The New Nation - Internet Edition

Bangladesh play Afghanistan in 2nd match today

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh take on emerging force Afghanistan in their 2nd Group B match of the 5th SAFF Championship at the Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo today (Friday).

The match kicks off at 5:30 pm (BST).

In the Friday's other Group B match, hosts Sri Lanka play lowly Bhutan at 8:30 pm at the same venue.

Earlier, in the last three encounters, Bangladesh beat Afghanistan by 4-1 goals and played to a 2-2 draw in the Continental Qualifiers in Dhaka (1979), and a goalless draw in the AFC Challenge Cup Qualifier in Kyrgyzstan this year.

Bangladesh will play in the last group B match against hosts Sri Lanka on Sunday (June 8).

Usha-Abahani crucial tie today

Sports Reporter

Usha KC will take on Abahani Limited today in their Super Five clash of the Green Delta Insurance Premier Division Hockey League at the Moulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium.

League leaders Usha KC led the points table securing 33 points from 12 matches while Abahani Limited took the second spot collecting 31 points from as many matches.

This is the last match of the Premier Division Hockey League.

Usha KC need just a draw to be the champions of the League.

On the other hand, Abahani limited have to win if the popular Dhanmondi-based out-fit want

want to clinch the title of the Premier Division Hockey League.

The hockey viewers of the city want to watch an entertaining match between the two league titans.

Sonali Bank beat Mohammedan

Sports Reporter

Sonali Bank SRC came from behind and earned a 4-2 victory over Mohammedan Sporting Club in their last Super Five encounter of the Green Delta Insurance Premier Division Hockey League at the Moulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium on Thursday.

The bankers trailed the first session 0-1.

Masum of Mohammedan Sporting Club put his team ahead by a field goal in the 13th minute of the first half.

After the breather Masum made it 2-0by a field goal in the 42nd minute of the game.

Mohammedan's joy was short-lived as Iqbal of Sonali Bank struck on the board in the 47th minute of the play.

After four minutes Krishna equalised the margin by a field goal.

Iqbal made it 3-2 by a field goal in the 55th minute of the clash.

Iqbal confirmed their victory by a field goal just two minutes before the final whistle.

Iraq seeks to clear suspension hurdle

AFP, Baghdad

Iraqi said on Thursday it will appeal its suspension by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and send a high-level delegation to present its case.

The IOC on Wednesday suspended Iraq over "political interference" in its national Olympic Committee which was sacked last month and replaced by a new body headed by Sports Minister Jassem Jaafar.

"We are fully confident that once the Iraqi delegation attends the meeting of the IOC and presents the facts, the provisions for the suspension will be immediately removed," a government statement said.

Iraq was expected to field just one athlete for the Beijing games this year.

The IOC on Wednesday said it "does not recognise any interim committee" nor any other officers appointed by the Iraqi government but said talks would be held with committee members who were legitimately elected "to find appropriate solutions".

The Iraqi government said that the previous committee was sacked because of "solid evidence of blatant corruption, lack of legitimate transparent electoral processes and accountability."

It said the committee had an insufficient quorum and had failed to hold elections in over five years.

The head of the committee, Ahmed Al-Samarrai, was kidnapped in July 2006 and has not been heard of since.

World football governing body FIFA also suspended the Iraqi football federation over the issue but rescinded its decision in late May when Baghdad said the suspension of sports bodies did not extend to football.

England victory allowed to stand

BBC Online

Fifa has announced England's 3-0 friendly win against Trinidad & Tobago will stand, despite a mistake over the number of substitutions used.

England made one more than the maximum allowed six changes, claiming they had received special dispensation to do so.

Fifa insists that is not the case but says it was a mistake by the referee and will not downgrade the status of the match from an A international.

That means four England debutants will be able to keep their first caps.

Dean Ashton, Joe Hart, Phil Jagielka and Stephen Warnock all made their first appearances for England.

A Fifa statement read: "Fifa can confirm it did not give special dispensation to make up to seven substitutions at the Trinidad & Tobago v England friendly match played on Sunday 1 June 2008.

"The referee of this match confirmed to Fifa that he received no instruction to allow for such a special dispensation, but that it had been a mistake by the referee.

"As Fifa has received no official protest regarding this match, it shall be considered as an official match."

West Ham striker Ashton started the match, while Manchester City goalkeeper Hart, Everton defender Jagielka and Blackburn left-back Warnock came off the bench in the second half.

England boss Fabio Capello made four changes at half-time, and three more later in the second half.

It was thought Fifa was unhappy and considering whether to downgrade the match as a result.

However, the FA had been under the impression such a decision had been agreed - and it is believed it had originally asked to make 11 changes.

An FA spokesman said: "The fact of the matter is the opportunity to use seven substitutes was cleared in advance of the game by Fifa, Trinidad & Tobago representative Jack Warner, the Fifa delegate for the game and the match referee.

