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Argentina down feisty Ivory Coast
Of tall and short
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Japan look to win free kicks
Mexican forward Omar Bravo celebrates after scoring the first goal against Iran during their Group D match in Nuremberg on Sunday. — AFP
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Sweden held
Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates after winning a point during the French Open final in Paris on Sunday. — AFP
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Spanish Renault driver Fernando Alonso holds his trophy after winning the British Grand Prix at Silverstone on Sunday. — AFP
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Randhawa flays exclusion from Ranjit Singh Awards
Gowda wins discus gold
Punjab to get 79 new sports coaches
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Argentina down feisty Ivory Coast
Hamburg, June 11 Hernan Crespo, who scored Argentina’s last goal of the Asia finals in 2002, got them off the mark with their first of the tournament and his second in World Cups in the 24th minute. Several players went up for Juan Roman Riquelme’s free kick from the left and the ball fell free in the middle where Crespo used his goal poacher’s instincts to poke it home. Riquelme’s superb ball through the centre of the Ivorian defence seven minutes from halftime was brilliantly steered home by Javier Saviola for Argentina’s second, justifying coach Jose Pekerman’s choice to field the pair up front. But striker Didier Drogba gave the Ivory Coast a reward for their efforts when he pulled a goal back in the 82nd minute by turning to tuck home a low cross from the left by Aruna Dindane. Twice former world champions Argentina could have gone ahead after 15 minutes but a Roberto Ayala header, which TV replays showed may have crossed the line, was not given as a goal. Ayala rose above the defence to meet Riquelme’s corner from the right and Jean Jacques Tizie fumbled his bullet header, which hit the post before he caught it possibly behind the line. Argentina, often in serious trouble from the fast Ivorian breaks, were indebted to Ayala, a veteran of the 1998 tournament who was sorely missed in Japan four years ago because of injury, for some superb defending. With inexperienced right back Nicolas Burdisso struggling, Ayala came to Argentina’s rescue several times, not least when he blocked Drogba’s close-range shot from the left. Midfielder Kader Keita had Ivory Coast’s best chance of the first half. Drogba, on the right, headed down Kanga Akale’s left wing cross and Keita dived to head from close range only for goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri to save with his legs. Argentina looked frail at corners where the Ivorian attackers towered over their smaller defenders but the South Americans profited from Ivory Coast’s poor defending at set pieces to break the deadlock. Early in the second half, a free kick from the left by Riqeulme skimmed the far post without anyone making contact in the box. To the beat of drums from their fans and with idol Diego Maradona watching in the stands, Argentina later seemed to prefer settling into a pattern of defending in depth as Ivory Coast sought to get back into the game. The danger was always latent from coach Henri Michel’s team but substitute Bakary Kone blasted a chance over and then Drogba turned the ball wide of the post after a free kick before he netted to give the score the respectability it deserved.
— Reuters
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Italy want to start strong
Duisberg, June 11 Forget about the other Group E games against the United States and the Czech Republic, he kept saying. The most important thing is to start strong. "The first game is the most important one. It determines how you approach the second game and then that game determines the approach for the third," Lippi has said over and over again in a sort of mantra since the draw came out in December. With investigations into a massive corruption scandal ongoing in Italy and some major lineup questions, it will be interesting to see if the Azzurri maintain their focus for tomorrow's match in Hanover. Ghana boasts a roster with several players from Europe's top leagues and will be making its World Cup debut. "The pressure is on them. We have nothing to lose," striker Matthew Amoah said. Amoah, who plays for Borussia Dortmund, will feel right at home playing in Germany. Ghana coach Ratomir Dujkovic has no injuries to worry about, with Chelsea's Michael Essien and former Juventus player Stephen Appiah in midfield. Dujkovic blamed injuries for Ghana's early exit from this year's African Cup of Nations, but the team has gained confidence with recent warmup victories against Jamaica and South Korea. Italy looked unimpressive in two warmup draws against Switzerland and Ukraine last week. The team appears unsettled by Lippi's reluctance to commit to a starting lineup. The coach said he won't decide until matchday whether to start Francesco Totti or Alessandro Del Piero. Totti is the preferred option in a playmaker role behind forwards Alberto Gilardino and Luca Toni - the 1 in a 4-3-1-2 formation. If Lippi decides that Totti needs more time in his recovery from left leg surgery, he'll likely start Del Piero on the left wing, alongside Gilardino and Toni in a 4-3-3. Other Ghana players with Italian connections include midfielder Sulley Muntari, who plays for Udinese, and AS Roma's Samuel Kuffour, who provides a physical presence in central defence. Amoah is Ghana's key in attack. In Dujkovic's typical 4-4-2 formation, he'll likely be paired with Asamoah Gyan, who plays for Modena in Italy. Gyan is a fast-footed 20-year-old seen as an emerging star on the World Cup's youngest team - average age is 25.
