 |
|
|
Super Rooney fires England through
Late Henry double
makes France advance
Italy in must-win situation |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Goal-less Vieri targets media
Scolari salutes Portugal squad We’re proud, says Luis Figo Rehhagel — toast of Greece Swedes wary of dangerous Danes
Ashutosh scores upset victory Holland tri-series Kartar’s plan for
wrestling
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Super
Rooney fires England through Lisbon, June 21 The 18-year-old followed up with a superb run on the break to score his second on 68 minutes before Igor Tudor pulled one back for Croatia and Frank Lampard rounded off a fine victory.
Rooney's virtuoso performance came four days after he scored twice in a 3-0 win over Switzerland to transform England's group B campaign after a 1-2 stoppage time defeat by France. Rooney won a standing ovation at a Luz stadium dominated by England fans who chanted the youngster's name when he came off with 20 minutes to go.
England finished on a high after a calamitous start. Defender Ashley Cole tried to clear Milan Rapaic's floated cross, keeper David James parried but the ball ran for Kovac to fire home from close range in a packed area.
England were quick to recover, with Rooney putting Scholes through to shoot tamely at Tomislav Butina as the midfielder drove forward, while James needed to make two smart saves to deny Kovac and Dado Prso as Croatia threatened on the break. England were inspired by Rooney's running and deft lay-offs and it was only fitting the teenager provided the assist for Scholes' equaliser, nodding the ball on after a Michael Owen effort had been blocked.
Rooney had not finished with the Croatians yet, though. The same trio did the damage with Owen feeding the ball wide for Scholes who touched it on for Rooney to crash an unstoppable 22-metre shot past Butina and put England ahead.
Owen had a glorious chance to end his four-match goal drought just after the restart, put clean through by Rooney only for his lob over the keeper to sail over the bar.
Rooney made no mistake though when Owen put him through for a solo run and a cool finish to make it 3-1, while Tudor headed home a free kick on 73 minutes to fire up the Croatians.
But Lampard, whose first England goal came in a friendly win over Croatia last August, put the result beyond doubt.
— Reuters |
Late
Henry double makes France advance
Coimbra, June 21 Thierry Henry's late double carried the French to victory after Switzerland had levelled Zinedine Zidane's early goal through 18-year-old striker Johann Vonlanthen, who became the youngest scorer in the tournament's history. France topped the group and will play Greece in the quarterfinals in Lisbon on Friday. The French took the lead after 20 minutes when captain Zidane rose virtually unchallenged at the near post to head in a right flank corner from Robert Pires. It was the playmaker's third goal of the tournament. For a spell France threatened to add a second. Bixente Lizarazu's half-volley was deflected wide and Henry missed a decent chance from a Willy Sagnol cross by heading past the post. Switzerland, fielding five in midfield in a reshaped team, equalised in the 26th minute, Vonlanthen latching on to a shrewdly-angled through pass from Ricardo Cabanas and sliding a low diagonal shot beyond Fabien Barthez inside the far post. Volanthen, at 18 years and four months, was three months younger than England's Wayne Rooney when he scored against Switzerland last Thursday. It was deserved reward for the Swiss for spells of good, controlled possession football, but they collected the first half's only yellow card when Hakan Yakin was cautioned for shirt-tugging on Pires. Raphael Wicky followed him into the referee's notebook in the second half for a foul on substitute William Gallas as the Swiss defended their position resolutely. Henry was also cautioned for diving. France, pressing forward, lacked guile and style and gave the Swiss defence a relatively easy evening. Pires ran through once but was crowded out and Swiss goalkeeper Joerg Stiel barely had a shot to save before Henry struck the French second. The goal came immediately after the introduction of Louis Saha for David Trezeguet, the substitute flicking the ball on for Henry to slip past the goalkeeper from close range after 76 minutes. Henry then sealed victory with a classic individual effort six minutes from time, cutting in from the left and beating Stiel with a cool low finish. — Reuters
|
Lisbon, June 21 That’s because cool people with a head for figures will be needed tomorrow night to determine whether or not Italy advance to the Euro 2004 quarter-finals following their Group C match with already eliminated Bulgaria in Guimaraes. Italy will qualify for the last eight as long as they beat Bulgaria and Sweden and Denmark, who meet in Porto, do not draw 2-2 or higher. Other scenarios are possible depending on how the two matches finish. Italy’s cause is not helped by suspensions to Francesco Totti, Gennaro Gattuso and skipper Fabio Cannavaro and on Monday coach Giovanni Trapattoni also faced an injury doubt over midfielder Cristiano Zanetti. Zanetti, who played in the opening 0-0 draw with Denmark but did not feature in the 1-1 draw with Sweden on Friday, missed training on Sunday with a muscle problem. Vieri, who marched out of Sunday’s news conference following his protest at media coverage, did not join the in-house training match as he is suffering pain in his left knee. Vieri worked out in the gym and had a massage. He is not believed to be at risk for the Bulgaria match that Italy must win to