THE MIZORAM POST AIZAWL 6 SPORTS FRIDAY 08 JANUARY 2021

Hockey India gearing up to Juventus wins 3-1 at Milan to host multiple events in 2021 NEW DELHI, JAN 7 (AGENCIES) he added.In recent years, India With Hockey India having has hosted some of the biggest organised a tour for the Indian hockey events globally, and with end Rossoneri’s unbeaten run women's team to Argentina to the International Hockey resume some form of Federation (FIH) awarding competitive hockey, the national Hockey India with the hosting minute but went off seconds later with federation is now also gearing up rights for the Junior Men's World an injury. His replacement, McKennie, to host some of the most high- Cup 2021, the apex body for the scored in the 76th from close range profile events this year, starting sport in India is also looking after good work from Dejan Kulusevski with the 47th FIH Congress 2021, forward to hosting the much- year, India will be hosting New down the right flank.Both of which was originally scheduled awaited tournament towards the Zealand for two matches on May Sampdoria’s goals were scored by for 2020, but had to be end of the year."We had an 29 and 30, which should pave former Inter players to end Inter’s eight- postponed to May 2021 due to amazing time hosting the FIH the way for international match winning streak.Antonio Candreva the Covid-19 pandemic."We are Junior Men's World Cup in 2016 hockey's return to the put Sampdoria ahead with a penalty delighted to be on the right path where our country came out on country."We are keeping tabs on before Keita Baldé Diao finished off a in terms of bringing back top in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh as all the developments around the well-worked counterattack before the normalcy in both day-to-day they beat Belgium in the final. It globe in terms of resumption of break. working as well as events which was a memorable tournament sports activities. I would like to Stefan de Vrij pulled one back for are to take place in the long for many reasons for all of us at think that we have a great chance Inter with a header in the 65th but the term. With the 47th FIH Congress Hockey India, and it gave us the of being able to host visitors’ sorely lacked a fully fit Romelu 2021, we are hoping that all experience and confidence to go international matches by the Lukaku, who came on only for the final other factors will remain suited one step ahead when we hosted time FIH Hockey Pro League half hour as he returns from to us being able to play hosts in the FIH Men's World Cup in returns to our country in May injury.Alexis Sanchez had a penalty May 2021," said Hockey India 2018 in Bhubaneswar, Odisha," 2021, and hopefully also be able saved early on by Sampdoria goalkeeper president Gyanendro said Ningombam. to welcome back fans to the Emil Audero, after which Ashley Young Ningombam"In terms of "Therefore, this year's FIH stadiums if everything goes well knocked the rebound off the post.Third- guidelines and the framework Junior Men's World Cup is again globally," said the Hockey India place Roma moved within three points for the successful conducting of one of the most important chief."We are hoping that 2021 of Inter with a 3-1 win at last-place such a large-scale event, at tournaments for us as hosts, and will not disappoint us, and will Crotone before hosting the Nerazzurri Hockey India, we have also we are looking forward to enable us to host multiple high- on Sunday. Inter’s only other league loss successfully conducted the 10th delivering a very smooth and profile events in a very safe and this season came in mid-October, when Hockey India Congress & successful showpiece," he secure environment for it was defeated 2-1 in the Milan derby. everyone, especially our players Sassuolo beat relegation-threatened Elections, therefore we are well- added.With Hockey Pro League ROME JAN 7 (AGENCIES) Europe’s top five leagues.Milan still home side was also missing several through Genoa 2-1 with a late header from prepared to tackle all situations," also scheduled to return this and fans," he added. AC Milan’s 27-game unbeaten run in Serie maintained its league lead, a point above injury, including key forward Zlatan Gianluca Raspadori to move into fourth, A ended Wednesday with a 3-1 loss to city rival Inter Milan, which lost 2-1 at Ibrahimovic.“Seven players out is a lot for holding on to the final Champions Juventus that gives the defending champion Sampdoria. Juventus moved into fourth, anyone,” Pioli said. “We knew that if there League spot. renewed hope of a 10th straight title. seven points behind Milan with a game in was a team that we could find ourselves in Atalanta remained one point further Nithilan Eric, Reshma Maruri Federico Chiesa scored twice for Juventus hand. A loss for Juventus would have difficulty against, it was Juve. It’s a team that back after defeating Parma 3-0 with with American Weston McKennie adding stretched Milan’s lead to 13 points and left has won nine straight titles, has great goals from Luis Muriel, Duvan Zapata the third goal as Milan lost in the league the Turin club’s nine-year stranglehold on players and we held our own.”Chiesa hit and Robin Gosens to move level on for the first time since March, a streak the title hanging by a thread. the post before opening the scoring in the points with Napoli, which lost 2-1 at emerge AITA U-18 champions dating back to last season. “It was important to win tonight for 18th