More Sports News of 7-8-2010

Cricket News

1)"I always wanted to win it for India" : Read in Detail
2)Sanga: Sri Lanka was the better side : Read in Detail
3)KP goes for 41, but it's a 'dead ball' : Read in Detail
4)Catches you will never forget : Read in Detail
5)Lanka pick Chamara for Tri-Series : Read in Detail

Football News

6)Wenger still unsure about starting XI : Read in Detail
7)Mancini to break the bank : Read in Detail
8)2010/11 Community Shield Preview : Read in Detail
9)Cole: Liverpool not quite there yet : Read in Detail

Motorsport News

10)Sutil: I'm still deciding on future! : Read in Detail
11)Massa: Ferrari finding form : Read in Detail
12)Schumacher shows old habits die hard : Read in Detail
13)Webber: Too early for title talk! : Read in Detail

Golf News

14)Que wins Selangor Masters : Read in Detail
15)Mickelson stalking number one spot : Read in Detail
16)Injury blow for Lee Westwood : Read in Detail
17)Mickelson focused on Firestone : Read in Detail

Tennis News

18)Berdych, Verdasco exit in Washington : read in detail
19)Pennetta reaches semis in San Diego : Read in Detail
20)Wozniacki reaches semis in Copenhagen : Read in Detail
21)Roddick crashes out of Washington : Read in Detail

Other Sport News

22)Athletics: Gay shocks Bolt : Read in Detail
23)Hockey: Govt restores recognition to IHF : Read in Detail
24)CWG: Lifter moves court : Read in Detail
25)CWG: TS Darbari claims innocence : Read in Detail

Latest Sports News of 15-7-2010

Latest Sports News

Cricket News
1)“We’ve shown the world how to play T20” : Read in Detail
2)Wanderers to host Airtel CLT20 Final : Read in Detail
3)Mirzas upset over report on Shoaib : Read in Detail
4)New honour for Shane Watson : Read in Detail
5)Pakistan set 440 to win Lord's Test :Read in Detail
6)Aamer warned over future conduct : Read in Detail
7)Butt calls for batsmen to deliver : Read in Detail

World Football News

8)Now Busquets sings Cesc's praises! : Read in Detail
9)Giggs: Rooney & Co must recover! : Read in Detail
10)Torres, Hodgson in showdown talks : Read in Detail
11)Anelka: France were united! : Read in Detail

Motorsport News

12)Rossi poised for return to racing : Read in Detail
13)Horner to restore Red Bull harmony : Read in Detail
14)"Schumacher unlikely to stay in F1" : Read in Detail

Tennis News

15)Melzer eases into Mercedes Cup quarters : Read in Detail
16)Pennetta makes SNAI Open last eight : Read in Detail
17)Top seeds withdraw from Prague Open : Read in Detail
18)Ferrer opens with win in Bastad : Read in Detail

Golf News

19)Cink does clean-up job on Jug : Read in Detail
20)Woods to "get his game back" : Read in Detail
21)Champions Challenge cancelled : Read in Detail
22)Watson: Handling pressure the key : Read in Detail

Latest Sports News of 12-7-2010

Cricket News

1)Dhoni: India will miss Zaheer, Sree :Read in Detail
2)Zaheer to fly to J'burg for treatment : Read in Detail
3)ECB to continue Pakistan support : Read in Detail
4)Munaf to replace injured Sreesanth : Read in Detail
5)"Report on Modi by September-end" : Read in Detail
6)Lee targets 2011 World Cup as swansong : Read in Detail
7)'We must regain ruthless edge':Read in Detail

World Cup Football News

8)Iniesta: It's just incredible! : Read in Detail
9)Spain's Iker Casillas wins Golden Glove : Read in Detail
10)Del Bosque gives Selección praise : Read in Detail
11)Nadal: I cried like a little boy! : Read in Detail
12)Van Marwijk rues refereeing decisions : Read in Detail

Tennis News

13)James Ward gunning for top 100 : Read in Detail
14)Szavay: Experience was key : Read in Detail
15)Bloomfield: LTA are rubbish : Read in Detail
16)Fish wins Hall of Fame : Read in Detail

Motorsport/Golf News

17)Jeev Milkha Singh finishes tied 49th : Read in Detail
18)Molinari makes it to top 20 : Read in Detail
19)Mallya: Proud of Sutil, Liuzzi : Read in Detail
20)Alonso: I'm still a contender! : Read in Detail

Other Sport News

21)Armstrong: My era ended long ago : Read in Detail
22)Boxing: For boxers it's about choice : Read in Detail
23)Armstrong: My tour is finished : Read in Detail
24)Hockey: PHF to host Indo-Pak series : Read in Detail

Latest Sports News of 11-7-2010

Cricket News

1)England make unwanted history : Read in Detail
2)Malcolm Marshall: Fast and furious : Read in Detail
3)Bell injury blow for England : Read in Detail
4)ICC slaps one Test ban on Sulieman Benn : Read in Detail
5)India reject UDRS for Lanka series : Read in Detail
6)Sri Lanka leave Mendis in cold : Read in Detail

World Cup Football News

7)Van Marwijk: Clash of the best! : Read in Detail
8)Dutch could go atop FIFA rankings : Read in Detail
9)Gullit: Forget sexy football, just win! : Read in Detail
10)Tabarez: Uruguay gave everything : Read in Detail
11)Khedira: It's a tribute to the squad! : Read in Detail
12)3rd/4th: Germany 3-2 Uruguay : Read in Detail

Tennis News

13)Bloomfield's winning run ends : Read in Detail
14)Smith relieved after win over Turkey : Read in Detail
15)Aravane Rezai wins Swedish Open : Read in Detail
16)Britain finally get Davis Cup win : Read in Detail

Motorsport/Golf News

17)Whitmarsh: We are fair to our drivers : Read in Detail
18)Schumi unimpressed by Silverstone : Read in Detail
19)Stricker not letting go of the lead : Read in Detail
20)Creamer leads from the front : Read in Detail

Other Sport News

21)England set for Sevens outing : Read in Detail
22)Thomas: I'm here for Wiggins! : Read in Detail
23)Tour could heat up in Alps : Read in Detail
24)Rugby: Falcons swoop for Henderson : Read in Detail

Latest Sports News of 9-7-2010

Cricket News

1)Sri Lanka leave Mendis in cold : Read in Detail
2)Miandad: PCB ruining Younus' career : Read in Detail
3)Strauss calm over expensive Anderson : Read in Detail
4)CA, NZC ponder over ICC nomination : Read in Detail
5)Bhajji bats for player retention : Read in Detail
6)Gavaskar seeks suggestion on auction : Read in Detail
7)Bombay HC sets July 14 for Modi : Read in Detail

World Cup Football News

8)Robben: I'll be fine with an ugly win : Read in Detail
9)Golden Ball nominees announced : Read in Detail
10)Van Marwijk backs Van Persie : Read in Detail
11)Marwijk: Spain are more attractive : Read in Detail
12)Nadal heading to World Cup final : Read in Detail
13)Puyol to decide future after final : Read in Detail

Tennis News

14)Ilhan seeks to humiliate Britain : Read in Detail
15)Dabul, Rochus battle for final spot : Read in Detail
16)Dulgheru makes Suez progress : Read in Detail
17)Pennetta moves into Bastad semis : Read in Detail

Motorsport/Golf News

18)Mickleson flubs chance to overtake Tiger : Read in Detail
19)Schumi: It can't get any worse! : Read in Detail
20)Stoner set to join Honda : Read in Detail
21)Senna dropped for Silverstone : Read in Detail

Other Sport News

21)Boxing: Vijender to skip Nationals : Read in Detail
22)Boxing: "I'm big enough for Pacquiao!" : Read in Detail
23)Athletics: Greene impresses Jackson : Read in Detail

Latest Sports News of 7-7-2010

Latest Sports News

Cricket News

1)'Only Harbhajan can match my record' : Read in Detail
2)MS Dhoni: Celebrating a legacy : Read in Detail
3)Looking at Dhoni in numbers : Read in Detail
4)Warne predicts tight Ashes battle : Read in Detail
5)Mumbai to kick off defence on Nov 1: Read in Detail
6)India A enter Tri-Series final : Read in Detail

World Cup Football News

7)Van Persie: I want to emulate Maradona! : Read in Detail
8)De Zeeuw could miss final : Read in Detail
9)Kuyt: We can make history! : Read in Detail
10)Low: Villa better than Klose! : Read in Detail

