Saturday, November 27, 1999
spotlighttoday's calendar
|
S P O R T | Saturday, November 27, 1999 |
|
| weather spotlight today's calendar |
|||
|
|
 |
|
|
Aussies on top in 3rd Test India
knocked out of Asia Cup tennis
Korea beat India, enter final Vijay
continues to stay atop Team’s
departure sparks row Punjab
athletic championship Haryana
144 for 5 |
||||||||
|
Tendulkar, Laxman rescue India BRISBANE, Nov 26 (PTI) — The touring Indians’ worst fears about the lower half collapse came true after v v s Laxman led a solid middle order action with a classy century on the first day of their Australian tour opener against Queensland here today. The Indians were 273 for nine at stumps despite Laxman’s strokeful 113 and two century stands with opener S Ramesh (43) and skipper Sachin Tendulkar (83). No one else, except for plucky T Kumaran (14 not out), entered the double figures. Laxman produced his runs from 208 balls in 261 minutes of batting hitting 20 fours all around the wicket. Tendulkar batted as is his wont, striking 13 fours in his 83 made in a 114-ball, 139-minute stay. The two put on 136 runs for the fourth wicket in 155 minutes consuming only 184 balls. The Hyderabad batsman had earlier put together exactly 100 runs for the second wicket with Ramesh in 141 minutes and 39.2 overs of batting. The Indians preferred to make their runs in boundaries as they hit 43 fours — that is 172 out of the 273 runs scored — during the day. Their inability to rotate the strike could cost them heavily in the series. Even though the Indians could justifiably claim to have been at the receiving end on at least three debatable dismissals — Rahul Dravid, m s k prasad and Vijay Bharadwaj seemed to have been wrongly adjudged out — they still would be embarrassed by their showing today. When Queensland captain Stuart Law put the Indians in on a wicket with a fair bit of grass, he only did what his coach, now national, John Buchanan had asked him to do — rattle them. Opener Devang Gandhi, during his brief stay of 12 balls, did not appear to be the same batsman who had plundered runs by dozens against the Kiwis at home recently. He poked at deliveries outside the offstump and flailed at ones swinging down the legside. He lasted but 18 minutes and the Indians were one for no run in the third over. Laxman, the third opener chosen for the series, gave a taste of the shots to come from his blade by flicking the very first delivery he faced for three and, changing ends, guided the second between the slips for four. Still hungry, he square cut Andrews Bichel ferociously for his third four in seven deliveries. He did not appear to be having any problems with his high backlift on the bouncy track. He played with sound technique and soft hands, placing the ball between the fielders at will. Unbeaten with 31 at lunch, Laxman was still there at tea on 79 and completed his hundred on resumption with a flurry of strokes against left-arm spinner Matthew Anderson. He was caught in the slips at 113 off hard-working Scott Muller, an Australian Test fast bowler till the other day. Ramesh played and missed, as he usually does, and preferred to score his runs with steers between slips in the first session. His first authentic stroke, an ondrive off Adam Dale to midwicket fence, was the shot of the morning and he looked good for many more in the afternoon when he jumped out to Anderson and was stumped Wade Secombe who claimed four victims during the day. Ramesh batted for 155 minutes and struck eight fours. Left-arm spinner Anderson was the surprise star of the afternoon as he first fooled Ramesh and then earned a leg before verdict against Rahul Dravid from umpire Peter Parker. Both the wickets came in one over. Dravid was lucky to be ruled not out by Parker when the first delivery he faced hit his bat and pad and ballooned up towards forward short leg. Wicketkeeper Secombe was delighted with his brilliant diving effort but Parker was unimpressed. But with the second ball, Parker ruled Dravid out when the batsman was forward and attempting to drive. It was the same Peter Parker who had a bad press after he failed to give Justin Langer out on the final day of the crucial Hobart Test against Pakistan a few days ago. Tendulkar cut the second ball he faced for four but then seemed listless, even disinterested with the proceedings, till the sight of Dale from the other end perked him up. He cut the medium-pacer for a fiercely hit four and then repeated the shot a few balls later, as if against a spinner. Tendulkar picked up Dale for three braces in his next over when the bowler, chastened by square cuts on the offstump, shifted his line to the leg. As the bowler persisted with the line, Tendulkar once pulled and twice flicked him for three more fours. Tendulkar went into overdrive against Muller after tea. He hit two gorgeous straight drives off the fast bowler. He was out making another attempt to drive Muller on the up and left a big gap in his defence. He batted for 139 minutes during which he faced 83 balls and struck 13 fours. Laxman and Tendulkar put on 136 for the fourth wicket in 155 minutes off 184 balls before the former departed. The rest of the Indian batting was undistinguished as Muller made a late charge and Bichel and fifth bowler Andrew Symonds found fresh inspiration. Wicketkeeper m s k prasad might have felt aggrieved at being given caught by Secombe down the legside and Bharadwaj was clearly outside the line when given out. But, the Indians, at the end of it all, had wasted a good start. SCOREBOARD India (1st innings): Gandhi c Secombe b
