S P O R T	Saturday, July 25, 1998
weather n spotlight today's calendar

Russia's Alin Kabayeva in the first rotation of the women's rhythmic finals using a rope at the Goodwill Games at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, NY, on Thursday — AP/PTI Mumbai XI, IA to clash for title CHENNAI, July 24 — Indian Airlines set up a title clash with Mumbai XI when they notched up an emphatic 3-0 win over Tamil Nadu in the semifinal of the 76th MCC Murugappa All India Hockey Tournament here this evening... Hingis spearheads Swiss Fed Cup hopes SION, Switzerland, July 24 — Martina Hingis will be expected to carry Switzerland to victory over France in their Federation Cup World Group semifinal this weekend...

India go down to Korea HYDERABAD, July 24 — India went down to DPR Korea by a solitary goal while Kazakhstan and Pakistan played out a one-all draw on the opening day of the four-team group-D round robin league of the eighth Asian Youth Under-16 Football Championship at the Lal Bahadur Stadium here today. Butcher, Atherton keep England on course NOTTINGHAM, July 24 — England openers Mike Atherton and Mark Butcher batted with skill and determination to reach 105 without loss at tea on the second day of the fourth Test at Trent Bridge today... sss

Chang overpowers Martin Damm WASHINGTON, July 24 — When Michael Chang heard the first rumble of thunder his third round match at the Legg Mason Classic last night, he asked the umpire if he was halting the match. The official told Chang to play on... 21 wickets fall in 1 day at Edgbaston LONDON, July 24 — Twentyone wickets fell on the first day of the Warwickshire-Essex County Championship game at Edgbaston yesterday for a total of only 239 runs... Education Department sport calendar CHANDIGARH, July 24 — The Education Department, Chandigarh Administration, will hold the National School Games in handball, basketball (under-17 boys and girls) and hockey (under-19 boys and girls) here from November 14 to 20... BCCI changes selection date to suit Wadekar MUMBAI, July 24 — The betrothal ceremony of the son of West Zone representative on the national selection committee, Ajit Wadekar, on August 8 has forced the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to change the date of the selection committee meeting to pick players for the first World Cup preparatory camp... Dutch vote for Cruyff as coach AMSTERDAM, July 24 — Johan Cruyff is the public’s favourite to succeed Guus Hiddink as coach of the Dutch national soccer team, according to a survey by Dutch market research company Nipo... Anand defeats Rebel in classical ties NAPLES, July 24 — Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand of India salvaged pride for the humans when he conquered Dutch computer programme Rebel in the final classical game of the eight-match exhibition series on the Ischia Islands near here yesterday... Upset wins for Das, Shetty BELAGUER, July 24 — Neelotpal Das and Rahul Shetty scored upset wins over GMs K. Mowsziszian and L. Spassov to join three other Indians on six points, just half-a-point adrift of the leaders after the eighth round of the third Belaguer Open International Chess Tournament here... No IHF panel plea for coach change CHENNAI, July 24 — The issue of replacing the senior national hockey coach Vasudevan Baskaran in the aftermath of India’s World Cup debacle took a new turn today with the Indian Hockey Federation’s (IHF) coaching committee clarifying that it had not recommended for change of the coach.

