Sports: 12/01/10

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

India accelerates for Formula Championship 2011

Published>Thu, Dec 02 10 01:22 PM

Chennai, December 02 (ANI): MRF, one of the leading tyre manufacturers of India, on Wednesday announced the schedule of Formula Championship 2011, which is to be held in Chennai. The managing director of MRF Tyres, Arun Mammen, announced that the 2011 leg of the championship will be bigger than its maiden season in 2010 with the addition of 12 racing cars against 10 to last season, making 22 drivers in total. The championship with eight races in all will see the first six to take place at Madras Motor Race Track on February 5, 6, 12 and 13, and the final two at the Jaypee International Circuit, Noida on October 29 and 30.

Source: Web Search

Hamilton impressed by 2011 McLaren Formula One car

Published>Thu, Dec 02 10 01:08 PM

London, Dec.2 (ANI): Former Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton has said that he is impressed by next year's McLaren Formula One car.

The 2008 world champ gave his verdict after jumping into the "cockpit" of the new MP4-26 for a virtual test on the Woking team's simulator, The Sun reports.

He had several tweaks to try out, including a driver-controlled moveable rear wing that can increase or increase drag and the return of the kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) that provides an instant power boost.

Hamilton, fourth in this year's championship, told his followers on Twitter: "Lots of neat ideas and improvements. First time driving the new car and I was happy. KERS and rear wing is trick but felt right at home with it."

Teammate Jenson Button also said the KERS comeback could give McLaren an edge over their rivals in 2011. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Tarundeep Rai visits his coach

Thu, Dec 02 10 12:52 PM

Gangtok, Dec 2 (PTI) Tarundeep Rai who became the first Indian to win an individual archery medal in the Asian Games after he bagged a silver, visited his coach R B Tamang and showed him the medal. Tarundeep of Sikkim is the first person from the state to have won a silver medal at the Asian Games and he straightaway went to his coach Tamang''s place last evening to express his gratitude. The archer said he would like to thank Tamang for helping him honing his skills. Tamang, on the occasion also expressed his gratitude towards Chief Minister Pawan Chamling for having approved his and Tarundeep''s project to set up an archery academy at Namchi in South Sikkim. On the need for such an academy, Tamang stressed that the focus would be to scout for talent at grassroots in rural Sikkim and then provide them with the technical training and access to the right equipment which was presently not available to them. If this was provided, Sikkim will soon dazzle in the national and international archery scene, he stressed.

Source: Published>

NBA - Rockets send Lakers to rare four-game losing streak

Thu, Dec 02 10 12:48 PM

The Houston Rockets defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 109-99 Wednesday to hand the two-time defending champions their first four-game losing streak since the 2006-07 season.

Kevin Martin had 22 points and the Rockets scored the last nine points of the game to run away from the struggling Lakers (13-6) before a crowd of 18,116 at the Toyota Center.

Kobe Bryant scored 27 points on 10-for-24 shooting and Lamar Odom added 25 points and 11 rebounds but Los Angeles could not turn things around after previous defeats to Utah, Indiana and Memphis.

The Lakers' Pau Gasol appeared limited physically as he made just two of eight shots for eight points.

Los Angeles led Houston 97-94 with 3:10 to go, but Shane Battier made two straight three-pointers and scored 11 of his 17 points in the final three minutes to lift the Rockets (6-12).

"Whatever we're going through is probably good for us. It's humbling," Odom told reporters. "(We have to) understand that we can't win those games if we don't play basketball the right way and do all the little things we need to do as a group."

Source: Published>

HPCA plans 12 stadiums all over Himachal

Thu, Dec 02 10 12:08 PM

Amit Kumar Das Shimla, Dec 2 (PTI) The picturesque stadium in Dharamshala has already put Himachal Pradesh on the international cricket map and state association President Anurag Thakur says the HPCA is now planning to build stadiums in each of the 12 districts of the hill state. Anurag, who became the youngest president of the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association at the age of 25, said the HPCA was dealing with paucity of funds and numerous other challenges when he first took over. "When I became the president of HPCA in 2000, I was very young and I had a lot of challenges ahead. Himachal had never won a Ranji match and the annual budget used to be Rs 20 lakh. I started arranging funds and in the last 10 years, the budget has gone up to Rs 20 crore," the MP from Hamirpur told PTI. "We started providing good facilities, infrastructure and coaches to the players and soon the team which never used to win, won the Ranji trophy plate championship in 2005, which was very satisfying," he added. Mastermind of the Himachal Pradesh Twenty20 Mahasangram, which has been recognised by the Guinness world records as the world''s largest cricket tournament, Anurag said the idea behind having such a tournament was to discover new talent and make the state a cricketing powerhouse. "We had this challenge of getting a regular inflow of talented players from the state and for that we started district level tournaments in a league format. But we thought that in remote areas there are many who don''t get an option to play cricket. So the idea was to bring all this unorganised talent under the banner of Himachal Pradesh cricket association," he said. "This tournament has a budget of Rs 80-90 lakh and roughly 1400 teams and 16,000 players will be playing, which is huge. Through this tournament, we will look to tap talent and give a boost to the sport," he added. Son of Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, Anurag said the HPCA intends to spend around Rs 60 crore on building 12 multi-sport stadiums in Himachal Pradesh but adds it will be challenging. "We have built the Dharamshala stadium by spending Rs 50 crore. We have started building 12 stadiums, one in each district, where we will be spending around Rs 5 crore for facilities of cricket and also other sports like volleyball, basketball, kho kho, weightlifting, taekwando, so we will be spending around Rs 60 crore. We have already built stadiums in Bilaspur, Nadaun and three more are in process," he said. "But the problem is most of Himachal is forest area, so it takes a lot of time to get the approval. The state government is very keen in giving us the land. After the hosting of the two IPL games, it has given us a big boost and we are now looking at sport tourism as well," he said.

