Brazil avert home defeat with draw in WC qualifiers

World champions Brazil drew 3-3 with Uruguay to avert their first-ever home defeat in the South American World Cup Qualifiers, at Curitiba. Colombia drew 1-1 with Argentina to pick up their first point in the qualifiers, while Peru and Ecuador drew 0-0.

Brazil earlier drew 1-1 with Peru to lose their 100 per cent record in the qualifiers. They are placed second behind Argentina, who lead on goal difference, after defeating Bolivia 3-0.

Euro 2004 qualifiers: A hat-trick by Ruud van Nistelrooy helped The Netherlands thrash Scotland 6-0 and secure a berth in the finals. Latvia forced World Cup semi-finalists Turkey to a 2-2 draw to reach the finals for the first time.

English Premier League: Arsenal drubbed Birming-ham City 3-0 to retain the lead with 33 points, on Nov. 22. Chelsea are in second place with 32 points after a 1-0 win over Southampton. Manchester United, who briefly held the lead, are now third with 31 points. They defeated Blackburn Rovers 2-1.

Lagan clinches World cue title

Lee Lagan upset former champion Geet Sethi 6-5 to lift the coveted Arthur Walker Trophy of the IBSF World Bil-liards Championship 2003, at Hyderabad, on Nov. 22.

The Englishman was amateur champion in 1999, 2001 and 2002. He destro-yed Sethi's hopes of winning the title for the 8th time, after finishing as runners-up in the last edition too. Both had an unbeaten run to the finals.