| Sometimes you have to listen to your gut if you are a football fan. It knows the real score | ||
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| Well, what your gut was probably uncomfortable with was the fact that the team in the lead had scored its points easily – maybe too easily without much effort from the offense – through scores from interceptions, fumble returns, kickoff or punt returns, or even perhaps through a quick strike bomb on offense. Your head doesn’t think this type of scoring matters, but your gut does. These types of scores leave the door open to all sorts of trouble. Let’s explore some games from this season to see this in action. Let’s start with the Bills – Cowboys game in week 5. The Bills scored early and often with two interception returns and a kickoff return. Now, one or two scores accomplished in this manner, may be easily overcome by a “better” opponent, but to overcome three “worthless” scores would require a totally anemic offense by the leading team and a little luck for the losing team. The Cowboys got both, the Bills offense was truly anemic and scored only three points in four quarters, and the “lucky” Cowboys recovered an onsides kick with 20 seconds remaining in order to win. Next let’s look at the week 5 Giants – Jets game. The Jets, like the Bills, led most of this game. The Jets took their lead with a fumble return and later added a kickoff return. The Giants continued to work on offense and had two five-minute touchdown drives and a three- minute touchdown drive in the second and third quarters. The Giants ended up winning the game 35-24. The Giants’ scoring was capped by a “worthless” score of their own, an interception return that sealed the Jets fate. This is the second time this year the Giants did this their second half 24-17 win over the Redskins in week 3 told a similar tale. Conversely, there are times when an opposing team holds a small lead that feels insurmountable even though it is very early in the game, and your gut is saying, ”This is trouble and we may not pull this one out.” Why? Because chances are you have watched this enemy methodically execute flawless drives that have culminated in scores. Consider the Jaguars-Broncos game in week 3. The Jags’ second drive of the game resulted in seven points off an 11-minute offensive drive. This “statement” drive set them up, and they never trailed. The Jaguars went on to win the game 23-14. Also, look at the week 3 Colts – Texans game. Although the Colts only held a four point halftime lead of 14-10, the game felt well in the Colts’ control. The Texans opened up the game with one of those “worthless” scores -- a kickoff return for a touchdown -- which gave them a 7-0 lead. The Colts had the same thing happen in the Super Bowl and went on to dominate the remainder of the game. A similar situation happened here. The Colts had two efficient offensive drives resulting in touchdowns and their 14-10 lead. They never trailed after this point and went on to win 30-24. Donna Cavanagh | ||
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Friday, February 15, 2008
Your Gut May Know the Score Better than the Scoreboard
The Problem with Most Football Rankings
| Sports "Experts" often use subjective criteria and win/loss records to rank teams. This type of analysis can lead to inaccurate rankings in the NFL. | ||
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| This accounts for the virtual revolving door that you see this year with the college football rankings. Just yesterday, previously unbeaten South Florida that had risen to #2 in the rankings, lost to Rutgers. Now, as with so many number 1 and number 2 teams before them in this season, South Florida will drop in the rankings. Perhaps, in this case, the dropping in rank may be the right thing since South Florida only rose to that level because of upsets of powerhouse teams like LSU and USC. The same thing happens with most "Power Ranking" systems that rate NFL teams. The win/loss record dominates these subjectively generated lists where an "expert" opinion is heavily influenced by the win loss record. It’s safe to say that nobody is going to argue with the majority of the lists this week that rank the Patriots and Colts as 1 and 2. However, the questions about rankings arise when deciding where to place the 5-1 Packers. If you look at their win/loss record, traditional ranking experts say, “Well they beat the Eagles, Chargers, Redskins and Giants. Those are 4 pretty good teams so the Packers must be better right?” Sorry Packers’ fans, but not necessarily. Let’s remember that it was two muffed punts that made the difference in the Eagles game, a fumble recovery for a touchdown that solidified their win in the Redskins game, and two quick-strike touchdowns in the 4th quarter that gave them the win against the Chargers. When it comes down to bare data, it was only the Giants who were beaten soundly by the Packers. While the Packers have won games, and at this point they are sure to make the playoffs with their position in their division and conference, we still have to question some of the "Power Ranking" lists that rate them as high as a 5. PossessionPoints.com ranks teams based on their offensive and defensive performances which are key ingredients to consistently winning football. You won't find the Packers in the top 10 on this list; they are 14th because that is where their performance puts them. Don't get us wrong, we love the storyline developing around the "seasoned" Hall of Fame–bound Quarterback Brett Favre and a team full of otherwise young, very young and enthusiastic players. Their confidence from these early season wins may just be the impetus needed to propel them to more "performance" based wins like the one over the Giants. Even if they just continue to play the way they have been playing, we probably will still see them in the playoffs. With their defense leading the way, PossessionPoints.com is projecting that they will indeed win 13 games. If they do continue this confident play, they could earn a first-round bye and most likely a home field advantage in the playoffs. However, we must ask what happens if they don't keep playing as well? What if the breaks that have gone their way start going to their opponents? Will their confidence shake? Well, it might, especially since they don't have the solid performances in the past to build on like a team such as the Patriots. Donna Cavanagh |
A letter to Australians
Dear Aussies,
We hear you swim with sharks yet you cannot walk the same earth as 160 million of your fellow men and women? Pakistan may be a country demonised by the world and dubbed a basket case by the world's media yet the ground reality is something very different.
Pakistan is a country struggling with its identity like many emerging countries--how to resolve Islam with the modern world?--but it is not a dangerous place, certainly not for international cricketers. Benazir Bhutto's death was a tragedy but a political assassination has no significance for Australians.
Many countries have toured Pakistan since your last refusal and all their players have returned home safely. Indeed, cricket is held in such esteem that it is equally loved by young women in designer shades and old men with unkempt beards. All the religious men I have ever met in Pakistan have loved cricket and relished the challenge of Australia.
Hence, your refusal seems strange to me, borne of a mental caricature of a country that bears no relationship with the "risks" that you will face. To me, this smacks of cultural imperialism, an unwillingness to properly understand and engage with the reality of a much poorer country.
Instead you wallow in the splendour of your rich world lifestyles. This whole approach is against the spirit of cricket, a game that has helped bridge social and political divisions and conflicts.
I fail to understand the risks you perceive you will be exposed to? As I have argued before, these risks are far smaller than driving a fast car, crossing the road, swimming with sharks or any of the extreme sports you are famous for indulging in. Cricketers have died or been seriously injured on the cricket field throughout the world while no cricketer has ever come to harm during Pakistan's "troubles".
Failing all that, if you do fear the bombers of Karachi more than the bombers of London, Colombo, or Mumbai then please stay at home but you should allow braver, hungrier, and more realistic cricketers to go in your place.
Surely the answer for Cricket Australia is to assemble a team of the willing and honour its commitment to international cricket? The alternative is an international game that becomes increasing divided by false fears into a game of the rich and poor. Cricket has always had greater significance than most sports, and your attitude does this great game a monumental disservice.
Kamran AbbasiSunday, January 27, 2008
Ivory Coast march on but Nigeria on brink of exit: African Nations Cup
ACCRA, Jan 26: The Ivory Coast became the first side to qualify for the African Nations Cup quarter-finals on Friday but fellow heavyweights Nigeria’s hopes were left hanging by a thread.
The Elephants from the Ivory Coast brushed aside Benin 4-1, with Didier Drogba getting his first goal of this year’s tournament, to go top of Group B and assured of a place in the last eight.
A goalless draw against Mali in the second match in Sekondi left Nigeria with just one point and facing an all-or-nothing date with Benin (0 points) on Monday while at the same time needing Ivory Coast to beat Mali (4).
It was the first scoreless stalemate of the 2008 tournament and it left Nigeria precariously close to their first opening round exit since their disastrous title defence campaign in 1982.
“We’re still in the tournament, we’ll have to keep going and see what happens,” said Nigeria’s man-of-the-match, John Mikel Obi.
He added: “I think we played very well but were just a bit unlucky, the goals weren’t coming, we’ve got to work on that.”
The run up to Friday’s double header at Essipong Stadium was overshadowed by match-fixing claims made by Benin coach Reinhard Fabisch.
The German-born Fabisch said he had been approached last weekend by a man representing an Asian betting syndicate interested in ‘buying’ Benin’s opening game against Mali last Monday.
“He wanted to find out from me if there was any possibility of manipulating the match,” the 57-year-old disclosed.
“I told him: ‘Look, you have two minutes to leave the hotel or I will call the police’.”
