AP English 2019 Chang-1

Futsal league faceoff held in Kohima

Players of Bank of Baroda in blue bips and Highlanders FC before the final match. (NP) Correspondent

KOHIMA, JUL 8 (NPN):

A one-night Futsal league face-off organised by Bank of Baroda at Pro Turf, Perizie, here on Thursday night.

Highlanders FC emerged as the winner while Bank of Baroda finished runner-up after a series of three games each.

A total of six teams from Kohima including Oking FC, Magdaline Coaching Centre, Highlanders FC, Bank of Baroda, Street Hawk and Perizie took part in the event.

The largely friendly event was organised as an effort towards promoting football and encouraging a healthy lifestyle.

Nagaland Football Coaches Association president and renowned footballer, Roko Angami who represented Bank of Baroda said more of such events were needed to build up players from the grassroot level.

He encouraged the organisers to come up with more of similar events as besides it being a recreational event will also directly promote the game and help upcoming players to enhance their skills.

He also observed young players who were part of the different teams and encouraged them to put int their efforts in the beautiful game.

The event saw the participation of youths who were mostly employed in the private sector turning up for the same after their work schedules.

GANDHINAGAR, JUL

8 (IANS): Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has announced that the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has agreed to host the 36th National Games in the state. This will be the first time the state will host the prestigious games, scheduled to take place between September 27 and October 10, 2022.

Minister of State for Sports, Harsh Sanghvi welcomed the decision and said, “Gujarat is known for setting records and benchmarks. With the 36th National Games, Gujarat will set yet another record to host the event within the limited time of three months, with more than 34 sports disciplines in six cities across the state.”

The 36th National Games were to be organised in Goa in May 2020, But they were postponed indefinitely due to the spread of Covid-19.

Principal secretary, sports, Ashwini Kumar said in a press statement, “The various sporting events will be spread across the state covering six cities of Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot and Bhavnagar. This will ensure a larger community movement through means of sports.”

Aligned with the Olympic movement, Gujarat will enhance and optimally utilise its existing infrastructure to organise these games.

This way, the infrastructure created and enhanced will continue to be utilised by the state’s sportspersons on a regular basis.

Secretary-general, IOA, Rajeev Mehta expressed his happiness with Gujarat’s readiness to organise the National Games. He mentioned that the infrastructure in the state was assessed in consultation with the Indian Olympic Association and National Sports Federations (NSFs) and the details of the sports were finalised accordingly. He appreciated the proactive approach of the state government to host the Games.

GALLE, JUL 8 (IANS):

Centuries from Marnus Labuschagne (104) and Steve Smith (109 not out) put Australia in a strong position on the opening day of the second Test against Sri Lanka, here on Friday.

Australia were 298 for 5 at stumps on Day 1 with Smith and Alex Carey (16) unbeaten at the crease.

Earlier, Australia won the toss, opted to bat first and fielded the same side as the first Test but Sri Lanka were forced to make four changes after a Covid outbreak in their camp. Allrounder Kamindu Mendis and spin duo Prabath Jayasuriya and Maheesh Theekshana made their Test debuts for the hosts.

The hosts got off to a good start with Kasun Rajitha providing them with an early breakthrough when he knocked off David Warner’s off stump in the fifth over of the day.

Pairing with Ramesh Mendis and debutant Prabath Jayasuriya, Rajitha kept the Australians in check with his probing line and length. Mendis dismissed Usman Khawaja in the 22nd over just when the second-wicket partnership had started to grow.

Steven Smith, right, celebrates scoring a century as his batting partner Alex Carey, Friday. (AP/PTI)

At 70/2, the match seemed evenly balanced.

However, with no demons in the pitch, it was only a matter of time before the Australia batters took back control of the game. Leading the way was Marnus Labuschagne, who did not take long after the lunch break to bring up a wonderful fifty. He accelerated upon reaching the milestone, racing towards triple figures.

