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| Wednesday, July 26, 2000, Chandigarh, India   
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Johnson not to run 200m again SACRAMENTO, (California), July 25 — Michael Johnson says he’s finished with the 200 metres. The Olympic gold medallist and world record-holder at the distance won’t run that race again because of the “silly” trash-talking by Maurice Greene leading up to the 200 metres final at the US Olympic trials. Aussie board flayed
for inaction Iran juniors crush India |
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 Marion Jones calls for restoration of law and orderTHE woman most likely to be crowned Ms Olympics 2000, Marion Jones, has called for the restoration of law and order saying she was tired and disgusted with the uncivil warfare that has scarred the US Olympic trials. IOA seeks another w’lifting berth
Binny confident of juniors doing well
Punjab eves lose to Railways SA seeks Donald’s
early release Struggling Brazil face Argentina Klovans wins Biel meet, Ramesh 12th Prasad out of
race for GM norm Walsh wrecks Yorkshire
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“Sprint Queen” bids adieu NEW DELHI, July 25 (PTI, UNI) — P.T.Usha, who strode across the Asian tracks like a colossus for nearly two decades, today announced her retirement from international athletics. A nagging knee injury which has kept her out of action for the last few months and her desire to spend more time with her son prompted the 36-year-old athlete to bid farewell to the track which she dominated like no Indian before her did. “It is a painful decision but a well thought out one. Two decades is a long time and as I go, I have a bag of mixed emotions, some great moments and some bitter experiences,” Usha, better known as the “Sprint Queen”, said at a press conference here. Usha, who not only dominated the Indian athletic scenario but was a name to reckon with in the Asian circuit, said she took the decision after realising that her knee injury would keep her away from the Asain track and field meet in Jakarta in August and the ensuing Sydney Olympic Games in mid-September. “I am not fed up of sports. I am still confident of doing well. But now that my aim of participating in these two meets will remain unfulfilled, I don’t want to miss my son by putting myself in another prolonged stint of practice for 2002 Asian Games,” she said. She announced the setting up of “Usha school of athletics” in Koilandy near Kozhikode in Kerala to groom the future Indian athletes. Usha said, “Ten years ago, I announced my retirement in the aftermath of the Beijing Asian Games. I did come back a few years later to continue till now. But now time has come to say goodbye forever. It is a painful decision, but a well thought-out one. “Two decades is a long time and as I go, I have bag of mixed emotions, some great moments and bitter experiences. Through you, the media, the public has shared every moment with me and I am grateful to them for standing by me in my moments of triumph and joy as well as through sorrow and agony.” Elaborating on reasons which forced her to take the decision, Usha said having not participated in the competitive phase so far, it would be pointless to think about coming back into competition at this stage of the season. Usha, who made her first international appearance in 1980 in Pakistan, said athletics had been her life and she will continue to be associated with it in the years to come in some form or the other. She wished Indian athletics well and hoped that it will show improvement better than ever before in the years to come. About the plans to open the athletics academy, she said she had met Sports Minister Sukhbir Singh Dhindsa and Ministry of State for Finance Dhananjay Kumar to seek Central assistance for setting up the academy. Members of Parliament from Kerala V.M.Sudheeran and Mrs A.K.Premajan accompanied her to the meeting. Usha, who missed an Olympic medal by hundredth of a second in 1984 Los Angles Games, described the meetings as positive and said that the ministers promised all possible help for her athletics school. The Kerala Government has allotted 30 acres of land in Kozhikode for the academy besides extending financial assistance. She urged the Central and Kerala Government, public sector undertakings, private companies and sportspersons to come forward to help in her endeavour. |
