Saturday, 23 Nov, 2024

Sports

India ponders IPL format in post-Modi era

NEW DELHI: India`s cricket chiefs on Friday moved to make a new start for the scandal-hit Indian Premier League, hoping to dispel doubts over the event`s future in the absence of its creator Lalit Modi. The Indian cricket board (BCCI) met representatives of the 10 teams and held a

Cannavaro says fear cost Italy

IRENE: Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro on Friday blamed fear for the reigning champions` ignominious exit from the World Cup following a shock 3-2 defeat to debutants Slovakia. The 36-year-old, who has now played his last match for the Azzurri and will move to Al-Ahli in Dubai next season,

No worries over Germany-England match security

JOHANNESBURG: The World Cup Local Organising Committee (LOC) said on Friday that they were not worried about potential trouble in the high-octane last 16 clash between old rivals Germany and England on Sunday. LOC spokesman Jermaine Craig said that they had been in close contact with

African hopes Ghana again bar US path at World Cup

RUSTENBURG: Four years after sending the United States crashing out of the World Cup, Ghana`s Black Stars again block the Americans` path and are the only African team into the knockout rounds. Former US President Bill Clinton is among the American supporters who will make his way to

Italy crash out of World Cup

JOHANNESBURG: Holders Italy bombed out in the first round of the World Cup on Thursday, as South African police beefed up security for a showdown between two of Europe`s other big guns, Germany and England. The Italians` stunning 3-2 loss to Slovakia in Johannesburg was the shock of the

Obama phones US World Cup heroes

WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama told America`s World Cup heroes Thursday that the West Wing of the White House erupted in cheers when Landon Donovan scored the dramatic winning goal against Algeria. Obama called the jubilant United States team as they prepared in South Africa for

Japan eye bigger prize after breakthrough

RUSTENBURG: Japan star Keisuke Honda has backed his side to make an even bigger impression on this World Cup after a landmark victory over Denmark sent the Blue Samurai into the last 16 for the first time on foreign soil. Honda picked up the man of the match award after scoring a

Disappointment, pride for fans as NZ bows out

WELLINGTON: New Zealanders` disappointment as the All Whites bowed out of the World Cup was quickly overtaken by pride Friday as their unfancied team ended the competition unbeaten.   The World Cup minnows` scoreless draw with Paraguay in their final pool match followed draws with

Humiliated Italy crash out, Japan make history

JOHANNESBURG: Humiliated defending champions Italy joined former winners France on the World Cup scrapheap on Thursday and Japan ensured Asia has two qualifiers for the last 16. This shock-riddled World Cup delivered another twist when four-time world champions Italy slumped 3-2 to a

Paraguay top group after drab goalless draw

POLOKWANE: Paraguay topped Group F at the World Cup on Thursday after a drab 0-0 draw with surprise packets New Zealand.The polished South Americans who harbour dreams of at least a quarter-finals place ended with five points and were joined in the round of 16 by Slovakia, who stunned

Sarkozy meets Thierry Henry over World Cup fiasco

PARIS: Football star Thierry Henry met Nicolas Sarkozy at the Elysee palace on Thursday as the president demanded answers over the French teams humiliating exit from the World Cup.Henry flew in from South Africa and was taken in a limousine provided by the French presidency to meet with

King Otto set to be removed from Greek hotseat

ATHENS: Veteran German coach Otto Rehhagel is to be asked to step down after nearly nine years as Greek coach, the Greek Football Federation (EPO) president said on Thursday.The 72-year-old guided the Greeks to a shock victory in Euro 2004 and qualified them for both Euro 2008 and the

Mexicans look to learn from past lessons

JOHANNESBURG: Mexico say they will look to learn lessons from the past when they play Argentina in their second round match at the World Cup in Johannesburg on Sunday.Mexico lost to Diego Maradona`s two-times champions at the same stage of the last World Cup in Germany to an extra-time

Well done Ghana, say World Cup organisers

JOHANNESBURG: World Cup organisers have congratulated Ghana for qualifying for the last 16 of the World Cup where they will likely be the sole African representative. The Ghanaians went through despite losing 1-0 to Germany, edging out both Australia and Serbia in a tight Group D and

Football: Mexicans look to learn from past lessons

JOHANNESBURG, June 24, 2010 (AFP) - Mexico say they will look to learn lessons from the past when they play Argentina in their second round match at the World Cup in Johannesburg on Sunday. Mexico lost to Diego Maradona`s two-times champions at the same stage of the last World Cup in

Dumped Misbah questions Pakistan selection

KARACHI: Veteran batsman Misbah-ul-Haq expressed disappointment Thursday at being dropped from the England-bound Pakistan squad, defending his averages as among the best. "It is very disappointing," Misbah told AFP. "You find yourself in the eleven and suddenly you are not even in a

Breakers and royals take Wimbledon spotlight

LONDON: Nicolas Mahut and John Isner will drag their weary bodies back onto court at Wimbledon on Thursday to resume the longest match in tennis history as Queen Elizabeth II makes her first visit since 1977. A string of tennis records were blown away as Mahut and Isner came off court on

Cricket: India`s Tendulkar gets Air Force rank

MUMBAI: Cricket great Sachin Tendulkar is to be given an honorary rank in the Indian Air Force in recognition of his contribution to the nation and to encourage young people to join up. Tendulkar, one of India`s greatest ever batsmen, said he was pleased to be honoured by the air force.

Pride on the line as Brazil meet Portugal

DURBAN: Pride not pragmatism will be the watchword when soccer powerhouses Brazil and Portugal meet in a mouthwatering World Cup clash on Friday (1400) to decide the winners of Group G. Although whoever tops the group could meet Spain in the second round, any suggestion that either side

Shamed French squad faces humiliating return

PARIS: Frances shamed World Cup squad faced the wrath of President Nicolas Sarkozy, the press and a furious public on Wednesday after a disastrous exit from the tournament in South Africa.The players were due to fly back to a humiliated country that has largely written them off as spoiled