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Czechs survive Latvian scare to win 2-1
Spain wary of Greece Do-or-die tie for Portugal, Russia
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Rampaging Swedes swamp
Bulgaria 5-0 11 England fans
arrested Twin series to
revive India-Pak hockey ties Gill rules out Jugraj for Athens IHF announces
Rs 1 lakh for Vivek’s treatment
Swashbuckling all-rounder Shahid Afridi has been dropped from the initial probables list for next month’s Asia Cup in Sri Lanka, while express bowler Shoaib Akhtar finds a place subject to his passing a fitness test.
Murali opts out of Australia tour Ranjit Singh Gold Cup to be revived Sunil defeats Kamla Kannan
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Czechs
survive Latvian scare to win 2-1
Aveiro, June 15 Latvia, the 500-1 outsiders playing in their first major tournament, can still look on the result as a great achievement after holding the lead for 27 minutes after scoring in first-half injury time. Heinz struck the winner in the 85th minute after Baros hooked the ball over keeper Aleksandrs Kolinko and defender Mihails Zemlinskis cleared the ball straight to Heinz who steered it home. Baros rifled the equaliser in the 73rd minute from a Karel Poborsky cross after the Latvians had shocked the Czechs with a brilliantly fast and simple counter-attack finished by striker Maris Verpakovskis on the stroke of half time. Baros had hung on to the ball too long after a fine crossfield break when he could have passed to the lurking Pavel Nedved on the right and lost it on the edge of the box. The ball was played back into Czech territory down the left where striker Andrejs Prohorenkovs ran to the goalline and his low cross eluded covering defenders and keeper Petr Cech to reach Verpakovskis, who turned it in from less than a metre. The Czechs had far more of the ball but rarely found the right touch when in sight of goal. The Latvians gave away a string of corners as the Czechs, seeking to get an early breathrough, pinned tham back but the final ball always went Latvia's way. With 10 minutes on the clock, Nedved's blistering shot from right was blocked by centre back Igors Stepanovs. The Czechs could have scored in the 12th when Nedved crossed from the right but Kolinko just got a hand to the ball to deflect it from the head of the towering Jan Koller. Latvia's strike partnership gave notice after a quarter of an hour of what might come later when Prohorenkovs broke behind Jankulovski on the right wing and sent in a low cross but Verpakovskis just failed to make contact from one metre. Midway through the first half, midfielder Tomas Rosicky shot from the edge of the box, bringing a diving save from Kolinko. With less than half an hour to go Baros chested a cross down in the box and turned but shot over the bar. He then missed a sitter from two metres when Karel Poborsky's right wing cross proved too high for Koller but fell to him at the far post. Kolinko dived to his left to save a stinging low shot from Nedved with 20 minutes to go but ti was left to the Czechs strikers to secure the victory. — Reuters |
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Dutch, Germans share honours Porto, June 15 Torsten Frings put Germany 1-0 ahead through a free kick as the first half belonged to the Germans. Veteran Dutch defender Philip Cocu had conceded the free kick. The Dutch came back strongly in the second half in the match which had excitement and passion aplenty. The Manchester United striker Van Nistelrooy carried his good form to the tournament too as he repaid the faith his coach reposed in him.
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Spain wary of Greece
Porto, June 15 However, no one in the Spanish camp is underestimating the Greeks, after Otto Rehhagel’s fearless side beat them in qualifying for the finals and then spoiled Portugal’s opening-day party with a shock 2-1 win over the hosts. ‘’Greece defend very well and hit on the counter with great speed,’’ Spanish winger Joseba Etxeberria said. ‘’We’ll have to play quick passes in midfield and play to our own game, keeping the ball. That way I’m sure we’ll create chances.’’ Spain and Greece are free from injury and will be determined to play to their strengths at the Bessa stadium in Porto. That will see Spain continue in the same attacking style that earned them a 1-0 win over Russia in their opening match, while Greece concentrate on staunch defence and look to hit on the break. The fine form of Vicente and Etxeberria on the wings will give Spain real hope of making it maximum points from two games but after losing to Greece in qualifying for the finals, they are determined to pay their opponents plenty of respect. ‘’It’s going to be important for us to remain patient because you don’t unlock a defence in five minutes,’’ Etxeberria said. The key to the match will be how well the Greek defence, so solid against Portugal, deal with the swift running of the Spanish wingers, as well as the height of striker Fernando Morientes and the trickery of his partner Raul. Inaki Saez has promised changes from the side that won against Russia and that is likely to see Xabi Alonso introduced to the midfield to speed up the side’s passing still further. Rehhagel will nevertheless have few fears after seeing his defence neutralise the Portuguese attack with such skill. Full-backs Yourkas Seitaridis and Takis Fyssas dealt with Portugal’s Luis
Figo, Simao Sabrosa and later Cristiano Ronaldo with few problems, while centre-backs Traianos Dellas and Michalis Kapsis were in towering form in the middle. Greece will need to be impeccable at the back once again and the players are confident enough that they can succeed. “Our strongest point is the defence,’’ striker Demis Nikolaidis said.