Mumbai XI, IA to clash for title CHENNAI, July 24 (PTI) — Indian Airlines set up a title clash with Mumbai XI when they notched up an emphatic 3-0 win over Tamil Nadu in the semifinal of the 76th MCC Murugappa All India Hockey Tournament here this evening. Earlier, Mumbai XI scored twice in the last three minutes to dash the hopes of Air-India 4-2 (H.T. 1-1). In the second semifinal, both Mukesh Kumar and Mohd Riaz were fully marked by Tamil Nadu’s Paul Kirubakaran and Keith Kathiresan. But the Airlines men showed alacrity in breaking free from their markers and were swift in their jobs. For Indian Airlines, who led 1-0 at half-time through Lazrus Barla’s penalty corner conversion, Mukesh Kumar and Rajnish Mishra scored once each. Mukesh Kumar was instrumental in all the three goals. They could have increased the scoreline had they not missed a number of chances. Tamil Nadu’s failure to capitalise on their domination in the first 15 minutes cost them the match. Tamil Nadu were in total command from the beginning. In the very first minute they almost scored, but Prabhakaran’s reverse flick was saved in time by Sanjay Bisht. The host’s daughty trio of L. Prabhakaran, Kirubhakaran and D Felix harried the rival defence but Bisht, Barla and Rajnish Mishra managed to quell the challenges. IA were also well aided by their custodian A.B. Subbiah, who put up a fine performance saving many goal-bound shots, including a difficult one in the early second half. But the airmen, however, had their own problems too as Riaz, who recently quit Tamil Nadu to join IA, was off colour and Shakeel Ahmed, who also plays as a withdrawn defender, had to shoulder the medio responsibility entirely. After 15 minutes of fine showing, Tamil Nadu were at the receiving end. Once their medios, particularly Thirumalvalavan was countered, IA improved their attack and looked dangerous. Though IA had their first shot at the goal only in the 16th minute, their cohesive approach earned them three penalty corners and they drew the first blood in the 31st minute with Barla driving the ball home of the third corner. Thirumalvalavan was given the marching orders and during the time airlines increased their lead. Seizing upon a rebound from goalkeeper Natarajan’s pads off a Virender’s shot, an alert Mukesh Kumar put Airlines 2-0 up in the 49th minute. Mishra completed the tally in the 68th minute. In the first semi-final, involving the top two teams of the tournament, the rivals played open hockey and shared two goals at the break. The teams played to their potentials and the medios were in prominence with Air-India a shade better with perfect trappings and supplies to their forwards. On the other hand, Mumbai players, spearheaded by Dhanraj Pillai displayed better finishing which helped them to win the match. Pillai displayed his usual exuberance but on three occasions was found wanting. He failed to beat goalkeeper Edgar Mascarenhas, who stood between him and the goal. However, it was the star forward who sounded the boards first in the 8th minute. Claes Ferriera failed to trap a Ravi Nayakar’s cross just outside the circle and the ball bounced off Mascarenhas’ pads but defender Romeo Alboquerque, substituting for injured Anil Aldrin, failed to clear it. Pillai pounced on the opportunity, diving to his right he banged the ball home. Air-India equalised in the 17th minute off their first penalty corner, Surinder Kundu’s direct shot beating the defenders and the goalkeeper. Ten minutes later Mumbai got another chance to get into the lead but Claes’s scoop sailed over the crosspiece. Crossing over, Mumbai changed tactics and played the 3-4-3 formation and were a shade better in their approach, but most of their moves were foiled by Cornelius D’Costa and the strong Air-India defence. Though Mumbai saw more of the ball, Air-India also shone well in patches. Launching a counter-attack soon after Mumbai’s captain Sabu Varkey failed to capitalise on a Pillai pass with Mascarenhas out of charge, Air-India’s Gagan Ajit Singh almost scored. But his reverse flick which beat the onrushing Jude Menezes was well saved by Sourab Bishnoi. However, Air-India were undaunted by the miss and got into the lead off their third penalty corner through Gagan Ajit Singh who slammed in D’Costa’s pass. But Mumbai neutralised it two minutes later when they drew level again as Mahesh Bagade capitalised off a long pass from M Prakash inside the circle. The goal spurred India skipper Pillai, who came into his elements and was instrumental in his side’s third and fourth goals. Nayakar made it three-two and Pillai and Gavin Ferriera combined to help Mahesh Bagade to score the winner in the 68th minute. Mumbai now await the winner of the second semifinal between Indian Airlines and Tamil Nadu.

