02 page1 city layout 1

More documents

Recommendations

Info

14 SPORT Short Takes India can rise to No. 2 in rankings Dubai: They have lost the tag of the No. 1 Test team but injury-ravaged world champions India can climb to second in the ICC ODI rankings if they manage to beat England 4-1 or better in the upcoming five-match series starting on Saturday. Claudius hospitalised with abdominal pain Kolkata: Hockey Olympian Leslie Claudius has been admitted to a <strong>city</strong> hospital with severe abdominal pain on Thursday. However, the doctors said the 84-year-old’s condition is stable. Bagchi gifts tickets to U-19 squad Kolkata: The Prayag United football secretary, Avik Bagchi, has given tickets for the coveted Argentina- Venezuela friendly to all members of the club’s U-19 squad. Robinho out of Brazil’s friendly with Ghana Rio de Janeiro: AC Milan forward Robinho has been withdrawn from the Brazil squad to face Ghana in a friendly in London next week because of a groin injury, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said on Wednesday. “Milan’s medical department sent the Brazilian national team’s medical department the tests that show the player’s injury,” CBF said in a statement on its website www.cbf.com.br. Zaragoza buy Portugal striker Postiga Lisbon: La Liga team Real Zaragoza signed Portugal striker Helder Postiga from Sporting for one million euros ($1.44 million) on Wednesday. The Portuguese club also said the transfer fee could double. Atletico take Brazilian Diego on loan Madrid: Atletico Madrid have agreed to sign Brazil playmaker Diego on loan from VfL Wolfsburg, the Spanish club said on Wednesday. The 26-year-old made his name during a three-year spell with Werder Bremen before Juventus bought him in 2009. Das wins bronze in taekwondo Kolkata: Class XI student Probal Das won bronze medal in the U-78kg category for Bengal in the 31st National Taekwondo Championship at Harivansh Tana Bhagat Indoor Stadium in Ranchi from August 25-28. It was organised by the Jharkhand Taekwondo Association under the aegis of Taekwondo Federation of India. Aditi beats Smriti to title Bangalore: Amateur Aditi Ashok made up for her loss in the first leg, beating veteran Smriti Mehra on the first playoff hole to win the third and final leg of Southern Swing in the Hero Women’s Profess - ional Golf Tour on Thursday. Ghana cleared to take part in 2012 Games Berlin: Ghana has been cleared to compete in next year’s London Olympics after the government took steps to amend a controversial sports law, the International Olympic Committee said on Thursday. Top seed Sinha ousted by Prabodh Chennai: Karnataka’s Suraj R Prabodh put paid to the aspirations of top seed Vishwesh Sinha of Punjab 7-5, 6-3 to progress to the boys’ semi-final of the Adidas MCC National Junior Clay Court tennis championship here on Thursday. Verma, Sindhu inducted in squad Mumbai: Sameer Verma, a silver medallist at the Asian Junior Championships, and P V Sindhu have been named in the 7-boy and 6-girl squad for the World Junior Badminton Championships in October. — Our Correspondent & Agencies England remain unbeaten Manchester: There was no end to India’s misery in what has turned out to be an abysmal tour of England as they went down by six wickets in their one off Twenty20 International, paying the price for yet another stunning batting collapse here. Debutant Ajinkya Rahane shone with the bat with a 39ball 61 but the Indians lost nine wickets in the final eight overs to be restricted to 165 in 19.3 overs. The visitors rode Eoin Morgan’s quickfire 49 to chase down the target in 19.3 overs on Wednesday. Morgan, who struck 49 off 27 balls, was the hero of England’s chase, striking seven fours and a six while Ravi Bopara chipped in with a useful 31 to ensure that the hosts maintained their dominance over the hapless visitors. Morgan put on 73 runs for the fourth wicket with Bopara off only 49 balls to lead England to a comprehensive victory despite Rahane’s 61 off 39 balls. Jade Dernbach (4/22) and captain Stuart Broad (2/37) helped the hosts with a flurry of wickets as the visitors scored only 61 runs, losing nine wickets in the final eight overs. Thirty-three of these runs were scored by Suresh Raina, who marked Tim Bresnan and Broad for special attention, smashing them for three sixes, as he took only 19 balls for his cameo. The hosts, who won the Test series 4-0, gave Indians a lesson in Twenty20 cricket as well, scoring their runs with a mix of defence and attack. The visitors, in