— Reuters |
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Do-or-die tie for Portugal, Russia
Lisbon, June 15 Their shock 1-2 defeat by Greece in Saturday’s Group A opener has sent them teetering towards the brink an unthinkable first-round exit.
The man who led Brazil to World Cup glory two years ago has found himself facing the problem all of Portugal secretly feared. The players who shone so brightly in 2000 are long past their sell-by date and the new generation is still bedding in. Scolari is certain to make several changes after the dismal performance against Greece, when until Cristiano Ronaldo’s injury-time consolation header, they barely managed a worthwhile effort on goal. Rui Costa, formerly the central cog in midfield, failed to stamp his authority on the game. He was replaced by Brazilian-born Deco at halftime and is unlikely to retain his starting slot.
— Reuters |
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Rampaging Swedes swamp
Bulgaria 5-0
Lisbon, June 15 Larsson, recently persuaded to end two years of international retirement, claimed his double within 71 seconds early in the second half, the first a glorious diving header and the second a sliding lunge at the far post. “It went perfectly, I can’t imagine a better way to make my comeback in a competitive match,’’ Larsson told a news conference. “It was a virtually perfect performance in the second half and I can’t remember a more enjoyable game I’ve played for Sweden,’’ he said. Midfielder Fredrik Ljungberg had given Sweden a deserved 32nd-minute lead, Zlatan Ibrahimovic added a fourth from the penalty spot before substitute Marcus Allback completed the rout in stoppage time. The victory, easily Sweden’s biggest in the European Championship and equaling the highest winning margin in the tournament’s 44-year history, gave them early control of Group C after Denmark and Italy drew 0-0. It also emphatically ended their curse of not winning an opening game in a major tournament, a run going back through eight competitions to the 1958 World Cup. The margin was a little harsh on Bulgaria, who had early chances as they sought their first win over the Scandinavians in 10 games going back to 1967. The breakthrough came when midfielder Anders Svensson sent a long pass into the path of Ibrahimovic who crossed low for Ljungberg to touch in from point-blank range. Bulgaria were still very much in it early in the second half as striker Zoran Jankovich and the dangerous Martin Petrov went close but just as their hopes were rising, Larsson left them reeling. In the 57th minute, fullback Erik Edman swung in a tempting cross from the left and the Celtic striker launched himself full length to head an early contender for the goal of the tournament. Just over a minute later Svensson drove a low cross in from the right and Larsson arrived at the far post to steer the ball into the roof of the net. The Swedish fans roared their team forward to try to match their 4-0 success over Bulgaria in the 1994 World Cup third-place playoff, when Larsson also scored, and their wish was granted 12 minutes from time. Ljungberg was brought down in the box by Vladimir Ivanov but Larsson turned down the chance of his hat-trick by handing the ball to Ibrahimovic, who lashed in the penalty. The Swedes were attacking at will by then and capped a memorable night when Allback sprung the offside trap to gleefully lash in the fifth. It was only the fourth time a European Championship match had been won by a five-goal margin but Bulgaria coach Plamen Markov thought the scoreline was harsh on his team. “It was an even first half and although we were 0-1 down at halftime I was pleased with the way my team played,’’ he said. “But in the second half Sweden scored twice very quickly and then took control and kept it easily until the end,” he added. — Reuters
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11 England fans
arrested ALBUFEIRA: The portuguese police arrested 11 England football fans in the Algarve resort of Albufeira overnight after the authorities clashed with 200 fans of different nationalities, it was reported on Tuesday. Six persons were injured after drunken fans started throwing bottles and chairs.
