Sports Mania

Badminton:Saina become first Indian ro reach World Championship Finals

2015-08-15T23:37:00.003+05:30

Jakarta:Ace India shuttler Saina Nehwal defeated local favourite Lindaweni Fanetri in 21-17, 21-17 in the last-four to reach her maiden final of the Badminton World Championships in Jakarta on Saturday.

With her triumph on Saturday, the Olympics bronze medallist became the first Indian ever to make it to the final of the world championships.

It turned out to be a tight match as Saina and Lindaweni, who was playing with a strapping on her right knee, engaged in long rallies and gave each other a tough fight at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium.

Lindaweni opened up a 6-2 lead early on in the first game as Saina tried to get a hang of the drift in the stadium. The Indonesian had to take some tips from the team doctor after feeling some pain in her knee at 7-6.

The Indonesian looked restricted in her movement as Saina clawed back at 9-9 and grabbed the lead next when Lindaweni hit wide. A service fault helped Lindaweni to level score at 10-10 but Saina went into the break with a 11-10 lead after winning a long rally.

After the interval, Saina increased the gap to 15-12 but the Indian committed a few unforced errors to allow Lindaweni draw parity at 15-15. A net fault and a wide shot by the Indonesian gave Saina a 18-16 lead.

Egged on by a vociferous crowd, the home girl kept fighting but a ferocious return took Saina to 19-17 lead. Lindaweni next found the net again as Saina gained three game points and the Indian pocketed it after her rival again hit wide.

Lindaweni struggled with her knee but she never gave up and matched Saina for strokes and went into the lead at 4-3. The Indonesian tried to vary the pace and came up with acute angled shots to trouble Saina.

Every time Saina took a lead, Lindaweni clawed back and turned the tables. The duo moved neck and neck from 6-6 to 10-10 before Saina moved into the break with a slender 11-10 lead.

After the breather, Saina opened up a 14-11 lead. But the Indian again committed a few unforced errors which helped Lindaweni to level par at 14-14. Saina once again surged ahead to 17-14 but Lindaweni showed steels of nerves to narrow it down to 16-17 and 17-18.

Saina eventually gained a three-match point advantage when Lindaweni hit long. Another wide shot from Lindaweni and Saina raised her arms in celebration.

It would be India's fifth medal at the World Championship after P V Sindhu clinched the bronze twice in 2013 and 2014 and Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa notched up a bronze in women's doubles at the 2011 edition.

Saina will face World No. 1 and defending champion Carolina Marin of Spain in the summit clash - an opponent she last faced in the final of the All England Badminton Championships earlier this year. Marin came through a war of attrition against Korea's Sung Ji-hyun to claim a pulsating 21-17, 15-21, 21-16 victory in a marathon encounter on Saturday that ebbed and flowed through a series of momentum shifts.

The Spaniard was a surprise champion as ninth seed a year ago but has since risen to the top of the rankings with a game built on confidence, athleticism and a never-say-die attitude.

Fanetri, who has not won any major title, looked uncomfortable throughout the match because of an injury but didn't let that affect her game, giving her much higher-ranked opponent a tough fight. In the last decade, the only major title that the world No. 29 has won was the Syed Modi Grand Prix Gold, a Grade IV tournament, in 2012. She was the runner-up in the Chinese Taipei Open and Vietnam Open in 2012.

The Indian ace, who has won close to 20 international titles including the Olympics bronze, was always unlucky when it came to the World championship. She was struck down by chicken pox once, stomach bug later - the 24-year-old was always laid low by some off-court problems. Even before the Worlds she was suffering from shoulder niggle but she did not allow that to affect her game.

ARCHERY: Abhishek Verma earns India gold in Archery World Cup!!!

2015-08-15T23:30:00.000+05:30

WROCLAW (Poland): Abhishek Verma gave India a perfect Independence Day gift by clinching the gold medal in the compound men's individual section to open their account in the Archery World Cup Stage 3 on Saturday.

Having failed as a team in the bronze play-off earlier in the day, the world number 18 was at his best in the individual final as he held on to his lead to wrap up the issue 148-145 against Esmaeil Ebadi of Iran.

The Asian Games silver medallist thus avenged his defeat to Ebadi at the Incheon 2014 in style.

India's recurve mixed pair of Deepika Kumari and Mangal Singh Champia will look to earn the country a second gold when they face their opponents from Mexico on Sunday.

Verma had 13 perfect 10s, including five arrows closest to the centre from 15 arrows, in an extraordinary exhibition of shooting in the summit clash.

The Delhi lad had a perfect start to the grudge match when he shot maximum (30) that included one closest to the centre in reply to Ebadi's 28 in the first end.

Continuing his fine form, the 26-year-old had two 10s and one nine to extend his lead by three points after the second end.

The Iranian did not give up as he shot 30 in the third end, but it did not matter to the Indian, who matched his rival and had two closest to the centre en route to a 89-86 lead.

Verma had another perfect round of 30 in the fourth end against Ebadi's 29 for a commanding four-point lead and it was just a formality for the Indian to settle the issue in the fifth and final end.

Ebadi shot maximum in the final end and Verma responded with one point less but that was enough to win the gold.

At Incheon Asiad, the first continental Games to include compound archery as a competition discipline, Verma went down to the top seed Iranian 141-145.

Earlier India gave up easily to lose the bronze medal play-off against a higher-ranked Italy who put up a consistent show to win the compound men's team event 233-230.

The trio of Verma, Kawal Preet Singh and Rajat Chauhan trailed 57-58 after the first end of six arrows, which included a poor eight.

The fourth seeded Indian team recovered in the second end, shooting on par against the Italians 59-59. But that was not enough as the trio of Federico Pagnoni, Michele Nencioni and Sergio Pagni held on to their one-point lead.

India faltered once again with three 9s in the third end to total 57 while the third seeded Italians shot 59 for a three-point lead with six arrows to go.

Required to score big, India crumbled under pressure with another round of 57 that gave Italy an easy victory.

Football : Messi May Turn Midfeilder in Future, says Messi

2015-08-10T23:30:00.001+05:30

BARCELONA: Argentine football icon and FC Barcelona captain Lionel Messi on Monday said he has got an out-and-out option of turning into a midfielder once his usefulness as the centrifugal force in the Spanish side's attack diminishes.

"I am open to play in any position on the pitch if it helps the team. A lot of players drop deeper when they move into the later stages of their career, and that's certainly an option for me, to become an out-and-out midfielder," Messi was quoted as saying by goal.com.

"I have played in midfield a lot already, and I cover a lot of ground there. I am happy to play as a forward, as a deep forward, in the middle. There are many players who have prolonged their careers by playing in a different place, where maybe you don't rely on being so explosive all the time, on your speed."

The four-time world footballer of the year also said that he has a soft spot for former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola, under whom the Catalans won multiple European Champions League and La Liga titles.

Guardiola is currently in charge of German giants Bayern Munich.

