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Gill defends IHF action
CHANDIGARH, Jan 23 — "Those who don't know hockey and sports are criticising the dropping of six players from the Indian hockey team", Mr KPS Gill, president of the Indian Hockey Federation,said here today.

Youhanna cracks century
GWALIOR, Jan 23 — V.V.S. Laxman and S. Ramesh, projected to open in the first Test, were out cheaply as India ‘A’ were struggling at 63 for two at stumps after Pakistan declared their innings at 334 for six on the opening day of the three-day cricket match here today.

Sri Lanka beat England
ADELAIDE, Jan 23 — Despair turned to delight for Sri Lanka off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan as he hit the winning run against England after being no-balled for throwing in their triangular series match today.

 
Anna Kournikova.
Anna Kournikova of Russia sticks out her tongue during her 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, victory over Andrea Glass of Germany at the Australian Open Tennis Championships in Melbourne on Saturday. AP/PTI

Kournikova moves up; Courier drops out
MELBOURNE, Jan 23 — Russian starlet Anna Kournikova slayed her double-faulting demon today and set up a fourth-round battle of the blondes against former champion Mary Pierce at the Australian Open Tennis Championship.
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2-wkt win for South Africa
JOHANNESBURG, Jan 23 — South Africa snatched a dramatic two-wicket victory over the West Indies off the final ball of their rain-affected one-day match at the Wanderers today.

Sasikiran holds GM to draw
UBEDA (Spain), Jan 23 — Krishnan Sasikiran of India held second seed GM Alexei Dreev of Russia to a draw in the third round of the Ubeda Open Chess Tournament being played here.
Regional Sport Briefs

Taylor may miss tour of Windies
SYDNEY, Jan 23 — Australian cricket captain Mark Taylor today said there was a chance he may not take part in Australia’s forthcoming tour to the West Indies.

"Pakistan ready for any kind of pitch"
NEW DELHI, Jan 23 — As Pakistan's cricket team's two-month tour got under way, its coach Javed Miandad has warned that the team, is "not down and out despite recent reverses".

East Bengal win; Bagan held
CHENNAI, Jan 23 — East Bengal managed to beat fighting Indian Bank 2-1 to take their points tally to eight in the National Football (group B) League here today.

Borgula lifts ITF title
AHMEDABAD, Jan 23 — Third-seeded Slovakian Borgula Boris today lifted the ITF Gold Flake Aces Men's Futures second leg tennis title crushing compatriot qualifer Kaskak Filip 6-4, 6-3 in the singles finals here.

 


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Gill defends IHF action
By Amardeep Bhattal
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Jan 23 — "Those who don't know hockey and sports are criticising the dropping of six players from the Indian hockey team".

This was the curt observation of Mr KPS Gill, President of the Indian Hockey Federation, who was in the city today to finalise the Indian team for the five-nation Akhbar-el-Yom International Hockey Tournament, scheduled to begin at Cairo from February 2.

Talking to the media at the CRPF Officers' Mess here, Mr Gill lashed out at critics who were finding fault with the IHF for dropping six members of the Indian hockey team who won the gold at the Bangkok Asian Games. "We are planning for the future, "Mr Gill asserted.

The six players who have been dropped include captain Dhanraj Pillay, Mukesh Kumar, Sabu Varkey, Sandeep Somesh, Ashish Ballal and AV Subbaiah.

Reasserting that the six players had only been rested for the time being, Mr Gill did not rule out their comeback in the near future. "When we finalise the core group of 30 players for the Sydney Olympics in September-October, physical fitness and performance will be the key factors which will be taken into account for selection. Hence, a couple of those rested might stage a comeback", Mr Gill asserted.

"Our experience at the Utrecht World Cup was rather bad. When some players were injured, there were no replacements. Hence we want to learn from experience," said the former super cop.

