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THE HINDU DELHI MONDAY, JANUARY 6, 2020 SPORT 21 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE Mohun Bagan in cruise control grows on Robertson UTHRA GANESAN it has been increasing and It was tough to keep the Jumps to the top of the table; Real Kashmir fails to fire now when I go back, I miss players motivated through For three years, David Ro­ Kashmir,” Robertson said in the five months of pre­sea­ bertson has been coming to an interaction here. son even as the state conti­ Srinagar as coach of Real From winning the Second nued to face struggles but Kashmir. It was like jumping Division I­League to finishing Robertson prefers to look at into something completely third in the top flight last sea­ the positives of the extended “raw and unique”, he says, son, RKFC has gone from be­ period of staying together on coming from the rarefied en­ ing underdog to contender the road. “We played a lot of virons of the English and in just three years. A lot of ISL teams — five of them — in Scottish Premier Leagues. credit for that, the players our pre­season and it was Since that first visit in Ja­ feel, goes to the coach who David Robertson. great preparation for the sea­ nuary 2017, when he almost brings a lot of positivity. * NISSAR AHMAD son. But we were just re­ quit and went back, the stays lieved to get the first game have only become longer to Handling turbulence get there. For the first time in out of the way! the extent of it becoming a That positivity, Robertson their lives they couldn’t con­ “The game against TRAU “second home” for the Scot­ admitted, was important tact their homes. They didn’t was, in a way, the first time sman. when it came to handling the know when they would go the players were under pres­ “Everything was strange players during their recent back and needed support. I sure. They are a promoted but the owners, Shamim and outings amidst the commu­ know the Indian culture is of side and we were expected Sandeep, convinced me to nication clampdown. coaches being tough on to win. We started well but come back and I am glad “We had just arrived in players but I had to be diffe­ they fought back in the se­ they did. From a few weeks (for ) rent and let them know the cond half for a draw. We to a couple of months to al­ and weren’t sure of how the coach had their back,” Ro­ thought we would lose, but most eight months this time, local players were going to bertson explained. the players rallied around.”

No trouble: Mohun Bagan’s players, in white, made light of the conditions and Real Kashmir’s home advantage in a dominant display on Sunday. * PTI Ankita gears up for season in Australia I-LEAGUE against champion to push the ball forward but break the deadlock in the Hopes to play all Grand Slams and break into the top 100 City FC. On Sunday, the team could only find Mason Ro­ 71st minute. UTHRA GANESAN seemed to have left its plans bertson out of position. Three minutes later, sub­ Kamesh Srinivasan four Grand Slams and even­ title in the $25,000 event in NEW DELHI SRINAGAR back in the hotel. When he was in position, stitute P.M. Britto put tually break into the top 100 Solapur. The stands were full and noi­ Mason ended up heading through Nongdamba Nao­ Ankita Raina is off to Austra­ in WTA rankings,” she said. “Honestly, in the last cou­ sy, the queues outside the Busy and clueless wide. Danish Farooq was off­ rem for the team’s second lia, to compete in the ple of weeks, I am feeling TRC Turf Ground stretching Bagan began well, attacking target upfront and Subhash goal. RKFC kept trying to $25,000 ITF women’s tennis Support team that it is very close and eve­ far and everyone waiting for early on and creating quite a Singh had an off­day at the pull one back but there ap­ tournament in Bendigo, and To that end, Ankita has been rything just needs to come Real Kashmir FC to get going few chances but couldn’t back, Mehta outflanking him peared no sense of urgency prepare well for the Austra­ able to strengthen her team. together, to click in any of the on Sunday. find a break­through. Bet­ at will. and a complete absence of lian Open in Melbourne. Yes, she will have a team for big events. Now that I have It never did. Barring a few ween them, Joseba Beitia in The second half was far planning in its shooting. The country’s No. 1 wo­ the . gained all the experience in isolated attempts at the goal the middle and Ashutosh more