|
|
|
|
|
India snap the losing streak
Sloppy England good enough for Malaysia
|
|
|
Teo has big shoes to fill
Pekerman gets second shot at finals
Now, flying trouble for sports bodies
India series: B’desh name two rookies
Australia want Indian soil for their wickets
Punjabi University softens stand on archers
|
||||||||||
|
India snap the losing streak
The
hague, June 5 The result was one that neither team wanted, leaving them well adrift of the teams fighting it out for the top positions in the Pool. Both goals came in the first half, with Rupinder Singh netting a penalty stroke in the 28th minute before Roc Oliva netted a field goal six minutes later. Seven minutes into the match, a timely interception from Spain captain Santi Freixa enabled Roc Oliva to break forward and win a penalty corner, but the Spaniards were thwarted by a fine save from Sreejesh, who had yet another outstanding game. The lively Indian attackers were a constant threat to the Spanish defence, forcing their opponents into a number of important challenges deep in their own circle to protect the goal of Quico Cortes.
The deadlock was broken in the 28th minute when forward Mandeep Singh forced a rash challenge from Spanish defender Sergi Enrique, with umpire Roel van Eert immediately awarding a penalty stroke. Rupinder Singh made no mistake from the spot, slamming into the bottom left corner to give India a 1-0 lead. The Indian advantage lasted just six minutes, with Roc Oliva firing into the net from the top of the circle after more terrific play from captain fantastic Freixa. The frenetic action continued throughout the second half, with the ball racing from one end to the other at breakneck speed. Freixa continued to stamp his class on the game with a visionary overhead pass to release a racing David Alegre through on goal, but the Spaniard could only send his lobbed effort wide of the target and ended up leaving the field injured after a heavy collision with the onrushing Sreejesh.
Spain and India both had numerous chances to take the points, with Spain's Piera hitting the side netting before Dharamvir Singh rattled a shot into the pads of Cortes five minutes from time. "In the end it is good to have a point. It is interesting to pick up a point in a game that we played resolutely and both teams could have won. We had hoped to play more openly than we did and I congratulate the Spanish team on taking that away from us," India head coach Terry Walsh said. England, Australia win England stayed on course for a Rabobank World Cup semi-final spot with a 2-0 victory over Malaysia in Pool A. A goal either side of half-time from the East Grinstead duo of Mark Gleghorne and Ashley Jackson sealed the points. In another contest, Australia posted a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Belgium. — FIH TODAY’S MATCHES New Zealand vs Argentina (4:30 PM) Korea vs South Africa (7.30 PM) Germany vs Netherlands (9 PM)
|
||
|
Sloppy England good enough for Malaysia
The Hague, June 5 Fourth-ranked England opened their scoring in the fourth minute of the game through a goal from Mark Gleghorne, but despite having far greater possession for a large percentage of the game, Barry Middleton and his men could not take further advantage until the 66th minute when Ashley Jackson put the game out of reach. "It should not have come to that," said a clearly disgruntled Jackson. "We should have put the game away long before that." Gleghorne's goal came when he was found unmarked in the circle with only the keeper standing between him and his second goal of the World Cup. His clinical finish was in marked contrast to the inept finishing of his fellow strikers, with Tom Carson in particular finding himself in good positions time and again, but unable to get the ball in the back of the net. Malaysia were industrious, without achieving any meaningful result. Their quick, nimble play meant they were able to twist and turn through the England defence, but all too often the sheer size of the England men was enough to knock the Malaysian players off the ball and overturn possession. Hafifi Hanafi was the most unfortunate casualty of the physicality of the game: his diving attempt on goal saw him leave the field on a stretcher after he came into sharp contact with goalkeeper George Pinner's outstretched foot. For the first 20 minutes of the game Malaysia worked hard to overturn the England lead, Tengku Ahmed and Fitri Saari in particular were busy in the midfield; it was simply a case that the England defence stood very strong and the Speedy Tigers were unable to breach the final line of defence.It was a penalty corner strike from Ashley Jackson that finally put the game safely out of Malaysia's reach. Despite a hampering shoulder injury, the midfielder was able to find a way past Subramaim. Speaking after the game, Pinner said "Every game for us is a cup final. We have been strong defensively and we don't give away many corners. We just need to make sure we out the game to rest a bit quicker." The weather was closer to monsoon conditions, said Bobby Crutchley, referring to the first half downpour. The England coach said he was pleased to have won the match, and felt that the team had shown the patience and persistence necessary to win three points.
