Real Madrid to open academy in Kerala

Real Madrid CF, one of world football’s elite clubs, will set up a football school in the city of Kochi in Kerala shortly. The Spanish giants plans to start one of their trademark ’social-sports academies’ that have been set up across the globe by the Real Madrid Foundation here.

The preliminary talks for this was held at Kochi on Sunday between Manuel Tarreno Rodriques, the director of Real Madrid Foundation’s youth camps and KN Ganesh Kumar, the sports minister for the state of Kerala. The meeting was also attended by president of Kerala Sports Council Padmini Thomas, president of Kerala Football Association (KFA) KMI Mather, Member of Legislative Assembly Hibi Eden and former sports minister Dominic Presentation.

“The Sports Minister has suggested the Panampilly Nagar Sports Hostel (in Kochi) as the venue for the soccer school,” said the KFA President. “Real Madrid will send coaches, and they may also take some of the boys from here to their academy if they are very talented.”

Meanwhile, KFA Secretary P Anilkumar confirmed that the Panampilly Nagar Sports Hostel has been finalised as the venue and that an artificial football turf, swimming pool and a multi-purpose gym could also come up there. “The Panampilly Nagar Hostel, which is run by the Kerala Sports Council, will have a very modern look. Real Madrid is likely to start projects in other parts of Kerala too,” he said.

The Real Madrid Foundation is the means by which Real Madrid reaches out to society and develops its social and cultural awareness programmes. The Foundation carries out sports activities, educational and cultural activities, social welfare activities and institutional activities.

Real Madrid Foundation already has an institution in India at Kheadah in the state of West Bengal. This was their first project in Asia which gives education to 150 students aged between 7 and 15 years.

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'I do not abuse others, I talk to myself, I abuse myself': VIRAT KOHLI

On reaching Dhaka for the March 12-22 Asia Cup, Virat Kohli and teammate Rohit Sharma watched videos of Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal for hours, skipped lunch and nearly missed a team practice session.

Ahead of their clash on March 18, Pakistani cricketers huddled in the dressing room to remember former coach Bob Woolmer and vowed revenge for the loss to India in the 2011 World Cup. In the Indian dressing room, Kohli was cool as cucumber. "We have done our homework (for this match), don't worry," he told Sharma. Not many shared his optimism, especially after Pakistan put 323 runs on the board and Indian opener Gautam Gambhir walked back to the pavilion without the team opening its account.

But Kohli's 183, which included 23 boundaries, at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium-his fourth hundred in Bangladesh-tore apart a quality Pakistan attack, helped India scale its highest One-Day International (ODI) target and underlined his credentials as a master of the chase, a title given to him by the legendary Sachin Tendulkar. The master blaster, in fact, did not leave his seat in the dressing room throughout Kohli's innings. His faith in cricket's latest poster boy was a revelation to many in Mirpur, the venue of the explosive India-Pakistan clash.

Yet, India headed back home disappointed, failing to make it to the finals. The tournament, however, completed Kohli's transformation as a mature modern-day cricketer. The numbers are staggering for India's new ODI vice-captain. In 48 innings batting second, the baby-faced Kohli has averaged 58.40, hit seven hundreds and 13 half-centuries-earning the unofficial title of the world's best ODI player. 

In an interview on the telephone from Mirpur, Kohli tells India Today Deputy Editor Shantanu Guha Ray that every time he goes out to bat, he splits his innings into targets of 30, 60 and 100. That way, he often gets a 50 or a ton. And he values the vice-captain's tag more than his life. Excerpts from the interview.

Q. Were your two tons in Australia and Bangladesh wasted because India could not make it to the finals?

A. Let us not read too much into the defeats in England, Australia and Dhaka. We had our moments and we have had some bad times. We have played a lot of cricket in the past one year. We played some great games in Dhaka, yet we could not make it to the final. It happens with every team. Win or loss is a part of the game. We only learn to win from defeats. I feel the team is slowly turning around from these defeats.

