SPORTS Thursday, October 12, 2017 21 AFC Asian Cup 2019 Qualifiers

IndiaBengaluru, India confirm finals berthmidfielder Lam Ka Seng. leeping giant’ India India broke the deadlock woke up on Wednesday, in a fast counter, catching the ‘Ssecuring their passage into the Macau defence unawares. Sent 2019 AFC Asian Cup in the through by Jeje, Balwant - who United Arab Emirates with was subbed in at the start of the a rousing 4-1 win against second half - was off in a flash minnows Macau at the Sree and Chhetri went up through Kanteerava stadium yesterday. the other side. With the only A fourth straight win in the ‘keeper to beat, Balwant Group A saw the ‘Blue Tigers’ unselfishly relayed the ball to cement a top-2 finish in the Chhetri who fired in past Ho qualifying round along with Man Fai in the 60th minute. a berth in the main draw of Macau were then done in the second oldest continental by an own goal, ten minutes football championship in the later. Holicharan Narzary world. India last played in came up with a probing cross the tournament in 2011 when from the right and Lam Seng’s they qualified after winning clearance ballooned into the the AFC Challenge Cup. This top right corner of the post. It is India’s fourth qualification Indian players celebrate their victory was cat and mouse from then after 1964, 1984 and 2011. made heavy weather of their formations. to a brilliant run by super sub after changing ends to soak on but India’s lack of finishing With over 4,000 fans world No. 182 opponents, who Macau troubled India till the Balwant Singh, who had scored up the pressure as the visitors denied them more goals to watching on a rainy day in put forth a brave challenge hour mark when skipper Sunil both the goals in the away leg attacked in tandem through showcase their superiority. the Garden City, the hosts by playing some compact Chhetri gave finishing touches last month. It took a while Carlos Fernandes and nippy (TOI)

New , India shish Nehra will end his 18-year international Uefa appoints Luis Figo Nehra career with the T20I against New Zealand on ANovember 1 at his home ground, the Feroz Shah Kotla. The 38-year-old Nehra was one of the few remaining as football advisor active internationals among those who began their to retire career in the 1990s. He is also set to retire from domestic London Uefa president Aleksander and the , which played ormer Barcelona and Ceferin said: “Luis Figo was a key role in paving the way for his international Portugal striker Luis Figo a fantastic player who was comeback in 2016. Fhas joined Uefa as a football exemplary in the way he from all Through his career, Nehra had to fight injuries. It was advisor. conducted himself both on and a marvel he played as long as he did after 12 surgeries The 44-year-old’s role at off the pitch. and many other small setbacks. He often jokes that European football’s governing “He is a highly respected the injuries aren’t on his body, but that his body is body will include technical figure within the game and I forms of stuck somewhere among the injuries. aspects and laws of the game. am very pleased he is joining Nehra’s many comebacks and his During his 20-year playing our team. His tremendous awareness of his body is spoken of as career, which also included football experience will be a an example by his contemporaries. spells at Real Madrid and Inter very valuable asset to Uefa.” cricket Despite all the injuries, he made Milan, Figo won eight league Figo joins former Germany comebacks at important junctures: titles and the Champions midfielder Nadine Kessler he was a World Cup winner in 2011 League. Luis Figo (file pic) and ex-Serbia midfielder and led India’s attack to the semi- “I believe I can have a “I have learned so much Dejan Stankovic, who started finals of the World T20 in 2016. positive influence in passing from football that I am now working at Uefa as football (espncricinfo) on my knowledge,” said the really looking forward to giving advisors earlier this year. 2000 Ballon d’Or winner. something back,” he added. (BBC) Nick Kyrgios fined for quitting match London because he failed to get signed would quit against Johnson if ick Kyrgios has been off for a medical afterwards to he lost the tie-break. fined $10,000 (£7,573) for prove he was unwell or hurt. After his opponent served Nunsportsmanlike conduct after The 13th seed had an ace on his first set point, he quit his first-round match at already been given Kyrgios walked over to shake the Shanghai Masters. a point penalty hands. Kyrgios was booed as he left for an audible Umpire Fergus Murphy the court on Tuesday after he obscenity when asked the Australian if he lost the first set on a tie-break he was heard to needed medical help before the against Steve Johnson. say he player walked off court to boos He had earlier received a from spectators. warning for smashing two balls At the same tournament out of court in frustration at a last year he was fined line call. for his behaviour and The Australian has also not banned. been allowed to collect He later posted an his $21,085 apology to fans on social (£15,967) prize media, saying he had Ashish Nehra (file pic) money. Nick Kyrgios (file pic) been struggling before the Kyrgios was unable match with a stomach bug. to collect his prize money (BBC)