On the question of inviting a foreign coach, the IHF chief said it all depended on who was available. "The coach should be one who meets our requirements. However, we would be happy to have him at the junior level," Mr Gill said adding, "There is no problem regarding money".

Reaffirming that the under-18 level was a thrust area for development of hockey in the country, Mr Gill said at this level "we come to know about the potential of the players. Hence we would like to develop this potential for the future".

Referring to the appointment of Vasudevan Baskaran as the national coach, Mr Gill said Baskaran would most likely be retained till the Sydney Olympics. When asked who was likely to assist Baskaran in his challenging task, Mr Gill said Baskaran's views would be ascertained before finalising any name.

Talking about the forthcoming India-Pakistan Test series, the IHF chief said the Indian team would be finalised on February 26. "There will be an overall trophy for the winners of the series," he said.

Regarding choice of venues in India, Mr Gill said no Test had been allotted to Punjab and Chandigarh because the Astroturf at Jalandhar and Chandigarh was not fit for staging international matches. "The poor quality of turf was the main reason why no match was allotted to Jalandhar or Chandigarh," he said.

Regarding provision of floodlight facilities in India, Mr Gill said talks were on for providing the same at Hyderabad and Chennai. Talks had reached an advanced stage with regard to floodlight facilities at Chennai but the change of government had slowed down the process, he said. Referring to the question of floodlights at the Chandigarh stadium, Mr Gill said the matter had been taken up several times but something concrete was yet to emerge from the discussions.Top



 

New-look hockey squad for Cairo
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Jan 23 — Promising centre-half Sandeep Singh of Punjab and Sind Bank will lead India in the five-nation Akhbar-el-Yom International Hockey Tournament to be held at Cairo from February 2 to 9.

Announcing the team at a press conference here today, Mr K.P.S. Gill, President of the Indian Hockey Federation, said India were sending a developmental squad comprising mostly youngsters. This is a part of the build-up exercise for the 2000 Sydney Olympics, according to Mr Gill. The team is also expected to form the nucleus for the 2001 Junior World Cup squad, the venue of which will be decided at the FIH meeting in March in Dubai.

Among the 16 named for the Cairo meet, six are new faces. They include goalkeeper Sandeep Kumar of Air-India, full-back Rajinder Singh of Punjab and Sind Bank, inside-right Mukesh Kumar of Central Reserve Police Force, outside-left Tanvir Jamal also of CRPF, inside-left Bipin Fernandez and goalkeeper A.P. Girish, both of Mumbai.

Centre-forward Harbhajan Singh who played in the World Cup at Utrecht last year has been named vice-captain. Full-back Cheops D’ Costa of Mumbai who represented India in the Commonwealth Games in Malaysia last year, also figures in the 16-member squad.

Navsher Singh of Railways and Senthil of Tamil Nadu, who also find a place in the team, were members of the Indian team which finished runners-up in the Junior World Cup at Milton Keynes. Harbhajan Singh, Anwar Khan and Brojan Singh played in the India-Pakistan Test series last year.

India launch their campaign for the title on February 3 with a match against Malaysia. After a rest day on February 4, India will meet Canada on February 5, Kenya on February 6, and Egypt on February 7.

The team:

Sandeep Kumar (goalkeeper — Air-India); Rajinder Singh (full back-Punjab and Sind Bank), Cheops D’Costa (full back— Mumbai), Radha Krishnan (right half — Chennai), Sandeep Singh — Captain (centre-half — PSB), Navsher Singh (left half — Railways), Senthil (outside-right — Tamil Nadu), Mukesh Kumar (inside-right — CRPF), Harbhajan Singh (centre forward — BSF), Ajinder Pal Singh (inside-left — Railways), Tanvir Jamal (outside left — CRPF), Anwar Khan (right half — Railways), Brojan Singh (outside-left — Indian Airlines), Bipin Fernandez (inside left — Mumbai), Anurag Rajuwansi (Air-India Academy) and A.P. Girish (goalkeeper — Mumbai).

