VAR TO MAKE DEBUT IN INDIA AT AFC WOMEN’S ASIAN CUP

NEW DELHI: The upcoming AFC Women’s Asian Cup is set to create history as Video Assistant Referee (VAR) will be used for the first time in India from the quarter-finals stage of the continental competition.

The tournament will be played across three venues in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Pune from January 20 to February 6.

The event will see VAR making its tournament debut when the teams walk out for the games from January 30 onwards. The technology will be used till the final match on February 6 across the two knockout venues: DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai and the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Pune.

Preparations for installation and setup of the technology have already begun in the respective venues. Apart from the stadiums on match days, the referees’ training sites will be equipped with a similar VAR setup and simulators will also be made available to the referees in their hotel.

Noah placed 28th after Stage 6 of Dakar Rally

RIYADH: Lone Indian rider in this year’s Dakar Rally, Harith Noah of Sherco TVS Racing Factory survived dangerous terrain and a few crashes to be placed 28th in the overall ranking after Stage 6 in the Moto section of the world’s toughest off-road rally here.

Five-time national champion from Bengaluru, Noah fell in the first stage and finished 36th among 145 riders but went on to improve his rank to 31st after Stage 4 and 30th after Stage 5. He continued his progress on Friday, despite a painful shoulder, and finished a creditable 28th in the overall ranking, clocking 21:47.07s.

Great Britain’s Sam Sunderland of Gasgas Factory Racing is the overall leader after Stage 6 with a timing of 19:55.59s, while Austrian Matthias Walkner (19:58.38s) of Redbull KTM Factory Racing and Australia’s Daniel Sanders (20:01.34s) of Gasgas Factory Racing are placed second and third respectively.