gujarat beat Haryana Steelers 47-37
Vizag: K Prapanjan and Parvesh Bhainswal shone bright to help Gujarat Fortunegiants continue their fine form, registering a comfortable 47-37 win against Haryana Steelers in a Pro Kabaddi Season 6 fixture. The raiding duo of Prapanjan and Sachin led the charge for Gujarat and both achieved a super 10 each to score 22 points. Parvesh Bhainswal and Sunil Kumar led the defence for Gujarat and contained Haryana raiders throughout the match. Monu Goyat top scored for Haryana Steelers with 11 points but couldn't save the team from being knockout of the play-off race. In the other match, Bengaluru Bulls beat Telugu Titans 37-24 to maintain lead at the top of zone B table.
Constantine names probables for camp
New Delhi: As many as 18 under-23 players figured in the list of 34 probables named by India football coach Stephen Constantine for the preparatory camp ahead of next year's AFC Asian Cup to be held at United Arab Emirates from January 5 to February 1. All the players will be reporting to the camp in Delhi from December 16 onwards, with a squad of 28 members flying to Abu Dhabi for the final phase of preparation on December 20. As part of their preparation, the Blue Tigers are slated to play an International Friendly against Oman in Abu Dhabi on December 27. They then move on to challenge Thailand in their first match in the Asian Cup at the Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi on January 6 next year.
Japan shun Kagawa to win Asian Cup
Tokyo: Japan dropped former Manchester United star Shinji Kagawa from the Blue Samurai's bid to reclaim the Asian Cup, opting instead for a squad filled with young Europe-based talents. Coach Hajime Moriyasu on Wednesday selected several players with only a handful of caps to their names for Asia's showcase football tournament in the United Arab Emirates starting in January. The likes of Ritsu Doan of Groningen, Shoya Nakajima of Portimonense and Takumi Minamino of Salzburg will lead Japan's bid for a record-extending fifth title. But there was no place for midfielder Kagawa, 29, now struggling for playing time at Borussia Dortmund.
Neha takes three-shot lead
Kolkata: Neha Tripathi carded two-under 70 to take a three-shot lead after the opening day of the 18th Leg of the Hero Women's Pro Golf Tour here on Wednesday. Neha, who skipped the Ladies European Tour Qualifying School to work on her game and go for the Chinese LPGA in January, shot five birdies against three bogeys at the Royal Calcutta Golf Club here. She was three shots better than second-placed Afshan Fatima (73). Smriti Mehra who was three-over in the first eight holes had pars on her last 10, as she scored 75, while three players Amandeep Drall, Khushi Khanijau and Siddhi Kapoor shot 77 each to be Tied-fourth.
Noble extends west ham contract
London: West Ham have given captain Mark Noble a contract extension that ties him to the Premier League club until 2021. Noble made his Hammers debut in 2004 and has gone to make 446 appearances for the team. The 31-year-old midfielder has started West Ham's last three matches and his return to the side has sparked a revival from Manuel Pellegrini's men, who have won all three fixtures to climb away from the relegation zone. "It was an option in my contract that I signed a few years ago now, and it's an extra year, which is fantastic for me and my family," Noble told West Ham's website. "I've been at this club all my life. I've always said I wanted to be at this club and I think we're moving in the right direction."