Tokyo Olympics shaping up as TV-only event with few fans
TOKYO: The pandemic-delayed Tokyo Olympics are shaping up as a TV-only event with few spectators if any being allowed when they open in just over two weeks. Japan’s AsahiShimbun newspaper, citing multiple unidentified government sources, said on Tuesday the opening ceremony at the 68,000-seat National Stadium is likely to be limited to only VIP guests, another downgrade […]
Spain, Italy take unbeaten runs into semi-final laced with history
LONDON: Luis Enrique thought for a couple of seconds, looked straight back at the questioner, and gave the curtest of replies. “No,” said the Spain coach, with the blankest of looks on his face, after being asked if he had seen a better team than his at Euro 2020. An answer out of blind loyalty? […]
England unchanged for Pakistan ODI series
LONDON: England on Saturday named an unchanged 16-player squad for the three-match One-day International series against Pakistan, which gets underway at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff on July 8. England are already 2-0 up in their ODI series against Sri Lanka, with the final match taking place in Bristol on Sunday. Tom Banton was a late […]
Simon saves lift Spain past Swiss on penalties to reach semis
ST PETERSBURG: Goalkeeper Unai Simon was the hero as Spain edged past 10-man Switzerland 3-1 on penalties on Friday to set up a Euro 2020 semi-final against either Belgium or Italy. After a 1-1 draw in Saint Petersburg which saw the Swiss play for 43 minutes a man down, Simon made two saves in the […]
2022 Commonwealth shooting and archery in India cancelled due to Covid threat
The Commonwealth archery and shooting championships, which were scheduled to be held in Chandigarh before the 2022 Birmingham Games, have been cancelled due to the “uncertainty” posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. The decision was taken by the Commonwealth Games India (CGI) Executive Board with the support of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF). CGF President Dame […]
Belgium-Italy the standout quarter-final as England’s path opens up
LONDON: After one of the most memorable knockout rounds a European Championship has ever seen, the quarter-finals promise another heavyweight clash in Belgium against Italy on Friday while the fairytale run of at least one of the less fancied teams will continue. Either Denmark or Czech Republic will make the semi-finals with their last eight […]
Root guides England home in first Sri Lanka ODI
CHESTER-LE-STREET: Joe Root celebrated his 150th One-day International appearance with an unbeaten half-century as England claimed a five-wicket win over Sri Lanka in their series opener at the Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street on Tuesday. Chasing a target of 186, England opener Jonny Bairstow made a fast start as England reached 50 inside five overs but […]
Japan toughens border controls as Olympic athlete tests positive
TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga pledged Monday to strengthen health controls at airports after a Ugandan Olympic team member tested positive for Covid-19 at the town hosting their training camp, triggering concerns that the upcoming Games will spread infections. A Ugandan team member, reportedly a coach, tested positive on Saturday at Tokyo’s Narita airport […]
Top gun Djokovic chases another milestone at Wimbledon
LONDON: Novak Djokovic targets a record-equalling 20th major and sixth Wimbledon title from Monday which will edge him tantalisingly closer to becoming only the third man in history to complete a calendar Grand Slam. The world number one has already won a ninth Australian Open and second French Open this season. That has put him […]
Record-chasing Italy becoming the team to fear at Euro 2020
LONDON: Italy’s unbeaten streak won’t last forever, and Austria coach Franco Foda is plotting to be the one to stop it. The Italians have become one of the favourites at the European Championship after winning all three of their games in the group stage, scoring seven goals and conceding none. Those three victories at Euro […]