Pumped-up Saina Nehwal in Indonesian Open final

DNA: Defending champion Saina Nehwal inched closer to a third successive Indonesian Open Super Series title after advancing to the finals with a hard-fought victory over Chinese Taipei's Shao Chieh Cheng here today.The fourth-seeded Indian won 21-14 14-21 21-17 in a 45-minute battle against giant-killer Cheng, who had created quite a flutter by upstaging top seed Shixian Wang and seventh seed Xin Liu earlier in the tournament.Nehwal had to dig deep in her armoury and rely on her power-packed smashes to outpace Cheng, who is known for her fast movement on court."I have seen her play in many tournaments. She is a very talented and hard working...

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Qatar dump India out of London Olympics football

India drew with Qatar 1-1 in the second leg of its second round qualifying match for the 2012 London Olympics. India took a 1-0 lead in the 54th minutethanks to a comical own-goal from Qatar. But the visitors equalised soon and held on in the dying minutes for a 1-1 draw.India had to win by at least a two-goal margin to enter the final qualification rou...

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Tough task for India against Qatar in Pre-Olympic qualifiers

Pune, June 22 (IANS) India have to beat Qatar by two goals or more in their return-leg match of the pre-Olympic qualifier here Thursday to keep alive their hopes of qualifying for the 2012 London Olympics.India lost the first leg of the second round encounter 1-3 despite taking an early lead and now have to beat Qatar by 2-0 to move to the third round.Coach Desmond Bulpin knows that his boys are facing a tough task at the Balewadi Stadium, but it is not impossible. In the Asian Games, they led 1-0 till the 80th minute, but Qatar, 2006 Asian Games champion, came back strongly to win the match 2-1. ‘That (an away) is a cushion, but we cannot rest...

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London 2012 - PQ Match: India Lose 3-1 against Qatar

Qatar survived some anxious moments to beat India 3-1 in the Pre-Olympic Qualifier at the Al Sadd Stadium in Doha.Chrispd: The band of the local Doha crowd which had taken over the Al Sadd more than an hour prior to the kick-off went off all of a sudden in the 7th minute. Despite the floodlights glowing, there seemed darkness all around; or rather disbelief. India took the lead.What was supposed to be a harmless throw-in down the left, stung Qatar. The power and the velocity of Raju Gaikwad’s long throw left the Qatar defence guessing; and off the melle, Jeje Lalpeklua tapped home.The NRIs went berserk; the locals looked up to the giant screen...

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Qatar to face India in 2012 London Olympics qualifiers

India will seek inspiration from their impressive show against Qatar in the Asian Games last year when they face the same opponents in the Olympic football qualifiers second round match in Doha on Sunday. India were leading 0-1 till the 80th minute in a group match of the Asian Games in Guangzhou but conceded two goals in the last 10 minutes to lose the tie 1-2. The Under-23 boys under Englishman Desmond Bulpin have not had the best of preparation as their short camp in Pune was hit hard by rain and they had not played any international friendly. But with most of the players, who were part of that Asian Games squad are expected...

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Bulpin: “We need to convert our chances”

Desmond Bulpin is a passionate man. Presently in charge of India’s Pre-Olympic Qualifier against Qatar, the hard taskmaster is impressed with the discipline of his boys. In a freewheeling interview to http://www.the-aiff.com/, Bulpin stresses India will have their chances in the two matches and need to cash in on them.How has Team India’s preparation been?The incessant rain has been a bane. But on days we haven’t been able to train on the field, we have compensated with indoor sessions. The attitude of the boys have been excellent.Do you have any idea as to how Qatar have prepared for the match?They have been long preparing for this match. They...

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Pre-Olympic Qualifiers: We Certainly Can Beat Qatar, Says India Midfielder Jewel Raja

The Indian Arrows midfielder spoke to Goal.com following India’s first training session as part of the preparations for the forthcoming tie against Qatar…The India Under-23 squad took to the field for their first outdoor training session of the preparatory camp for the forthcoming Pre-Olympic Qualifier against Qatar. Desmond Bulpin’s team regrouped at the Balewadi Stadium, Pune on Friday and were forced to train indoors due to incessant rains till Saturday evening.Midfielder Jewel Raja, the team’s most crucial asset, is happy with the preparations so far. Following the first day’s training session, he told Goal.com, “First day’s training was...

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