IMPHAL, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2020 Barcelona outclass Villarreal after recent disappointments ISL boss Nita Ambani approves Bartomeu told Spanish net- BARCELONA, Jul 6 work Movistar after his side beat Villarreal 4-1 away on 4 foreign players regulation Barcelona responded to a trying Sunday in . , Jul 6 week by producing a “I’m not going to explain scintillating display to thrash the details because we are The Indian Super League on Villarreal 4-1 away on Sunday focused on the competition Monday approved 3+1 foreign and stay alive in the Liga title and we are negotiating with player regulation for matches of race. many players but Messi has the franchise-based event, The Catalans had drawn explained to us that he wants bringing it down from the their last two matches to hand to stay and so we’re going to existing five to boost more momentum to league enjoy him for much longer.” "increased participation" of leaders Real but Sun- The 33-year-old Messi, local players. day’s win took them to 73 who signed his last contract The regulation will become points after 34 games, four in 2017, has become more part of the competition guide- behind their arch-rivals who outspoken against the club’s lines from the eighth season won 1-0 at Athletic Bilbao hierarchy in the last year and in 2021-22. five on the field. tions, the change in foreign earlier in the day. radio station Cadena Ser said The decision was taken "ISL has always exhibited player guidelines in Indian An own goal from Pau last Thursday he is unhappy during a Football Sports De- a progressive and adaptive football is an important step Torres put Barca in front in but the way we played was the lineup against a Villarreal gesture after Real Madrid re- with how Barca is being run velopment Ltd. (FSDL) nature to their operations. towards the the third minute, with important too because that’s a side who had won five of cently benefitted from VAR and wants to leave in 2021. meeting attended by its chair- Since 2014, ISL has impro- Indian league aligning to Villarreal’s Gerard Moreno part of our identity so we their last six games and was decisions but the defender “I saw the game in Bilbao person Nita Ambani and is vised on many front with the Asian football interna- levelling on the rebound in need to keep playing like that lively from the kick off, help- said he meant nothing by it, and although I don’t like to being communicated with the each year and today is yet tional regulations. the 14th before the visitors until the end of the season,” ing force the opening goal as adding that he had made the say it, I’ll repeat that VAR is stakeholders including clubs another such example of ISL's "The decision is an out- restored their lead through an he said. well as working tirelessly in gesture due to a rush of not being used as it should and the All India Football forward-looking statement on come of ISL and its clubs' outstanding curling strike Barca’s confidence was midfield and combining well adrenaline. be,” added Bartomeu. Federation (AIFF). Indian football," said a foot- aligned vision with the na- from Luis Suarez six minutes rocked by draws with Celta with Messi and Suarez. Lionel Messi will finish “Since the season returned As per the new regulation, ball administrator. tional federation (All Indian later. Vigo and Atletico Madrid He adorned his perform- career at Barca says club after the COVID-19 crisis it an ISL club could sign maxi- "The four foreigners regu- Football Federation) and a Antoine Griezmann while the sense of instability ance with a sumptuous goal, president has not been equal, that has mum of six foreigners in the lation will go a long way in result of joint consultation," stretched Barca’s advantage at the club deepened amid receiving a back-heeled lay There have been reports been reflected in the results squad including a compulsory redefining the Indian football the league said. just before the break with a reports captain Lionel Messi off from Messi and coolly claiming Messi does not wish and it looks as if it always Asian origin player, with four in the years to come. It's a In May, the AIFF's execu- sublime chip, having been was unhappy with the state of delivering a chip that to renew his current contract favours the same team. foreigners on the field. positive and welcome step tive committee unanimously dropped from the starting affairs and did not want to skimmed off the crossbar and at Barca. Barcelona president “VAR should be there to The 3+1 foreign player which will benefit our Indian implemented the '3 (foreign- lineup in the last two games, stay beyond his contract. into the net. Josep Maria Bartomeu has help out the referee but in the rules are governed by the players immensely. The ers) + 1 (Asian) recruit rule' while 17-year-old Ansu Fati There had been also been Messi also produced an said that captain Lionel Messi last few weeks everyone has Asian Football Confederation change will certainly open up for I-League matches from added a fourth in the second plenty of speculation sur- outstanding performance but will