Spain win as England save their breath

Published>Tue, Mar 09 10 07:48 PM

New Delhi, March 8 -- Spain's only chance of making it to the semifinals was to beat England by a huge margin, 10-12 goals, and hope Pakistan beat Australia by a good margin as the Kookaburras have a huge goal advantage. That was easier said than done because England have been the find of the tournament, won all their matches thus far and were assured of the semifinal spot with a round to spare. On the other hand, Pakistan have not set the turf on fire and, predictably, were beaten by the Australians. The only interest then for Spain was to ensure that they finish third in the pool and played for the fifth and sixth spot. Defeat would have opened up a chance for India to beat South Africa by a big margin and overtake them on goal difference. But Spain completed their end of the bargain and defeated England 2-0 in a match that failed to rise to rise to high standard. England, having clinched their berth in the semis, did not exert themselves much and were more interested in avoiding further injuries. They have already lost three players to injuries (two before the start of event and one after) and wanted to avoid any more casualties going into the business end of the tournament. Spain rode on goals by Pau Quemada off a penalty corner at the stroke of half-time and a field goal by Eduard Tubau in the 64th minute to seal a comfortable 2-0 victory in the Hero Honda FIH Men's Hockey World Cup here on Monday. Though Spain held the upper hand, they could not score more goals. England seems to have saved their breath for the tough semifinal. Spain had to secure third place in the pool and went on the offensive from the start. Albert Sala, Quemada, Pol Amat and David Alegre made some good attacks while for England, skipper Barry Middleton, James Tindall and Iain Mackay played well. Spain had nine shots on goal, of which four went wide. England could manage only six shots with only one on target.

Source: Web Search

Spain win as England save their breath

Published>Tue, Mar 09 10 07:48 PM

New Delhi, March 8 -- Spain's only chance of making it to the semifinals was to beat England by a huge margin, 10-12 goals, and hope Pakistan beat Australia by a good margin as the Kookaburras have a huge goal advantage. That was easier said than done because England have been the find of the tournament, won all their matches thus far and were assured of the semifinal spot with a round to spare. On the other hand, Pakistan have not set the turf on fire and, predictably, were beaten by the Australians. The only interest then for Spain was to ensure that they finish third in the pool and played for the fifth and sixth spot. Defeat would have opened up a chance for India to beat South Africa by a big margin and overtake them on goal difference. But Spain completed their end of the bargain and defeated England 2-0 in a match that failed to rise to rise to high standard. England, having clinched their berth in the semis, did not exert themselves much and were more interested in avoiding further injuries. They have already lost three players to injuries (two before the start of event and one after) and wanted to avoid any more casualties going into the business end of the tournament. Spain rode on goals by Pau Quemada off a penalty corner at the stroke of half-time and a field goal by Eduard Tubau in the 64th minute to seal a comfortable 2-0 victory in the Hero Honda FIH Men's Hockey World Cup here on Monday. Though Spain held the upper hand, they could not score more goals. England seems to have saved their breath for the tough semifinal. Spain had to secure third place in the pool and went on the offensive from the start. Albert Sala, Quemada, Pol Amat and David Alegre made some good attacks while for England, skipper Barry Middleton, James Tindall and Iain Mackay played well. Spain had nine shots on goal, of which four went wide. England could manage only six shots with only one on target.

Source: Web Search

Video referral good for hockey, but need fine-tuning

Published Tue, Mar 09 10 07:38 PM

New Delhi, Mar 9 (PTI) The video referral system at the hockey World Cup may have disappointed many but New Zealand coach Shane McLeod and his German counterpart Markus Weise feel the newly-introduced system is a valuable addition to the game and only needs some fine-tuning. The referral system, introduced in an international competition for the first time, has been under the scanner right from the start of the tournament. Not only India coach Jose Brasa and his Australian counterpart Ric Charlesworth were the strong protesters of the system, it also irked South African captain Austin Smith who termed it "bizarre and imperfect". However, Germany coach Weise seemed happy with the new rule but said some fine-tuning would make it better. "I am happy with the referral system. I think it can be of great help to the onfield umpires as the speed of the game makes it very difficult for the umpires to judge each and everything correctly," Weise told reporters after Germany beat New Zealand 5-2 to enter the semifinals of the megaevent. "I think it should be used more frequently to get things right but I am of the opinion that the umpires should themselves refer a decision if they have a doubt," he said. More PTI SSC AT

