Kumble blasts Gauti, Viru

Anil Kumble said India could have chased the 299 runs to win the Bangalore Test had Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir fired.

"We would have definitely chased the target if Viru and Gambhir had given us a good start," Kumble said.

"After we fought back through Zaheer (Khan) and Bhajji (Harbhajan Singh) we were confident of finishing the match on a high note. If we had got a start like we did in the first innings we could have gone for the target. But unfortunately we did not get it and we had to settle for a
draw," he added.

Kumble said toss also played a vital role.

"I think the toss also played an important role and if I had won the toss probably things would have been different and we could have been in a much better position on the fifth day." About the Chinnaswamy Stadium pitch, Kumble said, "The Bangalore pitch has changed with people fiddling with it in the past eight years or so but again as I said before winning the toss could have made a difference." Asked as why the middle order batsmen was not coming up to the mark, particularly VVS Laxman, Kumble quickly retorted, saying it was unfair to judge a player on a single performance.

"It is unfair to point a finger at any of them (Fab Four). Laxman has been a real champion and has won us matches in the past," Kumble said. "It is not fair that people try to put an axe on him every time he fails and forget his contributions to the team's cause in the past or for that
matter any of the players. I'm sure all of them will perform as they have the quality and will get centuries at Mohali," he said.

On his own wicketless show on home ground here, Kumble said, "I think just one failure should not be held against a player. As a captain I have played my part. But I could not take wickets. It is not possible for a bowler to take wickets in every Test as everybody has an off day.

About his reported shoulder injury, Kumble said, "As far as my shoulder is concerned, it is much better now. There are still three days to go for the Mohali Test. We will monitor it (shoulder) closely." With the first Test slipping out of his fingers, Kumble is now eyeing the second Test and sounds confident.

"We are certainly going for a win at Mohali. We are confident of doing well in the series as our aim is to win the series. In fact, we would have been in a better position if we had got rid of Haddin or Watson yesterday.

"They batted well. Even today if I had taken Haddin's catch in the very first over, things would have been different but it did not workout that way," Kumble said.

Akram: Seniors saved India

Former Paskistan skipper Wasim Akram said India could hold on to a draw in Bangalore thanks to the way the seniors batted.

Speaking to Mobile ESPN, Akram said: "If India had played inexperienced batsmen in the match, Australia would have wrapped up the Test half an hour after Tea on Monday."

"Sachin (Tendulkar), VVS Laxman, Rahul (Dravid) and Sourav (Ganguly) played according to the situation. It was certainly not an easy wicket to bat on."

The former-cricketer-turned-commentator said the first Test was a close affair: "I had said before the match that India would be the favourites but the toss played a crucial factor."

The highest wicket taker in ODI's was impressed by India's pace attack but was critical of the spinners.

"Zaheer (Khan) and Ishant (Sharma) bowled brilliantly. They got the reverse swing going, hid the shiny part and came along really well."

"However, the spinners disappointed, especially Anil Kumble. It was his kind of a wicket."

The former sultan of swing felt if India came across similar wickets in the remianing venues and batted first after winning the toss and got a good score on the board, Australi would feel the pinch.

Harsha: Aussies can't take 20 wickets

Expert cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle said the Australian attack is incapable of taking 20 wickets in a Test match.

Speaking to Mobile ESPN, Harsha said: "If you don't lose wickets to Australia's new ball bowlers, you get to see that there is not much in the Australian attack that can take 20 wickets."

Harsha said the first Test in Bangalore was rivetting for a major part and was a bit of an anti-climax only towards the end.

"But that is to be expected increasingly these days on Indian pitches. The wicket looked fragile but actually went on to conduct itself pretty well."

"That's how wickets in India behave. The Bangalore wicket turned out to be okay from a batting perspective."

Harsha opined India did well to get out of jail by forcing a draw despite some good cricket by Australia.

"Australia had India on the racks but did not have enough to bowl India out."

"The Aussies were really only a couple of wicketsaway from a win. This is a game India should have lost."

Harsha said it was good to see Sachin Tendulkar spend a long time in the middle: "However, I get worried to see Sachin play spinners the way he did. He is too good a player to treat spinners with so much respect."

"It was also nice to see VVS Laxman spend some time in the middle. He alongwith some of the other players was short of match practice but he spent some quality time in the middle."

Harsha, though pointed out that the Indian batting seemed to be a little anxious: "The batsmen appeard to be playing for their places in the team."

"I am not sure that is the best way to play cricket."

Harsha said the the biggest plus for Australia were Shane Watson's bowling and the fact that Mike Hussey got runs in the middle."

Speaking on the Indian attack, Harsha thought India lacked a third seamer: "Maybe India would do well to drop one spinner and play another seamer. Virender Sehwag needs to be used more. But that would again depend on the kind of surface."

Harsha said India would be on a high going into the second Test in Mohali, whereas Australia would be disappointed they could not force a win.

Indian Cricket League

The Season 2 of ICL, the Indian Cricket League, the exciting new series which has changed the face of world cricket, promises more action and ‘cricketainment’ when it starts October 10.

Already, the introduction of a ninth team – the Dhaka Warriors – is causing a lot of excitement and the new ICL World Series-Edition 2 will be staged over four venues – Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Gurgaon and Panchkula, followed by the World Series featuring four teams, namely ICL India, ICL Pakistan, ICL World and ICL Bangladesh, which will be held in Hyderabad.

ICL’s pioneering initiative in the last season saw the induction of Lahore Badshahs, who played a pivotal role in taking the standard of domestic Indian cricket to an unprecedented level. The Dhaka Warriors are sure to bring in a whole new vibrancy to the Indian Cricket League.

