Friends beat Birgunj

HETAUDA: Buddha Chemjong struck twice as NIB Friends Club of Lalitpur defeated Birgunj XI 2-0 in the first match of Group B at the Martyrs Memorial National Football Tournament, which has been organised by Makawanpur Football Association, here on Friday. After a goalless first half, Chemjong put Friends ahead in the 54th minute and added another in the 82nd. Chemjong was named the man of the match. On Saturday, Nabil Three Star will take on APF Team in the first quarter-final. — HNS

Teachers’ Volleyball

KATHMANDU: Greenland International Boarding School is organising the second AEIC Teachers’ Volleyball Tournament to mark the 194th Bhanu Jayanti from Saturday. In all 12 school teams, including 10 under the Academic Excellence through Ideal Cooperation (AEIC), are taking part in the four-day out event, said the organisers at a press meet on Friday. Two teams each from all the four pools will advance to the quarter-finals after the league round. — HNS

Swimming postponed

LALITPUR: The Nepal Swimming Association postponed all the events, scheduled for Friday, of the fourth Pramod Memorial Age-group and Open Swimming Championship. The organisers cited technical reasons for postponing the day’s events for Sunday, said a press release issued by the National Sports Council. — HNS

Iraq stun Australia

BANGKOK: Iraq stunned Australia with a 3-1 victory in Asian Cup Group A match on Friday, putting the pre-tournament favourites on the verge of a humiliating early exit. Iraq took lead in the 21st minute through Nashat Akram’s 30-yard freekick. Australia equalised two minutes into the second half when Mark Viduka headed home a Brett Emerton cross. Iraq went ahead in the 60th minute, with a clever pass unstitching the Australian defense and Hawar Mulla Mohammed converted the chance. Karrar Jassim Mohammed made it 3-1 just before the final whistle. — AP