Moss in hospital after falling down lift

Published>Tue, Mar 09 10 01:47 AM

British motor racing great Stirling Moss is recovering in hospital after plunging three stories down a lift shaft at his home and breaking both ankles.

A family statement on his website (www.stirlingmoss.com) said on Monday that Moss, who celebrated his 80th birthday last September, suffered the accident on Saturday and underwent surgery the next day.

Moss, widely known as the greatest driver never to win the Formula One championship, opened a lift door on the third floor of his house in central London and stepped forwards but due to a malfunction the lift had stopped on the floor above.

He also broke four bones in his feet, suffered four chipped vertebrae and skin abrasions but remained conscious throughout. He was expected to take six weeks to recover.

"The family are very relieved that Stirling survived the fall, demonstrating that his body still has the same resilience to injury as it did in his racing days," the statement said.

"He is comfortable, following a good night's rest post surgery, and is well on the road to recovery."

The driver's wife Susie was quoted earlier by a friend as saying Moss was in good spirits and already complaining about the size and quality of the hospital breakfast.

Moss was a contemporary of the late Argentine world champion Juan Manuel Fangio.

The Briton lost the 1958 title by a single point to compatriot Mike Hawthorn, his country's first champion, despite winning four races to his rival's sole victory.

Winner of 16 grands prix, Moss finished overall runner-up on three more occasions and retired after a career-ending 1962 crash at Goodwood.

Source: Web Search

Hockey World Cup: Pool B standings

Published>Tue, Mar 09 10 01:03 AM

New Delhi, March 8 (IANS) The final standings in Pool B of the Hockey World Cup at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here Monday.

Teams P W D L F A PT

Australia 5 4 0 1 23 6 12

England 5 4 0 1 17 12 12

Spain 5 3 0 2 12 8 9

India 5 1 1 3 13 17 4

South Africa 5 1 1 3 13 28 4

Pakistan 5 1 0 4 9 16 3

P: Matches played, W: won, D: drawn, L: lost, F: Goals for, A: Goals against, PT: Total Points

Source: Web Search

Hockey World Cup: Pool B standings

Published>Tue, Mar 09 10 01:07 AM

New Delhi, March 8 (IANS) The final standings in Pool B of the Hockey World Cup at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here Monday.

Teams P W D L F A PT

Australia 5 4 0 1 23 6 12

England 5 4 0 1 17 12 12

Spain 5 3 0 2 12 8 9

India 5 1 1 3 13 17 4

South Africa 5 1 1 3 13 28 4

Pakistan 5 1 0 4 9 16 3

P: Matches played, W: won, D: drawn, L: lost, F: Goals for, A: Goals against, PT: Total Points

Source: Web Search

India draw with South Africa to finish fourth, Pakistan last

Published>Tue, Mar 09 10 12:23 AM

New Delhi, March 9 (IANS) India saved the blushes with a late goal to finish 3-3 with South Africa, while Australia joined England in the semifinals from Pool B of the Hockey World Cup here Monday.

Four-time winners Pakistan came up with a much-improved performance but favourites Australia eked out a 2-1 victory to go into the semis with 12 points as the top team from the group.

It was a highly forgettable outing for Pakistan who brought up the rear of the six-team Pool claiming three points, and would now have to settle for the 11th-12th position play-off with Canada.

Already assured of a last four berth, European champions England's four-match winning streak was broken as they suffered their first loss in the tournament with a 0-2 scoreline against Olympic silver medallists Spain. England wrapped up their group engagements with 12 points, same as Australia, but had to settle for the second slot on goal difference.

The match between world number 12 India and number 13 South Africa was exciting with both teams pressing the attack button from the start.

Lloyd Norris-Jones (8th) put the visitors ahead, before the Indians struck through Sarvanjit Singh (17th minute) and Vikram Pillay (24th minute) to lead 2-1 at half time.

But South Africa bounced back with strikes from Ian Haley (39th) and Austin Smith (47th minute) through penalty corners and went 3-2 up, much to the dismay of a large crowd at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium.

Shivendra Singh (66th) scored the equaliser in the dying moments to draw the match 3-3, and ensure a fourth place finish for India with four points in the pool. South Africa were equal with India on points, but finished fifth because of an inferior goal difference.

The hosts would now clash for the seventh-eighth position against the team finishing fourth in Pool A. South Africa would have to settle for the play-off for the ninth-tenth slot

The game, however, saw some controversial moments with the score leveled 2-2 when the field umpires disallowing an Indian goal in the 45tht minute following a referral sought by the South Africans who claimed they had earned a penalty corner due to an infringement by Vikram Pillay before India's goal-bound move.

The penalty corner led to another and South African captain Smith made it 3-2 from the second.

For Pakistan, veteran Sohail Abbas scored first, converting a penalty cornerin the 24th minute to put Pakistan 1-0 up at the halftime. Desmond Abbott then equalised in the 38th minute and struck the winner seven minutes from the final hooter.

Australia were almost through to the last four even before Monday's game. The only way Spain could have pipped the Kookaburras was by defeating England by a bigger margin.

It was Pakistan's fourth loss in the tournament, their only win coming against Spain. They, however, played their hearts out against Australia.

In fact, Pakistan could have easily walked away with a win had they converted their chances in the dying minutes. Perhaps, it was their lack of confidence that let them down.

Australian captain Jamie Dwyer later admitted that it was one of the better performances from Pakistan and it could have been anybody's game.

Playing their last Pool B match, Spain scored through Pau Quemada (35th minute), who converted a penalty corner in the first half while Eduard Tubau (64th) increased the lead. The Spaniards finished third in the Pool with nine points and would play in the fifth-sixth place classification outing with the team taking the same place in Pool A.

Very little at stake, England players did not stretch themselves but coach Jason Lee refused to buy the argument.

'We did not take the game easy, but Spain played a really good game. We know that they can upset any team,' said Lee.

Source: Web Search

India draw with South Africa to finish fourth, Pakistan last

Published>Tue, Mar 09 10 12:27 AM

New Delhi, March 9 (IANS) India saved the blushes with a late goal to finish 3-3 with South Africa, while Australia joined England in the semifinals from Pool B of the Hockey World Cup here Monday.

Four-time winners Pakistan came up with a much-improved performance but favourites Australia eked out a 2-1 victory to go into the semis with 12 points as the top team from the group.

It was a highly forgettable outing for Pakistan who brought up the rear of the six-team Pool claiming three points, and would now have to settle for the 11th-12th position play-off with Canada.

Already assured of a last four berth, European champions England's four-match winning streak was broken as they suffered their first loss in the tournament with a 0-2 scoreline against Olympic silver medallists Spain. England wrapped up their group engagements with 12 points, same as Australia, but had to settle for the second slot on goal difference.

The match between world number 12 India and number 13 South Africa was exciting with both teams pressing the attack button from the start.

Lloyd Norris-Jones (8th) put the visitors ahead, before the Indians struck through Sarvanjit Singh (17th minute) and Vikram Pillay (24th minute) to lead 2-1 at half time.

But South Africa bounced back with strikes from Ian Haley (39th) and Austin Smith (47th minute) through penalty corners and went 3-2 up, much to the dismay of a large crowd at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium.

Shivendra Singh (66th) scored the equaliser in the dying moments to draw the match 3-3, and ensure a fourth place finish for India with four points in the pool. South Africa were equal with India on points, but finished fifth because of an inferior goal difference.

The hosts would now clash for the seventh-eighth position against the team finishing fourth in Pool A. South Africa would have to settle for the play-off for the ninth-tenth slot

The game, however, saw some controversial moments with the score leveled 2-2 when the field umpires disallowing an Indian goal in the 45tht minute following a referral sought by the South Africans who claimed they had earned a penalty corner due to an infringement by Vikram Pillay before India's goal-bound move.

The penalty corner led to another and South African captain Smith made it 3-2 from the second.

For Pakistan, veteran Sohail Abbas scored first, converting a penalty cornerin the 24th minute to put Pakistan 1-0 up at the halftime. Desmond Abbott then equalised in the 38th minute and struck the winner seven minutes from the final hooter.

Australia were almost through to the last four even before Monday's game. The only way Spain could have pipped the Kookaburras was by defeating England by a bigger margin.

It was Pakistan's fourth loss in the tournament, their only win coming against Spain. They, however, played their hearts out against Australia.

In fact, Pakistan could have easily walked away with a win had they converted their chances in the dying minutes. Perhaps, it was their lack of confidence that let them down.

Australian captain Jamie Dwyer later admitted that it was one of the better performances from Pakistan and it could have been anybody's game.

Playing their last Pool B match, Spain scored through Pau Quemada (35th minute), who converted a penalty corner in the first half while Eduard Tubau (64th) increased the lead. The Spaniards finished third in the Pool with nine points and would play in the fifth-sixth place classification outing with the team taking the same place in Pool A.

Very little at stake, England players did not stretch themselves but coach Jason Lee refused to buy the argument.

'We did not take the game easy, but Spain played a really good game. We know that they can upset any team,' said Lee.