Tennis News

11)McEnroe backs Nadal for US Open : Read in Detail
12)Safarova breezes past Woerle : Read in Detail
13)Mahut recovering from Wimbledon woe : Read in Detail
14)Bloomfield makes second round : Read in Detail

Motorsport/Golf News

15)Hill: Never count Schumacher out! : Read in Detail
16)Valentino Rossi back in action : Read in Detail
17)Mickelson eyes World No1 spot : Read in Detail
18)McDowell plays down Loch hopes : Read in Detail

Other Sport News

19)Thomas: Wiggins comes first in Tour! : Read in Detail
20)Athletics: Meadows happy to race Semenya : Read in Detail
21)Cancellara leads the Tour de France : Read in Detail
22)Schleck's Tour de France is over : Read in Detail

Latest Sports News of 4-7-2010

Latest Sports News

Cricket News

1)Modi defiant despite charges : Read in Detail
2)Dhoni set to tie knot tonight : Read in Detail
3)Tait wrecks England's chances : Read in Detail
4)Another close shave for Akhtar : Read in Detail
5)Howard refuses to blame India : Read in Detail
6)Yousuf mulling a return to cricket : Read in Detail

World Cup Football News

7)Only one game ban for Suarez : Read in Detail
8)'Dream team' Germany earn plaudits : Read in Detail
9)Gerrard: Time for goal-line technology : Read in Detail
10)Del Bosque: Toughest match ever! : Read in Detail
11)Fabregas: We haven't done anything yet : Read in Detail

Wimbledon News

12)Serena Williams reigns at Wimbledon : Read in Detail
13)Berdych: Closer to his coach than wife : Read in Detail
14)Serena's gunning for the greats : Read in Detail
15)No luck for Zvonareva at Wimbledon : Read in Detail
16)Yuki keen to make up for lost time : Read in Detail

Motorsport/Golf News

17)Yet another pole for Lorenzo! : Read in Detail
18)Button looks to break British duck : Read in Detail
19)Randhawa rises to tied 4th after Rd 3 : Read in Detail
20)Rose blooms in Newton : Read in Detail

Other Sports News

21)Hockey: Germany beat India 5-3 : Read in Detail
22)CWG: Wading through WADA? Forget it! : Read in Detail
23)First Tour day belongs to Cancellara : Read in Detail
24)Rain is a downer for Wiggins's Tour : Read in Detail

Latest World Sports News

World cup hockey news

"Germany loss not reason behind exit"

Poor show against Argentina cost us a semifinal place, says New Zealand coach.

Kiwi coach Shane McLeod, after their 5-2 defeat to Germany on Tuesday, said it was not the loss against the defending champions but the previous one against Argentina that led to their ouster from the World Cup.

“I would not say that we are out of semifinal contention because we lost today. Germany is a top class team and worthy of the win. If we had won our last match against Argentina, we would have been far better placed for a semifinal spot,” McLeod said.

“It is not an excuse but I must admit that we missed out key players such as Simon Child and Hayden Shaw, who could not come here for various reasons. With them, we might have done better,” he added.

McLeod’s counterpart, German coach Markus Weise, on the other hand was a happy man after the top seeds made their 11th semifinal in a row.

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“It is a great feeling,” he said.

“We dominated the game for most of the time. Though, in the second half we slackened a bit. After the Kiwis pulled back two goals in no time to reduce our lead to 3-2, anything could have happened,” he added.

On who he would like to face in the semifinal, the German coach remarked, “We do not have any preference. To win a World Cup you got to beat every team that comes in your way.”

The Black Sticks stand-in skipper Dean Couzins, after Phillip Burrows could not play due to a hamstring injury, was gracious in the loss.

“We played much better than we did against Argentina. Still we were not at our best. To win against Germany you need a lot of luck. Not only you need to play exceptionally well but at the same time hope they are out of touch,” he said.

Dutch to face Australia in semis

Despite a 2-1 loss to Korea in their last round-robin tie, the Netherlands booked a semifinal berth against Australia.

Both Korea and the Netherlands came into the match with the semifinals in sight. Germany entered the last-four with a 5-2 win over New Zealand earlier in the evening but the second spot from Pool A was still up for grabs.

The Netherlands could afford a draw or even a loss by a one-goal margin and still make the semis while Korea had to win by two goals to achieve the same. The night belonged to Korea, who emerged 2-1 winners, but it was the Dutch who advanced.

They will take on Pool B leaders Australia in their semifinal encounter on Thursday while England will meet Germany earlier on the same day.

Ronald Brouwer gave the Netherlands an early lead before Hyun Woo Nam and Jong Ho Seo put the Asians in front. But in the end it was not enough as Korea missed out on a last-four spot by one goal.

The Netherlands attacked right from the start and were a goal up in just 25 seconds. Veteran striker Neun de Nooijer raced through the right flank before squaring it to Brouwer who made it 1-0.

That early blow woke the Asians up. They faced an uphill task needing at least three goals to advance. Compelled to attack, they pushed forward but were always under the risk of a Dutch breakaway. Nevertheless, it made for a fast-paced game.

As the half drew to a close, Korea picked up momentum and equalised in the 31st minute. A trademark counter initiated by Seo led to a penalty corner. The Dutch keeper Guus Vogels never stood a chance against Nam’s scorching dragflick.

Korea played with urgency after the break. They went ahead in the 45th minute. Sung Hoon Yoon surged into the Dutch circle as Vogels did likewise in an attempt to thwart him. He deflected Yoon’s goalbound shot slightly but only for Korean skipper Seo to tap into an unguarded net.

Despite taking the lead, Korea still needed one more to pip their opponents to the semis. They attacked relentlessly in search of the all-important third goal. It never came and though the match ended in their favour, it was the Dutch who were celebrating.

Cricket News

Kapil Dev inducted in ICC Hall of Fame

India’s Kapil Dev has been inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame at a ceremony held at the ICC headquarters in Dubai.

A commemorative cap was presented to Kapil by ICC President David Morgan, in front of fellow Hall of Famer Clive Lloyd, as well as an audience of ICC officials and other invited guests.

The Hall of Fame, run in association with the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations (FICA), recognises some of the legends of the game from its long and illustrious history.

Born on 6 January 1959 in Chandigarh, Kapil is probably best known for leading India to victory in the 1983 ICC Cricket World Cup while also playing in 131 Test matches and 225 ODIs in an international career that spanned 16 years.

The India legend made his ODI debut for India on 1 October 1978 against Pakistan in Quetta while his Test debut came two weeks later in Faisalabad against the same opposition.

Kapil played during what was a golden period for world-class all-rounders as other Hall of Famers Imran Khan of Pakistan, Ian Botham of England and New Zealand's Richard Hadlee were also plying their trade at that time. Kapil was very much part of that elite company and is seen as one of the greatest pace bowlers India has produced and its finest bowling all-rounder. In total, he took a remarkable 434 Test wickets and 253 ODI wickets.

In 1994, he became the leading wicket-taker in Tests when he overtook Hadlee, a record that was eventually broken by West Indies pacer Courtney Walsh. Also, in 1988 he leapfrogged another West Indies fast bowler, Joel Garner, to become the most successful bowler in ODIs, a record he held until 1994 when his tally of 253 wickets was passed by Wasim Akram.

Kapil's best bowling figures in a Test match were 11-146 against Pakistan in Chennai in 1980 while in ODIs his best match figures came in the group stage of the 1983 ICC Cricket World Cup when he took 5-43 against Australia.

With the bat Kapil made 5,248 Test runs, including eight centuries and 27 fifties, at an average of 31.05. He also scored 3,783 ODI runs, including a top score of 175 not out which he hit against Zimbabwe during the 1983 ICC Cricket World Cup.

On his induction into the Hall of Fame, Kapil said: "I am proud and happy to have been inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame and it's amazing to think that I have been picked as one of the greats of Indian cricket.

"I am delighted to have been named alongside so many great players of the game but for me, when I was growing up, the man I always looked up to was Sunil Gavaskar from the moment I started playing cricket. Now to be named also alongside greats of the game such as Clive Lloyd, Richard Hadlee and Wasim Akram it truly fantastic," he said.

ICC President David Morgan, who presented Kapil with his hand-crafted Hall of Fame cap at the ceremony at ICC headquarters in Dubai, was glowing in his praise for the latest inductee.

"Kapil was an all-time great player," said Mr Morgan. "He did everything. He batted, bowled and he was a fine fielder. I remember the great catch he took to dismiss Viv Richards in the 1983 World Cup final - he was on the run and the ball came over his shoulder, possibly the most difficult of catches.

