05:11
Karthick Dharman
Posted in: Malayalam ActressesFriday, 11 November 2011
Hindu Doctors' Murder A Sad Day For Pakistan, Says Imran Khan
ISLAMABAD: Cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan has strongly condemned the killing of Hindu doctors by armed assailants in Pakistan's Sindh province.
Four Hindu doctors were attacked near Shikarpur district of the province Monday. Three of them -- Ashok, Naresh, Ajeet Kumar -- who were brothers died, while the fourth was Satya Pal was injured.
Khan, chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), in a satement issued by his party's central secretariat, said that the murder of Dr Ashok, Dr Naresh and Dr Ajeet Kumar marked a sad day for Pakistan, as PTI (Paksitan Tehreek-e-Insaf) believed in peaceful and harmonious co-existence of all religious and ethnic groups and an indiscriminate practice of the rule of law, Daily Times reported.
Stating abdication of governance by the corrupt ruling mafias had resulted in an increase of violence in the society that needed to be checked immediately, Khan condemned the role of the law-enforcement agencies that tended to side with the criminals.
On Thursday, condemning the brutal murder of Hindus in Shikarpur, civil society and human rights organisations announced they would stage "Fill the Besant Hall Road against Religious Intolerance" rally in front of the Theosophical Society's interior Sindh centre in Hyderabad Nov 14.
Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has also strongly condemned the killings and directed that the culprits be brought to book.
The US has asked Pakistan to bring to justice those involved in gunning down the Hindus in Sindh province and condemned all violence directed at religious, ethnic and other minorities.
Four Hindu doctors were attacked near Shikarpur district of the province Monday. Three of them -- Ashok, Naresh, Ajeet Kumar -- who were brothers died, while the fourth was Satya Pal was injured.
Khan, chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), in a satement issued by his party's central secretariat, said that the murder of Dr Ashok, Dr Naresh and Dr Ajeet Kumar marked a sad day for Pakistan, as PTI (Paksitan Tehreek-e-Insaf) believed in peaceful and harmonious co-existence of all religious and ethnic groups and an indiscriminate practice of the rule of law, Daily Times reported.
Stating abdication of governance by the corrupt ruling mafias had resulted in an increase of violence in the society that needed to be checked immediately, Khan condemned the role of the law-enforcement agencies that tended to side with the criminals.
On Thursday, condemning the brutal murder of Hindus in Shikarpur, civil society and human rights organisations announced they would stage "Fill the Besant Hall Road against Religious Intolerance" rally in front of the Theosophical Society's interior Sindh centre in Hyderabad Nov 14.
Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has also strongly condemned the killings and directed that the culprits be brought to book.
The US has asked Pakistan to bring to justice those involved in gunning down the Hindus in Sindh province and condemned all violence directed at religious, ethnic and other minorities.
Posted in: Breaking News
Us Army Sergeant Found Guilty Of Murdering Afghan Civilians
TACOMA, WASHINGTON: A US army sergeant was convicted by court-martial on Thursday of murdering unarmed civilians and cutting fingers from their corpses as ringleader of a rogue platoon in Afghanistan's Kandahar province.
A five-member jury panel returned a guilty verdict on all counts against Staff Sergeant Calvin Gibbs, 26, capping an 18-month investigation of the most egregious case of atrocities US military personnel have been convicted of committing during a decade of war in Afghanistan.
Pentagon officials have said the misconduct exposed by the case, which evolved from a probe of drug abuse within Gibbs' Stryker Brigade infantry unit, damaged the image of the United States around the globe.
Photographs entered as evidence in the case showed Gibbs and other soldiers casually posing with bloodied Afghan corpses, drawing comparisons with the inflammatory Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse scandal in Iraq in 2004.
The verdict by the jury panel -- two enlisted personnel and three officers -- followed a week and a half of testimony at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, near Tacoma. The proceedings then moved directly into the penalty phase.
Gibbs, from Billings, Montana, faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole.
