Villa double gives Spain win over Honduras

Published>Tue, Jun 22 10 03:39 AM

A dominant Spain got their World Cup campaign firmly back on track when David Villa struck twice to lead the European champions to a 2-0 win over Group H minnows Honduras on Monday.

After last week's shock 1-0 defeat to Switzerland in their opening match, coach Vicente del Bosque fielded a more ambitious 4-4-2 formation at Ellis Park, with Fernando Torres joining strike partner Villa in a two-pronged attack.

Spain took early control against an error-prone Honduran side on a chilly night in Johannesburg and Villa, who also missed a second-half penalty, came close to an opening goal in the eighth minute when his long-range effort shook the crossbar.

His first of night came in the 17th minute with one of the best goals of the tournament.

Picking up the ball on the left, he cut between two opponents, turned inside another and lifted a shot into the top corner past Honduras goalkeeper Noel Valladares.

Chances were coming thick and fast and Fernando Torres, back in the starting lineup following his recovery from knee surgery squandered two openings in two minutes just after the half hour.

Villa appeared lucky to stay on the pitch shortly after when television replays showed he appeared to slap Honduran defender Emilio Izaguirre in the face but the referee took no action.

He doubled Spain's lead six minutes into the second half when Jesus Navas cut the ball back to him on the edge of the area and his deflected shot looped over Valladares into the net.

After Navas was felled in the penalty area just after the hour, Villa had a chance for a hat-trick but sent his low spot kick wide.

Spain must win their last group game against Chile in Pretoria on Friday to be guaranteed a place in the second stage where they would be likely to face either Brazil or Portugal.

"We attacked, we made short passes, we beat them 2-0 ... We still think this group is going to be very difficult. We still have a match against Chile so being world champions is a long way down the road," Villa said after the game.

Honduras still have a slim chance of qualifying but will need to defeat Switzerland in Bloemfontein on Friday and hope Chile beat Spain.

"We faced a team who were far superior to our side," Honduras coach Reinaldo Rueda.

"They surprised us with that goal, that individual move by David Villa very early on and I think we lacked conviction in our play to try to offset and overcome this rival."

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Villa double gives Spain win over Honduras

Published>Tue, Jun 22 10 03:37 AM

A dominant Spain got their World Cup campaign firmly back on track when David Villa struck twice to lead the European champions to a 2-0 win over Group H minnows Honduras on Monday.

After last week's shock 1-0 defeat to Switzerland in their opening match, coach Vicente del Bosque fielded a more ambitious 4-4-2 formation at Ellis Park, with Fernando Torres joining strike partner Villa in a two-pronged attack.

Spain took early control against an error-prone Honduran side on a chilly night in Johannesburg and Villa, who also missed a second-half penalty, came close to an opening goal in the eighth minute when his long-range effort shook the crossbar.

His first of night came in the 17th minute with one of the best goals of the tournament.

Picking up the ball on the left, he cut between two opponents, turned inside another and lifted a shot into the top corner past Honduras goalkeeper Noel Valladares.

Chances were coming thick and fast and Fernando Torres, back in the starting lineup following his recovery from knee surgery squandered two openings in two minutes just after the half hour.

Villa appeared lucky to stay on the pitch shortly after when television replays showed he appeared to slap Honduran defender Emilio Izaguirre in the face but the referee took no action.

He doubled Spain's lead six minutes into the second half when Jesus Navas cut the ball back to him on the edge of the area and his deflected shot looped over Valladares into the net.

After Navas was felled in the penalty area just after the hour, Villa had a chance for a hat-trick but sent his low spot kick wide.

Spain must win their last group game against Chile in Pretoria on Friday to be guaranteed a place in the second stage where they would be likely to face either Brazil or Portugal.

"We attacked, we made short passes, we beat them 2-0 ... We still think this group is going to be very difficult. We still have a match against Chile so being world champions is a long way down the road," Villa said after the game.

Honduras still have a slim chance of qualifying but will need to defeat Switzerland in Bloemfontein on Friday and hope Chile beat Spain.

"We faced a team who were far superior to our side," Honduras coach Reinaldo Rueda.

"They surprised us with that goal, that individual move by David Villa very early on and I think we lacked conviction in our play to try to offset and overcome this rival."

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France revolt worsens, Iberians win

Published>Tue, Jun 22 10 03:17 AM

An extraordinary French player's revolution escalated at the World Cup on Monday but an avalanche of goals from Portugal and the first victory by pre-tournament favourites Spain restored bruised European pride.

Portugal crushed North Korea 7-0 in the World Cup's highest score so far before Spanish striker David Villa scored twice and missed a penalty in their 2-0 victory over a stubborn Honduras.

That victory got Spain's campaign back on track after a shock defeat to Switzerland in the opening Group H match.

Even these successes at a tournament where Europe's aristocrats had so far frustrated expectations, were not a sufficient antidote to the damaging French rebellion against their management which has shocked the nation.

Beleaguered coach Raymond Domenech said some of the rebels may be unwilling to play in France's final Group A match on Tuesday against hosts South Africa, where both teams face humiliating first round elimination unless one takes an unlikely, high-scoring victory and another result go their way.

The French players on Sunday boycotted a training session after striker Nicolas Anelka was sent home for insulting Domenech.

French Sports Minister Roselyne Bachelot, dispatched to intervene by President Nicolas Sarkozy, told the players they had tarnished the nation's image.

""French football faces a moral disaster," she told reporters. Newspapers pilloried the players as overpaid brats.

BEST RESULT FOR PORTUGAL

Portugal's best result in a World Cup ensured the elimination of North Korea and ended a 16-month international goal fast for Cristiano Ronaldo while a dominant Spain looked unlucky not to score more against minnows Honduras.

Chile kept up Latin America's storming run, squeezing one goal past Switzerland's vice-like defence.

North Korea were back at a World Cup for the first time since they stunned the world in England 44 years ago.

But there was no repeat of that fairy-tale run when they took a three-goal lead against Portugal in the quarter-finals before Eusebio scored four to inspire a 5-3 comeback for the Europeans in one of the all-time great World Cup games.

Portugal's beaming coach Carlos Queiroz praised his team for "the wonderful way in which they played, their great attitude, reverence for the game, the beautiful football, the beautiful goals."

Despite having Valon Behrami sent off, Switzerland still managed to break Italy's World Cup record of 550 minutes without conceding a goal by eight minutes in Monday's second game.

But their defence was breached in the second half during a wave of fluent Chilean attacks. A header by the South Americans' second half substitute Mark Gonzalez with 15 minutes to go won the game 1-0 and kept Chile on top of Group H with six points.

President Sebastian Pinera, an ardent soccer fan, watched the match from the ravaged city of Constitucion with survivors of a massive Feb. 27 earthquake. "The World Cup is for everyone and we wanted to share," he said from the quake-zone.

As well as France, Italy and England are also licking their wounds after a dismal World Cup so far for Europe's traditional powers.

English vice-captain Frank Lampard denied reports the team had confronted coach Fabio Capello in crisis talks, but clearly all is not well after two dire draws for the nation that invented soccer.

The English need to reproduce their domestic league form, Lampard said. "We play in the best league in the world, the Premier League, and we have to play with that pace and passion that we have every week at home," he said.

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Short grass season makes Wimbledon the hardest - Jankovic

Published>Tue, Jun 22 10 02:57 AM

For Jelena Jankovic, the need to adapt quickly to grass and the short run-in to the surface's biggest tournament means Wimbledon is the toughest grand slam of them all to win.

The former world number one, still seeking her first slam title, has never made it beyond the fourth round at the world's most famous tennis tournament.

There was no disguising the relief in the voice of the fourth seed after she dispatched British teenager Laura Robson 6-3 7-6 on Monday to advance to the second round.

"I had trouble today returning," the personable Serbian told reporters after her Centre Court encounter before a vocally patriotic British crowd.

"It's my first match on grass and she's a lefty player. So she gave me a really hard time," she said.

Jankovic, who this year passed the $10 million barrier in prize money won, is still grappling with the intricacies of grass.

"It's a totally different game. The points are very short, there's really not much time for anything. Whoever gets the first strike most likely wins the point," she said.

Janovic, 25, has achieved the coveted number one slot without ever winning any of the top tournaments.

Asked which was the most elusive, she laughed and said "Probably this one. Especially for me, I didn't have much time to practice on grass.

"You know I didn't play any warm-up tournament before this. So today was my first match. It's never easy. It is a completely different game."

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Switzerland laments Chile's on-pitch theatrics

Published>Tue, Jun 22 10 02:37 AM

Switzerland cried foul over Chile's Arturo Vidal's theatrical performance on Monday that saw their team reduced to 10 men and led to their 1-0 Group H World Cup defeat.

Swiss midfielder Valon Behrami was sent off in the 31st minute for violent conduct, an acrimonious dismissal that exposed the record-breaking Swiss defence and allowed Chile to take sole lead of their group.