Q. What played on your mind when India lost a wicket with no runs on the board in response to Pakistan's huge total?

A. No cricket team in the world depends on one or two players. The team always plays to win. The Indian cricket team is full of top quality cricketers. Losing a wicket without a run on the board creates instant pressure but that is not the end of the world. Never did India, not even once, falter in the match and show any weakness for Pakistan to take advantage. We chased a big score and won in style.

Q. But the Indian bowlers did not impress, especially against Bangladesh and Pakistan.

A. If you noticed the pitch, you would realise it was a batsman's delight. The outfield was fast and it was difficult for the bowlers to pin down a side to less than 250-270. We had a bit of bad luck there. The bowlers didn't get the result they desired.

Q. The same pitch offered lot of advantage to you and other batsmen.

A. Yes. I have had some success in Dhaka. I got two centuries earlier and scored two more in the Asia Cup. It's like a typical subcontinental pitch with a fast outfield. Batsmen always flourish on such wickets.

Q. Experts have rated your innings better than Kapil Dev's knock of 175 against Zimbabwe at Tunbridge Wells in the 1983 World Cup.

A. Kapil Dev helped India remain in contention for the World Cup and eventually brought the Cup home.

Q. India-Pakistan matches were once special, high-voltage. Do tensions still run high?

A. Some matches, as in the World Cup, are very explosive. Even the last World Cup semi-final in Mohali was tense. This one was special because we had to win to keep the door open for the Asia Cup final, especially after our loss to Bangladesh.

Q. Why give vent to your emotions in public? Is that wise with so many people watching?

A. I do not abuse players, I talk to myself, I abuse myself. It's my way of letting off steam. I do it after every century, I do not do it always. I keep telling myself: Improve, improve from the previous match, the previous shot. You can do it.

Q. Cricket is now only about ODIs and T20s. Do you agree?

A. No, I don't. We play the entire quota of Test cricket as scheduled by the International Cricket Council.

Q. But Test matches don't attract the crowds anymore?

A. The fault lies with the crowds, not with the game, certainly not with the cricketers.

Q. You must be happy at being made the vice-captain. But the tag has its pressures. Do you think you could lose it if you do not shine with the bat?

A. If I do not shine, I will be out of the side. I try and keep my head down. I do not bask in the glory of a win and rarely talk. Everyone has seen me change after the U-19 World Cup win in Kuala Lumpur in 2008. I have not even read the newspapers that bestowed a hundred titles on me after the Pakistan match. I know the importance of the India shirt, and the vice-captain's tag.

Q. How did the transformation into a fluent off-side batsman occur?

A. My focus had always been the on-side. My coach wanted me to work on the off-side strokes since he was convinced of my ability and timing on the leg side. I worked hard and firmed up my defensive technique. I am happy getting runs all around the wicket now, and getting a lot of boundaries. No one calls me a "leggie batsman" anymore.

Q. You seem to enjoy the pressure, the chase.

A. I do not shy away from pressure. I have scored big runs while chasing huge totals in some recent matches. I set a good platform for myself so that I can get some big runs to help my team.

Q. You are being described as the world's best ODI cricketer.

A. If I do not perform, the title will change to the world's worst ODI player.

Q. How crucial is cricket to you?

A. It is life for me, it is everything. I delayed my father's funeral because of cricket. The guidance I get from seniors has helped me mature as a middle-order batsman and allowed me to retain my place in the Indian side.

Q. Tell me one lesson you learnt from skipper M.S. Dhoni.

A. To stick around in the middle, get runs and help your team gain a better position. He has taught me not to be in a hurry to score runs the moment I walk out into the field. I have learnt not to throw away my wicket.

Q. What kind of advice do you seek from seniors in the team? You wrote a letter to Sachin Tendulkar recently.

A. I did so to tell him to guide me through my moments of crisis. I grew up watching him, now I play alongside him. He offers invaluable advice. Cricket, after all, is a high-pressure game in India.