— FIH |
|
Sharapova puts Genie back in bottle
It was Sharapova's third consecutive victory from a set down — further proof that when the chips are down there are few players who can equal her for fighting spirit. “Winning a match where I felt my opponent played extremely well, exceptional tennis and I didn't feel that I was playing my best, I fought, I scrambled, and I found a way to win. I'm happy and proud about that,” the 2012 champion told reporters. “In the third I thought I was the aggressive one. I stepped up and I was doing things that I had wanted to do, which was I feel maybe I should have done earlier.” Looking close to mirror images on court, each blonde, each dressed in shades of pink with orange trim and each working the angles with flashing groundstrokes, it was Bouchard who called the tune in the first set. However, by her own admission, she backed off in the second and third sets and despite Sharapova's service games being peppered with double faults, it was the more experienced player who began to stamp her authority, the shrieks becoming a roar of delight as she snuffed out the 20-year-old. Sharapova will face Romanian fourth seed Simona Halep in the final, hoping to go one better than her defeat by Serena Williams last year. A disconsolate Bouchard, seeded 18, knew she had been within touching distance of reaching her first grand slam final off the back of her last four run in Australia. “I thought I was really close to it at the end of the second set, but I made too many mistakes on important points and important moments,” Bouchard, known as Genie, told reporters. Sharapova, who has battled shoulder injuries during her career, has now won the last 19 three-set matches she has played on clay since losing to Justine Henin in the third round at Roland Garros in 2010. “In these last matches I have lost the first set, but I have lost them in different ways,” she said. “You know, at the end of the day, it's not how you finish a first set. It's how you finish the last set.” Halep rolls into final Simona Halep reached her first grand slam final when she beat Germany's Andrea Petkovic 6-2 7-6(4) in the semi-finals of the French Open on Thursday. The Romanian fourth seed, who will face 2012 champion and last year's runner-up Maria Sharapova on Saturday, blazed through the opening set as her 28th-seeded opponent struggled with early nerves. She fell a break down in the second but recovered to force a tiebreak which she always controlled. Halep, who has yet to drop a set, ended the contest on her first match point with yet another forehand winner. Andy silences French roar
Briton Andy Murray ended home hopes by beating Gael Monfils 6-4, 6-1, 4-6, 1-6, 6-0 in a race to beat the fading light in front of a roaring crowd on Wednesday to reach his first French Open semi-final since 2011.
— Reuters
|
|
|
The feisty South Americans are back
After appearing in Italy in 1990, the United States in 1994 and France in 1998, Colombia failed to make the grade until they finished second in the South American qualifiers for this year’s tournament. Coach Jose Pekerman’s team, though, have lost a key player after talismanic striker Radamel Falcao suffered a knee injury playing in a French Cup match for AS Monaco in January and failed to recover from ligament surgery in time to play in Brazil. In 1990, Colombia’s commitment to attack came unstuck with a typical sortie into midfield by flamboyant goalkeeper Rene Higuita, which was punished by Cameroon’s veteran striker Roger Milla in an extra-time defeat in the second round. Four years later, Colombia travelled to the United States on the back of a fine qualifying campaign that included a 5-0 win over Argentina in Buenos Aires — Argentina’s worst home defeat. An own goal by Escobar in a 2-1 loss against the United States contributed to Colombia’s exit at the group stage. The defender was later shot dead in a bar in Medellin. In 1998, mercurial winger Faustino Asprilla upset the squad’s harmony and was sent home early by coach Hernan “Bolillo” Gomez after complaining about a substitution. Less flamboyant
Pekerman’s team do not have the flamboyance of Francisco Maturana’s side of the early 90s when Carlos Valderrama of the blond dreadlocks pulled the strings and they have lost some of their attacking power without Falcao. Jackson Martinez or Carlos Bacca will deputise for Falcao and they do have the striker’s Monaco team mate James Rodriguez prompting from midfield plus a sturdy defence built around veteran centre-backs Luis Amaranto Perea and captain Mario Yepes. Colombia finished the 16-match South American qualifying group with the best defensive record, conceding only 13 goals. The team combines the traditional possession game of Colombian football with a new tactical strength. Rodriguez has proved a key component in Colombia’s gameplan with tactical acumen to go with his creative skills. Colombia, grouped with Greece, Ivory Coast and Asian champions Japan, will attempt to get past the last 16, their best performance at a World Cup achieved in 1990. First, though, they will be trying to achieve something they failed to do the last time they took part in a World Cup in South America. In those 1962 finals in Chile they were eliminated in the group stage without winning a game. — Reuters Group C COLOMBIA, COTE D’IVOIRE GREECE and JAPAN Colombia’s world ranking: 8 Best finish: Round of 16 in 1990 Last 3 World Cup