He was convicted on three counts of premeditated murder in the slayings of Afghan villagers last year that were disguised as legitimate combat engagements. Prosecutors said Gibbs acted as the chief instigator behind those killings and other assaults by members of his self-described " kill team."
Besides charges of murder, conspiracy and other offenses, he was found guilty of beating a soldier who reported hashish use to superiors and of military code violations for cutting fingers off bodies as war trophies.
Gibbs had maintained he was innocent of murder, insisting that two of the killings for which he was charged were in self-defense and that he played no role in the other. He denied allegations of planting weapons near the bodies.
Taking the stand in his own defense last Friday, Gibbs said he had "disassociated" himself from his actions while in combat and likened the removal of fingers from dead bodies to the taking of antlers from a deer.
But prosecution witnesses portrayed him as a blood-thirsty renegade who intimidated fellow soldiers and harbored a deep, ethnic hatred of the very people US troops were sent to protect from Taliban forces.
His chief accuser was the ex-corporal described as Gibbs' right-hand man, Jeremy Morlock, who pleaded guilty to murder for his role in the same three killings and was sentenced in March to 24 years in prison under a deal with prosecutors to obtain his cooperation in the case.
Five soldiers in all from the infantry unit formerly called the 5th Stryker Brigade were accused of murder, although Gibbs and Morlock were the only charged with more than one killing.
A five-member jury panel returned a guilty verdict on all counts against Staff Sergeant Calvin Gibbs, 26, capping an 18-month investigation of the most egregious case of atrocities US military personnel have been convicted of committing during a decade of war in Afghanistan.
Pentagon officials have said the misconduct exposed by the case, which evolved from a probe of drug abuse within Gibbs' Stryker Brigade infantry unit, damaged the image of the United States around the globe.
Photographs entered as evidence in the case showed Gibbs and other soldiers casually posing with bloodied Afghan corpses, drawing comparisons with the inflammatory Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse scandal in Iraq in 2004.
The verdict by the jury panel -- two enlisted personnel and three officers -- followed a week and a half of testimony at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, near Tacoma. The proceedings then moved directly into the penalty phase.
Gibbs, from Billings, Montana, faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole.
He was convicted on three counts of premeditated murder in the slayings of Afghan villagers last year that were disguised as legitimate combat engagements. Prosecutors said Gibbs acted as the chief instigator behind those killings and other assaults by members of his self-described " kill team."
Besides charges of murder, conspiracy and other offenses, he was found guilty of beating a soldier who reported hashish use to superiors and of military code violations for cutting fingers off bodies as war trophies.
Gibbs had maintained he was innocent of murder, insisting that two of the killings for which he was charged were in self-defense and that he played no role in the other. He denied allegations of planting weapons near the bodies.
Taking the stand in his own defense last Friday, Gibbs said he had "disassociated" himself from his actions while in combat and likened the removal of fingers from dead bodies to the taking of antlers from a deer.
But prosecution witnesses portrayed him as a blood-thirsty renegade who intimidated fellow soldiers and harbored a deep, ethnic hatred of the very people US troops were sent to protect from Taliban forces.
His chief accuser was the ex-corporal described as Gibbs' right-hand man, Jeremy Morlock, who pleaded guilty to murder for his role in the same three killings and was sentenced in March to 24 years in prison under a deal with prosecutors to obtain his cooperation in the case.
Five soldiers in all from the infantry unit formerly called the 5th Stryker Brigade were accused of murder, although Gibbs and Morlock were the only charged with more than one killing.
Posted in: Breaking News
Turf War: India, China Clash Over Nominee To Un Body
NEW DELHI: India and China are facing off again, this time over an election to a UN body.
A Gopinathan, India's envoy to the UN in Geneva, is India's candidate to the UN's only external oversight body, joint inspection unit. It's a post India last held in 1977 and wants to return to.
China has held the post since 2003 and wants to renew it in 2012. China's candidate is Zhang Yan, currently ambassador to India, and due to retire soon. Both countries want the job. Both countries are rising powers, and want a greater say in international affairs. Both countries enjoy increasing clout. And they are on a competition course.
India has told all its heads of missions to go all out to pitch for their candidate.