contrast, appeared to play to the gallery and largely got their runs in fours and sixes — as many as 92 of 165 came off boundaries. England lost debutant Alex Hales (0) to Praveen Kumar off only the second ball of the innings but the experienced Kevin Pietersen gave impetus to the innings with a strokefilled 33 off 23 balls with five fours. Pietersen and opener Craig Kieswetter (18) guided England to 54 for one in the Powerplay but then the hosts lost both of them in the space of three runs to bring the match back on an even keel. Kieswetter offered a simple catch at short cover and Pietersen was stumped off the first ball by Virat Kohli. Morgan then seized back the initiative with 17 runs off Rohit Sharma in the ninth over of the innings, slamming the part-time off-spinner for two fours and a massive six over mid-on. England were 90 for three at the end of the 10th over. They took two balls more than India did for their Zimbabweans ride Mawoyo’s 82 n.o. Bulawayo: Rookie opener Tinotenda Mawoyo produced a masterclass in concentration as Zimbabwe reached 245 for four at the close of the first day of the one-off Test against Pakistan at Queens Sports Club here on Thursday. Mawoyo, playing in only his second Test, batted right through the day, scoring an unbeaten and unruffled 82 — his maiden half-century — after occupying the crease for six hours and 21 minutes. He faced 213 balls and struck 10 fours. He also figured in three significant partnerships as Zimbabwe looked to carry on where they left off when they beat Bangladesh in Harare last month. But all of the Zimbabwe batsmen had to contend with a box full of tricks from Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal, who took three of the four wickets to fall as the home batsmen struggled to pick his doosra. Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq made the contentious decision to bowl first after winning the toss. He pointed to some green on the pitch and 100 runs — 68 balls to India’s 66 balls. Morgan played a sensible knock but departed unhappily as he believed Rohit Sharma at point hadn’t caught him cleanly off Munaf Patel. But after Morgan departed at 134 for four in the 16th over, the hosts needed just 32 off 29 balls. Bopara and Samit Patel (25) then ran briskly between the wickets and hit the odd boundaries to bring the equation to 13 from the final two overs. Munaf Patel bowled the penultimate over, a brilliant effort as he conceded only three runs from the over. Needing 10 off the final over, bowled by Vinay Kumar, the first delivery was a wide and the next three were hit for fours by Patel as England reached home with three balls to spare. Earlier, the young Rahane announced himself onto international stage in blazing style and Raina exacted his revenge. The Mumbai opener had the packed stands in raptures as he produced almost every stroke in the book to rattle up 61 off 39 balls with eight fours in his maiden innings in international cricket. Brought in as replacement of Virender Sehwag earlier this week, Rahane gave India a quick start of 39 from four-odd overs with Parthiv Patel (10) and reached his half-century off only 29 balls with as many as eight fours. England’s pace trio of Bresnan, Jade Dernbach and captain Broad tried to intimidate the young right-hander with short-pitched deliveries but nearly every such attempt was met with a ferocious pull or hook by the right-hander. Patel got the innings going with a good-looking backfoot drive through covers off Bresnan, but thereafter, Rahane took over and hit boundaries at will. He began with a lofted cut over covers off Dernbach and then twice pulled short deliveries from Bresnan and Broad. — PTI Kolkata Friday September 2, 2011 www.thebengalpost.com Lyon king tames Lankan lions Galle: Unheralded Australian debutant Nathan Lyon took a stunning five for 34, including a wicket off his first ball as the Sri Lankan batsmen capitulated in the dramatic first Test in Galle on Thursday. Sixteen wickets fell on the dusty, deteriorating track during an eventful second day’s play which ended with the tourists enjoying a commanding lead of 283 runs with four wickets in hand. Seamer Shane Watson claimed three wickets in 10 balls and another newcomer Trent Copeland struck in his first over as Australia, restricted to 273 on the first day, skittled Sri Lanka out for 105 by tea. In the second innings, the Australians also found runs hard to come by, collapsing to 115 for six when bad light forced stumps to be drawn. The tourists lost Watson first