minute, stroking Paulo Dybala’s home to promoted Spezia.Spezia fought “The lads are disappointed but in a way ourselves,” said Juventus coach Andrea backheeled flick into the bottom left corner back from a goal down and Tommaso compatriot Arunava Majumder 6-4, 6-2 while Reshma it is good for us to experience the bitter Pirlo, who played for Milan for 10 seasons. following a swift one-two with the Argentine. Pobega scored the winner despite his defeated her sister Suhitha 6-2, 6-1 in the girls final.The taste of defeat, because it’s been a while,” “We didn’t look at the results of the others, Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny side having been reduced to 10 men first set of the boys final was a closely contested affair Milan coach Stefano Pioli said. “I gave we take it game by game and then we’ll was forced into a number of saves before following a second yellow card for with Eric achieving an early break to go 4-1 up. However, them a pat on the back, because when you see where we are in a few months.“We had Milan leveled four minutes before the break defender Ardian Ismajli.Hellas Majumder rallied hard to get close and trailed 4-5 before give your all there shouldn’t be any a good game, it was important to play with with a rapid counterattack that ended with Verona drew 1-1 at Torino; Filippo a determined Eric held serve to take the first set 6-4.In regrets.”Davide Calabria had equalized this spirit, control the game and try to win.” Rafael Leão rolling the ball across for Inzaghi’s promoted Benevento squad the second set, Eric broke to go 2-0 up but Majumder shortly before halftime for Milan, which Both Milan and Juventus had players Calabria to place into the top right corner. won 2-1 at Cagliari; and Bologna was quick to break back and restored parity at 2-2. had been the last unbeaten team in any of ruled out with the coronavirus while the Chiesa restored Juve’s lead in the 62nd drew 2-2 with Udinese. That was the best he could do as Eric stepped up his BENGALURU, JAN 7 (AGENCIES) game and didn't give a semblance of a chance for his Top seeds Nithilan Eric and Reshma Maruri were opponent to make a comeback and took the set without crowned champions in the boys and girls U-18 losing a game. Ashleigh Barty returns to action after Ireland pacer categories respectively in the AITA Under-18 The girls final was almost a one-sided affair with Championship Series tennis tournament which elder sister Reshma easily looking the strongest amongst concluded here on Thursday. the two siblings. The champion didn't drop a single out of ODI series against UAE In the boys final of the tournament hosted by the serve throughout the match and was home and dry in 11 months for Australian Open warmup ABU DHABI, JAN 7 (AGENCIES) tested at the time, but returned a Rohan Bopanna The Sports School Tennis Academy the final clash that was delayed by a day owing to WTA 500 events from Jan. 31-Feb. 6 as part of the Ireland pacer David Delany has negative result. However, a second (RBSSTA) under the aegis of Karnataka State Lawn unprecedented rains in the city.RBSSTA will host AITA Melbourne Summer Series.The Gippsland Trophy been ruled out of the four-match test four days later yielded a positive Tennis Association (KSLTA), Eric overcame his men's and women's championship next week. and Yarra Valley Classic, named after regions in series against UAE beginning result and he was immediately the state of Victoria, will include 49 of the top 50 Friday after complaining of knee quarantined at home in Dublin. All women players.The top 32 players will be split pain following training, other players and coaches returned across the two events, with each featuring 64-singles Ireland has informed.While the negative results.Little has now and 32-doubles draws.American Serena Williams, initial injury was reported to completed his quarantine period, 39, will also return to competitive action after support staff on Monday, a and has subsequently returned two exiting the French Open with an injury and would decision was made on negative test results, with no hope to get some matches under her belt before Wednesday to return Delany to symptoms displayed. He has been embarking on her bid for a record-equalling 24th Ireland. cleared to join the squad.The four major title. "David limped off the field ODIs will be played on January 8, 10, AUSTRALIA JAN 7 (AGENCIES) during our centre 12 and 14 at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket World number one Ash Barty will return to Players will start arriving Down Under from Jan. 15 and undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine practice on Monday citing Stadium. Ireland: Andrew Balbirnie competitive tennis after a lengthy hiatus due to the sudden pain in his left knee. (c), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, COVID-19 pandemic when she headlines two WTA before playing the warm-up events, which will be held at Melbourne Park. Given that he has previous David Delany, , Josh tournaments in Melbourne ahead of the Australian history with his knee, we feel that Little, Andrew McBrine, Barry Open, organisers said on Thursday. Top men’s players like Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic and world number two it is best to get David home safely McCarthy, James McCollum, Kevin The 24-year-old Queenslander has not played and have a review with his knee O'Brien, Neil Rock, Simi Singh, Paul a match since February, opting not to