end his career at the been able to see the instances competition regulation. key position for Indian play- 2020-21 season. half with a low strike. rounding coach Setien after failed to score as the Argen- Catalan club, dismissing a in which it has not been used The move is expected to ers in the line-up," he said. Then, the apex body had For Barca defender Gerard he had brought Griezmann on tine had one effort ruled out report saying the Argentine fairly.” boost increased participation ISL has been conferred the said the ISL organisers, Pique, delivering such a slick in added time against for offside after a thrilling no longer wishes to renew his Real coach Zinedine of Indian players in the top- top football league status in FSDL, will work with the performance was as satisfy- Atletico, a move described in team move and then ham- current contract when it ex- Zidane said he was tired of flight competition. Currently, India by Asian Football Con- AIFF and present a plan on ing as returning to winning the Spanish media as an act mered the bar with a late free pires next year. his side’s winning run being an ISL club is allowed to sign federation and FIFA in 2019. the way forward for foreign ways. of humiliation against the kick. Pique reacted to Messi’s “Messi has said he will put down to marginal deci- up to seven international play- Since ISL is now part of players in the next couple of “It was crucial to get the World Cup-winning forward. goal being disallowed by ap- end his working and sions going their way. ers and play a maximum of the AFC competitive regula- months. PTI three points to stay in the hunt Griezmann was named in pearing to make a puppet footballing life at Barca,” Reuters Sachin always Carolin ready to give her gold forced me to take Dan-fan Meiraba wants to be medals to medical professionals first strike: Ganguly MUMBAI, Jul 6 treated a 100-year-old man calm under pressure like his idol against all odds and sent him NEW DELHI, Jul 6 I am also working on improv- It was a strange start to the home happy, calling it “our own ing my net skills where summer when the super- triumphant record” as a fellow The new crop of Indian opponents are catching me.” combative Olympic Spaniard. shuttlers has grown up An experienced Meiraba champion Carolina Marin “I offered all my medals to idolising and Maisnam then went on to win Korea announced she was ready to them when I was talking to them Meiraba Luwang, world No. 2 Junior Open and U-19 sin- hand over all her medals. as they are in fact the real he- in juniors, is one of them. gles titles in Nepal and Not pass on the baton of roes in Spain. They deserve The Imphal boy is disap- Bangladesh (Junior Interna- excellence, so to speak, to one every applause and accolade,” pointed to hear about Dan’s tional Series) besides of her many competitors who Marin told The Indian Express retirement on Saturday and reaching semi-finals in Singa- would love to boast of a medal a bunch of tired staff were given via email, adding how her mul- someday hopes to pick the pore Youth International haul of three World Champion- a day-end surprise when the Rio tiple interactions changed how trademark poise and control Series. During the lockdown NEW DELHI, Jul 6 ships and an Olympic gold. But Games women’s singles cham- she thought of national honour. of the Chinese legend. Meiraba was staying alone in hang those precious ribboned pion connected with them over “It was inspirational. I just The only way to make Sachin Meiraba remembers all the an apartment, close to the discs, unique to her in the a long videocall interaction, wanted to thank them. They are Tendulkar take strike for the major finals of Lin Dan and minton Academy (PPBA) in favourite and two-time world PPBA academy, after all his world, around the necks of thor- making them chuckle, asking the real heroes for all the effort first ball of the innings would excitedly spoke about his fa- Bengaluru. junior champion Kunlavut friends decided to head home. oughly deserving medical care about their well-being and tell- in taking care of sick people in be to leave him stranded on mous rivalry with Malaysian Having picked up the sport Vitidsarn of Thailand in his “I stayed back because travel- professionals – doctors, nurses ing them how they had inspired Spain during these terrible the striker’s end when the . “From a from his father and badmin- second round match when he ling was risky. Only Lakshya and janitors – who have been her. times. They did an incredible television cameras would young age I have been watch- ton coach Maisnam Romesh lost his focus. “I won the first (Sen) and his family were treating Covid-19 patients. At the Sanitas Cima hospital job and I would like to thank already be on him, said ing Lin Dan and Lee Chong in Imphal, Meiraba shifted to game and I was leading in the there in the other apartment. I “Next to you, I’m nothing,” in Barcelona later, she told care the frontline fighters who risk Sourav Ganguly. Speaking Wei. In crucial points Lin Dan PPBA in 2013. He was the second when I started making was spending time with them