The New Nation - Internet Edition

Materazzi dreaming of winning title in derby

AFP, Rome

Inter Milan's robust centre-back Marco Materazzi said it would be a dream to sew up the Serie A title in Sunday's crunch derby against AC Milan at the San Siro.

It is a game being billed as one of the most important derbies of recent years with both sides desperate for a victory to realise their individual ambitions.

Inter need three more points from their final three matches to ensure they finish the season top of the pile.

AC need to win to keep alive their hopes of qualifying for next season's Champions League as they currently trail Fiorentina in fourth spot by two points.

"It's the dream for everyone involved to win the title in the derby," said Materazzi.

"It would make up for many disappointments but we know that we're coming up against a team in great condition who are certainly the favourites as they're playing at home and they're world champions.

"(Milan coach Carlo) Ancelotti maybe has more fear about missing out on the Champions League than we have of losing the title.

"If we can't win the title on Sunday, touch wood, we still have two more possibilities."

Defeat could spell disaster for Milan as Fiorentina travel to Sardinia to face Cagliari.

Fiorentina have to quickly overcome the disappointment of losing on penalties to Rangers in Thursday's UEFA Cup semi-final, but if they win and Milan fail to, the race for fourth spot will be as good as over.

Milan's veteran Dutch midfielder Clarence Seedorf is worried that Inter's lesser need of victory could see them play more defensively and make life difficult for Milan.

"I think that we will have a different way of looking for the victory to them," he said.

"Inter certainly have better individuals which makes it easier for them to unlock the defence and settle the match in one moment."

Seedorf admitted that the major difference could be made by Fiorentina, who have to find a way of recovering from their European exploits.

"You can't tell how they will react, especially given that they deserved to get to the final," added the midfielder.

Fiorentina's cause has not been helped either by a season-ending injury to veteran forward Cristian Vieri, who has a muscle problem.

Their coach Cesare Prandelli has already started working on refocusing his team on their championship campaign.

"The bitterness is there but we have to look to get past it because now is the time to concentrate on Cagliari," he said.

In an intriguing sub-plot, Sampdoria host AS Roma, with either side holding the potential to end the other's hopes for the season.

Roma are still dremaing of an unlikely title success but defeat to Samp would end their faint hopes.

Samp sit sixth in the league, four points behind Fiorentina and two off Milan, but still in with a chance of Champions League football next season.

However, defeat to Roma would, barring some unlikely results, end their chances as well.

In the relegation battle things are very tight with seven teams separated by just five points.

Livorno, who travel to Atalanta, and Parma, who host Genoa, find themselves in the most precarious positions and defeat for either would leave them with more than a mountain to climb to escape.

BCB Academy score 264/10 in 1st innings against Pakistan Academy

UNB, Dhaka

Hosts GP-BCB Academy team posted 264 for all in 79.2 overs in their 1st innings against Pakistan Academy team on the 2nd day of the 2nd four-day match of the Grameenphone Academy Cup at the Rajshahi Divisional Stadium (RDVS) Saturday.

Resuming with overnight 260 for 9 in 76 overs, the hosts could add another 4 runs today as number eleven Sajidul Islam returned to the pavilion without opening his account.

Another overnight Shamsur Rahman Shuvo remained till the end adding another four runs to score 86 not out off 183 balls with nine fours.

Anwar Ali claimed four wickets for 59 runs, while Yasir Shah took three for 40.

In reply, Pakistan Academy team in their 1st innings scored 276 for 8 in 82.5 overs when bails were drawn for the 2nd day today. Middle order Azhar Ali remained unbeaten on 74 off 171 balls that featured four fours and a six.

Number six Sarfaraz Ahmad 38, Ahmad Shezad 37, Asad Shafiq 37 and skipper Khalid Latif 25 also came up with some useful contributions to enable the visitors take a 12-run 1st innings lead at stumps on the 2nd day.

Farhad Hossain bagged three wickets for 49 runs, while pacer Dollar Mahmud took two for 37.

Brief score:

GP-BCB Academy 1st innings - 264 for all in 79.2 overs, Shamsur Rahman not out 86, Nayeem Islam 40, Nadif Chowdhury 29, Nazmul Hossain 19, Nasir Uddin 13, Mushfiqur Rahim 13, Dollar Mahmud 13, Anwar Ali 4/59, Yasir Shah 3/40.

Pakistan Academy - 1st innings - 276 for 8 in 82.5 overs, Azahar Ali batting 74, Sarfaraz 38, Ahmad Shezad 37, Asad Shafiq 37, extras 14, Farhad Hossain 3/49, Dollar 2/37.

Chittagong DSA makes flying start

UNB, Dhaka

Chittagong DSA made a flying start in the 28th National Cricket Championship beating Bandarban DSA by 10 wickets at Comilla Stadium on Saturday.

Batting first after winning the toss, Bandarban were bundled out for 68 runs in 29 overs with Emdad scoring 12 runs. Abu grabbed three wickets for 14 runs.

In reply, Chittagong DSA reached the target making 70 runs in just 5.4 overs without losing any wicket with Ashraful contributing 43 runs.

In the day's other matches, Tangail DSA (101/4 in 30.3) beat Narsingdi (100/10 in 37.5 overs) by six wickets at the Tangail Stadium, Munshiganj (144/6 in 36.1) beat Madaripur (143/10 in 37.2) by four wickets at Faridpur Stadium, Joypurhat (138/10 in 38.4) defeated Kurigram (136/10 in 38.4) by two wickets at Bogra Stadium while Narail (133/9 in 28) beat Bagerhat (130/10 in 33.4) by one wicket at Jessore Stadium.