defend her Rafa Nadal will represent their countries in the 12- specialist," said Mark Rausa, Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, French Open title and also skipping the U.S. Open team ATP Cup from Feb. 1-5 with those unable to Head of Sports Science, Craig Young.UAE: Ahmed Raza (c), in New York as the novel coronavirus wreaked make the cut divided into two ATP 250 tournaments. Physiotherapy and Medical Chirag Suri (vc), Rohan Mustafa, havoc on global sport.The pandemic is still The Great Ocean Road Open and Murray River Services for .Josh Muhammad Usman, Muhammad affecting the tennis calendar, with the year’s first Open will feature players including Grand Slam Little, who will join the squad Boota, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Grand Slam at Melbourne Park to start on Feb. 8, winner Stan Wawrinka and local hope Nick on Thursday, was originally Siddique, Waheed Ahmad, Zawar three weeks later than planned. Kyrgios.“While we know the circumstances are named in the 16-man squad, but Farid, CP Rizwaan, Aryan Lakra, Barty, who held on to the top women’s singles unique this year, it is a huge coup to secure such in mid-December he was forced Karthik Meiyappan, Alishan Sharafu, ranking during last year’s disrupted season, will strong playing fields,” Cameron Pearson, head of to self-isolate after a close Basil Hameed, Kashif Daud, Adithya play for the first time in 11 months at one of two TA major events, said in a statement. contact tested positive. He was Shetty, Vriitya Aravind. Afghanistan-Ireland Atletico Madrid crashes ODI series rescheduled DUBLIN, JAN 7 (AGENCIES) that after discussions over recent The upcoming three-match ODI days, an agreement was reached out of Copa del Rey series between Afghanistan and on keeping the series in Abu Dhabi Ireland, which was slated to start after the Afghanistan squad's visas MADRID, JAN 7 (AGENCIES) on January 18, has been came through. We are thankful to LaLiga leader Atletico Madrid became the highest profile rescheduled.The ODIs, part of the Emirates Cricket Board and victim of a giant-killing act when it was knocked out of ICC's World Cup Super League, Abu Dhabi Sports Council in the Copa del Rey by third-tier side Cornella.A seventh- were scheduled to be played at the working with us to ensure the minute goal from Cornella defender Adrian Jimenez on Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu series will be played in a safe and Wednesday knocked Atletico out of the tournament at an Dhabi on January 18, 21 and 23 healthy environment." early stage for the second year in succession, reports but the start has been postponed "We look forward to a great Xinhua news agency.Atletico coach Diego Simeone fielded by three days. They will now be series with World Cup Super a strong side which included B-team defender Ricard played on January 21, 24 and 26 League points on the line. But first, Sanchez, who blotted his copybook when he was sent off at the same venue. we are focused on the four-match for two yellow cards in the 63rd minute.Granada needed time after Mario Musy had headed Portugalete level Richard Holdsworth, High series against the UAE which will extra-time and a 116th minute winner from Darwin from a free-kick just before the hour.In the other performance director for Cricket be a tough challenge in their home Machis to get past Cultural Leon, who, like Cornella, also midday game, Elche beat fellow third-tier side La Nucia Ireland, said that they have agreed conditions," he added.Before the 1-0 thanks to Lucas Boye's goal at the start of the play in Segunda B. second half. to the new fixtures."We were Afghanistan series, Ireland will play Marc Roviola put Cultural ahead after three minutes, Real Betis had to come back after conceding an pleased to accommodate the four-match ODI series against UAE and it looked as Atletico's conquerors from last season early goal to Multivera in Pamplona. Javier Brinon Afghanistan Cricket Board's beginning Friday.Squad: Andrew were set to produce another upset, but Jorge Molina opened the scoring for the home side in the fourth request for a slight extension of the Balbirnie (C), Mark Adair, Curtis equalised in the 19th minute.The remaining 70 minutes minute, but defenders Joan Miranda and Emerson tour understanding that the Campher, David Delany, Gareth of regulation time failed to produce any further goals, turned the score around before half-time and Juanmi delayed arrival time of the Afghan Delany, Josh Little, Andrew and Machis scored his winner after an error from home sealed the win on the hour.Finally Osasuna moved side, combined with their McBrine, Barry McCarthy, into the next round with an easy 3-0 win in Olot with keeper Andoni Zubiaurre.Levante striker Sergio Leon goals from Oir, Ante Budimir and Kike Barja, while quarantine requirements meant James McCollum, Kevin scored twice to rescue his side from an upset against Alaves also progressed thanks to Luis Rioja's 75th that the previous schedule could O'Brien, Neil Rock, Simi Singh, third-tier Portugalete in one of the two midday kick- minute winner away to Deportivo La not be achieved," said Holdsworth Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, offs.Leon put Levante ahead from close range in the 29th Coruna.Tuesday's games had seen Ibiza surprise on Wednesday."We are pleased Lorcan Tucker, Craig Young. minute and scored a 93rd minute header to avoid extra- Celta Vigo, while Granada defeated Getafe.