Murali Krishnan, Dinesh Naik, Baljit Singh Chandi, Deepak Sharma and Bimal Lakra are the standbyes.

Rajinder Singh and Satinder Singh will be the chief coach and coach, respectively.Top


 

Youhanna cracks century

GWALIOR, Jan 23 (UNI) — V.V.S. Laxman and S. Ramesh, projected to open in the first Test, were out cheaply as India ‘A’ were struggling at 63 for two at stumps after Pakistan declared their innings at 334 for six on the opening day of the three-day cricket match here today.

When play ended three hours early due to bad light, Devang Gandhi (14) and Amay Khurasia (21) were at the crease.

Young Yousaf Youhanna bolstered the Pakistani innings with a magnificent 124 and then skipper Wasim Akram rattled the host dismissing V.V.S. Laxman for only two runs and S. Ramesh for 17. Laxman edged Akram to the third slip where Wajahatullah Wasti took a simple catch.

Twenty one runs later, Akram again struck, but this time S. Ramesh had himself to blame as he got out playing a reckless shot. He was caught by wicketkeeper Moin Khan. The batsman hit two boundaries in his individual score of 17.

However, Devang Gandhi and Amay Khurasia managed to stay put at the crease though they were not looking comfortable against Waqar Younis, leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmad and off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq.

Earlier, Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first, but the opening duo of Saeed Anwar and Wajahatullah Wasti were sent back to pavilion with no score to their credit.

Dodda Ganesh began the day’s bowling, proceeding with a ‘no ball’ but rectified his fault in the next delivery with a bonus to his side by taking Saeed Anwar, who was caught at first slip by Laxman.

Taking the advantage of cloudy weather and slightly grassy wicket in the morning, Bengal teenage sensation Laxmi Ratan Shukla, who has been included in the 14-member national squad for the first Test in Chennai, struck the second wicket in his third over where Wasti was caught at mid-on by Amay Khurasia with Pakistan score at a paltry 23.

At the dismissal of Wasti, veteran star batsman Salim Malik joined fluent Youhanna and changed the gear of game with his flourishing hits. Right-handed Youhanna kept the momentum and continued his flawless hitting campaign by thrashing all bowlers. But he was particularly very severe in Ganesh’s sixth over in which he produced 18 runs with two fours in the on-side and two on the off-side.

Youhanna completed his half-century in 57 balls with the help of nine fours and one six.

Dodda proved costly as he conceded 36 runs for one wicket in his first spell of six overs on the wicket which was providing little assistance to bowlers.

Rahul Sanghvi, who replaced Ganesh, was brought into attack as a first change, but Sanghvi left a golden chance when he could not grab Youhanna’s catch on his own bowling. Youhanna’s providence gave him life when he was playing at 58.

The 17-year-old Shukla gave tough time to the experienced Malik who took almost half-an-hour to open his account. Both Malik and Youhanna helped Pakistan reach team’s hundredth run in the 23rd over.Top


 

Kournikova moves up; Courier drops out

MELBOURNE, Jan 23 (Reuters) — Russian starlet Anna Kournikova slayed her double-faulting demon today and set up a fourth-round battle of the blondes against former champion Mary Pierce at the Australian Open Tennis Championship.

Four-time champion Monica Seles and 14th seed Sandrine Testud came under pressure but survived into the last 16 too. Defending champion Martina Hingis joined them after giving a tennis lesson to Australian Wunderkind Jelena Dokic.

The men’s draw saw another big-name casualty as former two-time champion Jim Courier pulled out of his third-round match against 10th seed Yevgeny Kafelnikov with a groin injury top seed Marcelo Rios and 11th seed Goran Ivanesivic withdrew with back injuries before hitting a ball.

France’s Testud saved a match point against powerful US teenager Serena Williams and held on through a nervous final set to win 6-2, 2-6, 9-7.

Seles scored a 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 victory over Belgian Sabine Appelmans.

