 |
|
| Sunday, March 19, 2000, Chandigarh, India  
|
India keen to keep up momentum |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Malaysia, Britain qualify
for Sydney Anand holds Karpov; Kramnik beaten Charges not true, says Ranbir Frolander resets world record Yusuf Ali steals show
ICF beat Central Railway Fed Cup boxing in Chennai Judo squads
|
India keen to keep up momentum NAGPUR, March 18 — India clash with South Africa in the last inconsequential match of the five-match one-day series here tomorrow. India,having already taken 3-1 lead do not have much at stake, while the visitors are expected to go all out and keep the margin of defeat as narrow as possible. Both the teams, which arrived here in the early hours today, decided to have practice sessions only in the afternoon. India have played in seven out of the nine previous one-day internationals held at this venue and won four of these. India’s wins here have been against England (by three wickets in 1985), New Zealand (by 9 wickets in 1987), Sri Lanka (twice — by 19 runs in 1990 and by 80 runs in 1999). The hosts have also suffered three losses — by 41 runs to Pakistan in 1987, by 10 runs to the West Indies in 1987 and by 99 runs to New Zealand in 1995. The head-to-head confrontation between India and South Africa stands at 12 wins as against 21 losses for the home team out of 34 ties (one ended in no result). Teams: India (from): Saurav Ganguly (Capt), Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Mohd Azharuddin, Ajay Jadeja, Robin Singh, Sunil Joshi, Saba Karim, Anil Kumble, Ajit Agarkar, Javagal Srinath, Mohd Kaif, Nikhil Chopra and Sridharan Sriram. South Africa (from): Hansie Cronje (capt), Shaun Pollock, Herschelle Gibbs, Gary Kirsten, Jacques Kallis, Pieter Strydom, Dale Benkenstein, Lance Klusener, Mark Boucher, Nicky Boje, Derek Crookes, Steve Elworthy, Henry Williams, Mornantau Hayward and Neil McKenzie. Umpires: S.K. Bansal (Delhi) and Francis Gomes (Bengal) Third umpire: S.K.
Porelmm. |
League
nears exciting end LUDHIANA, March 18 — Mohun Bagan’s title win notwithstanding, the concluding phase of the National Football League is all set for a close finish to decide the other positions. With only eight days remaining for the gruelling league to end, the stage is set for fierce contests in the remaining two rounds. Goa’s Salgaocar Sports Club, currently placed second, Churchill Brothers, Mahindra and Mahindra, Mumbai, FC Kochin and JCT Phagwara will be fighting to finish among the top six, although East Bengal and Tollygunge, through a late resurgence, can also upset the calculations. But for teams like Border Security Force and Dempo, the battle is practically over and of the two teams, BSF still stand a chance of remaining afloat for the edition provided they win their last two matches and ITI lose both their ties. Even if ITI draw the remaining two matches, they will pip BSF for the 10th position in which case the Jalandhar outfit, along with Dempo will be out for the next edition. Hence, BSF are in a must-win situation as they gear up to face FC Kochin in the 21st and penultimate round of the league at Guru Nanak Stadium here tomorrow. FC Kochin, who still have three matches in hand, are not likely to give much room the security men. Currently placed fifth on the table with 31 points, T. K. Chathunny’s team from down south have shown remarkable resilience over the past few days. The most stunning upset was recorded by them at Thrissur on March 15, where in a home match they beat title contenders Salgaocar 2-0 to dash the hopes of the Goans. FC Kochin have so far played 19 matches, out of which they won eight, drew seven and lost four ties. The team initially put up lacklustre performances but on January 19, their fortunes witnessed a unique turnaround when they shocked Salgaocar. The late inclusion of star Liberians Eugene Gray and Issac Tondo made a big difference. Other well known faces in the team include star striker IM Vijayan, Joe Paul Ancheri and medio Tajinder Kumar, formerly of JCT. Another Liberian, Sunday Seah, who is a goalkeeper, is at times inducted into the forward line to bolster the attack. BSF, without any foreigner in their ranks, are fighting a losing battle. Being out of contention for a top position, BSF’s sole aim is to stave off relegation which looms large as the league nears its end. As on previous occasions, coach Shyam Kumar’s major worry is the attack. The team’s poor scoring rate has been the main hurdle in their progress. In 20 matches, BSF has scored only eight goals, the same number as Goa’s Dempo SC. The team did well in their last match here against Mahindras, whom they beat 2-0 to register a major upset. However, thereafter, BSF lost to East Bengal 1-3 and Mohun Bagan 0-2. The 1-0 victory against Dempo at Margao on March 4 was a great morale booster as was the goal-less draw against Tollygunge at Calcutta. Hence, FC Kochin may be in for a tough time against BSF, for whom the match is a battle for survival in the league. The kick-off is at 2.30 p.m. The following are the latest standings of the teams in the National Football League (read under teams, matches played, won, drawn, lsot, goals for, goals against, and points).
