Resurgent Mumbai to take on high-fliers Goa

The Hindu

Mumbai City players during a practice session.

Having tasted their maiden victory of the season in their previous game, Mumbai City FC would look to build up a winning momentum when they take on table leaders FC Goa in their Indian Super League football clash at the D Y Patil Stadium on Sunday.

India captain Sunil Chhetri twice found the mark in the convincing 2—0 win over Delhi Dynamos on October 21 to give marquee player-cum-coach Nicolas Anelka plenty to cheer about ahead of tomorrow’s clash against the Goa franchise.

Mumbai have garnered four points from four matches to occupy last on the league table and a victory on Sunday would take them to at least to the fifth spot in the eight—team table.

The clash against Goa will be Mumbai’s third successive home and they had lost the first against Chennai before reversing the trend in the next against the Delhi franchise.

While Chhetri’s goal-scoring efforts were commendable, he could not have accomplished it without the help of Haitian Sony Norde, who was brilliant with his balls skills and distribution, and the re-jigged midfield.

Anelka, who performed his role well in the dug-out, would be expecting another top-draw combined show against the Goa side coached by Brazilian legend Zico.

FC Goa, with 10 points, shot to the top of the table after a 2-1 win over Kerala Blasters at home and a clash between the two western India franchises on Sunday is expected to thrill the crowd in the Navi Mumbai venue.

Mumbai’s defence, backed up by seasoned custodian and captain Subrata Paul, held out well against the Dynamos and a repeat good show would be crucial to their fortunes in the tie.

Goa have scored eight goals so far in five games with medio Mandar Rao Desai and experienced Brazilian striker Reinaldo Da Cruz Oliveira scoring twice each.

Goa have conceded seven goals in five games so far, a very high margin, and this fact should encourage the Mumbai goal-poachers Chhetri, Norde and Subash Singh.

Chhetri said more than the goals he had scored, he was happy with the team’s approach and fighting spirit.

“We had to win the last game as we were under pressure.

More than the goals it was good to see everyone fight hard in the previous game and play as a unit. Thank god we got the result also. It’s important to keep it up,” he said.

Assistant coach Oscar Bruzon predicted a tough game against FC Goa.

“It’s a very tough game against table leaders. They are doing very good, but I saw in the last game they were losing a bit of freshness. We need to keep the momentum. Our team is one of the strongest. From tomorrow we want to be back on track,” said Bruzon.

Bruzon said the team combination against Delhi was good and he wanted the team to continue in the same vein.

“We formed the right combination for last game we need to form the right combination for next game too. I think the team performed very well.

“We want to be a tough team, play at maximum level. When we are attacking, we want to be fresh, sharp, quick, smart and with mobility and when defending we want to be compact, united, committed and tough,” Bruzon said.

FC Goa coach Zico said he was quite satisfied with his team’s display so far.

“I am satisfied with the team’s performance, very different from last year at this stage of the tournament. I do not know how many points we had. My team is doing great and we want to carry on this way,” said the Brazilian.

Talking about his side’s 0—4 loss against Chennai, Zico said, “It was not designed that way against Chennai; it could have been 4—2, one goal was disallowed and a penalty was not given to us. We are doing good work and I am happy with my players.”

He said his team’s aim was to play for a win through attacking football.

“We played with solid midfield and scored five goals. We had opportunities to score 5, 6, 7 goals against NorthEast United; our philosophy is the same, play attacking football,” he said.

Keywords: Indian Super League 2015, ISL 2015, Mumbai City FC, FC Goa, Mumbai City FC vrsus FC Goa football match

Faf du Plessis fined for showing dissent

The Hindu

Indian players Axar Patel, Suresh Raina and M.S. Dhoni celebrate after the dismissal of Faf du Plessis during the fourth ODI in Chennai on Thursday. Photo: B. Jothi Ramalingam

South Africa’s Faf du Plessis has been fined 15 per cent of his match fee for showing dissent at an umpire’s decision during the fourth ODI against India in Chennai.

The incident happened in the 15th over of South Africa’s run-chase when du Plessis showed dissent by raising his right hand after being declared caught behind off Axar Patel.

Following the match, which India won by 35 runs, du Plessis admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Chris Broad of the Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees. As such, there was no need for a formal hearing.

The charges were laid by on-field umpires S. Ravi and C. Shamsuddin, and third umpire A.K. Chaudhary.

All Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and/or a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee.

Keywords: South Africa tour of India, India versus South Africa ODI series, India versus South Africa four

Morkel will be missed for the decider: Amla

The Hindu

South African cricketer Hashim Amla during a practice session. File photo

Amla said that absence of Morne Morkel and J.P. Duminy did afftect the team balance.

South Africa will most certainly miss the services of injured fast bowler Morne Morkel for the all-important fifth and final match of their ODI cricket series against India here tomorrow, said senior team member Hashim Amla on Saturday.

“I don’t think Morne is fit enough to play tomorrow. He bowled a bit in the nets and probably we will take the final call tomorrow, but I don’t think he will be fit,” Amla told reporters at the Wankhede Stadium.

