The New Nation - Internet Edition

Bangladesh begin practice for Asia Cup

UNB, Dhaka

Daunted by fresh defeats in the three-nation Kitply Cup at home, the national cricket team began practising Monday for the Asia Cup scheduled to open on June 24 in Pakistan.

Bangladesh skipper Mohammad Ashraful and pacer Shahadat Hossain Razib from the 15-strong squad did not join the practice Monday at the Mirpur Shere-e-Bangla National Stadium (SBNS).

Both Ashraful and Razib are expected to join the camp tomorrow (Tuesday). Razib could not attend the first-day session as he lost his grandmother today.

Apart from physical stretch, running and fielding exercise, their other colleagues practised batting in the centre wicket during the four-hour session.

Bangladesh is scheduled to fly for Pakistan on June 21.

Bangladesh, placed in group A of the Asia Cup, will play their first match against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the opening match while the Tigers will confront Sri Lanka on June 25---both at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

In Kitply tri-series, Bangladesh lost to both Pakistan and India.

Pakistan conceded a 140-run defeat in its second match against India. But it came back strongly to win the final against favourite India on June 14.

Bangladesh Squad for Asia Cup: Mohammad Ashraful (Captain), Mashrafe Bin Mortaza (Vice Captain), Mahmudullah Riyad, Tamim Iqbal, Alok Kapali, Abdur Razzak, Farhad Reza, Shahriar Nafees Ahmed, Nazim Uddin, Roqibul Hassan, Shahadat Hossain, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehrab Hossain (Jr.), Dollar Mahmud and Musharraf Hossain Reserves: Zunaed Siddiqui, Dhiman Ghosh, Rubel Hossain, Naeem Islam.

Turkey reach Euro 2008 quarterfinals

Internet

One of the more memorable comebacks in European Championship-even in all of soccer-carried Turkey into the quarterfinals.

Two late goals in three minutes by Nihat Kahveci lifted the Turks over the Czech Republic 3-2 to claim second place in Group A. "Seeing the ball in the nets and knowing that the goal was bringing a win and the quarterfinals, it was an unbelievable feeling," Nihat said.

Nihat equalized in the 87th minute and then added another in the 89th to send the 2002 World Cup semifinalists into the final eight. Turkey, which also rallied to beat Switzerland earlier in the tournament, will face Group B winner Croatia in the quarterfinals on Friday in Vienna. Portugal, which had already assured itself first place in Group A, lost to the already-eliminated Swiss 2-0 in Basel. Hakan Yakin scored both goals in the second half for the co-hosts against a second-string Portuguese lineup.

Arda Turan started the Turkish comeback with a goal in the 75th minute, taking a pass from Hamit Altintop and banging his shot in off the goalpost.

Nihat then took advantage of an unlikely blunder from goalkeeper Petr Cech, who fumbled a simple cross and allowed the forward to shoot the ball into an empty net. With the match looking like it would be decided on penalty kicks, Nihat scored another with a shot that bounced off the post.

"At that moment, I just thought of shooting to where I saw," Nihat said. "It went well and it got in, thank God."

Turkey then held on despite losing goalkeeper Volkan Demirel, who got a red card for knocking down Jan Koller and will miss the quarterfinals. Midfielder Tuncay Sanli replaced Demirel in goal for the final seconds. The Czechs had taken the lead in the 34th minute when Zdenek Grygera sent a cross from the right to the towering Koller. Demirel got a hand on the ball, but he could only push it off the underside of the crossbar and into the net.

Jaroslav Plasil then slid into a cross from teammate Libor Sionko in the 62nd. Demirel again got a piece of it, but couldn't keep it out of the net.

With time running out, the Turks staged their sensational finish, getting the better of the Czech defense and Cech, who is considered one of the world's best goalkeepers. "The third goal was nothing but a collapse. I can't explain that," Czech Republic coach Karel Bruckner said.

Switzerland restored some pride by beating Portugal, which played without eight starters, including Cristiano Ronaldo and Deco. "We should have actually replaced 11 rather than eight," said Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari. "We ran too many risks during this match. I made a mistake. I made a big mistake."

In the 71st minute, Eren Derdiyok set up the first goal for Yakin, who shot through the legs of goalkeeper Ricardo. The 31-year-old striker added his second from the penalty spot in the 83rd minute after Fernando Meira fouled substitute Tranquillo Barnetta in the box.