|
Malaysia, Britain qualify for Sydney OSAKA(Japan), March 18 (AFP) — Penalty corner marksmen Calum Giles of Britain and Kuhan Shanmuganathan of Malaysia earned their teams the last two qualifying spots for the Olympic field hockey here today. Giles scored two goals as Britain came good when it mattered most to down Argentina 3-1 in the crucial play-off at the Nagai hockey stadium here. Kuhan struck the match-winner seven minutes from the final whistle to lift Malaysia to a hard-fought 2-1 victory over hosts Japan. Britain and Malaysia joined Spain, South Korea, Pakistan and Poland as the qualifiers from the 12-nation tournament. Holders Holland, hosts Australia and the continental champions India, Germany, Canada and South Africa, complete the field at Sydney A seventh qualifier could also go through if the South African Olympic Committee stands by its decision not to send the men’s team to the games. If South Africa withdraw, the winner of tomorrow’s match between Japan and Argentina will get the ticket to Sydney. Pakistan and Spain, meanwhile, won psychological points ahead of the Olympics with emphatic victories in the semi-finals. Pakistan, fired by two goals in the last six minutes from substitute striker Haider Hussain, came from behind to defeat South Korea 3-1. Spain, silver-medallists at Atlanta Olympics four years ago, cruised through to the final with a 4-1 win over Poland. The Malaysians fought back from a fifth minute goal by Japan’s Daisuke Hokaze to draw level in the 28th minute as Calvin Fernandez brilliantly set up a goal for Suhaimi Ibrahim. Fernandez dribbed past the Japanese defence and, despite falling on his back, executed a reverse flick to an unmarked Suhaimi who tapped the ball in. Japan, looking to play in their first Olympics since 1968, attacked in the second-half only to see Kuhan score the match-winner against the run of play. “This was the most important goal of my career,” Kuhan said. “”Thank God, I was able to contribute to taking Malaysia into the Olympics.” The British, who appeared out of fray following their 5-2 defeat by Poland, dominated Argentina from the start after Danny Hall had scored the opening goal in the second minute. Giles made it 2-0 before half-time with a stinging shot from the top of the circle after his own penalty corner produced a goal-mouth scramble. The 27-year-old then
gave Britain a comfortable 3-0 lead early in the
second-half with a penalty corner hit, before Maximo
Pellegrino scored a consolation goal for Argentina 11
minutes from the end. |
Anand holds Karpov; Kramnik beaten MONTE CARLO, March 18 (UNI) — Indian Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand was held to two draws and a 1-1 result by former world champion Anatoly Karpov of Russia in the second round of the Amber Chess tournament here. The Indian did have chances to win the blindfold game, but the tenacious Karpov held out for a draw. In the rapid, Karpov had some advantage, which he could not convert. In 1995, the two had played the FIDE World Championships in which Anand lost to Karpov in the rapid games after the two players were level in classical games. The shock result of the day came from Boris Gelfand’s climb to the top spot which he shares with Alexi Shirov. Gelfand had a huge space advantage following a Maroczy bind. He captured Kramnik’s pawns and finally the queen and won in 60 moves to hand Kramnik his first blindfold defeat in two years. Anand used an advanced variation against Anatoly Karpov’s Caro-Kann in blindfold. It was reminiscent of the quarterfinal match in Brussels in 1991 which Anand lost narrowly. Anand did hold some gains in a rook ending but Karpov managed to wriggle out with good play and defence. The computer indicated good advantage for white, Anand, but the players agreed for a draw. In rapid, Karpov and Anand drew in 40 moves. Karpov held some advantage, but could not use it clearly and split the point after 40 moves for a 1-1 result from two games. There is a four-way