Sports

Kakamigahara (Japan), June 5 (IANS) The Indian U18 Men’s Hockey Team showed incredible character to defeat arch-rivals Pakistan 5-3 in a high-voltage semi-final match of the U18 Men’s Asia Cup 2026 on Friday. Trailing 2-3 until the final quarter, India produced an outstanding attacking display in the final minutes to secure their place in the summit clash.

The match began with a quiet and tense opening, as both teams fought hard for control in the midfield. India found their rhythm in the 12th minute when a brilliant run from their own half forced a defensive error from Pakistan, earning India a penalty stroke. Forward Ashish Tani Purti (12’) stepped up and calmly converted it to give India an early 1-0 lead, which they maintained until the end of the first quarter.

Pakistan came out playing aggressively in the second quarter and won their first penalty corner in the 16th minute. Indian goalkeeper Ayush Rajak and defender Ansh Bahutra combined perfectly to save a powerful dragflick from Ahmad Uzair. Pakistan kept pressing and found their equaliser in the 27th minute when Adeel intercepted a pass, broke through the defence, and scored a field goal to make it 1-1 at halftime.

The third quarter saw intense action from both sides. India reclaimed the lead in the 35th minute when Shahrukh Ali (35’) capitalised on quick passing and smashed the ball into the net. However, the joy was short-lived as Pakistan responded just two minutes later through a field goal by Muhammad Farhan Aslam in the 37th minute. Pakistan then took the lead for the first time in the 42nd minute when Uzair Ahmad Qureshi converted a penalty corner with a precise dragflick, leaving India trailing 2-3 at the end of the third quarter.

With their tournament life on the line, India launched a furious attack in the final quarter. The pressure forced a green card for Pakistan’s Muzammil Saeed in the 46th minute, and India immediately won consecutive penalty corners. Ashish Tani Purti (49’) fired home a superb dragflick from the second penalty corner to level the score at 3-3.

India completely dominated the following minutes, earning a series of penalty corners. Though Pakistan’s defence blocked a few attempts, they could not stop the Indian frontline for long. In the 53rd minute, Ashish scored another brilliant penalty corner to complete his hat-trick and put India ahead 4-3.

With just four minutes left on the clock, India won another penalty corner, and Ashish (56’) hit the back of the net once again to score his fourth goal of the match, extending the lead to 5-3. The Indian boys held their composure in the dying minutes of the game to defend their lead successfully and book their place in the final.

India will take on hosts Japan in the final of the U18 Men’s Asia Cup on Saturday.

–IANS

hs/bsk/

Dehradun, June 5 (IANS) The country’s top shooters will be in action when the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) conducts the Selection Trials 4 for Group ‘A’ shooters in rifle and pistol events, starting Saturday (June 6) through June 10 in the Trishul Shooting Range at Maharana Pratap Sports College in Dehradun.

It is an important event in the season as the squad for the ISSF World Cup in Hangzhou, China, scheduled for next month, and the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, scheduled for September, will be decided after the trials conclude, in line with NRAI’s selection policy.

With the total number of participants capped at 30 across all three disciplines (Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun) for the Asian Games, multiple shooters must excel in multiple events to make the squad, giving these selection trials greater importance.

The first event scheduled in the competition is Stage 1 of the 25m Rapid Fire Pistol Men. The finals for that event and the finals for both 10m Rifle men and women will be conducted on Monday.

Teenager Suraj Sharma, who recently made his senior World Cup debut in Munich, currently tops the ranking in the 25m Rapid Fire Pistol event, followed by Olympians Anish Bhanwala and Vijayveer Sidhu in second and third place, respectively. Bhavesh Shekhawat, Omkar Singh, and Udhayveer Sidhu follow in fourth, fifth, and sixth places.