Gopinathan is one of India's finest diplomats and he enjoys a great deal of support within the cadre. So it's fair to expect a spirited pitch on his behalf. Zhang, on the other hand, is also one of China's most experienced diplomats and has held a tough job for the past few years. Known to be well-connected to the Communist Party elite, Zhang too can expect strong endorsement from the Chinese foreign ministry, which, sources said, also sent out requests for support.
While the post may not have the stature of a secretary-general , it is nevertheless important, certainly for India . China, being a P-5 member can afford to be more blase about it.
India's strength lies in its lobbying capacity - having had to fight elections for all multilateral posts, Indian diplomats have honed their skills at the craft. Besides, Gopi , as he is known in the service , is one of their own. Unlike Shashi Tharoor, who, as candidate for UN secretary general received only lukewarm response from the MEA mandarins, Gopinathan can call upon the collective bargaining power of the Indian diplomatic elite.
But China has deeper pockets, and a bigger stick. China, as a P-5 member, can pull levers India can't . But it will also depend on how much the Chinese foreign ministry is willing to invest in this election . The post concerned is not country oriented but individual oriented, which makes it somewhat unusual.
Zhang got into a spat with an Indian journalist recently, asking him to "shut up" when questioned why Chinese companies were circulating maps showing large swathes of India as being part of China and Pakistan.
A Gopinathan, India's envoy to the UN in Geneva, is India's candidate to the UN's only external oversight body, joint inspection unit. It's a post India last held in 1977 and wants to return to.
China has held the post since 2003 and wants to renew it in 2012. China's candidate is Zhang Yan, currently ambassador to India, and due to retire soon. Both countries want the job. Both countries are rising powers, and want a greater say in international affairs. Both countries enjoy increasing clout. And they are on a competition course.
India has told all its heads of missions to go all out to pitch for their candidate.
Gopinathan is one of India's finest diplomats and he enjoys a great deal of support within the cadre. So it's fair to expect a spirited pitch on his behalf. Zhang, on the other hand, is also one of China's most experienced diplomats and has held a tough job for the past few years. Known to be well-connected to the Communist Party elite, Zhang too can expect strong endorsement from the Chinese foreign ministry, which, sources said, also sent out requests for support.
While the post may not have the stature of a secretary-general , it is nevertheless important, certainly for India . China, being a P-5 member can afford to be more blase about it.
India's strength lies in its lobbying capacity - having had to fight elections for all multilateral posts, Indian diplomats have honed their skills at the craft. Besides, Gopi , as he is known in the service , is one of their own. Unlike Shashi Tharoor, who, as candidate for UN secretary general received only lukewarm response from the MEA mandarins, Gopinathan can call upon the collective bargaining power of the Indian diplomatic elite.
But China has deeper pockets, and a bigger stick. China, as a P-5 member, can pull levers India can't . But it will also depend on how much the Chinese foreign ministry is willing to invest in this election . The post concerned is not country oriented but individual oriented, which makes it somewhat unusual.
Zhang got into a spat with an Indian journalist recently, asking him to "shut up" when questioned why Chinese companies were circulating maps showing large swathes of India as being part of China and Pakistan.
Posted in: Breaking News
Us Urges Asia To Help Save Global Economy
HONOLULU, HAWAII: The United States urged Asia to do more to stimulate growth to offset the eurozone crisis, ahead of a summit in which Washington is seeking to shape the rules for the emerging Pacific region.
Police sealed off Honolulu's usually laid-back Waikiki Beach as Chinese President Hu Jintao became the latest leader to arrive for the weekend summit that will be led by US President Barack Obama, a Hawaii native.
US Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, chairing talks on Thursday of finance ministers from the APEC bloc, said that the meeting was dominated by how to make growth more balanced and sustainable, given the crisis in Europe.
"Asian economies will need to do more to stimulate domestic demand growth -- so that they are both less vulnerable to slowdowns, such as the situation in Europe, and can continue to contribute to global growth," he said.