tie for the second place with Anand, Kramnik, Karpov and Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria having 2.5 points each. Lautier gave up a knight for perpetual checks to hold Van Wely in 24 moves with the black pieces, Lautier lost his blindfold game. Shirov won his rapid game against Ljubojevic in just 23 moves as the later made some blunders. The rapid section provided a series of draws, with Alexi Shirov being the only exception as he beat veteran Yugoslav Ljubomir Ljubojevic but the two drew their blindfold game. In blindfold the action was more exciting. Gelfand shocked Kramnik and Loek Van Wely beat Frenchman Joel Lautier with black pieces. Results 2nd round: Rapid games: Nikolic drew Ivanchuk, Kramnik drew Gelfand, Topalov drew Piket, Karpov drew Anand, Shirov b Ljubojevic, Van Wely drew with Lautier. Blindfold games:
Ivanchuk drew Nikolic, Gelfand b Kramnik, Piket drew
Topalov, Anand drew Karpov, Ljubojevic drew Shirov,
Lautier lost Van Wely |
|
NEW DELHI, March 18 (PTI) — Ranbir Singh, administrative manager of the Indian team on the 1991-92 tour of Australia, today refuted Saurav Ganguly’s charges against him as ‘‘not true’’ and asked the current India captain to ‘‘come out with proof, if he has any’’. ‘‘I am amazed it took nearly nine years for Ganguly to dig up something which is supposed to have happened during the Indian tour to Australia in 1991-92,’’ Ranbir Singh, now secretary of the Haryana Cricket Association, said in a release faxed from Bhiwani (Haryana), referring to the left-handed batsman’s statement in BBC’s ‘‘Face to Face’’ programme broadcast today. In that programme, Ganguly said reports that he had an attitude problem during his first stint with the squad on the 1991-92 Australian tour were ‘‘all nonsense’’ and were fabricated by the then team manager. ‘‘I think they (media) had information from the manager we had on that tour....’’ the skipper added. Ranbir Singh said he had reasons to believe this was not an off the cuff remark by Ganguly as ‘‘some journalists had been asking me about it even before he came to Faridabad to play in the one-dayer on Wednesday’’. ‘‘What is intriguing is he chose to make such a statement even after knowing that the administrative manager has no say in either the team selection or the field cricket matters. These are dealt (with) by the cricket coach or cricket manager,’’ he added. Ranbir Singh said his report on the tour was placed before the cricket board and no adverse report against any player was brought to the notice of its members. ‘‘No such thing was mentioned about what Ganguly has alleged,’’ he said. He said ‘‘there is more to it than meets the eye and it is for the board President (Dr A.C. Muthiah) to investigate the matter and vindicate my honour as a senior member and former secretary of the board.’’ ‘‘If the board President is satisfied that there is even an iota of truth in what Ganguly alleged, I am prepared to quit from all positions in Indian cricket. If the board President is convinced the whole thing has been (done) with mala fide intention, then he should punish the guilty,’’ he said. Ranbir Singh expressed his ‘‘pain’’ at the language Ganguly used and the motives attributed to him. ‘‘I can only assure him that I never had any ill-will against him, either in 1991-92 when he was the baby of the Indian team or now when he is riding high as a successful captain. ‘‘He has
packed his argument on the surmise that I had something
against an official of his state association and I was
trying to take it out on him.” |
|