Source: Web Search

Brasa angry at SA''s controversial third goal

Published Tue, Mar 09 10 12:15 AM

New Delhi, Mar 8 (PTI) India coach Jose Brasa today lashed at match officials for awarding the South Africans their third goal in a controversial manner in their 3-3 draw in a World Cup match here today. In the 46th minute of the last Pool B match, Sarvanjit Singh sounded the opposition goal but South Africa appealed for a foul inside the Indian striking circle and the field umpires referred the matter to the video umpire. To the shock of the Indians, the video umpire not only disallowed the Indian goal but also awarded a penalty corner in favour of South Africa who scored their goal from it. A fuming Brasa said at the first instance the foul was committed by a South African player by raising his stick high over Vikram Pillay''s head and then the umpires allowed the referral, long after the Indians had scored. "We were told at the meeting before the World Cup that the referral should be immediately after an alleged foul but South Africa did it after we counterattacked and scored. That is not fair," he said after the match. "Moreover, it was not a foul at all by the Indians and there should not have been a penalty corner. It was the South African player who was resorting to dangerous play by raising his stick high over Vikram Pillay and then hitting his stick. "The video umpire should have said that sorry your (South Africans'') appeal could not be upheld and so the Indian goal stands. But the South Africans were given their third goal," lamented the Spaniard.

Source: Web Search

Brasa angry at SA''s controversial third goal

Published Tue, Mar 09 10 12:19 AM

New Delhi, Mar 8 (PTI) India coach Jose Brasa today lashed at match officials for awarding the South Africans their third goal in a controversial manner in their 3-3 draw in a World Cup match here today. In the 46th minute of the last Pool B match, Sarvanjit Singh sounded the opposition goal but South Africa appealed for a foul inside the Indian striking circle and the field umpires referred the matter to the video umpire. To the shock of the Indians, the video umpire not only disallowed the Indian goal but also awarded a penalty corner in favour of South Africa who scored their goal from it. A fuming Brasa said at the first instance the foul was committed by a South African player by raising his stick high over Vikram Pillay''s head and then the umpires allowed the referral, long after the Indians had scored. "We were told at the meeting before the World Cup that the referral should be immediately after an alleged foul but South Africa did it after we counterattacked and scored. That is not fair," he said after the match. "Moreover, it was not a foul at all by the Indians and there should not have been a penalty corner. It was the South African player who was resorting to dangerous play by raising his stick high over Vikram Pillay and then hitting his stick. "The video umpire should have said that sorry your (South Africans'') appeal could not be upheld and so the Indian goal stands. But the South Africans were given their third goal," lamented the Spaniard.

Source: Web Search

Contador hurts leg, Henderson wins first stage

Published>Tue, Mar 09 10 12:09 AM

Tour de France champion Alberto Contador lost time on the leaders and suffered a painful knock to his leg when he crashed towards the end of the first stage of Paris-Nice on Monday.

The race favourite crashed three km from the finish in Contres after being dropped from the front following a harsh effort by the Caisse d'Epargne team of last year's winner Luis Leon Sanchez.

New Zealand's Greg Henderson won the 201.5-km stage beating Slovenia's Grega Bole and France's Jeremy Galland on the line.

"I picked up a pretty good knock. The pain is quite sharp. I am quite worried," Spaniard Contador told reporters.

"I was on the left side on the road and there was a wave in the peloton. I fell in the grass with Heinrich Haussler.

"It was quite a hard fall but as I was still over three km from the finish I had little choice but to come back into the bunch."

Prologue winner Lars Boom retained his overall lead, but Contador, who won Paris-Nice in 2007, is 25 seconds behind in the standings, in eighth place.

"It's not the time lost I'm worried about but how I will feel in the morning," Contador said.

Germany's Jens Voigt stayed second overall, five seconds behind Dutchman Boom, and Briton David Millar moved into third, 13 seconds adrift.

Henderson, a former track rider who won his first major road laurels last year on the Tour of Spain, outsprinted the leading group of 17 riders for victory.

"I won a sprint in slow motion because we were all so tired because of the cold and wind," said Henderson, who gave his Team Sky their first pro victory in Australia in January.

American Levi Leipheimer was another of the big names to lose time in the treacherous stage. Held back by one of several pile-ups in the peloton, the RadioShack team leader lies seventh overall, 25 seconds behind Boom.

Tuesday's second stage takes the peloton to Limoges over 201 km.

Source: Web Search

Contador hurts leg, Henderson wins first stage

Published>Tue, Mar 09 10 12:13 AM

Tour de France champion Alberto Contador lost time on the leaders and suffered a painful knock to his leg when he crashed towards the end of the first stage of Paris-Nice on Monday.

The race favourite crashed three km from the finish in Contres after being dropped from the front following a harsh effort by the Caisse d'Epargne team of last year's winner Luis Leon Sanchez.

New Zealand's Greg Henderson won the 201.5-km stage beating Slovenia's Grega Bole and France's Jeremy Galland on the line.

"I picked up a pretty good knock. The pain is quite sharp. I am quite worried," Spaniard Contador told reporters.

"I was on the left side on the road and there was a wave in the peloton. I fell in the grass with Heinrich Haussler.

"It was quite a hard fall but as I was still over three km from the finish I had little choice but to come back into the bunch."

Prologue winner Lars Boom retained his overall lead, but Contador, who won Paris-Nice in 2007, is 25 seconds behind in the standings, in eighth place.

"It's not the time lost I'm worried about but how I will feel in the morning," Contador said.

Germany's Jens Voigt stayed second overall, five seconds behind Dutchman Boom, and Briton David Millar moved into third, 13 seconds adrift.

Henderson, a former track rider who won his first major road laurels last year on the Tour of Spain, outsprinted the leading group of 17 riders for victory.

"I won a sprint in slow motion because we were all so tired because of the cold and wind," said Henderson, who gave his Team Sky their first pro victory in Australia in January.

American Levi Leipheimer was another of the big names to lose time in the treacherous stage. Held back by one of several pile-ups in the peloton, the RadioShack team leader lies seventh overall, 25 seconds behind Boom.

Tuesday's second stage takes the peloton to Limoges over 201 km.

Source: Web Search

India hold South Africa 3-3, play for seventh-eighth positions

Published>Mon, Mar 08 10 11:53 PM

New Delhi, March 8 (IANS) India narrowly saved the blushes with a late goal to finish 3-3 with South Africa in Pool B of the Hockey World Cup here Monday.

Lloyd Norris-Jones (8th minute) put the visitors ahead, before the Indians struck through Sarvanjit Singh (17th) and Vikram Pillay (24th) to lead 2-1 at half time.

But South Africa bounced back with strikes from Ian Haley (39th) and Austin Smith (47th) through penalty corners and went 3-2 up, much to the dismay of a large crowd at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium.

Shivendra Singh (66th) scored the equaliser in the dying moments to ensure a fourth place finish for India with four points in the Pool. South Africa are at par with India on points but ended fifth on goal difference, leaving Pakistan at the bottom.

The hosts, who are ranked 12th in the world, would now clash for the seventh-eighth positions against the team finishing fourth in Pool A. South Africa would have to settle for the play-off for the ninth-tenth slot.

The first session of the game saw the Indians dominate the later part with some inspired and thrustful hockey after the South Africans showed the initiative in the early minutes during which they missed a couple of chances, besides scoring the goal.

The visitors took the lead as Norris-Jones launched on a speedy solo from the midfield and hit home from top of the circle, as a hush descended on the stadium. India's shoddy defending came to the fore as Jones went virtually unchallenged.

Stung by the reverse, the Indians built up pressure and restored parity midway through the session. Arjun Halappa did the spadework and passed on to Prabhjot Singh who found Sarvanjit near the circle. Showing beautiful stickwork, Sarvanjit got past three defenders and also goalkeeper Erasmus Pieterse before putting the ball in.

Buyoed by the goal, the Indians played a more attacking game and Pillay and Danish Mujtaba got into a fine one-two two but they could not finish.

However, the Indians managed to make the scoreline 2-1 following a penalty corner that saw Pillay deflect a pass from Diwakar Ram into the net.

There was no change in the scoreline till the break, though the South Africans came close to scoring when Paul Blake dived to deflect a cross, but his left handed effort went marginally over the roof of the net.

As in the earlier session, the South Africans called the shots early in the second half, and again equalised with Haley finding the target from a penalty corner.

The match turned highly competitive and fast as the two sides showed more attacking intent, the crowd having their money's worth.

The game, however, saw some controversial moments with the umpire disallowing an Indian goal in the 45tht minute following a referral sought by the South Africans who claimed they had earned a penalty corner before India's goal-bound move.

Indians had drummed up a fine combination with Gurwinder Singh Chandi and Rajpal Singh setting up Sarvanjit to push in. but the video umpire ruled out the goal and instead awarded the penalty corner to the South Africans.

South Afrcia got two back-to-back penalty corners and from the second Smith made it 3-2.

The Indians got back into their attacking ways, and Pieterse saved a certain South African collapse by tipping over a Sarvanjit deflection.