Q. But cricketers earn a lot these days from the game and brand endorsements, don't they?

A. Nothing extraordinary happens to a cricketer if you time his career-which is very short. Everyone loves a win in India. No one wants to lose a match. It is the cricketer who absorbs all the pressure.

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SOCCER WORLD:EPL LAST NIGHT ACTION

Lots of thing happen last night In EPL . Peter crouch stunning strike  and Arteta thunderbolt free kick were the best part .

1) ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE (EPL)

A) Stoke city 1-1 Manchester city

Stoke City's Peter Crouch celebrates scoring the opening goal of the English Premier League match against Manchester City at the Britannia stadium, Stoke-on-Trent.  

•  when Crouch scores the 1st goal of the match , everybody were saying only one    thing " is this best goal of the season?" But Yaya Toure also smashed goal from range as everybody excepting the goal from carlos Tevez who came from bench in last 15 minutes

• City go above the arch rivals Manchester United on goal difference but , with Sir Alex ferguson's men hosting Fulham on Monday , there is every chance Roberto Mancini's side will soon be back in second place.

B) Chelsea 0-0 Tottenham

 As city and united are fighting for league title nowdays , Chelsea and Tottenham are fighting for place in next year champions league. Tottenham maintained their five point lead over blues in the contest with an action packed draw at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

• Summer signing Juan Mata has shown the world that why blues has given extra money for spainish winger throughout this season and this match also his free kick crashed off the bar .That was best chance for Chelsea in whole match.
  
• In last summer window rumours of two players moving away for Tottenham was high. Duo  were higlight for Tottenham in this match also.Gareth Bale's header hit the bar after Gary Cahill ,the Chelsea new defender ,had made a goal saving block to deny Emmanuel Adebayor. And Luka Modric has been quiet but Chelsea were in trouble when he moved into dangerous position on the left side of pitch.

 C)  Arsenal  3 -0 Aston villa

 

Gunners Dream runs continues as they win their 7th match in row.Gibbs, Walcott & Arteta strikes help gunners to  extend their lead over champions league rivals.

• Theo walcott pace and tricks helped Gunners this season lots and again in this match he beat villa defenders with ease. Carlos Cueller give the loose pass to Alex song ,the cameroon midfielder then found England winger Walcott with a delightful ball over the top before the winger controlled wonderfully and produced a calm finish.
  
• Arsenal was struggling before the start of this season as they lost Csec and nasri but deadline day signing Arteta produced a thunderbolt  from set piece to make score 3-0 in stoppage time .
  
• Van persie , Gibbs , Oxlade were also stunning in front of goal .

C) Liverpool 1-2 Wigan Athletic

Wigan Athletic's Saun Maloney celebrates scoring the opening goal from the penalty spot 

Liverpool fifth defeat in six premier league matches making  life of Kenny Dalglish.

• Brave Wigan Athletic won their first match at Anfiled after goals from Shaun Maloney and Gary Caldwell .
  
• Shaun Maloney claimed his first goal for Wigan from the penalty spot in the first half , only for Luis Suarez to equalise early in the second half  .
  
• Caldwell gave Wigan a 2-1 lead just after the hour as Liverpool surely saw their lingering hopes of a top four finish disappear.

D)Sunderland 3-1 QPR 

In the last match QPR defeat the team of top half i.e Liverpool but in this match they cant overcome the team which is in mid half of the table .


 

• Bendtner ,the outstanding McClean and sessegnon socres the goal for Sunderland .
  
• The result compunds QPR's poor away form ,with Mark hushes side picking up  only two points out of 37 points.

D) Bolton 2-1 Blackburn

David wheater scores 2 important goals for Bolton to pull themselves out of the relegation zone 

• David Wheater scored two headers for the home team in a seven-minute salvo. Blackburn rarely threatened and were unable to mount a comeback, despite pulling back an early second-half goal through Steven N’Zonzi.
 

• This was Bolton’s return to soccer  action after the shock cardiac arrest of Fabrice Muamba in last Saturday’s FA Cup tie against Tottenham Hotspur. 
 

