23-01-2014 … Timing pre-poned to accommodate Republic Day eve Presidential Address~

Goa: The much awaited football semi-finals and finals of the Lusofonia Games 2014 will be held at the newly renovated Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru stadium at Fatorda, Margao.The first semi-final match which was scheduled to be held at 5.30pm on 25^th January 2014 has however been pre-poned by an hour to 4.30 pm.

The football semi-finals and final are scheduled to be telecast on DD Sports throughout its extensive network.

The timing has been adjusted to accommodate the Republic Day eve Presidential address to the nation which is also scheduled on January 25.The kick-off for the January 25 semi-final match will now be held at 4.30 pm sharp. The decision has been suggested by the concerned technical delegate in consultation with the Competition Manager.

23-01-2014 … One medal isn’t enough for the outperforming dynamic Indian super squad. After the men battled against each other for the ‘Men’s doubles Bronze Medal’, an hour later the women found themselves fighting it out for the ‘Women’s Singles Gold’ title.

 It was a neck to neck game with both players determined to bag the Gold. Madhurika won the first set with a fierce motive. Self motivated and gushing with aggression Madhurika played with great intensity and skill. Shamini as her stature and game plan was composed and focused throughout. The match came down to a clenching nail biter as Shamini fought back with consistency in the last set beating her team mate with a final score of  4 – 2.

 Final score: 

5 – 11

11 – 5

11 – 7

5 – 11

11 – 7

11 – 3

 Madhurika Patkar and Shamini Kumaresan have represented India in the most prestigious championships in the world. Shamini had led the women’s squad in the Commonwealth Games 2010.

 Addressing the upcoming stars in India, The women’s singles champion Shamini said; “Work hard, give it all that you have and once you get to play for the country, you should play for the country more than yourself. Keep trying and don’t quit easily”. Inspiring and motivating words from the Gold medalist were absorbed with gratitude by the Indian youngsters.

 Honoured and proud to play for her country, Shamini Kumaresan said, “Table tennis is all about focus and concentration and i did that today. I aspire to be the best someday and be number one in India as well. I loved the support from the crowd. It was truly incredible, especially yesterday for the team matches. Hearing them cheer I felt like I had to play for THEM (India).

 When asked about her frame of mind and strategy while playing crucial games, Shamini said, “While playing table tennis you’re either in the composed or excited zone and if you’re excited it’s very difficult to get into the composed zone.  So it’s very important to maintain composure during the game.’

~

22-01-14: Sri Lanka on Tuesday became the first team to go through to the Semi Finals from Group A, thanks to a late equalizing goal by  Mohamed Zarwan Johar in the 91st minute.

Sao Tome and Principe dominated most of the game even as Sri Lanka weren’t able to score despite creating many chances for themselves.

Sri Lankan captain and goalkeeper Wstd Sujan Periera was put to the test over and over again and was forced to make some excellent saves throughout the game. But his goal was breached in the 29th minute by Sao Tome and Principe player Gastao Bastos in the 29th minute. They held on to the lead through full time, until the Mohamed Zarwan Johar late equalizer.

Speaking during the post-match press conference, Sri Lankan manager, Mr. Hasitha D. Gamage, said, “The players played very hard throughout the match and we are happy about the result.”

Sri Lankan goal scorer Zarwan added, “I’m a very young player and the extra time goal has taken us through to the semifinals. I’m very happy that I contributed to the team.”

 Sao Tome Coach/ Manager, Mr. Osualdo Deus Lima, said, “Nothing is lost yet and we will work hard to win against Macau. Our main objective now is to qualify for the next phase.”

22-01-14::  What was touted by most punters to have been a walk-in-the-park victory for the Indian volleyball squads, turned out to be anything but, as they fought tooth and nail in the final match day of the round robin tournament.

The women’s match, saw Mozambique battle the hosts every step of the way, trading point for point, before India finally clinched Round 1 with a score of 25-20, After a frenetic exchange at the beginning of Round 2, India surged ahead, and eventually saw the score end at 25-12, The score from Round 3 was 25-14

At the end of the proceedings, the Captain of the India team, Melinda Pereira, said, “Primarily, we have to thank God above all else. We also need to thank Mozambique, for a fantastic performance that really pushed us to the maximum of our abilities. We had a great run out, on all fronts, and it has been a fantastic performance for us.”