City erupts with joy after victory

The humid autumn afternoon in the capital saw masses of youngsters parading the streets on Thursday, yelling at the top of their voices, ‘Bangladesh, Bangladesh!’
The celebrations for the Bangladesh’s victory over New Zealand achieved genuine fervour around the Raju Memorial Monument on the Dhaka University campus.
Groups of students and residents of the surrounding areas, with shirts tied around the hips and brandishing twigs torn from trees, circled the monument, with one in each group carrying the national flag.
The jubilation coincided with the celebrations of the Bijaya Dashami, the last day of the largest religious festival of the Bengali Hindus, Durga Puja.
The processions of devout Hindus carrying the idols for immersion in the Buriganga were also overjoyed by the victory of the Bangladesh cricket squad against New Zealand, the giant-killer.
‘I cannot believe we’ve beaten another former world champion! I still cannot believe it,’ yelled Shumon Arefin, a third-year student of Sociology from the top of a rickshaw flatbed van near the Teachers-Students Centre.
‘We had lost all hope that our cricketers would shine again because of their awful performance in the past few series, but they turned the tables by winning this match and we now have grounds to hope for better performances from them,’ said Showkat Islam, a fourth-year student of socialogy.
Hoards of motorbike riders honked their horns and carried the national flag as they traversed the avenues and alleys of the capital. Splinter processions were brought out in almost every area of the city.
While the upscale city blocks saw a few, sporadic groups of cars with cheering young men wielding cricket bats through the windows and sunroofs, the grandest of celebrations were held in the city’s fringes.
‘We were upset after the resignation of 10 regular players of the national team but our boys have proved that we have enough players to beat the former world champion,’ said Amsa Amin, a student of the North South University.
‘Defeating another world champion is a big achievement for the Bangladesh team. We thank the Tigers who have made us proud after a long period
of frustration,’ said Moudud Islam, a third-year student of Mass Communications and Journalism.

Tigers’ first-ever ODI win over Kiwis

Azad Majumder

After so many let downs, the batsmen finally complemented the bowlers as Bangladesh rediscovered their giant-killing act to thrash the visiting New Zealanders by seven wickets at the boisterous Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Thursday.
A career best 85 runs by Junaed Siddique and an unbeaten 60 from skipper Mohammad Ashraful took the Tigers to a position what they were destined for after the bowlers had restricted the Kiwis to 201-9 in 50 overs.
When Sakib al Hasan hit the winning run sending the ball to the fine leg off Mark Gillespie with 27 deliveries still to go Bangladesh crossed another major hurdle as they now have only England and West Indies among the Test-playing nations to beat in an one-day international.
New Zealand have always been a formidable opposition for Bangladesh and they won the last game between the two sides in just six overs. Bangladesh’s record was so poor against them that they had just made more than 200 runs only once in 11 previous meetings.
But they all are now part of history as Bangladesh got their first major win since they defeated South Africa in the last World Cup. The script had no similarity with the South Africa game, rather it bore more resemblance to the one that came again India.
Like in Trinidad, Mashrafee bin Murtaza set up victory with a piercing first spell and the spinners continued the pressure later on to have New Zealand cave in. Mashrafee claimed 4-44, but he could have returned with more impressive figure had he not conceded 25 runs in the two overs of his second spell.
Mahmudullah Riyad grounded an easy catch of Tim Southee in the penultimate delivery, otherwise it could have been Mashrafee’s second five-wicket haul in a limited-over international game.
Abdur Razzak had his best game in many days to take 3-33 that included the wicket of Jacob Oram, who nearly snatched the game from Bangladesh’s grip despite the efforts of Mashrafee.
Bangladesh nearly dismissed New Zealand under 100 runs when they reduced the visitors to 79-6, but Oram staged a great recovery with a 70-run partnership with skipper Daniel Vettori in the seventh wicket stand.
Oram, who was finally caught at long-on by Syed Rasel after making 57 off 89 balls, however, has to be grateful to Bangladesh wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim, who missed a run-out chance from a hand-shaking distance when the batsman was only on four.
Mushfique made amends by putting on 67 runs for the second wicket with Junaed that finally took the game to Bangladesh’s way and Ashraful made no mistake to capitalise on the build-up.
He and Junaed assembled 109 runs in the second wicket partnership and were separated with only seven runs away from the victory target when the later got the leading edge to give a catch at backward point.
Junaed, who had just managed 62 runs in his previous eight games, had a life on 46 when Scott Styris dropped a sharp return catch, but it was just a spot on the moon.
Other than the slight deviation from his route, Junaed was as good as any other top-class batsman and the reward was there for him – the man-of-the-match award.

Akhtar wants to stay out of controversy

Shoaib Akhtar says he is now focussed on playing maximum cricket and steer clear of any further controversy.

"I am really happy to be back in the team once again. I am fit and looking forward to do well in Toronto where finally we will get to play against some international opposition," Shoaib said after he was named in a 15-member squad on basis of his performance in the ongoing national T20 championship in Lahore.

"I have been out of touch for a long time and I don't think a fast bowler should be resting for more than three days at a time," Shoaib insisted.

Shoaib said he had enjoyed the experience of playing domestic cricket and share his experiences with junior cricketers.

"It has been a fulfilling experience and helped me get back into rhythm. I think with teams refusing to tour Pakistan, the (Pakistan Cricket) Board should lay lot of stress on having more quality domestic tournaments," he said.

