Belo Horizonte, July 9
They spent the previous four days weeping for Neymar. They will spend the rest of their lives grieving about Tuesday, 8 July, and the day that Brazilian football was demolished in one of its own great cities. In the list of great sporting collapses it is hard to think of an occasion as raw, as painful and as humiliating as this, when Germany scored five goals in 29 minutes against a Brazil team that had taken leave of any semblance of a game-plan. Extraordinary and excruciating to watch it was a World Cup match like no other. Even the Germans sensed that they should mute their celebrations, as if they were also bystanders at a solemn state funeral.

Something was lost to Brazilian football yesterday that will never be recovered, not in this generation or perhaps many more to come. It was their misfortune that the second World Cup finals in their country coincided with one of the most mediocre Brazil teams in memory but even then no-one expected a defeat that Luiz Felipe Scolari himself described as “catastrophic, terrible”. This was football history being made. It was a realignment of how we think about the world game and where the power lies.

Was this worse than Brazil’s defeat to Uruguay in the 1950 World Cup decider at the Maracana? How could it not be? The final say on that will have to be decided in the endless days, weeks, months of debate that will follow in Brazilian society but the irony will not be lost on them. This was the tournament that was supposed to exorcise the ghosts of the “Maracanazo” and instead it has lumbered a whole new generation of Brazilians with a complex they may never shift.

This was a World Cup semi-final lost in an avalanche of Germans goals midway through the first half that turned the rest of the match into an absurdity for the home fans. They went through anger, to disbelief on to irony, cheering Germany’s seventh goal and greeting every successful pass with an “Ole” and a sneer in the direction of their own hapless players.

If there was any consolation after the sixth and seventh goals were slotted away by the substitute Andre Schurrle in the second half, it was that the Brazil players did not lose the plot or disgrace themselves with a sending off. It remains to be seen how this country, with so much social unrest kept repressed by the loyalty to the national team, reacts. They have paid $11bn to stage this World Cup finals and it has turned into the most expensive ritualistic moment of humiliation of which a nation state could conceive. “Ordem e Progresso” it says on the flag. Disorder and chaos on the pitch. What happens to Luiz Felipe Scolari now is anyone’s guess. He says that he will be in charge for the third-place play-off on Saturday, which cruelly gives this team four more days together at their mountain-top camp in Teresopolis, with a hostile populace at the gates.

As for the game, the national anthem went well for Brazil, at the beginning of which Julio Cesar and David Luiz held up a Neymar shirt, and then it was downhill from there. — The Independent

BELO HORIZONTE, 9 July
Brazil rode a wave of emotion, patriotism and prayer to reach the World Cup semi-finals but Tuesday was the day when the weight of expectation caught up with them. Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari tried to explain their 7-1 defeat by Germany in purely footballing terms, saying their opponents played superbly and took their chances against a Brazil side that played poorly. But that is only half the story. In truth, Brazil lost the match in their head as much as on the pitch.

“Let's put it into context. The hosts were unable to cope with the pressure,” said Germany coach Joachim Loew. “After two goals, they were confused and they never got re-organize. We realized they were cracking up and we took advantage of it.”

Former German goalkeeper Oliver Kahn also believed Brazil's downfall was due to the weight of expectation of 200 million fans.

A Brazilian psychologist offered a different explanation. “I don’t think that these factors are distinct, the emotional, physical, the technical,” said Jose Anibal Azevedo Marques. “The way I see it as a sports psychologist is that it is unfair to say we lost 7-1 because we were unfit, or we lost 7-1 because we weren’t emotionally prepared. It’s all part of the one thing.”

Marques said Brazil switched off during a 10-minute period and were punished mercilessly for it. Teams often have these blackouts, he said, but rarely does one side's disastrous spell coincide exactly with their opponents' purple patch. — Reuters

Belo Horizonte, July 9
For a team that had just crushed hosts Brazil 7-1, smashed a few records, and reached a World Cup final, Germany's manager and players were astonishingly cool on Tuesday.

Clearly as stunned by the game as the Brazilians themselves, the Germans showed the utmost respect towards their humiliated and weeping rivals, hugging and consoling them at the end.

They also chose their words carefully afterwards, expressing sympathy for Brazil's pain and keeping the focus firmly on Sunday's final rather than celebrating their astonishing win. "Until today, Brazil played a magnificent World Cup. They are a great team with great players," said magnanimous coach Joachim Loew, avoiding any semblance of 'schadenfreude', the word Germany gave the world for delighting in another's pain. "As hosts, they have delivered a fantastic tournament."

