Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...
I Dig Sports

I Dig Sports

LIVE: Pogba in Man United squad at Watford

Published in Soccer
Sunday, 22 December 2019 05:34

Saves 0

  • Shots 0
  • 0 Shots on Target
  • Fouls Committed 0
  • 1 Fouls Against
  • Assists 0
  • Discipline
    • 0 Yellow
    • 0 Red

Goals 0

  • Shots 0
  • 0 Shots on Target
  • Fouls Committed 0
  • 1 Fouls Against
  • Assists 0
  • Offsides 0
  • Discipline
    • 0 Yellow
    • 0 Red

Goals 0

  • Shots 0
  • 0 Shots on Target
  • Fouls Committed 1
  • 0 Fouls Against
  • Assists 0
  • Offsides 0
  • Discipline
    • 0 Yellow
    • 0 Red

Goals 0

  • Shots 0
  • 0 Shots on Target
  • Fouls Committed 1
  • 0 Fouls Against
  • Assists 0
  • Offsides 0
  • Discipline
    • 1 Yellow
    • 0 Red

Goals 0

  • Shots 0
  • 0 Shots on Target
  • Fouls Committed 0
  • 0 Fouls Against
  • Assists 0
  • Offsides 0
  • Discipline
    • 0 Yellow
    • 0 Red

Goals 0

  • Shots 2
  • 0 Shots on Target
  • Fouls Committed 1
  • 1 Fouls Against
  • Assists 0
  • Offsides 0
  • Discipline
    • 0 Yellow
    • 0 Red

Goals 0

  • Shots 0
  • 0 Shots on Target
  • Fouls Committed 2
  • 2 Fouls Against
  • Assists 0
  • Offsides 0
  • Discipline
    • 0 Yellow
    • 0 Red

Goals 0

  • Shots 1
  • 0 Shots on Target
  • Fouls Committed 0
  • 1 Fouls Against
  • Assists 0
  • Offsides 0
  • Discipline
    • 0 Yellow
    • 0 Red

Goals 0

  • Shots 1
  • 0 Shots on Target
  • Fouls Committed 0
  • 0 Fouls Against
  • Assists 0
  • Offsides 3
  • Discipline
    • 0 Yellow
    • 0 Red

Goals 0

  • Shots 0
  • 0 Shots on Target
  • Fouls Committed 0
  • 0 Fouls Against
  • Assists 0
  • Offsides 0
  • Discipline
    • 0 Yellow
    • 0 Red

Goals 0

  • Shots 0
  • 0 Shots on Target
  • Fouls Committed 0
  • 1 Fouls Against
  • Assists 0
  • Offsides 0
  • Discipline
    • 0 Yellow
    • 0 Red

Goals 0

  • Shots 0
  • 0 Shots on Target
  • Fouls Committed 0
  • 0 Fouls Against
  • Assists 0
  • Offsides 0
  • Discipline
    • 0 Yellow
    • 0 Red

Goals 0

  • Shots 0
  • 0 Shots on Target
  • Fouls Committed 0
  • 0 Fouls Against
  • Assists 0
  • Offsides 0
  • Discipline
    • 0 Yellow
    • 0 Red

Saves 0

  • Shots 0
  • 0 Shots on Target
  • Fouls Committed 0
  • 0 Fouls Against
  • Assists 0
  • Discipline
    • 0 Yellow
    • 0 Red

Goals 0

  • Shots 0
  • 0 Shots on Target
  • Fouls Committed 0
  • 0 Fouls Against
  • Assists 0
  • Offsides 0
  • Discipline
    • 0 Yellow
    • 0 Red

Goals 0

  • Shots 0
  • 0 Shots on Target
  • Fouls Committed 0
  • 0 Fouls Against
  • Assists 0
  • Offsides 0
  • Discipline
    • 0 Yellow
    • 0 Red

Goals 0

  • Shots 0
  • 0 Shots on Target
  • Fouls Committed 0
  • 0 Fouls Against
  • Assists 0
  • Offsides 0
  • Discipline
    • 0 Yellow
    • 0 Red

Goals 0

  • Shots 0
  • 0 Shots on Target
  • Fouls Committed 0
  • 0 Fouls Against
  • Assists 0
  • Offsides 0
  • Discipline
    • 0 Yellow
    • 0 Red

Pakistan 191 (Shafiq 63, Babar 60, Kumara 4-49, Embuldeniya 4-71, Vishwa 2-31) and 555 for 3 dec (Abid 174, Masood 135, Azhar 118, Babar 100*, Kumara 2-139) need three wickets to beat Sri Lanka 271 (Chandimal 74, Afridi 5-77, Abbas 4-55) and 212 for 7 (Oshada 102*, Dickwella 65, Naseem Shah 3-31)

If yesterday was the most magnificent day of Test cricket Pakistan have enjoyed this year, it was swiftly topped by the proceedings today. All the while Abid Ali and Shan Masood piled up that record partnership and Azhar Ali got in amongst the runs on Saturday, there remained the nagging doubt the pitch was so docile it would be difficult for Pakistan's bowlers to force a result.

But in front of a Sunday crowd that was the biggest of the series, Pakistan rubber-stamped that batting dominance with control in the field, too, and despite a 100-run stand that Pakistan only breached in the final half hour, the hosts are just three wickets away from what looks a routine win. It didn't mean there were no heroics with the bat, though; Azhar and Babar Azam brought up their hundreds, this becoming only the second instance of the top four all getting to three-figures in Test cricket. Sri Lanka were set an academic 476 to win, Pakistan having amassed an eye-watering 555 for 3.

ALSO READ: Tons for top four - Pakistan's rare feat in Karachi

If the centuries Abid and Masood compiled yesterday were essential, Azhar and Babar's offerings were simply joyous. There was no scoreboard pressure; with Sri Lanka's bowlers rendered toothless, the only question was when Pakistan would put the visitors back in to bat. Azhar would end a drought of over a year without a hundred, and having been recently handed the captaincy, he will know how pivotal it may prove to extending his tenure.

