Uzbeks maintain winning spree
ABU DHABI, Oct 24 — Favourites Uzbekistan continued their winning spree, thrashing Sri Lanka 6-0 and fancied United Arab Emirates got the better of Bangladesh 3-0 in the Asia Cup group three qualifiers at the Al Ain Stadium here last night.

Woods, Love advance in PGA Grand Slam
KAUAI, (Hawaii), Nov 24 — Tiger Woods and Davis Love III have advanced to the championship round of the PGA Grand Slam of golf with victories over Briton Paul Lawrie and Spaniard Jose Maria Olazabel.

PSB down BSF for crown
NEW DELHI, Nov 24 — Punjab and Sind Bank (PSB) downed defending champions Border Security Force, Jalandhar, 503 via tie-breaker here today to emerge champions of the 36th Nehru Hockey Tournament.

Pak beat Korea 1-0
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 24 — Sohail Abbas was at his best yet again as he powered home a penalty corner late in the second half to give Pakistan a 1-0 victory over reigning champions South Korea in a well-contested final league match of the Asia Cup Hockey Tournament here today.

Lehl clinches PGA Cup
KAPURTHALA, Nov 24 — A S Lehl of the Chandigarh Gold Club returned the best gross aggregate of 148 to lift the Spice PGA Cup on the second and final day of the state golf championship at the Rail Coach Factory golf course here this evening.

Poulami, Anal move into semis
Chandigarh, Nov 24 — Poulami Ghatak of Bengal and Anal Kashyap of Petroleum Control Sports Board Academy, Ajmer, justified their top seedings when they made their way into the semifinal on the penultimate day of the 61st Stroh’s Junior National table Tennis championship being played at sector 23 TT hall here today.

Tollygunge shock East Bengal
CALCUTTA, Nov 24 — Custodian Bivash Ghosh rose to the occasion to make a couple of saves in the tie-breaker guiding unfancied Tollygunge Agragami to the final of the 105th IFA Shield Football Tournament defeating soccer giants East Bengal 4-1 in the penalty shoot-out at Salt Lake Stadium here yesterday.

Malleswari loses out on bodyweight
ATHENS, Nov 24 — India’s Karnam Malleswari lost out on bodyweight to finish without medals in the women’s 63-kg category at the World Weightlifting Championships here.

Mongia skipper for Abu Dhabi tourney
MUMBAI, Nov 24 — Seasoned wicket-keeper Nayan Mongia, ignored for the tour of Australia, was today named to lead the country’s third-string India “A” (1) in the three-match series at Abu Dhabi from November 30 to December 2.

3 shooting gold for Anjali
NEW DELHI, Nov 24 — Anjali Vedpathak of India won three gold medals to lead a fine performance by Indians in the Commonwealth Shooting Championships at Auckland.

Parminder sets mark

India ‘A’ challenge fizzles out

NEW DELHI, Nov 24 (PTI) — India ‘A’ comprising promising juniors expected to take over the baton from stars Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi, had very little fire in their belly as their campaign fizzled out at the Asia Cup Team Tennis Championship with Japan crushing them 2-0 in the first round tie here today.

The home team led by Mustafa Ghouse and Vijay Kannan bowed out to third seeds Japan losing both the singles matches in the bottom half of the draw. The inconsequential doubles tie was later called off.

Japan now await the winner of India-China three-match rubber tomorrow for their semifinal opponent.

A spirited Thailand sprang a surprise earlier in the day when they upset fourth seeds South Korea 2-0 to storm into the semis where they have a potentially tough match against top seeds Uzbekistan, who received a bye into the last four stage.

India A opened their campaign pitting national runner-up Mustafa Ghouse against Japanese No.2 Satoshi Iwabuchi but the 19-year-old Indian’s challenge lasted barely an hour.

Ghouse lost 1-6 4-6 to Iwabuchi despite being one up on serving the aces. Ghouse was erratic with his returns and though having a big serve, double faulted four times to hand over the initiative to the Japanese.

Iwabuchi broke Ghouse twice in the first set before winning it easily 6-1 and then needed just one break in the second to seal the advantage. After being 4-3 up, Iwabuchi won the 8th service game at love to lay his claim for the tie.

Vijay Kannan gave a glimmer of hope early on when he took 3-1 lead in the 1st set against Japan No.1 Takahiro Terachi. But the Japanese showed his resilience to stay on in the hunt and reeled out five games in a row to win the set 6-3.

Terachi served two aces in the first set and despite double faulting once, Kannan failed to exact the advantage.

Terachi was on a roll in the second set winning the first service game at love but Kannan stayed along holding his own as the score progressed to 4-4.

India ‘A’ No.1 Kannan surprised Terachi by breaking him in the 9th game for 5-4 lead only to trade the break back in the next. Terachi forced the tie-breaker and won it 7-4 with ease as Kannan faltered on crucial points.

In the morning, Thai No. 2 Ekkarin Pisuth-Arnonth volleyed superbly and used his strong forehand to subdue Korea’s Lee Seung-Hun 6-3 7-6 (11/9) in 98 minutes for a 1-0 lead.

