Tuesday, April 27, 1999
today's calendar
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S P O R T | Tuesday, April 27, 1999 |
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spotlight today's calendar |
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India beat Pakistan,
enter semis
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Windies win after fans disrupt
play |
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Scotland train in warm desert Johnson
falters in outdoor opener Court
lifts curbs on Lanka board
Jayalakshmi, Nafedova post
victories Punjab
team for national wrestling India-China
discuss security issues BSF
in final |
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India beat Pakistan, enter semis MARGAO, April 26 (PTI) — Defending champions India struck a goal either side of half time to beat arch-rivals Pakistan 2-0 to enter the semi-finals of the SAFF Football Tournament here today. India started off well, dominating the first half but failed to keep the same tempo. They drew first blood in the 24th minute through star striker Baichung Bhutia, who headed home off a fine cross from Bruno Coutinho from the right. The lead was consolidated in the 87th minute via substitute Sabir Pasha whose feeble shot from close range eluded the keeper and a defender to find the net. Pakistan, who were in the defensive for the entire first half, put up a semblance of fight in the second half and came near to scoring but were denied the opportunity by the Indian keeper Virender Singh. With this win, India and Bangladesh collected four points each. Bangladesh with superior goal difference topped the table. Pakistan, who lost both the matches, are out of contention. India will play the group 'B' winner in the first semifinal on April 29 while Bangladesh will take on the group 'B' runners-up later in the day. Pakistan keeper Muhammed Younis played an outstanding game under the bar to walk away with the man of the match award. India, who had to win by a margin of 5-0 to top the table, started well playing an attacking game. The moves were well organised and were thrustful. Bhutia and Vijayan, who played in tandem with good support from Jules, Venkatesh and Coutinho kept the attack moving with a steady flow of passes. The hosts were denied an early goal by Pakistan keeper Younis, who showed fine reflexes to prevent Bhutia from scoring. India could have led by three goals if not for the Pakistan keeper, who was a bundle of nerves in the first match, but showed fine reflexes at the Nehru Stadium today. India sounded the first warning in the 13th minute when Bhutia, who looked dangerous whenever he had the ball in the rival box, let go a fierce left-footer that hit the framework and went out off a forward pass from Jules. Five minutes later, a combined move between Vijayan and Bruno on the right saw the latter send a low cross to Bhutia whose diving header was put off for a corner by keeper Younis. India kept on the pressure and found the net in the 24th minute. Bruno Coutinho sent a fine cross into the box for Bhutia, who made no mistake in finding the net with a firm header. Coach Sukwinder Singh’s plan in bringing Carlton Chapman in place of Coutinho backfired as he failed to keep the attack moving. India brought in substitute Sabir Pasha in place of I.M. Vijayan in the last 10 minutes. In the 87th minute, Bhutia gave a back-pass to Sabir Pasha, whose feeble shot eluded a defender and the ‘keeper and found the net. Tomorrow Nepal will take on the Maldives. UNI adds: The hosts instead of increasing the lead squandered more than half a dozen golden opportunities. The spectators unhappy with the substitutions by coach Sukhwinder Singh, began booing the coach and started cheering Pakistan instead right through the second half. The spectators in particular were irritated with the coach for pulling out skipper Coutinho and replacing him by Carlton Chapman. Medio S. Ventakesh also squandered three easy chances. While the Indians put up a disappointing show, the Pakistani goalkeeper Younis earned applause for outstanding display.