The win was Switzerland's first in three European Championship appearances. The Swiss failed to win a match at the 1996 tournament in England and also in Portugal four years ago, earning just one draw in each.

home side came even closer in the 65th as Gokhan Inler hit the outside of the post with a hard shot from 25 meters (yards).

Portugal, which was runner-up four years ago and reached the final four of the 2006 World Cup in Germany, will play Austria, Germany or Poland in the quarterfinals on Thursday. The Portuguese had little to worry about after winning 2-0 against Turkey and 3-1 against the Czech Republic, who met in the other Group A match to decide second place. Turkey scored two late goals to win 3-2 and qualify alongside Portugal, leaving Switzerland to finish last in the standings. Portugal should have scored in the first half, having a goal ruled out by a dubious offside decision and being denied a seemingly valid penalty.

Stephan Lichtsteiner got away with barging striker Helder Postiga in the area in the 15th, and Portugal went close three minutes later when Zuberbuehler pushed Pepe's flick from a free kick by Nani onto the crossbar.

Postiga then had the ball in the net after 36 minutes, but Austrian referee Konrad Plautz whistled for offside even though replays showed Postiga to be level with Lichtsteiner when the pass was played.

Nani and Quaresma caused Switzerland numerous problems by constantly switching wings, while the Swiss showed their usual tenacity in the center of the field from Gelson Fernandes and Gokhan Inler. However, the co-hosts also displayed a lack of creativity up front, not least because of the inclusion of winger Johan Vonlanthen over regular playmaker Barnetta - who was carrying an injury. But the late goals at least meant that the Swiss improved on their unlucky losses to the Czechs and Turks, when late goals led to 1-0 and 2-1 defeats. It was Portugal's first loss to Switzerland since a 2-1 defeat in a friendly in 1982.

"It's unfortunate that we are eliminated," Yakin said. "The Czech Republic and Turkey were not 'uberteams.' We were almost there."

Switzerland: Pascal Zuberbuehler, Stephan Lichtsteiner (Stephane Grichting, 83), Philippe Senderos, Patrick Mueller, Ludovic Magnin, Valon Behrami, Gokhan Inler, Gelson Fernandes, Johan Vonlanthen (Tranquillo Barnetta, 61), Eren Derdiyok, Hakan Yakin (Ricardo Cabanas, 86).

Portugal: Ricardo, Paulo Ferreira (Jorge Ribeiro, 41), Bruno Alves, Pepe, Fernando Meira, Miguel, Raul Meireles, Miguel Veloso (Joao Moutinho, 71), Nani, Ricardo Quaresma, Helder Postiga (Hugo Almeida, 74).

Noakhali FA drubs Nandi Para 5-0

UNB, Dhaka

Noakhali Football Academy drubbed Nandi Para Kamal Kali Sangsad by 5-0 goals in a central Zone match of the Metropolis Pioneer Football League at the Basabo Tarun Sangha Club ground on Monday.

In the day's another match, Samaj Kalyan KS Mugda blanked Narayanganj Football Academy by 3-0 goals at the same venue.

In a north zone match at the Mohakhali T&T ground, Khelaghar KS defeated Moghbazar Sabuj Sangha by 2-1 goals.

Ferrer advances at Ordina Open

Internet

Top-seeded David Ferrer beat Dutch wild card Jesse Huta Galung 6-2, 6-3 Sunday to advance to the second round of the Ordina Open.

Ferrer next will play either qualifier Massimo Dell'Acqua or Fabio Fognini, who meet on Monday in the grass-court Wimbledon warmup.

Fifth-seeded Igor Andreev also advanced, beating Grigor Dimitrov 6-1, 6-3. No. 6 Mario Ancic ousted Ivo Minar 6-1, 7-6 (0).

Scolari takes the money and runs

AP,Switzerland

Luiz Felipe Scolari is one of the few in sports to admit it: He's changing jobs for the money.

He didn't quit on Portugal because Chelsea is offering a greater opportunity. He isn't heading to London for the dream job he always wanted. As far as we know, he doesn't even have a special fondness for late-afternoon tea or fish and chips.

No nonsensical blather from this straight-shooting Gene Hackman lookalike. In a brutally honest Q&A session, Big Phil admitted the big bucks of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich are the attraction of Stamford Bridge.

"Yes, that's one of the reasons," Scolari said. "Yes, absolutely."

And to show he's not a hardhearted man, Scolari even detailed that he gave the Portuguese Football Federation a chance to ante up and keep him.

