Bits and Pieces

Hot putter fires Ormsby into Fiji lead

SUVA, Fiji: Wade Ormsby surprised even himself as his putter ran hot on the homeward stretch to take the outright lead after the third round of the Fiji International on Saturday.

The 37-year-old fired a six-under 66 to finish the day at 10-under 206, one stroke ahead of fellow Australian Jason Norris who lost the tournament lead when he made a triple-bogey on the 16th hole.

“It was a bit of a surprise coming up the last. I hadn’t seen too many leaderboards for the day but obviously very happy with it,” said Ormsby, who had seven birdies in his last 11 holes.

James Marchesani also finished strongly, making six birdies on the back nine in a round of 67 to move into third place, two strokes behind Ormsby at eight-under.

Gavin Hend, one of four co-leaders at the halfway stage, shot an even-par 72 to be tied with Peter Wilson and Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent at seven-under.  —AFP

 

Morocco goal spree eliminates Egypt

JOHANNESBURG: A three-goal blitz earned Morocco a 3-1 home victory over Egypt on Friday and a place at the 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Kenya.

The Moroccans won the final round qualifier 4-2 on aggregate having come from behind to draw the first leg 1-1 in Alexandria last weekend.

After a goalless opening half in Rabat, Jawad Yamiq broke the deadlock in the 50th-minute and Abderrahim Maqran and Badr Belhrouz stretched the lead to three goals.

Hamid Hossam scored a late consolation goal for Egypt, who were debuting in the biennial competition for home-based footballers.

Libya drew 1-1 with Algeria in Tunisian city Sfax to squeeze through 3-2 on aggregate after a shock 2-1 first-leg triumph seven days ago.

Algeria had to score at least twice to survive and took the lead midway through the first half when Sofiane Bendebka scored off a rebound.

But first-leg match-winner Muaid Ellafi levelled on the night in first-half stoppage time and Libya kept Algeria at bay in the closing 45 minutes of the tie.   —AFP

 

Schooling ‘really sorry’ for Malaysia jibe

KUALA LUMPUR: Singapore’s Olympic swimming champion Joseph Schooling has apologised to Malaysians after he raised hackles by promising to “teach them a thing or two” at the Southeast Asian Games.

The 22-year-old said he was “really sorry” for his unguarded comments, which made him a target for Malaysian fans. He had earlier insisted the remarks were taken out of context.

“If I offended anyone, I do apologise... that wasn’t my intention,” the 100m butterfly Olympic gold-medallist told reporters, after arriving here for the regional Games.

“I’m really sorry for my comments and I definitely didn’t mean it that way.”

Schooling won Singapore’s first and only Olympic gold medal in 2016 in Rio, while neighbouring Malaysia is yet to produce an Olympic champion.

The Texas-based swimmer won nine gold medals at the 2015 SEA Games in Singapore, but he said he will contest a smaller programme of six events here, including relays.  —AFP