balanced. Coach David Robertson later admitted man singles player, the 26­ “I have a good support the pro circuit, I feel one just and some desperate shoot­ Mehta on the right, kept the Robertson clearly had made that Bagan managed to fend year­old Ankita, ranked 180 team this time at the Austra­ needs to stay positive regard­ ing and heading, the local fa­ RKFC defence busy and clue­ himself heard during the off the early attacks that in singles and 170 in doubles, lian Open. I am grateful that less of the results and keep vourite in its second home less. In fact, almost every at­ break. There were more co­ RKFC is known for. He added is keen to lift the profile of In­ after all these years of strug­ working,” she said. game appeared collectively tack that Bagan mounted ordinated attempts from that while his team did grow dian tennis. gle of travelling alone, I can Ankita is understandably off­colour against a better­ had the imprint of one of RKFC, more passes upfront in the game, Bagan always “I hope in future, we take finally travel with my team. elated about re­ prepared Mohun Bagan. It them. and more breaking through controlled the proceedings. tennis to the next level the Coach Hemant sir and Ketan turning to the professional went down 2­0 for its first Despite physical superior­ the middle. The host next plays Pun­ way our badminton players sir, hitting partner, are tra­ circuit after the birth of her loss this year even as the vis­ ity, RKFC appeared lost for The game opened up and jab FC here in what is likely have done,” she said, when velling with me,” she said. son, and into the Indian Fed itor, after complaining about possession and space. An Bazie Armand had the best to be a grudge match after contacted. Ankita Raina. Hemant Bendrey has been Cup team. the conditions, the artificial on­field scuffle early on did chance for RKFC in the 50th the latter refused to travel It may take some doing * SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT guiding Ankita for many “Our chances of qualifying turf and even the practice not help matters. Papa Baba­ minute but sent the ball sail­ last season. It would also be and a lot of time to match the years while Ketan Dhumal in the Fed Cup this time look time, completed a dominant car Diawara, Bagan’s new Se­ ing over. a chance for Robertson’s spread and progress of In­ own highlights. I think, play­ will ensure that she is well very high, considering the victory to top the I­League negalese signing playing his boys to put Sunday’s disap­ dian badminton, but Ankita ing all the four Grand Slams prepared for her matches. doubles will be stronger with table with 10 points from five first game, came close to Deadlock broken pointment behind. is focused on her job, to im­ and winning against Grand Even as she is thankful for Sania’s come back. She games. putting it ahead in the 17th Gnohere Krizo came off the The results: prove upon the last season. Slam champion and finalist, the support and guidance, comes with the aura. Eve­ RKFC so far had managed minute but, with only the bench and tried to leverage “I am very happy with and Sabine Ankita believes that she ryone is inspired by her. So, At Srinagar: Real Kashmir FC 0 to get off to good starts this RKFC goalkeeper to beat in his height but found a match lost to Mohun Bagan 2 (Joseba what I could do last season. I Lisicki is still fresh in my me­ needs to believe in herself her presence will give us an season, stumbling in the se­ front of an empty goal, hit in Bagan defender and com­ Beitia 71, Nongdamba Naorem think it has been one of the mory,” said Ankita. and her game to get to the added advantage. Last cou­ cond half but managing to wide. patriot Daniel Cyrus. It final­ 74). best years so far, even She has simple goals for next level. ple of times, it wasn’t easy get away with draws in its Kallum Higginbotham ly took a Mehta throw­in, At Vasco: Arrows 1 (Vikram Pra­ though winning the Asian the season. She had closed the season for us when we were not able first two games before win­ was the only RKFC player headed by Cyrus and vol­ tap 42) drew with Neroca FC 1 Games medal in 2018 was ve­ “The goal this year is to nicely in the professional cir­ to clinch the decider dou­ ning the previous outing who appeared to find a way leyed into the net by Beitia to (Meitei 24). ry special. Last year had its play the main draw of all the cuit by winning the singles bles,” Ankita recalled. Soosairaj — a lethal weapon in ATK’s armoury All set for KIUG launch

