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La Roja’s ultimate challenge
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Labour shortfall leads to mechanised stitching of balls
We can cope with packed defences: Del Bosque
India cracked even before Oz attacked
Sports Authority of Punjab set up
Again, no Arjuna for Renjith
Neesham ton puts Kiwis in control
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La Roja’s ultimate challenge
Spain's desire for glory on the international stage is as strong as ever but the champions will need something special if they are to become the first Europeans to win the World Cup in the Americas. The only nation from the continent to triumph in soccer's global showpiece outside Europe, thanks to their triumph in South Africa four years ago, La Roja got an indication of the task facing them when they were humbled 3-0 by hosts Brazil in last year's Confederations Cup final. The pressure of the occasion at an intimidating Maracana Stadium in Rio De Janeiro, where July's World Cup final will be held, was too much for them. They were unable to match Brazil's intensity as they fell to what is one of only three defeats under coach Vicente Del Bosque in competitive games since he took over nearly six years ago. That Brazil were able to dominate a Spain team used to having the lion's share of possession was partly due to the absence of the injured Xabi Alonso, whose partnership with Sergio Busquets in midfield creates a stable platform for more creative team mates such as Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas to weave their magic. Del Bosque, who masterminded Spain's campaign in South Africa and led them to a second straight European title two years ago, will have learned from the reverse. The former Real Madrid coach has only had to tinker with his team since he took over from the late Luis Aragones after the Euro 2008 triumph but has begun recently to give more playing time to some of Spain's promising youngsters. While he may be reluctant to experiment too much in Brazil and risk upsetting the balance of a side stuffed with proven champions, he will have recourse to players capable of coming off the bench and changing a game like creative midfielder Koke or forward Juan Mata. Perhaps his most significant move was the controversial decision late last year to call Brazil-born forward Diego Costa into the squad, which provoked outrage in Costa's native country. Spain scored just eight times in seven games at the 2010 World Cup and Costa, who made his debut in a 1-0 friendly win against Italy in March, could provide the cutting edge that La Roja sometimes lack up front if he can shake off a series of niggling injuries that have dogged him in recent weeks. The 25-year-old has scored a hatful of goals for Atletico Madrid in La Liga and the Champions League this season, and his combative playing style, strength in the air and prowess shooting with either foot strike fear into any defence. False nine
In Xavi, Iniesta, Fabregas and David Silva, Spain have some of the best passers in the game, and Del Bosque will be counting on Costa making the intelligent runs into space that have been so devastating at club level. Another tactic Del Bosque has often used to excellent effect, particularly at Euro 2012, is playing without a traditional centre forward, with Fabregas in a roving attacking role as a so-called "false nine". — Reuters Andres Iniesta
Hugely gifted and entertaining ball player, epitomises Spain's swift, counter-attacking style. Has been hampered by niggling injuries and criticised for not scoring more often but has developed a habit of producing on the big occasions which include the winning campaigns of 2008, 2010 and 2012. Group B Spain’s world ranking: 1 Best finish: Champions in 2010 Last 3 World Cup
performances: Quarterfinals in 2002, Round of 16 in 2006 and Champions in 2010 Main threat 2014 international results:
Beat Italy 1-0, beat Bolivia 2-0, beat El Salvador 2-0
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Sergio Ramos
Sergio Busquets
Cesc Fabregas
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Was it a goal? Debate should end at World Cup
Was it a goal, or wasn't it? The question shouldn't need to be debated in the next five weeks in Brazil, where goal-line technology will be used for the first time in a World Cup. Fourteen cameras — seven trained on each goalmouth — have been hung up in all 12 World Cup stadiums. The cameras will record 500 images per second, and a computer will digest the frames. Within a second of a ball crossing the line, the referee's special watch will vibrate and flash "GOAL." End of the debate? It should be. The designer of the system says 2,400 tests have been run in Brazil, without a mistake. "This is the future," said Dirk Broichhausen, who heads the German company GoalControl, whose system will be used at the tournament and was demonstrated Monday at Rio's Maracana stadium. It's also a type of technology that FIFA repeatedly balked at in the past. But the 2010 World Cup changed that when a shot by England's Frank Lampard in the second round against Germany was clearly over the line, but disallowed. That goal would have tied it 2-2. Instead Germany won 4-1. And that helped end the indecision. Mourinho rues lottery of penalties
