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Strong Morocco maintain Modric’s Croatia at World Cup

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Al Khor, Qatar: Morocco held Croatia to a 0-0 draw of their opening sport of the World Cup on Wednesday, producing a spirited show towards the 2018 runners-up led by Luka Modric.

Backed by Qatar’s giant Moroccan neighborhood on the Al Bayt Stadium, the Atlas Lions adopted up north African rivals Tunisia’s robust efficiency towards darkish horses Denmark a day earlier to frustrate Croatia.

“This was a particularly tough sport,” stated Croatia captain Modric. “I do consider because the event goes on we’ll be higher and we’ll undertake a extra proactive angle.”

Modric insisted Croatia are able to making one other deep run regardless of a sluggish begin in
the early afternoon warmth.

“We’ve not come right here to simply play and get out the group,” stated Modric.
“Our ambitions are a bit higher on the premise of our Russia achievement, however we have to take it one step at a time.

“Even earlier than the 2018 World Cup we stated our major aim was to make it out the group. If we handle to try this we generally is a harmful opponent for any group.”

Coach Zlatko Dalic had urged Croatia to train warning following Saudi Arabia’s shock win over Argentina, a end result Morocco captain Romain Saiss stated had “opened the door” for the
event’s less-fancied groups.

Morocco took the sport to a Croatia aspect that includes 4 gamers who began the 2018 last however struggled to create real probabilities towards a defence marshalled by the skilled Dejan Lovren.

Azzedine Ounahi unusually opted towards capturing when nicely positioned inside the realm, with Hakim Ziyech and Achraf Hakimi closely concerned down the best with out ever really threatening Croatia.

Ivan Perisic fired simply over from distance for Croatia after intercepting a dreadful cross from Selim Amallah, whereas goalkeeper Yassine Bounou blocked nicely along with his legs to disclaim Nikola Vlasic from shut vary.

Modric, the previous Ballon d’Or winner showing at his fourth World Cup on the age of 37, then hammered over from the sting of the field.

Morocco misplaced Noussair Mazraoui early within the second half after his diving header was saved, the Bayern Munich full-back injuring himself when he tumbled awkwardly to the bottom.
Sofyan Amrabat poked Lovren’s goal-bound effort away off the road after a scramble at a nook, whereas Hakimi’s free-kick on the different finish was crushed to security by Croatian keeper
Dominik Livakovic.

Solely as soon as have Morocco gone past the group stage, in 1986, however they’ll charge their probabilities of advancing with video games to come back towards an ageing Belgium group and Group F outsiders Canada.

Croatia pushed for a late winner however discovered Morocco’s defence in unforgiving temper as Walid Regragui’s aspect secured a useful and deserved level.

“I believe it’s an excellent level for us,” stated Regragui, who was solely appointed as Morocco
coach in late August.

“It retains us alive for the following two video games. I’m very happy with my gamers. I believe this sport makes us extra assured.”

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India’s dream run ends in despair as Australia win sixth World Cup title

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  • The win is the acme of success this 12 months, says Pat Cummins

AHMEDABAD: Australia received the Cricket World Cup for a record-extending sixth time Sunday, ending India’s dominant run in its residence event with a six-wicket victory in a low-scoring last on the again of Travis Head’s 137.

A closely partisan crowd contained in the 132,000-capacity Narendra Modi Stadium was silenced as Head mixed with Marnus Labuschagne (58 not out ) in a 192-run partnership to chase down the goal of 241.

Australia was wobbling on 47-3 after seven overs however Head and Labuschagne dug in to assist their nation regain its standing because the king of one-day worldwide cricket, including to its 50-over world titles in 1987, 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2015.

Head was dismissed off what proved to be the next-to-last ball of the match, caught within the deep whereas trying to hit a title-clinching boundary. In got here Glenn Maxwell and he ran two off his first ball, securing a victory that prompted fireworks above the world’s largest cricket venue.