The half-century yesterday would have both calmed Azhar's nerves and whetted his appetite. The rut he's been in extends, in truth, to well beyond this recent patch, with the right-hander averaging a mere 25 since Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan retired in 2017. Three consecutive boundaries off Vishwa Fernando took him to within two runs of three-figures, and when a cut off Lasith Embuldeniya finally got him over the line, the radiant glow on Azhar's face spoke volumes of the importance he placed on the innings. He would lock Babar into a tight embrace, Pakistan's Test captain and vice-captain celebrating a partnership that well and truly took the game out of Sri Lanka's reach.

It wasn't so much the stand between the two as the rate the runs came that allowed Pakistan to bring their declaration forward. Babar was chiefly responsible for that, and once he'd had an lbw call overturned early on, and then trotting to a half-century, he would spare no bowler from an onslaught that saw him racing towards three-figures himself. Ninety-five came off the first 19 overs before drinks were taken, and when Azhar was stumped dancing down the crease and missing the line, Babar would only press down on the accelerator harder.

Lahiru Kumara was tonked for three fours in an over, and as the lead crossed 450, it appeared Babar's hundred was the only thing keeping Pakistan from calling the batsmen back in. It was a matter of time, and very little time at that. In the final over before lunch, he would cut one away to point and bring up his third century in four Test matches, having taken little over a session to get there.

When Sri Lanka batted, the pitch suddenly didn't look as flat anymore. After a solid first 45 minutes, the visitors lost two wickets in quick succession. Captain Dimuth Karunaratne nicked off to Mohammad Abbas - who was suddenly back to that nagging fourth-stump line from around the wicket - with Mohammad Rizwan taking an excellent catch. The next over, Mendis edged one for Babar at third slip to gobble it up. That put to bed any suggestions Pakistan would be condemned to toiling in the same way as Sri Lanka, and when Angelo Mathews nicked off to Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sri Lanka were staring down the possibility of the game ending with a full day to spare.

What will hearten Pakistan is the vastly improved showing from Naseem Shah, perhaps a touch unlucky to finish the first innings wicketless. His pace remained high and he would repeatedly threaten the outside edge, accurate both with the shorter delivery and the fuller one, with the batsmen regularly struggling with their footwork off the teenager.

Naseem thought he had Oshada Fernando's wicket before replays showed there was a thin inside-edge, but DRS would come to his aid the next over, when the umpire turned down a close lbw shout that was revealed to be smashing into Dinesh Chandimal's middle stump. When Yasir Shah had Dhananjaya de Silva chop on off a straighter one, Sri Lanka had lost half their side with only 97 on the board.

In what has been a disastrous two days for Sri Lanka, Oshada's unbeaten 102 stands out as a bright spot that may continue to benefit the visitors until after this tour is done. Thrust into the opener's slot in place of an out-of-form Lahiru Thirimanne, the makeshift opener showed glimpses he belonged there in the first innings in Rawalpindi, and confirmed it with an unbeaten hundred even as his side crumbled around him.

Oshada expertly got his front foot behind the line of the ball, rarely finding himself out of position, or particularly troubled during any part of the two sessions he was at the crease. With him at the stumps, you might have suspected Pakistan were still batting if it wasn't for what happened at the other end.

Niroshan Dickwella was the only one to give him solid support, his half-century coming in an entertaining partnership where the left-hander repeatedly took on an out-of-form Yasir with the reverse sweep, coming out on top each time. Yasir didn't quite have an answer to that shot, and such was Dickwella's control over it, he would find the gap no matter the field placement. Yasir's figures, very quickly, began to look expensive.

It was only when, ironically enough, Dickwella tried the reverse sweep on Haris Sohail, Pakistan's part-time left-arm spinner, that the shot let him down, with the ball clattering into his stumps. Naseem would add Dilruwan Perera to the contingent already in the pavilion. Although the players will have to come out tomorrow, make no mistake, this game, and Sri Lanka, are done and dusted.

South Africa A 325 for 5 (Petersen 111*, Anderson 3-41) drew with England 456 for 7 dec. (Pope 132, Denly 103, Burns 56)

Joe Root says that England will be relying on "trust either way" as they weigh up the pros and cons of playing Stuart Broad, Jofra Archer and Jack Leach in this week's Boxing Day Test at Durban, despite all three of them missing the warm-up phase of the tour due to illness.

The trio were unable to take part in the final day of England's second practice match at Benoni - which had been downgraded to a friendly to give them a chance of taking part - but did at least spend a second afternoon in the nets as they begin to recover their match fitness with the first Test now just four days away.

In their absence, England were given a stiff work-out by the South Africa A batsman Keegan Petersen, whose hard-earned century formed the basis of their total of 325 for 5. The match was called off as a draw shortly after his dismissal for 111, with England declining the chance to give Craig Overton and Dom Bess - the squad's newly arrived reinforcements - a chance to stretch their legs in the final session of the match.

Root admitted he had been taken by surprise when the teams shook hands in the middle before the scheduled tea break, but insisted that England's preparations had been "as good as can be" in the circumstances. "We've managed the illness as best we can. And in terms of the two games, we've got a huge amount out of them," he said.

The biggest positives revolved around the batting form of Joe Denly and Ollie Pope, both of whom made their first centuries for England in posting 456 for 7 declared in the first innings, and the successful return to action of James Anderson, who bowled with control and some penetration to claim 3 for 41 in 19 overs, his first proper work-out since aggravating a calf injury during the Ashes in August.

"We had two guys making hundreds and getting to 450, which is becoming a habit in terms of the mindset and process," said Root. "And there was Jimmy coming back and playing as he did, hitting his straps really well."

Anderson, 37, had missed England's tour of New Zealand while undergoing intensive fitness work at Manchester City's Etihad Stadium, and he also arrived in South Africa early to acclimatise at England's pace-bowling camp in Potchefstroom. And Root believed that the benefits of his preparation were clear, not just in his display during the match, but in the example it set.

ALSO READ: Archer, Root on South Africa hit-list

"You can see the benefit of his time off," said Root. "He's worked really hard physically and looks in great shape, probably as strong as we've seen him. And it showed in his performance. It's really pleasing and a great example to the rest of the guys, at the age he is, to still have the desire and hunger to take that time, improve himself and come back and perform like that."

