June 30, 2016

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sports

Nagaland Post, Dimapur Thursday, June 30, 2016

Team is more important than Agnieszka, Djokovic advance at Wimbledon individuals, says Anil Kumble Mannarino, however, on his ninth opportunity to break, finally converted against Djokovic when the Serb first served for the match. But the Belgrade native clinched the tie-break to move into the third round.

Federer ends Willis’ Wimbledon dream

Agnieszka Radwanska LONDON, JUN 29 (AGENCIES): With rain delaying play on the outside courts on day three of Wimbledon, Agnieszka Radwanska wasted no time in taking care of business under the roof on Centre Court.

The third-seeded Pole, who reached the final here in 2012, overwhelmed Kateryna Kozlova 6-2, 6-1 in just over an hour Wednesday to move into the second round at the All England Club.

Radwanska used her clever all-court game to thoroughly dominate the 97thranked Ukrainian, who was making her main draw debut at Wimbledon and has never won a Grand Slam match. Radwanska won the first four games and was always in control.

“A one-hour match is always good, especially with that weather,” Radwanska said.

“Now we’re playing every day, so I’m just very happy with that win and ready for the next one.”

The match was played in its entirety under the retractable roof, which was closed after steady rain lashed the grounds and forced delays on all other courts.

“It’s like an indoor tournament, sometimes,” Radwanska said. “Have to kind of get used to that. Of course, it’s a little bit different without the sun, without the wind. So it’s a different game. But, well, it’s good that we could play today.”

Radwanska lost to Serena Williams in three sets in the 2012 final. The two are in the same half of the draw this year and could meet in the semifinals. “(I’m) trying every year to do better and better, of course,” Radwanska said. “I was close a couple times. So it’s another year to try. And hopefully I can do one step (further).”

Before play was stopped by rain on the outside courts, three players managed to finish matches that had been suspend-

Novak Djokovic ed the previous day: 10th-seeded Tomas Berdych completed a 7-5, 7-5 (5), 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (2) win over Ivan Dodig; Andrea Petkovic, seeded No. 32, beat Nao Hibino of Japan, 3-6, 7-5, 6-2; and Evgeniya Rodina downed Lesia Tsurenko 6-3, 7-5.

Djokovic sweeps past Mannarino Novak Djokovic overcame a late hiccup to extend his Grand Slam winning streak on Wednesday, sailing to a 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(5) win over Adrian Mannarino under a closed roof on Centre Court at Wimbledon.

The three-time Wimbledon champion (2011, ‘14, ‘15) next will face Brazilian Thomaz Bellucci or 28th seed Sam Querrey. The Serb now solely owns third place on the list for most consecutive Grand Slam victories, behind Rod Laver and Don Budge, both of whom won the calen-

Mary Kom flags off ‘Olympic Day Run’

Olympian MC Mary Kom flagging off ‘Olympic Day Run’ in Imphal on Wednesday.

Correspondent IMPHAL, JUN 29: Around 700 sportspersons of Manipur took part in the “Olympic Day Run”, which was flagged off

by Olympian MC Mary Kom, who is also a Member of Parliament (MP), on Wednesday from the main stadium of Khuman Lampak, here.

The event was organized by the Manipur Olympic Association (MOA) in association with the state department of youth affairs and sports.

Sportspersons including high ranking officers took part in the run which covered 2km

along Dingku Road- Khongnang Ani Karak- North AOCMMTA-Khuman Lampak.

MOA general secretary Sunil Elangbam said, “Olympic Day is an annual celebration that commemorates the formal establishment of the International Olympic Committee on June 23, 1894. It was officially created in 1948 as a sort of birthday of the Olympic Movement”.

The event was held today after it was compelled to postpone due to general strike on June 23, he added.

He stated, “In 1987, in an effort to encourage all

NOCs to commemorate and celebrate Olympic Day, the IOC Sport for All Commission launched the Olympic Day Run concept with the objective of promoting the practice of participation in sport by men, women and children from all corners of the world and all walks of life, regardless of athletic ability.

The first Olympic Day Run was held in 1987, over a distance of 10km, with 45 participating National Olympic Committees”. He extended best wishes to all participants from Manipur in the forthcoming Rio Olympic 2016.

dar year Grand Slam.

Djokovic is looking to clinch the third leg of the calendar Grand Slam this fortnight, having won the Australian Open and Roland Garros earlier this season.

The streaks were in his favor before his second-round contest. It had been eight years since he had lost at a Grand Slam to a player ranked as low as Mannarino, No. 55 in the Emirates ATP Rankings (No. 75 Marat Safin, 2008 Wimbledon). The left-handed Frenchman entered the match 1-16 against Top 10 opponents.

But Mannarino hung early with the World No. 1, slapping deep and flat groundstrokes to hold serve. Serving at 30/40 4-5, though, Mannarino netted a backhand to give the Serb the first set.

From there, Djokovic mixed more slice into his usual topspin offering, which helped him earn a break in the second and third sets.