"Vidal fell down with a lot of drama, it was quite a performance," Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld said after the ill-tempered match full of tough tackles, free kicks and colourful Chilean dives.

"It clearly wasn't a red card it wasn't even a yellow card. It was unfair of Vidal to roll around on the floor and simply ask for a red card."

The German coach said the referee's decision was a major blow to his team's defence.

"Eleven against 11, we would have had our chances and Chile would have had to open up. We would have had great breakaway opportunities and we would have been much more stable in our defence," he said.

His comments were echoed by Guy Roux, a former manager of French club Auxerre.

"The red card was way too harsh, it could have been yellow as they were far from the goal... it completely changed the game after that. You can't compare a team with 11 men with one with only 10," he said.

Behrami said he was disappointed by the referee's decision who he said mistook a brilliant acting performance for a foul.

"Soccer is a physical game but what happened there today was nothing of the sort. I was simply defending, and lost against great acting," he said.

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Venus waltzes into round two at Wimbledon

Published Tue, Jun 22 10 02:17 AM

Second seed Venus Williams took a confident first step towards a sixth Wimbledon title on Monday when she eased past Paraguay's Rosanna De Los Rios in the first round at the All England Club.

The American confidently took the first set 6-3 in 35 minutes and raced into a 5-0 lead in the second before showing her only moments of hesitation in wrapping up the match.

De Los Rios, the world number 91 who reached the last 16 on her debut here a decade ago, briefly rallied before Williams wrapped up the second set 6-2 for a 64-minute victory which was concluded in fading light on Court One.

She plays Russian Ekaterina Makarova, winner of the grasscourt title in Eastbourne last week, in the second round.

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Even Maradona's second XI are a handful for Greece

Published>Tue, Jun 22 10 01:57 AM

With the mammoth task of facing a country that appears to grow great players on trees, Greece go into their final Group B clash with Argentina on Tuesday knowing they have nothing to lose.

"They say that in Argentina and Brazil great players grow on trees," coach Otto Rehhagel said at the prospect of facing a virtual Argentina reserve side with almost as much talent as Diego Maradona's first-choice team.

"Tomorrow we have a big game against Argentina, all world class players, and we have nothing to lose," the German told a news conference ahead of the match in the northern South African city of Polokwane (1830 GMT).

Greece will need a shock of similar proportions to their European Championship title in Portugal in 2004 to reach the second round.

Argentina lead the group with six points after beating Nigeria and South Korea, who are second by a marginally superior goal difference to Greece. South Korea face Nigeria in Durban on Tuesday.

Greece achieved their first ever World Cup win when they came from a goal down to beat 10-man Nigeria 2-1 last week.

Rehhagel recognised that Lionel Messi was Greece's chief concern but also pointed to the fact that Argentina had the luxury of being able to rest Carlos Tevez and replace him with Diego Milito, the player who downed Bayern Munich in the Champions League final.

"We're not going to say how we'll try to stop Messi, that would be to give away secrets ... No-one has successfully controlled him 100 percent," Rehhagel said.

"We must try to find the right way to hold our own," he said.

"We'll have to judge from the bench how we are doing. We don't want to have any regrets."

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Sports goods makers set a huge goal from FIFA merchandise

Published>Tue, Jun 22 10 01:47 AM

Cashing in on the FIFA World Cup's huge popularity, sports goods makers such as Puma, Reebok, Nike and Amigo Sports are eyeing mega sales of their products during the month-long tournament.

Amigo Sports entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with Global Brands Group? the master licensee of the FIFA brand globally ? to launch the FIFA collection in India. It also plans to launch official FIFA stores across the country.

Sanjiv Mehta, chairman, Amigo Sports, said: "The company will invest around Rs 40 crore in setting up exclusive FIFA stores. This will take the store count to 100 from 49. These will be located in metros and tier-I cities. We expect revenues to the tune of Rs 100 crore in 18 months."

Mehta added TV audience estimates suggest that over 29 crore people will watch the 2010 FIFA World Cup in India.

The first of the FIFA official stores will be set up in the Palladium Mall and the Oberoi Mall, Mumbai. The stores will stock official FIFA collections, event merchandise and products from FIFA commercial affiliates.

The firm has also tied up with departmental stores like Shoppers Stop, Central and Westside to sell and promote official FIFA branded merchandise.

Puma India reckons this event to be important as the demand for such merchandise is only till the tournament continues.

"The demand for FIFA merchandise comes mainly from the age group of 15-30 years. The euphoria for the merchandise lasts till the even runs" said Rajiv Mehta, MD, Puma India.

He added that for FIFA merchandise, Puma will advertise only through its store windows.

Puma is distributing apparels and footwear with the price points on apparels in the range of Rs 800-3,000 and for footwear it starts at Rs 2,500 onwards. Mehta did not give any numbers, but hopes to make good numbers from this season.

Anand Halve, a brand expert, Chlorophyll consultants, said: "The situation is like 'you run up to the flag pole and see what happens then', which means that all sports goods makers are going to chase this event. Frankly, nobody knows what the market for a brand like FIFA is in India."

Pinakiranjan Mishra, partner and national leader, retail and consumer practice, Ernst and Young, says: "The sports products for which the retailers are betting have a substantial demand. So, I think it is a good proposition. As for the brand, it is not essential for goods makers to market the products as FIFA itself is a huge marketing platform."

Nike has a different strategy. The company understands fans' sensibility and has designed team kits keeping specific national identity in mind. The jerseys are priced at Rs 2,500 and the studs start from Rs 3,500 and go up to Rs 12,000.

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Birsa expects England to come out all guns blazing

Published>Tue, Jun 22 10 12:57 AM

Slovenia winger Valter Birsa said he expected England to fire on all cylinders after two poor performances when the two teams meet in their crunch Group C match in Port Elizabeth on Wednesday.

Birsa, who scored a superb goal in the 2-2 draw with the United States when the Slovenians threw away a two-goal lead, believes England cannot play any worse than they did in the 1-1 draw with Americans and a goalless stalemate with Algeria.

"It would be foolish to think England are not a top-level team after underperforming twice under heavy pressure from their fans," Birsa told reporters in Slovenia's Hyde Park training base on Monday.

"They came here with the ambition to win the World Cup and going out in the group stage would be a disaster for them so I am sure they will improve beyond recognition for us."

A draw would see the Slovenians through to the second stage while even a defeat would not eliminate them if the outcome of the Algeria v United States game played into their hands, but Birsa said they would rely solely on themselves.

"Our destiny is in our own hands and if we can reproduce the first-half performance against the Americans we have a good chance of getting a result against England," he said.

"There is no point in looking for favours elsewhere because we shouldn't need or expect lucky breaks in matches we are not involved in. We have to try to stifle out England the same way their previous two opponents did and be patient."

Source: Web Search

Some France rebels may not want to play

Published>Tue, Jun 22 10 12:37 AM

Some of the France players may not want to face South Africa in their final World Cup Group A game on Tuesday following a row over the expulsion of striker Nicolas Anelka, beleaguered coach Raymond Domenech said.

Domenech told a news conference on Monday that he backed the French Football Federation (FFF)'s decision to expel Anelka after the player insulted him and attacked the "imbecility" of the squad for boycotting training on Sunday.

"It is a possibility" that some players may not want to play against the hosts in Bloemfontein, said Domenech, who has faced a rebellion from his players over the past 48 hours.

"We will have to take it into account when I compose the team with my staff," the 58-year-old told a packed news conference tent outside the Free State stadium.

One of the players missing from Domenech's starting lineup could be captain Patrice Evra, who did not attend the pre-match news conference that normally features both the coach and the skipper.

That could be an indication that Evra, who led the players' protest against the FFF's decision to kick Anelka out of the squad after he crudely insulted Domenech at halftime of a 2-0 defeat by Mexico last week, might not play on Tuesday.

"The sanction was absolutely justified and I fully support the Federation's decision (to send Anelka home)," Domenech said on Monday.

"Nobody can allow himself to behave that way."

HARSH WORDS

Domenech had harsh words to denounce the players' decision not to train: "It was an aberration, an imbecility, a stupidity with no name," he said.

The coach urged his players, facing scorn and derision from fans and media for bringing shame to their sport and country, to show pride against South Africa.

"The reputation of the France team is at stake in that next match," said Domenech, looking combative but not angry.

"The image we will leave behind much depends on what will happen tomorrow (Tuesday) on the pitch," he added.

France, who have frustrated their fans with uninspired performances since a Euro 2008 flop and needed a controversial playoff win over Ireland to win a ticket to South Africa, are in great danger of making another early exit.

Only if they score a big win against the hosts on Tuesday and Mexico and Uruguay do not draw at the same time will they stand a chance of reaching the knockout stages.

