We lost momentum towards end of batting: Kumble

TAFF WRITER 21:5 HRS IST

Chennai, Mar 31 (PTI) Bangalore Royal Challengers captain Anil Kumble today attributed his side's five wicket defeat to Chennai Super Kings in Indian Premier League to the loss of momentum towards end of their batting, saying that it had made them 20 runs short of a challenging total.

"We had the momentum until the 13th or the 14th over, but then we lost it a little bit," Kumble said referring to Jacques Kallis' inability to force the pace of scoring at a crucial stage of the game.

"We were some 20 runs short, and that made it a little hard for us," said Kumble.

The former India captain said RCB were still well placed for a semifinal berth as seven more matches are left in the league stage.

"There still are seven matches to go. Four out of seven is not a bad start.

Karthik's 69 powers Delhi to a massive win over RR

STAFF WRITER 23:12 HRS IST

Amit Kumar Das

New Delhi, Mar 31 (PTI) Dinesh Karthik blasted a 38-ball 69 and the home side bowlers then wreaked havoc as a resurgent Delhi Daredevils steamrolled Rajasthan Royals by 67 runs in their return leg Indian Premier League match here tonight.

Karthik clobbered six fours and four sixes and added 79 runs off 50 balls with Gautam Gambhir (43) to power Delhi to 188 for six first.

The home side then returned to shoot out Rajasthan for 121 in 17.4 overs to clinch their third win on the trot which catapulted them to the second place in the points table.

For them, Amit Mishra (3 for 25) and Parvez Maharoof (2 for 13) starred with the ball, sharing five wickets between them to snap Rajasthan Royals' four-game winnings streak.

World number one Federer out of Miami tennis

Miami, Mar 31 (AFP) World number one Roger Federer was sent crashing out of the ATP and WTA Masters tournament dropping a 6-4, 6-7 (3/7), 7-6 (8/6) fourth round marathon match to Czech Tomas Berdych.

The reigning Australian Open champion yesterday suffered just his second loss to Berdych in 10 career meetings.

Berdych, the 16th seed, hammered six aces and won 67 percent of his first service points in the two hour, 51 minute match on the hardcourts at Crandon Park.

Six-time Grand Slam champ Rafael Nadal and American Andy Roddick were two of eight seeded players to advance to the quarter-finals yesterday.

Nadal, who is playing in just his fourth tournament of the season, outlasted fellow Spaniard David Ferrer 7-6 (7/5), 6-4.

"With each round it gets more difficult," Nadal said. "I had my moments today but I also had moments where I made more mistakes than usual but it was an important win.

Tendulkar threat looms large as Chargers take on MI

Tendulkar threat looms large as Chargers take on MI

Mumbai, March 27: The threat of Sachin Tendulkar taking the game away by the scruff looms as the biggest hurdle between defending champions Deccan Chargers and a victory in their Indian Premier League tie against Mumbai Indians at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Sunday. Tendulkar, who created history by making a double hundred against South Africa in Gwalior ODI last month, has not let up in his run-scoring ways and stands tall for Mumbai Indians in their quest to clinch the coveted IPL crown after the disappointment of the first two seasons. The champion batsman has been in sublime form and has literally led his team from the front with his superb poise at the crease, which is reflected in MI going into the tie atop the points table with eight points. Tendulkar’s masterly knocks of 63 off 32 balls with 10 fours floored Delhi Daredevils at the Ferozeshah Kotla.

Lajong stun Mohun Bagan

Lajong stun Mohun Bagan

Kolkata, March 27: Last year’s runners-up Mohun Bagan’s title hopes today went up in smoke after succumbing to a humiliating 1-4 defeat at the hands of debutant Shillong Lajong FC in a round 18 match of the I-League here. Having stunned by last-placed Sporting Clube de Goa in their last round fixture, Mohun Bagan were dealt another big blow at Yuba Bharati Krirangan today when the club from North-East scored two goals in each half to register a comfortable win against the local favourite. Lajong drew first blood through Seikhohao Tuboi in the ninth minute and then Kelechi Okoya doubled the scoreline in the 20th minute. Bagan, however, reduced the margin through Surkumar Singh in the 37th minute. But injury time goals from Niwan-O-Gatphoh (90+2”) and Anil Gurung (90+3”) sealed Bagan’s fate. With this win , Lajong climbed up from the relegation zone to be on third last spot with 20 points.