"It gives me enormous pleasure to award this commemorative cap to Kapil Dev and formally induct him into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame," he added.

Lloyd, who was in attendance at the cap presentation, played against Kapil in the 1983 ICC Cricket World Cup final: "Kapil is a thoroughly deserving induction into the Hall of Fame. He was a fantastic cricketer and he was a great asset for Indian cricket during his time at the helm.

"He set the pace for them early on and he came to the fore and did wonderfully well - he played like a true champion and was a brilliant leader."

Flower still expects KP to blossom

Andy Flower watched a number of players enhance their Test credentials in the drawn warm-up against Bangladesh A.

But, he is still anticipating a major contribution from the man who conspicuously did not.

Kevin Pietersen again failed to produce the big score his team-mates have been predicting since arrival in Bangladesh, with a breezy 20 before being bowled on the sweep.

That took his total to 69 in seven innings on tour, a miserable return for a player of his rare talent.

Flower saw the likes of James Tredwell, with eight wickets in the match, and Jonathan Trott, with an unbeaten century in the first innings, lay down firm markers, but remains convinced of Pietersen's ability despite his failure to follow suit.

"I think he is frustrated at the moment," Flower conceded.

"It's a pity he didn't spend some more time in the middle because I thought he looked quite good for his 20.

"It was a positive 20, an attacking 20, and that is the way he likes to play.

"I thought he showed some good signs. He's a world-class player with a great record behind him and we still expect a lot from him in these Test matches.

"I don't really agree with that cricketing phase 'one knock away' but I do think all the hard work he is putting in and the thought he is putting into his game will stand him in good stead in the future."

Flower's batting line-up for Friday may have resolved itself over the course of the match, with Trott looking assured enough to take on the opening mantle and Michael Carberry's 40-run return perhaps not enough to earn a Test debut.

But his bowling ranks have been disrupted by back injuries to Graham Onions and Stuart Broad.

Onions has next to no chance of playing but Broad will have one final session to prove his fitness tomorrow.

"Broad has bowled two spells today, one of about six overs at lunch then another of about three overs at tea," said Flower.

"He's improved pretty quickly. Our medical staff and fitness trainer have got him up and running again and he is going to have a proper run out at practice, then we'll see how he responds."

Should Broad not be 100%, Flower opened up the possibility of a whirlwind Test bow for Steven Finn.

The 20-year-old Middlesex quick only arrived in the country on Saturday as injury cover but caught the eye against Bangladesh A and may have leapfrogged the likes of Liam Plunkett and Ajmal Shahzad.

"It was quite interesting seeing four seamers operate in quite a competitive environment here," said Flower.

"I wouldn't rule Finn out. He's been added to the party and he's a contender for selection.

"He did very well to get off the plane the afternoon before this game and then rock up and bowl the next day. He's handled himself well for a young man and has been impressive.

"He's bowled with pace on a slow pitch and bowled with accuracy; he's quite a good prospect."

"It was due to my love for India"

Shane Warne said he loves both India and Australia and that inspired him to contribute in easing off the tension.

The Australian leg-spinner, on the request of Victoria premier, recently mingled with Indian community at a picnic and hoped the initiative would bring desired results.

"I hail from Victoria in Australia and have had the cricketing relations with India for more than 20 years. I love all the three -- Victoria, Australia and India. That is why I have tried to visit the Indian community in Victoria and had assured them," said Warne.

"I have also spoken to the Victorian authorities to look into the problem and find ways to clear the mistrust," added Warne, who is quite popular among Indians in Australia.

"I have been coming to India to play cricket for more than two decades. Cricket is passion here and it can be also used to improve the situation," Warne observed.

Talking about his IPL team Rajasthan Royals, Warne said winning the title in 2008 was one of the most cherished moments in his cricketing career.

"I have relished captaining the side and I believe that Rajasthan Royals has large fan base even in abroad. We have a large number of supporters. It is my responsibility to guide the team this year also," Warne said.

Tennis News

Sandra Zahlavova was the biggest casualty of the first qualifying round for the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.

The Czech was beaten 6-4 7-5 by Romania's Edina Gallovits after making a string of unforced errors.

Also making an early exit was seventh seed and fellow Czech Klara Zakopalova, who went down 6-4 3-6 6-3 to Michelle Larcher De Brito of Portugal.

Second seed Tamarine Tanasugarn breezed past Romania's Monica Niculescu 6-0 6-1, but third seed Petra Martic had to work harder for a 6-4 4-6 6-4 victory over Anastasia Pivovarova.

British number one Elena Baltacha fought back from a set down to record a 2-6 6-4 6-4 victory over American Julia Boserup.

Arantxa Parra Santonja, seeded fifth, overcame American wildcard Coco Vandeweghe 6-3 6-1 while Japan's Ayumi Morita, the sixth seed, beat Darya Kustova 6-2 4-6 6-4.

Elsewhere, there were victories for Kai-chen Chang, Kathrin Woerle, Ekaterina Bychkova, Nuria Llagostera Vives, Michaella Krajicek, Pauline Parmentier, Sloane Stephens, Tsvetana Pironkova, Arantxa Rus, Shenay Perry, Viktoriya Kutuzova, Karolina Sprem, Rossana De Los Rios, Yung-jan Chan, Varvara Lepchenko, Akgul Amanmuradova, and Patricia Mayr.

Lloyd to consider future after defeat

Captain John Lloyd will consider his future after Great Britain slumped close to the lowest tier of the Davis Cup.

Lloyd became the first GB captain to oversee five successive defeats in the team competition after his young side crashed to a 3-2 defeat to Lithuania.

Britain must now beat Turkey, who lost to Ireland this weekend, in a relegation play-off in July to avoid dropping into Europe/Africa Zone Group III.

After James Ward's loss to Ricardas Berankis, the tie came down to the last singles rubber between Dan Evans and Laurynas Grigelis, a player ranked 269 places below the Birmingham teenager at 521 in the world.

Evans recovered from a nightmare third set to force a decider, but 18-year-old Grigelis triumphed 6-7 (6/8) 7-5 6-0 2-6 6-4.

"I'm devastated for the team and more so Dan, as I thought he worked his butt off," Lloyd told BBC Sport.

"I felt sorry for him more than anybody else. We'll see about my future, it's too early yet."

Lloyd, who had to do without Andy Murray for the tie after the Australian Open finalist made himself unavailable, added: "We obviously didn't have our number one playing and that was certainly an evening-out point.

"It was a 50-50 sort of match before the start and they were the better team. They don't have as many players to pick from as we do but their players are good."

Ward had beaten Grigelis comfortably in the opening rubber on Friday, but Evans was unable to repeat the trick.

He won the opening set on a tie-break but lost the second 7-5 and looked dead and buried as Grigelis raced through the third set without dropping a game.

The British number four responded well, breaking three times in the fourth set to level the match.

But some stunning shots from his opponent created the vital break of serve in the decider and Evans was unable to convert three break points as Grigelis served for the match.

With Britain leading 2-1 overnight, hopes were high Ward may have been able to seal the tie in the day's first match by upsetting Berankis, a former world junior number one and, at 198, ranked substantially higher than either of Britain's representatives.

But the 19-year-old Lithuanian held his nerve impeccably in a 7-6 (7/4) 6-3 6-4 victory.

Ward said: "It came down to a few points. He served really well. I served well as well but I could have done a bit more on the return and made him play a few more points.

"But there was not much in it, just two breaks. It's tough."

Golf News

Noh turns attention to The Open

Korean teen sensation Noh Seung-yul is turning his attention onto the biggest Open of them all, the British Open.

The in-form Noh, who pulled off a stunning victory over his illustrious countryman K.J. Choi on Sunday at the Maybank Malaysian Open, is amongst 72 players vying for four tickets to the Open at the two-day International Final Qualifying - Asia at Saujana Golf and Country Club starting on Wednesday.

The 18-year-old will be joined by Asian Tour Order of Merit leader Andrew Dodt of Australia, Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand, who finished tied third last weekend, China's rising star Wu Ashun, Singapore's Lam Chih Bing and Malaysians Danny Chia and Iain Steel.

A strong Japanese line-up will also converge at Saujana, including Hiroyuki Fujita, currently ranked 80th in the world, Tetsuji Hiratsuka, five-time winner in Japan, two-time Asian Tour winner Hideto Tanihara and two-time Japan Tour winner Azuma Yano.

Korean amateur stars Han Chang-won and Eric Chun will also be in the mix after finishing first and second respectively at the inaugural Asian Amateur Championship in China last November.