Narathorne Srichaphan, the top-ranked Thai in the absence of Paradrong Wongprates, then used his big serve and powerful returns to shock Korean No. 1 Baek Seung-Bok 7-5 6-2 to shut out 1997 runners-up from the continental team championship.

Ekkarin, a good serve-and-volleyer ranked outside the top 1,000 on the ATP ratings, gave a good display of tennis taking advantage of Lee’s weak forehand.

Both players held their serve till the 8th game when Ekkarin broke Lee to go 5-3 up. The Thai held his serve despite a double fault to win the 1st set 6-3.

Ekkarin took control of the second breaking Lee in the third game and raced to a 4-2 lead, but only just. After holding his serve in the 7th, Lee levelled 4-4 before the two started trading breaks, taking the set into tie-breaker.

Though good tennis was on display the Korean was worn down by the long rallies as each player waited for the other to commit mistakes.

Ekkarin was up 5-4 and 6-5, but on both occasions he failed to control his nerves and dropped his serve. In the 12th game, he double-faulted twice before Lee sent a powerful backhand return to force the tie-breaker.

After being down 4-1 Ekkarin laboured to come close and as Lee kept on faltering at crucial points, the Thai clinched the tie-breaker 11-9 for a deserved victory.

Thailand, making their third appearance here, were a confident lot after Ekkarin’s victory put them 1-0 up.

Big serving Srichaphan dominated from the start but the Korean hung on till the 10th game. The Thai No. 1 came up with outstanding returns in the 11th game as Baek succumbed under pressure.

Srichaphan served an ace to open the 12th game and then closed out the first set at 40-love for 7-5 verdict.

We can be a threat: Sachin

BRISBANE, Nov 24 (PTI) — The Indian cricket team arrived here today on a 76-day tour of Australia amid expectations of renewed confrontation between captain Sachin Tendulkar and Aussie spin wizard Shane Warne.

The Indian captain, however, put the tour in perspective, saying “the series is not just about two players.”

“There are other good bowlers in the Australian side besides Shane as there are other batsmen in the Indian team besides me”, Tendulkar told reporters.

The star batsman, in his second stint as captain, said: “There are other things in my head (than Warne) as I am sure there must be other things in his mind”.

The Indians arrived by a Malaysian airlines flight after a six-hour stopover in Kuala Lumpur.

Tendulkar said his back was okay but added “there is a larger responsibility on me than solely my batting.”

Looking forward to the tour engagements, which include three Test matches and a triangular one-day series also involving Pakistan, coach Kapil Dev said:”I have no doubt, if the boys play to their potential, we will be a threat.”

“We have a fair bit of talent and I expect batsmen like Saurav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar to do well since they are strokemakers and these are wickets where the ball comes on to the bat,” Kapil said.

Both Tendulkar and his coach were all praise for Australia’s latest sensation, new Test wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist, who hit an unbeaten 149, and with centurion Justin Langer took Australia to a record win against Pakistan in the deciding second game at Hobart.

“He appears a very wristy player.... For an Australian to be so is interesting. Such players can vary the pace and placement of their shots. I think he would be a success even on spinners’ tracks back in the sub-continent,” Kapil said.

Saying that Gilchrist packed “a fair bit of punch in his shots, and also places them well,” Tendulkar hoped the Aussie would not prove a problem for the Indian bowlers.

The team got down to a net session at the Gabba Cricket Ground to get a feel of the conditions for what promises to be a long and exhausting tour. It begins with a four-day game here against Queensland starting on Friday.

Meanwhile, shrewd Australian captain Steve Waugh, on top after the extraordinary series win in Hobart — his first at home as captain — has his opponents sized up.

Waugh doubts the Indians’ ability to be at the peak of their game for six hours at a stretch and realises he only needs to go through the top order to dismiss the rest.

The Australians, who do their homework well, know that Anil Kumble must be played down the ground in the ‘V’, as there is no point in risking too many cross-bat shots against the leg-spinner who comes on to the bat and gives little away.

The Indians will need much more than skill, as Pakistan have learned, to tackle the pragmatic Australians on their home turf.

Uzbeks maintain winning spree

ABU DHABI, Oct 24 (UNI) —Favourites Uzbekistan continued their winning spree, thrashing Sri Lanka 6-0 and fancied United Arab Emirates got the better of Bangladesh 3-0 in the Asia Cup group three qualifiers at the Al Ain Stadium here last night.

India, who went down 1-3 to UAE on Sunday, will take on Uzbekistan in their second match tonight.

In their match against Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan shot into the lead in the third minute when striker Irismetov seized on Bazarov Bavshan’s weak header to put his side one up.

Two goals from Shirshov Nikolay and one from mid-fielder Davletov Fevzi saw them taking a virtually unassailable lead of 4-0.

After the breather, Uzbekistan, dazzling the crowd with excellent football, saw Sri Lankan goalkeeper Mohed Illyas dash recklessly out of his area to chase a loose ball in the 49th minute. This provided a good chance to Nikolay to score his team’s fifth goal.

The sixth goal was scored by Bazarov Bavshan in the dying moments of the game even as Sri Lanka failed to create any opportunity for reducing the margin of their defeat.

