Football Premier League,Scolari waiting on Blues trio

Luiz Felipe Scolari faces an anxious wait to learn if three of his players will be ready to face Newcastle on Saturday.
The Chelsea boss was in Brasilia on Wednesday night to watch a Portugal team containing Deco, Jose Bosingwa and Paulo Ferreira get thrashed 6-2 by Brazil.
The trio then faced an arduous journey back to London and must be doubtful for the clash with Joe Kinnear's team.
Yet Scolari, unlike some of Barclays Premier League colleagues, refused to criticise the latest round of international friendlies.
The Brazilian understands the requirements of national teams having been in charge of both Portugal and his home nation during his managerial career.
He believes that players must enjoy their time with the national side even if it means that he is left with little to work with in training.
"It is not a problem for us because we follow the schedule and know the time the players go to the national team," says Scolari.
"It is difficult sometimes because we stay here with five, six or seven players only and it is difficult to do our job, but we worked before the players went to the national team for the next game.
"When they arrive back it is only to check they are not injured and do a little training before putting them on the pitch.
"I understand my friends (international coaches) and when it is possible, I say to my players every time, they need to go to the national team because it is fantastic for them and the coach needs to receive these players in good condition."
Scolari hopes to have England midfielder Joe Cole back for their clash against the Geordies on Saturday although it is unlikely that he will start.
Cole has been struggling with a hamstring injury but the Chelsea coach believes the midfielder could be fit in time.
The Blues still have other problems, with both Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard doubtful. Cole is struggling with a foot problem and Lampard was forced out of the England squad for the friendly with Germany because of a rib injury.
Alex and Juliano Belletti are doubtful while Michael Essien and Franco Di Santo are definitely out.
Meanwhile, Neil Warnock has admitted making an approach to Chelsea about striker Ben Sahar.
The Crystal Palace manager is looking to boost his side's goalscoring power after scoring just 20 goals in 17 Championship games this term.
The 19-year-old is currently on a six-month loan deal at Portsmouth, but is due to return to Chelsea in January.
Now Warnock has admitted Palace have asked about his availability.
"We know Sahar is not playing at Portsmouth, he is someone we've asked about," confirmed Warnock.
Sahar has previously spent time on loan in Championship with both Queens Park Rangers and Sheffield Wednesday.

International Cricket, England set to ring changes

Graeme Swann could make the cut for the next ODI against India as England attempt to bounce back from two defeats.

Yesterday's 54-run loss at the Nehru Stadium followed an emphatic 158-run hammering in Rajkot, with England sticking to an unchanged line-up for both matches.
But with the tourists needing a vast improvement in their performance and tactics for the next game in Kanpur on Thursday, England may consider dropping their previous formula and introducing Swann's off-spin into their plans.
Nottinghamshire spinner Swann has been overlooked as England kept faith with a seam-heavy attack and county team-mate Samit Patel took on the slow bowling duties.
That formula is clearly not working, however, and captain Kevin Pietersen has admitted Swann may be considered in Kanpur either as a replacement for Patel or to feature alongside him.
"There's a food for thought there definitely, but we'll just wait and see," said Pietersen. "It's quite emotional talking just after a match so we'll see where we go."
Left-arm seamer Ryan Sidebottom could also come into contention after missing out on the warm-up matches with prolonged Achilles problems as England desperately try to shuffle their pack to try to remain in contention in the series.
"I just think we can be competitive and keep improving to get closer and win a couple of games," said Pietersen. We want to try to win this series because that's what we're here to do.
"I didn't want to change the side, I wanted to give the guys the confidence to know that they could turn things around.
"The team we went in with, we thought could win this fixture, and be more competitive, and we were."
Indeed, despite the healthy margin of defeat, Pietersen remained upbeat about England's performance in the second match of the series and believes it should be regarded as evidence of their progress over the last week.
"We've made a marked improvement from the first game, when we were totally outplayed and were out of it from 30 overs onwards," he explained.
"We certainly got a good start here, but we probably weren't aggressive and didn't carry that through and we probably thought it would just happen for us, which is a mistake of ours.
"The bowlers tried their hearts out and the batters definitely gave us a good run but we needed someone to get a big score like Yuvraj (Singh) did."

International Cricket, MSD: We are playing like a team

Indian skipper MSD Dhoni said the team is beginning to eenjoy each other's success resulting in a cheerful dressing room.

Dhoni, who led India to a second consecutive win against England Monday said: "The guys are enjoying their teammate's success. We are gelling well as a team. And that is eveident from the way the dressing room shapes up."
He said even if a batsman fails in the middle, he knows he can make it up with a special effort in the field.
Dhoni heaped praises on Yuvraj Singh, who scored back to back tons and grabbed four crucial English wickets to help India pouch the Indore ODI by 54 runs.
"We were in a scenario where we were struggling to get even 200 runs from 29 for three. But Yuvi played a stunner."
The Indian skipper also praised the way Gautam Gambhir and Yususf Pathan batted to set up a daunting target for England.
Dhoni said he never had any particular target in mind: "We were changing the target every five to 10 overs. When the partnership between Gautam and Yuvi blossomed, we knew we were in for a rich haul. When Yusuf batted the way he did, it was clear we were headed towards a good total."
He said Yusuf's maiden ODI fity would give him a lot of confidence: "He has not got a landmark before but this knock would certainly give him a lot of confidence."
Dhoni said India would take one game at a time and not look too far ahead into the series.
India next play England on November 20 in Kanpur.

International Cricket, India keen to maintain momentum

India will be looking to continue their domination of England when the two teams clash for the third ODI in Kanpur on Thursday.

England have their tail tucked between legs after the twin mauling in Rajkot and Indore and will have to quickly find a way to stop India's in-form batsmen from launching another assault at the Green Park.
With pitch curator Shiv Kumar predicting a bowlers' bloodbath tomorrow, England pacers would have their task cut out when they mark their run-up against India's awe-inspiring batting order and a defeat here would leave them with the improbable task of winning the remaining four matches to win the series.
It was not merely the margin of defeat but the manner of it that exposed England's lack of resources in all three departments and Pietersen and party are simply clueless how to silence Yuvraj Singh's booming blade.
Eight years in the business and still not a certainty in the Test squad, Yuvraj unleashed his pent-up frustration with some power-hitting and the English bowlers can consider themselves simply unlucky to find themselves in his line of fire.
In two matches, Yuvraj proved he could be swashbuckling and sublime as well. His 78-ball 138 in Rajkot was pure aggression but the ton in Indore, on a two-paced track, would rank even higher because of its influence on the outcome of the match.
Spread-eagled by Yuvraj's blazing blade, Stuart Broad and his bowling colleagues can only hope for the law of average to catch up with the England bugbear tomorrow. So far, India has kept things simple, raise a mountain of runs and bury England under it. English bowlers bled 679 runs in just two matches -- 372 of it in fours and sixes -- failing to bowl out the hosts even once.
Not that Yuvraj alone milked the English attack dry. Gautam Gambhir's back-to-back fifties got overshadowed by Yuvraj's successive tons but the pint-sized powerhouse has been in terrific form of late and he does not look in a mood to relax.
Along with Yuvraj, Gambhir raised those 134 runs that steadied India's rocking boat in Indore after England had reduced the hosts to 29 for three to give themselves the best chance of the series so far.
And if Virender Sehwag has his way, life would be difficult for the English bowlers, who simply lack the sting of firepower to reign him in.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni has long ago shed the reckless reveller's tag and is more of the crisis man these days and having a long-hitter like Yousuf Pathan only eases the pressure on the India skipper.
That Pathan can use the long handle with lethal effect was on ample display in the Indian Premier League and having been at the receiving end of his pyrotechnics in Indore, the visitors would be at their wit's end, wondering how to straitjacket the towering India.
In the bowling department too, India's embarrassment of riches contrasts England's thin resource, both in the spin and pace segments.
For India, Zaheer Khan has been both probing and poaching, while Munaf Patel has been difficult to score off. R P Singh did go for a few runs but India's spin attack, especially the part-timers, has more than compensated for that. Interestingly, Harbhajan Singh had a very limited role in the series so far while the part-timers made merry. In fact in Indore, Yuvraj, Sehwag and Pathan shared as many as eight wickets among them.
Overall, the series so far has been a lop-sided affair with India treating England with utter disdain and though Pietersen and his teammates would be hoping to be third time lucky, they would have to conjure an extraordinary show tomorrow to halt the Team India juggernaut.
Teams (From): India: MS Dhoni (C), Virender Sehwag (V-C), Gautam Gambhir, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma, Yuvraj Singh, Yusuf Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Virat Kohli, Munaf Patel, Ishant Sharma, R P Singh and Murali Vijay.
England: Kevin Pietersen (C), James Anderson, Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Stuart Broad, Paul Collingwood, Alastair Cook, Andrew Flintoff, Steve Harmison, Samit Patel, Matt Prior, Owais Shah, Ryan Sidebottom, Graeme Swann, Luke Wright and Tim Ambrose.
Umpires: Amish Saheba, Russell Tiffin Third Umpire: Suresh Shastri Match Referee: Roshan Mahanama Hours of Play: 9 am to 12.30 pm, 1.15 pm to 4.45 pm.

