Sports

MNA Sports Desk: Belgium struck early and then held off a late Brazil fightback to send the five-times champions tumbling out of the World Cup at the quarter-final stage with a 2-1 victory in an end-to-end thriller on Friday. A Fernandinho own goal and brilliant Kevin De Bruyne strike, after Thiago Silva had hit the post for Brazil, earned Belgium a date with neighbours France in St Petersburg on Tuesday, their second trip to the last four at a World Cup after 1986. Brazil will depart at the last eight stage for the third time in the last four World ...

MNA Sports Desk: England held their nerve against Colombia to win their first ever penalty shootout in a World Cup and reach the quarter-finals in dramatic fashion on Tuesday, reported news agency. Eric Dier scored the decisive spot-kick to win the shootout 4-3 and send Gareth Southgate’s young team through to a meeting with Sweden, who earlier beat Switzerland. A bad-tempered match at Moscow’s Spartak Stadium that featured eight yellow cards—six for Colombian players—ended 1-1 after 30 tense minutes of extra-time, meaning the game had to be decided by penalties. The South American side, without injured forward James Rodriguez, appeared ...

MNA Sports Desk: Neymar barged his way into the World Cup limelight with a goal, an assist and another helping of histrionics as Brazil roared into the quarter-finals with a 2-0 victory over Mexico on Monday that inflicted a seventh straight last-16 exit on the central Americans, reported news agency. The PSG forward was both architect and executioner for Brazil, sliding home in the second half and then teeing up Roberto Firmino late on, but he also writhed on the floor, seemingly in agony, after Mexico Miguel Layun had made slight contact with his ankle. That should not overshadow his ...

MNA Sports Desk: Lionel Messi’s fourth World Cup ended in bitter, frustrating and all-too-familiar defeat on Saturday, with Argentina tumbling out of the tournament with a 4-3 loss to a suddenly impressive France in the round of 16. Messi departs after a frustrating tournament in which Argentina only barely escaped a humiliating elimination in the group stage. But it ended as all his major tournaments with Argentina’s senior national team have: without a trophy, and while carrying the burden of a team defeat on his slight shoulders. At 31, he may choose to make this his last World Cup, reports ...

MNA Sports Desk: Marcus Rojo’s stunning finish four minutes from time kept Lionel Messi and Argentina’s World Cup hopes alive to see off Nigeria 2-1 on Tuesday and set up a last 16 meeting with France. Messi’s first goal of the tournament got the two-time winners off to a perfect start in Saint Petersburg, but Victor Moses’s 51st minute penalty had Jorge Sampaoli’s men headed for a humiliating group stage exit until Rojo’s late intervention. The Manchester United defender, who had escaped conceding a second Nigerian penalty moments earlier after a controversial VAR review, thundered home Gabriel Mercado’s cross to ...

MNA Sports Desk: A foul on Cristiano Ronaldo during Portugal’s Group B clash against Iran on Monday resulted in a record 19th penalty at the World Cup before the knockout rounds, reported news agency. The Portugal forward was brought down in the box shortly into the second half in Saransk, with the penalty awarded by use of the video assistant referee (VAR). Although Ronaldo’s spot kick was saved by Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand, the decision eclipsed the previous record tally of 18 penalties awarded set at the 2002 World Cup hosted by Japan and South Korea. In Brazil four years ...

MNA Sports Desk: Jos Buttler hit an unbeaten 110 as England completed its first-ever 5-0 cricket sweep of Australia in any format with a one-wicket win in the fifth ODI on Sunday, reported news agency. England reached 208-9 in 48.3 overs at Old Trafford in reply to Australia’s 205 all out. At 114-8, England looked finished before Buttler and Adil Rashid shared a ninth-wicket partnership of 81. England had bowled Australia out in just 34.4 overs but collapsed to 50-5 against the pace and bounce of Billy Stanlake (3-35) before the scheduled lunch break. After his partnership with Adil Rashid, ...

MNA Sports Desk: On a breezy afternoon by the Gulf of Finland Brazil beat Costa Rica 2-0 at the St Petersburg Stadium to ease their route towards the knockout stage of Russia 2018. The goals were both scored in injury time, the first by their best player on the day Philippe Coutinho, who came haring through a crowd on to a touch from Gabriel Jesus to poke the ball through the legs of Keylor Navas and send the yellow-shirted stands into a fever. As the clock ticked down Neymar added a second, the Costa Rica defence finally parting after some ...

MNA Sports Desk: Uruguay booked their place in the World Cup knockout stage along with Russia on Wednesday, as Luis Suarez scored the winner on his 100th international appearance in a 1-0 victory over Saudi Arabia in Rostov-on-Don. The South Americans take on the hosts in their final Group A match on 25 June with top spot on the line, while Egypt and Saudi Arabia have been eliminated after both suffered back-to-back defeats. Russia and Uruguay will face one of the top two from Group B in the last 16 — either Portugal, Spain or Iran, reported news agency. The ...