Marin would tell frontline hos- workers they were the real their lives every day and con- on a BCCI video chat with doesn’t get nervous and stays most consistent junior India errors and that changed the and reading.” pital professionals of Virgen del champions after gushing about tinue to serve people like us,” Mayank Agarwal, Ganguly in control, I try to learn these player last year, winning four whole game. I need to be Now that the academy has Mar hospital in Madrid, where how they had successfully she said. IE said Tendulkar always made things,” says Meiraba. international titles, that saw more calm and patient,” he opened, Meiraba has gone him take strike. Lin Dan won two Olym- him reach world No.2 in says. back to following his routine. “Always,” said pic gold medals (2008 and BWF rankings. As he steps He has learnt his lessons “I don’t want to go back Ganguly when asked by 2012) – both after beating his into the crucial transitional from world junior champion- home now, training will suf- Lionel Messi wants to end football Mayank Agarwal if friend and nemesis Lee phase of entering the senior ships too where Meiraba lost fer.” Sachin forced him to take Chong Wei in the final. Dan’s ranks– Meiraba wants to to Su Li Yang of Chinese There are no competitions strike in ODIs. two out of the five world ti- show the mental resilience Taipei in the round of 64. The being held currently with the career in Barcelona, says Bartomeu “He had an answer to tles came at the cost of Chong and hunger that his idols Lin big stage unsettled the young- world junior championships, Wei in two finals (2011 and Dan and Lee Chong Wei ster. “I was quite nervous. It too, being rescheduled to Jan till the end of his football career. with the Catalan giants amid that. I use to tell him, "I am not going to give reports of growing tensions ‘Sometimes you also face 2013). “I remember all the brought to the court. was my first world junior 11-24 in Auckland next year. major finals they have played He is quick to point out tournament and I my mind Meiraba is hopeful of his details but Messi has said within the club. His current the first ball’. He had two many times that he will end deal runs till 2021. answers to it, one — he and all were great contests. the areas he need to work on. was not at the moment. I was entry. “I think I was eligible Both are great players, Lin His key focus is to overcome thinking about so many for one more year but now his football life in Barcelona," Meanwhile, Bartomeu was believed that if his form Goal.com quoted Bartomeu also elated with Barcelona's was good, he should con- Dan maybe was just a frac- the jitters he faced in major things. I was horrified,” he that it is not happening this tion better in controlling the international competitions – says. year I have to see whether I as saying. 4-1 win away at Villarreal on tinue and remain at the "We are focused on the Sunday, a victory that leaves non-striker’s end and then pressure,” says the 17-year Asian and World junior meets “I should not be distracted can play again if BWF allows old, who trains under former – last year. At the Badminton by so many things which are me. I really want to test my- competition and there are ne- them four points behind the if his form wasn’t good, gotiations with many players. leaders. "Today's win was an he said ‘I (Sachin) should international U Vimal Kumar Asia Junior Championships, not related to my game. I will self at the world junior at the Bad- Meiraba was leading against try to gather my mental skills. championships.” HT Messi wants to continue and important one. The team remain at the non-striker’s BARCELONA, Jul 6 wants to end his career here. played well and we can be end because it takes the He has many years left and very happy with the perform- pressure off’. Barcelona FC President Josep we are going to enjoy him for ance. We will keep fighting “So, he had an answer Maria Bartomeu has much longer," he added. for the league until the end," for both — good form title hopes all but over after loss to Bologna downplayed Lionel Messi's exit According to Spanish out- said the president after the and bad form. Until and MILAN, Jul 6 Inter, who also missed a pen- left-wing cross against the post, Skorupski. rumours, stating the star striker let Cadena SER, Messi has final whistle in the Estadio de unless someone walked alty when 1-0 up, are now 11 but Lukaku was on hand to tap That was the cue for Inter, wants to continue with the club stopped contract negotiations la Ceramica. IANS past him and went and Inter Milan coach Antonio Conte points off the pace with only eight in. chasing a first league title since stood at the non-striker’s said his team "gifted" Bologna a matches of the season remaining It was the Belgian's 20th winning the treble under Jose end and he was already on 2-1 win on Sunday after they and just one point ahead of league goal since joining Inter Mourinho in 2010, to collapse in TV and he would be blew a goal and a man advantage fourth-placed Atalanta who beat from Manchester United last year the closing stages. forced