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| Tuesday, June 20, 2000, Chandigarh, India   
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Cronje may not take stand |
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Chaturvedi stuns Saurav Panja
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Spain, Yugoslavia scrape through BRUSSELS, Jun 19 (AFP) — Spain beat group C rivals Slovenia 2-1 and a goal from Yugoslavia’s Savo Milosevic was enough to see off Norway 1-0 as both teams served notice that they intend to reach the quarterfinals of Euro 2000 despite poor performances in their opening fixtures. But European football governing body UEFA’s threat to expel England from the tournament if there was any repetition of the violence that had marred Kevin Keegan’s side’s 1-0 victory over Germany ensured that hooliganism dominated the headlines for the second day in a row. The UEFA also strongly criticised the British Government for failing to do more to stop hooligans travelling to European football’s showcase event which is being co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands. On the field Spain had some anxious moments before beating rank outsiders Slovenia 2-1 in a match where defeat would have ensured elimination for Jose Antonio Camacho’s side, who lost 0-1 to Norway in their opening fixture. All four teams in group C still have everything to play for after Yugoslavia saw off Norway 1-0 at Liege in the other match. It was a scrappy match full of incident and bad temper but only one goal that came after eight minutes. Ljubinko Drulovic curled in a freekick and Milosevic, with his back to goal and closely marked by Dan Eggen, managed to get the faintest of touches and deflect the ball past Norway goalkeeper Thomas Myrhe. AMSTERDAM (Reuters): Spain survived a second half scare to put their Euro 2000 campaign back on track with a 2-1 win over outsiders Slovenia today. Midfielder Joseba Etxeberria scored the crucial goal for a disappointing Spanish team, beating Slovenian goalkeeper Mladen Dabanovic at his near post on the hour, just a minute after Slovenia had drawn level. Slovenian Zlatko Zahovic claimed the equaliser — his third goal of the tournament — after both he and team-mate Milan Osterc went for a cross. They appeared to impede each other but the ball bobbled past wrong-footed Spanish goalkeeper Santiago Canizares and television replays showed Zahovic had got the vital touch. The goal woke up the Spaniards, who had been cruising after Raul shot them into a fourth minute lead. The Spanish striker cracked home a half volley from 16 metres when a loose ball dropped to him. It was Raul’s 17th goal for his country and was the ideal start for Spain as they sought to make up for a disappointing 0-1 defeat by Norway in their opening group C match. Spanish coach Jose Antonio Camacho made four changes to his starting line-up following that defeat, introducing goalkeeper Canizares, defender Abelardo, midfielder Gaizka Mendieta, and Alfonso to partner Raul up front. Appearing in their first major soccer tournament, Slovenia went close to making it 2-2 in the 66th minute when the impressive Zahovic curled in a shot which Canizares did well to tip one-handed around the post. Raul was their most impressive player, and he almost scored with a left-foot volley on the stroke of halftime and then flashed a header wide early in the second half. LIEGE (DPA): Yugoslavia, revamped in defence and with a fresh attitude after their 3-3 against minnow neighbours Slovenia, outplayed a determined Norwegian side on Sunday, winning 1-0 in a Euro 2000 group C match that ended in bitterness and few handshakes. Savo Milosevic was credited with the winner — his third goal of the tournament coming already in the eighth minute as the ball slowed in at close range off a free kick, either from the striker or Norwegian defender Vegard Heggem. The win left Yugoslavia top of the group with four points, followed by Spain and Norway with three each, and Slovenia on one, with the Yugoslavs facing Spain and Norway with the easier task of Slovenia in Wednesday’s final group matches. Norwegian coach Niels-Johan Semb angrily accused the