Daily Sports News

Once again, there is a new manager for Chelsea. Following the departure of Mourinho, two seasons ago, during the 2007-2008 season, there has been a whirlwind of managers at Chelsea.

First it was the bungling Avram Grant, who managed to make Chelsea win, in the worst possible manner and managed to spoil their efforts at key moments. Who cannot remember the Carling Cup finals, against Totenham, where he substituted Joe Cole and brought in Alex, to beef up is defence. Sadly he had forgotten one of the basic ideas of Football, ‘Attack is the best form of defence’….
He, however, managed to pull Chelsea to the Champions League Finals, which Chelsea went on to lose on penalties. But, as far as I am concerned, I would say it was the exceptional leadership qualities and sheer experience and talent of the squad which pulled them through all this. Having the likes of John Terry, Frank Lampard and Michel Ballack, who are prominent figures in their National Teams while Terry and Ballack are the captains!! I can name the whole squad, which feature in the starting 11 of their International squad.

And then came Scolari, a man who changed the way Chelsea played. He transformed them from defensive sloths to berserk attackers, who pounded on the opponent’s defense, thereby leaving their own defense…. Well what can I say….. DEFENSELESS

As they say, “Old habits die hard”, and it wasn’t long before Scolari was sacked and replaced by Guus Hiddink. And who better to lead a talented group than a man of such immense experience. And he revived the Chelsea, left for dead by Scolari. And he led them to silverware, which had been hard to see in two seasons. And he kept his prestige high, when he left Chelsea, as he had promised and didn’t succumb to the “lure of the lucre” offered by Roman Abromovich. He is now considered one of the best managers in the world.

And now, the man who comes to replace him is the veteran Carlos Ancelotti, a man who has a lot of trophies under his belt, the exact thing which Roman Abromovich wants. But as the heading of this article states, is he the right man for the post? Let’s research….

He inherited a Milan team similar to our beloved Chelsea, in 2001 which was trophy less too. He soon led them to the semi-finals of the UEFA cup. In the 2002-2003 season, he won the Champions League and Coppa Italia. In 2004 he took home the Sedducto. Moreover they were back-to-back runners up for the Serie A in 04-05 and 05-06.  He also won the Champions League again in 2007.

I know all of this would sounds mouth-watering, but look deeply into the Milan side. I don’t want to be offensive but, now they have been reduced to mere veterans who seem too old and frail to play the game.

How many youngsters are there on the team? Pato, Gourcuff who is on loan, and who else? NO ONE!!! Moreover he had the guts to buy fallen hero’s like Ronaldinho and Shevchenko despite knowing the fact that he would fail miserably….

With all due credit to the players, I feel there need to be youth who can carry on a team’s legacy with due help from the seniors. This has always been the trademark of successful teams like Man U and Barca.

It’s a known fact that Chelsea has players who are no growing younger anymore, but they also have young talent who are bursting out for first team chances. They need to be nurtured and is Ancelotti the guy for it? Mancienne, Stoch, Ivanovic, di Santo are only a few names. There is more for sure. They need to be spoon fed in order to come out as the World’s best.

Moreover Ancelotti, once again seems to be going for old veterans, as he seems to be gunning for Pirlo, despite knowing the fact that Chelsea’s midfield is filled with world class talent.

So, hopefully everything will turn out to be hale and hearty for Chelsea, as they begin another season. But to prosper, patience is a key, which Abromovich seems to lack. So Ancelotti’s only chance is put results on the board.

Roger showed his perfection and brilliance at the centre court when he defeated the 1st round unseeded challenger Yen-Hsun Lu of Chinese Taipei with a score of 7-5, 6-3, 6-2 here on centre court. Lu defiantly earned the respect by giving an impressive performance against the magician in the first set. He showed his ability to fight rite in the first set when he broke Federer’s serve in the fourth game taking the lead in the set 3-2. But it was Roger’s day in the end, he took the victory in straight sets and moved to the second round. If Roger wins the Wimbledon he will beat Pete Sampras record of 14 grand slams and thus would elevate himself to the greatest tennis player in the history of the game. For now the road towards his victory remains clear as Nadal pulled out due to an injury. Mented Another topic of the discussion was the dressing style of Federer and was noticed and complimented by all the spectators.