The Confederation of African Football has asked the former Kenya and Zimbabwe coach to provide them with the necessary details by Saturday before launching an inquiry.
Benin’s game against Ivory Coast on Friday had been widely described as a mismatch given the firepower from the English Premiership and Spanish League at the Ivorians’ disposal.
And so it proved with Drogba, Yaya Toure, Abdelkader Keita and Aruna Dindane on target to crush the curiously named Squirrels and further press home the Elephants’ tag as one of the tournament favourites.
Sweden-based Razack Omotoyossi scored a stoppage-time consolation goal for Benin.
But success for the 1992 champions and 2006 finalists came at a price as Arsenal defender Kolo Toure was stretchered off just before half-time with a suspected groin injury.
Drogba, who had a knee operation last month leading to fears he might miss the biennial tournament, came off after 68 minutes to be replaced by Boubacar Sanogo.
There have now been 37 goals at this year’s competition which compares favourably to the 26 goals at the same stage in 2006 backing up the feeling that this has the makings of a vintage edition of the biennial tournament.
Saturday sees the Cup caravan pitch up at Kumasi with titleholders Egypt out to follow up their impressive Cameroon victory against Sudan, with the Indomitable Lions facing a survival game against Zambia.
The Elephants from the Ivory Coast brushed aside Benin 4-1, with Didier Drogba getting his first goal of this year’s tournament, to go top of Group B and assured of a place in the last eight.
A goalless draw against Mali in the second match in Sekondi left Nigeria with just one point and facing an all-or-nothing date with Benin (0 points) on Monday while at the same time needing Ivory Coast to beat Mali (4).
It was the first scoreless stalemate of the 2008 tournament and it left Nigeria precariously close to their first opening round exit since their disastrous title defence campaign in 1982.
“We’re still in the tournament, we’ll have to keep going and see what happens,” said Nigeria’s man-of-the-match, John Mikel Obi.
He added: “I think we played very well but were just a bit unlucky, the goals weren’t coming, we’ve got to work on that.”
The run up to Friday’s double header at Essipong Stadium was overshadowed by match-fixing claims made by Benin coach Reinhard Fabisch.
The German-born Fabisch said he had been approached last weekend by a man representing an Asian betting syndicate interested in ‘buying’ Benin’s opening game against Mali last Monday.
“He wanted to find out from me if there was any possibility of manipulating the match,” the 57-year-old disclosed.
“I told him: ‘Look, you have two minutes to leave the hotel or I will call the police’.”
The Confederation of African Football has asked the former Kenya and Zimbabwe coach to provide them with the necessary details by Saturday before launching an inquiry.
Benin’s game against Ivory Coast on Friday had been widely described as a mismatch given the firepower from the English Premiership and Spanish League at the Ivorians’ disposal.
And so it proved with Drogba, Yaya Toure, Abdelkader Keita and Aruna Dindane on target to crush the curiously named Squirrels and further press home the Elephants’ tag as one of the tournament favourites.
Sweden-based Razack Omotoyossi scored a stoppage-time consolation goal for Benin.
But success for the 1992 champions and 2006 finalists came at a price as Arsenal defender Kolo Toure was stretchered off just before half-time with a suspected groin injury.
Drogba, who had a knee operation last month leading to fears he might miss the biennial tournament, came off after 68 minutes to be replaced by Boubacar Sanogo.
There have now been 37 goals at this year’s competition which compares favourably to the 26 goals at the same stage in 2006 backing up the feeling that this has the makings of a vintage edition of the biennial tournament.
Saturday sees the Cup caravan pitch up at Kumasi with titleholders Egypt out to follow up their impressive Cameroon victory against Sudan, with the Indomitable Lions facing a survival game against Zambia.
Sami leads Hussain CC to final
KARACHI, Jan 26: Test paceman Mohammad Sami, showing great batting form, smashed his third century for Mohammad Hussain Cricket Club in the KCCA Inter-Club League Championship as they routed Al-Noor Gymkhana by six wickets to reach the final at the KCCA Stadium on Friday.
Sami, who was overlooked for the central contract by the PCB on Friday, struck an unbeaten 119 off 152 balls spiced with nine fours and two sixes to set up an easy win for his club that reached the target of 269 in 48.2 overs while losing only four wickets.
After making 127 against Khizra Sports and an unbeaten 106 against Korangi Friends CC in earlier matches, Sami continued his fine touch with the bat.
Mohammad Rizwan (41) and Ramiz Raja (38) supported Sami well.
Earlier, Mohammad Hussain CC’s Aleem Moosa claimed three wickets for 61 as Al-Noor Gymkhana mustered 268-7 in the allotted 50 overs. Saad Umar cracked four boundaries and one six in his 82. Sami took one wicket for 27.
Summarised scores:
AL-NOOR GYMKHANA 268-7 in 50 overs (Saad Umar 82, Mohammad Imran 37, Faraz Feroze 33, Naveed Khan 28; Aleem Moosa 3-61); MOHAMMAD HUSSAIN CC 271-4 in 48.2 overs (Mohammad Sami 119 not out, Mohammad Rizwan 41, Ramiz Raja 38, Sajid Ali 30; Shahmir Khattak 2-82).
Sami, who was overlooked for the central contract by the PCB on Friday, struck an unbeaten 119 off 152 balls spiced with nine fours and two sixes to set up an easy win for his club that reached the target of 269 in 48.2 overs while losing only four wickets.
After making 127 against Khizra Sports and an unbeaten 106 against Korangi Friends CC in earlier matches, Sami continued his fine touch with the bat.
Mohammad Rizwan (41) and Ramiz Raja (38) supported Sami well.
Earlier, Mohammad Hussain CC’s Aleem Moosa claimed three wickets for 61 as Al-Noor Gymkhana mustered 268-7 in the allotted 50 overs. Saad Umar cracked four boundaries and one six in his 82. Sami took one wicket for 27.
Summarised scores:
AL-NOOR GYMKHANA 268-7 in 50 overs (Saad Umar 82, Mohammad Imran 37, Faraz Feroze 33, Naveed Khan 28; Aleem Moosa 3-61); MOHAMMAD HUSSAIN CC 271-4 in 48.2 overs (Mohammad Sami 119 not out, Mohammad Rizwan 41, Ramiz Raja 38, Sajid Ali 30; Shahmir Khattak 2-82).
Pavel to lead Romania
BUCHAREST, Jan 26: Andrei Pavel will lead Romania in next month’s Davis Cup world group first-round tie against France, the team captain said on Saturday.
“Pavel and Victor Hanescu will play the singles matches against France, while Romania’s doubles players will be Florin Mergea and Horia Tecau,” Florin Segarceanu said.
“Pavel and Victor Hanescu will play the singles matches against France, while Romania’s doubles players will be Florin Mergea and Horia Tecau,” Florin Segarceanu said.
Faheem School lift taekwondo trophy
KARACHI, Jan 26: The Faheem School System won the chairman trophy in the 1st All Karachi Inter-school Taekwondo Championship for boys and girls here at the Sindh Sports Board Complex, Nazimabad, on Saturday.
Some 1,000 students from schools of Karachi’s 18 towns including Fallahuddin School, New City Grammar, Falconhouse Grammar, The Educators, Junior Grammar School, GBP School and Green Home School took part in the day-long affair, organised by the Karachi Meritorious Lions Club.
Athletes with skill levels ranging from the beginners (white belt) to expert (black belt) took part in the sparring, kata (imaginary fight) and board-breaking competitions.
The prize for the best coach also went to Faheem School System’s sports teacher Aurang Zaib Sultan.
District-governor Lions Club, Huma Bukhari, was the chief guest at the opening ceremony while the closing ceremony was graced by Consul (Culture) China, Zhang Chaoyu who was happy to see so much enthusiasm for martial arts among the Pakistani school children.
Also present on the occasion was Secretary Sports Sindh Syed Ghulam Akbar Shah Bukhari who while praising the young athletes for their discipline and fine performance, thanked Karachi Meritorious Lions Club for helping them organise the event on such a grand scale and in such little time.
Some 1,000 students from schools of Karachi’s 18 towns including Fallahuddin School, New City Grammar, Falconhouse Grammar, The Educators, Junior Grammar School, GBP School and Green Home School took part in the day-long affair, organised by the Karachi Meritorious Lions Club.
Athletes with skill levels ranging from the beginners (white belt) to expert (black belt) took part in the sparring, kata (imaginary fight) and board-breaking competitions.
The prize for the best coach also went to Faheem School System’s sports teacher Aurang Zaib Sultan.