Second seed Martina Hingis cut short world junior number one Dokic on her centre court debut, crushing the 15-year-old 6-1 6-2 in just 48 minutes to book a likely fourth round duel against South African Amanda Coetzer.

"I’m winning very easily. That’s good for me," said Hingis "I keep my power for the tougher matches."

After two nightmare rounds riddled with a total of 54 double faults, 12th seed Kournikova managed to overcome her serving woes in the final two sets against lowly ranked German Andrea Glass.

The Russian handed out 14 more double faults — 10 of them in the first set, three in the second and only one in the third. The power of the former Wimbledon semifinalist’s ground game saved her again from an embarrassing exit.

"I was feeling much, much better. My groundstrokes were perfect and my serves were much better," Kournikova said.

"I just relaxed and I didn’t even think about it. I just played, and that was the good thing about it."

Seventh seed Mary Pierce of France easily put away Italian Rita Grande 6-2, 6-2.

Canada-born Pierce, comfortably cruising through the bottom half of the women’s draw at Melbourne Park, did not serve well during her 70-minute match but successfully pressured her 48th-ranked opponent with a powerful backhand.

Courier strained his groin while going for a forehand when he was down two sets to one. He aggravated it as he tried to continue playing, and had to pull out at 7-5, 4-6, 2-6, 0-3 after treatment on court failed to relieve him.

Russian Kafelnikov, who rated himself one of the best prospects for taking the Open trophy, said he lost the first set because he came out feeling confident he could beat Courier.

The 1996 French Open champion said he could see himself, American Andre Agassi, Swede Thomas Enqvist, Slovak Karol Kucera or South African Wayne Ferreira lifting the trophy next week.Top


 

Sri Lanka beat England

ADELAIDE, Jan 23 (Reuters)— Despair turned to delight for Sri Lanka off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan as he hit the winning run against England after being no-balled for throwing in their triangular series match today.

Sri Lanka snatched a one-wicket win with two deliveries of their 50 overs to spare in the day-night game, making 303 for nine after England scored 302 for three.

Muralitharan was called for throwing by Australian umpire Ross Emerson at square leg, prompting captain Arjuna Ranatunga to lead his team off the field in protest.

Emerson no-balled Muralitharan in his second over, the 18th of the game, with England at 97 for one.

Ranatunga and his players, who had walked to the side of the ground, returned to the middle about 12 minutes later after consulting Sri Lankan cricket officials in Colombo. Discussions also took place with the match referee Peter Van Der Mzrwe and the umpires.

Emerson had previously called Muralitharan for throwing during Sri Lanka’s tour of Australia in 1995-96, but the slow bowler’s action was subsequently cleared by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

In an incident-packed game, opener Sanath Jayasuriya hit an explosive 51 and Mahela Jayawardene made a superb 120 to spur Sri Lanka to victory. Top


 

Sri Lankans stage walkout

ADELAIDE, Jan 23 (Reuters) — Sri Lankan captain Arjuna Ranatunga led his players off the field in protest after spinner Muttiah Muralitharan was called for throwing in a limited-overs cricket match against England today.

Muralitharan, whose suspect bowling action has long been under question, was called by Australian umpire Ross Emerson at square leg.

The players returned to the field about 10 minutes later after consulting with Sri Lankan cricket officials.

Emerson also called the Sri Lankan off-spinner for throwing during Sri Lanka’s tour of Australia in 1995-96. Emerson and fellow-Australian umpire Darrell Hair both called Muralitharan because, they said, he was straightening his arm during his delivery.

There had been immense speculation before the Adelaide tie whether Emerson would call him for throwing again.

Ranatunga protested against Emerson’s call today, before leading his players from the field.Top


 

2-wkt win for South Africa

JOHANNESBURG, Jan 23 (Reuters) — South Africa snatched a dramatic two-wicket victory over the West Indies off the final ball of their rain-affected one-day match at the Wanderers today.

