Mumbai, Jan. 28 -- Pakistani allrounder Abdul Razzaq has become the focal point of a very bizarre twist to the 'Indian Premier League snubbing Pakistani players' controversy.
On Wednesday night, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Ijaz Butt told the Hindustan Times on record that IPL champions "Deccan Chargers had invited Razzaq to represent them" in IPL-III.
"I have asked him to get the letter of invitation on email and I'm expecting a copy of that tomorrow morning. I will then talk to our High Commissioner (in India) and have a word with Razzaq," said Butt. "I will also follow this up with the franchisee, if need be."
While no one from the Deccan Chargers responded to queries officially, IPL commissioner Lalit Modi told Hindustan Times that the Chargers "had no money to buy anyone".
"They have exhausted everything on (West Indies pacer) Kemar Roach in the auction. Even if they had a slot, there's no money unless someone gets injured and is unavailable for the season. In that case, he could be replaced by someone else from the auction pool." When HT called Butt back with Modi's statement, he was livid. "Are you accusing me of lying?" he asked. "I have double-checked and told you categorically that he has an invite to the IPL." But if the Chargers haven't made the offer, then who has? Razzaq incidentally, was very much on the Kolkata Knight Riders shortlist, and apparently even met KKR skipper Sourav Ganguly in this regard in England, but they did not bid for him, using up all their allotted $750,000 to get Kiwi pacer Shane Bond. There has been a groundswell of criticism in both India and Pakistan of the fact that no Pakistani player was picked at the January 19 auction. On Wednesday, Sports Minister MS Gill stated, ".I hope there will soon be an opportunity for these (Pakistani) boys to play some exciting cricket in India." Butt, incidentally, asked whether he would allow Razzaq to play if the invitation was genuine, said there would be no problem. "I had stated very clearly that if the IPL didn't take our players this year, we would not send them for the event in future. In all fairness, the IPL should still apologise."
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Razzaq invited to play IPL, says Pak cricket chief
Razzaq invited to play IPL, says Pak cricket chief
Mumbai, Jan. 28 -- Pakistani allrounder Abdul Razzaq has become the focal point of a very bizarre twist to the 'Indian Premier League snubbing Pakistani players' controversy.
On Wednesday night, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Ijaz Butt told the Hindustan Times on record that IPL champions "Deccan Chargers had invited Razzaq to represent them" in IPL-III.
"I have asked him to get the letter of invitation on email and I'm expecting a copy of that tomorrow morning. I will then talk to our High Commissioner (in India) and have a word with Razzaq," said Butt. "I will also follow this up with the franchisee, if need be."
While no one from the Deccan Chargers responded to queries officially, IPL commissioner Lalit Modi told Hindustan Times that the Chargers "had no money to buy anyone".
"They have exhausted everything on (West Indies pacer) Kemar Roach in the auction. Even if they had a slot, there's no money unless someone gets injured and is unavailable for the season. In that case, he could be replaced by someone else from the auction pool." When HT called Butt back with Modi's statement, he was livid. "Are you accusing me of lying?" he asked. "I have double-checked and told you categorically that he has an invite to the IPL." But if the Chargers haven't made the offer, then who has? Razzaq incidentally, was very much on the Kolkata Knight Riders shortlist, and apparently even met KKR skipper Sourav Ganguly in this regard in England, but they did not bid for him, using up all their allotted $750,000 to get Kiwi pacer Shane Bond. There has been a groundswell of criticism in both India and Pakistan of the fact that no Pakistani player was picked at the January 19 auction. On Wednesday, Sports Minister MS Gill stated, ".I hope there will soon be an opportunity for these (Pakistani) boys to play some exciting cricket in India." Butt, incidentally, asked whether he would allow Razzaq to play if the invitation was genuine, said there would be no problem. "I had stated very clearly that if the IPL didn't take our players this year, we would not send them for the event in future. In all fairness, the IPL should still apologise."
North in trouble as Nayar gets double ton
Published>Thu, Jan 28 10 12:00 PM
Rajkot, Jan. 27 -- Just like the opening day, Day II of the Duleep Trophy semifinal seemed to be going the batsmen's way, before the West Zone bowlers struck in the last half hour to take three wickets and breathe life into the contest. At stumps, North Zone were 36 for three, in reply to West's mammoth 769. Lifeless for a better part of the day, the pitch came alive towards the end, and the North batsmen found Munaf Patel and Irfan Pathan difficult to negotiate. Shikhar Dhawan was caught behind by a splendid one-handed effort by Parthiv Patel off Munaf, Rahul Dewan was trapped leg before by the same bowler and Ravi Inder Singh was sent back by Pathan. Earlier in the day, Abhishek Nayar carried on from where he had left off on Tuesday. Getting a big score on this lifeless track was never going to be a very difficult task and sensing that, the Mumbai all-rounder avoided playing his aggressive game. The day, however, started on a promising note for the North bowlers, who got rid of Ravindra Jadeja and Irfan Pathan in the first half of the day. Nayar and Ramesh Powar then stitched together a 197-run partnership. With the track hardly offering any assistance, the bowlers seemed to have given up the fight and were waiting for the batsmen to make mistakes. But Powar was in no mood to let go of a chance. However, after reaching his century, the all-rounder perished to a catch at long off. Despite Powar's dismissal, Nayar stayed on, even as the more accomplished batsmen threw their wickets away. Compared to his four sixes on the first day, Nayar had just one to his name on the second. Nayar reaped the benefits of patience when he got to his double hundred with a backfoot punch through cover off Ravi Inder Singh.
Source: Web Search
Razzaq invited to play IPL, says Pak cricket chief
Published>Thu, Jan 28 10 11:54 AM
Mumbai, Jan. 28 -- Pakistani allrounder Abdul Razzaq has become the focal point of a very bizarre twist to the 'Indian Premier League snubbing Pakistani players' controversy.
On Wednesday night, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Ijaz Butt told the Hindustan Times on record that IPL champions "Deccan Chargers had invited Razzaq to represent them" in IPL-III.
"I have asked him to get the letter of invitation on email and I'm expecting a copy of that tomorrow morning. I will then talk to our High Commissioner (in India) and have a word with Razzaq," said Butt. "I will also follow this up with the franchisee, if need be."
While no one from the Deccan Chargers responded to queries officially, IPL commissioner Lalit Modi told Hindustan Times that the Chargers "had no money to buy anyone".
"They have exhausted everything on (West Indies pacer) Kemar Roach in the auction. Even if they had a slot, there's no money unless someone gets injured and is unavailable for the season. In that case, he could be replaced by someone else from the auction pool." When HT called Butt back with Modi's statement, he was livid. "Are you accusing me of lying?" he asked. "I have double-checked and told you categorically that he has an invite to the IPL." But if the Chargers haven't made the offer, then who has? Razzaq incidentally, was very much on the Kolkata Knight Riders shortlist, and apparently even met KKR skipper Sourav Ganguly in this regard in England, but they did not bid for him, using up all their allotted $750,000 to get Kiwi pacer Shane Bond. There has been a groundswell of criticism in both India and Pakistan of the fact that no Pakistani player was picked at the January 19 auction. On Wednesday, Sports Minister MS Gill stated, ".I hope there will soon be an opportunity for these (Pakistani) boys to play some exciting cricket in India." Butt, incidentally, asked whether he would allow Razzaq to play if the invitation was genuine, said there would be no problem. "I had stated very clearly that if the IPL didn't take our players this year, we would not send them for the event in future. In all fairness, the IPL should still apologise."
Source: Web Search
IPL fiasco could have been avoided : Afridi
Published>Thu, Jan 28 10 11:44 AM
Karachi, Jan.28 (ANI): Swashbuckling Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi has said that the Indian Premier League (IPL) fiasco could have been avoided had the T20 league organisers and franchises restrained themselves from allowing politics to influence their decision.
"I am a great believer of the fact that sports breed harmony and peace among people. What happened in the IPL auction should not have happened had the people responsible understood the basic message of sports and shunned the political differences to select the best players for their teams," Afridi said.
In an interview with The Dawn over telephone from Adelaide, Afridi said snubbing Pakistani cricketers has further widened the rift between both the countries.
"One step forward from them would see us going ten steps to make the event a success," It would not only had improved cross-border relations but had paved the way for future Pakistan-India series which is unarguably the greatest cricketing spectacle on earth. But unfortunately, there weren't many sane voices among the organizers who could balance things in a good way," Pakistan's T-20 skipper said.
Afridi, however, said that he and his team mates would response positively if the IPL franchises offer them a respectable deal.
"If they (IPL franchises) show willingness to mend fences and come forward with a positive offer, we will reciprocate in the same manner because that's how good neighbours should always behave," he said. (ANI)
Source: Web Search
Sania Mirza's engagement called off
Published>Thu, Jan 28 10 11:24 AM
Tennis star Sania Mirza's family has reportedly called off her engagement to Mohammad Sohrab Mirza. Sania got engaged to long time friend Mohammad in Hyderabad in July 2009.
According to a media report, she confirmed it saying, "We were friends for half a decade, but found ourselves incompatible during our engagement period. I wish Sohrab the best in life".
