Defoe says farewell to Spurs
LONDON: Jermain Defoe admitted he was overcome with emotion as the Tottenham striker said farewell to White Hart Lane on Thursday. Defoe, fifth on Tottenham’s all-time goal-scoring list, will jet off to Canada this week to start his spell with FC Toronto after agreeing to join the MLS club during the January transfer window. The 31-year-old hit 143 goals for Spurs in two spells with the club and is their all-time leading scorer in European competition with 23 goals. Defoe had hoped to make one last appearance in front of the Spurs fans when Ukrainian outfit Dnipro visited north London for a Europa League last 32 second leg tie on Thursday. But, with a hamstring injury sidelining the England international, Defoe, had to say goodbye during half-time instead. Former West Ham forward Defoe was given a standing ovation as he walked onto the White Hart Lane turf for the last time and, speaking in an on-pitch interview, he made it clear Spurs will always retain a special place in his heart. “I’m speechless to be honest,” he said. “I remember it like yesterday when I signed and walked onto the pitch and the reception was fantastic. It’s something I will always appreciate. “I definitely have to say I will always remember the Wigan game when I scored five goals. I think I was the third player to get five in a Premier League game and to win a game 9-1 was a massive thing. “I still think about the goals now and yes, I am going to miss this place, It’s been part of my life and my family, it’s a special place.” (Agencies)
South Africa take on Pakistan in U19 World Cup final today
Dubai: South Africa will aim to break the title drought when they lock horns with two-time champion Pakistan in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup final at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, here on Saturday. South Africa finished runner-up in the 2002 and 2008 tournaments while Pakistan remains the only side to win back-to-back titles when they triumphed in 2004 and 2006 in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka respectively. On head to head, the two sides have met only once in the history of this competition when South Africa defeated Pakistan by 98 runs according to the Duckworth-Lewis Method in Kuala Lumpur in 2008. South Africa is the only side which is unbeaten so far in the World Cup. They defeated the West Indies by 94 runs, Canada by 45 runs, Zimbabwe by seven wickets, Afghanistan by nine wickets in the quarter-final and Australia by 80 runs in the semi-final. In contrast, Pakistan started their campaign with a 40-run defeat against India and then achieved victory from the jaws of defeat against England in the semi-final by three wickets. In between, they beat Scotland by 146 runs, Papua New Guinea by 145 runs and Sri Lanka in the quarter-final by 121 runs. (PTI)
Pune FC confirms signing of Australian striker Pavlovic
Pune: Pune FC on Friday confirmed the signing of Croatian-born Australian striker Mirjan Pavlovic for the remainder of the 2013-14 I-league season. Mirjan thus becomes the club’s fifth signing of the transfer window after Nicolau Borges, Zeeshan Rahaman, Gabriel Fernandes and Lester Fernandez. The Australian replaces fellow countryman James Meyer and joins the squad in the Asian quota. The 24-year old striker arrived earlier in the morning and completed formalities before having a training session with rest of the team at the Balewadi Stadium. Speaking on the signing, Pune FC Head Operations Chirag Tanna said, “I would like to welcome Mirjan to Pune and would like to wish him the very best of luck. Mirjan’s addition would help with the balance of the squad and he will have an important role to play for the remainder of the I-League and during the AFC Cup.” Pune FC coach Mike Snoei said, “I am very happy that he has finally arrived. Mirjan is a strong guy and hopefully he can get us a few goals.”(PTI)