The UAE, coming into the tournament with a big reputation, were, however, not very impressive in their outing against Bangladesh despite defeating them 3-0.

Midfielder Abdulrahim Jumaa scored the first goal for UAE when he made optimum use of a pass from defender Abdulla Eissa in the fourth minute.

Thereafter, UAE created many chances to score but muffed all of them as strikers Adel Mattar and Saeed Al Kass were not found in their elements.

The hosts replaced Adel Mattar with Fouad Khalil after he scored his team’s second goal in the 17th minute.

Eighteen minutes into the second half, Fouad Khalil scored UAE’s third goal off Humaid Faker’s corner kick.

Bangladesh, despite missing seven of their top players due to injuries and suspension, gave a good account of themselves. Though they could not score, they looked dangerous on many occasions.

In the points table, Uzbekistan now have 12 goals from two outings without having conceded any goal compared to UAE’s six for and one against.

Uzbekistan play India on Thursday and then take on the hosts on Saturday in the decider.

Woods, Love advance in PGA Grand Slam

KAUAI, (Hawaii), Nov 24 (Reuters) — Tiger Woods and Davis Love III have advanced to the championship round of the PGA Grand Slam of golf with victories over Briton Paul Lawrie and Spaniard Jose Maria Olazabel.

Just two days after teaming with Mark O’Meara to capture the World Cup of golf in Malaysia, Woods began defence of his title at the PGA Grand Slam with a 4 and 2 victory over Lawrie yesterday. Love carded a 6 and 5 victory over Olazabel.

Woods and Love were to square off this morning for the $ 400,000 title in the $ 1 million tournament pitting the year’s four major winners against each other.

Woods earned a spot in the elite field with a victory in the PGA Championship, while Love came to Hawaii as a replacement for the late Payne Stewart, the US Open champ who died in a jet accident in October.

Lawrie came as the British Open champion while Olazabel arrived by way of victory at the masters last April.

Contested over the Poipu Bay resort golf course on the island of Kauai, the PGA Grand Slam of golf is the sport’s smallest, most prestigious field. The course was designed by Robert Trent Jones (Jr).

Love left little to chance with a 29 on the front nine before finishing off his thrashing of Olazabel 6 5 on the 13th.

“I played against a guy who was very hot today,” Olazabel said.

Love went 1-up with a birdie on the par-3 third and never looked back.

He also said he had been looking forward to playing match play.

“I learned so much about match play from playing with Payne Stewart at the Ryder Cup,” Love III said. “Today, I could feel Payne was right there with me on every shot.”

Woods, meanwhile, struggled through a ragged front nine, missing short putts on holes 2, 5, 6 and 7, and looking the worse for wear after flying all night from Japan to get to Kauai. He had been competing in the World Cup in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia through last weekend, then played an exhibition match in Japan on Monday.

PSB down BSF for crown

NEW DELHI, Nov 24 (UNI) — Punjab and Sind Bank (PSB) downed defending champions Border Security Force, Jalandhar, 503 via tie-breaker here today to emerge champions of the 36th Nehru Hockey Tournament.

At the end of regulation time, both teams were tied at 1-1 and goalkeepers Jasjit Singh and Aloysius Edwards were called upon to save the day for their team.

Both the goals which were scored in regulation time came through penalty corner in the first half.

From the beginning, PSB assumed charge of the proceedings and forced two penalty corners in quick succession. The second penalty corner, which came in the fifth minute, was converted by Olympian Sanjeev Kumar after the ball came to him from goalkeeper Jasjit Singh’s pad.

One goal down BSF, playing without their captain Harbhajan Singh who was forced to sit out because he had been shown two yellow cards in earlier matches, geared up their game and in the 17th minute got their first penalty corner which was wasted. Both teams made serious attempts at the rival goal.

In the 24th minute, BSF got their second penalty corner. Cristopher Ekka after getting the ball pushed it in but it hit the goalkeeper Aloysius’s pad and came to Shinu Hernez, who had his back to the goal but his reverse hit sounded the board.

With the scorecard reading 1-1, BSF now dictated the flow of the game with persistent attacks through the right flank.

In the second half PSB tired to ease the stranglehold of the BSF on the game with some forays in the rival striking circle. Pushed to the wall BSF came back. In the remaining part of the game ball continued to roll from one striking circle to the other making no difference to the score as forwards lacked adequate support.

To break the deadlock penalty shootout was resorted to.

First penalty shots by both teams went out. BSF’s — Sushil Kumar failed with the second shot as it was stopped by goalkeeper whereas Bhupinder Hayer converted. Next two shots were put in by both sides and fifth shot, which was to decide the final outcome, was put in by PSB’s Rajinder Singh to complete the scoreline.

Earlier in the day the play-off to decide the occupants of third and fourth spot was won by Army XI who beat Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) Junior 3-2. Armymen scored through Anand Velwe, Siprin and Poonacha.

Till 59th minute score read 3-0 in favour of ArmyXI. In the 59th minute IHF’s Jugraj Singh made it 3-1 and in the 66th minute another field goal by Kamlesh Kumar completed the scorecard.

Apart from trophy, winners took away Rs 1 lakh in cash. Runners-up BSF and Army XI who were placed third and the IHF who were fourth took Rs 50,000, 20,000 and 10,000, respectively.