have a chance of reaching the quarter-finals. Matteo Ferrari and Marco Materazzi are the two main options to replace Cannavaro in the centre of defence, while Gattuso’s slot in midfield could go to Stefano Fiore or Mauro Camoranesi. Bulgaria, already eliminated after defeats against Sweden and Denmark, will be without captain Stilian Petrov and centre back Rosen Kirilov who are suspended — and almost certainly injured defender Ivailo Petkov. Petkov has not trained since suffering a thigh injury in Friday’s 2-0 loss to Denmark in Braga, while fellow defender Vladimir Ivanov is nursing a sore hamstring but has a better chance of being fit. “Ivanov should be okay,” coach Plamen Markov told Reuters. “Petkov is more doubtful but it’s not impossible, he could make it, we’ll have to see.” Petrov was sent off seven minutes from the end of the match in Braga where Bulgaria picked up seven yellow cards, reacting angrily to a refereeing decision they were unhappy with. — Reuters
|
Lisbon, June 21 Vieri said he was upset by a report in some Italian newspapers that he had had an argument with goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon in the tunnel as they left the field after Italy's 1-1 draw with Sweden on Friday. "You can write what you want about me as a soccer player," he said. "But as a person, I won't permit it. You kill us from morning until night with things that are invented and you've also invented this,?" he said, holding up an article from Rome daily "Il Messaggero." "I can look at myself in the mirror, you can't. I'm more of a man that all of you put together," he told several dozen reporters at the Casa Azzurri. Vieri's anger could have also been triggered by his poor play of late. With the offense designed specifically around his scoring ability, the Inter Milan forward was unable to find the goal in Italy's first two matches. At the 1998 and 2002 World Cups, Vieri's last two major tournaments, he began with three goals in the first two games each time. At Euro 2004, Vieri was ineffective during Italy's 0-0 opener against Denmark and missed numerous headers close to Sweden's goal on Friday. After the Sweden match, coach Giovanni Trapattoni said Vieri was suffering from a minor left knee injury and had taken a painkiller before the match. Yesterday Vieri did not practice and was tended to by a trainer instead, although the team's medical staff said he would be ready to play against Bulgaria tomorrow. Midfielder Cristiano Zanetti also missed the training session with a leg injury. He was not available for the Sweden match and is not expected back for the Bulgaria game. News of an argument between Vieri and Buffon also appeared in the 'Gazzetta dello Sport' yesterday, but team spokesman Antonello Valentini said it was untrue. He said Vieri and Buffon ate dinner together after the match with their mothers, Natalie Vieri and Stella Buffon. — AP
|
|
Scolari salutes Portugal squad
Lisbon, June 21 "This win results from a good deal of hard graft by a united group of players and also the huge support of the fans, who carried us along with their enthusiasm," said the man who has the experience of landing the ultimate prize having taken Brazil to the 2002 World Cup. Spain, defeated by their small neighbour for the first time ever in a competitive international, went into the game seemingly set fair for the quarter-finals themselves, yet professing concern that Swedish referee Anders Frisk, might act as the 12th man for the home side. In the event, Frisk was cool efficiency personified in a white hot atmosphere, and the "extra" men came from elsewhere for the Portuguese. "The Portuguese people were not only the 12th man but the 13th and the 14th as well," acknowledged a grateful Scolari, whose tactic of allowing Cristiano Ronaldo free rein to run at the Spanish with Deco in the middle paid dividends. His substitution of the booked and hence now suspended Pauleta from the fulcrum of the attack also looked inspired as the man who replaced him, Nuno Gomes, smacked home a neat winner after 57 minutes. Whereas Portugal had been a bag of nerves against Greece against the Spanish Portugal thrived on the pressure bearing down on them. "It was a nervy match and my players were grimly determined," Scolari indicated, adding they could not help but be inspired by the occasion and the crowd. "There was a marvellous atmosphere as soon as we left our training centre for the stadium. "The opening match was the key as that showed us just how much we had to improve and that's what we did in beating Russia. "The support of the fans was contagious. We had a very competitive spirit and that was just what we required." Scolari said landing Portugal's first win of substance over Spain was incidental. "Getting through the first phase was the important thing, not making history. But Scolari said he was only too well aware that his side must improve even further if they are to see off either France or England in their next match - or potentially Croatia. "Physically we are fine but technically and tactically we have room to improve." A thick-skinned individual after his Brazilian experiences, Scolari said criticism from outside was water off a duck's back. "Some criticism is constructive, other criticism is absurd," he said, pinning much of the blame on "the newspaper sellers. "There are some journalists who are not journalists and who know nothing about football," he said dismissively. —AFP
|
||
|
We’re proud, says Luis Figo Lisbon: Portugal winger Luis Figo said the team were “really proud” after reaching the Euro 2004 quarter-finals with a 1-0 win over neighbours Spain.