MNA Sports Desk: Brazil continued the trend of tournament favourites under performing as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Switzerland in their FIFA World Cup 2018 Group E opener in Rostov. Having bowed out of their home tournament four years ago with a 7-1 semi-final defeat to Germany, Brazil initially started their mission to put that humiliation behind them in stunning fashion when Philippe Coutinho struck a sublime goal to open the scoring. Despite dictating the pace of the game, Brazil were never completely dominant and had Switzerland’s rather toothless attack to thank for not taking advantage of the ...

MNA Sports Desk: President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday congratulated Bangladesh women cricket team for achieving a historical victory over India by three wickets in the Asia Cup T-20 cricket final at Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. Bangladesh defeat India by three wickets in the final of the T20 Asia Cup to clinch a memorable victory. Batting first, India scored 112 runs for 9 in 20 over and in reply, Bangladesh scored 113 runs for 7 in 20 overs, reported news agency. In a congratulating message, President Hamid greeted all the players, coach and officials of ...

MNA Sports Desk: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has appointed former England wicketkeeper Steve Rhodes as the National Team Head Coach. Rhodes, 53, has agreed terms with the BCB which will see him in the Head Coach’s position up to the ICC World Twenty20 in Australia in 2020. He will take over in his new role ahead of the Bangladesh team’s Tour of West Indies 2018. The Bangladesh side is scheduled to leave for the Caribbean on 23 June to play two Tests, three ODIs and three Twenty20 internationals, says a BCB media release. Rhodes had appeared in 11 Tests ...

MNA Sports Desk: Serena Williams has pulled out of the French Open before her fourth-round match with Maria Sharapova because of an injury that affected her serve. The 23-time Grand Slam winner recently returned to tennis after giving birth to her first child, but looked in good form in her opening matches. “I’ve had issues with the right pectoral muscle to the point where I can’t serve,” said the 36-year-old. Williams said she first felt the problem during her third-round win over German 11th seed Julia Gorges on Saturday. Williams said she will have an MRI scan in Paris on ...

MNA Sports Desk: Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Wednesday announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming ACC Women’s Asia Cup T20I 2018, reported news agency. The six-nation women’s continental cricket event will be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from June 3 to 10. Bangladesh team will leave for Kuala Lumpur at 2pm on Friday and will play the first game against Sri Lanka at Royal Selangor Club on June 3. Bangladesh T20I squad: Salma Khatun (captain), Nahida Akter, Rumana Ahmed, Panna Ghosh, Nigar Sultana, Lily Rani Biswas, Fargana Haque, Sanjida Islam, Khadaija Tul Kubra, Sharmin Sultana, Fahima Khatun, Jahanara Alam, ...

MNA Sports Desk: The threat of terrorist attacks in France has put paid to fans’ hopes of watching the World Cup on big screen in public spaces, France’s ministry for the interior announced Tuesday. “I remind all publicly-elected officials of the fact that ‘big screen’ zones are completely forbidden in public spaces,” said a statement from the ministry. France has been subject to several terrorist attacks in recent years, leading to an increased security presence all round. “In the current climate of terrorist threats, the security procedures used at the last European Championship must be deployed again, with the same ...

MNA Sports Desk: The Bangladesh national cricket team have left for India on Tuesday morning to take part in a three-match T20I series against Afghanistan scheduled to be held on 3 to 7 June. The matches will be played at newly built Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Dehradun. Squad: Shakib Al Hasan (captain), Mahmudullah (vice-captain), Tamim Iqbal Khan, Soumya Sarkar, Litton Kumar Das, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shabbir Rahaman, Musaddek Hossain Saikat, Ariful Haque, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Nazmul Islam Apu, Mustafizur Rahman, Abu Hider Rony, Rubel Hossain and Abu Jayed Chowdhury Rahi. Match Schedule: Afghanistan vs Bangladesh series 2018: 3 June – ...

MNA Sports Desk: Gareth Bale scored a brace, including a sensational overhead kick, to inspire Real Madrid to a 3-1 win over Liverpool in the Champions League final in Kiev on Saturday. Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius had a night to forget as he was at fault for two of the Real goals but the result could have been different had the Reds not lost talisman Mohamed Salah to a shoulder injury early in the game. Salah left the field in tears after going down while vying for the ball with Real captain Sergio Ramos shortly before the half-hour-mark. He tried ...

MNA Sports Desk: Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Afghan teenager Rashid Khan provided late fireworks with the bat and then returned with the ball to snub Kolkata Knight Riders’ chase and guide his team to a 14-run win and a place in Sunday’s Indian Premier League final. The 19-year-old smashed an unbeaten 34 off 10 balls to guide Hyderabad to 174 for seven after they were put in to bat first in the playoffs at Eden Gardens. Kolkata seemed to be cruising in their chase before Rashid left them spellbound with his fast leg-spinners, claiming three for 19 in his four overs. If ...

MNA Sports Desk: South Africa’s star batsman AB de Villiers on Wednesday announced his surprise retirement from all international cricket after a glittering 14-year career playing for the Proteas. “I have decided to retire from all international cricket with immediate effect,” he said in a statement. “After 114 Test matches, 228 ODIs and 78 T20 Internationals, it is time for others to take over. I have had my turn, and to be honest, I am tired.” The 34-year-old said it had taken him a long time to make the “tough” decision and that he decided to quit while still playing ...

