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Les Bleus give Brazil the blues
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All-European affair after 24 years
Players suffering fewer injuries: FIFA
CAB
Elections
Jeev finishes tied ninth
Anand slips
Sharath out of Chile Open
Sania-Vizner win
PSEB win hot weather cricket tourney
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Les Bleus give Brazil the blues
Frankfurt, July 2 France, whose dominant midfield display was fired by the imperious Zinedine Zidane, will meet Portugal in Wednesday’s semifinal in Munich. “This is huge,” gushed Zidane. “We had to put in a huge performance and we did so. We had to hold it together defensively. We deserve our victory. Now we will try and get into the final as we do not want it to end here. It is so wonderful that we want to carry on,” added the 34-year-old, who is to retire after the campaign. Henry scored in the 57th minute, drifting in late and unopposed at the far post to meet a Zidane free kick with a right-footed side-foot volley past a diving Dida. The goal was just rewards for a French team often dubbed as too old and uninspiring which had controlled midfield thanks to the sterling efforts of man-of-the-match ‘Zizou’, who just as in the 3-0 victory in the 1998 World Cup final proved Brazil’s nemesis. The veteran captain showed some at-times sensational footwork in his golden boots and was the catalyst for a buoyant French team, even if his final balls tended to be overhit. After a tight first-half with few chances and where Dida and counterpart Fabien Barthez were not tested, the game came alight in the second half. Henry’s goal spurred France into waves of counter-attacks against a Brazil side lacking any real creative purpose up front despite early glimpses of playmaker Ronaldinho’s silky skills. With their back four in disarray, Brazilian defender Juan almost deflected a cross into his own goal four minutes after Henry’s goal, his third in this World Cup. France’s tough midfield holding duo of Patrick Vieira and Claude Makelele were quick to retreat and fill in as Brazil sought an equaliser, the most potent threat posed by Bayern Munich midfielder Ze Roberto down the left wing. But it was France who should have scored a second, Franck Ribery sprinting past the covering defence in the 70th minute, but only snatching a shot from a Henry pass which was well parried by Dida. With French tails well and truly up, Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira threw on Adriano to help out Ronaldo up front and the South Americans kept pushing. Ronaldinho had a late chance with a free-kick two minutes from time, after Lilian Thuram brought down Ronaldo on the edge of area, but his swerving shot drifted high of its target. And Ronaldo forced Barthez into an acrobatic save with a powerful 25-yard shot on the stroke of full-time. Ze Roberto went close with a diving nudge on the resulting corner but the French held out. Brazil had opened the game brightly, Juninho having a free-kick headed behind by Patrick Vieira in the fourth minute, and Roberto Carlos blasting an ambitious shot high and wide of Barthez’s goal five minutes later. Ronaldo had the match’s first real sight on goal minutes later, doing well to connect to a Ronaldinho free kick above Willy Sagnol, but sending his header over the
crossbar. — AFP
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Top names fail to fire
Berlin, July 2 Sometimes it was a case of poor form, sometimes it was down to injury, sometimes teams went out of the tournament before their top players had a chance to prove their worth. But no player has emerged to take the tournament by storm with only four games left to play. Some of the best performances have come from old hands like France’s Zinedine Zidane, whose reputation is already assured. Ronaldinho, 26, came to Germany with two successive World Player of the Year awards to his name and experts raving about the playmaker’s skill and artistry. Camera bulbs flashed all around Berlin’s Olympiastadion in anticipation of a magic moment when he stepped up to take a free kick in Brazil’s first match against Croatia. But he disappointed then and continued to do so, showing only glimpses of his undoubted class, as part of an entire Brazil team that never really found its rhythm. Midfielder Lampard, 28, was second to Ronaldinho in the last World Player of the Year poll of national coaches and captains. He went into this World Cup having scored 20 goals for Chelsea last season and 10 for England in his previous 22 games. He also had a point to prove. He did not even make the squad for the last World Cup in Japan and South Korea. Lampard’s feelings have probably turned bitter now. He played every minute of England’s campaign but did not score or set up a goal and had a generally poor World Cup. Lampard’s England team-mate Wayne Rooney, 20, also struggled to live up to his billing, although it was always going to be a tall order for the striker to reach top form after a broken foot ruined his build-up to the tournament. Rooney’s World Cup ended in ignominy when he was sent off against Portugal in the quarterfinals. Ukraine’s Andriy Shevchenko, European Footballer of the Year in 2004, suffered a knee injury before the finals and was another player not to show the full range of his talents. Argentina’s Lionel Messi, who turned 19 at this World Cup, seemed to generate a buzz every time he had the ball but the forward was used mainly as a substitute by coach Jose Pekerman.
