All to play for at Old Trafford

MADRID (Reuters) - Cristiano Ronaldo showed he was equal to the biggest of occasions with a superb header for Real Madrid against former club Manchester United as their Champions League last-16 first-leg showdown ended 1-1 on Wednesday.

Watched by millions around the world, the hotly-anticipated clash at the Bernabeu was Portuguese Ronaldo's first game against the club where he made his name before joining Real for a world-record fee in 2009.

It also renewed the rivalry between Real coach Jose Mourinho and his United counterpart Alex Ferguson as the La Liga champions seek the 10th European title that has eluded them since 2002 and the Premier League leaders chase a fourth triumph in Europe's elite club competition.

United withstood an early Real onslaught and drew first blood against the run of play in the 20th minute when Danny Welbeck nodded past Diego Lopez from a Wayne Rooney corner.

Ronaldo levelled 10 minutes later when he towered above Patrice Evra to send an Angel Di Maria centre arrowing into the corner.
The result gave United a slight advantage for the return leg in Manchester on March 5, although both sides will regret squandering chances in the second half that could have eased their passage to the last eight.
Mourinho said he was confident his side could score more than one goal at Old Trafford next month.
"It's true they had two big chances in the second half but it was out of context because we were chasing the game and they were defending and waiting," the former Chelsea and Inter Milan manager told a news conference.
"Basically, what I thought, everything's open, very open for the second leg. I think this will go to the last minute."
FRAGILE TEENAGER
Ronaldo, top scorer in this season's Champions League with seven goals in seven appearances, barely celebrated his goal and spoke of the debt he owes United, where he was transformed from an inexperienced and fragile teenager into one of the world's most formidable forwards.
"It's a place where I played for six years and I have a lot of affection for the club as everyone knows," Ronaldo told Spanish television broadcaster Canal Plus.
"United are very strong in defence and they created some problems for us. But with the chances we had, we could have scored more goals," the 28-year-old added.
"Everything's open for the game at Old Trafford and I think we have the ability to score goals there and get through."
The two clubs were paired in Europe for the first time in almost a decade and as well as 2008 world player of the year Ronaldo the match showcased some of the game's top performers like United forwards Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney and Real playmaker Mesut Ozil.
Real attacked the visitors' goal from the start, United goalkeeper David De Gea tipping a Fabio Coentrao effort on to a post in the sixth minute as a ragged United struggled to retain possession.
They had yet to have an attempt on goal when Welbeck spun away from Sergio Ramos and nodded inside the post for only his second goal in 28 matches.
Ronaldo, given a rousing ovation from both sets of fans before kickoff, went close following up on his own free kick before his equaliser sent the home fans into raptures.
The Real faithful are hungry for Champions League success as the team's bid for a second straight La Liga title has floundered and they are stuck down in third 16 points behind leaders and arch-rivals Barcelona.
Real were far more threatening going forward but nearly conceded a second in the 34th minute when Welbeck came close to poking a Van Persie centre past Diego Lopez.
BACK FOOT
United started the second half brightly but were soon on the back foot again as Real surged forward in search of a second.
De Gea, who joined United from Real's city rivals Atletico Madrid, again denied Coentrao on the hour when he flung himself to hook the fullback's goal-bound shot away with his right boot.
Although they were seeing little of the ball, United managed to create a number of dangerous openings.
Lopez tipped a searing Van Persie drive on to the bar in the 72nd minute moments before the Netherlands striker squandered a golden chance for United's second.
He controlled the ball in the area but miscued his volley and Xabi Alonso raced back to clear with Lopez stranded.
In the frenetic dying minutes, the United defence scrambled the ball away from Ronaldo close to goal and Lopez palmed a Van Persie drive around the post.
"The disappointing thing for me was in the first half we sat back off them and they had a lot of play around the edge of our box and that's unlike us," Ferguson told Sky Sports.
"We changed it in the second half and put Danny Welbeck on top of Xabi Alonso and it made a big difference in terms of the ebb of the game and made us better in the second half," he added.
"We didn't have the possession we would have liked but I've got to be pleased. The players have dug in and we go back to Old Trafford with a great chance."

Bhajji's academy proposal draws ire

A day after off- spinner Harbhajan Singh met officials of the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (BMC) to submit his proposal regarding a cricket academy that he wants to open at the Andheri Sports Complex in Mumbai, a political war seems to have broken out in the city.

The BJP and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) have come out in strong opposition to the idea of the Shiv Sena- run BMC giving land to the cricketer in the city.

They argue that it would be unfair to many Mumbai cricketers who have been denied land for cricket academies previously.

On Monday, Harbhajan met BMC commissioner Sitaram Kunte to discuss the possibility of a cricket academy at the existing Shahaji Raje Sports Complex in Andheri, where he intends to train students from BMC municipal schools free of cost.

