Friday 47 Sports Friday, October 6, 2017 Syria’s Omar al-Soma puts WCup play-off on knife-edge

Sets up a nerve-wracking second leg in

MALACCA: Omar al-Soma buried a late Soma provided Syria’s chief threat at the penalty as war-torn Syria drew 1-1 with other end. Australia to put their two-legged World Matthew Leckie blasted over on 29 min- Cup play-off on a knife-edge yesterday. utes before Soma twice set up Omar Australia were within sight of victory Khribin for opportunities that the in-form after ’s first-half goal, but Al Hilal striker put wide of the Australian when nudged Soma on 84 goal. Five minutes before half-time, Leckie minutes the towering forward made no mis- created Australia’s opener when he take from the spot. received a ball down the right from Milos It sets up a nerve-wracking second leg Degenek, cut inside and arrowed a shot in Sydney on Tuesday, with the eventual which went in off the boot of Kruse. winners going into another play-off with a After the break, was unlucky CONCACAF federation team for a spot at to see his shot come back off the wood- Russia 2018. Syria, work-and even playing their ‘home’ unluckier when, games in Malaysia Syria, playing bizarrely, he crashed because of the civil the rebound off the war raging in their ‘home’ games same post. But Syria country, are pursuing were looking danger- their dream of playing in Malaysia ous and Khribin had a their first World Cup, shot blocked by while Asian champi- Leckie, before Soma ons Australia are try- headed a good chance MALACCA: Khaled Almbayed of Syria (2L) and Mathew Leckie of ing to reach their fourth in a row. over and was then denied an almost certain Australia (C) fight for the ball during the 2018 World Cup qualifying Both teams made a cagey start in front goal by Degenek’s last-ditch lunge. football match between Syria and Australia. — AFP of a sparse but Syrian-dominated crowd in As the game headed into the final quar- sultry conditions at the Hang Jebat ter, Ouday Jaffal had a close-range free onto the post in a reflex stop by Socceroos the spot. In the dying moments, Trent Stadium, a low-key setting for such an kick cleared off the line and Khribin’s ‘keeper . The critical moment Sainsbury had a close-range header saved important game. ’s fizzing deflected set piece sailed just wide. Syria came with six minutes to go, when Leckie and Ryan clawed away a Moayad al-Ajan shot with the outside of his left boot tested should have been level on 78 minutes but made contact mid-air with Soma and shot, but they shared the spoils to set up Mahmoud al-Youssef on 19 minutes, while Soma’s point-blank header was deflected Iranian referee Alireza Faghani pointed to Tuesday’s tense decider in Sydney. — AFP

India set to make Brazil arrests World Cup soccer Olympic committee debut as participant

chairman on Rio KOLKATA: India’s team will set a benchmark regardless of its result against the United States in the Under-17 World Cup corruption charges today. It will be the first time the cricket-crazy country of 1.2 billion has played in a World Cup game at any level of soccer, and the anticipation is high in the host nation. RIO DE JANEIRO: Brazilian police yesterday arrested Organizers are confident that the government’s 1.2 billion the chairman of the country’s Olympic Committee as rupees ($18.5 million) investment in renovating stadiums in six MUMBAI: New Zealand soccer coach Danny Hay speaks part of a probe into alleged buying of votes to secure cities to host the 24-team tournament will help showcase the during a press conference ahead of their match against Rio’s hosting of the 2016 Games. Police said in a state- country as a venue for major events. The Indian public is keen Turkey for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Mumbai. — AP ment that Carlos Nuzman, 75, was arrested on suspicion to put memories of the scandal-hit 2010 Commonwealth of corruption, money laundering and criminal associa- Games in New Delhi behind them, and Prime Minister tion. Twenty police officers deployed early yesterday in Narendra Modi’s government hopes to promote football follow. “There is a gap between India and the other teams, say Rio de Janeiro on orders from a federal judge, arresting across the country through the Under-17 event. from Europe and South America,” de Matos was quoted as Nuzman and seizing documents. The officers also The country’s leading sports celebrity - India cricket cap- saying last month by Press Trust of India. “So, I don’t think arrested the Rio 2016 committee’s chief operating offi- tain Virat Kohli - lent a big hand with the public relations much about the results and chances but I know my players cer Leonardo Gryner, according to an AFP photogra- push locally by posting a video message for the team to his will give their best. I see this World Cup as a step forward for pher. Following an investigation dubbed “Unfair Play” 18.8 million Twitter followers saying “Good Luck boys, make the future ... India can build on this experience.” that spanned several countries, Brazilian officials last us proud!” The US placed fourth in the 1999 edition. “This cycle of month said Nuzman was the “lynchpin” in a plot to bribe But while the infrastructure and facilities were ready well players is unique in terms of the quality, depth and work the International Olympic Committee into awarding Rio ahead of time and the anticipation is growing around the Oct. ethic of the group,” US head coach John Hackworth said as de Janeiro last year’s Games. 6-28 tournament, analysts and commentators have urged he unveiled his squad. “The biggest challenge in selecting At the time, Nuzman was detained and questioned football fans not to place unrealistic expectations on the team. this roster was the competition for spots at almost every and authorities confiscated his passport. Authorities Luis Norton de Matos, who took over as head coach in position. Our team is ... motivated to prove themselves on allege that former Rio governor Sergio Cabral, who is March to replace Nicolai Adam, is among those calling for the world stage.” serving a 14-year prison term for bribery and money patience as his lineup takes “a first step for the future” of the Nigeria, which has won the last two titles and five overall at laundering, was the mastermind of the plot, which saw game in India. In the first of their three group games in the the under-17 level, didn’t qualify from Africa, leaving three- $2 million in bribes paid to the son of Senegalese IOC capital, India will play a US team featuring Tim Weah, the son time champion Brazil as the most successful country in the member Lamine Diack before the 2009 vote in which of the 1995 world player of the year, George Weah of Liberia, tournament. While the event has been the starting point for Rio beat Chicago, Madrid and Tokyo to win the 2016 who played for PSG, AC Milan and Monaco during his career. the stars such as Ronaldinho and Neymar, this edition will be Games. — AFP Games against Colombia and two-time champion Ghana missing some of the brighter lights in the age group. — AP