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Sunday,
June 16, 2002, Chandigarh, India  
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England brush aside Danish challenge
Neuville puts Germany in last 8
Scenes of unprecedented jubilation in Korea, Japan Giant-killers Sweden, Senegal cautious |
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Spain wary of Duff, Keane USA very
dangerous
rivals: Perez
‘No change in tactics against Italy’
Sri Lanka fight back
after Stewart’s ton Pak level series with two-wicket win Jeev makes the cut at US Open Anand, Ponomariov in world team
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England brush aside Danish challenge
Niigata, June 15 First-half goals from Rio Ferdinand, striker Michael Owen and Liverpool team-mate Emile Heskey crowned a superb display for Sven-Goran Eriksson’s side, who now advance to a last eight showdown with either Brazil or Belgium in Shizuoka on June 21. Against Danish opponents, who earlier this week had sent champions France crashing out of the tournament, England dominated from start to finish with a composed performance at rain-soaked Big Swan Stadium. England got off to a dream start after only five minutes, when a corner from captain David Beckham caused panic in the Danish six yard box. Ferdinand’s header at the back post was off-target but back-pedalling Denmark keeper Thomas Sorensen fluffed his attempt to gather, inadvertently fumbling the ball over the line. He wheeled away to celebrate but Sorensen was at fault. To make matters worse for Denmark, the melee saw influential defender Thomas Helveg leave the field injured after colliding with a stanchion behind the goal, forcing an unwanted reshuffle on the Danes, Kasper Bogelund coming on. England again tested the Danish defence on 16 minutes. A long ball forward from Arsenal full back Ashley Cole saw Heskey go clear after a barge on Martin Laursen, but Sorensen was alert to the danger. On 22 minutes England’s total early domination got its reward with a superb eight-pass move launched by a 40-yard ball from Paul Scholes to Manchester United colleague Beckham. Trevor Sinclair broke down the left and played a low centre into the Danish area. Nicky Butt flicked on, the ball took a kind deflection off Danish marker Thomas Gravesen and found Owen with time to pick his spot with a low finish past Sorensen. Danish frustration at their inability to get into the match was summed up by midfield enforcer Stig Tofting’s early booking for dissent. Tofting, who had a quiet game, was later substituted. England were warned against complacency a few minutes after Owen’s goal, when Danish striker Ebbe Sand broke into the box and sent a firm low shot flying inches past the post. But on the stroke of half-time England all but sealed their place in the next round. A long throw by Danny Mills was poorly dealt with by Niclas Jensen and Beckham picked up the loose ball, sweeping to Heskey who thumped an unstoppable low shot beneath Sorensen. England had an early scare in the second half, when some hesitant defending allowed Jesper Gronkjaer a shot on goal, although the Chelsea winger could only drive his over. Eriksson, who had replaced Owen with Leeds’ Robbie Fowler at half-time, then brought off Scholes for Newcastle’s Kieron Dyer. A flashpoint occurred on 50 minutes when fullback Mills collided with Danish skipper Rene Henriksen to earn a yellow card. But England continued to swagger on. Another slick passing sequence ended with a sprightly looking Beckham whipping in a 20-yard shot that Sorensen palmed over the bar. At the other end, luck continued to elude Denmark. On 65 minutes a Gravesen shot rocketed goalwards and deflected off Jon Dahl Tomasson and over the bar. Denmark’s attempts to somehow get back in the game were frustrated at every turn, and for the final quarter England were happy to let the game play out to its conclusion. Beckham went close with a shot that Sorensen blocked. Eight minutes from time Denmark almost scored a consolation effort, Jensen’s delightful chip forcing Seaman to scramble back and head over.