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Windies win after fans disrupt play BRIDGETOWN, (Barbados), April 26 (AP) — Spectators hurled bottles into the outfield, marring the West Indies’ series-levelling victory yesterday in the final one-day cricket international against Australia. After the disturbance caused a 45-minute delay, the West Indies eventually passed a revised target of 196 off 40 overs with three overs to spare. Australia totalled 252 for nine off 50 overs. The seven-match series finished level at 3-3 with one draw. Fans littered the outfield with bottles and debris, causing a tension-filled stoppage after the local batsman Sherwin Campbell was controversially run out after colliding with bowler Brendon Julian while scampering for a single. Barbadian Campbell had been batting with confidence in compiling 52 off 90 balls when he was inadvertently felled by Julian after Shivnarine Chanderpaul pushed a ball into the on-side and called Campbell through. Michael Bevan effected the run out with Campbell on his backside. As the batsman left the field gesticulating about the interference, hundreds of bottles rained from most sections of the ground. The Australians sought cover in the players’ pavilion as glass and plastic bottles continued to litter the outfield, narrowly missing players. At that stage, the West Indies were 138 for two off 29 overs. International Cricket Council match referee Raman Subba Row met with umpires Eddie Nichols of Guyana and Basil Morgan of Montserrat and team officials as grounds staff cleared the outfield. While officials talked, fans chanted "we want Campbell.’’ Subba Row, a former England test player, eventually decided that the match would continue with Campbell reinstated and the West Indies target adjusted according to the complicated Duckworth-Lewis system. Campbell, who was named Man of the Match and man of the Series, went on to score 62 off 102 balls before he was dismissed. But by then, the target was well within reach. Left-handers Jimmy Adams and Shivnarine Chanderpaul formalised the result to the delight of the now happy capacity crowd of about 13,000. Adams, captain for the third straight match in the absence of the injured Brian Lara, scored 37 not out off 32 balls with five fours. The Jamaican had earlier retired hurt after being cut over his left eye when a ball from left-arm spinner Bevan deflected from bat onto his face. Chanderpaul ended unbeaten 31 off 29 balls with five fours. Ridley Jacobs scored 54 off 60 balls with five fours and a six and added 99 for the opening stand with Campbell. Earlier in the day, Australia’s total was set up by its lower order, which revived them from the peril of 119 for six. Allrounders Tom Moody, with an unbeaten 50, and Shane Lee, 47, shared a vital stand of 56 for the seventh wicket. Big-hitting Julian and Shane Warne each blasted 20 at better than a run-a-ball to give the innings a surge towards the end. The fifth one-day international in Georgetown, Guyana on Wednesday also was marred by crowd interference. On that occasion, Subba Row declared a tie after thousands of fans swamped the outfield as soon as the final ball was bowled with Australia needing four runs to win. Scoreboard West Indies |
Flintoff hammers 143 off 66 balls LONDON, April 26 (AFP) — Andrew Flintoff blasted a magnificent 143 as Lancashire opened their national cricket league programme with a thrilling three-run victory over Essex at Chelmsford yesterday. Coming in after Neil Fairbrother had gone for a second ball duck which left Lancashire 68 for three, Flintoff underlined his strength and class with a spectacular assault on the home bowlers. He reached his 50 from 24 balls, moved into three figures from the 50th delivery he received and finished up scoring his 143 from 66 balls with the help of nine sixes and 15 fours. "It was one of those days when everything came off," he said. "It’s been an amazing last few months for me and I can only hope things will continue to go my way." Reuters adds: results of English national league (45 overs) cricket matches yesterday: First division At Chelmsford: Lancashire Lightning beat Essex eagles by three runs. Lancashire Lightning 301-6 innings closed (A. Flintoff 143, J. Crawley 84). Essex Eagles 298 all out innings closed (R. Rollins 87, S. Law 55) At Southampton: Hampshire Hawks beat Kent Spitfires on run rate. Kent Spitfires 208-8 innings closed. Hampshire Hawks 130-1 in 28 overs (J. Stephenson 71 not out) At Edgbaston: Worcestershire Royals beat Warwickshire Bears by 117 runs, and on run rate. Worcestershire Royals 287-4 innings closed (P. Weston 125 not out, P. Pollard 70). Warwickshire Bears 113 all out in 21.4 overs. At Headingley: Yorkshire Phoenix beat Gloucestershire Gladiators by two wickets. Gloucestershire Gladiators 145 in 36 overs. Yorkshire Phoenix 147-8 in 43.2 overs. Second division At Lord’s: Glamorgan Dragons beat Middlesex Crusaders by 35 runs. Glamorgan Dragons 208 in 44.5 overs (A. Dale 57). Middlesex Crusaders 173-9 innings closed. At The Oval: Northamptonshire Steelbacks beat Surrey Lions by four wickets. Surrey Lions 207-9 innings closed. Northamptonshire Steelbacks 211-6 in 43.2 overs (M. Loye 55). At Hove: Sussex Sharks
beat Derbyshire Scorpians on run rate. Derbyshire
Scorpions 181-7 innings closed (D. Cork 61 not out).