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Johnson not to run 200m again SACRAMENTO, (California), July 25 (AP) — Michael Johnson says he’s finished with the 200 metres. The Olympic gold medallist and world record-holder at the distance won’t run that race again because of the “silly” trash-talking by Maurice Greene leading up to the 200 metres final at the US Olympic trials. “It’s a huge relief because I was sick of it (the 200),” Johnson wrote yesterday on NBC Olympics.com. “It was something that was a benefit for everyone but me. I didn’t want this, but it was something that I felt, in my position, I have to give people the chance to try to beat me.” Johnson’s coach, Clyde Hart, confirmed that Johnson is giving up the 200 metres. Hart said the 200 metres that Johnson had scheduled in Europe in August and September would have to be 400 metres - “or we won’t run them.” “It was built up too much and just built up in the wrong way,” Johnson said of his showdown with Greene. “Everyone was falling all over themselves to try to continue to build it up, and it was just something that I had no interest in being a part of, because I became so negative and not about track anymore. Johnson said that even if he had won the 200 metres at the trial on Sunday, he probably wouldn’t have defended his Olympic title at Sydney in September. He didn’t finish the race, pulling up with a severe cramp in his left hamstring before reaching the curve. Greene didn’t finish either, pulling up with about 80 metres left with a strained left hamstring. “It (the hype) got out of control because Maurice fed it, Johnson said. “He fed the out-of-control monster that it became because nobody got great sound bites from me. They got me defending myself and twisted and turned it to be trash talk and all that. “But this was started by Maurice saying last year that I was ducking him and dodging him. Then, it even furthered itself by Maurice saying, `I’ll run against him any time and anywhere,’ and then Maurice saying. `He’s not that great, he’s not that good. His 200 metres was not that great. I would have broken the 200-metre record on the same track,’ then saying, ‘The track he ran the 19.32 on was illegal ...’ “And it just went on from there and kept on and kept on.” Johnson said he had nothing to gain from competing in the 200 metres or against Greene “I knew from the very beginning that Maurice Greene was not going to be the guy that I would have to beat at the Olympic trials,” Johnson said. Johnson said he was looking forward to the Olympics because, “I think Sydney will be a lot more fun now. Not because there’s nobody in the 400 metres that can run with me. It’ll be a lot more fun because I don’t have to be in the centre of some kind of matchup or show down that turns silly.” Johnson said he would not know the extent of his injury until today or tomorrow. “It’s really sore, so it’s hard to say whether it’s a strain or some damage done to the muscle,” he said. The extent of Greene’s injury has not yet been determined either. |
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Aussie
board flayed for inaction MELBOURNE, July 25 — The telecast of an Australian
Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) current affairs programme titled ‘Fixing
Cricket’ seems to have reignited the issue of corruption in in
Australia cricket. The programme, aired on Monday night, is an attempt to minutely study the culture of betting in the Indian subcontinent. ‘Fixing Cricket’, hosted by an Australian television reporter Liz Jackson, also tries to find out the reasons behind the failure to curb corruption in international cricket by interviewing some top cricketers, bookmakers, investigators and the investigated. Australian cricket captain Steve Waugh, on the other hand, has created a sensation by expressing his suspicion in the same programme that a 1994 Singer Trophy match played in Sri Lanka between Australia and Pakistan was fixed. The Australian skipper was reacting to an allegation levelled by legendary Pakistani cricketer Imran Khan in ‘Fixing Cricket’ that there was much more to the Mark Waugh-Shane Warne story regarding taking money from an Indian bookmaker named John. Coming back to the response to ‘Fixing Cricket,’ there has been an instantaneous reaction to this hour-long television programme in Australia as viewers later swamped the ‘Fixing Cricket’ discussion forum on the ABC Four Corner’s web site. ABC reporter Liz Jackson, Indian commentator Harsha Bhogle and Australian Cricket Board’s (ACB’s) Brendan McClements were the panelists of this forum. Most of the posted messages reflected the bitter feelings of every day Australian cricket followers. Besides sympathising with those Indian government officials who are being “victimised” for doing their job, the viewers strongly criticised the ACB for its inaction in the Waugh-Warne bribery scandal, in which Steve’s twin brother Mark Waugh and Shane Warne took money from an Indian bookmaker for providing information about weather and pitch conditions, and also for their efforts to keep the lid on the whole episode. The International Cricket Council (ICC) was also handed down its share of brickbats for “doing too little, too late.” Going by the postings on ABC’s ‘Fixing Cricket’ Forum, ICC also seems to be attracting Australian cricket lovers’ ire for “not showing much of leadership.” One of the panelists, Brendan McClements, was reduced to playing the role of apologist for the ACB as he was flooded with questions criticising ACB’s functioning. McClements referred on a number of occasions to the inquiry conducted by Queen’s Council, Rob o’Regan, in January last year. Australian cricket was exonerated of any, as McClements put it, “evidence of corruption” by this inquiry. The ACB representative also ruled out handing over the matter of corruption in Australian cricket to a Royal