In a hard fought match the 4th seeded Serbian Djokovic beat Benneteau of France. The first two sets tested the Serbian to his limit, but he sailed through to the second round taking the match 6-7 7-6 6-2 6-4. The surprise of French Open Soderling also won his match against Muller of Luxemburg. The day one although was over shadowed due to weather and some of the match had to be stopped to be continued on 23rd June. Spanish Verdasco had a easy start to with a easy win over the wild card entry, J Ward of Germany wining the match 6-1 6-3 6-4.

Key Results for the Men’s Draw – Day 1

[2] R Federer (SUI) beat Y Lu (TPE) 7-5 6-3 6-2
[4] N Djokovic (SRB) beat J Benneteau (FRA) 6-7 7-6 6-2 6-4
[7] F Verdasco (ESP) beat [WC] J Ward (GBR) 6-1 6-3 6-4
[9] J Tsonga (FRA) beat A Golubev (KAZ) 6-3 5-7 -7-6 7-6
[11] M Cilic (CRO) beat A Martin (ESP) 6-3 6-4 64
[13] R Soderling (SWE) beat G Muller (LUX) 6-7 7-5 6-1 6-2
[15] T Robredo (ESP) beat L Gregorc (SLO) 7-6 6-4 5-7 7-6
A Seppi (ITA) beat [17] J Blake (USA) 7-5 6-4 7-6
[18] R Schuettler (GER) beat X Malisse (BEL) 6-7 6-4 7-6 6-1
K Beck (SVK) beat [21] F Lopez (ESP) 1-6 7-5 6-3 4-6 10-8
[22] I Karlovic (CRO) beat L Lacko (SVK) 6-3 7-6 6-3
[27] P Kohlschreiber (GER) beat F Serra (FRA) 7-6 6-1 6-4
[28] M Fish (USA) beat S Roitman (ARG) 6-3 6-2 4-1 ret. (shoulder injury)
[29] I Andreev (RUS) beat E Korolev (RUS) 4-6 7-6 6-4 7-6
[32] A Montanes (ESP) beat G Zemlja (SLO) 6-4 6-4 6-4

It was another day of surprises at the T20 World Cup, as Pakistan, the unquestioned underdogs of the tournament vanquished S.A, to enter the finals. This is Pakistan’s 2nd consecutive appearance in the finals of the T20 mega event. Last year they lost to India thanks to a blunder from Misbah-ul-Haq.

The daring promotion of Shahid Afridi to the No. 3 slot disrupted its bowling strategy; from the length of the bowlers to the management of the overs by skipper Graeme Smith. The fling of the dice worked for Pakistan. Riding on Afridi’s 34-ball 51, Pakistan progressed to a challenging 149 for four in the first semifinal of the ICC World Twenty20 at Trent Bridge on Thursday.

Both sides traded heavy blows. Pakistan smashed two fours in the opening over, but then lost Shahzaib Hasan, caught by Roelof van der Merwe off Wayne Parnell to just the second ball he faced.  Pakistan then scored at a modest rate of a run a ball until the 11th over, when it took 18 runs off Johan Botha, including four consecutive fours by Afridi. Afridi reached 50 from 33 balls in the 12th over but was then out off J.P. Duminy’s first delivery at the start of the 13th.Having gone 29 balls without a boundary, Malik tried to accelerate the scoring, but the four he struck off Duminy in the 15th over was the last of the innings as South Africa’s disciplined attack reined in the Pakistan batsmen.

Pakistan supporters, who made up the majority of the crowd, created a deafening noise as the game began in explosive fashion but were left stunned as it ended in a fizz…..

