The New Nation - Internet Edition

Mohammedan moves quarterfinal eliminating Rahmatganj MFS 3-2

UNB, Dhaka

Title aspirant Dhaka Mohammedan SC coming from behind registered a hard-fought 3-2 goals win to move into the quarter-final of the Citycell Federation Cup Football eliminating Rahmatganj MFS in Group D match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium (BNS) on Monday.

With this feat, Mohammedan SC secured six points, while Rahmatganj MFS yet to open their account, both playing two matches.

In the day's match, Nigerian recruit Alamu, Bukola Olalekan struck twice and Mohammad Robin netted one goal for Mohammedan SC, while Nche Francis and Herok Joarder scored one goal each for the losers. The match was locked 1-1 during the 1st half.

Francis put Rahmatganj MFS ahead in the 33rd minute with a powerful shot from inside the D box following a combined attack (1-0). Olalekan equalized the margin for Mohammedan SC in the 35th minute with a push giving no chance to opponent custodian Mohammad Ali (1-1).

After the lemon break, Robin scored the 2nd goal for Mohammedan SC in the 52nd minute taking a cross from substitute Murad (2-1), while Heron restored the parity for Rahmatganj MFS in the 74th minute with a push-off Francis cross (2-2).

Olalekan completed the winners' tally from a penalty in the 90th minute (3-2).

Yellow Cards: Olalekan (Mohammedan SC) and Ali (Rahmatganj).

Teams:

Mohammedan SC -- Jewel, Aminul, Rajoni, Mamun, Arman, Sharif, Shaikat (Murad), Faisal, Robin (Komol), Hazem and Olalekan.

Rahmatganj MFS - Ali, Nurrul, Jahangir, Imrose (Babu), Aminul (Jakir), Francis, Kabir (Apu), Hanif, Herok, Idris and Ashraf.

Today's matches: Arambagh KS vs Sunrise SC at Gazipur Stadium (4:30 pm), Muktijoddha Sangsad KC vs Khulna Abahani KC at BNS at 6 pm.

Closing Ceremony Programmes leak out

BSS, Beijing

The organizers of the Games failed to keep secret of the programmes of the closing ceremony as it is almost evident that the journalists present here know about it and there is also chance of rains to mar the beauty of an expected blazing ceremony.

Even the Chinese news agency Xinhua came out openly about the opening ceremony. With the concluding ceremony being less than a week away, the Chinese are again preparing to dazzle the world with a glittering closing ceremony on August 24.

Unlike the opening ceremony which was repeatedly rehearsed, the closing ceremony would not feature any full dress on-site rehearsals, according to Monday's Beijing News.

The National Stadium, called the Bird's Nest, where the closing ceremony would be held, would also host the end of the men's marathon on the closing day, it said.

The tight schedule left only eight hours for organizers to reorganize the stadium for the closing ceremony, scheduled to start at 8 p.m, the paper said. The organizers would also allow time for the London 2012 team to rehearse an eight-minute dance show for the handover ceremony.

Small-scale rehearsals were being held in training sites outside the Bird's Nest, the organizers said without giving further details.

Though the contents of the closing ceremony remained secret, the paper said the electronic "scroll", which unfurled China's history in the opening ceremony with Chinese script and pictures, and the miniature globe carrying the two Olympic theme songs in which singers appeared rising from underground would not be deployed at the closing ceremony.

Another kungfu display, featuring 350 practitioners from a local martial art school, would be part of the show, in addition to 60 erhu, or Chinese violin, players from eastern province of Jiangsu.

Zhang Yimou, Chief Director of both the opening and closing ceremonies, said earlier this month that the climax of the close would come as the Olympic flame would be extinguished in the main cauldron.

"We are dedicated to creating a happy atmosphere at the closing ceremony. The message is to say goodbye, and to promise to meet again in four years," he said.

The Beijing News reported the organizers had made contingency plans for emergencies that might occur during the ceremony, saying rain still poses the biggest threat.

"Organizers may have to cut or readjust part of the show should there be rain on August 24, but it should not spoil the show on the whole. The Olympic closing ceremony will present the world with a grand, ecstatic party," the paper said, quoting unidentified staff of the BOCOG (Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games).

Bangladesh make frustrating start in Australia

UNB, Dhaka

Touring Bangladesh national cricket team made a frustrating start as they lost to Australian Institute of Sports by 14 runs in the first practice match at the Garden's Oval in Darwin on Monday.

Sent into bat first, Australian Institute of Sports amassed huge 330 runs for four wickets in stipulated 50 overs with one down P Forrest contributing 86-ball 83 runs that featured 11 fours and a six.

After the departure of opener M Wade (55) for 68 runs, another opener G Moller pairing with P Forrest contributed 143 runs in the 2nd wicket stand to carry the team total to 211.