— AP
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Injury worries for Czech Republic
Hamburg, June 11 Sixteen years ago in Florence, Italy, the United States played its first World Cup match since 1950 and was routed 5-1 by a Czechoslovakian team celebrating its nation's new freedom. "You play this game in 1990, which we did, there was never a chance for the United States," US coach Bruce Arena said. "Today the world of soccer, or football, is shrinking. You have players from all these countries in this tournament that play for big clubs that are much more experienced, and they bring those experiences to their national team." The Czechs, who lost to Greece in extra time in the semifinals of the 2004 European Championship, are ranked second by FIFA. The United States is ranked fifth and advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2004 World Cup, its best showing since 1930. "They play fast soccer," Czech midfielder Tomas Rosicky said. "We've seen what they're capable of." The Czechs are banged up entering the game. Midfielder Vladimir Smicer (hamstring) was dropped from the roster, forward Milan Baros (strained foot tendon) missed his seventh straight day of training yesterday. Midfielder Pavel Nedved, the 2003 European player of the year, came out of practice Thursday after hurting a knee. Jan Koller is perched at the top of the Czech offence, a (6-foot-7-inch) target towering above defenders and team-mates. The striker has a Czech-record 42 goals in 68 caps, and containing Koller is one of the keys for the United States heading into their World Cup match tomorrow. "In many ways, he's the one who leads their attack and is the one that on the corner kicks and set pieces and crosses. We all know we have to be ready for him to be around the ball," US captain Claudio Reyna said. "We always have to be very alert when the ball is going to him." Arena must decide which forward to pair with Brian McBride, whether to use DaMarcus Beasley on the left or right and whether to insert Bobby Convey into the midfield. Landon Donovan could be a forward or an attacking midfielder.
— AP
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Of tall and short
Berlin, June 11 The goalkeeper who made his debut for Australia in 1992 stands at 202 cm (6.62 ft) while the 26-year-old Ecuadorian midfielder is only 162 cm (5.31 ft), the smallest player in this World Cup. Kalac, along with Jan Koller of Czech Republic and Nikola Zigic of Serbia and Montenegro (both 202 cm), is the tallest footballer in the tournament. In the lists of the top-10 tall and short players also figure two well-known Englishmen — Peter Crouch (198 cm) and Aaron Lennon (165 cm), respectively. Their England team-mate Theo Walcott, born on March 15, 1989, is the youngest player in Germany 2006, while Ali Boumnijel of Tunisia is the oldest at 40 years, according to official statistics. The player with most international goals, interestingly, does not come from any of the teams with top billing but from Asian giants Iran. Their captain Ali Daei has 109 goals from 147 matches, while Stern John of Trinidad and Tobago (65 goals) and Brazil’s superstar Ronaldo (59) occupy the second and third places, respectively. Mohammed al-Deayea of Saudi Arabia, who is into his fourth World Cup, is the most capped player with 181 appearances.