The Indians received all 10 of their matches earlier than the ultimate and had been searching for a 3rd trophy of their fourth look in a title match that introduced a rustic of 1.4 billion folks to a digital standstill. They had been outplayed in each division by Australia, although, restricted to 240 all out on a gradual pitch after dropping the toss with solely Virat Kohli (54) and Lokesh Rahul (66) making half-centuries.

Head grew to become solely the seventh participant to attain a century in a males’s World Cup last – and third Australian after Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist – and delivered a big second in India’s innings when taking a diving catch operating again from cowl to take away captain Rohit Sharma (47).

“What an incredible day, I’m simply thrilled to be part of it,” Head mentioned afterward. “It’s lots higher than sitting on the sofa at residence, I’m very fortunate that every thing went nicely and I used to be capable of get again right here.”

Head had began the event sidelined by a damaged left hand.

“I used to be slightly bit nervous, however Marnus performed distinctive and it was simply an incredible partnership. It’s good to be part of it, good to play a task, and it’s going to be an incredible couple of days now,” Head mentioned. “To have the ability to try this on the large stage, in entrance of a giant crowd, it’s fairly particular and one thing that I’ll be completely satisfied to look again on later in my life. It’s good to be right here and good to contribute.”

Head’s ton noticed him be a part of an illustrious checklist, which additionally contains West Indies’ Clive Lloyd and Viv Richards, in addition to Sri Lanka’s Aravinda de Silva and Mahela Jayawardene.

Ponting’s 140 not out had additionally helped Australia beat India within the 2003 last. Jayawardene’s century is the one one in a dropping trigger with India successful the 2011 last.

Australia completed the 2023 event with a run of 9 straight wins, after beginning with back-to-back defeats to India and South Africa.

India received the World Cup in 1983 and 2011. Its final main success was successful the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013.

Scoreboard

INDIA INNINGS: Rohit Sharma c Head b Maxwell 47 (31b, 4×4, 3×6), Shubman Gill c Zampa b Starc 4 (7b), Virat Kohli b Cummins 54 (63b, 4×4), Shreyas Iyer c Inglis b Cummins 4 (3b, 1×4), Okay.L. Rahul c Inglis b Starc 66 (107b, 1×4), Ravindra Jadeja c Inglis b Hazlewood 9 (22b), Suryakumar Yadav c Inglis b Hazlewood 18 (28b, 1×4), Mohammed Shami c Inglis b Starc 6 (10b, 1×4), Jasprit Bumrah lbw b Zampa 1 (3b), Kuldeep Yadav run out 10 (18b), Mohammed Siraj (not out) 9 (8b, 1×4); Extras (lb-3, w-9): 12.

Complete (in 50 overs): 240.

FALL OF WICKETS: 1-30 (Gill, 4.2 overs), 2-76 (Rohit, 9.4), 3-81 (Shreyas, 10.2), 4-148 (Kohli, 28.3), 5-178 (Jadeja, 35.5), 6-203 (Rahul, 41.3), 7-211 (Shami, 43.4), 8-214 (Bumrah, 44.5), 9-226 (Suryakumar, 47.3).

AUSTRALIA BOWLING: Starc 10-0-55-3, Hazlewood 10-0-60-2, Maxwell 6-0-35-1, Cummins 10-0-34-2, Zampa 10-0-44-1, Marsh 2-0-5-0, Head 2-0-4-0.

AUSTRALIA INNINGS: David Warner c Kohli b Shami 7 (3b, 1×4), Travis Head c Gill b Siraj 137 (120b, 15×4, 4×6), Mitchell Marsh c Rahul b Bumrah 15 (15b, 1×4, 1×6), Steve Smith lbw b Bumrah 4 (9b, 1×4), Marnus Labuschagne (not out) 58 (110b, 4×4), Glenn Maxwell (not out) 2 (1b); Extras (b-5, lb-2, w-11): 18.

Complete (for 4 wkts. in 43 overs): 241.

