IT’S GREAT TO WIN THE $9 MILLION but I just don’t want to lose to him and give him the satisfaction because the bragging rights are what is going to be even “worse than the money,” WE WILL WELCOME INDIA IF THEY COME TO PAKISTAN TO PLAY THE ASIA CUP 2020. SPORTS I think we have always welcomed them in Pakistan. Cricket, in fact, sports is the only way to bridge gaps between countries,” said Afridi. 02 February 2020 11 ROBERTSON SHINES TO HELP SNOW LEOPARDS CONQUER AIZAWL AIZAWL: Real Kashmir defeated former rooted to the tenth spot with 8 points results, when a fantastic pass from Mason glovework from Phurba Lachenpa of Real bringing in Paul Ramfangzauva and regulation time, this change paid Hero I-League champions 2-0 at the JLN from 9 games. Roberston to Higginbotham, saw the Kashmir FC saw the visitors maintain Nigerian attacker Justice Morgan at dividends for David Robertson. A mistimed Stadium, Aizawl today (February 1, 2020), The first half began with the visitors latter make no mistakes in finding the their 1-0 lead as the first 45 minutes of the expenses of Ramhlunchhunga and pass from Justice Morgan was intercepted thanks to some gutsy defensive work and Real Kashmir FC pressing hard for a lead. back of the net in the 16th minute. the game came to an end. Abdoulaye Kanoute respectively. by Krizo and the attacker rounded off two all-round display from Mason Robertson, The English duo of Kallum Higginbotham Aizawl did try making a comeback The second half began with the visitors This did bring in a welcome change to defenders to pass it to onrushing Mason who was rightly adjudged the Hero of the and Mason Robertson ensured that the through a counter-attack in the very next again pressing hard to consolidate their Aizawl’s efforts who earned a handful of Robertson. The Brit made no mistake in Match. Aizawl defence was on their toes right minute, but lack of creativity inside the lead but were not able to convert any opportunities through setpieces but the finding the back of the net to consolidate Real Kashmir scored their first goal from the first minute. final third kept them away from finding opportunity, while hosts Aizawl FC who finesse in the attacking third eluded them the Snow Leopard’s lead. early in the 16th minute through A few attempts for an early lead by the that much-needed equaliser. The game looked scattered tried helplessly to the equaliser. David Robertson made an Aizawl will have to quickly reassess Higginbotham while their second goal snow leopards went in vain thanks to the thereafter saw both sides making an find a much-needed equaliser. Stanley interesting change in the 68th minute, their plans before they travel to Kalyani came from Mason Robertson in the 82nd alert defending by the Aizawl defenders attempt to score but to no avail. Rozario made a couple having introduced Cote Di’voireian to face Quess East Bengal on February 7, minute. With this win, Real Kashmir and their goalkeeper. However, as the Aizawl tried to make a comeback of quick changes Gnohere Krizo in place of scorer Kallum 2020. Real Kashmir will travel all the way FC have now moved up to fifth with 12 game progressed the visitors tightened in the final few minutes of in the 57th and Higginbotham. to Kozhikode to face Gokulam Kerala on points from 8 games while Aizawl FC stay the screw and their efforts soon yielded the first half but some good 63rd minute Eight minutes to the end of the the following day (February 8, 2020). Deadline Day Barca sign $44 transfers million pair, Trincao Latest news from Europe’s top football and Fernandes leagues on transfer deadline day LONDON: Barcelona have snapped up Portuguese forward Francisco Trincao from Braga for 31 million euros ($34 million), the Spanish champions said in a statement on Friday. The club also announced the signing of 21-year-old Brazilian midfielder Matheus Fernandes from Palmeiras for a fee of seven million euros, which could reach 10 million with add-ons. Trincao, 20, will join on July 1 and sign a contract until June 2025 containing a release clause of 500 million euros. The forward made his top-flight debut for Braga last season and has made four league starts this campaign, scoring twice. Defensive midfielder Fernandes, who has been capped at Under-17 and Under-20 level, will also join Barca on July 1 on a five-year deal, with a release clause of 300 million euros. UNITED CONFIRM IGHALO DEAL brought in Spanish forward Borja Manchester United confirm deal Baston from Championship club to sign former Watford forward Swansea City on a free transfer. Odion Ighalo on loan from BRIGHTON SIGN LAMPTEY Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua. Premier League Brighton & "Manchester United can con- Hove Albion have signed 19-year- firm that Odion Ighalo will join old defender Tariq Lamptey from on loan from Shanghai Shenhua Chelsea on undisclosed terms un- PANDYA until the end of the season," the til June 2023. club said on its website. MAN CITY’S ANGELINO JOINS Nigerian Ighalo, who offers RB LEIPZIG ruled out of NZ tests cover for injured forward Marcus Manchester City full back An- Rashford, has Premier League ex- gelino, who has been restricted to WELLINGTON: India all-rounder Hardik Pandya fitness and will continue his rehabilitation at the perience, having scored 33 goals just 12 appearances this season, has been ruled out of the two-match test series National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. in 82 games for Watford before will spend the rest of the season against New Zealand as he recovers from a back “He travelled to London and was accompanied moving to Chinese Super League on loan at RB Leipzig. injury, the Indian cricket board (BCCI) said on by NCA head physio Ashish Kaushik for a review club Changchun Yatai in 2017 for Dortmund snap up ex-Liver- Saturday. by spinal surgeon Dr James Allibone,” the BCCI a reported 20 million pounds. pool midfielder Can from Juven- Pandya underwent surgery on his lower back in said in a statement. VILLA BRING IN SPANISH FOR- tus October last year and had hoped he could return India will play two World Test Championship WARD BASTON Carrasco returns to Atletico af- to the Indian squad for the New Zealand series. games in Wellington and Christchurch starting Premier League Aston Villa ter Chinese sojourn The 26-year-old, however, failed to achieve full Feb. 21. KARAGHI: Uncertainty surrounds Board of Control for Cricket in India Indian team’s visit of Pakistan for (BCCI) had made it clear they will the event not participate in the Asia Cup, if Former Pakistan all-rounder Sha- the tournament takes place in Paki- hid Afridi has extended a gesture of stan. Although, while speaking to goodwill towards the Indian cricket Indo-Asian News Service (IANS), a We will welcome team as uncertainty surrounds the BCCI official said that Indian board latter’s visit to their neighbouring is open to the idea of playing at a country for this year’s Asia Cup. neutral venue. While talking to ARY News, Afridi While speaking in an exclusive India if they come to said that Pakistan is ready to wel- chat with Cricket Pakistan last come India if they come and play week, the Pakistan Cricket Board Asia Cup in Pakistan. (PCB) Chief Executive Wasim Khan “We will welcome India if they had said that Pakistan is consider- Pakistan for Asia Cup: come to Pakistan to play the Asia ing playing the Asia Cup matches Cup 2020. I think we have always against India at a neutral venue. welcomed them in Pakistan. Crick- “Under the current circumstances et, in fact, sports is the only way we do not think they [India] will to bridge gaps between countries,” come to Pakistan. We have the op- said Afridi. tion of playing in the UAE in this re- Responding to a question about gard,” said Wasim. Asia Cup’s hosting rights, Afridi BCCI also hosted the 2018 Asia said: “I think it’s a decision of Asian Cup in UAE because of strained po- Cricket Council, let’s see what hap- litical relations between Pakistan AFRIDI pens. Whoever hosts the event, and India, which made it difficult cricket should continue.” to obtain visas for the Men in Green It must be noted that, earlier, the players to play in India..