“When you play at home the pressure is really high and all the players were worried about that pressure. “The first game against Greece wasn’t so good for us but we are improving every game and now let’s see what we can do in the quarter-finals.” Portugal’s Brazilian coach Luiz Felipe
Scolari, who knew only a victory would take his side through, said the crowd had played a vital role. “Fortunately, we won and we’re happy. I want to send congratulations to the public, which weren’t the 12th player, but the 13th and the 14th,” he said. “Without them we wouldn’t have had all this force to fight to quality. Now we’re going to the next stage and we’ll see what will happen.”
— Reuters
|
||
Faro (Portugal), June 21 Despite losing their final match 2-1 to Russia here yesterday Greece scraped into the last eight as Group A runners-up behind hosts Portugal, conquerors of Spain in a 1-0 win, making Rehhagel a national hero. Rehhagel was known as ‘King Otto’ after winning two German championships, two German Cups and the UEFA Cup with Werder Bremen and has elevated his status to near royalty in Greece after this triumph. Greece had never qualified for the knockout stage of any major finals but put their disastrous campaign at the 1994 World Cup — when they lost all three matches — firmly to the back of the memory banks. “This is a historic day for Greece and I am delighted to give the fans so much pleasure,” beamed Rehhagel. When the draw for Group A was made Portugal and Spain were hot favourites to occupy the two qualifying spots but Rehhagel followed up an impressive qualifying campaign with victory over Portugal in the opening match followed by a draw with Spain. Defending champions France are possible opponents in the last eight but the experienced German manager just wanted to bask in the celebrations. “I am not concerned who we play as we have already won,” said Rehhagel, “We just want to celebrate this historic moment. “I hope this is a building block for Greek football now and we can put in the infrastructure to develop talented young players from Greece.” Rehhagel claimed before the tournament that Greece “were not here to make up the numbers” and so it proved as they edged out Spain, a team with undoubtedly superior players, to earn a place among Europe’s elite. Before the competition Greece had not won a single match in a major finals and their biggest sporting success was the 1987 basketball European championship title. The 2-1 victory over Portugal sent shockwaves throughout the tournament and Rehhagel will hope to defend better than in the opening 17 minutes yesterday when they conceded two goals to the already-eliminated Russians. Rehhagel, who has also coached German side Kaisers Iautern, has managed to blend a team of committed players into a formidable team unit. “Our strength is solidarity and our will to fight for one another,” admitted the Greek chief. Rehhagel had the final say by hitting out at his critics in his homeland who claimed he could not cut the mustard abroad. German journalists seem to think I can just work at Werder Bremen,” added Rehhagel. “But have proved I can do a job anywhere.” —AFP
|
|
Swedes wary of dangerous Danes
Porto, June 21 The Swedes fear Denmark’s unusual style for a Scandinavian team with Jasper Gronkjaer and Martin Joergensen switching wings, and surprise ploys at set pieces. But they believe strongly in the capacity for surprise of their own pedigree striker Henrik Larsson and the unpredictable genius of Zlatan Ibrahimovich who scored a brilliant late equaliser against Italy on Friday. Sweden’s 1-1 draw with the Italians left them and Denmark, who beat Bulgaria 2-0, top of the group with four points each. Italy have two and Bulgaria none. Italians are worried that Denmark and Sweden could end up with a draw of 2-2 or more that, assuming Italy beat Bulgaria, would leave all three on five points each and knock Italy out on head-to-head results. Denmark drew 0-0 with Italy on Monday. The Swedes called the idea of the Scandinavian conspiracy Machiavellian. “We’re just going to go out there to try and do our best to win,” Larsson said yesterday. Sweden’s scout Benny Lennartsson, a key associate of joint coaches Lars Lagerback and Tommy Soderberg, thinks Denmark were the best team in the group. “The Danes are very dangerous coming inside with Gronkjaer and Joergensen. We are wary of their switch play which is not typical of the Nordic countries,” he said. “I can’t see any better wing play in the tournament apart perhaps from Spain with Vicente and (Joseba) Etxeberria.” Ibrahimovic, however, can do the unexpected. “Zlatan scores like (Netherlands striker Ruud) Van Nistelrooy, out of nothing. I don’t see the Danes scoring out of nothing.” Sweden, whose defender Teddy Lucic is still unavailable through injury, will probably start with the same team that took the field against Italy. Denmark could bring Gronkjaer on from the start for Dennis Rommedahl. Gronkjaer, just back with the squad after the death of his mother and short of practice, had to come on sooner than planned against Bulgaria because Rommedahl was injured but stayed the pace and scored a good stoppage-time goal. — Reuters
|
|
Federer, Navratilova off to flying start
London, June 21 "It was important to get off to a good start, and I did that," Federer said. "I soon
saw there was not much he could do on my serve. "I relaxed, played well and am really looking forward to the next one."