Head Coach, R.P Tailor, concurred with his Captain, saying, “I agree wholeheartedly that we needed to put out our best performance today, and at times, we were severely tested. But right from our service to blocking, we excelled overall, and as such, eventually prevailed.”

Amilton De Barros, the Head-Coach of Mozambique, said, “What you witnessed in the first set, was the true potential of this team. As a coach, all I can do is impart training. Beyond that, we have no control over the team’s performance. Therefore, all of the first set, and everything that you witnessed, all comes down to the girls. Considering that we have been in training for merely 3 months, the performance from the women has been supremely good.”

His Team Captain, Joquina Roque, stated, “Yesterday, we struggled on all fronts. We found it really difficult to play, under the most severe of circumstances. Today, you saw what was nearly a completely different team in terms of performance on-court. We lost a little focus when we lost the first set, but right up until that point, we were right in the game. Admittedly, we were beaten by the superior team.”

The following match, which was the stand-off between Macau and India’s men’s squads had spectators on edge, as the squads set out to decide what the tournament’s final standings would be.

In Round 1, there were glimpses of Macau’s form that they put on display against Mozambique, but they were eventually overcome by the Indian team, with the score being registered at 25-15 (Time: 21 Minutes). Round 2 saw a India returning with even greater resolve, in an attempt to overrun their opponents, and did so in sound fashion, registering a score of 25-13 (Time: 20 Minutes). The final set was played in near clinical style, with India going for the jugular, scoring 25-16 (Time: 20 Minutes).

Overcome with emotion, the Indian Captain, Rama Krishna Dhawasker stated, “We had only one thing on our mind, and that was to play for the gold. Nothing else would do. Having steeled ourselves with that attitude, the rest was fairly straightforward.”

Lo Si U, Captain of the Macau team, looked back on the tournament fondly, saying, “India are a very powerful side, and their victory was warranted. I felt that we started just on level footing, but halfway into the first set, they completely took over and dominated.”

Head Coach of the squad, Sou Tong Man, spoke on the team’s performance, saying, “I reiterate what I said yesterday as well. After watching the game between Mozambique and Goa-India, we decided to work with a tactical approach to the game. Clearly, our opponents were superior, but I felt we had a good run out in this tournament.”

Ecstatic about the result, The coach of the India squad, A Venkatesan, said, “I want to thank everybody involved in making this tournament a success. We came with a physical and mental mindset to do our very best, and I think our players managed to do just that.”

21-01-2014 … : Goa could soon emerge as a global beach volleyball destination according to Irwin Soares tournament director and chairman beach volleyball at the Lusofonia Games 2014. Even before the first smash is slammed on the golden sand at Miramar beach,

Soares claims that offers have already started coming in from across the globe for holding beach volleyball tourneys in Goa.

 “Beach volleyball is a wonderful event and Goa is the most appropriate place for beach volleyball, and it is going to be marked on the world map. We have been getting offers for international events in Goa and are very happy with the press as they are promoting us. Lusofonia Games have not even started and we are getting offers,” Soares claims, stating that beach volleyball arrangements can be compared to the best in the world.

 Soares also said that the sport will be played out over seven to eight days with Portugal, Angola,Sri Lanka and India being the top teams and would be a great attraction during the Lusofonia Games 2014.

Pradeep John, competition manager, beach volley ball, said that from January 22-26 over 50 matches would be played at Miramar during the competitions .

 “Four matches are going to be held in the morning session. Then there will be a break and the next session will start at 4.30 pm,” he said, claiming that the break had been planned in a way so as to avoid the day’s heat.

 “There are three practice courts and a practice schedule is given to the participating teams and there is ample of time for them to practice,” John further said.

 According to team Goa-India’s head coach Surya Sawant, India’s chances of winning a medal in the sport are good. “We have very good teams. Their performance has improved and there is a positive sign in their capability and their ability to perform. I’m sure they will make Goans proud,” Sawant said.

