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

Celebrate victory, then get down to hard work - Gatland

Published in Rugby
Sunday, 29 September 2019 07:01

Warren Gatland says Wales should celebrate World Cup victory over Australia, but must not take anything for granted for the rest of the tournament.

Wales have taken control of Pool D by beating the Wallabies and will win the group if they defeat Fiji and Uruguay.

Gatland's side would then face the runners-up of Pool C which is likely to be England, France or Argentina.

"The pool is in our own destiny," said Gatland.

The victory marked captain Alun Wyn Jones setting a new Wales cap record of 130 appearances and Gatland believes his side must acknowledge this achievement before looking to face Fiji in Oita on 9 October.

"We have got a break and I would like to see the boys celebrating and they deserve to pat themselves on the back and say well done," said Gatland.

"It was a tough game and a great win.

"Alun Wyn Jones has become the record cap holder for Test matches for Wales and we need to recognise that because it's special.

"But we have only won two games at the moment and make sure we do a job for the other games which we think are going to be tough.

"We can't take any team for granted in this group and need to be as clinical as we possibly can. That is what good teams do."

Gatland praised his side's resilience after they led 26-8 and withstood an Australia second-half recovery.

"It was a tough match," said Gatland.

"I thought we played pretty well in the first half and Australia were very good in the second-half and put us under a lot of pressure.

"It became a very typical Wales and Australia clash and it went down the right wire. I thought our players showed great composure."

Biggar and Williams injury worries

Wales fly-half Dan Biggar will go through return-to-play protocols failing a head injury assessment in the first half, while Liam Williams picked up an ankle problem late on.

Gatland praised Biggar's character after he tried to inspire Patchell and the rest of the Wales team down the tunnel at half-time.

"Dan failed a HIA and he will have to go through the protocols. I had a chat with him and he says he is feeling good, but we have to make sure we do go through those protocols over the next week,

"He was disappointed he came off, but I thought he was was brilliant in the way he was encouraging Rhys and it was important for him as well."

'Fantastic' Patchell

"I thought Rhys came on and did a fantastic job for us," said Gatland.

"He has been criticised a lot about his defence in the past and he changed a few things. His line speed was excellent and he made some big tackles and controlled the game pretty well.

"It was a big match for him to come on that early and to get a win will give him a lot of confidence.

"Liam rolled an ankle. He should be okay he will just need a little time.

"There are some sore bodies in there with a short turnaround and the players said it was one of their toughest Test matches for a long time.

"We need to make sure we recover. We have nine or 10 days until our next match so we will use that in the best way we can to freshen up the guys. It is nice to have a decent break."

Catch up with all the World Cup news and analysis on Scrum V, BBC Two Wales from 18:00 BST on Sunday, 29 September .

Sanchez scores twice, sent off as Inter win

Published in Soccer
Saturday, 28 September 2019 13:52

Alexis Sanchez scored twice but was later sent off for simulation as Inter Milan beat Sampdoria 3-1 in Serie A action on Saturday.

Sanchez, on loan with Inter following a disastrous spell with Manchester United, made the most his first start. The Chile international scored by deflecting in Stefano Sensi's long-range opener after 20 minutes and tapping in another Sensi cross two minutes later.

The 30-year-old ex-Arsenal star was then sent off after receiving a second yellow card for diving just after the break, leaving his side to play the entire second half a man down.

Jakub Jankto pulled a goal back for the hosts, but Roberto Gagliardini added the third for Antonio Conte's side to keep their perfect record intact.

"This key moment [the sending-off] could have destroyed any other side, but the lads kept up the fight and managed to find a balance again after some changes were made," Antonio Conte said. "We were dominating the game and everything changed in an instant. There was a risk that the lads would collapse, but they stuck to the task and showed that we're on the right path in terms of our mentality."

Conte's side visit Barcelona in the Champions League on Wednesday before hosting one of his former teams, eight-time defending champion Juventus four days later. Juventus beat SPAL earlier Saturday on goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Miralem Pjanic to also remain without a loss this season.

Neymar: PSG fans 'like a girlfriend'

Published in Soccer
Sunday, 29 September 2019 08:52

Neymar has compared his relationship with Paris Saint-Germain supporters to a romantic one and said he would give his life on the pitch for the French champions.

The Brazil international was jeered upon his return this season after summer-long links with a transfer to Barcelona.