Commission as it “would serve little if any purpose.” McClements further informed the ‘Fixing Cricket’ Forum that a Special Investigative Office has been engaged by the Australian Cricket Board. Greg Melick, a former member of Australia’s National Crime Authority, would investigate “any new credible allegations.” Answering a message on the forum, McClements wrote that the ACB would also impose a life ban on any player who is proved to be a match-fixer. Like the ACB official, Steve Waugh also seemed to be in the damage control mode. “I am as certain as I am that there’s nothing involving Australian players in bribery or match-fixing that will come out and show us in a bad light,” Australian skipper said. He, however, also revealed that something was amiss during a 1994 match against Pakistan in Sri Lanka. The match has been identified by bookmaker Saleem Pervez as fixed in the ‘Fixing Cricket’ programme. Pakistan’s batting collapsed with Waugh himself taking 3-14 from 10 overs. —
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Iran juniors crush India MUMBAI, July 25 (PTI) — Iran crushed India 108-57, after leading 49-32 at the breather, for the positional match of the Asian Basketball Championship for juniors (under-18) men at Kuala Lumpur today. India, had finished 11th in the last edition at Calcutta, and will now take on Malaysia for the 11th and 12th places tomorrow, as per information received here today. The Indian boys were outplayed in all departments of the game by the Iranians who had a clear height advantage and were faster and fitter than the Indians. Trideep Rai (19) was the top scorer for India while skipper Apoorva Sontakke and Dilip Kumar chipped in with eight points apiece. |
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Marion Jones calls for restoration of law and order THE woman most likely to be crowned Ms Olympics 2000, Marion Jones, has called for the restoration of law and order saying she was tired and disgusted with the uncivil warfare that has scarred the US Olympic trials. Jones’ patience with Michael Johnson and Maurice Greene was exhausted before their much-vaunted 200metres showdown on the track on the weekend. With an eye cast firmly towards the two men who brought fight-jive along with their spikes to the trials, Jones suggested: “No matter what, I only talk about my own race and the best thing would be for everyone to concentrate on their own race.” Johnson and Greene, of course, approached their confrontation bad-mouthing one another in the tradition of Ali and Frasier, of Tyson and anyone. For Jones, the Sacramento trials have been about more than just booking a passage to compete for five gold medals in Sydney - in the 100, 200 long jump and the 4x100 and 4x400metres relays. They have been a test of her resilience, her capacity to recover from a series of events over eight days, and the management of her time outside the arena. She has acquitted herself with aplomb. “Five golds is not just talk,” Jones said. “It’s possible. I was born with a lot of talent, but I am also a hard worker - and I love to win.” Jones’ mind is now on taking the plaudits at Sydney and she will be ready. As American Olympic historian Bill Mallon suggested tongue firmly in cheek: “A bigger story than Jones in Sydney? Only if Pamela Anderson entered cycling.” Universities to rake in accommodation dollarsUniversity residential colleges providing accommodation for the Olympics will make tens of thousands of dollars, charging at least twice the usual rate for student rooms. However, most have ignored a SOCOG directive to evict students for the period of the games, ensuring students, police officers, technical officials, journalists and volunteers would share facilities. Students pay, on average, $ 240 (Rs 6000) a week for full board. Colleges which did not sign a contract with the SOCOG will charge between $ 450 and $ 1,330 (Rs 11,250 — 33,250) per person per week for bed and breakfast. Media people staying in the Olympic media village were paying up to $ 1,085 (Rs 27,125) a week per person for twin rooms and $ 1,645 (Rs 41,125) a week for single rooms. Students have been forced to sign contracts saying they would vacate rooms if needed during the games. Macquarie University’s main campus is the closest to the Olympic site at Homebush. It has contracts with the SOCOG and the Canadian Olympic Association, and will let 850 rooms to 1,125 people. The principal of Sydney University’s Sancta Sophia College, said every student had been told that no accommodation would be available during the games. Hotels unprepared for games Less than two months before the games are to begin, about four in five hotel workers believe their hotels are not prepared for the Olympics, a survey has found. Of 3,000 people surveyed, 75 per cent said their management had made no specific preparations for the Olympics, while 7.5 per cent said preparations had been actually been bad. Only 12 per cent said their managers had prepared their businesses well for the games. A spokeswoman for the Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union said the survey — undertaken by the union — had produced