The New Nation - Internet Edition

Usha taste first defeat

UNB, Dhaka

League leaders Usha KC faced a jolt in their title chase in the Green Delta Insurance Premier Division Hockey League with their first defeat, by 2-3 goals to Mohammedan SC, at the Maulana Bhashani National Hockey Stadium here Sunday.

Mohammedan SC dominated the first half of the super league match 1-0.

Despite the day's loss, Usha KC still dominate the league table with 33 points from 12 matches. Abahani Limited is in the 2nd slot with 28 points from 11 matches, while Mohammedan SC improved their tally to 26, also from 11 matches.

Usha KC could still scent the crown as they need just a draw in their last match against 2nd placed Abahani Limited. On the other hand, the traditional 'Dhanmondi' outfit will have to win their last two matches against old foes Mohammedan SC and Usha KC.

In the day's match, Syed Al Masum scored all the three goals for the popular 'black and white' Motijheel outfit, while forward Rafiqul Islam Kamal and Maksud Alam Habul netted one goal apiece for Usha KC.

Masum made the early breakthrough for Mohammedan SC in the 16th minute with a powerful hit after he was fed by Pakistani recruit Mohammad Sabbir (1-0).

After the breather, renowned forward Kamal leveled the margin for Usha KC in the 57th minute when Zahidul Islam Rajon's scoop found the net deflecting Kamal's stick (1-1).

After just a minute, Mohammedan SC increased the margin when Masum made a diving attempt to make the score line 2-1 after getting a pass from Mohammad Abdus Sajjad John.

Masum again came in the scene in the 68th minute scoring the 3rd and last goal for the winners utilizing a pass from another Pakistani recruit Mohammad Asim (3-1).

With one minute left before the final whistle, Habul reduced the margin for Usha KC as his scoop went to the net following a Kamal pass.

Mohammedan SC, already out of the title race, enjoyed most of the ball possessions and their defense led by Isa Miah did their best to foil the opponent attacks.

Earlier, in the first half, Mohammedan SC defender Isa Miah saved his side clearing a hit from Tarique Aziz from around the goal line. Then in the 34th minute Rajon from a vantage position sent a Habul pass wide of the post.

Mohammedan's Mohammad Sabbir, who played superbly throughout the match, could have further increased the winner's tally in the 30th minute, but his hit from the left side of the box was brilliantly saved by opponent custodian Mahbub Ullah Chowdhury.

Today's match: Sonali Bank vs Azax SC (4:00 pm)

Lalbagh TS crush Ramzan Football Kishore XI 7-0

UNB, Dhaka

Lalbagh Tarun Sangha crushed Ramzan Football Kishore Ekadash by 7-0 goals in a West Zone match of the Metropolis Pioneer Football League at the Outer Stadium on Sunday.

Rashed and Ashique both struck twice, while Monir, Zahed and Zaker scored one goal each for the winners, which dominated the first half 3-0.

In a South Zone match, GBHB outplayed Baden Powel SC by 6-2 goals at the Mohammadpur Eidgah Maidan on Sunday.

Rubel scored two goals, while Faisal, Shafique, Fazle and Mobasher netted one goal each for the winners. Sumon and Rubel scored one goal each for the losers.

In a North Zone match, Gazipur Ekadash earned an easy 4-1 goals win over East Maniknagar Unnayan KC at the Mohakhali T&T ground today.

Rafique, Noor, Iqbal and Jibon scored for the winners, while Sumon for the losers.

In the East Zone, Power Sun Ganderia played to a 2-2 draw with East End Junior at the Jagannath University ground at Dhupkhola in Ganderia. Nishad scored both the goals for Power Sun, while Ridoy and Asif netted for East End Juniors.

In the other East Zone match, Adamjee KC drew goalless with Titu Smriti Sangsad at the same venue.

In a Central Zone match, Khilgaon Jubo Sangha split points with Lutfar Rahman Football Academy at the Basabo Tarun Sangha ground on Sunday.

Hosts Moulvibazar clinch top slot in Sylhet Div Karate competition

UNB, Dhaka

Hosts Moulvibazar DSA clinched the top slot with five gold, two silver and one bronze medal in the 3rd Samsung Sylhet Division Karate Competition that concluded at the Moulvibazar Jana Milan Kendra on Saturday.