Germany's understanding of Brazil's pain comes from their own traumatic semi-final defeat on home soil in 2006, though the 2-0 extra time loss to Italy was hardly as devastating. Brazil's loss was the most shocking in World Cup history and their first home defeat in 64 competitive matches since 1975.

"We had great hopes in 2006 too and you can feel the pressure that the hosts have in a match like this," Loew said.

ll 200 million people here want you in the final. That can make your players tighten up. I feel sorry for him (Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari). I think I know how he feels."

Toni Kroos, who scored two goals, was named man of the match and the midfielder's strongest performance in the World Cup epitomized Germany's improved game.

"We started getting a goal every five minutes and put the match away quickly," said Kroos. "It was an unbelievable match... We beat Brazil in their own country. That's impressive by itself. But we're not at our goal yet. We want to win on Sunday," said Kroos. — Reuters

You have a beautiful country, wonderful people and amazing footballers — this match may not destroy your pride!
Germany midfielder Mesut Ozil on Brazilian people

I didn't like Brazil from the start, but I didn't think Germany were going to be so imposing, so devastating, so decisive. Brazil just didn't turn up and I think the worst thing for Brazil is that they gave an extremely poor image. Germany were strong but the Brazil players simply weren't on the pitch. I'm sorry because Brazil was so proud of its team, they wanted to reach the final, but football gives you these hammer-blows. 
Diego Maradona

I always said that football is a box of surprises. Nobody in this world expected this result. We'll get the sixth title in Russia. Congratulations to Germany. 
Pele

It is the biggest embarrassment in 84 years of the Cup. It was 10 minutes of compete blackout. You can't do that in the semi-final of the World Cup.
Galvao Bueno, Brazilian television commentator and presenter

It will be difficult to recover. Some players I don't think will be back to wear the Brazilian shirt. It is wrong now to criticise the players. On the field Germany taught us how to play football, we have to learn from that. 
Juninho, former Brazil midfielder

In nigh on half a century of watching football, that's the most extraordinary, staggering, bewildering game I've ever witnessed.
Gary Lineker, former England striker

I don't know what the lads from Brazil were carrying on their shoulders. In these pictures you keep seeing them crying, before the match or after the match. This team didn't have experience to handle pressure of a big tournament in their own country. They fell apart emotionally today completely.
Oliver Kahn, former Germany goalkeeper

Germany rout worst day of my life: Scolari
Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari took responsibility for Germany's 7-1 thrashing of his star-studded side that took him to rock bottom in a career that has seen spectacular highs as well as controversy. "I think it was the worst day of my life," said the 65-year-old. The result, one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history, was “catastrophic,” he admitted. "I will be remembered as the coach to lose 7-1, but I knew that risk when I took the job and life goes on so that is what I am going to do. My message for the Brazilian people and fans is that we did what we could do and we did what we think was our best," added Scolari. — Agencies

Klose scores 16th goal, breaks all-time record
Germany striker Miroslav Klose scored after 23 minutes of the World Cup semi-final on Tuesday to become the tournament's all-time leading scorer with 16 goals. Klose had moved level with former Brazil striker Ronaldo on 15 when he scored in Germany's 2-2 draw against Ghana in the group stage. He has played in four World Cups and has now scored 71 goals in 136 appearances for Germany. “I don't think I can really measure what that it all means just yet, it's difficult to think about that after a match like this," said Klose. A lethal finisher, Klose is the best German striker of his generation. He began his World Cup career in 2002 with five headed goals as Germany reached the final, where they lost 2-0 to Brazil with Ronaldo scoring twice to register eight for the tournament. Four years later with Germany as hosts, Klose won the Golden Boot when he scored five goals in leading the team to the semi-finals. In 2010 he scored four goals in South Africa.

We will be scarred for life: Brazil Striker Fred
Brazil striker Fred has said the team's 7-1 World Cup semifinal loss to Germany will leave a permanent scare on the Selecao's players. "I am very sad and disappointed for the way it happened," Xinhua quoted Fred as saying. "This was the worst match of our lives." "A loss like this will mark the careers of all of us. It leaves a scar that we'll have to carry for the rest of our lives," he added. It was the heaviest defeat ever suffered by a World Cup host and equalled the Selecao's biggest losing margin. Fred, who scored just one goal for the tournament, was the target of jeers by Brazil fans when he was substituted for Willian in the 69th minute. He denied being affected by the crowd's reaction. "That doesn't disappoint me and doesn't make me sad," the 30-year-old said. "Boos are a part of football. What hurts me is the result."

Nottingham, July 9
England produced a pitch that was almost tantamount to red carpet treatment for India, and the visitors showed their pleasure, opener Murali Vijay scoring the first century of the series.