ATHENS, March 18 (AP) — Sweden’s Lars Frolander and Therese Alshammer set world records and easily overpowered their main British and American rivals to win the men’s 100-metre butterfly and women’s 100 metre freestyle races at the World Short Course Swimming Championships. The USA also set a world record in the men’s 800-metre freestyle relay, and Russia’s Roman Sludnov also broke one in the 100-metres breaststroke semifinals yesterday. Frolander swam the four butterfly lengths in 50.44 seconds, to handily break the 50.59 he had set in Thursday’s semifinals. Britain’s James Hickman was second in 51.53, and the Ukraine’s Denys Sylantiey was third in 51.84. In a powerful swim from start to finish, Alshammer set such a pace the American five-time Olympic gold medallist Jenny Thompson never challenged. Taking the first 50-metre nearly half a second faster than her best time, Alshammer finished the women’s 100-metre freestyle in 52.17, beating the world mark of 52.80 she set in Lisbon in December. Thompson finished in 53.14, while Slovakia’s Martina Maravcova was third in 53.88. Thompson had no problems in the 50-metre butterfly final, easily overpowering world record holder Anna-Karin Kammerling of Sweden to take the race in 26.13 for a new championship mark. Kammerling, who performed slowly in the qualifiers, was second in 26.16. Britain’s Nicole Jackson was third in 26.85. A strong American team set a world record in the men’s 800-metre freestyle with a time of seven minutes, 1.33 seconds, followed by Britain in 7:03.06 and Russia in 7:05.24. Sludnov also set record in his 100-metre breaststroke semifinal with a time of 58.51 seconds, breaking the mark of 58.79 held by Belgium’s Frederik Deburghgraeve since December 1998. Australia’s Rebecca Browne won the 200-metre breaststroke in a quick 2:23.41, while Poland’s Alicja Peczak gave her country their first silver medal with a time of 2:24.24. Another Australian Brooke Hanson, was third in 2:25.30. Chad Carvin of the USA
easily won the 400- metre freestyle in 3:41.13, ahead of
Britain’s Paul Palmer, who was second in 3:42.71.
Massimiliano Rosolino of Italy was third in 3:43.68. None
of the times came close to the 3:35.01 held by Australian
Grant Hackett, who like most of his countrymen opted out
of the short course worlds to participate in their
national championships. |
|
GURGAON, March 18 (UNI) — Mike Cunning (USA) set up yet another opportunity to win his first title on the Asian PGA tour but it was Calcutta’s Yusuf Ali who stole the limelight on the third day of the $ 300,000 Wills Indian Open golf here today. Cunning the 1997 Order of Merit winner, who is yet to win a tournament in Asia, moved to 15-under 201 after a solid round of six-under 66. Yusuf shot a five-under 67 and was tied for the second place along with overnight leader Philippine’s Flix Cases at 13-under 203. Twice Hero Honda Masters champion Jyoti Randhawa and European challenge tour player Trevor Immelman of South Africa were joint fourth at 12-under 204. Former Thai soldier Thongchai Jaidee was the day’s biggest mover as he equalled the course record of seven under 65 to be tied sixth at 11 under 205 along with Mendrik Buhrmann of Sought Africa and Gilberto Morales of Venezuela. Defending champion Arjun Atwal never recovered from a disastrous bogey-bogey start and finished the day at one-over 73 to be tied for 12th place at nine-under 207. Joining Atwal were Canadian Jim Rutledge, winner of 1995 Wills Indian Open, and India’s Vivek Bhandari, who found the best possible stage to overcome the worst form slump of his career after developing a slight fault in his swing. Yusuf, nephew of the
much respected Indian veteran basad Ali, is fast turning
out to be the surprise packet of this year’s Wills
Indian Open. |
Enqvist upsets Sampras in quarters INDIAN WELLS (California), March 18 (Reuters) — Pete Sampras lost his knack for persevering through tough three-set matches at the tennis masters series in Indian Wells when he was upset by 10th-seeded Swede Thomas Enqvist in the quarter-finals. The second-seeded Sampras, playing his third consecutive match in which he failed to win the first set, could not pull off a hat trick of come-from-behind wins and succumbed 6-3 3-6 6-3 to the talented Swede yesterday. “Especially when you’re not playing all that well, you can’t keep escaping like I have the last couple of days,” a dejected Sampras said. “I just