Sussex Sharks 137-3 in 36 overs (R. Montgomerie 61 not
out, C. Adams 57). |
Scotland train in warm desert SHARJAH, April 26 (AP) — Scotland’s national cricket team, preparing for its first World Cup next month in England, trained in this warm desert emirate yesterday far from the snow-covered pitches back home. Scotland’s national cricketers, mainly part-timers are making the most of the facilities at Sharjah Stadium before the World Cup, which begins on May 14. "When we left Scotland on April 16, there was snow on the ground and we could not practice outdoors,’’ said Jim Love, Director, Coaching. "We did not want to train in England because there is no guarantee of playing any cricket due to the weather.’’ "Though it’s a bit warm here, it has given us the chance of practising and the players are enjoying it,’’ said Love, a former Yorkshire and England cricketer. It was 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees fahrenheit) in Sharjah yesterday. Graham Dilley, the former English paceman, is training the bowlers. The team has only two professional English county cricketers, Gavin Hamilton, who plays for Yorkshire, and Northamptonshire all-rounder John Blain. Ex-Pakistani first class player, Asim Butt, is also on the team. The rest of the team, led by George Salmond, includes teachers, a solicitor, a salesman, an electrician, a town planner, a civil engineer, a sports development officer, a groundsman and a real estate agent. For Love and the players, however, the World Cup is serious business, and a chance to show that Scotland, which takes part in England’s one-day county competitions, is worthy of being there. "We’re looking forward to the challenge,’’ Love said. The World Cup starts May
14 with a match between England and Sri Lanka.
Scotland’s campaign opens against Australia on May
16 the two are in group B with West Indies, Pakistan, New
Zealand and Bangladesh. |
Johnson falters in outdoor opener RIO DE JANEIRO, April 26 (Reuters) — Olympic champion Allen Johnson faltered in the first outdoor Grand Prix of the season yesterday, finishing second to little-known fellow American Larry Wade in the 110 metres hurdles. Wade won in a slow time of 13.49 seconds to Johnson’s 13.57 at the Brazilian Grand Prix meeting, upsetting the Atlanta medallist for the second consecutive weekend after edging him out in a smaller meet last Sunday. Johnson said Sunday’s race told him he was at 80 per cent of his potential after missing much of the indoor season because of injury. Another Atlanta medallist at the sun-blazed Rio meeting, long jumper James Beckford of Jamaica, had a spectacular start to the outdoor season, winning the event with a jump of 8.40 metres. "Normally when I jump 8.30 to 8.40 so early, by the end of the year I am jumping 8.60 or 8.65," said the silver medallist who expects to be in top form for the world championships in Seville in August. "This is going to be very exciting year, there are a lot of good jumpers," said Beckford, relishing his meetings with Cuba’s Ivan Pedroso and upcoming Spaniard Yago Lamela. Zambia’s Olympic silver-winning Samuel Matete easily swept the 400 metres hurdles with a time of 48.97 seconds. Local sprinter and world championship bronze medallist Claudinei Da Silva took both the 100 and 200 metre races ahead of Americans Rohsaan Griffin and Tony McCall in both. Among the women, the big upset was reserved for world champion triple jumper Saska Kasparova of the Czech Republic, who mustered only a third place with 14.10 metres, more than a metre off her best of 15.20. The field in Brazil
lacked the big names of previous years after the
country’s currency devaluation in January made it at
least 30 per cent more expensive to attract star names,
organisers said. |
