India lose to Afghanistan 0-3
Al Khobar: India ended their AFC U-19 Championship qualifying campaign with a 0-3 loss to Afghanistan here on Sunday.The Afghans scored thrice in the first half, racing to an early lead at the Prince Saud bin Jalawi Stadium. The Indians did try to pull it back, creating scoring opportunities in the second half, and even hit the crossbar twice. The loss ended India’s campaign with three consecutive losses. The match began with Afghanistan taking a quick lead in the second minute through captain Ahmad Ramaki, who scored from a melee in the six-yard box after a corner kick. (PTI)
No takers for Figo, Kaka, Puyol
Karachi: Legendary footballers Luis Figo, Kaka, Carles Puyol and Nicolas Anelka were disappointed to see a sparse crowd turn up for their exhibition match in Karachi, which is part of an initiative to promote the game in Pakistan. The six-a-side exhibition game which was held at the Rahat Stadium on Saturday between Kaka XI and local side, Karachi FC, saw just a few hundred people in attendance. Many attributed it to the expensive pricing of tickets which were sold at 8000 rupees each. “It is to uplift the sport of football in Pakistan,” World Soccer Stars organiser Robert Head said in a statement. (PTI)
Haney defends WBC title
Los Angeles:Unbeaten Devin Haney successfully defended his WBC lightweight title for the first time with a unanimous decision over Alfredo Santiago on Saturday night. American Haney, who turns 21 on November 17, knocked Santiago down in the fifth round of a surprisingly close fight at Staples Center Arena in Los Angeles. This was Haney’s first defence of the 135-pound title which was given to him after it was vacated by top-ranked Vasiliy Lomachenko who was then awarded new title of WBC “franchise champion”. Haney won every round on the judges’ scorecards but Santiago made him work for the victory. All three judges scored it 120-107 for Haney, who was the heavy favourite going into the bout but couldn’t give the American boxing crowd the knockout they were craving. Haney said after the fight that he thought he dislocated his right shoulder in the fight but couldn’t remember in which round. (AFP)