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Most-awaited game ends in dull draw
Holland earn all nine
points, Cameroon none
Japan make free kicks pay, enter last 16
Elephants beat N Korea but go out
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After epic match, drained Isner crashes out
Saina in Indonesian Open semis
Zulu tales and India on the road
Sutil 8th fastest in 2nd practice session
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Most-awaited game ends in dull draw
Durban, June 25 Brazil finished top of the section with Portugal second. The match, one of the most eagerly-awaited of the first round, was a huge disappointment with neither team prepared to take risks and was marred by petulant behaviour on both sides. Brazil, already qualified, surprisingly left Robinho out of their starting lineup, replacing him with Nilmar, while Julio Baptista stood in for the suspended Kaka in midfield. Seven players were booked in a bad-tempered first half including Brazil midfielder Felipe Melo, hauled off just before halftime by coach Dunga and replaced by Josue as his duel with Pepe - also yellow carded - threatened to boil over. There were only three efforts on target before the break as both teams cancelled each other out. The best first-half chances fell to Nilmar, who had his close-range effort tipped onto the post by Eduardo after a cross by Maicon and then saw a downward header from another Maicon cross bounce just wide of the goal. Tempers calmed down after the break with Portugal looking the sharper and substitute Simao Sabrosa forced Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar to make a tricky save from a long-range effort at the second attempt. Portugal should have gone ahead soon after when Cristiano Ronaldo’s run ended with the ball falling to Raul Meireles but his close-range effort was saved by Cesar who dived bravely to turn the ball around the post and was hurt in the process. Brazil were without suspended playmaker Kaka and forward Robinho, who was rested as the five-times world champions were already sure of their place in the last 16. — Reuters Portugal 0 Brazil 0
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Holland earn all nine
points, Cameroon none
Cape Town, June 25 After wins over Denmark and Japan, the Dutch were already assured of progressing and the victory secured with goals by Robin van Persie and Klaas Jan Huntelaar guaranteed they took the honours with Japan second after a 3-1 win over Denmark. The Dutch also had the bonus of a return to action for winger Arjen Robben, who missed the first two games with a hamstring problem but delivered a 17 minute cameo off the bench to add extra zest and invention to their attack. Nicely balanced throughout the team, Netherlands qualified without ever needing to hit peak form and at present are flying the flag as Europe’s most impressive nation. Cameroon finished last in the group and failed to achieve their goal of not going home pointless although they can hold their heads high after a spirited second half display. Netherlands had to be on their mettle in the early stages as Cameroon, somewhat unlucky to lose 2-1 to Denmark, made a positive start but the precise passing of the Dutch always made them look the more dangerous side. Van Persie should have put Netherlands ahead after 19 minutes when he chested down a lovely 40-metre ball by Giovanni van Bronckhorst but shot meekly at keeper Hamidou Souleymanou. After Dirk Kuyt had dragged another effort across the face of goal, Van Persie eventually broke the deadlock in the 36th minute when a quick-fire one-two with Rafael van der Vaart put him through and he slotted the ball through the keeper's legs. The goal settled the Dutch and they began to fizz the ball around sharply on Green Point stadium's high-speed surface. Cameroon kept pressing though as Samuel Eto’o, Landry Nguemo, Jean Makoun and Aurelien Chedjou, a late change to the starting lineup for Alexandre Song, all had second-half chances. Their pressure was rewarded when Van der Vaart handled a Geremi free kick in the area and Eto'o equalised with a wel-struck 65th-minute penalty. Substitute Huntelaar pounced seven minutes from time after Robben made an immediate impact when his shot from edge of the box hit a post and rebounded into the path of the striker who scored to give the Dutch a 100 percent record. Netherlands, who won all their eight qualifying games, became the first team since Brazil in 1982 to win all their qualifying matches and all their group games. — Reuters Holland Second team to enter Round of 16 with all nine points Cameroon first to depart without a point To meet Slovakia in next round Holland 2 Cameroon 1 Robin van Persie 36 Samuel Eto’o 65 (penalty) Klaas-Jan Huntelaar 84 |
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Japan make free kicks pay, enter last 16