Noh is determined to play his way into his maiden Major appearance at the 150th British Open at St Andrews, Scotland this July. "My confidence is high and I'm still feeling good. Playing in a Major is every golfers' dream and it is no different for me," said Noh today.

Noh is no stranger to the par-72 Palm Course, also known as "The Cobra", as he fired a sizzling 62 to lead the first round of last year's Maybank Malaysian Open. Although he didn't finish the job then, he made up for it with a superb triumph at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club on Sunday, pulling off an audacious birdie on the last hole for a one-shot win.

"I have good memories here and I know this course. It will be difficult this week so I must not take things lightly. Hopefully I will be in the top four," added the young Korean.

Steel holds the distinction of being the first Malaysian to play in the Open in 1996 and he is hoping to be third time lucky in qualifying after narrowly losing out on a spot in the last two years. He missed out by a stroke in Scotland last year and was defeated in a play-off two years ago in the United States.

"Playing this week is new as I have never played in the IFQ - Asia before. I came close on two occasions and hope that this year will be my year," said the American-based Steel.

Steel, whose father is Scottish and mother is Malaysian, is hoping to turn his fortunes as he remembers the buzz of competing in his maiden Major. "When I first played in 1996, I was young and inexperienced but I managed to stay at that level of form for a while so hopefully I can get back to it and my game will rise again," said Steel.

Dodt won the Avantha Masters in India last month and knows that it is every players' dream this week to qualify for the 150th edition of the Open Championship.

"This is the one everyone is talking about qualifying. Everyone wants to play in St Andrews so you just have to go all out and not hold back. I will be trying my best and hope to be one of the top four after 36 holes," said Dodt who missed out by a stroke at last year's qualifier in Singapore.

India's Gaganjeet Bhullar, winner of the season-opening Asian Tour International in Bangkok, is confident of making a second successive appearance. The Indian rising star made his Major debut last July and subsequently won his first Asian Tour title in Indonesia in the following week.

"The British Open is one of the most prestigious Majors in the history of golf and I definitely want to play in it again. I won the IFQ last year (in Singapore), so I have a lot of good memories and I'm very hopeful this week.

"Winning my first tournament this season is certainly a huge boost but Saujana is one of the most difficult and challenging golf courses on the Asian Tour so it will be interesting," said Bhullar.

Chinese stalwart Wu plans to follow in the footsteps of compatriot Liang Wen-chong who played in all four rounds of the British Open in 2008. "It is always a goal of mine to play in the British Open. My form has been quite good but I need to work on my tee shots. I played well last week (finishing top-20) and I'm looking forward to qualifying. I remember watching the Open as a child when John Daly won in 1995 but I was still young then. It means more to me now if I were to play in the Major," said Wu.

Latest Men's World Golf Rankings

Colombian Camilo Villegas has moved from 21st to 12th in the world after his victory at the Honda Classic in Florida.

Padraig Harrington, on the other hand, drops from 10th to 13th after finishing in a tie for 40th.

Latest leading positions:

1 Tiger Woods 12.14pts, 2 Steve Stricker 7.91, 3 Phil Mickelson 7.28, 4 Lee Westwood 6.83, 5 Ian Poulter 6.22, 6 Paul Casey 6.15, 7 Jim Furyk 5.16, 8 Martin Kaymer 5.06, 9 Rory McIlroy 4.88, 10 Henrik Stenson 4.72

11 Geoff Ogilvy 4.68, 12 Camilo Villegas 4.68, 13 Padraig Harrington 4.66, 14 Kenny Perry 4.27, 15 Robert Allenby 4.24, 16 Sergio Garcia 4.21, 17 Retief Goosen 3.98, 18 Stewart Cink 3.94, 19 Sean O'Hair 3.93, 20 Ernie Els 3.89

Other leading Europeans:

21 Robert Karlsson, 23 Ross Fisher, 24 Luke Donald, 33 Alvaro Quiros, 34 Miguel Angel Jimenez, 36 Oliver Wilson, 45 Soren Hansen, 46 Anders Hansen, 47 Edoardo Molinari, 48 Francesco Molinari, 49 Soren Kjeldsen, 50 Graeme McDowell, 54 Simon Dyson, 57 Peter Hanson, 58 Justin Rose, 62 Alexander Noren, 66 Ross McGowan, 69 Chris Wood, 71 Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano, 83 Gregory Bourdy, 92 Shane Lowry, 95 Martin Laird

Football News

Injured Fabregas: I wanted to play

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas says he wanted to play through the pain barrier against Porto.

The Spaniard sustained a hamstring injury against Burnley last Saturday and has been ruled out of Tuesday's Champions League last-16 second-leg clash against Jesualdo Ferreira's side.

Arsenal trail the Portuguese 2-1 from the first leg but will be without their inspirational captain at the Emirates.

Fabregas said in The Sun: "I wanted to play but the doctors recommended I rest and avoid any risk.

"I am sad to miss out because Porto is important to us. I will suffer far more than usual, having to watch from the side."

Scans have revealed that there is no major damage and there is a chance Fabregas could make his comeback against Hull this weekend.

Lehmann: I'm planning to retire

Stuttgart goalkeeper Jens Lehmann is likely to retire in the summer after confirming he won't be extending his contract.

The 40-year-old has opted against remaining with the Swabians and hopes understudies Sven Ulreich and Alexander Stolz will prosper following his departure.

"Staying would be unfair on Sven Ulreich," he told the Bild newspaper. "He will be rivalling Alexander Stolz and they are both looking forward to the challenge."

Asked if he would consider staying on a while longer, particularly since Ulreich has a serious injury and may miss the start of next season, Lehmann said he could "rule that out".

It appears the only scenario in which former Germany international Lehmann would prolong his playing career is if a Premier League club came calling.

He recently claimed that he felt good enough to play another year in the English top flight and an offer to do so may change his mind about retiring.

"I am planning to retire, but you just never know," he added.

"I am still really enjoying playing football."

Motorsport News

"Vettel has the makings of a champion"

Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner feels Sebastian Vettel has become "the complete driver".

Vettel finished runner-up to Jenson Button last season, pushing the Briton all the way to the penultimate grand prix in Brazil after the 30-year-old had made his stunning start with six wins in the opening seven races.

As far as Vettel is concerned there is only one objective this season which starts in Bahrain on Sunday, and that is to go a step further by becoming champion.

Horner believes last season's near-miss could be the making of the 22-year-old German, strengthening not only his resolve, but also his character.

"Sebastian has all the makings of a champion," said Horner.

"It's still very early to say, and ultimately he has to go out and do it.

"But he is a very intelligent driver, tremendously talented, has a high work ethic, and is a very dedicated and focused individual.

"Most of all, he is a nice guy as well, a very popular member of the team because he is very down to earth. Success hasn't changed him.

"His rise to stardom has been meteoric so far, and he is improving, evolving and growing. He is a remarkable character, but I see a very hungry and determined young man.

"Now with two full years' experience and a championship campaign under his belt, I think he goes into this year pretty much the complete driver."

F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has made no secret of his admiration for Vettel, someone he would love to see crowned champion.

"Bernie has really warmed to him," added Horner.

"He appreciates his cheeky personality, and he is very quick-witted like Bernie, which isn't a normal trait for a German. He is very un-Germanic.

"He understands British humour brilliantly. He'll regularly watch Monty Python, Little Britain and Harry Enfield sketches, and he is a very good mimic.

"With Bernie, he likes the way Sebastian drives, and he likes the way he handles himself.

"He is always willing to sign autographs, and as an ambassador for Formula One, he is fantastic."

Much is likely to be made of Vettel's potential rivalry with seven-times champion Michael Schumacher, who returns to the sport after three years in retirement.

Although nicknamed 'Baby Schumi', Horner is confident Vettel will be himself and not succumb to a sorceror's apprentice role.

"He was still in nappies when Michael was making his grand prix debut," said Horner.

"They are different characters. Sebastian is Sebastian, his own man, and he will continue to grow into being his own person. He is not a mini-Schumi.

"He has a great deal of respect for Michael and what he has achieved, and off track they are good friends.

"But on track he will race him as hard as any other competitor."

Schumacher at full throttle

You listen to Michael Schumacher, you continually hear words such as "motivated" and "driven".

At the age of 41, it would be a risk for Schumacher to be any other way because Formula One is not a sport in which you can be half-hearted, certainly not after spending three years in retirement.

But then they are also words that define Schumacher, a driver so meticulous in his approach in and out of the car that nothing is left to chance.

