Paddlers sufferearly exit again
For the second straight week, Singapore's table tennis players did not make it to weekend play on the ITTF World Tour. Feng Tianwei, the last remaining local at the German Open in Berlin, lost 3-4 (15-17, 11-7, 6-11, 11-8, 11-5, 5-11, 9-11) to Hong Kong's Lee Ho Ching in the women's singles last 16 on Friday evening.
The rest of the team were eliminated earlier, including men's singles player Gao Ning, who was thrashed 4-0 (12-10, 11-9, 11-7, 11-8) in the last 32 by the little-known China- born Pole Wang Zengyi.
Pennant nets but Tampines draw 1-1
Tampines Rovers were held to a 1-1 draw by Albirex Niigata in a football friendly yesterday at the Jurong West Stadium.
The Stags rested a few first-team players after their exertions in the Asian Football Confederation Champions League play-off loss in India on Wednesday.
New signing Jermaine Pennant opened the scoring in the 51st minute, but Kento Nagasaki equalised for the away team with three minutes of normal time remaining.
Plazibat completes Hougang's squad
S-League football side Hougang United have signed Croatian forward Stipe Plazibat.
The 26-year-old has played in Japan's second tier with FC Gibu and V-Varen Nagasaki. There, he scored eight goals in 33 appearances.
He is Hougang's third and final signing, joining Japanese Fumiya Kogure and Slovak Jozef Kaplan.
Choi in the mixafter long lean spell
SAN DIEGO • K.J. Choi, who is chasing his first win on the US PGA Tour in five years, fired a five-under 67 on Friday to grab a share of the halfway lead at golf's Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines.
The 45-year-old South Korean was tied with American Gary Woodland, who also shot a 67, at 135. American Dustin Johnson was third a stroke behind.
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Saudi-British duo acquires Nice
PARIS • A mystery Saudiprince and Manchester United-supporting British businessman Edward Blackmore have led a buyout of French Ligue 1 side Nice.
The pair and their partners have purchased 49 per cent with their share to eventually rise to 80 per cent.
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Barca beat Atletico and go 3pts clear
BARCELONA • Defenders Felipe Luis and Diego Godin saw red, as Atletico Madrid went down 1-2 to Barcelona in their top-of- the-table La Liga clash yesterday.
Koke opened accounts for Atletico before Barca, now with 51 points, came back with goals from Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.
Chelsea sign US defender Miazga
LONDON • Chelseayesterday signed American defender Matt Miazga from the New York Red Bulls.
The New Jersey-born 20-year-old, who made his debut for the United States national team last November, agreed a 41/2-year contract with the London football club.
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