The New Nation - Internet Edition

Dhaka, Natore, Brahmanbaria, Bagerhat DSAs reach semis

UNB, Dhaka

Four teams -- Dhaka DSA, Natore DSA, Brahmanbaria DSA and Bagerhat DSA -- reached the semifinals of the 4th National Kho Kho Championship as respective group champions after the matches at the Outer Stadium on Friday.

In the day's matches, Tangail DSA beat Gopalganj DSA 19-16 = 3 points, Jamalpur DSA crushed Jhenidah DSA 26-10 = 16 points, Cox's Bazar DSA defeated Khulna DSA 18-13 = 5 points, Munshiganj DSA overpowered Jhenidah DSA 14-11 = 3 points, Brahmanbaria DSA outplayed Cox's Bazar DSA 17-10 = 7 points, Mymensingh DSA defeated Bhola DSA 20-17 = 3 points, while Khulna DSA beat Narayanganj DSA 19-16 = 3 points.

Meanwhile, the closing and prize giving ceremony of the Championship will be held Saturday afternoon. Bangladesh Olympic Association secretary general Kutubuddin Ahmed will be the chief guest and First Security Bank deputy managing director Shafiqul Alam the special guest on the occasion.

BKSP beat Mukta Jiban Football Club 2-0

UNB, Dhaka

BKSP beat Mukta Jiban Football Club by 2-0 goals in the day's lone south zone match of the Metropolises Pioneer Football League that began on Friday at the Mohammadpur Idgah ground.

Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) vice president Badal Roy formally inaugurated the south zone matches as chief guest.

In the day's match, Saifuddin and Nahid scored one goal each for the winners in the 31st and 46th minutes respectively.

Today's matches: Dhanmondi Football Academy vs Madrasah SC (3:15 pm) and Mohammadpur Sonali Sangha vs Shuvadya SC (4:30 pm).

Div II Kabaddi: Jail team, Sharnali Sangsad in final

Sports Reporter

Bangladesh Jail team and Sharnali Sangsad moved to the final of the Second Division Kabaddi League on Friday.

At the Kabaddi Stadium, Bangladesh Jail team eliminated Arbachin KC by 76-11 points amid six lonas in the day's first match.

In the day's second match, Sharnali Sangsad defeated Institute of Kabaddi by 67-21 points including five lonas at the same venue.

Prisons Directorate, Swarnali Sangsad reach final

UNB, Dhaka

Prisons Directorate and Swarnali Sangsad advanced to the finals of the Metropolis Second Division Kabaddi League winning their respective semis at the Outer Stadium kabaddi court here Friday.

In the first semifinal, Prisons Directorate trounced Orbachin KC by 76-11 points with six creditable `lonas', while Swarnali Sangsad crushed Institute of Kabaddi by 67-21 points with five lonas in the 2nd semis.

Abahani lock horns with Mohammedan today

UNB, Dhaka

Abahani Limited face old foes Mohammedan SC in a vital match of the Metropolis Premier Division Hockey League today (Saturday) at 4 pm at the Maulana Bhashani National Hockey Stadium.

Earlier, at 2:30 pm Saturday, Sonali Bank SRC meet Wari Club, also at the same venue.

Abahani Limited leads the league table jointly with Usha KC securing full 18 points from six matches, while Mohammedan SC lie in 2nd position with 16 points from the same number of matches.

Sonali Bank SRC is in the 3rd slot with 10 points, while Dhaka Mariner Youngs Club in the 4th position with 7 points, also playing six matches.

Premier Hockey Usha outplay Ajax

Sports Reporter

Usha KC outplayed Ajax SC by 6-2 goals in the Green Delta Insurance Premier Division Hockey League at the Moulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium on Friday.

The victorious team had a comfortable 3-0 lead in the first half.

Habul of Usha KC scored two goals and his teammates Akhtar, Tito, Tariq, Kamal struck one time each on the board.

On the other hand, Rahat returned two for the losers.

Meanthile, Azad SC drubbed Bangladesh SC by 6-2 goals at the same venue.

The first half was ended in a 2-2 draw.