Yugoslavs of play-acting and time-wasting in the second half. “I didn’t think we played more than 15 minutes in the second half — this must be a new world record”, he said. His Yugoslav counterpart Vujadin Boskov said his team had showed their determined side. “I am very grateful to our players”, he said. “I think this match shows that they wanted to apologise for the first half against Slovenia”. However, the red card for Kezman was harsh. Midfield veteran Dragan Stojkovic led the Yugoslav surge back into expected form after their near-debacle against Slovenia. The 35-year-old Japanese J-league player inspired his side into a truly workmanlike performance. Other first-half highlights were fine saves at each end — first Tor Andre Flo testing Yugoslav keeper Ivica Kralj, then the elusive Predrag Mijatovic stretching Thomas Myhre. Stojkovic, whose passes had been a constant menace, then nearly scored an outstanding goal just before the break, his delicate lob from the right over Myhre’s — will of his line — just going wide. Scottish referee Dallas
ended up distributing six yellow cards to Yugoslav
players — plus the red card to young Kezman, who
became the second Yugoslav player to get sent off after
Sinisa Mihaijlovic in the match against Slovenia. |
Cronje may not take stand CAPE TOWN, June 19 — When the King Commission resumes its inquiry into cricket match-fixing here tomorrow, former South African cricket captain Hansie Cronje may not take the stand for cross-examination on his confession of having accepted bribes in international matches. Reports indicate that Cronje is under severe emotional pressure and is receiving counselling. Neither Cronje nor his representatives could be contacted yesterday, but fears are mounting that his legal counsel may request that he be allowed to appear before the commission later in the week. Cronje admitted at the commission last Thursday that he alone was to blame for the involvement of Indian bookmakers in South African cricket matches. He also indicated, as did his boss, the United Cricket Board Managing Director, before him, that their lives were in danger. Indications are that Cronje will face tough questioning from the counsel leading evidence at the hearing. Earlier, Sports Minister Balfour Ngconde had said that he would like to see tougher questioning of witnesses at the commission. Meanwhile, Johannesburg businessman Hamid “Banjo” Cassim, named by Cronje as the middleman who introduced him to Indian bookmaker “Sanjay”, is expected to appear before the commission. Cassim is expected to repeat his claims that he simply introduced Cronje to one of the many people who approached him to meet their sports idol, and that he did not know at the time that “Sanjay” was a bookmaker. Cronje testified that Cassim had repeatedly contacted him. Cronje’s statement
on Thursday was a total about-face from his earlier one
in which he admitted to having been “less than
honest” in initially denying allegations by the
Delhi police that he was involved in match-fixing. He
also apologised for having embarrassed his bosses at the
United Cricket Board of South Africa, who initially stood
by him in denying any such possibility. Cronje’s
change of heart was probably prompted by repeated
testimony at the commission from his former team-mates
that he had approached them with offers of bribes to
throw games. — IANS |
Move to seek Chawla’s
deportation LONDON, June 19 — India has formally launched moves to seek the deportation of Sanjeev Chawla, prime suspect in the cricket match-fixing case lodged by Delhi Police. The government move follows a request made by Delhi Police to the Ministry of External Affairs. The deportation move is being discussed with British officials in the Home Office, according to official sources here. Following the confessions by disgraced South African skipper Hansie Cronje the Indian government is well-placed to seek the deportation of Chawla. Cronje has admitted talking to Chawla on the telephone. That statement from Cronje knocked the wind out of Chawla’s denial issued through the legal firm Bindman and Partners. According to a statement earlier from Neil O’May, a partner in the solicitors