EB thrash Gokulam Kerala 3-1 in I-League

Kolkata

East Bengal returned to their winning ways by thrashing Gokulam Kerala FC 3-1 in their I-League match at the Salt Lake Stadium. Brandon Vanlalremdika (4th min), Jobby Justin (14th min) and Lalram Chullova (82nd min) were on target as the Red and Gold brigade secured their first win on home soil this season. In the 58th minute, Ghanaian striker Christian Sabah pulled one back for Gokulam Kerala FC, tapping the ball into an open net after goalkeeper Rakshit Dagar was caught napping.

New Delhi

India can qualify for 2020 Olympics: Equestrian coach

The Indian men’s equestrian team has a golden chance of a maiden qualification at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, said foreign coach Rodolphe Scherer. “Asian Games showed if Army, government and federation can work together, results will come,” Scherer said on the sidelines of the Delhi Horse Show. “If they can not work together, then future is dark. Having said that, India has a very good chance to qualify,” the Frenchman added. India won a record two medals at the 2018 Asian Games, including the silver won by Fouaad Mirza. Scherer has been working with the Indian team for the past two years. India will have to compete against Indonesia, Thailand, China and South Africa for the final two Olympic spots.

New Delhi

Manav enters Junior Worlds quarters

Manav Thakkar beat Feng Yi-Hsin of Chinese Taipei 11-7 8-11 11-4 9-11 14-12 11-1 to enter the Junior boys singles quarterfinals in the 2018 World Junior Championships at Bendigo, Australia. However, Manush Shah and Jeet Chandra exited after losing their main draw matches in the first round. Before taking on the Taipei opponent, the second-seeded Thakkar defeated Canada’s Jeremy Hazin 11-9 11-6 11-3 11-5 to earn a meeting with Feng, who was equally adept to the demands of the round of 16 ties when he took on the Indian. The Indian takes on China’s Xiang Peng in the quarterfinals.

London

Stokes, Hales fined, but free to play for England

Ben Stokes and Alex Hales were fined for their involvement in a nightclub altercation but were cleared to play for England after match bans were either suspended or declared served. All-rounder Stokes and batsman Hales had appeared before a two-day disciplinary hearing after the England and Wales Cricket Board charged the pair with bringing the game into disrepute following the September 2017 incident in Bristol. Stokes was handed an eight-match ban by the disciplinary panel, which accepted that he had already missed that number of games and therefore remained eligible for immediate selection. The player, who was cleared of affray at Bristol crown court last August, was also fined a total of $38,193.00 with half to be paid to charity. — Agencies

Madrid

Atletico beat Alaves 3-0 to move to second place

Atletico Madrid moved into provisional second place in La Liga with a 3-0 win over fourth-placed Alaves on Saturday to join leaders Barcelona on 28 points. Nikola Kalinic, Antoine Griezmann and Rodri struck for Atletico in a tight battle against the high-flying Basques, with Diego Simeone’s side simply more clinical in front of goal. Later on Saturday Barcelona were to play Espanyol. 

St Petersburg

Hamilton gets F1 trophy, eager to win more

Lewis Hamilton looked forward to more success with Mercedes after collecting his fifth Formula One world champion’s trophy at the governing FIA’s gala awards on Friday night. Britain’s most successful racing driver also won a media vote for personality of the year — denying Red Bull rival Max Verstappen a fourth in a row. Asked whether matching Michael Schumacher’s record seven championships was his ultimate goal, Hamilton said he had never set that as a target. 

Johannesburg

Oosthuizen shoots 67 for 3-stroke lead in SA Open

Hometown favourite Louis Oosthuizen put on a short game exhibition to open up a three-shot lead at the South African Open at Randpark Golf Club on Saturday and set himself up for a first success in the tournament. Major winner Oosthuizen produced a masterclass of mid-range putting and bunker play as his four-under-par 67 took him clear of Zambian Madalitso Muthiya, Matt Wallace of England and overnight leader Charl Schwartzel. Oosthuizen, who has not won a tournament in two years, picked up two shots in his first 10 holes and recorded three birdies on the back nine. — Agencies