South African Indians making presence felt at World Cup

JOHANNESBURG – India may still have a long way to go to compete in the football World Cup, but the Indians in South Africa are already making their presence felt at the mega event as volunteers.

A large number of people of Indian origin could be seen volunteering enthusiastically at the World Cup.
Melissa Reddy … Original source on Gaea Times at : South African Indians making presence felt at World Cup.

Inzamam rubbishes allegations of masterminding players’ rebellion against Younis

LAHORE – Former Pakistan cricket captain Inzamam ul Haq has rubbished allegations that he provoked players last year to revolt against the then skipper Younis Khan.

“It is totally untrue that any players met at my home to take oath against Younis Khan’s captaincy,” The Daily …. Read the original article  : here.

PCB demands explanation from Miandad, Iqbal for criticising selectors

LAHORE – The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has sought explanations from its Director General Javed Miandad and his nephew Faisal Iqbal for criticising the selectors and the board.

Iqbal was not included in the 17-man Test squad for the tour of England.

“I have got the … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : PCB demands explanation from Miandad, Iqbal for criticising selectors.

Afridi confident of ending Australia’s winning streak against Pakistan

KARACHI – Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi is confident of ending Australia’s winning streak against his squad when the two teams meet in the first match of the two T20 international in Birmingham on July 5.

Afridi said that the team would look to …. Read the original article  : here.

Very proud of Saina’s victory, say parents

HYDERABAD – “We are very proud of her. Her victory proves that women are doing well in sports in India,” the elated parents of Saina Nehwal said Sunday after she won the Indonesian Open Super Series, her third win in three weeks.

“In India women are coming up, and she has shown to the entire world …. Original source  : Very proud of Saina’s victory, say parents.

Frank Shamrock Retires

SAN JOSE (GaeaTimes.com)- Frank Shamrock announced his retirement from Strikeforce at San Jose on Saturday. Frank Shamrock happens to be one of the pioneers of mixed martial arts who was also the first one to have won the Ultimate Fighting Championship light-heavyweight title. The last time when Frank Shamrock had battled it out on Strikeforce …. Read the original article  : Frank Shamrock Retires.

Gill cruises to victory

NASHIK – National champion Gaurav Gill (co-driver Musa Sherif) of Team MRF Tyres finally broke the Rally of Maharashtra jinx as he clinched the title in the first round of the 2010 Speed-Indian National Rally Championship here.

It was virtually a Sunday drive for the front-runners who were more intent on maintaining their overnight positions while …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

McCullum not to keep wickets in Tests

SYDNEY – New Zealand wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum has said that he will no longer keep wicket in Test matches, but will continue to do so in 50-over and Twenty20 cricket.cCullum said on Sunday his decision to quit the Test wicketkeeping role … Read more : McCullum not to keep wickets in Tests.

Aussies can’t afford to panic in Sunday’s must-win game against England

SYDNEY – Australian all-rounder Steve Smith has said that his side can’t afford to panic in Sunday’s must-win one-day clash against England at Old Trafford.

England leads the five-game series 2-0 and another victory will hand them psychological advantage ahead of the Ashes series.

Pacer Ryan Harris, … Original article on : Aussies can’t afford to panic in Sunday’s must-win game against England.

Saina triumphs at Indonesia, wins three title in three weeks

JAKARTA – India’s Saina Nehwal capped a stupendous run winning the Indonesian Open Super Series for her third badmintor title in three weeks. The World No.3 defeated a fighting Sayaki Sato of Japan 21-19, 13-21, 21-11 in the final here Sunday.

Top seeded Saina was strong favourite to defend her title after winning the Indian Open …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Saina triumphs at Indonesia, wins three title in three weeks.

Away from action, foreign diplomats recreate FIFA mood in India

NEW DELHI – It’s beer and wurst on the house for all guests at the German embassy here as Germany play England at the FIFA 2010. The mood is likewise festive at other embassies and their cultural centres in the Indian capital as they try to recreate the passion the most spectacular football tournament in …. Read the original article  : here.

Rush Beats Predators By 55-42

CHICAGO (GaeaTimes.com)- Chicago Rush defeated Orlando Predators in a game which might be called their best performance of the season. Reportedly, the Saturday game had Chicago Rush defensemen at their very best which made the team clinch a win of 55-42 against the Orlando Predators.
The winning margin is the lowest score for an opponent in …. Original article  : Rush Beats Predators By 55-42.

Akram criticises selectors for ignoring Younis for England tour

LAHORE – Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has also joined the voices criticising the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) selection committee’s decision to ignore middle order batsman Younis Khan for the upcoming England tour.

Akram said the team would badly miss the experienced right hand batsman … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Akram criticises selectors for ignoring Younis for England tour.

Gerrard asks players to beat Germany and secure place in history

LONDON – England skipper Steven Gerrard has asked his players to secure their place in World Cup history in Bloemfontein today by beating Germany and lead the country to the ultimate World Cup glory.

Giving a rallying cry to his players, Gerrard said: “These …. Original source  : Gerrard asks players to beat Germany and secure place in history.

Golden Goal Leaves Fans Confused

RUSTENBURG, SOUTH AFRICA (GaeaTimes.com)- The golden goal became a hot search after USA lost to Ghana to end their dream run in the FIFA World Cup 2010. The American team found themselves on the wrong side of the drama as Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan scored a determining goal in the 3rd minute of extra time. … Read more : Golden Goal Leaves Fans Confused.

World Cup: Italian fans greet losing team with jeers

Rome, June 27 (IANS/AKI) The Italian national football team’s homecoming was peppered with jeers and insults when they landed at the Rome airport after being eliminated from the World Cup in their worst performance in 36 years.

“Shame, shame,” screamed some of the two-dozen people who greeted the Azzurri at Rome’s Fiumicino Saturday after they disembarked … Read : World Cup: Italian fans greet losing team with jeers.

FIFA hails South Africa as ‘perfect’ host

JOHANNESBURG – Soccer World Cup governing body FIFA has hailed South Africa for being the “perfect” host of the tournament and said the country will now be considered as an alternate venue for future events.

“We have gone beyond our targets on everything, the number of visitors to South Africa has passed our expectations and the …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : FIFA hails South Africa as ‘perfect’ host.

Moore’s widow’s rallying call to Three Lions: Do it for Bobby

LONDON – Football legend Sir Bobby Moore’s widow, Stephanie, wants the England team to win against arch rivals Germany, and urged the players to do it for the 1966 World Cup hero.

She gave the rallying call to the Three Lions as England captain Steven … Read more »».

Japan coach Takeshi Okada prepares a tough Paraguay matchup at the World Cup

Okada prepares Japan for scrappy Paraguay team

GEORGE, South Africa – After surprising the skeptics in the opening round of the World Cup, Japan coach Takeshi Okada knows he’s got a special challenge coming up.
He may have to change tactics to get the Japanese past a scrappy Paraguay team and into the World Cup quarterfinals for …. Original source  : Japan coach Takeshi Okada prepares a tough Paraguay matchup at the World Cup.

World Cup elimination cost Italy 140 mn euros

Monza (Italy), June 27 (IANS/AKI) Italy’s early elimination from the soccer World Cup in South Africa will cost the country 140 million euros due to lose of earning from restaurants, sports merchandise vendors and other businesses.

According to a report prepared by the Chamber of Commerce for the northern city of Monza, Italy’s advance to the … Original article on : World Cup elimination cost Italy 140 mn euros.