The South Africans packed their defence with more men, and resisted the relentless Indian onslaughts dourly but finally caved in five minutes from close as Shivendra scored from a goalmouth melee.

-

Source: Web Search

India hold South Africa 3-3, play for seventh-eighth positions

Published>Mon, Mar 08 10 11:47 PM

New Delhi, March 8 (IANS) India narrowly saved the blushes with a late goal to finish 3-3 with South Africa in Pool B of the Hockey World Cup here Monday.

Lloyd Norris-Jones (8th minute) put the visitors ahead, before the Indians struck through Sarvanjit Singh (17th) and Vikram Pillay (24th) to lead 2-1 at half time.

But South Africa bounced back with strikes from Ian Haley (39th) and Austin Smith (47th) through penalty corners and went 3-2 up, much to the dismay of a large crowd at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium.

Shivendra Singh (66th) scored the equaliser in the dying moments to ensure a fourth place finish for India with four points in the Pool. South Africa are at par with India on points but ended fifth on goal difference, leaving Pakistan at the bottom.

The hosts, who are ranked 12th in the world, would now clash for the seventh-eighth positions against the team finishing fourth in Pool A. South Africa would have to settle for the play-off for the ninth-tenth slot.

The first session of the game saw the Indians dominate the later part with some inspired and thrustful hockey after the South Africans showed the initiative in the early minutes during which they missed a couple of chances, besides scoring the goal.

The visitors took the lead as Norris-Jones launched on a speedy solo from the midfield and hit home from top of the circle, as a hush descended on the stadium. India's shoddy defending came to the fore as Jones went virtually unchallenged.

Stung by the reverse, the Indians built up pressure and restored parity midway through the session. Arjun Halappa did the spadework and passed on to Prabhjot Singh who found Sarvanjit near the circle. Showing beautiful stickwork, Sarvanjit got past three defenders and also goalkeeper Erasmus Pieterse before putting the ball in.

Buyoed by the goal, the Indians played a more attacking game and Pillay and Danish Mujtaba got into a fine one-two two but they could not finish.

However, the Indians managed to make the scoreline 2-1 following a penalty corner that saw Pillay deflect a pass from Diwakar Ram into the net.

There was no change in the scoreline till the break, though the South Africans came close to scoring when Paul Blake dived to deflect a cross, but his left handed effort went marginally over the roof of the net.

As in the earlier session, the South Africans called the shots early in the second half, and again equalised with Haley finding the target from a penalty corner.

The match turned highly competitive and fast as the two sides showed more attacking intent, the crowd having their money's worth.

The game, however, saw some controversial moments with the umpire disallowing an Indian goal in the 45tht minute following a referral sought by the South Africans who claimed they had earned a penalty corner before India's goal-bound move.

Indians had drummed up a fine combination with Gurwinder Singh Chandi and Rajpal Singh setting up Sarvanjit to push in. but the video umpire ruled out the goal and instead awarded the penalty corner to the South Africans.

South Afrcia got two back-to-back penalty corners and from the second Smith made it 3-2.

The Indians got back into their attacking ways, and Pieterse saved a certain South African collapse by tipping over a Sarvanjit deflection.

The South Africans packed their defence with more men, and resisted the relentless Indian onslaughts dourly but finally caved in five minutes from close as Shivendra scored from a goalmouth melee.

-

Source: Web Search

Spain beat England 2-0

Published>Mon, Mar 08 10 11:33 PM

Olympic silver medallist Spain continued their domination over England in the hockey World Cup, defeating the European Champions 2-0 in their last pool match at the 12th edition of the mega-event here on Monday.

With this win, Spain registered their fifth victory over England out of seven World Cup matches the two teams have played so far. The Englishmen finished on the winning side only once while one game ended without result.

Pau Quemada (35th minute) and Eduard Tubau (64th) scored the goals for Spain at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium and almost sealed their third position in the Pool B with nine points.

The victory, however, came too late for Spain as it did very little to brighten their semifinal hopes.

England were already through to the last-four stage of the tournament prior to the match with four wins out of their five matches and most likely title favourites Australia will join them as they have a better goal average than the Spaniards and also a game at hand.

In order to progress to the semis, Spain first needed to beat England by a huge margin today and hope that Pakistan prevail over Australia by a big score. But that was not to be.

The victory, however, assured Spain a place in the fifth-sixth play-off match on Friday unless Pakistan beat Australia by a margin of 13 goals, which is highly unlikely.

Source: Web Search

Spain beat England 2-0

Published>Mon, Mar 08 10 11:37 PM

Olympic silver medallist Spain continued their domination over England in the hockey World Cup, defeating the European Champions 2-0 in their last pool match at the 12th edition of the mega-event here on Monday.

With this win, Spain registered their fifth victory over England out of seven World Cup matches the two teams have played so far. The Englishmen finished on the winning side only once while one game ended without result.

Pau Quemada (35th minute) and Eduard Tubau (64th) scored the goals for Spain at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium and almost sealed their third position in the Pool B with nine points.

The victory, however, came too late for Spain as it did very little to brighten their semifinal hopes.

England were already through to the last-four stage of the tournament prior to the match with four wins out of their five matches and most likely title favourites Australia will join them as they have a better goal average than the Spaniards and also a game at hand.

In order to progress to the semis, Spain first needed to beat England by a huge margin today and hope that Pakistan prevail over Australia by a big score. But that was not to be.

The victory, however, assured Spain a place in the fifth-sixth play-off match on Friday unless Pakistan beat Australia by a margin of 13 goals, which is highly unlikely.

Source: Web Search

Britain plan immediate inquiry after humiliating defeat

Published>Mon, Mar 08 10 11:31 PM

British Lawn Tennis Association president Roger Draper condemned a fifth successive Davis Cup defeat as unacceptable on Monday and called for an immediate inquiry into the humiliating loss to Lithuania.

Britain, without their number one Andy Murray, lost the Europe/Africa Zone group II first round match 3-2 in Vilnius on Sunday.

They now face a relegation playoff against Turkey in July to avoid dropping into group III, the bottom tier of the men's team competition.

"I share the deep disappointment and frustration at this result. Five defeats in a row is unacceptable," Draper told the association's official website (www.lta.org.uk).

"So I have asked LTA player director Steven Martens to review last week's performance and result and report back to me and the LTA main board as soon as possible.

"That review needs to be swift and decisive as it is clear some real improvements need to be made," added Draper.

Captain John Lloyd told BBC radio it was too early to speculate about his position.

"We'll see about my future, it's too early yet. We'll just have to see how it goes in the next few days," he said.

"I said it was going to be a rebuilding process. I would have liked to start with this win but it hasn't happened."

Martens denied a media report that former British number one Greg Rusedski had been approached to take charge of the team.

MEDIA MYSTIFICATION

"We have had no direct contact at all," he told the BBC. "I think it would also be very disrespectful to a guy like John to do that.

"Clearly we have to be swift and decisive. But it is very important that in the heat of the battle you don't do anything emotional."

British media expressed mystification on Monday that a country awash with money from Wimbledon should lose to a nation containing only three players with world singles rankings.

"There are at least 29 million reasons why the Lawn Tennis Association's officials should have been burning with embarrassment in the Baltic last night," Mark Hodgkinson wrote in the Daily Telegraph.

"Britain's governing body received more than 29 million pounds ($44 million) from the surplus of last summer's Wimbledon championships and have had that sort of money at their disposal for years.

"Yet the grand slam nation yesterday experienced the greatest indignity in more than 100 seasons of the Davis Cup by losing to Lithuania, a country with an annual tennis budget of less than 100,000 pounds," wrote Hodgkinson.

Source: Web Search

Britain plan immediate inquiry after humiliating defeat

Published>Mon, Mar 08 10 11:27 PM

British Lawn Tennis Association president Roger Draper condemned a fifth successive Davis Cup defeat as unacceptable on Monday and called for an immediate inquiry into the humiliating loss to Lithuania.

Britain, without their number one Andy Murray, lost the Europe/Africa Zone group II first round match 3-2 in Vilnius on Sunday.

They now face a relegation playoff against Turkey in July to avoid dropping into group III, the bottom tier of the men's team competition.

"I share the deep disappointment and frustration at this result. Five defeats in a row is unacceptable," Draper told the association's official website (www.lta.org.uk).

"So I have asked LTA player director Steven Martens to review last week's performance and result and report back to me and the LTA main board as soon as possible.

"That review needs to be swift and decisive as it is clear some real improvements need to be made," added Draper.

Captain John Lloyd told BBC radio it was too early to speculate about his position.

"We'll see about my future, it's too early yet. We'll just have to see how it goes in the next few days," he said.

"I said it was going to be a rebuilding process. I would have liked to start with this win but it hasn't happened."

Martens denied a media report that former British number one Greg Rusedski had been approached to take charge of the team.

MEDIA MYSTIFICATION

"We have had no direct contact at all," he told the BBC. "I think it would also be very disrespectful to a guy like John to do that.

"Clearly we have to be swift and decisive. But it is very important that in the heat of the battle you don't do anything emotional."