really couldn’t seem to find my game tonight from just about every aspect,” he said. While Sampras was able to bounce back from a one-set deficit against Wayne Ferreira of South Africa in the second round and Byron Black of Zimbabwe in the third, it proved a lot tougher task with a player the likes of Enqvist, one the former world number one was not up to yesterday night. “Thomas is a top 10 player,” Sampras said. “Not to take anything away from the guys I’ve beaten, but he’s at a much higher level.” Enqvist, who will face 12th-seeded Australian Mark Philippoussis in today’s semifinals, considers his two victories in 12 meetings with Sampras to be career highlights. “When I have grandchildren I think I’m going to tell them I beat Pete Sampras and not that I was once number four in the world,” Enqvist said. “I’m very proud of that, that’s for sure.” “I’m not going to tell them I lost nine times to him,” the Swede joked. “It’s an honour to play him. Every time you go on the court to play him, you’re really pumped up.” Philippoussis earned his semifinal spot with a 7-6 (9-7) 6-4 victory over Dutchman Sjeng Schalken earlier in the day. In the other semifinal, eighth seed Nicolas Lapentti of Ecuador faces unseeded Spaniard Alex Corretja. Lapentti needed 61 minutes to post a 6-2 6-0 drubbing of Moroccan Hicham Arazi, the player who stunned top seed Andre Agassi in the first round. “I guess nobody expected the match to go that way,” Lapentti said of the lopsided affair. “Not that I didn’t have confidence in me to win, but maybe not that easy, especially after he beat Agassi earlier in the week.’’ Corretja, who spent much of last year battling a strength-sapping virus, upset Australian Open semifinalist Magnus Norman, dispatching the sixth-seeded Swede 4-6 6-2 6-2 in two hours. Sampras struggled all week with his vaunted serve, a problem that was even more evident against a player of Enqvist’s calibre. The second seed double faulted 10 times, including three in the eighth game of the first set to lose his serve. He doubled faulted twice more in the sixth game of the third set, with one again coming at break point. “I played two horrendous service games,” Sampras said. “I just kind of struggled all night.” “It’s a tough one to swallow because I felt like I was playing a little bit better in the second. The third I just kind of gave it to him a little bit,” Sampras lamented. The Wimbledon champion insisted that it was perfectly sensible to keep going for big second serves even while he was struggling with his delivery. “I feel like
I’ve got the ability to hit the best second serve in
the world, might as well use it,” he said with a
shrug. “Sometimes you miss them and tonight I missed
them.” |
Streak, Murphy put Zimbabwe on top PORT OF SPAIN, March 18 (AFP) — Six wickets in the session, three to Heath Streak, helped Zimbabwe to bowl out the West Indies on the second day of their historic first Test here yesterday. Streak had figures of four for 37 off eight overs at lunch as the West Indies, who were 79 for three overnight, declined to 164 for nine with Wavel Hinds unbeaten on 38 and Courtney Walsh not out on nought. The West Indies suffered an immediate setback when nightwatchman Curtly Ambrose edged to wicketkeeper Andy Flower, the Zimbabwe captain, playing defensively forward to Streak after three minutes of play. Streak, the Zimbabwe vice-captain, completed a successful first half-hour for his side when he gained an lbw verdict against Sherwin Campbell to leave the hosts tottering at 87 for five. A stand of 44 between left-handers Hinds and the West Indies captain Jimmy Adams lent substance to their side’s innings, but leg-spin bowler Brian Murphy captured two wickets in quick succession to leave the West Indies 136 for seven. Adams spent nearly one and a quarter hours over 17 before he was adjudged lbw to a well-pitched delivery from Murphy, who held a firm return catch to end Ridley Jacobs’ innings. Flower pressed home his
