Search results for 'Defender'

FIFA World Cup: 'We were second best': France coach's honest verdict

FIFA World Cup: 'We were second best': France coach's honest verdict

Rediff.com15 Jul 2026

France coach Didier Deschamps conceded his side were 'outclassed' by Spain in their 2-0 World Cup semi-final defeat, highlighting technical, tactical, and physical shortcomings that ended their quest for a third title.

'Despicable woman': Mbappe hits back at Paraguayan senator

'Despicable woman': Mbappe hits back at Paraguayan senator

Rediff.com7 Jul 2026

France striker Kylian Mbappe hit back at a Paraguayan senator, describing her as a "despicable woman" on Monday after she launched a racist attack on him following Paraguay's elimination from the World Cup.

Lawyers to move court for FIR against Champat Rai, others

Lawyers to move court for FIR against Champat Rai, others

Rediff.com13 Jul 2026

Lawyers from the Faizabad Bar Association plan to approach the court after police allegedly refused to register an FIR against former Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust members Champat Rai, Anil Mishra, and Gopal Rao in a Ram temple donation embezzlement case. The lawyers had filed a complaint on July 2 and are seeking a fair investigation into the allegations.

Portugal overcome Croatia in thriller to make World Cup last 16

Portugal overcome Croatia in thriller to make World Cup last 16

Rediff.com3 Jul 2026

Portugal defeated Croatia 2-1 in a dramatic World Cup match, with Goncalo Ramos scoring the winning goal in stoppage time after Cristiano Ronaldo had equalised from a penalty. The victory ends Luka Modric's fifth World Cup bid, and Portugal now advances to face Spain in the round of 16.

'Advise Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to be patient'

'Advise Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to be patient'

Rediff.com4 Jul 2026

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is yet to make his India T20I debut despite all the hype and former India keeper Parthiv Patel reckons he will get his opportunity sometime in the ongoing series against England.

UTT: Szocs Secures Dramatic Win For Goa Challengers Against Kolkata ThunderBlades

UTT: Szocs Secures Dramatic Win For Goa Challengers Against Kolkata ThunderBlades

Rediff.com13 Jul 2026

Dempo Goa Challengers secured a thrilling 8-7 victory over HVR Kolkata ThunderBlades in Ultimate Table Tennis Season 7, with Bernadette Szocs clinching the decisive final game.

Zero trust on US, prepared for full-scale defence: Iran

Zero trust on US, prepared for full-scale defence: Iran

Rediff.com11 Jul 2026

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stressed on Friday (local time) that Tehran remains prepared for "full-scale defence" should the US betray the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the two countries last month.

World Cup: Messi in a happy place as Argentina ready to take on England

World Cup: Messi in a happy place as Argentina ready to take on England

Rediff.com15 Jul 2026

Argentina midfielder Rodrigo de Paul highlights Lionel Messi's contentment and record-breaking performance as a significant morale booster for the team, who are 'one step away' from another World Cup final and preparing to face England.

Germany star ruled out of FIFA World Cup after injury blow

Germany star ruled out of FIFA World Cup after injury blow

Rediff.com22 Jun 2026

German central defender Nico Schlotterbeck has been ruled out of the remainder of the World Cup and will be sidelined for several months due to an ankle ligament injury sustained during their Group E victory over Ivory Coast. Despite the setback, coach Julian Nagelsmann remains confident in the team's central defence options.

Saptapadi essential for Hindu marriage, not just registration: HC

Saptapadi essential for Hindu marriage, not just registration: HC

Rediff.com1 Jul 2026

The Gujarat High Court has ruled that the performance of customary rites and ceremonies, particularly 'saptapadi', is essential for the validation of a Hindu marriage, stating that registration alone is insufficient. The court emphasised that marriage is a sacrament and not merely a social occasion, highlighting the spiritual and legal significance of traditional rituals.

