 |
|
|
Ukraine book berth in round two
Brazilians fly on Ronaldo’s wings
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Argentina wary of
Mexico
Blatter baffled by referee’s blunder Reyna, Al Jaber retire
Sourav flops, Zaheer shines
DSO, 10 coaches found absent from duty
Tough draw for Sania at Wimbledon
Harikrishna records win
Kunderan dead
Anmol best b’ball trainee
|
|
Ukraine book berth in round two
Berlin, June 23 Needing a win to qualify, Tunisia suffered a major blow in first half injury time when striker Ziad Jaziri was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Anatoly Tymoshchyuk. But Ukraine, needing only a draw to be sure of joining group winners Spain in the second round, struggled to make the most of their advantage in a scrappy game at Berlin’s Olympiastadion. Coach Oleg Blokhin’s side will play France, South Korea or Switzerland in the second round, depending on the outcome of matches played later on Friday. Ukraine’s best opportunity of the first half came in the 22nd minute when midfielder Tymoshchyuk burst into the penalty area but Tunisian goalkeeper Ali Boumnijel beat away his left-footed shot. Tunisia’s best efforts came from set pieces but they showed little to suggest they could win the game. Hamed Namouchi struck a curling free kick in the 19th minute but Ukraine goalkeeper Oleksander Shovkovsky caught the ball cleanly. Spain beat
Saudis 1-0
Kaiserlautern: Spain ensured they went through to the last 16 of the World Cup as winners of Group H when they eased their way to a 1-0 victory over a toothless Saudi Arabia in Kaiserslautern on Friday. With the luxury of knowing they had already secured a place in the last 16, Spain fielded their second string side against the Saudis who needed to win to have any chance of making the knockout stages. Centre back Juanito scored the winner nine minutes from halftime when he fired a bullet header past keeper Mabrouk Zaid after Jose Antonio Reyes whipped in a free kick from the left. The victory extended Spain’s unbeaten run to 25 games and meant they finished the group stage with a maximum nine points for the second World Cup
in a row. They will meet either Switzerland, South Korea or France in the last 16 in Hanover on Tuesday. It was a disappointing end to the tournament for Saudi Arabia who go home with just a point after surrendering the lead to draw 2-2 in their opening match against Tunisia and then imploding to a 4-0 defeat against Ukraine in their second. The Spain substitutes quickly settled into their usual fluent passing game and although they did little to trouble the Saudi defence in the first quarter of an hour, they warmed to the task as the half wore on. Live-wire winger Joaquin went close with a dipping shot and midfielder David Albelda had a fierce drive turned past the post by Zaid after a gleaming passing move involving Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas just before the half hour. Six minutes later Juanito put Spain into the lead with his header and Reyes went close to extending his side’s lead with a sharp volley just before the break. Coach Luis Aragones replaced captain Raul with David Villa at halftime and gave leading scorer Fernando Torres a run out for the final 20 minutes, but with Spain happy to sit on their lead it was Saudi
Arabia who made much of the running in the second period. Saudi Arabian defender Hussein Sulaimani twice forced Santiago Canizares to make sharp saves midway through the half and substitute Nawaf Al Temyat caused problems for the back four with some
neat runs into the area. — Reuters
|
|
Brazilians fly on Ronaldo’s wings
Dortmund, June 23 The victory, Brazil’s 10th consecutive in World Cups, set up a second-round match against Ghana on Tuesday. Japan is eliminated, failing to repeat its second-round appearance from the 2002 tournament. The Japanese team, coached by former Brazil international Zico, needed to defeat the five-time champions to keep its chances of advancing alive. Zico changed both his starting strikers trying to boost the attack, and it seemed to work when the Japanese surprisingly took the lead despite being outplayed. Keiji Tamada, one of the new forwards, put Japan ahead in the 34th minute with a powerful left-footer from inside the area after a through pass by Alessandro Santos. Ronaldo improved after lackluster showings in previous matches and was a constant threat. He equalised with a header a minute into first-half injury time, set up by a header across the area from Real Madrid teammate Cicinho. Ronaldo scored his second goal in the 81st, with a right-footer from 20 metres after a set up by defender Juan. Juninho, replacing regular starter Ze Roberto, scored Brazil’s second goal in the 53rd with a shot from about 25 metres. Japan goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi badly misjudged the shot. Gilberto, replacing Roberto Carlos, got Brazil’s third goal in the 59th after a neat through pass from Ronaldinho. The goal by Japan was Brazil’s first conceded in World Cups in four matches. It hadn’t allowed a goal in the tournament since its 2-1 win over England in the quarterfinals of the 2002 tournament in South Korea and Japan. Brazil finished the group with nine points, five more than second-place Australia. Croatia was third with two points, and Japan last with one. Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira’s changes to the line up worked from the beginning.