Source: Web Search

Video referral good for hockey, but need fine-tuning

Published Tue, Mar 09 10 07:38 PM

New Delhi, Mar 9 (PTI) The video referral system at the hockey World Cup may have disappointed many but New Zealand coach Shane McLeod and his German counterpart Markus Weise feel the newly-introduced system is a valuable addition to the game and only needs some fine-tuning. The referral system, introduced in an international competition for the first time, has been under the scanner right from the start of the tournament. Not only India coach Jose Brasa and his Australian counterpart Ric Charlesworth were the strong protesters of the system, it also irked South African captain Austin Smith who termed it "bizarre and imperfect". However, Germany coach Weise seemed happy with the new rule but said some fine-tuning would make it better. "I am happy with the referral system. I think it can be of great help to the onfield umpires as the speed of the game makes it very difficult for the umpires to judge each and everything correctly," Weise told reporters after Germany beat New Zealand 5-2 to enter the semifinals of the megaevent. "I think it should be used more frequently to get things right but I am of the opinion that the umpires should themselves refer a decision if they have a doubt," he said. More PTI SSC AT

Source: Web Search

CWG''10 Chef de Missions seminar begins

Published Tue, Mar 09 10 07:22 PM

New Delhi, Mar 9 (PTI) Chef de Missions from all the 71 participating nations will visit the Commonwealth Games venues in the next two days to take stock of capital''s preparedness for the October 3-14 mega-event. The Chef de Missions are here to participate in a three-day seminar, where different aspects of the event''s organisation will be discussed. Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) president Michael Fennell while delivering the opening address at the seminar today assured the delegates that India would host the Games successfully. "Over the next couple of days, you will visit all the Games venues and find them in various stages of completion. I am sure that the venues will be ready and the overlays will be installed in time for the Games. Some of the venues are completed and test events have either been held or will be held soon. "I am pleased that the Organising Committee, backed by the Government of India, has overcome all hurdles that have come its way. These are our Games and India is only hosting them for us. I am sure you have already experienced the fantastic hospitality that India is capable of," he said. More PTI DB AT

Source: Web Search

CWG''10 Chef de Missions seminar begins

Published Tue, Mar 09 10 07:22 PM

New Delhi, Mar 9 (PTI) Chef de Missions from all the 71 participating nations will visit the Commonwealth Games venues in the next two days to take stock of capital''s preparedness for the October 3-14 mega-event. The Chef de Missions are here to participate in a three-day seminar, where different aspects of the event''s organisation will be discussed. Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) president Michael Fennell while delivering the opening address at the seminar today assured the delegates that India would host the Games successfully. "Over the next couple of days, you will visit all the Games venues and find them in various stages of completion. I am sure that the venues will be ready and the overlays will be installed in time for the Games. Some of the venues are completed and test events have either been held or will be held soon. "I am pleased that the Organising Committee, backed by the Government of India, has overcome all hurdles that have come its way. These are our Games and India is only hosting them for us. I am sure you have already experienced the fantastic hospitality that India is capable of," he said. More PTI DB AT

Source: Web Search

Others copied our winning mantra: Warne

Published>Tue, Mar 09 10 07:08 PM

Rajasthan Royals would miss key performer Ravindra Jadeja in third edition of the Indian Premier League, but the team has enough resources to lift the title, according to skipper Shane Warne.

"Jadeja had performed very well in the first edition and even for the country he was doing well. Yes, he will be missed but we have others like Abhishek Jhunjhunwala who can stand up and perform," Warne said.

Jadeja's hope of playing in the event went up in smoke after the IPL governing council turned down his appeal against a one-year ban, which was imposed for negotiating a contract without informing his side.

The Australian spin legend said they would start the season as underdogs and that would work to their advantage.

"Nobody gave us chance in the first IPL and despite that we emerged the champions. This time too, we are having the same feeling and the team has a bunch of youngsters who can help us win the title once again," the leg-spinner added.

Sounding a warning to all other teams, Warne said they are ready to surprise rivals with their own brand of game.

"After two years of competition the teams are predictable but there is always an element of surprise. We did it in IPL-I and that was our brand of cricket.

"The other teams copied it, which proves that our brand was successful. This year too, we have a number of options and that might be used as secret weapons," Warne said.

Asked about his own bowling, Warne said: "I have been hit for many sixes. In Test matches too I was hit for the maximum sixes but had maximum number of wickets too. I don't mind being hit for sixes as long as I keep on taking the crucial wickets."

Under Warne's captaincy, the Rajasthan team won the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2008 but finished an unimpressive sixth last year when the event was organised in South Africa.

The Australian said they will try to capitalise on home support while taking on tough opponents Mumbai Indians. "It (Jaipur) has been lucky for us. We won all the seven outings here in IPL-I and we would be playing here against the tough teams like Mumbai Indians, who have Sachin Tendulkar and many other great players. It would give us confidence to take them on here which has lovely outfield and nice pitch."

Warne also hoped that South African captain and opening batsman Graeme Smith will give the team good starts. "He has arrived in Mumbai and would be joining the squad. He is eager to play in IPL again. Smith was instrumental in giving us a good start earlier and we hope he will continue to do so this time also.

"Besides, Shane Watson is the best all-rounder in world today. But we will miss him for few matches as he will be available only in the latter half. But we have Damien Martyn who is also one of the finest all-rounders," he said.

Source: Web Search