Chile knocks out world champion Spain and survives group of death

June 19, 2014

Rio de Janeiro, Jun 19: It took 11 games, three world cups and 64 years, but Chile has finally defeated its colonial master in the beautiful game and, in doing so, sent the reigning world champion Spain crashing out of Brazil 2014.

Predictions of a “kamikaze” style offensive Chile looked spot on in the opening minutes as “La Roja” talisman Alexis Sánchez created two genuine chances in the opening two minutes of the match. But, against all odds, it was the South Americans’ desperation and desire at the back which won this most crucial of games.

Chile knocks outCoach Jorge Sampaoli may have swapped a four-man defensive line for three at the back on paper, but for large parts of the game wingers Eugenio Mena and Mauricio Isla fortified a backline which refused to be trumped by a Spanish side running rampant in the middle of the pitch.

The new addition to Chile’s defense, Francisco Silva, played a pivotal role in holding the the likes of Diego Costa, Pedro and Andrés Iniesta goalless, and his distribution was also excellent. Defensive partners Gary Medel and Gonzalo Jara also had a big night, but Chile owes its clean sheet to its inspirational captain and keeper Claudio Bravo, who ruled the goal area with authority, consistently putting himself in the right position, blocking when necessary and grabbing the ball when possible.

In contrast, his counterpart and opposing captain Iker Casillas was not decisive enough to prevent Chile’s second and winning goal. Sánchez fired in a free kick in a dangerous position on 43 minutes which went over the wall but should have been dealt with by the Spanish keeper, who instead palmed it directly ahead to a lurking Charles Aránguiz. The former go-to-man in Sampaoli’s illustrious Universidad de Chile team controlled the ball on the edge of the box and slotted home what would be the game’s decisive goal from the edge of the box.

A teammate from that three-time domestic and one-time Copa Sudamericana winning side, Eduardo Vargas, scored the first. As Chile fans are now well accustomed to, it was a Sánchez through ball which set up play, but Aránguiz provided a quality cross to “Edu,” who made a first touch which left Casillas stranded and tapped home in his signature easy-as-they-come style.

Faced with imminent elimination from the tournament which was meant to be the swan song of the greatest generation of footballers in the modern age, Spain held nothing back in looking for the goals which would salvage its campaign after a 5-1 humbling at the hands of the Netherlands.

But “La Roja,” playing the deepest defensive line that Chile fans have seen since Sampaoli took the reigns at the end of 2012, held firm, thumping the ball forward when necessary and taking on their more fancied opponents as if their lives depended on it.

Two games into this most exciting of world cups, the jury is still out as to whether Sampaoli’s consistent lineup changes at the back represent unparalleled tactical genius or a scramble to make up for the fact he has a large deficit of defensive quality. What is clear, however, is that his leadership, along with the likes of Sánchez, Bravo and a recovering but inspirational Arturo Vidal, are driving this squad to victories against more fancied opponents, or when the team is not delivering its swashbuckling promise against lesser squads.

Whatever the case, Chile has now survived the group of death, and will play for top spot Monday against a Dutch team which Australia made look defeatable and which will be without the inimitable forward presence of Robin Van Persie, thanks to two consecutive yellow cards.

The two teams will play for top spot in a group which no team envied, with number one playing number two in Group A, and vice versa. But Brazil’s place at number one in its group is no longer assured, thanks to a brave draw by the Mexicans, and Chile will not be thinking about who it will play next but, instead, stamping its authority on the world game by topping the toughest group in the Brazil 2014.

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News Network
June 13,2020

Mumbai, Jun 13: Vasant Raiji, who was India's oldest first-class cricketer at 100, died in Mumbai in the wee hours of Saturday.

Raiji was 100 years old and is survived by his wife and two daughters.

"He (Raiji) passed away at 2.20 am in his sleep at his residence in Walkeshwar in South Mumbai due to old-age," his son-in-law Sudarshan Nanavati told PTI.

Raiji, a right-handed batsman, played nine first-class matches in the 1940s, scoring 277 runs with 68 being his highest score.

He made his debut for a Cricket Club of India team that played Central Provinces and Berar in Nagpur in 1939.

His Mumbai debut happened in 1941 when the team played Western India under the leadership of Vijay Merchant.

Raiji, also a cricket historian and chartered accountant, was 13 when India played its first Test match at the Bombay Gymkhana in South Mumbai.

Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar and former Australian skipper Steve Waugh had paid a courtesy visit to Raiji at his residence in January when he had turned 100.

It has been learnt that the cremation will take place at the Chandanwadi crematorium in South Mumbai on Saturday afternoon.