— AP |
|
Down Under on cloud nine
Stuttgart, June 23 Melbourne’s Federation Square had to be closed off after more than 9,000 people jammed into the precinct to cheer on the Australians to a 2-2 thriller in which the Socceroos had to come from behind twice to draw level. Liverpool star Harry Kewell, the man of the match, sent the Australians into the second round for the first time in only their second finals’ in 32 years with the equaliser 10 minutes from fulltime. Passions overflowed in the final minutes with referee Graham Poll issuing red cards to Croatia’s Dario Simic and Josip Simunic and Australia’s Brett Emerton, who now will miss Australia’s second round match with Italy on Monday. Kewell saved the Australians from elimination after a horrendous blunder by goalkeeper Zeljko Kalac had gifted the Croatians their second goal 13 minutes after halftime. Kalac, one of six Australian players with Croatian background, had an eventful match picking the ball out of his own net after just two minutes off a free kick and then fumbling Niko Kovac’s volley to allow the ball to go over the line. Kalac was a surprise selection by coach Guus Hiddink ahead of regular keeper Mark Schwarzer. The Australians went into the final group match two points ahead of Croatia and only needed a draw to reach the last sixteen. The Aussies recovered from the shock of a second minute goal off a Darijo Srna free-kick to take the game to the 1998 semi-finalists in a dramatic opening half. It was Croatia’s first goal of the tournament.
|
|
Argentina wary of
Mexico
Leipzig, June 23 Argentina, with an 8-1 goal record in three group games and two players on two goals apiece in striker Hernan Crespo and winger Maxi Rodriguez, are favourites to reach the last eight. Mexico have only reached the quarterfinals in the two World Cups they hosted and came to Germany expecting to improve their record abroad. But their finishing has been so poor they only scraped into the knockout phase. “We
will continue to insist on working on our finishing (in practice),”
Mexico’s Argentine coach Ricardo La Volpe said after they lost their
last Group D match 2-1 to Portugal. Captain Rafael Marquez said: “The
team continue to show poise and character. We have a new opportunity now
and we can’t let it slip.” The two Latin American nations have only met once before in the World Cup when Argentina won 6-3 in the inaugural tournament in Uruguay in 1930. They have, however, played each other in numerous friendlies and in the Copa America, to which Mexico have been invited regularly since 1993. Argentina beat Mexico in the 1993 Copa America final in Ecuador but lost 1-0 to them in the group stage in the last tournament in Peru in 2004. “Mexico
will not be at all easy as opponents,” defender Roberto Ayala said.
“They have made matters difficult for us the previous times they have
played Argentina. “Mexico have the same chances as us. We’ll try
to prevent them from being comfortable on the ball and when we attack
attempt the variety of options we have showed up to now.” La Volpe’s
team had a good Confederations Cup in Germany a year ago when they
reached the semi-finals and only went out to Argentina on penalties
following a 1-1 draw after extra time. Argentina will have to bring
in Fabricio Coloccini after right back Nicolas Burdisso was injured on
Wednesday. Jose Francisco Fonseca, who scored against Portugal, is
expected to start again for Mexico even though Jared Borgetti could be
fit after missing two matches with a thigh injury. — Reuters
|
|
Blatter baffled by referee’s blunder
Berlin, June 23 The performance of the highly rated Poll, who had been tipped to take charge of the World Cup final, was to be put under the microscope by FIFA’s referees’ committee. It can decide whether he plays any further part in the tournament. But Blatter said that with the four match officials being in contact by radio link, one of the assistant referees should have alerted Poll to his mistake. “An error of this kind should not happen when there are four people in the team,” Blatter told a press conference. “What is incomprehensible is that no one intervened. I cannot understand it, it is like a blackout. “One of them should have intervened and run on the field and said ‘stop, stop’. “I place my trust in the referees committee. I think they have enough tact to deal with this case.” Blatter added that Poll had performed well in previous matches at this tournament. “We should not forget that Poll in his previous matches achieved fantastic things. “We cannot excuse it but we should understand it.” Poll first booked Simunic in the 62nd minute and should have sent him off in the 90th minute, but only eventually dismissed the Croatian in stoppage time.
