Defending champions India conceded an early goal and then failed to convert the chances that came their way to go down 0-1 against Lebanon in the opening match of the Nehru Cup football tournament in New Delhi on Wednesday.
It was a disappointing start for India, who were looking for their second consecutive title after 2007, as they were done in by a fifth minute strike by Lebanon defender Ali Al Saad who drilled in a powerful free kick into Indian goal from near the 'D'circle.
India thus failed to take revenge on their opponents who had won once and drawn another in their last two meetings, in the World Cup qualifiers in 2007.
Playing their first international match since January 14, the home team dominated for most part of the match except for the first 15 minutes in front of a large home crowd who filled more than half of Ambedkar Stadium under floodlights.
Lebanon, who were playing without their four regular national players, got their first opportunity as early as in the fourth minute, from a move initiated by striker Mahmoud El Ali.
El Ali's strike partner Mohammad Ghaddar collected the ball and sent a low cross from the right only to find Ali Hamam's left footer blocked by an Indian defender in front of goal.
Showing posts with label sports. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sports. Show all posts
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Is Sehwag actually injured?
Is Virender Sehwag really injured, which was cited as the reason for not considering him for selection to the Indian team for Champions Trophy?
Headlines Today got access to the footages of an advertisement shoot in which Sehwag could be seen quite fit. During the shoot with his Indian team mates in Alappuzha, Kerala Sehwag jumped in water and had fun.
He clearly showed no discomfort from his right shoulder injury which needed surgery in England last month.
Quite remarkably, Sehwag went to Kerala after undergoing treatment at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore for his shoulder.
The treatment, it seems, has worked wonders for the Nawab of Najafgarh as he looks fit and fine in such a short duration.
Headlines Today got access to the footages of an advertisement shoot in which Sehwag could be seen quite fit. During the shoot with his Indian team mates in Alappuzha, Kerala Sehwag jumped in water and had fun.
He clearly showed no discomfort from his right shoulder injury which needed surgery in England last month.
Quite remarkably, Sehwag went to Kerala after undergoing treatment at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore for his shoulder.
The treatment, it seems, has worked wonders for the Nawab of Najafgarh as he looks fit and fine in such a short duration.
9 players skip DDCA camp on Day 2
The Delhi Ranji team's training camp, being held in the backdrop of a looming players' revolt, continued to be hit by absentism with as many as nine players skipping the preparatory camp on the second day.
While seven players, including stars like Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir and Ishant Sharma, were among the absentees on the first day, two more players decided to stay away from the camp on Thursday.
Paceman Ashish Nehra and Vartik Tihara, son of DDCA's Sports Committee head Vinod Tihara, were the players who gave a miss to the camp on Thursday.
Others missing from the camp include Rajat Bhatia, Mithun Manhas and Chaitanya Anand.
After Virender Sehwag's outburst against "nepotism and corruption" in the DDCA, some senior players including prolific batsman Gambhir have also threatened to switch allegiance if their grievances were not addressed.
Selection Committee chairman and DDCA Vice President Chetan Chauhan insisted that unrest against the Sports Committee was not the reason for their absence and they were absent because of prior engagements.
"Some players have informed us about their engagements.
But see the positive things. The positive thing is that two people have already joined us. Some others will also join.
They all will join. I don't know why Nehra has not come.
usually he comes a little late," Chauhan told reporters.
Sehwag and Ishant are currently in Kochi for an ad-shoot while Bhatia is in England playing club cricket.
The players' revolt has received support from former players like Madan Lal and Bishan Singh Bedi, who represented Delhi in domestic cricket.
Sehwag, who has threatened to quit the Delhi team for Haryana, is likely to meet DDCA President Arun Jaitley on August 26 or 27 and officials said a resolution would be worked out.
Sehwag has alleged that the selection process in the Delhi team is manipulated by the all-powerful Sports Committee and has received support from other senior players like Gambhir, Ishant and Nehra on the issue.
While seven players, including stars like Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir and Ishant Sharma, were among the absentees on the first day, two more players decided to stay away from the camp on Thursday.
Paceman Ashish Nehra and Vartik Tihara, son of DDCA's Sports Committee head Vinod Tihara, were the players who gave a miss to the camp on Thursday.
Others missing from the camp include Rajat Bhatia, Mithun Manhas and Chaitanya Anand.
After Virender Sehwag's outburst against "nepotism and corruption" in the DDCA, some senior players including prolific batsman Gambhir have also threatened to switch allegiance if their grievances were not addressed.
Selection Committee chairman and DDCA Vice President Chetan Chauhan insisted that unrest against the Sports Committee was not the reason for their absence and they were absent because of prior engagements.
"Some players have informed us about their engagements.
But see the positive things. The positive thing is that two people have already joined us. Some others will also join.
They all will join. I don't know why Nehra has not come.
usually he comes a little late," Chauhan told reporters.
Sehwag and Ishant are currently in Kochi for an ad-shoot while Bhatia is in England playing club cricket.
The players' revolt has received support from former players like Madan Lal and Bishan Singh Bedi, who represented Delhi in domestic cricket.
Sehwag, who has threatened to quit the Delhi team for Haryana, is likely to meet DDCA President Arun Jaitley on August 26 or 27 and officials said a resolution would be worked out.
Sehwag has alleged that the selection process in the Delhi team is manipulated by the all-powerful Sports Committee and has received support from other senior players like Gambhir, Ishant and Nehra on the issue.
Bhupathi-Knowles in Cincinnati quarterfinals eyeing second straight Masters title
Bidding for their second consecutive Masters title, Mahesh Bhupathi and Mark Knowles moved to the quarterfinals of the Cincinnati Masters after edging past Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco in a tough three setter.
The fourth seed Indo-Bahamian combination overcame a first set deficit and a fighting Spanish pair 5-7 6-4 12-10 in one hour and 29 minutes second round contest here, last night.
Bhupathi and Knowles, winners of the Montreal Masters last week, dropped their serve twice and failed to grab two chances to allow their rivals a 1-0 lead.
However they made amends in the following set and did not give any break chance to their opponents and converted one of the five chances to draw level.
The deciding super tie break was a keenly contested affair and the Indo-Bhamain pair relied on their expereince to prevail over the Spanish pair and ensured a berth in the last-eight for themsleves.
They will now lock horns with French pair of Michael LLodra and Jo-Wilfred Tsonga.
Leander Paes and Lukas Dlouy are slated to meet Spanish pair of David Ferrer and Tommy Robredo in their second round encounter.
The fourth seed Indo-Bahamian combination overcame a first set deficit and a fighting Spanish pair 5-7 6-4 12-10 in one hour and 29 minutes second round contest here, last night.
Bhupathi and Knowles, winners of the Montreal Masters last week, dropped their serve twice and failed to grab two chances to allow their rivals a 1-0 lead.
However they made amends in the following set and did not give any break chance to their opponents and converted one of the five chances to draw level.
The deciding super tie break was a keenly contested affair and the Indo-Bhamain pair relied on their expereince to prevail over the Spanish pair and ensured a berth in the last-eight for themsleves.
They will now lock horns with French pair of Michael LLodra and Jo-Wilfred Tsonga.
Leander Paes and Lukas Dlouy are slated to meet Spanish pair of David Ferrer and Tommy Robredo in their second round encounter.
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