Sahara to review sponsorship to Team India

TAFF WRITER 13:32 HRS IST

New Delhi, Mar 23 (PTI) Having bid a staggering over Rs 1,700 crore for buying an IPL team, Sahara will review its sponsorship to the Indian cricket team, Group chief Subroto Roy has said.

Sahara had bagged the sponsorship for the Indian cricket team for Rs 400 crore for a four-year period ending December 2009, and had agreed to continue for six more months as Board for Cricket Control in India could not find any sponsors.

In the eventuality of Sahara discontinuing the sponsorship, BCCI may find it difficult to rope in a new patron given the mad rush for the Indian Premier League.

"No, it will not. Only thing we will see is our continuation of sponsorship to the Indian cricket team. We will sit on that and we will discuss on that.

Khel Ratna award won’t be shared: Sports Ministry

Khel Ratna award won’t be shared: Sports Ministry

NEW DELHI, March 17: The country’s highest sports award Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna will not be shared by two or more persons in future except in case of Olympic medal winners, Sports Ministry said on Wednesday.

In the past there were occasions when Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna was awarded to more than one person, but the ministry said such cases would be an exception in future.

“There will be only one award every year in the category of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award to be given to an individual sportsperson. This condition will be relaxed only in exceptional circumstances viz, winning of an Olympic medal,” the ministry said.

This decision was taken following recommendations by a committee formed by Department of Sports in August last year to review the process of selection for National Sports Awards.

Dhoni out of action for 10 days, Raina to lead CSK

Dhoni out of action for 10 days, Raina to lead CSK

Kolkata, March 17: Chennai Super Kings’ charismatic captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni will be out of action for 10 days because of an elbow injury and, in his absence, left-hander Suresh Raina will lead the side in the ongoing Indian Premier League.

Dhoni was hit by a rising Shane Bond delivery in yesterday’s match against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens, after which he looked in pain and needed medical attention.

“Dhoni has been diagnosed with an elbow injury and advised 10 days’ rest,” CSK team manager Russell Radhakrishnan said.

Consequentially, Dhoni will miss Chennai Super Kings’ matches against Delhi Daredevils (March 19), Kings XI Punjab (March 21), Royal Challengers Bangalore (March 23) and Mumbai Indians (March 25).

Team owner Gurunath Meyappan and director (cricket operation) V B Chandrasekhar said in a statement that Dhoni would return home and in his absence, Parthiv Patel would keep the wickets.

SAISC best team

SAISC best team

By our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI, March 13: Sports Authority of India Sports Club (SAISC) lifted the best team title in the GSA Inter Club Athletic competition which concluded at the Nehru Stadium here today. SAISC altogether won 45 medals in the tournament which included 25 golds, 12 silvers and 8 bronze medals. Maharana Athletic Club won the runners-up title collecting 15 golds, 13 silvers and 11 bronzes.

In the individual categories, Rinchu Rava of Maharana collected the best athlete award in the U-18 Boys’ section. The trophy for the U-18 Girls’ section was won by Puja Kumari Gupta of SAISC. The best athlete trophy of the U-14 Boys’ and Girls’ section were claimed by Ramu Das (Manipuri Basti High School) and Krishna Saikia (Sarusajai Sports Club).

It may be mentioned here that altogether 92 athletes from different clubs of the city took part in the championship. The closing function of the championship were attended by the president and secretary of the Gauhati Sports Association Pulak Goswami and Munin Nobis respectively along with few other veteran sports organizers.

It’s Ganguly vs Kumble at Eden

It’s Ganguly vs Kumble at Eden

Kolkata, March 13: Two former India captains are set to be at opposite ends when Sourav Ganguly’s Kolkata Knight Riders, fresh from a stunning win over defending champions Deccan Chargers, take on the Anil Kumble-led Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League here tomorrow.

With confidence sky-high and spirt in abundance, KKR’s performance in Mumbai would definitely enthuse the local fans who are expected to turn up in large numbers.

