Bengaluru, July 7 (IANS) Gerard Zaragoza’s Bengaluru FC returned for pre-season training amid wild fanfare at the Bangalore Football Stadium, as the club began the build up to the 2024-25 campaign with an open training session, where as many as six new players were revealed to the supporters.

The Blues, who ended their 2023-24 campaign on a dismal note, unable to make the playoffs of the Indian Super League, welcomed former players Rahul Bheke and Lalthuammawia Ralte to the fold along with former Punjab FC left-back Mohamed Salah. Bheke, who scored the Blues’ winning goal in the 2018-19 Indian Super League campaign, returns after a successful stint at Mumbai City FC where he won the ISL Shield in 2022-23 and the ISL Cup in 2023-24 as skipper.

“It was really great to be back in Bengaluru and to train in front of our supporters today. We want to give them back for all the love they’ve shown to us today and for their belief in us. I believe we have assembled a very good squad for this season and I’m really looking forward to all the challenges that lie in wait,” said Zaragoza, speaking during the interaction.

Also present at the event and unveiled to the fans was Spanish attacker Edgar Mendez. Mendez, who most recently turned out for Mexican LigaMX side Club Necaxa, is a product of the Real Madrid Juvenil side, and has made over 150 La Liga appearances across stints in Almeria, Granada and Alaves. Mendez also had a three-year stint with Cruz Azul in Mexico, where he won the Copa MX: Apertura in 2018 and Supercopa MX: and Leagues Cup titles in 2019.

“I’m really glad to have signed for a club like Bengaluru FC, and to be introduced in such a fashion in front of – what I’ve been told are some of the best supporters in this country. I’m really looking forward to pre-season and the season to come. I hope to be able to contribute in the best possible way,” said Mendez, after being unveiled to the supporters.

Also unveiled to the fans was the attacking duo of Spanish midfielder Alberto Noguera and Argentine striker Jorge Pereyra Diaz, who turned out for Mumbai City FC in their victorious 2023-24 ISL campaign. With both players awaiting documentation that would allow their travel to India, the club erected giant outdoor hoardings to announce their arrival to the club in front of the fans gathered on Sunday.

“It’s an incredible feeling for me. I’ve said before that these are the best fans in the country and I’m really glad to be back in front of them and to represent Bengaluru FC. I have great memories of my time here from my previous stint, and I am looking forward to creating more such moments,” said Bheke, speaking to the fans during an interaction.

Bengaluru begin their 2024-25 campaign with the Durand Cup, scheduled to take place next month in Kolkata

–IANS

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Harare, July 7 (IANS) Abhishek Sharma overcame a sluggish start to slam a 47-ball hundred – his first century in international cricket, while Ruturaj Gaikwad smashed 77 not out and Rinku Singh hit an unbeaten 48 as the trio propelled India to a massive 234/2 in the second T20I against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club on Sunday.

Less than 24 hours after being bowled out for 102 in a 13-run defeat in the T20I series opener on Saturday, India made a stunning batting turnaround on a tough pitch, thanks to the efforts of Abhishek, Gaikwad and Rinku.

Abhishek’s first 50 runs came in 33 balls, before amassing his next 50 runs in just 13 balls to smash a whirlwind century, laced with seven fours and eight sixes. He showed patience at the start, before attacking the bowlers – especially Dion Myers and Wellington Masakadza – after power-play to play a memorable knock.

After he fell, Gaikwad seamlessly shifted gears in his knock laced with 11 fours and a six, while Rinku smashed two fours and seven sixes as India amassed 82 runs off the last five overs, with Zimbabwe’s fielding and bowling display looking ordinary.

Electing to bat first, India lost captain Shubman Gill early when he whipped straight to mid-on off Blessing Muzarabani. Abhishek, who opened his account with a pulled six off Brian Bennett in the opening over, thumped the spinner through cover for consecutive boundaries.

In between, Zimbabwe’s bowlers were right on the money to keep Abhishek and Ruturaj Gaikwad in check with seam movement and tight lines. Abhishek wasn’t getting desired timing and was dropped on 27 by Wellington Masakadza off Luke Jongwe.

From there, Abhishek shifted gears by pulling and lofting Sikandar Raza for four and six respectively. After Gaikwad took two boundaries off Jongwe, Abhishek nailed his pulls thrice – one of which got him his fifty in 33 balls – off Dion Myers.

He then thumped and swiped Myers for six and four respectively to take 28 runs off the 11th over. Raza was back in Abhishek’s firing line as he launched him for six and four more, before overturning a caught-behind decision on review.

The carnage continued as Abhishek smoked Masakadza for three sixes – last of which was flicked over fine leg – to get his first T20I century for India. But his blitz came to an end immediately when he threw his hands at an outside off-stump ball and outside edge was caught by backward point.

