India-born Moondra realises dream in Ireland win over world champions

India-born bowler Jai Moondra says helping Ireland claim a historic T20 win over the world champions is a "dream come true".

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Germany Manager Slams FIFA Over World Cup Scheduling: "We Are Being Punished"

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann said on Wednesday he believes his side are at a disadvantage as World Cup group winners due to reduced preparation time for their last-32 tie. The four-time world champions are assured of top spot going into their final Group E game against Ecuador on Thursday but will only learn their opponents for the next round less than 48 hours before the match. Germany, as with seven other group winners, must wait until the end of the opening round late on Saturday to discover which of the eight best third-place sides will await them next Monday in Foxborough.

"I think we are being punished as the group leader," Nagelsmann told reporters in New Jersey.

"But if you look at all the algorithms and how everything plays together, it's extremely complex -- and the more teams you have, the more complex it gets."

Germany thrashed Curacao 7-1 in their first game and then came from behind to beat Ivory Coast 2-1, ensuring they will progress beyond the group stage for the first time since winning the World Cup in 2014.

But the expanded 48-team format means they could face a wide range of opponents in the last 32.

"It's not ideal that we don't find out until (late Saturday) who we will play, but we are prepared, we worked out the opponents that are most likely," said the 38-year-old Nagelsmann. 

"We are prepared well enough that we don't have to prepare for the match in such a hectic way on Sunday, because it will be our last training session where we can actually change something. 

"There's a little time pressure there... (but) we are all still pretty young as coaches, and if we have to, then we'll work through the night."

Ecuador are aiming to stave off an early exit after an impressive qualifying campaign raised hopes of a successful tournament.

The South Americans have just one point after a 0-0 draw with newcomers Curacao and a 1-0 loss to Ivory Coast in their opening match. 

"We deserved far more. The way we competed makes us think we're on the right path. It's just our finishing that was lacking," said Ecuador coach Sebastian Beccacece.

"This is the biggest challenge we are facing, the biggest opportunity. I'm not afraid to fail. If you give your all there is nothing to reproach yourself for.

"I am convinced we still have a chance." 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Saracens' Auvaa not punished for Stokes incident

Saracens forward Totoa Auvaa is not sanctioned after he was involved in a nightclub incident with England cricket captain Ben Stokes.

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Watch:Messi Undergoes High Intensity Workout On 39th Birthday Amid FIFA WC

Argentina's FIFA World Cup-winning icon Lionel Messi seems to have no off days, even on his birthdays, as he sweated it out in a gym on his 39th birthday on Wednesday. Messi turned 39 on Wednesday, entering a new chapter, a new year of his life as the FIFA World Cup's top goal-scorer of all time. On his Instagram, Messi posted a video of himself doing a full-intensity workout, focusing on his upper body, arms etc. Messi-led Argentina has made to the round of 16 in the FIFA World Cup, and their last group stage match against Jordan will take place in Texas on June 28.

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A post shared by Leo Messi (@leomessi)

Messi became the highest goal-scorer in tournament history, as his brace guided Argentina to a win over Austria. After scoring his first World Cup hat trick in the campaign opener against Algeria, Messi continues to make headlines with his record-breaking ways. He has scored all his side's five goals in the tournament

As per OptaJoe, Messi is just the second player in the tournament history to score his country's first five goals in a single edition, along with Oleg Salenko for Russia in 1994.

During the match, Messi, set to celebrate his 39th birthday on Wednesday, had 71 touches, the oldest striker since 1966 to have 50-plus touches in a WC match.

Messi's brace not only won his side their clash against Austria, but also brought him above Miroslav Klose (16 goals) as the leading goal-scorer in the history of the FIFA World Cup, with 18 goals. He also equalled the record of France's Just Fontaine and Brazil's Jairzinho by putting his name on the scoresheet in his sixth successive WC game.

Messi set a new record for the most wins by a player in FIFA World Cup history, surpassing German legend Miroslav Klose's tally of 17 victories, with his 18th WC match win.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Fury fight only goes to US if Joshua agrees new terms - Hearn

Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury are contractually committed to staging their fight in the UK, says Eddie Hearn - and any attempt to move it to the United States would need Joshua's team to agree new terms.

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Chelsea close in on Palestra as Alonso's first signing

Chelsea are set to sign Atalanta defender Marco Palestra for a fee in excess of £43m.

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Deschamps returns to France after death of his mother

France head coach Didier Deschamps will miss his side's final World Cup group game following the death of his mother, the French Football Federation confirms.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/F54RSir

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