Nobody expected KKR to win against the champion team from Hyderabad but the unpredictable Twenty20 format had something amazing in offer in the inaugural tie at the Dr DY Patil stadium last night.

Inspirational Ganguly who is back as skipper after last season's humiliation, led the team to an 11-run victory.

The absence of the toe-crushing yorkers of Fidel Edwards or the fiery pace of Ryan Harris in the death overs proved costly for the Chargers as the pace duo of Rudra Pratap Singh and rookie Jaskaran Singh struggled in the middle.

The KKR middle-order comprising Owais Shah and Angelo Mathews looked solid and with Laxmi Ratan Shukla and Wriddhiman Saha in the lower-order, the batting appears good even without the firepower of Chris Gayle, Brendon McCullum.

Their new bowling recruit Shane Bond is yet to show up either.

Ganguly admitted that the side, under new coach Dav Whatmore and mentor Wasim Akram, did not bowl well in the beginning but the tactical changes and the wicket of Gilchrist in the middle worked well. (PTI)

India out of semifinal race, lose to England 2-3

India out of semifinal race, lose to England 2-3

New Delhi, March 6: India’s marginal hopes of entering the semifinals of the hockey World Cup went up in smoke as England thrashed the home team 3-2 to secure their place in the last-four stage of the mega-event here today.

The defeat not only saw India go out of contention for the semifinal race but the hosts also registered their third straight loss in the tournament after having bruised an equally unimpressive Pakistan 4-1 in their tournament opener.

With four wins from as many matches, England are through to the last-four stage of the tournament and will take on Spain in their inconsequential last pool match on Monday, while India will play South Africa.

Ashley Jackson (42nd and 47th minutes) and James Tindall (16th) of England continued their good show in the tournament, while Gurvinder Singh Chandi (54th) and captain Rajpal Singh (58th) scored for India at the floodlit Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium.

India lacked the hunger for victory after their back-to-back defeats and looked like a club side in front of their home crowd, committing numerous errors in the all departments of the game. The Indians seemed to have not learnt from their mistakes in the last two matches as they kept on giving open spaces to their opponents inside their circle.

India’s ball-control and trapping was awful. To add to it, the defence, for the third consecutive day, faltered. (PTI)

Videocon in race for Pune IPL team with Abhishek Bachchan

Videocon in race for Pune IPL team with Abhishek Bachchan

NEW DELHI, March 6: A consortium led by consumer durables-to-oil and gas group, Videocon is understood to be in the race for the franchise rights of the Pune team for the Indian Premier League 2011 season with Bollywood star Abhishek Bachchan as a likely partner. According to sources, P Vision Ltd, a company owned by Videocon Group chief Venugopal Dhoot, along with two other Pune-based firms, may rope in Bollywood star Abhishek Bachchan in running the Pune IPL team. When contacted, Dhoot declined to comment. The sources said Videocon is leading the bid for the Pune IPL team as it meets the criteria of billion dollar turnover and upfront bank guarantee of Rs 430 crore, set by organisers of the domestic T20 league. The two new franchises for the IPL’s 2011 season will be announced in Mumbai on Sunday. “Everyone is speculating many things. You will know (bidders) tomorrow,” IPL commissioner and chairman Lalit Modi said while announcing the League's first-ever branded merchandise tie-up globally with 130-yer-old Swiss watchmakers Bandelier in Mumbai. The base price for the two new franchises, which would take up the number of teams in the IPL to 10, has been fixed at $225 million. Gujarat-based industrialist Gautam Adani, CMD of diversified Adani group, is understood to be in the race for the Ahmedabad franchise of IPL 2011. (PTI)

Indian Premier League to announce 2 new franchises

STAFF WRITER 15:0 HRS IST

Mumbai, Mar 6 (PTI) The two new franchises for the Indian Premier League's 2011 season will be announced here tomorrow.

"Everyone is speculating many things. You will know (bidders) tomorrow," IPL commissioner and chairman Lalit Modi said today while announcing the League's first-ever branded merchandise tie-up globally with 130-yer-old Swiss watchmakers Bandelier.

The base price for the two new franchises, which would take up the number of teams in the IPL to 10, has been fixed at USD 225 million.

"We expect the winning bids to be around USD 300 million," a top IPL source revealed.