"It is quite odd seeing him in the opposition dugout. Everyone knows what a great relationship that I have with him, and I will always be grateful for what he did for me, how he developed me as a player, the teams that he built. I will always wish him luck," Messi said.

The 28-year-old, however, was quick to add that his warm feelings for Guardiola went for a toss as soon as Barcelona faced Bayern.

"But obviously, when you play against somebody, you freeze those personal feelings out for the duration of the game. It is all about winning, for me and him," he said.

Messi also seemed happy with how football in Europe is becoming all the more competitive these days with the heavyweights improving further.

"Pep is doing great things with Bayern Munich and is creating a team similar to the one he had at Barcelona, but with different players, and subtle differences. We want strong competition within Europe, so I am happy that Pep is creating another powerhouse of a side that can compete against the La Liga teams," Messi said.

"Juventus have also done brilliantly, and you cannot underrate Italian teams. Italian teams were dominant in Europe for many years, and have had a difficult time recently, but they are showing that they can still compete.

"English Premier League and French League are also investing in good players and the national leagues are very competitive."

Miller, Sandeep give KXIP big win

2014-05-10T10:31:00.001+05:30

Like Pravin Tambe, Sandeep Sharma has made a habit of scalping big wickets for Kings XI Punjab. In Dubai during the first leg of IPL 7, Sandeep castled a rampaging Chris Gayle [4] and Virat Kohli [0] off consecutive balls, and on Friday night he did an encore on the same two batsmen to give his team the perfect start defending 198, and another wicket thereafter ensured Royal Challengers Bangalore stayed under the pump and ended up 32 short.

Sandeep, who ended with 3 for 25 taking his IPL 7 wicket tally to 13, impressed on a night billed as a battle of the big-hitters, and Shivam Sharma, an IPL debutant for KXIP, emerged as another player to watch out for by collecting 2 for 26, his offspinners accounting for Albie Morkel [16] and a woeful Yuvraj Singh [3].

On a wicket that proved to be slower than the usual Chinnaswamy surface, Kohli's decision to insert the opposition misfired at the outset. The Glenn Maxwell show threatened to make a stopover in Bangalore, but once the Australian departed for a typically quickfire 11-ball 25, caught at the midwicket boundary off Yuzvendra Chahal, David Miller took over by clobbering three sixes and eight fours in a whirlwind innings of 66 from just 29 balls.

KXIP had put on 231 against Chennai Super Kings on Wednesday, and the batting form of their batsmen carried them to 198 for 8 against Royal Challengers Bangalore on Friday night. RCB had lost half their side with only 50 on the board in reply, and the sheer weight of the target coupled by the continually rising asking rate proved too much for even the class of AB de Villiers, who produced a valiant 26-ball 53.

De Villiers' innings contained five hits over the fence, but once he fell after striking consecutive sixes off Laxmipathy Balaji, the game was all but over. Varun Aaron and Chahal played out the remaining overs, but another insipid batting display from a team packed with stalwarts will continue to confound even the harshest of critics.

RCB needed a rapid start to overhaul KXIP's 198 for 8, but fell behind the eight ball as soon as Sandeep struck with the first two balls of the third over. Gayle threw the kitchen sink at a regulation away-going delivery, only to edge behind the stumps before Kohli fell for his second first-ball duck to the medium-pacer, edging an innocuous ball down the leg side. In the UAE he was dubiously adjudged leg before off Sandeep, and wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha's take behind the stumps didn't convince Kohli tonight either.

Yuvraj looked at sea against the turning ball, and after being beaten repeatedly he came charging down the track only to edge behind to Virender Sehwag at slip. Yuvraj had been held back till No 6 tonight, and his lack of confidence may prompt RCB to look into a batting position which is crucial in setting up finishes. Mitchell Starc entertained with 29 towards the end, but no RCB batsman other than de Villiers looked comfortable on a wicket KXIP posted almost 200.

The transition between Maxwell and Miller earlier hardly took time. Miller arrived at No 4, their places in the batting order interchanged, and Maxwell was going berserk against Yuvraj in the eighth over. Maxwell fell in the next over but Miller took over almost immediately, peppering the extra cover boundary with powerful drives. He finally fell trying the same shot off Varun Aaron but couldn't clear Chahal stationed inside the circle.

If at all, Miller's wicket allowed the RCB bowlers to pull back a little and what could have been a score upwards of 215 was restricted to 198. Harshal Patel, who removed Mandeep Singh and Wriddhiman Saha, went for 56 runs from his three overs on a night only Chahal returned respectable figures of 2 for 23.

Virat Kohli decided to make second use of the Bangalore surface which slowed down as the evening progressed, as was evidenced by the stray ball holding up when the spinners were on show. KXIP, however, got off to a flier courtesy Sehwag [30] and Mandeep Singh [21] as the openers added 60 inside the batting Powerplay.

Mandeep's wicket came against the run of play, but Harshal's first over was wayward and went for 19 despite the breakthrough. Maxwell came and took on the bowlers immediately, but Sehwag's dismissal - out for his fifth 30-plus knock in the tournament - and Maxwell's soon after pegged them back somewhat. George Bailey never looked comfortable, but Miller's innings kept up the tempo, setting up KXIP's seventh win of the competition.

Sammy quits Test cricket after Ramdin appointed captain

2014-05-10T10:29:00.002+05:30

Darren Sammy retired from Test cricket on Friday just hours after being replaced by Denesh Ramdin as West Indies captain. Sammy, 30, had been in charge of the Test team since October 2010.

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) said that he will remain in charge of the Twenty20 international squad. Sammy played in 38 Tests, captaining in 30 of those appearances. "Darren Sammy has formally notified the West Indies Cricket Board of his decision to retire from Test cricket," said a WICB statement.

"Sammy has also informed the Board of his decision to continue to make himself available for selection for the other formats of the game." Wicketkeeper/batsman Ramdin, 29, has played 56 Tests in addition to 109 one-day internationals and 46 Twenty20 internationals.

"We thank Darren for his energetic and resolute leadership over the past four years and we continue to see his role as the Twenty20 captain as a critical one," said West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) president Dave Cameron. Ramdin said he was honoured to be named the new Test skipper. "It is an honour to be named as captain of the West Indies Test team. This is a huge opportunity and as a unit we are capable of representing the people of the West Indies," Ramdin said.

"I am taking over from Darren who did a good job while he was at the helm. He is a very humble and hardworking cricketer and during his time at the helm we won six matches and he gave his all to the job.

"My first assignment will be against New Zealand at home and this promises to be a very exciting series."

Ramdin's first challenge in his new role will be the West Indies versus New Zealand Test in Jamaica starting on June 8. The second Test at the Queen's Park Oval will be his first as Test captain on home Trinidad soil. West Indies will now have three different captains for the three international formats -- Ramdin for Tests, Sammy with the T20 side and Dwayne Bravo as head of the ODI squad.

Roger Federer Expected to Play French Open

2014-05-09T19:53:00.003+05:30

Paris:
Seventeen-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer will be making his 16th straight appearance at the French Open, where he won the title in 2009 to complete a career Slam.