ICL T20 Final

Sparkling Imran Nazir century makes Lahore the 'Badshahs' of ICL20s Indian Championship.

Lahore Badshahs beat Hyderabad Heroes by 8 wickets to lift ICL 20s Indian Championship; pocket humongous prize money of Rupees 2 crore.Hyderabad Heroes pick up handsome runner up prize of Rupees1 crore.Rana Naved Ul Hasan wins man of the series award; wins 40 Lakhs rupees, Dish TV digital set top box, Luminous inverter & electric bike.Stuart Binny wins “Kapil Dev Award” for most improved promising Indian player.

Ahmedabad: The third final of three finals for the ICL 20s Indian Championship featured defending champions Hyderabad Heroes, take on the mighty Lahore Badshahs for top honors at Sardar Patel stadium Ahmedabad. It was the mighty Lahore Badshahs who in the end conquered the final Fortier in ICL, thrashing their arch rivals Hyderabad Heroes by a comprehensive margin of 8 wickets, with 6 overs to spare. The highlight of the win was a sparkling unbeaten century from the dashing Imran Nazir plundering 111 runs off only 44 balls; studded with 7 fours & 11 mighty sixes. The Knock also too Imran Nazir to the top of the leading scorer list for the tournament. Imran Nazir was fittingly declared man of the match. Nazir also won the Haywards Soda Solid Six award of US $10,000 for longest six of that went 140mts in the same match.Chirs Harris won the all important toss and elected to bat. Lahore came out with a serious purpose in the field, with Azhar Mahmood striking early; castling the experienced Jimmy Maher in the 2nd over with only 8 runs on the board. Harris promoted the talented Anirudh Singh up the order at the no3 position. The move however did not pay dividends, as double strikes from the impressive Shahid Nazir in form of Singh & Razzaq’s wicket, had the defending champions in a bit of a bother at 58/3 at the end of the 7th over.

Inzamam introduced his premiere spinner Saqlain in the 10th over who struck immediately with the big wicket of the inform Khaleel out for a well made 45 off 25 balls, including 7 fours and 1 six. The half way mark of their innings had the defending champions placed precariously at 76/4. Rayudu’s wicket as Shahid Nazir’s third scalp of the match set the stage for Boje & Binny to play the resurrection role for the Hyderabad Heroes. 19 runs off the 14th Saqlian over, took the score to 120/5, brining Hyderabad back in the match. The pacy Sami however had other plans, getting Boje to nick one to a diving Humayun Farhat, ending the 42 run partnership for the 6th wicket in the 15th over. With 5 overs to go Hyderabad were placed at 125/6 needing a major onslaught in the death overs to set up a decent target. The crafty Lahore bowling machinery was at its best, not giving any leeway to the Hyderabad batsmen, restricting their batting scorecard to 158/7 in their allotted 20 overs.The Lahore chase got off to a blistering start with Nazir going hammer & tongs after Razzaq to plunder 24 runs off the first over. Nazir was carrying out a complete carnage on the Hyderabad bowing brining the Lahore fifty off only 20 balls in the 4th over. It was a Nazir show all the way at the start of the Lahore innings; brining his half century off only 16 balls in the 5th over; studded with 4 fours and five sixes. The 100 run partnership for the opening wicket came about in only the 8th over with the defending champions. The 108 run partnership was finally ended by Razzaq with the wicket of Farhat out for a well made 28 in the 9th over.Nazir was toying with the Hyderabad bowling bringing about his maiden ICL hundred off only 42 balls; studded with 7 fours and 10 sixes. Imran went on the finish the match with his unbeaten knock off 111 coming off only 44 balls, made of Champagne stuff; single handedly finishing the match in only the 14th over.Brief scores: Hyderabad Heroes 58/7 in 20 overs (Khaleel 45, Binny 25, Shahid Nazir 3/29) lost by 8 wickets to Lahore Badshahs 160/2 in13.5 overs (Imran Nazir 111*, Farhat 28, Boje 1/25)

Tennis, Federer admits Wimbledon dream

Swiss Roger Federer has admitted he would prefer winning Wimbledon again than regaining his world No 1 ranking.

The Swiss star, speaking at the press conference for the Showdown of Champions Kuala Lumpur 2008 here today, expressed his special love for Wimbledon which he says means more to him in tennis than anything else."Wimbledon is something special. There is no substitute for it," said Federer, who lost his top ranking to Spain's Rafael Nadal a few months ago."While I would also love to beat Pete Sampras' Grand Slam record of 14 titles, and also to regain my No 1 ranking, I place winning another Wimbledon title above all else," said Federer ahead of tomorow's showdown at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil.Federer will share the spotlight with two other former Wimbledon champions, John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg in the Showdown of Champions. James Blake will make up the quartet who will play two singles matches and one doubles tomorrow night."It's going to be an exciting match for Malaysian fans tomorrow as they will witness two generations of players in action," said McEnroe."Players now days are so fast and hit the ball even more powerful than during my time. I also believe that there are personalities in the men's game, much more than in the women's. We must capitalise on this as we can bring more fans to the game.Mean while, Federer will have a rare meet the fans session at the Petronas Twin Towers lobby from 11.30am-12.25pm tomorrow. Fans are advised to come early to avoid disappointment.Tennis fans in Malaysia will also be treated to entertainment levels of mega proportions when they attend the Showdown of Champions where one lucky fan will drive away with a brand new Proton Satria Neo.Aside from being thrilled by the skills of world-class tennis players, attendees of the event will be awed by the stunning performances of the country's top three divas.Local stars Jaclyn Victor, Ning Baizura and Ella have agreed to perform and do their own bit of entertaining the fans during the Showdown of Champions. The stars will be performing a pre- tennis concert and will perform between game changeovers during the actual matches throughout the night.

Premier League , Torres named player of the year

Liverpool's Fernando Torres has been named BPL player of the year at the Northwest Football Awards.

Torres scored 33 goals in his first season at Anfield before helping Spain to European Championship glory.
Ryan Giggs was named footballer of the year while his manager Sir Alex Ferguson won an outstanding achievement award following Manchester United's league and Champions League double.
Everton boss David Moyes received the manager of the year award while Sir Tom Finney was presented with the lifetime achievement award.

Premier League, Vidic: United have staying power

Nemanja Vidic is convinced Manchester United will show their true Premier League title credentials in the second half of the season.

Despite recording their biggest win of the season against Stoke on Saturday, United remain eight points adrift of pace-setters Chelsea and Liverpool - knowing they will probably slip even further behind before Christmas because their scheduled clash with Wigan on December 21 has been postponed due to the World Club Cup.
But Vidic remains unconcerned.
In each of his three years at Old Trafford, the Red Devils' form has improved markedly after the festive period.
The Serbian defender sees no reason why this season should be any different.
"I can only speak from experience - but after three years here, I know we are always better in the second half of the season," he said.
"We pick up the flow, and our performances tend to improve. I hope it will be like that again."
While Chelsea's credentials - if not Luiz Felipe Scolari's - at the end of an exhausting domestic campaign are already established, Liverpool remain an unknown quantity.
Many felt Rafael Benitez's side would challenge for the championship last term, only for the Anfield outfit to fall away badly after they were beaten by United in December.
Having avenged that loss and ended Chelsea's formidable home record already this term, Liverpool seem intent on lasting the pace.
But as Vidic knows only too well, performing at your highest level in April and May - when the pressure is at its most intense - is another matter entirely.
"It is always about the second half of the season," he said.
"That is when the games are decisive. That is when it is really tough.
"It is hard to say how Liverpool will handle it. All we can do is keep as close as we can and then push forward.
"I am certainly not worried about the way we are playing - because we have done well in the last few games, even against Arsenal when we lost the match but our performance was good."
Vidic certainly feels at home with United, contrary to speculation that erupted around his critique of the English weather.
While Manchester's climate is nothing to write home about, it is at least warmer than his previous home in Moscow - and Vidic is happy to confirm the north-west suits him just fine.
"I definitely feel settled here," he said.
"It is unnerving for everyone when they move clubs.
"When I joined Red Star Belgrade as a young player it was two hours away by car. It felt like the end of the world and at first it was very hard.
"It was the same when I came to Manchester United.
"But you get used to it. I have more friends and I am used to the language. I really feel at home now."