Bichel 0 Extras (lb-5) 5 Total (for 9 wkts, 91 overs) 273 Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-100, 3-100, 4-236, 5-245, 6-245, 7-249, 8-264, 9-265. Bowling: Andrew Bichel
23-5-83-2, Adam Dale 18-9-55-0, Scott Muller 20-7-27-3,
Matthew Anderson 21-4-81-2, Andrew Symonds 9-3-22-2. |
Kapil happy with showing BRISBANE, Nov 26 (PTI) — Coach Kapil Dev was happy with his batsmen’s showing despite a late-order collapse at the end of the first day against Queensland here today. “I look at it this way — we had a couple of good knocks on a very green wicket,” he said “though there is no denying it would have been better had Rahul Dravid and Vijay Bhardwaj also had gotten into the act”. “I don’t mind a duck because at that stage a batsman has no time to settle in. But I do mind if a batsman wastes a solid start,” said Kapil Dev. “In this respect I am not happy with the dismissal of Ramesh. He should have built on his start,” he said. The coach said he was extremely pleased with Laxman’s knock. “The lad played very sensibly and showed a good technique. His knock was a bonus today”. Home team captain Stuart Law also praised Laxman saying the right-hander showed admirable temperament. Despite his team doing so well on the first day, Law said Australia could have a tough time if the top order Indian batsmen get going in the three-Test series. “Saurav Ganguly did
not play here and Dravid missed out on some runs. But
Tendulkar looked good and considering the wickets on
which the Tests are to be played, not as bouncy as Gabba,
I would say India has a strong line-up more so when a new
batsman (Laxman) has looked in so good a touch”. |
Team ‘better prepared’ than Pak BRISBANE, Nov 26 (PTI) — Coach Kapil Dev said today his Indian team was better prepared than Pakistan was to take on Australia in the coming three-Test cricket series. On the first day of the tour opener against Queensland at Gabba, Kapil Dev said unlike Pakistan who had been fed only on one-day diet before they came to Australia, his boys had played three Tests against New Zealand and would have played two four-day games in the lead up to the Tests. The first Test starts at Adelaide on December 10. “I would say it has been a good preparation for us,” said the world’s highest Test wicket-taker. “Anyway, who gets two first-class games before a Test match these days?” Kapil asked and said it would be a mistake to write off his bowling strength. “I would not say they are world class and that our team is a great one. But these bowlers are young, crafty and steady. They could spring a surprise.” Kapil Dev was of the view there was no need to indulge in aggressive talking. “We have three top class batsmen whose technique and concentration is top class.” “They don’t need to talk. Their bats do the talking.” The great all-rounder said he expected his senior players to help out the younger members of the side. “There are plenty of young cricketers in the side. I want commitment from my side. The seniors must help out the juniors. Only then the nucleus of a good side can be built.” Kapil did not see much wrong in his batsmen not attempting sharp singles on the opening day of this four-day game. “I dont see it as a major fault. It is a practice game and players are not fully stretching themselves I don’t blame them. Once again asked to comment on board secretary Jaywant Lele’s reported remark on India likely to be drubbed 3-0 in the series, Kapil Dev replied: “What can I say except that for some people this is the way to make news,”. Kapil Dev lamented the fact there were not many genuine all-rounders in world cricket today. “I would say only Chris Cairns among modern cricketers is a genuine all-rounder. Now Azhar Mahmood is shaping up well. But there is a dearth of allrounders”. “It is a bit of a surprise since there are so many one-dayers being played these days. With so many one-dayers these days, you would think the world would have many more genuine all-rounders,” he said. On the Indian captain, he said Sachin Tendulkar was in terrific form. “The way he batted against New Zealand, he was splendid. He is a fabulous batsman”. Of his own illustrious career, Kapil Dev said he always preferred Test cricket to one-day cricket. “Test cricket has no match. It is a real test of skills for cricketers.” On the top batsmen he
