Smiley’s World

Tennis Sensation from India Sania Mirza was crashed out from the 120th Wimbledon 2006 yesterday on Day 3 of the championship. Sania played with 7th seed Elena Dementiava of Russia and lost in straight sets 7-6 (7/5), 7-5 after a keenly fought contest on Court 13. The 19-year-old from Hyderabad, playing at only her second Championships at the All England Club, lost the first set on a tight tie-break after leading in it 4-1 before her Russian opponent closed out the second set 7-5.

The Indian was beaten in the second round at wimbledon last year by fifth seed and eventual quarterfinalist Svetlana Kuznetsova.

Her best performance in a Grand Slam to date came last year when she reached the fourth round of the US Open at Flushing Meadow.

I think that she has to focus hard on her fitness and game now in order to fulfill her dream of winning a Grandslam. I felt she has put on lots of weight lately and she must shed the excess pounds she has put on and become more agile on the court. Her attitude and aggression is no doubt amazing.

First Match: Brazil vs Ghana

As I expected the Brazil won the match 3-0 agianst and secured the birth in Quarter Finals. More than the win I think World Champions will be celebrating other records that were broken yesterday.

1. Foremost was Ronaldo getting his 15th World Cup goal, becoming the all-time leading scorer in the tournament. He netted the milestone in the fifth minute after a brilliant step-over that beat goalkeeper of Ghana.

2. Cafu became the Brazilian player with the most World Cup appearances, 19, and Carlos Alberto Parreira moved up to fourth on the list of most matches as a coach at the World Cup, also with 19.

3. In addition, Brazil scored its 200th and 201st goals, and increased its winning streak in the tournament to 11 matches: seven in 2002 and four at this event.

Though Ghana lost the match I think they had really played well in this world cup and reached to knock out round and were beaten by world champions. They would have gained confidence and learnt a lot from this game.

Second Match: France vs Spain

Two late goals from Patrick Vieira and Zinedine Zidane gave France a 3-1 win over Spain and a place in the quarterfinals of the World Cup in Hanover on Tuesday. Spain had opened the scoring on 28 minutes, striker David Villa firing home from a penalty. Everything was a place for a dramatic second-half fight after France levelled shortly before the break. Vieira who headed in at the far post in the 83rd minute after a free kick had been deflected towards his own goal by Spain’s Xabi Alonso. Finally Zinedine Zidane sealed the french victory in the stoppage time beating spanish goal keeper.

French clash with cup holders Brazil — is it going to be a repeat of the 1998 final won by France??? or Brazil are going to prove why they are champions??? Well we have to wait and watch. But no matter what I am sure this is going to be an exciting encounter .

The Championships, Wimbledon, commonly referred to as simply “Wimbledon”, oldest and arguably most prestigious event in the sport of tennis was started yesterday. This is the 120th wimbledon championship. Most of the first days matches were postponed to second day due to rain. I was again watching wimbledon final of 2001 between Goran Ivanisevic from Croatia and Pat Rafter the Aussie. This is one the most exciting final match I have ever seen. It was match of extreme importance to both players because it was Goran’s 4th wimbledon final and he had never won the championship earlier. Rafter was appearing in his 2nd consecutive wimbledon final. He had won 2 US grand slams though. The atmosphere was electrifying at centre court of ALL ENGLAND TENNIS CLUB. Each and every point was cheered by the crowd. The match lasted for about 3 hours and Ivanisevic could finally fulfill his dream of winning wimbledon crown. It was a five set encounter between the two 6-feet odd giants. The Aussie cricketers were there to cheer Rafter. It was a game of incredible serves, volleys, passing shots, unforced errors, winners and what not.

The emotions were high all through the match. I wanted Ivanisevic to win though and he did win. The score was 6-3,3-6,6-3,2-6,9-7. No matter who won it was an icredible match that I can never forget.

Now then the big question is “Is federer gonna win wimbledon for record fourth time and enter into history books along side Byon Borg and Pete Sampras or Will French Champion stop him from doing so???”. I think the swiss rules on grass as the spaniard rules on clay. I bet on Federer will be tough for Nadal on Grass surface…

First Match: Italy vs Australia
Another questionable call in this World Cup showed Italy the way to the quarterfinal Monday, giving the Italians a penalty kick that Francesco Totti converted for the 1-0 win as time expired. Substitute Francesco Totti scored a penalty in the fifth minute of stoppage time to give 10-man Italy birth in Quarter Finals. It was a moment of dissapointment for Australians. They played hard and gave tough fight but could not capitalize on 10-man Italy. The Autralians fans were heart broken and Italians fans were excited. I personally feel that it was a tough call by the referee for Australia. But no matter what Italy is into Quarters.

Second Match: Ukraine vs Switzerland

Ukraine won a place in the quarter-finals of the World Cup with a 3-0 penalty shootout win over Switzerland, after a disappointing clash in Cologne ended goalless. Penalties proved to be a disaster for the Swiss, as Shovkovskiy saved from Streller and Cabanas and Barnetta hit the crossbar and when Gusev slammed his spot-kick home, Ukraine had won 3-0 and earned a showdown with Italy in the last eight.

First Match: Germany vs Sweden

Now that all the preliminary rounds are over the FIFA World Cup 2006 matches have become even more exciting. It is now do or die situation for the teams as the Knock out rounds have started. Last weekend I was glued to the television set watching all the matches. The first knockout match was between host Germany and Sweden which majority of you may have guessed who would Win. Yes Germans won the match by 2-0 and have entered the Quarter Finals of the Tournament. Day after day German team is looking strong and serious contender for the trophy this Year.

Second Match: Argentina vs Mexico

The Second match was between Argentina and Mexico and most of them including me were of opinion that it would be easy for Argentina to beat mexicans. But it was totally different scenario in the match the Mexicans gave a very tough fight and even they were first ones to score a goal that too in 8th minute. Argentina equalled in 10th minute through the corner crespo taking the credit of the goal. After that the real struggle began for argentina. They were denied by the mexican goalie on numerous occasion for a goal. The match went into the extra time and Argentinians had to do some thing extra-ordinary to score a goal and that was they did. In the 98th minute of the match MAXY RODRIGUEZ hit a incredible left foot strike of the chest into the goal. I reckon this was the best goal of the tournament I have seen. Finally argentina won the match 2-1 but it was an exciting match.

So Argentina are through to the Quarter-finals and guess who are they gonna meet?? It is Germany. Boy this is goin to be one hell of a match. I am not gonna miss it at any cost.

Third Match: England vs Ecuador

The first match of the Day 2 knockout was between England and Ecuador. The English team looked struggling to make goal. Remember Owens is out and I still feel Rooney is not 100% fit. That is the reason why I think it took such along time for them to score . It was in 60th minute of the game that England managed to score. Beckham bending the soccer ball from 20yards away into the nets. Even though Engaland won the match and are thru to the quarter finals I am of an opinion that this was a lacklustre performance from the english team and they have to raise the level of their game if they have to win the trophy.

Fourth Match: Portugal vs Netherlands

Portugal advanced thru a nasty encounter with Netherlands. 8 Yellow cards and 4 Red cards were given the match. Now you can imagine how the match would have gone. I have never seen so many cards been given in a single match till date. Maniche scored the only goal of the match for Portugal in 23rd minute that would take them into the Quarter finals of the FIFA WORLD CUP 2006.

Portugal will be meeting England now in the Quarter Finals.

Well Well Well watching Fifa 2006 has been awesome and amazing experience till date. It is all there in Germany the excitement of fans. The packed arenas. Wish I was there .