Thursday, April 22, 1999
today's calendar
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S P O R T | Thursday, April 22, 1999 |
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spotlight today's calendar |
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Final evenly poised as
Arun hits ton |
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Abdul Majeed joins Haridas on top Iran
reject offer to play in USA Germany
ranked third Graham
Ford new SA coach Lankan
board crisis leaves team stranded Williams,
Wattana in 2nd round
Row mars win of Marseille in UEFA
Cup Jailaxmi,
Rushmi enter last 8 |
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Final evenly poised as Arun hits ton BANGALORE, April 21 (PTI) — Riding on opener J. Arun Kumar’s brilliant unbeaten 104, Karnataka reached 209 for two wickets in their second innings as their Ranji Trophy cricket final against Madhya Pradesh was keenly poised with two days left here today. Madhya Pradesh, overnight 339 for six, clinched a vital 75-run first innings lead as they made 379 before being all out, but holders Karnataka hit with a fine unbroken 153-run partnership between Arun Kumar and Vijay R. Bharadwaj (61 batting) for the third wicket to stretch their lead to 134 at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. Arun Kumar has struck seven fours (104 batting - 293 m, 200b) so far and was going strong with Vijay Bharadwaj at stumps after the pair countered negative tactics employed by Madhya Pradesh bowlers. Karnataka, 38 for none at lunch lost opener Sujit Somasundar (25) and Shiraguppi (3) to reach 123 for two at tea, before completely dominating the MP attack. Earlier, MP’s hopes of stretching their first innings lead were scuttled as they were all out 20 minutes after the drinks break, adding 40 runs in the morning. Medium pacer D. Ganesh completed a rich haul of five for 103 to be just two wickets adrift of surpassing spin wizard Bishan Singh Bedi’s record of 64 wickets in a Ranji season. Ganesh today removed Abbas Ali (31), Harvinder Sodhi (6) and Rajesh Chauhan (2), while skipper and left arm spinner Joshi dismissed Hirwani to end the innings. Karnataka lost two quick wickets for 56 runs in their second innings. Sujith Somasundar who was caught behind for 25 off leg-spinner Hirwani at the score at 46. Ten runs later, wicket-keeper Shiraguppi was snapped up at short-leg by Abbas Ali off off-spinner Chauhan for three. But Arun Kumar and Vijay Bharadwaj ensured Karnataka did not collapse as in the first innings, playing the ball on merit. But the two treated the spinners roughly with Chauhan being hammered for 17 runs in two overs. Unable to get a breakthrough, MP bowlers resorted to a negative line towards the fag end of the day. On one occasion, J.P. Yadav was bowling wide outside the off stump with seven fielders on the off side. Scoreboard |
Courier advances; Korda Henman ousted LAKE BUENA VISTA, (Florida), April 21 (Reuters) — Defending champion Jim Courier won his first match since his Davis Cup heroics with a straight sets victory over Sweden’s Mikael Tillstrom at the clay court championships yesterday. The fifth-seeded Courier, still riding high after his epic five-set, tie-clinching victory over Greg Rusedski in the US Davis Cup upset of Britain earlier this month, dispatched Tillstrom 6-4, 7-5 to begin his title defence. "The good news is I had two weeks off to celebrate, to recoup and to refocus," said Courier, who claimed his 23rd career title here last year. Embattled Czech Petr Korda, like Courier a former Australian Open Champion, fell to French qualifier Rodolphe Cadart 4-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-1 to see his 1999 record drop to 5-8. The Czech veteran is embroiled in a doping controversy after testing positive for a banned steroid during last year’s Wimbledon. Another unknown qualifier Max Mirnyi of Belarus stunned third seed Scott Draper of Australia 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, leaving just one of the top-four seeds standing after the first round. Romanian qualifier Gabriel Trifu ousted former US collegiate champion Chris Woodruff 7-6, 6-0, but eighth seed Magnus Norman of Sweden stemmed the tide of qualifier success by crushing Olivier Malcon of France 6-3, 6-0. Second-seeded