Morkel picked up 4 for 39 with his superb death bowling in the third game of the series in Rajkot on October 18 despite bowling with a leg injury, but it prevented him from taking the field in the fourth match at Chennai, that India won by 35 runs to square the series 2-2.

Amla, also conceded that the absence of another injured player — all rounder Jean-Paul Duminy, who was ruled out of the final two ODIs after injuring his hand in Rajkot — did affect the balance of the side, but pointed out that no big series has been won by banking only on 11 players in a 15-strong squad.

“He has (Duminy) been an unbelievable and consistent performer for us over the last couple of years. He adds great balance to the team with his off spinners as well. It has changed things a bit in the team but that’s what you have a squad for. No big series is ever won on 11 players, you usually have about 15 players contributing at different times. This is one of those times.

“Having seven frontline batsmen has been a working formula for us. Absence of JP does change things. Going into tomorrow’s game I don’t know that the captain and coach will decide,” he explained.

He was a bit puzzled when asked what would be the key that will decide the game, while hinting the team which holds the nerves better could emerge triumphant.

Asked about the deciding clash at a venue where South Africa had lost all three earlier ODIs, Amla said he was not aware of the history and predicted an interesting contest.

“I didn’t know it I don’t think it will make any difference, honestly. It’s an important game regardless. It has been a very close and exciting One-Day series.

“If you look at the tour itself it has been nice to win 4 (including two T20 Internationals) out of 6. It’s been really good going from our side. Both teams have been extremely competitive in ODIs. Tomorrow will be an exciting game. Both teams have positives and things to work on.”

On his poor run in the series, Amla, who has just managed 66 runs in 4 ODI innings, hoped things would go his way on Sunday.

“Obviously I would have liked to have scored more runs, but you can’t score runs all the time. Certainly other guys in the team will get their chances to score. But it will be great if I can get some runs tomorrow. You always try and contribute to the winning team and for the team’s success and hopefully my time will come.

“Every batter feels a big one is round the corner even if you score a hundred. In most of the innings I have managed to get a little bit of something going but then getting out all the time. Cricket is like that and for every batter next innings is the most important one,” he added.

“Scoring a lot of runs and defending it, it’s no rocket science on how you win a game. You don’t know how the game is going to pan out. If we can play our best cricket tomorrow — both teams have played good cricket at times — and for one of the teams to try and take the lead and make sure they remain calm under different circumstances.”

South Africa, incidentally, have never won a bilateral ODI series in India — losing thrice and squaring a rubber once in four previous attempts.

He said personally he was happy to see bowlers doing well at the back end of the innings due to the recent change in ODI rules.

“I think throughout the series start has been very important and most of the (times) teams have been almost 150 for 2 or something after 30 overs. It has been good going for the top order from both sides.

“Towards the back end it has changed a bit because we had been used to three-four years of having five men inside the circle. So, it has been good personally, because it has given bowlers a bit of chance at the back end of the game as earlier we were used to get big scores because of the extra guy inside the circle. Now scores have come down a bit. It has given the bowlers a bit more of the game in ODIs.”

Keywords: South Africa tour of India, India versus South Africa ODI series, India versus South Africa fifth ODI, Hashim Amla, Morne Morkel, J.P. Duminy

India-SA series decider promises high-octane contest

With the ODI series tantalisingly poised at 2-2, India will seek to keep the momentum when they go into what promises to be a thrilling series decider against South Africa on Sunday.

The momentum gained by India in the penultimate tie in Chennai by comprehensively beating South Africa by 35 runs will stand them in good stead.

Also, the fact that India had won all three previous contests against South Africa at the Wankhede Stadium should also give the home team a boost.

While both teams have been undone by injuries to key players, India have been able to fill the void left by the unavailability of top off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin after the opening Kanpur game more effectively with veteran Harbhajan Singh performing admirably.

South Africa had lost the services of their key all-rounder Jean-Paul Duminy for the last two games due to a hand injury sustained in the third match of the series in Rajkot.

Fast bowler Morne Morkel too sustained a leg injury in Rajkot and missed the Chennai game and his absence also hurt the visitors badly.

The return to top form of Virat Kohli, who struck a fine half century (77) in vain in the third match and then made a brilliant 140-ball 138 at Chennai, will be of great boost for the hosts.

Keywords: Harbhajan Singh, India vs South Africa, South Africa tour of India, Mumbai ODI

Hockey India gets official partner for HWL

Hockey India president Narinder Batra.

Hockey India on Friday secured an official partner in Coal India Limited/South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) for the Hockey World League Final 2015 to be held in Raipur in November-December.

The HWL Final is organised by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) and this year will be played at the Raipur International Hockey Stadium November 27 to December 6.

India, along with Argentina, Great Britain, Canada, Belgium, Australia, Germany and Netherlands, will vie for top honours at this global event.

An elated Hockey India president Narinder Dhruv Batra said, “We are delighted to see Coal India Limited/South Eastern Coalfields Limited come on board as the official partners for World League Final. It reinforces my faith in the fact that the sport is not going unnoticed in India and both the private and public bodies are equally keen to help the growth of Hockey in the country.”