Premier League, Jagielka: Home form must improve

Phil Jagielka admits to harbouring growing concern that Everton's home form could cost them European qualification.
The Toffees were held 1-1 at home by Middlesbrough on Sunday, and now only Wigan and Blackburn have worse home league records.
Is is a surprise, therefore, that Everton have retained seventh place and lie just four points behind a Champions League spot.
Four wins on the road have kept David Moyes' side in the running for a UEFA Cup spot.
Jagielka witnessed his side toil to grab a late equaliser through Ayegbeni Yakubu - his first goal in 10 games - and said: "We kept our unbeaten run going, but we would all like to see our home form pick up.
"One win in the league here all season is not good enough.
"And this was the sort of game we would have expected to take three points from."
Everton struggled to gain parity after Gary O'Neil's early strike, in front of the lowest home league crowd in boss Moyes' reign.
The tension from the fans was evident, with Goodison Park nothing like the bear-pit it can be when Everton are firing on all cylinders.
Jagielka said: "The fans are a bit quiet because we are not giving them much to shout about. For the home draw with Manchester United, the place was electric, so it is up to us to provide the fans with something that excites them.
"We are realists. We know it is up to us to pick up our home form, and that will then get the crowd going.
"The way this division is at the moment, if you lose a couple you are in a relegation fight. So we must just keep this unbeaten run going, and see where it takes us."
He added: "It took us a long time to get back into the game, but the reaction to going behind from the lads was impressive.
"We had some chances, then you start thinking that it can be one of those days.
"But then Yak got on the end of a free-kick, a fantastic finish with his back!
"After that we put them under a lot of pressure but they stood up to it well."
Moyes was pleased to have avoided defeat but disappointed to have dropped two points.
The Scot said: "We have kept the unbeaten run going, but it is another home game gone. A win would have pushed us up nearer the top group.
"I am disappointed that we did not do that. But our home form is not worrying me, I believe by the end of the season we will have picked up what we need at home.
"But if we continue to keep getting draws against the Middlesbroughs etc, it will become an issue that we're not getting the points at home."
Like Everton, Boro are on a five-match unbeaten run, and boss Gareth Southgate was delighted with the attitude of his young side under severe physical pressure and the performance of his front pair of Tuncay and Afonso Alves.
He said: "We have pace and we are a threat. We have always been competitive and have started to put a decent run together.
"We are unbeaten in five and that is as good as anyone in the division.
"That is an indication of the nature of the Premier League, everything is so tight. But it is good progress for us.
"We have become much harder to beat, and taking four points from two very tough away games at Aston Villa and now Everton has pleased me.
"Maybe in the past we have been a soft touch away from home. That has not been the case this season.
"We have picked up eight points from our last four away matches, that is a good return."
He added: "The front pair are working well. Tuncay drops deep into dangerous areas and caused the best teams a lot of problems.
"He is an outstanding talent and a joy to work with. His enthusiasm for the game is special and he gives tremendous energy to the team as well.
"Alves is improving. It takes people coming into English football time to adapt, and he is now getting there."

International Cricket, MSD climbs up ICC rankings

Stuart Broad breaks into the top 20 bowlers for the first time but England lose ground in Reliance Mobile ICC ODI Championship.

There has been plenty of movement in the latest Reliance Mobile ICC Player Rankings for ODI batsmen with Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Shoaib Malik and Michael Hussey being the main beneficiaries as Ricky Ponting, Matthew Hayden and Shivnarine Chanderpaul lose out.
Dhoni has not been dismissed so far in the Asia Cup having scored 135 runs in two unbeaten innings. This effort has moved him up five places in the batting rankings to fourth position, level with Hussey and Ponting of Australia.
Former number-one Hussey has been slipping down the rankings of late but has now managed to halt that decline. The West Australian gains three places in the figures announced today after a crucial innings in Friday's ODI against the West Indies in Grenada.
With his side in a bit of trouble at 35-3, the 33-year-old top-scored with 62 and shared a 100-run partnership with Michael Clarke to make sure Australia posted what turned out to be a winning total of 213-5.
Ponting, on the other hand, has dropped from second position to fourth after failing to make an impression with the bat during either of the two ODIs of the series played so far. Meanwhile, South Africa captain Graeme Smith is still on top of the log as his side prepares for its upcoming Test series in England.
Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik is back into the top 20 batsmen having gained no fewer than seven places in latest rankings. His unbeaten 125 against India was not enough to win the match for Pakistan but it has made a big difference to Shoaib's standing in the Reliance Mobile ICC Player Rankings for ODI batsmen.
The 26-year-old has moved to the top of the Reliance Mobile ICC Player Rankings for ODI all-rounders, taking over from team-mate Shahid Afridi, who slips to second spot with New Zealand's Jacob Oram up two places to third place.
With the Black Caps having dominated the ODI series against England, captain Daniel Vettori lifted the trophy at Lord's on Saturday and his match figures of 10-1-32-3 in his side's 51-run victory illustrated just why the 29-year-old is the top-ranked one-day bowler in the world at present.
Team-mate Scott Styris is currently enjoying the highest rating of his career to date and has gained four places to 22nd in the batting list after hitting a memorable 87 not out.
But the most impressive progress is by an England player. Stuart Broad has gained 22 places to a career-high 12th position in the Reliance Mobile ICC Rankings for ODI bowlers capping off a good series for the young fast bowler.
Among the other bowlers, there is also good progress for Daren Powell of the West Indies, who climbed three places to fifth position, Australia's Brett Lee (up three places to joint-seventh) and West Indies' Jerome Taylor (up two places to join Lee in seventh place).
England loses further ground in the Reliance Mobile ICC ODI Championship and is now firmly in seventh position two points adrift of Sri Lanka in sixth spot and five ahead of the West Indies in eighth.
New Zealand managed to stay ahead of India in third place but with the Asia Cup still going on, India can go third if it wins its next two matches, against Pakistan and Sri Lanka, even if New Zealand overcomes the challenge of Ireland in Aberdeen on Tuesday.
If the Irishmen win that match, they will gain seven points, putting a little bit of pressure on Bangladesh in ninth spot.

Asia Cup, We can win Asia Cup: Dhoni

Indian skipper MS Dhoni has said that if his side plays to its potential, there is no doubt of their winning the Asia Cup.
Dhoni told reporters that his team had played well over the last few tours in Pakistan and that will give them the confidence to go and play good cricket in that country again.
Reacting to Sri Lankan ace spinner Muttiah Muralitharan's statement that India start favourites in the Asia Cup, Dhoni said, "At the moment the team is playing well and therefore I feel that Muralitharan is right in calling us the favourites."
Stating that not much should be read into the loss to Pakistan in the tri-series final in Bangladesh, he said: "We had played good cricket in the tournament and winning and losing is part of the game. As long as you play good cricket, there will be more wins than losses."
Dhoni further added that his team has taken a lot of positives out of the tri-series and they had been working on handling the middle overs better.
"In a 50-over game, the middle overs form a very important part of the game. This is the time when you have to score four to five runs an over, while at the same time keep wickets in charge," Dhoni said.
India coach Gary Kirsten said the new generation batsmen have adapted themselves to the job very well.
"They are an extremely talented bunch of boys, who have it in them to carry Indian cricket forward," the coach said.
The former South African opener also said that winning the Asia Cup was within their grasp and it will be another feather in the cap for these players.
The Asia Cup will be played from June 24 to July 6. India are in Group B with hosts Pakistan and Hong Kong, while Group A consists of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and UAE.

Asia Cup , Shoaib talks up Asia Cup rivals

Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik believes there is no clear favourite for the Asia Cup, which begins on Tuesday.
Many pundits have tipped Pakistan for glory after an impressive recent run of form. Malik's side have claimed victory in 12 of their 13 one-day internationals this year and beat India and Bangladesh to claim the Kitply Cup earlier this month.
That win was all the more remarkable considering star bowler Mohammad Asif was held in Dubai over allegations of possessing drugs for the duration of the competition.
Nevertheless, Malik was quick to play down his sides chances of triumphing on home soil.
"I wouldn't say any team is favourite," Malik told Chennai Online. "India is a strong and balanced side but we showed in the tri-series final they can be beaten. So in a way this Asia Cup I think is going to be the closest one in recent years."
Former Under-19 World Cup-winning captain Sarfraz Ahmed has been called into the Pakistan squad to replace out of form wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal.
Holders Sri Lanka come into the tournament on the back of consecutive ODI series defeats against England, Australia and the West Indies. The 2007 World Cup finalists have won just two ODIs all year and will be without injured duo Lasith Malinga and Farveez Maharoof.
Captain Mahela Jayawardene told the Times of India that his side have been pulling out all the stops to turn their slump around.
"We have had good preparations as it is an important cup to win. Both India and Pakistan will be hard to beat," said Jayawardene who welcomes back Sanath Jayasuriya and Muttiah Muralitharan after their absence against the West Indies.
India fast bowler Sreesanth has failed to recover from the side strain he suffered during the IPL and will miss tournament.
Sreesanth joins Sachin Tendulkar on the sidelines for the three-time champions who will be looking to build on their victory over Australia in the VB Series earlier this year.
Bangladesh enter the competition on the back of comprehensive defeats to Pakistan and India in the Kitply Cup.
The form of star batsman Mohammad Ashraful, who has been promoted up the order to number three by coach Jamie Siddons, could hold the key to whether Bangladesh can progress past the group stage of the tournament.
As in the 2004 Asia Cup, minnows Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates will make up the numbers. Honk Kong face the daunting task of games against India and Pakistan in Group A, while the UAE join Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in Group B. The top two teams from each group will progress to the semi-finals.
Pakistani officials are viewing the tournament as good preparation for hosting the ICC Champions Trophy in September.
England and Australia have already expressed security concerns about travelling to the country this autumn and a smoothly run Asia Cup could play a crucial role in alleviating those fears.