The second session was completely dominated by the visitors and Steve Smith proved to be the perfect partner for Labuschagne’s antics. The latter brought up his fourth Test century, his first outside of Australia with a gentle single to mid-wicket. Niroshan Dickwella, who had missed a stumping chance to dismiss Labuschagne for 28 earlier in the day, made amends when he whipped off the bails of the advancing batter to give Prabath Jayasuriya his maiden Test wicket. Labuschagne departed for 104 (156) with Australia going to tea at 204/3. However, the wicket did little to dampen Steve Smith’s spirits as the veteran batter dropped in anchor. The experienced batter kept Australia in control. Two brief partnerships with Travis Head and Cameron Green followed but with Smith in the picture, Sri Lanka could not wrest back control of the game.

Hungry for medals, Nikhat hopes boxers win 4 gold at CWG

NEW DELHI, JUL 8

(PTI): Newly-crowned world champion Nikhat Zareen is hungry to win more medals for the country and expects a record haul of four golds from the Indian boxing contingent at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games starting July 28.

Indian pugilists’ bestever CWG show has been at the 2018 edition at Gold Coast where six-time world champion Mary Kom became the first woman boxer from the country to emerge champion, as they returned with a record haul of three gold, three silver and three bronze medals. At Birmingham, the new boxing sensation from Telangana would make its much-anticipated CWG debut and she hoped for “at least eight medals” from the 12-member Indian boxing team.

“I expect at least eight medals, of which I will take four gold from the boxers. Let’s see what happens,”

Nikhat Zareen

the 26-year-old, who won the 52kg flyweight gold at the World Championships in Turkey in May, said in a virtual media interaction arranged by the Sports Authority of India. “We’re all experienced boxers. We have World Championship medallists and Olympians. I hope every one gets gold! I still have the same hunger to win a medal for the country, I’m still hungry.

“It’s difficult to predict a medal before the draw is out, as sometimes you’re handed a tough draw and get eliminated in the first round.” At Birmingham, India will have a boxing contingent of eight men’s and four women’s participants.

Apart from Zareen, the Indian women’s boxing team will have the Olympic bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain (70kg), 2021 Asian youth bronze medallist Jasmine (60kg) and Nitu, a two-time former youth world champion.

Olympians Amit Panghal (51kg) and Shiva Thapa (63.5kg) will lead the men’s boxing team comprising six others -- Mohammad Hussamuddin (57kg), Rohit Tokas (67kg), Sumit Kundu (75kg), Ashish Chaudhary (80kg), Sanjeet (92kg), and Sagar (92+kg).

Zareen would make her CWG debut in a new weight division after being forced to switch to 50kg following the announcement of new weight categories for the Paris Olympics. “I didn’t have any other option. It was difficult but not that tough to come to 50kg. I just had to lose 2kg. I prefer losing weight and playing in that category rather than competing in higher weight divisions,” she said.

India to tour Zimbabwe for 3 ODIs in Aug

NEW DELHI, JUL 8

(IANS): India cricket team will tour Zimbabwe for a three-match ODI series next month.

The three matches, part of the ICC One-Day Super League and tentatively scheduled for August 18, 20 and 22 respectively are important for the home team as the points from the series will count towards the qualification for next year’s ODI World Cup.

However, these are not as important for India, the hosts of the event, as they had directly qualified for the mega-event taking place in October 2023.

Notably, the six ODIs India are slated to play back-to-back this month, against England and the West Indies, are not part of the ICC One-Day Super League.

“We are absolutely delighted to host India and we look forward to a competitive and memorable series,” a Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) official said on Friday.

As of now, all the matches are to be played at the Harare Sports Club in the capital city and the Indian team is expected to arrive in Harare on August 15, a Cricbuzz report said.

“It’s a big opportunity for the players to play against the Indian players and for the cricketing fraternity in Zimbabwe. It will create a lot of interest amongst the younger generation to take up this game. Overall, the series is very good for Zimbabwe cricket,” said Lalchand Rajput, the former coach of the side, who has now been re-designated as the Technical Director.