Roger Federer will take part in the French Open despite earlier suggesting he may take time out to be with wife Mirka, who gave birth to the couple's second set of twins this week.

Federer's agent, Tony Godsick, said that the Swiss intends to feature at the French Open, which starts at Roland Garros in Paris on May 25, where he would stretch his consecutive run of Grand Slam events to 58.

"Roger plans on playing Roland Garros and he will make a decision at the last minute if he will play Rome (next week) depending on how everything is going with his family," said Godsick.

Mirka Federer gave birth to sons Leo and Lenny on Tuesday. The couple already have twin girls, Myla Rose and Charlene Ri, who will be five in July.

Federer, 32, has played in a record 57 consecutive Grand Slam tournaments, this past January eclipsing the mark previously set by Wayne Ferreira in 2003.

He will be making his 16th straight appearance at the French Open, where he won the title in 2009 to complete a career Slam.

Jose Mourinho Fined After Referee Row During Sunderland Game

2014-05-09T19:51:00.001+05:30

London:
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho made a series of pointed remarks about referee Mike Dean and his assistants after Chelsea suffered a 2-1 loss to struggling Sunderland in the English Premier League at Stamford Bridge on April 19.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was fined £10,000 ($16,944, 12,221 euros) on Thursday after his sarcastic comments about the match officials following a shock defeat against Sunderland.

Mourinho made a series of pointed remarks about referee Mike Dean and his assistants after Chelsea suffered a 2-1 loss to struggling Sunderland in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge on April 19.

The defeat marked the end of Mourinho's 77-game unbeaten run in league matches at the Bridge and dealt a major blow to Chelsea's hopes of winning the Premier League.

Mourinho was enraged that Chelsea had conceded a penalty for Cesar Azpilicueta's challenge on Jozy Altidore even though there appeared to be minimal contact with the Sunderland striker.

Chelsea's assistant manager Rui Faria responded by launching an astonishing touchline rant at Dean and the fourth official, which saw him sent to the stands and later given a six-match stadium ban.

Speaking to the media after the match, Mourinho congratulated his Chelsea players, Sunderland and then moved on to the officials.

He described Dean's performance as "unbelievable" and "fantastic", before moving on to referees' chief Mike Riley, saying "what they are doing during the whole season is fantastic, especially in the last couple of months, especially in matches involving the teams that were in the title race, it's absolutely fantastic".

It was found that Mourinho's comments, in themselves, did not question the officials' integrity, but amounted to disrepute and improper conduct.

A FA statement read: "Following an independent regulatory commission hearing, Jose Mourinho has been fined £10,000 in relation to comments he made after Chelsea's game against Sunderland on April 19, 2014.

"While the commission did not find that Mourinho's post-match comments called into question the integrity of the referee appointed to the above fixture and/or the integrity of Mike Riley, general manager of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited, they did find that the comments brought the game into disrepute and the charge for improper conduct was found proven."

Mourinho also failed in an appeal against his £8,000 fine for his conduct towards referee Chris Foy at the end of a defeat at Villa Park in March.

"Meanwhile, Mourinho has lost his appeal against an independent regulatory commission's decision to fine him £8,000 in relation to Chelsea's game against Aston Villa on March 15, 2014," the FA statement continued.

"Mourinho denied a breach of FA Rule E3 in that his behaviour in re-entering the field of play and approaching the Match Referee in an attempt to speak to him, in or around the 90th minute of the game amounted to improper conduct.

"The charge was found proven by an independent regulatory commission and that decision was upheld by an appeal panel on Thursday."

IPL 7: Sunrisers Hyderabad Crush Rajasthan Royals by 32 runs

2014-05-09T00:33:00.002+05:30

Ahmedabad: Sunrisers Hyderabad kept themselves in the top-four race as they crushed Rajasthan Royals by 32 runs on the back of an inspiring bowling performance in an Indian Premier League clash, here on Thursday.

Hyderabad looked down and out after posting a modest 134 for nine but they came out all guns blazing, forcing their rivals into submission with their fiery bowling, led by young India paceman Bhuvneshwar Kumar (4/14).

Kumar provided the first breakthrough in the third ball of the RR innings and then took three wickets in the 18th over to deny the rivals any sort of comeback.

His senior pace colleague Dale Steyn (2/33) took two wickets while Karn Sharma, Moises Henriques and Irfan Pathan took a wicket apiece in a collective bowling effort to bowl out Rajasthan for 102 with one ball to spare.

The result meant that Rajasthan skipper Shane Watson's superb hat-trick went in vain and Hyderabad moved to fifth from seventh in the points table.

It was a pathetic batting display by Hyderabad as more than the Rajasthan bowling, it was poor shot selection of the Hyderabad batsmen that let them down.

None of the SRH players, except skipper Shikhar Dhawan (33), applied himself as Watson (3/13) and Rajat Bhatia (3/23) shared six wickets between them.

It was a split hat-trick for Watson as he dismissed Dhawan in the last ball of his first over and then sent back Moises Henriques (9) and Karn Sharma (0) when he returned for his second over later in the innings.

In his last match also the burly Australian had taken three wickets in one over to trigger a KKR batting collapse.

However, Hyderabad made a match out of it with their spirited bowling effort. Both pacers and spinners bowled their hearts out in troubling the Rajasthan batsmen.

Pacers Bhuvneshwar and Steyn were disciplined with their line and length while Karn and Amit Mishra used the spin-friendly conditions to the fullest.

Kumar gave a perfect start by having Ajinkya Rahane (0) out in the third ball and Steyn had Karun Nair (12) caught behind.

Karn bamboozled in-form Sanju Samson (16) with a peach of a delivery and then Henriques got the prized wicket of Watson by having the rival skipper caught behind.

Hyderabad were right back in the match and were in fact calling the shots. David Warner made it 78 for five by sending back Stuart Binny on a direct hit.

Steven Smith (22) and seasoned Rajat Bhatia had a humongous task to get the team out of rut as a demoralised Rajasthan needed 54 runs off the last five overs.

Steyn dented RR hopes by dismissing Smith and Bhuvneshwar saw the back of James Faulkner and Rajat Bhatia (4) in successive balls to make the writing clear on the wall.

Mario Gomez Ignored for Germany's 30-Man Provisional World Cup Squad

2014-05-09T00:27:00.000+05:30

FRANKFURT: Germany injected a strong dose of youth into their provisional 30-man World Cup squad, calling up talented Schalke 04 teenagers Leon Goretzka and Max Meyer on Thursday.

Along with 19-year-old Goretzka and 18-year-old Meyer, who had a spectacular debut season in the Bundesliga, coach Joachim Loew also drafted in Borussia Dortmund's Erik Durm, little-known Shkodran Mustafi of Sampdoria and Matthias Ginter of Freiburg.

Loew did a similar thing before the 2010 edition in South Africa when he announced Germany's youngest World Cup squad in 76 years and they went on to finish third in the tournament.

Germany have been drawn in Group G for next month's World Cup in Brazil along with Ghana, Portugal and United States.