“CIL/SECL is happy to partner with the Hockey World League final. We have been actively involved with grass-root sports talent development in the past and this partnership is just an extension of our long standing commitment to sports in India. We are glad to be associated with our national game, Hockey and wish all the very best to the participating teams,” said Om Prakash, CMD of SECL.

Keywords: Hockey India president Narinder Batra, Coal India Limited, SECL, Hockey World League Final 2015

‘I would like to break into the top 100’

The Hindu

Fresh off a singles title win at Ho Chi Minh City and having reached the semifinals of the ATP Challenger here, things are looking sunny for Myneni.

Four years into the tour and Saketh Myneni at 123 is India’s No. 2 tennis player after Yuki Bhambri.

Fresh off a singles title win at Ho Chi Minh City — he also made the doubles final along with Sanam Singh — and having reached the semifinals of the ATP Challenger here, things are looking sunny for Myneni.

Speaking to the media after his quarterfinal win, Myneni said the immediate target was to get his body fitter and stronger for the rigours of playing on the tour with the ultimate target being to break into the top 100, play on the ATP Tour proper and also the Grand Slams.

“Top 100 is a very good target. If I keep playing well and stay injury free I am hopeful of breaking that barrier. Last season was good in that I made my Wimbledon and US Open debuts in the qualifiers. The immediate target is now the Aussie Open qualifiers,” said the Visakhapatnam native.

“It has been a very physically tough season. I have to thank the physio Yash Pandey, who has done a fantastic job with me. He worked with us during the Davis Cup too and he knows my body.

“This is the longest I have played continuously in a season. Earlier I used to play only two to three months, this season it has been eight months now,” added Myneni.

“Hopefully I will get a good off-season, work on my body. Improve it. Need to work on the physical part to take the workload,” he said.

“And yes spend time with my folks. Have been on the road right through, so a good few days at home should help me get recharged for next year,” added Myneni.

Keywords: Saketh Myneni, AirAsia ATP Challenger

Saketh Myneni stays on course

The Hindu

SOME PAIN, MORE GAIN: Saketh Myneni did not let a mid-match inconvenience, of his thigh acting up, hamper his progress into the semifinals at the expense of Yannick Mertens.

He packs a mean serve and his change of direction while retrieving, is fluid and smooth considering his 6’4" frame.

Saketh Myneni has a languid style about him, not too fussy, but still getting the job done. But make no mistake; he packs a mean serve and his change of direction while retrieving is fluid and smooth considering his 6’4” frame.

All of this was on display as the tournament third seed and only Indian remaining in the fray — Sanam Singh was ousted in an earlier match — made light of his quarterfinal encounter against fifth seed Yannick Mertens of Belgium in the $50,000 AirAsia Open ATP Challenger at the KSLTA stadium here on Friday afternoon. Myneni won 6-3, 7-6(6).

A change of direction it was that got Myneni his first break-point in the first set in game four. Expecting a return to go to his backhand, Myneni screeched to a stop, turned around and whipped out a forehand winner. Up a break, he quickly wrapped up the set and the only thing of note that happened till 4-all in the second was when Myneni had his left-thigh strapped.

Things got interesting only in game 11 when from 30-love down on Mertens’s serve Myneni achieved the break. But the Indian duly handed the break back to the Belgian when he missed as easy overhead put-away.

Bouncing back

Mertens took a 3-1 lead in the tie-breaker and even had his chance at set-point on 6-5 but walked away with only a wry smile after Myneni’s smash at his foot left him with no room to manoeuvre. Three points later Myneni was through to the semifinals.

Waiting for him there is the tournament No. 1, Adrian Menendez-Maceiras, who saw off another Belgian — Arthur de Greef — in a match characterised by heavy vocalisation from both players.

Livid at what they perceived were wrong line calls, the two made their feelings known clearly, with de Greef even screaming at one line official in the first set, “Open your eyes. Stop sleeping,” while Menendez-Maceiras could be seen arguing with the chair towards the end of the match.

Earlier in the day, the No. 2 seed James Ward was hardly troubled by Sanam as he ran out an easy 6-3, 6-2 winner. Not that Sanam didn’t try, but the chasm between the two was too great for the Indian to bridge.

Saturday will see at least one Indian on the winner’s podium when the Indo-American pair of John Paul Fruttero & N. Vijay Sundar Prashanth clashes with the all-Indian combination of Myneni and Sanam in the doubles final.

The results:

Singles: Quarterfinals: James Ward (G.Br) bt Sanam Singh 6-3, 6-3; Saketh Myneni bt Yannick Mertens (Bel) 6-3, 7-6(6); Adrian Menendez-Maceiras (Esp) bt Arthur de Greef 6-3, 6-4; Daniel Nguyen (USA) bt Alessandro Bega (Ita) 7-5, 6-4.

Doubles: Semifinals: John Paul Fruttero (USA) & N. Vijay Sundar Prashanth bt Ti Chen (Tpe) & Dane Propoggia (Aus) 6-3, 3-6, [10-8]; Myneni & Sanam bt Menendez-Maceiras & Gerard Granollers 6-4, 7-6(3).

Keywords: AirAsia Open ATP Challenger, Saketh Myneni