Zidane haircut BERLIN:
Germany players were given Zinedine Zidane-style haircut and bald spot in a page one photo-montage on Tuesday ahead of the Euro 2004 match against the Dutch.
Fan’s woes KUALA LUMPUR: A Malaysian salesman complained to the main ethnic Chinese political party after his wife confiscated the TV remote control and satellite card for watching Sunday night’s England-France Euro 2004 match.
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Twin series to revive India-Pak hockey ties
New Delhi, June 15 As per the itinerary announced by the Indian Hockey Federation today, India will play matches in Karachi (Sep 25), Quetta (Sep 27), Peshawar (Sep 29) and Lahore (Oct 1), before hosting Pakistan in Delhi (Oct 4), Chandigarh (Oct 6), Hyderabad (Oct 8) and Bangalore (Oct 10). The series is being staged in an attempt to revive the stalled bilateral hockey ties between the two countries, IHF President KPS Gill told reporters here. “The Indo-Pak series is likely to be an annual affair and we believe this regular exchange would be the best thing to happen to hockey in both the countries,” Gill said. The last time both the sides played a bilateral series was in 1999 when India hosted four matches and Pakistan staged five. “The general feeling during the last bilateral series in 1999 was that it gave a tremendous boost to the game in the subcontinent. It always brings the best out of the players,” Gill said. The IHF chief also spoke on issues concerning Indian hockey — from the training programme of 26 Olympic probables at Arizona, the USA — to the forthcoming National Hockey League. “The boys are training hard in the USA and are enjoying the training. There has been a tremendous improvement in the physical as well as mental efficiency of the players.” Gill described the Olympic draw, that has pitted India against title favourites Holland in their first match, as a “good one”. “We expect it to be a tough match. But it’s always good to play a tough match in the beginning,” he said. As per the competition schedule, India will play their first match on August 15 followed by a match against South Africa on August 17. Placed in Pool B, India would then take on Australia on August 19, New Zealand on August 21 and Argentina on August 23 in their next league matches. — PTI
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Gill rules out Jugraj for Athens Though Jugraj Singh is shaping up well in the Phoenix camp, the penalty corner expert, who survived a near-fatal accident last year, can’t make it to the Athens Olympics team, feels Indian Hockey Federation president KPS Gill. “In the Phoenix camp, Jugraj is getting world-class training from the experts and is fast recovering his fitness. But when it comes to the Athens Olympics, I don’t think he can make it there,” Mr Gill said. The star player would come back with the team next month and won’t accompany them for the second leg of preparation prior to the Olympic Games, he said. “Sending Jugraj to attend the Phoenix camp will do a world of good for him and it would provide him long-term benefits. I’m sure he would fully recover even though he would miss the Athens games,” he said. In the USA, the drag-flick expert would also meet Dr Ed Ryan, the chief doctor of the US Olympic Committee Medical Council, at Colorado Springs. Dr Ryan had earlier treated Jugraj after the accident. — UNI
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IHF announces Rs 1 lakh for Vivek’s treatment New Delhi, June 15 “This amount is for the time. We will be providing more funds to him out of the profit from the Indo-Pak series,” he added. The 37-year Vivek, an office superintendent with North Eastern Railways, was first diagnosed and treated for urinary bladder cancer in 2000. But doctors last year detected that the cancer had spread to other parts of his body including, the lungs. The Varanasi-based centre-half, who represented India in the Seoul Olympics in 1988, Champions Trophy in Germany in 1989, Lahore World Cup and the Beijing Asian Games in 1990, is currently undergoing treatment in the Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai.