The terms and conditions for the bidding process have been made stringent with each bidder having been asked to furnish a bank guarantee of USD 100 million along with their bid, the source said.

DLF Indian Premier League

No	Date	Team	Time	Venue
1	3/12/2010	Deccan Chargers vs Kolkata Knight Riders	20:00 (IST)	Dr DY Patil Stadium, Mumbai
2	3/13/2010	Mumbai Indians vs Rajasthan Royals	16:00 (IST)	Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai (Bombay)
3	3/13/2010	Kings XI Punjab vs Delhi Daredevils	20:00 (IST)	Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali – Chandigarh
4	3/14/2010	Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bangalore	16:00 (IST)	Eden Gardens, Kolkata (Calcutta)
5	3/14/2010	Chennai Super Kings vs Deccan Chargers	20:00 (IST)	MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk), Chennai (Madras)
6	3/15/2010	Rajasthan Royals vs Delhi Daredevils	20:00 (IST)	Sardar Patel Gujarat Stadium, Motera – Ahmedabad
7	3/16/2010	Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kings XI Punjab	16:00 (IST)	M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore – Karnataka
8	3/16/2010	Kolkata Knight Riders vs Chennai Super Kings	20:00 (IST)	Eden Gardens, Kolkata (Calcutta)
9	3/17/2010	Delhi Daredevils vs Mumbai Indians	20:00 (IST)	Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi
10	3/18/2010	Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Rajasthan Royals	20:00 (IST)	M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore – Karnataka
11	3/19/2010	Delhi Daredevils vs Chennai Super Kings	16:00 (IST)	Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi
12	3/19/2010	Deccan Chargers vs Kings XI Punjab	20:00 (IST)	ACA-VDCA Stadium, Visakhapatnam
13	3/20/2010	Rajasthan Royals vs Kolkata Knight Riders	16:00 (IST)	Sardar Patel Gujarat Stadium, Motera – Ahmedabad
14	3/20/2010	Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bangalore	20:00 (IST)	Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai (Bombay)
15	3/21/2010	Deccan Chargers vs Delhi Daredevils	16:00 (IST)	ACA-VDCA Stadium, Visakhapatnam
16	3/21/2010	Chennai Super Kings vs Kings XI Punjab	20:00 (IST)	MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk), Chennai (Madras)
17	3/22/2010	Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders	20:00 (IST)	Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai (Bombay)
18	3/23/2010	Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Chennai Super Kings	20:00 (IST)	M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore – Karnataka
19	3/24/2010	Kings XI Punjab vs Rajasthan Royals	20:00 (IST)	Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali – Chandigarh
20	3/25/2010	Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings	20:00 (IST)	Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai (Bombay)
21	3/26/2010	Rajasthan Royals vs Deccan Chargers	20:00 (IST)	Sardar Patel Gujarat Stadium, Motera – Ahmedabad
22	3/27/2010	Kings XI Punjab vs Kolkata Knight Riders	16:00 (IST)	Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali – Chandigarh
23	3/27/2010	Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Delhi Daredevils	20:00 (IST)	M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore – Karnataka
24	3/28/2010	Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings	16:00 (IST)	Sardar Patel Gujarat Stadium, Motera – Ahmedabad
25	3/28/2010	Deccan Chargers vs Mumbai Indians	20:00 (IST)	Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad
26	3/29/2010	Delhi Daredevils vs Kolkata Knight Riders	20:00 (IST)	Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi
27	3/30/2010	Mumbai Indians vs Kings XI Punjab	20:00 (IST)	Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai (Bombay)
28	3/31/2010	Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore	16:00 (IST)	MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk), Chennai (Madras)
