Hockey gods and bobs make it Canada's day

Published>Thu, Feb 25 10 01:26 PM

The Canadian men restored order in their Olympic ice hockey house and headed to the semi-finals after a 7-3 rout of Russia on Wednesday, a day of redemption and medal manna from heaven for the host nation.

In a country where hockey is religion, Canadians rejoiced to be back on the medal track in Winter Games venue Vancouver where maple leaf-clad fans poured into the streets three days after a demoralising loss to the Americans.

"We actually had doubts, about the game with Russia, but they won, and how," said Mindy Mahil, a fan perched on a fountain waving a large red-and-white flag.

Canada's happiness was compounded minutes later as two of the women's bobsleigh teams took the top two medals, the gold going to Kaillie Humphries in a thrilling final that saw a highly rated German team flip over on the fast ice track.

With a gold that takes Canada to the top of the medal table alongside the United States and Germany, two silvers, a bronze and the big hockey win, Wednesday was Canada's day.

Day 12 of the Winter Games had its notable losers too.

South Korea were disqualified while they were celebrating what they thought was their victory in women's short track 3,000 metres relay.

The gold went to China, while the Koreans' cheers turned to tears and they rushed past reporters without stopping to explain what referees deemed a push in the relay exchange.

It was also a disappointing day for top American skier Lindsey Vonn, the downhill gold medallist who crashed out on a fog-enveloped giant slalom and broke her little finger.

The giant slalom second leg fell prey to poor weather and will run instead on Thursday morning, with no Vonn and little hope for team mate and defending champion Julia Mancuso.

In a different type of skiing, Australia's Lydia Lassila flew and spun her way to Olympic gold in women's freestyle aerials, cleanly landing two of the hardest jumps of the day.

"Ever since I started this sport, I wanted to jump like a man," said Lassila, when asked why she tried such a difficult jump on her first effort.

'STILL OUR GAME'

For all of Canada's medal stash, no Olympic honour is more coveted than the gold one in men's hockey.

"You want to do well because you're proud and because you think hockey is Canada's game," said Canada coach Mike Babcock after Wednesday's win.

"Now it's pretty obvious it's the world's game but we still think it's ours and I'm a bit of a redneck so I like to think it's ours.

After losing to the United States in the final round of preliminary matches on Sunday, Babcock told the nation the team had chosen to take a "longer route" to get where they wanted to be. And so far, he was right, and it has been pretty scenic.

Forced to play an extra match to qualify for the quarter-finals, Canada dispatched Germany 8-2 on Tuesday. Twenty four hours later, they lined up for a mouthwatering clash with Russia and dominated from start to finish.

Canada will face Slovakia, who knocked out 2006 Turin gold medallist Sweden in a 4-3 thriller.

The United States was the first team to reach the semi-finals when they beat Switzerland 2-0 on Wednesday, both goals coming from Zach Parise. The Americans will face Finland for a place in the final.

FALLING IN THE FOG

Heavy fog at Whistler mountain forced the postponement of the women's giant slalom until Thursday morning. Austrian Elisabeth Goergl was leading France's Taina Barioz by 0.02 seconds.

Vonn's fall wreaked havoc on Mancuso, who was forced to stop her run with Vonn still on the course and make a new run later in worse snow conditions.

The two-time silver medallist at these Games finished back in 18th place and left the course in tears.

"I know that she is mad and probably frustrated and probably mad at me but I can't help that I fell," Vonn said.

"I wanted to finish, I was having a great run and wish I could have come down and not have her be flagged and that is absolutely not what I wanted."

Merchandisers had been cashing in on her appeal by selling t-shirts and baseball caps with Vonn-Couver emblazoned on them, but she has failed to live up to the hype.

She defied a painful shin injury to win gold in the women's downhill and a bronze in the super-G, but blew her chances of adding to her medal haul by falling in her two other events.

Despite the broken pinkie, Vonn is expected to race in the final women's Alpine event, the slalom scheduled for Friday.

As the Games enter the final stretch, two athletes accumulated their second gold medal. Martina Sablikova of the Czech Republic won the women's 5,000 metres speedskating gold while Marcus Hellner led Sweden to a surprise victory in the men's cross country relay.