Sania's father Imran, who coaches and manages her career, called off his daughter's engagement to Sohrab Mirza earlier this week.
Sohrab is currently studying business management in the United Kingdom. Sania, who is in Melbourne, has crashed out of Australian Open.
She will go to Kuala Lumpur on Friday for Fed Cup Asia Oceania Group 2 competition.
Source: Web Search
Team India heads home in batches
Published Thu, Jan 28 10 10:53 AM
Dhaka, Jan 28 (PTI) The victorious Indian cricket team, which whitewashed Bangladesh 2-0 in the just-concluded Test series, today left for home in batches. After the trio of Sachin Tendulkar, Zaheer Khan and Yuvraj Singh headed for Mumbai at midnight, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Ishant Sharma and Harbhajan Singh took an Air India flight to Delhi this morning. The remaining team and the support staff will leave later in the afternoon. Apart from beating Bangladesh in the Test series, the Indians finished runners-up at a tri-series, also featuring Sri Lanka besides the hosts, in nearly a month long tour. PTI PDS PM
Source: Web Search
Rahlves moves to ski-cross to chase medal
Published>Thu, Jan 28 10 08:29 AM
Third time did not prove lucky for Alpine skier Daron Rahlves, so the American turned to a wild and new Olympic sport that he hopes will deliver a long-awaited medal next month in Vancouver.
The 36-year-old skier will be among a group of athletes racing down a mountain shoulder-to-shoulder when ski-cross makes its Olympic debut.
"I never even thought there was the slightest chance I'd ever be back going to another Olympics," Rahlves said in an interview just before being named to the U.S. Olympic team. "I was done with racing. Now here we are, going for the fourth one."
Rahlves won 12 Alpine ski World Cup races and did well at world championships, taking super-G gold in 2001 and two medals -- downhill silver and giant slalom bronze -- in 2005. But he failed to win a medal in three successive Winter Olympics and retired from Alpine racing after the 2006 Games.
The Californian decided it was time to leave the gruelling Alpine circuit and spend more time at home and start a family.
In 2007, after realising that his "competitive blood" continued to boil, Rahlves took up ski-cross -- a sport that involves head-to-head racing down a course filled with curves, jumps and lots of potential for crashing.
ROLLER COASTER
Ski-cross has long been a staple at the Winter X Games but will now be a full-medal sport in the Olympic line-up after it received recognition from the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
"Who wouldn't like skiing fast over what is basically like a roller coaster? It's so fun," said Rahlves, who added that the proximity of ski-cross races to his home was a bonus.
For Rahlves, the father of young twins, his passion for speed and lack of fear has served him well in the mayhem of ski-cross which some observers describe as roller derby on skis.
After figuring out the basics and improving his start, Rahlves used his strong Alpine background to win gold in the 2008 Winter X Games.
Rahlves competes in only a few races on the World Cup circuit given his desire to spend more time at home with his wife and children. Family devotion, he admits, has cost him as the sport has grown rapidly in the past few years leading up to the Olympics.
"This level of skilled athletes has increased so much in the last few years," he said in a telephone interview while travelling home from a fourth-place finish at a recent World Cup race in Lake Placid, New York.
ROOKIE FEELING
"Before, I could just show up without any training and be pretty competitive. But now you've got to get back to testing skis, you've got to train and work out.
"I still feel more of a rookie than some of these guys who are 25 years old," he said. "Those guys have skied a lot more ski-cross events than I have."
Still, Rahlves said he was on track for a good showing at the Winter X Games later this week.
After that he plans to train with team mate Casey Puckett, another Alpine skier and four-time Olympian who has defected to ski-cross, in the run-up to the Olympics, where Rahlves feels the sport will receive a rousing response.
"This is one of the best ones out there -- there's going to be a ton of excitement," he said "You see guys go at it in head-to-head action...that's really exciting.
Source: Web Search
Strikers eye World Cup as Argentine Clausura kicks off
Published Thu, Jan 28 10 08:09 AM
Uruguayans Santiago Silva and Joaquin Boghossian will have a place at the World Cup in their sights when the Argentine Clausura championship kicks off this weekend.
Beefy striker Silva nicknamed "The Tank" was top scorer in the Apertura championship, which ended in December, with 14 goals in 19 matches as modest Banfield won their first title.
"Every day I dream of going to the World Cup...the chances are there. I want to carry on (playing) like this to show I can be on a list to go to South Africa," Silva said in a recent interview with the sports daily Ole.
However, Banfield will be without him when they open their defence of the title at home to River Plate on Sunday (2000 GMT).
Silva has returned to Velez Sarsfield, winners of last season's Clausura in July, after a year's loan because the clubs could not agree new terms for him to stay on at Banfield.
Velez kick off at home to Colon on Saturday (2000).
The 22-year-old Boghossian struck 11 goals for runners-up Newell's Old Boys in the last tournament having crossed from his native Montevideo an unknown young player.
Neither the 29-year-old Silva nor Boghossian were involved in the long qualifying campaign that finally saw coach Oscar Washington Tabarez's Uruguay side snatch the 32nd and last berth at the World Cup by beating Costa Rica in a playoff in November.
Dozens of Argentine players will at the same time be out to land a place in Diego Maradona's squad, not least 36-year-old Martin Palermo of Boca Juniors, whose international career was revived in the final qualifiers after a 10-year absence.
With Maradona, getting through more than 90 players including squads he named for friendlies, there appears to be a chance for many even while the bulk of his squad will come from the European leagues.
MORE MOVES
The country's big two clubs, River Plate and Boca, had a very poor 2009 by their lofty standards, to the point that they both failed to figure among Argentina's five qualifiers for the Libertadores Cup, South America's top club competition.
River will continue to rely on veteran former World Cup trio Matias Almeyda, Ariel Ortega and Marcelo Gallardo to lead their revival while waiting for the recovery of 21-year-old Olympic gold medallist Diego Buonanotte who survived a car crash in December in which three friends were killed.
Coach Leonardo Astrada's squad has been boosted by the signing of Paraguayan winger Rodrigo Rojas from Olimpia, Argentine striker Gustavo Canales from Union Espanola of Chile, central defender Alexis Ferrero from Colon and Uruguayan left back Juan Manuel Diaz from Estudiantes de La Plata.
Their biggest assets could be teenage strikers Daniel Villalva and Gabriel Funes Mori, who shone in River's 3-1 victory over Boca in a friendly in Mar del Plata a week ago which sparked the resignation of their arch-rivals' coach Alfio Basile.
Boca have injured playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme doubtful for their opening match against Argentinos Juniors on Sunday (0015 Monday), striker Lucas Viatri also nursing an injury and midfielder Sebastian Battaglia out for the long term.
Source: Web Search
Sandeep's hat-trick in Andhra win
Published>Thu, Jan 28 10 06:20 AM
Forward R Sandeep Kumar scored four goals which included a hat-trick as his team? Andhra Pradesh defeated Rajasthan by 4-2 in their league match of the Balrampur Chini All India KD Singh 'Babu' Sub-Junior Hockey Tournament at Dhyanchand astro-turf stadium, Lucknow on Wednesday. Yash Pal found the target twice on behalf of Rajasthan.
Five more league matches were played on Wednesday. Helped by an all-important goal by M Khariitso, Nagaland beat Assam 1-0 while West Bengal beat Uttarakhand by 6-0. Avik Chakarborty (2 goals), Romario Routh (1 goal), Avoy Ekka (1 goal), Nadim Hussain Shaikh (1 goal) and Moloy Raha (1 goal) were the goal-getters on behalf of West Bengal.
Skipper Jagjit Singh netted 5 goals, Love Preet Singh struck 4 goals, Satish Kumar Verma scored 3 goals, J Singh and Varinder Singh scored 2 goals each while Shabbir struck apiece as Chandigarh defeated Rajasthan Academy by 17-0 in their day's encounter.
A goal by Jitender through a penalty corner in the 46th minute helped Shahbad, Haryana in defeating Nagaland by 1-0. In the last match of the day, Cheema Academy beat Manipur 8-1. Pradeep Singh (3 goals), Sarbjeet Singh (2 goals), Sabhjodh Singh (2 goals) and Inder Singh (1 goal) were the goal-scorers on behalf of the victors. The consolation goal on behalf of Manipur was netted by M Bravari Singh.
Source: Web Search
Mancini upbeat as City fall short yet again
Published>Thu, Jan 28 10 05:49 AM
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini remained upbeat after watching his team lose 3-1 at neighbours United to miss out on their first major final for 29 years on Wednesday.
United overturned a 2-1 deficit from the first leg at City, leaving Mancini to concentrate on the Premier League and FA Cup in his first season in charge of the big-spending club.
"It's disappointing for the players, I feel very sorry for them and the supporters because I would like to have reached the final for them," Mancini told a news conference.
"Now we have got some players back -- (Kolo) Toure and (Emmanuel) Adebayor -- and (Joleon) Lescott is coming back, so because of this I think it's possible we can finish in the top four.
"I think that you when you lose against United, it is important that you can learn. It's too easy to improve when you win, you must do it when you lose. We must work in the next two or three months, we can finish in the top four and we are still in the FA Cup.