Source: Published>

Strauss questions Johnson's axing for second Ashes Test

Published>Thu, Dec 02 10 11:52 AM

Adelaide, Dec 2(ANI): England captain Andrew Strauss reckons that it is a "big call" by Australia to drop out of sorts fast bowler Mitchell Johnson for the second Test match of the Ashes series, starting in Adelaide on Friday.

Strauss described Johnson as an important player for Australia.

"It's quite a big call for them to leave him out, but that's not something that concerns us," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Strauss, as saying.

"You can't worry about what's happened already or get sidetracked by it," he added.

Johnson has been dropped from Australia's 12-man squad for the second Test match due to his poor form.

The left-arm fast bowler had a horror time during the drawn first Test in Brisbane, where he finished with match figures of 0-170, dropped a catch and made a 19-ball duck.

"Mitchell Johnson is out of the side, so we are down to the other quickies left and we'll decide the final make-up of the XI in the morning. The selectors felt that he just down on a bit of form and down on a bit of rhythm, I think that was probably highlighted in the last game," Australian captain Ricky Ponting said.

"As we all know, the game of Test match cricket is hard enough as it is without having to try and find those types of things in the middle of a Test match," he added.

Johnson is likely to be replaced in the starting XI by Doug Bollinger, who was surprisingly left out of the opening Test when the selectors opted for first innings hero Peter Siddle. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Malik dropped because of Super Sixes loss?

Thu, Dec 02 10 11:22 AM

Karachi, Dec 2 (PTI) Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik being ignored for the New Zealand tour could be a result of the team''s unlikely loss in the Super Sixes Tournament final in Hong Kong under his captaincy last month. Sources said Malik, who was ignored by the selectors on Tuesday for the New Zealand tour despite his terrific form in domestic cricket, may have been sidelined because of the Hong Kong tournament. "Malik was captain and in the final opponents Australia required 48 runs in the final over to win the match. Imran Nazir a part time bowler was given the ball and incredibly even in the super sixes format he conceded 48 runs bowling number of wides and no-balls in the decisive over," one source said. He said the final over had raised eyebrows in the Pakistan Cricket Board and given Malik''s disciplinary record as well the selectors decided to play it safe. "If a player has scored three big hundreds in succession in domestic cricket he is always a serious contender but in Malik''s case his ouster may also be linked to non-cricketing reasons," the source said. Malik himself told the media that he was extremely disappointed at not making the team. "What more do I have to do to prove myself. I have scored nearly 580 runs in five innings with three centuries and I have taken 14 wickets for PIA in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and if this not enough to win me a place back in the team I don''t know what is," Malik said. "If the selectors are not considering me when I am in prime form then I think I am within my right to at least ask them to tell me on what grounds I have not been picked in the touring squad," Malik said.

Source: Published>

Let ICC take call on DRS, not cricket boards: Smith

Thu, Dec 02 10 10:22 AM

Johannesburg, Dec 2 (PTI) The BCCI''s refusal to have the Decision Review System during India''s tour of South Africa this month has not gone down well with host captain Graeme Smith, who feels DRS'' implementation should be decided by the ICC instead of individual boards. The referral system would not be used in the Test series starting here on December 16 as the BCCI is not in favour of it. "I think the ICC should manage it," Smith told the Afrikaans daily ''Beeld'' when asked about the development. "Currently it is left to the relevant cricket authorities and if one of the two does not agree, it is not used. The ICC should assume full responsibility for it, rather than leaving it in the hands of the home boards." India remains skeptical of the DRS but South Africa has used the system in its last two home Test series. "We had some difficulty with it the first time against Australia, but in the series against England we had mastered it," Smith said. Smith feels it would be difficult to assess the value of the DRS if it is not used regularly. The Proteas skipper said teams would struggle to get used to the system if it was used only occasionally.

Source: Published>

NBA - Raptors rout Wizards to spoil Wall's return to line-up

Thu, Dec 02 10 09:48 AM

The Toronto Raptors spoiled the return of number one draft pick John Wall to the line-up by routing the Washington Wizards 127-108 on Wednesday.

Wall, whose ankle and knee injuries kept him out of the last two games, came off the bench to score 19 points and deliver eight assists, but the Wizards could not contain the hot-shooting Raptors.

Andrea Bargnani scored 14 of his 18 points in the first half when Toronto exploded for a 72-52 lead, and DeMar DeRozan scored a team-high 20 to help the Raptors (7-11) snap a two-game losing streak.

Seven players scored in double-figures for the Raptors, who shot 58 percent to keep Washington winless on the road this season at 0-9.

JaVale McGee recorded 21 points but three-time All-Star Gilbert Arenas made just one of 10 shots and scored just seven points as the Wizards (5-12) lost their fourth straight.

Source: Published>

Johnson dropped by Australia for 2nd Ashes test

Published>Thu, Dec 02 10 09:28 AM

ADELAIDE (Reuters)- Australia have dropped pace bowler Mitchell Johnson for the second Ashes test against England, captain Ricky Ponting said on Thursday.

Johnson, the 2009 ICC Cricketer of the Year, finished the first test in Brisbane with figures of 0-170 as England batted for two days to rescue a draw.

"Mitchell Johnson is out of the 12 so we're down to the other quickies," Ponting told a news conference at the Adelaide Oval.

"The selectors felt he was down on a bit of form and down on a bit of rhythm and that was highlighted in the last match. And as we all know test match cricket is hard enough without having to try and find that kind of thing as well."

His departure leaves Australia with a 12-man squad for the test, which starts on Friday, with Doug Bollinger and Ryan Harris both vying for their Ashes debut.

"It's obviously disappointing but it's not the end of the world," said Johnson. "I didn't perform in that test match. I'm a strike bowler for Australia and I need to be getting wickets.

"Mentally I felt fine throughout that test match, whereas in the past if I didn't get any wickets I'd have been yelling into my hat. I just need to keep to keep working on my bowling."