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Neuville puts Germany in last 8 Seogwipo, June 15 Neuville’s right-footed strike from close-in sealed victory in an uninspiring game played before a swathe of empty seats. The victory hands Germany a last eight tussle with Mexico or the USA who play on Monday. While Paraguay exhibited more flair it was Germany’s hard-nosed determination and physical superiority that secured a 13th quarter-final appearance in 15 World Cups. After a sluggish first half they emerged from the break in a more attacking frame of mind and began turning the screws. Germany have a trait of pulling goals out of the hat just when they are needed and the pressure paid off in the 88th minute when Bernd Schneider’s low cross from the right was slammed in by Bayer Leverkusen’s Neuville. Coach Rudi Voeller, a player in Germany’s victorious 1990 World Cup winning side, said it was a deserved victory. “It was not really a football game in the first half,” he admitted. “Everyone was kind of shooting the ball all over. “But we started to play in the second half. We were able to move out on the wings more and we deserved our victory.” Neuville said he was just happy to be in the starting lineup after losing his place before the World Cup. “We played very well in the second half,” Neuville said. “I lost my place but I talked to Rudi two or three days before this match and now all is well. I only found out I was playing two hours before kick-off.” South American hopes of an upset were not helped by the loss of exciting young Bayern Munich striker Roque Santa Cruz who limped off after appearing to pull a muscle in the 30th minute. Their day was soured further by Roberto Acune’s sending off with just seconds left. The Paraguayan exit means that out of five starters from South America only Brazil remain in contention. Paraguay’s veteran Italian coach Cesare Maldini said he was pleased his side fought so well. “Most of the game was played in midfield and then suddenly you get a beautiful run down the right and a beautiful score by Neuville.” “This is typical Germany. They are strong physically, maybe not technically, but certainly physically.” Paraguay’s eccentric goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert, playing in his last finals aged 36, sent one trademark long-distance free-kick over the bar as he failed in his dream to become the first goalkeeper to score at a World Cup. He said his team had come close to causing an upset. “Germany were lucky today — we were their equals,” he insisted. “We lost as heroes, national heroes.” Paraguay had the better of a scrappy first half, creating half a dozen chances as they exposed a shaky defence. After his introduction for Santa Cruz, Jorge Campos thrashed an effort goalwards which German keeper Oliver Kahn, celebrating his 33rd birthday, did well to parry with his left hand. Germany’s Ballack had earlier gone up for a header which floated harmlessly away and then smacked a long-range effort wide. The Germans, missing defender Carsten Ramelow and midfielders Christian Ziege and Dietmar Hamann, couldn’t find their groove with little midfield creativity. They failed to put one shot on target in the first 45 minutes. A different team came out for the second period and Chilavert was forced into his first save of the game when Schneider latched on to a low cross from Neuville soon after the start. Germany kept up the relentless pressure and Chilavert was in action again and again, keeping Paraguay in the game before Neuville’s late strike killed off their dreams of making a quarter-final for the first time in six attempts.
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It’s a great feeling: Neuville Seogwipo, June 15 Although he had played in two of Germany’s three group games before today’s match, he had only amassed a total of 22 minutes of playing time. "It was a great feeling to score. It is up to the coach to decide who plays and who does not play. I am just happy that I got a chance today and that I managed to score. That was a terrific experience and I am glad that I got the goal", he said. German coach Rudi Voeller, who has shown a knack of making unexpected changes that work, chose the right moment to give his striker his first start of the tournament. "I believe we played quite a good second half. I am very satisfied. It was the first game where I started so I am happy," said the Bayer Leverkusen striker. "I was a starter before the World Cup and played a good Champions League final (where Leverkusen lost to Real Madrid). I talked with Rudi two days ago and its all OK now," he said. Neuville’s goal will have given Voeller a major headache before the German quarter-final clash next Friday against the winner of Mexico and USA in Ulsan. He has Christian Ziege, Carsten Ramelow and Dietmar Hamann back from suspension, but Neuville has certainly made a strong case for himself.