disappointing results. “Hotel workers want their employers to talk to them right now about their preparation for the Olympics,” the Union said. “If our top-class Sydney hotels don’t start taking their employees into their confidence soon then morale will completely collapse at a crucial time.” The survey comes amid a union campaign for wage increases in some of Sydney’s premier hotels over the Olympic period which reflect the rise in room charges. The union is held its annual industry-wide meeting over the weekend to discuss Olympic rises and related issues. A spokesman for the union said one matter under discussion would be transport arrangements for late night workers, who might have difficulty getting taxis during the games. Hotel owners do not believe workers were entitled to bonuses during a boom period, just as they were not paid less during slower times. Tension hits Aussie swim team Australian national swimming coach Don Talbot has triggered an out-of-pool brawl with his latest stinging broadside at his star swimmers — accusing them of suffering from “injury imaginitis”. With Olympic Games contenders Kieren Perkins (rib injury), Daniel Kowalski (shoulder inflammation) and Giaan Rooney (rib stress fracture) injured in the past week, Talbot attacked what he perceived to be the mental softness of some of his stars. It follows infamous Talbot attacks on some of Australia’s most successful swimmers — mostly female — including Susie O’Neill and Samantha Riley. His comments have caused behind-the-scenes tension within the Olympic swimming team, which was in Brisbane this weekend for a grand prix meeting. While current Australian swimmers were not prepared to speak on the record about their head coach, former champion swimmers were quick to return fire. Former Olympic freestyle gold medallist Duncan Armstrong said rival nations would be “licking their lips” thinking the Australians were cracking under pressure, and called on Talbot to show compassion for his swimmers. “This is the last thing Australian swimming needs right now,” Armstrong said. “This team has more pressure on it, because of their brilliant trial form and the fact that the games are in Sydney, than any other team in our history. Swimming legend Dawn Fraser said she found it difficult to believe that team members would “make excuses, especially eight weeks out from the games”. “In this case I’d have to believe what the swimmers have to say,” she said. Talbot remained unapologetic about his outburst. “I call it the way I see it,” he said yesterday. —
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IOA seeks another w’lifting berth NEW DELHI, July 25 —The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has written to the International Weightlifting Federation to grant another “invitation” Olympic berth for the Indian women weightlifters, taking into consideration their medal prospects in the Olympic Games in Sydney in September. The IOA is learnt to have made this additional request in a letter written to the world body last week, as it has been caught in a piquant situation as to whom to drop from the three Olympic aspirants currently attending the national camp in Patiala, and who are all considered to be “medal prospects”. Karnam Malleswari, Kunjarani Devi and Sanamacha Chanu are in the running for the two Olympic berths for women allotted to India, and the IOA’s calculations are that all three are capable of winning at least a bronze each. India earned one berth due to the excellent performance of Sanamacha Chanu at the Asian Championships in Osaka (Japan) in April this year, while another slot was allotted to India following a written request made by IOA secretary-general Randhir Singh to Dr Tamas Ajan, general secretary of the International Weightlifting Federation. The request for the third slot has been necessitated because of the Hobson’s choice the IOA is facing in dropping one of the women lifters. The men’s choice has more less been settled as Dalbir Singh in the 100kg plus category has emerged as a clear favourite over A Muthu. The IOA and the SAI felt that it was better to field Dalbir Singh, who had been selected for the Arjuna Award this year, as he has been practising very hard whereas Muthu has been in and out of the national camp ever since he won the Arjuna Award last year, due to the illness of his father. Muthu has reportedly missed the national camp for seven months in all, and the authorities feel that he had not gained his peak form for the Olympic competition. Since India do not expect any medal from men’s lifting, officials here feel it would make no difference whether Dalbir or Muthu contested in the Olympics. Hence, the choice has been narrowed down to Dalbir, though an official announcement will be made only by the middle of next month. But the women’s case is a different issue. According to a source, China, Chinese Taipei and Bulgaria would be strong contenders for the women’s lifting honours at Sydney, being introduced to Olympics for the first time. Though seven lifters each from China and Chinese Taipei have qualified for the Olympics, they will be allowed to field only four lifters each. Bulgaria would be the other strong contenders for medals. In the 48kg category, China seem to have an edge, though Kunjarani Devi has an outside chance of winning a bronze as Chinese Taipei and Bulgaria are not very strong in this weight category. In the 53kg category, China are comparatively weak, and Chinese Taipei and Bulgaria may