ISL the clearance to do what I took off in celebration. The Games will be held from Feb. 22 to March 1 wanted when I had the ball Since switching from Nandakumar Marar in front. I scored, we won the Chennai City FC in the I­ SPORTS REPORTER on Monday, Odisha’s Minis­ match and I am delighted.” League and Jamshedpur FC CHENNAI ter of Sports and Youth Ser­ Michael Soosairaj’s cart­ The win took his team to the in the ISL, the midfielder has Bhubaneswar is all set to vices Tusharkanti Behera wheel celebration behind top of the ISL table. found a place in 11 games so host the first edition of the said the KIUG will provide a the Mumbai City FC goal­ far this season and has Khelo University perfect platform for the post, following his first and Cut, bend, curl scored twice. He is shaping Games (KIUG) from Febru­ young athletes to gain Na­ ATK FC’s second goal in the The goal may have been a into another big weapon in ary 22 to March 1, 2020. The tional recognition. 2­0 win on Saturday, re­ move played thousands of an ATK strike force that is KIIT University will be venue “It is an event of a massive vealed a lot about the free­ times in his mind, visualising sharp and skilful. for the event which will fea­ scale involving youth and we dom given to the players by what he would do with the The coach focused on ture around 4,000 athletes expect a seamless and suc­ chief coach Antonio Habas to ball at his feet and having what went right on a night of from 80­100 universities. cessful execution. We are express themselves. Coming time in the goalmouth to exe­ celebration for the travelling The games, organised by confident that the partici­ off the bench in the 34th as cute the plan. The cartwheel ATK fans. the Government of Odisha in pants will demonstrate the replacement for midfielder celebration was as instinc­ “I am happy with the per­ association with the Sports Behera. * SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT highest level of sportsman­ Pronay Halder, who had tive as his scoop to the right formance and discipline. I Authority of India, Associa­ ship and return to their scored the opening goal, the corner, turning his body in will admit Mumbai (City) had tion of Indian Universities, rugby and . States as ambassadors for KI­ 25­year­old showcased his time to ensure the ball tra­ opportunities to score goals National Sports Federation Odisha has hosted a UG and Odisha. We also feel skill with a quality goal. velled the distance. “I always in the second 45 minutes, and Indian Olympic Associa­ bunch of big­ticket events in that the athletes who shine Talking into the television used to try this in practice. I but we created chances as tion (IOA), will witness com­ the past few years, including here will get a chance to ele­ cameras at the Mumbai Foot­ cut it (the ball), bent it and King Michael! Soosairaj was in the zone as he beat Mumbai well.” Converting the oppor­ petitions in 17 disciplines: in­ the 2017 Asian athletics vate their careers to the next ball Arena, Soosairaj was curled it. It is my favourite City goalkeeper hands down. * SPORTZPICS/ISL tunities is what separated dividual events ­ archery, championships, 2018 men’s level through recognition asked about any advice from style.” ATK from MCFC. Modou athletics, boxing, fencing, hockey World Cup, 2019 and thereby better access to Habas when the substitution There was no way for flinging himself across to get home team players around Sougu, Mohammed Larbi, judo, swimming, weightlift­ Commonwealth table tennis guidance and training,” Beh­ decision was taken. “The MCFC captain and custodian his hands behind the ball. Soosaraj were trying to com­ Diego Carlos got within sight ing and wrestling; Team championships and the era told The Hindu. coach asked me to focus on Amrinder Singh to read his However, the ball looped prehend what had happened of target for the hosts, fired events: badminton, basket­ Hockey Olympic Qualifiers The Khelo India Universi­ my game. He told me my role rival’s mind, the next best beyond blocking range and even as the goalscorer ran in­ wide or into Arindam Bhatta­ ball, football, hockey, table in November 2019. ty Games 2020 will be tele­ was to defend, but gave me thing possible was to react, lodged gently in the net. The to space behind the post and charja under the bar. tennis, tennis, , Ahead of the launch event cast on Doordarshan. ‘Australian Open delay valid if smoke haze worsens’ ‘On the right path for Slam glory’