Hooper may play for South Australia SYDNEY, April 26 (AFP) — Carl Hooper is expected to move to South Australia and possibly play Sheffield Shield cricket following his shock resignation from the West Indian team, according to reports here today. The veteran allrounder's resignation was delivered to the West Indies Cricket Board over the weekend and will force the selectors to add another player to their 15-man squad for next month's World Cup in England. Hooper, who made 80 Test 182 one-day appearances, missed the first two Tests of the Caribbean series against Australia after deciding to stay with his wife and ill baby son in Adelaide. He is expected to return to Adelaide and live with them now. Australian Associated Press said South Australian Cricket officials will sound out Hooper, 32, about playing for the state side next season. "He's been a wonderful cricketer, there's no doubt about that. He won't be easily replaced but the point is that cricket moves on and we have to find somebody, give a young player a chance in the World Cup and beyond, " said Windies manager Clive Lloyd in Barbados. "We have a lot of cricket to play and unfortunately he had to retire at this early age because I still think he's wonderful player." Asked the circumstances surrounding Hooper's announcement, Llyod said: "He was in Australia and didn't play a lot. He said he wanted to come back and help the team and now he's retired. "I really don't know what's caused that". AAP said that Hooper
appeared distracted during what turned out to be his last
appearance for the Windies in Bridgetown in the sixth
match of the seven-match one-day series against Australia
on Saturday. |
Court lifts curbs on Lanka board COLOMBO, April 26 (Reuters) — A Sri Lanka court lifted today a restriction preventing Sri Lanka cricket board officials from carrying out their functions. But the court said fresh elections would be needed if allegations of intimidation in last month’s polls were proven. Three weeks ago the court issued an order restraining President Thilanga Sumithipala and some other board officials from functioning as office-bearers after losing candidate Clifford Ratwatte alleged that gun-toting intruders had prevented free and fair elections. The order was not extended when the case was heard today but Colombo District Court Judge A.M.A. Salam said if the trial found the elections were unfair Ratwatte could stand in fresh elections. Salam also said a letter from Sports Minister S.B. Dissanayake to the board was in contempt of court because it had found fault with his court order. The Judge demanded that a certified copy of the minister's letter be produced in court by May 7 and added that he was referring the matter to high judicial authorities. He also ordered Sumithipala and other board officials to appear before courts when the interim injuction inquiry starts on April 28. Sumithipala was re-elected president by a 79-11 margin after a walk-out by Ratwatte and his supporters. He has denied charges of
vote-rigging, saying the election was held according to
the board’s constitution and with the consent of the
majority at the meeting. |
Australians feared for safety: Waugh SYDNEY, April 26 (Reuters) — Australian cricket captain Steve Waugh said his team feared for their safety during crowd disturbances that marred their seventh and final one-day international against the West Indies in Barbados yesterday. Spectators threw bottles on to the Bridgetown outfield and interrupted play for 45 minutes after the controversial dismissal of West Indian opener Sherwin Campbell. Waugh said the outcome of the match, which the West Indies won by eight wickets to leave the series tied at 3-3, was irrelevant. Play resumed after a meeting between International Cricket Council match referee Raman Subba Row, the Australian and West Indies team managements and local officials, at which it was decided to reinstate Campbell, who was run out after colliding with bowler Brendon Julian in mid-pitch. "The option was to recall Sherwin and get the game going or not to have a game at all," Waugh was quoted as saying by Australian Associated Press. "We didn’t have any guarantees for our safety if the game was called off. The police said it would be a much worse situation if we didn’t go back out to play. So we had no choice in the matter." He said one bottle missed his head by less than a foot. "It’s just pure luck that someone didn’t get hit on the head," he said. "The result was irrelevant. Cricket once again was the loser as players we went out and tried to do the right thing and get a game going but nobody’s heart was in it, we were worried about our safety. "I’m sort of at a loss for words because I’m just so disappointed with what’s happened in the last couple of games. The trouble came four days after spectators invaded the pitch in the closing moments of the fifth match in Georgetown, preventing Australia’s last pair from scoring a third run to level the scores. That match was declared a tie by Subba Row, so that West Indies’ win yesterday meant the series ended with the teams all square at 3-3. "Once again, we go back to saying it’s only a matter of time before somebody gets killed," said Waugh. "It’s right, it will happen." Australian Prime Minister John Howard also condemned the crowd behaviour. "I think it is quite distressing that mob violence and mob intimidation can have an impact on the result of a game," Howard told reporters in Canberra today. "It does appear