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Waqar draws positives from Pakistan''s Asia Cup performance

Published Tue, Jun 22 10 12:11 AM

Joseph Hoover Dambulla (Sri Lanka), Jun 21 (PTI) Pakistan coach Waqar Younis expressed satisfaction over his side''s performance in the Asia Cup cricket tournament even though Shahid Afridi''s men failed to qualify for the final of the ongoing four-nation tournament here. The former pacer said there were positives Pakistan could draw from the tournament ahead of the England tour. "If you ask me, I am very happy with the overall performance of the team. We didn''t qualify for the final, but the games against Sri Lanka (lost by 16 runs) and India (3 wickets) were 50-50 at some stage. The boys fielded, bowled and batted very well," Waqar said after Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by 139 runs in an inconsequential match today. "Also we are in the rebuilding process. It is a great learning curve for the youngsters whom we blooded in this tournament. We are confident we will get better with time," the coach said. Waqar said it was unfortunate the way Umar Amin was run out in the match. "If you go by the cricket laws, he was certainly out. But it was unfortunate in the manner that he got out as he was striking the ball well," he said. He said captain Afridi''s form was a god sign for the team ahead of the tour to England, where Pakistan will play Tests against Australia (two) and England (four). "Afridi''s form augurs well. That is what we will take to England when we leave from here. You always want your captain to be in-from ahead of a big tour," said Waqar. Commenting on comeback man Shoaib Akthar''s form, Waqar said, "He is still rusty. He needs more time to get to where we want him to be. He has become an intelligent bowler now. "It is Twenty20 and ODIs that we are looking at him for. We want him around for a while." Asked if the 50-over format needed to be reinvigorated, Waqar said, "I subscribe to Sachin''s (Tendulkar) opinion of splitting the 50-over game into two innings. It could possibly make it more interesting in the present scenario where T20 has taken over." Meanwhile, Bangladesh captain Shakib-Al Hasan said his middle-order batter''s return to form was a positive sign. "There was a plus point in our batting. The middle-order was struggling but we used this opportunity to get over the problem," he said. Defending his side''s bizarre approach while chasing Pakistan''s mammoth 385 for seven, Shakib said, "The target was too stiff. As we had not batted well in the middle overs, we decided to use the situation to our team''s advantage. We gained out of that experience." PTI SSC

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Afridi blasts Pakistan to victory over Bangladesh

Published Mon, Jun 21 10 11:57 PM

Captain Shahid Afridi blasted 124 off 60 balls to lead Pakistan to their highest one-day international score of 385 and a 139-run consolation victory over Bangladesh in the Asia Cup at Dambulla on Monday.

Afridi stole the show, flaying the hapless Bangladesh bowlers all over the park for 17 fours and four sixes.

It was the sixth fastest one-day hundred and the quickest in an Asia Cup match.

Man-of-the-match Afridi also set a record for the highest number of sixes in a career taking his total to 272 to surpass Sri Lankan opener Sanath Jayasuriya's 270.

An opening stand of 81 off 75 balls between Imran Farhat and Shahzaib Hasan set Pakistan on course for their score of 385 for seven wickets, which beat the team's previous best total of 371 for nine set against Sri Lanka in 1996.

Shahzaib scored 50 off 38 balls and Farhat 66 off 77. Umar Akmal also joined the run spree with a fifty.

A demoralised Bangladesh made 246 for five in reply with with Imrul Kayes scoring 66 and Junaid Siddique missing out on a century when he was dismissed for 97 by Shoaib Akhtar.

Neither team can reach the final of the tournament which will be contested by Sri Lanka and India on Thursday.

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Some France players may not want to face S.Africa

Published Mon, Jun 21 10 11:37 PM

Some of the France team may not want to play against South Africa in their final Group A game on Tuesday following a row over the expulsion of striker Nicolas Anelka, beleaguered coach Raymond Domenech said.

Domenech told a Monday news conference that he backed the French Football Federation's decision to expel Anelka after the player insulted him and attacked the "imbecility" of the squad for boycotting training on Sunday.

He added it "is a possibility" that some of the players would not want to play against the hosts in Bloemfontein.

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Scoreboard: Pakistan vs Bangladesh, Asia Cup

Published>Mon, Jun 21 10 11:07 PM

Dambulla, June 21 (IANS) Scoreboard of the Asia Cup match between Pakistan and Bangladesh here Monday.

Pakistan:

Imran Farhat b Shakib 66

Shahzaib Hasan lbw b Razzak 50

Umar Amin run out (Islam/Mahmudullah) 22

Asad Shafiq st Rahim b Shakib 17

Umar Akmal b Shafiul 50

Shahid Afridi c Shuvo b Islam 124

Kamran Akmal c Tamim Iqbal b Shafiul Islam 23

Abdul Razzaq not out 21

Abdur Rehman not out 1

Extras: (b-1, lb-4, w-5, nb-1) 11

Total: (for seven wickets in 50 overs) 385

Fall of wickets: 1-81 (Shahzaib Hasan, 12.3 overs), 2-135 (Umar Amin, 21.5), 3-155 (Imran Farhat, 24.1), 4-176 (Asad Shafiq, 28.4), 5-313 (Umar Akmal, 44.2), 6-347 (Shahid Afridi, 46.6), 7-364 (Kamran Akmal, 48.3)

Bowling:

Mashrafe Mortaza 5 0 47 0

Shafiul Islam 10 0 95 3

Abdur Razzak 10 0 48 1

Suhrawadi Shuvo 8 0 65 0

Mahmudullah 7 0 52 0

Shakib Al Hasan 10 0 73 2

Bangladesh:

Tamim Iqbal c K Akmal b Asif 34

Imrul Kayes c Farhat b Afridi 66

Junaid Siddique c & b Shoaib Akhtar 97

Mushfiqur Rahim run out (U. Akmal) 1

Shakib Al Hasan b Imran Farhat 25

Jahurul Islam not out 11

Mahmudullah not out 0

Extras: (lb-5, w-6, nb-1) 12

Total: (for five wickets in 50 overs) 246

Fall of wickets1-39 (Tamim Iqbal, 7.5 overs), 2-199 (Imrul Kayes, 40.4), 3-203 (Mushfiqur Rahim, 41.4), 4-210 (Junaid Siddique, 42.5), 5-245 (Shakib Al Hasan, 48.4)

Bowling:

Shoaib Akhtar 8 2 22 1

Mohammad Asif 10 0 60 1

Abdul Razzaq 7 0 47 0

Abdur Rehman 10 0 37 0

Shahid Afridi 10 0 54 1 I

Imran Farhat 5 0 21 1

Toss: Pakistan, who chose to bat

Umpires: Billy Doctrove (West Indies) and Bruce Oxenford (Australia)

TV umpire: Ramore Martinesz

Match referee: Andy Pycroft (Zimbabwe)

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Pakistan crush Bangladesh by 139 runs

Published Mon, Jun 21 10 10:53 PM

Joseph Hoover Dambulla, June 21 (PTI) Captain Shahid Afridi smashed a blistering 60-ball 124, his second century in the tournament, to steer Pakistan to a resounding 139run win over Bangladesh in an inconsequential Asia Cup cricket match here tonight. Powered by Afridi''s blitzkrieg and useful half-centuries from Imran Farhat (66), Shahzaib Hasan (50) and Umar Akmal (50), Pakistan made an intimidating 385 for seven, their highest score in ODIs, after electing to bat. The target being too huge for them, Bangladesh settled for batting practice, making a listless 246 from their 50 overs at the Rangiri International stadium. Juanid Siddique, who fell three runs short of his maiden hundred, and Imrul Kayes raised 160 runs for the second wicket, batting as if they were in a Test-match situation. Even the 100-odd spectators who had come to watch the inconsequential tie left the stands when the duo was at the square. The time spent at the wicket would have certainly pumped up their confidence, but their dour display was not a good advertisement for the 50-over format, which has already lost its appeal. Siddique struck six fours and two sixes during his 144-ball essay while Kayes, who took 24 balls to get off the mark, consumed 110 balls for his 66. For Pakistan, Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Asif, Afridi and Imran Farhat took a wicket each. Both sides have crashed out of the tournament while India and Sri Lanka will play in the final on June 24. Earlier, Afridi, who was involved in a 137-run association for the fifth wicket with Umar Akmal (50), struck 17 fours and four sixes to help Pakistan raise a record total. Pakistan''s highest total in one-day international cricket was also the highest at this venue, bettering Sri Lanka''s 312 for four against Bangladesh last week. Building on the sizzling 81-run start provided by Shahzaib Hasan (50) and Imran Farhat (66), Afridi initially played himself in before unleashing an array of strokes which drove the Bangladesh attack to despair. He was merciless at the square, driving, cutting and pulling with panache. Left-arm spinner Adbur Razzak was the lone Bangladesh bowler to command respect from the 30-year-old who carted the rest of the attack to all parts of the park during his imperious essay. Afridi cleared the ropes with effortless ease while racing to his sixth ODI hundred in just 54 balls, the sixth fastest in history. He also holds the record for fastest ODI hundred, made in 37 balls against Sri Lanka at Nairobi.