Ponting suggested that both Bollinger and Harris might be included, that latter at the expense of Ben Hilfenhaus, when the team was announced on Friday morning.

"There's competition for every spot on our team and that's always been the case since I've been playing international cricket," Ponting said.

"Hilfy's strength are his ability to swing the new ball. He's a very consistent bowler, he bowls in good areas, he's able to tie bowlers down as we saw in the Brisbane test at various time.

"Ryan's strengths are he's grown up here, he's played all his cricket here, he's probably slightly quicker in the air, he probably hits the ground harder than Ben.

"You put all that together and it makes that decision a pretty tough one, that's why we need a fair bit of time to think about it."

Bollinger was the last man dropped from the first test squad in favour of Peter Siddle, who went on to take six wickets and a hat-trick in England's first innings.

Harris has recently returned to first-class cricket after knee surgery but Ponting said he was definitely fit.

"We're not worried about Ryan's knee at all," he said. "If we were concerned about his knee, we wouldn't have included him on our squad."

Australia squad - Shane Watson, Simon Katich, Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Clarke, Mike Hussey, Marcus North, Brad Haddin, Doug Bollinger, Ryan Harris, Ben Hilfenhaus, Peter Siddle, Xavier Doherty.

Source: Web Search

Grateful McDowell back at Sherwood after life-changing year

Published>Thu, Dec 02 10 09:08 AM

U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell has barely had the chance to take stock of a life-changing season after criss-crossing several time zones in a dizzying five-week stretch.

The Briton has competed in European Tour events in Spain, Shanghai, Singapore, Hong Kong and Dubai since the end of October and he is now on the West Coast for this week's Chevron World Challenge.

"This is my sixth week on the road now ... so I've pumped a few air miles," McDowell told reporters at Sherwood Country Club on Wednesday. "But it's been good.

"At some point this month I'll sit down and reflect on what's been a life-changing season. I haven't given myself a second to think about what I've achieved this year."

Northern Irishman McDowell has achieved a great deal, securing a maiden major title and the winning point at the Ryder Cup in Wales among several other highlights.

And it was all made possible 12 months ago when he was given a late entry to the Chevron World Challenge after tournament host Tiger Woods withdrew following stunning revelations about his marital infidelities.

McDowell took full advantage of Woods's absence by ending that week in second place, just one shot behind winner Jim Furyk, to give his own world ranking a major boost.

"There's no doubt, getting the invite from the Tiger Woods Foundation to play here really kind of shaped the start of my season," the 31-year-old from Portrush said.

"I finished sixth in Doral, which I probably wouldn't have been in if I hadn't played as well as I did at the Chevron, got to the Masters, and my season had some solidity."

MAJOR BREAKTHROUGH

Having broken into the world's top 50, McDowell went on to clinch his first major title in the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach in June.

"If I don't finish second at the Chevron here last year, perhaps I miss the U.S. Open and perhaps I'm not sitting here right now after having a dream season," he mused with a smile.

"It's kind of weird how small things can shape a year."

McDowell ended his 2010 European Tour season with three victories, having also triumphed at the Valderrama Masters and Wales Open, to lie second in the money list.

"I'm looking forward to drinking a few cold beers and looking back on a great year," the seven-times European Tour champion said. "It's been amazing, a whirlwind ride."

McDowell could see both good and bad for golf because of the struggles faced by Woods since his private life unravelled so spectacularly at the end of last year.

"With Tiger going through his troubles and whatnot, I think it's given the world a chance to view what golf might be like without Tiger," he said. "We see that golf is very healthy. We've got some really great, young talent coming through.

"But on another note, golf needs Tiger back as well so I'm looking forward to him getting back to winning tournaments again next year.

"I'm sure he'll be pretty motivated to get his number one spot back."

Woods, a 14-times major champion, failed to win a single tournament this year and was dethroned as world number one by Britain's Lee Westwood last month.

Source: Web Search

FIFA all set for biggest decision in world sport

Published>Thu, Dec 02 10 08:28 AM

FIFA will take the biggest and most far-reaching decision in international sport on Thursday when its executive committee votes on the host nations for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

When FIFA president Sepp Blatter opens the envelopes to reveal the winning names for the two tournaments at the Zurich Messezentrum some time after 1600 local time (1500 GMT), he will spark a financial, economic and social frenzy that will last in the winning countries for more than a decade.

The value of hosting the World Cups is virtually incalculable and could boost the economies of the winning bidders and of FIFA itself by hundreds of millions of dollars, pounds, roubles, euros or any other currency involved.

Thursday is the culmination of a bidding process that has involved 11 nations with England, Russia and joint bids from Spain/Portugal and Netherlands/Belgium seeking to host the finals in Europe in 2018.

The United States, Japan, South Korea, Qatar and Australia are involved in a separate race for 2022 and by awarding two World Cups so far into the future, FIFA is closing the door on any more World Cup bidding wars for around 10 years when the next contest begins for the 2026 World Cup.

The Netherlands/Belgium campaign team will be the first in action on Thursday when they begin their final presentation to the executive committee at 0900 local time (0800 GMT), followed by Spain/Portugal at 1000 (0900 GMT), England at 1100 (1000 GMT) and Russia at 1200 (1100 GMT).

The executive committee convenes at 1400 (1300 GMT) with the results expected around 1600 (1500 GMT).

Apart from sparking a likely economic boost for the successful candidates, the only other thing certain in Zurich is that the competition for both tournaments is too close to call -- with no-one able to predict which way the 22-man executive committee will vote in its secret ballot.

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Johnson dropped by Australia for second Ashes test

Thu, Dec 02 10 08:08 AM

Pace bowler Mitchell Johnson has been dropped from the Australia squad for the second Ashes test against England, captain Ricky Ponting said on Thursday.

The 2009 ICC Cricketer of the Year finished the first test in Brisbane with figures of 0-170 as England batted for two days to rescue a draw.