— Reuters
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All-European affair after 24 years
Berlin, July 2 Hosts Germany will face off against Italy while 1998 champions France will take on Portugal, who have made it to the semifinals after a gap of 40 years. One would have to go back to Spain, 1982, for the previous occasion when the last four stage had only European teams. Then, Italy, West Germany, Poland and France contested the semifinals before the Azzuri defeated the Germans in the final to win the World Cup for a third time. The semifinal line-up would be a bitter pill to swallow for South Americans as either Brazil or Argentina have been in the final on every occasion since 1982, the Selecao being in the title round on the previous three World Cups. But with the decline of two-time world champions Uruguay, they did not even qualify for the tournament, the South American aspirations at the business end of the World Cup have largely rested on Brazilian and Argentine shoulders. This can be contrasted with the fact that apart from the four European sides that made it to the last four, other continental powerhouses such as Spain, the Netherlands and England, fell by the wayside. One can safely argue that these three sides could have made it to the semifinals and possibly lifted the title in Berlin on July 9. The final stages of the 2006 World Cup has a familiar feel with the traditional powerhouses of the game making it to the elite bracket. This is in stark contrast to the line up four years ago when rank outsiders like South Korea and Turkey made it to the last four. Add to it the fact that teams like the United States and Senegal made it to the quarterfinals, giving the final stages of the World Cup a distinct international flavour. One can argue that the tournament being held in the heart of the continent gives a distinct advantage to the European teams as they are accustomed to the climate and other conditions. It is also a much shorter distance for their supporters to travel as compared to those from other parts of the world. No European team has ever managed to win the World Cup outside their continent and Brazil is the only South American team to win the ultimate prize in Europe when inspired by a 17-year-old Pele, they claimed the Jules Rimet Trophy for the first time in Sweden in 1958. The South American giants also won the first World Cup held outside Europe and the Americas when it emerged victorious in Japan and South Korea four years ago. — PTI
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Buehlertal, July 2 A tearful Beckham read from a statement in front of a crowded news conference in England’s training camp in southern Germany today, stressing that he wanted to continue playing for England. “On November 15, 2000, Peter Taylor gave me the greatest honour of my career in making me captain of England and fulfilling my childhood dream,” Beckham said. “Now almost six years later, having been captain for 58 of my 95 caps, I feel the time is right to pass on the armband as we enter in a new era under Steve McClaren.” Beckham said he had decided “some time ago” to quit as captain after this World Cup, his third. “This decision has been the most difficult of my career to date,” he said. “But after discussing it with my family and those closest to me, I feel the time is right.” Beckham walked out immediately after reading his statement, getting loud applause. McClaren takes over as England coach from Sven-Goran Eriksson in August. “It has been an honour and a privilege to have captained our country and I want to stress that I wish to continue to play for England and look forward to helping both the new captain and Steve McClaren in any way I can.” First capped at age 21 by Glenn Hoddle against Moldova in September, 1996, Beckham was named England’s captain for the first time by caretaker coach Taylor for a friendly in Italy. He took over the captaincy on a permanent basis from Alan Shearer, who retired after the 2000 European championships. — AP
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Players suffering fewer injuries: FIFA
Berlin, July 2 Professor Jiri Dvorak, FIFA’s Chief Medical Officer (CMO), told reporters at FIFA’s daily briefing today that with statistics gathered after 58 of the tournament's 64 matches, the number of injuries in total had dropped significantly. “From all 64 matches in 2002 there were 171 injuries, compared to 129 injuries from the 58 matches collated so far. With an average of 2.2 injuries per match we expect the overall total at the end of the tournament to be less than four years ago.” He said referees clamping down on tackling from behind had contributed to the decline in injuries and said there were fewer head injuries as well. “In Japan and Korea there were 25 head injuries leading to four players suffering concussion. So far there have been 11 head injuries and just one concussion.” He also reported that all 228 doping tests carried out so far had been negative. — Reuters