The BMC has said that it would make a decision after the cricketer submits a formal proposal containing all the details. However, political parties have already made clear their displeasure.

A BJP leader in the city said: “There is no dearth of cricketers who have played for the Indian team from Mumbai. We have nothing against Harbhajan Singh, but we feel that there are many local cricket heroes who have also wished to start cricket academies but have not been granted land. Mumbai city is totally choked and there is no place for another cricket academy.

Harbhajan should start one in his hometown and let the land in Mumbai remain for Mumbai cricketers who have been wishing to start their academies.” Harbhajan said he submitted a proposal to Kunte and would be happy to get land anywhere in the city.

Is Rasool the answer to India’s spin woes?

Kashmir-born Parveez Rasool made Australia dance to his off-spin with a seven-wicket haul for Board President's XI

Rasool being felicitated in Kashmir.


Chennai: October 17, 2009 is a day Parveez Rasool will never forget. Arriving in Bangalore for the under-22 CK Nayudu tournament with his Jammu and Kashmir teammates, Rassol got the shock of his life when Karnataka's anti-terrorism squad arrested him for alleged traces of explosives in his kit bag.
It was a false alarm, but Rasool spent 10 hours in police custody, facing intense interrogation. Such incidents can leave one mentally scarred, but Rasool emerged unscathed.

Like that dreadful day, February 12, 2013 is also a day Rasool would like to remember, albeit for happier reasons. In one of the biggest stages of his blossoming career, the 23-year-old off-spinner had a dream run, scalping seven wickets for the Board President's XI to leave the Australians in a spin on Tuesday.

The bowling all-rounder, as he likes to call himself, was not deterred by the big stage he found himself in at the Guru Nanak College ground. He troubled the Aussies with the bounce and natural loop he got from his high-arm action, and reaped the rewards.

This was his second international experience after he was selected to play for India 'A' against England last month and he enjoyed it.

Rasool is humble, as one would expect of someone who hails from Brijbehara, a small town in Anantnag district. "It's a great achievement to do well against a team like Australia. By God's grace if I get more chances, I'll look to do my best," he said.

Hurt Raina vows to come back stronger

He was confident of making the Test team and was even looking to prove himself worthy against the Aussies

Post  a Man of the Series winning- performance in the ODIs against England and a decent enough run — leading Uttar Pradesh — in the Ranji Trophy, Raina was confident of fulfilling his dream of returning to the Indian Test team.

The fact that Yuvraj Singh failed to cement the number six spot, despite a long run, convinced most observers that Raina would indeed earn a call- up to the Test team for the series against Australia.

Raina, too, would have thought that his recent success in the ODI series — especially in bowlerfriendly conditions in Dharamsala — against a quality England pace attack would have convinced the selectors about the improvement in his technique.

He further went on to register scores of 134 and 71 in the Irani Cup — considered a platform to impress the five wise men one last time ahead of the selection meeting — and would have thought that he had done enough to merit a call- up.

But that was not to be as the selectors decided he still wasn’t good enough for the longest format of the game.

Speaking to Mail Today on Monday, the otherwise jolly Raina seemed disheartened and a bit short of words as he couldn’t seem to understand the reason behind his omission.

“ I am hurt. I was hoping to make the cut this time round and don’t know what was lacking. I have even been working on my bowling and felt that it would add to my utility as being multifaceted helps. But I shall keep working on my game and come back stronger,” he said.

Raina felt that he was hitting the ball really well and his eagerness to get into the Test squad was what helped him score consistently in the ODI series against England.

“ The determination to make the cut for the Test squad was the reason why I was able to score heavily against England. Obviously I was a little disappointed that I didn’t convert one of the fifties into a three- figure knock. As a result I was more eager to score a century in the Irani Cup,” he said.

Earlier, his failure to impress with the bat in the two Tests against New Zealand cost Raina his place in the side for the England series. But the left- hander is not one to be easily disheartened, and took the decision in his stride and turned to domestic cricket to rectify the flaws in his batting.

Indian batting comes good in drawn Oz warm-up tie

Sachin Tendulkar hit a quickfire 92 before retiring as India's first warm-up match on their tour of Australia against a Chairman's XI ended in a draw after rain forced end of play on Friday.

Sharma spins mystery at Manuka

One to watch: Ishant Sharma delivered some rippers at Manuka Oval yesterday.Photo: Getty Images

THIS city has seen its share of political intrigue, and yesterday it was Indian paceman Ishant Sharma who was shrouded in a cloak and dagger mystery as baffling as some of the backroom dealings at Capital Hill.

My faith in BCCI has been shaken: Gavaskar

Click to Expand & Play

New Delhi:  Former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar on Tuesday, lashed out against Board of Control for Cricket in India after the board's working committee unanimously shot down his demand of a USD 1 million fee per season for media activities involving Indian Premier League.