Hingis spearheads Swiss Fed Cup hopes SION, Switzerland, July 24 (Reuters) — Martina Hingis will be expected to carry Switzerland to victory over France in their Federation Cup World Group semifinal this weekend. But the load on the world number one’s shoulders has been lightened by the emergence of 19-year-old Patty Schnyder, who has quietly out-performed her team-mate this season, ringing up five tournament wins. Swiss captain Melanie Molitor, who is Hingis’ mother, knows she has a potent one-two combination at her disposal against Yannick Noah’s French holders, who will be without the country’s two top clay courters, world number 13 Sandrine Testud and number 14 Mary Pierce. Victory for the Swiss would put them into the final for the first-time ever. "We are the favourites," admitted Hingis, winner of four titles this campaign. "For us it is this year or never." "I’m number one in the world and Patty has just won her fifth tournament of the year." Molitor’s only reason for concern ahead of Saturday and Sunday’s games is the fitness level of her two top stars. Hingis has not played since her semifinal loss to Jana Novotna at Wimbledon and only began training last week after taking time off to watch the World Cup, including the final in Paris. Schnyder has played 14 matches in the last two weeks on way to recording back-to-back tournament wins. Certainly Swiss hopes received a boost when Testud, who delivered the decisive victory in last year’s final over The Netherlands, was ruled out with an ankle injury, Pierce’s absence, because of an ongoing feud with Noah, will also help the Swiss cause. The French will be led by world number 10 and losing Wimbledon finalist Nathalie Tauziat. But the feisty 30-year-old veteran who was unbeaten in both singles and doubles during France’s run to the Fed Cup title last year, is unlikely to strike fear into her three Swiss opponents. All three have defeated her this year, including Swiss number three Emmanuelle Gagliardi. The holes in Noah’s line-up will be filled by Fed Cup neophyte and world number 34 Amelie Mauresmo, number 37 Julie Halard-Decugis or number 40 Alexandra Fusai. "The bar is very high," said Noah, adding he won’t reveal his squad until the last possible moment on Friday. "This is the first time in five Fed Cup ties we are facing a team that is stronger on paper."

India go down to Korea HYDERABAD, July 24 (PTI) — India went down to DPR Korea by a solitary goal while Kazakhstan and Pakistan played out a one-all draw on the opening day of the four-team group-D round robin league of the eighth Asian Youth Under-16 Football Championship at the Lal Bahadur Stadium here today. In the second match of the day between India and Korea, Kim Il Jong scored the all-important goal in the 16th minute. In the first tie, underdogs Pakistan took the lead in the 56th minute through Mohhamad Abid, but Kazak substitute Tarassov Oleg neutralised the deficit 10 minutes from time. Korean attacking combination of Kim Il Jong, Ri Yong Gwang and Han Ju Ho mesmerised the Indian defence with their superb movements throughout the match and could have won by a bigger margin had they utilised the chances. India too had a chance in the initial stage. Trijit Das collected the ball inside the box but waited too long, helping the strong Korean defence to defuse the crisis. In the 10th minute, Kim Il Jong’s powerful shot from inside the box entered into the net kissing the inside post to give Korea the lead. Thereafter, intense struggle for supremacy ensued and in the last stages of the first half, India could have equalised. Amit Dey lob went directly to Bipin Mondal but his header just missed the cross-piece. India desperately tried for the equaliser in the second half, which was a dull affair, but could not find any. Earlier, Pakistan put up a spirited performance against Kazakhstan. Pakistan held sway all through the match and could have emerged victorious but a defensive lapse towards the end shattered their hopes. Pakistan attacked relentlessly and got seven corners. Their skipper Zahid Niaz along with Adeel Ahmed and Zafar Majeed played in tandem all through the match, but their efforts in the first half went in vain. Keeping the same tempo in the second half, Pakistan opened their account in the 56th minute with skipper Zaheed Niaz creating an opening to incoming Mohd Abid who made no mistake to boot the ball home. Their joy was shortlived as substitute Tarassov Oleg scored the equaliser in the 80th minute for Kazakhstan.

