Today's match is only significant as Sri Lanka might just slip to fourth place if they lose to Ireland. Anyways, if Sri Lanka win today or lose by a narrow margin then they are set to most probably face the Kiwis in the semis at Jamaica's Sabina Park. But if the Kiwis complete a shock and convincing rout of the Aussies, then the Lankans are up against Ponting and Co. for the second time in three matches.
Ireland will feature in their last match of he tournament and most of these cricketers will return to their workplaces back home, very well knowing that this World Cup will always be the highpoint of their sporting careers. They bought a sense of joy to this World Cup, and the 'Chicken Dance' is just one of the few examples. Hope the world has one more cricketing nation to look up to.
Ireland v/s Sri Lanka
AKG: Ireland
MJV: Sri Lanka
Match scheduled to start at 1900 IST on SET MAX (English) and SAB TV (Hindi).
Showing posts with label ireland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ireland. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Sunday, April 15, 2007
SHOWDOWN - SUPER EIGHT - MATCH DAY 18
The clash of the 'minnows' the scribes call it, also a watered-down version for those fans who were expecting a Indo-Pak clash. This match for sure won't be short on enthusiasm or the competitive spirit. Had the Bangladeshi batsmen put on more runs on the board against England, perhaps this match would have assumed even more significance. If they fail today and lose, it would be a disappointment since they are the higher-ranked team. Also, it would nullify the positives of defeating India and South Africa. On the other hand, Ireland could become the 12th team on the ICC's one-day rankings if they beat Bangladesh today. And their best chance to register their first win in this stage would be against Bangladesh.
Our predictions:
Bangladesh v/s Ireland
AKG: Ireland
MJV: Bangladesh
Match scheduled to start at 1900 IST on SET MAX (English) and SAB TV (Hindi).
Our predictions:
Bangladesh v/s Ireland
AKG: Ireland
MJV: Bangladesh
Match scheduled to start at 1900 IST on SET MAX (English) and SAB TV (Hindi).
Friday, April 13, 2007
SHOWDOWN - SUPER EIGHT - MATCH DAY 16
It's Friday the 13th, and Ashok is looking forward to Ireland shocking Australia. Mathew realises it's the Aussies and feels that it's a good chance for Hussey and Symonds to make big scores.
Australia v/s Ireland
AKG: Ireland
MJV: Australia
Match scheduled to start at 1900 IST on SET MAX (English) and SAB TV (Hindi).
Australia v/s Ireland
AKG: Ireland
MJV: Australia
Match scheduled to start at 1900 IST on SET MAX (English) and SAB TV (Hindi).
Monday, April 9, 2007
SHOWDOWN - SUPER EIGHT - MATCH DAY 12
Sorry, we are running a bit late the last couple of days but today's delay was thanks to Blogger throwing up tantrums. Anyways, let's get to the point. With Australia all but booking their place in the semi-finals, their Trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand will be hoping to do the same with a win over Ireland today. Here's our predictions for today.
Ireland v/s New Zealand
AKG: Ireland
MJV: New Zealand
Match scheduled to start at 1900 IST on SET MAX (English), SAB TV (Hindi) and DD-1.
Ireland v/s New Zealand
AKG: Ireland
MJV: New Zealand
Match scheduled to start at 1900 IST on SET MAX (English), SAB TV (Hindi) and DD-1.
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
SHOWDOWN - SUPER EIGHT - MATCH DAY 8
The Irish will be hoping that they can do more than just scare South Africa today. Ireland had nearly upset the Proteas in the warm-ups and had them reeling after putting them in on a track that favoured the bowlers. However, South Africa managed to sail through in the end.
Ireland v/s South Africa
Predictions:
AKG: South Africa
MJV: South Africa, though I would want to see at least one upset in the Super Eights. At least, it will make for interesting cricket. Bangladesh showed promise yesterday, but were disappointing to say the least. Many fans would be cursing the fact that India is not playing.
Match scheduled to start at 1900 IST on SET MAX and SAB TV.
Ireland v/s South Africa
Predictions:
AKG: South Africa
MJV: South Africa, though I would want to see at least one upset in the Super Eights. At least, it will make for interesting cricket. Bangladesh showed promise yesterday, but were disappointing to say the least. Many fans would be cursing the fact that India is not playing.
Match scheduled to start at 1900 IST on SET MAX and SAB TV.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Showdown - Matchday Eleven
Today's the big one. India have to beat Sri Lanka to qualify for the next round. West Indies will take on Ireland in the other match of the day; the Irish will be hoping that an upset win this time around won't have similar repercussions as the last one. Though both the teams have qualified for the next stage, this match is important as two points to be carried forward to the next stage are up for grabs.
