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| Friday, December 22, 2000, Chandigarh, India   
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India down Thailand, keep hopes alive Deodhar final ends in exciting
tie Indian eves secure ninth
place D’Souza’s appointment welcomed |
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Ramandeep refuses to question IHF decision AS Roma clash with
Juventus Ronaldo starts light
training Becker files for
divorce Punjab Police drub CISF
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India down Thailand, keep hopes alive NEW DELHI, Dec 21 — India upstaged Thailand 2-1 to keep alive their hopes in the men’s section in the fourth Asia Cup Tennis Tournament at the R.K. Khanna Stadium here today. India had to beat Thailand, after getting mauled by South Korea yesterday, to stay in contention for a berth in the final, and thanks to the fine display by Syed Fazaluddin and Mahesh Bhupathi, two-time champions India can still nurse their title hopes. But they will have to beat China tomorrow to brighten their chances. In another men’s match, South Korea blanked China 3-0 to ensure their place in the final. Even if Korea lose to Thailand in their last match in the round-robin league, the Koreans can still move into the final, while the Thais can botch up India’s hopes, if they win. Syed Fazaluddin’s energetic display was a pleasing sight for the Indian fans, as India will look towards Fazaluddin to play the lead role against China too, as Mahesh Bhupathi is out of sync with singles play, and Harsh Mankad’s performance today was not reassuring. But the good news for India is that China will be without their top player Ben-Qiang Zhu as he is out of reckoning after suffering a fracture on his hand following a fall on the court in the match against Thailand on the opening day of the tournament. Fazaluddin’s form and play was the high point of India’s victory as he beat Thai No 2 Attapol Rittiwattanapong 6-4, 6-3 in the first singles, and then teamed up with Mahesh Bhupathi to beat Supparat Chukawan and Danai Udomchoke 6-3, 6-0 to win the crucial doubles tie after Harsh Mankad was beaten in the second singles match by Danai Udomchoke 6-1, 6-3. Though the Chinese were without their top player, they still did not allow South Korea to get away with a cakewalk triumph as they put up a tough fight, before going down. No 3 seed Seung-Hun Lee beat Yu Wang in the opening singles 6-2, 6-3 while Yong-II Yoon beat Yu Zhang 6-3, 7-5 in the second singles. In the doubles, Korean top seed Hyung-Taik Lee partnered Seung-Hun Lee to beat Yu Wang and Yu Zhand 6-1, 7-6 (7-5) to make a clean sweep. Indian non-playing captain Ramesh Krishnan wisely opted to play No I seed Harsh Mankad instead of Mahesh Bhupathi in the second singles, as otherwise it would have been too much on Mahesh to play both in the singles and doubles, for he has been out of touch with singles play for the past one year, following his shoulder surgery. Though Harsh could not win his tie, the outing must have given him the confidence to taken on the Chinese, with a better frame of mind. Harsh could not play against Korea yesterday, as he was down with an upset stomach. But Fazaluddin had given India a flying start as he got back his rhythm to excel with his serve-and-volley play. His quick reflexes, and sharp volleys were met with no answer from the Thai, who simply could not come to grip with the situation for quite some time. Fazaluddin took a 3-1 lead after breaking Rittiwattanapong in the fourth game. Fazal could have consolidated his position in the eighth game but he wasted two break points to let slip the chance, and then dropped his own serve in the ninth game. He, however, broke back in the tenth game to annex the set. In the second set, it was great going for Fazal, as he surged to a 5-1 lead, but serving for the match, he suddenly started playing erratically to drop serve, and even in the ninth game, after leading by 40-30, he almost botched up his chances, but got his shot right in the second break point. Harsh Mankad got off confidently, but lost heart after he was broken, and thereafter, it was a no-go for him as Udomochoke, marched ahead. Harsh had the psychological pressure of having lost twice out of their three meetings early this year to the Thai, in the Satellite Circuit in India. Harsh tried to put up a game show in the second set, but his defence cracked in the sixth game, and after dropping serve, he just could not get back into reckoning. Udomchoke played steady tennis, with a clean serve, and a solid ground stroke to match. He was in some sort of trouble only in the fifth game when he