The Island, Monday 19th June, 2006 NUREMBERG, Germany (AP) - the better chances in the first half and Japan and Croatia played to a 0-0 draw would have taken the lead if not for sev- Sunday, a result that leaves both teams eral good saves from Kawaguchi. in danger of failing to advance at the Kranjcar hit the crossbar with a World Cup. blast from the top of the area in the Both teams had numerous chances to 28th. win the Group F match but solid goal- Japan's best chance in the opening Japan, keeping on both sides left the teams half came when Hidetoshi Nakata rifled with just one point with one match a long-range blast in the 37th minute remaining. Japan faces defending that goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa got a champion Brazil in its final match hand on after diving to his left. while Croatia plays Australia. In the 89th, Japan substitute Masashi Croatia had the best chance to score Oguro had a chance to win it but he but Darijo Srna's penalty kick was couldn't control a pass from Noahiro Croatia in saved by Japan goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Takahara. Kawaguchi, who dove to his left to stop Croatia coach Zlatko Krancjar sent the low shot. in substitutes Ivan Bosnjak, Ivica Olic In the 21st, Japan captain Tsuneyasu and Luka Modric late in the match but Miyamoto took down Dado Prso down the changes failed to provide results. in the area, drawing the penalty and a In the second minute of injury time, yellow card. Olic started a three-on-two break but 0-0 draw Croatia again came close in the 54th failed to connect with Prso. minute with Niko Kranjcar lunging for Both teams are making their third a pass from Ivan Klasnic and missing straight World Cup appearance. The wide of the post. Trying to boost his offensive last time the teams met, Croatia defeat- chances, Japan coach Zico sent in ed Japan 1-0 at the 1998 World Cup in Junichi Inamoto to start the second half France. in place of Takashi Fukunishi. Keiji Japan lost its opening match to Tamada came on Australia 3-1. Croatia lost to Brazil 1-0. in the 61st minute, replac- ing Atsushi Yanagisawa. Japan came close early in the second half. Match Results (17/6) Today (SL time) Akira Kaji sent a cross to Portugal 2-0 Iran Togo Vs Switzerland (6.30pm) Yanagisawa, Czech Rep. 0-2 Ghana Saudi Arabia Vs Ukraine (8.30pm) who redirected the pass wide of Italy 1-1 USA Spain Vs Tunisia (12.30am) the post. Croatia had More on World Cup – For more ‘FIFA Foot Ball World Cup’ results and stories, please turn to our supplement World View – Pg. VII. MCA-Singer Premier K/O HNB – Sampath joint champs GERMANY, Nuremberg: Croatian forward Dado Prso (L) vies with Japanese defender Alessandro Santos dur- ing the World Cup 2006 group F football match Japan Vs Croatia, 18 June 2006 at Nuremberg stadium. AFP / by Reemus Fernando Toshifumi Kitamura Hatton National Bank 'A' and Sampath Bank 'A' were declared joint PoW in fine start Inter-club ‘A’ Division Rugby champions after bad weather ham- by Reemus Fernando pered proceedings in the Singer-MCA Defending Champions Prince of Wales, Moratuwa, Premier League knockout finals at pulled off an easy first innings victory over Moratu Havies beat Army 39-14 NCC grounds yesterday. Vidyalaya in their U-17 Division-I inter-school season The much anticipated finals had to be abandoned without a ball being opener held at Moratuwa on Saturday. bowled as rain prevailed throughout While Chamesh Fernando and Ramesh Thirimanna the day, yesterday. completed well made half centuries, D. Sellapperuma Both teams waited in the dressing (49 n.o.), Lahiru Lakmal (46 n.o.) and Dilan Silva (40) room until afternoon, anticipating a contributed with useful knocks for the Cambrians in their probable commencement to play but first innings. Chief Scores: soggy ground conditions made the two Prince of Wales 273 for 5 wkts. in 52 overs (C. umpires call off play late in the after- Fernando 50, R. Thirimanna 63, D. Silva 40, D. Sellaperuma noon. 49 n.o, L. Lakmal 46 n.o) Moratu Vidyalaya 202 all out (M. Bandara 74, D. Kumara 39, H. Peiris 45; Shivantha Langappuli 4-34, P.A. Alwis 3-28, S. Fernando 3-28). Srimantha (58), Chanaka (6/26) guide Petes A fine half century by Srimantha Wijeratne (58) and an impressive spell of bowling by off spinner Chanaka Fernando (6/26) helped St. Peter's College coast to a vital first innings win over Nalanda in their inaugural U- 59 17 Division-1 match played at Bambalapitiya on Saturday. Chief Scores: St. Peter's 212 for 8 wkts. decld. in 50 overs (S. Wijeratne 58, Chathura Peiris 35, Vinod Perera 26 n.o.; N. Gunatarne 2-41, P. Jayasinghe 2-47, T. Munaweera 3-51) and 22 for no loss at close and Nalanda 107 all out in 33.3 overs (C. Fernando 6-26, Chathura Peiris 3-40). TRUCK & BUS TYRES INDONESIAN ORIGIN Army SC player is being tackled by a Havelock ruggerite during yesterday’s ‘A’ Division Inter-club League Rugby encounter between the two teams held at Havelocks grounds. The home team won the match convincingly by 39- 14. Pic. by Sajith Jayasekara D RIVING T O T HE F UTURE by Revata S. Silva Meanwhile Army’s Nishantha A gritty second-half display by Jayasuriya recorded a first half try. 10.00x20-16PR = Rs. 18,768.00 (Nett) Havelocks SC, who scored four scintillat- Herathge Karunaratne came up with ing post-interval tries to bounce back from another try and T.A. Silva converted both 11.00x20-16PR = Rs. 20,493.00 (Nett) a 7-7 half time score, earned them a con- of them. vincing 39-14 win over Army SC in their ‘A’ * The tyre has 5 ribs pattern for general purpose. le in division Inter-club League rugby Provides better mileage and curbing damage encounter at Havelocks Grounds yesterday. * vailabizes Havelocks (39) scored four goals, a try resistance on the shoulder. er S lso Ath and two penalties against two goals scored A O WE ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS. by the Army (14). LINER EXPRESS (LE) Hooker Kasun Yasaisuru’s touch down opened the Havies’ account and Bandara S. K. MUNASINGHE MOTORS Dissanayake (Flanker), Ruvan Suranga Sole Distributor for Dunlop Tyres & Tubes in Sri Lanka (Central) and Dulip Methruwan (Full back) 436, Havelock Road, Colombo - 06 followed him giving the home team the Tel: 2589432/2590313/2598861 Fax: 2502258 edge over the Army in the second half. E-mail => [email protected] Havies scored a penalty try too. Sajith Bandara made four conversions to add to BUY THE BEST BUY DUNLOP TYRES his successful scoring of two penalties. Published by Upali Newspapers Ltd, 223, Bloemendhal Road, Colombo 13. and Printed at 195/187, High Level Road, Homagama on Monday 19th June, 2006.