British media expressed mystification on Monday that a country awash with money from Wimbledon should lose to a nation containing only three players with world singles rankings.

"There are at least 29 million reasons why the Lawn Tennis Association's officials should have been burning with embarrassment in the Baltic last night," Mark Hodgkinson wrote in the Daily Telegraph.

"Britain's governing body received more than 29 million pounds ($44 million) from the surplus of last summer's Wimbledon championships and have had that sort of money at their disposal for years.

"Yet the grand slam nation yesterday experienced the greatest indignity in more than 100 seasons of the Davis Cup by losing to Lithuania, a country with an annual tennis budget of less than 100,000 pounds," wrote Hodgkinson.

Source: Web Search

Pakistan deserved much better, says Charlesworth

Published>Mon, Mar 08 10 11:03 PM

New Delhi, March 8 (IANS) Australia's national coach Ric Charlesworth was surprised to see Pakistan adopting the European style of play against them in the last Pool B match of the Hockey World Cup here Monday.

'It's a bit of a paradox. Pakistan was defending and counter-attacking just like the European teams do and we were defending,' said Charlesworth, after his team qualified for the semis as Pool B champions with a 2-1 win.

Charlesworth said Pakistan were a better lot compared to others teams in the group, but were just 'unlucky'.

'I have gone through some of the statistics of this Pool and Pakistan have been the best in some areas. They have beaten Spain, who defeated England and India, the two of the best teams in the group. Against India they were unlucky as two of their hits were stopped by cross bar,' he said.

Despite the win, Australia didn't play convincingly as they did against India, Spain and South Africa.

Charlesworth said there are still some weak areas his team needs to sort out before the semis.

'We are still improving as a team and a lot has to be done. I wanted to see my team in the semis in the second week of the tournament and we are there. From here on we have other goals,' he said.

Source: Web Search

Pakistan deserved much better, says Charlesworth

Published>Mon, Mar 08 10 11:07 PM

New Delhi, March 8 (IANS) Australia's national coach Ric Charlesworth was surprised to see Pakistan adopting the European style of play against them in the last Pool B match of the Hockey World Cup here Monday.

'It's a bit of a paradox. Pakistan was defending and counter-attacking just like the European teams do and we were defending,' said Charlesworth, after his team qualified for the semis as Pool B champions with a 2-1 win.

Charlesworth said Pakistan were a better lot compared to others teams in the group, but were just 'unlucky'.

'I have gone through some of the statistics of this Pool and Pakistan have been the best in some areas. They have beaten Spain, who defeated England and India, the two of the best teams in the group. Against India they were unlucky as two of their hits were stopped by cross bar,' he said.

Despite the win, Australia didn't play convincingly as they did against India, Spain and South Africa.

Charlesworth said there are still some weak areas his team needs to sort out before the semis.

'We are still improving as a team and a lot has to be done. I wanted to see my team in the semis in the second week of the tournament and we are there. From here on we have other goals,' he said.

Source: Web Search

India's hockey future is linked to their team's success: Oltmans

Published>Mon, Mar 08 10 10:57 PM

New Delhi, March 8 (IANS) Dutch hockey legend Roelant Oltmans is pained to see Hockey World Cup being played in a big stadium with small crowds.

Oltmans, who is here as a part of a delegation of the Netherlands Olympic Committee, feels people will fill the stands only if the national team does well internationally.

'It is a pity that these days people don't come to the stadium to see hockey. During my playing days I have never seen such thin crowd in a hockey match and that, too, in a World Cup,' Oltmans told IANS.

'You can't blame the spectators. They will not come here to see the national team lose. It is very important for the national team to do well in such major international tournaments.'

And the same applies to India, Oltmans pointed out.

'It is not possible for India to recover the ground they have lost. Now they should concentrate on the national team so that its success can regenerate the interest in the game in the country,' he said.

The Dutchman also said the Indian players have to work hard on their fitness if they want to succeed playing the European style of hockey.

'Indians were late to take to synthetic turf. That's a big mistake. The European countries have done exceedingly well on turf. There is no denying the fact that Indians are skillful but they have to work hard on their fitness,' he said.

Oltmans feels Spaniard Jose Brasa is the best man to help Indian hockey.

'No one expected India to win the World Cup. Let's be practical about it. Brasa can't do miracles in seven months. Give him time to mould the team as he is well versed with the European style.'

Source: Web Search

India's hockey future is linked to their team's success: Oltmans

Published>Mon, Mar 08 10 10:51 PM

New Delhi, March 8 (IANS) Dutch hockey legend Roelant Oltmans is pained to see Hockey World Cup being played in a big stadium with small crowds.

Oltmans, who is here as a part of a delegation of the Netherlands Olympic Committee, feels people will fill the stands only if the national team does well internationally.

'It is a pity that these days people don't come to the stadium to see hockey. During my playing days I have never seen such thin crowd in a hockey match and that, too, in a World Cup,' Oltmans told IANS.

'You can't blame the spectators. They will not come here to see the national team lose. It is very important for the national team to do well in such major international tournaments.'

And the same applies to India, Oltmans pointed out.

'It is not possible for India to recover the ground they have lost. Now they should concentrate on the national team so that its success can regenerate the interest in the game in the country,' he said.

The Dutchman also said the Indian players have to work hard on their fitness if they want to succeed playing the European style of hockey.

'Indians were late to take to synthetic turf. That's a big mistake. The European countries have done exceedingly well on turf. There is no denying the fact that Indians are skillful but they have to work hard on their fitness,' he said.

Oltmans feels Spaniard Jose Brasa is the best man to help Indian hockey.

'No one expected India to win the World Cup. Let's be practical about it. Brasa can't do miracles in seven months. Give him time to mould the team as he is well versed with the European style.'

Source: Web Search

Bayern's Ribery not certain to face Fiorentina

Published>Mon, Mar 08 10 10:47 PM

Bayern Munich midfielder Franck Ribery is not certain to be fit for Tuesday's Champions League last 16 second leg tie at Fiorentina, coach Louis van Gaal said on Monday.

"Ribery has a slight problem," van Gaal, whose side have a 2-1 advantage from the first leg, told a news conference without giving the nature of the injury.

"I think he can play but we'll see tomorrow."

Ribery did not start for the Bundesliga leaders against Cologne on Saturday because of the problem, coming on in the last third of the 1-1 draw.

Van Gaal said fellow midfielder Arjen Robben should be available after missing the Cologne match with flu.

The Dutchman's biggest injury problems are in defence.

Martin Demichelis is out after suffering facial fractures playing for Argentina in last week's 1-0 win over Germany.

Diego Contento cannot play either because of a cut knee, which means 17-year-old Austrian midfielder David Alaba may be used in the backline.

But van Gaal was not spooked by these problems for the clash against an off-form Serie A outfit, with his side sure of reaching the quarter-finals if they extend their 18-match unbeaten run.

"Naturally, it (the situation in defence) is a disadvantage," he said. "But in training the players play in different positions and they know them, so I'm not afraid if there are other players on the field instead of Demichelis and Contento.

"During the course of the season, I've shown faith in six young players. If they didn't have the right qualities, they wouldn't play."

Source: Web Search

Bayern's Ribery not certain to face Fiorentina

Published>Mon, Mar 08 10 10:41 PM

Bayern Munich midfielder Franck Ribery is not certain to be fit for Tuesday's Champions League last 16 second leg tie at Fiorentina, coach Louis van Gaal said on Monday.

"Ribery has a slight problem," van Gaal, whose side have a 2-1 advantage from the first leg, told a news conference without giving the nature of the injury.

"I think he can play but we'll see tomorrow."

Ribery did not start for the Bundesliga leaders against Cologne on Saturday because of the problem, coming on in the last third of the 1-1 draw.

Van Gaal said fellow midfielder Arjen Robben should be available after missing the Cologne match with flu.

The Dutchman's biggest injury problems are in defence.

Martin Demichelis is out after suffering facial fractures playing for Argentina in last week's 1-0 win over Germany.

Diego Contento cannot play either because of a cut knee, which means 17-year-old Austrian midfielder David Alaba may be used in the backline.

But van Gaal was not spooked by these problems for the clash against an off-form Serie A outfit, with his side sure of reaching the quarter-finals if they extend their 18-match unbeaten run.

"Naturally, it (the situation in defence) is a disadvantage," he said. "But in training the players play in different positions and they know them, so I'm not afraid if there are other players on the field instead of Demichelis and Contento.

"During the course of the season, I've shown faith in six young players. If they didn't have the right qualities, they wouldn't play."

Source: Web Search

Pakistan lost a match they should have won against Australia

Published>Mon, Mar 08 10 10:37 PM

New Delhi, March 8 (IANS) Pakistan's best was not enough to stop Australia from sneaking a 2-1 victory over the four times champions in pool B of the Hockey World Cup here Monday.

Veteran Sohail Abbas scored first, converting a penalty cornerin the 24th minute to put Pakistan 1-0 up at the halftime. Desmond Abbott then equalised in the 38th minute and struck the winner seven minutes from the final hooter.

