FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup: VAR technology to make debut in FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in India

The upcoming U-17 Women’s World Cup in India will see the video assistant referee (VAR) technology make its debut in the age-group showpiece, world football governing body FIFA announced on Tuesday.

The prestigious tournament, which was given a go ahead by FIFA after lifting the 11-day long suspension on the All India Football Federation (AIFF), will be held in Bhubaneswar (Kalinga Stadium), Margao (JLN Stadium) and Navi Mumbai. DY Patil Stadium) from 11-30 October.

“The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup will give us vital and vital information about the qualities of the match officials who have been appointed. We are very happy that VAR technology will be used for the first time in the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup as well.”

“This event will be another great opportunity to showcase the skills of the appointed VARs and to continue the development of our women’s VARs as part of the Road to Australia/New Zealand 2023 project,” she said in a statement to FIFA.

VAR technology supports the referee’s decision-making process in four game-changing situations: goals and offenses that lead to a goal, penalty decisions and offenses that lead to penalties, straight red card incidents, and mistaken identity.

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During a match, the VAR team continually checks for obvious and obvious errors related to these four match-changing situations. The VAR team communicates with the referee only for obvious and obvious mistakes or serious missed incidents.

The U-17 Women’s World Cup in India will be the third FIFA women’s tournament to use VAR after the U-20 Women’s World Cup Costa Rica 2022 and the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019.

This will be the second time that the VAR technology will be used in India, the first being from the quarter-final stage of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup which was hosted in January-February this year.

The FIFA Referees Committee also announced the match officials for the tournament which included 14 female referees, 28 female assistant referees, three support referees and 16 video match officials.

“We are delighted that the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup is returning after a hiatus of four years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are really looking forward to this important event to be held in India in October,” said Pierluigi Colina, chairman of FIFA’s refereeing committee.

“For match officials, of course, this is another major stage in the preparation of potential candidates for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023.”

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) will be represented by 14 referees, assistant referees and video match officials from seven member associations. There is no one from India.

Thailand’s Pansa Chasnit, Uzbekistan’s Edita Mirabidova and Korea’s Oh Hyeon Jeong have been selected as referees, marking their first appointment as chief referees to a FIFA tournament.

She will be joined by Thailand’s assistant referees Supwan Hinthong and Nuanid Donjiangrid, Australia’s Joanna Charkatis, Uzbekistan’s Christina Sereda and Chinese pair of Fang Yan and Xie Lijun.

In addition, five video match officials – Omar Mohamed Al Ali from the United Arab Emirates, Hannah Hattab from Syria, Sivakorn Pu-Udom from Thailand and Lara Lee and Casey Rebelt from Australia – will assist from the VAR room.

Originally published at Pen 18

williams: Serena Williams puts off retirement with U.S. Open first round win

Serena Williams indicated she is not quite ready to retire to reach the second round of the US Open on Monday in a 6-3, 6-3 win over Danka Kovinic.

A win over 80th-ranked Kovinic, who is only her second this year, would be a confidence booster for Williams, but her record of equalizing her 24th Grand Slam has now become treacherous.

The Estonian is waiting for second seed Annette Kontaveit, who beat Jacqueline Christiansen 6-3, 6-0.

Williams indicated her intention to retire in a Vogue article in early August, saying she was “getting away from tennis” but never confirmed the US Open as her final event.

For tennis fans, though, the message was clear, the US Open would be where she would take her final bow.

Could there be a repeat?

The former world number one has also ruled out skipping next year’s Australia Open.

But in a strange post-match ceremony celebrating his career that had yet to come to an end, Williams gave a clear yet clear indication that the US Open would indeed be his last tournament and later expanded upon it in his press conference.

“It’s still extremely difficult because I love being out there,” Williams said. “The more tournaments I play, the more I feel like the more I can get out there.

“But it’s time for me, you know, to evolve to the next thing.”

Pressed whether the US Open was certainly her last event, Williams again retreated from the brink.

“I’ve been very vague about it, right,” Williams smiled. “I’m going to remain unclear because you never know.”

A montage of Williams’ career was played before the court appearance that opened the door for a return someday, “If you ever decide to return the Queen your throne will be waiting” the video concluded.