American Jan-Michael Gambill and fourth-seeded Swede Magnus Larsson lost on Monday. Monte Carlo, (AFB): Tim Henman let a match point chance slip away as Brazil’s Fernando Meligeni knocked the British third seed out of the $2.45 million Monte Carlo Open 6-7 (5/7), 6-4, 7-5 in the second round on Tuesday night. Meligeni, ranked 51st in the world, proved his clay credentials in two hours and 38 minutes. Henman, who had his winning opportunity late in the third set, duplicated his opening-match loss here a year ago. In the third set, the Brazilian earned a break for 6-5 with a superb game. As his 28 winners on the afternoon began to mount up, Henman took treatment from the trainer at the changeover for cramp in his left leg. A backhand cross-court yielded three match points for the South American. Meligeni advanced when Henman’s backhand flew just wide. The Briton had nine break points, but converted only two of them. His career clay record stands at six wins, and 14 losses. In the first set, Henman fell behind an early break against Meligeni, who reached the quarterfinals last week in Barcelona and the Brazilian moved to a 4-1 lead on the centre court. The Briton’s early effort was compromised by 13 unforced errors in the first five games as the South American imposed his clay-court style on the Briton, whom he had never faced. In other second round matches yesterday American Vince Spadea beat No.6 seed Karol Kucera of Slovakia 6-4, 6-3. Number 9 seed Marcelo Rios of Chili went down in the first set 0-6 to Romania’s Andrei Pavel, but came back to win the game 0-6, 6-4, 7-6 (8/6). Two other seeds moved into the second round. Tenth seed Albert Costa of Spain defeated Argentine Mariano Zabaleta 6-3, 6-4. While Thomas Enquist, the No. 12, served for a straightset win, but had to go the full distance to overcome Dominik Hrbaty of Slovakia 7-5, 6-7, (4/7), 6-2, in a match which earned a small measure of revenge for a Davis Cup upset earlier this month. Andre Agassi added to a high-profile exodus from the tournament when he announced that he was dropping out because of a shoulder injury. Number 7 seed Agassi has suffered a recurrence of the problem which forced him to pull out of last week's Japan Open. He will be replaced in the draw by Italian qualifying lucky loser Vicenzo Santopadre. Earlier yesterday, Germany's Boris Becker also quit the tournament after the death of his father. Karl-Heinz Becker (63)
died in a clinic in Heidelberg on Monday night after a
long fight against cancer. |
Onus on batsmen, says Jadeja NEW DELHI, April 21 (PTI) — Vice-captain Ajay Jadeja yesterday said the onus would be on batsmen to produce their best for India to mount a serious challenge in the World Cup to be held in England from May 14. "The conditions will be totally different from here. It’s going to be a 220-225 runs game. A lot depends on batting because our bowlers are sure to do a fantastic job,’ Jadeja told PTI here yesterday. About his inspiring captaincy in Sharjah, Jadeja said it was all ‘due to team effort’ that he won three matches and criticised those seeking skipper Azharuddin’s ouster. "It is too harsh on Azhar. He’s led India so well all these years. We should not talk about him like this. What can a captain do if a team is all out for 125 runs," Jadeja said. On the final against Pakistan, which India lost by eight wickets to belly all hopes, he said "our batting failed and we got a couple of bad decisions. Nothing worked for us. It was one of the bad days," and denied there was any mental block. But Jadeja said it was not fair to condemn the team and Azhar for the defeat. "I don’t care much about such criticism. Such comments are based only on the result. If you win, then it is a collective effort, everything is fine. Good points are made only when the team wins. Or else, such things are said." He said the same happened with Pakistan when they lost the final two league matches. "Whoever wins, it is described as a collective effort and you say the morale is high. How is it fair?’ he asked. Jadeja also announced he would be shifting out of Haryana for next year’s Ranji Trophy season, but was yet to decide for whom he would be playing. He said star batsman Sachin Tendulkar ‘was feeling great’ after playing in Sunday night’s exhibition tie between