Cristopher Ekka (BSF), Kamlesh Kumar (IHF), Prabhdeep Singh (PSB) and Cyprin Aind (Army XI) were adjuged best players of the tournament and were awarded Rs 5000 in cash.

BSF team was awarded special prize of Rs 10,000 for highest rate of penalty corner conversion.

Bid to tarnish my image: Lele

MUMBAI, Nov 24 (PTI) — Cricket board secretary Jayawant Lele was today at the centre of a controversy arising out of comments attributed to him on the Indian team’s prospects in Australia even as he denied giving the interview and the concerned website stood by its story.

Lele was quoted by website Rediff as having said that the Indian team would be blanked 3-0 in Australia and that Ajay Jadeja was not a Test class player and the Indian seamers, including Javagal Srinath, didn’t mean much.

When contacted, Lele told PTI: “They are trying to tarnish my image by putting out imaginative statements attributed to me. I have not spoken to anybody, including Rediff-on-the-net, regarding the merits of the team which has been sent to Australia”.

“I am seeking legal opinion on the issue,” the board secretary said.

Rediff’s Executive Editor Prem Panicker, however, said “We are standing by the story and the reporter”.

Panicker said the interview with Lele was conducted in a hotel lobby in Delhi and the reporter had taken down notes which had been reviewed before the interview was released on the website.

“The reporter wanted to tape the interview but Lele did not agree to it. So he took down notes only,” he said.

“I, like so many other scribes, have personally experienced in the past Lele saying something in a crowded room and denying it subsequently. It is nothing new,” Panicker added.

Immediately on the Indian team’s arrival in Sydney, when his attention was drawn to Lele’s reported statement, coach Kapil Dev reacted: “What can I say if that’s the way even your men see the fate of this series”.

Board president A.C. Muthiah described the controversy as an unfortunate situation at a time when the Indian team had just reached Australia for a 76-day tour.

Muthiah told PTI in Chennai, “I spoke to Mr Lele a few days ago to ascertain whether he had made any such statements. Mr Lele had totally denied having made the remarks that have been published by an internet site based in Mumbai.

“Last Sunday, I advised Mr Lele to issue a press statement to the effect that he had been misquoted and also send a rejoinder to the internet firm and get a legal notice issued to them.

“I am told Mr Lele has already initiated legal proceedings against the internet firm,” Muthiah added.

Pak beat Korea 1-0

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 24 (PTI) — Sohail Abbas was at his best yet again as he powered home a penalty corner late in the second half to give Pakistan a 1-0 victory over reigning champions South Korea in a well-contested final league match of the Asia Cup Hockey Tournament here today.

Penalty corner specialist Abbas struck in the 61st minute of the match and set up a relatively easy semifinal clash with Malaysia on November 26 as they topped the group with an all-win record at the Bukit Jalil Stadium here.

Korea, who finished second in the group with nine points face a tough task against India, pool B toppers in the first semi-final after tomorrow’s rest day. It was Korea, however, who dominated the match, especially the first half, when they should have gone up 3-0 but missed several chances. It was a different Korea after an indifferent run in the tournament so far. They came out with guns blazing and the Pakistani defence had a hard time keeping them at bay.

As early as in the fourth minute, Korea ran into striking area and Jong Hyun Hwang beat a couple of defenders to unleash a powerful shot that was saved by goalkeeper Ahmed Alam. Alam today had a fantastic match as he saved a couple of penalty corners and three sure field goals.

In the sixth minute, Pakistan’s Nadeem Ahmed crossed from the right, but Korean goalkeeper Yoon Kim came out and kicked the ball away. The rebound was picked by Mohd Sarwar, but the goalkeeper was back in position to effect a save.

A minute later, Pakistan earned their first penalty corner but Ali Raza’s shot was saved by Yoon Kim.

Stung by the Pakistan attacks, Korea swung into action as their midfield took charge and the Pakistani defence came under tremendous pressure, but remained intact.

Lehl clinches PGA Cup
From Harbans Singh Virdi
Tribune News Service

KAPURTHALA, Nov 24 — A S Lehl of the Chandigarh Gold Club returned the best gross aggregate of 148 to lift the Spice PGA Cup on the second and final day of the state golf championship at the Rail Coach Factory golf course here this evening.

Spanning over two days, Lehl came up with a fine performance. Suman Puri of the Army Golf Club, Jalandhar, emerged as the first runner-up, with a card of 149 (gross), just one short of the winner (five over par). The second runner-up was Jassanjit Singh Dullat of the Army Golf Club, Patiala. He returned a card of 151 (gross).

The honour of achieving the longest drive of the day went to Navjot Singh Mann. Using No. 1 wood, he covered a distance of 275.4 yards.

Similarly, the closest to the pin prize of the day was won by D.S. Grewal of the RCF Golf Club. On the 10th hole he used No. 5 iron and the ball fell 1.51 metres short of the pin.

Among the ladies, Mrs Dalbir Sahi of the Chandigarh Golf Club won the title while Mrs Bhupinder Kaur finished the first runner-up and Mrs Sarbjit Kaur, the second runner-up.