Butcher, Atherton keep England on course NOTTINGHAM, July 24 (Reuters) — England openers Mike Atherton and Mark Butcher batted with skill and determination to reach 105 without loss at tea on the second day of the fourth Test at Trent Bridge today. Replying to South Africa’s 374 all out, Atherton and Butcher resumed on their lunchtime score of 28 without loss and successfully combated the twin strike force of Allan Donald and Shaun Pollock before seeing off the second line string of attack of Steve Elworthy and Jacques Kallis. Progress became increasingly slow as the session progressed before several loose deliveries from spinner Paul Adams were punished by left hander Butcher, who reached 50 from 102 deliveries with nine boundaries in two hours and 32 minutes. At the break Butcher was 52 not out while Atherton was again happy to play the anchor role with 40 not out from 130 balls. The day began poorly for the home side, however, despite Angus Fraser’s dismissal of overnight centurion Hansie Cronje for 126 in the eighth over of the morning thanks to a catch at second slip by Graeme Hick. Steve Elworthy then dominated the rest of the morning with a powerful 48 as England’s attack once again bowled too short. The 33-year-old debutant was given a hostile reception by Darren Gough, who hit the new batsman three times early in his innings on the helmet, shoulder and ribs. But the tall all rounder responded by hooking Gough several times, once escaping with a fortunate top edge, but finally winning a battle that saw him score his runs from just 52 balls with seven boundaries, five of them off Gough. Gough did finally have his man caught by Mark Ramprakash at deep square leg but by then England’s hopes of a quick and cheap end to the South African innings, which resumed on 302 for seven, were long gone. England’s only consolation in the first half of the day was the performance of veteran seamer Fraser whose five for 60 was his 11th five wicket haul in Tests. (Scoreboard) South Africa (Ist innings): Kirsten b Gough 7 Liebenberg c Stewart b Gough 13 Kallis c Stewart b Flintoff 47 Cullinan c Ramprakash b Fraser 30 Cronje c Hick b Fraser 126 Rhodes lbw b Fraser 24 Pollock c Stewart b Fraser 50 Boucher lbw b Fraser 4 Elworthy c Ramprakash b Gough 48 Donald not out 4 Adams c Hick b Gough 0 Extras (b-9 lb-3 nb-9) 21 Total (all out, 103.2 overs) 374 Fall of wickets: 1-21 2-26 3-68 4-147 5-196 6-292 7-302 8-325 9-374. Bowling: Gough 30.2-4-116-4, Cork 17-2-65-0, Fraser 26-7-60-5, Flintoff 17-2-52-1, Salisbury 9-1-57-0, Butcher 4-1-12-0.

Chang overpowers Martin Damm WASHINGTON, July 24 (Reuters) — When Michael Chang heard the first rumble of thunder his third round match at the Legg Mason Classic last night, he asked the umpire if he was halting the match. The official told Chang to play on. On Monday, a similar storm rolled into town without warning, knocking out power and forcing the cancellation of that evening's play. Chang, the top seed and defending champion, was poised to serve out the first set at 5-3 against Martine Damm of the Czech Republic yesterday. But when the thunder provided no reprieve, Chang double-faulted for the second time in the game to drop serve. Seconds later, heavy rains drenched the courts and play was halted for an hour and a half. Upon resumption, Chang's composure was restored and he went on to win seven of the next eight games to take the match 6-4, 6-1. Chang will meet seventh-seeded Jim Courier in the quarterfinals. Andre Agassi, the second seed scored a repeat victory over his Davis Cup opponent of a week ago when he defeated unseeded Christophe Van Garsse of Belgium, 6-2, 6-4. Third seeded Wayne Ferreira of South Africa struggled in the first set with American qualifier David Caldwell but gained confidence after winning it 7-5 to close out the match 6-3 and advance to the quarterfinals. Australian lefthander Scott Draper, seeded 14th upset fourth-seeded Byron Black of Zimbabwe 6-2, 6-4 after defeating Black's younger brother Wayne the day before. After the rain delay, Chang wasted no time breaking Damm seeded 15 to win the first set 6-4. He led 2-0 before dropping serve for 2-1 but never lost another game as he served out the match 6-1 with a backhand winner. "It took my mind off the situation when I started looking up and seeing lightning flashing," said Chang who has fallen to 19 in the ranking, largely due to a series of injuries. "I think Martin got off to a little bit of a slow start after the delay," Chang said. "It seemed like he wasn't quite ready. But for me it worked out okay".