Bushfires continue to blaze across large sections of the southeast Agence France-Presse year — that you have to stay Brisbane really positive in even bad REUTERS health concern is a health Elina Svitolina believes the moments and try to move SYDNEY concern for me and for progress she made in 2019 forward.” World No. 2 Novak Djokovic anybody.” will help her achieve her ulti­ Svitolina has brought said he was concerned that mate goal of becoming the former men's number eight smoke might cause some Disruptions first Ukranian woman to win Marcos Baghdatis onto her problems at the Australian The smoke has so far caused a Grand Slam singles title. coaching team to assist An­ Open later this month as the most disruption to the Speaking ahead of the sea­ drew Bettles in a bid to give bushfires continued to blaze sporting calendar in Canber­ son­opening Brisbane Inter­ her game an extra across large sections of the ra, where a Twenty20 crick­ national, the 25­year­old in­ dimension. southeast on Sunday. et match was abandoned on sisted she was ready to take “As an ex­player, he sees Hundreds of fires in New Dec. 21 when conditions be­ the next step after promising the game from his point and South Wales and Victoria came too hazardous to so much over the past five it's something different that I have killed at least 24 people continue. years. One step further: Svitolina has long been touted as a future was looking for to add into and destroyed more than An ATP Challenger/ITF Svitolina has long been Major champion, but only reached the semifinal stage of a my game,” Svitolina said. 5.25 million hectares (13 mil­ Futures tennis tournament touted as a future Major Slam in 2019. * GETTY IMAGES “For sure we improved lion acres) of land over the scheduled for next week in champion, but despite massively with Andy for the last few months. the capital was moved to reaching a career­high World that I could take one step 2012. past years I've been working Smoke from the blazes Not ideal: Djokovic is worried about the smoke haze affecting Bendigo, while on Sunday ranking of three and winning further,” she said. “I think maybe 2019 was with him and he knows me has also resulted in hazar­ the first Grand Slam of the year. * GETTY IMAGES the city's ACT Brumbies rug­ 13 titles on the WTA tour, un­ “I had the chance to play tough because there were very, very well. dous conditions in Sydney, by team announced they til 2019 she had never on the biggest stages and that more sad moments, I would “(But) for me it's impor­ where the final rounds of the Cup, said he hoped the crisis ney, I think Tennis Australia would be moving their pre­ reached the semifinal stage gave me lots of confidence at say. But also, it's tough to tant to add the small things inaugural ATP Cup will take would “dissipate” soon but probably will be forced to season training camp to at a Grand Slam. that particular point.” really understand what's go­ that can improve my game place next weekend, and that an action plan would be create some rules about it,” Newcastle. However, last year she Svitolina had a mixed year ing on because the year is ve­ and that's what I'm looking Melbourne, where the year's needed to avoid any impact he told a Brisbane news con­ The twice Super Rugby made the semifinals at both in 2019. Although she also ry long,” she said. for.” first tennis Grand Slam gets on the health of players if it ference in the early hours of champion made the decision Wimbledon and the US Open made the decider at Novem­ “You have to lose almost Svitolina, who won the underway on Jan. 20. did not. Sunday morning. after their training ground at and she said this showed she ber's WTA Finals, where she every single week, so you Brisbane title in 2018, will Seven­time Australian “If it continues same way “It's tough for them be­ the University of Canberra was on the right path. fell to World No. 1 Ashleigh have to take lots of positives open her 2020 campaign Open champion Djokovic, and if the quality of air is af­ cause ... there's a lot of diffe­ was closed indefinitely “due “Making semifinals defi­ Barty, she also failed to win a somehow, and that's, I think, against American Danielle who is playing in the ATP fected in Melbourne or Syd­ rent things involved. But to hazardous air quality”. nitely brought me the belief title for the first time since what I learned from the past Collins.

CM A ND-NDE YK