BAGAN FACE ELIMINATION AFTER LOSS TO MALDIVES CLUB

Mohun Bagan find themselves on the verge of elimination in the AFC Cup following a shock 2-5 defeat against Maziya Sports and Recreation Club of Maldives here. Maziya opened up early lead through goals from Yasfaadh Habeeb (13th minute) and Mohamed Umair (27th minute). When Alexsander Rakic (45th) added a third from a narrow angle just before the half-time, the game appeared over as a contest.

Bengaluru FC conceded two late goals in dramatic fashion as they lost 0-2 to 10-man Abahani Limited Dhaka of Bangladesh in their AFC Cup group match here.

Sports Minister Vijay Goel today said until and unless Pakistan stops supporting cross border terrorism there cannot be any bilateral sporting ties between the two neighbouring countries. Goel’s statement came in the backdrop of India denying visas to the strife-torn nation’s squash and wrestling teams, which were scheduled to participate in Asian Championships here.

“Terrorism and sports can’t go along and Pakistan should understand that. The relation between India and Pakistan can be cordial only after Pakistan stops sponsoring cross border terrorism,” Goel said.

Indian boxers Shiva Thapa (60kg), Sumit Sangwan (91kg) and Amit Phangal (49kg) entered the semi-finals of their weight categories at the Asian Boxing Championships. The trio not only ensured podium finish for themselves, but also qualified for the World Championships.

India’s teenage shotgun shooter Shapath Bharadwaj finished overall sixth in the men’s double trap event of the International Shooting Sport Federation (IAAF) World Cup in Larnaka, Cyprus on Wednesday.