In the junior category (15-17 years), Jassanjit Singh Dullat lifted the title. He was followed by Jaskirat Singh Dullat Jagvir Singh Shergill, respectively.

In the subjunior category (13-14 years) Jaskirat Singh Dullat returned the best card. He was followed by Amit Kumar Sharma of the Army Golf Club, Patiala, and Dinesh Kumar of the Chandigarh Golf Club, in that order.

In the sub-junior category (11-12 years), Gaganjit Bhullar of the RCF Golf Club lifted the trophy. He was followed by Balpreet Singh Ghuman as the first runner-up and Shrey Chopra of the RCF Golf Club as the second runner-up.

Later, in the evening, Mr M.P. Ojha, General Manager of the Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala, distributed the trophies in the senior category. Col J.S. Randhawa, Head of the Customer Division of Spice Telecom, gave away the prizes to the winners in the junior and subjunior categories.

Poulami, Anal move into semis
By Arvind Katyal

Chandigarh, Nov 24 — Poulami Ghatak of Bengal and Anal Kashyap of Petroleum Control Sports Board Academy, Ajmer, justified their top seedings when they made their way into the semifinal on the penultimate day of the 61st Stroh’s Junior National table Tennis championship being played at sector 23 TT hall here today.

The other boys who made it to the last four grade include second seed Sukanta Das (PSCB ‘A’), and Ranbir Das of (Bengal). The fourth player to made in boys was Shubham Chaudhary of Bengal .

Among girls, others who entered the semifinal were second seed Mamta Prabhu of Maharashtra, fourth seed Sushmita Roy and Mouma Das both of Bengal.

In girls doubles, apart from top seed Poulami Ghatak and Mouma Das of Bengal the surprise winners of the today’s matches were B.M. Ashwini and S. Prashad of Karnataka who earlier in the quarterfinal upset Sushmita Roy and S. Mitra of Bengal. In the semifinals, they again created a flutter beating M. Aparna and S. Prasana of Tamil nadu in three straight games.

The boys doubles, final will feature top seeds Anal Kashyap and Soumya Deep of PSCB A and second seed A. Das and A. Nandi of Bengal .

In the boys quarterfinal matches played today, the best match of the day was between Ranbir Das of Bengal and S. Roy of PSCB A. Ranbir won first game at 23-21 and second 21-17. But in the third game, the see-saw battle giving rise to excitement. The match point was a test of patience in which cool Ranbir prevailed and he won the match at 21-19 and the match.

Results:

Boys quarter-final: Anal Kashyap (PSCBA) b Anirban (Bengal) 21-19, 21-19, 21-14; Subham Choudhry (Bengal) b Subhajit Saha (PSCBA) 27-25, 21-16, 21-7; Ranbir Das (PSCBA) b Soumya Deep Roy (PSCBA) 23-21, 21-17, 21-19; Sukanta Das (PSCBA) b jayant Chander (Bengal) 21-13, 21-19, 21-18.

Girls (Qf): Poulomi Ghatak (Bengal) b Sherry Crawford (Maharashtra) 21-11, 21-13, 21-17; Sushmita Roy (Bengal) b Saptaparni Guha (Bengal) 21-13, 21-10, 21-19; Mamta Prabhu (Maharashtra) b M. Aparna (TN) 21-12, 21-15, 21-16; Mouma Das (Bengal) b Nandita Saha (Bengal) 19-21, 21-14, 22-20, 21-12;

Doubles Q-finals: Poulami Ghatak & Mouma Das (Bng) b M. Shevade & S. Inamdar (Mhr) 21-7, 21-14; M. Aparna & S. Prasana (TN) b Nandita Saha & Sumana Bose (Bng) 21-18, 21-17; K.S. Madhuri & J. Keshwan (Knt) lost to Mamta Prabhu & S. Crowford (Mhr) 1818-21, 17-21; S. Roy & S. Mitra (Bng) lost to B.M Ashwini & S. Prashad (Knt) 17-21, 20-22;

Boys: Anal Kashyap & S. Roy (PSCB) b S. Muthukumar & V.A Praveen (Pondy) 21-9, 21-17; Daridz Puria & A. Amalraj (PSCBA) lost to Shukham Chaudhary & S. Chakroborty; 16-21, 11-21; S. Saha & Sukanha Das (PSCBA) b Tarafdar & Ghosh (Bng) 21-17, 21-15; Ranbir Das & J. Chandra (Bng) lost to A. Nandi & A. Das (Bng) 16-21, 21-18, 19-21.

Tollygunge shock East Bengal

CALCUTTA, Nov 24 (UNI) — Custodian Bivash Ghosh rose to the occasion to make a couple of saves in the tie-breaker guiding unfancied Tollygunge Agragami to the final of the 105th IFA Shield Football Tournament defeating soccer giants East Bengal 4-1 in the penalty shoot-out at Salt Lake Stadium here yesterday.

This is the second time that Tollygunge entered the final of the IFA Shield, the earlier being about three decades ago defeating East Bengal itself.

The match went into tie-breaker as neither side could score during the scheduled time and in the extra time when Tollygunge custodian excelled in saving the situation a number of times to keep their fort intact.