— PTI
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Japan look to win free kicks
Bonn, June 11 The Asian champions were stunned to see three Dutch players stretchered off in a 1-1 warm-up draw in Rotterdam a week ago. "Australia are guilty of a lot of dirty fouls. They target ankles in particular. They are too terrible," Japan Football Association chief Saburo Kawabuchi told the major Japanese sports daily Hochi. "Japan must stand up to them. The first match will be decisive in this group." But former Brazil international Junior, who spies on Blue Samurai's opponents for his old Flamengo friend and Japan coach Zico, gave winger Shunsuke Nakamura a tip: "Don't shy away from hard play. Use them to your advantage instead." The Celtic deadball specialist particularly focused on hard-tackling Australia and Parma midfielder Vince Grella. "We have to go forward with two touches in midfield and cut in with a dribble or a one-two pass toward the goal to provoke a foul," he said. "Then it means a goal for us," added Nakamura, who scored a goal and set up another in Japan's 2-2 draw against five-time world champions Brazil in the 2005 Confederations Cup first round. For Zico, the Australian game is the first hurdle toward his World Cup goal — to outdo his predecessor Philippe Troussier. The French firebrand took Japan into the last-16 in 2002, four years after Japan made a winless debut, but Zico's goal is set higher at the semi-finals. Zico's squad, featuring six Europe-based players and 17 J-League stars, have been erratic in recent warm-up matches, drawing 2-2 with powerhouse Germany and beating minnows Malta by a poor 1-0. "We were right in feeling on top of the world after the German match, but we must not get carried away," said the former star Brazilian midfielder. He brushed off as immaterial the all-embracing world rankings which put Japan at 18th spot against 44th for the Socceroos. Australian expatriates play with UEFA runners-up Middlesbrough and last year's European Champions League winners Liverpool as well as top Italian sides, he said. "What do you mean by saying Australia are rated below Japan?" On a head-to-head basis, Japan and Australia are even at five wins, five defeats and four draws.
— AFP
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Bravo double sinks Iran
Nuremberg, June 11 Iran were the livelier team at the start and came close to scoring in the 12th minute when Ali Karimi crossed to Vahid Hashemian and his downward header forced a sharp low save from goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez. Sanchez had only rejoined the team a day earlier after flying back to Mexico last week for his father's funeral. The Mexicans quickly upped the tempo and went in front in the 28th minute when Pavel Pardo floated a ball for Guillermo Franco in the penalty area and he nodded it on for Bravo to tap in. Iran levelled after 36 minutes when Mehdi Mahdavikia's corner caused havoc and defender Yahya Golmohammadi slammed in the loose ball. Mexico coach Ricardo Lavolpe brought on midfielder Zinha at halftime in place of striker Guillermo Franco to give Jared Borgetti more space up front. Borgetti, however, limped off seven minutes later. Mexico gained control of the midfield, pushing for a second goal, but a packed Iranian defence gave keeper Ebrahim Mirzapour little to do. Even striker Ali Daei, 37, who became his country's oldest World Cup player, often had to move back to help out. Mexico finally broke through when Zinha pounced on a mix-up in the defence in the 76th minute to feed Bravo for his second goal of the game. Zinha made sure of victory with a thumping header from a cross by Mario Mendez in the 79th minute. — Reuters
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Sweden held
Dortmund, June 11 The Caribbean islanders, made up largely of players from the lower divisions of the English league, worked tirelessly to hold off their vastly more experienced opponents in the second game in the group after England had earlier beaten Paraguay 1-0. Trinidad matched the Europeans stride for stride, even after defender Avery John was sent off 35 seconds into the second half. Trinidad came closest to breaking the deadlock when substitute striker Cornell Glenn hit the bar near the hour mark. It was a remarkable performance by a team who qualified for the finals for the first time.
