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Clay king Nadal regains his crown
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Star Track
Portugal arrive, Nani, Pepe not fully fit
In CWG year, Ministry stops grants to NSFs
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Clay king Nadal regains his crown
Nadal was in a miserly mood against the man who stunned him in last year's fourth round, his only defeat at Roland Garros, and Soderling's challenge fizzled out in disappointing fashion. Soderling, last year's runner-up, could find no way through Nadal's defences and once he dropped serve in the fifth game of the first set the outcome seemed inevitable. Nadal, who now has seven grand slam titles to his name, wrapped up victory when Soderling netted a backhand before collapsing on to his back and clenching his fists. — Reuters
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Italy begin defence in Group F Paraguay
Best performance: Second round in 1986, 1998, 2002 Most appearances at finals: Carlos Gamarra (’98, ’02, ’06) - 11. Most goals: N Cuevas (’02, ’06) - 3. World Cup high: A 3-1 win over Nigeria, who had just defeated Spain and Bulgaria, at France 98. World Cup low: Losing 7-3 to France at Sweden 58.
Most appearances: J Villar (17). Top goalscorers: S Cabañas (6). Slovakia
Best performance: (As Czechoslovakia) Runners-up in 1934 and 1962. Most appearances at finals: Jan Popluhar (1958, 1962) - 8 (for Czechoslovakia). Most goals at finals: Adolf Scherer (1962) - 3 (for Czechoslovakia).
World Cup low: Being destroyed 5-1 by Spain in the 2006 qualification play-off. Qualification: Despite losing home and away to second-placed Slovenia, Slovakia won seven of their other eight fixtures to top Group Three by two points. Most appearances: Robert Vittek, P Pekarik (9). Top goalscorer: Stanislav Sestak (6). Italy
Best performance: Winners in 1934, 1938, 1982 and 2006. Most appearances at finals: Paolo Maldini (1990, 1994, 1998, 2002) - 23. Most goals at finals: Roberto Baggio (1990, 1994, 1998), Paolo Rossi (1978, 1982, 1986) - 9. World Cup high: Emerging from the disgrace of the Calciopoli match-fixing scandal to restore the honour of Italian football by winning the 2006 World Cup. World Cup low: Following the tragic loss of 12 players following the 1949 Superga air disaster, Italy take the boat to Brazil for World Cup 1950 but, tired and shorn of talent, go out in the first round. Qualification: Republic of Ireland, led by experienced Italian coach Giovanni Trapattoni, proved to be the only real stumbling block in Group Eight. A 1-1 draw with Trapattoni's team at the San Nicola Stadium in Bari in April meant that the Italians could still be caught at the top of the group and, heading into their penultimate qualifier, at Ireland's Croke Park, could be condemend to the play-offs with a defeat. Ireland thought they had done enough when Sean St Ledger gave them a 2-1 lead in the 87th minute, but Alberto Gilardino scored a 90th-minute equaliser to book Italy's place at the World Cup finals. Most appearances: Cannavaro, Zambrotta (9). Top goalscorer: Alberto Gilardino (4). New Zealand
Best performance: 1st round in 1982. Most appearances at finals: F van Hattum, R Herbert, W Rufer, Steve Wooddin, Steve Sumner, Keith Mackay, Kenny Cresswell, Adrian Elrick, Allan Boath, Duncan Cole ( all1982) - 3. Most goals at finals: Steve Sumner (1982), Steve Wooddin (1982) - 1. World Cup high: Qualifying for ’82 WC. World Cup low: Crashing 5-2 to Scotland in their first World Cup match. Qualification: Cruised past their Oceania Nations Cup rivals to qualify Most appearances: B Sigmund (8). Top goalscorer: Shane Smeltz (8).
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Lionel Messi is the heir apparent to the throne left vacant by Diego Armando Maradona. The waters are divided between those who consider him to be far from being the best No. 10, and those who believe that he will be better than Maradona. Born in Rosario on June 24, 1987, he cut his teeth in the youth ranks of Newell's Old Boys, until a hormonal problem that affected his growth changed the plans of his family and, of course, his personal future. Facing expensive treatment for their son, Messi's parents moved to Spain as Newell's were not able to afford the medical costs related to his condition, and even the wealthiest Argentine teams, such as River Plate, refused to foot the bill.
With the Argentine national team, he participated in the 2006 World Cup but wasn't a regular starter. He also won the Under-20 World Cup in 2005 and the Olympic gold medal at Beijing 2008. Strengths: His ball skills are second to none. His runs from midfield are usually lethal. Weaknesses: Often looks to finish moves by himself. Style: Outstanding ball control at speed. Quotes: "Messi is my Maradona," said Maradona himself, head coach of the Argentine national team. Trivia: On his debut with Argentina he entered the game in the 61st minute, and 47 seconds later was sent off.
