Indian challenge ends at World TT
Dusseldorf: A Sharath Kamal lost to Chinese lin Gaoyuan in the preliminary round as India's challenge came to an end at the World Table Tennis Championship here. Gaoyuan won 11-13, 11-9, 11-7, 8-11, 11-8, 11-4 in a late round of 32 match on Friday. Sharath warded off early threats to win the first game on his second game point to give himself and the country a glimpse of hope. But Gaoyuan, ranked 40 in the world and seeded 33, had other ideas as he surged into 2-1 lead before dropping his second game when Sharath came close to realise his ambitions. However, the Chinese steadied his game and did not allow any liberty for the Indian, ranked 54, to exploit any further.
Bagan confirms participation
New Delhi: Mohun Bagan said on Monday it will be sending one of its top officials to the Indian football stakeholders' meeting in Kuala lumpur next week, signalling that its intent to be a part of the ISl remains intact. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) will have a meeting with its stakeholders in the Malaysian capital on June 7 to discuss the roadmap for Indian football under the aegis of the Asian Football Confederation. After AIFF president Praful Patel responded to Indian Football Association secretary Utpal Ganguli's letter, which raised issues pertaining to Mohun Bagan and East Bengal's participation in the Indian Super league, both clubs contemplated attending the meeting.
Nepal game is vital: lyngdoh
Mumbai: India are warming up for the June 13 AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Kyrgyzstan by taking on Nepal here on June 6 and midfielder Eugeneson lyngdoh feels it was a key game for the national team's players to again jell well after playing for their respective clubs in the I-league. "The mood in the team is great. We are all excited to be representing the country again after the long season. The Nepal game is important so that we are set up before the game against Kyrgyzstan," lyngdoh said on Saturday. India's world ranking has improved by leaps and bounds and lyngdoh has been part of the climb to the world's 100th rank. Manipur-born winger Udanta Singh will miss the game due to a serious hamstring injury and while ruing his absence, lyngdoh felt there were others to fill in the breach.
Malhotra loses in quarters
Chennai: India's Vikram Malhotra, seeded fifth, went down fighting to fourth-seeded Mexican Alfredo Avila in the quarterfinals of the Costa Rica Open, a PSA World Tour event, being held at San Jose. The US-based Indian started well and took the opening game 11-8. However, Avila kept pace and captured a close second game to draw level. Growing in confidence, the Mexican grabbed the initiative to post a 8-11, 13-11, 11-7, 11-6 win late on Thursday, said a SRFI press release here.