"When picking the squad it was important for us to have the right mix of experience and carefreeness and freshness," Loew told a news conference.

"Given the injuries and absences in the past few months it has not been an ideal situation for the national team. But we will rise to the challenges and we will find solutions and alternatives."

Loew, whose team face Poland in a friendly next week, will cut the squad down to 25 or 26 for a training camp in Italy on May 21 before submitting his final 23 players for the tournament by June 2.

The coach also included Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira, now back in action after tearing cruciate knee ligaments last year, but dropped forward Mario Gomez who missed most of the season at Fiorentina with injury.

"Sami's prospects are very good. He has the will and discipline and is a key player in the squad. We are confident we can help him return to top form in time for the tournament," said Loew, adding that Gomez's longer absence meant he could not be fit in time.

Loew called up Hoffenheim forward Kevin Volland along with veteran striker Miroslav Klose, who is also just back from injury.

"Miro always hits top form at tournaments. He was injured recently but we are convinced he can help the team. It will almost certainly be his last," he said of the 35-year-old striker.

Provisional squad:

Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Roman Weidenfeller (Borussia Dortmund), Ron-Robert Zieler (Hanover 96)

Defenders: Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich), Kevin Grosskreutz (Borussia Dortmund), Erik Durm (Borussia Dortmund), Benedikt Hoewedes (Schalke 04) Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund), Marcell Jansen (Hamburg SV), Per Mertesacker (Arsenal), Shkodran Mustafi (Sampdoria) Marcel Schmelzer (Borussia Dortmund), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich),

Midfielders: Lars Bender (Bayer Leverkusen), Julian Draxler (Schalke 04), Matthias Ginter (Freiburg), Leon Goretzka (Schalke 04), Mario Goetze (Bayern Munich), Andre Hahn (Augsburg), Sami Khedira (Real Madrdi), Toni Kroos (Bayern Munich), Max Meyer (Schalke 04), Thomas Mueller (Bayern Munich), Mesut Ozil (Arsenal), Lukas Podolski (Arsenal), Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund), Andre Schuerrle (Chelsea), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich)

Forwards: Miroslav Klose (Lazio), Kevin Volland (Hoffenheim)

Sania-Cara knocked out of Madrid Open

2014-05-09T00:24:00.000+05:30

MADRID: Sania Mirza and Cara Black gave a scare to top seeds Su-Wei Hsieh and Shuai Peng before losing the women's doubles quarterfinal at the WTA Madrid Open on Thursday.

The fifth seeded Indo-Zimbabwean pair lost 7-5, 1-6, 8-10 to the Taipei-Chinese team in one hour and 30 minutes in the euro 3,671,405 clay court tournament.

There was not much to separate the two pairs as the Portugal Open winners won 62 points to 67 of their top seeded rivals.

Sania and Cara converted four break chances while Hsieh and Peng broke them five times in the match which was decided via a thrilling Super Tie-Breaker.

Sania and Cara split euro 27,270 as prize money and earned 215 ranking points each.

Indian challenge is still alive in the tournament as Rohan Bopanna and his Pakistani partner Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, seeded eighth, have been given a bye in the first round of the men's doubles.

They face Italian Andreas Seppi and big serving Canadian Milas Raonic in the pre-quarterfinals.

Manchester City Defeat Aston Villa 4-0

2014-05-08T13:45:00.001+05:30

MANCHESTER: Manchester City are within touching distance of the Premier League title after overwhelming Aston Villa 4-0 on Wednesday to close within a point of the championship.

Villa resisted until the 64th minute at a sodden Etihad Stadium, but a quick-fire Edin Dzeko brace put the hosts ahead and late goals from Stevan Jovetic and Yaya Toure took City's goal tally to 100 in the league.

City's victory eliminates third-place Chelsea from the title race and means that they will be champions for the second time in three years if they avoid defeat at home to West Ham United on Sunday.

"I was absolutely sure if we continued to play the same way we would find the space to score a goal," said City manager Manuel Pellegrini, who has already led the club to success in the League Cup.

"Now we can talk about the title. We must win the last game against West Ham."

On Toure's storming solo goal, Pellegrini added: "The power of Yaya is unbelievable. One hundred goals in the Premier League is a good amount of goals."

Pellegrini's side lead Liverpool by only two points, but they can afford to draw on the final day because they have a goal-difference advantage of +13 over Brendan Rodger's men, who host Newcastle United.

While Liverpool and Chelsea have slipped up spectacularly in recent weeks, City have now won four games in succession, and they will have Chelsea's Premier League record of 103 goals in their sights against West Ham.

"We kept the belief when we were in third place, and now we are here," said City right-back Pablo Zabaleta.

"We have a great chance and hopefully on Sunday we can celebrate the title."

In his programme notes, Pellegrini had demanded "focus and complete concentration" from his players, and despite the absence of injured top scorer Sergio Aguero, they quickly forced Villa back.

David Silva had an early penalty claim dismissed after being clipped by Ashley Westwood, while Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan had to save at his near post from Aleksandar Kolarov and block a close-range Toure effort.

Vincent Kompany headed wide after beating Guzan to a corner and Samir Nasri curled off-target following a one-two with Silva, but as the nervousness among the home support grew, so Villa began to threaten.

Jordan Bowery volleyed wide from an Andreas Weimann cross and Weimann himself then gave the hosts an uncomfortable moment by surging away from Zabaleta on a one-man counter-attack, only to shoot wide.

City soon regained the upper hand, but Silva scuffed his shot from Zabaleta's cut-back and Nasri could only prod wide from an inviting Zabaleta cross in first-half stoppage time.

With nothing to play for, Villa's approach was unapologetically conservative, and there was no change to their approach in the second period.

Kompany was unable to get enough purchase on an overhead kick to trouble Guzan, but the Villa goalkeeper was fully extended by a dipping Kolarov free-kick moments later.

With half an hour to play Pellegrini introduced striker Jovetic in place of midfielder James Milner, and moments later the home fans' increasingly desperate prayers were answered.

After an hour of frustration, the move that brought the goal was one of arresting simplicity. Silva's pass down the inside-right channel freed Zabaleta, who centred for Dzeko to sweep home his fourth goal in three games.

It was five in three minutes later, with the tall Bosnian striker tapping home after Guzan had saved from Nasri to set the stage for another title party at the Etihad on Sunday afternoon.

Villa threatened to set up a nail-biting finale when Weimann saw a header hit the bar and bounce on the line, but Jovetic settled any remaining nerves in the 89th minute by steering home from Toure's pass.

There was still time for Toure to apply a stunning coup de grace in stoppage time, powering through the heart of the Villa defence from halfway and firing past Guzan to bring up his 20th league goal of the campaign.

No Ronaldinho, Kaka in Scolari's World Cup Brazil Squad

2014-05-08T00:56:00.002+05:30

Rio De Janeiro: Brazil manager Luiz Felipe Scolari on Wednesday unveiled the 23 men he trusts can deliver a sixth World Cup ahead of this year's event starting June 12 on home soil.