Apart from Forrest's 83 runs, opener G Moller scored 74 runs off 103 balls with eight fours while two down M Henriques played a superb innings and remained not out on 69 playing just 41 deliveries with eight fours and two sixes.

Shakib Al Hasan, Abdur Razzak, Nazmul Hossain and Forhad Reza took one wicket each.

In reply, Bangladesh made a determined chase against their Australian rivals, but were all out for 316 in 49.3 overs despite plundering 115 runs in the opening stand between Tamim Iqbal and Mehrab Hossain Jr.

Tamim Iqbal played an hurricane innings scoring match highest 85 runs off 45 balls with 16 fours and two sixes, while Mehrab Hossain gave good support with his 54-ball 24 runs.

One down Mohammad Ashraful also played a captain's innings of 71 runs off 59 balls with nine fours and a six.

Roquibul Hasan (34), Abdur Razzak (33), Forhad Reza (30), Shakib Al Hasan (20) were the other notable contributors for the tourists.

J Holland claimed four wickets for 43 runs while M Henriques took three wickets for 38 runs.

Bangladesh will play another three one-day practice matches against Australian Institute of Sports and one against Northern Territory Chief Minister's XI before the three-match ODI series.

The remaining three practice matches against Australian Institute of Sports are slated for August 20, 23 and 25 at the Gardens Oval, Darwin. The 5th one-day practice match against Northern Territory Chief Minister's XI will be held on August 27, also at the Garden's Oval.

Later, the three ODIs between Bangladesh and Australia will be held on August 30, September 3 and 6 at the TIO Stadium in Darwin.

Sri Lanka spinners destroy India

BBC Online

Ajantha Mendis and Muttiah Muralitharan shared six wickets as Sri Lanka thrashed India in the first one-day international in Dambulla.

New sensation Mendis (3-21) and fellow tweaker Muralitharan (3-37) helped bowl out the tourists for a lowly 146.

Nothing went right for India, including the loss of in-form opener Virender Sehwag to injury before the start.

Sri Lanka had no problems with their chase, racing to their target in the 35th over, losing just two wickets.

Mendis grabbed two key wickets in his opening spell when he removed hard-hitting batsmen Yuvraj Singh (the top scorer with 23) and Mahendra Dhoni, while Muralitharan made short work of India's lower order.

With Sehwag ruled out after injuring his ankle on Sunday, Virat Kohli was drafted in to make a debut.

Left-arm seamer Chaminda Vaas gave the hosts a dream start when he removed opener Gautam Gambhir with the second delivery of the match, which moved in sharply to knock back the off-stump.

Paceman Nuwan Kulasekara (2-23) trapped Kohli lbw for 12 and then got rid of Suresh Raina, who hit a lazy drive straight to cover.

Yuvraj was dropped on five by Mahela Jayawardene at slip but was eventually bowled off an inside-edge attempting to defend.

The innings continued to unravel, and Jayawardene's unbeaten 61 settled the contest.

Vos wins women's points gold

AFP, Beijing

Dutchwoman Marianne Vos won Olympic gold in the women's track cycling points race here today.

Yoanka Gonzalez of Cuba took the silver medal with Leire Olaberria of Spain winning the bronze.

PCB chairman resigns

AP, Rawalpindi

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)chairman Nasim Ashraf stepped down Monday after Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf announced his resignation.

As president, Musharraf was also patron of the cricket board and appointed Ashraf chairman in 2006.

PCB chief operating officer Shafqat Naghmi told The Associated Press that Ashraf had sent in his resignation.

Ashraf flew back to Pakistan on Monday after spending nearly three weeks in the United States.

Pakistan is scheduled to host the Champions Trophy next month, which also involves defending champion Australia, New Zealand, England, South Africa, India, Sri Lanka and West Indies.

Jelimo claims landmark 800m gold

BBC Online

Pamela Jelimo powered to a brilliant 800m victory to become the first Kenyan woman to win an Olympic title.

The 18-year-old, who only began running the event in April, set a devastating pace to win in one minute 54.87 seconds at the Bird's Nest stadium in Beijing.

Janeth Jepkosgei could not match her compatriot and took silver ahead of Morocco's Hasna Benhassi.

Veteran Maria Mutola, who was competing in her sixth Olympic Games, finished out of the medals in sixth.

Isinbayeva wins with new record

BBC Online

Russia's Yelena Isinbayeva broke her own women's pole vault world record on the way to defending her Olympic title.

The 26-year-old beat the record by a centimetre with a clearance of 5.05 metres, finishing ahead of American Jennifer Stuczynski, who cleared 4.80m.

Russia's Svetlana Feofanova took bronze with a vault of 4.75m.

Isinbayeva, who has also won two world titles, has now broken the world record on three occasions this year - in Rome, Monaco, and now in Beijing.