His departure leaves Australia with a 12-man squad for the test with Doug Bollinger and Ryan Harris both vying for Johnson's spot in the team.

"The selectors felt (Johnson) was down on a bit of form and down on a bit of rhythm and test match cricket is hard enough without having to try and rediscover that as well," Ponting told a news conference.

The final team will be announced on the first morning of the test on Friday.

Source: Published>

Marseille on the lookout for Azpi stand-in

Thu, Dec 02 10 06:08 AM

Leaders Olympique Marseille are searching for someone who can fill the void left by Cesar Azpilicueta after the right-back was ruled out for the rest of the season with a serious knee injury.

On Sunday, Didier Deschamps' men travel to 16th-placed Nice on 26 points from 15 games and with a one-point lead at the top of Ligue 1 after a goalless draw at home to Rennes on Wednesday.

After a lacklustre start to their season, champions Marseille are now enjoying a good run of form.

They top the standings in Ligue 1, are through to the semi-finals of the League Cup and have qualified for the Champions league last 16 for the first time in eleven years.

But the long-term absence of the young Spaniard could break that momentum.

"We could hire someone immediately or take a risk and wait until the January transfer window", Deschamps told the press.

Since his 7 million euro move from Osasuna in the summer, "Azpi" had become one of the main architects of Marseille's successes having started 12 league matches this season as well as four games in Europe.

But the 21-year-old ruptured cruciate ligaments in his left knee a week ago during Marseille's 4-0 demolition of fellow title contenders Montpellier.

According to reports, Marseille have shortlisted Rennes' Rod Fanni for his replacement.

Fanni, 28, is an experienced Ligue 1 player and received his first call-up for France in october 2008.

"He is an interesting player", sporting director Jose Anigo told the club's website (www.om.net). "He has the right profile, he is an international, he plays in France and he can play at different positions."

FRUSTRATION

Elsewhere second-placed Lille host Lorient on Saturday, while Brest, third on goal difference and one point shy of the top, face Paris Saint Germain at the Parc des Princes on Sunday.

Promoted Brest are brimming with confidence after a 4-1 thrashing of RC Lens on Tuesday in which Bruno Grougi scored a double and was involved in his team's two other goals. The in-form striker helped Brest end a three-match winless streak.

PSG need to put behind them the frustration created by the draw conceded at Lyon in the dying minutes last week.

The Parisians are fourth on 23 points, two points adrift of arch-rivals Marseille, and level with Montpellier who host Lyon on Saturday.

Rennes will need to make do with a host of injured players when they entertain Monaco on Saturday.

They are without defenders Kader Mangane, Onyekachi Apam and Kevin Theophile-Catherine and midfielders Alexander Tetey, Sylvain Marveaux and Fabien Lemoine.

Source: Published>

Italy suffers as Juve are frozen out of Europe

Published>Thu, Dec 02 10 05:48 AM

Italian teams Juventus and Sampdoria were knocked out of the Europa League on Wednesday and holders Atletico Madrid were staring at an early exit after a 3-2 home defeat by Greek side Aris.

Juventus were held to a 1-1 draw by Polish champions Lech Poznan in Group A, their fifth in as many matches, in freezing weather which made a snow-covered pitch almost unplayable.

Second-placed Lech are three points ahead of Juventus and have a better head-to-head record on away goals after their 3-3 draw in the reverse fixture. Manchester City went top of the group and secured a berth in the last 32 with a 3-0 win over Salzburg.

Flamboyant Italian striker Mario Ballotelli scored twice for City at Eastlands and winger Adam Johnson added the third in the closing stages.

Zenit St. Petersburg made it five wins out of five in Group G with a 3-1 home success over Anderlecht and AEK Athens are in a good position to join them after beating Hajduk Split by the same score on a pitch resembling a quagmire.

Having scored a hat-trick in Lech's 3-3 draw with Juventus, Latvian striker Artjoms Rudnevs returned to torment the double European champions and triple UEFA Cup winners in front of a raucous home crowd braving the cold.

Rudnevs headed in a 12th-minute corner by Bosnia midfielder Semir Stilic and Lech keeper Krzystof produced a string of superb saves before Vicenzo Iaquinta, wearing a skiing cap like many of this team mates, set up a dramatic finish.

Juventus, wearing white shirts, were almost as invisible as the ball on a snow-covered pitch in the first half and although they improved after the break, Lech held on in the closing stages to send their fans into raptures.

AT MERCY

Atletico, beaten by Aris 1-0 in their first match, are level on points with the Greek side in Group B but behind on head-to-head, meaning that progress into the knockout stage is no longer in their own hands.

Atletico are now at the mercy of eliminated Norwegians Rosenborg, who must do them a favour away to Aris if the holders are to progress with a result against group winners Bayer Leverkusen. The 1988 UEFA Cup winners clinched the group with a 1-0 win at Rosenborg.

Sergio Koke fired Aris into a second-minute lead but Atletico looked set to seal a berth in the last 32 after Diego Forlan and Sergio Aguero struck shortly afterwards.

Koke drew level with a penalty soon after the break before Nikos Lazaridis silenced the Vicente Calderon faithful in the 81st minute.

Italy striker Giampaolo Pazini fired Sampdoria ahead against PSV Eindhoven on the stroke of halftime but the Dutch side stormed back thanks to a brace from Swede Ola Toivonen to stay top of Group I on 13 points.

They were joined in the last 32 by Ukraine's suprise packages Metalist Kharkiv, who sealed their berth with a 2-1 home win over Hungary's Debreceni.

Swiss campaigners Young Boys Berne celebrated an impressive 4-2 win over Vfb Stuttgart thanks to a late double from Zambian forward Emmanuel Mayuke, with both sides through from Group H.

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Pitch invasion mars Birmingham City win

Published>Thu, Dec 02 10 05:08 AM

Ugly scenes marred Birmingham City's 2-1 League Cup quarter-final victory over local rivals Aston Villa on Wednesday with fans ripping up seats and throwing flares into the crowd after a post-match pitch invasion.