"It is important the players go away with their heads held high, I think the players played these two games very well."
City, who have not competed in a major final since losing the 1981 FA Cup Final to Tottenham and not won a trophy since the 1976 League Cup, face a home FA Cup fifth-round tie against Stoke City.
But Mancini's plans appear certain not to include Robinho after the unsettled Brazilian striker was left out of the 18-man squad against United.
"I spoke with Robinho yesterday and it is possible he can play for Santos or another team," said Mancini of the proposed loan departure. "Because of this we preferred not to risk him."
Source: Web Search
English Premier League top scorers
Published Thu, Jan 28 10 05:09 AM
REUTERS - English Premier League top scorers on Wednesday.
19 Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
14 Didier Drogba (Chelsea)
Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur)
Darren Bent (Sunderland)
12 Carlos Tevez (Manchester City)
Fernando Torres (Liverpool)
11 Louis Saha (Everton)
Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal)
10 Frank Lampard (Chelsea)
8 Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa)
7 Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea)
Andrei Arshavin (Arsenal)
Robin van Persie (Arsenal)
Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool)
Dimitar Berbatov (Manchester United)
Carlton Cole (West Ham United)
Hugo Rodallega (Wigan Athletic)
6 Kenwyne Jones (Sunderland)
Clint Dempsey (Fulham)
Craig Bellamy (Manchester City)
Robbie Keane (Tottenham Hotspur)
Bobby Zamora (Fulham)
Ivan Klasnic (Bolton Wanderers)
Emmanuel Adebayor (Manchester City)
Source: Web Search
Mickelson to skip Match Play event due to family holiday
Published>Thu, Jan 28 10 04:49 AM
World number two Phil Mickelson will miss next month's WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship in Arizona to take a family holiday which had to be postponed because of his wife Amy's cancer treatment.
The elite World Golf Championships (WGC) events are just one rung down from the majors but the American left-hander said he would skip this year's edition because his three children would be out of school.
"I love the Match Play and I love Tucson but it was the best week for us to have a family vacation that we had to reschedule because of our procedures," Mickelson told reporters on the eve of Thursday's opening round at the San Diego Open.
"We had a couple of procedures scheduled for this off-season that got postponed. We had to move one into March and this affected some of our family trips."
Mickelson's wife and his mother were diagnosed with breast cancer last year, forcing the three-times major winner to limit his playing schedule for 2009.
"I expect this to kind of happen a little bit throughout this year, maybe missing tournaments I would like to play or normally would play," Mickelson said.
"But later on in the year, I'll probably add a tournament that I hadn't originally planned on playing to kind of offset it."
Mickelson said the long-term outlooks for the two women were favourable.
"Amy and my mom are doing great and things have gone very well," he added. "But even in the best-case scenario, dealing with cancer is never easy, and so it's not easy for them."
Mickelson said he planned to play in the next three PGA Tour events before skipping the Feb. 17-21 WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship in Tucson.
"Then I'll play the following week in Phoenix," the 39-year-old added. "I'll take the next week off, when we again have some stuff treatment-wise, and I should be able to play Doral, the World Golf Championship."
Mickelson will be defending his title at Doral, his one-shot victory in last year's WGC-CA Championship giving him his first WGC crown.
Mickelson heads the field at the San Diego Open where world number one and six-times winner Tiger Woods is a notable absentee after taking an indefinite break from the game.
Source: Web Search
Lyon suffer further blow with League Cup exit
Published Thu, Jan 28 10 04:09 AM
Olympique Lyon suffered another setback when Lorient knocked them out of the French League Cup with a 1-0 home win on Wednesday.
Forward Kevin Gameiro exploited a blunder from Croatia defender Dejan Lovren to volley home from close range on four minutes and send Lorient into the last four.
Lyon, who were knocked out of the French Cup in the round of 32 by Monaco on Sunday, lie fifth in the Ligue 1 standings, 11 points off leaders Girondins Bordeaux, and will face Real Madrid in the first knockout round of the Champions League.
All that means the seven-times Ligue 1 champions, who were the measure of all things in France for years, face the prospect of ending the season without a title.
Olympique Marseille needed a goal by midfielder Mathieu Valbuena nine minutes from time to beat 10-man Lille 2-1 in later League Cup action.
Visitors Lille opened the scoring through Brazilian forward Tulio de Melo on four minutes but Marseille responded through Argentine playmaker Lucho Gonzalez five minutes later.
The turning point came shortly before the hour when Lille had midfielder Yohan Cabaye sent off for a second booking. Marseille then stepped up a gear and Valbuena sent them through to the last four with the winner from the edge of the box.
Toulouse also reached the League Cup semi-finals, with a 1-0 win at second division Guingamp, the French Cup holders, courtesy of a second-half goal from defender Albin Ebondo.
In French Cup round of 32 action, third division Plabennec, who knocked out Nice in the previous round, scored another upset by winning 2-0 at Nancy with second-half goals from forward Vincent Crehin.
Source: Web Search
Tiger's return sorely needed by the sport, says Mickelson
Published>Thu, Jan 28 10 03:49 AM
The absence of Tiger Woods from the PGA Tour has dealt professional golf a major blow and the game needs the world number one back in action, second-ranked Phil Mickelson said on Wednesday.
Woods, the sport's most bankable player, has been in hiding since admitting last month he had cheated on his wife and he has given no indication as to when he will return to competition.
"The game of golf needs him to come back," Mickelson told reporters on Wednesday while preparing for Thursday's opening round of the San Diego Open.
"It's important for him to come back and be a part of the sport. But right now he's got a lot more important things going on in his life.
"Amy and I are good friends with both Tiger and (his wife) Elin and we care deeply about how this turns out," said Mickelson, who is launching his 2010 PGA Tour campaign this week.
"But I'm going to choose not to talk about it publicly any more ... we're friends and we have a personal relationship. I feel like it's a violation of our trust and our relationship."
Asked if he had spoken to Woods since his personal life unravelled amidst tawdry revelations about extra-marital affairs, Mickelson said: "We've had limited communication with the Woodses.
"Again, I just feel like discussing any of that is just not appropriate."
TIGER VOID
In the absence of Woods for at least the first part of this season, many pundits believe three-times major champion Mickelson has a responsibility to fill the void.
"I haven't thought about it like that," the American world number two said. "I'm just excited to play golf. I'm excited to get back into competition and be a part of this.
"Nobody will be able to fill the shoes that are voided right now. My whole career I've been trying to get to No. 1, I just haven't had much success.
"But this year, whether or not Tiger is in the field, I believe is an opportunity for me to compete in majors."
Mickelson, one of the game's most gifted shot-makers, has every reason to hold great expectations after ending 2009 in barn-storming fashion.
He clinched the PGA Tour's season-ending Tour Championship in September and the WGC-HSBC Champions in China in November after overshadowing Woods in each of those high-profile events.
"First of all, I feel ready but second, at the end of last year, I felt like things were starting to really come together," Mickelson, 39, said.
"Taking some weaknesses and turning them into that strength gives me the confidence or the belief that this could be an exceptional year.
"I was putting well at the end of last year but in the last three years I've taken what has always been a weakness in my game -- driving -- and I feel like I've turned it into a real weapon."
Source: Web Search
Lyon suffer further blow with League Cup exit
Published Thu, Jan 28 10 03:09 AM
Olympique Lyon suffered another setback when Lorient knocked them out of the French League Cup with a 1-0 home win on Wednesday.
Forward Kevin Gameiro exploited a blunder from Croatia defender Dejan Lovren to volley home from close range on four minutes and send Lorient into the last four.
Lyon, who were knocked out of the French Cup in the round of 32 by Monaco on Sunday, lie fifth in the Ligue 1 standings, 11 points off leaders Girondins Bordeaux, and will face Real Madrid in the first knockout round of the Champions League.
All that means the seven-times Ligue 1 champions, who were the measure of all things in France for years, face the prospect of ending the season without a title.
Toulouse also reached the League Cup semi-finals, with a 1-0 win at second division Guingamp, the French Cup holders, courtesy of a second-half goal from defender Albin Ebondo.
In French Cup round of 32 action, third division Plabennec, who knocked out Nice in the previous round, scored another upset by winning 2-0 at Nancy with second-half goals from forward Vincent Crehin.
Source: Web Search
Pak says India''s IPL re-think a welcome move
Published Thu, Jan 28 10 12:13 AM
Islamabad, Jan 27 (PTI) Pakistan today responded positively to indications that there might be a re-think on IPL''s snub to its cricketers, saying the blame-game between the two countries should end, not only in the field of sports, but on other issues as well. Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik said the statement of Indian authorities on the issue was "welcome". "I welcome this statement of India authorities that they would consider it (including Pakistani players in the IPL). "I believe not only in the field of games but all our issues should be resolved as we are neighbouring countries, and the blame game should end," he was quoted as saying by Dawn News. Earlier, Sports Minister M S Gill said the Indian Premier League authorities should take a lesson from the auction "fiasco" and hoped that players from across the border would get a chance to play in the T20 event. "I have seen the graceful response of some Pakistani cricketers to the IPL auction fiasco. I welcome the remarks and hope there will soon be an opportunity for these boys to play exciting cricket in India," Gill said. Home Minister P Chidambaram had also chided the IPL franchises over their handling of the auction, saying the exclusion of Pakistani players was "disservice to cricket". Besieged by criticism from all quarters, IPL Chairman Lalit Modi has said that cricketers from Pakistan still have a chance to be a part of the Twenty20 event as some teams were still to finish their quota of players. .