the 1983 world champion side led by Kapil Dev and the Azhar-led team preparing for the 1999 edition. "He was really enjoying the game," Jadeja said about Tendulkar who looked to have fully recovered from his back problem and cracked a whirlwind century and took two wickets in the 35-overs tie to make a relaxed return to action after nearly two months lay-off. Jadeja meanwhile announced that he would be shifting out of Haryana for the next Ranji Trophy season. "I have not decided whom to represent, but I have made up my mind about it," he confirmed. The star player expressed unhappiness with the team which struggled in the super league stage before going out of reckoning this year. "If I have to open the bowling and send down 20 to 25 overs, then there is something seriously wrong with the team. There is no talent and no attempt is being made to bring it. "There is no fun playing for such a team. The pace bowling in particular is so weak and nothing is being done about it. I will soon decide where to shift," Jadeja added. Haryana cricket has
struggled of late with administrative problems adding to
their woes. |
Japanese players must play TOKYO, April 21 (Reuters) — Brazilian soccer great Zico believes that Japanese players must go overseas if they are to become a power in the international game. Zico, who is technical director of Japanese champions Kashima Antlers, said the national team would benefit by having more players based abroad. "It is very important for Japanese players to go out of Japan and play in another country," said the 46-year-old Zico, who retired as a player with Kashima in 1993. "They must get this kind of experience because it will make the national team stronger." When Japan appeared in the World Cup finals for the first time in France last summer, all 22 members of the squad played for J. League clubs. Japan lost all three games, 1-0 to Argentina and Croatia and 2-1 to Jamaica. Since then, midfielder Hidetoshi Nakata has been transferred to Perugia in Italy and several other players have been linked with a move to Europe. They include defenders Toshihide Saito and Naoki Soma, midfielders Shinji Ono and Hiroshi Nanami and strikers Shoji Jo and Atsushi Yanagisawa. Soma, a 27-year-old left-back, and Yanagisawa, 21, both play for Zico’s club Kashima. "For a player like
Soma, it’s very important he goes soon, but
Yanagisawa is still very young. He can stay in Japan for
two or three years more," added Zico, who played for
Italy’s Udinese during his illustrious career, most
of which was spent with Flamengo. |
Miandad steps down as Pak coach KARACHI, April 21 (AP) — Just one month before the World Cup in England, Javed Miandad announced today that he was stepping down as Pakistan's coach, cricket officials said. Miandad wrote a letter to the chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board blaming family commitments for his decision to step down as coach, they said, asking that their names not be used. Miandad was not immediately available for comment. It also wasn't clear who would replace him as coach. This was the second coaching blow for the Pakistan cricket team, who won the World Cup in 1992. Earlier, this week, the team was told that the South African coach, who was to run a one-week training camp for the team in England was pulling out, officials said. Apparently the United
Cricket Board of South Africa decided a South African
coach may unwittingly reveal cricket secrets of the South
African team to their Pakistani rivals in the World Cup
championship, officials in Pakistan said. |
Iran reject offer to play in USA TEHERAN, April 21 (DPA) — Iran today rejected an invitation by the American Football Federation to play a friendly international in the USA, the official Iranian news agency IRNA reported. "The American Football Federation invited the Iranian team to play a friendly in the USA after a tournament in Canada but the offer was rejected as the team is not prepared," the head of the Iranian Football Federation, Mr Mohsen Safaie-Farahani, told IRNA. The USA and its political arch-enemy Iran would have met on June 13 in the USA after a tournament in Canada. Iran reportedly demanded a share of ticket sales and stadium advertising revenue. The two teams met in Lyon during last year's World Cup, when Iran won 2-1 and gained the most important victory in their soccer history. The USA and Iran have no diplomatic ties, but recent efforts have been made to ease tension and at least resume cultural and sports cooperation. As a sign of the new