vie for the first two positions, but Sanamacha Chanu, whose latest world ranking in this weight category has jumped to the second place, stands an excellent chance of winning the bronze. In Malleswari’s case, if she competes in her favourite 63kg category, the calculation is that she can win a bronze, if not the silver. But at present, Malleswari is overweight for this weight class, and if she fails to shed the excess kilos within the next fortnight, she would be forced to compete either in the 64kg or 67kg category, in which case she would be facing tough competitions from the other three countries. But in any case, Malleswari cannot be written off because of her experience and loads of talent. So the IOA and the SAI are carefully treading their moves, and fervently hope that the international body grants India a third slot, so that it is spared of the difficult choice of dropping one of the three women lifters. |
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Binny confident of juniors doing well MUMBAI, July 25 (PTI) — Indian under-15 cricket team coach Roger Binny today expressed his confidence his team would do well in the Cost Cutter World Cup to be held in England from July 30 to August 9. “My boys are looking good, especially after winning the Asia Cup this month. Once they get acclamatised to the English weather, I am sure they will do well,” Binny told PTI from his hotel room here before the departure of the 15-member team for England. “Our main aim is to get to the semifinals first. We have England, the West Indies and Holland in our group. I think it should not be a very difficult task for us to make it to the last four stage and from then on we will have to play really well to win the cup”, he added. Binny felt the Pakistanis, who had lost twice to India in the Asia Cup recently, and the South Africans would be the teams to beat. “Pakistanis will be there with a new look team and it is always a tough task to beat them while the South Africans give a lot of importance to their junior teams and are natural athletes and beating either of them would give us a boost,” he said. Binny singled out opening batsmen Palash Jyotidas of Assam, who got two centuries in the Asia Cup, A.T.Rayudu of Hyderabad, Guwahati-based new ball bowler Mrigen Talukdar, Delhi’s middle-order batsman Sushil Kumar and Hyderabad’s wicketkeeper-batsman Abhinav Kumar for special praise. “Jyotidas and Rayudu are a very promising opening pair with lot of talent. The two Kumars — Sushil and Abhinav — are very hard hitting batsmen for their age and Talukdar, shaping into a fine all-rounder, is a bright prospect for the future”, the former all-rounder said. The team: Subhash Dixit (capt), K Vasudev Das, Ashraf Ali, Mrigen Talukdar, A.T.Rayudu, Swapnaj Thakur, Palash Jyotidas, Sushil Kumar, Nikhil Rathod, Rajesh Banik, Abhinav Kumar (wicketkeeper), Irfan Pathan, P.A.V.N.Raju and Tushar Saha. Coach: Roger Binny, Manager: Prof. R.S.Shetty. |
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Punjab eves lose to Railways VISAKHAPATNAM, July 25 (UNI) — Defending champions Indian Railways (women) opened their account defeating Punjab 80-23 on the inaugural day of the six-day 17th Federation Cup Basketball Championship for men and women at Rajiv Gandhi port indoor stadium here today. In a one-sided match, the winners led 46-13 at half time. The Railways team, in a dominated position since start of the game, earned the points quickly in both the sessions. For Indian Railways, captain Meenalatha scored 17 points, followed by Arnika Gujar (13), Philomina Joseph (11), A. Padmaja (6) and Ranjini Jose and Poonam (5). In another encounter, hosts Andhra Pradesh had an easy win over Tamil Nadu (69-49). The winners led 36-22 at the half time. Tamil Nadu captain Sisily secured 18 points followed by Sofi Saf with 16 and A. Alamelu netted 14 points. For winners, N. Shyamala scored 22 points followed by N. Vinaya with 10 points and N.S.P. Kaushika with eight points. In another match, title aspirants Kerala (women) defeated Maharashtra 66-43. At half-time, the winners were leading by 34-20. In the second half, though Maharashtra secured points in quick succession, but they could not prevail over Kerala. The Kerala girls had the game under control eight minutes before close of the match and secured easily to win. For winners, followed by Ambily Thomas scored 11 points followed by Sandhya with 14, Ligi George with 10 and Binu Cherian with eight points while captain Manisha Kaprekar and Poonam Holkar scored seven. |
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SA seeks Donald’s early release JOHANNESBURG, July 25 (AFP) — South Africa’s cricket board has asked Warwickshire to release “inspiring” bowler Allan Donald so that he can join the troubled Proteas in Australia next month, officials said.
