The Institute of Technical Education (Combined) (ITE) could count themselves fortunate to scrape to a 53-51 win over Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) in the mens’ 2009 Polytechnic-Institute of Technical Education (POL-ITE) Basketball Championship.
The low scoreline was marked by dogged defending and poor shooting accuracy on both sides, with NP missing a score of chances as key player Cheong Wei Zhun required extensive medical treatment in the opening minutes for a twisted left ankle.
The Islamic Republic of Iran’s efficient performance saw them overcome the People’s Republic of China 2-0 to secure third place in the Asian Youth Games football competition.
A commendable rearguard action by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea was enough to dump the Islamic Republic of Iran out of the AYG football tournament, courtesy of a 73rd minute winner by Korean captain Ryo Yu Song which was enough to decide the semi-final match.
North Korea required a priceless Jo Sol Song goal in 2nd half stoppage-time against Laos to send them through to the semi-finals of the Asian Youth Games football tournament. Their 4-2 win advanced them at the expense of Saudi Arabia.
The Republic of China cruised to a 3-0 victory over Singapore in an Asian Youth Games Football 2nd round tie, despite having Zhu Zhengyu sent off for a professional foul in the 20th minute.
Hat-trick hero Alnakhli Mohammed Qasem helped Saudi Arabia to a comprehensive 4-1 triumph over Laos, but the game was soured by the continual, unjustified booing of the Saudi supporters.
DPR Korea shared their cross-border brethren's good fortune when they recovered from a 0-2 deficit to force a 2-2 draw with Saudi Arabia in their group B match of the AYG football final round.