FALL OF WICKETS: 1-16 (Warner, 1.1), 2-41 (Marsh, 4.3), 3-47 (Smith, 6.6), 4-239 (Head, 42.5).

INDIA BOWLING: Bumrah 9-2-43-2, Shami 7-1-47-1, Jadeja 10-0-43-0, Kuldeep 10-0-56-0, Siraj 7-0-45-1.

 



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Djokovic eyes ATP finals file after last-four demolition of Alcaraz

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TURIN, ITALY: Novak Djokovic closed in on a record-breaking seventh ATP Finals title after sweeping previous Carlos Alcaraz 6-3, 6-2 in a dominating semi-final show he hailed as his better of the match.

World primary Djokovic will face residence favorite Jannik Sinner on Sunday within the last in Turin, because the 36-year-old makes an attempt to cap an age-defying yr with one more main triumph.

“The most effective match of the match for me, for sure. It got here at proper time actually, after spending a variety of hours on the court docket within the first three matches,” stated Djokovic.

“Tonight, from the very starting, I felt the ball properly. I approached the match with the precise angle, the precise mentality.”

The Serb got here into the Finals on the finish of a yr which has introduced three Grand Slams, taking his whole to an all-time better of 24, and a fortieth Masters 1000 title.

Now solely Sinner stands between Djokovic and victory, which might take him previous his outdated foe and retired nice Roger Federer for season-ending match titles.

Sunday’s last guarantees to be a tricky proposition for Djokovic as he misplaced to Sinner within the group stage and should take care of a partisan Italian crowd that, unusually for him, received’t be on his aspect.

“He’s been enjoying incredible tennis, arguably the very best tennis of his life. On this stage, towards high 10 gamers,” added Djokovic.

“We performed a really tight match the opposite evening, the ambiance was electrical. I don’t count on something lower than what we had within the group stage matchup.”

Djokovic now has the higher of his 5 matches with Wimbledon champion Alcaraz, who at 20 is already a two-time Grand Slam winner and was bidding to grow to be the youngest finalist since Pete Sampras received the title again in 1991.

Saturday’s match didn’t dwell as much as the earlier 4 dramatic clashes nonetheless, as Djokovic placed on a present of pressure which put pretender Alcaraz firmly in his place.

 

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Patrons Aibak Polo Cup: Newage/Grasp Paints, DP rating contrasting victories

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LAHORE: Newage Cables/Grasp Paints recorded an in depth victory in opposition to DS Polo/Sheikhoo Metal, whereas Diamond Paints (DP) delivered a commanding efficiency to conquer Pebble Breaker within the Patrons Aibak Polo Cup 2023 matches at Lahore Polo Membership grounds on Sunday.

The opening match of the day witnessed Newage Cables/Grasp Paints clinching an 8-6½ win in opposition to DS Polo/Sheikhoo Metal. Hamza Mawaz Khan showcased distinctive expertise, contributing seven spectacular objectives, with Adnan Jalil Azam including the essential eighth purpose for Newage Cables/Grasp Paints. On the opposing aspect, Nicholas Roberts scored 4 objectives, whereas Daniyal Sheikh and Lt Col (R) Omer Minhas every struck one purpose for DS Polo/Sheikhoo Metal.

The second match unfolded as a one-sided affair, with Diamond Paints (DP) overpowering Pebble Breaker with a convincing 12-4½ victory. Bilal Hayat Midday and Raja Temur Nadeem performed stellar polo, every securing 4 improbable objectives, whereas Mir Shoaib Ahmed and Saqib Khan Khakwani contributed two objectives every to Diamond Paints’ dominant efficiency.

Ahmed Zubair Butt scored a brace for Pebble Breaker, with Abdul Rehman Monnoo and Agha Musa Ali Khan including one purpose every. The matches drew a big crowd of households and spectators who loved the thrilling encounters on the vacation (Sunday). The joy continues on Tuesday with two pivotal matches scheduled on the Lahore Polo Membership grounds.

 

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