10-birdie Wi tears it up in Vietnam
HANOI - South Korea's Charlie Wi plundered 10 birdies on his way to nine-under 62 and the first-round lead at the inaugural, $1.5-million Ho Tram Open in Vietnam on Thursday. Wi made five birdies in a row on the front nine, and another five on his way back against just one bogey as he stole the limelight from Spanish star Sergio Garcia at Vietnam's richest sport event. The South Korean leads by two from the Thai pair of teenager Danthai Boonma and the experienced Thaworn Wiratchant, who both went round par-71 The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip course in 64. America's David Lipsky sits one back on 65, alongside Malaysia's Nicholas Fung and Lin Wen-tang of Taiwan. A host of others are clustered on 66, including world number 12 Garcia who put himself well in the hunt for his first title of the year.–AFP

Sakho injury blow for West Ham
LONDON – West Ham striker Diafra Sakho will be sidelined for at least two months with a thigh injury, manager Slaven Bilic has said. The Senegal international sustained the injury as he attempted to shoot during the second half of the 1-1 draw with West Brom on Sunday. The London side are awaiting the results of a scan to determine the full extent of the injury. "It's not good. "It will be four to eight weeks. Maybe more," Bilic said. "He has a bit of history with his thigh. It's a muscle injury. Nothing long term, but we will be without him for a few games, definitely." The injury to Sakho, who has hit the net five times this season, is the latest blow to hit Bilic's attacking players after Dimitri Payet and Enner Valencia were sidelined with ankle problems. Andy Carroll, only recently back to fitness after six months out following ankle surgery, is set to lead the attack against Manchester United on Saturday.–AFP

Belgium end 2015 top of FIFA rankings
PARIS – Belgium will go into 2016 atop FIFA's national team rankings ahead of World Cup finalists Argentina, European champions Spain and World champions Germany after winning eight of their nine games this year. The nation of just 11.2 million is doted with a multi-talented national squad headed up by Chelsea midfielder Eden Hazard and Man City's Kevin De Bruyne. The 2014 World Cup quarter-finalists beat both Italy and France in friendlies in 2015 but their mouthwatering clash with Spain November 17 was called off. Argentina climbed back up to second after beating Colombia and drawing with Brazil in World Cup qualifiers in November while Spain climbed to third with a clinical 2-0 friendly defeat of England at Wembley. Way down in 25th place are France, host of Euro 2016.–AFP

Port Qasim hold UBL in QAT match
ISLAMABAD - Port Qasim managed draw against UBL in their Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2015-16 round six Pool A match here at Marghazar ground on Thursday. However, UBL were awarded three points on the basis of first innings’ lead. Chasing 499 runs for win, Port Qasim finished final day at 204-7 in 40 overs. Test discarded Khurram Manzoor made 80. Saeed Bin Nasir bagged 3-17 and Ehsan Adil 2-28. Earlier, UBL resumed their second innings at the overnight score of 276-6 in 70 overs and declared their innings at 395-9. UBL skipper's defensive-minded approach cost them victory. Umar made 174 and Yasim Murtaza made 85. Azam Khan took 5-91 and M Talha 2-93. In Pool B match at National ground, KRL thrashed Wapda by five wickets. Requiring 135 runs for win, KRL achieved the target in 33.1 overs.–Staff Reporter

All Pakistan garrison golf starts
LAHORE - All Pakistan Garrison Golf Tournament started here at lush green Lahore Garrison Golf and Country Club (LGG&CC) on Thursday. Garrison Commander Major General Sardar Tariq Aman, who is also patron of LGG&CC, inaugurated the four-day event. More than 400 golfers belonging to both professional and amateur categories are participating in the event. The prize distribution ceremony will be held on December 6 and Commander Lahore Corps Lt Gen Sadiq Ali will be the chief guest.–Staff Reporter