India:

Gambhir lbw b Martin 31

Rahane lbw b Roach 0

Patel b Roach 0

Tiwary retired hurt 104

Kohli c Samuels b Martin 80

Rohit b Narine 21

Raina not out 16

Irfan run out 4

Extras: (lb-6, w-3, nb-2) 11

Total (6 wkts, 50 ovrs) 267

Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-1, 3-84, 4-241, 5-250, 6-267.

Bowling: Roach 8-0-46-2, Russell 6-0-31-0, Narine 10-1-41-1, Sammy 5-0-28-0, Martin 10-0-47-2, Samuels 9-0-54-0, Pollard 2-0-14-0.

West Indies:

Simmons lbw b Irfan 0

Powell b Irfan 15

Samuels c Patel b Mithun 6

Mohammed lbw b Mithun 2

Ramdin lbw b Jadeja 14

Pollard c Rahane b Raina 119

Russell run out 53

Sammy c Rahane b Jadeja 3

Narine b Rahul 8

Roach b Jadeja 0

Martin not out 0

Extras (lb 2, w 11) 13

Total (all out; 44.1 ovrs) 233

Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-23, 3-29, 4-36, 5-78, 6-167, 7-181, 8-195, 9-213.

Bowling: Irfan 9-1-42-2, Mithun 7-1-32-2, Raina 6.1-0-24-1, Jadeja 10-0-62-3, Rahul 10-0-45-1, Tiwary 1-0-15-0, Kohli 1-0-11-0.

New Delhi, December 11
India made a dramatic turnaround in the second half to quell the challenge of Afghanistan by four goals to nought to retain the SAFF Football Championship title in an action-packed title clash at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here tonight. India, who were lucky to stave off many threatening raids by Afghanistan in the first half, got a shot in the arm on resumption when referee Sukhbir Singh of Singapore awarded them a penalty kick in the 64th minute.

The penalty was awarded when Jeje Lalpekhula, who was charging into the box after receiving a pass from Syed Rahim Nabi, was pushed from behind by Afghan defender Faisal Safa. The linesman's flag went up, and the referee blew for a penalty. Afghanistan’s custodian and captain Hameedullah Yousufzari got involved in a slanging match with the referee and he perhaps abused the official too prompting the referee to flash the red card. Djelaludin Sharityar was also shown the yellow card, for his verbal volleys.

Afghanistan pulled out Ghulam Hazrat Abdul Hoddein, to send in a custodian Bashir Ahmad Darman. But Darman was unequal to the task to save Sunil Chhetri’s shot from the spot as the carpet drive rolled in to his left. Chhetri could cash in only in his second attempt, as the first time when he drove the ball in, it was disallowed as Clifford Miranda had charged in before the ball was hit from the spot.

Left with a player less, Afghanistan were not the same team anymore, and India pumped in three more goals to seal an emphatic victory. Sixteen minutes after the first goal, Clifford Miranda trapped a pass outside the box, cut in past the defence to execute a sure shot, which crashed into the goal (2-0). A minute later, Jeje ran with a Chhetri pass to make it 3-0.

The fourth goal came during injury time, when Sushil Kumar, who was hitherto virtually invisible, powered in from the top of the box to bulge the tally to 4-0 and complete a memorable victory for India, though they were not sure of getting even a single goal in the first half.

The domination of Afghanistan was so pronounced in the first half that the Indian goal was virtually under a seige. Balal Arezo, the top striker of the visitors, and Mohammad Esrafil, lurked upfront and posed serious threats to the goal, starting from the very first minute when Arezo blazed over the cross bar. A minute later, he shook Indian custodian Karanjit Singh as his right-footed drive saw the ball bouncing off the diving custodian.

In the 14th minute, Arezo took the ball to the left flank of the box, but his dangerous floater across the goal, went unconnected. He muffed the best chance of the first session when he broke away from the middle, unleashed a stiff shot, which was blocked by Karanjit, and rebounded.

Though India managed to baulk the initial flourish of the Afghans to control the midfield and mount their own attacks later, they could not cause much to trouble goalie Hameedullah Yousufzari. The one shot that threateningly sailed towards the goal was a free kick from outside the box by Anthony Pereira, which narrowly climbed over the cross bar to land on the net.

Some misplaced passes and adventurous shots also prevented India from seriously testing the Afghan custodian in the first session, though the Indian domination in the second session was indeed a dramatic change of fortune. 

Hobart, December 11
Openers David Warner and Phillip Hughes gave Australia a strong platform for victory over New Zealand before rain ended play early on the third day of the second Test here today. The two New South Wales left-handers put on 72 without loss off 19 overs to give the Australians a flying start as they chase 241 at Hobart's Bellerive Oval to wrap up a two-nil series win over the Black Caps.

Australia thrashed New Zealand by nine wickets in the first Test in Brisbane last weekend. No play was possible after tea, with Warner on 47 off 50 balls with eight boundaries and a concentrated Hughes not out 20 from 64 deliveries.

Australia will push for victory on the fourth day tomorrow, requiring 169 more runs with all 10 wickets intact. A total of 30 wickets have fallen in the eight of sessions play in a Hobart Test where the ball has dominated the bat.

