Bob advocates 40-week League

Calcutta: The I-League should run for 40 weeks, feels India coach Bob Houghton, adds A Staff Reporter.

“The I-League should run for 40 weeks with 16 teams taking part,” Houghton said at a news conference on Sunday.

He felt the AIFF should conduct another tournament like the Federation Cup in which age-group players from different clubs should participate. He also suggested that only age-group players should make up teams taking part in other tournaments and state leagues.

Italy to face France, Holland

Lucerne: World Cup champions Italy will play France, Holland and Romania in the toughest group drawn on Sunday for the Euro 2008 Championship. Greece begin the defence of their title against Russia, Spain and Sweden.

Co-hosts Switzerland are in the same group as Turkey, Portugal and Czech Republic, while the other co-hosts, Austria, were grouped with three-time champions Germany, Poland and Croatia.

Award for Kaka

Paris: AC Milan and Brazil playmaker Kaka was awarded the 2007 Ballon d’Or by a French football magazine on Sunday. Kaka beat Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal and Barcelona’s Lionel Messi of Argentina, who were second and third, respectively.

Jeev’s title hopes dashed

Tokyo: Jeev Milkha Singh came close to defending his title at the Golf Nippon Series JT Cup before a double bogey on the final hole forced him into tied third place on Sunday. He carded a two-under 68 for a nine-under 271, two shots behind champion Australian Brendan Jones.

In Siem Reap, Harmeet Kahlon signed off with two-under 70 to finish 10th in the Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open while Arjun Singh was tied 18th after a final round 73. In Queenstown, Daniel Chopra finished at tied 51st.

Sasi stretched to tie-breaker

Khanty Mansiysk: Krishnan Sasikiran missed several chances as GM Bartlomiej Macieja of Poland stretched their third round match into a tie-breaker in the World Chess Cup. (Agencies)