Sports
Thimbirigaskatuwa stun Negombo in battle of Maris Stellas
Negombo Zonal Schools Athletics Championship
Maris Stella College, Thimbirigaskatuwa stunned track and field stronghold Maris Stella College, Negombo in what turned out to be a battle between the two brother schools for the boys’ title at the Negombo Zonal Schools Athletics Championship conducted last week.
The athletes from Thimbirigaskatuwa aggregated 224 points to clinch the boys’ title of the zone for the first time in history as they turned tables on Maris Stella, Negombo who had to settle for the runner up position with 195 points.
For the school from Thimbirigaskatuwa the most outstanding performances were registered by athletes in higher age categories.
In the Under 16 age category, Dinuka Thinesh stood out winning the first place in the 200m (23.1 secs) and the 400m (52 secs). In the 300m hurdles he was placed third with a time of 43.6 secs. Shermin Sasmika won the 800m (2.08.06 secs) and was placed third in the 400m (53.3sec). Lyons Adeesha won two podium places (100m – 2nd 11.3 secs and 200m 3rd – 23.8secs). Hansana Fonseka (Shot Put 1st – 13.93m), Yugath Harshad (High Jump 1st – 1.80m) and Ashen Denuwan (Javeline throw 1st- 51.55m) won maximum points for the school in their respective pet events. Namindu Gimhan (Long Jump 2nd – 6.36m), Ramiru Disen (Long Jump 3rd – 6.06m), Shevan Methusha (High Jump 3rd -1.60m), Thenuk Nethvin (100m hurdle 2nd – 14.2 secs) and Nawum Nichole (Javelin throw 2nd- 50.50m) were the others to excell in that age category.
The Under 18 age category saw Ramiru Nisalitha (1500m 1st – 4:28 secs, 3000m 1st -10: 08 secs) and Deesara Herath (Long Jump 1st- 6.91m, Triple Jump 1st – 14.05m) winning two titles each and brothers Pawan Nethya Sampath (2.05m) and Thushera Nethsara Sampath (1.85m) winning the first and second places respectively in the high jump.
Thiwra Thathsara clocked 14.8 seconds to clinch the 110m hurdles title (400m 3rd- 58.4 secs), while Ashmika Shinal (100m 2nd -10.98 secs, 200m 3rd – 22 secs and 400m 3rd -52.4 secs), Ranidu Induwara (400m hurdles- 60 secs), Senesh Nisal (110m hurdle 3rd- 15.2 secs) and Induwara Sathmin (Triple Jump 2nd- 13.58m, Pole Vault 1st- 3.80m) won podium places.
In the Under 20 age category Thehara Ravishka Fernando won the triple jump (14.20m) and long jump (7.09m) while placing second in the high jump(1.78m). Onel Sejan too won two events (1500m 1st – 4: 34 secs, 5,000m 1st – 17:22 secs). Yohan Madurawala (javelin throw – 1st – 46.34m, pole vault 3rd- 2.50m), Romesh Antonio (javelin throw 2nd – 46.19m), Thenuka Nimnad (shot put 1st – 10.65m, javelin throw 3rd – 44.51m), Dushan Priyanjana (discus throw 2nd – 30.34m), Dilan Thejan (110 hurdle 2nd – 15.7secs, long jump 3rd place – 6.49m, triple jump – 2nd 14.12m), Shan Adithya (pole vault 3rd place – 2.50m), Isuru Shiwanka (shot put 2nd – 9.90m), Nipun Ishanka Fernando (800m 1st – 2:07 secs, 1500m 2nd- 4:36 secs), Yasiru Vidushan (400m hurdle 2nd – 61.2 secs, 800m 2nd 2:09 secs) and Lyon Nimantha (400m hurdle 3rd – 61.7 secs) were the others who won podium places.
Thisen Thinulaka, Minuga Nissankara, Namesh Dilshad and Rinaldo Nimsara in the Under 12 age category and Lishen Pehesara (long jump 3rd – 5.51m) and Rashon Kalubowila (80m Hurdle 2nd- 12.3secs) in the Under 14 category were the others to have made their presence felt.Incidentally, the coaching staff of title winning Maris Stella Thimbirigaskatuwa are inclusive of former athletes of Maris Stella Negombo.