After being set 160 for victory off 27 overs, veteran off-spinner Pat Symcox scrambled the winning run after Lance Klusener had rescued his side from certain defeat with a gutsy 27 not out off 15 balls.

The West Indies, whitewashed 5-0 in the recent Test series, scored 154 for four in the rain-interrupted innings that was reduced to 28 overs. South Africa were then set a revised target and penalised one over after a slow over rate.

Veteran fast bowler Curtly Ambrose bowled his six overs for just 11 runs and with fellow opener Reon King restricted the South Africans to just 36 runs in the first 10 overs.

Jonty Rhodes and Hansie Cronje gave their side a glimmer of hope after the slow start with an aggressive fifth wicket partnership of 63 before Rhodes was bowled by Nixon McLean for 30 off 25 balls in the 22nd over.

An over later Cronje was caught at midwicket for 24 off 31 balls with his side needing 46 off the last four overs.

The West Indies looked set for a morale-boosting win until Klusener and wicket-keeper Mark Boucher came to the rescue.

The two took their side to within 12 runs of victory with one over remaining and when Klusener pulled left-arm spinner Neil McGarrell over midwicket for six off the first ball South Africa were suddenly odds-on favourites to win.

Boucher was eventually caught in the gully for 10 off the penultimate ball, leaving 38-year-old Symcox the job of scoring the winning run.

The West Indies score was built around an unbeaten 66 from 61 balls by vice-captain Carl Hooper.

He put on 53 for the fourth wicket with Shivnarine Chanderpaul and 62 for the fifth wicket with Keith Arthurton. Top


 

Sasikiran holds GM to draw

UBEDA (Spain), Jan 23 (UNI) — Krishnan Sasikiran of India held second seed GM Alexei Dreev of Russia to a draw in the third round of the Ubeda Open Chess Tournament being played here.

Sasikiran (2.5 points) employed the obscure I.B 3 opening to steer the game on original lines against Dreev. The Russian sacrificed a pawn to obtain the initiative and a pair of bishops, but Sasi countered well and a draw was agreed in a complicated position after 27 moves.

R.B. Ramesh (2 points) found a study like draw in what seemed a hopeless endgame — two pawns down-to salvage half point against Imd. Svetushkin of Moldava.

Abhijit Kunte (2 points) beat teammate S. Vijayalakshmi (1) with black pieces in English opening. Viji paid the price for passive play as she allowed Abhijit to slowly improve the position going into an endgame where his King played a vital role to net the point.Top


 

Taylor may miss tour of Windies

SYDNEY, Jan 23 (Reuters) — Australian cricket captain Mark Taylor today said there was a chance he may not take part in Australia’s forthcoming tour to the West Indies.

"There’s a chance of that but, as I’ve said, I’ve got to do some serious thinking," Taylor told reporters.

"I’ve always said I’ll keep playing as long as I’m enjoying the game. The game has given me a lot of good times, no doubt about it."

"I’ve had a very good career as a player and a very enjoyable one as a captain. I’ve had a good time, it’s just whether I want to go do the tours that come up during the year (the) West Indies and Sri Lanka."

"That’s what I’ve got to make a decision about."

Australia play four Tests on their tour to the West Indies in February and March.

It had been speculated that Taylor may have decided to retire after the recent Ashes series against England, in which Australia completed a record sixth successive series win.

But Taylor told selectors and the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) he was available for the West Indies tour, if required, and that remains the situation.

"I’ve still got a week to make a final decision, so I’ll be discussing that further with the people who spend most of the time in my life, mainly my family, particularly my wife," said Taylor.

The 15-member squad for the tour will be named on February 8 and Taylor will advise the selectors of his intentions next weekend. Top


 

"Pakistan ready for any kind of pitch"

NEW DELHI, Jan 23 (PTI) — As Pakistan's cricket team's two-month tour got under way, its coach Javed Miandad has warned that the team, is "not down and out despite recent reverses".