Asia Cup , Malik: We'll learn from mistakes

Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik said his side needs to learn from the mistakes they made in the win against Hong Kong.

Pakistan were struggling at 162-7 before a record eighth wicket partnership between Fawad Alam and Sohail Tanvir bailed Pakistan out of trouble.
None of Pakistan's top order batsmen, apart from Younis Khan, who scored a classy 63, could hang around for their money' worth and allowed Hong Kong to atleast sniff a chance for sometime in the match.
Malik, speaking to STAR CRICKET after the match said: "This sort of thing happens in cricket. The important thing is we learn from the mistakes we made on the field."
The captain was effusive in his praise for Tanvir and Alam, who scored character filled half centuries to put Pakistan in a commanding position.
"We were struggling at one stage but Tanvir and Alam batted brilliantly."
Malik, however, realised that the margin for error would be lesser against India. He reiterated that he expected big things from the team.
"I expect big things from the team. I don't want to lose a single game in the Asia Cup."
Hong Kong captain Tabarak Dar looked impressed the way his bowlers but admitted they were tired.
"The bowlers did well but they were tired at one stage. Had we broken the partnerhip between Tanvir and Alam,we could have been chasing less than 200."
Left arm spinners Nadeem Ahmed and Munir Dar were spectacular for Hong Kong, with the fomer taking four for 51 off nine overs.
Tabarak said his team won a few sessions but lacked the proffessionalism to deliver the knock out punch.
"We had a few fitness problems and could not carry it through. That is the difference between professional and part time cricketers.

Asia Cup , Tanvir: I am an allrounder now

Sohail Tanvir said he was happy he got a match winning knock under his belt and is now ready to be branded an all rounder.

"I was looking for an innings like this. I am happy I am an all rounder now. I can brand myself one now," Tanvir told STAR CRICKET after the match.
The left arm bowler joined Fawad Alam at the crease when his side were tottering at 160-7 and departed after adding 56 runs to the total. His record partnership with Alam propelled Pakistan to 288-8, a more than challenging total against an inexperienced Hong Kong.
Tanvir then came back to bag three wickets for 22 runs, bowling with a lot of venom.
Speaking of his crucial partnership with Alam, he said: "Fawad and I got as many as we could. I told him we need to score in singles for the next 10 overs."
Tanvir was clealrly ecsatic with his performance. "When I first came to international cricket,I was bowling well but was struggling with the bat. I am happy I delivered today."
Experts have repeatedly hailed Tanvir as a talented all rounder, waiting to explode.
Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram was happy with Tanvir's showing. He told STAR CRICKET: "I am happy with the way he batted. I hope he continues this way. He surely has the talent."

Champion's leauge, T20

McCullum gets top scorer award:

Brendon McCullum was on Thursday awarded the T20 Champions Award in the highest individual scorer category.

McCullum, sent a message from Bangladesh, saying he cannot wait to see his fans in Kolkata Knight Riders.
The Kiwi batsman, who turned out for a couple of games for the IPL side, Kolkata Knight Riders, was selected on the basis of his pyrotechnical 158 in the opening game of the Indian domestic T20 championship earlier this year.
The inaugural T20 Champions Award has been instituted by BCCI, Cricket Australia and Cricket South Africa to recognise the best of Twenty20 performances in domestic leagues across all Champions League Twenty20 constituent countries.
McCullum, whose services were secured forr USD 700,000, smashed 10 boundaries and 13 sixes in his 73-ball knock in the first match of the IPL played against Bangalore Royal Challengers at the Chinnaswamy stadium that literally set the tone for the entire tournament.
In that knock, McCullum bettered Cameron White's record of 141 not out off 70 balls, for Somerset against Worcestershire in July 2006.
The wicketkeeper-batsman will, however, not feature in the Champions League Twenty20 because his team Kolkata Knight Riders failed to reach the title round of the IPL.

Champions leauge T20

Oram out of Chennai team:

The Chennai Super Kings have not named injured Jacob Oram in their squad for the Champions League Twenty20.

The hard-hitting Oram missed the second Test against Bangladesh in Mirpur last month due to a back injury and returned home for treatment, but he is yet to recover.
India bowler Joginder Sharma has also not been named by the Super Kings due to a heel injury.
"We have almost all our overseas stars available which means some of the Indian cricketers have missed out," the Super Kings' director of cricket operations VB Chandrasekar told the Hindu.
"Of course, we would have loved to have Oram, who can be influential."
The Super Kings will be coached by former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming, who succeeds Kepler Wessels after the South Africans contract was not renewed.
The Chennai Super Kings are placed in Group A of the Champions League tournament along with Australia's Victoria Bushrangers, South Africa's Pretoria Titans and English champions Middlesex Crusaders.
They take on the Bushrangers in their first match in Mumbai on December 4.
Chennai Super Kings team: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Matthew Hayden, Michael Hussey, Suresh Raina, Albie Morkel, Subramaniam Badrinath, Chamara Kapugedara, Arun Karthik, Parthiv Patel, R. Ashwin, Muttiah Muralitharan, Makhaya Ntini, Laxmipathy Balaji, Manpreet Gony, Sudip Tyagi.
Coach: Stephen Fleming.

CHAMPION'S LEAUGE T20

CL T20 final to be held in Chennai
The Champions League T20 final on December 10 will be played in Chennai instead of Mumbai's Brabourne Stadium.
The opening match in Group Awill be between Victoria of Australia and Middlesex of England will commence on December 3 in Mumbai.
The Chennai Super Kings, IPL runners-up, and Titans of South Africa make up the other two teams in this group.
IPL champions Rajasthan Royals headline Group B together with South Africa's Dolphins whom they will face-off first in Bangalore's Chinnaswamy Stadium. Sialkot Stallions of Pakistan and Western Australia make up the rest of this Group.
The group games will be played in Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai over four days, with Bangalore and Chennai hosting the semi-finals.

Tennis, Djokovic downs del Potro

Novak Djokovic started his Tennis Masters Cup campaign with a win after beating Juan Martin del Potro on Sunday.
The second seeded Serb battled to a 7-5 6-3 victory over his Argentinian opponent in one hour 57 minutes in Shanghai.
Djokovic surrendered an early break in the first set as Del Potro recovered to level matters at 5-5.
But the world number three moved ahead at 6-5 and then sealed the break and the set after a long baseline rally.
Del Petro drew first blood in the second set as he broke to go 2-1 up after his opponent opted to leave his passing shot and the ball dropped in.
Djokovic though broke right back after producing a fine return to a serve into the body and had the chance to move 4-2 ahead only for the Argentinian to keep himself in the game with a fine lob and then make it 3-3 with a running backhand down the line.
That was the last game Del Potro would win though as Djokovic broke again to close out the win.

Tennis , Federer admits to injury concern

Roger Federer admits he is unsure if his back will hold up when the Tennis Masters Cup gets under way in Shanghai.

The Swiss star has been struggling with the problem since withdrawing from the Paris Masters last week.
Federer is the top seed at the prestigious eight-player season finale in the absence of the injured Rafael Nadal, and comes in to the event as the two-time reigning champion.
The 27-year-old, who starts the defence of his title against Frenchman Gilles Simon on Monday, has been able to practice pain-free, but admits how the injury holds up in a match is another matter.
"It's way better than last Friday," Federer told reporters. "I've been able to practice without pain.
"(But) I'm not sure (what to expect against Simon) because I haven't been pushing it to the very limit. It just needs as much time as possible."
Also a back-to-back winner of this event in 2003 and 2004, Federer is aiming to join Pete Sampras and Ivan Lendl as the only players with five titles.
But even though he has won four of the last five titles, and finished runner-up in 2005, Federer still has something to prove this time.
The 13-time grand slam champion has won 65 matches and four titles this season, including his fifth straight US Open crown, but his 13 loses have been the bigger story.
It is the first time since 2003 that he has endured a double-digit loss total, and his four titles are the fewest since 2002, when he won three.
While a bout with glandular fever at the start of the year played its part in Federer's struggles, the form of Nadal has also made things difficult.
The Spaniard has won all four of his meetings with Federer this year, including wins in the French Open and Wimbledon finals.
An eight-time champion this year, Nadal also took the world number one ranking from Federer in August, ending a record 237-week run.
Those setbacks appear to have made Federer more determined than ever, though.
"It is a challenge to get back to number one," he said. "I'm here to win. I'm not here just to participate."
Already guaranteed to finish the year as the world number one, Nadal will not be able to trip up Federer again here as the 22-year-old has withdrawn with knee tendinitis.
That's not to say Federer won't have his hands full as he attempts to emerge from the Red Group and improve on his 26 wins in the Masters Cup.
Awaiting him in round-robin play are American number one Andy Roddick, US Open finalist Andy Murray and Simon - a trio of players who have defeated Federer at least once in 2008.
The Gold Group is headlined by Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic, who will be joined by Nikolay Davydenko, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Juan Martin del Potro.
The 20-year-old del Potro has been one of the finds of the second half of 2008.
The Argentinian had never played in an ATP singles final prior to winning four consecutive titles during July and August.
Del Potro has soared from 81st to a career-high ranking of eight since April.