For the Proteas, everything began in a nervous fashion and it was once again Afridi who ran riot, this time with his bowling skills. Gibbs, who made 5, was beaten by the quicker delivery from Afridi that went straight on to knock off the stumps. (46-2, 7)

In his next over, Afridi claimed another big scalp in the form of AB de Villiers, who played on to his stumps for 1. De Villiers was dropped by wicketkeeper Akmal off an outside edge the previous delivery but that did not deter Afridi, who struck a ball later. (50-3, 8.3)

Afridi had made the difference with the bat and now was making a vital contribution with the ball too. He finished with two for 16 in four overs. South Africa were 73 for three after 13 overs, and faced a stiff task of scoring another 77 runs in the last seven overs. The pressure paid off in the next over when Kallis holed out Ajmal straight to Malik at long-on and was dismissed for 64 from 54 deliveries, inclusive of seven boundaries and a six. (111-4, 17.1)

He added 63 runs in 51 deliveries for the fourth wicket with Duminy, but failed to produce the big shots when needed. But it was just not Duminey’s day as Pakistan managed to keep the Proteas at bay and won the match with their hard work and perseverance.

The Proteas on the other hand are left with the title of the “chokers”…..

Tottenham hoping to sign Huntelaar:

With the arrivals of two “Player Of the Year” award winners, Real are looking to offload players, most of them being their Dutch Force. Tottenham Hotspur’s deal for Ruud Van Nistelrooy seems increasingly in doubt as the club turns their attention towards his fellow Dutchman Klass-Jan Huntelaar. The north London club appeared to have the deal done to sign Real Madrid striker Van Nistelrooy but have been sent reeling by his wage demands reports ‘The Metro’.

But with Real’s failure to sign Villa, they need to hold on to this player otherwise their strikers will be toothless in front of the opponent’s goal……

Juventus trying for Diarra:

According to reports from Sky, Juve’s sporting director Alessio Secco is in Madrid to negotiate the transfer of midfielder Mahamadou Diarra, who could form a partnership with countryman Mohamed Sissoko in the middle of the park. Diarra has been at Real Madrid since 2006, when he was signed from Olympique Lyon. The 28-year-old plays for the Malian national team. This could help Juve’s 4-3-1-2, formation as the two would provide physical power to the team and moreover help with the arrival of Diego.

Wolfborg aiming for Crouch:

According to a report emanating from Sky Sports, Portsmouth’s Peter Crouch has emerged as a transfer target for the Bundesliga Champions Wolfborg. The 28-year-old has recently voiced his concerns with regard to the proposed takeover of Pompey, and was linked with a move to Manchester City on Monday. However, it now appears that should the 6ft 7in striker leave Fratton Park this summer, his most likely destination could be Germany.

The 34-time capped England international is rumoured to have been seen at a concert close to the Volkswagen Arena recently. Die Wolfe executive Jurgen Marbach has admitted that the club are looking to sign attacking recruits, but although he has not denied that Crouch might be a target, he has refused to identify the players on their wishlist.

“We are in touch with a couple of strikers and I will certainly not make any comment on names,” Marbach told Braunshweiger Zeitung.

Meanwhile, Crouch’s agent Jonathan Barnett has not dismissed the possibility of completing a switch to Germany this summer. “This emerges to me as an interesting option for the future of Peter Crouch,” Barnett is quoted as saying. As his agent said it will be a good move for Crouch’s carrier.

Previous Football Transfer News

Everything went right for Sri Lanka, as they put runs on the board, bowled efficiently and fielded perfectly to comfortably beat the Kiwis by 48 runs. The side has topped Group ‘F’ in the Super Eight to enter the semifinals of the ICC World Cup Twenty20. Pakistan is the second team to qualify from the group. The Kiwis failed to unravel the “M” magic- ‘M’urali, ‘M’alinga, ‘M’endis and ‘M’ahela. The Kiwis miserably failed to stop these for as they ran riot on the field.

New Zealand landed an early blow when Sanath Jaysuriya was caught off the third ball of the innings, offering a simple chance to Ross Taylor after top-edging a delivery from Nathan McCallum to be out for a golden duck. The decision to move Chamara Silva up the order to No. 3 then backfired when he mishit a ball from Kyle Mills straight to Jacob Oram in the fourth over.

Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara steadied the innings with a 50-run partnership from 32 balls, until the former was caught by Brendon McCullum off Vettori in the 12th over. Jayawardene smashed Vettori into the top tier of the pavilion two overs later, and Mills went for 14 in the 16th as Sri Lanka accelerated.Sangakkara was out straight after the pair had completed its half-century stand in 37 balls, caught by Scott Styris off Vettori in the 17th over. Jehan Mubarak tried to restore the impetus, but was lbw after making 8 to Ian Butler in the 19th over.

Under pressure to win the last game, Sri Lanka, defending 158, responded well. The defining moment of the game arrived in the ninth over when New Zealand’s finest batsman, Ross Taylor, was out-thought by the young Ajantha Mendis. Taylor, bravely, took stance well outside the crease, but Mendis surprised the batsman by delivering a quicker delivery outside the off-stump and Kumar Sangakkara removed the bails.In the same over, Scott Styris, playing for the turn, was castled by one that went through straight. The Kiwis were not picking Mendis’ variations.

New Zealand was 64 for four in the ninth over and it never recovered. The big-hitting Jacob Oram was deceived by a slower one from left-arm medium-pacer Isuru Udana.Martin Guptill (43, 35, 4×4, 1×6) was impressive in the manner he hit Lasith Malinga over his head and drove the paceman down the ground. However, the right-hander departed as things hotted up, miscuing a sweep off Sanath Jayasuriya.

Muttiah Muralitharan bowled with immaculate control giving away little and there was no escape route for New Zealand.Upfront, Aaron Redmond fired New Zealand to a terrific start smashing Jayasuriya’s left-arm spin for three fours and a six over long-off in the second over. Redmond (23 off 13) succumbed to Malinga’s slower ball. The slinger worked up pace, swung the sphere and employed the short ball judiciously. Udana also struck a massive blow upfront for Lanka when Brendon McCullum attempted to swing him from out-side off and mistimed to mid-wicket.

And with the Lankans possibly facing the Windies and the Pakistan facing S.A this tournament seems to be heating up.

Pakistan managed to avenge their loss to Ireland in the 2007 World Cup, which knocked them out. Now they have ended Ireland’s dream run in the T20 World Cup and have joined S.A in the semis.

Wicket-keeper Kamaran Akmal, scored a sparkling half-century. He scored 57 off 51, as is partners frequently changed at the other end to propel Pakistan to 159 for five in their stipulated 20 overs after skipper Younis Khan elected to bat. Afridi scored a blistering 24 off 13 balls which included 3 fours. Captain Younis Khan failed to score as hr just managed 10 off 8 balls! But still they managed to put up a challenging total for Ireland.

Ireland, in reply, never really got going. Ireland lost opener Niall O’Brien early in their chase when the wicket-keeper was caught and bowled off a miscued hook by 17-year-old paceman Mohammad Amir.Paul Stirling, himself only 18, came in for his first match of the tournament with Ireland 13 for one but got off the mark first ball with a superb cover-driven four off left-armer Aamir.But the teenager, on 16, became the latest batsman to be bowled playing across the line against leg-spinner Shahid Afridi, who struck with his sixth ball and Ireland were 42 for two off seven overs. Despite a brave 36-ball 40 from their captain Williams Portersfield as the fiery pace of Pakistan bowlers Saeed Ajmal (4-19) and Umer Gul (2-19) proved too hot to handle.

With six overs left Ireland needed 72 more runs to win, John Mooney, trying to keep Ireland up with the rate, also fell to Ajmal after he was caught in the deep by Abdul Razzaq. Then Umar Gul, who took a Twenty20 international record five wickets against New Zealand, got in on the act by bowling Trent Johnston for a duck. At 99 for five in the 17th over the game was up for Ireland, who later saw four tailend wickets tumble for three runs in six balls.

Although pleased Pakistan were in the last four, Younus said their batting required improvement.

“We were still 20 runs short. It’s not possible all the time to score 150 and restrict the opposition,” he added.