Hundreds of police with helmets and plastic shields ringed the pitch and forced fans back in the post-match melee at St. Andrews.

"That sours it a bit for us," Birmingham manager Alex McLeish told Sky Sports Television.

"It doesn't look good when you see the fans running on like that and some of the carrying on and interaction between the terraces and the pitch. It takes us back to the Dark Ages."

Television images showed fans ripping up and throwing seats in the stands while others lobbed flares into groups of spectators.

McLeish said he was worried about possible sanctions but played down fears that the violence could have a negative effect on England's bid to host the 2018 World Cup. The decision will be announced by the world governing body FIFA in Zurich on Thursday.

"I don't think that will affect the World Cup bid, I'm sure that has already been decided," he said.

In the night's other quarter-final, Roy Keane's struggling Championship (second division) Ipswich Town upset West Bromwich Albion 1-0.

ARSENAL FAVOURITES

Ipswich will play favourites Arsenal in the semi-finals while Birmingham City take on struggling West Ham United, who thrashed holders Manchester United 4-0 at a snowy Upton Park on Tuesday.

That match will pit Birmingham against their former owners David Sullivan and David Gold, who took over West Ham in January.

The match at St. Andrews was heading for extra time until Birmingham's Serbian striker Nikola Zigic latched on to a low cross to grab the 84th-minute winner against last year's beaten finalists.

Birmingham had taken the lead against the run of play with a 12th-minute penalty after Lee Bowyer was bundled to the ground by Richard Dunne.

Sebastian Larsson slotted home from the spot but his strike was cancelled out in the 30th by Gabriel Agbonlahor, returning from illness, moments after a strike by Zigic was ruled offside.

The defeat was a bitter blow to Villa's French manager Gerard Houllier, who won the cup twice as Liverpool coach.

A 69th-minute penalty by Grant Leadbitter was enough to send Ipswich, reeling from four straight league defeats including a 4-1 loss to local rivals Norwich, through at a cold and wet Portman Road.

"The performance was pretty good tonight, I have to say," Keane told BBC radio. "I thought we deserved it, we should have won the game by three or four."

The Irishman was less happy about the draw immediately afterwards, however.

"Obviously Arsenal are a top team and they will no doubt be delighted at getting ourselves, the only Championship team left," he said. "It will be a great education for our players."

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Ponting urges his team to seize the moment

Thu, Dec 02 10 04:28 AM

Australia captain Ricky Ponting has urged his players to seize their opportunities in the remaining four Ashes tests against England after the first test in Brisbane ended in a draw.

"Winning test matches is never about one, two, three or four outstanding performances," Ponting wrote in his column for The Australian newspaper published on Thursday.

"This series is all about contributing when we get our opportunities.

England, who had conceded a 221-run first inning deficit, batted for most of the final two days to post 517 for one at the Gabba.

The Australians' performance, particularly that of their bowlers, has come under intense scrutiny as the sides finalise preparations for the second match in Adelaide starting on Friday.

"England was the same in Brisbane. They had a few of their batters go very well and (Steve) Finn took six of their 11 wickets," Ponting said.

"If you want to take the cold, hard figures from the game, they're in exactly the same boat as us.

"Reading some of the reports, it almost looked like England had won, but it's still nil-all and there were some real positives to come out of the game."

Ponting singled out centuries by Mike Hussey and Brad Haddin and the bowling of Peter Siddle, who took a first innings hat-trick, plus Ben Hilfenhaus in England's second innings as important contributions.

"I sat down with nearly all the players after the game the other night in Brisbane, the bowlers in particular, and spoke to them one-on-one about how they felt they went and how they could improve," he added.

"If you look at the last match, there were only a few who had any impact on that game whatsoever.

"We need nine or 10 of the 11 making an impact in Adelaide if we're going to win the test."

Australia are expected to name their team after training on Thursday, with local media already speculating that Mitchell Johnson will be replaced by fellow left-arm fast bowler Doug Bollinger.

Queensland fast bowler Ryan Harris is also tipped to play, though the selectors will need to find out how much his knee has recovered from surgery and whether he can get through a heavy workload on what has traditionally been a friendly batting pitch at the Adelaide Oval.

Source: Published>

Harrison refuses to give up despite dismal defeat

Thu, Dec 02 10 03:48 AM

Former Olympic gold medallist Audley Harrison refused to quit as a professional heavyweight on Wednesday despite being pilloried for last month's dismal defeat to WBA world champion David Haye.

"After spending some time away reflecting on the fight and outcome, I have made the decision to continue my journey in boxing and carry on my career as a professional," Harrison said in a statement on his website (www.audleyharrison.com).

"The outcry from the fight is expected as I didn't get the result I wanted and the critics have once again tried to bury me under the rubble and hope I disappear," added the 39-year-old.

"Let the haters and negative comments continue -- I don't really care.

"I know me and I can sleep at night as I'm happy with who I am today. Yes it hurts not to achieve your goals, but we roll up our sleeves and we try again; such is the beauty of life."

Dubbed "Fraudley" and "Ordinary", Harrison put up a pitiful display against Haye in Manchester -- throwing just one punch on his way to a third round technical knockout.

Fans, some of whom had paid 1,000 pounds ($1,560) a ticket, felt cheated and taunted Harrison afterwards with "How can you sleep?".

"He's going to box on, but who's going to buy the tickets to go and watch him?," British and Commonwealth champion Dereck Chisora said on Wednesday.

"Even if he gives them to you for free are you going to go and watch?...Good luck to Audley anyway."

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Marseille extend Ligue 1 lead despite Rennes stalemate

Thu, Dec 02 10 02:48 AM

Olympique Marseille opened a one-point lead at the top of Ligue 1 after they were held to a goalless home draw by Stade Rennes in a rescheduled game on Wednesday.

The French champions, who have not conceded a goal in their last four outings in all competitions, have 26 points from 15 games.