Tennis, US Open my best chance - Murray

A stunning end to 2008 has given Andy Murray the belief he can soon add a Grand Slam title to his already impressive resume.

Murray has climbed to fourth in the world rankings after winning five tournaments this season, including back-to-back Masters Series victories, as well as reaching the final of the US Open where he lost to Roger Federer.
And the Scot believes the list of impressive scalps he has captured this season is an indication he has the ability to claim one of the sport's four most prestigious prizes. Asked if he felt he was ready to do so, Murray said: "I don't think you ever know until you do it (but) my results would suggest that I am."
He added: "I've played very well the last three or four months, making the final of the US Open. At Wimbledon I played pretty well and in the big tournaments since then. In the Masters series I've obviously performed well.
"I have to make sure I keep getting stronger physically and improve my game so if I do get in a situation where I'm in a Grand Slam final I'm better prepared.
"Realistically, the US Open is my best chance."
Most of Murray's success this year has come since suffering a disappointing quarter-final exit to Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon and the Scot recently saw a 14-match winning streak ended by David Nalbandian in Paris.
Murray underlined his success in the second half of 2008 was mostly down to a punishing fitness regime he decided to undertake at the end of last year.
"I worked very hard on that in December last year," he added.
"I think that's why my results got better as this year went on. I didn't only work on lifting weights, I also worked on my speed as well."

Tennis, Venus Williams stars in Doha

Venus Williams added another title to her illustrious career with victory in the final of the WTA Championships in Doha.
The American battled back from a set down to claim a 6-7 (5/7) 6-0 6-2 triumph over Vera Zvonareva of Russia.
It was the 39th title of her career for Williams, but the first for the 28-year-old in the prestigious year-ending tournament.Both players had won all four of their previous matches in this year's tournament, but it was eighth seed Zvonareva who made the stronger start.
The Russian, who beat compatriot Elena Dementieva to reach the final, raced to a 5-2 lead in the opening set and then found herself holding four set points in game eight.
But Williams woke up at this point and reeled off a string of impressive strokes to take the set into a tie-break.
This time it was the American who surged into the lead, only for Zvonareva to claw her way back with six points in a row to take a one-set advantage.
Williams stormed back however with three breaks of serve allowing her to wrap up the second set to love and level the match.
Zvonareva briefly regrouped to break Williams early in the third set, but the American again stepped up a gear and responded with two breaks of her own to clinch the match in two hours and 10 minutes.
It marked Williams' sixth win in seven meetings with Zvonareva to cap off a remarkable week for the seventh seed in Doha.

International Cricket, Oz media flays India tactics

India's defensive tactics on the third day of the fourth Test against Australia came in for criticism from the media Down Under.
The Oz media lambasted the hosts for "killing the game" and showing scant respect for the spectators with their "negative" approach.
"Towards the end of the first session the screen reported that 'of 100 balls bowled today, the Aussies have left 59'. But the message was the wrong way around. It ought to have read: 'Of 100 balls delivered this morning, India directed 59 wide of the wickets'," noted cricket writer Peter Roebuck wrote in a column for the 'Sydney Morning Herald'.
"It's hard to remember a more cynical display from a side that commands such widespread affection, a side that represents both the mightiest force and future of the game. On this evidence the Indians are more concerned with ends than means," he fumed.
Just 166 runs were scored on the third day with Indian bowlers bowling a line wide outside off stump. The tactics, however boring, handed India a substantial 86-run lead going into the fourth day.
Roebuck said if teams start relying on such a negative approach then it should not surprise anyone if people don't turn up to watch Test cricket, which is already battling dwindling fan interest.
"Does Test cricket want to survive? Does it even care? Both sides have played a boring game, aiming wide of the sticks whenever it suited them, stifling stroke play, killing the game.
"Unsurprisingly, the stands have been almost empty. It's not much fun to sit exposed to the sun for hours on end watching seamers send the ball wide of the sticks and batsmen shouldering arms, or spinners aiming into the rough outside leg stump, daring batsmen to roll the dice.
"Joining the dots it is called in the jargon. Spectators ought to have been paid to attend but instead were forced to take a rickshaw to a distant ground, buy a ticket for all five days and survive numerous glares and searches from security officers," Roebuck wrote. He said India's tactics were so outrageous that Australians, for once, earned a right to question the host team's spirit.
"On this occasion the Australian batsmen were not to blame for the banality of the morning 'play'. Rightly, the occupants refused to throw their bats at wide deliveries. As the balls flew past almost out of reach they have every right to echo Anil Kumble's withering remark after the SCG Test that only one team had played in the spirit of the game." 'The Australian' said India's approach strangulated the game.
"Bowling defensively against an Australian side which trails 1-0 and must win this match to level the series and retain the Trophy, India appeared as through it was content with a draw but is now well placed to win.
"The sparse crowds which inhabited this magnificent but inaccessible new arena in the middle of nowhere have little reason to bother returning next time India play a Test here.
'The Courier Mail' echoed the view and criticised Dhoni's men for slowing down the match.
"In a city known for its oranges, India began to squeeze the life out of Australia's bid to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy as the fourth Test slowed to snail's pace.
"Chasing India's first innings total of 441, the tourists were bowled out for 355 shortly before stumps on a third day marred by India's overly defensive field placings.

Serie A, Serie A Weekend Review

A review of the weekend's action in the Serie A in which Alessandro Del Piero scored his 250th goal for Juventus.
Julio Cruz's stoppage-time winner snatched all three points for Inter Milan in a disappointing encounter against Udinese at the San Siro on Sunday.
The result was a harsh blow for the Friulians who deserved at least a point, but return to Udine empty-handed and drop three places to fifth in the Serie A standings.
A stoppage-time equaliser from Andrea Esposito prevented AC Milan from returning to the top of the league as Lecce earned a 1-1 draw at the Stadio Via del Mare.
A Ronaldinho goal 11 minutes from time had put the Rossoneri ahead, but Esposito's last-gasp header earned Lecce a draw which ruined Milan's plans of moving back above arch rivals Internazionale into top spot.
Alessandro Del Piero celebrated his 34th birthday in style by scoring his 250th goal for Juventus as they beat Chievo 2-0.
Del Piero broke the deadlock after 40 minutes in signature style with a swerving free-kick from just outside the area that whistled past Chievo goalkeeper Stefano Sorrentino.
It was reward for an opening half Juve dominated and a second was not long coming after the break with Vicenzo Iaquinta tapping in the rebound after Sorrentino had saved his 54th-minute penalty.
Napoli returned to winning ways to climb to second in the Serie A standings by beating struggling Sampdoria 2-0.
Daniele Mannini opened the scoring for the Partenopei midway through the first half and substitute Marcelo Zalayeta bagged the second to make the game safe 15 minutes from time.
Diego Milito scored a hat-trick as Genoa crushed 10-man Reggina 4-0 to move to within three points of the Serie A summit.
The Argentinian international took centre stage as Reggina's resistance crumbled following the dismissal of defender Andrea Costa on the stroke of half-time.
Giuseppe Sculli also scored for the hosts, for whom it was a sixth successive home victory, to leave Reggina rooted to the foot of the table.
Fiorentina notched up their fourth home win of the season as they defeated Atalanta 2-1.
The Viola took a two-goal lead into the break thanks to strikes from Felipe Melo and Alberto Gilardino before Sergio Floccari reduced the gap from the penalty spot late on.
Three goals in the second half helped Lazio to their third consecutive win in Serie A as they overcame Siena 3-0.
The in-form Mauro Zarate opened the scoring 12 minutes after the break, before second-half substitute Tommasi Rocchi added two goals in the final minutes to cement the win.
Rocco Sabato's late free-kick saw Catania come from behind to claim a 2-1 victory over Cagliari.
Jedaias Jeda took advantage of poor defending to head Cagliari in front in the sixth minute but Giuseppe Mascara equalised in the 37th minute.
And a good second-half performance paid off as Sabato pounced three minutes from time to ensure Catania got back to winning ways after three consecutive defeats.
On Saturday, an own goal by Cicinho in stoppage time gifted Bologna and new coach Sinisa Mihajlovic their first draw of the season - 1-1 against Roma.
Francesco Totti celebrated his 400th Serie A appearance with a 69th-minute goal, which seemed to be enough to grant Roma their second win in a week, before Cicinho headed into his own net in the second minute of stoppage time.
Jurgen Samuel's late goal against the 10 men of Palermo helped Torino to a 1-0 victory.
Toro looked to be heading for a frustrating draw until a red card for Antonio Nocerino seven minutes from time changed the face of the game, and Samuel was able to produce the winner with 89 minutes played.

Serie A, Del Piero's free-kick tactics

Juventus captain, Alessandro Del Piero spoke about his art of taking free-kicks after scoring two in the past week.