from what I heard that the umpire’s decision was
altered as a result of threats by the crowd and an
indication that physical safety could not be
guaranteed..." |
Jayalakshmi, Nafedova post victories BANGALORE, April 26 (UNI) — Top seed Sai Jayalakshmi of India and third seed Anna Nafedova of Russia posted facile victories to advance into the second round of the second leg of the ITF Women’s Tennis Circuit here today. Though courts were wet following last night’s downpour, the two did not have to struggle against their lowly-placed opponents and scored identical 6-1, 6-0 victories. Others to score easy straight victories were the Indian duo of Nikita Bharadwaj and Shruti Dhawan. The overnight showers caused some anxious moments to the organisers as the matches began nearly an hour late. The matches could only be played on two courts as the third one was wet even till the afternoon. National champion Sai Jayalakshmi, who was upset in the finals of the first leg in Mumbai by unseeded Radhika Tulpule, needed just 35 minutes to dispose of Kalpita Raje. Jayalakshmi outplayed her opponent, conceding a game only. Anna Nafedova, the only foreign player in the tournament, showed some improvement in the second leg. The Russian, who was knocked out in the first round in Mumbai, using her experience, played a cool game against Mamatha Nandakumar. In the first set, the Indian managed to win one game but in the second, the Russian dominated and won easily to advance into the second round. The match lasted 45 minutes. Nikita Bharadwaj also needed just 45 minutes to whip Gopal Narayane 6-0, 6-0 and Shruthi Dhawan thrashed Deepika Krishnappa 6-1, 6-0 in lop-sided matches. Narayane was no match for Nikita, who scored a facile victory without stretching herself. Narayane, who made it to the main draw following withdrawal of four foreign players and two Indians, struggled throughout and could not not even win a game. The Shruti-Deepika encounter also was a similar tale. Deepika struggled even to serve. The match saw Shruthi pounding her opponent. The winner came up with some beautiful returns and good serves to win. Meanwhile, ITF supervisor for the circuit Dushan Dev has recommended slamming of a fine and points deduction for four foreign players who played truant in the second leg also. They would have to cough up $ 300 and also lose eight WTA points. Christina Madrid of Spain, Manuela Grosskopf of Germany, Remi Tezuka of Japan and Monique Adamczc of Australia had cried off after confirming their participation in the second leg. Mr Dev said that he had
allowed Janaki Krishnamurthy to play after she produced a
fitness certificate. |
Punjab team for national
wrestling PATIALA, April 26 — A 26-member squad comprising 18 boys and eight girls have been selected to represent Punjab in the Junior National Wrestling Championships slated to be held at Lucknow from April 27 to May 1. The selected boys are at present undergoing training at Sports School while the girls are training at KVM College, Jalandhar. The team: boys (freestyle): Rajbir Singh (50 kg), Sunil Dutt (54 kg), Ravinder Kumar (58 kg), Kamandeep Singh (63 kg), Nirmal Singh (69 kg), Ravi Kumar (76 kg), Sandeep Kumar (85 kg), Palwinder Kumar (85 kg). The coach and manager of the boys team are Mr P S Sondhi and Mr Sukhchain Singh respectively. Boys (Greco Roman) Sukhchain Singh (50 kg), Sarup Singh (54 kg), Bhupinder Thakur (58 kg), Sukhdeep Singh (63 kg), Gurvinder Singh (69 kg), Paramvir Singh (76 kg), Satish Kumar (97 kg) and Dilbagh Singh (97 kg plus). The coach and manager will be Mr G S Sangha and Mr Atam Prakash. Girls: Freestyle: Bharti Devi (43 kg), Kulji and Neelam (both 50 kg), Sukhwinder Kaur (58 kg), Sandhya (68 kg), Renu Bala and Nirmal Kaur (both 54 kg), Gurmeet Kaur (63 kg), Sandeep Kaur (75 kg). The coach and manager of the girls squad will be Mr Hargobind Singh and Mr J S Dhillon respectively.