From the time the coin landed after the toss in the morning, Stuart Broad’s grimace told one story, and after four overs Anderson’s long face told another tale. After Ben Stokes’ attempted bouncer reached Prior on the third bounce, England were rattled after just nine overs of the day. It was that sort of a pitch — unkind, unhelpful to the bowler.

It wasn’t the batting that caused the frustration; rather, it was the nature of the pitch that left most people — apart from the 11 Indian players — annoyed. The last time England and India faced off in a Test match, in Nagpur, the teams were greeted with a pitch even less conducive to a result; and while this one might produce a result, it is once again a clear indication of the style of cricket that can be expected during the series.

Vijay’s ability to play the ball late and constantly find the gaps through the vacant gully region left the Englishmen exasperated. It might have looked risky, but on such pitches, such shots are perfectly executable and Vijay is a master at playing them. He has his limitations in his batting but on such wickets, his sublime wrist-work and style make his look like VVS Laxman. It is a credit to him that he has learnt which shots to play, depending on the nature of the pitch. With a mixture of well judged leaves and strong punches on the leg side, India romped to 104/1 at lunch, the first time since 2009 that India had managed to score over a 100 in the first session of a Test away from home.

The lunch interval allowed England to regroup and employ different tactics. Perhaps that is the only positive about such wickets — they make the captain think outside of the square.

England resorted to an 8-2 off-side field, nagging Indian batsmen constantly outside the offstump. It led to the downfall of Kohli. They then tried the bodyline theory of bowling short from around the wicket; it resulted in the dismissal of Ajinkya Rahane. Cheteshwar Pujara too fell to a trap of employing short midwickets and short covers.

While England were dejected at losing the toss, the lunch break and a combination of intelligent tactics ensured the pitch and the Test match were not a dull spectacle. But this was only Day 1, and more proactive leadership will be required to ensure the Test keeps blossoming over the next four days.

New Delhi, July 9
Sports Federations in India have always indulged in washing their dirty linen in public. Accusations and counter allegations have flown thick and fast. No wonder, the same applied to Boxing India – an amalgamation of corporates, sponsors and administrators – after it decided to indefinitely postpone its elections “due to certain exigencies and discussions”.

When Boxing India informed about the postponement of elections, which were due to be held on July 9 in Mumbai, it projected a unified front that 26 state units have backed the decision.

But, what Boxing India did not reveal were the actual reasons behind postponing the election process when the candidates have filed their nomination papers and the date for withdrawal of nominations ended on July 6.

Some of the state associations have now accused Boxing India of violating the election guidelines and national sports code and changing the entire process as per their convenience.

Even the Indian Olympic Association is up in arms against Boxing India for sidelining the AIBA-approved ad-hoc committee and has decided not to send its observer for the elections after the AIBA Executive Council Meeting that will be held between 15th and 18th July. “Boxing India violated the sports code, violated its own constitution by issuing notices to associations and violated the election guidelines. Mohit Bhagchandani, who was appointed interim secretary general along with interim president Rajendra Prasad from Chhattisgarh during the General Council Meeting of Boxing India on June 27 in Mumbai, himself passed the order regarding the postponement of the election, keeping the returning officer in dark,” a state association official, who was contesting the election, told The Tribune. “Mohit did not inform the returning officer and his interim president about the postponement. Mohit also issued a notice to all affiliated members threatening them not to participate in any unauthorized meetings failing which the respective state unit(s) could be suspended,” added the official.

His notice did not go down well with his interim president, who shot off a scathing letter to him questioning his authority to issue such a notice. “The crucial decision on postponement of elections has left all the state associations members, including myself, in a state of shock,” said Prasad in a mail.

Another official alleged when Boxing India learnt that their candidate for secretary general post – Jay Kowli, president of Maharashtra state association – was not going to win the election and Rohit Jain of Delhi had emerged as the leading contender, they postponed the elections. “World Series of Boxing franchise owner Udit Sheth is misguiding the AIBA on Indian boxing for his personal gains. That was the reason why the names of two of his company (Transstadia) employees – Nitin Beri and Hiren Pandit – were mentioned in the electoral list.”

When contacted, Boxing India officials refused to clarify whether the allegations were true. They didn’t provide a specific reason for the postponement either. “The whole process needs to be put into perspective, so we decided to postpone the elections. We are waiting for the AIBA EC meeting to end,” was Boxing India’s reply.

New Delhi, July 9
Indian women’s hockey team chief coach Neil Hawgood considers the Glasgow Commonwealth Games a “litmus test” for his young and inexperienced side. For the 50-year-old Australian, the CWG bears great significance for India ahead of the “much tougher” Incheon Asian Games, which will serve as a direct chance to qualify for the Rio Olympics in 2016.