Against Real Madrid at the Bernabau in a midweek Champions League tie, Del Piero curled a well executed free-kick over the Madrid wall and into the left corner leaving one of the best goalkeepers in the world, Iker Casillas, stranded.
The midfield maestro did it again at the weekend in the league against Chievo when he picked his spot and left Stefano Sorrentino grasping thin air in goal.
"(Chievo goalkeeper Stefano) Sorrentino had quite the wall, but, I always play my football based on the sensations I'm feeling," he explained.
"Perhaps that is why this year, my strikes have been different."
Del Piero also gave his take on the most important fact of dead-ball situations when he said: "In reality there are many ways to strike a free-kick. The important thing is it goes in."
The player has scored five goals through direct free-kicks this season and with a huge chunk of the season still to be played, goalkeepers across Europe can expect more of Del Piero's dangerous free-kicks to come.
Next up for the 2006 World Cup winner will be Diego Milito's Genoa in Turin.

Serie A, Del Piero creates history for Juve

Alessandro Del Piero celebrated his 34th birthday by scoring his 250th goal for Juventus in the 2-0 win over Chievo.
Del Piero broke the deadlock after 40 minutes in signature style with a swerving free-kick from just outside the area that whistled past Chievo goalkeeper Stefano Sorrentino.
It was reward for an opening half Juve dominated and a second was not long coming after the break with Vicenzo Iaquinta tapping in the rebound after Sorrentino had saved his 54th-minute penalty.
The win maintains Juve's excellent recent form that has seen them rise to sixth place in the Serie A table, while new Chievo boss Domenico Di Carlo, who replaced Giuseppe Iachini earlier this week, saw his side slip to second from bottom.
Di Carlo made five changes for his first game in charge with Marco Malago, Andres Mantorani, Giampiero Pinzi, Antonio Langella and Mauro Esposito called into the starting XI.
For Juve, Iaquinta was one of three changes from the team that beat Roma 2-0 last time out.
The Italy striker replaced Amauri while Olof Mellberg and Paolo De Ceglie came in for Zdenek Grygera and Pavel Nedved respectively.
Juve took just six minutes to get into their stride when Cristian Molinaro broke free down the right flank before crossing a ball to Mohamed Sissoko at the top of the area where the former Liverpool midfielder took a touch to compose himself before arrowing a shot narrowly wide.
Chievo summoned a response, although it would prove one of few, four minutes later when Esposito used his speed to surge into space and cross to the near post where Sergio Pellissier arrived first, in front of Nicola Legrottaglie, but his effort flew wide.
From then on the first half belonged to Juve who controlled possession of the ball and they deservedly went ahead five minutes before the interval.
It came from Del Piero and proved to be a goal to befit his milestone as the veteran sweetly struck his free-kick, from a central position outside the area, just under the crossbar.
The goal added to a memorable day for Del Piero who, in a addition to turning 34, was making his 337th Serie A appearance for Juve to move him second on the club's all-time list alongside Gaetano Scirea.
Juve's second goal of the game was not long coming after the break with Chievo defender Andrea Mantovani penalised for handball in the 54th minute.
Iaquinta stepped up to take the spot-kick and while he saw his effort saved by Sorrentino, the rebound well kindly in the centre of the area to allow him to redeem himself.
The game slowed after that with Chievo showing little signs of finding a goal to make the game interesting again.
They did, however, have an appeal for a penalty waved away after 71 minutes when Legrottaglie awkwardly controlled the ball with Chievo protesting he had used an arm.
At the other end Del Piero forced Sorrentino into a good save to deny his long-range shot before substitute Grygera hit the crossbar with a spectacular 30-yard shot in injury time.

Premier League

Monday 10th November 2008

BPL Sunday Aftermath

A busy Sunday saw Chelsea, Tottenham, Fulham and Middlesbrough secure crucial wins in the Barclays Premier League.
Chelsea climbed back to the top of the Premier League after outclassing Blackburn 2-0 in a rain-soaked encounter at Ewood Park.
Nicolas Anelka was the star of the show for the away side as his brace sealed the win for Luiz Felipe Scolari's side who now lead the league on goal difference from Liverpool.
John Terry had called on his team to show more spirit after their 3-1 Champions League defeat at Roma on Tuesday and they responded by starting strongly despite the wet conditions.
The Blues threatened the Rovers goal from the start and Paul Robinson was called on to make two early vital saves from Anelka and Deco.
Chelsea took the lead through a freak goal on 39 minutes when Jose Bosingwa surged forward and unleashed a shot which was going wide until it hit Anelka's knee and rolled past Paul Robinson in the Rovers goal.
Blackburn brought on Robbie Fowler in the second half to try and add firepower to their attack but found themselves 2-0 down when Anelka chipped the ball over Robinson on 67 minutes after picking up the ball from Lampard in the box.
Anelka should have sealed his hat-trick at the death but 2-0 was enough to maintain Chelsea's 100% away record and put Scolari's team back on top of the league on the Brazilian's 60th birthday.Darren Bent scored twice to move Tottenham out of the relegation zone with a 2-1 win over nine-man Manchester City at Eastlands.
The England striker hit the winner after 64 minutes when he ran on to a Jermaine Jenas lay-off to fire in across the keeper from 15 yards.
Robinho had given City the lead in the 16th minute when he pounced on a loose ball in the box after Heurelho Gomes had spilled a low drive from Darius Vassell.
Just one minute later, City found themselves reduced to 10 men when Gelson Fernandes received a second yellow card after mis-timing a sliding tackle on David Bentley.
Spurs made good use of their numerical advantage and equalised with 28 minutes gone when Bent tucked the ball under City goalkeeper Joe Hart after Richard Dunne failed to clear a Luka Modric through-ball.
City captain Dunne was then given a straight red card after 82 minutes for bringing down Bent before Spurs defender Benoit Assou-Ekotto was dismissed with one minute left for a second yellow.
A late Steve Sidwell mistake gifted Middlesbrough all three points at Villa Park, where they overcame Aston Villa 2-1.
The former Chelsea midfielder inexplicably laid the ball straight into the path of Tuncay Sanli, who fired home with two minutes left to condemn Villa to their first home defeat of the season.
Tuncay had given Boro the lead after 34 minutes when he took advantage of Nicky Shorey's failure to clear a Stewart Downing cross to convert from close range.
The lead only lasted three minutes, though, as Sidwell stole in at the back post to head home James Milner's cross from point-blank range past Ross Turnbull in the Boro goal.
Afonso Alves thought he had squandered the visitors' best chance when he missed an open goal late on but Tuncay's second saved his blushes and moved Gareth Southgate's side up to eighth.Fulham moved nine places up the table to 10th after beating Newcastle 2-1 in an entertaining match at Craven Cottage.
Danny Murphy rifled his second-half penalty past Shay Given after Andrew Johnson was hacked down in the box by Fabricio Coloccini to seal the valuable win.
Fulham had opened the scoring after 23 minutes when Johnson hammered a low half-volley through Given's legs after Claudio Cacapa's failed clearance fell kindly for the striker.
Newcastle hit back through Shola Ameobi in the 57th minute but they could not equalise a second time and fell back into the relegation zone.

Premier League, Tottenham clinch win at City

The Harry Redknapp factor is in full swing as Tottenham continue their fine run with a 2-1 win at Manchester City.

Redknapp has lifted Tottenham and Bent in particular - and they made it five matches unbeaten under his stewardship in a dramatic match at Manchester City on Sunday.
Spurs moved off the bottom of the Premier League in the process, thanks to two goals from a revitalised Bent in a fixture which City finished with nine men - by which time Tottenham themselves were one down too.
Bent built on his midweek hat-trick against Dinamo Zagreb in the UEFA Cup to help his side record their first away win in the league this season.
City were left cursing their luck, having taken the lead through Robinho. They lost the advantage, after having Gelson Fernandes sent off 10 minutes later for two yellow cards.
Then captain Richard Dunne was also dismissed by referee Mike Dean, as was Tottenham's Benoit Assou-Ekotto.
City made the breakthrough in the 16th minute, thanks to Robinho's eighth goal of the campaign.
The Brazilian scored with a spectacular effort against FC Twente in the UEFA Cup, but this one was fairly routine.
He found the target from close range, after Darius Vassell's effort had been parried - with Shaun Wright-Phillips also playing a part in a swift counter-attack.
Robinho then picked out Stephen Ireland, but his effort was beaten away by Heurelho Gomes in the 24th minute.
The match took a significant twist in the 26th minute when Fernandes was sent off for two bookable offences - the first on Luka Modric, the second on David Bentley.
Modric almost pulled Spurs level two minutes later, only to be denied by a splendid block from Joe Hart.
They did not have long to wait for the equaliser, however, Bent providing an assured finish in the 29th minute.
He gave Hart no chance, after defender Dunne had failed to cut out a long ball from Modric.
The home side still looked vulnerable, and Dunne failed to clear a cross from Assou-Ekotto in the 41st minute - but the ball was eventually scrambled away.
Bentley was having a lot of possession but was wasteful a minute before half-time when he found space on the right only to loft his effort over the bar.
City were exposed in the 52nd minute when Modric was allowed to find space in the six-yard box but drilled a shot straight at Hart.
Modric was at the heart of every Spurs move and tried his luck on goal five minutes later but saw his shot blocked by Javier Garrido.
City responded, and Wright-Phillips used his pace to get beyond Ledley King. But his effort carried little weight, and Gomes was able to make a comfortable save.
Dunne almost put the hosts ahead again in the 61st minute when he got on the end of an inswinging free-kick from Garrido - but Gomes reacted superbly to block the captain's header.
Spurs went ahead in the 65th minute when Tom Huddlestone picked out Jermaine Jenas in the area.
He laid the ball off into the path of Bent, who rattled a shot in off the post.
City suddenly picked up the pace, despite being down on numbers, and Benjani headed wide in the 72nd minute following a cross from Garrido.
Three minutes later Robinho saw his effort turned around the post by Gomes, and the goalkeeper continued his good work in the 77th minute when he blocked Ireland's effort from an acute angle.
City were reduced to nine in the 83rd minute when Dunne was given a straight red card, after referee Dean adjudged he had hauled back Bent as he homed in on goal.
Tottenham then found themselves down to 10 on the stroke off full-time, Assou-Ekotto red-carded for a challenge on Pablo Zabaleta.