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Windies need 269 for victory Kingston, July 2 The highest ever score in the fourth innings to secure a test at the venue is 211 - by the West Indians against Sri Lanka in 2003. But on this occasion, it's a third rather than fifth day wicket; therefore, the wear and tear was proportionately less. India folded up in their second innings for 171, with Rahul Dravid again top scoring with 68, in course of which he became the fastest to aggregate 9,000 runs in tests - this off 176 innings, as compared to his opposite number, Brian Lara having amassed his in 177. He was eventually bowled by a ball that kept low from the unerring Corey Collymore - the fourth scalp of this best and most persistent of West Indian bowler's five wickets in the innings. He was, however, beaten to the tape in terms of the match tally, with local hero, Jerome Taylor finishing with figures of nine for 95. Never in the history of Indian cricket has a batsman singularly thrust India into a position of control as Dravid has done in this match. The closest instance that springs to mind is Gundappa Viswanath's unbeaten 97 out of 190 and 46 out of 256 (in which Anshuman Gaekwad was the top scorer with 80) at Chennai against Clive Lloyd's West Indians in 1974-75. With an ever rising average of nearly 59, he is unequivocally one of the genuine greats of contemporary cricket. By and large though, batting conditions in this encounter have sharply transited from a batsman's haven in the second and third tests to a hunting ground for bowler's. Wickets have tumbled like boulders rolling down Jamaica's Blue Mountain range, which presides over the ground. Regardless of curator Charlie Joseph's arguments, the evidence at hand suggests it hasn't been an ideal test wicket. To be fair to him, though, it hasn't been as abysmal either. As Dravid amply demonstrated, if you had the skill and judicious shot selection, you didn't have to bat as if any ball could spit at you like a cobra on the crawl. The showing of the Indian batsmen, other than him, has been dispiriting. Scoreboard India (1st innings) 200 West Indies (1st innings) Gayle b Sreesanth 0 Ganga lbw Harbhajan 40 Lara c Jaffer b Sreesanth 26 Samuels st Dhoni b Kumble 2 Chanderpaul c Dhoni b Patel 10 Bravo c Yurjaj b Harbhajan 0 Sarwan c Kaif b Harbhajan 7 Ramdin c Yuvraj b Harbhajan 10 Taylor run out 6 Collins c Sehwag b Harbhajan 0 Collymore not out 0 Extras (nb-1, w-1) 2 Total (all out, 33.3 overs) 103 Fall of wickets:1-0. 2-42, 3-53, 4-72, 5-80, 6-81, 7-88, 8-99, 9-103. Bowling: Sreesanth 9-3-34-2, Patel 12-5-24-1, Kumble 8-3-32-1, Harbhajan 4.3-0-13-5. India (2nd innings) Jaffer c sub (Morton) b Taylor 1 Sehwag lbw Taylor 4 Laxman c Lara b Collymore 16 Dravid b Collymore 68 Yuvraj c Lara b Collymore 13 Kaif b Collins 6 Dhoni b Taylor 19 Kumble c Bravo b Collymore 10 Harbhajan c Lara b Collymore 9 Sreesanth c Lara b Taylor 16 Patel not out 0 Extras (b-4, lb-3, w-1, nb-1) 9 Total (all out; 65.1 overs) 171 Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-6, 3-49, 4-63, 5-76, 6-122, 7-141, 8-154, 9-171. Bowling: Collins 22-8-61-1, Taylor 15-4-45-4, Collymore 24.1-9-48-5, Bravo 4-1-10-0. West Indies (2nd innings) Gayle c Laxman b Sreesanth 0 Ganga b Sreesanth 16 Lara not out 11 Sarwan not out 2 Total (2 wkts; 11.2 overs) 29 Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-27. Bowling: Sreesanth 6-0-16-2, Patel 4.2-1-11-0, Harbhajan 1-0-2-0.
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Dalmiya fails to garner support
Kolkata, July 2 The much anticipated CAB emergent general body meeting, convened by Dalmiya following Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee’s suggestion that he should not contest the July 30 poll, ended without making any substantial progress as the rival faction blocked attempts by some members to voice support for Dalmiya. Heavyweights, including former union minister Ajit Panja and Sourav Ganguly’s brother and ex-Bengal cricketer Snehashis, said the agenda of the meeting did not permit any discussion on whether Dalmiya should contest. “This is Dalmiya’s personal matter. It is for him to decide whether he will contest or not. As per the agenda, he has apprised the members. But there cannot be any further discussion,” Panja, who represented the High Court Club, said. Briefing newspersons about the proceedings of the meeting, CAB joint secretary Saradindu Pal said, “The sole agenda of the meeting was to apprise the members of the Chief Minister’s request, which Dalmiya has done.” He conceded, “After the objection by Panja, the situation did not warrant any further discussion on the issue.” Pal said a working committee meeting of CAB would be held on July 5 to decide the next course of action but did not rule out the possibility of another general body meeting before the election. He also revealed that Dalmiya had written a two-page letter to the state Sports Minister countering the argument that Eden Gardens would be deprived of international matches if he continued at the top post. Dalmiya’s letter to the Sports Minister would be placed before the working committee meeting, it was reliably learnt. BCCI-Dalmiya war intensifies
The letter war between the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the Cricket Association of Bengal intensified today with CAB President Jagmohan Dalmiya demanding that the board withdraw its latest missive withholding subsidies and payments to the affiliate unit and tender an unconditional apology. Alleging that the BCCI was following the doctrines of “unfairness” and “bad faith” in its acts and conducts, Dalmiya threatened to take “necessary steps as I may be legally advised” against board secretary Niranjan Shah if he did not comply with his demands. “If the acts and conduct of the BCCI, including contents of your letter of June 29 are considered, it would be explicitly clear that the BCCI is following the doctrines of unfairness and bad faith, apart from acting arbitrarily and capriciously,” Dalmiya said in the strongly worded letter addressed to Shah. “Without prejudice and reserving all my accrued rights and entitlements, you are hereby called upon to withdraw your letter under reference and tender an unconditional apology forthwith. “In the event of non-compliance, appropriate steps, as I may be legally advised, would be initiated against you personally at your peril and consequences,” said the letter released to the media during the day.