Of course, there were times during Schumacher's earlier career when such desire would cloud his methodical reasoning and judgment, when his drive tipped him over the edge.

Sadly, that is Schumacher's dark side, so we can only hope his time away playing happy families, having fun on bikes and karts, viewing proceedings from the pit wall as an advisor to Ferrari, has mellowed that part of him, leaving behind the courageous competitor.

Certainly Ross Brawn is delighted to be reunited with Schumacher, the Mercedes GP team principal previously playing such a distinct role in creating the legend who has won seven world titles and 91 grands prix.

Their early bond was formed at Benetton where Schumacher won his first two championships in 1994 and 1995, and cemented at Ferrari where Brawn was the master tactician behind the five titles that followed.

No one understands Schumacher - his psyche, his methods - better than Brawn, and it would appear time has far from withered the German's senses as to what he requires and what is required to win again.

Assessing Schumacher's strengths, in comparison to the drivers he guided to last year's crown in Jenson Button, and his team-mate Rubens Barrichello, the differences are clear.

Brawn's comments are not meant as a slight against the 30-year-old Englishman or veteran Brazilian, but more to emphasise what marks Schumacher out against his peers.

After the first day of testing together in Valencia, Brawn noted: "What came through was Michael's precision about what's going on in the car, what he wants and what he feels is needed.

"He has great clarity of reasoning in what he does, what he feels and what he thinks should be the direction we take or changes to come.

"That's always been notable about Michael in his career, and that's probably the most noticeable difference.

"Both Rubens and Jenson gave very good information on the car, and that was never a problem.

"It's just that Michael is more precise in his opinions as to what is happening, which is nice to work with again.

"It was a bit like the old days."

There is no doubt the combination of Schumacher and Brawn is one that will be fully respected by all the other drivers and teams.

But whether the old days return to their fullest and include all the pomp and glory of another championship is a different matter.

Mercedes acquired a 45.1% stake in last year's title winners after a takeover of Brawn at the end of the season, with Aabar, an Abu Dhabi investment company, taking 30%.

The return of the German manufacturing giant as a fully-fledged team for the first time since 1955 is a welcome tonic for the sport, but that by no means is a guarantee of continued success.

Schumacher is also adamant no lingering doubts remain over a neck injury sustained in a bike accident a year ago that wrecked the comeback dream with Ferrari last August.

His personal doctor, Johannes Peil, was on hand at that first test to oversee matters, but such were the assurances from Schumacher, his services were dispensed with for the three tests that followed.

If he is as fit as he asserts, and he maintains his passion burns as bright as ever, the only questions that remain are whether he is as talented as in the past. Whether, at 41, he still has the speed.

As any driver will tell you, testing is one thing, qualifying and a grand prix are another, and the truth will emerge on March 13 and 14 when the curtain raises on the new season in Bahrain.

Schumacher is adamant he has "nothing to prove to anyone about my age", that instead it is a matter of "proving to myself that I am obviously still able".

If everything falls into place, make no bones about it, Schumacher will be a force to be reckoned with again, so do not rule out the prospect of a record-extending eighth title, because he isn't.

"I feel fresh, good, motivated, and as Ross and I know each other so well, it has made things very easy," said Schumacher.

"It's actually been much easier than I anticipated. I thought I would need a bit more time.

"Assessing everything, I think we have everything you need to be able to fight for the championship.

"With Ross' experience, with what the team did last year, having Mercedes as a team in itself with the experience, know-how and quality they possess, as well as myself, then, I'm sorry, there's only one target."

World Cup Hockey News

At the Hero Honda FIH World Cup 2010, England booked their ticket for the semi-final by dominating the host India (3-2) in a fiery atmosphere in Delhi, South Africa achieved an historic win over Pakistan (4-3) and Australia rekindled their semi-final chances with a precious win over Spain (2-0).

Game 19 – Australia v. Spain: 2-0 (half-time: 1-0)

In this World Cup, Australia lost their opening game to England (2-3) but came back to beat India (5-2) and South Africa (12-0), while Spain beat South Africa (4-2) and India (5-2) but lost to Pakistan (1-2).

The game started under the Delhi blaring afternoon sun, but it did not seem to bother the Kookaburras who spent the first ten minutes peppering the Spanish goal. Grant SCHUBERT had a superb opportunity alone in front of the goal but lost the ball in his feet. Spain earned a penalty corner on their first counter-attack in the 7th minute, after intervention of the video-umpire, but the powerful high flick was wonderfully saved on the line by Kiel BROWN.

Both teams were keeping a tight marking in midfield and key players such as Jamie DWYER were kept under a close Spanish watch. Finally, Edward OCKENDEN forced a penalty-corner in the 20th minute and Luke DOERNER did not pass on the chance to open the scoring with a mid-height flick that beat Francisco CORTES in the Spanish goal. Spain scrambled two penalty-corners at the other end, then nearly scored when Eduard TUBAU stole a ball in midfield and arrived one-on-one with Nathan BURGERS, but the Australian keeper managed to push him aside enough for his shot to go off target.

Spain were given a penalty-corner in the dying seconds of the period, after another referral to the video-umpire, but it was saved again on the line, this time by Luke DOERNER, busy at both ends on penalty-corners. The Spaniards were saved by the post on a penalty-corner soon after the break, then scrambled two set pieces of their own. With time passing and the score still marginally in favor of the Kookaburras, Spain tried to push more but were repeatedly caught in the tight net thrown by the Australian midfield. Spain were also exposing more their defense to counter-attacks and Jamie DWYER ran 75m after stealing a ball; he set up perfectly Kieran GOVERS on the second post but the ball eluded him.

Spain picked up a yellow card on the play and were subsequently pushed back on their heels for a while and Glenn TURNER added a second goal for the Kookaburras in the 60th minute after a lengthy series of passes that mystified the Spaniards. Spain pushed in the final minutes, with Australia happy to just hit the ball up field. The Spaniards scrambled two more penalty-corner chances and Australia bagged the three points of the win, avenging in the process their loss against Spain in the semi-finals of the 2008 Olympic Games (2-3) and taking a serious option for a semi-final berth.

Match Facts (Australia v. Spain):

Glenn Turner (AUS) netted his fifth goal this tournament, to help Australia well on their way to a ninth successive WC semi-final berth.
Luke Doerner (AUS) is now on 6 (PC) goals at Delhi 2010, as is Taeke Taekema (NED).
The Australian record for most goals in a World Cup tournament is 12 by Ian Cooke in 1978 and Jay Stacy in 1998.
Ramon Alegre became the first Spanish player to be shown a yellow card this tournament.
Spain who were in the semi-finals in two of the last three WC tournaments (2006 and 1998) will find it extremely hard to reach the last four at Delhi 2010 with six points from four matches.
Spain failed to convert any of the eight PCs awarded to them in this match.


Game 20 – South Africa v. Pakistan: 4-3 (half-time: 0-1)

South Africa was up to a difficult task in the second match of the day. Having lost their first three encounters against Spain, England and Australia, they were pitted against a Pakistani team with their backs to the wall after losing severely to India (1-4) on opening day then to England (2-5). As in their first two games, South Africa nearly opened the scoring on a penalty-corner in the second minute of play, but it was Rehan BUTT who emerged from a wild scrum in front of Erasmus PIETERSE to score the first goal in the 6th minute.

Oddly, the Green Shirts seemed satisfied with the meagre lead and played at half-pace for a while, trying to show their individual skills but repeatedly losing the balls on unforced errors. South Africa boldly took their chances upfront and defended well a few penalty-corners, including a Sohail ABBAS low flick that went to video-umpiring referral for confirmation of the call then invalidation of the goal.

Taine PATON exposed the porosity of the Pakistani defense in the 31st minute, stealing a ball outside the 25m and running unchallenged before sending high in the stands his shot, that had Salman AKBAR stranded. South Africa had a long period of domination, dictating the pace to a Pakistani team definitely unimpressive. The final minutes of the period were all South Africa and the Green Shirts were clearly happy to pass the ball around to count down the clock and go into the break with their scanty one-goal lead.

South Africa picked up the game where they had left it, forcing a penalty-corner in the 38th minute and scoring by Gareth CARR after a well executed combination that sent the Pakistani runners in no-man’s-land. The crowd, now happy to support the underdog against the Pakistani neighbours, had more reason to erupt in wild cheers when Ian HALEY batted the ball into the empty goal after the shot from Thornton McDADE was deflected high up in the air by Salman AKBAR. Incredibly, South Africa added another goal shortly after by Taine PATON, taking advantage of a completely disoriented Pakistani defense gasping for air.