21 wickets fall in 1 day at Edgbaston LONDON, July 24 (Reuters) — Twentyone wickets fell on the first day of the Warwickshire-Essex County Championship game at Edgbaston yesterday for a total of only 239 runs. As all matches in which 15 wickets or more fall in a day are automatically referred to the pitches committee of the England Cricket Board at Lords, this game is sure to result in a visit from the board’s top groundsman Harry Brind. When Warwickshire were all out for 190 in 52.4 overs, with their captain Brian Lara making nought, it looked as if that county’s see-saw form was the cause. But Essex made only 139, as fast bowler Ed Giddins took four wickets, and Warwickshire lost one wicket for 23 runs in their second innings. In contrast the second day of the match at Northampton brought the home side 608 for six declared in 146 overs. Rob Bailey took his overnight score of 149 to 188 and the in-form 20-year-old Graeme Swann hit 91, his third big score in two games. Derbyshire had made 161 for four by the close. Surrey’s Martin Bicknell, one of the country’s top bowlers took five for 34 as Gloucestershire were bowled out for 167 at Cheltenham in 57 overs. Surrey added 111, but lost five wickets, to their first innings lead of 130. Owais Shah made 140 and added 161 for the fourth wicket with Paul Weekes (67) as Middlesex piled on 448 against Yorkshire at Lord’s. Shah, one of the most promising young batsmen in the country, batted 314 balls and hit 18 fours. Yorkshire replied with 90 for two. John Crawley, whose form puts him in line for a return to the England squad, completed his second successive century for Lancashire as they totalled 366 against Glamorgan at Colwyn Bay. He batted for 226 balls and hit 21 fours. England reject Robert Croft had some consolation for his disappointment when he took the wickets of Crawley, Warren Hegg, Graham Lloyd and Ian Austin for 76. Jason Gallian, a Lancashire batsman who has had injuries and few runs since he joined Nottinghamshire at the start of the season, was on his way to his first century for his new county with an undefeated 81 at Portsmouth. Hampshire made 301 in reply to Notts first innings of 128. Notts were 140 for two in their second innings. Somerset were reduced to 228 for eight in a tight match against Durham, whose first innings brought 259 after former England bowler Andrew Caddick claimed five for 116. Scores and results: Day one At Edgbaston: Warwickshire 190 and 23-1. Essex 139 (E.Giddins 4-37). Day two At Portsmouth: Nottinghamshire 128 (N.Mclean 4-45) and 140-2 (J.Gallian 81 not out). Hampshire 301 (D.Mascarenhas 89, J.Laney 67). At Lord’s: Middlesex 448 (O.Shah 140, P.Weekes 67, J. Langer 63). Yorkshire 90-2 (M. Vaughan 56 not out). At Taunton: Durham 259 (D. Boon 73, N. Speak 51; A. Caddick 5-116). Somerset 228-8 (S. Harmison 4-57). At Colwyn Bay: Lancashire 366 (J. Crawley 124, G. Lloyd 50; R. Croft 4-76). Glamorgan 60-0. At Cheltenham: Surrey 297 (A. Hollioake 112; M. Smith 6-66) and 111-5. Gloucestershire 167 (D. Hewson 52). At Northampton: Northampton-shire 608-6 declared (R. Bailey 188, M. Loye 157, G. Swann 91, A. Penberthy 68 not out, K. Curran 59). Derbyshire 161-4 (M. Weston 51).