However, a defiant Williams made it clear that she is not giving up that throne just yet.

special energy

Opening night at Flushing Meadows is always ecstatic, but on Monday the stadium brimmed with a special energy when Williams appeared on court in a shimmering black robe and specially designed diamond-studded shoes.

The outfit may have given more shine to the 40-year-old American’s game, but it didn’t matter at the packed Arthur Ashe Stadium as Williams’ fighting edge was sharp, even if his serve and ground stroke were not.

“It’s so important to give your all,” Williams told the loving crowd. “I’ve been down and out in the public eye many times.

“I just want people to be inspired by my story.

“I’m from Compton, California … and I made it.”

There was certainly no more fitting place to wrap up one of tennis’s most extraordinary careers, which has been in its corner from the very beginning, leading up to six US Open crowns.

The moment’s horrors were not lost on the 23,000 fans, including former US President Bill Clinton, designer Vera Wang, director Spike Lee, and others, who expected not to see Arthur Ashe see greatness but to celebrate it.

After being number one in the world for 319 weeks, Williams reached a bottom 600 and unseeded New York.

Even Williams was far from her best as the odds were stacked against the 27-year-old from Montenegro.

Playing in her 21st US Open, Williams never lost in the first round and her win over Kovinick at Flushing Meadows was her 106th.

While Kovinic is enjoying the best Grand Slam season of her career, reaching the third round of both the Australian and French Open, she hasn’t won a match since Roland Garros.

As the game went on, Williams was showing signs of nerves, accumulating double faults as Kovinic went 3-2.

But Williams, as she has at times, lifted her game when needed, sweeping the next four games to snatch the first set.

Now in charge, Williams didn’t let it slip in the second set, going 3-2 up, and with match point and the crowd at their feet, she danced happily as Kovinic’s return hit the net.

Originally published at Pen 18

serena williams news: Serena Williams battles on as US Open farewell underway

Serena Williams delayed her departure from tennis on the opening night of the US Open on Monday, as the sports icon battled for victory in front of a star-studded crowd.

The 23-time Grand Slam winner – who hinted earlier this month that she plans to retire from tennis after the tournament – has put all of her experience on her way to defeat Montenegrin rival Danka Kovinic 6-3, 6-3. defeated.

A galaxy of celebrities ranging from Hollywood stars, fashion icons and former presidents could be Williams’ final appearance in a Grand Slam singles match at Flushing Meadows’ Arthur Ashe Stadium.

But the 40-year-old ensured that his fans would have at least one more chance to taste his talent as he won despite his flawed performance.

“I feel very comfortable on this court and here in front of everyone,” a

Williams said after his win.

“The crowd was crazy — they really helped pull me in. I was really pumped,” said Williams, who won her first Grand Slam title in 1999 in the same field as a 17-year-old prodigy.

Williams admitted that the decision to walk away from the sport after 27 years as a professional was “such a difficult decision.”

“I think when you’re passionate about something it’s always hard to walk away from it,” she said. “I’m trying to decide what to do. I love this sport.

“But I was like ‘Okay, I guess it’s time.’ I have a family, there are other chapters in life. I call it growth.”

Williams later declined to be certain about her retirement, though asked if the US Open would be her last tournament, teasing the possibility that she might still play.

“I’ve been very vague about it, haven’t I?” he said. “I’m going to remain unclear because you never know.”

A sellout crowd of 23,500 roared their praises for Williams as she walked into the arena wearing a dainty glitter bodice and six-layer black skirt – one for each US Open title she has won.

A-listers’ roll-call for the occasion included former US President Bill Clinton, Vogue editor Anna Wintour, former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, tennis legends and Hollywood stars such as Hugh Jackman and Queen Latifah.

Williams acknowledged that leaving the spotlight – whenever it happens – would be a wrench.

“The more tournaments I play, the more I feel like I can be out there,” she said. “It’s a hard feeling, the more you do it, the more you can shine.”

Tsitsipas was stunned
In the other women’s draw on Monday, former world number one Simona Halep, seeded seventh, had her biggest first-round crash, losing 6-2, 0-6, 6-4 to qualifier Daria Snigur of Ukraine.