— AFP
|
|
|
Reyna, Al Jaber retire Hamburg, June 23 Reyna sprained a ligament in his left knee about midway through the first half, losing the ball in a challenge that led to Ghana’s first goal. KAISERSLAUTERN: Saudi Arabia forward Sami Al Jaber, 33, a veteran of four World Cup finals, announced his retirement after his team’s 0-1 defeat to Spain on Friday. “This has been a great memory for me. All four World Cups I have been at have been special but I’m so pleased to sign off here (at the World Cup finals) with a goal (against Tunisia),” he said.
— AP, Reuters
|
|
Sarwan, Ganga put Windies on top St Kitts, June 23 Ganga compiled a career-best 135 — his third Test hundred — while his partner, after marking his ninth ton at the highest level and his first against India — registered a stylish 116. After the unfolding of the first two Tests, the boot was on the other foot, with the dangerous Shivnarine Chanderpaul still there. For the Trinidadian opener, whose retention in the XI was a disappointment for inhabitants of this twin island state as this denied Runako Morton of Nevis a place, his ton was a considerable relief for him as well as for his captain, Brian Lara, who had yesterday faced accusations from local media about “politics” in team selection. Omission of players from venues holding Tests appears to result in an angry public response. The stadium on the second day — albeit a working day — was virtually sans spectators. As Sarwan embraced Ganga after he cut Munaf Patel for four to complete a patient century, there was only muted applause to greet the accomplishment. Apart from Patel sending Chris Gayle’s stumps cartwheeling with a ball angled in from around the wicket, he had Sarwan in some discomfort. But the latter took his revenge on the second morning. Now well settled, Sarwan stormed from 75 to 99 with a flurry of six fours in a seven-ball over (one of them being a no-ball) from the Maharashtra fast-medium bowler with the second new ball, which equalled Sandeep Patil’s feat against Bob Willis at Old Trafford in 1982 and that of Chris Gayle against Matthew Hoggard at the Oval in 2004. It was appropriate celebration of his 26th birthday. Earlier, the Guyanese had greeted Virender Sehwag, who set a bad example as vice-captain with his sloppy fielding, with a four and a six in his first over — both flicked to midwicket. But to Patel’s credit, he roared back to force Ganga to play on and then trap the redoubtable Brian Lara lbw. The West Indian skipper had, in fact, announced himself with a disconcerting four to extra cover. But undaunted, Patel hit back. Sreesanth bowled spiritedly either side of lunch and was rewarded with Sarwan’s prized wicket. Harbhajan Singh struck by deceiving Dwayne Bravo with a straighter ball. Scoreboard West Indies (1st innings) Gayle b Patel 83 Ganga b Patel 135 Sarwan lbw Sreesanth 116 Lara lbw Patel 10 Chanderpaul not out 22 Bravo c Dhoni
b Harbhajan 21 Samuels not out 3 Extras (lb-9, nb-11) 20 Total (5 wkts, 116 overs) 410 Fall of wickets: 1-143, 2-346, 3-356, 4-371, 5-406. Bowling:
Patel 24-2-118-3, Sreesanth 25-7-67-1, Kumble 35-6-99-0, Harbhajan 26-2-92-1, Sehwag 6-0-25-0.
|
|
Sourav flops, Zaheer shines
London, June 23 After Worcestershire won the toss and declared their first innings at 543 for nine, Northamptonshire were bundled out for a meagre 67, with Zaheer Khan claiming five wickets, including that of his former captain who scored two. Following on, Northamptonshire were reeling at 185 for eight in 62 over with a humiliating defeat looming large and Ganguly was out for a duck. After scoring two in the first innings before Zaheer castled him, much was expected from Ganguly who came at four down but the southpaw lasted just seven balls and could not open his account and was caught by Phil Jaques off Matt Mason. Zaheer added one more wicket to his first-innings tally of five. Nothing went right for Ganguly in the match and on Wednesday, he was warned for running on the pitch by umpire Jeremy Lloyds while bowling.