Pushkor of Azad SC netted two and his teammates Mansoor, Ajit, Jamil, Belal scored one goal each.

On the other hand, Asif of Bangladesh SC struck twice on the board.

Today Sonali Bank SRC will take on Wari Club at 2.30 PM while Abahani Limited will face Mohammedan Sporting Club at 4.00 PM at the same venue.

Windies to stand and deliver against Aussies, says Dyson

AFP, Antigua

West Indies coach John Dyson believes his team's daunting, imminent challenge against Australia could be the making of his Caribbean team.

The Windies face the world champions in the first of three Tests in Jamaica from May 22 with Dyson predicting some of his younger players will seize their opportunity against Ricky Ponting's men.

"This is the time for our guys to play their best cricket. This is a really great opportunity for them. As I look at the main players it is a chance to further enhance their reputations," said Dyson.

"When you look at the less high profile players, it is a golden opportunity for them to put their hands up and say: 'I have arrived', and really put some big numbers on the board.

"I have been telling them this is the time to really deliver and be counted, and what better occasion than against the best side in the world and in front of your supporters on home turf. If everyone delivers the team will surely benefit."

The West Indies have been training here since Monday and according to Dyson, the players have worked hard on getting ready for the three Tests, five ODIs and one Twenty20 international.

"We played well against Sri Lanka and we want to continue the work which we started there. We know the quality of players we will be up against but know we have quality on our side as well and we will be competitive and confident against the Australians," Dyson said.

Ronaldinho out of Brazil World Cup qualifiers

AFP, Sao Paulo

Barcelona superstar Ronaldinho was again ignored by Brazil coach Dunga when the squad for the next round of 2010 World Cup qualifiers was announced on Thursday.

Instead, Inter Milan's Adriano, who is currently at Sao Paulo on loan, was the only new addition to the 25-man squad for the games against Paraguay and Argentina in June.

Ronaldinho, who has been sidelined at Barcelona since April 4 with a hamstring injury, also missed out on selection for the last two qualifiers against Peru and Uruguay in November 2007.

Brazil play Paraguay on June 15 in Asuncion before facing bitter rivals Argentina on June 18 at Belo Horizonte.

Before that, Dunga's team will tackle Canada in a friendly in Seattle on May 31 and Venezuela on June 6 in Boston.

Paraguay lead the South American zone standings for the 2010 World Cup with 10 points from four matches with Argentina on nine points while Brazil are a point further back.

Brazil squad:

Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Inter Milan/ITA), Diego Alves (Almeria/ESP), Doni (AS Roma/ ITA)

Defenders: Alex (Chelsea/ENG), Juan (AS Roma/ITA), Lucio (Bayern Munich/GER), Luisao (Benfica/POR), Daniel Alves (Sevilla/ESP), Marcelo (Real Madrid/ESP), Gilberto (Hertha Berlin/GER), Kleber (Santos), Maicon (Inter Milan/ITA)

Midfielders: Anderson (Man United/ENG), Diego (Werder Bremen/GER), Elano (Man City/ENG), Gilberto Silva (Arsenal/ENG), Josue (Wolfsburg/GER), Julio Baptista (Real Madrid/ESP), Kaka (AC Milan/ITA), Mineiro (Hertha Berlin/GER).

Attackers: Adriano (Sao Paulo), Pato (AC Milan/ITA), Luis Fabiano (Sevilla/ESP), Robinho (Real Madrid/ESP), Rafael Sobis (Real Betis/ESP).

Final round of National Cricket Championship bodily shifted

UNB, Dhaka

The final round of the 28th National Cricket Championship, which was scheduled to begin from Saturday, has been deferred by four days due to unavoidable circumstances.

The final round matches will now begin on May 21 with all the matches bodily shifted. On the opening day, Dhaka DSA will play against Comilla DSA at the Sylhet Stadium.

Eight teams have qualified for the final round after becoming respective venue champions.

New Zealand 260-8 against England

AFP, London

New Zealand, after losing the toss, were 260 for eight at lunch on the second day of the first Test against England at Lord's here Friday.

New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori was 31 not out and Tim Southee unbeaten on one.

This match was the first of a three-Test series.