trend, a US wrestling team came to Iran in February and
August last year. The Iranian wrestling team also
attended last year's Goodwill Games in the USA. |
Abdul Majeed joins Haridas on top KOCHI, April 21 (PTI) — N Abdul Majeed of Kerala joined overnight leader Tamil Nadu’s K Haridas at the top spot with seven points after the eighth round in the V S H Ralph Memorial FIDE International Rating Chess Tournament here. Kerala state champion UC Mohanan and IWM Bindu K Saritha were sharing the second spot with five points apiece. Top seed Abdul Majeed, who scored a fine win over K X Augustus in the seventh round earlier, was held to a draw by local favourite K A Unas in a bishop versus knight ending which lasted 91 moves. In another interesting match, Haridas, who was held to a draw by K R Madhusoodanan in the previous round, was again forced to split the point by Mohanan after 50 moves of another bishop versus knight ending, which gave Majeed the chance to join him at the top spot. Saritha of LIC was held to a draw by unrated and former junior champion G. Sajesh in Dutch defence while Ganesh Bhatt got his fourth successive draw against a rated player when he held John S Ralph. With this draw he had achieved the minimum required point to get international rating. Earlier, in the seventh round, Haridas was held by Madhusoodanan in a middle game in which both were happy to share the point. Augustus tried hard to get a draw from Majeed in a kings Indian defence game, which lasted 60 moves. But the seasoned Majeed secured a theoretical win in the rook and pawn ending to keep his title aspirations alive. Important results (seventh round): Haridas drew with Madhusoodanan, U C Mohanan bt Prathap Mohan, P S Ameer drew with Unas, Majeed bt Augustus, Gireesh drew with Ganesh Bhatt, John S Ralph drew with Sajesh, Bindu K Saritha bt K V Alfred; Eighth round: K R Madhusoodanan (4.5) drew with K V Alfred (3); Sajesh (2.5) drew with Sarita (5); Ganesh Bhatt (4.5) drew with John S Ralph (3); K X Augustus (3) drew with Giresh (2.5); Unas (3) drew with Majeed (7) and Haidas (7) drew with U C Mohanan (5).
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Germany ranked third ZURICH, April 21 (Reuters) — Germany moved up to number three and England back into the top 10 of the FIFA world rankings released today. Brazil and World Cup champions France continue to top the standings. Biggest movers were Ukraine who shot up 13 places from 35 to 22. FIFA rankings (ranking, last month’s ranking, points) 1. (1) Brazil 817
points, 2. (2) France 786, 3. (5) Germany 746, 4. (4)
Italy 743, 5. (7) Czech Republic 741, 6. (3) Croatia 734,
7. (6) Argentina 732, 8. (9) Spain 720, 9. (8)
Netherlands 709, 10 Equal. (11) England 700, 10 Equal.
(10) Romania 700, 12. (13) Norway 685, 13. (12) Mexico
684, 14. (14) Sweden 677, 15. (17) Portugal 667, 16. (15)
Yugoslavia 650, 17. (15) Denmark 636, 18. (18) Austria
633, 19. (19) Morocco 664, 20. (22) Praguay 609, 21.
(20) Chile 605, 22. (35) Ukraine 604, 23. (30) Bulgaria
601, 24. (23) USA 600, 25. (22) Belgium 599, 26. (25)
Slovakia 598, 27. (24) South Africa 596, 28. (26)
Scotland 592, 29. (29) Tunisia 591, 30 Equal, (28)
Colombia 583, 30 Equal, (32) Israel 583. |
Graham Ford new SA coach JOHANNESBURG, April 21 (Reuters) — Former local provincial second-XI cricketer Graham Ford was named as successor to the high-profile Bob Woolmer as South African national coach yesterday. Ford, (38) has agreed to a three-year contract, ending weeks of speculation following Woolmer’s decision to quit after the World Cup in England. "He is youthful, enthusiastic and committed," United Cricket Board of South Africa Managing Director Ali Bacher said. "He is a good organiser, has good management skills and has a professional approach." Ford captained Natal-B for several seasons in the mid-1980’s but never played in the top flight South African cricket. But his record as a coach has been outstanding. He guided Natal to a rare South African-league and cup double in 1995-96 and has twice coached the South African ‘A’ side on tour. He also proved popular with the players when assistant coach to Woolmer for the recent tour of New Zealand. "I’m honoured to be following in Bob’s shoes and continuing the good work he has done, although it is a huge challenge," said Ford. Woolmer, a former England Test opener, has been linked with the job as England coach in succession to David Lloyd, who has also said he will step down after the World Cup. Fast bowler Shaun
