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Sunday,
June 30, 2002, Chandigarh, India  
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Turkey edge out South Korea, finish third
Germany plot Brazil ambush
Germany’s golden goal hero Bierhoff Records, redemption beckon Brazil |
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Pele writes
India win by 6 wkts CHETAN SHARMA WRITES PCA Stadium to be
expanded West Indies fight back Seles beats Sugiyama
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Turkey edge out South Korea, finish third Daegu, June 29 The South Koreans, who had eliminated Portugal, Italy and Spain on the way to becoming the first Asian side ever to reach the semi-finals, flopped on their final showing in the competition they have co-hosted with Japan. And it meant that Dutch coach Guus Hiddink bowed out with a second straight loss in the playoff match having been in charge of Holland four years ago when they were defeated by Croatia. Hakan Sukur broke the speed record when he netted after 11 seconds to shatter the record of 15 seconds set in 1962 by Czechoslovakia’s Vaclav Masek against Mexico. It was his first goal of an otherwise disappointing tournament. Lee Eul-Young levelled after just nine minutes of a frenetic opening but Ilhan Mansiz scored twice after 13 and 32 minutes to set the Turks right on course as they took third place for their best ever showing in only their second World Cup appearance. Despite Korean pressure in the second half, the hosts showed little accuracy in front of goal despite the exhortations from the touchline of Hiddink, whose contract officially ends after tomorrow’s final in Yokohama, Japan, between Germany and favourites Brazil. But Song Chong-Gug did fire home a consolation in the dying seconds for a 3-2 scoreline to raise a final cheer and both sides linked arms as they headed to salute the supporters. Ahn Jung-Hwan, Korea’s golden goal hero against Italy, had earlier seen a shot deflected inches wide and then substitute Cha Du-Ri forced a good save from Turkish keeper Rustu as 63,000 red-shirted fans screamed in frustration. Turkish coach Senol Gunes opted to play Sukur, previously goal-less in the finals, alongside Ilhan up front with Hasan Sas left on the bench. And Sukur it was who promptly netted as the clock ticked up 11 seconds, firing home past Korean keeper Lee Woon-Jae after Korean defensive stalwart and skipper Hong Myung-Bo trod on the ball and lost possession. Hong, making his 135th and final appearance after 12 years in Korean colours, would not reappear after the interval. The shocked Koreans were soon back on track, however. After just nine minutes it was 1-1, Lee Eul-Yong firing home a brilliant left-footed free-kick which left Recber helpless in the Turkish goal. Three minutes later Turkey went back in front as Ilhan prodded the ball in from around 10 yards after a quick breakaway as the Korean defence melted away. Ahn then brought a brilliant one-handed save from Rustu as he jinked his way through the Turkish defence before whipping a snapshot towards the top corner after 20 minutes of a frenetic contest. But after 32 minutes Ilhan, combining brilliantly again and again with Parma striker Sukur, made it 3-1 with a neat chip over Lee. Ahn thought he had closed the gap on 40 minutes but Lee Chun-Soo stood offside. The Koreans, hoping to take the bronze medal having co-hosted the event with Japan, left veteran forward Hwang Sun-Hong on the bench as well as Cha Du-Ri, but the latter came for the final half hour.
AFP |
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Hakan Sukur redeems himself
Taegu, June 29 The Turkish striker redeemed himself at the end of an otherwise dismal World Cup campaign by scoring the fastest goal in the tournament’s 72-year history against South Korea in the third place play-off today. Playing alongside a strike partner for the first time in the World Cup, Hakan Sukur eased into space as Ilhan Mansiz harassed Korean defender Hong Myung-bo into losing the ball straight after the kick-off. There was no repeat of the faltering display against Senegal when he missed one of the easiest chances of the tournament as Hakan Sukur calmly knocked the ball home after 11 seconds. It was the famous striker’s first goal after six matches without scoring and brought the total haul for his country to 36 goals in 80 appearances, both records. Hakan Sukur’s dry spell, partly caused by a lingering abdominal injury, had brought calls for coach Senol Gunes to play Ilhan Mansiz, scorer of Turkey’s golden goal against Senegal, in his place. Instead, Gunes opted to play the pair together and reaped the reward with three first-half goals, each the result of link-ups between Hakan Sukur, 30, and Ilhan, four years his junior. For most of the World Cup, an increasingly disconsolate Hakan Sukur has looked isolated from his industrious midfield and wasted the chances that came his way. But he looked a far livelier player throughout Saturday’s match, making runs down both wings and often providing chances for his partner, the joint top goalscorer in Turkey’s league last season for Besiktas. Hakan Sukur won his first cap in 1992 and since then there have been few matches in which the Turks did not come out with the tall, lean and unshaven striker leading their front line. Often captaining the side, Hakan Sukur has led the way for an exodus of Turkish players to European clubs and served as a talismanic presence at Turkish triumphs at national level and for club side Galatasaray. He now plays in Italy for Parma where he moved after a frustrating period on the bench at Inter Milan.