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Deafening cheer, relief in Berlin Berlin, June 15 The deafening cheer that erupted from living rooms, pubs and public screenings around the nation shortly after 10 a.m. (0800 GMT) put an end to the nerve-wracking match for fans of the triple World Cup champions who feared an upset was brewing. Even Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder put his re-election campaign on hold to watch the game and said: “I feel the victory was deserved based on the way the team played the whole match”. Klaus Schieffer, a 55-year-old baker, watched with 3,000 other delirious fans on a giant screen in the centre of Berlin. “This is just insane. I didn't think we would pull this one off,” said Schieffer, who jumped into the arms of celebrating strangers after the goal. Big celebrations were also seen in Frankfurt, the country's financial capital, and Munich, where hundreds of people joined a procession of honking cars parading through the town centre. An estimated television audience of 25 million households tuned into the game, which began at 8:30 a.m. (0630 GMT), in a country of 82 million. The market share was nearly 80 per cent. Streets in Berlin on a warm summer morning were virtually empty, the central Tiergarden park devoid of the usual flocks of early-morning joggers and even the tourist stops such as the Reichstag and Brandenburg Gate were abandoned. The eerie silence that descended upon the idle capital city was occasionally broken by cheers, groans or gasps after near-misses from open windows of apartment buildings and pubs or the large gathering at Potsdamer Platz square in Berlin. “Our goal was great, but the rest of the game was lousy,” said Robert General, 38, whose face was painted in Germany's red, gold and black colours. Like many watching in Berlin, he had been up all night at a disco and stood for the full match. “We won't get much further if we keep playing like that,” he added. Other fans turned to beer, the national beverage, instead of orange juice for breakfast to keep up their enthusiasm and avoid dehydration or a dry throat during the early morning workout. “Business has been great this morning,” said Kai-Uwe Faust, 23, selling ice-cold bottles of beer from an ice cream stand. “No one wants ice cream today. Everyone wants beer.” Many of the fans were draped in Germany flags. They spent 90 minutes singing and cheering at the top of their lungs — and praying for the goal that came late and unexpectedly.
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Germany deserved victory: Voller
South Korea, June 15 Oliver Neuville’s goal two minutes from the end separated the two sides in a 1-0 win for the Germans, who have always made at least the last eight in every post-war finals — though they were not invited to compete in 1950. “Paraguay are a very difficult team to play against. They made things hard for us. But in the end we pulled off a deserved win,” said Voller. The three-time champions, knocked out in the quarters by Bulgaria in 1994 and Croatia in 1998, next face either Mexico or the USA for a place in the last four. And Voller said he had no preference regarding his next opponent. “It’s all the same to me. Either will be a tough challenge. I have no preference,” added the coach, who took over the national team two years ago after a dismal 2000 European Championships campaign and steered the side into the World Cup finals.
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Chilavert looks
forward to next
World Cup Seogwipo, June 15 “If the next trainer wants me to play in 2006, we’ll see,” said Chilavert, who will be nearly 41 when the German edition of the tournament gets underway. The outspoken Paraguay captain said even though Paraguay were knocked out of the World Cup today after a 1-0 defeat against Germany, he would continue playing. “I will continue playing for Strasbourg in the French first division for at least another season and then probably go to Japan to play there after that.” Chilavert, who is considered the most prolific goal scorers amongst international goalkeepers — scoring eight for Paraguay — did not dismiss the idea of being a part of a Paraguayan squad at the 2006 finals, even if it meant taking on the role of coach. “I want to be useful to Paraguay in any way I can,” Chilavert said. Reviewing his team’s performance in Korea, Chilavert said he was happy with Paraguay’s achievements.