However, given that Anderson broke down after just four overs of his last Test, against Australia at Edgbaston, there are clear concerns about over-burdening him should he play in the Centurion Test, particularly if Broad and Archer are still feeling their own way back to full strength.

Root, however, was adamant that the bowlers themselves - and Broad in particular as the senior player among the ill trio - would play a key role in assessing their ability to take the strain of a five-day match.

"He's got more experience of getting through games and managing his body," said Root of Broad. "He's been quite savvy when he's had niggles in a Test match or not felt 100 percent. It's very rare that guys go into a game carrying an illness, and so he'll be making an honest call about whether he can get through five days.

"If he's as close to 100 percent as possible, he'll tell us, and if not, a big part of it is that you don't want to let the rest of the guys down, and say that you're fit to play when you are not, and end up pulling up and putting a workload on the rest of the team.

"It'll be a fine balance, there will be a bit of trust either way in making sure the right decision is made, but we'll do absolutely everything we can to get those guys ready to go. It's not ideal, but these things happen in Test cricket and we have to get on with it."

England's squad has now swollen to 19 players with the arrival of Overton and Bess, and although that does also include Mark Wood, who is not expected to be ready for action before the New Year, Root said that the abundance of bowling options could allow England to take a staggered approach to the two festive Tests, with some of the returning players held back until the second Test in Cape Town on January 3.

"The beauty of the squad we've got here is the variety of the attack and the number of different options we can go to," said Root. "The reason we brought the amount of guys out was to be ready for each Test match, and if it means we can play a different side then we are in a position to do that, whether it's through fitness or illness, or just a selection thing."

Root didn't rule out the possibility of going into the Boxing Day Test with no specialist spinner - just as England did in their most recent Test, against New Zealand in Hamilton last month.

"It's certainly an option, but it's not necessarily the way we'll go." he said. "We'll look at the conditions, see how the wicket deteriorates over the course of the week, and put all that together and make a smart decision."

Fantasy football inactives: Who's in and who's out?

Published in Breaking News
Sunday, 22 December 2019 04:48

To help you set your lineups and avoid starting a player who won't take the field, we will post fantasy-relevant updates and analysis here as NFL teams release their inactives lists, typically about 90 minutes before kickoff. Any rankings cited in this column come from our ESPN Fantasy staff ranks.

Refresh often for the latest information.


1 p.m. ET games

Offense

Christian Kirk, WR, ARI: Ankle -- Questionable
Impact: Game-time call. Damiere Byrd would see an uptick in value if he sits.

Curtis Samuel, WR, CAR: Knee -- Questionable
Impact: Didn't practice late. Jarius Wright might be called upon to step in.

A.J. Green, WR, CIN: Ankle -- OUT
Impact: What made you think this week would be any different?

DJ Chark Jr., WR, JAX: Ankle -- Questionable
Impact: Expected to play, which would limit Keelan Cole immensely.

Jason Sanders, K, MIA: Illness -- Questionable
Impact: Lack of another kicker being signed tells you all you need to know.

Rhett Ellison, TE, NYG: Concussion -- OUT
Impact: Kaden Smith is the top TE option standing for the Giants.

Bilal Powell, RB, NYJ: Ankle -- Questionable
Impact: Limited all week, but Le'Veon Bell is healthy so value here is otherwise capped.

Demaryius Thomas, WR, NYJ: Hamstring -- Doubtful
Impact: Vyncint Smith could be a flex longshot option.

Robby Anderson, WR, NYJ: Illness -- Questionable
Impact: Expected to be healthy enough to play on Sunday.

Adam Humphries, WR, TEN: Ankle -- OUT
Impact: Tajae Sharpe should absorb a good number of Humphries' targets.

Derrick Henry, RB, TEN: Hamstring -- Questionable
Impact: Surprise add of Dalyn Dawkins from practice squad on Saturday is worrisome.

Defense

Vernon Butler, DT, CAR: Illness -- Questionable

Shaq Thompson, LB, CAR: Ankle -- OUT

Olivier Vernon, DE, CLE: Knee -- Questionable

Sheldon Richardson, DT, CLE: Back -- Questionable

Denico Autry, DT, IND: Concussion -- OUT

Kenny Moore II, CB, IND: Ankle -- OUT

Malik Hooker, S, IND: Hand -- Questionable

Kiko Alonso, LB, NO: Quadriceps -- OUT

Vonn Bell, S, NO: Knee -- OUT

Steve McLendon, DT, NYJ: Knee -- Questionable

Henry Anderson, DE, NYJ: Shoulder -- Questionable

Quinnen Williams, DT, NYJ: Neck -- Questionable

Jamal Adams, S, NYJ: Ankle -- Questionable

Jeffery Simmons, DT, TEN: Knee -- Questionable

Adoree' Jackson, CB, TEN: Foot -- OUT

Quinton Dunbar, CB, WAS: Hamstring -- OUT

Landon Collins, S, WAS: Achilles -- Questionable

4 p.m. ET games

Offense

Noah Fant, TE, DEN: Shoulder -- Questionable
Impact: May well suit up, but the potential reward may not be worth the risk.

Bo Scarbrough, RB, DET: Ribs -- Questionable
Impact: Kerryon Johnson was activated from IR, muddying this backfield picture.

Justin Jackson, RB, LAC: Hamstring -- Questionable
Impact: He only played last week as "punishment" for Melvin Gordon's fumbles.

Josh Jacobs, RB, OAK: Shoulder -- OUT
Impact: DeAndre Washington is now in the mix for RB2 work in fantasy lineups.

Jordan Howard, RB, PHI: Shoulder -- Questionable
Impact: Limited all week and not expected to play. Miles Sanders/Boston Scott gain value.

Nelson Agholor, WR, PHI: Knee -- Questionable
Impact: No practice this week and a likely sit. Robert Davis may have some longshot appeal.

