MEN’S FOOTBALL: Tajikistan’s dream debut in the Asian Cup continues tomorrow when they face Jordan in the first quarter final at Al-Rayyan’s Ahmad Bin Ali stadium. The Tajiks are the lowest ranked team left in the competition, sitting in 106th place, 19 below Jordan. 2015’s winners Australia are up against two-time champions and four-time runners up South Korea in this afternoon’s second quarter final. Holders Qatar play Uzbekistan tomorrow.
MEN’S BASKETBALL: The race for automatic qualification from EuroCup Group A will go down to next week’s last round of matches after both London and Tel Aviv enjoyed narrow midweek wins. Matthew Morgan top-scored with 26 points as London won 92-85 at Olimpija Lljubljana on Wednesday night and Tel Aviv edged past Joventut Badalona 91-85. Table-topping Paris eased to a 95-72 win against Besiktas in Istanbul.
MEN’S RUGBY UNION: Wales centre George North has been ruled out of tomorrow’s Six Nations clash against Scotland because of a shoulder injury. North, who has won 118 caps and is comfortably the most experienced player in Wales’ Six Nations squad, was hurt during Ospreys’ recent European Challenge Cup victory over South Africa side the Lions. Owen Watkin and Nick Tompkins will forge Wales’ midfield partnership, with Cardiff full-back Cameron Winnett handed a Test debut after just 15 games of professional rugby.
MEN’S FOOTBALL: Lisburn-based part-timers Ballymacash Rangers kick off the Irish Cup sixth round this evening when they host Premiership team Glentoran. Last year’s runners-up Ballymena are at Linfield tomorrow when Ballyclare Comrades face Dungannon and Newington travel to Newry City. The last 16’s other ties see Institute playing Ards, who knocked out cup holders Crusaders, Loughall at Cliftonville, Larne against Glenavon and Bangor visiting Portadown.