firm, Chawla “vehemently and categorically denies any involvement in allegations of match-rigging.” The statement went on to say: “He denies that he has met the South African cricketer, Hansie Cronje, and denies speaking to him at any time on the telephone, as has been reported from New Delhi.” Chawla’s denial stands against the statement by Cronje and the tape-recording of a conversation by the Delhi Police. A formal request is due to be handed over shortly to the Home Office by the Indian High Commission seeking Chawla’s deportation. Home Secretary Jack Straw is expected to accept the Indian government’s request readily. Chawla has prepared to challenge the Home Secretary’s order in court. But given the circumstances of the case, a decision is expected through the courts much faster than in earlier extradition moves for Iqbal Mirchi and Nadeem who were implicated in the murder of music magnate Gulshan Kumar. An order for the deportation of Chawla would be made on two legal conditions; one, that a prima facie case exists against him that would also be a crime in Britain, and secondly that he can expect fair trial in India. Iqbal Mirchi and later Nadeem had challenged extradition on both grounds. Iqbal Mirchi won his case after the Mumbai police botched its charges against him. Nadeem lost his case at the Bow Street magistrate court but has gone in appeal. He has said the evidence against him is poor and that he cannot expect fair trial in India as a Muslim. The case against Sanjeev Chawla is vastly different, officials point out. A decision will not be dragged out as in the case of Nadeem though it still could take months, officials say. Chawla has declined to talk to the media ever since the Delhi Police named him in the case. He is not ‘in hiding’, his solicitors have said. But he is not in the open either. Chawla is now expected to come into the public eye when he goes to the Bow Street courts to challenge a deportation order. Chawla’s passport
has already been cancelled by the authorities in New
Delhi. That makes it difficult for him to travel outside
Britain while the Ministry of External Affairs launches
its deportation move against him. — India Abroad
News Service |
UEFA threat to expel England ENGLISH football has been left facing the most crucial days in its history after UEFA, the game’s European governing body, threatened the team with expulsion from Euro 2000 if its fans caused any further problems during the remainder of the tournament. The unprecedented ultimatum and the behaviour of English fans has severely embarrassed the British government which came under fire from UEFA president Lennart Johannson at the weekend for not doing enough to prevent hooligans from travelling abroad. After violence in Charleroi and Brussels, Mr Johannson said: “Fans cannot be allowed to behave like this again and create havoc. The UK Government owes it to everyone concerned to take similar steps to those taken in other countries to stop those troublesome fans from travelling abroad.” “Other governments have shown that it can be done. The UEFA executive committee called on the government of the UK and the Football Association of London to take the necessary steps to stop English hooligans from travelling abroad.’’ With fears increasing
that there could be further violence in the run-up to
Tuesday’s game against Romania, Mr Johannson warned:
“UEFA will have to determine whether the presence of
the English team in the tournament should be maintained
should there be a repetition of similar incidents. We
cannot afford a repeat of the fans’ behaviour of
recent days.” |
