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November 26, 2021

November 26, 2021November 26, 2021 IFMSPORTS

Aruna Quadri Through To The ITTF World Championships Last-16 For The First Time

Nigeria's Aruna Quadri has clinched a last-16 spot in the ITTF World Table-Tennis Championships.

The 33-year-old maintained his composure as he navigated his way past India's Sathiyan Gnanasekaran in the gruelling encounter against the 38^th seeded player in the competition.

Quadri, having reached the 3rd round in 2019 where he lost to world No.1 Fan Zhendong in Hungary, had to claim the (4-3) win in 7 sets of the thrilling encounter where the Nigerian broke the 3rd round jinx at the championships.

The 13^th seed will be playing in the last-16 of the World Championships for the first time in his illustrious career.

He is currently the only African remaining in the men's singles in Houston after notable names including, African champion, Omar Assar and World Table tennis championship debutant Ibrahima Diaw had been eliminated after suffering crucial first-round losses to 2018 Polish Open champion, LIM Jonghoon and Sweden's Jon Persson respectively.

Quadri has been drawn against Sweden's Kristian Karlsson in the round-of-16 tie who is currently seeded 28^th. The match will be played on Friday, November 26.

Celtic Crash Out Of Europa League After Suffering Defeat To Bayer Leverkusen

Celtic's hopes of qualifying for the Europa League were shattered after a late collapse in their defeat at Bayer Leverkusen.

After battling back with an audacious Josip Juranovic penalty - given after a VAR check - and a second-half Jota strike, the Scottish club were on course for their first win in Germany.

On the club's 13th journey to Germany, they had goalkeeper Joe Hart's heroics - and the woodwork - to thank for a comeback that would have made history on the night.

However, Robert Andrich, whose header had put the hosts ahead early on, equalized in the 82nd minute, and Moussa Diaby blasted in the winner to give Leverkusen the lead and inflict misery on the travelling fans.

Celtic, who had conceded the most goals in the group stage, were overwhelmed by Leverkusen's late push, as their defensive flaws were once again exposed.

The Scottish side had already secured a third place slot and a place in the Europa Conference play-offs, where they would face the tournament's runner-up, but the manner of this setback will sting after such a promising performance.

Celtic are now four points behind Real Betis, who beat Ferencvaros 2-0, in second place, with the Spaniards travelling Glasgow next month in their last group match.

West Ham Through To Europa League Last-16 After Win Over Rapid Vienna

West Ham advanced to the Europa League last 16 with a win over Rapid Vienna in a match played behind closed doors in Austria.

Andriy Yarmolenko headed in Nikola Vlasic's cross at the back post to put the Hammers ahead Just before half-time.

Yarmolenko was fouled by Maximilian Hofmann minutes later, and captain Mark Noble converted the ensuing penalty into the top corner to extend their lead.

With a game to spare, David Moyes' side is already certain to win Group H.

After collecting 10 points from their first four games, the Hammers were already certain of a top-two finish, but this victory insured they would finish first.

This means they will bypass the qualifying round play-off in February, when the eight Europa League group runners-up face the third-placed teams in their Champions League groups, and will go straight to the last 16 in March.

The Hammers won the European Cup Winners' Cup, in 1965, but they lost in the final in 1976.

Their performance in the Europa League this season is already their best in European play since 1980-81.

Slovenian Side Ns Mura Claim Shock Victory Over Tottenham In Europa League

Antonio Conte's Tottenham Hotspurs much-changed side were embarrassed by Slovenian minnows NS Mura to leave their Europa Conference League last-16 hopes hanging by a thread.

After the loss in Slovenia, where Amadej Marosa's injury-time goal clinched the unexpected victory after Harry Kane appeared to have salvaged a point for 10-man Spurs, the Italian chose not to speak to his players.

After Tommy Horvat opened the scoring and Ryan Sessegnon's red card, Kane added one for Spurs' for the leveler but Marosa, on the other hand, took advantage of some sloppy late defending by Davinson Sanchez to startle the Premier League squad.

Former Spurs manager Glenn Hoddle said the team's first-half performance was "dreadful".

"I did not like what happened tonight," said Conte. "I must be honest and tell you that after three-and-a-half weeks, I am starting to understand the situation.

"I am happy to stay here but at the same time I must be honest and tell you we need to work a lot to improve the quality of the squad. We are Tottenham and in this moment there is an important gap [to the top teams in England].

"It is not simple because, in this moment for sure, the level of Tottenham is not so high.

"We need time, but we have to do better in everything, everything, everything."

In their last group game, they face Rennes, who are already certain of first place after a 0-0 draw with Vitesse Arnhem on Thursday.

The Dutch side are level on points with Conte's side and host Mura in their final match. Both games take place on 9 December.

Finishing second in the group would mean a two-legged play-off for Spurs to reach the last 16, with both games being played in February.

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Category: Latest News

Aruna Quadri Through To The ITTF World Championships Last-16 For The First Time

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Celtic Crash Out Of Europa League After Suffering Defeat To Bayer Leverkusen

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