District-governor Lions Club, Huma Bukhari, was the chief guest at the opening ceremony while the closing ceremony was graced by Consul (Culture) China, Zhang Chaoyu who was happy to see so much enthusiasm for martial arts among the Pakistani school children.
Also present on the occasion was Secretary Sports Sindh Syed Ghulam Akbar Shah Bukhari who while praising the young athletes for their discipline and fine performance, thanked Karachi Meritorious Lions Club for helping them organise the event on such a grand scale and in such little time.
Underdog Tsonga all set to take on the world
MELBOURNE, Jan 26: Australian Open finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga smiled, gave a typically Gallic shrug of the shoulders and considered his answer.
“I don’t know,” he told reporters when asked about what the secret was to his amazing run to Sunday’s final against third seed Novak Djokovic. “Because maybe I don’t want to play bad,” he added with a smile and another shrug.
The 22-year-old’s broad shoulders have provided the impetus needed to blast past four seeds, including a demolition of number two Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals, to set up his first Grand Slam final against Serbia’s Djokovic.
In doing so, he is the first Frenchman to reach a Grand Slam final since Arnaud Clement met Andre Agassi at Melbourne Park in 2001. Only one other Frenchman – Yannick Noah at Roland Garros in 1983 – has won a Grand Slam title in the Open era.
If he beats Djokovic he would be the first Frenchman to win the Australian Open title since Jean Borotra in 1928, and only the third man in the Open era to claim his first ATP tour title at a Grand Slam.
That history does not appear to be weighing on him.
“I not believe it, but I’m here and I have to do it,” he said. “Just play, just do my best, and that’s it. I will see what happens on the court but I will do my best. If I win, that’s unbelievable. And if I lose, I did my best, so no problem.”
Djokovic, however, faces greater pressure to succeed having disposed of world number one and defending champion Roger Federer in the semi-finals.
The Serb knows he will be the favourite on Sunday, having not dropped a set in the tournament and having played in a Grand Slam final, at last year’s US Open.
“Looking at the rankings I would be the favourite,” the 20-year-old Serb stated. “I have more experience in these important matches, and I have been already in the Grand Slam finals.
“I don’t know,” he told reporters when asked about what the secret was to his amazing run to Sunday’s final against third seed Novak Djokovic. “Because maybe I don’t want to play bad,” he added with a smile and another shrug.
The 22-year-old’s broad shoulders have provided the impetus needed to blast past four seeds, including a demolition of number two Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals, to set up his first Grand Slam final against Serbia’s Djokovic.
In doing so, he is the first Frenchman to reach a Grand Slam final since Arnaud Clement met Andre Agassi at Melbourne Park in 2001. Only one other Frenchman – Yannick Noah at Roland Garros in 1983 – has won a Grand Slam title in the Open era.
If he beats Djokovic he would be the first Frenchman to win the Australian Open title since Jean Borotra in 1928, and only the third man in the Open era to claim his first ATP tour title at a Grand Slam.
That history does not appear to be weighing on him.
“I not believe it, but I’m here and I have to do it,” he said. “Just play, just do my best, and that’s it. I will see what happens on the court but I will do my best. If I win, that’s unbelievable. And if I lose, I did my best, so no problem.”
Djokovic, however, faces greater pressure to succeed having disposed of world number one and defending champion Roger Federer in the semi-finals.
The Serb knows he will be the favourite on Sunday, having not dropped a set in the tournament and having played in a Grand Slam final, at last year’s US Open.
“Looking at the rankings I would be the favourite,” the 20-year-old Serb stated. “I have more experience in these important matches, and I have been already in the Grand Slam finals.
Pollock delights in Newlands farewell win
CAPE TOWN, Jan 26: Shaun Pollock said he felt as though he was on cloud nine as he produced a bowling masterclass to take South Africa to a resounding 86-run win in the second One-day International against the West Indies at Newlands on Friday.
Playing in his 300th ODI, and his final match at Newlands before he retires at the end of the series, Pollock strangled the West Indian batsmen as they set out to chase South Africa’s total of 255 for nine.
Pollock took two for 13 in ten overs while his every move was cheered by a crowd of 18,000 and he received a standing ovation when he finished his stint.
Captain Graeme Smith was the anchor of the South African innings, making 86. But he was trumped by Pollock for the man-of-the-match award.
“I’ve had some wonderful experiences in Cape Town,” said Pollock. “It was just great. You almost feel you’re on cloud nine out there with the crowd cheering everything you do. You almost feel you need to calm them down.”
Playing in his 300th ODI, and his final match at Newlands before he retires at the end of the series, Pollock strangled the West Indian batsmen as they set out to chase South Africa’s total of 255 for nine.
Pollock took two for 13 in ten overs while his every move was cheered by a crowd of 18,000 and he received a standing ovation when he finished his stint.
Captain Graeme Smith was the anchor of the South African innings, making 86. But he was trumped by Pollock for the man-of-the-match award.
“I’ve had some wonderful experiences in Cape Town,” said Pollock. “It was just great. You almost feel you’re on cloud nine out there with the crowd cheering everything you do. You almost feel you need to calm them down.”
Karam Pe Karam may excel at LRC
LAHORE, Jan 26: A strong turn out of in-form horses likely for the Lahore Race Club (LRC) Cup, to be run over 1,600 metres, during the 22nd Winter Meeting here on Sunday.
The provincial metropolis city of Lahore is at present in the grip of a severe cold wave with temperatures dropping below minus two degrees Fahrenheit which have affected the sporting scene. However, the races are being held on schedule with a fantastic response from the owners including some from Karachi.
In all, seven acceptors have been left in after the scratching, barring last-minute withdrawals. But they all are running horses, having won one or more races each and that makes it an interesting clash among class five horses.
Since no one has ever gone over the race distance of 1,600 metres, it more or less looks an open affair. Four runners appear to be in with a better chance. They are Lucky Cat, Karam Pe Karam, Janu and Born To Win. On bloodline, the bay colt Karam Pe Karam seems genuinely a stayer over the 1,600 metres and well-placed in handicap to win top honours.
The rest of them should fight for the remaining places.
The supporting event, the Lahore Plate, class four division I, II and III combined handicap race, has a big field of 10 runners, if there are no last-minute withdrawals.
Of them, two colts, Desert Prince and Lucifer and a filly Diamond In The Dust attract by their recent performances with the first named a better proposition.
Desert Prince had been enthralling the public with his three wins in a row but had put up a dismal show in the fourth race, finishing third behind Manu Janu and Lovely Gate in the Wazirabad Cup run over 1,400 metres.
That still remains a mystery though. Although chances of involvement of a hidden enemy in the sudden defeat of Desert Prince has now been ruled out after the colt’s joint owners — Mirza Khurshid Baig and Zaheer Aslam — failed to find any clue. Subsequently, they tightened security around their “racing jewel” which paid dividends when the colt registered a smashing victory on Jan 13. The owners, while talking to Dawn, did not reveal what exactly happened to the colt but expressed hope of winning more laurels through the majestic colt.
Zaheer also said he was facing great difficulty in arranging the rider for the colt when there is no calibre jockey in Lahore. He has been strongly advocating for inviting jockeys from India.
Many years ago, Zaheer had invited a jockey from Hong Kong called Dennis Michael to ride his hores on the Derby Day races. Michael’s arrival was a roaring success as Zaheer’s horse won the Pakistan Derby. He is hoping for the return of a similar day.
Desert Prince’s close rivals could be disgraced colt, Lucifer, who reportedly developed indeterminable defect which resulted in his recent poor run. Lucifer won a grand race on Nov 4 last year but has since put up an ordinary show in the subsequent three races. Perhaps he had not been accustomed to urges of the jockeys or the joining the training camp of Khadim Hussain as the new trainer after the demise of Haji Mohammad Sarwar.
Four-year-old filly, Deja Vu, whose performance in her last outing three weeks ago left everyone puzzled, will be going all out to salvage her lost pride in the third race. Her owner, Syed Pervez Hussain Shah had failed in finding out the reason of her failure. He along with the trainer, Sohail Aziz had worked hard to put the filly on the rail. It is a forgone conclusion that some thing was wrong somewhere, either with the stable or the jockey, otherwise the daughter of Baker’s Gate would have not belied her bloodline this way. Sunday’s race will be a pointer.
Manan Prince, Zohra Jabeen and Emperor may fight for the places.
A card of six events, looking competitive will be down for the decision, one event will be gone over 1,000 metres, one 1,100 metres and four over 1,600 metres. The first race will start at 12.00 noon.