Having already led the most successful nation in the tournament's history to their fifth title in Japan in 2002, Scolari is now out to lay the ghosts of 1950, when the Selecao lost the trophy match to Uruguay in Rio.

His list contained no major surprises, although forward Robinho (92 caps) missed the cut along with former world players of the year Ronaldinho (97 caps) and Kaka (87 caps), an echo of his decision to dump Romario more than a decade ago.

Robinho missed the cut despite facing Chile in a recent friendly. With Scolari having said for months he knew in his own mind who he wanted to pick, save for one or two exceptions, the focus was on who would provide back-up for a first eleven who saw off world champions Spain in last year's Confederations Cup warm-up.

For the defensive second string, Paris St Germain's Maxwell edged out Atletico Madrid's Filipe Luis, while veteran defender Maicon won out at the expense of Bayern Munich's Rafinha, even though the latter had played in a March friendly romp against South Africa.

Henrique of Napoli, fresh from lifting the Coppa Italia, also claimed a berth while in the middle, Scolari completed his contingent with Manchester City's Fernandinho and also Inter Milan's Hernanes.

Scolari had already named as his four captains defensive linchpins Tiago Silva and David Luiz, veteran striker Fred of Fluminense and goalkeeper Julio Cesar, despite Cesar now playing in Major League Soccer with Toronto FC.

In 2002, Scolari preferred a 3-4-3 line up with Ronaldo at its apex. But now he and technical coordinator Carlos Alberto Parreira will likely base their hopes on a 4-2-3-1 permutation with the idea that star man Neymar of Barcelona can enjoy a free role.

Just four of the players are with Brazilian clubs -- reserve keepers Jefferson and Victor and strikers Fred and Jo, the latter who had brief spells in England with Manchester City and Everton.

Scolari could have named 30 players before later trimming them back by June 2.

But the Brazilian Football Confederation had indicated ahead of Wednesday he was happy to name his final squad now in readiness for group games against Croatia, Mexico and Cameroon.

Scolari will now welcome his selection at the end of May to the refurbished Granja Comary training complex outside the rural town of Teresopolis around an hour north of Rio.

He will then oversee a June 3 friendly against Panama at Goiana and a final warm-up against Serbia three days later at the Morumbi stadium in Sao Paulo before the Cup starts at the Corinthians Arena on July 12.

Brazil squad:

Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Toronto FC/CAN), Jefferson (Botafogo), Victor (Atletico Mineiro)

Defenders: Dante (Bayern Munich/GER), David Luiz (Chelsea/ENG), Henrique (Napoli/ITA), Thiago Silva (PSG), Daniel Alves (Barcelona/ESP), Maicon (Roma/ITA), Marcelo (Real Madrid/ESP), Maxwell (Paris St Germain/FRA)

Midfielders: Fernandinho (Manchester City/ENG), Hernanes (Inter Milan/ITA), Luiz Gustavo (Wolfsburg/GER), Oscar (Chelsea/ENG), Paulinho (Tottenham/ENG), Ramires (Chelsea/ENG), Willian (Chelsea/ENG)

Strikers: Bernard (Shakhtar Donetsk/UKR), Fred (Fluminense), Hulk (Zenit Saint-Petersburg/RUS), Jo (Atletico Mineiro), Neymar (Barcelona/ESP)

Maxwell's 90 off 38 balls helps KXIP thrash CSK

2014-05-08T00:22:00.002+05:30

CRICKET: Glenn Maxwell fuelled his legend further smashing 90 off 38 balls as Kings XI Punjab thrashed Chennai Super Kings by 44 runs in a contest featuring the top two sides of IPL 7 at Cuttack's Barabati Stadium on Wednesday night. Chasing a mammoth 232 to win, CSK, who had come into the match on the back of six straight wins, could only go as far as 187 for 6 as KXIP moved on from the defeat against Mumbai Indians to regain the top spot in the table with six wins in seven matches.

Maxwell, who switch-hit for several times hitting eight sixes and six fours, and David Miller (47 off 32 balls) added 133 for the third wicket before KXIP captain George Bailey made 40 not out off 13 balls to make things even better for his team.

CSK were never in the chase after losing their highest run-maker Dwayne Smith (4) off the fourth ball of the match. The West Indian gave a simple catch to Mitchell Johnson at backward point off the bowling of medium pacer Sandeep Sharma. Suresh Raina hit a few lusty blows but his efforts were brief, scoring 35 off 27 balls before picking out David Miller at long-off off none other than Maxwell.

Brendon McCullum (33 off 29 balls), Faf du Plessis (52 off 25 balls) and MS Dhoni (23 off 20 balls) did their best but their efforts were not enough. Fast bowler Johnson retured 2 for 37 to be the best KXIP bowler.

Earlier, after being put in to bat, KXIP got off a flying start thanks to Virender Sehwag who looked in vintage form, hitting Ben Helfenhaus through the covers off the first ball of the match and picking up three fours off Ishwar Pandey in the following over.

Sehwag played the majority of deliveries in the first few overs and his partner Mandeep Singh, who replaced the ball-sapping Cheteshwar Pujara for this match, witnessed the former India batsman's magic at the other end until the fifth over when he cut a Mohit Sharma delivery to Pandey at third man to get out for three.

Despite the fact that Hilfenhaus had conceded 10 runs in his second over including a six hit by Sehwag, CSK captain Dhoni let the Aussie bowler continue in the sixth over and it paid dividends when Hilfenhaus bowled Sehwag for 30 off 23 balls.

Maxwell and Miller found it tough to score over the next four overs but the 11^th over bowled by R Ashwin provided the KXIP innings the momentum it needed. Ashwin is normally very effective bowling around the wicket, but not this time. The Big Show smashed back-to-back sixes to rattle the India offspinner who looked befuddled not knowing where he should land the ball, bowling two straight wides to boot. Things changed drastically after Ashwin's over with KXIP scoring 162 in the last 10 overs thanks to exceptional hitting from Maxwell, Miller and Bailey.

Brief score: KXIP 231/4 in 20 overs (Maxwell 90; Mohit 2/38) beat CSK 187 for 6 in 20 overs (du Plessis 52 ; Johnson 2 for 37) by 44 runs

Nadal strolls past Monaco into Madrid last 16

2014-05-08T00:17:00.000+05:30

MADRID: World number one Rafael Nadal dismissed lingering doubts over his recent form with a resounding 6-1, 6-0 win over Juan Monaco to reach the third round of the Madrid Masters on Wednesday.

Monaco failed to win a game on serve all match as Nadal, who suffered shock defeats in Monte Carlo and Barcelona, rolled off 10 straight games to seal victory in little over an hour.

He now meets Finland's Jarkko Nieminen. "Obviously once you lose a match it takes a bit longer to find the confidence in your movement and your shots," admitted the 13-time Grand Slam champion.

"Once it went to 4-1 in the first set I felt I played a lot better and I am happy with the way I felt on court today."