performances: Did not qualify in 2002, 2006 and 2010 Main threat Greece (June 14): Greece, world No. 12, lost only one game in the qualifying stage. The Euro 2004 winners have a habit of winning tight matches. 2014 international results: Drew 2-2 with Senegal, Drew 1-1 with Tunisia Gifted youngster James Rodriguez, 22, has proved a key component in Colombia’s gameplan with tactical acumen to go with his creative skills. The gifted attacking midfielder linked up with Falcao at club level first at Porto and then in multi-million deals that took the pair to Monaco. |
|
Teo has big shoes to fill
Bogota, May 5 Gutierrez, who once pointed a realistic-looking toy gun at angry Racing Club team mates in the dressing room after being sent off, was a perfect foil to Falcao, scoring six goals as Colombia finished second in the South American qualifying group. Gutierrez, who contributed goals to River Plate’s league championship victory in Argentina last month, will be under extra pressure after Falcao’s failure to recover for the finals, even if there are able reserves in Jackson Martinez and Carlos Bacca. Falcao was the man his country was banking on for success in their first finals since 1998 and he had struck up a good partnership with “Teo” under Argentine coach Jose Pekerman. “I hope God allows me to enjoy the World Cup,” the religious Gutierrez said in a recent interview. “We hope to be able to be the surprise team. We also have a coach like Pekerman who knows a lot and with whom I enjoy playing football.” Gutierrez scored only six goals in the league championship this year for River Plate, but two strikes in their last two title-clinching wins were vintage Gutierrez. That is what Colombia fans dream of seeing from him in Brazil as Gutierrez looks to add to his 11 international goals, starting with the group matches against Greece, Ivory Coast and Asian champions Japan. — Reuters |
|
Pekerman gets second shot at finals
Bogota, May 5 He then led a much-admired Argentina senior side to the quarterfinals in Germany in 2006 where they lost to the hosts on penalties, after which Pekerman resigned. The 64-year-old Argentine took charge of a senior international side again in January 2012 when he succeeded Leonel Alvarez after Colombia made a poor start to the qualifiers by collecting four points from their first three matches. His arrival triggered a turnaround and Pekerman, who played nearly half his career in Colombia as a midfielder for Independiente Medellin, developed a strong, confident team. He did not make wholesale changes, but got the best out of a talented squad by focusing on their attacking instincts and a game historically influenced by Argentina.
— Reuters |
|
Now, flying trouble for sports bodies
New Delhi, June 5 Another decision by the Jitendra Singh-led Sports Ministry before it demitted office is causing resentment among the NSFs. The Sports Ministry had issued a directive to all NSFs regarding the booking of air tickets for international events, which stated that the Sports Authority of India (SAI) would not bear the air travel expenses of the teams, as has been the case earlier. The responsibility has been shifted to the NSFs, which are now expected to buy the tickets directly from the concerned airlines at least 30 days prior to sending the teams abroad. The directive said that the “NSFs would buy the tickets directly from the concerned airlines and claim reimbursement as provided in the Scheme of Assistance to NSFs along with the copies of the tickets purchased”. It added that the NSFs and SAI would have to coordinate to ensure that the sanction letter for the tour is issued by the SAI in such a manner that the tickets could be booked at the earliest, at least 30 days prior to departure. “In case the tickets were purchased within one week (of departure), the NSF should explain why the tickets could not be purchased earlier,” it added. The directive also said that the national team should “invariably travel on Air India”, except in cases where the tickets in the entitled class are not available. “The national carrier should be given preference. In case the relaxation is sought to travel by private airlines, the airfare quoted by private airlines should be lower than the Air India fare,” said the ministry note. The directive has come as a shock for the cash-starved federations of sports like rowing, gymnastics, taekwondo, basketball and many others, which solely depend on the Sports Ministry’s financial grants. They are not financially strong and lack corporate support, which sports like hockey, football, tennis, golf and shooting have. The Sports Ministry’s directive is intended to cut down on travel expenses. Though the SAI books the tickets, very often the NSFs submit the list of their athletes very late, barely days before the date of departure. The SAI, thus, ends up buying the tickets at a higher rate. However, since many NSFs are always strapped for cash, they would find it impossible to book the tickets on their own because of the costs involved. |