Following is the field and our selections:
MINCHANABAD PLATE CLASS VI DIV I 1,100M:
Mid Night Fury 9-2, Victory Gallop 8-10, Desert Glow 8-10, Darnaz 8-10, Batista 8-6, Dram Act 8-6, Sohna Billoo 8-6, White Oaks 8-4, Lubna 8-4, Red Fairy 8-4, Babbu The Great 8-4, Honest Minister 8-4, Billoo The Great 8-2, Look My Luck 8-0, Star Dust 7-10.
Win: Mid Night Fury.
Place: Darnaz and Sohna Billoo.
LRC PLATE CLASS V DIV II-B 1,600M:
Empire Maker 9-0, Sabbaet Qadam
8-12, Sun Dancer 8-10, Super Sonic 8-6, Munsaf 8-6, High Jet 8-6, Magic Queen 8-2, Redouble 7-11.
Win: Redouble.
Place: Empire Maker and Munsaf.
LRC PLATE CLASS V DIV I-B 1,600M:
Emperor 9-0, Deja Vau 8-12, Gold Medalist 8-11, Mannan Prince 8-10, Run And Win 8-8, Shah Pari 8-6, Zohra Jabeen 8-6, Authorised 8-5, Dream Memories 8-5, Dillagi 8-4.
Win: Deja Vau.
Place: Mannan Prince and Zohra Jabeen.
LAHORE PLATE CLASS IV
DIV I, II & III 1,600M:
Tuman Khan 9-2, Desert Prince 9-0, Lucifer 8-8, Noor 8-8, Diamond In Dust 8-6, Discovery 8-2, Herry Can View 8-2, Royal Fish 8-2, Bold Act 8-2, Valenday 7-8.
Win: Desert Prince.
Place: Diamond In Dust and Lucifer.
LRC CUP CLASS V DIV I-A 1,600M:
Lucky Cat 9-4, Apex 9-0, Karam Pe Karam 8-13, Janu 8-10, Born To Win 8-10, Spiritual Song 8-10, Scooby Do 8-6.
Win: Karam Pe Karam.
Place: Born To Win and Lucky Cat.
MINCHANABAD PLATE CLASS VI
DIV II & III 1,000M:
Love Minister 9-0, Pick Of The Day 9-0, Big Choice 8-12, Sher Khan 8-10, So Romantic 8-8, Al Ain 8-0, Victory King 7-8, Mah-e-Noor 7-8, God Gift 7-8.
Win: Sher Khan.
Place: Victory King and Love Minister.
The provincial metropolis city of Lahore is at present in the grip of a severe cold wave with temperatures dropping below minus two degrees Fahrenheit which have affected the sporting scene. However, the races are being held on schedule with a fantastic response from the owners including some from Karachi.
In all, seven acceptors have been left in after the scratching, barring last-minute withdrawals. But they all are running horses, having won one or more races each and that makes it an interesting clash among class five horses.
Since no one has ever gone over the race distance of 1,600 metres, it more or less looks an open affair. Four runners appear to be in with a better chance. They are Lucky Cat, Karam Pe Karam, Janu and Born To Win. On bloodline, the bay colt Karam Pe Karam seems genuinely a stayer over the 1,600 metres and well-placed in handicap to win top honours.
The rest of them should fight for the remaining places.
The supporting event, the Lahore Plate, class four division I, II and III combined handicap race, has a big field of 10 runners, if there are no last-minute withdrawals.
Of them, two colts, Desert Prince and Lucifer and a filly Diamond In The Dust attract by their recent performances with the first named a better proposition.
Desert Prince had been enthralling the public with his three wins in a row but had put up a dismal show in the fourth race, finishing third behind Manu Janu and Lovely Gate in the Wazirabad Cup run over 1,400 metres.
That still remains a mystery though. Although chances of involvement of a hidden enemy in the sudden defeat of Desert Prince has now been ruled out after the colt’s joint owners — Mirza Khurshid Baig and Zaheer Aslam — failed to find any clue. Subsequently, they tightened security around their “racing jewel” which paid dividends when the colt registered a smashing victory on Jan 13. The owners, while talking to Dawn, did not reveal what exactly happened to the colt but expressed hope of winning more laurels through the majestic colt.
Zaheer also said he was facing great difficulty in arranging the rider for the colt when there is no calibre jockey in Lahore. He has been strongly advocating for inviting jockeys from India.
Many years ago, Zaheer had invited a jockey from Hong Kong called Dennis Michael to ride his hores on the Derby Day races. Michael’s arrival was a roaring success as Zaheer’s horse won the Pakistan Derby. He is hoping for the return of a similar day.
Desert Prince’s close rivals could be disgraced colt, Lucifer, who reportedly developed indeterminable defect which resulted in his recent poor run. Lucifer won a grand race on Nov 4 last year but has since put up an ordinary show in the subsequent three races. Perhaps he had not been accustomed to urges of the jockeys or the joining the training camp of Khadim Hussain as the new trainer after the demise of Haji Mohammad Sarwar.
Four-year-old filly, Deja Vu, whose performance in her last outing three weeks ago left everyone puzzled, will be going all out to salvage her lost pride in the third race. Her owner, Syed Pervez Hussain Shah had failed in finding out the reason of her failure. He along with the trainer, Sohail Aziz had worked hard to put the filly on the rail. It is a forgone conclusion that some thing was wrong somewhere, either with the stable or the jockey, otherwise the daughter of Baker’s Gate would have not belied her bloodline this way. Sunday’s race will be a pointer.
Manan Prince, Zohra Jabeen and Emperor may fight for the places.
A card of six events, looking competitive will be down for the decision, one event will be gone over 1,000 metres, one 1,100 metres and four over 1,600 metres. The first race will start at 12.00 noon.
Following is the field and our selections:
MINCHANABAD PLATE CLASS VI DIV I 1,100M:
Mid Night Fury 9-2, Victory Gallop 8-10, Desert Glow 8-10, Darnaz 8-10, Batista 8-6, Dram Act 8-6, Sohna Billoo 8-6, White Oaks 8-4, Lubna 8-4, Red Fairy 8-4, Babbu The Great 8-4, Honest Minister 8-4, Billoo The Great 8-2, Look My Luck 8-0, Star Dust 7-10.
Win: Mid Night Fury.
Place: Darnaz and Sohna Billoo.
LRC PLATE CLASS V DIV II-B 1,600M:
Empire Maker 9-0, Sabbaet Qadam
8-12, Sun Dancer 8-10, Super Sonic 8-6, Munsaf 8-6, High Jet 8-6, Magic Queen 8-2, Redouble 7-11.
Win: Redouble.
Place: Empire Maker and Munsaf.
LRC PLATE CLASS V DIV I-B 1,600M:
Emperor 9-0, Deja Vau 8-12, Gold Medalist 8-11, Mannan Prince 8-10, Run And Win 8-8, Shah Pari 8-6, Zohra Jabeen 8-6, Authorised 8-5, Dream Memories 8-5, Dillagi 8-4.
Win: Deja Vau.
Place: Mannan Prince and Zohra Jabeen.
LAHORE PLATE CLASS IV
DIV I, II & III 1,600M:
Tuman Khan 9-2, Desert Prince 9-0, Lucifer 8-8, Noor 8-8, Diamond In Dust 8-6, Discovery 8-2, Herry Can View 8-2, Royal Fish 8-2, Bold Act 8-2, Valenday 7-8.
Win: Desert Prince.
Place: Diamond In Dust and Lucifer.
LRC CUP CLASS V DIV I-A 1,600M:
Lucky Cat 9-4, Apex 9-0, Karam Pe Karam 8-13, Janu 8-10, Born To Win 8-10, Spiritual Song 8-10, Scooby Do 8-6.
Win: Karam Pe Karam.
Place: Born To Win and Lucky Cat.
MINCHANABAD PLATE CLASS VI
DIV II & III 1,000M:
Love Minister 9-0, Pick Of The Day 9-0, Big Choice 8-12, Sher Khan 8-10, So Romantic 8-8, Al Ain 8-0, Victory King 7-8, Mah-e-Noor 7-8, God Gift 7-8.
Win: Sher Khan.
Place: Victory King and Love Minister.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Sharapova seeks to make amends, Ivanovic on guard
MELBOURNE, Jan 25: A quest to put things right after an Australian Open final thrashing at the hands of Serena Williams last year has inspired Maria Sharapova’s drive for this year’s title.
