Golf
India still has a chance to win the hockey world cup despite their close loss to New Zealand.
In the end, the numbers told the story of the match between India and New Zealand at the Women’s Hockey World Cup. India earned 15 penalty corners but converted just one. New Zealand scored three goals from five penalty corners. India had 11 shots on goal, compared to New Zealand’s five. India penetrated the circle 28 times, 14 more than New Zealand.
India lost the match 3-4 to a side which was more clinical and efficient. But Savita Punia and Co stay alive in the World Cup to play at least one more match in the crossover stage. India finished third in their Pool (two points) above China (also two points) because they had a better goal difference (India: -1, China: -2). New Zealand qualified directly to the quarterfinals with seven points from three matches. England ended up taking the second spot with four points.
Disappointment and tears
As the teams were regrouping after an intense match of hockey, the camera panned to show the faces of Indian players. Monika Malik, Udita and captain Savita Punia were left with tears while head coach Janekke Schopman’s disappointment was evident on her face. After the high of the Olympics, this team wanted to replicate the success in the World Cup. They have a good team; they play the modern attacking brand of hockey and they finished third in the recent Pro League season. But on Friday, their hopes and ambitions came close to crashing down.
India has a chance to advance to the quarterfinals by defeating New Zealand in the final Pool B match. With an outstanding goal by Vandana Katariya in the fourth minute, they got off to a terrific start. India won the ball in midfield in their previous match against China, but they struggled with the final passes. Against New Zealand, this was not the case. After Neha Goyal received the ball in the attacking third, she transferred it to Lalremsiami inside the penalty area, who swiftly passed it to Vandana, who quickly dived and deflected the ball into the net.
Sushila Chanu’s stunning defense-splitting pass, which Lalremsiami expertly deflected into the goal while India was down 1-3, also led to their second goal.
The issue was that New Zealand didn’t have to exert constant pressure in order to score goals. They only needed one successful opportunity or one little error to punish their adversaries. From their first penalty corner, they tied the score at one. Olivia Merry’s low shot was deflected into the goal by Savita Punia’s pads. Tessa Jopp scored the second goal for New Zealand as a result of Udita’s error of losing the ball inside the circle. Frances Davies converted off a deflection from a penalty corner to make it 3-1 in the third period. The fourth goal for New Zealand came from another penalty corner, with Savita this time getting her glove on the ball but not enough to stop it.
New Zealand excels at this. In their previous game, England outplayed them and scored first, but ultimately fell short 3-1. They had 34 inputs into the circle and 14 penalty corners, but they just couldn’t score enough goals while New Zealand took advantage of their opportunities.
Why are India’s chances at converting penalty corners so poor?
This is unquestionably a cause for concern. However, India played two exceptionally strong teams when it came to penalty corner defence in China and New Zealand, thus a higher conversion rate would have made a big difference in the outcome. Schopman mentioned how China’s defence in the previous game vexed England before frustrating India. India’s inability to put their variations into play versus New Zealand was another disadvantage.
Next steps for India
India will compete against Spain on Sunday for a spot in the quarterfinals after Spain placed second in Pool C. The match will be played at the Estadi Olmpic de Terrassa, giving Spain the added benefit of playing in front of their own supporters. Australia will play the winner of this game on July 13.
Although India hasn’t yet won any games, the tournament’s structure gives them a chance to advance all the way. India has already played three extremely challenging games, and during all three of them, they stayed true to their aggressive style of hockey. They might be able to defeat Spain with a successful performance at converting penalty corners. And we already know what happened when India and Australia last faced off in a major tournament’s quarterfinal.
Golf
PAK vs NZ: Pakistan brutally trolled as Ajaz Patel-Matt Henry score 104-run 10th wicket partnership
New Zealand’s last two batters, Ajaz Patel and Matt Henry, made the Pakistani bowlers look bad by putting up 104 runs for the last wicket.
The first Test between Pakistan and New Zealand was fun to watch, and if the first two days are any indication, the second Test could be just as good. New Zealand was down to 345/9, but Pakistan shot themselves in the foot when Matt Henry and Ajaz Patel added 104 runs for the 10th wicket.
The BlackCaps’ innings started with 71 runs from Tom Latham. Then Devon Conway hit 122 runs to keep his good form going.
Tom Blundell also helped by scoring 51 runs, but the Pakistani bowlers were kept away by Henry’s quick 68-run innings and Patel’s 35-run knock in 78 balls.
As a direct result of this, Tim Southee’s team went from having 345/9 to having 449/10. In the meantime, fans of Pakistan were looking forward to seeing a better performance from the bowling unit, who had previously struggled against England in a manner that was very similar.
Fans cruelly mocked the bowling attack that Babar Azam’s team used since they were unable to stop the New Zealand tailenders from scoring runs.
