Mardan fires opening 69 at Taiwan Masters

TAIPEI • Singapore golfer Mardan Mamat carded an opening three-under 69 at the US$800,000 (S$1.1 million) Mercuries Taiwan Masters yesterday and sits just one shot off the lead.

The 48-year-old is joint third alongside Thailand's Chawalit Plaphol at the Taiwan Golf and Country Club. Australian Scott Barr and Thai Panuphol Pittayarat lead the Asian Tour event.

S'pore U-21s face China U-22s in two friendlies

The Football Association of Singapore announced yesterday that the country's national Under-21 side will play two friendlies against China's Under-22 team next month.

The games will take place next Tuesday in Hohhot and four days later in Qujing.

Frenchman Richard Tardy, head coach of Singapore's youth teams, will take charge of the 23-man squad.

S'pore U-19 cricketers overcome Saudis

KUALA LUMPUR • Singapore's cricketers beat Saudi Arabia by two wickets in their third Group A match in the ICC Under-19 World Cup Qualifier Asia Division Two tournament.

Saudi Arabia were bowled out for 185 in 49.4 overs at the Kinrara Academy Oval yesterday and Singapore then scored 186-8 in 46.2 overs, with R. Rohan hitting 60 and skipper Janak Prakash 62 not out.

Singapore's only loss was against Malaysia in their opener. Today, they play their final match against Bahrain.

Big MMA clashes to whet fans' appetites in S'pore

One Championship featherweight world champion Marat Gafurov will fight former title holder Narantungalag Jadambaa of Mongolia in a highly anticipated rematch in Singapore on Nov 11.

It will be the co-main event at the One: Defending Honour mixed martial arts meeting at the Singapore Indoor Stadium and is among the additional bouts announced yesterday by the organisation.

The main event is lightweight world champion Shinya Aoki against Eduard Folayang.