18 DECCAN HERALD

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Sport
Trials for Dutch tour today
BANGALORE, DHNS: A oneday selection trials to pick the national hockey squad for the proposed tour of Netherlands will be held at the Sports Authority of India, South Centre campus, here on Tuesday. A total of 33 players are part of the senior conditioning camp at the SAI. The tour, which was suggested by High Performance Director Roelant Oltmans after the India-Pakistan home-and-away series was cancelled, however, is subject to clearance from SAI. The files are with the SAI higher-ups. A decision is likely in a day or two, a SAI source said. If the tour, scheduled to start on April 26, gets cleared, the Indian team may play the Dutch national team as well some top club teams. The senior squad has its eye on the World League semifinals, due to be held in Rotterdam in June. Meanwhile, 44 juniors, including the nine who turned out for the World Series Hockey last year, have also assembled at the SAI facility in a bid to prepare for the upcoming season. The juniors, whose big event is the World Cup at home in December, are training under the newly-appointed South African coach Gregg Clark.

Golf Augusta Masters

Importance of spin has not diminished, says Mushtaq. P 17

Super Scott ends Oz drought

Queenslander beats former champion Cabrera in play-off for first major crown
AUGUSTA (GEORGIA): Adam Scott ended decades of Australian agony when he became the first player from his country to win the Masters with a high-quality play-off victory over Angel Cabrera at a rain-soaked Augusta National on Sunday.

Caddie Williams savours win

AUGUSTA (GEORGIA), REUTERS: Australia and New

Jitendra, Randhir to meet

NEW DELHI, PTI: Sports

Minister Jitendra Singh and Indias IOC member, Randhir Singh is all set to have a formal meeting on Wednesday in the run-up to the crucial joint meeting with the International Olympic Committee, which is scheduled to be held on May 7 in Lausanne. A formal meeting will be held between the Sports Minister and Randhir Singh on Wednesday, Sports Secretary PK Deb said. The IOC had last week invited representatives of the suspended IOA and Sports Ministry for a meeting in Lausanne on May 7 in yet another attempt to find a way for Indias return to the Olympic movement even as the stand-off between the government and sport body persisted. Now the government wants an agreement with the Indian Olympic Association and the National Sports Federations on the contentious Sports Code before the joint meeting with the IOC. Deb informed that the IOA acting chief, V K Malhotra, is also keen on holding formal talks with Jitendra Singh later this week. Malhotra is keen on holding a meeting and that would hopefully take place somewhere later this week, said Deb. The government is trying take along all the stakeholders with it and build a consensus ahead of the meeting with the IOC.

Scott sealed the win with a 15-foot birdie putt on the second extra hole, the par-four 10th, before thrusting his arms skywards in triumph, moments after burly Argentine Cabrera had narrowly missed his attempt from 18 feet. Its incredible to be in this position, Scott said in the Butler Cabin before being helped into the revered green jacket by 2012 champion, Bubba Watson. It's an honour. I tried not to think about anything today along those lines, Scott added, referring to the lengthy Australian title drought in the years opening major. The thing I did well out there was to stay right where I was, stayed in that one shot, added the Queenslander. The duo finished the regulation 72 holes on nine-under 279, Scott sinking a 25-foot birdie putt at the last for a three-under 69 before Cabrera matched him after hitting a brilliant approach shot to just three feet on 18 for a 70. It was the fifth play-off at Augusta National in the last 11 years, and the second in a row with American Watson having edged out South African Louis Oosthuizen 12 months ago. There had previously been eight runner-up finishes by Australians at the Masters, three of them achieved by Greg Norman. Australia is a proud sporting nation and this is one notch in the belt that we never got, said Scott, who led by one shot with two holes to play at the 2011 Masters before South African Charl Schwartzel birdied the last four holes to win by two.

THE MAGIC MOMENT: Adam Scott (left) exults after triumphing in the Masters as caddie Steve Williams (centre) erupts in joy on Sunday. AFP

It's amazing that it came down to me today. There was one guy who inspired a nation of golfers and thats Greg Norman. He's been incredible to me and all the young golfers in Australia. Part of this definitely belongs to him, said the Australian, the fourth player to win a major title using a long putter anchored to the body since American Keegan Bradley triumphed at the 2011 PGA Championship. Scott's victory at Augusta National earned him redemption after he squandered a fourshot lead with four holes to play in last year's British Open at

