As a former coach to the South African national team who was born in Mozambique, Portugal's Carlos Queiroz says this is a "special" World Cup. Exactly 12 months ago, however, he did not look like making it this far. After three home games in a moderately difficult qualifying group produced just two points, the Portuguese seemed likely to lose out to Denmark and Sweden, but a last-minute winning goal in Albania by central defender Bruno Alves proved a turning point. Without the injured Cristiano Ronaldo, they beat Bosnia-Herzegovina in the play-offs.

Being drawn with Brazil and Ivory Coast on the back of such an uninspiring qualifying campaign has nevertheless had bookmakers offering odds of up to 22-1 against Portugal winning the competition in which they finished third in 1966 and, more relevantly, fourth four years ago.

In the last two European Championships they have also shown up well, unexpectedly losing their "home" final to Greece in 2004 and reaching another semi-final in 2008. There is much talent in the squad from Ricardo Carvalho at the back to Ronaldo in attack, yet even the run-up to this afternoon's final warm-up game has been patchy; an embarrassing 0-0 draw against Cape Verde, ranked 114th in the world, preceded last week's 3-1 win over Cameroon, who had Samuel Eto'o sent off.

Better news is that Pepe, Real Madrid's holding midfielder who has been out for six months after injuring his cruciate ligaments, will return as a substitute today. Yesterday, Queiroz reiterated his faith in Ronaldo, who was below par in the seven qualifying games he played, failing to score in almost 10 hours. The player has claimed he is "saving my goals for the World Cup".

However, the ability of other forwards like Nani, who blossomed last season after Ronaldo left Old Trafford, Atletico Madrid's Simao and Liedson, a prolific central striker for Sporting Lisbon, should allow Ronaldo to play in his better position out wide. Liedson is one of several naturalised Brazilians in the squad with Deco being another one, which will give an extra edge to the final group match against Brazil. "We might already be qualified [by then]," Queiroz says optimistically.

There are varying opinions on his abilities. It may be that he is one of those better suited as a coach than a manager. Ferguson has always spoken warmly of him in the former role with United, but he could make nothing of Real Madrid.

This time, as well as praising the squad's "talent and tournament experience", Queiroz is playing the card of national pride: "You can be assured the team will do everything to honour the country. We will have courage, inspiration and determination."

— By arrangement with The Independent

He played a sensational 2002 World Cup only to pick up a suspension in the semifinal and missed the final against Brazil. 

New Delhi, June 9
Barely four days before the BAI elections, Badminton's long-serving boss V K Verma today set himself on a collision course with the government by rejecting its financial support and guidelines, saying the body was self-sufficient to run the game in the country. "BAI doesn't need to follow the government guidelines because like BCCI we are financially self-sufficient and we can run the international calender without taking a single rupee from the government in future," Verma told PTI from London.

"By astute marketing we have lined up sponsorships to the amount of five to six crores and we are self sufficient," he added. Verma, however, said it wants to maintain a good relation with the government, like the BCCI, but don't want any further interference.

"We want to maintain a good relation with the government like the BCCI which is also self-sufficient. Government guidelines are for the national federations which need government funding, so it is not applicable to us," Verma said. At loggerheads with the Ministry over its upcoming elections, BAI has become the first National Sports Federation after the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) to claim financial self-sufficiency and refuse government aid.

The Sports Ministry had written a letter to Verma yesterday dismissing BAI's claim that it is self-sufficient and also quoted figures over the last few financial years to explain its stand. Verma, however, said the amount that has been quoted by joint secretary (Sports) Injeti Srinivas were mostly spent on the players and their training and not for the BAI.

"Most of the amount that Srinivas has quoted are spent on travel of Indian players, for their shuttle cock which are given to the camp and for the boarding and lodging of the national players under the SAI. "BAI gets Rs two lakhs for senior nationals championship, whereas we spent 50 lakhs, four lakhs for the national junior, where BAI spend 60 lakhs and Rs six lakhs for sub-junior where we spent around 50 lakhs," he claimed. — PTI

London, June 9
Germany captain Michael Ballack, England's Joe Cole and Brazilian veteran Juliano Belletti will be released by Chelsea when their contracts expire at the end of the month, the club said today. The departures of Ballack and Cole on free transfers will spark a scramble to secure the services of two players who have played a key role in the London club's success in recent years.

Belletti's exit was less of a surprise but the 33-year-old can expect no shortage of suitors thanks to his versatility and his previous experience with Brazil and Barcelona. Ballack, also 33, was signed by former Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho in 2006 and played his final game for the club in their FA Cup final triumph over Portsmouth last month, a match which ended disastrously for the German after he injured an ankle and was ruled out of the World Cup.

Cole has played himself back into contention for Fabio Capello's England side despite being marginalised at Stamford Bridge under Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti. A move to Tottenham and a reunion with Harry Redknapp, his manager at West Ham, now looks the most likely outcome but Cole has vowed to put the issue of his personal future to one side for what he hopes will be a month-long stay at the World Cup in South Africa. — AFP

Harare, June 9
Tillakaratne Dilshan led from the front with an unbeaten century as Sri Lanka lifted the ODI cricket tri-series title, halting Zimbabwe's fairytale run in a lop-sided final here today. Dilshan struck an unbeaten 108 off 102 balls and featured in an 160-run opening stand with Upul Tharanga (72) to script a facile nine-wicket victory that also avenged Sri Lanka's eight-wicket defeat against the hosts on Monday.

Put into bat, Zimbabwe had earlier managed a below-par 199, courtesy Tatenda Taibu's defiant 71, before they collapsed in 49 overs at the Harare Sports Club. The Lankans completed the modest chase with minimum fuss, cruising to 203 for one to complete a comprehensive win with 15.2 overs to spare.

Their chase got off to a flier with Dilshan wasting precious little time in imposing himself. He made his intention clear when he sent the the first ball he faced, from Chris Mpofu, for a four and the otherwise disciplined Zimbabwean attack failed to stem the regular flow of boundaries from Dilshan's blade.

Tharanga also helped himself to the occasional boundaries before hitting Prosper Utseya over his head for a six. He eventually ran himself out in the 26th over but by then, Sri Lanka had the match in the bag. Earlier, Taibu's spirited 71-run knock guided Zimbabwe to 199 before the hosts folded up.

Taibu top-scored with a 93-ball knock in an otherwise ordinary performance by the African minnows, who came into the match after stunning wins over India and Sri Lanka in the round-robin stage. The Zimbabweans started slowly and the pace of their scoring didn't pick up through the innings. Today's match was South African umpire Rudi Koertzen's last one day internationals. — PTI

Scoreboard

Zimbabwe:

Masakadza c Chandimal b Kulasekara 4 (23)

Taylor c Samaraweera b Fernando 19 (22)

Taibu c Kapugedera b Fernando 71 (93)

Ervine run out 9 (24)

Lamb b Mendis 37 (65)

Chigumbura c Dilshan b A Mendis 10 (18)

Coventry c Tharanga b Mendis 18 (12)

Cremer b Fernando 5 (10)

Utseya not out 10 (15)

Price c Dilshan b Mendis 0 (3)

Mpofu run out 6 (9)

Extras (lb 2, w 8) 10

Total (all out; 49 overs) 199

Bowling: Kulasekara 7-2-17-1, Fernando 9-0-36-3, A Mendis 10-1-44-2, Mathews 4-0-14-0, Randiv 8-0-36-0, Mendis 9-0-36-2, Dilshan 2-0-14-0.

Sri Lanka:

Tharanga run out 72 (79)

Dilshan not out 108 (102)

Chandimal not out 16 (27)

Extras (lb 2, w 5) 7

Total (1 wicket; 34.4 overs) 203

Bowling: Mpofu 5-0-36-0, Chigumbura 5-0-28-0, Price 7-0-34-0, Lamb 6-0-24-0, Cremer 4.4-0-27-0, Utseya 6-0-44-0, Masakadza 1-0-8-0.

Chandigarh, June 9
Gurkamal Bains, Organising Secretary of Mahilpur’s seven-a-side football tournament under floodlights, could not have asked for more. It was a pleasant surprise for him to receive a telephone call from the Union Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs, Dr Manohar Singh Gill, this morning. Dr Manohar Singh Gill not only congratulated him for his unique initiative but also promised him all possible support to make this new concept a success.

Visibly elated Gurkamal, who only yesterday led his home team to a splendid 4-2 win in the tournament, told The Tribune that he could not imagine even in his dreams that a Union Minister of the caliber of Dr Manohar Singh Gill would call him after getting his number through some district agency in Hoshiarpur. “He talked to me for almost half an hour.

“He made enquiries about the ground we have developed and maintained for last three years to hold our tournament. He wanted me to get in touch with the School Principal and forward an estimate so that a full-fledged football stadium could be developed on the school ground. “Dr Gill also wanted an estimate for providing permanent floodlights at this proposed stadium,” Gurkamal said.

It may be pertinent to mention here that Union Sports Minister had complimented Gurkamal Bains and other members of the organizing team of this unique seven-s-side tournament in its inaugural year. “He promised to come and watch the tournament soon,” said Gurkamal Bains hoping that Dr Manohar Singh Gill would inaugurate the fourth edition of the tournament next year.

Besides reiterating the commitment of his ministry to help revive football in its erstwhile nurseries, including Mahilpur, Dr Manohar Singh Gill also promised to extend all other possible help, including equipment and coaching, so that talent could be nurtured at the grassroots level of great revival of the sport.

Meanwhile, a private university may adopt the Mahilpur seven-a-side tournament for its multidimensional development and growth as a role model for other villages and such initiatives to emulate. Gurkamal Bains revealed that one of the top executive of the university, Ashok Chauhan, got in touch with him and promised to send his emissary to witness the ongoing tournament before working out modalities for adopting this tournament as a research model. 

Kathua, June 9
With Commonwealth Games slated to be held in October this year in New Delhi, the historic Queen Baton relay is entering Jammu and Kashmir for the first time on June 28. Amidst tight security armaments, the baton will be received at Lakhanpur town, popularly known as the State’s gateway. Some high dignitaries, including players and coaches taking part in the forthcoming prestigious event, will comprise the relay, district development commissioner, Kathua, Sanjeev Verma said.

Meanwhile, the district administration today held a detailed meeting wherein arrangements to receive the Baton were discussed threadbare. “We have directed local police to make foolproof security arrangements and also ensure smooth flow of traffic on the Jammu-Pathankot national highway’’, the deputy commissioner said. District youth sports officer, Kanchan Bala said as the baton will move on towards Samba, local players and artistes will present a variety of cultural items at Kalibari, Rajbagh, Chadwal and Hiranagar towns. This will be a great moment to showcase the unique and composite culture of the state, she said. Kanchan, however, said in view of summer vacations, it would be difficult to ensure the participation of students for this mega event. “We are approaching some reputed private education institutions besides Chief Education Officer to overcome our difficulty’’, she added.