Reuters |
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Germany plot Brazil ambush Yokohama, June 29 The Brazilians head into tomorrow’s showdown here as strong favourites to defeat the Germans and claim a record fifth World Cup crown. But they would do well to remember that shattered reputations litter the 72-year story of the World Cup — and often it is Germany who have acted as nemesis of sides expected to win. In the 1954 final in Switzerland, Germany were expected to be no match for a seemingly invincible Hungary inspired by the legendary Ferenc
Puskas. The Hungarians, who had been unbeaten for four years, and routed Germany 8-3 in the first round and seemed certain to seal their golden era of dominance with a World Cup triumph. Yet Germany fought back from going 0-2 down in the opening 20 minutes to eventually win 3-2, leaving a disbelieving Hungary empty-handed. It was an almost identical story 20 years later, when the total footballers of Holland met the Germans in the 1974 final in Munich. Holland surged into a 1-0 lead, but made the fatal mistake of trying to toy with their opponents. At the end of 90 minutes Germany had won 2-1, and Holland were left wondering where it all went wrong. Now Brazil are desperate to avoid a similar fate at the climax of a tournament which has shocked and surprised at every turn. According to Brazilian legend
Pele, the South Americans will be heading for disaster if they do not heed the lessons of the past four weeks. Eerie parallels with the past are also starting to emerge from Brazil. Victory celebrations are already being planned by millions of fans back in Rio, confidently expecting Luiz Felipe Scolari’s side to wrap up the World Cup tomorrow. AFP In 1950 it was a similar story. Carnivals had already been organised, victory speeches written and the newspaper front pages declaring ‘Brazil: Champions of the World’ already printed. But Brazil, playing at home and needing only a draw against Uruguay to lift the Jules Rimet Trophy, were beaten 2-1 to spark a period of national mourning. |
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Germany’s golden goal hero Bierhoff Yokohama, June 29 The final between Germany and Brazil will be Bierhoff’s farewell match for Germany — if he gets to play at all. Bierhoff has been making brief appearances off the bench during the World Cup, although he did score one goal in the opening 8-0 rout of Saudi Arabia. Coach Rudi Voeller may call upon his oldest player, especially if Germany is trailing Brazil as the final whistle nears. Although he is not sure to play, Bierhoff is looking forward to the final. “I feel great joy before this game,” he said today. “Right now I am not thinking about my retirement, I’m concentrating on the match. Since I made the decision quite a long time ago, I haven’t felt any nostalgia yet. “But after the final whistle, when I take off my shoes, give them to our equipment man and tell him that he doesn’t need to bother giving them back to me, that’s when it’s going to sink in and that’s when it’s going to hurt.” Bierhoff, a 34-year-old veteran of 69 games and 37 goals for Germany, is best remembered for the sudden-death goal against the Czech Republic that gave Germany the 1996 European title. “It’s normal, some players are remembered by a single action. But I think I also achieved a lot of other things.” “I’d prefer not to be remembered just for that goal and my ability in the air, but also for some foot work and shooting technique. “In Italy, they are more aware of such things, in Germany, they were a bit underrated. In any case, I’m proud of my career.” That career has taken Bierhoff through three Bundesliga clubs, one Austrian side, three Italian Serie A teams and AS Monaco in the French league. In 10 years in Italy, Bierhoff was top scorer in the league while with Udinese in 1998 and won the Italian championship with AC Milan the following year. After being relegated to the bench at Monaco and falling out with coach Didier Deschamps, Bierhoff is not returning to the club. “For me right now it’s important we win the World Cup first and after that I will go on vacation and think about my future,” said the suave, multilingual forward, who married the former girlfriend of the late NBA star Drazen Petrovic. “I don’t know what I’m going to do next season. I’ve not decided whether I will play again or whether I will quit,” said Germany’s 1998 player of the year and former captain. Bierhoff said if he decided to quit, he will stay close to the game, working as a consultant for his sponsors. Bierhoff also has completed a correspondence university degree in business.
