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GOA, TUESDAY, 15 FEBRUARY, 2011
Cricket grips Canacona HERALD CORRESPONDENT CANACONA, FEB 14
The cricket World Cup fever has griped the people of Canacona as youngsters have got themselves busy preparing replicas of imaginative cricket stadiums. Youth of Mastimoll-Canacona prepared a cricket stadium of thermacol and have publicly displayed it in their locality. According to Moses Cardozo, most of the cricket enthusiasts eagerly await the commencement of the World Cup featuring favourite teams including India and have got together and prepared their own imaginative cricket stadiums. “The stadium replicas do not represent or replicate any of the venues from the respective countries hosting the World Cup in the sub-continent, but what we tried to present is our own imagination, not withstanding the widely criticised ICC’s deci-
sion to shift one of the matches from Eden Garden (the mecca of cricket) to Bangalore.” “What we felt that such a decision and subsequent noise is unwanted in a game of cricket, and our message to the world is that the World Cup cricket matches can be held on any type and shape of ground, irrespective of the facilities, practiced until the cricket World Cup was shifted out of England,” Moses added. Dinkar Mestry, Basil D’Silva, Santosh, Mandar Desai and Ankesh Desai are some of the other boys, who spent approximately Rs 1,500 in preparing their own imaginative cricket stadiums for the much awaited World Cup. The boys are presently busy playing odd matches imitating their stars of the World Cup, as they feel, once the Cup starts, there will be hardly any scope to play rather than watch the matches slotted at different timings.
Dempo still best: Armando HERALD CORRESPONDENT MERCES, FEB 14
Photo: Kathy Pereira Some of the architects of Mastimoll Boys seen alongwith their imaginative World Cup cricket stadium.
Pankaj Advani storms into semi-finals
HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, FEB 14
Pankaj Advani (ONGC) cruised into the semi-finals beating c o m p a t r i o t Ru p e s h S h a h (ONGC) 3-1 in the main draw of ranking PSPB inter-unit snooker at Gas Dias Club, Mira Mar Monday. Hahbaaz Khan (BPCL) was in
great touch when he blanked Dhwaj Haria (IOC) 3-0. Shahbaaz had breaks of (52) in the first frame and (60) in the 3rd frame en route to his victory. Saurav Kothari (ONGC) played very well to down Aditya Mehta (IOC) 3-2 in a hard fought match which went down to the wire. Saurav
will now play his ONGC teammate Pankaj Advani in the semifinals. Ranking event main draw: Saurav Kothari (ONGC) bt Anuja Chandra (BPCL) 3-0, Pankaj Advani(ONGC) bt Rupesh Shah (ONGC) 3-1 (78 – 13, 87-0, 3860, 85-33), Dhruv Sitwala(ONGC) bt Devendra
Joshi 3-0 (57-15, 62-53(50), 7521 (51), Dhawaj Haria (IOC) bt Rishab Pandya (IOC) 3-1 (73-15, 89-01, 16-83, 55-53), Shahbaaz Khan (BPCL) bt Dhwaj Haria (IOC) 3-0 (66-12 (52), 81-44, 7521(60). Saurav Kothari (ONGC) bt Aditya Mehta (IOC) 3-2 (689(69), 55-43(43), 47-65, 63(53)27, 58-40),
Brazilian legend Ronaldo retires n I wanted to continue, but I
n Ronald has won
can't do it any more. I think of an action, but I can't do it the way I want to. It's time. It's the body that's hurting me, The head wants to go on, but the body can't take any more. -- Ronaldo
FIFA World Player of the Year three times: in 1996, 1997 and 2002.