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Scenes of unprecedented jubilation in Korea, Japan Niigata, Japan, June 15 World champions France, hot pre-tournament favourites Argentina and strongly-fancied dark horses Portugal have all packed their bags and gone home. The unheralded Mexicans, Senegalese, the USA and Turkish teams are still there, as are the English, the Danes, the Spanish and the Irish. Traditional World Cup powerhouses Brazil, Italy and Germany all survived the cull — and so too of course, did both co-hosts. Scenes of almost unrivalled jubilation have engulfed South Korea and Japan as the Asian countries have reached the second round for the first time ever. The Koreans have won in the World Cup after five previous tournaments that produced four draws and 10 defeats over 48 years. Japan have won twice after losing all three matches on their debut appearance in France four years ago. Incredibly both won their qualifying groups. Global doubt was expressed before the tournament began about whether either would win a match and many thought one or the other would become the first World Cup hosts ever to fail to get past the opening round. They have exceeded expectations to an unlikely degree, and Japanese midfielder Junichi Inamoto, who spent almost all of last season in the reserves at English premier league club Arsenal, has emerged like a butterfly from a cocoon to be lauded as the player of the round. The ticketing scandal that blighted the opening games appears to be on the wane with far fewer empty seats in the stadiums at later first round games. The threat of hooliganism, whipped up by tabloid journalists, local politicians and excitable police commanders has failed to materialise. The deputy mayor of Taegu in Korea who last year pleaded for English hooligans to visit his city so his police force could teach them a lesson or two, must be one of the few disappointed men in Korea. The fight on the streets hasn’t happened. The conflict was on the field where it belonged. If the remaining 16 games of the knockout stage produce even half as many upsets as the first round then, who knows, South Korea might even meet Japan in the final in Yokohama on June 30. Unlikely, but possible. The same was said of Senegal beating France, of the USA defeating Portugal, of Denmark overcoming France, of Ireland drawing with Germany or even of England, so often overburdened by a false sense of expectation, beating Argentina. The tone was set in the very first match in Seoul on May 31. World and European champions France, all sunglasses and hair gel at the airport, wafted into the tournament with 90 per cent of their countrymen telling a Paris pollster they fully expected France to retain the trophy. But Pape Bouba Diop and his Senegalese team mates had other ideas. All but two of their 23-man squad play for French clubs and were simply not overawed by their opponents’ reputation and achievement. Diop got the only goal after 30 minutes. France did not score in three matches, drawing 0-0 with Uruguay and losing 2-0 to Denmark. They went home with the worst record of any defending champion in history without a goal or a win. They were the first holders since Brazil in 1966 to go out in the first round. The only other countries who failed to score were debutants China and the weak Saudi Arabians — and France will now be ranked 28th out of the 32 finalists at the end of the tournament with only Tunisia, Slovenia, the Chinese and Saudis beneath them. One day later Argentina followed France to the departure lounge at Narita Airport outside Tokyo. Argentina cruised through the qualifiers, winning the tough South American competition by 10 points and scoring 42 goals. With the national economy in crisis, the likes of Ariel Ortega, Gabriel Batistuta and Diego Simeone promised their countrymen a World Cup victory to alleviate their suffering. But after beating Nigeria 1-0, Argentina stumbled out, losing to old rivals England 1-0 and then drawing 1-1 with Sweden. Batistuta was in tears at the end, his international career over. Captain Juan Sebastian Veron was poor, Simeone a shadow of his former self. The only tiny consolation was that Batistuta joined a select band of only six men to score 10 or more goals in the finals. He might savour that achievement one day. The end also beckons now for Portugal’s ‘golden generation’ — the men who as boys won world junior championships a decade or so ago. For World Player of the Year Luis Figo, Rui Costa, Joao Pinto, Jorge Costa and Vitor Baia the moment had come. But not as they hoped. They were 3-0 down to the US in their opening match before bouncing back but still lost 3-2, beat Poland 4-0 thanks to a Pauleta hat-trick and finally went out on Friday after losing 1-0 to South Korea with nine men. At least they left their mark with the worst foul of the tournament to date when Joao Pinto made a dangerous two-footed lunge at Park Ji-sung and was shown the red card. Beto Severo was also dismissed, as were Portugal. A sad end indeed.