The 21 members of APEC, or the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, account for about 40 per cent of the world's population, more than 50 per cent of its gross domestic product and 44 per cent of global trade.
"While APEC economies are the most vulnerable to a global slowdown, they can also play the greatest role in contributing to the global recovery and establishing the foundations of strong, sustainable, and balanced future growth," Geithner said.
Europe warned Thursday that the debt crisis was dragging the region towards a new recession, as Greece chose a new prime minister to try to pull it back from the brink of financial disaster and Italy lurched into crisis.
In Honolulu, where Obama hopes this weekend to unveil the broad outlines of a landmark trade pact, there were signs of tensions between the United States and the Asia-Pacific's emerging power, China.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, previewing the US message for the summit of the 21-member APEC forum, said the region stands at a "pivot point" as it becomes "the world's strategic and economic center of gravity."
After noting that the post-World War II institutions between the United States and Europe had paid "remarkable dividends," Clinton said the time had come for "a more dynamic and durable trans-Pacific system."
Clinton insisted that the United States welcomed a "thriving China," saying it was not in either country's interest for Washington to try to contain the rising Asian power.
But the top US diplomat, who later held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, also voiced concern about Beijing's record both on human rights and the economy.
"We are alarmed by recent incidents in Tibet of young people lighting themselves on fire in desperate acts of protest as well as the continued house arrest of the Chinese lawyer Chen Guangcheng," she said.
"We continue to call on China to embrace a different path."
Obama on Sunday is expected to announce a tentative free trade deal called the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) with eight other nations -- Australia, Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.
Police sealed off Honolulu's usually laid-back Waikiki Beach as Chinese President Hu Jintao became the latest leader to arrive for the weekend summit that will be led by US President Barack Obama, a Hawaii native.
US Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, chairing talks on Thursday of finance ministers from the APEC bloc, said that the meeting was dominated by how to make growth more balanced and sustainable, given the crisis in Europe.
"Asian economies will need to do more to stimulate domestic demand growth -- so that they are both less vulnerable to slowdowns, such as the situation in Europe, and can continue to contribute to global growth," he said.
The 21 members of APEC, or the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, account for about 40 per cent of the world's population, more than 50 per cent of its gross domestic product and 44 per cent of global trade.
"While APEC economies are the most vulnerable to a global slowdown, they can also play the greatest role in contributing to the global recovery and establishing the foundations of strong, sustainable, and balanced future growth," Geithner said.
Europe warned Thursday that the debt crisis was dragging the region towards a new recession, as Greece chose a new prime minister to try to pull it back from the brink of financial disaster and Italy lurched into crisis.
In Honolulu, where Obama hopes this weekend to unveil the broad outlines of a landmark trade pact, there were signs of tensions between the United States and the Asia-Pacific's emerging power, China.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, previewing the US message for the summit of the 21-member APEC forum, said the region stands at a "pivot point" as it becomes "the world's strategic and economic center of gravity."
After noting that the post-World War II institutions between the United States and Europe had paid "remarkable dividends," Clinton said the time had come for "a more dynamic and durable trans-Pacific system."
Clinton insisted that the United States welcomed a "thriving China," saying it was not in either country's interest for Washington to try to contain the rising Asian power.
But the top US diplomat, who later held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, also voiced concern about Beijing's record both on human rights and the economy.
"We are alarmed by recent incidents in Tibet of young people lighting themselves on fire in desperate acts of protest as well as the continued house arrest of the Chinese lawyer Chen Guangcheng," she said.
"We continue to call on China to embrace a different path."
Obama on Sunday is expected to announce a tentative free trade deal called the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) with eight other nations -- Australia, Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.
Posted in: Breaking News
Britain Kick Off 2012 Football At Old Trafford
LONDON: Great Britain will kick off their quest for an Olympic football gold medal at Old Trafford next year as the dates and venues for their first round matches were revealed on Thursday.
Britain will also play group games at Wembley and the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff as Stuart Pearce's team aim to qualify for the knockout rounds.
The participation of a British team has been embroiled in controversy, with the Scottish, Welsh, and Northern Irish FAs all opposed to the concept because of fears it may threaten their separate identities in world football.