The fast bowler, who returned to the Pakistan side after nearly 11 months, supported having overseas players in domestic cricket and said, "I think it would be a good idea if the sponsors and PCB put in money and got some foreign players to play in our domestic circuit."

Shoaib, however, feels that the step should be chalked out well in advance even for domestic cricket so that players know when they were required to play. The fast bowler said this would be the best way to portray a positive image of Pakistan and send out assurances to other boards that in Pakistan cricket was alive and kicking.

Shoaib has been embroiled in a legal battle with the PCB over his 18-month ban and the fine of Rs seven million imposed on him.

Shoaib thinks his stint with the English county side Surrey had played a lot to regain his confidence and insisted, "The two matches I played for Surrey helped me a lot."

Australia recover after shaky start

Ricky Ponting and Simon Katich struck half-centuries as Australia recovered on day one of the first Test against India.

Australia had reached 166 for the loss their openers, Matthew Hayden and Katich, at tea after Ponting had won the toss and elected to bat in Bangalore.

After losing Hayden to the third ball of the day Ponting and Katich took command with a stand of 166 for the second wicket before the left-handed opener fell for 66 just before the tea break.

That left Ponting at the crease, and closing on his first Test century in India, unbeaten on 94 while new batsman Mike Hussey was yet to open his account.

The two teams had ended the first session on par, with Ishant Sharma and Zaheer Khan turning in sharp spells with the new ball.

Zaheer had removed the burly Hayden for a duck just three deliveries into the day, when he was given out caught behind by umpire Asad Rauf after some consideration.

The Queenslander initially refused to walk and replays suggested he had cause to feel aggrieved as he appeared to hit his pad rather than the ball.

But Ponting and Katich put Australia firmly in command as they realised 166 runs for the second wicket.

Katich, unobtrusive and far more sedate, had held up one end after seeing the shine off the new ball.

But he fell just before tea, opening the door for India to make a comeback. The left-handed opener walked off in disgust after half-heartedly prodded at a delivery from Ishant, only to produce a faint edge which Dhoni held.

Ishant then had three appeals for leg before against Ponting, but he was turned down by South African umpire Rudi Koertzen on each occasion.

The little assistance which Zaheer and Ishant had gleaned from the wicket in the morning had ended as the first session drew to a close.

By then, Ponting and Katich had begun to assert some authority, although runs initially came at a crawl.

Ponting was far more fluent with his stroke play in the session after lunch, hitting 12 boundaries, most of them drives through the cover region.

Leg-spinner Anil Kumble, who had constantly switched ends in the hope of ending the partnership, and off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, who was introduced into the attack as early as in the 13th over, bowled a total of 32 overs without success.

Bangladesh beat New Zealand by 7 wickets

Bangladesh beat New Zealand by seven wickets in the first one-day international here on Thursday to go 1-0 up in the three-match series.

Brief Scores: New Zealand 201-9 in 50 overs; Bangladesh 202-3 in 45.3 overs.

Ponting keen to end his Indian failures

Ponting keen to end his Indian failures When the series starts Thursday, Australia captain Ricky Ponting is determined to improve his record in India having scored just 172 runs there in 14 Test innings at an average of 12. He has been troubled by off-spinner Harbhajan Singh more than anyone else, as the tricky bowler accounted for Ponting’s wicket five times out of five when they faced off in the 2001 rubber. Since making 60 there in 1998, Ponting has failed to reach 20 in nine attempts. It wouldn’t be such an amazing feat if the man we are discussing wasn’t averaging 58.37 in 119 Tests for India has proven the graveyard for many good players of the past but this is a man who may one day become the highest-scoring batsmen in Test history. The duo will meet again at Bangalore in the first Test this week before continuing their duel in Delhi, Mohali and Nagpur as Australia seek to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. In 2004, they won for the first time in India for 35 years. “That first dismissal in the first Test (in 2001) was where it all started for me,” Ponting told reporters recently. “I was always trying to find a different way to play, fearing that one delivery I guess. “The reason for my poor performance was that I didn't trust myself; I didn't trust my technique. I ended up getting stumped or caught at bat-pad sweeping. I tried almost everything and nothing worked. “Every time I tried something, I got out pretty soon after. They are the lessons to be learnt I guess from coming here. I only played one game in 2004 as I was coming back from injury and the wicket at the Wankhede was pretty ordinary.” Ponting is taking a great deal of advice from a great many sources in an effort to listen to that one magical piece of advice that moght just change his fortunes against India in India. Ultimately, he knows that working out his own game himself and sticking to it is what will work best for him, though batting coach on the tour and former Australia great and India coach Greg Chappell has aided him technically. “I have spoken to a lot of guys this week about working out a style of playing you think is going to work for you, and when you have worked it out, making sure you stick to it. “Even if you do get out a couple of times early, you know that if you stick to those things that have worked for you in the past, some will go your way and you will end up scoring some runs. I have to be strong and stick to what I know is going to work.” He added, with a hint of needle against Harbhajan: “Sri Lanka is probably the hardest spinning condition to play in. I have got a record there, as good as anybody, and against a set of bowlers a whole lot more skilled than Harbhajan might be.” Curiously when Harbhajan was asked about his success against Ponting he said he was not sure about it as the Tasmanian had not been in long enough. Such cutting, dry humour is making for quite a contest.