Defense

Leighton Vander Esch, LB, DAL: Neck -- OUT

Dre'Mont Jones, DT, DEN: Ankle -- Questionable

A'Shawn Robinson, DT, DET: Shoulder -- OUT

Christian Jones, LB, DET: Shoulder -- OUT/IR

Devon Kennard, LB, DET: Hamstring -- Questionable

Derek Barnett, DE, PHI: Ankle -- Questionable

Jadeveon Clowney, DE, SEA: Groin -- Doubtful

Mychal Kendricks, LB, SEA: Hamstring -- Questionable

Quandre Diggs, S, SEA: Ankle -- Doubtful

Shaquill Griffin, CB, SEA: Hamstring -- Questionable

Official Sunday inactives should begin coming in at approximately 11:30 a.m. ET for the early games and 2:30 p.m. ET for the late games.

Flick to remain Bayern boss until the summer

Published in Soccer
Sunday, 22 December 2019 03:16

Bayern Munich have appointed Hansi Flick as their coach until the end of the season, the Bundesliga champions have announced.

Flick, 54, was promoted following Niko Kovac's dismissal in early November. He was originally appointed for two matches against Olympiakos in the Champions League and against Borussia Dortmund in the league. But two wins earned him the trust of the club and squad to continue until the winter break.

- ESPN+ obtains Bundesliga rights from 2020

"I'm happy that FC Bayern is continuing to place trust in me as head coach," Flick said. "I really enjoy working with the team and the coaching team.

"We have achieved a good starting position for the second half of the season in the Bundesliga, DFB Cup and Champions League. Now we're recharging our batteries, and we'll prepare ourselves intensively for the second half of the season at the training camp. Then we'll try to achieve as many victories and titles as possible."

CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge added: "We at FC Bayern are very satisfied with Hansi Flick's work. Under him as head coach, the on-field development has been outstanding, both in terms of the quality of our play and the results achieved.

"We set a new record in the 28-year history of the Champions League with six wins in six matches in the group stage, and in the Bundesliga we have returned to touching distance of the top of the table. I am convinced that FC Bayern will continue next year where we left off in the last few games, namely playing attractive and successful football. On behalf of FC Bayern as a whole, I wish Hansi Flick every success."

In November, Bayern had been linked with several top managers such as Arsene Wenger, Jose Mourinho, Mauricio Pochettino and Thomas Tuchel. They will now have time to bring in a new head coach for the 2020-2021 season.

There had been several indicators in recent weeks that Flick would lead Bayern into the second half of the season, and, following Saturday's 2-0 win against Wolfsburg, the Bavarians have now made it official.

In the Bundesliga, Flick's Bayern remain in contention for an eighth consecutive title although RB Leipzig and Borussia Monchengladbach remain ahead of them going into the winter break. They currently sit third -- four points behind leaders RB Leipzig.

Bayern also won all of their six Champions League group matches, three of them with Flick in charge, and have been drawn against Chelsea in the round of 16.

Source: Henry not expected to play vs. Saints

Published in Breaking News
Sunday, 22 December 2019 04:23

Tennessee Titans Pro Bowl running back Derrick Henry is not expected to play in Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints because of a hamstring injury, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The Titans officially downgraded Henry to questionable on Saturday after not listing him on their original injury report Friday. Henry did not practice Thursday but was listed as a full participant in Friday's practice.

Henry, the NFL's second-leading rusher, did not practice at all in Week 15 because of the hamstring injury but had 21 carries for 86 yards last Sunday in Tennessee's loss to the Houston Texans. The former Heisman Trophy winner has rushed for 1,329 yards this season, trailing only Cleveland's Nick Chubb (1,408) for the league lead.

Henry's absence is significant for the Titans (8-6), who are battling the Pittsburgh Steelers (8-6) for the AFC's final playoff berth and host a Saints team that boasts the NFL's fourth-best run defense.

Without Henry, veteran running back Dion Lewis figures to see an increased role for the Titans. The only other running backs on Tennessee's active roster are undrafted rookie Khari Blasingame, who has not had a single carry this season, and Dalyn Dawkins, who was promoted from the practice squad Saturday.

England fall to Egypt in World Teams final

Published in Squash
Sunday, 22 December 2019 01:29

Egypt’s all star squad celebrate victory (from left) Karim Abdel Gawad, Tarek Momen, Ali Farag and Mohamed Abouelghar

James and Waller make Gawad and Farag battle for victory
By HOWARD HARDING – Squash Mad International Correspondent

Egypt have retained the WSF Men’s World Team Squash Championship title in the USA, fulfilling their top seeding by beating second seeds England in the final at Squash on Fire in Washington DC.

It was the fifth final between the two powerhouse nations in world squash since 2005 – and the 2/0 victory brings the number of titles won by Egypt to five, equalling the success of their final opponents.

23 nations have been competing in the 26th edition of the championships, hosted by US Squash and held in the USA for the first time in the event’s 52-year history.

It was the final the seeding committee predicted and one the crowd almost certainly wanted to see. It was the fifth meeting between the two nations in the final since 2005 – and Egypt, with four players in the world top eight, were heavily favoured to win the trophy for a fifth time.

Some 18 hours after leading England into the final with a sensational win in the semi-final decider against France, Declan James opened proceedings for the team by facing Egypt’s Karim Abdel Gawad. The Englishman, ranked 29 in the world, took the opening game against Gawad – the world No.3 whom he had never before beaten. Gawad fought back to draw level – then had to take time out to recover from a nose bleed.

On returning to the court, James took the lead for a second time – and, after patiently building up an advantage in the fourth reached 9-7, just two points away from taking the match.

But the Egyptian was in no mood to concede easily, and clawed back the deficit before moving ahead to draw level and force a fifth game decider.

The concluding game delivered an awesome display of squash from both players – the capacity crowd unable to believe the mesmerising quality of play on the all-glass showcourt. It was neck and neck throughout the game, the lead changing hands several time before Gawad clinched victory after a video review of let request by James was judged to be ‘no let’.

The 107-minute match – which included a 26-minute break for the nose bleed – had the scoreline 9-11, 11-4, 8-11, 11-9, 12-10.