The 2014 World Cup's imminent start brings with it the looming prospect of penalty shootouts, but Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho believes that there is no point in preparing for them. The Portuguese has tasted defeat in several penalty shootouts — notably losing Champions League semifinals with Chelsea in 2007 and Real Madrid in 2012 — and says that they are ultimately a lottery. "Don't speak about penalties with me because I always lose on penalties!" said the Portuguese. "I lost so many times. I did everything: I trained, I didn't train. I analysed opponents' penalties going back years, the percentage of where they take the penalty, the percentage of where the goalkeeper goes or doesn't go. Also, I didn't look at this and did it by instinct. We did everything we could do. My final conclusion? It's what He wants," he added, pointing to the skies. "At Madrid I didn't win the Champions League because Ronaldo, Kaka and Sergio Ramos missed penalties (against Bayern Munich in 2012). It was the best penalty-takers. They all came to me and said: 'I want to be the first, I want to be the second, I want to be the third!' OK then, go! That's why I didn't win the Champions League with Real Madrid." Sepp Blatter Takes Aim at FIFA 'Destroyers'
Global football chief Sepp Blatter blasted critics trying to "destroy" FIFA on Monday, suggesting that "racism" was partly behind corruption allegations engulfing Qatar's winning bid for the 2022 World Cup. Blatter, 78, who is poised to announce his candidacy for a fifth term as president of football's global governing body, launched a strong defence of his term during addresses to Asian and African officials. Speaking to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) gathered in Sao Paulo ahead of FIFA's 64th Congress, Blatter branded his critics "destroyers". "Show unity and confirm this unity, it's the best way to reply to all the destructors in the world," Blatter said. "They want to destroy, not the game, but they want to destroy the institution, because our institution is too strong." Blatter said FIFA was "so strong we are sure they'll not destroy it." In separate comments to Confederation of African Football (CAF) delegates, Blatter said he believed unnamed critics of Qatar 2022 were motivated by "racism and discrimination." — Agencies |
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Labour shortfall leads to mechanised stitching of balls
Jalandhar, June 10 Buyers are showing greater interest in online shopping of balls and even football accessories, and the industry is switching over to the production of machine-stitched balls. This has led to a change in the trend of sales in the sports industry hub of Jalandhar. With two days to go for the World Cup, sports goods manufacturers here have already reported the export of about 15 lakh balls. Shortage of labour has been a problem — all the orders were finished using football-stitching machines imported from China and Japan. These machines had been installed a few months ago. Tilak Khinder, Managing Director of Rattan Brothers, said that he had supplied about 3 lakh balls to various countries, including the UK, Australia, Hungary, France and Ireland. He said he had completed most of the orders by using machines to stitch the balls. “The quality of the balls stitched on machines is slightly lower than that of hand-made ones, but shortage of labour has been a big problem,” he said. “Such big orders could not have been completed without the use of machines.” He added that the import of these machines from China and Japan was not at all a problem as the companies have distributors in India. Pakistan has taken a lead over India in supplying the balls to be used during the World Cup matches. Most of the balls exported from India are meant for use in promotional events and as demonstration balls. “Since it is largely promotional balls that the sports manufacturers have sent, it does not make a difference whether these are hand-made or machine-stitched,” said Ravinder Dhir, who owns a sports goods manufacturing unit. He added that there had been no increase in the sales of footballs in India, since “Indians are crazy only about cricket”. Rajesh Kharbanda, Managing Director of Nivia Sports, said that there had been a drastic change in the trend of sales ahead of World Cup, compared to the trends four years ago. “The buyers are largely depending on the internet for the purchase of not just balls but also accessories like wristbands, hand-warmers, pads, sleeves, T-shirts... For this, the manufacturers have been directly marketing their products through their websites or have linked with companies like Amazon, Jabong etc,” he said.
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We can cope with packed defences: Del Bosque
Barcelona, June 10
"Possession without having depth doesn't have any point," Del Bosque said. "For that reason we are working so that the team can pressure to win back possession and then as a group attack. "Football is played in many different ways and there isn't just one. We don't have a magic formula, we have a plan based on the players that we have available. That doesn't mean there aren't others who are just as good and get results." Del Bosque said he was not concerned if Spain's group rivals, who also include Chile and Australia, choose to sit back. "It's fine if they do. It suits us best being patient and looking for the gaps against teams that are defensive rather than being in games that are end-to-end and out of control." — Reuters
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India cracked even before Oz attacked
The result against Australia was expected but the way the Indian team started the match was really poor. They began nervously and it seemed they went into the match with a fear of Australia.
