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The AIFF committee led by IM Vijayyan sent a notice to Indian football coach Igor Stimac after India’s shocking defeat. Liverpool have reportedly ruled out Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso as the replacement for Jurgen Klopp. Elena Rybakina opened up on her Miami Open 2024 final run and said that she didn’t practice between matches during the tournament.
Read below to learn more about the latest happenings of the sporting world in last 24 hours.
Igor Stimac on AIFF and SAI's radar after India's loss to Afghanistan in 2026 WC qualifier
The AIFF committee led by IM Vijayyan sent a notice to Indian football coach Igor Stimac after India’s shocking defeat. According to the Times of India, the Croatian’s work visa can be cancelled by the administration running the sports in the country. While the SAI and AIFF earlier partly funded Stimac’s paycheck, currently he draws his paycheck from the Indian Football Federation. According to a senior sports official, “It's about the money we spend on the Indian football team as part of the ACTC programme close to Rs 50 Crore annually. If the government is spending so much on a national team and the performances aren't coming, then obviously the blame has to be shared equally by the coach(es) and the federation.”
Endrick hugs father after scoring first goal for Brazil at Santiago Bernabeu
Brazilian footballer Endrick scored his first goal at the Santiago Bernabeu when his national side clashed against Spain. The Palmeiras star, who is set to join Real Madrid, scored the goal a few days later when he scored the game-winning goal at the iconic Wembley Stadium. The 17-year-old replaced Raphinha in the match against Spain and scored the goal in the first five minutes into the game. Just after the goal, he put his hand to his heart, slid across the turn on his knees and performed his signature celebration by outstretching his arm. Following that, Endrick headed to the north end of the stadium to find his father, Douglas and gave him a warm hug.
Xabi Alonso no longer in race to succeed Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool: Sources
Liverpool have reportedly ruled out Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso as the replacement for Jurgen Klopp. According to ESPN, Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi and Sporting CP coach Ruben Amorim are currently leading the race to succeed Klopp. Bayern’s honorary president Uli Hoeness said that hiring Alonso is “probably impossible”. Sources state that Liverpool have now decided to pursue other targets because Alonso is read to stay at Leverkusen for one more season. Michael Edwards is one of the names who had been identified as an alternative option to Alonso.
Major football results
Argentina-Copa de la Liga
Rosario Central 1-2 Barracas Central
Australia A-League Men
Adelaide United 4-1 Western United FC
Azerbaijan Premier League
FK Qabala 0-1 FK Neftchi
England Championship
Bristol City 0-0 Leicester
Tennis
Someone like John McEnroe: Chis Evert’s ex-husband John Lloyd to Novak Djokovic after Goran Ivanievic split
Chris Evert’s ex-husband John Llyod said that Novak Djokovic should hire John McEnroe as his new coach after he split with long-time coach Goran Ivanisevic came to an abrupt end. Former tennis player John Lloyd discussed a few names that Djokovic can team up with. He said, "I would almost go sort of left-field, I would go with someone like John McEnroe. I know he probably wouldn't do it. I think he's gotta go somewhere.” He added, “He doesn't need someone who's going to be doing drills and stuff."
Every match I played, next day I didn’t practice: Elena Rybakina about Miami Open 2024 final
Elena Rybakina opened up on her Miami Open 2024 final run and said that she didn’t practice between matches during the tournament. Rybakina finished in finals last year, and this year, she defeated Victoria Azarenka 6-4, 0-6, 7-6 (2) in two hours and 30 minutes to secure her berth in the Miami Open 2024. Rybakina said, "Well, honestly, without any secrets, every match I played here the next day, I didn’t practice. So yeah, it’s also a first time for me, we made this decision, and we see how I’m going to feel tomorrow. But I’m not sure if I’m coming on site.”
Daniil Medvedev defeats Nicolas Jarry to secure semifinal berth date with Jannik Sinner
Defending champion Daniil Medvedev defeated Chilean Nicolas Jarry 6-2, 7-6 (9/7) to book a semifinal date with Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals of the Miami Open 2024. After the match, Medvedev said, “In the first set I feel like I was playing good level, but nothing extra and it was enough to win, so I was happy about it. Then he managed to play much better. It was tough rallies, tough points, he served better and yeah, it was a matter of a few points on the tiebreak like it is sometimes in tennis.” Speaking about the atmosphere in the stadium, he said, “It was a pretty good atmosphere, you know even many times the referee was saying like players are ready, but I was like I don’t care, it’s actually not too bad, I’ve seen worse.”
Made me feel like 13-year-old: Alcaraz on loss to Grigor Dimitrov in Miami Open 2024 QF
Carlos Alcaraz expressed his frustration after getting down Grigor Dimitrov in the quarterfinal stage of the Miami Open 2024. He said, “He made me feel like I'm 13 years old. It was crazy. I was talking to my team saying that I don't know what I have to do. I don't know his weakness. I don't know anything. That's why I have frustration right now." Alcaraz’s journey in Miami came to an end on Thursday night after his 6-2, 6-4 loss, marking his second consecutive defeat against the Bulgarian. Alcaraz double-faulted twice in the opening set to bring the race to an end.
Formula One
Liberty Media close to four-billion dollar buy-out of MotoGP company: Reports
Formula One owners Liberty Media are reportedly close to a four-billion dollar buy-out of the company that runs Moto GP. Liberty is now aiming to try its hands on the two-wheel series run by Madrid-based Dorna Sports. According to Britain’s The Financial Tims, Liberty are said to be in the process of sealing a deal by beating off Paris Saint-Germain’s Qatari owners and the TKO group. MotoGP Dorna owns the rights to the Superbike championship as well as the electric bike series MotoE.