trailed 0-30. In the doubles, Fazal and Bhupathi ensured victory by targeting the weak Supparat, whom they broke in the second and seventh games of the first set. The second game went to deuce seven times, and India wasted two break points before bagging it. Though Fazal played well, he also muffed easy volleys and returns, and one such mistake by him cost Bhupathi his serve in the eighth game, but Fazal held serve in the tenth game to settle the matter. In the first game of the second set, Bhupathi played a couple of breath-taking shots—a down the line passing shot, and a quick net volley—to break Udomchoke’s service. Thereafter, it was easy going for the Indian pair, who comfortably coasted home. Smiles were back on the faces of the Indian players’ faces, and Ramesh was happy that India won the tie to stay alive. |
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Deodhar final ends in exciting tie LUCKNOW, Dec 21 (UNI) — The Deodhar Trophy final proved to be an edge-of-the-seat thriller today with South Zone and Central Zone remaining tied at 298 and being declared joint winners. In a pulsating tie at the K.D. Singh Babu Stadium here, replying to Central Zone’s 298 for eight in 50 overs, South Zone were all out for at the same score on the last ball of their innings. Chasing the mammoth total, South Zone were off to a good start with a sparkling 93 by VVS Laxman. A flutter in the middle order reduced them to 258 for nine after 46 overs. Faced with certain defeat, the last pair of Balaji Rao and Venkatapathy Raju remained unruffled by the nerve-wrecking situation, in which 41 runs were needed off 24 balls. Displaying tremendous grit they mixed aggression with fine running between the wickets to inch towards the target. In 18 balls, they scored 30 runs and in the last over, the side needed 11 runs to win the title. The scores were tied by the fifth ball of the last over. On the last ball Raju, who was on strike, hit the ball back to bowler Mohammad Kaif and went for the all-important run, only to be caught short of the crease. Needing almost run-a-ball, South Zone openers kept up the momentum from the very beginning, putting up 51 runs in seven overs. Dodda Ganesh’s promotion to the No 3 slot was of no avail as he was out for a duck. This saw the advent of Laxman on the crease, to join Pathak and the third-wicket association between the two yielded 46 runs of 7.6 overs. Pathak missed his half-century by three runs during his 41-ball knock (seven boundaries). Tamil Nadu southpaw Sridharan Sharath joined Laxman and the two continued the tempo adding 59 runs for the fourth wicket off 11.5 overs before spinner Murali Kartik took a splendid diving catch to the see the back of Sarath (31, 42b, 1x4). Vijay Bhardwaj joined Laxman with the team still needing 142 runs off 22.3 overs. Bhardwaj’s early departure dampened the scoring as he was run out by a direct throw with the team placed at 175 for five in the 32nd over. Laxman and skipper Robin Singh continued the run hunt and the two pushed the score to 198 when Mohammad Kaif deceived Robin with a flighted delivery and had the captain stumped for 15. At this stage, the scales were tipped in favour of Central Zone as their rivals needed 101 runs off 12.5 overs with only tailenders to follow. New batsman LNP Reddy reversed the tide scoring 13 runs off the 41st over bowled by Yadav. Laxman and Reddy then took nine runs off the next over. But for Laxman’s gallant 93 (103b, 6x4), things would have been nearly impossible for South Zone and the last pair of Balaji and Raju did not let his efforts go in vain. At 254 for seven after 45 overs, the team was clearly sniffing defeat. Raju took a single off the first ball of the last over by Kaif. Nine runs were needed off the last four balls and a huge swing for six by Raju changed the arithmetic in favour of the South with three runs required off as many balls. A leg-bye on the penultimate delivery tied the scores. Earlier, Central Zone built their total around skipper Amay Khurasia’s belligerent 86 (74 balls, 7x4, 1x6). Gagan Khoda made a sedate 34 (46 balls). Mohammad Kaif and Raja Ali shared a fifth wicket stand of 69 runs off 11.4 overs. Scoreboard Central Zone: J.P. Yadav lbw b Ganesh 10, Rahul Kamat c Reddy b Kumaran 13, Gagan Khoda st Reddy b Raju 34, Amiya Khurasia c and b Bhardwaj 86, Raja Ali c Reddy b Robin Singh 41, Mohammad Kaif c Laxman b T. Kumaran 41, Ankit Srivastav run out 12, Murli Kartik c and b Ganesh 0, Devendra Bundela not out 27, Zakir Husain not out 0. Extras (b-7, lb-9, w-14, nb-4) 34 Total (for 8 wkts in 50 overs) 298 Fall of wickets: 1-23, 2-57, 3-149, 4-177, 5-246, 6-268, 7-293, 8-296. Bowling: D. Ganesh 10-0-53-2, T. Kumaran 9-0-42-2, V. Bhardwaj 6-0-42-1, R. Singh 8-0-47-1, V. Raju 9-0-52-1, B. Rao 8-0-47-0. South Zone: J. Arun Kumar c Kanwath b Zakir Hussain 21, A Pathak run out 47, D. Ganesh b Salabh 0, VVS Laxman c Khurasia b Kartik 91, S. Sarath c and b Kartik 31, Vijay Bhardwaj run out 06, Robin Singh st Ankit b Kaif 15, L.P. Reddy run out 30, T. Kumaran run out 0, Balaji Rao not out 31, V. Raju run out 10. Extras (bye 1, lb 7, w 5 n b 3) 16 Total (all out in 50 overs) 298 Bowling: Zakir Hussain 7-0-44-1, Salabh 10-0-61-1, Kartik 10-0-58-2, J.P. Yadav 8-0-58-0, R. Kanwath 10-0-38-0, M. Kaif 5-0-31-1. |
