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Dempo were virtually crowned I-League champions on Wednesday after a 2-0 win over Air India in Margao.

Dempo almost seal I-League

Dempo were virtually crowned I-League champions on Wednesday after a 2-0 win over Air India in Margao. The win takes them to 50 points from 24 matches,12 clear of second-placed Mahindra United. The only team that can challenge Dempo now are third-placed Churchill Brothers 35 points in 21 matches,who will need to win all their remaining five matches as well as improve their goal difference,and hope that Dempo lose both of their remaining matches.

Advani pulls out of Asian meet

Indias number one cueist Pankaj Advani has pulled out of the Asian Snooker Championship starting in Thailand on Saturday and his place in the draw has been taken by Saurav Kothari. The Bangalore-based Advani has decided not to travel to Thailand due to personal reasons. Meanwhile,Kothari beat Advani to win the All India Invitation Snooker Championship title in Mumbai on Wednesday. Kothari won 6-3.

Amritraj loses in Round 1

Prakash Amritraj made an early exit from the ATP Challenger event in Israel after a straight-set defeat to Nick Lindahl in the opening round. The US-based player lost 6-3 6-1 to his Australian opponent in the hard court event on Tuesday. Amritraj has been seeded second along with Isarels Harel Levy in the doubles event and will play Dudi Sela and Saar Steele in the first round.

Joshna-led team in Asian semis

The Joshna Chinappa-led Indian team beat Sri Lanka and China to breeze into the semi-finals of the Asian Senior Squash Championship in Chennai,while Saurav Ghosal led the mens team to a 3-0 win over Japan in Group C. India play China on Thursday. Among the women,the team won with a 3-0 scoreline against both Sri Lanka abnd China.

Three-way tie at Mumbai golf

Shamim Khan,Digvijay Singh and Abhishek Jha share the joint lead at four-under 136 after round two of the PGTI Players Championship in Mumbai. Gaganjeet Bhullar and Mohd. Siddikur Rahman are one stroke behind in tied fourth place.

Cannavaro to retire after Cup

Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro is planning to retire from the national team after the World Cup. They already say Im too old,so I can only imagine what they would say in August, the 36-year-old Cannavaro said on Wednesday. Cannavaro broke Maldinis previous record of 126 appearances with the Azzurri last year,and has 132 caps. On the night of his 100th cap at the 2006 World Cup,Cannavaro lifted the trophy.