ball and former captain Ricky Ponting for four, before skipper Michael Clarke (60) and Michael Hussey (15) put on 49 for the fourth wicket. Left-arm spinner Rangana Herath spiced up the contest further when he removed both batsmen in two balls and dismissed Brad Haddin in his next over as Australia slipped from 110/3 to 112/6. Usman Khawaja was unbeaten on two and Mitchell Johnson on three as Australia look to turn the screws on the hosts when play resumes on Friday. Opener Tharanga Paranavitana’s 29 was Sri Lanka’s top score as the last seven wickets fell for just 18 runs. Off-spinner Lyon never looked back after removing Kumar Sangakkara with his first delivery in Test cricket — the first Australian in 117 years to achieve the feat. Brought on after the morning drinks break, the 23-year-old had Sangakkara edging the first USA mine gold in Daegu, Britain get off mark Daegu: The USA flexed their muscles at the world athletics championships on Thursday, harvesting three of the six titles on offer, while Britain finally won an elusive gold medal in Daegu. Kenya extended their dominance of the men’s steeplechase and celebrated with some joyous theatrics on the track afterwards and double-amputee Oscar Pistorius produced another momentous achievement, Lashinda Demus in the 400 metres hurdles, 1,500 metres runner Jenny Simpson and high jumper Jesse Williams lifted the USA to the top of the medals table on a glittering night for the Americans. Although Simpson’s winning time of four minutes 05.40 seconds was the slowest to win a world title, her triumph left her euphoric. She crossed the line wideeyed and holding her head after leading home Britain’s Hannah England and Spaniard Natalia Rodriguez. “I am supposed to say I am not surprised,” Simpson said. “All I can say is that a dream has come true. Absolutely there will be a big celebration tonight — I guess I will not sleep for the next (few) nights.” Demus ran 52.47 seconds in the 400 metres hurdles, beating defending champion Melaine Walker of Jamaica into silver with Russian Natalya Antyukh bronze. � England’s Jade Dernbach celebrates the dismissal of India’s M S Dhoni during the Twenty20 match at Old Trafford on Wednesday. — AFP said he was not afraid to bat last but local wisdom suggests that the pitch will be flat and slow — most captains prefer to bat first to put up a big score. It also meant Misbah pitched his own very green attack in at the deep end. With Zimbabwe making tentative steps back into Test, Pakistan have also used the tour to blood some new players — including opening bowlers Aizaz Cheema and Junaid Khan, who are both making their Test debuts. — AFP Scoreboard Zimbabwe First innings T Mawoyo batting 82 V Sibanda st Akmal b Ajmal 45 H Masakadza b Ajmal 11 B Taylor lbw Ajmal 10 T Taibu c Akmal b Sohail 44 C Ervine batting 38 Extras: (b-2, lb-11, nb-2) 15 Total: (for 4 wkts in 90 overs) 245 Fall of wkts: 1/71, 2/91, 3/111, 4/176 Bowling: Sohail 17-7-42-1, Cheema 15-7-48-0, Junaid 21- 12-39-0, Ajmal 29-6-75-3, Hafeez 8-1-28-0 Luka qualifies for 800m semi-finals Daegu (South Korea): India’s Tintu Luka made it to the women’s 800m semi-finals but shot putter Om Prakash Karhana was eliminated in the qualifying round of the World Athletics Championships here on Thursday. Luka clocked 2:01.89 to finish sixth in heat number four, which was enough for her to make it to Friday’s semi-finals. The 21-yearold prodigy of legendary P T Usha has a personal best timing of 1:59.17 which she recorded last year during the VTB Continental Cup. — PTI Williams completed a hattrick of golds for the USA when he won the men’s high jump with his first attempt at 2.35 metres, the first USA gold in the event in 20 years. “We have a great team, with fantastic talented athletes and they know how to do well at the big dance,” USA coach Vin Lananna told reporters. In the last race on Thursday, Welsh 400 metres hurdler Dai Greene broke the drought for a British track-and-field team who will be relieved to have finally got off the mark less than a year before their nation will expect them to deliver as Olympic hosts. “I’m just overwhelmed, I cannot believe it happened to me,” Greene told reporters. “I’m so happy with this victory as now I’m No. 1 in the world.” Pistorius, who runs on carbon prosthetics after his lower legs were amputated as a baby, is redefining athletic achievement at these championships and, in the scorching day session, led his 4x400 metres South African teammates to the final and a national record. “It is unbelievable