Hussey century gives Australians a chance Mike Hussey’s fighting spirit brought him his 48th first-class century and saved the Australians from a possible follow on in a pre-Test warm-up against the Indian Board President’s XI. On the third day in the four-day game, left-hander Hussey made 126 not out with last man Stuart Clark scoring a crucial 44 in a tenth-wicket partnership that was worth 96. Australia reached were all out for 314 in reply to the Indians’ 455. Without Hussey’s display of obduracy Ricky Ponting’s men may well have been entering Thursday’s first Test at Bangalore with a defeat behind them. Although the match is still far from over, the Aussies may have done enough to stave off an embarrassing reverse. Most of the damage had been done by leg-spinner Piyush Chawla, who took 5-89 in 40 overs, following up the dismissals of Ponting and Michael Clarke with the wickets of tail-enders Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson and Peter Siddle on Saturday morning. After Siddle’s departure Australia were 218-9. The Board XI closed on 110-2 with opener Wasim Jaffer unbeaten on 46 and no doubt determined to make a point to the selectors after he was left out of the Test squad.

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ODI TEST
Australia
South Africa
England
New Zealand
India
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
West Indies
Bangladesh
Ireland
Australia
South Africa
India
Sri Lanka
England
Pakistan
New Zealand
West Indies
Bangladesh

ODI TEST
Mahendra S. Dhoni
Michael Hussey
Graeme Smith
Ricky Ponting
Moh. Yousuf
S Chanderpaul
Kevin Pietersen
Sachin Tendulkar
Andrew Symonds
Matthew Hayden
S. Chanderpaul
Kumar Sangakkara
Michael Hussey
Ricky Ponting
Moh. Yousuf
M Jayawardene
Matthew Hayden
Kevin Pietersen
Younis Khan
Virender Sehwag

'Fab four under pressure from self'

MS Dhoni believes the 'Fab Four' are more burdened by their own high expectations than the one exerted by fans and experts.

Asserting that senior batsmen -- Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid -- still have a lot to offer, Dhoni said the quartet deserves a graceful exit as and when they decide to call it a day.

"There is more pressure on them because of their own expectation level and the fear of performance because they have set the benchmark so high that to be there always... there is more pressure that comes from within.

"I don't think you can really write them off, they have plenty in them. But at the same time you have to look into the future. It's all about transition, making a respectful last few years in their international career," Dhoni said.

Dhoni, who has impressed the game experts with his cool head and mindful strategies, also defended seniors place in the Test side.

"Do we have an option? We definitely have players who are talented and can make it big, but at the same time, it's not really about talent, their adaptability and preparation matter," Dhoni told an Indian news channel in an interview.

Speaking about the four-Test series against the Australians, Dhoni said the hosts were well prepared to take on the World Champions.

"Preparation wise, I think, we could not have done an inch more than what we have done. It's all about execution of plans and hopefully, the team will adapt and play better cricket," he said.

Dhoni also predicted tough times for the Australians if the pitches for the series favour spinners. "If it is a normal Indian wicket that starts to turn may be from the tea session, then it will be tough for them. They will have to apply themselves to get the runs."

Dhoni, however, insisted India were not depending on just its spin to trouble Australians and said the hosts had an equally potent pace-attack raring to go.

"It's not that we do not have quality fast bowlers. They have taken up the responsibility, they have pulled up their socks. We have quality spinners as well. We do not need to say anything about Harbhajan Singh or Anil Kumble.

"We are comfortable playing on any surface whether it is a spinner-friendly surface or a seamer-friendly surface," he said.

Dhoni said becoming only the second cricketer after Sachin Tendulkar to receive the country's highest sporting honour -- the 'Khel Ratna' -- was a 'special' feeling but it has also put him under pressure to perform at the same level next year.

"Khel Ratna is very special. That's the biggest sports award that I have got till now and nothing comes next to it. So it's real pleasure to get the Khel Ratna award.

"But the tough part to it, is to play cricket well again in the next year and try to get the award. But at the back of the mind, it's not about getting an award -- it's about playing some good cricket and helping the team to win," he said.

Goals galore in England

Tuesday 30th September 2008

Kelvin Leong runs through the chart and picks out the top goal poachers in the Barclays premier League this season.

With the Barclays Premier League into the second month, goals have been flying in from all angles and these are the players who have covered themselves in glory so far.

Five goals

Amr Zaki (Wigan)

Four goals

Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa)
John Carew (Aston Villa)
Jermain Defoe (Portsmouth)

Three goals

Michael Owen (Newcastle)
Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal)
Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea)
Mido (Middlesbrough)
Yakubu (Everton)
Kevin Davies (Bolton)
Elano (Man City)
Fernando Torres (Liverpool)
Robin Van Persie (Arsenal)
Shaun Wright-Phillips (Man City)

BATE Borisov v Juve Preview

Tuesday 30th September 2008

Juventus take on minnows BATE Borisov in Belarus looking to rediscover their goalscoring form on Tuesday.

The Turin giants got their European campaign off to a winning start by beating Zenit St Petersburg 1-0 in their Group H opener and now they will play their first match away in Europe´s elite club competition since their meeting with Arsenal in London on March 2006.

Despite being unbeaten this season, Juve have not been at full throttle so far and coach Claudio Ranieri will not want a slip-up against the Belarus underdogs, who lost 2-0 at Real Madrid in their first match.

The Bianconeri struggled to a goalless result in Saturday´s league game at Sampdoria, which marked their second consecutive draw and meant the club drop to seventh in the Serie A standings.

"It was a difficult game," admitted Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini. "We were unable to score and to win.

"The fact that we haven´t won in the last two games means something is missing but we are on the right path and I´m confident we will improve."

Lack of goalscoring has hindered the Bianconeri, whose biggest margin of victory has been a 1-0 result this campaign.