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Indian eves secure ninth place NEW DELHI, Dec 21 (PTI) — A rejuvenated India salvaged some pride by outplaying Hong Kong 73-40 to secure the ninth position in the 15th Asian Junior Women Basketball Championship here today. After a disastrous start to their campaign in the event, the Indian eves overcame minnows Sri Lanka yesterday to register their first win and continued the momentum to win the face-saving match against Hong Kong. In the decider for the fifth and sixth positions, North Korea easily overcame Thailand 78-42 to finish at the fifth place. In a cliffhanger, Malaysia, riding on its luck in the last few seconds of the game, snatched victory against Uzbekistan 49-48 to secure the seventh position. India struggled to find their feet against some stupendous display of basketball by their East-Asian neighbours. The hosts, however, can take heart in the fact that they managed to equalise their performance in the last championship where India had finished at the same position. Playing with much better coordination and a more aggressive game today, the Indian girls managed to take an early lead and eventually to take the first half 33-18. Anitha led the charge in the second half making some excellent moves to consolidate the lead. She finished as the highest scorer in the match, notching up 20 points, followed by Divya Singh (11) and Sofi Sam (10). For Hong Kong, Huang Lai Fong, contributing 12 points, was the highest scorer followed by Cheung Yuen Shan (9) and Chan Hiu Ying (8). In other matches of the day, North Korea, performing consistently throughout, again displayed an excellently coordinated game to win against Thailand 78-42. Led by Kim Mi Ok and Kim Hye Ok, both scoring 14 points each, and Jon Kum Hui (12), the North Koreans led the game 50-20 at the breather. Paphataku Pimonpan (13) and Chantop Jin Tana (7) were the main scorers for Thailand. In one of the most closely-fought matches of the championships, Malaysia managed to hang on to the wafer-thin margin of one point secured in the dying moments of the game to edge past Uzbekistan 49-48 and grab the seventh position. Kew Suik may scored 14 points for the Malaysian side while Ong Laster chipped in with 10 and Chew Yong Yong contributed 8. From Uzbekistan, Julia Kiseleva, their main shooter and at 6 ft 8 in, the tallest player in the tournament, again came in handy to score 18 points while Kristina Shatrova chipped in with 10. |
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D’Souza’s appointment welcomed LUDHIANA, Dec 21— Hockey players have hailed the appointment of Cedric D’ Souza as a coach of the Indian hockey team replacing Vasudevan Baskaran. Baljit Dhillon, an international player, who represented the country in Sydney Olympic Games, said here today that D’Souza was a right choice. He was a competent to handle the hockey team. It may be mentioned that Baljit Dhillon has been shortlisted among the seven hockey players for the hockey player of the year. Baljit Dhillon said there was no need of a foreign coach. “We should stick to sub- continent style of hockey and not follow the western pattern”, he added. South Korea was doing well by sticking to Indian style of hockey. He said that coach of South Korean team had got training from NIS Patiala under famed Balkishan. Baljit Dhillon was of the
opinion that some tactics adopted by the western players to play fast hockey should be adopted by the Indian players. He said that India had made an improvement as far as conversion of penalty corners was concerned. Under the guidance of D’ Souza, further improvement would be made, said Baljit Dhillon, who has been called to join the hockey coaching camp that will start in Patiala on January 5 under the command of D’ Souza. When asked about the Indian team’s performance in Sydney Olympics, Baljit Dhillon said all teams were almost at par. Indian team also performed well but some mistakes in crucial match proved costly. Other international hockey players and also budding hockey players have also appreciated the appointment of D’Souza as coach. D’Souza was here in connection with Ramesh Chander Memorial Tournament. He today left for Delhi following a call by the IHF. He had told The Tribune that class players could not be created in a day. He was for picking young boys for training purpose. He was also in favour of allowing players to play without any fear of punishment. Let players make mistakes and this was the only way they can learn, he had said. |