However London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) chiefs are confident of doing brisk business for the Britain games when tickets go on sale again on Friday.
"The prospect of Team GB taking part in the Games has captured the imagination of the public and we are pleased to be able to confirm their group stage fixtures ahead of tickets going back on sale," LOCOG director of sport Debbie Jevans said.
"With teams like Spain and Brazil already qualified and fantastic venues across the country, the Olympic Football tournaments promise to be a great family day out at the Olympic Games next summer."
Britain's first game will take place at Old Trafford on July 26, a day after the football tournament is scheduled to begin, before a Wembley date three days later. They will then play their final group game in Cardiff on August 1.
The draw for the group stage takes place on April 24.
Britain will also play group games at Wembley and the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff as Stuart Pearce's team aim to qualify for the knockout rounds.
The participation of a British team has been embroiled in controversy, with the Scottish, Welsh, and Northern Irish FAs all opposed to the concept because of fears it may threaten their separate identities in world football.
However London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) chiefs are confident of doing brisk business for the Britain games when tickets go on sale again on Friday.
"The prospect of Team GB taking part in the Games has captured the imagination of the public and we are pleased to be able to confirm their group stage fixtures ahead of tickets going back on sale," LOCOG director of sport Debbie Jevans said.
"With teams like Spain and Brazil already qualified and fantastic venues across the country, the Olympic Football tournaments promise to be a great family day out at the Olympic Games next summer."
Britain's first game will take place at Old Trafford on July 26, a day after the football tournament is scheduled to begin, before a Wembley date three days later. They will then play their final group game in Cardiff on August 1.
The draw for the group stage takes place on April 24.
Posted in: Breaking News
Nba: Players To Vote On Nba Owners Latest Proposal
NEW YORK: NBA owners and the players union have concluded their latest negotiating efforts with a proposal to be voted on by the players that if accepted will allow for a 72-game season beginning on Dec. 15.
"The labor relations committee made a revised proposal to the union which attempted to meet their concerns as best as we and the labor relations committee could," NBA commissioner David Stern told a press conference.
"We did that in the context of a possibility that we could have a 72-game schedule starting Dec. 15."
The players union had hoped for more movement on several key non-financial issues after they expressed their willingness to move off their desired economic revenue split of in excess of 52.5 percent in their favor.
"Right now we have what we would characterize as a revised proposal from the NBA. It does not meet us entirely on the system issues that we felt were extremely important to try and close this deal out," said NBA Players' Association president Derek Fisher.
"Obviously, we still would like to negotiate and a find a way to get a deal done. But right now is not that time."
Stern expressed that should the union not accept their latest proposal the owners' negotiating position would switch to a less favorable 53-47 percent split of revenues in favor of the owners.
"We'll go back as an executive committee, confer with our player reps and additional players over the next few days and then we'll make decisions about what our next steps will be," said Fisher.
"The labor relations committee made a revised proposal to the union which attempted to meet their concerns as best as we and the labor relations committee could," NBA commissioner David Stern told a press conference.
"We did that in the context of a possibility that we could have a 72-game schedule starting Dec. 15."
The players union had hoped for more movement on several key non-financial issues after they expressed their willingness to move off their desired economic revenue split of in excess of 52.5 percent in their favor.
"Right now we have what we would characterize as a revised proposal from the NBA. It does not meet us entirely on the system issues that we felt were extremely important to try and close this deal out," said NBA Players' Association president Derek Fisher.
"Obviously, we still would like to negotiate and a find a way to get a deal done. But right now is not that time."
Stern expressed that should the union not accept their latest proposal the owners' negotiating position would switch to a less favorable 53-47 percent split of revenues in favor of the owners.
"We'll go back as an executive committee, confer with our player reps and additional players over the next few days and then we'll make decisions about what our next steps will be," said Fisher.
Posted in: Breaking News
Johor Cup: Forwards Key As India Take On Malaysia
JOHOR BAHRU (Malaysia): India would rely on in-form forwards to rip through a strong Malaysian defence and secure the side a place in the finals when the two teams clash in their crucial last league match of the Sultan of Johor Cup under-21 hockey tournament on Friday.