Ali Farag bends low to play the ball against Adrian Waller

After the drama of the opener, the second match was a more measured affair – Egypt’s world No.1 Ali Farag looking to extend his unbeaten record over world No.19 Adrian Waller by beating the English number one.

Farag took the first two games and soon reached championship-ball in the third. But Waller had more – and saved 3 match balls before taking the game to reduce the deficit.

The world’s number one player regrouped and, after 57 minutes, clinched the 11-6, 11-6, 12-14, 11-4 triumph which saw Egypt as 2019 champions.

“It feels amazing,” said Farag. “We came here as favourites on paper, but from the beginning it was tough and we were dropping games and matches, which shows the level of squash. Especially today, you saw the match between Dec and Karim, it was world class and I’m glad to have been part of it.

“I was lucky enough to play the last point, but it was a team event and I’m very proud to have been a part of it.”

Assem Khalifa, the Egyptian Federation President, added: “Every year this event becomes more difficult for us. Other teams are preparing themselves better and better each year. I don’t expect anything.

“You cannot guarantee anything in this event: look at Karim, who had a nose bleed – this was completely unexpected. You have to prepare yourself for the unexpected.

“It’s not enough to come here with No1, No2 and No3 players in the world – because the team event is completely different from the individual event.

“The spirit of the team increases performance by maybe 50%. A lot of players here have been doing unbelievable things because they are playing for their country. You are not playing as an individual, you are playing for your flag, for your country – it is totally different.

“All these players are professional players, they play for the PSA and they play for prize money. But they come here and give for their country, and we appreciate all of them, and this is the beauty of a team event.

“This event is very important for Egypt – you see here our Ambassador has come to support us today – and he would not come to an individual event.

“Squash is the number one game in Egypt, after football. Everybody back home is waiting for us to bring home the trophy!”

Todd Harrity (USA) in action against Canada’s Shawn Delierre

Hosts USA took centre stage early in the day to face arch rivals Canada in the play-off for 13th place. It was the two neighbouring nations’ eighth meeting in the event since 1976, but the first with USA able to capitalise upon home advantage.

Second string Christopher Gordon put the 12th seeds ahead, recovering from a game down to beat Canadian David Baillargeon 7-11, 11-4, 12-10, 11-1. The USA top string Todd Harrity was looking for a first victory over experienced opponent Shawn Delierre – and earned it in style before a partisan crowd, winning 11-5, 15-13, 11-8 in 39 minutes to level his country’s ‘head-to-head’ record with Canada, the No.14 seeds, to four-all.

“It’s great to end well,” said Harrity. “I’ve known Shawn for a long time and we’ve had a lot of battles and it’s always a good, fun and intense battle. I think as a team we got momentum throughout the week and I’m happy to have come out on top today.

“It’s such a pleasure to be a part of this team and we get on really well and have really good chemistry and team dynamic. It’s been great getting up and getting on court while having your team behind you. It wasn’t necessarily the finish that we wanted but I’m proud to have been a part of this team and we ended strong.”

US team coach Thierry Lincou added: “We are really happy with the finishing position, considering the preparation we had. Three of our guys got injured in the fall so we lacked a little bit of preparation. We missed a good opportunity against Switzerland – but we knew it was always going to be a challenge for us this week

“But we are very happy with the ending – our guys got better and better, they just lacked competition and tournament play. We had some great results – especially against Canada, with whom we have great rivalry, at the PanAms and the worlds.

“The guys were nervous today. But they really wanted to do well here, with a good home crowd and friends and family at such a great event.

“I feel very positive. It’s been great for squash to have this event in the US.”

Paul Coll (right) and Simon Rosner put on a classy battle in the play-offs

New Zealand, the fourth seeds who suffered a hiccup in the pool round by losing to ninth seeds Scotland, recovered to fight for fifth place with a battle against Germany. Key to the encounter was the top string battle between Kiwi Paul Coll and Simon Rösner – the two highest ranked non-Egyptian players in the tournament (pictured below).

It was a seesaw battle, world No.5 Coll leading, then world No.6 Rösner levelling. But after 62 minutes it was the New Zealander who clinched victory 11-6, 5-11, 11-8, 7-11, 11-3 in the second match to claim for his country a fifth place finish – and extend his unbeaten record in the event since 2013.

Meanwhile, Scotland progressed to a 2/1 victory over Spain in the play-off for 7th place – Scotland delighting themselves by exceeding their seeding and Spain also having much to smile about following the country’s best ever finish in 14 appearances in the championships since 1985.

Ireland created a good deal of interest at the beginning of the event, mainly based on the age of the fourth member of the team. Steve Richardson, a 47-year-old who has never been a full-time professional and therefore never had a world ranking, was making his sixth appearance in the championships since making his debut 24 years ago in 1995 – earlier than anyone else in the event.

Sean Conroy in fine form for Ireland

With only one ranked player in the squad, Ireland made a notable impact on the event – the 18th seeds ultimately beating Jamaica in today’s play-off to finish in 17th place, their best placing since 2007. It was Sean Conroy who clinched victory, beating Jamaican Lewis Walters 12-10, 5-11, 11-7, 6-11, 11-6.

“Back in 2007, we had a strong team with several full-time professionals – but this time we have just one, Sean,” explained team manager David Noone.

“The boys did everything within their powers to win every single match and we won every time we should and lost those that we were expected to. It was really good to back up our loss to Kuwait with two wins.

“We won three out of three and we finished above our seeding – and everybody played to their potential. We’re really happy, we’re a really solid team. It was a magical week.” 

WSF Men’s World Team Squash Championship, Squash On Fire, Washington DC, USA.