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Pakistan''s Dutch hockey coach enters into argument with media

Published Mon, Jun 21 10 10:47 PM

Karachi, Jun 21 (PTI) Pakistan''s newly-appointed foreign hockey coach Michel Van Den Heuvel today entered into an altercation with the media on the first day of his assignment at the Hockey Club of Pakistan stadium here. The Dutchman, formerly coach of the Netherlands team, today took charge of a training camp being held here to prepare the national team for a European tour ahead of the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games this year. But not aware of the hockey culture in Pakistan, Heuvel initially refused to allow the media to cover the training session or speak to them and asked manager Manzoor Junior to call the police to remove the reporters from inside the ground. But after a series of strong protests by the media contingent, Heuvel was convinced by the manager and other Pakistani officials at the stadium to review his earlier stance. The move worked as Heuvel later came out and spoke to the media in which he made it clear that his first target was the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China. "The assignment I have been given is to prepare a strong team capable of winning the 2012 London Olympics, but my own assessment is that we need to target winning the Asian Games in the first stage," Heuvel said. The new foreign coach also admitted that Pakistan hockey no longer possessed talents of yesteryears. "In those days the Pakistani players were wizards now the talent level is down, so my job is to work with the players and bind them into a efficient, clinical and winning unit," Heuvel said. Pakistan hockey''s chief selector Hanif Khan surprised everyone when he informed that the government played a role in Heuvel''s appointment. "As far as I know the government made it clear to the Pakistan Hockey Federation that they wanted a foreign coach for the team and that is why the sports ministry is paying his monthly salary," Hanif said. "I don''t think the PHF was directly interested in signing on a foreign coach. I hope he can deliver better results for us," the former Olympian said.

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Pakistan crush Bangladesh by 139 runs

Published Mon, Jun 21 10 10:37 PM

Dambulla, Jun 21 (PTI) Pakistan crushed Bangladesh by 139 runs in an inconsequential Asia Cup cricket match here today. Brief Scores: Pakistan: 385 for 7 in 50 overs (Shahid Afridi 124, Imran Farhat 66, Umar Akmal 50, Shafiul Islam 3/95, Shakib Al Hasan 2/73). Bangladesh: 246 for 5 in 50 overs (Junaid Siddique 97, Imrul Kayes 66; Shoaib Akhtar 1/22).

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Former captains lambast PCB for not picking Younus for England

Published Mon, Jun 21 10 10:23 PM

Karachi, Jun 21 (PTI) Former captains, including Javed Miandad, today lambasted the Pakistan Cricket Board and the national selectors for ignoring Younus Khan for the England tour. Miandad was aghast that the selectors did not include Younus in the 17-member Test squad to tour England nest month and said he would take the matter to President Asif Zardari who is also the Board Chief Patron. "How can they ignore Younus and Faisal Iqbal for the England given their past experience and record. What criteria is being adopted to select the team? It seems the selectors have no clue as to what will happen in England to an inexperienced batting line-up," Miandad, who is Director General cricket in the Board, said. "I have asked the chief patron of the board, President Asif Zardari to give me time so that I can meet him and tell him what is wrong with this board," he said. "Enough is enough there should be some accountability for everyone or this way our cricket will go further downwards," he added. Another former captain, Rashid Latif also felt that the selectors had got the combination wrong for the England tour. "I am sure that Younus, Faisal, Muhammad Sami and Khurrum Manzoor all deserved places in the team and where is the wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed, why has he been ignored completely now after being sent to Australia," Latif said. Former captain Moin Khan also expressed surprise at the omission of Younus Khan. "It has come as a shock to me. I don''t know how they could ignore Younus for such an important tour it does not make sense at all and it is a big gamble," he said. "I think Younus deserved better, he is a class player and should have been picked," he added. When contacted in England, Younus declined to make any comments saying he was happy and busy playing for county side Surrey and focusing on doing his job well there.

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Portugal destroy North Korea with sparkling football

Published>Mon, Jun 21 10 10:17 PM

Cape Town, June 21 (DPA) Portugal exploded into life to demolish North Korea 7-0 Monday, taking a massive step toward qualifying from Group G and consigning the plucky communist nation to elimination from the football World Cup.

Midfielder Tiago was at the heart of a breathtaking performance - Portugal's biggest-ever win in a World Cup - that has laid down a marker for the other teams.

'That match showed we are in South Africa to write World Cup history,' said striker Hugo Almeida, one of five Portuguese players to find the back of the net in Cape Town's Green Point stadium.

The result was all the more surprising given how Brazil, who defeated Ivory Coast 3-1 Sunday, struggled to break down the North Koreans in their 2-1 victory in the opening game.

For 29 minutes, North Korea looked like the team who had risen above their lowly ranking of 105th in the world against the Brazilians.

They gave the Portuguese a tough time, and if striker Jong Tae Se had shown a bit more pace or a better touch, they may well have taken the lead through two good opportunities.

But Tiago showed his class on the 29th minute, slicing the North Korean defence open with an wonderful through ball that Raul Meireles ran onto and buried with aplomb.

North Korea kept plugging away, and went in at the break still in the game.

Prior to the match, coach Kim Jong Hun had said he wanted to sweep away the disappointment he still felt from watching North Korea throw away a 3-0 lead against Portugal in the 1966 World Cup to lose 5-3.

Little did he know that Portugal were about to surpass the achievements of that Eusebio-inspired team - even without the influence of playmaker Deco, who missed the game with a hip injury.

The Europeans doubled their advantage in the 53rd minute. After a slick interchange of passes on the edge of the area, Meireles fed a ball into the area for Simao to slip it under the legs of Ri Myong Guk.

Carlos Queiroz's men finished off North Korea for good in the 56th minute, when Fabio Coentrao streaked down the left and crossed to Almeida, who headed across the run of Ri.

Tiago joined the scoring party on the hour, converting a Cristiano Ronaldo cross. And substitute Liedson, dropped after a poor performance in the 0-0 draw with Ivory Coast, made it 5-0 in the 81st minute.

The thousands of vocal Portuguese fans in the stadium were delighted, but they had to wait until the 87th minute to see what they had waited 15 months for: Ronaldo hitting the back of the net.

Ronaldo had gone eleven international matches without scoring, and when he cracked the crossbar midway through the second half, it looked as though his luck was still out.

But he could afford a grin of delight when a lucky ricochet off his back and then his head landed kindly to present him with an open goal.

The Portuguese captain called the goal 'funny' later, but he won't care how it went in now the monkey is now off his back.

Tiago, to whom Ronaldo handed over his Man of the Match award post-match, saying the industrious midfielder was more deserving, completed the scoring in the 89th minute.

North Korean coach Kim Jong Hun, dignified in defeat, refused to blame his players.

'As a coach I think it was my fault for not playing the right strategies,' he said. 'I think that's why we conceded a lot of goals.'

Kim said his team would pick themselves up and try to beat Ivory Coast in their final group game.

Portugal's massive victory has virtually assured them qualification: they would have to lose to Brazil by a good margin and watch Ivory Coast thump North Korea in the final round of Group G games.

But boss Carlos Queiroz refused to get too carried away.

'It was a great day for Portuguese football, now we are going to focus ... on the last game,' he said. 'We scored seven goals, but only managed to accumulate three more points.'

Until this game, many had suggested Brazil were going to top the group with ease. But the Portuguese boss believes his side have a point to prove.

'We don't want Brazil to score any goals against us, because this puts our reputation and prestige in question,' he said.

On the evidence of Portugal's stunning performance, it is perhaps Brazil who should be worried about their reputation.

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Wimbledon king Federer flirts with first round disaster

Published>Mon, Jun 21 10 10:07 PM

London, June 21 (DPA) Six-time champion Roger Federer flirted with one of the biggest potential losses of his career before recovering to overhaul Colombian Alejandro Falla 5-7, 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-1), 6-0 to survive into the second round at Wimbledon Monday.

The huge effort was Federer's first recovery from two sets to love down since the Miami final against Rafael Nadal in 2005.

'I got lucky out there,' said Federer. 'Ive lost a lot of matches this year I should have won. This was one I should have lost.'

'But I came through. It was a tough loss for him, an amazing one for me.'

The success prevented the third first-round loss by a defending champion in the event's 124-year history after Lleyton Hewitt in 2003 and Manolo Santana in 1967.

Federer, winner of six of the previous seven editions, last lost in the first round of Wimbledon in 2002 against Mario Ancic. He was last beaten in a Grand Slam first round at the 2003 French Open by Luis Horna of Peru.

The 16-time Grand Slam champion failed to show the consistent spark which has characterised his past performances on grass. He saved four break points trailing by two sets and at 4-4 to scrape to a 5-4 lead before hanging on to claim the must-win set a game later.

On four occasions, the top seed stood five points from ignominious defeat. Falla even served for victory leading 5-4 in the fourth set.