Italy internationals Alessandro Del Piero and Vincenzo Iaquinta have failed to find the net in four league games.

To complicate matters for Ranieri, French forward David Trezeguet will not return until next year after undergoing knee surgery, but he is hopeful his team can cope in the striker's absence.

"We are missing Trezeguet," Ranieri said. "But I have other strikers that are good. We just need to work hard and do the best we can.

"Sooner or later the goals will come but we need to continue to work hard."

Ranieri will be hoping Del Piero can come up with the goods as he did against Zenit, and he is expected to start alongside Amauri.

There has been intense interest in Tuesday´s game at the Horodskiy with Juventus among the world's top clubs and BATE being the first Belarus team to host a Champions League group stage encounter.

Viktor Goncharenko's side take on Juve sitting proudly atop the domestic Vysshaya Liga with 53 points from 23 games.

BATE, who are unbeaten on the domestic front, go into the game in buoyant mood after a 2-0 win at Gomel.

The Italians will be without goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and defender Christian Poulsen, both struggling with minor knocks.

The good news for Ranieri is that defender Nicola Legrottaglie has recovered from injury and will return to play on Tuesday.

The hosts will be without experienced midfielder Aleksandr Ermakovich who underwent knee surgery and has been ruled out for the rest of the year.

Arsenal v Porto Preview

Tuesday 30th September 2008

Arsenal are hoping for a response when they resume their Champions League campaign against Porto on Tuesday.

The Gunners slipped to one of the great top-flight upsets when they were stunned 2-1 by Hull City at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, a result which Wenger revealed made him feel physically sick.

Attention has now turned to Europe and a competitive group which also includes Fenerbahce and Dynamo Kiev leaves little margin for error.

But centre-back Kolo Toure is grateful for the early chance for his team to redeem themselves by displaying their character.

"We can't just think about Hull. It's true we lost and didn't play well," he said.

"But we didn't play very well against Fulham and then we came back well in the next game when we beat Twente in the Champions League (qualifiers).

"For a team like Arsenal it's always good to have a good reaction. Any team can fall down but it's about how they react to defeat that matters.

"Tomorrow is a really good test and we will see if we can show another face.

"We are lucky we can play a match so soon after that and change everything in the minds of our fans.

"We want to show everyone we are still a good side. The manager, like everyone at the club, was very upset after Hull.

"If you want to be champions you need to win every game, especially when you play at home. We didn't perform well.

"We're professional and we know that when we play for Arsenal we can't afford to lose like that.

"The manager didn't have to say anything to us but he still had a few words. Every player was very sad and disappointed.

"We need to show we have the character to win against a big team."

Wenger's attacking philosophy has made Arsenal possibly the most attractive side to watch in Europe but Toure had demanded his side deliver more than entertainment.

"We really want to win something this season because we haven't won anything in the last three seasons," he said.

"We are playing good football but we need to win to show that it can win us trophies."

Opponents Porto arrive in London on the back of a 2-0 win over Pacos Ferreira, and have enjoyed an extra day's rest having played their league game on Friday.

The 2004 Champions League winners started this season's European campaign brightly with a 3-1 win over Fenerbahce, and Argentinian forward Lisandro Lopez insists his side want to continue that run against Arsenal.

"We're going to go there to control the game and to win," he said.

However, he added: "But if we can't win, then a draw wouldn't be so bad. The last thing we want is to lose."

AaB v Man United Preview

Monday 29th September 2008

AaB v Man United Preview

Darren Fletcher has warned his Manchester United team-mates not to expect an easy ride against AaB on Tuesday.

Having opened their Champions League defence with a home draw against Villarreal, Fletcher knows United could do with maximum points from their trip to northern Denmark.

Immediately after the Group E draw was made, that is probably what United expected too, along with Villarreal and Celtic in the battle for two qualifying spots.

But those ideas had to be swiftly revised in the wake of AaB's eye-catching draw at Parkhead.

"It is not going to be quite that easy to beat them," Fletcher said. "Aalborg might not be a household name but this is the Champions League. It is a top-quality competition and they are a quality side.

"People might have discarded Aalborg but that will only help them because there is no pressure.

"It is a game we will have to be on top form for."

United have certainly turned their season around in the past fortnight.

Having gone into the Villarreal clash on the back of a sound beating at Anfield, the Old Trafford side had the better of things with the Spaniards without being able to get the all-important goal.

However, subsequent triumphs over Middlesbrough and Bolton mean they will face Bruce Rioch's side in confident mood.

"We are in better form now," said Fletcher, who knows the last time they failed to overcome Villarreal on home soil, the Red Devils were embarrassingly knocked out in the group stage.

"When you look at it, Aalborg's result at Celtic was a good one for us.

"But it is important we get a win tomorrow. The longer you go without one the more worrying it gets.

"We need to kick-start our Champions League campaign."

Owen Hargreaves remains sidelined with a knee injury while Gary Neville is also absent from the squad despite seeming to come through Saturday's win over Bolton unscathed after almost 18 months on the sidelines following major ankle surgery.

For Danish title-holders AaB, the visit of United marks one of the biggest matches in the club's history.

And defender Michael Beauchamp admits they are relishing the prospect of facing the European champions, even though his team are overwhelming underdogs.

"This is huge, awaiting a clash with Manchester United," the Australian said.

"They are big favourites and strictly speaking our chances of winning are minimal.

"Instead we're viewing this match primarily as a great experience."

Beauchamp is also relieved to be available for the match after being sent off in their opener against Celtic in what was a case of mistaken identity.