Schedule of Selection Trials 4:

June 6 – 25m Rapid Fire Pistol Stage 1

June 7 – 10m Air Rifle Men Final

10m Air Rifle Women Final

25m Rapid Fire Pistol Men Final

25m Pistol Women Precision Stage

June 8 – 25m Pistol Women Rapid Stage and Final

June 9 – 10m Air Pistol Men Final

10m Air Pistol Women Final

50m Rifle 3 Positions Women Final

50m Rifle 3 Positions Men Final

June 10 – 50m Rifle Prone Men & Women

–IANS

bsk/

Berlin, June 5 (IANS) Former world No. 1 Serena Williams has added the Berlin Tennis Open to her comeback schedule as the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion prepares to return to professional tennis after nearly four years away from the sport

The 44-year-old will begin her comeback at the Queen’s Club Championship in London next week, where she is set to compete in the doubles event alongside rising Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko. The pair have received a wildcard entry into the 16-team doubles draw.

While Berlin Tennis Open tournament organisers have now confirmed that Williams will also play doubles at the prestigious competition, which begins on June 15. Her partner for the WTA 500 event is yet to be announced.

“Every tournament I add to my schedule right now feels special, and Berlin is no exception. I’m excited to compete in front of the German fans and continue building momentum throughout the grass-court season,” Williams said on the official Berlin Open website.

Williams has not played a professional match since the 2022 US Open, where she made what was then considered her farewell appearance. Her return has generated significant excitement across the tennis world as fans prepare to see one of the sport’s greatest players back in action.

The Queen’s Club event will also mark Williams’ first appearance at the historic London venue. Women were unable to compete at Queen’s Club between 1973 and 2024, making this year’s tournament the first opportunity for her to play there

One of the most successful players in tennis history, Williams won 23 Grand Slam singles titles and 73 WTA singles trophies during her illustrious career. She also spent 186 consecutive weeks as world No. 1 and finished five seasons as the year-end top-ranked player.

In doubles, Williams enjoyed remarkable success alongside her sister Venus Williams, winning 22 titles, including 14 Grand Slam crowns without losing a final, and four Olympic gold medals.

–IANS

sds/

New Delhi, June 5 (IANS) Former Australia skipper Michael Clarke revealed that he was involved in a serious road accident when he was heading to the airport after the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 final in Ahmedabad. He described it as a “frightening experience” but was able to escape with a few bruises.

Clarke, who was part of the commentary panel for the recently concluded IPL 2026, revealed he was travelling as a passenger in the vehicle when it collided with a semi-trailer, leaving the front half of the car wedged underneath the truck.

“Interesting trip home, to say the least. Let me start by saying thank God for good people in India. That’s why I made it home safely,” Clarke said on the Beyond23 Cricket Podcast.

“I was asleep. I fell asleep after the game, travelling. Obviously, I wasn’t driving. Then I woke up to virtually the front half of the car being under a truck. The driver explained to me that the brake lights on the truck weren’t working. So my driver had hit the truck up the backside. Again, it was a big semi-trailer, and our car had gone underneath,” Clarke revealed. “The car’s certainly written off,” he added.

While the former Australian captain escaped with some bruises, he feared that the driver suffered a broken leg. “I got away with some bruises, but I definitely think he had a little break in his leg. I was really concerned because he was so scared. It wasn’t his car; he works for the company,” Clarke added.

The former World Cup-winning skipper further expressed his gratitude to the BCCI officials, who consistently checked on both him and his injured driver following the accident.

“Everyone at the BCCI, everybody there, they’ve been checking in on him, and they’ve been checking in on me. They’ve been unreal. So I’m very grateful for that. It was a complete accident. These things happen all the time, but for me it was more the shock because I was fast asleep and then woke up to see myself so close to being underneath a truck,” he said.

–IANS

bc/bsk/

New Chandigarh, June 5 (IANS) Less than a week after the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 ended, Shubman Gill’s India are gearing up to return to traditional cricket when they host Afghanistan in a one-off Test at the New PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh starting on Saturday.