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Ramandeep refuses to question IHF decision LUDHIANA, Dec 21 — One could clearly see the pain and hurt on his face, but he will not speak about it. He is accustomed to taking adverse situations in his stride without making a fuss. Till yesterday, he was the captain of the Indian team that played in the Sydney Olympics but today he lies dumped, a part of Indian hockey’s glorious and the not-so-glorious past because he has been thrown there by the Indian Hockey Federation in a humiliating manner. The axe wielded by the IHF has not only “wounded” Ramandeep Singh but has also left many other former international hockey players shocked. But those familiar with the ways of the IHF say no player should expect anything better from this organisation. By and large, they hold the federation responsible for ‘finishing’ the game of hockey in India. Since long, the IHF has developed a habit of dishonouring star hockey players. What has happened to Ramandeep is not a novelty. Star players like Dhanraj Pillay and Mukesh among several others have been humiliated in the past. Ramandeep is an introvert, he does not shout at players while playing, a silent player. And this trait of character appears to have been labelled as a deficiency to lead the team in a spirited manner in the international arena. The IHF, which announced the new list of the Indian probables for the national hockey coaching camp at Patiala, also announced the sacking of Ramandeep along with Mohammad Riaz and the coach Vasudevan Baskaran. The IHF President, Mr K.P.S.Gill has been quoted by newspapers today saying: “we thought careers of these players are over”. Former international hockey players say politics had played its part in the sacking of Ramandeep Singh. There is a lot of politics involved in the affairs of the IHF. Only those closely associated with this game know how it all comes into play whenever vital decisions are taken by the IHF. They reveal that Ludhiana serves as the headquarters of those who contribute in a big way to IHF’s politics. In an exclusive but a brief interview, a few minutes after a convincing 5-0 win while playing for the Punjab Police team against CISF here today at the PAU grounds, Ramandeep said: “I will not question the decision of the IHF and especially the boss, Mr K.P.S. Gill, pertaining to my axing from the team”. When asked whether he had any inkling that such a decision was in the offing, Ramandeep was honest to admit that unofficially he had got a hint from a senior official but officially there had been no intimation. “It would have been better if they had intimated me officially before taking such a drastic decision”, he says politely . “I have played for the country like a solider who fights on the borders and have no regrets. Wins and defeats are a part of any player’s career. But I always tried to give my best”, he said. “Before my marriage early this month, I had informed the IHF that I would not be available to play in the national hockey tournament because of my marriage. I wanted a bit of rest and to be with my family. There were also some other family commitments,” he said. When asked whether he would try to stage a come-back, Ramandeep said all depended on his physical fitness level. He would continue to play for some more years in the national circuit and try to keep fit. But as of now he had become a family man. “The present circumstances would play a vital role to determine my future as a player. More over I was brought to the Punjab Police team by Mr M.S.Bhullar, ADGP( PAP). I hold Mr Bhullar in high esteem. I would play till he would like to see me play”, Ramandeep adds. He had a word of praise too for the IHF. “Many young players have been given chance by the IHF. They have been selected for the national camp starting on January 5. It is a good step taken by the IHF”. Baljit Dhillon, who played under Ramandeep in the Sydney Olympics, was all praise for Ramandeep as a player, captain and team-mate. “Ramandeep performed his duty on and off the hockey field at the Sydney Olympics in an excellent manner. All players had faith in him and there were no complaints against