So, as usual, our showdown for today.
India v/s Sri Lanka
AKG and MJV: India
Match starts at 1900 IST on SET MAX (English), SAB TV (Hindi) and DD-1.
Ireland v/s West Indies
AKG and MJV: West Indies
Match starts at 2000 IST on PIX.
So, as usual, our showdown for today.
India v/s Sri Lanka
AKG and MJV: India
Match starts at 1900 IST on SET MAX (English), SAB TV (Hindi) and DD-1.
Ireland v/s West Indies
AKG and MJV: West Indies
Match starts at 2000 IST on PIX.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Showdown - Matchday Six
The minnows will not repeat yesterday's events. Thats what both Mathew and Ashok feel. The reason is that the past days events would have made England and Australia double their efforts at annihilation.
Both of us went completely wrong yesterday. The Irish have handed the Pakistani's a rough exit on a day which bristled with the seminal Irish occasion.... St.Patrick's Day.. which we forgot to mention. The Bangladeshi's whipped India, on a day when their energy was amazing, and the Indians looked very sluggish with a Real Madrid like feel about them. Rather play for a winning team than be a member of a higher earning team....
Both of us went completely wrong yesterday. The Irish have handed the Pakistani's a rough exit on a day which bristled with the seminal Irish occasion.... St.Patrick's Day.. which we forgot to mention. The Bangladeshi's whipped India, on a day when their energy was amazing, and the Indians looked very sluggish with a Real Madrid like feel about them. Rather play for a winning team than be a member of a higher earning team....
The Minnows Strike Back
Mathew J. Varghese
I think we have all lost count of the number of detractors who would have shot down the so-called ‘minnows’ over the last one month. I hope all those who made that statement have learnt a lesson for good after watching yesterday’s matches.
Every Indian supporter will crib over the team’s bad performance; Sehwag should be sent back home blah blah…. But anyone who watched the game without the ‘patriotic’ fervour would have easily seen the difference between the two teams. Bangladesh played like a professional side all through out. Their attitude was positive to say the least, best exemplified by Mashrafe Mortaza’s opening spell, Tamim Iqbal’s aggressive and attractive strokeplay and above all, the team’s daunting presence while on the field. Skipper Habibul Bashar’s prophetic words on the eve of the match was no empty-handed threat. Bangladesh are pretty similar to what Sri Lanka were in the 1996 World Cup, and under the guidance of the same coach. Though I would still not predict anything drastic, as this time’s World Cup is hardly similar to the one in 1996, as far as the schedules go.
Talking about schedules, many blamed the long duration of this World Cup on the fact that the ICC had to accomodate minnows. The 2006 Football World Cup with 32 teams has double the number of teams than what its far-less popular equivalent in cricket has and yet finishes within a month’s time. The group stages in both tournaments see the teams divided in groups of 4 each, with the top two making it through to the next round. However, while the Football World Cup enters a frantic knockout mode after the opening group phase, the ICC since the 1999 World Cup has had a lousy round-robin league for the second phase as well, with the top four making it to the semi-finals.
This is reflected in the schedules as well. While the first stage of this World Cup is from March 13- March 25, the ‘Super Eight’ stage (which was the Super Six in 2003 and 1999) is from March 27 to April 21, after which follows the semis and the finals. When the 'Super Six' was introduced in 1999, many felt it was a backdoor attempt to ensure the sub-continental teams India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka were involved for most of the tournament, as that’s where the event will be most followed. Well, has it worked? Pakistan has crashed out in the first stages of this World Cup as well, to add to their ignominious exit in 2003. Bangladesh and Sri Lanka could also put an end to the sport’s biggest revenue-spinner - India.
The minnows have already proved their might at this World Cup. Bangladesh and Ireland have perhaps already accounted for the quota of probable upsets that were bound to occur. One needs to wait and watch if they can make it through to the next round, and if other teams such as Kenya and Zimbabwe can be in the reckoning. As far as Bangladesh pulling off an upset like Sri Lanka did in 1996, I would again say the scheduling perhaps will deny them the chance. Sri Lanka went easily through the group phases thanks to the forfeits by Australia and West Indies then and had three knockout matches that they won to clinch it. However, Bangladesh faces a far sterner test as they need to go through the Super Eight as well. Though one must note that Sri Lanka were unbeaten in that tournament, defeating India twice and Australia in the finals. This Bangladesh side has to now prove the recents wins are no one-off affairs like the one against Australia in 2005, and that they can display the ability shown yesterday with a fair amount of consistency.