Although this match does not count towards the World Test Championship cycle, India has stated they will treat it as seriously as any other Test.

This match is India’s first Test since their series against South Africa in November. It poses a unique challenge for a squad still adjusting to franchise cricket. Eight players from the 15-man squad participated in the IPL final, leaving little time to shift from white-ball cricket to the patience and discipline required in the longest format.

For Gill, this match presents another chance to assert his authority as India’s Test captain while leading a team in transition. The hosts will play without veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who is rested. With Ravichandran Ashwin retired, India will play a home Test without both stalwarts for the first time since 2010.

Head coach Gautam Gambhir dismissed claims that the match holds less importance because it is outside the World Test Championship. “A Test match is a Test match. I know people say this isn’t part of the World Test Championship, but for me, it is a Test match. We need to win for the country because you don’t differentiate between Test matches, whether they are part of the World Test Championship or not. That is why we will try to field our full-strength side for this Test,” Gambhir said.

This match is also important for the venue itself. Until last week, the New PCA Stadium showcased IPL colours as one of Punjab Kings’ home grounds and hosted the Eliminator and Qualifier 2. Now it is preparing for its first Test, becoming the 31st venue to host a men’s Test in India.

India’s team management has confirmed that Sai Sudharsan will continue at No. 3, showing their confidence in him as a long-term solution in that crucial position. The match also marks an important milestone for Rishabh Pant, who is set to play his 50th Test. Only MS Dhoni and Syed Kirmani have played in more Tests as wicketkeepers for India.

With Ashwin retired and Jadeja unavailable, much of the spin workload will fall on Kuldeep Yadav. The left-arm wrist-spinner had a challenging IPL campaign, taking just 10 wickets in 12 matches. However, he has used the break since Delhi Capitals’ early exit to regain his form with the red ball.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan arrive aiming to showcase how far they have come since their first Test appearance against India in Bengaluru in 2018. In that match, they lost in under two days by an innings, but captain Hashmatullah Shahidi believes his team is better prepared this time.

The visitors are missing star leg-spinner Rashid Khan, but they still have an experienced core led by Shahidi and Rahmat Shah. Rahmat is Afghanistan’s top Test batter, holding records for runs, centuries, and fifty-plus scores in the format. He enters this match needing just 30 runs to become the first Afghanistan player to reach 1,000 Test runs.

The Test will also mark the start of a new era for Afghanistan under head coach Richard Pybus, who expects conditions to change significantly over the five days.

“This is a new stadium, it is a new wicket. I think the Indian coaching staff will be as curious to see how the wicket plays as we are. It looks like a good cricket wicket, but I have no doubt the heat will pull moisture out quickly. It has a solid covering of grass, but will it hold together? Spinners will play a major role in the game, even though it looks pretty green at the moment,” Pybus said.

The black-soil surface is predicted to be good for batting early on, although rising June temperatures, expected to reach 40 degrees Celsius, could change its nature as the game progresses. Such conditions are likely to favour spinners and will require endurance and patience.

When: Saturday, June 6, 9:30 AM IST

Where: New PCA Stadium, New Chandigarh

Where to watch: Jiostar and Star Sports Network

Squads:

India: Shubman Gill (C), KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, Rishabh Pant (WK), Devdutt Padikkal, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Manav Suthar, Gurnoor Brar, Dhruv Jurel, Harsh Dubey

Afghanistan: Abdul Malik, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Afsar Zazai, Rahmat Shah, Azmatullah Omarzai, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Nangeyalia Kharote, Qais Ahmad, Ziaur Rahman.

–IANS

hs/bsk/

New Delhi, June 5 (IANS) Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) president Rohan Jaitley said the governing body aims to create year-round opportunities for women cricketers as the second edition of the DDCA Women’s T20 League was officially inaugurated at Modern School, Barakhamba Road, on Friday.