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Giant-killers Sweden, Senegal cautious Oita, Japan, June 15 Sweden helped eliminate pre-tournament favourites Argentina on their way to the top of group F, while Senegal’s debut finals adventure has so far accounted for defending champions France and cast the African game in a positive light. But caution was the watchword from both camps on the eve of the last 16 meeting, fearful that complacency would suddenly undermine their hitherto magnificent efforts. “We’re happy we won the group but at the same time we can’t think we’re the best team in the world or anything like that,” Sweden midfielder Fredrik Ljungberg, who is battling against a hip injury, told reporters. “The past is the past. It doesn’t matter any more because we have to overcome what we know will be a huge challenge from Senegal.” Bruno Metsu, coach of the African side, has an injury doubt over defender Ferdinand Coly, while Salif Diao and the influential Khalilou Fadiga are both suspended. “Expectations have risen after the group stage,” said Metsu. “We know that, but we also know we have some problems trying to replace the absent players.” Senegal, on their first finals appearance, are aiming to match Cameroon’s 1990 achievement of making the quarter-finals, while Sweden have two previous watermarks to reach — they lost in the 1958 final to a Pele-inspired Brazil and succumbed to the Brazilians again in 1994 on their way to third place. Brazil could await in this year’s last four, and coach Lars Lagerback, who was a member of the backroom staff eight years ago, said: “I can remember what 94 was like...it was really nice and I wouldn’t mind doing it again but you can’t think like that — it’s just concentrating on the next game.” Senegal’s 1-0 win over France in the opening game of the tournament, coupled with their outstanding talent in individuals like El Hadji Diouf and Pape Bouba Diop, has given Sweden plenty of advance warning. “They are very good defensively and they are very strong on the counter-attack,” said Ljungberg. “We will not be underestimating them.” Ljungberg and goalkeeper Magnus Hedman (lower back) were hoping to prove their fitness ahead of the game in Oita. Metsu, for his part, will have lost sleep over the potency and all-round threat of Sweden striker Henrik Larsson, as well as the confidence of midfielder Anders Svensson, whose excellent free kick helped Sweden to a 1-1 draw with Argentina in their last group game. The Swedes were criticised by Argentina after their deciding match for being too negative, but Svensson, who has reclaimed his place after being dropped for the opening group game against England, promised they would not fall into the same trap against Senegal. “That Argentina result has given us so much confidence...we know we have to beat Senegal and we will be trying to do it in 90 minutes,” he said. Svensson added, however, that Sweden had been practising penalties, just in case the tie goes to spot-kicks after extra time. Senegal will be missing four of their first team for the second round match against Sweden, coach Bruno Metso said today.
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Spain wary of Duff, Keane Suwon, June 15 The stylish Hierro, making his fourth appearance at the World Cup finals, is Spain’s most capped outfield player and his country’s leading goalscorer. The team captain is the most respected figure currently playing in the Spanish league and he provided a further demonstration of his worth to the side by stroking in two penalties in the two games he has played so far. The no-nonsense Nadal is enjoying a new lease of life since moving back to his native Mallorca from Barcelona three years ago and he has looked fitter than ever in Spain’s three games in the tournament. Neither player will be disturbed in the slightest by the thought of a physical battle against the Irish, but the pace of Damien Duff and Robbie Keane will give them cause for concern. Keane has been the driving force behind the Irish side in the absence of his namesake Roy, and it was his goal in the dying seconds against Germany that snatched a draw and revived their hopes of making the second round. The rapidly improving Duff then got in on the act to score Ireland’s third goal in the victory over Saudi Arabia that set up the clash with Spain. Ireland are expected to play a containing game on Sunday, looking to hit Spain on the break, and the blossoming Keane-Duff partnership will be crucial. "It’s clear that we’re not going to be able to throw men forward and give Ireland chances to play continually on the counter-attack," coach Camacho said this week.
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USA very
dangerous
rivals: Perez Taejon, South Korea, June 15 “They’re very dangerous rivals,” said goalkeeper Oscar Perez after Mexico completed their first training session in South Korea since they arrived from Japan for Monday’s clash with their northern neighbours. “They’re very well organised at the back, they don’t give you much space and they hit you hard on the counter attack with very fast players down the wings.” Mexico striker Cuauhtemoc Blanco said U.S. football had come a long way in recent years and dismissed suggestions that Mexico were clear favourites for the match in Chonju. “I think the USA have grown a lot and they have some very quick players,” he said. “However, we’re confident we can make it to the next round.” “There’s a lot of rivalry between Mexico and the USA but our team comes here playing well. We’ll try to attack them from the first minute.” Mexico were impressive in the group stage of the tournament, beating Croatia and Ecuador and drawing with Italy. The USA were more erratic, beating Portugal, drawing with South Korea and squeezing through to the last 16 despite losing their final match against Poland. Mexico, unlike the USA, have no injuries and no players suspended. “Physically we’re very strong,” coach Javier Aguirre said. “It’s a tribute to the team and the technical staff here that we’re in such good shape.”
