Marussia’s F1 hopes boosted
london: Marussia’s hopes of competing in this year’s Formula One championship have been boosted after a planned auction to sell the team’s remaining assets was cancelled. Marussia missed the final three races of last year’s campaign after heavy debts forced it into administration in October, along with Caterham, as spiraling costs hit small teams hard in F1. Marussia was provisionally entered for the 2015 season by motor sport’s governing body, the FIA, under the name of Manor ahead of Wednesday’s deadline for official entries. British-based GA European Valuations (GAEV), which conducted an auction in mid-December when items such as steering wheels and racing suits were sold, cancelled another auction planned for Wednesday, and it has not rescheduled.
Asian Cup: Iran beats UAE 1-0
Canberra: Substitute Reza Ghoochannejhad scored an injury-time goal to lift Iran to a 1-0 win over UAE and top spot in Group C at the Asian Cup on Monday. Despite a free-flowing game, and a virtuoso performance by UAE playmaker Omar Abdulrahman, neither side could find a breakthrough until Ghoochannejhad’s late strike helped Asia’s top-ranked team avoid a likely quarterfinal showdown with Japan.
UAE appealed for offside when Ghoochannejhad pounced on a ball that had ricocheted off teammate Andranik Teymourian and directed his header into the top corner from close range.
Barcelona routs Deportivo 4-0
Madrid: Barcelona swept to an overwhelming 4-0 victory over Deportivo la Coruna in Riazor stadium here on Sunday, led to victory by an unstoppable and brilliant lionel Messi, who found the twine three times. Although there has been speculation that the Messi’s relationship with coach luis Enrique has imploded, he didn’t let talk of that kind distract him during his magnificent outing, heading in a decisive shot on Ivan Rakitic’s cross in the 11th minute to start the score-fest. Then, he was in the right place at the right time again in the 33rd minute taking a pass from Neymar and finessing in a beautiful shot to make it 2-0, and then notching his 30th hat trick for Barca on an inside cut and left-footed shot into the far corner in the 62nd minute
Russia doping report by year end
Montreal: The World Anti-Doping Agency says its investigation into allegations of systematic doping in Russia should be completed by the end of the year. A special investigative panel, headed by former WADA chairman Dick Pound, was set up after a German TV documentary accused Russian officials of cover-ups and complacency in the fight against doping. The commission also includes Gunter Younger, a cybercrime specialist who worked with Interpol, and Court of Arbitration for Sport member Richard Mclaren. WADA said the commission will submit a report to WADA President Craig Reedie by Dec. 31 “at the latest, unless he deems it appropriate to extend the mandate.”
YUBRAINI STORMS INTO PRE-QUARTERS
Kolkata: local talent Yubrani Banerjee sped past Belgium’s Nina Van Oost 6-1,6-2 to storm into the pre-quarter finals of the Girls Singles Under 18 category of the ITF Juniors on Monday. Banerjee maintained her blistering form on court, as she impressed with her skills onway to a sparkling victory at the Dakshin Kalikata Sansad sports complex. She will now battle fourth seeded South African R.Janse Van Rensburg for a place in the quarter final. In the Boys Singles Under 18 category, Nitin K. Sinha went down fighting against third seeded Cing Yang Meng from Taipei 2-6, 6-1, 4-6.