10
Dimapur
SPORTS
Tuesday 4 November 2008
The Morung Express
Liverpool ready to call on Torres factor
SPORTS FILE Hamilton celebrates title in night club SAO PAULO, NOVEMBER 3 (AP): Lewis Hamilton celebrated the night away in Brazil after becoming Formula One's youngest champion. Hamilton, his relatives, teammates and pop singer girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger partied at a night club in South America's biggest city. Hamilton was photographed by local media arriving at the night club just after midnight local time (0200 GMT). He was accompanied by Scherzinger, a member of the pop group Pussycat Dolls, team leader Ron Dennis and brother Nicholas. A large banner featuring Hamilton's picture was seen inside the club, according to Brazilian media. Only invited guests were allowed into the party. Hours earlier, the 23-year-old British driver clinched the F1 championship season title by overtaking Toyota's Timo Glock on the final turn of the last lap of the Brazilian GP to finish fifth. That was enough to keep him one point ahead of Brazilian race-winner Felipe Massa of Ferrari.
Mixed reaction from Italian media for Hamilton ROME, NOVEMBER 3 (AP): Italian media reacted with a mixture of shock, horror and respect Monday to the wild finish to the Brazilian Grand Prix that saw Lewis Hamilton snatch the championship title at the final turn to deny Ferrari's Felipe Massa a fairytale ending to the season in his home race. McLaren's Hamilton took the drivers' title by passing Timo Glock on the final turn to take fifth place in the Brazilian Grand Prix on Sunday, beating race-winner Felipe Massa of Ferrari by a single point in the season standings. "Massa, a world championship mockery in the final 850 meters," read the headline in Corriere dello Sport. "(Hamilton) deserves it. He beat a fantastic opponent and a Ferrari which made a lot of mistakes, but remains the strongest," Corriere said. "Crazy, but the king is Hamilton. Massa consoles Ferrari with the Constructors' title," said the front-page headline in Gazzetta dello Sport. A front-page editorial in Gazzetta was headlined, "Honor to Ferrari." "Felipe Massa didn't deserve to lose like that, with a cruelty that not even a wizard in a thriller could have imagined," the editorial read. "To lose a world championship by a point, on the penultimate turn, while your wife, brother and father are celebrating, is something that must really hurt."
PCB official: Yousuf joins ICL
Liverpool's Fernando Torres, right, is seen stretching during a training session ahead of their Champions League, Group D, soccer match against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday at Anfield Stadium, Liverpool, Monday, November 3. (AP Photo)
LONDON, NOVEMBER 3 (REUTERS): Liverpool are banking on the expected return of Fernando Torres against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday to end a dismal record against Spanish sides at Anfield and fire them into the last 16 of the Champions League. Torres missed the trip to his old club two weeks ago when a 1-1 draw left Liverpool and Atletico level at the top of Group D with seven points and favourites to progress.
Liverpool have made light of the absence of Torres who has not played since injuring his hamstring on international duty last month, going stride for stride with Chelsea at the top of the Premier League. On Saturday, however, his lethal finishing was badly missed when Liverpool failed to convert numerous chances to kill off Tottenham Hotspur before losing 2-1, a defeat that cost them top spot after just one week. "Hopefully he will be
Tight security for Nagpur test NAGPUR, NOVEMBER 3 (AP): Police will maintain tight security for the fourth cricket test against Australia following TV news reports of a terrorist threat targeting Sachin Tendulkar. Nagpur police commissioner Pravin Dixit rejected reports of a new threat to the star Indian batsman, but said authorities worked on the presumption that anything was possible after a threat from militant organizations was received by federal agencies a few years ago. "There will be tight security as usual, but there's no new threat," Dixit told The Associated Press. "The center (federal government) had issued an advisory a few years ago, but at present there is no threat.
"Security is always tight."
Indian TV reports said federal intelligence agencies had sent a high alert after intercepting communications mentioning "Sachin." Tendulkar became the highest run scorer in test cricket history earlier in the series, which India leads 1-0 ahead of the fourth and last match starting Thursday.
ready," manager Rafael Benitez told the club's website (www.liverpoolfc.tv). "If he cannot start the game then he will be on the bench if everything is okay." Anfield is a daunting stadium for visiting sides but those arriving from Spain often find it to their liking. Liverpool have failed to win any of their last five Champions League home fixtures against Spanish clubs and did not even manage a goal in the last four.
Benitez knows it is time to put that statistic to bed and quickly recover the momentum of a promising season after losing their unbeaten league record at the weekend. "It's good we have another important game on Tuesday and the reaction of the players has to be to play well and win the game," he said after the defeat by Spurs. Atletico coach Javier Aguirre's decision to bring Sergio Aguero back into his starting line-up on Saturday
paid off with the Argentina forward scoring twice in a 2-0 Primera Liga victory at home to Real Mallorca. It was Atletico's first league win in five matches and followed a battling 4-4 draw at Villarreal the previous weekend for which Aguero was rested. "The win against Mallorca was a relief," Aguirre said on Atletico's website (www.clubatleticodemadrid.com). "We are out of intensive care but we are still under observation,"
he said, adding that Aguero would be in the squad for the Liverpool tie but still had work to do on his fitness. "He still needs two weeks of specific work," Aguirre said. "I'll take him to Liverpool but he'll continue to work intensively. He's fresher but there is still more to do." Goalkeeper Gregory Coupet has recovered from injury and is in the squad for Tuesday, but defenders Tomas Ujfalusi and Giourkas Seitaridis are both out.