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‘No change in tactics against Italy’ Incheon (South Korea), June 15 The Dutch coach, who took Holland to the semi-final of the World Cup four years ago in France, was lionised by millions of Koreans during wild street celebrations last night after the team’s 1-0 win over Portugal. The so-called “Hiddink Way”, which guided Korea to the second round of the World Cup finals for the first time in their sixth campaign, has been adopted by big business to bolster employee confidence. It has transformed the fortunes of the Korean team whose all-action style of play has lit up the World Cup and fired the passions of their supporters. Hiddink’s tactical nous, coupled with the brick wall of noise Portugal ran into every time they touched the ball at the Munhak stadium, led to the downfall of one of the most stylish teams in the tournament. “I know a lot of the Portuguese players and they do not like to feel the heat. That was the intention (to put them under pressure) and it worked well,” confirmed Hiddink. “Of course the first sending off gave us an advantage and I thought a goal would come.” The dismissal of Joao Pinto for a two-footed lunge into the back of Park Ji-Sung was largely down to frustration brought about by Korea’s constant harrying and the sound barrier the Portuguese kept bouncing off. “We planned to put them under pressure at the start and it seemed as if they became frustrated,” said Hiddink, who drew the biggest cheer from the capacity 50,000 crowd even before the game started. Hiddink said the word “defensive” was not in his vocabulary or the make up of his team and he would not change the tactics against Italy for the second round match on Tuesday. “I would not start changing the tactics now even if I could,” he said. “The players would not be able to change their style of play and I would not ask them to.
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Sri Lanka fight back after Stewart’s ton Manchester, June 15 Opener Atapattu went off for an x-ray to his right index finger after being hit by a delivery from Andrew Flintoff. England also suffered an injury blow when seamer Andy Caddick strained a side after bowling three deliveries of his sixth over. Alec Stewart stole the spotlight earlier by hitting four fours off consecutive balls to complete a stylish century.He was on 86 when he sped to his hundred with two pulls, a square cut and a straight drive off paceman Dilhara Fernando. He went on to make 123. England (1st Innings): Trescothick c Jayawardene
b Murali 81 Vaughan c Vaas b Fernando 36 Butcher lbw b Vaas 123 Hussain c Murali b Fernando 16 Thorpe c Sangakkara
b Upashantha 32 Stewart c Tillekeratne b Murali 123 Flintoff run out 1 Tudor c Arnold b Vaas 19 Giles c Sangakkara b Murali 45 Caddick not out 2 Hoggard lbw b Fernando 7 Extras:
(b-5, lb-10, nb-12) 27 Total: (all out, 145.2 overs) 512 FoW: 1-66, 2-192, 3-219, 4-262, 5-354, 6-361, 7-400, 8-502, 9-503. Bowling: Vaas 38-8-121-2, Upashantha 8-0-65-1, Fernando 29.2-2-154-3, Muralitharan 60-20-137-3, De Silva 2-0-5-0, Jayasuriya 8-2-15-0. Sri Lanka (1st innings): M Atapattu retd hurt 10 Arnold c Vaughan b Tudor 62 Sangakkara batting 33 Jayawardene batting 11 Extras (lb-1, nb-13) 14 Total (for 1 wkt, 38 overs) 130 FoW: 1-107. Bowling: Caddick 5.3-2-17-0, Hoggard 2-0-17-0, Flintoff 9-2-38-0, Tudor 9.3-2-34-1, Giles 12-2-23-0.