Education Department sport calendar By Our Sports Reporter CHANDIGARH, July 24 — The Education Department, Chandigarh Administration, will hold the National School Games in handball, basketball (under-17 boys and girls) and hockey (under-19 boys and girls) here from November 14 to 20. The District Education officer, Mr Brahmjit Kalia, told mediapersons here today that the sport calendar of the Education department had been finalised keeping in view the School Games Federation of India (SGFI) sport calendar. Mr Kalia said the dates could be changed in case of a clash with the SGFI calendar or for any other reason. The Education Department's annual prize distribution function would be organised in the first week of January. The sport calendar for the year 1998-99: August-1998: state-level competition in wrestling, gymnastics, swimming, judo for boys and girls under-14, under-17 and under-19, archery for boys and girls under-19. September: Chandigarh School Pre-Nehru Hockey Tournament for boys under-15 and under-17, lawn tennis, badminton, table tennis for under-14, 17 and 19 for boys and girls, ball badminton, softball for boys and girls under-19. October: Chandigarh school basketball, handball, hockey, kabaddi for boys and girls under-14, 17 and 19; football for boys under-14, 17 and 19 and girls under-19; volleyball, kho-kho, for boys and girls under-14, 17 and 19. November: Chandigarh School Cricket Tournament for boys under 14, 16 and 19 and cricket for girls under-19 Chandigarh Primary School Games will be held here from November 23 to 25. December: Chandigarh School Athletic Meet for boys and girls in all age groups will be held at the Sector 7 Sports Complex here from December 7 to 9, Mr Kalia added.

BCCI changes selection date to suit Wadekar MUMBAI, July 24 (PTI) — The betrothal ceremony of the son of West Zone representative on the national selection committee, Ajit Wadekar, on August 8 has forced the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to change the date of the selection committee meeting to pick players for the first World Cup preparatory camp. "The new date of the selection committee meeting in Mumbai would be decided after consulting its chairman Kishan Rungta. The meeting to choose the campers would now be held either on August 6 on 12," BCCI Secretary Jaywant Lele said. The selectors were originally scheduled to meet here on August 8. "The details and modalities of the camp, including how many players are to be chosen, would be decided after an informal meeting among President Raj Singh, captain Mohammed Azharuddin and coach Anshuman Gaekwad today," Lele said. "The camp would be held at Chennai from August 21 to September 5," he added. BCCI's consultant and former Australian skipper and coach Bob Simpson is to start his new assignment at the preparatory camp. The World Cup is scheduled to be held in England next May-June.

Dutch vote for Cruyff as coach AMSTERDAM, July 24 (Reuters) — Johan Cruyff is the public’s favourite to succeed Guus Hiddink as coach of the Dutch national soccer team, according to a survey by Dutch market research company Nipo. One in three questioned said Cruyff should get the job. The survey also reveals that the Dutch public give Hiddink a 90 per cent approval rating for leading Holland to the semifinals of the World Cup in France. Some 60 per cent described Hiddink’s performance as "very good" and 30 per cent as "good". Less than 0.5 per cent said he had been "bad". Hiddink has since become coach at Real Madrid and the race is on to find a successor. Cruyff, three times European footballer of the year in the 1970s and a former Barcelona coach, is regularly linked with managerial vacancies which this year have ranged from Inter Milan to Iran. However, his health problems — he suffered a heart scare at the end of last year — mean he seems likely to stay out of the limelight. Observers believe the leading candidate is Wim Jansen, who walked out on Scottish club Celtic at the end of last season despite leading them to their first championship in 10 years. Jansen comes in second-place in the Nipo survey with 12 per cent of the vote. Anand defeats Rebel in classical ties NAPLES, July 24 (PTI) — Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand of India salvaged pride for the humans when he conquered Dutch computer programme Rebel in the final classical game of the eight-match exhibition series on the Ischia Islands near here yesterday. World number two Anand outplayed the Pentium-powered Rebel in a 38-move game to emerge 1.5-0.5 victor in the classical matches. Anand, however, lost the eight-game battle 3-5 as he had lost in the Blitz and semi-rapid games on the opening day when Rebel took an unbeatable 4.5-1.5 lead with two games in the classical format to spare. The first classical game yesterday was a 40-move draw. After his spectacular run this year with three super category titles — Wijk an Zee, Linares and Madrid, a win in the Frankfurt Rapid Chess featuring one of the strongest field in recent years including Garry Kasparov and Vladimir Kramnik, the Indian suffered a slump in form in Dortmund Open Chess. Anand playing black, opted for queen’s Indian defence and the programme, written by Dutchman Ed Schroder, came up with a new 11th move - bb5 - in the Petrosian system. When Anand found a few problems in castling, he accepted knight sacrifice giving the computer a chance to win a rook and three pawns for two bishops. He kept up the pressure with a slight advantage in material and after 33 moves, took total control of the game.