Materazzi wins libel damages over Zidane headbutt LONDON, NOVEMBER 3 (AP): Italian defender Marco Materazzi has won libel damages from a British tabloid over reports that he racially abused Zinedine Zidane before the Frenchmen was sent off in the World Cup final for headbutting him. Although the amount of damages was not disclosed, the Inter Milan star successfully sued the Daily Mail for wrongly reporting that Materazzi had called Zidane "the son of a terrorist whore" before the French star butted the Italian's chest in extra time. Zidane was sent off and Italy went on to win the title in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in Berlin's Olympic Stadium. Materazzi's lawyer for the case, Jane Phillips, told
the judge that, in its coverage of the July 2006 World Cup final, the newspaper published a series of items accompanied by photos, including one of Materazzi being headbutted by Zidane, captioned "Revealed: the insult that made Zidane see red". Phillips said the articles stated quite wrongly that Materazzi, who scored Italy's goal in the final, had used "vile, racist abuse" during the match. From July to December that year, she said, it also published articles on its Web site which included similar defamatory material. Phillips told the judge the newspaper accepted that all of the allegations were wholly untrue and that there was no question of Materazzi having
said anything of a racist nature to Zidane to goad him. Jonathan Price, lawyer for the Daily Mail owners, said that it offered its apologies for the
distress and embarrassment caused, and had agreed to pay Materazzi substantial damages and his costs. Materazzi did not appear at the hearing.
Oz media pays tribute to Kumble MELBOURNE, NOVEMBER 3 (PTI): The "ultimate dusty-deck destroyer and one of the true gentlemen of the game" was how the media Down Under paid tribute to Anil Kumble, but insisted that the Indian spin legend went out as a "spent force" in the face of injury breakdowns and a dip in form. "He leaves as the ultimate dusty-deck destroyer, Test cricket's third-highest wicket-taker and a reputation as one of the true gentlemen of the game," wrote 'The Daily Telegraph' paying tribute to the 38-year-old's 18-year career, which ended with a draw against Australia in New Delhi yesterday. "It was the right move by the veteran leg-spinner, who had been under pressure on several fronts. With only three wickets in this series to that point, and with a miserable captaincy record of three wins in 14 Tests, it was time for the 38year-old to go," it added. Noted cricket writer Peter Roebuck felt the decision was well-timed as Kumble's magic was fast on the wane, highlighted by just three wickets that he took in the ongoing series against Australia. "Kumble's retirement was timely. Throughout his career the old warrior has been a master of worn pitches. In the past few years, his powers have waned and the sorcerer has become a spent force," he said. break the news, Kumble said: "I informed all my team mates one by one during the day and then informed the chairman of selection committee (Krishnamachari Srikanth) just after the lunch and then the board. People who mattered the most to know that it was my last game." Kumble, who was going through a long form slump and did not play in the Mohali Test because of a shoulder injury. But the leg-spinner said that criticism from all quarters was not the
main reason behind his sudden decision. "Criticism is part and parcel of any sportsperson. I don't think I took this decision based on the comments of people whether I should play or not. This criticism started 18 years back when people questioned if I could play just two Test matches for India. "But looking back I feel that I have done really well for India. I am not the one who takes decisions based on criticism. But I was very difficult for me to take this decision,"
he said. Kumble, however, added that he would continue playing Twenty20 matches for Bangalore Royal Challengers in the Indian Premier League (IPL). "IPL is a contractual commitment and I have to take a call later. But in terms of international and first-class cricket, I am through." Asked what kept him going despite all the criticism for all these 18 years, Kumble said: "My self belief and my abilities kept me going. The team knew what I was capable of and the
Bologna fires coach Arrigoni BOLOGNA, NOVEMBER 3 (AP): Bologna fired coach Daniele Arrigoni on Monday following Sunday's 5-1 loss to Cagliari, local reports said. Bologna president Francesca Menarini was in talks with Sinisa Mihajlovic about becoming the replacement, the Gazzetta dello Sport reported on its Web site. There was no immediate official announcement from Bologna. Mihajlovic, a former Lazio and Inter Milan player, was an assistant coach with Inter until Roberto Mancini was fired after last season. With six points from 10 rounds, Bologna is only one point above last place in the Serie A. The central Italian team was promoted back into the top division for this season after a three-year absence.