21-01-2014 : There was everything to play for at the Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium at Taleigao today, with Mozambique as well as Macau needing that crucial win to realistically stand chance at getting their grip on the top two positions. 

In the women’s match, Macau surged ahead in the first set. At one point the team secured a near 10-point lead over their African counterparts, only to see Mozambique claw their way back, before Macau took the set 25-20 (Time: 22 Minutes). Round 2, saw a similarly close result, with a marginal difference of 25-17 (Time: 23 Minutes). The score from Round 3 was 25-10 (Time: 21 Minutes). 

At the game’s end, the Captain of the Macau team, Lei Sin Kuan, said, “We have had a great learning and developing experience here. Having played both games, we have, as a team, come to understand, the different natures of the two sides we have played. India has proven to be more meticulous in terms of work ethic, but Mozambique has been just as aggressive.” 

The Head Coach, N.G Wai Keong agreed with his fearless leader’s statement, saying, “I am in agreement with our captain, and support what she has indicated about a fantastic performance from both squads, but would like to acknowledge a great performance from our team today.” 

His counterpart, the Head-Coach of Mozambique, Amilton De Barros said, “There is no doubt that we fielded our strongest possible squad out there. However, that being said, we were put to the sword from the word ‘go’.” 
The Mozambican team’s spokesperson, Team Captain, Elisa Simbine, who spoke on the team’s shortcomings kept it brief when she said, “I would not like to say anything more, other than acknowledge a superb performance from our opponents.” 

The second match, between the men’s squads had both teams with the bit between their teeth as they both slugged it out for court supremacy. In Round 1, the teams went at it point for point, with a hotly contested, long drawn first set eventually ending with a controversial spike in favour of the Mozambican team 31-29 (Time: 33 Minutes). Round 2 saw a combative effort from Macau being overturned by Mozambique, with the scores at 25-19 (Time: 23 Minutes). The final set was played out with a result being recorded, identical to the second set, at 25-19 (Time: 22 Minutes). 
In victorious elation, the Captain of the Mozambique squad Nuvunga Aldevino Enoque Fernando, stated, “We came here with a plan. A plan to walk away from our second fixture victorious, and I feel that we managed to do just that. It felt good to get one victory under our belt, and I think that it was a largely down to a matter of asserting our superiority over our opponents.” 

Lo Si U, Captain of the Macau team, in turn believed, “I felt that we started well, but they took over halfway through. Their spikers and blockers were very powerful.

That being said, we have thoroughly enjoyed the tournament thus far.” His Coach, Sou Tong Man, justified his approach and performance during the game, saying, “We watched the game between Mozambique and Goa-India very closely.

We noted down a lot of the game-play employed by both teams, and had an early morning meeting to discuss the same. We knew that we would be physically inferior to our opponents today, and as such decided to employ a more tactical approach to the game.” 

On the victory, the coach of the African squad, Jose Efrain Solano Peraza, said, “I assured everyone after our first match, that our second effort would show greater resolve and promise. I think that we have delivered on those fronts. Yesterday, we were overcome by our opponents, but we were in a much better place today, both physically and mentally, and as such, we prevailed.”

21-01-2014 : The 3^rd Lusofonia Games 2014 announces its first Gold Medal. Guess who? Yes, you are absolutely right – it’s our very own Indian Women’s team in the sport of Table Tennis.  

The Indian women’s performance was nothing short of spectacular! The ladies did not let any country take away their prefixed goal for the Gold. They came – they saw – they conquered!

The women’s team – Patkar Madhurika, Ankita Das, Tanisi Kirtani & Shamini Kumaresan brought out their ‘A’ game and trampled over their opponents undefeated till the very end. The focus, determination and unmatched precision of our players under the guidance of coach Peter Engel was the focal point of the game-play that guaranteed the Gold Medal. Our 11 yr old, youngest table tennis star of the nation – Tanisi Kirtani displayed magnificent skills in Round 4. Shamini Kumaresan won the 1^st game of the match for India with a calm but fierce offense against Joana Mota. Ankita Das & Madhurika Patkar went on to win straight games against Portugal, dominating the league. The Portugal players aggression was evident as a result of the flaming offense of the Indian players, & as such, finally succumbed to the pure pressure of the home team.