Pakistan spin out Bangladesh for 3-0 win

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chittagong: Pakistan`s spinners revelled in helpful conditions to crush Bangladesh by 58 runs in the third and final one-day international today to win the series 3-0.

The tourists, bowled out for a modest 177, hit back to dismiss Bangladesh for 119 on a wicket that turned and bounced at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury stadium in the port city of Chittagong.

Mumbai to take on Saurashtra in elite division Ranji match

Rajkot: The Wasim Jaffer led Mumbai team will take on Saurashtra in the Elite division Group A fifth round Ranji Trophy clash at SCA stadium at Khadheri here beginning on Tuesday.


Mumbai is on top of the table with 16 points winning two matches, while Jaydev Shah led Saurashtra too have done well so far beating Punjab by an innings and has eight points.

Pitch curator promises high scoring 4th ODI

 










Indore: The curator who prepared the pitch at Gwalior last year when Sachin Tendulkar stroked his way to an unbeaten double century has promised a high-scoring clash when India takes on West Indies in the fourth ODI at the Holkar Stadium here on Thursday.

Anand held by Howell in London Chess

London: World Champion Viswanathan Anand was held to a draw by David Howell of England in the third round of London Chess Classic.

For the records, this was Anand`s 11th draw in a row following nine draws in the just concluded Tal Memorial at Moscow and his first round draw with English GM Michael Adams.

Play India after they compensate 2009 tour cancellation: Latif

Karachi: Former test captain Rashid Latif has urged the cricket board here to play a bilateral series with India only after they compensate Pakistan for the cancelled tour of 2009.

"I have been reading a lot of statements from the board officials on resumption of bilateral matches with India. I don`t think we should tour India until they compensate us in some way for the tour they cancelled in 2009," Latif told reporters.

Drogba sinks Valencia as Chelsea top group

Flying high ... Didier Drogba of Chelsea celebrates his hat-trick of goals in the Champions League clash against Valencia. Photo: Scott Heavey

Didier Drogba's double fired Chelsea to a 3-0 victory over Valencia at Stamford Bridge, sending the Blues into the Champions League knockout stages as Group E winners.

Young gun Cummins sidelined by foot injury

Ruled out ... Australia's Patrick Cummins will be unavailabe for selection until mid-January. Photo: AFP

Hopes for a mouth-watering contest between Pat Cummins and Sachin Tendulkar have been dashed by the news the young Australian pace sensation has a serious foot injury that will cause him to miss much of the India Test series.

Mithun replaces Praveen for Australia tour

Abhimanyu Mithun, the Karnataka fast bowler, has been named as Praveen Kumar's replacement in India's Test squad for their tour of Australia. Irfan Pathan, the Baroda allrounder, has been picked for the last two one-dayers against West Indies, marking his return to the international setup after more than two years. 

Kohli censured for dissent

India's Virat Kohli has been reprimanded for showing dissent at an umpire's decision after being given out during his side's 16-run loss to West Indies in their one-day international in Ahmedabad on Monday.

The 23-year-old was reluctant to leave the crease after the lbw decision, which was a breach of the International Cricket Council's (ICC) code of conduct.
The stylish right-handed batsman pleaded guilty to the charge and accepted the proposed sanction, hence there was no need for a formal hearing, the ICC said in a statement on Tuesday.

SAFF Cup: India need draw vs SL for SF berth

New Delhi: India cannot afford to be complacent as they face Sri Lanka in their last Group A match of the SAFF Cup football tournament at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Wednesday in their bid to book a semi-final berth.

Both India and Afghanistan have four points each from two matches but the hosts are on top in Group A because of a better goal difference. A draw with Sri Lanka would be enough for 162nd ranked India to book a berth in the last four. A loss, however, would shatter India's hopes of defending their title.

Five-time champions India started their title defence with a 1-1 draw against lower-ranked Afghanistan but came back strongly with a 5-0 thrashing against Bhutan, the lowest ranked team in the tournament.

Anand held by Howell in London Chess

London: World Champion Viswanathan Anand was held to a draw by David Howell of England in the third round of London Chess Classic.

For the records, this was Anand`s 11th draw in a row following nine draws in the just concluded Tal Memorial at Moscow and his first round draw with English GM Michael Adams. 

Mumbai to take on Saurashtra in elite division Ranji match

Rajkot: The Wasim Jaffer led Mumbai team will take on Saurashtra in the Elite division Group A fifth round Ranji Trophy clash at SCA stadium at Khadheri here beginning on Tuesday.


Mumbai is on top of the table with 16 points winning two matches, while Jaydev Shah led Saurashtra too have done well so far beating Punjab by an innings and has eight points.

India, West Indies arrive for fourth ODI

Indore: The India and West Indies cricket teams arrived here amid tight security to play the fourth ODI at the city`s Holkar Stadium on December 8.