Messi, Higuain and Eto’o shine in Cl
Rome: lionel Messi returned to form with two goals as Barcelona secured its spot in the knockout stage of the Champions league. Fellow Argentina forward Gonzalo Higuain also had a brace for Napoli. And Samuel Eto’o scored for his fourth different team. On a night of standout individual performances Wednesday, Schalke goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand had a game he’ll want to forget. His failed clearance led to Eto’o’s opening goal in Chelsea’s 3-0 win, which put Jose Mourinho’s side atop Group E. Barcelona made it to the last 16 with a 3-1 win over visiting AC Milan, which now has to battle with Ajax and Celtic for second place in Group H. Atletico Madrid ensured it will progress with a convincing 4-0 victory over Austria Vienna. Napoli remained level atop Group F with Arsenal following a 3-2 win that eliminated Marseille. Aaron Ramsey scored the winner as Arsenal won 1-0 at last season’s runner-up Borussia Dortmund. In Naples, Higuain’s finishing form was also on display. He used one touch for each of his goals, which included a 75th-minute winner following a cross from rapidly developing Belgium forward Dries Mertens.
Gangjee shares lead with 5 others
New Delhi: Rahil Gangjee set the course on fire under a laden sky with a flawless six-under 66 to lead the home challenge by sharing the top position with five others on the opening day of the 50th Hero Indian Open Golf tournament here on Thursday. Shankar Das was the next best-placed Indian at the seventh spot after he carded a sizzling five-under 67, while Shamim Khan, with a four-under 68, was the other home golfer inside the top 10 bracket of the leaderboard of the USD 1.25 million event. On a day when other big names such as Gaganjeet Bhullar (77), Anirban lahiri (71), Jyoti Randhawa (70), Shiv Kapur (75) and Arjun Atwal (73), found the going tough, Gangjee led the Indian charge after Mohammad Siddikur of Bangladesh grabbed the early lead, following his blemish-free 66. As the day went by, four other golfers -- Mardan Mamat of Singapore, the Thai duo of Pariya Junhasavasdikul and Chapchai Nirat and Spain’s Carlos Pigem -- joined Gangjee and Siddikur at the top. SSP Chowrasia, Chiragh Kumar and Rashid Khan brought home matching three-under 69s to lie at tied 11th.
Rocus lamare replaces Arata
New Delhi: Pune FC’s India International Arata Izumi has pulled his left hamstring in a round nine I-league clash against Bengaluru FC and will be out for the two International friendlies against Philippines and Nepal on November 15 and 19 respectively. Arata will be replaced by Salgaocar midfielder Rocus lamare. The Indian senior national team will be practicing at the SESA Football Academy. The players, who are being coached by Dutchman Wim Koevermans, are assembling today in Goa.
Cox wins Himalayan 100 Mile Race
New Delhi: Martin Ashley Cox (UK) won the 23rd International Himalayan 100 Mile Stage Race with an overall time of 15 Hrs. 07 Min and received the Sant Nagpal Baba Memorial Gold Award with the first prize held from October 27-31 in Darjeeling area, the North-East Himalayan ranges. Among males, the second and third position won by Mr. Daniel Dosedel (USA) with a time of 18 Hrs. 12 Min. and Mr. Gregory Barton (UK) with a time of 19 Hrs. 21 Min. respectively. Among the females, Ms. Marit Birgitte Holm (Norway) won first position with an overall time of 17 Hrs. 56 Min. The second position won by Ms. Clare Glazebrook (UK) with a time of 22 Hrs. 20 Min. and Ms. PNS/Agencies