The rout continued in the 54th minute, when Salman AKBAR saw Marvin HARPER arrive alone in front of him and propel a missile in net. 4-1 for South Africa and twelve minutes to go! The South Africans (and the gamblers) in the crowd would certainly not have dreamed such a scenario one hour before. South Africa, on the verge of an historic feat, were now fighting with tooth and nail to defend their lead against Pakistani players who had lost all concept of team play.

Erasmus PIETERSE stood tall in goal to thwart some desperate final assaults. Muhammad IMRAN and Waseem AHMED scored on penalty-corners, including one that needed to be taken three times with no time on the clock, but it was too little too late and the Green Shirts left the pitch dejected while the African Champions enjoyed a deserved standing ovation from the capacity crowd.

Match Facts (South Africa v. Pakistan):

South Africa beat Pakistan 4-3 to end their 10-match winless streak in World Cup competition.
This is South Africa’s first WC win since 2002 when they beat Belgium 5-4 in the match for 13th place.
South Africa join Pakistan on three points in Pool B. India are also on three points but they are still to play England tonight.


Game 21 – England v. India: 3-2 (half-time: 1-0)

The marquis match of the day opposed England, still unbeaten in the competition after wins over Australia (3-2), South Africa (6-4) and Pakistan (5-2), to a an Indian outfit that gave hope to their whole country when they opened the World Cup with a decisive victory over arch-rivals Pakistan (4-1), only to fall to Australia (2-5) and Spain (2-5). The pundits were divided in the approach to take (more individual runs? More dribbles one-on-one? More passes?) but the crowd certainly did not worry about these technicalities and was cheering unconditionally for their heroes.

The first chance was for Sandeep SINGH on penalty-corner but his low flick did not fool the English runners. He has been harshly criticized by the powerful local media for his poor shows in defense and his inefficiency on penalty-corners, the main reason he is on the team. India committed the same basic defensive mistake as against Spain, leaving James TINDALL unmarked on the far post to quietly deflect a hard pass from Nick CATLIN in the 16th minute. Shivendra SINGH, back in the team after serving a two-game suspension for an incident against Pakistan, arrived on his own at the top of the circle, but English keeper James FAIR was waiting for him and showed his class by pushing the attacker aside until his retreating defenders could take charge of him.

Shivendra SINGH scrambled another chance a few minutes later, hurrying too much his shot. Meanwhile, the European Champions were playing their collective game with poise and speed, both in defense and counter-attack. They defended another penalty-corner successfully, this time with BHARAT officiating and they went into the break with a meager, but precious, one-goal lead.

Second period started in a corrida atmosphere, with feet stomping, flag waving, chanting, shouting and cheering. To its credit and unlike in other sports and other parts of the world, the crowd was supporting its team enthusiastically but without any jeering for the English opponents, although there was understandably little applause when Ashley JACKSON, officiating in replacement of injured Richard MANTELL, slotted a penalty-corner out of reach of Adrian D'SOUZA in the 42nd minute.

Rajpal SINGH and Sarvanjit SINGH tried to save the nation with deep solitary runs, but England scored again in the 47th minute by Ashley JACKSON, increasing their lead to 3 goals. Pushed by the roaring crowd, the Indian forwards finally scored by Gurwinder Singh CHANDI deflecting from close range a hard cross from the right wing, then shortly after by Rajpal SINGH on the post to collect the ball at the conclusion of a superb Asian style counter-attack that started with a save by their keeper D'SOUZA.

The last ten minutes promised to be pure hell for England, with the whole Indian team in attack and the crowd acting as twelfth and even thirteenth player. England fought fiercely on every ball and managed to maintain their structure and strict individual marking. They got a reprieve when Sardar SINGH was showed a yellow card for a nasty tackle on Ashley JACKSON. The Indians were becoming totally desperate and unnecessarily rough and lost Gurbaj SINGH on another yellow card but nevertheless nearly equalized in the dying seconds of the match by Rajpal SINGH, missing a deflection tantalizingly close to the far post.

Match Facts (England v. India):

England beat India 3-2 to become the first team at Delhi 2010 to qualify for the semi-finals.
England have reached the semi-finals for the second time and for the first time since 1986 when they finished runners-up to Australia.
England have now won their last 7 WC matches.
Ashley Jackson’s 42nd minute PC goals marked the 150th goal for England in World Cup competition.
Jackson has now scored in each of England’s four matches at Delhi 2010.
India (-4), Pakistan (-6) and South Africa (-15) are all on three points from four matches, with one match to go in Pool B.


The Hero Honda FIH World Cup 2010 continues on Sunday in Delhi when Korea face Canada, New Zealand meet Argentina and Germany conclude the day against The Netherlands.

For additional information, pictures, video clips, official game sheets, and more, please check the special FIH event site @ http://www.worldhockey.org/worldcup/.

Hero Honda FIH World Cup 2010 (men) – Delhi, India
Results Day 7 - Saturday 6 March 2010

Australia v. Spain 2:0 (1:0)
AUS 20mn Luke DOERNER (PC) 1:0
AUS 60mn Glenn TURNER (FG) 2:0

South Africa v. Pakistan 4:3 (0:1)
PAK 6mn Rehan BUTT (FG) 0:1
RSA 38mn Gareth CARR (PC) 1:1
RSA 41mn Ian HALEY (FG) 2:1
RSA 46mn Taine PATON (FG) 3:1
RSA 54mn Marvin HARPER (FG) 4:1
PAK 68mn Muhammad IMRAN (PC) 4:2
PAK 70+mn Waseem AHMED (PC) 4:3

England v. India 3:2 (1:0)
ENG 16mn James TINDALL (FG) 1:0
ENG 42mn Ashley JACKSON (PC) 2:0
ENG 47mn Ashley JACKSON (FG) 3:0
IND 54mn Gurwinder Singh CHANDI (FG) 3:1
IND 57mn Rajpal SINGH (FG) 3:2

Pool Standings:
Pool A: 1) Netherlands 9 pts 2) Germany 7 pts 3) New Zealand 6 pts 4) Korea 4pts 5) Argentina 0 pt (-5) 6) Canada 0 pt (-13)
Pool B: 1) England 12 pts 2) Australia 9 pts 3) Spain 6 pts 4) India 3 pts (-4) 5) Pakistan 3 pts (-6) 6) South Africa 3 pts (-1


Korea keep last-four hopes alive

Korea have kept their hopes of a World Cup semifinal berth alive with a 9-2 rout of Canada.

Korea are very much in semifinal contention after drubbing Canada 9-2 on Sunday at Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi.

Jong Hyun Jang scored a hat-trick while Hyo Sik You and Hyun Nam Woo netted two each. Nam Yong Lee and Sung Hoon Yoon also joined the party with a goal each to make sure Phillip Wright's brace for Canada was just a formality.

Korea were slow to get off the blocks and were happy to control the midfield. The 2009 Champions Trophy bronze medalists soon picked up pace and went ahead in the 23rd minute, when Nam scored off a penalty corner.

The Koreans, looking for their second win of the tournament, kept applying the pressure in search of a second. Their persistence finally paid off when Jang converted a penalty stroke late into the first half.

In stark contrast to the first half, the Koreans picked up early momentum after the breather. They scored thrice in the first six minutes to push the Canadians out of the game.

The first of these goals came in the 38th minute after Lee's shot was deflected in by a Canada defender. Yoon made it 4-0 in the 41st minute and Korea had a five-goal advantage in the very next minute, when You scored off a Jong Ho Seo cross.

Wright pulled a goal back for the North Americans in the 42nd minute, but Korea restored a five-goal advantage three minutes later. Jang flicked it into the Canadian net to score his second of the game.

The Koreans kept pushing forward in order to improve their goal difference but Wright reduced the deficit against the run of play, when he deflected in a Mark Pearson shot.

The Asian side attacked the hapless Canadians from both flanks and they made it 7-2 in the 61st minute, when Jang converted a penalty corner to complete his hat-trick.

Two minutes later You made a brilliant solo run down the right flank to heap more misery on the North Americans.

Nam scored his second goal of the match in the 67th minute to complete the rout for the Koreans.

The win leaves Korea in with a chance to make it to the semi-finals. Canada, who are yet to earn a point in this tournament, are already out of contention.

The Asians will be up against The Netherlands in their next game, while Canada take on Argentina on Tuesday.

Cricket News

Bat makers adopting new strategies

The indigenous bat manufacturers have now started joining hands with some of the foreign names to survive the competition.