UEFA later rescinded his red card - with Michael Jakobsen identified as the man who had committed a foul on Georgios Samaras - and Beauchamp can now focus on a clash which has clearly whetted the appetite of his family Down Under.

"Luckily everything has been put to rights," he said of the incident.

"Apart from the referee, everyone could see it wasn't me but Michael Jakobsen who made the challenge.

"Thankfully AaB appealed and now I'm available for a dream match which my parents are flying over from Australia for."

Jakobsen is not so fortunate as he will serve a one-match ban against United for that tackle on Samaras, while there are also doubts over Kasper Risgard and Jeppe Curth, who both sat out training on Monday.

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The Champions League numbers game

Eugene YS Han takes a quick inside look at the UEFA Champions League facts and figures that matter since 1992/93.

What is the most common result since the Champions League came into being?

Going by the high standard of competition in the world's greatest Cup competition, it is no surprise that 1-0 is by far the most 'popular' scoreline.

Most common results

1-0 318 times (19.8% per season)

2-1 230 times (14.3% per season)

2-0 204 times (12.8% per season)

1-1 178 times (11.1% per season)

0-0 149 times (9.31% per season)

3-0 117 times (7.31% per season)

3-1 116 times (7.25% per season)

Aussies warm up with a draw

Australia came back strongly to end the two-day practice match against RCA Centre of Excellence team in a draw on Saturday.

The visitors, who were all out for 218 yesterday, decided to end the match at the fall of the last RCA wicket an hour after lunch interval. The visitors then had practice among the 15-member team instead of continuing with the game.

Ricky Pontings team took just 52.3 overs to bundle out the home team with rookie pacer Dough Bollinger and inexperienced spinner Jason Krezja returning three for nine and three for 35 respectively.

Strike bowler Brett Lee also bowled beautifully to dismiss dangerman and home team captain Venugopal Rao and return with two for 17.

Young fast bowler Peter Siddle and his senior Stuart Clark took one wicket each. Siddle broke the 51-plus run third-wicket partnership between Venugopal and Khoda --- both former India ODI players -- the only notable partnership of the team in the match.

Left arm fast bowler Mitchell Johnson was wicket-less in his eight overs.

Resuming the day at 38 for two, overnight not out batsmen Khoda and Venugopal were tied down by the Australian bowlers and they added just 15 runs in 10 overs before Lee claimed the home team captain for 20 off a quick and low delivery.

Venugopal had faced 63 balls and hit three boundaries before perishing at team score of 53 for three. Next over, Khoda was caught by wicket-keeper Brad Haddin off Siddle for 33 and home team was tottering at 57 for four by then.

Rajasthan team then had a brief period of resistance for 14 overs which yielded 25 runs for the fifth wicket before Robin Bist -- the home teams top-scorer -- was out for 34 and with his departure all the hopes any fight back had gone. Bist made a patient 34 after facing 92 balls and hitting four fours.

After that it was procession of Rajasthan players with the next five batsmen adding 40 runs from 77 balls. By lunch interval, taken after 42 overs -- after 31 overs today -- the home team were 97 for seven.

RCA innings folded at 122 less than one hour after the lunch break and after facing 41.3 overs today. Wicket-keeper Rohit Jhalani and pacer Pankaj Singh were out for duck while Mohan Singh was the not out batsman without scoring.

The visitors, instead of resuming batting, decided to end the game for a draw to have practice among themselves. Captain Ricky Ponting and opener Matthew Hayden -- both of whom were out cheaply -- first padded up to face Lee in the practice.

Tendulkar: Team success more important

Sachin Tendulkar will put the team ahead of individual glory when India face Australia in a four-test series next month.

Tendulkar is just 76 runs short of Brian Lara's all-time Test record of 11,953, but the 35-year-old insisted on Monday the landmark was not on his mind.

"It's irrelevant at this time," he said. "At the moment, I'm fully focused on playing well and helping my team win the series."

Tendulkar is back in the team after missing the one-day series in Sri Lanka due to a shoulder injury.

"I'm working on my fitness in this camp and I hope to do my best in the series," he said.

"This is a four-match series and I have targets for each match. Hopefully, I would be able to achieve them."

The battle for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, currently held by Australia, begins on October 9 when the first Test gets under way in Bangalore.

Young and dangerous Villa

Ashley Young made Sunderland pay for conceding two free-kicks in as Aston Villa came from behind to win 2-1.

The Black Cats had taken the lead through Djibril Cisse after 10 minutes but Young quickly retaliated from 20 yards out after being brought down by Liam Miller.

Then Anton Ferdinand handled just outside the box and Young's deflected free-kick found John Carew, via Stiliyan Petrov, and he grabbed the winner after 33 minutes.

But Villa were left hanging on for much of the second half as their fifth match in only 13 days appeared to take its toll.

The Black Cats enjoyed plenty of possession with Steed Malbranque impressing in midfield, while substitute Daryl Murphy also made a telling impact.

But captain Martin Laursen was again a rock solid performer at the heart of the Villa back four while Petrov and Gareth Barry caught the eye in midfield.

And on days when they are not at their best Villa can always rely on the potency of players like Carew, Gabriel Agbonlahor and Ashley Young.

The first half-chance fell to Sunderland with Liam Miller controlling a low cross from Pascal Chimbonda and turning past Barry in inside the penalty area but his weak angled shot was easily dealt with by Brad Friedel.

Laursen had a good opportunity to put Villa in front when he found himself completely unmarked in the centre from a Barry corner but directed his header straight at Craig Gordon.

It was a prove a costly miss as within 60 seconds Sunderland had taken the lead through Cisse's second goal of the season.