29	3/31/2010	Delhi Daredevils vs Rajasthan Royals	20:00 (IST)	Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi
30	4/1/2010	Kolkata Knight Riders vs Deccan Chargers	20:00 (IST)	Eden Gardens, Kolkata (Calcutta)
31	4/2/2010	Kings XI Punjab vs Royal Challengers Bangalore	20:00 (IST)	Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali – Chandigarh
32	4/3/2010	Chennai Super Kings vs Rajasthan Royals	16:00 (IST)	MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk), Chennai (Madras)
33	4/3/2010	Mumbai Indians vs Deccan Chargers	20:00 (IST)	Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground, Nagpur
34	4/4/2010	Kolkata Knight Riders vs Kings XI Punjab	16:00 (IST)	Eden Gardens, Kolkata (Calcutta)
35	4/4/2010	Delhi Daredevils vs Royal Challengers Bangalore	20:00 (IST)	Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi
36	4/5/2010	Deccan Chargers vs Rajasthan Royals	20:00 (IST)	Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad
37	4/6/2010	Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians	20:00 (IST)	MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk), Chennai (Madras)
38	4/7/2010	Rajasthan Royals vs Kings XI Punjab	16:00 (IST)	Sardar Patel Gujarat Stadium, Motera – Ahmedabad
39	4/7/2010	Kolkata Knight Riders vs Delhi Daredevils	20:00 (IST)	Eden Gardens, Kolkata (Calcutta)
40	4/8/2010	Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Deccan Chargers	20:00 (IST)	M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore – Karnataka
41	4/9/2010	Kings XI Punjab vs Mumbai Indians	20:00 (IST)	Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali – Chandigarh
42	4/10/2010	Deccan Chargers vs Chennai Super Kings	16:00 (IST)	Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad
43	4/10/2010	Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kolkata Knight Riders	20:00 (IST)	M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore – Karnataka
44	4/11/2010	Delhi Daredevils vs Kings XI Punjab	16:00 (IST)	Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi
45	4/11/2010	Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians	20:00 (IST)	Sardar Patel Gujarat Stadium, Motera – Ahmedabad
46	4/12/2010	Deccan Chargers vs Royal Challengers Bangalore	20:00 (IST)	Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad
47	4/13/2010	Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Daredevils	16:00 (IST)	Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground, Nagpur
48	4/13/2010	Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders	20:00 (IST)	MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk), Chennai (Madras)
49	4/14/2010	Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bangalore	20:00 (IST)	Sardar Patel Gujarat Stadium, Motera – Ahmedabad
50	4/15/2010	Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Daredevils	20:00 (IST)	MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk), Chennai (Madras)
51	4/16/2010	Kings XI Punjab vs Deccan Chargers	20:00 (IST)	Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala
52	4/17/2010	Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Mumbai Indians	16:00 (IST)	M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore – Karnataka
53	4/17/2010	Kolkata Knight Riders vs Rajasthan Royals	20:00 (IST)	Eden Gardens, Kolkata (Calcutta)
54	4/18/2010	Kings XI Punjab vs Chennai Super Kings	16:00 (IST)	Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala
55	4/18/2010	Delhi Daredevils vs Deccan Chargers	20:00 (IST)	Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi
56	4/19/2010	Kolkata Knight Riders vs Mumbai Indians	20:00 (IST)	Eden Gardens, Kolkata (Calcutta)
57	4/21/2010	1st Semi Final	20:00 (IST)	M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore – Karnataka
58	4/22/2010	2nd Semi Final	20:00 (IST)	M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore – Karnataka
59	4/24/2010	3/4 place playoff	20:00 (IST)	Dr DY Patil Stadium, Mumbai
60	4/25/2010	Final	20:00 (IST)	Dr DY Patil Stadium, Mumbai

