DOHA, Jan 15, 2011 (AFP) - World Cup hero Keisuke Honda has led Japan to yet another milestone after scoring their 1,000th international goal in the controversial 2-1 win over Syria at the Asian Cup.
The CSKA Moscow midfielder slotted in the winner through the legs of Syrian goalkeeper Mosab Balhous from a penalty in the 82nd minute to move Japan closer to an Asian Cup quarter-final spot from a tight Group B on Thursday.

"It was a little bit shaky but I was relieved it went through," the 24-year-old with bleached blond hair told Japanese media. "The result was alright." The goal came only six minutes after Syria had equalised from a penalty awarded after Japanese goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima had been red-carded for bringing down a Syrian player who had been flagged offside.

Japan's first international goal was scored by Ryuzo Shimizu in 1923 in Osaka, when they lost 2-1 to the Philippines at the Far East championships.

Skipper Bhanuka dazzles as Sri Lanka U19 amass 415

First Youth Test in Galle

Sri Lanka Under 19 skipper Bhanuka Rajapakse dazzled with a blistering 149 and helped Sri Lanka Under 19, who were resuming from their overnight score of 376 for 4. to amass a massive 415 in the first session of play on day two against the England Under 19 side. This was in the first Youth Test worked off at the Galle International Stadium yesterday.

The left handed batsman’s knock came off 184 balls and included 18 boundaries and four towering sixes. The skipper was well supported by fine knocks from opener Dananjaya de Silva and Yasoda Lanka. Both of them were unfortunate to miss a ton.

Dananjaya made a 126 ball score of 84 with 13 boundaries while Yasoda’s contribution was 80 which came off 114 balls inclusive of 12 boundaries. England in their turn was given a fine start by openers Sam Wood and Daniel Bell-Drummond who were associated in a 66 runs stand.

Later skipper Lewis Gregory (who made a top score of 62) added 101 runs for the third wicket with Ben Foakes who made 46. This saw them end the second day’s proceedings on 249 for 4. The match will be continued at 10.00 a.m. today.

Nalanda’s Dulanga takes the lead

BATA- the Sunday Times Most Popular School Boy Cricketer of the Year Contests 2011

Nalanda’s Dulanga Mahanama has taken over the lead at the second count of the Bata-the Sunday Times Most Popular Schoolboy Cricketer of the year Contest All Island segment. Mahanama who was occupying the third position at the end of count one posted a total of 107 votes in this count to take the lead.

Anandian Sachitra Perera who has been a terrific bowler for them is now in the second place and has a total of seventy seven votes against his name. In the third place is Royal’s experienced batsman Ramith Rambukwella who enjoyed a great season in 2010. He occupies the third place with 48 votes.

It must be understood in the new format any cricketer representing a cricket playing school which is not listed in the group of schools given at the bottom of the coupon are eligible to contest provided they come within the desired criteria of being a second year player and had scored 400 runs or bagged 25 wickets in the previous year.

They can contest either in the emerging schools category or the international school category -- the group that they belong.