News 17 // 24 Jan 2019, 17:06 IST SHARE John Obi Mikel has joined Middlesbrough on a short-term deal, the Championship club have confirmed.The 31-year-old has finalised his move to the Riverside Stadium after leaving Chinese side Tianjin Teda at the end of the Super League season in November.Mikel is Boro's second signing this month, following the loan arrival of Rajiv van La Parra from Huddersfield Town.The midfielder spent 11 years in England with Chelsea, winning two Premier League titles, three FA Cups, the EFL Cup, the Europa League and the Champions League.The Nigeria international, who played at last year's World Cup, had been linked with moves to Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga, as well as Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr, before agreeing to sign for Boro.Tony Pulis' side sit fifth in the Championship table after 28 matches, seven points behind leaders Leeds United. Fetching more content... … [Read more...] about Mikel joins Middlesbrough on short-term deal
Minerva resume I-League with return-leg clash against Shillong Lajong
News 5 // 24 Jan 2019, 17:00 IST SHARE Panchkula, Jan 24 (PTI) Their hopes of defending the title now quashed, Minerva Punjab FC resume their I-League campaign with a 14th round clash against bottom-placed Shillong Lajong here Friday.The first-leg at the JLN stadium in Shillong ended in a 2-2 stalemate.Minerva have not won in over a month and a half and the last points Shillong picked up was against their Friday hosts in the first leg over two months back.Minerva managed a last-gasp equaliser in their previous game at the same venue against Gokulam Kerala and their search for goals and goal-scorers continue this season.Three of the mere seven goals that Minerva have scored in the 13 games played so far, have come from defenders, including last week's lone goal against Gokulam. Irish coach Paul Munster will be a worried man with the AFC Champions League games getting closer by the day.He seemed to be acknowledging the problem in the pre-game presser, … [Read more...] about Minerva resume I-League with return-leg clash against Shillong Lajong
Ruthless Nadal routs Tsitsipas to reach Australian Open final
News 13 // 24 Jan 2019, 16:50 IST SHARE Melbourne, Jan 24 (AFP) Rafael Nadal handed rising star Stefanos Tsitsipas a tennis lesson Thursday as he drubbed him 6-2, 6-4, 6-0 in the Australian Open semi-final.Greek 14th seed Tsitsipas had enjoyed a fairytale run to his first Grand Slam last four, including a win over Roger Federer, but found Nadal in ruthless form as he won in 1hr 46min.The Spanish second seed has not dropped his serve for an astonishing 63 straight games and has not lost a set on his way to the final, where he will face either Novak Djokovic or Lucas Pouille."It's been a great match, a great tournament," Nadal said after a breathtaking display of almost perfect tennis."I think I have played very well every day. After a lot of months without playing is probably this court, this crowd it gives me that unbelievable energy."The 20-year-old Tsitsipas had been hailed as a new Greek god of tennis after beating Federer, but his ascent to the … [Read more...] about Ruthless Nadal routs Tsitsipas to reach Australian Open final
Osaka unfazed by Nissin ad controversy as Australian Open final looms
News 8 // 24 Jan 2019, 17:06 IST SHARE Naomi Osaka understands why people were offended by an advert's controversial portrayal of her but she insists her focus is solely on her upcoming Australian Open final.Japanese noodle company Nissin, a sponsor of Osaka, apologised on Wednesday after whitening her face in an ad which displayed the US Open champion as an anime character.Osaka, who was born in Japan to a Japanese mother and a Haitian father and moved to the United States when she was young, spoke publicly about the issue for the first time after defeating Karolina Pliskova in Thursday's semi-final.A 6-2 4-6 6-4 success booked her place in a second grand slam decider, where she will meet Petra Kvitova, conqueror of Danielle Collins in straight sets."I'm just focused on this right now. I've gotten to the final of a slam, and that's sort of my main priority," Osaka told a news conference when asked about the Nissin ad."I've talked to them. They've … [Read more...] about Osaka unfazed by Nissin ad controversy as Australian Open final looms
3 reasons why Barcelona lost at Sevilla
Top 5 / Top 10 181 // 24 Jan 2019, 16:57 IST SHARE The defending champions, Barcelona, are in serious danger of bowing out of the Copa Del Rey after suffering a 2-0 defeat at Sevilla. It was sweet revenge for the home team who were beaten by Barcelona in the finals of Copa Del Rey during the last two years. It is still only half-completed revenge as the return leg is still remaining.Considering the way the defending champions have been dealing with the first leg defeats over the years, one could argue that they can still win the tie.As the visitors came from a dominating win in the previous round of the competition, they were looking to secure the tie even without the likes of Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets. However, the home side was hungry to avenge their yesteryear losses in the competition at the hands of the Catalans.The men in white looked razor sharp from the beginning. With a dominating display, they won the first leg 2-0.Let us now look … [Read more...] about 3 reasons why Barcelona lost at Sevilla