Del Bosque to stick with Torres for Paraguay

Published>Fri, Jul 02 10 12:18 PM

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque will stick by Fernando Torres for the team's quarterfinal match against Paraguay despite the striker's poor World Cup form so far.

Torres has struggled to establish himself in South Africa since returning from knee surgery in April and Fernando Llorente impressed after replacing the Liverpool striker in the 1-0 win over Portugal.

But Del Bosque said he will not be swayed for the match at Ellis Park with Spain on the cusp of reaching the semifinals for the first time.

"Our striker right now is Fernando (Torres)," Del Bosque said. "He's played four games, a lot of minutes and will play more. We've got full confidence in him while we also know that Fernando Llorente brings a lot of qualities too."

Striker David Villa, who shares the tournament scoring lead with four goals, said it's just a matter of time before Torres scores.

"We all know his moment will come," Villa said. "Hopefully it's Saturday against Paraguay."

Llorente, whose entrance helped Spain crack Portugal's stubborn defense, said his team's deep bench means it has options for any situation.

"There are some incredible players in this team and thoseon the bench also deserve to play which makes it complicated," Llorente said yesterday. "Everyone deserves it but the coach decides and we just have to be ready when he calls on us."

Del Bosque said Llorente could play against Paraguay, which is expected to be have defensive setup against the European champions.

"Both need to be full of confidence, both need to know they can be helpful," Del Bosque said of his strikers.

One player who doesn't need a confidence boost is Villa, who has scored all but one of Spain's five goals in South Africa. Andres Iniesta is the only other Spanish player to score in the competition so far.

"I'm only thinking about being in perfect shape for Saturday," Villa added. "It's going to be a complicated match but we're motivated and confident we'll win."

Llorente believes the rest of Spain's talented team means it won't have to depend on the Barcelona-bound striker to stay alive.

"Villa's been very, very important for us, scoring practically all of our goals," the Athletic Bilbao striker said. "But there are a lot of players capable of scoring and someone else will, too."

Del Bosque commended Villa's work on both ends of the field.

"Great for the number of goals, of course. But he also did an excellent job in defense (against Portugal)," the former Real Madrid coach said.

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Ministry-IOA still at loggerheads

Published>Fri, Jul 02 10 12:08 PM

New Delhi, July 1 -- There is no end in sight to the Sports Ministry-Indian Olympic Association tussle over the issue of limitation of tenure of sports federation officials, with IOA secretary-general Randhir Singh saying the issue was a "closed chapter", but the ministry said "nothing has changed": and that it would stick to the guidelines. The ministry had recently issue guidelines limiting the tenures of presidents and office-bearers of national sports federation (NSFs), which had cause a furore. The IOA even said the ministry was infringing on their autonomy, which would invite suspension of the IOA by the International Olympic Council. Two ministry officials were even sent to Lausanne to sort out the matter with IOC chiefs. But two weeks after their meeting with IOC officials, IOA and the government continued to wrangle over the tenure limitation issue. The IOA claimed the June 18 meet with IOC officials had gone in their favour and asked the government not to interfere in the functioning of the NSFs. "It is a closed chapter for us. I don't think there would be any interference from the government," Randhir said.

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Rooney will set Premier League on fire again: Owen

Published>Fri, Jul 02 10 11:52 AM

London, Jul 2 (ANI): Ace striker Wayne Rooney, who failed to score in the World Cup, is expected to overcome his below par performance and bounce back.

Manchester United striker Michael Owen has defended Rooney and tipped him to set the Premier League alight once again despite his poor form.

Owen is confident that the 24-year-old can get back to his best after a summer break, The Telegraph reports.

"People talk about Wayne after the World Cup because he is Wayne, but there were other players who didn't perform at the World Cup too," said Owen.

"People will inevitably focus on Wayne, though. He wasn't at the top of his game, for whatever reason - whether it was tiredness or because the rest of the team around him wasn't playing well.

"He wasn't at his best but we all know he's a world-class player. After a few weeks off he will be back and scoring again," Owen said.

Owen said he and Rooney will be desperate to bring back the Premier League trophy from Chelsea, who won the league by just a single point last year.

"One of the things that struck me when I arrived at United was the desire to win. [Ryan] Giggs, [Paul] Scholes, [Gary] Neville, and the manager, all expect to win. They are driven by winning and if they don't win they feel this extra amount of motivation and that's what they will be like next season," he added. (ANI)

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Bookies bet on Brazil to win world cup

Published>Fri, Jul 02 10 11:48 AM

Mumbai, July 2 -- The FIFA world cup is turning out to be a gold mine for bookies across the city. With bets worth Rs 800 crore to Rs 1,000 crore placed per game in the pre-quarter final stage, bookies have so far seen business of about Rs 50,000 crore - Rs 10,000 crore more than in the entire 2006 world cup season. Total business is expected to cross Rs 60,000 crore this time around. "We have a lot more people betting on football this time, and some are betting big," said one Mumbai bookie. "Bets are not only coming from India, but huge amounts are also being placed by non-resident Indians based in the UK, US, Australia, Canada and Dubai." Now in the crucial knockout stage, the stakes are getting higher, and bookies are betting on Brazil to win. The considerably low odds on Brazil reflect this - Rs 2.5 for every rupee bet. By comparison, the country least expected to win - Paraguay - is getting odds of Rs 59 per rupee bet. This means if Brazil wins, a punter who placed a bet of Rs 2 on that country would win a total of Rs 5. In the unlikely event of Paraguay winning, meanwhile, a punter who bet Rs 2 would win Rs 118. Surprisingly, bookies have placed Spain in the second-favourite position (at Rs 3 for every rupee bet), rather than Argentina, which follows with a rate of Rs 4.8 per rupee bet. In the quarterfinals, Brazil, Spain, Argentina and Uruguay are favourites in their respective matches. "Each match in the quarterfinals will get us bets worth Rs 1,200 crore to Rs 1,500 crore," said one bookie. "In the semifinals, we expect about Rs 1,800 crore to Rs 2,000 crore in bets per match. The final will probably see business of over Rs 2,500 crore."

"If it goes to overtime, the match will be considered a draw, regardless of the final outcome. Fresh bets will be accepted for the overtime results," the bookie said. "So, in games that go into overtime, only those who bet on a draw will gain."

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Whereabouts clause issue resolved, says Lorgat

Published>Fri, Jul 02 10 11:44 AM

Singapore, July 1 -- The ICC on Thursday claimed that it had resolved the contentious whereabouts clause issue in its anti-doping Code but did not provide the details. The ICC said its Executive Board has approved the revised rules with some minor amendments and the ICC anti-doping code, which is in compliance with WADA Code, will now come into effect from August 1. "I am satisfied that we have now resolved the long outstanding issue of filing whereabouts information and the contribution of the BCCI in finding a solution needs to be acknowledged," ICC CEO Haroon Lorgat said in a statement. Teams in T20 World Cup may be increased: ICC The ICC on Thursday said it might consider increasing the number of participating teams in the World Twenty20 while reducing the number in the 50-over World Cup. The working groups of the Chief Executive Committee and the Governance Review Committee, which met during the ICC Executive Board meeting, have discussed measures to revamp cricket and have been asked to submit a final proposal in this regard in September. The ICC also announced that the next T20 World Cup will be held in Sri Lanka in 2012 while the 2014 edition will be hosted by Bangladesh. Oz snap England's winning streak London: Michael Clarke's unbeaten 99 helped Australia win the fourth one-day international by 78 runs at The Oval here and reduce England's lead to 3-1 in the five-match series. Brief Scores: Australia 290/ 5 in 50 overs (S Watson 41, R Ponting 92, M Clarke 99 n.o.) bt England 212 in 42.4 overs (E Morgan 47, Michael Yardy 57; Harris 5-32). Steyn fined for spitting at Benn Dubai: South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn and West Indies quick Kemar Roach have both been fined for disciplinary offences during an ill-tempered end to the Proteas' tour of the Caribbean. Steyn was fined 100 percent of his match fee for spitting at West Indies left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn and Roach 50 percent for a flare-up with South Africa batsman Jacques Kallis during the Proteas' seven-wicket win in the third Test in Barbados, completed Tuesday, that gave them the series 2-0. Rege named World Cup tournament manager

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Serena set to defend Wimbledon crown

Published>Fri, Jul 02 10 11:32 AM

London, July 2 -- Serena Williams fended off a determined challenge from unseeded Czech Petra Kvitova on Thursday to book a Wimbledon final date against Russian 21st seed Vera Zvonareva. "I definitely worked really hard," the defending champion and top seed said in a courtside interview after the 7-6 6-2 victory. "I didn't expect to get as far at the beginning of the tournament. "It's such a blessing to still be in the tournament." Zvonareva has already got the better of Williams once at this year's tournament when she and partner Elena Vesnina beat Serena and sister Venus in the women's doubles on Wednesday. Kvitova, the world number 62, had been expected to be little more than a sacrificial lamb on Williams' route to a fourth crown at the All England Club, but the feisty Czech gave as good as she got in a tight first set. From the off the 20-year-old Kvitova showed she was going to be no pushover, drawing an appreciative 'ooh' from the Centre Court crowd with a crosscourt forehand before earning a break point in the opening game. The left-hander saved a break point in the next game and won her second service game against Williams to love, defying some observers who had predicted a Serena whitewash. She was quick around the court, held her own in the longer rallies and produced some exquisitely placed shots in a first-set performance that defied her lowly world ranking. The pressure and the breezy conditions seemed to get to Williams who struggled with her forehand and was broken in the fifth game. The American broke back for 4-4 and finally found her feet when the set went into a tiebreak. Williams' first serve was challenged by Kvitova but Hawk-Eye showed it had correctly been called in. That decision seemed to galvanise Williams, although it still took a third set point for her to win the tiebreak 7-5 with a huge 115mph service bomb that Kvitova could barely get her racket to. Kvitova battled defiantly in the second set but Williams had found her stride. A double fault handed Williams her second break for a 5-2 lead, although the 28-year-old still needed a piece of luck to seal victory on her third match point. The ball hit the net cord and dropped like a stone just out of reach of a desperately onrushing Kvitova. Serena held up her hand in apology as she walked to the net and commiserated with her opponent before performing a curtsy to the applauding crowd. And her opponent is... Russia's Vera Zvonareva has advanced to her first Grand Slam final after coming from behind to defeat unseeded Bulgarian Tsvetana Pironkova 3-6, 6-3 6-2 in the semifinals of Wimbledon. The Bulgarian won the first set Thursday after breaking the 21st-seeded Zvonareva's serve in the sixth game, with the aid of a net cord. The momentum swung the Russian's way after she broke Pironkova in the sixth game of the second on her way to levelling the match. Zvonareva broke Pironkova in the first and fifth games of the third setr then saved two break points in the sixth game before converting her second match point. Pironkova's defeat ended her bid to become the first unseeded woman to reach the final at the All England Club. Paes in last four Second seeded pairing of Leander Paes and Cara Black of Zimbabwe entered the semifinlas of the mixed doubles with a hard fought three set win over 12th seeds Paul Hanley and Yung-Jan Chan, 6-4, 6-7, 6-3. Paes will play his men's doubles partner in the semis. Lukas Dlouhy and his partner Iveta Benesova beat Dimitriy Tursunov and Vera Dushevina to set up the semifinal clash. Nadal plays Murray With six-time champion Roger Federer out, Rafael Nadal is now the favorite for the Wimbledon men's title. The top-ranked Spaniard plays in the semifinals Friday against No. 4-seeded Andy Murray, trying to become the first British man in 72 years to reach the final. The other semifinal pits No. 3 Novak Djokovic against No. 12 Tomas Berdych. Moodie falls

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Machines to vend low-cost condoms at every stadium

Published>Fri, Jul 02 10 11:28 AM

New Delhi, July 1 -- Condoms will be available at every stadium, washroom and other high-visibility area during the Commonwealth Games. A total of 150 condom vending machines will be installed at several hi-visible areas within the Commonwealth Games village. One can take out a pack of two condoms by inserting a five-rupee coin. National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) in collaboration with Delhi State AIDS Control Society (DSACS) and Hindustan Latex Family Planning Promotion Task (HLFPPT) would install the machines, which will have the logo Shera - the official mascot of the 19th Commonwealth Games - printed on these. Gaurav Jain, Team Leader, Technical Support Group (Condom Promotion), NACO, said: "The machines will be set up at the guest reception areas, inside washrooms, at stadiums and also shopping areas including Janpath, Khan Market, Sarojini Nagar Market and Connaught Place among others." "We want to minimise the risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) during the Games," said a DSACS official.

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Whereabouts clause issue resolved, says Lorgat

Published>Fri, Jul 02 10 11:18 AM

Singapore, July 1 -- The ICC on Thursday claimed that it had resolved the contentious whereabouts clause issue in its anti-doping Code but did not provide the details. The ICC said its Executive Board has approved the revised rules with some minor amendments and the ICC anti-doping code, which is in compliance with WADA Code, will now come into effect from August 1. "I am satisfied that we have now resolved the long outstanding issue of filing whereabouts information and the contribution of the BCCI in finding a solution needs to be acknowledged," ICC CEO Haroon Lorgat said in a statement. Teams in T20 World Cup may be increased: ICC The ICC on Thursday said it might consider increasing the number of participating teams in the World Twenty20 while reducing the number in the 50-over World Cup. The working groups of the Chief Executive Committee and the Governance Review Committee, which met during the ICC Executive Board meeting, have discussed measures to revamp cricket and have been asked to submit a final proposal in this regard in September. The ICC also announced that the next T20 World Cup will be held in Sri Lanka in 2012 while the 2014 edition will be hosted by Bangladesh. Oz snap England's winning streak London: Michael Clarke's unbeaten 99 helped Australia win the fourth one-day international by 78 runs at The Oval here and reduce England's lead to 3-1 in the five-match series. Brief Scores: Australia 290/ 5 in 50 overs (S Watson 41, R Ponting 92, M Clarke 99 n.o.) bt England 212 in 42.4 overs (E Morgan 47, Michael Yardy 57; Harris 5-32). Steyn fined for spitting at Benn Dubai: South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn and West Indies quick Kemar Roach have both been fined for disciplinary offences during an ill-tempered end to the Proteas' tour of the Caribbean. Steyn was fined 100 percent of his match fee for spitting at West Indies left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn and Roach 50 percent for a flare-up with South Africa batsman Jacques Kallis during the Proteas' seven-wicket win in the third Test in Barbados, completed Tuesday, that gave them the series 2-0. Rege named World Cup tournament manager

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Chile coach Bielsa on JFA wish-list

Published Fri, Jul 02 10 10:58 AM

Former Argentina coaches Marcelo Bielsa and Jose Pekerman head Japan's wish-list to take over from Takeshi Okada, local media reported on Friday.

Okada is set to retire to a life of writing poetry and farming after the Blue Samurai were knocked out of the World Cup in the last 16, triggering a search for his successor.

"I want to get away from soccer," Okada told Japanese television on Thursday after the team returned from South Africa following their penalty shootout loss to Paraguay.

"Even if I was offered a new contract. It won't happen so let's not talk about it."

Japan's stock has risen after their surprise run to the knockout stages following victories over Cameroon and Denmark.

"The most important point is to evaluate what each of the candidates can bring to table," Japan Football Association (JFA) technical director Hiromi Hara told the Nikkan Sports.

"Experience is important but also the coach's character and passion for Japan," said Hara. "We don't want to rush."

Bielsa, 54, led Chile to the last 16 of the World Cup where they were beaten 3-0 by tournament co-favourites Brazil earlier this week.

The new coach's first task will be to win the Asian Cup in Qatar in Jan. 2011.

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CA right in feeling bitter over Howard''s rejection: Mani

Published Fri, Jul 02 10 10:52 AM

Karachi, Jul 2 (PTI) Former ICC President Ehsan Mani says Cricket Australia has every reason to feel bitter about John Howard''s rejection for the post of ICC vice-President as India, Pakistan and Bangladesh made unexpected u-turns after assuring support. Mani, who served as ICC President between 2003 and 2006, said to his knowledge Cricket Australia were not wrong to feel let down by the Asian bloc -- India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. "As far as I, know Pakistan and Bangladesh had till last week assured Cricket Australia, they would support the nomination of John Howard," Mani said. Howard, a former Prime Minister, suffered a major embarrassment when six countries including the Asian bloc rejected his nomination put forward by Australia and New Zealand. Cricket Australia has reacted bitterly to rejection insisting they were deeply disappointed and frustrated at the stance of the Asian bloc. Mani said Cricket Australia were under the impression that they would be supported by India because of the good relations the two boards have enjoyed in recent times. "Australia, I think, saw India as a strong ally while they also had assurances from Pakistan and Bangladesh so they were confident of getting Howard''s nomination accepted," Mani said. "I don''t know what were the pressures that compelled Pakistan and Bangladesh to not support Howard''s nomination and instead go along with India and reject the nomination," Mani said. The former ICC President said he was not aware of what had happened in the background but hoped Pakistan would get something constructive out of their decision to not support Howard. "Pakistan has backed India in this issue so I hope they know what they are doing because every country looks after its own benefits," he said. Meanwhile, former Pakistan captain Zaheer Abbas criticised Pakistan''s decision to support India in rejecting Howard''s nomination. "I don''t know what has happened but what has India given us or when have they supported us? I don''t know why we went along with them," he said.

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Paes, Black in Wimbledon mixed doubles semis

Published>Fri, Jul 02 10 10:46 AM

India's Leander Paes and his mixed doubles partner Zimbabwean Cara Black advanced to the Wimbledon's semi-finals on Thursday.

Second seeds Paes and Black beat the Australian-Taiwanese pair of Paul Hanley and Chan Yung-Jan 6-4, 6-7 (7/4) 6-3 in the third quarter final.

With the win Paes and his partner set a semi-final clash with his doubles partner Lukas Dlouhy and his Czech mate Iveta Benesova.

The ninth seeded Dlouhy and Benesova beat the Russia pair of Dmitry Tursunov and Vera Dushevina 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Paes and Black were the runners-up in the tournament last year and have the 2008 US Open and the 2010 Australian Open crown to their name.

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No ICC event for Pakistan until 2015

Published Fri, Jul 02 10 10:22 AM

Karachi, Jul 2 (PTI) Pakistan remains in isolation as an international cricket venue with the ICC deciding not to allot any event to the trouble-torn country until 2015. The ICC yesterday announced its events and host countries until 2015 and Pakistan does not feature in the list at all although the ICC has awarded the next two World Twenty20 Cups to Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in 2012 and 2014. Sources in the Pakistan Cricket Board said Chairman Ijaz Butt had shown interest that Pakistan should be given at least one ICC event after 2012 but the ICC members didn''t respond positively. "The 2013 Champions Trophy was on the minds of the PCB but apparently nothing has happened to convince the ICC that international teams can resume touring Pakistan by next year or in 2012," the source said. Pakistan supported the stance taken by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in rejecting the nomination of former Australian Prime Minister John Howard for the post of ICC Vice-President. "But this didn''t lead to any support from the other Asian countries on the ICC board to allot an event to Pakistan in the period until 2015," the source said. Pakistan was stripped of the Champions Trophy hosting rights and the 2011 World Cup in 2009 after terrorists attacked the Sri Lankan team in Lahore in March last year. "The PCB should have taken a stronger stance and officially announced its intentions to host an international event if not immediately sometime in 2013 or 2014 but unfortunately we remain isolated as an international venue," former Chairman of the board Tauqir Zia said. However there was some good news for Pakistan cricket on the sidelines of the IC and Asian Cricket Council meetings as sources said newly-elected ICC President Sharad Pawar had told the PCB chief that he would make efforts to resume bilateral cricket ties with Pakistan as soon as possible.

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Forlan, Suarez could crush Africa's dream

Published>Fri, Jul 02 10 10:18 AM

Ghana's dreams of becoming the first African side to reach a World Cup semi-final will depend on their ability to keep at bay the formidable attacking duo, which has propelled Uruguay into the quarters.

The Ghanaians carry the hopes of a continent hosting its first World Cup, but any burden of expectation is far out weighed by the need to keep a close check on the ability of Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez when they meet in their quarter-final tie at Soccer City in Johannesburg on Friday.

The pair have scored five goals between them as Uruguay have enjoyed their most successful World Cup campaign in 40 years, topping their group and then beating South Korea in the second round.

Combined with a resolute defence that has conceded a solitary goal in four matches at the finals, Uruguay present a formidable challenge to hopes that Ghana will rescue a disastrous tournament for African teams.

As the only one of six representatives from the continent to progress past the first phase, Ghana have become the team on which the host nation, and wider continent, are pinning their hopes on to recreate the hype and excitement that preceded the start of the tournament.

"It was very important for us to win because we know that Africans are proud of us and we are playing on African soil," said captain John Mensah, acknowledging the expectation in the build-up to the quarter-final.

But coach Milovan Rajevac, perhaps fearful his players will be affected by the pressure, has sought at the same time to temper talk of carrying Africa's ambitions. He deflected questions on the issue during the week, saying tersely: "The players concentrate on what happens on the pitch. There are no other pressures."

Rajevac will make two changes with Dede Ayew and Jonathan Mensah suspended. Issac Vorsah makes a timely return from injury to centre back in place of Mensah, and will be key to Ghana's plans to stifle Forlan and Suarez.

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Butt refuses to react to Speed''s buffoon jibe

Published Fri, Jul 02 10 09:58 AM

Karachi, Jul 2 (PTI) Called a "buffoon" by former ICC CEO Malcolm Speed but Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ijaz Butt has refused to react to the stinging comment. Speed, reacting strongly to the rejection of former Australian Prime Minister John Howard''s candidacy for the ICC vice-president''s post by the Asian bloc, described Butt as a "buffoon." Speed also described cricket in Pakistan as "a basket case". But the PCB and Butt chose to remain mum on the criticism. "We will not comment on Speed''s statement at this time we are in the process of confirming the statement carried in the Australian media," spokesman Nadeem Sarwar said. Butt is presently in Singapore attending ICC meetings and sources in the board said until he gave instructions, the PCB would not issue any rebuttal to Speed''s comments. "There is no proper system in the board and Butt calls all the shots and until he says so there will be no reaction," one source noted. But the Chairman of the National Assembly standing committee on sports Iqbal Muhammad Khan said Speed''s comments were in bad taste and disappointing. "He has no right to interfere in the internal affairs of our cricket or even that of Bangladesh, the PCB should take this up strongly with the ICC and Cricket Australia as Speed is a former official of both bodies," Iqbal said. He, however, conceded the controversies that Pakistan cricket finds itself in because of poor management, gives outsiders a chance to make negative remarks. "It is most unfortunate and we also need to put our own house in order," he said. Former Test captain Zaheer Abbas said he was surprised by Speed''s comments. "It is unbecoming of a former ICC official to make such comments. I hope the PCB takes up the matter seriously and demands an apology from Speed through Cricket Australia," he said. Another former captain Rashid Latif said whatever the internal problems of Pakistan cricket, no one had any right to make such personal comments. "If I was Butt I would sue Speed for defamation," he said.

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Pironkova happy to foot bigger hotel bill after dream run

Published>Thu, Jul 01 10 11:18 PM

Tsvetana Pironkova's hotel bills look set to increase several fold in the coming years, but the affable Bulgarian will not mind if that is the only drawback after her astonishing run at the All England Club was halted.

For Pironkova, who came within a set of becoming the first unseeded woman to reach the Wimbledon final, was expecting her stay to be far shorter than the shock-filled odyssey that the last week or so has produced.

So unexpected was her run to the semi-finals, where she went down 3-6 6-3 6-2 to Russian 21st seed Vera Zvonareva on Thursday, that she was at one point struggling to find a roof over her head.

"I was really worried at one point," the 22-year-old told reporters.

"After my second match I left my hotel and there was no place that I could stay because the hotels at this time of the year are very busy."

Fortunately help was at hand for the player with a ferocious double-handed backhand that saw off five-times champion Venus Williams here in the quarter-finals in the shape of the President of the Bulgarian Tennis Federation.

"He called the embassy here. They were really kind and supportive. They said, of course, no problem and gave us an apartment in one beautiful area here in London, South Kensington I think it's called."

Her losing semi-finalist's cheque of 250,000 pounds will be more than enough to cover the 6,500 pounds ($9,706) required to rent an apartment in such a swanky part of London for a week, and she showed more than enough promise to suggest she should be looking for better hotel rooms, for longer, in the coming years.

Pironkova, who became the first Bulgarian to reach a major semi-final, took the first set in style against her Russian opponent on Thursday before fading as Zvonareva's confidence grew.

"I tried my best. I tried every point, every game but she was playing very aggressive and she was pushing me all the time, and I just couldn't do it," Pironkova said.

"Reaching the semi-finals in Wimbledon, it's like a dream to me. Of course I wanted to go to the finals, but I guess didn't happen this year.

"I'm really happy that I make my home people happy, because this is a great success for my country, for Bulgarian tennis."

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Zvonareva aims to upset Williams in Wimbledon final

Published>Thu, Jul 01 10 10:46 PM

London, July 1 (DPA) Holder Serena Williams and Russian Vera Zvonareva saw off challenges from youngsters Thursday to meet in the Wimbledon women's final.

The top seed Williams will be bidding for a fourth trophy on the grass of SW19 Saturday after defeating 62nd-ranked Czech Petra Kvitova 7-6(5), 6-2.

Zvonareva posted a 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 defeat of Bulgarian Tsvetana Pironkova, preventing an upset which would have seen the first unseeded finalist in history at the All England club.

Williams, who went down an early first-set break against Kvitova but got it back to take full control until the end of the one-hour, 23-minute win, claimed she never expected to reach the final.

'It wasn't easy, I worked hard,' said the 12-time Grand Slam winner. 'I didn't expect to get this far considering how I started at beginning of the tournament. I'm happy to still be here.

'Vera's a great player, really tough. I feel like I have nothing to lose going into the final and neither does she.'

Zvonareva, who trails the series against Williams 2-5, is expecting to rise to the occasion on Saturday.

'Serena is great player, defending champion, and very tough to play against.

'But I always believe in myself. I'll just have to go out there and try to play my best, like I did in previous matches. We will see what's going to happen then.'

Zvonareva's best previous result at a major was the Australian Open semi-finals two years ago. The number 21 has been unable to maintain a place in the top 10 due to a lack of consistent results.

'It's one of my dreams to be out there on the Centre Court, and playing in the finals of Wimbledon,' said the 21st-ranked Russian who once stood as high as fifth on the WTA.

I'm thinking too much about my final, but I'm sure when the tournament finishes, finally I will realise that one of my dreams came true.'

Pironkova, ranked 82nd, was bidding to become the first unseeded women's finalist at the All England Club as she rode the confidence of a quarter-final knockout of five-time champion Venus Williams.

Pironkova had never played in any tournament final but had exploded into form at Wimbledon.

I tried my best, I tried every point, every game,' said an upbeat Pironkova. 'But she was playing very aggressive and she was pushing me all the time, and I just couldn't do it.'

'This is a huge experience for me,' said the Bulgarian. 'Reaching the semi-finals in Wimbledon, it's like a dream. Of course I wanted to go to the final, but I guess didn't happen this year.

'I learned a lot, I learned that you just have to play relaxed. You just have to go for every point, to fight, never give up.'

Zvonareva was playing in her second semi-final at a major after Australia last year. The Williams win insure at least one of the two sisters placing in 10 of the last 11 Wimbledon finals. One or the other have won the trophy on eight of 10 occasions.

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I will play T20s against Aussies: Afridi

Published Thu, Jul 01 10 10:22 PM

Karachi, July 1 (PTI) Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi is confident of recovering in time from a side strain before the two Twenty20 internationals against Australia next week. Afridi said he would be available for the T20 matches as his injury was not a serious one. "I know how important it is for me to play in these matches not only as captain but as a senior player," he said. Afridi suffered the side strain during the three-day match against Kent and the initial scans have shown that he has a small muscle rupture. The flamboyant all-rounder will not play the T20 matches against Essex and Northamptonshire on Saturday and Sunday due to the same injury. The Pakistan team management will re-assess Afridi''s recovery again before the matches against Australia. Sources said Afridi''s injury at the initial stage of the trip was a worry for the team management as the tour would last until September with six Tests, five one-day internationals and two more T20 matches lined up. Afridi has been in red-hot form these days and scored two centuries in the recent Asia Cup in Sri Lanka although Pakistan could not reach the final of the tournament.

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2011 World Cup: ICC green signal for umpire review system

Published>Thu, Jul 01 10 10:18 PM

Singapore, July 1 (IANS) The International Cricket Council (ICC) has decided to use the Decision Review System (DRS) during the 2011 World Cup, jointly hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, in consultation with its broadcasters.

Following recommendations from the ICC Cricket Committee and minor amendments from the Chief Executives' Committee (CEC), the ICC board here approved 13 recommendations relating to the use of DRS in Test matches and the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup.

'It was also agreed that DRS would be used in the ICC cricket World Cup 2011 if agreement can be reached with the ICC's broadcast partner ESPN STAR sports, the host members (Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka) and if there is sufficient technology available to operate DRS in a global event.'

'One of the decisions is that the host member would determine whether to use DRS in home Test series (following consultation with the visiting country),' ICC said in a statement Thursday.

ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said there was full agreement that technology would be used whenever possible.

'We have all seen the benefits of using DRS to assist umpires in Test cricket and we are now keen to use DRS in the ICC Cricket World Cup. We also acknowledge and we are grateful for the support provided by broadcasters and technology suppliers around the world during the development phase of DRS.'

The ICC also announced that the next Twenty20 World Cup will be held in Sri Lanka in 2012 while the 2014 edition of the event will be hosted by Bangladesh.

The ICC awarded the 2015 ODI World Cup jointly to Australia and New Zealand. The 2013 Women's World Cup and the Champions Trophy the same year will be hosted by India and England respectively.

Among other important decisions, the game's governing body said the number of participating teams in ODI World Cup could be reduced while it could be increased for the World Twenty20.

ICC gave a clean chit to Australian umpire Daryl Harper for makking erroneous decisions (DRS) in the Wanderers Test between South Africa and England in January.

'The preliminary findings of advocate Brent Lockie and ICC cricket committee chairman Clive Lloyd acknowledges that the technology failure at the time adversely impacted on the information received by the third umpire Daryl Harper while making his decision.'

'The ICC and the England and Wales Cricket Board agreed that the third umpire in the match, Harper, was entirely blameless due to this technical failure.'

A wide ranging discussion was held on ICC events programme post-2015; the frequency and format of ICC global events and qualification for those events and the introduction of Test and ODI leagues as a means of providing context to Test and ODI cricket and the principles of operating those leagues.

'Although we have made good progress, this exercise requires more work. We know there are exciting opportunities to protect and promote all three formats but we must exercise patience as we consider all aspects in introducing context and content in international cricket.'

'There is clearly an appetite from all quarters to examine the make-up of the ICC Cricket World Cup and the ICC World Twenty20 and seek the best balance between excellence and development. In terms of the number of participating teams, it is possible that the World Cup could be reduced and the World Twenty20 expanded.' Lorgat added.

The ICC board also approved the revised rules with minor amendments to be agreed relating to the detailed 'whereabouts' provision of the ICC anti-doping Code.

Source: Web Search

Kidnap case against Rana Naved and his brothers

Published Thu, Jul 01 10 10:08 PM

Karachi, July 1 (PTI) A lawyer today alleged that Pakistani cricketer Rana Naved''s brothers kidnapped and tortured him before dumping him at an isolated place because he refused to lend them his services. Rashid Mehmood, who hails from Sheikhupura, alleged that a dispute occurred with Rana''s brothers -- Ijaz, Abrar and Waseem -- when they sought his help for the cancellation of a Nikah. "Since I refused to support them, they and three other persons raided my office, kidnapped me and took me to the outhouse of Rana Naved where I was tortured and then dumped at an isolated place. "I am still getting threats from the Rana brothers over the case but I have filed a case with the police against them," the lawyer said. Rana is presently serving a 12-month ban and was ignored for the tour to England. His appeal against the PCB ban and a fine of two million rupees imposed on him in March is due to be heard by an Appeals Commissioner, next month.

Source: Web Search

We have resolved the whereabouts clause issue: ICC

Published Thu, Jul 01 10 09:52 PM

Singapore, July 1 (PTI) The International Cricket Council today claimed that it has resolved the contentious whereabout clause issue in its anti-doping Code but did not provide the details. The ICC said its Executive Board has approved the revised rules with some minor amendments and the ICC anti-doping code, which is in compliance with WADA Code, will now come into effect from August 1. "I am satisfied that we have now resolved the long outstanding issue of filing whereabouts information and the contribution of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in finding a solution needs to be acknowledged. This is a complex area for players and administrators," ICC CEO Haroon Lorgat said in a statement. The Indian cricketers had last year opposed the WADA whereabouts clause which demanded the athletes in the common testing pool to furnish details of their whereabouts three months in advance to the anti-doping authorities. The move was aimed to catch dop offenders through out of competition tests. Indian cricketers contended that it''s a violation of their fundamental right to privacy and poses a security threat and the BCCI has supported their stand. The ICC had then decided to suspend the clause until the concerns of the Indian players were sorted out.

Source: Web Search

Morgan rues Howard's rejection as vice presidential nominee

Published>Thu, Jul 01 10 09:38 PM

Melbourne, July 1 (IANS) David Morgan, who has just retired as the International Cricket Council (ICC) president Thursday rued the rejection of former Australian prime minister John Howard's nomination for the vice president's post.

Only England, Australia and New Zealand supported Howard, thus forcing the ICC to ask Cricket Australia (CA) and New Zealand Cricket(NZC) to withdraw the nomination.

Just over a month ago, Morgan and Indian Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, who Thursday replaced the Englishman, jointly urged the 10 voting members to honour the rotational policy.

'Once he (Pawar) had committed not only to support the process but support the candidature of Mr. Howard, I felt fairly confident,' Morgan told The Age.

'It's a matter of acute disappointment to me that I was unable to persuade the board to support the nomination of Mr. Howard. I think he would have been a very fine vice president and indeed president.'

Howard's rejection as ICC vice president has left cricket's governing in turmoil after CA and NZC, which floated Howard's nomination, were left seething in anger as the strong African and Asian block, including the Indian cricket board, opposed his candidature at the ICC executive board meeting Wednesday.

Australia and New Zealand have been given until the end of August to submit a new nominee, although this has been complicated by Howard's refusal to withdraw.

Source: Web Search

No of teams in T20 WC may be increased: ICC

Published Thu, Jul 01 10 09:22 PM

Singapore, July 1 (PTI) The International Cricket Council today said it may consider increasing the number of participating teams in the World Twenty20 while reducing the number in the 50-over World Cup. The working groups of the Chief Executive Committee and the Governance Review Committee, which met during the two-day ICC Executive Board meeting here, have discussed many a measures to revamp international cricket and have been asked to submit a final proposal in this regard in September. "Although we have made good progress, this exercise requires more work. We know there are exciting opportunities to protect and promote all three formats but we must exercise patience as we consider all aspects in introducing context and content in international cricket," ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said in an ICC statement. "There is clearly an appetite from all quarters to examine the make-up of the ICC Cricket World Cup and the ICC World Twenty20 and seek the best balance between excellence and development. In terms of the number of participating teams, it is possible that the World Cup could be reduced and the World Twenty20 expanded," he said. The ICC also announced that the next Twenty20 World Cup will be held in Sri Lanka in 2012 while the 2014 edition of the event will be hosted by Bangladesh. The ICC also awarded the 2013 Women''s World Cup and the Champions Trophy the same year to India and England respectively, apart from naming Australia and New Zealand as the joint hosts for the 50-over World Cup in 2015. Among other decisions, the game''s governing body also exonerated Australian umpire Daryl Harper for the faults he committed while officiating a South Africa-England Test at the Wanderers in January this year. "The preliminary findings of Advocate Brent Lockie and ICC Cricket Committee chairman Clive Lloyd acknowledges that the technology failure at the time adversely impacted on the information received by the third umpire Daryl Harper while making his decision. "The ICC and the England and Wales Cricket Board agreed that the third umpire in the match, Daryl Harper, was entirely blameless due to this technical failure," the statement said. The ICC also said that it was keen to continue with the Decision Review System and want it to be used in the 2011 World Cup in the sub-continent and also in Test matches. "I am encouraged by everyone''s ongoing willingness to improve the future application of DRS," Lorgat said.

Source: Web Search

Germans perfect in World Cup shootouts

Published>Thu, Jul 01 10 09:18 PM

Hamburg, July 1 (DPA) The World Cup quarter-final in South Africa between Germany and Argentina Saturday is a rematch of their last-eight clash in 2006, won by Germany on penalties.

The Germans have never lost a World Cup shootout. This is perhaps as it should be since penalty shootouts in football are a German invention.

The man credited with creating the penalty shootout 40 years ago is a former miner and football referee from Frankfurt named Karl Wald, who is now 94 years old.

'I always had the feeling I was right,' said Wald, who retired at 63. 'It's the only way to get a true sporting result. Everything else wasn't really a solution.'

Until Wald came up with the idea of a shootout, matches still tied after extra time were mostly decided by flipping a coin or drawing lots.

At least one victim of the old rules, German ex-national squad member Hannes Loehr, agrees with Wald absolutely.

'It didn't have anything to do with football anymore - it was a lottery, pure and simple,' recalled Loehr, referring to the legendary European Cup quarter-final in 1965 between his FC Cologne and Liverpool.

Both of the home/away legs ended 0-0, and a playoff on neutral soil was knotted 2-2 after extra time. So the referee flipped a coin, which landed upright on the muddy pitch. A second flip gave the victory to Liverpool.

Wald, who received his referee's licence in 1936 and officiated more than 1,000 matches in 40 years, met with resistance to his idea at first. Bavarian Football Association leaders nixed it when he put it forward in 1970.

They agreed only after the majority of the association's delegates said that they were in favour. The German Football Association (DFB) followed suit soon afterward, then the European association UEFA, and finally, in 1976, by the world controlling body FIFA.

The rest is history - and history yet to be made.

The first major tournament to be decided on penalties was the 1976 European Championship, when Germany lost to Czechoslovakia.

The first World Cup match that ended in a shootout was in 1982 in Spain, and again Germany were involved. This time the Germans won, beating France in the semi-final.

Germany also won penalty shootouts in the 1990 World Cup in Italy and the 1996 European Championship, both times against England.

The only time that a World Cup final has been decided by penalties was in 1994 in the United States, when Brazil outshot Italy.

The late actor Peter Ustinov once described the penalty shootout thus: 'A shootout is as if a great war is not decided by great tactics developed around a boardroom table, but by a bunch of chosen privates playing Russian Roulette.'

Source: Web Search

IOA does what is good for the sports: Randhir Singh

Published>Thu, Jul 01 10 08:48 PM

New Delhi, July 1 (ANI): The Secretary General of Indian Olympic Association (IOA), Randhir Singh, on Thursday said the organisation is committed to proper governance of sports bodies and is doing all good for the sports in the country.

"We had a very good meeting. We put forward our case and then the IOC came forward and explained the autonomy of Olympic as well as the Olympic charter," said Singh talking about the recent meeting held at Lausanne between International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Body, the representatives of IOA and members of Indian Sports Ministry to resolve the Central Government's directives on the tenure of heads of various sports bodies.

"We should work together. A lot of issues were raised in the meetings on good governance. We ourselves are doing what is necessary for good governance," he added.

Singh also mentioned about certain modifications, which the IOC will bring in the charter of various sports bodies.

"Changes that are coming in, there are emphasis have been made by the IOC on the autonomy of the national federations in line with the international federations. All these things are coming in and there are new laws that are coming in by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), which we are incorporating," he added.

The outcome of the Lausanne meet, involving the IOC, the IOA, the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) and a representative of the Sports Ministry was that the autonomy of sports would be respected in tune with the fundamental principles of the Olympic Charter, which will be upheld. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Eusebio picks Villa and Higuain

Published>Thu, Jul 01 10 08:38 PM

Johannesburg, July 1 (IANS) Portugal great Eusebio feels that David Villa or Gonzalo Higuain could be the top scorer in the World Cup while German legend Gerd Mueller voted for his compatriot Thomas Mueller.

Eusebio, who was born in Mozambique, feels that Argentina's Higuian and Spaniard Villa, who are joint top scorers with Slovakia's Robert Vittek with four goals each.

'The stand-out strikers for me who have been doing well for their teams are Gonzalo Higuain (of Argentina) and David Villa (of Spain). Maradona is actually the luckiest coach in this World Cup, looking at the Argentine strikers he has at his disposal. But my favourite to win this tournament is Brazil,' Eusebio said Thursday during a press conference themed 'Adidas Golden Boot Day' in Sandton.

The 68-year-old Benfica striker played for Portugal between 1961 and 1973, scoring 41 goals in 64 appearances and had won the Golden boot in 1966 World Cup in England with nine goals.

With Slovakia out of the tournament, Vittek will not be able to add to his tally and Eusebio feels that 'it's going to be a close shave between these (Villa and Huguain) two.'

Eusebio, however, predicted that Argentina's Lionel Messi would be remembered as the best player of the tournament.

German great Mueller has not only tipped Bayern Munich's 20-year-old attacking midfielder Thomas to be the top scorer but also as his successor. Thomas has scored three goals so far.

'He's a good player. At 18, he was already in the squad. He's a very valuable player. On top of that, he's a very decent person, a good person and that's important, too,' said Mueller, who won the Golden Boot award in the 1970 World Cup.

Meanwhile, Eusebio defended Brazil midfielder Kaka, who was sent of harshly in the pre-quarterfinal match against Chile.

'It looks as though the technical players like him (Kaka) are being unnecessarily punished. I know Kaka very well, he is truly professional and I think for Kaka to receive those cards he was provoked by the other players if you were watching those matches closely, and what I think is that the linesmen have been falling asleep in this tournament,' said Eusebio, who was nicknamed Black Panther during his heydays.

Eusebio feels that Kaka is playing to his full potential and was extremely disappointed that Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo didn't live up to expectations.

'I'm not going to condemn Ronaldo or any of them for performing poorly. It happens that players don't always perform the way we expect, but it happened in my time and it will continue to happen,' he said.

Source: Web Search

ICAR scientists hail Saina Nehwal's achievements

Published>Thu, Jul 01 10 08:18 PM

New Delhi, July 1 (ANI): The scientists of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) felicitated ace shuttler Saina Nehwal here on Thursday for winning the third Super Series title in a row.

Presently ranked third in the world, Nehwal registered a thumping victory in Indonesian Open final on June 27.

Applauding her achievements, the entire fraternity of ICAR converged to host a grand reception for Saina Nehwal, who incidentally has been offered to be the brand ambassador of this prime institution.

In response, she expressed her gratitude to ICAR, which she termed as a part of her family since her father is an agriculture scientist.

"I never expected such kind of reception. It's such an honour for me. I am really happy to be here and I must say that the campus of ICAR is really beautiful. It is like a family to me," said Nehwal.

"I am accepting the honour of being brand ambassador of ICAR. I am really a small person for such a grand honour as these organizations have brilliant people to become brand ambassador of ICAR," she added.

Nehwal further said that it was hard work supplemented by her parents' support that had enabled her to reach the top. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Maradona asks Schweinsteiger if he is nervous

Published>Thu, Jul 01 10 07:58 PM

Argentina's coach Diego Maradona has responded to a verbal offensive from their World Cup quarter-final opponents Germany by asking: "What's the matter with you, Schweinsteiger, are you nervous?"

Germany midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger began the war of words on Wednesday when he called the Argentines "disrespectful" and said they tried to influence the referee.

German captain Philipp Lahm added fuel to the fire ahead of the hugely-anticipated match in Cape Town on Saturday (1400 GMT) by saying Argentina did not know how to deal with defeat, saying South Americans were "impulsive and temperamental".

"We don't have time to think about Schweinsteiger," Maradona told Fox Sports Argentina in an interview.

"The players are thinking about going onto the pitch, in getting their revenge," he said referring to Argentina's defeat by Germany on penalties in their 2006 quarter-final in Berlin.

After Germany had won the shootout, fighting broke out among some of the players and team officials after Argentines thought the Germans were mocking them.

"I'm not worried about what they say about the penalties, the kicks. We're going to go and beat them in their half," Maradona said.

TIGHT GAME

In a news conference, Argentina's reserve midfielder Javier Pastore refused to be drawn on the issue and talked instead about the March 3 friendly when Argentina beat Germany 1-0 in Munich.

"It was a tight game with few chances in which Argentina were able to cover well the spaces they (Germans) occupied," he told Wednesday evening's news conference at the Argentina camp.

"I don't think (Saturday's match) will be the same because of the circumstances, we are in the World Cup quarter-finals," said the 21-year-old, who was on the bench in Munich.

"Surely it will be a bit more open and there will be more goal chances," added the skilful Pastore who came on late to add punch to the attack in Argentina's last two matches and showed a fine understanding with Lionel Messi.

"We must keep the ball and wait for the right moment to attack because goal situations will come, playing well or not, because of the quality of players we have."

For the massed ranks of reporters, the appearance of Pastore - and not the likes of Messi, Carlos Tevez or Juan Sebastian Veron - was something of a disappointment as Argentina have gone numerically through their squad in twos to meet the media.

Pastore wears the number 23 shirt and was at the news conference with third choice goalkeeper Diego Pozo, who wears the number one.

Reporters, particularly from Germany, consoled themselves that on Thursday evening they would be able to pop questions at number two, central defender Martin Demichelis who plays his club football for Bayern Munich and knows the German players.

Source: Web Search

'Vuvuzela set to replace 'wooden giraffe' as South Africa's new tourist symbol'

Published>Thu, Jul 01 10 07:22 PM

Johannesburg, July 1(ANI): A South African trend analyst has said that after the success of the vuvuzela in the World Cup, it is set to replace the wooden giraffe as the tourist symbol of the country.

"One thing is for sure and that is that the vuvuzela has replaced the wooden giraffe as the tourist symbol of the country," Sport24 quoted Dion Chang, the founder of the Flux Trends, as saying.

Chang however warned that the bright yellow mood in the country, epitomised by the Bafana shirts, might not last forever.

"Every host nation or country goes into major depression after events like this. South Africa was in a very ugly place politically and socially before the tournament," Chang said.

"A lot of it was swept under the carpet. Hopefully we can draw on the positive mood to circumnavigate that," he added.

Meanwhile, a local designer believes that through the World Cup and through the use of yellow and bright colours, South Africa is basking in its international reputation as "a sunshine country".

"The one thing that stands out about this World Cup is the predominant use of colour," Gavin Rajah said. Colour is everywhere. I think that in the coming year the yellow inspired by Bafana Bafana will be a big trend for fashion collections," he added.

He further said that though the World Cup is being hosted over winter, the event has shown that Africans were "irreverent" to seasons in their approach to colour.It's very nice to see the use of colour and people embracing that. In sunny countries people tend to be happier. There is a sense of celebration and festivity in the use of colour," Rajah said.

"People will remember the bright colours and the mood of celebration when they think of South Africa. That will be a big attraction in the future," he added. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Brazil still haunted by Pele's 1970 world beaters

Published>Thu, Jul 01 10 07:18 PM

Brazil's 1970 World Cup-winners have a lot to answer for at least as far as the country's subsequent national team coaches are concerned.

The Pele-inspired side played some of the best football the finals have seen on their way to Brazil's third world title, culminating in an irresistible 4-1 win over Italy in the final.

But the fallout has hit coach Mario Zagallo successors. Since then, Brazil have been expected not just to win the World Cup but to do it in style, an often exasperating situation.

Even now, when improved physical preparation and tactics make it almost impossible to repeat the 1970 way of playing, the debate rages on.

Carlos Alberto Parreira, coach of the 1994 team which won the next of Brazil's five titles, was jeered by Brazilian fans in the crowd before the final against Italy because his team had been found guilty of playing without style.

Dunga, the latest incumbent, views the whole discussion as a European plot to stop Brazil claiming a sixth world title.

"If we're going to start up that debate again over playing pretty football, we'll probably go another 24 years without winning (the World Cup) which is what the others want," he said at one point.

"The Europeans will be having a party and we will end up suffering."

Dunga is feeling the effects of Brazilian football's identity crisis first-hand.

In just under four years in charge, his team have won the Copa America and Confederations Cup as well as finishing top of the South American World Cup qualifying tournament. They have won 41 out of 58 matches and lost only five.

None of that, however, has been good enough to save him from some savage criticism about his team's pragmatic but ruthlessly efficient style.

DEFENSIVE OPPONENTS

Dunga has argued it is impossible to play what the Brazilian media refer to as "futebol-arte" (artful football) or "Jogo Bonito" (the Beautiful Game) when other teams simply shut up shop and pack their defence.

"When you play opponents who close ranks, you have to speed up the game, you misplace passes, you have to be persistent, it's not easy to play against that sort of team," he said after his side laboured to a 2-1 win over North Korea in their opener.

Asked about the huge expectations, he complained: "We always have to win but, even when we win, they (the fans) are not happy because we didn't put on a show. If we put on a show, they are not happy because we didn't score six or seven goals.

"If we score six or seven goals, then they say that the opposition was no good."

Dunga even believes the 1970 team has been flattered by television, saying: "When they show highlights from 1970, all you see are the good parts.

"If we take the current Brazilian team and just show the best bits, fans will think it's a spectacular team. But today, they show as many negative moments as good ones."

In any case, the Brazilian public's love of seeing their team play with style only goes so deep. When they won the 1994 and 2002 World Cups, there were huge parties even though neither team reached the heights of 1970.

When a stylish team failed to win in 1982, coach Tele Santana and his players were vilified.

Source: Web Search

Tour de France riders braced for cobbles freak show

Published>Thu, Jul 01 10 06:58 PM

Several Tour de France riders fear the 213 kms third stage from Wanze to Arenberg-Porte du Hainaut on Tuesday featuring 13.15 kms of cobblestone sections could degenerate into a freak show.

"The Tour de France is already a spectacle, do we need to add this? It can be dangerous," German Jens Voigt, riding in his 13th Tour, told Reuters shortly after returning from a training ride around Rotterdam.

Other riders and directors on the three-week 3,642 kms race agreed the cobblestones could lead to chaos and prematurely end the hopes of at least one of the favourites.

"Someone will lose the race that day, I just don't know who it's going to be. It could be Lance (Armstrong), could be (Alberto) Contador, could be (Andy) Schleck," Garmin Transitions manager Jonathan Vaughters told reporters at his team's hotel on Friday.

Twice champion Contador, the overwhelming favourite, first rode on cobbles this season. "Going.To.Be.Carnage," seven-times champion Lance Armstrong wrote on his Twitter feed.

"There are 10 or 12 genuine (overall) contenders," said Garmin Transitions sports director Matt White.

"I reckon on Tuesday you might be able to cut that list down to four guys, and I'm being optimistic.

"You're not racing against Contador that day. It's the cobbles, it will be a big free-for-all. There's 20 different scenarios that can happen that day and you've got to be able to react to them."

The last kilometres leading to the cobbled sections of the stage are likely to be ridden at full speed as riders will want to secure a place by the front of the peloton to avoid crashes.

"The approach to the first section of cobbles, it will be full speed, I imagine there will be a crash, there will be a bottleneck," said Vaughters.

"The key is positioning going into that first section. If you're positioned well and you've missed the massive pile-up."

Source: Web Search

Beckham played peacemaker to calm tempers among England players

Published>Thu, Jul 01 10 06:38 PM

London, Jul 1 (ANI): Ace midfielder David Beckham stepped in to defuse a crisis in the England team that was creating camp among players during the World Cup.

e belief is that players were divided by a feud between Steven Gerrard and his pal Jamie Carragher on one side and Chelsea skipper John Terry on the other.

The Liverpool pair were incensed that Terry had spoken about problems within the team and also that he had tried to arrange all the players into a huddle on the pitch after the Slovenia victory.

They saw that as a direct challenge to Gerrard's captaincy and tensions threatened to spiral out of control, The Sun reports.

Beckham was brought in as a peacemaker to calm the whole situation. He acted as a go-between and successfully cooled the potentially damaging dispute.

A Three Lions source said: "There was a lot of tension between Stevie G and JT and it couldn't be allowed to fester. So Becks stepped in to act as a peacemaker. He spoke with both and sorted it all out."

"He helped clear the air between them and stopped the matter deteriorating further. But who knows whether it will all flare up again now we have crashed out of the World Cup," he added. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

I have to do what my wife wants, says Boris Becker

Published>Thu, Jul 01 10 06:22 PM

London, July 1 (ANI): Boris Becker says his wife Lilly Kerssenberg insists on having a larger family.

Although the former tennis ace is already dad to four children by the various women he has had in his life, he is not averse to the idea of parenting another child.

"I think my wife wants at least one more and I have to do what my wife wants," The Telegraph quoted Becker, as saying at a party at Morton's to mark the 25th anniversary of his becoming the youngest men's singles winner at Wimbledon. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Three Lions star Cole getting death threats

Published>Thu, Jul 01 10 06:18 PM

London, July 1 (ANI): Three Lions star and love-rat Ashley Cole has become an even bigger hate figure after he posted the treacherous text message slamming his own countrymen.

Furious fans who stood by the love-rat defender through his divorce from Cheryl Cole have responded by saying: "If you hate it so much here then f*** off somewhere else."

Others are so angry with Cole they even claimed they want to kill him.

Thousands of supporters across England have vowed to make the mega-bucks Chelsea star's life hell if he stays in the Premier League.

But they are unlikely to get the chance as Cole, 29, is said to be on the verge of making a 25-million-pound move to Spanish giants Real Madrid, where he will hook up with former Blues boss Jose Mourinho, 47. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

I'll score goal for Noel Gallagher: Messi

Published>Thu, Jul 01 10 06:08 PM

London, July 01 (ANI): Argentine footballer Lionel Messi has said that he will strike a goal against Germany for 'Oasis' band's guitarist Noel Gallagher.

Messi has promised that he will beat Germany for the sake of his favourite band 'Oasis' and 43-year-old Gallagher. "If they love England as much as they do Manchester City, you can tell them from me I will do everything I can to defeat the team who knocked their beloved England out of the Cup," Messi said. Messi has been listening to tracks of the band 'Oasis' on his iPod before games in South Africa, reports The Sun.The 23-year-old forward would like to meet the Gallagher brothers after the World Cup. "Maybe we can all watch a game at Manchester City," Messi said. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Wenger criticizes England's failure

Published>Thu, Jul 01 10 05:38 PM

London, July 1 (ANI): Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has issued a derogatory ruling on England's World Cup campaign, asserting that England were impatient and that they could have easily controlled their game.

The Arsenal manager believes that England could still have got back into their last 16 defeat to Germany - if they had not recklessly chased the game, the Sun reports.

"England were impatient. They came back to 2-1 and they controlled the game. What made me sad was that, with the experience they had, they were caught. It was free-kick for England, goal for Germany," said Wenger.

"They had taken over the game and I think they were killed by their impatience. You do what they did with five minutes to go but not with 25 minutes left," he added. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

England footballers on holidaying spree after shameful WC exit

Published>Thu, Jul 01 10 05:18 PM

London, Jul 1 (ANI): England mega rich footballers went on holidays after their shameful exit from the World Cup, leaving a seething nation behind.

Ace playmaker Frank Lampard was all smiles as he whisked his girlfriend Christine Bleakley to Sardinia. The Chelsea midfielder laughed and joked as cousin Jamie Redknapp and the former player's ex-pop star wife Louise joined them.

Goalkeeper Rob Green was preparing for a bit of rest and relaxation in Los Angeles.

And Alex Curran, the other half of catastrophic Steven Gerrard, had her hair done ahead of her summer getaway with the Liverpool player.

The Three Lions fans across the country were more saddened by yesterday's photo of the multi-millionaire players relaxing with beers and a cigar after their humiliating World Cup exit, The Sun reports.

Rooney, wife Coleen and eight-month-old son Kai flew out of Manchester airport on first-class British Airways tickets.

Their destination was the Man U striker's newly built five million pound villa on Barbados. Rooney booked the break two days before England crashed out 4-1 to Germany.

Meanwhile, England fans flooded the paper's our website to vent their feelings about the cigar, the beers and the holidays.

A reader dubbed Sinkaspud ranted: "That's it boys, you live it up. At least you got something out of the World Cup, a nice pay day!"

Sacto blasted: "Imagine if these role models said they were making donations to underprivileged kids in South Africa. What a difference that would make to their image. Instead they're off on holiday with their WAGs indulging themselves as a reward for their pitiful performance." (ANI)

Source: Web Search

ICC to encourage resumption of Indo-Pak series: Pawar

Published Thu, Jul 01 10 05:08 PM

Singapore, Jul 1 (PTI) Barely hours after taking over as the ICC president, Sharad Pawar today said the game''s apex body would try to encourage the resumption of Indo-Pak bilateral series if there is government clearance from both sides. "Recent Home Minister and Foreign secretary''s visit to Pakistan is a welcome sign. If India and Pakistan start playing and it influences the bilateral relations of the two countries and also if both the governments permit, we will be happy to encourage," Pawar said. Former BCCI President Pawar, who is also a serving union minister in the Indian government, begins a two-year term as ICC President after taking over from David Morgan today. The 69-year-old Pawar hoped the process to improve the relations between the two neighbouring countries will help to foster cricketing ties too. "ICC wants India and Pakistan to continue their bilateral series. But ICC had not taken the initiative to stop that. It was because of some unforseen circumstances that both the countries had decided to stop it. But now that the process to improve relations between the countries is on, it will give some dividends to cricket too," Pawar told CNN-IBN. The cricketing ties between India and Pakistan were stalled after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack in 2008.

Source: Web Search

Big names fail as AAI picks 24 probables for CWG

Published Thu, Jul 01 10 04:58 PM

Kolkata, July 1 (PTI) Asian individual compound champion Isaiah Rajendra Sanam, Chungda Sherpa and Olympian Vardhineni Pranitha (recurve) have failed to make the 24-member probables for the upcoming Commonwealth Games to be held in New Delhi from October 3-14. In their selection trials held recently here, youngsters Atanu Das (men''s recurve), cadet world champion Deepika Mahato (women''s recurve), Ritul Chatterjee and Ch Jignas (both men''s compound) and Gagandeep Kaur and Vrushali Gorle (both women''s compound) have qualified, edging out the big names. The four-day selection trial was attended by 12 top archers in each category, while six made the cut in every section. The final team in each category will be of three each with the remaing three kept in reserve. All the international competitions from now onwards, excepting the third Asian Grand Prix at Chinese Taipei, will be selected from a short-list of 24, according to information received from the AAI. In the trials, Steel Plant Sports Board''s Pranitha finished ninth overall, Andhra Pradesh''s Sanam lost to Jayantilal Nanoma in the tie-breaker and ended seventh, while Sherpa of the Services was ninth. The probables Men, Recurve: 1 Tarundeep Rai (77 pts), 2 Mangal Singh Champia (76 pts), 3 Jayanta Talukdar (73 pts), 4 Rahul Banerjee (62 pts), 5 Kapil Singh (59 pts) and 6 Atanu Das (56 pts). Compound: 1 C Srither (85 pts), 2 Kh Ratan Singh (68 pts), 3 Ritul Chatterjee (61 pts), 4 Ch Jignas (60 pts), 5 M Chinglensana (58 pts) and 6 Jayantilal Nanoma (57 pts). Women, Recurve: 1 Dola Banerjee (86 pts), 2 Laishram Bombayla Devi (84 pts), 3 Deepika Kumari (63 pts), 4 Chekrovolu Swuro (61 pts), 5 Rimil Buriuly (57 pts) and 6 Sushma Arya (49 pts). Compound: 1 Jhano Hansdah (76 pts), 2 Bheigyabati Chanu (69 pts), 3 Sakro Besra (68 pts), 4 Gagandeep Kaur (67 pts), 5 Manjudha Soy (65 pts) and 6 Vrushali Gorle (57 pts). PTI TAP MD SHN

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Saina aiming to be No. 1 this year

Published>Thu, Jul 01 10 04:48 PM

Way ahead of the targets she set for 2010, Indian badminton ace Saina Nehwal on Thursday said she is now aiming to be the world number one by the end of this year.

"I wanted to be in the top-five bracket by this year end. But I have already reached the number three ranking. I reached my targets very fast in my career. So number one is also not far. I would love to reach there by this year end," Saina said on the sidelines of a felicitation function by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) here.

"This year my aim is to do well in the World Championships, Commonwealth Games and also the Asian Games. I have to put in a lot of hard work and I am confident of doing well," she added.

Saina won a hat-trick of titles -- the Indian Open Grand Prix Gold and the Singapore Open Super Series before defending the Indonesian Open Super Series in Jakarta recently - but the 20-year-old said she would not let success go to her head.

"It was not easy winning 15 matches on the trot but I did it and I am happy to get all this media attention but I will not allow success to go to my head and will stay focused," Saina said.

The Hyderabadi dreams of winning the Olympic Gold and she will go for it in the 2012 London Games.

"My dad wanted me to be a doctor but I chose badminton. He told me 'do whatever you want but give your 100 per cent.' In 2008, he wanted me to win an Olympic medal but I couldn't. It's a dream to win that in 2012," she said.

Saina credited her success to her parents.

"I am proud of my parents. They never compromised on my racquet or shuttles, which are so expensive. I never realised their sacrifices then, now I know about the loans that my father used to take so that I could pursue badminton," she said.

"My mother is very strong. She always used to tell me that I should think I am Roger Federer of badminton and never be afraid and it has helped me a lot in my career. I never get bogged down by the ranking of my opponent," she added.

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Tiger Woods quizzed in Canadian doctor 'human growth hormone' investigation

Published>Thu, Jul 01 10 04:38 PM

New York, July 1(ANI): American golfer Tiger Woods has been interviewed by authorities investigating a Canadian doctor accused of distributing human growth hormone.

Woods had earlier said that he had been treated by Toronto-based Dr. Anthony Galea, but insisted that he did not receive any performance-enhancing drugs.

"Tiger willingly spoke to the authorities and cooperated fully," Sport24 quoted Mark Steinberg, Woods' agent, as saying.

"It was confirmed that because he did nothing illegal, he is not the subject of any criminal investigation. Because there is an ongoing investigation involving others, there will be no further comment," he added.

Earlier, in October last year, Canadian authorities had charged Galea with selling Actovegin, conspiracy to import an unapproved drug, conspiracy to export a drug and smuggling.

In May, a US criminal complaint charged Galea with conspiracy, smuggling, distributing human growth hormone and introducing an unapproved drug into interstate commerce.

If convicted of the US smuggling charge, Galea could face up to 20 years in prison. The other charges carry maximum sentences of three and five years. (ANI)

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Howard's rejection leaves ICC divided

Published>Thu, Jul 01 10 04:28 PM

Singapore/Melbourne, July 1 (IANS) On the day when Sharad Pawar took over as the president of International Cricket Council (ICC), the game's governing body was clearly divided in two blocks following the rejection of former Australian prime minister John Howard's nomination for the vice president's post.

Cricket Australia (CA) and New Zealand Cricket (NZC) which floated Howard's nomination were left seething in anger as the strong Afro-Asian block, including the Indian cricket board, opposed the candidature at the ICC executive board meeting Wednesday.

Howard is adamant and said he won't withdraw his nomination.

'I won't be withdrawing,' Sky News quoted Howard as saying on Thursday.

Not mincing words, CA chairman Jack Clarke said he felt 'gutted and incredibly disappointed'.

'If you keep having processes that don't work, or are not allowed to work, I am not too sure where they go from there. John wasn't putting his hand up for this job, he was asked by us,' added Clarke.

Clarke said both Australia and New Zealand were 'frustrated and deeply disappointed'.

'What the genesis ... was, we don't know, that is one of the frustrating things apart from not having any reasons.'

'You hope it doesn't affect the relationship but it obviously puts a block there for a while and makes you wary.'

Although Clarke did not blame India for Howard's rejection, he reasoned the country's financial clout in the ICC guided the outcome.

'In any business model where a company has 75 per cent of the income, it's not an ideal model,' he said. 'But that is not India's fault ... it's a powerful bloc but it's a reality of life,' Fox Sports quoted Clarke as saying.

New Zealand Cricket chairman Alan Isaac found the rejection of Howard's nomination unacceptable. 'We have been unable to get a reason for the lack of support for our nomination and it's just not acceptable,' Isaac said.

Had Howard been elected, he would have succeeded Pawar as ICC President in 2012.

Pawar, who took over as ICC president from David Morgan Thursday, had openly backed Howard for the job but the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) backtracked, rejecting Howard's candidature.

Pawar's overwhelming support in BCCI has waned after his support of Lalit Modi during the Indian Premier League controversy, and with the latest row over Howard, the veteran politican will have much in hand during his tenure.

The ICC has asked Australia and New Zealand to nominate a new candidate by the end of August.

Should CA and NZC decide to admit defeat on Howard, it is likely that former NZC and ICC administrator John Anderson would be sought again, having lost out to the former Australian prime minister in a selection process that was hotly-debated by the two countries.

Former ICC CEO Malcolm Speed said Howard was rejected because of his opposition to Robert Mugabe's regime in Zimbabwe.

'Rest assured, he (Howard) was not rejected because of his lack of experience as a cricket administrator, his strong opposition to Robert Mugabe's disastrous regime in Zimbabwe or his outspoken views about Muttiah Muralitharan's controversial bowling action. There is more to it than that,' Speed said in his column in the Sydney Morning Herald.

Speed also alleged Pawar knows little about cricket administration.

'The man who is to be the next ICC president, Sharad Pawar, is the Minister for Agriculture in the Indian government - a serious full-time job, feeding 1.2 billion people. He is a good and fair man but he will be working part-time as ICC president and, take it from me, he knows little about cricket administration,' Speed said.

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Hodgson named as new Liverpool manager

Published>Thu, Jul 01 10 04:18 PM

Roy Hodgson was tasked with reviving Liverpool's flagging fortunes on Thursday when the much-travelled 62-year-old was confirmed as the club's new manager after resigning from Fulham.

The 18-times English champions, who parted company with Spaniard Rafael Benitez in June, said Hodgson had agreed a three-year contract.

Vastly experienced, Hodgson takes over after a woeful season for the Anfield club, who finished seventh and missed out on qualifying for the lucrative Champions League.

"This is the biggest job in club football and I'm honoured to be taking on the role of manager of Britain's most successful football club," Hodgson told Liverpool's website.

"I look forward to meeting the players and the supporters and getting down to work at Melwood."

Hodgson, whose name has been linked to the England job since their recent World Cup flop, becomes Liverpool's 18th manager and the first Englishman to hold the post since Roy Evans left in 1998.

Benitez, who spent six years in charge and won the Champions League in 2005, followed Frenchman Gerard Houllier into the hot seat. His final season in charge was overshadowed by poor form and the club's mounting debts.

London-born Hodgson has gained a reputation as an astute tactician after an odyssey that has taken in 12 clubs in six countries during his 34-year coaching career.

As well as spells in club football in Sweden, where he won five league titles with Malmo, Denmark and Norway, Hodgson, who is fluent in several languages, also managed the Switzerland national side, qualifying them for 1996 European Championships.

MANAGER OF THE YEAR

Last season Hodgson was named Manager of the Year in England after leading modest English club Fulham to the Europa League final in which they were beaten by Atletico Madrid.

"Fulham confirm that at 9.20am this morning, Roy Hodgson resigned from his position of first team manager, effective immediately," Fulham said in a statement.

"The club would like to wish Roy the very best for the future and thanks him for all that was achieved during his tenure. Ray Lewington will take temporary charge of team matters, until a successor is announced in due course."

Hodgson's biggest job in football previously was as coach of Inter Milan from 1995 to 1997, taking the Italian side to third in Serie A and to the UEFA Cup final.

A short spell in the Premier League with Blackburn Rovers followed but he was sacked in 1998 before returning briefly in caretaker role to Inter.

Hodgson returned to English football in 2007 and saved Fulham from relegation on the final day of the season before guiding them to a seventh-placed finish the year after and into European football.

Hodgson's immediate priority at Liverpool will be to hold on to the club's marquee players, namely England captain Steven Gerrard and Spain striker Fernando Torres, despite estimated debts of 350 million pounds.

Gerrard backed Hodgson's appointment.

Speaking on Liverpoolfc.tv, he said: "He's the right man for LFC. The club have made a good appointment in Roy Hodgson.

"Rafa left a few weeks ago and I know the club were determined to take their time and get the right man for the job.

"Roy is hugely experienced and I believe he is the right man for Liverpool. I think it's been worth the wait and I'm sure he's just keen now to get on with it and start to quickly put in place his plans for the new season."

The club was officially put up for sale by American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett near the end of last season.

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Milind Rege appointed World Cup tournament manager

Published Thu, Jul 01 10 03:52 PM

Mumbai, July 1 (PTI) Former Mumbai Ranji Trophy captain Milind Rege has been appointed as the 2011 World Cup tournament manager, it was learned today. "He would be the World Cup tournament manager to oversee the readiness of all eight venues (in India) to conduct these matches like preparing the dressing rooms, the umpires'' rooms etc," according to Cricket Board sources. The appointment is till the conclusion of the mega event to be held in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh from February 19-April 2, the sources added. Mumbai, Mohali, Nagpur, Kolkata, Bangalore, Chennai, Ahmedabad and Delhi are the Indian centres to host Cup ties. Rege is also a managing committee member of the MCA and had recently retired from full time service with the Tatas. Prof Ratnakar Shetty, the BCCI CAO, is the overall tournament director, while Suru Nayak is the host country''s (India) tournament director.

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Sheila Dikshit briefs Manmohan Singh on preparations for Commonwealth Games

Published>Thu, Jul 01 10 03:38 PM

New Delhi, July 1 (ANI): Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit met Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on Thursday and briefed him about the preparations for the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

"I just updated the Prime Minister about the preparations for the Commonwealth Games," said Dikshit on the sidelines of a function here today.

She said she also discussed the difficulties being faced by the Delhi Government, while preparing for the mega event.

Earlier on Wednesday, Dikshit had assigned specific tasks to her Cabinet colleagues to monitor the works and ensure their timely completion.

Besides directing the Ministers to give a weekly status report to her on progress of the work, she also directed the civic agencies Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) to remove garbage and construction material at the earliest from all construction sites before onset of monsoon as they could block the drains.

India is expecting two million tourists in New Delhi for the Games, as well as about 10,000 athletes from 71 teams representing 54 Commonwealth member states.

Construction delays have raised fears that the venues for the Commonwealth Games may not be ready on time, potentially embarrassing host India, which hopes the Games would showcase its rising economic power. (ANI)

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