The tournament, one of the largest women’s club cricket competitions in the national capital, has expanded significantly in its second season, growing from 42 teams in its inaugural edition to 60 teams this year. More than 700 players are set to participate across multiple venues in Delhi.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Jaitley highlighted the rapid growth of the competition and reiterated DDCA’s commitment to strengthening the women’s cricket ecosystem in the city.

“The response to the Women’s T20 League over the last year has been extremely encouraging. We started this tournament to give young girls more opportunities to play competitive cricket, and it is great to see it grow from 42 teams to 60 teams in just its second edition,” Jaitley said.

“Our aim is to create year-round opportunities for women cricketers, strengthen the pathway from club cricket to higher levels and ensure that talented players get the platform they deserve. I wish all the participating teams and players the very best for the tournament,” he added.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by members of the DDCA Apex Council, League Committee officials, club representatives and participating players.

DDCA vice president Shikha Kumar welcomed the increasing participation in the tournament and said the competition reflects the growing popularity of women’s cricket in Delhi.

“It is wonderful to see so many girls taking part in the competition this year. More than 700 players will feature in this edition and that itself shows how much women’s cricket is growing in Delhi. The platform is there for these players to showcase their talent and make a mark,” Kumar said.

DDCA secretary Ashok Sharma credited the city’s clubs for playing a key role in the expansion of the competition.

“The clubs of Delhi have always been the backbone of our cricket structure and their support has been vital in making this tournament bigger and stronger. The growth in participation this year is very encouraging,” Sharma said.

The matches will be played at Modern School (Grounds 1 and 2) at Barakhamba Road, Shivaji College in Rajouri Garden, Guru Gobind Singh College in Pitampura and Modern School Ground in Mohan Garden, Uttam Nagar.

The 2026 edition features 60 teams divided into 10 groups, with the tournament set to run over the coming weeks.

–IANS

sds/

New Chandigarh, June 5 (IANS) Afghanistan head coach Richard Pybus has urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to provide his team with a structured Test calendar, insisting that sporadic one‑off matches are not enough to sustain red‑ball cricket in the country.

Afghanistan, which gained Test status in 2018, will play their second Test against India, starting on Saturday. “You come to India, and you play India in India, it’s one of the great challenges in world cricket, and it always has been. There is no doubt that India are incredibly challenging to beat at home, not only because of the quality of the players but obviously their understanding of their home conditions.

“Credit to the BCCI. They’ve given us plenty of cricket this year, which is fantastic for us to be able to develop. When a country gets full membership, it’s one thing to get it; then you need a full fixture list. I’d like to see, going forward, that the other senior full members also start to build out the list. We need to be in a situation now where there’s a proper fixture list,” he said in the pre-match press conference.

The coach was critical of playing a one-off Test match, saying that it denies players the chance to learn and adapt. “To play one Test and have a four or five‑month break before you play your next Test match, if whatever you’re going to learn, there needs to be a concentration of learning.

“So, if we’re playing a three‑Test series, you can back that up, Test after Test after Test. If you’re playing five Tests, that’s even better. When the series started to become a two‑Test series, to me, it made absolutely no sense because you don’t want a series that is a tie. You know, there needs to be a three or five‑Test series so that you can actually win the series.”

Pybus, who took over from Jonathan Trott after the Men’s T20 World Cup was over, admitted that there’s immediate uncertainty over Rashid Khan playing Test cricket due to his back-related issues and a packed cricketing calendar.

“Rashid has got this long-standing back complaint. He’s got such a huge volume of cricket, you know, he’s got to manage himself. I look forward to having that conversation to see how we can support him, not only just with the opportunity to maybe continue to play some red-ball cricket if there is potential for that, but generally make sure he can play as long and as healthy as possible for Afghanistan.”

–IANS

nr/bsk/

Buenos Aires, June 5 (IANS) Former Argentina winger Maxi Rodriguez believes Lionel Messi remains driven by the same hunger and determination that helped him become one of football’s greatest players, saying the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is still motivated by the dream of winning another FIFA World Cup.

