FIH Olympic Qualifier Kakamigahara 2012

Japan falls behind at qualifier after a tie against Chile

 April 29th, 2012 

Chile ( 0 - 0 ) Japan

Chile turned in the surprise performance of the day in the early game at the Women’s Olympic Qualification Tournament, holding top-seeded Japan scoreless in a 0-0 draw.

The draw keeps 17^th-ranked Chile’s hopes alive to make the final and delivers a blow to the ninth-ranked Japanese, who entered the event as the big favorites to earn the berth to the London Games.

Japan was clearly the dominant team in the first half, spending nearly the entire 35 minutes in the Chilean half of the field. But despite their presence in the Chilean zone, the Japanese managed very few meaningful scoring chances. As the game wore on, Chile gained confidence and by the second half the action was more balanced with Chile having its best scoring chances in the last 10 minutes of the game.

The tie, left the full crowd in Kakamigahara a bit deflated, but the result does not kill Japan’s chances of making the final, it simply makes the margin for error much smaller. Meanwhile, with Chile earning the tie, the standings are now much more open for exactly who the two finalists will be six days from now.

Chile will look to build on the momentum from today’s outing on Tuesday against Malaysia, while Japan will look to refocus in time for Tuesday’s key game against second-seeded Azerbaijan, which until today, was expected to be Japan’s toughest opponent at this tournament.

Austria ( 0 - 5 ) Azerbaijan

Austria vs. Azerbaijan in Day 3 action at the Women's Olympic Qualification Tournament

(Photo: Stanislas Brochier)

Azerbaijan took sole possession of first place in the round robin phase of the Women’s Olympic Qualification Tournament after making easy work of Austria in a 5-0 win. Azerbaijan is the only team with three wins in three games after Japan had to settle for a draw against Chile.

Azerbaijan was very methodical in its approach to today’s game. There wasn’t much flash or flare, but they steadily wore down the Austrians and in the end were able to earn the convincing five-goal win. The game leaves Austria not only winless in its first three outings, but also scoreless as they have an 0-15 goal differential.

Azerbaijan took a 2-0 lead in the first 10 minutes of regulation on the strength of goals from Yuliya Muradi and Farida Mammadova. Myungsoon Mammadova gave Azerbaijan a convincing 3-0 lead late in the first half when she flicked a penalty corner into the upper right corner.

Azerbaiajn continued to look strong in the second half and steadily built up its lead. Renata Matjusaitate and Taejeong Han each scored their first goal of the tournament to up the balance to 5-0. In total, Four of the five Azerbaijan makers were field goals, with Mammadova’s effort being the only penalty corner.

On Tuesday, the tournament will have its first major showdown as Azerbaijan will look to keep sole possession of the round robin lead in a key game against Japan. Meanwhile, Austria, which is out of contention to make it to London will look for its first win of the tournament against Belarus.

Belarus ( 2 - 2 ) Malaysia

Malaysia staged the comeback of the day, with two goals late in the second half to salvage a 2-2 tie against Belarus. Siti Noor Amarina Ruhani was the hero for Malaysia, scoring both of the goals.

Midway through the first half Belarus struck with their first goal when Nadzeya Silitskaya deflected in the 1-0 marker. Ten minutes later Maryia Halinouskaya convincingly fired in a penalty corner to double the lead.

Things got interesting in the second half when Ruhani got her stick on a ball that trickled into the Belarus net to make it a one-goal game. The goal, while not the prettiest in the world elicited a hearty celebration from the Malaysians as their first of this event. After the goal, the tempo picked up on both sides with a handful of scoring chances and penalty corners on each end. Ruhani tied the game and capped the comeback with two minutes left when her penalty corner shot cleanly hit the back of the goal.

The draw gives Belarus a tally in each column with a win, a tie and a loss. Meanwhile Malaysia earned its first point of the tournament with today’s result. While not mathematically out of contention, it would take an extraordinary set of circumstances for either team to still vie for a place in London 2012.

Chelsea vs Barcelona 1-0 champions league semi final 2012 preview 18th april 2012 18.04.12

Champions League Semi Final First Leg 2012 All Goals (no footage) Preview

Grate Match Chelsea (1 - 0) Barcelona on 18 April of CL 2012

Chelsea produced the kind of "perfect'' performance Roberto Di Matteo had demanded to inflict Barcelona's first Champions League defeat of the season and give themselves real hope of reaching the final.