“Yes, it is (a litmus test). The CWG is part of our preparation for the Asian Games. We have to rank the Asian Games as most important to us. It will secure us a direct berth for Olympics. The Commonwealth Games are also pretty special to us. Not many countries can say that they have a CWG medal,” Hawgood said.

Hawgood, who guided India to a historic bronze medal in the junior women’s hockey World Cup in 2013, said the Malaysian tour helped the Indian eves prepare better for the CWG. The women’s team blanked Malaysia 6-0 in an away Test series. “That was an important tour for us. We just wanted to go and play some quality hockey and not look at the world rankings. The girls played pressure-free hockey which showed in their performance,” he said.

Hawgood, who has served as assistant coach of the Australian women’s team at the 2006 and 2010 World Cups and at the 2008 Olympics, said the team would look to better its fifth-place finish in the last edition of the Games held in Delhi. “Our target is a top-4 finish. We would look to qualify for the semifinals,” he said. “Two players (Chanchan Devi and Binita Lakra) are injured right now. We will miss them.”

ARENBERG PORTE DU HAINAUT (France), July 9
Chris Froome’s attempt to win a second successive Tour de France ended in bitter disappointment after less than a week of the race on Wednesday when he crashed out on stage five. On a miserable, rain-sodden day in northern France, the Briton appeared in great pain after falling for the second time, some 70 kilometres from the finish.

The Team Sky rider stood holding the wrist he injured in another spill on Tuesday, and was limping heavily as he eventually climbed into a team vehicle after chatting to team doctor Alan Farrell and sports director Nicolas Portal.

The team’s website confirmed shortly afterwards that Froome had withdrawn from the race. Earlier in the stage, a 152.5-km ride from Ypres, Belgium, Froome suffered his second crash in two days. Froome hurt his wrist and suffered bruises to his left side in a fall on stage four but was cleared to start Wednesday’s stage which features several treacherous cobbled sectors.

BRIEFLY

Ojha, Rayudu hit centuries to help India A draw match
Brisbane: Naman Ojha and Ambati Rayudu hit unbeaten centuries to rescue India A to 285 for five in their second innings on the fourth and final day as the unofficial Test match against Australia A ended in a draw here today. After an unconquered double ton in the first innings, Ojha produced yet another unbeaten knock of 101, studded with 11 fours and five sixes, and shared an unbroken 199-run stand with Rayudu for the sixth wicket, to resurrect India A’s second innings after the visitors were reduced to 86 for five in 25.2 overs. Brief scores: India A: 475/9 decl & 285/5 in 71.3 overs (Ojha 101*, Rayudu 100*; Sayers 3/48); Australia A: 534 (Marsh 211, Whiteman 174; Bumrah 5/132).

Sri Lanka beat South Africa to level series 1-1
Pallekele (Sri Lanka): Sri Lanka beat South Africa by 87 runs in the second one-day international in Kandy on Wednesday to level the three-match series 1-1. Chasing 267, the visitors were bowled out for 180 in 38.1 overs, with Lasith Malinga taking four wickets. Earlier, opener Tillakaratne Dilshan had smashed 86 off 90 balls as Sri Lanka posted a competitive total. Brief scores: Sri Lanka 267 in 49.2 overs (Dilshan 86; McLaren 4-48); South Africa 180 in 38.1 overs (Amla 101; Malinga 4-24). — Agencies

Haryana golfers finish 2nd at World Corporate Golf
New Delhi: The Jet Airways team of Kanwaljit Cheema and Kulvinder Singh did corporate India proud by finishing second at the 20th annual World Corporate Golf Challenge in Spain. The Indian team lost narrowly to Sweden by three points, accumulating 125 points over two days at the famous Sotogrande course in Southern Spain. Cheema scored a total of 60 points spread over two rounds (32-28), playing off an 8-handicap, while Kulvinder scored 65. “It was an extremely windy course which the Europeans are familiar with but we were determined to play out of our skins,” said Kulvinder. — TNS

Hafeez out of Pakistan Test squad for Sri Lanka 
Karachi: Pakistan have dropped top order batsman Mohammad Hafeez from their Test squad and recalled former captain Younus Khan in the one-day team for next month's tour of Sri Lanka. Middle order batsman Umar Akmal was recalled to the 15-member Test squad named on Wednesday, the 24-year-old returning after three years out of the side, having played the last of his 16 Tests against Zimbabwe at Bulawayo in 2011. However, pace duo Umar Gul and Mohammad Irfan missed out on the tour due to ongoing fitness concerns.