Source: Web Search
KKR yet to clear my dues: Shoaib Akhtar
Published>Wed, Jan 27 10 11:39 PM
Controversial Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has confirmed that he had payment disputes with the Indian Premier League team Kolkata Knight Riders, who are yet to clear his dues.
Responding to the reports that Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan-owned KKR have still not cleared his dues, Akhtar on Wednesday said it was true.
"Yes, it is a fact they have not paid me my dues as yet despite reminders," Akhtar said.
The fast bowler played for KKR in the inaugural edition of the cash-awash Twenty20 league and was one of the six Pakistani players, whose contracts were terminated after the Mumbai terror attacks in 2008.
Akhtar said that after the Mumbai incidents KKR had informed him that they wished to sell him out after paying his dues and documents were signed in this respect.
"But until now my dues have not been cleared as yet," he said.
Another Pakistani pacer Muhammad Asif, who played for Delhi Daredevils in the first IPL season also had his contract terminated prematurely by his franchise, who, however, cleared his dues.
Source: Web Search
FIFA happy with World Cup ticket sales, slams critics
Published>Wed, Jan 27 10 11:29 PM
World Cup organisers said on Wednesday they were very happy with ticket sales for June's soccer spectacular and angrily slammed alarmist foreign reports about South African crime that could frighten off fans.
Sales are lagging demand in Germany four years ago, but FIFA said this was understandable given the distance fans from Europe, home to many of the teams, had to travel.
The sport's governing body said 1.2 million applications were received for tickets from 192 countries during the third phase of sales that ended last week, bringing applications to about two million for the total of three million seats.
"Since the draw (on Dec. 4), we have seen a flurry in terms of ticket sales ... the sales have gone very well, we are extremely delighted," Danny Jordaan, CEO of the local organising committee said.
Interest appeared to be growing among South Africans, previously a major concern for FIFA, with almost one million applications, nearly 80 percent of the total, in the latest sales phase ahead of the month-long event starting on June 11.
More than 50,000 applications came from the United States, which has consistently led foreign demand, with another 41,529 from Britain. Sales in Germany, usually a major fan base, were just under 15,000.
Six matches had been oversubscribed in all the categories of seats, including the final and two semi-finals.
Officials said a spate of recent European reports of low interest in the tournament had focused only on tickets sold through national federations and did not take account of other ways seats could be purchased.
FOREIGN MEDIA CRITICISED
FIFA General Secretary Jerome Valcke said a shortage of flights to South Africa and their high cost was a problem but he and Jordaan condemned media reports slating the host country's high levels of crime, and accommodation and transport problems.
"It's sad that every morning when you wake up people are saying you should not go to South Africa ... it's insane and it is completely wrong," Valcke said, referring to recent reports particularly in England and Germany.
Every country had security issues, including the United States and Britain, he added.
"Where can we organise the World Cup? On the moon? Where there is no-one?" he asked. "Don't kill the World Cup before the World Cup has taken place."
South African and World Cup officials are sensitive about violence, which is one of the biggest concerns around the tournament.
The country has one of the world's highest rates of violent crime, with 50 murders a day, more than the United States which has six times the population.
More than 40,000 police are being mobilised to protect the tournament.
Jordaan said some of the criticism was not based on fact, adding that South Africa attracted millions of tourists a year and had hosted thousands of English cricket and rugby fans for recent tours without problems.
"Some things that you read have no basis in reality anywhere. We are happy where we are. The teams are happy where they are, they are coming," he said.
Jordaan recently expressed concern about low sales among poor black South Africans, he biggest local supporters of soccer, despite cheaper tickets designed for them. He said organisers realised bank and internet sales points were not accessible to many of these fans and over the counter cash sales points would open in April.
German soccer federation officials said earlier this month that sales were slow due to security concerns and high travel costs but this should not cause concern because it was a similar pattern to the 2002 World Cup in other distant locations, South Korea and Japan.
Source: Web Search
Cilic once again standing in Murray's path
Published>Wed, Jan 27 10 11:23 PM
Andy Murray has some unfinished business to complete before he can think about winning the Australian Open.
The Scot believes he is ready to win his first grand slam and end Britain's 74-year wait for a male champion and plenty of experts agree with him but first he must get past Croatia's Marin Cilic, who knocked him out of last year's U.S. Open.
Last year's Australian Open winner Rafa Nadal is among the believers after he was pummelled by Murray in the quarter-finals, quitting with a knee injury midway through the third set when he had lost all hope of winning.
"Definitely now I'm ready to win a grand slam and hopefully I can do it here," Murray said.
"Even last year in the slams, it took some pretty good performances to win against me.
"I'll try and keep playing like I have been. If I do, I'm going to give myself opportunities to win grand slams. That's what I want to do.
"That's why I work hard and why I play tennis: to try and win these tournaments. I think I've got a good chance of doing it."
Murray, 22, is the only player left in the championship yet to drop a set and is getting better with every match.
The excitement is building in his homeland and among the British media, who have arrived in Melbourne en masse in the hope of penning a different ending to a now familiar tale of dashed hope.
HARD ROAD
His opponent on Thursday is Cilic, a pencil-thin Croat who has taken the hard road to the semi-finals. While the Scot has hardly broken sweat in getting to the last four, Cilic has had an exhausting campaign.
He has spent more than 18 hours on court, eight hours more than Murray, and three of his last four matches have gone to five sets, including his fourth-round win over U.S. Open champion Juan Martin Del Potro and his quarter-final victory over Andy Roddick.
"Obviously I feel fresh. I don't know how he feels," Murray said.
"From my side, I feel good physically. That's not going to be an issue for me in the match."
But Cilic, ranked 14th in the world, is also a player Murray remains deeply wary of. The 21-year-old may be appearing in his first grand slam semi-final but Murray knows from experience how dangerous he is.
Murray was also in great form at last year's U.S. Open and was talking up his chances of winning the tournament until Cilic knocked him out in the fourth round in straight sets.
It was a humiliating loss and shook his confidence.
"I was obviously disappointed about what happened there. I had to take a pretty long break afterwards," Murray said.
"I was feeling good going into the U.S. Open. It wasn't the way I would have liked to have lost."
Murray has since rediscovered his self-belief and the confident swagger has returned. He does not think of his match with Cilic as a chance to avenge his loss in New York but knows it is a chance for him to square the ledger, even though he had beaten him three times before.
"Everyone talks about revenge and stuff but I just go out there and every day's a different day in tennis," he said.
"I think that I can win the match. Regardless of what happened at the U.S. Open, if I play well, focus hard and concentrate, then there's no reason why I can't beat him again."
Source: Web Search
KKR yet to clear my dues: Shoaib Akhtar
Published Wed, Jan 27 10 10:59 PM
Karachi, Jan 27 (PTI) Controversial Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has confirmed that he had payment disputes with the Indian Premier League team Kolkata Knight Riders, who are yet to clear his dues. Responding to the reports that Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan-owned KKR have still not cleared his dues, Akhtar today said it was true. "Yes, it is a fact they have not paid me my dues as yet despite reminders," Akhtar told PTI. The fast bowler played for KKR in the inaugural edition of the cash-awash Twenty20 league and was one of the six Pakistani players, whose contracts were terminated after the Mumbai terror attacks in 2008. Akhtar said that after the Mumbai incidents KKR had informed him that they wished to sell him out after paying his dues and documents were signed in this respect. "But until now my dues have not been cleared as yet," he said. Another Pakistani pacer Muhammad Asif, who played for Delhi Daredevils in the first IPL season also had his contract terminated prematurely by his franchise, who, however, cleared his dues. .
Source: Web Search
Djokovic laments illness, Tsonga rejoices
Published>Wed, Jan 27 10 09:29 PM
Novak Djokovic was lamenting a case of gastroenteritis after he lost his Australian Open quarter-final to France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Wednesday.
The Serb had just won the third set to take a 2-1 lead and Tsonga looked deflated before Djokovic left Rod Laver Arena after he told chair umpire John Blom he needed to vomit.
While he managed to return, his game melted away and Tsonga ran out a 7-6 6-7 1-6 6-3 6-1 victory to set up a semi-final against Roger Federer after the Swiss came from a set down to defeat Russian Nikolay Davydenko in four sets.
"It was unfortunate that I couldn't perform on the level that I wanted to in the fourth and fifth set," Djokovic told reporters. "I don't want to find excuses for my loss, but, you know, I went to vomit and I had diarrhoea before the match.
"After two games (of the fourth set) I had to go to the toilet. I couldn't hold on. There was no way, otherwise I would throw up on the court. ... Just a terrible feeling."