Final:
[1] EGYPT bt [2] ENGLAND 2/0
Karim Abdel Gawad bt Declan James 9-11, 11-4, 8-11, 11-9, 12-10 (107m)
Ali Farag bt Adrian Waller 11-6, 11-6, 12-14, 11-4 (57m)

3rd place: [3] FRANCE & [11] WALES

5th place play-off:
[4] NEW ZEALAND bt [5] GERMANY 2/0
Evan Williams bt Valentin Rapp 11-1, 11-7, 11-8 (42m)
Paul Coll bt Simon Rösner 11-6, 5-11, 11-8, 7-11, 11-3 (62m)

7th place play-off:
[9] SCOTLAND bt [8] SPAIN 2/1
Rory Stewart lost to Carlos Cornes 8-11, 11-3, 2-11, 11-2, 8-11 (70m)
Greg Lobban bt Borja Golan 12-10, 10-12, 11-9, 11-8 (72m)
Alan Clyne bt Iker Pajares Bernabeu 11-0, 6-2 ret. (19m)

13th place play-off:
[12] USA bt [14] CANADA 2/0
Christopher Gordon bt David Baillargeon 7-11, 11-4, 12-10, 11-1 (40m)
Todd Harrity bt Shawn Delierre 11-5, 15-13, 11-8 (39m)

15th place play-off:
[21] KUWAIT bt [16] ARGENTINA 2/0
Ali Alramezi bt Jeremías Azaña 11-5, 11-6, 4-11, 11-5 (39m)
Ammar Altamimi bt Robertino Pezzota 11-2, 11-2, 11-2 (22m)

17th place play-off:
[18] IRELAND bt [17] JAMAICA 3/0
Oisin Logan bt Tahjia Lumley 11-3, 11-4, 11-5 (25m)
Sean Conroy bt Lewis Walters 12-10, 5-11, 11-7, 6-11, 11-6 (54m)
Arthur Gaskin bt Bruce Burrowes 11-3, 11-6

19th place play-off:
[19] SOUTH AFRICA bt [13] COLOMBIA 2/1
Gary Wheadon bt Erick Herrera 9-11, 11-6, 11-8, 11-5 (48m)
Jean-Pierre Brits lost to Juan Camilo Vargas 7-11, 11-13, 4-11 (41m)
Christo Potgieter bt Ronald Palomino 8-11, 11-8, 11-9, 11-3 (43m)

21st – 23rd place play-offs:
[22] REPUBLIC OF KOREA bt [20] SINGAPORE 2/1
Joong-Won Hwang bt Brandon Tan 11-6, 11-6, 6-11, 13-11 (42m)
Se Hyun Lee lost to Samuel Kang 6-11, 8-11, 0-11 (24m)
Chang-Wook Woo bt Chua Man Tong 11-3, 11-9, 7-11, 11-5 (42m)

Final positions: 21 Nigeria, 22 Republic of Korea, 23 Singapore 

Pictures courtesy of WSF  

Posted on December 22, 2019

Pro14: Glasgow Warriors 20-16 Edinburgh

Published in Rugby
Saturday, 21 December 2019 11:51

George Turner's late try proved decisive as Glasgow edged an attritional opening 1872 Cup derby against Edinburgh at Scotstoun.

Warriors trailed 9-6 heading into an explosive final 15 minutes in which the lead changed hands three times.

Glasgow pair Ali Price and Turner powered over either side of a Blair Kinghorn score for the visitors in a match that featured five yellow cards.

Glasgow stay fourth in Pro14 Conference A, two points behind Cheetahs.

Defeat, with a losing bonus point, leaves Edinburgh third in Conference B, a point behind Connacht and five adrift of Munster.

Edinburgh have won the 1872 Cup in the last two seasons, but Glasgow have now won back-to-back meetings. The sides meet again at Murrayfield on 28 December in the second part of their festive double-header.

Late drama lights up a strange game

This was tight, attritional and error-strewn rugby. It was more than stop than start for the most part, more hard grind than anything resembling accuracy and ambition.

Four yellow cards all came before the game sparked into life with about 15 minutes to go - a fifth yellow came later on. The class arrived in the end through Adam Hastings, Huw Jones and Price, but Scotstoun suffered through an hour of ugly stuff beforehand. No sooner had we finally seen one bit of excellence we saw another when Edinburgh came to life with Kinghorn's score.

The endgame was exciting, particularly so when Glasgow drove over the winning score but there was much to endure beforehand.

As an illustration of the lack of authority on show in the first half alone Glasgow had 36% possession and 36% territory, they gave up 10 penalties and one yellow card and lost 50% of their lineout ball and still Edinburgh couldn't take advantage. The half ended 6-6, two penalties apiece from Hastings and Simon Hickey.

For vast parts of the night the loudest roars were reserved for referee Ben Blain when he repeatedly pinged Glasgow at the breakdown. Defences were on top. That was all you could say for it as a spectacle.

There were two moments of enterprising rugby in the entire first half, when Darcy Graham stepped Kyle Steyn, chipped ahead and got taken out but Ruaridh Jackson, who got binned. The 10-minute spell ended 3-3. The second moment when the game threatened briefly to flicker into life came when Fraser Brown put Scott Cummings in behind the Edinburgh defence.

The lock galloped away and had George Horne on his shoulder. When Glasgow went wide, Bill Mata came up offside, knowingly and cynically. He became the second man in the bin. Glasgow had a penalty. In what always promised to be a game of tiny margins the sensible option would have been to go for the posts and get up the tunnel with a lead.

Glasgow went for the scrum and got penalised. Instead of going off with a psychological lift they ceded that advantage to Edinburgh. The scrap carried on. In a microcosm of the game, Glasgow had an attacking lineout inside the Edinburgh 22. They banged away for an age. Phase upon phase, then got done at the breakdown. Hamish Watson turned it over from what looked suspiciously like an offside position. Cue more anger from the home crowd.

There was no shortage of fury. Minutes later Brown was hit shoulder-first by Stuart McInally, the two Scottish hookers at the centre of the game's most controversial moment. Brown was falling when taken by McInally and that was the mitigation that saved the Edinburgh man. What could have been a red was correctly called as a yellow by Blain. Scotstoun begged to differ.

Mata returned - his spell in purgatory ended 0-0 - and as soon as he came back another one went, a fourth yellow, this time for substitute Turner. He was penalised for a shoulder-first tackle; a fairly harsh call.

