10
Dimapur
SPORTS
Wednesday 22 October 2008
The Morung Express
MDFA Trophy 2008 underway
9TH NSF MARTYRS MEMORIAL TROPHY 2008
Kingdom Stewards enters semis Ist semi finals match between Nagaland Police and Anal SU today
Our Correspondent Kohima | October 21
KINGDOM STEWARDS today found semi finals berth after defeating rival Merhulietsa Football Club 3-1 in the 4th quarter finals match of the ongoing 9th NSF Martyrs’ Memorial Trophy 2008 here in the Kohima Local Ground. Kikrusato opened the account for Kingdom Stewards in the 22nd minute and the team took the lead 1-0 till the first half. The second and third goal in favour of Kingdom Stewards also came through Kikrusato in the 62nd and 70th minute. Kikrusato earned the hat-trick of the match. Patrick netted a lone goal for Merhulietsa FC in the 90th minute. Keyigumgombe of Kingdom Stewards was declared as the player of the match and he was awarded with a certificate and memento. Today’s match witnessed three yellow cards- Hadibe (Kingdom Stewards), Yanger and Kevin (both Merhulietsa FC). Dr. V. Sekhose, Principal Director, Health & Family Welfare acted as the match patron and donated Rs. 50,000. Earlier, in the first exhibition match, Angami Students’ Union defeated Kohima District Referee’s Association 3-1. ASU fetched the goals through Medo (15th minute), Sedevikho (30th minute) and Vilabeituo, former ASU sports secretary (53rd minute). A lone goal for KDRA came through Kevichutuo in the 46th minute. The second exhibition match also took place between All Nagaland College Students’ Union and Dimapur Naga Students’ Union. Meanwhile, the first semi finals match will take place on October 22 with Prof. K. Kannan, vice chancellor, Nagaland University as match patron.
(Left) The chief referee initiating the oath taking ceremony during the inaugural function of the MDFA Trophy 2008, at Imkongmeren Sports Complex, Mokokchung, October 21, 2008. (Right) Chief guest and Chairman of Dimapur Municipal Council, Khekaho Assumi being introduced to the players before the inaugural match of the MDFA 2008 tourney, October 21, 2008.
MOKOKCHUNG, OCTOBER 21 (MExN): MDFA Trophy 2008 got underway today here at the Imkongmeren Sports Complex. In the inaugural match that was played between defending champions Moanungsang Memorial Sporting Club (MMSC) and debutants Spartan Club Kinunger, the former trounced the debutants 6 goals to nil. The score line at half time stood at 2 goals to nil. With most of the best local players in the side, MMSC outplayed their opponents from Kinunger vil-
lage in every aspect of the game, sending strong message as favourites for winning this year's edition of the tourney as well. They have won the last two consecutive MDFA tournaments. The first hattrick of the tournament was scored in the first match of the tournament by Chubasunep of MMSC, jersey number 11 in the 11th, 44th and 55th minutes of the match, the last goal coming from a penalty kick. The captain of MMSC, Rongsenchiba, donning jersey number 9, scored two goals, his second goal via
another penalty kick in the 62nd minute. Maongtoshi was the other player from MMSC to score a goal in the 58th minute, sealing a sure victory for the 2006 and 2007 MDFA champs. The Chairman of Dimapur Municipal Council, Khekaho Assumi graced the inaugural function of the tournament as chief guest. Fixture for 22nd Oct. Time: 1:00 PM Exodus Club vrs Diamond Club Amokmolu Vs Medemchanger
IST SEMI FINALS October 22: Time: 2:00 PM Nagaland Police vs Anal Students’ Union
14th Inter District Volleyball Championship gets underway
Nagaland Archery Coach, Hunezo, training students of Mayangnokcha Government Higher Secondary School in archery, Mokokchung, October 21, 2008.