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Records, redemption beckon Brazil Yokohama, June 29 Four years after suffering one of the most traumatic defeats in their history, Brazil are now tantalisingly close to laying the shattering loss against France in the 1998 final to rest once and for all. Fittingly it is the goals of star centre-forward
Ronaldo-six in six matches so far — that have carried the South Americans into their third final in succession and their seventh overall. The Inter Milan player is back as Brazil’s cutting edge after battling through years of heartache that began with his ill-fated appearance in the final four years ago, when he played just hours after suffering a mysterious fit in his Paris hotel room. “Everyone keeps asking me about 1998 but I honestly am no thinking about it,” Ronaldo said, looking ahead to the final. “I’m trying not to make any link between this game and four years ago. That’s another story and I’m hoping that the end will be different this time.” “The match against France was the most important of our lives, this time we want to be the winners.” “I always knew I would play another World Cup final and I have worked hard to achieve that,” said
Ronaldo, adding that he felt the form of his team-mates had lessened the pressure placed on him. “The most important thing is that the team does not make me feel as if I’m a
saviour, and that takes the pressure off me. They have given me tranquility,” Ronaldo said. But though Ronaldo insists he wants to forget all about being lost in France, it is clear that the wounds from Paris are still raw among survivors of the mauling. Rivaldo and Roberto Carlos are both determined that there will be no repeat. “What happened four years ago was a very bad time for us, but it means that we want it more this time,” said
Rivaldo, who is only one goal behind Ronaldo in the race for the golden boot. “We have got to the final with much more confidence than in 1998. “Brazil have won six games and have now regained our old confidence. We now know what to do with the ball. A few months ago, many people doubted we had this ability.” Roberto Carlos echoed
Rivaldo. “Everyone knows about 1998. It hurt us deeply, and knowing what that felt like we don’t want it to happen again,” the Real Madrid wingback said. “If we win this time, everyone will forget about what happened last time,” he said. “Many people follow the Brazilian team all round the globe and we want to re-establish the love that people have for our team the world over.” No country on earth demands as much of its national team as Brazil, and coach Luiz Felipe Scolari is well aware that failure tomorrow will be viewed as a national disaster. Accordingly, he has been trying to shield his players from the mounting expectation back in Brazil. “I want them to play without pressure,” Scolari said. “I want them to be aware of their responsibility without being suffocated by it. I want the players to go on and enjoy themselves,” Scolari said. Brazil have reached the final with a 100 per cent record, winning all of their six matches decisively and without recourse to a penalty shoot-out at any stage. It is a good omen — the last team to match that record was the legendary 1970 Brazil side. So at the climax of a World Cup in which the only certainty has been uncertainty, where reputations have been shredded in every round, tomorrow’s final sees a clash of two of international football’s most enduring stereotypes: ultra-efficient Germany vs flamboyant Brazil. Brazil’s form means they will take to the field at the 73,000-capacity Yokohama Stadium as heavy favourites against a German side that have confounded all expectations by battling through to the final. Humiliated 5-1 by England in Munich during qualifiers last year, Germany have since enjoyed a remarkable transformation in fortunes after being written off by everyone in the days leading up to the World Cup. Germany’s manager Rudi
Voeller, seeking to emulate Franz Beckenbauer and Mario Zagallo as the only men to have won the World Cup as a player and a coach, is happy to cast his team as underdogs. “Brazil are the clear
favourites,” said Voeller, a member of Germany’s 1990 World Cup winning team. “But it’s not necessarily the best team which wins.” Germany, who started out with the modest target of reaching the quarter-finals, have in many respects resembled their fabled predecessors of yesteryear, grinding out results to advance stealthily into the final. Successive 1-0 victories over Paraguay, the USA and South Korea in the knockout phase have given Voeller’s men a belief that they can shock Brazil with one last push. But it is also true that they have managed to get to the final without facing any top class opponents, and there must be a doubt over their ability to contain the free-flowing Brazilian attack. A patched-up defence missing the injured Jens Nowotny and Christian Worns has emerged as the best in the tournament, thanks in no small part to the brilliance of captain Oliver Kahn between the posts.