NZ’s last wicket partnership stood a solid 104 runs against supposedly worlds best bowling team Pakistan (🤣🤣)#NZvsPAK
— Arvind (@petrolheadremix) January 3, 2023
#NZvsPAK NZ were 345-9 and Pakistan needed 1 wicket on 1 ball to get them all out,instead they gave 104 runs to last pair,no wonder we end up at last number of the World Test Championship,
— Saqib M 🇵🇰 (@saqibmusvi) January 3, 2023
poor bowling,@mirhamza_k and @RealHa55an disappointed.On the defensive again @Shoaib_Jatt
10th Wicket partnership of 104 from #NewZeland against the best bowling attack #Pakistan.
— Norbert Elekes (@N0rbertElekes) January 3, 2023
🤣 🤣🤣🤣 🤣 🤣
🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣🤣🤣
🤣 🤣🤣🤣 🤣#PAKvNZ
The 104 run Henry-Patel partnership has broken the record for the highest final wicket partnership by a touring side on Pakistani soil, which reflects really poorly on Pakistan’s bowling attack, and on Babar Azam’s capaincy.#PAKvNZ
— Behram Qazi 🇵🇰 🇨🇦 (@DeafMango) January 3, 2023
Some cricket analysts said Pakistan bowling attack is great. Look at the NZ tail scoring.#PakistanCricket
— Vats of India (@enggbhatta) January 3, 2023
Nothing but a downfall of Pakistan cricket has started. Leave Pakistan bowling aside for a minute. If NZ can score 449 . Y cannot Pakistan score 600 ? #pakvsNz pic.twitter.com/6qiuVtl4PV
— Furkan (@bahutkhatarnak) January 3, 2023
On Thursday, Pele died in Sao Paulo at the age of 82. He was a famous Brazilian football player who rose from poverty to become one of the best and most famous athletes in modern history. After a tumor was found on his colon a few months ago, he had been in and out of the hospital a lot.
Pele, whose real name was Edson Arantes do Nascimento, scored 1,281 goals, which is a world record. He is also the only player to win the World Cup three times.
With his great skills and winning smile, he helped make football the most popular sport in the world. During his seven-decade career as a player and ambassador for the sport, he won over popes, presidents, and Hollywood stars.
Brazilian soccer great Pele died on Thursday aged 82 after a long battle with cancer. https://t.co/5tXQtx1LWB
— Reuters Sports (@ReutersSports) December 30, 2022
Born on October 23, 1940, in the small Minas Gerais town of Tres Corações, he \slearned the game from his father, a semi-professional player whose promising \scareer was derailed by a knee injury.
Several aspects of his youth are obscured by myth, including the origin of his \sfamous nickname. As Pele (sometimes) told it, he often played as goalkeeper in \sneighborhood games, and kids began comparing him to a local player named \s”Bile” – and the letters got twisted over the years.
Whatever the truth, he was soon dazzling scouts not as a goalkeeper but as an \sattacking forward – a prototype number 10.
Pele, the legendary Brazilian soccer player who rose from barefoot poverty to become one of the greatest and best-known athletes in modern history, died at the age of 82. Here's a look at his career https://t.co/5hY5x2CSu6 pic.twitter.com/a0b20t7lqI
— Reuters Sports (@ReutersSports) December 29, 2022
He was admired for his many skills, and no player since has been able to do as much as he could. He could play with both feet, was fast and strong, could head, pass, tackle, and, of course, score goals.
At age 15, he joined Santos, a small coastal club, and made it one of the most famous names in football.
During his 18 years at the club, he won every title in Brazilian football as well as two Copa Libertadores, the South American version of the Champions League, and two Intercontinental Cups, an annual tournament between the best teams in Europe and South America.
Soon, the national team saw how good he was, and he was picked to go to the 1958 World Cup in Sweden with Brazil. However, a team psychologist called the 17-year-old “obviously childish” and told the team not to play him.
“#Pelé was one of the few who contradicted my theory: Instead of 15 minutes of fame, he will have 15 centuries.” – Andy Warhol pic.twitter.com/ZDElPiLtsh
— OldFootballPhotos (@OldFootball11) December 30, 2022
In the semi-final against France, Pele went on to score three goals in the first half.
and two more against the host Swedish team in the final, which helped Brazil win.
to its first championship in any sport.
Only two of the games in the 1962 Cup, which Brazil won, were played without him because of injuries.
Pele won the title at the 1970 tournament in Mexico when he was 29 years old and a fully grown man. for a third time with a Brazil team that included Carlos Alberto and other stars.
Many people think that Torres and Tosto were the best team ever.
“Before the game, I told myself, “He’s just skin and bones like everyone else.”
else, “Tarcisio Burgnich, the Italian defender who was supposed to watch Pele,
1970 final.
“I was wrong, though.”
“Absolutely everybody wanted to shake his hand, to get a photo with him. Saying you had partied with #Pelé was the biggest badge of honour going." – Mick Jagger pic.twitter.com/g0LBTSV8Xp
— OldFootballPhotos (@OldFootball11) December 30, 2022
New York Star
Pele retired in 1974, but he soon found out that some bad investments had left him broke. The next year, he accepted an offer to play in the new North American Soccer League for a whopping $1 million a year.
Even tough New Yorkers were impressed by Pele’s charm. He hung out with famous people and once sat at the same table as Mick Jagger, Rod Stewart, and Andy Warhol at the famous Studio 54 nightclub. Warhol said that Pele was the only person he knew who didn’t have 15 minutes of fame.