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India-China discuss security
issues NEW DELHI, April 26 — The eleventh meeting of the India-China Joint Working Group (JWG) began today in Beijing. The two-day JWG talks would cover issues relating to bilateral relations as also recent developments in the region, a Ministry of External Affairs spokesman said in a statement. The two sides discussed issues relating to security and nuclear disarmament, the statement pointed out. The Foreign Secretary, Mr K. Raghunath, who is leading the Indian delegation at the talks, reiterated that India had a positive and forward looking approach to relations with China. The Chinese delegation is being led by the Vice Foreign Minister, Mr Yang Wenchang. "India seeks friendly, good neighbourly, cooperative and mutually beneficial relations with China", Mr Raghunath said. "We wish to develop trust and confidence on the basis of expanding understanding on issues of mutual concern which affect our bilateral relations", he told the Chinese side. Prior to the commencement of talks of the JWG session, the Chinese Foreign Minister, Mr Tang Jiaxuan, emphasised China’s commitment to seeking good relations with India into the 21st century. During an hour-long meeting with Mr Raghunath, the Chinese Foreign Minister said good relations with India would contribute to peace, development and stability in Asia and the world. The two sides should approach the JWG meeting in a positive spirit on the basis of expanding on our common points to find solutions to issues on which the two sides have different views, Mr Tang said. Mr Raghunath is expected
will be calling on the Vice Premier and former Foreign
Minister, Mr Qian Qichen later this evening, according to
an official statement. |
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HALDIA, April 26 (PTI) — BSF reached the final of the second division National Football League with a victory over the fancied Bengal-Mumbai Football Club by a solitary goal. In an exciting match of the ‘P’ group in the second division yesterday the Bengal-Mumbai club failed to utilise any of the golden opportunities that came their way. The all-important goal was scored in the 25th minute of the first half by Harvinder Singh off a pass from D.S. Negi. BSF were reduced to 10 men after veteran striker Gouranga was shown the red card. The final is slated for
April 30. |
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Haryana Sports Dept trials CHANDIGARH, April 26 (TNS) — The Sports Department, Haryana, has decided to conduct trials for filling 48 vacant seats for sports hostel, Gurgaon. The spokesman of the sports department said trial would be held for 12 athletics and 4 gymnastic vacancies on May 4 and 22 hockey and 10 volley ball vacancies on May 6 at Nehru Stadium, Gurgaon. YAMUNANAGAR (FOC): Trials of gymnastic nursery being run by, Haryana Sports Department, will be held on May 9 at local M.L.N. College Gymnasium here to fill eight vacant seats under age group of 10 to 12 for the boys, according to District Sports Officer. He said that K.R. Sharma, gymnastic coach of Haryana Sports Department, here, will be honoured by the Governor of Haryana for his outstanding services as gymnastic coach. Cricket tourney PATIALA, April 26 (FOSR) — The first Hot Weather Cricket Tournament (under-16) to be organised by MES Cricket Club, will be held at the MES cricket grounds from May 2 to 16. All matches will be
played on league basis and entries close with Mr H.S.
Arora, 58/1 MES Colony, on April 30. |
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