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There are no favourites, says Carlos Yokohama, Japan, June 29 After training at the World Cup final venue, the players repeated their usual cliches about respecting their opponents and dismissing the idea that they were favourites. But at the same time, members of the players’ families were being flown into Japan in preparation for the post-victory celebrations. The French surgeon who twice operated Ronaldo’s knee is also expected be among guests at the game, a Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) official said. Officials were also discussing where the team’s chartered plane will touch down first, with politicians back in Brazil clamouring to have their city included on what is likely to be a three or four stop celebration tour. In Yokohama, Rivaldo set the tone for a string of obvious statements when he said: “We have to play and try and score a goal and win the game.’’ He added: “We know the game is difficult, we have to mark the Germans well and play as we have been playing. I believe we are better on the technical side and we can win the game. They are very dangerous.’’ Roque Junior and Roberto Carlos were equally cautious. “Germany have virtues and qualities, that’s why they reached this final. They have good players and improved as the competition goes on,’’ said AC Milan defender Roque Junior, an ever-present for Brazil in the competition. Roberto Carlos also emphasised that Brazil did not consider the game a foregone conclusion. “There are no favourites,’’ he said. “You have to win the game on the pitch. “Until now, we have shown enormous respect to our opponents and also, that during the 90 minutes, we are a strong team.’’ Elsewhere, the mood was very different. Brazilian media said that the airline providing the plane to fly Brazil home was preparing to pamper the players with champagne and lobster if they won. A debate was also raging over where the plane would stop on their triumphant return as politicians from the cities concerned would get a huge boost to their prestige. Fortaleza, in the North East of the country, was being touted as one of the favourites as it was the venue for Brazil’s last home game — a friendly against Yugoslavia in March — before the World Cup. It was also the game in which coach Luiz Felipe Scolari effectively decided on his first 11 based around the attacking trio of Ronaldinho, Ronaldo and Rivaldo. Rivaldo’s home city of Recife was mentioned as another possible stop on the victory tour with Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo also on the list.
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Churches delay mass Sao Paulo, June 29 For the first time ever, Sao Paulo’s Sao Bento Monastery will start the city’s most well-attended Sunday mass an hour later so that those torn between soccer and their faith can catch Brazil’s showdown with Germany, and hopefully say their thanks afterward. “Out of respect for our faithful who come to mass, we’ve delayed service a bit,’’ said Dom Joao Evangelista, head monk at the monastery, whose Gregorian chant-filled mass has made it a favourite among Brazilians on Sunday. Even Father Marcelo Rossi, a young, guitar-strumming priest whose grass roots popularity rivals star striker Ronaldo’s, shortened his 6 a.m. mass broadcast live on television to make room for the 8 a.m. game. His 9 a.m. mass has been cancelled. A huge number of people across the country will watch the game on Sunday morning, whether it be in bed, over coffee at breakfast or on the big screens located for public viewing across the country. But for some of Sao Paulo’s most infamous criminals, Sunday will be a day of true punishment. Renowned kidnapper Wanderson Nilton de Paula Lima, known as “Andinho,’’ and his inmate colleagues won’t be allowed to watch the game from their maximum security prison cell. In downtown Sao Paulo, street sellers are slashing prices on their World Cup wares trying to get rid of the T-shirts, banners, horns and every other item painted the colour of Brazil’s green and yellow flag.
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Klose contest Yokohama, June 29 If Ronaldo — who has a tournament-high six goals — or Rivaldo — who has five - clinch the award, they would be the first Brazilian to claim the honours since Garricha and Vava in 1962. Both players scored four goals at the Chile tournament, to share the award with Hungary’s Florian Albert, Valentin Ivanov of Soviet Union, Yugoslav Drazen Jerkovic and Chilean Leonel Sanchez. Brazilian Ademir led the tournament in 1950 with nine goals while compatriot Leonidas did the same in 1938 with seven goals. Klose has five goals and the last German to take top scoring honours was Gerd Mueller with 10 goals in 1970. German Edmund Conen shared 1934 honours with Oldrich Nejedly of Czechoslovakia and Italian Angelo Schiavio on four goals.