'My body gave me enough signals to call it a day'
NEW DELHI, NOVEMBER 3 (AGENCIES): An emotional Anil Kumble bid adieu to international cricket on Sunday saying that his body gave him enough signals to call it a day. "The body was asking me questions everyday. It was not easy for me to keep bowling as I have doing for the last 18 years. And probably the injury that I had on my finger on the third day helped me to take this decision," said the 38-year-old Indian Test captain, who announced his retirement on the final day of the drawn third cricket Test against Australia at the Feroz Shah Kotla here. Kumble received 11 stitches on his little left finger, which he hurt while fielding on the third day of the match Friday. But he came to bowl the next morning with his hand heavily bandaged and took three wickets. Kumble said he took the decision to quit Saturday night. Though Kumble's retirement was not too far off, none expected it to come this way and that too in the middle of an important series in which India lead 1-0. He retired from one-dayers in March 2007. The giant screens at the Kotla just after the tea break flashed one-liner saying "Anil Kumble has decided to retire after this match and will not travel to Nagpur for the final Test." Asked when did he
ISLAMABAD, NOVEMBER 3 (AP): Pakistan batsman Mohammad Yousuf has joined the rebel Indian Cricket League and is now unlikely to play in the three oneday internationals against the West Indies, the Pakistan Cricket Board said Monday. "His (Yousuf) wife told us on telephone that he has left for India today to play in the ICL," PCB Director Cricket of Operations Zakir Khan told reporters. "He did not inform us about his travel plans to India and we are trying to contact him directly," Khan added. Yousuf left for New Delhi on Monday from the eastern city of Lahore hours after he was named in a 15-member Pakistan squad for the three-match series against the West Indies in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, from Nov. 12-16. The ICL is an unofficial Twenty20 tournament. The PCB said last year that any players who join the ICL would not be considered for Pakistan selection. Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam said the team has enough reserve players to replace Yousuf for the series in Abu Dhabi. The former chairman of the PCB, Nasim Ashraf, convinced Yousuf last year to cancel his ICL contract and play for Pakistan. Ex-captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, all-rounders Abdul Razzaq and Azhar Mahmood, fast bowler Shabbir Ahmed and opening batsman Imran Farhat have all joined the ICL.
opponent also respected me. It very important to get respect in the dressing room and also from the opponents." Reflecting on his career, the Banglorean said the Australia series in 2004 and then the series win in Pakistan, West Indies and England were some of his memorable moments. "But the most cherished moment in my life was my debut series in England under Azharuddin," he recalled. A bespectacled and studious-looking Kumble made his
Test debut against England at Old Trafford in the August of 1990. He had to wait for another two years to come back in the side. He fought his way back into the side in November 1992 in the historic series against South Africa but made his biggest impact in 1993 home series against England, where he had a series winning performance with 21 wickets from three Tests. Kumble said that he would love to be remembered as a cricketer, who always gave his 100 percent.
Two cities fight to host first Winter Youth Games LAUSANNE, NOVEMBER 3 (AP): Innsbruck, Austria, and Kuopio, Finland, are the finalists in the race to host the first Winter Youth Olympics in 2012. The cities were announced Monday by the International Olympic Committee. The two other candidates - Harbin, China, and Lillehammer, Norway - failed to make the cut. The decision was made by the IOC executive board based on reports prepared by an evaluation committee headed by Pernilla Wiberg, a former Olympic gold medal skier from Sweden. The winning city will be announced on Dec. 12 after more than 100 IOC members vote in a secret postal ballot. Members from Austria and Finland are not eligible to vote. The Youth Olympics is a personal project of IOC president Jacques Rogge. The first Summer Youth Olympics will be held in Singapore in 2010. The 10-day winter games will feature about 1,000 athletes aged 14-18 competing in seven sports - skiing, ice hockey, biathlon, bobsled, curling, luge and figure skating. Innsbruck hosted the Winter Olympics in 1964 and 1976, while Kuopio would be a first-time Olympic host.
Bond says he will not play again for NZ NEW DELHI, NOVEMBER 3 (AP): Fast bowler Shane Bond is upset with how he has been treated by New Zealand cricket officials and will never represent his country again, even if he gets a recall. Bond, a genuinely quick but injury prone paceman, has been sidelined by New Zealand Cricket since he signed a contract with Delhi Giants in the unsanctioned Indian Cricket League. The 33-year-old former police officer said he'd harbored hopes of again playing test cricket when he originally got permission to play in the lucrative ICL Twenty20 competition. But then his New Zealand contract was terminated when the Board of Control for Cricket in India set up its own Indian Premier League Twenty20 competition and insisted that any player involved in the rebel league be banned by their national boards. "I'm disappointed with the way my country's cricket board treated me," he was quoted as telling Press Trust of India on Monday. "I don't want to represent New Zealand in test matches or one-day internationals any more. "Despite clearing me for the tournament earlier, the cricket board later changed their mind and stepped back from their stand. I am quite disappointed with that." Bond said New Zealand cricket was the loser after turning its back on players who had joined the ICL, which offered them financial security. "I still enjoy playing cricket. I'm having a great time with the game, which has given me career and financial security," Bond said.