After winning the third, Federer's form still failed to immediately lift as he struck three double faults to lose serve in the opening game of the fourth set.

Falla, ranked 65th, failed to crack, serving up a love game for 4-2 in the fourth set. Federer missed on a break point chance in the eighth game to trail 3-5 on a backhand error.

But the Swiss heroically set up two break points after following in a drop shot and sending a winner to the open court. Falla served an ace to save the first but returned long to lose his break, 5-5.

But even as he looked to be getting back onto safe ground, Federer had to save a break point in the next game before winning with a stunning drop shot, 6-5 only to see Falla take it into a tiebreaker.

The Swiss finally began to find his touch with a runaway 7-1 tiebreaker which levelled at two sets each after almost three hours.

With his rhythm picking up, Federer began the fifth set with a break as his opponent's confidence starting to subside.

The top seed raced to 5-0 as a thundering centre court crowd cheered his comeback effort against a man who played the best match of his career and whose best showing to date was a Lyon semi-final three years ago.

Federer closed out a dramatic day as he served out the victory and lived to continue the fight for a record-equalling seventh Wimbledon title, the pair walking off to a standing ovation.

The Swiss and the South American have played twice before in the past month, with Federer winning in the French Open second round and 11 days ago on grass in Halle, Germany, where he lost the final to Lleyton Hewitt.

Before Monday, Falla had broken Federer in only one game in four matches.

'I've not been behind two sets to love in a Grand Slam in maybe six years,' said relieved Federer. 'It was a shock and not something I was prepared for.'

'But you use your experience and it pushes you through. I managed to pull it off. I was playing decent but he came up with good shots - all credit to him.

'I had a few chances in the first set, I struggled and he played well. He neutralised me from the baseline and put me under a lot of pressure.'

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It's all or nothing for Nigeria, South Korea

Published>Mon, Jun 21 10 09:57 PM

Durban, June 21 (DPA) There's little to speculate on for Nigeria and South Korea when they meet in Group B of the football World Cup here Tuesday. The winner will most likely qualify for the second round, provided Argentina beat Greece, while the loser will almost certainly go home.

'I told the players that the World Cup is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,' South Korea coach Huh Jung Moo was quoted as saying in his country's media.

But the Nigerians think the same and still believe in their chances. 'We still have every chance, the last game will say it all,' said Nigerian skipper Joseph Yobo.

The truth is that all bets are off in Group B: anything can happen for any of the teams involved. After two wins in two games, Argentina lead on 6 points, followed by South Korea and Greece on three and Nigeria on zero.

With a draw Tuesday, South Korea could also go through, provided Argentina win their game in Polokwane, while Nigeria would be eliminated.

If Greece spring a surprise win over Argentina, Nigeria would be out of the tournament, and so would South Korea, unless they beat the Super Eagles by a larger margin than the Greeks do against Messi and co.

Ahead of the crucial clash, South Korea are probably above Nigeria, at least in terms of mood. The African side were downcast after two games in which their keeper Vincent Enyeama was Man of the Match despite the two defeats.

While losing against Argentina was a realistic possibility en route to the World Cup, they had every reason to expect a better result in their second match, against Greece.

They were winning 1-0 and looking good until midfielder Sani Kaita inexplicably got himself sent off for attempting to kick a rival. The Greeks then went on to score the first ever World Cup goal, and also the second, which gave them their first win ever in the event.

The South Koreans have fared better. They beat Greece in their first game and, while they lost their second to the mighty Argentina, they are confident of a win against Nigeria that would most likely take them to the round of 16.

'We won't excessively stick to either defence or attack. Instead we will play a normal game,' said coach Huh. 'Nigeria are expected to play rough right from the beginning of the game. We will do our utmost to display what we have prepared.'

While South Korea have three points more than their rivals as they go into the match, Nigeria will doubtless appreciate the opportunity to redeem themselves after a bad start to the tournament.

The Super Eagles, who already made the second round of the World Cup in 1994 and 1998, will have an extra motivation. After negotiating a bonus of 10,000 dollars per win for members of the squad, the Nigerian federation has now agreed to pay the players 30,000 dollars for making it to the last 16.

In order to cash in, however, they will need to beat South Korea, the fourth-placed of the 2002 World Cup which the Asians played on home soil, and then hope for the best.

In Durban, all eyes will be on the ball, but all minds will be in Polokwane: whatever happens on the pitch between Nigeria and South Korea will have to be seen through the outcome of the match between Argentina and Greece.

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Portugal win biggest World Cup victory in eight years

Published>Mon, Jun 21 10 09:47 PM

Cape Town, June 21 (DPA) Portugal's 7-0 win over North Korea was the biggest football World Cup victory since Germany beat Saudi Arabia 8-0 in the 2002 tournament in Japan and South Korea.

Four years ago in Germany, Argentina scored the most convincing victory with a 6-0 win over Serbia and Montenegro.

In 1998, Bulgaria was beaten 1-6 by Spain and Russia beat Cameroon 6-1 in the United States tournament four years earlier in 1994.

Germany were again the most prolific in 1990 when they beat the United Arab Emirates 5-1 in the group stages.

But defeats are not what they used to be. In 1982 Hungary beat El Salvador 10-1, which remains the biggest ever World Cup victory, and in 1974, Yugoslavia beat Zaire 9-0.

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Maha Govt to levy entertainment tax on IPL, ODI matches

Published Mon, Jun 21 10 09:37 PM

Mumbai, Jun 21 (PTI) Following the row over entertainment tax exemption to Indian Premier League (IPL) matches, the Maharashtra government has now decided to impose the tax on not only the Twenty20 league but "all international cricket matches" barring the five-day Tests. Entertainment tax will be levied on IPL and "similar" matches, and all international T20 and ODI matches, the government resolution dated June 14 says. Shiv Sena leader and MLA Subhash Desai had filed a PIL in the Bombay High Court seeking imposition of entertainment tax on IPL. It is scheduled for hearing tomorrow. In the affidavit filed recently, the state government had informed the court about its decision to bring IPL in tax net, said Desai''s lawyer, advocate Balkrishna Joshi. According to the GR, posted on website of state revenue department, the decision to levy entertainment tax on IPL and ODIs was taken "in view of growing popularity, magnitude of sponsorship money, and commercialisation". The GR, however, does not clarify whether tax will be imposed retrospectively -- on the IPL seasons held so far. Desai had alleged in the petition that because of NCP leader and former BCCI chief Sharad Pawar''s political clout, the state did not implement its earlier decision to impose entertainment tax on IPL.

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McDowell's local club wakes up to incredible U.S. Open win

Published>Mon, Jun 21 10 09:17 PM

There were heavy heads and bleary eyes in Graeme McDowell's home town in Northern Ireland on Monday after thousands sat up to watch and celebrate his stunning one-shot victory at the U.S. Open.

A massive party and civic reception are planned for the golfer when he returns home to the seaside town of Portrush in County Antrim as the first European winner of the U.S. Open in 40 years.

Friends and family packed into McDowell's home club of Rathmore in Portrush to watch him end Europe's drought and they were still celebrating the next day.

"What he did was hard to believe and everyone is so proud of him," McDowell's brother Gary told Reuters from the club where the 30-year-old learned his trade.

"The fact that he is my brother makes me even more proud of him. I can't explain how actually proud we are... I'd say he's good enough to go on and win another two or three (majors)."

Rathmore's club captain said its members were ecstatic to have another Irish sporting hero, particularly given that the last Northern Irishman to win the U.S. Open, Fred Daly in 1947, was born just a stone's throw from the links course.

"He is up there with the rest if not above them and this is a major achievement for golf here in Northern Ireland and for Irish golf," Colin Walker said.

"He is a role model for our juveniles who all look up to him and want to follow in his footsteps."

A civil reception at Northern Ireland's Assembly at Stormont is being proposed by one of its members and is likely to face little opposition from the province's leaders who offered their congratulations to the new world number 13.

"Graeme has once again shown that our local sporting talent is of a world-class standard," Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said in a statement.

"Graeme's cool, calm and collected manner led him to a sensational victory last night at Pebble Beach."

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Muntari disciplined by Ghana after row with coach

Published>Mon, Jun 21 10 08:57 PM

Midfielder Sulley Muntari has been reprimanded but allowed to stay with Ghana's World Cup team following an outburst after the game against Australia, the national football association said on Monday.

Ghana FA denied reports by leading German sports magazine Kicker that Muntari was ordered out following an altercation with Ghana's Serbian coach Milovan Rajevac in the team's bus after the 1-1 draw on Saturday.

"Sulley Muntari is still a member of the Black Stars team at the World Cup in South Africa," Ghana FA said in a statement on their website (www.ghanafa.org)

"Muntari reacted angrily and in a manner that was offensive to the team's code of conduct in the aftermath of Ghana's game against Australia," it said.

The football association said Muntari, who came in as a substitute, was reprimanded for his outburst but gave no details of any punishment.

Muntari, who has had several run-ins with Ghanaian soccer authorities, was left out of Ghana's Africa Cup of Nations squad early this year having missed two meetings with the coach in Milan.

News of Muntari's discipline issues followed the expulsion over the weekend of France striker Nicolas Anelka for insulting coach Raymond Domenech.

Ghana take on Germany in their last Group D game on Wednesday in Johannesburg's Soccer City stadium. Ghana need at least a draw to advance to the next round, while Germany must win to avoid a possible early exit.

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Saina favourite to win Indonesia Super Series

Published>Mon, Jun 21 10 08:47 PM

New Delhi, June 21 (IANS) Saina Nehwal will be a strong favourite to win three back-to-back titles when she begins her defence of the Indonesia Open Super Series badminton tournament at Jakarta Tuesday.

World No.6 Saina is the top seed in the tournament, as she was at Singapore Open which gave the Indian her second Super series title Sunday, with none of the top five Chinese players competing and that should make Saina's job easy.

Third seed Zhou Mi of Hong Kong, ranked ninth in the world is the only top-10 player apart from Saina in the draw. Zhou, 30, a former world number one from China, is not a potent force in the international circuit anymore.

Going by her current form, Saina would fancy her chances this week also.

'The way she has been playing she should win the tournament. The only thing is that it is quite tiring to play at three back-to-back tournaments at such level. But she is in great form and if she plays to her potential like in the past two weeks, nobody can stop her from winning a third title,' national coach Pullela Gopichand told IANS.

Saina's Singapore Open triumph Sunday came in the wake of her Indian Open Grand Prix title a week before.

She could have very well won another title this year but faltered at the Badminton Asia Championships in April here, stunned by qualifier Xuerui Li in the semifinals.

Saina, however, made sure that she does not fall to Xuerui the second time and avenged her defeat at Singapore in the quarterfinals. She then beat current world champion Lu Lan in the semifinals, her biggest win against a Chinese in recent times, and that should give her the confidence to defend the Indonesian Open title.

After her breakthrough win at Indonesia last year, Saina fell prey to the Chinese and titles suddenly dried up. She made a conscious decision to play only in top tournaments and working rigorously on her game and fitness.

Gopichand says that the training regime has worked for Saina and the improvement is showing.

'It is not that she was not playing well. She was making it to the quarter-finals quite consistently. At the top level, the game has to be very tight. She was not far away from winning titles. It is a matter of one match which can lift the confidence of the player,' says the former All England Champion.

Asked whether now she will be under pressure to win more titles, Gopichand says: 'She will win more titles but we should not put more pressure on Saina because she expects a lot from herself.'

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Senior refs blow whistle on World Cup critics

Published>Mon, Jun 21 10 08:37 PM

Senior World Cup referees defended some of their lesser-known colleagues on Monday, following criticism that refs from such countries as Mali do not have the experience to handle big games.

The subject of refereeing experience came to the fore in the match between the United States and Slovenia when the referee, Koman Coulibaly from Mali, disallowed a goal in the dying minutes which would have handed victory to the U.S.

The referee has since declined to say why he disallowed the goal, and replays have not shown any obvious misdemeanour, prompting some in the U.S. media to question whether Coulibaly had the right experience to handle such an important match.

Italy's Roberto Rosetti told Reuters he did benefit from the experience of working in the Serie A league every weekend, and the pressure that comes with it, but said all the referees at the World Cup had worked together for over three years to prepare.

"We've done a lot of tournaments together, we've done important matches, FIFA qualification games and I think my colleagues are the top referees in the world," he said, after training to the sound of vuvuzela trumpets as part of their preparation in Pretoria.

HIGH PROFILE

Howard Webb, one of the most high profile referees at the tournament due to his role officiating in the English Premier League, said fans and the media needed to drop the idea that referees were selected on a whim.

"This group have been together for a long time," he said. "We've been selected from a larger list based on performances in seminars, matches and tournaments. This list of 24 referees isn't one that's just been pulled out of a hat.

"And it shows what great referees these people are, making it at this level from countries which aren't exposed to that kind of pressure week in and week out.

"Maybe we have a slight advantage initially from being exposed to that, but it doesn't mean it's a bar to guys who aren't used to it.

"They have worked hard and excelled and if they hadn't done they wouldn't be here. Only the guys that make the grade get selected."

Jose Maria Garcia-Aranda, the head of the FIFA refereeing department, told reporters he had been very pleased with the standard of officiating so far and praised the performance of Ravshan Irmatov from Uzbekistan who handled the opening match.

Irmatov, asked by a gaggle of reporters ahead of the opening match how he would handle the pressure, reminded the journalists that he had refereed a game before.

"We are not refereeing for the first time," he said earlier this month, "We go and just do our job. Nothing extraordinary."

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Karnataka, Uttarakhand move to semis

Published Mon, Jun 21 10 08:27 PM

Kolkata, Jun 21 (PTI) Uttarakhand held last year''s champions Karnataka to a spirited 1-1 draw as both the teams advanced into the semifinals in the National Junior Football Championship for Dr B C Roy Trophy here today. In another quarterfinal league Group A match, Meghalaya registered a 1-0 win over Goa but both teams had to bow out with Karnataka (7 points) and Uttarakhand (4) finishing first and second respectively. At the Yuba Bharati Krirangan (YBK), Karnataka drew first blood when Lokesh struck in the 20th minute. But Uttarakhand fought back after the changeover with Satnam Bela scoring the equaliser. In another match played simultaneously at the Mohun Bagan ground, Meghalaya scored through Henry Marboh from a freekick in the 79th minute to register their first win. But the win was not enough with Uttarakhand making the semifinals by means of the draw. From Group B, Chandigarh have already made it to the semifinals and the fourth team will be determined tomorrow. Hosts Bengal require a draw against Chandigarh to make the next round, while Orissa have slim chances. Orissa have to win against Manipur with a good margin and pray that Bengal lose to Chandigarh.

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Stylish Portugal thrash North Korea 7-0

Published>Mon, Jun 21 10 08:17 PM

Portugal enjoyed their biggest ever World Cup victory when they overwhelmed North Korea 7-0 in Group G on Monday to end the Asian side's hopes.

Ronaldo got on the scoresheet at last as the Portuguese put themselves in prime position to accompany Brazil into the second round after a scintillating display of attacking football.

Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz had said he would approach the game in three stages -- win, score goals and then look at the standings -- and his players followed the plan to the letter.

Goals by Raul Meireles in the first half, Simao Sabrosa, Hugo Almeida and Tiago in a seven-minute blitz early in the second, and further strikes by substitute Liedson, Ronaldo and Tiago again secured the win that took them on to four points.

"It was a great display, good goals, great attitude. We needed a moment like this, a well-played game so that the motivation and confidence can be even bigger now," said Queiroz.

"It's a big result, but it's another game and we still haven't won anything yet. Now we have to think of qualifying for the next round, one game at a time, try to win the next one with the same ambition with which we approached this game."

GOAL DIFFERENCE

Portugal are now two points behind already-qualified Brazil, who they meet in their final game, but more importantly have boosted their goal difference so much that Ivory Coast need to score a hatful in their final game against the Koreans.

The Ivorians, beaten 3-1 by Brazil on Sunday, have one point and a draw for Portugal in their final game would in any case guarantee that Queiroz's side progress to the last 16.

North Korea's amazing journey, though, has suffered a terminal blow and coach Kim Jong-hun said he took responsibility for the heavy defeat for "not planning the right strategy.

"...our players, I think, played to their full potential," he said. "However, tactically speaking, I think it fell apart so we couldn't block their attacks and that's why they scored a lot of goals.

North Korea had earned widespread praise for their battling defensive effort against Brazil but, contrary to most predictions, they were far more positive on Monday.

Although Portugal should have gone ahead after seven minutes when goalkeeper Ri Myong-guk failed hopelessly to claim a Simao corner and Ricardo Carvalho thumped his header against a post, it was anything but one-way traffic.

Conditions were made treacherous by relentless rain and with defenders slipping and the ball skidding, both sides unleashed shots from long range at every opportunity.

ONE-WAY TRAFFIC

Cha Jong-hyok fizzed one just wide while a parried Hong Yong-jo effort fell to Pak Nam-Chol but he headed over.

After 25 minutes of their famous 1966 quarter-final North Korea led 3-0 before eventually losing 5-3.

This time, though, it was Portugal who struck first as Tiago, drafted in for the injured Deco, rolled a beautifully weighted ball into the path of Meireles who struck it hard and low beyond Ri in the 29th minute.

That took the edge off Korea and it was one-way traffic after that with the match settled by a trio of well-made goals.

Meireles and Almeida combined well to set up Simao to tuck in the first of them after 53 minutes, Fabio Coentrao crossed for Almeida to head the next after 56 and Ronaldo put another on a plate for Tiago on the hour.

Ronaldo, desperate to end his 16-month goal drought, hit the bar after 70 minutes before Liedson smashed in the fifth 10 minutes from time. Ronaldo did not have to wait long for his goal, though, although he had a bit of luck when it came.

In the 87th minute he broke clear and the ball bounced into the air off keeper Ri, rolled over Ronaldo's head and fell into his path with the goal at his mercy. He could not miss.

"My goal was funny but I'm very happy," said Ronaldo. "Goals are always goals. To score seven goals in a World Cup game is not easy. I must mention my team, we played fantastic."

Tiago put the icing on Portugal's cake two minutes after Ronaldo had scored by grabbing his second goal, heading home a cross from Miguel Veloso, to finish off the rout.

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Portugal maul North Korea 7-0 in goal riot

Published Mon, Jun 21 10 07:57 PM

Cape Town, Jun 21 (PTI) The 19th FIFA World Cup saw its first real goal-fest with Portugal pummeling North Korea 7-0 in a rain-soaked Group G match to bolster their campaign and eliminate the Asian side here today. Raul Meireles (29th), Simao (53rd), Hugo Almeida (56th), Tiago (60th and 89th), Liedson (81st) and captain Cristiano Ronaldo (87th) found the target as Portugal pumped in as many as six goals in the second half at the Green Point Stadium in presence of their 1966 World Cup legend Eusebio. After today''s huge win, Portugal took themselves on the verge of a round of 16 berth with four points from two matches while North Korea were knocked out of the tournament after suffering their second defeat in as many matches. Even if Portugal lose their final group match to Brazil on June 25 and Ivory Coast -- on one point from two matches -- beat Korea the same day, they still have a big chance to make it to the knock-out stage as they now have a goal difference of plus seven as compared to minus two of the Didier Drogba-led side. Sparks were expected to fly as the two sides were meeting for the first time after that famous 1966 World Cup match in which Portugal made a remarkable fightback to beat North Korea 5-3 after 0-3 down, thanks to Eusebio''s exploits. Going into the match, North Korean striker Jong Tae Se had talked about a revenge to erase the 44-year-old memory but he had to eat his words as the Portuguese scored goals at will in the second session to run away with the biggest win of this World Cup. Star Portuguese winger Ronaldo, world''s most expensive player, was in his elements scoring his first goal of the tournament and two assists to his credit. Portugal had the first chance but Ricardo Carvalho''s header came back into play after crashing into the left upright. Four minutes later, it was the turn of North Korea to threaten opposition goal but Cha Jong Hyok''s 25-yard right-footer off a pass from Jong Tae-Se went just wide of keeper Eduardo''s left-hand post. The North Koreans, playing in their only second World Cup finals, had another go at the Portuguese goal in the 18th minute and Hong Yong-Jo smashed a right-foot shot from an angle inside the box and after Eduardo parries it away, Mun In-Guk can only head the rebound over. More PTI PDS AY

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Portugal crush North Korea 7-0 for first win

Published>Mon, Jun 21 10 07:37 PM

Cape Town, June 21 (DPA) Portugal took care of business in Group G of World Cup football with three goals in seven minutes to cruise past North Korea 7-0 Monday and took a big step towards reaching the round of 16 while eliminating the Asians.

Knowing they still have to face Brazil in their group finale, Portugal booked their first victory in South Africa with Raul Meireles scoring the opener in the 29th minute. Simao made it 2-0 after 53 minutes and was followed by Hugo Almeida in the 56th.

Tiago scored twice at the Green Point Stadium in Cape Town. Substitute Liedson joined the scoring sheet in the 81st minute, and Cristiano Ronaldo also converted, ending an 11-game goal-less streak dating back to February 2009.

The win gave Portugal four points in Group G, behind Brazil, who have already booked a final 16 spot with six points from two games. Ivory Coast have one point and North Korea are left on zero points and have been eliminated.

The margin of victory was also important for Portugal, who need only a draw again Brazil to advance and could advance still with a loss should Ivory Coast not beat North Korea convincingly.

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Portugal 5 North Korea 0 - latest

Published Mon, Jun 21 10 07:17 PM

Portugal 5 North Korea 0 - World Cup Group G latest.

At Green Point Stadium.

Scorers: Raul Meireles 29, Simao Sabrosa 53, Hugo Almeida 56, Tiago 60, Liedson 81

Halftime: 1-0

Referee: Pablo Pozo (Chile)

Follow all matches live at http://live.reuters.com/Event/World_Cup_2010

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Dhoni reclaims No. 1 ranking, India No. 2 ODI side again

Published Mon, Jun 21 10 07:09 PM

Dubai, Jun 21 (PTI) India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni today regained the number-one batting position while his team returned to the second spot in the ICC ODI Championship after back-to-back victories in the ongoing Asia Cup in Sri Lanka. Dhoni, who had started the tournament in third place trailing number-one ranked Michael Hussey of Australia by eight ratings points, scored 38 not out against Bangladesh and 56 against Pakistan. These match-winning efforts, combined with Hussey''s batting failure with the bat against Ireland in Dublin last week, has helped the India captain to jump two places to regain top spot while the Australian left-hander has been pushed down two places to third. India''s successive victories in the Asia Cup also ensured that it returns to number-two position in the ICC ODI Championship. With India to face Sri Lanka in its last group stage match tomorrow before meeting again in the final on Thursday, Dhoni''s side can afford to lose one match without conceding its second place. However, if India loses both those matches, it will drop to 118 ratings points which will give South Africa possession of number-two spot. Sri Lanka, in that scenario, would rise to 111 ratings points. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka''s Tillakaratne Dilshan leapfrogged India''s iconic batsman Sachin Tendulkar into fourth spot while India opener Gautam Gambhir has rocketed seven places to 17th spot after scores of 82 and 83. In the ICC Player Rankings for ODI bowlers, Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal has lifted four places to 14th spot while India''s pace and spin combination of Praveen Kumar and Ravindra Jadeja have also made upward movements. Praveen has jumped seven places to occupy 20th position while Jadeja has vaulted 12 places to sit in 21st position. PTI AY

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Pakistan post 385 for 7 against Bangladesh

Published Mon, Jun 21 10 07:03 PM

Dambulla, Jun 21 (PTI) Opting to bat first, Pakistan posted 385 for seven against Bangladesh in the Asia Cup cricket tournament here today. Brief Score: Pakistan: 385 for 7 in 50 overs (Shahid Afridi 124, Imran Farhat 66, Umar Akmal 50, Shafiul Islam 3/95, Shakib Al Hasan 2/73).

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Afridi runs riot, Pak post record total against Bangladesh

Published Mon, Jun 21 10 06:37 PM

Dambulla, Jun 21 (PTI) Skipper Shahid Afridi smashed a blistering 61-ball 124 to guide Pakistan to their highest ODI total of 385 for seven against Bangladesh in an Asia Cup match here today. Afridi, who was involved in a 137-run association for the fifth wicket with Umar Akmal (50), struck 17 fours and four sixes to help Pakistan to a total which is likely to give them consolation victory in the four-nation tournament. Pakistan''s highest total in one-day international cricket was also the highest at this venue, bettering Sri Lanka''s 312 for four against Bangladesh last week. Building on the sizzling 81-run start provided by Shahzaib Hasan (50) and Imran Farhat (66), Afridi initially played himself in before unleashing an array of strokes which drove the Bangladesh attack to despair. He was merciless at the square, driving, cutting and pulling with panache. Left-arm spinner Adbur Razzak was the lone Bangladesh bowler to command respect from the 30-year-old who carted the rest of the attack to all parts of the park during his imperious essay. Afridi cleared the ropes with effortless ease while racing to his sixth ODI hundred in just 54 balls, the sixth fastest in history. Interestingly, he holds the record for the fastest ODI hundred, made in 37 balls against Sri Lanka at Nairobi. With an eye on enriching their newcomers with international experience, Pakistan sent their greenhorns up the order. Asked to open the batting Imran Farhat, Shahzaib grabbed the opportunity with both hands to make a belligerent 38-ball 50, beginning his innings with a cover-driven six off Mashrafe Mortaza, who conceded 47 runs in five overs. But Umar Amin, victim of a dubious run out decision when he wandered from the crease, and Asad Shafiq, stumped by Mushfiqur Rahim off Shakib Al Hasan (2 for 63), failed to cash in against an attack which lacked zip and accuracy, except for Abdur Razzak. Shafiul Islam claimed three wickets at the expense of 95 runs. Pakistan had lost both its previous matches in the tournament, going down to Sri Lanka and India.

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Pakistan post 385 for 7 against Bangladesh

Published Mon, Jun 21 10 06:23 PM

Dambulla, Jun 21 (PTI) Opting to bat first, Pakistan posted 385 for seven against Bangladesh in the Asia Cup cricket tournament here today. Brief Score: Pakistan: 385 for 7 in 50 overs (Shahid Afridi 124, Imran Farhat 66, Umar Akmal 50, Shafiul Islam 3/95, Shakib Al Hasan 2/73).

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Havret wrestles Tiger to come close to major coup

Published Mon, Jun 21 10 05:57 PM

India, June 21 -- US Open runner-up Frenchman Gregory Havret had mixed emotions after living every struggling golfer's dream on Sunday when he went toe to toe with Tiger Woods in the final round at Pebble Beach. A virtual unknown in the upper echelons of professional golf, Havret not only survived the intimidating experience of being paired with Woods in the last round of a major, he beat the world number one by three strokes to finish second overall behind Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell. "My first time with Tiger," he told reporters. "It's quite something." But the thrill of beating Woods in a cauldron-like atmosphere with galleries willing on the American was tempered by the realisation that he had come agonisingly close to pulling off the biggest coup of his career, holing out just one stroke behind McDowell. He bogeyed the penultimate hole, a testing par-3 with a tiny green almost impossible to stop the ball on, then missed a long birdie putt on the last that might have forced a playoff. "Of course I'm a bit disappointed because I've been so close to heaven," said Havret. "But anyway it's just great for me to be here." Ranked 391st in the world before the tournament, Havret was lucky to be at Pebble Beach after needing to sink a 50-foot putt on the last hole of a qualifying event but he thrived on the picturesque but notoriously difficult Californian layout. Havret had made a name for himself when he beat Phil Mickelson in a playoff to win the 2007 Scottish Open but his career had gone into freefall since and he now hopes the U.S. Open will mark a turnaound in his fortunes. "You know how golf can be. You know how life can be," he said. NO EXCUSES "I'm not looking for excuses but I lost confidence a bit and I needed a week like this week at the Open for me to believe in myself a little bit more than I do." While many of the world's top players bombed out on the course, Havret maintained his composure as the big names around him faltered. He started the final day tied for fourth, six shots behind overnight leader Dustin Johnson, but steadily climbed the leaderboard. The Frenchman overtook Woods on the very first hole when he made birdie and the American three-putted for bogey then reeled in Johnson, whose big-hitting game fell apart, then Ernie Els, who charged made an early charge before falling away late. Only McDowell managed to stay ahead of Havret, who was appearing in only his fourth major championship and had only made the cut once before, at the British Open in 2008. "I've been working very hard for 20 years now to be able to live this kind of moment," he said. Havret said playing with Woods had inspired him, though he had no doubt as to who the huge galleries were there to see and when they reached the first green, the scorers had mistakenly forgotten to include his name on the leaderboard.

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Powell and Gay to race over 100 metres in Gateshead

Published Mon, Jun 21 10 05:37 PM

Former world record holder Asafa Powell and world silver medallist Tyson Gay will meet for the first time this season over 100 metres at the Diamond League meeting in Gateshead on July 10, the IAAF said on Monday.

Gay, the second-fastest man in the world behind record holder Usain Bolt, has changed his distance from the 200 to the 100 for the Gateshead meeting.

"I know that I have a pretty serious race lined up with Gay competing as well and I'll be going all out to make sure that I get a faster time," Jamaican Powell, the fastest man this year, said in a statement.

"Myself and Tyson are clearly the two that are going after the world record but I truly believe that it's mine to lose at the moment."

American Gay, who has had a back problem, has yet to make his debut in the Diamond League series. The pair will face each other again in London in August.

"Racing against Asafa in London and Gateshead will mean that we are pushing each other to run faster and get closer to that 9.50 that I see as a real possibility and something that I'm aiming for," Gay said.

Bolt's world record is 9.58 seconds, set at last year's Berlin world championships.

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WC pitches: ICC not trying to enforce anything in specific

Published Mon, Jun 21 10 05:27 PM

Mohali, Jun 21 (PTI) International Cricket Council is not trying to enforce anything in specific with regards to the preparation of the pitches for the upcoming World Cup in the Asian sub-continent, ICC pitch consultant Andy Atkinson said today. "We are not trying to enforce anything in specific as there can be no way we can have a standardised system for the pitches. We only want wickets that have even and consistent bounce and that behaves more or less uniformly for 100 overs," Atkinson said after inspecting the Punjab Cricket Association ground here. Atkinson said he was "fairly happy" with things at the PCA stadium and there were "no real concerns". "I am reasonably happy (with the ground). There is nothing much to report," he said about the stadium, which is rated among the best in India. "ICC is going to hold its Annual General Meeting in Dubai shortly where I am going to submit my report," Atkinson, who has so far inspected 13 venues besides about 30 training grounds during the past three weeks in the sub-continent, said. The 43-day-long World Cup will be played in February next year across 13 venues in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, with the final on April 2 at Mumbai''s Wankhede stadium. On being asked about the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium in Delhi, where the final match of the India-Sri Lanka ODI series last year was being abandoned due to pitch behaviour, Atkinson said turf has now been re-laid and things are looking much better. "I was there yesterday. We are expecting rainy season to begin and the pitch should benefit from that. Things there (Kotla) may be slightly behind schedule, but there is not anything worrying. Stadium is looking good," he said. Atkinson informed that there will be a "big inspection" of all the venues sometime in October, where a group of 15-20 top officials of the ICC will make a complete check of the facilities that includes the stadium, flood lights, airports, ticket allocations and hotel accommodation. He said the ICC has directed to have the playing grounds shut 4-5 weeks before the mega-event begins. To a question, Atkinson said that weather and local conditions play a key role in preparations of the pitches around the world. "In England where the weather generally remains cold, we have 32 per cent clay content while preparing a pitch while in venues like Mohali it is 60 per cent. Clay content in Indian pitches varies between 50-70 per cent," he said. He said the quality of pitches in India has improved quite a lot during the past 5-6 years. "Grounds in India now boast of good facilities including training areas. This is a pat on the back for Indian cricket and the BCCI." PTI SUN SHN

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Kochi IPL and BCCI officails visit Kochi to asses the facilities

Published>Mon, Jun 21 10 05:17 PM

Kochi (Kerala), June 21 (ANI): BCCI officials and the owners Kochi IPL consortium company Rendezvous Sports Worldd visited Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium to take the stock of the facilities at Kochi on Monday.

After assessing the overall facilities at the stadium by the IPL CEO Sundar Raman with others held preliminary discussions with the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) officials.

The officials were well satisfied with the arrangements and like the stadium but suggested to get some maintenance in the future before the match for which a decision will be taken soon said Vivek Nair of Rendezvous Sports.ochi is likely to be a ODI venue in October when the Australians are scheduled to visit India for a seven match ODI series, a KCA official said.

Besides Kochi Team CEO P T Keshav, Mr. Venugopal, co-owner Mehul Shah of the consortium also held various important discussions and visited places in an around Kochi.

The consortium had bagged the Kochi IPL bid for Rs. 1500 crore. By Juhan Samuel(ANI)

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SA prostitutes blast cops for scaring World Cup customers away

Published>Mon, Jun 21 10 05:07 PM

London, June 21 (ANI): Sex workers in South Africa have revealed that they are not doing good business, as cops are scaring away any potential customers at the World Cup.

They had hoped to cash in on the influx of foreign visitors, but prostitutes in Johannesburg say that it is getting tougher by the day.

"We have children to support," Sky News quoted two women in the city's red light district, as saying.

"We came here from the Transkei to try to make some money, but it's tough," they said.

The women claim the police crackdown has been violent.

Thandi, a sex worker in Johannesburg for 20 years, said she had been subjected to "harassment, abuse and rape".

"They want bribes. If we can't pay, they have sex with us and they don't pay. I call that rape," she said.

The fear of HIV may have also contributed to the slump, even though most of the women claim to practise safe sex, with only a few willing to forego a condom.

The prostitutes working the streets of Johannesburg charge around 3 pounds, while those who operate in the many hotel brothels earn just a few pounds more. (ANI)

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I have conquered demons in my batting: Yasir Hameed

Published>Mon, Jun 21 10 05:05 PM

Islamabad, June 21 (ANI): Pakistan right-hand batsman Yasir Hameed, who has been recalled to the national squad after a three year old hiatus for the upcoming series against England, believes that he has conquered the demons in his batting technique because of which he had struggled ever since he made his record breaking debut.

Hameed admitted that there were flaws in his technique, and said he has worked really hard to rectify them.

"I've worked really hard on the problems I had against spin and I've done a lot of homework on this specific problem. I believe that I've conquered that demon now and that I wont be facing those issues again," Hameed told Cricistan.com.

One of Hameed's major problems was that of fishing for deliveries outside his off stump, but he claims that he had practised tirelessly to put it right.

"As for my off-stump weakness. I've been using a tape ball to learn when to leave the ball and when to go for it. What I do is take a tape ball and tear up one side of it, then I practise with the ball swinging both ways. It's all about patience and application and I've been working hard on both those things," said Hameed, who is only the second batsman to score centuries in both innings on his Test debut. (ANI)

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