- Laurens: Neymar's failed move to Barca - the definitive story
- Court sets new date in Neymar, Barca dispute

After scoring his third goal in four games this season as PSG beat Bordeaux 1-0 on Saturday, Neymar said of the supporters: "Yes, much better.

"It is like being in a relationship with a girlfriend. When things are not going well with her, you go without speaking.

"However, through love, affection and cuddling, things go back to normal. I am here to help PSG -- to fulfil my role as a player for this club.

"I will give my life on the pitch to help PSG succeed and for us to be able to celebrate together."

Meanwhile, PSG coach Thomas Tuchel said he was unhappy with Neymar's attempt to leave the club in the summer.

"I knew of Neymar's desire to leave," Tuchel said. "He knew it displeased me. For me, it was not the right time, nor the right decision.

"As coach, he knew I did not want that. Ultimately, we both knew it was not my decision -- nor his.

"He needed a club that could pay the price and he also needed PSG to accept. We both accepted the decision was not in our hands and agreed it would not impact our relationship as there was still the possibility that we would remain working together."

In what could be seen as encouraging developments for the prospect of Sri Lanka playing a Test series in Pakistan before the end of the year, Sri Lanka coach Rumesh Ratnayake said he hoped this series would encourage more Sri Lankan players to tour Pakistan. The three-ODI, three-T20I series currently being played by Sri Lanka in Pakistan is in lieu of the originally scheduled two-match Test series which was postponed owing to several first-team Sri Lankan players' reluctance to tour Pakistan at this time.

"This will be a pre-cursor for that [Test] tour [in December]," Ratnayake said. "I'm sure this will certainly encourage the others to take decisions, but we can't enforce it on them. They have taken a decision and we have to respect that, but certainly if things go well, this will be a huge thing for the future, not only for them but for all other countries to be here."

The tour was affected by ten Sri Lankan players deciding against touring, resulting in Sri Lanka selecting a somewhat inexperienced team to tour Pakistan. Compounding their problems, head coach Ratnayake said the team's "preparation hadn't been that good". Regular afternoon rains during much of the last week inhibited the teams' ability to get full training and practice sessions in, and Ratnayake revealed wet weather in Sri Lanka had hampered their ability to turn up fully prepared.

"Even before we came here, the preparations were hampered by rain. It seems as if it's raining in the whole world. We had only had a day's training outside, and today was the second day. So as you can imagine, the prep hasn't been all that good, but that's not going to be an excuse because they are all professional players. "The people who have taken their place are challenged to do well, it's for their future also, so I hope there won't be any rain."

If anything, the elements may throw up the opposite challenge for the sides. Following a week with unseasonal, torrential downpours in a city completely ill-equipped to deal with them, a stiflingly hot, humid weekend meant spending much time outside practicing would push players' physical fitness to the limit. Ratnayake, however, was already busy working away at several strategies to motivate his players, which included playing up to the image of his side being comprehensive underdogs.

"There are various ways of motivating them. One is the challenge of facing this Pakistan team, and we talked about the Pakistan team being Goliaths and us not. That's the sort of the way we are motivating them, but they are professionals and I'm sure they'll do what's needed to be done.

"The challenge today was from the heat rather than the rain. It was sunny but the focus was for the batsmen to know the sort of conditions they will face during the match, and ensuring they train well enough to be prepared for whatever comes their way."

While much of Pakistan will be tuned in to the cricket over the next week, they will, like Ratnayake, be hoping the Sri Lankan players who opted to stay home will be watching closely, too.

Sources: Dak, Cowboys not close on new deal

Published in Breaking News
Sunday, 29 September 2019 08:40

A deal between the Dallas Cowboys and star quarterback Dak Prescott is not close at this time, and no extension is expected in the near future, sources told ESPN.

No one doubts that a deal eventually will get done, given that Prescott wants to be in Dallas and the Cowboys want to keep him.

But a deal is not happening anytime soon, despite Cowboys owner Jerry Jones' recent claims that an extension was "imminent." This, according to sources, was never the case -- this deal has not yet gotten close to being done.

There has not been any type of setback in talks between Prescott and the Cowboys -- because a deal has never gotten close and isn't close now -- according to sources. Prescott's price isn't going down, not with the way he's playing and with quarterbacks signing deals that financially leapfrog the ones before them -- and Dallas knows it has its own protections.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes stands a strong chance of becoming the highest-paid player in NFL history this offseason, which will only give other top quarterbacks such as Prescott more leverage in negotiations.