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No one should tell me when to retire: Sachin Tendulkar

"When I reached my 100th 100, I looked at my bat and looked at the sky and asked god what wrong did I do, why did it take so long," said Sachin Tendulkar.  

 Indian iconic batsman Sachin Tendulkar on Sunday said that no one should tell him when to retire. "I will play till I have the desire," the master blaster said. 

Tendulkar, who said he was madly in love with cricket, said he had fulfilled two dreams -- to win the World Cup and score 100 centuries. 

"When I reached my 100th 100, I looked at my bat and looked at the sky and asked god what wrong did I do, why did it take so long," said Tendulkar. 

The batting legend expressed that he would like an Indian cricketer to break his record of 100 international centuries. "If someone breaks my 100th 100 record I hope he is an Indian," Tendulkar said in a press conference in Mumbai.

However, Tendulkar also said that dressing room discussions should not have come out. He also spoke on the topic of rotation policy, saying it was used in Australia because there were many players with borderline injuries. 

When asked about being named in Don Bradman's all-time Test XI, Sachin Tendulkar said it was the biggest compliment. 

"I play for the team not for my personal records", said Tendulkar.  

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I am taking one match at a time, says Uthappa

I enjoy playing cricket. It feels good to be back in the side after the one-off game against England in October, to be back in the midst of things," Robin Uthappa said. 

 Comeback man Robin Uthappa believes he has learned a lot during his absence from the Indian team's ranks and said that he was not looking too far ahead in his on-off international career. 

"I enjoy playing cricket. It feels good to be back in the side after the one-off game against England in October, to be back in the midst of things. I am taking it one game at a time. It's a great opportunity and am looking forward to it," said the 26-year-old hard-hitting batsman about his recall to the national team led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni. 

Uthappa is the only change in the Asia Cup squad led by Dhoni at Dhaka in place of Sachin Tendulkar for the one-off T20 International against South Africa to be played at Johannesburg on March 30. 

"It's a one-way journey where you learn a lot along the way. I certainly have had a lot of learning, am looking forward to playing international cricket again," said the batsman who has kept wickets in junior cricket. 

"It requires a lot of hard work (to make a comeback). You need to learn and understand about yourself a little more. Need to know what works for you and trust your instinct and routine so much more, back yourself so much more," he said. 

"I was a very raw player when I played initially for the country (in 2006 when he made his ODI debut against England at Indore). Domestic cricket has been a big boon for me. Even IPL has been great, a place where I have learnt a lot about myself, what works for me as an individual, as a batsman as an athlete. That has been the learning for me over the last three years," he added. 

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I was dejected when portrayed as villain of England tour: Harbhajan

Dropped from Team India, off-spinnerHarbhajan Singh has been toiling in the domestic circuit where flat tracks, uninspiring formats and mundane outings have taken a toll. In an exclusive chat with TOI, Harbhajan talks about all that he had to go through a 'terrible 2011'. Excerpts...

Dropped from Team India, Harbhajan Singh has been toiling in the domestic circuit.  

It's the longest patch since 2001 that you've been away from the national team... 

Without doubt it's been tough. But it has been a blessing in disguise too. It allowed my body some much needed rest, my mind to reflect on my game and look at the areas I needed to work on. From October to January I was dealing with my shin injury. I was advised complete rest and after that I had a long stint at the NCA. Currently I'm feeling good about my bowling and body. I'm ready for IPL.

You are India's most successful off-spinner and among the world's leading wicket-takers. How difficult is it to prove yourself again on the domestic front? 

It is not easy but at the same time you play cricket because you have passion for the game. That passion makes things easy. I love this challenge and whenever I go to play domestic cricket, it gives me a chance to connect with my roots and Punjab teammates. It's a process from which I have gone through and I want to make the most of this opportunity for an international comeback.

Quality spinners thrive on confidence. Has that confidence taken a dent after being dropped? 

