Podium finish for Chandhok

Monte Carlo: India’s Karun Chandhok recorded his first podium finish of the 2008 GP2 series here on Friday, finishing third in the biggest race of the season around Monte Carlo’s fabled streets.

The 24-year-old rose from sixth on the grid to grab the final place on the podium. He jumped ahead of series leader Giorgio Pantano off the start line and moved up to fourth in the later part of the race.

Chandhok chased Mike Conway for the final position on the podium and with the gap coming down at over a second a lap, back marker Javier Villa collided with Conway at the chicane sending the Englishman wide and allowing Chandhok through.

The Indian was able to negotiate his way past their collision and finish third, while his teammate Bruno Senna won the race.

5 wins for Indian boys

New Delhi: India under-14 football team creditably wound up their AFC Festival of Football, winning all five matches of the competition in Tehran.

India had beaten Maldives (5-1), Bhutan (3-1), Sri Lanka (4-0) and Afghanistan (1-0) while losing to Pakistan 0-1 in the format I — 30 minute match.

In format II, which is of 60 minute duration, India beat Pakistan 1-0 but lost to Nepal (0-1) and Iran (0-2). A total of 176 children from eight countries — Bhutan, Afghanistan, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, India and host Iran — participated in the event and in all, 36 matches will be played in the five-day long festival which started on May 18.

Owen to miss friendlies

London: Michael Owen will miss England’s friendlies against the United States and Trinidad and Tobago after he withdrew from the squad because of illness.

The Football Association said Friday that Owen had “an infectious virus.”

The squad met Friday, although the nine Manchester United and Chelsea players, who were involved in this week’s Champions League final were given an extra day off and will report to coach Fabio Capello on Saturday.

David Beckham will report on Sunday following the Los Angeles Galaxy’s game with Kansas City a day earlier.

Chowrasia at tied 12th position

Virginia Water (England): Jeev Milkha Singh’s nightmarish opening round of six-over 78 jeopardises his chance of making cut at the euro 4.5m BMW Open even though compatriot S.S.P. Chowrasia moved to tied 12th after bringing home a card of 70.

Shiv Kapur turned in a card of one-under 71 to be tied 26th, while Jyoti Randhawa stood tied 59th after an erratic round of 73. Jeev faltered on a treacherous front nine, dropping as many as five bogeys. On his way back, the seasoned campaigner did birdie the 11th and 18th holes but that was of little consolation as he dropped three shots in between to stutter to 78.

In contrast, Indian Masters winner Chowrasia finally seemed to have got his rhythm back. He cancelled out a bogey treble with three birdies and went on to fire an eagle on the par-five 12th hole to stay in the hunt for a decent finish. Ireland’s Paul McGinley blasted seven-under 65 to grab the opening round lead.

Atwal at 38th spot

Woodmore (US): Arjun Atwal’s even-par opening round of 72 had the Orlando-based Indian at tied 38th in the $650,000 Melwood Prince George’s County Open on the nationwide tour here.

At the top of the table, Jeff Klauk fired eight-under 64 to open up a two-shot lead over Matt Weibring and Andy Bare.

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