Nadal is the only top four seed remaining in the men's draw as Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer withdrew due to injury and family reasons respectively, while Stanislas Wawrinka lost to Austrian qualifier Dominic Thiem on Tuesday.

However, the Spaniard insists he has not been distracted by the draw appearing to open up perfectly for a fourth title in Madrid.

"In the past two tournaments I didn't get to the rounds where I would have played those players anyway.

"At this level all the opponents are difficult and next I will face Jarkko who has huge experience form being on the tour so many years.

"I congratulate Roger on becoming a father again and wish Novak the best in his recovery."

Van Persie sees Ferguson echo in Giggs's words

2014-05-08T00:15:00.001+05:30

LONDON: Manchester United striker Robin van Persie believes he has seen signs of Alex Ferguson's management style during Ryan Giggs's brief time in the Old Trafford hotseat.

Giggs, English football's most decorated player and a one-club man, was put in caretaker charge of United after the faltering club sacked manager David Moyes.

The 40-year-old oversaw his second win from three matches as interim manager when United beat Hull 3-1 at Old Trafford on Tuesday, with James Wilson scoring two goals on debut and Dutch forward van Persie also on target.

Dethroned champions United finish their season away to Southampton on Sunday amid speculation that the club's owners, the US-based Glazer family, are set to appoint experienced Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal as the new permanent manager.

Van Persie, who recently returned to first-team action after seven weeks out injured, said: "I witnessed two team meetings as I came in a bit late.

"The one from the last game against Sunderland, and Tuesday's game, were incredible. They were Sir Alex-esque.

"He's been brilliant. And he put in some fantastic passes and almost scored after coming on. He's a legend and I think he shows that every day."

A lack of goals has contributed to United's slump this season and ahead of Sunday's finale they've managed 63 Premier League goals this season, 23 fewer than they scored last term.

Van Persie's injury problems haven't helped, with the forward -- who scored 30 goals last season -- managing just 18 this campaign after being laid low first with a thigh problem at the turn of the year and then a knee injury in March.

"It's been a bit up and down for me this year," said van Persie. "I've not been fully fit. That is where everything starts. You have to get that full season (of fitness).

"You can miss a couple of games, but not many. I missed half (the games) this season.

"I am gutted about that and I just want next year to stay fit, do well and compete again. I am sure we will next year."

Andy Murray to face Nicolas Almagro at Madrid Masters

2014-05-07T15:13:00.002+05:30

MADRID MASTERS: ANDY MURRAY V NICOLAS ALMAGRO

Venue: Park Manzanares, Madrid
Date: Wednesday 7 May

Andy Murray will open his Madrid Masters campaign against Nicolas Almagro - conqueror of Rafael Nadal on clay last month - on Wednesday night.

Murray, 27, last played in Britain's Davis Cup defeat by Italy in April.

Almagro, 28, ended world number one Nadal's 41-match winning streak at the Barcelona Open two weeks ago.

"That will be an extremely tough match, definitely one of the hardest first-round matches you could get as a seed," Murray told BBC Sport.

"He obviously beat Rafa a few days ago and he's playing in Spain in front of a home crowd, so it will be very tough."

Murray and Almagro will meet for the fifth time, not before 19:00 BST, with the Scot 3-1 ahead in previous meetings but having lost their only previous clash on clay at the 2008 French Open.

It will also be the first time Murray has played since learning of the death of fellow Scot and childhood friend Elena Baltacha on Saturday.

The Wimbledon champion's last match on the ATP Tour was a straight-sets defeat by Novak Djokovic in Miami on 26 March and he heads into the clay-court season ranked eighth in the world.

The Scot's slide down the rankings followed his decision to have back surgery last September, ending his 2013 season prematurely, and this week he is defending the points earned from a run to the quarter-finals in Madrid 12 months ago.

"The rankings just now - that will even itself out by the end of the year," said Murray.

"I missed a large part of last year with the surgery. There are a few big tournaments after the US Open. Hopefully if I play good tennis, my ranking will improve. You need to win matches to improve your rankings, so we'll see.

Murray's p

"These next few weeks and in particular Roland Garros, as I missed it last year, is a goal of mine.

"I'd like to be playing my best tennis by the time I get there and the best way to do that is by winning matches in these events to build the confidence up and get used to playing on clay again."

Murray continues to search for a replacement for Ivan Lendl after splitting with the coach who guided him to two Grand Slam titles and an Olympic gold medal in March.

He hopes to have someone in place before the French Open starts on 25 May, but added: "It depends how I do the next few weeks.

"If I do well, I'm not going to have that much time; if I don't do so well then I'll have a little bit more time to think about it and chat to people."

Roger Federer had been a possible quarter-final opponent for Murray in Madrid but the Swiss withdrew on Tuesday to be with his wife Mirka, who has given birth to the couple's second set of twins.

Murray is now the highest seed in his quarter of the draw, with Nadal a possible semi-final opponent.

Liverpool F.C. drew 3-3 against Crystal Palace on Monday

2014-05-07T15:09:00.001+05:30

London: Liverpool's extraordinary 3-3 draw at Crystal Palace means that Manchester City can close to within touching distance of the Premier League title by beating Aston Villa on Wednesday. (Liverpool Draw 3-3 vs Crystal Palace)

With the top two neck-and-neck on 80 points and with two games to play each, City were braced for a repeat of the 2012 campaign, when they pipped Manchester United to the title on goal difference on the final day.

However, Liverpool's late capitulation at Selhurst Park on Monday, when they let a 3-0 lead slip in the last 11 minutes, means that City now effectively need only four points to regain the title.

Both their last matches are at home, with West Ham United following Villa to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, and with a goal difference of +59 to Liverpool's +50, they can afford to drop two points and still finish on top.

City midfielder Samir Nasri was unable to contain his delight at Liverpool's slip-up, tweeting shortly after the game: "What a game, what a league. I love Crystal Palace so much. Now our turn to do the job."

While both Villa and West Ham have nothing to play for this season, Yaya Toure has warned his City team-mates not to take them lightly.

"Both Aston Villa and West Ham are sharp and will come to just enjoy the games, but we have a league to play for," said the Ivorian midfielder.

"I hope we complete the job, but it depends how sharp we are, how we prepare mentally and physically.

"Our target was always to win something, but for us the League Cup is not enough. The Premier League was always our target, so now we need to be at our optimum levels when Aston Villa come to our stadium on Wednesday."

He added: "We definitely expect to win it. As a team at the top, you always expect to win.

"We have worked so hard this year and, if we don't win, it would be a massive disappointment for us, for the fans and for the club as well."

Toure has declared himself fit after being substituted during the second half of Saturday's 3-2 win at Everton.

City also hope that Sergio Aguero will be able to lead the line against Villa despite having gone off due to a groin complaint in the first half of Saturday's game.

The Argentine left the fray in the 28th minute at Goodison Park, but he subsequently took to Twitter to reveal that his substitution had merely been "a precaution".

Villa also have concerns over the fitness of a key forward, after Gabriel Agbonlahor was forced off during the 3-1 defeat of Hull City on Saturday with a knee problem.