World T20 main draw set to expand to ‘Super 12’ EDINBURGH, JUN 29 (IANS): The International Cricket Council (ICC) is most likely to add two more teams to the main draw of the reinstated World Twenty20 in 2018.

Discussions at the associates meeting of the ongoing ICC annual conference in Edinburgh also indicated that representatives of the associate nations on the ICC board may get full voting rights as well.

“What I have heard described is that two teams will go through from each first group to create a Super 12,” Tim Cutler, the Hong Kong Cricket Association chief executive, was quoted as saying by espncricinfo.

“That seems to be the agreed format at the moment.

Hopefully that means with two more going through, potentially two more could come into the qualifiers to make 18 but the sound of it at the moment is it’s going to be 16 into 12. It’s a move in the right direction.”

In better news for the associates, there is a motion to give their three representatives on the ICC full voting privileges and therefore a voice when it comes to decision making. ICC chairman Shashank Manohar made the announcement and it could be ratified later in the week.

Marcus Willis, the world 772, who almost gave up the game this year and who astonishingly came through pre qualifying and qualifying to make it to Wimbledon and the second round on Centre Court, finally ran out of steam.

Roger Federer, seven times a Wimbledon champion and former world No 1 - reckoned to be the best the men’s game had ever seen - as expected simply had too much for the 25-year-old British No 23.

Willis was given a standing ovation as he walked on court and massive cheers every time he hit a winner – and his now notorious coterie of fans – the “Berksire Bulls” – dressed in white with headbands in honour of their unlikely hero, sang their hearts out.

It was fun and frolics as Willis, with a permanent disbelieving grin on his face, celebrated every point, but Federer cruised through the first set in 25 minutes.

Willis though has a powerful serve and unorthodox game, and he levelled the second set at 1-1, celebrating arms wide as he ran to the net.

But world No 3 Federer, barely breaking sweat in truth, broke him twice to win the set.

BENGALURU/ NEW DELHI, JUN 29 (IANS): Newlyappointed Indian cricket team head coach Anil Kumble said on Wednesday that the team is more important than individuals.

Kumble’s appointment was preceded by a lot of controversy. Former India team director Ravi Shastri -- reportedly the preferred choice of national Test team skipper Virat Kohli -- had accused Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) member Sourav Ganguly of disrespecting him after the ex-India captain left just before his interview for the coach’s job.

But Kumble sought to dismiss speculation about any bad blood between him and Shastri.

“I was the first one to call Ravi (Shastri). It is not about Ravi or Kumble but it is about the team,” Kumble told reporters here.

Talking about the forthcoming West Indies tour, he said India has a good team with the likes of Kohli, Murali Vijay, Amit Mishra and Ishant Sharma having enough experience to guide the youngsters.

Kumble’s current tenure is for one year. But the former legspinner chose not to stress on the shortness of the duration, preferring instead to consider it as a journey.

Talking about his role as the coach, Kumble said he knows the responsibilities of being at the helm of the Indian cricket team and clarified that the on-field calls will be made by the captain.

“I am just there to help. I will only assist him and bring the experience,” said Kumble, who was addressing the media for the first time after being ap-

Anil Kumble pointed as the head coach of the Indian team.

Kumble added that he is looking for maximum outdoor net practice, which would include two practice sessions every day with the morning session starting at 9 am and the afternoon session starting at 2 pm for the preparatory camp of the travelling Indian team.

Shastri living in a fool’s world: Ganguly

A ‘disappointed’ Sourav Ganguly on Wednesday retaliated to Ravi Shastri’s barbs at him by saying that the former team director was living in a “fool’s world”.

Shastri lashed out at the former India skipper on Tuesday for skipping his interview for Team India head coach, and accused the former skipper of being ‘disrespectful’.

Reacting to the attack as “personal”, Ganguly, one of the members of the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) also comprising Sachin Tendulkar, V.V.S. Laxman and coordinator Sanjay Jagdale, said

it was a collective decision of the committee to appoint legendary leg-spinner Anil Kumble as the head coach.

“I am deeply saddened, disappointed. He should have shown a bit more maturity.

These comments are very personal,” Ganguly told reporters.

“If Shastri feels that I am responsible for him not being selected as the head coach, he is living in a fool’s world.”

“It is disappointing because being in such committees for more than 10 years, he (Shastri) should be aware,” he added.

The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president, who was advised by Shastri to be present at such important meetings, also said that such important interviews are not given on camera.

Shastri was not physically present during the interview process as he was on a vacation in Bangkok.

“I also have an advice for Shastri, when the coach of India is selected, which is one of the high profile jobs, he should be in front of the committee giving his presentation and not sit in Bangkok on a holiday and make a presentation on camera.”

“Specially when one of the greatest cricketers of India (Anil Kumble) sat for close to two hours for his presentation,” he said.

The 43-year-old also wished Kumble the very best for his new stint.

“I wish him all the luck with the Indian team. He is one of the best in the world and has been a great cricketer,” the southpaw said.

Ronaldo-Lewandowski face off for Euros semis slot MARSEILLE, JUN 29 (AGENCIES): Two of Europe’s most prolific marksmen go head-to-head as Robert Lewandowski aims to end Cristiano Ronaldo’s dreams of landing an international trophy when Poland meet Portugal in a Euro 2016 quarterfinal clash on Thursday.