Didier Drogba celebrates after netting the winning goal on half-time

• Palmer: Chelsea find the blueprint
• Drogba: Chelsea have learnt lessons
• Di Matteo: We've answered critics
• Chelsea v Barcelona gallery
The Blues once again proved the nemesis of the team feted by many as the greatest to play the game thanks to an amazing smash-and-grab Didier display in the semi-final first leg at a jubilant Stamford Bridge.
Interim boss Di Matteo's plan paid off spectacularly, Didier Drogba scoring the winner to go some way to burying the demons of the sides' last meeting three years ago.
As well as being magnificent to a man in carrying out the instructions of Di Matteo, Chelsea also enjoyed the kind of luck that deserted them in 2009 and which they have had in spades since the Italian took charge.
They may need plenty more at Camp Nou on Tuesday to reach their second final after Barca missed a glut of chances after dominating possession from start to finish.

Lionel Messi leaps to head the ball on goal but can't find the net.

The pattern of the match was set the moment the visitors kicked off, Chelsea allowing them possession and Raul Meireles leading the pressure behind Drogba.
From a defensive point of view, it largely worked, although the visitors should have taken one of the chances to have fallen their way.
Luck played a part in the first of them in the ninth minute, Alexis Sanchez chipping against the crossbar from Andres Iniesta's perfectly-timed pass.
The other two both fell to Cesc Fabregas courtesy of Lionel Messi, who was otherwise restricted to a quiet half.
The first was a sitter, Fabregas failing to connect properly with his finish after Messi's burst and pass had set up Andres Iniesta for a shot Petr Cech parried.
Messi finally had the chance to build up a real head of steam two minutes before half-time, Fabregas this time producing a delightful dink which was only kept out by Ashley Cole's clearance off the line.
Otherwise Chelsea had plenty to give them hope from what little ball they had.
The benefit of going long was quickly demonstrated when only a heavy touch prevented Drogba capitalising on Cech's clearance.
Drogba, who got away with overstepping the mark when he trod on Sergio Busquets' foot, also failed to make the most of a one-on-one with Carles Puyol.
Long throws predictably unsettled Barca, too, and Gary Cahill almost took advantage of the first of them.
Chelsea did tread a fine line discipline-wise, with Meireles lucky not to pick up a booking that would see him suspended for the second leg.
"Same old Barca, always cheating,'' chanted the home fans whenever a Barca player went down.
They were in good spirits despite the deluge, which may have played a part in Drogba scoring with the final kick of the first half.
Barca were caught upfield and Frank Lampard's ball over the top sent Ramires rampaging forward, the Brazilian's cross picking out Drogba.
Victor Valdes should have saved the scuffed finish but could only help it into the net.
Barca were even more dominant after the restart, Cech parrying Adriano's curler before Sanchez missed another gilt-edge chance when he stabbed Fabregas' scooped pass wide from six yards.
Otherwise they were being kept at bay by a world-class defensive display led by Cahill and John Terry, who were almost single-handedly keeping Messi quiet.
Pep Guardiola sent on Pedro for Sanchez with 24 minutes remaining, with Barca becoming increasingly frustrated, not least with perceived play-acting from Drogba, who got an earful from Puyol.
There was finally a booking when Ramires tripped Messi in full flight, Pedro quickly following for a similar offence on Cole.
Busquets was also cautioned for scything down Ramires after Juan Mata was withdrawn for Salomon Kalou.
Fabregas left the field to a chorus of boos for Thiago Alcantara as Chelsea began to drop deeper and deeper, as they had done three years earlier.
Barca laid siege to the Blues goal and Cech produced a magnificent save three minutes' from time when Puyol glanced Messi's free-kick towards the corner.
And, in stoppage-time, the visitors saved their worst finish until last, Busquets skying high over the crossbar after Pedro's effort had hit the post.

Golf World Records

Most Golf Balls Hit Over Fence Into Pond In 30 Seconds

Banning Lary 

Banning Lary hits 14 golf balls over a fence and into a pond in 30 seconds, a new world record. Lary used a 15-wood club, hitting mostly Titleist and Callaway golf balls.

Most Consecutive Annual Golf Bets
 James Kallenbach
Paul Warner and James Kallenbach have made an annual golf bet for 30 consecutive years. Since 1980, the duo have battled for a “Stroker of the Year” prize, the winner determined by cumulative scores over at least 20 rounds ofhead-to-headgolf.

Most Golf Balls Hit In 10 Seconds 
 Michael GIlhooley
Michael Gilhooley hit 30 golf balls in 10 seconds. Each ball was hit individually.

