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Indian juniors eye maiden
Asia Cup title
Shoaib appears before panel Pak selector keen
to rope in Bedi |
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Zimbabwe players reach agreement with ZCU
East Bengal retain
NFL crown An unending fairy tale Sasikiran, Harikrishna
finish joint 2nd Maradona thanks fans Gascoigne’s thoughts Cricket lovers hold protest
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Indian juniors eye maiden Asia Cup title Karachi, April 28 “The first task was to qualify for the next year’s junior World Cup in Holland and since it is achieved the next aim is to win our first Asian title,” captain Sandeep Michael told PTI today. “We have been waiting for this moment for the last one -and-a-half years and the boys are geared up to take Pakistan head on and take home the Asia Cup title.” The mouth-watering clash, the first between the arch-rivals on Pakistani soil for five years, follows a much-hyped cricket series between the now-on-mend neighbours which India won earlier this month. “Cricket is much high profile game but we take inspiration from the cricket team win here and also from the fact that we have won the two of the last three matches at junior level,” said 21-year-old Michael from Bangalore. India downed Pakistan 2-0 in the four-nation junior tournament in Malaysia, drew 1-1 at Cairo and then rocked Pakistan 5-0 at Poland, in the last two years. Penalty corner expert Sandeep Singh, who scored all five goals in Poland, is again the main weapon for India who are the reigning world junior champions. “Yes, we look to Sandeep again and after we had a tough game against Korea in the semis we expect a more open game and the Asian hockey at its best,” said Michael. Singh, tournament’s top scorer with 14 goals, failed to convert any of the four penalty corners and also missed a penalty stroke in the 4-3 semi-final win against Korea yesterday. “Korea blocked us and we had no clue what to do and we played defensive which could have cost us dearly,” Michael said. “Pakistan is a tough side and are playing in their den so it would be a 50-50 for us.” Pakistan coach Asif Bajwa said with both teams already qualified for next year’s junior World Cup, the pressure has lessened. “Both teams will be under less pressure as we have already qualified for the World Cup,” said Bajwa, a former Olympian. “The junior team shows both by Pakistan and India prove that the future of hockey in both these countries is safe,” he said. Pakistan will also look to their schemer captain Shakil Abbasi and penalty corner expert Imran Warsi to shine in the final. In two classification matches, China beat Singapore 2-0 to clinch the seventh position while Chinese Taipei won 3-2 against Sri Lanka to earn the eleventh spot. Defending Asian junior champions Korea play Malaysia in the third-fourth play off tomorrow and the winner will join India and Pakistan in the World Cup.
— PTI |
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Shoaib appears before panel Islamabad, April 28 Just back from a commercial shoot with Sachin Tendulkar in Mumbai, the ‘Rawalpindi Express’ appeared before the four-member commission in Lahore and underwent medical tests which are expected to determine the nature of injuries that prevented him from bowling against India on the third day of the third Test at Rawalpindi on April 15. All-rounder Abdul Razzak and wicket-keeper Moin Khan also appeared before the Commission today which is probing into the spate of injuries Pakistan suffered during the recent series against India. PCB spokesman Sami-ul Hassan told PTI that the committee of medical specialists examined the three players and fixed a rehabilitation regime. “It is a long procedure which could take hours.” The Pakistan media today quoted Shoaib as saying that “my wrist was also injured but the bigger problem was a torn ligament in the lower back.” He said it was “crap” to say that he deliberately did not bowl on the third day. “People are just trying to pass on the blame. I’ll give my side to the PCB Chairman and to the panel.” If found guilty, Shoaib could face a ban and a fine. Some local newspapers also speculated that the PCB has already decided to suspend the fast bowler for several months. Besides the three players who deposed today, the PCB had also directed fast bowlers Umar Gul and Shabbir Ahmed to undergo the tests and prove the authenticity of their injuries. While Gul appeared before the panel on Sunday, Shabbir forwarded his medical reports to the Commission before leaving to play county cricket in England. Shoaib, who took 3 for 47 in 21 overs, then declined to bowl on the crucial third day but came out to bat on the fourth day in the second innings before Pakistan suffered an innings defeat and lost the series 1-2. This made the team management publicly express its surprise over Shoaib’s injury. After his arrival Shoaib met his trainer, Dr Tauseef Razzaq, who quit his job as physio of the team after the second Test at Lahore following differences with Inzamam. “The PCB needs a scapegoat for the loss. Earlier it was I and now it is Shoaib. He called me the day he fell in Rawalpindi. I advised him to stay on till the end of the Test but asked him not to bowl,” Dr Razzaq said.