But that wasn’t a problem for American teenager and 12th seed Coco Gauff, who defeated France’s Léolia Jeanjean 6-2, 6-3.

Meanwhile, the men’s draw began with an upset for fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece, who was beaten 6-0, 6-1, 3-6, 7-5 by Colombian qualifier Daniel Ilahi Galan.

Earlier, defending champion Daniil Medvedev of Russia defeated Stepan Koslov of the United States in the top half of the draw.

Russia comfortably beat world No. 111 Kozlov 6-2, 6-4, 6-0 in 2 hours and 1 minute.

Medvedev, trying to become the first man to defend the American crown since Roger Federer retained the title in 2008, will face France’s Arthur Rinderknecht in the second round.

Britain’s Andy Murray, another veteran at the end of his career, marked the 10th anniversary of his first Grand Slam win with a straight sets defeat to Argentina’s 24th seed Francisco Cerundolo.

The 35-year-old Scott showed no signs of cramp problems recently in a 7-5, 6-3, 6-3 win but later admitted: “It felt like five sets.”

It was Murray’s first straight set win at a Grand Slam event since 2017.

Elsewhere on Monday, Wu Yibing claimed a piece of history in the men’s draw, becoming the first man from China to win a Grand Slam singles match since 1959.

The qualifier defeated 31st seed Nikoloz Basilashvili of Georgia 6-3, 6-4, 6-0.

But the men’s draw was in pain for other China player, Zhang Zhizhen, who lost seven match points in 3-6, 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (11/9), 6-1, 6- . 4 defeats to Tim Van Rijthoven of Netherlands.

Spain’s Rafael Nadal will start his campaign against Australia’s Rinki Hijikata on Tuesday while chasing a fifth US Open title and 23rd Grand Slam title overall.

Originally published at Pen 18

This was the Hardik Pandya that India had always hoped for. He is here now

It was not long before that questions were being asked about Hardik Pandya’s place in the Indian team. Pandya was often injured and reduced him from an all-rounder to a specialist batsman. And, as a batsman, he struggled to counter the fast bowlers when they dug the ball short and hit his ribs. Pandya could neither go inside the line nor cut or cross the ball from the off-side and pull it through the square with any degree of continuity.

Then came the dreadful phase when he was thrown out of the field in 2018. With a back surgery in the offing, the question to be asked was whether he would ever be his old form again. The important thing is whether he will be able to come back and bowl with intensity and zip.

It was only in February this year that some light was shed on it. Pandya had the complete package in the Indian Premier League. He was the captain, floating batsman and originator of the ball for Gujarat Titans. At times it seemed that Pandya was bowling himself extra at the top of the innings to prove his fitness. But, it was not at the expense of the team. Match by match, his pace increased so much that he could push himself back to pick up the new ball. As a batsman, Pandya could open, he could be strong and when asked to do so, would go back to the old times and tonk the ball to finish the match.

This was the Pandya that India hoped to materialize, but had not actually seen with any great consistency in the past. It was Pandya who stepped in the middle against Pakistan.

Although he did not take the new ball, Pandya was bowled to the side in the power play overs. Pandya never looked like a part time bowler. This was a guy who could give you four overs a day. Bending his back to get extra carry on the Dubai surface, which provided a touch of variable bounce, Pandya had stopped Pakistan’s batsmen.

The special thing is that he was right in the game even though he was not bowling. Of course, Rohit Sharma was the captain, but it was often Pandya who was preparing the field and assisting the bowlers with tips on planning wickets.

When he came back to bowl the second spell, Pandya showed that fitness was not an issue even in the scorching heat of Dubai. With wickets in succession that put Pakistan behind, Pandya finished with figures of 4-0-25-3.

But he was not there. India’s familiar struggle with the top three continued as they chased down 148 and at 89/4 in 14.2 overs, it looked like Pakistan would take the win. But, Pandya was surprised, and India deepened the game, with Ravindra Jadeja providing scintillating batting cover.

So much so that people were on the edge of their seats when the last over started. With a scintillating performance from Jadeja and after his stumps were damaged, Dinesh Karthik came on and got a single. Then came the Pandya special. Mohammad Nawaz threw the javelin into a short, sharp dart but Pandya waited. Head still, base stable, feet planted, long levers come out and they launch the ball into the stands. That day, you couldn’t have asked for more from Pandya.

