SPORTS 26 OMAN TRIBUNE WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2015 Tunisia, DR Congo seize last eight berth Cape Verde’s Blue Sharks eliminated from Africa Cup of Nations over goal difference following goalless draw the host nation which is due to be played at the tiny Ebebiyin stadium on Saturday, creating a potential organisational headache for the Confederation of African Football. Veteran Belgian coach Leekens said: “Tunisia are happy, Congo are happy, Equatorial Guinea are happy, everyone is happy! Life is great! “It won’t be easy because they were fantastic yesterday. I am happy for the country but now we want to qualify. “It will be difficult because they will have the fans behind them but I am quite confident.” The other half of the draw will start to become clear on Tuesday, when Group C concludes with Algeria taking on Senegal in the capital Malabo while Ghana and South Africa clash in Mongomo. All four sides are still in contention to qualify with myriad potential different scenarios. However, Alain Giresse’s Senegal are in pole position and know a draw will take them through. Ghana and Algeria will both definitely advance with wins, while South Africa must win and hope other results go their way. BATA (Equatorial Guinea) TUNISIA AND DR CONGO became the latest two teams to qualify for the quarterfinals of the Africa Cup of Nations late on Monday after playing out a 1-1 draw in Bata. The result, coupled with a goalless stalemate between Cape Verde and 2012 champions Zambia under a tropical deluge in Ebebiyin, allowed the two nations to secure their berths in the last eight of the competition. Georges Leekens’ Carthage Eagles can now look forward to a meeting with host nation Equatorial Guinea on Saturday, when DR Congo will take on their neighbours Congo Brazzaville in an equally fascinating confrontation. Tunisia, tipped by some as genuine contenders to win the competition at its outset, knew that a win would see them progress to the knockout stage as winners of Group B, and they were on course to take all three points when Ahmed Akaichi headed home his second goal of the tournament just past the halfhour mark. However, the Leopards fought back to equalise just before the midway point in RESULTS Group B At Ebebiyin Cape Verde 0 Zambia 0 At Bata Tunisia 1 (Akaichi 31) Democratic Republic of Congo 1 (Bokila 66) Amr Abdallah Dalsh/Reuters Democratic Republic of Congo’s Jeremy Bokila (second from right) scores a goal against Tunisia during their African Cup of Nations Group B match in Bata late on Monday. the second half, when Dieumerci Mbokani headed down for substitute Loteteka Bokila to finish. And that proved enough for DR Congo to progress as runners-up behind the Tunisians thanks to events on the other side of the small country. In Ebebiyin, torrential rain, thunder, lightning and a swirling wind made good football impossible, although Zambia missed a last-gasp chance to snatch victory and a last-eight spot when Mukuka Mulenga shot wide. It was the second consecutive first-round exit for the Zambian Chipolopolo (Copper Bullets) after they lifted the trophy against all the odds three years ago. Elimination proved a bitter blow too for the Cape Verde Blue Sharks, who reached the quarter-finals in their Cup of Nations debut two years ago but this time go home by virtue of having scored one goal fewer than DR Congo. “It is a fantastic feeling. We worked for it and we deserved it. But we need to score goals and were lucky Cape Verde and Zambia only drew,” said captain Youssouf Mulumbu after DR Congo qualified for the last eight for the first time since 2006. They will now face their neighbours from across the Congo River for just the fourth time in the competition, and the first in 41 years. And this meeting will be extra special because of the Claude Le Roy connection Abhijith bowls ISM to victory over ISWK MUSCAT AIDED BY A BRILLIANT bowling performance from Abhijith Nagarajan who ended with figures of 5 for 23 off 5 overs, Indian School Muscat (ISM) recorded a 45run win against Indian School Wadi Kabir (ISWK). The Al Turki Enterprises-sponsored 25 overs a side Under 16 match played during the weekend at the Municipality Ground No.1 at Al Amerat. Opting to bat ISM scored 194 for the loss of 6 wickets off the 25 stipulated overs, thanks to a 108-run opening partnership between skipper Wasim Ali 82 (48b, 13x4) and Paritosh Bhatt 34 (39b, 4x4). Hemil Maheshkumar 