Sylhet DSA finished distant second with two gold, two silver and five bronze medals.

Deputy Commissioner of Moulvibazar Al Kamal Siddique was the chief guest at the closing ceremony of the two-day meet and distributed the prizes.

General Secretary of Bangladesh Karate Federation Moazzem Hossain Sentu and General Secretary of Sylhet Divisional Sports Association Imran Chowdhury were present.

In all, 150 karatekas from four districts of Sylhet Division took part in the seven events of the meet.

Aftab ruled out from Tri-Nation & Asia Cup

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh batsman Aftab Ahmed Chowdhury has been ruled out of the upcoming Tri-Nation ODI Series and also from the Asia Cup 2008 due to his recent finger injury.

All rounder Alok Kapali, who was in the reserve squad for both the meets, has replaced Aftab.

Aftab injured his finger during batting practice on Saturday when he was struck by a ball resulting in dislocation and fracture of one of the bones in his finger.

X-ray confirmed that there was a fracture of the right ring finger which will need surgical operation. Aftab has also been advised to take rest for around six weeks.

Month-long bodybuilding training camp begins

UNB, Dhaka

A month-long bodybuilding training camp, organised by Bangladesh Bodybuilding Federation (BBF), began at the NSC gymnasium here on Sunday.

National Sports Council (NSC) director M Haiyul Qayyum inaugurated the training camp in the morning. BBF Vice President and International Bodybuilding judge M Latifur Rahman Khan and BBF general secretary Abdul Kader were present.

Forty bodybuilders are taking part in the training camp, which will conclude on July 1.

Kutukchhari emerge champions in Ragamati Sadar Inter-Union Football

UNB, Rangamati

Kutukchhari Union emerged new champions in the Rangamati Sadar Upazila Zone Commander Inter-Union Football Tournament beating Moghban Union by 3-0 goals in the final at the local stadium on Saturday.

Shahid opened the account in the first half, while Sujon scored two more goals in the second half to guide Kutukchhari Union to a comfortable victory.

Regional Commander of Rangamati Col Mostafa Ahmed Shaker was the chief guest in the final and later distributed the prizes.

Deputy Commissioner of Rangamati M Nurul Amin, Rangamati Sadar Zone Commander Lt Col Masud Razzak and acting Police Super Amena Begum were present on the occasion.

Six union teams of Rangamati Sadar upazilla took part in the nine-day meet.

Ana Ivanovic moves into Paris quarterfinals

AP, Paris

Ana Ivanovic delivered a perfect performance at the French Open on Sunday, a 6-0, 6-0 victory over Petra Cetkovska that put the 2007 runner-up in the quarterfinals.

The No. 2-seeded Ivanovic, also a finalist at the Australian Open in January, lost the match's first two points, then proceeded to dominate. It took just 54 minutes for her to beat the 77th-ranked Cetkovska, who was playing in only her third Grand Slam tournament.

It was the second love-love result of the women's tournament, and Cetkovska rarely even earned game points.

Ivanovic only faced two break points, both while serving at 4-0 in the second set.

She will face No. 10 Patty Schnyder or No. 27 Katarina Srebotnik - who eliminated Serena Williams in the third round - for a berth in the semifinals.

No. 26 Flavia Pennetta, who beat Venus Williams on Friday, lost to qualifier Carla Suarez Navarro 6-3, 6-2. The 19-year-old Suarez Navarro, making her Grand Slam debut, beat two-time major champion Amelie Mauresmo in the second round.

Pennetta converted only one of nine break-point chances.

Schnyder and Srebotnik faced off later Sunday, as did No. 3 Jelena Jankovic and No. 14 Agnieszka Radwanska.

In men's action, three-time defending champion Rafael Nadal was to play No. 22 Fernando Verdasco. Other fourth-round matches Sunday:

No. 3 Novak Djokovic vs. No. 18 Paul-Henri Mathieu, No. 19 Nicolas Almagro vs. Jeremy Chardy, and Michael Llodra vs. Ernests Gulbis.