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Hopes rest on man who beat the bullet

Published>Thu, Feb 25 10 01:21 PM

New Delhi, Feb. 25 -- When it comes to the World Cup, drag flicker Sandeep Singh does not have fond memories. The young penalty corner specialist missed the last edition at Monchengladbach in 2006 due to a freak accident just before the team's departure to Germany. Sandeep was travelling by train from Chandigarh to join the team in Delhi when the gun of a CRPF soldier, sitting behind him, went off accidentally and the bullet hit him on the back. The injury meant he was not able to play his first World Cup. Four years later, Sandeep is a vital cog in India's plans at the 12th edition, starting at the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium on Sunday. As the team's main drag flicker, a lot depends on Sandeep's performance, as penalty corners are the main mode of scoring in modern hockey. Though Diwakar Ram and Dhananjay Mahadik can also take the short corners, Sandeep will be the main man. India have thought out several strategies for penalty corners, including indirect drills, and will be using them in case things don't work out with Sandeep's flicks. So, what should Sandeep do in order to fulfil the team's aspirations? For a start, he has to be in top shape as he is also one of the three fullbacks. Consistency with the flicks is a must because wasted opportunities can be the difference between victory and defeat. "Nowadays, penalty corners are a main scoring weapon and teams that utilise their chances do well. Sandeep will be the key for India when it comes to PCs," said Jugraj Singh, a former India drag flicker whose career with the national team ended when he got injured in a road accident. Sandeep is more-or-less in a similar position. He has comeback successfully from the injury that kept him out of the Champions Challenge I at Salta and a lot is expected of him. "He will have to work with the goalkeeper to perfect his art, strengthen his flicks and be more consistent," said Jorge Lombi, former Argentine legend and now the assistant coach of that team.

Sandeep would need to improve his conversion rate and be more consistent. "A good strategy for penalty corner conversion is vital as PCs are very important in modern hockey," said Jugraj.

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Security on mind, teams focus on task

Published>Thu, Feb 25 10 01:15 PM

New Delhi, Feb. 25 -- The sub-continent can be a tough frontier to conquer. Like the weather, the spectators can be a revelation but the international teams, gathered in the Capital for the Hero Honda FIH World Cup, are up for the test. "Playing in India is a challenge but the players are confident of performing well," said 23-year-old Marvin Harper of South Africa during an interaction in a city hotel. The forward from Durban, who occasionally essays the role of a mid-fielder, said the players had received guidelines from the cricket team, engaged in a one-day series here, at a "management level". "We have received security advice from the cricket board," he said. Florian Fuchs of Germany shared the concern but said there were more important things to worry about. "India and Pakistan are the local teams and have the home advantage. However, we have a week to get accustomed to the ground conditions," said the 18-year-old striker. Fuchs said Germany's strength lay in its youthful side and they would look to give the hosts a tough fight, if the two teams meet. India are in Pool B, which includes Pakistan, and favourites the Netherlands. Dutch goalkeeper Guus Vogels differed with Fuchs and said conditions would not be a big factor. "Our preparations were hampered because the grounds at home are frozen. We went to South Africa to prepare, played two matches against Pakistan in Doha, Qatar and in Spain. The conditions here are different but we have experienced players who can overcome them."

Striker Ibarra, who made his debut in 2005, said Argentina would have to play as a unit to make a mark.

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200 reasons to say thank you

Published>Thu, Feb 25 10 01:06 PM

New Delhi, Feb. 25 -- It's never a good idea to try and speak for a whole nation. But on Wednesday, it was a risk worth taking. To Sachin Tendulkar, on whom more words have been written than any other cricketer, including Sir Don Bradman, two words will suffice: "Thank you." Over the last two decades and more, the numbers have piled up, sometimes beyond comprehension. He owns every record worth keeping, but the ODI double-hundred, a threshold never crossed in 2962 matches, is something you will all remember, because it's not something expected. It's not an incremental achievement, not another Test hundred or ODI run that just stretches his dominance. It was an effort that sealed a series win and reaffirmed India's dominance. This double hundred is something new from Sachin, something fresh for a country of adoring and massively demanding fans. That he can still produce performances that make you sit up and take notice is a tribute to the longevity of his appeal. For the best part, Indians are envious of Tendulkar: of the money he has earned, the cars he drives, the stories of him shopping for furniture in Europe, the picture in every second hoarding. The question that isn't asked quite so often, is just how much Tendulkar has done for India. Remember the curly-haired cherub - there's really no other word for it - who got hit in the face on his first tour of Pakistan as a 16-year-old, back in 1989, but refused to leave the batting crease? Or perhaps the Desert Storm series, in Sharjah in 1998, where he attacked Australia's bowlers so relentlessly that the bullies were left begging umpires for ridiculous lbw decisions? Or the World Cup in South Africa when he dismissed Shoaib Akhtar from his presence with such authority that the issue was settled well before the winning runs were hit? A couple of years ago, Tendulkar also brought the tennis elbow, an affliction common to the sport its named after but not so well known in cricket, to the attention of the Indian populace. During that time, he made a rare personal admission. "What brought tears to my eyes was the fact that my son Arjun wanted to play with me, wanted me to carry him, but I had to tell him to be careful, because of the elbow," he said. Coming from anyone else, it would have sounded cheesy, corny almost. But Tendulkar has given, and continues to give so much to Indian cricket, that it touched a chord with every father, and some prospective ones. On the day, it was fitting that Mahendra Singh Dhoni was brutalising bowlers at the other end. The bruiser from Ranchi has often been offered as a posterboy for the small towns, the very opposite of Tendulkar, who learned his cricket at Shivaji Park, the one-time cradle of Indian cricket. At a time when all the talk was about phasing out the seniors, Dhoni rose to prominence and eventually assumed the captaincy. Sourav Ganguly and Anil Kumble moved on, and in Dhoni's watch Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman have flourished. In the mad scramble of celebrating New India, Dhoni never forgot those who have driven India's rise to the top.

