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Thimphu
The Indian football team kicked off their SAFF U-15 women’s championship campaign with a 4-1 victory over Nepal at the Chalimithang Stadium. Striker Lynda Kom Serto scored a brace, while winger Sumati Kumari produced a fierce performance, scoring one and assisting another. Priyanka Sujeesh scored the last goal for India. Man Maya Damai netted the consolation goal for Nepal. India are slated to play Bhutan in their second match on Friday.
Almere (The Netherlands)
Dutch Open: Sameer, Lakshya, Rahul in pre-quarters
Sameer Verma, Lakshya Sen and BM Rahul Bharadwaj progressed to the pre-quarterfinals of the Dutch Open badminton tournament. Verma notched up a 21-19 19-21 21-13 win over fellow Indian Kiran George in the second round. Lakshya Sen also entered the pre-quarterfinals after registering straight-game wins in the first two rounds. The 18-year-old from Almora defeated Ireland’s Nhat Nguyen 21-19 21-17 in the opening round and then outclassed Cuba’s Osleni Guerrero 21-12 21-12. Rahul too advanced to the next round after beating Malaysia’s Cheam June Wei 21-18 21-13 in another match.
Lahore
Sri Lanka complete 3-0 whitewash of Pakistan
Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by 13 runs in the third and final T20I to complete a 3-0 whitewash of the top-ranked T20 side in the world. Brief Scores: Sri Lanka: 147/7 (Fernando 78*; Amir 3/27); Pakistan: 134/6 (Sohail 52; Hasaranga 3/21). — Agencies
Madrid
Ex-Liverpool star Alonso in Madrid court for fraud
Former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso appeared in a Madrid court today, facing charges of tax fraud to the tune of ^2 million, a court spokesman said. He was quizzed over allegations he used a company based on the Portuguese island of Madeira to avoid paying taxes on his image rights to the Spanish authorities.
Milan
Fallen giants AC Milan appoint Pioli as coach
Fallen Italian giants AC Milan have appointed Stefano Pioli as their new coach a day after his predecessor Marco Giampaolo was sacked after just seven games in charge. The 52-year-old arrives on a 2-year deal.
Madrid
Dembele to miss Clasico after receiving 2-match ban
Ousmane Dembele will miss this season's first Clasico between Barcelona and Real Madrid after he was banned for two matches by the Spanish football federation (RFEF) today.
Lausanne
Iran women to attendfootball match after 40 yrs
Iranian women fans are to attend a football match — a 2020 World cup qualifier against Cambodia — freely for the first time in around 40 years, after FIFA threatened to suspend the country over its controversial male-only policy. Agencies
Madrid
Messi says tax problems made him want to leave Barcelona
Lionel Messi has admitted he wanted to leave Barcelona when he was under investigation from the Spanish tax authorities but insists now he intends to finish his career at the club. Messi and his father Jorge were found guilty of defrauding Spain of ^4.1 million in taxes between 2007 and 2009, for which they paid close to ^10 million and Messi was handed a 21-month suspended prison sentence.Asked on Tuesday night if he had ever wanted to leave Barcelona, Messi said: "In 2013-14, when I started having the tax problems, it was very difficult for me and my family." "My children were young and we had a very bad time. At that time, I had it in mind to leave, not because I wanted to leave Barca but because I wanted to leave Spain. I felt mistreated and I didn't want to be here anymore." The 32-year-old's current contract expires in 2021 and Messi believes extending his deal "will not be a problem". AFP
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