The tie-breaker saw Bivash standing on the goal-line like a giant and saving penalties taken by first Jackson and then Ramesh Rawat of East Bengal. Only A Kennedy could score for the red and yellow outfit. Since Tollygunge took an unassailable lead of 4-1 as all the first four of their five scheduled players converted their spot kicks, the last two East Bengal players and the fifth of the Tollygunge footballer did not have to take their shots.

East Bengal, who could not field their full side as five of their regulars were busy playing for the country, had to blame themselves for the defeat as after maintaining an edge and wasting quite a few scoring chances, they failed to find the target because of poor finishing by the strikers.

Ghanian defender Isiaka and midfielder Felix of Tollygunge also put up a superb defence to thwart most of the East Bengal attacks.

Veteran coach of Tollygunge Amal Dutta proved successful in his strategy of playing defensive to keep their fort intact and taking the match to the tie-breaker, knowing their superiority under the bar which proved correct.

Inspite of adopting defensive tactics, Tollygunge had more control of the ball in the first half of the scheduled period and could have won the tie before extra time.

But their forwards failed to finish after reaching the rival box. After an insipid first half, East Bengal got a golden chance to forge ahead midway through the second half when Tollygunge defender Isiaka failed to clear a move and the ball went to East Bengal striker Raman Vijayan who came in the second half.

But Vijayan’s powerful grounder was smartly saved by a diving Bivas Ghosh. East Bengal had a chance to take the lead towards the end of scheduled period but a fine header by East Bengal striker Kennedy was fisted out by an alert Bivash.

Tollygunge also forced a chance towards the end but their substitute forward Arunava Sarkar after dribbling past a host of East Bengal defenders was late in taking the shot while rival defender Jackson cleared the move.

The extra time saw East Bengal going desperate for a goal but all their attempts came to a naught as Tollygunge keeper Bivas stood in their way by saving two fine attempts by Raman Vijayan, once in each half of the extra time.

Teams:

Tollygunge Agragami: Bivash Ghosh, Rashmohan Mallick, Kajal Bhattacharjee, Partha Sarathi Dey, Bishwanath Mondal, Sasthi Dulay, Awoyimi Isiaka (Debashis Pal Choudhury), Abayomi Felix, Chandan Das (capt), Srikanta Dutta (Arunava Sarkar) and Moses N Oira (Gourab Sengupta).

East Bengal: Sangram Mukherjee, Chanchal Bhattacharya, Jackson Agaypong (capt), Anit Ghosh, Ratan Singh, Amitava Ghosh, Tushar Rakshit (Carlton Chapman), Saroj Das (Raman Vijayan), Dipankar Roy, C.A. Kennedy and S K Sanjib.

Malleswari loses out on bodyweight

ATHENS, Nov 24 (AP) — India’s Karnam Malleswari lost out on bodyweight to finish without medals in the women’s 63-kg category at the World Weightlifting Championships here.

Malleswari, a former world champion, lifted 127.5 kg in the clean-and-jerk, matching the lift of eventual bronze medallist Ioanna Chatzioannou of Greece, but finished fifth on bodyweight behind Valentina Popova of Russia yesterday.

Malleswari lifted 102.5 kg in snatch for a total lift of 230 kg, 2.5 kg less than overall bronze medal winner Popova.

Malleswari’s snatch effort was 2.5 kg below Chinese bronze medallist Xiong Meiyin’s lift of 105 kg. After hoisting 102.5 kg in her first attempt, the 24-year-old failed with 107.5 kg in the second and third attempts.

Mongia skipper for Abu Dhabi tourney

MUMBAI, Nov 24 (PTI) — Seasoned wicket-keeper Nayan Mongia, ignored for the tour of Australia, was today named to lead the country’s third-string India “A” (1) in the three-match series at Abu Dhabi from November 30 to December 2.

The full squad is: Nayan Mongia (capt. Baroda), Gyanendra Pandey (UP, vice-capt), R.R. Parida (Orissa), Rohan Gavaskar, Nikhil Haldipur (both Bengal), A. Vijay (Karnataka), Pritam Gandhe (Vidarbha), Shib Sunder Das (Orissa), Abbas Ali (MP), Vinod Kambli (Mumbai), Connor Williams (Baroda), Sarandeep Singh (Punjab), Zaheer Khan (Baroda), Sanjay Bangar (Railways) and Sachin Nair (Maharashtra).

The schedule: (Nov 30: India “A” (1) v Sri Lanka “A”; Dec 1: Pakistan “A” v Sri Lanka “A”; Dec 2: India “A” (1) v Pakistan “A”.

3 shooting gold for Anjali

NEW DELHI, Nov 24 (PTI) — Anjali Vedpathak of India won three gold medals to lead a fine performance by Indians in the Commonwealth Shooting Championships at Auckland.

Vedpathak of the CISF won the gold in the individual air rifle by notching up an excellent 398 out of 400 points. She then bagged the air rifle pairs gold along with Suma Dixit by scoring 789 out of 800, a CISF release said here today.

Vedpathak claimed gold in the sport rifle three-positions as well by shooting an aggregate of 670.98 — 571 in the qualifying and 99.8 in the final round.