Djokovic said he was unsure as to what had caused the sickness as he had not eaten anything out of the ordinary.
It had made him become dehydrated and fatigued, he said.
"When you lose a lot of fluids and your engine ... stops working, that's how I felt," Djokovic said.
"Very bad with my legs in the fourth, and especially in the fifth set. I wasn't able to run him down at the baseline, and that was the major problem.
"You know, he was serving well and just got a confidence boost to be aggressive. It was unfortunate."
Tsonga said Djokovic's illness was just part of the game.
"Sometimes it happens," he told reporters.
"There are some problems, but I think this is the game. Sometimes you have problems with your forehand, sometimes you have problems with your backhand, sometimes your body. You never know what can happen.
"He had problems with his stomach ... Bad luck for him and good for luck for me."
Tsonga said he had not been concerned after Djokovic took the lead into the fourth set.
"When you are 2-1 down you just think there is a fourth set and I have to play and give everything and maybe I can win because the game is not finished," he said.
The 24-year-old said he realised the challenge ahead of him on Friday against Federer was a steep one.
"I have to play my best tennis. Roger played unbelievable again today. Nikolay was in good shape, so it will be tough," he said. "But like today I will give everything and we will see."
Source: Web Search
Cologne get Tosic on loan from Manchester United
Published Wed, Jan 27 10 09:09 PM
Manchester United's Serbia midfielder Zoran Tosic has joined Cologne on loan until the end of the season, the Bundesliga club said on Wednesday.
The 22-year-old, who joined United a year ago from Partizan Belgrade, has made only a handful of appearances this season.
"He will be with us until the end of the season," Cologne, who are 13th place in the standings, said in a statement.
Source: Web Search
Olympian athlete Ajmer Singh passed away
Published Wed, Jan 27 10 08:59 PM
Chandigarh, Jan 27 (PTI) Olympian and 1966 Jakarta Asian Games gold medallist athlete Ajmer Singh passed away today. Ajmer, 70, who was also the former vice-chancellor of Laxmibai National University of Physical Education in Gwalior and a professor in Panjab University breathed his last here, his family said. The athlete, who clinched the gold medal in 400 metres in Jakarta, has donated his body for research to the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh. His body will be kept at the Pushpak Complex for paying last respect and then it will be handed to PGIMER authorities. Punjab Sports Director and Padma Shree Olympian Pargat Singh expressed his deep sorrow on the demise of Ajmer. "His death has left a void which would be difficult to fill. India has lost a leading sports personalty who was an inspiration to all," he said. Director, Physical Education and Sports of Kurukshetra University and former international spiker Dalel Singh also expressed deep sorrow over the demise. "Besides losing eminent sports personality, I have lost my teacher. I have done my Phd under Ajmer Singh in 2001," he said. "I knew him since long. His death is a personal loss to me," said Dronacharya award winner cricket coach Desh Prem Azad said. .
Source: Web Search
Penpix of Australian Open men's semi-finalists
Published Wed, Jan 27 10 08:49 PM
Brief biographies of the men's semi-finalists at the 2010 Australian Open (prefix number denotes seeding):
1-Roger Federer (Switzerland)
Age: 28
Grand Slam titles: 15 (Australian Open 2004, 2006, 2007, French Open 2009, Wimbledon 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, U.S. Open 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008)
Federer's record speaks for itself, he is the greatest player of his generation, if not all time. His opponents had hoped his motivation might be waning after he became a father and he achieved his life's goals, winning the French Open for the first time last year then overtaking American Pete Sampras's record of 14 grand slams. They were wrong.
- -
10-Jo-Wilfried-Tsonga (France)
Age: 24
Grand Slam titles: 0
Tsonga made the final in Australia two years ago when he was unseeded but this is his first appearance in a grand slam semi-final since then. He is nicknamed Ali and celebrates winning by imitating the former world heavyweight champion with some shadow boxing on court. He made it through to the last four by knocking out Novak Djokovic, the man who beat him in the 2008 final, but faces another big hurdle with Federer up next.
- - - -
5-Andy Murray (Britain)
Age: 27
Grand Slam titles: 0
Murray has been in devastating form in Melbourne this year, winning all his matches in straight sets. His quarter-final victory over Rafa Nadal was the highest quality match of the tournament so far and if he continues to play like that he could win the title. Only history counts against him as it has been 74 years since a British man won a grand slam.
- -
14-Marin Cilic (Croatia)
Age: 26
Grand Slam titles: 0
Every grand slam produces a giant-killer and Cilic has taken on the role in Melbourne, beating U.S. Open champion Juan Martin Del Potro and Andy Roddick. His biggest concern ahead of his clash with Murray is that he may be close to exhaustion after being pushed to three five-setters and spending more than 18 hours on court just to make the semis.
Source: Web Search
Tsonga fights back to beat unwell Djokovic
Published>Wed, Jan 27 10 08:29 PM
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga fought back from two sets to one down to reach his first grand slam semi-final in two years by beating an unwell Novak Djokovic 7-6 6-7 1-6 6-3 6-1 at the Australian Open on Wednesday.
The 10th-seeded Frenchman, who was beaten by Djokovic in the final here in 2008 and had not advanced past the quarter-finals of a grand slam since, was in trouble after the third set.
The Serb, however, was ill shortly after the fourth set began, temporarily leaving the court after telling chair umpire John Blom he needed to vomit.
The world number three returned but his game melted away and Tsonga was able to speed through the final two sets to win after three hours 52 minutes.
"The match changed completely," Tsonga told ESPN. "But I was in good shape and I played good tennis ... even if he was sick."
It was the second successive five-set victory for Tsonga, who until his fourth-round win over Nicolas Almagro on Monday had never played a five-set match before.
He next meets world number one Roger Federer in the semi-final on Friday after the Swiss came from a set down to defeat Russian Nikolay Davydenko in four sets.
"I feel good. I had good preparation and I hope I will have a lot of power against Roger. It's a tough match, maybe the toughest," said Tsonga.
TOUGH MATCH
"He is maybe the best player ever. He played unbelievable today against Nikolay and it will be a tough match."
After a tight first two sets when neither player was able to stamp their authority on the match, Djokovic raced through the third.
Tsonga was constantly talking to himself and was tempted to throw his racket to the ground when Djokovic took the third set in 37 minutes.
Just as Djokovic had the Frenchman on the ropes and ready to deliver the knockout blow, his form disappeared after he left the court to deal with his illness.
Tsonga raced into a 5-0 lead and while the Serb clawed back to 5-3, the world number 10 did not waste a second chance to serve it out and send the match into a decider.
The 24-year-old Tsonga, riding the momentum of a boisterous French contingent on Rod Laver Arena, then charged to victory.
Source: Web Search
Churchill, Lajong play goalless draw
Published Wed, Jan 27 10 08:09 PM
Shillong, Jan 27 (PTI) Defending champions Churchill Brothers squanderd many a opportunities as they played a goalless draw with hosts Shillong Lajong FC in a Round 12 encounter of the I-League here today. With this result, Churchill were now in the fifth spot with 19 points and Lajong at 10th position with 10 points. The visitors were in an attacking mood right from the word go, but lack of co-ordination among the strikers and some stunning saves from Lajong goalkeeper Gumpe Rime made it tough for them to find the nets. After a shot from Lajong''s forward James Gbilee off a throw-in from Seikhohao Tuboi went over the bar in the 10th minute, the hosts did not get many opportunities. Soon after, a header from Churchill''s key striker Odafa Okolie from a corner kick by Charan Rai hit the bars. In the 22nd minute, the Nigerian was caught off-side when he hit one into the nets. Two more efforts by Odafa in the 51st and 64th minute were saved by the Lajong custodian. The visitors missed another opportunity in the 79th minute when Felix Chimaokwu failed to find the nets even though the Lajong defenders were seemingly in a disarray in the middle of the box. The match saw some heated moments, with at least five players sustaining injuries during the proceedings. Lajong''s forward Daniel Bidemi hurt himself twice and was eventually replaced by Laldingliana.