AFP SAO PAULO, FEB 14
Brazil legend Ronaldo, whose goals helped his country win two World Cups, has hauled his aching limbs onto the pitch for the last time and has officially announced his retirement on Monday, Brazilian media said. "I can't take any more," the 34-year-old star told the Estado de Sao Paulo newspaper. "I wanted to continue, but I can't do it any more. I think of an action, but I can't do it the way I want to. It's time." "It's the body that's hurting me," he told Globo television. "The head wants to go on, but the body can't take any more." Ronaldo had already spoken in terms of retiring at the end of the year. But a succession of injuries and the elimination of his club, Corinthians, from the Copa Libertadores, South America's most prestigious club tournament, appears to have pushed the date forward. The Copa trophy, the equivalent of Europe's Champions League trophy, was the only one Ronaldo had not won in what
Inter title hopes hit by Juve AFP ROME, FEB 14
Alessandro Matri was the hero as Juventus stunned an out-ofsorts Inter Milan 1-0 in Turin on Sunday to dent the champions' title hopes. Inter now trail leaders AC Milan by eight points, with a game in hand, after falling to only their second defeat under Leonardo. Other results: Fiorentina 4 beat Palermo 2; Bari 0 draw Genoa 0; Lazio 2 beat Brescia 0; Cagliari 4 beat Chievo 1; Catania 3 beat Lecce 2; Udinese 3 beat Cesena 0; Sampdoria 3 beat Bologna 1; Juventus 1 beat Inter Milan 0; AC Milan 4 beat Parma 0; Napoli 2 beat Roma 0.
has been a spectacular career. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, 'El Fenomeno' had held out hopes of one last World Cup in South Africa last year. In the end though, he had to accept that his injuries and lack of match fitness had ruled him out. Ronaldo won the World Cup with Brazil for the first time in 1994, though on that occasion the 17-year-old was part of the squad but did not play. In 1998, he was among the losing finalists, beaten 3-0 at the Stade de France by a rampant French side that included the inspirational Zinedine Zidane. Brazil's star striker suffered a convulsive fit on the eve of the match and was removed from the starting line up. In a dramatic dressing-room reshuffle, he was reinstated just before kick-off but was a shadow of the intimidating forward who scored four goals in the run-up to the final. But the 2002 tournament was where he made history. Shrugging off injury in the tournament,
which was hosted by Japan and South Korea, he played a key role in helping Brazil to the trophy, ending the tournament as the all-time top scorer in the finals with a total of 15 goals. In the course of his career, he picked up a string of honours, including the FIFA World Player of the Year three times: in 1996, 1997 and 2002. But he also had to fight back from a three career-threatening injuries. His career took him to some of Europe's top clubs, including FC Barcelona and Real Madrid in Spain, and Inter Milan and AC Milan in Italy. But he was sidelined while playing for Inter by a knee injury in 1999 only to damage the same knee in his comeback for the club in February 2000, effectively keeping him out of action until March 2002. Ronaldo was a favourite with fans at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium during a prolific spell with Real Madrid, helping them to the Spanish title in 2003, his debut season. That year he also scored a hat-trick in
Tottenham, Bolton win AFP BOLTON, FEB 14
Daniel Sturridge maintained his current hot streak as the Bolton striker sealed a 2-0 win over Everton at the Reebok Stadium on Sunday. Sturridge has been in superb form since his loan move from Chelsea on transfer deadline day and Everton were unable to stop the youngster, who was forced out of Stamford Bridge by the arrival of Fernando Torres, netting his third goal in three games. Owen Coyle's team had taken the lead through Gary Cahill's first half header and Sturridge delivered the knockout blow with a fine finish as Bolton moved within one point of sev-
enth placed Sunderland. on Saturday, Niko Kranjcar netted Tottenham’s match-winner for the second successive Saturday as the London club rallied to beat Sunderland 2-1. Kranjcar volleyed into the bottom corner in the 57th minute after pouncing when Sandro’s right-wing cross was only halfcleared by John Mensah. The Croatian also scored the winner in last weekend’s match against Bolton. Asamoah Gyan put Sunderland in front after 11 minutes with his 10th goal of the season. But Michael Dawson headed Tottenham level in the 44th after meeting Steven Pienaar’s corner.
Real down Espanyol AFP MADRID, FEB 14
Real Madrid showed real character to close the gap on leaders Barcelona to five points winning 1-0 at Espanyol on Sunday, despite playing virtually the whole match with 10 men after goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas was sent off after just 90 seconds. Marcelo scored the decisive goal on 23 minutes. Other results: Real Madrid 1 beat Espanyol 0; Levante 1 beat Almeria 0; Malaga 2 draw Getafe 2; Hercules 2 beat Real Zaragoza 1; Real Sociedad 1 beat Osasuna 0; Deportivo 1 beat Villarreal 0; Valencia 2 beat Atletico Madrid 1; Sporting Gijon 1 draw Barcelona 1; Racing Santander 3 beat Sevilla 2.