36 (26b, 4x4) and Isaac Jon- athan 25 (26b, 2x4) chipped in useful contributions. Brijesh Gandhi and Mohit Badiyani claimed 2 wickets each conceding 40 and 43 runs respectively off 5 overs each. ISWK in reply scored 149 for the loss of 7 wickets off 25 overs with contributions from opener Ivan Manjila who made a run a ball 38 (4x4), his partner Karan Koshy 27 (38b, 3x4) and Mayukh Misra 22 (17b). In another Al Turki Enterprises sponsored Junior League U-16 match played at the same venue, Mohammed Khalid with tantalising bowling figures of 5 for 23 off 3 overs helped Indian School Al Seeb (ISAS) clinch a massive 8-wicket win against Indian School Al Ghubra (ISG). Winning the toss and opting to bat ISG were bowled -- the Frenchman now in charge of Congo Brazzaville who took the Leopards to the last eight in 2006 and also coached them at the last Cup of Nations two years ago. “They will be tough opponents with an established coach. It will be more than a derby and it will be very difficult for us, and hopefully for them too,” said the current incumbent of the DR Congo bench, Florent Ibenge. Meanwhile, Tunisia can look forward to a clash with Agence France-Presse FINAL STANDINGS *Tunisia *DR Congo C. Verde Zambia * denotes teams qualified P 3 3 3 3 W 1 0 0 0 D 2 3 3 2 L 0 0 0 1 GF 4 2 1 2 GA Pts 3 5 2 3 1 3 3 2 AKAW STUDENTS SHINE IN OPEN KARATE CHAMPIONSHIP out for a measly 90 runs off 16 overs with only opening batsman Mohammed Salman getting into double figures scoring 25 (28b, 2x4). Mohammed Sumer with figures of 3 for 12 off 3 overs lent valuable support to Khalid. Oman Tribune BRIEF SCORES ISM – 194 for the loss of 6 wickets off 25 overs (Wasim Ali 82, Hemil Maheshkumar 36, Paritosh Bhatt 34 and Isaac Jonathan 25; Brijesh Gandhi 2/40 and Mohit Badiyani 2/43); ISWK – 149 for the loss of 7 wickets off 25 overs (Ivan Manjila 38, Karan Koshy 27 and Mayukh Misra 22; Abhijith Nagarajan 5/23); Points: ISM - 2 points (9 Games – 16 points) and ISWK - Nil points (9 Games – 16 points). ISG – 90 All Out off 16 overs (Mohammed Salman 25; Mohammed Khalid 5/23 and Mohammed Sumer 3/13); ISAS – 92 for the loss of 2 wickets off 9.1 overs (Mohammed Feshal 39 and Mohammed Sumer 35 N.O); Points: ISAS - 2 points (9 games – 9 points) and ISG - Nil points (8 games – 5 points). BOC – 217 for the loss of 3 wickets off 25 overs (Vikram Nabira 98 and Vivek Iyer 62); PSM – 204 All Out off 24.4 overs (Ubaid Ullah 116 N.O.; Harikeshav Pramod 3/25 and Aswin Unnikrishnan 3/28); Points: BOC – 2 points (8 Games – 10 points) and PSM – Nil points (10 Games – 13 points). ISG – 267 for the loss of 3 wickets off 20 overs (Aryan Shinde 166 N.O. and Sanin Fahad 53); MCCC ‘B’ – 83 All Out off 18 overs (Nishant Sridhar 27; Dhruv Faraswal 4/2); Points: ISG – 2 points (8 Games – 9 points) and MCCC ‘B’ – Nil points (5 Games – Nil points). ISM ‘A’ – 152 for the loss of 3 wickets off 20 overs (Azeem Ali 75 N.O. and Chahel 21); ISWK – 145 for the loss of 7 wickets off 20 overs (Joel Biju 40 and Shah Nouman 22; Vrishab 2/16 and Shaurya 2/27); Points: ISM ‘A’ – 2 points (6 Games – 10 points) and ISWK – Nil points (6 Games – 9 points). BDSM – 207 for the loss of 3 wickets off 20 overs (Rehad Islam 70 N.O., Mohammed Ali 63 and Adnan Alam 36; Muzahir Raza 2/20); MCCC ‘A’ – 128 for the loss of 5 wickets off 20 overs (Muzahir Raza 35 and Shrivatsan Balajee 30; Alip Mortaza 2/12); Points: BDSM – 2 points (9 Games – 11 points) and MCCC ‘A’ – Nil points (6 Games – 5 points). S. Korea star Park in doping shock SEOUL SOUTH KOREAN OLYMpic swimming star and national icon Park Tae-Hwan fought to clear his name on Tuesday as he reeled from the shock news that he failed a doping test. The four-time Olympic medallist blamed an injection given by a hospital for the result, the second high-profile Asian swimming case in recent months after China’s Sun Yang. In a statement, Park’s management agency Team GMP said the 25-year-old -- dubbed “Marine Boy” and with an Asian Games pool bearing his name -- was stunned by the news. The agency said he was injected at a South Korean hospital while receiving chiropractic treatment before last year’s Asiad in Incheon. “At the time, the hospital offered to give Park an injection and he repeatedly asked if it contained any illegal substances,” GMP said. “The doctor said there would be no problem. And yet it turned out the injection contained a banned substance.” Agence France-Presse The AKAW Karate School students