to be one of four names on a list to run a national record,” the jubilant ‘Blade Runner’ told reporters. Pride, too, was written all over the face of Ezekiel Kemboi who streaked to gold in the 3,000 metres steeplechase before setting off on a lap of hip-wiggling, gyrating celebrations. Kenyans have now won nine of the 13 world steeplechase titles. “I am happy to have won,” Kemboi said, though his smile made the words redundant. “My friend Usain Bolt was not in the final and couldn’t dance so I had to do it for Usain.” Compatriot Brimin Kipruto won silver with a bitter Mahiedine Mekhissi- Benabbad bronze, the Frenchman believing Kipruto had unfairly denied him second place. — Reuters Scoreboard India P Patel c Broad b Dernbach 10 A Rahane c Dernbach b Broad 61 R Dravid c Morgan b Bopara 31 V Kohli c K’wetter b Broad 4 R Sharma st K’wetter b Swann 1 S Raina c Broad b Bresnan 33 M S Dhoni c Hales b Dernbach 8 R Ashwin run out 4 P Kumar b Dernbach 1 R V Kumar not out 2 M Patel c K’wetter b Dernbach 0 Extras: (lb-7, w-3) 10 Total: (in 19.4 overs) 165 Fall of wkts: 1/39, 2/104, 3/106, 4/108, 5/117, 6/158, 7/162, 8/162, 9/165 Bowling: Bresnan 4-0-33-1, Dern bach 3.4-0-22-4, Broad 4-0- 37-2, Patel 3-0-34-0, Swann 4-0- 28-1, Bopara 1-0-4-1 England A Hales lbw Praveen 0 C K’wetter c Raina b Vinay 18 K Pietersen st Dhoni b Kohli 33 E Morgan c Rohit b Munaf 49 R Bopara not out 31 S Patel not out 25 Extras: (lb-7, w-6) 13 Total: (for 4 wkts in 19.3 overs)166 Fall of wkts: 1/0, 2/58, 3/61, 4/134 Bowling: Praveen 4-0-27-1, Vinay 3.3-0-35-0, Patel 4-0-25-2, Ashwin 4-0-37-0, Kohli 3-0-22-1 Rohit 1-0-16-0 MoM: Jade Dernbach Federer cruises, Venus quits New York: Third seed Roger Federer rolled into the third round of the US Open on Thursday with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 rout of Israel’s Dudi Sela in 1 hour 17 minutes. Federer was not quite on top of his game during the marquee match on Arthur Ashe, logging 26 unforced errors, most of which occurred during his return games and were very out of character for one of the best player in tennis history. Despite an off-day, the box score proves that even when facing a not-so-perfect Federer, one must have a perfect match. Federer will next face either No. 27 Marin Cilic of Croatia or Bernard Tomic of Austria in the third round. The US Open witnessed a major shock without a ball being struck in anger on Wednesday when Venus Williams quit the tournament after revealing she was suffering from an illness that could threaten her tennis future. The two-time champion told officials of her withdrawal from the tournament less than an hour before she was due to face Germany’s Sabine Lisicki � Roger Federer during his US Open match at Flushing Meadows on Wednesday. — AFP in the second round. Then she dropped the bombshell, revealing for the first time exactly what had kept her recent playing time down to a bare minimum. Meanwhile, a dark cloud appeared over Jelena Jankovic’s chances to win her first Grand Slam title when the world No. 11 injured her back during a second-round victory over Jelena Dokic at the US Open on Thursday. The 2008 US Open finalist received medical attention several times during the match but still managed to advance with a 6-3, 6-4 triumph at the National Tennis Center. “I hurt it in the first set,” said Jankovic. “I felt a little restricted when I was hitting my serves and especially when I had to bend down when I was waiting to return her serves.” Andy Murray, Britain’s perennial major hope, made a bright start to his campaign while Argentina’s Juan Martin Del Potro enjoyed a successful return to Flushing Meadows two years after his stunning title success. However, three seeded women made early exits at the hands of lower-ranked players. Marion Bartoli, Dominika Cibulkova and Yanina Wickmayer all departed while the only male seed to lose was Nicolas Almagro of Spain, although sixth seed Robin Soderling pulled out because of injury. — Agencies � South Africa’s Oscar Pistorius starts the men’s 4x400 metres relay heats in Daegu on Wednesday. — AFP ball towards the slips where Clarke dived to his left to take a low catch. Lyon, who served on the Adelaide Oval ground staff until a year ago, then ran through the tail to justify his much-criticised selection for the tour after just four firstclass matches. He is the 14th bowler to take a wicket with his first ball in Tests. — AFP Scoreboard Australia First innings 273 Sri Lanka First innings T P’vitana lbw Watson 29 T Dilshan c Ponting b Copeland 