Comeback Kings! Argentina's Great Escapes In FIFA World Cup 2026

Comeback Kings! Argentina's Great Escapes In FIFA World Cup 2026

Rediff.com16 Jul 2026

Argentina battled their way into the semis after edging Cape Verde and Switzerland in extra time and coming from 2-0 down to defeat Egypt 3-2.

Wimbledon: Sinner snaps Struff's fairytale run to reach semifinals

Wimbledon: Sinner snaps Struff's fairytale run to reach semifinals

Rediff.com7 Jul 2026

Champion Jannik Sinner ended one of the feel-good stories at this year's Wimbledon when he tamed big-serving German warrior Jan-Lennard Struff 7-5, 7-6(4), 6-3 to reach the semifinals on Tuesday.

Praful Patel pooh-poohs secretary's letter, says no rift in NCP over Sunetra

Praful Patel pooh-poohs secretary's letter, says no rift in NCP over Sunetra

Rediff.com14 Jul 2026

Nationalist Congress Party national working president Praful Patel has dismissed claims of a rift within the party, specifically addressing a legal challenge to Sunetra Pawar's election as party president. A national secretary, Sachchidanand Singh, alleged the election was unconstitutional, but Patel stated the letter carries no weight and senior leaders support Sunetra Pawar. The dispute highlights internal dynamics following the demise of Ajit Pawar.

Mbappe takes blame after France's FIFA World Cup heartbreak

Mbappe takes blame after France's FIFA World Cup heartbreak

Rediff.com15 Jul 2026

France captain Kylian Mbappe admitted his side failed both tactically and technically in their 2-0 FIFA World Cup semi-final defeat to Spain, ending their hopes of a third successive final appearance.

Raj Nidimouru: 'I Can't Take Credit For Samantha's Success'

Raj Nidimouru: 'I Can't Take Credit For Samantha's Success'

Rediff.com13 Jul 2026

'Samantha has been a consistent draw at the box office long before Maa Inti Bangaaram.'

Messi's missing rival: Argentina captain finally faces England at World Cup

Messi's missing rival: Argentina captain finally faces England at World Cup

Rediff.com13 Jul 2026

Lionel Messi will face England for the first time in his career when Argentina meet the Three Lions in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final, ending a 20-year wait for one of football's most anticipated match-ups.

Collina: New World Cup rules have transformed the game

Collina: New World Cup rules have transformed the game

Rediff.com1 Jul 2026

FIFA refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina says the World Cup's new anti-time-wasting rules have been a major success, speeding up play, reducing injuries and improving discipline while defending VAR's controversial decisions.

'Spain Will Win FIFA World Cup'

'Spain Will Win FIFA World Cup'

Rediff.com15 Jul 2026

Former India captain Climax Lawrence has predicted Spain to lift the FIFA World Cup, praising their tactical discipline and fitness.

Royal Fashion Moment! Kate's Wimbledon Look Wows

Royal Fashion Moment! Kate's Wimbledon Look Wows

Rediff.com12 Jul 2026

Prince George and Princess Charlotte continued a cherished family tradition by attending Wimbledon with their parents, Kate Middleton and Prince William. The young royals watched a key match, with Kate, a patron of the All England Club, sharing her love for tennis with her children, marking their regular presence at the prestigious tournament.

KCL player auction: Franchises ready to bid for 156 players

KCL player auction: Franchises ready to bid for 156 players

Rediff.com10 Jul 2026

The second edition of the Kerala Cricket League (KCL) will hold its player auction on Saturday in Thiruvananthapuram. Six franchises will bid for 156 players from a shortlisted pool of 173, with veteran auctioneer Charu Sharma conducting the event. Teams have a budget of Rs 50 lakh and players are categorised by experience, with varying base prices.