"Trinidad had the same option to use seven subs. There is no way we would have gone ahead with using seven subs without the approval that we were given."

Had Fifa ruled the match should not be counted as a full international, it would also have robbed Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry of his first goal for his country.

England would also have slipped back down the Fifa world rankings, having moved up two places and regained a place in the top 10 after the victory.

And David Beckham, who was Capello's surprise choice to captain the side, would have moved back to having led his country on 58 occasions.

The hosts made six changes in the match, which was played in part to celebrate the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation's centenary.

Tennis aces cricket as Australia's most popular sport

AFP, Sydney

Cricket has lost its status as Australia's most popular sport to tennis, according to a survey released on Thursday.

The survey from research consultants Sweeney Sports showed interest in cricket had waned following Australia's 5-0 Ashes whitewash over England in 2006/07, while tennis was enjoying a surge in popularity.

It found 57 percent of Australians either attended tennis events, watched the sport on television or read about it in newspapers over the past year, placing it at the top of the popularity ranking for the first time in 17 years.

Swimming was the next most popular sport on 55 percent while cricket languished in third place on 53 after interest dropped six percentage points over the past year.

Sweeney general manager Todd Deacon said the Australian cricket team's home series against India, which wrapped up early this year, had not generated the same excitement as the Ashes.

"Interest certainly tapered off after the Ashes," Deacon told AFP.

He said tennis had become more popular despite the lack of any Australians in the top 10 largely due to savvy marketing by local administrators and because spectators often followed the fortunes of a favourite player regardless of nationality.

"They attract the world's top players to the lead-up events to the Australian Open-the likes of the Sydney International and the Kooyong Classic-and people want to see them," he said.

Deacon said tennis was also popular with women -- 60 percent were interested in the sport compared to 40 percent for cricket.

He said golf was struggling to capture the public's imagination, coming in last of the 10 sports rated, with a popularity rating of 23 percent, eight points down on last year and its lowest score in the survey's 19-year history.

"Golf is on a decline even though we've never had such a depth of talent in this country," Deacon said. "There are two Aussies in the top five and 12 in the top 100 but the top golfers don't play in Australia.

"It may also have something to do with lifestyle changes and how long it takes to play the game."

China vow to be aggressive in crucial Qatar clash

AFP, Beijing

China have vowed to play confident and aggressive football in their crucial World Cup qualifier against Qatar this weekend, after three straight draws left their 2010 ambitions on a knife-edge.

The Chinese players flew home after a goalless stalemate against Qatar on Monday with coach Ratomir Dujkovic and administrators seeking to assure a nervous public that China can progress past Asia's so-called "Group of Death".

"I am sure we will make it into the next round. Everyone on the team is full of confidence because our fate is in our hands," China Football Association vice president Xie Yalong said, according to the China Daily on Thursday.

Dujkovic said the team was in no doubt that they must go for goals in the return fixture against Qatar on Saturday night in the northern Chinese city of Tianjin.

"I do not think I have to repeat how important the match is. This match is crucial to whether we are able to advance from the group," Dujkovic said.

"We will try to push forward and play more aggressive football than the matches on the road. I hope Chinese fans come to support us in Tianjin and I will not let them down."

After Qatar, China will play Iraq the following Saturday in Tianjin, and victories in both matches would almost certainly see them through to the final phase of Asian qualifying.

Dujkovic insisted his team had nothing to fear from those matches, even though one slip-up may cost them their chance of progressing-as they would then most likely have to beat Australia away in the final match.

"We have no reason to be scared of Qatar. Qatar and Iraq play similar styles of soccer and they are almost on the same level. As long as we have a strong desire for victory throughout the match, we will beat them," he said.

Australia are currently top of Group One with seven points, Qatar have four points, China three and Iraq one.

The top two teams in each group advance to the final round of Asian qualifying.

Dhaka Bank to sponsor National Hockey team for Singapore tour

UNB, Dhaka

Dhaka Bank has come forward to sponsor national hockey team for its Singapore tour to take part in the 3rd Men's AHF Cup Hockey Championship to be held in the Island city on June 14-22.

Bangladesh team is expected to leave here for Singapore on June 12 to compete in the qualifying round of the 9-nation Men's Asia Cup Hockey.

Dhaka Bank chairman Altaf Hossain Sarkar on Wednesday verbally confirmed to Hockey Federation general secretary Sajed AA Adel that they are ready provide Tk 20 lakh to sponsor the national team's trip to Singapore.

The Dhaka Bank also expressed their interest to be associated with Bangladesh hockey for one year as "partner in progress."

Bangladesh Hockey Federation officials had a meeting with Dhaka Bank ON Thursday to prepare the papers for an agreement to be signed very shortly.