The fact of the matter is I wasn't fit. In the Ranji Trophy I was struggling with acute pain. Forget bowling, I was barely able to keep my feet on the ground. I made everyone aware of the situation from my side and went straight to the NCA. I am sure all these things were considered. So no regrets.

You have been a naturally aggressive cricketer who took the fight back to the opposition. That one instinct has been found missing in the Indian team recently. 

I don't think there was any lack of desire, aggression or will from the Indian side. Over the years I have seen that all these adjectives are very result-oriented. You do well and all these things are visible. You don't and such issues are raised. Media has to find reasons for a defeat. I can assure you that whoever walks into the field in India colours tries his best. At least that's what I would like to believe.

With the exception of Lord's - in the first innings - your spells on the tour of England were not bad. Do you think it was fair to blame an off-spinner for poor performance on that tour? 

I am not the one who decides who is to be blamed and who is responsible. At Lord's we bowled with three bowlers in challenging and wet conditions. In Nottingham I developed a stomach tear and couldn't bowl to my 100 percent. The rumour was that I didn't want to continue on the tour. But the fact is despite that stomach tear I stayed on the ground as long as possible and tried to bowl as much as I could. I didn't want to leave my team in that situation. And then I pulled out of the tour due to injury. But I was dejected with the way I was portrayed as a villain of the tour. We lost the series in seaming conditions and a spinner was blamed for this. Sometimes what happens in India is that the media creates a mahaul (situation) around a player and everything revolves around it. It's sad but that's the way it is. And it's not in my control. I can't worry too much about it.

As a batsman, your best came in 2010 when you scored back-to-back centuries and a half century - against New Zealand, and a very important half-century in Kingston last year. Do you feel let down by the selectors? 

I would like to make it clear that my job is to play and contribute in all possible ways. Selectors have a job to do and I am nobody to comment on it. As a cricketer I am still a work in progress and my hard work will show results soon.

You have been good at varying your length and pace. At 31, do you feel you were just about maturing to another level? 

After this break, I am feeling very good about my body. Spin bowling is all about rhythm and the more I bowl the closer I get to that space where everything falls in place. I am very happy with the way things are going for me. I have a lot of cricket ahead of me.

Do you feel Indian cricket has consistently gone through the stage where bowlers haven't been given their due as much as batsmen. 

(Laughs) That's how it has been over the years. People come to watch fours and sixes. But bowlers have their own role and importance in the game. Shane Warne is considered as great as any other batsman in the world. Anil Kumble's contribution is no less than Sachin Tendulkar's. It is a batsman's game won by the bowlers.

Bishan Singh Bedi spoke about your meeting with him and said 'Harbhajan still has a lot of fire in his belly'. 

It was an honour to meet him. When you want advice you go to your elders so I went to Bishan paaji. True to his style he was warm, open and insightful in his opinion. We discussed a lot about bowling and cricket at large. That was quality time I spent with him and I'm thankful for it.

In Champions League you led Mumbai Indians to title. Is captaincy another side to you that hasn't been fully explored? 

I have always enjoyed captaincy at all levels. Champions League victory was a great result as we were short of resources and no one backed us. But credit to the boys, they lifted their game and performed exceedingly well. 

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New zealand vs South Africa

Petersen, Duminy make hosts toil after rain delay

South Africa 246 for 2 (Petersen 96*, Duminy 76*) v New Zealand 

New Zealand's on-field misery matched Wellington's weather, as South Africa continued their domination via an unbeaten 140-run partnership that took them to 246 for 2. Alviro Petersen went to stumps four short of a third Test hundred, while JP Duminy was on 76. Not even a furious tailwind from the Vance End, nor heavy cloud cover, could conjure a breakthrough for New Zealand, after rain accounted for almost four hours of play first up. Seven overs into the second session, evening gloom set in to end a frustrating day for the hosts, who are quickly running out of time to affect a series-levelling win.

Alviro Petersen had been obdurate on the first day, as he fought to make his first substantial contribution of the tour, but adopted a brighter approach early on the second with a fifty beckoning. Chris Martin's fourth ball was slapped through midwicket, before an edge from an attempted cover drive brought up the milestone. Positivity paying off, he continued in the assured vein, missing few chances to pierce the field when New Zealand erred.

