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Renaissance in the making
Hockey World Cup 2010
Railways derail Chhattisgarh
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EPL
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Renaissance in the making
New Delhi, December 29 With support from the government and the ad-hoc body formed after the suspension of the erstwhile KPS Gill-backed IHF, men’s team started the year on a positive note under interim coach Harendra Singh, drawing 2-2 in an away Test series against Argentina.
The Indians continued their success story, finishing runners-up in the inaugural four-nation Punjab Gold Cup in Chandigarh which featured strong teams like Holland, the eventual winners, Spain and Germany. India, thereafter, defeated New Zealand 2-0 in the four-Test away series and then followed it up with clinical 3-1 win over Malaysia in the final to register their fourth Azlan Shah title, a tournament which they won after a gap of 13 years. But after the high came a low as needing an outright win to book a place in the semifinals of the eighth Asia Cup in Kuantan, India squandered a two-goal lead to settle for a 2-2 draw against China and see their title defence go up in smoke. In between, the game’s ad-hoc administrators’ search for a foreign coach finally ended with the appointment of Jose Brasa. Off the turf, there was very little consistency in the game’s administration with the Suresh Kalmadi-led Indian Olympic Association controlling hockey affairs, which prompted the state associations to went up in arms. With pressure mounting from the FIH, the IOA finally formed Hockey India. But even though the power struggle was going on, Brasa went about his business of resurrecting the Indian team and took the national side to a number of exposure trips, that included a four-nation European and Canada tour. But just before the European tour, the Indian team received a setback when first choice goalkeeper Baljit Singh suffered a career-threatening eye injury. On the ground, Indian men trounced Canada 6-0 in a seven-Test away series but the year ended on a disappointing note when India went down to Pakistan in the semifinals of the Champions Challenge I in Argentina and lost the chance to qualify for next year’s Champions Trophy in Germany. India, however, defeated hosts Argentina to win the bronze medal. On the women’s front, notwithstanding administrative issues and lack of assistance, the eves bid a splendid farewell to the year by booking their place in next year’s World Cup in Rosario, Argentina. On the individual front, veteran striker Prabhjot Singh and Surinder Kaur found some recognition when they were selected in the FIH All Star squads. While Prabhjot has found a place among world’s top 18 men players to be coached by Australian hockey legend Ric Charlesworth; Surinder has been named in the FIH All Star women’s team. All in all, the year gone by has set things in motion for the resurgence of the national game and next year’s World Cup at home will provide an ideal platform for the eight time Olympic champions to earn back their place at the international stage. —
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India play Pakistan in the event opener
New Delhi, December 29 According to event itinerary released by the International Hockey Federation today, India will play Pakistan in the third Pool B match of the opening day, while Spain will take on South Africa in the tournament opener followed by the encounter between England and Australia. India will next play Australia on March 2, and then take on Spain on March 4, followed by encounter against England on March 6 and finally round off their Pool stage with the game against South Africa on March 8. Meanwhile, Olympic and World champion Germany will commence their defence on the second day on March 1 against Korea in Pool A. The day will also see New Zealand taking on Canada and the Netherlands facing Argentina. The semifinals of the tournament are scheduled for March 11, while the final will be played on March 13. Hero Honda FIH World Cup 2010 schedule: Pool A: Argentina, Canada, Germany, Korea, Netherlands, New Zealand. Pool B: Australia, England, India, Pakistan, South Africa, Spain. February 28 Group B: South Africa vs Spain, Australia vs England, India vs Pakistan March 1 Group A: New Zealand vs Canada, Germany vs Korea, Netherlands vs Argentina March 2 Group B: South Africa vs England, Pakistan vs Spain, India vs Australia March 3 Group A: Canada vs Germany, Argentina vs Korea, New Zealand vs Netherlands March 4 Group B: South Africa vs Australia, England vs Pakistan, India vs Spain March 5Group A: Korea vs New Zealand, Netherlands vs Canada, Germany vs Argentina March 6Group B: Australia vs Spain, South Africa vs Pakistan, India vs England March 7 Group A: Korea vs Canada, New Zealand vs Argentina, Germany vs Netherlands. March 8Group B: Spain vs England, Australia vs Pakistan, India vs South Africa March 9 Group A: Germany vs New Zealand, Netherlands vs Korea, Canada vs Argentina. March 11: Semifinals. March 13: Final — PTI