Neither opener had too many troubles, although "Hot Spot" replays suggested Hughes may have gloved a leg-side catch to wicketkeeper Reece Young off Chris Martin in the third over before he had scored, but the Kiwis did not seek a review.

Hughes is seeking a big innings to ease pressure on his Test spot after three cheap dismissals caught behind the wicket off Martin's bowling during the series. — AFP 

Gurgaon, December 11
Four straight birdies from the seventh to the 10th holes helped Swede Caroline Hedwall win the Hero Women’s Indian Open, her fourth title on the Ladies European Tour in her Rookie year. Hedwall fired a final round 69 to triumph at the $300,000 co-sanctioned event at the DLF Golf and Country Club here today.

Thailand’s Pornanong Phatlum (70), aiming at her third Hero Indian Open title in four years, had to settle for second place and a prize cheque of $30,450 after returning a tournament tally of 10-under 206. Phatlum’s 70 had two bogeys, a three-putt on the ninth and another on 16th and that proved costly for the ever-smiling Thai golfer. She won the title in 2008 and 2009 and was tied sixth last year.

Welsh golfer Becky Morgan brought in her second successive card of 69 to finish third at eight-under 208. Morgan got to take home $21,000 for her effort. Morgan, who was tied 10th last year, is still looking for her first win on LET despite finishing in top-5 eight times.

Among the Indians, Sharmila Nicollet returned a card of 68 to finish tied-22nd at one-over 217, while amateur Gauri Monga finished tied-37th at 221. Kiran Matharu, British golfer of Indian origin, finished tied 10th after rounds of 68, 74 and 71.

Hedwall went into the final round with a one-stroke advantage over the field and played steady parring the first four holes. A bogey on the fifth set her back and actually handed the lead to Pornanong Phatlum, who had started her round with a birdie. However, Hedwall came back strongly to card a hat-trick of birdies on the final three holes of her front-nine and a fourth birdie followed on the tenth.

“The putt on the seventh was pretty long and then on number eight I hit it to about four feet and holed that one. Number nine was about 18 feet and number 10, I just hit it so I could tap in for birdie,” observed Hedwall. She dropped a shot on the 11th, but regained lost ground with a birdie on the 15th. 

Madrid, December 11
A superb diving header from Cesc Fabregas crowned a stunning 3-1 comeback win for Barcelona at Real Madrid on Saturday that lifted the champions above their bitter rivals to the top of
La Liga.

Jose Mourinho's Real drew first blood in the opening 'Clasico' of the campaign when Karim Benzema punished a mistake by Barca goalkeeper Victor Valdes to score after only 23 seconds at the Bernabeu.

A trademark weaving run from World Player of the Year Lionel Messi created Barca's equaliser for Alexis Sanchez in the 30th minute before Xavi's deflected strike on his 600th appearance for Barca made it 2-1 eight minutes into the second half.

Daniel Alves galloped down the right wing and sent over a deep cross for former Arsenal captain Fabregas to nod in Barca's third in the 66th minute and Barca several times came close to adding to their tally in the closing stages.

Pep Guardiola's eighth victory in 12 'Clasicos' since he took the helm at the end of the 2007-08 season put Barca on 37 points from 16 matches, level with Real, who have a game in hand, but ahead on goal difference.

Real can restore their three-point lead with a win at Sevilla next weekend, as European champions Barca head to Japan for the Club World Cup. Saturday's defeat ended Real's run of 10 straight league wins and prevented them from breaking the club record of 15 consecutive victories in all competitions. — Reuters

New Delhi, December 11
The present and past Olympians of the country will get a platform to air their grievances with the formation of Olympian Association of India (OAI) here tomorrow, says IOA Secretary General Randhir Singh. This is going to be a step towards organising the sportspersons who have represented the country at the highest platform, under one umbrella, said Randhir.

For long, the Olympians were looking for a platform to give their views about the state of sports in the country, the OAI will provide them this opportunity, added Randhir in a statement. He also said the elections for new office-bearers for the Arjuna Awardee Association will also be held tomorrow.

“I along with Bishen Singh Bedi and other office-bearers are stepping down. It has been decided that the Association will have a totally new set of office-bearers and if need be there may be some new additions or amendments to its existing constitution,” said Randhir.

“We want the sportspersons have their say through these two associations. They are the major stake holders and time has come that their views are heard and respected. We don’t want any sportsperson to feel left out, hence this decision to revamp Arjuna Awardee Association and to make it pro-active,” he added. — PTI

Auckland, December 11
Australia maintained its stranglehold on hockey's Champions Trophy with a 1-0 win over Spain today, claiming a record fourth straight title through a disputed goal to Eddie 
Ockenden.

The reigning world champions went into the decider overwhelming favourites but were forced to work hard for their victory by a Spanish side determined to make amends for a disappointing sixth place at the European Championships.

The win at the last major tournament for men's hockey before the London Olympics gave the Kookaburras their 12th Champions Trophy title overall and confirmed their status as the sport's top-ranked team.

"I'm very proud to win again and create history with four times in a row," said Australia captain Jamie Dwyer, who finished the tournament as top scorer with seven goals and was named world player of the year for the fifth time.