to take the strike. to see their title challenge Cagliari 1-0. and his 26th in all competitions. Musa Juwara, on as a substi- That has happened one or all but ended in dramatic fashion. "It's clear what happened, so Mid-table Bologna always carried tute, fired home a 74th-minute two times. I have just Antonio Conte's men needed there's not much I can say," Conte a threat, though, and Riccardo leveller through the weak at- walked past him and stood a win to move back to within told DAZN. "We all have to take Orsolini twice went close to tempted save by Inter stopper at the non-striker’s end,” eight points of leaders Juventus, our share of the responsibility, equalising before half-time. But Samir Handanovic, before the the former India captain and one of second-placed Lazio, first of all me as the coach, then Inter were gifted a golden oppor- home side also saw their numeri- said. but despite leading through the players who step onto that tunity to take total control 12 cal advantage disappear shortly Tendulkar and Ganguly, 's 20th league pitch. I think we gifted Bologna minutes into the second half when afterwards as Alessandro Bastoni one of the most successful goal of the campaign and play- the game today and it's not the Bologna midfielder Roberto was dismissed for a second yel- opening pairs in limited- ing against 10 men, contrived to first time. Soriano was sent off for dissent. low card. overs cricket, opened for collapse to defeat. Juventus sit "We have to ask ourselves A crucial three points appeared The comeback was completed India in 136 innings, seven points clear at the top after questions now, both myself and almost certain when Martinez with 10 minutes left, as Gambian amassing 6,609 runs — beating Torino in the Turin derby the players." The third-placed stepped up to take a 61st-minute striker Musa Barrow finished off the most by an opening on Saturday, when second- hosts forged ahead midway penalty, but the Argentinian a sweeping Bologna counter-at- batting pair in the world in placed Lazio were thumped by through the first half as Lautaro striker saw his effort saved by tack with a fine left-footed shot ODIs. Sports Desk AC Milan. Martinez headed 's visiting goalkeeper Lukasz past Handanovic. AFP Nemanja signs contract extension Real Madrid move closer to Spanish title MANCHESTER, Jul 6 fight to finish the season on a Madrid, Jul 6 league resumed. high and make our amazing Madrid remained the only Nemanja Matic has signed a supporters proud," the Ser- Sergio Ramos scored his fifth team with a perfect record after new contract with Manchester bian added. goal since the season resumed as the coronavirus break. United, which will see him stay Since the return of Premier Real Madrid beat Athletic Bilbao Eighth-place Athletic was at Old Trafford till 2023. League after enforced break 1-0 on Sunday to move closer to coming off two straight victo- Manchester United put forward by coronavirus its first Spanish league title in ries and had won three of its midfielder Nemanja Matic on pandemic, Matic has been in three years. last four matches, with the only Monday put pen to paper on good form and his presence Ramos converted a 73rd- setback a loss at Barcelona. a new contract that will see just ahead of the defenders minute penalty kick to give Madrid was without forward him stay at Old Trafford till has given the license to thrill Madrid its seventh straight Eden Hazard and defender 2023. Matic joined United in my career and to do that to playmakers like Bruno league victory and open a Raphael Varane because of under former manager Jose with Manchester United will Fernandes and Paul Pogba. seven-point lead over second- minor injuries. Mourinho in 2017 and has be a huge honour. "I am delighted that place Barcelona, which visits Two-time defending cham- made 114 appearances for the "This is a really exciting Nemanja has signed a new fifth-place Villarreal later Sun- pion Barcelona had the lead Premier League giants so far. team to be part of, we have a contract, I know his experi- day. Madrid has four matches when the league was suspended "I am very happy that I good balance of youth and ence, professionalism and left as it chases its first league but has drawn three of its six will continue to be part of this experience within the squad leadership will be invaluable title since 2017 Ramos had matches since the return, includ- great club," Matic was quoted and there is great comradery to this young talented group," already scored the winner from ing the last two. It will enter the as saying in the statement amongst the group. Manchester United manager the penalty spot in Madrid’s 1- match against Villarreal with uploaded of Manutd.com. "This is a key part of the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was 0 win against Getafe on coach Quique Setien under pres- "As a player, I still have a season and we are playing quoted as saying in the state- Thursday. He had scored in sure because of the team’s poor lot more to give and achieve well. We will continue to ment. IANS three other matches since the run of results.AP