— Reuters
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Dravid, Kaif put India in command St Lucia, June 11 Dravid has the patience of Job; for him to lose this is most unusual. But West Indian captain, Brian Lara, at his wit's end, instructed his bowlers to bowl well wide. His intention was to squeeze the flood of runs. But with his counterpart only interested in keeping the scoreboard ticking so as to fashion a chance of victory, he, rather uncharacteristically, reached out to a delivery which would almost certainly have been declared a wide. It would obviously take a Bradmanesque feat to eclipse Sunil Gavaskar's aggregate of 1,404 runs and seven centuries in West Indies. But the closest comparison to the Indian run-machine of the 1970s and 1980s is unquestionably Dravid. He comes, he sees, he conquers; and he duly completed his 23rd test hundred before angrily chasing that ball in the second last over before lunch. Kaif may not be as naturally gifted as some of his contemporaries; and he also needs to tighten his technique of cutting and driving in order to establish a durable presence at the highest level. But he has a good cricketing brain, is responsible and unselfish. This effort after being dropped following a virtually match saving against England reflected these attributes. Unfortunately, he lost Mahendra Dhoni, who also holed out to point off the very first ball bowled after a stoppage due to bad light. The break had clearly affected his concentration. The wicket on the second morning looked drier, flatter and less grassy than on the first. Indeed, on paper, it promised to be the best day for batting, with the possibility of cracks and powdery patching - aided by a hot sun - coming into their own later in the match. Of course, when play got underway, conditions fluctuated between sunshine and slightly overcast conditions, coupled with soaring humidity. Consequently, the West Indian fast bowlers should have made better use of the second new ball. Surprisingly, Lara didn't introduce his only successful bowler of the first day, Pedro Collins with it, where the others not only failed to generate aerial movement, but Jerome Taylor, with seven fielders on the off-side, kept straying down the leg-side. But it was also the indomitable brilliance of Dravid, partnered by the plucky Mohammad Kaif that kept at bay any West Indian ambitions. There is a widespread respect for Dravid among West Indian cricketers past and present - and the former off-spinner Lance Gibbs joined the Caribbean radio commentary on this day. They inevitably point to his average outside India being better than at home - a hallmark of a great player. India's destination was to accumulate a 600 plus in the hope they don't have to bat a second time. They appeared to be on their way to accomplishing this. Scoreboard India (1st Innings) Jaffer c Bravo b Collins 43 Sehwag c and b Collins 180 Laxman c Ramdin b Collins 0 Dravid c Lara b Sarwan 146 Yuvraj b Collins 2 Kaif batting 89 Dhoni batting 0 Extras (b-4, lb-7, w-3,
nb-11) 25 Total (5 wkts, 114 overs) 485 Fall of wickets: 1-159, 2-161, 3-300, 4-306, 5-485. Bowling: Collins 27-5-113-4, Taylor 23-3-87-0, Bravo 10-0-66-0, Collymore 21-1-92-0, Bradshaw 15-4-47-0, Sarwan 13-0-62-1, Gayle 5-3-7-0.
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French Open
Paris, June 11 The Spaniard extended his Roland Garros record to 14-0 and his winning streak on clay to 60 matches. The result left the Swiss one match short of becoming the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to hold all four grand slam titles at once. “The match has been extremely tough,” said Nadal. “Roger played much better at the beginning, then I was much better in the second. After this, the match was more balanced. “It’s incredible. I think I prefer this year’s title,” added Nadal, who had beaten Argentine Mariano Puerta in last year’s final. The Swiss saved two break points in the opening game of the match before surging to a 5-0 lead in breathtaking style as his opponent barely managed to string together any winners. Appearing to suffer from nerves, Nadal failed to convert any of the five break points he earned during the set. But as Nadal stepped up a gear in the second, Federer simply faded away and produced an uncharacteristic 16 unforced errors during the 32-minute set. The Spaniard broke Federer in the second game with one of his trademark backhand crosscourt passing shots. At 3-0, Nadal called the trainer to treat blisters on his feet but that did not stop him from racing to a 4-1 lead. Federer dropped his serve again in the sixth game before Nadal served out for the set. Struggling to emerge from a slump, Federer pushed Nadal hard in the fourth game of the third set. But the Mallorcan survived unscathed after saving four break points. To compound Federer’s frustration, he dropped his serve in the following game with a netted forehand to give Nadal a 3-2 advantage. The 20-year-old Spaniard held serve to wrap up the 55-minute set. Nadal again broke in the first game of the fourth set and held on to the advantage till he stepped behind the baseline to serve for the match. Federer finally stirred into action and needed only one break point to level at 5-5. But his relief was short-lived as Nadal won the tiebreak 7-4 and the match after three hours and two minutes. “He played better. He deserves this win because he played better today,” said Federer. “I was close this year. It’s a pity but I will come back next year.” Jonas-Max win