MNA Sports Desk: South Africa’s Faf du Plessis smashed an unbeaten 67 to lead Chennai Super Kings into their record seventh Indian Premier League final with a thrilling two-wicket win over Sunrisers Hyderabad on Tuesday. Chasing 140 for victory, Chennai were in a shambles at 62-6 when Du Plessis stepped up with his 42-ball blitz that made the two-time champions achieve their target with five balls to spare in the first qualifier in Mumbai. The Kane Williamson-led Hyderabad, who topped the league table, have a second chance of making the final in the second qualifying match Friday when they will ...

MNA Sports Desk: Inter Milan striker Mauro Icardi, the joint-leading scorer in Italy this season, was a notable omission from Argentina’s 23-man World Cup squad named by coach Jorge Sampaoli on Monday. Argentina 23-man squad: Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (Manchester United/ENG), Willy Caballero (Chelsea/ENG), Franco Armani (River Plate) Defenders: Gabriel Mercado (Sevilla/ESP), Federico Fazio (Roma/ITA), Nicolas Otamendi (Manchester City/ENG), Marcos Rojo (Manchester United/ENG), Nicolas Taglafico (Ajax/NED), Javier Mascherano (Hebei Fortune/CHN), Marcos Acuna (Sporting Lisbon/POR), Cristian Ansaldi (Torino/ITA), Eduardo Salvio (Benfica/POR) Midfielders: Ever Banega (Sevilla/ESP), Lucas Biglia (AC Milan/ITA), Angel Di Maria (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Giovani Lo Celso (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Manuel Lanzini (West ...

MNA Sports Desk: Eden Hazard’s first-half penalty proved decisive as Chelsea salvaged their season by beating Manchester United 1-0 in the FA Cup final in what is widely expected to be manager Antonio Conte’s swansong on Saturday. The Belgian’s searing pace earned the spot-kick in the 21st minute after forcing Phil Jones into a desperate lunging tackle and he coolly tucked it away for what proved to be the winner. Jose Mourinho’s United were dismal in a scrappy first half and although they improved significantly after the break they were denied a record-equalling 13th FA Cup triumph. Chelsea, whose Premier ...

MNA Sports Desk: Eight people were killed and 45 others wounded in a bomb attack in a sports stadium in Jalalabad city, capital of Afghanistan’s eastern province of Nangarhar overnight, the provincial government said in a statement Saturday. “Three improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were detonated as a result of a coordinated terrorist attack in Jalalabad city’s cricket stadium in Police District 1 of the city at around 11:20 p.m. Friday, leaving the casualties,” the statement added. A local cricket match was underway to mark the start of the holy month of Ramadan or fasting month before the blasts. The casualties ...

MNA Sports Desk: BCB President Nazmul Hassan Papon said that South African Gary Kirsten appointment as a consultant is in the final stages. He was talking to Sport scribes yesterday after the reception to honour former coach West Indian Gordon Greenidge, reported news agency. BCB chief literally surprised the reporters by saying that Kirsten was already working for the board. Kirsten, who is currently in India as the coach of IPL outfit Royal Challengers Bangalore might come to Bangladesh on May 21 when his IPL duties end. Bangladesh head coach role has been vacant since Chandika Hathurusingha resigned last year ...

MNA Sports Desk: A recovering Neymar was confirmed and injured leader Dani Alves was replaced by Danilo and Fagner in a Brazil World Cup squad of few surprises on Monday. The only surprises were among the likely reserves for the tournament in Russia, with the inclusion of Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Fred and winger Taison. Neymar has been recovering from right foot surgery in March, and Brazil Football Confederation doctors believe he will be fit to train next week in Teresopolis, where preparations will begin, and play on 3 June in a friendly against Croatia in Liverpool. Brazil doctor Rodrigo Lasmar ...

MNA Sports Desk: Hamburger crazy fans exposed their anger turned a stadium to fireball after Hamburger SV was finally relegated from the Bundesliga on Saturday. The game ended with lines of police on the pitch after fans behind one of the goals lit flares and pyrotechnics, throwing some onto the pitch and sending a huge cloud of black smoke over that side of the stadium. The only ever-present since the league was founded in 1963, “der Dino” went down fighting after 54 seasons by beating Borussia Moenchengladbach 2-1, Chicago Tribune reports. Most fans reacted with anger to the disturbances, chanting ...

MNA Sports Desk: Sweden’s Malcolm Kokocinski secured his maiden Asian Tour title when he fired six-under-par 65 in the final round to win the AB Bank Bangladesh Open by three shots in Dhaka on Saturday. Kokocinski overturned a three-shot deficit from the third round to cap a winning total of 14-under-par 270 at the Kurmitola Golf Club. The 26-year-old Swede takes home a winner’s purse of $54,000 in the $300,000 event courtesy of his breakthrough victory on the Asian Tour. Kokocinski has become the third consecutive first-time winner at the Bangladesh Open, following Thailand’s Thitiphun Chuayprakong and Jazz Janewattananond in ...