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Railways derail Chhattisgarh
Ludhiana, December 29 The Railmen gave an ample impression that they were unstoppable and set to retain the title, they won at Surat, last year. Chhattisgarh players looked an inexperienced lot against their opponents as the Railways outfit displayed perfect coordination, high level of physical fitness and enjoyed liberty on court to rattle Chhattisgarh men to win the match in a style. For the reigning champions the notable contributors were Yadwinder Singh (22), Harpal (15) and Vishesh (10) while Ankit with 13 baskets, Kiranpal (12) and Shravan (10) fought the losing battle for Chhattisgarh. In another group A encounter, Uttar Pradesh outperformed Andhra Pradesh 67-52. For the winners, Santosh (12), Bhanu and Bobby 10 points each paved the way for victory while Somaya chipped in with 19 points for Andhra Pradesh, followed by PSN Raju and Lakhbir Singh who accounted for 13 and 10 points, respectively. Other results: Women - Group E: Chandigarh beat Orissa 47-23; Group F Gujarat beat Uttrakhand 59-43 and West Bengal beat Rajasthan 58-43. Men: Group C - Kerala beat Haryana 128-77; Group E - Madhya Pradesh beat Tripura 84-64 ; Group F - Assam beat Orissa 84-64; Group D - Rajasthan beat Jharkhand 94-93; Group A - Chhatisgarh beat Uttar Pradesh 67-52. |
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Chelsea on course after derby delight
London, December 29 But second-placed champions Manchester United will cut Chelsea’s lead back to two points if they win at home to Wigan tomorrow. Fulham, who’ve already beaten Manchester United and Liverpool this season, stunned their hosts when the Blues failed to clear a Paul Konchesky cross and Hungarian midfielder Gera hooked an acrobatic shot past Petr Cech. It wasn’t until the 73rd minute that striker Drogba, in his last Chelsea match before he departs on African Nations Cup duty with the Ivory Coast, equalised with a powerful header - the forward’s 19th goal in all competitions this term. And just two minutes later Chelsea were in front after Daniel Sturridge’s cross-shot was saved by goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer only for the rebound to go in off luckless Smalling, who had impressed on his first Premier League start. — AFP
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Jabalpur, Ropar win
Nabha (Patiala), December 29 The Jabalpur Railmen put their best put forward and their rivals were simply outwitted in all aspects of the game, be it the defence or the attack. The technical finesse of the Jabalpur goal tender Inder Pal Singh was too good to be believed and many of his saves were a treat to watch. Jabalpur fired in the first salvo when forward Mohammad Naseem found himself hemmed in by a horde of defenders but before they could catch up with him, he deftly managed to put the ball into the netting through the legs of the goal tender. Naseem was once again in the thick of action when he collected a scoop from the left and brought the ball down to his feet before making his way into the danger area. Once again the striker showed tremendous agility to shoot the ball which, however, was padded off by the goal tender. Naseem was quick on the rebound and before the keeper could recover the ball had been placed firm and true into the goalmouth. Stung by the twin reverses in the first quarter of the math itself, the Cops made a couple of substitutions to ensure that their forward line got into motion. Surinder Kumar came close to scoring but Inder Pal seemed to be working on the adage that - If you are a goalkeeper it does not matter what you save the ball with because if you keep the ball out it is not a goal. In other matches CISF, Chandigarh trounced SSB,Delhi 4-2, ITBP ended the giant killing spree of Dhudike XI 3-2 while Ropar hawks beat UP Police 4-1. |
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The Azlan Shah cup triumph and a runners-up appearance in the Punjab Gold Cup, a new man at the helm in the national team and
a power struggle in the game’s governing body.
London, December 29
After failing to qualify for the Olympics for the first time in eight decades last year, the eight-time Olympic champions India started its redemption journey in 2009 to show the world that the land,
which produced greats like Dhyanchand, still has the skills to succeed.