"What matters is not the defeats — we lost to the best (Australian) team — but whether one is satisfied with the kind of players who are in the team," Miandad said here.

The former captain and star batsman said his team was balanced and ready even if India prepared a turning track and felt regular exchange of tours was crucial for development of youth cricket in both countries.

The 16-member Pakistan which arrived here on Thursday, had a fruitful 20-day camp at Karachi's National Stadium and was raring to go though it was coming from home series defeats against Australia and Zimbabwe, Miandad said.

"If India want they can prepare good pitches. But we have two world class slow bowlers in (leg spinner) Mustaq Ahmed and (off spinner) Saqlain Mushtaq and we are prepared for slow tracks also," he said in an informal chat with reporters.

Miandad, known for his street-fighter's qualities as a player and shrewd lieutenant to former skipper Imran Khan, said coaches in cricket — unlike football or hockey — had only a manager's role to play during a game.

He said chances of getting a result in Tests have improved after ICC's rule making it mandatory that 90 overs should be bowled in a day.

Miandad described his former teammate Abdul Qadir as the best leg spinner ever for sheer variety and wicket-taking ability and said Australian Shane Warne "is good in today's set up".

About his role in Pakistan cricket, which is on a downslide after two successive Test series defeats at home, Miandad said coach's role was much limited and it was upto the players to go and perform in the middle.

"In three minutes or so, a bowler has to come up with six different deliveries in an over. Similarly, a batsman can play any kind of shot to a ball and in such situations the coach is helpless. Where a coach can contribute is during practice like camps and also help work out strategy."

A shrewd tactician known to grasp every evolving situation in the field with amazing speed, Miandad said: "In this game, things change ball to ball," and hence no single strategy can work in cricket.

Asked to give his reason why Pakistan was able to churn out fast bowlers while there was a dearth of genuine pacemen in India Miandad said one big reason was Imran Khan, Wasim Akram and Waqar Younnis emerging as role models. "Youngsters are determined to follow in their footsteps," he said.

On whether a combined India-Pakistan team could beat any opposition in the world, he said such a side may not be easily beaten. "But in this game it is the key players who matters."

Comparing the defeats suffered by Pakistan and India's own loss to New Zealand, he pointed out that the Kiwis had the best team since the 80's.

"Dion Nash has gained much from playing county cricket. Craig McMillan is a good bat and Simon Doull is an important player. Besides they are all in the same age-group," he added.

Asked why both India and Pakistan were poor fielding sides, Miandad said India was actually better off. "Your cricket is still better organised from the school level and youngsters are aware of fitness. But in Pakistan every boy learns his cricket in the by-lanes. He is already 19 or 20 when he is put through formal coaching. How can you expect them to have the concept of fielding?"

On whether too many one-dayers were playing havoc with test performances, he said that could be remedied only with better management and planning. "Nowadays one-dayers have become a trend. But look at Australia. They see to it they play at least 15 Tests in a year".

Miandad denied having said at any point that the tour should be called off, but felt in case security fears had persisted one-dayers could be played first as the team would be in a particular place only for one night.

Miandad, who has toured India thrice in 1979, 1983 and 1987, said he still considered the first trip very special and reminisced on the warmth from all quarters. Top


 

East Bengal win; Bagan held

CHENNAI, Jan 23 (PTI) — East Bengal managed to beat fighting Indian Bank 2-1 to take their points tally to eight in the National Football (group B) League here today.

The Bengal team, spearheaded by Baichung Bhutia dominated the proceedings almost throughout the first half but once the bankmen got their moorings in the second, there was equal share of the spoils. However, the bankmen without the services of captain and defender V.P. Satyan played their hearts out but yielded valid points instead of sharing the honours.

Both the goals for Bengal were scored by Raman Vijayan, while Syed Sabir Pasha scored the lone goal after the breather. Bengal led 1-0 at half time.

