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Lusofonia Games to kick off this month

By The Assam Tribune

PANAJI, Jan 13 (IANS): Twelve Portuguese Commonwealth countries will be participating in the forthcoming Lusofonia Games in Goa even as the much anticipated football teams from Portugal and Brazil have failed to confirm their presence, according to the organisers.

A statement issued by the Games organisers said 739 athletes from 12 Portuguese speaking countries would be taking part in the multi-sport tourney scheduled to be held in Goa from January 18-29.

Hosts India lead the participating nations with a contingent of 200 athletes followed by Macau (China) with 112 athletes, Angola (75), Mozambique (80), Sri Lanka (64), Portugal (56), Sao Tome and Principe (35), Cape Verde (35), Guinea Bissau (29), East Timor (26), Equatorial Guinea (20) and Brazil (7).

Athletics accounts for a majority of the participating sportspersons with 174 athletes scheduled to participate in the Games. The Indian contingent will have 40 male and 38 female athletes.

Beach Volleyball will see participation from 10 countries while six nations will battle it out on the football field - namely hosts Goa (India), Macau (China), Sri Lanka, Sao Tome and Principe, Mozambique and East Timor.

Participating countries in the Lusofonia Games 2014 are founding members Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, East Timor, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea- Bissau, Goa (India), Macau (China), Mozambique, Portugal, Sao Tome and Principe and Sri Lanka.

Athletes from the 12 nations will compete in 9 different disciplines - Athletics, Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Football, Judo, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Volleyball and Wushu.

India missed out their second penalty corner too when Raghunath's shot was once again saved by the German goalie.

However, it was third time lucky for India as a 33nd minute drag-flick by defender Rupinder Singh, later named man of the match, put India ahead once again and the eight-time Olympic champions went into the break leading 2-1.

Germany drew first blood in the second period, equalising in the 41st minute when a hit from outside the box was given as an own goal by the umpire. India asked for a video referral but the umpire's decision stood.

India earned another penalty corner 11 minutes later, taken by Raghunath, which was again stopped by Jessulat but the deflection found Dharamvir Singh, who did not waste a second to put the ball inside the German goal and take a 3-2 lead.

India could have extended the lead when they infiltrated the European defence but S.V. Sunil's shot just went wide of the post (58th minute).

India was snatched of a historic win when Thilo Stralkowski field goal in the 68th minute drew parity at 3-3.

Germany sensed India's laxity and took advantage by pushing the ball past keeper Sreejesh.

At the end of the league phase, England top the group with nine points, Germany are second (4), New Zealand third (3) and hosts India with the one point finish fourth.

India will take on Pool B toppers and reigning World Champions Australia in the quarterfinal Wednesday.

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