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Modi takes on Aussies via tweets

Published>Thu, Feb 25 10 12:49 PM

Mumbai, Feb. 25 -- IPL chairman Lalit Modi has been been at loggerheads with Australia skipper Ricky Ponting over the Australians' participation in IPL's third edition starting March 12. But the clash has not put a full stop to Ponting IPL future prospects. It was reported by Australian media that Ponting, whose contract was terminated by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), had a clash with high profile freelance cricketers during the Australian Cricketers' Association meeting about IPL participation in the wake of security concerns. A source confirmed Ponting had an argument with Shane Warne, Rajasthan Royals' skipper-coach, which led to a disagreement between players. On Wednesday, Modi took on Ponting and the cricketers' association via his tweets. "(I've) been told Ricky Ponting is pressuring players not to come. Maybe it's due to the fact he was dropped from KKR," he tweeted. But this does not mean Modi will deny a place in next year's planned auction to Ponting, who hasn't appeared in an IPL tie after his four appearances in the inaugural edition. "We will decide when it is time to decide," Modi told HT. Reiterating IPL's stand of not recognising any players' association, Modi also blasted the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations (FICA).

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Lee knew his time in Tests was over after England won the Ashes

Published>Thu, Feb 25 10 12:45 PM

Sydney, Feb.25 (ANI): Australian pace bowler Brett Lee knew that a part of his career was over last August as England paraded around The Oval with the Ashes.

The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Lee, as saying: " To not play a part in that series was really hard on me. I probably knew after that fifth Test match that the time was right to leave. I had to draw a line in the sand and part with Test cricket.

"Before the Ashes, the way that I trained, the way I got physically prepared for that series, it's the best shape I've ever been in my life. I suppose it's why I'm excited about the future as well, because it was only last year. I knew I can do it, I got back to bowling speeds I was really happy with, I was taking wickets, the ball was swinging, but also there's that fine line," he added.

He further said: "Do I put everything on the line and play three months of Test cricket and never play cricket for Australia again ... or do I give away Test cricket in order to play a few more years for Australia?"

The 33-year-old pacer will now attempt to choreograph his exit from internationals altogether by fighting his way back into the Australian one-day team for next February's World Cup in India.

"If I can be there at the 2011 World Cup, if I could achieve that goal, I would be more than happy to walk away," he said.

Few, certainly Lee, could have guessed that his last appearance in the baggy green would have been the Boxing Day Test of 2008, during which he broke down with a foot injury. He managed to overcome that injury in time for the Ashes tour but after stunning form in the tour game he succumbed to a side strain that kept him out of the first three Tests.

Lee's priority now is three-year-old son Preston.

"I don't want to be away from home for 11 months of the year any more, I've done it for 14 years now," he said.

"I've got a young boy, Preston, and he's the most important thing to me in the whole wide world. And I don't want to be away from him for six months, I won't be, I promised myself, I promised him."

Lee did contemplate quitting the sport entirely but said he still harbours "burning ambition".

After 310 wickets from 76 Tests, Lee sits fourth on the all-time list of Australian bowlers.

He must now hope selectors do not consign him to the stands for the World Twenty20 in May or the World Cup next year. (ANI)

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Capello counts Rooney among world's top three footballers

Published>Thu, Feb 25 10 12:39 PM

London, Feb. 25 (ANI): England coach Fabio Capello has rated Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney as one of the three best players in the world, alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

"Rooney, Messi together with Cristiano Ronaldo are the young players anyone would want in their team. Wayne is extraordinary. He has talent and a desire to learn. Ferguson has taught him such a lot, I've only had to refine him," The Sun quoted Capello, as saying.

The Italian insists that he has done that by telling the 28-goal striker to concentrate on playing in the penalty area more.

"Ronaldo's departure from Manchester has made Rooney more responsible and he is much more involved now," he said.

But Rooney's sensational form has still not ended the repeated calls for his United team-mate Michael Owen to be recalled.

That clearly irritates Capello.

"There is one they want me to select, Owen, given that he is the best England goalscorer of all times. But I cannot select him if he does not play," he said.

As Capello's prepares for the World Cup finals, he believes the size of the foreign legion in English football is a problematic area.

"In the Premier League there are only 38 percent English players but 67 percent in Italy and 63 percent in Spain," he said. (ANI)

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