Initially it were the local brands, which were promoted by the Indian players but gradually these indigenous brands lost grounds to the big names and money played a big role with the cricketers switching over, said Ramesh Chander Kohli of sports goods manufacturer 'BAS' in Jalandhar.

Sitting in his small first floor office amid sounds of bats and hockey sticks being made in the factory downstairs, Kohli lamented that times have changed a lot and now the big brands like MRF and Reebok have left almost no place for them to promote their products.

"Recently we have tied up with three players of South Africa, including Hashim Amla, who are playing with our brand 'BAS'. Three West Indian cricketers have also agreed to use our bats," Kohli said.

Not only BAS, two other popular brands 'Renson' and 'PROTOS' have also roped in some of the Indian and foreign cricketers to use their bats.

While some of the Sri Lankan players are using 'RANSON' brand, Indian spinner Amit Mishra is using the bat branded with 'PROTOS', manufactured by city-based F C Sondhi and Company.

Most of the bats used in the Indian sub-continent and Zimbabwe are actually manufactured indigenously as in many places bat making is a small-scale industry.

Meanwhile, manufacturers like Ranson Sports Industry (RSI) are taking a three-pronged strategy to survive the competition and increase their business.

The company is shifting their base from the unorganised area in Jalandhar to a leather complex -? an area designated for manufacturers, and is also adding new machineries from England.

Besides, five international cricketers including West Indian Dale Richards and Sachith Shanaka of Sri Lanka have also been roped up by RSI to endorse the brand.

Brand logos like MRF, Britannia and Hero Honda are not only finding places on the bats of Indian players, but other cricket playing countries are also familiar to these names.

But there is no mention about the people who manufacture the bats, which are used by the star batsmen.

"It's wonderful to return to India"

There's going to be an extra buzz when the IPL is held in India, said KKR' owner and Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan.

The Indian Premier League II was held in South Africa last year.

"There's always a buzz in playing here and it's a wonderful feeling. The feeling one gets playing in front of 100,000 people at the Eden Gardens is incomparable," said Shah Rukh at a function to announce his franchise's continued partnership with Nokia India.

On replacing coach John Buchanan with another Australian Dav Whatmore, he said that communication with the players was the former's problem in the first two years.

"Buchanan was a good coach but we all partners took the decision to replace him in the team's interest. Communication with the players was his problem due to the language or age factor," he said.

Shah Rukh was optimistic about the team's chances in season 3 after it performed miserbly in the first two years.

"We will try to win the trophy this year. We have lots of promises to keep," the cine star said.

He hoped the stand-off between IPL authorities and the electronic news media.

Tennis News

Hantuchova reaches Monterrey final

Daniela Hantuchova booked her place in the Monterrey Open final before rain arrived to wash out the rest of the day's scheduled action.

Hantuchova, 26, is seeking her first WTA Tour title since beating Svetlana Kuznetsova in the Indian Wells final three years ago.

The former world number five, who is presently 24th in the WTA rankings, dropped the first set to her fellow Slovakian Dominika Cibulkova today but recovered to post a 4-6 6-3 6-0 victory.

Seeded second, Hantuchova has adopted the role of tournament favourite since Serbia's former world number one Jelena Jankovic made a first-round exit.

In the final she will play either 19-year-old Latvian Anastasija Sevastova - the player who knocked out Jankovic - or 18-year-old Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.

Sevastova and Pavlyuchenkova will play their semi-final tomorrow, ahead of the doubles final, with the singles final then closing the tournament.

United States keep hopes alive

USA kept their hopes of Davis Cup victory against Serbia alive with a crucial doubles win in the World Group tie in Belgrade.

The Americans had a terrible first day, with John Isner losing to Victor Troicki and Novak Djokovic beating Sam Querrey.

That put the pressure on Sunday's rubber, and for once they could not rely on renowned pair Bob and Mike Bryan.

Mike was absent with food poisoning so Bob teamed up with 6ft 9in Isner against doubles specialist Nenad Zimonjic and Janko Tipsarevic for the hosts.

In a very tight clash, the visitors came out on top in lengthy tie-breaks in the first and third sets and that ultimately proved crucial in a 7-6 (10/8) 5-7 7-6 (10/8) 6-3 victory.

Patrick McEnroe's team have been in the World Group since 1989 but they failed to reach the semi-finals for the first time in four years last season and defeat tomorrow would send them into a relegation clash.

In contrast, France gave notice of their intent by taking an unassailable 3-0 lead against Germany in Toulon.

Julien Benneteau and Michael Llodra wobbled in the third set against Christopher Kas and Philipp Kohlschreiber but recovered to triumph 6-1 6-4 1-6 7-5.

Benneteau was making his Davis Cup debut, and Llodra paid tribute to his partner.

The 29-year-old told www.daviscup.com: "He's good. He has a good spirit, that's the most important thing. When you play doubles, you have to be strong on the court - Julien proved he's a good guy on the court and a nice guy."

France will play either defending champions Spain or Switzerland in the quarter-finals, and it was Albert Costa's team that gained the ascendancy today.

A shock looked on the cards when Stanislas Wawrinka beat Nicolas Almagro yesterday but David Ferrer levelled the tie and today Marcel Granollers and Tommy Robredo beat Yves Allegro and Wawrinka 7-6 (10/8) 6-2 4-6 6-4 in Logrono.

The title holders now only need to win one of tomorrow's singles rubbers to reach the last eight.

David Nalbandian's last-gasp trip to Stockholm paid dividends as Argentina opened up a 2-1 lead over Sweden.

The former Wimbledon finalist only flew in on Thursday night after looking set to miss the tie with a leg injury, and he teamed up with Horacio Zeballos for a 6-2 7-6 (7/4) 7-6 (7/5) win over Robin Soderling and Robert Lindstedt.

It was Nalbandian's first appearance in the competition since the 2008 final.

The Czech Republic secured victory over Belgium without dropping a set as yesterday's singles winners Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek teamed up to defeat Steve Darcis and Olivier Rochus 7-6 (7/0) 6-0 6-3.

Croatia also wrapped things up against Ecuador with a day to spare in Varazdin. As they had in singles, Ivo Karlovic and Marin Cilic proved too strong for brothers Nicolas and Giovanni Lapentti, winning 7-6 (7/3) 6-3 7-5.

India kept their hopes alive as top doubles players Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes easily saw off Russia's Teimuraz Gabashvili and Igor Kunitsyn 6-3 6-2 6-2.

India must now win both tomorrow's singles clashes in Moscow to complete an unlikely turnaround.

In the final match between Chile and Israel, which was delayed by a day because of the massive earthquake in the South American country last week, Nicolas Massu gave the hosts a 1-0 lead with a 4-6 6-2 6-2 6-4 victory over Dudi Sela.

Fernando Gonzalez then put Chile firmly in control of the tie in Coquimbo, coming from a set down to beat Harel Levy 2-6 6-3 6-4 6-4.

Golf News

Villagas moves clear at Palm Beach

Camilo Villegas will take a three-shot lead into the final round of the Honda Classic after maintaining his scoring with a 67.

The Colombian shared the lead with Anthony Kim at the start of play but, while the American Ryder Cup star struggled to three over par for his round, Villegas shot three under to move clear on 11 under.

Australia's Nathan Green shares second place with Vijay Singh on eight under, while American George McNeill equalled the best round of the day, 66, to join compatriot Matt Every at six under.

Villegas had shot back-to-back 66s on the first two days and continued his impressive form with birdies at the third, fourth, sixth and ninth on a blemish-free outward half.

He found it harder going after the turn, but counter-balanced bogeys at the 10th, 12th and 14th with birdies at 11 and 16 to give himself a more than useful cushion.

Kim's largely tidy round was ruined by two sets of miserable holes. Having birdied the third, he haemorrhaged three shots at the sixth and seventh with a double-bogey six followed by a bogey four.

Having regained his composure to birdie 11 and 13 and return to level par for his round, he then undid his good work by closing with three successive bogeys, including a horribly fluffed chip at the last, and is surely now out of the running at six shots back.

Green set off in great style with birdies at the first two holes and gained another shot at the seventh to make it an excellent front nine. A further birdie followed at 15 and his hitherto immaculate scorecard was only marred by a six at the par-five 18th.

Singh shrugged off the same fate as Kim at the sixth, a double bogey, and knocked in four birdies as a round of 69 left the Fijian well in contention.

Every failed to truly take advantage of his three birdies, scoring only one under, but McNeill made seven birdies to cancel out sixes at the sixth and 18th.