Second-placed Lille and third-placed Brest, who beat RC Lens 4-1 on Tuesday in another rescheduled game, both have 25 points.

At Marseille's Stade Velodrome, the hosts kept a clean sheet for a fourth game in a row in all competitions, although they failed to score for the first time since a 2-0 defeat at Chelsea in the Champions League in September.

Rennes got off to the best start but Jires Kembo Ekoko missed a penalty in the fifth minute after Steve Mandanda brought down Victor Hugo Montano.

The Marseille keeper made up for the mistake by saving Kembo Ekoko's attempt with a fine dive.

Rennes were barely a threat thereafter while Marseille increased the pressure, only for playmaker Lucho Gonzalez to blow a clear chance when he missed the target from close range with 17 minutes left.

Andre Ayew only had his chance in added time but his header just shaved Nicolas Douchez's post.

Elsewhere, St Etienne conceded a 1-1 draw at Valenciennes.

Source: Published>

Pilic back in old routine for Davis Cup final

Published>Thu, Dec 02 10 01:46 AM

Bogdan Obradovic is Serbia's Davis Cup captain but as the players went through their paces on Wednesday, two days before their first final appearance against France, it was Niki Pilic calling the shots.

Pilic, who captained Germany to three Davis Cup triumphs before steering his native Croatia to a maiden title in 2005, has been working as an "adviser" to the Serbian team since he was approached by former protege Novak Djokovic in 2007.

Any notion, however, the 71-year-old former French Open runner-up has played a passive background role in Serbia's run to the final in the Belgrade Arena could not be further from reality.

As workmen put the finishing touches to the VIP seating in the imposing 20,000-seater indoor venue, Pilic, racket in hand, paced around at courtside as Nenad Zimonjic and Viktor Troicki practised against Janko Tipsarevic and reserve Ilija Bozoljac.

Occasionally Pilic conferred with the 43-year-old Obradovic but for the most part he stood alone, deep in thought.

At one point he had a heated debate with the bearded Tipsarevic as tension mounted ahead of the biggest day in Serbia's short time as an independent tennis nation. The Davis Cup, it seems, is still very much in Pilic's blood.

"Anything can happen in the Davis Cup but we are very optimistic," Pilic said as he walked off into the depths of the stadium for a meeting with the captain.

"In order to get three points you have to play well. It is the only formula. The second does not exist."

It is a simple philosophy but one that has served Pilic well.

SOMETHING SPECIAL

Should Serbia get the three points they need against a France side weakened by the absence of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga he would become the first man to have been involved with three different Davis Cup-winning nations.

"That would be something special," said Pilic who still runs the tennis academy in Munich where world number three Djokovic arrived as a 12-year-old from the war-torn Balkans bent on becoming a grand slam champion.

Doubles specialist Zimonjic, who made his Davis Cup debut in 1995 before the former Yugoslavia fragmented, said Pilic's experience in the unique demands of Davis Cup play had helped Serbia become established in the World Group.

"He has been there for three years, since we first got into the World Group," the 34-year-old told Reuters. "He has been a big help for Bogdan who didn't have so much experience.

"He offers support and guidance about the things needed to be done and to have somebody like Niki who has done it before with two other nations definitely helps going into this final.

"But then I think what really matters is the team are mentally and physically prepared -- it's what we do on the court which is going to decide it because you're on your own then."

Twice Wimbledon doubles champion Zimonjic said he did not know whether he would play with Troicki or Tipsarevic in Saturday's doubles rubber.

"We will sit down with Bogdan and Niki on Saturday and see what the situation is," he said.

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FACTBOX - Five bidders contest 2022 World Cup prize

Thu, Dec 02 10 01:28 AM

REUTERS - The five bidders seeking the right to stage the 2022 World Cup finals -- Australia, South Korea, United States, Qatar and Japan -- are locked in a battle with three apparent favourites and two outsiders.

Below are the latest pros and cons ahead of Thursday's vote by FIFA's executive committee (result expected 1500 GMT).

AUSTRALIA - Has made much of its past experience and success in hosting major events, including the Sydney Olympics and the rugby World Cup. Hopes to emulate Germany's success in providing fans with a fun-packed tournament in a party atmosphere. Argues that its geographical position close to Asia will make for an economically successful event, though the time difference with Europe, still the most influential continent in soccer terms, puts it at a distinct disadvantage. Huge distances, chilly winter evenings and a reliance on air travel could make it less enjoyable for supporters than the bidders are hoping.

Latest odds: 5/2

- - -

JAPAN - Co-hosted the 2002 World Cup with South Korea and now wants to go it alone. The bid reads like a science-fiction film with plans to capture action on the field with 200 mini-cameras and 70 microphones, creating 360 degree coverage of the pitch. The data would generate three-dimensional images which would be projected upwards by a screen lying flat on the ground, giving a near-lifelike replica of the real thing. Japan says it will use this technology at fan fests in all 208 national associations. Has superb infrastructure but critics say the bid is gimmicky and when Japan hosted the 2002 event, the time difference meant that both Europe and South America watched matches at unpopular times.

Latest odds: 33/1

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SOUTH KOREA - Like Japan, South Korea has based its bid around excellent infrastructure and high technology. More than the Japanese part of 2002, South Korea's hosting of the event was memorable for the fanatical atmosphere which helped propel the team to the semi-finals. The South Koreans also believe that hosting another World Cup 20 years on could help pave the way for peace and reunification with neighbour North Korea. Fears of hostilities with North Korea, brought into sharp focus last week when the North shelled an island in the South, could also dampen their hopes. Like Japan, it could suffer from having hosted the tournament only 20 years previously and like Australia and Japan the time zone is considered unfavourable for television rights.