Formula 1, Alonso fastest in practice

Fernando Alonso denied Lewis Hamilton the prospect of setting the fastest overall lap in Saturday's practice.

Hamilton led the way for virtually the entire hour-long session on Saturday, bar for a few seconds late on when McLaren team-mate Heikki Kovalainen briefly nudged the Briton off his lofty perch.
But within seconds Hamilton again topped the timesheets with a lap of one minute 12.212 seconds, just under a tenth quicker than that of Alonso's best on Friday when the Spaniard held sway.
But in the dying moments after the clock had ticked down to zero and the chequered flag had fallen, Alonso was the last to cross the line, and he pipped Hamilton by 0.071secs.
The Renault driver clearly appears intent on grabbing pole ahead of the title-deciding clash at Interlagos between Hamilton and Felipe Massa, who was fourth quickest in his Ferrari.
Should that be the case, it would put an interesting twist on the start of the race given the controversial year he faced at McLaren last season.
Although Alonso this week has said he has no beef with Hamilton, he has made it clear he wants anyone other than McLaren to claim the crown.
Nevertheless, it was still a strong session from Hamilton who holds a seven-point lead over Massa and only has to finish in the top five to become F1's youngest champion.
Behind the leading duo came Kovalainen, finally showing some speed in his McLaren, although both he and Hamilton are already showing significant tyre wear and that could prove an issue in the race.
Massa was 0.171secs down on Alonso, with a competitive session underlined by the fact the next 13 drivers were also within a second of the two-time world champion.
Sebastian Vettel in his Toro Rosso was the best of the rest ahead of Nick Heidfeld in his BMW Sauber and the second Toro Rosso of Sebastien Bourdais.
Mark Webber, Nelson Piquet and Jarno Trulli completed the top 10 in their Red Bull, Renault and Toyota respectively, with the latter just 0.316secs down.

Formula 1, Single engine will spice up F1: Piquet

Nelson Piquet Jr feels the FIA's proposed introduction of a standard engine in Formula One in 2010 may well be positive move.
By Shreyas Sharma
F1 giants like Ferrari and Toyota have even threatened to pull out of the sport if the governing body goes ahead with its plans.
Piquet was in New Delhi for the Renault F1 Roadshow, organized at the historic Rajpath on Sunday, and opined that a standard engine would actually prove the superiority of good cars, and lead to a far more open world championship. The Brazilian said: "I think it's more fun. The problem was that when they (FIA) put a freeze on engine development, some teams continued to develop it a little bit. That's why the gap between the big teams and the medium teams got wider. So a standard engine would give the smaller teams a chance to catch up. If all the teams spend similar amounts, it can be something interesting. It can bring more out of the driver, and the teams will be encouraged to set up the car better. It's only the engine that'll be standard, the car development will still continue. So whoever has the best car will be quicker."
Looking back on his first season in F1, the son of former triple world champ Nelson Piquet Sr said it had been a learning experience for him, and with Renault confirming him for 2009 as well, he is confident of a much better season. He said: "I had one year to learn, and hopefully next year I'll be much closer to them (the rest of the field), and fight race-by-race very closely."
Piquet, who finished 12th in the drivers' standings with 19 points, and was out-qualified by teammate Fernando Alonso in all 18 events, admitted that a lot of improvement was still needed for him to be competitive: "I need to do better. Qualifying obviously wasn't my strong point, but race after race, I was getting quicker. I was quite unlucky a lot of the time, but by the last race, I was only a tenth off Fernando. So next year is going to be much better."
The 23-year-old also said that he had high expectations from India as an F1 destination, now that he had been to the country and driven here. Piquet said: "India already has an F1 team (Force India), they have a very good GP2 driver in Karun Chandhok, and are now coming up with a Grand Prix in 2011. They have the whole package!"

Formula , Di Grassi grateful for Renault chance

Reanult’s test driver Lucas Di Grassi spoke to Mobile ESPN’s Rajat Mahendru before a roadshow on the Rajpath in New Delhi.

Rajat Mahendru: What's your future if you don't pass the Honda test?
Lucas Di Grassi: Ahhh...It's difficault to say. It's better if we wait for the test to happen. But to rate my chances I think it's very difficult to quantify. They will anyway choose what best suits them and that's not my decision. All I can do is the best I can, but for the moment I am with Renault and I have been for a long time. I am very glad that Renault gave me this opportunity to test.
RM: How have your experiences on the world circuit shaped your path in to Formula One?
LG: Well, I started with karting and then I moved to Formula 3 and then GP 2 (Team Durango in 2006, ART Grand Prix in 2007 and Campos Grand Prix - current team) of course. I was always very successful in every category, that's why I got to drive in the F1. And as far as I know, I think even Renault is quite pleased with my job as a test driver.
RM: Coming from Brazil, a country that has produced so many great drivers, who is your idol?
LG: I don't have any! I just admire work and dedication. Not an idol.
RM: Recently, (F1 CEO) Bernie Ecclestone came up with the idea of doing away with the points system and instead giving medals to drivers (gold, silver, and bronze). How will one decide the constructor's championship?
LG: Huh?? I have no idea about this new plan from Mr. Ecclestone! (Even Nelson Piquet Jr. is not aware of the idea!) I don't know! But I think it's strange because then, finishing fourth would be as good as finishing 20! So if finishing fourth is same as finishing 20, it would not be very interesting to watch. Instead, I think they should open up the points system even more. They should give points to everyone like in the NASCAR, because then if you finish 11th or 15th then you will be awarded differently.
RM: The Indian Grand Prix has been shifted to 2011 from 2010. You have seen the roads or tracks here, so do you think India will be up for the task?
LG: Yeah! I think it will be a massive event. It's a huge country, a huge market for everybody so I think that F1 definitely needs to come to India and I think it will be very good.

International Cricket, Flintoff: I was made a scapegoat

Andrew Flintoff accused his teammates of making him a scapegoat for the disastrous Ashes whitewash.

Calling the aftermath of the 0-5 loss against the Australians Down Under as the lowest point of his career, Flintoff said he often felt isolated in the eye of growing criticism while his teammates were busy fending for themselves.
"When we were getting hammered out there, it was a lonely one as well. Blame was flying in all directions and a lot was assigned to me. What happened then was that self-preservation kicked in among some of the players. It was human nature, they started looking after themselves and retreated into their own groups," said Flintoff.
"In hindsight, the captaincy was one job too many for me. I felt isolated. It was the lowest point of my career and, having been through it," said the 29-year-old all-rounder who returned to England side for a seven-ODI and two-Test tour of India.
And he pledged support to current skipper Kevin Pietersen so that he does not go through the same trauma that he went through in Australia.
"I would never let a captain I played for go through that experience. Kevin has started brilliantly and the team have responded. But he has to be ready if things start to go wrong," Flintoff was quoted as saying in the 'Mail on Sunday'.
"Being captain of England is a great job, especially when you are winning. But when you are struggling, it is tough and you can't just do it from 9am to 7pm. It is with you all the time and it plays on you. I hope it never comes to it, but if things start to go wrong I'm going to make sure KP doesn't stand alone."
The burly all-rounder said was Pietersen's decision to let him bat at number six helped him regain his confidence after being out for over a year from international cricket due to an ankle injury. "When he took over the England captaincy, Kevin said he wanted five bowlers for the last Test (against South Africa) and asked me if I would bat at six and I was more than happy with that and I said I wanted to bat as high as possible in the one-dayers.
"Maybe his attitude and certainty helped give me confidence. Maybe it was coincidence, but by the end of the summer I was taking guard, looking up and all I could see were gaps." Asked about his target, Flintoff said, "Before my latest operation, I said to myself that if I didn't feel that I could play better than I had done before I would have quit there and then. But I feel I can do much more than I have done up to now.
"I'm fit. There are no problems at all with the ankle. I'm more comfortable with my game and in myself and in a much better position to perform. And there is a massive amount to strive for now."