The winner of this contest will make it to the Saturday final against Australia.
With two wins and a draw Malaysia has seven points. India, with six points, is third in the table behind Australia and Malaysia, but a win will catapult them to the second position.
Korea also has six points with a match to go against New Zealand. But even if Korea wins, India will have a bright chance to make the final as the Koreans have conceded two goals more than India. All the teams play their last pool match on Friday.
"Our strength is fast moving forwards, who have delivered so far. I hope they will continue to score tomorrow as well," said Mukesh Kumar, Indian chief coach.
"My concern is their body language. They should exude confidence. Once confidence is there, things fall in line," he explained.
Mukesh has every reason to rely on forwards as they have risen to the occasion so far. Striker Malak Singh has been a thorn in the flesh of opposition defences.
The Haryana-forward proved his worth with opportunistic goals and dashing break-ins, netting five goals so far.
Winger Ramandeep Singh, whose brace of goals nearly floored mighty Australia, is another impact scorer. M Gunasekar and Satbir Singh too do not waste chances.
"We had a good drag flicker in Gajinder Singh. He could not come here due to injury. It affected our penalty corner department. We haven't scored many goals through penalty corners, though we tried with Harpreet Singh, Amid Rohidas and Sampath Kumar. The result is mixed," he said.
"Malaysia are always at their best on home grounds, we should be careful against them," Mukesh elaborated.
Another coach with the team, Lajrus Barla, who looks after defence, feels their defenders will come under severe scrutiny on Friday.
"Malaysians have been training together for over two years, have travelled many countries and have enough experience. Theirs is a balanced side. Our defenders are good, but have to prove their worth again tomorrow," the Olympian said.
"As far as we are concerned, tomorrow is a final for us, because whoever wins makes it to the final, and our defence will be stretched. We are not conceding many penalty corners, and we should keep our cool, and not concede any of them tomorrow as well," he stressed.
"Our second goalkeeper Harmanpreet Singh is improving match by match. Much will depend on his form tomorrow," Barla said.
On his part, Harmanpreet exuded confidence. "Malaysians are good at penalty corners. If we can manage them, we can ensure our victory".
Captain Devinder Walmiki is also confident of a good show against the hosts.
"They are a balanced side but we are also improving. With a controlled midfield play, we should face them in all departments," he said.
Malaysian coach Dharmaraj Abdullah said crowd support would be a crucial factor.
"India are a good side. It will be a good match. I look forward to a crowd that supports us. When the crowd cheers, our boys run faster than what they are otherwise used to. If we are able to put it across India, that will be fitting as we have worked hard," he said.
The winner of this contest will make it to the Saturday final against Australia.
With two wins and a draw Malaysia has seven points. India, with six points, is third in the table behind Australia and Malaysia, but a win will catapult them to the second position.
Korea also has six points with a match to go against New Zealand. But even if Korea wins, India will have a bright chance to make the final as the Koreans have conceded two goals more than India. All the teams play their last pool match on Friday.
"Our strength is fast moving forwards, who have delivered so far. I hope they will continue to score tomorrow as well," said Mukesh Kumar, Indian chief coach.
"My concern is their body language. They should exude confidence. Once confidence is there, things fall in line," he explained.
Mukesh has every reason to rely on forwards as they have risen to the occasion so far. Striker Malak Singh has been a thorn in the flesh of opposition defences.
The Haryana-forward proved his worth with opportunistic goals and dashing break-ins, netting five goals so far.
Winger Ramandeep Singh, whose brace of goals nearly floored mighty Australia, is another impact scorer. M Gunasekar and Satbir Singh too do not waste chances.
"We had a good drag flicker in Gajinder Singh. He could not come here due to injury. It affected our penalty corner department. We haven't scored many goals through penalty corners, though we tried with Harpreet Singh, Amid Rohidas and Sampath Kumar. The result is mixed," he said.