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Pak level series with two-wicket win Melbourne, June 15 Pakistan made 168 for eight off 48.5 overs after bowling out Australia for 167. Pakistan captain Waqar Younis, batting with a runner because of a leg injury, hit Glenn McGrath over third man for the winning run. The result meant the three-match series was tied at one apiece ahead of the final game next Wednesday in Brisbane. Australian captain Ricky Ponting made the mistake of bowling Brett Lee late in the innings, while No.1 strike bowler McGrath still had three overs left. McGrath, who conceded only nine runs in his first seven overs, did not return until the 47th over and finished with no wicket for 16 from 8.5 overs. Lee returned two for 44 from his 10 overs. Lee and Shoaib Akhtar, the two main dracards for this series, claimed two wickets apiece after missing game one. TV umpire Simon Taufel made two controversial rulings in favour of Australia. He gave Wasim Akram run out for 10 late in Pakistan’s innings. Lee was in Akram’s way as he tried to reach the non-striker’s end and it was a close decision after a direct hit from Ponting at backward point. Damien Martyn top-scored for Australia with 56, but was on seven when he mistimed a pull shot off Akram to Waqar Younis at mid-on. Waqar claimed a catch low to the ground and Taufel took about three minutes to rule in Martyn’s favour. Opener Saeed Anwar had a terrible return to international cricket, dismissed for a duck on the third ball of the innings. Anwar, who had not played for Pakistan since late last year because of a hand injury, had not faced a ball when he backed up too far and a direct hit from Shane Watson at mid-off ran him out.Lee conceded five early wides, but suddenly became deadly and dismissed Imran Nazir and Azhar Mahmood in one over to leave Pakistan at 21 for three. Younis stabilised the innings with his knock, which came off 76 balls and included four boundaries. Andy Bichel followed on from his three for 30 in the first match to take one for 28 from 10 overs. Wasim Akram inspired Pakistan by grabbing the first two Australian wickets off only three balls. Akram finished with three for 18 while all-rounder Shahid Afridi’s leg spin accounted for three for 28 to send the World Cup champions reeling. Australia: Gilchrist c Latif b Akram 0 Maher c Latif b Akram 12 Ponting c and b Akram 0 Martyn c Nazir b Afridi 56 Lehmann c Latif b Azhar 31 Bevan c Latif b Akhtar 30 Watson lbw b Afridi 8 Warne lbw b Afridi 1 Bichel b Akhtar 7 Lee not out 3 McGrath run out 1 Extras (lb-5 nb-8 w-5) 18 Total (all out, 45.4 overs) 167 FoW:
1-0, 2-0, 3-23, 4-89, 5-121, 6-138, 7-143, 8-163, 9-164. Bowling: Wasim Akram 8-1-18-3, Waqar Younis 10-1-35-0, Azhar Mahmood 10-0-51-1, Shoaib Akhtar 8-0-30-2, Shahid Afridi 9.4-1-28-3. Pakistan: Nazir lbw b Lee 6 Anwar run out 0 Mahmood c Gilchrist b Lee 4 Youhana c Martyn b Warne 29 Inzamam b Bichel 24 Khan not out 56 Latif b Warne 16 Afridi c Ponting b Lehmann 3 Akram run out 10 Waqar not out 8 Extras (lb-4 w-7 b-1) 12 Total (for 8 wickets, 48.5 overs) 168 Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-18, 3-21, 4-65, 5-85, 6-120, 7-131, 8-150. Bowling: Glenn McGrath 8.5-3-16-0, Brett Lee 10-0-44-2, Shane Watson 4-1-9-0, Andrew Bichel 10-1-28-1, Shane Warne 10-0-49-2, Darren Lehmann 6-0-17-1.