4 K S’kara c Clarke b Lyon 10 M J’dene run out 11 T S’weera lbw Watson 26 P J’dene lbw Watson 0 A Mathews b Lyon 5 S Randiv c Ponting b Lyon 9 R Herath c Johnson b Lyon 0 S Lakmal not out 2 C W’gedara c & b Lyon 1 Extras: (lb-4, w-1, nb-3) 8 Total: (in 50 overs) 105 Fall of wkts: 1/4, 2/24, 3/44, 4/87, 5/87, 6/88, 7/100, 8/100, 9/103 Bowling: Harris 8-5-6-0, Cope - land 12-3-24-1, Johnson 9-1-26- 0, Lyon 15-3-34-5, Watson 6-1- 11-3 Australia Second innings S Watson c S’weera b W’gedara0 P Hughes lbw Dilshan 28 R Ponting c Herath b Lakmal 4 M Clarke c Prasanna b Herath 60 M Hussey c Tharanga b Herath15 U Khawaja batting 2 B Haddin c Mahela b Herath 0 M Johnson batting 3 Extras: (lb-2, nb-1) 3 Total: (for 6 wkts in 33.5 overs)115 Fall of wkts: 1/0, 2/5, 3/61, 4/110, 5/110, 6/112 Bowling: W’gedara 3-3-0-1, Lakmal 5-2-18-1, Herath 12.5-0- 51-3, Randiv 8-2-22-0, Dilshan 5-0-22-1 Indian GP circuit gets Whiting’s thumbs up Our Correspondent New Delhi: The Buddh International Circuit, which will be hosting India’s maiden Formula One race, got the thumbs up from Formula One race director Charlie Whiting on Saturday, for hosting the inaugural Indian Grand Prix in October. Whiting spent six hours on the 5.14km circuit in Greater Noida, on the outskirts of the capital, with officials of the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI), the apex body of motorsports in the country, and race promoters Jaypee Sports International. Whiting’s visit was part of the homologation of the circuit. He inspected the track and other technical areas and appeared happy with the progress of the work. The final certification by FIA (International Automobile Federation), a common practice for new circuits, will happen a week prior to the race. FMSCI president Vicky Chandhok, was at the track alongside Whiting, said the Englishman was pleased with the progress made since his last visit. “We spent around six hours at the track and he was satisfied. Though this was a routine inspection, the track has been cleared for the race. The progress of work exceeded his expectations. There won’t be any further changes on the track and the tarmac has also been laid,” Chandhok said of the track, which has been designed to promote overtaking. JPSI officials were also happy after the inspection. “Whiting checked the state of track services, kerbs, runoff area, fencing area and martial’s post besides inspecting the medical facilities, the team and the pit building. “The work in and around the track will continue in full swing and we should complete everything by the end of this month,” the promoters said in a statement.
Kolkata Friday September 2, 2011 www.thebengalpost.com SPORT 15 In the shadow of a revolution � Venezuela players during a practice session at the Salt Lake stadium on Thursday. — Aditi Saha Arindam Basu Kolkata: Like almost every other Latin American country, Venezuela is an ether box to this part of the world but for its coups, political turmoil and communist socialist movement that has given it an enigmatic charm. But in the shadow of the guns, football has grown over the last decade to challenge its destiny much like Simon Bolivar who scripted Venezuela’s rise to sovereignty. “Much is not like what it seems from outside Venezuela. The last decade under Chavez has seen a lot of things. He has changed it all—now we have eight stars not seven on our flag; the horse doesn’t look right anymore, it looks left and the Constitution has been re-written and amended a few times over,” said an amused Manuel Llorens, Venezuelan national team psychologist, to The Bengal Post. Economic crisis in the 1980s and 1990s led to a political crisis which saw hundreds dead in the Caracazo riots of 1989, two attempted coups in 1992 and the impeachment of President Carlos Andrés Pérez for corruption in 1993. Coup leader Hugo Chávez was pardoned in March 1994 by president Rafael Caldera, with a clean slate and his political rights intact. A collapse in confidence in the existing parties saw Chávez elected Zabaleta, Gutierrez for Messi era Our Special Correspondent national side. For the last few years, it's at the Kolkata airport. People were cheer- not just about Brazil, Argentina and ing us from the very instance, which was Kolkata: Crown Prince of world football Uruguay but even players from simply amazing.” Lionel Messi may often be criticised for Venezuela, Paraguay and Chile have “However, our focus is now on the not showing the same spark when he made it to Europe, which only show that game. It's all