Sports
Smallest 2015 Asian Cup stadium could increase capacity
Newcastle (Australia): The organisers of the 2015 AFC Asian Cup are considering increasing the capacity at Newcastle stadium, which is the smallest of five venues here.
The stadium could stage a potentially explosive semi-final between hosts Australia and defending champions Japan Jan 27, which has put the organisers under pressure to open up the standing grassy areas to fans, as per reports.
The venue can accommodate 23,000 spectators while in A-League the capacity can reach as many as 33,000 when fans are allowed to watch the games from the grassy areas behind the goal posts on either end.
But the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) barred ticket sales for non-seating areas behind the goals last Saturday.
A spokesperson of the Australian Local Organising Committee said their other option would be to switch the match to a bigger venue, which is still under consideration.
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Sunil Gavaskar gives his opinion of GT allrounder Rahul Tewatia
The left-handed batsman from Haryana is garnering praise from all quarters for the way he’s finishing games regularly in the most exciting IPL season.
Gavaskar reckons Tewatia’s whirlwind knock in Sharjah (in IPL 2020) where he smashed West Indies pacer Sheldon Cottrell for five sixes in an over, gave him the confidence that he belongs to the big stage.
Speaking on Cricket Live on Star Sports, Gavaskar said, “That assault on Sheldon Cottrell in Sharjah gave him the belief to do the impossible and the confidence that he belongs here. We saw the impossible (he did with the bat) the other day as well. There’s no twitching or touching the pads (which shows a batter’s nervousness) when he bats in the death overs. He just waits for the ball to be delivered and plays his shots. He’s got all the shots in the book, but most importantly his temperament to stay cool in a crisis is brilliant.”
Gavaskar has also nicknamed the 28-year-old cricketer the ‘ice-man’ and lauded Tewatia’s ability to remain unruffled during the tense moments.