Most Golf Ball Bounces On A Sand Wedge In 30 Seconds While Wearing Two Wigs, Strength Shoes And Holding An Umbrella 
Chad Lee
Chad Lee bounced a golfball on his sand wedge 87 times in 30 seconds while wearing two wigs, strength shoes and holding an umbrella.
 

Most Golf Ball Bounces Over Leg Using A Golf Club In 30 Seconds

Jon Birdsong

Using a sand wedge, Jon Birdsong bounced a golf ball over his left leg 28 times in 30 seconds.

Most Golf Balls Balanced On Chin

Doug McManaman

Doug McManaman balanced 56 golf balls on a tower on his chin. The four balls that fall off at the beginning of the video were not counted.

Most Consecutive "Behind The Back" Golf Ball Bounces

Taylor Thompson

Taylor Thompson bounced a golf ball behind his back 610 consecutive times using a golf club.

Most Radio Listeners To Call In And Say "Tiger Woods" In One Minute

 Kobe

Radio DJ Kobe had 15 radio listeners call in and say "Tiger Woods" in one minute.
He set the record live on-air during his afternoon radio show on B94 in Pitts

Tallest Golf Ball Tower

Sam A

Sam F. stacked four golf balls on top of one another.

Most Consecutive Golf Ball Bounces On The Head Of A Ball Peen Hammer

 Michael Lavery 

Michael Lavery bounced a golf ball 230 consecutive times on the head of his ball peen Vaughn hammer. 

Most Consecutive Bounces Of A Golf Ball On Top Of Another Golf Ball

Michael Lavery

Michael Lavery bounced a golf ball on the top of another golf 156 times in a row.

Most Consecutive Golf Ball Bounces Using The Shaft Of A Golf Club

Michael Lavery

Michael Lavery bounced a golf ball 60 times in a row using the shaft of his golf club.

Most Consecutive Bounces Of A Golf Ball On A Golf Club

Taylor Thompson

Taylor Thompson bounced a golf ballon his golf club 2,325 times in a row.

Most Consecutive Bounces Of A Golf Ball On A Paddle While Alternating Hands And Paddle Sides

Brian Pankey

Brian Pankey bounced a golf ball on a table tennis paddle 127 times, alternating sides of the paddle and hands between each bounce.

Most Golf Balls Hit Off Human Tee In One Minute

JR Randall

JR Randall hit 23 golf balls off Todd Defazio’s belly button in one minute.

Chelsea snatch late win as Spurs & L'pool draw

Saturday proved to be a good day for some of those sides who did not play, as Tottenham delighted the likes of Arsenal and Newcastle by failing to give themselves a three-point boost in the hunt for Champions League places, while Bolton and Blackburn registered results that favoured QPR in the relegation battle.

Liverpool will wish they had not played at all after another disappointment against Aston Villa, but the most telling goal of the day surely came from Chelsea's Juan Mata, who broke Wigan hearts at the death.

Chelsea's resurgence under Roberto Di Matteo may yet end with Champions League football being secured at Stamford Bridge next season after the Blues won 2-1 against Wigan to move within two points of the top four. Di Matteo, who has already led his side to a blockbuster European semi-final with Barcelona, had to do without John Terry, Frank Lampard and John Terry against the Latics, and Chelsea claimed a dramatic victory in the dying minutes thanks to Mata.

The match was shrouded in controversy in west London after Branislav Ivanovic appeared to be at least a couple of yards offside when he found the net midway through the second period for Chelsea's opener. Wigan players surrounded the officials, but the goal was given much to the dismay of Roberto Martinez.
Defeat ends the Latics' sparkling run of form, which has included wins against Liverpool and Stoke, and they head into the final six games of the season adrift of safety on goal difference, having played the extra game.
Martinez had his men well-drilled at Stamford Bridge and it took some magic from Mata to cause a rare moment of panic in the Wigan defence during a tight first half. The Spaniard danced his way into the box and when the ball rebounded to Didier Drogba, the Ivorian really should have done better with what was a weak header.

The opening goal came just after the hour, with Ivanovic clearly offside, and within moments there was more frustration for the visitors when the Serbian cleared off the line from Victor Moses. However, Mohamed Diame levelled with eight minutes left to seemingly deny Chelsea the win only for Chelsea to have the last laugh, Mata poking home after a vital contribution from Fernando Torres.

Tottenham are now only three points ahead of fifth-placed Chelsea, although they are temporarily above Arsenal by a point, after they could only secure a 0-0 draw with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.