Royal Lytham for South African veteran Ernie Els to land the title. Twice major champion Cabrera and Scott were both in perfect position off the tee on the first play-off hole but the Australian narrowly failed to hold the green with his approach, his ball spinning backwards before settling just off the fringe. Cabrera followed suit, venting his frustration after squandering a possible advantage when his second shot rolled back off the front of the green to end up a couple of yards below Scott's ball. The Argentine, whose world ranking has slipped to 269th

following injury-hit seasons in 2010 and 2011, came desperately close to holing his chip shot, his ball grazing the right edge of the cup. Scott's chip came up three feet short but both players safely parred to keep the play-off alive. At the par-four 10th, both players found the middle of the fairway off the tee. Cabrera, playing first, hit his wedge approach below the hole before Scott fired his to 15 feet. The Argentine, at 43 aiming to become the first grandfather to win the Masters, narrowly missed his birdie attempt, his ball tantalisingly ending up on the edge of the cup after curl-

ing from right to left. Scott and his caddie Steve Williams spent a long time lining up the Australians putt before he settled. He then stroked the ball toward the hole, and loud roars erupted around the green when it disappeared into the cup. Australian Jason Day, who made an explosive birdie-eagle start before surging two ahead with three consecutive birdies from the 13th, fell back into third place at seven-under after making two bogeys in the last three holes to close with a 70. Four-times champion and pre-tournament favourite Tiger Woods signed off with a 70 to tie for fourth at five-under with

Australian Marc Leishman (72). China's 14-year-old Guan Tianlang, the feel-good story of the tournament, two-putted for par to sign off with a 75.
Reuters
Leading scores (after 72 holes, US unless mentioned): 279: Adam Scott (Aus, 69, 72, 69, 69), Angel Cabrera (Arg, 71, 69, 69, 70). Adam Scott wins via play-off at the second extra hole. 281: Jason Day (Aus, 70, 68, 73, 70); 283: Tiger Woods (70, 73, 70, 70), Marc Leishman (Aus, 66, 73, 72, 72); 284: Thorbjorn Olesen (Den, 78, 70, 68, 68), Brandt Snedeker (70, 70, 69, 75); 285: Sergio Garcia (Esp, 66, 76, 73, 70), Lee Westwood (Bri, 70, 71, 73, 71), Matt Kuchar (68, 75, 69, 73); 286: John Huh (70, 77, 71, 68), Tim Clark (SA, 70, 76, 67, 73).

Zealand may be mortal sporting enemies but the two countries shared an historic Masters victory on Sunday with caddie Steve Williams showing Adam Scott the way. Im a proud Australian and I hope this sits really well back at home, even in New Zealand, Scott told reporters with a laugh. We had the kind of trans-Tasman combo out there with Steve on the bag. With Scott trying to end decades of frustration and deliver Australia its first Masters green jacket, his Kiwi caddie stepped up in the fading light at Augusta National to read the line for a 15-foot putt on the second extra hole of his playoff with Angel Cabrera. Taking Williams advice, Scott calmly rolled home the putt to end a pulsating battle with the two-time major-winning Argentine and spark celebrations half a world away. The putt on 10, I could hardly see the green in the darkness, added Scott. Really, I was struggling to read it, so I gave Steve the call over. I dont get him to read too many putts because I felt like I was reading good. I said, Do you think its just more than a cup? He said, its at least two cups, its going to break more than you think. I said, Im good with that.' He was my eyes on that putt. Williams, who was Tiger Woods bag-man for 13 of his 14 major wins before an acrimonious split in 2011, leapt into the air as the ball disappeared into the cup and embraced Scott as the gallery erupted around the rainy 10th green. There was none of the tasteless gloating from Williams that overshadowed the pairs first victory together in 2011 at the WGC Bridgestone Invitational. Williams crowed that Scotts Bridgestone win was the best of his caddying career, taking a swipe at his former boss Woods. He later caused further controversy by making a racist remark about Woods before apologising for it.

Langsning hold Mohd Sporting

Sunday shines with fine equaliser
By Haridev Pushparaj BANGALORE: Joel Sunday Ayenis sensational solo effort in the second half helped Langsning FC hold fancied Mohammedan Sporting 1-1 in their ILeague Second Division final leg match at the Bangalore Football Stadium on Monday.

Indian Open wont be easy

NEW DELHI, PTI: Olympic

In and around
Thakur sparkles in IOCL victory
Deepak Thakurs brace spurred Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) to a 3-0 victory over Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) in the Ozonegroup KSHA National Hockey League championship at the KSHA stadium on Monday. Thakurs goals came in the 63rd and 66th minutes. Didar Singh (17th) struck the other goal for IOCL. In the first match, Fortis and Namdhari played out a 1-1 draw. Horo sounded the board in the 48th minute while an own goal levelled scores for Namdhari.
Results: Fortis: 1 (B Horo 48th) drew Namdhari: 1 (Own goal 45th); IOCL: 3 (Didar Singh 17th, Deepak Thakur 63rd, 66th) bt BPCL: 0.