The 33-year-old strike bowler is contractually bound to the English county side until of the end of September, United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCB) Managing Director Ali Bacher said yesterday. Donald is keen to join his compatriots in Australia for the second half of the six-match series of one-day internationals against Australia, Bacher said. South Africa lead the series 2-1 after playing the first three matches at home in April. “So basically it’s up to Warwickshire, and I must stress they have been warm to our cause, but as yet we have not had any final decision from them,” Bacher said. “The ball is firmly in their court.” UCB spokeswoman Bronwyn Wilkinson added: “With everything that has happened in South African cricket, Ali felt we need Allan at the moment as a senior member of the squad. He’s an inspiring member of the squad,” she told AFP. South African cricket is still coming to terms with the admission by former captain Hansie Cronje in April that he had accepted money form gamblers and bookmakers. The popular Cronje was immediately fired. The team, now under the captaincy of 26-year-old Shaun Pollock, is touring Sri Lanka before travelling to Australia. It was defeated Sunday by an innings and 15 runs with a day to spare to the first Test in
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Struggling Brazil face Argentina SAO PAULO, July 25 (AFP) — A wounded Brazil have to pull themselves up by their bootstraps here tomorrow when the four-times world champions face in-form Argentina in a crucial World Cup 2002 qualifier. The current fortunes of the two bitter rivals and neighbours could hardly stand in starker contrast as Argentina have romped to the head of the South American qualifying group with five wins from five outings while the Brazilians have won two, drawn two and lost one — in Paraguay a week ago. That defeat in Asuncion, only the Brazilians’ second World Cup qualifying loss in history — the other coming in 1993 at La Paz when they lost 0-2 to Bolivia — sparked a storm among fans of the ‘auriverde’. Not a day has passed since without loud calls for the head of coach Wanderley Luxemburgo. Among fans of the ‘auriverde’ almost two thirds of supporters believed Luxemburgo was failing to get the best out of his players and none other than Pele entered the fray at the weekend to chastise the coach for not keeping a settled side. The players have tried to close their ears to the growing criticism of the side at their Foz do Iguacu base in the southern state of Parana bordering Argentina and Paraguay. Full back Antonio Carlos earlier blasted the ‘‘lack of character’’ in the squad — but his observation has only served to stir up a hornets’ nest with striker Emerson hitting back and insisting that ‘‘everyone in the group has plenty of character. All this business is just a lot of nonsense.’’ Luxemburgo has imposed a virtual curfew on the players to ensure they do not stray too far from the hotel in order to avoid any potential confrontations with angry fans, some of whom are voicing support for Luiz Felipe Scolari, former coach of Palmeiras, to replace him.Scolari currently coaches Cruzeiro. Luxemburgo has already had several pep talks with the players — and also stripped Cafu of the captaincy for leaving the group last week. The wing back was suspended in any case for the Argentina match after his sending off against Paraguay. Antonio Carlos could now take the skipper’s armband for a match which is likely to make or break Luxemburgo, although the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) President Ricardo Teixeira insists he will not be fired. Luxemburgo claims the team will come good but has demanded a huge improvement on last week’s showing. ‘‘Each player has to be aware that when he pulls on the national jersey its a matter for pride and honour. ‘‘The qualifiers are a war and from now on each match takes on the importance of a World Cup final,’’ he said. Luxemburgo would not be drawn on what his line-up would be on Monday. ‘‘I will reveal the line-up in