Egged on by the supporters, including the local Bengalies, Bhutia was at his best but being marked closely by defenders especially David Gerald, he could not score. At the same time, Bhutia along with the Ghanian player, Sully Musah was the pick of the Bengal team.

Bhutia tried to put Bengal in the lead in the 31st minute but his rush to kick the ball took only found him go past the cross piece. However, four minutes later Sully Musah’s run got them the goal. He was controlling the ball at great speed and the bank defenders were mere spectators as he relayed the ball to Raman Vijayan to do the rest.

Bengal’s second goal came in the 81st minute. Following a flag kick by Basudev Mondal, the ball went to substitute Ranjan Dey who came in for Tushar Rakshit. Ranjan squared the ball to Musha, who also joined the attack. The bank goal keeper Sebastian Netto blocked the ball instead of collecting it. As the ball trickled out of the hands of Netto, Raman Vijayan who was also marked got out of the shackles and swiftly got to the ball in front of the ball before hitting past Netto inside.

The bankmen were equal to the task but their efforts to find the equaliser was thwarted at nick of time by Musha and the other Bengal defenders.

East Bengal now have eight points from four matches, while Indian Bank who have lost three of their four matches have three points.

Agragami hold Bagan

CALCUTTA: First timers Tollygunj Agragami continued their decent run holding defending champions Mohun Bagan to a goal-less draw in a group A tie of the third National Football League at the Salt Lake Stadium here today.

After rallying gallantly to thwart the repeated onslaughts of their fancied opponents in the first session, Agragami, spearheaded by veteran Nigerian striker Chibuzor Nwakama, raised their game by several notches time and again to torment Bagan defenders in the second half.

The match, watched by a 20,000 crowd, livened up in the later session, as both teams went on the offensive after a dull and boring first half.

With Kenyan Samuel Omollo returning home on national duty and injured striker I.M. Vijayan and doubly booked defensive screen Debjit Ghosh out of action, the Bagan team displayed lack of coordination.

But still Bagan had the lion’s share of exchanges in the first half and could have forged ahead on at least three occasions had their forwards not muffed up gilt-edged chances.

Twenty minutes into the second half, Bagan were reduced to ten men as referee Inayatullah Khan marched out Satyajit Chatterjee after the seasoned medio received his second yellow booking of the match. Seizing the opportunity, Agragami clawed back into the match.

Group leaders Agragami now have nine points from five matches, while Bagan, having played the same number of games, are on seven points.

Six minutes into the match, Bagan moved up and following an R.P. Singh through, Nazimul Haque was in the clear, but Agragami’s Biswaroop Bisu, fielded as a defender during the day, made a timely sliding tackle to save the situation.

With Bagan tightening the screws, most of the Agragami defenders had to rush back to save their citadel. Even Nwakama came down.

In the 24th minute, Nigerian war-horse Chima Okerie came close to scoring, but his shot hit Sibshankar Santra and went out. A minute later, Nazimul’s shot went to Agragami custodian Sumit Mukherjee, who failed to grip and the ball slipped out of his hands, but Santra effected a goal-line save.

Crossing over, Bagan continued their raids, and Khemtang Paite’s shot came off the goalkeeper’s hands, while Okerie’s rebound was off-target.

Midway into the second session, Nwakama showed his brilliance creating a fastcounter-attack down the midfield, and then played a wall with Pereira. The Nigerian finally essayed a pass for Bastab Roy who fed Isyaka inside the box, but Biswanath Mandal cleared in time.

Some time later, Satyajit Chatterjee unleashed a rasping right footer from top of the box, but Sumit Mukherjee threw himself in the air and fisted the ball spectacularly over the bar.

A minute later, Bagan received a severe setback as Satyajit Chatterjee had to leave the field after being booked for the second time in the match for deliberately handling the ball. Chatterjee was earlier booked in the 17th minute for bringing down a Tollygunge player.

