tournament order couldn't contribute much as overnight Brief scores: India 244 all out (Virat Kohli 74, penultimate day of the Individual from behind to stun two-time 70kg by injury default over 2020 dryland routine will be 2021 from March 4-7 and the Tokyo batsmen Ravichandran Ashwin (15) and Cheteshwar Pujara 43; Mitchell Starc 4/53), World Cup being held in Serbia, world champion Frank Chamizo European bronze medalist Haydar performed by athletes entering in July 2021," FINA Wriddhiman Saha (9) got back to the dressing Australia 35/2 at Dinner(Marnus Labuschagne according to United World of 4-2 and earn the 74kg Yavuz of Turkey. the competition from across said. room within the first two overs bowled by Pat 16*; Matthew Wade 8; Jasprit Bumrah 2/8) After a pandemic-forced break, Getting hosting rights for Bajrang Punia reboots in Austin AFC Asian Cup will be Bajrang here.” best gift for fans: Chhetri Rustiness a worry Bajrang is wary of rustiness and illustrates the opening- round defeat of 57kg worlds medallist and Olympic contender Ravi Dahiya at Belgrade World Cup as an example. “Ravi is good. He is a better wrestler than his opponent,” Bajrang says. “His defeat here doesn’t mean that he is suddenly down or not as good, AUSTIN, DEC 18 normal weight. But that extra but it’s because we haven’t Ten months after his last challenge makes it an even better competed in such a long time. NEW DELHI, DEC 18 to host the tournament and competitive outing, Bajrang tournament to return at.” The pandemic then made it With All India Football Federation become a 'global football Punia returns to action at an The Austin meet will be tough to even do proper (AIFF) announcing its destination'. eight-man invitational followed by a clash against USA’s sparring. That is why you need candidature to host the AFC Asian "I consider myself very lucky tournament in Austin, Texas. Olympic hopeful Zain Retherford to get into a tournament as soon Cup 2027, India skipper Sunil to represent my country and play The three-time worlds on the 22nd, a one-off event. as possible. Chhetri has stated that hosting the in big matches in front of our fans. medallist — who earned a Bajrang believes the two back-to- “The more you compete, the mega-event in India will be the But, nothing is bigger than hosting silver medal at February’s back events, part of the ongoing more you improve. At least 'best gift' for the supporters and the AFC Asian Cup 2027. I feel, in Asian Championships in New month-long training stint in the that’s how it goes for me. having the top teams from the the last few years, our football Delhi before the Covid-19 USA, would be a better way to Training has been going on for continent playing on Indian soil infrastructure and culture has ravaged sporting calendars — shake off the lockdown blues than years, but it is only after a will be 'immense'. developed a lot and we are ready will headline the FloWrestling the World Cup in Belgrade. competition that you can make "There is no bigger honour to host the AFC Asian Cup. I have meet on Friday. “The tournament in Belgrade calibrations and focus on and privilege than playing for your no doubt that our fans will make “Couldn’t be more relieved is good as well. But top wrestling specifics.” country and for our nation to host it memorable for everyone and to be competing again,” nations such as USA, , The spectre of Covid-19 isn’t the AFC Asian Cup 2027 would be make our nation a destination for Bajrang tells The Indian Mongolia, Japan, even Georgia off his mind either. “When the even bigger. I think it will be the global football," Paul said. Express from his training base and , aren’t competing,” says pandemic was at its peak, I best gift for the fans and for 2022 will see the country host in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Bajrang. “I am already part of a didn’t step out of the house. Sab everyone in the country," Chhetri, two major international “Losing these 10 months was training camp here and have good guidelines follow kari, shayad who has represented the nation tournaments -- FIFA U-17 extremely disappointing, but meets lined up. The training isiliye bache hue hain abhi tak at two AFC Asian Cups in 2011 and Women's World Cup and the AFC looking back and thinking partners are exactly what I needed (I was following all guidelines. 2019, was quoted as saying by Women's Asian Cup, and ‘what could have been’ means as well.” Bajrang has been Maybe that is why I didn’t catch the-aiff.com. according to goalkeeper wasting even more time. sparring with top University of the infection),” Bajrang says "We have already had the FIFA custodian Gurpreet Singh Competing is the only way to Michigan talents as well as former with an uneasy laugh. “There U-17 World Cup in 2017 in India Sandhu, hosting the AFC Asian get back on track, especially worlds opponents at the Cliff Keen are daily tests here, and I only and it was such a huge success Cup in 2027 will be a 'massive' with the Olympics eight Wrestling Club. go for training after seeing the and you can see the prodigies help for the sport in India. months away.” “One of the things we’ve been report. Nobody wants to from that tournament do so well. Sandhu, who is the first Indian Bajrang, who booked the concentrating on is the leg attack jeopardise the training or do We also have the upcoming FIFA to play in the UEFA Europa 65kg (143lb) Olympic quota defence. I’ve been impressed with anything that might cause the U-17 Women's World Cup in League, said, with a medal at last year’s his ability to score for many training centre to be closed. 2022 and I can't wait for it. To "Our performances in the last worlds, is the top seed and the different positions,” says And when you’re outside, the get the 2027 Asian Cup and get few years have been steadily only non-American in a 68 kg Michigan head coach Sean usual precautions of masks, the best in Asia to come to our improving and hosting a big, big (150lb) field featuring world Bormet. “Anytime you put a lot of sanitizers,” he said. country to play would be tournament like this will help us medallists and great wrestlers and great wrestling “When you’re on the mat, immense. I wish the AIFF all the a lot. In 2017, we saw the FIFA U- Joey McKenna. minds together in a room, there’s sparring or training, you have very best and I hope we get it," he 17 World Cup being hosted in “Competing in a weight a lot of collaboration and to take it out of your head. At added. India and in 2022, the AFC class above is very different, as technical work. Sharing ideas and the end of the day, it is a Iconic goalkeeper Subrata Women's Asian Cup and FIFA U- it generally means a difference talking through positions, finding contagious disease and ours is Paul, who earned the nickname 17 Women's World Cup will be in power,” says the 26-year- solutions for defence or for a contact sport. You can only of Spiderman for his hosted as well. Hosting the AFC old. “Others will be cutting 2- scoring. That’s the environment hope that the guy in front of you unforgettable performance for Asian Cup in 2027 will be a big 3kg to compete whereas I we have been able to create here has also been taking all the India in the AFC Asian Cup 2011, boost for us in India and help the would be wrestling at my with a world-class wrestler like precautions.” stated that the country is 'ready' sport massively."