Australia thus finished the league engagements with 12 points, same as England, but top the pool on goal difference.

It was Australia's third consecutive World Cup win against Pakistan after losing the first three between the two teams.

Australia were almost through to the last four even before Monday's game. The only way Spain could have pipped the Kookaburras was by defeating England by a bigger margin.

It was Pakistan's fourth loss in the tournament, their only win coming against Spain. They, however, played their hearts out against Australia.

The forward line made several moves while the defence was better organised. Veteran goalkeeper Salman Akbar, who drew a flak for below par performance in the earlier matches, made some good saves.

In fact, Pakistan could have easily walked away with a win had they converted their chances in the dying minutes. Perhaps, it was their lack of confidence that let them down.

Australian captain Jamie Dwyer later admitted that it was one of the better performances from Pakistan and it could have been anybody's game.

Sohail, who had been in the line of fire for his poor penalty-corner conversions here, found his drag-flicking click to open the account.

The second half livened up with both teams increasing the pace and attack with purpose.

Abbott equalised finding the far corner from the top of the circle latching on to a through ball from Kiel Brown.

Pakistan missed two penalty corners in the second half. Shakeel Abbasi could have put Pakistan ahead, but missed two easy chances.

Muhammad Irfan, who raided the Australian defence with his sizzling run down the flank, sent in a fine cross only to see Abbasi deflect it wide.

On the other occasion, Abbasi was left unmarked at the top of the Australian circle but his hit went high over the woodwork. The chances were far too many to waste against a top team like Australia.

Abbott sealed the match when he deflected in a pass from Robert Hammond.

Source: Web Search

Pakistan lost a match they should have won against Australia

Published>Mon, Mar 08 10 10:31 PM

New Delhi, March 8 (IANS) Pakistan's best was not enough to stop Australia from sneaking a 2-1 victory over the four times champions in pool B of the Hockey World Cup here Monday.

Veteran Sohail Abbas scored first, converting a penalty cornerin the 24th minute to put Pakistan 1-0 up at the halftime. Desmond Abbott then equalised in the 38th minute and struck the winner seven minutes from the final hooter.

Australia thus finished the league engagements with 12 points, same as England, but top the pool on goal difference.

It was Australia's third consecutive World Cup win against Pakistan after losing the first three between the two teams.

Australia were almost through to the last four even before Monday's game. The only way Spain could have pipped the Kookaburras was by defeating England by a bigger margin.

It was Pakistan's fourth loss in the tournament, their only win coming against Spain. They, however, played their hearts out against Australia.

The forward line made several moves while the defence was better organised. Veteran goalkeeper Salman Akbar, who drew a flak for below par performance in the earlier matches, made some good saves.

In fact, Pakistan could have easily walked away with a win had they converted their chances in the dying minutes. Perhaps, it was their lack of confidence that let them down.

Australian captain Jamie Dwyer later admitted that it was one of the better performances from Pakistan and it could have been anybody's game.

Sohail, who had been in the line of fire for his poor penalty-corner conversions here, found his drag-flicking click to open the account.

The second half livened up with both teams increasing the pace and attack with purpose.

Abbott equalised finding the far corner from the top of the circle latching on to a through ball from Kiel Brown.

Pakistan missed two penalty corners in the second half. Shakeel Abbasi could have put Pakistan ahead, but missed two easy chances.

Muhammad Irfan, who raided the Australian defence with his sizzling run down the flank, sent in a fine cross only to see Abbasi deflect it wide.

On the other occasion, Abbasi was left unmarked at the top of the Australian circle but his hit went high over the woodwork. The chances were far too many to waste against a top team like Australia.

Abbott sealed the match when he deflected in a pass from Robert Hammond.

Source: Web Search

WTA sees more flexibility in new Ericsson deal

Published>Mon, Mar 08 10 10:27 PM

The WTA said a new, reduced sponsorship agreement with Sony Ericsson in which the mobile handset maker loses its naming rights to the women's tennis Tour would give the governing body greater flexibility to grow.

The Women's Tennis Association and Sony Ericsson gave no financial details of the contract announced on Monday which extends their agreement to the end of 2012.

Their initial six-year, $88 million contract expires at the end of the year. Media reports put the new deal at around $27 million for the completion of this year and the next two years.

"The net profit is not too far off the average of the existing agreement," Stacey Allaster, CEO of the WTA Tour, told Reuters on Monday.

"In this new, restructured three-year agreement we will transition at some point this year where we will separate our two brands and we will become the WTA Tour. They will remain our number one global partner."

Sony Ericsson forgoes naming rights to the Tour and also to the end-of-season championships to be held in Doha in October and in subsequent years when the event is staged in Istanbul.

"To have that leverage, for us to have our own brand back will give us new opportunities to attract revenues. By getting some rights back we can grow further," Allaster said, adding they would seek a new title sponsor for the season ender.

Allaster said the agreement put the women's tour into line with the men's ATP Tour in which Barclays sponsor the end-of-year tournament and Mexican brewer Corona is the Tour's main global sponsor.

Aldo Liguori, Sony Ericsson's head of global communications, dismissed claims the fallout from Serena Williams's foul-mouthed outburst at the U.S. Open last year had played any part in the delay in coming to a fresh agreement with the WTA.

"Not at all," he told Reuters.

"Even though initially we had to get back to the WTA by the end of last year with a new CEO, he needed time to understand the business and then to really engage with various activities including where we take the tennis sponsorship forward."

Liguori said Sony Ericsson would continue with its sponsorship of the co-hosted WTA/ATP Miami Open, but had decided against continued backing of the Doha season ender as it did not fit in with overall strategy.

"From a market point of view Miami is an important hub for us, one foot in the North American market, one in the Latin American market so from our business point of view where we want to strengthen our presence, it's spot on."

Source: Web Search

WTA sees more flexibility in new Ericsson deal

Published>Mon, Mar 08 10 10:21 PM

The WTA said a new, reduced sponsorship agreement with Sony Ericsson in which the mobile handset maker loses its naming rights to the women's tennis Tour would give the governing body greater flexibility to grow.

The Women's Tennis Association and Sony Ericsson gave no financial details of the contract announced on Monday which extends their agreement to the end of 2012.

Their initial six-year, $88 million contract expires at the end of the year. Media reports put the new deal at around $27 million for the completion of this year and the next two years.

"The net profit is not too far off the average of the existing agreement," Stacey Allaster, CEO of the WTA Tour, told Reuters on Monday.

"In this new, restructured three-year agreement we will transition at some point this year where we will separate our two brands and we will become the WTA Tour. They will remain our number one global partner."

Sony Ericsson forgoes naming rights to the Tour and also to the end-of-season championships to be held in Doha in October and in subsequent years when the event is staged in Istanbul.

"To have that leverage, for us to have our own brand back will give us new opportunities to attract revenues. By getting some rights back we can grow further," Allaster said, adding they would seek a new title sponsor for the season ender.

Allaster said the agreement put the women's tour into line with the men's ATP Tour in which Barclays sponsor the end-of-year tournament and Mexican brewer Corona is the Tour's main global sponsor.

Aldo Liguori, Sony Ericsson's head of global communications, dismissed claims the fallout from Serena Williams's foul-mouthed outburst at the U.S. Open last year had played any part in the delay in coming to a fresh agreement with the WTA.

"Not at all," he told Reuters.

"Even though initially we had to get back to the WTA by the end of last year with a new CEO, he needed time to understand the business and then to really engage with various activities including where we take the tennis sponsorship forward."

Liguori said Sony Ericsson would continue with its sponsorship of the co-hosted WTA/ATP Miami Open, but had decided against continued backing of the Doha season ender as it did not fit in with overall strategy.

"From a market point of view Miami is an important hub for us, one foot in the North American market, one in the Latin American market so from our business point of view where we want to strengthen our presence, it's spot on."

Source: Web Search

Hockey Jharkhand ask affiliate units to avoid JOA meet

Published Mon, Mar 08 10 10:03 PM

Jamshedpur, Mar 8 (PTI) Hockey Jharkhand today issued a whip to its affiliated district committees to not attend a meeting, convened by the Jharkhand Olympic Association (JOA), for the formation of another hockey body in the state. Pir Mohammad, General Secretary of Hockey Jharkhand, said the JOA move was unconstitutional since an Hockey India recognised body was already in place. JOA has convened the meeting on March 16 in Ranchi. Mohammed said they have also received a letter in this regard from the JOA. Mohammad argued Hockey Jharkhand headed by T P Sinha, an advisor to former Jharkhand Governor K Shankarnarayanan, was affiliated by Hockey India on the recommendations of JOA in December last year.

Source: Web Search

Hockey Jharkhand ask affiliate units to avoid JOA meet

Published Mon, Mar 08 10 10:07 PM

Jamshedpur, Mar 8 (PTI) Hockey Jharkhand today issued a whip to its affiliated district committees to not attend a meeting, convened by the Jharkhand Olympic Association (JOA), for the formation of another hockey body in the state. Pir Mohammad, General Secretary of Hockey Jharkhand, said the JOA move was unconstitutional since an Hockey India recognised body was already in place. JOA has convened the meeting on March 16 in Ranchi. Mohammed said they have also received a letter in this regard from the JOA. Mohammad argued Hockey Jharkhand headed by T P Sinha, an advisor to former Jharkhand Governor K Shankarnarayanan, was affiliated by Hockey India on the recommendations of JOA in December last year.