Rustenburg, June 25 Two well-struck goals from free kicks by Keisuke Honda, after 17 minutes, and Yasuhito Endo on 30 minutes, gave Japan a 2-0 halftime lead. Denmark pulled back a goal nine minutes from time when Japanese keeper Eiji Kawashima saved a Jon Dahl Tomasson penalty but the Danish forward scored from the rebound. Japan scored a late third through Shinji Okazaki three minutes from time. Japan became the second Asian team after South Korea to qualify for last 16. They meet Paraguay in Pretoria on June 29. On a cold night at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Japan took control from the start and, though they conceded possession readily, stretched the Danish defence with ease. Their intricate, almost meticulous, one-touch play and the speed of their movement created a series of chances, Daisuke Matsui stretching to meet an angled cross by Yoshito Okubo that hit the diving Danish keeper Thomas Sorensen's right knee from just one of many. If that was a warning for Denmark, it was not heeded and Japan, enjoying midfield superiority, duly took the lead after 17 minutes with a superb goal by Honda. Taking a free-kick 30 metres out on the right, he struck a left-foot shot that faded to the left and left the flat-footed Sorensen helpless. Denmark tried to exploit their height advantage - a ploy the Japanese blunted with excellent marking and brave defensive play. Jon Dahl Tomasson shot narrowly wide and had another effort saved, but the Danes were left reeling when Per Kroldrup tripped Okubo and Endo curled a right-foot free-kick round a defensive wall and inside Sorensen's left post from 25 metres. Japan sat back to absorb a Danes' late onslaught in which Tomasson pulled one back before the Asian side ensured their progress to the next stage through Okazaki late goal. — Reuters Japan first two goals come off smashing free kicks Japan’s Honda smashes a free-kick from 30 metres into the bottom corner in the 17th minute Danish goalie Sorensen was expecting a Honda thunderbolt so Endo takes him by surprise and curls a cute one into the corner from 25 metres in the 30th minute Japan 3 Denmark 1 Honda 17 Tomasson 81 Endo 30 Okazaki 87
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Elephants beat N Korea but go out
Nelspruit, June 25 Needing a glut of goals to stand any chance of advancing from Group G, Ivory Coast left Salomon Kalou on the bench and opted for a three-pronged attack of Didier Drogba, Gervais Kouassi and Abdelkader Keita. North Korea coach Kim Jong-hun kept faith with the same starting 11 that were ruthlessly dismantled 7-0 by Portugal in the previous game. Goals from Yaya Toure and Ndri Romaric gave the Ivorians a 2-0 halftime lead, but it could have been five or six as North Korea struggled to cope with the one-way traffic heading towards their net. Ri Myong-guk was forced into action right from the kickoff, making a smart save from Keita, but there would be no respite for the North Korean goalkeeper as Ivory Coast flooded forwarded at every opportunity. Drogba looked in the mood from the outset and had the ball in the net in the 11th minute but his header was disallowed for offside.The Ivorians would not have to wait long though and in the 14th minute Toure took a pass on the edge of the area before opening up his body and curling the ball into the far corner of the net. Romaric struck the outside of the post four minutes later but was on hand to nod the ball home after Drogba crashed a vicious shot off the underside of the crossbar in the 20th minute.— Reuters Ivory Coast 3 N Korea 0 Toure 14 Romaric 20 Kalou 82
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WC concert: When Shakira’s mom, dad cried
London: Colombian singer Shakira has revealed that the World Cup concert is unforgettable - because her ‘emotional’ performance left her parents teary and proud.
The 33-year-old star performed in the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup
2010 singing the official anthem ‘Waka Waka’ in South Africa earlier this
month. She admitted that she was ecstatic along with her parents who expressed their pleasure in a tearful phone call from their native place. “That
was amazing...one of the most memorable moments - of not only my career
but of my life. “It was just so emotional. I think that the fact
that the World Cup is taking place in Africa just makes it extra
special. “South Africa is also a country that has so much history and it was just one of those moments I’m sure I’ll never forget,” the Daily Star quoted Shakira as telling James Corden in the World Cup Live show. “You know, my mum, my dad, everybody called me from Colombia, they were crying... It was especially emotional for a lot of people. I don't know why. There was something in the air that day," she added. — ANI |
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After epic match, drained Isner crashes out
London, June 25 Patched-up and returning to court a day after his epic first round clash with Nicolas Mahut finally ended after a record 11 hours 5 minutes and 183 gruelling games, the American had nothing left to give in the second round. Gone were his crash, bang, wallop serves. The reservoir of stamina that had outlasted Mahut had run dry. Even the coconut water Isner drank to help him rehydrate proved ineffective. Thiemo De Bakker seized his moment to play the role of sporting cad to perfection. An expectant crowd had gobbled up every available seat on Court Five long before both men appeared for the lunchtime start. Seventy-four minutes later the Dutchman was already looking ahead to the third round with a 6-0 6-3 6-2 victory that was as one-sided as the scoreline suggests. Isner’s mum Karen feared her son would soon “hit a wall” and her worst fears were proved right. “He's a little beat up, his feet are rotten looking. He has no skin on his toes, he’s sort of a mess,” she told Reuters at courtside before play. Isner, nicknamed “Grandpa” at college because he moved so slowly, also knew he was in trouble when his first serve carried “no pop”. Nadal in 3rd round
