Global Sport

Asian Games soccer draw clear

BANGKOK: Asian Games organisers announced a labyrinthine format for the football event today, following a frantic meeting to reorganise the draw after Brunei pulled out last week without giving a reason.

The 23 remaining teams have been split into eight first round groups. The two top sides from each pool will advance to four second round groups of four teams with the two top teams from each group qualifying for the knockout quarter-finals.

A fancied side, Japan looks to have an easy passage with preliminary games against India and Nepal. Hosts Thailand, who have former Aston Villa striker Peter Withe as a coach, meet Hong Kong and Oman.

South Korea, seen by many as favourites are drawn with with Vietnam and Turkmenistan who kick off thecompetition on November 30 ahead of the official start of the December 6 to 20 Games.

Sydney Olympic bid chief resigns

SYDNEY: Businessman Rod McGeoch, who spearheaded Sydney’s bid to host the 2000 Olympic Games, said today he had resigned from the board of the games’ organising committee.

McGeoch, credited with beating off Beijing when the International Olympic Committee chose Sydney as a host for the 2000 Games, said he resigned because of a campaign of destabilisation against him.

“I will not stand by and let others damage the games in pursuit of their own agendas,” McGeoch said in a statement.

McGeoch informed New South Wales state premier Bob Carr of his decision in a resignation letter, media reports said. McGeoch was heavily criticised last week after the release of an internal report by the Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games.