England take on Romania CHARLEROI (Belgium), June 19 (AFP) — England take on Romania here tomorrow knowing that a draw will see them into the quarter-finals, but that crowd trouble will see them kicked out of Euro 2000 even if they win 10-0. UEFA have made it clear they will exclude England from the tournament if the hooligan element of their supporters continues to wreak the kind of havoc witnessed here and in Brussels last weekend. That warning means that Kevin Keegan’s men are now being held to ransom by a small section of their own fans, who have become a second obstacle after Romania to their progress at this tournament. Aside from the national humiliation, exclusion would also be a devastating blow to the England players after their historic victory here on Saturday over Europe’s defending champions ended 34 years of defeats to Germany. Now Erich Ribbeck’s beaten side may yet have the last laugh if hooligans cannot be persuaded to stop the trouble. If they can, England must be favourites to take their revenge for a 1998 World Cup defeat to Romania and line up a quarter-final tie with Italy. Rocked by a 2-3 loss to Portugal after leading 2-0, Keegan’s side are now on a roll after beating their old enemies and the coach is unlikely to make sweeping changes. Of the walking wounded in the England camp, only Arsenal defender Tony Adams is unlikely to recover in time, leaving Keegan with just the recurring question of who to play on left — Dennis Wise getting the nod over Steve McManaman on Saturday. Wise’s fighting spirit was precious in the kind of physical battle which England knew they would have to endure against the Germans. But McManaman’s class might be the better choice in a skills contest with Romania, and the Real Madrid midfielder’s coolly-taken goal against Portugal will also be fresh in Keegan’s mind. Skipper Alan Shearer has rediscovered his scoring touch, Michael Owen is improving up front and David Beckham’s inspired form will also weigh heavily in England’s favour. Romania’s cause will, meanwhile, not be helped by the suspension of their only star player, creative midfielder Gheorghe Hagi. Hagi’s decision to come out of international retirement was crucial for Romania’s qualifying campaign and his absence here tomorrow after picking up a second yellow card against Portugal will clearly be a setback. Romania, suckered by an injury-time goal after holding the Portuguese to a deadlock for the first 90 minutes, also need to pick themselves up from the psychological setback of that defeat. Only a victory over England will give Romania a chance of qualifying. If Germany also beat Portugal, Romania will need a bigger winning margin than Ribbeck’s men to reach the last eight. Romania’s progress
in the tournament is no longer solely in the team’s
hands. But then, after two days of hooliganism, neither
is England’s. |
Neha beats Aeshita; Dilpreet loses CHANDIGARH, June 19 — Qualifier Aeshita Dwivedi gave a scare to seventh seed Neha Singh of Chandigarh before the latter won to enter the last sixteen in girls under-14 section of the AITA junior ranking tennis tournament. Neha won at 3-6, 7-6(6), 6-0. City lad Dilpreet Gill playing in the under-14 section almost surprised top seed Somdeep Apineni of Andhra Pradesh losing 5-7, 3-6. In another match of the day of the under-14 boys section,Vishnu Vardhan of Andhra Pradesh was stretched by Vivek Shokeen of Delhi before he won 0-6, 7-6 (6),7-5. Results (Ist round): Under 14-boys — Somdeep Apineni (AP) b Dilpreet Gill (Chd) 7-5, 6-3; Harneet Singh (Chd) b Allan Moses 6-3, 7-5; Sanam K. Singh( Chd) b Abhinav Grover (Dli) 2-6, 6-1, 6-0; Anshuman Dutta (Asm) b Bharat K. Mohan 6-4, 6-3; Yuvraj Chowdhary (Chd) b Jitender Mehlda 6-0, 6-4; S. Bose (WB) b Gurdit Singh (Chd) 6-2, 6-2; Ajay Seluraj (TN) b Anel Gladwin (Mah) 6-3, 6-2; Tushar Liberhan (Chd) b Arnav Jain 6-2, 6-2; K. Arjun Reddy b P Vivek Reddy 6-2, 7-5; Jitin Bishnoi b Izreek Singh (Chd) 6-2, 6-1; M. Vinod b L. Sanatha (TN) 6-3, 7-5; Ruplesh Roy (WB) b Raghav Nanda (Dli) 6-0, 6-1; K. Narsimhan b Abhinav Sharma 7-5, 6-3; Sumit Prakash b Krishan K Shah (Mah) 6-3, 6-1; Ardaman Sidhu (Chd) b Sidhharth 6-1, 6-1; Vishnu Vardhan (AP) b Vivek Shokeen (Dli) 7-6(6), 7-5. Girls: Sanaa Bhambri (Dli) b Kamalpreet Bhullar (Pb) 6-1, 6-1; Hirangi Mukhi b Nitisha Deodhar 6-0, 6-2; Divya Vijay (Ktk) b Amanpreet Kaur (Chd) 6-1, 6-1; Kartiki Bhai (Mah) b Neha Rana( Dli) 6-1, 6-0; Bhavani Trimurthi (Dli) b Kasturi 5-7, 6-2, 6-4; P. Megha (AP) b Isha Toor (Chd) 6-2, 6-0; Oormila Ram (AP) b Nidhi Shah(Mah) 4-6, 6-2, 6-2; Simmer Kaur (Chd) b Aastha Uppal (Dli) 6-3, 6-2; Parul Goswami (Chd) b Varsha Dutta 6-3, 6-0; Sandri Gangotri b Shilpa Dalmia 6-0, 6-0; Shubneet Sandhu b Anuradha Shankar 6-4, 6-0; Ankita Bhambri (Dli) b Shilpa Jaiswal 6-0, 6-0; Neha Singh (Chd) b Aeshita Dwivedi 3-6, 7-6(6), 6-0; K.Pooja (AP) b Spandana Paluri (AP) 2-6, 6-4, 6-2; Anjani Kant (Dli) b Harpreet Gill (MP) 6-4, 6-0. Under-16: boys: Dhrub Kumar b Jitin Bishnoi 6-2, 6-2; S. Kishori b Anup Anand 6-3, 6-2; Kshitij Dwivedi b Surya Charan 6-2, 4-6, 6-4; Indra Kumar b M.Vinod 6-1, 6-1; Chhatwinder Singh b Gurneet singh 6-2, 7-5; P. Vikas b Rewant 4-6, 6-4, 6-3; Tushar Liberhan b Narsimhan 6-3, 6-1; Anshuman b Tushar Garg 6-1, 6-4. Girls: Priyanka Parekh b
