Pakistan A team camp begins for Sri Lanka tour
LAHORE: Training camp of the Pakistan A cricket team began here on Monday for preparation of the tour of Sri Lanka.
Due to rain on the first day, the players underwent batting practice at indoor school of the National Cricket Academy and did various exercises at gymnasium.
Coach Mohatasim Rasheed told that the seven-day camp would also have target matches.
The team will leave for Sri Lanka on August 20 to participate in a triangular series and later two four-day matches against Sri Lanka.
The third team of the triangular series will be South Africa besides Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
Pakistan’s Irfan signed by Kolkata Knight Riders
LAHORE: Pakistan’s tall fast bowler Mohammad Irfan has signed a one-year contract with Kolkata Knight Riders for playing Indian Premier League.
Talking with media here today at the National Cricket Academy, Irfan said that after the trials were held for including new players in Kolkata Knight Riders, he was offered a contract which he has accepted.
Mohammad Irfan said he desires to play for his country and hopes he would soon achieve his goal.
Mexico send sorry France to brink of exit
POLOKWANE: France, the 1998 world champions and 2006 runners-up, were left teetering on the brink of World Cup first round elimination on Thursday when they slumped to a 2-0 defeat against Mexico.
Veteran Cuauhtemoc Blanco converted a late penalty to clinch the victory after substitute striker, Manchester United-bound Javier Hernandez, had put the Central Americans ahead 64 minutes into the Group A showdown at Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Mexico”s first victory over France left them and Uruguay level on four points ahead of a June 22 Rustenburg clash and both will advance to the next round by drawing.
France play South Africa, who have a point each, at the same time in Bloemfontein and if either wins and the other game delivers a positive result, goal difference could come into play.
“We need a miracle now,” said France coach Raymond Domenech. “We have to be strong and at least play for our honour. At least we must show something in the last match. When we are forced to rely on others, there”s nothing to say.”
Skipper Rafael Marquez warned Mexico they could not let the win go to their heads.
“We have to keep our feet on the ground despite this win,” the Barcelona defender said.
Coach Javier Aguirre added: “It was very important to beat France – they are after all the vice-world champions. We turned in a very fine performance – but we are not yet mathematically through.
Hernandez, nicknamed the Little Pea, was ebullient after his goal. “I am delighted with this victory more so than for my goal or indeed getting the man of the match award.
“We wanted to make the Mexican people happy and this win is a first step for there is a long way to go.”
The fourth meeting of the countries in the history of the tournament kicked off in cold conditions before a large colourful crowd with each team making one change from their opening encounter last Friday.
Malouda replaced Yoann Gourcuff in the French line-up while defender Hector Morena came in for Paul Aguilar in the Mexico side.
Saudi Arabian referee Khalil al-Ghamdi stamped his imprint early with a fourth-minute caution for veteran Mexican striker Guillermo Franco amid much protest.
Mexico had a couple of early half chances that were not put away by Carlos Vela and Franco while a slick French free-kick manoeuvre fizzled out as Franck Ribery overhit a cross.
The Central Americans were more threatening as the halfway point of the opening half approached with a William Gallas block taking the sting out of a move and Carlos Salcido firing past goalkeeper Hugo Lloris only to miss the target.
It was Lloris versus Salcido again on 27 minutes with the French goalkeeper doing well to push away a hard, low drive after the Mexican cut in from the left flank helped by timid defending.
Mexico suffered a blow when Vela limped off to be replaced by Pablo Barrera, who put Lloris under pressure almost immediately from a cross that the goalkeeper unconvincingly punched away.
Mexico broke the deadlock on 64 minutes when Hernandez raced on to a lobbed Rafael Marquez pass, rounded Lloris and calmly stroked the ball into the net.
Domenech, who gives way after this tournament to former star Laurent Blanc, stared emotion-less at the action as his side struggled to make an impact up front.
And his worst fears were realised after 79 minutes when Eric Abidal fouled Pablo Berrera and 37-year-old Blanco made a long run before placing a low spot kick wide of Lloris into the corner of the net.