On the other hand, Dave Houghton is the head coach of the Craig Ervin-led side.

The tour to Zimbabwe is the first for India in six years. The last time India was there was when MS Dhoni-led side had played three ODIs and as many T20Is in June-July 2016.

Felicitation

West Indies beat B’desh by 5-wkt to seal T20 series

Nicholas Pooran and Akeal Hosein celebrating after winning the match (twitter/@CricTelegraph)

seventh over.

Pooran smashed five fours and five sixes, racing to his ninth T20I half-century in the 15th over with a six over long on. Mayers, who has two fours and five sixes of his own, had earlier reached his maiden T20I half century off 33 balls at the start of the 14th over with a straight six off offspinner Mosadek Hossain.

Pooran later lauded the team effort on CWI Media. “That is something I always wanted to do, make runs and be there to win the match for the team at the end. I think we are building well as a team and we look forward to continuously performing for the people of the West Indies,” he said.

The win came on the heels of a 35-run victory for the West Indies at Windsor Park in Dominica, after the opening game at the same venue was rained off as a no-result. The two teams will now play a three-match ODI series beginning at the Guyana National Stadium on July 10. Brief scores: Bangladesh 163/5 in 20 overs (Litton Das 49, Afif Hossain 50; Hayden Walsh 2/25) lost to West Indies 169/5 in 18.2 overs (Mayers 55, Pooran 74 not out) by five wicket.

GUYANA, JUL 8 (IANS):

West Indies skipper Nicholas Pooran smashed an unbeaten 74 off just 39 balls, embellished with five maximums, as the hosts romped to an easy five-wicket victory over Bangladesh with 10 balls to spare to complete a 2-0 T20 International series win at the Providence Stadium on Friday (IST).

The 26-year-old lefthander played an array of superb strokes on both sides of the wicket as he made his fourth T20I half-century in his last five innings. Set a challenging target of 164 in the final contest, Pooran ended the match in grand style with a magnificent straight six and held the pose for emphasis. He was named the ‘Player of the Match’ and ‘Man of the Series’.

Opener Kyle Mayers added 55 off 38 balls at the top of the order, combining with Pooran in a record 85run fourth-wicket partnership to pull the run chase around from a 43/3 in the

FeLIcITaTIon

We are very glad to share our happiness and to felicitate Miss Imotila T. Longchar (Aonokpu) for securing (Gold Medal) in the final exam of M.Sc. (Chemistry) 2022 from Kohima Science College, Jotsoma. We thank God and pray for her future endeavours.

All her near and dear ones

DP-3274/22

With immense pride and joy, we the Zatsu Clan of Thizama (Chüziema) Village extend our heartiest congratulations to Dr. Ruokuosenuo Zatsu, D/o Ketoulhoulie Zatsu on being conferred Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) on the topic “Synthesis of Lanthanide Complex with Biologically Active Organic Ligands: Their Spectral And Chemical Kinetic Studies”, under the supervision of Dr. M. Prabakar and Prof. M. Indira Devi, Department of Chemistry, Nagaland University, Lumami.

We wish and pray that Almighty God continues to bless her on her success and future endeavours. Zeneilie Zatsu Hetuo Zatsu Chairman Secretary K -1524/22 Zatsu Clan, Thizama Village Zatsu Clan, Thizama Village

OFFICE OF THE BEISUMPUIKAM VILLAGE COUNCIL

P.O. Jalukie, Post Box No. 23, District- PEREN, PIN - 797110, NAGALAND. APPRECIATION

The beisumpuikam Village Council extends our sincere thanks to the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Nagaland University, Lumami for the input distribution to the farmers of beisumpuikam village under Peren District on 24th June, 2022 under Tribal Community Development Project sponsored by ICAR, New Delhi.