The final, played in blustery conditions in Auckland, was a defensive affair that only sparked to life when Ockeden netted his winner in the 59th minute. The Spanish argued the goal came from a dangerous Liam De Young high pass and should have been disallowed, but Korean umpire Kim Hong-Lae waved aside the protest to give Australia the decisive lead.

Spain surged forward looking for an equaliser but the Australian defence was up to the challenge and the Kookaburras held on for the win.

Spain coach Daniel Martin said through an interpreter that he did not understand the umpire's ruling and felt the ball could have hit a Spanish player.

But Spanish skipper Santi Freixa brushed aside the controversy, saying he was pleased his side had re-established its international credentials after their Euro flop. — AFP

Chittagong, December 11
Younus Khan smashed an unbeaten double hundred and Asad Shafiq helped himself to his maiden Test century before regular strikes put Pakistan on course for a win in the first test against Bangladesh on Sunday.

Mohammad Hafeez, Saeed Ajmal, Abdur Rehman and Aizaz Cheema each grabbed a wicket as Bangladesh were left struggling at 134-4 in the second innings at the close on day three having conceded a 459-run first-innings lead.

Debutant opener Nazimuddin and ex-captain Shakib Al Hasan were both batting on 41 when the bails were taken off.

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq declared on 594 for five wickets immediately after Younus converted his 19th test century into his third double hundred with two runs from a Shakib delivery. — Reuters

London December 11
World Champion Viswanathan Anand's hopes of catching up with his rivals has almost ended after he played out a draw with Levon Aronian of Armenia in the eighth round of London Chess Classics here.

With his fourth draw in six games so far, Anand took his tally to seven points in the football-like scoring system in place here.

The world champion had a solitary victory against Nigel Short of England, other than a loss against Hikaru Nakamura of United States. — PTI

BRIEFLY

Ponting future uncertain
Hobart: Australian batsman Ricky Ponting might be forced to retire if Shane Watson and Shaun Marsh are both fit to play the Boxing Day Test against India. Ponting's five in the first innings of the Hobart Test against New Zealand yesterday means that he is now without a Test century from his past 30 innings. Even more startling, the former captain is tracking even worse than opening batsman Phillip Hughes, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. — ANI

‘Sachin far superior to Lara’
Sydney: Indian batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar is technically a far superior batsman than West Indian legend Brian Lara, former Australian leg-spinner Stuart MacGill has said. "I've said on many occasions that as a spin bowler, the most devastating batsman I've played against was Lara. Having said that, Brian always went so hard I always felt like he'd miss one eventually, and it did happen occasionally," MacGill wrote in an article for the Sydney Morning Herald. — ANI

Kamran: Hope to be back soon
Islamabad: Discarded Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal believes that he can still play cricket for about six to seven years more, and that he is fully fit to represent the country in Pak-England Cricket Series in the UAE in January 2012. "My performance in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy matches is a big proof of my fitness and form as I am passionate for comeback in the national team. I have made more than 700 runs so far in the ongoing Trophy including three centuries and also took more than 40 catches. Seeing my form and performance, I am hopeful the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the selection committee will surely consider me for the Pakistan-England series.” — ANI

Panesar to relaunch career
London: England off-spinner Monty Panesar has vowed to relaunch his career in the upcoming Test series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Panesar, who has taken 126 wickets in 39 Tests, has been out of favour since the first Ashes Test in Cardiff in 2009. "I am very excited to be back as a part of the best cricket team in the world. The main difference since I was selected against Australia in 2009 is that I've been given extra responsibility to bowl lots of overs at Sussex and help lead the attack," the Daily Express quoted Panesar, as saying. — ANI

No security concern: Coe
Beijing: Organizing Committee President of the 2012 London Olympics, Sebastian Coe, has said that the Games would be held safely and smoothly. His statement in the wake of security concerns over the Games. Coe said he was not worried about certain Olympics security issues, in which changes have been made after the August riots. "Security in big global city is of course always a challenge. It is something you have to get right. You want people coming to city feeling they are coming for celebration, not a security event, so get the balance is important," Xinhua quoted Coe, as saying. — ANI

Wenger will stay on: Gazidis
London: Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis has dismissed suggestions that manager Arsene Wenger would be leaving the club in the near future. Wenger, who currently has two years left on his contract at the Emirates, had earlier suggested that he would consider his future at the club at the end of the season. However, Gazidis said: "Arsene's only 62 and in great shape and I don't sense any weakening of his desire. Nobody knows what the future holds, but it is entirely possible that he will be with the club for a long time to come. He is an extraordinary individual with an unbelievable commitment to the club," he added. — ANI

Man U biggest threat: Nasri
London: Ahead of the Premier League clash with Chelsea, Manchester City winger Samir Nasri insists that the biggest threat to their title dream is Manchester City, and not the West London-based team. "Man United are still the threat to us. I say that because they have more experience than any other team. It will be difficult when we play Chelsea, of course, but we knew it would also be difficult going to places like Spurs, Man United and Liverpool - and we had great results against those teams," the Daily Mirror quoted Nasri, as saying. — ANI