Alex Eala’s finest US Open run ends as skid vs friend Iva Jovic continues

AMSTELVEEN: England produced a stunning second-half comeback to defeat India 4-2 in a thrilling Pool D encounter at the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 at the Wagener Stadium on Monday. India appeared to be in control for much of the opening half and went into the interval with a 2-1 advantage. However, England completely changed the momentum after the break, scoring three unanswered goals across the third and fourth quarters to secure a memorable victory. The result extended England’s perfect start to the tournament. They now have two wins from two matches and sit at the top of Pool D, strengthening their position as one of the teams to watch in the competition. For India, the defeat continued a long wait for a World Cup victory against England. Their last win over the English side at the global tournament came back in 1994. India had started their campaign confidently, beating Wales 3-1. Captain Harmanpreet Singh converted two penalty corners, while Sanjay added another goal from a set-piece to give his side an encouraging opening victory. England, meanwhile, began the World Cup with an impressive 4-1 victory over Pakistan before carrying that momentum into Monday’s clash. India remain second in Pool D with three points. Their next match will be a highly anticipated encounter against arch-rivals Pakistan, while England will meet Wales in their next group fixture. India’s hockey team are still searching for a second World Cup title, having last lifted the trophy in 1975. They endured a disappointing campaign in the 2023 edition on home soil, finishing ninth. Elsewhere, France and Malaysia played out an entertaining 3-3 draw in Pool B. France’s Timothée Clement scored late in the final quarter to rescue a point. In the women’s tournament, Argentina defeated Germany 3-2, while the Netherlands beat Australia 4-2.

France have appointed former midfielder and Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane as their new head coach, beginning a new era for the national team. The French Football Federation confirmed the appointment on Tuesday. The 54-year-old succeeds Didier Deschamps, who stepped down after 14 years in charge. Deschamps guided France to the 2018 World Cup title and the 2020-21 Nations League trophy. He also led the team to the Euro 2016 and 2022 World Cup finals. Zidane now returns to the national setup more than two decades after helping France win the 1998 World Cup on home soil. He played a key role in that historic campaign and won the Ballon d’Or the same year. The appointment brings together Zidane’s successful playing career and an impressive managerial record. As Real Madrid coach, he won three consecutive Champions League titles and established himself as one of Europe’s most successful managers. Zidane’s first major challenge will be to build on France’s strong squad and prepare the team for the next international cycle. His appointment is expected to bring a fresh tactical approach while maintaining France’s status as one of the world’s leading football nations. His tenure is set to run through the 2030 World Cup. The new France boss is expected to begin his international campaign with a Nations League match away to Turkey. France will then host Italy at the Stade de France on October 2.

LONDON: New Zealand batter Tim Seifert produced a sensational display of power hitting as Manchester Super Giants chased down 159 against Trent Rockets to win their maiden men’s Hundred title by five wickets at Lord’s on Sunday. Seifert’s explosive 72 off just 38 balls transformed the chase and put Manchester in control before Liam Dawson held his nerve during a dramatic final over to complete a memorable victory. The Super Giants appeared to be cruising before the Rockets launched a late fightback. With Manchester needing only three runs from the final nine balls, Mohammad Amir struck twice in successive deliveries, removing Heinrich Klaasen and Michael Bracewell. Ben Sanderson then delivered two consecutive dot balls, leaving Manchester needing three runs from three deliveries. Dawson responded in emphatic fashion. The experienced batter launched the next delivery over the mid-wicket boundary for six, sealing victory with two balls still remaining and sparking celebrations among the Manchester camp. Earlier, Seifert had almost single-handedly shifted the momentum of the final. The right-hander attacked the Rockets’ bowling from the outset, smashing seven sixes and four fours in a breathtaking innings. The Rockets briefly thought they had removed the danger man when Seifert was on 33. Finn Allen produced a spectacular effort near the boundary, but the catch was ruled out after Allen’s foot touched the rope before he completed the attempt. Seifert continued his assault and eventually equalled Will Jacks’ record for the highest individual score in a men’s Hundred final. His performance capped an outstanding tournament. Seifert finished as the competition’s second-highest run-scorer, behind Australia’s Mitchell Marsh, accumulating 394 runs at an average just below 50. For Manchester Super Giants, the triumph ended years of frustration. The Old Trafford-based franchise, previously known as Manchester Originals, had reached two men’s finals before Sunday but failed to lift the trophy, including a defeat by Trent Rockets in 2022. The Rockets, meanwhile, were left to rue a missed opportunity after topping the men’s table and earning a direct place in the final. They had also hoped to make history by becoming the first franchise to win both the men’s and women’s Hundred titles in the same season. Instead, it was Manchester’s night at Lord’s, with Seifert’s extraordinary hitting and Dawson’s cool finish delivering the franchise its long-awaited first men’s Hundred crown.