We also would like to thank Dr. Abemo, Registrar, Nagaland University, Lumami, Dr. Rakesh Kumar Chaurasia, Principal Scientist & Head, KVK Zunheboto, Nagaland University, Mr. Wapangtoshi, CTO Plants Protection and Ms. Hatneinem Haokip, Project Assistant for your immense brace and providing the farming equipment and saplings for 500 farmers. We are indeed grateful for your kind gestures and we wishes you the best on your future endeavours. Sd/- Sd/- TADIbE ZELIANG Chairman beisumpuikam Village Council SUINGAM DISUANG General Secretary beisumpuikam Village Council DP -3279/22

KOHIMA, JUL 8 (NPN):

Nagaland Olympic and Paralympic 2022 have been scheduled to be held from August 22 to 27 at various locations in Kohima, Dimapur and Chümoukedima.

This was informed by Nagaland Olympic Association (NOA) secretary general, Abu Metha at the press conference held at NOA complex here on Friday.

Metha said for the first time the State would be hosting the Paralympic alongside the Olympic.

The main host city would be Kohima while some of the disciplines would be played in Dimapur and Chümoukedima.

He said some of the disciplines would begin ahead of the opening day of the Olympic due to schedules and fixtures especially games like football as it takes more time.

All 16 districts will participate and the disciplines include Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Boxing, Football, Taekwondo, Table Tennis, Wushu, Tennis (Dimapur), Shooting Sports (Dimapur).

He said the disciplines have been chosen on the basis of disciplines that

Abu Metha (C) addressing press conference in Kohima on Friday. (NP)

would played at the North East Olympics and apart from that other factors such as infrastructure, logistics, availability of accommodation facilities and resources determined the selection of disciplines, Metha informed.

The Para-Sports events will be demonstration sports and not based on interdistrict competitions.

Earlier at the NOA general meeting, the website of the NOA was officially launched by the Chief Minister and president, NOA, Neiphiu Rio.

He informed that NOA was also in the process of developing its own mobile phone application.

Metha said Nagaland will also participate in the forthcoming North East Olympic Games in Shillong, Meghalaya.

He said NOA had taken several steps towards streamlining of the sports associations so that all associations would function in an efficient and professional manner ensuring best practices and maintaining minimum standards.

Metha also disclosed that transparency in functioning will be maintained, regular conduct of AGMs, adherence to the Olympic ideals and regular conduct of sports meets along with participation in regional and national meets had been made mandatory.

In this regard, he said that NOA had instituted the Athletes Commission which would be chaired by Arjuna Awardee and Olympian Chekrovolü Swüro.

At the meeting, NOA has directed that all associations must include sportspersons in their executive bodies.

Other important matters that was deliberated upon were matters pertaining to Anti-doping measures, age manipulation and over-age sportspersons and training methods for athletes, he said.

NOA also adopted a resolution to bid for hosting of future edition of the National Games. This proposal will be submitted to the Government of Nagaland, Metha informed.

The AGM was attended by the following associations: Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Amateur Boxing, Football, Handball, Kho Kho, Lawn Tennis, Amateur Muaythai, Softball, Sepaktakraw, Shooting Sports, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Volleyball, Weightlifting, Wrestling and Wushu.

Special invitees to the AGM were: State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities-Diethono Nakhro, NOA founding president and Dr T Ao State Sports Awardee-Er Lanu Toy, Olympian, Arjuna Awardee & Dr. T. Ao State Sports Awardee-Chekrovolü Swüro, Department of School Education AdvisorDr KT Sukhalu, Department of Youth Resources & Sports Advisor-Zale Neikha, Director General of Police Nagaland-T J Longkumer, Department of Youth Resources & Sports Commissioner & SecretaryWezope Kenye, Department of School Education Special Secretary-Kevileno Angami, Department of School Education Principal Director-Thavaseelan, Department of Youth Resources and Sports DirectorAkumla Chuba.

SOUTHAMPTON, JUL 8

(IANS): A smashing halfcentury from all-rounder Hardik Pandya (51 off 33 balls) backed up by his superb bowling efforts (4/33 in 4 overs) gave India a huge 50-run win against England in the opening T20 International -- a day-night game -- at The Rose Bowl here late on Thursday.