Source: Web Search
Nayar hits double ton, West Zone consolidate position
Published Wed, Jan 27 10 07:53 PM
Rajkot, Jan 27 (PTI) Abhishek Nayar cracked double ton and shared a 197-run partnership for the eighth wicket with another centurion Romesh Powar as West Zone amassed a mammoth 769 in first innings against North Zone on the second day of their Duleep Trophy semifinal here today. Nayar, resuming at his personal score of 102, continued to hammer the North bowlers and also found good support from his Mumbai teammate Powar, who came out with a 154-ball 109 at Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Ground. In reply, North were struggling at 36 for three at the end of the day, with Virat Kohli (19 n.o.) giving company to Vikramjeet Malik (12 n.o.). Earlier, resuming at 425 for five, West lost the wickets of Ravindra Jadeja (61), who feel prey to pacer Parwinder Awana and then Manpreet Gony bowled out Irfan Pathan (5). But Nayar, who cracked 38 fours and five sixes, along with Powar took West to a position of strength. Powar struck 13 fours and a six off during his 154-ball stay. Dhawal Kulkarni, who chipped in with unbeaten 81-ball 50 with the help of six fours and two sixes, was giving company to Nayar when he brought up his double hundred in 326 balls. The southpaw''s magnificent knock ended when trying to clear the mid-wicket fence, he was caught by Shikar Dhawan off Vikas Mishra. (More) PTI VJA VKV DB
Source: Web Search
Super Car Show in Mumbai on January 31
Published Wed, Jan 27 10 07:49 PM
Mumbai, Jan 27 (PTI) The second edition of the Parx Super Car Show will be held here on January 31, organisers said today. High end cars such as the Lambhorginis, Ferraris, Porsches, Bentleys, Rolls Royce Phantom, Loyus Elize will be on display at the Vidhan Bhavan Parking from 9 am to 12pm, they said. The show will involve a parade of cars from the display venue via Breach Candy through the Sea Link to Bandra (East) and back via Peddar Road, Founder & Chairman Super Car Club of India, Gautam Singhania told reporters here. So far, 40 owners have agreed to allow their cars to be displayed for the event, he added. We, propose to take the Parx Super Car Show to the other cities in India to establish a connect among super car enthusiasts across the country, he said. Cars of noted celebrities like Abhishek Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt, Singhania himself, Raj Kundra, and Yash Goenka will also be a part of the show. The Parx Super Car Show was conceptualised and organised to establish a forum for car enthusiasts to interact and display their high-end cars.
Source: Web Search
Shamini to spearhead Indian challenge in SAF Games TT
Published Wed, Jan 27 10 07:29 PM
New Delhi, Jan 27 (PTI) In absence of Olympian and India number one Achanta Sharath Kamal, woman national champion Kumaresan Shamini will spearhead the Indian challenge in the 11th South Asian Games to be held in Dhaka from January 29-February 8. Besides Shamini, the women''s team consists of Pooja Sahasrabudhe, Madhurika Patkar and Divya Deshpande. Ankita Das, who was scheduled to be included into the SAF Games squad, is injured and a replacement for her would be named, chief SAI coach for table tennis Bhawani Mukherjee told PTI. Olympian Neha Aggarwal and two former national champions Poulomi Ghatak and her doubles partner Mouma Das, who are struggling with form, are the prominent absentees from the team. The men''s team include Jubin Kumar, A Amal Raj, Soumyajit Roy, Sanil Shetty and Aman Balgu. Sharath, who is currently world number 73, will miss the SAF Games due to his club commitment in Spanish League. Mukherjee was confident of an Indian sweep once the Indians start their campaign on February 5. "I am happy with the our preparation and hopeful of clinching all the seven gold medals in the tournament. Besides we should bag four-five silvers also," Mukherjee said. Mukherjee and national coach Massimo Constantini of Italy will accompany the Indian squad during the tournament. The team will leave for Dhaka on February 3.
Source: Web Search
Ronaldo says ban excessive, hopeful about appeal
Published>Wed, Jan 27 10 07:09 PM
Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo thinks his two-match suspension for Sunday's red card against Malaga is excessive and is confident the La Liga club's appeal will succeed.
Ronaldo scored both goals in the 2-0 win at the Bernabeu but was shown a straight red card in the 70th minute after catching defender Patrick Mtiliga with a flailing arm and breaking his nose.
The Spanish soccer federation (RFEF) said on Tuesday the Portugal forward had been suspended and fined 600 euros ($845).
If Real's attempts to get the ban reversed, reduced or postponed are unsuccessful he will miss Saturday's trip to Deportivo Coruna and the home game against Espanyol the following weekend.
"I wasn't impressed (about the suspension), of course," Ronaldo was quoted as saying by As newspaper on Wednesday.
"I sincerely believe the punishment is excessive," he added. "I am confident in the appeal the club is going to lodge and that the punishment will be reduced."
The RFEF's disciplinary committee decided Ronaldo's actions were not wilful or reckless, which would have meant a longer suspension, but that he had been guilty of dangerous play.
SECOND DISMISSAL
It was his second dismissal of the season following his sending-off against Almeria in December for kicking out at an opponent after he had earlier been booked for taking off his shirt in a goal celebration.
Javier Lopez Farre, Real's legal director, told Cadena Ser radio if the appeal to the RFEF was unsuccessful they would take the case to Spain's Sporting Disciplinary Committee (CEDD), a body overseen by the government sports council (CSD).
"Of course, we would then ask for a postponement (of the ban)," he said. "If the player completes the suspension then it won't help us at all if (the CEDD) rules in our favour."
Real presented evidence to the RFEF disciplinary committee which included video of an incident earlier this month involving Barcelona forward Lionel Messi trying to shake off a Sevilla opponent who was holding him back.
Messi was awarded a free kick and Real claimed the incident supported their case for Ronaldo's card to be reversed.
The committee ruled, however, that as the referee had not mentioned the Messi incident in his match report it was not relevant and, in any case, no injury had been caused.
Source: Web Search
Federer lets racket do the talking against Davydenko
Published>Wed, Jan 27 10 06:53 PM
Roger Federer showed class always has the last word when he let his racket do the talking to knock Nikolay Davydenko out of the Australian Open.
The Russian had reached the quarter-finals on a platform of thumping victories and good old-fashioned bluster but on Wednesday the Swiss maestro silenced him on the court.
For all Davydenko's pre-match banter about scared top 10 opponents, the world number one calmly recovered from a set and a break down to carve out a 2-6 6-3 6-0 7-5 victory.
"I knew I wasn't looking very good, you know. But that's the beauty of the best of five sets," Federer told reporters.
"I wasn't panicking, even though I maybe would have lost the second set had I lost another point there at that stage (3-1 down)."
Before the match Davydenko said he did not feel intimidated by Federer, with the Russian having broken a 12-match losing streak against the Swiss when he beat him at the ATP Tour Finals in London before repeating his success in Doha a month later.
But after losing 13 straight games to Federer in their 2-1/2 hour match on Wednesday, Davydenko may feel some trepidation before their next encounter.
BREEZY BRAVADO
Federer, when last week goaded by reporters to respond to Davydenko's breezy bravado, merely said he respected the Russian as he did "a hundred other players on the tour".
The Swiss knew that he had four out of four wins against the Russian at grand slams, where mid-match momentum shifts are a dime a dozen and hot streaks can quickly fizzle out.
"I knew I had time on my side," said Federer, who now faces Novak Djokovic or Jo-Wilfried Tsonga for a place in the final.
"I don't care if I was in the positives or the negatives (with the statistics). What matters is how you play your opponent, and the wind and tactics and everything. There are so many more important things, you know."
The win gave Federer, who lost in the final to Rafael Nadal last year, his 23rd consecutive grand slam semi-final appearance, an extraordinary run dating back to 2004.
Federer, never one to mask his emotions, was proud of the achievement but said he was scared it would not happen.
"It's incredible looking back on how many years that is now I'm able to deliver at grand slam play, especially, you know, this year.
"So for some reason I was just a bit worried I was not going to make it this time in the semis. You always believe the streak is going to be broken.
"Now, obviously, it's safe again and I've been able to add one. It's amazing."
Source: Web Search
Bagan have a chance to replace Dempo at top
Published Wed, Jan 27 10 06:23 PM
Margao, Jan 27 (PTI) After their confidence boosting victory over strong rivals Mahindra United in the previous round, Mohun Bagan would look to collect full points when they clash against a depeleted Salgaocar SC here tomorrow. Bagan''s win against Mahindra United has helped them to stay close to table topper Dempo who are ahead by two points. A win tomorrow at Nehru stadium, Fatorda, will perch them top spot again. Both the teams have injury problem, Bagan will be missing striker Edeh Chidi and Aseem due to injury while defender Sur Kumar is out due to double booking. Salgaocar''s defense has not performed well in the absence of Iranian Siavash Samian will be missing Manjit singh, Baldeep singh and Alvito due to injury.
Source: Web Search
Afridi does a u-turn, says not interested in IPL
Published>Wed, Jan 27 10 05:53 PM
In a virtual u-turn, flamboyant all-rounder Shahid Afridi on Wednesday made it clear that he was "not interested" in taking part in the Indian Premier League and said mere apologies could not compensate the humiliation the Pakistani cricketers faced in the auction.
A day after a website had quoted Afridi as saying he has gotten over the anger at being "snubbed" in the IPL auction and was open to play in the Twenty20 event in future, the star cricketer today took a different and more strident stand on his availability.
"I am not at all interested in taking part in the IPL. These issues of Pakistani cricketers should have been sorted out before the auction," Afridi informed over phone from Adelaide.
"I have forgotten what happened in the IPL auction in Mumbai. But everybody in Pakistan is very disappointed and angry with the insult. So good luck to Modi and his IPL," Afridi said.
All the 11 Pakistani players in the 67-strong pool went unsold in the glitzy auction in Mumbai on January 19, prompting angry reactions from Pakistan.
"Mere apology can't compensate the humiliation Pakistan cricketers faced in the auction, where the cricketers were called," Afridi said.
