Atletico Madrid’s Fernando Torres after his final match for Atletico Madrid, at Wanda Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain, on May 20, 2018. Photo: Reuters

MADRID:  Fernando Torres rounded off his Atletico Madrid career in style on Sunday by scoring two goals in his final game for the club against Eibar, although his side could only draw 2-2 in their last match of the Liga campaign.

Torres, who finally lifted his first trophy with his beloved club on Wednesday as Atletico beat Olympique de Marseille 3-0 in the Europa League final, tapped into an empty net in the 42nd minute to cancel out Kike Garcia’s opener.

The Spaniard then gave Atletico the lead on the hour mark, latching onto a through ball from Diego Costa and rounding the goalkeeper to score his 129th goal for the club. He was then booked for jumping over the advertising boards to celebrate with supporters.

Eibar’s Ruben Pena levelled for the visiting side with a scorching strike from outside the area in the 70th minute, after Atletico defender Lucas Hernandez had been sent off for two bookings.

Atletico were already guaranteed second spot in the Liga standings and finish the campaign on 79 points, 11 behind champions Barcelona who were in action against Real Sociedad later on Sunday.

Torres is idolised by Atletico’s fans, having come through the club’s academy and making his debut aged 17 in the 2000-01 team at a dark time for the club when they were in Spain’s Segunda Division.

The striker left Atletico for Liverpool in 2007 but returned to his boyhood side in January 2015 after playing for Chelsea and AC Milan. He revealed in April that he would leave Atletico when his contract expires on June 30 although he has not announced where his next destination will be.

Atletico wore commemorative shirts for Torres‘s final game, for which he was named captain, and the squad and coaching staff gave him a guard of honour after the final whistle.

Torres was joined on the pitch by his wife, children and parents as he gave his farewell speech, needing to pause on occasion as he became overwhelmed with emotion.

“I have had the privilege to wear this shirt in over 400 games and it’s very tough to know that this is the final time,” Torres said.

“I would love for you to all remember how we feel now. We have all been asked many times why we support Atletico or why Atletico is different.

“When we say that they cannot understand it, that it can’t be explained, I’d like you to remember how we feel today, proud and happy to be champions.”

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Kathmandu, May 20

Professional golfer Shiva Ram Shrestha and amateurs Navaraj Thapa, Shreeyog Basnyat and Sam Doublard won the Pro-Am title of the Surya Nepal Premier Golf Championship here at the Gokarna Golf Club today.

The winning team accumulated 149 points to finish first. Pro Shrestha scored 40 points, while Thapa and Basnyat earned 37 each and Doublard got 35.

The team of pro Deepak Acharya (38) and amateurs Miae Lee (35), Pavitra Karki (34) and Mayank Dahal (34) finished second with 141 points. Likewise, the team of pro Sanjay Lama (38) and amateurs Sadbhav Acharya (34), Philip Hutchinson (33) and Gopal Chitrakar (31) came third with 137 points.

The best scoring pro was teamed up with top three amateurs to decide the winning team. Similarly fourth, fifth and sixth amateurs were teamed up with second best pro for runner-up team and the amateurs finishing seventh, eighth and ninth were teamed up with the third best professional golfer for the second runner-up team. Surendra Phuyal won the longest drive award and Brandon Lee claimed the closest-to-the-pin trophy. A total of 86 golfers including 23 pros took part in the Pro-Am event which was played under stableford 3/4 handicap format.

Managing Director of Surya Nepal Pvt Ltd Abhimanyu Poddar and Captain of Gokarna Golf Club Joseph Nathan handed over the prizes to the winners.

The main event, Surya Nepal Premier will tee off on Monday. A total of 41 pros and 14 amateur golfers will take part in the 72-hole competition, the 10th and final event under the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2017-18.

Defending champion Shiva Ram Shrestha will face stern challenge from local rivals Bhuwan Nagarkoti, Sanjay Lama, Dhana Thapa and Toran Shahi along with former Indian No 1 golfer Feroz Ali. The tournament carries a purse of Rs 1.26 million and top three pros will receive Rs 230,000, Rs 140,000 and Rs 95,000 respectively. Likewise, Tanka Bahadur Karki, Sukra Bahadur Rai, Ajit BK and Prithvi Malla will fight for amateur title.

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Kathmandu, May 20

Nepal won the Kyorugi team championship of the second Kathmandu International Taekwondo Tournament here at the National Sports Council covered hall today.

The team including National Team ‘B’ players won eight gold medals and a bronze to finish first. Nepal Army (Valley Division) came second with three golds, seven silvers and two bronze medals, while Bangladesh finished third with one each gold and
silver and three bronze medals.

Rejina Karki, who won the women’s 49kg gold medals, and Bikrant Dangol were named the best players in senior section. Kajal Shrestha (46kg), Sandhya Singh (53kg), Apsara Karki (73kg), Sunitra KC (above-73kg) and Nischal Shrestha (68kg) won gold medals for the home team.

In cadet section, United Dojang finished first with two golds and four silver medals, while India came second with two golds, one silver and three bronze medals. Australia finished third with two each gold and bronze medals.

In junior category, Chundevi Dojang claimed the team championship with three gold medals, while Koteshwor Dojang came second with two golds and a bronze. United Dojang finished third with one gold and four silver medals. Pujan Khadka of United and Susmita Tamang of Koteshwor were named the best players in junior section.

Newgen Taekwondo won the poomsae team championship with four gold and three silver medals, while Rubina Ghale of the same club won the women’s U-57kg gold medal in kyorugi.

A total of 633 players, including 383 in men’s section and 250 in women’s category, from 13 countries took part in the tournament organised by United Taekwondo Dojang under the auspices of Nepal Taekwondo Association. NSC  Vice-president and General Secretary of Nepal Olympic Committee Lama Tendi Sherpa among others handed over the prizes to the winners of the two-day tournament.

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