"Malaysia are always at their best on home grounds, we should be careful against them," Mukesh elaborated.
Another coach with the team, Lajrus Barla, who looks after defence, feels their defenders will come under severe scrutiny on Friday.
"Malaysians have been training together for over two years, have travelled many countries and have enough experience. Theirs is a balanced side. Our defenders are good, but have to prove their worth again tomorrow," the Olympian said.
"As far as we are concerned, tomorrow is a final for us, because whoever wins makes it to the final, and our defence will be stretched. We are not conceding many penalty corners, and we should keep our cool, and not concede any of them tomorrow as well," he stressed.
"Our second goalkeeper Harmanpreet Singh is improving match by match. Much will depend on his form tomorrow," Barla said.
On his part, Harmanpreet exuded confidence. "Malaysians are good at penalty corners. If we can manage them, we can ensure our victory".
Captain Devinder Walmiki is also confident of a good show against the hosts.
"They are a balanced side but we are also improving. With a controlled midfield play, we should face them in all departments," he said.
Malaysian coach Dharmaraj Abdullah said crowd support would be a crucial factor.
"India are a good side. It will be a good match. I look forward to a crowd that supports us. When the crowd cheers, our boys run faster than what they are otherwise used to. If we are able to put it across India, that will be fitting as we have worked hard," he said.
Posted in: Breaking News
Morrison Makes Move At Wet Singapore Open
SINGAPORE: Briton James Morrison enjoyed the best of the conditions at a rain-hit Singapore Open on Friday, the joint overnight leader firing a second round three-under 68 to move two shots clear of the field.
Morrison, tied with Italy's Edoardo Molinari on nine under par after the first round, had completed 14 holes of his second round on the more difficult Serapong Course before a weather delay forced the players off the course for almost three hours.
The 26-year-old returned to par the next three holes before a beautiful approach shot on the par-five 18th hole set up a tap-in birdie to send him into the clubhouse on 12-under for the $6 million tournament, being played over two courses.
"It was a perfect number really, 100 yards to the flag and with a sand wedge from the fairway it looked like it was about to go in, but I will take a four," Morrison told reporters of his approach at the last.
"It's definitely harder than the other course," he added. "More demanding tee shots and a well-designed course, so overall I had a good day.
Filipino Juvic Pagunsan surged up the leaderboard with a second straight five-under 66 to sit two adrift of Morrison and one ahead of Molinari, three holes into his second round, and Dane Anders Hansen, who fired a bogey-free, seven-under 64.
Morrison set the foundation for his low score on the easier Tanjong Course on Thursday but with the final 36 holes being played on Serapong, the Briton will be delighted to have offset two dropped shots with a bogey-free, four-under inward nine.
"I didn't play as well as I did yesterday but did enough to get round and I finished strongly," Morrison added. "Four under for the back nine is very good here.
"I enjoy leading. It's what you play for. You play to win, to be in contention and to even be interviewed. If you don't enjoy that then there's no point in playing. I love doing all that so looking forward to the weekend."
Pagunsan put his improved display down to some minor adjustments he had made off the course that has had a positive effect on his performance on it in recent weeks.
"I have a stronger mentality now and focus on my game more. My concentration has improved and so has my fitness," the Filipino said.
"Your mental game is stronger when you are fresher. I jog a bit and play some friendly games of basketball to keep in shape."
Further down the leaderboard, Briton Justin Rose, American Anthony Kim and South Africa's Louis Oosthuizen were all making major moves into the top 10 with low scores on the Tanjong Course with a handful of holes remaining in their rounds.
Tournament drawcards Graeme McDowell (three-under with two holes to play) and Phil Mickelson (even par after three holes) are both struggling to qualify for weekend play with the halfway cut projected at three-under par.
Morrison, tied with Italy's Edoardo Molinari on nine under par after the first round, had completed 14 holes of his second round on the more difficult Serapong Course before a weather delay forced the players off the course for almost three hours.
The 26-year-old returned to par the next three holes before a beautiful approach shot on the par-five 18th hole set up a tap-in birdie to send him into the clubhouse on 12-under for the $6 million tournament, being played over two courses.