Unchanged from their recent 3-1 win against Swansea, Spurs started well on Wearside with Benoit Assou-Ekotto shaving a post in the sixth minute. Luka Modric then kept Simon Mignolet honest with a low drive before Phil Bardsley's arm appeared to block an Emmanuel Adebayor header inside the area.

However, Sunderland began to grow into the contest and applied plenty of pressure close to half-time, Sebastian Larsson particularly dangerous with his set-piece delivery. Spurs simply could not find their usual tempo and it was Sunderland threatening again 15 minutes into the second period, Kyle Walker forced into a last-ditch challenge to deny James McClean at the far post.

Aaron Lennon added an extra threat out wide for Redknapp's men but 0-0 was a fair result on a day when neither side showed a cutting edge around the box.


Liverpool's horrendous run of form in the league continued as they drew 1-1 with Aston Villa at Anfield. £35 million signing Andy Carroll found himself benched after his show of frustration at Newcastle, and pressure grew on boss Kenny Dalglish thanks to Chris Herd's early goal, which was only cancelled out late by Luis Suarez.

The Reds started brightly at Anfield and Shay Given was forced into early action after Stewart Downing's raid down the left flank, but they were stunned in the 11th minute when Herd beat Liverpool's deputy goalkeeper Alexander Doni. The Reds' shot-stopper was hardly faultless as he flapped at a cross in front of the Kop, and when Barry Bannan pulled the ball back to Herd he curled into the top corner.

Liverpool struggled for any type of first-half reply although they did have a big penalty shout five minutes before half-time, Suarez exchanging a one-two with Dirk Kuyt before going down under the attentions of Bannan. Replays showed there was marginal contact and the referee could not have been blamed had he pointed to the spot.

Blame certainly could be attached to Kuyt moments later though, when the Dutchman missed an open goal from two yards out. Once again it was Suarez causing problems with the initial cross, and when Steven Gerrard drove across goal Kuyt somehow managed to divert the ball over when it was easier to score.

Liverpool's luck continued to elude them in the second half, Gerrard and Suarez combining again for the latter to hit the inside of the far post with a header. The ball then rebounded directly at Given, who showed smart reactions to scoop the ball away from goal when he was in danger of diverting into his own net.

Craig Bellamy came off the bench to hit the woodwork again, but the Reds finally got their equaliser when Suarez nodded home from a yard after Daniel Agger's back-post header. Carroll could and should have won it for Liverpool, but his free header from six yards was soft.

Blackburn remain in the relegation zone after they followed up their loss to Manchester United with a 3-0 defeat at West Brom. The latest setback leaves Steve Kean's men adrift of safety on goal difference after an own goal from Martin Olsson, in addition to strikes from Marc-Antoine Fortune and Liam Ridgewell, won it for the Baggies.

No Premier League team has conceded more goals on their travels than Blackburn this season, and it took just seven minutes to leak their 36th as Olsson diverted into his own net. Gareth McAuley was the man who caused chaos at the far post, and Olsson was the man in the wrong place at the wrong time for Rovers.
Blackburn pressed for an equaliser but were always open to the counter, and so it proved as Fortune doubled the Baggies' lead 20 minutes from full-time. Ridgewell then completed the job late on for Roy Hodgson's men.

Bolton's fight to beat the drop also looks set to go to the final week of the season after they were beaten 3-0 by Fulham at the Reebok Stadium. With Blackburn failing to win Owen Coyle's men sit one point clear of the bottom three with seven games of their campaign remaining.

Clint Dempsey, one of the outstanding performers of the season in the Premier League, broke the deadlock on the half-hour, rattling a 30-yard free-kick past Adam Bogdan. The American then doubled his tally on the stroke of the interval after showing perfect timing with his run towards the area. Mahamadou Diarra added the gloss in the final ten minutes.

Elsewhere, Everton remain above Merseyside rivals Liverpool after a 2-2 draw at Norwich. Nikica Jelavic's opener was cancelled out by Jonathan Howson's first goal for the Canaries, but Everton regained the lead in controversial fashion after Jelavic netted again with Norwich players expecting play to be stopped for obstruction. It did not prove to be the winner though as Grant Holt levelled with 15 minutes left.

MI vs PW - MATCH03 - Full Highlights: IPL 2012

Full Match Highlights from MATCH03 of IPL 2012 between Mumbai Indians and Pune Warriors played on Apr-06-2012 at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai

KKR vs DD - MATCH 02 - Full Highlights: IPL 2012

Kolkata Knight Rider vs Delhi Derdevels IPL 5 MATCH02