Asian Cup football gets green light for four subs
Kuala Lumpur: Next year's Asian Cup will allow a fourth substitute when games go to extra time, the Asian Football Confederation announced on Friday. The move follows a change to the official Laws of the Game, which was also implemented at this year's World Cup in Russia. "I am confident the new regulations will add to the excitement of Asia's flagship national team competition and further strengthen the AFC's ambitions to be the world's leading Confederation," AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said in a statement. The same rule will also apply at the AFC U19 Championship, starting next week in Indonesia, as well as next year's AFC U19 Women's Championship and the AFC U23 Championship in Thailand in 2020, the AFC said. The AFC has also said it is considering using Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology "at some stage" at the Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates, which starts on January 5.
Sharma fires superb 64; lies third at CIMB Classic
kuala lampur: Indian golfer Shubhankar Sharma fired a spectacular eight-under 64 in the second round to grab a share of the third spot and put himself in title contention at the USD seven million CIMB Classic here Friday. Sharma, who ended the first round with five birdies on his second nine, added nine birdies and a bogey on the second day to put himself in contention for the PGA Tour title. Earlier this year, Sharma took halfway lead and then into the final round at WGC-Mexico, where he finally finished T-9. Sharma shares the third place with Paul Casey (66-65) at 13-under, and they are one behind co-leaders, American Gary Woodland (69-61), who equalled the course record with 11-under and Australian Marc Leishman (68-62) who also got into double digits at 10-under for the day. They were 14-under for shared lead.
Ireland's O'Brien retires from international cricket
dublin: Ireland wicketkeeper-batsman Niall O'Brien announced on Friday that he is retiring from international and first-class cricket after a 16-year career. The 36-year-old, who made his international debut against Denmark in 2002, played 216 times for Ireland and appeared in his nation's first-ever Test, against Pakistan, in May this year. O'Brien opted for the number 72 shirt to mark his match-winning score in Ireland's famous win against Pakistan at the 2007 World Cup. His county career included spells with Kent, Northamptonshire and Leicestershire. "It is with a heavy heart that I am announcing my retirement from international and professional cricket," said O'Brien, who has played much of his career alongside his younger brother Kevin. "I have been blessed to have been lucky enough to have represented my country for 16 years with plenty more ups than downs and for this I look back with nothing but smiles and laughter." Cricket Ireland performance director Richard Holdsworth said O'Brien had been symbolic of the rise of Irish cricket.
India lose to Britain in Sultan of Johor Cup
new delhi: The Indian junior mens hockey team lost a hard-fought encounter 2-3 to Britain in the last round robin match at the 8th Sultan of Johor Cup 2018 here on Friday. However, thanks to four wins on the trot earlier in the tournament, the Indians qualified for the final with 12 points. Last year's runners up Britain are placed second with 10 points from five games out of which they won three matches. On Friday, the Indian team led by Mandeep Mor made a strong start making repeated forays into the striking circle. The tactic fetched them two back-to-back penalty corners in the fifth minute and Vishnukant Singh converted the second attempt after a good variation. But the following minute Britain scored a brilliant field goal through Cameron Golden to equalise 1-1. The English put the Indian defence under pressure in the final quarter as they found ways to create chances in the circle. A penalty corner earned in the 51st minute saw them convert their third goal through Captain Edward Way and eventually defended the score-line to hand the Indians their first loss in the tournament.