Norwich City's 0-0 draw at Chelsea on Sunday means that Villa are now safe from relegation, but the club continue to be dogged by uncertainty over the future of manager Paul Lambert.

Villa's American owner Randy Lerner is due to make an announcement on his own position at the club shortly and Lambert says that his fate could be closely tied to Lerner's.

Asked if he would be staying at Villa Park, Lambert replied: "I hope so. That is what I want to do, but you'll know when the chairman says what he is going to do.

"The next step is for the chairman to come out and say. We had to get over the line and then the chairman will come out and say what he will.

"You would love to do it. It is a brilliant club to drive on. That's why I said the most important thing for this club was to stay in this league."

Villa won this season's reverse fixture in September 3-2 thanks to a 75th-minute goal by Andreas Weimann, but they have not won at the Etihad in the league since a 2-0 success in April 2007.

Scolari set to unveil winning permutation

2014-05-07T15:06:00.001+05:30

RIO DE JANEIRO: Hopes weigh heavy on World Cup hosts Brazil as coach Luiz Felipe Scolari prepares to unveil on Wednesday the players he trusts will deliver a sixth title in July.

Soaring expectations of fans weaned on success, a backdrop of social protest, plus fears of a repeat of past failure are all adding to the pressure.

For now, Scolari can select 30 players before trimming seven by June 2 but has indicated he already knows his 23.

On paper, it ought to be Hexacampeao Selecao -- a sixth champions star to sew on the team's feted canary yellow shirts after the July 13 final.

They have home advantage and also, in Scolari, a respected figure who has delivered before, leading the team to the 2002 trophy.

Brazil also have the favorable winds of the memory of last year's Confederations Cup final victory over defending world champions Spain at the very Maracana stadium hosting the World Cup decider.

The Confederations win was soiled off the pitch by mass demonstrations against corruption, poor public facilities and the cost, more than $11 billion, of hosting this year's Cup.

The draw means Brazil, who open up against Croatia in Sao Paulo on June 12 before facing Mexico and Cameroon, will not play in the Maracana before the final.

Thereby hangs a psychological tale, as their last World Cup match in the stadium was their 1950 decider against Uruguay.

Needing only a draw to win their maiden title, Brazil flunked it, going down 2-1 despite taking the lead.

The 'Maracanazo' loss crushed the hopes of a nation and has not been forgotten, despite five successes earned since.

Yet Scolari says Brazil should relish their challenge. "This is our Cup. We have what it takes to be champions -- in footballing terms and because playing at home is like having an extra player," Scolari insisted last week.

He added he and his squad would thrive, not shrink, before home crowds. "It's no burden to be coach of Brazil right now. It's fantastic," insisted Scolari, who has said for months his squad is more or less pre-picked.

Last month he confirmed his four 'captains' -- Thiago Silva, David Luiz, Cesar and Fred -- as well as London-based stars Paulinho, Oscar, Ramires and Willian, while Neymar is also a cert.

There is nothing to suggest 'Big Phil' will make major changes to a first XI which dismantled a tired Spain last June, although Neymar and Oscar are coming off injury problems at Barcelona and Chelsea respectively.

Players such as goalkeeper Julio Cesar and striker Fred, both instrumental last year, are favored lieutenants despite the former now playing in Major League Soccer and Fred enduring recent injury woes.

Botafogo's Jefferson is set to be first goalkeeping reserve, though he has yet to win a cap in competition.

Looking for some muscle in the middle of the park behind artists such as Neymar, Scolari can take his pick of 'destroyers' in the shape of Fernandinho, Lucas Leiva or Hernanes.

If he only plumps for one that would afford an extra option for more width.

There is scope for youth or experience with Philippe Coutinho coming off a strong season with resurgent Liverpool, while veterans Robinho and Kaka could join the party.

Before his final cull, Scolari will welcome the 30 to the refurbished Granja Comary training complex outside the rural town of Teresopolis around an hour north of Rio.

After jettisoning seven players, Scolari will then oversee a June 3 friendly against Panama at Goiana and a final warm-up against Serbia three days later at the Morumbi stadium in Sao Paulo.

Six days later, the real thing starts across the city at the new, much-delayed Corinthians Arena with Croatia cast in the role of potential party poopers.

And Scolari, whose record to date reads played 20, won 14, drawn four, lost two, faces his biggest challenge yet -- belated home glory after 1950's flop.

Man United Beat Hull in Nemanja Vidic's Last Home Game

2014-05-07T15:02:00.003+05:30

Manchester: Teenage debutant James Wilson scored twice as Manchester United rang out the old and ushered in the new in a 3-1 win at home to Hull City on Tuesday. While the 18-year-old Wilson introduced himself to Old Trafford, captain Nemanja Vidic made his last home appearance, and there was also a late cameo from United great Ryan Giggs that may have been a farewell.

Vidic will join Inter Milan on a free transfer after United's last game at Southampton on Sunday, while 40-year-old Giggs, currently the interim manager, will shortly be out of contract.

In an on-pitch address after the final whistle, Giggs told the crowd: "We know it's been tough this season and over the years we've been spoilt with the success we've had, but you've always supported the team and the staff and I'm sure in the coming years we'll bring you more success.

"You've seen a little glimpse of the future. We always play attractive football. Keep supporting us, and the good times will come back soon."

For the last home game of his interim role, ahead of the anticipated appointment of Louis van Gaal, Giggs gave a nod to the club's traditions by picking both Wilson and 20-year-old Tom Lawrence.

Wilson scored once in each half, with substitute Robin van Persie adding a late third after Matty Fryatt had replied for FA Cup finalists Hull.

A Europa League place remains an unlikely target for United, who need to beat Southampton and hope Tottenham Hotspur lose to Aston Villa, but they at least signed off with a positive home result after a wretched campaign.

In his own post-game speech, Vidic said: "I had so many great times here. It is hard to speak because of the emotions. "Most importantly, I would like to thank the players, the manager and all the coaches. Thank you for everything and especially to the fans. You have been fantastic to me all these years."

Giggs chose to name himself and Vidic among the United substitutes, and yet the biggest surprise on the team-sheet was the presence of debutants Wilson and Lawrence in the hosts' starting XI.

Vidic made his entrance earlier than anticipated in the 22nd minute, but it came after Phil Jones was forced off with a shoulder injury that will be of concern to England coach Roy Hodgson.

The versatile defender was taken to hospital after leaving the field following an aerial collision with Maynor Figueroa, but Wilson's 31st-minute opener helped to lift the mood.

Adnan Januzaj's right-wing free-kick was headed down at the back post by Marouane Fellaini and the teenager displayed the instincts of a striker several years his senior to score with a crisp left-foot half-volley.

Hull failed to muster a single shot in the first half and manager Steve Bruce, the former United captain, reacted by introducing Fryatt and Yannick Sagbo at the interval, but the hosts remained on top.