Pollock, South Africa’s vice-captain, has played
most of his domestic first class career at Natal under
Ford’s guidance and the captaincy for some years of
West Indian Malcolm Marshall. |
Lankan board crisis leaves COLOMBO, April 21, (PTI) — Sri Lankan cricket plunged into deep crisis yesterday with the cricket board expressing its inability to release funds to pay for the visa fees of the team for their departure to England for the May-June World Cup. A top board official said following a stay order issued by a local court, which prevented the recently elected cricket board office bearers from functioning, they were unable to release any funds for the visa formalities. Disclosing the critical situation board CEO Dhammika Ranatunga, said the board was not in a position to release funds due to the court order and requested the Sports Minister to intervene immediately to tide over the crisis. Earlier in the day, a district court extended by a week an order barring the board president from carrying out his duties, over allegations of intimidation during last month’s election to the body. The stay granted against office- bearers two weeks ago was extended further till April 26 even as the 1996 World Cup champions were scheduled to leave for England on April 24. In view of the legal impasse, Mr Ranatunga has written to the Sports Minister Mr S.B Dissanayake, asking him to suggest a way out. "I have funds but I am not able to operate them," he said. The court had restrained
president Thilanga Sumathipala and other officials from
functioning as office-bearers after losing candidate
Clifford Ratwatte alleged that gun-wielding intruders had
prevented free and fair elections. |
Williams, Wattana in 2nd round SHEFFIELD, April 21 (Reuters) — Welshman Mark Williams, rated a serious contender for the World Snooker Championship, reached the second round yesterday with a 10-4 win over England’s Ian McCulloch. But fifth seed Williams, who made a break of 140 in the fourth frame, insisted he would not be bowed by the weight of expectancy. "I know that a lot of people are talking about me winning the title, but I won’t let that affect me," he said. Former champions Stephen Hendry and Steve Davis were struggling in first round matches against Paul Hunter and Joe Perry, respectively. Hendry, who suffered a first round defeat against Jimmy White last year, saw Hunter take the first two frames. The Scot clawed his way back to edge ahead but England’s Hunter claimed the last frame of the session to cut Hendry’s advantage to 5-4. Davis was in a worse position, with championship newcomer and English compatriot Perry establishing a commanding 7-2 overnight lead. James Wattana of Thailand won a landmark match 10-8. The opening round match between Wattana and Hong Kong prospect Marco Fu was the first all-Asian encounter in the world finals. It was keenly contested as Fu fought back after trailing 5-4 overnight to lead 8-7. But Fu, ranked 377th in the world at the start of the season, was unable to sustain his challenge. Wattana compiled a break of 136 on his way to claiming the three frames he required for victory. The Thai admitted it had been a tough battle. "I Just couldn’t get away from him," he said. "Marco is such a good newcomer and there was a lot of pressure on me." World number 16 Mark
King of England held off a determined challenge from
gritty Welshman Darren Morgan to win 10-8. |
