Robbie Keane strikes winner as ATK win 1-0
kolkata: Robbie Keane struck late in the second half to help two-time champions ATK pip Delhi Dynamos 1-0 in an Indian Super League encounter, here on Saturday. The former Ireland and Spurs player injected life into the game with a spectacular finish in the 78th minute to score his first goal of the season. This was ATK's second win from six matches as they climbed to seventh position in the league table with eight points. After being routed by Pune 1-4 in their first home appearance of 2017, this was ATK's first home win of the season. Keane, the 'Player of the Match', celebrated it with a double somersault and gestured with folded hands towards their gallery where co-owner Sourav Ganguly was cheering the side. ATK were a better side in the first-half and had the better share of chances but missed to score at least half a dozen chances.
Pune City storm into top 4 with win over Goa
new delhi: FC Pune City leaped into fourth place after a stunning 2-0 win over table-toppers FC Goa in the Indian Super League (ISL) here on Saturday. By dishing out another impressive counter-attacking performance, they snapped the home side's streak of three consecutive wins. It looked like both teams would cancel each other out until the 72nd minute when Marcelinho threaded a pass forward for Emiliano Alfaro, who clinically buried it past Laxmikant Kattimani. Alfaro had a chance to double the lead two minutes later but his shot didn't have enough pace and was cleared away. However, Pune finally had their second goal in the 84th minute when Jonatan Lucca gleefully converted after Mandar Rao Dessai's clearance deflected into his path. Ranko Popovic's methods are finally working, and Pune will host NorthEast United with a lot of confidence in their next match, which is on December 30.
BCCI appoints Saba Karim as General Manager
New Delhi: Former India wicketkeeper Saba Karim was today appointed as General Manager (Cricket Operations) of the BCCI. The appointment was on expected lines as Karim's name was doing the rounds for quite sometime. The other big name in the fray was former pacer Venkatesh Prasad. Karim will assume office from January 1 and he will report to CEO Rahul Johri. He will assist Johri in meeting the Board's vision and strategy, the BCCI said. The GM's post has been lying vacant since the resignation of MV Sridhar in September over the issue of conflict of interest.
Sushil Kumar picked for Rs 55 lakh by Sultans
new delhi: Double Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar was picked for a whopping Rs 55 lakh during Pro Wrestling League auctions, here on Saturday. Six franchises intensely bid for India's greatest indvidual Olympian, who recently won gold medal at the Commonwealth Wrestling Championship in South Africa. "We are honored to have Sushil as part of our team. We are currently bidding for the best players and are certain of making it as the best team," said a statement from the Delhi franchise. PWL is set to start from January 9.