But Dallas also could have the ability to protect its top free agents this offseason. If no collective bargaining agreement is reached this season, teams will have the ability to use a franchise and a transition tag this offseason, meaning Dallas could use one on Prescott and the other on free-agent-to-be wide receiver Amari Cooper.

However this situation works out, Prescott looks as if he's betting on himself this season, much in the same way Joe Flacco did in 2012 before he cashed in on a new contract after Baltimore's Super Bowl victory.

Prescott, 26, has spearheaded the Cowboys' 3-0 start to the season, completing a league-best 74.5 percent of his passes for 920 yards and nine touchdowns. He trails only Mahomes for the NFL lead in passing touchdowns and quarterback rating (128.0).

Sources: AB set for record 9 grievances, appeals

Published in Breaking News
Sunday, 29 September 2019 08:39

Antonio Brown's battles will shift from social media to the legal variety.

Brown is the first player in NFL history poised to file nine grievances and appeals during the same time period, league sources told ESPN.

Brown's nine appeals and grievances will be a legal battle to try to recoup as much of the $61-plus million that he believes is owed to him.

The grievances and appeals involve the following issues and sums of money:

• Fine appeals with the Oakland Raiders: $215,000

• Salary guarantees with Oakland: $29 million

• Signing bonus with Raiders: $1 million

• Oakland's unpaid Week 1 salary: $860,000

New England Patriots' salary guarantee: $1 million

• Patriots signing bonus: $9 million

• Patriots' unpaid Week 3 salary: $64,000

• Patriots' option year in 2020: $20 million

As if that wasn't enough, if the NFL disciplines Brown and suspends him -- which is well within the realm of possibility -- Brown could appeal that as well, which would make him the first player in NFL history to have nine different appeals generated from one season.

Brown again made headlines with his social media activity Saturday when he traded jabs with Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield on Twitter. He also took shots at Patriots owner Robert Kraft and former Pittsburgh Steelers teammate Ben Roethlisberger as part of a Twitter tirade last Sunday morning.

Brown, who has been accused of sexual assault and sexual misconduct by two different women, was released by the Patriots last week, making him an unrestricted free agent, eligible to sign with any team. The NFL is conducting an investigation into the allegations.

Notably, the win in Chinese Taipei, was her third such junior girls’ singles success of the year; the week prior to her success in Sweden, she had prevailed in the Czech Republic.

Impressive, in the junior girls’ singles later rounds she beat Singapore’s Ser Lian Qian (11-6, 11-5, 11-9, 11-7), before ending the hopes of Chinese Taipei. At the semi-final stage she ousted Hsu Yi-Chen (11-7, 11-7, 11-6, 10-12, 11-6), prior to clinching the title at the final expense of Yu Hsiu-Ting (11-8, 11-7, 11-6).

Hard earned wins

A series of noteworthy performances to capture junior girls’ singles gold, in the cadet girls’ singles competition at both the quarter and semi-final stages the success was hard earned. She needed five games to beat colleague Miwa Harimoto (11-5, 8-11, 9-11, 11-5, 11-7), prior emerging successful in the penultimate round in a similar manner when opposing Hong Kong’s Chelsea Chan Shiu Lam (11-8, 11-8, 6-11, 10-12, 11-3). A place in the final booked, life was less exacting; she beat Ser Lin Qian in straight games (11-8, 11-6, 11-9).

Notably in the opposite half of the draw, in the quarter-final round, Ser Lin Qian had beaten Chinese Tapei’s Chen Yu-Chih, the player who in the group staged had overcome Kaho Akae (12-10, 11-4, 11-6); Ser Lin Qian duly reserved her place in the final courtesy of success in opposition to Cheng Pu-Syuan (11-5, 13-11, 11-7).

Meanwhile, in the adjacent half of the draw in the junior girls’ singles event, at the quarter-final stage Yu Hsiu-Ting accounted for Chinese Taipei’s Kao Ming (6-11, 14-12, 6-11, 11-6, 11-9, 11-6), followed by success in opposition to Hong Kong’s Lee Ka Yee (11-8, 11-6, 11-8, 12-10).

Two titles on the final day of play; the cadet girls’ doubles success in partnership with Hina Higashikawa made the total three in number. In the title decider, the duo accounted for compatriots Yura Shinohara and Fuwa Yumoto (11-9, 11-8, 9-11, 15-13).