"It was a perfect number really, 100 yards to the flag and with a sand wedge from the fairway it looked like it was about to go in, but I will take a four," Morrison told reporters of his approach at the last.
"It's definitely harder than the other course," he added. "More demanding tee shots and a well-designed course, so overall I had a good day.
Filipino Juvic Pagunsan surged up the leaderboard with a second straight five-under 66 to sit two adrift of Morrison and one ahead of Molinari, three holes into his second round, and Dane Anders Hansen, who fired a bogey-free, seven-under 64.
Morrison set the foundation for his low score on the easier Tanjong Course on Thursday but with the final 36 holes being played on Serapong, the Briton will be delighted to have offset two dropped shots with a bogey-free, four-under inward nine.
"I didn't play as well as I did yesterday but did enough to get round and I finished strongly," Morrison added. "Four under for the back nine is very good here.
"I enjoy leading. It's what you play for. You play to win, to be in contention and to even be interviewed. If you don't enjoy that then there's no point in playing. I love doing all that so looking forward to the weekend."
Pagunsan put his improved display down to some minor adjustments he had made off the course that has had a positive effect on his performance on it in recent weeks.
"I have a stronger mentality now and focus on my game more. My concentration has improved and so has my fitness," the Filipino said.
"Your mental game is stronger when you are fresher. I jog a bit and play some friendly games of basketball to keep in shape."
Further down the leaderboard, Briton Justin Rose, American Anthony Kim and South Africa's Louis Oosthuizen were all making major moves into the top 10 with low scores on the Tanjong Course with a handful of holes remaining in their rounds.
Tournament drawcards Graeme McDowell (three-under with two holes to play) and Phil Mickelson (even par after three holes) are both struggling to qualify for weekend play with the halfway cut projected at three-under par.
Posted in: Breaking News
Djokovic Not As Great As Roger And Rafael, Says Tsonga
PARIS: World number one Novak Djokovic still has some way to go before he can boast the same aura Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have on the circuit, according to Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
Tsonga, one of the few players with a positive head-to-head record against Djokovic, will face the Serb in the quarterfinals of the Paris Masters with nothing to lose after already clinching his place in the ATP World Tour finals in London.
"For the moment he has less aura than Roger and Rafa," Tsonga, who has a 5-4 record against Djokovic and has never lost indoors against him, told reporters after a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Italy's Andreas Seppi on Thursday.
"(He has less aura) because of the number of victories in grand slams, but also the others were at the top for many years, even if Novak had a very good year this year.
"So he's quite far from what the others achieved. His career is not as complete and his position on the tour is not as historical."
Tsonga said he is relishing another clash with Djokovic who he beat on the way to winning the Paris Masters title in 2008.
"Whatever happens, he plays great. When I'm on that court, I have nothing to lose against him," the sixth seed said.
"That way I'm thinking when I go onto the court against him he has more to lose than I do. So I always go to try to play my best tennis, and I'm sure it is the reason why every time I play against him I play my best tennis."
Tsonga, one of the few players with a positive head-to-head record against Djokovic, will face the Serb in the quarterfinals of the Paris Masters with nothing to lose after already clinching his place in the ATP World Tour finals in London.
"For the moment he has less aura than Roger and Rafa," Tsonga, who has a 5-4 record against Djokovic and has never lost indoors against him, told reporters after a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Italy's Andreas Seppi on Thursday.
"(He has less aura) because of the number of victories in grand slams, but also the others were at the top for many years, even if Novak had a very good year this year.
"So he's quite far from what the others achieved. His career is not as complete and his position on the tour is not as historical."
Tsonga said he is relishing another clash with Djokovic who he beat on the way to winning the Paris Masters title in 2008.
"Whatever happens, he plays great. When I'm on that court, I have nothing to lose against him," the sixth seed said.
"That way I'm thinking when I go onto the court against him he has more to lose than I do. So I always go to try to play my best tennis, and I'm sure it is the reason why every time I play against him I play my best tennis."
Posted in: Breaking News