England's World Cup exit: Tuchel blames 'DNA' not tactics, Messi's magic key

England's World Cup exit: Tuchel blames 'DNA' not tactics, Messi's magic key

Rediff.com17 Jul 2026

England's manager Thomas Tuchel has faced heavy criticism following their World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina, but he attributes the loss to fundamental issues like a lack of 'ball possession DNA' rather than just tactical errors, while acknowledging the unstoppable brilliance of Lionel Messi.

FIFA World Cup: Argentina's bizarre ritual to stop Kane before semis

FIFA World Cup: Argentina's bizarre ritual to stop Kane before semis

Rediff.com15 Jul 2026

Ahead of their World Cup semi-final clash against England, Argentina fans are engaging in traditional 'cabalas' or superstitions, including freezing captain Harry Kane's name, to bring their national team good fortune on the pitch.

India Batting Coach Supports Rohit Sharma Despite Struggles Vs England

India Batting Coach Supports Rohit Sharma Despite Struggles Vs England

Rediff.com17 Jul 2026

India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has expressed strong support for veteran opener Rohit Sharma, dismissing concerns over his recent lean run in the ongoing ODI series against England. Despite Sharma's low scores in the first two matches and a challenging year with the bat, Kotak believes a player of his calibre does not feel pressure and expects him to return to form soon. England won the second ODI, levelling the series 1-1, with the decider set for Lord's.

England defeat sparks BCCI rethink as Gambhir faces first real scrutiny

England defeat sparks BCCI rethink as Gambhir faces first real scrutiny

Rediff.com10 Jul 2026

The BCCI will review the performances of India's players and coaching staff after the T20I series defeat to England, with head coach Gautam Gambhir's role also coming under scrutiny following back-to-back series losses.

Petkovic Reflects On Algeria's World Cup Exit

Petkovic Reflects On Algeria's World Cup Exit

Rediff.com3 Jul 2026

Algeria's coach Vladimir Petkovic attributed his team's 2-0 defeat to Switzerland and subsequent World Cup exit to costly defensive errors. He acknowledged the higher level of competition at the tournament and praised his team's overall performance, considering their return to the World Cup after 12 years and reaching the group stage a success despite the elimination.

No Indian link to Nijjar murder, says Canadian police, refutes Trudeau's claim

No Indian link to Nijjar murder, says Canadian police, refutes Trudeau's claim

Rediff.com9 Jul 2026

Canadian police have found no evidence linking Indian government officials to the 2023 killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, directly contradicting earlier allegations by former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that strained bilateral ties.

Yellamaraju Climbs Leaderboard Amidst Tough Scottish Open Conditions

Yellamaraju Climbs Leaderboard Amidst Tough Scottish Open Conditions

Rediff.com11 Jul 2026

Indo-Canadian golfer Sudarshan Yellamaraju has surged into a tie for sixth place at the Scottish Open, just two strokes off the lead, after a stellar second round. Amidst challenging conditions that saw top players exit, Yellamaraju's strong performance puts him in contention for his first DP World Tour win. Rory McIlroy, Tom Kim, and Jordan Smith share the lead.

Bhaichung Bhutia: Messi needs another World Cup to match Maradona's legacy

Bhaichung Bhutia: Messi needs another World Cup to match Maradona's legacy

Rediff.com17 Jul 2026

Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia believes Lionel Messi needs to win the 2026 World Cup to truly equal Diego Maradona's legendary status, despite Messi's 2022 triumph. Bhutia rates Maradona higher due to his single-handed 1986 World Cup victory, while also tipping Spain as slight favourites over Argentina in the upcoming final.

Why FIFA's New VAR Protocol Is Under Fire After Argentina's World Cup Run

Why FIFA's New VAR Protocol Is Under Fire After Argentina's World Cup Run

Rediff.com14 Jul 2026

A former FIFA referee has questioned the new VAR protocol after fresh controversy involving Argentina, warning that fan confidence in World Cup officiating has been "completely eroded."

