AFC concerned by RI fan's death
AFC concerned by RI fan's death
KUALA LUMPUR: Asian soccer's governing body has condemned Indonesian officials for allowing overcrowding at a stadium during a match, leading to the death of a young fan.
The 17-year old youth was trampled to death when more than 80,000 fans tried to force their way into the soccer stadium in Jakarta to watch a local league match in Malang, East Java, on Wednesday, Indonesian soccer officials said. The stadium has a capacity of 60,000.
The Kuala Lumpur-based Asian Football Confederation on Thursday accused Indonesian officials of endangering fans by overselling tickets for the local league match between home side Arema and Persija.
"It is a matter of serious concern that safety and security were totally sacrificed in favor of greed for more income," AFC's General Secretary Peter Velappan said in a letter to the Indonesian Soccer Association. Part of the letter was published on the AFC website. -- AP
Vaas leads charge against Windies
COLOMBO: The West Indies' youthful batting lineup faces a testing time and the prospect of in-form fast bowler Chaminda Vaas making the most of humid and overcast conditions when the first cricket test against Sri Lanka resumes on Saturday.
The disrupted third day was finally abandoned after tea on Friday at the Sinhalese Sports Club with the tourists reduced to 59 for six, giving them an overall lead of 117.
After the West Indies was dismissed for 285 in the first session on Thursday, Sri Lanka was bowled out for 227.
Less than 26 overs were possible on Friday as the West Indies, wobbling at 17-3 overnight, lost three more wickets under the heavy, overcast conditions that prevailed throughout the day and caused the start of play to be delayed until after lunch. Play was delayed for a further 18 minutes due to bad light less than hour before tea. -- AP
Sheffield begin China tour
SHANGHAI, China: English division one team Sheffield United begin a tour of China this weekend that will include three exhibition matches against local teams, the team said on Friday.
The Blades arrive in Beijing on Saturday and on Monday will play Zhejiang Lucheng in the eastern city of Hangzhou.
They move to the western city of Xi'an on Wednesday for a match against Xi'an Anqingyuan, before finishing with a July 24th match against Hunan Xiangjun in the southern city of Changsha.
Sheffield United last year signed veteran Chinese international Hao Haidong to a 2 1/2-year contract as a player- coach, although the 35 year old has yet to play in a first team game.
The team has been among the most active foreign clubs in establishing a presence in the China, where it already operates a soccer academy. -- AP
Brisbane to host Springboks' Tests
SYDNEY: Brisbane's Lang Park will host a Bledisloe Cup Test against New Zealand and a Tri-Nations rugby international against South Africa next year, the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) said on Friday.
It will be the first time the Wallabies have played a Bledisloe Cup Test against the All Blacks in Brisbane since 1996.
The ARU and Queensland Rugby Union (QRU) have finalized a one- year deal for the two Tests to be played at the 52,000-capacity Lang Park, saying the decision was in the best interests of Australian rugby fans.
"This year is the last of a seven-year deal with Telstra Stadium (Sydney Olympic stadium) to play the Bledisloe Cup at Homebush, so it is definitely time to give rugby fans in other parts of Australia the chance to see the biggest match on the Australian rugby calendar," ARU managing director Gary Flowers said in a statement. -- AFP