“To the end of life for Iran” is Iran’s slogan in the prestigious event.
Team Melli will start the campaign on Sunday with a match against Palestine.
Iran will also meet Hong Kong and the UAE on Jan. 19 and 23, respectively.
Iran, headed by Amir Ghalenoei, is going to bring an end to the title drought in the competition.
They have not won the title since 1976.
AMK/TT
Iran faced Indonesia behind closed doors, away from the eyes of fans and media at the Al-Ryan Club stadium, in the last preparation game before the start of the Asian Nations Cup.
The Indonesian team, which is grouped with Iraq, the Philippines, and Vietnam in the AFC Cup used three Russian and one Portuguese players while facing Iran’s national team.
The Iranian team in the first half went to the field with Hossein Hosseini (goalkeeper), Majid Hosseini, Shoja Khalilzadeh, Aria Yousefi, Ehsan Hajisafi, Rozbeh Cheshmi, Saman Ghoddos, Reza Asadi, Mehdi Torabi, Ali Jahanbakhsh and Shahriar Moghanlou.
A minor injury led to the exit of Majid Hosseini from the field but the team’s coach Amir Ghalenoei, avoided bringing another player to put more pressure on the other side rather he chose to test the national team with one player less.
Despite the team continuing with 10 players from the 35th minute until the end of the first half, it had a 3-0 advantage over Indonesia with the goals of Saman Ghoddos, Rouzbeh Cheshmi, and Shahriar Moghanlou.
In the second half, Ghalenoei started with a complete change of composition, with the Iranian squad now being Payam Niazmand, Hossein Kanaanizadegan, Saman Fallah, Milad Mohammadi, Sadegh Moharrami, Saeed Ezzatollahi, Omid Ebrahimi, Ali Gholizadeh, Mehdi Ghaedi, Mehdi Taremi and Karim Ansarifard.
Ghaedi scored two goals in the 70th and 87th minutes to finally defeat Indonesia 5-0 and get ready to participate in the Asia Cup.
This was the 11th victory for Iran’s national team out of 13 games it played with other countries since Ghalenoei was appointed as the head coach. Iran’s 2 other matches under the guidance of Ghalenoei against Russia and Uzbekistan ended in a draw.
Pejman Montazeri, a former Iranian national team player who lives in Qatar, went to the Al-Ryan club stadium to closely watch the performance of his former teammates.
The 2023 Nations Cup will begin on January 12 when the host and reigning champions Qatar take on Lebanon in the opening match at the iconic Lusail Stadium. Prior to the match, the opening ceremony will commence at 5 pm.
Iran’s team is in group C with the UAE, Hong Kong and Palestine. Amir Ghalenoei’s men will kick off their first continental tournament against Palestine on January 14.
MP/IRN
Australia has bounced back hard in the white-ball leg of the tour following a big loss in one-off Test, securing the ODI series 3-0 and T20I series 2-1.
Published Date – 9 January 2024, 11:15 PM
Mumbai: Following her side’s loss to Australia in the final T20I, Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur admitted that her team was outplayed in white-ball cricket by Australia following two brilliant Test wins against England and Aussies last month and it was fitness and fielding they need to work on.
Half-centuries from openers Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney helped Australia beat India by seven wickets in the third and final T20I of the series at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Tuesday.
“The last one month we played very good cricket. They played white-ball cricket better than us. Red-ball cricket we know we can take our time but in white-ball cricket, we need to be on our toes. As a team, we have learnt a lot. Fielding is something we were not upto the mark and after this break, we will work on our fitness and fielding and come back stronger. Whenever they (Youngsters) get the opportunity, they give their 100 per cent, the combination and unity plays a big role. We always give a fight to the opposition, we are not going to give them anything easily, that is something I am proud of about my team. A lot to learn from them (Australia) as well,” said Harmanpreet in a post-match presentation.
Australia has bounced back hard in the white-ball leg of the tour following a big loss in one-off Test, securing the ODI series 3-0 and T20I series 2-1. Coming to the match, India was put to bat first by Australia.
Aussie bowlers dominated once again with timely wickets, despite Shafali Varma (26 in 17 balls with six fours), Smriti Mandhana (29 in 28 balls, with two fours and a six) and Richa Ghosh (34 in 28 balls, with two fours and three sixes) getting good starts.