Japan have point to prove against Oman

AFP, Japan

Three-time Asian Cup winners Japan have a point to prove against Oman on Monday in their latest World Cup qualifier.

After crashing to a shock 1-0 away defeat to Bahrain in March, they are out to show they are back to winning ways and still a force to be reckoned with.

That loss left Bahrain top of Group 2 with two wins and six points, ahead of Japan and Oman on three points and winless Thailand.

Japan regained some confidence after shutting out powerhouses Paraguay and Ivory Coast in their tune-up games to retain the three-nation Kirin Cup last month.

"It was a test for the following four qualifying games. Our big goal is to get past the World Cup qualifiers. We did a good preparation for those games," said Japan coach Takeshi Okada.

"We cannot afford to lose on Monday. We are determined to win at any cost."

Brazilian-born defender Marcus Tulio Tanaka appeared satisfied that Japan didn't concede any goals in the Kirin Cup, although he himself did not play well.

"We didn't give them scoring chances and we didn't allow them to take the initiative. In the qualifiers, I want to play the best part of these games. I really want to go to the World Cup finals," said Tulio.

Celtic midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura played for the first time under Okada at the Kirin Cup, and said his style of football gels with his team-mates.

He warned that Oman should not be underestimated.

"We shouldn't think this is a formality. You don't always win whenever you play a good game. We must always think about what we need to do to win," said Nakamura.

But Japan will be missing former Eintracht Frankfurt striker Naohiro Takahara who has been dropped because of recent poor form. He has yet to score a goal in four appearances under Okada.

Oman have been training in South Korea since May 21 and their Uruguayan coach, Julio Cesar Ribas Vlahovich, said they were in good shape.

"My players have been concentrating really well. I think we can have a good result against Japan," he said.

"I'm really looking forward to playing Japan. I made my debut with Uruguay in 1985 and defeated Japan 4-1 in the Kirin Cup. I'm going to go back with another sweet memory from Japan," he added.

The odds favour Japan who have never lost to Oman in six encounters.

After Monday's match, Japan play away in Oman on June 7 before travelling to Thailand on June 14.

They will then fly home hoping for revenge against Bahrain on June 22. Oman will play away in Bahrain on June 14 then take on Thailand at home on June 22.

Tale of the two Marias at French Open

AFP, Paris

It's been a struggle for the world No.1 in the first week of the French Open but she believes the real Maria Sharapova has finally shown up.

The tournament's top seed has spent nearly seven hours on court in winning her first three rounds and at times she has despaired over her lack of form.

But after edging a marathon first set 7-6 (7/4) against Italy's Karin Knapp on Saturday, the Russian cut loose using the full power of her impressive arsenal of strokes to take the second 6-0 putting her safely into the last 16.

"I don't know if my sister arrived," she said.

"I felt like for the last couple of days it was like a different person. It was like my twin sister was here and then Maria actually made her fly away and made it for the second set.

"I guess you just hang in there and you keep trying to do things right. Just been really hesitant the last two days, not really being aggressive and not playing my game."

It's an experience that is not new to Sharapova, who won her third Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January.

"I've had different experiences in different Grand Slams," she said.

"There are some Slams, a couple that I have won, that I didn't play my best tennis in the first week and a half or so and then I stepped it up when I had to."

Starting with her win in Australia, Sharapova has so far had an impressive year adding tournament wins in Doha and Amelia Island before being forced to withdraw from her semi-final at the Italian Open in Rome earlier this month because of a leg injury.

The previous week Justine Henin had shocked the tennis world with her sudden retirement announcement and Sharapova suddenly found herself back in the number one spot.

She could lose that next week to Serbia's Ana Ivanovic, but the Russian insists that is not her main concern.

Of more importance she says is her next opponent, fellow Russian Dinara Safina, who has hit form at the right time winning the German Open in the buildup to Roland Garros.

The two have played five times with Sharapova winning three of them.

"She's been playing some really good tennis in the last couple of weeks," she said of Safina.

"She is also playing on a surface that she likes to play one and sort of grew up on as well.

"Obviously I'm going to ave to play better than I have and step it up. It will be a challenge, but it will be a good challenge."