DPA |
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Brazil scoreless in last 2 finals Yokohama June 29 Brazil’s ‘’Triple R’’ strike force of
Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho have led the record winners to a tournament-high 16 goals, including six from World Cup top scorer
Ronaldo. But Brazil and Italy played a goal-less 120 minutes at the 1994 USA final, won by the Brazilians 3-2 on penalties, and then hosts France knocked off Brazil 3-0 at the 1998 final. Tomorrow at Yokohama International Stadium, Luiz Felipe Scolari’s Brazilian bunch will face a German defence which has allowed just one goal in six games.
DPA |
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Pele writes Germany will win the World Cup final for the fourth time in football history, and deservedly, if Brazil do not heed the lessons of the past four weeks. I believe that one of the cardinal sins committed by too many coaches and players who should have known better, was to assume that a match was won before the first ball had been kicked. Put yourself in the shoes of these young men. They sign contracts with long rows of zeroes after the figure; they see their picture above the streets on advertising hoardings 50 metres high. At that age it is hard to keep your feet down on the sidewalk. Every match starts, however, with both teams having scored the same number of goals: none. Athletic ability, fighting spirit, self-belief and sheer physical self-sacrifice can sometimes then wipe away the gap in experience and skill. This much should have been obvious on the first day when Senegal beat France 1-0. This is one of the last opportunities we have to describe the French as ôWorld Cup holders,ö and they have been worthy champions. Over the past four years their positive approach to every match has been delightful. But even the best teams are made up of 11 human beings — and that means mistakes can be made. France gave the impression that they believed it was enough to walk out on to the pitch for the match to be won. Senegal showed them the error of their ways. It was the not the first time the champions lost the opening match. That happened to Argentina in both 1982 and 1990. The surprise here was that the likes of Argentina, Portugal and Italy committed the same mistake. Being among football’s traditional powers with some of the finest individuals means nothing. If you want to win you must also fight with the commitment of the hungry young boxer. I do not mean ‘fight’ in terms of some of the arm-wrestling which has spoiled this World Cup. I mean fight in terms of mental attitude. This is my concern for Brazil. Even my German friends say Brazil are clear favourites. Indeed, my old friend Franz Beckenbauer made some highly critical comments about his team earlier in these finals. My advice to Brazil is to shut their ears to all talk that this is one of the weakest German teams on record. No team which has reached the World Cup final is weak and, especially, no German team is weak; World Cup history tells us that. Germany sprang one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history in 1954 when they overcame Hungary who had been unbeaten for four years. Today’s players will believe they can follow in those footsteps. I do not want to suggest that Brazil should be intimidated by Germany. Brazil have the greatest record in World Cup history and the highest level of skill. They should pay the Germans respect for coming this far — and then go out to win the final for the sake of Brazil, for the sake of all Brazil’s Japanese supporters, for the sake of this World Cup and for the sake of football. This first World Cup in Asia will be remembered for the shocks and upsets, the entertainment and excitement. We should pay full credit to the co-hosts for their work both off and on the pitch. South Korea, under Guus Hiddink have achieved wonders. But that should not overshadow Japan’s enormous progress in a far shorter space of time. Remember, they reached the second round on only their second appearance in the finals. Credit, too, to Turkey for playing a mighty role in that semi-final in Saitama. They refused to be intimidated by Brazil and came out fully confident in their own ability to win. That made Brazil’s ultimate victory all the more important. Brazil, without Ronaldinho, had to play their best football yet. The continuing improvement in Brazil’s defensive play has been remarkable. They have found a way to release Roberto Carlos on those wonderful surges down the wing without leaving a gap at the back. This will be important against Germany. It was after taking advantage of a gap on the left of the Korean defence that Germany scored their winning goal in Tuesday’s semi-final. They will look for a repeat against Brazil. Crucially, Brazil must be ruthless. Rivaldo and Ronaldo had some bad luck on Wednesday and the Turkish goalkeeper, Rustu Recber, was superb. But Germany also have a superb goalkeeper in Oliver Kahn. He will not concede goals easily. Turkey could have snatched an equalizer, which could have meant extra time, a golden goal, even penalties. To lead 1-0 is not enough. A single-goal advantage can be overturned at any time; like in the Italy-Korea game. This World Cup demands a brilliant conclusion. Brazil can provide that by not only winning but by winning well. In Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, Cafu, Roberto Carlos and the rest they have the players. All they need is to keep their feet on the ground.