"There were numbers, and we used these numbers to make a decision," he said. "The president of the Portuguese federation tried in the last 15 days to get help from sponsors, but wasn't able to reach a condition for the future similar to the offer I received. He tried his best and I tried my best."

Scolari's decision to leave Portugal at the end of the Euros was announced in the wee hours Wednesday after his team secured the first berth in the quarterfinals. He was back in front of the bench as his reserves lost 2-0 to co-host Switzerland on Sunday night, standing on the touchline, throwing up his arms with his usual gusto. Even though the result was meaningless and Scolari changed eight starters, he was busy a half-hour in, shouting at the fourth official, who warned him to cut it out or depart.

At least Scolari is leaving when his contract is up. In the wild, wild west of soccer, anything goes. Most clubs show more willingness to attack on the business end than they do on the field.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Scolari's biggest star and the world's best player, has four years left on his contract with European club champion Manchester United. Instead of saying he can't wait to get back to Old Trafford to try to make it two in a row, he talks about how much he'd love to play in Spain, where Real Madrid would love to have him. Alex Ferguson, Man United's manager, says he and the Glazer family would rather sit Ronaldo in the stands for a few years than sell him, even at a $100 million-plus price.

Switzerland beat Portugal 2-0 to end disappointing Euro 2008

AP, Basel

For Switzerland, it was a nice ending to a hugely disappointing European Championship. Portugal will be concentrating on bigger matches that lie ahead. Hakan Yakin scored two goals Sunday to give the co-hosts their first ever win at a European Championship with a 2-0 victory. Portugal was already through to the quarterfinals as Group A winner, but the result at least meant that Switzerland finally gave its fans something to cheer about, after being the first team eliminated. "It was a deserved victory. We played three super matches and showed the public something," Yakin said. "We wanted to play offensively and today it worked. It was a worthy farewell." The 31-year-old striker scored at St. Jakob Park after a flicked pass by fellow striker Eren Derdiyok in the 71st minute, shooting through the legs of goalkeeper Ricardo from about 14 meters (yards).

Yakin added his second goal from the penalty spot in the 83rd after Fernando Meira was adjudged to have fouled substitute Tranquillo Barnetta.

It sealed Switzerland's first win in three European Championship appearances, albeit against a Portugal team that rested eight starters, including Cristiano Ronaldo and Deco. The Swiss gained just one draw at the 1996 tournament in England and also in Portugal four years ago.

"We should have actually replaced 11 (players) rather than eight," Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said. "We ran too many risks during this match. I made a mistake. I made a big mistake." Until Yakin's goals, Portugal winger Nani had missed probably the best chance in the 53rd when he shot wide when one-on-one with goalkeeper Pascal Zuberbuehler, who started in place of usual No. 1 Diego Benaglio.

The veteran Zuberbuehler, who is retiring after the tournament along with coach Koebi Kuhn, then saved well five minutes later from a low 20-meter (yard) shot by winger Ricardo Quaresma. "I was very happy, obviously, but it also was a bit of a downer," Kuhn said. "We really deserved more in the first two matches and that would have been enough for us." But he was still proud of his team's effort.

"They gave something to the fans. I always say that's the most important thing," he said.

Switzerland almost stumbled into the lead in the second half when Derdiyok's cross was bundled just past the post by defender Pepe, who nearly scored an own-goal. The home side came even closer in the 65th as Gokhan Inler hit the outside of the post with a hard shot from 25 meters (yards).

Portugal, which was runner-up four years ago and reached the final four of the 2006 World Cup in Germany, will play Austria, Germany or Poland in the quarterfinals on Thursday. The Portuguese had little to worry about after winning 2-0 against Turkey and 3-1 against the Czech Republic, who met in the other Group A match to decide second place. Turkey scored two late goals to win 3-2 and qualify alongside Portugal, leaving Switzerland to finish last in the standings.

Portugal should have scored in the first half, having a goal ruled out by a dubious offside decision and being denied a seemingly valid penalty.

Stephan Lichtsteiner got away with barging striker Helder Postiga in the area in the 15th, and Portugal went close three minutes later when Zuberbuehler pushed Pepe's flick from a free kick by Nani onto the crossbar.

Postiga then had the ball in the net after 36 minutes, but Austrian referee Konrad Plautz whistled for offside even though replays showed Postiga to be level with Lichtsteiner when the pass was played.