Pandya carried his sublime form from the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the recently-concluded series against Ireland into the game against England, guiding the visitors to a massive 198/8 in 20 overs, before returning to bowl a fiery spell that saw the hosts bundled out for 148 in 19.3 overs.

Pandya picked up where the top order left off, joining Suryakumar Yadav (39 off 19) in the blitz, keeping the run rate above 10-anover in the crucial middle phase. Pandya then returned with the ball to account for the dangerous opener Jason Roy (4), Dawid Malan (21), (Liam Livingstone 0) and Sam Curran (4) as England under new captain Buttler found the going tough from the start of their innings.

With Pandya giving such a commanding per-

Hardik Pandya hits a six against England in Southampton on Thursday. (AP/PTI)

formance, and players like Deepak Hooda too contributing in a big way, it bodes well for the team as it prepares for the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia later this year. Deepak Hooda’s 33 (17) shows his form in Ireland was no flash in the pan, with the Dinesh Karthik career renaissance providing the side with another finisher at the side’s disposal.

On the bowling side, Yuzvendra Chahal continues to look imposing. Claiming Harry Brook (28 off 23) and Moeen Ali (36 off 20), the leg-spinner curtailed any chance of an English fight back.

As his red-ball compatriots ride the wave of a successful start under Brendon McCullum, it wasn’t to be for Buttler as the new T20I white-ball captain fell to the defeat and fell for a first-ball duck in the chase. The right-hander was set up by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, with the swing bowler’s first four deliveries moving away from Jason Roy, only for Buttler’s first to hoop in and dismantle the stumps.

BRIEF SCORES: India 198/8 in 20 overs (Deepak Hooda 33, Suryakumar Yadav 39, Hardik Pandya 51) beat England 148 in 19.3 overs (Moeen Ali 36; Hardik Pandya 4/33, Yuzvendra Chahal 2/32, Arshdeep Singh 2/18) by 50 runs.

Djokovic beats Norrie to reach Wimbledon men’s singles final

Novak Djokovic celebrates after beating Cameron Norrie, Friday. (AP/PTI)

LONDON, JUL 8 (AGENCIES/RE-

UTERS): Britain’s Cameron Norrie was unable to capitalise on a confident start as Novak Djokovic fought back to reach the Wimbledon men’s singles final.

Norrie, 26, was bidding to become only the fourth Briton to reach the final at the All England Club in the Open era.

But after winning the first set, he lost 2-6 6-3 6-2 6-4 to the top seed.

Serbia’s Djokovic, going for a fourth consecutive title and a seventh overall, will face Australia’s Nick Kyrgios in Sunday’s final.

The 35-year-old will also bid for a 21st Grand Slam men’s title, which would put him one behind Rafael Nadal’s alltime record.

Spain’s Nadal, 36, was supposed to face Kyrgios in Friday’s second semi-final but withdrew from the match on Thursday because of an abdominal injury.

Now Djokovic has the chance to close the gap again on his enduring rival after ending the hopes of Norrie and a nation.

Norrie, seeded ninth, was the first British player since Johanna Konta in 2017 to reach a Wimbledon semi-final and was given partisan backing on Centre Court. The atmosphere became celebratory as Norrie broke three times to take the opening set, before coming increasingly stifled as Djokovic eventually found his level.

Malaysia Masters: Prannoy beats Tsuneyama to enter semis

KUALA LUMPUR, JUL

8 (AGENCIES): A fighting HS Prannoy edged out Japan’s Kanta Tsuneyama to progress to the semifinals at the Malaysia Masters Super 500 tournament here on Friday. Prannoy, a former top 10 player, continued his consistent run and weathered the storm against world number 14 Tsuneyama to emerge victories 25-23 22-20 in the 60-minute quarterfinal clash, which ebbed and flowed throughout, Sportstar reported.

One of the heroes of India’s monumental Thomas Cup win in May, Prannoy will face Hong Kong’s NG Ka Long Angus, seeded 8th, in the last four.