“Especially against teams like South Africa, England and the West Indies, we need 170 plus.”

So, with this, Pakistan have kept their title hopes alive…. But they didn’t put up a great show against the Irish. So will Pakistan be able to hold on till the very end?

The experienced duo of Ramnaresh Sarwan & Shivnarine Chanderpaul put up a fine show at the end of the day to help Windies reach the final four. The game brought memories of 2004 Champions Trophy win over England which helped the team take their first major tournament home since the 79 World Cup also in England, seems UK is their favourite hunting ground. But after their horrific show in England this summer who gave them a chance as they were blown away two nil in both the test & one day series & failed to win a single game on this tour. The partnership of 37 from 20 balls helped them reach a target of 80 easily in the end even though the loss of five early wickets left them in more than a spot of bother. It might well be another pointer of things to come as Windies might just relive their glorious past in England where they’ve won 2 World Cups in a row, including the inaugural One Day World Cup in 1975, before their juggernaut came to a halt against the mighty Indians, who had won a single match in the previous two editions of the tournament, ending their reign at the top.

The result came as no surprise as the Windies’ captain was vindicated in his views of upholding T-20’s as his preferred format of the game. The match though was even shorter as the game was curtailed in the end with heavy showers which persisted throughout the match. England scored 161 for 6 in their allotted 20 overs after winning the toss & electing to bat. They never had any momentum to their innings as wickets fell regularly in their laborious effort at the end of which Ravi Bopara was the top scorer with 55 off 47 balls. England were hit hard as Luke Wright failed yet again at the top of the innings falling to Pollard in the second over scoring 6 runs. Pieterson was in form though as he scored 31 off 23 before Simmons got him out. There onwards wickets fell regularly as the batsmen to follow failed to convert their starts into big score especially since the next five batsman went to double figures without getting past 20 runs. In the end this might have been the thing which helped Windies as they chased a revised total of 80 from 9 overs successfully, M/S Duckworth Lewis favouring them this time.

Everything was beautiful at the Oval; fine weather, a perfect pitch, ground filled to the brim with cheerful spectators; it seemed as if the stage was set for a wonderful T20 match. And that’s what we got; as South Africa took on the Windies. Once gain, the Proteas batsmen struck, as Jacques Kallis (45) and Graeme Smith (31) as they got the team to a wonderful start before Gibbs (55), helped them to 183-7. But the explosive start fizzled out in the end for the Proteas, as the middle order and tail-enders failed to capitalize, otherwise would have gotten them to a 200+ total, which would have put the Windies out of the game.

The Windies were in action, hardly 17 hours after their victory over India and hence the tiredness factor would have come into play. Gayle on winning the toss had no hesitation to send the Proteas to bat and it almost worked out as Jerome Taylor gave off only 2 runs from the opening over. But they got the scoreboard ticking as they raced to 50 in less than 6 overs. But after getting Smith off Benn’s delivery was caught off Fletcher at backward point. windies deserve credit for the way they plugged away and, after Taylor had splattered Albie Morkel’s stumps with a beautiful yorker, JP Duminy top-edged Fidel Edwards to Ramnaresh Sarwan at deep fine leg to fall for a golden duck. Moreover, they bowled brilliantly in the dead to reduce the Proteas to 183-7.

But as mentioned in my earlier articles, the S.A pace attack has been astonishing and they proved no less in this match too as they took the prize scalp of Gayle. But Parnell, a new find for the Proteas, continued to show his impressive form as he took Fletcher’s scalp too. But Bravo and Simmons steadied the innings, before Bravo and his replacement fell in quick contention. But Simmons kept up his cool but the required run rate crept upto 12/over as he reached his 50.

“To make 180 was a great effort batting first. We lost our way slightly but it was a good total to post as the West Indies have an experienced batting line-up and they like to chase,” said Smith.

“Lendl Simmons had a great knock but we fought hard and pulled them back. It’s great to have won six in a row in total. But there are still big matches to play.

“We will regroup and have a good run to the final hopefully.”

Yes, and now we all hope that Gayle keeps his word……