Further success for Tai Ming-Wei

Success after previous success for Kaho Akae, it was the same in the junior boys’ singles event for the host’s Tai Ming-Wei, the runner up earlier this year on the ITTF World Junior Circuit in Australia, the winner last year in El Salvador.

He ended Japanese hopes; following success in opposition to colleague Peng Chih (15-17, 15-13, 11-2, 10-12, 11-5, 13-11), he beat Yu Kayama (11-9, 11-7, 11-8, 14-16, 10-12, 8-11, 11-9) and Ryoichi Yoshiyama (11-4, 11-5, 6-11, 8-11, 11-5, 11-6) to arrest the title. In the opposite half of the draw, in the later rounds, Ryoichi Yoshiyama had accounted for Chinese Taipei’s Li Hsin-Yu (6-11, 9-11, 3-11, 11-7, 11-3, 11-3, 11-6) and colleague Kazuki Yamada (11-2, 11-7, 11-7, 6-11, 11-5).

Disappointment for Ryoichi Yoshiyama and Yu Kayama but there was success; together they won the junior boys’ doubles event beating Korea Republic’s Hwang Jinha and Woo Hyeonggyu in the final (13-11, 11-9, 12-10).

More gold for Chinese Taipei

Gold for Chinese Taipei in the junior boys’ singles, it was the same in the cadet boys’ singles event. Kao Cheng-Jui emerged the winner, accounting for Japan’s Hayate Suzuki in the final (5-11, 11-13, 13-11, 11-7, 11-9). Earlier in the round of the last eight, Kao Cheng-Jui had beaten colleague Chang Yu-An (11-2, 11-7, 11-7), before overcoming Korea Republic’s Park Changgeon (11-5, 7-11, 11-9, 11-13, 11-5) to reserve his place in the final.

At the same stages Hayate Suzuki had halted Chinese Taipei progress, he beat Chen Yen-Ting (13-11, 12-10, 11-6), followed by success in opposition to Liang Chen-Wei (12-10, 11-7, 8-11, 6-11, 11-7).

Similarly, in both the cadet boys’ doubles and junior girls’ doubles events there was success for Chinese Taipei; in fact it was gold and silver. In the former, at the final hurdle Wu Chiou-Shin and Zang Huan-Qi beat Chang Yu-An and Ka Cheng-Jui (13-11, 9-11, 11-6, 11-7); in the latter Chien Tung-Chuan and Yu Hsiu-Ting overcame Cai Fong-En and Hsu Yi-Chen (9-11, 11-7, 11-8, 11-6).

Play in Chinese Taipei concluded, attention on the ITTF World Junior Circuit now turns to Otocec; the Slovenia Junior and Cadet Open commences on Wednesday 2nd October.

Please follow and like us:

Captain Stuart McInally warns Scotland could "get into a bit of trouble" if they go chasing a try bonus-point against Samoa.

Japan's shock win over Ireland has blown World Cup Pool A wide open, with the Scots potentially needing bonus-points wins in each of their three remaining matches to progress.

But McInally says it does not alter their approach to Monday's match.

"We obviously watched the Japan game and we've done the numbers," he said.

"We know the implications and what it could mean for us. But we just have to go out and win the game first and foremost.

"In my experience if you start chasing anything else before the game starts then you can get into a bit of trouble.

"So we'll go out, try to win the game and if we're in a position in the last 20 minutes to go for that bonus point then of course we're aware of what we have to do."

McInally says that while Japan's win may not have been helpful from a Scottish perspective, seeing the home side produce such a seismic result has energised the tournament and the host nation.

"I was very impressed by the Japanese side," said the Edinburgh hooker.

"I thought they played exceptionally well and deserved to win. They played very fast, they were very direct, and they looked after the ball well. I feel they defended very well as well, and when you play like they did I'm not surprised that they won.

"It was obviously a disappointing result for Scotland but it was great to see what it did for Japan, and to see how much it means to the country as a whole as obviously they've put a lot into the World Cup."

My Scotland XV

Who would you pick for Scotland's second Rugby World Cup match against Samoa? Select and share your XV.

Rules are 'spooking' referees - Australia coach Cheika

Published in Rugby
Sunday, 29 September 2019 05:51

Australia coach Michael Cheika says authorities are "spooking" referees and that he was "embarrassed" by some decisions in the loss to Wales.

