Indian colts blank Singapore 10-0 in WC opener

Singapore, Jun 8 (PTI) Skipper Diwakar Ram smashed led from the front scoring five goals as former champions India opened their campaign in style by crushing co-hosts Singapore 10-0 in the Junior World Cup Hockey tournament here today.

Diwakar Ram flicked five goals from penalty corners in the 15th, 18th, 29th, 55th and 66th minutes at the Seng Kang Sports Complex.

Indians, who led 6-0 at the break, scored their other goals through Danish Mujtaba 5th and 51st, Dharamvir Singh 26th, Mandip Antil 30th and Vivek 47th minute.

This is also the highest victory margin so far in the event, being co-hosted by Singapore and Malaysia.

India dominated the proceedings from the beginning with constant attacks from their forwards.

They attacked at will with perfect coordination among the midfielders and the forwards. The strong bench strength of India afforded coach A K Bansal to shuffle his pack.

Indian medios and deep defence did not allow Singapore to advance too much in their territory as goalkeeper Choubey was not tested.

The Indian flankmen Mandip Antil and Mohd. Amir Khan tore open the seams of the Singapore defence and fed strikers Danish Mujtaba, Pramod Kumar and Jay Karan as they successfully won penalty corners in quick succession.

India play New Zealand in their Pool D match tomorrow.

In an earlier Pool D match, Holland registered their second successive win by beating Poland 7-2. PTI

Bagan suspends Bhutia for six months

Kolkata, June 8 (PTI) In a dramatic development, Mohun Bagan today suspended its captain Bhaichung Bhutia for six months from playing for the club, citing "violation of rules and regulations", which also virtually rules him out of joining any other club.

Bhutia had sought a release from Mohun Bagan after his commitment was questioned by the club in a showcause notice served on him on May 15.

Dismissing his request, the club in its executive committee meeting today suspended the iconic Indian footballer from playing for the club for six months.

"In a unanimous decision, we at our executive committee decided to suspend Bhutia for six months. During this time, he cannot play for Mohun Bagan," senior executive committee member Subrata Mukherjee told reporters.

In his acerbic best, Mukherjee added, "Despite being the captain, he has been defying rules and regulation of the club for a long time and thus breaching his contract. He has been irresponsible not only for practices but in international matches as well." "In the interest of football, we have taken this decision and set a precedent that he is just like anybody else. Bhaichung may be a great player in India but he is not an institution. Mohun Bagan, being a very old national club, we have taken this decision." PTI

Jitender in Asian Championships' quarterfinals

New Delhi, June 8 (PTI) Rounding off a second successive all-win day for India, Olympian Jitender Kumar (54kg) and Jai Bhagwan (60kg) advanced to the quarterfinals with contrasting wins at the Asian Boxing Championships in Zhuhai, China today.

Jitender was the first to take the ring and the Beijing Olympic quarterfinalist defeated Thailand's Chatchai Butdee in a thrilling contest.

The two boxers were tied 4-4 after the regulation three rounds and were locked 4-4 even on countback but Jitender won after three of the five judges officiating the bout declared him as the better of the two boxers.

"I was leading in the first two rounds but he became very aggressive in the final round and equalised. I was very tense after we were found to be tied even after the countback. It was such a relief when judges declared me winner for being a better boxer," a relieved Jitender told PTI from Zhuhai.

The 22-year-old Haryana-boxer now takes on Enkhjargal Iderkhu in the quarterfinals on Wednesday in what would be his first bout against the Mongolian.

"I have not seen this guy. The coaches are keeping an eye on his bouts and will formulate a strategy accordingly," said Jitender. PTI