A nightmare back nine saw Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell, nicely poised at five under at the start of the day, slip back after a 71. Out in 33, the Ryder Cup player dropped shots at 10 and 15 before a double-bogey at 16 and is a distant four under.

Two birdies in a solid if unspectacular round appeared to have boosted Englishman Paul Casey's challenge until a double-bogey five at the penultimate hole left him three under par, level with Swede Fredrik Jacobsen.

Rising star Rory McIlroy endured a terrible day, shooting five over, and only six players are now below him in the standings. He twice dropped shots on the front nine but came back to level par on each occasion - but bogeys at 14 and 17 sandwiched an horrendous six at the par-three 15th.

Padraig Harrington shot two over, managing just a solitary birdie at the 16th after three bogeys.

Further down the field there was disappointment for England's Oliver Wilson, who followed his opening 66 with a 73 to plummet down into a share of 23rd place.

Rory McIlroy moved to level par after a one-under 69, while Lee Westwood's 71 left him on the same mark.

Justin Rose and Padraig Harrington had rounds of 72 and 71, respectively, to be two over, while Sergio Garcia made the cut by just one shot after recovering well from his first-round 74 by going round in 69.

England's Greg Owen will have a free weekend though, after a 73 left him five over.

American Steve Flesch joined Owen in missing the cut, but the 42-year-old at least produced a gutsy 66 after yesterday's dismal 78 to progress to four over.

Kiradech leads in Malaysia

Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat put himself in prime position to win his first Asian Tour title.

The Thai snatched the joint third round lead with Welshman Rhys Davies at the Maybank Malaysian Open on Saturday.

Kiradech, 20, brilliantly birdied three of his last four holes for a four-under-par 68 and a three-day total of 11-under-par 205 at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club. Davies tied the Thai rising star with a battling 71, which included three birdies against a double bogey.

The final round of the US$2 million co-sanctioned Asian Tour and European Tour event is poised for a photo finish as two-time champion Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand (69), Soren Hansen of Denmark (69) and Koreans K.J. Choi (69) and Noh Seung-yul (67) are a shot back on 206.

Maybank Malaysian Open Leaderboard

The hefty Kiradech, a former junior world champion, nearly sank the first hole-in-one of the tournament when his six-iron tee shot on the 15th ended an inch behind the hole. Although disappointed to not win a car on offer, it sparked a stunning finish as he went on to birdie 17 and 18.

"My ball striking has been improving and that has played a part in my good performance. I missed a couple of putts on the back nine but I'm happy with the way I finished," said Kiradech.

"My highlight has to be the 15th hole. I almost won the car! I couldn't see where my tee shot ended but heard the crowd shouting and when I walked over I saw the ball was about an inch from the hole. If I had won the car, I would have driven it back to Thailand," added the Thai.

The big-hitting Kiradech hopes it will be third time lucky on Sunday as he has led twice previously going into the final round of an Asian Tour event, only to miss out on winning with the finish line in sight.

"It wasn't my day (then). So I need to learn from those experiences and hope it will be better than my last two attempts," said Kiradech, who returned early on Saturday to finish up four holes of his second round.

Davies, who played 25 holes on Saturday, rallied with two birdies on the front nine. After a double bogey on 10 which was a result of an errant drive into the water hazard, he fought back with a birdie on 17 and then missed a makeable birdie chance on the last for the outright lead.

"When you are playing well and making birdies, you don't feel so tired but when a double bogey comes along you feel pretty shattered," said Davies, who played on the Asian Tour in the last two seasons and won twice on the European Challenge Tour last year.

"It's good pressure. If I shoot the best score tomorrow then I win. That's a good thing. There are a number of great players up there so it is up to me to worry about my own game and try not to worry about them. If I score lower than them then I will come out on top," he added.

Vying for a third Maybank Malaysian Open title, reigning Asian Tour number one Thongchai mixed his card with five birdies against two bogeys to return with a 69 and was relishing the opportunity to win a record-equaling third Malaysian Open victory.

"It was hard work, a long day. I came back for two holes this morning. I need to rest up tonight and tomorrow, and get ready. I'll aim to play better tomorrow. I enjoyed it and had a good game plan. It was a bit hard as the pins were quite tough on the back nine but it was a good round. I'm pretty close now and I'm looking forward to tomorrow," said the former paratrooper.

Choi, aiming for a unique Malaysian double after his victory in the Iskandar Johor Open last October, was delighted to be in contention after firing five birdies against two bogeys.

"I put myself in a good position for the final round. I like where I am at. Yesterday and today, I just sweated so much and I feel weary now. Tomorrow, I just need to overcome the heat for one more day and try to close it out," said Choi.

Malaysia's M. Sasidaran returned a 74 for a 216 total in tied 44th place while compatriot Danny Chia shot a 78 to slip back to equal 72nd position.

Leading third round scores

205 - Kiradech Aphibarnrat (THA) 68-69-68, Rhys Davies (WAL) 65-69-71
206 - Noh Seung-Yul (KOR) 69-70-67, K.J. Choi (KOR) 67-70-69, Thongchai Jaidee (THA) 66-71-69, Soren Hansen (DEN) 70-67-69
207 - Johan Edfors (SWE) 69-69-69, Alejandro Canizares (ESP) 67-69-71
208 - Ignacio Garrido (ESP) 65-72-71
209 - Rahil Gangjee (IND) 68-75-66, Danny Willett (ENG) 72-69-68, Soren Kjeldsen, (DEN) 71-70-68, Scott Barr (AUS) 68-71-70, Kim Dae-Hyun (KOR) 66-73-70, Angelo Que (PHI) 70-67-72
210 - Fredrik Andersson Hed (SWE) 77-65-68
211 - Wu Ashun (CHN) 73-70-68
212 - Niclas Fasth (SWE) 69-73-70, Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 70-72-70, Lu Wei-Chih (TPE) 74-70-68, Daniel Chopra (SWE) 71-70-71, Terry Pilkadaris (AUS) 73-71-68, Peter Lawrie (IRL) 69-72-71, Jason Knutzon (USA) 73-67-72

Football News

Ancelotti: Milan win almost impossible

AC Milan have a mountain to climb in their Champions League clash against Man United, having lost 3-2 at the San Siro in the first leg.

Their former coach, Carlo Ancelotti, has faith that Milan can put in a good performance, but says that it will take a monumental effort to come away with the win at Old Trafford.

"[Milan] will believe in achieving anything, even something on the limits of impossibility," Ancelotti told Tuttosport.

Roma coach Claudio Ranieri shared a similar assessment in his interview, stating that Sir Alex Ferguson is experienced enough to weather what the Rossoneri may throw at him.

"He will not play all-out attack to win. You'll see that he will wait for the right moment to deliver the knock-out blow. Milan will have to play the perfect game to get past Old Trafford," he said to Il Giornale.

Ferguson hails Old Trafford

Sir Alex Ferguson has reflected on his time with Man United and chose his best moments at Old Trafford ahead of the clash against AC Milan.

The Manchester United boss took up his position as manager in 1986 and never looked back, winning 34 trophies and becoming English football's longest-tenured tactician.

"Old Trafford is a special place on European nights, when the stadium's full, the floodlights are on and the fans are up for it," he told United's official website.

"It's an enormous lift to the players when the fans are really behind them - the Barcelona semi-final in 2008 is a great example."

The 68-year-old can still remember his first game with United and his home debut at Old Trafford.

"My first two matches as manager had been away from home, to Oxford United and Norwich City, so it was towards the end of November when I had my first game at Old Trafford [against Queens Park Rangers]," he added.

"We won 1-0, John Sivebaek scored from a free-kick in the first half and we should have maybe won by more.

"But getting my first win was the important thing. You certainly want to win your first home game, that's for sure.

"I don't think there was a big crowd at Old Trafford that day, but I was given a good reception by the supporters, I'll always remember that."

The Red Devils boss has sat through numerous goals at the 'Theatre of Dreams', and recalls one more than any other.

"My favourite goal at Old Trafford was the one Paul Scholes scored against Panathinaikos in 2000, when the team strung together 32 passes."

"I always remember a famous goal that Leeds United scored against Southampton with something like 38 passes, but the finish was nothing like Scholesy's.

"He chipped the goalkeeper from about 16 yards, it was fantastic. It was a special goal."

United's chief executive David Gill also loves the atmosphere of Old Trafford during a European game.

"I really enjoy Champions League nights here," he added.

"I think what sets them apart is people coming here after a day at work, perhaps after a visit to the pub so they have a drink or two inside them."

"It's also great to play against teams and players who you don't regularly see in the Premier League."