bowled to during his career, Kapil Dev said he found Viv
Richards ‘interesting’. Also David Gower, Allan
Border and the ‘cheeky’ Javed Miandad. “I
can’t comment about Sunil Gavaskar since he was my
partner, you know,” he added. |
Aussies on top in 3rd Test PERTH, Nov 26 (Reuters) — Justin Langer and Ricky Ponting scored half centuries to leave Australia in the driving seat at the end of an absorbing first day in the third and final Test against Pakistan at the WACA today. Displaying the same fighting qualities that enabled Australia to post a remarkable victory in the second Test in Hobart, the pair shared an unbroken fifth-wicket stand of 117 to steer their side to 171 for four after Pakistan had been dismissed for 155. Langer, whose second innings century earned him the Man-of-the-Match award in Hobart as Australia successfully chased 369 for victory, continued where he left off there. He reached 63 by stumps while Ponting, coming off three successive ducks, rediscovered his touch to score 62. Australia, who already hold a 2-0 lead in the three-match series, had looked to be in total control after ripping through Pakistan’s batsman in less than four hours. But the touring team struck back in the final session. Pakistan captain Wasim Akram trapped Australian opener Michael Slater leg before with the second ball of the innings to join England’s Ian Botham on 383 wickets as equal fourth most successful bowler in Test history. Mohammad Akram, who was called into the side after Waqar Younis was dropped, then followed his captain’s lead by taking three quick wickets. He dismissed Greg Blewett for 11, Mark Waugh for a duck then claimed the vital wicket of Australian captain Steve Waugh for five as the home side slumped to 54 for four. Langer and Ponting then came to the rescue with their century stand. Langer reached his third successive half century of the series when he pulled Mohammad Wasim through mid-wicket for four. Ponting brought up his first 50 of the series when he cut Mohammad Akram for four in his next over. Their stand was easily the highest on a day when the ball reigned supreme over the bat, although they were helped by some undisciplined bowling. The Pakistani bowlers gave away 18 no-balls in their 38 overs, Shoaib Akhtar beginning with four no-balls. Azhar Mahmood top-scored for Pakistan with 39 after being dropped three times. The rest of the Pakistani batsmen were invariably caught out by the unnerving pace and bounce of the WACA wicket. Michael Kasprowicz celebrated his return to the Test arena after more than year by taking four for 53, including three wickets in four balls. He dismissed Saqlain Mushtaq with the third ball of his 12th over then claimed Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Akram for ducks with his fifth and sixth deliveries to go into the second innings on a hat-trick. Glenn McGrath and Damien Fleming also got in on the act, collecting three weeks each as they ran through the Pakistan top order. They reduced Pakistan to 85 for five before Azhar Mahmood and Moin Khan stabilised the innings with a sixth-wicket stand of 52. Mahmood’s luck finally deserted him when Blewett held a sharp catch at point, Pakistan losing their last five wickets for just 20 as Kasprowicz ran riot. Scoreboard Pakistan (Ist innings): Anwar c Ponting b McGrath 18 Wasti c Ponting b McGrath 5 Ahmed b Fleming 1 Inzamam c S. Waugh b Kasprowicz 22 Youhana c Gilchrist b McGrath 18 Mahmood c Warne b Fleming 39 Moin Khan c and b Fleming 28 Akram not out 5 Saqlain c Blewett b Kasprowicz 7 Shoaib b Kasprowicz 0 Mohammad Akram c M.Waugh b Kasprowicz 0. Extras (lb-4 nb-8) 12. Total: 155 Fall of wickets: 1/18 2/26 3/26 4/51 5/83 6/135 7/142 8/155 9/155. Bowling: McGrath 19-3-44-3 (nb-4), Fleming 19-7-48-3, Kasprowicz 12-2-53-4 (nb-4), Warne 2-0-6-0 Australia (Ist innings): Slater lbw b Akram 0 Blewett c Inzamam b Akram 11 Langer not out 63 M.Waugh c sub (Ghulam Ali) b M Akram 0 S.Waugh c Youhana b M Akram 5 Ponting not out 62. Extras (b-8 lb-4 nb-18): 30 Total (for four wickets): 171 Fall of wickets: 1/0 2/28 3/48 4/54. Bowling: Wasim Akram
7-0-24-1 (nb-7), Mohammad Akram 11-0-66-3 (nb-4), Shoaib
Akhtar 5-1-26-0 (nb-6), Azhar Mahmood 7-1-23-0, Saqlain
Mushtaq 8-3-20-0 (nb-1). |