Dhaka Bank director cum chairman of media and marketing committee of Hockey Federation Khandakar Jamiluddin Ahmed, Dhaka Bank AVP Azam Khan and Hockey Federation general secretary Sajed AA Adel were, among others, present in the day's meeting.

Hockey Federation general secretary Adel told UNB that they would announce the name of new sponsor Dhaka Bank on Monday at a press conference at a local hotel.

Earlier, participation of Bangladesh team in the qualifying round of 3rd Men's AHF Cup Hockey became uncertain due to financial problem as the National Sports Council had allocated Tk 4 lakh only against a budget of Tk 24.38 lakh submitted by Bangladesh Hockey Federation for the Singapore tour.

Hockey Federation also sent a letter to NSC chairman and Army Chief General Moeen U Ahmed on Wednesday to allocate at least Tk 20 lakh for the tour.

Bangladesh have been placed in Pool A of the Asian Men's Hockey with Chinese Taipei, Uzbekistan, Brunei Darussalam and hosts Singapore, while Pool B comprises Hong Kong, Oman, Thailand and Sri Lanka.

Bangladesh is scheduled to play Brunei Darussalam on June 14 in one of the four opening day's fixtures. They will play Chinese Taipei on June 15, Singapore on June 18 and Uzbekistan on June 19 in the group matches.

NSC Chairman congratulates Rajib on becoming grand master

UNB, Dhaka

Chairman of the National Sports Council (NSC) and Army Chief General Moeen U Ahmed and the officers and staffs of NSC have congratulated chess talent Enamul Hossain Rajib for getting approval from World Chess Federation FIDE as grand master.

The FIDE, in its 3rd Quarter Presidential Board meeting in Athens on Monday, approved the GM title of Rajib and conveyed the message to Bangladesh Chess Federation on Wednesday.

Rajib, who completed his 3rd and final GM norm from the national chess championship last month, emerged as the 5th grand master of the country after Niaz Murshed, Ziaur Rahman, Abdullah Al Rakib and Reefat Bin Sattar.

In a statement, the NSC hoped that the country's youngest grand master Rajib would able bring more laurels for the country maintaining his success with consistent performances.

They also expressed their gratitude to Bangladesh Chess Federation for presenting one more grandmaster to the country.

Rajib earned his first GM norm from Chess Olympiad in Slovenia in 2002 and won the 2nd norm from GM tournament in Abu Dhabi last year.

Rajib is the first Bangladeshi chess player who qualified for the 2nd round of the World Cup Chess held in Russia in November last year beating world number 19 Pavel Eljanov of Ukraine in the first round.

Pakistan cricket team arrives today

UNB, Dhaka

A 16-member of Pakistan national cricket team, led by Shoaib Malik, arrives here Friday at 12:10 pm to play the Kitply Cup tri-nation tournament beginning on Sunday (June 8) at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium (SBNS) in Mirpur.

The Indian team, another participant in the Tri Series, will arrive here on Sunday (June 8).

In the eight-day tri-nation tournament, hosts Bangladesh will take on Pakistan in the first ODI at the SBNS. Pakistan will play against old foes India in the 2nd ODI on June 10, also at the SBNS, while Bangladesh will face India in the 3rd match on June 12.

After the single league basis matches, the top two teams will play in the final slated for June 14, also at the same venue. All the matches will be on day-night basis.

Meanwhile, Pakistani pacer Sohail Khan has been included in the squad in place of another pacer Mohammad Asif.

Pakistan squad: Shoaib Malik (capt), Salman Butt, Nasir Jamshed, Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Misbah-ul-Haq, Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal (wk), Sohail Khan, Umar Gul, Sohail Tanvir, Rao Iftikhar, Wahab Riaz, Fawad Alam, Bazid Khan and Naumanullah.

Divisional Swimming Competition begins tomorrow in Rajshahi

UNB, Dhaka

The BRB Cable 1st Divisional Swimming Competition, organised by Bangladesh Swimming Federation, will be held Saturday in Rajshahi Division.

Bangladesh Swimming Federation president and Navy chief vice admiral Sarwar Zahan Nizam will be the chief guest at the prize distribution ceremony of the daylong competition.

As part of the competition, a two-day swimming meet was earlier held at Chandpur in Chittagong Division on May 25-26.

Lalbagh TS beat Dhaka Mahanagar JK 2-1

UNB, Dhaka

Lalbagh Tarun Sangha beat Dhaka Mahanagar Jubu Kishore by 2-1 goals in a West Zone match of the Metropolis Pioneer Football League at the Outer stadium ground on Thursday.

Momin Hossain and Mohammad Zahed scored for the winners, while Saurav for the losers.

In a Central Zone match at the Basabo Tarun Sangha Club ground, Khilgaon Jubo Sangha edged past Swadhinata Krira Sangha by a solitary goal scored by Shamim.