After that, with Rinku hitting boundaries from the word go, Gaikwad also found boundaries to get his fifty. Gaikwad then teared into Chatara – tonking twice in the ‘V’ for two boundaries, before hitting two fours through the off-side to take 20 runs off the 18th over.

Rinku then slammed Muzarabani for two sixes in the 19th over, before hitting a four and a brace of maximums off Jongwe in the final over, with Gaikwad taking a boundary, to help India cross 230-mark.

Brief Scores: India 234/2 (Abhishek Sharma 100, Ruturaj Gaikwad 77 not out; Wellington Masakadza 1-29, Blessing Muzarabani 1-30) against Zimbabwe

–IANS

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Bengaluru, July 7 (IANS) Former champion from Bengaluru, Ruhaan Alva of MSport clinched the day’s honors with a fine double in the Senior Max category as the second round of the National Rotax Max Karting 2024 concluded at the Kartopia track, here on Sunday.

Nikhilesh Raju of Peregrine Racing, also from Bengaluru, won the Junior Max final, but it was Arafat Sheik who topped the pre-final race in the Junior class. Mumbai’s Hamza Balasinorwala of Rayo Racing won the Micro Max final after Chennai’s Rivaan Dev Preetham of MSport bagged the pre-final.

Alva took a fine victory in the final race, but in the pre-final, Akshat Misra of Crest Motorsports finished ‘first’ before logging a 5-second penalty for causing a collision and was pushed down to second place behind Alva. Ishaan Madesh of Peregrine Racing came third in both races.

Earlier, in the pre-final of the Junior class, Nikhilesh Raju had to be content with a second place as Pune’s Arafath Sheikh of Crest Motorsport notched up a comfortable win. Mumbai’s Kiaan Shah of Rayo Racing completed the podium in third in both races.

In the Micro Max pre-final, first round winner 11-year-old Rivaan Dev Preetham, took the honors as he edged out Danish Dalmiya of MSport to second. Dalmiya had won second place in the final too. Hamza, of Rayo Racing, who came third in the pre-final went on to win the final in Round 2.

–IANS

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Guwahati, July 7 (IANS) NorthEast United FC has announced the signing of Spanish forward Guillermo Fernandez Hierro.

Fernandez began his career with Athletic Bilbao, making his first-team debut in La Liga in 2013. Known for his finishing in front of goal, he later played for clubs like Elche, CD Numancia, and most recently for Cultural Leonesa.

Guillermo’s notable achievements include scoring a goal in the UEFA Champions League group phase against FC Porto, decisive goals in La Liga and Copa del Rey, and playing a crucial role in CD Numancia’s successful campaigns in Segunda División. Fernandez has consistently demonstrated his skill on the field with his ability to adapt and perform in various attacking roles.

Expressing his delight on joining the highlanders, Guillermo said, “I am very excited to work with the team and coaching staff. The club has shown faith in me, and I am ready to repay them and set my mark in the Indian Super League.”

His experience in Spain’s top leagues brings valuable expertise to NorthEast United FC, strengthening the team’s attacking lineup. The club is optimistic about the impact Guillermo will have in the upcoming season.

“Guillermo is a very experienced professional; his career says it all. He will give us the much-needed boost in our attack, and we are happy to have him here.” Mandar Tamhane, CEO of NorthEast United FC, shared his thoughts on the signing, “We feel we have got the right fit for our team. Guillermo has played at the top level of football in Europe, his expertise will not only bolster our attack but also serve as a catalyst for growth and development for our entire squad,” said head coach Juan Pedro Benali.

–IANS

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Silverstone, July 7 (IANS) Williams team principal James Vowles has confirmed that Logan Sergeant’s seat may be under threat and even admitted that a mid-season change may be on the cards for the team.

“There will be a line in the sand where we have to make a decision and at that point, both for 2025 and maybe for something this year, we’ll make a decision on it. But we’re not there today,” said Vowles to Sky Sports F1.

Logan is currently in his second year with the British team and has not been able to perform up to the mark. The team currently sits at ninth place in the Constructors Championship.

“Logan all the way through has been provided [with] the opportunity to retain his seat – that’s in his control. I need performance that’s at Alex’s level, I need him to be there day in and day out, fundamentally,” added the British engineer.

Williams is perhaps thinking ahead to the future of the team without Sergeant having already offered Albon a multi-year deal with the team. Rumours suggest that the side may be looking into bringing in F2 sensation Kimi Antonrlli who is backed by Williams engine partner Mercedes.

“My priority at the moment is, let’s sort out the car, because we’ve underperformed in that area. Not Logan, not Alex. Once we have a car at the right performance level, then let’s assess what we’re costing ourselves, if we are costing ourselves,” he said.

–IANS

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