sports bar: Indias friendlies cancelled

Indias friendlies cancelled Indian football teams hopes of rising in FIFA rankings have been dashed with cancellation of two friendlies against Philippines and Malaysia owing to rescheduling of the SAFF Cup. India were scheduled to play against Philippines on September 6 and Malaysia on September 10,both away matches falling on listed FIFA dates. The eight-nation …

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Indias friendlies cancelled

Indian football teams hopes of rising in FIFA rankings have been dashed with cancellation of two friendlies against Philippines and Malaysia owing to rescheduling of the SAFF Cup. India were scheduled to play against Philippines on September 6 and Malaysia on September 10,both away matches falling on listed FIFA dates. The eight-nation SAFF Cup is slated to be held at Kathmandu from September 1 to 11 while the AFC Cup quarterfinals which also features East Bengal – are scheduled for September 17 and 24. It is unfortunate but then we had no option, AIFF general secretary Kushal Das said. Due to a cramped Asian calender we couldnt postpone the SAFF Cup. The option of moving the SAFF Cup was explored but a few teams from other countries are playing in the AFC Cup, he added.

Bittencourt joins Hanover

Teenage prospect Leonardo Bittencourt has left Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund after agreeing on a four-year deal to join Hanover 96,the Bundesliga clubs said on Tuesday. As part of the deal,Dortmund retain an option the buy back the attacking midfielder when his contract at Hanover expires. The 19-year-old German,who joined Dortmund from Energie Cottbus in 2012,made five league appearances last season,scoring once,and also played one game in the run to the Champions League final.

Hearts set for administration

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Scottish Premier League (SPL) club Hearts served notice on Monday of their intention to appoint an administrator having last week put all their players up for sale and been banned from making new signings. The Edinburgh club has lurched from one crisis to another over the past few months,suffering the fallout from the financial problems of Lithuanian businessman Vladimir Romanov,their largest shareholder. Entering administration is likely to bring a 15-point penalty for next season. The club,who have 25 million pounds ($39.28 million) of debt,invited offers for all their players last Thursday,saying they urgently needed funds to keep going over the close season when there was no match day income.

Divij-Raja make Round 2

Divij Sharan and Purav Raja moved within a win from qualifying for the Wimbledon men’s doubles event after recording a comfortable straight set win. The Indian pair defeated Flavio Cipolla of Italy and American Wayne Odesnik 6-2 6-4 in the opening round of the qualifying event last night. They next play Andreas Haider-Maurer of Austria and Jiri Vesely of Czech Republic in the final qualifying round on Wednesday.

F1s Murray has cancer

Former Formula One commentator Murray Walker,whose enthusiastic style during decades behind the microphone has made him a household name,has been diagnosed with cancer. The 89-year-old,whose catchphrase is Unless I am very mistaken … and I am very much mistaken,has a treatable form of lymphatic system cancer. Theyve caught it incredibly early. Its treatable,the doctors say my condition is mild and Im very hopeful, Walker was quoted as saying by the BBC.

Sania-Liezel in quarterfinals

Sania Mirza and Liezel Huber were made to work hard for points as they struggled past Darija Jurak and Heather Watson to move to the quarterfinals of the WTA Aegon International. The second seeded Indo-American pair recorded a 7-6 (4) 7-6 (3) win over unseeded Czech-British combo in one hour and 36 minutes. Sania and Huber will now fight it out with Romanias Monica Niculescu and Czech Republics Klara Zakopalova for a place in the semifinals.