Agassi outplays Kuerten, storms into last 4 HANOVER, Nov 26 (Reuters) — World No 1 Andre Agassi overcame Brazil’s Gustavo Kuerten 6-4 7-5, yesterday to become the first player to reach the ATP Tour World Championship semifinals. Agassi has won his three round-robin matches in the year-end event without dropping a set and stayed on course for a $ 1.5 million payout. World No. 2 Yevgeny Kafelnikov of Russia moved closer to a last four place by fighting off a stiff challenge from Swede Thomas Enqvist to win an exciting contest 7-5, 3-6, 6-4. Local favourite and World No. 6 Nicolas Kiefer also stood a chance of progressing after crushing American Todd Martin 6-3, 6-2. Agassi was less impressive than he was in his 6-2, 6-2 demolition of long-time rival Pete Sampras on Wednesday but still achieved what was required. “You have to give Gustavo a lot of credit,’’ he said. “He played really well and I think the fans saw some great tennis out there.’’ The Las Vegan broke Kuerten in the first set but the world No. 3 gave Agassi a taste of his own medicine by returning superbly and broke back three games later, only to lose his serve again immediately. A service winner gave Agassi the set and both players then held serve until Agassi broke Kuerten to move 6-5 up before concluding the encounter with an ace on his first match point. Kafelnikov, pushed to four sets by Enqvist in the Australian Open final last January, was made to work by the Swede again. Enqvist fired 18 aces and took charge in the second set but the Russian recovered and showed more composure in the final stages. The end neared for Enqvist when he hit a backhand into the net, leaving Kafelnikov with two match points. The Swede saved the first with the complicity of the net cord and saw Kafelnikov shoot a return long on the second. But a superb backhand pass soon earned Kafelnikov a third opportunity to seal the match and he did so when Enqvist netted a backhand. “It could have gone either way,’’ said Kafelnikov. “It was a good game, probably the best so far in the tournament.’’ The Russian blamed the media for focusing on the two biggest names in the tournament, Agassi and Pete Sampras. “You guys have to realise this is not only a show between Andre and Pete,’’ he said. “There are other guys who are doing well and deserve respect.’’ Kiefer, the first German to appear in the tournament featuring the world’s top eight players since Boris Becker in 1996, bounced back in style after losing his opening match to Enqvist. Relying on brilliant returns and aggressive ground strokes, Kiefer broke world No. 7 Martin in the sixth game of the first set after the American netted a backhand. Another unforced error by a clumsy Martin gave the set to the German, who stayed on top in the second set, helped by loud support from the partisan 13,000 crowd in the Hanover hall. A forehand pass enabled him to break his opponent in the fifth game and a superb forehand winner across the court gave him another break two games later. The German, born and
raised near Hanover, sealed victory with an ace after 70
minutes of a one-sided battle. |
India fritter away lead to lose DUBAI, Nov 26 (PTI) — India once again failed to capitalise on a one-goal lead to eventually go down fighting 2-3 to Central Asian powerhouse Uzbekistan in a crucial Asian Cup football qualifier at Al Ain last night. A minute after Shukhratjon had put Uzbekistan in the lead in the 16th minute, seasoned Jo Paul Anchery equalised for India to take them into half-time tied 1-1. Skipper I.M. Vijayan made it 2-1 in the 56th minute but the Indians failed to maintain the same tempo and Uzbekistan came back strongly through late strikes by Andrey Fyodorov (75th) and Nikolay Shirshov (88th) clinched the match. The Indians had also frittered away a goal advantage in the opener against hosts United Arab Emirates and lost 1-3. The Indians fought tooth and nail against the Uzbeks, who now lead the table with nine points with a match in hand against UAE tomorrow. In another match, SAF Games champions Bangladesh, came back from a goal deficit to assert their supremacy with a 3-1 win over Sri Lanka. Mijanur Rahman (37th, Mohammad Rahman (62-penalty) and Faysal Ahmed (64) scored for the winners after Fuad (34th min) had put Sri Lanka in the lead. Against India, Uzbekistan started with a 3-4-3 formation, but altered it as the game progressed. India’s Bijen Sen was brilliant and combined well with Vijayan and Ancheri to give the Uzbeks a scare. In the second minute Sen, who was adjudged man of the match, had a clear look at the Uzbek goal but his shot sailed over the bar. The Uzbeks collected their wits and organised their game with man to man marking and took the lead from a freekick which went to Shaukhrajton Rahmaonkulov who did not make a mistake in the 16th minute. But the Indians hit back through Anchery just two minutes later as he toed in off a throw in following a header from skipper Vijayan. The Indians then gave several trying moments to Uzbeks, their coach Rahimov Mahmood was under so much tension after the equaliser that he felt chest pain and had to take medication. He was subdued at the press conference later and praised the Indians for their skills. Vijayan put India ahead in the 54th minute when he intercepted a backpass and lobbed into an empty net behind goalkeeper Safonov Evgene. But the Indians could
not retain the lead for long as Andrey Fyodorov, who had
