Johannesburg, June 29
Brazil showed doubters they can still play entertaining soccer in a 3-0 demolition of Chile on Monday that took them into the World Cup quarterfinals and sent the first South American team home.

Coach Dunga has taken plenty of flak in his homeland for sacrificing some of Brazil’s traditional flair in favour of a more disciplined approach but his players showed a frightening combination of both at Ellis Park. “We just had to come across Brazil as early as the second round. They’re the best team in the world,” said Chile’s captain and goalkeeper Claudio Bravo after the match.

The win sets up a fantastic last eight clash on Friday in Port Elizabeth against a similarly talent-packed Netherlands. Coming into the match on the back of seven consecutive defeats by Brazil, the Chileans nevertheless tried to take the game to their illustrious opponents, pouring forward in numbers at every opportunity in an evenly-matched first half an hour. Brazil’s playmaker Kaka, back from suspension after missing the goalless draw against Portugal, was booked for a foul on Arturo Vidal and his team’s forays were largely frustrated.

But it was back to the Brazil of old when defender Juan rose high above a fragile-looking defence to power home Maicon’s corner in the 34th minute. In the 38th minute, the marauding Robinho cut in from the left flank to feed former world player of the year Kaka, who split Chile’s defence to put Luis Fabiano through. The in-form striker rounded the keeper to score his third goal of the World Cup and effectively end the contest. After 59 minutes, Ramires surged through the heart of the Chilean midfield and laid a short ball to Robinho, who curled a right foot shot past Bravo to make it 3-0. — Reuters

How much has cricket, in terms of administration and play, changed from your time?

Like every sport, cricket has evolved. Things have picked up pace, and now it is all about trying to keep it relevant to the given situation. With T20 definitely the face of the modern sport has changed, but still Tests, and to some extent, the ODIs are the real thing. That is where a player has to prove his pedigree and temperament.

Do you see the longer formats surviving this onslaught?

You see there is no doubt that people have started liking the shortest version a lot. But I still believe that for cricket to stay relevant, the longer formats need to stay relevant.

Coming back to South African sports, can you describe in detail the role Mr Mandela played?

He is a man with astounding convincing power, and, without a doubt, the will to lead a change, and see it reach its logical conclusion. For instance, whenever he used to see that a particular South African company was flourishing, he would call the CEO or other top brass of that company and congratulate them. And then, very deftly, tell them about a particular neighbourhood that was in tatters and how he would want them to pay, let’s say, 5 million rand for the areas development. And as history will tell you, nobody, and I mean absolutely nobody, says no to Mr Mandela.

So did he ever use that influence for cricket?

Well as I mentioned the role he and ANC played in bringing the two racially divided cricket bodies together, he also used his persuasive powers with the cricket board. One day, I got a call in my office that Mr Mandela wanted to speak to me. I instantly started to think, that what would the great man want from me? I was called to meet him and for the next hour or so, he spoke about everything on earth, but none of it made sense.

Then, like a bolt from the blue, he told me that he wanted the cricket board to give him a few million for a development project. I told him that I would have to discuss it with other members. At a board meeting, I told everyone what Mr Mandela wanted. The mandate was “We are not a charity organisation. We can’t pay him”. My response was simple, in that case I won’t be telling him that we are not paying up. Someone from the board will have to do it. Then almost predictably, within a week, the payment, as per Mr Mandela’s wish had been made.

Reaching here was the easier part, but where South African sport goes from here will be the tough part.

Yes, this is a crucial time for the country. And I can tell you that the leadership, if not Mandela-like, is not disappointing either. We have been able to build a few more bridges. Hopefully, we will not just survive, but strive during the test of time.

They say history repeats itself. But have you ever heard that it is repeated at the same site, or in context of South Africa at the same stadium? Well, that honour goes to the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg, which will host the final of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, come July 11. It will be more than a game of football, it will be South Africa’s moment, it will be Africa’s moment, it will be the moment when people from all developing, the ‘third world’, countries can dream, and believe that there dreams can be realised. And the stadium will be in awe, but it has seen euphoria before when Nelson Mandela had given his maiden address after being released from prison at this very place.

That was a long time ago, and now, with a facelift, increased seating capacity that helps fill in almost a million people, and comparisons to the best grounds in the world, the stadium, just like the nation, has come a long way. The outside of the stadium has the appearance of an African pot; the cladding on the outside is a mosaic of fire and earthen colours with a ring of lights running around the bottom of the structure, simulating fire underneath the pot. No spectator is seated more than 100 metres (330 ft) from the field, and there are no restricted views in the stadium.

‘Waka Waka’ is good, but no way in the same league.” Well, apologies to Shakira, for she is hot for sure, but her song maybe doesn’t quite have the same curves…musical curves that is!

London, June 29
Tuesday was the most happening day at the Wimbledon with the top seeds crashing out from the title hunt. In a major upset, five-times champion and second seed Venus Williams lost 6-2, 6-3 to Bulgaria’s Tsvetana Pironkova in the quarterfinals of Wimbledon on Tuesday.

Williams, whose loss meant she failed to reach the final for the first time since 2006, was outplayed from the outset by the world number 82 on Court One at the All England Club.

