Iran prepared to expand ties with Malawi: Mottaki

Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki in Malawi on Thursday expressed Iran’s interest in expansion of comprehensive ties with the African country.

In a meeting with Malawian President Bingu Wa Mutharika, Mottaki said that expansion of ties with African countries is among Iran’s priorities, adding that the Islamic Republic is prepared to develop comprehensive relations with Malawi.

The foreign minister also conveyed the message of Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad to Mutharika and invited him to visit Iran.

The Malawian president, for his part, expressed his country’s willingness to boost cooperation with the Islamic Republic.

Malawi's agriculture and tourism sectors can provide Iranian companies with suitable opportunities for investment, Mutharika noted.

NZ 85 Malawi 26

New Zealand have opened the defence of their netball world championship title in emphatic style with an 85-26 defeat of Malawi in Auckland.

Irene Van Dyke led the way as the Silver Ferns took an 18 point lead to the first break.

While Malawi struggled to convert, Van Dyke couldn't put a foot wrong sinking 42 shots from 42 attempts before she was subbed off in the final quarter.

The African side showed occasional flashes of brilliance but was starved of the ball for much of the match.

Tournament favourites Australia begin their campaign tomorrow against sixth-ranked Samoa.

Silver Ferns smash Malawi

Silver Ferns 85 - Malawi 26
The Silver Ferns have opened the Netball World Championships with a massive win over Malawi.

Malawi had talked up their chances against the defending champions before the tournament's first game at west Auckland's Trusts Stadium but were completely overmatched.

With centre Laura Langman showing no ill-effects from her recent stress-fracture of the foot and wing-attack Adine Wilson and goal-shoot Irene van Dyk in sharp form as well, the Silver Ferns' attack was far too fast and skillful for their opponents.

Unable to find a way through the Silver Ferns' rugged through-court defence and making numerous errors, Malawi were given no chance to play their favoured, possession-at-all-costs game which has seen them previously string together over 60 passes before sinking a goal.

New Zealand's feast of possession saw van Dyk shoot the perfect game, sinking 42 shots from 42 attempts before she was subbed off for the final 15 minutes.

The Silver Ferns led 23-5 at the end of the first quarter, the tone set by a Casey Williams intercept off Malawi's opening pass.

New Zealand notched up six goals before Malawi sunk their first goal, to rapturous applause from a supportive full house.

Malawi was restricted to just six shots on goal for the entire 15 minutes, missing only once.

By halftime the Ferns were up 45-10 and coach Ruth Aitken rang the changes at halftime, bringing on Maria Tutaia for Te Huna at goal-attack, Julie Seymour for Joline Henry at wing-defence and Leana de Bruin for Williams at the back.

At the end of the third quarter New Zealand led 63-19 and Aitken brought Te Huna back at goal-shoot for the final spell, van Dyk earning a rare rest on the bench.

Maree Bowden also took over the centre's bib from Langman.

While the match was an acceptably clinical performance from the Silver Ferns, Aitken still has plenty to work on, with the occasional lapse in concentration and miscommunication showing there is still room for improvement.

New Zealand captain Adine Wilson said value could be gained from the match, even though it was so one-sided.

"I think we take a lot actually because for us it was about getting the confidence to let the ball go and I really felt that build throughout the match," Wilson told Sky Television.

"We threw a few away at the start, a little bit of nerves, but the girls were just having fun out there."

Wilson was pleased to see centre Langman back after the lively playmaker had spent the past month recovering from her injury.

"She's been great. She was always going to be fine, she's such a tough little thing," Wilson said.

Langman back, bye George

Laura Langman could play against Malawi tonight after being declared fit for the world championships.

The dynamic midcourter sustained a foot stress fracture six weeks ago, but has been back on court training this week and looked comfortable in Auckland yesterday.

"It's definitely great to be back in and being a part of the team unit again, all the girls are saying one more sleep and we can't wait to get out there," Langman said yesterday.

Langman is no longer feeling the effects of the injury and said she was able to train without pain.

"It's fine, hopefully it will behave itself.

"I've just been really stoked with the medical team, the plan was absolutely perfect and as long as that keeps on this wavelength we should be really good." The news ended all of the speculation about a possible return by former vice-captain Temepara George, with coach Ruth Aitken confirming the initial squad of 12 will be the team that takes part in the tournament.

"When we choose the team we believed this was a team that would go all the way, it's great to see the work they've done and I'm delighted with the group that I have," Aitken said.

The coach added that Langman's tournament would be balanced in much the same way as the rest of the squad, allowing time both to rest and also to build on-court confidence.

However, she did confirm Langman is available for selection for tonight's romp against Malawi.

"She sure is, she's ready to play right now I think," Aitken said.

"She's in the frame, whether she makes the court will be interesting she will have to push past another couple of players first." One player who will be out on court is goal keep Casey Williams.

Williams tasted the unique style of Malawi at last year's Commonwealth Games where at one stage they made 64 passes from the centre pass before scoring the goal.

There is little doubt about the result of the game but it will be a chance to see how well the Silver Ferns can adapt their style on court.

"Sometimes it's quite frustrating because you're not used to that, you're like `oh my goodness is it going to come into the circle or is it going to go out there'," Williams said.

"We will probably try to be more proactive than reactive, try to force the ball where we want it to go or just have a go actually."

Malawi captain Peace Chawinga has already said her team planned on sticking with its unorthodox style which has seen it beat South Africa recently and finish within 30 goals of the Silver Ferns last year.

"They have to run, if they want to win against Malawi they will have to run and work for it," she said.

"We are going to make sure there are going to be some upsets, we believe in ourselves that we are the best," Chawinga said, with admirable confidence.

But in reality the focus is going to be on the Silver Ferns who really need a big winning margin to help boost their confidence after a year of average results, including their losses to England and Australia.

There is expected to be considerable experimentation on court for the Silver Ferns this week, as they prepare for the business end of the tournament which is likely to include a semifinal against Jamaica on Friday and a final against Australia or England.

"We will be looking at making sure the players get enough time out there to feel confident, and hopefully enough to stay fresh at the end," Aitken said.

"How you manage that is always a challenge of world championships."

THE SQUADS New Zealand: Adine Wilson (c), Maree Bowden, Leana de Bruin, Paula Griffin, Joline Henry, Laura Langman, Sheryl Scanlan, Julie Seymour, Jodi Te Huna, Maria Tutaia, Irene van Dyk, Casey Williams. Malawi: Peace Chawinga (c), Anne Kapatuka, Sylvia Malenga, Ester Kayira, Ruth Kaipa, Linda Magombo, Emma Mdzagada, Beatrice Mpinganjira, Merenia Gedion, Caroline Mtukule, Esther Nkhoma, Mary Waya. Television - Sky Sport 1: 6.30pm, with the opening ceremony followed by the game at 8.10pm. TV One: 7.30pm, with highlights of the opening ceremony followed by the game at 8.10pm.