received a yellow card earlier, scored a beautiful
equaliser from 15 yards in the 75 minute. |
India knocked out of Asia Cup tennis NEW DELHI, Nov 26 (PTI) — India, playing without spearhead Leander Paes, were knocked out of the ATF Asia Cup Team Tennis championship when debutant Japan crushed the hosts’ dreams 2-0 and set up a summit clash with Uzbekistan here today. Complaining of fatigue and mild fever, world’s best doubles player Paes gave an early blow to the host’s chances when he pulled out of today’s tie, and India despite being two-time champions started their semifinal clash as underdogs. Syed Fazaluddin gave a little hope when he took first set and led 4-0 in the second before bowing out to Japanese No.2 Satoshi Iwabuchi 7-6, (7/5), 6-7, (9/11), 1-6. Fazal was troubled at the net and Iwabuchi constantly pounded fierce returns to tire the Indian before winning in almost two hours. All depended on Prahlad Srinath, a worthy winner yesterday against China’s Xu Ran, to put the second seeds into the final, but he ran out of ideas and lost 3-6 1-6 in just 70 minutes. Takahiro Terachi, the Japanese No.1 took advantage of Srinath’s weak backhand and forced his returns on the Indian’s weak point to extract the most. Top seeds Uzbekistan were given a scare by tournament dark horse Thailand before the former Soviet Bloc nation rode to 2-1 win and a place in the final earlier in the day. Uzbek No. 2 Vadim Kutsenko gave a flying start to the last year’s runners-up by thrashing Ekkarin Pisuth-Arnonth 6-1, 6-2 in just 47 minutes. But their top-ranked player Oleg Ogorodov showed his erratic temperament and after winning the first set 6-1 against Thai No 1 Narathorn Srichaphan, faltered to lose the next two 3-6 3-6 and allowed Thailand to stretch the rubber into the doubles. Ogorodov and the gutsy Kutsenko then combined well to beat the Thai pair of Narathorn and Vittaya Samrej 6-4, 6-2 to save Uzbekistan the blushes and give them a berth in the final. Meanwhile, India ‘A’ salvaged some pride when the youngsters defeated China 2-0 after being pushed down the rankings following losses to Japan and Korea. Today’s win will give India ‘A’ the sixth spot, while China, who lost to India yesterday, ended at the bottom. Vijay Kannan disposed of China’s Shan Jiang 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 in one hour and 33 minutes to put India ‘A’ ahead, and doubles specialist Vishal Uppal gave a solid display in beating Nion-fei Zhang 6-1, 7-6, (7/5). India, without the
services of Paes in the singles, were required to win the
first tie of the three-match rubber to have any realistic
chance of making it to the final. |
Korea beat India, enter final KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 26 (PTI) — A superb penalty corner flick by Ji Seong Hwan 45 seconds before the whistle gave defending champions South Korea a 5-4 victory against India and a place in the final of the Asia Cup Hockey Tournament here today. In a thrilling semifinal at the Bukit Jalil Stadium, South Korea burst into a 2-0 lead by the fifth minute through Shin Seok Kya (3rd min) and Hwang Jong Hyun (5th). Dilip Tirkey (9th min), Baljit Singh Dhillon (15th) and Deepak Sankhla (22nd) then fired home to put India briefly ahead 3-2 before Jeong Jong Ha (25th) scored to take the teams level 3-3 into the break. On resumption, Dhanraj Pillay (42nd) again gave the Indians the lead, only to see it wiped out by a late effort from Kim Jung Chul (60th) before the last-minute winner from Ji (69th) gave the Koreans victory. Korea began as if they were on a mission to knock in as many goals as possible to shut India out of the match. The first two goals, however, were the result of Indian defensive errors. The crucial semifinal match got off to a dramatic start as both the teams tied at half time at 3. In fact it was S. Korea which began in their characteristic fashion. Striking early, they hit two goals in the initial two minutes of the game. Shin Geok Kyo converted a penalty corner to put S. Korea ahead in the game. Within a minute the Koreans got another penalty corner and Kwon Chang Yun successfully converted it two nil for the Koreans. The Indians, meanwhile, were still trying to find their rhythm. They started off in a sluggish manner and struck a pattern by the 10th minute. Full back Dilip Tirkey pulled one back for the Indians by scoring a goal off a penalty corner. Inspired by the his efforts the Indian team started making forays into the Korean half and captain Baljit Singh Dhillon struck a purple patch in the 15th minute when he scored a brilliant field goal. It was two all now. Indians, with their tails up, went into all out attack. In the 23rd minute India was awarded a penalty corner and centre forward Deepak Thakur made an indirect conversion to put his team ahead for the first time in the match. By now the Indian midfield was playing much better than the previous matches and it seemed that the induction of Baljeet Singh Saini paid off rich dividends. But in the dying minutes