Pironkova, the lowest ranked player left in the women’s draw, will play either Belgium’s Kim Clijsters or Russian Vera Zvonareva for a place in Saturday’s final.

Hyderabad, June 29
“I can become the world number one,” declared badminton star Saina Nehwal with a new sense of confidence. Her confidence was certainly not misplaced. The 20-year-old Hyderabadi girl has just created history by winning three international titles on a trot and is ranked third in the world.

Returning to the city to a rousing reception, Saina said she would work hard to win major tournaments ahead. The forthcoming World Championship, Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games would be the focus.

“Yes, I am aware that I will be the most studied player now. But, it does not mean that I will be shying away from new strategies. There are areas like my defence which I need to improve in the days to come. The fitness level has to be really good. The challenges are bound to be tougher especially after winning these titles,” the ace shuttler said.

Saina, who won India Open Grand Prix, Singapore Open and the Indonesian Open Super Series titles in the last three weeks, was accorded a hero’s welcome on arrival at the Rajiv Gandhi Airport here.

She drove from there in an open top, flower-decked jeep in the company of her family members, coach Pullela Gopi Chand and officials of the Badminton Association.

Sharing her experiences with the media, she said, “I am quite happy that I have reached the number three spot. But it is important for me to work hard and win tournaments rather than focus on rankings.”

The unassuming star said it was important for her to stay focused and keep working hard the same way, play selective tournaments so that she could stay injury-free and play well. The absence of top Chinese players at Indonesian Open could not diminish the importance of her feat.

Mumbai, June 29
The BCCI has scrapped all its IPL media rights agreements with Mauritius-based World Sport Group, claiming that MSM Satellite (Singapore) Pvt Ltd was the rightful owner of all media rights relating to the Twenty20 event. The BCCI has invalidated all its deals with WSG following revelations that the latter received $80 million (Rs 425 crore) as “facilitation fee” from MSM for getting back the Indian sub-continent media rights of the IPL in March 2009, according to Board sources.

The deals with WSG were scrapped by BCCI after MSM had last week agreed to pay it Rs 300 crore plus the remaining amount of Rs 125 crore, which it has already paid to WSG, after initiating legal action against the Mauritius firm.

None of the BCCI’s top brass was available for comment as they were currently attending the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) annual conference in Singapore.

Last week the BCCI’s governing council meeting approved an amended Media Rights Agreement with MSM, which had agreed to pay Rs 425 crore “facilitation fee” to WSG on March 25, but the Board later contended that the money rightfully belonged to it. — PTI

Mumbai, June 29
The Indian Premier League III runners-up Mumbai Indians, led by batting great Sachin Tendulkar, will face South Africa’s Highveld Lions in the opening match of the Airtel Champions League Twenty20 at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on September 10.

Mumbai Indians and IPL’s third-placed outfit Royal Challengers Bangalore have been placed in Group B along with Highveld Lions, South Australia Redbacks, and West Indies’ representative to be determined in late-July.

IPL champions Chennai Super Kingsare in Group A alongside the Twenty20 champions from Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Sri Lanka, the organisers announced today.

The final would be held at the Wanderers on September 26 while Durban and Centurion have been awarded the semi-finals on September 24 and 25 respectively.

The 10 competing teams have been divided into two groups of five for a round robin phase before the top two teams from each group progress to the semi-finals.

Matches have been evenly distributed across the four venues with each hosting at least five fixtures, including the final, the organisers said.

All 23 matches in the tournament would be broadcast in prime time in India starting at 5pm or 9pm IST, as per the schedule.

Group A - Chennai Super Kings, Warriors, Victorian Bushrangers, Wayamba Elevens, Central Stags.

Group B - Mumbai Indians, Highveld Lions, South Australian Redbacks, Royal Challengers Bangalore, West Indies Domestic T20 Champions. — PTI

Pretoria, June 29
Paraguay beat Japan on penalties to move into the World Cup quarterfinals today after the match had finished in a goalless stalemate after extra time. Japan’s Yuichi Komano hit the crossbar with his team’s third spot kick, the only one missed in the first shootout of the finals.

Paraguay, which become the fourth South American team after Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay, in the last eight, will now meet Spain or Portugal after holding their nerve to win the shootout 5-3.

The South Americans had enjoyed more possession during the 0-0 draw which had relatively few clear goal chances at either end.

A cagey opening brought few clear-cut chances but the game sparked to life in the 20th minute, Eiji Kawashima saving with his knee from Lucas Barrios, then Daisuke Matsui cracking the Paraguay crossbar with a curling 25-metres effort.

An out-of-sorts Honda had his first clear sight of goal in the 38th minute, striking the ball first time with the outside of his favoured left foot just past the post. Paraguay looked set to open the scoring 10 minutes into the second half when Edgar Benitez broke into the left side of the penalty area but his shot was deflected wide by Yuji Nakazawa.

Japan, who had torn Denmark apart in their final group game with some delightful free-flowing soccer, struggled to maintain possession in the second half and their trademark quick-fire counter-attacks fizzled in the final third. With the score tied at 0-0 after 90 minutes, Japan made a bright start to extra time, Yoshito Okubo bearing down on the Paraguay defence with a surging run from deep in his own half. — Reuters