Khushleen Kaur 6-2, 6-1; Mallika Malhotra b Kasturi Verma
7-5,7-6 (7); Anjani Kant b Simmer Kaur 6-4, 3-6, 6-2;
Parul Goswami b Naina Karsolia 6-1, 6-2; Oormila Ram b
Kamalpreet 6-1, 6-2; Aeshita Dwivedi b D. Tejaswani 6-4,
6-4; Neha Singh b Shilpa Jaiswal 6-0, 6-2; K. Pooja b
Gungeet Bains 6-0, 6-0; Sanya Judge b Priya 6-4, 6-3. |
UT seeks funds from Punjab CHANDIGARH, June 19 — CHANDIGARH, June 19 — The Chandigarh Administration is seeking funds from Punjab for upgradation of the facilities to be used in the 2000 National Games, scheduled to be be held in November next. Competitions in shooting, golf, tennis and rowing are scheduled to be conducted in Chandigarh while the remaining events are scheduled to be held in various places in Punjab. The total expenditure on the games has been estimated to be Rs 40 crore. According to reports, the Chandigarh Administration is taking the stand that since the National Games have been allotted to Punjab it is logical that Punjab gives money to the Chandigarh Administration for renovation\upgradation of the venues in Chandigarh which will be used in the games. However, Punjab as well as the Punjab Olympic Association has taken the stand that since the venues in question —the Sector 10 tennis stadium, the Chandigarh Golf Club, the Patiali Rao shooting ranges and the Sukhna Lake — are all located in Chandigarh and the administrative control vests with the administration it stands to logic that the renovation of these venues should be undertaken by the Chandigarh Administration. Punjab officials are of the view that if these facilities are upgraded it will only help sportspersons in Chandigarh in the future. According to sources a number of meetings have been held between the National Games organising committee and the Chandigarh Administration to sort out the issues. The last meeting was held on Saturday last which was attended among others by Mrs Vaneeta Rai, Adviser to the Administrator, and Mr Inderjit Singh Bindra, secretary-general of the National Games organising committee. But the vexed question of who will fund the renovation of the sporting complexes in Chandigarh to the used for the National Games could not be sorted out. The only venue in Chandigarh which is not seeking any funds for renovation is the Chandigarh Golf Club. Originally, according to reports, a sum of Rs 20 lakh was sought for the renovation of the Golf Club but on reconsideration the Chandigarh Administration decided “that since the club is a self-sufficient centre there is no need to provide governmental support to the club for holding the National Games event. The administration is seeking two synthetic surface courts for the Sector 10 tennis stadium for the National Games. Although the tennis competitions are scheduled to be held during daytime (and in any case the weather in Chandigarh is very pleasant in November) it is learnt that a demand has been made for floodlighting of the centre courts (the estimated expenses on this will be Rs 10 lakh) and for providing additional accommodation for the stay of players. A sum of Rs 15 lakh has been sought for this purpose. In addition, money has been sought for a multi-gym and a stringing machine. A sum of Rs 12 lakh has been sought for upgradation of the facilities at the Lake Club, venue of the rowing events of the National Games. Interestingly, a sum of Rs 40 lakh was sought for the purchase of boats which has since been turned down by the Punjab Olympic Association. However, it is learnt that the administration has agreed to spend Rs 2 lakh for providing minimum facilities for the National Games. The largest amount has been sought for the renovation of the