Nani and Quaresma caused Switzerland numerous problems by constantly switching wings, while the Swiss showed their usual tenacity in the center of the field from Gelson Fernandes and Gokhan Inler. However, the co-hosts also displayed a lack of creativity up front, not least because of the inclusion of winger Johan Vonlanthen over regular playmaker Barnetta - who was carrying an injury. But the late goals at least meant that the Swiss improved on their unlucky losses to the Czechs and Turks, when late goals led to 1-0 and 2-1 defeats. It was Portugal's first loss to Switzerland since a 2-1 defeat in a friendly in 1982.

"It's unfortunate that we are eliminated," Yakin said. "The Czech Republic and Turkey were not 'uberteams.' We were almost there."

Switzerland: Pascal Zuberbuehler, Stephan Lichtsteiner (Stephane Grichting, 83), Philippe Senderos, Patrick Mueller, Ludovic Magnin, Valon Behrami, Gokhan Inler, Gelson Fernandes, Johan Vonlanthen (Tranquillo Barnetta, 61), Eren Derdiyok, Hakan Yakin (Ricardo Cabanas, 86).

Portugal: Ricardo, Paulo Ferreira (Jorge Ribeiro, 41), Bruno Alves, Pepe, Fernando Meira, Miguel, Raul Meireles, Miguel Veloso (Joao Moutinho, 71), Nani, Ricardo Quaresma, Helder Postiga (Hugo Almeida, 74).

China appoints Olympic terror expert

AP, Beijing

China has appointed a top terrorism expert to a leading public security post following a series of alleged plots against this summer's Beijing Olympics, an official notice said Monday.

The 51-year-old Yang Huanning has worked for years in central government bodies dedicated to battling opponents in the restive western regions of Xinjiang and Tibet, according to his resume posted on official Web sites.

Other past jobs included managing China's international image, often clouded by charges of human rights abuses, and working with the United Nations Office of Peacekeeping on deployments of Chinese forces.

Word of Yang's appointment as a vice public security minister comes as the Olympic torch relay prepares to enter Xinjiang and Tibet, raising the specter of new security threats after overseas Tibetans and other critics of the communist regime sought repeatedly to disrupt the relay's overseas legs.

Activists view the Tibet leg as a show of Beijing's control over Tibet, which communist forces occupied in 1949. China says Tibet has been part of its territory for centuries, although many Tibetans say their homeland was essentially independent for most of that time.

Organizers said Monday the flame would visit Tibet soon, but refused to say exactly when. The torch is due this week to pass through Xinjiang, where radicals among the native Muslim Turkic population have waged a low-intensity struggle against Chinese rule.

Beijing has called terrorism the single biggest threat to the games and claims to have foiled multiple plots targeting the event. Yang's appointment also appears to reflect Beijing's desire to paint critics of Tibet and Xinjiang policies as violent terrorists, despite their claims to be seeking only to peacefully protest Chinese policies as a way of furthering dialogue.

Communist officials routinely vilify Tibet's exiled Buddhist leader the Dalai Lama as a separatist, an accusation he denies, and have accused his supporters of orchestrating violent protests in Tibetan areas this spring to sabotage the Olympics and preparing "suicide squads" to carry out attacks. Tibet and Tibetan-inhabited parts of western China have been closed to foreign tourists and journalists since the protests broke out in May.

On at least three occasions this year, authorities say they foiled plots by Xinjiang separatists that targeted the games either directly or indirectly, including alleged attempts to crash an airliner and kidnap athletes and journalists.

Evidence provided in all those cases has been scant and circumstantial, although authorities say suspects admitted to their foreign links and anti-Olympics agenda.

Yang's appointment was briefly noted on the Public Security Ministry's Web site, but no date was given for the move. Yang had until recently been serving as a leading communist official in the northeastern province of Heilongjiang.

Nikolay Davydenko wins Warsaw Open

AP, Warsaw

Top-seeded Nikolay Davydenko recaptured the Warsaw Open title when he beat second-seeded Tommy Robredo 6-3, 6-3 in the final Sunday.

Davydenko won the clay-court tournament in 2006, and Robredo won it last year.

The Russian broke Robredo three times in the first set, while giving up his serve once. He needed just one break in the second, saving five break points en route to his third ATP title of the year and 14th of his career.

"Every single game was difficult," said Davydenko, ranked No. 4 in the world. "It was tough to win the first set. Robredo was running and fighting a lot. The last game was very tough as well and luckily I won the last point (with a smash)."

Davydenko, who conceded just one set on his way to the final, won in Miami in April and Poertschach, Austria, last month. He also reached the final in Estoril but had to retire with a leg injury against Roger Federer.

Robredo, of Spain, was trying to win his first ATP title since October.