the dressing room before the Argentina match,” he insisted after training. Sunday had seen a first team selection beat the ‘reserves’ 4-1 with Barcelona star Rivaldo playing in attack alongside rising star Ronaldinho Gaucho, with Alex bossing the midfield. The pattern worked well with Rivaldo scoring all four goals. At the back Luxemburgo is set to draft Evanilson in place of Cafu. Borussia Dortmund’s Evanilson will have his hands full, however, with Claudio Lopez and Hernan Crespo leading the line for the visitors, who have nonetheless lost star striker Gabriel Batistuta to a leg injury. The skilful, if temperamental, Ariel Ortega is set to play just behind the front two. Marcelo Bielsa’s Argentines, who are sitting pretty with a five-point lead over Uruguay and seven points ahead of Brazil, have been preparing at their hideaway at Ezeiza, 30km outside Buenos Aires and defender Roberto Sensini has made the obligatory noises about not getting complacent. ‘‘It will not be easy for us because they are down and will be looking to give everything in order to bounce back. The match has the potential to be a classic.’’ Striker Christian Gonzalez echoed those sentiments, telling reporters: ‘‘Don’t forget it’s Brazil, even if we’re on a hot streak of form.’’ |
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Klovans wins Biel meet, Ramesh 12th BIEL (Switzerland), July 25 (PTI) — Veteran grandmaster Klovans won the Biel Rapid Chess Tournament with nine points out of 11 while India’s international master R B Ramesh finished 12th with 7.5 points after winning the final round against IM Ladenburge. Among the other Indians in the fray, young Kidambi came back in the later rounds to score seven points and finish 23rd and IM elect T S Ravi finished 25th with 6.5 points. IM Saravanan got 6.5 points and finished 32nd while IM Konguvel got six points and finished 36th in the final standings. GM Tukmakov who had a clearly inferior position against IM Pawel Jaracz in the final round turned the tables in his favour in mutual time pressure to finish fourth. Earlier Ramesh had drawn with GM Rashkovsky in the seventh round with black pieces. Ramesh equalised from Trompowsky variation and the players castled on the opposite wings. Ramesh won a pawn and in time pressure misplayed the winning ending to draw the game. Ramesh drew with GM Campora in the eighth round. |
Prasad out of race for GM norm HYDERABAD, July 25 (UNI) — Kazakhstan’s super
grandmaster Evegeny Vladimirov continued his winning march and
stretched his lead with seven points at the end of round 10 of the
Wipro Grandmasters International Chess Championship at Hotel Taj
Residency.
Vladimirov won a fierce battle against GM-norm holder D.V. Prasad after 50 moves. With this loss, Prasad is out of the race for the GM-norm. GM K. Sasikiran overcame a great attack of Ganguly in 38 moves and moved to the second slot with 5.5 points followed by Wipro’s Harikrishna, GM Alexander Fominyh, both having five points each. Sorokin and Prasad are next in order with 4.5 points each. Vladimirov-Prasad’s game in the Bogo Indian defence obtained a minute advantage when he got queenside pawn majority. Exerting pressure on ‘C’ file, Vladimirov got the upperhand. But Prasad played a few fine defensive moves and obtained equality by exchanging pieces at frequent intervals. However, Prasad fumbled on the 38th move and lost a pawn. Fominyh-Kunte’s game in the Queen’s Indian defence, was also a fine end game tussle.
Walsh wrecks Yorkshire LEEDS, July 25 (AFP) — Yorkshire became the latest team to suffer at the hands of Courtney Walsh as the star West Indian bowler took five wickets for 19 runs in 16 high class overs on the first day of the Vodafone Challenge match here at Headingley yesterday.
Walsh, preparing for the third Test at old trafford in which he aims to improve on his present world-record tally of 467 wickets, was virtually unplayable with the new ball and returned to claim the last three Yorkshire wickets in the space of five balls. |
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