Messi, who captained Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar in 2022, is again leading the defending champions at the FIFA World Cup 2026, which will commence on June 11.

“Messi is fuelled by his hunger for glory and his desire to make history again. He keeps going – nothing can stop him. He plays for the pride of representing his country: nothing else crosses his mind, not even breaking records. He wants to be crowned a world champion again. He’s putting everything on the line once more because that hunger is part of who he is,” Rodriguez told FIFA.

“Without that mindset and drive, he wouldn’t have achieved everything that he has. That’s why we’re still able to enjoy another World Cup with him in Argentina’s iconic No. 10 shirt,” he added.

Rodriguez, a former Argentina international who played alongside Messi for more than a decade with the national team, also reflected on sharing a dressing room with both Messi and the late Diego Maradona during the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

The former winger said it felt surreal to be around two of the greatest players in football history.

“It was amazing. I grew up watching Diego and his generation. He was my idol. Then, suddenly, we had Leo there too – the two greatest footballers the world has ever seen, with us every day. It felt like something out of a film,” Rodriguez said. “Sometimes, after training, we would stay behind taking free-kicks, and Diego would join in. We would watch on in awe as Diego and Leo struck the ball. It was madness,” he added.

Rodriguez, who represented Argentina at the 2006, 2010, and 2014 World Cups, said he considers himself fortunate to have been coached by Maradona and to have shared the pitch with Messi for so many years. “One coached me, and I played with Leo for more than ten years with the national team. Those are the kinds of experiences you never think will happen to you,” he said.

While praising Messi’s remarkable achievements, Rodriguez highlighted the Argentina captain’s character as his most admirable quality. “What Leo has done is beyond words, but what really sets him apart is his humility,” Rodriguez added.

Argentina is placed in Group J in the World Cup with lower-ranked teams like Jordan and Algeria, along with Austria, which can ease their route to the next round.

–IANS

sds/bsk/

Lausanne, June 5 (IANS) The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) on Friday said the World Youth Championships 2026 will be held in Istanbul, Turkiye, from November 21 to 28 after a change of host from Bahrain, with the event dates remaining unchanged.

The Bahrain Table Tennis Association decided to withdraw after close consultation with the ITTF, prioritising the safety and well-being of all athletes, officials, and delegations participating in the event due to the war in West Asia.

ITTF President Petra Sorling welcomed the announcement, saying, “We are grateful to Bahrain for their understanding and their commitment to putting the welfare of our athletes first. We have every confidence that Turkiye will deliver an outstanding event, and we look forward to seeing the next generation of champions compete on this historic stage.

The event, which brings together the world’s best junior talent across Under-19 and Under-15 categories, will mark the first ITTF world title event ever staged in Turkiye.

The event will be held at the Ata Sporları Merkezi, a venue no stranger to table tennis, having previously hosted WTT events, and one that is also set to serve as a valuable platform for Turkish organisers ahead of Istanbul 2027, the fourth edition of the European Games.

“Hosting the ITTF World Youth Championships is a significant step forward for the Turkiye Table Tennis Federation and a reflection of our continued commitment to growing the game across Türkiye. We have been working hard to develop the sport at every level, and welcoming the world’s best young players to our country is exactly the kind of moment that inspires the next generation. We look forward to putting on an event that Türkiye can be truly proud of,” Kerim Koc, president, Turkiye Table Tennis Federation.

–IANS

bc/bsk/

El Jadida (Morocco), June 5 (IANS) Last week front-runner Karandeep Kochhar experienced a missed cut and had a rare weekend off. Stung by the reverse, Kochhar spent the weekend at the Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort course working on his short game.

It paid off on the first day of the USD 500,000 IGPL Bharath Classic at the same venue as he carded a 6-under 66 and placed himself one shot behind the leader, Thailand’s Runchanapong Youprayong (65).