Brazil struggle to beat North Korea
JOHANNESBURG: Five-time World Cup winners Brazil opened their South Africa 2010 campaign with a workmanlike 2-1 win over Asian minnows North Korea on Tuesday.
Despite an attacking line boasting Kaka and Robinho, the South Americans had to work hard to break down dogged defending as the North Koreans worked tirelessly.
After a resilient first half, the North Korean defence finally cracked as Maicon scored from the tightest of angles before Galatasaray”s Elano made sure of victory with the second goal in the Group G clash.
Boasting impressive ball skills, the Koreans attacked mainly through Jong Tae Se – dubbed the Wayne Rooney of Asia – who tested Brazil ”keeper Julio Cesar on several occasions and his side was never outplayed.
The North Koreans were finally rewarded for their tireless work with a consolation goal by defender Ji Yun Nam in the 89th minute.
Jong, who sobbed uncontrollably when his country”s national anthem was being played, never stopped working and was left with a bloodied left thigh after one tussle with right-back Maicon in front of a 54,331-strong crowd at Ellis Park.
After a quiet opening half an hour, Brazil stepped up the pace and tested North Korean goalkeeper Ri Myong Guk, but could not get past him.
When the breakthrough finally came it was a piece of vintage Jogo Bonito – the beautiful game – which left Korean goalkeeper Guk howling into the turf.
Elano played on Maicon who fired in his shot across the goal which curled around the near post from a tight angle on 55 minutes.
The Koreans started to show signs of tiring after conceeding the goal and Pak Choi Jin was stretchered off after 69 minutes clutching his calf.
A defence-splitting pass from Robinho on 72 minutes finally broke the Korean resistence as Elano drilled his shot past Guk only to be immediately replaced by Barcelona”s Dani Alves.
With time almost up, Ji finally gave the small group of Korean fans something to cheer about when he smashed his shot past Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar.
Brazil next face Didier Drogba”s Ivory Coast on Sunday in Johannesburg, while North Korea take on Portugal in Cape Town on Monday.
Italy”s title defence off to stuttering start
CAPE TOWN: Italy got their title defence off to a stuttering start on Monday when they needed to come from a goal down to draw 1-1 with Paraguay in their World Cup opener.
The four-time champions came into the match at Green Point Stadium under pressure after a underwhelming build-up and they had to dig deep to salvage a point.
On a cold and wet night, the South Americans stunned Marcello Lippi”s men by taking the lead on 39 minutes when Antolin Alcaraz outjumped ageing Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro and Daniele De Rossi to head home a cross.
De Rossi redeemed himself by grabbing the equaliser eight minutes into the second half, making the most of goalkeeper Justo Villar”s failure to clear a corner to put the Italians back into the game.
Italy, who are often slow to start at big tournaments, turned up the heat after their goal and they could have had more, but Paraguay clung on to share the Group F spoils.
Italy had the first sniff of goal after five minutes when the ball bounced kindly for Riccardo Montolivo who shot on the half-volley but it was charged down by Paraguayan defenders.
Lippi”s team were in charge early on, making all the running and looking dangerous on the break as the rain poured down.
Vincenzo Iaquinta sent in a teasing cross but Alberto Gilardino couldn”t get his head on the end of it as they ramped up the pressure.
Paraguay only started to come alive on 20 minutes, and some good build-up saw Torres have a punt from distance only to see the ball squirm well wide.
At the other end Montolivo, playing in place of injured AC Milan playmaker Andrea Pirlo, broke free down the middle but could only deliver a weak shot that went straight at the Paraguay keeper.
Iaquinta was in the action again soon after and should have done better from inside the six yard box but was hounded off the ball before Alcaraz got the breakthrough by getting on the end of a Aureliano Torres cross.
Italy came out for the second-half without veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who apparently had a lower back problem.
Federico Marchetti replaced him and he was busy early on with Enrique Vera going close on 53 minutes.