Upset wins for Das, Shetty BELAGUER, July 24 (PTI) — Neelotpal Das and Rahul Shetty scored upset wins over GMs K. Mowsziszian and L. Spassov to join three other Indians on six points, just half-a-point adrift of the leaders after the eighth round of the third Belaguer Open International Chess Tournament here. Young Sandipan Chanda, overnight joint leader, went down to IM Herrera but IM K. Sasikiran (6) beat Roktim Bandopadhyay and former national champion IM P. Konguvel (6) scored a lucky win over IM Tibor Karolyi. GMs Lev Pshakis, Davor Komleinovic, Julio Beccera and IM Herrera were in joint lead with 6.5 points followed closely by Sasikiran, Konguvel, Chanda, Shetty and Das. Top seed gm a Baburin (5.5) and gm Forintas (5.5) drew their game. Neelotpal Das punished the unsound aggression of gm Mowsziszian (5) in a modern defence with cool play in the centre. Chanda first won a pawn, then an exchange and finally emerged a piece up, penetrating his opponent’s exposed kingside to collect a vital point. Shetty faced the paulsen variation of gm Spassov (5) in a quiet manner, slowly building up a kingside attack. After a blunder by Spassov, Shetty made inroads into his castled position and a spectacular queen sacrifice led to mate. Chanda, on a gaintkilling spree with wins in the last three rounds, went down to Herrera of Cuba in his pet Sicilian scheveningan variation. Sasikiran outplayed Bandhopadhyay in a slav defence with black pieces. Surya Shekher Ganguly (4.5) drew with IM J. Ivanov (4.5).

No IHF panel plea for coach change CHENNAI, July 24 (PTI) — The issue of replacing the senior national hockey coach Vasudevan Baskaran in the aftermath of India’s World Cup debacle took a new turn today with the Indian Hockey Federation’s (IHF) coaching committee clarifying that it had not recommended for change of the coach. Olympian M.P. Ganesh, the committee chairman told PTI: "Neither me as chairman nor the committee members have recommended any change of the national coach". (IHF secretary K. Jyothikumaran on Sunday had asserted that Bhaskaran would continue as of now and that the IHF would only act as per the recommendations, if given, by the committee with regard to the coach.) Ganesh’s clarification comes after IHF sources had said that Bhaskaran was being shown the exit and one of the two observers for the ongoing Murugappa tournament here — Olympians Balbir Singh, nominated by IHF President Gill, and M.K. Kaushik, inducted by Jyothikumaran — would get the nod, for both the Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games in September and the Bangkok Asian Games in December. Asked for confirmation on the change of coach, Ganesh said "I do not know what is happening but I have not advised for change". Meanwhile, Cedric D’Souza, former national coach and IHF Executive Director (Coaching) has opposed any immediate change of the national coach. He told PTI: "It is too short a time to experiment with a new coach. Bhaskaran can be given a team of his choice to bring results from Commonwealth Games and Asian Games". The 20 probables for Commonwealth Games and another 20 to tour Germany for a four-nation Cup involving Germany, Korea and the Netherlands from August 21 to 24 would be announced tomorrow.

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