Wimbledon: Swiatek overcomes Pliskova; Anisimova battles past Kenin

Wimbledon: Swiatek overcomes Pliskova; Anisimova battles past Kenin

Rediff.com2 Jul 2026

Defending champion Iga Swiatek eased past former world No. 1 Karolina Pliskova to reach the Wimbledon third round, while Amanda Anisimova battled back to defeat Sofia Kenin in a hard-fought all-American contest.

Cruel game! VAR drama, penalty send Senegal packing vs Belgium

Cruel game! VAR drama, penalty send Senegal packing vs Belgium

Rediff.com2 Jul 2026

Senegal coach Pape Thiaw expressed his disappointment, calling football a "cruel game" after his team's dramatic 3-2 defeat to Belgium in the World Cup round of 32. Senegal had held a 2-0 lead until the 85th minute but conceded two late goals, followed by a controversial penalty in extra time that led to their elimination.

The Marriage Secret That Still Works!

The Marriage Secret That Still Works!

Rediff.com16 Jul 2026

Bhanu Iyer from Bengaluru tells us about the simple habits and values that helped her marriage celebrate 15 years.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Schedule/Results

FIFA World Cup 2026 Schedule/Results

Rediff.com19 Jul 2026

The complete schedule and all the results of FIFA World Cup 2026 in IST.

8 Weird Football Terms

8 Weird Football Terms

Rediff.com10 Jul 2026

As the sport's popularity spread across the world, it developed its own colourful language/expressions. From clever slang to bizarre nicknames, the game's changing culture has thrown up some rather unusual turn of phrase. Here are 8 of the strangest football terms ever used.

'More Proud Than Disappointed': DR Congo Coach Hails Team

'More Proud Than Disappointed': DR Congo Coach Hails Team

Rediff.com2 Jul 2026

DR Congo coach Sebastien Desabre expressed pride in his team's performance at the World Cup, despite their exit after a close match against England.

How Sinner Overcame French Open Disappointment For Wimbledon Glory

How Sinner Overcame French Open Disappointment For Wimbledon Glory

Rediff.com13 Jul 2026

Jannik Sinner successfully defended his Wimbledon title, crediting intensive training after a surprising early exit from the French Open. He defeated Alexander Zverev in the final, marking his fifth major title and highlighting his dedication and resilience.

Abhijeet Gupta Crowned Champion At Pune International Chess Tournament

Abhijeet Gupta Crowned Champion At Pune International Chess Tournament

Rediff.com8 Jul 2026

Grandmaster Abhijeet Gupta secured the championship at the Pune International Grandmaster Round Robin Chess Tournament. International Master Aswath S finished as runner-up, achieving his final Grandmaster norm to become India's 98th Grandmaster. Kushagra Mohan took third place, while Advik Agarwal earned his second International Master norm.

Praggnanandhaa holds Gukesh; joint second after opening day of Grand Chess Tour Croatia

Praggnanandhaa holds Gukesh; joint second after opening day of Grand Chess Tour Croatia

Rediff.com2 Jul 2026

Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa began his campaign in the Zagreb leg of the Grand Chess Tour with a victory over top seed Vincent Keymer of Germany before drawing his next two games.

Women's Hockey Squad Announced For Asian Games With Olympic Dream

Women's Hockey Squad Announced For Asian Games With Olympic Dream

Rediff.com10 Jul 2026

India has announced its 20-member women's hockey squad for the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Led by Salima Tete, the team aims to secure a gold medal, which would qualify them for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The squad features a mix of experienced players and promising juniors, with minor changes from the recent FIH Nations Cup-winning team.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Argentina stage stunning fightback to storm into quarterfinals

FIFA World Cup 2026: Argentina stage stunning fightback to storm into quarterfinals

Rediff.com8 Jul 2026

Argentina produced a stunning comeback after falling two goals behind, scoring twice in four minutes through Cristian Romero and Lionel Messi to beat Egypt 3-2 in their last 16 clash of the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Atlanta on Tuesday.