Premier League , Ferguson feels frustration

Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted Manchester United nearly ended up embarrassed by Hull City at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Four-one up and cruising with an hour gone, Bernard Mendy's goal and a Geovanni penalty left United clinging on in the final frantic minutes to claim a 4-3 win from which they took the points - but Hull will get most of the plaudits.
Not for the first time in recent weeks, Ferguson was left to rue a series of missed opportunities which could eventually prove costly if the title race is eventually settled by goal difference.
"I feel a bit low," said the United boss.
"We should have won by 10 or 11 and we ended up scrambling for a victory. We might have been embarrassed at the end.
"Cristiano Ronaldo could have had four or five on his own and I don't know how many chances Dimitar Berbatov created.
"I suppose the only thing to take out of it, apart from the win, is the fact we are creating so many opportunities for ourselves."
Ferguson was fuming at the performance of referee Mike Dean, who he felt was in danger of losing control in the fractious final stages, with Wayne Rooney at particular risk as tempers began to fray.
But it was Dean's decision not to dismiss an already-booked Michael Turner for a foul on Michael Carrick midway through the second-half that really angered the United boss.
"It should have been at least a yellow card, in which case the player would have been sent off," said Ferguson. "It made a difference."
Ferguson was also upset at the penalty award for Rio Ferdinand's tug on Mendy's shirt that set up the pulsating finish.
"It was very soft," said the Scot. "Their lad was going away from goal."
Ferguson's assessment is debatable and should not be allowed to detract from Hull's magnificent effort.
Ronaldo's two first-half efforts took his tally to seven for the season and 99 for United overall.
Michael Carrick immediately replied after Daniel Cousin had levelled Ronaldo's opening effort and once Vidic extended the lead, a landslide seemed likely.
Instead, Hull hit back, becoming the first visiting side since Chelsea in 2005 to score three times at Old Trafford.

India International,Spin magician Kumble to retire

Sunday 2nd November 2008 :

India captain Anil Kumble has announced that the drawn third Test against Australia was his last in the Test arena.

Kumble, who sat out the second Test against Australia in Mohali with a shoulder injury, missed much of the third match in Delhi, which ended in a draw on Sunday, due to a finger problem sustained in the field.
And the 38-year-old revealed in the post-match presntation that although retirement had been on his mind for a while, the injury had forced him to bring the date forward.
"The body gave me the decision," he said. "This injury helped me make the decision. I knew I wouldn't be 100% for the next Test and I didn't want to let the team down.
"I'd already decided to leave after the series anyway but this injury made it happen sooner."
Asked if his team-mates had been surprised by the announcement, Kumble replied: "Yes, they were, but the response I got makes me proud to have shared the dressing room with such great players.
"It has been a great journey and I would like to thank all the supporters who have come here.
"Delhi has always been a special place for me and it is fitting to finish here.
"I'll now be able to spend more time with my wife and kids."
Kumble's retirement means he will not play the fourth and final Test in Nagpur, which starts on Friday with India leading the series 1-0.
Kumble becomes the second senior India player to retire during this series, with Sourav Ganguly having already announced he will quit after the fourth Test.
His decision brings to an end a fabulous career for India's most prolific bowler and the world's third highest wicket-taker.
Kumble, a veteran of 131 Tests and 619 wickets, had been under intense pressure to retire following a lean series in the three-Test series in Sri Lanka in July this year.
His performance had dipped considerably from the high standards which had made him a feared bowler since he made his debut as a bespectacled and studious-looking bowler in August 1990.
Kumble was never a big turner of the ball, but flummoxed opposition batsmen with bounce and zip.
Although he made his debut in 1990, he came to prominence two years later when he claimed six for 53 in the second innings against South Africa in Johannesburg.
Since then, he has featured heavily in several memorable victories for India.
Perhaps his finest achievement came in 1999 when he became only the second player after England's Jim Laker to take all 10 wickets in an innings, achieving the feat against Pakistan as India secured their first Test win over Pakistan in 19 years.
He was named captain of India in November last year, after Rahul Dravid had relinquished his hold on the mantle and Sachin Tendulkar had refused a second stint at the helm.
That moment of glory came just months after he had scored his first Test century, a feat which even his greatest contemporary Shane Warne had failed to achieve.
Australia captain Ricky Ponting paid tribute to the spinner, hailing his attitude.
"I'd like to congratulate Anil Kumble on behalf of the Australia team for an outstanding career," said Ponting.
"He's a great competitor and I said to him as he was coming out that every single Australia player I've spoken to has always been delighted with the way he plays the game.
"He's one of the modern day greats of the game."
Team-mate VVS Laxman, who scored a double hundred and an unbeaten half century in the third Test, added: "To score runs in Anil's last Test match is great for me and I will always remember it. He has been a great inspiration to me and will be for generations to come.
"All of us are really proud and we wish him a successful career after cricket and thank him for all he has achieved and contributed to Indian cricket."

International Cricket, Harsha looks back at a legend

Sunday 2nd November 2008:

Harsha Bhogle is full of praise for Anil Kumble on the day one of India's finest cricketers called time on his Test career.

Anil Kumble and his trusted, worn out India cap - on any other head it might have been just another cap - finally walked out for the last time at his favourite Kotla. He could no longer disregard the plaintive cries from his body. In recent times it had complained of wear and tear but was happily subservient to his heart. And so he played through unbearable pain, jabbing himself all over, but not letting a soul know, as he strove towards one final ambition; winning another series against Australia.
The announcement itself was typical of the man; no grandstanding, no ostentation, no farewell tour. Anything else would have jarred, it wouldn't have been Kumble. One of the greatest team-men the game has known did his job and said good-bye. In his last Test match, he had eleven stitches and was under general anesthesia for half a day. When the numbness vanished, when the body was over-ruled once more, he returned to take three more wickets.
He has timed his exit well.
He wasn't hurrying batsmen the same way and the rocket ball, the fast topspinner that has fooled many, was a rare sighting. It was inevitable. The mind schemes, plans every ball, but the body bowls it. It was taking too much out of him. And so, in later years, he developed the slow, loopy googly, put more fizz into the leg break and kept coming at the batsmen. He never shirked. That is why batsmen respected him and captains wanted him.
Bowling with a fractured jaw in Antigua was the most visible expression of his commitment. But it wasn't unexpected. Sourav Ganguly once said that if the opposition was 250 for 1 and he was looking around the field, there was one man who was looking straight back at him because he wanted the ball. And Shane Warne said Anil Kumble became the best cricketer he could be. He was right. Kumble extracted from himself more than what he did from pitches. And he did that because of the power of his desire.
He wanted wickets and to get wickets he had to bowl and to be able to bowl enough he had to be the best he could be. Every day, every ball. He didn't rip the ball as much as others, didn't turn it enough but people didn't understand for a long time, till he went past Kapil Dev's record, that he didn't need to. He changed the perception of spin bowling, suggesting a variation from the established pillars of guile, spin and turn. He varied pace and bounce instead and did just enough with the ball to draw edges. Inevitably they would carry to slip where another giant of Indian cricket, Rahul Dravid, would catch them.
His association with the Kotla, where he bowled better than anywhere else, was strange. The ground had a reputation for being shabby and disorganized, full of opportunistic grabbers of complimentary tickets; people whose photographs outdid their deeds. It was so unlike everything that Kumble stood for. Yet it was here that he returned to international cricket with thirteen wickets in an Irani Trophy match in 1992 and memorably took all ten against Pakistan in 1999. They will do well to remember him fondly there.
In time of course, like with all legends, we will remember Kumble by his numbers. They are extraordinary but the picture they paint is beautiful and incomplete. They will not tell you of the dignity with which he played the game, of the integrity he stood for and of the extraordinary respect he carried in the cricketing world; as a bowler but even more so, as a man.
And now a pillar has gone. But these are cricketing pillars not structural ones. New pillars will emerge. And Kumble will gradually stand aside, a colossal figure looking benignly on as another takes hesitant steps towards cricketing glory. He will not be short of advice as he had for Harbhajan when, with his arm in a sling, he attended every day of India's training camp before the 2001 series against Australia. Even the volatile Harbhajan talks softly and respectfully about Kumble's contribution.
I have been an open and unabashed fan of Kumble and consider myself privileged to have seen this journey from a quiet young man to a quiet giant. At all times he has been tough and relentless but he has also been dignified. As he wiped a tear yesterday, maybe the first tear on a cricket ground, I felt another welling up in a bedroom in another city.
A great competitor, a great cricketer and a great man. And a proud Indian.

International Cricket, Ponting hails Kumble

Australian captain Ricky Ponting has hailed Anil Kumble as a modern day great after the Indian announced his retirement.
Ponting said every member of the Australian team was delighted with the Kumble has played his cricket over the years.
"I want to congratulate Anil on the wonderful career he has had. Every member of the Australian team has been delighted to play against Kumble."
"I hope he enjoys his life after cricket."
Ponting meanwhile also said that he was happy with the way his team came back in the third Test after India amassed 613 runs for seven declared.
"I am proud of the way we stuck at it. We got the worst of the batting conditions after India got all those runs."
"We will take lots of positives from the Kotla Test. Brett Lee has improved and our batsmen got amonst the runs."
All of Australia's top order batsmen got runs for the team, with the out of form Matthew Hayden knocking off 83 runs.
The Aussie skipper said he hoped the team would rally around to take all the chances in Nagpur, where the fourth Test begins on November 6.