of the first half Korea got another penalty corner and
Jyon Jonha made no mistake. The two teams went into the
breather at 3 all. |
Vijay continues to stay atop NEW DELHI, Nov 26 — None could attain yesterday’s scintillating form, but Vijay Kumar, with a par score of 72, continued to stay atop with an aggregate of 138 on the second day of the four-round Honda-Siel-PGA-Daikia Golf Championship at the Delhi Golf Club (DGC) course here today. Ali Sher played a round of one-under 71 and jumped to second spot with an aggregate of 141. Twice-winner Uttam Singh Mundy, Vishal Singh, Arjun Singh and Monish Bindra were all clubbed together on 142 followed by another five a stroke behind on 143. Vijay was as disappointed with his play today as was Rafiq Ali. He had two birdies on Ist and 18th and as many bogeys on 12th and 13th. “Nothing went right for me today”, said Vijay, adding: “My short iron approach shots were indifferent and I was always left with long putts which did not come through”. “Hopefully, this will be my only bad round”, prayed Vijay Kumar. Rafiq Ali’s round was even worse than Vijay Kumar’s. He had only one birdie on the 18th, while he had a double bogey on the 4th and two bogeys on the 6th and 13th. “The double bogey that I managed upset me a great deal and I could not retrieve after this mishap on the 4th”, said Rafiq, adding: “But tomorrow will be yet another day and I should regain my position. Ali Sher was in his usual mood. He played a par 36 on first nine and one-under 35 to get an over-all score of one under 71. Ali Sher said that he was striking the ball well but he was still not very consistent in his putting. “If I find my consistency in putting in the next two days, then I should encounter few problems”, said Ali Sher. Ali Sher had an eagle on the 11th and three birdies on 3,8 and 18. But he earned as many as four bogeys on 4,6,13 and 17. Feroz Ali, Mukesh Kumar, Raju Ali, Monish Bindra and Harmeet Kahlon all played steadily. Leading Scores: Vijay
Kumar 138 (66 and 72), Ali Sher 140 (69 and 71), Fariq
Ali 141 (66 and 75), Uttam Singh Mundy 142 (70 to 72),
Vishal Singh 142 (70 and 72), Arjun Singh 142 (69 to 73)
and Monish Bindra 142 (69 and 73). |
Team’s departure sparks row CALCUTTA, Nov 26 (UNI) — The departure of a foreign team without playing all matches during the league stage in the IFA Shield has raised controversy and football pundits express doubts about the survival of the century-old tournament. Pakhtakore F.C. Uzbekistan, after a dismal performance of 1-1 draw in their first match against Tollygunge Agragami and 1-2 defeat against Mohun Bagan, had left for their country on Saturday last before completing their engagement against Mohammedan Sporting the following day. This has raised a storm among the football fans here and many have questioned the authority of the IFA in allowing a foreign team to go home before completing their scheduled league fixture. They wanted to fly back home and we allowed then to catch flight, said IFA assistance secretary Debu Mukherjee. Former international Prasun Banerjee said the sudden departure of Pakhtakor was an insult to the country’s second oldest soccer tournament after the Durand Cup and questioned the tournament organisers action. “Have you ever heard of a team going back without completing their league engagements in order to save some fund for the organiser? Do we have any football rule and what FIFA would do if report goes to them,” he asked. Mr Mukherjee, however, refused to disclose the terms of the IFA’s agreement with Pakhtakor, but insiders in the IFA said the foreign team’s departure saved a lot of money to the cash starved organisers. Two decades ago, the tournament used to attract all the major teams of the country and a few top outfits like the Pass Club of Iran, Pyonng Young of Korea, Tatabenia of Hungary and some Russian teams. But the millennium’s last tourney of the IFA has only eight teams — four locals, tow outstations and as many from abroad. But the foreign teams — Pakhtakor and Badda Jagarani of Bangladesh — had a poor run. Former FIFA referee Sudhin Chatterjee said under the rule no team could leave midway before completing their fixture. “It is nobody’s individual property and there is a rule in football and the organisers as well as the participating teams must comply with that”, a former panel referee of the Asian Cup said. About the waning popularity of the 105-year-old tournament, Mr Chatterjee said fair supervision of the matches was required for popularising a tournament. “Fair treatment to the participating teams during play is vital to have more outstation teams in the tournament.” He asked the organisers
to clarify why they have allowed a team to leave halfway.