Another Indian Aryan Roopa Anand, a recent winner at IGPL Congo, was also in the Top-10. He shot 4-under 68 and was Tied-eighth. Kochhar, 26, winner of four pro titles in India, added his first IGPL win last year at the IGPL Dubai and has been in good form. He was Tied-fourth at the Philippine Golf Championship and then Tied-fifth at the high-profile International Series Japan. He also made cuts at the New Zealand and Singapore Opens.

Kochhar said, “I think the key to this round was putting. I felt like I hit the ball well last week as well but the putter was the main difference. The pace on the greens wasn’t there. I would say, I was really much more comfortable than I had been the last a week, but yeah, I think, but I think I’d really put in a lot of work over the last few days, trying to sort off my putting, and I’m very happy that it showed.”

“I put in a lot of work over the weekend and the first few days on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday as well. So I think all of that, all of that work really showed. in today’s round. The course wasn’t playing that easy, I would say, especially midway through the round. It was really windy, and that whole stretch of 12, 13, 14, 15 is not easy.”

“The conditions weren’t easy. I think today was definitely a little windier than last week. The tees were also pushed back compared to last week. It made a lot of difference because on a couple of holes, what lines you take off the tee changes. I hit a hybrid on one par-three and a couple for my second shots on par-4s. The course was definitely playing longer.”

Kochhar said, “I think I played really well overall. I drove it well, hit the irons well and putted well. I think last week I struggled with my putting.” He added, “I am looking forward to the next few rounds. The course is in great shape. It’s not short, it’s quite windy, the greens are good. So I’m looking forward to the next couple of days.”

–IANS

hs/

Berlin, June 5 (IANS) Four-time champions Germany heads to the FIFA World Cup looking to move beyond the disappointments of 2018 and 2022, while a resilient Ecuador side that proved throughout qualifying it gives nothing away will provide a stern test to its Group E rivals. Cote d’Ivoire also possesses enough quality to trouble any opponent, while Curacao is shaping up as one of the tournament’s potential Cinderella stories.

Germany:

Germany enters the World Cup looking to restore its reputation after group-stage exits in 2018 and 2022.

Former England striker Gary Lineker once said football was a game of 11 against 11, and in the end, the Germans win. However, that was not the case in the last two World Cups. Coach Julian Nagelsmann now has the task of guiding Die Mannschaft back toward its old standards.

There were signs of progress at Euro 2024, where Germany pushed eventual champion Spain to extra time. Although it lost its opening World Cup qualifier to Slovakia, Germany recovered to win its next five matches, scoring 16 goals and conceding just once, according to Xinhua.

Nagelsmann has a squad blending youth and experience, with Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala supported by established figures such as Joshua Kimmich and Antonio Rudiger.

Star player:

Bayern Munich winger Musiala is one of the jewels of German football and among the most exciting talents in the world. His close control, balance and ability to beat defenders make him difficult to contain and thrilling to watch.

Player to watch:

Wirtz endured a difficult debut season at Liverpool after a big-money move, with injuries and adaptation issues slowing his progress. But he improved after the winter break and, at his best, complements Musiala by providing goals, assists and creativity between the lines.

Ecuador

The team:

Ecuador will hope to advance beyond the round of 16 for the first time in its fifth World Cup appearance, having reached that stage only once before, in 2006, and exiting at the group stage in 2002, 2014 and 2022.

Coach Sebastian Beccacece has built a solid, physical team that gives little away in defense. Ecuador began qualifying with a 1-0 defeat to Argentina, then went on a run of three wins and two draws, conceding only two goals. La Tricolor eventually finished second in the standings with eight wins, eight draws and two defeats from 18 matches.

Just five goals conceded in those 18 matches underline its defensive strength, but only 14 goals scored points to a lack of attacking punch.