“From the beginning of the tournament, you want to go a step further than you’ve done in the past,” Sharapova told reporters after she dispatched Jelena Jankovic in the semi-finals.
“That’s always your goal, and your mantra going into a tournament, no matter where it is, no matter how small or big a tournament is.”
Ivanovic, who reached the French Open final at Roland Garros last year, said: “Maria has had a great tournament, and it’s going to be a tough match but we are two-all and I’ve beaten her before so I know a little bit what to expect.
“Obviously, I want to work a lot on my intensity from the first moment on, and it’s going to be fighting for each point,” Ivanovic stated.
“From the beginning of the tournament, you want to go a step further than you’ve done in the past,” Sharapova told reporters after she dispatched Jelena Jankovic in the semi-finals.
“That’s always your goal, and your mantra going into a tournament, no matter where it is, no matter how small or big a tournament is.”
Ivanovic, who reached the French Open final at Roland Garros last year, said: “Maria has had a great tournament, and it’s going to be a tough match but we are two-all and I’ve beaten her before so I know a little bit what to expect.
“Obviously, I want to work a lot on my intensity from the first moment on, and it’s going to be fighting for each point,” Ivanovic stated.
Rampaging Djokovic stuns king Federer: Australian Open semi-final
MELBOURNE, Jan 25: Roger Federer’s invincibility was pierced, pummelled and finally pulled apart at Melbourne Park on Friday, the world number one brutally ejected from the Australian Open semi-finals by Novak Djokovic.
The Swiss champion and top seed fell 7-5, 6-3, 7-6, ending his bid to reach an 11th consecutive Grand Slam final. Instead Djokovic will face muscular Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in Sunday’s showpiece.
This defeat was Federer’s first in straight sets at a Grand Slam since he lost to Gustavo Kuerten in the 2004 French Open.
The holder of 12 Grand Slam crowns, his chase of Pete Sampras’s record 14 is now on ice until the French Open begins in May.
Djokovic was simply too strong, too steady. Where Federer inched past him in the last Grand Slam final at the US Open, the Serb was always a nose ahead this time.
Federer has failed to peak in Melbourne this year, his preparation hampered by a viral illness, and third seed Djokovic was more aggressive throughout.
“It’s very difficult to play against a player who is so dominant on any surface,” Djokovic said. “He has been so successful in the last couple of years in Australia and he had the crowd behind him. I am amazed at the way I coped with the pressure.”
Friday night marked Federer’s 15th straight appearance in a Grand Slam semi-final. Not once in those previous 14 has he put in such a low-key performance.
Seemingly distracted, slow off the mark and uncharacteristically cranky with the umpire he was there for the taking.
It was the Swiss who grabbed the first break of the match but it was more a case of Djokovic needing to settle than Federer’s superiority.
From trailing 5-3, the Serb reeled off the next four games to clinch the set.
Djokovic broke for 3-1 in the second, chasing down a glanced backhand volley and flicking it down the line. He held a set point while leading 5-3 but Federer saved that with a rapier forehand down the line.
Djokovic received a time warning but immediately crunched a forehand winner to bring up a second set point which he took with his fourth ace before glaring at the umpire.
Federer raced into three break points for a 2-0 lead in the third set but Djokovic saw them all off with mighty serving.
Off the pace and frequently shanking shots, Federer looked in deep trouble but the pair were neck-and-neck throughout the third set.
Federer got a break point at 6-5 up but Djokovic held with a big serve to the backhand. The Swiss earned another a moment later with a piledriver forehand cross-court but again a big serve followed by a forehand winner saved the Serb.
His 13th ace silenced Federer and a clever drop-shot-volley combination forced the tiebreak.
Federer grabbed the first mini-break for a 2-0 lead but Djokovic would not be denied, punching back and clinching the tiebreak 7-5 to seal victory after two hours and 28 minutes.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Alona and Kateryna Bondarenko overcame sibling rivalry to win their first women’s doubles title at the Australian Open.
The sisters came from a set down to win 2-6, 6-1, 6-4 against 12th seeds Victoria Azarenka of Belarus and Israeli Shahar Peer in a match lasting nearly two hours and uncharacteristically dominated by baseline rallies.
Results (x denotes seeding):
Men’s singles:
Semi-final: Novak Djokovic (SRB x3) bt Roger Federer (SUI x1) 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 (7/5).
Women’s doubles:
Final: Alona Bondarenko/Kateryna Bondarenko (UKR) bt Victoria Azarenka (BLR)/Shahar Peer (ISR x12) 2-6, 6-1, 6-4
Mixed doubles:
Semi-finals: Sania Mirza/Mahesh Bhupathi (IND) bt Nathalie Dechy (FRA)/Andy Ram (ISR x8) 6-4, 6-2; Sun Tiantian (CHN)/Nenad Zimonjic (SRB x5) bt Yan Zi (CHN)/Mark Knowles (BAH x3) 4-6, 7-5, 10-8.
The Swiss champion and top seed fell 7-5, 6-3, 7-6, ending his bid to reach an 11th consecutive Grand Slam final. Instead Djokovic will face muscular Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in Sunday’s showpiece.
This defeat was Federer’s first in straight sets at a Grand Slam since he lost to Gustavo Kuerten in the 2004 French Open.
The holder of 12 Grand Slam crowns, his chase of Pete Sampras’s record 14 is now on ice until the French Open begins in May.
Djokovic was simply too strong, too steady. Where Federer inched past him in the last Grand Slam final at the US Open, the Serb was always a nose ahead this time.
Federer has failed to peak in Melbourne this year, his preparation hampered by a viral illness, and third seed Djokovic was more aggressive throughout.
“It’s very difficult to play against a player who is so dominant on any surface,” Djokovic said. “He has been so successful in the last couple of years in Australia and he had the crowd behind him. I am amazed at the way I coped with the pressure.”
Friday night marked Federer’s 15th straight appearance in a Grand Slam semi-final. Not once in those previous 14 has he put in such a low-key performance.
Seemingly distracted, slow off the mark and uncharacteristically cranky with the umpire he was there for the taking.
It was the Swiss who grabbed the first break of the match but it was more a case of Djokovic needing to settle than Federer’s superiority.
From trailing 5-3, the Serb reeled off the next four games to clinch the set.
Djokovic broke for 3-1 in the second, chasing down a glanced backhand volley and flicking it down the line. He held a set point while leading 5-3 but Federer saved that with a rapier forehand down the line.
Djokovic received a time warning but immediately crunched a forehand winner to bring up a second set point which he took with his fourth ace before glaring at the umpire.
Federer raced into three break points for a 2-0 lead in the third set but Djokovic saw them all off with mighty serving.
Off the pace and frequently shanking shots, Federer looked in deep trouble but the pair were neck-and-neck throughout the third set.
Federer got a break point at 6-5 up but Djokovic held with a big serve to the backhand. The Swiss earned another a moment later with a piledriver forehand cross-court but again a big serve followed by a forehand winner saved the Serb.
His 13th ace silenced Federer and a clever drop-shot-volley combination forced the tiebreak.
Federer grabbed the first mini-break for a 2-0 lead but Djokovic would not be denied, punching back and clinching the tiebreak 7-5 to seal victory after two hours and 28 minutes.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Alona and Kateryna Bondarenko overcame sibling rivalry to win their first women’s doubles title at the Australian Open.
The sisters came from a set down to win 2-6, 6-1, 6-4 against 12th seeds Victoria Azarenka of Belarus and Israeli Shahar Peer in a match lasting nearly two hours and uncharacteristically dominated by baseline rallies.
Results (x denotes seeding):
Men’s singles:
Semi-final: Novak Djokovic (SRB x3) bt Roger Federer (SUI x1) 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 (7/5).
Women’s doubles:
Final: Alona Bondarenko/Kateryna Bondarenko (UKR) bt Victoria Azarenka (BLR)/Shahar Peer (ISR x12) 2-6, 6-1, 6-4
Mixed doubles:
Semi-finals: Sania Mirza/Mahesh Bhupathi (IND) bt Nathalie Dechy (FRA)/Andy Ram (ISR x8) 6-4, 6-2; Sun Tiantian (CHN)/Nenad Zimonjic (SRB x5) bt Yan Zi (CHN)/Mark Knowles (BAH x3) 4-6, 7-5, 10-8.
Federer remains philosophical
MELBOURNE, Jan 25: Brought down to earth on centre court, deposed Australian Open champion Roger Federer left Melbourne Park on Friday with his head held high.
He is still, after all, the world’s best tennis player. At getting things in perspective, however, the Swiss is still a champion. “Of course, I’ve created a monster, so I know I need to always win every tournament,” he wearily told reporters after his defeat.