Arif Akhtar (IOC) bt Murli (MRPL) 2-0, Naveen Shetty (MRPL) bt A.K.Sharma (OIL) 2-1, M.H.Malatesh (MRPL) bt Kishore Singhal (GAIL) 2-0, Rachit Madan (GAIL) bt S.K.Sharma (OIL) 2-0, Rahul Pateria (GAIL) bt Shashidhar.S (MRPL) 2-0, Amit Gupta (GAIL) bt J.K.Malakar (OIL) 2-0.
Soderling retains Rotterdam title French Open finalist Robin Soderling retained his ATP Rotterdam title with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 defeat of France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga here on Sunday. World number four Soderling, the top seed, ran his record over Tsonga to 4-0
The return of six experienced players from National duty to the Dempo Sports Club fold, gave some respite for coach Armando Colaco and the win against Churchill Bros would have definitely given him a boost. There is no time to relax for Armando as Dempo begin the quest for their next important frontier, the AFC Champions League. And to qualify for the Champions League, Dempo have to beat Al Sadd of Qatar, whom they face on February 19. The winner will claim a spot in the AFC Champions League alongside Al Nassr (Saudi Arabia), Esteghlal (Iran) and Pakhtakor (Uzbekistan), while the loser joins Al Qadsia (Kuwait), Al Saqr (Yemen) and Shurtan (Uzbekistan) in the AFC Cup. Pressure was quite evident on the face of Armando as he spoke to the media about the prospect of facing the Qatar side. He appeared quite confident of his team’s ability to face the acid test as he said: “The last game against Churchill Bros has only proved the fact that Dempo are still the best and the players are only eager to go out and give a winning performance.” Stating that the Qatar side is a good team, Armando quipped that to be the best, you have to be the best and stated that the team will go out and play with determination. “Playing against international teams will only help strengthen Dempo,” he added and said that playing more often against after losing his first set in the series. The Swede, retianing title for the first time in his career, now owns eight trophies from 18 ATP finals.
Kvitova wins Paris Open Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic continued her impressive season with victory
strong sides will help Dempo raise its level of football to a higher standard. Armando said that the players were gelling quite well and he hoped that they maintain the same momentum against the Qatar team. “Winning and losing is part of the team,” he further added and said that even the best of teams can falter as in football, even minnows can upset the applecart of the hot favourites. When questioned whether there is a need for recruitment of any player to strengthen the team further, Armando said that there is no need to unsettle a perfectly balanced side. “And if I say that there is a need of more players, I will be only doing injustice to the players who have been performing outstandingly,” he concluded.
Dempo shift to new premises
Dempo Sports Club got its club house shifted to its own premises in the city here, which was inaugurated by Shrinivas Dempo, Chairman, at Dempo over Belgium's Kim Clijsters in the final of the Paris Open on Sunday. World number 18 Kvitova won the match in straight sets 6-4, 6-3 to add a famous scalp to her growing list. Australian Open champion Clijsters will be officially named the WTA's new world number one on Monday.
House, in the presence of Vishwasrao Dempo, coach Armando Colaco, players, club officials and others. Fr Anton Albuquerque blessed the club house and prayed for Dempo SC to achieve greater heights in the future. Shrinivas felt that there was a need for greater interaction among the players and the management, so that nobody should feel left out and everybody could live like one big family.“Since all our offices are housed at Dempo House, we felt that the club house should also be moved here, as it will present an opportunity for the team to have extra bonding with the management,” he informed. “Apart from facilities for their regular physical training sessions, the players will be also provided with facilities to relax,” he informed and added that any player who has any grievance would be able to do so without any fuss as the management is also housed in the same building. Shrinivas further said that the club house is only a small step in the direction of bringing professionalism in the club and hoped that the government allots land, which the club has identified in Santa Cruz, so that the Dempo SC can own a stadium of its own. “The proposal of allotting land has already been sent to the government,” he added and said that once the land is allotted, the management can then think about building an academy of its own, where upcoming players can interact with the senior players and excel in the sport.
Raonic claims San Jose title Canadian prospect Milos Raonic enhanced his growing reputation with a stunning 7-6, 7-6 upset victory over top seed and defending champion Fernando Verdasco to win his first title at the San Jose Open on Sunday.