Source: Web Search

Force India''s loss races to 33.4 million pounds

Published Mon, Mar 08 10 09:53 PM

London, Mar 8 (PTI) Losses of the Force India Formula One team, owned by liquor baron Vijay Mallya, has increased by 21 million pounds to 33.4 million pounds post-tax in 2008, media reported quoting recently-filed accounts today. In 2008, Mallya and the team''s co-owner, former Spyker Cars chief executive Micheil Mol, gave Force India a loan of 27.6 million pounds to keep it on track. The duo bought the Northamptonshire-based team in October 2007 and the following year its turnover increased 27.3 per cent to 37 million pounds. However, this boost was far exceeded by the 74.4 per cent rise in total costs of 69.6 million pounds, reported the Daily Telegraph. The team''s bank loans increased by 14.9 million pounds to plug the gap but even this was not enough with Mallya''s Kingfisher airlines also directly investing 2.5 million pounds in sponsorship and a further one million pounds coming from Whyte & Mackay, his scotch whisky company. Despite the increased spending, the team finished 10th in 2007 and ended in the penultimate place in the standings the following year. Force India''s 2009 accounts are unlikely to be rosier as it lost sponsorship last year from ICICI bank and Kanyan Capital -- two firms believed to have been paying a total of USD 6 million. This year, the loss of Indian conglomerate Reliance from its sponsorship roster will also put a big dent in its revenues and may mean it needs even more fuel from its owners, the report said.

Source: Web Search

Force India''s loss races to 33.4 million pounds

Published Mon, Mar 08 10 09:57 PM

London, Mar 8 (PTI) Losses of the Force India Formula One team, owned by liquor baron Vijay Mallya, has increased by 21 million pounds to 33.4 million pounds post-tax in 2008, media reported quoting recently-filed accounts today. In 2008, Mallya and the team''s co-owner, former Spyker Cars chief executive Micheil Mol, gave Force India a loan of 27.6 million pounds to keep it on track. The duo bought the Northamptonshire-based team in October 2007 and the following year its turnover increased 27.3 per cent to 37 million pounds. However, this boost was far exceeded by the 74.4 per cent rise in total costs of 69.6 million pounds, reported the Daily Telegraph. The team''s bank loans increased by 14.9 million pounds to plug the gap but even this was not enough with Mallya''s Kingfisher airlines also directly investing 2.5 million pounds in sponsorship and a further one million pounds coming from Whyte & Mackay, his scotch whisky company. Despite the increased spending, the team finished 10th in 2007 and ended in the penultimate place in the standings the following year. Force India''s 2009 accounts are unlikely to be rosier as it lost sponsorship last year from ICICI bank and Kanyan Capital -- two firms believed to have been paying a total of USD 6 million. This year, the loss of Indian conglomerate Reliance from its sponsorship roster will also put a big dent in its revenues and may mean it needs even more fuel from its owners, the report said.

Source: Web Search

India lead 2-1 at halftime

Published>Mon, Mar 08 10 09:43 PM

New Delhi, March 8 (IANS) India were ahead 2-1 at halftime against South Africa in Pool B of the Hockey World Cup here Monday.

Lloyd Norris-Jones put the visitors ahead, before the Indians raised the tempo to strike through Sarvanjit Singh and Diwakar Ram at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium.

Source: Web Search

India lead 2-1 at halftime

Published>Mon, Mar 08 10 09:47 PM

New Delhi, March 8 (IANS) India were ahead 2-1 at halftime against South Africa in Pool B of the Hockey World Cup here Monday.

Lloyd Norris-Jones put the visitors ahead, before the Indians raised the tempo to strike through Sarvanjit Singh and Diwakar Ram at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium.

Source: Web Search

Injured Arvind pulls out of All England and Swiss Open

Published Mon, Mar 08 10 09:33 PM

New Delhi, Mar 8 (PTI) Ace Indian shuttler Arvind Bhat has decided to skip the All England and Swiss Open so that he can recover completely from an ankle injury before the fast approaching Commonwealth Games. Bhat had sustained the injury during the recent Thomas Cup Asia zone qualifiers in Thailand. Playing in the second singles match against Yamada Kazushi of Japan, he suffered an ankle sprain and went on to lose the match. Asked if his ankle is still soar, Bhat said it was not that bad but he does not want to take risk. "My ankle is not too bad but still pulled out of All England and Swiss Open because I do not want to take any risks," he said. Yonex All England Super Series is starting tomorrow while the Swiss Super Series will be held from March 16-21. The world number 36 Bhat is an integral part of India''s Commonwealth Games team.

Source: Web Search

Injured Arvind pulls out of All England and Swiss Open

Published Mon, Mar 08 10 09:37 PM

New Delhi, Mar 8 (PTI) Ace Indian shuttler Arvind Bhat has decided to skip the All England and Swiss Open so that he can recover completely from an ankle injury before the fast approaching Commonwealth Games. Bhat had sustained the injury during the recent Thomas Cup Asia zone qualifiers in Thailand. Playing in the second singles match against Yamada Kazushi of Japan, he suffered an ankle sprain and went on to lose the match. Asked if his ankle is still soar, Bhat said it was not that bad but he does not want to take risk. "My ankle is not too bad but still pulled out of All England and Swiss Open because I do not want to take any risks," he said. Yonex All England Super Series is starting tomorrow while the Swiss Super Series will be held from March 16-21. The world number 36 Bhat is an integral part of India''s Commonwealth Games team.

Source: Web Search

Australia beat Pakistan 2-1

Published>Mon, Mar 08 10 08:57 PM

New Delhi, March 8 (IANS) Australia beat Pakistan 2-1 in Pool B and qualified for the semi-finals of the Hockey World Cup here Monday.

Desmond Abbot struck a brace for Australia while Sohail Abbas converted a penalty corner for Pakistan.

Pakistan led 1-0 at half time.

Source: Web Search

Australia beat Pakistan 2-1

Published>Mon, Mar 08 10 08:51 PM

New Delhi, March 8 (IANS) Australia beat Pakistan 2-1 in Pool B and qualified for the semi-finals of the Hockey World Cup here Monday.

Desmond Abbot struck a brace for Australia while Sohail Abbas converted a penalty corner for Pakistan.

Pakistan led 1-0 at half time.

Source: Web Search

Now Ashok Kumar finds chinks in India's armour

Published>Mon, Mar 08 10 08:43 PM

New Delhi, Mar 8 (IANS) A day after former India captain Pargat Singh questioned the selection of the national hockey team, another Olympian Ashok Kumar concurred with him saying players like Sandeep Singh and Prabhjot Singh do not deserve to be in the side.

Kumar, son of legendary Dhyan Chand, claimed that there was no transparency in selection.

''A lot of the blame should be attributed to the recent power struggle within Hockey India which resulted in the team's poor performance here,'' Kumar said on the sidelines of the Hockey World Cup here Monday.

''The preparation for the World Cup was not on the right lines and the selection process should have been transparent and there should have been a proper yardstick to judge the players' form before a major tournament of this stature.'

Kumar, while pointing out the mistakes of drag-flick expert Sandeep, said: 'Sandeep was certainly doing good with his drag-flicks and a 50 per cent conversion rate was always acceptable. But there are other aspects of the game as well. There are reverses, tackling, retreat and other such things where you have to be good, but unfortunately Sandeep showed up poorly in these departments. As his performance went down, he also began to lose his confidence and that affected his drag-flicking.'

Kumar also said when he was the manager of the team, he tried to help Sandeep but the player never took his suggestions seriously.

Kumar also said ace forward Prabhjot has slowed down and that is affecting his game.

''Prabhjot is like former India striker Mukesh Kumar, who could be seen all over the turf, but of late he has lost his speed and is unable to keep pace with others,'' he said.

Source: Web Search

Now Ashok Kumar finds chinks in India's armour

Published>Mon, Mar 08 10 08:47 PM

New Delhi, Mar 8 (IANS) A day after former India captain Pargat Singh questioned the selection of the national hockey team, another Olympian Ashok Kumar concurred with him saying players like Sandeep Singh and Prabhjot Singh do not deserve to be in the side.

Kumar, son of legendary Dhyan Chand, claimed that there was no transparency in selection.

''A lot of the blame should be attributed to the recent power struggle within Hockey India which resulted in the team's poor performance here,'' Kumar said on the sidelines of the Hockey World Cup here Monday.

''The preparation for the World Cup was not on the right lines and the selection process should have been transparent and there should have been a proper yardstick to judge the players' form before a major tournament of this stature.'