The men’s singles contest turned out to be a game of cat and mouse as the two highly-skilled players

HS Prannoy

engaged in a battle of oneupmanship, with Prannoy showing better nerves as he saved game points twice to come up trumps against Tsuneyama.

Prannoy, who enjoyed a 2-1 head-to-head count, pounced on the chances early on to erase a slender 1-2 deficit, but the match was a tight affair as the duo moved from 3-3 to 10-10 following some short but attacking rallies in the opening game.

Tsuneyama produced some stiff angled returns and jump smashes to trouble his opponent, while Prannoy constructed his rallies well and kept the shuttle close to the line. Eventually a perfect judgement on the baseline gave the Indian a slender one-point advantage at the break. Prannoy was rewarded for his razor-sharp precision as he eked out a 17-14 lead after his rival had grabbed four points to keep up with the Indian.

Tsuneyama scripted another recovery as he grabbed a game-point opportunity after Prannoy went to the net twice.

An on-rushing Prannoy saved one with a backhand flick and then unleashed an over-the-head return to move to a gamepoint advantage.

Prannoy, then, converted his fourth game point chance with the finest of margin, with the shuttle kissing the line. After the change of sides, the duo were 4-4 when Prannoy took a medical timeout to address an issue with his foot. After resumption, he was 9-6 up.

However, Tsuneyama started dominating the rallies with his diagonal returns and moved to the break with a two-point cushion.

Prannoy pocketed four straight points to move to 13-11. A magnificent jump smash took him to 14-14, before he won a 34-point rally with another precise smash. The Japanese again eked out an 18-16 lead before an off balance Prannoy sent another one out.

Tsuneyama soon had two game point opportunities, but Prannoy saved both and earned a match point, with the Japanese going to the net. He threw a fist pump in the air after Tsuneyama went long.

Rafael Nadal pulls out of semifinal with abdominal injury

Rafa Nadal’s hopes of completing a rare calendar year Grand Slam ended on Thursday when the Spaniard pulled out of his highlyanticipated Wimbledon semi-final showdown with Australian Nick Kyrgios with an abdominal strain. “I have to pull out of the tournament as I have been suffering with pain in abdominal,” said the 36-year-old, the holder of a men’s record 22 Grand Slam titles.

“I can’t imagine winning two matches with this (pain). For me the most important thing is happiness rather than the title even though everyone knows how much effort I put into this as I can’t risk being out of the sport for two to three months. “I am very sad.”

Nadal had triumphed at the Australian and French Opens this year and had been hoping to become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to complete the calendar-year slam. Nadal’s withdrawal mean Kyrgios becomes the first Australian to reach the men’s final at the All England Club since Mark Philippoussis in 2003.

Sporting world pays tribute to Abe

TOKYO, JUL 8 (PTI):

The sporting world on Friday paid glowing tributes to Shinzo Abe, who was instrumental in Japan winning the bid to host the 2020 Olympic Games, with the International Olympics Committee hailing him as “a man of vision” and “a dear friend of the Olympic Movement.”

Abe, 67, one of his nation’s most powerful and influential figures, died after being shot during an election campaign speech in western Japan.

“Japan has lost a great statesman, and the IOC has lost a valiant supporter and a dear friend of the Olympic Movement. On behalf of the International Olympic Committee, I would like to extend my most sincere condolences to his family, his friends and the Japanese people,” IOC President Thomas Bach said in a statement on Friday.

“Abe Shinzo was a man with a vision, full of determination and boundless energy to make his vision come true. What I appreciated most about him was that he was a man of his word,” Bach said.

Bach recalled that without Abe’s support, the Tokyo 2020 Olympics would have been cancelled altogether due to the raging pandemic.

“The entire Olympic Movement and I owe him all our respect and gratitude. This is why we will forever hold Abe Shinzo in great honour,” he added.

Shinzo Abe

Women’s Hockey WC: India lose to New Zealand but keep quarters hopes alive

AMSTELVEEN (NETHERLANDS), JUL 8

(IANS): The Indian women’s hockey team put up a gritty performance against New Zealand in their Pool B match, but went down fighting 3-4 at the FIH Hockey World Cup 2022 in a late Thursday night game.