Jonas Bjorkman of Sweden and Max Mirnyi of Belarus beat twins Bob and Mike Bryan of the United States 6-7, 6-4, 7-5 to win the French Open men’s doubles title for the second year in a row. Lisa-Stosur win ladies doubles
American Lisa Raymond and Australian Samantha Stosur won the women’s doubles final at the French Open when they beat Slovakia’s Daniela Hantuchova and Japanese Ai Sugiyama 6-3, 6-2 today. Top seeds Raymond and Stosur had already won the season-ending championships and the US Open in
2005. — Reuters, AP
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Alonso wins British Grand Prix
Silverstone, June 11 Spaniard Alonso, 24, led from start to finish to give Renault their first Silverstone win as a constructor since 1983. Alonso said: “Victory was quite okay. We knew we had more fuel than the others so there were no options for our opponents to beat us, which is good for us and good for the rest of the season. “It feels fantastic. We won in Spain, Monaco and Silverstone, and it’s a dream come true. It’s lots of emotions in the grandstands, and I only live 20 minutes away in Oxford, so it’s a really good feeling.” German Michael Schumacher, 37, was second — 13.9 seconds behind Alonso, and now trails his rival by an increased margin of 23 points in the drivers’ world championship. Finn Kimi Raikkonen, 26, was third for McLaren in his first podium finish for five races.
— AFP
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Randhawa flays exclusion from Ranjit Singh Awards
New Delhi, June 11 Randhawa, Asian Games gold medallist in 110m hurdles who had just about missed winning a medal in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, said he had represented his Amritsar district in the Punjab State Games at Ferozepore in 1961, and created three state records in long jump, triple jump and decathlon. He said his triple jump record lasted quite some time before Lal Singh, who later became a Brigadier in the Indian Army, broke it. Randhawa said when he was sent to Germany, he was selected as an athlete from Punjab though later on he started representing Delhi, when he shifted base to Delhi because of his job.
— OSR
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Gowda wins discus gold
New Delhi, June 11 The Karnataka athlete, a Frederick High School graduate and University of North Carolina senior, became the second Indian to win the prestigious American Inter-varsity title after triple jumper Mohinder Singh Gill won two back-to-back titles in 1970 and ‘71. Gowda won the competition registering 60.55m on his second attempt ahead of Arizona’s Adam Kuehl who managed 59.64m in his first throw. The Mysore-born thrower had topped the preliminary round with 59.76 metres, just ahead of Kuehl (59.15). He had a series of 58.83, 60.55, 59.59, foul, 58.91 and foul in final. Last year, he had to settle for the silver medal with a throw of 60.07m. Gowda is the current national record holder in the event with a distance of 64.69m.
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Punjab to get 79 new sports coaches Ropar, June 11 She said the sports department had been facing shortage of coaches in various districts and so we have taken up the matter with the government. She was here to check the preparation for the fitness training camp of various games for 200 students from all over state to be held from June 15 to 30 in Anandpur Sahib Sub-division of the district. The sports department also decided to build an Astro Turf hockey stadium in each district, including rural areas. It would help players to develop their muscles more than they do in the normal grass stadium. It would improve their games and help them in playing international matches. She said after a long time they had received a grant of Rs 1.5 crore to provide basic infrastructure for games at the school level. Taking about the fitness training camp, she said the sports department had been bearing the charges for the meals and lodging of the students. Students from three-hockey academies— two from Jalandhar and one from Hoshiarpur— would also get training at the camp. When asked about the non-availability of an indoor swimming stadium in most of the districts, she said it required huge amount of funds for maintaining the pool temperature. But we have been preparing proposal to get a nod from the government for such stadiums, she added.
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In video: Gaekwad flays Chappell for comments on Pathan. (
French Open