him. He took along every player in a decent manner,” said Dhillon. “I do not know anything about his dropping from the Indian team and have no knowledge about what happened at the top level”, Baljit Dhillon,who is likely to be appointed as the next captain of the Indian team, said. Upset over the sacking of Ramandeep, former international hockey player Ashok Kumar said it was most unfair to drop a player in such a manner. He had represented the country for several years and there should be some respectable way to tell him that he was no more required to do duty for the nation. Harpreet Singh, who played in the 1992 and 96 Olympics and Jagdev Singh, who played in the 1992 Olympics as a full back, says Ramandeep has the capacity, strength and stamina to serve the country at the international level for some more years. He should not have been dropped. They also objected to the way he has been shown the door. Those who have played at international level should be given warm send-offs when their services are not required by the IHF. Similar views were expressed by several other international hockey players who are here in connection with Ramesh Chander Memorial Hockey tournament underway at the PAU grounds. Almost all former international hockey players wanted to know from the IHF whether Ramandeep was solely responsible for the Indian team’s poor performance in the Sydney Olympics. Hockey is a team game and all players contribute to the team’s win or defeat. They failed to see any rationale behind Ramandeep’s sacking. |
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AS Roma clash with Juventus MILAN, Dec 21 (AFP) — Italian first division leaders AS Roma host Juventus tomorrow night in a pre-Christmas showdown that could go a long way to deciding the title. The stakes are high. Victory would see the hosts put a nine-point gap between themselves and the chasing pack although Atalanta would have the opportunity to trim that lead back to six when they entertain out-of-sorts Inter Milan the day after. Defeat would see Juventus close the gap to three and give Roma plenty of food for thought as they put their feet up during the two-week Christmas break. But — barring a 0-2 defeat at the San Siro to Inter and a 0-0 draw with a defensive-minded Perugia — Fabio Capello’s side has risen to every challenge in their 11 first division matches so far and last week’s 1-0 victory over defending champions Lazio in Roman Derby has improved morale further. Juventus are also in fine fettle and have produced some brilliant football in recent weeks since their brief panic attack after being eliminated from the Champions League. But the visitors from Turin will field a depleted defence against Roma with Uruguayan Paolo Montero and Croatian Igor Tudor both suspended and full-back Alessandro Birindelli and another central defender Ciro Ferrara doubtful through injury. That will only encourage Roma’s Argentinian striker Gabriel Batistuta, known as Bati-gol during his nine-year reign at Fiorentina but called the Lion King at Roma, and the King of the Serie A will hope to feast on depleted Zebras. Francesco Totti is expected to play despite a minor injury but Capello might play Japanese playmaker Hidetoshi Nakata in place of Marco Delvecchio. Atalanta hope to continue their unlikely challenge for the Scudetto when they host ailing Inter Milan at Bergamo. Inter President Massimo Moratti has found out the hard way that money is not everything with five-years of splashing the cash — including then world record fees on Ronaldo and then Christian Vieri — landing a solitary UEFA Cup and with the San Siro side languishing in mid-table. He has dispensed with eight coaches and there is renewed speculation that the ninth Marco Tardelli — who only took the job in October — is on borrowed time. Moratti seems intent on persuading the 1982 World Cup winning midfielder to buy Brazilian striker Romario from Rio de Janeiro outfit Vasco da Gama but Tardelli has made it clear he does not want the forward. Unlike Inter, the Florence Club, who host Verona on Saturday, are showing genuine promise after suffering the trauma of losing Batistuta and Terim is widely admired by both players and the supporters although his relationship with club President Vittorio Cecchi Gori has not been an easy one. Lazio coach Sven Goran Eriksson is in the opposite situation with club President Sergio Cragnotti — the tomato sauce baron — behind the Swede but the fans apparently keen for the Scanndinavian to depart now rather in July when he becomes the new coach to the England national team. Udinese are in the middle of a slump too after topping the table earlier in the season and will hope to put that right at home to Bologna. Brescia host Lecce while AC Milan face a tough San Siro clash against improving Perugia. Bottom-of-the-table Reggina host Vicenza while Napoli will hope to consolidate their better recent form at home to Parma. |