In the 73rd minute, Bagan had a close shave as Felix Abayomi’s header went just over the bar.

Gbadabo, who replaced Chima in the second half, showed his class in the 76th minute, as his snap on-the-run shot was marginally off-target.Top


 

Borgula lifts ITF title

AHMEDABAD, Jan 23 (UNI) — Third-seeded Slovakian Borgula Boris today lifted the ITF Gold Flake Aces Men's Futures second leg tennis title crushing compatriot qualifer Kaskak Filip 6-4, 6-3 in the singles finals here.

The doubles title was clinched by the fourth-seeded American duo Meringoff Todd and Rueb Andrew, who defeated third -seeded Candian combination of Larose Simon and Roubichaud Jocelyn 7-6(5), 6-3.Top


  H
  REGIONAL SPORT BRIEFS

Kinshuk wins title

CHANDIGARH, Jan 23 (BOSR) — Kinshuk Sharma lifted the under-10 title in the PD Vashist Memorial Total Tennis Tournament at the YMCA complex Sector 11, today. Kinshuk played with grit and determination to outwit Gurgaon lad Prabhat Mallik in two straight sets at 6-3, 6-2. In the under-12 boys section, Yuvraj Chaudhary and Karan Patnaik will clash in the final. In the semis, Yuvraj ended the winning spree of Sanam K. Singh by 6-1, 6-4 while Karan Patnaik thrashed Pritam Singh by 6-0, 6-4 to secure a berth in the final, to be played tomorrow.

Chattvinder Singh the top seed reached the final of the under-14 section and in the semifinal, he edged out Harneet Ahluwalia by 6-2, 6-3. Now Chattvinder will take on the winner of Ardaman Sidhu-Gurneet Singh match in the final. In the girls under-16 section, Satvika Saboo had to face stiff resistance from Neha Singh before winning at 6-3, 7-6(5). Satvika will meet the winner of Mallika-Simer tie for the top spot.

Nimrata excels

CHANDIGARH, Jan 23 (BOSR) — Nimrata of Panjab University Chandigarh bagged the first position in the under-48 kg category on the opening day of the All-India Inter-University Judo Championship for men and women on the PU campus here today.

Nimrata had recently won the silver medal in the Senior National Judo Championship at Bangalore. In the men section, Davinder Kumar representing Kurukshetra University secured the first position in the under-78 kg while Yogesh Sharma of Mumbai University got the first place in the below 86 kg.

Nearly 250 judokas drawn from 40 universities all over the country are taking part in this five-day tournament which was declared open by Mrs Sneh Mahajan, President, PUSC.

 

St. Xavier's triumph

CHANDIGARH, Jan 23 (BOSR) — Hosts St. Xavier’s Senior Secondary School, Sector 44 won the first match of the ICSE Schools Cricket Tournament on a better run rate against St, Josephs High School.

A total of six teams drawn from Chandigarh are taking part in this tournament and the teams have been divided into "A" and "B" groups. ‘A’ group comprises of St, Xaviers School, Tender Heart and St. Joseph’s while ‘B’ group has St.Stephen’s, Minerva Public School and Yadavindra Public School.

In today’s match St. Xavier’s School batted first and made a huge total of 238 for 4 in the stipulated 25 overs. The highest score was made by Kuber Kataria who scored a brilliant 77 runs. In reply, St. Joseph’s were struggling for 84 for 6 in 13 overs when the game had to be suspended due to rains. Finally the umpires called off the match and declared St. Xavier’s the winnes on better run rate.

Boxing trials

CHANDIGARH, Jan 23 (BOSR) — The Haryana Amateur Boxing Association will conduct the selection trials to select the Haryana team for the fifth National Games scheduled to be held at Manipur from February 14, at Mahavir Stadium, Hisar, on January 24 at 10 a.m. These trials will be held in the Senior weight categories i.e. from lightfly weight to super heavy- weight.Top



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