Originally published at Pen 18

Endorsement World: Pandya hits ball out of the park in endorsement world

Mumbai: Hardik Pandya’s six in the final over of the Asia Cup on Sunday not only helped India secure a nail-biting victory against arch-rivals Pakistan, but also ignited their already growing popularity and brand value.

His on-field performances and successful captaincy of the Gujarat Lions team in the Indian Premier League (IPL) leading to his maiden podium finish has made Pandya a darling of brands.

Reliance Industries’ Rise Worldwide, which has been managing Pandya’s business interests for the past six years, has confirmed that its brand value has increased by 30-40% in the last six months alone. For Hardik, we have a portfolio of 11 brands, of which 8-9 have been long term partners. We have closed five new brands and will announce them in the next two months.” Bardia said Pandya will be advertising around 20 brands by the end of this year.

“He is the biggest and most inspiring comeback story both physically and emotionally. The biggest change you will see is in his personality. He has emerged as a leader with calmness, confidence and faith. Hum Sahi Katha We are looking at more long-term deals and unlock 360-degree value with brands through Face-time and digital engagement. To Hardik’s credit , he is focusing on his performance on the field and allowing us to do the off-the-field part.”

While he declined to give details on the advertisements, industry experts said that Pandya is now charging anything between ₹1.5-2 crore per day for at least two-day deals. All deals are multi-year.

Some of the existing brands include boAT, Monster Energy, Gulf Oil and Dream11. Aman Gupta, Co-Founder, BOAT, said, “Our partnership with Hardik has grown over the 5 years in which we have worked together and I expect this relationship to grow even stronger in the years to come. He is also responsible for Digital Strategic Promotions. Last year, Pandya was roped in for the recreated version of the title track ‘Bella Siao’ from Netflix India’s Money Heist Season 5 along with Bollywood actors Anil Kapoor, Vikrant Massey, Shruti Haasan and Radhika Apte for around ₹40 lakh. was seen in

The 28-year-old all-rounder has been a part of India’s international team since 2016 and is known for his flamboyant ability to hit the ball, fast-medium bowling and quick fielding. Pandya’s number of social media followers has also seen a huge jump in the last six months, after which he is the third most followed active Indian cricketer.

Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

Originally published at Pen 18

Against waves of young opponents, Serena Williams just kept winning

For 27 years in professional tennis, Serena Williams has faced generations of stars who jockeyed for position at the top of the sport.

The strength of her claim to be the greatest player of all time lies not only in her longevity – and 23 Grand Slam singles titles – but in her dominance over women of all ages in tennis. She regularly beat out the stars who ruled tennis before her, and she held herself up against recent incidents on the court. Between those generations, Williams overwhelmed the women she grew up with in the sport—and then outlived many of them by more than a decade.

Williams turned pro at the age of 14. Her first title at the top of the tour came in 1999 against Steffi Graf, who ended her career with 22 Grand Slam championships. Williams was 17 at the time and eventually surpassed Graf’s big win with her victory at the 2017 Australian Open.

As Williams settled into her prime, she regularly found enemies in a group of women who came through the ranks around the same time. She went toe-to-toe with Martina Hingis, Jennifer Capriati, Lindsay Davenport, Kim Clijsters, Justin Henin, and Venus Williams—all of whom reached No. 1 in the Serena Williams era, and all of whom she lost more times than she won. took. Serena Williams had an overall record of 63–38 against those teammates in WTA matches, the Fed Cup, and the Olympics.

With the exception of Venus Williams, who is still playing at age 42, those other former top-ranked women had largely retired from WTA singles competition at around age 30. But when Serena Williams scored 30, she came out stronger.

From 30 to 35, he won 89% of his matches to set a record of 288–34. She spent 186 consecutive weeks in this time frame – from February 2013 to September 2016 – and dominated other women in that era to reach the top echelons of tennis. Her career record was 19–5 against Victoria Azarenka, 10–3 against Simona Halep, 10–1 against Caroline Wozniacki and 20–3 against Maria Sharapova.