(Gameplan) (Pele is a spokesperson for MasterCard, an official sponsor of the 2002 FIFA World Cup. For Pele’s analysis of the 2002 FIFA World Cup Final match, log on to www.mastercard.com/fifaworldcup beginning June 28) |
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Finalists yet to lose on June 30 Yokohama, June 29 Going into tomorrow’s 2002 World Cup final in Yokohama, the four-time winning Brazilians have beaten Argentina 2-1 in a second round match on June 30, 1974. DPA |
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India win by 6 wkts
London, June 29 England Trescothick c Dravid b Ganguly 86 Knight run out 31 Hussain st Dravid b Yuvraj 54 Flintoff c Mongia b Yuvraj 22 Thorpe c Sehwag b Yuvraj 12 Stewart not out 28 Irani run out 12 Collingwood c Dravid b Khan 6 Giles not out 2 Extras
(b-2, lb-6, w-8, nb-2) 18 Total (for 7 wkts, 50 overs) 271 FoW:
1-86, 2-153, 3-201, 4-217, 5-222, 6-256, 7-267. Bowling: Zaheer 9-0-48-1, Agarkar 8-0-49-0, Harbhajan 10-0-50-0, Kumble 10-0-46-0, Ganguly 6-0-31-1, Yuvraj 7-0-39-3. India Ganguly c Kirtley b Giles 43 Sehwag c Trescothick b Giles 71 Mongia b Giles 1 Tendulkar b Irani 1 Dravid not out 73 Yuvraj Singh not out 64 Extras (lb-12, w-3, nb-4) 19 Total
(4 wkts, 48.5 overs) 272 FoW: 1-109, 2-111, 3-118, 4-141. Bowling:
Hoggard 8.5-0-62-0, Kirtley 10-0-57-0, Flintoff 8-0-56-0, Giles 10-1-39-3, Irani 10-0-33-1, Collingwood 2-0-13-0.
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CHETAN SHARMA WRITES YUVRAJ Singh is fast becoming the messiah of Indian team. Every time the Chandigarh lad has gone beyond a 50 in one-day internationals, India have won that game. So, on Saturday, as Yuvraj hammered his fifth ODI half-century, the result was almost predictable: India won by six wickets. The victory didn’t come as easily as the margin suggests. There was a stage when India looked down and out but Yuvraj and the batsman I admire so much for his steely resolve, Rahul Dravid, were in no mood to let England off the hook. It was a very commendable performance by the two, and it was poetic justice that both registered half centuries. More importantly, neither of them gave away his wicket and from my experience, I can tell you there cannot be a moment more sweeter than being there in the middle when the winning run is scored or the last wicket is claimed. The Indians have little time for their next match, against Sri Lanka, tomorrow. Skipper Saurav Ganguly and coach John Wright should keep the celebrations short and try to iron out a couple of issues. First: they should seriously consider playing five specialist bowlers — three genuine seamers are a must any way and if you want to compromise, drop one of the two spinners. The second issue is my concern about Sachin Tendulkar. The world’s best batsman cannot be told that his wicket has to be protected so he should bat at No. 4! That’s ridiculous, if he is to score just one run in the middle order, you might as well ask him to open the innings. India should also look at why they actually allowed England to come back in the game. Ganguly, Dinesh Mongia and Virender Sehwag played poor shots at a time when they had the mediocre English bowling by the collar. The key to doing well in England is to wait for the kill, just the way Yuvraj and Dravid did. I was disappointed with the Indian spinners. Both Harbhajan and Anil Kumble had impressed in the warm-up games but here they were not simply upto the mark. I would say this is not the Kumble we all know. I would rather drop him and go with Ashish Nehra. It would like Ganguly to bowl Ajit Agarkar first change. He is a better bowler with an older ball than with the new one. Today also he was wayward with the new ball but was brilliant in the slog only and with Zaheer Khan also bowling well, England lost the initiative in the last 10 overs (in which India conceded only 46 runs). As I had said yesterday, India are the firm favourites. They have started well and hope they finish off well too. |