NZ beats Bangladesh by 3 wickets in 1st test
Daniel Vettori plays a shot during the last day of the first cricket test match between Bangladesh and New Zealand, in Chittagong, Bangladesh, Tuesday, October 21. Vettori contributed heavily with bat and ball to lead New Zealand to a three-wicket win over Bangladesh. (AP Photo)
CHITTAGONG, OCTOBER 21 (AP) : Captain Daniel Vettori's second half century of the match and his
82-run sixth-wicket stand with Daniel Flynn helped New Zealand come back for a three-wicket victory over
Bangladesh in Tuesday's final session of the first cricket test. Vettori helped steer New
Zealand to 281 for five at tea on the last day, needing another 36 runs to reach the 317 target. But he was bowled for 76 by Abdur Razzak after ushering the tourists to 298, 19 runs short of the win. Bangladesh left-arm spinner Shakib al Hasan picked up another wicket, dismissing Flynn on 49, with the teams tied at 316. Flynn, whose knock came off 126 balls with 6 boundaries, was denied a maiden half century when he only needed a single to bring up the victory. Jacob Oram (8) and Kyle Mills (1) were unbeaten at the finish when New Zealand reached 317 for seven. Razzak took three wickets for 93 runs and Hasan got 2-82, giving him nine wickets for the match in an impressive bowling performance. Vettori, who also scored 55 in the first innings and took nine wickets, was ad-
judged man of the match. "I think it's important for the captains to set the standards. It is pleasing for me to make a contribution with bat and ball," Vettori said. "I was pleased with the performance, having chased 317 in Bangladesh, who had the momentum." Resuming the fifth day at 145-2, Vettori and Aaron Redmond added 40 runs in the first session before Hasan dismissed Redmond for 79. Redmond's 237-ball innings included 10 boundaries. Ross Taylor (9) was next to go when he was caught by substitute fielder Mahbubul Alam off a Murtaza delivery. Brendon McCullum added just 2 runs before he was trapped lbw by Razzak shortly after lunch, with the visitors on 216-5. After dominating the opening session, New Zealand fell behind as Bangladesh stuck to a slow-but-
sure batting formula to recover to 245, then bowled the tourists out for 171 in reply. Hasan's 7-36 in New Zealand's first innings was a test record for Bangladesh, which has had only a solitary test victory since joining cricket's elite. Bangladesh built a 316run lead after scoring 242 in its first innings but although the match went to the final session, New Zealand was in command during the last day. Bangladesh has never won a test against New Zealand, losing five of their six previous matches by an innings. New Zealand won the preceding limited-overs series 2-1. Bangladesh skipper Mohammad Ashraful said his team was getting closer to adding to its sole test win. "We played well for five days and had a chance to win," he said. "I think Vettori's innings and bowling was the difference."
Lawson remains under pressure to produce good results
ISLAMABAD, OCTOBER 21 (AP): Former test cricketer Mohsin Khan thinks Geoff Lawson will be under pressure to produce good results even after the Pakistan Cricket Board decided not to renew his contract as coach after April next year. "Pressure will be a lot on him," Khan told the Associated Press on Tuesday. Ijaz Butt - newly appointed chairman of the PCB - made it clear that Lawson's two-year contract will not be renewed after it expires. Pakistan is scheduled to play three limited-overs internationals against the West
Indies in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates next month before the scheduled three test matches and five oneday internationals at home against India early next year. "India is not the team which it used to be 10-12 years ago, now it's among the top teams of the world so it will be a big pressure series for Lawson," Khan said. "He is the best judge for himself and maybe he takes the series against India as a challenge." Another former captain, Aamir Sohail, thought Lawson should accept it as a challenge after two losing test
series since the former Australian fast bowler replaced the late Bob Woolmer as Pakistan coach. "If he is a thorough professional, he should take it as a challenge and prove others wrong," Sohail said. "I don't think Lawson would be less motivated in the important series against India and he should accept Mr. Butt's decision as a challenge for him." Former PCB chairman Nasim Ashraf appointed Lawson for a two-year term in July last year and also named Shoaib Malik as captain until December 2008. "It was a daring decision of the PCB to
pair Malik with Lawson," Sohail said. "There was no planning, no goals. Malik was a novice as captain and the PCB should have appointed a coach who was seasoned enough to know about our cricketing culture. "Lawson himself was coming on his first major (coaching) assignment in Pakistan and I think it was a wrong pairing." Under Lawson's stewardship Pakistan has lost test series at home against South Africa and in India last year. Pakistan also failed to qualify for the final of the Asia Cup at home in July.