The first goal came after a horrible mistake by Sardar. A player who has more than 150 India caps, Sardar should have known better than to play a parallel pass. India gave away too many soft penalty corners throughout the match. And Australia made use of the first three opportunities, as is expected from the world No. 1. India played better in the second half but by that time the match was over and Australia had lost three players due to injury. But the huge difference between the two teams was clear. Even our good players seem ordinary against Australia. Though India played with a lot more purpose in the second half, there is not much to say about any player’s performance. Dharamvir Singh was better than the others, but not good. The only player who was excellent and has been throughout the tournament was goalkeeper PR Sreejesh. It says something about a team when its best player is the goalkeeper. Expectedly, India got no penalty corners. Even if they had, with the form Rupinder Pal Singh and VR Raghunath are in, it’s likely that India would not have scored. Why is India using two penalty-corner specialists? The other teams have one specialist, and even that player is good in his position. Both Rupinder and Raghunath are not even great defenders. Why not develop one of the other players into a defender? India will play South Korea for the 9th position on Saturday. The match is inconsequential but, as I had written about the win over Malaysia, a win over Korea will give India great confidence if the two teams meet in the Asian Games. India should win the match, seeing that Korea have not been in the best of forms. It will be interesting to see how India tackle Korea, who like to sit back and play on the counter. India can play with a full press strategy and risk opening up to Korea’s counter attacks or sit back and play on the counter. The writer is a former India captain
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Sports Authority of Punjab set up
Chandigarh, June 10 Special kabbadi stadiums would also be established in various districts. While reviewing the sports infrastructure and training facilities in the state, Badal approved the setting up of a Directorate of Sports Authority of Punjab, headed by a Director General and Governing Council to administer different branches of the authority. SAP would be responsible for implementng the vision of the state government to train potential sportspersons free of cost and for developing a sports culture in the state. Centres of excellence will be established in Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Patiala, Hoshiarpur, SAS Nagar and village Badal. Badal said that an amount of Rs. 100 crore has been earmarked for setting up of these specialised sports centres, which will have residential facilities for the budding players. The centres of excellence in six districts would provide free training facilities to the players in athletics, badminton, basketball, boxing, cycling, football, gymnastics, hockey, kabbadi, shooting and wrestling. Experienced Olympians and foreign coaches will be employed to train young sportspersons. Taking stock of the required infrastructure, maintenance and training facilities in these centres, Badal said that special hostels with all residential facilities would be set up separately for men and women players. The budding players under the age of 14 years would be selected for the sports centres to provide them with excellent coaching. He added that ultra-modern gyms would also be set up in such the centres. SAP would tie up with the nearest academic institutions to impart education to those enrolled in the centres of excellence. The authority would also provide free transportation facilities to the players to support their studies. All modalities have been workout to set up the authority and the centres would be operational from the next academic year. Badal also directed the officers to identify stadiums in the districts that could be further developed to provide specialised training to kabbadi players to develop this game at a professional level. He asked the officers to chalk out a detailed plan to hire professional coaches in each sport so that the players could perform at the national and international level.
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Again, no Arjuna for Renjith
New Delhi, June 10 The Sports Ministry decided to strike down Maheshwary’s name from the list of athletes after the Supreme Court refused to interfere in the government’s decision to hold back the Arjuna Award to the triple jumper just before the award ceremony in 2013 on the ground that he was involved in a doping-related incident in 2008 in Kochi. Maheshwary was found to have used a banned substance, ephedrine, when tests were done on the samples collected during the Kochi meet. He was banned by the AFI for three months on Jan 10, 2009. “The Apex Court has refused to hear Maheshwary’s plea, which automatically disqualifies him from the race for Arjuna Award,” a senior ministry official told The Tribune. “The question of awarding him the prestigious award does not arise. The athletics federation needs to answer why it forwarded his name for the award.”
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Neesham ton puts Kiwis in control
Kingston, June 10 Neesham, who scored 137 not out on debut against India in February, was dismissed for 107 after sharing a 201-run partnership with wicketkeeper BJ Watling (89) to take the visitors to 508 for seven declared at Sabina Park in Kingston. West Indies openers Chris Gayle (eight) and Kieran Powell (11) guided the hosts to 19 without loss at stumps, still 489 runs in arrears, though Powell should have been dismissed on eight when he was dropped by Peter Fulton at second slip off Tim Southee. “It’s very pleasing obviously,” Neesham said of his achievement. “Individual stuff is nice but you play the game to win and that’s what’s most important. It’s quite a flat wicket but there is some turn and bounce if the bowlers put the ball in the right area so if we can get some early wickets tomorrow.” Brief scoresNew Zealand: 508/7 decl (Williamson 113, Neesham 107, Watling 89) West Indies: 19/0
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Spain's desire for glory on the international stage is as strong as ever but the champions will need something special if they are to become the first Europeans to win the World Cup in the Americas.
The only nation from the continent to triumph in soccer's global showpiece outside Europe, thanks to their triumph in South Africa four years ago, La Roja got an indication of the task facing them when they were humbled 3-0 by hosts Brazil in last year's Confederations Cup final.
The result against Australia was expected but the way the Indian team started the match was really poor. They began nervously and it seemed they went into the match with a fear of Australia.
Straightaway, you could see that Sardar Singh was playing in a defensive position and not in his usual centre-half position.
Regarded as one of the world's top central defenders after switching from right-back for club and country, but also risks being remembered more for his red cards. Sent off 19 times playing for Real, is an athletic, committed and tough tackler, who can throw himself too hastily into a challenge.
Quietly and efficiently going about his business, the Barcelona player is possibly the most accomplished holding midfielder in world football. Short passing and composure are wonder to behold and is a tenacious ball-winner. Del Bosque says he is player he would most like to be compared to.
Swift passer, commanding presence on the ball and threat from anywhere around the box. The 27-year-old can play as a creative midfielder or up front as a roving striker. Scored the penalty that knocked Italy out in the quarterfinals of Euro 2008, widely seen as a turning point for Spain.
Straightaway, you could see that Sardar Singh was playing in a defensive position and not in his usual centre-half position. He knew that Australia put a lot of pressure on the opposition’s centre-half. That showed that India were already under pressure, mentally, even before the Australians started putting pressure with their daunting forward-press.