Suma Dixit won the silver in the three-positions event by aggregating 665.2 (573 and 92.2), while Kuheli Gangulee won the bronze with an aggregate of 664.5 (571 and 93.5).

Gangulee also won the silver in the sport rifle prone by shooting 592 out of 600.

Shilpi Singh, also of the CISF, won a bronze in air pistol by notching up 377 out of 400 points.

Parminder sets mark
From Our Sports Reporter

LUDHIANA, Nov 24 — Parminder Singh, a student of the local GGN Khalsa College, clocked 38.44 secs to better the previous meet record of 40.09 secs in the 500 m individual time tiral event (u-16) of the 18th Ludhiana District Cycling Championship for boys and girls which conducted at the Punjab Agricultural University velodrome here today.

In the girls’ section, Puneet Kaur Gill a BA (I) student of Khalsa College for Women, Civil Lines, gave a good account of herself.

In the 2-km INDL pursuit (u-18), Puneet emerged victorious with timings of 3:54.33 secs and then went on to win 1-km time trial. Mr Jaswinder Singh Toor, Joint Director, Sports and Cultural Activities, PAU, gave away prizes to the winners. A record number of 60 participants took part in this championship.

Results:- 500 m INDL time trial (boys u-14) 1 Ravi Inder Singh 45.89 secs, 2 Amritpal Singh 47.40, 3 Jeewanreet Singh 48.10.

500 m INDL time trial (girls u-14): 1 Nimrata Singhahluwalia 58.76 secs, 2 Ramandeep Kaur 1:00 21, 3 Sanamdeep Kaur 1:03.80.

500 m INDL time trial boys (u-16): 1 Parminder Singh 38.44 secs, 2 Ravi Inder Singh 44.82, 3 Harpreet Singh 47.09.

500 m INDL time trial (girls u-16): 1 Nimrata Singh Ahluwalia 56.84 sec, 2 Ramandeep Kaur 1:03.30, 3 Sanamdeep Kaur 1.06.37.

1 km boys (u-18): 1 Harpreet Singh 1.38.50 secs, 2 Ishwarpaul Singh 1.42.90 3 Manmeet Singh Saini 1.54.00.

1 km time trial (men) 1 Paramvir Singh 1.20.95 secs, 2 Kulbir Singh Gill 1.23.30, 3 Jatinder Kaur 1.26.27.

1 km INDL pursuit (boys u-14): 1 Harsimran Singh 1.36.06 secs 2 Jasjeet Singh 1.38.42, 3 Jeewanreet Singh 1.39.76.

1 km INDL pursuit (boys u-12): Varinder Singh 1.44.90 secs 2 Satvir Singh 1.45.74, Gurjeet Singh 2.04.60.

1 km INDL pursuit (boys u-16): 1 Amritpal Singh 1.38.97 secs 2 Sukhjeet Singh 1.44.17, 3 Vikramjeet Singh 1.50.50.

2 km INDL pursuit (girls u-18) 1 Puneet Kaur 3.54.33 sec, 2 Jasreen Kaur 4.13.50, 3 Meera Shukla 5.02.30.

2 km INDL pursuit (women):- 1 Tanu Shukla 3.58.85, 2 Jasdeep Kaur 4.13.65, 3 Charan Preet Kaur 4.43.20.

3 km team pursuit: 1 GGN Khalsa College 4.21.13 secs, PAU 4.44.51.

1km massed start (men): 1 Jatinder Singh (PAU), 2 Sukhjeet Singh (PAU), 3 Manmeet Singh Saini (GN Public School).

1 km time trial (girls u-18:1 Sukhjeet Kaur 1.49.56 secs, 2 Neeraj Garcha 1.56.73, 3 Paramjeet 1.58.05.

1 km time trial (women):- 1 Puneet Kaur, 2 Charanpreet Kaur 3 Inderjeet Kaur.

Massed start (girls u-16): Manjot Sandhu (DAV Public School).

500 m INDL-time trial (boys u-12): 1 Satvir Singh 53.60 secs, 2 Ramandeep Singh 59.80.

500 m INDL time trial (u-10) 1 Jaspreet Singh 1.06.01, 2 Jatinder Pal Singh 1-10.87, 3 Manmohan Singh 1.11.99.

IT & Central Excise meet results

Chandigarh, Nov 24 (BOSR) — The 32nd Central Sub Zonal Sports Meet was held today at Sports complex, sector 7, where employees for Income Tax and Customs and Central Excise drawn from Punjab, Haryana , HP and Chandigarh took part .

Earlier in the morning, Mr K.L. Verma member, Central Board of Excise & Customs, inaugurated the meet. While Ms Surinder Pal Kaur, Chief Commissioner, Income Tax NW Region presided over the function. The Governor, Punjab, Lt Gen. ( retd) BKN Chhibber gave away prizes.

Nearly 150 employees showed their prowess in various games .

Results: 100 M Men: Anil 1, Sanjeev 2. Discuss throw: K.P.S. Brar 1, B.K. Kalia 2. Shot put: K.P.S. Brar 1, Virat 2.Shot put (Above 40) Virat 1, K.K. Jund 2.Above 50 yrs: B.M. Singh 1, Gurdial Singh 2.