Williams became a mother just before she turned 36, and although she returned to court the following year, her time on tour since then has been limited by injury. As a result, the top contenders from this era have had more success against them than the previous ones. Naomi Osaka is up 3-1 and Bianca Andreescu 2-0 against Williams. Both of those young stars beat Williams in the US Open final – Osaka in 2018, Andreescu in 2019.

For the next batch of phenoms, he didn’t have as many chances to play Williams, due to his limited schedule and his less deep runs in the tournament over the past three years. Current No. 1, Inga Swietek never encountered him. Neither is second-placed Annette Kontaveit, although she will be Williams’ next opponent if both win their first round matches. Emma Radukanu, who won the US Open last year, played with Williams for the first and perhaps only time this month at the Western and Southern Open.

Radukanu, who won, said she appreciates playing a woman she idealized, even when in the twilight of Williams’ career: “I appreciate the experience of being able to play her and our careers.” So grateful for crossing over.”

This article is originally from . appeared in
new York Times,

Originally published at Pen 18

bhaichung bhutia: We have seen what non-footballers have done. Now, give a chance to footballers: Bhaichung Bhutia

He is one of the best footballers India has ever produced. Having been associated with football in various capacities including owning a club, Bhaichung Bhutia has now thrown his hat on to become the President of the AIFF and has been pitted against fellow footballer Kalyan Choubey. Speaking to Boria Majumdar, Bhutia outlined his plans for the game if he scores the magic number in the elections to be held on September 2, 2022. Part:

It is indeed a welcome event to see two footballers fighting to become the AIFF President. What is your vision for the game, as it is going to be extremely challenging to get the game back on track in the near future?
Yes, it will be challenging and hence it has to be done. As someone who is deeply invested in the game in various capacities, I know what has to be done. Football players come out of states and districts and if you look at the current situation in those places, it is not good. No facilities, no money, no infrastructure. If you don’t give basic facilities to the youth, how can you expect them to become good footballers? The first and foremost thing is to set up a structure. Provide financial assistance to states and districts to ensure that our young talent can play if they want to play. We have to organize tournaments at district and state level for both men and women. Unless you have a system, there will be no real development.

In such a situation, the Under-17 World Cup should help a lot.
Absolutely. It will happen and hence it is a very important tournament for India. This will help us to focus on the grassroots level. We did the boys U-17 World Cup and no doubt it helped. The same will happen for girls. Having said that the aim is not to just host the World Cup and play as a host country. The goal should be to qualify and play. Earn our right to play world tournaments. This is where Indian football needs to reach; Only then are you competitive at the international level. Just hosting and playing one tournament will not help us improve in the long term.

As a footballer do you think you can do this job better?
It certainly wouldn’t be bad! We have seen what non-footballers have done. things are not good. We must state things very clearly here and the reality is that the affairs of Indian football are in a bad shape. So, if for so long we’ve given non-football players the opportunity to run the show, it’s time to let the football players do the work and do what they can. I can assure you, as a football player we know what needs to be done and certainly you will not do worse than what you have seen. Really I want all the top football players of this country to come forward and serve the game in future. Someone like Sunil Chhetri or Gurpreet Sandhu. He has seen the world and played at the highest level and is India’s best player. It is very important that they come forward to serve the game in future.

Do you think good players are also good administrators? Isn’t this a very simple argument?
Look, what I’m trying to say is to give us a chance. Footballers have not yet been given a chance to run Indian football. I have been associated with Sikkim Football Association for the last six years and I have seen the challenges for the first time. As you know, I had my own club. Now it is important to use these learnings and serve the game. And I can assure you that I will do nothing worse than what you have seen. So, give us a chance and then decide the good and the bad.

You are an Indian footballing icon. Your name was mentioned in the same bracket in the Supreme Court as Sachin Tendulkar. Do you see a possibility where you and Kalyan Choubey can work together?
Kalyan is a nice guy but he has been away from football since last few years. He has been a full-time politician and I don’t think he can run it as president. The state union and the people of the district will mislead them as they do not know the ground reality. If I see that he has a vision for Indian football, I don’t mind working with him, but I don’t think he is ready yet. That’s why I say, he is a good person but he needs to work and know the ground reality first.

Originally published at Pen 18