The artist said, “Pele was one of the few people who didn’t agree with my theory. Instead of 15 minutes of fame, he will have 15 centuries.”
Dearest Pele! You and your game, and the way you played it, will always be #GameChanger for millions of people all the world. Whether they played football or not. Thank you for your inspiring life.🙏 #RipLegend #OmShanti #Pele pic.twitter.com/Uam4CZK0cr
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) December 30, 2022
Even with people like these, Pele didn’t drink or do drugs. He said he had to protect his body and be a good example for kids.
He did say, though, that he had other “weaknesses.” People thought there was a big difference between the clean-cut corporate pitchman and the mysterious person who preferred to be called Edson. This was because he had two divorces, had many affairs, and had two children outside of marriage.
On the field, Pele led the New York Cosmos to the league championship in 1977. This made millions of people interested in a sport that seemed foreign and European before Pele.
Years later, when the United States won the right to host the 1994 World Cup, the head of the U.S. football federation said that Pele was the “most important” reason why.
The FIFA website says that Pele scored 1,281 goals in 1,366 games, which is a shocking rate of 0.94 goals per game. Some of those goals came in friendlies or games he played as part of his military service, but he was just as good in official tournaments, scoring 757 goals in 812 games.
In the past few years, Pele had a number of health problems, including hip surgery that left him in pain and unable to walk without help. He didn’t show up in public as much, but he was still active on social media.
Pele had at least six children who are still alive. In 2006, one of his children who he didn’t know was his for years died of cancer.
As they get ready to play Argentina in the round of 16, Australia’s players are unable to disguise their adoration for Lionel Messi, but they are confident that they have what it takes to shock the South American powerhouses.
Australia defeated Denmark 1-0 on Wednesday night to go to the World Cup’s knockout rounds, joining Group D champions France for the first time since 2006.
Their reward for doing so, though, is one of the most difficult challenges in football right now: a matchup with a hot-handed Argentina on Saturday night at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium.
World Cup Daily: Wild day sees Japan, Spain survive, Germany knocked out – Lynch: Australia dares to dream – we are all Socceroos now – World Cup 2022 bracket: Who plays who in the round of 16?
La Albiceleste defeated Poland in their final group game on Wednesday, helped by a magnificent performance from their talisman.
Despite not directly contributing to either of his team’s goals at Stadium 974 and having a penalty saved against them, Messi was outstanding overall. He broke Diego Maradona’s record for most chances created and dribbles completed in a World Cup game. With 22, he also outdid Maradona in terms of World Cup games played.
Defender Milos Degenek stated, “I always adored Messi and I think he’s the finest to play the game.” However, playing against him is not an honor because he is only a human, just like the rest of us.
“Being in the World Cup round of 16 is an honor. That in itself is an honor. It would have been an honor to represent Australia in the round of 16 of a World Cup, regardless of whether we faced Argentina or Poland.”
In addition to becoming the first Victorian to ever score at a World Cup on Wednesday, Mat Leckie’s goal helped the Socceroos defeat the Danes and ensured that, along with Maty Ryan, they would break Australia’s all-time appearance record at men’s World Cups against the Argentines.
And he claims that his team has little to lose because so few neutrals are forecasting anything other than an Argentine procession.
“It lasts 90 to 120 minutes. It’s also a knockout match “said Leckie. There is no pressure on us because nobody expected us to be here, so we can throw everything at them.
“Prior to the event, I told all the lads that I thought doing what they had always done to get here and express themselves would bring out the best in them.
“We simply need to enjoy the occasion and the time without feeling any strain. Nobody thinks we’ll prevail. So let’s surprise everyone.
“Playing against arguably the best football player to ever grace the game will be challenging. However, it’s 11 versus 11. There is only one Messi, not eleven.”
Argentina and Australia overcame losses on the first day to move on to the round of 16. The Socceroos’ 4-1 beating at the hands of France was far more destructive than Argentina’s 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia, which was far from perfect.
Degenek thinks his team has learned some lessons from that game that they can put into practice on Saturday, thanks in part to Coach Graham Arnold’s rapid decision to reframe it as a “friendly” and learning experience.
We gained a lot of knowledge from the France game. I believe we treated them with a little [too much] respect, said Degenek. “This game in two days will be entirely different from this game.
“Argentina will play one style while France will play another. You can’t really just transfer everything from one game into another game because the two types of football are so drastically different from one another.
“You can, however, draw some positives from it as you prepare for your match against Argentina. However, France does not possess the well-known man that Argentina possesses. He is fully capable of anything.
Unfortunately, even though I am a big fan of his, I would much rather win the World Cup than witness him do so.
1000 Runs in ODIs: Kohli’s Cricket Legacy
Shaheen Shah Afridi: Fastest to 100 ODI Wickets
ICC World Cup: Shoaib Akhtar says, ‘Mai India ki tareef kyu na karu’
South Africa’s World Cup dreams have taken a major hit.
Wimbledon 2022: Andy Murray knocked out by John Isner despite late fightback