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Jeev makes the cut at US Open New York, June 15 On a day when it kept pouring buckets over the city throughout the day, Jeev shot his second successive five-over 75 and then endured an agonising wait of over six hours for the evening round to finish, before tying for the 60th place and sealing his place in the money-making rounds of the second major championship of the year. “This is definitely the most memorable moment of my career. The fact that I made the cut in my first major and that too at the US Open, without doubt the toughest golf championship in the world, and at a venue like the Bethpage Black, which is now being ranked as the most difficult course in the USA, makes it even more fantastic,” said a delighted Jeev. Gaurav Ghei and Jyoti Randhawa are the other Indians who have qualified for a major in the past-1997 and 2000 British Open respectively, but they failed to make it to the money-making stage. Jeev made it, but not before creating some drama. He was sailing along smoothly at one-over for the day after 13 holes. And then, he dropped four strokes in the next five holes, including a double bogey on the 16th (the seventh of the course as Jeev started from the 10th tee), and a bogey on the final hole. “I really thought I had lost the opportunity. I kept cursing my luck. What else can you say when you are playing such solid golf and yet make double bogeys because the ball gets plugged in the bunker? Both my doubles (on the 17th and seventh holes) were a result of plugged lines and I could do absolutely nothing,” said the Chandigarh based professional, who drove the ball very well, missing just one fairway — on his final hole. The Indian began the day with a bogey on the difficult par-4 10th, but got back to even par after draining a monstrous 80-ft birdie putt on the longest par-4 in the history of the US Open, the 499-yard 12th. A bogey on the 14th and a double on the 17th saw him make the turn at three-over for the day. The rains had deteriorated the course conditions and everything was wet, making it a test of skill and mental strength. On the back nine, Jeev birdied the first hole, where he chipped-in and then added another on the fourth where his sandwedge third shot went nearly 15 ft over the pin and spun back to settle less than six inches from the hole. Then disaster struck. On the fifth, Jeev could not make his up-and-down from the bunker. On the 489-yard par-4 seventh, Jeev had to use a driver off the tee and a three-wood second shot because of headwind but could only reach the rough before the green. He duffed his chip which got plugged in the bunker and he ended with a double bogey. Sensing he needed to make a birdie on the final hole, Jeev ripped his driver, only to end up deep in the trees on the right. From there, he made a brilliant bogey, hitting his pitching wedge from between the trees for a smart recovery shot. But by that time, what was turning out to be a great round, had turned on its head for Jeev. “I could not believe what I had done. It was the most agonising moment of my life. I was hating the fact that I ever started playing golf. I just wanted to throw away everything and give up the game. It would have been the stupidest way to miss the cut. But now that I have made it, I am confident that I will do well over weekend,” said Jeev. Meanwhile, rain or no rain, Tiger Woods march towards winning the second major in a row continued unabated as he added a two-under 68, worth its weight in gold under the circumstances, to extend the lead on top by three strokes at five-under 135. Only Padraig Harrington is within striking distance, at two-under 138. Choi Kyung-ju (Korea), Davis Love III, Jeff Maggert (both USA) and Sergio Garcia (Spain) were tied for the third place at two-over 142.
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Anand, Ponomariov in world team Dubai, June 15 “A contest between a world team, comprising top international stars, and Russia’s best players will be held in Moscow during September, this year,” a world chess federation (FIDE) official told Dubai’s Gulf News. The world’s top player Garry Kasparov and Russian Chess Federation President Andrey Selivanov are the main organisers of the contest, named the ‘New Match of the Century’. The event has the backing of Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, the FIDE President. The Russian government is also supporting the event. The first time Russia took on a Rest of the World team was in 1970. After a gap of 14 years, in 1984, Russia again played against a world team in London. After that this contest was discontinued. The world team will comprise Anand, Ponomariov, Veselin Topalov, Vassily Ivanchuk, Boris Gelfand, Dubai Grand Prix champion Peter Leko, Aleksei Shirov, Judit Polgar, and Ye Jiangchuan. Zurab Azmaiparashvili or Nigel Short may also be in the team. Garry Kasparov will represent the Russian team which will also include Anatoly Karpov, Vladimir Kramnik, Alexander Khalifman, Alexander Morozevich, Evgeny Bareev, Peter Svilder and Alexey Dreev. The contest is scheduled from September 8 to 12. Anand, before reaching Moscow for the event, will play in advanced chess meet against Vladimir Kramnik in Leon from June 20 to 24. Anand will also meet Ponomariov in a rapid chess event from August 15 to 18.
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