Kumar, while pointing out the mistakes of drag-flick expert Sandeep, said: 'Sandeep was certainly doing good with his drag-flicks and a 50 per cent conversion rate was always acceptable. But there are other aspects of the game as well. There are reverses, tackling, retreat and other such things where you have to be good, but unfortunately Sandeep showed up poorly in these departments. As his performance went down, he also began to lose his confidence and that affected his drag-flicking.'

Kumar also said when he was the manager of the team, he tried to help Sandeep but the player never took his suggestions seriously.

Kumar also said ace forward Prabhjot has slowed down and that is affecting his game.

''Prabhjot is like former India striker Mukesh Kumar, who could be seen all over the turf, but of late he has lost his speed and is unable to keep pace with others,'' he said.

Source: Web Search

Australia beat Pakistan 2-1

Published>Mon, Mar 08 10 08:33 PM

New Delhi, March 8 (IANS) Australia beat Pakistan 2-1 in Pool B and qualified for the semi-finals of the Hockey World Cup here Monday.

Desmond Abbot struck a brace for Australia while Sohail Abbas converted a penalty corner for Pakistan.

Pakistan led 1-0 at half time.

Source: Web Search

Australia beat Pakistan 2-1

Published>Mon, Mar 08 10 08:37 PM

New Delhi, March 8 (IANS) Australia beat Pakistan 2-1 in Pool B and qualified for the semi-finals of the Hockey World Cup here Monday.

Desmond Abbot struck a brace for Australia while Sohail Abbas converted a penalty corner for Pakistan.

Pakistan led 1-0 at half time.

Source: Web Search

Milan striker Pato included in squad for United game

Published Mon, Mar 08 10 08:23 PM

AC Milan striker Alexandre Pato looks to have shaken off a thigh injury after being included in the squad on Monday for Wednesday's Champions League last 16 second leg at Manchester United.

The Brazilian missed Saturday's 0-0 draw at AS Roma but a club statement said he would travel to Manchester, where the Serie A side need to overturn a 3-2 first leg deficit.

Pato is the key part of the three-pronged attack favoured by Milan coach Leonardo, who was forced to play strikers Marco Borriello and Klaas Jan Huntelaar as a front two at Roma.

If the Brazilian is fit enough to start on the right of the trio, Dutchman Huntelaar is likely to drop to the bench with Ronaldinho and Borriello filling the other forward positions.

David Beckham would have been a candidate to replace Pato but the 34-year-old is now more likely to play on the right of midfield if Leonardo decides to bring the England man back against his former club.

Midfielder Mathieu Flamini played instead of substitute Beckham against Roma while Gennaro Gattuso is available at Old Trafford after a ban and Clarence Seedorf returns from a knock.

Source: Web Search

Milan striker Pato included in squad for United game

Published Mon, Mar 08 10 08:27 PM

AC Milan striker Alexandre Pato looks to have shaken off a thigh injury after being included in the squad on Monday for Wednesday's Champions League last 16 second leg at Manchester United.

The Brazilian missed Saturday's 0-0 draw at AS Roma but a club statement said he would travel to Manchester, where the Serie A side need to overturn a 3-2 first leg deficit.

Pato is the key part of the three-pronged attack favoured by Milan coach Leonardo, who was forced to play strikers Marco Borriello and Klaas Jan Huntelaar as a front two at Roma.

If the Brazilian is fit enough to start on the right of the trio, Dutchman Huntelaar is likely to drop to the bench with Ronaldinho and Borriello filling the other forward positions.

David Beckham would have been a candidate to replace Pato but the 34-year-old is now more likely to play on the right of midfield if Leonardo decides to bring the England man back against his former club.

Midfielder Mathieu Flamini played instead of substitute Beckham against Roma while Gennaro Gattuso is available at Old Trafford after a ban and Clarence Seedorf returns from a knock.

Source: Web Search

We were ''switched off'': England captain

Published Mon, Mar 08 10 08:03 PM

New Delhi, Mar 8 (PTI) After being blanked by Spain in today''s match, England captain Barry Middleton said his team did not play to its potential as they were already assured of a semifinal place in the hockey World Cup. "We expected Spain would come hard on us but somehow we did not play well today. May be we were switched off or a bit relaxed. It was disappointing we would have wanted to go to the semifinal with an all win record," he said after his side lost 0-2 to Spain in their last Pool B match. Middleton, however, said his side, through to last-four stage with 12 points, was not concerned of their opponents in the semifinal on March 11. "We are not concerned of which side we will face in the semifinal. It is the same, all the sides in this World Cup are all good sides." Asked whether the absence of playmaker Richard Mantell, due to injury, affected his side''s performance today, he said, "No doubt, Richard is one of the best distributors of the ball in the world. But we have very good players who can come in his place. It is not about Richard''s absence but about not playing well today." "We tried hard to get the goals and come back into the match but could not. Credit to Spain they played a very good game," Middleton added. More PTI PDS AT

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We were ''switched off'': England captain

Published Mon, Mar 08 10 08:07 PM

New Delhi, Mar 8 (PTI) After being blanked by Spain in today''s match, England captain Barry Middleton said his team did not play to its potential as they were already assured of a semifinal place in the hockey World Cup. "We expected Spain would come hard on us but somehow we did not play well today. May be we were switched off or a bit relaxed. It was disappointing we would have wanted to go to the semifinal with an all win record," he said after his side lost 0-2 to Spain in their last Pool B match. Middleton, however, said his side, through to last-four stage with 12 points, was not concerned of their opponents in the semifinal on March 11. "We are not concerned of which side we will face in the semifinal. It is the same, all the sides in this World Cup are all good sides." Asked whether the absence of playmaker Richard Mantell, due to injury, affected his side''s performance today, he said, "No doubt, Richard is one of the best distributors of the ball in the world. But we have very good players who can come in his place. It is not about Richard''s absence but about not playing well today." "We tried hard to get the goals and come back into the match but could not. Credit to Spain they played a very good game," Middleton added. More PTI PDS AT

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Boxers arrive in capital for Commonwealth Championships

Published Mon, Mar 08 10 07:47 PM

New Delhi, Mar 8 (PTI) A posse of gun-wielding policemen kept a tight vigil outside while over 40 pugilists exchanged blows inside. This was the scene at the Talkatora Indoor Stadium where Indian boxers began the final stage of their preparation for the Commonwealth Championships starting March 12. In a session lasting over two hours, the 10 chosen boxers along with their sparring partners sweated it out at the newly-built dome-shaped arena, which will also be the main boxing venue for the Commonwealth Games this October. Olympic and World Championship bronze medallist Vijender Singh (75kg) exercised a while before slugging it out inside the ring for an extended sparring session. "I am maintaining weight for now. Have to be in shape. Did some light exercises and some sparring," the world number one, in his category, said. The entire coaching staff, including Cuban appointee B I Fernandes, was kept on toes by the boxers who first practiced at the main arena before slogging it out at an underground training ring. "We were basically doing some technical fine-tuning and weight maintenance exercises and it was a light session. It will get more taxing from now on," said national coach Gurbax Singh Sandhu. More PTI PM AT

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Boxers arrive in capital for Commonwealth Championships

Published Mon, Mar 08 10 07:51 PM

New Delhi, Mar 8 (PTI) A posse of gun-wielding policemen kept a tight vigil outside while over 40 pugilists exchanged blows inside. This was the scene at the Talkatora Indoor Stadium where Indian boxers began the final stage of their preparation for the Commonwealth Championships starting March 12. In a session lasting over two hours, the 10 chosen boxers along with their sparring partners sweated it out at the newly-built dome-shaped arena, which will also be the main boxing venue for the Commonwealth Games this October. Olympic and World Championship bronze medallist Vijender Singh (75kg) exercised a while before slugging it out inside the ring for an extended sparring session. "I am maintaining weight for now. Have to be in shape. Did some light exercises and some sparring," the world number one, in his category, said. The entire coaching staff, including Cuban appointee B I Fernandes, was kept on toes by the boxers who first practiced at the main arena before slogging it out at an underground training ring. "We were basically doing some technical fine-tuning and weight maintenance exercises and it was a light session. It will get more taxing from now on," said national coach Gurbax Singh Sandhu. More PTI PM AT

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Germany, the Netherlands and Korea have a realistic chance

Published>Mon, Mar 08 10 07:33 PM

New Delhi, March 8 (IANS) Defending champions Germany take on New Zealand while three-time winners the Netherlands clash with Korea in two key games that will decide the semi-finalists from Pool A at at the Hockey World Cup here Tuesday.

After Germany's 2-2 draw Sunday with European arch-rivals the Netherlands at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, Pool A has opened up again. Germany, Asian champions Korea and the Netherlands are now all in fray for the two semi-final spots from the group.

Mathematically, New Zealand also have an outside chance, but they have to defeat Germany by a nine-goal margin and then hope the Netherlands either beat or draw with Korea in the second game.

After four games, pool toppers the Netherlands are on 10 points, while second placed Germany have two less.

Korea closely follow the top two with seven points, and New Zealand have collected half a dozen.

In the day's first match, if Germany beat the Black Sticks, they automatically qualify for the last four. If they finish with a draw, Germany can make the cut for the last four if Korea fail to beat the Dutch in the later match.

