Sports


Oman hope to defeat depleted Iraq
MUSCAT — After a disappointing goalless draw in the inaugural match against Kuwait, Oman are hoping to stay in contention for the semifinals of the 19th Gulf Cup with a victory over depleted Iraq at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Bausher today. In a Group ‘A’ match, scheduled to kick off at 6.00 pm, Oman are expected to have an easy outing against an Iraqi side...

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Bahrain aim for second ‘good step’
Milan Macala’s Bahrain are refusing to be complacent as they take on Kuwait in their second Group ‘B’ match at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex from 8.15 pm today. The Bahrainis, who began their 19th Gulf Cup campaign with a 3-1 victory over Asian champions Iraq on Sunday, have now become favourites in the group after that opening victory.

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Sultanate hope to be third time lucky at home
BOTH Bahrain and Qatar yesterday won their opening matches in the Gulf Cup handball competition with contrasting victories over Saudi Arabia and Kuwait respectively. In a closely contested match at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, Bahrain overcame a stiff challenge from Saudi Arabia to emerge 36-31 winners.

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Slovaks upset Aussies in Hopman Cup
PERTH — The Slovak Republic are on the verge of their fourth appearance in the Hopman Cup final after upsetting the host nation 2-1 here. The Slovaks, winners of the mixed teams tournament in 1998 and 2005, were seeded seventh in the eight-nation event, but beat top seeds USA on Monday and remained unbeaten by snatching the Group ‘A’ tie against the Australians...

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Top-seeded Davydenko moves up in Chennai
CHENNAI — World No 5 Nikolay Davydenko put aside early season blues to make a confident start in the $450,000 ATP Chennai Open yesterday. The top-seeded Russian outclassed the 123rd-ranked Daniel Koellerer of Austria 6-2, 6-3 in an hour and 12 minutes to advance to the second round of the season-opening event.

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Djokovic crashes out of Brisbane International
BRISBANE — Novak Djokovic’s preparations for the defence of his Australian Open title suffered an unexpected setback yesterday when he was knocked out of the Brisbane International in the first round. The 21-year-old world No 3 lost his debut match at the brand new Pat Rafter Arena to former training partner Ernests Gulbis of Latvia 6-4, 6-4.

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