Kallicharran to stay despite criticism NAIROBI, April 21 (Reuters) — Alivin Kallicharran is expected to continue as Kenya coach after next month's World Cup. Kenya Cricket Association (KCA) Chairman Jimmy Rayani said yesterday that the former West Indies batsman had provisionally agreed to accept an intended extension to his contract. "Alvin has been around for a year. We want him to stay for another two to three years", said Mr Rayani. Kallicharran's training methods have been severely criticised by some of Kenya's top players, notably vice-captain Maurice Odumbe. Odumbe was fined 75,000 shillings ($ 1,153) and threatened with suspension by the KCA for claiming that Kallicharran had little coaching knowledge. As the row threatened to damage Kenya's World Cup preparations, Odumbe and Kallicharran issued a weekend statement denying any rift. Asked why Kenya has had a high turnover of coaches in the last three years, Mr Rayani said Kenya's cricket body earlier did not have sufficient funds to finance a full time coach, and the KCA had usually brought in coaches only for big tournaments. "But to have a team
that can perform consistently well, we need to have a
full-time coach. That is why we are making this offer to
Alvin. He is a good coach and we hope that Kenyan players
can gain as much as possible from him", Mr Rayani
said. |
Row mars win of Marseille in UEFA Cup PARIS, April 21 (AFP) — Marseille’s UEFA Cup celebrations in reaching the final at the expense of hosts Bologna yesterday came after on-and-off pitch controversy which has traditionally surrounded the Riviera Club’s success in Europe. Several thousand celebrated in the streets of Marseille following Laurent Blanc’s late, retaken penalty which equalised the 18th minute goal of Bologna skipper Michele Paramatti for a 1-1 draw which meant qualification on away goals. In a further twist, German referee Markus Merk seemed to have made a mistake awarding the penalty, supposedly for a foul by Bologna keeper Francesco Antonioli on substitute Florian Maurice. As expected, Parma cruised into the final after beating Atletico Madrid 2-1 also in Italy to secure a comfortable 5-2 victory on aggregate. Parma won this tournament four years ago and Argentinian Abel Balbo made sure they returned to the final with a 35th minute goal which put the result beyond doubt. Roberto headed Atletico’s equaliser in the 64th minute, but Enrico Chiesa cracked home Parma’s second goal with six minutes left. Bologna’s Giancarlo Marocchi was sent off in the 89th minute for a foul on Marseille substitute Titi Camara but Marseille held on. Then riot police had to intervene in a brawl between both teams as they left the pitch. A delegate of European football’s governing body UEFA said a report would be submitted. "We will have to wait and see whether disciplinary measures will be taken," the delegate added. "It’s too early to talk about possible sanctions." Bologna refused to
comment much on the incident, only saying words were
exchanged between the two sides moments before the brawl
started. |
Jailaxmi, Rushmi enter last 8 MUMBAI, April 21 (PTI) — Seeded players, including the top two seeds Sai Jailaxmi and Rushmi Chakravorthy, scored easy wins against lesser known opponents on way to the singles quarterfinals of the $ 5000 prize money ITF women’s tennis circuit here today. In the pre-quarterfinal matches, Hyderabad based Jailaxmi, world No. 509, trounced unseeded local girl Sonal Phadke 6-4, 6-1 in one hour five minutes while Chakravorthy sidelined another unseeded player Sandhya Kanury 6-2, 6-2 in one hour, 20 minutes. Third seed and world No. 848, Arthi Venkataraman took one hour 25 minutes to down qualifier Sricharanya Thyagarajan 6-3, 6-1 while seventh-seeded Sheethal Gautam beat unseeded Nikita Bhardwaj 6-2, 6-0 in one hour 45 minutes. Local girl Radhika Tulpule won the battle between two unseeded players when she blanked out Karishma Patel 6-0, 6-0 in just 50 minutes to move into the last eight stage. Eighth-seeded Tara Kanbarimath got a walkover when her opponent, Radhika Mandke failed to turn up for the match due to illness. In yet another pre-quarterfinal match, unseeded Sumitra Rao took exactly one hour to drub qualifier Nikhila Palat 6-2, 6-0 while another unheralded player, Harsimran Bedi drubbed wild card Padma Mahalingam 6-2, 6-1 in one hour five minutes. In the women’s doubles quarterfinals, unseeded Karnataka pair of Sumitra Rao and Tara Kanbargimath caused a flutter when they shocked second seeds Arthi Venkatraman of India and Anna Nefedova of Russia 6-3, 6-4 in one and a half hours. With the defeat of Arthi-Anna pair, the only foreign player in the fray has been ousted. However, the other seeded pairs sailed into