Patiali Rao shooting ranges — Rs 93 lakh. Officials of the Punjab Olympic Association are of the view that an expenditure of Rs 30 lakh would be enough to meet the bare necessities for the shooting competitions —Rs 15 lakh for upgradation of the existing infrastructure while the remaining amount can be used for improving the amenities. Most shooters are of the view that the Patiali Rao ranges are important because of the location and it will be worth the while if money is spent to improve it. In spite of lack of full facilities a number of important national events have been held here. And once it is improved it can host even international events. With shooters from Chandigarh making their mark not only in the national arena but also in the international arena providing them better facilities will only help them to perform even better. It remains to be seen
how the ticklish issue of funding will be sorted out
since the National Games are barely a couple of months
away. |
Chaturvedi stuns Saurav Panja NEW DELHI, June 19 — Parantap Chaturvedi defied heat and humidity to outlast the experienced Saurav Panja 6-3,0-6,6-4 in the third leg of the $ 6250 ITF Men’s Satellite Tennis Circuit at the Delhi Tennis Association court here today. Parantap played percentage tennis to virtually exhaust out Saurav Panja from the fray, though the defeat has not affected his chances of qualifying for the Masters, also to be held here, from June 26, by virtue of the six points he earned from the first two legs of the circuit. In a battle of wits, Parantap won the big points with some stunning shots, to triumph in the heat, in one hour forty minutes. In a major upset, Frenchman Gwanael Gueit, who is playing under the Indian banner, shocked fourth seed Thornadtsson Per of Sweden 6-4, 6-7 (4-7), 6-3 in one hour and 50 minutes. Gueit’s game plan seemed to conserve his energy, and the strategy he adopted was to get his serve in the bull’s eye. He smashed 14 aces and committed two double faults as he plotted his way to victory past the fourth seeded Swede. Three other seeded players moved up without much hiccup, though seventh-seeded Barry Fulcher of Britain was lucky to beat qualifier Vijendra Laad, as the Indian youngster squandered a one set and 4-3 lead to succumb at 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 in one hour and 57 minutes—the longest match of the day. Third-seeded Sandeep Kirtane scored the easiest victory when he packed off qualifier Yasser Mohammed 6-1, 6-0 in about 50 minutes while eighth-seeded Marian Leysek of Slovakia outsmarted qualifier Sanzaruz Zaman of India 6-2, 6-4 though Zaman’s double-faulting at crucial moments eventually did him in. He fired six aces, but as many double faults nullified all his good work. Vijay Kannan disposed of wild card Alok Bhide 6-3, 6-3 while qualifier Ajay Chowdepally went down tamely to Phoemphon Atabut of Thailand, who is also playing under the Indian banner, 6-2, 6-2. In another match, Rom John of the USA beat Pracharpol Khamsaman of Thailand 6-2, 7-5. In the doubles
qualifiers, Yasser Mohammed and Anjan Viplav beat
Abhishek Jagnani and Kamala Kannan 6-3, 7-6; Alok Bhide
and Vishal Punna beat Atabut and Nipen Gupta 7-5, 6-3. |
‘Nothing to do with match-fixing’ HYDERABAD, June 19 (UNI) — The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary, Mr Jayawant Lele, today said “the board had nothing to do with the ongoing match-fixing controversy following disgraced South African skipper Cronje’s revelations”. Asked if the board was
planning to institute its own enquiry into the
match-fixing scandal in the wake of Cronje’s claim
that Mohammad Azharuddin had introduced him to a bookie
during the 1996 South African tour to India, Mr Lele told
UNI on telephone from Baroda that “we have nothing
to do with match-fixing”. |
IOA
delegation to inspect venues CHANDIGARH, June 19 — Mr Suresh Kalmadi, President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) is sending a two-member delegation of the association, consisting of Dr R.L. Anand, Vice-President of the association, and Air Vice-Marshal S.M. Mayor (retd), Director, National and Asian Games of the association, to inspect the venues to be used in the 2000 National Games, scheduled to be held in the state in November next. The two IOA officials are scheduled to arrive in the state tomorrow. The two will also hold detailed discussion with senior functionaries of the Punjab Olympic Association as well as the Punjab Government before they submit a report to Mr Kalmadi. The two IOA officials