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Lionel Messi marked his record sixth World Cup appearance with his first hat-trick at a FIFA tournament as Argentina beat Algeria 3-0 to open the defence of their global crown, he also became the joint highest scorer at World Cups with the feat.
The former 38-year-old forward thought he had opened the scoring in the eighth minute in Kansas City on Tuesday when he slotted home from close range, but the offside flag was raised.
The dream start to his record-setting appearance, which will be matched by Cristiano Ronaldo for Portugal against DR Congo on Wednesday, was not to be denied for long though.
A trademark, mazy run was capped by a drive on the edge of the box from that famed left foot. The power too much for Algeria keeper Luca Zidane, son of World Cup winner with France, Zinidine.
Messi doubled his tally on the hour mark with a simple tap in from a rebound off the keeper following a drive from Alexis Mac Allister.
The moment that even a player as decorated as Messi came in the 76th minute when he drilled low past the keeper from just outside the box.
The strike took Messi level with former Germany striker Miroslav Klose on 16 World Cup goals.
His substitution came just three minutes later to a standard ovation, even old maestro seemed disappointed to be removed – and most likely rested for Argentina’s tilt at becoming only the third side to defend a World Cup title.
Algeria – the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations winners – offered little, but were themselves denied an early goal when Fares Chaibi’s ninth minute strike was ruled out for offside.
Messi saw to it that there was no opening game upset to be had tat this edition, having lost their opening game at Qatar 2022 to Saudi Arabia.
Messi, who spent the majority of his club career in Spain with Barcelona before moving to French giants Paris-Saint Germain, plys his trade in US football’s Major League Soccer with Inter Miami.
Jordan and Austria open their account in the group later on Tuesday in San Francisco.
[Aljazeera]
Iran twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with New Zealand in an exciting World Cup clash at Los Angeles Stadium as protests against Tehran’s government and a peace deal signed to end the US-Iran war formed a charged backdrop to the match.
High security presence and protests outside the venue were among the off-field concerns surrounding the match on Monday.
And when New Zealand took an early lead through Elijah Just’s volleyed shot from inside the box, after being set up by Chris Wood, some fans critical of the Iranian government celebrated with New Zealand supporters.
Many of these anti-regime spectators also carried Iran’s pre-Islamic Revolution Lion and Sun flag, against FIFA’s rules. Several also booed Iran’s national anthem before kickoff.
But most of the crowd of more than 70,000 appeared firmly behind Team Melli, chanting “Ir-ran! Ir-ran!” and erupting when Ramin Rezaeian equalised shortly after the half-hour mark.
Rezaeian, one of several Iran players who had not played club football since February after the domestic league was suspended amid US and Israeli air strikes, reacted quickest to a blocked shot and poked the ball past the advancing goalkeeper.
Wood and Just combined again early in the second half, the New Zealand captain sliding a precise pass into the 26-year-old forward’s path before Just hammered home to restore the All Whites’ lead.
Iran responded 10 minutes later with a superb goal from Mohammad Mohebbi, who headed Rezaeian’s perfect cross in off the far post to make it 2-2.
The stalemate means all the teams in Group G have one point after Belgium drew 1-1 with Egypt earlier on Monday.
New Zealand, making their third appearance at the tournament, remain without a win at a World Cup after seven matches. Iran are looking to reach the knockout round for the first time.
The match laid bare divisions among Iranian American fans, many of whom said they felt torn between pride at seeing Iran on the sport’s biggest stage, anger over Tehran’s crackdown on protesters and concern over Washington’s bombing campaign.
Before kickoff, about 300 to 500 protesters gathered outside the stadium, waving anti-government signs and flags.
Some Iranian Americans had said attending the match would imply support for Iran’s government, while others said they wanted to set politics aside and support the players.
Iran will next return to Los Angeles to face Belgium on Sunday when New Zealand take on Egypt in Vancouver.
[Aljazeera]
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