Source: Web Search
Gill unhappy over the snub of Pakistani cricketers, criticises IPL franchisees
Published>Wed, Jan 27 10 05:39 PM
New Delhi, Jan 27 (ANI): Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr MS Gill on Wednesday asked the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchisees to learn a lesson from the auction 'fiasco' and hoped that the Pakistani players would get an opportunity to play in the IPL tournament.
Responding to the reaction made by Pakistani players, Gill said, "I have seen the graceful response of some Pakistani cricketers to the IPL auction fiasco. I welcome the remarks and hope there will soon be an opportunity for these boys to play exciting cricket in India."
"I trust that the IPL corporate owners of cricket have also taken a small lesson from it. Everyone must realise that sports are the bedrock of people-to-people contact, which we need to promote with our neighbours," added the Sports Minister.
Union Home Minister P Chidambaram had said on Monday that the decision of the franchisees not to select any of the 17 Pakistani cricketers, who had been given Indian visas for participation in the third edition of the IPL, was a disservice to the game of cricket.
IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi had on Tuesday agreed with Chidambaram that there was no nudge form the Central Government with the regard to the selection or non-selection of Pakistani players
"We have never said that the government has given us any nudge. It was a decision taken by the franchise on their own. I am clear about the fact that we have never informed anyone that the government has given us any nudge," said Modi.
He stressed that it was the sole decision of the franchisees not to select the Pakistani players.
Despite a series of tit-for-tat gestures by Pakistan, the Pakistan Hockey Federation has assured that they would remain committed to their participation in the Hockey World Cup beginning next month.
Welcoming their move, Gill said, "I have noted reports of the Secretary of the Pakistan Hockey Federation of their preparations to come for the Hockey World Cup in Delhi. I look forward to an exciting opening match between India and Pakistan on February 28."
Eleven Pakistani players, including cream of the Shahid Afridi-led reigning Twenty20 World Cup squad, were in IPL auction 3 fray, but none of the eight IPL franchisees took interest in them, fearing the chill in Indo-Pak relation might worsen, resulting in non-participation of these players.
The uncertainty over their availability cost Pakistani players lucrative IPL contracts. (ANI)
Source: Web Search
Pargat continues his tirade against Kalmadi
Published>Wed, Jan 27 10 05:30 PM
Chandigarh, Jan 27 (IANS) Continuing his tirade against Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Suresh Kalmadi, former India captain and Hockey Punjab (HP) secretary general Pargat Singh said hockey administration in the country should be run like a corporate house.
'It should run like a business house, where whatever we generate should go in the right direction. Our players, coaches and other officials should get an appropriate share and there should be no desperation that eventually forces them to rebel,' Pargat told IANS.
Singh said Kalmadi's excessive interference in the work of Hockey India (HI) is totally unwarranted.
'We cannot let anybody run hockey using a remote control. It should be allowed to work as an independent body. Our national sport is suffocating in such environment. We want more autonomy, if we aim for better results in future,' Singh said.
'We are associated with hockey for a long time and we cannot see this game go down like this. I have also appealed to my former colleagues and other hockey players to gather on a single platform to rescue this game,' said Singh.
Pargat Singh, in a broadside Sunday aimed at Kalmadi, said the IOA president's ambition to head Hockey India has resulted in the hockey federation elections being repeatedly delayed.
Source: Web Search
Federer beats back Davydenko to reach semis
Published>Wed, Jan 27 10 05:19 PM
World number one Roger Federer withstood a stern challenge from Nikolay Davydenko before mounting a furious counter-attack to win 2-6 6-3 6-0 7-5 and advance to the semi-finals of the Australian Open on Wednesday.
Down a set and a break in the second, the Swiss top seed turned the match in the blink of an eye, winning 13 consecutive games to take the next two sets, then keeping the Russian at bay in the fourth as shadows crept across Rod Laver Arena.
By snapping Davydenko's 12 match winning streak, which included victories over Federer in their previous two meetings, the Swiss reached his 23rd successive grand slam semi-final since he was knocked out of the third round of the French Open in 2004.
"I played him many times and I know that he goes through phases at times, very rock solid phases," Federer said in a courtside interview.
"I knew he wasn't going to play through three or four sets like that. I knew he was going to dip a little bit."
"Somewhere you hang onto it. (It was) a bit of a surprise to come back that great."
Davydenko, who thumped his first three opponents before grinding a five-set victory over Fernando Verdasco, was immaculate early, breaking Federer three times to wrap up the first set and race to a 3-1 lead in the second.
Having declared the top 10 players were "scared" of him after winning the season-ending ATP Tour Finals in London, Davydenko appeared determined to live up to his self-proclaimed reputation, dictating the play and thumping winners from all angles.
FEDERER POUNCES
The bravado disappeared quickly, however, when given four chances to take a two-break lead, the Russian blew them all, following a double-fault with three consecutive unforced errors.
Federer, sensing the momentum shift, pounced.
At the end of a breathtaking half-hour of near faultless shot-making, the Swiss master emerged with a set up with a 2-0 lead in the fourth, while Davydenko was left reeling.
As both players struggled to deal with the dipping sun that left one side of the court plunged in darkness and the other brightly lit, Davydenko rallied, firing three crisply-hit winners in a row to save match point and break back to 5-5.
"I was like asking 'why now?' He could have played those at another time when it wasn't important," said Federer, who was beaten in last year's final by Rafa Nadal.
The 15-time grand slam champion bided his time, however, to take the break back, then dispatched the Russian with a thumping serve after setting up match point with an ace.
Federer next faces either France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga or Serbia's Novak Djokovic, who meet in a replay of their 2008 final in the late match on Rod Laver Arena.
Source: Web Search
CSA accepts Arthur''s resignation; to restructure system
Published Wed, Jan 27 10 05:11 PM
Johannesburg, Jan 27 (PTI) Cricket South Africa (CSA) today accepted the resignation of Mickey Arthur from the post of national coach and began its process of complete system overhaul by sacking the national selection panel, which was headed by Mike Procter. An interim selection panel, consisting of CSA Chief Executive Officer Gerald Majola, new interim coach Corrie van Zyl and former skipper Kepler Wessels has been formed. The interim panel will be in place until the CSA Board meeting on February 19, where the national team structures will be finalised. Majola addressed a media conference in East London and said Arthur''s resignation was accepted with "regret". "It is with much regret that the Board of Directors of Cricket South Africa has accepted Mickey Arthur''s resignation as the Proteas'' coach. His resignation came through the normal stock-taking process which followed the England home series and against the backdrop of the disappointing results of 2009. "As this process unfolded and remedies were sought, Mickey expressed the very honest and humble view that he did not believe that at this stage he could continue as coach of the Proteas," Majola said in presence of Arthur, captain Greame Smith and Corrie. More PTI AT MRM
Source: Web Search
Spain to play South Korea and Liechtenstein
Published Wed, Jan 27 10 04:50 PM
Spain will play three friendly matches at the end of May and beginning of June before heading to South Africa for the World Cup, the Spanish soccer federation (RFEF) said on its website (www.rfef.es).
The European champions take on Liechtenstein on May 29 in Vaduz, before heading to Innsbruck in Austria to play South Korea on June 3, the federation said.
They will play another friendly on June 8, with both the opponent and venue still to be decided, the RFEF added.
Source: Web Search
Federer enters Oz Open semi-finals
Published>Wed, Jan 27 10 04:29 PM
Melbourne, Jan. 27 (ANI): Roger Federer entered his 23rd-straight grand slam semi-final here on Wednesday.
But, he faced a stiff fight from Russian Nikolay Davydenko before winning the match 2-6 6-3 6-0 7-5 after looking rattled and gone early in the second set.
The world No.1 turned the match around in the space of a few minutes and went on to win 13 games in a row to shut the sixth seed out.
But, just as bizarrely as he imploded, Davydenko gave the match another twist as he fought his way back in the fourth set.
He saved a match point with a sizzling backhand return and breaking Federer as he served for the match and threatening to take it to five sets.
Davydenko's return to form, however, came too late, as the damage had been done in an hour-long streak in which Federer won 13 games in a row.
At a set and a break down at 3-1 in the second set, Federer saved three break points as Davydenko failed to put away an easy backhand which would have given him a stranglehold on the match.
A rare backhand winner from Federer followed up by an ace gave the Swiss the game.
Federer immediately broke Davydenko back in the next game to put the set back on even terms and himself back in the match. (ANI)
Source: Web Search
Manchester City getting carried away with 'biggest club' aim: Ferguson
Published>Wed, Jan 27 10 04:26 PM
London, Jan 27(ANI): Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has added more fuel to the fire ahead of the second Manchester derby on Wednesday, saying City is "getting carried away" with their aim of becoming the biggest club in the world.
Ferguson's comment come after Manchester City CEO Garry Cook predicted that they will beat United tonight, before going on to eclipse them as the biggest club on the planet.
The Scot further insisted that United were better equipped to win, as they have more big-game experience than Roberto Mancini's side.
"Sometimes people can get carried away. Only the future can decide that," The Mirror quoted Ferguson, as saying.
Ferguson further dismissed any suggestion that tonight's game is more crucial for City because of their desperation to end their 34-year wait for a trophy.