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Ronaldo starts light training RIO DE JANEIRO, Dec 21 (AP) — Back home, back on the pitch. Sidelined Inter Milan striker Ronaldo stepped onto the grass at a Rio De Janeiro stadium for his first light training session with a soccer ball since injuring his knee eight months ago. “I miss playing with the ball but I’m having fun with the work now. Now it’s not just the boring phase of physical therapy,” Ronaldo told reporters yesterday after running, dribbling through cones and kicking carefully for an hour at a former Flamengo training stadium in Barra beachside neighbourhood. “There have been days when I thought it would be difficult to come back and it’s very emotional to be out playing with the ball, but I have to be cautious,” said the 24-year-old Inter star, who had not kicked a ball in 252 days. The exercises are to test the extent of Ronaldo’s recovery from surgery on his right knee, which he injured in April for the second time in five months. Doctors expect a full recovery but say a further knee injury could end the player’s career. Jogging under the hot Rio sun and the eagle eye of his physical therapist Nilton Petrone, Ronaldo appeared to have no problem with his knee. He was also looking slimmer, having lost 4 kg (8.8 pounds) in the past six weeks. “We’re going month by month,” Petrone said after the session. “What’s important is he’s always moving forward.” |
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Becker files for divorce MUNICH (Germany), Dec 21 (Reuters) — Three times Wimbledon champion Boris Becker has filed for divorce from his wife Barbara, a Munich court spokesman said today. Michael Haussner said Becker had filed for divorce on Friday, the same day as his wife applied for financial support and custody of their two sons in a Miami court. Becker announced the break-up of his seven-year marriage this month to the aspiring actress and singer but said a divorce was out of the question. In her petition in Miami, 33-year-old Barbara Becker asked for exclusive use of their $ 3 million condo on Miami’s Fisher Island for her and the couple’s two children, Noah (6) and Elias (1). She did not request a divorce. Becker, also 33, blamed the break-up on the pressure of being rich and famous. |
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Punjab Police drub CISF LUDHIANA, Dec 21 — Punjab Police handed out a 4-0 drubbing to Central Industrial Security Force(CISF) on the third day of the fourth All-India Ramesh Chander Memorial Farmtrac Cup Hockey Tournament here today. Punjab Police went on the offensive from the start. Olympian, right in Baljit Singh Dhillon converted two penalty corners, before the lemon break in the seventh and 10th minutes. In the second half left out Gurmeet Singh scored through a penalty corner in their 64th minute. In the 66th minute, Gurmeet Singh struck a goal on a parallel pass by left in Daljit Singh to complete the rout. In a close match Army XI defeated Border Security Force (BSF) by 2-1. Both the teams played aggressively. Left in M.Lakra of BSF put his side ahead in the 33rd minute on a long pass received from center half Sushil Kumar. Avtar Singh of Army restored parity in the 39th minute by converting a penalty corner. In the 69th minute Avtar Singh netted a penalty corner to help his side to clinch the issue 2-1. In another match, Punjab and Sind Bank (PSB) defeated Steel Authority of India (SAIL) 2-0. PSB got as many as 15 penalty corners in the game but they could capitalise on only one. Just before the half-time, Tejvir Singh converted a penalty corner in the 35th minute. Tejvir Singh stuck a goal in the 57th minute on a long pass from center half Sandeep Singh, in counter-attack. The national hockey runners-up, Indian Railways defeated Bharat Petroleum in a close encounter. The oilmen gave a tough fight to their opponents. Vipin Fernands of BP struck a field goal in 11th minute. L. Barla of Railways equalised through a penalty stroke in the 61st minute. Brijnev Singh made the tally 2-1 in 63rd minute by a field goal. In the under-15 boys
section, the match between Ropar XI and Escorts Ramesh Chander Memorial Academy (ERCA) ended in a goalless draw. Ropar got two penalty corners while ECRMA earned six penalty corners, but both the teams failed to make use of the opportunities. |
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