— PTI
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Tokyo, July 2 Jeev, the current leader of the Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit, finished tied ninth at even-par 280 at the Shishido Hills Country Club. Overnight leader Tatsuhiko Takahashi claimed his second victory with the win at the Japan Golf Tour’s flagship tournament, posting a final round of 68. He finished with a 72-hole aggregate of seven-under 273. Tetsuji Hiratsuka was three shots further back in second, with SK Ho and Tommy Nakajima another stroke adrift in third. Takahashi had five birdies and three bogeys in his final round of 68 and he won comfortably by three shots over Hiratsuka. Jeev opened the day with a birdie raising hopes of catching up with the leaders. But then came a bogey on fifth, 12th and a final one on 17th. In between he did sink a birdie on the 11th, but he had missed too many putts. He was hitting the ball very well, something which showed in his standings for Greens in Regulation, where he was fourth overall for the tournament. “I played really solid today, although my putting was not up to the mark and I left about 12 putts short of the hole. I think I hit the ball the best I have this year actually, but just did not convert anything. I had 33 putts, which does not help.” Jeev, who notched his first European Tour victory earlier this year at the Volvo China Open, opened his round with a birdie at the first. However, thereafter, he was forced to endure a tough day on the greens. However, the Indian star knows where he needs to improve before he heads to Europe tomorrow. “I think putting is all mental and I need to concentrate more on that than anything else. I have been putting well, but I am just not trusting It.” — PTI
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New Delhi, July 2 The fall shattered Anand’s chances of claiming the world number one rank but he was still able to maintain his second place in the latest FIDE ratings. Anand, who had reached the dream mark in the previous list in April after winning the Corus title for a record fifth time, ended up with a debit of a whopping 24 points to slip to ELO 2779 from 2803. World No. 1 Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria, who won the Mtel Masters in Sofia, further improved his ratings by nine points to reach ELO 2813. — PTI
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Sharath out of Chile Open
New Delhi, July 2 Sharath, high on confidence after his maiden semifinal appearance in the Brazil Open pro-tour last week, gave a scare to Korbel but the fourth seed managed to sneak into the last eight with a 11-8, 9-11, 11-2, 7-11, 11-7, 10-12, 11-6 win. The Indian, who was playing Korbel for the first time, came back strongly after losing the close first game to pocket the next one and took Korbel by surprise engaging him in
rallies. — PTI
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London, July 2 Sania and Vizner defeated the Spanish duo 6-2, 7-5 in the first round to set up a clash with Czech Republic’s Leos Friedl and Liezl Huber of South Africa. — PTI
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PSEB win hot weather cricket tourney
Patiala, July 2 In the final, a splendid knock of 102 runs by opener Sandeep Kohli enabled PSEB beat State Bank of Patiala by 62 runs to bag the trophy. Scores: PSEB: 321 for 8 (Sandeep Kohli 102, Prabhjot Singh 72, Harikrishan Kali 41, Hardavinder Singh 32, Vipul Sharma 31, Jagdeesh 2 for 57, Bablu Kumar 2 for 48, Rajiv Sirhandi 1 for 90). State Bank of Patiala: 259 all out (Anup Kumar 63, Rakesh Rehni 46, Amit Kakria 46, Sanjay Mahajan 26, Rahul 4 for 44, Hardavinder 2 for 30, Sandeep Kohli 2 for 48, Vipul Sharma 1 for 41, H. Kali 1 for 46).
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