— PTI |
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Pak selector keen
to rope in Bedi Islamabad, April 28 Bari said he has proposed that a specialised spinners’ clinic be held at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore under the supervision of Bedi and homegrown former stars Iqbal
Qasim, Mushtaq Muhammad and Abdul Qadir. “Bedi is still considered as one of the finest exponents of spin bowling and we feel his presence and tutelage would benefit our youngsters a lot,” Bari was quoted as saying by the local daily ‘The News’. He said the proposal was to pick a group of seven to eight of the best spinners of all categories for specialised training. The Chief Selector’s recommendation is seen as a significant change of mindset as the PCB officials had reacted angrily on reports that fast bowling great Wasim Akram could take up as India’s bowling coach. “Pakistan is not short of talent in pace bowling department. More and more youngsters are coming through. But we have lacked quality spinners for a while now and we need to address this problem urgently to take home advantage,” Bari, a former wicket-keeper, said. The Chief Selector also said he had asked the board to provide a list of those players who had gone to England to play county and club cricket.
— PTI |
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Loss to Windies still rankles Sachin Tendulkar New Delhi, April 28 India lost the Test at Barbados by 38 runs and as a result the 1997 series under Tendulkar’s captaincy. “Even today when I think about it, it troubles me,” he told ESPN-Star Sports in an interview to be telecast on Friday. The batting genius finds its tough to single out his greatest cricketing moment but said reaching the World Cup final last year was “special for the whole team” and from a personal point of view, beating Australia in Sharjah in the final in 1998 on the strength of a dazzling century by him. The recent victory against Pakistan in the Test series was also very exciting for the master blaster. Recalling his delivery that dismissed last man Danish Kaneria, marking India’s historic triumph, he said he was so excited that he did not even see who took the catch. “...Just before I bowled the sixth ball, I could hear the players from silly point and short leg and slips saying that bowl a quicker one but I said this guy is no mood to block so I am going to toss it up and I tossed it up. “The moment I saw the ball right up in the air and a couple of guys standing underneath, I said no one can drop this catch. But I didn’t see who took the catch. I was so excited I first grabbed the stumps,” he said. Tendulkar conceded that 15 years of cricket was beginning to take a toll on his body and said he would work hard to maintain his current level of fitness to prolong his career. “I think one thing people have to understand is that I have been around for 15 years. Even though I am 31, I started at 16 so there is a fair amount of wear and tear. All I have got to do is keep myself fit so that my fitness can actually prolong my career. It’s going to be hard to improve upon what my fitness is but I can always maintain it and for that I would have to work hard.” Giving full credit to the support staff for his fitness, he said: “Fitness is the key in any sport to survive at the top level. Full credit goes to Adrian (le Roux), who had been with us, and of course to Greg (Allen King) and Andrew Leipus, who has been terrific. It is hard to imaging life without him. He knows our injuries inside out.” Talking about his 31st birthday which he celebrated last week, Tendulkar said the best gift that he received was the one presented to him by his daughter Sara who drew a card for him. “She made this card for me which is I think is the most precious gift. This is something which will always be with me ... It’s priceless.” On his role as a father, Tendulkar said he tries to pass on to his two children whatever he learnt from his parents. “I think Sara is very good and very disciplined and all credit goes to my wife. She’s the one who brought them up. She (Sara) is a good girl and I don’t need to be strict with her. She realises how she has to behave and the upbringing is so important and whatever my parents taught me I want to pass on the same.” Tendulkar, who owns a restaurant in Mumbai, also spoke about his love for cooking. “I like to cook when I am free and not doing anything. It’s a good form of relaxation. You spend a lot of time with your family - also in the kitchen doing whatever you want. It’s exciting, and if you ask my wife, the best fish curry she’s had in life is cooked by me!” On the void created after he lost his father, he said: “it’s difficult not to think about him. He’s played such a big role in my life. My mood changes immediately when I start thinking of him, but all I can say is it’s beyond our control. No one can change what has happened, we all miss him.”