Wales moved top of World Cup Pool D with a 29-25 win in Tokyo on Sunday.

Cheika was angry at the decision to penalise Samu Kerevi when the centre was carrying the ball and noted booing from the crowd following the call.

"Administrators are spooking the refs and refs are afraid of making decisions," he said.

Referee Romain Poite referred the tackle to the television match official and Kerevi was judged to have led with his forearm into Rhys Patchell's chest then throat.

Former New Zealand fly-half Andrew Mehrtens said on BBC Radio 5 Live it was "opening a dangerous can of worms".

"If you slow it down, everything looks worse. It's dangerous ground and you're going to end up with a game with no contact at all," he added.

Wallabies captain Michael Hooper remonstrated with Poite and later said Wales fly-half Patchell had shown "poor tackle technique".

World Rugby introduced new rules in 2017 to "change culture in the sport to ensure that the head is a no-go area" and published a framework to help referees rule on high tackles in May.

The governing body criticised its own officials on Tuesday after Reece Hodge's collision with Peceli Yato during Australia's opening win over Fiji went unpunished.

Wallabies winger Hodge later received a three-match ban after being cited for the high tackle.

Cheika said: "When our player does it, we get suspended, and then this time we get penalised. As a former rugby player, I am embarrassed about it."

On the Kerevi incident, Cheika said: "He put his arm into his chest. I don't know if that is illegal or not. I don't know the rules any more, honestly.

"Everyone seems worried about stuff so much. I don't know why. The players aren't worried."

Asked if rugby was getting "softer", Cheika said: "You've got to take care, you've got to look after players, but not to an extreme where you're looking after players just for doctors and lawyers," he said.

"You've got to look after players for players."

Ball boys sent off for time-wasting, ref fills in

Published in Soccer
Sunday, 29 September 2019 04:37

Yeovil Town's ball boys were all sent off in the closing minutes of Saturday's 3-1 non-league win over Bromley, leaving the referee to retrieve the ball himself, as the bemused club took to social media to discuss the bizarre end to the game.

"The referee has, no joke, just sent off one of our ball boys..." Yeovil said on Twitter, a post that was retweeted by more than 2,000 users, before adding: "Update: he's dismissed all of them."

- Balotelli's daughter accompanies dad as rivals' mascot

Yeovil's match report called the game a "fiery affair" and said of the incident: "In a unique turn of events, the referee sent all the Yeovil ball boys to the stands due to claims of time-wasting."

Local media said referee Aaron Johnson had sent off one boy for not returning the ball to a Bromley player fast enough late in the National League (fifth-tier) match at Yeovil's Huish Park.

The other boys followed soon after, leaving no-one to return the ball for the final minutes of the game, with Yeovil saying on Twitter that Johnson himself had then been obliged to run to retrieve a ball.

Soccer

Denver NWSL expansion team reveals stadium plan

Denver NWSL expansion team reveals stadium plan

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe ownership group for Denver's NWSL expansion team, which begins...

Sources: MLS ASG to host best of Liga MX again

Sources: MLS ASG to host best of Liga MX again

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMajor League Soccer will host Liga MX for the 2025 All-Star match o...

Mateta eyes FA Cup return after ear 'destroyed'

Mateta eyes FA Cup return after ear 'destroyed'

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCrystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta has said he is hoping t...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

'It's Pop's decision. He's earned that': Inside Gregg Popovich's fight to return to the sideline

'It's Pop's decision. He's earned that': Inside Gregg Popovich's fight to return to the sideline

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsTHE DRIVE FROM Keldon Johnson's ranch in Boerne, Texas, to the Fros...

Kerr says Curry 'exhausted,' could sit vs. Bucks

Kerr says Curry 'exhausted,' could sit vs. Bucks

EmailPrintSAN FRANCISCO -- After watching Stephen Curry commit seven turnovers and miss 10 of 14 3-p...

Baseball

Ohtani, Yamamoto lead Dodgers to Tokyo win

Ohtani, Yamamoto lead Dodgers to Tokyo win

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsTOKYO -- Yoshinobu Yamamoto threw five strong innings, Shohei Ohtan...

Ohtani 'nervous' in Tokyo but gets 2 hits, runs

Ohtani 'nervous' in Tokyo but gets 2 hits, runs

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsTOKYO -- Shohei Ohtani seems impervious to a variety of conditions...

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