Italy though started to take charge and Montolivo got a shot on target before they won the corner that led to the goal.
Simone Pepe curled the ball into the box and Villar failed to connect with his punch, leaving the unmarked Di Rossi to bury it in the back of the net.
The goal proved a tonic and they went close as they pressed for the winner, with Pepe having the best chance, only to see his powerful long range drive kept out by Villar.
london newspapers
June 13, 2010 by Trend PK
Filed under World News
LONDON — The Sunday newspapers blasted Robert Green for the goalkeeping blunder that cost England a victory in the opening World Cup game against the United States.
The weekly press printed frame-by-frame images of Green’s error, with the front pages of the News of the World and the Sunday Mirror both reading “Hand of Clod”, accompanied by a giant picture of Green.
Any England goalkeeper guilty of a clanger is given merciless treatment by the national newspapers, with international careers usually then brought to a shuddering halt.
David Seaman, David James, Paul Robinson and Scott Carson can all testify to that.
Green was not spared.
“Cock-up keeper Green wrecks dream start,” said the News of the World, adding: “Stars and tripe”.
“It’s back to the drawing board after this, with Capello forced to reconsider his options after Green’s mistake.”
“Tainted Glove”, said the Sunday Mirror. “Worst Howler Ever”, said another headline.
“Calamity keeper Robert Green gifted one of the all-time blunder goals last night as the jinx of the England goalies struck again.
“Hapless Green somehow managed to parry the softest of soft strikes into the goal behind him. It was agonising to watch.”
The editorial said: “Poor Robert Green will take a long, long time to live down the goal.”
The Sunday Express meanwhile said of Green that “for all our sakes, he’s got to go – now.”
The Sunday Telegraph said Green’s howler had “cost England dear”.The official espn World Cup schedule will let you know when the games are happening and where! If you’re not on right now, then you missed out on the World Cup opening ceremony 2010 live via espn3
Pakistan Beat Spain 2-1 to Earn 1st Win
NEW DELHI: Pakistan Tuesday overcame the 1-4 loss to India in the first match to pip Olympic silver-medallists Spain 2-1 and pocket their first points in the 12-nation tournament.
Pakistan led 1-0 at half-time through a goal by Abdul Haseem, before David Alegre drew level for Spain in the 65th minute after the goal was referred to the video umpire.
Pakistan earned their first penalty corner two minutes before the final whistle and veteran Sohail Abbas’ shot was deflected into the goal by Haseem for the winner.
“The World Cup started for us today,” said Pakistan coach Shahid Ali Khan. “I hope this is going to be the turning point for us in this tournament.
“We played to a plan and it worked.”
Pakistan will play their next match on Thursday against unbeaten England.
Pakistan Beat Spain 2-1 to Earn 1st Win was first posted on March 2, 2010 at 9:41 pm.
Rob Lowe Bio, James Vanderbeek, Hilary Hahn
January 15, 2010 by Trend PK
Filed under World News
TrendPK.com Rob Lowe Bio, James Vanderbeek: James Van Der Beek It’s always my goal to have the studio ready before each session. And it’s not unusual for me to feel a bit nervous before working on a project like this. Bad things can and do happen.
Today we were scheduled to piggyback two [...]
Rick Nash Goal VIDEO: Nash Scores Winning Shootout Goal On ONE SKATE
November 14, 2009 by Trend PK
Filed under World News
Full Story And Original Content.TrendPK.com Rick Nash won the last night’s match against the Anaheim Ducks in dramatic fashion, scoring the winning shootout goal to secure a 3-2 victory for the Columbus Blue Jackets. But it was how he scored that made the goal so remarkable
Full Story And Original Content.TrendPK.com Rick Nash won the last night’s match against the Anaheim Ducks in dramatic fashion, scoring the winning shootout goal to secure a 3-2 victory for the Columbus Blue Jackets. But it was how he scored that made the goal so remarkable. Nash lost his balance as he prepared to shoot [...]