“Look, I’ve had 15 minutes to reflect on the match, so I can’t tell you much yet,” he said.
He is still, after all, the world’s best tennis player. At getting things in perspective, however, the Swiss is still a champion. “Of course, I’ve created a monster, so I know I need to always win every tournament,” he wearily told reporters after his defeat.
“Look, I’ve had 15 minutes to reflect on the match, so I can’t tell you much yet,” he said.
Ghana close in on quarter-finals as Morocco sweat: African Nations Cup
aACCRA (Ghana), Jan 25: Four-time champions Ghana put one foot in the African Nations Cup quarter-finals on Thursday after a slender 1-0 win over a revitalised Namibia.Nottingham Forest striker Junior Agogo’s first half goal gave Ghana the three points which lifted the hosts to the top of Group A with Morocco waiting for them in their closing first round tie on Monday.
Earlier Thursday, Morocco slumped to a 3-2 defeat against Guinea who were reduced to 10-men after captain Pascal Feindouno’s red card.
That left Henri Michel’s men level with Guinea on three points and it is still mathematically possible for these two to go through at the expense of Ghana although that prospect remains unlikely.
Agogo’s strike left Ghana requiring just a draw against Morocco to guarantee their continued presence in the competition.
“We may not have played fantastically well but we’ve still got six points from our first two games,” said Ghana coach Claude Le Roy.
“That leaves us needing only a draw to top the group.
“I knew Namibia wouldn’t lose 5-1 against us like they did in their first match. They were well organised, compact in defence.
“Now we’ve got Morocco, we only need a draw but we’ll play to win.”Namibia won over a host of admirers after picking themselves up off the floor following their record 5-1 loss to Morocco.
The Brave Warriors’ Dutch coach, Arie Schans, reflected: “This was a big difference to our first game when the players’ apppeared nervous.
“This time we showed we could play good football. Now our next goal with a bit of luck will be to pick up three points against Guinea.”Even though they can’t make it to the next round Namibia will have picked up invaluable lessons ahead of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup.
Whatever happened in the Ghana v Namibia clash it would have been hard pushed to match the drama of Guinea’s win.
This was a must-win game for Robert Nouzaret’s men after losing their Group A opener to Ghana, and they pulled it off with goals from Feindouno, who grabbed a double, and Ismael Bangoura.
However, seconds after his second goal Feindouno celebrated by kicking out at Morocco’s Amin al-Erbate to earn the Saint Etienne striker the dubious distinction of becoming the first player to be sent off at this African Nations Cup.
Down 1-0, Michel made a tactical switch on 55 minutes, bringing on striker Hicham Aboucherouane in place of midfielder Houssine Kharja as he looked to ways to break down the Guinea defence.
His introduction triggered six minutes of pure bedlam.
First Guinea increased their lead with a neat three-player move culminating in Bangoura slamming the ball home.
Seconds later, with his first touch of the ball, Aboucherouane scored at the other end with a controlled shot from the edge of the area.
The drama though was only just beginning as Guinea were then awarded a penalty when Souleymane Youla was felled in the box, Feindouno steppping up to convert the penalty.
The Guinea captain was then sent off for stamping on al-Erbate with South African referee Damon Jerome having no hesitation in reaching for a red card.
Morocco pulled one back in the 90th minute when Abdeslam Ouaddou headed home but time had run out leaving the group wide open and Morocco facing a stiff task with hosts Ghana waiting for them in their final game.
“After our defeat by Ghana I was waiting for a reaction on the technical, physical and mental front and I think we succeeded,” said Guinea coach Nouzaret
PCB announces squad for Women’s World Cup qualifiers
LAHORE, Jan 25: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday announced the names of the 14 players to play in the ICC Women’s World Cup qualifiers to be held in South Africa from Feb 18 to 24.
The qualifiers that were to be held in Pakistan last November had to be shifted to South Africa due to the security concerns of several participating countries.
The Pakistan side would be led by Urooj Mumtaz Khan.
Team: Urooj Mumtaz Khan (captain), Sajida Shah (vice captain), Bismah Maroof, Sana Javed, Nain Abidi, Taskeen Qadeer, Sana Mir, Batool Fatima, Asmavia Iqbal, Qanita Jalil, Sadia Yousaf, Sabahat Rasheed, Sumaiya Siddiqui, Nida Rashid Dar.
Officials: Shahnaz Sohail (manager), Umer Rashid (coach), Mohammad Tariq Siddiqui (trainer), Huma Imtiaz (physio).
The qualifiers that were to be held in Pakistan last November had to be shifted to South Africa due to the security concerns of several participating countries.
The Pakistan side would be led by Urooj Mumtaz Khan.
Team: Urooj Mumtaz Khan (captain), Sajida Shah (vice captain), Bismah Maroof, Sana Javed, Nain Abidi, Taskeen Qadeer, Sana Mir, Batool Fatima, Asmavia Iqbal, Qanita Jalil, Sadia Yousaf, Sabahat Rasheed, Sumaiya Siddiqui, Nida Rashid Dar.
Officials: Shahnaz Sohail (manager), Umer Rashid (coach), Mohammad Tariq Siddiqui (trainer), Huma Imtiaz (physio).
Zone-I Dismissed for 173
KARACHI, Jan 25: KCCA Zone-I were dismissed for 173 on the opening day of their two-day PCB Regional Inter-District Under-19 Championship match against Zone-III at the Asghar Ali Shah Stadium on Friday.
Waqas Khan top-scored with 37 with six boundaries and opener Umar Imtiaz got 31 with three fours. Maroof Aziz took three wickets for 72 in his 15 overs.
Zone-III, in reply, were 93-3 in 29 overs by the time stumps were drawn. Akhtar Fahim was batting on 30 with four hits to the boundary and one over it while Tauseef Khan scored 30 studded with three fours.
Summarised scores:
ZONE-I 173 in 51.3 overs (Waqas Khan 37, Umar Imtiaz 31, Mannan Aftab 25, Majid Rizvi 23, Zeeshan Nasir 21 not out; Maroof Aziz 3-72, Akhtar Fahim 2-5, Shoaib Rajput 2-31, Husban Javed 3-49); Zone-III 93-3 (Akhtar Fahim 30 not out, Tauseef Khan 30).
Waqas Khan top-scored with 37 with six boundaries and opener Umar Imtiaz got 31 with three fours. Maroof Aziz took three wickets for 72 in his 15 overs.
Zone-III, in reply, were 93-3 in 29 overs by the time stumps were drawn. Akhtar Fahim was batting on 30 with four hits to the boundary and one over it while Tauseef Khan scored 30 studded with three fours.
Summarised scores:
ZONE-I 173 in 51.3 overs (Waqas Khan 37, Umar Imtiaz 31, Mannan Aftab 25, Majid Rizvi 23, Zeeshan Nasir 21 not out; Maroof Aziz 3-72, Akhtar Fahim 2-5, Shoaib Rajput 2-31, Husban Javed 3-49); Zone-III 93-3 (Akhtar Fahim 30 not out, Tauseef Khan 30).
Ferguson backs Beckham to reach century of international games
MANCHESTER, Jan 25: Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson believes David Beckham deserves the chance to make his 100th international appearances when England play Switzerland next month.
Fabio Capello takes charge of England for the first time in the friendly on Feb 6, and Beckham is hoping that his former Real Madrid coach will include him in the team.
“I don't think there is any doubt about that,” Ferguson said. “I'm convinced he will get his 100th cap. To deny him another cap when he is already on 99 would not be right and I think Capello has made up his mind about that.”
Both Ferguson and Capello have fallen out with Beckham in the past.
Ferguson sold Beckham to Real Madrid for 25 million pounds in 2003 after the midfielder had made 387 appearances for United.
He later blamed Beckham's celebrity lifestyle following his marriage to pop-singer Victoria “Posh Spice” Adams for the breakdown in their relationship.
Capello took over as Real Madrid coach in 2006. He dropped Beckham in January 2007 when the former England captain announced his move to play for the Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer.
Capello vowed never to play Beckham again, but the player won his place back and helped Madrid win the Spanish league title.
The 32-year-old Beckham welcomed Capello's appointment as England coach in December.
“Fabio is one of the managers players look up to and want to manage them,” he said. “I think he is going to be great for the players and the England team. I hope I'll be part of his plans.”
Only four players — Peter Shilton, Bobby Moore, Bobby Charlton and Billy Wright — have made more than 100 England appearances.