about starting from the dons the Argentina jersey, but team- footballing standard in South America scratch and get the team back to proper mates midfielder Jonas Gutierrez and has increased by leaps and bounds,” shape. The journey which begins tomor- defender Pablo Zabaleta feel that the Zabaleta said. row is important for us and our new Argentine superstar gives his 100 per Argentina and England may have manager (Alejandro Sabella)," said the cent while representing his nation. shared a love-hate relationship since Newcastle United footballer. “Messi tries more than his best when he Diego Maradona's “Hand of God” goal Gutierrez also revealed that their 0-4 plays for Argentina. But you can't compare during the quarterfinals of the 1986 blanking at the hands of Germany in the playing for Barca and playing for your World Cup between the two countries World Cup was still difficult to over- country. Those are two different aspects. but Zabaleta said he was yet to face any come."We were improving game after But the best thing is to leave Messi in the problem in his stint with the Manchester game but World Cup is such a difficult position he is most comfortable with," City. "I've been playing in England for last tournament that just one hiccup could both Gutierrez and Zabaleta, said. four years and honestly I've always felt bring an end to your campaign. This is The defender, who was part of the that the Englishmen have given me the what the World Cup is all about. Still 2008 Beijing Olympics gold medal win- respect I deserve. Also I can speak decent today we find it quite difficult to digest ning side, said their International friendly English so chances of me facing any prob- the defeat," he admitted. match against Venezuela will mark the lem is little less," he said. Both New Castle United and Argentina road to World Cup 2014 in Brazil. “The Argentine midfielder Jonas Gutierrez may be in a team building mode but journey starts tomorrow. I will try to do added: "It's an all new experience which Gutierrez said playing for one's country my best to cement my place in the we had witnessed as soon as we landed was different from that of a club. Messi mania grips Arrows Kolkata: Lionel Messi stays the best in the world at the moment, a role model for all budding footballers. And amidst the VVIPs, corporate honchos, Bollywood celebrities and the innumerable fans, India’s U-23 footballers have been losing sleep for quite some time now, all for that glimpse of the superstar from the stands. Pailan Arrows striker C S Sabeeth, who with his deft feints and sudden burst of speed was the discovery of the last edition of the I- League, feels: “It’s a dream come true. I’m excited. When you get to watch the world’s best footballer in action, that too in your own backyard, you ought to be excited. I feel this will prompt other big teams to turn their attention to the <strong>city</strong>. The madness for the sport in Kolkata knows no bounds.” “He’s such a small chap. But look how he shields the ball from all,” quipped Shilton D’Silva, Pailan Arrows midfielder. “I have just 90 minutes and it’s a lifetime opportunity for me. I will try to gauge from the stands as to how he manages to keep the ball at his feet all the time.” The pre-season training for Pailan Arrows has just begun. — IBNS President in 1998, and the subsequent launch of a "Bolivarian Revolution", beginning with a 1999 Constituent Assembly to write a new Constitution of Venezuela. Much like the rugged northern mountains of the nation, football went through the trials and tribulations of a nation that swayed between dictatorship and democracy. Finally it ARGENTINA Goalkeepers: Sergio SQUADS VENEZUELA Goalkeepers: Rafael Romero, Estaban Romo, Renny Vega, Andrada, Mariano Andujar. Daniel Hern andez. Defenders: Martin Demichelis, Defenders: Andres Tunez, Oswaldo Federico Fernandez, Nicolas Vizcarrondo, Cesar Gonzalez, Burdisso, Nicolas Otamendi, Pablo Roberto Rosales, Rolf Feltscher, Zabaleta, Nicolas Pareja, Marcos Fernando Amorebieta, Rohel Rojo. Briceno, Josef Martinez Midfielders: Midfielders: Angel di Franco Sig - Maria, Javier nor elli, Jos - Mas cherano, m ar Zamb - Ever Banega, ra no, Tomas Ricardo Ri n con, Yoh - Alvarez, Fabian Rinaudo, Jonas an d ry Orozco, Raul Gonzalez, Gutierrez, Javier Pastore, Luis Gabriel Cichero, Frank Fel tscher, Gonzalez, Jose Sosa. Julio Alvarez, Luis Manuel Forwards: Gonzalo Higuain, Lionel Seijas. Messi, Eduardo Salvio, Sergio Forwards: Nicolas Fedor, Salomon Aguero. Rondon, Mario