Sachin is already a Bharat Ratna: Thackeray

Sachin is already a Bharat Ratna: Thackeray

MUMBAI, March 5: After brickbats, it is now bouquets for cricket maestro Sachin Tendulkar from Shiv Sena.

Sachin’s double-hundred against South Africa in Gwalior has not only silenced his critics, but clean bowled the Shiv Sena, which had taken on the iconic batsman over his ‘Mumbai for all’ remark. “Hundred crore people of this country have already crowned Sachin as Bharat Ratna,” Sena chief Bal Thackeray said in an editorial in party mouthpiece Saamana.

“Shivaji Maharaj used to vanquish Moghuls on battlefield. Similarly, Sachin is a warrior on cricket battlefield. Such warriors are born only in Maharashtra,” Thackeray said.

“Shivaji wielded the sword. Similarly, Sachin wields the bat,” the editorial said. “Sachin does not need anyone’s recommendation to be awarded Bharat Ratna. He is already one,” it said. The Shiv Sena leadership had last year questioned Tendulkar’s loyalty to Maharashtra following his Mumbai for all remark. (PTI)

Somdev let the opportunity slip

Somdev let the opportunity slip

Davis Cup World Group tie vs Russia

Moscow, March 5: Somdev Devvarman let advantage slip out of hands, losing the opening rubber 7-6 (8) 6-7 (4) 3-6 4-6 to Igor Kunitsyn as India conceded lead to injury-hit Russia in the Davis Cup World Group first round tie here today.

Somdev had taken control of the first singles match after winning the first set and taking a 5-2 lead in the second set but lost the plot after that in a marathon contest which lasted close to four hours.

Kunitsyn took the court in place of Igor Andreev, who was sidelined due to a left knee injury. Andreev himself was a last minute relacement of injured Nikolay Davydenko.

Due to slow nature of the court, long rallies came into play and rather than the power, it was persistence, precision and stamina that was required to earn points.

These types of courts suit Somdev’s game but Kunitsyn was brilliant at the net and his tenacity paid in the end.

Murali to bid adieu to Test cricket

Murali to bid adieu to Test cricket

MELBOURNE, March 3: Legendary Sri Lankan off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, who has the highest number of Test wickets under his belt, is planning to quit cricket’s longer version after the tour of West Indies in October. The spin wizard has already announced that he will quit all forms of the game after the 2011 50-over World Cup.

The 37-year-old off-spinner is just eight wickets shy of becoming first player to touch the magical 800-wicket mark in Test cricket. “Maybe I will play one or two Test matches, that’s it, and then retire. The Tests against the West Indies will be the last ones I will play,” Muralitharan said. “My future is all about playing one-dayers until the World Cup. If I am fit and good I will play until the World Cup and the World Cup will be the end of the road,” he said. Muralitharan said his aim was to reach the 800 Test wicket mark before retiring. Muralitharan is currently playing for Sri Lankan domestic side Kandurata in the inter-provincial Twenty20 tournament to decide the country’s representatives at the Twenty20 Champions League. (PTI)

Germany toy with Canada

Germany toy with Canada

New Delhi, March 3: Defending champions Germany sounded a warning to their rivals with a 6-0 pounding of Canada in their second pool A match of the Hockey World Cup here on Wednesday. After being held 2-2 by South Korea in the opening match, Germany breathed life into their campaign with a clinical routing of Canada. Germany, who are looking to win the World Cup third time on the trot, went 4-0 up in the first half with a field a score from Benjamin Wess (3rd minute), and penalty-corner conversions from Jan-Marco Montag (21st), captain Maximilian Muller (22nd) and Martin Haner (27th).

Promising striker Florian Fuchs slotted two goals in the second half (58th, 63rd minute) as Germany logged three points to take their tally to four. It was the second biggest victory for Germany in their World Cup history. They came close to their best performance, 7-0 win against India in 1998. Germany completely dominated the first half and controlled the game right from the start. Much of the play was in the Canadian half as German strikers made relentless forays. Canadian goalkeeper Dave Carter had a busy day and made some good saves. Germany, who wasted half a dozen penalty corners against South Korea, earned eight penalty corners in the match and converted three, all in the first half. Wess scored his second goal of the tournament after Oskar Deecke set the ball up for him. Germany then got two successive penalty corners but Canadian goalkeeper Dave Carter and defender Paul Wettlaufer did well to save the drag-flicks of skipper Muller and Montag. But Montag found his touch five minutes later, striking home the second goal from the next penalty corner.

Montag and Muller then combined to score the team's third goal with a beautiful set piece. The former set the ball for his captain who slammed the ball high into the Canadian goal. Haner added to the tally with a low drag flick to the bottom left corner. Germany maintained the tempo in the second half as well. Matthias Witthaus with a neat dribble paved the way for Fuchs to score the fifth goal and the latter then finished in style with a brilliant reverse flick for the sixth. (IANS)

After reality check, Spanish flair awaits India in World Cup

NEW DELHI: Bruised and battered by Australia, India will have to regroup their forces when they take on Spain in a crucial Pool B encounter of the hockey World Cup on Thursday.