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May 13,2020

May 13: With the Olympics postponed due to the coronavirus, top Japanese fencer Ryo Miyake has swapped his metal mask and foil for a bike and backpack as a Tokyo UberEats deliveryman.

The 29-year-old, who won silver in the team foil at the 2012 London Olympics and was itching to compete in a home Games, says the job keeps him in shape physically and mentally -- and brings in much-needed cash.

"I started this for two reasons -- to save money for travelling (to future competitions) and to keep myself in physical shape," he told AFP.

"I see how much I am earning on the phone, but the number is not just money for me. It's a score to keep me going."

Japanese media have depicted Miyake as a poor amateur struggling to make ends meet but he himself asked for his three corporate sponsorships to be put on hold -- even if that means living off savings.

Like most of the world's top athletes, he is in limbo as the virus forces competitions to be cancelled and plays havoc with training schedules.

"I don't know when I can resume training or when the next tournament will take place. I don't even know if I can keep up my mental condition or motivation for another year," he said.

"No one knows how the qualification process will go. Pretending everything is OK for the competition is simply irresponsible."

In the meantime, he is happy criss-crossing the vast Japanese capital with bike and smartphone, joining a growing legion of Uber delivery staff in demand during the pandemic.

"When I get orders in the hilly Akasaka, Roppongi (downtown) district, it becomes good training," he smiles.

The unprecedented postponement of the Olympics hit Miyake hard, as he was enjoying a purple patch in his career.

After missing out on the Rio 2016 Olympics, Miyake came 13th in last year's World Fencing Championships -- the highest-ranked Japanese fencer at the competition.

The International Olympics Committee has set the new date for the Olympics on July 23, 2021.

But with no vaccine available for the coronavirus that has killed nearly 300,000 worldwide, even that hangs in the balance.

Miyake said the Japanese fencing team heard about the postponement the day after arriving in the United States for one of the final Olympic qualifying events.

With his diary suddenly free of training and competition, he said he spent the month of April agonising over what to do before hitting on the Uber idea.

"Sports and culture inevitably come second when people have to survive a crisis," he said.

"Is the Olympics really needed in the first place? Then what do I live for if not for the sport? That is what I kept thinking."

However, the new and temporary career delivering food in Tokyo has given the fencer a new drive to succeed.

"The most immediate objective for me is to be able to start training smoothly" once the emergency is lifted, he said.

"I need to be ready physically and financially for the moment. That is my biggest mission now."

But not all athletes may cope mentally with surviving another "nerve-wracking" pre-Olympic year, he said.

"It's like finally getting to the end of a 42-kilometre marathon and then being told you have to keep going."

As a child, Miyake practised his attacks on every wall of his house -- and he said his passion for the sport was what was driving him now.

"I love fencing. I want to be able to travel for matches and compete in the Olympics. That is the only reason I am doing this."

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News Network
June 13,2020

Melbourne, Jun 13: Former Australia wicketkeeper-batsman Adam Gilchrist and current opener David Warner have expressed gratitude to two Indian students for helping people in the country during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gilchrist thanked Sharon Varghese, an Indian student who did her Bachelors in Nursing from the University of Wollongong.

Varghese has been was working on the frontline along with other health care workers to look after the residents of aged-care during the global health crisis.

"She gave up her time to work as an aged-care worker throughout that time. Sharon, I want to say congratulations on the selfless act and for wanting to thank people in Australia because you have enjoyed three and a half years living here. And that’s wonderful to hear," Gilchrist said in a video message.

"Just want to let you know, all of Australia, all of India and more importantly, your family will be so very proud of your efforts."

In another short video, Warner thanked Queensland-based Indian student, Shreyas Sheth.

"Namaste. I am here to say thank you to Shreyas Sheth who is doing selfless work to help others during the COVID crisis. Shreyas is doing his Masters in Computer Science at the University of Queensland and he has been part of University’s outreach program, preparing and delivering food packets to students in need right now," Warner said in the video.

"So I just want to say ‘good on ya’. I am sure your mum and dad and India are proud of you. Keep up the great work."

The videos were shared by Austrade India official twitter account, which have hit almost 10 thousand views in last one week.

Apart from the two cricketers, another Social Media Influencer Amy Aela also sent her thank you note to Liya, an Indian student from Griffith university for her work in providing mental health support to communities in Australia during the pandemic.

"Liya I just want to thank you...we definately need more people like you...just remember that Australia is so so proud of you, India is proud of you..please keep up the good work," Aela said.

Former Australian footballer Craig Foster also sent his thank you message to another Indian origin nurse Arushi from Deakin University. More than 100,000 Indian students are studying in Australia, currently making them one of the biggest cohorts of international students in the country.

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