The influential Malbranque made a powerful run forward before releasing his French compatriot who nipped in between Laursen and Curtis Davies and planted a low shot past Friedel.

Villa attempted to strike back quickly but Carew was high and wide with a shot on the turn, although in the 18th minute Young brought them back on level terms with a stunning free-kick.

The former Watford player was brought down 20 yards out by Miller but picked himself up to drill a curling effort past the stranded Gordon into the corner of the net.

Then in the 33rd minute Villa went ahead through Carew with Sunderland again paying the penalty for conceding a set-piece some 20 yards out.

Anton Ferdinand handled unnecessarily and this time Young's free-kick was blocked by the defensive wall.

But Petrov seized the loose ball, managed to drill a low cross into the danger area and the sharp Carew flicked it past Gordon for his fifth goal of the campaign.

Villa were now in the ascendancy and Barry climbed to meet a cross from Luke Young but his header flew straight at Gordon.

Carew showed his pace in getting to the byline and his eventual cross was spilled by Gordon but he recovered to block the follow-up shot from Barry.

Fourth official Steve Bennett took over the running of the line for the second period as referee's assistant Alan Williams was injured.

Sunderland began the second half promisingly and Miller was only just too high with a dipping 30-yard effort.

Roy Keane made a double substitution after 59 minutes, replacing El-Hadji Diouf and Miller with Daryl Murphy and Andy Reid respectively.

Agbonlahor nearly made Sunderland captain Dean Whitehead pay after robbing him in possession and his shot was deflected just past Gordon's right-hand post.

O'Neill brought on James Milner for Nicky Shorey with 20 minutes remaining and he immediately created a chance for Barry whose volley was only just too high.

Toffees get Torre-rised

Fernando Torres shrugged off his Euro 2008 hangover to score twice to beat 10-man Everton 2-0 in the Merseyside derby.

The Spain international had managed just one goal all season before Saturday's match.

He got himself booked at Goodison Park, argued with referee Mike Riley about the heavy-handed treatment he was getting from Everton's defenders and then hit back where it hurts.

Torres volleyed home his first after 59 minutes and cracked in the second three minutes later.

Everton have still to win at home this season and had Tim Cahill sent off with 10 minutes to go to cap a miserable day for David Moyes' side.

The hosts had full-back Tony Hibbert back for the first time this season after a knee ligament operation in the summer, while midfielder Mikel Arteta had recovered from a virus to play.

Liverpool were without Javier Mascherano, with a calf problem, and fielded the side that drew 0-0 with Stoke last weekend.

An interested observer in the directors' box was Standard Liege boss Laszlo Boloni, who was preparing for this week's UEFA Cup tie but also watching former player Marouane Fellaini in his first derby.

The midfielder probably won his move to Goodison Park after two excellent performances against Liverpool in the Champions League.

Fellaini was first into referee Mike Riley's book after just nine minutes for a foul on Alvaro Arbeloa.

Everton should have been ahead after 14 minutes when Cahill failed to make a decent connection to Arteta's corner from just six yards.

With Ayegbeni Yakubu up front and Arteta and Cahill attacking from deep it meant Liverpool had the majority of possession as Everton sat back and tried to hit them on the break.

It almost succeeded after 26 minutes when Joleon Lescott's cross was dropped by Jose Reina under minimal pressure from Fellaini, who spun to strike a fierce shot that Jamie Carragher somehow blocked on the line.

But referee Riley had spotted an infringement and awarded a free-kick.

Xabi Alonso was booked for blocking an Arteta run on the right before Robbie Keane almost created a scoring opportunity for Dirk Kuyt, arriving late in the box.

Yakubu was booked three minutes into the second half for diving in the box having pushed the ball past Martin Skrtel before plunging to the floor.

Two minutes later Riley booked Torres, who had questioned the referee's decisions throughout the first half, for a foul on Lescott.

But the Spaniard finally channelled his annoyance into the game and saw a 20-yard strike go just wide before Gerrard was much closer from slightly further out.

Albert Riera should have done better when presented with a shooting chance by Keane but when Torres was denied a clear opportunity, having shrugged off Phil Jagielka, Riley was again on his case, awarding a fortunate free-kick to the hosts.

But after 59 minutes Torres got his own back. Arbeloa robbed Arteta far too easily on the touchline and quick passing involving Riera and Alonso released Keane on the left.

The Irishman's cross to the far post was met beautifully on the volley by Torres to beat Tim Howard.

Three minutes later Torres was celebrating again. Liverpool surged forward again and when Jagielka's tackle 10 yards out stopped Keane in his tracks, the ball fell for Torres to smash into the top corner.

Torres scored again seconds later but the effort was ruled out by referee Riley.

Arbeloa was booked after 85 minutes for a retaliatory kick at Cahill after a tussle between the pair before Yakubu missed an open goal as Leon Osman's cross flashed in front of him.

Five minutes later Cahill was sent off. Referee Riley showed him a red card for a late challenge on Alonso.

It was the eighth red card in the last eight derbies, and the 17th in 33 Premier League clashes between the clubs.

Substitute Louis Saha fired a 25-yard shot just wide in the dying minutes but that was the closest Everton came all time.

Asif can play in Ramazan T20

The PCB has said Mohammad Asif was free to play in the Ramazan Twenty20 tournament as they were not organised by the Board.

"The suspension on him is from taking part in any cricket activity organised by the board. This is a private festival Ramazan tournament so he can play in it," PCB spokesman Mansoor Sohail said.