After drubbing Pakistan 4-1 in their tournament opener, the Indians were given a reality check by Australia.

The hosts were surprised by the pace and verve of the Kookaburras, who completely outplayed them in all departments of the game in their 5-2 win last night.

Jose Brasa's men were taught a good hockey lesson by Australia and showed that only control over the mid-field was not enough to win a game.

If pace and fitness was all about Australia, world number three Spain is known for its flair and one-touch hockey and the Indian defence cannot afford to relax at any moment and repeat the mistakes they committed against Australia.

A defeat on Thursday will severely dent India's semi-final chances.

Against the Australians, the Indian defence wore a sorry look from the onset, conceding two goals within the first 10 minutes. Sandeep Singh-led backline had no answers to the speed and angular passes of the Australians.

Such was the Aussie domination that even India coach Brasa admitted his players were not used to such fast nature of hockey.

"We did not play bad, we played at our level much better than what we had in Salta. But Australia played at a different level of fast-paced hockey. We were not used to that kind of fast hockey," Brasa said.

The Indian forwardline, which missed the banned Shivendra Singh, completely looked off-colour with Prabhjot Singh and Deepak Thakur doing very little to prove their presence in the game.

But with the two-match suspension ruling Shivendra out of the next match, the trio of Deepak, Prabhjot and captain Rajpal Singh will have to rise to the occasion and come out with more innovative ideas to beat the Spanish defence.

"Playing without Shivendra and with just 15 players is our main concern," Brasa said.

Sandeep had a bad day in office against Australia as he could not convert even a single penalty corner out of three that India earned, and the ace drag-flicker will have to pull up his socks against Spain as short corners are one of the strong points of the home team.

"We were not lucky with penalty corners against Australia. We didn't succeed and that was the reason we couldn't get closer," Brasa said.

The Indians will also have to do away with their perennial habit of holding on to the ball for longer, a mistake which proved costly against Australia.

But notwithstanding all the flaws, Brasa will draw heart from the fact that the Indian mid-field sparkled yet again. Arjun Halappa and Sardar Singh were as cool as cucumber even under tremendous pressure.

But what they lacked is support from the forwardline and they will be eagerly looking forward to the strikers to deliver the goods against the Spaniards and see that their hardwork does not go waste.

Another and most important heartening factor for the eight-time Olympics champions ahead of the Thursday's game is the presence of Brasa up their ranks as he knows more than enough about the Spaniards.

"Spain are a good team but of our level. I say this because they don't have two key players in their side - Santi Freixa and Eduard Tabau.

"I had trained them for many years. Freixa is not with the current squad due to injury. He is one of the best players in the world. Tubau is injured (in the first match here). Without the two I think we can beat Spain," he said.

"I don't think they can beat us easily. They are not of Aussie level. I hope my knowledge of the Spanish team will help us. We are in a better position than Spain," he added.

However, he said that in Pol Amat, Spain has got one of the best strikers of the world and his defenders will have against the Spanish captain.

"Pol Amat is a quality player. We will have to mark him closely," the Indian coach said.

Meanwhile in other matches of Pool B on Thursday, Australia will look to consolidate their position in the points table when they take on a lowly South Africa, while Pakistan will look to play out of their skin to keep their winning momentum intact against an unbeaten England.

TOi

Morgan given England contract after recent success

STAFF WRITER 11:0 HRS IST

London, Mar 4 (AP) Batsman Eoin Morgan has been given a contract with the England national team after starring in recent limited-overs matches.

Morgan struck a match-winning 67 not out in last month's first Twenty20 against Pakistan and on Tuesday became the first man to hit a one-day century for two countries.

The former Ireland player struck 110 not out from 104 balls to steer England to a two-wicket win over Bangladesh and has now played enough games in 12 months to qualify for a so-called incremental contract.

England and Wales Cricket Board managing director Hugh Morris says Morgan is "an established member of our one-day and T20 sides.