“The organisers must know dos and dont’s of the
rule and background of a team before inviting them in a
particular tournament,” he added. |
Punjab athletic championship CHANDIGARH, Nov 26 — The Punjab Amateur Athletic Association will organise the Punjab Inter-District Athletic Championship from November 28 to 30 at Guru Nanak Stadium Ludhiana, according to Mr Isher Singh Deol, secretary of the association. Nearly 800 boys and girls from various districts of the state, Punjab Police, the BSF, the PSEB, the Railways and the services will take part in the three-day meet. The state team for participation in the National Athletic Championship to be held at Tamil Nadu from January 7 to 11 will also be selected during this meet. The general Body meeting
of the association will be held on November 28 at the GN
Stadium, Ludhiana, to chalk out future programme of the
association. |
Haryana 144 for 5 PATIALA, Nov 26 — Haryana still need 90 runs with five wickets in hand to avoid the follow on against Punjab on day two of the league match of the Vijay Merchant Cricket Tournament at the Dhruv Pandove Stadium here today. For Haryana, Joginder Singh with unbeaten half century to his name was struggling to keep the visitors innings afloat. Earlier in their first essay, resuming from their overnight 287 for 7, the hosts compiled 384 before being all out. In replay at one stage Haryana were fighting with their backs to the wall with half their side back in the pavilion with just 87 on the scoreboard before Joginder Sharma and Dharmvir played with authority to pull Haryana out of the woods: Scores: Punjab Ist innings): 384 all out (M.Kohli 82, Manjeet Singh 77, Rajan Singh 51, Amardeep Sonkar 58, Ishan Malhotra 27, A. Behl 28, G. Bhardwaj 3 for 38, Joginder Sharma 2 for 95, Sandeep Kharab 2 for 56). Haryana: (Ist Innings):
144 for 5 (Joginder Sharma 52 n.o. Dharmvir 32 n.o, T.
Malhotra 2 for 42, Gautam Mandora 1 for 23, Rajan 1 for
21, Amit 1 for 16). |
H
Kalaswala Golf Cup tomorrow CHANDIGARH, Nov 26 (TNS) — Old students from different schools will vie for honours for the Kalaswala Golf Cup, donated by Maj-Gen K.S. Bajwa, at the Chandigarh Golf Club here on November 28. Giving this information to The Tribune Mr Mandeep Singh Bajwa, organising secretary, said the tournament will be played on stableford basis with four players representing each school. besides, there will be individual prizes. Other prizes at state are the longest drive, the shot closest to the pin, the oldest participant and the youngest one. Among the entries received are from the holders, St John’s School, Chandigarh, Colvin Taluqdars College Lucknow, Lawrence School, Sanawar, Doon School, Dehra Dun, Mayo College, Ajmer, Bishop Cotton School, Shimla, and Yadavindera Public School, Patiala andd Mohali. To golfers of the country, including former India captain, Simran Singh, are expected to participate in the tournament which is being sponsored by Japson Pharmaceuticals Punjab Limited, Bank of India and Worldwide Immigration and Consultancy Services. SGGS College boys win title CHANDIGARH, Nov 26 (TNS) — SGGS College, Chandigarh, won the Panjab University inter-college relayraces championship for men today securing 38 points. DAV College, Chandigarh, and SGGS, Khalsa College, Mahilpur, secured the second and third positions with 36 and 16 points, respectively. 4x100 m. relay: SGGS College (Chandigarh); Sukhdev Singh, Vaid Parkash, Sunil Kumar and Kuldeep Singh)1, DAV College (Chandigarh) 2, SGGS Kh. College (Mahilpur) 3. 