Most at Scotstoun had probably started to give up all hope of seeing some brilliance but 15 minutes before the end it finally arrived. Hastings little dink over the top of the Edinburgh was a delight. Perfect weight, perfect length. Jones caught it and went like the clappers for the posts before offload to Price to score.

Hastings' conversion made it 13-9. At last Scotstoun had something to get its teeth into. And then they had plenty to cringe about. Kinghorn's score in the corner had much to do with the patience and precision of his forwards, Jamie Ritchie in particular, and his own innate finishing. The full-back stepped off his wing and went over. Jaco van der Walt's conversion was good and Edinburgh led 16-13 with nine minutes left.

Edinburgh's Nic Groom became the fifth man in the bin soon after and Glasgow's response was game-defining, They launched a maul and fired it over the Edinburgh line, Turner on the end of it. Hastings' conversion from the touchline was outstanding and pivotal. Had he missed then Edinburgh could have landed a drop goal or booted a penalty to win.

As it was they needed a try. Glasgow's defence stood up to them in the closing minutes. Glasgow needed this, big-time. A strange game, but a precious victory for Dave Rennie's side.

Glasgow Warriors: Jackson, Seymour, Jones, Johnson, Steyn, Hastings, G Horne; Seiuli, Brown, Z Fagerson, Cummings, Gray, Harley, Gibbins (capt), Wilson.

Replacements: Turner, Kebble, Nicol, Ashe, Gordon, Price, Grigg, Matawalu.

Sin bin: Jackson, Turner

Edinburgh: Kinghorn, Graham, Bennett, Taylor, Van der Merwe, Hickey, Pyrgos; Shoeman, McInally, Ceccarelli, Toolis, Gilchrist, Bradbury, Watson, Mata.

Replacements: Willemse, Bhatti, Berghan, Carmichael, Ritchie, Groom, Van der Walt, Johnstone.

Sin bin: Mata, McInally, Groom

Fly-half Sam Davies struck a last-gasp drop-goal to snatch victory for Dragons over Scarlets in an absorbing first festive Welsh derby of the Pro14 season.

Scarlets led 17-16 after an eventful first half in which the teams shared three tries - Gareth Davies and Ken Owens for the visitors, Rhodri Williams the hosts - and two yellow cards.

The second half was a grittier affair, heavy rain at Rodney Parade forcing both sides into handling errors.

And after Davies traded penalties with Leigh Halfpenny, the Dragons fly-half struck the match-winning goal with the last kick of the game to spark delirious celebrations.

Davies' team-mates mobbed him after his decisive kick, piling on each other in the mud to revel in a rare win over Scarlets.

The Llanelli-based side had won nine of their previous 10 matches against Dragons but, significantly, the Gwent region's only victory in that sequence had come in the teams' most recent meeting, a thrilling 34-32 Judgement Day triumph last season.

That nine-try encounter set a high standard of entertainment for this fixture and, while driving rain at Rodney Parade made such a scoreline unlikely, this match was packed with incident and played at a breathless tempo.

Scarlets came close to taking the lead after just 12 seconds as scrum-half Davies kicked a loose ball beyond the Dragons' try-line and, although Halfpenny leapt on it, the full-back was judged by television match official Ian Davies to have lost control of the ball over the line.

Dragons ill-discipline

Halfpenny soon kicked a penalty to put the Scarlets 3-0 in front, but the visitors' poor discipline undid their early good work, with Aaron Shingler and Jake Ball among the offenders as Davies kicked Dragons into a 9-3 lead.

It was the home side, however, whose ill-discipline proved costliest as lock Matthew Screech was shown a yellow card for entering a maul from the side.

During his time in the sin-bin, Scarlets scored two converted tries, first as scrum-half Davies sniped over from close range and then as his Wales team-mate, hooker Owens, dabbed down after a mighty rolling maul from the visitors.

At 17-9 up, Scarlets were threatening to pull clear, but Dragons fought back with a fine score of their own as captain and scrum-half Williams threw an outrageous dummy before darting over for a try against his former side.

Davies converted and, in the aftermath of the try, Scarlets prop Wyn Jones was sin-binned for his involvement in a scuffle.

Dragons were unable to take advantage of their numerical advantage in the second half as the continuing downpour and handling errors prompted both sides to favour a conservative kicking strategy.

With no points scored in the first half an hour after the interval, the final 10 minutes of the match looked like being a battle of who could make the fewest mistakes.

Tension and high drama

It proved to be a finale of extreme tension and high drama.

With four minutes left, Davies kicked his fourth penalty to regain the Dragons' lead, but that lasted only 90 seconds as Halfpenny responded with a three-pointer of his own to put the visitors 20-19 ahead.

The nervous mistakes kept coming, Scarlets replacement fly-half Ryan Lamb inexplicably tripping Ross Moriarty and presenting Davies with a reasonably straightforward penalty - but the former Ospreys player missed what looked like the last chance to snatch victory.

However, there was still one final twist to come.

As the clock turned red for the final phase of the game, Dragons had penalty advantage, but they did not need it as Davies struck a sweet drop-goal from the edge of the Scarlets 22 to secure a memorable victory.

Dragons director of rugby Dean Ryan said:

"I'm just really pleased for the lads because it was one of those games where there wasn't a huge amount of rugby played and you just had to stay in it.

"We keep talking all week about playing rugby and then we get to Friday and think 'It's probably not going to be this week'. We can play a bit as well and I think the learning experience for this group is the combination of both.

"On nights like tonight, that [the weather] dictates what the game is. You deserve some good times if you put a shift in so the boys deserve a good time."

Scarlets head coach Brad Mooar said:

"We certainly took control of it for the middle period of the first half and thought we had the recipe for taking the game away from the Dragons.

"But they hung in there and we certainly gave them plenty of opportunities with errors, poor discipline and they took those chances, so well done to the Dragons.

"You're not going to get any favours away so you've got to make sure you play to the interpretation of the officials and also the conditions.

"All of that is in our control and I think we handed the opportunities to the Dragons."

Dragons: Will Talbot-Davies; Owen Jenkins, Adam Warren, Jack Dixon, Ashton Hewitt; Sam Davies, Rhodri Williams (capt); Brok Harris, Elliot Dee, Leon Brown, Joe Davies, Matthew Screech, Cory Hill, Taine Basham, Aaron Wainwright.

