Vasco SC, Tuff Laxmi Prasad qualify for Durnad knockouts
Mapusa: Vasco SC and Tuff Laxmi Prasad scored victories in their respective matches to qualify for the quarter-finals league cum knock out stage of the 127th Durand Cup, here on Sunday. Vasco SC found the net in each half to down AIFF U-19 and while in another match, Tuff Laxmi Prasad beat Sesa Football Academy by a solitary goal to make it to the next stage. Laxmi Prasad who dominated the proceeding from the start scored the match winner in the 25th minute when Prajot Naik cross into the box for Seriton Fernandes whose shot beat rival defender Isac before going into the net. The third team to make it to the next stage will be decided tomorrow as semi-finals losers AIFF and Sesa Football Academy will clash for the last available spot. AIFF enjoyed ball possession for better part of the match and probed more often but could not penetrate into the rival goal. (PTI)
Raj’s Gold medalist wants employment, not cash award
Jaipur: Rejecting monetary assistance from Rajasthan government, a Gold medalist kabaddi player ton Sunday said he wants a job and a secure future, rather than cash awards. “We do not want any cash award from the state government. We need an employment, at least as Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP)”, said Navneet Gautam, Incheon Asian Games gold medalist, after a felicitation ceremony at Rajputana Sheraton hotel. Other medal-winning players like Sumitra Sharma, Rajat Chouhan (Archer), Manju Bala (Hammer thrower) and Rower Bajrang Takhar also echoed the Kabaddi player’s sentiments. Archer Rajat Chauhan and Rower Bajrang Lal Takhar had also shown their interest in the employment and said that we do not want any cash prize while we have to look after our family so that we expect the government to award us by employment. (UNI)
Sugita lifts Pune Challenger title
Pune: Japanese Yuichi Sugita lifted the singles title at the ATP Challenger tournament after scoring a close 6-7(1) 6-4 6-4 win Spaniard Adrain Melendez-Maceiras in the summit clash, here on Sunday. 144th ranked and fourth seed Sugita battled hard for two hours and 54 minutes before prevailing over sixth seed Adrain. The finals which was postponed by a day due to unseasonal rains that hit Pune, turned out to be thriller with both players matching each other stroke for stroke. “I’m very happy. I played well and kept many balls in playing this week. I had some good and narrow wins against Indian players. This title will help me to start the new year well said,” said Sugita, who is also the Asiad bronze medallist. (PTI)
Lahiri lifts Macau Open title
MACAU: Indian golfer Anirban Lahiri notched up his second title of the year, lifting the Venetian Macau Open with a sparkling final round of the five-under 66, here on Sunday in Macau. The superb weekend combination of 67-66 saw Lahiri land his fifth career win on the Asian Tour. The 27-year-old, whose goal this year is to get into the top-50 of the World Rankings, shot a final round of five-under 66 to finish at 17-under 267 and edge out the in-form and overnight leader, Scott Hend of Australia (69) and Thai Prom Meesawat (66) by one stroke. A proof of his consistency was that he had two flawless rounds – 61 on first day and 67 on third day – and he wavered only on the second when he dropped five bogeys in his 73. (Reuters)