the last four stage with straight set wins. Top-seeded Sai Jailaxmi and Rushmi Chakravorthy were leading 1-0, after taking the first set 6-0, when their unseeded opponents Simmi Rani and Karishma Patel conceded the match while third-seeded Shruti Dhawan and Sheetal Goutham overcame Nikita Bharadwaj and Harsimran Bedi 6-0, 6-2. Fourth seeded K. Janaki and Radhika Tulpule beat Geeta Manohar and Nikhila Palat 6-2, 6-0 to fill the last semifinal berth. Results: Singles (pre-quarterfinals): Rushmi Chakravorthy bt Sandhya Kanury 6-2, 6-2; Sai Jailaxmi bt Sonal Phadke 6-4, 6-1; Sumitra Rao bt Nikhila Palat 6-2, 6-0; Radhika Tulpule bt Karishma Patel 6-0, 6-0; Sheetal Goutham bt Nikita Bhardwaj 6-2, 6-0; Arthi Venkatraman bt Sricharany 6-3, 6-1; Harsimran Bedi bt Padma Mahalingam 6-2, 6-1. Doubles (quarterfinals):
Sai Jailaxmi/R. Chakravorthy bt Karishma Patel/Simmi Rani
6-0, 1-0 (conce); K. Janaki/Radhika Tulpule bt Geeta
Manohar/Nikhila Palat 6-2, 6-0; Sheethal Gautam/Shruti
Dhawan bt Nikita Bharadwaj/Harsimran Bedi 6-0, 6-2;
Sumitra Rao/Tara Kanbargimath bt Arthi Venkatraman
(Ind)/Anna Nefedova (Rus) 6-3, 6-4. |
SAFF football live on DD NEW DELHI, April 21 (PTI) — Doordarshan will telecast live all the 10 matches of the SAFF Football Tournament from tomorrow to May 1. Defending champions India will take on Bangladesh in the inaugural match tomorrow and it will be telecast live on DD-1 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., an official press note said here today. The first semifinal on April 29 will be shown on DD-2 while all other matches are to be telecast on the prime channel, it added. Group A: India, Bangladesh, Pakistan. Group B: Sri Lanka, Maldives, Nepal. Schedule: India vs Bangladesh:
April 22 (5 p.m. to 7 p.m.) Maldives vs Sri Lanka: April
23 (5 p.m. to 7 p.m.) Bangladesh vs Pakistan: April 24 (5
p.m. to 7 p.m.) India vs Pakistan: April 26 (5 p.m. to 7
p.m.) Maldives vs Nepal: April 27 (5 p.m. to 7 p.m.)
Winner B vs runner-up A: April 29 (2.30 p.m. to 4.30
p.m.) Winner A vs runner-up B: April 29 (5 p.m. to 7
p.m.) 3rd/4th place play off: May 1 (2.30 p.m. to 4.30
p.m.) Final: May 1 (5 p.m. to 7 p.m.). |
Rain frustrates Hollioake LONDON, April 21 (AFP) — Surrey captain Adam Hollioake has vowed not to let any obstacles faze his World Cup starting line-up bid — after rain yesterday dashed his hopes of reminding the selectors of his capabilities. A torrential downpour left the Worcester ground awash on the opening day of the County Championship fixture with Surrey and play was called off at lunch — but Hollioake is determined not to be wound up by such setbacks. The Surrey skipper said: "It is always disappointing when there is rain around. You want to get out there and play. Life is boring when you are just sitting around." "You could look at my situation and say a few runs and wickets might help my World Cup hopes, but there is no point in getting frustrated about things you have no control over." "People ask if I am worried about maybe not being in the World Cup side. I’m not worried. Nothing is worth worrying about. It might happen. If that’s the case, then it happens. "I’ll try my best not be left out. I’ll try my best whenever I play but, like I said, if you worry about things you get yourself uptight and play worse. It’s a case of training hard and hoping I get some good scores and have a bit of luck with the ball." Hollioake is philosophical about being axed by England skipper and Surely team-mate Alec Stewart in Sharjah, where England failed to qualify for the final. He said: "Alec
Stewart had a decision to make and he took it. I would
never hold that against a captain or a manager." |
Bruno India's skipper MARGAO, April 21 (UNI) — Salgaocar Sports Club ace striker Bruno Coutinho was named captain of the Indian team for the South Asia Football Federation (SAFF) Coca Cola Cup Championship getting underway from tomorrow at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (Fatorda) here. A 20-member Indian squad announced on Sunday includes three goalkeepers, six defenders, six mid-fielders and five forwards. The team includes five
players each from East Bengal and JCT, four each from
Salgaocar and Mohan Bagan and one each from FC Kochi and
Indian Bank. |
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