Confederations Cup: Under-pressure Brazil face Japan in tricky opener

2013-06-15T09:52:00.000+05:30

Brazil and coach Luiz Felipe Scolari cannot help but have one eye on next year's World Cup on home soil, but if the acid test is 12 months away the countdown starts Saturday when the Selecao take on Japan in their Confederations Cup opener.

Scolari led the Selecao to their fifth World Cup, a coronation sealed in Tokyo 11 years ago.

But the fact he is back for a second spell at the helm is evidence of the degree to which impatience and concern rule hearts and minds across this giant footballing nation given a clutch of disappointing showings at major events ever since.

Scolari has insisted since returning to the fold last November, ironically a matter of days after predecessor Mano Manezes' Brazil side spanked the Japanese 4-0 in a friendly in Poland, that the Confederations Cup is a sideshow and that he cannot deliver a second dose of alchemy overnight.

Yet the pressure is on as the four-time Asian Cup champions should provide a stiff test before further showdowns with Olympic conquerors Mexico and three-time world champions Italy.

Brazil's star man Neymar says the hosts will not take the Japanese, coached by hugely-experienced Italian Alberto Zaccheroni, lightly, given the hosts are now safe in the knowledge they have booked their World Cup berth and can also draw on the likes of Manchester United favourite Shinji Kagawa.

"Japan are a tricky proposition and not to be underestimated. Keisuke Honda and Kagawa are superb players and the team as a whole mark you very tightly," said Barcelona-bound Neymar.

Japan say they won't be caught napping as they were in Poland, but will need to keep an eye on in-form striker Fred, who has five goals in his last six internationals -- including two against England in friendly tussles in Wembley -- where England won 2-1 and Rio, which ended 2-2.

"Brazil have a very strong team and we need to make sure they don't dole out a repeat of what they did in Poland," said midfielder Yasuhito Endo.

"We will be out to make a much better impression this time with more at stake."

The tournament is the first major event hosted by Brazil since the 1989 Confederations Cup and the logistical challenge has been a tough one, raising concerns about whether the country can produce 12 top notch venues for the World Cup.

The opening match at the Estadio Nacional affords residents of the capital a rare chance to watch top-drawer football as the city currently lacks a top-flight team.

The hosts will move on first to Fortaleza then Salvador for their remaining group encounters with Mexico and Italy.

If the Selecao win Group A, they will then travel to Belo Horizonte -- scene of England's 1950 World Cup upset at the hands of the United States -- for a June 26 semi-final against either reigning South American champions Uruguay or African champions Nigeria, assuming world champions Spain win Group B.

Should Scolari's men only take second place in the pool phase they would face a likely Spanish test in Fortaleza on June 27.

If Brasilia is off the beaten track in terms of Brazilian footballing tradition, nonetheless striking parallels can be seen between the city and the national team.

The city is a paean to modern architecture, a realised dream for former President Juscelino Kubitschek, who determined in the mid-1950s that the capital should be based in the very heart of the country rather than remain in Rio.

Kubitschek came up with the slogan "50 years of progress in five," his era coinciding with the first great Brazil side which, with a teenage Pele on board, lifted their first World Cup in Sweden in 1958.

Iker Casillas : 2014 World Cup will end an era for Spain

2013-06-15T09:45:00.001+05:30

Recife, Brazil: Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas feels the 2014 World Cup in Brazil would represent the end of an era for Spanish football.

The 32-year-old, who captained Spain to victory at the 2010 World Cup and the 2008 and 2012 European championships, also revealed that next year's World Cup could be his international swansong.

"After Brazil many of us will probably call it a day and make way for the younger players," said Casillas, whose Real Madrid contract expires in 2017.

"I will play as long as my head allows me to. It's more a psychological question. At the moment my objective is to see out my contract with Real Madrid."

Spain's national team trained in the rain on Thursday at the headquarters of Brazilian club Nautico as they prepare for their Confederations Cup debut against Uruguay on Sunday.

Casillas is expected to return to Spain's starting line-up at Arena Pernambuco after five months on the sidelines for both club and country.

Despite having recovered from a hand injury in March, Casillas was overlooked by Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho for the remainder of the season in favor of Diego Lopez.

La Roja, as the Spanish team is famously called, coach Vicente del Bosque gave a strong hint last week that Casillas would be chosen ahead of Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes.

"He (Casillas) is fit and I see him as being in the form that he's always shown," Del Bosque said.

Luiz Felipe Scolari tells critics to lay off Neymar

2013-06-15T09:38:00.002+05:30

BRASILIA: Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari on Friday threw his support behind Neymar, the under-pressure star widely-regarded as Pele's heir apparent.

Neymar, who has just signed for Barcelona from Santos, Pele's former club, has come in for repeated criticism from the media, who feel that he has not produced the goods for the Selecao.

He hasn't scored for nine games for club and country and will be in the spotlight again on Saturday when Brazil kick-off theConfederations Cup against Asian champions, Japan.

"He does not wear 11 jerseys but one -- he is part of a team," Scolari told a press conference on Friday.

"He has done what is requested of him with a lot of dedication.

"We want him to be a useful, team player -- that is what makes a good player," added Scolari, who expressed some frustration with what he feels is an overly-critical press.

"Everyone from abroad respects us a lot yet here in Brazil people are always saying what a bad team we have. Yet it is crucial to have the crowd supporting us," said Scolari, as he insisted that the team did not have to feel extra pressure simply because the three-time Confederations Cup winners are hosts.

Scolari said on returning to the job last November in place of sacked Mano Menezes that he was clear the fans would demand success and expect to win both the Condeferations Cup and next summer's World Cup -- also on home soil.

But he said achieving those aims were advancing step by step.

"We must dedicate ourselves to helping Brazil evolve in all areas, not just in terms of football. We must be patient."

Scolari said he wanted to produce attacking, flowing football but said ability to adapt was what counted for him.

"I have to adapt players -- obviously they won't all play the same way they play for their clubs, so we must adapt. We need to give the players freedom to play based on their characteristics."

Saying he expected Japan, beaten 4-0 the last time the countries met in an October friendly, to attack, Scolari added he wanted to pursue a variety of options when it came to Brazil's own offensive prowess.

That meant giving Neymar licence to roam on occasion for the benefit of his teammates, if not his own goalscoring opportunities.

"Many times we use Neymar in the middle as a second main striker and sometimes out wide as he also has that skill and has done very well," said the coach.

"If he hasn't scored he is trying to support others and he does not have to score a goal. He doesn't have to dribble past 20 players but be a team player. Then everyone will feel great.

"We have not removed his skills, but he has to be part of a team. He is an idol for Brazilians and we must therefore protect him. He is 21 years old and cannot win on his own."

Not withstanding their recent friendly thumping, Japan are Asian champions and have already become the first side to book their World Cup berth through the qualifying process.

As a result, Scolari says he expects a tough encounter at the Estadio Nacional, an arena also named after Mane Garrincha, a star of Brazil's 1958 world champions.

"I would not be embarrassed to lose to Japan. We will play our football and play to win but if Japan did not have qualities they would not be here."