"This is a semi-final, a local derby and that's important enough in itself. Those two factors alone are incentive enough for both teams. We showed in the first leg that we want to be in the final. We showed a good desire and we controlled most of the game," Ferguson said.
"We've been in this situation so many times, coming into the second leg of a big semi-final needing a result. We've played some great teams over the years here in this sort of situation and we hope that experience helps us," he added. (ANI)
Source: Web Search
Watson, Bollinger to be rested for final 2 ODIs against Pak
Published>Wed, Jan 27 10 04:19 PM
London, Jan 27 (ANI): Australia is all set to rest Shane Watson and Doug Bollinger for Friday's ODI against Pakistan after taking an unassailable lead of 3-0.
Watson and Bollinger will be rested for the remaining matches of the ODI series against Pakistan.
Selectors may also decide not to recall Peter Siddle who is still getting over an injury, although he has been named in the squad for Perth on Friday.
Watson and Bollinger have earned their rest, and for Bollinger this can be seen as recognition of his rise in the order of Australian fast bowlers since he made a spot his own on the limited overs tour of India, FOX Sports reports.
Mitchell Johnson will return to play in the two Perth matches while Ryan Harris has retained his place for the rest of the series.
"The National Selection Panel has taken the opportunity to manage the workload of Shane Watson and Doug Bollinger who will return home and not be considered for selection in the last two games against Pakistan," said chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch.
"Ryan Harris will remain with the squad of 13 after an impressive performance in Adelaide while Mitchell Johnson will also return after having his workload managed for the first three games of this series," he said.
Australian squad for final two matches versus Pakistan: Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin, Ryan Harris, Nathan Hauritz, James Hopes, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Shaun Marsh, Clint McKay, Peter Siddle, Adam Voges, Cameron White. (ANI)
Source: Web Search
Schumacher blasts Formula One bad boy image
Published>Wed, Jan 27 10 04:10 PM
London, Jan 27(ANI): Formula One racing driver Michael Schumacher has blasted claims that he is the bad boy of the sport, and that he is returning to prove that he can win fairly.
During his long career the seven-time world drivers' champion has been involved in several controversial incident.
Schumacher has been vilified in the British media for his involvement in title-deciding collisions in 1994 and 1997, among other issues like interfering in team orders and driving dangerously to win points.
"Ninety-one victories, seven titles, you win only in a bad way. Absolutely. Yeah, you're right, I need to prove myself now," The Mirror quoted Schumacher, as saying.
The German had a dubious clash with Williams' Damon Hill in the final 1994 race to win his first title, and in 1997 he was stripped of all his points after trying to ram driver Jacques Villeneuve in the title decider.
The 1994 incident was viewed by the FIA as a racing incident, and brought no sanction; whereas the 1997 incident saw Schumacher disqualified from the championship standings. German and Italian newspapers had also condemned his actions in 1997. (ANI)
Source: Web Search
Federer and Serena advance after Venus falls
Published>Wed, Jan 27 10 03:49 PM
Roger Federer and Serena Williams needed all their fighting qualities to remain in the Australian Open on Wednesday after Li Na stunned Venus Williams to become just the second Chinese to reach the semi-finals of a grand slam.
Federer reeled off 13 games in a row to dig himself out of trouble and beat Russia's Nikolay Davydenko 2-6 6-3 6-0 7-5 in a wildly fluctuating match.
Serena was also staring down the barrel in her quarter-final against Victoria Azarenka of Belarus before she recovered to beat Victoria Azarenka 4-6 7-6 6-2.
Her elder sibling might have joined her but threw away a match-winning lead in her 2-6 7-6 7-5 loss to Li, one of two Chinese women through to the last four at Melbourne Park.
Federer made it through to his 23rd consecutive grand slam semi but only after a titantic struggle with Davydenko, who won the opening set then got an early service break in the second.
The world number one was struggling just to stay with Davydenko as the sun started setting and shadows started creeping on to the Rod Laver Arena but seized his opportunity when the Russian suddenly went off the boil.
"I've played him many times and I know he goes through phases, you just try to stay positive," the Swiss said.
"I wasn't playing terribly, just struggling with the sun coming across. It's like a rain delay, you just wait."
Federer's next opponent will be either Novak Djokovic or Jo-Wilfriend Tsonga, who met in the 2008 Australian Open final, the only grand slam since the 2005 French Open where Federer has not been in the final.
SERENA COMEBACK
Serena showed why she remains the toughest woman in the world to beat, battling back from the brink of defeat to remain on course to defend the title she won for a fourth time last year.
The American lost the opening set to Azarenka then went behind 4-0 in the second as she started to doubt herself before she rediscovered her self-belief and found a way to win.
"I'm surprised. I didn't expect to win when I was down in the second set," she said.
"I thought if I lost the singles and the doubles, I could catch a flight on Friday. It's not what a champion is supposed to think but I did."
Venus was two points away from wrapping up a straight-sets win when she stumbled on her serve and allowed Li back into the contest.
"In tennis you have to close it out. It's not like there's a clock ticking and then suddenly it's over," Venus said.
"You just have to close it out. I didn't do that today."
The once unimaginable prospect of an all-Chinese final is suddenly looming as a real possibility after Li followed Zheng Jie into the semis.
Zheng beat Maria Kirilenko 24 hours earlier and plays Justine Henin in Thursday's semis while Li faces the daunting prospect of playing Serena.
Millions of people in China have been following their matches on television and Li said she was adopting a philosophical approach to her match against Serena.
"In China we say if you have a tough time and then you return back, maybe you have good luck for after," she said. "So I still believe that."
Source: Web Search
Relaxed attitude mixed with killer instinct is Henin's recipe for grand slam win
Published>Wed, Jan 27 10 03:25 PM
Sydney, Jan. 27 (ANI): Justine Henin has revealed that she has become a much more relaxed tennis player than she was in the past, and the real challenge that lies before the seven-times grand slam winner is to reconcile her new easier-going self with the necessary killer instinct.
"I'm much more relaxed than I was in the past, that's for sure. I hope it's not only because it's the beginning, and I'm not going to get crazy again in six months," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted her, as saying.
It is still honeymoon time for the divorcee who left the game in May 2008 with her competitive fire extinguished by the desire to discover the person beyond the tennis player, to learn about herself, having sucked all she needed from the game.
This is just the second tournament after her comeback and Henin has already noticed that she is expending less energy than before.
"In a grand slam, I was really in my bubble - now we just go forward. We try many, many different restaurants. I'm more open to a lot of things. That's the way I have to keep going. To find the right moment to put the intensity and the concentration and to get away from that, it's probably with the experience and the maturity we can get it. But that takes for me a little bit of time because it's really new ... it's [a] very interesting experience for me this week," she said
Henin is booked in for a semi-final tomorrow against unseeded Chinese Zheng Jie, having yesterday eliminated 19th seed Nadia Petrova in the first of her 10 matches this January played under the Australian sun.
Now she is within two matches of outdoing Clijsters by winning a major in just her second comeback tournament. Clijsters took three.
Australia, she said, was the ideal starting point for her second career, despite her mixed experiences in previous years.
"But I just keep positive things. When I come back here, I don't feel anything negative. It's only good things. I'm here again in the last four. It's just much more than what I could expect, and the dream continues, yeah," she said. (ANI)
Source: Web Search
Serena proves queen of comebacks again
Published>Wed, Jan 27 10 03:19 PM
The spotlight may be focused on the return of Belgian duo Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters, but Serena Williams proved again on Wednesday she was the ultimate comeback queen.
A set down and trailing 4-0 in the second set to seventh seed Victoria Azarenka, the defending champion looked to be following older sister Venus out of the Australian Open quarter-finals.
The world number one rediscovered her game, however, to win the next five games and force a tiebreak before she blew the Belarussian off the court in the third to record a 4-6 7-6 6-2 victory.
"I wasn't playing my best, especially in the first two sets," Williams told reporters. "I definitely think I played well in the third. But, you know, I was down the whole match from the first point until the end.
"I thought she was aggressive the whole time. She's the kind of player you really have to take it to. I thought she played excellent."
William has made a habit of making sensational comebacks at the Australian Open. In 2003 she came back from 5-1 in the third set and then saved two match points to beat Clijsters in the semi-final. She then beat Venus in the final.
In 2005 at Melbourne Park, she saved three match points in the semi-final against Maria Sharapova before she beat Lindsay Davenport in the final.
Williams also saved a match point against Elena Dementieva in their Wimbledon semi-final last year.
The American said Wednesday's comeback was good but not as important.
"I can't say it's number one (in terms of importance) because I've been down match point several times," Williams said. "I know in '03 I was down some match points. It's nothing like being down match points." Azarenka paid tribute to Williams.
"I know she's gonna fight until the last point (and) she started playing unbelievable from four-love," she said. "She really really went for her shots, and she made them.
"What was going through my head was I just had to hang in there and try to be more aggressive.
"The only thing I did is I probably backed up a little bit. I gave her more time to go for her shots. I mean, she was really in the zone at that point.
Azarenka added: "She knows how to handle herself, more experience, and I just have to learn from it."
Source: Web Search