Bondarenko earns 1st WTA singles title

AP, Birmingham

Kateryna Bondarenko claimed her first WTA Tour singles title Sunday with a 7-6 (7), 2-6, 7-6 (4) victory over Yanina Wickmayer in the final of the DFS Classic.

Bondarenko, a 21-year-old Ukrainian who won the Australian Open doubles championship with her sister Alona, won a long battle of groundstrokes in the Wimbledon warmup.

She escaped from set point down in the first when Wickmayer pulled a forehand drive wide.

In the second set, Wickmayer broke down in tears after injuring her knee while playing a backhand from deep behind the baseline.

"I have never felt that much pain on a tennis court before," said Wickmayer, an 18-year-old Belgian who was at a tournament on her own for the first time. "But I am not a quitter."

A trainer wrapped her knee during the 15-minute break that followed.

Though the injury diminished Wickmayer's court coverage, and may have contributed to nine double-faults, it forced her to attack with more groundstrokes.

She managed to hold the one-break advantage she had, and added a second break in the final game of the second set to level the match. But she couldn't hold off Bondarenko's rally in the final set.

"I tried to move her around all the time but still she was running really well," Bondarenko said. "It's difficult but important to stay focused when you know your opponent is injured."

Bondarenko gained and then lost a break, but began moving the ball around to test Wickmayer's injury.

She also held serve at 4-5 and 5-6, when the pressure was greatest, and pressured Wickmayer into over-hitting a backhand in the deciding tiebreaker.

That was enough for Bondarenko to close out the tiebreaker 7-4 and to celebrate with her sister.

"I was shouting at Alona sometimes," Bondarenko said of her older sister. "But she is used to it. She tells me what to do and I yell at her: 'I am doing it."'

Bondarenko, who won the Wimbledon girls singles title four years ago, beating Ana Ivanovic along the way, now hopes to do well in the senior event starting June 23 after playing in the Netherlands next week.

Wickmayer also hoped to play in the Dutch grass-court tournament depending on how her knee recovered.

"I have never had a knee injury before so I have no idea what it is," she said.

Nadal clinches first grass-court title

AP, London

Rafael Nadal claimed his first career grass-court title Sunday, defeating Novak Djokovic 7-6 (5), 7-5 in the Queen's Club final to become the first Spaniard to win on grass in 36 years.

It was the French Open champion's third win in the last three tournaments over the second-seeded Djokovic, following semifinal victories in Hamburg and at Roland Garros. Andres Gimeno was the last Spaniard to win on grass, at Eastbourne in 1972.

Nadal is also the first player to win at Roland Garros and Queen's Club in the same year since Ilie Nastase in 1973.

"This week was amazing for me," Nadal said.

The win should give Nadal a confidence boost ahead of Wimbledon, particularly after his resounding straight-sets win over No. 1 Roger Federer in the French Open final.

"Wimbledon is (a) very, very important tournament, and the motivation is 100 percent," Nadal said. "Doesn't matter if I am tired mentally. Physically is a little bit more important, but I think physically I'm fine."

Federer, who has won the last five Wimbledon crowns, lost to Djokovic in this year's Australian Open semifinals. The Swiss earned his fifth title at Halle, Germany, earlier Sunday to extend his streak on grass to 59 wins.

Spain's Rafael Nadal falls int…

Early on, Djokovic threatened to sweep the top-seeded Nadal aside in the same manner as his 6-1, 6-0 demolition of David Nalbandian in the semifinals.

Djokovic survived a break point in the opening game and then took a 2-0 lead on his fourth break point when he forced a forehand error from Nadal. The Serb earned a break point for a 4-0 lead, but Nadal struck a cross-court forehand winner and went on to break Djokovic in the fifth game.

Djokovic had another opportunity in the tiebreaker, leading 6-5 when a forehand from Nadal clipped the net cord and landed wide. Nadal leveled at 6-6 with a forehand winner, and two points later Djokovic netted a return to concede the set.

Nadal took advantage of Djokovic's frustration by breaking to lead 2-0 in the second set, but Djokovic immediately broke back before Nadal received treatment for blisters on his racket hand.

Both players had opportunities late in the set.

Nadal dropped his serve at love to leave Djokovic serving for the set, but the Spaniard won the final three games of the match, closing out with an easy volley at the net.

Djokovic was pleased with his performance-especially since he has been playing on grass only three years.

"Well, I tried. It was a great match," he said. "It was a great atmosphere. It's been a terrific week."