If Germany, eyeing a hat-trick of World Cup titles, lose they can get into the semis only if the Netherlands beat Korea.

Head to head, Germany are far ahead. They have triumphed in all four World Cup clashes with New Zealand. The two sides last met in the 2008 Beijing Olympics where Germany won 3-1.

After being held 2-2 by Korea in their opener, Germany came back strongly to vanquish Canada 6-0 and pipped Argentina 4-3, before the drawn game opposite the Netherlands.

The Germans have brought an inexperienced side, with the promising 18-year-old Florian Fuchs the leading scorer with three field goals.

New Zealand, eighth in world rankings, have queered the pitch for making semi-finals by going down 0-1 to tournament's lowest-rated team Argentina Sunday.

The Netherlands, on the other hand, need a draw or can afford to even lose by a solitary-goal-margin against the Asian Games gold medallists Korea to qualify for the semi-finals, if the Germans beat the Black Sticks.

The Dutch, who have impressed with their fluent game and a tight defence, will automatically qualify for the semis if Germany fail to beat New Zealand. The Dutch, led by the veteran gamemaker Teun de Nooijer, have conceded only three goals in the compeition so far, with Guus Vogels being outstanding under the bar.

Korea, who finished fourth in the last two editions of the tournament, can go into the pre-summit round if they beat the Netherlands by a two-goal margin and Germany beat New Zealand.

If the Germans finish with a draw against New Zealand, the Asian champions would need to win their match Tuesday to sail through.

Again, if Germany lose, Korea would need at least a draw against the Dutch to make it to the pre-title round. World Cup history favours the Netherlands, who have won three of their four Cup games with Korea.

In contrast, Korea have beaten the Netherlands in their last three competitive encounters, all in Champions Trophy competition.

Canada play Argentina in an inconsequential game to wrap up Pool engagements Tuesday.

While Argentina have three points, Canada is the only side without a point in the competition.

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Germany, the Netherlands and Korea have a realistic chance

Published>Mon, Mar 08 10 07:37 PM

New Delhi, March 8 (IANS) Defending champions Germany take on New Zealand while three-time winners the Netherlands clash with Korea in two key games that will decide the semi-finalists from Pool A at at the Hockey World Cup here Tuesday.

After Germany's 2-2 draw Sunday with European arch-rivals the Netherlands at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, Pool A has opened up again. Germany, Asian champions Korea and the Netherlands are now all in fray for the two semi-final spots from the group.

Mathematically, New Zealand also have an outside chance, but they have to defeat Germany by a nine-goal margin and then hope the Netherlands either beat or draw with Korea in the second game.

After four games, pool toppers the Netherlands are on 10 points, while second placed Germany have two less.

Korea closely follow the top two with seven points, and New Zealand have collected half a dozen.

In the day's first match, if Germany beat the Black Sticks, they automatically qualify for the last four. If they finish with a draw, Germany can make the cut for the last four if Korea fail to beat the Dutch in the later match.

If Germany, eyeing a hat-trick of World Cup titles, lose they can get into the semis only if the Netherlands beat Korea.

Head to head, Germany are far ahead. They have triumphed in all four World Cup clashes with New Zealand. The two sides last met in the 2008 Beijing Olympics where Germany won 3-1.

After being held 2-2 by Korea in their opener, Germany came back strongly to vanquish Canada 6-0 and pipped Argentina 4-3, before the drawn game opposite the Netherlands.

The Germans have brought an inexperienced side, with the promising 18-year-old Florian Fuchs the leading scorer with three field goals.

New Zealand, eighth in world rankings, have queered the pitch for making semi-finals by going down 0-1 to tournament's lowest-rated team Argentina Sunday.

The Netherlands, on the other hand, need a draw or can afford to even lose by a solitary-goal-margin against the Asian Games gold medallists Korea to qualify for the semi-finals, if the Germans beat the Black Sticks.

The Dutch, who have impressed with their fluent game and a tight defence, will automatically qualify for the semis if Germany fail to beat New Zealand. The Dutch, led by the veteran gamemaker Teun de Nooijer, have conceded only three goals in the compeition so far, with Guus Vogels being outstanding under the bar.

Korea, who finished fourth in the last two editions of the tournament, can go into the pre-summit round if they beat the Netherlands by a two-goal margin and Germany beat New Zealand.

If the Germans finish with a draw against New Zealand, the Asian champions would need to win their match Tuesday to sail through.

Again, if Germany lose, Korea would need at least a draw against the Dutch to make it to the pre-title round. World Cup history favours the Netherlands, who have won three of their four Cup games with Korea.

In contrast, Korea have beaten the Netherlands in their last three competitive encounters, all in Champions Trophy competition.

Canada play Argentina in an inconsequential game to wrap up Pool engagements Tuesday.

While Argentina have three points, Canada is the only side without a point in the competition.

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Paramilitary to take over security of Games venues

Published Mon, Mar 08 10 07:23 PM

New Delhi, Mar 8 (PTI) Over 35 venues of the upcoming Commonwealth Games will come under the security blanket of the central paramilitary forces from April one. While the main venue-- Jawaharlal Nehru stadium-- which will host the opening and closing ceremonies of the Games will be guarded by the CISF, forces like CRPF, ITBP, SSB and NSG will deploy their personnel and commando units at different venues. Starting April 1, the venues for events and training of athletes will be taken over by the personnel of these forces. "The CISF will deploy 500 men from April 1 at different venues. Subsequently, 40 companies (4,000 personnel) and 300 commandos of the force will be deployed during the games," Director General Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) N R Das said at a press conference here. Similarly, the other forces and their commando units will be spread across different venues. Spelling out the security features in the run-up to the games, Das said the safety of the Delhi Metro will be bolstered by 1,600 additional men. "The Delhi Metro has 82 functional stations as of now. With the start of the games the number of operational stations would be 141," he said. Dedicated dog squads and Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs), including women commandos, will also be deployed at the stations, Das added.

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Paramilitary to take over security of Games venues

Published Mon, Mar 08 10 07:27 PM

New Delhi, Mar 8 (PTI) Over 35 venues of the upcoming Commonwealth Games will come under the security blanket of the central paramilitary forces from April one. While the main venue-- Jawaharlal Nehru stadium-- which will host the opening and closing ceremonies of the Games will be guarded by the CISF, forces like CRPF, ITBP, SSB and NSG will deploy their personnel and commando units at different venues. Starting April 1, the venues for events and training of athletes will be taken over by the personnel of these forces. "The CISF will deploy 500 men from April 1 at different venues. Subsequently, 40 companies (4,000 personnel) and 300 commandos of the force will be deployed during the games," Director General Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) N R Das said at a press conference here. Similarly, the other forces and their commando units will be spread across different venues. Spelling out the security features in the run-up to the games, Das said the safety of the Delhi Metro will be bolstered by 1,600 additional men. "The Delhi Metro has 82 functional stations as of now. With the start of the games the number of operational stations would be 141," he said. Dedicated dog squads and Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs), including women commandos, will also be deployed at the stations, Das added.

Source: Web Search

Golf - World rankings

Published Mon, Mar 08 10 07:04 PM

REUTERS - World rankings on Monday (U.S. unless stated, last week's positions in brackets):

1. (1) Tiger Woods 12.14 average points

2. (2) Steve Stricker 7.91

3. (3) Phil Mickelson 7.28

4. (4) Lee Westwood (Britain) 6.83

5. (5) Ian Poulter (Britain) 6.22

6. (6) Paul Casey (Britain) 6.15

7. (7) Jim Furyk 5.16

8. (8) Martin Kaymer (Germany) 5.06

9. (9) Rory McIlroy (Britain) 4.88

10. (11) Henrik Stenson (Sweden) 4.72

11. (12) Geoff Ogilvy (Australia) 4.68

12. (21) Camilo Villegas (Colombia) 4.68

13. (10) Padraig Harrington (Ireland) 4.66

14. (15) Kenny Perry 4.27

15. (14) Robert Allenby (Australia) 4.24

16. (13) Sergio Garcia (Spain) 4.21

17. (16) Retief Goosen (South Africa) 3.98

18. (20) Stewart Cink 3.94

19. (19) Sean O'Hair 3.93

20. (17) Ernie Els (South Africa) 3.89

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Officials predict a golden finish

Published>Mon, Mar 08 10 06:17 PM

New Delhi, March 8 -- With the archery test event for the Commonwealth Games from Monday, India are expected to sweep gold in the tournament. It's not the players predicting it though, but top officials have sent out a strong message - perform or 'heads will roll'. Talking to HT, AAI vice-president P.N. Mukherjee said, "We want India to win the eight gold medals. Otherwise, heads will roll."

Dola Banerjee, India's top woman archer in the team and individual recurve, said that the job of winning had been made easier without the inclusion of some top countries. "Korea and China are not participating. So it'll be easier for us without them," she said. "But England, New Zealand, Australia and Canada have sent strong squads and they will challenge us," she said. Five teams took part in the morning practice on Sunday.

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