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PCA Stadium to be
expanded Chandigarh, June 29 In the first phase a basement hall with a capacity of holding a banquet for 1500 persons would be built where the north pavilion is currently situated. This basement hall, which will be the largest in the region, would be built in such a way that it can be divided into three halls. This basement hall is expected to cost Rs 82 lakh. In the second phase the north pavilion would be rebuilt and all activities of the PCA would shift to this new building and the space so vacated in the current main pavilion would be put to use by the PCA Club for providing more facilities to the members. This phase would cost Rs 1.25 crore. Work on these two phases would probably start this year. In the third phase more rooms and other facilities would be added to the north pavilion. Work on this phase would be taken up at a later stage. Mr Pandove said the PCA would be seeking Rs 3 crore from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) under its new infrastructure policy. Earlier, the BCCI used to give only Rs 2 crore of 50 per cent of the cost of the new construction, whichever was less. At the moment the PCA had about Rs 2.5 crore in its kitty and it would use this money to commence work. The meeting approved a budget of Rs 8 lakh for the Punjab team scheduled to tour Kenya from July 22 to August 12. Besides this money, the sponsors of the PCA would meet the kitting cost of the team. It was decided that Bhupinder Singh (Sr) would accompany the team as coach while Mr Sushil Kapoor would be manager of the squad. The meeting, Mr Pandove said, also reviewed the progress of the regional coaching camps conducted by the association at Amritsar, Jalandhar and Ludhina. The members of the executive were also informed why the camps at Patiala and Chandigarh could not start as per schedule. Mr Pandove was of the opinion that good talent had been spotted in the camps conducted so far. |
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West Indies fight back St George’s, June 29 New Zealand (1st innings): Richardson c Gayle b Collins 95 Vincent b Cuffy 24 Fleming c Lara b Collins 6 Harris c Jacobs b Hooper 0 Astle batting 69 Vettori c Jacobs b Collins 1 McMillan batting 1 Extras (w-2, nb-4, lb-6) 12 Total (five wkts, 93 overs) 208 Fall of wickets: 1-61, 2-81, 3-82, 4-205, 5-206. Bowling: Collins 19-9-29-3, Cuffy 22-7-46-1, Sanford 13-1-47-0, Nagamootoo 25-9-62-0, Hooper 11-3-13-1, Gayle 3-1-5-0.
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Seles beats Sugiyama London, June 29 The fourth seeded Seles, with nine Grand Slam crowns to her name but still missing a Wimbledon victory, defeated the 26-year-old Japanese 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 in 97 minutes to book a match-up against Thailand’s Tamarine Tanasugarn in the fourth round. Tanasugarn, seeded 20, advanced to the fourth round for the fifth straight year thwarting a fightback from unseeded American Meilen Tu to win 6-2, 3-6, 6-0 in one hour, 42-minutes. Bulgaria’s Magdalena Maleeva also booked her spot in the fourth round with a straight-sets win over 10th-seeded Italian Silvia Farina Eli. Maleeva, the 19th seed, came away a 7-6 (7/2) 6-4 winner in 98 minutes and now meets either Elena Likhovteva of Russia for a place in the quarterfinals. In the men’s singles, Andre Sa won the battle of the Brazilians with a 2-6, 6-4, 6-3, 1-6, 6-1 win over countryman Flavio Saretta to set up a fourth round clash with Feliciano Lopez of Spain, who beat German 17th seed Rainer Schuttler 3-6, 7-6 (9/7), 6-4, 6-4. Tim Henman tiptoed into the second week, surviving a host of gut-wrenching moments in a jittery 7-6, 3-6, 7-6, 6-1 win over Wayne Ferreira. The Briton did just enough to keep alive his dreams at the tournament he holds most dear, but was far from impressive against the 30-year-old South African.
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