10000 m men: D.C. Gupta 1.1500 mtr men: Anuj Garg 1, Kamlesh 2.

1500 m (above 50 yrs): Jagjit Singh 1. Above 40 yrs: M.S. Khan 1, Kashmira 2.

Women: Saroj Deswal 1.

Javelin throw: men: A.P. Rajpoot 1, B.K. Kalia 2, Virat 3. Shot Put (women);

Geeta Sharma 1, Anju Sharma 2. Discuss throw (Women): Geeta Sharma 1, Anju Sharma 2.

200 m (Men) Anil 1, Nand Lal 2. Above 40 yrs: Baldev Singh 1, Jaswinder Singh 2.

Above 50 yrs: Jaghjit Singh 1, Major Singh 2.Women: Surinder Kaur 1, Geeta Sharma 2, Vandana 3. Above 45 yrs: Kuljit Kaur 1.

Javelin throw (Women): Geeta Sharma 1, Anju 2.

High Jump; Kanwar Vinod 1, Nand Lal 2.

Above 40 yrs: K.S. Kataria 1.

Lawn tennis: S.K. Mittal 1. Doubles: S.K. Mittal & partner 1, K.K. Jund & partner 2.

Veteran doubles: S.K. Mittal & Partner 1,K.K. Jindal & partner 2.veteran singles: S.K. Mittal 1. Long jump : Women (45 plus): Kuljeet Kaur 1. Women: Geeta Sharma 1.

Men: Mohan Lal 1, Major Singh 2. Above 40 yrs: Jaswinder Singh 1, Jaspal Singh 2.

Open: Ranjeet Singh 1,Kanwar Vinod 2.

400 Mtr Women: Surinder Kaur 1, Anju 2. Men; Below 40 yrs: Anil 1, Nand Lal 2.

Above 40 yrs: Baldev Singh 1, Jaspal Singh 2. Above 50 yrs: Jagjit Singh 1.

5000 mtr walk: men (Above 40): Major Singh 1, Mohan Lal 2. Above 40 yrs: M.S . Khan 1, Darshan Singh 2.5 km walk (Women): Above 45 yrs: Kuljit Kaur 1.

Triple jump (Men): Ranjeet Singh 1, Manjeet Singh 2. 800 m Women: Saroj Deswal 1.

5 km Walk- women: Saroj Deswal 1. 100 m women: Geeta 1, Surinder Kaur 2.400 mtr Women (Relay): Pushpa Sharma 1, Surinder Kaur 2.100 mtr women (above 45 yrs): Kuljeet Kaur 1.

Hammer throw-men: Phool Raj 1, Satnam Singh 2.

Badminton : men: P.J. Singh 1, Narinder Pal 2. Doubles: Narinder & Pawan 1, P.J. Singh & Varinder 2. Women: Garima Singh 1. Doubles: Garima & Kuljeet 1.

Veteran: Sunil Behl 1, K.S. Virk 2 . Doubles: Sunil & K.L. Seth 1, Vinod & Rajesh 2. mixed doubles: Narinder & Garima 1. Veterans mixed doubles: M.S. Khan & Kuljeet Kaur 1.

100 mtr men (above 40 yrs) Baldev Singh 1. K.S. Katra 2.

Dakha college in final

LUDHIANA, Nov 24 (FOSR) — Guru Teg Bahadur National College, Dakha, defeated GGDSD College, Hariana, by 88 runs to enter final of the Punjab University “B” Division Cricket Championship at the Dakha College ground yesterday.

Put into bat first, the GTBN College, Dakha, scored 206 runs in the stipulated 45 overs. In reply, the GGDSD College were bundled out for 118 runs.

Brief Scores:

GTBN College (Dakha) 206 (Amandep 40, Sarbjot 34 Balbir 3 for 48 and Puneet 2 for 45).

GGDSD College (Hariana): 118 (Balbir 23, Sandeep 23, Rajesh 3 for 28, Krishan 2 for 25, Mohit 2 for 36).

PGA Invitation Golf on Nov 27

KAPURTHALA, Nov 24 (TNS) — Twelve clubs from all over Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh will take part in the PGA Invitation Inter-Club Tournament at Phillaur’s golf course on November 27, according to Mr S.K. Sharma, President of the Punjab Golf Association.

Talking of the future plans, Mr Sharma said it was the first time that Spice Telecom had sponsored the PGA Cup. According to him, Mr Sean Dexter, MD, Spice Telecom, has promised to promote golf in the region in a big way.

Sidhu CC win

PATIALA, Nov 24 (FOSR) — Sidhu Cricket Club defeated Punjabi University Employees Cricket Club by 55 runs to reach the next round in the first Ashwani Memorial Cricket Tournament played at the Punjabi University cricket grounds here today.

Brief Scores:

Sidhu CC: 198 for 6 in 25 overs (Amit Kakria 56 n.o. Lakhbir 35, Harpreet 3 for 35)

Punjabi University CC: 143 all out in 24 overs (Rajesh 37, Roshan 3 for 13, A. Kakria 2 for 24).

Earlier Youth Cricket Club beat Punjab Pollution Control Board Cricket Club by 4 wickets.