Ronaldo is just one goal away from even more European championship history by matching French legend Michel Platini’s record mark of nine goals in the finals.

The Real Madrid star has already become the first player to score in four Euros and broken the competition record for appearances.

At 31 Ronaldo is unlikely to get a better chance for international glory with the winners in Marseille facing a semi-final clash against his Real Madrid teammate Gareth Bale and Wales or Belgium.

Despite a double against Hungary to save Portugal’s blushes to sneak through the group stage in third place, Ronaldo has yet to catch fire in France.

A flat display and post-match rant against Iceland in Portugal’s opener was followed by a missed penalty in a stalemate against Austria.

He was also kept quiet for 117 minutes a dull last 16 clash with Croatia, but his only effort on goal led to the breakthrough as Ricardo Quaresma headed home after Danijel Subasic parried Ronaldo’s effort.

Portugal’s superstar Christiano Ronaldo exercises during a training session in Marcoussis, near Paris, France, Wednesday, June 29, 2016. Portugal will face Poland in a Euro 2016 quarter final soccer match in Marseille on Thursday. (AP/PTI)

Lucky Portugal “We’ll always have a chance. We’ve got the best player in the world — Ronaldo — and the likes of Nani, Quaresma and Joao Mario,” said Portugal defender Jose Fonte. Portugal were criticised for their negative approach against Croatia as for the first time in Euros history no team had a shot on target during the regulation 90 minutes.

However, Fonte insists Fernando Santos’s men don’t care how they play as long as they make the last four.

“If we have to play bad and win, I’ll do it. As a team you want to play good football and win games but sometimes you can’t.”

Po l a n d g o a l k e e p e r Wojciech Szczesny laughed off suggestions Ronaldo is not on top form, but said he has also been impressed by Bayern Munich’s 35 million euro ($38.5 million) recruit Renato Sanches after the 18-year-old came off the bench to win manof-the-match against Croatia.

“Portugal are a great team, they are not just Cristiano Ronaldo and some say he

is not playing his best. I would still love to have him in my team,” said Szczesny.

“Besides Cristiano, I am impressed by Renato Sanches.

Undoubtedly we have a big task ahead of us on Thursday.”

Lewandowski is yet to find the net in four games in France, but kept his cool to convert from the spot as Poland progressed to their first major quarter-final for 34 years with a 5-4 penalty shootout win over Switzerland. “We are not worried about Robert, not at all,” said Poland assistant boss Hubert Malowiejski.

Messi showered with love by Argentines BUENOS AIRES, JUN 29 (AGENCIES): Like neurotic parents, Argentines swung from criticism to unconditional love for their star footballer Lionel Messi this week, providing the football-mad nation’s many therapists with rich material for psychoanalysis.

Fans’ frustration at the superstar’s missed penalty in Sunday’s defeat to Chile in the Copa America Centenario soon gave way to panic as he vowed to quit the national team ahead of the 2018 World Cup. As fans online pleaded “Leo, don’t go,” psychologists, neurologists and philosophers appeared on chat shows and published newspaper columns to analyze the hero’s motivations and help the nation cope.

To judge by the past criticism Messi has received, having a player widely rated as the best in the world is not enough for Argentines.

They also want him to

up,” wrote the teacher, Yohana Fucks -- a not-uncommon surname in Argentina.

“Don’t make people think that all we care about in this country is winning and being first.”

Football idolatry

Lionel Messi win -- as Diego Maradona did at the World Cup in 1986.

Now they have started to ask themselves whether they are too demanding.

President Mauricio Macri said Tuesday that Lionel Messi was “God’s gift” to the country and it should “take care of him.”

One school teacher became a minor celebrity when she sent an open letter to the player which was read out on television. “Please don’t give

Andres Rascovsky, former president of the Argentine Psychoanalytical Association, links the country’s intense sporting passions to its dirty politics.

“Argentines need idols,” he said. That desire stems from “the humiliation and denigration of the masses by the politicians,” Rascovsky added.

“That generates a need for them to redeem themselves through sporting heroes like Maradona or Messi.”

The provocative extrovert Maradona “is more identified with transgression and omnipotence,” Rascovsky said. That exuberant spirit is epitomized by what Maradona called his “Hand of

God” goal against England at the 1986 World Cup. “The Hand of God was a goal of transgression, a false goal scored with the hand which in a spirit of idolatry was elevated to the status of the divine,” Rascovsky said.

The nation’s relationship with Messi is different, however.

“A lack of decent values causes a lot of Argentines to identify with the transgressive omnipotence of Maradona,” said Rascovsky.

“On the other hand, Messi comes across as a more modest, normal personality.”

Maradona himself recently accused Messi of having “no personality.” But he too threw his support behind Messi after he vowed to quit, urging him to stay.

“I knew him when he was a kid,” said Enrique Dominguez, who coached the young Messi at Newell Old Boys football club. “He is very sensitive though his face doesn’t always show it.”

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