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Sports Shorts: FIFA unveils Yashin-themed poster for 2018 FIFA World Cup

November 28, 2017 21:39 IST

A summary of sports events and sports persons, who made news on Tuesday

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Mutko attends a ceremony unveiling the Official Poster for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia in Moscow, Russia on Tuesday

IMAGE: Russian Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Mutko attends a ceremony unveiling the Official Poster for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia in Moscow, Russia on Tuesday. Photograph: Maxim Shemetov/Reuters

FIFA presented the official poster for next year's World Cup finals in Moscow on Tuesday, unveiling a vintage design of Soviet goalkeeping great Lev Yashin in flight.

Inspired by the constructivist art movement, the poster shows Yashin, wearing a knee brace and his signature cap, leaping across to get a hand on an oversized ball featuring Russia's landmass seen from space.

 

Orange rays emanate from the ball and the circle of green in the middle of the poster represents the pitches of the 12 tournament venues, FIFA said.

The poster's presentation comes three days before the World Cup draw takes place to determine the match ups for the group stage.

"We are very proud of this beautiful landmark asset that portrays such an important icon and celebrates the coming tournament on Russian soil," FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura said of the poster.

Yashin, who died in 1990, competed in four World Cups -- 1958, 1962, 1966 and 1970. He is the only goalkeeper to have won the Ballon d'Or award.

Russia is set to host the World Cup finals from June 14 to July 15 in 12 venues spread across 11 cities, including Moscow, St Petersburg and Sochi.

Atwal backs young Asia team for EurAsia Cup

Indian duo SSP Chawrasia and Anirban Lahiri were named alongside current Asian Tour Order of Merit leader Gavin Green in a young Asian team led by Arjun Atwal for January's EurAsia Cup against Europe.

Thai duo Phachara Khongwatmai and Poom Saksansin, Malaysia's Green and Chawrasia make up the leading four Asian players who qualified for Team Asia in the biennial event set to be played at Glenmarie Golf and Country Club in Selangor, Malaysia from Jan. 12-14.

Japan's Yuta Ikeda, ranked 37th the world, Li Haotong of China, Lahiri and Thai Kiradech Aphibarnrat all booked their spots as leading available Asians on the world rankings.

South Korean An Byeong-hun will make his return to the team as a captain's pick along with compatriot Kang Sung-hoon, Hideto Tanihara of Japan and Malaysian Nicholas Fung.

The 12-man team boasts 58 titles won worldwide, with six of the players still in their 20s.

"I'm proud to announce my team which is predominantly represented by young players," India's Atwal said in a statement.

"Seven players in my team are ranked inside the top-100 on the Official World Golf Ranking and this underlines the strength of Team Asia. This is a strong team and it will be our goal to win the EurAsia Cup."

China's Zhang Lianwei has been picked as the vice-captain to help Atwal lead Team Asia against Thomase Bjorn's Team Europe in the "Ryder Cup of the East".

The visiting team will feature Rafa Cabrera-Bello, Paul Casey, Paul Dunne, Ross Fisher, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, Alex Levy, Alex Noren, Thomas Pieters, Henrik Stenson and Bernd Wiesberger.

Source: REUTERS
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