celebrate their victory in the Open Karate Championship 2015. The championship was held at JSKA headquarters in Al Dhahira Ibri on January 16. More than 40 students trained by Sensei Bava Ahammed from 3 branches (Al Mabela, Al Ghubra and Muladha) of AKAW Karate School participated and won more than 37 medals in different categories. The team captains were Jeevan. PV and Amal Nasser (Black Belt). It proved a great experience for the students to participate in such a competition under the guidance of Sensei Bava Ahammed and Said Al Kharusi, the Chairman of Akaw Karate School. Squash event on Feb. 20 OMAN TENNIS TEAM IN GCC CUP MUSCAT The Oman tennis delegation that left for Kuwait to take part in the GCC Cup for Under 18 and Under 14 from January 24 to 29. The delegation comprised Saeed Al Barmani (head of delegation), Ahma Al Balushi (Administrative) and Abdallah Al Yahyaee (accompanied official) and both the teams. The under 18 team comprised Younis Al Rawahi, Abdullah Al Barwani and Amar Al Khanjari, while Moneer Al Rawahi, Eyad Al Khanjari, Abdullah Al Raissi, Ali Al Sarhani formed the under 14 team. SQUASH IS UNHEARD of in Oman but the Ministry of Sports Affairs is going all out to make a new beginning for the sport in the Sultanate by conducting the first-ever squash tournament on February 20 and 21 at the Bowsher Complex in Muscat. The idea of the Sports Ministry is to promote the game and in order for that to happen there will be competitions held in U-16 and one competition will be an Open category. Interested participants may contact Taher Al Barwani on 96339655. Attic Outdoors rally to stay unbeaten MUSCAT ATTIC OUTDOORS REmained unbeaten in the Oman Cricket-organised ‘F’ Division T20 tournament when they registered a 3-wicket win against Newrest Wacasco in the match played during the weekend at the OAC ground No.3 at Seeb. Opting to bat, Newrest Wacasco scored 172 for the loss of 4 wickets off 20 overs. Captain Sandeep Rajan top scored with 66 (39b, 6x4) while other useful contributions came from Dipu RS. 33 (34b, 3x4), Bibin Sasi 33 ((26b, 3x4) and Deepak Gakhar 30 (19b, 4x4). Attic Outdoors in reply were reeling at 61 for the loss of their five top order batsmen but recovered to reach 176 for 7 wickets at the end of 20 overs. Anwar Kaatil Moulakkad batting at No. 7 remained unbeaten on 52 (38b, 2x6 and 3x4) while Vikas Sharma 31 (27b, 2x4) and Sarfaraz Ahmad 24 (11b, 2x6 and 1x4) added useful runs. Shajivan ended with bowling figures of 3 for 17 and Krishna Raja picked up 2 wickets conceding 30 runs. In another ‘F’ Division T20 match at the same venue, Enhance Royals aided by a quick 47 (22b, 10x4) from opening batsman Anand Pathi and thereafter a brilliant bowling performance of 3 for 26 off 4 overs defeated Orange Mart by 11 runs. Invited to bat Enhance Royals scored 171 for the loss of 9 wickets at the end of 20 overs with contributions from skipper SN Hari Krishnan 25 (13b, 4x4) and Nathar Al Balushi 24 (18b, 1x4). Oman Tribune BRIEF SCORES Newrest Wacasco – 172for the loss of 4 wickets off 20 overs (Sandeep Rajan 66, Dipu R.S. 33, Bibin Sasi 33 and Deepak Gakhar 30); Attic Outdoors –176 for the loss of 7 wickets off 20overs (Anwar Kaatil Moulakkad 52, Vikas Sharma 31 and Sarfaraz Ahmed 24; Shajivan 3/17 and Krishna Raja 2/30); Points: Attic Outdoors - 2 points (6 Games – 11 points) and Newrest Wacasco Nil points (6 Games – 8 points). Enhance Royals –171 for the loss of 9 wickets off 20overs (Anand Pathi 47, S.N. Hari Krishnan 25 and Nathar Al Balushi 24); Orange Mart – 160 for the loss of 7 wickets off 20overs (Shyam Lekshman 35, Anup Rajan 34 and Gopakumar 23; Anand Pathi 3/26 and SN Hari Krishnan 2/28); Points: Enhance Royals - 2 points (5 Games – 5 points) andOrange Mart - Nil points (6 Games – 5 points). Trust Oilfield Strikers – 170 for the loss of 8 wickets off 20 overs (Thushar Verma 105; Denzil Miranda 3/23 and Arvind Singh 2/30); Khalsa United – 171 for the loss of 3 wickets off 18.4 overs (Sushil Kadam 53, Mohammed Danish 49 and Arvind Singh 33); Points: Khalsa United - 2 points (6 Games – 7 points) and Trust Oilfield Services - Nil points (5 Games –6 points). Dhofar Automotive –58 All Out off 12 overs (Shamsudheen 3/6, Wajid Akram 3/15 and Dilip Patel 2/15); Trust Oilfield Services – 61for the loss of 1 wicket off 4.3 overs (Wajid Akram 29 N.O); Points: Trust Oilfield Services - 2 points (6 Games – 8 points) and Dhofar Automotive - Nil points (6 Games –1 point).