Trinidad and Tobago defender Marvin Andrews is the only player to have been left stuck on 99 international appearances, after injury ruled him out of the 2006 World Cup.
Fabio Capello takes charge of England for the first time in the friendly on Feb 6, and Beckham is hoping that his former Real Madrid coach will include him in the team.
“I don't think there is any doubt about that,” Ferguson said. “I'm convinced he will get his 100th cap. To deny him another cap when he is already on 99 would not be right and I think Capello has made up his mind about that.”
Both Ferguson and Capello have fallen out with Beckham in the past.
Ferguson sold Beckham to Real Madrid for 25 million pounds in 2003 after the midfielder had made 387 appearances for United.
He later blamed Beckham's celebrity lifestyle following his marriage to pop-singer Victoria “Posh Spice” Adams for the breakdown in their relationship.
Capello took over as Real Madrid coach in 2006. He dropped Beckham in January 2007 when the former England captain announced his move to play for the Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer.
Capello vowed never to play Beckham again, but the player won his place back and helped Madrid win the Spanish league title.
The 32-year-old Beckham welcomed Capello's appointment as England coach in December.
“Fabio is one of the managers players look up to and want to manage them,” he said. “I think he is going to be great for the players and the England team. I hope I'll be part of his plans.”
Only four players — Peter Shilton, Bobby Moore, Bobby Charlton and Billy Wright — have made more than 100 England appearances.
Trinidad and Tobago defender Marvin Andrews is the only player to have been left stuck on 99 international appearances, after injury ruled him out of the 2006 World Cup.
Tsonga one game away from stardom
MELBOURNE, Jan 25: Even Jo-Wilfried Tsonga says the extraordinary level of tennis he played to wipe out world number two Rafael Nadal was ridiculous.
Now the 22-year-old finds himself with a chance to become the first French winner in Australia since Jean Borotra in 1928 and the last men’s Grand Slam champion from France since Yannick Noah in 1983.
The Le Mans-native has been propelled into the spotlight with an unbelievable spell in Melbourne that has seen him claim the scalps of four top seeds.
And he is now just one match away from joining an elite club of champions.
He stunned the triple French Open champion and the tennis world with a rare performance he would want to bottle forever as he rocketed into the final in just his fifth Grand Slam tournament.
Nadal, who been second only to the great Roger Federer in the rankings over the last three years, could only shake his head in disbelief at the astonishing level produced by the 38th-ranked Tsonga.
All Tsonga could do after his 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 annihilation was puff his cheeks in bewilderment at what he had achieved.
Nicknamed Mohammad Ali for his resemblance to the boxing legend, Tsonga did as he pleased against Nadal, blasting 49 winners, 17 aces and breaking Nadal’s serve five times. He won 31 more points than the non-plussed Spaniard.
France’s new sporting hero cannot explain how his two hours of faultless tennis came about, saying he had no inkling it was about to materialise.
Tsonga has become an instant tennis celebrity as he prepares for the biggest match of his life on Sunday against Serbia’s Novak Djokovic who recorded one of the biggest upsets in the history of tennis by eliminating top seed Roger Federer in the other semi-final on Friday.
Asked at his post-match conference if he could repeat his red-hot form in the final, Tsonga said: “I will do my best on the court, so I know it’s going to be difficult to beat me.”
Nadal is not so sure. “It’s very different to play in the final. I think he’s going to feel the pressure of playing in his first Grand Slam final,” the Spaniard stated.
Tsonga’s tennis career has been beset by injuries with back, shoulder and abdominal problems, drastically curtailing his 2005 and 2006 seasons.
But he said he is now able to realise his full potential with an extended run of matches.
It has been an euphoric time for Tsonga at the season-opening major.
He claimed his first win over a top-five player and followed his elimination of seeds, Andy Murray (9), Richard Gasquet (8) and Mikhail Youzhny (14) in the early rounds.
Tsonga becomes the eighth unseeded player to reach the Australian Open final since the ATP rankings began in 1973, and is projected to climb from his current 38 to 27 when the new rankings come out next week.
Now the 22-year-old finds himself with a chance to become the first French winner in Australia since Jean Borotra in 1928 and the last men’s Grand Slam champion from France since Yannick Noah in 1983.
The Le Mans-native has been propelled into the spotlight with an unbelievable spell in Melbourne that has seen him claim the scalps of four top seeds.
And he is now just one match away from joining an elite club of champions.
He stunned the triple French Open champion and the tennis world with a rare performance he would want to bottle forever as he rocketed into the final in just his fifth Grand Slam tournament.
Nadal, who been second only to the great Roger Federer in the rankings over the last three years, could only shake his head in disbelief at the astonishing level produced by the 38th-ranked Tsonga.
All Tsonga could do after his 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 annihilation was puff his cheeks in bewilderment at what he had achieved.
Nicknamed Mohammad Ali for his resemblance to the boxing legend, Tsonga did as he pleased against Nadal, blasting 49 winners, 17 aces and breaking Nadal’s serve five times. He won 31 more points than the non-plussed Spaniard.
France’s new sporting hero cannot explain how his two hours of faultless tennis came about, saying he had no inkling it was about to materialise.
Tsonga has become an instant tennis celebrity as he prepares for the biggest match of his life on Sunday against Serbia’s Novak Djokovic who recorded one of the biggest upsets in the history of tennis by eliminating top seed Roger Federer in the other semi-final on Friday.
Asked at his post-match conference if he could repeat his red-hot form in the final, Tsonga said: “I will do my best on the court, so I know it’s going to be difficult to beat me.”
Nadal is not so sure. “It’s very different to play in the final. I think he’s going to feel the pressure of playing in his first Grand Slam final,” the Spaniard stated.
Tsonga’s tennis career has been beset by injuries with back, shoulder and abdominal problems, drastically curtailing his 2005 and 2006 seasons.
But he said he is now able to realise his full potential with an extended run of matches.
It has been an euphoric time for Tsonga at the season-opening major.
He claimed his first win over a top-five player and followed his elimination of seeds, Andy Murray (9), Richard Gasquet (8) and Mikhail Youzhny (14) in the early rounds.
Tsonga becomes the eighth unseeded player to reach the Australian Open final since the ATP rankings began in 1973, and is projected to climb from his current 38 to 27 when the new rankings come out next week.
Saudi Arabia holds first women’s soccer match
AL-KHOBAR, Jan 25: History was made here on Thursday when the first ever all-female soccer match was held in the eastern province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
In the historic match, the Al-Khobar-based Prince Mohammad bin Fahd University team defeated the Al-Yamamah Women’s College from Riyadh, in a penalty shoot out after the game had been tied 2-2 in regular time. Al Yamamah’s goalkeeper was named as woman of the match.
The match was held in a 35,000 capacity stadium in the city of Dammam and no men were allowed inside the stadium while the referee and the linesman were also female.
The first female soccer teams in the ultra-conservative Muslim kingdom were formed some 18 months ago.
Saudi Arabia’s national soccer male team is one of the Asia’s most successful teams, currently ranking 57 in the FIFA ratings and has taken part in the last four world cups.
In the historic match, the Al-Khobar-based Prince Mohammad bin Fahd University team defeated the Al-Yamamah Women’s College from Riyadh, in a penalty shoot out after the game had been tied 2-2 in regular time. Al Yamamah’s goalkeeper was named as woman of the match.
The match was held in a 35,000 capacity stadium in the city of Dammam and no men were allowed inside the stadium while the referee and the linesman were also female.
The first female soccer teams in the ultra-conservative Muslim kingdom were formed some 18 months ago.
Saudi Arabia’s national soccer male team is one of the Asia’s most successful teams, currently ranking 57 in the FIFA ratings and has taken part in the last four world cups.
Nerves to assist Sharapova
MELBOURNE, Jan 25: Australian Open finalist Maria Sharapova’s mentor Nick Bollettieri says his former charge’s big-match nerves will win her the title decider against Serbian Ana Ivanovic on Saturday.
He pointed out that Sharapova had won two Grand Slams and will be contesting her fourth final at a major, while Ivanovic has only reached one decider, last year’s French Open, which she lost in a nervy display to Justine Henin.
But he said a potential wild card could be Sharapova’s reaction to the squeaking caused by Ivanovic’s shoes as she shuffles on the Plexicushion surface before receiving a serve.
The noise drove Ivanovic’s semi-final opponent Daniela Hantuchova to distraction, prompting the Slovak ninth seed to accuse her opponent of gamemanship to get back into the match.