However, the Savitaled India team is still in contention for a spot in the quarterfinal as they finished third in their pool. India will face the side which finishes second in Pool C in the crossover match on July 10 for a place in the lasteight. Vandana Katariya (4th munite), Lalremsiami (44th) and Gurjit Kaur (59th) were the scorers for India.

Players of India and New Zealand in action.

The Indian team started the game aggressively and put pressure on their opponents in the opening minutes of the match. In the fourth minute, Lalremsiami produced a fantastic ball from the edge of the circle and Vandana Katariya got into a great position to tap the ball into the goal to help India take a 1-0 lead.

New Zealand made a circle penetration in the 10th minute, but couldn’t find the back of the net. The Kiwis fought back after they earned a penalty corner and Olivia Merry didn’t miss out on the opportunity of slotting the ball into the goal in the 12th minute.

The Indians earned the moment in the opening minutes of the second quarter and obtained a penalty corner in the 18th minute. However, Deep Grace Ekka couldn’t find a way to break the 1-1 deadlock. The India team continued to be the aggressors for most part of the second quarter, but the New Zealand defence stood firm and kept their opponents at bay. However, New Zealand made a circle penetration in the 29th minute and Tessa Jopp found the back of the net to help the Kiwis take a 2-1 lead.

New Zealand rode on the momentum and earned back-to-back penalty corners in the opening minutes of the third quarter. Frances Davies converted the second PC in the 32nd minute to help the Kiwis extend their lead further to 3-1.

The Indians earned a penalty corner in the 43rd minute. However, they missed out on converting the opportunity. They continued to put pressure on their opponents and obtained a PC in the 47th minute, but the Kiwis kept India at bay yet again. However, Sushila Chanu’s fantastic pass into the circle in the 44th minute to Lalremsiami, who deflected the ball into the goal, kept India in the game.

The Indian team earned a PC in the opening minutes of the final quarter, but Ekka struck the ball wide of the left post. India obtained a flurry of PCs in the 47th minute, but the Kiwis stood firm once again.

Sushila effected a brilliant cross from the right flank, but Monika couldn’t direct the ball into the goal. However, Olivia Merry converted a PC in the 54th minute to help New Zealand extend their lead at 4-2. But the Indians continued to put up a strong fight and Gurjit Kaur converted a PC in the 59th minute. India won multiple PCs in the final minute of the match, but the Kiwis ensured they walked off the field as winners.

Blatter, Platini cleared of corruption charges

Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini

ZURICH (SWITZERLAND), JUL 8 (IANS):

Former presidents of FIFA and UEFA Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini were cleared of corruption charges by a Swiss court on Friday.

The two men, Platini, former UEFA president, and Blatter, who led FIFA for 17 years, were cleared of fraud by the Federal Criminal Court in the southern city of Bellinzona. Both the administrators have, once among the most powerful figures in world football, had denied the charges against them.

The powerful administrators of world football were acquitted of illegally arranging a two million Swiss francs payment in 2011 when Blatter was the FIFA president and Platini was the vice-president of the global governing body.

The case meant Blatter ended his reign as FIFA president in disgrace and it wrecked Platini’s hopes of succeeding him after he was banned from football when the affair came to light.

Blatter had said the payment followed a “gentlemen’s agreement” between the pair when he asked Platini to be his technical advisor in 1998.

Platini, who also lost his job as UEFA president following the ban, had said the affair was a deliberate attempt to thwart his attempt to become FIFA president in 2015.

Speaking following the verdict, Platini said, “I want to express my happiness for all my loved ones that justice has finally been done after seven years of lies and manipulation.”

“My fight is a fight against injustice. I won the first game. In this case, there are culprits who did not appear during this trial. Let them count on me, we will meet again. Because I will not give up and I will go all the way in my quest for truth, Platini was quoted as saying by Skysports.