Star player:

Enner Valencia will be one of the veterans of the tournament, but the 36-year-old remains central to Ecuador’s attack. He marked his 100th appearance for his country by scoring the penalty in a 1-0 win over Argentina in the final round of the South American Qualifiers, further cementing his status as an Ecuador great.

Player to watch:

Moises Caicedo has had a difficult year with Chelsea, but he was still among the club’s more consistent performers. Disciplined, energetic and technically gifted, he will be the midfield anchor for a team built more on collective strength than individual brilliance.

Cote D’ivoire

The team:

Cote d’Ivoire, like Ecuador, is trying to advance from the group stage for the first time in its history at the fourth attempt. The African side returns to the World Cup for the first time since 2014.

Its opening match against Ecuador could be decisive in the fight for second place in the group.

The Elephants enjoyed a comfortable qualifying campaign, scoring 25 goals and not conceding in 10 matches, although 16 of those goals came against Seychelles. Like Ecuador, Emerse Fae’s side is not averse to winning 1-0.

Fae has built a team comfortable in possession but also capable of sitting deep, absorbing pressure and breaking quickly. That tactical flexibility could be vital.

Star player:

Amad Diallo confirmed his Premier League quality this season, playing a key role in Manchester United’s revival. Able to operate on either wing, he has the pace, skill and composure to beat defenders and score important goals.

Player to watch:

RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande is one of Europe’s most exciting young players. The 19-year-old has blistering pace and an eye for goal, and a strong World Cup could accelerate interest from some of the continent’s biggest clubs.

Curacao

The team:

Curacao is one of the clearest examples of a team to benefit from FIFA’s expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams, with the island of some 158,000 people edging past Jamaica in CONCACAF qualifying.

Its Dutch connections have helped in football terms, and coach Dick Advocaat brings huge experience. At 78, Advocaat has worked across the world and will need all that knowledge as Curacao enters the tournament as the clear underdog in the group.

Its opening match against Germany will be a baptism of fire, but Curacao showed character in reaching the finals.

Star player:

The instantly recognizable Tahith Chong is the best-known player in the squad. The midfielder, now with Sheffield United, previously spent time with Manchester United, Club Brugge, Werder Bremen and Luton Town.

An attacking midfielder by trade, Chong may have to operate deeper at the World Cup as Curacao looks to stay compact against stronger opponents.

Player to watch:

Middlesbrough winger Sontje Hansen was born in the Netherlands but switched allegiance to Curacao in late 2025. A product of Ajax’s youth system, he should bring pace, width and technical quality to the side.

–IANS

sds/

New Delhi, June 5 (IANS) India head coach Gautam Gambhir supported the ICC’s decision of trialling the switch from a red ball to a pink ball when bad light threatens a Test match, calling it a “proactive and positive move.” 

During its board meeting on Monday, the ICC has approved a trial of switching from a red ball to a pink ball before the start of a Test that is likely to be affected by bad light, subject to prior agreement from both teams, to maximise play in case of anticipated bad light.

“I love that because I’ve always believed that if there’s an opportunity to get a result, you should always have that opportunity. Imagine if you are playing the last Test match before the World Test Championship final and you have the chance to win that Test match to qualify, and because of bad light, it’s not happening. So I’m all for it,” Gambhir said on the eve of India’s one-off Test against Afghanistan, starting on Saturday.

Until now, pink balls have only been used in day-night Test matches, which are mostly played in Australia. However, a new trial will allow teams to switch from a red ball to a pink ball during a standard day Test. This change aims to keep play going under stadium lights when it gets too dark, minimising the time and overs lost to bad light.

“If there’s an opportunity to get the result, if both teams agree to it… I know it could be a little unfair and difficult for the players, but imagine working hard for two years and the last Test match before the World Test Championship final; if you don’t play five days because of bad light, how unfair that could be. So I think it’s a proactive move, it’s a positive move, and, hopefully, the teams will start taking it in a positive way,” he added.

–IANS

bc/