Big stars line up with Vijender, Akhil for Delhi franchise

Published>Wed, Jun 30 10 10:37 AM

Home-grown stars Vijender Singh and Akhil Kumar will be joined by international heavyweights like World Championship silver medallist Roman Kapitonenko of Ukraine and Olympic bronze winner Bahodirjon Sultonov and Beijing Olympics semi-finalist Abdelhafid Benchabla of Algeria, in the Indian team for the World Series of Boxing this November.

Kapitonenko and Sultonov were among the nine international boxers that the team signed up at an auction held in London on Monday night.

The Delhi franchise has already signed up five Indians - Olympic bronze medallist Vijender Singh, Commonwealth games gold medallist Akhil Kumar, Commonwealth champions Jai Bhagwan and Dinesh Kumar and Olympic quarter-finalist Jitender Kumar -for the professional-style event scheduled to start from November 19.

The International Boxer Draft allowed the 12 WSB teams to select from a pool of 175 boxers from 64 countries to complete their squads of national boxers. Under WSB rules, each team must comprise a minimum of three foreign boxers in the five weight classes (54kg, 61kg, 73kg, 85kg, 91+kg).

Source: Web Search

Oranje samba on Friday

Published>Wed, Jun 30 10 10:17 AM

Johannesburg, June 30 -- With clinical efficiency, Brazil dismantled Chile to cruise into the quarter-finals where The Netherlands lie in wait. For neutrals, that should be a lip-smacking tie in Port Elizabeth; one that would be well worth calling an early start to the weekend on Friday. For Brazil, it could be the tallest hurdle ahead of the final if Dunga's team continue to mean business. There's been very little dazzle in Brazil's game so far. Maybe they have saved that for the Oranje boys. The rights to samba soccer have been bought by Argentina, their attacking flair making Brazil look staid in comparison. But if Diego Maradona's men have mesmerised their way into the quarter-finals, those under Dunga have been cold, calculating and ruthless. Brazil have also been famously predictable. Everyone knows about the central midfielders who protect the backline, about why Kaka, Robinho and Luis Fabiano must be denied space and the havoc wingbacks Michel Bastos and Maicon can cause. Dunga has even been able to add Dani Alves to the mix. Before they started against North Korea, the world knew their starting line-up. Yet, for most part of four matches, teams have been clueless trying to stop them. Ahead of Monday's night game against Chile here, Marvin van de Flierdt, a German journalist, said the same about Arjen Robben. All teams know Robben will either go for the top left or the bottom right corner when he is the range, but how useful has that knowledge been, De Flierdt asked. As against Spain, Chile swarmed around Brazil, sometimes with five frontline players. As against them, they trailed 0-2 at the break. As upholders of attacking football, Chile entertained all right, but while they went home, Brazil counter-attacked into the quarter-final. Smart teams pick their fights. Chile didn't. With five Brazilians behind the ball when they didn't have possession, Chile impressed till their front third. It wasn't till the 75th minute that Julio Cesar was really needed; making a reflex save with both hands after the impressive Humberto Suazo turned Lucio the wrong way and fired from close. By then, the quarter-final in Port Elizabeth had been set up. Maicon's corner-kick was headed home by centre half Juan, whose partnership with Lucio is integral to the way Dunga's Brazil play. Drawing an unequal triangle, the attacking trio of Robinho, Kaka and Luis Fabiano then created their second goal of the tournament and Brazil's second on the night. That was the first time Chile felt gobsmacked. Robinho's elegant placement following Ramires's strong run down the middle was the second. In a team which does little without purpose, Robinho's showboating sometimes makes him seem like a profligate among the parsimonious. But then, he scored one goal, set up another and was adjudged Man of the Match. The camaraderie on show at Ellis Park though seemed straight out of Argentina. There were hugs, high fives and huddles where men in thick overcoats jumped with joy in the technical area each time Brazil scored. Robinho and Ramires even broke through photographers to hand slap mates warming up behind the boundary. This squad too smells of team spirit.

Source: Web Search

Asian games medallist Chandgi Ram passes away

Published>Wed, Jun 30 10 09:37 AM

New Delhi, June 30 -- Renowned wrestler Chandgi Ram, who won gold in the 1970 Asian Games, passed away on Tuesday morning following a cardiac arrest. The 72-year-old, popularly known as Master Chandgi Ram, was born on November 9, 1937 in Sisai village in Hisar district of Haryana. Chandgi Ram, the recipient of Arjuna and Padma Shri awards, served as Additional Director of Sports in Haryana and was conferred the titles of Hind Kesari, Bharat Kesari, Bharat Bhim, Rustom-e-Hind and Maha Bharat Kesari. Chandgi Ram's crowning glory came when he won gold in the 100kg category in the 1970 Asian Games in Bangkok. Two years later, he represented India in the 1972 Olympic Games at Munich.

"The world of wrestling and, in fact, Indian sport will be poorer by Master Chandgi Ram's absence," he added.