side’s advantage when he brought back Neil Johnson
and Streak just prior to the interval and was rewarded
with the wickets of Franklyn Rose, bowled, and Reon King,
lbw, to the respective seam bowlers. |
ICF beat
Central Railway JALANDHAR, March 18 — Last year’s runners up Integral Coach Factory, Chennai, overpowered Central Railway, Mumbai, by 54-10 in the inaugural match (men) of the 49th All India Inter-Railways Kabaddi Championship which commenced at Maharaja Ranjit Singh Stadium here today. In the opening match among women, holder Southern Railways, Chennai, defeated South Central Railways, Sikandrabadh, by 30-26 in a close encounter. Over 245 players from the different railways teams from the country are participating in the championship which will feature Arjuna award winner Neeta Dadwe from South Central Railways, B. Palit (Arjuna awardee) from Eastern Railways and Asiad gold medalist Sanjeev Kumar from Northern Railways. In the opening match of the men’s version, Integral Coach Factory exhibited good speed and attacking game right from the start. They continuously attacked the rival territory and earned points. J. Ganeshan and K. Natraj were the key performers from the ICF side. ICF proved much better than the Central Railways with the excellent performance. In the first match of
the women’s section holder Southern Railways,
Chennai, team exhibited brilliant game right from the
beginning. Harbir Kaur, Daviee and Mettada excelled in
the opening fight, while South Central Railway’s
resistance came from Arjuna awardee Neeta Dadwe, Savita
Sain and Geeta. The winners were trailing by two points
till the half time (8-10). In the second half Southern
Railways looked more aggressive and won the game 30-26. |
|
CHENNAI, March 18 (UNI) — Big time boxing comes to Chennai after a long time with the fifth Federation Cup Boxing Champion-ship slated here in June end or early July. Tamil Nadu State Amateur Boxing Association (TNSABA) Secretary A.K. Karunakaran told UNI that about 300 boxers from 30 teams were expected to participate in the championship, estimated to cost around Rs 10 lakh. “We are looking for sponsors, especially title sponsors and efforts are being made in this regard,” he added. He said the event would be dedicated to the memory of late Secretary H. Mohanakrishnan, who had served as the TNSABA secretary for 25 years in a row. As a mark of gratitude, the TNSABA has decided to give Rs 1 lakh to Mr Mohanakrishnan’s family in recognition of his services for the development of the sport, he added. He said for the first
time, the TNSABA would also conduct a month-long
certificate course for coaches in Chennai. Twentyfive
coaches from South India would participate in the course
to be conducted by former national coach and chief coach
of Andhra Pradesh E. Chiranjeevi. It would be held in the
last week of April. Normally these courses were held in
Patiala and Gandhinagar (Gujarat), Mr Karunakaran, who is
the coordinator for the course, said. |
Judo
squads HISAR, March 18 — National gold medalist Ashwani and Kumari Aruna, both from Hisar, will lead the boys and girls teams of Haryana, respectively, in the National Sub-Junior Judo Championship to be held at Puri in Orissa from March 28 to 31, according to Mr Sumer Singh Nandal, secretary of the Haryana State Judo Association, here today. The team members are: Boys: Munish, Surender, Sumit, Ashwani, Suchit (all from Hisar) and Sukhbir (Kaithal). Girls: Payal, Nirmala, Reena and Aruna (all from Hisar), Sakshi (Gurgaon), Pritpal (Sirsa) Laxmi (Bhiwani). Mr Shayam Lal Tyagi and
Mr Rajender Singh Bishnoi will accompany the team as
manager and coach, respectively. |
 |
| Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir | Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs | Nation | Editorial | | Business | Sport | World | Mailbag | Chandigarh Tribune | In Spotlight | 50 years of Independence | Tercentenary Celebrations | | 119 Years of Trust | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