Women's Asia Cup: Bangladesh beat Pakistan

Sports Reporter

Bangladesh National Women Cricket team beat Pakistan National Women Cricket team by four wickets in their second match of the Women's Asia Cup at the Welagedara Stadium in Kurunegala of Sri Lanka on Saturday.

Chasing Pakistan's paltry total of 134 in 47.4 overs, Bangladesh sailed home in 45.3 overs making 136 for the loss of six wickets.

Skipper Salma Khatun hit a captain's knock of 53 (not out) playing 92 deliveries. She cracked six shots beyond the ropes.

Besides, Chamely Khatun, Panna Ghosh and Shathira Jakir contributed 15,14and12 runs respectively to Bangladesh total.

Mrs Extra added 24runs to the total of Bangladesh.

Sajida Shah of Pakistan bagged a pair of wickets giving away 19 runs.

Besides, Urooj Mumtaz, Oanita Jalil, Almas Akram, Sana Mir took one wicket apiece.

Earlier, Tithy Sarkar played the key role in wrecking Pakistan innings. She harpooned four wickets in the space of 25 runs with three maidens in her 9.4 overs.

Salma Khatun and Shathira Jakir scalped two each in lieu of 18 and 34 runs respectively.

Besides, Rumana Ahmed took one wicket for24 runs.

Mohammedans edge past Ajax

Sports Reporter

Mohammedan Sporting Club came from behind and earned a 3-2 victory over Ajax SC in the day's second match of the Green Delta Insurance Premier Division Hockey League at the Moulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium on Saturday.

Mohammedans trailed the first half 0-2.

Prince, Masum and Asim Mohammedans scored one goal each while Tutul, Rajib netted one each for Ajax.

In the day's first match, Azad SC blanked Dhaka Mariner Youngs Club by 3-0 goals at the same venue.

Azad led the first half 2-0.

Pushkor, Jubaer and Belal of Azad SC struck one time each on the board.

Today Sonali Bank SRC will face Sadharan Bima KS at 4.00 PM at the Moulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium.

Bangladesh Ansar emerges champion in National Cycling

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh Ansar emerged champions in the NCC Bank 32nd National Cycling Championship securing 17 gold, 9 silver and 7 bronze medals in the meet that concluded at the Outer Stadium here Saturday.

Bangladesh Rifles finished distant runners-up collecting three gold, three silver and four bronze medals while Chittagong DSA placed third with two gold medals.

Tofazzel Hossain, chairman of the meet sponsor NCC Bank, was the chief guest at the closing function and distributed the prizes.

Some 100 cyclists from 18 teams took part in the three-day meet for the top slot of the 12 men's and 11 women's events.

North Bengal CA beat Udity Club by 4 wickets

UNB, Dhaka

North Bengal Cricket Academy earned a four-wicket victory over Udity Club in the Metropolis Second Division Cricket League at the Dhaka University Ground (DUG) here Saturday.

Coin-favoured Udity Club batted first to score 201 for 9 in 50 overs with Morshed scoring 41 not out while Farhad made 40.

Sourav scalped three wickets for 30 runs while Zakaria took two for 35.

In reply, North Bengal CA easily reached their target of 202 in 46.1 overs for the loss of 6 wickets with Imtiaz top scoring not out 45. Rupam bagged two wickets for 26 runs.

In the day's other two matches, Sinha Textile SC (179/6) beat Young Ones (178/10) by four wickets at the Narayanganj Osmani Stadium (NOS) while Gopibagh Friends Association (147/7) defeated East End Club (144/10) by three wickets at the Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium (DCS).

Sharapova unhappy over photo shoot ahead of tournament

AP, Moscow

Australian Open champion Maria Sharapova is criticizing the WTA Tour for threatening to fine her if she doesn't take part in a promotional photo session ahead of the Internazionali BNL Italia in Rome on May 12.

"They want me to do this shoot on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday of the Rome tournament after flying 12 hours from L.A.," Sharapova said in a statement posted on her Web site on Friday.

"I have set my own personal rules when it comes to doing shoots and I never do shoots before tournaments because they are mentally draining and I want to just focus on my tennis."

Sharapova said the WTA Tour has threatened to fine her more than US$300,000 (euro194,000) if she refuses.

"As you can see the WTA Tour loves to fine players," Sharapova said in a statement under the headline "Maria needs your help".

In an e-mail, the WTA Tour said players have off-court responsibilities.

"Players have many obligations both on and off the court, and what is being asked of players in Rome is in the rules," the tour said.

Sharapova said she was not against promoting the tour and that her objection was to the schedule. She asked for fans' opinions.

The third-ranked Sharapova won her third title this season in Amelia Island, Florida in April.

Ka zone matches of national handball begin in Rajshahi

UNB, Dhaka

The Ka zone match of the Exim Bank 19th National Handball Championship, organised by Bangladesh Handball Federation, began at the Rajshahi Divisional Women's Sports Complex on Saturday with five matches decided on the day.

National Sports Council deputy director for Rajshahi Division Badaruddin Ahmed inaugurated the zonal handball meet. Handball Federation assistant general secretary and tournament's organising secretary M Nurul Islam and general secretary of Rajshahi Divisional Sports Association Mahmud Jamal were present.

In the day's matches, Jamalpur beat Dinajpur 10-1, Gaibandha beat Kurigram 7-5, hosts Rajshahi outplayed Kurigram 13-4, Joypurhat crushed Jamalpur 14-0, and Naogaon beat Natore 12-5.