India could score only 147/6 in 20 overs. Annabel Sutherland (2/12) and Georgia Wareham (2/24) were the pick of the bowlers for Aussies. Ash Gardner and Megan Schutt got two wickets each.
During the run-chase, Australia had hard-hitting fifties from Alyssa Healy (55 in 38 balls with nine fours and a six) and Beth Mooney (52* in 45 balls with five fours) demolish the Indian bowling. India lost the match by seven wickets with eight balls to spare. Pooja Vastrakar got two wickets while Deepti Sharma got one. Sutherland walked away with the ‘Player of the Match’ award.
Iyer has replaced middle-order batter Sarfaraz Khan, who will join the India A team for the series against England A in Ahmedabad.
Published Date – 9 January 2024, 08:30 PM
Mumbai: India batter Shreyas Iyer was on Tuesday added to the Mumbai squad for their next Ranji Trophy game against Andhra to be played here from January 12-15.
Having struggled with the bat largely during India’s two-match Test series in South Africa in challenging conditions, the right-handed batter would be looking to regain form and bolster preparations for the Tests against England beginning January 25.
Iyer has replaced middle-order batter Sarfaraz Khan, who will join the India A team for the series against England A in Ahmedabad.
However, Mumbai will be without the services of all-rounder Shivam Dube who has been summoned to the national team for the upcoming three-match series starting against Afghanistan beginning on January 11.
The 41-time winners in the Ranji Trophy, Mumbai, are coming off an outright win against Bihar in Patna.
Mumbai bagged seven points after they crushed Bihar by a margin of an innings and 51 runs with their fast bowlers ruling the roost.
Mumbai squad: Ajinkya Rahane (c), Shreyas Iyer, Jay Bista, Bhupen Lalwani, Amogh Bhatkal, Suved Parkar, Prasad Pawar (wk), Hardik Tamore (wk), Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, Atharva Ankolekar, Mohit Avasthi, Dhaval Kulkarni, Royston Dias, Sylvester Dsouza.
All students must wear the school uniform while attending the match and complimentary entry will be provided to all the students
Updated On – 9 January 2024, 08:24 PM
Hyderabad: Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) invited students of class VI to XII from all government recognised schools in Telangana State to witness the upcoming India vs England Test match at Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Uppal which will be held between January 25 and 29.
All students must wear the school uniform while attending the match and complimentary entry will be provided to all the students. A packed lunch will be arranged for each attendee.
Interested schools can send confirmation by sending an email addressing to the Chief Executive Officer on ceo.hydca@gmail.com or by mail/ in person addressing to the Chief Executive Officer, Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Uppal, Hyderabad by January 18.
SDFC Snipers and SDFC Panthers recorded massive 15-0 and 15-1 wins over HotFut C and GNFC respectively in under-13 category clashes
Published Date – 9 January 2024, 07:00 PM
Hyderabad: SDFC Snipers and SDFC Panthers recorded massive 15-0 and 15-1 wins over HotFut C and GNFC respectively in under-13 category clashes at the Apollo Tyres HotFut Youth League Season 4 at the HotFut Begumpet stadium on Sunday.
In the other matches, Snipers cruised past Aspire FA 6-1 and Panthers drubbed Sporthood Rangers 5-1 to showcase their domination in the under-13 division of the league.
In the under-15 category, Aspire FA and Little Stars FA recorded 10-0 and 12-0 triumphs over GNFC and HotFut B respectively.
Results: U-13: Aspire FA 8 bt HotFut C 0, SDFC Snipers 6 bt Aspire FA 1, SDFC Snipers 15 bt HotFut C 0, Sporthood Rangers 13 bt GNFC 0, SDFC Panthers 15 bt GNFC 1, SDFC Panthers 5 bt Sporthood Rangers 1, PJR FC 5 bt Abbas union 1, Abbas union 3 bt USFC 2, PJR FC 7 bt USFC 1, HotFut A 5 bt HotFut B 1, HotFut A 6 bt Sporthood Lions 3; U-15: HotFut A 4 bt GNFC 2, Aspire FA 10 bt GNFC 0, Aspire FA 2 bt HotFut A 1, USFC Blasters 4 bt USFC Panthers 2, USFC Blasters 4 bt Abbas union 1, USFC Panthers 7 bt Abbas union 4, USFC Bullets 6 bt HotFut B 2, Little Stars FA 12 bt HotFut B 0, Little Stars FA 14 bt USFC Bullets 0, PJR FC 5 bt FC Brawlers 1, Ronz FC 3 bt FC Brawlers 0, PJR FC 2 bt Ronz FC 1.
