Kerzhakov salvages draw for Russia against S Korea

June 18, 2014

Cuiaba (Brazil), Jun 18: Substitute Alexandr Kerzhakov came off the bench to salvage a 1-1 draw for Russia against South Korea Tuesday in their opening game in Group H.

Draw for RussiaSouth Korea went ahead after 68 minutes when Russian goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev inexplicably let a Lee Keunho shot slip through his fingers just as Russia looked like taking control of the encounter in Culaba.

However, the lead lasted just six minutes as Kerzhakov tapped home shortly after coming on to secure a vital point for Fabio Capello’s side.

“After the goal they scored it is not easy to react,” Capello told BBC Sport.

“The players’ reaction was really good. They had two chances to score the second but that is football. Aleksandr Kerzhakov is a fantastic player, he always has chances to score goals.” South Korea dominated possession for long periods but faded as the game progressed and will probably be the more satisfied of the sides with a point.

Son Heungmin had the first opportunity of the game in the 10th minute, running at the Russian defence but blasted over from inside the area.

Russia’s first shot on target came just after the half—hour mark when Korean goalkeeper Jung Sungryong parried away Sergey Ignashevich’s free kick.

Koo Jacheol’s deflected shot went just wide off Ignashevich shortly afterwards but Korea’s best opportunity of the half fell to Son eight minutes before the break only for the Bayer Leverkusen midfielder to once again send his effort high over the bar.

The second half was a much more open affair with Victor Fayzulin testing Jung with a longe—range shot while Vasily Berezutskiy headed into the side netting from the resultant corner.

Ki Sungyueng forced a save from Akinfeev as the game ebbed and flowed but the Russian goalkeeper could count his blessings in the 57th minute when he spilled a free kick from Kim Younggwon.

Russia increased the pressure as the half progressed as Dmitry Kombarov tried his luck from distance and he also sent in a teasing cross that Jung did well to clear.

Russia were now looking the much likelier to score but the momentum swung back in South Korea’s favour when Akinfeev let Kim’s free kick slip through his fingers to hand Hong Myungbo’s side an unexpected lead.

Capello brought on Igor Denisov and Kerzhakov in an effort to find an equalizer and his gamble paid almost immediate dividends.

Alan Dzagoev’s shot was parried into the path of Kim, whose clearance hit Andrey Yeshchenko and fell into the path of Kerzhakov to tap home and join Vladimir Beschastnykh as a top goalscorer for Russia with 26 goals.

Capello’s side pushed forward in search of a late winner but South Korea held on for a deserved point.

Russia next face Belgium on Sunday while South Korea take on Algeria.

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News Network
July 6,2020

Karachi, Jul 6: Former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq has said that questions will be raised if Indian Premier League is slotted in the window allotted to ICC T20 World Cup in Australia, which in all likelihood will be cancelled in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The ICC is yet to decide the fate of the T20 World Cup in Australia which is scheduled to take place from October 18 to November 15.

"There are rumors that the World Cup was clashing with the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Australia-India series, therefore, it (T20 World Cup) won't take place," Inzamam said in his YouTube channel on Sunday.

"The Indian board is strong and has control in the International Cricket Council (ICC). If Australia says that we cannot hold the World Cup because of the Covid-19 pandemic, then their stance will be easily accepted, but if any such kind event happens during the same time, then questions will be raised," he said.

The 50-year-old former batsman, who has scored 8,830 runs in 120 Tests and 11,739 runs in 378 ODIs for Pakistan, further said, "People will think, if a country could host 12 to 14 teams (16 teams), then why the ICC could not look after the teams, after all Australia is such an advanced country.

"Another thing is the ICC should not be allowed to give priority to private leagues (IPL) on international cricket. This will lead to young players forcing on private leagues other than international matches."

The former coach, however, agreed that it is not easy to host 16 nations during the T20 World Cup.

"Australia can say that it was difficult for it to manage 18 teams (16) for the mega event as it is not easy. Likewise, the Pakistan team was in England in a hotel and all the facilities were being provided there, therefore, it has not been easy to manage 18 teams (16)," he said.

The fate of Asia Cup which PCB will be hosting in a neutral country for security reason is also an issue as no one knows the fate of the tournament originally scheduled in September.

Inzamam said: "I have also heard that objections are also raised on the dates of the Asia Cup as it is clashing with some other event.

"The ICC, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and all cricket boards should sit together and give a strong message that any such kind of impression (giving priority to private leagues instead of international cricket), won't take place," he said.

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News Network
February 10,2020

Potchefstroom, Feb 10: India's under-19 cricket team manager Anil Patel says the ICC has taken a serious view of the aggressive celebrations by Bangladesh players after their World Cup triumph and will be reviewing the footage of the final game's "last few minutes".

Some Bangladeshi players got carried away while celebrating their historic three-wicket win over India in the final on Sunday. While their captain Akbar Ali apologised for the "unfortunate incident", his Indian counterpart Priyam Garg said their reaction was "dirty".

"We don't know what actually happened," Patel told 'ESPNCricinfo' on Sunday.

"Everybody was in a shock, absolutely, but we don't know what happened exactly. The ICC officials are going to watch the footage of the last few minutes and they are going to let us know," he said.

Even when the match was on, the Bangladesh players were overly aggressive while fielding and their lead pacer Shoriful Islam sledged the Indian batsmen after every delivery.

As soon as the match ended, it became tense with Bangladeshi players rushing to the ground and displaying aggressive body language. The two teams nearly came to blows before the situation was defused by the coaching staff and on-field officials.

Patel claimed that match referee Graeme Labrooy met him and expressed regret at what transpired on the field.

"The referee came to me. He was sorry about the incident. He clarified the ICC is going to take very seriously what has happened during the match and the last session. They are going to witness the footage and they will tell us in the morning (Monday)."

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News Network
May 21,2020

Mumbai, May 21: Former India opener Gautam Gambhir has chosen legendary Sachin Tendulkar over current skipper Virat Kohli as a better batsman in the ODI format, considering the changed rules of the game and the Mumbaikar's longevity of career.

Tendulkar, who retired in 2013, played 463 ODIs and amassed 18, 426 runs with 49 hundreds at an average of 44.83.

Kohli, on the other hand, has played 248 ODIs and scored 11, 867 runs with 43 tons at an average of 59.33.

"Sachin Tendulkar, because probably with one white ball and four fielders inside the circle, not five fielders outside, it will be Sachin Tendulkar for me," Gambhir said on Star Sports show 'Cricket Connected'.

Nowadays, a one-day innings is played with two white balls and with three powerplays.

In the first power play (overs 1-10), two fielders are allowed beyond the 30-yard circle, while in the second powerplay (overs 10-40) four fielders are allowed. In the last powerplay (overs 40-50), five fielders are allowed outside the 30-yard circle.

Gambhir, who was the star performer in 2011 ODI World Cup final which India won, feels that the change in rules has helped batsmen.

"It's difficult because Virat Kohli has done phenomenally well but I think the rules have changed as well, which has helped a lot of new batters," elaborated Gambhir, who played 58 Tests and 147 ODIs.

"The new generation, with 2 new balls, no reverse swing, nothing for the finger spin, five fielders inside for the 50 overs, probably that makes batting much easier.

He said he would also go with Tendulkar, considering his longevity and flow of the ODI cricket format at that time.

"Probably I’ll go with Sachin Tendulkar if we see the longevity and flow of the one-day cricket format.

"Look at how Sachin Tendulkar has played, different rules, that time 230 to 240, was a winning total," Gambhir signed off. 

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