Rondon. Coach: Alejandro Sabella. Coach: Cesar Farias. Match Commissioner: Col Goutam Kar Referee: A Rowan Assistant Referees: Biplab Poddar, Dinesh Nair and Franky Fernandes Fourth Official: Pratap Singh Kick-off: 7 p.m. was in the 90s that two coaches brought about a silent revolution in football that saw the la Vinitinto rise up the world soccer ladder. “The first was Serbian Ratomir Djukovic and then Argentine Jose Omar Pastoriza who changed the entire football system of the nation,” said Nestor Beaumont, team’s media manager. “They were integral in setting up a youth system for Venezuela. They believed in the philosophy of bringing a change not only at the players’ level but also at the coach and support staff level. They wanted young enterprising people in football and Cesar Farias is a product of this system. He began coaching as early as 23 and by 25 he was the assistant coach of Nino who was handling the national youth side,” Manuel added. Chavas was a passionate baseball player and his interest in sports had only helped the team. “The President is always interested in what the national team was doing. He comes to see our team play whenever he can. And we are happy that we have been able to unite the whole nation under one game. They believe in the jersey and we get inspiration from them,” national coach Cesar Farias said. Venezuela was the host of Copa America in 2007 and Chavas built eight new stadiums and made the old existing one brand new. It was a huge boost to football in that country. “Till 2003 the Venezuelans did not follow their country’s football. They preferred watching Spanish, Brazilian and Argentine leagues. But for the first time in 2006 during the World Cup qualifiers, Venezuelans wore a T-shirt with half Brazil and half Venezuela’s flags. But now they wear Venezuela’s jersey,” Manuel said. He said that they did not mind being treated as underdogs. “We have turned adversity and ignorance into our strengths. That is a huge plus for us. We have used it to inspire our boys and make them play better. They have become ambitious. Now is the time for the team to rise,” a proud Manuel said. A youth system and a sincere scouting mixed with complete faith in a young audacious coach has seen the country rise the soccer ladder steadily and now is the time for them to prosper like the wide plains of central Venezuela. Maybe Friday will be the beginning. Congress not divided: Maken Our Correspondent New Delhi: Under fire in the cabinet from his party colleagues, sports minister Ajay Maken maintained on Thursday that the Congress party is not divided over the proposed national sports development bill, it is only debating it. Maken had fierce opposition in the cabinet on the bill. The cabinet rejected the bill on Tuesday and the sports minister was asked to revise the bill, which will be tabled again in the winter session of the parliament. Maken has also been accused by his party colleague Rajeev Shukla, who is also the vice-president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, of being ignorant about the ground realities. The minister refused to comment on Shukla’s statement and iterated that the bill was not intended at curbing the autonomy of the sports federations. Maken said he is prepared to tweak the bill somewhat without compromising on its basic structure. “Limiting the age and tenure for the office-bearers doesn’t amount to curbing autonomy neither by having 25 per cent representation for sportspersons in the executive committee of the sports federations or by coming under the RTI. I am ready to leave out some clauses to help the sports federations,” said Maken, at the headquarters of the Sports Authority of India (SAI). Asked whether leaving out some clauses amounts to a compromise, Maken said “at no cost was the sports ministry going to compromise with the basic structure of the bill.” He also said that the ministry will start working on the bill once it receives the minutes of the cabinet meeting held on Tuesday. Maken also said that 25 per cent of reservation in sports federations will help in efficient management.
Page 1 and 2: BRIEFLY India-China in naval ‘con
Page 3 and 4: Kolkata Friday September 2, 2011 ww
Page 13: Kolkata Friday September 2, 2011 ww
Page 21 and 22: Diganta Guha Known to make sensible
Page 23 and 24: ARCHIE RUGRATS QUIZ — KEANU REEVE
Page 25 and 26: Payel is giving Tollywood a much-ne
Page 27 and 28: Pics: Yogen Shah Aamir Khan Imran K

02 page1 city layout 1

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?