— PTI |
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Zimbabwe
players reach agreement with ZCU Harare, April 28 “It has been agreed between the ZCU and the 15 cricketers who have up to now been unavailable for selection that... (they) will be at practice with effect from April 30,” said the ZCU. The players had demanded the reinstatement of Heath Streak as captain, a new selection panel and for the ZCU to acknowledge transgressions the players say were committed by officials. But the dispute, sparked on April 2 when the ZCU installed Tatenda Taibu as captain after Streak questioned the composition of the selection panel, is set to continue at arbitration. One of the players, who declined to be named, told Reuters the saga was not over. “We have agreed to go back on Friday but we’re certainly still trying to push for arbitration,’’ the player said. “It’s definitely not the end of all this. “We’re trying to show good faith once again and we’re going to practice but if certain things aren’t sorted out we’re going back to square one.” The rebels will not play in the fifth and final one-day international against Sri Lanka in Harare on Thursday but, barring further fallouts with the board, they will be available for first of two Test matches in Harare from May 6. Zimbabwe had to select an under-strength squad for the one-day series and Sri Lanka won the first four matches.
— Reuters |
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East Bengal retain NFL crown Kolkata, April 28 The Kolkata outfit’s win took it’s point tally to 46 and although two more matches remain to be played, East Bengal’s closest rival Dempo Sports Club, Goa, can garner a maximum of 45 points. Literally toying with the bankmen, who occupy the lowest rung of the league ladder, the red and gold brigade shot into a 1-0 lead at the breather, before adding two more despite taking it easy in the second session. By clinching the league crown for the third time, East Bengal have equalled arch-rivals Mohun Bagan’s record. Bhaichung Bhutia, Douglas de Silva and substitute Dipankar Roy were the scorers for East Bengal who would now have to wait till their last match against Sporting Club, on May 12 in Goa, for being formally anointed league champions. They play their penultimate exchange — an away game — versus another Goan outfit Churchill Brothers on May 9. Indian Bank, who looked completely in the woods opposite their formidable rivals, remain on a paltry eight points from 20 games. Firing on all cylinders right from kick-off, East Bengal wreaked havoc on the rival citadel time and again and shot into the lead in the 19th minute when a long ball from Mike Okoro saw Alvito De Cunha essay an inviting low centre into the box. An onrushing Bhutia put the ball home to the right of the rival goalkeeper Felix Edward, but for whom the bankmen would have suffered a more ignominious defeat. The scoreline became 2-0 in the 73rd minute as S Malswamtluanga essayed a floater from the right, and Douglas outjumped a bank defender to head into the far corner of the net, triggering jubilation among the local side’s supporters, who had filled the galleries armed with gulal, firecrackers and flags anticipating their club’s win. There was more in the offing from the winners. Only seven minutes later, Bijen Singh fed Dipankar Roy inside the box, and Roy received well, dodged past a defender by switching the ball from the right foot to the left before shooting in. The goal seemed controversial as the ball had apparently gone out more than three-fourths of the goal-line near the corner flag before Bijen centered. The Kolkata outfit looked at their attacking best during the match cutting through the Bank defence which sported a vulnerable look throughout the match. While Alvito, Baichung and Douglas showed some vintage form, the defence comprising Debjit Ghosh, Subhashis Roychowdhury, Dipak Mondal and Shasty Duley looked like a reinforced fortress. The absence of M Suresh and Mahesh Gawli was hardly felt.