Duminy eased to his half-century too, crisp cover-drives characterising his first Test innings in two years as South Africa's third-wicket stand swelled beyond 100. Adept at finding gaps in the field, Duminy matched his lively partner for pace and outlook. An inside edge over the stumps and a top-edged hook that took him past 50 were the only bumps in an otherwise uncomplicated innings.

Ross Taylor might have rued not placing a third slip when second-slip Martin Guptill dived over, then palmed two edges off Petersen, but in between the chances, the New Zealand bowlers rarely looked like taking wickets in the wind. Martin swung the ball modestly early on, but could not maintain the movement for long, while Mark Gillespie's gun-barrel straight deliveries were navigated without complaint. Daniel Vettori battled the northerly for much of the day, darting balls in to keep his end secure rather than attacking with flight. But even he could not help being unsettled by the gusts, as he regularly offered long hops the batsmen happily dispatched square.

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LATEST RESULT

SOCCER WORLD : LOTS OF THING HAPPEN LAST NIGHT 

1. Barclays Premier League

A) Manchester  City 2-1 Chelsea Football Club:
An important game for both teams as city have to keep their chance alive in title race and for  chelsea to keep alive their hope for top 4 finishes. Carlos Alberto Tevez sets up late Nasri winner as hosts come from behind to reignite title challenge

The Blues had gone ahead through Gary Cahill's deflected strike but a Sergio Aguero penalty was followed up by an 85th-minute strike from the French midfielder to seal the points.

B) Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 Stoke City: Rafael van der Vaart nets stoppage-time equaliser but this draw make the life of tottenham difficult.


C) Everton 0-1 Arsenal: Vermaelen header ensures Gunners take advantage .
Wenger's side move above rivals after sealing their sixth win a row in the Premier League as goal from Belgian international gives them the three points at Goodison Park

D) QPR 3-2 Liverpool FC: QPR shows excellent fightback after down by 2 goals and wins the match in last 15 matches



3) LA LIGA 

Villarreal 1-1 Real Madrid C.F.: Senna free-kick cancels out cristiano Ronaldo's and by this draw madrid is now only 3 points ahead frm barcelona 

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SOCCER WORLD

Sir Alex Ferguson slams Vieira's 'desperation' comments over bringing back Scholes

The Manchester United manager is not impressed with City's mind games, and says he has 'plenty of ammunition' after they recalled controversial striker Carlos Tevez.

Sir Alex Ferguson has hit back at Patrick Vieira’s claims that Manchester United were desperate when bringing back Paul Scholes, claiming that Manchester City did the same thing in playing Carlos Tevez on Wednesday.

Vieira, now football development executive at City, said that Scholes’ return showed there is weakness in the United squad as they had to turn to a 37-year-old player.

Ferguson was quick to dismiss Vieira’s comments in a press conference at Old Trafford on Friday morning, and says he has “plenty of ammunition” if their rivals are going to start playing mind games.

"If it’s desperation bringing back Paul Scholes, the best midfielder in Britain for the last 20 years, then I think we can accept that,” he told reporters.

“Roberto Mancini had a little dig at us a couple of weeks back. We’re all going to play our hand. I have plenty of ammunition that way.

“Desperation? On Wednesday they played a player who refused to go on the pitch and the manager had said he would never play for them again. What is that?”

Scholes has played a key part in United’s return to the summit of the Premier League, with the Red Devils only dropping two points in the 10 games in which he’s featured, and Ferguson went on to praise his veteran midfielder.

Ferguson said: "He can dictate the tempo of games very well. He has the experience. He has a terrific football brain."

Contrary to press reports, Ferguson confirmed he has not yet spoken to Scholes about staying on for another season at Old Trafford.

“The reason he wanted to retire was because he wanted to play 50 games, not 25 games. It was because he wanted to play more,” he said.

“I have not spoken to him about next season.” 

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