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Portugal arrive, Nani, Pepe not fully fit
“I feel better already,” Nani told reporters during the flight from Lisbon to Johannesburg. On playing in the friendly, he said: “I really don’t know, now we have to see. When we get there we'll have to check again.” The other main injury concern in the Portuguese squad is Pepe, who has been recovering from a knee injury he sustained in December. Germany will go into the World Cup in top form despite a string of injuries that ruled out several starting players, coach Joachim Loew said hours before the team was due to depart for South Africa on Sunday. Injuries have so far ruled out captain Michael Ballack and four other players, severely restricting Loew's options in midfield for the June 11-July 11 tournament and robbing his team of its natural leader. But two comfortable wins against Hungary and Bosnia in the past days have shown the Germans were able to successfully absorb the shock of these withdrawals, with the team playing at times mesmerising football.
France hotel too flashy!
KNYSNA: France have picked a World Cup hotel which is far too flashy and they will have to account for it if they make an early exit, the country's sports junior minister said on Sunday. France, whose popularity at home has reached a depressing low after a string of uninspired performances, arrived at the Pezula Resort, a luxury hotel at Knysna on the scenic Western Cape coastline on Saturday. "Personally I would not have chosen that hotel," junior minister Rama Yade told French radio station radio J. "I had asked football authorities to show decency. In times of crisis, you need to think about it. "If the team's results do not meet our expectations, the (French Football) Federation will have to account for this," she added.
Stampede at friendly
A pre-World Cup friendly between North Korea and Nigeria was halted midway on Sunday following a stampede outside the stadium by fans trying to enter resulting in at least nine injuries. The game was stopped four minutes into the second half. —
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In CWG year, Ministry stops grants to NSFs
Gurdaspur, June 6 The Ministry has decided to stop grants to erring Federations and has gone a step ahead by denying permission to the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) for sending its team for the junior grand prix world cup shooting championship which was scheduled to begin in Italy from today. The NRAI is among those NSFs which are yet to appoint information officers. Senior Vice President of the NRAI Avtar Singh said “Decisions like appointing Information Officers lie with the Association’s Governing council. We will take up the issue when the next governing council meeting is held on June 18 at Pune. Actually, we have already provisionally submitted the names of two persons to the Ministry which, however, are subject to approval of Governing council.” On April 21, the Sports Ministry had written a letter to those NSFs who were availing grants of more than Rs 10 lakh per annum to conduct their national championship, to appoint Public Information Officers and Appellate Authorities by May 15. Sources reveal that the Indian Olympic Association abided by the directives and appointed Public Information Officers. However, a majority of the NSFs consigned the ministry directive to the backburner and failed to appoint Public Information Officers, a development which ruffled many a feather in the sports Ministry. There are 17 NSFs whose disciplines will be there in the Commonwealth games and barring the Athletic Federation of India (AFI), The Indian Amateur Boxing Federation (IABF), the Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWF) and the Archery Association of India (AAI), none of the other NSFs have abided by the directions. Senior officials of NSFs feel that the sports ministry should find a way out of this controversial situation and that grants should not have been stopped in the year of the Commonwealth and Asian games. Remarked Raja K.S Sidhu, secretary general Punjab Olympic Association (POA), “Training camps are on in full swing and Commonwealth games preparations will be hurt if the grants are stopped. Having said that, NSFs should appoint Information Officers and abide by the directives of the sports ministry to bring in more accountability. If NSFs are taking grants from the Ministry they should be held accountable.”
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Rafael Nadal re-claimed his French Open crown in emphatic style on Sunday when he battered Sweden's Robin Soderling 6-4, 6-2, 6-4.
Lionel Messi is the heir apparent to the throne left vacant by Diego Armando Maradona. The waters are divided between those who consider him to be far from being the best No. 10, and those who believe that he will be better than Maradona. Born in Rosario on June 24, 1987, he cut his teeth in the youth ranks of Newell's Old Boys, until a hormonal problem that affected his growth changed the plans of his family and, of course, his personal future.
Portugal winger Nani is doubtful for their friendly against Mozambique due to a shoulder injury picked up in training in Lisbon, he said as the squad flew in to South Africa for the World Cup on Sunday. The winger missed the squad's final home training session in Portugal on Saturday after falling while attempting an acrobatic shot.
Paris, June 6
Rafa’s French Fiver
Overall record at finals: Played 19, Won 6, Drawn 7, Lost 9. 
Qualification: Paraguay qualified without major problems and with two games to play, having beating Argentina in Asuncion.
Overall record at finals: (As Czechoslovakia) Played 30, Won 11, Drawn 5, Lost 14. 
World Cup high: Qualifying for the 2010 finals. 
Overall record at finals: Played 77, Won 44, Drawn 19, Lost 14. 
Overall record at finals: Played 3, Won 0, Drawn 0, Lost 3. 
After his first trial with Barcelona, the coaches decided to sign Messi. His growth was noticeable within Barca, and he came to be considered one of the great talents at the club. He made his debut in the first division on Oct 16, 2004, against Espanyol, and Barca have since adopted him as one of their greatest idols. 
Germany brimming with confidence
Karachi:
Harare: 
Shillong: