Tendulkar has been in form longer than some of our guys have been alive: Vettori

Published>Tue, Nov 02 10 12:22 PM

Ahmedabad, Nov 2(ANI): New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori has identified Indian batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar as the biggest challenge awaiting his team during the Test series in India.

Tendulkar, who has been in stunning form this year, is one century shy of becoming the first player in history to score 50 Test hundreds.

"He has been in form longer than some of our guys have been alive," Stuff.co.nz quoted Vettori, as saying.

New Zealand coach Mark Greatbatch also pointed out Tendulkar as a huge threat, and recalled playing against him when the right-handed batsman was a teenager in 1989.

"I think he played his second test against me. It's amazing. I am looking forward to watching him bat for about half an hour before getting caught at point," Greatbatch said.

Tendulkar had raced to his 49th Test century in the recent Bangalore Test against Australia, making him the first Indian to score six centuries in a calendar year.

During the innings, the 37-year-old had also achieved the milestone of becoming the first batsman to score 14,000 runs in Test cricket. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Americain wins Melbourne Cup for France

Published>Tue, Nov 02 10 12:18 PM

French raider Americain overhauled fading favourite So You Think up the home straight to win the $6 million Melbourne Cup at a rain-soaked Flemington racecourse on Tuesday.

Gerald Mosse kept a patient hold on his six-year-old mount before unleashing a devastating sprint to hit the front 100 metres from home to win by more than two lengths from Maluckyday, becoming the first French jockey to win the marquee handicap.

"This job is so easy when you're in the best race on the best horse," a delighted Mosse told reporters.

The heavily backed So You Think, who was hoping to give Australian champion trainer Bart Cummings a 13th Melbourne Cup triumph, had stormed to the front 250 metres from the end of the 3,200m race but just failed to stay and finished third.

"I bided my time and saw a gap and let him go," Mosse added. "He was very, very strong over the last 250 metres and I knew I was going to catch him (So You Think)."

Americain may be American-bred and trained in France by Alain de Royer-Dupre but it will be Australian owners celebrating on Tuesday night.

"It's a dream come true. I will have to keep pinching myself," co-owner Gerry Ryan said.

"We sat down five years ago and said let's try and find a runner for the Cup and our third time was lucky."

Despite the wet weather, more than 100,000 people packed the course for the 150th running of Australia's best known and richest race.

Source: Web Search

Bereaved Ponting to skip opening ODI against Lanka

Tue, Nov 02 10 12:08 PM

Melbourne, Nov 2 (PTI) The struggling Australian cricket team would have to do without skipper Ricky Ponting in the first ODI against Sri Lanka here tomorrow as he has decided to skip the match to attend his grandmother''s funeral. The Aussies lost a Test and ODI series against India last month before being defeated in the one-off Twenty20 match against the Lankans on Sunday. Ponting will miss the opening one-day international at the MCG to attend his grandmother''s funeral in his home town of Launceston. His grandmother died last weekend. "I will be flying out tomorrow morning to attend the funeral and then flying straight back to the ground tomorrow afternoon," Ponting was quoted as saying by ''The Australian Associated Press''. "I wanted to be here yesterday and today to maximise my time around the team and get my preparation right for the coming games." Michael Clarke will lead the team in Ponting''s absence. PTI PM

Source: Published>

Razzaq's match-winning innings could be 'turning point' for Pak team: Alam

Published>Tue, Nov 02 10 11:44 AM

Abu Dhabi, Nov 2(ANI): Pakistan team manager Intikhab Alam believes that all-rounder Abdul Razzaq's match-winning century against South Africa in the second ODI will lift the team's morale in the lead up to next year's World Cup.

Razzaq had played an innings of sheer class on Sunday to lead Pakistan to a morale-boosting one-wicket win at Abu Dhabi's Zayed Cricket Stadium.

The 30-year-old scored an unbeaten 109 off 72 balls, as Pakistan reached 289 for nine with one ball left in reply to South Africa's 286 for eight.

"This could be the turning point for our team. Things haven't gone well for us in the recent past, but I'm sure all of it is going to change," the News quoted Alam, as saying.

"This knock will lift the morale of the entire team, I'm sure about that. We needed such a flash of brilliance after losing the two Twenty20 games and then going down tamely in the first ODI," he added.

The team manager further insists that Pakistan is now in a perfect position to launch an assault to win this five-match series - a result that he reckons will put Pakistan back on track in their preparations for the World Cup.

"Our team has shown a lot character. It was time it did because our results were not up the mark and because the World Cup is not far away, the team has to get back on track and I'm sure that it will after the way we won last night," Alam said.

Pakistan had lost the opening ODI and both Twenty20 internationals of the tour so far, but have now squared the ODI series at 1-1.akistan and South Africa will play three more ODIs in Dubai before a two-Test series that concludes on November 24. (ANI)

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Breaved Ponting to skip opening ODI against Lanka

Tue, Nov 02 10 11:22 AM

Melbourne, Nov 2 (PTI) The struggling Australian cricket team would have to do without skipper Ricky Ponting in the first ODI against Sri Lanka here tomorrow as he has decided to skip the match to attend his grandmother''s funeral. The Aussies lost a Test and ODI series against India last month before being defeated in the one-off Twenty20 match against the Lankans on Sunday. Ponting will miss the opening one-day international at the MCG to attend his grandmother''s funeral in his home town of Launceston. His grandmother died last weekend. "I will be flying out tomorrow morning to attend the funeral and then flying straight back to the ground tomorrow afternoon," Ponting was quoted as saying by ''The Australian Associated Press''. "I wanted to be here yesterday and today to maximise my time around the team and get my preparation right for the coming games." Michael Clarke will lead the team in Ponting''s absence. PTI PM

Source: Published>

I had to apologise for calling Narayan hard-arsed: Gibbs

Tue, Nov 02 10 11:18 AM

Johannesburg, 1 Nov (PTI) Herschelle Gibbs had to apologise to Delhi Police''s Crime Branch Commissioner, Ranjit Narayan, for having publicly called him ''hard-arsed'', the out-of-favour South African opener disclosed in his autobiography, ''To the Point''. In the book that was released yesterday, Gibbs also disclosed that he had indulged in ''tonsil hockey'' (deep kissing) with a German girl at the Taj Hotel the night before be questioned by police here. He was drunk and he could not even remember anything the next morning, Gibbs revealed. Gibbs wrote about his return to India to face questioning following his role in the ''Hansiegate'' saga (telephonic conversations of then captain Hansie Cronje with an Indian bookmaker were intercepted by police) in 2000. After initially refusing to be part of South Africa''s squad for an India tour for the fear of being arrested, Gibbs, accompanied by his lawyer, Peter Whelan, travelled to the country to face grilling by a four-man panel. "Our flight to India was via Dubai and Peter spent about eight of those hours coaching me on the upcoming grilling I was sure to get," Gibbs wrote in the book. "Remember that the King Commission (in South Africa) had been five years earlier and we knew the Indians would be looking for any discrepancies between my testimony back then and what I would have to say to them now. "I think the Indians were pretty taken aback when I turned up with both my lawyer and the High Commissioner. I was hustled inside to see K K Paul, who had been my Indian nemesis for the past six years. ''Hello, Mr Gibbs,'' he said. ''I''m a big fan of yours''. Not exactly the reception I had been expecting from him!" "a four-man panel, headed by the joint commissioner of the Delhi Police Crime Branch, Ranjit Narayan, bombarded me with questions for about three hours. It was a hostile situation, make no mistake, and it wasn''t helped either by the fact that I''d publicly said Commissioner Narayan was ''hard-arsed''. "The Commissioner wasn''t happy about that at all, and he even brought it up during the questioning. I had to apologise. His arse was not so hard after all," Gibbs wrote.

Source: Published>

We''ve been declared guilty without any evidence: Butt

Tue, Nov 02 10 11:08 AM

Karachi, Nov 2 (PTI) Pakistan''s suspended Test captain Salman Butt is furious with not just the ICC but also the PCB for the way the spot-fixing case against him and the pace duo of Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer is being handled as he feels they have been "declared guilty without any evidence". Butt went on air on several television channels shortly after returning from Dubai after attending the ICC appeal''s tribunal hearing which rejected his appeal and that of his teammate, Muhammad Aamer against their suspensions. "I have no choice now but to now plead my case like this. Initially we didn''t say anything because we didn''t have any direct interaction with the ICC and the Pakistan Cricket Board was handling things on our behalf. Also we were bound by the code of conduct we had signed with the Pakistan board. But now after having seen from close range the way the ICC is handling our cases, I am disappointed," he said. Butt said he was a bit disappointed by the attitude of the PCB. "I don''t know why they are doing this but no one from the PCB has even bothered to give us a call or find out what is happening with us. We have no choice but to now plead our cases ourselves and let the people know what we feel is happening," he said. Butt said he was surprised at the tribunal decision because the ICC''s anti-corruption unit had shown no other evidence except for the video and reports of the British tabloid ''News of the World''. "They have shown us no evidence at all and yet they rejected our appeals without giving any reason why they were doing it. I can only say this is a biased decision and they are trying to corner us and Pakistan cricket," he said. Butt said he got a feeling there was a conspiracy against Pakistan cricket. "You can see what is happening with Pakistanis the world over now. It is the same in our case. It is strange that someone is supposed to be considered innocent unless proven guilty. But in our case we have been declared guilty without any evidence and are now being told to prove ourselves innocent," he said. "If anyone or someone has anything to show we were indeed involvement in corruption they should bring it forth." MORE PTI COR PM

Source: Published>

I had to apologise for calling Narayan hard-arsed: Gibbs

Tue, Nov 02 10 10:52 AM

Johannesburg, 1 Nov (PTI) Herschelle Gibbs had to apologise to Delhi Police''s Crime Branch Commissioner, Ranjit Narayan, for having publicly called him ''hard-arsed'', the out-of-favour South African opener disclosed in his autobiography, ''To the Point''. In the book that was released yesterday, Gibbs also disclosed that he had indulged in ''tonsil hockey'' (deep kissing) with a German girl at the Taj Hotel the night before be questioned by police here. He was drunk and he could not even remember anything the next morning, Gibbs revealed. Gibbs wrote about his return to India to face questioning following his role in the ''Hansiegate'' saga (telephonic conversations of then captain Hansie Cronje with an Indian bookmaker were intercepted by police) in 2000. After initially refusing to be part of South Africa''s squad for an India tour for the fear of being arrested, Gibbs, accompanied by his lawyer, Peter Whelan, travelled to the country to face grilling by a four-man panel. "Our flight to India was via Dubai and Peter spent about eight of those hours coaching me on the upcoming grilling I was sure to get," Gibbs wrote in the book. "Remember that the King Commission (in South Africa) had been five years earlier and we knew the Indians would be looking for any discrepancies between my testimony back then and what I would have to say to them now. "I think the Indians were pretty taken aback when I turned up with both my lawyer and the High Commissioner. I was hustled inside to see K K Paul, who had been my Indian nemesis for the past six years. ''Hello, Mr Gibbs,'' he said. ''I''m a big fan of yours''. Not exactly the reception I had been expecting from him!" "a four-man panel, headed by the joint commissioner of the Delhi Police Crime Branch, Ranjit Narayan, bombarded me with questions for about three hours. It was a hostile situation, make no mistake, and it wasn''t helped either by the fact that I''d publicly said Commissioner Narayan was ''hard-arsed''. "The Commissioner wasn''t happy about that at all, and he even brought it up during the questioning. I had to apologise. His arse was not so hard after all," Gibbs wrote.

Source: Published>

My book an open and honest account: Gibbs

Tue, Nov 02 10 10:22 AM

Johannesburg, Nov 2 (PTI) Unruffled by his teammates'' criticism and the threat of disciplinary action from Cricket South Africa, opener Herschelle Gibbs said his controversial autobiography detailing sexual promiscuity, alcohol abuse and divisions in the side is an "open and honest account." "When you''re that forthcoming and honest you are bound to face that sort of criticism. I''ve been that honest. It''s not surprising," Gibbs was quoted as saying by ''The Associated Press'' at the launch of the book here. The book -- titled ''To the Point'' -- has created quite a stir in South African cricket circles after Gibbs accused senior players such as skipper Graeme Smith, Mark Boucher, Jacques Kallis and A B de Villiers of being part of a "clique" which created divisions in the side. Gibbs goes on to say that Smith was "simply too powerful" and even coach Mickey Arthur struggled to assert himself when faced with the skipper. "That particular clique of Graeme and Mark and Jacques, and to a certain extent AB, were very outspoken when Mickey was coach. I''ve made it clear in the book that I thought that around Graeme, Mickey buckled a little bit. That''s how I saw it." Gibbs said he got a message from Smith asking about the claims made in the book. "My answer to him was it didn''t take a rocket scientist to figure that out." Gibbs, who served a six-month ban for involvement in match fixing during his chequered career, also said that he continues to admire late skipper Hansie Cronje despite his fall from grace due to the 2000 match-fixing scandal. In the tell-all book, Gibbs has also given accounts of his sexual escapades, involving other South African players as well, during overseas tours. "...hopefully people can respect the honesty," the 36-year-old said. "I''ve been very open and honest about the whole thing. I knew from the start that it would get a lot of criticism, so be it. I''ve enjoyed the experience," he added. The currently out-of-favour opener, who has played 90 Tests and 248 one-dayers, doesn''t foresee himself making the cut in the squad for next year''s World Cup but not because of his book. "Book or no book, the squad has gelled so nicely over the last couple of months, and the youngsters that have come in have all performed ... I can''t see the squad changing at all before the announcement for the World Cup," he said. Gibbs hoped that corruption, which has returned to haunt international cricket due to the spot-fixing allegations against the Pakistani trio of Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamir, would be stamped out for good this time. "I''m sure the ICC will try and make some kind of example, if proven guilty and it''ll prevent it ever coming out again," he said.

Source: Published>

WBC boss proposes document to protect fighters

Published>Tue, Nov 02 10 09:18 AM

The World Boxing Council wants to eliminate what they called exploitation of boxers by creating a document that lists a fighter's key information like injuries and total rounds fought.

Speaking at a conference in Cancun, Mexico, long-time WBC president Jose Sulaiman said the passport-type document would list a boxer's classification, medical authorization, weight category, quality of opponents and total rounds fought.

Sulaiman, who said the document would apply to 164 nations affiliated with the WBC and would be up to boxing commissions to enforce, feels the information would eliminate mismatches and prevent boxers from fighting when injured.

"The pirates of the gymnasiums leave taking boxers without authorization or any medical examination," said Sulaiman, who has been WBC president for nearly 35 years.

"They take a featherweight and make him fight against a welterweight. They put a boxer who's been constantly loosing against a winner, or a fighter who's been medically suspended."

Sulaiman, who helped introduce several safety measures in boxing, including reducing world title fights to 12 rounds from 15, said a boxing passport would eliminate any abuse if the world's boxing commissions demand it be presented.

Source: Web Search

East Bengal, JCT enter semis

Published>Tue, Nov 02 10 07:08 AM

It's a bit unusual to see the East Bengal's flag being flown incessantly, given that it's Delhi the team are playing in, and not Kolkata. But that was what happened on Monday, during the Durand Cup quarter-final match against Salgaocar, as the red and golden flag made its presence felt in the stands, and later around the shoulders of coach Trevor Morgan after his team won 2-1 to enter the last four.

Although they'd won 17 matches before Monday, East Bengal started slowly and conceded an early goal, a rare persisting weakness in this side. With the rival team looking lethargic, and coach Karim Bencherifa's screaming advices from the sides, Salgaocar midfielder Rocus Lamare cornered the ball to striker Yakubu Yusif who headed it for a goal in the 31st minute.

East Bengal showed more urgency in the second half and got the equaliser in the 63rd minute when Salgaocar defender Khelemba Metei, who had been injured in a clash with Robin Singh, fouled Tolgay Ozbey inside the box, giving East Bengal a penalty kick. Sanju Pradhan calmly slotted it in and the goal gave the team the boost they needed - and it also took the wind out of Salgaocar's sails. Within five minutes, Mehtab Hossain, who will be missing the semi-final because of two yellow cards, passed the ball to Tolgay who scored with no Salgaocar defender in the box.

Though, the Goans dominated the last 15-20 minutes, they had no chance with East Bengal parking the bus in front of the goal. Surprisingly still, Salgaocar put the ball at the back of the net in the 90th minute. Shockingly, for them, it was disallowed as the striker Yusif had fouled the East Bengal goalkeeper. "The penalty was definitely the turning point but people who saw television replays told me that it was exaggerated, shouldn't have been allowed but the players did all they could against a confident Bengal side in their first real test," Bencherifa said after the match.

Heroics not enough

In the match between JCT Phagwara and Garhwal Heroes, striker Baoru Keke Ibrahim was the star achiever as he scored his second goal in the 90th minute to help his team win 2-1 and cruise into the semifinal. Though Garhwal Heroes played way above their position, lack of finishing cost them dearly.

Source: Web Search

Batista poised to be named Argentina coach

Published>Tue, Nov 02 10 06:36 AM

Olympic golds medal-winning coach Sergio Batista was poised on Monday to succeed Diego Maradona and lead Argentina to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Batista has been interim coach since Maradona was refused a new contract after Argentina's humiliating 4-0 defeat by Germany in this year's World Cup quarter-finals in South Africa.

Maradona, upset at being discarded, had a dig at his former team mate in Argentina's 1986 World Cup-winning side as he left the country on a trip to China on Monday night.

"I was very proud to have trained (Lionel) Messi. With me he was happy, don't you doubt it...I understood him like no-one else," Maradona told reporters.

"If 'Checho' (Batista) says now that Messi's happy, it's because he dressed up as a clown. 'Checho' can't make anyone happy."

Batista has said that Messi, in his tactical formations, is as comfortable as when he is playing for Barcelona and the gifted forward has supported the coach in this.

Messi was often questioned by Argentines during the World Cup qualifiers in 2008 and 2009 to why he did not generally reproduce his scintillating Barcelona form in Argentina's colours.

Maradona said his 50th birthday on Saturday was the saddest day of his life because he no looger had the Argentina team.

Batista, 47, was grilled on Monday by an Argentine Football Association (AFA) selection committee and is expected to be officially installed on Tuesday.

"The selection committee met at midday with technical secretary Carlos Bilardo at the AFA and Sergio Batista was called in to report on what has been done so far and his plans for the future," AFA spokesman Andres Ventura said.

SOLE CANDIDATE

He told reporters outside the AFA's downtown headquarters that the committee would report to AFA president Julio Grondona and the board would make its decision.

Batista appears to be the sole candidate whereas local media have speculated for weeks with other names, including Estudiantes coach Alejandro Sabella.

Batista, who steered an Argentina side including Lionel Messi and Javier Mascherano to the country's second successive Olympic gold medal in Beijing in 2008, has a low profile that contrasts with Maradona.

Maradona was at the centre of several controversies during his 20 months in charge and refused to accept the AFA's wish to include Batista on his coaching staff.

He lost the job over his loyalty to his World Cup assistants Alejandro Mancuso and Hector Enrique after Grondona made it a condition of his continuity that the pair should go.

Batista's first task if he is appointed will be to name a squad to play arch-rivals Brazil in a friendly in Qatar on Nov. 17.

So far, he has presided over a 1-0 win over Ireland in Dublin, a 4-1 victory against world champions Spain in Buenos Aires and a 1-0 defeat in Japan, all in friendlies.

Source: Web Search

Blackpool beat nine-man West Brom for overdue home win

Tue, Nov 02 10 05:16 AM

Blackpool celebrated a first home win in the English top flight for nearly 40 years when they beat nine-man West Bromwich Albion 2-1 at Bloomfield Road on Monday.

West Brom could have moved into fourth place in the Premier League with victory but their hopes fizzled out in the rain as Pablo Ibanez and Gonzalo Jara were sent off before halftime.

Ibanez was unfortunate when his momentum took him into D.J. Campbell after the striker turned sharply in the penalty area after 12 minutes. Charlie Adam slotted home the resulting spot kick.

There was no doubt about Jara's red card when the Chilean inexplicably launched into a crazy tackle on Luke Varney near the corner flag.

West Brom looked capable of an equaliser despite their numerical disadvantage but Varney doubled Blackpool's lead after 62 minutes when he slid in to meet Elliot Grandin's low cross.

What should have been an enjoyable final few minutes for the home crowd became fraught with tension when Youssouf Mulumbu weaved into the area and finished in style.

In a breathtaking finish to the game, Graham Dorrans wasted a great chance to snatch an unlikely point for the visitors when he blazed a last-minute chance over.

Blackpool moved up seven places to ninth and West Brom, like their opponents promoted to the top flight this season, remained sixth after their first defeat since losing to Liverpool in August.

Source: Published>

We need to push Messi out wide says Copenhagen coach

Tue, Nov 02 10 04:56 AM

FC Copenhagen will attempt to thwart Barcelona's Lionel Messi in Tuesday's Champions League Group D clash by trying to prevent him operating between their midfield and defence, according to coach Stale Solbakken.

The Argentina forward scored both goals in Barca's 2-0 win over the Danish champions at the Nou Camp last month to take his tally in the competition to four in three matches, two behind leading marksman Samuel Eto'o of Inter Milan.

The World Player of the Year, top scorer in last season's edition of Europe's elite club competition, also netted two in the Spanish champions' 5-0 rout of Sevilla in La Liga at the weekend.

"Cleverer coaches than me and better players than mine have tried and been unsuccessful at stopping Messi but with a great team effort we have a chance," Solbakken told a news conference on Monday.

"Messi was a key player (in the match in Barcelona) and it will be extremely important to stop him from roaming in the area between our midfield and defence.

"If we can push him out towards the sidelines we will have a better chance of preventing him creating chances."

A win in the Danish capital for Barca, the 2009 winners and Group D leaders, would give them 10 points from four matches and put them through to the last 16.

Copenhagen are second in the group on six, with Russian side Rubin Kazan on two and Panathinaikos of Greece on one.

Source: Published>

No sugar-coated delivery as Benitez turns on Hodgson

Published>Tue, Nov 02 10 04:16 AM

Rafa Benitez left reporters scratching their heads in three languages on Monday when in an impassioned attack on his successor as Liverpool manager he said "some people can't see a priest in a mountain of sugar."

Speaking ahead of his Inter Milan side's Champions League game against Tottenham Hotspur, Benitez was asked for his view on new Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson's comments about Kenny Dalglish's role at Anfield.

Hodgson said on Sunday that he wanted to involve the former striker much more unlike under Benitez when he (Dalglish) was there in name but not allowed to step foot in the club's Melwood training ground.

Having delivered 15 minutes of his usual straight-batted answers about Inter's prospects Benitez burst into life when Hodgson's name was mentioned.

"Every single press conference is even worse than the last one. He is talking about things he doesn't know...some people cannot see a priest in a mountain of sugar," the Spaniard said in English, adding the unusual phrase to his growing collection.

"And some people cannot see a priest on a mountain of sugar. "Maybe he hasn't been in Liverpool too long. We gave the fans their pride -- again. We fought for the fans, we fought for the club and we fought for our players, maybe he cannot understand this."

Benitez tried to explain the Dalglish situation.

"I brought back Kenny Dalglish to do a role in the club and (director) Christian Purslow gave him another role," he said.

"So, instead of talking about the flips or the flops, he has to concentrate on his players, try to do his best."

Benitez also defended his six years at Anfield which ended last season.

"They've signed nine players," he said. "With 10 million pounds net spending, I left that squad with 300 million pounds value, 13 internationals," he said.

"So, instead of talking about flips and flops, he has to concentrate on his job and not talk about the level of his players or the new players."

Source: Web Search

Verdasco finals bid back on track in Valencia

Tue, Nov 02 10 03:56 AM

Fernando Verdasco made a good start in his latest bid to secure a spot at the World Tour finals with a 6-4 6-1 first-round victory over American qualifier Michael Russell at the Valencia Open on Monday.

Spaniard Verdasco, the world number seven and winner in Valencia in 2004, looked well on course to qualify for the Nov. 21-28 season-ending ATP Tour finals in London when he reached the quarter-finals of the U.S. Open in September.

The Madrid native went on to lose his opening matches at the events in Bangkok and Beijing and the Shanghai Masters but still has the Valencia tournament and the Paris Masters next week to try to secure a finals berth for a second straight year.

Verdasco, 26, broke 85th-ranked Russell's serve five times and saved two of the three break points he faced on the indoor hard court. He will face Gilles Simon in the last 16 after the Frenchman beat Sergiy Stakhovsky of Ukraine 6-3 6-3.

"I have been training in Madrid the past 2-1/2 weeks trying to recharge the batteries in every sense and I know I have to perform well these next two weeks to make it to London," Verdasco told a news conference.

Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Robin Soderling have qualified for the finals and David Ferrer and Mikhail Youzhny, both playing in Valencia, are also in with a good chance of clinching one of the three remaining berths.

Murray and Soderling are competing in Valencia, where Scottish world number four Murray is the defending champion and top seed. Murray gets his title defence under way on Tuesday against Spaniard Feliciano Lopez, when second seed Soderling meets Albert Montanes, another Spaniard.

Source: Published>

Hapoel striker Shechter ruled out of Schalke clash

Tue, Nov 02 10 03:36 AM

Israeli side Hapoel Tel Aviv will go into their Champions League Group B clash with Germany's Schalke 04 on Tuesday without injured striker Etey Shechter, the club said on Monday.

Shechter, who has torn a leg muscle, scored Tel Aviv's only goal of the competition, a stoppage-time consolation in the 3-1 loss at Schalke.

"Of course Etey Shechter is a key player for Hapoel Tel Aviv but we showed quality in our last league game ... we played with two strikers, Ben Sahar and Toto Tamuz ... so even if Shechter is missing I hope that Hapoel Tel Aviv will put on a good performance," Hapoel coach Eli Guttman said.

Hapoel are bottom of the group without a point from three matches.

Source: Published>

Sevilla and Spain winger Navas to have ankle surgery

Tue, Nov 02 10 03:18 AM

Sevilla winger Jesus Navas will have surgery on his troublesome left ankle after aggravating a previous injury in training on Monday.

The Spain international had been making good progress but hurt himself when attempting a cross and surgery was recommended by medical staff, the La Liga club said on their website (www.sevillafc.es).

Navas will miss Sevilla's match at home to Valencia next Monday and could be out for several weeks.

Source: Published>

Westwood confirmed as new World No.1

Published>Tue, Nov 02 10 12:16 AM

Lee Westwood was officially confirmed as the new world number one on Monday ending Tiger Woods's five-year long reign at the top.

The 37-year-old Englishman moved marginally ahead of the American despite not playing last week as he had amassed more ranking points over the last two years. He is the first European golfer to head the rankings since Nick Faldo in 1994.

Asked if it was the most satisfying moment in his career, Westwood said: "Yes I think so. It's a dream everyone has to say there is nobody better than me at the moment. You have to say it's a highlight.

"It's a great honour and a big responsibility. It certainly sounds and feels good right now.

"When you are growing up and people say what do you want to achieve, everyone says I want to be the best in the world.

Right at this moment I can show people the world rankings and say I am the best on the planet."

Westwood will quickly come face to face with the man he deposed, as he and 14-time major winner Woods are both among the field at this week's WGC-HSBC Champions event in Shanghai along with third ranking Martin Kaymer and fourth-placed Phil Mickelson.

All four players could end the week as world number one depending on how they perform in China as they are separated by less than half a point.

Latest leading world rankings:

1. Lee Westwood (ENG) 8.29pts

2. Tiger Woods (USA) 8.13

3. Martin Kaymer (GER) 7.98

4. Phil Mickelson (USA) 7.83

5. Steve Stricker (USA) 7.20

6. Jim Furyk (USA) 7.09

7. Paul Casey (ENG) 6.14

8. Luke Donald (ENG) 5.70

9. Rory McIlroy (NIR) 5.44

10. Graeme McDowell (NIR)

Source: Web Search

Chelsea's Zhirkov eager to punish Spartak for goal dig

Mon, Nov 01 10 11:38 PM

Chelsea's Yuri Zhirkov will have an added incentive to beat Spartak Moscow in Wednesday's Champions League match after the Russian club's owner made a dig at him in local media.

Russian Zhirkov scored a spectacular volley into the top corner to set the English champions on their way to a 2-0 win over Spartak at Moscow's Luzhniki stadium in the first encounter two weeks ago.

It was his first goal for Chelsea since moving to Stamford Bridge in July 2009, prompting Spartak's billionaire owner Leonid Fedun to quip: "Zhirkov shoots like this once every five years. Unfortunately, it happened in our match."

Zhirkov, who played for Spartak's bitter Moscow rivals CSKA for five years before joining Chelsea, said he wanted to prove Fedun wrong.

"I've read these comments by Mr Fedun and want to prove him that he really underestimates me," the Russian international was quoted as saying by the Sport-Express newspaper on Monday.

Chelsea top Group F with a maximum nine points from three games. Spartak are second on six points.

Source: Published>

CWG medallists focus on "tough" Asian Games challenge

Mon, Nov 01 10 11:08 PM

New Delhi, Nov 1 (PTI) Winning medals at the Delhi Commonwealth Games is history for the Indian athletes and they are now focussing on putting their best foot forward in the upcoming Asian Games in Guangzhou to be held from November 12. India reaped their biggest haul of 101 medals at the Delhi Games but most of the medallists admit it is going to be tougher at the Asian Games. "Asian Games is going to be tough but I would certainly going to bring a medal for the country," assured Commonwealth Games gold medallist in 77kg weightlifting, Ravi Kumar. "Generally after any major event, the body needs at least one and a half months to recover but we are trying to do that in just a month''s time. "Personally, I can say, as compared to the CWG, I would at least better my performance by 2 per cent in the Asian Games," added the lifter on the sidelines of a function where all the 101 CWG medallits were felicitated by Ministry of Commerce and Industry, MMTC limited, STC and PEC. Cash prizes of 7.5 lakh each was presented to the gold medallist, while 5 lakh and 3.5 lakh each were awarded to the silver medal winners and bronze medallists. Indian relay team were awarded cash prize of Rs 8 lakhs and the Indian hockey team was felicitated with a cash award of Rs 16 lakhs. Talking about their chances at the Asiad, Indian hockey skipper Rajpal Singh said they have learnt from their mistakes and hope not to repeat those at the Asian Games. "We are preparing well for the Asian Games. Though it is going to be tough but we can take heart from the fact that we had beaten South Korea, which is strong team, in the Azlan Shah Cup," said Rajpal. "We would be taking it match by match and I am sure that we would produce good results," he added. Indian boxers accounted for seven medals at the Delhi Games (3 gold and 4 bronze) and they too reckon it is not going to be easy in China. CWG gold medallist in Fly Weight 52kg Suranjoy Mayengbam said it is tough but hoped their hard work will pay off. "Asian countries are very tough and it is going to be difficult for us but we are working hard. We are concentrating on doing better than what we did at the CWG," said Suranjoy, who also received cash award for his CWG feat. The feeling regarding the Asian Games was no different among the shooters who won a total of 30 medals in shooting in the Commonwealth Games. "China, both North and South Korea, Japan, Kazakhstan are all doing well and would pose a tough challenge," said Samresh Jung, who won bronze in men''s 25m standard pistol (singles) event. "You need to understand ranges so I don''t know whether we would get enough time to get used to those," he added. Also present on the occasion, World champion and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Sushil Kumar, who would be missing the Asiad due to shoulder injury, said that he was preparing for the Olympic qualifiers. "I am getting ready for the Olympic qualifiers," said Sushil after recieving his cash prize.

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MP takes control after dismissing Goa for 170

Mon, Nov 01 10 10:22 PM

Indore, Nov 1 (PTI) Hosts Madhya Pradesh bundled out Goa for a paltry score of 170 and ended day one at 67 for the loss of one wicket to take firm control of the Group ''A'' Plate division match at the Holkar Stadium here today. Goa skipper Sagun Kamat''s decision to bat on a lush green wicket after winning the toss backfired as the Madhya Pradesh bowlers took advantage of the early morning moisture and moved the ball well. The hosts got a breakthrough in the third, when Kamat (4) was caught behind off T Sudheendra with just four runs on the board. Soon after Sudheendra trapped senior batsman Vidyut Shivramakrishnan (2) with the team''s total at just six. The situation got worse for Goa as Swapnil Asnodkar was caught by Ishwar Pandey off his own bowling for a nought to leave Goa reeling at 6-3. Former India stumper Ajay Ratra and Rahul Keni added 55 runs for the fourth wicket partnership before Ratra (21) was sent back by left arm spinner Ankit Sharma. It was only due to the efforts of Shadab Jakati that the visitors could cross 150, after Vaibhav Naik (1), Sourabh Bandekar (6) and Keni (39) had perished even before the team had crossed the three-figure mark. Jakati batted freely and punished the loose balls at regular intervals. He was unlucky not to complete his half century and was trapped in front by Ankit Sharma after he had scored a useful 49 in 85 balls with the help of eight fours. Tailenders, Robin D''Souza and Amit Yadav chipped in with useful knocks of 18 and 16 respectively. For MP, Ankit Sharma bowled well to capture three wickets for 53 runs, while T Sudheendra got two wickets for 34 runs. In reply, the hosts started badly losing opener Zafar Ali, who replaced an injured Jalaj Saxena, even before the team could open its account. Naman Ojha 31 (81b, 4x6) and Mohnish Mishra 35 (71b, 4x5, 6x1) ensured that no further damage was done.

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PCB chief rejects batting coach proposal

Mon, Nov 01 10 09:52 PM

Karachi, Nov 1 (PTI) The Pakistan Cricket Board governing council has shot down a proposal to appoint a full-time batting coach with the national team to deal with their inconsistent batting performances of late. PCB chairman Ijaz Butt today said that no batting coach was being appointed with the team and even denied that there was ever such a proposal. "Why do we need a batting coach with the national team. You don''t need a coach to tell test players how to bat if this is the case then they should not be playing for Pakistan at the top level," Butt said. He pointed out that none of the other teams had a proper batting coach attached with them on permanent basis so why should Pakistan think differently. But sources in the board said that the matter was discussed at the governing council meeting today but didn''t get approved because the PCB didn''t get a positive response from any foreigner. "Basically the PCB also didn''t get the response they wanted from some candidates while director general of the board, Javed Miandad who attended the meeting, said there was no need to spend money on a full-time coach when he was always available to help out the players when required in Pakistan or abroad," one source said. The meeting attended by seven members also discussed the team''s performances. Butt said the responsibility of the batting failures of the team lay with the coach, captain and chief selector. "If the team is having batting problems they should be asked. But it is also a fact that there is undue criticism of our team." "We beat Australia for the first time in a Test in 15 years time on the recent tour, we also beat the home side. We are the top team in world T20 rankings but no one talks about that," he said. Butt refused to give out details of what the council had to say on the England tour reports by the manager, (now former) Yawar Saeed and coach, Waqar Younis. But sources said there was plenty of debate on the reports with Miandad and some other members blaming the team management for not handling the team matters properly in England. "The council was, however, unanimous that in future no player should be allowed to dictate terms to the board or violate the code of conduct," the source said.

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Abbas'' Asiad participation in doubt over accreditation issues

Mon, Nov 01 10 09:48 PM

Karachi, Nov 1 (PTI) Uncertainity looms large over penalty corner specialist Sohail Abbas participation in the upcoming Asian Games after the Pakistan Hockey Federation had ran into problems with the organising committee over the veteran player''s selection. According to details, Abbas who was called out of wilderness to join the Asian Games training camp after Pakistan finished a disappointing sixth in the Commonwealth Games, is not being given accreditation by the organising committee of the Guangzhou Games. "Since his (Abbas) name has been included late, the Asian Games organising committee that deals with accreditations of participating athletes has said that his name has been sent after the deadline given to all countries," a source in the PHF said. PHF secretary Asif Bajwa also admitted that they were facing issues over the selection of Pakistan''s all-time leading goalscorer, Abbas. "But we are working on it and we are hopeful that he would be given clearance and his name will be included in our official contingent," Bajwa said. He disclosed that PHF has an alternative option if Abbas was not included officially in the contingent. "We can send him with our own expenses and have him in the team," Bajwa said. Bajwa said the matter was being sorted out and the squad for the Asian Games would be announced by tomorrow. The PHF had earlier planned to announce their squad on Saturday. Abbas was surprisingly recalled to the national camp by chief selector Hanif Khan after he was ignored for the Commonwealth Games following differences with the federation over his availability leading to the suspension of his central contract. "I am always available to play for my country and I have been training hard. I am a professional player and I know the level of fitness I need to maintain. That is why I am confident I can justify my recall in the Asian Games," Abbas said.

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Vettori aims at 4000 runs, 400 wickets in Test cricket

Mon, Nov 01 10 09:38 PM

Ahmedabad, Nov 1 (PTI) He is regarded as the best left-arm spinner in contemporary cricket, but New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori still yearns to improve and has set himself a target of 4000 runs and 400 wickets in Test matches. "I think at times I have been a Test bowler but that is one part of my game which I would like to improve the most. I think that my batting in both forms of the game has come on well and also one-day bowling," Vettori told reporters during an interactive session here today. "It is Test match bowling that I want to get better at. It is one of the goals that I want to achieve," he said when asked to comment on him being tagged as an ODI bowler rather than a Test material. Vettori said his game has developed in the last few years and he has concentrated more on improving on his all-round skills. Asked how does he viewed Sir Richard Hadlee''s record of 413 wickets in Test cricket, Vettori said, "4000 runs and 400 wickets is something that I aspire to and it is not too far away." "I look at that in 431 (Hadlee''s record). I still see Sir Richard Hadlee as the greatest bowler," the 31-year-old Kiwi said. Vettori has 325 wickets and 3,962 runs from 100 Test matches, in addition to the 1979 runs and 275 wickets from 259 ODIs. (More) PTI PB PD VKV SSC

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Butt, Aamer blast ICC for rejecting their appeals

Mon, Nov 01 10 09:22 PM

Karachi, Nov 1 (PTI) Pakistan''s suspended duo of Salman Butt and Mohammad Aamer today launched a scathing attack on the ICC, after it had rejected their appeals against suspension for alleged involvement in spot fixing, in a tribunal hearing in Dubai. The two players claimed the ICC had shown no evidence, apart from what the ''News of the World'' tabloid had published against them, and reiterated that the suspensions and allegations of spot-fixing against them was a conspiracy to defame Pakistan cricket. Surrounded by the media on their arrival from Dubai, both made it clear that they were not happy with the outcome of the hearing held at the ICC headquarters yesterday. Michael Beloff, who heads the ICC code of conduct commission, said that the suspensions would stay until a full hearing, as the charges against the players were of serious nature. But Butt disagreed. "They have no evidence and it appears they are just trying to corner Pakistan," an angry Butt said at the airport here. "They have no evidence except for what has appeared in the ''News of the World'' and I am gutted. I will wait for a few days for them to send us a date for the full hearing after which I will decide my future line of action," he said. Butt said the legal team of the players had presented strong arguments in Dubai but were not given a fair hearing. "We are totally disappointed," Butt said. Butt, Aamer and Mohammad Asif were suspended by the ICC on September 2, after the ''News of the World'' reported that they had taken bribes from bookmaker Mazhar Majeed to deliberately bowl no balls in the fourth Test against England at Lords in late August. Pakistan lost the Test and the series. Aamer said he was hurt and sad but denied breaking down at the hearing. "No I didn''t cry, it is not true. Why should I cry when I have done nothing wrong. To me it appeared as if this is a conspiracy to defame Pakistan cricket. We want the truth to come out," Aamer said. "I am upset because, on the first day of the hearing, it appeared as if we would get a fair chance but, on second day, they didn''t listen to us at all and didn''t even give us a reason for not removing the suspensions. "It appeared to be as if the decision of the hearing had been made beforehand," Aamer added. Aamir, all of 18, claimed the ICC was doing what it wanted to do. "I would appeal to the cricket board to consult and take the government into confidence on this matter now," he stated. The two players said that they would wait for the ICC to send them a date for the full hearing before deciding their future course of action.

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Butt, Aamer disappointed over ICC decision

Published>Mon, Nov 01 10 09:08 PM

Islamabad, Nov 1 (IANS) Pakistan cricket players Salman Butt and Mohammad Aamer Monday expressed disappointment over the decision of the International Cricket Council (ICC) to uphold their suspension from all forms of cricket.

The chairman of the ICC's code of conduct committee Michael Bailiff rejected the appeals of the two players against their suspension over allegations od spot-fixing.

The players spoke to the media at the Allma Iqbal International Airport in Lahore on their return from Dubai where they attended the hearing with their lawyers.

'We are not losing hope because we know that we have not done anything wrong,' said a defiant Salman, who is the Test captain on the England tour. 'The ICC commission heard our case but it seemed that they had a pre-conceived mindset over the verdict.'

'We believe that we are being victimised on account of being Pakistanis. ICC has no evidence to support the case other than the News of the World allegations. We will wait for a day or two for the next date of hearing before finalising the next plan of action,' he said.

Teenage pacer Aamer feels the ICC did not give them a fair hearing and called it a conspiracy against Pakistan.

'The first day's proceedings gave us the hope that the decision will be in our favour but everything fell apart when the verdict was announced. We had gone there to seek justice but the ICC did not listen to the argument of lawyers,' he said.

'It is a conspiracy against Pakistan and our name is being dragged without any reason. The ICC has not even given the next date of hearing. The Pakistan Cricket Board and the government need to support us in resolving the matter.'

Butt, Aamer and pacer Mohammad Asif were suspended by ICC Sep 2 during Pakistan's tour of England after the British tabloid 'News of the World' carried a report in which a bookie Mazhar Majeed was alleged to have taken money on behalf of the players to bowl no-balls during the Lords test match.

The players were dropped from the squad and placed on suspension pending during the investigation into the allegations of spot-fixing. Asif had also challenged the suspension along with Butt and Aamer but decided to withdraw his appeal prior to the two-day hearing in Dubai.

Source: Web Search

Football promotes unity in diversity in nort-heast

Published>Mon, Nov 01 10 08:38 PM

Jorhat, Nov.1 (ANI): Football is to North-East what cricket is to the rest for the country. The passion for football among the people of the north-east has led to opening of various football clubs here.

One of such football clubs is located in Jorhat. The buddying players are keen to learn the skills of the game.

Jail Road Sports Club, established in 64 years ago in Jorhat, is a major draw among aspiring football players from all across the region.

At this football club there are over 200 students aged between 8 to 18 who enjoy playing football together with enthusiasm, regardless of their caste, creed or ethnicity.

Here it looks players belonging to different tribes like the Nagas, Maitis, Bodo, Mishing or even Bengali, all have associated themselves to one religion - football.

This club displays how oneness can be promoted through football.

"Sports can bring people together; I am from Nagaland and studying in Assam. I do not know what people talk about me, but I like to play football and through it I have got to know people of Assam well and I have made a lot of friends," said Chuba Aier, one of the Naga players.

"Through sports we can promote brotherhood and friendship. When we play together at a tournament, we get to meet people from other areas," said Ranjan Khangenbam of Manipur.

The youth in north-eastern states are passionate about football and most of them wish to emulate popular players like Baichung Bhutia, Sunil Chetri and Gaurmangi Singh.

Players from the north-east have a significant presence at the national level and they represent a variety of clubs.

The craze for football in north-east is growing. This is evident from the emergence of as Shillong-based Lajong Football Club that became the first club from the region to qualify for Indian football's Elite I-League.

By visiting the north-east region, one learns that the players here have immense talent.

"People from north-east have capability and talent and they can do really well for their country," said Chuba Aier, a Naga.

Sports has emerged as the best-career option

"Young students should focus on studies as well as sports because it keeps them healthy. It also translates into jobs for many who go on to play at state level or national level," said Bhubon Borah, a technical coach.

But there is general feeling here that the region can bring out many players, provided, there is proper infrastructure to groom the available talent.

"Players do not have good infrastructure. During the national games that were held in Assam, there was some development in the infrastructure for sports but the facilities are still far from what they should have been," says Nobin Borah, coach of the Jorhat Sports Club.

The State Governments are becoming conscious of the need to encourage sports and changes are taking place in the region. By Vaschipem Kamodang(ANI)

Source: Web Search

Basanth''s fiver restrict Baroda to 99/9 on rain-affected Day 1

Mon, Nov 01 10 08:22 PM

Cuttack, Nov 1 (PTI) Right-arm pacer Basanth Mohanty wrecked havoc in overcast conditions with a fiver and helped Orissa gain the upper-hand after restricting Baroda to a paltry 99 for nine at the end of the rain-marred opening day of the Ranji Trophy Super League Group B match here today. Basanth did justice to his skipper Shiv Sunder Das'' decision to bowl first on a wet Barabati stadium pitch and scalped five wickets for 24 runs off his 12 overs to spell the doom on Baroda. He was ably supported by senior pro Debasis Mohanty, Alok Chandra Sahoo and left-arm spinner Dhiraj Singh, who picked a wicket each. For Baroda only three batsmen could reach double figures in the day with Rakesh Solanki being the lone bright spot with an unbeaten 44. Yusuf Pathan (10) and Murtuja Vahora (12) were the other batsmen to have made double digit scores. With overnight rains rendering the ground wet, the match started half an hour late and Das had no hesitation in opting to bowl after winning the toss. His decision was backed by some fine seam bowling display by the Mohanty duo with the younger Basanth being the more dangerous as Baroda lost half of their side with just 46 on the board. But Solanki did put up some resistance with a cautious 44 that came off 88 deliveries and was studded with seven fours. Giving Plank company was Bhargav Bhatt as stumps were drawn an hour after lunch due to rain with just 39 overs being bowled in the opening day. Baroda''s Munaf Patel and Orissa''s Haladhar Das failed to make it to the playing eleven due to ill health.

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TN to soon have two badminton academies

Mon, Nov 01 10 08:08 PM

Chennai, Nov 1 (PTI) Tamil Nadu would soon have two badminton academies as part of a national endeavour to set up coaching institutions to promote the game, leveraging on the excellent results in the just concluded Commonwealth Games. Announcing this at a function to felicitate state players for finishing runner-up in the South Zonal championship, State President Hemant Kumar Sinha said Badminton Association of India is close to signing a mega deal with a sponsor with the overriding condition that the funds be used to beef up the physical infrastructure for the sport through academies. "The BAI has found a good sponsor who is prepared to join the association in the long run but their first condition is that academies should be set up," Sinha said. Sinha said that under the new deal with BAI, the association would set up 30 academies all over India with Tamil Nadu hosting two. "The first academy will be set up in Chennai then we will find another venue to set up the second one. Once we have an academy in place, I am sure we are not only going to win the South Zone, but will also produce international players," he said. He said it was after two decades that Tamil Nadu had reached the final of the South Zone inter-state "without any academy, professional training, without equipment to players and backing.'' The academy would house six to eight courts and provide trainees good quality shuttlecocks. It would also avail services of excellent coaches and other infrastructure, as in Gopichand''s academy, he said.

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Nemat''s knock helps Jharkhand post decent 233 for 7

Mon, Nov 01 10 07:52 PM

Agartala, Nov 1 (PTI) Propelled by a brisk 55 by Rameez Nemat, Jharkhand made a solid 233 for seven on the opening day of Ranji Trophy Plate A match against hosts Tripura at the Maharaja Bir Bikram Stadium here today. While Nemat stitched the useful 55 from 100 deliveries (4x8), he was ably assisted by Ishank Jaggi (44, 4x5). Saurabh Tiwary, who made his international debut in the recent ODI series against Australia, made a quickfire 20 (4x4). For Tripura, Jayanta Debnath (1x46) caught and bowled Tiwary, while Subal Chowdhury got two scalps for 52. Wilkin Mota took two for 60. The match was called off 15 minutes before schedule due to bad light.

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TN beat Andhra, qualify for knock out stage

Mon, Nov 01 10 07:48 PM

Margao, Nov 1 (PTI) An all-round performance by Bharat Shankar propelled Tamil Nadu to a fluent 64-run victory over Andhra Pradesh which put them on top of the table in the final encounter of the South Zone U-19 Vinu Mankad limited overs tournament here today. Bharat Shankar returned with a three-wicket haul and starred in a 106-run opening parnership with D Ganga Raju to help Tamil Nadu, who finished their league engagement, top the South Zone Group with 23 points and thus qualify for the knock out stage. Electing to bat, Tamil Nadu put up a modest score of 223 for 7 in the allotted 50 overs. Tamil Nadu got off to a bright start with openers D Ganga Raju and Bharat Shankar putting on 106 for the first wicket stand before the former was out for 46. Thereafter two quick wickets fell in quick succession before Bharat Shankar who hit four boundaries for his 86 found an able partner in Indrajit (54). The duo added 63 runs for the fourth wicket partnership. P Snehasis was the most successful bowler for Andhra claiming three wickets. Simran took two wickets while Shamsunder and Vinodkumar shared one wicket each. Chasing 224 to win, nothing went right for Andhra as they lost wickets at regular interval to be all out for a paltry 159 in 44.3 overs. G Charan top-scored with 36 runs and put up a stiff resistance along with M Basha (33), Vinod Kumar(29) and A Basha (23) but it was not enough in the end. Bharat Shankar who took three wickets for 33 runs was the most successful bowler for Tamil Nadu. .

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East Bengal continue winning streak, qualify for Durand semis

Mon, Nov 01 10 07:38 PM

New Delhi, Nov 1 (PTI) East Bengal stretched their winning streak to 18 matches after they defeated Salgaocar 2-1, to qualify for the semifinals of the 123rd Durand Cup Football Tournament, at the Ambedkar Stadium here today. Sanju Pradhan struck in the 62nd minute for the red and gold brigade while Tolgay Ozbey scored the team''s second goal six minutes later, to lead East Bengal to a come-from-behind victory, after Yusif Yakubu had put Salgaocar in lead with his 30th minute strike. After a shaky first half, where they let Yusif Yakubu unleash a neat header off Rocus Lamare''s corner in the half-hour mark, East Bengal found their bearings after the change of ends. Pradhan scored the equaliser for East Bengal, when he converted from the spot, after Ozbey was brought down by Khelemba Metei 16 minutes into the second half. What followed six minutes later turned out to be the moment of the match -- Mehtab Hossain, after dribbling past a couple of Salgaocar midfielders, delivered a splitting through to Ozbey, and the Australian converted with ease, from what looked like a difficult position. While the likes of Tomba Singh, Yakubu and Lamare called the shots in the first half, the show completely belonged to Ozbey and Co after the lemon break. If the experienced Yakubu caused problems for Trevor Morgan''s boys in the first half, Ozbey, with his speed and skills, troubled the Goans no end post the break. Led by Ozbey, East Bengal looked solid upfront; Hossain and Orgy Penn did their duty with aplomb in the midfield, often delivering some telling passes to the strikers; while Uga Okpara marshalled the defence in the best possible manner he could have. Sandip Nandy was not at his best and a fumble in the 78th minute, when the former India goalkeeper left his position to parry Marcus Mascarenhas''s attempt, nearly scuttled East Bengal''s plans. East Bengal, who will meet either Pune FC or Chirag United in the second semi-final on Thursday, will miss Mehtab after he received his second yellow card of the tournament, today. In the day''s earlier match, JCT beat Garhwal Heroes 2-1, to qualify for the semi-finals. JCT''s Nigerian recruit Baoru Keke Ibrahim scored one in the 16th minute and another in injury time, while Kamal Rawat found the net for Heroes in the 16th minute.

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Enough role models in India for golf to thrive: Westwood

Mon, Nov 01 10 07:22 PM

Mumbai, Nov 1 (PTI) There were enough Indian role models in golf whose worldwide achievements would help the game to grow and thrive in the country, according to newly crowned world number 1 golfer Lee Westwood. "I think the achievements of India''s own players in Europe, America and Asia have greatly boosted the profile of the game in the sub-continent," Lee told Mumbai-based "All Sports" magazine in an interview. "I am sure the game will continue to grow in India because youngsters now have great role models within their own country," said the English golfer who dethroned Tiger Woods at the top, according to a media release. The 37-year-old golf pro, a huge fan of Indian food, has also expressed his wish to visit the country at some time in the future. "I have heard so many good things about the sub-continent that I definitely hope to play there one day. I love Indian food and I''m sure Jeev (Milkha Singh) and Shiv (Kapur) know all the best places to go to," he said. "Hopefully there will not be a fixture clash so that I can get there," Westwood said in the interview featured in the latest issue of the magazine. Westwood, who has played in a number of co-sanctioned events on the Asian Tour, is to compete in WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai later this week along with Tiger Woods. Now that he has reached the top of the heap, Westwood, who is still to win a Major, is determined to keep his crown for as long as possible, but expects Tiger Woods to roar back. "Knowing Tiger as I do, he will probably go out and win the HSBC world event. He won''t like being No 2 at anything," he said.

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Gujarat 234/4 on day one against Railways in Ranji Trophy

Mon, Nov 01 10 07:18 PM

New Delhi, Nov 1 (PTI) A good show by their middle-order batsmen helped Gujarat reached 234 for four against Railways on the first day of the Ranji trophy Super League Group A match, here today. Bhavik Thaker scored an unbeaten 54 while Niraj Patel (46) and Parthiv Patel (36) also chipped in with usefuk contributions as Gujrat recovered from 58/2 to end day near 250-run mark. Thaker and debutante Pratharesh Parmar (28) were at the crease at stumps at Karnail Singh Stadium here. Put into bat, Gujarat made a cautious start with openers Jay Desai (26) and Priyank Kirit Panchal (16) taking their time to score runs, dealing mainly in ones and twos. All-rounder Sanjay Bangar dealt the first blow, removing Desai in the 28th over and to make things worse for Gujarat, Panchal also was sent packing by Sailender Gehlot just four balls later. Desai had three fours to his name, while Panchal hit a couple of boundaries. At 58 for two, Niraj took the onus on himself and stitched a 74-run third wicket partnership with Parthiv, before the latter was caught by Vairamudi Cheluvaraj off Salil Yadav''s bowling in the 52nd over. Parthiv scored four boundaries in his cameo. Niraj, who hit seven fours in his 99-ball innings, and Thaker then tried to steady the ship but the former was run out by Tejinder Pal Singh as Gujarat were reduced to 163 for four. Thaker then starred in an unfinished 71-run partnership with Parmer to take his team across the 200 mark. The 28-year-old right-handed batsman cracked eight fours and a six in his innings so far. For Railways, Bangar, Gehlot and Yadav shared one wicket each giving away 32, 46 and 69 runs respectively. Brief Score: Gujarat: 234 for four in 90 overs (Niraj Patel 46, Bhavik Thaker 54 not out, PR Parmar 28 not out; Sanjay Bangar 1/32). PTI ATK AT

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Chahar demolishes Hyderabad to lowest total in Ranji History

Mon, Nov 01 10 07:08 PM

Jaipur, Nov 1 (PTI) Deepak Chahar made a sensational first-class debut with an eight-wicket haul as Hyderabad slumped to the lowest total in the history of Ranji Trophy when it folded for just 21 runs against Rajasthan in a Plate division match here today. Chahar, an 18-year-old medium pacer, sizzled on the opening day of the 2010 season as he gave away just 10 runs in an amazing spell of 7.3 overs. Rajasthan skipper Hrishikesh Kantikar opted to bowl and what unfolded was an unbelievable drama. Hyderabad wickets fell like a pack of cards and it lasted merely 78 minutes and 15.3 overs in the morning session at Sawai Man Singh Stadium. The previous lowest total was registered by Southern Punjab, who were all out of 22 in a chase of 114 against Northern India in Amritsar in 1934-35 in the first edition of the domestic cricket tournament. Hyderabad also equalled the record for the lowest total in the first-class history of India. Way back in 1915-16, Mohammedans were also out for 21 against Bombay Quadrangular. At the stumps, the hosts had taken a solid 199 run lead with eight wickets in hand after finishing the day at 220 for for two. Rajasthan lost openers Aakash Chopra (65), who is their guest player for this season, and Vineet Saxena (9). Skipper Kanitkar was unbeaten on 100 and giving him company was Robin Bisht (33). Earlier in the day, Chahar started the rot by having Akshat Reddy (6) caught behind. Reddy was the top scorer for Hyderabad as none of its batsmen could reach a double-digit score. From 7/1 it became 5/12 in a gap of 23 balls as Chahar and his senior new-ball partner Pankaj Singh wreaked havoc. Three of Hyderabad batsmen recorded ducks and the longest stay was of skipper D Ravi Teja, who faced 22 balls for his one run. Chahar had a chance to get a hat-trick after dismissing MP Arjun and Alfred Absolem in the last ball of his seventh over and the first of his eighth but Pagadala Naidu denied him the milestone by managing to survive the hat-trick ball. The young paceman''s performance though was not best ever on debut as Maharashtra''s Vasant Ranjane had taken nine wickets for 56 run against Saurashtra in 1956-57.

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Players not involved in B'Desh tour will lift team morale on India tour: Vettori

Published>Mon, Nov 01 10 07:04 PM

Ahmedabad, Nov.1 (ANI): New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori has expressed the hope that the injection of players not involved with the Bangladesh cricket debacle will lift morale ahead of the test series starting in India on Thursday.

maybe recalled that New Zealand lost a one-day series 4-0.

"This is test cricket and we've got quite different personnel. We had six to seven guys in Zimbabwe in the A series scoring runs and taking wickets. They're not affected by what happened in Bangladesh and we're hoping they can really lead us with the confidence they have at the moment," the NZPA quoted Vettori, as saying.

"We're obviously extremely disappointed with that result. We've got an opportunity to come to India now and try to rectify that," he added.

He said: "You can't dwell on it. We have to acknowledge we played poorly in Bangladesh but you also have to acknowledge it's a new series."

India recently beat Australia 2-0 in a home test series and also prevailed 1-0 in a three-match one-day series in which two matches were washed out.

The hosts will be boosted by the return of batsmen Gautam Gambhir and VVS Laxman, and pace bowler Ishant Sharma, who all missed the second test against Australia at Bangalore.

The first Test is being played in Ahmedabad, the second in Hyderabad from November 12 and the third in Nagpur from November 20. The series is followed by five one-day matches next month. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Gujarat 234/4 on day one against Railways in Ranji Trophy

Mon, Nov 01 10 07:02 PM

New Delhi, Nov 1 (PTI) A good show by their middle-order batsmen helped Gujarat reached 234 for four against Railways on the first day of the Ranji trophy Super League Group A match, here today. Bhavik Thaker scored an unbeaten 54 while Niraj Patel (46) and Parthiv Patel (36) also chipped in with usefuk contributions as Gujrat recovered from 58/2 to end day near 250-run mark. Thaker and debutante Pratharesh Parmar (28) were at the crease at stumps at Karnail Singh Stadium here. Put into bat, Gujarat made a cautious start with openers Jay Desai (26) and Priyank Kirit Panchal (16) taking their time to score runs, dealing mainly in ones and twos. All-rounder Sanjay Bangar dealt the first blow, removing Desai in the 28th over and to make things worse for Gujarat, Panchal also was sent packing by Sailender Gehlot just four balls later. Desai had three fours to his name, while Panchal hit a couple of boundaries. At 58 for two, Niraj took the onus on himself and stitched a 74-run third wicket partnership with Parthiv, before the latter was caught by Vairamudi Cheluvaraj off Salil Yadav''s bowling in the 52nd over. Parthiv scored four boundaries in his cameo. Niraj, who hit seven fours in his 99-ball innings, and Thaker then tried to steady the ship but the former was run out by Tejinder Pal Singh as Gujarat were reduced to 163 for four. Thaker then starred in an unfinished 71-run partnership with Parmer to take his team across the 200 mark. The 28-year-old right-handed batsman cracked eight fours and a six in his innings so far. For Railways, Bangar, Gehlot and Yadav shared one wicket each giving away 32, 46 and 69 runs respectively. Brief Score: Gujarat: 234 for four in 90 overs (Niraj Patel 46, Bhavik Thaker 54 not out, PR Parmar 28 not out; Sanjay Bangar 1/32). PTI ATK AT

Source: Published>

Fergie labels modern-day footie players 'babies'

Published>Mon, Nov 01 10 03:22 PM

London, Nov.1 (ANI): Manchester United coach Sir Alex Ferguson has labelled modern day players 'babies'.

He was speaking before preparing for his team's Champions League trip to Bursaspor.

He was reacting to comments from Fulham's Danny Murphy about players being over-physical.

The Sun quoted Fergie, as saying: "The players are babies now. In my day you had to hit someone with a hatchet before a referee booked you."

A couple of days ago, Ferguson had ruled out any transfer activity for the club in January.

"We won't be buying in January, definitely not. You are limited because there are hundreds of players cup-tied for European football," the Daily Mail quoted Ferguson, as saying.

"There will be five months of the season left and we will be getting a new player back in February with Antonio Valencia returning from injury, and maybe another in Owen Hargreaves. With the squad I've got, I don't see any reason for us to buy anyone," he added.

The manager further reiterated that the club has money to spend, but will only indulge in buying spree if necessary.

"We know what we need. There is always this issue if Van der Sar, Scholes, Giggs or Neville were to retire, but we've been aware of that for two or three years and we are well ahead of that," Ferguson said.

"We know exactly what we have to do," he added.

Earlier, it was reported that United's American owners had reportedly pledged to give 100 million pounds to Ferguson to buy new players.

The 100 million pounds assurance comes despite the revelations that the debts of United's parent company, the Red Football Joint Venture Ltd, had swollen from 699 million pounds to 716.5 million pounds. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Hyderabad dismissed for lowest total in Ranji History

Mon, Nov 01 10 03:18 PM

Jaipur, Nov 1 (PTI) Hyderabad today recorded the lowest total in the history of Ranji Trophy when they were incredibly all out for just 21 runs against Rajasthan, as the new season began on a sensational note here. The 18-year-old debutant Deepak Chahar wreaked havoc by taking eight wickets to inflict the humiliating record on Hyderabad. The previous lowest total was registered by Southern Punjab, who were all out of 22 in a chase of 114 against Northern India in Amritsar in 1934-35 in the first edition of the domestic cricket tournament. Hyderabad also equalled the record for the lowest total in India''s first-class cricket history. Way back in 1915-16, Mohammedans were also out for 21 against Bombay Quadrangular. Hyderabad were all out in 15.3 overs in 78 minutes in their first innings in the plate-division match after host skipper Hrishikesh Kanitkar won the toss and elected to field. Not even a single Hyderabad batsman could manage a double digit score and three of them even failed to open their account. Opener Akshat Reddy (6) was the top scorer for the visitors. Medium pacer Chahar would have not have thought of such a dream debut as he recorded sensational figures of 7.3-2-10-8. His pace colleague Pankaj Singh claimed the other two wickets. Chahar had a chance to get a hat-trick after dismissing MP Arjun and Alfred Absolem in the last ball of his seventh over and the first of his eighth but Pagadala Naidu denied him the milestone by managing to survive that ball. The young paceman''s performance though was not best ever on debut as Maharashtra''s Vasant Ranjane had taken nine wickets for 56 run against Saurashtra in 1956-57.

Source: Published>

Bopanna rises to career-high rank of 14 in doubles

Mon, Nov 01 10 02:22 PM

New Delhi, Nov 1 (PTI) A runners-up finish at the St. Petersburg Open propelled Rohan Bopanna to career-best ranking of number 14 in the ATP doubles charts and also helped his team with Aisam-ul-haq Qureshi get back the number six rank. The yesterday''s performance helped Bopanna rise two rungs and in the players ranking while the Indo-Pak Express moved one place up, keeping them alive for World Tour Finals, where top eight singles players and doubles teams compete. Mahesh Bhupathi, who slid to 15th in individual doubles ranking, and his Belarusian partner Max Mirnyi are standing on the edge of top-eight. Leander Paes, who has already qualified for the World Tour Finals along with Lukas Dlouhy, was static on number five. Meanwhile in the singles, Somdev Devvarman slipped to 96, a loss of two positions. In the WTA charts, Sania Mirza rose a rung to 165 and Poojashree Venkatesh jumped 44 places to 554 in singles. In doubles, Sania''s ranking was unchanged at 64.

Source: Published>

Ronaldo reckons he is simply phenomenal

Published>Mon, Nov 01 10 02:16 PM

London, Nov.1 (ANI): After netting twice for Real Madrid in a match against Hercules, Portuguese football star believes that he is simply phenomenal.

Ronaldo has taken his tally to 10 goals in four League games and 3 goals in nine games in all competitions.

"I am in phenomenal shape and on a great run of form. I come away happy with everything, for scoring and for winning," The Sun quoted him, as saying. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Hyderabad dismissed for lowest total in Ranji History

Mon, Nov 01 10 02:08 PM

Jaipur, Nov 1 (PTI) Hyderabad today recorded the lowest total in the history of Ranji Trophy when they were incredibly all out for just 21 runs against Rajasthan, as the new season began on a sensational note here. The 18-year-old debutant Deepak Chahar wreaked havoc by taking eight wickets to inflict the humiliating record on Hyderabad. The previous lowest total was registered by Southern Punjab, who were all out of 22 in a chase of 114 against Northern India in Amritsar in 1934-35 in the first edition of the domestic cricket tournament. Hyderabad also equalled the record for the lowest total in India''s first-class cricket history. Way back in 1915-16, Mohammedans were also out for 21 against Bombay Quadrangular. Hyderabad were all out in 15.3 overs in 78 minutes in their first innings in the plate-division match after host skipper Hrishikesh Kanitkar won the toss and elected to field. Not even a single Hyderabad batsman could manage a double digit score and three of them even failed to open their account. Opener Akshat Reddy (6) was the top scorer for the visitors. Medium pacer Chahar would have not have thought of such a dream debut as he recorded sensational figures of 7.3-2-10-8. His pace colleague Pankaj Singh claimed the other two wickets. Chahar had a chance to get a hat-trick after dismissing MP Arjun and Alfred Absolem in the last ball of his seventh over and the first of his eighth but Pagadala Naidu denied him the milestone by managing to survive that ball. The young paceman''s performance though was not best ever on debut as Maharashtra''s Vasant Ranjane had taken nine wickets for 56 run against Saurashtra in 1956-57.

Source: Published>

Rooney is a troubled soul: Fergie

Published>Mon, Nov 01 10 01:52 PM

London, Nov.1 (ANI): Manchester United coach Alex Ferguson believes his star striker Wayne Rooney has been a troubled soul.

Rooney has gone from Player of the Year to a flop for England and Manchester United and a figure of shame for his reported dalliance with a prostitute, The Sun reports.

Ferguson said: "I don't know the reason for his loss of form because it started in the World Cup. Whether some clubs have been filling his head in that period to affect him we don't know. The important thing is for us to put it behind us. But certainly something has been troubling him."

Ferguson believes the weight of feeling against Rooney forced a U-turn as he finally signed a new five-year contract worth 250,000-pounds-a-week.

Ferguson said: "Nobody enjoys that sort of attention. When he saw the impact his decision made it took him aback and he had a rethink." (ANI)

Source: Web Search

HSBC bank on rugby and golf to reach out to new markets

Published>Mon, Nov 01 10 01:38 PM

It clearly pays to be part of the Olympics and golf and rugby sevens have already started counting the cash.

The two sports will be readmitted to the Games in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro -- 112 years after golf's last appearance in St Louis in 1904 and 92 years after rugby last featured, in its 15-a-side format.

The impending Olympic inclusion has not gone unnoticed and HSBC has already signed deals to drive maximum mileage from it.

The bank recently signed a sponsorship deal with the International Rugby Board's (IRB) global sevens tournaments, renewed its backing for the British Lions -- the rugby union touring side -- and inked a partnership agreement with the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, golf's governing body.

"Not only do they have the heritage which is attractive but both sports have a huge opportunity due to the Olympic Games.

"It's sort of an ancient-modern piece going on here," Giles Morgan, HSBC group head of sponsorship, told Reuters in an interview.

About 60 percent of the bank's sponsorship budget is spent towards the emerging markets, the executive said.

"Emerging markets is certainly one of the areas that HSBC is known for and within our sports portfolio a lot of what you see is that we are investing in sports that have to reach out to new markets," according to Morgan.

"The Olympics mean both rugby sevens and golf have to reach out to brand new countries and communities all over the world."

Morgan said the bank does not focus their investments on individuals as they pose a "big element of risk".

"One of the reasons we don't look at individuals is that there is a big element of risk involved with individuals. They can stray from their paths," he said.

"We prefer to do tournaments and events and leagues which are less prone, perhaps, to reputation risks."

Source: Web Search

Youth cricket bodies in Australia to be centralized following adverse report

Published>Mon, Nov 01 10 01:08 PM

Sydney, Nov.1 (ANI): Bodies governing youth cricket in Australia will be centralised after a damning report forced Cricket Australia to completely re-evaluate its structure and revenue streams.

A discussion paper, revealed yesterday in The Sun-Herald, showed huge declines in player participation and television audiences for the game.

In the past decade, it said, ratings had fallen 24 per cent.

"In a sense, it was a seminal moment. The expression I used today was wake-up call," the general manager of communications at Cricket Australia, Peter Young, said of the paper.

He added: "There's a definition that insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different outcomes. We're not going to do that."

In addition to centralising youth cricket, the paper has sparked a review into the structure and administration of Cricket Australia.

It has also led to an admission that Twenty20 cricket would account for half the sport's revenue within 20 years - leading to a reduction in Australia's involvement with Test cricket, although Cricket Australia said this would be minimal.

Channel Nine's director of sport in Sydney, Steve Crawley, said a new rights deal for cricket would be negotiated in 2013 and the network would bid "as hard as ever for cricket". (ANI)

Source: Web Search

PCB governing council to decide on full-time batting coach

Published>Mon, Nov 01 10 12:52 PM

Lahore, Nov 1(ANI): The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)'s Governing Council will meet today to decide if a full-time batting coach is needed for the national team.

"The matter will be deliberated upon and then it will be decided if we need to appoint a specialist batting coach with the team," the Daily Times quoted PCB Chief Operating Officer Wasim Bari, as saying.

A source however claimed that Bari has already been given the task of negotiating with some prospective candidates, and he has spoken to some foreign and local candidates.

The board is concerned with the lack of batting consistency in the national team with the 2011 World Cup also around the corner.

Bari also said that the council would study the tour to England reports submitted by coach Waqar Younis and manger Yawar Saeed.

The source also said that PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt would distribute some of his powers during the meeting to council members.

Butt had been ordered by chief patron President Asif Ali Zardari to distribute his powers.

"First and foremost Ijaz will be transferring his authority and secondly to directly look into cases of indiscipline or corruption by players to the integrity commission which will report directly to the council," the source said. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

European Leagues round-up: Ronaldo on song

Published>Mon, Nov 01 10 12:46 PM

Cristiano Ronaldo's rich vein of form continued with two goals as Real Madrid came from behind to beat Hercules 3-1 and stay top of La Liga.

In England, Nani's bizarre goal in Manchester United's 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur was the hot topic of debate and surprise Italian leaders Lazio went four points clear.

SPAIN

It was a good weekend for Real Madrid and Barcelona and a poor one for the teams with a realistic chance of challenging the La Liga giants for the title. Leaders Real came from behind to win 3-1 at promoted Hercules with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring two late goals to take his league tally to 10 in four games and 13 in nine matches in all competitions in October.

Barca routed Sevilla 5-0 thanks to two goals each from Lionel Messi and David Villa and one from former Sevilla full back Daniel Alves.

Real are top with 23 points, Barca have 22. Villarreal (20) and Valencia (17) slipped further behind the leading pair when they were held to 1-1 draws by Sporting Gijon and Real Zaragoza respectively.

ENGLAND

Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United secured victories to maintain their places at the top but Manchester City lost ground with a second successive defeat.

Leaders Chelsea grabbed a 2-1 victory at Blackburn Rovers with a late header by Branislav Ivanovic while Alex Song's 88th-minute header secured a 1-0 home win for Arsenal over West Ham United.

Manchester United beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 with Nani's late goal the talking point. The Portuguese nicked the ball from Heurelho Gomes as the Spurs keeper was about to take a free kick he thought had been given for a handball but the referee had waved play on and Nani took full advantage.

City were disjointed in their second successive defeat, 2-1 at Wolverhampton Wanderers. Liverpool's second victory in a row, 1-0 win at Bolton Wanderers, lifted them out of the bottom three.

ITALY

Lazio shot four points clear after their 1-0 win at Palermo and AC Milan's 2-1 home defeat by Juventus, where Alessandro Del Piero became Juve's all-time record Serie A scorer.

Champions Inter Milan went second following a 1-0 victory at Genoa where Sulley Muntari netted his first goal in over a year with help from bumbling goalkeeper Eduardo.

Sampdoria dropped Antonio Cassano, possibly for good, after the Italy forward insulted the club president but they still won 1-0 at Cesena thanks to Giampaolo Pazzini's stoppage-time goal.

Napoli celebrated Diego Maradona's 50th birthday with a 1-0 success at Brescia with Argentina's Ezequiel Lavezzi fittingly grabbing the winner.

GERMANY

Borussia Dortmund reclaimed top spot after beating Mainz 05 2-0 to set a new Bundesliga record with their fifth successive away win since the start of the season.

Goals from teenager Mario Goetze and Lucas Barrios made sure Dortmund went a point clear at the top on 25 from 10 games, one ahead of Mainz.

Gylfi Sigurdsson struck twice to help Hoffenheim crush Hanover 96 4-0 and move into third place on 18 points while injury-plagued champions Bayern Munich showed signs of recovery, beating Freiburg 4-2 to move up to seventh.

Schalke 04's troubled season took a turn for the worse when they slumped to a 1-0 defeat by Bayer Leverkusen that left the Champions League competitors in 17th spot, level on six points with bottom-placed Borussia Moenchengladbach.

FRANCE

Promoted Brest claimed top spot in Ligue 1 with a 2-0 home win against St Etienne on Saturday as the Olympique Marseille v Stade Rennes clash was postponed because of heavy rain.

Bad weather in southeastern France also forced the postponement of Monaco v Girondins Bordeaux.

Olympique Lyon, French champions from 2002 to 2008, revived their campaign with a 2-1 home victory against Sochaux on Saturday with youngster Alexandre Lacazette netting the winner in his third top flight appearance.

Paris St Germain's season was stalling after a 1-1 draw at Montpellier, a week after they were beaten at home by AJ Auxerre.

NETHERLANDS

Dutch champions Twente Enschede went top of the table after beating 10-men PSV Eindhoven 1-0, their first away win over their opponents for 37 years.

Costa Rican Bryan Ruiz set up Nacer Chadli on the hour to seal victory for unbeaten Twente, a result which pushed PSV down to second place.

Twente have 28 points from 12 matches, one ahead of PSV and Ajax Amsterdam, who cruised to a 4-1 win at Heracles Almelo.

PORTUGAL

Leaders Porto and second-placed Benfica posted wins ahead of their encounter in next weekend's classico.

Benfica beat Pacos de Ferreira 2-0 at home, with Argentine playmaker Pablo Aimar opening the scoring in the 14th minute after a solo run past three defenders. Brazilian forward Alan Kardec added the second with a 65th-minute penalty.

A Silvestre Varela volley two minutes before halftime gave Porto a 1-0 away win over Academica on a rain-drenched pitch.

GREECE

Djibril Cisse scored twice as Panathinaikos came from behind to overcome Olympiakos Pireaus 2-1 in a pulsating Athens derby and close to within a point of their rivals at the top of the Super League.

AEK Athens lost ground on the top two after slipping to a 1-0 defeat at struggling Panionios. They are in third, five points adrift of leaders Olympiakos.

AEK were reduced to 10 men in the 36th minute when Uruguay defender Claudio Dadomo was sent off for an off-the-ball kick at Andreas Samaris. The goal came five minutes after halftime when Lorenzo Riera, whose first-half penalty was saved by AEK keeper Sebastian Saja, headed home Yiannis Maniatis' cross.

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