Source: Web Search

Sorry boys, says FIFA

Published>Wed, Jun 30 10 09:31 AM

Johannesburg, June 29 -- This World Cup's been about apologies. Thierry Henry put his hand up and said sorry after helping France qualify and when they exited, Flourent Malouda sounded contrite. Coming from Switzerland, Sepp Blatter knows French but the FIFA president told the media in English that he has apologised to the English and Mexican football associations. Following Sunday's refereeing gaffes, the media had turned on the heat and after Nicalos Maingot, a FIFA communications official, had stonewalled questions saying he didn't have the authority to comment, Blatter met the media here on Tuesday. "The only thing I can do is yesterday I have spoken to the two federations (England and Mexico) directly concerned by the referees' mistakes. "I have expressed to them apologies and I understand they are not happy and that people are criticising," Blatter said. Blatter'00s apologies are as famous as some of the famous refereeing gaffes or goalkeeping howlers. After the 2006 finals, he apologised to Australia for the penalty through which Italy knocked them out but backtracked saying he was misquoted. With Jerome Valcke by his side, Blatter overruled the FIFA general-secretary's saying that the debate on using goalline technology won't be opened. Valcke though had spoken before Sunday's double disaster. "It is obvious that after the experience so far in this World Cup, it would be nonsense to not re-open the file of technology at the business meeting of the International FA Board in July. "We will naturally take on board the discussion on technology and have first opportunity in July at the business meeting. Personally, I deplore it when you see evident referee mistakes but it's not the end of a competition or the end of football, this can happen." The International Football Association Board (IFAB), which decides on the rules of the game, had in March decided against further experimentation with goal-line technology. The IFAB comprises football associations of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and FIFA. FIFA has four votes to one each for the British associations which means no rule can be passed if FIFA objects. Accepting that "something has to be changed", Blatter also spoke of a new initiative to improve refereeing standards but didn't elaborate.

The comment comes after reports that the former chairman Jean-Pierre Escalettes and coach Raymond Domenech would have to appear before a parliamentary committee.

Source: Web Search

The Men who messed it up

Published Wed, Jun 30 10 09:07 AM

India, June 29 -- The World Cup has been full of on-field controversies. We take a look at the instances that created furore and even changed the outcome of the matches. Lampard strikes, it bounces back Great strike from the England midfielder that beat Neuer in the German goal, and even on first viewing, clearly crossed the line. The goal would have levelled scores at 2-2, and may have made a difference to the result, but referee Jorge Larriono turned away protests by the England players. England went onto lose 1-4. I don't know why, but it's not a goal Koman Coulibaly was the worst among referees. Among his bloopers was a goal that he disallowed for an unexplained infraction. The goal would've given USA a win over Slovenia. After all, Tevez is a man of god Argentine Carlos Tevez's goal, from a position where he was offside by about 6 feet, led to scuffles & protests. Replays in the stadium made Mexican players angry. The goal stood. Red to Cahill when yellow was fine Marco Rodriguez sent off Aussie Tim Cahill for a reckless challenge, in what seemed to be a move designed to get more attention & TV time than a simple yellow would have allowed.

Khalil Al Ghamdi sent off Switzerland's Valon Behrami midway through the first half of their match against Chile for an elbow. He also flashed 9 yellow cards, pretty much killing the flow of the game.

Source: Web Search

Chicken farmer's son not scared ahead of Djokovic clash

Published>Wed, Jun 30 10 08:37 AM

After clipping the wings of the last year's runner-up, Taiwanese chicken farmer's son Lu Yen-hsun faces Novak Djokovic on Wednesday seeking a place in the Wimbledon semi-finals.

Lu, who also goes by the name of "Randy", provided the championships with their biggest shock when he tamed Andy Roddick's brutal serve and became the first Asian man to reach a grand slam quarter-final since 1995.

The 26-year-old, who entertained journalists with a news conference punctuated with anecdotes about chasing chickens around his father's farm, is ranked 82 in the world.

"I know the next opponent is Djokovic," Lu said. "I don't know how far I can play. I cannot tell you. But I can tell you if I have a chance to step on the court, I will fight to the end."

Lu is an unfamiliar name in an otherwise predictable quarter-final line-up which includes the four top seeds.

Champion Roger Federer hit top form in his straight sets demolition of Juergen Melzer and now faces Tomas Berdych while Rafa Nadal's match against the hard-hitting Robin Soderling is an intriguing repeat of the French Open final.

Briton Andy Murray, who has not dropped a set so far in the tournament, takes on Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, the second Frenchman he has faced after beating Gilles Simon in round three. Murray believes an enthusiatic Centre Court crowd could give him an edge.

"He's very exciting to watch," Murray said. "I'm sure there will be some great shots played in the match.

"All the time when you play on Centre Court, obviously it does change a bit depending on what round, but the support's always great. The crowd's always into it when the British guys are playing.

"I'm sure the match against Tsonga won't be any different. Hopefully I can perform well."

Source: Web Search

Japan fans crushed but grateful for surprise run

Published Wed, Jun 30 10 08:25 AM

Japanese soccer fans were crushed with their team's penalty shoot-out loss to Paraguay but grateful for the Blue Samurai's surprise run to reach the knockout round of the World Cup.

"I'm very disappointed, but I thank our team who let us hope and dream," 27-year-old Ryosuke Takashita said at a Tokyo sports bar, where more than 500 fans cheered their national team throughout the scoreless 120 minutes.

The second-round match at Ellis Park ended goalless after extra time and the South Americans netted a perfect five penalties while Japan's Yuichi Komano hit the bar with his team's third shot.

"At the beginning of the World Cup, nobody, even us, expected much from them, but they advanced to the second round to delight us," 24-year-old supporter Fumiya Inaba told Reuters.

"I want to say thank you to them."

Japan, who carried the hopes of Asia as the region's sole remaining team, reached the tournament's knockout round for only the second time and the first on foreign soil.

Although their running into space repeatedly stretched the Paraguay defence, they were unable to reprise the flowing attacks that had torn Denmark apart in their group decider.

"The Japanese players were not as agile as they were in previous games. But the way they courageously battled with Paraguay until the bitter end deserves the nickname Blue Samurai," the Yomiuri newspaper wrote.

Source: Web Search