After Ultimate Kho Kho league is over, the 17-year-old all-rounder, who is a second-year intermediate commerce student, will shortly turn his attention to Khelo India competition later this month and upcoming senior nationals
Published Date – 9 January 2024, 06:05 PM
Hyderabad: Telangana Kho Kho player Jarapala Shiva’s story is a remarkable tale of resilience and determination. The 17-year-old lad is part of the Mumbai Khiladis team in the ongoing Ultimate Kho Kho Season 2 at Cuttack, Odisha.
The State player made it to the playing team of the Mumbai side that played against Chennai Quick Guns and Rajasthan Warriors on Saturday and Sunday respectively. For Shiva, becoming a member of the playing team was an unforgettable experience. “Being part of the dressing room with my seniors and coaches was an incredible experience,” he said.
Shiva’s journey in Kho Kho began in class VIII at Keshav Memorial High School, Narayanaguda, Hyderabad. He was introduced to the sport by coach Pochapa at the school. “I was part of the NCC squad at school where my coach saw me running in a few NCC events. He reckoned that I was good at it and told me to play Kho Kho.”
Hailing from Bagh Lingampally, Hyderabad in a family of four members, his father works as an auto driver. Born into a family with limited resources, Shiva also has been working as a newspaper hawker for the last four years and also as a decoration worker at marriage venues to earn extra income.
His day starts at 4.30 am delivering newspapers and around 6 am goes for practice at the Health Club situated at Koti, where he trains under coaches Shrirang Gaikwad and N Suresh, who last year played for Chennai Quick Guns in the Kho Kho league. Shiva considers Suresh as his role model. “My coach N Suresh has helped me financially on numerous occasions as not every time my parents can afford me to attend tournaments and competitions,” he revealed.
He was picked by the Mumbai franchise after he caught the attention in the junior nationals in West Bengal in December, 2022. Speaking about his personal goal in the ongoing league, he said, “My goal is to give 100% to the team, whether playing for the team or in training.”
After the league is over, the 17-year-old all-rounder, who is a second-year intermediate commerce student at Sri Akash Junior College in Narayanaguda, will shortly turn his attention to Khelo India competition later this month and upcoming senior nationals.
Shiva was part of the junior India camp held at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi in August and September, 2023 and stressed he wants to be part of the senior team set-up in the coming year.
An aide to Golmohammadi said late on Monday that the coach and the Persepolis FC directors had failed to reach a new agreement about his job in the club after a long meeting earlier in the day.
The aide said the two sides concluded that Golmohammadi’s contract should be terminated by mutual consent.
The resignation comes after a successful four-year stint as the manager at Persepolis.
He resigned after a frustrating 1-1 away draw to Mes Rafsanjan last week in Iran’s Pro League for which Golmohammadi blamed the club’s financial and infrastructural problems.
The Iranian coach was appointed to lead Persepolis in January 2020 and won three league titles with the Reds over the past four years.
AMK/IRN
Alamian earned a win over a contestant from India Sathiyan Gnanasekaran 3-1 in the first round of the preliminary stage and cruised into the next stage in the sporting event.
The Iranian table tennis player is in 208th place, while his rival is in 89th place in the world ranking.
Previously in the tournament, other Iranian players including Noshad Alamian and Amir-Hossein Hodaei accepted defeat against their rivals and were eliminated in the preliminary stage.
The 2024 WTT Star Contender is underway at Lusail Sports Arena in Doha, Qatar from January 8-13, 2024.
AMK/IRIB4116670
The Iranian team including Yalda Soleimani and Pouria Norouzian stood in third place by defeating Kazakh opponents 17-13 and won the bronze medal of the sporting event.
Another Iranian mixed team (Fatemeh Karamzadeh and Amir-Mohammad Nekunam) ranked 9th with 628 points.
Previously in the tournament, the Iranian men’s pistol team including Javad Foroughi, Sajjad Pourhosseini, and Amir Johari Khoo won the silver medal.
The 2024 Asian Shooting Championship, which is also the Paris 2024 Olympic qualifying event, is underway in Jakarta, Indonesia from January 8 to 18.
AMK/5989423
