Pune out of AFC Cup after draw
Nay Pyi Taw: Pune FC played out a 3-3 draw against Nay Pyi Taw FC in an AFC Cup group match to virtually end their hopes of advancing to the next stage here on Tuesday. Substitute striker Thongkhoseim Haokip (36th minute) put Pune FC ahead in the first half before striker Aung Naing (42nd) equalised for the hosts three minutes before the break in the Group H Round 5 encounter at the Paung Laung Stadium. Pune once again took the lead through midfielder Arata Izumi (55th) before strikes from Nyien Tazar Win (62nd) and Khaing Htoo (72nd) put Nay Pyi Taw in the lead. However, defender Calum Angus struck in 80th minute to pull Pune FC level. Skipper Douhou Pierre wasted a penalty early on in the second half as the Red Lizards fell short of recording their first-ever win on the continental stage. Pune FC’s third draw in the group stage saw them stay fourth in the table with three points and virtually ended their hopes of progression to the next round. (PTI)
Churchill in must-win match today
Margao: Churchill Brothers will look to turn things around as they take on Persipura Jayapura of Indonesia in a must-win situation in the penultimate round of Group E in the AFC Cup, to be played at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda here on Wednesday. Persipura Jayapura, who are unbeaten with three wins and a draw, are leading the table with 10 points from four matches. A win or a draw on Wednesday will see them become the first team to qualify from this group. Churchill have won two and lost two and have six points, four behind Persipura. The clash is equally important for both teams as the Indonesians, who have beaten Churchill at home, just need a draw to advance to the next round. The Goans, however, cannot afford to lose as it will jepordise their chance to make it to the knockout stage. (PTI)
India to host Serbia in Davis Cup
New Delhi: India will take on Serbia at home in the Davis Cup World Group play-offs to be held from September 12-14, raising the possibility of multiple Grand Slam winner and world number two Novak Djokovic touching down in the country. Serbia will face India for the second time in three years in a bid to maintain their World Group status, having defeated India 4-1 on their most recent foray into the top tier of the competition in the first round in 2011. The Indian Davis Cup team on Sunday entered the World Group playoffs after notching up a historic away triumph over South Korea in the Group I Asia/Oceania second round tie at Busan. Serbia, who lost 2-3 to Switzerland in the World Group first round in February, have not featured in the zonal competition since 2007, the year they defeated Australia in the World Group play-offs to secure top tier status for the first time. (PTI)
Eriksen inspires as Spurs beat Sunderland
LONDON: Christian Eriksen deflected some of the spotlight away from Tottenham Hotspur manager Tim Sherwood with two assists and a goal in his side’s 5-1 hammering of relegation-haunted Sunderland in the Premier League on Monday. With reports suggesting Sherwood’s job was in jeopardy after recent woeful performances, Tottenham responded in style, recovering from going down to sweep aside a demoralised Sunderland who remain rooted to the foot of the table. Emmanuel Adebayor scored twice with Harry Kane and Gylfi Sigurdsson also on target at home but it was Denmark’s Eriksen who was instrumental in reviving Tottenham’s flickering hopes of finishing in the top four. Victory lifted Spurs back above Manchester United into sixth place. (Reuters)
Now buy diamonds made from Pele’s hair
Rio de Janeiro: Pele has unveiled an unusual line of diamonds using strands of the football legend’s own hair, local media reported. The man many regard as the sport’s best player of all time presented the ultimate superfan souvenir in Sao Paulo ahead of the World Cup that Brazil will host in two months. The diamonds are made using a high-pressure, high-temperature process during which strands of Pele’s hair are charred. The limited edition includes 1,283 diamonds – one for each of the champ’s goals. The gems cost about USD 7,500 a piece and come in a gold-plated box featuring Pele – born Edson Arantes do Nascimento – on the pitch scoring a goal. (AFP)