— PTI |
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Lahore, June 15 The 24-member list has been submitted by the selectors to the Pakistan Cricket Board. However, the final list will be announced after approval by the board and skipper Inzamam-ul Haq. ‘’There are no surprises in the probables’ list except that the selectors have included two youngsters — the promising fast bowler Riaz Afridi and opener Salman Butt in the list,’’ local media quoted a PCB source as saying. Batsman Younis Khan has also been recalled for the tournament. Younis had been surprisingly dropped for the three-match Test series against India after doing fairly well in the five-match one-day series. The official added that the selectors had not considered regular opener Taufeeq Umar for the one-day competition and had kept Imran Farhat, Imran Nazir and Butt as possible options. A final announcement on the camp probables will be made on June 17, a day after Inzamam returns from abroad. Probables list: Imran Farhat, Imran Nazir, Salman Butt, Yasir Hameed, Younis Khan, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Yousuf Youhana, Misbah-ul-Haq, Faisal Iqbal, Bazid Khan, Asim Kamal, Moin Khan, Kamran Akmal, Abdul Razzaq, Shoaib Malik, Shoaib Akhtar, Muhammad Sami, Shabbir Ahmed, Umar Gul, Abdul Rauf, Rao Iftikhar, Riaz Afridi, Danish Kaneria, Rana Naveed-ul-Hasan and Yasir Arafat. — UNI
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Murali opts out of Australia tour Colombo, June 15 “He won’t be going to Australia for personal reasons,” SLC Chief Executive Officer Dulip Mendis said. The 32-year old Muralitharan was named in the 16-member squad for the two-Test series but his participation has been in doubt ever since he said he would not like to visit Australia after that country’s Prime Minister John Howard called him a ‘chucker’.— PTI |
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Ranjit Singh Gold Cup to be revived Amritsar, June 15 A decision in this regard was taken at a meeting held here today under the chairmanship of Mr Raminder Singh, Deputy Commissioner. He said efforts were being made to hold the tournament in September. He said it would be organised as part of the second Amritsar Heritage Mela, tentatively scheduled to be held here from November 19 to 23. Balwinder Shammi, an Olympian, said the tournament would help to promote hockey in the Majha region, which was once a hub of hockey. A former international, Balbir Singh Randhawa, felt that almost all major hockey tournaments of the state were being held at Jalandhar, while ignoring this belt. The Deputy Commissioner said top national hockey teams, including the Railways, Indian Airlines, BSF, Punjab and Sindh Bank, Namdhari XI, Punjab Police, CISF, Bharat Petroleum, Indian Oil, Air-India and teams from the Army, would be invited. The organisers are planning to invite top hockey clubs of Pakistan to make the tournament more attractive. The tournament will be played at the Guru Nanak Dev University hockey stadium on a league-cum- knockout basis. Mr Harinder Singh Malhi, District Sports Officer, said the tournament used to draw top teams of the country but due to unexplained reasons, it was discontinued in 1995. He said the tournament had been started in 1969-70 with great fanfare and had been an annual feature till 1995. |
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Sunil defeats Kamla Kannan New Delhi, June 15 Sunil Kumar, who hit the national spotlight when he emerged the national hardcourt champion at this very same venue at the age of 16 years a few years ago, battled the heat to dispose of another former national champion Kamala Kannan without shedding much sweat. The Chandigarh boy gained early breaks in both the sets to make a comfortable stride into the second round. Another Chandigarh boy, Gurmehar Singh, who was a wild card entry, ran the experienced fourth-seed Vijay Kanna close before bowing out. Seedings held good as all other seeded players also moved up. Second-seeded Norikazu Sugiyama of Japan won the easy way when his opponent, Richard Irwin of Britain, retired hurt in the second set. Sugiyama was leading 6-4, 2-0 when his opponent pulled out. Other results are: Rahil Syed of India b Jaume Barbehan-Model of Spain 6-3,6-2; David Brewer of Britin b Rohan Gide of India 6-2, 6-3; Vishal Uppal b Rishi Sridhar 6-4, 6-3; Vijay Kannan b Gurmehar Singh 6-4, 6-4; Aqueel Khan of Pakistan beat Saurav Panja 6-2, 7-5; Ross Hutchings of Britain b Mat Lowe of Britain 6-1, 6-1; Ajay Ramaswamy b Hiu-Tung Yu of Hong Kong when the latter retired on medical grounds with Ramaswamy leading 6-0, 2-0; Shahzad Khan of Pakistan b Roger Lacaci-Dominique of Spain 6-1, 7-6; Prahlad Srinath b Rahul Rajkhewa 6-4, 6-0, Joshua Goodall b Rahul Sankhla 6-1, 6-0, Jaco Mathew b Shivang Mishra 6-3, 6-4 and Ashutosh Singh b Yasser Arafat Mohammed 6-3, 6-3. |
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