Latest odds: 40/1

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UNITED STATES - Hosting the World Cup in 1994 was widely seen as a gamble as the sport was still struggling to establish itself. Things have changed greatly since then with the professional league -- Major League Soccer -- now well established and the national team regulars on the World Cup scene. The U.S. bid is also seen as the most financially attractive and, like Australia, the country is a cultural melting-pot where nearly all visiting teams would find plenty of local support. Minus points could be the difficulty and expense of obtaining U.S. visas, a lack of public transport in major U.S. cities, huge distances, over-dependence on air travel and searing summer heat in many venues.

Latest odds: 5/2

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QATAR - Qatar says that it is time to bring the World Cup to the Middle East for the first time and that not even blistering summer temperatures need be a problem. The oil-rich country has promised to build air-conditioned stadiums and training pitches to alleviate the effects of its ferociously hot climate and says the new stadiums can be dismantled and shipped off to poorer countries after the event. Nevertheless, FIFA's own evaluation committee said conditions were still a potential health threat to players and visiting fans.

Latest odds: 4/6

Source: Published>

FACTBOX - Spending plans of World Cup bidders

Thu, Dec 02 10 01:08 AM

REUTERS - FIFA will choose the host nations for both the 2018 and 2022 World Cups in Zurich on Thursday. Following is a factbox on the spending plans detailed by each of the bidders.

The four bids to host the 2018 World Cup:

England:

Stadiums: England has put forward a list of 17 stadiums in 12 cities, though that includes some alternatives. Seven of the 17 stadiums named are already in place and would require no significant work. Five more are in place but would need to be renovated while five are to be built from scratch (or are already under construction). The total cost for the programme is projected at $2.54 billion.

Running costs: FIFA asked bidders for projected costs of hosting not only the World Cup but the Confederations Cup, a small-scale international tournament best thought of as a World Cup dress rehearsal held the previous year. England's projected running costs are $722.9 million.

Ticket sales: England's projection is to put up 3,397,000 tickets for sale.

- - - -

Netherlands/Belgium:

Stadiums: The joint-bid puts forward 14 stadiums in 12 host cities. Seven of the stadiums would be new builds, with six existing and requiring renovation and one currently ready for use. The budget for stadium construction and renovation is projected at $2.43 billion.

Running costs: Projected running costs for the Confederations Cup and World Cup are put at $541.6 million.

Ticket sales: A World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium would see an estimated 3,304,000 tickets put up for sale.

- - - -

Russia:

Stadiums: A successful bid from Russia would lead to a massive building project. Russia has put forward proposals for 16 stadiums in 13 host cities, with only three current stadiums being renovated and 13 to be built from scratch. The construction project is budgeted at $3.82 billion -- the largest figure among the four European bidders.

Running costs: Staging the 2017 Confederations Cup and 2018 World Cup in Russia would cost $641.3 million, the bid has estimated.

Tickets: Russia would put up a projected 3,141,000 tickets for sale at a 2018 World Cup.

- - - -

Spain/Portugal: The joint-bid from the Iberians proposes 21 stadiums in 18 host cities but FIFA's technical evaluation notes that this is pending a final cut. Of these 21, nine exist but would require renovation, seven would be ready without the need for significant work and five are new builds. The joint-bid has estimated the cost of this programme at almost $2 billion.

Running costs: Spain/Portugal expects running costs for a 2017 Confederations Cup and 2018 World Cup to hit $675.6 million.

Tickets: The Iberian bid reckons the total number of sellable tickets for the World Cup at 3,674,000 -- the highest of the four bidders for 2018.

- - - -

2022:

Japan:

Stadiums: Japan would use 13 stadiums in 11 host cities and according to their estimates not much work would need to be done. Of the 13, 12 already exist and just one would need to be built -- not surprising when you consider that Japan co-hosted the event with South Korea as recently as 2002. The total budget for stadium construction and renovation is between $700 million and $1.3 billion.

Running costs: Japan put its budget for the delivery of the Confederations Cup in 2021 and the World Cup in 2022 at $843.4 million.

Ticket sales: Japan would expect to sell up to 3,280,000 tickets at the World Cup.

- - - -

South Korea: The 2002 World Cup co-hosts (see above) propose using 14 stadiums in 12 host cities. As with Japan, all but one of the stadiums exist (with some renovation needed). The 14th is being built for the 2014 Asian Games. The total budget for stadium building and renovation is put at $877 million.

Running costs: South Korea has submitted the lowest estimated running costs of all nine bidders for the two tournaments, just $496.6 million to stage the Confederations Cup and World Cup.

- - - -

Qatar: Qatar proposes a much larger building programme. Under the proposals submitted to FIFA, Qatar would renovate three stadiums and build nine new ones, with the 12 stadiums divided among seven host cities. The total cost of the construction and renovation would be around $3 billion, the bid estimates.

Running costs: Qatar has submitted a budget of $645.5 million to run the Confederations Cup in 2021 and the World Cup the following year.

Ticket sales: Qatar projects a total number of 2,869,000 tickets going on sale at the 2022 World Cup.

- - - -

United States: The United States has put forward 18 stadiums in 18 host cities -- the number to be cut down at a later date -- and every one of them is ready for use without significant renovation, although some adaptation will be needed as most are used for American football at present. There is therefore no budget for stadium construction/renovation work.

Running costs: The U.S. estimates costs of $661.2 million to run the Confederations Cup in 2021 and the World Cup in 2022.

Ticket sales: The estimate for the total number of tickets a U.S. World Cup could put on sale is 4,957,000 -- by the far the largest amount of any of the bidders for 2022, or indeed for 2018.

Source: FIFA evaluation reports.

Source: Published>

FIFA turns back the clock 44 years

Published>Thu, Dec 02 10 12:48 AM

World soccer's governing body FIFA will turn back the clock 44 years on Thursday when they announce more than one World Cup host nation on the same day for the first time since then.

It will be the third time that FIFA has announced successive host nations -- after doing so in both 1946 and 1966 when, on July 7, just four days before that year's finals kicked off in England, they announced no less than three World Cup host nations on the same day.