The Indian team will be worried for sure, but I am waiting to see how many of the ‘big teams’ may have to pack their bags early thanks to the ‘might of the minnows.’
I think we have all lost count of the number of detractors who would have shot down the so-called ‘minnows’ over the last one month. I hope all those who made that statement have learnt a lesson for good after watching yesterday’s matches.
Every Indian supporter will crib over the team’s bad performance; Sehwag should be sent back home blah blah…. But anyone who watched the game without the ‘patriotic’ fervour would have easily seen the difference between the two teams. Bangladesh played like a professional side all through out. Their attitude was positive to say the least, best exemplified by Mashrafe Mortaza’s opening spell, Tamim Iqbal’s aggressive and attractive strokeplay and above all, the team’s daunting presence while on the field. Skipper Habibul Bashar’s prophetic words on the eve of the match was no empty-handed threat. Bangladesh are pretty similar to what Sri Lanka were in the 1996 World Cup, and under the guidance of the same coach. Though I would still not predict anything drastic, as this time’s World Cup is hardly similar to the one in 1996, as far as the schedules go.
Talking about schedules, many blamed the long duration of this World Cup on the fact that the ICC had to accomodate minnows. The 2006 Football World Cup with 32 teams has double the number of teams than what its far-less popular equivalent in cricket has and yet finishes within a month’s time. The group stages in both tournaments see the teams divided in groups of 4 each, with the top two making it through to the next round. However, while the Football World Cup enters a frantic knockout mode after the opening group phase, the ICC since the 1999 World Cup has had a lousy round-robin league for the second phase as well, with the top four making it to the semi-finals.
This is reflected in the schedules as well. While the first stage of this World Cup is from March 13- March 25, the ‘Super Eight’ stage (which was the Super Six in 2003 and 1999) is from March 27 to April 21, after which follows the semis and the finals. When the 'Super Six' was introduced in 1999, many felt it was a backdoor attempt to ensure the sub-continental teams India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka were involved for most of the tournament, as that’s where the event will be most followed. Well, has it worked? Pakistan has crashed out in the first stages of this World Cup as well, to add to their ignominious exit in 2003. Bangladesh and Sri Lanka could also put an end to the sport’s biggest revenue-spinner - India.
The minnows have already proved their might at this World Cup. Bangladesh and Ireland have perhaps already accounted for the quota of probable upsets that were bound to occur. One needs to wait and watch if they can make it through to the next round, and if other teams such as Kenya and Zimbabwe can be in the reckoning. As far as Bangladesh pulling off an upset like Sri Lanka did in 1996, I would again say the scheduling perhaps will deny them the chance. Sri Lanka went easily through the group phases thanks to the forfeits by Australia and West Indies then and had three knockout matches that they won to clinch it. However, Bangladesh faces a far sterner test as they need to go through the Super Eight as well. Though one must note that Sri Lanka were unbeaten in that tournament, defeating India twice and Australia in the finals. This Bangladesh side has to now prove the recents wins are no one-off affairs like the one against Australia in 2005, and that they can display the ability shown yesterday with a fair amount of consistency.
The Indian team will be worried for sure, but I am waiting to see how many of the ‘big teams’ may have to pack their bags early thanks to the ‘might of the minnows.’
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Showdown - Matchday five
Today's matches feature three teams from the subcontinent. Bangladesh and India square off at the Queen's Park Oval in Trinidad. Both the teams are the last ones to play their opening match of the World Cup, and supporters all over the world are waiting for this one with bated breaths. Pakistan however will play their second game and should have it easy against the Irish side. They better be careful, this is the same Irish side that cornered Zimbabawe to what is the third tie in World Cp history.
Our predictions for today. The score so far is 6 out of 7 for Mathew, with Ashok one point behind.
Bangladesh v India
AKG and MJV: India. The Bangla Tigers may have upseted the Kiwis, but India will not be taking any chances in this one.
Match starts at 1900 IST on SET MAX, SAB TV and DOORDARSHAN (we guessing).
Ireland v Pakistan
AKG and MJV : Pakistan. Though another loss will spell the end of the side's World Cup campaign.
Match starts at 2000 IST on PIX.
Our predictions for today. The score so far is 6 out of 7 for Mathew, with Ashok one point behind.
Bangladesh v India
AKG and MJV: India. The Bangla Tigers may have upseted the Kiwis, but India will not be taking any chances in this one.
Match starts at 1900 IST on SET MAX, SAB TV and DOORDARSHAN (we guessing).
Ireland v Pakistan
AKG and MJV : Pakistan. Though another loss will spell the end of the side's World Cup campaign.
Match starts at 2000 IST on PIX.
Friday, March 16, 2007
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