Pak cricketers pay tribute to victims of Lahore attack

Pak cricketers pay tribute to victims of Lahore attack

Lahore, March 3: Pakistan’s cricket community on Wednesday paid tribute to the victims of last year’s terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team here. On the first anniversary of the deadly incident on Tuesday, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced it would bear the expenses for the education of the children of the policemen who lost their lives while saving the Sri Lankan cricketers. “We pause to remember the victims, to grieve with the families and friends of those who died, and to honour the heroes of that day who sacrificed their lives to save others. Even though a year has passed, it has not erased the shock, horror and pain that we all felt on that day, ” Ijaz Butt, the PCB chairman, said in a statement.

“We all remember where we were when we heard the news, and the disbelief that we felt at first, and then the sorrow. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and loved ones of the victims. PCB will stand shoulder to shoulder with the families of victims to help them recover from the devastating loss that they have suffered.” A memorial ceremony was held at the site of the attack where a wreath was laid by PCB in honour of the victims. Seven Sri Lankan players and their assistant coach were injured and eight Pakistanis, mostly policemen, were killed when unidentified assailants opened fire and hurled grenades at the Sri Lankan team's bus on the way to Gadaffi Stadium here March 3, 2009. The attack came as a huge blow for Pakistan cricket with foreign teams refusing to tour the country. Pakistan has not hosted any international cricket since that attack and chances are dim that it will be staging any events in the near future. Earlier in the morning, the law minister of Punjab province, Rana Sanaullah, laid wreaths at the scene of the attack at Liberty Square. (IANS)

JCT beat Lajong to earn full points

JCT beat Lajong to earn full points

By our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI, March 3: Poor run in I-League continued for Shillong Lajong FC as the side lost its home match against JCT by 0-1 in Shillong today. The all important goal of the match was scored by Emmanuel Okoro in the 75th minute of the match to give his side full points. It was just a bad day for Shillong Lajong FC as they dominated the entire first half and failed to convert as many as three open chances. While JCT too failed to utilize the two chances that fell in the their kitty. Lajong started the game on attacking note and came close to open the account through Rohmingthanga, but his 10th minute strike was just inches wide of the woodwork.

A good work from JCT’s custodian Karanjit Singh, who was later adjudged man of the match award, again denied Lajong to take the lead in the 17th minute. Gumpe Rime, Lajong custodian, too made a few similar saves in the first half. JCT scored the only goal in the 75th minute when unchecked Okoro headed in substitute Jaswinder Singh’s cross into the far post. THE SENTINEL

India open with a blast

India open with a blast

Hero Honda FIH World Cup • Sandeep Singh scores twice as the host outclass Pakistan 4-1

NEW DELHI, March 1: Ace drag-flicker Sandeep Singh rose to the occasion and converted two penalty corners as hosts India outplayed Pakistan 4-1 in a thrilling Pool B match of the Hero Honda FIH World Cup at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium on Sunday.

With this victory India had avenged their 3-6 Champions Challenge defeat at the hands of the sub-continental rivals in Salta, Argentina last December.

The victory not only gave India a 3-2 head-to-head record against Pakistan in the quadrennial event but also one lakh purse each to the players and support staff of the team.

Sandeep (35th minute, 57th), Shivendra Singh (27th) and Prabhjot Singh (37th) were the scorers for India, while Sohail Abbas (59th) scored Pakistan’s lone goal.

Both India and Pakistan earned five penalty corners each, out of which the home team converted two while their opponent found the net once.

The match was also of huge significance for India and Pakistan on diplomatic front as both the countries are meeting in the sporting arena in India for the first time after 26/11 Mumbai carnage.

Bopara will join team by Wednesday: Kings XI

Bopara will join team by Wednesday: Kings XI

NEW DELHI, March 1: Kings XI Punjab on Monday dismissed media reports that Ravi Bopara is doubtful for this year’s Indian Premier League and said the England batsman would join the team by Wednesday.

“Ravi Bopara is going to be in India no later than March 3 to play in the IPL as part of the Kings XI Punjab squad. All media reports on his non-participation are speculative,” the franchise said in a statement. “We have spoken to Bopara and he has confirmed his participation and is eagerly waiting to join in the hunt for the 2010 IPL trophy,” the statement said.Earlier, Bopara was quoted in the British media as saying that he has delayed his trip to India indefinitely because of security apprehensions. “Cricket is my living and in many way my life. But it is not worth dying for,” Bopara had said. (PTI)