|
India series: B’desh name two rookies
Dhaka, June 5 BCB selection panel chairman Faruque Ahmed said: “We have kept more or less a settled squad but it is also important to get an idea about the kind of back up we have in our hands as we start preparing for the ICC World Cup in Australia-New Zealand.” “Mithun has been under our radar for a while. He has performed consistently in the limited overs format and in the longer version as well during the last couple of years and deserves a chance at the international level. Taskin is an exciting prospect and has already played a Twenty20 International. We thought it was a good opportunity to see how he performs in the 50-over game in home conditions against some quality batsmen.” “Al Amin has bowled impressively since his debut and Masrafe Mortaza is our most experienced campaigner. We also have a seam bowling all-rounder in Ziaur Rahman. Because of these pace options and squad balance Rubel Hossain misses out. The spin department is well covered with Abdur Razzak, Shakib Al Hasan and Shohag Gazi. Mahmud Ullah is also quite handy and can do a job for his captain.” Squad: Mushfiqur Rahim (Captain), Tamim Iqbal, Anamul Hoque Bijoy, Shamsur Rahman, Mominul Hoque, Shakib Al Hasan, Nasir Hossain, Mahmud Ullah, Md. Mithun, Abdur Razzak, Masrafe Bin Mortaza, Shohag Gazi, Ziaur Rahman, Al-Amin Hossain, Taskin Ahmed.
— PTI |
|
Australia want Indian soil for their wickets
Sydney, June 5 Australia, who suffered a 4-0 humiliation in India last year, has reportedly focused its efforts to improve performances against spin and with their next Test series in against Pakistan in the spin-friendly UAE this October, the nation has been importing Indian soil for their pitches. According to News.com.au, although the imported Indian turf would not be ready for the Australians to practice on ahead of that tour, it would be in place ahead of Test tours of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and India over the next three years. Current Australian chairman of selectors Rod Marsh, who had been International Cricket Council (ICC) academy coach in Dubai when he introduced different types of India pitches and Australia, is reportedly following that lead. Australia would train at the ICC academy ahead of the UAE series, the report added.
— Agency |
|
Punjabi University softens stand on archers
Patiala, June 5 However, softening its attitude, Punjabi University has sought representations from the archers, which should assure that they would join the World University Archery Championship camp immediately after they return from the World Cup. The university authorities have said that they will sympathetically consider their case. The university’s Director Sports, Dr Rajkumar Sharma, said he had already written to the Sports Ministry to reconsider the criteria for the calculation of marks for the MAKA Trophy. The Sports Ministry has excluded the marks of the Olympics, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and all other international tournaments for consideration for the MAKA Trophy. Due to this, the university has given greater importance to the World University Archery Championship than the World Cup. “We have been spending crores on providing world-class infrastructure and other facilities to our players in order to help them reach the international level and such decision certainly bounds the universities. If they want to uplift other universities and give them equal opportunity to win the MAKA Trophy, they should provide them better infrastructure. Slashing points of international tournaments is not the apt solution,” he added. He said the reason he wanted the players to participate in the World University Archery Championship was that they have fought really hard to ensure that university players also got an international platform to show their talent. “However, since we still have time for the final trials for the World University Archery Championship, we will try and propose that these players could join the camp after the World Cup. Hopefully, the proposal would be accepted,” he added. |
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | E-mail | |
The two sides played entertaining hockey throughout the first period, with Sreejesh saving from Salvador Piera before giant India defender Raghunath superbly charged down a Spanish penalty corner.
Both Sreejesh and Cortes were forced into action on regular occasions in the second half, with Sreejesh making two decent penalty corner saves while Cortes produced a sensational diving stick save to deny Rupinder's goal-bound drag-flick.
COLOMBIA are going to their first World Cup since the golden generation of the 1990s reached three consecutive tournaments, although those achievements will always be overshadowed by the murder of defender Andres Escobar in 1994.