“Sharapova seems a little more confident around the net than Ivanovic does. This match is pretty even on paper,” Bollettieri added.
He pointed out that Sharapova had won two Grand Slams and will be contesting her fourth final at a major, while Ivanovic has only reached one decider, last year’s French Open, which she lost in a nervy display to Justine Henin.
But he said a potential wild card could be Sharapova’s reaction to the squeaking caused by Ivanovic’s shoes as she shuffles on the Plexicushion surface before receiving a serve.
The noise drove Ivanovic’s semi-final opponent Daniela Hantuchova to distraction, prompting the Slovak ninth seed to accuse her opponent of gamemanship to get back into the match.
“Sharapova seems a little more confident around the net than Ivanovic does. This match is pretty even on paper,” Bollettieri added.
Handball federations on collision course
BANGKOK, Jan 25: A storm has blown up in handball, plunging the sport into unprecedented chaos six months out from the Olympics.
Allegations of flagrant bias by Middle Eastern referees have sent the sport’s two biggest bodies — the International Handball Federation (IHF) and the Asian Handball Federation (AHF) — on a potentially explosive collision course.
Critics allege the fixing of a key match by means of a late switch of officials last September in the qualifying tournament in Japan where the Kuwaiti men’s team won a place at the Beijing Olympics. The claims are denied by the AHF.
Kuwait beat both Japan and South Korea in the five-nation qualifying event which also featured Qatar and the UAE.
In December, after appeals and protests by the Japanese and Koreans, the IHF ordered the disputed tournament, both men’s and women’s, to be replayed by the end of this month.
But influential Kuwaiti prince Sheikh Ahmed Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, long-serving president of the Kuwait-based AHF and head of the Olympic Council of Asia, has refused to sanction the replays and the AHF has threatened to penalise any Asian country taking part.
Last week the UAE decided to join Kuwait, Qatar and Kazakhstan, winner of the women’s event, in skipping the replays and it looks clear that only Japan and South Korea will show up for the tournament now set for Tokyo on Jan 29-30.
Meanwhile, Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda joined the debate a couple of days ago and backed Japanese handball chiefs.
“In sports, it’s important to have fair rules and judgements. If that’s prevented, then Japan must insist on what it has to insist on,” he told parliament when asked about the heated handball bust-up.
Sheikh Ahmed has been vilified by the South Korean media, which claims Kuwait has undue influence over the federation.
“Sheikh Ahmed must recognise that the repeated dirty attempts to manipulate matches will severely tarnish the image of Kuwait,” the Korea Times said in a strongly-worded editorial after the Olympic qualifiers.
The handball federations of Japan and South Korea claim they have evidence proving the AHF switched German referees for Jordanian match officials, who they say repeatedly ruled in favour of Kuwait.
The two federations staged a protest outside the Kuwaiti Embassy in Seoul last year and sent DVDs highlighting questionable decisions by Gulf referees — dubbed ‘The whistle of the Middle East’ — to the International Olympic Committee and the IHF’s 160 member countries.
Angered by the IHF’s support for the replays, the AHF this week threatened to lodge an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport. In an interview with Reuters this week, Roshan Anand, AHF secretary-general, poured scorn on the allegations of cheating, suggesting that Japan and South Korea were sore losers.
“These complaints came only from the losers,” Anand said.
“Everyone wants to win and everyone complains when they are the losing team. The judging was as normal.”
He denied there was a switch of referees moments before Kuwait’s match with South Korea, which Kuwait won 28-20, and said the Gulf team were the rightful winners.
“The officials were not replaced. Kuwait has qualified for the Olympics,” he added. “They are the representatives of Asia and that is that.”
Oh No-kyun, who teaches sports diplomacy at South Korea’s Chung Cheong University, said political influence weighed heavy on sport and national federations needed to push for change.
“The reality is that politics underlines sports,” he told the Yonhap news agency when asked about the handball standoff.
“We have no choice but to step up our appeals to international organisations to correct injustices.”
Allegations of flagrant bias by Middle Eastern referees have sent the sport’s two biggest bodies — the International Handball Federation (IHF) and the Asian Handball Federation (AHF) — on a potentially explosive collision course.
Critics allege the fixing of a key match by means of a late switch of officials last September in the qualifying tournament in Japan where the Kuwaiti men’s team won a place at the Beijing Olympics. The claims are denied by the AHF.
Kuwait beat both Japan and South Korea in the five-nation qualifying event which also featured Qatar and the UAE.
In December, after appeals and protests by the Japanese and Koreans, the IHF ordered the disputed tournament, both men’s and women’s, to be replayed by the end of this month.
But influential Kuwaiti prince Sheikh Ahmed Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, long-serving president of the Kuwait-based AHF and head of the Olympic Council of Asia, has refused to sanction the replays and the AHF has threatened to penalise any Asian country taking part.
Last week the UAE decided to join Kuwait, Qatar and Kazakhstan, winner of the women’s event, in skipping the replays and it looks clear that only Japan and South Korea will show up for the tournament now set for Tokyo on Jan 29-30.
Meanwhile, Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda joined the debate a couple of days ago and backed Japanese handball chiefs.
“In sports, it’s important to have fair rules and judgements. If that’s prevented, then Japan must insist on what it has to insist on,” he told parliament when asked about the heated handball bust-up.
Sheikh Ahmed has been vilified by the South Korean media, which claims Kuwait has undue influence over the federation.
“Sheikh Ahmed must recognise that the repeated dirty attempts to manipulate matches will severely tarnish the image of Kuwait,” the Korea Times said in a strongly-worded editorial after the Olympic qualifiers.
The handball federations of Japan and South Korea claim they have evidence proving the AHF switched German referees for Jordanian match officials, who they say repeatedly ruled in favour of Kuwait.
The two federations staged a protest outside the Kuwaiti Embassy in Seoul last year and sent DVDs highlighting questionable decisions by Gulf referees — dubbed ‘The whistle of the Middle East’ — to the International Olympic Committee and the IHF’s 160 member countries.
Angered by the IHF’s support for the replays, the AHF this week threatened to lodge an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport. In an interview with Reuters this week, Roshan Anand, AHF secretary-general, poured scorn on the allegations of cheating, suggesting that Japan and South Korea were sore losers.
“These complaints came only from the losers,” Anand said.
“Everyone wants to win and everyone complains when they are the losing team. The judging was as normal.”
He denied there was a switch of referees moments before Kuwait’s match with South Korea, which Kuwait won 28-20, and said the Gulf team were the rightful winners.
“The officials were not replaced. Kuwait has qualified for the Olympics,” he added. “They are the representatives of Asia and that is that.”
Oh No-kyun, who teaches sports diplomacy at South Korea’s Chung Cheong University, said political influence weighed heavy on sport and national federations needed to push for change.
“The reality is that politics underlines sports,” he told the Yonhap news agency when asked about the handball standoff.
“We have no choice but to step up our appeals to international organisations to correct injustices.”
Nadal, Ferrero opt out
MADRID, Jan 25: World number two Rafael Nadal and Juan Carlos Ferrero have opted out of Spain’s opening Davis Cup tie against Peru to concentrate on the hard court season.
World number five David Ferrer will spearhead the Spanish challenge in Nadal’s absence for the first round World Group clash on clay at the Jockey Club in Lima between Feb 8 and 10.
Team captain Emilio Sanchez Vicario also said on Friday that world-ranked number 31 Nicolas Almagro had been called up to the Davis Cup team for the first time.
Tommy Robredo and Fernando Velasco complete the line-up.
Fed Cup captain Miguel Margets kept faith with Anabel Medina, Lourdes Dominguez, Nuria Llagostera and Virginia Ruano for the quarter-final tie with Italy in Naples on Feb 2 and 3.
Italy have won three out of five Fed Cup ties between the two countries, including their last meeting at the semi-finals stage in Zaragoza in 2006.
World number five David Ferrer will spearhead the Spanish challenge in Nadal’s absence for the first round World Group clash on clay at the Jockey Club in Lima between Feb 8 and 10.
Team captain Emilio Sanchez Vicario also said on Friday that world-ranked number 31 Nicolas Almagro had been called up to the Davis Cup team for the first time.
Tommy Robredo and Fernando Velasco complete the line-up.
Fed Cup captain Miguel Margets kept faith with Anabel Medina, Lourdes Dominguez, Nuria Llagostera and Virginia Ruano for the quarter-final tie with Italy in Naples on Feb 2 and 3.
Italy have won three out of five Fed Cup ties between the two countries, including their last meeting at the semi-finals stage in Zaragoza in 2006.
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