Sporting thus lost a great opportunity to open up a substantial lead and moved to 11 points from six matches. Langsning, playing probably their toughest match here, moved to eight points from six matches. Sporting suffered due to the absence of two of their best players, Moroccan striker Younes Baltham and Alfred Jaryan, both having got marching orders in their last match against Mumbai Tigers. Despite their shortcomings, the Kolkata side managed to trouble their rivals and Jerry Zersinghas cracking shot in the 25th minute signalled Sportings intentions, with the wingers left-footer acrobatically saved by Langsning custodian Laishram Prem Kumar Singh. When Korean striker Wi Hyju put them in front in the DH News Service 35th minute with a well-executed header off a good cross from Tuesdays match: Southern Samity vs Mumbai Tigers (2.00 pm). Noushad K, it was game on.

Daniel and Joel, Langsnings Nigerian strike combination, were kept quiet by the Sporting defence led by J Prasad in the first half. One of the striking aspects of Langsnings approach was their ability to stage counterattacks. Joel brought that element into fruition in the second session and churned out a peach of a goal in the 60th minute with a sizzling run through the left, teasing three defenders with his trickery before netting past Sporting custodian Arnab Das Sharma. Joels over enthusiasm then fetched him a yellow card for diving inside the area in the 66th minute. With the game in balance, exerting pressure was topmost on Sportings minds but their plans went kaput when Hyju, suffering from cramps, had to be replaced by Phool Chand Hembram in the 72nd minute. Earlier, Rangdajied beat Bhawanipore FC 1-0 in the first match with a goal from Babatunde in the 43rd minute. The Shillong team have seven points from six matches while Bhawanipore remain on nine from six games.
WHOSE BALL IS IT! Langsnings Moirangthem Ashok Singh (left) and Wi Hyju of Mohammedan Sporting vie for possession during their I-League Second Division clash at the Bangalore Football Stadium on Monday. DH PHOTO/ SATISH BADIGER

bronze medallist Saina Nehwal said the draw at the upcoming Yonex Sunrise India Open badminton tournament is tough and that it would not be a cakewalk for the shuttle queen. Stating that her first-round opponent, Belaetrix Manuputi of Indonesia, has been showing impressive form, Saina said: The draw is quite tough, it is not easy. In the first round itself I am playing with an Indonesian player who is doing really well. But I am preparing hard to win the Super Series. The world No 2, however, said that she is determined to give her 100 per cent. Every tournament is tough, its a Super Series event and all the top players will be playing in the event, but I am looking forward to put my best feet forward, said Saina. The Hyderabadi said she would look forward to having her fans and parents in the crowd during the tournament, to be held at the DDA Squash and Badminton Stadium from April 23-28. Its special because its in Delhi. Lots of home fans will be there to cheer me up and at the same time my parents can come and watch me. Youngsters will also get a chance to learn from the senior players. Meanwhile, national coach Pullela Gopichand was hopeful that the host nation will come up with an impressive show.

Saina Nehwal

Preparation is pretty decent and I think we had the time post All-England and Swiss Open. We have the Asian Championship coming up this week and the experience will help us, the former All-England champion said. We are getting closer each time and hopefully Saina will be able to get us that coveted thing. We also have (World No 7 Parupalli) Kashyap who is doing well. I feel all the players have emerged stronger in these years not only in singles but also in doubles events. Somebody will win us the title. The coach added that the focus will be on all the shuttlers and not just limited to the singles players. There are whole lots of juniors who have the opportunity to play against the best players of the world and I expect them to use it as a launch pad, said Gopichand.

Injured Sushil, Yogeshwar ruled out of Asian Wrestling Championships

NEW DELHI, PTI: Indian fans would be deprived of watching Olympic medal winning grapplers Sushil Kumar and Yogeshwar Dutt in action at the upcoming Senior Asian Wrestling Championship as the two have not yet recovered

from their respective injuries. Amit Dhankar (66kg) and Bajrang (60kg), who were named as reserves, will replace Suhil and Yogeshwar for the championship, starting from April 18, here. Both Sushil and Yogeshwar

are nursing injuries. During the trials last month, they had said that they will be fit for the completion. But we cant force them to participate. They are consulting their doctors and will hopefully return to the arena soon, Wrestling Federation of

India president, Brij Bhushan Singh said. Events such as this are a test for the new crop of wrestlers. It gives them an opportunity to perform. And that too in front of their home crowd, Bhushan added.

In the championship, more than 225 wrestlers from 19 countries will be competing in the three disciplines in the fiveday event. Asian powerhouses such as China, Japan and Kazakhstan, besides hosts will be fielding wrestlers in every

weight category at the KD Jadhav Wrestling Stadium. The Pakistan team was also invited by the organisers for the continental championship, but its federation did not send any representation. We had sent an invite and

also spoke to the Pakistani federation. They cited lack of funds as the reason for not sending entries. We would have wanted them to participate as well, Managing chairman of the Asian championship, G S Mandher said.