— PTI |
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An unending fairy tale Chandigarh, April 28 The NFL title win last year was perhaps the beginning of the stupendous success story. The big day came on July 26, 2003, when the red and gold brigade humbled AFC Championship League finalists Bec Tero Sasana in the ASEAN Club Championship final at Jakarta. More recently, East Bengal registered their third consecutive victory in the AFC Club Championship beating Island FC 2-1 in the Maldives on April 7. In the national league, East Bengal have been crowned champions for the third time. They won their first title in the fifth edition while the second victory was registered in the seventh edition last season. In the eighth National Football League, which is scheduled to end on May 13, 2004, East Bengal clinched the title in the 20th round today accumulating 46 points and have two more inconsequential matches in hand. Last year they won the title on April 25 beating Vasco 4-0 in the 21st round. On their way to the title win this year, East Bengal played 20 matches, winning 14, drawing four, and losing only two. They have scored 35 goals while conceding 11. Brazilian recruit Christiano Junior is currently the leading scorer for East Bengal with 13 goals while Baichung Bhutia is close behind with 12 goals. The two defeats that East Bengal suffered in the current league were against Goa’s Salgaocar SC (1-2) in the opening round at Margao on November 11 and against Dempo SC (2-3) also at Margao on December 27, 2003. The most impressive victory was recorded against Mohammedan Sporting at Kolkata on January 16 this year when East Bengal won 4-0. In the derby clash against arch-rivals Mohun Bagan at Kolkata on April 25, the red and gold brigade achieved a milestone, registering their 100th
victory over the green and maroon outfit in 262 matches. The man behind the dream run is none other than former international Subhas Bhowmick, for whom football is a passion. What an irony that Subhas Bhowmick’s entry into the playing arena as coach was banned in the very city where his team made football history today! |
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Sasikiran, Harikrishna
finish joint 2nd Dubai, April 28 World junior champion 19-year-old Grandmaster Shakhriyaz Mamedyarov of Azerbaijan clinched the Dubai Cup with seven points defeating overnight leader Grandmaster Pavel Eljanov of Ukraine. GMs Liviu-Dieter Nisipeanu of Romania, Viorel Iordachesvu of Moldova, Evgeny Vladimirov of
Kazakhastan, Artashes Minasian of Armenia, Mohamad Al-Modiahki of Qatar, Ukrainian trio of Evgenij Miroshnichenko, Pavel Eljanov and Alexander Goloshchapov of Ukraine, International Masters Magnus Carlsen of Norway, Rauf Mamedov of Azerbaijan, Sasikiran and Harikrishna shared the second spot.
— PTI |
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Maradona thanks fans Buenos Aires, April 28 The former star, who thrilled his countrymen by leading Argentina to the 1986 World Cup title, showed new signs of responding to treatment for heart inflammation and a lung infection. Maradona expressed “enormous gratitude for the continual support and affection” of his admirers while wishing Argentina’s national team the “best of luck” in a friendly match against Morocco, a statement said. While it remained unclear whether the 43-year-old former soccer star was communicating verbally, the report was hailed as a sign of progress along with upbeat medical updates in the past 24 hours. Yesterday, doctors said Maradona was evolving “satisfactorily” while tolerating a special diet and continuing to breathe unaided after a respirator was removed last weekend. “His cardiac function continues stable,” the statement said. Maradona was rushed to a private hospital April 18 complaining of chest pains and fever as he underwent his second emergency hospitalisation in four years. In January 2000, he was rushed to a clinic while vacationing in the Uruguayan resort of Punta del Este. At the time, he was diagnosed with a severe heart condition. He later went to Cuba for drug rehabilitation. Maradona’s family has said drug problems had nothing to do with his current hospitalisation. He is being closely monitored by his former wife, Claudia, and their two teenage daughters. Outside the clinic, crowds turned hopeful that Maradona would now begin faster steps toward recovering. “Diego, this is your chance to score the goal of your life; don’t miss this shot,” read one new poster and another, “Be strong, Diego. Your heart is ours also.” “We’re all rooting for him to pull out of this,” said Carla Martin, 22, as she browsed hundreds of posters, poems and even photographs of a younger, slimmer Maradona in his days of glory of the 1980s. In 2000, he was hospitalised with his heart operating at half capacity after a drug overdose.
— AP |
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Gascoigne’s thoughts London, April 28 Gascoigne (36), who shot to international fame in the 1990 World Cup when he helped England to the semifinals before bowing out in tears following the penalty shoot-out defeat to West Germany, told Sky Sports News he had not had a drink for a year. But the former Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, Lazio and Rangers player said in an emotional interview on Tuesday that it continued to be a tough struggle. “There’s been suicide thoughts, I don’t mind admitting that,’’ he said.
— Reuters |
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Cricket
lovers hold protest Amritsar, April 28 Tarun Chug, Chairman ASDC and also former state president of the BJP youth wing, said budding cricketers had been waiting in the ground to meet Sidhu but were dejected, as he was not allowed to enter the premises. Navjot Singh Sidhu had gone to Gandhi Ground to meet budding cricketers yesterday. However, around 500 cricketers, who regularly come for practice, were asked to leave the ground one and a half hour earlier before schedule. |
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