Intikhab Alam, Pakistan's 1992 World Cup winning coach and also a former captain, said that Lawson should leave Pakistan team's coaching job. "I think it's better he should quit himself," Alam advised Lawson. Butt decided not to terminate Lawson's contract immediately, claiming the pay out would cause huge financial losses for the Pakistani board. Pakistan's highest scorer in test matches and former captain Javed Miandad said the cricket board should look for homegrown coaches in-
stead of hiring foreigners. "I am against this concept of hiring foreigners for coaching the Pakistan team," said Miandad, who had coached the Pakistan team three times over the last 12 years. Miandad scored 8,832 runs in 124 test matches. "But if the PCB had decided to bring in a foreign coach, I think Dav Whatmore (Australia) was a better choice." Whatmore, who coached Sri Lanka to the World Cup triumph in 1996 in Pakistan, was also shortlisted by the PCB before it signed Lawson.
LONDON, OCTOBER 21 (AP):Liverpool and Chelsea return to Champions League action on Wednesday for matches that could help define the entire season for both clubs. The teams are tied on points at the top of England's Premier League and meet for the first time this season on Sunday, so a strong midweek performance could provide a crucial boost as well as take them to the verge of the next round in Europe. Five-time European champion Liverpool is unbeaten in the Premier League but still trails Chelsea on goal difference. While Chelsea hosts AS Roma in one of the day's eight matches, Liverpool must cope without star striker Fernan-
do Torres for a tough trip to Atletico Madrid. Victory in Spain would prove Liverpool can succeed without the player who scored 33 club goals last season. Torres' torn hamstring means he is also almost certain to miss Sunday's trip to Stamford Bridge. It was his strong performances for Atletico, where Torres started his career and played more than 200 league matches, that prompted Liverpool to spend a clubrecord 26.5 million pounds for him in 2007. Liverpool, meanwhile, could come up against one of its former favorites. Luis Garcia scored a contentious goal to give Liverpool a 1-0 semifinal win over Chelsea en route to the 2005 Champions League title, but he
could be starting for Atletico on Wednesday. Garcia left Anfield in 2007 and believes the current Liverpool squad is stronger than the one which won the most recent of the club's five European championships. The playmaker wouldn't be surprised to see Liverpool win the Champions League or English title. "When I first joined, Chelsea were far better than us," Garcia said, "but the gap is closing and Liverpool can now win the league." Atletico and Liverpool each have a maximum six points from two Champions League matches, so victory for either would put them in a strong position at the midway point of group play. But Garcia is really looking forward to the return leg at
Anfield on Nov. 4. "The game in Liverpool will be very special for me. In terms of sentimentality, the biggest of my career," Garcia said. "I was not able to say goodbye properly when I left because I was injured at the end of the season, it was the worst way possible to finish my career there. "I was so happy there and am desperate to play one more game at Anfield." PSV Eindhoven hosts Marseille in the other Group D match, with both needing to at least avoid defeat to maintain realistic hopes of progressing. Chelsea, meanwhile, will still be without Didier Drogba and Michael Ballack when it takes on Roma. But Chelsea has scored four or more goals in four of its 11
matches this season despite missing almost a full team of costly international stars and is up against a Roma side reeling from a 4-0 home loss to Inter Milan. "They are not the strongest Roma side I have ever seen," Chelsea assistant coach Ray Wilkins said. "They have some very good players within it, but it is not the strongest they have produced over the last couple of years. "They are still a side to be reckoned with, but if we conduct ourselves in the right fashion we should get a favorable result." CFR Cluj, which surprisingly is matching Chelsea on four points, hosts last-place Bordeaux in the other Group A match. Elsewhere, two-time
European champion FC Barcelona is at FC Basel. Barcelona scored two late goals in its last match – the second four minutes into injury time - to win 2-1 at Shakhtar Donetsk and keep the Group C lead with maximum points. Coach Pep Guardiola included Mexico defender Rafael Marquez and Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Toure in a 19-man squad despite picking up injuries in Sunday's 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao. Shakhtar and Sporting Lisbon, which are tied on three points, meet in Portugal, while Group B co-leaders Inter and Anorthosis Famagusta play in Milan. Werder Bremen is at lastplace Panathinaikos in the final match.
DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 21, (MEXN): The ‘14th Inter District Volleyball Championship, 2008’ started-off today with 8 districts participating and organized by Dimapur District Volleyball Association (DDVA) under the aegis of Nagaland Volleyball Association (NVA). In the 1st match boys from Mokokchung defeated Phek by 2-0. Dimapur boys defeated Kohima (2-1). While in the girl’s match Mokokchung was defeated by Kohima in a straight knock out system. And Phek beaten Dimapur in a straight knock out match.
OA of Nagaland informs PHEK, OCTOBER 21 (DIPR): An emergency meeting was held in the office chamber of DC Phek on October 20, 2008 in regard to the district level marathon race to be held on November 7, 2008 at Phek. To commemorate the year of ‘Capacity building 2008’ the Olympic Association of Nagaland has decided to hold open competition for Marathon Race to be sponsored by the Directorate of Youth Resources & Sports. The marathon race competition for Phek district will be held at Phek on November 7, 2008, organized by District Sports Council Deputy Commissioner, Phek, Zachive Thele will flag off the race at 6 a.m and give away the prizes to the winners as the chief guest on the occasion. The prize for the first position carries a sum of Rs. 25,000/-, Rs. 15,000/- for the second position and Rs.10,000/- for 3rd position. And all the three winners of the district marathon race competition shall be eligible to compete in the state level marathon race to be on December 7, 2008, coinciding with the last day of Hornbill festival 2008. Any interested persons may come for physical fitness, medical check up at Phek Civil Hospital at 10 a.m on November 5 and 6 2008 for the same. For any further necessary information DSO, Phek may be contacted.
TBall Cricket pre-quarter matches DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 21 (MEXN): Circular CC, Rangapahar Ranger CC and Ravel Club will play against Royal Young Star, TMC and Napl CC at 7:30 am, 10 am and 1 pm respectively, on October 23 next, in the prequarter final while Tilixu got bi in the 1st annual Tennis Ball Cricket tourney of Toulazou Tenyimi village, played at Toulazou local ground. This was stated in a press note issued by the organizers, Ravel Club.
Half marathon race in Mkg MOKOKCHUNG, OCTOBER 21 (DIPR): The District Sports Officer, Mokokchung has notified that there will be a Half Marathon Race (21.197 Kms) at Mokokchung town on 18th November 2008 at 6:30 a.m. Winners will be awarded as follows: 1st – Rs. 2,500/-, 2nd-Rs. 1,500/- and 3rd-Rs.1,000/- respectively. All interested candidates are to submit their names on or before 5-11-08. All the participants will undergo medical verification on 7-11-08 at 2 p.m. at the sports hall, Mokokchung.
Liverpool, Chelsea face key Euro matches
Indian players Sachin Tendulkar, left, and Sourav Ganguly pose with their awards after India defeated Australia on the final day of the second cricket test match between India and Australia, in Mohali, India, Tuesday, October 21. Indian paceman Zaheer Khan took three wickets in four balls Tuesday to erase Australia's last, limited chances of forcing a draw and propel India to a comprehensive 320-run victory. (AP Photo)