Unlike now, the decisions in both 1946 and 1966 were taken by members of the FIFA Congress rather than the executive committee. And unlike now, there was one single candidate for each World Cup.

At their Congress in Luxembourg in 1946 with FIFA regrouping after the Second World War, they awarded what was originally going to be the 1949 finals to Brazil and the 1951 finals to Switzerland.

Those tournaments were later re-scheduled to take place in 1950 and 1954. Brazil and Switzerland were the only bidders.

Then at their London Congress in 1966, they awarded the 1974 finals to West Germany, the 1978 finals to Argentina and the 1982 finals to Spain, all on the same day.

In each case, those countries were the only bidders.

Thursday's decision in Zurich bears little relation to what happened in either 1946 or 1966.

On Wednesday, the five bidding nations for 2022 -- Australia, Qatar, South Korea, United States and Japan gave their final presentations to FIFA while the four bidding campaigns for 2018 -- England, Russia, Netherlands/Belgium and Spain/Portugal will give their final presentations.

As Harry Been, the chief executive of the joint Netherlands-Belgium said in Zurich this week: "There are only days to go and the whole world is looking in the direction of Zurich.

"Seventy countries will be taking the live broadcast (of the announcement) and tens of millions will watch it as it happens on Thursday. It is an enormous event."

Source: Web Search

Japan promises 'World Cup - the next generation'

Published>Thu, Dec 02 10 12:28 AM

Japan promised its bid to host a "next generation" World Cup in 2022 was not science fiction as leaders pledged to broadcast holographic images of matches live to 400 stadiums around the world.

"There will be live relay of World Cup matches, played out lifesize in 3-D," Junji Ogura, chairman of Japan's bid, told FIFA's executive committee on the eve of Thursday's vote, adding that broadcasts would be shared with all 208 of FIFA's member nations.

"It's not about one nation hosting the games, it's about 208 countries and regions," he said as Japan promised to deliver what they described as the "first next generation World Cup".

Kohzo Tashima, CEO of the Japan bid, said the broadcasting rights for the new technology would be sold separately, greatly increasing revenue for soccer's governing body.

"This is the magic which will revolutionise the experience, the excitement," said Tashima who, like all the presenters, wore Japanese replica shirts.

The presentation was begun by an eight-year-old girl who said that visitors would be provided with handheld devices which, amongst other things, could offer instant translations between any of around 50 languages.

"Just imagine the crowds in 400 stadiums watching matches, looking down at the pitch turned into a giant screen," said Howard Stringer, Sony Corp chairman and CEO. "This is not science fiction, it's science fact."

Japan is bidding against Australia, South Korea, Qatar and the United States for the right to stage the 2018 World Cup, with the decision coming on Thursday.

Source: Web Search

Gambhir's unbeaten ton helps India beat Kiwis by eight wickets

Published>Thu, Dec 02 10 12:12 AM

Jaipur, Dec 1 (IANS) Stand-in cricket captain Gautam Gambhir struck a flawless unbeaten century as India beat New Zealand by eight wickets in the second One-day International here Wednesday to go two-up in the five-match series.

Chasing a target of 259, Gambhir remained unbeaten on 138 from 116 balls, as India achieved the target in 43 overs.

Gambhir's decision to bowl first also proved right as S. Sreesanth claimed four wickets to restrict New Zealand to 258 for eight in 50 overs at the Swai Mansingh Stadium.

While chasing, Gambhir and Murali Vijay (33) dominated with their 87-run opening partnership, that set the tone. With the in-form Virat Kohli (64), Gambhir was also involved in 116-run stand for the second wicket that took the match beyond New Zealand's reach.

Earlier, while batting, New Zealand, who were three wickets down for 96 runs, revived their innings through opener Martin Guptill (70) and Scott Styris (59) to put up a respectable total.

New Zealand lost their first wicket with just 14 runs on the board when Sreesanth had Jamie How caught behind.

The Indian pace trio -- Sreesanth (4-47), Ashish Nehra (1-45) and Munaf Patel (1-34) -- bowled a disciplined line, not allowing Guptill and Kane Williamson to score freely.

New Zealand were 62 for the loss of one wicket in 15 overs, before Williamson, who made 29 off 46 balls, found his stumps rattled by a typical Munaf delivery that nipped back and went through the gate.

Ross Taylor (15) failed to cash in on the dropped chance by R. Ashiwn and could add only 32 runs with Guptill, before Yusuf Pathan removed him through his first ball, caught by Kohli at mid-wicket.

Guptill, who struck three fours and a six in his 102-ball stay, and Styris then dropped anchor to add 65 runs. Styris hit five fours and a six in 56 balls.

Ashiwn dismissed Guptill and India bowled well in the slog overs to put skids on New Zealand scoring.

Sreesanth got the wickets of Jamie How, Styris, Daniel Vettori (31) and Kyle Mills.

Source: Web Search

Clijsters voted woman tennis player of the year

Published>Thu, Dec 02 10 12:06 AM

Berlin, Dec 1 (DPA) Kim Clijsters of Belgium has been voted the woman tennis player of the year for the second time in her career, governing body WTA announced Wednesday.

Clijsters, who first earned the accolade in 2005 and came out of retirement last year, won five trophies 2010, highlighted by a third US Open title.

'It's really nice to win the Player of the Year award just one year after making a comeback and while I didn't think it would come so quickly, I am thrilled with the news,' the 27-year-old Clijsters said.

Compatriot Justine Henin, also back in action from a two-year hiatus, was named Comeback Player of the Year and Czech Wimbledon semi-finalist Petra Kvitova took the Newcomer of the Year award. The doubles award went to Gisela Dulko of Argentina and Italian Flavia Pennetta.

The winners are determined in a poll by the global tennis media.

Source: Web Search

Gambhir's unbeaten ton helps India beat Kiwis by eight wickets

Published>Wed, Dec 01 10 11:38 PM