Twenty five-year-old Asif, who has been suspended by the Board after he tested positive in a dope test during the Indian Premier League, has been playing for a club side in a high profile Ramazan event in Karachi which is drawing big crowds.

Some former players have questioned Asif's appearance in the tournament as the Board had said he would remain suspended from all cricket activities until the dope case is decided by the drugs inquiry tribunal of the IPL in India.

Asif and his lawyer have been asked for a hearing before the IPL drugs panel on October 11 in India after the pacer's "B" sample also tested positive for a banned substance nandrolone.

However, Asif said he was confident of being cleared in the latest doping offence scandal and maintained he was being framed in controversies and defamed by some people who didn't want him to see play for Pakistan.

"My lawyer and my doctor have prepared a strong defence for me and I am confident that when the IPL tribunal hearing is held I will be cleared of any doping offence," Asif said. "I have never used any banned substance in my life so I don't know how these tests came positive," he added.

Asif said he himself wanted the case to be resolved as soon as possible so that he could resume his international career and play for Pakistan again.

"It has been a great experience playing in front of these big crowds and they have been very supportive so I know the people are behind me and believe my innocence," he added.

Tendulkar declared fit for Test series

Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar has been declared fit for the four-Test series against Australia in October.

"A report submitted by Paul Close (National Cricket Academy physio) states that the player has recovered fully from his elbow injury. Tendulkar will join the camp (at Bangalore from September 30) prior to the series," a BCCI media release said.

Tendulkar suffered the elbow injury while fielding in the third Test against Sri Lanka in August and has not played any competitive cricket since then.

He was named in the Rest of India squad, now playing in the Irani Cup tie against Ranji winners Delhi at Vadodara, before pulling out of the match on medical advice following a feeling of slight stiffness in the injured joint.

Shoaib can play in national T20

The PCB said controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, if fit, would play in the national T20 championship starting from October 4.

The PCB had initially said Akhtar would not be eligible to play for Pakistan or in Pakistan if he did not pay the fine of seven million rupees, imposed on disciplinary grounds.

"The court will decide on the legality of this issue and we will accept that when the decision comes. But for the time being we see no harm in Shoaib playing domestic cricket," a board official said.

"If the court says he has to pay the fine first to be eligible to play for Pakistan or in Pakistan then we will not consider him until he does that," the official added.

The Lahore High court yesterday directed Akhtar to appear before it on October 3 on an application filed by the PCB asking the court to give a clear cut directive whether the fast bowler should be allowed to play without first paying the fine.

A PCB-appointed tribunal headed by a former judge of the Lahore High court had reduced a five-year ban on Akhtar in June that was imposed by the board in March for several instances of breach of discipline.

But the tribunal asked Akhtar to pay the fine which he has not done as yet.

Akhtar has refused to pay the fine insisting that since he has filed a writ petition in court against the fine and ban, the matter will be decided when the court hears his case and gives a decision.

The pacer has been named in Islamabad team for the Twenty20 tournament which is one of the most popular domestic events in Pakistan.

Yuvi to lead BCCI team against Oz

Yuvraj Singh will lead BCCI's President's XI team against Australia for the four-day warm-up match in Hyderabad. 

S. Badrinath has been named the vice captain in the match to be played from October 2 to 5.

Parthiv Patel will be the wicket-keeper in the 15-member squad, according to a press statement issued by BCCI Secretary Niranjan Shah today.

The selectors appointed Suresh Raina as the captain of the India 'A' side against New Zealand 'A' for two four-day matches to be played at Chennai from September 28 to October 1 and October 3 to 6.

Squads: President XI: Yuvraj Singh (Capt), S Badrinath (VC), Wasim Jaffer, Aakash Chopra, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kholi, Parthiv Patel (wk), Irfan Pathan, S Sreesanth, Piyush Chawla, Pragyan Ojha, Pankaj Singh, Manpreet Gony, Yogesh Takawale, Rakesh Dhruve India 'A' Team: Suresh Raina (Captain), Jaydev Shah (VC), M Vijay, Shikhar Dhavan, Sahil Kukreja, Cheteshwar Pujara, Yusuf Pathan, Ravindra Jadeja, Wriddhiman Saha, Ashok Dinda Dhaval Kulkarni, S Tyagi, Amit Mishra, Pradip Sangwan, Mohnish Parmar.

Yuvi to lead BCCI team against Oz

Yuvraj Singh will lead BCCI's President's XI team against Australia for the four-day warm-up match in Hyderabad. 

S. Badrinath has been named the vice captain in the match to be played from October 2 to 5.

Parthiv Patel will be the wicket-keeper in the 15-member squad, according to a press statement issued by BCCI Secretary Niranjan Shah today.

The selectors appointed Suresh Raina as the captain of the India 'A' side against New Zealand 'A' for two four-day matches to be played at Chennai from September 28 to October 1 and October 3 to 6.

Squads: President XI: Yuvraj Singh (Capt), S Badrinath (VC), Wasim Jaffer, Aakash Chopra, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kholi, Parthiv Patel (wk), Irfan Pathan, S Sreesanth, Piyush Chawla, Pragyan Ojha, Pankaj Singh, Manpreet Gony, Yogesh Takawale, Rakesh Dhruve India 'A' Team: Suresh Raina (Captain), Jaydev Shah (VC), M Vijay, Shikhar Dhavan, Sahil Kukreja, Cheteshwar Pujara, Yusuf Pathan, Ravindra Jadeja, Wriddhiman Saha, Ashok Dinda Dhaval Kulkarni, S Tyagi, Amit Mishra, Pradip Sangwan, Mohnish Parmar.