Another former champion to advance was nine-times women's winner Martina Navratilova.
The 47-year-old naturalised American, making her first appearance in the women's singles at the All England Club for a decade, thrashed Colombia's Catalina Castano 6-0, 6-1. Thirty-one years after her Wimbledon debut, Navratilova —whose name loosely translates as "comeback" in her native Czech —produced some vintage serve-volleying to bamboozle an opponent who, at 24, is almost half her age. Navratilova, who lost in the first round of the French Open on her return to Grand Slam singles action last month, will play either Australian Jelena Dokic or Argentine Gisela Dulko — her conqueror in Paris — in the second round. Goran Ivanisevic is due to make his first appearance at Wimbledon since winning the title in 2001 later on Monday. He faces dangerous Russian Mikhail Youzhny on Centre Court. Australia's Lleyton Hewitt also advanced. The 2002 champion suffered a first round loss last year —the first men's champion to lose so early since tennis turned professional in 1968. He avoided a similar fate on court one with an assured 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 win over Austria's Juergen Melzer. Women's second seed Anastasia Myskina is due on court later on Monday. Newly crowned French Open champion, the Russian takes on Lubomira Kurhajcova of Slovakia. Third seed Venus Williams tackles Marie-Gayanay Mikaelian of Switzerland.
|
|
Ashutosh scores upset victory New Delhi, June 21 Sunil Kumar Sipaeya, as usual, cleared the first hurdle rather comfortably when he defeated qualifier Siddharth Gulati 6-2, 6-3. Sunil Kumar, who was beaten by Vishal Uppal, who then went on to claim a double crown, in the second leg of the circuit here last week, made light of the challenge posed by Siddharth to keep himself in the fray. Vishal Uppal, whose title victory over third-seeded Vinod Sridhar here yesterday earned him the second seeding in the prize money Masters, had a off day today, as was the case with top-seeded Joshua Goodall of Britain. But sixth-seeded Prahlad Srinath was given a tough time by youngster Jaco Mathew before the experienced Srinath prevailed at 6-4, 7-5. In other matches, Kamala Kannan defeated Mait Kunnap of Spain 6-4, 6-2, Wrik Ganguly defeated Yannick Nelord 7-6 (7-5), 6-4, eighth-seeded Aqeel Khan of Pakistan beat Saurav Panja 6-3, 6-1 and Mat Lowe of Britain beat Gurmehar Singh 6-1, 1-6, 6-3. |
|
Holland
tri-series Thiruvananthapuram, June 21 The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Cricket Australia and the Royal Dutch Cricket Association today confirmed that all the matches, to be played as day games, would be played at Amstelveen, Amsterdam, BCCI Secretary K.S. Nair said in a statement here today. The three teams will play one round robin league and the top two will clash for the honours on August 28. The schedule: Agust 21-India vs Pakistan; August 23-Australia vs India; August 25-Pakistan vs Australia and August 28-finals.
— UNI |
|
|
Kartar’s plan for
wrestling Kartar said Mr Malik had an autocratic style of functioning and had arbitrarily removed nine out of 25 affiliated units, which was against the constitution of the federation. In the special meeting held on June 18 at Delhi, 21 out of 25 units present unanimously elected Kartar Singh as the president. Kartar Singh who is also Director Sports, Punjab charged Mr Malik of appointing close confidants from Haryana as officials while ignoring other member units. Wrestling coach Rahlon had left the federation due to the dictatorial attitude of Mr Malik. In nine states parallel bodies were created by Mr Malik. These units were, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Jammu and Kashmir, Gujarat, Mizoram, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh. Kartar ruled out any effect on the
performance of Indian grapplers at Athens Olympics and said boys were training hard at Patiala where a camp was in progress. After July 6, the wrestlers will train abroad till the Olympics. He said from July 15 to 18, a national wrestling meet for sub-junior, junior and senior girls would be organised at Jalandhar. The WFI plans to select 50 wrestlers who could be potential medal winners. |
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Mailbag | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
Chandigarh, June 21