4x400 relay: SGGS College, Chandigarh); Kuldeep Singh, Kanwaljit Singh, Balwinder Singh and Dhanish Sharma) 1, DAV College (Chandigarh) 2, SGGS Khalsa College (Mahilpur) 3. 4x800 m relay: DAV College Chandigarh; Mohit Singh, Vikas Kumar, Bhupinder Rawat and Sunil Yadav) 1, SGGS Khalsa College (Mahilpur) 2, SGGS College (Chandigarh) 3. Decathlon: Devinder Singh (GGS DAV Cent. College, Jalandhar) 1, Gurvinder Singh (GGS DAV Cent College, Jalandhar) 2, Jugraj Singh (GHG Kh. College, Gurusar Sadhar) 3. Half Marathon: Darshan Singh (GNM College, Doraha ) 1, Rajinder Parshad (SGGS College, Chandigarh) 2, Gurmit Singh (Govt, College, Hoshiarpur) 3. 20 k.m. walk: Amardeep Singh (DAV College, Chandigarh) 1, Sukhwinder Singh (Malwa College, Samrala) 2, Amarjit Singh (SGGS Kh. College Mahilpur) 3. Women’s section: Khalsa College for Women, Ludhiana, won the Panjab University inter-college relay races (women) championship securing 42 points. Ramgarhia Girls College Ludhiana, secured the second position with 38 points and Guru Gobind Singh College for Women, Chandigarh, and MCM DAV College for Women, Chandigarh, were joint their with 12 points each. 4x100 m. relay: Khalsa College for Women, Ludhiana; (Maninder, Rupinder, Sagardeep Kaur and Manisha Lehal) 1,Ramgarhia Girls College (Ludhiana) 2, GTB Kh. College for Women (Dasuya) 3. 4x200 m. relay: Khalsa College for Women, Ludhiana; (Maninder, Manisha Lehal, Sagardeep Kaur and Raj Rani) 1, Ramgarhia Girls College (Ludhiana) 2, G.G.S. College for Women (Chandigarh) 3. 4x400 m. relay: Khalsa College for Women, Ludhiana; (Maninder, Manisha Lehal, Raj Rani and Sagardeep Kaur) 1, Ramgarhia Girls College (Ludhiana) 2, G.G.S. College for Women (Chandigarh) 3. 4x800 m. relay: Khalsa College for Women, Ludhiana; (Amarjit Kaur, Manjeet Kaur, Paramjeet Kaur and Beerpal Kaur) 1, Khalsa College for Women, (Ludhiana) 2, MCM DAV College for Women (Chandigarh) 3. Heptathlon: Sharanjit Kaur (GGS College for Women, Chd.) 1, Pankti Lakra (GGS College for Women, Chd.) 2, G.C.G., Sector-11, Chd.) 3. Half Marathon: Kavita (MCM DAV College for Women, Chd) 1, (GGS College for Women, Chd) 2, (GGS College for Women, Chd.) 3. 5 k.m. walk: Amardeep Kaur (GGS College for Women, Chd.) 1, Daya Verma GSS College for Women, Chd.) 2, Rajinder Kaur (Kh. College for Women, Ldh.) 3. Inter-varsity b’ball PATIALA, Nov 26 (FOC) — Punjabi University lost 53-79 to Madras University in the All-India Inter-University Basketball Tournament for women here today. Other results : (all league matches) GND Varsity, Amritsar b Kerala University 32-30, Panjab University b Calicut University 60-49, MG University, Kottayam b Himachal University 74-23. Metro Cup golf AMBALA, Nov 26 (FOC) — Metro Cup Golf Tournament will be played at Charge Golf Club, Ambala Cantt, on November 27 and 28. Teams from Patiala, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Phillaur, Ludhiana, Meerut, Delhi and Chandigarh will take part in the tournament. About 140 golfers are likely to participate in the individual and the team events. Last year the running trophy was won by Amritsar Golf Club. Lt Gen G.S. Sihota, GOC
2 Corps and the patron of the Kharga Golf Club will
inaugurate the tournament. |
 |
 |
| Nation
| Punjab | Haryana | Himachal Pradesh | Jammu & Kashmir | | Chandigarh | Editorial | Business | | Mailbag | Spotlight | World | 50 years of Independence | Weather | | Search | Subscribe | Archive | Suggestion | Home | E-mail | |
