Articles by Sph Media Limited

Sports

Italy will be ready for physical Northern Ireland, says manager Gattuso

Italy manager Gennaro Gattuso is bracing for a bruising battle against Northern Ireland in March when the sides meet in their playoff semi-final for next year's World Cup. The Italians are seeking to return to the World Cup for the first time since 2014 after missing the last two tournaments in Russia and Qatar, both following playoff defeats. Should the four-times world champions get past Northern Ireland they would face a potential final against either Wales or Bosnia & Herzegovina to qualify for the soccer showpiece in North America. "Northern Ireland is a physical team, they never give up," Gattuso told Sky Sports Italia after the playoffs draw on Thursday. "We have to play it. I've been saying this for three months. We knew we had to go through the playoffs ... We look ahead with confidence." Italy sacked former manager Luciano Spalletti in June and while Gattuso led the side to two wins over Estonia and Israel as well as a victory against Moldova in his first five matches they were still unable to earn direct qualification. They lost 4-1 in their final qualifier to group winners Norway. "Right now, we must work on our fragility because we've proved that when we do things right, we are competitive," Gattuso, 47, said. "Of course, you can't afford to make mistakes as we did the other night, but this is my priority, improve this aspect." The World Cup will be held from June 11 to July 19 in Canada, Mexico and the United States. REUTERS

Technology

Australia rock England with pace in fiery first Ashes session

PERTH - Australia got their Ashes defence off to the perfect start on Friday with frontline quick Mitchell Starc scorching England's top order by claiming three wickets before lunch on day one in Perth, reducing the visitors to 105-4. The hosts, who have held the coveted urn since 2017-18, entered the contest with a pace attack depleted by injuries to captain Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, but Starc (3-24) shouldered the additional burden with ease. England, who won the toss, opted for all-out pace on a deck known for assisting seamers, favouring Brydon Carse over spinner Shoaib Bashir, while Australia selected two debutants in fast bowler Brendan Doggett and opener Jake Weatherald. Starc served up searing pace in the first over to tempt Zak Crawley into an off-drive with a 144 kph delivery angled across the body and edged to Usman Khawaja at first slip for a six-ball duck. Starc followed that up with a full inswinger in the seventh over to trap Ben Duckett (21) leg-before. The 35-year-old then earned his 100th Ashes wicket by squaring up a nervy Joe Root with a ball that found Marnus Labuschagne at third slip before the England batter had got off the mark. All-rounder Cameron Green, fit after recovering from a back injury which had held him back from bowling in tests since March 2024, also joined the act by having Ollie Pope adjudged lbw for 46. England batsman Harry Brook (28) and skipper Ben Stokes (four) were both unbeaten at the break. REUTERS

Technology

Death toll from Indonesia's Central Java landslides rises to 30

JAKARTA - The death toll from landslides in two regions of Indonesia's Central Java rose to 30 as rescue efforts continued, the country's disaster mitigation agency said on Friday. Some 21 people remain missing after landslides triggered by torrential rain struck the city of Cilacap last week and the Banjarnegara region over the weekend, the agency said. Rescuers found 7 more bodies in Banjarnegara, the worst-affected area, on Thursday, bringing the death toll to 10 with 18 still missing, Abdul Muhari, the agency's spokesperson said in a statement late on Thursday. Dozens of houses were damaged, seven people injured, and more than 900 residents evacuated following the landslide there, Muhari said. At least 700 rescuers including police and military personnel continue to look for the missing, using excavators to speed up the search, he added. "We face several obstacles in the search, particularly with landslide ponds filled with debris and continuously flowing waters also risks new landslides due to rains," Muhari said. In Cilacap, rescuers found four more bodies this week bringing the death toll to 20 with three people still missing, Muhari said. Authorities have extended search operations there until next week, and nearly 400 residents have been evacuated. Indonesia's wet season started in September and will continue until April, according to the weather agency, raising the risk of floods and extreme rainfall in many areas. REUTERS