Hindustan Times (Bathinda)

Argentina qualify for Olympics football

- Reuters sportm@hindustant­imes.com ■

BUCARAMANG­A, COLOMBIA : Argentina become the first South American team to reach the Tokyo Olympics football tournament when they beat Colombia 2-1 to top the regional qualifying group with a match to spare.

Second-half goals from Agustin Urzi—who was later sent off—and Nehuen Perez gave Argentina the hard-fought win on Thursday night.

The result gives Argentina’s under-23s an unassailab­le six points from two games, with one match remaining in the round robin qualificat­ion system played in Colombia. Brazil, Uruguay and Colombia are challengin­g for the second qualificat­ion place with the final round of games taking place on Sunday.

Argentina are the 14th team to qualify for Tokyo, alongside nations that include Egypt, France, Germany, Spain and South Korea.

LIVERPOOL LET OFF FOR ALLEGED CITY HACK

LONDON: The English Football Associatio­n (FA) has closed an investigat­ion into allegation­s that employees of Liverpool hacked into Manchester City’s scouting system.

The incident dates back to 2013 when Liverpool are alleged to have hacked a player database used by City scouts. Reports last year stated that the case between the two clubs had been settled for a $1.3 million compensati­on payment by Liverpool, but that they never accepted any wrongdoing.

“The FA has carefully considered the evidence it received in this matter, including informatio­n provided by both clubs involved, and has decided not to progress the investigat­ion,” the FA said in a statement on Friday.

TORUNARIGH­A FILES POLICE COMPLAINT

BERLIN:JORDAN Torunarigh­a has lodged a complaint with police after the Germany U-21 defender was allegedly subjected to racist abuse during a German Cup game at Schalke, his club Hertha Berlin confirmed on Friday.

The visibly upset Torunarigh­a was sent off for a second yellow card during extra time in Hertha’s 3-2 extra-time defeat on Tuesday after allegedly hearing monkey chants and other racist abuse in Gelsenkirc­hen.

Hertha confirmed to SID that the 22-year-old has now lodged a complaint with Gelsenkirc­hen police. The Bundesliga club say he has their full support.

‘REDS FANS MUST ENJOY DREAM SEASON’

LIVERPOOL:LIVERPOOL fans should savour the club’s “dream season” in the Premier League as they may never see another like it, chairman Tom Werner said.

Liverpool are on course for a first league title in 30 years with them winning 24 out of 25 games for a 22-point lead over City.

“I keep telling everyone to really savour this, the record that we’ve kept so far—i don’t think it’s going to come along again so quickly,” Werner said. “As a supporter this has been a dream season so far, every weekend we seem to find a different star to laud.”

 ?? AFP ?? Argentina's Agustin Urzi (left) scored in the second half against Colombia in the U-23 South American pre-olympic tournament.
AFP Argentina's Agustin Urzi (left) scored in the second half against Colombia in the U-23 South American pre-olympic tournament.

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