are scheduled to arrive at Jalandhar tomorrow morning and
after visiting the venues in that city they will have a
meeting with local officials. The two will then travel to
Ludhiana in the evening to inspect the facilities at
Ludhiana, which besides various competitions will also
host the opening and closing ceremonies. |
India jrs down Bangladesh SINGAPORE, June 19 (PTI) — Indian juniors passed their first big test when they downed Bangladesh by a solitary goal struck in the 50th minute to storm into the semifinals of the sub-juniors Asia Cup hockey championship here today. India’s 1-0 win after a laboured 70 minutes at the Delta Sports Complex helped them keep their favourites tag intact, but not much was lost for Bangladesh too. Bangladesh need to draw their final group match against Oman on Wednesday to make it to the last four stage. In other actions, Oman edged past Japan 3-2 in a match devoid of quality play. Easy in movement, Imtiaz Ahmed gleefully pounced on a long clearance from Tushar Khardekar and shot home with ease. In, easily, the most exciting contest of this inaugural championship, the goalkeeepers of either side had a lot of work to do with India’s Surajkanta emerging star of the day. He effected some stunning saves and kept his cool in trying situations. Amidst tremendous excitement, Bangladesh forced two penalty corners in the dying minutes. Each time used his long reach and pads to stifle the threats. For Bangladesh, Mohammad Hadayetul and Mohammad Yamin probed the Indian territory several times. India came up with sorties early on and almost forged ahead from the first of the meritorious moves. Chinnappa, left all by himself in the right flank, came up with a stinging hit after receiving the ball from Somesh just inside the circle. But it was surprisingly turned down by umpire Harminder Singh. To the credit of Bangladesh, they overcame that little hiccup and got on with the job. None exhibited that better than the three livewires of the Bangladesh attack — Mazharul Islam, Ashraful Islam and Maksud Alam. Only Tirkey saved India after Mazharul’s cross had that element of surprise to put the spoke of doubt in the Indian defence. Amarjit Singh’s assuring presence was complemented by the good work of Tomba Singh as the two took lot of load on a day when Tirkey could not afford the luxury to assist the forwards. A little circumspect by his standards, Tirkey was forced to do the work in the back in team’s interest. Despite enormous pressure, the Indians played positively right through concentrating their attack on the right flank after the change of ends. In the other match, Japan went ahead first scoring through Shiokawa, who pounced on a shortcorner rebound and struck home. It took some time for Oman to recover from the 11th minute reverse. Oman equalised off a stroke, which was awarded to the eventual winners after Japanese defender Noritaka was penalised for obstruction. Jasim was on target from the spot in the 27th minute. Abdullah from close
range pushed in to put Oman in front in the 42nd minute
and consolidation came from Amjad in the 51st. Japan
pulled one back seven minutes from end through Kubo, who
banged in a short corner. |
Anand draws against ‘Fritz’ FRANKFURT, June 19 (PTI) — Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand of India drew his second game with the computer programme ‘Fritz’ in the Man versus Machine match in the Frankfurt Classic speed chess tournament here last night. GM Alexei Shirov of Spain will play the remaining two games on June 22 and 24 against Fritz to decide the final outcome of the match which is now locked at 4-4. Despite losing the first
game, Anand appeared a confident self and opted for the
rock solid Petroff defence to counter the king pawn
opening of Fritz. |
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