— UNI
|
|
India go down to Dutch
Today’s matches
Argentina vs Malaysia (for 7-8 positions, 5 am)
Kuala Lumpur, June 23 A 64th minute penalty corner conversion by Roderick Weushtof sealed the victory for Netherlands. Incidentally, it was the first Dutch conversion in the tournament. The Dutch thus made their maiden entry into the final of this tournament where they will play Australia for title. India paid dearly for their defensive approach in contrast to the more positive Dutch who had the better of exchanges in a match that began in rain and ended in bright sunshine. But the Indians did not feel the sun on the backs and in the closing minutes, the deep defence that had performed admirably for over an hour, succumbed to pressure leading to the penalty corner that Weushtof converted with a neat drag-flick. India did have their chances, but some wayward shooting denied them success. Ironically, they received just one penalty corner, in the 42nd minute, but their drag-flick specialist was on the bench at that time, having been substituted a little while earlier. Dilip Tirkey’s direct hit was deflected out for an abortive corner. The Indian forwards had a few pot-shots at the Dutch goal but with little conviction and the few times they got it right, goalkeeper Klaas Veering stood up to the challenge. Much of the first-half was a cat-and-mouse affair with neither team prepared to go flat out. Though the Dutch appeared more positive and forthright in their approach, the few penetrations they made into the Indian circle proved unsuccessful. The Dutch had three clear attempts at goal but first Roger Hofman hit wide and then Weushtof was off the mark while in between, Teun de Nooijer essayed a reverse hit that goalkeeper Adrian D’Souza blocked easily. At the other end, the Indians, as cautious and intent on keeping possession, were more circumspect. They did put together a few good moves, but could not convert a couple of openings. The trend continued in the second-half, but the first signs of crack in the Indian midfield appeared. Two mistakes by Vikram Pillay and Viren Rasquinha nearly resulted in goals for the Dutch who then gradually gained the upper hand. Aussies rout Kiwis 7-1 In the second semifinal, Olympic champions Australia trounced New Zealand 7-1 to move to the final against the Netherlands on Sunday. Grant Schubert (2), Luke Dorener (2), Matt Naylor, Travis Brookes and Dean Butler scored for Australia. Richard Petherick converted a 69th minute penalty corner to provide some consolation to the Kiwis. It was virtually a no-contest as the Aussies, winners here four times, including the past two years, set a cracking pace from the start to over-run the Kiwis who had no answer to the muscle power of their arch-rivals. — PTI
|
|
DSO, 10 coaches found absent from duty
Chandigarh , June 23 District Sports Officer Hazari Lal, Harpreet Kaur Bal (hockey coach) and Baljinder Singh (handball coach) were found absent from duty in Kapurthala on June 12. On the same day, athletics coach BS Randhawa was marked absent in Jalandhar during the unannounced visit by the Director, Sports. On June 16, the Director, Sports, paid surprise visits to 20 coaching centres in Ludhiana and found seven coaches, including one from the Sports Authority of India, absent from duty. Those found absent from their respective coaching centres in Ludhiana were Saroj Bala (athletics), Surinder Kaur (gymnastics), Jaswinder Bhandari (basketball), Sudesh Kumari (basketball), Neelam Rani (SAI), Mohan Lal (basketball) and Jarnail Singh (hockey).
|
|
Tough draw for Sania at Wimbledon
London, June 23 The 19-year old Indian, ranked 38th in the world, is in the top half of the draw and in the second quarter which also features 2004 champion Maria Sharapova. French Open champion Amelie Mauresmo of France is the top seed followed by Belgians Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin-Hardenne, Sharapova and Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia, defending champion Venus Williams, Dementieva and Switzerland’s Patty Schnyder in that order for the top eight seedings. Sania is paired with Holland’s Michaela Krajicek in the women’s doubles and the duo take on Stephanie Foretz of France and Italian Antonella Serra Zanetti in the first round. In the men’s doubles, Leander Paes and Czech Republic’s Martin Damm have been seventh seeded.
|
|
Harikrishna records win
Crimea, June 23 After suffering two losses in a row, Harikrishna was languishing at the bottom of the table and this victory before the only rest day of the tournament proved out to be a confidence booster for the Indian as he is now placed joint eighth in the 12-players category-18 round robin tournament. —
PTI
|
|
Kunderan dead
Mumbai, June 23 He scored two hundreds, including a Test best of 192, and three fifties to have an impressive average of 32.70. He also pouched 23 catches and effected seven stumpings. —
PTI
|
|
|
Anmol best b’ball trainee Patiala, June 23 In fencing, Jasmin of British Co-Ed School, Satish of Kendriya Vidyalaya and Kavish of Budha Dal Public School were declared best trainees. The prizes were distributed by Mr Amar Bhardwaj, Director-in charge, NIS.
|
|
|
Rhythm wins title Ropar, June 23
|
| 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 | |
'
In video: BCCI secretary hints on Ganguly's comeback. (