Replacements: Richard Hibbard, Aaron Jarvis, Lloyd Fairbrother, Brandon Nansen, Ross Moriarty, Tavis Knoyle, Jacob Botica, Tyler Morgan.

Scarlets: Leigh Halfpenny; Johnny McNicholl, Steff Hughes, Hadleigh Parkes, Steff Evans; Dan Jones, Gareth Davies; Wyn Jones, Ken Owens (capt), Samson Lee, Jake Ball, Sam Lousi, Aaron Shingler, Josh Macleod, Uzair Cassiem.

Replacements: Ryan Elias, Phil Price, Javan Sebastian, Tevita Ratuva, Blade Thomson, Kieran Hardy, Ryan Lamb, Corey Baldwin.

Referee: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)

Assistants: Mike English (Wales) & Gareth John (Wales)

TMO: Ian Davies (Wales)

Tottenham vs. Chelsea is more than Mourinho vs. Lampard

Published in Soccer
Friday, 20 December 2019 01:26

Frank Lampard already knows how to get the better of Jose Mourinho as a manager. Just two months into his first coaching job at Derby County last season, Lampard sent his old mentor crashing out of the Carabao Cup with a third-round, penalty shootout victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford. It was a result that made the football world sit up and take notice of Lampard's early steps in management at Derby, and one that also shed light on the losing battle that Mourinho was fighting in his attempt to succeed at United.

Within three months, Mourinho had been sacked at Old Trafford, but Lampard's star continued to rise. After narrowly failing to get Derby promoted to the Premier League, he was handed the challenge of managing Chelsea, the club where he earned legendary status as a player thanks largely to his feats during two title-winning spells under Mourinho. This history lesson is valid because the two men meet again on Sunday, when Lampard's Chelsea travel to Mourinho's Tottenham, but their roles have been reversed: Lampard is suddenly struggling while Mourinho is rediscovering his mojo.

It was a year ago this week that Mourinho lost his job as United manager, with his reputation taking a battering -- in many ways, justifiably -- as a result of the situation he had left behind at Old Trafford. His style of football had become negative, cautious and predictable, his players had grown tired of his repeated public criticism and, most importantly, United's results simply weren't good enough. But just a month into his reign as Spurs manager, the Mourinho swagger is back. Five wins from seven games have helped revive a Tottenham team that had, like his United team last year, lost its way under Mauricio Pochettino.

Mourinho is getting results, making players better -- Dele Alli in particular has been transformed -- and he is once again looking like a manager with a future, rather than one whose best days were behind him. Equally, he will relish the opportunity to take Lampard on this weekend.

Despite a run of four defeats in seven games, his former player has exceeded expectations at Chelsea by steering them into the top four and the knockout stages of the Champions League. But when Mourinho walked into Spurs on Nov. 20, his team was 14th, 11 spots and 12 points adrift of Lampard's Chelsea. When they meet on Sunday, however, a Spurs victory will lift them above Chelsea and complete a dramatic swing of the pendulum in the space of just 33 days. Having been hunted down and beaten by Lampard at Old Trafford last season, Mourinho is now in the position of being able to strike back and show his former player, former club and anybody else he feels needs to see it that there's still plenty of life left in him as an elite manager.

- Connelly: Is Premier League's possession obsession ending?
- Champions League draw: Big tests for England's top teams
- O'Hanlon: Premier League trades we'd execute if we could

Sunday's game is such a big one for both Lampard and Mourinho. On a personal level it's a fixture that both will be desperate to win, but it's now a crucial game in the fight for Champions League qualification.

Spurs were almost out of the running when Mourinho walked into the club, but their revival and Chelsea's loss of form has put them back in the frame. Meanwhile, if Chelsea lose and drop out of the top four, it will be the first major setback of Lampard's spell as manager at Stamford Bridge, but it would be compounded by the fact that the blow had been inflicted by Mourinho and Spurs. If Lampard has inspired Chelsea to over-perform with a group of young players and a squad he couldn't strengthen in the summer because of a transfer ban, he's now in the difficult position of having to sustain what many had believed to have been beyond Chelsea this season.

Psychologically, the difference between success and failure this weekend is huge for Lampard and Mourinho. If Lampard wins or avoids defeat, he will have shown the ability to steady the ship and frustrate Mourinho once again. But a Mourinho win would doubtless be exploited to the maximum by the Spurs manager as him getting one over on Chelsea and also putting the young pretender in his place.

The race for fourth place is likely to be a congested one, with United and Wolves also capitalising on Chelsea's recent slump in form to put themselves within reach of the Champions League spots. But right now, Chelsea and Spurs appear to be preparing for a direct battle for fourth. What happens this weekend, between the teams and the managers, could define the rest of the season.

Soccer

Argentina GK Martínez handed 2-game WCQ ban

Argentina GK Martínez handed 2-game WCQ ban

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsArgentina goalkeeper Emiliano "Dibu" Martínez has been suspended by...

Pep: Arteta should explain inside info comments

Pep: Arteta should explain inside info comments

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsPep Guardiola has hit back at Mikel Arteta's claim that he has insi...

LaLiga chief targets game in Miami next season

LaLiga chief targets game in Miami next season

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLaLiga president Javier Tebas has said he is targeting playing a co...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Knicks trade for KAT: What insiders are hearing about the deal's impact

Knicks trade for KAT: What insiders are hearing about the deal's impact

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe final weekend of the offseason brings us another league-shaking...

Foot tendon strain to sideline Hornets' Williams

Foot tendon strain to sideline Hornets' Williams

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCharlotte Hornets center Mark Williams will sit out training camp a...

Baseball

Sources: Marlins' Schumaker won't return in '25

Sources: Marlins' Schumaker won't return in '25

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMiami Marlins manager Skip Schumaker will not return to the team in...

Royals make playoffs a year after 106-loss season

Royals make playoffs a year after 106-loss season

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsATLANTA -- The Kansas City Royals completed one of the most remarka...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated