Johannesburg, June 22
David Villa scored two goals, the first one of the best of the World Cup so far, but also missed a penalty as Spain beat Honduras 2-0 yesterday to rebound from their opening loss to Switzerland.

The European champions dominated the error-prone Central Americans, often looked as if they could score at will but squandered many chances in an exciting but erratic display.

They were occasionally petulant and other World Cup referees may have sent off Villa late in the first half for slapping Emilio Izaguirre in the face as the players tangled at a corner.

The win took Spain second in Group H with three points, ahead of the Swiss on goal difference, and left them needing a win over Chile on Friday to guarantee qualification for the second stage.

It also gave them the first win by a European team over Latin American opposition in South Africa.

“We created a lot of chances and could have won by more goals,” said Spain coach Vicente del Bosque.

Honduras coach Reinaldo Rueda, whose team have no points after two games, was realistic. “The early goal tipped the balance of the game. There’s not much to explain, we were playing a much superior team,” said the Colombian.

Spain went quickly on the attack with Villa, who has an impressive 40 goals from 60 internationals, crashing an early effort against the crossbar.

Spain’s 17th minute opener came after they snuffed out a rare Honduras attack.

Villa picked the ball up on the touchline, slipped between two defenders and then cut inside Osman Chavez to lift his shot past Honduras goalkeeper Noel Valladares.

Fernando Torres, included alongside Villa in attack, missed two golden chances in a minute just before the half hour as the Spanish continued to slice open the Honduran defence, which repeatedly gifted them possession.

Villa doubled Spain's lead six minutes into the second half when Jesus Navas cut the ball back to him on the edge of the area and his deflected shot looped over Valladares into the net. — Reuters

German coach Joachim Loew is not the one to show his emotions normally, but then these are hardly normal times. After whipping the Socceroos in the opening game, the shock defeat to Serbia has left the Germans grasping for at a spot in the Round of 16. Many fancy them to take that spot, but then a win for either team would result in advancement as they take on African giants Ghana in a crucial encounter at the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg tomorrow.

Speaking about the match, Loew said, “It will be quicker than the Serbia game. The Serbs were focussed only on defending. They played one man upfront and were negative with a draw on their minds. It will be quicker but fitness is written with a capital F in the German camp and we can cope with it.”

The African nation has a lot of hope riding on their backs and the entire continent is looking towards them with the disappointment of Cameroon’s exit still thick in the air. Ghana are undefeated at this year’s finals, having drawn against Australia and beaten Serbia.

“Ghana are a strong side. They don’t shy away from one-on-one duels and also have players who can make fantastic sprints,” added a cautious Loew.

Germany will be missing the services of suspended striker Mirosalv Klose, the top scorer at the 2006 World Cup. There are a lot of expectations from the young German side, whose credentials might not be left to speak about, or might never be doubted again at the finals. As they say, results are everything, and both sides have the proverbial ‘everything to play for’.

Rustenburg, June 22
Uruguay secured a place in the second round of the World Cup finals for the first time since 1990 when they beat Latin American rivals Mexico 1-0 on Tuesday.

The result meant Uruguay topped Group A and Mexico also went through despite losing by virtue of having a better goal difference than hosts South Africa. France finished bottom.

"We're going to take it one game at a time ... now we've been lucky enough to achieve our first goal which was to get through the group phase," said Uruguay's goalscorer Luis Suarez.

Mexico defender Rafael Marquez said the team would have to improve in the second round where they could face in-form Argentina.

"We have to get better whatever happens ... in terms of what lies ahead, everything is down to us and we have to continue with the good work and try to do what we did against France," he said.

A well-made and perfectly-taken headed goal by striker Suarez after 43 minutes settled the outcome of the match as Mexico lost their way after an evenly-balanced first half.

In a tightly contested, but open game, with no sign of any intention to play for a draw, Uruguay, champions in 1930 and 1950, had to resist Mexican pressure in the closing stages to keep a third straight clean sheet.

The first half was littered with stoppages, tension seeming to grip both teams.

As the sun went down, Mexico, playing the more intricate football, had the best early chance when Andres Guardado fired in a wicked left-foot drive from 30 metres that rebounded off the bar.

But Uruguay were in no mood to be dazzled or unnerved and, combining strength with pace in attack, they gave as good as they received in an evenly-balanced and, at times, fascinating contest.

Uruguayan midfielder Diego Perez suffered a cut head, apparently from an errant elbow, and required treatment before returning in a vivid blue bandage, just before his side swept ahead after 43 minutes.

Diego Forlan began the move in midfield with a pass to winger Edinson Cavani and from his deep cross the persistently-dangerous Luis Suarez rose at the far post to send a bouncing header past Oscar Perez.

Uruguay almost added to their lead when, from a Forlan free-kick, captain Diego Lugano's close-range header was well saved and Alvaro Pereira's follow-up shot was blocked.

Invigorated by three quick substitutions, and their fans, Mexico fought back and almost leveled when Francisco Rodriguez met a Pablo Barrera cross, but headed wide from just six metres. — Reuters

Bloemfontein, June 22
South Africa overcame a dispirited France team, who were reduced to 10 men for more than a hour, to win 2-1 in their last World Cup Group A match on Tuesday but it was not enough to reach the second round.

Uruguay, who beat Mexico 1-0 in the other group match, finished top and secured a place in the last 16 with the Mexicans. South Africa finished in third place on four points with hapless France finishing last on one.

South Africa became the first World Cup hosts to fail to survive the group stage but at least restored some pride.

The home side also recorded their first triumph over a major footballing power with first-half goals from Bongani Khumalo and Katlego Mphela.

However, they had the advantage of playing against 10 men for all but the first 25 minutes of the match after the controversial dismissal of Yoann Gourcuff.

The French playmaker, restored to the starting lineup and looking early on to conduct his team's attempted revival, was adjudged to have elbowed MacBeth Sibaya in a goalmouth heading duel but it looked unintentional.

The surprise red card came five minutes after a goalkeeping error allowed Khumalo to head home from a corner and with the man advantage saw the hosts stamp their authority on the game.

France keeper Hugo Lloris misjudged the height of the ball sailing over his head, allowing Khumalo to lean in over Abou Diaby to score.

The French defence was also caught out when Mphela scored the second goal in the 37th minute, bundling the ball over the line after a square pass from Tsepo Masilela.

France, who brought on Thierry Henry, showed effort in patches and pulled a goal back after 70 minutes when Franck Ribery suddenly sparked into life with a clever run that set up an easy tap-in for substitute Florent Malouda. — Reuters

Port, Elizabeth, June 22
England’s World Cup campaign is in tatters with crisis meetings, furious fans, misfiring strikers and splits in the camp and a win against Slovenia tomorrow is their only hope of salvation.

In less than two weeks, England have gone from talented contenders to sulking underachievers, presenting unfashionable newcomers Slovenia with a chance to top the standings and revel in the sinking their famous Group C rivals.

Slovenia, which failed to reached the second round on their debut as an independent nation in 2002, lead the group on four points followed by the United States and England on two and Algeria, who play the US in Pretoria, with one.

Typically, the England camp insists all is well, the players are united and fully behind their coach Fabio Capello, but the worst-kept secret is that the Italian’s team selection and strict adherence to a 4-4-2 formation is troubling the squad.

Whether the no-nonsense Capello cares what his players think remains to be seen but he has promised changes to an uninspiring side packed with in-form players who have shone in the Premier League but struggled in an England shirt.

Midfielder Frank Lampard was the first to admit it. “We have to play (here) with that pace and passion that we have every week at home,” he said.

Defender John Terry spoke like the captain he no longer is in his efforts to show the team was united, determined and that the cloud hanging over them would soon pass.

“We’re here supporting and fully behind (Capello) and have his support as well,” Terry said. “That’s the main thing and we just have to stick together and get that win and stay unified.”

Capello keeps his cards close to his chest but could move captain Steven Gerrard into an attacking role in support of troubled striker Wayne Rooney, with Joe Cole brought into the midfield to replace misfiring marksman Emile Heskey.

Jamie Carragher, who came in for the injured Ledley King, misses the game through suspension and will be replaced by Matthew Upson in the centre of defence.

Slovenia are the unexpected leaders of a group that was regarded as the weakest of the eight. They are on the verge of making the second round at a major tournament for the first time after early exits from Euro 2000 and the 2002 World Cup. — Reuters

Dambulla, June 22
All-rounder Farveez Maharoof claimed a hat-trick as Sri Lanka produced a near-perfect performance to beat India by seven wickets in the final round-robin match of the Asia Cup today.

Both teams had already qualified to play each other in the final of the four-nation competition, which is on Thursday.

India, sent into bat, were well placed at 189 for four before they crumbled to 209 all out from 42.3 overs. They lost their last six wickets for 20 runs as Maharoof performed his hat-trick.

The right-arm fast-medium bowler trapped Ravindra Jadeja lbw, bowled Praveen Kumar, and had Zaheer Khan caught in successive deliveries in the 39th over.

He became the 23rd player to take a hat-trick in one-day internationals and the third Sri Lankan, after Chaminda Vaas and Lasith Malinga.

Maharoof was named man-of-the-match with figures of five for 42 from 10 overs.

Rohith Sharma was India’s top scorer with 69 off 73 balls. Sri Lanka lost openers Upul Tharanga (38) and Tillakaratne Dilshan (24) to stumble to 80 for two before a 104-run partnership between captain Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene guided them home.

Sangakkara scored 73 off 82 balls, including 10 fours, and Jayawardene finished on 53 not out, moving to his half-century with the winning boundary. — Reuters

Scoreboard

India:

Gambhir c Randiv

b Mathews 23 (31)

Karthik c Sangakkara 
b Herath 40 (43)

Kohli c Sangakkara 
b Maharoof 10 (14)

Rohit run out 69 (73)

Raina lbw b Herath 18 (23)

Dhoni run out 41 (53)

Jadeja lbw b Maharoof 0 (1)

Praveen b Maharoof 0 (1)

Zaheer c Sangakkara 
b Maharoof 0 (1)

Dinda b Maharoof 2 (12)

Ojha not out 0 (3)

Extras (lb-3 w-3) 6

Total (all out, 42.3 overs) 209

Bowling: Welegedara 7.3-0-42-0, Maharoof 10-1-42-5, Mathews 6-0-37-1, Herath 7-0-31-2, Randiv 9-1-40-0, Kandamby 3-0-14-0.

Sri Lanka

Tharanga c Dhoni b Zaheer 38 (57)

Dilshan c Jadeja b Zaheer 24 (21)

Sangakkara c Zaheer 
b Praveen 73 (102)

M.Jayawardene not out 53 (82)

T. Kandamby not out 7 (16)

Extras (b-2 lb-11 w-3) 16

Total (for 3 wkts, 37.3 overs) 211

Bowling: Praveen 8-2-30-1, Zaheer 7-1-42-2, Dinda 5-1-39-0, Ojha 10-0-49-0, Jadeja 6.3-0-29-0, Rohit 1-0-9-0.

Man of the match: Maharoof

New Delhi, June 22
Trouble appears to be mounting for suspended IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi whose ouster looks certain with the Cricket Board today rejecting his defence against the slew of charges levelled against him.

Talking to PTI, BCCI secretary N Srinivasan said he found Modi's reply to the three showcause notices that had been slapped on him "unacceptable".

He said his observation has been forwarded to the affiliate units and would seek ratification in the Board's July 3 Special General Body Meeting, which is expected to oust Modi.

"Since Mr Lalit Modi had accused me of being biased against him, after a thorough and careful reading of his explanation against the charges, I have passed an order that it was not acceptable," Srinivasan said.

"So, as advised by BCCI President Shashank Manohar, my order has been referred to the members of the General Body to ratify my decision on the SGM called on July 3. It is left to them to ratify my order after which the matter will be referred to the Disciplinary Committee," he explained.

"The showcause notices, his reply to them and my order have been dispatched to all the members and a decision will be taken in the meeting," the BCCI secretary said.

Srinivasan said since Manohar has recused himself from proceedings against Modi, as was sought by the suspended IPL Commissioner, a new member would be appointed in BCCI's Disciplinary Committee.

"Since Lalit Modi has also accused Mr Manohar (of being biased), he would be replaced by another member to be decided by the General Body," Srinivasan said.

BJP leader Arun Jaitley, who heads Delhi and District Cricket Association, and Chirayu Amin, who is the interim IPL chief, are the two other members of the Disciplinary Committee. — PTI

London, June 22
Serena Williams today enjoyed the gentlest of workouts as the sun beat down on Wimbledon’s Centre Court, scoring a comfortable 6-0 6-4 first-round win over Portugal’s Michelle Larcher de Brito.

The defending champion and top seed was in unforgiving form against the world number 148 and raced through the first set in just 22 minutes.

Larcher De Brito finally got off the mark at the start of the second and even forced the American to lose her balance on occasions during some testing rallies, but Williams proved too strong and served out with an ace for the victory after 63 minutes. Russian Anna Chakvetadze will be her second-round opponent.

Even Sister Venus, seeded two, too flew the family flag yesterday with a 6-3 6-2 defeat of Paraguay’s Rosanna De Los Rios.

Former world number one, fellow Belgian Justine Henin, also back after a retirement U-turn, beat Latvia’s Anastasija Sevastova and fourth seed Jelena Jankovic ended the hopes of British teenager Laura Robson.

Serbia’s Ana Ivanovic lost to 13th seed Shahar Peer of Isreal 6-3 6-4.

Rafael Nadal looked like he had never been away as he made a welcome return to Wimbledon with a ruthless 6-2 6-4 6-4 win over Japanese wildcard Kei Nishikori today.

However, French Open runner-up Samantha Stosur slumped to a 6-4 6-4 first-round defeat by Estonia's Kaia Kanepi.

The sixth seed looked listless on grass and failed to improve the past record of seven appearances without advancing to more than second round.

Long after dark, with the Centre Court roof closed and the lights beaming, men’s third seed Novak Djokovic then survived a similar fate, reeling off the last six games to beat tricky Belgian Olivier Rochus 4-6 6-2 3-6 6-4 6-2.

Russia’s seventh seed Nikolay Davydenko also went two sets down against South Africa’s Kevin Anderson before clawing back to win 3-6 6-7 7-6 7-5 9-7.

Marin Cilic, the 11th seed, fell to Germany’s Florian Mayer but there were few alarms for 2002 champion Lleyton Hewitt and 2009 runner-up Andy Roddick as they reached the second round. — Reuters