World number one Rafael Nadal was forced to battle for Wimbledon survival before extinguishing Dutch firebrand Robin Haase with a 5-7 6-2 3-6 6-0 6-3 second round victory on Thursday. The 2008 champion found the resolve to come through a stern examination from the unshaven, tousled 23-year-old Haase who, like Nadal, has struggled with a troublesome knee injury that has stymied his career. Champion Roger Federer struggled during his first two rounds and it was Nadal's turn to flirt with danger. But his will to win and greater experience on grass finally ended Haase's challenge on Centre Court. Women’s singles third round results: Vera Zvonareva (Russia) beat Yanina Wickmayer (Belgium) 6-4, 6-2; Tsvetana Pironkova (Bulgaria) beat Regina Kulikova (Russia) 6-4, 2-0 (Kulikova retired); Jelena Jankovic (Serbia) beat Alona Bondarenko (Ukraine) 6-0, 6-3; Justine Henin (Belgium) beat Nadia Petrova (Russia) 6-1, 6-4; Marion Bartoli (France) beat Greta Arn (Hungary) 6-3, 6-4; Kim Clijsters (Belgium) beat Maria Kirilenko (Russia) 6-3, 6-3. — Reuters |
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Saina in Indonesian Open semis
Jakarta, June 25 Saina, who yesterday jumped three spots to third in world rankings after winning the Singapore Super Series, looked rusty against Ella Diehl of Russia in the first game and was doing the catch up job from the start before losing it 17-21. The top seeded Indian, however, shrugged off the initial rustiness and stamped her authority over her opponent in the next two games by using to telling effect her superiority in smashes and long rallies. Saina and the eight seeded Russian were neck-and-neck at 5-4 before the Indian pressed the accelerator in the second to take it 21-11. In the decider, Saina took a straightaway 6-0 lead and though the Russian reduced the gap 13-10, the Indian ran away with the game 21-16 and the match in 58 minutes. In the semifinal tomorrow, Saina will meet fourth seeded Eriko Hirose of Japan who beat fifth seeded Jie Yao of the Netherlands 21-19 10-21 22-20. — PTI
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Zulu tales and India on the road
Among all the tribes that inhabit South Africa, the Zulu is the best known. They are the warriors, ruthless and brave. But that was during the days gone by and now the fight is to make ends meet, run a family and build a future. For Jerome, a Zulu living in Rustenburg, it was cricket that caught his eye. He started off wanting to be a fast bowler, but soon switched to batting after a local coach interferred. He continued to work tirelessly on improving his skills, but then reality struck, much like a well-directed bouncer. “I never gave anything apart from cricket a thought. It was always my first love, but then after my father passed away, I had to look after the family. So I gave up cricket and took up a job as a Zulu performer with the local troop. I miss the field, the action and excitement, but family comes first for every man,”says Jerome, like a true Zulu man. But the story of a sportsman giving it all up, to support his family, and becoming a part of the crowd that could have been cheering his name....sounds familiar to anyone? Car hi car !
The Indian automobile industry is growing in size and reputation, and South Africa is a good proof of that. The Tatas are here and so are the Mahindras. Tata trucks can be easily seen on the highways and the company is registering not only decent enough sales but a good reputation as well. The Mahindras are present with the Scorpio. But they are still struggling to find their feet in a segment heavily dominated by Toyota. The other indirect connection is with Hyundai, which sells cars manufactured at their Chennai plant. Notable among them are the Elantra, the Getz, the i10 and the Santro, which is called the Atos in South Africa. |
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Sutil 8th fastest in 2nd practice session
Valencia, June 25 In the morning, Vitantonio Liuzzi lapped his car at 1:43.380 which put the Italian in the 14th place, two places ahead of Force India teammate and test driver Paul di Resta (1:43.437). Sutil replaced di Resta in the afternoon and clocked 1:40.020 which was good enough for the eighth place, while Liuzzi's 1:40.387 had him 12th. Karun, on his part, managed 1:47.343 in the first session to come 23rd and returned to clock an improved 1:44.566 but even that was not enough to avoid the bottom place on the timsheet. Ferrari's Fernando Alonso topped the times with a 1:39.339 in the second session. — PTI
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Durban, June 25
Netherlands advanced to a second-round meeting with Slovakia after they did just about enough to beat Cameroon 2-1 on Thursday to make it three wins out of three and secure top spot in Group E.
Japan clinched a place in the last 16 of the World Cup on foreign soil for the first time when they beat a disappointing Denmark 3-1 in their final Group E fixture today.
Ivory Coast convincingly beat North Korea 3-0 today, but the comprehensive win was not enough to prevent the Africans from going out of the World Cup.
Needing a glut of goals to stand any chance of advancing from Group G, Ivory Coast left Salomon Kalou on the bench and opted for a three-pronged attack of Didier
Drogba, Gervais Kouassi and Abdelkader Keita.
Human endurance has its limits. Drained and bothered by blisters, an aching shoulder and legs, John Isner’s tumultuous Wimbledon ended in a whimper on Friday.
Jakarta, June 25
Among all the tribes that inhabit South Africa, the Zulu is the best known. They are the warriors, ruthless and brave. But that was during the days gone by and now the fight is to make ends meet, run a family and build a future. For Jerome, a Zulu living in
Rustenburg, it was cricket that caught his eye. He started off wanting to be a fast bowler, but soon switched to batting after a local coach
interferred. 
Adrian Sutil clocked the eighth fastest time in today's second practice session ahead of Sunday's European Grand Prix here while Hispania driver Karun Chandhok came last.
